Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya, Chapter 9 | Skanda Purāṇa

Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya · Chapter 9

।। अथ वसुनामकनिषादवृत्तांतः ।। ।। धरण्युवाच ।। ।। कलौ युगे भूमिधर केन त्वं द्रक्ष्यसे प्रिय ।। विमानं केन ते देव कार्यतेऽस्मिन्महीधरे ।। १ ।। श्रीनिवासोऽपि केनैव द्रक्ष्यते सुभगाकृतिः ।। एतद्ब्रूहि मम प्रीत्या श्रोतुं कौतूहलं विभो ।। २ ।। ।। श्रीवराह उवाच ।। ।। वक्ष्यामि शृणु हे देवि भविष्यद्यद्वदामि ते ।। अस्मिन्महीधरे पुण्ये निषादो वसुनामकः ।। ३ ।। श्यामाकवनपालोऽभूद्भक्तिमान्पुरुषोत्तमे ।। श्यामाकतंडुलान्पक्त्वा मधुना परिषिच्य च ।। ४ ।। निवेद्य देवदेवाय श्रीभूमि सहिताय च ।। एवं भक्तिमतस्तस्य भार्या चित्रवती शुभा ।। ५ ।। असूत तनयं बाला वीरनामानमुत्तमम् ।। वसुः पुत्रेण सहितो भार्यया पतिभक्तया ।। ६ ।। कस्मिंश्चिद्दिवसे पुत्रं श्यामाकं पालयेति च ।। विसृज्य पत्न्या सहितो मध्वन्वेषणतत्परः ।। ७ ।। गतो वनान्तरं शीघ्रं मधुच्छत्रदिदृक्षया ।। बालः श्यामाकपक्वानि गृहीत्वाग्नौ निधाय च ।। ८ ।। पिष्ट्वा निवेदयामास वृक्षमूले श्रियः पतेः ।। नैवेद्यं भक्षयित्वैव वीरस्त्वास सुखेन वै।। ९ ।। तदन्तरे वसुश्चापि मध्वादाय समागतः ।। श्यामाकान्भक्षितान्दृष्ट्वा संतर्ज्य सुतमात्मनः ।। 2.1.9.१० ।। खड्गमादाय तं हन्तुं त्वरया हस्तमुद्दधौ ।। ११ ।। ।। अथ सुतहननोद्युक्तं वसुं प्रति भगवदुक्तिः ।। ।। तद्वृक्षस्थस्तदा विष्णुः खड्गं जग्राह पाणिना ।। खड्गो गृहीतः केनेति पश्यन्वृक्षं ददर्श सः ।। १२ ।। शङ्खचक्रगदापाणिं वृक्षारूढार्धविग्रहम् ।। मुक्त्वा वसुश्च तं खड्गं प्रणम्योवाच केशवम् ।। १३ ।। किमिदं देवदेवेश चेष्टितं क्रियते त्वया ।। १४ ।। ।। श्रीभगवानुवाच ।। ।। वसो शृणु वचो मे त्वं पुत्रस्ते भक्तिमान्मयि ।। त्वत्तोऽपि मे प्रियतमस्तस्मात्प्रत्यक्षमागतः ।।१५।। अस्य सर्वत्र तिष्ठामि तव स्वामिसरस्तटे ।। इति देववचः श्रुत्वा प्रीतिमानभवद्वसुः ।। १६ ।। एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु पांड्यदेशात्समागतः ।। बाल्यात्प्रभृति शूद्रोऽपि विष्णुभक्तिसमन्वितः ।। १७ ।। ।। अथ रंगदासस्य श्रीनिवाससेवार्थं श्रीशेषाचलागमनम् ।। ।। नारायणपुरीं प्राप्य श्रीवराहं प्रणम्य च ।। तत्र श्रुत्वा श्रीनिवासं वेंकटाद्रिनिवासिनम् ।। १८ ।। स्वयंभुवं देवदेवसेवितं प्रययौ ततः ।। सुवर्णमुखरीं प्राप्य स्नात्वा चोत्तीर्य तत्तटे ।। १९।। कमलाख्ये सरसि च स्नात्वा पुण्यप्रदायिनि ।। तत्तीरवासिनं देवं कृष्णं रामेण संवृतम् ।। 2.1.9.२० ।। नमस्कृत्य ततः प्रायाद्वनं गजघटायुतम् ।। शनैः संप्राप्य शेषाद्रिं निर्झरं संददर्श ह ।। २१ ।। तत्समीपं समासाद्य कपिलापूजितं शिवम् ।। तत्पुरश्चक्रतीर्थं तदगाधं पापनाशनम् ।। २२ ।। तत्र स्नात्वा ततोऽगच्छद्वेंकटाद्रिं शनैःशनैः ।। आराद्धुं गच्छता मार्गे युक्तो वैखानसेन च ।। २३ ।। रंगदासस्त्वारुरोह बालो द्वादशवार्षिकः ।। स्वामिपुष्करिणीं प्राय स्नात्वा भक्तिसमन्वितः ।।२४।। वैखानसेन मुनिना गोपीनाथेन पूजितम् ।। वनमध्ये तरोर्मूले स्वामिपुष्करिणीतटे ।।२५।। तिष्ठन्तं पुण्डरीकाक्षं श्रीभूमिसहितं हरिम् ।। आकाशस्थं संददर्श पीतनीलाकृतिं शुभम् ।। २६ ।। पार्श्वस्थशंखचक्राभ्यां गदासिभ्यां निषेवितम्।। पक्षौ विस्तार्य चाकाशे देवमूर्ध्नि वितानवत् ।।२७।। स्थितं च गरुडेशानं पश्चाच्छार्ङ्गं शरं तथा ।।२८।। ।। अथ श्रीनिवासार्थं रंगदासकृतदिव्योद्यानमण्डपादिनिर्माणानि ।। ।। एवं दृष्ट्वा श्रीनिवासं विस्मितो रंगदासकः ।। अस्य देवस्य चारामं करिष्यामीत्यचिन्तयत् ।। २९ ।। निश्चित्य मनसा सर्वं तरुमूलेऽवसत्सुधीः ।। कृत्वा वैखानसाद्विष्णोर्नैवेद्यं च दिनेदिने ।। 2.1.9.३० ।। शनैश्छित्त्वा वनं घोरं वृक्षांश्चिच्छेद पार्श्वगान् ।। आस्थानचिञ्चां देवस्य रमायाश्चम्पकं तरुम् ।।३१।। देवाज्ञप्तो वर्जयित्वा तावुभौ देवसेवितौ ।। देवस्यपरितो भूमौ शिलाकुड्यं तदाकरोत् ।।३२।। तत्कुड्यस्यैव परितः पुष्पारामांश्चकार ह ।। मल्लिकाकरवीराब्जकुन्दमंदारमालतीः ।।३३।। तुलसीचम्पकानां तु वनान्येव चकार ह ।। खनित्वा तत्र कूपं तु वर्धयंस्तज्जलैर्वनम् ।। ३४ ।। आरामपुष्पाण्यादाय स्वयं दामान्यथाकरोत् ।। विचित्राणि तदा बद्ध्वा पूजकस्य करे ददौ ।। ३५ ।। आदाय पूजकस्तानि स्कन्धे मूर्ध्नि बबन्ध च ।। श्रीनिवासस्य देवस्य श्रीभूमिसहितस्य च ।। ३६ ।। एवं देवस्य कैंकर्यं कुर्वंस्तस्थावुदारधीः ।। तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य समास्त्वा सप्ततेर्गताः ।। ३७ ।। कुर्वाणे पुष्पावचयं रंगदासे महात्मनि ।। ३८ ।। ।। अथ रंगदासस्य गन्धर्वक्रीडादर्शनेन भगवत्कैंकर्यविस्मृतिः ।। ।। आरामे सरसि स्नातुं गन्धर्वः कश्चिदाययौ ।। गन्धर्वराजकन्याभिस्तरुणीभिः समन्वितः ।। ३९ ।। जलक्रीडां करोति स्म दिवि स्थाप्य विमानकम्।। सुरूपाभिश्च सहितं क्रीडन्तं कमलाकरे ।। 2.1.9.४० ।। पश्यञ्छ्रीरंगदासोऽयं व्यस्मरन्माल्यसञ्चयम् ।। जितेन्द्रियोऽपि तत्कक्रीडां पश्यन्रेतः ससर्ज ह ।। ४१ ।। पश्यतस्तस्य सरसः समुत्तीर्य मनोहरम् ।। दिव्यवस्त्राणि चाच्छाद्य कान्ताभिः सह सस्मितम् ।। ।। ४२ ।। अधिरुह्य विमानं तु ययौ स धनदालयम् ।। गते गन्धर्वराजे तु रंगदासो विमोहितः ।। ४३ ।। त्यक्त्वा च तानि माल्यानि स्नात्वा सरसि लज्जितः ।। पुनराहृत्य पुष्पाणि शनैर्देवालयं ययौ ।। ४४ ।। वैखानसस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा पूजाकालमतीत्य च ।। आगतं किमिति प्राह सखेऽतिक्रम्य चागतः ।। ४५ ।। न बद्धा मालिकाश्चापि त्वयाऽऽरामे च किं कृतम् ।। ४६ ।। ।। श्रीवराहउवाच ।। ।। इत्थं पृष्टो रंगदासो नावदल्लज्जया ततः ।। लज्जितं रंगदासं तं प्रोवाच मधुसूदनः ।। ४७ ।। ।। अथ स्वरूपानुसन्धानेन लज्जितं रंगदासं प्रति श्रीनिवासवचनम्।। ।। श्रीभगवानुवाच ।। ।। लज्जया किं रंगदास मया त्वं मोहितो ह्यसि ।। त्वं तावज्जितकामोऽसि धीरो भव महामते ।। ४८ ।। गन्धर्वराजवद्राजा भवितासि महीतले ।। तत्र भुक्त्वा महाभोगान्भक्तिमान्मयि सर्वदा ।। ४९ ।। प्राकारं च विमानं च कारयिष्यसि मे तदा ।। तत्र मुक्तिं प्रदास्यामि प्रीत्या परमया युतः ।। 2.1.9.५० ।। अत्रैव कुरु सेवां त्वमाशरीरविमोक्षणात् ।। मद्भक्तानां सकामानामेवं मुक्तिर्भविष्यति ।। ५१ ।। इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्विष्णुः पुनर्नोवाच किंचन ।। श्रुत्वा तद्रंगदासोऽपि चकाराराममुत्तमम् ।। ।। ५२ ।। ।। अथ तोण्डमान्नामकनृपवृत्तान्तः ।। ।। साग्रं शताब्दं सेवित्वा गतः स्वर्गममन्दधीः ।। जातः सोमकुले तुंगे तोण्डमानिति विश्रुतः ।। ५३ ।। सुवीरतनयो वीरो नन्दिनीगर्भसंभवः ।। स पंचवर्षादुद्भूतविष्णुभक्तिः स्वयं सुधीः ।। सौशील्यशौर्यवीर्यादिगुणानामाकरो महान्।। ५४ ।। पाण्ड्यस्य तनयां पद्मामुपयेमे मनोहराम् ।। ततो राजा शतं कन्या नानादेश्याः स्वयंवराः ।। ५५ ।। रेमे देवेंद्रवद्भूमौ नारायणपुरे वसन्।। अनुज्ञां प्राप्य पितृतः पुत्रः पंचास्यविक्रमः।। ५६ ।। उद्दिश्य मृगयां वीरो वेङ्कटाद्रेः समीपतः ।। ५७ ।। ।। अथ तोण्डमान्नृपस्य मृगयार्थं श्रीशेषाचलगमनम् ।। ।। पादचारेण विचरन्परिवारैः समन्वितः ।। मदधारां विमुंचंतं ददर्श गजयूथपम् ।। ५८ ।। तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मितो भूत्वा ग्रहीतुं तमनुद्रुतः ।। सुवर्णमुखरीं तीर्त्वा ब्रह्माष शुकमुत्तमम् ।। ५९ ।। नमस्कृत्याभ्यनुज्ञातस्ततोऽगच्छद्वनाद्वनम् ।। ददर्श रेणुकां देवीं वल्मीकाकारसंस्थिताम् ।। 2.1.9.६० ।। इष्टदामिष्टभक्तानां दिव्यारामनिवासिनीम्।। परिवारैः सदोपेतां पूजितां त्रिदशैरपि ।।६१ ।। तोण्डमानपि तां नत्वा ततः पश्चान्मुखो ययौ ।। ६२ ।। ।। अथ श्रीनिवाससमीपस्थपंचवर्णशुकवृत्तांतः ।। ।। पंचवर्णं शुकं दृष्ट्वा तं जिघृक्षुरनुद्रुतः ।। स वदञ्छ्रीनिवासेति गिरिं शीघ्रतरं ययौ ।। ६३ ।। अनुद्रवन्स राजापि गिरिराजं समारुहत् ।। दरीश्च विविधाः पश्यञ्छिखराणि समंततः।। ।। ६४ ।। शुकमन्वेषमाणोऽसौ श्यामाकवनमेयिवान् ।। तमदृष्ट्वा शुकवरं वनपालं ददर्श ह ।। ६५ ।। तं तु राजानमायांतं प्रत्युद्गच्छन्स सत्वरः ।। प्रणम्य विनयोपेतः कृताञ्जलिपुटः स्थितः ।।६६।। तोण्डमानपि संपूज्य तं पप्रच्छ वनेचरम्।। पंचवर्णः शुकः कश्चिद्दृष्टश्चात्रागतस्त्वया ।। ६७ ।। श्रीनिवासेति च वदन्क्व गतोऽसौ वनेचर ।। ६८ ।। ।। वनेचर उवाच ।। ।। स पंचवर्णो राजेंद्र श्रीनिवासप्रियः सदा ।। पार्श्ववर्ती सदा तस्य श्रीभूमिभ्यां विवर्धितः ।। ६९ ।। स्वामिपुष्करिणीतीरे सदास्ते देवसन्निधौ ।। ग्रहीतुं स शुकः श्रीमान्न तु केनापि शक्यते ।। 2.1.9.७० ।। विहृत्य स्वेच्छया नित्यमस्मिन्गिरिवरे शुभे ।। दिनांते देवमासाद्य तत्समीपे वसत्ययम् ।। ७१ ।। तं देवमाराधयितुं गमिष्यामि नृपात्मज ।। विश्रम्यतां वृक्षमूले यावदागमनं मम ।। ७२ ।। पुत्रेणानेन सहितो विहर त्वं यथासुखम् ।। ७३ ।। ।। राजोवाच ।। ।। त्वया सहागमिष्यामि द्रष्टुं देवं जनार्दनम् ।। त्वं मे दर्शय देवेशं वेंकटाद्रिनिवासिनम् ।। ७४ ।। तस्य राज्ञो वचः श्रुत्वा श्यामाकं मधुमिश्रितम् ।। चूतपत्रपुटे क्षिप्त्वा राज्ञा सह ययौ हरिम् ।। ७५ ।। ।। अथ तोण्डमान्नृपस्य निषादेन सह श्रीनिवाससमीपागमनम् ।। ।। गत्वा सुदूरमध्वानं पश्यन्तौ तौ शिलातलम् ।। मुहूर्तादेव संप्राप्तौ स्वामिपुष्करिणीं शुभाम् ।। ७६ ।। स्नात्वा तत्र विधानेन राज्ञा सह निषादपः ।। दर्शयामास देवशं राज्ञस्तस्य महात्मनः ।। ७७ ।। स्वामिपुष्करिणीतीरे स्थितं श्रीवृक्षमूलके ।। अतसीपुष्पसंकाशमंबुजायतलोचनम् ।। ७८ ।। चतुर्भुजमुदाराङ्गमीषत्स्मितमुखांबुजम् ।। दिव्यपीतांबरधरं किरीटकटकोज्ज्वलम् ।। ७९ ।। पार्श्वस्थाभ्यां सुरूपाभ्यां श्रीभूमिभ्यां समन्वितम् ।। परितः शंखचक्रासिगदाशार्ङ्गेषुसेवितम् ।।।। 2.1.9.८० ।। अन्यैर्दिव्यायुधैश्चापि दिव्यमाल्यैर्निषेवितम् ।। स्कन्देनाराध्यमानं तं त्रिसन्ध्यं पुरुषोत्तमम् ।। ८१ ।। वल्मीकगूढपादाब्जमाजानुपुरुषोत्तमम् ।। ततो दृष्ट्वा मुदा देवं प्रणेमतुरुभौ तदा ।। ८२ ।। राजा तु प्रांजलिर्भूत्वा विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः ।। आनंदलहरीं प्राप्य न प्राज्ञायत किंचन ।। ८३ ।। निषादोऽपि निवेद्यैव श्यामाकं मधुमिश्रितम् ।। राज्ञे तदर्धं दत्त्वैव शिष्टार्धं भुक्तवान्स्वयम् ।। ८४ ।। पीत्वा पुष्करिणीतोयं तेन राज्ञा समन्वितः ।। स पुनः श्यामकवने पुण्यां पर्णकुटीं ययौ ।। ८५ ।। उषित्वा चैकरात्रं तु प्रातरुत्थाय भूमिपः ।। स्वसैन्येन समायुक्तो निवृत्तः स्वपुरं ययौ ।। ८६ ।। ।। अथ तोण्डमान्नृपं प्रति रेणुकोक्तिः ।। ।। पुनर्देवीवनं गत्वा हयादवततार ह ।। चैत्रशुद्धनवम्यां तु पूजयामास रेणुकाम् ।। ८७।। हविष्यं परमान्नं च सोपस्करमनेकशः ।। पशूपहारसहितं धूपदीपसमन्वितम् ।। ८८ ।। सुराघटीशतं दत्त्वा जातीकेसरवासितम् ।। एवं संपूजिता देवी प्रीता राज्ञे वरं ददौ ।। ८९ ।। आविष्टः पुरुषः कश्चिदवदन्नृपसत्तमम् ।। शृणु राजन्भविष्यं ते राज्यं निहतकंटकम् ।। 2.1.9.९० ।। राजंस्तवैव नाम्नात्र राजधानी भविष्यति ।। मत्समीपे महाराज चिरं राज्यं करिष्यसि ।। ९१ ।। देवदेवप्रसादश्च भविष्यति तवानघ ।। इति दत्त्वा वरं तस्मा आविष्टः प्रकृतिं ययौ ।। ९२ ।। ततो लब्धवरो राजा ययौ शुकमुनिं पुनः ।। ९३ ।। ।। अथ शुकवर्णितपद्मसरोवरमाहात्म्यम् ।। ।। अभिवाद्य मुनिं तेन पूजितो मुदितोऽभवत् ।। माहात्म्यं सरसो ब्रूहि कमलाख्यस्य मे मुने ।। ९४ ।। ।। श्रीशुक उवाच ।। ।। पुरा दुर्वाससः शापादवतीर्णा सुरालयात् ।। पद्मा पद्माक्षदयिता विष्णुना सहिता नृप ।। ९५ ।। सरः कांचनपद्माढ्यमिदं प्राप्य महेश्वरी ।। तपश्चकार वर्षाणां दिव्यानामयुतं रमा ।। ९६ ।। ततो देवा विचिन्वन्तः श्रियं विष्णुसमन्विताम् ।। पुरंदरेण संयुक्ता राजन्नस्मिन्सरोवरे ।। ९७ ।। स्थिता सुवर्णकमले पुण्डरीकाक्षसंयुताम् ।। दृष्ट्वा प्रीतिसमायुक्ताः प्रणम्यांबुजधारिणीम् ।। कृताञ्जलिपुटाः सेन्द्रास्तुष्टुवुर्लोकमातरम् ।। ।। ९६ ।। ।। अथ देवादिकृतश्रीलक्ष्मीस्तुतिः ।। ।। देवा ऊचुः ।। ।। नमः श्रियै लोकधात्र्यै ब्रह्ममात्रे नमोनमः ।। नमस्ते पद्मनेत्रायै पद्ममुख्यै नमोनमः ।। ९९ ।। प्रसन्नमुखपद्मायै पद्मकान्त्यै नमोनमः ।। नमो बिल्ववनस्थायै विष्णुपत्न्यै नमोनमः ।। 2.1.9.१०० ।। विचित्रक्षौमधारिण्यै पृथुश्रोण्यै नमोनमः ।। पक्वबिल्वफलापीनतुंगस्तन्यै नमोनमः ।। १०१ ।। सुरक्तपद्मपत्राभकरपादतले शुभे ।। सुरत्नांगदकेयूरकांचीनूपुरशोभिते ।। यक्षकर्दमसंलिप्तसर्वांगे कटकोज्ज्वले ।। १०२ ।। मांगल्याभरणैश्चित्रैर्मुक्ताहारैर्विभूषिते ।। ताटंकैरवतंसैश्च शोभमानमुखांबुजे ।। १०३ ।। पद्महस्ते नमस्तुभ्यं प्रसीद हरिवल्लभे ।। ऋग्यजुःसामरूपायै विद्यायै ते नमोनमः ।। १०४ ।। प्रसीदास्मान्कृपादृष्टिपातैरालोकयाब्धिजे ।। ये दृष्टास्ते त्वया ब्रह्मरुद्रेंद्रत्वं समाप्नुयुः ।। १०५ ।। ।। अथ इंद्रादीन्प्रति स्तुतिप्रसन्नलक्ष्मीवचनम् ।। ।। श्रीशुक उवाच ।। ।। इति स्तुता तदा दैवैर्विष्णुवक्षःस्थलालया ।। विष्णुना सह संदृश्या रमा प्रीतावदत्सुरान् ।। १०६ ।। ।। श्रीरुवाच ।। ।। सुरारीन्सहसा हत्वा स्वपदानि गमिष्यथ ।। ये स्थानहीनाः स्वस्थानाद्भ्रंशिता ये नरा भुवि ।। १०७ ।। ते मामनेन स्तोत्रेण स्तुत्वा स्थानमवाप्नुयुः ।। अखंडैर्बिल्वपत्रैर्मामर्चयंति नरा भुवि ।। १०८ ।। स्तोत्रेणानेन ये देवा नरा युष्मत्कृतेन वै ।। धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणामाकरास्ते भवन्ति वै ।। १०९ ।। इदं पद्मसरो देवा ये केचन नरा भुवि ।। प्राप्य स्नानं करिष्यन्ति मां स्तुत्वा विष्णुवल्लभाम् ।। 2.1.9.११० ।। तेऽपि श्रियं दीर्घमायुर्विद्यां पुत्रान्सुवर्चसः ।। लब्ध्वा भोगांश्च भुक्त्वाऽन्ते नरा मोक्षमवाप्नुयुः ।। १११ ।। इति दत्त्वा वरं देवी देवेन सह विष्णुना ।। आरुह्य गरुडेशानं वैकुण्ठस्थानमाययौ ।। ।। ११२ ।। इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डे श्रीवेंकटाचलमाहात्म्ये धरणीवराहसंवादे वसु नामक निषादवृत्तान्तपद्मसरोमाहात्म्यादिवर्णनंनाम नवमोऽध्यायः ।। ९ ।।

|| atha vasunāmakaniṣādavṛttāṃtaḥ || || dharaṇyuvāca || || kalau yuge bhūmidhara kena tvaṃ drakṣyase priya || vimānaṃ kena te deva kāryate'sminmahīdhare || 1 || śrīnivāso'pi kenaiva drakṣyate subhagākṛtiḥ || etadbrūhi mama prītyā śrotuṃ kautūhalaṃ vibho || 2 || || śrīvarāha uvāca || || vakṣyāmi śṛṇu he devi bhaviṣyadyadvadāmi te || asminmahīdhare puṇye niṣādo vasunāmakaḥ || 3 || śyāmākavanapālo'bhūdbhaktimānpuruṣottame || śyāmākataṃḍulānpaktvā madhunā pariṣicya ca || 4 || nivedya devadevāya śrībhūmi sahitāya ca || evaṃ bhaktimatastasya bhāryā citravatī śubhā || 5 || asūta tanayaṃ bālā vīranāmānamuttamam || vasuḥ putreṇa sahito bhāryayā patibhaktayā || 6 || kasmiṃściddivase putraṃ śyāmākaṃ pālayeti ca || visṛjya patnyā sahito madhvanveṣaṇatatparaḥ || 7 || gato vanāntaraṃ śīghraṃ madhucchatradidṛkṣayā || bālaḥ śyāmākapakvāni gṛhītvāgnau nidhāya ca || 8 || piṣṭvā nivedayāmāsa vṛkṣamūle śriyaḥ pateḥ || naivedyaṃ bhakṣayitvaiva vīrastvāsa sukhena vai|| 9 || tadantare vasuścāpi madhvādāya samāgataḥ || śyāmākānbhakṣitāndṛṣṭvā saṃtarjya sutamātmanaḥ || 2.1.9.10 || khaḍgamādāya taṃ hantuṃ tvarayā hastamuddadhau || 11 || || atha sutahananodyuktaṃ vasuṃ prati bhagavaduktiḥ || || tadvṛkṣasthastadā viṣṇuḥ khaḍgaṃ jagrāha pāṇinā || khaḍgo gṛhītaḥ keneti paśyanvṛkṣaṃ dadarśa saḥ || 12 || śaṅkhacakragadāpāṇiṃ vṛkṣārūḍhārdhavigraham || muktvā vasuśca taṃ khaḍgaṃ praṇamyovāca keśavam || 13 || kimidaṃ devadeveśa ceṣṭitaṃ kriyate tvayā || 14 || || śrībhagavānuvāca || || vaso śṛṇu vaco me tvaṃ putraste bhaktimānmayi || tvatto'pi me priyatamastasmātpratyakṣamāgataḥ ||15|| asya sarvatra tiṣṭhāmi tava svāmisarastaṭe || iti devavacaḥ śrutvā prītimānabhavadvasuḥ || 16 || etasminneva kāle tu pāṃḍyadeśātsamāgataḥ || bālyātprabhṛti śūdro'pi viṣṇubhaktisamanvitaḥ || 17 || || atha raṃgadāsasya śrīnivāsasevārthaṃ śrīśeṣācalāgamanam || || nārāyaṇapurīṃ prāpya śrīvarāhaṃ praṇamya ca || tatra śrutvā śrīnivāsaṃ veṃkaṭādrinivāsinam || 18 || svayaṃbhuvaṃ devadevasevitaṃ prayayau tataḥ || suvarṇamukharīṃ prāpya snātvā cottīrya tattaṭe || 19|| kamalākhye sarasi ca snātvā puṇyapradāyini || tattīravāsinaṃ devaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ rāmeṇa saṃvṛtam || 2.1.9.20 || namaskṛtya tataḥ prāyādvanaṃ gajaghaṭāyutam || śanaiḥ saṃprāpya śeṣādriṃ nirjharaṃ saṃdadarśa ha || 21 || tatsamīpaṃ samāsādya kapilāpūjitaṃ śivam || tatpuraścakratīrthaṃ tadagādhaṃ pāpanāśanam || 22 || tatra snātvā tato'gacchadveṃkaṭādriṃ śanaiḥśanaiḥ || ārāddhuṃ gacchatā mārge yukto vaikhānasena ca || 23 || raṃgadāsastvāruroha bālo dvādaśavārṣikaḥ || svāmipuṣkariṇīṃ prāya snātvā bhaktisamanvitaḥ ||24|| vaikhānasena muninā gopīnāthena pūjitam || vanamadhye tarormūle svāmipuṣkariṇītaṭe ||25|| tiṣṭhantaṃ puṇḍarīkākṣaṃ śrībhūmisahitaṃ harim || ākāśasthaṃ saṃdadarśa pītanīlākṛtiṃ śubham || 26 || pārśvasthaśaṃkhacakrābhyāṃ gadāsibhyāṃ niṣevitam|| pakṣau vistārya cākāśe devamūrdhni vitānavat ||27|| sthitaṃ ca garuḍeśānaṃ paścācchārṅgaṃ śaraṃ tathā ||28|| || atha śrīnivāsārthaṃ raṃgadāsakṛtadivyodyānamaṇḍapādinirmāṇāni || || evaṃ dṛṣṭvā śrīnivāsaṃ vismito raṃgadāsakaḥ || asya devasya cārāmaṃ kariṣyāmītyacintayat || 29 || niścitya manasā sarvaṃ tarumūle'vasatsudhīḥ || kṛtvā vaikhānasādviṣṇornaivedyaṃ ca dinedine || 2.1.9.30 || śanaiśchittvā vanaṃ ghoraṃ vṛkṣāṃściccheda pārśvagān || āsthānaciñcāṃ devasya ramāyāścampakaṃ tarum ||31|| devājñapto varjayitvā tāvubhau devasevitau || devasyaparito bhūmau śilākuḍyaṃ tadākarot ||32|| tatkuḍyasyaiva paritaḥ puṣpārāmāṃścakāra ha || mallikākaravīrābjakundamaṃdāramālatīḥ ||33|| tulasīcampakānāṃ tu vanānyeva cakāra ha || khanitvā tatra kūpaṃ tu vardhayaṃstajjalairvanam || 34 || ārāmapuṣpāṇyādāya svayaṃ dāmānyathākarot || vicitrāṇi tadā baddhvā pūjakasya kare dadau || 35 || ādāya pūjakastāni skandhe mūrdhni babandha ca || śrīnivāsasya devasya śrībhūmisahitasya ca || 36 || evaṃ devasya kaiṃkaryaṃ kurvaṃstasthāvudāradhīḥ || tasyaivaṃ vartamānasya samāstvā saptatergatāḥ || 37 || kurvāṇe puṣpāvacayaṃ raṃgadāse mahātmani || 38 || || atha raṃgadāsasya gandharvakrīḍādarśanena bhagavatkaiṃkaryavismṛtiḥ || || ārāme sarasi snātuṃ gandharvaḥ kaścidāyayau || gandharvarājakanyābhistaruṇībhiḥ samanvitaḥ || 39 || jalakrīḍāṃ karoti sma divi sthāpya vimānakam|| surūpābhiśca sahitaṃ krīḍantaṃ kamalākare || 2.1.9.40 || paśyañchrīraṃgadāso'yaṃ vyasmaranmālyasañcayam || jitendriyo'pi tatkakrīḍāṃ paśyanretaḥ sasarja ha || 41 || paśyatastasya sarasaḥ samuttīrya manoharam || divyavastrāṇi cācchādya kāntābhiḥ saha sasmitam || || 42 || adhiruhya vimānaṃ tu yayau sa dhanadālayam || gate gandharvarāje tu raṃgadāso vimohitaḥ || 43 || tyaktvā ca tāni mālyāni snātvā sarasi lajjitaḥ || punarāhṛtya puṣpāṇi śanairdevālayaṃ yayau || 44 || vaikhānasastu taṃ dṛṣṭvā pūjākālamatītya ca || āgataṃ kimiti prāha sakhe'tikramya cāgataḥ || 45 || na baddhā mālikāścāpi tvayā''rāme ca kiṃ kṛtam || 46 || || śrīvarāhauvāca || || itthaṃ pṛṣṭo raṃgadāso nāvadallajjayā tataḥ || lajjitaṃ raṃgadāsaṃ taṃ provāca madhusūdanaḥ || 47 || || atha svarūpānusandhānena lajjitaṃ raṃgadāsaṃ prati śrīnivāsavacanam|| || śrībhagavānuvāca || || lajjayā kiṃ raṃgadāsa mayā tvaṃ mohito hyasi || tvaṃ tāvajjitakāmo'si dhīro bhava mahāmate || 48 || gandharvarājavadrājā bhavitāsi mahītale || tatra bhuktvā mahābhogānbhaktimānmayi sarvadā || 49 || prākāraṃ ca vimānaṃ ca kārayiṣyasi me tadā || tatra muktiṃ pradāsyāmi prītyā paramayā yutaḥ || 2.1.9.50 || atraiva kuru sevāṃ tvamāśarīravimokṣaṇāt || madbhaktānāṃ sakāmānāmevaṃ muktirbhaviṣyati || 51 || ityuktvā bhagavānviṣṇuḥ punarnovāca kiṃcana || śrutvā tadraṃgadāso'pi cakārārāmamuttamam || || 52 || || atha toṇḍamānnāmakanṛpavṛttāntaḥ || || sāgraṃ śatābdaṃ sevitvā gataḥ svargamamandadhīḥ || jātaḥ somakule tuṃge toṇḍamāniti viśrutaḥ || 53 || suvīratanayo vīro nandinīgarbhasaṃbhavaḥ || sa paṃcavarṣādudbhūtaviṣṇubhaktiḥ svayaṃ sudhīḥ || sauśīlyaśauryavīryādiguṇānāmākaro mahān|| 54 || pāṇḍyasya tanayāṃ padmāmupayeme manoharām || tato rājā śataṃ kanyā nānādeśyāḥ svayaṃvarāḥ || 55 || reme deveṃdravadbhūmau nārāyaṇapure vasan|| anujñāṃ prāpya pitṛtaḥ putraḥ paṃcāsyavikramaḥ|| 56 || uddiśya mṛgayāṃ vīro veṅkaṭādreḥ samīpataḥ || 57 || || atha toṇḍamānnṛpasya mṛgayārthaṃ śrīśeṣācalagamanam || || pādacāreṇa vicaranparivāraiḥ samanvitaḥ || madadhārāṃ vimuṃcaṃtaṃ dadarśa gajayūthapam || 58 || taṃ dṛṣṭvā vismito bhūtvā grahītuṃ tamanudrutaḥ || suvarṇamukharīṃ tīrtvā brahmāṣa śukamuttamam || 59 || namaskṛtyābhyanujñātastato'gacchadvanādvanam || dadarśa reṇukāṃ devīṃ valmīkākārasaṃsthitām || 2.1.9.60 || iṣṭadāmiṣṭabhaktānāṃ divyārāmanivāsinīm|| parivāraiḥ sadopetāṃ pūjitāṃ tridaśairapi ||61 || toṇḍamānapi tāṃ natvā tataḥ paścānmukho yayau || 62 || || atha śrīnivāsasamīpasthapaṃcavarṇaśukavṛttāṃtaḥ || || paṃcavarṇaṃ śukaṃ dṛṣṭvā taṃ jighṛkṣuranudrutaḥ || sa vadañchrīnivāseti giriṃ śīghrataraṃ yayau || 63 || anudravansa rājāpi girirājaṃ samāruhat || darīśca vividhāḥ paśyañchikharāṇi samaṃtataḥ|| || 64 || śukamanveṣamāṇo'sau śyāmākavanameyivān || tamadṛṣṭvā śukavaraṃ vanapālaṃ dadarśa ha || 65 || taṃ tu rājānamāyāṃtaṃ pratyudgacchansa satvaraḥ || praṇamya vinayopetaḥ kṛtāñjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ ||66|| toṇḍamānapi saṃpūjya taṃ papraccha vanecaram|| paṃcavarṇaḥ śukaḥ kaściddṛṣṭaścātrāgatastvayā || 67 || śrīnivāseti ca vadankva gato'sau vanecara || 68 || || vanecara uvāca || || sa paṃcavarṇo rājeṃdra śrīnivāsapriyaḥ sadā || pārśvavartī sadā tasya śrībhūmibhyāṃ vivardhitaḥ || 69 || svāmipuṣkariṇītīre sadāste devasannidhau || grahītuṃ sa śukaḥ śrīmānna tu kenāpi śakyate || 2.1.9.70 || vihṛtya svecchayā nityamasmingirivare śubhe || dināṃte devamāsādya tatsamīpe vasatyayam || 71 || taṃ devamārādhayituṃ gamiṣyāmi nṛpātmaja || viśramyatāṃ vṛkṣamūle yāvadāgamanaṃ mama || 72 || putreṇānena sahito vihara tvaṃ yathāsukham || 73 || || rājovāca || || tvayā sahāgamiṣyāmi draṣṭuṃ devaṃ janārdanam || tvaṃ me darśaya deveśaṃ veṃkaṭādrinivāsinam || 74 || tasya rājño vacaḥ śrutvā śyāmākaṃ madhumiśritam || cūtapatrapuṭe kṣiptvā rājñā saha yayau harim || 75 || || atha toṇḍamānnṛpasya niṣādena saha śrīnivāsasamīpāgamanam || || gatvā sudūramadhvānaṃ paśyantau tau śilātalam || muhūrtādeva saṃprāptau svāmipuṣkariṇīṃ śubhām || 76 || snātvā tatra vidhānena rājñā saha niṣādapaḥ || darśayāmāsa devaśaṃ rājñastasya mahātmanaḥ || 77 || svāmipuṣkariṇītīre sthitaṃ śrīvṛkṣamūlake || atasīpuṣpasaṃkāśamaṃbujāyatalocanam || 78 || caturbhujamudārāṅgamīṣatsmitamukhāṃbujam || divyapītāṃbaradharaṃ kirīṭakaṭakojjvalam || 79 || pārśvasthābhyāṃ surūpābhyāṃ śrībhūmibhyāṃ samanvitam || paritaḥ śaṃkhacakrāsigadāśārṅgeṣusevitam |||| 2.1.9.80 || anyairdivyāyudhaiścāpi divyamālyairniṣevitam || skandenārādhyamānaṃ taṃ trisandhyaṃ puruṣottamam || 81 || valmīkagūḍhapādābjamājānupuruṣottamam || tato dṛṣṭvā mudā devaṃ praṇematurubhau tadā || 82 || rājā tu prāṃjalirbhūtvā vismayotphullalocanaḥ || ānaṃdalaharīṃ prāpya na prājñāyata kiṃcana || 83 || niṣādo'pi nivedyaiva śyāmākaṃ madhumiśritam || rājñe tadardhaṃ dattvaiva śiṣṭārdhaṃ bhuktavānsvayam || 84 || pītvā puṣkariṇītoyaṃ tena rājñā samanvitaḥ || sa punaḥ śyāmakavane puṇyāṃ parṇakuṭīṃ yayau || 85 || uṣitvā caikarātraṃ tu prātarutthāya bhūmipaḥ || svasainyena samāyukto nivṛttaḥ svapuraṃ yayau || 86 || || atha toṇḍamānnṛpaṃ prati reṇukoktiḥ || || punardevīvanaṃ gatvā hayādavatatāra ha || caitraśuddhanavamyāṃ tu pūjayāmāsa reṇukām || 87|| haviṣyaṃ paramānnaṃ ca sopaskaramanekaśaḥ || paśūpahārasahitaṃ dhūpadīpasamanvitam || 88 || surāghaṭīśataṃ dattvā jātīkesaravāsitam || evaṃ saṃpūjitā devī prītā rājñe varaṃ dadau || 89 || āviṣṭaḥ puruṣaḥ kaścidavadannṛpasattamam || śṛṇu rājanbhaviṣyaṃ te rājyaṃ nihatakaṃṭakam || 2.1.9.90 || rājaṃstavaiva nāmnātra rājadhānī bhaviṣyati || matsamīpe mahārāja ciraṃ rājyaṃ kariṣyasi || 91 || devadevaprasādaśca bhaviṣyati tavānagha || iti dattvā varaṃ tasmā āviṣṭaḥ prakṛtiṃ yayau || 92 || tato labdhavaro rājā yayau śukamuniṃ punaḥ || 93 || || atha śukavarṇitapadmasarovaramāhātmyam || || abhivādya muniṃ tena pūjito mudito'bhavat || māhātmyaṃ saraso brūhi kamalākhyasya me mune || 94 || || śrīśuka uvāca || || purā durvāsasaḥ śāpādavatīrṇā surālayāt || padmā padmākṣadayitā viṣṇunā sahitā nṛpa || 95 || saraḥ kāṃcanapadmāḍhyamidaṃ prāpya maheśvarī || tapaścakāra varṣāṇāṃ divyānāmayutaṃ ramā || 96 || tato devā vicinvantaḥ śriyaṃ viṣṇusamanvitām || puraṃdareṇa saṃyuktā rājannasminsarovare || 97 || sthitā suvarṇakamale puṇḍarīkākṣasaṃyutām || dṛṣṭvā prītisamāyuktāḥ praṇamyāṃbujadhāriṇīm || kṛtāñjalipuṭāḥ sendrāstuṣṭuvurlokamātaram || || 96 || || atha devādikṛtaśrīlakṣmīstutiḥ || || devā ūcuḥ || || namaḥ śriyai lokadhātryai brahmamātre namonamaḥ || namaste padmanetrāyai padmamukhyai namonamaḥ || 99 || prasannamukhapadmāyai padmakāntyai namonamaḥ || namo bilvavanasthāyai viṣṇupatnyai namonamaḥ || 2.1.9.100 || vicitrakṣaumadhāriṇyai pṛthuśroṇyai namonamaḥ || pakvabilvaphalāpīnatuṃgastanyai namonamaḥ || 101 || suraktapadmapatrābhakarapādatale śubhe || suratnāṃgadakeyūrakāṃcīnūpuraśobhite || yakṣakardamasaṃliptasarvāṃge kaṭakojjvale || 102 || māṃgalyābharaṇaiścitrairmuktāhārairvibhūṣite || tāṭaṃkairavataṃsaiśca śobhamānamukhāṃbuje || 103 || padmahaste namastubhyaṃ prasīda harivallabhe || ṛgyajuḥsāmarūpāyai vidyāyai te namonamaḥ || 104 || prasīdāsmānkṛpādṛṣṭipātairālokayābdhije || ye dṛṣṭāste tvayā brahmarudreṃdratvaṃ samāpnuyuḥ || 105 || || atha iṃdrādīnprati stutiprasannalakṣmīvacanam || || śrīśuka uvāca || || iti stutā tadā daivairviṣṇuvakṣaḥsthalālayā || viṣṇunā saha saṃdṛśyā ramā prītāvadatsurān || 106 || || śrīruvāca || || surārīnsahasā hatvā svapadāni gamiṣyatha || ye sthānahīnāḥ svasthānādbhraṃśitā ye narā bhuvi || 107 || te māmanena stotreṇa stutvā sthānamavāpnuyuḥ || akhaṃḍairbilvapatrairmāmarcayaṃti narā bhuvi || 108 || stotreṇānena ye devā narā yuṣmatkṛtena vai || dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāmākarāste bhavanti vai || 109 || idaṃ padmasaro devā ye kecana narā bhuvi || prāpya snānaṃ kariṣyanti māṃ stutvā viṣṇuvallabhām || 2.1.9.110 || te'pi śriyaṃ dīrghamāyurvidyāṃ putrānsuvarcasaḥ || labdhvā bhogāṃśca bhuktvā'nte narā mokṣamavāpnuyuḥ || 111 || iti dattvā varaṃ devī devena saha viṣṇunā || āruhya garuḍeśānaṃ vaikuṇṭhasthānamāyayau || || 112 || iti śrīskāṃde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe śrīveṃkaṭācalamāhātmye dharaṇīvarāhasaṃvāde vasu nāmaka niṣādavṛttāntapadmasaromāhātmyādivarṇanaṃnāma navamo'dhyāyaḥ || 9 ||

English translation

Dharaṇī said :

1-2. In Kali Yuga , O Lifter of Earth, O my darling, by whom are you seen? By whom is your Vimāna (Temple) made on this mountain? By whom is Śrīnivāsa of graceful and charming features seen? Relate this, O Lord, out of love for me. I am eager to hear.

Śrī Varāha said :

3-8a. I shall (fore-)tell what is going to happen. Listen, O gentle lady, to what I say.

There was a hunter named Vasu on this holy and meritorious mountain. He was a devotee of Puruṣottama . He was keeper of a forest of Śyāmāka . He used to cook Śyāmāka rice. After pouring honey into it he used to offer it as Naivedya to the Lord of Devas accompanied by Śrī and Bhūmi . The wife of that devotee was a splendid lady Citravatī . She gave birth to an excellent son named Vīra . Vasu (lived happily) in the company of his son and wife who was highly devoted to her husband. On a certain day he entrusted his son with the duty of protecting Śyāmāka and went deep into the forest along with his wife in search of honey. He moved quickly with a desire to look out for beehives.

8b-11. The boy took cooked Śyāmāka grains, fried them in fire, ground them and offered them to the Lord of Śrī at the root of a tree. This food offering Vīra consumed joyously.

In the meantime Vasu also returned with honey. On seeing that the Śyāmāka grains had already been consumed he threatened his son. He raised up his hand with a sword in it to slay him.

[ The Lord’s Address to Vasu who was Intent on Killing His Son ]:—

12-14. Viṣṇu who was present in the tree then caught hold of the sword with his hand. In order to see by whom the sword had been seized he looked in the direction of the tree and saw the Lord holding the conch, discus and iron club with half of his body seen mounted on the tree. Vasu cast off the sword and bowing down to Keśava said to him: “Why is this act being done by you, O Lord of the Chief of Devas?”

Śrī Bhagavān replied :

15-16. O Vasu, listen to my words. Your son is devoted to me. He is a greater favourite of mine than you. So I became visible to him. I am present everywhere on the banks of lake Śvāmisaras.

On hearing the words of the Lord thus Vasu became delighted.

[ Arrival of Raṅgadāsa at Śrī Śeṣācala for the Worship of Śrīnivāsa ]:—

17-21. In the meantime (a devotee named Raṅgadāsa) came to this place from Pāṇḍya territory. Though he was a Śūdra , he was endowed with great devotion to Viṣṇu ever since his childhood.

He reached Nārāyaṇapurī and bowed down to Śrī Varāha . There he heard that Śrīnivāsa, the self-born Lord worshipped by the Lords of Devas, was staying on Veṅkaṭādri . On hearing about it he started from that place. He reached (river) Suvarṇamukharī and had his holy bath therein. He crossed it and took bath in the lake named Kamalā , the lake that yields merit. He bowed down to Lord Kṛṣṇa who was installed on its banks along with ( Bala ) Rāma . Thereafter he went to the forest abounding in herds of elephants. Gradually he came to Śeṣādri and saw the spring and the mountain-torrent.

22-26a. Having reached near it he went to Śiva worshipped by the tawny-coloured cow. The holy Tīrtha in front of it is Cakratīrtha. It is very deep and destructive of sins. After taking his bath there he went to Veṅkaṭādri slowly in order to propitiate the Lord, where he was joined by an anchorite who was proceeding to Veṅkaṭādri for performing worship. Raṅgadāsa, a boy of twelve years, climbed (the mountain), reached Svāmipuṣkariṇī and took his holy bath with great devotion. He visited the lotus-eyed Hari accompanied by Śrī and Bhūmi staying at the root of a tree in the middle of the forest on the banks of Svāmipuṣkariṇī. (There) the Lord had been worshipped by the sage and anchorite Gopīnātha .

26b-28. He saw Garuḍeśāna (Lord Garuḍa ) of splendid yellowish blue colour, stationed in the sky with his wings spread over the head of the Lord like a canopy. He was attended upon by the conch, discus, iron club and sword standing nearby. Behind them he saw (the bow) Śārṅga as well as the arrow.

[ Construction of a Divine Park, Pavilion etc. by Raṅgadāsa in Honour of Śrīnivāsa ]:—

29-34a. On seeing Śrīnivāsa thus Raṅgadāsa was much surprised. He thought, ‘I shall make a park for this Lord.’ Taking this decision in his mind thus, the intelligent devotee stayed at the root of the tree. He made the Vaikhānasa prepare the Naivedya offering to Viṣṇu everyday.

After clearing the terrible forest gradually he cut off the trees at the sides. On being commanded by the Lord he avoided cutting two trees resorted to by the Lord himself, viz. the Ciñca (Tamarind) tree that was the place of residence of the Lord and the Caṃpaka tree of Ramā .Then he built a wall of stones on the ground all round the Lord.

He made flower gardens all round the wall outside. He planted all the flowering creepers and shrubs of Mallikā , Karavīra , lotus, varieties of jasmine ( Mandāra , Mālatī ) etc. as well as groves of basil plants and Caṃpakas .

34b-38. He got a well dug up there and made the parks and gardens flourish with its waters. He plucked and gathered flowers from the parks and wreathed them into garlands himself. After making garlands of variegated colours, he handed them to the priest worshipping there. The priest used to take those garlands and tie them round the head and shoulders of Lord Śrīnivāsa accompanied by Śrī and Bhūmi.

Thus that liberal-minded devotee remained there rendering service to the Lord. Staying thus he spent about seventy years. Raṅgadāsa, the noble-souled devotee, gathered flowers and served the Lord for such a long period.

[ Raṅgadāsa Forgets his Duty of Serving the Lord on Seeing the Amorous Sports of a Gandharva ]:—

39. A certain Gandharva came to that park in order to bathe in the lake in the company of youthful maidens of royal Gandharva families.

40-44. He had left his aerial chariot in the sky and carried on his amorous aquatic sports.

Observing him sporting about in the lotus-pond along with the beautiful girls this Śrīraṅgadāsa forgot his duty of wreathing the garlands. Though he had perfect control over his sense organs, he had an emission of the semen virile on seeing their sports.

Even as Raṅgadāsa was watching, that Gandharva youth rose up from the lake, smilingly covered himself with the divine robes and got into the charming aerial chariot along with those lovely ladies. Then he went back to the abode of Dhanada (i.e. Kubera ).

When the king of Gandharvas departed, Raṅgadāsa who had been under delusion, felt ashamed. He left off the garlands, took bath in the lake and fetched more fresh flowers. Then he went to the temple slowly.

45-46. On seeing him arrive after the period of worship was over the Vaikhānasa asked him, “Friend, why are you late in coming? The garlands too have not been wreathed by you. What were you doing in the park?”

Śrī Varāha continued :

47. On being asked thus Raṅgadāsa did not speak anything because of his shame. As Raṅgadāsa remained ashamed, Madhusūdana spoke to Raṅgadāsa:

[ Śrīnivāsa’s Words to Raṅgadāsa who was Ashamed on Recollecting his own Condition ]:—

Śrī Bhagavān said :

48-52. Why are you ashamed, O Raṅgadāsa? You have been deluded by me. Indeed you are one who has conquered his lust. O highly intelligent one, have courage. You will become a king on the surface of the earth like the Gandharva king. You will always be devoted to me. After enjoying all great worldly pleasures you will construct outer walls and pavilions for me then. I will be extremely delighted and will grant you salvation. You render service unto me here itself till you cast off the mortal body. It is thus that my devotees who are desirous (of pleasures) will get salvation.

After saying this Lord Viṣṇu did not say anything else. On hearing this Raṅgadāsa made that garden more splendid.

[ The Story of the King Named Toṇḍamān ]:—

53-57. That intelligent (devotee) served and worshipped the Lord for more than a hundred years and then went to heaven. He was born in the great Lunar race and became well-known as Toṇḍamān. The hero was the son of Suvīra and Nandinī .

He was extremely intelligent. He had Devotion to Viṣṇu engendered in him even at the age of five. He was a mine of many good qualities such as good behaviour, heroism, boldness, virility etc. He married Padmā , the charming daughter of the Pāṇḍya (king). Afterwards the king married a hundred girls of different lands in Svayaṃvara (‘Self-choice’) type of marriage. He sported about like the Lord of Devas living in Nārāyaṇapura on the earth. He obtained permission from his father to go for hunting. The son of leonine valour went near Veṅkaṭādri for hunting.

[ King Tondamān goes to Śrī Śesācala for Hunting ]:—

58. He was moving about on foot accompanied by his attendants, when he saw the leader of a herd of elephants. He was in the rut, shedding ichor profusely.

59-62. On seeing him he was surprised and he pursued him in order to catch him. He crossed Suvarṇamukharī and bowed down to Śuka , the excellent Brahmarṣi . After being permitted by him, he went from forest to forest.

He then saw goddess Reṇukā who was stationed in the form of an anthill. She is the bestower of desired things on favourite devotees. She stayed in the divine garden always accompanied by her attendants. She was adored even by Devas. Toṇḍamān bowed to her and then went to the west.

[ The Story of the Parrot of Five Colours Staying Near Śrīnivāsa ]:—

63. He saw a parrot of five colours and pursued it with a desire to catch it. The parrot quickly flew towards the mountain chirping out Śrīnivāsa! Śrīnivāsa !

64. Closely following it the king too climbed the lord of the mountains, observing closely the different caves and crevasses and the peaks all round.

65. Searching for the parrot he came to the Śyāmāka field. He did not see the excellent parrot but saw the keeper of the forest.

66. Welcoming hurriedly the king who was coming towards him, he humbly bowed down to him and stood by with palms joined in reverence.

67-68. Toṇḍamān too duly honoured the forester and asked him: “Did any parrot of five colours come here? Was any such parrot seen by you? Where must have it gone chirping Śrīnivāsa! Śrīnivāsa ! O forester?”

The forester replied :

69. That five-coloured (parrot) is a permanent favourite of Śrīnivāsa and remains at his side always. It has been brought up by Śrī and Bhūmi.

70. It stays always in the presence of the Lord on the banks of Svāmipuṣkariṇī. That glorious parrot cannot be caught by anyone.

71. After sporting about as it pleases on this excellent mountain, at the end of the day it invariably comes back to the Lord and remains near him.

72-75. O Prince, I shall now go to propitiate that Lord. Be pleased to take rest at the foot of this tree till I return. You can happily play with this son of mine.

The king said :

I shall come with you in order to visit Lord Janārdana . Show me the Lord of Devas residing on Veṅkaṭādri.

On hearing the words of the king the forester took some Śyāmāka grains mixed with honey in a cup made of mango leaves-and went to Had along with the king.

[ King Toṇḍamān goes near Śrīnivāsa Along with the Niṣāda ]:—

76. Watching and observing the rocky surface they went a long way. In a short while they reached the splendid Svāmipuṣkariṇī.

77-82. They, the leader of the Niṣādas (foresters) along with, the king, took their holy bath in the prescribed way. To the noble-souled king he pointed out the Lord of Devas stationed on the banks of Svāmipuṣkariṇī at the root of Śrīvṛkṣa (sacred bilva tree?). The Lord shines like Atasī (Linseed) flower. His eyes are large (and longish) like lotus (petals). He has four arms, magnificent limbs, and lotus-like face with a gentle smile. He shines brilliantly with a crown and bracelets. He has worn a divine yellow garment. He is accompanied at his side by Śrī and Bhūmi of very beautiful forms. He is attended upon all round by the conch, discus, sword, iron club, Śārṅga bow and arrow. He is served by other divine weapons too as well as heavenly garlands. He is propitiated by Skanda during the three junctions (i.e. dawn, midday and dusk). The Lord Puruṣottama has his lotus-like feet hidden under an anthill up to the knees. On seeing. Lord Puruṣottama thus they joyously bowed down to him.

83. With his eyes beaming like a fall-blown (lotus) due to wonder, the king stood with palms joined in reverence. He was in a state of ecstasy and could not see or understand anything else.

84. The forester offered as Naivedya the Śyāmāka grains mixed with honey. Half of that he handed to the king and himself ate the other half.

85. Accompanied by the king, he drank the waters of Puṣkariṇī and went back to his sacred cottage in the forest of Śyāmāka plants.

86. The king spent a night there and got up early in the morning. Accompanied by his army, he returned to his city.

[ Reṇukā Speaks to King Toṇḍamān ]:—

87. Again he went to the forest of Devī and got down from his horse. He worshipped Reṇukā on the ninth day in the bright half of the month of Caitra .

88-89. He offered ghee and best cooked rice along with many condiments and articles for seasoning food. Sacrificial offerings of animals were also made to the accompaniment of incense and lights. A hundred pots of liquor flavoured with jasmine and saffron were also offered. The Goddess who was worshipped thus became pleased and granted boons to the king.

90-92. A certain man possessed by the deity spoke to the excellent king: “Listen, O king, to your future. Your kingdom will be rid of all thorns. O king, the capital here will be named after you alone. You will rule for a long time, O great king, in my vicinity. O sinless one, you will get the favour of the Lord of Devas.” After granting the boons to him the man possessed by the deity returned to (his) normal state.

[ The Greatness of Padmasaras as Described by Śuka ]:—

93-94. Then the king who received the boons went to sage Śuka once again. He made obeisance to the sage and honoured by him he joyously requested, “O sage, recount to me the greatness of the lake named Kamalā.”

Śrī Śuka said :

95. Formerly due to the curse of Durvāsas , O king, Padmā, the beloved of the lotus-eyed Lord, descended from heaven along with Viṣṇu.

96. The great Goddess Ramā reached this lake abounding in golden lotuses. She performed penance for ten thousand years according to divine reckoning.

97-98. Devas looked for Śrī accompanied by Viṣṇu. Devas in the company of Purandara saw the Goddess holding the lotus and sitting in a golden lotus along with the lotus-eyed Lord in this excellent lake, O king.

On seeing her they were delighted. After bowing down to her they stood with palms joined in reverence. Devas along with Indra eulogized the mother of the worlds.

[ Eulogy of Śrī Lakṣmī by Devas and Others ]:—

Devas prayed :

99. Obeisance to Śrī, the mother of the worlds. Obeisance, obeisance to the mother of Brahmā . Hail to you, to the lotus-eyed one. Obeisance, obeisance to the lotus-faced one.

100. Repeated salutes to the Goddess with delighted lotus-like face, having the lustre of lotus. Bow to the deity residing in the forest of Bilvas . Obeisance, obeisance to the consort of Viṣṇu.

101. Obeisance, obeisance to the deity wearing wonderfully variegated silk robes, to the deity with large buttocks. Obeisance, obeisance to the deity with protruding breasts as plump as the ripe Bilva fruit.

102. O splendid deity with hands and soles having the lustre of the petals of deep red lotus, O deity shining with bejewelled armlets, bracelets, waistbands (girdles) and anklets, O lady whose whole body is smeared with the fragrant Yakṣākardama ointment, O deity who shines with bangles.

103. O deity adorned with auspicious ornaments and wonderfully variegated pearl-necklaces, O lady whose lotus-like face shines with ear-rings and other ornaments.

104. O goddess with lotus-like hands (or with a lotus in your hands), obeisance to you. Be pleased, O beloved (consort) of Hari. Obeisance, obeisance to you, the (Vedic) lore in the form of Ṛk, Yajus and Sāma .

105. Be pleased, O daughter of the Ocean; look at us with your benign glances. Those who are seen by you shall attain the status of Brahmā, Rudra and Indra.

[ The Words Addressed to Indra and Others by Lakṣmī Who was Pleased by the Eulogy ]:—

Śrī Śuka said :

106. On being eulogized thus by the Devas, the delighted: Ramā having the chest of Viṣṇu for her abode, who should be seen only with Viṣṇu spoke to the Suras :

Śrī said :

107-109. You will immediately go back to your own regions after killing the demons. Those who do not have any position (of importance), those men on the earth who have been dislodged from their own positions, shall regain their own positions by eulogizing me with this hymn.

O Devas, those men on the earth who worship me with unbroken Bilva leaves, those who eulogize me with the hymn composed by you, shall become the receptacles of virtue, wealth, love and salvation.

110-111. Those men on the earth, O Devas, who come to this Padmasaras (‘Lotus-pond’) and take their holy bath (herein) and eulogize me, the beloved of Viṣṇu, shall obtain prosperity, long life, learning, brilliant sons, and all worldly pleasures. After enjoying all pleasures they shall attain salvation in the end.

112. After granting the boons thus the Goddess mounted Garuḍeśāna along with Lord Viṣṇu and went back to the abode, in Vaikuṇṭha .

Notes regarding tree worship:

Though the chapter tells the story of Vasu, a Niṣāda, Raṅgadāsa, a Śūdra and Prince Toṇḍamān, it indirectly records the Brahminization of tree worship of the simple hill tribe, Niṣādas (probably the present Kuruvas), into that of Veṅkaṭeśa . Their usual Naivedya to the tree-god was Śyāmāka (boiled) rice mixed with honey (vv 4-5). It was offered at the root of the tree (v 9). It was a Tamarind tree. The Lord had prohibited Raṅgadāsa from cutting down the Tamarind tree (v 31), for the Tamarind tree is Viṣṇu’s abode and the Caṃpaka, that of Lakṣmī. The Bilva tree has a special place of honour with Śrīnivāsa as he manifested himself under a Bilva tree (vv 77-78). Bilva leaves are used in the worship of Veṅkaṭeśa (v 108). A temple was built there of Veṅkaṭeśa and of Lakṣmī by a Pallava Prince called here Toṇḍamān (which is really the name of the country around Kāñcī ).

The evolution of god Viṭṭhala of Pandharpur in Maharashtra is also on similar lines.

As noted by Dr. N. Ramesan, The Tirumal Temple , Ch. 3, the age of Pallavas constitutes the first important landmark in the history of Toṇḍamaṇḍalam. (In the text the name of the region is transferred to the Prince.)

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 22881, revision 75245 (2016-07-29T20:01:59Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc370688.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.