Chapter Eight
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as everything became inundated with water, he began looking for a place to stay. Tossed in the waves, he went here and there. ‘Oh why did I take such a benediction?’ he lamented. “The dhäma of Navadvépa remained however, giving shelter to the devotees. Submerged in a wave, the muni became unconscious and sank. But merciful Surabhi happened to see him and carefully lifted him out. When the son of Måkaëòa regained consciousness, he saw the island of Godruma—an astounding place extending for a billion kroças . He saw beautiful streams and rivers, beautiful trees and vines, and birds that sang the glories of Gauräìga. He saw a banyan tree extending over an area of eight miles, and under the tree he saw Surabhi. “The muni was extremely distressed due to hunger, so he begged Surabhi, ‘ O goddess, please protect my life! Kindly rescue me by giving me your milk.’ Surabhi then mercifully gave her milk to the muni . “The muni thus regained his strength and said to Surabhi, ‘O goddess, my mother, you pervade the universe by your mystic potency. Without understanding the consequences I took a boon to live for seven kalpas . But at the time of devastation, I suffered greatly from various miseries. There was no happiness at all. What am I to do, mother? Please tell me how to get free from this misery.’ “Surabhi then instructed the muni : ‘ Worship the two lotus feet of Gauräìga. This Navadvépa is beyond material nature and therefore never destroyed. By material vision this place is sixteen kroças , but it is the supreme Vaikuëöha and therefore without fault or illusion. Place and time here have nothing to do with material existence, nor is anyone here affected by material illusion. Just see the unprecedented wonders of Navadvépa, which is surrounded on all sides by the chaste Virajä River. Each part measures a billion kroças , and in the center is Mäyäpur, a vast city. The eight islands are like petals of a lotus with Antardvépa as the central stamen. All the térthas , devas , and åñis reside here, worshiping Gauräìga. For your own good, dear Märkaëòeya, take shelter of Gauräìga’s feet. Take shelter of unmotivated dharma , by keeping far away from the desire for bhukti and mukti .’
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