Characteristic Marks of a Vaisnava

1-7. At the beginning of the creation great Vishnu (MahaVishnu), desiring to create the entire world, turned himself into three forms — creator, protector and destroyer. The Supreme Being produced from the right side of his body, himself, called Brahma, for creating this world. O sage, then the lord of the world produced from the left portion (of his body), his portion viz. Vishnu, for the protection of the world. The lord who had taken his abode in a lotus, produced from the middle part of his body the imperishable Rudra for the destruction of the world. Some describe the god having the three qualities rajas, sattva and tamas as Brahma, some as Vishnu and some as Shankara. Vishnu (who is) one (only), dividing himself into three, creates, devours and protects (the world). Therefore, the best people should not differentiate among the three in the worlds. The original Prakrti (Nature) of the great Vishnu, the highest soul, which is the cause of the universe of beings is described as (consisting of) Vidya (knowledge) and Avidya (ignorance).

8-9. She (Prakrti), of the form of existence and non-existence, is eternal, and is the cause of the world. She suddenly had three forms, Brahmi, Lakshmi, Ambika. O sage, then having appointed (this) original (Nature) to create, maintain and destroy (the world), the first Highest Being vanished there only.

10-17. By his order Brahma then, with concentration, produced the five gross elements — earth, ether, air, water and fire. The lotus-seated one also produced (the seven worlds) like Bhiir, Bhuvar, Svar, Mahas, Jana, Tapas and Satya (above the earth). O brahmana, then Brahma created the (nether) worlds in this order: Atala, then Vitala below it, Sutala below it, Talatala still below, Mahatala below it, then Rasatala below it, and Patala below it. At the centre of the earth he produced the great mountain (viz. Meru) with jewelled peaks and bright like gold for the residence of the deities. He produced Mandara, the western mountain, Trikuta, Udaya and also various other mountains. Then he produced the Lokaloka mountain; and the highest lord Brahma, produced the seven oceans and the seven islands in between, O best brahmana. O best brahmana, (there is) Jambudvlpa, (then there is) the dvipa called Plaksa. It is double (the size of) it (i.e. Jambudvipa). (The dvipa) Shalmall is double (the size of) it (i.e. Plaksa).

18-20. These dvlpas (islands) like Plaksa etc. have all divisions, have all qualities and are forms of deities and divine sages. 0 brahmana, these seven islands are surrounded by seven oceans:

I shall narrate the names of the oceans. Listen: Lavana, Iksu, Sura, Sarpi, Dadhi, Dugdha and Jala. O divine sage, these oceans are to the east and west.

21-22. The mountains like Lokaloka should be known to be double (in size). O best brahmana, then Brahma produced in every island trees, bushes, creepers etc., so also the lower animals, and gods, human beings, nagas, and vidyadharas also.

23-28. Then in due order he created his sons, the sages like Daksha, so also brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and siidras. The lord also produced their livelihood etc. They call that Bharata giving auspicious and inauspicious fruits, which lies to the south of the Hema mountain and to the north of the Vindhya mountain. All the best men who obtain a birth in Bharata country, and do religious practices are like Vishnu. O best one, people enjoy (or suffer) the fruit in the land of an auspicious or an inauspicious act performed in the land of actions. There is none else like him in the three worlds, who, having come to the land of actions, is engaged in pious acts. His birth is fruitful and he has well lived his life.

29-30. He who has no inclination to the service of Vishnu (has lived in vain). Firm devotion to Vishnu, the god of gods, the only lord of the mundane existence, is produced in men by means of religious merit earned during crores of existences. He is the giver of all happiness; he is praiseworthy and fearless.

31-33. That country where a devotee of Vishnu does not stay should be abandoned. A small or great sin committed during previous existence, perishes that moment only when the devotee of Vishnu is seen. What is the use of a bath in Ganga to him who would devoutly have the water (flowing) from the feet of a devotee of Vishnu, that removes all sins, on his head?

34-40a. He who associates himself with Vishnu's devotees even for a short time is freed from all sins among which a brahmana's murder is prominent. O best brahmana, all those religious acts that are performed before a devotee of Vishnu are protective. That place where Vishnu's devotees stay for a while is, to speak the truth, a holy place, a penance-grove. O brahmana, that gift like food, water, fruit, whichever is given to Vishnu's devotee would be inexhaustible. The devotee of Vishnu is said to be of the form of all deities. If a man has pleased him, then all deities are pleased in this very fierce worldly existence, full of various afflictions. A man who is a devotee of Vishnu never sinks. Therefore, O best brahmana, you too, having always devoutly propitiated Vishnuby the Yoga in the form of deeds, go to the highest position of Vishnu. Suta said:

40b-41a. Having heard these words of the magnanimous Vyasa, Jaimini, putting the palms of his hands on his head, said: Jaimini said:

41b-43a. O preceptor, you have repeatedly told the greatness of Vishnu's devotees. Now tell me everything — what are their characteristics, and, O best sage, how should Vishnu's devotees be recognised? Tell me all that from the beginning, if you favour me. Vyasa said:

43b-45. Listen to what the lord who was asked by the creator himself, had said when Madhu and Kaitabha were killed. I know it. Having, in the form of Rudra, destroyed the entire world at the end of a kalpa, the lord all alone slept by his magical power born of Yoga (Yogamaya). When the lord had, under the influence of Yoganidra,1 slept, the entire earth, was plunged in the mass of water.

46-49. Then Brahma, the creator of the world, with his mind devoted to him (i.e. Vishnu), meditated upon that first god and remained on his lotus-like navel. O brahmana, at that very fierce time two fierce, very great demons, named Madhu and Kaitabha were produced from the excretion of wax from Vishnu's ear. The two very fierce demons moving in the air, saw Brahma on the lotus-like navel of S"ri Vishnu. O brahmana, the two very mighty and brave demons, with their eyes red with anger exerted to kill him.

50-51. Then Brahma, the creator of the world, conceiving their murder, praised the revered Yoganidra with soft words. Having heard the praise of (i.e. uttered by) Brahma, the highest god, she spoke (these) words with affection: "Tell me what you desire." Brahma said:

52. These two very fierce demons have determined to kill me. Quickly delude them with trickery. Leave Vishnu, the protector.

53-56. Then that sleep of the lord abandoned that great Vishnu. Then he, affectionate to those who sought his shelter, and full of pity, fought a close fight with the two demons in the air. After having fought a very fierce fight for five thousand years, nobody became victorious or nobody was defeated. Then the two demons, who were then deluded by that great Maya, said to Vishnu: "Choose a born from us." O brahmana, then Vishnu laughed and spoke these words:

57-60. "O demons, if you are pleased, then quickly get yourselves killed by me." Then the two fierce demons, having great wisdom, and deluded by that great Maya said: "There is no doubt that just this boon is granted to you. O Vishnu, kill us at a place where there is neither water nor land." Then, O brahmana, bringing the two great demons up to his hip, he suddenly killed them with the wonderful edge of his disc. Seeing that (Vishnu) the Disc-holder had killed the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, Brahma, with his fear gone, praised the lord of the god of gods. Brahma said:

61-64. Salutation to the highest god who destroys all the pains of him who submitted himself to him. Salutation to him of the nature of the three gunas, toNarayana of unlimited valour. Men who have resorted to your lotus-like feet, never meet with a calamity. O you of infinite fame, I have known this. You have instantly removed this great calamity of me. You are the lord of supernatural means. You are kind. O lord of the three worlds, O god of gods, O protector of those who seek your shelter, O god, though you protected me from being destroyed by the cruel host of demons, and killed these two demons, and though these two (demons) Madhu and Kaitabha are very ruthless, yet mentally I look upon them as our own kinsmen, since they pleased you, the god giving all auspicious (objects), by giving you the boon of the destruction of their own life.

65-69. O lord of gods, to that man, at whom you look with pity, the three worlds are charming; all his enemies along with (the members of) their families perish; his friends and all his kinsmen prosper. O bee to the lotus of the face of Laksml, O god of gods, O you who destroy the fear and grief of the people in the worldly existence, always protect, with compassion, me who am resorting to the pair of your lotus-like feet. I salute you. O you lotus-eyed one, be pleased. O lord of Lakshmi, be pleased. O lord of all beings, be pleased. O all-sustaining one, I salute you. Salutation to you who are pleased with your devotees. Salutation to you who give (i.e. produce) devotion. Salutation to you, of the form of knowledge. O faultless one, be my refuge. Salutation to you, salutation to you, salutation to you. (Repeated) salutations to you. O you full of the world, protect, protect (me). Vyasa said:

70. That revered god, praised with these and other hymns by Brahma, creator of the worlds, was very much pleased. The lord said:

71. O Lotus-seated (Brahma), I am pleased with this hymn and devotion of you. Tell me what you desire. I shall give it to you on the earth. Brahma said:

72. O lord of gods, O ocean of compassion, O you full of the world, if you are pleased, then let there be no calamities to (i.e. befalling) your devotees. This is the boon of me (i.e. I ask for).

13-14. O best god, let it be so. I have granted this boon to you. On the earth let my devotee never face a calamity. I always live in the hearts of the devotees of Vishnu (i.e. me). Therefore, the devotees of Vishnu will never have calamities. Brahma said:

75-79. O lord of the world, you have undoubtedly given (me) everything, since you have knocked down these demons in a battle. O lord, you will protect him who, finding sometime, praises you with this hymn with great devotion. Oh, it is a great wonder that you who cannot be conceived by means of meditation by gods, roam in the bodies of the devotees of Vishnu (i.e. you). O master, what would happen when you are pleased even for a moment? (Then) it is a great wonder that such as you are, you move in the company of the devotees of Vishnu. O enemy of Kaitabha, who are the devotees of Vishnu? Or what are their characteristic marks? How are all of them to be recognised? O Kesava, tell that to me. The lord said:

80-82. O best one, it is not possible for me properly to narrate the characteristic marks of Vishnu's devotee even for hundreds of crores of kalpas. Listen to them in brief. The mundane existence is dependent on Vishnu's devotees. Gods are looked after by Vishnu's devotees. I am also dependent on them. Therefore, Vishnu's devotees are the greatest. O Brahman, leaving Vishnu's devotee I do not stay elsewhere even for a moment. Vishnu's devotees are my kinsmen.

83-103. Those who are without lust and anger, who are free from harmfulness and hypocrisy, who are free from'greed and folly, should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. Those who are not jealous, who are kind, who desire the good of all beings, who speak the truth, should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. Those Who advise pious acts, who practise pious acts, who serve their preceptors (and elders), should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. Those who look upon you, me and Shankara as equal, and who honour a guest, should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. Those who have expounded the Vedic learning, who are always devoted to brahmanas, who are impotent to other women (i.e. women who are not their wives), should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. Those who devoutly observe the Ekadashi-vow, who sing my names, should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. Those who put up temples of deities, who wear tulasi-garlands, who wear lotuses and aksa-seeds, should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. O Brahman, those whose bodies are marked with (the signs of) my weapons like the conch, the disc, the mace, the lotus, should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. O Lotus-seated (Brahman), those around whose necks are (worn) the garlands of dhatri-fruits, and who worship me with the leaves of dhatri, should be known as Vishnu's devotees. Those who put marks (on their body) with the clay from the root of the tulasl-tree and with the mud of tulaslwood, should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. Those who are devoted to a bath in Ganga, to (repeating) the name of Ganga, and describe the greatness of Ganga, should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. Those in whose house the shalagrama-stone always remains, so also remains the holy text of Bhagavata, should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. O best one, those who everyday clean my places, who offer me lamps, should be known to be Vishriu's devotees. Those who again make new (i.e. repair) my shattered temple, and put there decorations, should be known as Vishnu's devotees. O you Four-faced (Brahma), those who grant security to the timid, who give knowledge to the brahmanas, should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. Those whose heads are sprinkled with the water (flowing) from my feet, and who eat the offerings of eatables presented to me, should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. Those who offer food and water to those oppressed by hunger and thirst, and those who take to devout deeds, should be known to be Vishnu's devotees. Those who construct gardens and plant the pippala-trees, those who serve cows, should be known to be Vaisnavas. O Brahman, those great devotees who make offering of libations of water everyday to the deceased ancestors, who serve the distressed, should be known to be Vaisnavas. Those who construct lakes and put up villages, who are engaged in offering their daughters (in marriage), who serve their parents-in-law, should be known to be Vaisnavas. Those who wait upon their eldest sister and eldest brother and who do not censure others, should be known to be Vaisnavas.

104-111. All virtues are present in Vishnu's devotees. (Even) a particle of blemish is not present in them. Therefore, O Fourfaced (Brahman), you now be a Vaisnava. O lord of the beings, always propitiate me with the employment of devout deeds. Undoubtedly everything will be good for you. O four-faced (Brahman), those who look upon the wealth of a deity, the wealth of a brahmana, and the wealth of others as poison, should be known to be Vaisnavas. Those who are free from devotion to heretics, who are highly devoted to shiva, who are engaged in (observing) the vow of Caturdasi, should be known to be Vaisnavas. What is the use of speaking much again and again? Those who worship me, should be known to be Vaisnavas. Create the world again as it was before. Speaking like this, the highest god vanished there only. Then Brahma created the entire world as before, and having worshipped Vishnu by means of the devout deeds, went to the highest position. Those who devoutly recite this chapter in front of (the idol of) Vishnu, become free from all sins, and in the end go to Vishnu's abode.

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