43 - The Story of Bhārgava (Continued)

Vasishtha said: 

1-2. While they remained thus with affectionate hearts and minds, O lord of the Earth, Rama got up from the lap of Bhaváni. With palms joined in reverence, self-restrained and with purity of mind, he eulogised devoutly the Supreme Lord that has no particular features as though it has them, who (though) non-dual, has attained duality and who (though) a quality-less entity has become possessed of qualities.

Rāma prayed¹: 

3. This Universe is born of the products of Prakruti (i.e. of the seven Principles beginning with Mahat). How much enlightenment or capacity do I have to make it or to measure it? The person whose body and name are unknown (i.e. Shiva): has become the sole abode and support of all desired objects. Hence, let the beloved of god Śhhiva i.e. goddess Pärvati who has fulfilled all desire, protect me. 

1. The alliteration of certain syllables (e.g. nam and tah in v.4a and 4b and of Si in v.5, si and no ia v.6a and 6b are worth noting. 

In this omnibus prayer, Parashurama eulogizes the important mem bers of Shiva's family, Radha and Krişhna who helped him out of the impasse after smashing down Ganeśha's tusk. 

4. The fact that Pradhāna (the primordial principle of Prakruti) is glorified as one whose qualities become manifest, one that evolves (units of) time and number one who is the primary cause of Samsāra. O mother, let the fall of your vision (i.e. glance) which makes artificial falls, protect me now. 

5. Let that god who cats with six mouths (i.c. Kärttikeya) protect me always that god who destroys the race of deinons, who dispels the distress of the Devas*; who develops the race of the Pramathas (Shiva's attendants), who reveals all lores, who made the city of Kašhi all on a sudden, who grants all blessings to the devotees and who conquered Varuņa. 

6. Let not (Vighneśhvara) be the person who destroys fame-(Vighneśhvara) who habitually stays near Hara (Shiva), who does the graceful work of serving Krişhņa, who makes the people who bow down to him, shine, who makes the cowherdess lasses laugh, who is respected even by Hara, who is single minded by being devoted to the lord of Cowherdesses (i.e. Krişhņa) and who has understood many types of expedients. 

7. Krişhņa deserves to forgive my offence though it be too much grievous, Krişhņa who has restrained his mind and directed it towards the lord (Supreme Lord-Shiva), who has dispelled the obstacles of his devotees, who has removed multitudes of sins, who is the bestower of knowledge upon those who have no wealth, who possesses all weighty good qualities and who lies in the lap of Rādha. 

8. Let that leader protect me as I bow down to the leader who is glorified as Rådha, who is propitiated by the people at the times of outcome, maintenance and annihilation of the Universe, who makes others understand the word that is conducive to the appreciation of the nectar of love exuding from the mouth of the Lord, who is the sovereign of the Råsa dance, who is the goddess of the Rasikas (who have aesthetic sense) and who delights persons belonging to her fold by means of her strict adherence to the heart of her lover. 

9. Let her ever be pleased, she from whose womb was born the Ativirat (extremely Superior Being) and of whom, 

*Emended as lekha-tába-pranasi for lekha-patavinasi as the text is obscure.

Virat forms but a part. This entire world consisting of the mobile and immobile beings is created by Brahma who was born of the lotus coming out of the navel of the Lord and who had been instructed in a secluded spot. The cosmic Eggs shine in the pores of the hairs of the body of the Lord. Let her who is the mother of that lord be pleased always. 

10. Let Krişhņa be merciful to me, Krişhņa who is the lord of the Universe consisting of the mobile and immobile beings; who is all-pervading; who is the ocean of Existence, Knowledge and Bliss, and who gracefully manifests himself along with Rādha, who is blind due to love. Let Krişhņa who is perfect and complete be merciful to me whereby I shall become meritorious and shall be able to get myself merged in Bliss."

Vasishtha said: 

11. After eulogising thus the Supreme one, the son of Jamadagni stopped. He who had understood the meanings of all principles had the hair of his body standing on their ends as though he had realized his wishes. 

12. Then the lotus-eyed Krişhņa who was delighted in his mind said to Bhargava who bowed down to him devoutly, who deserved his sympathy and stood in front of him. 

Krişhņa said: 

13. O prominent member of the family of Bhrugu! You are now a spiritually accomplished person, due to my blessings. Now onwards, O dear one, be the most excellent person in this world. 

14. Formerly, at the penance grove of Vişhnupada, boon had been granted to you by me. O holy lord, everything will take place in the course of many years. 

15. Kindness should be shown towards the miserable and the wretched ones, by one who wishes for excellent welfare. Yoga should be practised and the destruction of the enemies should be done as well. 

16. There is no one equal to you in this world in regard to splendour and physical strength. By means of kaowledge and renown too, you are the most excellent one among all. 

17. After reaching your house, render service to your parents; perform penance at the proper time. Thereby achievement of the spiritual goal shall be within your reach”. 

18. The lord of Rādha then lifted up Gaņeśha from the lap of Rådhå, embraced him closely and made hin friendly to Rama. 

19. At the behest of Krişhņa, O Suppressor of foes, both Rama and Ganesha, of excessively great fortune became highly delighted. 

20. In the meantime, goddess Rådhå, the chaste beloved of Krişhņa, rejoiced and granted boons to both of them with pleasure evident in her face.

Rådhå said: 

21. Your two sons shall be worthy of reverence of all the worlds as well as their delighters. You will become invincible. Particularly you will be my devotees. 

22. If anyone utters your names and begins any task, he shall achieve success in that task. Everything shall be due to my blessings". 

23-24. Then Bhavåni, the beloved of Bhava (Śhhiva), the mother of the Universe said: 

“Dear Rama, I am delighted with you. What boon shall I grant you? Mention that O highly fortunate one, after giving up your fear.”

Rama said: 

Grant me this boon that I shall become the devotee of Krishna and his beloved as well as of Bhava and his beloved, in the thousands of future births that I may be destined to take. I shall see no difference between Krishņas (i.e. Krishna and Rådhå) and Bhavas (Bhava and Bliavàni)."¹

Parvati said: 

25. “Let it be so, 0 highly fortunate one. You are the devotee of Bhava (Śhhiva) and Krişhņa. Due to my blessings, Osage of holy rites, be long-lived." 

1. This Puråņa specifically trics to bring together Vaişhnavism and Shaivism. The boon sought and granted here emphasizes this. 

26. Then the delighted lord of the mountain, the husband of Umă, the lord of the Universe said to the leading member of the family of Bhrugu, who bowed down and who deserved a boon. 

Shiva said: 

27. “O dear one, O Råma, you are my devotee. The boon that I have granted you already shall be entirely fruitful in your case. Truth has been mentioned by me. It shall never be otherwise. 

28. From now onwar.is there shall be no one in this world stronger than you or possess more splendour than you."

Vasishtha said: 

29. After taking permission of Shiva and the daughter of the mountain, Umā, Krişhņa went back to Goloka accompanied by Sridāman and Rādha. 

30. Then the righteous Räma, worshipped Bhavani and Bhava. After prostrating he circumambulated them. 

31. After bowing down to and taking leave of Ganesha and Kårttikeya, O lord of the Earth, he set out for the house, accompanied by Akrtavraña. 

32. Setting out, Rama was bowed down to by the Ganas chief of whom was Nandiśhvara, and O king, he went home with great joy.