Srimad Bhagavata Purana · Chapter 1
Skandha 1 — Creation
प्रथमस्कन्धः
Suka begins to narrate the Bhagavata to King Parikshit.
754 verses
जन्माद्यस्य यतोऽन्वयादितरतश्चार्थेष्वभिज्ञः स्वराट् तेने ब्रह्महृदा य आदिकवये मुह्यन्ति यत्सूरयः । तेजोवारिमृदां यथा विनिमयो यत्र त्रिसर्गोऽमृषा धाम्ना स्वेन सदा निरस्तकुहकं सत्यं परं धीमहि
janmādyasya yato'nvayāditarataścārtheṣvabhijñaḥ svarāṭ tene brahmahṛdā ya ādikavaye muhyanti yatsūrayaḥ | tejovārimṛdāṃ yathā vinimayo yatra trisargo'mṛṣā dhāmnā svena sadā nirastakuhakaṃ satyaṃ paraṃ dhīmahi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. I meditate upon Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa because He is the Absolute Truth and the primeval cause of all causes of the creation, sustenance and destruction of the manifested universes. He is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations, and He is independent because there is no other cause beyond Him. It is He only who first imparted the Vedic knowledge unto the heart of Brahmājī, the original living being. By Him even the great sages and demigods are placed into illusion, as one is bewildered by the illusory representations of water seen in fire, or land seen on water. Only because of Him do the material universes, temporarily manifested by the reactions of the three modes of nature, appear factual, although they are unreal. I therefore meditate upon Him, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is eternally existent in the transcendental abode, which is forever free from the illusory representations of the material world. I meditate upon Him, for He is the Absolute Truth.
धर्मः प्रोज्झितकैतवोऽत्र परमो निर्मत्सराणां सतां वेद्यं वास्तवमत्र वस्तु शिवदं तापत्रयोन्मूलनम् । श्रीमद्भागवते महामुनिकृते किं वा परैरीश्वरः सद्यो हृद्यवरुध्यतेऽत्र कृतिभिः शुश्रूषुभिस्तत्क्षणात्
dharmaḥ projjhitakaitavo'tra paramo nirmatsarāṇāṃ satāṃ vedyaṃ vāstavamatra vastu śivadaṃ tāpatrayonmūlanam | śrīmadbhāgavate mahāmunikṛte kiṃ vā parairīśvaraḥ sadyo hṛdyavarudhyate'tra kṛtibhiḥ śuśrūṣubhistatkṣaṇāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhāgavata Purāṇa propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhāgavatam, compiled by the great sage Vyāsadeva [in his maturity], is sufficient in itself for God realization. What is the need of any other scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhāgavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart.
निगमकल्पतरोर्गलितं फलं शुकमुखादमृतद्रवसंयुतम् । पिबत भागवतं रसमालयं मुहुरहो रसिका भुवि भावुकाः
nigamakalpatarorgalitaṃ phalaṃ śukamukhādamṛtadravasaṃyutam | pibata bhāgavataṃ rasamālayaṃ muhuraho rasikā bhuvi bhāvukāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O expert and thoughtful men, relish Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures. It emanated from the lips of Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Therefore this fruit has become even more tasteful, although its nectarean juice was already relishable for all, including liberated souls.
नैमिषेऽनिमिषक्षेत्रे ऋषयः शौनकादयः । सत्रं स्वर्गाय लोकाय सहस्रसममासत
naimiṣe'nimiṣakṣetre ṛṣayaḥ śaunakādayaḥ | satraṃ svargāya lokāya sahasrasamamāsata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once, in a holy place in the forest of Naimiṣāraṇya, great sages headed by the sage Śaunaka assembled to perform a great thousand-year sacrifice for the satisfaction of the Lord and His devotees.
त एकदा तु मुनयः प्रातर्हुतहुताग्नयः । सत्कृतं सूतमासीनं पप्रच्छुरिदमादरात्
ta ekadā tu munayaḥ prātarhutahutāgnayaḥ | satkṛtaṃ sūtamāsīnaṃ papracchuridamādarāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One day, after finishing their morning duties by burning a sacrificial fire and offering a seat of esteem to Śrīla Sūta Gosvāmī, the great sages made inquiries, with great respect, about the following matters.
ऋषय ऊचुः । त्वया खलु पुराणानि सेतिहासानि चानघ । आख्यातान्यप्यधीतानि धर्मशास्त्राणि यान्युत
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | tvayā khalu purāṇāni setihāsāni cānagha | ākhyātānyapyadhītāni dharmaśāstrāṇi yānyuta
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sages said: Respected Sūta Gosvāmī, you are completely free from all vice. You are well versed in all the scriptures famous for religious life, and in the Purāṇas and the histories as well, for you have gone through them under proper guidance and have also explained them.
यानि वेदविदां श्रेष्ठो भगवान् बादरायणः । अन्ये च मुनयः सूत परावरविदो विदुः
yāni vedavidāṃ śreṣṭho bhagavān bādarāyaṇaḥ | anye ca munayaḥ sūta parāvaravido viduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being the eldest learned Vedāntist, O Sūta Gosvāmī, you are acquainted with the knowledge of Vyāsadeva, who is the incarnation of Godhead, and you also know other sages who are fully versed in all kinds of physical and metaphysical knowledge.
वेत्थ त्वं सौम्य तत्सर्वं तत्त्वतस्तदनुग्रहात् । ब्रूयुः स्निग्धस्य शिष्यस्य गुरवो गुह्यमप्युत
vettha tvaṃ saumya tatsarvaṃ tattvatastadanugrahāt | brūyuḥ snigdhasya śiṣyasya guravo guhyamapyuta
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And because you are submissive, your spiritual masters have endowed you with all the favors bestowed upon a gentle disciple. Therefore you can tell us all that you have scientifically learned from them.
तत्र तत्राञ्जसाऽऽयुष्मन् भवता यद्विनिश्चितम् । पुंसामेकान्ततः श्रेयस्तन्नः शंसितुमर्हसि
tatra tatrāñjasā''yuṣman bhavatā yadviniścitam | puṃsāmekāntataḥ śreyastannaḥ śaṃsitumarhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please, therefore, being blessed with many years, explain to us, in an easily understandable way, what you have ascertained to be the absolute and ultimate good for the people in general.
प्रायेणाल्पायुषः सभ्य कलावस्मिन् युगे जनाः । मन्दाः सुमन्दमतयो मन्दभाग्या ह्युपद्रुताः
prāyeṇālpāyuṣaḥ sabhya kalāvasmin yuge janāḥ | mandāḥ sumandamatayo mandabhāgyā hyupadrutāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O learned one, in this iron Age of Kali men almost always have but short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed.
भूरीणि भूरिकर्माणि श्रोतव्यानि विभागशः । अतः साधोऽत्र यत्सारं समुद्धृत्य मनीषया । ब्रूहि नः श्रद्दधानानां येनात्मा सम्प्रसीदति
bhūrīṇi bhūrikarmāṇi śrotavyāni vibhāgaśaḥ | ataḥ sādho'tra yatsāraṃ samuddhṛtya manīṣayā | brūhi naḥ śraddadhānānāṃ yenātmā samprasīdati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There are many varieties of scriptures, and in all of them there are many prescribed duties, which can be learned only after many years of study in their various divisions. Therefore, O sage, please select the essence of all these scriptures and explain it for the good of all living beings, that by such instruction their hearts may be fully satisfied.
सूत जानासि भद्रं ते भगवान् सात्वतां पतिः । देवक्यां वसुदेवस्य जातो यस्य चिकीर्षया
sūta jānāsi bhadraṃ te bhagavān sātvatāṃ patiḥ | devakyāṃ vasudevasya jāto yasya cikīrṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All blessings upon you, O Sūta Gosvāmī. You know for what purpose the Personality of Godhead appeared in the womb of Devakī as the son of Vasudeva.
तन्नः शुश्रूषमाणानामर्हस्यङ्गानुवर्णितुम् । यस्यावतारो भूतानां क्षेमाय च भवाय च
tannaḥ śuśrūṣamāṇānāmarhasyaṅgānuvarṇitum | yasyāvatāro bhūtānāṃ kṣemāya ca bhavāya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Sūta Gosvāmī, we are eager to learn about the Personality of Godhead and His incarnations. Please explain to us those teachings imparted by previous masters [ācāryas], for one is uplifted both by speaking them and by hearing them.
आपन्नः संसृतिं घोरां यन्नाम विवशो गृणन् । ततः सद्यो विमुच्येत यद्बिभेति स्वयं भयम्
āpannaḥ saṃsṛtiṃ ghorāṃ yannāma vivaśo gṛṇan | tataḥ sadyo vimucyeta yadbibheti svayaṃ bhayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Living beings who are entangled in the complicated meshes of birth and death can be freed immediately by even unconsciously chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, which is feared by fear personified.
यत्पादसंश्रयाः सूत मुनयः प्रशमायनाः । सद्यः पुनन्त्युपस्पृष्टाः स्वर्धुन्यापोऽनुसेवया
yatpādasaṃśrayāḥ sūta munayaḥ praśamāyanāḥ | sadyaḥ punantyupaspṛṣṭāḥ svardhunyāpo'nusevayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Sūta, those great sages who have completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord can at once sanctify those who come in touch with them, whereas the waters of the Ganges can sanctify only after prolonged use.
को वा भगवतस्तस्य पुण्यश्लोकेड्यकर्मणः । शुद्धिकामो न शृणुयाद्यशः कलिमलापहम्
ko vā bhagavatastasya puṇyaślokeḍyakarmaṇaḥ | śuddhikāmo na śṛṇuyādyaśaḥ kalimalāpaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Who is there, desiring deliverance from the vices of the age of quarrel, who is not willing to hear the virtuous glories of the Lord?
तस्य कर्माण्युदाराणि परिगीतानि सूरिभिः । ब्रूहि नः श्रद्दधानानां लीलया दधतः कलाः
tasya karmāṇyudārāṇi parigītāni sūribhiḥ | brūhi naḥ śraddadhānānāṃ līlayā dadhataḥ kalāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His transcendental acts are magnificent and gracious, and great learned sages like Nārada sing of them. Please, therefore, speak to us, who are eager to hear, about the adventures He performs in His various incarnations.
अथाख्याहि हरेर्धीमन्नवतारकथाः शुभाः । लीला विदधतः स्वैरमीश्वरस्यात्ममायया
athākhyāhi harerdhīmannavatārakathāḥ śubhāḥ | līlā vidadhataḥ svairamīśvarasyātmamāyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O wise Sūta, please narrate to us the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Godhead’s multi-incarnations. Such auspicious adventures and pastimes of the Lord, the supreme controller, are performed by His internal powers.
वयं तु न वितृप्याम उत्तमश्लोकविक्रमे । यच्छृण्वतां रसज्ञानां स्वादु स्वादु पदे पदे
vayaṃ tu na vitṛpyāma uttamaślokavikrame | yacchṛṇvatāṃ rasajñānāṃ svādu svādu pade pade
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We never tire of hearing the transcendental pastimes of the Personality of Godhead, who is glorified by hymns and prayers. Those who have developed a taste for transcendental relationships with Him relish hearing of His pastimes at every moment.
कृतवान् किल वीर्याणि सह रामेण केशवः । अतिमर्त्यानि भगवान् गूढः कपटमानुषः
kṛtavān kila vīryāṇi saha rāmeṇa keśavaḥ | atimartyāni bhagavān gūḍhaḥ kapaṭamānuṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, along with Balarāma, played like a human being, and so masked He performed many superhuman acts.
कलिमागतमाज्ञाय क्षेत्रेऽस्मिन् वैष्णवे वयम् । आसीना दीर्घसत्रेण कथायां सक्षणा हरेः
kalimāgatamājñāya kṣetre'smin vaiṣṇave vayam | āsīnā dīrghasatreṇa kathāyāṃ sakṣaṇā hareḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Knowing well that the Age of Kali has already begun, we are assembled here in this holy place to hear at great length the transcendental message of Godhead and in this way perform sacrifice.
त्वं नः सन्दर्शितो धात्रा दुस्तरं निस्तितीर्षताम् । कलिं सत्त्वहरं पुंसां कर्णधार इवार्णवम्
tvaṃ naḥ sandarśito dhātrā dustaraṃ nistitīrṣatām | kaliṃ sattvaharaṃ puṃsāṃ karṇadhāra ivārṇavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We think that we have met Your Goodness by the will of providence, just so that we may accept you as captain of the ship for those who desire to cross the difficult ocean of Kali, which deteriorates all the good qualities of a human being.
ब्रूहि योगेश्वरे कृष्णे ब्रह्मण्ये धर्मवर्मणि । स्वां काष्ठामधुनोपेते धर्मः कं शरणं गतः
brūhi yogeśvare kṛṣṇe brahmaṇye dharmavarmaṇi | svāṃ kāṣṭhāmadhunopete dharmaḥ kaṃ śaraṇaṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Absolute Truth, the master of all mystic powers, has departed for His own abode, please tell us to whom the religious principles have now gone for shelter.
व्यास उवाच । इति सम्प्रश्नसंहृष्टो विप्राणां रौमहर्षणिः । प्रतिपूज्य वचस्तेषां प्रवक्तुमुपचक्रमे
vyāsa uvāca | iti sampraśnasaṃhṛṣṭo viprāṇāṃ raumaharṣaṇiḥ | pratipūjya vacasteṣāṃ pravaktumupacakrame
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ugraśravā [Sūta Gosvāmī], the son of Romaharṣaṇa, being fully satisfied by the perfect questions of the brāhmaṇas, thanked them and thus attempted to reply.
सूत उवाच । यं प्रव्रजन्तमनुपेतमपेतकृत्यं द्वैपायनो विरहकातर आजुहाव । पुत्रेति तन्मयतया तरवोऽभिनेदु- स्तं सर्वभूतहृदयं मुनिमानतोऽस्मि
sūta uvāca | yaṃ pravrajantamanupetamapetakṛtyaṃ dvaipāyano virahakātara ājuhāva | putreti tanmayatayā taravo'bhinedu- staṃ sarvabhūtahṛdayaṃ munimānato'smi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Sūta Gosvāmī said: Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto that great sage [Śukadeva Gosvāmī] who can enter the hearts of all. When he went away to take up the renounced order of life [sannyāsa], leaving home without undergoing reformation by the sacred thread or the ceremonies observed by the higher castes, his father, Vyāsadeva, fearing separation from him, cried out, “O my son!” Indeed, only the trees, which were absorbed in the same feelings of separation, echoed in response to the begrieved father.
यः स्वानुभावमखिलश्रुतिसारमेक- मध्यात्मदीपमतितितीर्षतां तमोऽन्धम् । संसारिणां करुणयाऽऽह पुराणगुह्यं तं व्याससूनुमुपयामि गुरुं मुनीनाम्
yaḥ svānubhāvamakhilaśrutisārameka- madhyātmadīpamatititīrṣatāṃ tamo'ndham | saṃsāriṇāṃ karuṇayā''ha purāṇaguhyaṃ taṃ vyāsasūnumupayāmi guruṃ munīnām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto him [Śuka], the spiritual master of all sages, the son of Vyāsadeva, who, out of his great compassion for those gross materialists who struggle to cross over the darkest regions of material existence, spoke this most confidential supplement to the cream of Vedic knowledge, after having personally assimilated it by experience.
नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम् । देवीं सरस्वतीं व्यासं ततो जयमुदीरयेत्
nārāyaṇaṃ namaskṛtya naraṃ caiva narottamam | devīṃ sarasvatīṃ vyāsaṃ tato jayamudīrayet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Before reciting this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, unto Nara-nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi, the supermost human being, unto mother Sarasvatī, the goddess of learning, and unto Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the author.
मुनयः साधु पृष्टोऽहं भवद्भिर्लोकमङ्गलम् । यत्कृतः कृष्णसम्प्रश्नो येनात्मा सुप्रसीदति
munayaḥ sādhu pṛṣṭo'haṃ bhavadbhirlokamaṅgalam | yatkṛtaḥ kṛṣṇasampraśno yenātmā suprasīdati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O sages, I have been justly questioned by you. Your questions are worthy because they relate to Lord Kṛṣṇa and so are of relevance to the world’s welfare. Only questions of this sort are capable of completely satisfying the self.
स वै पुंसां परो धर्मो यतो भक्तिरधोक्षजे। अहैतुक्यप्रतिहता ययात्मा सुप्रसीदति॥
sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhokṣaje ahaituky apratihatā yayātmā suprasīdati
Meaning (English)
The supreme dharma for all humanity is that by which one attains loving devotion to the transcendent Lord — devotion which is unmotivated and unobstructed, by which the self is fully satisfied.
वासुदेवे भगवति भक्तियोगः प्रयोजितः । जनयत्याशु वैराग्यं ज्ञानं च यदहैतुकम्
vāsudeve bhagavati bhaktiyogaḥ prayojitaḥ | janayatyāśu vairāgyaṃ jñānaṃ ca yadahaitukam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By rendering devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, one immediately acquires causeless knowledge and detachment from the world.
धर्मः स्वनुष्ठितः पुंसां विष्वक्सेनकथासु यः । नोत्पादयेद्यदि रतिं श्रम एव हि केवलम्
dharmaḥ svanuṣṭhitaḥ puṃsāṃ viṣvaksenakathāsu yaḥ | notpādayedyadi ratiṃ śrama eva hi kevalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The occupational activities a man performs according to his own position are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for the message of the Personality of Godhead.
धर्मस्य ह्यापवर्ग्यस्य नार्थोऽर्थायोपकल्पते । नार्थस्य धर्मैकान्तस्य कामो लाभाय हि स्मृतः
dharmasya hyāpavargyasya nārtho'rthāyopakalpate | nārthasya dharmaikāntasya kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All occupational engagements are certainly meant for ultimate liberation. They should never be performed for material gain. Furthermore, according to sages, one who is engaged in the ultimate occupational service should never use material gain to cultivate sense gratification.
कामस्य नेन्द्रियप्रीतिर्लाभो जीवेत यावता । जीवस्य तत्त्वजिज्ञासा नार्थो यश्चेह कर्मभिः
kāmasya nendriyaprītirlābho jīveta yāvatā | jīvasya tattvajijñāsā nārtho yaśceha karmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Life’s desires should never be directed toward sense gratification. One should desire only a healthy life, or self-preservation, since a human being is meant for inquiry about the Absolute Truth. Nothing else should be the goal of one’s works.
वदन्ति तत्तत्त्वविदस्तत्त्वं यज्ज्ञानमद्वयम् । ब्रह्मेति परमात्मेति भगवानिति शब्द्यते
vadanti tattattvavidastattvaṃ yajjñānamadvayam | brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavāniti śabdyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān.
तच्छ्रद्दधाना मुनयो ज्ञानवैराग्ययुक्तया । पश्यन्त्यात्मनि चात्मानं भक्त्या श्रुतगृहीतया
tacchraddadhānā munayo jñānavairāgyayuktayā | paśyantyātmani cātmānaṃ bhaktyā śrutagṛhītayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The seriously inquisitive student or sage, well equipped with knowledge and detachment, realizes that Absolute Truth by rendering devotional service in terms of what he has heard from the Vedānta-śruti.
अतः पुम्भिर्द्विजश्रेष्ठा वर्णाश्रमविभागशः । स्वनुष्ठितस्य धर्मस्य संसिद्धिर्हरितोषणम्
ataḥ pumbhirdvijaśreṣṭhā varṇāśramavibhāgaśaḥ | svanuṣṭhitasya dharmasya saṃsiddhirharitoṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best among the twice-born, it is therefore concluded that the highest perfection one can achieve by discharging the duties prescribed for one’s own occupation according to caste divisions and orders of life is to please the Personality of Godhead.
तस्मादेकेन मनसा भगवान् सात्वतां पतिः । श्रोतव्यः कीर्तितव्यश्च ध्येयः पूज्यश्च नित्यदा
tasmādekena manasā bhagavān sātvatāṃ patiḥ | śrotavyaḥ kīrtitavyaśca dhyeyaḥ pūjyaśca nityadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, with one-pointed attention, one should constantly hear about, glorify, remember and worship the Personality of Godhead, who is the protector of the devotees.
यदनुध्यासिना युक्ताः कर्मग्रन्थिनिबन्धनम् । छिन्दन्ति कोविदास्तस्य को न कुर्यात्कथारतिम्
yadanudhyāsinā yuktāḥ karmagranthinibandhanam | chindanti kovidāstasya ko na kuryātkathāratim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With sword in hand, intelligent men cut through the binding knots of reactionary work [karma] by remembering the Personality of Godhead. Therefore, who will not pay attention to His message?
शुश्रूषोः श्रद्दधानस्य वासुदेवकथारुचिः । स्यान्महत्सेवया विप्राः पुण्यतीर्थनिषेवणात्
śuśrūṣoḥ śraddadhānasya vāsudevakathāruciḥ | syānmahatsevayā viprāḥ puṇyatīrthaniṣevaṇāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O twice-born sages, by serving those devotees who are completely freed from all vice, great service is done. By such service, one gains affinity for hearing the messages of Vāsudeva.
शृण्वतां स्वकथां कृष्णः पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तनः । हृद्यन्तःस्थो ह्यभद्राणि विधुनोति सुहृत्सताम्
śṛṇvatāṃ svakathāṃ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇyaśravaṇakīrtanaḥ | hṛdyantaḥstho hyabhadrāṇi vidhunoti suhṛtsatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.
नष्टप्रायेष्वभद्रेषु नित्यं भागवतसेवया । भगवत्युत्तमश्लोके भक्तिर्भवति नैष्ठिकी
naṣṭaprāyeṣvabhadreṣu nityaṃ bhāgavatasevayā | bhagavatyuttamaśloke bhaktirbhavati naiṣṭhikī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By regular attendance in classes on the Bhāgavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.
तदा रजस्तमोभावाः कामलोभादयश्च ये । चेत एतैरनाविद्धं स्थितं सत्त्वे प्रसीदति
tadā rajastamobhāvāḥ kāmalobhādayaśca ye | ceta etairanāviddhaṃ sthitaṃ sattve prasīdati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the heart, the effects of nature’s modes of passion and ignorance, such as lust, desire and hankering, disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness, and he becomes completely happy.
एवं प्रसन्नमनसो भगवद्भक्तियोगतः । भगवत्तत्त्वविज्ञानं मुक्तसङ्गस्य जायते
evaṃ prasannamanaso bhagavadbhaktiyogataḥ | bhagavattattvavijñānaṃ muktasaṅgasya jāyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus established in the mode of unalloyed goodness, the man whose mind has been enlivened by contact with devotional service to the Lord gains positive scientific knowledge of the Personality of Godhead in the stage of liberation from all material association.
भिद्यते हृदयग्रन्थिश्छिद्यन्ते सर्वसंशयाः । क्षीयन्ते चास्य कर्माणि दृष्ट एवात्मनीश्वरे
bhidyate hṛdayagranthiśchidyante sarvasaṃśayāḥ | kṣīyante cāsya karmāṇi dṛṣṭa evātmanīśvare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the knot in the heart is pierced, and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions is terminated when one sees the self as master.
अतो वै कवयो नित्यं भक्तिं परमया मुदा । वासुदेवे भगवति कुर्वन्त्यात्मप्रसादनीम्
ato vai kavayo nityaṃ bhaktiṃ paramayā mudā | vāsudeve bhagavati kurvantyātmaprasādanīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Certainly, therefore, since time immemorial, all transcendentalists have been rendering devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, with great delight, because such devotional service is enlivening to the self.
सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति प्रकृतेर्गुणास्तैः युक्तः परमपूरुष एक इहास्य धत्ते । स्थित्यादये हरिविरिञ्चिहरेति संज्ञाः श्रेयांसि तत्र खलु सत्त्वतनोर्नृणां स्युः
sattvaṃ rajastama iti prakṛterguṇāstaiḥ yuktaḥ paramapūruṣa eka ihāsya dhatte | sthityādaye hariviriñcihareti saṃjñāḥ śreyāṃsi tatra khalu sattvatanornṛṇāṃ syuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The transcendental Personality of Godhead is indirectly associated with the three modes of material nature, namely passion, goodness and ignorance, and just for the material world’s creation, maintenance and destruction He accepts the three qualitative forms of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva. Of these three, all human beings can derive ultimate benefit from Viṣṇu, the form of the quality of goodness.
पार्थिवाद्दारुणो धूमस्तस्मादग्निस्त्रयीमयः । तमसस्तु रजस्तस्मात्सत्त्वं यद्ब्रह्मदर्शनम्
pārthivāddāruṇo dhūmastasmādagnistrayīmayaḥ | tamasastu rajastasmātsattvaṃ yadbrahmadarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Firewood is a transformation of earth, but smoke is better than the raw wood. And fire is still better, for by fire we can derive the benefits of superior knowledge [through Vedic sacrifices]. Similarly, passion [rajas] is better than ignorance [tamas], but goodness [sattva] is best because by goodness one can come to realize the Absolute Truth.
भेजिरे मुनयोऽथाग्रे भगवन्तमधोक्षजम् । सत्त्वं विशुद्धं क्षेमाय कल्पन्ते येऽनु तानिह
bhejire munayo'thāgre bhagavantamadhokṣajam | sattvaṃ viśuddhaṃ kṣemāya kalpante ye'nu tāniha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Previously all the great sages rendered service unto the Personality of Godhead due to His existence above the three modes of material nature. They worshiped Him to become free from material conditions and thus derive the ultimate benefit. Whoever follows such great authorities is also eligible for liberation from the material world.
मुमुक्षवो घोररूपान् हित्वा भूतपतीनथ । नारायणकलाः शान्ता भजन्ति ह्यनसूयवः
mumukṣavo ghorarūpān hitvā bhūtapatīnatha | nārāyaṇakalāḥ śāntā bhajanti hyanasūyavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who are serious about liberation are certainly nonenvious, and they respect all. Yet they reject the horrible and ghastly forms of the demigods and worship only the all-blissful forms of Lord Viṣṇu and His plenary portions.
रजस्तमःप्रकृतयः समशीला भजन्ति वै । पितृभूतप्रजेशादीन् श्रियैश्वर्यप्रजेप्सवः
rajastamaḥprakṛtayaḥ samaśīlā bhajanti vai | pitṛbhūtaprajeśādīn śriyaiśvaryaprajepsavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who are in the modes of passion and ignorance worship those in the same category — namely the forefathers, other living beings and the demigods who are in charge of cosmic activities — for they are urged by a desire to be materially benefited with women, wealth, power and progeny.
स एवेदं ससर्जाग्रे भगवानात्ममायया । सदसद्रूपया चासौ गुणमय्याऽगुणे विभुः
sa evedaṃ sasarjāgre bhagavānātmamāyayā | sadasadrūpayā cāsau guṇamayyā'guṇe vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the beginning of the material creation, that Absolute Personality of Godhead [Vāsudeva], in His transcendental position, created the energies of cause and effect by His own internal energy.
तया विलसितेष्वेषु गुणेषु गुणवानिव । अन्तःप्रविष्ट आभाति विज्ञानेन विजृम्भितः
tayā vilasiteṣveṣu guṇeṣu guṇavāniva | antaḥpraviṣṭa ābhāti vijñānena vijṛmbhitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After creating the material substance, the Lord [Vāsudeva] expands Himself and enters into it. And although He is within the material modes of nature and appears to be one of the created beings, He is always fully enlightened in His transcendental position.
यथा ह्यवहितो वह्निर्दारुष्वेकः स्वयोनिषु । नानेव भाति विश्वात्मा भूतेषु च तथा पुमान्
yathā hyavahito vahnirdāruṣvekaḥ svayoniṣu | nāneva bhāti viśvātmā bhūteṣu ca tathā pumān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord, as Supersoul, pervades all things, just as fire permeates wood, and so He appears to be of many varieties, though He is the absolute one without a second.
असौ गुणमयैर्भावैर्भूतसूक्ष्मेन्द्रियात्मभिः । स्वनिर्मितेषु निर्विष्टो भुङ्क्ते भूतेषु तद्गुणान्
asau guṇamayairbhāvairbhūtasūkṣmendriyātmabhiḥ | svanirmiteṣu nirviṣṭo bhuṅkte bhūteṣu tadguṇān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supersoul enters into the bodies of the created beings who are influenced by the modes of material nature and causes them to enjoy the effects of these modes by the subtle mind.
भावयत्येष सत्त्वेन लोकान् वै लोकभावनः । लीलावतारानुरतो देवतिर्यङ्नरादिषु
bhāvayatyeṣa sattvena lokān vai lokabhāvanaḥ | līlāvatārānurato devatiryaṅnarādiṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the Lord of the universes maintains all planets inhabited by demigods, men and lower animals. Assuming the roles of incarnations, He performs pastimes to reclaim those in the mode of pure goodness.
सूत उवाच । जगृहे पौरुषं रूपं भगवान् महदादिभिः । सम्भूतं षोडशकलमादौ लोकसिसृक्षया
sūta uvāca | jagṛhe pauruṣaṃ rūpaṃ bhagavān mahadādibhiḥ | sambhūtaṃ ṣoḍaśakalamādau lokasisṛkṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta said: In the beginning of the creation, the Lord first expanded Himself in the universal form of the puruṣa incarnation and manifested all the ingredients for the material creation. And thus at first there was the creation of the sixteen principles of material action. This was for the purpose of creating the material universes.
यस्याम्भसि शयानस्य योगनिद्रां वितन्वतः । नाभिह्रदाम्बुजादासीद्ब्रह्मा विश्वसृजां पतिः
yasyāmbhasi śayānasya yoganidrāṃ vitanvataḥ | nābhihradāmbujādāsīdbrahmā viśvasṛjāṃ patiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A part of the puruṣa lies down within the water of the universe, from the navel lake of His body sprouts a lotus stem, and from the lotus flower atop this stem, Brahmā, the master of all engineers in the universe, becomes manifest.
यस्यावयवसंस्थानैः कल्पितो लोकविस्तरः । तद्वै भगवतो रूपं विशुद्धं सत्त्वमूर्जितम्
yasyāvayavasaṃsthānaiḥ kalpito lokavistaraḥ | tadvai bhagavato rūpaṃ viśuddhaṃ sattvamūrjitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is believed that all the universal planetary systems are situated on the extensive body of the puruṣa, but He has nothing to do with the created material ingredients. His body is eternally in spiritual existence par excellence.
पश्यन्त्यदो रूपमदभ्रचक्षुषा सहस्रपादोरुभुजाननाद्भुतम् । सहस्रमूर्धश्रवणाक्षिनासिकं सहस्रमौल्यम्बरकुण्डलोल्लसत्
paśyantyado rūpamadabhracakṣuṣā sahasrapādorubhujānanādbhutam | sahasramūrdhaśravaṇākṣināsikaṃ sahasramaulyambarakuṇḍalollasat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The devotees, with their perfect eyes, see the transcendental form of the puruṣa who has thousands of legs, thighs, arms and faces — all extraordinary. In that body there are thousands of heads, ears, eyes and noses. They are decorated with thousands of helmets and glowing earrings and are adorned with garlands.
एतन्नानावताराणां निधानं बीजमव्ययम् । यस्यांशांशेन सृज्यन्ते देवतिर्यङ्नरादयः
etannānāvatārāṇāṃ nidhānaṃ bījamavyayam | yasyāṃśāṃśena sṛjyante devatiryaṅnarādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This form [the second manifestation of the puruṣa] is the source and indestructible seed of multifarious incarnations within the universe. From the particles and portions of this form, different living entities, like demigods, men and others, are created.
स एव प्रथमं देवः कौमारं सर्गमाश्रितः । (सर्गमास्थितः) चचार दुश्चरं ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मचर्यमखण्डितम्
sa eva prathamaṃ devaḥ kaumāraṃ sargamāśritaḥ | (sargamāsthitaḥ) cacāra duścaraṃ brahmā brahmacaryamakhaṇḍitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
First of all, in the beginning of creation, there were the four unmarried sons of Brahmā [the Kumāras], who, being situated in a vow of celibacy, underwent severe austerities for realization of the Absolute Truth.
द्वितीयं तु भवायास्य रसातलगतां महीम् । उद्धरिष्यन्नुपादत्त यज्ञेशः सौकरं वपुः
dvitīyaṃ tu bhavāyāsya rasātalagatāṃ mahīm | uddhariṣyannupādatta yajñeśaḥ saukaraṃ vapuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices accepted the incarnation of a boar [the second incarnation], and for the welfare of the earth He lifted the earth from the nether regions of the universe.
तृतीयं ऋषिसर्गं च देवर्षित्वमुपेत्य सः । तन्त्रं सात्वतमाचष्ट नैष्कर्म्यं कर्मणां यतः
tṛtīyaṃ ṛṣisargaṃ ca devarṣitvamupetya saḥ | tantraṃ sātvatamācaṣṭa naiṣkarmyaṃ karmaṇāṃ yataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the millennium of the ṛṣis, the Personality of Godhead accepted the third empowered incarnation in the form of Devarṣi Nārada, who is a great sage among the demigods. He collected expositions of the Vedas which deal with devotional service and which inspire nonfruitive action.
तुर्ये धर्मकलासर्गे नरनारायणावृषी । भूत्वाऽऽत्मोपशमोपेतमकरोद्दुश्चरं तपः
turye dharmakalāsarge naranārāyaṇāvṛṣī | bhūtvā''tmopaśamopetamakarodduścaraṃ tapaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the fourth incarnation, the Lord became Nara and Nārāyaṇa, the twin sons of the wife of King Dharma. Thus He undertook severe and exemplary penances to control the senses.
पञ्चमः कपिलो नाम सिद्धेशः कालविप्लुतम् । प्रोवाचासुरये साङ्ख्यं तत्त्वग्रामविनिर्णयम्
pañcamaḥ kapilo nāma siddheśaḥ kālaviplutam | provācāsuraye sāṅkhyaṃ tattvagrāmavinirṇayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The fifth incarnation, named Lord Kapila, is foremost among perfected beings. He gave an exposition of the creative elements and metaphysics to Āsuri Brāhmaṇa, for in course of time this knowledge had been lost.
षष्ठमत्रेरपत्यत्वं वृतः प्राप्तोऽनसूयया । (षष्ठे अत्रे) आन्वीक्षिकीमलर्काय प्रह्लादादिभ्य ऊचिवान्
ṣaṣṭhamatrerapatyatvaṃ vṛtaḥ prāpto'nasūyayā | (ṣaṣṭhe atre) ānvīkṣikīmalarkāya prahlādādibhya ūcivān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sixth incarnation of the puruṣa was the son of the sage Atri. He was born from the womb of Anasūyā, who prayed for an incarnation. He spoke on the subject of transcendence to Alarka, Prahlāda and others [Yadu, Haihaya, etc.].
ततः सप्तम आकूत्यां रुचेर्यज्ञोऽभ्यजायत । स यामाद्यैः सुरगणैरपात्स्वायम्भुवान्तरम्
tataḥ saptama ākūtyāṃ ruceryajño'bhyajāyata | sa yāmādyaiḥ suragaṇairapātsvāyambhuvāntaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The seventh incarnation was Yajña, the son of Prajāpati Ruci and his wife Ākūti. He controlled the period during the change of the Svāyambhuva Manu and was assisted by demigods such as His son Yāma.
अष्टमे मेरुदेव्यां तु नाभेर्जात उरुक्रमः । दर्शयन् वर्त्म धीराणां सर्वाश्रमनमस्कृतम्
aṣṭame merudevyāṃ tu nābherjāta urukramaḥ | darśayan vartma dhīrāṇāṃ sarvāśramanamaskṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The eighth incarnation was King Ṛṣabha, son of King Nābhi and his wife Merudevī. In this incarnation the Lord showed the path of perfection, which is followed by those who have fully controlled their senses and who are honored by all orders of life.
ऋषिभिर्याचितो भेजे नवमं पार्थिवं वपुः । दुग्धेमामोषधीर्विप्रास्तेनायं स उशत्तमः
ṛṣibhiryācito bheje navamaṃ pārthivaṃ vapuḥ | dugdhemāmoṣadhīrviprāstenāyaṃ sa uśattamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O brāhmaṇas, in the ninth incarnation, the Lord, prayed for by sages, accepted the body of a king [Pṛthu] who cultivated the land to yield various produce, and for that reason the earth was beautiful and attractive.
रूपं स जगृहे मात्स्यं चाक्षुषोदधिसम्प्लवे । नाव्यारोप्य महीमय्यामपाद्वैवस्वतं मनुम्
rūpaṃ sa jagṛhe mātsyaṃ cākṣuṣodadhisamplave | nāvyāropya mahīmayyāmapādvaivasvataṃ manum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When there was a complete inundation after the period of the Cākṣuṣa Manu and the whole world was deep within water, the Lord accepted the form of a fish and protected Vaivasvata Manu, keeping him up on a boat.
सुरासुराणामुदधिं मथ्नतां मन्दराचलम् । दध्रे कमठरूपेण पृष्ठ एकादशे विभुः
surāsurāṇāmudadhiṃ mathnatāṃ mandarācalam | dadhre kamaṭharūpeṇa pṛṣṭha ekādaśe vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The eleventh incarnation of the Lord took the form of a tortoise whose shell served as a pivot for the Mandarācala Hill, which was being used as a churning rod by the theists and atheists of the universe.
धान्वन्तरं द्वादशमं त्रयोदशममेव च । अपाययत्सुरानन्यान् मोहिन्या मोहयन् स्त्रिया
dhānvantaraṃ dvādaśamaṃ trayodaśamameva ca | apāyayatsurānanyān mohinyā mohayan striyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the twelfth incarnation, the Lord appeared as Dhanvantari, and in the thirteenth He allured the atheists by the charming beauty of a woman and gave nectar to the demigods to drink.
चतुर्दशं नारसिंहं बिभ्रद्दैत्येन्द्रमूर्जितम् । ददार करजैर्वक्षस्येरकां कटकृद्यथा
caturdaśaṃ nārasiṃhaṃ bibhraddaityendramūrjitam | dadāra karajairvakṣasyerakāṃ kaṭakṛdyathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the fourteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as Nṛsiṁha and bifurcated the strong body of the atheist Hiraṇyakaśipu with His nails, just as a carpenter pierces cane.
पञ्चदशं वामनकं कृत्वागादध्वरं बलेः । पदत्रयं याचमानः प्रत्यादित्सुस्त्रिविष्टपम्
pañcadaśaṃ vāmanakaṃ kṛtvāgādadhvaraṃ baleḥ | padatrayaṃ yācamānaḥ pratyāditsustriviṣṭapam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the fifteenth incarnation, the Lord assumed the form of a dwarf brāhmaṇa [Vāmana] and visited the arena of sacrifice arranged by Mahārāja Bali. Although at heart He was willing to regain the kingdom of the three planetary systems, He simply asked for a donation of three steps of land.
अवतारे षोडशमे पश्यन् ब्रह्मद्रुहो नृपान् । त्रिःसप्तकृत्वः कुपितो निःक्षत्रामकरोन्महीम्
avatāre ṣoḍaśame paśyan brahmadruho nṛpān | triḥsaptakṛtvaḥ kupito niḥkṣatrāmakaronmahīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the sixteenth incarnation of the Godhead, the Lord [as Bhṛgupati] annihilated the administrative class [kṣatriyas] twenty-one times, being angry with them because of their rebellion against the brāhmaṇas [the intelligent class].
ततः सप्तदशे जातः सत्यवत्यां पराशरात् । चक्रे वेदतरोः शाखा दृष्ट्वा पुंसोऽल्पमेधसः
tataḥ saptadaśe jātaḥ satyavatyāṃ parāśarāt | cakre vedataroḥ śākhā dṛṣṭvā puṃso'lpamedhasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, in the seventeenth incarnation of Godhead, Śrī Vyāsadeva appeared in the womb of Satyavatī through Parāśara Muni, and he divided the one Veda into several branches and subbranches, seeing that the people in general were less intelligent.
नरदेवत्वमापन्नः सुरकार्यचिकीर्षया । समुद्रनिग्रहादीनि चक्रे वीर्याण्यतः परम्
naradevatvamāpannaḥ surakāryacikīrṣayā | samudranigrahādīni cakre vīryāṇyataḥ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the eighteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as King Rāma. In order to perform some pleasing work for the demigods, He exhibited superhuman powers by controlling the Indian Ocean and then killing the atheist King Rāvaṇa, who was on the other side of the sea.
एकोनविंशे विंशतिमे वृष्णिषु प्राप्य जन्मनी । रामकृष्णाविति भुवो भगवानहरद्भरम्
ekonaviṃśe viṃśatime vṛṣṇiṣu prāpya janmanī | rāmakṛṣṇāviti bhuvo bhagavānaharadbharam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the nineteenth and twentieth incarnations, the Lord advented Himself as Lord Balarāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa in the family of Vṛṣṇi [the Yadu dynasty], and by so doing He removed the burden of the world.
ततः कलौ सम्प्रवृत्ते सम्मोहाय सुरद्विषाम् । बुद्धो नाम्नाजनसुतः कीकटेषु भविष्यति
tataḥ kalau sampravṛtte sammohāya suradviṣām | buddho nāmnājanasutaḥ kīkaṭeṣu bhaviṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha, the son of Añjanā, in the province of Gayā, just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist.
अथासौ युगसन्ध्यायां दस्युप्रायेषु राजसु । जनिता विष्णुयशसो नाम्ना कल्किर्जगत्पतिः
athāsau yugasandhyāyāṃ dasyuprāyeṣu rājasu | janitā viṣṇuyaśaso nāmnā kalkirjagatpatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, at the conjunction of two yugas, the Lord of the creation will take His birth as the Kalki incarnation and become the son of Viṣṇu Yaśā. At this time almost all the rulers of the earth will have degenerated into plunderers.
अवतारा ह्यसङ्ख्येया हरेः सत्त्वनिधेर्द्विजाः । यथाविदासिनः कुल्याः सरसः स्युः सहस्रशः
avatārā hyasaṅkhyeyā hareḥ sattvanidherdvijāḥ | yathāvidāsinaḥ kulyāḥ sarasaḥ syuḥ sahasraśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O brāhmaṇas, the incarnations of the Lord are innumerable, like rivulets flowing from inexhaustible sources of water.
ऋषयो मनवो देवा मनुपुत्रा महौजसः । कलाः सर्वे हरेरेव सप्रजापतयस्तथा
ṛṣayo manavo devā manuputrā mahaujasaḥ | kalāḥ sarve harereva saprajāpatayastathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the ṛṣis, Manus, demigods and descendants of Manu, who are especially powerful, are plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord. This also includes the Prajāpatis.
एते चांशकलाः पुंसः कृष्णस्तु भगवान् स्वयम् । इन्द्रारिव्याकुलं लोकं मृडयन्ति युगे युगे
ete cāṃśakalāḥ puṃsaḥ kṛṣṇastu bhagavān svayam | indrārivyākulaṃ lokaṃ mṛḍayanti yuge yuge
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the original Personality of Godhead. All of them appear on planets whenever there is a disturbance created by the atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists.
जन्म गुह्यं भगवतो य एतत्प्रयतो नरः । सायं प्रातर्गृणन् भक्त्या दुःखग्रामाद्विमुच्यते
janma guhyaṃ bhagavato ya etatprayato naraḥ | sāyaṃ prātargṛṇan bhaktyā duḥkhagrāmādvimucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whoever carefully recites the mysterious appearances of the Lord, with devotion in the morning and in the evening, gets relief from all miseries of life.
एतद्रूपं भगवतो ह्यरूपस्य चिदात्मनः । मायागुणैर्विरचितं महदादिभिरात्मनि
etadrūpaṃ bhagavato hyarūpasya cidātmanaḥ | māyāguṇairviracitaṃ mahadādibhirātmani
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The conception of the virāṭ universal form of the Lord, as appearing in the material world, is imaginary. It is to enable the less intelligent [and neophytes] to adjust to the idea of the Lord’s having form. But factually the Lord has no material form.
यथा नभसि मेघौघो रेणुर्वा पार्थिवोऽनिले । एवं द्रष्टरि दृश्यत्वमारोपितमबुद्धिभिः
yathā nabhasi meghaugho reṇurvā pārthivo'nile | evaṃ draṣṭari dṛśyatvamāropitamabuddhibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Clouds and dust are carried by the air, but less intelligent persons say that the sky is cloudy and the air is dirty. Similarly, they also implant material bodily conceptions on the spirit self.
अतः परं यदव्यक्तमव्यूढगुणव्यूहितम् । अदृष्टाश्रुतवस्तुत्वात्स जीवो यत्पुनर्भवः
ataḥ paraṃ yadavyaktamavyūḍhaguṇavyūhitam | adṛṣṭāśrutavastutvātsa jīvo yatpunarbhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Beyond this gross conception of form is another, subtle conception of form which is without formal shape and is unseen, unheard and unmanifest. The living being has his form beyond this subtlety, otherwise he could not have repeated births.
यत्रेमे सदसद्रूपे प्रतिषिद्धे स्वसंविदा । अविद्ययाऽऽत्मनि कृते इति तद्ब्रह्मदर्शनम्
yatreme sadasadrūpe pratiṣiddhe svasaṃvidā | avidyayā''tmani kṛte iti tadbrahmadarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whenever a person experiences, by self-realization, that both the gross and subtle bodies have nothing to do with the pure self, at that time he sees himself as well as the Lord.
यद्येषोपरता देवी माया वैशारदी मतिः । सम्पन्न एवेति विदुर्महिम्नि स्वे महीयते
yadyeṣoparatā devī māyā vaiśāradī matiḥ | sampanna eveti vidurmahimni sve mahīyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If the illusory energy subsides and the living entity becomes fully enriched with knowledge by the grace of the Lord, then he becomes at once enlightened with self-realization and thus becomes situated in his own glory.
एवं जन्मानि कर्माणि ह्यकर्तुरजनस्य च । वर्णयन्ति स्म कवयो वेदगुह्यानि हृत्पतेः
evaṃ janmāni karmāṇi hyakarturajanasya ca | varṇayanti sma kavayo vedaguhyāni hṛtpateḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus learned men describe the births and activities of the unborn and inactive, which is undiscoverable even in the Vedic literatures. He is the Lord of the heart.
स वा इदं विश्वममोघलीलः सृजत्यवत्यत्ति न सज्जतेऽस्मिन् । भूतेषु चान्तर्हित आत्मतन्त्रः षाड्वर्गिकं जिघ्रति षड्गुणेशः
sa vā idaṃ viśvamamoghalīlaḥ sṛjatyavatyatti na sajjate'smin | bhūteṣu cāntarhita ātmatantraḥ ṣāḍvargikaṃ jighrati ṣaḍguṇeśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord, whose activities are always spotless, is the master of the six senses and is fully omnipotent with six opulences. He creates the manifested universes, maintains them and annihilates them without being in the least affected. He is within every living being and is always independent.
न चास्य कश्चिन्निपुणेन धातु- रवैति जन्तुः कुमनीष ऊतीः । नामानि रूपाणि मनोवचोभिः सन्तन्वतो नटचर्यामिवाज्ञः
na cāsya kaścinnipuṇena dhātu- ravaiti jantuḥ kumanīṣa ūtīḥ | nāmāni rūpāṇi manovacobhiḥ santanvato naṭacaryāmivājñaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The foolish with a poor fund of knowledge cannot know the transcendental nature of the forms, names and activities of the Lord, who is playing like an actor in a drama. Nor can they express such things, neither in their speculations nor in their words.
स वेद धातुः पदवीं परस्य दुरन्तवीर्यस्य रथाङ्गपाणेः । योऽमायया सन्ततयानुवृत्त्या भजेत तत्पादसरोजगन्धम्
sa veda dhātuḥ padavīṃ parasya durantavīryasya rathāṅgapāṇeḥ | yo'māyayā santatayānuvṛttyā bhajeta tatpādasarojagandham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Only those who render unreserved, uninterrupted, favorable service unto the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who carries the wheel of the chariot in His hand, can know the creator of the universe in His full glory, power and transcendence.
अथेह धन्या भगवन्त इत्थं यद्वासुदेवेऽखिललोकनाथे । कुर्वन्ति सर्वात्मकमात्मभावं न यत्र भूयः परिवर्त उग्रः
atheha dhanyā bhagavanta itthaṃ yadvāsudeve'khilalokanāthe | kurvanti sarvātmakamātmabhāvaṃ na yatra bhūyaḥ parivarta ugraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Only by making such inquiries in this world can one be successful and perfectly cognizant, for such inquiries invoke transcendental ecstatic love unto the Personality of Godhead, who is the proprietor of all the universes, and guarantee cent-percent immunity from the dreadful repetition of birth and death.
इदं भागवतं नाम पुराणं ब्रह्मसम्मितम् । उत्तमश्लोकचरितं चकार भगवान् ऋषिः
idaṃ bhāgavataṃ nāma purāṇaṃ brahmasammitam | uttamaślokacaritaṃ cakāra bhagavān ṛṣiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the literary incarnation of God, and it is compiled by Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the incarnation of God. It is meant for the ultimate good of all people, and it is all-successful, all-blissful and all-perfect.
निःश्रेयसाय लोकस्य धन्यं स्वस्त्ययनं महत् । तदिदं ग्राहयामास सुतमात्मवतां वरम्
niḥśreyasāya lokasya dhanyaṃ svastyayanaṃ mahat | tadidaṃ grāhayāmāsa sutamātmavatāṃ varam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Vyāsadeva delivered it to his son, who is the most respected among the self-realized, after extracting the cream of all Vedic literatures and histories of the universe.
सर्ववेदेतिहासानां सारं सारं समुद्धृतम् । स तु संश्रावयामास महाराजं परीक्षितम्
sarvavedetihāsānāṃ sāraṃ sāraṃ samuddhṛtam | sa tu saṃśrāvayāmāsa mahārājaṃ parīkṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the son of Vyāsadeva, in his turn delivered the Bhāgavatam to the great Emperor Parīkṣit, who sat surrounded by sages on the bank of the Ganges, awaiting death without taking food or drink.
प्रायोपविष्टं गङ्गायां परीतं परमर्षिभिः । कृष्णे स्वधामोपगते धर्मज्ञानादिभिः सह
prāyopaviṣṭaṃ gaṅgāyāṃ parītaṃ paramarṣibhiḥ | kṛṣṇe svadhāmopagate dharmajñānādibhiḥ saha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This Bhāgavata Purāṇa is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the Age of Kali shall get light from this Purāṇa.
कलौ नष्टदृशामेष पुराणार्कोऽधुनोदितः । तत्र कीर्तयतो विप्रा विप्रर्षेर्भूरितेजसः
kalau naṣṭadṛśāmeṣa purāṇārko'dhunoditaḥ | tatra kīrtayato viprā viprarṣerbhūritejasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O learned brāhmaṇas, when Śukadeva Gosvāmī recited Bhāgavatam there [in the presence of Emperor Parīkṣit], I heard him with rapt attention, and thus, by his mercy, I learned the Bhāgavatam from that great and powerful sage. Now I shall try to make you hear the very same thing as I learned it from him and as I have realized it.
व्यास उवाच । इति ब्रुवाणं संस्तूय मुनीनां दीर्घसत्रिणाम् । वृद्धः कुलपतिः सूतं बह्वृचः शौनकोऽब्रवीत्
vyāsa uvāca | iti bruvāṇaṃ saṃstūya munīnāṃ dīrghasatriṇām | vṛddhaḥ kulapatiḥ sūtaṃ bahvṛcaḥ śaunako'bravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vyāsadeva said: On hearing Sūta Gosvāmī speak thus, Śaunaka Muni, who was the elderly, learned leader of all the ṛṣis engaged in that prolonged sacrificial ceremony, congratulated Sūta Gosvāmī by addressing him as follows.
शौनक उवाच । सूत सूत महाभाग वद नो वदतां वर । कथां भागवतीं पुण्यां यदाह भगवाञ्छुकः
śaunaka uvāca | sūta sūta mahābhāga vada no vadatāṃ vara | kathāṃ bhāgavatīṃ puṇyāṃ yadāha bhagavāñchukaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śaunaka said: O Sūta Gosvāmī, you are the most fortunate and respected of all those who can speak and recite. Please relate the pious message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which was spoken by the great and powerful sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī.
कस्मिन् युगे प्रवृत्तेयं स्थाने वा केन हेतुना । कुतः सञ्चोदितः कृष्णः कृतवान् संहितां मुनिः
kasmin yuge pravṛtteyaṃ sthāne vā kena hetunā | kutaḥ sañcoditaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ kṛtavān saṃhitāṃ muniḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In what period and at what place was this first begun, and why was this taken up? From where did Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa, the great sage, get the inspiration to compile this literature?
तस्य पुत्रो महायोगी समदृङ्निर्विकल्पकः । एकान्तमतिरुन्निद्रो गूढो मूढ इवेयते
tasya putro mahāyogī samadṛṅnirvikalpakaḥ | ekāntamatirunnidro gūḍho mūḍha iveyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His [Vyāsadeva’s] son was a great devotee, an equibalanced monist, whose mind was always concentrated in monism. He was transcendental to mundane activities, but being unexposed, he appeared like an ignorant person.
दृष्ट्वानुयान्तमृषिमात्मजमप्यनग्नं देव्यो ह्रिया परिदधुर्न सुतस्य चित्रम् । तद्वीक्ष्य पृच्छति मुनौ जगदुस्तवास्ति स्त्रीपुम्भिदा न तु सुतस्य विविक्तदृष्टेः
dṛṣṭvānuyāntamṛṣimātmajamapyanagnaṃ devyo hriyā paridadhurna sutasya citram | tadvīkṣya pṛcchati munau jagadustavāsti strīpumbhidā na tu sutasya viviktadṛṣṭeḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Śrī Vyāsadeva was following his son, beautiful young damsels who were bathing naked covered their bodies with cloth, although Śrī Vyāsadeva himself was not naked. But they had not done so when his son had passed. The sage inquired about this, and the young ladies replied that his son was purified and when looking at them made no distinction between male and female. But the sage made such distinctions.
कथमालक्षितः पौरैः सम्प्राप्तः कुरुजाङ्गलान् । उन्मत्तमूकजडवद्विचरन् गजसाह्वये
kathamālakṣitaḥ pauraiḥ samprāptaḥ kurujāṅgalān | unmattamūkajaḍavadvicaran gajasāhvaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How was he [Śrīla Śukadeva, the son of Vyāsa] recognized by the citizens when he entered the city of Hastināpura [now Delhi], after wandering in the provinces of Kuru and Jāṅgala, appearing like a madman, dumb and retarded?
कथं वा पाण्डवेयस्य राजर्षेर्मुनिना सह । संवादः समभूत्तात यत्रैषा सात्वती श्रुतिः
kathaṃ vā pāṇḍaveyasya rājarṣermuninā saha | saṃvādaḥ samabhūttāta yatraiṣā sātvatī śrutiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How did it so happen that King Parīkṣit met this great sage, making it possible for this great transcendental essence of the Vedas [Bhāgavatam] to be sung to him?
स गोदोहनमात्रं हि गृहेषु गृहमेधिनाम् । अवेक्षते महाभागस्तीर्थीकुर्वंस्तदाश्रमम्
sa godohanamātraṃ hi gṛheṣu gṛhamedhinām | avekṣate mahābhāgastīrthīkurvaṃstadāśramam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He [Śukadeva Gosvāmī] was accustomed to stay at the door of a householder only long enough for a cow to be milked. And he did this just to sanctify the residence.
अभिमन्युसुतं सूत प्राहुर्भागवतोत्तमम् । तस्य जन्म महाश्चर्यं कर्माणि च गृणीहि नः
abhimanyusutaṃ sūta prāhurbhāgavatottamam | tasya janma mahāścaryaṃ karmāṇi ca gṛṇīhi naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is said that Mahārāja Parīkṣit is a great first-class devotee of the Lord and that his birth and activities are all wonderful. Please tell us about him.
स सम्राट् कस्य वा हेतोः पाण्डूनां मानवर्धनः । प्रायोपविष्टो गङ्गायामनादृत्याधिराट् श्रियम्
sa samrāṭ kasya vā hetoḥ pāṇḍūnāṃ mānavardhanaḥ | prāyopaviṣṭo gaṅgāyāmanādṛtyādhirāṭ śriyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He was a great emperor and possessed all the opulences of his acquired kingdom. He was so exalted that he was increasing the prestige of the Pāṇḍu dynasty. Why did he give up everything to sit down on the bank of the Ganges and fast until death?
नमन्ति यत्पादनिकेतमात्मनः शिवाय हानीय धनानि शत्रवः । कथं स वीरः श्रियमङ्ग दुस्त्यजां युवैषतोत्स्रष्टुमहो सहासुभिः
namanti yatpādaniketamātmanaḥ śivāya hānīya dhanāni śatravaḥ | kathaṃ sa vīraḥ śriyamaṅga dustyajāṃ yuvaiṣatotsraṣṭumaho sahāsubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He was such a great emperor that all his enemies would come and bow down at his feet and surrender all their wealth for their own benefit. He was full of youth and strength, and he possessed kingly opulences that were difficult to give up. Why did he want to give up everything, including his life?
शिवाय लोकस्य भवाय भूतये य उत्तमश्लोकपरायणा जनाः । जीवन्ति नात्मार्थमसौ पराश्रयं मुमोच निर्विद्य कुतः कलेवरम्
śivāya lokasya bhavāya bhūtaye ya uttamaślokaparāyaṇā janāḥ | jīvanti nātmārthamasau parāśrayaṃ mumoca nirvidya kutaḥ kalevaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who are devoted to the cause of the Personality of Godhead live only for the welfare, development and happiness of others. They do not live for any selfish interest. So even though the Emperor [Parīkṣit] was free from all attachment to worldly possessions, how could he give up his mortal body, which was the shelter for others?
तत्सर्वं नः समाचक्ष्व पृष्टो यदिह किञ्चन । मन्ये त्वां विषये वाचां स्नातमन्यत्र छान्दसात्
tatsarvaṃ naḥ samācakṣva pṛṣṭo yadiha kiñcana | manye tvāṃ viṣaye vācāṃ snātamanyatra chāndasāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We know that you are expert in the meaning of all subjects, except some portions of the Vedas, and thus you can clearly explain the answers to all the questions we have just put to you.
सूत उवाच । द्वापरे समनुप्राप्ते तृतीये युगपर्यये । जातः पराशराद्योगी वासव्यां कलया हरेः
sūta uvāca | dvāpare samanuprāpte tṛtīye yugaparyaye | jātaḥ parāśarādyogī vāsavyāṃ kalayā hareḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: When the second millennium overlapped the third, the great sage [Vyāsadeva] was born to Parāśara in the womb of Satyavatī, the daughter of Vasu.
स कदाचित्सरस्वत्या उपस्पृश्य जलं शुचिः । विविक्तदेश आसीन उदिते रविमण्डले
sa kadācitsarasvatyā upaspṛśya jalaṃ śuciḥ | viviktadeśa āsīna udite ravimaṇḍale
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once upon a time he [Vyāsadeva], as the sun rose, took his morning ablution in the waters of the Sarasvatī and sat alone to concentrate.
परावरज्ञः स ऋषिः कालेनाव्यक्तरंहसा । युगधर्मव्यतिकरं प्राप्तं भुवि युगे युगे
parāvarajñaḥ sa ṛṣiḥ kālenāvyaktaraṃhasā | yugadharmavyatikaraṃ prāptaṃ bhuvi yuge yuge
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Vyāsadeva saw anomalies in the duties of the millennium. This happens on the earth in different ages, due to the unseen force of time.
चातुर्होत्रं कर्म शुद्धं प्रजानां वीक्ष्य वैदिकम् । व्यदधाद्यज्ञसन्तत्यै वेदमेकं चतुर्विधम्
cāturhotraṃ karma śuddhaṃ prajānāṃ vīkṣya vaidikam | vyadadhādyajñasantatyai vedamekaṃ caturvidham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He saw that the sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas were means by which the people’s occupations could be purified. And to simplify the process he divided the one Veda into four, in order to expand them among men.
ऋग्यजुःसामाथर्वाख्या वेदाश्चत्वार उद्धृताः । इतिहासपुराणं च पञ्चमो वेद उच्यते
ṛgyajuḥsāmātharvākhyā vedāścatvāra uddhṛtāḥ | itihāsapurāṇaṃ ca pañcamo veda ucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The four divisions of the original sources of knowledge [the Vedas] were made separately. But the historical facts and authentic stories mentioned in the Purāṇas are called the fifth Veda.
तत्रर्ग्वेदधरः पैलः सामगो जैमिनिः कविः । वैशम्पायन एवैको निष्णातो यजुषामुत
tatrargvedadharaḥ pailaḥ sāmago jaiminiḥ kaviḥ | vaiśampāyana evaiko niṣṇāto yajuṣāmuta
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the Vedas were divided into four divisions, Paila Ṛṣi became the professor of the Ṛg Veda, Jaimini the professor of the Sāma Veda, and Vaiśampāyana alone became glorified by the Yajur Veda.
अथर्वाङ्गिरसामासीत्सुमन्तुर्दारुणो मुनिः । इतिहासपुराणानां पिता मे रोमहर्षणः
atharvāṅgirasāmāsītsumanturdāruṇo muniḥ | itihāsapurāṇānāṃ pitā me romaharṣaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Sumantu Muni Aṅgirā, who was very devotedly engaged, was entrusted with the Atharva Veda. And my father, Romaharṣaṇa, was entrusted with the Purāṇas and historical records.
त एत ऋषयो वेदं स्वं स्वं व्यस्यन्ननेकधा । शिष्यैः प्रशिष्यैस्तच्छिष्यैर्वेदास्ते शाखिनोऽभवन्
ta eta ṛṣayo vedaṃ svaṃ svaṃ vyasyannanekadhā | śiṣyaiḥ praśiṣyaistacchiṣyairvedāste śākhino'bhavan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All these learned scholars, in their turn, rendered their entrusted Vedas unto their many disciples, granddisciples and great-granddisciples, and thus the respective branches of the followers of the Vedas came into being.
त एव वेदा दुर्मेधैर्धार्यन्ते पुरुषैर्यथा । एवं चकार भगवान् व्यासः कृपणवत्सलः
ta eva vedā durmedhairdhāryante puruṣairyathā | evaṃ cakāra bhagavān vyāsaḥ kṛpaṇavatsalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the great sage Vyāsadeva, who is very kind to the ignorant masses, edited the Vedas so they might be assimilated by less intellectual men.
स्त्रीशूद्रद्विजबन्धूनां त्रयी न श्रुतिगोचरा । कर्मश्रेयसि मूढानां श्रेय एवं भवेदिह । इति भारतमाख्यानं कृपया मुनिना कृतम्
strīśūdradvijabandhūnāṃ trayī na śrutigocarā | karmaśreyasi mūḍhānāṃ śreya evaṃ bhavediha | iti bhāratamākhyānaṃ kṛpayā muninā kṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Out of compassion, the great sage thought it wise that this would enable men to achieve the ultimate goal of life. Thus he compiled the great historical narration called the Mahābhārata for women, laborers and friends of the twice-born.
एवं प्रवृत्तस्य सदा भूतानां श्रेयसि द्विजाः । सर्वात्मकेनापि यदा नातुष्यद्धृदयं ततः
evaṃ pravṛttasya sadā bhūtānāṃ śreyasi dvijāḥ | sarvātmakenāpi yadā nātuṣyaddhṛdayaṃ tataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O twice-born brāhmaṇas, still his mind was not satisfied, although he engaged himself in working for the total welfare of all people.
नातिप्रसीदद्धृदयः सरस्वत्यास्तटे शुचौ । वितर्कयन् विविक्तस्थ इदं चोवाच धर्मवित्
nātiprasīdaddhṛdayaḥ sarasvatyāstaṭe śucau | vitarkayan viviktastha idaṃ covāca dharmavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the sage, being dissatisfied at heart, at once began to reflect, because he knew the essence of religion, and he said within himself:
तथापि बत मे दैह्यो ह्यात्मा चैवात्मना विभुः । असम्पन्न इवाभाति ब्रह्मवर्चस्यसत्तमः
tathāpi bata me daihyo hyātmā caivātmanā vibhuḥ | asampanna ivābhāti brahmavarcasyasattamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am feeling incomplete, though I myself am fully equipped with everything required by the Vedas.
किं वा भागवता धर्मा न प्रायेण निरूपिताः । प्रियाः परमहंसानां त एव ह्यच्युतप्रियाः
kiṃ vā bhāgavatā dharmā na prāyeṇa nirūpitāḥ | priyāḥ paramahaṃsānāṃ ta eva hyacyutapriyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This may be because I did not specifically point out the devotional service of the Lord, which is dear both to perfect beings and to the infallible Lord.
तस्यैवं खिलमात्मानं मन्यमानस्य खिद्यतः । कृष्णस्य नारदोऽभ्यागादाश्रमं प्रागुदाहृतम्
tasyaivaṃ khilamātmānaṃ manyamānasya khidyataḥ | kṛṣṇasya nārado'bhyāgādāśramaṃ prāgudāhṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As mentioned before, Nārada reached the cottage of Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa on the banks of the Sarasvatī just as Vyāsadeva was regretting his defects.
तमभिज्ञाय सहसा प्रत्युत्थायागतं मुनिः । पूजयामास विधिवन्नारदं सुरपूजितम्
tamabhijñāya sahasā pratyutthāyāgataṃ muniḥ | pūjayāmāsa vidhivannāradaṃ surapūjitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the auspicious arrival of Śrī Nārada, Śrī Vyāsadeva got up respectfully and worshiped him, giving him veneration equal to that given to Brahmājī, the creator.
सूत उवाच । अथ तं सुखमासीन उपासीनं बृहच्छ्रवाः । देवर्षिः प्राह विप्रर्षिं वीणापाणिः स्मयन्निव
sūta uvāca | atha taṃ sukhamāsīna upāsīnaṃ bṛhacchravāḥ | devarṣiḥ prāha viprarṣiṃ vīṇāpāṇiḥ smayanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Thus the sage amongst the gods [Nārada], comfortably seated and apparently smiling, addressed the ṛṣi amongst the brāhmaṇas [Vedavyāsa].
नारद उवाच । पाराशर्य महाभाग भवतः कच्चिदात्मना । परितुष्यति शारीर आत्मा मानस एव वा
nārada uvāca | pārāśarya mahābhāga bhavataḥ kaccidātmanā | parituṣyati śārīra ātmā mānasa eva vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Addressing Vyāsadeva, the son of Parāśara, Nārada inquired: Are you satisfied by identifying with the body or the mind as objects of self-realization?
जिज्ञासितं सुसम्पन्नमपि ते महदद्भुतम् । कृतवान् भारतं यस्त्वं सर्वार्थपरिबृंहितम्
jijñāsitaṃ susampannamapi te mahadadbhutam | kṛtavān bhārataṃ yastvaṃ sarvārthaparibṛṃhitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your inquiries were full and your studies were also well fulfilled, and there is no doubt that you have prepared a great and wonderful work, the Mahābhārata, which is full of all kinds of Vedic sequences elaborately explained.
जिज्ञासितमधीतं च यत्तद्ब्रह्म सनातनम् । अथापि शोचस्यात्मानमकृतार्थ इव प्रभो
jijñāsitamadhītaṃ ca yattadbrahma sanātanam | athāpi śocasyātmānamakṛtārtha iva prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You have fully delineated the subject of impersonal Brahman as well as the knowledge derived therefrom. Why should you be despondent in spite of all this, thinking that you are undone, my dear prabhu?
व्यास उवाच । अस्त्येव मे सर्वमिदं त्वयोक्तं तथापि नात्मा परितुष्यते मे । तन्मूलमव्यक्तमगाधबोधं पृच्छामहे त्वाऽऽत्मभवात्मभूतम्
vyāsa uvāca | astyeva me sarvamidaṃ tvayoktaṃ tathāpi nātmā parituṣyate me | tanmūlamavyaktamagādhabodhaṃ pṛcchāmahe tvā''tmabhavātmabhūtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Vyāsadeva said: All you have said about me is perfectly correct. Despite all this, I am not pacified. I therefore question you about the root cause of my dissatisfaction, for you are a man of unlimited knowledge due to your being the offspring of one [Brahmā] who is self-born [without mundane father and mother].
स वै भवान् वेद समस्तगुह्य- मुपासितो यत्पुरुषः पुराणः । परावरेशो मनसैव विश्वं सृजत्यवत्यत्ति गुणैरसङ्गः
sa vai bhavān veda samastaguhya- mupāsito yatpuruṣaḥ purāṇaḥ | parāvareśo manasaiva viśvaṃ sṛjatyavatyatti guṇairasaṅgaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My lord! Everything that is mysterious is known to you because you worship the creator and destroyer of the material world and the maintainer of the spiritual world, the original Personality of Godhead, who is transcendental to the three modes of material nature.
त्वं पर्यटन्नर्क इव त्रिलोकी- मन्तश्चरो वायुरिवात्मसाक्षी । परावरे ब्रह्मणि धर्मतो व्रतैः स्नातस्य मे न्यूनमलं विचक्ष्व
tvaṃ paryaṭannarka iva trilokī- mantaścaro vāyurivātmasākṣī | parāvare brahmaṇi dharmato vrataiḥ snātasya me nyūnamalaṃ vicakṣva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Like the sun, Your Goodness can travel everywhere in the three worlds, and like the air you can penetrate the internal region of everyone. As such, you are as good as the all-pervasive Supersoul. Please, therefore, find out the deficiency in me, despite my being absorbed in transcendence under disciplinary regulations and vows.
श्रीनारद उवाच । भवतानुदितप्रायं यशो भगवतोऽमलम् । येनैवासौ न तुष्येत मन्ये तद्दर्शनं खिलम्
śrīnārada uvāca | bhavatānuditaprāyaṃ yaśo bhagavato'malam | yenaivāsau na tuṣyeta manye taddarśanaṃ khilam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Nārada said: You have not actually broadcast the sublime and spotless glories of the Personality of Godhead. That philosophy which does not satisfy the transcendental senses of the Lord is considered worthless.
यथा धर्मादयश्चार्था मुनिवर्यानुकीर्तिताः । न तथा वासुदेवस्य महिमा ह्यनुवर्णितः
yathā dharmādayaścārthā munivaryānukīrtitāḥ | na tathā vāsudevasya mahimā hyanuvarṇitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although, great sage, you have very broadly described the four principles beginning with religious performances, you have not described the glories of the Supreme Personality, Vāsudeva.
न यद्वचश्चित्रपदं हरेर्यशो जगत्पवित्रं प्रगृणीत कर्हिचित् । तद्वायसं तीर्थमुशन्ति मानसा न यत्र हंसा निरमन्त्युशिक्क्षयाः
na yadvacaścitrapadaṃ hareryaśo jagatpavitraṃ pragṛṇīta karhicit | tadvāyasaṃ tīrthamuśanti mānasā na yatra haṃsā niramantyuśikkṣayāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those words which do not describe the glories of the Lord, who alone can sanctify the atmosphere of the whole universe, are considered by saintly persons to be like unto a place of pilgrimage for crows. Since the all-perfect persons are inhabitants of the transcendental abode, they do not derive any pleasure there.
तद्वाग्विसर्गो जनताघविप्लवो यस्मिन् प्रतिश्लोकमबद्धवत्यपि । नामान्यनन्तस्य यशोऽङ्कितानि य- च्छृण्वन्ति गायन्ति गृणन्ति साधवः
tadvāgvisargo janatāghaviplavo yasmin pratiślokamabaddhavatyapi | nāmānyanantasya yaśo'ṅkitāni ya- cchṛṇvanti gāyanti gṛṇanti sādhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.
नैष्कर्म्यमप्यच्युतभाववर्जितं न शोभते ज्ञानमलं निरञ्जनम् । कुतः पुनः शश्वदभद्रमीश्वरे न चार्पितं कर्म यदप्यकारणम्
naiṣkarmyamapyacyutabhāvavarjitaṃ na śobhate jñānamalaṃ nirañjanam | kutaḥ punaḥ śaśvadabhadramīśvare na cārpitaṃ karma yadapyakāraṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Knowledge of self-realization, even though free from all material affinity, does not look well if devoid of a conception of the Infallible [God]. What, then, is the use of fruitive activities, which are naturally painful from the very beginning and transient by nature, if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord?
अथो महाभाग भवानमोघदृक्- शुचिश्रवाःसत्यरतो धृतव्रतः । उरुक्रमस्याखिलबन्धमुक्तये समाधिनानुस्मर तद्विचेष्टितम्
atho mahābhāga bhavānamoghadṛk- śuciśravāḥsatyarato dhṛtavrataḥ | urukramasyākhilabandhamuktaye samādhinānusmara tadviceṣṭitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Vyāsadeva, your vision is completely perfect. Your good fame is spotless. You are firm in vow and situated in truthfulness. And thus you can think of the pastimes of the Lord in trance for the liberation of the people in general from all material bondage.
ततोऽन्यथा किञ्चन यद्विवक्षतः पृथग्दृशस्तत्कृतरूपनामभिः । न कुत्रचित्क्वापि च दुःस्थिता मति- र्लभेत वाताहतनौरिवास्पदम्
tato'nyathā kiñcana yadvivakṣataḥ pṛthagdṛśastatkṛtarūpanāmabhiḥ | na kutracitkvāpi ca duḥsthitā mati- rlabheta vātāhatanaurivāspadam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whatever you desire to describe that is separate in vision from the Lord simply reacts, with different forms, names and results, to agitate the mind, as the wind agitates a boat which has no resting place.
जुगुप्सितं धर्मकृतेऽनुशासतः स्वभावरक्तस्य महान् व्यतिक्रमः । यद्वाक्यतो धर्म इतीतरः स्थितो न मन्यते तस्य निवारणं जनः
jugupsitaṃ dharmakṛte'nuśāsataḥ svabhāvaraktasya mahān vyatikramaḥ | yadvākyato dharma itītaraḥ sthito na manyate tasya nivāraṇaṃ janaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The people in general are naturally inclined to enjoy, and you have encouraged them in that way in the name of religion. This is verily condemned and is quite unreasonable. Because they are guided under your instructions, they will accept such activities in the name of religion and will hardly care for prohibitions.
विचक्षणोऽस्यार्हति वेदितुं विभो- रनन्तपारस्य निवृत्तितः सुखम् । प्रवर्तमानस्य गुणैरनात्मन- स्ततो भवान् दर्शय चेष्टितं विभोः
vicakṣaṇo'syārhati vedituṃ vibho- ranantapārasya nivṛttitaḥ sukham | pravartamānasya guṇairanātmana- stato bhavān darśaya ceṣṭitaṃ vibhoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord is unlimited. Only a very expert personality, retired from the activities of material happiness, deserves to understand this knowledge of spiritual values. Therefore those who are not so well situated, due to material attachment, should be shown the ways of transcendental realization, by Your Goodness, through descriptions of the transcendental activities of the Supreme Lord.
त्यक्त्वा स्वधर्मं चरणाम्बुजं हरे- र्भजन्नपक्वोऽथ पतेत्ततो यदि । यत्र क्व वाभद्रमभूदमुष्य किं को वार्थ आप्तोऽभजतां स्वधर्मतः
tyaktvā svadharmaṃ caraṇāmbujaṃ hare- rbhajannapakvo'tha patettato yadi | yatra kva vābhadramabhūdamuṣya kiṃ ko vārtha āpto'bhajatāṃ svadharmataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who has forsaken his material occupations to engage in the devotional service of the Lord may sometimes fall down while in an immature stage, yet there is no danger of his being unsuccessful. On the other hand, a nondevotee, though fully engaged in occupational duties, does not gain anything.
तस्यैव हेतोः प्रयतेत कोविदो न लभ्यते यद्भ्रमतामुपर्यधः। तल्लभ्यते दुःखवदन्यतः सुखं कालेन सर्वत्र गभीररंहसा॥
tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovido na labhyate yad bhramatām upary adhaḥ tal labhyate duḥkhavad anyataḥ sukhaṁ kālena sarvatra gabhīra-raṁhasā
Meaning (English)
The wise should strive only for that which is not obtained by those who wander up and down (in samsara). For material happiness comes of its own accord, just as misery does, through the deep current of time.
न वै जनो जातु कथञ्चनाव्रजे- न्मुकुन्दसेव्यन्यवदङ्ग संसृतिम् । स्मरन् मुकुन्दाङ्घ्र्युपगूहनं पुन- र्विहातुमिच्छेन्न रसग्रहो यतः
na vai jano jātu kathañcanāvraje- nmukundasevyanyavadaṅga saṃsṛtim | smaran mukundāṅghryupagūhanaṃ puna- rvihātumicchenna rasagraho yataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vyāsa, even though a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa sometimes falls down somehow or other, he certainly does not undergo material existence like others [fruitive workers, etc.] because a person who has once relished the taste of the lotus feet of the Lord can do nothing but remember that ecstasy again and again.
इदं हि विश्वं भगवानिवेतरो यतो जगत्स्थाननिरोधसम्भवाः । तद्धि स्वयं वेद भवांस्तथापि वै प्रादेशमात्रं भवतः प्रदर्शितम्
idaṃ hi viśvaṃ bhagavānivetaro yato jagatsthānanirodhasambhavāḥ | taddhi svayaṃ veda bhavāṃstathāpi vai prādeśamātraṃ bhavataḥ pradarśitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord Personality of Godhead is Himself this cosmos, and still He is aloof from it. From Him only has this cosmic manifestation emanated, in Him it rests, and unto Him it enters after annihilation. Your good self knows all about this. I have given only a synopsis.
त्वमात्मनाऽऽत्मानमवेह्यमोघदृक्- परस्यपुंसः परमात्मनः कलाम् । अजं प्रजातं जगतः शिवाय तन्- महानुभावाभ्युदयोऽधिगण्यताम्
tvamātmanā''tmānamavehyamoghadṛk- parasyapuṃsaḥ paramātmanaḥ kalām | ajaṃ prajātaṃ jagataḥ śivāya tan- mahānubhāvābhyudayo'dhigaṇyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your Goodness has perfect vision. You yourself can know the Supersoul Personality of Godhead because you are present as the plenary portion of the Lord. Although you are birthless, you have appeared on this earth for the well-being of all people. Please, therefore, describe the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa more vividly.
इदं हि पुंसस्तपसः श्रुतस्य वा स्विष्टस्य सूक्तस्य च बुद्धिदत्तयोः । अविच्युतोऽर्थः कविभिर्निरूपितो यदुत्तमश्लोकगुणानुवर्णनम्
idaṃ hi puṃsastapasaḥ śrutasya vā sviṣṭasya sūktasya ca buddhidattayoḥ | avicyuto'rthaḥ kavibhirnirūpito yaduttamaślokaguṇānuvarṇanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Learned circles have positively concluded that the infallible purpose of the advancement of knowledge, namely austerities, study of the Vedas, sacrifice, chanting of hymns and charity, culminates in the transcendental descriptions of the Lord, who is defined in choice poetry.
अहं पुरातीतभवेऽभवं मुने दास्यास्तु कस्याश्चन वेदवादिनाम् । निरूपितो बालक एव योगिनां शुश्रूषणे प्रावृषि निर्विविक्षताम्
ahaṃ purātītabhave'bhavaṃ mune dāsyāstu kasyāścana vedavādinām | nirūpito bālaka eva yogināṃ śuśrūṣaṇe prāvṛṣi nirvivikṣatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Muni, in the last millennium I was born as the son of a certain maidservant engaged in the service of brāhmaṇas who were following the principles of Vedānta. When they were living together during the four months of the rainy season, I was engaged in their personal service.
ते मय्यपेताखिलचापलेऽर्भके दान्तेऽधृतक्रीडनकेऽनुवर्तिनि । चक्रुः कृपां यद्यपि तुल्यदर्शनाः शुश्रूषमाणे मुनयोऽल्पभाषिणि
te mayyapetākhilacāpale'rbhake dānte'dhṛtakrīḍanake'nuvartini | cakruḥ kṛpāṃ yadyapi tulyadarśanāḥ śuśrūṣamāṇe munayo'lpabhāṣiṇi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although they were impartial by nature, those followers of the Vedānta blessed me with their causeless mercy. As far as I was concerned, I was self-controlled and had no attachment for sports, even though I was a boy. In addition, I was not naughty, and I did not speak more than required.
उच्छिष्टलेपाननुमोदितो द्विजैः सकृत्स्म भुञ्जे तदपास्तकिल्बिषः । एवं प्रवृत्तस्य विशुद्धचेतस- स्तद्धर्म एवात्मरुचिः प्रजायते
ucchiṣṭalepānanumodito dvijaiḥ sakṛtsma bhuñje tadapāstakilbiṣaḥ | evaṃ pravṛttasya viśuddhacetasa- staddharma evātmaruciḥ prajāyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once only, by their permission, I took the remnants of their food, and by so doing all my sins were at once eradicated. Thus being engaged, I became purified in heart, and at that time the very nature of the transcendentalist became attractive to me.
तत्रान्वहं कृष्णकथाः प्रगायता- मनुग्रहेणाशृणवं मनोहराः । ताः श्रद्धया मेऽनुपदं विशृण्वतः प्रियश्रवस्यङ्ग ममाभवद्रुचिः
tatrānvahaṃ kṛṣṇakathāḥ pragāyatā- manugraheṇāśṛṇavaṃ manoharāḥ | tāḥ śraddhayā me'nupadaṃ viśṛṇvataḥ priyaśravasyaṅga mamābhavadruciḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Vyāsadeva, in that association and by the mercy of those great Vedāntists, I could hear them describe the attractive activities of Lord Kṛṣṇa. And thus listening attentively, my taste for hearing of the Personality of Godhead increased at every step.
तस्मिंस्तदा लब्धरुचेर्महामुने प्रियश्रवस्यास्खलिता मतिर्मम । ययाहमेतत्सदसत्स्वमायया पश्ये मयि ब्रह्मणि कल्पितं परे
tasmiṃstadā labdharucermahāmune priyaśravasyāskhalitā matirmama | yayāhametatsadasatsvamāyayā paśye mayi brahmaṇi kalpitaṃ pare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great sage, as soon as I got a taste of the Personality of Godhead, my attention to hear of the Lord was unflinching. And as my taste developed, I could realize that it was only in my ignorance that I had accepted gross and subtle coverings, for both the Lord and I are transcendental.
इत्थं शरत्प्रावृषिकावृतू हरे- र्विशृण्वतो मेऽनुसवं यशोऽमलम् । सङ्कीर्त्यमानं मुनिभिर्महात्मभि- र्भक्तिः प्रवृत्ताऽऽत्मरजस्तमोऽपहा
itthaṃ śaratprāvṛṣikāvṛtū hare- rviśṛṇvato me'nusavaṃ yaśo'malam | saṅkīrtyamānaṃ munibhirmahātmabhi- rbhaktiḥ pravṛttā''tmarajastamo'pahā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus during two seasons — the rainy season and autumn — I had the opportunity to hear these great-souled sages constantly chant the unadulterated glories of the Lord Hari. As the flow of my devotional service began, the coverings of the modes of passion and ignorance vanished.
तस्यैवं मेऽनुरक्तस्य प्रश्रितस्य हतैनसः । श्रद्दधानस्य बालस्य दान्तस्यानुचरस्य च
tasyaivaṃ me'nuraktasya praśritasya hatainasaḥ | śraddadhānasya bālasya dāntasyānucarasya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I was very much attached to those sages. I was gentle in behavior, and all my sins were eradicated in their service. In my heart I had strong faith in them. I had subjugated the senses, and I was strictly following them with body and mind.
ज्ञानं गुह्यतमं यत्तत्साक्षाद्भगवतोदितम् । अन्ववोचन् गमिष्यन्तः कृपया दीनवत्सलाः
jñānaṃ guhyatamaṃ yattatsākṣādbhagavatoditam | anvavocan gamiṣyantaḥ kṛpayā dīnavatsalāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As they were leaving, those bhakti-vedāntas, who are very kind to poor-hearted souls, instructed me in that most confidential subject which is instructed by the Personality of Godhead Himself.
येनैवाहं भगवतो वासुदेवस्य वेधसः । मायानुभावमविदं येन गच्छन्ति तत्पदम्
yenaivāhaṃ bhagavato vāsudevasya vedhasaḥ | māyānubhāvamavidaṃ yena gacchanti tatpadam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By that confidential knowledge, I could understand clearly the influence of the energy of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the creator, maintainer and annihilator of everything. By knowing that, one can return to Him and personally meet Him.
एतत्संसूचितं ब्रह्मंस्तापत्रयचिकित्सितम् । यदीश्वरे भगवति कर्म ब्रह्मणि भावितम्
etatsaṃsūcitaṃ brahmaṃstāpatrayacikitsitam | yadīśvare bhagavati karma brahmaṇi bhāvitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Brāhmaṇa Vyāsadeva, it is decided by the learned that the best remedial measure for removing all troubles and miseries is to dedicate one’s activities to the service of the Supreme Lord Personality of Godhead [Śrī Kṛṣṇa].
आमयो यश्च भूतानां जायते येन सुव्रत । तदेव ह्यामयं द्रव्यं न पुनाति चिकित्सितम्
āmayo yaśca bhūtānāṃ jāyate yena suvrata | tadeva hyāmayaṃ dravyaṃ na punāti cikitsitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O good soul, does not a thing, applied therapeutically, cure a disease which was caused by that very same thing?
एवं नृणां क्रियायोगाः सर्वे संसृतिहेतवः । त एवात्मविनाशाय कल्पन्ते कल्पिताः परे
evaṃ nṛṇāṃ kriyāyogāḥ sarve saṃsṛtihetavaḥ | ta evātmavināśāya kalpante kalpitāḥ pare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus when all a man’s activities are dedicated to the service of the Lord, those very activities which caused his perpetual bondage become the destroyer of the tree of work.
यदत्र क्रियते कर्म भगवत्परितोषणम् । ज्ञानं यत्तदधीनं हि भक्तियोगसमन्वितम्
yadatra kriyate karma bhagavatparitoṣaṇam | jñānaṃ yattadadhīnaṃ hi bhaktiyogasamanvitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whatever work is done here in this life for the satisfaction of the mission of the Lord is called bhakti-yoga, or transcendental loving service to the Lord, and what is called knowledge becomes a concomitant factor.
कुर्वाणा यत्र कर्माणि भगवच्छिक्षयासकृत् । गृणन्ति गुणनामानि कृष्णस्यानुस्मरन्ति च
kurvāṇā yatra karmāṇi bhagavacchikṣayāsakṛt | gṛṇanti guṇanāmāni kṛṣṇasyānusmaranti ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While performing duties according to the order of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one constantly remembers Him, His names and His qualities.
नमो भगवते तुभ्यं वासुदेवाय धीमहि । प्रद्युम्नायानिरुद्धाय नमः सङ्कर्षणाय च
namo bhagavate tubhyaṃ vāsudevāya dhīmahi | pradyumnāyāniruddhāya namaḥ saṅkarṣaṇāya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let us all chant the glories of Vāsudeva along with His plenary expansions Pradyumna, Aniruddha and Saṅkarṣaṇa.
इति मूर्त्यभिधानेन मन्त्रमूर्तिममूर्तिकम् । यजते यज्ञपुरुषं स सम्यग्दर्शनः पुमान्
iti mūrtyabhidhānena mantramūrtimamūrtikam | yajate yajñapuruṣaṃ sa samyagdarśanaḥ pumān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus he is the actual seer who worships, in the form of transcendental sound representation, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, who has no material form.
इमं स्वनिगमं ब्रह्मन्नवेत्य मदनुष्ठितम् । अदान्मे ज्ञानमैश्वर्यं स्वस्मिन् भावं च केशवः
imaṃ svanigamaṃ brahmannavetya madanuṣṭhitam | adānme jñānamaiśvaryaṃ svasmin bhāvaṃ ca keśavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O brāhmaṇa, thus by the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa I was endowed first with the transcendental knowledge of the Lord as inculcated in the confidential parts of the Vedas, then with the spiritual opulences, and then with His intimate loving service.
त्वमप्यदभ्रश्रुतविश्रुतं विभोः समाप्यते येन विदां बुभुत्सितम् । आख्याहि/प्रख्याहि दुःखैर्मुहुरर्दितात्मनां सङ्क्लेशनिर्वाणमुशन्ति नान्यथा
tvamapyadabhraśrutaviśrutaṃ vibhoḥ samāpyate yena vidāṃ bubhutsitam | ākhyāhi/prakhyāhi duḥkhairmuhurarditātmanāṃ saṅkleśanirvāṇamuśanti nānyathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please, therefore, describe the almighty Lord’s activities which you have learned by your vast knowledge of the Vedas, for that will satisfy the hankerings of great learned men and at the same time mitigate the miseries of the masses of common people who are always suffering from material pangs. Indeed, there is no other way to get out of such miseries.
सूत उवाच । एवं निशम्य भगवान् देवर्षेर्जन्म कर्म च । भूयः पप्रच्छ तं ब्रह्मन् व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः
sūta uvāca | evaṃ niśamya bhagavān devarṣerjanma karma ca | bhūyaḥ papraccha taṃ brahman vyāsaḥ satyavatīsutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta said: O brāhmaṇas, thus hearing all about Śrī Nārada’s birth and activities, Vyāsadeva, the incarnation of God and son of Satyavatī, inquired as follows.
व्यास उवाच । भिक्षुभिर्विप्रवसिते विज्ञानादेष्टृभिस्तव । वर्तमानो वयस्याद्ये ततः किमकरोद्भवान्
vyāsa uvāca | bhikṣubhirvipravasite vijñānādeṣṭṛbhistava | vartamāno vayasyādye tataḥ kimakarodbhavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Vyāsadeva said: What did you [Nārada] do after the departure of the great sages who had instructed you in scientific transcendental knowledge before the beginning of your present birth?
स्वायम्भुव कया वृत्त्या वर्तितं ते परं वयः । कथं चेदमुदस्राक्षीः काले प्राप्ते कलेवरम्
svāyambhuva kayā vṛttyā vartitaṃ te paraṃ vayaḥ | kathaṃ cedamudasrākṣīḥ kāle prāpte kalevaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O son of Brahmā, how did you pass your life after initiation, and how did you attain this body, having quit your old one in due course?
प्राक्कल्पविषयामेतां स्मृतिं ते सुरसत्तम । न ह्येष व्यवधात्काल एष सर्वनिराकृतिः
prākkalpaviṣayāmetāṃ smṛtiṃ te surasattama | na hyeṣa vyavadhātkāla eṣa sarvanirākṛtiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great sage, time annihilates everything in due course, so how is it that this subject matter, which happened prior to this day of Brahmā, is still fresh in your memory, undisturbed by time?
नारद उवाच । भिक्षुभिर्विप्रवसिते विज्ञानादेष्टृभिर्मम । वर्तमानो वयस्याद्ये तत एतदकारषम्
nārada uvāca | bhikṣubhirvipravasite vijñānādeṣṭṛbhirmama | vartamāno vayasyādye tata etadakāraṣam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Nārada said: The great sages, who had imparted scientific knowledge of transcendence to me, departed for other places, and I had to pass my life in this way.
एकात्मजा मे जननी योषिन्मूढा च किङ्करी । मय्यात्मजेऽनन्यगतौ चक्रे स्नेहानुबन्धनम्
ekātmajā me jananī yoṣinmūḍhā ca kiṅkarī | mayyātmaje'nanyagatau cakre snehānubandhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I was the only son of my mother, who was not only a simple woman but a maidservant as well. Since I was her only offspring, she had no other alternative for protection: she bound me with the tie of affection.
सास्वतन्त्रा न कल्पाऽऽसीद्योगक्षेमं ममेच्छती । ईशस्य हि वशे लोको योषा दारुमयी यथा
sāsvatantrā na kalpā''sīdyogakṣemaṃ mamecchatī | īśasya hi vaśe loko yoṣā dārumayī yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
She wanted to look after my maintenance properly, but because she was not independent, she was not able to do anything for me. The world is under the full control of the Supreme Lord; therefore everyone is like a wooden doll in the hands of a puppet master.
अहं च तद्ब्रह्मकुले ऊषिवांस्तदपेक्षया । दिग्देशकालाव्युत्पन्नो बालकः पञ्चहायनः
ahaṃ ca tadbrahmakule ūṣivāṃstadapekṣayā | digdeśakālāvyutpanno bālakaḥ pañcahāyanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When I was a mere child of five years, I lived in a brāhmaṇa school. I was dependent on my mother’s affection and had no experience of different lands.
एकदा निर्गतां गेहाद्दुहन्तीं निशि गां पथि । सर्पोऽदशत्पदा स्पृष्टः कृपणां कालचोदितः
ekadā nirgatāṃ gehādduhantīṃ niśi gāṃ pathi | sarpo'daśatpadā spṛṣṭaḥ kṛpaṇāṃ kālacoditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once upon a time, my poor mother, when going out one night to milk a cow, was bitten on the leg by a serpent, influenced by supreme time.
तदा तदहमीशस्य भक्तानां शमभीप्सतः । अनुग्रहं मन्यमानः प्रातिष्ठं दिशमुत्तराम्
tadā tadahamīśasya bhaktānāṃ śamabhīpsataḥ | anugrahaṃ manyamānaḥ prātiṣṭhaṃ diśamuttarām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I took this as the special mercy of the Lord, who always desires benediction for His devotees, and so thinking, I started for the north.
स्फीताञ्जनपदांस्तत्र पुरग्रामव्रजाकरान् । खेटखर्वटवाटीश्च वनान्युपवनानि च
sphītāñjanapadāṃstatra puragrāmavrajākarān | kheṭakharvaṭavāṭīśca vanānyupavanāni ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After my departure, I passed through many flourishing metropolises, towns, villages, animal farms, mines, agricultural lands, valleys, flower gardens, nursery gardens and natural forests.
चित्रधातुविचित्राद्रीनिभभग्नभुजद्रुमान् । जलाशयाञ्छिवजलान्नलिनीः सुरसेविताः
citradhātuvicitrādrīnibhabhagnabhujadrumān | jalāśayāñchivajalānnalinīḥ surasevitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I passed through hills and mountains full of reservoirs of various minerals like gold, silver and copper, and through tracts of land with reservoirs of water filled with beautiful lotus flowers, fit for the denizens of heaven, decorated with bewildered bees and singing birds.
चित्रस्वनैः पत्ररथैर्विभ्रमद्भ्रमरश्रियः । नलवेणुशरस्तम्बकुशकीचकगह्वरम्
citrasvanaiḥ patrarathairvibhramadbhramaraśriyaḥ | nalaveṇuśarastambakuśakīcakagahvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I then passed alone through many forests of rushes, bamboo, reeds, sharp grass, weeds and caves, which were very difficult to go through alone. I visited deep, dark and dangerously fearful forests, which were the play yards of snakes, owls and jackals.
एक एवातियातोऽहमद्राक्षं विपिनं महत् । घोरं प्रतिभयाकारं व्यालोलूकशिवाजिरम्
eka evātiyāto'hamadrākṣaṃ vipinaṃ mahat | ghoraṃ pratibhayākāraṃ vyālolūkaśivājiram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus traveling, I felt tired, both bodily and mentally, and I was both thirsty and hungry. So I took a bath in a river lake and also drank water. By contacting water, I got relief from my exhaustion.
परिश्रान्तेन्द्रियात्माहं तृट्परीतो बुभुक्षितः । स्नात्वा पीत्वा ह्रदे नद्या उपस्पृष्टो गतश्रमः
pariśrāntendriyātmāhaṃ tṛṭparīto bubhukṣitaḥ | snātvā pītvā hrade nadyā upaspṛṣṭo gataśramaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After that, under the shadow of a banyan tree in an uninhabited forest I began to meditate upon the Supersoul situated within, using my intelligence, as I had learned from liberated souls.
तस्मिन्निर्मनुजेऽरण्ये पिप्पलोपस्थ आस्थितः । आत्मनाऽऽत्मानमात्मस्थं यथाश्रुतमचिन्तयम्
tasminnirmanuje'raṇye pippalopastha āsthitaḥ | ātmanā''tmānamātmasthaṃ yathāśrutamacintayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as I began to meditate upon the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead with my mind transformed in transcendental love, tears rolled down my eyes, and without delay the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, appeared on the lotus of my heart.
ध्यायतश्चरणाम्भोजं भावनिर्जितचेतसा । औत्कण्ठ्याश्रुकलाक्षस्य हृद्यासीन्मे शनैर्हरिः
dhyāyataścaraṇāmbhojaṃ bhāvanirjitacetasā | autkaṇṭhyāśrukalākṣasya hṛdyāsīnme śanairhariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Vyāsadeva, at that time, being exceedingly overpowered by feelings of happiness, every part of my body became separately enlivened. Being absorbed in an ocean of ecstasy, I could not see both myself and the Lord.
प्रेमातिभरनिर्भिन्नपुलकाङ्गोऽतिनिर्वृतः । आनन्दसम्प्लवे लीनो नापश्यमुभयं मुने
premātibharanirbhinnapulakāṅgo'tinirvṛtaḥ | ānandasamplave līno nāpaśyamubhayaṃ mune
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The transcendental form of the Lord, as it is, satisfies the mind’s desire and at once erases all mental incongruities. Upon losing that form, I suddenly got up, being perturbed, as is usual when one loses that which is desirable.
रूपं भगवतो यत्तन्मनःकान्तं शुचापहम् । अपश्यन् सहसोत्तस्थे वैक्लव्याद्दुर्मना इव
rūpaṃ bhagavato yattanmanaḥkāntaṃ śucāpaham | apaśyan sahasottasthe vaiklavyāddurmanā iva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I desired to see again that transcendental form of the Lord, but despite my attempts to concentrate upon the heart with eagerness to view the form again, I could not see Him any more, and thus dissatisfied, I was very much aggrieved.
दिदृक्षुस्तदहं भूयः प्रणिधाय मनो हृदि । वीक्षमाणोऽपि नापश्यमवितृप्त इवातुरः
didṛkṣustadahaṃ bhūyaḥ praṇidhāya mano hṛdi | vīkṣamāṇo'pi nāpaśyamavitṛpta ivāturaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing my attempts in that lonely place, the Personality of Godhead, who is transcendental to all mundane description, spoke to me with gravity and pleasing words, just to mitigate my grief.
एवं यतन्तं विजने मामाहागोचरो गिराम् । गम्भीरश्लक्ष्णया वाचा शुचः प्रशमयन्निव
evaṃ yatantaṃ vijane māmāhāgocaro girām | gambhīraślakṣṇayā vācā śucaḥ praśamayanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Nārada [the Lord spoke], I regret that during this lifetime you will not be able to see Me anymore. Those who are incomplete in service and who are not completely free from all material taints can hardly see Me.
हन्तास्मिञ्जन्मनि भवान् न मां द्रष्टुमिहार्हति । अविपक्वकषायाणां दुर्दर्शोऽहं कुयोगिनाम्
hantāsmiñjanmani bhavān na māṃ draṣṭumihārhati | avipakvakaṣāyāṇāṃ durdarśo'haṃ kuyoginām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O virtuous one, you have only once seen My person, and this is just to increase your desire for Me, because the more you hanker for Me, the more you will be freed from all material desires.
सकृद्यद्दर्शितं रूपमेतत्कामाय तेऽनघ । मत्कामः शनकैः साधु सर्वान् मुञ्चति हृच्छयान्
sakṛdyaddarśitaṃ rūpametatkāmāya te'nagha | matkāmaḥ śanakaiḥ sādhu sarvān muñcati hṛcchayān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By service of the Absolute Truth, even for a few days, a devotee attains firm and fixed intelligence in Me. Consequently he goes on to become My associate in the transcendental world after giving up the present deplorable material worlds.
सत्सेवयादीर्घया ते जाता मयि दृढा मतिः । हित्वावद्यमिमं लोकं गन्ता मज्जनतामसि
satsevayādīrghayā te jātā mayi dṛḍhā matiḥ | hitvāvadyamimaṃ lokaṃ gantā majjanatāmasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Intelligence engaged in My devotion cannot be thwarted at any time. Even at the time of creation, as well as at the time of annihilation, your remembrance will continue by My mercy.
मतिर्मयि निबद्धेयं न विपद्येत कर्हिचित् । प्रजासर्गनिरोधेऽपि स्मृतिश्च मदनुग्रहात्
matirmayi nibaddheyaṃ na vipadyeta karhicit | prajāsarganirodhe'pi smṛtiśca madanugrahāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then that supreme authority, personified by sound and unseen by eyes, but most wonderful, stopped speaking. Feeling a sense of gratitude, I offered my obeisances unto Him, bowing my head.
एतावदुक्त्वोपरराम तन्मह- द्भूतं नभोलिङ्गमलिङ्गमीश्वरम् । अहं च तस्मै महतां महीयसे शीर्ष्णावनामं विदधेऽनुकम्पितः
etāvaduktvopararāma tanmaha- dbhūtaṃ nabholiṅgamaliṅgamīśvaram | ahaṃ ca tasmai mahatāṃ mahīyase śīrṣṇāvanāmaṃ vidadhe'nukampitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus I began chanting the holy name and fame of the Lord by repeated recitation, ignoring all the formalities of the material world. Such chanting and remembering of the transcendental pastimes of the Lord are benedictory. So doing, I traveled all over the earth, fully satisfied, humble and unenvious.
नामान्यनन्तस्य हतत्रपः पठन् गुह्यानि भद्राणि कृतानि च स्मरन् । गां पर्यटंस्तुष्टमना गतस्पृहः कालं प्रतीक्षन् विमदो विमत्सरः
nāmānyanantasya hatatrapaḥ paṭhan guhyāni bhadrāṇi kṛtāni ca smaran | gāṃ paryaṭaṃstuṣṭamanā gataspṛhaḥ kālaṃ pratīkṣan vimado vimatsaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And so, O Brāhmaṇa Vyāsadeva, in due course of time I, who was fully absorbed in thinking of Kṛṣṇa and who therefore had no attachments, being completely freed from all material taints, met with death, as lightning and illumination occur simultaneously.
एवं कृष्णमतेर्ब्रह्मन्नसक्तस्यामलात्मनः । कालः प्रादुरभूत्काले तडित्सौदामनी यथा
evaṃ kṛṣṇamaterbrahmannasaktasyāmalātmanaḥ | kālaḥ prādurabhūtkāle taḍitsaudāmanī yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having been awarded a transcendental body befitting an associate of the Personality of Godhead, I quit the body made of five material elements, and thus all acquired fruitive results of work [karma] stopped.
प्रयुज्यमाने मयि तां शुद्धां भागवतीं तनुम् । आरब्धकर्मनिर्वाणो न्यपतत्पाञ्चभौतिकः
prayujyamāne mayi tāṃ śuddhāṃ bhāgavatīṃ tanum | ārabdhakarmanirvāṇo nyapatatpāñcabhautikaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the end of the millennium, when the Personality of Godhead, Lord Nārāyaṇa, lay down within the water of devastation, Brahmā began to enter into Him along with all creative elements, and I also entered through His breathing.
कल्पान्त इदमादाय शयानेऽम्भस्युदन्वतः । शिशयिषोरनुप्राणं विविशेऽन्तरहं विभोः
kalpānta idamādāya śayāne'mbhasyudanvataḥ | śiśayiṣoranuprāṇaṃ viviśe'ntarahaṃ vibhoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After 4,300,000,000 solar years, when Brahmā awoke to create again by the will of the Lord, all the ṛṣis like Marīci, Aṅgirā, Atri and so on were created from the transcendental body of the Lord, and I also appeared along with them.
सहस्रयुगपर्यन्त उत्थायेदं सिसृक्षतः । (सहस्रयुगपर्यन्ते) मरीचिमिश्रा ऋषयः प्राणेभ्योऽहं च जज्ञिरे
sahasrayugaparyanta utthāyedaṃ sisṛkṣataḥ | (sahasrayugaparyante) marīcimiśrā ṛṣayaḥ prāṇebhyo'haṃ ca jajñire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since then, by the grace of the almighty Viṣṇu, I travel everywhere without restriction both in the transcendental world and in the three divisions of the material world. This is because I am fixed in unbroken devotional service of the Lord.
अन्तर्बहिश्च लोकांस्त्रीन् पर्येम्यस्कन्दितव्रतः । अनुग्रहान्महाविष्णोरविघातगतिः क्वचित्
antarbahiśca lokāṃstrīn paryemyaskanditavrataḥ | anugrahānmahāviṣṇoravighātagatiḥ kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And thus I travel, constantly singing the transcendental message of the glories of the Lord, vibrating this instrument called a vīṇā, which is charged with transcendental sound and which was given to me by Lord Kṛṣṇa.
देवदत्तामिमां वीणां स्वरब्रह्मविभूषिताम् । मूर्च्छयित्वा हरिकथां गायमानश्चराम्यहम्
devadattāmimāṃ vīṇāṃ svarabrahmavibhūṣitām | mūrcchayitvā harikathāṃ gāyamānaścarāmyaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whose glories and activities are pleasing to hear, at once appears on the seat of my heart, as if called for, as soon as I begin to chant His holy activities.
प्रगायतः स्ववीर्याणि तीर्थपादः प्रियश्रवाः । आहूत इव मे शीघ्रं दर्शनं याति चेतसि
pragāyataḥ svavīryāṇi tīrthapādaḥ priyaśravāḥ | āhūta iva me śīghraṃ darśanaṃ yāti cetasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is personally experienced by me that those who are always full of cares and anxieties due to desiring contact of the senses with their objects can cross the ocean of nescience on a most suitable boat — the constant chanting of the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead.
एतद्ध्यातुरचित्तानां मात्रास्पर्शेच्छया मुहुः । भवसिन्धुप्लवो दृष्टो हरिचर्यानुवर्णनम्
etaddhyāturacittānāṃ mātrāsparśecchayā muhuḥ | bhavasindhuplavo dṛṣṭo haricaryānuvarṇanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is true that by practicing restraint of the senses by the yoga system one can get relief from the disturbances of desire and lust, but this is not sufficient to give satisfaction to the soul, for this [satisfaction] is derived from devotional service to the Personality of Godhead.
यमादिभिर्योगपथैः कामलोभहतो मुहुः । मुकुन्दसेवया यद्वत्तथाऽऽत्माद्धा न शाम्यति
yamādibhiryogapathaiḥ kāmalobhahato muhuḥ | mukundasevayā yadvattathā''tmāddhā na śāmyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Vyāsadeva, you are freed from all sins. Thus I have explained my birth and activities for self-realization, as you asked. All this will be conducive for your personal satisfaction also.
सर्वं तदिदमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽहं त्वयानघ । जन्मकर्मरहस्यं मे भवतश्चात्मतोषणम्
sarvaṃ tadidamākhyātaṃ yatpṛṣṭo'haṃ tvayānagha | janmakarmarahasyaṃ me bhavataścātmatoṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Thus addressing Vyāsadeva, Śrīla Nārada Muni took leave of him, and vibrating on his vīṇā instrument, he left to wander at his free will.
सूत उवाच । एवं सम्भाष्य भगवान्नारदो वासवीसुतम् । आमन्त्र्य वीणां रणयन् ययौ यादृच्छिको मुनिः
sūta uvāca | evaṃ sambhāṣya bhagavānnārado vāsavīsutam | āmantrya vīṇāṃ raṇayan yayau yādṛcchiko muniḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All glory and success to Śrīla Nārada Muni because he glorifies the activities of the Personality of Godhead, and so doing he himself takes pleasure and also enlivens all the distressed souls of the universe.
शौनक उवाच । निर्गते नारदे सूत भगवान् बादरायणः । श्रुतवांस्तदभिप्रेतं ततः किमकरोद्विभुः
śaunaka uvāca | nirgate nārade sūta bhagavān bādarāyaṇaḥ | śrutavāṃstadabhipretaṃ tataḥ kimakarodvibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ṛṣi Śaunaka asked: O Sūta, the great and transcendentally powerful Vyāsadeva heard everything from Śrī Nārada Muni. So after Nārada’s departure, what did Vyāsadeva do?
सूत उवाच । ब्रह्मनद्यां सरस्वत्यामाश्रमः पश्चिमे तटे । शम्याप्रास इति प्रोक्त ऋषीणां सत्रवर्धनः
sūta uvāca | brahmanadyāṃ sarasvatyāmāśramaḥ paścime taṭe | śamyāprāsa iti prokta ṛṣīṇāṃ satravardhanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta said: On the western bank of the river Sarasvatī, which is intimately related with the Vedas, there is a cottage for meditation at Śamyāprāsa which enlivens the transcendental activities of the sages.
तस्मिन् स्व आश्रमे व्यासो बदरीषण्डमण्डिते । आसीनोऽप उपस्पृश्य प्रणिदध्यौ मनः स्वयम्
tasmin sva āśrame vyāso badarīṣaṇḍamaṇḍite | āsīno'pa upaspṛśya praṇidadhyau manaḥ svayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that place, Śrīla Vyāsadeva, in his own āśrama, which was surrounded by berry trees, sat down to meditate after touching water for purification.
भक्तियोगेन मनसि सम्यक् प्रणिहितेऽमले । अपश्यत्पुरुषं पूर्वं मायां च तदुपाश्रयाम्
bhaktiyogena manasi samyak praṇihite'male | apaśyatpuruṣaṃ pūrvaṃ māyāṃ ca tadupāśrayām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus he fixed his mind, perfectly engaging it by linking it in devotional service [bhakti-yoga] without any tinge of materialism, and thus he saw the Absolute Personality of Godhead along with His external energy, which was under full control.
यया सम्मोहितो जीव आत्मानं त्रिगुणात्मकम् । परोऽपि मनुतेऽनर्थं तत्कृतं चाभिपद्यते
yayā sammohito jīva ātmānaṃ triguṇātmakam | paro'pi manute'narthaṃ tatkṛtaṃ cābhipadyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Due to this external energy, the living entity, although transcendental to the three modes of material nature, thinks of himself as a material product and thus undergoes the reactions of material miseries.
अनर्थोपशमं साक्षाद्भक्तियोगमधोक्षजे । लोकस्याजानतो विद्वांश्चक्रे सात्वतसंहिताम्
anarthopaśamaṃ sākṣādbhaktiyogamadhokṣaje | lokasyājānato vidvāṃścakre sātvatasaṃhitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The material miseries of the living entity, which are superfluous to him, can be directly mitigated by the linking process of devotional service. But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the learned Vyāsadeva compiled this Vedic literature, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth.
यस्यां वै श्रूयमाणायां कृष्णे परमपूरुषे । भक्तिरुत्पद्यते पुंसः शोकमोहभयापहा
yasyāṃ vai śrūyamāṇāyāṃ kṛṣṇe paramapūruṣe | bhaktirutpadyate puṃsaḥ śokamohabhayāpahā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Simply by giving aural reception to this Vedic literature, the feeling for loving devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sprouts up at once to extinguish the fire of lamentation, illusion and fearfulness.
स संहितां भागवतीं कृत्वानुक्रम्य चात्मजम् । शुकमध्यापयामास निवृत्तिनिरतं मुनिः
sa saṃhitāṃ bhāgavatīṃ kṛtvānukramya cātmajam | śukamadhyāpayāmāsa nivṛttinirataṃ muniḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Vyāsadeva, after compiling the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and revising it, taught it to his own son, Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who was already engaged in self-realization.
शौनक उवाच । स वै निवृत्तिनिरतः सर्वत्रोपेक्षको मुनिः । कस्य वा बृहतीमेतामात्मारामः समभ्यसत्
śaunaka uvāca | sa vai nivṛttinirataḥ sarvatropekṣako muniḥ | kasya vā bṛhatīmetāmātmārāmaḥ samabhyasat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śaunaka asked Sūta Gosvāmī: Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī was already on the path of self-realization, and thus he was pleased with his own self. So why did he take the trouble to undergo the study of such a vast literature?
सूत उवाच । आत्मारामाश्च मुनयो निर्ग्रन्था अप्युरुक्रमे । कुर्वन्त्यहैतुकीं भक्तिमित्थम्भूतगुणो हरिः
sūta uvāca | ātmārāmāśca munayo nirgranthā apyurukrame | kurvantyahaitukīṃ bhaktimitthambhūtaguṇo hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: All different varieties of ātmārāmas [those who take pleasure in the ātmā, or spirit self], especially those established on the path of self-realization, though freed from all kinds of material bondage, desire to render unalloyed devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead. This means that the Lord possesses transcendental qualities and therefore can attract everyone, including liberated souls.
हरेर्गुणाक्षिप्तमतिर्भगवान् बादरायणिः । अध्यगान्महदाख्यानं नित्यं विष्णुजनप्रियः
harerguṇākṣiptamatirbhagavān bādarāyaṇiḥ | adhyagānmahadākhyānaṃ nityaṃ viṣṇujanapriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī, son of Śrīla Vyāsadeva, was not only transcendentally powerful. He was also very dear to the devotees of the Lord. Thus he underwent the study of this great narration [Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam].
परीक्षितोऽथ राजर्षेर्जन्मकर्मविलापनम् । संस्थां च पाण्डुपुत्राणां वक्ष्ये कृष्णकथोदयम्
parīkṣito'tha rājarṣerjanmakarmavilāpanam | saṃsthāṃ ca pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ vakṣye kṛṣṇakathodayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī thus addressed the ṛṣis headed by Śaunaka: Now I shall begin the transcendental narration of the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and topics of the birth, activities and deliverance of King Parīkṣit, the sage amongst kings, as well as topics of the renunciation of the worldly order by the sons of Pāṇḍu.
माता शिशूनां निधनं सुतानां निशम्य घोरं परितप्यमाना । तदारुदद्बाष्पकलाकुलाक्षी तां सान्त्वयन्नाह किरीटमाली
mātā śiśūnāṃ nidhanaṃ sutānāṃ niśamya ghoraṃ paritapyamānā | tadārudadbāṣpakalākulākṣī tāṃ sāntvayannāha kirīṭamālī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Draupadī, the mother of the five children of the Pāṇḍavas, after hearing of the massacre of her sons, began to cry in distress with eyes full of tears. Trying to pacify her in her great loss, Arjuna spoke to her thus:
तदा शुचस्ते प्रमृजामि भद्रे यद्ब्रह्मबन्धोः शिर आततायिनः । गाण्डीवमुक्तैर्विशिखैरुपाहरे त्वाऽऽक्रम्य यत्स्नास्यसि दग्धपुत्रा
tadā śucaste pramṛjāmi bhadre yadbrahmabandhoḥ śira ātatāyinaḥ | gāṇḍīvamuktairviśikhairupāhare tvā''kramya yatsnāsyasi dagdhaputrā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O gentle lady, when I present you with the head of that brāhmaṇa, after beheading him with arrows from my Gāṇḍīva bow, I shall then wipe the tears from your eyes and pacify you. Then, after burning your sons’ bodies, you can take your bath standing on his head.
इति प्रियां वल्गुविचित्रजल्पैः स सान्त्वयित्वाच्युतमित्रसूतः । अन्वाद्रवद्दंशित उग्रधन्वा कपिध्वजो गुरुपुत्रं रथेन
iti priyāṃ valguvicitrajalpaiḥ sa sāntvayitvācyutamitrasūtaḥ | anvādravaddaṃśita ugradhanvā kapidhvajo guruputraṃ rathena
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Arjuna, who is guided by the infallible Lord as friend and driver, thus satisfied the dear lady by such statements. Then he dressed in armor and armed himself with furious weapons, and getting into his chariot, he set out to follow Aśvatthāmā, the son of his martial teacher.
तमापतन्तं स विलक्ष्य दूरात् कुमारहोद्विग्नमना रथेन । पराद्रवत्प्राणपरीप्सुरुर्व्यां यावद्गमं रुद्रभयाद्यथार्कः
tamāpatantaṃ sa vilakṣya dūrāt kumārahodvignamanā rathena | parādravatprāṇaparīpsururvyāṃ yāvadgamaṃ rudrabhayādyathārkaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Aśvatthāmā, the murderer of the princes, seeing from a great distance Arjuna coming at him with great speed, fled in his chariot, panic stricken, just to save his life, as Brahmā fled in fear from Śiva.
यदाशरणमात्मानमैक्षत श्रान्तवाजिनम् । अस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरो मेने आत्मत्राणं द्विजात्मजः
yadāśaraṇamātmānamaikṣata śrāntavājinam | astraṃ brahmaśiro mene ātmatrāṇaṃ dvijātmajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the son of the brāhmaṇa [Aśvatthāmā] saw that his horses were tired, he considered that there was no alternative for protection outside of his using the ultimate weapon, the brahmāstra [nuclear weapon].
अथोपस्पृश्य सलिलं सन्दधे तत्समाहितः । अजानन्नुपसंहारं प्राणकृच्छ्र उपस्थिते
athopaspṛśya salilaṃ sandadhe tatsamāhitaḥ | ajānannupasaṃhāraṃ prāṇakṛcchra upasthite
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since his life was in danger, he touched water in sanctity and concentrated upon the chanting of the hymns for throwing nuclear weapons, although he did not know how to withdraw such weapons.
ततः प्रादुष्कृतं तेजः प्रचण्डं सर्वतो दिशम् । प्राणापदमभिप्रेक्ष्य विष्णुं जिष्णुरुवाच ह
tataḥ prāduṣkṛtaṃ tejaḥ pracaṇḍaṃ sarvato diśam | prāṇāpadamabhiprekṣya viṣṇuṃ jiṣṇuruvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereupon a glaring light spread in all directions. It was so fierce that Arjuna thought his own life in danger, and so he began to address Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
अर्जुन उवाच । कृष्ण कृष्ण महाभाग भक्तानामभयङ्कर । त्वमेको दह्यमानानामपवर्गोऽसि संसृतेः
arjuna uvāca | kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahābhāga bhaktānāmabhayaṅkara | tvameko dahyamānānāmapavargo'si saṃsṛteḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Arjuna said: O my Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, You are the almighty Personality of Godhead. There is no limit to Your different energies. Therefore only You are competent to instill fearlessness in the hearts of Your devotees. Everyone in the flames of material miseries can find the path of liberation in You only.
त्वमाद्यः पुरुषः साक्षादीश्वरः प्रकृतेः परः । मायां व्युदस्य चिच्छक्त्या कैवल्ये स्थित आत्मनि
tvamādyaḥ puruṣaḥ sākṣādīśvaraḥ prakṛteḥ paraḥ | māyāṃ vyudasya cicchaktyā kaivalye sthita ātmani
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the original Personality of Godhead who expands Himself all over the creations and is transcendental to material energy. You have cast away the effects of the material energy by dint of Your spiritual potency. You are always situated in eternal bliss and transcendental knowledge.
स एव जीवलोकस्य मायामोहितचेतसः । विधत्से स्वेन वीर्येण श्रेयो धर्मादिलक्षणम्
sa eva jīvalokasya māyāmohitacetasaḥ | vidhatse svena vīryeṇa śreyo dharmādilakṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And yet, though You are beyond the purview of the material energy, You execute the four principles of liberation characterized by religion and so on for the ultimate good of the conditioned souls.
तथायं चावतारस्ते भुवो भारजिहीर्षया । स्वानां चानन्यभावानामनुध्यानाय चासकृत्
tathāyaṃ cāvatāraste bhuvo bhārajihīrṣayā | svānāṃ cānanyabhāvānāmanudhyānāya cāsakṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus You descend as an incarnation to remove the burden of the world and to benefit Your friends, especially those who are Your exclusive devotees and are constantly rapt in meditation upon You.
किमिदं स्वित्कुतो वेति देवदेव न वेद्म्यहम् । सर्वतोमुखमायाति तेजः परमदारुणम्
kimidaṃ svitkuto veti devadeva na vedmyaham | sarvatomukhamāyāti tejaḥ paramadāruṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord of lords, how is it that this dangerous effulgence is spreading all around? Where does it come from? I do not understand it.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । वेत्थेदं द्रोणपुत्रस्य ब्राह्ममस्त्रं प्रदर्शितम् । नैवासौ वेद संहारं प्राणबाध उपस्थिते
śrībhagavānuvāca | vetthedaṃ droṇaputrasya brāhmamastraṃ pradarśitam | naivāsau veda saṃhāraṃ prāṇabādha upasthite
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Know from Me that this is the act of the son of Droṇa. He has thrown the hymns of nuclear energy [brahmāstra], and he does not know how to retract the glare. He has helplessly done this, being afraid of imminent death.
न ह्यस्यान्यतमं किञ्चिदस्त्रं प्रत्यवकर्शनम् । जह्यस्त्रतेज उन्नद्धमस्त्रज्ञो ह्यस्त्रतेजसा
na hyasyānyatamaṃ kiñcidastraṃ pratyavakarśanam | jahyastrateja unnaddhamastrajño hyastratejasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Arjuna, only another brahmāstra can counteract this weapon. Since you are expert in the military science, subdue this weapon’s glare with the power of your own weapon.
सूत उवाच । श्रुत्वा भगवता प्रोक्तं फाल्गुनः परवीरहा । स्पृष्ट्वापस्तं परिक्रम्य ब्राह्मं ब्राह्माय सन्दधे
sūta uvāca | śrutvā bhagavatā proktaṃ phālgunaḥ paravīrahā | spṛṣṭvāpastaṃ parikramya brāhmaṃ brāhmāya sandadhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: Hearing this from the Personality of Godhead, Arjuna touched water for purification, and after circumambulating Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, he cast his brahmāstra weapon to counteract the other one.
संहत्यान्योन्यमुभयोस्तेजसी शरसंवृते । आवृत्य रोदसी खं च ववृधातेऽर्कवह्निवत्
saṃhatyānyonyamubhayostejasī śarasaṃvṛte | āvṛtya rodasī khaṃ ca vavṛdhāte'rkavahnivat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the rays of the two brahmāstras combined, a great circle of fire, like the disc of the sun, covered all outer space and the whole firmament of planets.
दृष्ट्वास्त्रतेजस्तु तयोस्त्रींल्लोकान् प्रदहन् महत् । दह्यमानाः प्रजाः सर्वाः सांवर्तकममंसत
dṛṣṭvāstratejastu tayostrīṃllokān pradahan mahat | dahyamānāḥ prajāḥ sarvāḥ sāṃvartakamamaṃsata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the population of the three worlds was scorched by the combined heat of the weapons. Everyone was reminded of the sāṁvartaka fire which takes place at the time of annihilation.
प्रजोपद्रवमालक्ष्य लोकव्यतिकरं च तम् । मतं च वासुदेवस्य सञ्जहारार्जुनो द्वयम्
prajopadravamālakṣya lokavyatikaraṃ ca tam | mataṃ ca vāsudevasya sañjahārārjuno dvayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus seeing the disturbance of the general populace and the imminent destruction of the planets, Arjuna at once retracted both brahmāstra weapons, as Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa desired.
तत आसाद्य तरसा दारुणं गौतमीसुतम् । बबन्धामर्षताम्राक्षः पशुं रशनया यथा
tata āsādya tarasā dāruṇaṃ gautamīsutam | babandhāmarṣatāmrākṣaḥ paśuṃ raśanayā yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Arjuna, his eyes blazing in anger like two red balls of copper, dexterously arrested the son of Gautamī and bound him with ropes like an animal.
शिबिराय निनीषन्तं दाम्ना बद्ध्वा रिपुं बलात् । प्राहार्जुनं प्रकुपितो भगवानम्बुजेक्षणः
śibirāya ninīṣantaṃ dāmnā baddhvā ripuṃ balāt | prāhārjunaṃ prakupito bhagavānambujekṣaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After binding Aśvatthāmā, Arjuna wanted to take him to the military camp. The Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṣṇa, looking on with His lotus eyes, spoke to Arjuna in an angry mood.
मैनं पार्थार्हसि त्रातुं ब्रह्मबन्धुमिमं जहि । योऽसावनागसः सुप्तानवधीन्निशि बालकान्
mainaṃ pārthārhasi trātuṃ brahmabandhumimaṃ jahi | yo'sāvanāgasaḥ suptānavadhīnniśi bālakān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: O Arjuna, you should not show mercy by releasing this relative of a brāhmaṇa [brahma-bandhu], for he has killed innocent boys in their sleep.
मत्तं प्रमत्तमुन्मत्तं सुप्तं बालं स्त्रियं जडम् । प्रपन्नं विरथं भीतं न रिपुं हन्ति धर्मवित्
mattaṃ pramattamunmattaṃ suptaṃ bālaṃ striyaṃ jaḍam | prapannaṃ virathaṃ bhītaṃ na ripuṃ hanti dharmavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A person who knows the principles of religion does not kill an enemy who is careless, intoxicated, insane, asleep, afraid or devoid of his chariot. Nor does he kill a boy, a woman, a foolish creature or a surrendered soul.
स्वप्राणान् यः परप्राणैः प्रपुष्णात्यघृणः खलः । तद्वधस्तस्य हि श्रेयो यद्दोषाद्यात्यधः पुमान्
svaprāṇān yaḥ paraprāṇaiḥ prapuṣṇātyaghṛṇaḥ khalaḥ | tadvadhastasya hi śreyo yaddoṣādyātyadhaḥ pumān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A cruel and wretched person who maintains his existence at the cost of others’ lives deserves to be killed for his own well-being, otherwise he will go down by his own actions.
प्रतिश्रुतं च भवता पाञ्चाल्यै शृण्वतो मम । आहरिष्ये शिरस्तस्य यस्ते मानिनि पुत्रहा
pratiśrutaṃ ca bhavatā pāñcālyai śṛṇvato mama | āhariṣye śirastasya yaste mānini putrahā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Furthermore, I have personally heard you promise Draupadī that you would bring forth the head of the killer of her sons.
तदसौ वध्यतां पाप आतताय्यात्मबन्धुहा । भर्तुश्च विप्रियं वीर कृतवान् कुलपांसनः
tadasau vadhyatāṃ pāpa ātatāyyātmabandhuhā | bhartuśca vipriyaṃ vīra kṛtavān kulapāṃsanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This man is an assassin and murderer of your own family members. Not only that, but he has also dissatisfied his master. He is but the burnt remnants of his family. Kill him immediately.
एवं परीक्षता धर्मं पार्थः कृष्णेन चोदितः । नैच्छद्धन्तुं गुरुसुतं यद्यप्यात्महनं महान्
evaṃ parīkṣatā dharmaṃ pārthaḥ kṛṣṇena coditaḥ | naicchaddhantuṃ gurusutaṃ yadyapyātmahanaṃ mahān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Although Kṛṣṇa, who was examining Arjuna in religion, encouraged Arjuna to kill the son of Droṇācārya, Arjuna, a great soul, did not like the idea of killing him, although Aśvatthāmā was a heinous murderer of Arjuna’s family members.
अथोपेत्य स्वशिबिरं गोविन्दप्रियसारथिः । न्यवेदयत्तं प्रियायै शोचन्त्या आत्मजान् हतान्
athopetya svaśibiraṃ govindapriyasārathiḥ | nyavedayattaṃ priyāyai śocantyā ātmajān hatān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After reaching his own camp, Arjuna, along with his dear friend and charioteer [Śrī Kṛṣṇa], entrusted the murderer unto his dear wife, who was lamenting for her murdered sons.
तथाऽऽहृतं पशुवत्पाशबद्धमवाङ्मुखं कर्मजुगुप्सितेन । निरीक्ष्य कृष्णापकृतं गुरोः सुतं वामस्वभावा कृपया ननाम च
tathā''hṛtaṃ paśuvatpāśabaddhamavāṅmukhaṃ karmajugupsitena | nirīkṣya kṛṣṇāpakṛtaṃ guroḥ sutaṃ vāmasvabhāvā kṛpayā nanāma ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: Draupadī then saw Aśvatthāmā, who was bound with ropes like an animal and silent for having enacted the most inglorious murder. Due to her female nature, and due to her being naturally good and well-behaved, she showed him due respects as a brāhmaṇa.
उवाच चासहन्त्यस्य बन्धनानयनं सती । मुच्यतां मुच्यतामेष ब्राह्मणो नितरां गुरुः
uvāca cāsahantyasya bandhanānayanaṃ satī | mucyatāṃ mucyatāmeṣa brāhmaṇo nitarāṃ guruḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
She could not tolerate Aśvatthāmā’s being bound by ropes, and being a devoted lady, she said: Release him, release him, for he is a brāhmaṇa, our spiritual master.
सरहस्यो धनुर्वेदः सविसर्गोपसंयमः । अस्त्रग्रामश्च भवता शिक्षितो यदनुग्रहात्
sarahasyo dhanurvedaḥ savisargopasaṃyamaḥ | astragrāmaśca bhavatā śikṣito yadanugrahāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was by Droṇācārya’s mercy that you learned the military art of throwing arrows and the confidential art of controlling weapons.
स एष भगवान् द्रोणः प्रजारूपेण वर्तते । तस्यात्मनोऽर्धं पत्न्यास्ते नान्वगाद्वीरसूः कृपी
sa eṣa bhagavān droṇaḥ prajārūpeṇa vartate | tasyātmano'rdhaṃ patnyāste nānvagādvīrasūḥ kṛpī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He [Droṇācārya] is certainly still existing, being represented by his son. His wife Kṛpī did not undergo a satī with him because she had a son.
तद्धर्मज्ञ महाभाग भवद्भिर्गौरवं कुलम् । वृजिनं नार्हति प्राप्तुं पूज्यं वन्द्यमभीक्ष्णशः
taddharmajña mahābhāga bhavadbhirgauravaṃ kulam | vṛjinaṃ nārhati prāptuṃ pūjyaṃ vandyamabhīkṣṇaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O most fortunate one who know the principles of religion, it is not good for you to cause grief to glorious family members who are always respectable and worshipful.
मा रोदीदस्य जननी गौतमी पतिदेवता । यथाहं मृतवत्साऽऽर्ता रोदिम्यश्रुमुखी मुहुः
mā rodīdasya jananī gautamī patidevatā | yathāhaṃ mṛtavatsā''rtā rodimyaśrumukhī muhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My lord, do not make the wife of Droṇācārya cry like me. I am aggrieved for the death of my sons. She need not cry constantly like me.
यैः कोपितं ब्रह्मकुलं राजन्यैरजितात्मभिः । तत्कुलं प्रदहत्याशु सानुबन्धं शुचार्पितम्
yaiḥ kopitaṃ brahmakulaṃ rājanyairajitātmabhiḥ | tatkulaṃ pradahatyāśu sānubandhaṃ śucārpitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If the kingly administrative order, being unrestricted in sense control, offends the brāhmaṇa order and enrages them, then the fire of that rage burns up the whole body of the royal family and brings grief upon them all.
सूत उवाच । धर्म्यं न्याय्यं सकरुणं निर्व्यलीकं समं महत् । राजा धर्मसुतो राज्ञ्याः प्रत्यनन्दद्वचो द्विजाः
sūta uvāca | dharmyaṃ nyāyyaṃ sakaruṇaṃ nirvyalīkaṃ samaṃ mahat | rājā dharmasuto rājñyāḥ pratyanandadvaco dvijāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: O brāhmaṇas, King Yudhiṣṭhira fully supported the statements of the Queen, which were in accordance with the principles of religion and were justified, glorious, full of mercy and equity, and without duplicity.
नकुलः सहदेवश्च युयुधानो धनञ्जयः । भगवान् देवकीपुत्रो ये चान्ये याश्च योषितः
nakulaḥ sahadevaśca yuyudhāno dhanañjayaḥ | bhagavān devakīputro ye cānye yāśca yoṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nakula and Sahadeva [the younger brothers of the King] and also Sātyaki, Arjuna, the Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Kṛṣṇa, son of Devakī, and the ladies and others all unanimously agreed with the King.
तत्राहामर्षितो भीमस्तस्य श्रेयान् वधः स्मृतः । न भर्तुर्नात्मनश्चार्थे योऽहन् सुप्तान् शिशून् वृथा
tatrāhāmarṣito bhīmastasya śreyān vadhaḥ smṛtaḥ | na bharturnātmanaścārthe yo'han suptān śiśūn vṛthā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhīma, however, angrily disagreed with them and recommended killing this culprit, who had murdered sleeping children for no purpose and for neither his nor his master’s interest.
निशम्य भीमगदितं द्रौपद्याश्च चतुर्भुजः । आलोक्य वदनं सख्युरिदमाह हसन्निव
niśamya bhīmagaditaṃ draupadyāśca caturbhujaḥ | ālokya vadanaṃ sakhyuridamāha hasanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Caturbhuja [the four-armed one], or the Personality of Godhead, after hearing the words of Bhīma, Draupadī and others, saw the face of His dear friend Arjuna, and He began to speak as if smiling.
सूत उवाच । अर्जुनः सहसाऽऽज्ञाय हरेर्हार्दमथासिना । मणिं जहार मूर्धन्यं द्विजस्य सहमूर्धजम्
sūta uvāca | arjunaḥ sahasā''jñāya harerhārdamathāsinā | maṇiṃ jahāra mūrdhanyaṃ dvijasya sahamūrdhajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Just then Arjuna could understand the motive of the Lord by His equivocal orders, and thus with his sword he severed both hair and jewel from the head of Aśvatthāmā.
विमुच्य रशनाबद्धं बालहत्याहतप्रभम् । तेजसा मणिना हीनं शिबिरान्निरयापयत्
vimucya raśanābaddhaṃ bālahatyāhataprabham | tejasā maṇinā hīnaṃ śibirānnirayāpayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He [Aśvatthāmā] had already lost his bodily luster due to infanticide, and now, moreover, having lost the jewel from his head, he lost even more strength. Thus he was unbound and driven out of the camp.
वपनं द्रविणादानं स्थानान्निर्यापणं तथा । एष हि ब्रह्मबन्धूनां वधो नान्योऽस्ति दैहिकः
vapanaṃ draviṇādānaṃ sthānānniryāpaṇaṃ tathā | eṣa hi brahmabandhūnāṃ vadho nānyo'sti daihikaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Cutting the hair from his head, depriving him of his wealth and driving him from his residence are the prescribed punishments for the relative of a brāhmaṇa. There is no injunction for killing the body.
पुत्रशोकातुराः सर्वे पाण्डवाः सह कृष्णया । स्वानां मृतानां यत्कृत्यं चक्रुर्निर्हरणादिकम्
putraśokāturāḥ sarve pāṇḍavāḥ saha kṛṣṇayā | svānāṃ mṛtānāṃ yatkṛtyaṃ cakrurnirharaṇādikam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, the sons of Pāṇḍu, and Draupadī, overwhelmed with grief, performed the proper rituals for the dead bodies of their relatives.
सूत उवाच । अथ ते सम्परेतानां स्वानामुदकमिच्छताम् । दातुं सकृष्णा गङ्गायां पुरस्कृत्य ययुः स्त्रियः
sūta uvāca | atha te samparetānāṃ svānāmudakamicchatām | dātuṃ sakṛṣṇā gaṅgāyāṃ puraskṛtya yayuḥ striyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Thereafter the Pāṇḍavas, desiring to deliver water to the dead relatives who had desired it, went to the Ganges with Draupadī. The ladies walked in front.
ते निनीयोदकं सर्वे विलप्य च भृशं पुनः । आप्लुता हरिपादाब्जरजःपूतसरिज्जले
te ninīyodakaṃ sarve vilapya ca bhṛśaṃ punaḥ | āplutā haripādābjarajaḥpūtasarijjale
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having lamented over them and sufficiently offered Ganges water, they bathed in the Ganges, whose water is sanctified due to being mixed with the dust of the lotus feet of the Lord.
तत्रासीनं कुरुपतिं धृतराष्ट्रं सहानुजम् । गान्धारीं पुत्रशोकार्तां पृथां कृष्णां च माधवः
tatrāsīnaṃ kurupatiṃ dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ sahānujam | gāndhārīṃ putraśokārtāṃ pṛthāṃ kṛṣṇāṃ ca mādhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There sat the King of the Kurus, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, along with his younger brothers and Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Gāndhārī, Kuntī and Draupadī, all overwhelmed with grief. Lord Kṛṣṇa was also there.
सान्त्वयामास मुनिभिर्हतबन्धूञ्छुचार्पितान् । (बन्धूञ् शुचार्पितान्) भूतेषु कालस्य गतिं दर्शयन्नप्रतिक्रियाम्
sāntvayāmāsa munibhirhatabandhūñchucārpitān | (bandhūñ śucārpitān) bhūteṣu kālasya gatiṃ darśayannapratikriyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Citing the stringent laws of the Almighty and their reactions upon living beings, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the munis began to pacify those who were shocked and affected.
साधयित्वाजातशत्रोः स्वं राज्यं कितवैर्हृतम् । घातयित्वासतो राज्ञः कचस्पर्शक्षतायुषः
sādhayitvājātaśatroḥ svaṃ rājyaṃ kitavairhṛtam | ghātayitvāsato rājñaḥ kacasparśakṣatāyuṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The clever Duryodhana and his party cunningly usurped the kingdom of Yudhiṣṭhira, who had no enemy. By the grace of the Lord, the recovery was executed, and the unscrupulous kings who joined with Duryodhana were killed by Him. Others also died, their duration of life having decreased for their rough handling of the hair of Queen Draupadī.
याजयित्वाश्वमेधैस्तं त्रिभिरुत्तमकल्पकैः । तद्यशः पावनं दिक्षु शतमन्योरिवातनोत्
yājayitvāśvamedhaistaṃ tribhiruttamakalpakaiḥ | tadyaśaḥ pāvanaṃ dikṣu śatamanyorivātanot
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa caused three well-performed aśvamedha-yajñas [horse sacrifices] to be conducted by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira and thus caused his virtuous fame to be glorified in all directions, like that of Indra, who had performed one hundred such sacrifices.
आमन्त्र्य पाण्डुपुत्रांश्च शैनेयोद्धवसंयुतः । द्वैपायनादिभिर्विप्रैः पूजितैः प्रतिपूजितः
āmantrya pāṇḍuputrāṃśca śaineyoddhavasaṃyutaḥ | dvaipāyanādibhirvipraiḥ pūjitaiḥ pratipūjitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa then prepared for His departure. He invited the sons of Pāṇḍu, after having been worshiped by the brāhmaṇas, headed by Śrīla Vyāsadeva. The Lord also reciprocated greetings.
गन्तुं कृतमतिर्ब्रह्मन् द्वारकां रथमास्थितः । उपलेभेऽभिधावन्तीमुत्तरां भयविह्वलाम्
gantuṃ kṛtamatirbrahman dvārakāṃ rathamāsthitaḥ | upalebhe'bhidhāvantīmuttarāṃ bhayavihvalām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as He seated Himself on the chariot to start for Dvārakā, He saw Uttarā hurrying toward Him in fear.
उत्तरोवाच । पाहि पाहि महायोगिन् देवदेव जगत्पते । नान्यं त्वदभयं पश्ये यत्र मृत्युः परस्परम्
uttarovāca | pāhi pāhi mahāyogin devadeva jagatpate | nānyaṃ tvadabhayaṃ paśye yatra mṛtyuḥ parasparam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Uttarā said: O Lord of lords, Lord of the universe! You are the greatest of mystics. Please protect me, protect me, for there is no one else who can save me from the clutches of death in this world of duality.
अभिद्रवति मामीश शरस्तप्तायसो विभो । कामं दहतु मां नाथ मा मे गर्भो निपात्यताम्
abhidravati māmīśa śarastaptāyaso vibho | kāmaṃ dahatu māṃ nātha mā me garbho nipātyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my Lord, You are all-powerful. A fiery iron arrow is coming towards me fast. My Lord, let it burn me personally, if You so desire, but please do not let it burn and abort my embryo. Please do me this favor, my Lord.
सूत उवाच । उपधार्य वचस्तस्या भगवान् भक्तवत्सलः । अपाण्डवमिदं कर्तुं द्रौणेरस्त्रमबुध्यत
sūta uvāca | upadhārya vacastasyā bhagavān bhaktavatsalaḥ | apāṇḍavamidaṃ kartuṃ drauṇerastramabudhyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Having patiently heard her words, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is always very affectionate to His devotees, could at once understand that Aśvatthāmā, the son of Droṇācārya, had thrown the brahmāstra to finish the last life in the Pāṇḍava family.
तर्ह्येवाथ मुनिश्रेष्ठ पाण्डवाः पञ्च सायकान् । आत्मनोऽभिमुखान् दीप्तानालक्ष्यास्त्राण्युपाददुः
tarhyevātha muniśreṣṭha pāṇḍavāḥ pañca sāyakān | ātmano'bhimukhān dīptānālakṣyāstrāṇyupādaduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O foremost among the great thinkers [munis] [Śaunaka], seeing the glaring brahmāstra proceeding towards them, the Pāṇḍavas took up their five respective weapons.
व्यसनं वीक्ष्य तत्तेषामनन्यविषयात्मनाम् । सुदर्शनेन स्वास्त्रेण स्वानां रक्षां व्यधाद्विभुः
vyasanaṃ vīkṣya tatteṣāmananyaviṣayātmanām | sudarśanena svāstreṇa svānāṃ rakṣāṃ vyadhādvibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The almighty Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, having observed that a great danger was befalling His unalloyed devotees, who were fully surrendered souls, at once took up His Sudarśana disc to protect them.
अन्तःस्थः सर्वभूतानामात्मा योगेश्वरो हरिः । स्वमाययाऽऽवृणोद्गर्भं वैराट्याः कुरुतन्तवे
antaḥsthaḥ sarvabhūtānāmātmā yogeśvaro hariḥ | svamāyayā''vṛṇodgarbhaṃ vairāṭyāḥ kurutantave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord of supreme mysticism, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, resides within everyone’s heart as the Paramātmā. As such, just to protect the progeny of the Kuru dynasty, He covered the embryo of Uttarā by His personal energy.
यद्यप्यस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरस्त्वमोघं चाप्रतिक्रियम् । वैष्णवं तेज आसाद्य समशाम्यद्भृगूद्वह
yadyapyastraṃ brahmaśirastvamoghaṃ cāpratikriyam | vaiṣṇavaṃ teja āsādya samaśāmyadbhṛgūdvaha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Śaunaka, glory of Bhṛgu’s family, although the supreme brahmāstra weapon released by Aśvatthāmā was irresistible and without check or counteraction, it was neutralized and foiled when confronted by the strength of Viṣṇu [Lord Kṛṣṇa].
मा मंस्था ह्येतदाश्चर्यं सर्वाश्चर्यमयेऽच्युते । य इदं मायया देव्या सृजत्यवति हन्त्यजः
mā maṃsthā hyetadāścaryaṃ sarvāścaryamaye'cyute | ya idaṃ māyayā devyā sṛjatyavati hantyajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O brāhmaṇas, do not think this to be especially wonderful in the activities of the mysterious and infallible Personality of Godhead. By His own transcendental energy He creates, maintains and annihilates all material things, although He Himself is unborn.
ब्रह्मतेजोविनिर्मुक्तैरात्मजैः सह कृष्णया । प्रयाणाभिमुखं कृष्णमिदमाह पृथा सती
brahmatejovinirmuktairātmajaiḥ saha kṛṣṇayā | prayāṇābhimukhaṃ kṛṣṇamidamāha pṛthā satī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus saved from the radiation of the brahmāstra, Kuntī, the chaste devotee of the Lord, and her five sons and Draupadī addressed Lord Kṛṣṇa as He started for home.
कुन्त्युवाच । नमस्ये पुरुषं त्वाऽऽद्यमीश्वरं प्रकृतेः परम् । अलक्ष्यं सर्वभूतानामन्तर्बहिरवस्थितम्
kuntyuvāca | namasye puruṣaṃ tvā''dyamīśvaraṃ prakṛteḥ param | alakṣyaṃ sarvabhūtānāmantarbahiravasthitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīmatī Kuntī said: O Kṛṣṇa, I offer my obeisances unto You because You are the original personality and are unaffected by the qualities of the material world. You are existing both within and without everything, yet You are invisible to all.
मायाजवनिकाच्छन्नमज्ञाधोक्षजमव्ययम् । न लक्ष्यसे मूढदृशा नटो नाट्यधरो यथा
māyājavanikācchannamajñādhokṣajamavyayam | na lakṣyase mūḍhadṛśā naṭo nāṭyadharo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being beyond the range of limited sense perception, You are the eternally irreproachable factor covered by the curtain of deluding energy. You are invisible to the foolish observer, exactly as an actor dressed as a player is not recognized.
तथा परमहंसानां मुनीनाममलात्मनाम् । भक्तियोगविधानार्थं कथं पश्येम हि स्त्रियः
tathā paramahaṃsānāṃ munīnāmamalātmanām | bhaktiyogavidhānārthaṃ kathaṃ paśyema hi striyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You Yourself descend to propagate the transcendental science of devotional service unto the hearts of the advanced transcendentalists and mental speculators, who are purified by being able to discriminate between matter and spirit. How then can we women know You perfectly?
कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय देवकीनन्दनाय च । नन्दगोपकुमाराय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः
kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya devakīnandanāya ca | nandagopakumārāya govindāya namo namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let me therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto the Lord, who has become the son of Vasudeva, the pleasure of Devakī, the boy of Nanda and the other cowherd men of Vṛndāvana, and the enlivener of the cows and the senses.
नमः पङ्कजनाभाय नमः पङ्कजमालिने । नमः पङ्कजनेत्राय नमस्ते पङ्कजाङ्घ्रये
namaḥ paṅkajanābhāya namaḥ paṅkajamāline | namaḥ paṅkajanetrāya namaste paṅkajāṅghraye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My respectful obeisances are unto You, O Lord, whose abdomen is marked with a depression like a lotus flower, who are always decorated with garlands of lotus flowers, whose glance is as cool as the lotus and whose feet are engraved with lotuses.
यथा हृषीकेश खलेन देवकी कंसेन रुद्धातिचिरं शुचार्पिता । विमोचिताहं च सहात्मजा विभो त्वयैव नाथेन मुहुर्विपद्गणात्
yathā hṛṣīkeśa khalena devakī kaṃsena ruddhāticiraṃ śucārpitā | vimocitāhaṃ ca sahātmajā vibho tvayaiva nāthena muhurvipadgaṇāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Hṛṣīkeśa, master of the senses and Lord of lords, You have released Your mother, Devakī, who was long imprisoned and distressed by the envious King Kaṁsa, and me and my children from a series of constant dangers.
विषान्महाग्नेः पुरुषाददर्शना- दसत्सभाया वनवासकृच्छ्रतः । मृधे मृधेऽनेकमहारथास्त्रतो द्रौण्यस्त्रतश्चास्म हरेऽभिरक्षिताः
viṣānmahāgneḥ puruṣādadarśanā- dasatsabhāyā vanavāsakṛcchrataḥ | mṛdhe mṛdhe'nekamahārathāstrato drauṇyastrataścāsma hare'bhirakṣitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Kṛṣṇa, Your Lordship has protected us from a poisoned cake, from a great fire, from cannibals, from the vicious assembly, from sufferings during our exile in the forest and from the battle where great generals fought. And now You have saved us from the weapon of Aśvatthāmā.
विपदः सन्तु नः शश्वत्तत्र तत्र जगद्गुरो । भवतो दर्शनं यत्स्यादपुनर्भवदर्शनम्
vipadaḥ santu naḥ śaśvattatra tatra jagadguro | bhavato darśanaṃ yatsyādapunarbhavadarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths.
जन्मैश्वर्यश्रुतश्रीभिरेधमानमदः पुमान् । नैवार्हत्यभिधातुं वै त्वामकिञ्चनगोचरम्
janmaiśvaryaśrutaśrībhiredhamānamadaḥ pumān | naivārhatyabhidhātuṃ vai tvāmakiñcanagocaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, Your Lordship can easily be approached, but only by those who are materially exhausted. One who is on the path of [material] progress, trying to improve himself with respectable parentage, great opulence, high education and bodily beauty, cannot approach You with sincere feeling.
नमोऽकिञ्चनवित्ताय निवृत्तगुणवृत्तये । आत्मारामाय शान्ताय कैवल्यपतये नमः
namo'kiñcanavittāya nivṛttaguṇavṛttaye | ātmārāmāya śāntāya kaivalyapataye namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My obeisances are unto You, who are the property of the materially impoverished. You have nothing to do with the actions and reactions of the material modes of nature. You are self-satisfied, and therefore You are the most gentle and are master of the monists.
मन्ये त्वां कालमीशानमनादिनिधनं विभुम् । समं चरन्तं सर्वत्र भूतानां यन्मिथः कलिः
manye tvāṃ kālamīśānamanādinidhanaṃ vibhum | samaṃ carantaṃ sarvatra bhūtānāṃ yanmithaḥ kaliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, I consider Your Lordship to be eternal time, the supreme controller, without beginning and end, the all-pervasive one. In distributing Your mercy, You are equal to everyone. The dissensions between living beings are due to social intercourse.
न वेद कश्चिद्भगवंश्चिकीर्षितं तवेहमानस्य नृणां विडम्बनम् । न यस्य कश्चिद्दयितोऽस्ति कर्हिचि- द्द्वेष्यश्च यस्मिन्विषमा मतिर्नृणाम्
na veda kaścidbhagavaṃścikīrṣitaṃ tavehamānasya nṛṇāṃ viḍambanam | na yasya kaściddayito'sti karhici- ddveṣyaśca yasminviṣamā matirnṛṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, no one can understand Your transcendental pastimes, which appear to be human and so are misleading. You have no specific object of favor, nor do You have any object of envy. People only imagine that You are partial.
जन्म कर्म च विश्वात्मन्नजस्याकर्तुरात्मनः । तिर्यङ्नृर्षिषु यादःसु तदत्यन्तविडम्बनम्
janma karma ca viśvātmannajasyākarturātmanaḥ | tiryaṅnṛrṣiṣu yādaḥsu tadatyantaviḍambanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Of course it is bewildering, O soul of the universe, that You work, though You are inactive, and that You take birth, though You are the vital force and the unborn. You Yourself descend amongst animals, men, sages and aquatics. Verily, this is bewildering.
गोप्याददे त्वयि कृतागसि दाम ताव- द्या ते दशाश्रुकलिलाञ्जनसम्भ्रमाक्षम् । वक्त्रं निनीय भयभावनया स्थितस्य सा मां विमोहयति भीरपि यद्बिभेति
gopyādade tvayi kṛtāgasi dāma tāva- dyā te daśāśrukalilāñjanasambhramākṣam | vaktraṃ ninīya bhayabhāvanayā sthitasya sā māṃ vimohayati bhīrapi yadbibheti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Kṛṣṇa, Yaśodā took up a rope to bind You when You committed an offense, and Your perturbed eyes overflooded with tears, which washed the mascara from Your eyes. And You were afraid, though fear personified is afraid of You. This sight is bewildering to me.
केचिदाहुरजं जातं पुण्यश्लोकस्य कीर्तये । यदोः प्रियस्यान्ववाये मलयस्येव चन्दनम्
kecidāhurajaṃ jātaṃ puṇyaślokasya kīrtaye | yadoḥ priyasyānvavāye malayasyeva candanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some say that the Unborn is born for the glorification of pious kings, and others say that He is born to please King Yadu, one of Your dearest devotees. You appear in his family as sandalwood appears in the Malaya hills.
अपरे वसुदेवस्य देवक्यां याचितोऽभ्यगात् । अजस्त्वमस्य क्षेमाय वधाय च सुरद्विषाम्
apare vasudevasya devakyāṃ yācito'bhyagāt | ajastvamasya kṣemāya vadhāya ca suradviṣām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Others say that since both Vasudeva and Devakī prayed for You, You have taken Your birth as their son. Undoubtedly You are unborn, yet You take Your birth for their welfare and to kill those who are envious of the demigods.
भारावतारणायान्ये भुवो नाव इवोदधौ । सीदन्त्या भूरिभारेण जातो ह्यात्मभुवार्थितः
bhārāvatāraṇāyānye bhuvo nāva ivodadhau | sīdantyā bhūribhāreṇa jāto hyātmabhuvārthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Others say that the world, being overburdened like a boat at sea, is much aggrieved, and that Brahmā, who is Your son, prayed for You, and so You have appeared to diminish the trouble.
भवेऽस्मिन् क्लिश्यमानानामविद्याकामकर्मभिः । श्रवणस्मरणार्हाणि करिष्यन्निति केचन
bhave'smin kliśyamānānāmavidyākāmakarmabhiḥ | śravaṇasmaraṇārhāṇi kariṣyanniti kecana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And yet others say that You appeared for the sake of rejuvenating the devotional service of hearing, remembering, worshiping and so on in order that the conditioned souls suffering from material pangs might take advantage and gain liberation.
शृण्वन्ति गायन्ति गृणन्त्यभीक्ष्णशः स्मरन्ति नन्दन्ति तवेहितं जनाः । त एव पश्यन्त्यचिरेण तावकं भवप्रवाहोपरमं पदाम्बुजम्
śṛṇvanti gāyanti gṛṇantyabhīkṣṇaśaḥ smaranti nandanti tavehitaṃ janāḥ | ta eva paśyantyacireṇa tāvakaṃ bhavapravāhoparamaṃ padāmbujam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Kṛṣṇa, those who continuously hear, chant and repeat Your transcendental activities, or take pleasure in others’ doing so, certainly see Your lotus feet, which alone can stop the repetition of birth and death.
अप्यद्य नस्त्वं स्वकृतेहित प्रभो जिहाससि स्वित्सुहृदोऽनुजीविनः । येषां न चान्यद्भवतः पदाम्बुजा- त्परायणं राजसु योजितांहसाम्
apyadya nastvaṃ svakṛtehita prabho jihāsasi svitsuhṛdo'nujīvinaḥ | yeṣāṃ na cānyadbhavataḥ padāmbujā- tparāyaṇaṃ rājasu yojitāṃhasām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my Lord, You have executed all duties Yourself. Are you leaving us today, though we are completely dependent on Your mercy and have no one else to protect us, now when all kings are at enmity with us?
के वयं नामरूपाभ्यां यदुभिः सह पाण्डवाः । भवतोऽदर्शनं यर्हि हृषीकाणामिवेशितुः
ke vayaṃ nāmarūpābhyāṃ yadubhiḥ saha pāṇḍavāḥ | bhavato'darśanaṃ yarhi hṛṣīkāṇāmiveśituḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the name and fame of a particular body is finished with the disappearance of the living spirit, similarly if You do not look upon us, all our fame and activities, along with the Pāṇḍavas and Yadus, will end at once.
नेयं शोभिष्यते तत्र यथेदानीं गदाधर । त्वत्पदैरङ्किता भाति स्वलक्षणविलक्षितैः
neyaṃ śobhiṣyate tatra yathedānīṃ gadādhara | tvatpadairaṅkitā bhāti svalakṣaṇavilakṣitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Gadādhara [Kṛṣṇa], our kingdom is now being marked by the impressions of Your feet, and therefore it appears beautiful. But when You leave, it will no longer be so.
इमे जनपदाः स्वृद्धाः सुपक्वौषधिवीरुधः । वनाद्रिनद्युदन्वन्तो ह्येधन्ते तव वीक्षितैः
ime janapadāḥ svṛddhāḥ supakvauṣadhivīrudhaḥ | vanādrinadyudanvanto hyedhante tava vīkṣitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All these cities and villages are flourishing in all respects because the herbs and grains are in abundance, the trees are full of fruits, the rivers are flowing, the hills are full of minerals and the oceans full of wealth. And this is all due to Your glancing over them.
अथ विश्वेश विश्वात्मन् विश्वमूर्ते स्वकेषु मे । स्नेहपाशमिमं छिन्धि दृढं पाण्डुषु वृष्णिषु
atha viśveśa viśvātman viśvamūrte svakeṣu me | snehapāśamimaṃ chindhi dṛḍhaṃ pāṇḍuṣu vṛṣṇiṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord of the universe, soul of the universe, O personality of the form of the universe, please, therefore, sever my tie of affection for my kinsmen, the Pāṇḍavas and the Vṛṣṇis.
त्वयि मेऽनन्यविषया मतिर्मधुपतेऽसकृत् । रतिमुद्वहतादद्धा गङ्गेवौघमुदन्वति
tvayi me'nanyaviṣayā matirmadhupate'sakṛt | ratimudvahatādaddhā gaṅgevaughamudanvati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord of Madhu, as the Ganges forever flows to the sea without hindrance, let my attraction be constantly drawn unto You without being diverted to anyone else.
श्रीकृष्ण कृष्णसख वृष्ण्यृषभावनिध्रुग्- राजन्यवंशदहनानपवर्गवीर्य । गोविन्द गोद्विजसुरार्तिहरावतार योगेश्वराखिलगुरो भगवन् नमस्ते
śrīkṛṣṇa kṛṣṇasakha vṛṣṇyṛṣabhāvanidhrug- rājanyavaṃśadahanānapavargavīrya | govinda godvijasurārtiharāvatāra yogeśvarākhilaguro bhagavan namaste
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Kṛṣṇa, O friend of Arjuna, O chief amongst the descendants of Vṛṣṇi, You are the destroyer of those political parties which are disturbing elements on this earth. Your prowess never deteriorates. You are the proprietor of the transcendental abode, and You descend to relieve the distresses of the cows, the brāhmaṇas and the devotees. You possess all mystic powers, and You are the preceptor of the entire universe. You are the almighty God, and I offer You my respectful obeisances.
सूत उवाच । पृथयेत्थं कलपदैः परिणूताखिलोदयः । मन्दं जहास वैकुण्ठो मोहयन्निव मायया
sūta uvāca | pṛthayetthaṃ kalapadaiḥ pariṇūtākhilodayaḥ | mandaṃ jahāsa vaikuṇṭho mohayanniva māyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: The Lord, thus hearing the prayers of Kuntīdevī, composed in choice words for His glorification, mildly smiled. That smile was as enchanting as His mystic power.
तां बाढमित्युपामन्त्र्य प्रविश्य गजसाह्वयम् । स्त्रियश्च स्वपुरं यास्यन् प्रेम्णा राज्ञा निवारितः
tāṃ bāḍhamityupāmantrya praviśya gajasāhvayam | striyaśca svapuraṃ yāsyan premṇā rājñā nivāritaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus accepting the prayers of Śrīmatī Kuntīdevī, the Lord subsequently informed other ladies of His departure by entering the palace of Hastināpura. But upon preparing to leave, He was stopped by King Yudhiṣṭhira, who implored Him lovingly.
व्यासाद्यैरीश्वरेहाज्ञैः कृष्णेनाद्भुतकर्मणा । प्रबोधितोऽपीतिहासैर्नाबुध्यत शुचार्पितः
vyāsādyairīśvarehājñaiḥ kṛṣṇenādbhutakarmaṇā | prabodhito'pītihāsairnābudhyata śucārpitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Yudhiṣṭhira, who was much aggrieved, could not be convinced, despite instructions by great sages headed by Vyāsa and the Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself, the performer of superhuman feats, and despite all historical evidence.
आह राजा धर्मसुतश्चिन्तयन् सुहृदां वधम् । प्राकृतेनात्मना विप्राः स्नेहमोहवशं गतः
āha rājā dharmasutaścintayan suhṛdāṃ vadham | prākṛtenātmanā viprāḥ snehamohavaśaṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Dharma, overwhelmed by the death of his friends, was aggrieved just like a common, materialistic man. O sages, thus deluded by affection, he began to speak.
अहो मे पश्यताज्ञानं हृदि रूढं दुरात्मनः । पारक्यस्यैव देहस्य बह्व्यो मेऽक्षौहिणीर्हताः
aho me paśyatājñānaṃ hṛdi rūḍhaṃ durātmanaḥ | pārakyasyaiva dehasya bahvyo me'kṣauhiṇīrhatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Yudhiṣṭhira said: O my lot! I am the most sinful man! Just see my heart, which is full of ignorance! This body, which is ultimately meant for others, has killed many, many phalanxes of men.
बालद्विजसुहृन्मित्रपितृभ्रातृगुरुद्रुहः । न मे स्यान्निरयान्मोक्षो ह्यपि वर्षायुतायुतैः
bāladvijasuhṛnmitrapitṛbhrātṛgurudruhaḥ | na me syānnirayānmokṣo hyapi varṣāyutāyutaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I have killed many boys, brāhmaṇas, well-wishers, friends, parents, preceptors and brothers. Though I live millions of years, I will not be relieved from the hell that awaits me for all these sins.
नैनो राज्ञः प्रजाभर्तुर्धर्मयुद्धे वधो द्विषाम् । इति मे न तु बोधाय कल्पते शासनं वचः
naino rājñaḥ prajābharturdharmayuddhe vadho dviṣām | iti me na tu bodhāya kalpate śāsanaṃ vacaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There is no sin for a king who kills for the right cause, who is engaged in maintaining his citizens. But this injunction is not applicable to me.
स्त्रीणां मद्धतबन्धूनां द्रोहो योऽसाविहोत्थितः । कर्मभिर्गृहमेधीयैर्नाहं कल्पो व्यपोहितुम्
strīṇāṃ maddhatabandhūnāṃ droho yo'sāvihotthitaḥ | karmabhirgṛhamedhīyairnāhaṃ kalpo vyapohitum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I have killed many friends of women, and I have thus caused enmity to such an extent that it is not possible to undo it by material welfare work.
यथा पङ्केन पङ्काम्भः सुरया वा सुराकृतम् । भूतहत्यां तथैवैकां न यज्ञैर्मार्ष्टुमर्हति
yathā paṅkena paṅkāmbhaḥ surayā vā surākṛtam | bhūtahatyāṃ tathaivaikāṃ na yajñairmārṣṭumarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As it is not possible to filter muddy water through mud, or purify a wine-stained pot with wine, it is not possible to counteract the killing of men by sacrificing animals.
सूत उवाच । इति भीतः प्रजाद्रोहात्सर्वधर्मविवित्सया । ततो विनशनं प्रागाद्यत्र देवव्रतोऽपतत्
sūta uvāca | iti bhītaḥ prajādrohātsarvadharmavivitsayā | tato vinaśanaṃ prāgādyatra devavrato'patat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Being afraid for having killed so many subjects on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira went to the scene of the massacre. There, Bhīṣmadeva was lying on a bed of arrows, about to pass away.
तदा ते भ्रातरः सर्वे सदश्वैः स्वर्णभूषितैः । अन्वगच्छन् रथैर्विप्रा व्यासधौम्यादयस्तथा
tadā te bhrātaraḥ sarve sadaśvaiḥ svarṇabhūṣitaiḥ | anvagacchan rathairviprā vyāsadhaumyādayastathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time all his brothers followed him on beautiful chariots drawn by first-class horses decorated with gold ornaments. With them were Vyāsa and ṛṣis like Dhaumya [the learned priest of the Pāṇḍavas] and others.
भगवानपि विप्रर्षे रथेन सधनञ्जयः । स तैर्व्यरोचत नृपः कुबेर इव गुह्यकैः
bhagavānapi viprarṣe rathena sadhanañjayaḥ | sa tairvyarocata nṛpaḥ kubera iva guhyakaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O sage amongst the brāhmaṇas, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, also followed, seated on a chariot with Arjuna. Thus King Yudhiṣṭhira appeared very aristocratic, like Kuvera surrounded by his companions [the Guhyakas].
दृष्ट्वा निपतितं भूमौ दिवश्च्युतमिवामरम् । प्रणेमुः पाण्डवा भीष्मं सानुगाः सह चक्रिणा
dṛṣṭvā nipatitaṃ bhūmau divaścyutamivāmaram | praṇemuḥ pāṇḍavā bhīṣmaṃ sānugāḥ saha cakriṇā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing him [Bhīṣma] lying on the ground, like a demigod fallen from the sky, the Pāṇḍava King Yudhiṣṭhira, along with his younger brothers and Lord Kṛṣṇa, bowed down before him.
तत्र ब्रह्मर्षयः सर्वे देवर्षयश्च सत्तम । राजर्षयश्च तत्रासन् द्रष्टुं भरतपुङ्गवम्
tatra brahmarṣayaḥ sarve devarṣayaśca sattama | rājarṣayaśca tatrāsan draṣṭuṃ bharatapuṅgavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just to see the chief of the descendants of King Bharata [Bhīṣma], all the great souls in the universe, namely the ṛṣis amongst the demigods, brāhmaṇas and kings, all situated in the quality of goodness, were assembled there.
अन्ये च मुनयो ब्रह्मन् ब्रह्मरातादयोऽमलाः । शिष्यैरुपेता आजग्मुः कश्यपाङ्गिरसादयः
anye ca munayo brahman brahmarātādayo'malāḥ | śiṣyairupetā ājagmuḥ kaśyapāṅgirasādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And many others like Śukadeva Gosvāmī and other purified souls, Kaśyapa and Āṅgirasa and others, all accompanied by their respective disciples, arrived there.
तान् समेतान् महाभागानुपलभ्य वसूत्तमः । पूजयामास धर्मज्ञो देशकालविभागवित्
tān sametān mahābhāgānupalabhya vasūttamaḥ | pūjayāmāsa dharmajño deśakālavibhāgavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhīṣmadeva, who was the best amongst the eight Vasus, received and welcomed all the great and powerful ṛṣis who were assembled there, for he knew perfectly all the religious principles according to time and place.
कृष्णं च तत्प्रभावज्ञ आसीनं जगदीश्वरम् । हृदिस्थं पूजयामास माययोपात्तविग्रहम्
kṛṣṇaṃ ca tatprabhāvajña āsīnaṃ jagadīśvaram | hṛdisthaṃ pūjayāmāsa māyayopāttavigraham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is situated in everyone’s heart, yet He manifests His transcendental form by His internal potency. This very Lord was sitting before Bhīṣmadeva, and since Bhīṣmadeva knew of His glories, he worshiped Him duly.
पाण्डुपुत्रानुपासीनान् प्रश्रयप्रेमसङ्गतान् । अभ्याचष्टानुरागास्रैरन्धीभूतेन चक्षुषा
pāṇḍuputrānupāsīnān praśrayapremasaṅgatān | abhyācaṣṭānurāgāsrairandhībhūtena cakṣuṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sons of Mahārāja Pāṇḍu were sitting silently nearby, overtaken with affection for their dying grandfather. Seeing this, Bhīṣmadeva congratulated them with feeling. There were tears of ecstasy in his eyes, for he was overwhelmed by love and affection.
अहो कष्टमहोऽन्याय्यं यद्यूयं धर्मनन्दनाः । जीवितुं नार्हथ क्लिष्टं विप्रधर्माच्युताश्रयाः
aho kaṣṭamaho'nyāyyaṃ yadyūyaṃ dharmanandanāḥ | jīvituṃ nārhatha kliṣṭaṃ vipradharmācyutāśrayāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhīṣmadeva said: Oh, what terrible sufferings and what terrible injustices you good souls suffer for being the sons of religion personified. You did not deserve to remain alive under those tribulations, yet you were protected by the brāhmaṇas, God and religion.
संस्थितेऽतिरथे पाण्डौ पृथा बालप्रजा वधूः । युष्मत्कृते बहून् क्लेशान् प्राप्ता तोकवती मुहुः
saṃsthite'tirathe pāṇḍau pṛthā bālaprajā vadhūḥ | yuṣmatkṛte bahūn kleśān prāptā tokavatī muhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As far as my daughter-in-law Kuntī is concerned, upon the great General Pāṇḍu’s death, she became a widow with many children, and therefore she suffered greatly. And when you were grown up she suffered a great deal also because of your actions.
सर्वं कालकृतं मन्ये भवतां च यदप्रियम् । सपालो यद्वशे लोको वायोरिव घनावलिः
sarvaṃ kālakṛtaṃ manye bhavatāṃ ca yadapriyam | sapālo yadvaśe loko vāyoriva ghanāvaliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In my opinion, this is all due to inevitable time, under whose control everyone in every planet is carried, just as the clouds are carried by the wind.
यत्र धर्मसुतो राजा गदापाणिर्वृकोदरः । कृष्णोऽस्त्री गाण्डिवं चापं सुहृत्कृष्णस्ततो विपत्
yatra dharmasuto rājā gadāpāṇirvṛkodaraḥ | kṛṣṇo'strī gāṇḍivaṃ cāpaṃ suhṛtkṛṣṇastato vipat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Oh, how wonderful is the influence of inevitable time! It is irreversible — otherwise, how can there be reverses in the presence of King Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of the demigod controlling religion; Bhīma, the great fighter with a club; the great bowman Arjuna with his mighty weapon Gāṇḍīva; and above all, the Lord, the direct well-wisher of the Pāṇḍavas?
न ह्यस्य कर्हिचिद्राजन् पुमान् वेद विधित्सितम् । यद्विजिज्ञासया युक्ता मुह्यन्ति कवयोऽपि हि
na hyasya karhicidrājan pumān veda vidhitsitam | yadvijijñāsayā yuktā muhyanti kavayo'pi hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, no one can know the plan of the Lord [Śrī Kṛṣṇa]. Even though great philosophers inquire exhaustively, they are bewildered.
तस्मादिदं दैवतन्त्रं व्यवस्य भरतर्षभ । तस्यानुविहितोऽनाथा नाथ पाहि प्रजाः प्रभो
tasmādidaṃ daivatantraṃ vyavasya bharatarṣabha | tasyānuvihito'nāthā nātha pāhi prajāḥ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best among the descendants of Bharata [Yudhiṣṭhira], I maintain, therefore, that all this is within the plan of the Lord. Accepting the inconceivable plan of the Lord, you must follow it. You are now the appointed administrative head, and, my lord, you should now take care of those subjects who are now rendered helpless.
एष वै भगवान् साक्षादाद्यो नारायणः पुमान् । मोहयन् मायया लोकं गूढश्चरति वृष्णिषु
eṣa vai bhagavān sākṣādādyo nārāyaṇaḥ pumān | mohayan māyayā lokaṃ gūḍhaścarati vṛṣṇiṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This Śrī Kṛṣṇa is no other than the inconceivable, original Personality of Godhead. He is the first Nārāyaṇa, the supreme enjoyer. But He is moving amongst the descendants of King Vṛṣṇi just like one of us, and He is bewildering us with His self-created energy.
अस्यानुभावं भगवान् वेद गुह्यतमं शिवः । देवर्षिर्नारदः साक्षाद्भगवान् कपिलो नृप
asyānubhāvaṃ bhagavān veda guhyatamaṃ śivaḥ | devarṣirnāradaḥ sākṣādbhagavān kapilo nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, Lord Śiva, Nārada the sage amongst the demigods, and Kapila, the incarnation of Godhead, all know very confidentially about His glories through direct contact.
यं मन्यसे मातुलेयं प्रियं मित्रं सुहृत्तमम् । अकरोः सचिवं दूतं सौहृदादथ सारथिम्
yaṃ manyase mātuleyaṃ priyaṃ mitraṃ suhṛttamam | akaroḥ sacivaṃ dūtaṃ sauhṛdādatha sārathim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, that personality whom, out of ignorance only, you thought to be your maternal cousin, your very dear friend, well-wisher, counselor, messenger, benefactor, etc., is that very Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
सर्वात्मनः समदृशो ह्यद्वयस्यानहङ्कृतेः । तत्कृतं मतिवैषम्यं निरवद्यस्य न क्वचित्
sarvātmanaḥ samadṛśo hyadvayasyānahaṅkṛteḥ | tatkṛtaṃ mativaiṣamyaṃ niravadyasya na kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being the Absolute Personality of Godhead, He is present in everyone’s heart. He is equally kind to everyone, and He is free from the false ego of differentiation. Therefore whatever He does is free from material inebriety. He is equibalanced.
तथाप्येकान्तभक्तेषु पश्य भूपानुकम्पितम् । यन्मेऽसूंस्त्यजतः साक्षात्कृष्णो दर्शनमागतः
tathāpyekāntabhakteṣu paśya bhūpānukampitam | yanme'sūṃstyajataḥ sākṣātkṛṣṇo darśanamāgataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Yet, despite His being equally kind to everyone, He has graciously come before me while I am ending my life, for I am His unflinching servitor.
भक्त्याऽऽवेश्य मनो यस्मिन् वाचा यन्नाम कीर्तयन् । त्यजन् कलेवरं योगी मुच्यते कामकर्मभिः
bhaktyā''veśya mano yasmin vācā yannāma kīrtayan | tyajan kalevaraṃ yogī mucyate kāmakarmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Personality of Godhead, who appears in the mind of the devotee by attentive devotion and meditation and by chanting of the holy name, releases the devotee from the bondage of fruitive activities at the time of his quitting the material body.
स देवदेवो भगवान् प्रतीक्षतां कलेवरं यावदिदं हिनोम्यहम् । प्रसन्नहासारुणलोचनोल्लस- न्मुखाम्बुजो ध्यानपथश्चतुर्भुजः
sa devadevo bhagavān pratīkṣatāṃ kalevaraṃ yāvadidaṃ hinomyaham | prasannahāsāruṇalocanollasa- nmukhāmbujo dhyānapathaścaturbhujaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May my Lord, who is four-handed and whose beautifully decorated lotus face, with eyes as red as the rising sun, is smiling, kindly await me at that moment when I quit this material body.
सूत उवाच । युधिष्ठिरस्तदाकर्ण्य शयानं शरपञ्जरे । अपृच्छद्विविधान् धर्मान् ऋषीणां चानुशृण्वताम्
sūta uvāca | yudhiṣṭhirastadākarṇya śayānaṃ śarapañjare | apṛcchadvividhān dharmān ṛṣīṇāṃ cānuśṛṇvatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, after hearing Bhīṣmadeva speak in that appealing tone, asked him, in the presence of all the great ṛṣis, about the essential principles of various religious duties.
पुरुषस्वभावविहितान् यथावर्णं यथाश्रमम् । वैराग्यरागोपाधिभ्यामाम्नातोभयलक्षणान्
puruṣasvabhāvavihitān yathāvarṇaṃ yathāśramam | vairāgyarāgopādhibhyāmāmnātobhayalakṣaṇān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry, Bhīṣmadeva first defined all the classifications of castes and orders of life in terms of the individual’s qualifications. Then he systematically, in twofold divisions, described counteraction by detachment and interaction by attachment.
दानधर्मान् राजधर्मान् मोक्षधर्मान् विभागशः । स्त्रीधर्मान् भगवद्धर्मान् समासव्यासयोगतः
dānadharmān rājadharmān mokṣadharmān vibhāgaśaḥ | strīdharmān bhagavaddharmān samāsavyāsayogataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He then explained, by divisions, acts of charity, the pragmatic activities of a king and activities for salvation. Then he described the duties of women and devotees, both briefly and extensively.
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षांश्च सहोपायान् यथा मुने । नानाख्यानेतिहासेषु वर्णयामास तत्त्ववित्
dharmārthakāmamokṣāṃśca sahopāyān yathā mune | nānākhyānetihāseṣu varṇayāmāsa tattvavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then he described the occupational duties of different orders and statuses of life, citing instances from history, for he was himself well acquainted with the truth.
धर्मं प्रवदतस्तस्य स कालः प्रत्युपस्थितः । यो योगिनश्छन्दमृत्योर्वाञ्छितस्तूत्तरायणः
dharmaṃ pravadatastasya sa kālaḥ pratyupasthitaḥ | yo yoginaśchandamṛtyorvāñchitastūttarāyaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Bhīṣmadeva was describing occupational duties, the sun’s course ran into the northern hemisphere. This period is desired by mystics who die at their will.
तदोपसंहृत्य गिरः सहस्रणी- र्विमुक्तसङ्गं मन आदिपूरुषे । कृष्णे लसत्पीतपटे चतुर्भुजे पुरः स्थितेऽमीलितदृग्व्यधारयत्
tadopasaṃhṛtya giraḥ sahasraṇī- rvimuktasaṅgaṃ mana ādipūruṣe | kṛṣṇe lasatpītapaṭe caturbhuje puraḥ sthite'mīlitadṛgvyadhārayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereupon that man who spoke on different subjects with thousands of meanings, and who fought on thousands of battlefields and protected thousands of men, stopped speaking and, being completely freed from all bondage, withdrew his mind from everything else and fixed his wide-open eyes upon the original Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who stood before him, four-handed, dressed in yellow garments that glittered and shined.
विशुद्धया धारणया हताशुभ- स्तदीक्षयैवाशु गतायुधव्यथः/श्रमः । निवृत्तसर्वेन्द्रियवृत्तिविभ्रम- स्तुष्टाव जन्यं विसृजञ्जनार्दनम्
viśuddhayā dhāraṇayā hatāśubha- stadīkṣayaivāśu gatāyudhavyathaḥ/śramaḥ | nivṛttasarvendriyavṛttivibhrama- stuṣṭāva janyaṃ visṛjañjanārdanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By pure meditation, looking at Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, he at once was freed from all material inauspiciousness and was relieved of all bodily pains caused by the arrow wounds. Thus all the external activities of his senses at once stopped, and he prayed transcendentally to the controller of all living beings while quitting his material body.
श्रीभीष्म उवाच । इति मतिरुपकल्पिता वितृष्णा भगवति सात्वतपुङ्गवे विभूम्नि । स्वसुखमुपगते क्वचिद्विहर्तुं प्रकृतिमुपेयुषि यद्भवप्रवाहः
śrībhīṣma uvāca | iti matirupakalpitā vitṛṣṇā bhagavati sātvatapuṅgave vibhūmni | svasukhamupagate kvacidvihartuṃ prakṛtimupeyuṣi yadbhavapravāhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhīṣmadeva said: Let me now invest my thinking, feeling and willing, which were so long engaged in different subjects and occupational duties, in the all-powerful Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He is always self-satisfied, but sometimes, being the leader of the devotees, He enjoys transcendental pleasure by descending to the material world, although from Him only the material world is created.
त्रिभुवनकमनं तमालवर्णं रविकरगौरवराम्बरं दधाने । वपुरलककुलावृताननाब्जं विजयसखे रतिरस्तु मेऽनवद्या
tribhuvanakamanaṃ tamālavarṇaṃ ravikaragauravarāmbaraṃ dadhāne | vapuralakakulāvṛtānanābjaṃ vijayasakhe ratirastu me'navadyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the intimate friend of Arjuna. He has appeared on this earth in His transcendental body, which resembles the bluish color of the tamāla tree. His body attracts everyone in the three planetary systems [upper, middle and lower]. May His glittering yellow dress and His lotus face, covered with paintings of sandalwood pulp, be the object of my attraction, and may I not desire fruitive results.
युधि तुरगरजोविधूम्रविष्वक् कचलुलितश्रमवार्यलङ्कृतास्ये । मम निशितशरैर्विभिद्यमान- त्वचि विलसत्कवचेऽस्तु कृष्ण आत्मा
yudhi turagarajovidhūmraviṣvak kacalulitaśramavāryalaṅkṛtāsye | mama niśitaśarairvibhidyamāna- tvaci vilasatkavace'stu kṛṣṇa ātmā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the battlefield [where Śrī Kṛṣṇa attended Arjuna out of friendship], the flowing hair of Lord Kṛṣṇa turned ashen due to the dust raised by the hoofs of the horses. And because of His labor, beads of sweat wetted His face. All these decorations, intensified by the wounds dealt by my sharp arrows, were enjoyed by Him. Let my mind thus go unto Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
सपदि सखिवचो निशम्य मध्ये निजपरयोर्बलयो रथं निवेश्य । स्थितवति परसैनिकायुरक्ष्णा हृतवति पार्थसखे रतिर्ममास्तु
sapadi sakhivaco niśamya madhye nijaparayorbalayo rathaṃ niveśya | sthitavati parasainikāyurakṣṇā hṛtavati pārthasakhe ratirmamāstu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In obedience to the command of His friend, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa entered the arena of the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra between the soldiers of Arjuna and Duryodhana, and while there He shortened the life spans of the opposite party by His merciful glance. This was done simply by His looking at the enemy. Let my mind be fixed upon that Kṛṣṇa.
व्यवहितपृतनामुखं निरीक्ष्य स्वजनवधाद्विमुखस्य दोषबुद्ध्या । कुमतिमहरदात्मविद्यया य- श्चरणरतिः परमस्य तस्य मेऽस्तु
vyavahitapṛtanāmukhaṃ nirīkṣya svajanavadhādvimukhasya doṣabuddhyā | kumatimaharadātmavidyayā ya- ścaraṇaratiḥ paramasya tasya me'stu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Arjuna was seemingly polluted by ignorance upon observing the soldiers and commanders before him on the battlefield, the Lord eradicated his ignorance by delivering transcendental knowledge. May His lotus feet always remain the object of my attraction.
स्वनिगममपहाय मत्प्रतिज्ञां ऋतमधिकर्तुमवप्लुतो रथस्थः । धृतरथचरणोऽभ्ययाच्चलद्गु- र्हरिरिव हन्तुमिभं गतोत्तरीयः
svanigamamapahāya matpratijñāṃ ṛtamadhikartumavapluto rathasthaḥ | dhṛtarathacaraṇo'bhyayāccaladgu- rhaririva hantumibhaṃ gatottarīyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Fulfilling my vow and sacrificing His own promise, He got down from the chariot, took up its wheel, and ran towards me hurriedly, just as a lion goes to kill an elephant. He even dropped His outer garment on the way.
शितविशिखहतो विशीर्णदंशः क्षतजपरिप्लुत आततायिनो मे । प्रसभमभिससार मद्वधार्थं स भवतु मे भगवान् गतिर्मुकुन्दः
śitaviśikhahato viśīrṇadaṃśaḥ kṣatajaparipluta ātatāyino me | prasabhamabhisasāra madvadhārthaṃ sa bhavatu me bhagavān gatirmukundaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May He, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who awards salvation, be my ultimate destination. On the battlefield He charged me, as if angry because of the wounds dealt by my sharp arrows. His shield was scattered, and His body was smeared with blood due to the wounds.
विजयरथकुटुम्ब आत्ततोत्रे धृतहयरश्मिनि तच्छ्रियेक्षणीये । भगवति रतिरस्तु मे मुमूर्षो- र्यमिह निरीक्ष्य हता गताः सरूपम्
vijayarathakuṭumba āttatotre dhṛtahayaraśmini tacchriyekṣaṇīye | bhagavati ratirastu me mumūrṣo- ryamiha nirīkṣya hatā gatāḥ sarūpam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the moment of death, let my ultimate attraction be to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead. I concentrate my mind upon the chariot driver of Arjuna who stood with a whip in His right hand and a bridle rope in His left, who was very careful to give protection to Arjuna’s chariot by all means. Those who saw Him on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra attained their original forms after death.
ललितगतिविलासवल्गुहास- प्रणयनिरीक्षणकल्पितोरुमानाः । कृतमनुकृतवत्य उन्मदान्धाः प्रकृतिमगन् किल यस्य गोपवध्वः
lalitagativilāsavalguhāsa- praṇayanirīkṣaṇakalpitorumānāḥ | kṛtamanukṛtavatya unmadāndhāḥ prakṛtimagan kila yasya gopavadhvaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let my mind be fixed upon Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whose motions and smiles of love attracted the damsels of Vrajadhāma [the gopīs]. The damsels imitated the characteristic movements of the Lord [after His disappearance from the rāsa dance].
मुनिगणनृपवर्यसङ्कुलेऽन्तः- सदसि युधिष्ठिरराजसूय एषाम् । अर्हणमुपपेद ईक्षणीयो मम दृशिगोचर एष आविरात्मा
munigaṇanṛpavaryasaṅkule'ntaḥ- sadasi yudhiṣṭhirarājasūya eṣām | arhaṇamupapeda īkṣaṇīyo mama dṛśigocara eṣa āvirātmā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the Rājasūya-yajña [sacrifice] performed by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, there was the greatest assembly of all the elite men of the world, the royal and learned orders, and in that great assembly Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa was worshiped by one and all as the most exalted Personality of Godhead. This happened during my presence, and I remembered the incident in order to keep my mind upon the Lord.
तमिममहमजं शरीरभाजां हृदि हृदि धिष्ठितमात्मकल्पितानाम् । प्रतिदृशमिव नैकधार्कमेकं समधिगतोऽस्मि विधूतभेदमोहः
tamimamahamajaṃ śarīrabhājāṃ hṛdi hṛdi dhiṣṭhitamātmakalpitānām | pratidṛśamiva naikadhārkamekaṃ samadhigato'smi vidhūtabhedamohaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now I can meditate with full concentration upon that one Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, now present before me because now I have transcended the misconceptions of duality in regard to His presence in everyone’s heart, even in the hearts of the mental speculators. He is in everyone’s heart. The sun may be perceived differently, but the sun is one.
सूत उवाच । कृष्ण एवं भगवति मनोवाग्दृष्टिवृत्तिभिः । आत्मन्यात्मानमावेश्य सोऽन्तःश्वास उपारमत्
sūta uvāca | kṛṣṇa evaṃ bhagavati manovāgdṛṣṭivṛttibhiḥ | ātmanyātmānamāveśya so'ntaḥśvāsa upāramat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Thus Bhīṣmadeva merged himself in the Supersoul, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, with his mind, speech, sight and actions, and thus he became silent, and his breathing stopped.
सम्पद्यमानमाज्ञाय भीष्मं ब्रह्मणि निष्कले । सर्वे बभूवुस्ते तूष्णीं वयांसीव दिनात्यये
sampadyamānamājñāya bhīṣmaṃ brahmaṇi niṣkale | sarve babhūvuste tūṣṇīṃ vayāṃsīva dinātyaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Knowing that Bhīṣmadeva had merged into the unlimited eternity of the Supreme Absolute, all present there became silent like birds at the end of the day.
तत्र दुन्दुभयो नेदुर्देवमानववादिताः । शशंसुः साधवो राज्ञां खात्पेतुः पुष्पवृष्टयः
tatra dundubhayo nedurdevamānavavāditāḥ | śaśaṃsuḥ sādhavo rājñāṃ khātpetuḥ puṣpavṛṣṭayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, both men and demigods sounded drums in honor, and the honest royal order commenced demonstrations of honor and respect. And from the sky fell showers of flowers.
तस्य निर्हरणादीनि सम्परेतस्य भार्गव । युधिष्ठिरः कारयित्वा मुहूर्तं दुःखितोऽभवत्
tasya nirharaṇādīni samparetasya bhārgava | yudhiṣṭhiraḥ kārayitvā muhūrtaṃ duḥkhito'bhavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O descendant of Bhṛgu [Śaunaka], after performing funeral rituals for the dead body of Bhīṣmadeva, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was momentarily overtaken with grief.
तुष्टुवुर्मुनयो हृष्टाः कृष्णं तद्गुह्यनामभिः । ततस्ते कृष्णहृदयाः स्वाश्रमान् प्रययुः पुनः
tuṣṭuvurmunayo hṛṣṭāḥ kṛṣṇaṃ tadguhyanāmabhiḥ | tataste kṛṣṇahṛdayāḥ svāśramān prayayuḥ punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the great sages then glorified Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who was present there, by confidential Vedic hymns. Then all of them returned to their respective hermitages, bearing always Lord Kṛṣṇa within their hearts.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो गत्वा सहकृष्णो गजाह्वयम् । पितरं सान्त्वयामास गान्धारीं च तपस्विनीम्
tato yudhiṣṭhiro gatvā sahakṛṣṇo gajāhvayam | pitaraṃ sāntvayāmāsa gāndhārīṃ ca tapasvinīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira at once went to his capital, Hastināpura, accompanied by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and there he consoled his uncle and aunt Gāndhārī, who was an ascetic.
पित्रा चानुमतो राजा वासुदेवानुमोदितः । चकार राज्यं धर्मेण पितृपैतामहं विभुः
pitrā cānumato rājā vāsudevānumoditaḥ | cakāra rājyaṃ dharmeṇa pitṛpaitāmahaṃ vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After this, the great religious King, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, executed the royal power in the kingdom strictly according to the codes of royal principles approved by his uncle and confirmed by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
शौनक उवाच । हत्वा स्वरिक्थस्पृध आततायिनो युधिष्ठिरो धर्मभृतां वरिष्ठः । सहानुजैः प्रत्यवरुद्धभोजनः कथं प्रवृत्तः किमकारषीत्ततः
śaunaka uvāca | hatvā svarikthaspṛdha ātatāyino yudhiṣṭhiro dharmabhṛtāṃ variṣṭhaḥ | sahānujaiḥ pratyavaruddhabhojanaḥ kathaṃ pravṛttaḥ kimakāraṣīttataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śaunaka Muni asked: After killing his enemies who desired to usurp his rightful inheritance, how did the greatest of all religious men, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, assisted by his brothers, rule his subjects? Surely he could not freely enjoy his kingdom with unrestricted consciousness.
सूत उवाच । वंशं कुरोर्वंशदवाग्निनिर्हृतं संरोहयित्वा भवभावनो हरिः । निवेशयित्वा निजराज्य ईश्वरो युधिष्ठिरं प्रीतमना बभूव ह
sūta uvāca | vaṃśaṃ kurorvaṃśadavāgninirhṛtaṃ saṃrohayitvā bhavabhāvano hariḥ | niveśayitvā nijarājya īśvaro yudhiṣṭhiraṃ prītamanā babhūva ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the maintainer of the world, became pleased after reestablishing Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira in his own kingdom and after restoring the Kuru dynasty, which had been exhausted by the bamboo fire of anger.
निशम्य भीष्मोक्तमथाच्युतोक्तं प्रवृत्तविज्ञानविधूतविभ्रमः । शशास गामिन्द्र इवाजिताश्रयः परिध्युपान्तामनुजानुवर्तितः
niśamya bhīṣmoktamathācyutoktaṃ pravṛttavijñānavidhūtavibhramaḥ | śaśāsa gāmindra ivājitāśrayaḥ paridhyupāntāmanujānuvartitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, after being enlightened by what was spoken by Bhīṣmadeva and Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the infallible, engaged himself in matters of perfect knowledge because all his misgivings were eradicated. Thus he ruled over the earth and seas and was followed by his younger brothers.
कामं ववर्ष पर्जन्यः सर्वकामदुघा मही । सिषिचुः स्म व्रजान् गावः पयसोधस्वतीर्मुदा
kāmaṃ vavarṣa parjanyaḥ sarvakāmadughā mahī | siṣicuḥ sma vrajān gāvaḥ payasodhasvatīrmudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
During the reign of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, the clouds showered all the water that people needed, and the earth produced all the necessities of man in profusion. Due to its fatty milk bag and cheerful attitude, the cow used to moisten the grazing ground with milk.
नद्यः समुद्रा गिरयः सवनस्पतिवीरुधः । फलन्त्योषधयः सर्वाः काममन्वृतु तस्य वै
nadyaḥ samudrā girayaḥ savanaspativīrudhaḥ | phalantyoṣadhayaḥ sarvāḥ kāmamanvṛtu tasya vai
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The rivers, oceans, hills, mountains, forests, creepers and active drugs, in every season, paid their tax quota to the King in profusion.
नाधयो व्याधयः क्लेशा दैवभूतात्महेतवः । अजातशत्रावभवन् जन्तूनां राज्ञि कर्हिचित्
nādhayo vyādhayaḥ kleśā daivabhūtātmahetavaḥ | ajātaśatrāvabhavan jantūnāṃ rājñi karhicit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of the King’s having no enemy, the living beings were not at any time disturbed by mental agonies, diseases, or excessive heat or cold.
उषित्वा हास्तिनपुरे मासान् कतिपयान् हरिः । सुहृदां च विशोकाय स्वसुश्च प्रियकाम्यया
uṣitvā hāstinapure māsān katipayān hariḥ | suhṛdāṃ ca viśokāya svasuśca priyakāmyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Hari, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, resided at Hastināpura for a few months to pacify His relatives and please His own sister [Subhadrā].
आमन्त्र्य चाभ्यनुज्ञातः परिष्वज्याभिवाद्य तम् । आरुरोह रथं कैश्चित्परिष्वक्तोऽभिवादितः
āmantrya cābhyanujñātaḥ pariṣvajyābhivādya tam | āruroha rathaṃ kaiścitpariṣvakto'bhivāditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Afterwards, when the Lord asked permission to depart and the King gave it, the Lord offered His respects to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira by bowing down at his feet, and the King embraced Him. After this the Lord, being embraced by others and receiving their obeisances, got into His chariot.
सर्वे तेऽनिमिषैरक्षैस्तमनुद्रुतचेतसः । वीक्षन्तः स्नेहसम्बद्धा विचेलुस्तत्र तत्र ह
sarve te'nimiṣairakṣaistamanudrutacetasaḥ | vīkṣantaḥ snehasambaddhā vicelustatra tatra ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All their hearts were melting for Him on the pot of attraction. They looked at Him without blinking their eyes, and they moved hither and thither in perplexity.
न्यरुन्धन्नुद्गलद्बाष्पमौत्कण्ठ्याद्देवकीसुते । निर्यात्यगारान्नोऽभद्रमिति स्याद्बान्धवस्त्रियः
nyarundhannudgaladbāṣpamautkaṇṭhyāddevakīsute | niryātyagārānno'bhadramiti syādbāndhavastriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The female relatives, whose eyes were flooded with tears out of anxiety for Kṛṣṇa, came out of the palace. They could stop their tears only with great difficulty. They feared that tears would cause misfortune at the time of departure.
मृदङ्गशङ्खभेर्यश्च वीणापणवगोमुखाः । धुन्धुर्यानकघण्टाद्या नेदुर्दुन्दुभयस्तथा
mṛdaṅgaśaṅkhabheryaśca vīṇāpaṇavagomukhāḥ | dhundhuryānakaghaṇṭādyā nedurdundubhayastathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the Lord was departing from the palace of Hastināpura, different types of drums — like the mṛdaṅga, dhola, nagra, dhundhurī and dundubhi — and flutes of different types, the vīṇā, gomukha and bherī, all sounded together to show Him honor.
प्रासादशिखरारूढाः कुरुनार्यो दिदृक्षया । ववृषुः कुसुमैः कृष्णं प्रेमव्रीडास्मितेक्षणाः
prāsādaśikharārūḍhāḥ kurunāryo didṛkṣayā | vavṛṣuḥ kusumaiḥ kṛṣṇaṃ premavrīḍāsmitekṣaṇāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Out of a loving desire to see the Lord, the royal ladies of the Kurus got up on top of the palace, and smiling with affection and shyness, they showered flowers upon the Lord.
सितातपत्रं जग्राह मुक्तादामविभूषितम् । रत्नदण्डं गुडाकेशः प्रियः प्रियतमस्य ह
sitātapatraṃ jagrāha muktādāmavibhūṣitam | ratnadaṇḍaṃ guḍākeśaḥ priyaḥ priyatamasya ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time Arjuna, the great warrior and conqueror of sleep, who is the intimate friend of the most beloved Supreme Lord, took up an umbrella which had a handle of jewels and was embroidered with lace and pearls.
उद्धवः सात्यकिश्चैव व्यजने परमाद्भुते । विकीर्यमाणः कुसुमै रेजे मधुपतिः पथि
uddhavaḥ sātyakiścaiva vyajane paramādbhute | vikīryamāṇaḥ kusumai reje madhupatiḥ pathi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Uddhava and Sātyaki began to fan the Lord with decorated fans, and the Lord, as the master of Madhu, seated on scattered flowers, commanded them along the road.
अश्रूयन्ताशिषः सत्यास्तत्र तत्र द्विजेरिताः । नानुरूपानुरूपाश्च निर्गुणस्य गुणात्मनः
aśrūyantāśiṣaḥ satyāstatra tatra dvijeritāḥ | nānurūpānurūpāśca nirguṇasya guṇātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was being heard here and there that the benedictions being paid to Kṛṣṇa were neither befitting nor unbefitting because they were all for the Absolute, who was now playing the part of a human being.
अन्योन्यमासीत्सञ्जल्प उत्तमश्लोकचेतसाम् । कौरवेन्द्रपुरस्त्रीणां सर्वश्रुतिमनोहरः
anyonyamāsītsañjalpa uttamaślokacetasām | kauravendrapurastrīṇāṃ sarvaśrutimanoharaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Absorbed in the thought of the transcendental qualities of the Lord, who is sung in select poetry, the ladies on the roofs of all the houses of Hastināpura began to talk of Him. This talk was more attractive than the hymns of the Vedas.
स वै किलायं पुरुषः पुरातनो य एक आसीदविशेष आत्मनि । अग्रे गुणेभ्यो जगदात्मनीश्वरे निमीलितात्मन् निशि सुप्तशक्तिषु
sa vai kilāyaṃ puruṣaḥ purātano ya eka āsīdaviśeṣa ātmani | agre guṇebhyo jagadātmanīśvare nimīlitātman niśi suptaśaktiṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They said: Here He is, the original Personality of Godhead as we definitely remember Him. He alone existed before the manifested creation of the modes of nature, and in Him only, because He is the Supreme Lord, all living beings merge, as if sleeping at night, their energy suspended.
स एव भूयो निजवीर्यचोदितां स्वजीवमायां प्रकृतिं सिसृक्षतीम् । अनामरूपात्मनि रूपनामनी विधित्समानोऽनुससार शास्त्रकृत्
sa eva bhūyo nijavīryacoditāṃ svajīvamāyāṃ prakṛtiṃ sisṛkṣatīm | anāmarūpātmani rūpanāmanī vidhitsamāno'nusasāra śāstrakṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Personality of Godhead, again desiring to give names and forms to His parts and parcels, the living entities, placed them under the guidance of material nature. By His own potency, material nature is empowered to re-create.
स वा अयं यत्पदमत्र सूरयो जितेन्द्रिया निर्जितमातरिश्वनः । पश्यन्ति भक्त्युत्कलितामलात्मना नन्वेष सत्त्वं परिमार्ष्टुमर्हति
sa vā ayaṃ yatpadamatra sūrayo jitendriyā nirjitamātariśvanaḥ | paśyanti bhaktyutkalitāmalātmanā nanveṣa sattvaṃ parimārṣṭumarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Here is the same Supreme Personality of Godhead whose transcendental form is experienced by the great devotees who are completely cleansed of material consciousness by dint of rigid devotional service and full control of life and the senses. And that is the only way to purify existence.
स वा अयं सख्यनुगीतसत्कथो वेदेषु गुह्येषु च गुह्यवादिभिः । य एक ईशो जगदात्मलीलया सृजत्यवत्यत्ति न तत्र सज्जते
sa vā ayaṃ sakhyanugītasatkatho vedeṣu guhyeṣu ca guhyavādibhiḥ | ya eka īśo jagadātmalīlayā sṛjatyavatyatti na tatra sajjate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O dear friends, here is that very Personality of Godhead whose attractive and confidential pastimes are described in the confidential parts of Vedic literature by His great devotees. It is He only who creates, maintains and annihilates the material world and yet remains unaffected.
यदा ह्यधर्मेण तमोधियो नृपा जीवन्ति तत्रैष हि सत्त्वतः किल । धत्ते भगं सत्यमृतं दयां यशो भवाय रूपाणि दधद्युगे युगे
yadā hyadharmeṇa tamodhiyo nṛpā jīvanti tatraiṣa hi sattvataḥ kila | dhatte bhagaṃ satyamṛtaṃ dayāṃ yaśo bhavāya rūpāṇi dadhadyuge yuge
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whenever there are kings and administrators living like animals in the lowest modes of existence, the Lord in His transcendental form manifests His supreme power, the Truth Positive, shows special mercy to the faithful, performs wonderful activities and manifests various transcendental forms as is necessary in different periods and ages.
अहो अलं श्लाघ्यतमं यदोः कुल- महो अलं पुण्यतमं मधोर्वनम् । यदेष पुंसामृषभः श्रियः पतिः स्वजन्मना चङ्क्रमणेन चाञ्चति
aho alaṃ ślāghyatamaṃ yadoḥ kula- maho alaṃ puṇyatamaṃ madhorvanam | yadeṣa puṃsāmṛṣabhaḥ śriyaḥ patiḥ svajanmanā caṅkramaṇena cāñcati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Oh, how supremely glorified is the dynasty of King Yadu, and how virtuous is the land of Mathurā, where the supreme leader of all living beings, the husband of the goddess of fortune, has taken His birth and wandered in His childhood.
अहो बत स्वर्यशसस्तिरस्करी कुशस्थली पुण्ययशस्करी भुवः । पश्यन्ति नित्यं यदनुग्रहेषितं स्मितावलोकं स्वपतिं स्म यत्प्रजाः
aho bata svaryaśasastiraskarī kuśasthalī puṇyayaśaskarī bhuvaḥ | paśyanti nityaṃ yadanugraheṣitaṃ smitāvalokaṃ svapatiṃ sma yatprajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Undoubtedly it is wonderful that Dvārakā has defeated the glories of the heavenly planets and has enhanced the celebrity of the earth. The inhabitants of Dvārakā are always seeing the soul of all living beings [Kṛṣṇa] in His loving feature. He glances at them and favors them with sweet smiles.
नूनं व्रतस्नानहुतादिनेश्वरः समर्चितो ह्यस्य गृहीतपाणिभिः । पिबन्ति याः सख्यधरामृतं मुहु- र्व्रजस्त्रियःसम्मुमुहुर्यदाशयाः
nūnaṃ vratasnānahutādineśvaraḥ samarcito hyasya gṛhītapāṇibhiḥ | pibanti yāḥ sakhyadharāmṛtaṃ muhu- rvrajastriyaḥsammumuhuryadāśayāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O friends, just think of His wives, whose hands He has accepted. How they must have undergone vows, baths, fire sacrifices and perfect worship of the Lord of the universe to constantly relish now the nectar from His lips [by kissing]. The damsels of Vrajabhūmi would often faint just by expecting such favors.
या वीर्यशुल्केन हृताः स्वयंवरे प्रमथ्य चैद्यप्रमुखान् हि शुष्मिणः । प्रद्युम्नसाम्बाम्बसुतादयोऽपरा याश्चाहृता भौमवधे सहस्रशः
yā vīryaśulkena hṛtāḥ svayaṃvare pramathya caidyapramukhān hi śuṣmiṇaḥ | pradyumnasāmbāmbasutādayo'parā yāścāhṛtā bhaumavadhe sahasraśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The children of these ladies are Pradyumna, Sāmba, Amba, etc. Ladies like Rukmiṇī, Satyabhāmā and Jāmbavatī were forcibly taken away by Him from their svayaṁvara ceremonies after He defeated many powerful kings, headed by Śiśupāla. And other ladies were also forcibly taken away by Him after He killed Bhaumāsura and thousands of his assistants. All of these ladies are glorious.
एताः परं स्त्रीत्वमपास्तपेशलं निरस्तशौचं बत साधु कुर्वते । यासां गृहात्पुष्करलोचनः पति- र्न जात्वपैत्याहृतिभिर्हृदि स्पृशन्
etāḥ paraṃ strītvamapāstapeśalaṃ nirastaśaucaṃ bata sādhu kurvate | yāsāṃ gṛhātpuṣkaralocanaḥ pati- rna jātvapaityāhṛtibhirhṛdi spṛśan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All these women auspiciously glorified their lives despite their being without individuality and without purity. Their husband, the lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead, never left them alone at home. He always pleased their hearts by making valuable presentations.
एवंविधा गदन्तीनां स गिरः पुरयोषिताम् । निरीक्षणेनाभिनन्दन् सस्मितेन ययौ हरिः
evaṃvidhā gadantīnāṃ sa giraḥ purayoṣitām | nirīkṣaṇenābhinandan sasmitena yayau hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the ladies of the capital [Hastināpura] were greeting Him and talking in this way, the Lord, smiling, accepted their good greetings, and casting the grace of His glance over them, He departed from the city.
अजातशत्रुः पृतनां गोपीथाय मधुद्विषः । परेभ्यः शङ्कितः स्नेहात्प्रायुङ्क्त चतुरङ्गिणीम्
ajātaśatruḥ pṛtanāṃ gopīthāya madhudviṣaḥ | parebhyaḥ śaṅkitaḥ snehātprāyuṅkta caturaṅgiṇīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, although no one’s enemy, engaged four divisions of defense [horse, elephant, chariot and army] to accompany Lord Kṛṣṇa, the enemy of the asuras [demons]. The Mahārāja did this because of the enemy, and also out of affection for the Lord.
अथ दूरागतान् शौरिः कौरवान् विरहातुरान् । सन्निवर्त्य दृढं स्निग्धान् प्रायात्स्वनगरीं प्रियैः
atha dūrāgatān śauriḥ kauravān virahāturān | sannivartya dṛḍhaṃ snigdhān prāyātsvanagarīṃ priyaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Out of profound affection for Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Pāṇḍavas, who were of the Kuru dynasty, accompanied Him a considerable distance to see Him off. They were overwhelmed with the thought of future separation. The Lord, however, persuaded them to return home, and He proceeded towards Dvārakā with His dear companions.
तत्र तत्र ह तत्रत्यैर्हरिः प्रत्युद्यतार्हणः । सायं भेजे दिशं पश्चाद्गविष्ठो गां गतस्तदा
tatra tatra ha tatratyairhariḥ pratyudyatārhaṇaḥ | sāyaṃ bheje diśaṃ paścādgaviṣṭho gāṃ gatastadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On His journey through these provinces He was welcomed, worshiped and given various presentations. In the evening, in all places, the Lord suspended His journey to perform evening rites. This was regularly observed after sunset.
सूत उवाच । आनर्तान् स उपव्रज्य स्वृद्धाञ्जनपदान् स्वकान् । दध्मौ दरवरं तेषां विषादं शमयन्निव
sūta uvāca | ānartān sa upavrajya svṛddhāñjanapadān svakān | dadhmau daravaraṃ teṣāṃ viṣādaṃ śamayanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Upon reaching the border of His most prosperous metropolis, known as the country of the Ānartas [Dvārakā], the Lord sounded His auspicious conchshell, heralding His arrival and apparently pacifying the dejection of the inhabitants.
स उच्चकाशे धवलोदरो दरो- ऽप्युरुक्रमस्याधरशोणशोणिमा । दाध्मायमानः करकञ्जसम्पुटे यथाब्जखण्डे कलहंस उत्स्वनः
sa uccakāśe dhavalodaro daro- 'pyurukramasyādharaśoṇaśoṇimā | dādhmāyamānaḥ karakañjasampuṭe yathābjakhaṇḍe kalahaṃsa utsvanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The white and fat-bowled conchshell, being gripped by the hand of Lord Kṛṣṇa and sounded by Him, appeared to be reddened by the touch of His transcendental lips. It seemed that a white swan was playing in the stems of red lotus flowers.
तमुपश्रुत्य निनदं जगद्भयभयावहम् । प्रत्युद्ययुः प्रजाः सर्वा भर्तृदर्शनलालसाः
tamupaśrutya ninadaṃ jagadbhayabhayāvaham | pratyudyayuḥ prajāḥ sarvā bhartṛdarśanalālasāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The citizens of Dvārakā, having heard that sound which threatens fear personified in the material world, began to run towards Him fast, just to have a long desired audience with the Lord, who is the protector of all devotees.
नताः स्म ते नाथ सदाङ्घ्रिपङ्कजं विरिञ्चवैरिञ्च्यसुरेन्द्रवन्दितम् । परायणं क्षेममिहेच्छतां परं न यत्र कालः प्रभवेत्परः प्रभुः
natāḥ sma te nātha sadāṅghripaṅkajaṃ viriñcavairiñcyasurendravanditam | parāyaṇaṃ kṣemamihecchatāṃ paraṃ na yatra kālaḥ prabhavetparaḥ prabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The citizens said: O Lord, You are worshiped by all demigods like Brahmā, the four Sanas and even the King of heaven. You are the ultimate rest for those who are really aspiring to achieve the highest benefit of life. You are the supreme transcendental Lord, and inevitable time cannot exert its influence upon You.
भवाय नस्त्वं भव विश्वभावन त्वमेव माताथ सुहृत्पतिः पिता । त्वं सद्गुरुर्नः परमं च दैवतं यस्यानुवृत्त्या कृतिनो बभूविम
bhavāya nastvaṃ bhava viśvabhāvana tvameva mātātha suhṛtpatiḥ pitā | tvaṃ sadgururnaḥ paramaṃ ca daivataṃ yasyānuvṛttyā kṛtino babhūvima
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O creator of the universe, You are our mother, well-wisher, Lord, father, spiritual master and worshipable Deity. By following in Your footsteps we have become successful in every respect. We pray, therefore, that You continue to bless us with Your mercy.
अहो सनाथा भवता स्म यद्वयं त्रैविष्टपानामपि दूरदर्शनम् । प्रेमस्मितस्निग्धनिरीक्षणाननं पश्येम रूपं तव सर्वसौभगम्
aho sanāthā bhavatā sma yadvayaṃ traiviṣṭapānāmapi dūradarśanam | premasmitasnigdhanirīkṣaṇānanaṃ paśyema rūpaṃ tava sarvasaubhagam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Oh, it is our good luck that we have come again today under Your protection by Your presence, for Your Lordship rarely visits even the denizens of heaven. Now it is possible for us to look into Your smiling face, which is full of affectionate glances. We can now see Your transcendental form, full of all auspiciousness.
यर्ह्यम्बुजाक्षापससार भो भवान् कुरून् मधून् वाथ सुहृद्दिदृक्षया । तत्राब्दकोटिप्रतिमः क्षणो भवे- द्रविं विनाक्ष्णोरिव नस्तवाच्युत
yarhyambujākṣāpasasāra bho bhavān kurūn madhūn vātha suhṛddidṛkṣayā | tatrābdakoṭipratimaḥ kṣaṇo bhave- draviṃ vinākṣṇoriva nastavācyuta
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O lotus-eyed Lord, whenever You go away to Mathurā-Vṛndāvana or Hastināpura to meet Your friends and relatives, every moment of Your absence seems like millions of years. O infallible one, at that time our eyes become useless, as if bereft of sun.
(कथं वयं नाथ चिरोषिते त्वयि प्रसन्नदृष्ट्याखिलतापशोषणम् । जीवेम ते सुन्दरहासशोभित- मपश्यमाना वदनं मनोहरम् ॥) इति चोदीरिता वाचः प्रजानां भक्तवत्सलः । शृण्वानोऽनुग्रहं दृष्ट्या वितन्वन् प्राविशत्पुरीम्
(kathaṃ vayaṃ nātha ciroṣite tvayi prasannadṛṣṭyākhilatāpaśoṣaṇam | jīvema te sundarahāsaśobhita- mapaśyamānā vadanaṃ manoharam ||) iti codīritā vācaḥ prajānāṃ bhaktavatsalaḥ | śṛṇvāno'nugrahaṃ dṛṣṭyā vitanvan prāviśatpurīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O master, if You live abroad all the time, then we cannot look at Your attractive face, whose smiles vanquish all our sufferings. How can we exist without Your presence? Upon hearing their speeches, the Lord, who is very kind to the citizens and the devotees, entered the city of Dvārakā and acknowledged all their greetings by casting His transcendental glance over them.
मधुभोजदशार्हार्हकुकुरान्धकवृष्णिभिः । आत्मतुल्यबलैर्गुप्तां नागैर्भोगवतीमिव
madhubhojadaśārhārhakukurāndhakavṛṣṇibhiḥ | ātmatulyabalairguptāṃ nāgairbhogavatīmiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Bhogavatī, the capital of Nāgaloka, is protected by the Nāgas, so was Dvārakā protected by the descendants of Vṛṣṇi — Bhoja, Madhu, Daśārha, Arha, Kukura, Andhaka, etc. — who were as strong as Lord Kṛṣṇa.
सर्वर्तुसर्वविभवपुण्यवृक्षलताश्रमैः । उद्यानोपवनारामैर्वृतपद्माकरश्रियम्
sarvartusarvavibhavapuṇyavṛkṣalatāśramaiḥ | udyānopavanārāmairvṛtapadmākaraśriyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The city of Dvārakāpurī was filled with the opulences of all seasons. There were hermitages, orchards, flower gardens, parks and reservoirs of water breeding lotus flowers all over.
गोपुरद्वारमार्गेषु कृतकौतुकतोरणाम् । चित्रध्वजपताकाग्रैरन्तः प्रतिहतातपाम्
gopuradvāramārgeṣu kṛtakautukatoraṇām | citradhvajapatākāgrairantaḥ pratihatātapām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The city gateway, the household doors and festooned arches along the roads were all nicely decorated with festive signs like plantain trees and mango leaves, all to welcome the Lord. Flags, garlands and painted signs and slogans all combined to shade the sunshine.
सम्मार्जितमहामार्गरथ्यापणकचत्वराम् । सिक्तां गन्धजलैरुप्तां फलपुष्पाक्षताङ्कुरैः
sammārjitamahāmārgarathyāpaṇakacatvarām | siktāṃ gandhajalairuptāṃ phalapuṣpākṣatāṅkuraiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The highways, subways, lanes, markets and public meeting places were all thoroughly cleansed and then moistened with scented water. And to welcome the Lord, fruits, flowers and unbroken seeds were strewn everywhere.
द्वारि द्वारि गृहाणां च दध्यक्षतफलेक्षुभिः । अलङ्कृतां पूर्णकुम्भैर्बलिभिर्धूपदीपकैः
dvāri dvāri gṛhāṇāṃ ca dadhyakṣataphalekṣubhiḥ | alaṅkṛtāṃ pūrṇakumbhairbalibhirdhūpadīpakaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In each and every door of the residential houses, auspicious things like curd, unbroken fruits, sugarcane and full waterpots with articles for worship, incense and candles were all displayed.
वारणेन्द्रं पुरस्कृत्य ब्राह्मणैः ससुमङ्गलैः । शङ्खतूर्यनिनादेन ब्रह्मघोषेण चादृताः । प्रत्युज्जग्मू रथैर्हृष्टाः प्रणयागतसाध्वसाः
vāraṇendraṃ puraskṛtya brāhmaṇaiḥ sasumaṅgalaiḥ | śaṅkhatūryaninādena brahmaghoṣeṇa cādṛtāḥ | pratyujjagmū rathairhṛṣṭāḥ praṇayāgatasādhvasāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They hastened toward the Lord on chariots with brāhmaṇas bearing flowers. Before them were elephants, emblems of good fortune. Conchshells and bugles were sounded, and Vedic hymns were chanted. Thus they offered their respects, which were saturated with affection.
वारमुख्याश्च शतशो यानैस्तद्दर्शनोत्सुकाः । लसत्कुण्डलनिर्भातकपोलवदनश्रियः
vāramukhyāśca śataśo yānaistaddarśanotsukāḥ | lasatkuṇḍalanirbhātakapolavadanaśriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the same time, many hundreds of well-known prostitutes began to proceed on various vehicles. They were all very eager to meet the Lord, and their beautiful faces were decorated with dazzling earrings, which enhanced the beauty of their foreheads.
नटनर्तकगन्धर्वाः सूतमागधवन्दिनः । गायन्ति चोत्तमश्लोकचरितान्यद्भुतानि च
naṭanartakagandharvāḥ sūtamāgadhavandinaḥ | gāyanti cottamaślokacaritānyadbhutāni ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Expert dramatists, artists, dancers, singers, historians, genealogists and learned speakers all gave their respective contributions, being inspired by the superhuman pastimes of the Lord. Thus they proceeded on and on.
भगवांस्तत्र बन्धूनां पौराणामनुवर्तिनाम् । यथाविध्युपसङ्गम्य सर्वेषां मानमादधे
bhagavāṃstatra bandhūnāṃ paurāṇāmanuvartinām | yathāvidhyupasaṅgamya sarveṣāṃ mānamādadhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, approached them and offered due honor and respect to each and every one of the friends, relatives, citizens and all others who came to receive and welcome Him.
प्रह्वाभिवादनाश्लेषकरस्पर्शस्मितेक्षणैः । आश्वास्य चाश्वपाकेभ्यो वरैश्चाभिमतैर्विभुः
prahvābhivādanāśleṣakarasparśasmitekṣaṇaiḥ | āśvāsya cāśvapākebhyo varaiścābhimatairvibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The almighty Lord greeted everyone present by bowing His head, exchanging greetings, embracing, shaking hands, looking and smiling, giving assurances and awarding benedictions, even to the lowest in rank.
स्वयं च गुरुभिर्विप्रैः सदारैः स्थविरैरपि । आशीर्भिर्युज्यमानोऽन्यैर्वन्दिभिश्चाविशत्पुरम्
svayaṃ ca gurubhirvipraiḥ sadāraiḥ sthavirairapi | āśīrbhiryujyamāno'nyairvandibhiścāviśatpuram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the Lord personally entered the city accompanied by elderly relatives and invalid brāhmaṇas with their wives, all offering benedictions and singing the glories of the Lord. Others also praised the glories of the Lord.
राजमार्गं गते कृष्णे द्वारकायाः कुलस्त्रियः । हर्म्याण्यारुरुहुर्विप्राः तदीक्षणमहोत्सवाः
rājamārgaṃ gate kṛṣṇe dvārakāyāḥ kulastriyaḥ | harmyāṇyāruruhurviprāḥ tadīkṣaṇamahotsavāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Kṛṣṇa passed over the public roads, all the ladies from the respectable families of Dvārakā went up to the roofs of their palaces just to have a look at the Lord. They considered this to be the greatest festival.
SB 1.11.25
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The inhabitants of Dvārakā were regularly accustomed to look upon the reservoir of all beauty, the infallible Lord, yet they were never satiated.
नित्यं निरीक्षमाणानां यदपि द्वारकौकसाम् । न वितृप्यन्ति हि दृशः श्रियो धामाङ्गमच्युतम्
nityaṃ nirīkṣamāṇānāṃ yadapi dvārakaukasām | na vitṛpyanti hi dṛśaḥ śriyo dhāmāṅgamacyutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord’s chest is the abode of the goddess of fortune. His moonlike face is the drinking vessel for eyes which hanker after all that is beautiful. His arms are the resting places for the administrative demigods. And His lotus feet are the refuge of pure devotees who never talk or sing of any subject except His Lordship.
सितातपत्रव्यजनैरुपस्कृतः प्रसूनवर्षैरभिवर्षितः पथि । पिशङ्गवासा वनमालया बभौ घनो यथार्कोडुपचापवैद्युतैः
sitātapatravyajanairupaskṛtaḥ prasūnavarṣairabhivarṣitaḥ pathi | piśaṅgavāsā vanamālayā babhau ghano yathārkoḍupacāpavaidyutaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the Lord passed along the public road of Dvārakā, His head was protected from the sunshine by a white umbrella. White feathered fans moved in semicircles, and showers of flowers fell upon the road. His yellow garments and garlands of flowers made it appear as if a dark cloud were surrounded simultaneously by sun, moon, lightning and rainbows.
प्रविष्टस्तु गृहं पित्रोः परिष्वक्तः स्वमातृभिः । ववन्दे शिरसा सप्त देवकीप्रमुखा मुदा
praviṣṭastu gṛhaṃ pitroḥ pariṣvaktaḥ svamātṛbhiḥ | vavande śirasā sapta devakīpramukhā mudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After entering the house of His father, He was embraced by the mothers present, and the Lord offered His obeisances unto them by placing His head at their feet. The mothers were headed by Devakī [His real mother].
ताः पुत्रमङ्कमारोप्य स्नेहस्नुतपयोधराः । हर्षविह्वलितात्मानः सिषिचुर्नेत्रजैर्जलैः
tāḥ putramaṅkamāropya snehasnutapayodharāḥ | harṣavihvalitātmānaḥ siṣicurnetrajairjalaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The mothers, after embracing their son, sat Him on their laps. Due to pure affection, milk sprang from their breasts. They were overwhelmed with delight, and the tears from their eyes wetted the Lord.
अथाविशत्स्वभवनं सर्वकाममनुत्तमम् । प्रासादा यत्र पत्नीनां सहस्राणि च षोडश
athāviśatsvabhavanaṃ sarvakāmamanuttamam | prāsādā yatra patnīnāṃ sahasrāṇi ca ṣoḍaśa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, the Lord entered His palaces, which were perfect to the fullest extent. His wives lived in them, and they numbered over sixteen thousand.
पत्न्यः पतिं प्रोष्य गृहानुपागतं विलोक्य सञ्जातमनोमहोत्सवाः । उत्तस्थुरारात्सहसाऽऽसनाशया- त्साकं व्रतैर्व्रीडितलोचनाननाः
patnyaḥ patiṃ proṣya gṛhānupāgataṃ vilokya sañjātamanomahotsavāḥ | uttasthurārātsahasā''sanāśayā- tsākaṃ vratairvrīḍitalocanānanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The queens of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa rejoiced within their minds to see their husband home after a long period abroad. The queens got up at once from their seats and meditations. As was socially customary, they covered their faces shyly and looked about coyly.
तमात्मजैर्दृष्टिभिरन्तरात्मना दुरन्तभावाः परिरेभिरे पतिम् । निरुद्धमप्यास्रवदम्बुनेत्रयो- र्विलज्जतीनां भृगुवर्य वैक्लवात्
tamātmajairdṛṣṭibhirantarātmanā durantabhāvāḥ parirebhire patim | niruddhamapyāsravadambunetrayo- rvilajjatīnāṃ bhṛguvarya vaiklavāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The insuperable ecstasy was so strong that the queens, who were shy, first embraced the Lord in the innermost recesses of their hearts. Then they embraced Him visually, and then they sent their sons to embrace Him [which is equal to personal embracing]. But, O chief amongst the Bhṛgus, though they tried to restrain their feelings, they inadvertently shed tears.
यद्यप्यसौ पार्श्वगतो रहोगत- स्तथापि तस्याङ्घ्रियुगं नवं नवम् । पदे पदे का विरमेत तत्पदा- च्चलापि यच्छ्रीर्न जहाति कर्हिचित्
yadyapyasau pārśvagato rahogata- stathāpi tasyāṅghriyugaṃ navaṃ navam | pade pade kā virameta tatpadā- ccalāpi yacchrīrna jahāti karhicit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa was constantly by their sides, as well as exclusively alone, His feet appeared to them to be newer and newer. The goddess of fortune, although by nature always restless and moving, could not quit the Lord’s feet. So what woman can be detached from those feet, having once taken shelter of them?
एवं नृपाणां क्षितिभारजन्मना- मक्षौहिणीभिः परिवृत्ततेजसाम् । विधाय वैरं श्वसनो यथानलं मिथो वधेनोपरतो निरायुधः
evaṃ nṛpāṇāṃ kṣitibhārajanmanā- makṣauhiṇībhiḥ parivṛttatejasām | vidhāya vairaṃ śvasano yathānalaṃ mitho vadhenoparato nirāyudhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord was pacified after killing those kings who were burdensome to the earth. They were puffed up with their military strength, their horses, elephants, chariots, infantry, etc. He Himself was not a party in the fight. He simply created hostility between the powerful administrators, and they fought amongst themselves. He was like the wind which causes friction between bamboos and so sparks a fire.
स एष नरलोकेऽस्मिन्नवतीर्णः स्वमायया । रेमे स्त्रीरत्नकूटस्थो भगवान् प्राकृतो यथा
sa eṣa naraloke'sminnavatīrṇaḥ svamāyayā | reme strīratnakūṭastho bhagavān prākṛto yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, out of His causeless mercy, appeared on this planet by His internal potency and enjoyed Himself amongst competent women as if He were engaging in mundane affairs.
उद्दामभावपिशुनामलवल्गुहास- व्रीडावलोकनिहतो मदनोऽपि यासाम् । सम्मुह्य तापमजहात्प्रमदोत्तमास्ता यस्येन्द्रियं विमथितुं कुहकैर्न शेकुः
uddāmabhāvapiśunāmalavalguhāsa- vrīḍāvalokanihato madano'pi yāsām | sammuhya tāpamajahātpramadottamāstā yasyendriyaṃ vimathituṃ kuhakairna śekuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the queens’ beautiful smiles and furtive glances were all spotless and exciting, and although they could conquer Cupid himself by making him give up his bow in frustration, and although even the tolerant Śiva could fall victim to them, still, despite all their magical feats and attractions, they could not agitate the senses of the Lord.
तमयं मन्यते लोको ह्यसङ्गमपि सङ्गिनम् । आत्मौपम्येन मनुजं व्यापृण्वानं यतोऽबुधः
tamayaṃ manyate loko hyasaṅgamapi saṅginam | ātmaupamyena manujaṃ vyāpṛṇvānaṃ yato'budhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The common materialistic conditioned souls speculate that the Lord is one of them. Out of their ignorance they think that the Lord is affected by matter, although He is unattached.
एतदीशनमीशस्य प्रकृतिस्थोऽपि तद्गुणैः । न युज्यते सदाऽऽत्मस्थैर्यथा बुद्धिस्तदाश्रया
etadīśanamīśasya prakṛtistho'pi tadguṇaiḥ | na yujyate sadā''tmasthairyathā buddhistadāśrayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This is the divinity of the Personality of Godhead: He is not affected by the qualities of material nature, even though He is in contact with them. Similarly, the devotees who have taken shelter of the Lord do not become influenced by the material qualities.
तं मेनिरेऽबला मूढाः स्त्रैणं चानुव्रतं रहः । अप्रमाणविदो भर्तुरीश्वरं मतयो यथा
taṃ menire'balā mūḍhāḥ straiṇaṃ cānuvrataṃ rahaḥ | apramāṇavido bharturīśvaraṃ matayo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The simple and delicate women truly thought that Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, their beloved husband, followed them and was dominated by them. They were unaware of the extent of the glories of their husband, as the atheists are unaware of Him as the supreme controller.
शौनक उवाच । अश्वत्थाम्नोपसृष्टेन ब्रह्मशीर्ष्णोरुतेजसा । उत्तराया हतो गर्भ ईशेनाजीवितः पुनः
śaunaka uvāca | aśvatthāmnopasṛṣṭena brahmaśīrṣṇorutejasā | uttarāyā hato garbha īśenājīvitaḥ punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Śaunaka said: The womb of Uttarā, mother of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, was spoiled by the dreadful and invincible brahmāstra weapon released by Aśvatthāmā. But Mahārāja Parīkṣit was saved by the Supreme Lord.
तस्य जन्म महाबुद्धेः कर्माणि च महात्मनः । निधनं च यथैवासीत्स प्रेत्य गतवान् यथा
tasya janma mahābuddheḥ karmāṇi ca mahātmanaḥ | nidhanaṃ ca yathaivāsītsa pretya gatavān yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How was the great emperor Parīkṣit, who was a highly intelligent and great devotee, born in that womb? How did his death take place, and what did he achieve after his death?
तदिदं श्रोतुमिच्छामो गदितुं यदि मन्यसे । ब्रूहि नः श्रद्दधानानां यस्य ज्ञानमदाच्छुकः
tadidaṃ śrotumicchāmo gadituṃ yadi manyase | brūhi naḥ śraddadhānānāṃ yasya jñānamadācchukaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We all respectfully want to hear about him [Mahārāja Parīkṣit] to whom Śukadeva Gosvāmī imparted transcendental knowledge. Please speak on this matter.
सूत उवाच । अपीपलद्धर्मराजः पितृवद्रञ्जयन् प्रजाः । निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यः कृष्णपादाब्जसेवया
sūta uvāca | apīpaladdharmarājaḥ pitṛvadrañjayan prajāḥ | niḥspṛhaḥ sarvakāmebhyaḥ kṛṣṇapādābjasevayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: Emperor Yudhiṣṭhira administered generously to everyone during his reign. He was exactly like his father. He had no personal ambition and was freed from all sorts of sense gratification because of his continuous service unto the lotus feet of the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
सम्पदः क्रतवो लोका महिषी भ्रातरो मही । जम्बूद्वीपाधिपत्यं च यशश्च त्रिदिवं गतम्
sampadaḥ kratavo lokā mahiṣī bhrātaro mahī | jambūdvīpādhipatyaṃ ca yaśaśca tridivaṃ gatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
News even reached the celestial planets about Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira’s worldly possessions, the sacrifices by which he would attain a better destination, his queen, his stalwart brothers, his extensive land, his sovereignty over the planet earth, his fame, etc.
किं ते कामाः सुरस्पार्हा मुकुन्दमनसो द्विजाः । अधिजह्रुर्मुदं राज्ञः क्षुधितस्य यथेतरे
kiṃ te kāmāḥ suraspārhā mukundamanaso dvijāḥ | adhijahrurmudaṃ rājñaḥ kṣudhitasya yathetare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O brāhmaṇas, the opulence of the King was so enchanting that the denizens of heaven aspired for it. But because he was absorbed in the service of the Lord, nothing could satisfy him except the Lord’s service.
मातुर्गर्भगतो वीरस्स तदा भृगुनन्दन । ददर्श पुरुषं कञ्चिद्दह्यमानोऽस्त्रतेजसा
māturgarbhagato vīrassa tadā bhṛgunandana | dadarśa puruṣaṃ kañciddahyamāno'stratejasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O son of Bhṛgu [Śaunaka], when the child Parīkṣit, the great fighter, was in the womb of his mother, Uttarā, and was suffering from the burning heat of the brahmāstra [thrown by Aśvatthāmā], he could observe the Supreme Lord coming to him.
अङ्गुष्ठमात्रममलं स्फुरत्पुरटमौलिनम् । अपीच्यदर्शनं श्यामं तडिद्वाससमच्युतम्
aṅguṣṭhamātramamalaṃ sphuratpuraṭamaulinam | apīcyadarśanaṃ śyāmaṃ taḍidvāsasamacyutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He [the Lord] was only thumb high, but He was all transcendental. He had a very beautiful, blackish, infallible body, and He wore a dress of lightning yellow and a helmet of blazing gold. Thus He was seen by the child.
श्रीमद्दीर्घचतुर्बाहुं तप्तकाञ्चनकुण्डलम् । क्षतजाक्षं गदापाणिमात्मनः सर्वतो दिशम् । परिभ्रमन्तमुल्काभां भ्रामयन्तं गदां मुहुः
śrīmaddīrghacaturbāhuṃ taptakāñcanakuṇḍalam | kṣatajākṣaṃ gadāpāṇimātmanaḥ sarvato diśam | paribhramantamulkābhāṃ bhrāmayantaṃ gadāṃ muhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord was enriched with four hands, earrings of molten gold and eyes blood red with fury. As He loitered about, His club constantly encircled Him like a shooting star.
अस्त्रतेजः स्वगदया नीहारमिव गोपतिः । विधमन्तं सन्निकर्षे पर्यैक्षत क इत्यसौ
astratejaḥ svagadayā nīhāramiva gopatiḥ | vidhamantaṃ sannikarṣe paryaikṣata ka ityasau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord was thus engaged in vanquishing the radiation of the brahmāstra, just as the sun evaporates a drop of dew. He was observed by the child, who thought about who He was.
विधूय तदमेयात्मा भगवान् धर्मगुब्विभुः । मिषतो दशमास्यस्य तत्रैवान्तर्दधे हरिः
vidhūya tadameyātmā bhagavān dharmagubvibhuḥ | miṣato daśamāsyasya tatraivāntardadhe hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While thus being observed by the child, the Supreme Lord Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul of everyone and the protector of the righteous, who stretches in all directions and who is unlimited by time and space, disappeared at once.
ततः सर्वगुणोदर्के सानुकूलग्रहोदये । जज्ञे वंशधरः पाण्डोर्भूयः पाण्डुरिवौजसा
tataḥ sarvaguṇodarke sānukūlagrahodaye | jajñe vaṃśadharaḥ pāṇḍorbhūyaḥ pāṇḍurivaujasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereupon, when all the good signs of the zodiac gradually evolved, the heir apparent of Pāṇḍu, who would be exactly like him in prowess, took birth.
तस्य प्रीतमना राजा विप्रैर्धौम्यकृपादिभिः । जातकं कारयामास वाचयित्वा च मङ्गलम्
tasya prītamanā rājā viprairdhaumyakṛpādibhiḥ | jātakaṃ kārayāmāsa vācayitvā ca maṅgalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Yudhiṣṭhira, who was very satisfied with the birth of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, had the purificatory process of birth performed. Learned brāhmaṇas, headed by Dhaumya and Kṛpa, recited auspicious hymns.
हिरण्यं गां महीं ग्रामान् हस्त्यश्वान् नृपतिर्वरान् । प्रादात्स्वन्नं च विप्रेभ्यः प्रजातीर्थे स तीर्थवित्
hiraṇyaṃ gāṃ mahīṃ grāmān hastyaśvān nṛpatirvarān | prādātsvannaṃ ca viprebhyaḥ prajātīrthe sa tīrthavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon the birth of a son, the King, who knew how, where and when charity should be given, gave gold, land, villages, elephants, horses and good food grains to the brāhmaṇas.
तमूचुर्ब्राह्मणास्तुष्टा राजानं प्रश्रयान्वितम् । एष ह्यस्मिन् प्रजातन्तौ पुरूणां पौरवर्षभ
tamūcurbrāhmaṇāstuṣṭā rājānaṃ praśrayānvitam | eṣa hyasmin prajātantau purūṇāṃ pauravarṣabha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The learned brāhmaṇas, who were very satisfied with the charities of the King, addressed him as the chief amongst the Pūrus and informed him that his son was certainly in the line of descent from the Pūrus.
दैवेनाप्रतिघातेन शुक्ले संस्थामुपेयुषि । रातो वोऽनुग्रहार्थाय विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना
daivenāpratighātena śukle saṃsthāmupeyuṣi | rāto vo'nugrahārthāya viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇas said: This spotless son has been restored by the all-powerful and all-pervasive Lord Viṣṇu, the Personality of Godhead, in order to oblige you. He was saved when he was doomed to be destroyed by an irresistible supernatural weapon.
तस्मान्नाम्ना विष्णुरात इति लोके बृहच्छ्रवाः । भविष्यति न सन्देहो महाभागवतो महान्
tasmānnāmnā viṣṇurāta iti loke bṛhacchravāḥ | bhaviṣyati na sandeho mahābhāgavato mahān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For this reason this child will be well known in the world as one who is protected by the Personality of Godhead. O most fortunate one, there is no doubt that this child will become a first-class devotee and will be qualified with all good qualities.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच । अप्येष वंश्यान् राजर्षीन् पुण्यश्लोकान् महात्मनः । अनुवर्तिता स्विद्यशसा साधुवादेन सत्तमाः
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | apyeṣa vaṃśyān rājarṣīn puṇyaślokān mahātmanaḥ | anuvartitā svidyaśasā sādhuvādena sattamāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The good King [Yudhiṣṭhira] inquired: O great souls, will he become as saintly a king, as pious in his very name and as famous and glorified in his achievements, as others who appeared in this great royal family?
ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । पार्थ प्रजाविता साक्षादिक्ष्वाकुरिव मानवः । ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यसन्धश्च रामो दाशरथिर्यथा
brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ | pārtha prajāvitā sākṣādikṣvākuriva mānavaḥ | brahmaṇyaḥ satyasandhaśca rāmo dāśarathiryathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The learned brāhmaṇas said: O son of Pṛthā, this child shall be exactly like King Ikṣvāku, son of Manu, in maintaining all those who are born. And as for following the brahminical principles, especially in being true to his promise, he shall be exactly like Rāma, the Personality of Godhead, the son of Mahārāja Daśaratha.
एष दाता शरण्यश्च यथा ह्यौशीनरः शिबिः । यशो वितनिता स्वानां दौष्यन्तिरिव यज्वनाम्
eṣa dātā śaraṇyaśca yathā hyauśīnaraḥ śibiḥ | yaśo vitanitā svānāṃ dauṣyantiriva yajvanām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This child will be a munificent donor of charity and protector of the surrendered, like the famous King Śibi of the Uśīnara country. And he will expand the name and fame of his family like Bharata, the son of Mahārāja Duṣyanta.
धन्विनामग्रणीरेष तुल्यश्चार्जुनयोर्द्वयोः । हुताश इव दुर्धर्षः समुद्र इव दुस्तरः
dhanvināmagraṇīreṣa tulyaścārjunayordvayoḥ | hutāśa iva durdharṣaḥ samudra iva dustaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Amongst great bowmen, this child will be as good as Arjuna. He will be as irresistible as fire and as unsurpassable as the ocean.
मृगेन्द्र इव विक्रान्तो निषेव्यो हिमवानिव । तितिक्षुर्वसुधेवासौ सहिष्णुः पितराविव
mṛgendra iva vikrānto niṣevyo himavāniva | titikṣurvasudhevāsau sahiṣṇuḥ pitarāviva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This child will be as strong as a lion, and as worthy a shelter as the Himālaya Mountains. He will be forbearing like the earth, and as tolerant as his parents.
पितामहसमः साम्ये प्रसादे गिरिशोपमः । आश्रयः सर्वभूतानां यथा देवो रमाश्रयः
pitāmahasamaḥ sāmye prasāde giriśopamaḥ | āśrayaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ yathā devo ramāśrayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This child will be like his grandfather Yudhiṣṭhira or Brahmā in equanimity of mind. He will be munificent like the lord of the Kailāsa Hill, Śiva. And he will be the resort of everyone, like the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, who is even the shelter of the goddess of fortune.
सर्वसद्गुणमाहात्म्ये एष कृष्णमनुव्रतः । रन्तिदेव इवोदारो ययातिरिव धार्मिकः
sarvasadguṇamāhātmye eṣa kṛṣṇamanuvrataḥ | rantideva ivodāro yayātiriva dhārmikaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This child will be almost as good as Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa by following in His footsteps. In magnanimity he will become as great as King Rantideva. And in religion he will be like Mahārāja Yayāti.
धृत्या बलिसमः कृष्णे प्रह्लाद इव सद्ग्रहः । आहर्तैषोऽश्वमेधानां वृद्धानां पर्युपासकः
dhṛtyā balisamaḥ kṛṣṇe prahlāda iva sadgrahaḥ | āhartaiṣo'śvamedhānāṃ vṛddhānāṃ paryupāsakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This child will be like Bali Mahārāja in patience, a staunch devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa like Prahlāda Mahārāja, a performer of many aśvamedha [horse] sacrifices and a follower of the old and experienced men.
राजर्षीणां जनयिता शास्ता चोत्पथगामिनाम् । निग्रहीता कलेरेष भुवो धर्मस्य कारणात्
rājarṣīṇāṃ janayitā śāstā cotpathagāminām | nigrahītā kalereṣa bhuvo dharmasya kāraṇāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This child will be the father of kings who will be like sages. For world peace and for the sake of religion, he will be the chastiser of the upstarts and the quarrelsome.
तक्षकादात्मनो मृत्युं द्विजपुत्रोपसर्जितात् । प्रपत्स्यत उपश्रुत्य मुक्तसङ्गः पदं हरेः
takṣakādātmano mṛtyuṃ dvijaputropasarjitāt | prapatsyata upaśrutya muktasaṅgaḥ padaṃ hareḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After hearing about his death, which will be caused by the bite of a snakebird sent by a son of a brāhmaṇa, he will get himself freed from all material attachment and surrender unto the Personality of Godhead, taking shelter of Him.
जिज्ञासितात्मयाथात्म्यो मुनेर्व्याससुतादसौ । हित्वेदं नृप गङ्गायां यास्यत्यद्धाकुतोभयम्
jijñāsitātmayāthātmyo munervyāsasutādasau | hitvedaṃ nṛpa gaṅgāyāṃ yāsyatyaddhākutobhayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After inquiring about proper self-knowledge from the son of Vyāsadeva, who will be a great philosopher, he will renounce all material attachment and achieve a life of fearlessness.
इति राज्ञ उपादिश्य विप्रा जातककोविदाः । लब्धापचितयः सर्वे प्रतिजग्मुः स्वकान् गृहान्
iti rājña upādiśya viprā jātakakovidāḥ | labdhāpacitayaḥ sarve pratijagmuḥ svakān gṛhān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus those who were expert in astrological knowledge and in performance of the birth ceremony instructed King Yudhiṣṭhira about the future history of his child. Then, being sumptuously remunerated, they all returned to their respective homes.
स एष लोके विख्यातः परीक्षिदिति यत्प्रभुः । गर्भे दृष्टमनुध्यायन् परीक्षेत नरेष्विह
sa eṣa loke vikhyātaḥ parīkṣiditi yatprabhuḥ | garbhe dṛṣṭamanudhyāyan parīkṣeta nareṣviha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
So his son would become famous in the world as Parīkṣit [examiner] because he would come to examine all human beings in his search after that personality whom he saw before his birth. Thus he would come to constantly contemplate Him.
स राजपुत्रो ववृधे आशु शुक्ल इवोडुपः । आपूर्यमाणः पितृभिः काष्ठाभिरिव सोऽन्वहम्
sa rājaputro vavṛdhe āśu śukla ivoḍupaḥ | āpūryamāṇaḥ pitṛbhiḥ kāṣṭhābhiriva so'nvaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the moon, in its waxing fortnight, develops day after day, so the royal prince [Parīkṣit] very soon developed luxuriantly under the care and full facilities of his guardian grandfathers.
यक्ष्यमाणोऽश्वमेधेन ज्ञातिद्रोहजिहासया । राजालब्धधनो दध्यावन्यत्र करदण्डयोः
yakṣyamāṇo'śvamedhena jñātidrohajihāsayā | rājālabdhadhano dadhyāvanyatra karadaṇḍayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just at this time, King Yudhiṣṭhira was considering performing a horse sacrifice to get freed from sins incurred from fighting with kinsmen. But he became anxious to get some wealth, for there were no surplus funds outside of fines and tax collection.
तदभिप्रेतमालक्ष्य भ्रातरोऽच्युतचोदिताः धनं प्रहीणमाजह्रुरुदीच्यां दिशि भूरिशः
tadabhipretamālakṣya bhrātaro'cyutacoditāḥ dhanaṃ prahīṇamājahrurudīcyāṃ diśi bhūriśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Understanding the hearty wishes of the King, his brothers, as advised by the infallible Lord Kṛṣṇa, collected sufficient riches from the north [left by King Marutta].
तेन सम्भृतसम्भारो धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः । वाजिमेधैस्त्रिभिर्भीतो यज्ञैः समयजद्धरिम्
tena sambhṛtasambhāro dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | vājimedhaistribhirbhīto yajñaiḥ samayajaddharim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By those riches, the King could procure the ingredients for three horse sacrifices. Thus the pious King Yudhiṣṭhira, who was very fearful after the Battle of Kurukṣetra, pleased Lord Hari, the Personality of Godhead.
आहूतो भगवान् राज्ञा याजयित्वा द्विजैर्नृपम् । उवास कतिचिन्मासान् सुहृदां प्रियकाम्यया
āhūto bhagavān rājñā yājayitvā dvijairnṛpam | uvāsa katicinmāsān suhṛdāṃ priyakāmyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, being invited to the sacrifices by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, saw to it that they were performed by qualified [twice-born] brāhmaṇas. After that, for the pleasure of the relatives, the Lord remained a few months.
ततो राज्ञाभ्यनुज्ञातः कृष्णया सहबन्धुभिः । ययौ द्वारवतीं ब्रह्मन् सार्जुनो यदुभिर्वृतः
tato rājñābhyanujñātaḥ kṛṣṇayā sahabandhubhiḥ | yayau dvāravatīṃ brahman sārjuno yadubhirvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Śaunaka, thereafter the Lord, having bade farewell to King Yudhiṣṭhira, Draupadī and other relatives, started for the city of Dvārakā, accompanied by Arjuna and other members of the Yadu dynasty.
सूत उवाच । विदुरस्तीर्थयात्रायां मैत्रेयादात्मनो गतिम् । ज्ञात्वागाद्धास्तिनपुरं तयावाप्तविवित्सितः
sūta uvāca | vidurastīrthayātrāyāṃ maitreyādātmano gatim | jñātvāgāddhāstinapuraṃ tayāvāptavivitsitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: While traveling on a pilgrimage, Vidura received knowledge of the destination of the self from the great sage Maitreya and then returned to Hastināpura. He became as well versed in the subject as he desired.
यावतः कृतवान् प्रश्नान् क्षत्ता कौषारवाग्रतः । जातैकभक्तिर्गोविन्दे तेभ्यश्चोपरराम ह
yāvataḥ kṛtavān praśnān kṣattā kauṣāravāgrataḥ | jātaikabhaktirgovinde tebhyaścopararāma ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After asking various questions and becoming established in the transcendental loving service of Lord Kṛṣṇa, Vidura retired from putting questions to Maitreya Muni.
प्रत्युज्जग्मुः प्रहर्षेण प्राणं तन्व इवागतम् । अभिसङ्गम्य विधिवत्परिष्वङ्गाभिवादनैः
pratyujjagmuḥ praharṣeṇa prāṇaṃ tanva ivāgatam | abhisaṅgamya vidhivatpariṣvaṅgābhivādanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With great delight they all approached him, as if life had returned to their bodies. They exchanged obeisances and welcomed each other with embraces.
मुमुचुः प्रेमबाष्पौघं विरहौत्कण्ठ्यकातराः । राजा तमर्हयाञ्चक्रे कृतासनपरिग्रहम्
mumucuḥ premabāṣpaughaṃ virahautkaṇṭhyakātarāḥ | rājā tamarhayāñcakre kṛtāsanaparigraham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Due to anxieties and long separation, they all cried out of affection. King Yudhiṣṭhira then arranged to offer sitting accommodations and a reception.
तं भुक्तवन्तं विश्रान्तमासीनं सुखमासने । प्रश्रयावनतो राजा प्राह तेषां च शृण्वताम्
taṃ bhuktavantaṃ viśrāntamāsīnaṃ sukhamāsane | praśrayāvanato rājā prāha teṣāṃ ca śṛṇvatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Vidura ate sumptuously and took sufficient rest, he was comfortably seated. Then the King began to speak to him, and all who were present there listened.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच । अपि स्मरथ नो युष्मत्पक्षच्छायासमेधितान् । विपद्गणाद्विषाग्न्यादेर्मोचिता यत्समातृकाः
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | api smaratha no yuṣmatpakṣacchāyāsamedhitān | vipadgaṇādviṣāgnyādermocitā yatsamātṛkāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira said: My uncle, do you remember how you always protected us, along with our mother, from all sorts of calamities? Your partiality, like the wings of a bird, saved us from poisoning and arson.
कया वृत्त्या वर्तितं वश्चरद्भिः क्षितिमण्डलम् । तीर्थानि क्षेत्रमुख्यानि सेवितानीह भूतले
kayā vṛttyā vartitaṃ vaścaradbhiḥ kṣitimaṇḍalam | tīrthāni kṣetramukhyāni sevitānīha bhūtale
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While traveling on the surface of the earth, how did you maintain your livelihood? At which holy places and pilgrimage sites did you render service?
भवद्विधा भागवतास्तीर्थभूताः स्वयं विभो । तीर्थीकुर्वन्ति तीर्थानि स्वान्तःस्थेन गदाभृता
bhavadvidhā bhāgavatāstīrthabhūtāḥ svayaṃ vibho | tīrthīkurvanti tīrthāni svāntaḥsthena gadābhṛtā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My lord, devotees like your good self are verily holy places personified. Because you carry the Personality of Godhead within your heart, you turn all places into places of pilgrimage.
अपि नः सुहृदस्तात बान्धवाः कृष्णदेवताः । दृष्टाः श्रुता वा यदवः स्वपुर्यां सुखमासते
api naḥ suhṛdastāta bāndhavāḥ kṛṣṇadevatāḥ | dṛṣṭāḥ śrutā vā yadavaḥ svapuryāṃ sukhamāsate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My uncle, you must have visited Dvārakā. In that holy place are our friends and well-wishers, the descendants of Yadu, who are always rapt in the service of the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. You might have seen them or heard about them. Are they all living happily in their abodes?
इत्युक्तो धर्मराजेन सर्वं तत्समवर्णयत् । यथानुभूतं क्रमशो विना यदुकुलक्षयम्
ityukto dharmarājena sarvaṃ tatsamavarṇayat | yathānubhūtaṃ kramaśo vinā yadukulakṣayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus being questioned by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, Mahātmā Vidura gradually described everything he had personally experienced, except news of the annihilation of the Yadu dynasty.
नन्वप्रियं दुर्विषहं नृणां स्वयमुपस्थितम् । नावेदयत्सकरुणो दुःखितान् द्रष्टुमक्षमः
nanvapriyaṃ durviṣahaṃ nṛṇāṃ svayamupasthitam | nāvedayatsakaruṇo duḥkhitān draṣṭumakṣamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Compassionate Mahātmā Vidura could not stand to see the Pāṇḍavas distressed at any time. Therefore he did not disclose this unpalatable and unbearable incident because calamities come of their own accord.
कञ्चित्कालमथावात्सीत्सत्कृतो देववत्सुखम् । भ्रातुर्ज्येष्ठस्य श्रेयस्कृत्सर्वेषां प्रीतिमावहन्
kañcitkālamathāvātsītsatkṛto devavatsukham | bhrāturjyeṣṭhasya śreyaskṛtsarveṣāṃ prītimāvahan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus Mahātmā Vidura, being treated just like a godly person by his kinsmen, remained there for a certain period just to rectify the mentality of his eldest brother and in this way bring happiness to all the others.
अबिभ्रदर्यमा दण्डं यथावदघकारिषु । यावद्दधार शूद्रत्वं शापाद्वर्षशतं यमः
abibhradaryamā daṇḍaṃ yathāvadaghakāriṣu | yāvaddadhāra śūdratvaṃ śāpādvarṣaśataṃ yamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As long as Vidura played the part of a śūdra, being cursed by Maṇḍūka Muni, Aryamā officiated at the post of Yamarāja to punish those who committed sinful acts.
युधिष्ठिरो लब्धराज्यो दृष्ट्वा पौत्रं कुलन्धरम् । भ्रातृभिर्लोकपालाभैर्मुमुदे परया श्रिया
yudhiṣṭhiro labdharājyo dṛṣṭvā pautraṃ kulandharam | bhrātṛbhirlokapālābhairmumude parayā śriyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having won his kingdom and observed the birth of one grandson competent to continue the noble tradition of his family, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira reigned peacefully and enjoyed uncommon opulence in cooperation with his younger brothers, who were all expert administrators to the common people.
एवं गृहेषु सक्तानां प्रमत्तानां तदीहया । अत्यक्रामदविज्ञातः कालः परमदुस्तरः
evaṃ gṛheṣu saktānāṃ pramattānāṃ tadīhayā | atyakrāmadavijñātaḥ kālaḥ paramadustaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Insurmountable eternal time imperceptibly overcomes those who are too much attached to family affairs and are always engrossed in their thought.
विदुरस्तदभिप्रेत्य धृतराष्ट्रमभाषत । राजन् निर्गम्यतां शीघ्रं पश्येदं भयमागतम्
vidurastadabhipretya dhṛtarāṣṭramabhāṣata | rājan nirgamyatāṃ śīghraṃ paśyedaṃ bhayamāgatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahātmā Vidura knew all this, and therefore he addressed Dhṛtarāṣṭra, saying: My dear King, please get out of here immediately. Do not delay. Just see how fear has overtaken you.
प्रतिक्रिया न यस्येह कुतश्चित्कर्हिचित्प्रभो । स एव भगवान् कालः सर्वेषां नः समागतः
pratikriyā na yasyeha kutaścitkarhicitprabho | sa eva bhagavān kālaḥ sarveṣāṃ naḥ samāgataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This frightful situation cannot be remedied by any person in this material world. My lord, it is the Supreme Personality of Godhead as eternal time [kāla] that has approached us all.
येन चैवाभिपन्नोऽयं प्राणैः प्रियतमैरपि । जनः सद्यो वियुज्येत किमुतान्यैर्धनादिभिः
yena caivābhipanno'yaṃ prāṇaiḥ priyatamairapi | janaḥ sadyo viyujyeta kimutānyairdhanādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whoever is under the influence of supreme kāla [eternal time] must surrender his most dear life, and what to speak of other things, such as wealth, honor, children, land and home.
पितृभ्रातृसुहृत्पुत्रा हतास्ते विगतं वयः । आत्मा च जरया ग्रस्तः परगेहमुपाससे
pitṛbhrātṛsuhṛtputrā hatāste vigataṃ vayaḥ | ātmā ca jarayā grastaḥ paragehamupāsase
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your father, brother, well-wishers and sons are all dead and passed away. You yourself have expended the major portion of your life, your body is now overtaken by invalidity, and you are living in the home of another.
(अन्धः पुरैव बधिरो मन्दप्रज्ञश्च साम्प्रतम् । विशीर्णदन्तो मन्दाग्निः सरागः कफमुद्वहन् ॥) अहो महीयसी जन्तोर्जीविताशा यथा भवान् । भीमापवर्जितं पिण्डमादत्ते गृहपालवत्
(andhaḥ puraiva badhiro mandaprajñaśca sāmpratam | viśīrṇadanto mandāgniḥ sarāgaḥ kaphamudvahan ||) aho mahīyasī jantorjīvitāśā yathā bhavān | bhīmāpavarjitaṃ piṇḍamādatte gṛhapālavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You have been blind from your very birth, and recently you have become hard of hearing. Your memory is shortened, and your intelligence is disturbed. Your teeth are loose, your liver is defective, and you are coughing up mucus.
अग्निर्निसृष्टो दत्तश्च गरो दाराश्च दूषिताः । हृतं क्षेत्रं धनं येषां तद्दत्तैरसुभिः कियत्
agnirnisṛṣṭo dattaśca garo dārāśca dūṣitāḥ | hṛtaṃ kṣetraṃ dhanaṃ yeṣāṃ taddattairasubhiḥ kiyat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Alas, how powerful are the hopes of a living being to continue his life. Verily, you are living just like a household dog and are eating remnants of food given by Bhīma.
तस्यापि तव देहोऽयं कृपणस्य जिजीविषोः । परैत्यनिच्छतो जीर्णो जरया वाससी इव
tasyāpi tava deho'yaṃ kṛpaṇasya jijīviṣoḥ | paraityanicchato jīrṇo jarayā vāsasī iva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There is no need to live a degraded life and subsist on the charity of those whom you tried to kill by arson and poisoning. You also insulted their married wife and usurped their kingdom and wealth.
गतस्वार्थमिमं देहं विरक्तो मुक्तबन्धनः । अविज्ञातगतिर्जह्यात्स वै धीर उदाहृतः
gatasvārthamimaṃ dehaṃ virakto muktabandhanaḥ | avijñātagatirjahyātsa vai dhīra udāhṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Despite your unwillingness to die and your desire to live even at the cost of honor and prestige, your miserly body will certainly dwindle and deteriorate like an old garment.
यः स्वकात्परतो वेह जातनिर्वेद आत्मवान् । हृदि कृत्वा हरिं गेहात्प्रव्रजेत्स नरोत्तमः
yaḥ svakātparato veha jātanirveda ātmavān | hṛdi kṛtvā hariṃ gehātpravrajetsa narottamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He is called undisturbed who goes to an unknown, remote place and, freed from all obligations, quits his material body when it has become useless.
अथोदीचीं दिशं यातु स्वैरज्ञातगतिर्भवान् । इतोऽर्वाक् प्रायशः कालः पुंसां गुणविकर्षणः
athodīcīṃ diśaṃ yātu svairajñātagatirbhavān | ito'rvāk prāyaśaḥ kālaḥ puṃsāṃ guṇavikarṣaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He is certainly a first-class man who awakens and understands, either by himself or from others, the falsity and misery of this material world and thus leaves home and depends fully on the Personality of Godhead residing within his heart.
एवं राजा विदुरेणानुजेन प्रज्ञाचक्षुर्बोधित आजमीढः । छित्त्वा स्वेषु स्नेहपाशान् द्रढिम्नो निश्चक्राम भ्रातृसन्दर्शिताध्वा
evaṃ rājā vidureṇānujena prajñācakṣurbodhita ājamīḍhaḥ | chittvā sveṣu snehapāśān draḍhimno niścakrāma bhrātṛsandarśitādhvā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please, therefore, leave for the North immediately, without letting your relatives know, for soon that time will approach which will diminish the good qualities of men.
पतिं प्रयान्तं सुबलस्य पुत्री पतिव्रता चानुजगाम साध्वी । हिमालयं न्यस्तदण्डप्रहर्षं मनस्विनामिव सत्सम्प्रहारः
patiṃ prayāntaṃ subalasya putrī pativratā cānujagāma sādhvī | himālayaṃ nyastadaṇḍapraharṣaṃ manasvināmiva satsamprahāraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus Mahārāja Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the scion of the family of Ajamīḍha, firmly convinced by introspective knowledge [prajñā], broke at once the strong network of familial affection by his resolute determination. Thus he immediately left home to set out on the path of liberation, as directed by his younger brother Vidura.
अजातशत्रुः कृतमैत्रो हुताग्नि- र्विप्रान्नत्वा तिलगोभूमिरुक्मैः । गृहं प्रविष्टो गुरुवन्दनाय न चापश्यत्पितरौ सौबलीं च
ajātaśatruḥ kṛtamaitro hutāgni- rviprānnatvā tilagobhūmirukmaiḥ | gṛhaṃ praviṣṭo guruvandanāya na cāpaśyatpitarau saubalīṃ ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gentle and chaste Gāndhārī, who was the daughter of King Subala of Kandahar [or Gāndhāra], followed her husband, seeing that he was going to the Himālaya Mountains, which are the delight of those who have accepted the staff of the renounced order like fighters who have accepted a good lashing from the enemy.
तत्र सञ्जयमासीनं पप्रच्छोद्विग्नमानसः । गावल्गणे क्व नस्तातो वृद्धो हीनश्च नेत्रयोः
tatra sañjayamāsīnaṃ papracchodvignamānasaḥ | gāvalgaṇe kva nastāto vṛddho hīnaśca netrayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, whose enemy was never born, performed his daily morning duties by praying, offering fire sacrifice to the sun-god, and offering obeisances, grains, cows, land and gold to the brāhmaṇas. He then entered the palace to pay respects to the elderly. However, he could not find his uncles or aunt, the daughter of King Subala.
अम्बा च हतपुत्राऽऽर्ता पितृव्यः क्व गतः सुहृत् । अपि मय्यकृतप्रज्ञे हतबन्धुः स भार्यया । आशंसमानः शमलं गङ्गायां दुःखितोऽपतत्
ambā ca hataputrā''rtā pitṛvyaḥ kva gataḥ suhṛt | api mayyakṛtaprajñe hatabandhuḥ sa bhāryayā | āśaṃsamānaḥ śamalaṃ gaṅgāyāṃ duḥkhito'patat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, full of anxiety, turned to Sañjaya, who was sitting there, and said: O Sañjaya, where is our uncle, who is old and blind?
पितर्युपरते पाण्डौ सर्वान् नः सुहृदः शिशून् । अरक्षतां व्यसनतः पितृव्यौ क्व गतावितः
pitaryuparate pāṇḍau sarvān naḥ suhṛdaḥ śiśūn | arakṣatāṃ vyasanataḥ pitṛvyau kva gatāvitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Where is my well-wisher, uncle Vidura, and mother Gāndhārī, who is very afflicted due to all her sons’ demise? My uncle Dhṛtarāṣṭra was also very mortified due to the death of all his sons and grandsons. Undoubtedly I am very ungrateful. Did he, therefore, take my offenses very seriously and, along with his wife, drown himself in the Ganges?
सूत उवाच । कृपया स्नेहवैक्लव्यात्सूतो विरहकर्शितः । आत्मेश्वरमचक्षाणो न प्रत्याहातिपीडितः
sūta uvāca | kṛpayā snehavaiklavyātsūto virahakarśitaḥ | ātmeśvaramacakṣāṇo na pratyāhātipīḍitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When my father, Pāṇḍu, fell down and we were all small children, these two uncles gave us protection from all kinds of calamities. They were always our good well-wishers. Alas, where have they gone from here?
विमृज्याश्रूणि पाणिभ्यां विष्टभ्यात्मानमात्मना । अजातशत्रुं प्रत्यूचे प्रभोः पादावनुस्मरन्
vimṛjyāśrūṇi pāṇibhyāṃ viṣṭabhyātmānamātmanā | ajātaśatruṃ pratyūce prabhoḥ pādāvanusmaran
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Because of compassion and mental agitation, Sañjaya, not having seen his own master, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, was aggrieved and could not properly reply to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira.
सञ्जय उवाच । नाहं वेद व्यवसितं पित्रोर्वः कुलनन्दन । गान्धार्या वा महाबाहो मुषितोऽस्मि महात्मभिः
sañjaya uvāca | nāhaṃ veda vyavasitaṃ pitrorvaḥ kulanandana | gāndhāryā vā mahābāho muṣito'smi mahātmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
First he slowly pacified his mind by intelligence, and wiping away his tears and thinking of the feet of his master, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, he began to reply to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira.
अथाजगाम भगवान् नारदः सह तुम्बुरुः । प्रत्युत्थायाभिवाद्याह सानुजोऽभ्यर्चयन्निव
athājagāma bhagavān nāradaḥ saha tumburuḥ | pratyutthāyābhivādyāha sānujo'bhyarcayanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sañjaya said: My dear descendant of the Kuru dynasty, I have no information of the determination of your two uncles and Gāndhārī. O King, I have been cheated by those great souls.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच । नाहं वेद गतिं पित्रोर्भगवन् क्व गतावितः । अम्बा वा हतपुत्राऽऽर्ता क्व गता च तपस्विनी
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | nāhaṃ veda gatiṃ pitrorbhagavan kva gatāvitaḥ | ambā vā hataputrā''rtā kva gatā ca tapasvinī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Sañjaya was thus speaking, Śrī Nārada, the powerful devotee of the Lord, appeared on the scene carrying his tumburu. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira and his brothers received him properly by getting up from their seats and offering obeisances.
कर्णधार इवापारे भगवान् पारदर्शकः । अथाबभाषे भगवान्नारदो मुनिसत्तमः
karṇadhāra ivāpāre bhagavān pāradarśakaḥ | athābabhāṣe bhagavānnārado munisattamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira said: O godly personality, I do not know where my two uncles have gone. Nor can I find my ascetic aunt who is griefstricken by the loss of all her sons.
मा कञ्चन शुचो राजन् यदीश्वरवशं जगत् । लोकाः सपाला यस्येमे वहन्ति बलिमीशितुः । स संयुनक्ति भूतानि स एव वियुनक्ति च
mā kañcana śuco rājan yadīśvaravaśaṃ jagat | lokāḥ sapālā yasyeme vahanti balimīśituḥ | sa saṃyunakti bhūtāni sa eva viyunakti ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are like a captain of a ship in a great ocean and you can direct us to our destination. Thus addressed, the godly personality, Devarṣi Nārada, greatest of the philosopher devotees, began to speak.
यथा गावो नसि प्रोतास्तन्त्यां बद्धाश्च दामभिः । वाक्तन्त्यां नामभिर्बद्धा वहन्ति बलिमीशितुः
yathā gāvo nasi protāstantyāṃ baddhāśca dāmabhiḥ | vāktantyāṃ nāmabhirbaddhā vahanti balimīśituḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Nārada said: O pious King, do not lament for anyone, for everyone is under the control of the Supreme Lord. Therefore all living beings and their leaders carry on worship to be well protected. It is He only who brings them together and disperses them.
यथा क्रीडोपस्कराणां संयोगविगमाविह । इच्छया क्रीडितुः स्यातां तथैवेशेच्छया नृणाम्
yathā krīḍopaskarāṇāṃ saṃyogavigamāviha | icchayā krīḍituḥ syātāṃ tathaiveśecchayā nṛṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a cow, bound through the nose by a long rope, is conditioned, so also human beings are bound by different Vedic injunctions and are conditioned to obey the orders of the Supreme.
यन्मन्यसे ध्रुवं लोकमध्रुवं वा न चोभयम् । सर्वथा न हि शोच्यास्ते स्नेहादन्यत्र मोहजात्
yanmanyase dhruvaṃ lokamadhruvaṃ vā na cobhayam | sarvathā na hi śocyāste snehādanyatra mohajāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a player sets up and disperses his playthings according to his own sweet will, so the supreme will of the Lord brings men together and separates them.
तस्माज्जह्यङ्ग वैक्लव्यमज्ञानकृतमात्मनः । कथं त्वनाथाः कृपणा वर्तेरंस्ते च मां विना
tasmājjahyaṅga vaiklavyamajñānakṛtamātmanaḥ | kathaṃ tvanāthāḥ kṛpaṇā varteraṃste ca māṃ vinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, in all circumstances, whether you consider the soul to be an eternal principle, or the material body to be perishable, or everything to exist in the impersonal Absolute Truth, or everything to be an inexplicable combination of matter and spirit, feelings of separation are due only to illusory affection and nothing more.
कालकर्मगुणाधीनो देहोऽयं पाञ्चभौतिकः । कथमन्यांस्तु गोपायेत्सर्पग्रस्तो यथा परम्
kālakarmaguṇādhīno deho'yaṃ pāñcabhautikaḥ | kathamanyāṃstu gopāyetsarpagrasto yathā param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore give up your anxiety due to ignorance of the self. You are now thinking of how they, who are helpless poor creatures, will exist without you.
अहस्तानि सहस्तानामपदानि चतुष्पदाम् । फल्गूनि तत्र महतां जीवो जीवस्य जीवनम्
ahastāni sahastānāmapadāni catuṣpadām | phalgūni tatra mahatāṃ jīvo jīvasya jīvanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This gross material body made of five elements is already under the control of eternal time [kāla], action [karma] and the modes of material nature [guṇa]. How then can it, being already in the jaws of the serpent, protect others?
तदिदं भगवान् राजन्नेक आत्माऽऽत्मनां स्वदृक् । अन्तरोऽनन्तरो भाति पश्य तं माययोरुधा
tadidaṃ bhagavān rājanneka ātmā''tmanāṃ svadṛk | antaro'nantaro bhāti paśya taṃ māyayorudhā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who are devoid of hands are prey for those who have hands; those devoid of legs are prey for the four-legged. The weak are the subsistence of the strong, and the general rule holds that one living being is food for another.
सोऽयमद्य महाराज भगवान् भूतभावनः । कालरूपोऽवतीर्णोऽस्यामभावाय सुरद्विषाम्
so'yamadya mahārāja bhagavān bhūtabhāvanaḥ | kālarūpo'vatīrṇo'syāmabhāvāya suradviṣām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O King, you should look to the Supreme Lord only, who is one without a second and who manifests Himself by different energies and is both within and without.
निष्पादितं देवकृत्यमवशेषं प्रतीक्षते । तावद्यूयमवेक्षध्वं भवेद्यावदिहेश्वरः
niṣpāditaṃ devakṛtyamavaśeṣaṃ pratīkṣate | tāvadyūyamavekṣadhvaṃ bhavedyāvadiheśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, in the guise of all-devouring time [kāla-rūpa] has now descended to the earth to eliminate the envious from the world.
धृतराष्ट्रः सह भ्रात्रा गान्धार्या च स्वभार्यया । दक्षिणेन हिमवत ऋषीणामाश्रमं गतः
dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ saha bhrātrā gāndhāryā ca svabhāryayā | dakṣiṇena himavata ṛṣīṇāmāśramaṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord has already performed His duties to help the demigods, and He is awaiting the rest. You Pāṇḍavas may wait as long as the Lord is here on earth.
स्रोतोभिः सप्तभिर्या वै स्वर्धुनी सप्तधा व्यधात् । सप्तानां प्रीतये नाना सप्तस्रोतः प्रचक्षते
srotobhiḥ saptabhiryā vai svardhunī saptadhā vyadhāt | saptānāṃ prītaye nānā saptasrotaḥ pracakṣate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, your uncle Dhṛtarāṣṭra, his brother Vidura and his wife Gāndhārī have gone to the southern side of the Himālaya Mountains, where there are shelters of the great sages.
स्नात्वानुसवनं तस्मिन् हुत्वा चाग्नीन् यथाविधि । अब्भक्ष उपशान्तात्मा स आस्ते विगतैषणः
snātvānusavanaṃ tasmin hutvā cāgnīn yathāvidhi | abbhakṣa upaśāntātmā sa āste vigataiṣaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The place is called Saptasrota [“divided by seven”] because there the waters of the sacred Ganges were divided into seven branches. This was done for the satisfaction of the seven great ṛṣis.
जितासनो जितश्वासः प्रत्याहृतषडिन्द्रियः । हरिभावनया ध्वस्तरजःसत्त्वतमोमलः
jitāsano jitaśvāsaḥ pratyāhṛtaṣaḍindriyaḥ | haribhāvanayā dhvastarajaḥsattvatamomalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the banks at Saptasrota, Dhṛtarāṣṭra is now engaged in beginning aṣṭāṅga-yoga by bathing three times daily, in the morning, noon and evening, by performing the Agni-hotra sacrifice with fire and by drinking only water. This helps one control the mind and the senses and frees one completely from thoughts of familial affection.
विज्ञानात्मनि संयोज्य क्षेत्रज्ञे प्रविलाप्य तम् । ब्रह्मण्यात्मानमाधारे घटाम्बरमिवाम्बरे
vijñānātmani saṃyojya kṣetrajñe pravilāpya tam | brahmaṇyātmānamādhāre ghaṭāmbaramivāmbare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who has controlled the sitting postures [the yogic āsanas] and the breathing process can turn the senses toward the Absolute Personality of Godhead and thus become immune to the contaminations of the modes of material nature, namely mundane goodness, passion and ignorance.
ध्वस्तमायागुणोदर्को निरुद्धकरणाशयः । निवर्तिताखिलाहार आस्ते स्थाणुरिवाचलः । तस्यान्तरायो मैवाभूः संन्यस्ताखिलकर्मणः
dhvastamāyāguṇodarko niruddhakaraṇāśayaḥ | nivartitākhilāhāra āste sthāṇurivācalaḥ | tasyāntarāyo maivābhūḥ saṃnyastākhilakarmaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhṛtarāṣṭra will have to amalgamate his pure identity with intelligence and then merge into the Supreme Being with knowledge of his qualitative oneness, as a living entity, with the Supreme Brahman. Being freed from the blocked sky, he will have to rise to the spiritual sky.
स वा अद्यतनाद्राजन् परतः पञ्चमेऽहनि । कलेवरं हास्यति स्वं तच्च भस्मीभविष्यति
sa vā adyatanādrājan parataḥ pañcame'hani | kalevaraṃ hāsyati svaṃ tacca bhasmībhaviṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He will have to suspend all the actions of the senses, even from the outside, and will have to be impervious to interactions of the senses, which are influenced by the modes of material nature. After renouncing all material duties, he must become immovably established, beyond all sources of hindrances on the path.
दह्यमानेऽग्निभिर्देहे पत्युः पत्नी सहोटजे । बहिः स्थिता पतिं साध्वी तमग्निमनुवेक्ष्यति
dahyamāne'gnibhirdehe patyuḥ patnī sahoṭaje | bahiḥ sthitā patiṃ sādhvī tamagnimanuvekṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, he will quit his body, most probably on the fifth day from today. And his body will turn to ashes.
विदुरस्तु तदाश्चर्यं निशाम्य कुरुनन्दन । हर्षशोकयुतस्तस्माद्गन्ता तीर्थनिषेवकः
vidurastu tadāścaryaṃ niśāmya kurunandana | harṣaśokayutastasmādgantā tīrthaniṣevakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While outside observing her husband, who will burn in the fire of mystic power along with his thatched cottage, his chaste wife will enter the fire with rapt attention.
इत्युक्त्वाथारुहत्स्वर्गं नारदः सहतुम्बुरुः । युधिष्ठिरो वचस्तस्य हृदि कृत्वाजहाच्छुचः
ityuktvāthāruhatsvargaṃ nāradaḥ sahatumburuḥ | yudhiṣṭhiro vacastasya hṛdi kṛtvājahācchucaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vidura, being affected with delight and grief, will then leave that place of sacred pilgrimage.
SB 1.13.60
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having spoken thus, the great sage Nārada, along with his vīṇā, ascended into outer space. Yudhiṣṭhira kept his instruction in his heart and so was able to get rid of all lamentations.
सूत उवाच । सम्प्रस्थिते द्वारकायां जिष्णौ बन्धुदिदृक्षया । ज्ञातुं च पुण्यश्लोकस्य कृष्णस्य च विचेष्टितम्
sūta uvāca | samprasthite dvārakāyāṃ jiṣṇau bandhudidṛkṣayā | jñātuṃ ca puṇyaślokasya kṛṣṇasya ca viceṣṭitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: Arjuna went to Dvārakā to see Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and other friends and also to learn from the Lord of His next activities.
व्यतीताः कतिचिन्मासास्तदा नायात्ततोऽर्जुनः । ददर्श घोररूपाणि निमित्तानि कुरूद्वहः
vyatītāḥ katicinmāsāstadā nāyāttato'rjunaḥ | dadarśa ghorarūpāṇi nimittāni kurūdvahaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A few months passed, and Arjuna did not return. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira then began to observe some inauspicious omens, which were fearful in themselves.
कालस्य च गतिं रौद्रां विपर्यस्तर्तुधर्मिणः । पापीयसीं नृणां वार्तां क्रोधलोभानृतात्मनाम्
kālasya ca gatiṃ raudrāṃ viparyastartudharmiṇaḥ | pāpīyasīṃ nṛṇāṃ vārtāṃ krodhalobhānṛtātmanām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He saw that the direction of eternal time had changed, and this was very fearful. There were disruptions in the seasonal regularities. The people in general had become very greedy, angry and deceitful. And he saw that they were adopting foul means of livelihood.
जिह्मप्रायं व्यवहृतं शाठ्यमिश्रं च सौहृदम् । पितृमातृसुहृद्भ्रातृदम्पतीनां च कल्कनम्
jihmaprāyaṃ vyavahṛtaṃ śāṭhyamiśraṃ ca sauhṛdam | pitṛmātṛsuhṛdbhrātṛdampatīnāṃ ca kalkanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All ordinary transactions and dealings became polluted with cheating, even between friends. And in familial affairs, there was always misunderstanding between fathers, mothers and sons, between well-wishers, and between brothers. Even between husband and wife there was always strain and quarrel.
निमित्तान्यत्यरिष्टानि काले त्वनुगते नृणाम् । लोभाद्यधर्मप्रकृतिं दृष्ट्वोवाचानुजं नृपः
nimittānyatyariṣṭāni kāle tvanugate nṛṇām | lobhādyadharmaprakṛtiṃ dṛṣṭvovācānujaṃ nṛpaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In course of time it came to pass that people in general became accustomed to greed, anger, pride, etc. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, observing all these omens, spoke to his younger brother.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच । सम्प्रेषितो द्वारकायां जिष्णुर्बन्धुदिदृक्षया । ज्ञातुं च पुण्यश्लोकस्य कृष्णस्य च विचेष्टितम्
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | sampreṣito dvārakāyāṃ jiṣṇurbandhudidṛkṣayā | jñātuṃ ca puṇyaślokasya kṛṣṇasya ca viceṣṭitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira said to his younger brother Bhīmasena: I sent Arjuna to Dvārakā to meet his friends and to learn from the Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, of His program of work.
गताः सप्ताधुना मासा भीमसेन तवानुजः । नायाति कस्य वा हेतोर्नाहं वेदेदमञ्जसा
gatāḥ saptādhunā māsā bhīmasena tavānujaḥ | nāyāti kasya vā hetornāhaṃ vededamañjasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since he departed, seven months have passed, yet he has not returned. I do not know factually how things are going there.
अपि देवर्षिणाऽऽदिष्टः स कालोऽयमुपस्थितः । यदाऽऽत्मनोऽङ्गमाक्रीडं भगवानुत्सिसृक्षति
api devarṣiṇā''diṣṭaḥ sa kālo'yamupasthitaḥ | yadā''tmano'ṅgamākrīḍaṃ bhagavānutsisṛkṣati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Is He going to quit His earthly pastimes, as Devarṣi Nārada indicated? Has that time already arrived?
यस्मान्नः सम्पदो राज्यं दाराः प्राणाः कुलं प्रजाः । आसन् सपत्नविजयो लोकाश्च यदनुग्रहात्
yasmānnaḥ sampado rājyaṃ dārāḥ prāṇāḥ kulaṃ prajāḥ | āsan sapatnavijayo lokāśca yadanugrahāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From Him only, all our kingly opulence, good wives, lives, progeny, control over our subjects, victory over our enemies, and future accommodations in higher planets have become possible. All this is due to His causeless mercy upon us.
पश्योत्पातान् नरव्याघ्र दिव्यान् भौमान् सदैहिकान् । दारुणान् शंसतोऽदूराद्भयं नो बुद्धिमोहनम्
paśyotpātān naravyāghra divyān bhaumān sadaihikān | dāruṇān śaṃsato'dūrādbhayaṃ no buddhimohanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just see, O man with a tiger’s strength, how many miseries due to celestial influences, earthly reactions and bodily pains — all very dangerous in themselves — are foreboding danger in the near future by deluding our intelligence.
ऊर्वक्षिबाहवो मह्यं स्फुरन्त्यङ्ग पुनः पुनः । वेपथुश्चापि हृदये आराद्दास्यन्ति विप्रियम्
ūrvakṣibāhavo mahyaṃ sphurantyaṅga punaḥ punaḥ | vepathuścāpi hṛdaye ārāddāsyanti vipriyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The left side of my body — my thighs, arms and eyes — are all quivering again and again. I am having heart palpitations due to fear. All this indicates undesirable happenings.
शिवैषोद्यन्तमादित्यमभिरौत्यनलानना । मामङ्ग सारमेयोऽयमभिरेभत्यभीरुवत्
śivaiṣodyantamādityamabhirautyanalānanā | māmaṅga sārameyo'yamabhirebhatyabhīruvat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just see, O Bhīma, how the she-jackal cries at the rising sun and vomits fire, and how the dog barks at me fearlessly.
शस्ताः कुर्वन्ति मां सव्यं दक्षिणं पशवोऽपरे । वाहांश्च पुरुषव्याघ्र लक्षये रुदतो मम
śastāḥ kurvanti māṃ savyaṃ dakṣiṇaṃ paśavo'pare | vāhāṃśca puruṣavyāghra lakṣaye rudato mama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Bhīmasena, tiger amongst men, now useful animals like cows are passing me on my left side, and lower animals like the asses are circumambulating me. My horses appear to weep upon seeing me.
मृत्युदूतः कपोतोऽयमुलूकः कम्पयन् मनः । प्रत्युलूकश्च कुह्वानैरनिद्रौ शून्यमिच्छतः
mṛtyudūtaḥ kapoto'yamulūkaḥ kampayan manaḥ | pratyulūkaśca kuhvānairanidrau śūnyamicchataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just see! This pigeon is like a messenger of death. The shrieks of the owls and their rival crows make my heart tremble. It appears that they want to make a void of the whole universe.
धूम्रा दिशः परिधयः कम्पते भूः सहाद्रिभिः । निर्घातश्च महांस्तात साकं च स्तनयित्नुभिः
dhūmrā diśaḥ paridhayaḥ kampate bhūḥ sahādribhiḥ | nirghātaśca mahāṃstāta sākaṃ ca stanayitnubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just see how the smoke encircles the sky. It appears that the earth and mountains are throbbing. Just hear the cloudless thunder and see the bolts from the blue.
वायुर्वाति खरस्पर्शो रजसा विसृजंस्तमः । असृग्वर्षन्ति जलदा बीभत्समिव सर्वतः
vāyurvāti kharasparśo rajasā visṛjaṃstamaḥ | asṛgvarṣanti jaladā bībhatsamiva sarvataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wind blows violently, blasting dust everywhere and creating darkness. Clouds are raining everywhere with bloody disasters.
सूर्यं हतप्रभं पश्य ग्रहमर्दं मिथो दिवि । ससङ्कुलैर्भूतगणैर्ज्वलिते इव रोदसी
sūryaṃ hataprabhaṃ paśya grahamardaṃ mitho divi | sasaṅkulairbhūtagaṇairjvalite iva rodasī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The rays of the sun are declining, and the stars appear to be fighting amongst themselves. Confused living entities appear to be ablaze and weeping.
नद्यो नदाश्च क्षुभिताः सरांसि च मनांसि च । न ज्वलत्यग्निराज्येन कालोऽयं किं विधास्यति
nadyo nadāśca kṣubhitāḥ sarāṃsi ca manāṃsi ca | na jvalatyagnirājyena kālo'yaṃ kiṃ vidhāsyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Rivers, tributaries, ponds, reservoirs and the mind are all perturbed. Butter no longer ignites fire. What is this extraordinary time? What is going to happen?
न पिबन्ति स्तनं वत्सा न दुह्यन्ति च मातरः । रुदन्त्यश्रुमुखा गावो न हृष्यन्त्यृषभा व्रजे
na pibanti stanaṃ vatsā na duhyanti ca mātaraḥ | rudantyaśrumukhā gāvo na hṛṣyantyṛṣabhā vraje
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The calves do not suck the teats of the cows, nor do the cows give milk. They are standing, crying, tears in their eyes, and the bulls take no pleasure in the pasturing grounds.
दैवतानि रुदन्तीव स्विद्यन्ति ह्युच्चलन्ति च । इमे जनपदा ग्रामाः पुरोद्यानाकराश्रमाः । भ्रष्टश्रियो निरानन्दाः किमघं दर्शयन्ति नः
daivatāni rudantīva svidyanti hyuccalanti ca | ime janapadā grāmāḥ purodyānākarāśramāḥ | bhraṣṭaśriyo nirānandāḥ kimaghaṃ darśayanti naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Deities seem to be crying in the temple, lamenting and perspiring. They seem about to leave. All the cities, villages, towns, gardens, mines and hermitages are now devoid of beauty and bereft of all happiness. I do not know what sort of calamities are now awaiting us.
मन्य एतैर्महोत्पातैर्नूनं भगवतः पदैः । अनन्यपुरुषश्रीभिर्हीना भूर्हतसौभगा
manya etairmahotpātairnūnaṃ bhagavataḥ padaiḥ | ananyapuruṣaśrībhirhīnā bhūrhatasaubhagā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I think that all these earthly disturbances indicate some greater loss to the good fortune of the world. The world was fortunate to have been marked with the footprints of the lotus feet of the Lord. These signs indicate that this will no longer be.
इति चिन्तयतस्तस्य दृष्टारिष्टेन चेतसा । राज्ञः प्रत्यागमद्ब्रह्मन् यदुपुर्याः कपिध्वजः
iti cintayatastasya dṛṣṭāriṣṭena cetasā | rājñaḥ pratyāgamadbrahman yadupuryāḥ kapidhvajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Brāhmaṇa Śaunaka, while Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, observing the inauspicious signs on the earth at that time, was thus thinking to himself, Arjuna came back from the city of the Yadus [Dvārakā].
तं पादयोर्निपतितमयथापूर्वमातुरम् । अधोवदनमब्बिन्दून् सृजन्तं नयनाब्जयोः
taṃ pādayornipatitamayathāpūrvamāturam | adhovadanamabbindūn sṛjantaṃ nayanābjayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When he bowed at his feet, the King saw that his dejection was unprecedented. His head was down, and tears glided from his lotus eyes.
विलोक्योद्विग्नहृदयो विच्छायमनुजं नृपः । पृच्छति स्म सुहृन्मध्ये संस्मरन् नारदेरितम्
vilokyodvignahṛdayo vicchāyamanujaṃ nṛpaḥ | pṛcchati sma suhṛnmadhye saṃsmaran nāraderitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing Arjuna pale due to heartfelt anxieties, the King, remembering the indications of the sage Nārada, questioned him in the midst of friends.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच । कच्चिदानर्तपुर्यां नः स्वजनाः सुखमासते । मधुभोजदशार्हार्हसात्वतान्धकवृष्णयः
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | kaccidānartapuryāṃ naḥ svajanāḥ sukhamāsate | madhubhojadaśārhārhasātvatāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira said: My dear brother, please tell me whether our friends and relatives, such as Madhu, Bhoja, Daśārha, Ārha, Sātvata, Andhaka and the members of the Yadu family are all passing their days in happiness.
शूरो मातामहः कच्चित्स्वस्त्यास्ते वाथ मारिषः । मातुलः सानुजः कच्चित्कुशल्यानकदुन्दुभिः
śūro mātāmahaḥ kaccitsvastyāste vātha māriṣaḥ | mātulaḥ sānujaḥ kaccitkuśalyānakadundubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Is my respectable grandfather Śūrasena in a happy mood? And are my maternal uncle Vasudeva and his younger brothers all doing well?
सप्त स्वसारस्तत्पत्न्यो मातुलान्यः सहात्मजाः । आसते सस्नुषाः क्षेमं देवकीप्रमुखाः स्वयम्
sapta svasārastatpatnyo mātulānyaḥ sahātmajāḥ | āsate sasnuṣāḥ kṣemaṃ devakīpramukhāḥ svayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His seven wives, headed by Devakī, are all sisters. Are they and their sons and daughters-in-law all happy?
प्रद्युम्नः सर्ववृष्णीनां सुखमास्ते महारथः । गम्भीररयोऽनिरुद्धो वर्धते भगवानुत
pradyumnaḥ sarvavṛṣṇīnāṃ sukhamāste mahārathaḥ | gambhīrarayo'niruddho vardhate bhagavānuta
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How is Pradyumna, the great general of the Vṛṣṇi family? Is He happy? And is Aniruddha, the plenary expansion of the Personality of Godhead, faring well?
सुषेणश्चारुदेष्णश्च साम्बो जाम्बवतीसुतः । अन्ये च कार्ष्णिप्रवराः सपुत्रा ऋषभादयः
suṣeṇaścārudeṣṇaśca sāmbo jāmbavatīsutaḥ | anye ca kārṣṇipravarāḥ saputrā ṛṣabhādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Are all the chieftain sons of Lord Kṛṣṇa, such as Suṣeṇa, Cārudeṣṇa, Sāmba the son of Jāmbavatī, and Ṛṣabha, along with their sons, all doing well?
भगवानपि गोविन्दो ब्रह्मण्यो भक्तवत्सलः । कच्चित्पुरे सुधर्मायां सुखमास्ते सुहृद्वृतः
bhagavānapi govindo brahmaṇyo bhaktavatsalaḥ | kaccitpure sudharmāyāṃ sukhamāste suhṛdvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Is Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who gives pleasure to the cows, the senses and the brāhmaṇas, who is very affectionate towards His devotees, enjoying the pious assembly at Dvārakā Purī surrounded by friends?
यत्पादशुश्रूषणमुख्यकर्मणा सत्यादयो द्व्यष्टसहस्रयोषितः । निर्जित्य सङ्ख्ये त्रिदशांस्तदाशिषो हरन्ति वज्रायुधवल्लभोचिताः
yatpādaśuśrūṣaṇamukhyakarmaṇā satyādayo dvyaṣṭasahasrayoṣitaḥ | nirjitya saṅkhye tridaśāṃstadāśiṣo haranti vajrāyudhavallabhocitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Simply by administering comforts at the lotus feet of the Lord, which is the most important of all services, the queens at Dvārakā, headed by Satyabhāmā, induced the Lord to conquer the demigods. Thus the queens enjoy things which are prerogatives of the wives of the controller of thunderbolts.
यद्बाहुदण्डाभ्युदयानुजीविनो यदुप्रवीरा ह्यकुतोभया मुहुः । अधिक्रमन्त्यङ्घ्रिभिराहृतां बला- त्सभां सुधर्मां सुरसत्तमोचिताम्
yadbāhudaṇḍābhyudayānujīvino yadupravīrā hyakutobhayā muhuḥ | adhikramantyaṅghribhirāhṛtāṃ balā- tsabhāṃ sudharmāṃ surasattamocitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great heroes of the Yadu dynasty, being protected by the arms of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, always remain fearless in every respect. And therefore their feet trample over the Sudharmā assembly house, which the best demigods deserved but which was taken away from them.
कच्चित्तेऽनामयं तात भ्रष्टतेजा विभासि मे । अलब्धमानोऽवज्ञातः किं वा तात चिरोषितः
kaccitte'nāmayaṃ tāta bhraṣṭatejā vibhāsi me | alabdhamāno'vajñātaḥ kiṃ vā tāta ciroṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My brother Arjuna, please tell me whether your health is all right. You appear to have lost your bodily luster. Is this due to others disrespecting and neglecting you because of your long stay at Dvārakā?
कच्चिन्नाभिहतोऽभावैः शब्दादिभिरमङ्गलैः । न दत्तमुक्तमर्थिभ्य आशया यत्प्रतिश्रुतम्
kaccinnābhihato'bhāvaiḥ śabdādibhiramaṅgalaiḥ | na dattamuktamarthibhya āśayā yatpratiśrutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Has someone addressed you with unfriendly words or threatened you? Could you not give charity to one who asked, or could you not keep your promise to someone?
कच्चित्त्वं ब्राह्मणं बालं गां वृद्धं रोगिणं स्त्रियम् । शरणोपसृतं सत्त्वं नात्याक्षीः शरणप्रदः
kaccittvaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ bālaṃ gāṃ vṛddhaṃ rogiṇaṃ striyam | śaraṇopasṛtaṃ sattvaṃ nātyākṣīḥ śaraṇapradaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are always the protector of the deserving living beings, such as brāhmaṇas, children, cows, women and the diseased. Could you not give them protection when they approached you for shelter?
कच्चित्त्वं नागमोऽगम्यां गम्यां वाऽसत्कृतां स्त्रियम् । (वासत्कृतां) पराजितो वाथ भवान् नोत्तमैर्नासमैः पथि
kaccittvaṃ nāgamo'gamyāṃ gamyāṃ vā'satkṛtāṃ striyam | (vāsatkṛtāṃ) parājito vātha bhavān nottamairnāsamaiḥ pathi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Have you contacted a woman of impeachable character, or have you not properly treated a deserving woman? Or have you been defeated on the way by someone who is inferior or equal to you?
अपि स्वित्पर्यभुङ्क्थास्त्वं सम्भोज्यान् वृद्धबालकान् । जुगुप्सितं कर्म किञ्चित्कृतवान् न यदक्षमम्
api svitparyabhuṅkthāstvaṃ sambhojyān vṛddhabālakān | jugupsitaṃ karma kiñcitkṛtavān na yadakṣamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Have you not taken care of old men and boys who deserve to dine with you? Have you left them and taken your meals alone? Have you committed some unpardonable mistake which is considered to be abominable?
कच्चित्प्रेष्ठतमेनाथ हृदयेनात्मबन्धुना । शून्योऽस्मि रहितो नित्यं मन्यसे तेऽन्यथा न रुक्
kaccitpreṣṭhatamenātha hṛdayenātmabandhunā | śūnyo'smi rahito nityaṃ manyase te'nyathā na ruk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Or is it that you are feeling empty for all time because you might have lost your most intimate friend, Lord Kṛṣṇa? O my brother Arjuna, I can think of no other reason for your becoming so dejected.
सूत उवाच । एवं कृष्णसखः कृष्णो भ्रात्रा राज्ञा विकल्पितः । नानाशङ्कास्पदं रूपं कृष्णविश्लेषकर्शितः
sūta uvāca | evaṃ kṛṣṇasakhaḥ kṛṣṇo bhrātrā rājñā vikalpitaḥ | nānāśaṅkāspadaṃ rūpaṃ kṛṣṇaviśleṣakarśitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Arjuna, the celebrated friend of Lord Kṛṣṇa, was griefstricken because of his strong feeling of separation from Kṛṣṇa, over and above all Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira’s speculative inquiries.
शोकेन शुष्यद्वदनहृत्सरोजो हतप्रभः । विभुं तमेवानुध्यायन्नाशक्नोत्प्रतिभाषितुम्
śokena śuṣyadvadanahṛtsarojo hataprabhaḥ | vibhuṃ tamevānudhyāyannāśaknotpratibhāṣitum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Due to grief, Arjuna’s mouth and lotuslike heart had dried up. Therefore his body lost all luster. Now, remembering the Supreme Lord, he could hardly utter a word in reply.
कृच्छ्रेण संस्तभ्य शुचः पाणिनाऽऽमृज्य नेत्रयोः । परोक्षेण समुन्नद्धप्रणयौत्कण्ठ्यकातरः
kṛcchreṇa saṃstabhya śucaḥ pāṇinā''mṛjya netrayoḥ | parokṣeṇa samunnaddhapraṇayautkaṇṭhyakātaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With great difficulty he checked the tears of grief that smeared his eyes. He was very distressed because Lord Kṛṣṇa was out of his sight, and he increasingly felt affection for Him.
सख्यं मैत्रीं सौहृदं च सारथ्यादिषु संस्मरन् । नृपमग्रजमित्याह बाष्पगद्गदया गिरा
sakhyaṃ maitrīṃ sauhṛdaṃ ca sārathyādiṣu saṃsmaran | nṛpamagrajamityāha bāṣpagadgadayā girā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Remembering Lord Kṛṣṇa and His well wishes, benefactions, intimate familial relations and His chariot driving, Arjuna, overwhelmed and breathing very heavily, began to speak.
अर्जुन उवाच । वञ्चितोऽहं महाराज हरिणा बन्धुरूपिणा । येन मेऽपहृतं तेजो देवविस्मापनं महत्
arjuna uvāca | vañcito'haṃ mahārāja hariṇā bandhurūpiṇā | yena me'pahṛtaṃ tejo devavismāpanaṃ mahat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Arjuna said: O King! The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, who treated me exactly like an intimate friend, has left me alone. Thus my astounding power, which astonished even the demigods, is no longer with me.
यस्य क्षणवियोगेन लोको ह्यप्रियदर्शनः । उक्थेन रहितो ह्येष मृतकः प्रोच्यते यथा
yasya kṣaṇaviyogena loko hyapriyadarśanaḥ | ukthena rahito hyeṣa mṛtakaḥ procyate yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I have just lost Him whose separation for a moment would render all the universes unfavorable and void, like bodies without life.
यत्संश्रयाद्द्रुपदगेहमुपागतानां राज्ञां स्वयंवरमुखे स्मरदुर्मदानाम् । तेजो हृतं खलु मयाभिहतश्च मत्स्यः सज्जीकृतेन धनुषाधिगता च कृष्णा
yatsaṃśrayāddrupadagehamupāgatānāṃ rājñāṃ svayaṃvaramukhe smaradurmadānām | tejo hṛtaṃ khalu mayābhihataśca matsyaḥ sajjīkṛtena dhanuṣādhigatā ca kṛṣṇā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Only by His merciful strength was I able to vanquish all the lusty princes assembled at the palace of King Drupada for the selection of the bridegroom. With my bow and arrow I could pierce the fish target and thereby gain the hand of Draupadī.
यत्सन्निधावहमु खाण्डवमग्नयेऽदा- मिन्द्रं च सामरगणं तरसा विजित्य । लब्धा सभा मयकृताद्भुतशिल्पमाया दिग्भ्योऽहरन् नृपतयो बलिमध्वरे ते
yatsannidhāvahamu khāṇḍavamagnaye'dā- mindraṃ ca sāmaragaṇaṃ tarasā vijitya | labdhā sabhā mayakṛtādbhutaśilpamāyā digbhyo'haran nṛpatayo balimadhvare te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because He was near me, it was possible for me to conquer with great dexterity the powerful King of heaven, Indradeva, along with his demigod associates and thus enable the fire-god to devastate the Khāṇḍava Forest. And only by His grace was the demon named Maya saved from the blazing Khāṇḍava Forest, and thus we could build our assembly house of wonderful architectural workmanship, where all the princes assembled during the performance of Rājasūya-yajña and paid you tributes.
यत्तेजसा नृपशिरोऽङ्घ्रिमहन् मखार्थे आर्योऽनुजस्तव गजायुतसत्त्ववीर्यः । तेनाहृताः प्रमथनाथमखाय भूपा यन्मोचितास्तदनयन् बलिमध्वरे ते
yattejasā nṛpaśiro'ṅghrimahan makhārthe āryo'nujastava gajāyutasattvavīryaḥ | tenāhṛtāḥ pramathanāthamakhāya bhūpā yanmocitāstadanayan balimadhvare te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your respectable younger brother, who possesses the strength of ten thousand elephants, killed, by His grace, Jarāsandha, whose feet were worshiped by many kings. These kings had been brought for sacrifice in Jarāsandha’s Mahābhairava-yajña, but they were thus released. Later they paid tribute to Your Majesty.
पत्न्यास्तवाधिमखकॢप्तमहाभिषेक- श्लाघिष्ठचारुकबरं कितवैः सभायाम् । स्पृष्टं विकीर्य पदयोः पतिताश्रुमुख्या यस्तत्स्त्रियोऽकृतहतेशविमुक्तकेशाः
patnyāstavādhimakhakḷptamahābhiṣeka- ślāghiṣṭhacārukabaraṃ kitavaiḥ sabhāyām | spṛṣṭaṃ vikīrya padayoḥ patitāśrumukhyā yastatstriyo'kṛtahateśavimuktakeśāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was He only who loosened the hair of all the wives of the miscreants who dared open the cluster of your Queen’s hair, which had been nicely dressed and sanctified for the great Rājasūya sacrificial ceremony. At that time she fell down at the feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa with tears in her eyes.
यो नो जुगोप वनमेत्य दुरन्तकृच्छ्रा- द्दुर्वाससोऽरिरचितादयुताग्रभुग् यः । (द्दुर्वाससोऽरिविहिता) शाकान्नशिष्टमुपयुज्य यतस्त्रिलोकीं तृप्ताममंस्त सलिले विनिमग्नसङ्घः
yo no jugopa vanametya durantakṛcchrā- ddurvāsaso'riracitādayutāgrabhug yaḥ | (ddurvāsaso'rivihitā) śākānnaśiṣṭamupayujya yatastrilokīṃ tṛptāmamaṃsta salile vinimagnasaṅghaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
During our exile, Durvāsā Muni, who eats with his ten thousand disciples, intrigued with our enemies to put us in dangerous trouble. At that time He [Lord Kṛṣṇa], simply by accepting the remnants of food, saved us. By His accepting food thus, the assembly of munis, while bathing in the river, felt sumptuously fed. And all the three worlds were also satisfied.
यत्तेजसाथ भगवान् युधि शूलपाणि- र्विस्मापितः सगिरिजोऽस्त्रमदान्निजं मे । अन्येऽपि चाहममुनैव कलेवरेण प्राप्तो महेन्द्रभवने महदासनार्धम्
yattejasātha bhagavān yudhi śūlapāṇi- rvismāpitaḥ sagirijo'stramadānnijaṃ me | anye'pi cāhamamunaiva kalevareṇa prāpto mahendrabhavane mahadāsanārdham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was by His influence only that in a fight I was able to astonish the personality of god Lord Śiva and his wife, the daughter of Mount Himālaya. Thus he [Lord Śiva] became pleased with me and awarded me his own weapon. Other demigods also delivered their respective weapons to me, and in addition I was able to reach the heavenly planets in this present body and was allowed a half-elevated seat.
तत्रैव मे विहरतो भुजदण्डयुग्मं गाण्डीवलक्षणमरातिवधाय देवाः । सेन्द्राः श्रिता यदनुभावितमाजमीढ तेनाहमद्य मुषितः पुरुषेण भूम्ना
tatraiva me viharato bhujadaṇḍayugmaṃ gāṇḍīvalakṣaṇamarātivadhāya devāḥ | sendrāḥ śritā yadanubhāvitamājamīḍha tenāhamadya muṣitaḥ puruṣeṇa bhūmnā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When I stayed for some days as a guest in the heavenly planets, all the heavenly demigods, including King Indradeva, took shelter of my arms, which were marked with the Gāṇḍīva bow, to kill the demon named Nivātakavaca. O King, descendant of Ajamīḍha, at the present moment I am bereft of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whose influence I was so powerful.
यद्बान्धवः कुरुबलाब्धिमनन्तपार- मेको रथेन ततरेऽहमतार्यसत्त्वम् । प्रत्याहृतं बहुधनं च मया परेषां तेजास्पदं मणिमयं च हृतं शिरोभ्यः
yadbāndhavaḥ kurubalābdhimanantapāra- meko rathena tatare'hamatāryasattvam | pratyāhṛtaṃ bahudhanaṃ ca mayā pareṣāṃ tejāspadaṃ maṇimayaṃ ca hṛtaṃ śirobhyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The military strength of the Kauravas was like an ocean in which there dwelled many invincible existences, and thus it was insurmountable. But because of His friendship, I, seated on the chariot, was able to cross over it. And only by His grace was I able to regain the cows and also collect by force many helmets of the kings, which were bedecked with jewels that were sources of all brilliance.
यो भीष्मकर्णगुरुशल्यचमूष्वदभ्र- राजन्यवर्यरथमण्डलमण्डितासु । अग्रेचरो मम विभो रथयूथपाना- मायुर्मनांसि च दृशा सह ओज आर्च्छत्
yo bhīṣmakarṇaguruśalyacamūṣvadabhra- rājanyavaryarathamaṇḍalamaṇḍitāsu | agrecaro mama vibho rathayūthapānā- māyurmanāṃsi ca dṛśā saha oja ārcchat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was He only who withdrew the duration of life from everyone and who, in the battlefield, withdrew the speculative power and strength of enthusiasm from the great military phalanx made by the Kauravas, headed by Bhīṣma, Karṇa, Droṇa, Śalya, etc. Their arrangement was expert and more than adequate, but He [Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa], while going forward, did all this.
यद्दोष्षु मा प्रणिहितं गुरुभीष्मकर्ण- नप्तृत्रिगर्तशलसैन्धवबाह्लिकाद्यैः । अस्त्राण्यमोघमहिमानि निरूपितानि नोपस्पृशुर्नृहरिदासमिवासुराणि
yaddoṣṣu mā praṇihitaṃ gurubhīṣmakarṇa- naptṛtrigartaśalasaindhavabāhlikādyaiḥ | astrāṇyamoghamahimāni nirūpitāni nopaspṛśurnṛharidāsamivāsurāṇi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Great generals like Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Karṇa, Bhūriśravā, Suśarmā, Śalya, Jayadratha and Bāhlika all directed their invincible weapons against me. But by His [Lord Kṛṣṇa’s] grace they could not even touch a hair on my head. Similarly, Prahlāda Mahārāja, the supreme devotee of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, was unaffected by the weapons the demons used against him.
सौत्ये वृतः कुमतिनाऽऽत्मद ईश्वरो मे यत्पादपद्ममभवाय भजन्ति भव्याः । मां श्रान्तवाहमरयो रथिनो भुविष्ठं न प्राहरन् यदनुभावनिरस्तचित्ताः
sautye vṛtaḥ kumatinā''tmada īśvaro me yatpādapadmamabhavāya bhajanti bhavyāḥ | māṃ śrāntavāhamarayo rathino bhuviṣṭhaṃ na prāharan yadanubhāvanirastacittāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was by His mercy only that my enemies neglected to kill me when I descended from my chariot to get water for my thirsty horses. And it was due to my lack of esteem for my Lord that I dared engage Him as my chariot driver, for He is worshiped and offered services by the best men to attain salvation.
नर्माण्युदाररुचिरस्मितशोभितानि हे पार्थ हेऽर्जुन सखे कुरुनन्दनेति । सञ्जल्पितानि नरदेव हृदिस्पृशानि स्मर्तुर्लुठन्ति हृदयं मम माधवस्य
narmāṇyudārarucirasmitaśobhitāni he pārtha he'rjuna sakhe kurunandaneti | sañjalpitāni naradeva hṛdispṛśāni smarturluṭhanti hṛdayaṃ mama mādhavasya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King! His jokings and frank talks were pleasing and beautifully decorated with smiles. His addresses unto me as “O son of Pṛthā, O friend, O son of the Kuru dynasty,” and all such heartiness are now remembered by me, and thus I am overwhelmed.
शय्यासनाटनविकत्थनभोजनादि- ष्वैक्याद्वयस्य ऋतवानिति विप्रलब्धः । सख्युः सखेव पितृवत्तनयस्य सर्वं सेहे महान् महितया कुमतेरघं मे
śayyāsanāṭanavikatthanabhojanādi- ṣvaikyādvayasya ṛtavāniti vipralabdhaḥ | sakhyuḥ sakheva pitṛvattanayasya sarvaṃ sehe mahān mahitayā kumateraghaṃ me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Generally both of us used to live together and sleep, sit and loiter together. And at the time of advertising oneself for acts of chivalry, sometimes, if there were any irregularity, I used to reproach Him by saying, “My friend, You are very truthful.” Even in those hours when His value was minimized, He, being the Supreme Soul, used to tolerate all those utterings of mine, excusing me exactly as a true friend excuses his true friend, or a father excuses his son.
सोऽहं नृपेन्द्र रहितः पुरुषोत्तमेन सख्या प्रियेण सुहृदा हृदयेन शून्यः । अध्वन्युरुक्रमपरिग्रहमङ्ग रक्षन् गोपैरसद्भिरबलेव विनिर्जितोऽस्मि
so'haṃ nṛpendra rahitaḥ puruṣottamena sakhyā priyeṇa suhṛdā hṛdayena śūnyaḥ | adhvanyurukramaparigrahamaṅga rakṣan gopairasadbhirabaleva vinirjito'smi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Emperor, now I am separated from my friend and dearmost well-wisher, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore my heart appears to be void of everything. In His absence I have been defeated by a number of infidel cowherd men while I was guarding the bodies of all the wives of Kṛṣṇa.
तद्वै धनुस्त इषवः स रथो हयास्ते सोऽहं रथी नृपतयो यत आनमन्ति । सर्वं क्षणेन तदभूदसदीशरिक्तं भस्मन् हुतं कुहकराद्धमिवोप्तमूष्याम्
tadvai dhanusta iṣavaḥ sa ratho hayāste so'haṃ rathī nṛpatayo yata ānamanti | sarvaṃ kṣaṇena tadabhūdasadīśariktaṃ bhasman hutaṃ kuhakarāddhamivoptamūṣyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I have the very same Gāṇḍīva bow, the same arrows, the same chariot drawn by the same horses, and I use them as the same Arjuna to whom all the kings offered their due respects. But in the absence of Lord Kṛṣṇa, all of them, at a moment’s notice, have become null and void. It is exactly like offering clarified butter on ashes, accumulating money with a magic wand or sowing seeds on barren land.
प्रायेणैतद्भगवत ईश्वरस्य विचेष्टितम् । मिथो निघ्नन्ति भूतानि भावयन्ति च यन्मिथः
prāyeṇaitadbhagavata īśvarasya viceṣṭitam | mitho nighnanti bhūtāni bhāvayanti ca yanmithaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Factually this is all due to the supreme will of the Lord, the Personality of Godhead. Sometimes people kill one another, and at other times they protect one another.
देशकालार्थयुक्तानि हृत्तापोपशमानि च । हरन्ति स्मरतश्चित्तं गोविन्दाभिहितानि मे
deśakālārthayuktāni hṛttāpopaśamāni ca | haranti smarataścittaṃ govindābhihitāni me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now I am attracted to those instructions imparted to me by the Personality of Godhead [Govinda] because they are impregnated with instructions for relieving the burning heart in all circumstances of time and space.
सूत उवाच । एवं चिन्तयतो जिष्णोः कृष्णपादसरोरुहम् । सौहार्देनातिगाढेन शान्ताऽऽसीद्विमला मतिः
sūta uvāca | evaṃ cintayato jiṣṇoḥ kṛṣṇapādasaroruham | sauhārdenātigāḍhena śāntā''sīdvimalā matiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Thus being deeply absorbed in thinking of the instructions of the Lord, which were imparted in the great intimacy of friendship, and in thinking of His lotus feet, Arjuna’s mind became pacified and free from all material contamination.
वासुदेवाङ्घ्र्यनुध्यानपरिबृंहितरंहसा । भक्त्या निर्मथिताशेषकषायधिषणोऽर्जुनः
vāsudevāṅghryanudhyānaparibṛṃhitaraṃhasā | bhaktyā nirmathitāśeṣakaṣāyadhiṣaṇo'rjunaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Arjuna’s constant remembrance of the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa rapidly increased his devotion, and as a result all the trash in his thoughts subsided.
गीतं भगवता ज्ञानं यत्तत्सङ्ग्राममूर्धनि । कालकर्मतमोरुद्धं पुनरध्यगमत्प्रभुः
gītaṃ bhagavatā jñānaṃ yattatsaṅgrāmamūrdhani | kālakarmatamoruddhaṃ punaradhyagamatprabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of the Lord’s pastimes and activities and because of His absence, it appeared that Arjuna forgot the instructions left by the Personality of Godhead. But factually this was not the case, and again he became lord of his senses.
(पुनरध्यगमत्विभुः) विशोको ब्रह्मसम्पत्त्या सञ्च्छिन्नद्वैतसंशयः । लीनप्रकृतिनैर्गुण्यादलिङ्गत्वादसम्भवः
(punaradhyagamatvibhuḥ) viśoko brahmasampattyā sañcchinnadvaitasaṃśayaḥ | līnaprakṛtinairguṇyādaliṅgatvādasambhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of his possessing spiritual assets, the doubts of duality were completely cut off. Thus he was freed from the three modes of material nature and placed in transcendence. There was no longer any chance of his becoming entangled in birth and death, for he was freed from material form.
निशम्य भगवन्मार्गं संस्थां यदुकुलस्य च । स्वःपथाय मतिं चक्रे निभृतात्मा युधिष्ठिरः
niśamya bhagavanmārgaṃ saṃsthāṃ yadukulasya ca | svaḥpathāya matiṃ cakre nibhṛtātmā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon hearing of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s returning to His abode, and upon understanding the end of the Yadu dynasty’s earthly manifestation, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira decided to go back home, back to Godhead.
पृथाप्यनुश्रुत्य धनञ्जयोदितं नाशं यदूनां भगवद्गतिं च ताम् । एकान्तभक्त्या भगवत्यधोक्षजे निवेशितात्मोपरराम संसृतेः
pṛthāpyanuśrutya dhanañjayoditaṃ nāśaṃ yadūnāṃ bhagavadgatiṃ ca tām | ekāntabhaktyā bhagavatyadhokṣaje niveśitātmopararāma saṃsṛteḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kuntī, after overhearing Arjuna’s telling of the end of the Yadu dynasty and disappearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa, engaged in the devotional service of the transcendental Personality of Godhead with full attention and thus gained release from the course of material existence.
ययाहरद्भुवो भारं तां तनुं विजहावजः । कण्टकं कण्टकेनेव द्वयं चापीशितुः समम्
yayāharadbhuvo bhāraṃ tāṃ tanuṃ vijahāvajaḥ | kaṇṭakaṃ kaṇṭakeneva dvayaṃ cāpīśituḥ samam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The supreme unborn, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, caused the members of the Yadu dynasty to relinquish their bodies, and thus He relieved the burden of the world. This action was like picking out a thorn with a thorn, though both are the same to the controller.
यथा मत्स्यादिरूपाणि धत्ते जह्याद्यथा नटः । भूभारः क्षपितो येन जहौ तच्च कलेवरम्
yathā matsyādirūpāṇi dhatte jahyādyathā naṭaḥ | bhūbhāraḥ kṣapito yena jahau tacca kalevaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord relinquished the body which He manifested to diminish the burden of the earth. Just like a magician, He relinquishes one body to accept different ones, like the fish incarnation and others.
यदा मुकुन्दो भगवानिमां महीं जहौ स्वतन्वा श्रवणीयसत्कथः । तदा हरेवाप्रतिबुद्धचेतसा- मधर्महेतुः कलिरन्ववर्तत
yadā mukundo bhagavānimāṃ mahīṃ jahau svatanvā śravaṇīyasatkathaḥ | tadā harevāpratibuddhacetasā- madharmahetuḥ kaliranvavartata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, left this earthly planet in His selfsame form, from that very day Kali, who had already partially appeared, became fully manifest to create inauspicious conditions for those who are endowed with a poor fund of knowledge.
युधिष्ठिरस्तत्परिसर्पणं बुधः पुरे च राष्ट्रे च गृहे तथाऽऽत्मनि । विभाव्य लोभानृतजिह्महिंसना- द्यधर्मचक्रं गमनाय पर्यधात्
yudhiṣṭhirastatparisarpaṇaṃ budhaḥ pure ca rāṣṭre ca gṛhe tathā''tmani | vibhāvya lobhānṛtajihmahiṃsanā- dyadharmacakraṃ gamanāya paryadhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was intelligent enough to understand the influence of the Age of Kali, characterized by increasing avarice, falsehood, cheating and violence throughout the capital, state, home and among individuals. So he wisely prepared himself to leave home, and he dressed accordingly.
स्वराट् पौत्रं विनयिनमात्मनः सुसमं गुणैः । तोयनीव्याः पतिं भूमेरभ्यषिञ्चद्गजाह्वये
svarāṭ pautraṃ vinayinamātmanaḥ susamaṃ guṇaiḥ | toyanīvyāḥ patiṃ bhūmerabhyaṣiñcadgajāhvaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, in the capital of Hastināpura, he enthroned his grandson, who was trained and equally qualified, as the emperor and master of all land bordered by the seas.
मथुरायां तथा वज्रं शूरसेनपतिं ततः । प्राजापत्यां निरूप्येष्टिमग्नीनपिबदीश्वरः
mathurāyāṃ tathā vajraṃ śūrasenapatiṃ tataḥ | prājāpatyāṃ nirūpyeṣṭimagnīnapibadīśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then he posted Vajra, the son of Aniruddha [grandson of Lord Kṛṣṇa], at Mathurā as the King of Śūrasena. Afterwards Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira performed a Prājāpatya sacrifice and placed in himself the fire for quitting household life.
विसृज्य तत्र तत्सर्वं दुकूलवलयादिकम् । निर्ममो निरहङ्कारः सञ्च्छिन्नाशेषबन्धनः
visṛjya tatra tatsarvaṃ dukūlavalayādikam | nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ sañcchinnāśeṣabandhanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira at once relinquished all his garments, belt and ornaments of the royal order and became completely disinterested and unattached to everything.
वाचं जुहाव मनसि तत्प्राण इतरे च तम् । मृत्यावपानं सोत्सर्गं तं पञ्चत्वे ह्यजोहवीत्
vācaṃ juhāva manasi tatprāṇa itare ca tam | mṛtyāvapānaṃ sotsargaṃ taṃ pañcatve hyajohavīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then he amalgamated all the sense organs into the mind, then the mind into life, life into breathing, his total existence into the embodiment of the five elements, and his body into death. Then, as pure self, he became free from the material conception of life.
त्रित्वे हुत्वाथ पञ्चत्वं तच्चैकत्वेऽजुहोन्मुनिः । सर्वमात्मन्यजुहवीद्ब्रह्मण्यात्मानमव्यये
tritve hutvātha pañcatvaṃ taccaikatve'juhonmuniḥ | sarvamātmanyajuhavīdbrahmaṇyātmānamavyaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus annihilating the gross body of five elements into the three qualitative modes of material nature, he merged them in one nescience and then absorbed that nescience in the self, Brahman, which is inexhaustible in all circumstances.
चीरवासा निराहारो बद्धवाङ्मुक्तमूर्धजः । दर्शयन्नात्मनो रूपं जडोन्मत्तपिशाचवत्
cīravāsā nirāhāro baddhavāṅmuktamūrdhajaḥ | darśayannātmano rūpaṃ jaḍonmattapiśācavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After that, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira dressed himself in torn clothing, gave up eating all solid foods, voluntarily became dumb and let his hair hang loose. All this combined to make him look like an urchin or madman with no occupation. He did not depend on his brothers for anything. And, just like a deaf man, he heard nothing.
अनवेक्षमाणो निरगादशृण्वन् बधिरो यथा । उदीचीं प्रविवेशाशां गतपूर्वां महात्मभिः । हृदि ब्रह्म परं ध्यायन् नावर्तेत यतो गतः
anavekṣamāṇo niragādaśṛṇvan badhiro yathā | udīcīṃ praviveśāśāṃ gatapūrvāṃ mahātmabhiḥ | hṛdi brahma paraṃ dhyāyan nāvarteta yato gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He then started towards the north, treading the path accepted by his forefathers and great men, to devote himself completely to the thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And he lived in that way wherever he went.
सर्वे तमनुनिर्जग्मुर्भ्रातरः कृतनिश्चयाः । कलिनाधर्ममित्रेण दृष्ट्वा स्पृष्टाः प्रजा भुवि
sarve tamanunirjagmurbhrātaraḥ kṛtaniścayāḥ | kalinādharmamitreṇa dṛṣṭvā spṛṣṭāḥ prajā bhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The younger brothers of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira observed that the Age of Kali had already arrived throughout the world and that the citizens of the kingdom were already affected by irreligious practice. Therefore they decided to follow in the footsteps of their elder brother.
ते साधुकृतसर्वार्था ज्ञात्वाऽऽत्यन्तिकमात्मनः । मनसा धारयामासुर्वैकुण्ठचरणाम्बुजम्
te sādhukṛtasarvārthā jñātvā''tyantikamātmanaḥ | manasā dhārayāmāsurvaikuṇṭhacaraṇāmbujam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They all had performed all the principles of religion and as a result rightly decided that the lotus feet of the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa are the supreme goal of all. Therefore they meditated upon His feet without interruption.
(स्थाने) विदुरोऽपि परित्यज्य प्रभासे देहमात्मवान् । (देहमात्मनः) कृष्णावेशेन तच्चित्तः पितृभिः स्वक्षयं ययौ
(sthāne) viduro'pi parityajya prabhāse dehamātmavān | (dehamātmanaḥ) kṛṣṇāveśena taccittaḥ pitṛbhiḥ svakṣayaṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vidura, while on pilgrimage, left his body at Prabhāsa. Because he was absorbed in thought of Kṛṣṇa, he was received by the denizens of the Pitṛloka planet, where he returned to his original post.
द्रौपदी च तदाऽऽज्ञाय पतीनामनपेक्षताम् । वासुदेवे भगवति ह्येकान्तमतिराप तम्
draupadī ca tadā''jñāya patīnāmanapekṣatām | vāsudeve bhagavati hyekāntamatirāpa tam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Draupadī also saw that her husbands, without caring for her, were leaving home. She knew well about Lord Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead. Both she and Subhadrā became absorbed in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa and attained the same results as their husbands.
यः श्रद्धयैतद्भगवत्प्रियाणां पाण्डोः सुतानामिति सम्प्रयाणम् । शृणोत्यलं स्वस्त्ययनं पवित्रं लब्ध्वा हरौ भक्तिमुपैति सिद्धिम्
yaḥ śraddhayaitadbhagavatpriyāṇāṃ pāṇḍoḥ sutānāmiti samprayāṇam | śṛṇotyalaṃ svastyayanaṃ pavitraṃ labdhvā harau bhaktimupaiti siddhim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The subject of the departure of the sons of Pāṇḍu for the ultimate goal of life, back to Godhead, is fully auspicious and is perfectly pure. Therefore anyone who hears this narration with devotional faith certainly gains the devotional service of the Lord, the highest perfection of life.
सूत उवाच । ततः परीक्षिद्द्विजवर्यशिक्षया महीं महाभागवतः शशास ह । यथा हि सूत्यामभिजातकोविदाः समादिशन् विप्र महद्गुणस्तथा
sūta uvāca | tataḥ parīkṣiddvijavaryaśikṣayā mahīṃ mahābhāgavataḥ śaśāsa ha | yathā hi sūtyāmabhijātakovidāḥ samādiśan vipra mahadguṇastathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: O learned brāhmaṇas, Mahārāja Parīkṣit then began to rule over the world as a great devotee of the Lord under the instructions of the best of the twice-born brāhmaṇas. He ruled by those great qualities which were foretold by expert astrologers at the time of his birth.
स उत्तरस्य तनयामुपयेम इरावतीम् । जनमेजयादींश्चतुरस्तस्यामुत्पादयत्सुतान्
sa uttarasya tanayāmupayema irāvatīm | janamejayādīṃścaturastasyāmutpādayatsutān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit married the daughter of King Uttara and begot four sons, headed by Mahārāja Janamejaya.
आजहाराश्वमेधांस्त्रीन् गङ्गायां भूरिदक्षिणान् । शारद्वतं गुरुं कृत्वा देवा यत्राक्षिगोचराः
ājahārāśvamedhāṃstrīn gaṅgāyāṃ bhūridakṣiṇān | śāradvataṃ guruṃ kṛtvā devā yatrākṣigocarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit, after having selected Kṛpācārya for guidance as his spiritual master, performed three horse sacrifices on the banks of the Ganges. These were executed with sufficient rewards for the attendants. And at these sacrifices, even the common man could see demigods.
निजग्राहौजसा वीरः कलिं दिग्विजये क्वचित् । नृपलिङ्गधरं शूद्रं घ्नन्तं गोमिथुनं पदा
nijagrāhaujasā vīraḥ kaliṃ digvijaye kvacit | nṛpaliṅgadharaṃ śūdraṃ ghnantaṃ gomithunaṃ padā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once, when Mahārāja Parīkṣit was on his way to conquer the world, he saw the master of Kali-yuga, who was lower than a śūdra, disguised as a king and hurting the legs of a cow and bull. The King at once caught hold of him to deal sufficient punishment.
शौनक उवाच । कस्य हेतोर्निजग्राह कलिं दिग्विजये नृपः । नृदेवचिह्नधृक् शूद्रः कोऽसौ गां यः पदाहनत् । तत्कथ्यतां महाभाग यदि कृष्णकथाश्रयम्
śaunaka uvāca | kasya hetornijagrāha kaliṃ digvijaye nṛpaḥ | nṛdevacihnadhṛk śūdraḥ ko'sau gāṃ yaḥ padāhanat | tatkathyatāṃ mahābhāga yadi kṛṣṇakathāśrayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śaunaka Ṛṣi inquired: Why did Mahārāja Parīkṣit simply punish him, since he was the lowest of the śūdras, having dressed as a king and having struck a cow on the leg? Please describe all these incidents if they relate to the topics of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
अथवास्य पदाम्भोजमकरन्दलिहां सताम् । किमन्यैरसदालापैरायुषो यदसद्व्ययः
athavāsya padāmbhojamakarandalihāṃ satām | kimanyairasadālāpairāyuṣo yadasadvyayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The devotees of the Lord are accustomed to licking up the honey available from the lotus feet of the Lord. What is the use of topics which simply waste one’s valuable life?
क्षुद्रायुषां नृणामङ्ग मर्त्यानामृतमिच्छताम् । इहोपहूतो भगवान् मृत्युः शामित्रकर्मणि
kṣudrāyuṣāṃ nṛṇāmaṅga martyānāmṛtamicchatām | ihopahūto bhagavān mṛtyuḥ śāmitrakarmaṇi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Sūta Gosvāmī, there are those amongst men who desire freedom from death and get eternal life. They escape the slaughtering process by calling the controller of death, Yamarāja.
न कश्चिन्म्रियते तावद्यावदास्त इहान्तकः । एतदर्थं हि भगवानाहूतः परमर्षिभिः । अहो नृलोके पीयेत हरिलीलामृतं वचः
na kaścinmriyate tāvadyāvadāsta ihāntakaḥ | etadarthaṃ hi bhagavānāhūtaḥ paramarṣibhiḥ | aho nṛloke pīyeta harilīlāmṛtaṃ vacaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As long as Yamarāja, who causes everyone’s death, is present here, no one shall meet with death. The great sages have invited the controller of death, Yamarāja, who is the representative of the Lord. Living beings who are under his grip should take advantage by hearing the deathless nectar in the form of this narration of the transcendental pastimes of the Lord.
मन्दस्य मन्दप्रज्ञस्य वयो मन्दायुषश्च वै । निद्रया ह्रियते नक्तं दिवा च व्यर्थकर्मभिः
mandasya mandaprajñasya vayo mandāyuṣaśca vai | nidrayā hriyate naktaṃ divā ca vyarthakarmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lazy human beings with paltry intelligence and a short duration of life pass the night sleeping and the day performing activities that are for naught.
सूत उवाच । यदा परीक्षित्कुरुजाङ्गलेऽशृणोत् कलिं प्रविष्टं निजचक्रवर्तिते । निशम्य वार्तामनतिप्रियां ततः शरासनं संयुगशौण्डिराददे
sūta uvāca | yadā parīkṣitkurujāṅgale'śṛṇot kaliṃ praviṣṭaṃ nijacakravartite | niśamya vārtāmanatipriyāṃ tataḥ śarāsanaṃ saṃyugaśauṇḍirādade
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: While Mahārāja Parīkṣit was residing in the capital of the Kuru empire, the symptoms of the Age of Kali began to infiltrate within the jurisdiction of his state. When he learned about this, he did not think the matter very palatable. This did, however, give him a chance to fight. He took up his bow and arrows and prepared himself for military activities.
स्वलङ्कृतं श्यामतुरङ्गयोजितं रथं मृगेन्द्रध्वजमाश्रितः पुरात् । वृतो रथाश्वद्विपपत्तियुक्तया स्वसेनया दिग्विजयाय निर्गतः
svalaṅkṛtaṃ śyāmaturaṅgayojitaṃ rathaṃ mṛgendradhvajamāśritaḥ purāt | vṛto rathāśvadvipapattiyuktayā svasenayā digvijayāya nirgataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit sat on a chariot drawn by black horses. His flag was marked with the sign of a lion. Being so decorated and surrounded by charioteers, cavalry, elephants and infantry soldiers, he left the capital to conquer in all directions.
भद्राश्वं केतुमालं च भारतं चोत्तरान् कुरून् । किम्पुरुषादीनि वर्षाणि विजित्य जगृहे बलिम्
bhadrāśvaṃ ketumālaṃ ca bhārataṃ cottarān kurūn | kimpuruṣādīni varṣāṇi vijitya jagṛhe balim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit then conquered all parts of the earthly planet — Bhadrāśva, Ketumāla, Bhārata, the northern Kuru, Kimpuruṣa, etc. — and exacted tributes from their respective rulers.
सारथ्यपारषदसेवनसख्यदौत्य- वीरासनानुगमनस्तवनप्रणामान् । स्निग्धेषु पाण्डुषु जगत्प्रणतिं च विष्णोः भक्तिं करोति नृपतिश्चरणारविन्दे
sārathyapāraṣadasevanasakhyadautya- vīrāsanānugamanastavanapraṇāmān | snigdheṣu pāṇḍuṣu jagatpraṇatiṃ ca viṣṇoḥ bhaktiṃ karoti nṛpatiścaraṇāravinde
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit heard that out of His causeless mercy Lord Kṛṣṇa [Viṣṇu], who is universally obeyed, rendered all kinds of service to the malleable sons of Pāṇḍu by accepting posts ranging from chariot driver to president to messenger, friend, night watchman, etc., according to the will of the Pāṇḍavas, obeying them like a servant and offering obeisances like one younger in years. When he heard this, Mahārāja Parīkṣit became overwhelmed with devotion to the lotus feet of the Lord.
तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य पूर्वेषां वृत्तिमन्वहम् । नातिदूरे किलाश्चर्यं यदासीत्तन्निबोध मे
tasyaivaṃ vartamānasya pūrveṣāṃ vṛttimanvaham | nātidūre kilāścaryaṃ yadāsīttannibodha me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now you may hear from me of what happened while Mahārāja Parīkṣit was passing his days hearing of the good occupations of his forefathers and being absorbed in thought of them.
धर्मः पदैकेन चरन् विच्छायामुपलभ्य गाम् । पृच्छति स्माश्रुवदनां विवत्सामिव मातरम्
dharmaḥ padaikena caran vicchāyāmupalabhya gām | pṛcchati smāśruvadanāṃ vivatsāmiva mātaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The personality of religious principles, Dharma, was wandering about in the form of a bull. And he met the personality of earth in the form of a cow who appeared to grieve like a mother who had lost her child. She had tears in her eyes, and the beauty of her body was lost. Thus Dharma questioned the earth as follows.
धर्म उवाच । कच्चिद्भद्रेऽनामयमात्मनस्ते विच्छायासि म्लायतेषन्मुखेन । आलक्षये भवतीमन्तराधिं दूरे बन्धुं शोचसि कञ्चनाम्ब
dharma uvāca | kaccidbhadre'nāmayamātmanaste vicchāyāsi mlāyateṣanmukhena | ālakṣaye bhavatīmantarādhiṃ dūre bandhuṃ śocasi kañcanāmba
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dharma [in the form of a bull] asked: Madam, are you not hale and hearty? Why are you covered with the shadow of grief? It appears by your face that you have become black. Are you suffering from some internal disease, or are you thinking of some relative who is away in a distant place?
पादैर्न्यूनं शोचसि मैकपाद- मात्मानं वा वृषलैर्भोक्ष्यमाणम् । आहो सुरादीन् हृतयज्ञभागान् प्रजा उत स्विन्मघवत्यवर्षति
pādairnyūnaṃ śocasi maikapāda- mātmānaṃ vā vṛṣalairbhokṣyamāṇam | āho surādīn hṛtayajñabhāgān prajā uta svinmaghavatyavarṣati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I have lost my three legs and am now standing on one only. Are you lamenting for my state of existence? Or are you in great anxiety because henceforward the unlawful meat-eaters will exploit you? Or are you in a sorry plight because the demigods are now bereft of their share of sacrificial offerings because no sacrifices are being performed at present? Or are you grieving for living beings because of their sufferings due to famine and drought?
अरक्ष्यमाणाः स्त्रिय उर्वि बालान् शोचस्यथो पुरुषादैरिवार्तान् । वाचं देवीं ब्रह्मकुले कुकर्म- ण्यब्रह्मण्ये राजकुले कुलाग्र्यान्
arakṣyamāṇāḥ striya urvi bālān śocasyatho puruṣādairivārtān | vācaṃ devīṃ brahmakule kukarma- ṇyabrahmaṇye rājakule kulāgryān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Are you feeling compunction for the unhappy women and children who are left forlorn by unscrupulous persons? Or are you unhappy because the goddess of learning is being handled by brāhmaṇas addicted to acts against the principles of religion? Or are you sorry to see that the brāhmaṇas have taken shelter of administrative families that do not respect brahminical culture?
किं क्षत्रबन्धून् कलिनोपसृष्टान् राष्ट्राणि वा तैरवरोपितानि । इतस्ततो वाशनपानवासः स्नानव्यवायोन्मुखजीवलोकम्
kiṃ kṣatrabandhūn kalinopasṛṣṭān rāṣṭrāṇi vā tairavaropitāni | itastato vāśanapānavāsaḥ snānavyavāyonmukhajīvalokam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The so-called administrators are now bewildered by the influence of this Age of Kali, and thus they have put all state affairs into disorder. Are you now lamenting this disorder? Now the general populace does not follow the rules and regulations for eating, sleeping, drinking, mating, etc., and they are inclined to perform such anywhere and everywhere. Are you unhappy because of this?
यद्वाम्ब ते भूरिभरावतार- कृतावतारस्य हरेर्धरित्रि । अन्तर्हितस्य स्मरती विसृष्टा कर्माणि निर्वाणविलम्बितानि
yadvāmba te bhūribharāvatāra- kṛtāvatārasya harerdharitri | antarhitasya smaratī visṛṣṭā karmāṇi nirvāṇavilambitāni
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O mother earth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, incarnated Himself as Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa just to unload your heavy burden. All His activities here are transcendental, and they cement the path of liberation. You are now bereft of His presence. You are probably now thinking of those activities and feeling sorry in their absence.
इदं ममाचक्ष्व तवाधिमूलं वसुन्धरे येन विकर्शितासि । कालेन वा ते बलिनां बलीयसा सुरार्चितं किं हृतमम्ब सौभगम्
idaṃ mamācakṣva tavādhimūlaṃ vasundhare yena vikarśitāsi | kālena vā te balināṃ balīyasā surārcitaṃ kiṃ hṛtamamba saubhagam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother, you are the reservoir of all riches. Please inform me of the root cause of your tribulations by which you have been reduced to such a weak state. I think that the powerful influence of time, which conquers the most powerful, might have forcibly taken away all your fortune, which was adored even by the demigods.
धरण्युवाच । भवान् हि वेद तत्सर्वं यन्मां धर्मानुपृच्छसि । चतुर्भिर्वर्तसे येन पादैर्लोकसुखावहैः
dharaṇyuvāca | bhavān hi veda tatsarvaṃ yanmāṃ dharmānupṛcchasi | caturbhirvartase yena pādairlokasukhāvahaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The earthly deity [in the form of a cow] thus replied to the personality of religious principles [in the form of a bull]: O Dharma, whatever you have inquired from me shall be known to you. I shall try to reply to all those questions. Once you too were maintained by your four legs, and you increased happiness all over the universe by the mercy of the Lord.
आत्मानं चानुशोचामि भवन्तं चामरोत्तमम् । देवान् पितॄनृषीन् साधून् सर्वान् वर्णांस्तथाऽऽश्रमान्
ātmānaṃ cānuśocāmi bhavantaṃ cāmarottamam | devān pitṝnṛṣīn sādhūn sarvān varṇāṃstathā''śramān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am thinking about myself and also, O best amongst the demigods, about you, as well as about all the demigods, sages, denizens of Pitṛloka, devotees of the Lord and all men obedient to the system of varṇa and āśrama in human society.
यो वै ममातिभरमासुरवंशराज्ञा- मक्षौहिणीशतमपानुददात्मतन्त्रः । त्वां दुःस्थमूनपदमात्मनि पौरुषेण सम्पादयन् यदुषु रम्यमबिभ्रदङ्गम्
yo vai mamātibharamāsuravaṃśarājñā- makṣauhiṇīśatamapānudadātmatantraḥ | tvāṃ duḥsthamūnapadamātmani pauruṣeṇa sampādayan yaduṣu ramyamabibhradaṅgam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O personality of religion, I was greatly overburdened by the undue military phalanxes arranged by atheistic kings, and I was relieved by the grace of the Personality of Godhead. Similarly you were also in a distressed condition, weakened in your standing strength, and thus He also incarnated by His internal energy in the family of the Yadus to relieve you.
का वा सहेत विरहं पुरुषोत्तमस्य प्रेमावलोकरुचिरस्मितवल्गुजल्पैः । स्थैर्यं समानमहरन्मधुमानिनीनां रोमोत्सवो मम यदङ्घ्रिविटङ्कितायाः
kā vā saheta virahaṃ puruṣottamasya premāvalokarucirasmitavalgujalpaiḥ | sthairyaṃ samānamaharanmadhumāninīnāṃ romotsavo mama yadaṅghriviṭaṅkitāyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Who, therefore, can tolerate the pangs of separation from that Supreme Personality of Godhead? He could conquer the gravity and passionate wrath of His sweethearts like Satyabhāmā by His sweet smile of love, pleasing glance and hearty appeals. When He traversed my [earth’s] surface, I would be immersed in the dust of His lotus feet and thus would be sumptuously covered with grass which appeared like hairs standing on me out of pleasure.
तयोरेवं कथयतोः पृथिवीधर्मयोस्तदा । परीक्षिन्नाम राजर्षिः प्राप्तः प्राचीं सरस्वतीम्
tayorevaṃ kathayatoḥ pṛthivīdharmayostadā | parīkṣinnāma rājarṣiḥ prāptaḥ prācīṃ sarasvatīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the earth and the personality of religion were thus engaged in conversation, the saintly King Parīkṣit reached the shore of the Sarasvatī River, which flowed towards the east.
सूत उवाच । तत्र गोमिथुनं राजा हन्यमानमनाथवत् दण्डहस्तं च वृषलं ददृशे नृपलाञ्छनम्
sūta uvāca | tatra gomithunaṃ rājā hanyamānamanāthavat daṇḍahastaṃ ca vṛṣalaṃ dadṛśe nṛpalāñchanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: After reaching that place, Mahārāja Parīkṣit observed that a lower-caste śūdra, dressed like a king, was beating a cow and a bull with a club, as if they had no owner.
वृषं मृणालधवलं मेहन्तमिव बिभ्यतम् । वेपमानं पदैकेन सीदन्तं शूद्रताडितम्
vṛṣaṃ mṛṇāladhavalaṃ mehantamiva bibhyatam | vepamānaṃ padaikena sīdantaṃ śūdratāḍitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The bull was as white as a white lotus flower. He was terrified of the śūdra who was beating him, and he was so afraid that he was standing on one leg, trembling and urinating.
गां च धर्मदुघां दीनां भृशं शूद्रपदाहताम् । विवत्सां साश्रुवदनां क्षामां यवसमिच्छतीम्
gāṃ ca dharmadughāṃ dīnāṃ bhṛśaṃ śūdrapadāhatām | vivatsāṃ sāśruvadanāṃ kṣāmāṃ yavasamicchatīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the cow is beneficial because one can draw religious principles from her, she was now rendered poor and calfless. Her legs were being beaten by a śūdra. There were tears in her eyes, and she was distressed and weak. She was hankering after some grass in the field.
पप्रच्छ रथमारूढः कार्तस्वरपरिच्छदम् । मेघगम्भीरया वाचा समारोपितकार्मुकः
papraccha rathamārūḍhaḥ kārtasvaraparicchadam | meghagambhīrayā vācā samāropitakārmukaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit, well equipped with arrows and bow and seated on a gold-embossed chariot, spoke to him [the śūdra] with a deep voice sounding like thunder.
कस्त्वं मच्छरणे लोके बलाद्धंस्यबलान् बली । नरदेवोऽसि वेषेण नटवत्कर्मणाद्विजः
kastvaṃ maccharaṇe loke balāddhaṃsyabalān balī | naradevo'si veṣeṇa naṭavatkarmaṇādvijaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Oh, who are you? You appear to be strong and yet you dare kill, within my protection, those who are helpless! By your dress you pose yourself to be a godly man [king], but by your deeds you are opposing the principles of the twice-born kṣatriyas.
कस्त्वं कृष्णे गते दूरं सहगाण्डीवधन्वना । (यस्त्वं कृष्णे) शोच्योऽस्यशोच्यान् रहसि प्रहरन् वधमर्हसि
kastvaṃ kṛṣṇe gate dūraṃ sahagāṇḍīvadhanvanā | (yastvaṃ kṛṣṇe) śocyo'syaśocyān rahasi praharan vadhamarhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You rogue, do you dare beat an innocent cow because Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, the carrier of the Gāṇḍīva bow, are out of sight? Since you are beating the innocent in a secluded place, you are considered a culprit and therefore deserve to be killed.
त्वं वा मृणालधवलः पादैर्न्यूनः पदा चरन् । वृषरूपेण किं कश्चिद्देवो नः परिखेदयन्
tvaṃ vā mṛṇāladhavalaḥ pādairnyūnaḥ padā caran | vṛṣarūpeṇa kiṃ kaściddevo naḥ parikhedayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then he [Mahārāja Parīkṣit] asked the bull: Oh, who are you? Are you a bull as white as a white lotus, or are you a demigod? You have lost three of your legs and are moving on only one. Are you some demigod causing us grief in the form of a bull?
न जातु पौरवेन्द्राणां दोर्दण्डपरिरम्भिते । (कौरवेन्द्राणां) भूतलेऽनुपतन्त्यस्मिन् विना ते प्राणिनां शुचः
na jātu pauravendrāṇāṃ dordaṇḍaparirambhite | (kauravendrāṇāṃ) bhūtale'nupatantyasmin vinā te prāṇināṃ śucaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now for the first time in a kingdom well protected by the arms of the kings of the Kuru dynasty, I see you grieving with tears in your eyes. Up till now no one on earth has ever shed tears because of royal negligence.
मा सौरभेयानुशुचो व्येतु ते वृषलाद्भयम् । मा रोदीरम्ब भद्रं ते खलानां मयि शास्तरि
mā saurabheyānuśuco vyetu te vṛṣalādbhayam | mā rodīramba bhadraṃ te khalānāṃ mayi śāstari
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O son of Surabhi, you need lament no longer now. There is no need to fear this low-class śūdra. And, O mother cow, as long as I am living as the ruler and subduer of all envious men, there is no cause for you to cry. Everything will be good for you.
कोऽवृश्चत्तव पादांस्त्रीन् सौरभेय चतुष्पद । मा भूवंस्त्वादृशा राष्ट्रे राज्ञां कृष्णानुवर्तिनाम्
ko'vṛścattava pādāṃstrīn saurabheya catuṣpada | mā bhūvaṃstvādṛśā rāṣṭre rājñāṃ kṛṣṇānuvartinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He [Mahārāja Parīkṣit] repeatedly addressed and questioned the bull thus: O son of Surabhi, who has cut off your three legs? In the state of the kings who are obedient to the laws of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, there is no one as unhappy as you.
आख्याहि वृष भद्रं वः साधूनामकृतागसाम् । आत्मवैरूप्यकर्तारं पार्थानां कीर्तिदूषणम्
ākhyāhi vṛṣa bhadraṃ vaḥ sādhūnāmakṛtāgasām | ātmavairūpyakartāraṃ pārthānāṃ kīrtidūṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O bull, you are offenseless and thoroughly honest; therefore I wish all good to you. Please tell me of the perpetrator of these mutilations, which blacken the reputation of the sons of Pṛthā.
जनेऽनागस्यघं युञ्जन् सर्वतोऽस्य च मद्भयम् । साधूनां भद्रमेव स्यादसाधुदमने कृते
jane'nāgasyaghaṃ yuñjan sarvato'sya ca madbhayam | sādhūnāṃ bhadrameva syādasādhudamane kṛte
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whoever causes offenseless living beings to suffer must fear me anywhere and everywhere in the world. By curbing dishonest miscreants, one automatically benefits the offenseless.
अनागःस्विह भूतेषु य आगस्कृन्निरङ्कुशः । आहर्तास्मि भुजं साक्षादमर्त्यस्यापि साङ्गदम्
anāgaḥsviha bhūteṣu ya āgaskṛnniraṅkuśaḥ | āhartāsmi bhujaṃ sākṣādamartyasyāpi sāṅgadam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
An upstart living being who commits offenses by torturing those who are offenseless shall be directly uprooted by me, even though he be a denizen of heaven with armor and decorations.
राज्ञो हि परमो धर्मः स्वधर्मस्थानुपालनम् । शासतोऽन्यान् यथाशास्त्रमनापद्युत्पथानिह
rājño hi paramo dharmaḥ svadharmasthānupālanam | śāsato'nyān yathāśāstramanāpadyutpathāniha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The supreme duty of the ruling king is to give all protection to law-abiding persons and to chastise those who stray from the ordinances of the scriptures in ordinary times, when there is no emergency.
धर्म उवाच । एतद्वः पाण्डवेयानां युक्तमार्ताभयं वचः । येषां गुणगणैः कृष्णो दौत्यादौ भगवान् कृतः
dharma uvāca | etadvaḥ pāṇḍaveyānāṃ yuktamārtābhayaṃ vacaḥ | yeṣāṃ guṇagaṇaiḥ kṛṣṇo dautyādau bhagavān kṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The personality of religion said: These words just spoken by you befit a person of the Pāṇḍava dynasty. Captivated by the devotional qualities of the Pāṇḍavas, even Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, performed duties as a messenger.
न वयं क्लेशबीजानि यतः स्युः पुरुषर्षभ । पुरुषं तं विजानीमो वाक्यभेदविमोहिताः
na vayaṃ kleśabījāni yataḥ syuḥ puruṣarṣabha | puruṣaṃ taṃ vijānīmo vākyabhedavimohitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O greatest among human beings, it is very difficult to ascertain the particular miscreant who has caused our sufferings, because we are bewildered by all the different opinions of theoretical philosophers.
केचिद्विकल्पवसना आहुरात्मानमात्मनः । दैवमन्ये परे कर्म स्वभावमपरे प्रभुम्
kecidvikalpavasanā āhurātmānamātmanaḥ | daivamanye pare karma svabhāvamapare prabhum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some of the philosophers, who deny all sorts of duality, declare that one’s own self is responsible for his personal happiness and distress. Others say that superhuman powers are responsible, while yet others say that activity is responsible, and the gross materialists maintain that nature is the ultimate cause.
अप्रतर्क्यादनिर्देश्यादिति केष्वपि निश्चयः । अत्रानुरूपं राजर्षे विमृश स्वमनीषया
apratarkyādanirdeśyāditi keṣvapi niścayaḥ | atrānurūpaṃ rājarṣe vimṛśa svamanīṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There are also some thinkers who believe that no one can ascertain the cause of distress by argumentation, nor know it by imagination, nor express it by words. O sage amongst kings, judge for yourself by thinking over all this with your own intelligence.
सूत उवाच । एवं धर्मे प्रवदति स सम्राड्-द्विजसत्तम । समाहितेन मनसा विखेदः पर्यचष्ट तम्
sūta uvāca | evaṃ dharme pravadati sa samrāḍ-dvijasattama | samāhitena manasā vikhedaḥ paryacaṣṭa tam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: O best among the brāhmaṇas, the Emperor Parīkṣit, thus hearing the personality of religion speak, was fully satisfied, and without mistake or regret he gave his reply.
राजोवाच । धर्मं ब्रवीषि धर्मज्ञ धर्मोऽसि वृषरूपधृक् । यदधर्मकृतः स्थानं सूचकस्यापि तद्भवेत्
rājovāca | dharmaṃ bravīṣi dharmajña dharmo'si vṛṣarūpadhṛk | yadadharmakṛtaḥ sthānaṃ sūcakasyāpi tadbhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King said: O you, who are in the form of a bull! You know the truth of religion, and you are speaking according to the principle that the destination intended for the perpetrator of irreligious acts is also intended for one who identifies the perpetrator. You are no other than the personality of religion.
अथवा देवमायाया नूनं गतिरगोचरा । चेतसो वचसश्चापि भूतानामिति निश्चयः
athavā devamāyāyā nūnaṃ gatiragocarā | cetaso vacasaścāpi bhūtānāmiti niścayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus it is concluded that the Lord’s energies are inconceivable. No one can estimate them by mental speculation or by word jugglery.
तपः शौचं दया सत्यमिति पादाः कृते कृताः । अधर्मांशैस्त्रयो भग्नाः स्मयसङ्गमदैस्तव
tapaḥ śaucaṃ dayā satyamiti pādāḥ kṛte kṛtāḥ | adharmāṃśaistrayo bhagnāḥ smayasaṅgamadaistava
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the age of Satya [truthfulness] your four legs were established by the four principles of austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness. But it appears that three of your legs are broken due to rampant irreligion in the form of pride, lust for women, and intoxication.
इदानीं धर्म पादस्ते सत्यं निर्वर्तयेद्यतः । तं जिघृक्षत्यधर्मोऽयमनृतेनैधितः कलिः
idānīṃ dharma pādaste satyaṃ nirvartayedyataḥ | taṃ jighṛkṣatyadharmo'yamanṛtenaidhitaḥ kaliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are now standing on one leg only, which is your truthfulness, and you are somehow or other hobbling along. But quarrel personified [Kali], flourishing by deceit, is also trying to destroy that leg.
इयं च भूमिर्भगवता न्यासितोरुभरा सती । श्रीमद्भिस्तत्पदन्यासैः सर्वतः कृतकौतुका
iyaṃ ca bhūmirbhagavatā nyāsitorubharā satī | śrīmadbhistatpadanyāsaiḥ sarvataḥ kṛtakautukā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The burden of the earth was certainly diminished by the Personality of Godhead and by others as well. When He was present as an incarnation, all good was performed because of His auspicious footprints.
शोचत्यश्रुकला साध्वी दुर्भगेवोज्झिताधुना । अब्रह्मण्या नृपव्याजाः शूद्रा भोक्ष्यन्ति मामिति
śocatyaśrukalā sādhvī durbhagevojjhitādhunā | abrahmaṇyā nṛpavyājāḥ śūdrā bhokṣyanti māmiti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now she, the chaste one, being unfortunately forsaken by the Personality of Godhead, laments her future with tears in her eyes, for now she is being ruled and enjoyed by lower-class men who pose as rulers.
इति धर्मं महीं चैव सान्त्वयित्वा महारथः । निशातमाददे खड्गं कलयेऽधर्महेतवे
iti dharmaṃ mahīṃ caiva sāntvayitvā mahārathaḥ | niśātamādade khaḍgaṃ kalaye'dharmahetave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who could fight one thousand enemies single-handedly, thus pacified the personality of religion and the earth. Then he took up his sharp sword to kill the personality of Kali, who is the cause of all irreligion.
तं जिघांसुमभिप्रेत्य विहाय नृपलाञ्छनम् । तत्पादमूलं शिरसा समगाद्भयविह्वलः
taṃ jighāṃsumabhipretya vihāya nṛpalāñchanam | tatpādamūlaṃ śirasā samagādbhayavihvalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the personality of Kali understood that the King was willing to kill him, he at once abandoned the dress of a king and, under pressure of fear, completely surrendered to him, bowing his head.
पतितं पादयोर्वीरः कृपया दीनवत्सलः । शरण्यो नावधीच्छ्लोक्य आह चेदं हसन्निव
patitaṃ pādayorvīraḥ kṛpayā dīnavatsalaḥ | śaraṇyo nāvadhīcchlokya āha cedaṃ hasanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who was qualified to accept surrender and worthy of being sung in history, did not kill the poor surrendered and fallen Kali, but smiled compassionately, for he was kind to the poor.
राजोवाच । न ते गुडाकेशयशोधराणां बद्धाञ्जलेर्वै भयमस्ति किञ्चित् । न वर्तितव्यं भवता कथञ्चन क्षेत्रे मदीये त्वमधर्मबन्धुः
rājovāca | na te guḍākeśayaśodharāṇāṃ baddhāñjalervai bhayamasti kiñcit | na vartitavyaṃ bhavatā kathañcana kṣetre madīye tvamadharmabandhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King thus said: We have inherited the fame of Arjuna; therefore since you have surrendered yourself with folded hands you need not fear for your life. But you cannot remain in my kingdom, for you are the friend of irreligion.
त्वां वर्तमानं नरदेवदेहे- ष्वनुप्रवृत्तोऽयमधर्मपूगः । लोभोऽनृतं चौर्यमनार्यमंहो ज्येष्ठा च माया कलहश्च दम्भः
tvāṃ vartamānaṃ naradevadehe- ṣvanupravṛtto'yamadharmapūgaḥ | lobho'nṛtaṃ cauryamanāryamaṃho jyeṣṭhā ca māyā kalahaśca dambhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If the personality of Kali, irreligion, is allowed to act as a man-god or an executive head, certainly irreligious principles like greed, falsehood, robbery, incivility, treachery, misfortune, cheating, quarrel and vanity will abound.
न वर्तितव्यं तदधर्मबन्धो धर्मेण सत्येन च वर्तितव्ये । ब्रह्मावर्ते यत्र यजन्ति यज्ञै- र्यज्ञेश्वरं यज्ञवितानविज्ञाः
na vartitavyaṃ tadadharmabandho dharmeṇa satyena ca vartitavye | brahmāvarte yatra yajanti yajñai- ryajñeśvaraṃ yajñavitānavijñāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O friend of irreligion, you do not deserve to remain in a place where experts perform sacrifices according to truth and religious principles for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
यस्मिन् हरिर्भगवानिज्यमान इज्यामूर्तिर्यजतां शं तनोति । कामानमोघान् स्थिरजङ्गमाना- मन्तर्बहिर्वायुरिवैष आत्मा
yasmin harirbhagavānijyamāna ijyāmūrtiryajatāṃ śaṃ tanoti | kāmānamoghān sthirajaṅgamānā- mantarbahirvāyurivaiṣa ātmā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In all sacrificial ceremonies, although sometimes a demigod is worshiped, the Supreme Lord Personality of Godhead is worshiped because He is the Supersoul of everyone, and exists both inside and outside like the air. Thus it is He only who awards all welfare to the worshiper.
सूत उवाच । परीक्षितैवमादिष्टः स कलिर्जातवेपथुः । तमुद्यतासिमाहेदं दण्डपाणिमिवोद्यतम्
sūta uvāca | parīkṣitaivamādiṣṭaḥ sa kalirjātavepathuḥ | tamudyatāsimāhedaṃ daṇḍapāṇimivodyatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: The personality of Kali, thus being ordered by Mahārāja Parīkṣit, began to tremble in fear. Seeing the King before him like Yamarāja, ready to kill him, Kali spoke to the King as follows.
कलिरुवाच । यत्र क्वचन वत्स्यामि सार्वभौम तवाज्ञया । लक्षये तत्र तत्रापि त्वामात्तेषुशरासनम्
kaliruvāca | yatra kvacana vatsyāmi sārvabhauma tavājñayā | lakṣaye tatra tatrāpi tvāmātteṣuśarāsanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Your Majesty, though I may live anywhere and everywhere under your order, I shall but see you with bow and arrows wherever I look.
तन्मे धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठ स्थानं निर्देष्टुमर्हसि । यत्रैव नियतो वत्स्य आतिष्ठंस्तेऽनुशासनम्
tanme dharmabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭha sthānaṃ nirdeṣṭumarhasi | yatraiva niyato vatsya ātiṣṭhaṃste'nuśāsanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O chief amongst the protectors of religion, please fix some place for me where I can live permanently under the protection of your government.
सूत उवाच । अभ्यर्थितस्तदा तस्मै स्थानानि कलये ददौ । द्यूतं पानं स्त्रियः सूना यत्राधर्मश्चतुर्विधः
sūta uvāca | abhyarthitastadā tasmai sthānāni kalaye dadau | dyūtaṃ pānaṃ striyaḥ sūnā yatrādharmaścaturvidhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Mahārāja Parīkṣit, thus being petitioned by the personality of Kali, gave him permission to reside in places where gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter were performed.
पुनश्च याचमानाय जातरूपमदात्प्रभुः । ततोऽनृतं मदं कामं रजो वैरं च पञ्चमम्
punaśca yācamānāya jātarūpamadātprabhuḥ | tato'nṛtaṃ madaṃ kāmaṃ rajo vairaṃ ca pañcamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The personality of Kali asked for something more, and because of his begging, the King gave him permission to live where there is gold because wherever there is gold there is also falsity, intoxication, lust, envy and enmity.
अमूनि पञ्च स्थानानि ह्यधर्मप्रभवः कलिः । औत्तरेयेण दत्तानि न्यवसत्तन्निदेशकृत्
amūni pañca sthānāni hyadharmaprabhavaḥ kaliḥ | auttareyeṇa dattāni nyavasattannideśakṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the personality of Kali, by the directions of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the son of Uttarā, was allowed to live in those five places.
अथैतानि न सेवेत बुभूषुः पुरुषः क्वचित् । विशेषतो धर्मशीलो राजा लोकपतिर्गुरुः
athaitāni na seveta bubhūṣuḥ puruṣaḥ kvacit | viśeṣato dharmaśīlo rājā lokapatirguruḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, whoever desires progressive well-being, especially kings, religionists, public leaders, brāhmaṇas and sannyāsīs, should never come in contact with the four above-mentioned irreligious principles.
वृषस्य नष्टांस्त्रीन् पादान् तपः शौचं दयामिति । प्रतिसन्दध आश्वास्य महीं च समवर्धयत्
vṛṣasya naṣṭāṃstrīn pādān tapaḥ śaucaṃ dayāmiti | pratisandadha āśvāsya mahīṃ ca samavardhayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter the King reestablished the lost legs of the personality of religion [the bull], and by encouraging activities he sufficiently improved the condition of the earth.
इत्थम्भूतानुभावोऽयमभिमन्युसुतो नृपः । यस्य पालयतः क्षोणीं यूयं सत्राय दीक्षिताः
itthambhūtānubhāvo'yamabhimanyusuto nṛpaḥ | yasya pālayataḥ kṣoṇīṃ yūyaṃ satrāya dīkṣitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the son of Abhimanyu, is so experienced that by dint of his expert administration and patronage, it has been possible for you to perform a sacrifice such as this.
सूत उवाच । यो वै द्रौण्यस्त्रविप्लुष्टो न मातुरुदरे मृतः । अनुग्रहाद्भगवतः कृष्णस्याद्भुतकर्मणः
sūta uvāca | yo vai drauṇyastravipluṣṭo na māturudare mṛtaḥ | anugrahādbhagavataḥ kṛṣṇasyādbhutakarmaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: Due to the mercy of the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who acts wonderfully, Mahārāja Parīkṣit, though struck by the weapon of the son of Droṇa in his mother’s womb, could not be burned.
ब्रह्मकोपोत्थिताद्यस्तु तक्षकात्प्राणविप्लवात् । न सम्मुमोहोरुभयाद्भगवत्यर्पिताशयः
brahmakopotthitādyastu takṣakātprāṇaviplavāt | na sammumohorubhayādbhagavatyarpitāśayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Furthermore, Mahārāja Parīkṣit was always consciously surrendered to the Personality of Godhead, and therefore he was neither afraid nor overwhelmed by fear due to a snake-bird which was to bite him because of the fury of a brāhmaṇa boy.
उत्सृज्य सर्वतः सङ्गं विज्ञाताजितसंस्थितिः । वैयासकेर्जहौ शिष्यो गङ्गायां स्वं कलेवरम्
utsṛjya sarvataḥ saṅgaṃ vijñātājitasaṃsthitiḥ | vaiyāsakerjahau śiṣyo gaṅgāyāṃ svaṃ kalevaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Furthermore, after leaving all his associates, the King surrendered himself as a disciple to the son of Vyāsa [Śukadeva Gosvāmī], and thus he was able to understand the actual position of the Personality of Godhead, and at last gave up his material body on the bank of the Ganges.
नोत्तमश्लोकवार्तानां जुषतां तत्कथामृतम् । स्यात्सम्भ्रमोऽन्तकालेऽपि स्मरतां तत्पदाम्बुजम्
nottamaślokavārtānāṃ juṣatāṃ tatkathāmṛtam | syātsambhramo'ntakāle'pi smaratāṃ tatpadāmbujam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This was so because those who have dedicated their lives to the transcendental topics of the Personality of Godhead, of whom the Vedic hymns sing, and who are constantly engaged in remembering the lotus feet of the Lord, do not run the risk of having misconceptions even at the last moment of their lives.
तावत्कलिर्न प्रभवेत्प्रविष्टोऽपीह सर्वतः । यावदीशो महानुर्व्यामाभिमन्यव एकराट्
tāvatkalirna prabhavetpraviṣṭo'pīha sarvataḥ | yāvadīśo mahānurvyāmābhimanyava ekarāṭ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As long as the great, powerful son of Abhimanyu remains the Emperor of the world, there is no chance that the personality of Kali will flourish.
यस्मिन्नहनि यर्ह्येव भगवानुत्ससर्ज गाम् । तदैवेहानुवृत्तोऽसावधर्मप्रभवः कलिः
yasminnahani yarhyeva bhagavānutsasarja gām | tadaivehānuvṛtto'sāvadharmaprabhavaḥ kaliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The very day and moment the Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, left this earth, the personality of Kali, who promotes all kinds of irreligious activities, came into this world.
नानुद्वेष्टि कलिं सम्राट् सारङ्ग इव सारभुक् । कुशलान्याशु सिद्ध्यन्ति नेतराणि कृतानि यत्
nānudveṣṭi kaliṃ samrāṭ sāraṅga iva sārabhuk | kuśalānyāśu siddhyanti netarāṇi kṛtāni yat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit was a realist, like the bees who only accept the essence [of a flower]. He knew perfectly well that in this Age of Kali, auspicious things produce good effects immediately, whereas inauspicious acts must be actually performed [to render effects]. So he was never envious of the personality of Kali.
किं नु बालेषु शूरेण कलिना धीरभीरुणा । अप्रमत्तः प्रमत्तेषु यो वृको नृषु वर्तते
kiṃ nu bāleṣu śūreṇa kalinā dhīrabhīruṇā | apramattaḥ pramatteṣu yo vṛko nṛṣu vartate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit considered that less intelligent men might find the personality of Kali to be very powerful, but that those who are self-controlled would have nothing to fear. The King was powerful like a tiger and took care for the foolish, careless persons.
उपवर्णितमेतद्वः पुण्यं पारीक्षितं मया । वासुदेवकथोपेतमाख्यानं यदपृच्छत
upavarṇitametadvaḥ puṇyaṃ pārīkṣitaṃ mayā | vāsudevakathopetamākhyānaṃ yadapṛcchata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O sages, as you did ask me, now I have described almost everything regarding the narrations about Lord Kṛṣṇa in connection with the history of the pious Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
या याः कथा भगवतः कथनीयोरुकर्मणः । गुणकर्माश्रयाः पुम्भिः संसेव्यास्ता बुभूषुभिः
yā yāḥ kathā bhagavataḥ kathanīyorukarmaṇaḥ | guṇakarmāśrayāḥ pumbhiḥ saṃsevyāstā bubhūṣubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who are desirous of achieving complete perfection in life must submissively hear all topics that are connected with the transcendental activities and qualities of the Personality of Godhead, who acts wonderfully.
ऋषय ऊचुः । सूत जीव समाः सौम्य शाश्वतीर्विशदं यशः । यस्त्वं शंससि कृष्णस्य मर्त्यानाममृतं हि नः
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | sūta jīva samāḥ saumya śāśvatīrviśadaṃ yaśaḥ | yastvaṃ śaṃsasi kṛṣṇasya martyānāmamṛtaṃ hi naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The good sages said: O grave Sūta Gosvāmī! May you live many years and have eternal fame, for you are speaking very nicely about the activities of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead. This is just like nectar for mortal beings like us.
कर्मण्यस्मिन्ननाश्वासे धूमधूम्रात्मनां भवान् । आपाययति गोविन्दपादपद्मासवं मधु
karmaṇyasminnanāśvāse dhūmadhūmrātmanāṃ bhavān | āpāyayati govindapādapadmāsavaṃ madhu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We have just begun the performance of this fruitive activity, a sacrificial fire, without certainty of its result due to the many imperfections in our action. Our bodies have become black from the smoke, but we are factually pleased by the nectar of the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, Govinda, which you are distributing.
तुलयाम लवेनापि न स्वर्गं नापुनर्भवम् । भगवत्सङ्गिसङ्गस्य मर्त्यानां किमुताशिषः
tulayāma lavenāpi na svargaṃ nāpunarbhavam | bhagavatsaṅgisaṅgasya martyānāṃ kimutāśiṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The value of a moment’s association with the devotee of the Lord cannot even be compared to the attainment of heavenly planets or liberation from matter, and what to speak of worldly benedictions in the form of material prosperity, which are for those who are meant for death.
को नाम तृप्येद्रसवित्कथायां महत्तमैकान्तपरायणस्य । नान्तं गुणानामगुणस्य जग्मु- र्योगेश्वरा ये भवपाद्ममुख्याः
ko nāma tṛpyedrasavitkathāyāṃ mahattamaikāntaparāyaṇasya | nāntaṃ guṇānāmaguṇasya jagmu- ryogeśvarā ye bhavapādmamukhyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa [Govinda], is the exclusive shelter for all great living beings, and His transcendental attributes cannot even be measured by such masters of mystic powers as Lord Śiva and Lord Brahmā. Can anyone who is expert in relishing nectar [rasa] ever be fully satiated by hearing topics about Him?
तन्नो भवान् वै भगवत्प्रधानो महत्तमैकान्तपरायणस्य । हरेरुदारं चरितं विशुद्धं शुश्रूषतां नो वितनोतु विद्वन्
tanno bhavān vai bhagavatpradhāno mahattamaikāntaparāyaṇasya | harerudāraṃ caritaṃ viśuddhaṃ śuśrūṣatāṃ no vitanotu vidvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Sūta Gosvāmī, you are a learned and pure devotee of the Lord because the Personality of Godhead is your chief object of service. Therefore please describe to us the pastimes of the Lord, which are above all material conception, for we are anxious to receive such messages.
स वै महाभागवतः परीक्षि- द्येनापवर्गाख्यमदभ्रबुद्धिः । ज्ञानेन वैयासकिशब्दितेन भेजे खगेन्द्रध्वजपादमूलम्
sa vai mahābhāgavataḥ parīkṣi- dyenāpavargākhyamadabhrabuddhiḥ | jñānena vaiyāsakiśabditena bheje khagendradhvajapādamūlam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Sūta Gosvāmī, please describe those topics of the Lord by which Mahārāja Parīkṣit, whose intelligence was fixed on liberation, attained the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of Garuḍa, the king of birds. Those topics were vibrated by the son of Vyāsa [Śrīla Śukadeva].
तन्नः परं पुण्यमसंवृतार्थ- माख्यानमत्यद्भुतयोगनिष्ठम् । आख्याह्यनन्ताचरितोपपन्नं पारीक्षितं भागवताभिरामम्
tannaḥ paraṃ puṇyamasaṃvṛtārtha- mākhyānamatyadbhutayoganiṣṭham | ākhyāhyanantācaritopapannaṃ pārīkṣitaṃ bhāgavatābhirāmam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus please narrate to us the narrations of the Unlimited, for they are purifying and supreme. They were spoken to Mahārāja Parīkṣit, and they are very dear to the pure devotees, being full of bhakti-yoga.
सूत उवाच । अहो वयं जन्मभृतोऽद्य हास्म वृद्धानुवृत्त्यापि विलोमजाताः । दौष्कुल्यमाधिं विधुनोति शीघ्रं महत्तमानामभिधानयोगः
sūta uvāca | aho vayaṃ janmabhṛto'dya hāsma vṛddhānuvṛttyāpi vilomajātāḥ | dauṣkulyamādhiṃ vidhunoti śīghraṃ mahattamānāmabhidhānayogaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: O God, although we are born in a mixed caste, we are still promoted in birthright simply by serving and following the great who are advanced in knowledge. Even by conversing with such great souls, one can without delay cleanse oneself of all disqualifications resulting from lower births.
कुतः पुनर्गृणतो नाम तस्य महत्तमैकान्तपरायणस्य । योऽनन्तशक्तिर्भगवाननन्तो महद्गुणत्वाद्यमनन्तमाहुः
kutaḥ punargṛṇato nāma tasya mahattamaikāntaparāyaṇasya | yo'nantaśaktirbhagavānananto mahadguṇatvādyamanantamāhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And what to speak of those who are under the direction of the great devotees, chanting the holy name of the Unlimited, who has unlimited potency? The Personality of Godhead, unlimited in potency and transcendental by attributes, is called Ananta [Unlimited].
एतावतालं ननु सूचितेन गुणैरसाम्यानतिशायनस्य । हित्वेतरान् प्रार्थयतो विभूति- र्यस्याङ्घ्रिरेणुं जुषतेऽनभीप्सोः
etāvatālaṃ nanu sūcitena guṇairasāmyānatiśāyanasya | hitvetarān prārthayato vibhūti- ryasyāṅghrireṇuṃ juṣate'nabhīpsoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is now ascertained that He [the Personality of Godhead] is unlimited and there is none equal to Him. Consequently no one can speak of Him adequately. Great demigods cannot obtain the favor of the goddess of fortune even by prayers, but this very goddess renders service unto the Lord, although He is unwilling to have such service.
अथापि यत्पादनखावसृष्टं जगद्विरिञ्चोपहृतार्हणाम्भः । सेशं पुनात्यन्यतमो मुकुन्दा- त्को नाम लोके भगवत्पदार्थः
athāpi yatpādanakhāvasṛṣṭaṃ jagadviriñcopahṛtārhaṇāmbhaḥ | seśaṃ punātyanyatamo mukundā- tko nāma loke bhagavatpadārthaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Who can be worthy of the name of the Supreme Lord but the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa? Brahmājī collected the water emanating from the nails of His feet in order to award it to Lord Śiva as a worshipful welcome. This very water [the Ganges] is purifying the whole universe, including Lord Śiva.
यत्रानुरक्ताः सहसैव धीरा व्यपोह्य देहादिषु सङ्गमूढम् । व्रजन्ति तत्पारमहंस्यमन्त्यं यस्मिन्नहिंसोपशमः स्वधर्मः
yatrānuraktāḥ sahasaiva dhīrā vyapohya dehādiṣu saṅgamūḍham | vrajanti tatpāramahaṃsyamantyaṃ yasminnahiṃsopaśamaḥ svadharmaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Self-controlled persons who are attached to the Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa can all of a sudden give up the world of material attachment, including the gross body and subtle mind, and go away to attain the highest perfection of the renounced order of life, by which nonviolence and renunciation are consequential.
अहं हि पृष्टोऽर्यमणो भवद्भि- राचक्ष आत्मावगमोऽत्र यावान् । नभः पतन्त्यात्मसमं पतत्त्रिण- स्तथा समं विष्णुगतिं विपश्चितः
ahaṃ hi pṛṣṭo'ryamaṇo bhavadbhi- rācakṣa ātmāvagamo'tra yāvān | nabhaḥ patantyātmasamaṃ patattriṇa- stathā samaṃ viṣṇugatiṃ vipaścitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O ṛṣis, who are as powerfully pure as the sun, I shall try to describe to you the transcendental pastimes of Viṣṇu as far as my knowledge is concerned. As the birds fly in the sky as far as their capacity allows, so do the learned devotees describe the Lord as far as their realization allows.
प्रतिरुद्धेन्द्रियप्राणमनोबुद्धिमुपारतम् । स्थानत्रयात्परं प्राप्तं ब्रह्मभूतमविक्रियम्
pratiruddhendriyaprāṇamanobuddhimupāratam | sthānatrayātparaṃ prāptaṃ brahmabhūtamavikriyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The muni’s sense organs, breath, mind and intelligence were all restrained from material activities, and he was situated in a trance apart from the three [wakefulness, dream and unconsciousness], having achieved a transcendental position qualitatively equal with the Supreme Absolute.
विप्रकीर्णजटाच्छन्नं रौरवेणाजिनेन च । विशुष्यत्तालुरुदकं तथाभूतमयाचत
viprakīrṇajaṭācchannaṃ rauraveṇājinena ca | viśuṣyattālurudakaṃ tathābhūtamayācata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage, in meditation, was covered by the skin of a stag, and long, compressed hair was scattered all over him. The King, whose palate was dry from thirst, asked him for water.
अलब्धतृणभूम्यादिरसम्प्राप्तार्घ्यसूनृतः । अवज्ञातमिवात्मानं मन्यमानश्चुकोप ह
alabdhatṛṇabhūmyādirasamprāptārghyasūnṛtaḥ | avajñātamivātmānaṃ manyamānaścukopa ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King, not received by any formal welcome by means of being offered a seat, place, water and sweet addresses, considered himself neglected, and so thinking he became angry.
अभूतपूर्वः सहसा क्षुत्तृड्भ्यामर्दितात्मनः । ब्राह्मणं प्रत्यभूद्ब्रह्मन् मत्सरो मन्युरेव च
abhūtapūrvaḥ sahasā kṣuttṛḍbhyāmarditātmanaḥ | brāhmaṇaṃ pratyabhūdbrahman matsaro manyureva ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O brāhmaṇas, the circumstances having distressed him with extreme hunger and thirst, the King directed toward the sage his anger and envy, which he had never before directed toward a brāhmaṇa.
स तु ब्रह्मऋषेरंसे गतासुमुरगं रुषा । विनिर्गच्छन् धनुष्कोट्या निधाय पुरमागमत्
sa tu brahmaṛṣeraṃse gatāsumuragaṃ ruṣā | vinirgacchan dhanuṣkoṭyā nidhāya puramāgamat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While leaving, the King, being so insulted, picked up a lifeless snake with his bow and angrily placed it on the shoulder of the sage. Then he returned to his palace.
एष किं निभृताशेषकरणो मीलितेक्षणः । मृषासमाधिराहोस्वित्किं नु स्यात्क्षत्रबन्धुभिः
eṣa kiṃ nibhṛtāśeṣakaraṇo mīlitekṣaṇaḥ | mṛṣāsamādhirāhosvitkiṃ nu syātkṣatrabandhubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon returning, he began to contemplate and argue within himself whether the sage had actually been in meditation, with senses concentrated and eyes closed, or whether he had just been feigning trance just to avoid receiving a lower kṣatriya.
तस्य पुत्रोऽतितेजस्वी विहरन् बालकोऽर्भकैः । राज्ञाघं प्रापितं तातं श्रुत्वा तत्रेदमब्रवीत्
tasya putro'titejasvī viharan bālako'rbhakaiḥ | rājñāghaṃ prāpitaṃ tātaṃ śrutvā tatredamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage had a son who was very powerful, being a brāhmaṇa’s son. While he was playing with inexperienced boys, he heard of his father’s distress, which was occasioned by the King. Then and there the boy spoke as follows.
अहो अधर्मः पालानां पीव्नां बलिभुजामिव । स्वामिन्यघं यद्दासानां द्वारपानां शुनामिव
aho adharmaḥ pālānāṃ pīvnāṃ balibhujāmiva | svāminyaghaṃ yaddāsānāṃ dvārapānāṃ śunāmiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The brāhmaṇa’s son, Śṛṅgi, said:] O just look at the sins of the rulers who, like crows and watchdogs at the door, perpetrate sins against their masters, contrary to the principles governing servants.
ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रबन्धुर्हि गृहपालो निरूपितः । स कथं तद्गृहे द्वाःस्थः सभाण्डं भोक्तुमर्हति
brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatrabandhurhi gṛhapālo nirūpitaḥ | sa kathaṃ tadgṛhe dvāḥsthaḥ sabhāṇḍaṃ bhoktumarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The descendants of the kingly orders are definitely designated as watchdogs, and they must keep themselves at the door. On what grounds can dogs enter the house and claim to dine with the master on the same plate?
कृष्णे गते भगवति शास्तर्युत्पथगामिनाम् । तद्भिन्नसेतूनद्याहं शास्मि पश्यत मे बलम्
kṛṣṇe gate bhagavati śāstaryutpathagāminām | tadbhinnasetūnadyāhaṃ śāsmi paśyata me balam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the departure of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead and supreme ruler of everyone, these upstarts have flourished, our protector being gone. Therefore I myself shall take up this matter and punish them. Just witness my power.
इत्युक्त्वा रोषताम्राक्षो वयस्यान् ऋषिबालकः । कौशिक्याप उपस्पृश्य वाग्वज्रं विससर्ज ह
ityuktvā roṣatāmrākṣo vayasyān ṛṣibālakaḥ | kauśikyāpa upaspṛśya vāgvajraṃ visasarja ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The son of the ṛṣi, his eyes red-hot with anger, touched the water of the River Kauśika while speaking to his playmates and discharged the following thunderbolt of words.
इति लङ्घितमर्यादं तक्षकः सप्तमेऽहनि । दङ्क्ष्यति स्म कुलाङ्गारं चोदितो मे ततद्रुहम्
iti laṅghitamaryādaṃ takṣakaḥ saptame'hani | daṅkṣyati sma kulāṅgāraṃ codito me tatadruham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇa’s son cursed the King thus: On the seventh day from today a snake-bird will bite the most wretched one of that dynasty [Mahārāja Parīkṣit] because of his having broken the laws of etiquette by insulting my father.
ततोऽभ्येत्याश्रमं बालो गले सर्पकलेवरम् । पितरं वीक्ष्य दुःखार्तो मुक्तकण्ठो रुरोद ह
tato'bhyetyāśramaṃ bālo gale sarpakalevaram | pitaraṃ vīkṣya duḥkhārto muktakaṇṭho ruroda ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, when the boy returned to the hermitage, he saw a snake on his father’s shoulder, and out of his grief he cried very loudly.
स वा आङ्गिरसो ब्रह्मन् श्रुत्वा सुतविलापनम् । उन्मील्य शनकैर्नेत्रे दृष्ट्वा स्वांसे मृतोरगम्
sa vā āṅgiraso brahman śrutvā sutavilāpanam | unmīlya śanakairnetre dṛṣṭvā svāṃse mṛtoragam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O brāhmaṇas, the ṛṣi, who was born in the family of Aṅgirā Muni, hearing his son crying, gradually opened his eyes and saw the dead snake around his neck.
विसृज्य तं च पप्रच्छ वत्स कस्माद्धि रोदिषि । केन वा ते प्रतिकृतमित्युक्तः स न्यवेदयत्
visṛjya taṃ ca papraccha vatsa kasmāddhi rodiṣi | kena vā te pratikṛtamityuktaḥ sa nyavedayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He threw the dead snake aside and asked his son why he was crying, whether anyone had done him harm. On hearing this, the son explained to him what had happened.
(केन वा तेऽपकृत) निशम्य शप्तमतदर्हं नरेन्द्रं स ब्राह्मणो नात्मजमभ्यनन्दत् । अहो बतांहो महदज्ञ ते कृत- मल्पीयसि द्रोह उरुर्दमो धृतः
(kena vā te'pakṛta) niśamya śaptamatadarhaṃ narendraṃ sa brāhmaṇo nātmajamabhyanandat | aho batāṃho mahadajña te kṛta- malpīyasi droha ururdamo dhṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The father heard from his son that the King had been cursed, although he should never have been condemned, for he was the best amongst all human beings. The ṛṣi did not congratulate his son, but, on the contrary, began to repent, saying: Alas! What a great sinful act was performed by my son. He has awarded heavy punishment for an insignificant offense.
न वै नृभिर्नरदेवं पराख्यं सम्मातुमर्हस्यविपक्वबुद्धे । यत्तेजसा दुर्विषहेण गुप्ता विन्दन्ति भद्राण्यकुतोभयाः प्रजाः
na vai nṛbhirnaradevaṃ parākhyaṃ sammātumarhasyavipakvabuddhe | yattejasā durviṣaheṇa guptā vindanti bhadrāṇyakutobhayāḥ prajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my boy, your intelligence is immature, and therefore you have no knowledge that the king, who is the best amongst human beings, is as good as the Personality of Godhead. He is never to be placed on an equal footing with common men. The citizens of the state live in prosperity, being protected by his unsurpassable prowess.
अलक्ष्यमाणे नरदेवनाम्नि रथाङ्गपाणावयमङ्ग लोकः । तदा हि चौरप्रचुरो विनङ्क्ष्य- त्यरक्ष्यमाणोऽविवरूथवत्क्षणात्
alakṣyamāṇe naradevanāmni rathāṅgapāṇāvayamaṅga lokaḥ | tadā hi caurapracuro vinaṅkṣya- tyarakṣyamāṇo'vivarūthavatkṣaṇāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear boy, the Lord, who carries the wheel of a chariot, is represented by the monarchical regime, and when this regime is abolished the whole world becomes filled with thieves, who then at once vanquish the unprotected subjects like scattered lambs.
तदद्य नः पापमुपैत्यनन्वयं यन्नष्टनाथस्य वसोर्विलुम्पकात् । परस्परं घ्नन्ति शपन्ति वृञ्जते पशून् स्त्रियोऽर्थान् पुरुदस्यवो जनाः
tadadya naḥ pāpamupaityananvayaṃ yannaṣṭanāthasya vasorvilumpakāt | parasparaṃ ghnanti śapanti vṛñjate paśūn striyo'rthān purudasyavo janāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Due to the termination of the monarchical regimes and the plundering of the people’s wealth by rogues and thieves, there will be great social disruptions. People will be killed and injured, and animals and women will be stolen. And for all these sins we shall be responsible.
तदाऽऽर्यधर्मश्च विलीयते नृणां वर्णाश्रमाचारयुतस्त्रयीमयः । ततोऽर्थकामाभिनिवेशितात्मनां शुनां कपीनामिव वर्णसङ्करः
tadā''ryadharmaśca vilīyate nṛṇāṃ varṇāśramācārayutastrayīmayaḥ | tato'rthakāmābhiniveśitātmanāṃ śunāṃ kapīnāmiva varṇasaṅkaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time the people in general will fall systematically from the path of a progressive civilization in respect to the qualitative engagements of the castes and the orders of society and the Vedic injunctions. Thus they will be more attracted to economic development for sense gratification, and as a result there will be an unwanted population on the level of dogs and monkeys.
धर्मपालो नरपतिः स तु सम्राड्बृहच्छ्रवाः । साक्षान्महाभागवतो राजर्षिर्हयमेधयाट् । क्षुत्तृट् श्रमयुतो दीनो नैवास्मच्छापमर्हति
dharmapālo narapatiḥ sa tu samrāḍbṛhacchravāḥ | sākṣānmahābhāgavato rājarṣirhayamedhayāṭ | kṣuttṛṭ śramayuto dīno naivāsmacchāpamarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Emperor Parīkṣit is a pious king. He is highly celebrated and is a first-class devotee of the Personality of Godhead. He is a saint amongst royalty, and he has performed many horse sacrifices. When such a king is tired and fatigued, being stricken with hunger and thirst, he does not at all deserve to be cursed.
अपापेषु स्वभृत्येषु बालेनापक्वबुद्धिना । पापं कृतं तद्भगवान् सर्वात्मा क्षन्तुमर्हति
apāpeṣu svabhṛtyeṣu bālenāpakvabuddhinā | pāpaṃ kṛtaṃ tadbhagavān sarvātmā kṣantumarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the ṛṣi prayed to the all-pervading Personality of Godhead to pardon his immature boy, who had no intelligence and who committed the great sin of cursing a person who was completely free from all sins, who was subordinate and who deserved to be protected.
तिरस्कृता विप्रलब्धाः शप्ताः क्षिप्ता हता अपि । नास्य तत्प्रतिकुर्वन्ति तद्भक्ताः प्रभवोऽपि हि
tiraskṛtā vipralabdhāḥ śaptāḥ kṣiptā hatā api | nāsya tatpratikurvanti tadbhaktāḥ prabhavo'pi hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The devotees of the Lord are so forbearing that even though they are defamed, cheated, cursed, disturbed, neglected or even killed, they are never inclined to avenge themselves.
इति पुत्रकृताघेन सोऽनुतप्तो महामुनिः । स्वयं विप्रकृतो राज्ञा नैवाघं तदचिन्तयत्
iti putrakṛtāghena so'nutapto mahāmuniḥ | svayaṃ viprakṛto rājñā naivāghaṃ tadacintayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage thus regretted the sin committed by his own son. He did not take the insult paid by the King very seriously.
प्रायशः साधवो लोके परैर्द्वन्द्वेषु योजिताः । न व्यथन्ति न हृष्यन्ति यत आत्मागुणाश्रयः
prāyaśaḥ sādhavo loke parairdvandveṣu yojitāḥ | na vyathanti na hṛṣyanti yata ātmāguṇāśrayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Generally the transcendentalists, even though engaged by others in the dualities of the material world, are not distressed. Nor do they take pleasure [in worldly things], for they are transcendentally engaged.
सूत उवाच । महीपतिस्त्वथ तत्कर्म गर्ह्यं विचिन्तयन्नात्मकृतं सुदुर्मनाः । अहो मया नीचमनार्यवत्कृतं निरागसि ब्रह्मणि गूढतेजसि
sūta uvāca | mahīpatistvatha tatkarma garhyaṃ vicintayannātmakṛtaṃ sudurmanāḥ | aho mayā nīcamanāryavatkṛtaṃ nirāgasi brahmaṇi gūḍhatejasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: While returning home, the King [Mahārāja Parīkṣit] felt that the act he had committed against the faultless and powerful brāhmaṇa was heinous and uncivilized. Consequently he was distressed.
ध्रुवं ततो मे कृतदेवहेलना- द्दुरत्ययं व्यसनं नातिदीर्घात् । तदस्तु कामं त्वघनिष्कृताय मे यथा न कुर्यां पुनरेवमद्धा
dhruvaṃ tato me kṛtadevahelanā- dduratyayaṃ vyasanaṃ nātidīrghāt | tadastu kāmaṃ tvaghaniṣkṛtāya me yathā na kuryāṃ punarevamaddhā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[King Parīkṣit thought:] Due to my neglecting the injunctions of the Supreme Lord I must certainly expect some difficulty to overcome me in the near future. I now desire without reservation that the calamity come now, for in this way I may be freed of the sinful action and not commit such an offense again.
अद्यैव राज्यं बलमृद्धकोशं प्रकोपितब्रह्मकुलानलो मे । दहत्वभद्रस्य पुनर्न मेऽभू- त्पापीयसी धीर्द्विजदेवगोभ्यः
adyaiva rājyaṃ balamṛddhakośaṃ prakopitabrahmakulānalo me | dahatvabhadrasya punarna me'bhū- tpāpīyasī dhīrdvijadevagobhyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am uncivilized and sinful due to my neglect of brahminical culture, God consciousness and cow protection. Therefore I wish that my kingdom, strength and riches burn up immediately by the fire of the brāhmaṇa’s wrath so that in the future I may not be guided by such inauspicious attitudes.
स चिन्तयन्नित्थमथाशृणोद्यथा मुनेः सुतोक्तो निरृतिस्तक्षकाख्यः । स साधु मेने न चिरेण तक्षका- नलं प्रसक्तस्य विरक्तिकारणम्
sa cintayannitthamathāśṛṇodyathā muneḥ sutokto nirṛtistakṣakākhyaḥ | sa sādhu mene na cireṇa takṣakā- nalaṃ prasaktasya viraktikāraṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the King was thus repenting, he received news of his imminent death, which would be due to the bite of a snake-bird, occasioned by the curse spoken by the sage’s son. The King accepted this as good news, for it would be the cause of his indifference toward worldly things.
अथो विहायेमममुं च लोकं विमर्शितौ हेयतया पुरस्तात् । कृष्णाङ्घ्रिसेवामधिमन्यमान उपाविशत्प्रायममर्त्यनद्याम्
atho vihāyemamamuṃ ca lokaṃ vimarśitau heyatayā purastāt | kṛṣṇāṅghrisevāmadhimanyamāna upāviśatprāyamamartyanadyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit sat down firmly on the banks of the Ganges to concentrate his mind in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, rejecting all other practices of self-realization, because transcendental loving service to Kṛṣṇa is the greatest achievement, superseding all other methods.
या वै लसच्छ्रीतुलसीविमिश्र- कृष्णाङ्घ्रिरेण्वभ्यधिकाम्बुनेत्री । पुनाति लोकानुभयत्र सेशान् कस्तां न सेवेत मरिष्यमाणः
yā vai lasacchrītulasīvimiśra- kṛṣṇāṅghrireṇvabhyadhikāmbunetrī | punāti lokānubhayatra seśān kastāṃ na seveta mariṣyamāṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The river [by which the King sat to fast] carries the most auspicious water, which is mixed with the dust of the lotus feet of the Lord and tulasī leaves. Therefore that water sanctifies the three worlds inside and outside and even sanctifies Lord Śiva and other demigods. Consequently everyone who is destined to die must take shelter of this river.
इति व्यवच्छिद्य स पाण्डवेयः प्रायोपवेशं प्रति विष्णुपद्याम् । दध्यौ मुकुन्दाङ्घ्रिमनन्यभावो मुनिव्रतो मुक्तसमस्तसङ्गः
iti vyavacchidya sa pāṇḍaveyaḥ prāyopaveśaṃ prati viṣṇupadyām | dadhyau mukundāṅghrimananyabhāvo munivrato muktasamastasaṅgaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the King, the worthy descendant of the Pāṇḍavas, decided once and for all and sat on the Ganges’ bank to fast until death and give himself up to the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who alone is able to award liberation. So, freeing himself from all kinds of associations and attachments, he accepted the vows of a sage.
तत्रोपजग्मुर्भुवनं पुनाना महानुभावा मुनयः सशिष्याः । प्रायेण तीर्थाभिगमापदेशैः स्वयं हि तीर्थानि पुनन्ति सन्तः
tatropajagmurbhuvanaṃ punānā mahānubhāvā munayaḥ saśiṣyāḥ | prāyeṇa tīrthābhigamāpadeśaiḥ svayaṃ hi tīrthāni punanti santaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time all the great minds and thinkers, accompanied by their disciples, and sages who could verily sanctify a place of pilgrimage just by their presence, arrived there on the plea of making a pilgrim’s journey.
अन्ये च देवर्षिब्रह्मर्षिवर्या राजर्षिवर्या अरुणादयश्च । नानार्षेयप्रवरान् समेता- नभ्यर्च्य राजा शिरसा ववन्दे
anye ca devarṣibrahmarṣivaryā rājarṣivaryā aruṇādayaśca | nānārṣeyapravarān sametā- nabhyarcya rājā śirasā vavande
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There were also many other saintly demigods, kings and special royal orders called aruṇādayas [a special rank of rājarṣis] from different dynasties of sages. When they all assembled together to meet the Emperor [Parīkṣit], he received them properly and bowed his head to the ground.
सुखोपविष्टेष्वथ तेषु भूयः कृतप्रणामः स्वचिकीर्षितं यत् । विज्ञापयामास विविक्तचेता उपस्थितोऽग्रेऽभिगृहीतपाणिः
sukhopaviṣṭeṣvatha teṣu bhūyaḥ kṛtapraṇāmaḥ svacikīrṣitaṃ yat | vijñāpayāmāsa viviktacetā upasthito'gre'bhigṛhītapāṇiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After all the ṛṣis and others had seated themselves comfortably, the King, humbly standing before them with folded hands, told them of his decision to fast until death.
राजोवाच । अहो वयं धन्यतमा नृपाणां महत्तमानुग्रहणीयशीलाः । राज्ञां कुलं ब्राह्मणपादशौचा- द्दूराद्विसृष्टं बत गर्ह्यकर्म
rājovāca | aho vayaṃ dhanyatamā nṛpāṇāṃ mahattamānugrahaṇīyaśīlāḥ | rājñāṃ kulaṃ brāhmaṇapādaśaucā- ddūrādvisṛṣṭaṃ bata garhyakarma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The fortunate King said: Indeed, we are the most grateful of all the kings who are trained to get favors from the great souls. Generally you [sages] consider royalty as refuse to be rejected and left in a distant place.
तस्यैव मेऽघस्य परावरेशो व्यासक्तचित्तस्य गृहेष्वभीक्ष्णम् । निर्वेदमूलो द्विजशापरूपो यत्र प्रसक्तो भयमाशु धत्ते
tasyaiva me'ghasya parāvareśo vyāsaktacittasya gṛheṣvabhīkṣṇam | nirvedamūlo dvijaśāparūpo yatra prasakto bhayamāśu dhatte
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the controller of both the transcendental and mundane worlds, has graciously overtaken me in the form of a brāhmaṇa’s curse. Due to my being too much attached to family life, the Lord, in order to save me, has appeared before me in such a way that only out of fear I will detach myself from the world.
तं मोपयातं प्रतियन्तु विप्रा गङ्गा च देवी धृतचित्तमीशे । द्विजोपसृष्टः कुहकस्तक्षको वा दशत्वलं गायत विष्णुगाथाः
taṃ mopayātaṃ pratiyantu viprā gaṅgā ca devī dhṛtacittamīśe | dvijopasṛṣṭaḥ kuhakastakṣako vā daśatvalaṃ gāyata viṣṇugāthāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O brāhmaṇas, just accept me as a completely surrendered soul, and let mother Ganges, the representative of the Lord, also accept me in that way, for I have already taken the lotus feet of the Lord into my heart. Let the snake-bird — or whatever magical thing the brāhmaṇa created — bite me at once. I only desire that you all continue singing the deeds of Lord Viṣṇu.
पुनश्च भूयाद्भगवत्यनन्ते रतिः प्रसङ्गश्च तदाश्रयेषु । महत्सु यां यामुपयामि सृष्टिं मैत्र्यस्तु सर्वत्र नमो द्विजेभ्यः
punaśca bhūyādbhagavatyanante ratiḥ prasaṅgaśca tadāśrayeṣu | mahatsu yāṃ yāmupayāmi sṛṣṭiṃ maitryastu sarvatra namo dvijebhyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Again, offering obeisances unto all you brāhmaṇas, I pray that if I should again take my birth in the material world I will have complete attachment to the unlimited Lord Kṛṣṇa, association with His devotees and friendly relations with all living beings.
इति स्म राजाध्यवसाययुक्तः प्राचीनमूलेषु कुशेषु धीरः । उदङ्मुखो दक्षिणकूल आस्ते समुद्रपत्न्याः स्वसुतन्यस्तभारः
iti sma rājādhyavasāyayuktaḥ prācīnamūleṣu kuśeṣu dhīraḥ | udaṅmukho dakṣiṇakūla āste samudrapatnyāḥ svasutanyastabhāraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In perfect self-control, Mahārāja Parīkṣit sat down on a seat of straw, with straw-roots facing the east, placed on the southern bank of the Ganges, and he himself faced the north. Just previously he had given charge of his kingdom over to his son.
एवं च तस्मिन् नरदेवदेवे प्रायोपविष्टे दिवि देवसङ्घाः । प्रशस्य भूमौ व्यकिरन् प्रसूनै- र्मुदा मुहुर्दुन्दुभयश्च नेदुः
evaṃ ca tasmin naradevadeve prāyopaviṣṭe divi devasaṅghāḥ | praśasya bhūmau vyakiran prasūnai- rmudā muhurdundubhayaśca neduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the King, Mahārāja Parīkṣit, sat to fast until death. All the demigods of the higher planets praised the King’s actions and in pleasure continually scattered flowers over the earth and beat celestial drums.
महर्षयो वै समुपागता ये प्रशस्य साध्वित्यनुमोदमानाः । ऊचुः प्रजानुग्रहशीलसारा यदुत्तमश्लोकगुणाभिरूपम्
maharṣayo vai samupāgatā ye praśasya sādhvityanumodamānāḥ | ūcuḥ prajānugrahaśīlasārā yaduttamaślokaguṇābhirūpam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the great sages who were assembled there also praised the decision of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, and they expressed their approval by saying “Very good.” Naturally the sages are inclined to do good to common men, for they have all the qualitative powers of the Supreme Lord. Therefore they were very much pleased to see Mahārāja Parīkṣit, a devotee of the Lord, and they spoke as follows.
न वा इदं राजर्षिवर्य चित्रं भवत्सु कृष्णं समनुव्रतेषु । येऽध्यासनं राजकिरीटजुष्टं सद्यो जहुर्भगवत्पार्श्वकामाः
na vā idaṃ rājarṣivarya citraṃ bhavatsu kṛṣṇaṃ samanuvrateṣu | ye'dhyāsanaṃ rājakirīṭajuṣṭaṃ sadyo jahurbhagavatpārśvakāmāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The sages said:] O chief of all the saintly kings of the Pāṇḍu dynasty who are strictly in the line of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa! It is not at all astonishing that you give up your throne, which is decorated with the helmets of many kings, to achieve eternal association with the Personality of Godhead.
सर्वे वयं तावदिहास्महेऽद्य कलेवरं यावदसौ विहाय । लोकं परं विरजस्कं विशोकं यास्यत्ययं भागवतप्रधानः
sarve vayaṃ tāvadihāsmahe'dya kalevaraṃ yāvadasau vihāya | lokaṃ paraṃ virajaskaṃ viśokaṃ yāsyatyayaṃ bhāgavatapradhānaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We shall all wait here until the foremost devotee of the Lord, Mahārāja Parīkṣit, returns to the supreme planet, which is completely free from all mundane contamination and all kinds of lamentation.
आश्रुत्य तदृषिगणवचः परीक्षि- त्समं मधुच्युद्गुरु चाव्यलीकम् । आभाषतैनानभिनन्द्य युक्तान् शुश्रूषमाणश्चरितानि विष्णोः
āśrutya tadṛṣigaṇavacaḥ parīkṣi- tsamaṃ madhucyudguru cāvyalīkam | ābhāṣatainānabhinandya yuktān śuśrūṣamāṇaścaritāni viṣṇoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All that was spoken by the great sages was very sweet to hear, full of meaning and appropriately presented as perfectly true. So after hearing them, Mahārāja Parīkṣit, desiring to hear of the activities of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, congratulated the great sages.
समागताः सर्वत एव सर्वे वेदा यथा मूर्तिधरास्त्रिपृष्ठे । नेहाथवामुत्र च कश्चनार्थ ऋते परानुग्रहमात्मशीलम्
samāgatāḥ sarvata eva sarve vedā yathā mūrtidharāstripṛṣṭhe | nehāthavāmutra ca kaścanārtha ṛte parānugrahamātmaśīlam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King said: O great sages, you have all very kindly assembled here, having come from all parts of the universe. You are all as good as supreme knowledge personified, who resides in the planet above the three worlds [Satyaloka]. Consequently you are naturally inclined to do good to others, and but for this you have no interest, either in this life or in the next.
ततश्च वः पृच्छ्यमिमं विपृच्छे विश्रभ्य विप्रा इति कृत्यतायाम् । सर्वात्मना म्रियमाणैश्च कृत्यं शुद्धं च तत्रामृशताभियुक्ताः
tataśca vaḥ pṛcchyamimaṃ vipṛcche viśrabhya viprā iti kṛtyatāyām | sarvātmanā mriyamāṇaiśca kṛtyaṃ śuddhaṃ ca tatrāmṛśatābhiyuktāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O trustworthy brāhmaṇas, I now ask you about my immediate duty. Please, after proper deliberation, tell me of the unalloyed duty of everyone in all circumstances, and specifically of those who are just about to die.
तत्राभवद्भगवान् व्यासपुत्रो यदृच्छया गामटमानोऽनपेक्षः । अलक्ष्यलिङ्गो निजलाभतुष्टो वृतश्च बालैरवधूतवेषः
tatrābhavadbhagavān vyāsaputro yadṛcchayā gāmaṭamāno'napekṣaḥ | alakṣyaliṅgo nijalābhatuṣṭo vṛtaśca bālairavadhūtaveṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that moment there appeared the powerful son of Vyāsadeva, who traveled over the earth disinterested and satisfied with himself. He did not manifest any symptoms of belonging to any social order or status of life. He was surrounded with women and children, and he dressed as if others had neglected him.
तं द्व्यष्टवर्षं सुकुमारपाद- करोरुबाह्वंसकपोलगात्रम् । चार्वायताक्षोन्नसतुल्यकर्ण- सुभ्र्वाननं कम्बुसुजातकण्ठम्
taṃ dvyaṣṭavarṣaṃ sukumārapāda- karorubāhvaṃsakapolagātram | cārvāyatākṣonnasatulyakarṇa- subhrvānanaṃ kambusujātakaṇṭham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This son of Vyāsadeva was only sixteen years old. His legs, hands, thighs, arms, shoulders, forehead and the other parts of his body were all delicately formed. His eyes were beautifully wide, and his nose and ears were highly raised. He had a very attractive face, and his neck was well formed and beautiful like a conchshell.
निगूढजत्रुं पृथुतुङ्गवक्षस- मावर्तनाभिं वलिवल्गूदरं च । दिगम्बरं वक्त्रविकीर्णकेशं प्रलम्बबाहुं स्वमरोत्तमाभम्
nigūḍhajatruṃ pṛthutuṅgavakṣasa- māvartanābhiṃ valivalgūdaraṃ ca | digambaraṃ vaktravikīrṇakeśaṃ pralambabāhuṃ svamarottamābham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His collarbone was fleshy, his chest broad and thick, his navel deep and his abdomen beautifully striped. His arms were long, and curly hair was strewn over his beautiful face. He was naked, and the hue of his body reflected that of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
श्यामं सदापीच्यवयोऽङ्गलक्ष्म्या स्त्रीणां मनोज्ञं रुचिरस्मितेन । प्रत्युत्थितास्ते मुनयः स्वासनेभ्य- स्तल्लक्षणज्ञा अपि गूढवर्चसम्
śyāmaṃ sadāpīcyavayo'ṅgalakṣmyā strīṇāṃ manojñaṃ rucirasmitena | pratyutthitāste munayaḥ svāsanebhya- stallakṣaṇajñā api gūḍhavarcasam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He was blackish and very beautiful due to his youth. Because of the glamor of his body and his attractive smiles, he was pleasing to women. Though he tried to cover his natural glories, the great sages present there were all expert in the art of physiognomy, and so they honored him by rising from their seats.
स विष्णुरातोऽतिथय आगताय तस्मै सपर्यां शिरसाऽऽजहार । ततो निवृत्ता ह्यबुधाः स्त्रियोऽर्भका महासने सोपविवेश पूजितः
sa viṣṇurāto'tithaya āgatāya tasmai saparyāṃ śirasā''jahāra | tato nivṛttā hyabudhāḥ striyo'rbhakā mahāsane sopaviveśa pūjitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who is also known as Viṣṇurāta [one who is always protected by Viṣṇu], bowed his head to receive the chief guest, Śukadeva Gosvāmī. At that time all the ignorant women and boys ceased following Śrīla Śukadeva. Receiving respect from all, Śukadeva Gosvāmī took his exalted seat.
स संवृतस्तत्र महान् महीयसां ब्रह्मर्षिराजर्षिदेवर्षिसङ्घैः । व्यरोचतालं भगवान् यथेन्दु- र्ग्रहर्क्षतारानिकरैः परीतः
sa saṃvṛtastatra mahān mahīyasāṃ brahmarṣirājarṣidevarṣisaṅghaiḥ | vyarocatālaṃ bhagavān yathendu- rgraharkṣatārānikaraiḥ parītaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī was then surrounded by saintly sages and demigods just as the moon is surrounded by stars, planets and other heavenly bodies. His presence was gorgeous, and he was respected by all.
प्रशान्तमासीनमकुण्ठमेधसं मुनिं नृपो भागवतोऽभ्युपेत्य । प्रणम्य मूर्ध्नावहितः कृताञ्जलि- र्नत्वा गिरा सूनृतयान्वपृच्छत्
praśāntamāsīnamakuṇṭhamedhasaṃ muniṃ nṛpo bhāgavato'bhyupetya | praṇamya mūrdhnāvahitaḥ kṛtāñjali- rnatvā girā sūnṛtayānvapṛcchat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī sat perfectly pacified, intelligent and ready to answer any question without hesitation. The great devotee, Mahārāja Parīkṣit, approached him, offered his respects by bowing before him, and politely inquired with sweet words and folded hands.
परीक्षिदुवाच । अहो अद्य वयं ब्रह्मन् सत्सेव्याः क्षत्रबन्धवः । कृपयातिथिरूपेण भवद्भिस्तीर्थकाः कृताः
parīkṣiduvāca | aho adya vayaṃ brahman satsevyāḥ kṣatrabandhavaḥ | kṛpayātithirūpeṇa bhavadbhistīrthakāḥ kṛtāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The fortunate King Parīkṣit said: O brāhmaṇa, by your mercy only, you have sanctified us, making us like unto places of pilgrimage, all by your presence here as my guest. By your mercy, we, who are but unworthy royalty, become eligible to serve the devotee.
येषां संस्मरणात्पुंसां सद्यः शुध्यन्ति वै गृहाः । किं पुनर्दर्शनस्पर्शपादशौचासनादिभिः
yeṣāṃ saṃsmaraṇātpuṃsāṃ sadyaḥ śudhyanti vai gṛhāḥ | kiṃ punardarśanasparśapādaśaucāsanādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Simply by our remembering you, our houses become instantly sanctified. And what to speak of seeing you, touching you, washing your holy feet and offering you a seat in our home?
सान्निध्यात्ते महायोगिन् पातकानि महान्त्यपि । सद्यो नश्यन्ति वै पुंसां विष्णोरिव सुरेतराः
sānnidhyātte mahāyogin pātakāni mahāntyapi | sadyo naśyanti vai puṃsāṃ viṣṇoriva suretarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as the atheist cannot remain in the presence of the Personality of Godhead, so also the invulnerable sins of a man are immediately vanquished in your presence, O saint! O great mystic!
अपि मे भगवान् प्रीतः कृष्णः पाण्डुसुतप्रियः । पैतृष्वसेयप्रीत्यर्थं तद्गोत्रस्यात्तबान्धवः
api me bhagavān prītaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ pāṇḍusutapriyaḥ | paitṛṣvaseyaprītyarthaṃ tadgotrasyāttabāndhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is very dear to the sons of King Pāṇḍu, has accepted me as one of those relatives just to please His great cousins and brothers.
अन्यथा तेऽव्यक्तगतेर्दर्शनं नः कथं नृणाम् । नितरां म्रियमाणानां संसिद्धस्य वनीयसः
anyathā te'vyaktagaterdarśanaṃ naḥ kathaṃ nṛṇām | nitarāṃ mriyamāṇānāṃ saṃsiddhasya vanīyasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Otherwise [without being inspired by Lord Kṛṣṇa] how is it that you have voluntarily appeared here, though you are moving incognito to the common man and are not visible to us who are on the verge of death?
अतः पृच्छामि संसिद्धिं योगिनां परमं गुरुम् । पुरुषस्येह यत्कार्यं म्रियमाणस्य सर्वथा
ataḥ pṛcchāmi saṃsiddhiṃ yogināṃ paramaṃ gurum | puruṣasyeha yatkāryaṃ mriyamāṇasya sarvathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the spiritual master of great saints and devotees. I am therefore begging you to show the way of perfection for all persons, and especially for one who is about to die.
यच्छ्रोतव्यमथो जप्यं यत्कर्तव्यं नृभिः प्रभो । स्मर्तव्यं भजनीयं वा ब्रूहि यद्वा विपर्ययम्
yacchrotavyamatho japyaṃ yatkartavyaṃ nṛbhiḥ prabho | smartavyaṃ bhajanīyaṃ vā brūhi yadvā viparyayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please let me know what a man should hear, chant, remember and worship, and also what he should not do. Please explain all this to me.
नूनं भगवतो ब्रह्मन् गृहेषु गृहमेधिनाम् । न लक्ष्यते ह्यवस्थानमपि गोदोहनं क्वचित्
nūnaṃ bhagavato brahman gṛheṣu gṛhamedhinām | na lakṣyate hyavasthānamapi godohanaṃ kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O powerful brāhmaṇa, it is said that you hardly stay in the houses of men long enough to milk a cow.
सूत उवाच । एवमाभाषितः पृष्टः स राज्ञा श्लक्ष्णया गिरा । प्रत्यभाषत धर्मज्ञो भगवान् बादरायणिः
sūta uvāca | evamābhāṣitaḥ pṛṣṭaḥ sa rājñā ślakṣṇayā girā | pratyabhāṣata dharmajño bhagavān bādarāyaṇiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: The King thus spoke and questioned the sage, using sweet language. Then the great and powerful personality, the son of Vyāsadeva, who knew the principles of religion, began his reply.