Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c9.s2.5

c9.s2.5

The work is divided into two parts or Khaṇḍas, of which the first part deals with the imaginary narrative of a quest of Nārada for the greatest favourite and Bhakta of Kṛṣṇa. Leaving aside the large amount of descriptive, narrative and theological matter, the main story is brief and simple. Once upon a time as the great Ṛṣis were sitting on the banks of the Ganges at Prayāga, a certain Brahman devotee of the Bhagavat came there with the purpose of entertaining them with his generous hospitality. When he was returning after accomplishing his object, Nārada came there, praised him for his devotion, and hailed him as the greatest Bhakta and favourite of Kṛṣṇa. The Brahman replied in humility that he did not deserve that honour and that the grace of Kṛṣṇa would be found showered in profusion upon a certain prince of the South. With his curiosity excited Nārada hastened to the South to meet this princely devotee of Kṛṣṇa, but the Southern prince in his turn told him that the honour was undeserved ; for what mortal could attain the grace of Kṛṣṇa in the same way as Indra in heaven did ? (Ch. I). Nārada repaired to Indra's heaven, but he was told there by Indra himself that the real favourite and Bhakta was Nārada's own father, Brahmā. Having met Brahmā in the Brahma-loka, Nārada learnt from Brahmā that his quest must now lead him to Śiva who was a greater favourite and Bhakta ; for was not Śiva reputed to be in close friendship with Kṛṣṇa ? In course of the conversation Brahmā gives an account of Śiva-loka (Ch. II). The indomitable Nārada thereupon flies to Śiva's place, but Śiva and Pārvatī deny that they are the greatest favourites. They instruct him in a great deal of theology and direct him to Prahlāda, living in Sutala, as a greater Bhakta of Kṛṣṇa (Ch. III). In this way the quest goes on from Prahlāda to Hanūmat, who has attained Dāsya or state of servitude to the Lord (Ch. IV); from Hanūmat to the Pāṇḍavas, whom Kṛṣṇa himself served as a charioteer, counsellor, friend, messenger and courtier (Sakhya and Sevā); from the Pāṇḍavas to the Yādavas at Dvārakā who illustrate the attitude of Prīti, Preyas etc. (Ch. V); from the Yādavas to Uddhava who is the chief Bhakta among them (Ch. VI); from Uddhava to the Gopas and Gopīs at Vṛndāvana. Here Nārada discovers at last that the most beloved of Kṛṣṇa are the Gopīs who have attained the Madhura Bhāva, and among whom the chief is Rādhā (Ch. VI-VII). Here therefore ends his quest, and with it the first part of the work concludes. The narrative is obviously intended to explain the characteristics of a Bhakta, and the different stages of devotional attainment, ending in the Madhura or erotic attitude of the Gopīs towards Kṛṣṇa.