Krishna-Darshana Avatara

Nandishvara said

Sanatkumara, hear of Shambhu's supreme avatara called Krishna-darshana, who gave knowledge to Nabhaga. Shraddhadeva had many sons and Ikshvaku was the foremost. Nabhaga was his ninth son, and Nabhaga's son was known as Naabhaga, whose son was Ambarisha, devoted to Vishnu, with whom Durvasa was pleased because of his devotion to brahmanas. Ambarisha's grandfather was the Nabhaga to whom Shiva gave knowledge. Hear his story, sage. To study, Nabhaga, Manu's very intelligent son, stayed a long time in his guru's household, conquering his senses. Meanwhile the other foremost sons of Ikshvaku divided the shares among themselves without keeping any for him, and, by their father's command, happily took and enjoyed their shares of the excellent kingdom. After that the brahmachari Nabhaga returned from his guru's house, having studied all the shruti and Vedangas in order, and saw that all his brothers had taken their shares. Seeking his share of the ancestral kingdom he affectionately asked Ikshvaku and the others for it, saying they had divided it and should give him his proper share, since he had come for his own. They said they had forgotten him when they divided, and now their father was their share, so he should take him. Hearing his brothers, Nabhaga was greatly surprised and went to his father and told him: as a brahmachari I went to my guru's house to study; ignoring me my brothers divided everything; when I returned and lovingly asked for my share they said you are my share, and so I have come. Hearing him Shraddhadeva was surprised but, speaking to the son who held to true dharma, comforted him. Manu said: ignore what they said, they have deceived you. I can never be an ancestral share to be enjoyed. Still, since they have deceived you and given me to you as your share, I will truly tell you how you can gain a livelihood. The wise Angiras brahmanas are performing a sacrifice now, but their rites falter on every sixth day. Go there, Nabhaga, and praise them: recite the two suktas to the Vishvadevas and the sacrifice will be purified. When the rites are over those brahmanas, satisfied that the sacrifice is complete, will give you wealth before they leave for heaven. Hearing his father, Nabhaga, who believed in truth, went gladly to the sacrifice. At the rites on that specific day the very intelligent one clearly recited those two similar suktas to the Vishvadevas. When the rites were done the Angiras brahmanas went to heaven, but gave him everything left over from the sacrifice as his share.

He was about to take what was left over. Realising this, Girisha appeared before him at once as the handsome being Krishna-darshana, beautiful in all his limbs. He wished to test his feelings and give him supreme knowledge as his share. Shankara Shambhu Ishvara, wishing to test Manu's son Nabhaga, said: what sort of being are you? You are taking away wealth that belongs to me. Who sent you here? Tell me the whole truth before me. Hearing him the wise Nabhaga humbly answered that the rishis had given him the wealth left from the sacrifice, so why was he stopping him? Hearing Nabhaga's true words, Krishna-darshana was pleased and said that in this dispute between them his father should decide the proof; he should go and ask him and whatever he said would be accepted as true. Nabhaga lovingly went to his father and asked what he had been told. Shraddhadeva Manu heard, remembered Shiva's lotus feet and said: listen, son, that divine Purusha is Shiva. Every object belongs to him, especially what comes from a sacrifice. What is left over from a sacrifice is called Rudra's share, and it is by his will that the wise still debate this. He is Ishvara, the divinity, and doubtless deserves every object, so what need to speak of leftovers? Everything depends on the lord's wishes. By maya the lord came in that form to show you favour. Go there, Nabhaga, and truly please him, ask forgiveness for your offence, bow and praise him. He is Isha, everyone's lord, lord of the sacrifice and of everything. By his favour Vishnu, Brahma, the gods, siddhas and all the rishis have the power to do their own tasks. Not to say more, go swiftly and please Mahadeva, lord of everything. So saying, Shraddhadeva Manu quickly sent his son to Shambhu's presence.

Reaching there fast, Nabhaga bowed his head with folded hands and, pleased, spoke humbly: Isha, all objects in the three worlds, not to say what is left from a sacrifice, are yours, as my father said. I spoke those words in confusion and ignorance. Please forgive my offence and shower your favour on my head. So saying, with a very distressed mind, he joined his hands and praised Mahesha in his form as Krishna-darshana. The intelligent, pure Shraddhadeva also bowed with joined hands, praised the lord and asked him to forgive the offence. Meanwhile Vishnu, Brahma, Vasava and other wise ones, siddhas and sages came, folded their hands and held great festivities, each bowing his head devotedly. Rudra was pleased and looked on them with compassion. Krishna-darshana smiled and affectionately told Nabhaga that his father's words were true and in keeping with dharma, and what Nabhaga stated was also true, so he was surely a virtuous person. He was pleased with his excellent vows and as a favour gave him knowledge of eternal brahman. With the brahmanas he should quickly become very learned, accept everything by his favour, and without fault enjoy every happiness in this world, and by his favour, with the brahmanas, gain an excellent destination. After saying this, while everyone watched, Bhagavan Rudra Hara, kind to the truthful, vanished. Bowing happily in the direction he had gone, Vishnu, Brahma and all the other gods returned to their abodes. With his son Nabhaga, Shraddhadeva joyfully returned to his own place. Nabhaga enjoyed extensive pleasures and at the end went to Shiva's city. Nandi said he had described Shiva's avatara Krishna-darshana, who gave bliss to Nabhaga. This unblemished account gives enjoyment and liberation to the virtuous, and one who reads or hears it gets all desired fruits. An intelligent person who remembers it morning and evening becomes wise and learned in mantras and reaches the ultimate destination.