"Falgun purnima nishi nirmala akash
Manda manda bohiteche malaya batas।
Laxmi debi sathe kori bosi narayon
Boikuntha dhame bosi kore alapon।।"
(On a full moon night in the month of Phalgun, the sky was crystal clear.
A gentle breeze, carrying the essence of spring, flowed softly.
Goddess Lakshmi was seated to the left of Lord Narayan,
In Vaikuntha Dham, engaged in divine conversation.)
A sweetly fragrant, cool and soothing breeze flowed in all directions. The place was enveloped in curling white mist. All the trees were extraordinary — their leaves like velvet, their bark deep green, and blooming white flowers radiated a soft glow. Among these trees was one called Parijat. Melodious sounds constantly resonated through the air, and a deep, singular tone evoked serenity in the heart.
Every inhabitant of this realm bore a resplendent bluish complexion like the Lord himself. Each face resembled the Lord's divine features. They were always beyond the three gunas (qualities), engaged in their respective duties. At the entrance to the Lord's abode, two guards constantly stood watch — adorned in golden armor, wielding weapons resembling maces.
When the sage (Rishiraj) approached to enter, the gatekeepers, Jeet and Ajit, bowed their heads and opened the gate.
As he entered through a vast crystal-clear door, a deep peace washed over Rishiraj's face. It felt like the highest fulfillment — as if meeting his object of worship face-to-face.
The Lord bore a golden crown adorned with precious jewels, a garland of white lotuses reaching down to his knees, his upper body dark blue, draped in yellow cloth at the waist. Golden earrings dangled from his ears, his arms adorned with armlets, and his fingers red-tinted like flower petals. His eyes were closed in deep yogic sleep. Around his seat lay the conch, discus, mace, and lotus — his four emblems. But the object that caught the most attention was the red Kaustubha Mani nestled within a lotus. Divine radiance emanated from his body.
The Lord was lying in yogic slumber upon Ananta Shesha.
The sage approached to offer his message, but did not attempt to disturb him.
Just witnessing the Lord evoked a peace so deep that Rishiraj burst into praise:
Jayashwaranag poromesh keshoba
Provo godashonkhyadhorasichokradhrika
Prasuti nash sthiti heturiswara -
Stomeba nanit paramong cha yat podam।।
> Jaya Ishvaranam Paramesha Keshava,
Lord, bearer of mace, conch, sword, and discus,
You are the origin, sustenance, and dissolution of all —
Beyond You, nothing exists; You alone are the Supreme Path.
With the sound of this praise, the Lord opened his eyes and sat in padmasana. But as he opened them, the sage was startled — where were those gentle, peaceful eyes? His eyes were blood-red, like Rudra himself, ready to dissolve all of creation in anger. The sage trembled. Had the Lord already known the news he had come to deliver?
He feared: If the Lord discovers a fault in the task given to my father, the Creator — what destruction might follow? But the very next moment, he realized this fear was baseless. The Lord was immersed in the thought of his divine consort. Bound by time and cosmic law, they were destined to be apart. The Lord, the origin, sustainer, and destroyer, does nothing in vain.
The Lord smiled and said, "Rishiraj, may the power of your song influence all creation. Your presence brings me great joy. Sit here beside me." With hesitation and bowed head, the sage sat.
The Lord then asked, "Is there a special reason for your arrival, Rishiraj? Your smile seems dimmed, and your eyes are troubled."
Rishiraj did not know how to answer.
How could he admit that a divine task entrusted by the Lord had been disrupted by the very Creator himself? That this disruption had caused unexplainable turmoil across the world?
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, a new question arose: If the Lord is the source of everything, why did he assign such an important task to the Creator (Prajapati)? Why didn't he do it himself? The storm of such questions reflected on his face.
The Lord, observing him, gently said, "Do not fear, Rishiraj. The task I gave your father is immensely difficult. I have forgiven his minor faults."
Even so, anxiety stirred within the sage. The damage to the cosmic order was serious. Had the Lord truly forgotten this? But his serene expression said otherwise. The Lord smiled at him.
Seeing that pure smile, even more questions arose in Rishiraj's mind.
Why did this unusual disturbance arise in creation?
Why is the universe created again and again? From what does it arise? How does it end?
He yearned for answers, but before he could speak, the Lord said, "Go and meet Prajapati. He may help answer your questions. May you be blessed, child." With that, the Lord returned to his yogic slumber. Rishiraj bowed in reverence and set out to find his father.
As he departed, he silently prayed, May you and the Mother be reunited. Your separation leaves creation devoid of beauty.
Rishiraj reflected on his own life — a strange tale.
He was the divine son of the Creator himself, yet once had to endure harsh words and lifelong wandering. Was this his fault? By the Lord's grace, he was immortal and wanted to share that path with others. But his father cursed him — saying his presence would ignite conflict among all beings, and he could never stay in one place for long. That curse became his reality. And now, once more, he rushed to his creator for more knowledge.
Lost in thought, he stepped off the Lord's aerial chariot and reached the banks of a milky-white river surrounded by impassable mountains. A single misstep could plunge one into the netherworld. But as the beloved son of Prajapati, he could travel freely in all realms.
This place was called Brahmapuri, thousands of leagues above Earth. Upon entering, he saw all its inhabitants engaged in new acts of creation.
Upon reaching Prajapati, he bowed and said:
"Father, my brothers and I have learned all the scriptures from you. Yet today, I come seeking resolution to a deep doubt. I wish to know — how was this universe created? How will it be in the future? What is the root cause of this world? How does creation arise, and how does it dissolve?"
In response, Prajapati said:
"My son, although the Lord sent you to me, the answers to your questions lie not with me, but with Shakti Muni, the servant of the Lord. If we disturb the Lord's current task now, he may once again cast all beauty and harmony into the depths of destruction."
Hearing this, Rishiraj wondered: If everything in this beautiful creation is the Lord's design, why would he destroy it? Why must he keep parting from Mother Jagaddhatri again and again?