Karna's Realization [Old Version]

2. Honorarium

Vaikuntha, the celestial realm of unimaginable beauty and divine opulence, stretched out before the eyes of the gods. Its ethereal landscapes were adorned with countless auspicious forests, where wish-fulfilling trees thrived in eternal harmony. These magnificent trees, bearing fruits and flowers of every hue, breathed life into the surroundings, their spiritual essence permeating the very air.

In this heavenly abode, the fortunate inhabitants soared through the boundless skies in resplendent airplanes crafted from precious lapis lazuli, emerald, and gold. Accompanied by their divine consorts, whose graceful forms possessed ample hips and enchanting smiles, these celestial beings reveled in eternal bliss. Yet, their hearts remained untouched by passion, for their devotion to the Lord transcended all worldly desires.

Within Vaikuntha's divine realms, the ethereal melodies of celestial voices echoed ceaselessly. The inhabitants, with their mellifluous voices, perpetually sang the glories and exploits of the Supreme Lord. Their harmonious hymns, devoid of any inauspicious quality, reverberated through the tranquil forests, even surpassing the enchanting melodies of the blossoming madhavi flowers, fragrant and laden with honey.

Enchanted by the resounding praises of the Lord, the birds of Vaikuntha momentarily stilled their own melodious songs. The high-pitched hum of the king of bees, fervently chanting the glories of the Supreme, eclipsed the usual symphony of the pigeon, the cuckoo, the crane, the cakravaka, the swan, the parrot, the partridge, and the peacock. In their transcendental rapture, these celestial birds relinquished their own melodic offerings, solely to relish the divine praises.

Amidst this paradise of sensory delights, resplendent flowering plants such as the mandara, kunda, kurabaka, utpala, campaka, arna, punnaga, nagakeshara, bakula, lily, and parijata exuded intoxicating fragrances. Yet, even these botanical marvels were humbled by the austerities performed by Tulasi, the beloved devotee of the Supreme Lord. Tulasi held a special place in the heart of the Lord, who adorned Himself with her leaves as garlands. Even the fragrant blossoms acknowledged Tulasi's exalted position, offering their reverence in silent recognition.

In this idyllic realm, transcendentally beautiful goddesses resided, exuding a charm that rivaled the very goddess of fortune herself. These celestial maidens, adorned with lotus flowers in their delicate hands, danced gracefully, their leg bangles tinkling with each celestial step. At times, they would be seen meticulously sweeping the marble walls adorned with golden borders, longing for the divine grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

The goddesses of fortune, in their devotion, worshiped the Lord in their personal gardens. There, on the coral-paved banks of transcendental reservoirs brimming with pristine water, they offered Tulasi leaves with utmost reverence. As they performed their worship, the reflections of their own enchanting faces, with their elevated noses, shimmered upon the water's surface. It seemed as if the touch of the Lord's divine lips had bestowed upon them an even greater radiance, enhancing their eternal beauty.