Srimad Bhagavata Purana · Chapter 4
Skandha 4 — The Creation of the Fourth Order
चतुर्थस्कन्धः
Dhruva, Prithu, and other royal sages.
1340 verses
मैत्रेय उवाच । मनोस्तु शतरूपायां तिस्रः कन्याश्च जज्ञिरे । आकूतिर्देवहूतिश्च प्रसूतिरिति विश्रुताः
maitreya uvāca | manostu śatarūpāyāṃ tisraḥ kanyāśca jajñire | ākūtirdevahūtiśca prasūtiriti viśrutāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Maitreya said: Svāyambhuva Manu begot three daughters in his wife, Śatarūpā, and their names were Ākūti, Devahūti and Prasūti.
आकूतिं रुचये प्रादादपि भ्रातृमतीं नृपः । पुत्रिकाधर्ममाश्रित्य शतरूपानुमोदितः
ākūtiṃ rucaye prādādapi bhrātṛmatīṃ nṛpaḥ | putrikādharmamāśritya śatarūpānumoditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ākūti had two brothers, but in spite of her brothers, King Svāyambhuva Manu handed her over to Prajāpati Ruci on the condition that the son born of her be returned to Manu as his son. This he did in consultation with his wife, Śatarūpā.
प्रजापतिः स भगवान् रुचिस्तस्यामजीजनत् । मिथुनं ब्रह्मवर्चस्वी परमेण समाधिना
prajāpatiḥ sa bhagavān rucistasyāmajījanat | mithunaṃ brahmavarcasvī parameṇa samādhinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ruci, who was very powerful in his brahminical qualifications and was appointed one of the progenitors of the living entities, begot one son and one daughter by his wife, Ākūti.
यस्तयोः पुरुषः साक्षाद्विष्णुर्यज्ञस्वरूपधृक् । या स्त्री सा दक्षिणा भूतेरंशभूतानपायिनी
yastayoḥ puruṣaḥ sākṣādviṣṇuryajñasvarūpadhṛk | yā strī sā dakṣiṇā bhūteraṃśabhūtānapāyinī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Of the two children born of Ākūti, the male child was directly an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His name was Yajña, which is another name of Lord Viṣṇu. The female child was a partial incarnation of Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, the eternal consort of Lord Viṣṇu.
आनिन्ये स्वगृहं पुत्र्याः पुत्रं विततरोचिषम् । स्वायम्भुवो मुदा युक्तो रुचिर्जग्राह दक्षिणाम्
āninye svagṛhaṃ putryāḥ putraṃ vitatarociṣam | svāyambhuvo mudā yukto rucirjagrāha dakṣiṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Svāyambhuva Manu very gladly brought home the beautiful boy named Yajña, and Ruci, his son-in-law, kept with him the daughter, Dakṣiṇā.
तां कामयानां भगवानुवाह यजुषां पतिः । तुष्टायां तोषमापन्नोऽजनयद्द्वादशात्मजान्
tāṃ kāmayānāṃ bhagavānuvāha yajuṣāṃ patiḥ | tuṣṭāyāṃ toṣamāpanno'janayaddvādaśātmajān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord of the ritualistic performance of yajña later married Dakṣiṇā, who was anxious to have the Personality of Godhead as her husband, and in this wife the Lord was also very much pleased to beget twelve children.
तोषः प्रतोषः सन्तोषो भद्रः शान्तिरिडस्पतिः । इध्मः कविर्विभुः स्वह्नः सुदेवो रोचनो द्विषट्
toṣaḥ pratoṣaḥ santoṣo bhadraḥ śāntiriḍaspatiḥ | idhmaḥ kavirvibhuḥ svahnaḥ sudevo rocano dviṣaṭ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The twelve boys born of Yajña and Dakṣiṇā were named Toṣa, Pratoṣa, Santoṣa, Bhadra, Śānti, Iḍaspati, Idhma, Kavi, Vibhu, Svahna, Sudeva and Rocana.
तुषिता नाम ते देवा आसन् स्वायम्भुवान्तरे । मरीचिमिश्रा ऋषयो यज्ञः सुरगणेश्वरः
tuṣitā nāma te devā āsan svāyambhuvāntare | marīcimiśrā ṛṣayo yajñaḥ suragaṇeśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
During the time of Svāyambhuva Manu, these sons all became the demigods collectively named the Tuṣitas. Marīci became the head of the seven ṛṣis, and Yajña became the king of the demigods, Indra.
प्रियव्रतोत्तानपादौ मनुपुत्रौ महौजसौ । तत्पुत्रपौत्रनप्तॄणामनुवृत्तं तदन्तरम्
priyavratottānapādau manuputrau mahaujasau | tatputrapautranaptṝṇāmanuvṛttaṃ tadantaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Svāyambhuva Manu’s two sons, Priyavrata and Uttānapāda, became very powerful kings, and their sons and grandsons spread all over the three worlds during that period.
देवहूतिमदात्तात कर्दमायात्मजां मनुः । तत्सम्बन्धि श्रुतप्रायं भवता गदतो मम
devahūtimadāttāta kardamāyātmajāṃ manuḥ | tatsambandhi śrutaprāyaṃ bhavatā gadato mama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear son, Svāyambhuva Manu handed over his very dear daughter Devahūti to Kardama Muni. I have already spoken to you about them, and you have heard about them almost in full.
दक्षाय ब्रह्मपुत्राय प्रसूतिं भगवान् मनुः । प्रायच्छद्यत्कृतः सर्गस्त्रिलोक्यां विततो महान्
dakṣāya brahmaputrāya prasūtiṃ bhagavān manuḥ | prāyacchadyatkṛtaḥ sargastrilokyāṃ vitato mahān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Svāyambhuva Manu handed over his daughter Prasūti to the son of Brahmā named Dakṣa, who was also one of the progenitors of the living entities. The descendants of Dakṣa are spread throughout the three worlds.
याः कर्दमसुताः प्रोक्ता नव ब्रह्मर्षिपत्नयः । तासां प्रसूतिप्रसवं प्रोच्यमानं निबोध मे
yāḥ kardamasutāḥ proktā nava brahmarṣipatnayaḥ | tāsāṃ prasūtiprasavaṃ procyamānaṃ nibodha me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You have already been informed about the nine daughters of Kardama Muni, who were handed over to nine different sages. I shall now describe the descendants of those nine daughters. Please hear from me.
पत्नी मरीचेस्तु कला सुषुवे कर्दमात्मजा । कश्यपं पूर्णिमानं च ययोरापूरितं जगत्
patnī marīcestu kalā suṣuve kardamātmajā | kaśyapaṃ pūrṇimānaṃ ca yayorāpūritaṃ jagat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kardama Muni’s daughter Kalā, who was married to Marīci, gave birth to two children, whose names were Kaśyapa and Pūrṇimā. Their descendants are spread all over the world.
पूर्णिमासूत विरजं विश्वगं च परन्तप । देवकुल्यां हरेः पादशौचाद्याभूत्सरिद्दिवः
pūrṇimāsūta virajaṃ viśvagaṃ ca parantapa | devakulyāṃ hareḥ pādaśaucādyābhūtsariddivaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vidura, of the two sons, Kaśyapa and Pūrṇimā, Pūrṇimā begot three children, namely Viraja, Viśvaga and Devakulyā. Of these three, Devakulyā was the water which washed the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead and which later on transformed into the Ganges of the heavenly planets.
अत्रेः पत्न्यनसूया त्रीञ्जज्ञे सुयशसः सुतान् । दत्तं दुर्वाससं सोममात्मेशब्रह्मसम्भवान्
atreḥ patnyanasūyā trīñjajñe suyaśasaḥ sutān | dattaṃ durvāsasaṃ somamātmeśabrahmasambhavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Anasūyā, the wife of Atri Muni, gave birth to three very famous sons — Soma, Dattātreya and Durvāsā — who were partial representations of Lord Viṣṇu, Lord Śiva and Lord Brahmā. Soma was a partial representation of Lord Brahmā, Dattātreya was a partial representation of Lord Viṣṇu, and Durvāsā was a partial representation of Lord Śiva.
विदुर उवाच । अत्रेर्गृहे सुरश्रेष्ठाः स्थित्युत्पत्त्यन्तहेतवः । किञ्चिच्चिकीर्षवो जाता एतदाख्याहि मे गुरो
vidura uvāca | atrergṛhe suraśreṣṭhāḥ sthityutpattyantahetavaḥ | kiñciccikīrṣavo jātā etadākhyāhi me guro
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After hearing this, Vidura inquired from Maitreya: My dear master, how is it that the three deities Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva, who are the creator, maintainer and destroyer of the whole creation, became the offspring of the wife of Atri Muni?
मैत्रेय उवाच । ब्रह्मणा नोदितः सृष्टावत्रिर्ब्रह्मविदां वरः । सह पत्न्या ययावृक्षं कुलाद्रिं तपसि स्थितः
maitreya uvāca | brahmaṇā noditaḥ sṛṣṭāvatrirbrahmavidāṃ varaḥ | saha patnyā yayāvṛkṣaṃ kulādriṃ tapasi sthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya said: When Lord Brahmā ordered Atri Muni to create generations after marrying Anasūyā, Atri Muni and his wife went to perform severe austerities in the valley of the mountain known as Ṛkṣa.
तस्मिन् प्रसूनस्तबकपलाशाशोककानने । वार्भिः स्रवद्भिरुद्घुष्टे निर्विन्ध्यायाः समन्ततः
tasmin prasūnastabakapalāśāśokakānane | vārbhiḥ sravadbhirudghuṣṭe nirvindhyāyāḥ samantataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that mountain valley flows a river named Nirvindhyā. On the bank of the river are many aśoka trees and other plants full of palāśa flowers, and there is always the sweet sound of water flowing from a waterfall. The husband and wife reached that beautiful place.
प्राणायामेन संयम्य मनो वर्षशतं मुनिः । अतिष्ठदेकपादेन निर्द्वन्द्वोऽनिलभोजनः
prāṇāyāmena saṃyamya mano varṣaśataṃ muniḥ | atiṣṭhadekapādena nirdvandvo'nilabhojanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There the great sage concentrated his mind by the yogic breathing exercises, and thereby controlling all attachment, he remained standing on one leg only, eating nothing but air, and stood there on one leg for one hundred years.
शरणं तं प्रपद्येऽहं य एव जगदीश्वरः । प्रजामात्मसमां मह्यं प्रयच्छत्विति चिन्तयन्
śaraṇaṃ taṃ prapadye'haṃ ya eva jagadīśvaraḥ | prajāmātmasamāṃ mahyaṃ prayacchatviti cintayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He was thinking: May the Lord of the universe, of whom I have taken shelter, kindly be pleased to offer me a son exactly like Him.
तप्यमानं त्रिभुवनं प्राणायामैधसाग्निना । निर्गतेन मुनेर्मूर्ध्नः समीक्ष्य प्रभवस्त्रयः
tapyamānaṃ tribhuvanaṃ prāṇāyāmaidhasāgninā | nirgatena munermūrdhnaḥ samīkṣya prabhavastrayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Atri Muni was engaged in these severe austerities, a blazing fire came out of his head by virtue of his breathing exercise, and that fire was seen by the three principal deities of the three worlds.
अप्सरोमुनिगन्धर्वसिद्धविद्याधरोरगैः । वितायमानयशसस्तदाश्रमपदं ययुः
apsaromunigandharvasiddhavidyādharoragaiḥ | vitāyamānayaśasastadāśramapadaṃ yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time, the three deities approached the hermitage of Atri Muni, accompanied by the denizens of the heavenly planets, such as the celestial beauties, the Gandharvas, the Siddhas, the Vidyādharas and the Nāgas. Thus they entered the āśrama of the great sage, who had become famous by his austerities.
तत्प्रादुर्भावसंयोगविद्योतितमना मुनिः । उत्तिष्ठन्नेकपादेन ददर्श विबुधर्षभान्
tatprādurbhāvasaṃyogavidyotitamanā muniḥ | uttiṣṭhannekapādena dadarśa vibudharṣabhān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage was standing on one leg, but as soon as he saw that the three deities had appeared before him, he was so pleased to see them all together that despite great difficulty he approached them on one leg.
प्रणम्य दण्डवद्भूमावुपतस्थेऽर्हणाञ्जलिः । वृषहंससुपर्णस्थान् स्वैः स्वैश्चिह्नैश्च चिह्नितान्
praṇamya daṇḍavadbhūmāvupatasthe'rhaṇāñjaliḥ | vṛṣahaṃsasuparṇasthān svaiḥ svaiścihnaiśca cihnitān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter he began to offer prayers to the three deities, who were seated on different carriers — a bull, a swan and Garuḍa — and who held in their hands a drum, kuśa grass and a discus. The sage offered them his respects by falling down like a stick.
कृपावलोकेन हसद्वदनेनोपलम्भितान् । तद्रोचिषा प्रतिहते निमील्य मुनिरक्षिणी
kṛpāvalokena hasadvadanenopalambhitān | tadrociṣā pratihate nimīlya munirakṣiṇī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Atri Muni was greatly pleased to see that the three devas were gracious towards him. His eyes were dazzled by the effulgence of their bodies, and therefore he closed his eyes for the time being.
एको मयेह भगवान् विविधप्रधानै- श्चित्तीकृतः प्रजननाय कथं नु यूयम् । अत्रागतास्तनुभृतां मनसोऽपि दूराद्- ब्रूत प्रसीदत महानिह विस्मयो मे
eko mayeha bhagavān vividhapradhānai- ścittīkṛtaḥ prajananāya kathaṃ nu yūyam | atrāgatāstanubhṛtāṃ manaso'pi dūrād- brūta prasīdata mahāniha vismayo me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I called for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, desiring a son like Him, and I thought of Him only. But although He is far beyond the mental speculation of man, all three of you have come here. Kindly let me know how you have come, for I am greatly bewildered about this.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा त्रयस्ते विबुधर्षभाः । प्रत्याहुः श्लक्ष्णया वाचा प्रहस्य तमृषिं प्रभो
maitreya uvāca | iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā trayaste vibudharṣabhāḥ | pratyāhuḥ ślakṣṇayā vācā prahasya tamṛṣiṃ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: Upon hearing Atri Muni speak in that way, the three great deities smiled, and they replied in the following sweet words.
देवा ऊचुः । यथा कृतस्ते सङ्कल्पो भाव्यं तेनैव नान्यथा । सत्सङ्कल्पस्य ते ब्रह्मन् यद्वै ध्यायति ते वयम्
devā ūcuḥ | yathā kṛtaste saṅkalpo bhāvyaṃ tenaiva nānyathā | satsaṅkalpasya te brahman yadvai dhyāyati te vayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The three deities told Atri Muni: Dear brāhmaṇa, you are perfect in your determination, and therefore as you have decided, so it will happen; it will not happen otherwise. We are all the same person upon whom you were meditating, and therefore we have all come to you.
अथास्मदंशभूतास्ते आत्मजा लोकविश्रुताः । भवितारोऽङ्ग भद्रं ते विस्रप्स्यन्ति च ते यशः
athāsmadaṃśabhūtāste ātmajā lokaviśrutāḥ | bhavitāro'ṅga bhadraṃ te visrapsyanti ca te yaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You will have sons who will represent a partial manifestation of our potency, and because we desire all good fortune for you, those sons will glorify your reputation throughout the world.
एवं कामवरं दत्त्वा प्रतिजग्मुः सुरेश्वराः । सभाजितास्तयोः सम्यग्दम्पत्योर्मिषतोस्ततः
evaṃ kāmavaraṃ dattvā pratijagmuḥ sureśvarāḥ | sabhājitāstayoḥ samyagdampatyormiṣatostataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus, while the couple looked on, the three deities Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara disappeared from that place after bestowing upon Atri Muni the benediction.
सोमोऽभूद्ब्रह्मणोंऽशेन दत्तो विष्णोस्तु योगवित् । दुर्वासाः शङ्करस्यांशो निबोधाङ्गिरसः प्रजाः
somo'bhūdbrahmaṇoṃ'śena datto viṣṇostu yogavit | durvāsāḥ śaṅkarasyāṃśo nibodhāṅgirasaḥ prajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, from the partial representation of Brahmā, the moon-god was born of them; from the partial representation of Viṣṇu, the great mystic Dattātreya was born; and from the partial representation of Śaṅkara [Lord Śiva], Durvāsā was born. Now you may hear from me of the many sons of Aṅgirā.
श्रद्धा त्वङ्गिरसः पत्नी चतस्रोऽसूत कन्यकाः । सिनीवाली कुहू राका चतुर्थ्यनुमतिस्तथा
śraddhā tvaṅgirasaḥ patnī catasro'sūta kanyakāḥ | sinīvālī kuhū rākā caturthyanumatistathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Aṅgirā’s wife, Śraddhā, gave birth to four daughters, named Sinīvālī, Kuhū, Rākā and Anumati.
तत्पुत्रावपरावास्तां ख्यातौ स्वारोचिषेऽन्तरे । उतथ्यो भगवान् साक्षाद्ब्रह्मिष्ठश्च बृहस्पतिः
tatputrāvaparāvāstāṃ khyātau svārociṣe'ntare | utathyo bhagavān sākṣādbrahmiṣṭhaśca bṛhaspatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Besides these four daughters, she also had another two sons. One of them was known as Utathya, and the other was the learned scholar Bṛhaspati.
पुलस्त्योऽजनयत्पत्न्यामगस्त्यं च हविर्भुवि । सोऽन्यजन्मनि दह्राग्निर्विश्रवाश्च महातपाः
pulastyo'janayatpatnyāmagastyaṃ ca havirbhuvi | so'nyajanmani dahrāgnirviśravāśca mahātapāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pulastya begot in his wife, Havirbhū, one son of the name Agastya, who in his next birth became Dahrāgni. Besides him, Pulastya begot another very great and saintly son, whose name was Viśravā.
तस्य यक्षपतिर्देवः कुबेरस्त्विडविडा सुतः । रावणः कुम्भकर्णश्च तथान्यस्यां विभीषणः
tasya yakṣapatirdevaḥ kuberastviḍaviḍā sutaḥ | rāvaṇaḥ kumbhakarṇaśca tathānyasyāṃ vibhīṣaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Viśravā had two wives. The first wife was Iḍaviḍā, from whom Kuvera, the master of all Yakṣas, was born, and the next wife was named Keśinī, from whom three sons were born — Rāvaṇa, Kumbhakarṇa and Vibhīṣaṇa.
पुलहस्य गतिर्भार्या त्रीनसूत सती सुतान् । कर्मश्रेष्ठं वरीयांसं सहिष्णुं च महामते
pulahasya gatirbhāryā trīnasūta satī sutān | karmaśreṣṭhaṃ varīyāṃsaṃ sahiṣṇuṃ ca mahāmate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Gati, the wife of the sage Pulaha, gave birth to three sons, named Karmaśreṣṭha, Varīyān and Sahiṣṇu, and all of them were great sages.
क्रतोरपि क्रिया भार्या वालखिल्यानसूयत । ऋषीन् षष्टिसहस्राणि ज्वलतो ब्रह्मतेजसा
kratorapi kriyā bhāryā vālakhilyānasūyata | ṛṣīn ṣaṣṭisahasrāṇi jvalato brahmatejasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kratu’s wife, Kriyā, gave birth to sixty thousand great sages, named the Vālakhilyas. All these sages were greatly advanced in spiritual knowledge, and their bodies were illuminated by such knowledge.
ऊर्जायां जज्ञिरे पुत्रा वसिष्ठस्य परन्तप । चित्रकेतुप्रधानास्ते सप्त ब्रह्मर्षयोऽमलाः
ūrjāyāṃ jajñire putrā vasiṣṭhasya parantapa | citraketupradhānāste sapta brahmarṣayo'malāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Vasiṣṭha begot in his wife, Ūrjā [sometimes called Arundhatī], seven spotlessly great sages, headed by the sage named Citraketu.
चित्रकेतुः सुरोचिश्च विरजा मित्र एव च । उल्बणो वसुभृद्यानो द्युमान् शक्त्यादयोऽपरे
citraketuḥ surociśca virajā mitra eva ca | ulbaṇo vasubhṛdyāno dyumān śaktyādayo'pare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The names of these seven sages are as follows: Citraketu, Suroci, Virajā, Mitra, Ulbaṇa, Vasubhṛdyāna and Dyumān. Some other very competent sons were born from Vasiṣṭha’s other wife.
चित्तिस्त्वथर्वणः पत्नी लेभे पुत्रं धृतव्रतम् । दध्यञ्चमश्वशिरसं भृगोर्वंशं निबोध मे
cittistvatharvaṇaḥ patnī lebhe putraṃ dhṛtavratam | dadhyañcamaśvaśirasaṃ bhṛgorvaṃśaṃ nibodha me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Citti, wife of the sage Atharvā, gave birth to a son named Aśvaśirā by accepting a great vow called Dadhyañca. Now you may hear from me about the descendants of the sage Bhṛgu.
भृगुः ख्यात्यां महाभागः पत्न्यां पुत्रानजीजनत् । धातारं च विधातारं श्रियं च भगवत्पराम्
bhṛguḥ khyātyāṃ mahābhāgaḥ patnyāṃ putrānajījanat | dhātāraṃ ca vidhātāraṃ śriyaṃ ca bhagavatparām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Bhṛgu was highly fortunate. In his wife, known as Khyāti, he begot two sons, named Dhātā and Vidhātā, and one daughter, named Śrī, who was very much devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
आयतिं नियतिं चैव सुते मेरुस्तयोरदात् । ताभ्यां तयोरभवतां मृकण्डः प्राण एव च
āyatiṃ niyatiṃ caiva sute merustayoradāt | tābhyāṃ tayorabhavatāṃ mṛkaṇḍaḥ prāṇa eva ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Meru had two daughters, named Āyati and Niyati, whom he gave in charity to Dhātā and Vidhātā. Āyati and Niyati gave birth to two sons, Mṛkaṇḍa and Prāṇa.
मार्कण्डेयो मृकण्डस्य प्राणाद्वेदशिरा मुनिः । कविश्च भार्गवो यस्य भगवानुशना सुतः
mārkaṇḍeyo mṛkaṇḍasya prāṇādvedaśirā muniḥ | kaviśca bhārgavo yasya bhagavānuśanā sutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From Mṛkaṇḍa, Mārkaṇḍeya Muni was born, and from Prāṇa, the sage Vedaśirā, whose son was Uśanā [Śukrācārya], also known as Kavi. Thus Kavi also belonged to the descendants of the Bhṛgu dynasty.
त्रयोदशादाद्धर्माय तथैकामग्नये विभुः । पितृभ्य एकां युक्तेभ्यो भवायैकां भवच्छिदे
trayodaśādāddharmāya tathaikāmagnaye vibhuḥ | pitṛbhya ekāṃ yuktebhyo bhavāyaikāṃ bhavacchide
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dakṣa begot sixteen very beautiful daughters with lotuslike eyes in his wife Prasūti. Of these sixteen daughters, thirteen were given in marriage to Dharma, and one daughter was given to Agni.
ययोर्जन्मन्यदो विश्वमभ्यनन्दत्सुनिर्वृतम् । मनांसि ककुभो वाताः प्रसेदुः सरितोऽद्रयः
yayorjanmanyado viśvamabhyanandatsunirvṛtam | manāṃsi kakubho vātāḥ praseduḥ sarito'drayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the occasion of the appearance of Nara-Nārāyaṇa, the entire world was full of joy. Everyone’s mind became tranquil, and thus in all directions the air, the rivers and the mountains became pleasant.
देवा ऊचुः । यो मायया विरचितं निजयाऽऽत्मनीदं खे रूपभेदमिव तत्प्रतिचक्षणाय । एतेन धर्मसदने ऋषिमूर्तिनाद्य प्रादुश्चकार पुरुषाय नमः परस्मै
devā ūcuḥ | yo māyayā viracitaṃ nijayā''tmanīdaṃ khe rūpabhedamiva tatpraticakṣaṇāya | etena dharmasadane ṛṣimūrtinādya prāduścakāra puruṣāya namaḥ parasmai
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods said: Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto the transcendental Personality of Godhead, who created as His external energy this cosmic manifestation, which is situated in Him as the air and clouds are situated in space, and who has now appeared in the form of Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi in the house of Dharma.
सोऽयं स्थितिव्यतिकरोपशमाय सृष्टान् सत्त्वेन नः सुरगणाननुमेयतत्त्वः । दृश्याददभ्रकरुणेन विलोकनेन यच्छ्रीनिकेतममलं क्षिपतारविन्दम्
so'yaṃ sthitivyatikaropaśamāya sṛṣṭān sattvena naḥ suragaṇānanumeyatattvaḥ | dṛśyādadabhrakaruṇena vilokanena yacchrīniketamamalaṃ kṣipatāravindam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is understood by truly authorized Vedic literature and who has created peace and prosperity to destroy all calamities of the created world, be kind enough to bestow His glance upon the demigods. His merciful glance can supersede the beauty of the spotless lotus flower which is the home of the goddess of fortune.
एवं सुरगणैस्तात भगवन्तावभिष्टुतौ । लब्धावलोकैर्ययतुरर्चितौ गन्धमादनम्
evaṃ suragaṇaistāta bhagavantāvabhiṣṭutau | labdhāvalokairyayaturarcitau gandhamādanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Maitreya said:] O Vidura, thus the demigods worshiped with prayers the Supreme Personality of Godhead appearing as the sage Nara-Nārāyaṇa. The Lord glanced upon them with mercy and then departed for Gandhamādana Hill.
ताविमौ वै भगवतो हरेरंशाविहागतौ । भारव्ययाय च भुवः कृष्णौ यदुकुरूद्वहौ
tāvimau vai bhagavato hareraṃśāvihāgatau | bhāravyayāya ca bhuvaḥ kṛṣṇau yadukurūdvahau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi, who is a partial expansion of Kṛṣṇa, has now appeared in the dynasties of Yadu and Kuru, in the forms of Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna respectively, to mitigate the burden of the world.
स्वाहाभिमानिनश्चाग्नेरात्मजांस्त्रीनजीजनत् । पावकं पवमानं च शुचिं च हुतभोजनम्
svāhābhimāninaścāgnerātmajāṃstrīnajījanat | pāvakaṃ pavamānaṃ ca śuciṃ ca hutabhojanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The predominating deity of fire begot in his wife, Svāhā, three children, named Pāvaka, Pavamāna and Śuci, who exist by eating the oblations offered to the fire of sacrifice.
तेभ्योऽग्नयः समभवन् चत्वारिंशच्च पञ्च च । त एवैकोनपञ्चाशत्साकं पितृपितामहैः
tebhyo'gnayaḥ samabhavan catvāriṃśacca pañca ca | ta evaikonapañcāśatsākaṃ pitṛpitāmahaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From those three sons another forty-five descendants were generated, who are also fire-gods. The total number of fire-gods is therefore forty-nine, including the fathers and the grandfather.
वैतानिके कर्मणि यन्नामभिर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः । आग्नेय्य इष्टयो यज्ञे निरूप्यन्तेऽग्नयस्तु ते
vaitānike karmaṇi yannāmabhirbrahmavādibhiḥ | āgneyya iṣṭayo yajñe nirūpyante'gnayastu te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These forty-nine fire-gods are the beneficiaries of the oblations offered in the Vedic sacrificial fire by impersonalist brāhmaṇas.
अग्निष्वात्ता बर्हिषदः सौम्याः पितर आज्यपाः । साग्नयोऽनग्नयस्तेषां पत्नी दाक्षायणी स्वधा
agniṣvāttā barhiṣadaḥ saumyāḥ pitara ājyapāḥ | sāgnayo'nagnayasteṣāṃ patnī dākṣāyaṇī svadhā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Agniṣvāttas, the Barhiṣadas, the Saumyas and the Ājyapas are the Pitās. They are either sāgnika or niragnika. The wife of all these Pitās is Svadhā, who is the daughter of King Dakṣa.
तेभ्यो दधार कन्ये द्वे वयुनां धारिणीं स्वधा । उभे ते ब्रह्मवादिन्यौ ज्ञानविज्ञानपारगे
tebhyo dadhāra kanye dve vayunāṃ dhāriṇīṃ svadhā | ubhe te brahmavādinyau jñānavijñānapārage
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Svadhā, who was offered to the Pitās, begot two daughters named Vayunā and Dhāriṇī, both of whom were impersonalists and were expert in transcendental and Vedic knowledge.
भवस्य पत्नी तु सती भवं देवमनुव्रता । आत्मनः सदृशं पुत्रं न लेभे गुणशीलतः
bhavasya patnī tu satī bhavaṃ devamanuvratā | ātmanaḥ sadṛśaṃ putraṃ na lebhe guṇaśīlataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sixteenth daughter, whose name was Satī, was the wife of Lord Śiva. She could not produce a child, although she always faithfully engaged in the service of her husband.
पितर्यप्रतिरूपे स्वे भवायानागसे रुषा । अप्रौढैवात्मनाऽऽत्मानमजहाद्योगसंयुता
pitaryapratirūpe sve bhavāyānāgase ruṣā | aprauḍhaivātmanā''tmānamajahādyogasaṃyutā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The reason is that Satī’s father, Dakṣa, used to rebuke Lord Śiva in spite of Śiva’s faultlessness. Consequently, before attaining a mature age, Satī gave up her body by dint of yogic mystic power.
विदुर उवाच । भवे शीलवतां श्रेष्ठे दक्षो दुहितृवत्सलः । विद्वेषमकरोत्कस्मादनादृत्यात्मजां सतीम्
vidura uvāca | bhave śīlavatāṃ śreṣṭhe dakṣo duhitṛvatsalaḥ | vidveṣamakarotkasmādanādṛtyātmajāṃ satīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vidura inquired: Why was Dakṣa, who was so affectionate towards his daughter, envious of Lord Śiva, who is the best among the gentle? Why did he neglect his daughter Satī?
कस्तं चराचरगुरुं निर्वैरं शान्तविग्रहम् । आत्मारामं कथं द्वेष्टि जगतो दैवतं महत्
kastaṃ carācaraguruṃ nirvairaṃ śāntavigraham | ātmārāmaṃ kathaṃ dveṣṭi jagato daivataṃ mahat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva, the spiritual master of the entire world, is free from enmity, is a peaceful personality, and is always satisfied in himself. He is the greatest among the demigods. How is it possible that Dakṣa could be inimical towards such an auspicious personality?
एतदाख्याहि मे ब्रह्मन् जामातुः श्वशुरस्य च । विद्वेषस्तु यतः प्राणांस्तत्यजे दुस्त्यजान् सती
etadākhyāhi me brahman jāmātuḥ śvaśurasya ca | vidveṣastu yataḥ prāṇāṃstatyaje dustyajān satī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Maitreya, to part with one’s life is very difficult. Would you kindly explain to me how such a son-in-law and father-in-law could quarrel so bitterly that the great goddess Satī could give up her life?
मैत्रेय उवाच । पुरा विश्वसृजां सत्रे समेताः परमर्षयः । तथामरगणाः सर्वे सानुगा मुनयोऽग्नयः
maitreya uvāca | purā viśvasṛjāṃ satre sametāḥ paramarṣayaḥ | tathāmaragaṇāḥ sarve sānugā munayo'gnayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Maitreya said: In a former time, the leaders of the universal creation performed a great sacrifice in which all the great sages, philosophers, demigods and fire-gods assembled with their followers.
तत्र प्रविष्टमृषयो दृष्ट्वार्कमिव रोचिषा । भ्राजमानं वितिमिरं कुर्वन्तं तन्महत्सदः
tatra praviṣṭamṛṣayo dṛṣṭvārkamiva rociṣā | bhrājamānaṃ vitimiraṃ kurvantaṃ tanmahatsadaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Dakṣa, the leader of the Prajāpatis, entered that assembly, his personal bodily luster as bright as the effulgence of the sun, the entire assembly was illuminated, and all the assembled personalities became insignificant in his presence.
उदतिष्ठन्सदस्यास्ते स्वधिष्ण्येभ्यः सहाग्नयः । ऋते विरिञ्चं शर्वं च तद्भासाऽऽक्षिप्तचेतसः
udatiṣṭhansadasyāste svadhiṣṇyebhyaḥ sahāgnayaḥ | ṛte viriñcaṃ śarvaṃ ca tadbhāsā''kṣiptacetasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Influenced by his personal bodily luster, all the fire-gods and other participants in that great assembly, with the exceptions of Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, gave up their own sitting places and stood in respect for Dakṣa.
सदसस्पतिभिर्दक्षो भगवान् साधु सत्कृतः । अजं लोकगुरुं नत्वा निषसाद तदाज्ञया
sadasaspatibhirdakṣo bhagavān sādhu satkṛtaḥ | ajaṃ lokaguruṃ natvā niṣasāda tadājñayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dakṣa was adequately welcomed by the president of the great assembly, Lord Brahmā. After offering Lord Brahmā respect, Dakṣa, by the order of Brahmā, properly took his seat.
प्राङ्निषण्णं मृडं दृष्ट्वा नामृष्यत्तदनादृतः । उवाच वामं चक्षुर्भ्यामभिवीक्ष्य दहन्निव
prāṅniṣaṇṇaṃ mṛḍaṃ dṛṣṭvā nāmṛṣyattadanādṛtaḥ | uvāca vāmaṃ cakṣurbhyāmabhivīkṣya dahanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Before taking his seat, however, Dakṣa was very much offended to see Lord Śiva sitting and not showing him any respect. At that time, Dakṣa became greatly angry, and, his eyes glowing, he began to speak very strongly against Lord Śiva.
श्रूयतां ब्रह्मर्षयो मे सह देवाः सहाग्नयः । साधूनां ब्रुवतो वृत्तं नाज्ञानान्न च मत्सरात्
śrūyatāṃ brahmarṣayo me saha devāḥ sahāgnayaḥ | sādhūnāṃ bruvato vṛttaṃ nājñānānna ca matsarāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All sages, brāhmaṇas and fire-gods present, please hear me with attention, for I speak about the manners of gentle persons. I do not speak out of ignorance or envy.
अयं तु लोकपालानां यशोघ्नो निरपत्रपः । सद्भिराचरितः पन्था येन स्तब्धेन दूषितः
ayaṃ tu lokapālānāṃ yaśoghno nirapatrapaḥ | sadbhirācaritaḥ panthā yena stabdhena dūṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śiva has spoiled the name and fame of the governors of the universe and has polluted the path of gentle manners. Because he is shameless, he does not know how to act.
एष मे शिष्यतां प्राप्तो यन्मे दुहितुरग्रहीत् । पाणिं विप्राग्निमुखतः सावित्र्या इव साधुवत्
eṣa me śiṣyatāṃ prāpto yanme duhituragrahīt | pāṇiṃ viprāgnimukhataḥ sāvitryā iva sādhuvat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He has already accepted himself as my subordinate by marrying my daughter in the presence of fire and brāhmaṇas. He has married my daughter, who is equal to Gāyatrī, and has pretended to be just like an honest person.
गृहीत्वा मृगशावाक्ष्याः पाणिं मर्कटलोचनः । प्रत्युत्थानाभिवादार्हे वाचाप्यकृत नोचितम्
gṛhītvā mṛgaśāvākṣyāḥ pāṇiṃ markaṭalocanaḥ | pratyutthānābhivādārhe vācāpyakṛta nocitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He has eyes like a monkey’s, yet he has married my daughter, whose eyes are just like those of a deer cub. Nevertheless he did not stand up to receive me, nor did he think it fit to welcome me with sweet words.
लुप्तक्रियायाशुचये मानिने भिन्नसेतवे । अनिच्छन्नप्यदां बालां शूद्रायेवोशतीं गिरम्
luptakriyāyāśucaye mānine bhinnasetave | anicchannapyadāṃ bālāṃ śūdrāyevośatīṃ giram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I had no desire to give my daughter to this person, who has broken all rules of civility. Because of not observing the required rules and regulations, he is impure, but I was obliged to hand over my daughter to him just as one teaches the messages of the Vedas to a śūdra.
तस्मा उन्मादनाथाय नष्टशौचाय दुर्हृदे । दत्ता बत मया साध्वी चोदिते परमेष्ठिना
tasmā unmādanāthāya naṣṭaśaucāya durhṛde | dattā bata mayā sādhvī codite parameṣṭhinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the request of Lord Brahmā I handed over my chaste daughter to him, although he is devoid of all cleanliness and his heart is filled with nasty things.
मैत्रेय उवाच । विनिन्द्यैवं स गिरिशमप्रतीपमवस्थितम् । दक्षोऽथाप उपस्पृश्य क्रुद्धः शप्तुं प्रचक्रमे
maitreya uvāca | vinindyaivaṃ sa giriśamapratīpamavasthitam | dakṣo'thāpa upaspṛśya kruddhaḥ śaptuṃ pracakrame
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Maitreya continued: Thus Dakṣa, seeing Lord Śiva sitting as if against him, washed his hands and mouth and cursed him in the following words.
अयं तु देवयजन इन्द्रोपेन्द्रादिभिर्भवः । सह भागं न लभतां देवैर्देवगणाधमः
ayaṃ tu devayajana indropendrādibhirbhavaḥ | saha bhāgaṃ na labhatāṃ devairdevagaṇādhamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods are eligible to share in the oblations of sacrifice, but Lord Śiva, who is the lowest of all the demigods, should not have a share.
निषिध्यमानः स सदस्यमुख्यै- र्दक्षो गिरित्राय विसृज्य शापम् । तस्माद्विनिष्क्रम्य विवृद्धमन्यु- र्जगामकौरव्य निजं निकेतनम्
niṣidhyamānaḥ sa sadasyamukhyai- rdakṣo giritrāya visṛjya śāpam | tasmādviniṣkramya vivṛddhamanyu- rjagāmakauravya nijaṃ niketanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, in spite of the requests of all the members of the sacrificial assembly, Dakṣa, in great anger, cursed Lord Śiva and then left the assembly and went back to his home.
विज्ञाय शापं गिरिशानुगाग्रणीः नन्दीश्वरो रोषकषायदूषितः । दक्षाय शापं विससर्ज दारुणं ये चान्वमोदंस्तदवाच्यतां द्विजाः
vijñāya śāpaṃ giriśānugāgraṇīḥ nandīśvaro roṣakaṣāyadūṣitaḥ | dakṣāya śāpaṃ visasarja dāruṇaṃ ye cānvamodaṃstadavācyatāṃ dvijāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon understanding that Lord Śiva had been cursed, Nandīśvara, one of Lord Śiva’s principal associates, became greatly angry. His eyes became red, and he prepared to curse Dakṣa and all the brāhmaṇas present there who had tolerated Dakṣa’s cursing Śiva in harsh words.
य एतन्मर्त्यमुद्दिश्य भगवत्यप्रतिद्रुहि । द्रुह्यत्यज्ञः पृथग्दृष्टिस्तत्त्वतो विमुखो भवेत्
ya etanmartyamuddiśya bhagavatyapratidruhi | druhyatyajñaḥ pṛthagdṛṣṭistattvato vimukho bhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Anyone who has accepted Dakṣa as the most important personality and neglected Lord Śiva because of envy is less intelligent and, because of visualizing in duality, will be bereft of transcendental knowledge.
गृहेषु कूटधर्मेषु सक्तो ग्राम्यसुखेच्छया । कर्मतन्त्रं वितनुते वेदवादविपन्नधीः
gṛheṣu kūṭadharmeṣu sakto grāmyasukhecchayā | karmatantraṃ vitanute vedavādavipannadhīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pretentiously religious householder life, in which one is attracted to material happiness and thus also attracted to the superficial explanation of the Vedas, robs one of all intelligence and attaches one to fruitive activities as all in all.
बुद्ध्या पराभिध्यायिन्या विस्मृतात्मगतिः पशुः । स्त्रीकामः सोऽस्त्वतितरां दक्षो बस्तमुखोऽचिरात्
buddhyā parābhidhyāyinyā vismṛtātmagatiḥ paśuḥ | strīkāmaḥ so'stvatitarāṃ dakṣo bastamukho'cirāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dakṣa has accepted the body as all in all. Therefore, since he has forgotten the viṣṇu-pāda, or viṣṇu-gati, and is attached to sex life only, within a short time he will have the face of a goat.
विद्याबुद्धिरविद्यायां कर्ममय्यामसौ जडः । संसरन्त्विह ये चामुमनु शर्वावमानिनम्
vidyābuddhiravidyāyāṃ karmamayyāmasau jaḍaḥ | saṃsarantviha ye cāmumanu śarvāvamāninam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who have become as dull as matter by cultivating materialistic education and intelligence are nesciently involved in fruitive activities. Such men have purposely insulted Lord Śiva. May they continue in the cycle of repeated birth and death.
गिरः श्रुतायाः पुष्पिण्या मधुगन्धेन भूरिणा । मथ्ना चोन्मथितात्मानः सम्मुह्यन्तु हरद्विषः
giraḥ śrutāyāḥ puṣpiṇyā madhugandhena bhūriṇā | mathnā conmathitātmānaḥ sammuhyantu haradviṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May those who are envious of Lord Śiva, being attracted by the flowery language of the enchanting Vedic promises, and who have thus become dull, always remain attached to fruitive activities.
सर्वभक्षा द्विजा वृत्त्यै धृतविद्या तपोव्रताः । वित्तदेहेन्द्रियारामा याचका विचरन्त्विह
sarvabhakṣā dvijā vṛttyai dhṛtavidyā tapovratāḥ | vittadehendriyārāmā yācakā vicarantviha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These brāhmaṇas take to education, austerity and vows only for the purpose of maintaining the body. They shall be devoid of discrimination between what to eat and what not to eat. They will acquire money, begging from door to door, simply for the satisfaction of the body.
तस्यैवं ददतः शापं श्रुत्वा द्विजकुलाय वै । भृगुः प्रत्यसृजच्छापं ब्रह्मदण्डं दुरत्ययम्
tasyaivaṃ dadataḥ śāpaṃ śrutvā dvijakulāya vai | bhṛguḥ pratyasṛjacchāpaṃ brahmadaṇḍaṃ duratyayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When all the hereditary brāhmaṇas were thus cursed by Nandīśvara, the sage Bhṛgu, as a reaction, condemned the followers of Lord Śiva with this very strong brahminical curse.
भवव्रतधरा ये च ये च तान् समनुव्रताः पाखण्डिनस्ते भवन्तु सच्छास्त्रपरिपन्थिनः
bhavavratadharā ye ca ye ca tān samanuvratāḥ pākhaṇḍinaste bhavantu sacchāstraparipanthinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who takes a vow to satisfy Lord Śiva or who follows such principles will certainly become an atheist and be diverted from transcendental scriptural injunctions.
नष्टशौचा मूढधियो जटाभस्मास्थिधारिणः । विशन्तु शिवदीक्षायां यत्र दैवं सुरासवम्
naṣṭaśaucā mūḍhadhiyo jaṭābhasmāsthidhāriṇaḥ | viśantu śivadīkṣāyāṃ yatra daivaṃ surāsavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who vow to worship Lord Śiva are so foolish that they imitate him by keeping long hair on their heads. When initiated into worship of Lord Śiva, they prefer to live on wine, flesh and other such things.
ब्रह्म च ब्राह्मणांश्चैव यद्यूयं परिनिन्दथ । सेतुं विधारणं पुंसामतः पाखण्डमाश्रिताः
brahma ca brāhmaṇāṃścaiva yadyūyaṃ parinindatha | setuṃ vidhāraṇaṃ puṃsāmataḥ pākhaṇḍamāśritāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhṛgu Muni continued: Since you blaspheme the Vedas and the brāhmaṇas, who are followers of the Vedic principles, it is understood that you have already taken shelter of the doctrine of atheism.
एष एव हि लोकानां शिवः पन्थाः सनातनः । यं पूर्वे चानुसन्तस्थुर्यत्प्रमाणं जनार्दनः
eṣa eva hi lokānāṃ śivaḥ panthāḥ sanātanaḥ | yaṃ pūrve cānusantasthuryatpramāṇaṃ janārdanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Vedas give the eternal regulative principles for auspicious advancement in human civilization which have been rigidly followed in the past. The strong evidence of this principle is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is called Janārdana, the well-wisher of all living entities.
तद्ब्रह्म परमं शुद्धं सतां वर्त्म सनातनम् । विगर्ह्य यात पाखण्डं दैवं वो यत्र भूतराट्
tadbrahma paramaṃ śuddhaṃ satāṃ vartma sanātanam | vigarhya yāta pākhaṇḍaṃ daivaṃ vo yatra bhūtarāṭ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By blaspheming the principles of the Vedas, which are the pure and supreme path of the saintly persons, certainly you followers of Bhūtapati, Lord Śiva, will descend to the standard of atheism without a doubt.
मैत्रेय उवाच । तस्यैवं वदतः शापं भृगोः स भगवान् भवः । निश्चक्राम ततः किञ्चिद्विमना इव सानुगः
maitreya uvāca | tasyaivaṃ vadataḥ śāpaṃ bhṛgoḥ sa bhagavān bhavaḥ | niścakrāma tataḥ kiñcidvimanā iva sānugaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Maitreya said: When such cursing and countercursing was going on between Lord Śiva’s followers and the parties of Dakṣa and Bhṛgu, Lord Śiva became very morose. Not saying anything, he left the arena of the sacrifice, followed by his disciples.
तेऽपि विश्वसृजः सत्रं सहस्रपरिवत्सरान् । संविधाय महेष्वास यत्रेज्य ऋषभो हरिः
te'pi viśvasṛjaḥ satraṃ sahasraparivatsarān | saṃvidhāya maheṣvāsa yatrejya ṛṣabho hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Maitreya continued: O Vidura, all the progenitors of the universal population thus executed a sacrifice for thousands of years, for sacrifice is the best way to worship the Supreme Lord, Hari, the Personality of Godhead.
आप्लुत्यावभृथं यत्र गङ्गा यमुनयान्विता । विरजेनात्मना सर्वे स्वं स्वं धाम ययुस्ततः
āplutyāvabhṛthaṃ yatra gaṅgā yamunayānvitā | virajenātmanā sarve svaṃ svaṃ dhāma yayustataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vidura, carrier of bows and arrows, all the demigods who were performing the sacrifice took their bath at the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamunā after completing the yajña performance. Such a bath is called avabhṛtha-snāna. After thus becoming purified in heart, they departed for their respective abodes.
मैत्रेय उवाच । सदा विद्विषतोरेवं कालो वै ध्रियमाणयोः । जामातुः श्वशुरस्यापि सुमहानतिचक्रमे
maitreya uvāca | sadā vidviṣatorevaṃ kālo vai dhriyamāṇayoḥ | jāmātuḥ śvaśurasyāpi sumahānaticakrame
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya continued: In this manner the tension between the father-in-law and son-in-law, Dakṣa and Lord Śiva, continued for a considerably long period.
यदाभिषिक्तो दक्षस्तु ब्रह्मणा परमेष्ठिना । प्रजापतीनां सर्वेषामाधिपत्ये स्मयोऽभवत्
yadābhiṣikto dakṣastu brahmaṇā parameṣṭhinā | prajāpatīnāṃ sarveṣāmādhipatye smayo'bhavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Brahmā appointed Dakṣa the chief of all the Prajāpatis, the progenitors of population, Dakṣa became very much puffed up.
इष्ट्वा स वाजपेयेन ब्रह्मिष्ठानभिभूय च । बृहस्पतिसवं नाम समारेभे क्रतूत्तमम्
iṣṭvā sa vājapeyena brahmiṣṭhānabhibhūya ca | bṛhaspatisavaṃ nāma samārebhe kratūttamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dakṣa began a sacrifice named vājapeya, and he became excessively confident of his support by Lord Brahmā. He then performed another great sacrifice, named bṛhaspati-sava.
तस्मिन् ब्रह्मर्षयः सर्वे देवर्षिपितृदेवताः । आसन् कृतस्वस्त्ययनास्तत्पत्न्यश्च सभर्तृकाः
tasmin brahmarṣayaḥ sarve devarṣipitṛdevatāḥ | āsan kṛtasvastyayanāstatpatnyaśca sabhartṛkāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the sacrifice was being performed, many brahmarṣis, great sages, ancestral demigods and other demigods, their wives all very nicely decorated with ornaments, attended from different parts of the universe.
सत्युवाच । प्रजापतेस्ते श्वशुरस्य साम्प्रतं निर्यापितो यज्ञमहोत्सवः किल । वयं च तत्राभिसराम वाम ते यद्यर्थितामी विबुधा व्रजन्ति हि
satyuvāca | prajāpateste śvaśurasya sāmprataṃ niryāpito yajñamahotsavaḥ kila | vayaṃ ca tatrābhisarāma vāma te yadyarthitāmī vibudhā vrajanti hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Satī said: My dear Lord Śiva, your father-in-law is now executing great sacrifices, and all the demigods, having been invited by him, are going there. If you desire, we may also go.
तस्मिन् भगिन्यो मम भर्तृभिः स्वकै- र्ध्रुवं गमिष्यन्ति सुहृद्दिदृक्षवः । अहं च तस्मिन् भवताभिकामये सहोपनीतं परिबर्हमर्हितुम्
tasmin bhaginyo mama bhartṛbhiḥ svakai- rdhruvaṃ gamiṣyanti suhṛddidṛkṣavaḥ | ahaṃ ca tasmin bhavatābhikāmaye sahopanītaṃ paribarhamarhitum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I think that all my sisters must have gone to this great sacrificial ceremony with their husbands just to see their relatives. I also desire to decorate myself with the ornaments given to me by my father and go there with you to participate in that assembly.
तत्र स्वसॄर्मे ननु भर्तृसम्मिता मातृष्वसॄः क्लिन्नधियं च मातरम् । द्रक्ष्ये चिरोत्कण्ठमना महर्षिभि- रुन्नीयमानं च मृडाध्वरध्वजम्
tatra svasṝrme nanu bhartṛsammitā mātṛṣvasṝḥ klinnadhiyaṃ ca mātaram | drakṣye cirotkaṇṭhamanā maharṣibhi- runnīyamānaṃ ca mṛḍādhvaradhvajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My sisters, my mother’s sisters and their husbands, and other affectionate relatives must be assembled there, so if I go I shall be able to see them, and I shall be able to see the flapping flags and the performance of the sacrifice by the great sages. For these reasons, my dear husband, I am very much anxious to go.
त्वय्येतदाश्चर्यमजात्ममायया विनिर्मितं भाति गुणत्रयात्मकम् । तथाप्यहं योषिदतत्त्वविच्च ते दीना दिदृक्षे भव मे भवक्षितिम्
tvayyetadāścaryamajātmamāyayā vinirmitaṃ bhāti guṇatrayātmakam | tathāpyahaṃ yoṣidatattvavicca te dīnā didṛkṣe bhava me bhavakṣitim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This manifested cosmos is a wonderful creation of the interaction of the three material modes, or the external energy of the Supreme Lord. This truth is fully known to you. Yet I am but a poor woman, and, as you know, I am not conversant with the truth. Therefore I wish to see my birthplace once more.
पश्य प्रयान्तीरभवान्ययोषितो- ऽप्यलङ्कृताः कान्तसखा वरूथशः । यासां व्रजद्भिः शितिकण्ठमण्डितं नभो विमानैः कलहंसपाण्डुभिः
paśya prayāntīrabhavānyayoṣito- 'pyalaṅkṛtāḥ kāntasakhā varūthaśaḥ | yāsāṃ vrajadbhiḥ śitikaṇṭhamaṇḍitaṃ nabho vimānaiḥ kalahaṃsapāṇḍubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O never-born, O blue-throated one, not only my relatives but also other women, dressed in nice clothes and decorated with ornaments, are going there with their husbands and friends. Just see how their flocks of white airplanes have made the entire sky very beautiful.
कथं सुतायाः पितृगेहकौतुकं निशम्य देहः सुरवर्य नेङ्गते । अनाहुता अप्यभियन्ति सौहृदं भर्तुर्गुरोर्देहकृतश्च केतनम्
kathaṃ sutāyāḥ pitṛgehakautukaṃ niśamya dehaḥ suravarya neṅgate | anāhutā apyabhiyanti sauhṛdaṃ bharturgurordehakṛtaśca ketanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of the demigods, how can the body of a daughter remain undisturbed when she hears that some festive event is taking place in her father’s house? Even though you may be considering that I have not been invited, there is no harm if one goes to the house of one’s friend, husband, spiritual master or father without invitation.
तन्मे प्रसीदेदममर्त्यवाञ्छितं कर्तुं भवान् कारुणिको बतार्हति । त्वयाऽऽत्मनोऽर्धेऽहमदभ्रचक्षुषा निरूपिता मानुगृहाण याचितः
tanme prasīdedamamartyavāñchitaṃ kartuṃ bhavān kāruṇiko batārhati | tvayā''tmano'rdhe'hamadabhracakṣuṣā nirūpitā mānugṛhāṇa yācitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O immortal Śiva, please be kind towards me and fulfill my desire. You have accepted me as half of your body; therefore please show kindness towards me and accept my request.
ऋषिरुवाच । एवं गिरित्रः प्रिययाभिभाषितः प्रत्यभ्यधत्त प्रहसन् सुहृत्प्रियः । संस्मारितो मर्मभिदः कुवागिषून् यानाह को विश्वसृजां समक्षतः
ṛṣiruvāca | evaṃ giritraḥ priyayābhibhāṣitaḥ pratyabhyadhatta prahasan suhṛtpriyaḥ | saṃsmārito marmabhidaḥ kuvāgiṣūn yānāha ko viśvasṛjāṃ samakṣataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya said: Lord Śiva, the deliverer of the hill Kailāsa, having thus been addressed by his dear wife, replied smilingly, although at the same time he remembered the malicious, heart-piercing speeches delivered by Dakṣa before the guardians of the universal affairs.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । त्वयोदितं शोभनमेव शोभने अनाहुता अप्यभियन्ति बन्धुषु । ते यद्यनुत्पादितदोषदृष्टयो बलीयसानात्म्यमदेन मन्युना
śrībhagavānuvāca | tvayoditaṃ śobhanameva śobhane anāhutā apyabhiyanti bandhuṣu | te yadyanutpāditadoṣadṛṣṭayo balīyasānātmyamadena manyunā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great lord replied: My dear beautiful wife, you have said that one may go to a friend’s house without being invited, and this is true, provided such a friend does not find fault with the guest because of bodily identification and thereby become angry towards him.
विद्यातपोवित्तवपुर्वयःकुलैः सतां गुणैः षड्भिरसत्तमेतरैः । स्मृतौ हतायां भृतमानदुर्दृशः स्तब्धा न पश्यन्ति हि धाम भूयसाम्
vidyātapovittavapurvayaḥkulaiḥ satāṃ guṇaiḥ ṣaḍbhirasattametaraiḥ | smṛtau hatāyāṃ bhṛtamānadurdṛśaḥ stabdhā na paśyanti hi dhāma bhūyasām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the six qualities education, austerity, wealth, beauty, youth and heritage are for the highly elevated, one who is proud of possessing them becomes blind, and thus he loses his good sense and cannot appreciate the glories of great personalities.
नैतादृशानां स्वजनव्यपेक्षया गृहान् प्रतीयादनवस्थितात्मनाम् । येऽभ्यागतान् वक्रधियाभिचक्षते आरोपितभ्रूभिरमर्षणाक्षिभिः
naitādṛśānāṃ svajanavyapekṣayā gṛhān pratīyādanavasthitātmanām | ye'bhyāgatān vakradhiyābhicakṣate āropitabhrūbhiramarṣaṇākṣibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One should not go to anyone’s house, even on the consideration of his being a relative or a friend, when the man is disturbed in his mind and looks upon the guest with raised eyebrows and angry eyes.
तथारिभिर्न व्यथते शिलीमुखैः शेतेऽर्दिताङ्गो हृदयेन दूयता । स्वानां यथा वक्रधियां दुरुक्तिभि- र्दिवानिशं तप्यति मर्मताडितः
tathāribhirna vyathate śilīmukhaiḥ śete'rditāṅgo hṛdayena dūyatā | svānāṃ yathā vakradhiyāṃ duruktibhi- rdivāniśaṃ tapyati marmatāḍitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva continued: If one is hurt by the arrows of an enemy, one is not as aggrieved as when cut by the unkind words of a relative, for such grief continues to rend one’s heart day and night.
व्यक्तं त्वमुत्कृष्टगतेः प्रजापतेः प्रियाऽऽत्मजानामसि सुभ्रु सम्मता । अथापि मानं न पितुः प्रपत्स्यसे मदाश्रयात्कः परितप्यते यतः
vyaktaṃ tvamutkṛṣṭagateḥ prajāpateḥ priyā''tmajānāmasi subhru sammatā | athāpi mānaṃ na pituḥ prapatsyase madāśrayātkaḥ paritapyate yataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear white-complexioned wife, it is clear that of the many daughters of Dakṣa you are the pet, yet you will not be honored at his house because of your being my wife. Rather, you will be sorry that you are connected with me.
पापच्यमानेन हृदाऽऽतुरेन्द्रियः समृद्धिभिः पूरुषबुद्धिसाक्षिणाम् । अकल्प एषामधिरोढुमञ्जसा पदं परं द्वेष्टि यथासुरा हरिम्
pāpacyamānena hṛdā''turendriyaḥ samṛddhibhiḥ pūruṣabuddhisākṣiṇām | akalpa eṣāmadhiroḍhumañjasā padaṃ paraṃ dveṣṭi yathāsurā harim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who is conducted by false ego and thus always distressed, both mentally and sensually, cannot tolerate the opulence of self-realized persons. Being unable to rise to the standard of self-realization, he envies such persons as much as demons envy the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
प्रत्युद्गमप्रश्रयणाभिवादनं विधीयते साधु मिथः सुमध्यमे । प्राज्ञैः परस्मै पुरुषाय चेतसा गुहाशयायैव न देहमानिने
pratyudgamapraśrayaṇābhivādanaṃ vidhīyate sādhu mithaḥ sumadhyame | prājñaiḥ parasmai puruṣāya cetasā guhāśayāyaiva na dehamānine
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear young wife, certainly friends and relatives offer mutual greetings by standing up, welcoming one another and offering obeisances. But those who are elevated to the transcendental platform, being intelligent, offer such respects to the Supersoul, who is sitting within the body, not to the person who identifies with the body.
सत्त्वं विशुद्धं वसुदेवशब्दितं यदीयते तत्र पुमानपावृतः । सत्त्वे च तस्मिन् भगवान् वासुदेवो ह्यधोक्षजो मे नमसा विधीयते
sattvaṃ viśuddhaṃ vasudevaśabditaṃ yadīyate tatra pumānapāvṛtaḥ | sattve ca tasmin bhagavān vāsudevo hyadhokṣajo me namasā vidhīyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am always engaged in offering obeisances to Lord Vāsudeva in pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is always pure consciousness, in which the Supreme Personality of Godhead, known as Vāsudeva, is revealed without any covering.
तत्ते निरीक्ष्यो न पितापि देहकृ- द्दक्षो मम द्विट् तदनुव्रताश्च ये । यो विश्वसृग्यज्ञगतं वरोरु मा- मनागसं दुर्वचसाकरोत्तिरः
tatte nirīkṣyo na pitāpi dehakṛ- ddakṣo mama dviṭ tadanuvratāśca ye | yo viśvasṛgyajñagataṃ varoru mā- manāgasaṃ durvacasākarottiraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore you should not see your father, although he is the giver of your body, because he and his followers are envious of me. Because of his envy, O most worshipful one, he has insulted me with cruel words although I am innocent.
यदि व्रजिष्यस्यतिहाय मद्वचो भद्रं भवत्या न ततो भविष्यति । सम्भावितस्य स्वजनात्पराभवो यदा स सद्यो मरणाय कल्पते
yadi vrajiṣyasyatihāya madvaco bhadraṃ bhavatyā na tato bhaviṣyati | sambhāvitasya svajanātparābhavo yadā sa sadyo maraṇāya kalpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If in spite of this instruction you decide to go, neglecting my words, the future will not be good for you. You are most respectable, and when you are insulted by your relative, this insult will immediately be equal to death.
मैत्रेय उवाच । एतावदुक्त्वा विरराम शङ्करः पत्न्यङ्गनाशं ह्युभयत्र चिन्तयन् । सुहृद्दिदृक्षुः परिशङ्किता भवा- न्निष्क्रामती निर्विशती द्विधाऽऽस सा
maitreya uvāca | etāvaduktvā virarāma śaṅkaraḥ patnyaṅganāśaṃ hyubhayatra cintayan | suhṛddidṛkṣuḥ pariśaṅkitā bhavā- nniṣkrāmatī nirviśatī dvidhā''sa sā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Maitreya said: Lord Śiva was silent after speaking to Satī, seeing her between decisions. Satī was very much anxious to see her relatives at her father’s house, but at the same time she was afraid of Lord Śiva’s warning. Her mind unsettled, she moved in and out of the room as a swing moves this way and that.
सुहृद्दिदृक्षाप्रतिघातदुर्मनाः स्नेहाद्रुदत्यश्रुकलातिविह्वला । भवं भवान्यप्रतिपूरुषं रुषा प्रधक्ष्यतीवैक्षत जातवेपथुः
suhṛddidṛkṣāpratighātadurmanāḥ snehādrudatyaśrukalātivihvalā | bhavaṃ bhavānyapratipūruṣaṃ ruṣā pradhakṣyatīvaikṣata jātavepathuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Satī felt very sorry at being forbidden to go see her relatives at her father’s house, and due to affection for them, tears fell from her eyes. Shaking and very much afflicted, she looked at her uncommon husband, Lord Śiva, as if she were going to blast him with her vision.
ततो विनिःश्वस्य सती विहाय तं शोकेन रोषेण च दूयता हृदा । पित्रोरगात्स्त्रैणविमूढधीर्गृहान् प्रेम्णाऽऽत्मनो योऽर्धमदात्सतां प्रियः
tato viniḥśvasya satī vihāya taṃ śokena roṣeṇa ca dūyatā hṛdā | pitroragātstraiṇavimūḍhadhīrgṛhān premṇā''tmano yo'rdhamadātsatāṃ priyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter Satī left her husband, Lord Śiva, who had given her half his body due to affection. Breathing very heavily because of anger and bereavement, she went to the house of her father. This less intelligent act was due to her being a weak woman.
तामन्वगच्छन्द्रुतविक्रमां सती- मेकां त्रिनेत्रानुचराः सहस्रशः । सपार्षदयक्षा मणिमन्मदादयः पुरो वृषेन्द्रास्तरसा गतव्यथाः
tāmanvagacchandrutavikramāṃ satī- mekāṃ trinetrānucarāḥ sahasraśaḥ | sapārṣadayakṣā maṇimanmadādayaḥ puro vṛṣendrāstarasā gatavyathāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When they saw Satī leaving alone very rapidly, thousands of Lord Śiva’s disciples, headed by Maṇimān and Mada, quickly followed her with his bull Nandi in front and accompanied by the Yakṣas.
तां सारिकाकन्दुकदर्पणाम्बुज- श्वेतातपत्रव्यजनस्रगादिभिः । गीतायनैर्दुन्दुभिशङ्खवेणुभि- र्वृषेन्द्रमारोप्य विटङ्किता ययुः
tāṃ sārikākandukadarpaṇāmbuja- śvetātapatravyajanasragādibhiḥ | gītāyanairdundubhiśaṅkhaveṇubhi- rvṛṣendramāropya viṭaṅkitā yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The disciples of Lord Śiva arranged for Satī to be seated on the back of a bull and gave her the bird which was her pet. They bore a lotus flower, a mirror and all such paraphernalia for her enjoyment and covered her with a great canopy. Followed by a singing party with drums, conchshells and bugles, the entire procession was as pompous as a royal parade.
आब्रह्मघोषोर्जितयज्ञवैशसं विप्रर्षिजुष्टं विबुधैश्च सर्वशः । मृद्दार्वयःकाञ्चनदर्भचर्मभि- र्निसृष्टभाण्डं यजनं समाविशत्
ābrahmaghoṣorjitayajñavaiśasaṃ viprarṣijuṣṭaṃ vibudhaiśca sarvaśaḥ | mṛddārvayaḥkāñcanadarbhacarmabhi- rnisṛṣṭabhāṇḍaṃ yajanaṃ samāviśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
She then reached her father’s house, where the sacrifice was being performed, and entered the arena where everyone was chanting the Vedic hymns. The great sages, brāhmaṇas and demigods were all assembled there, and there were many sacrificial animals, as well as pots made of clay, stone, gold, grass and skin, which were all requisite for the sacrifice.
तामागतां तत्र न कश्चनाद्रिय- द्विमानितां यज्ञकृतो भयाज्जनः । ऋते स्वसॄर्वै जननीं च सादराः प्रेमाश्रुकण्ठ्यः परिषस्वजुर्मुदा
tāmāgatāṃ tatra na kaścanādriya- dvimānitāṃ yajñakṛto bhayājjanaḥ | ṛte svasṝrvai jananīṃ ca sādarāḥ premāśrukaṇṭhyaḥ pariṣasvajurmudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Satī, with her followers, reached the arena, because all the people assembled were afraid of Dakṣa, none of them received her well. No one welcomed her but her mother and sisters, who, with tears in their eyes and with glad faces, welcomed her and talked with her very pleasingly.
सौदर्यसम्प्रश्नसमर्थवार्तया मात्रा च मातृष्वसृभिश्च सादरम् । दत्तां सपर्यां वरमासनं च सा नादत्त पित्राऽप्रतिनन्दिता सती
saudaryasampraśnasamarthavārtayā mātrā ca mātṛṣvasṛbhiśca sādaram | dattāṃ saparyāṃ varamāsanaṃ ca sā nādatta pitrā'pratinanditā satī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although she was received by her sisters and mother, she did not reply to their words of reception, and although she was offered a seat and presents, she did not accept anything, for her father neither talked with her nor welcomed her by asking about her welfare.
अरुद्रभागं तमवेक्ष्य चाध्वरं पित्रा च देवे कृतहेलनं विभौ । अनादृता यज्ञसदस्यधीश्वरी चुकोप लोकानिव धक्ष्यती रुषा
arudrabhāgaṃ tamavekṣya cādhvaraṃ pitrā ca deve kṛtahelanaṃ vibhau | anādṛtā yajñasadasyadhīśvarī cukopa lokāniva dhakṣyatī ruṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Present in the arena of sacrifice, Satī saw that there were no oblations for her husband, Lord Śiva. Next she realized that not only had her father failed to invite Lord Śiva, but when he saw Lord Śiva’s exalted wife, Dakṣa did not receive her either. Thus she became greatly angry, so much so that she looked at her father as if she were going to burn him with her eyes.
जगर्ह सामर्षविपन्नया गिरा शिवद्विषं धूमपथश्रमस्मयम् । स्वतेजसा भूतगणान् समुत्थितान् निगृह्य देवी जगतोऽभिशृण्वतः
jagarha sāmarṣavipannayā girā śivadviṣaṃ dhūmapathaśramasmayam | svatejasā bhūtagaṇān samutthitān nigṛhya devī jagato'bhiśṛṇvataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The followers of Lord Śiva, the ghosts, were ready to injure or kill Dakṣa, but Satī stopped them by her order. She was very angry and sorrowful, and in that mood she began to condemn the process of sacrificial fruitive activities and persons who are very proud of such unnecessary and troublesome sacrifices. She especially condemned her father, speaking against him in the presence of all.
देव्युवाच । न यस्य लोकेऽस्त्यतिशायनः प्रियः तथाप्रियो देहभृतां प्रियात्मनः । तस्मिन् समस्तात्मनि मुक्तवैरके ऋते भवन्तं कतमः प्रतीपयेत्
devyuvāca | na yasya loke'styatiśāyanaḥ priyaḥ tathāpriyo dehabhṛtāṃ priyātmanaḥ | tasmin samastātmani muktavairake ṛte bhavantaṃ katamaḥ pratīpayet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The blessed goddess said: Lord Śiva is the most beloved of all living entities. He has no rival. No one is very dear to him, and no one is his enemy. No one but you could be envious of such a universal being, who is free from all enmity.
दोषान् परेषां हि गुणेषु साधवो गृह्णन्ति केचिन्न भवादृशा द्विज । गुणांश्च फल्गून् बहुलीकरिष्णवो महत्तमास्तेष्वविदद्भवानघम्
doṣān pareṣāṃ hi guṇeṣu sādhavo gṛhṇanti kecinna bhavādṛśā dvija | guṇāṃśca phalgūn bahulīkariṣṇavo mahattamāsteṣvavidadbhavānagham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Twice-born Dakṣa, a man like you can simply find fault in the qualities of others. Lord Śiva, however, not only finds no faults with others’ qualities, but if someone has a little good quality, he magnifies it greatly. Unfortunately, you have found fault with such a great soul.
नाश्चर्यमेतद्यदसत्सु सर्वदा महद्विनिन्दा कुणपात्मवादिषु । सेर्ष्यं महापूरुषपादपांसुभिः निरस्ततेजःसु तदेव शोभनम्
nāścaryametadyadasatsu sarvadā mahadvinindā kuṇapātmavādiṣu | serṣyaṃ mahāpūruṣapādapāṃsubhiḥ nirastatejaḥsu tadeva śobhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is not wonderful for persons who have accepted the transient material body as the self to engage always in deriding great souls. Such envy on the part of materialistic persons is very good because that is the way they fall down. They are diminished by the dust of the feet of great personalities.
यद् द्व्यक्षरं नाम गिरेरितं नृणां सकृत्प्रसङ्गादघमाशु हन्ति तत् । पवित्रकीर्तिं तमलङ्घ्यशासनं भवानहो द्वेष्टि शिवं शिवेतरः
yad dvyakṣaraṃ nāma gireritaṃ nṛṇāṃ sakṛtprasaṅgādaghamāśu hanti tat | pavitrakīrtiṃ tamalaṅghyaśāsanaṃ bhavānaho dveṣṭi śivaṃ śivetaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Satī continued: My dear father, you are committing the greatest offense by envying Lord Śiva, whose very name, consisting of two syllables, śi and va, purifies one of all sinful activities. His order is never neglected. Lord Śiva is always pure, and no one but you envies him.
यत्पादपद्मं महतां मनोऽलिभिः निषेवितं ब्रह्मरसासवार्थिभिः । लोकस्य यद्वर्षति चाशिषोऽर्थिनः तस्मै भवान् द्रुह्यति विश्वबन्धवे
yatpādapadmaṃ mahatāṃ mano'libhiḥ niṣevitaṃ brahmarasāsavārthibhiḥ | lokasya yadvarṣati cāśiṣo'rthinaḥ tasmai bhavān druhyati viśvabandhave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are envious of Lord Śiva, who is the friend of all living entities within the three worlds. For the common man he fulfills all desires, and because of their engagement in thinking of his lotus feet, he also blesses higher personalities who are seeking after brahmānanda [transcendental bliss].
किं वा शिवाख्यमशिवं न विदुस्त्वदन्ये ब्रह्मादयस्तमवकीर्य जटाः श्मशाने । तन्माल्यभस्मनृकपाल्यवसत्पिशाचै- र्ये मूर्धभिर्दधति तच्चरणावसृष्टम्
kiṃ vā śivākhyamaśivaṃ na vidustvadanye brahmādayastamavakīrya jaṭāḥ śmaśāne | tanmālyabhasmanṛkapālyavasatpiśācai- rye mūrdhabhirdadhati taccaraṇāvasṛṣṭam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Do you think that greater, more respectable personalities than you, such as Lord Brahmā, do not know this inauspicious person who goes under the name Lord Śiva? He associates with the demons in the crematorium, his locks of hair are scattered all over his body, and he is garlanded with human skulls and smeared with ashes from the crematorium, but in spite of all these inauspicious qualities, great personalities like Brahmā honor him by accepting the flowers offered to his lotus feet and placing them with great respect on their heads.
कर्णौ पिधाय निरयाद्यदकल्प ईशे धर्मावितर्यसृणिभिर्नृभिरस्यमाने । छिन्द्यात्प्रसह्य रुशतीमसतीं प्रभुश्चे- ज्जिह्वामसूनपि ततो विसृजेत्स धर्मः
karṇau pidhāya nirayādyadakalpa īśe dharmāvitaryasṛṇibhirnṛbhirasyamāne | chindyātprasahya ruśatīmasatīṃ prabhuśce- jjihvāmasūnapi tato visṛjetsa dharmaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Satī continued: If one hears an irresponsible person blaspheme the master and controller of religion, one should block his ears and go away if unable to punish him. But if one is able to kill, then one should by force cut out the blasphemer’s tongue and kill the offender, and after that one should give up his own life.
अतस्तवोत्पन्नमिदं कलेवरं न धारयिष्ये शितिकण्ठगर्हिणः । जग्धस्य मोहाद्धि विशुद्धिमन्धसो जुगुप्सितस्योद्धरणं प्रचक्षते
atastavotpannamidaṃ kalevaraṃ na dhārayiṣye śitikaṇṭhagarhiṇaḥ | jagdhasya mohāddhi viśuddhimandhaso jugupsitasyoddharaṇaṃ pracakṣate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore I shall no longer bear this unworthy body, which has been received from you, who have blasphemed Lord Śiva. If someone has taken food which is poisonous, the best treatment is to vomit.
न वेदवादाननुवर्तते मतिः स्व एव लोके रमतो महामुनेः । यथा गतिर्देवमनुष्ययोः पृथक् स्व एव धर्मे न परं क्षिपेत्स्थितः
na vedavādānanuvartate matiḥ sva eva loke ramato mahāmuneḥ | yathā gatirdevamanuṣyayoḥ pṛthak sva eva dharme na paraṃ kṣipetsthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is better to execute one’s own occupational duty than to criticize others’. Elevated transcendentalists may sometimes forgo the rules and regulations of the Vedas, since they do not need to follow them, just as the demigods travel in space whereas ordinary men travel on the surface of the earth.
कर्मप्रवृत्तं च निवृत्तमप्यृतं वेदे विविच्योभयलिङ्गमाश्रितम् । विरोधि तद्यौगपदैककर्तरि द्वयं तथा ब्रह्मणि कर्म नर्च्छति
karmapravṛttaṃ ca nivṛttamapyṛtaṃ vede vivicyobhayaliṅgamāśritam | virodhi tadyaugapadaikakartari dvayaṃ tathā brahmaṇi karma narcchati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the Vedas there are directions for two kinds of activities — activities for those who are attached to material enjoyment and activities for those who are materially detached. In consideration of these two kinds of activities, there are two kinds of people, who have different symptoms. If one wants to see two kinds of activities in one person, that is contradictory. But both kinds of activities may be neglected by a person who is transcendentally situated.
मा वः पदव्यः पितरस्मदास्थिता या यज्ञशालासु न धूमवर्त्मभिः । तदन्नतृप्तैरसुभृद्भिरीडिता अव्यक्तलिङ्गा अवधूतसेविताः
mā vaḥ padavyaḥ pitarasmadāsthitā yā yajñaśālāsu na dhūmavartmabhiḥ | tadannatṛptairasubhṛdbhirīḍitā avyaktaliṅgā avadhūtasevitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear father, the opulence we possess is impossible for either you or your flatterers to imagine, for persons who engage in fruitive activities by performing great sacrifices are concerned with satisfying their bodily necessities by eating foodstuff offered as a sacrifice. We can exhibit our opulences simply by desiring to do so. This can be achieved only by great personalities who are renounced, self-realized souls.
नैतेन देहेन हरे कृतागसो देहोद्भवेनालमलं कुजन्मना । व्रीडा ममाभूत्कुजनप्रसङ्गतः तज्जन्म धिग्यो महतामवद्यकृत्
naitena dehena hare kṛtāgaso dehodbhavenālamalaṃ kujanmanā | vrīḍā mamābhūtkujanaprasaṅgataḥ tajjanma dhigyo mahatāmavadyakṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are an offender at the lotus feet of Lord Śiva, and unfortunately I have a body produced from yours. I am very much ashamed of our bodily relationship, and I condemn myself because my body is contaminated by a relationship with a person who is an offender at the lotus feet of the greatest personality.
गोत्रं त्वदीयं भगवान् वृषध्वजो दाक्षायणीत्याह यदा सुदुर्मनाः । व्यपेतनर्मस्मितमाशु तद्ध्यहं व्युत्स्रक्ष्य एतत्कुणपं त्वदङ्गजम्
gotraṃ tvadīyaṃ bhagavān vṛṣadhvajo dākṣāyaṇītyāha yadā sudurmanāḥ | vyapetanarmasmitamāśu taddhyahaṃ vyutsrakṣya etatkuṇapaṃ tvadaṅgajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of our family relationship, when Lord Śiva addresses me as Dākṣāyaṇī I at once become morose, and my jolliness and my smile at once disappear. I feel very much sorry that my body, which is just like a bag, has been produced by you. I shall therefore give it up.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इत्यध्वरे दक्षमनूद्य शत्रुहन् क्षितावुदीचीं निषसाद शान्तवाक् । स्पृष्ट्वा जलं पीतदुकूलसंवृता निमील्य दृग्योगपथं समाविशत्
maitreya uvāca | ityadhvare dakṣamanūdya śatruhan kṣitāvudīcīṃ niṣasāda śāntavāk | spṛṣṭvā jalaṃ pītadukūlasaṃvṛtā nimīlya dṛgyogapathaṃ samāviśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya the sage told Vidura: O annihilator of enemies, while thus speaking to her father in the arena of sacrifice, Satī sat down on the ground and faced north. Dressed in saffron garments, she sanctified herself with water and closed her eyes to absorb herself in the process of mystic yoga.
कृत्वा समानावनिलौ जितासना सोदानमुत्थाप्य च नाभिचक्रतः । शनैर्हृदि स्थाप्य धियोरसि स्थितं कण्ठाद्भ्रुवोर्मध्यमनिन्दितानयत्
kṛtvā samānāvanilau jitāsanā sodānamutthāpya ca nābhicakrataḥ | śanairhṛdi sthāpya dhiyorasi sthitaṃ kaṇṭhādbhruvormadhyamaninditānayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
First of all she sat in the required sitting posture, and then she carried the life air upwards and placed it in the position of equilibrium near the navel. Then she raised her life air, mixed with intelligence, to the heart and then gradually towards the pulmonary passage, and from there to between her eyebrows.
एवं स्वदेहं महतां महीयसा मुहुः समारोपितमङ्कमादरात् । जिहासती दक्षरुषा मनस्विनी दधार गात्रेष्वनिलाग्निधारणाम्
evaṃ svadehaṃ mahatāṃ mahīyasā muhuḥ samāropitamaṅkamādarāt | jihāsatī dakṣaruṣā manasvinī dadhāra gātreṣvanilāgnidhāraṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus, in order to give up her body, which had been so respectfully and affectionately seated on the lap of Lord Śiva, who is worshiped by great sages and saints, Satī, due to anger towards her father, began to meditate on the fiery air within the body.
ततः स्वभर्तुश्चरणाम्बुजासवं जगद्गुरोश्चिन्तयती न चापरम् । ददर्श देहो हतकल्मषः सती सद्यः प्रजज्वाल समाधिजाग्निना
tataḥ svabhartuścaraṇāmbujāsavaṃ jagadgurościntayatī na cāparam | dadarśa deho hatakalmaṣaḥ satī sadyaḥ prajajvāla samādhijāgninā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Satī concentrated all her meditation on the holy lotus feet of her husband, Lord Śiva, who is the supreme spiritual master of all the world. Thus she became completely cleansed of all taints of sin and quit her body in a blazing fire by meditation on the fiery elements.
तत्पश्यतां खे भुवि चाद्भुतं महत् हा हेति वादः सुमहानजायत । हन्त प्रिया दैवतमस्य देवी जहावसून् केन सती प्रकोपिता
tatpaśyatāṃ khe bhuvi cādbhutaṃ mahat hā heti vādaḥ sumahānajāyata | hanta priyā daivatamasya devī jahāvasūn kena satī prakopitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Satī annihilated her body in anger, there was a tumultuous roar all over the universe. Why had Satī, the wife of the most respectable demigod, Lord Śiva, quit her body in such a manner?
अहो अनात्म्यं महदस्य पश्यत प्रजापतेर्यस्य चराचरं प्रजाः । जहावसून् यद्विमताऽऽत्मजा सती मनस्विनी मानमभीक्ष्णमर्हति
aho anātmyaṃ mahadasya paśyata prajāpateryasya carācaraṃ prajāḥ | jahāvasūn yadvimatā''tmajā satī manasvinī mānamabhīkṣṇamarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was astonishing that Dakṣa, who was Prajāpati, the maintainer of all living entities, was so disrespectful to his own daughter Satī, who was not only chaste but was also a great soul, that she gave up her body because of his neglect.
सोऽयं दुर्मर्षहृदयो ब्रह्मध्रुक् च लोकेऽपकीर्तिं महतीमवाप्स्यति । यदङ्गजां स्वां पुरुषद्विडुद्यतां न प्रत्यषेधन्मृतयेऽपराधतः
so'yaṃ durmarṣahṛdayo brahmadhruk ca loke'pakīrtiṃ mahatīmavāpsyati | yadaṅgajāṃ svāṃ puruṣadviḍudyatāṃ na pratyaṣedhanmṛtaye'parādhataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dakṣa, who is so hardhearted that he is unworthy to be a brāhmaṇa, will gain extensive ill fame because of his offenses to his daughter, because of not having prevented her death, and because of his great envy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
वदत्येवं जने सत्या दृष्ट्वासुत्यागमद्भुतम् । दक्षं तत्पार्षदा हन्तुमुदतिष्ठन्नुदायुधाः
vadatyevaṃ jane satyā dṛṣṭvāsutyāgamadbhutam | dakṣaṃ tatpārṣadā hantumudatiṣṭhannudāyudhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While people were talking among themselves about the wonderful voluntary death of Satī, the attendants who had come with her readied themselves to kill Dakṣa with their weapons.
तेषामापततां वेगं निशाम्य भगवान् भृगुः । यज्ञघ्नघ्नेन यजुषा दक्षिणाग्नौ जुहाव ह
teṣāmāpatatāṃ vegaṃ niśāmya bhagavān bhṛguḥ | yajñaghnaghnena yajuṣā dakṣiṇāgnau juhāva ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They came forward forcibly, but Bhṛgu Muni saw the danger and, offering oblations into the southern side of the sacrificial fire, immediately uttered mantric hymns from the Yajur Veda by which the destroyers of yajñic performances could be killed immediately.
अध्वर्युणा हूयमाने देवा उत्पेतुरोजसा । ऋभवो नाम तपसा सोमं प्राप्ताः सहस्रशः
adhvaryuṇā hūyamāne devā utpeturojasā | ṛbhavo nāma tapasā somaṃ prāptāḥ sahasraśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Bhṛgu Muni offered oblations in the fire, immediately many thousands of demigods named Ṛbhus became manifested. All of them were powerful, having achieved strength from Soma, the moon.
तैरलातायुधैः सर्वे प्रमथाः सह गुह्यकाः । हन्यमाना दिशो भेजुरुशद्भिर्ब्रह्मतेजसा
tairalātāyudhaiḥ sarve pramathāḥ saha guhyakāḥ | hanyamānā diśo bhejuruśadbhirbrahmatejasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Ṛbhu demigods attacked the ghosts and Guhyakas with half-burned fuel from the yajña fire, all these attendants of Satī fled in different directions and disappeared. This was possible simply because of brahma-tejas, brahminical power.
मैत्रेय उवाच । भवो भवान्या निधनं प्रजापते- रसत्कृताया अवगम्य नारदात् । स्वपार्षदसैन्यं च तदध्वरर्भुभि- र्विद्रावितं क्रोधमपारमादधे
maitreya uvāca | bhavo bhavānyā nidhanaṃ prajāpate- rasatkṛtāyā avagamya nāradāt | svapārṣadasainyaṃ ca tadadhvararbhubhi- rvidrāvitaṃ krodhamapāramādadhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya said: When Lord Śiva heard from Nārada that Satī, his wife, was now dead because of Prajāpati Dakṣa’s insult to her and that his soldiers had been driven away by the Ṛbhu demigods, he became greatly angry.
क्रुद्धः सुदष्टौष्ठपुटः स धूर्जटि- र्जटां तडिद्वह्निसटोग्ररोचिषम् । उत्कृत्य रुद्रः सहसोत्थितो हसन् गम्भीरनादो विससर्ज तां भुवि
kruddhaḥ sudaṣṭauṣṭhapuṭaḥ sa dhūrjaṭi- rjaṭāṃ taḍidvahnisaṭograrociṣam | utkṛtya rudraḥ sahasotthito hasan gambhīranādo visasarja tāṃ bhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus Lord Śiva, being extremely angry, pressed his lips with his teeth and immediately snatched from his head a strand of hair which blazed like electricity or fire. He stood up at once, laughing like a madman, and dashed the hair to the ground.
ततोऽतिकायस्तनुवा स्पृशन् दिवं सहस्रबाहुर्घनरुक् त्रिसूर्यदृक् । करालदंष्ट्रो ज्वलदग्निमूर्धजः कपालमाली विविधोद्यतायुधः
tato'tikāyastanuvā spṛśan divaṃ sahasrabāhurghanaruk trisūryadṛk | karāladaṃṣṭro jvaladagnimūrdhajaḥ kapālamālī vividhodyatāyudhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A fearful black demon as high as the sky and as bright as three suns combined was thereby created, his teeth very fearful and the hairs on his head like burning fire. He had thousands of arms, equipped with various weapons, and he was garlanded with the heads of men.
तं किं करोमीति गृणन्तमाह बद्धाञ्जलिं भगवान् भूतनाथः । दक्षं सयज्ञं जहि मद्भटानां त्वमग्रणी रुद्रभटांशको मे
taṃ kiṃ karomīti gṛṇantamāha baddhāñjaliṃ bhagavān bhūtanāthaḥ | dakṣaṃ sayajñaṃ jahi madbhaṭānāṃ tvamagraṇī rudrabhaṭāṃśako me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When that gigantic demon asked with folded hands, “What shall I do, my lord?” Lord Śiva, who is known as Bhūtanātha, directly ordered, “Because you are born from my body, you are the chief of all my associates. Therefore, kill Dakṣa and his soldiers at the sacrifice.”
आज्ञप्त एवं कुपितेन मन्युना स देवदेवं परिचक्रमे विभुम् । मेने तदात्मानमसङ्गरंहसा महीयसां तात सहः सहिष्णुम्
ājñapta evaṃ kupitena manyunā sa devadevaṃ paricakrame vibhum | mene tadātmānamasaṅgaraṃhasā mahīyasāṃ tāta sahaḥ sahiṣṇum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, that black person was the personified anger of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and he was prepared to execute the orders of Lord Śiva. Thus, considering himself capable of coping with any power offered against him, he circumambulated Lord Śiva.
अन्वीयमानः स तु रुद्र पार्षदै- र्भृशन्नदद्भिर्व्यनदत्सुभैरवम् । उद्यम्य शूलं जगदन्तकान्तकं स प्राद्रवद्घोषणभूषणाङ्घ्रिः
anvīyamānaḥ sa tu rudra pārṣadai- rbhṛśannadadbhirvyanadatsubhairavam | udyamya śūlaṃ jagadantakāntakaṃ sa prādravadghoṣaṇabhūṣaṇāṅghriḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Many other soldiers of Lord Śiva followed the fierce personality in a tumultuous uproar. He carried a great trident, fearful enough to kill even death, and on his legs he wore bangles which seemed to roar.
अथर्त्विजो यजमानः सदस्याः ककुभ्युदीच्यां प्रसमीक्ष्य रेणुम् । तमः किमेतत्कुत एतद्रजोऽभू- दिति द्विजा द्विजपत्न्यश्च दध्युः
athartvijo yajamānaḥ sadasyāḥ kakubhyudīcyāṃ prasamīkṣya reṇum | tamaḥ kimetatkuta etadrajo'bhū- diti dvijā dvijapatnyaśca dadhyuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time, all the persons assembled in the sacrificial arena — the priests, the chief of the sacrificial performance, and the brāhmaṇas and their wives — wondered where the darkness was coming from. Later they could understand that it was a dust storm, and all of them were full of anxiety.
वाता न वान्ति न हि सन्ति दस्यवः प्राचीनबर्हिर्जीवति होग्रदण्डः । गावो न काल्यन्त इदं कुतो रजो लोकोऽधुना किं प्रलयाय कल्पते
vātā na vānti na hi santi dasyavaḥ prācīnabarhirjīvati hogradaṇḍaḥ | gāvo na kālyanta idaṃ kuto rajo loko'dhunā kiṃ pralayāya kalpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Conjecturing on the origin of the storm, they said: There is no wind blowing, and no cows are passing, nor is it possible that this dust storm could be raised by plunderers, for there is still the strong King Barhi, who would punish them. Where is this dust storm blowing from? Is the dissolution of the planet now to occur?
प्रसूतिमिश्राः स्त्रिय उद्विग्नचित्ता ऊचुर्विपाको वृजिनस्यैव तस्य । यत्पश्यन्तीनां दुहितॄणां प्रजेशः सुतां सतीमवदध्यावनागाम्
prasūtimiśrāḥ striya udvignacittā ūcurvipāko vṛjinasyaiva tasya | yatpaśyantīnāṃ duhitṝṇāṃ prajeśaḥ sutāṃ satīmavadadhyāvanāgām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Prasūti, the wife of Dakṣa, along with the other women assembled, became very anxious and said: This danger has been created by Dakṣa because of the death of Satī, who, even though completely innocent, quit her body as her sisters looked on.
यस्त्वन्तकाले व्युप्तजटाकलापः स्वशूलसूच्यर्पितदिग्गजेन्द्रः । वितत्य नृत्यत्युदितास्त्रदोर्ध्वजा- नुच्चाट्टहासस्तनयित्नुभिन्नदिक्
yastvantakāle vyuptajaṭākalāpaḥ svaśūlasūcyarpitadiggajendraḥ | vitatya nṛtyatyuditāstradordhvajā- nuccāṭṭahāsastanayitnubhinnadik
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the time of dissolution, Lord Śiva’s hair is scattered, and he pierces the rulers of the different directions with his trident. He laughs and dances proudly, scattering their hands like flags, as thunder scatters the clouds all over the world.
अमर्षयित्वा तमसह्यतेजसं मन्युप्लुतं दुर्विषहं भ्रुकुट्या । करालदंष्ट्राभिरुदस्तभागणं स्यात्स्वस्ति किं कोपयतो विधातुः
amarṣayitvā tamasahyatejasaṃ manyuplutaṃ durviṣahaṃ bhrukuṭyā | karāladaṃṣṭrābhirudastabhāgaṇaṃ syātsvasti kiṃ kopayato vidhātuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gigantic black man bared his fearful teeth. By the movements of his brows he scattered the luminaries all over the sky, and he covered them with his strong, piercing effulgence. Because of the misbehavior of Dakṣa, even Lord Brahmā, Dakṣa’s father, could not have been saved from the great exhibition of anger.
बह्वेवमुद्विग्नदृशोच्यमाने जनेन दक्षस्य मुहुर्महात्मनः । उत्पेतुरुत्पाततमाः सहस्रशो भयावहा दिवि भूमौ च पर्यक्
bahvevamudvignadṛśocyamāne janena dakṣasya muhurmahātmanaḥ | utpeturutpātatamāḥ sahasraśo bhayāvahā divi bhūmau ca paryak
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While all the people talked amongst themselves, Dakṣa saw dangerous omens from all sides, from the earth and from the sky.
तावत्स रुद्रानुचरैर्मखो महान् नानायुधैर्वामनकैरुदायुधैः । पिङ्गैः पिशङ्गैर्मकरोदराननैः पर्याद्रवद्भिर्विदुरान्वरुध्यत
tāvatsa rudrānucarairmakho mahān nānāyudhairvāmanakairudāyudhaiḥ | piṅgaiḥ piśaṅgairmakarodarānanaiḥ paryādravadbhirvidurānvarudhyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vidura, all the followers of Lord Śiva surrounded the arena of sacrifice. They were of short stature and were equipped with various kinds of weapons; their bodies appeared to be like those of sharks, blackish and yellowish. They ran all around the sacrificial arena and thus began to create disturbances.
केचिद्बभञ्जुः प्राग्वंशं पत्नीशालां तथापरे । सद आग्नीध्रशालां च तद्विहारं महानसम्
kecidbabhañjuḥ prāgvaṃśaṃ patnīśālāṃ tathāpare | sada āgnīdhraśālāṃ ca tadvihāraṃ mahānasam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some of the soldiers pulled down the pillars which were supporting the pandal of sacrifice, some of them entered the female quarters, some began destroying the sacrificial arena, and some entered the kitchen and the residential quarters.
रुरुजुर्यज्ञपात्राणि तथैकेऽग्नीननाशयन् । कुण्डेष्वमूत्रयन् केचिद्बिभिदुर्वेदिमेखलाः
rurujuryajñapātrāṇi tathaike'gnīnanāśayan | kuṇḍeṣvamūtrayan kecidbibhidurvedimekhalāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They broke all the pots made for use in the sacrifice, and some of them began to extinguish the sacrificial fire. Some tore down the boundary line of the sacrificial arena, and some passed urine on the arena.
अबाधन्त मुनीनन्ये एके पत्नीरतर्जयन् । अपरे जगृहुर्देवान् प्रत्यासन्नान् पलायितान्
abādhanta munīnanye eke patnīratarjayan | apare jagṛhurdevān pratyāsannān palāyitān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some blocked the way of the fleeing sages, some threatened the women assembled there, and some arrested the demigods who were fleeing the pandal.
भृगुं बबन्ध मणिमान् वीरभद्रः प्रजापतिम् । चण्डेशः पूषणं देवं भगं नन्दीश्वरोऽग्रहीत्
bhṛguṃ babandha maṇimān vīrabhadraḥ prajāpatim | caṇḍeśaḥ pūṣaṇaṃ devaṃ bhagaṃ nandīśvaro'grahīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maṇimān, one of the followers of Lord Śiva, arrested Bhṛgu Muni, and Vīrabhadra, the black demon, arrested Prajāpati Dakṣa. Another follower, who was named Caṇḍeśa, arrested Pūṣā. Nandīśvara arrested the demigod Bhaga.
सर्व एवर्त्विजो दृष्ट्वा सदस्याः सदिवौकसः । तैरर्द्यमानाः सुभृशं ग्रावभिर्नैकधाद्रवन्
sarva evartvijo dṛṣṭvā sadasyāḥ sadivaukasaḥ | tairardyamānāḥ subhṛśaṃ grāvabhirnaikadhādravan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There was a continuous shower of stones, and all the priests and other members assembled at the sacrifice were put into immense misery. For fear of their lives, they dispersed in different directions.
जुह्वतः स्रुवहस्तस्य श्मश्रूणि भगवान् भवः । भृगोर्लुलुञ्चे सदसि योऽहसच्छ्मश्रु दर्शयन्
juhvataḥ sruvahastasya śmaśrūṇi bhagavān bhavaḥ | bhṛgorluluñce sadasi yo'hasacchmaśru darśayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vīrabhadra tore off the mustache of Bhṛgu, who was offering the sacrificial oblations with his hands in the fire.
भगस्य नेत्रे भगवान् पातितस्य रुषा भुवि । उज्जहार सदःस्थोऽक्ष्णा यः शपन्तमसूसुचत्
bhagasya netre bhagavān pātitasya ruṣā bhuvi | ujjahāra sadaḥstho'kṣṇā yaḥ śapantamasūsucat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vīrabhadra immediately caught Bhaga, who had been moving his eyebrows during Bhṛgu’s cursing of Lord Śiva, and out of great anger thrust him to the ground and forcibly put out his eyes.
पूष्णश्चापातयद्दन्तान् कालिङ्गस्य यथा बलः । शप्यमाने गरिमणि योऽहसद्दर्शयन् दतः
pūṣṇaścāpātayaddantān kāliṅgasya yathā balaḥ | śapyamāne garimaṇi yo'hasaddarśayan dataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as Baladeva knocked out the teeth of Dantavakra, the King of Kaliṅga, during the gambling match at the marriage ceremony of Aniruddha, Vīrabhadra knocked out the teeth of both Dakṣa, who had shown them while cursing Lord Śiva, and Pūṣā, who by smiling sympathetically had also shown his teeth.
आक्रम्योरसि दक्षस्य शितधारेण हेतिना । छिन्दन्नपि तदुद्धर्तुं नाशक्नोत्त्र्यम्बकस्तदा
ākramyorasi dakṣasya śitadhāreṇa hetinā | chindannapi taduddhartuṃ nāśaknottryambakastadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Vīrabhadra, the giantlike personality, sat on the chest of Dakṣa and tried to separate his head from his body with sharp weapons, but was unsuccessful.
शस्त्रैरस्त्रान्वितैरेवमनिर्भिन्नत्वचं हरः । विस्मयं परमापन्नो दध्यौ पशुपतिश्चिरम्
śastrairastrānvitairevamanirbhinnatvacaṃ haraḥ | vismayaṃ paramāpanno dadhyau paśupatiściram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He tried to cut the head of Dakṣa with hymns as well as weapons, but still it was hard to cut even the surface of the skin of Dakṣa’s head. Thus Vīrabhadra was exceedingly bewildered.
दृष्ट्वा संज्ञपनं योगं पशूनां स पतिर्मखे । यजमानपशोः कस्य कायात्तेनाहरच्छिरः
dṛṣṭvā saṃjñapanaṃ yogaṃ paśūnāṃ sa patirmakhe | yajamānapaśoḥ kasya kāyāttenāharacchiraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Vīrabhadra saw the wooden device in the sacrificial arena by which the animals were to have been killed. He took the opportunity of this facility to behead Dakṣa.
साधुवादस्तदा तेषां कर्म तत्तस्य शंसताम् । भूतप्रेतपिशाचानामन्येषां तद्विपर्ययः
sādhuvādastadā teṣāṃ karma tattasya śaṃsatām | bhūtapretapiśācānāmanyeṣāṃ tadviparyayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon seeing the action of Vīrabhadra, the party of Lord Śiva was pleased and cried out joyfully, and all the bhūtas, ghosts and demons that had come made a tumultuous sound. On the other hand, the brāhmaṇas in charge of the sacrifice cried out in grief at the death of Dakṣa.
जुहावैतच्छिरस्तस्मिन् दक्षिणाग्नावमर्षितः । तद्देवयजनं दग्ध्वा प्रातिष्ठद्गुह्यकालयम्
juhāvaitacchirastasmin dakṣiṇāgnāvamarṣitaḥ | taddevayajanaṃ dagdhvā prātiṣṭhadguhyakālayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vīrabhadra then took the head and with great anger threw it into the southern side of the sacrificial fire, offering it as an oblation. In this way the followers of Lord Śiva devastated all the arrangements for sacrifice. After setting fire to the whole arena, they departed for their master’s abode, Kailāsa.
उपलभ्य पुरैवैतद्भगवानब्जसम्भवः । नारायणश्च विश्वात्मा न कस्याध्वरमीयतुः
upalabhya puraivaitadbhagavānabjasambhavaḥ | nārāyaṇaśca viśvātmā na kasyādhvaramīyatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Both Lord Brahmā and Viṣṇu had already known that such events would occur in the sacrificial arena of Dakṣa, and knowing beforehand, they did not go to the sacrifice.
तदाकर्ण्य विभुः प्राह तेजीयसि कृतागसि । क्षेमाय तत्र सा भूयान्न प्रायेण बुभूषताम्
tadākarṇya vibhuḥ prāha tejīyasi kṛtāgasi | kṣemāya tatra sā bhūyānna prāyeṇa bubhūṣatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Brahmā heard everything from the demigods and the members who had attended the sacrifice, he replied: You cannot be happy in executing a sacrifice if you blaspheme a great personality and thereby offend his lotus feet. You cannot have happiness in that way.
अथापि यूयं कृतकिल्बिषा भवं ये बर्हिषो भागभाजं परादुः । प्रसादयध्वं परिशुद्धचेतसा क्षिप्रप्रसादं प्रगृहीताङ्घ्रिपद्मम्
athāpi yūyaṃ kṛtakilbiṣā bhavaṃ ye barhiṣo bhāgabhājaṃ parāduḥ | prasādayadhvaṃ pariśuddhacetasā kṣipraprasādaṃ pragṛhītāṅghripadmam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You have excluded Lord Śiva from taking part in the sacrificial results, and therefore you are all offenders at his lotus feet. Still, if you go without mental reservations and surrender unto him and fall down at his lotus feet, he will be very pleased.
आशासाना जीवितमध्वरस्य लोकः सपालः कुपिते न यस्मिन् । तमाशु देवं प्रियया विहीनं क्षमापयध्वं हृदि विद्धं दुरुक्तैः
āśāsānā jīvitamadhvarasya lokaḥ sapālaḥ kupite na yasmin | tamāśu devaṃ priyayā vihīnaṃ kṣamāpayadhvaṃ hṛdi viddhaṃ duruktaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā also advised them that Lord Śiva is so powerful that by his anger all the planets and their chief controllers can be destroyed immediately. Also, he said that Lord Śiva was especially sorry because he had recently lost his dear wife and was also very much afflicted by the unkind words of Dakṣa. Under the circumstances, Lord Brahmā suggested, it would behoove them to go at once and beg his pardon.
नाहं न यज्ञो न च यूयमन्ये ये देहभाजो मुनयश्च तत्त्वम् । विदुः प्रमाणं बलवीर्ययोर्वा यस्यात्मतन्त्रस्य क उपायं विधित्सेत्
nāhaṃ na yajño na ca yūyamanye ye dehabhājo munayaśca tattvam | viduḥ pramāṇaṃ balavīryayorvā yasyātmatantrasya ka upāyaṃ vidhitset
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā said that no one — not even himself, Indra, all the members assembled in the sacrificial arena or all the sages — could know how powerful Lord Śiva is. Under the circumstances, who would dare to commit an offense at his lotus feet?
स इत्थमादिश्य सुरानजस्तैः समन्वितः पितृभिः सप्रजेशैः । ययौ स्वधिष्ण्यान्निलयं पुरद्विषः कैलासमद्रिप्रवरं प्रियं प्रभोः
sa itthamādiśya surānajastaiḥ samanvitaḥ pitṛbhiḥ saprajeśaiḥ | yayau svadhiṣṇyānnilayaṃ puradviṣaḥ kailāsamadripravaraṃ priyaṃ prabhoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After thus instructing all the demigods, the Pitās and the lords of the living entities, Lord Brahmā took them with him and left for the abode of Lord Śiva, known as the Kailāsa Hill.
जन्मौषधितपोमन्त्रयोगसिद्धैर्नरेतरैः । जुष्टं किन्नरगन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिर्वृतं सदा
janmauṣadhitapomantrayogasiddhairnaretaraiḥ | juṣṭaṃ kinnaragandharvairapsarobhirvṛtaṃ sadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The abode known as Kailāsa is full of different herbs and vegetables, and it is sanctified by Vedic hymns and mystic yoga practice. Thus the residents of that abode are demigods by birth and have all mystic powers. Besides them there are other human beings, who are known as Kinnaras and Gandharvas and are accompanied by their beautiful wives, who are known as Apsarās, or angels.
नानामणिमयैः शृङ्गैर्नानाधातुविचित्रितैः । नानाद्रुमलतागुल्मैर्नानामृगगणावृतैः
nānāmaṇimayaiḥ śṛṅgairnānādhātuvicitritaiḥ | nānādrumalatāgulmairnānāmṛgagaṇāvṛtaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kailāsa is full of mountains filled with all kinds of valuable jewels and minerals and surrounded by all varieties of valuable trees and plants. The top of the hill is nicely decorated by various types of deer.
नानामलप्रस्रवणैर्नानाकन्दरसानुभिः । रमणं विहरन्तीनां रमणैः सिद्धयोषिताम्
nānāmalaprasravaṇairnānākandarasānubhiḥ | ramaṇaṃ viharantīnāṃ ramaṇaiḥ siddhayoṣitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There are many waterfalls, and in the mountains there are many beautiful caves in which the very beautiful wives of the mystics are found.
मयूरकेकाभिरुतं मदान्धालिविमूर्च्छितम् । प्लावितै रक्तकण्ठानां कूजितैश्च पतत्त्रिणाम्
mayūrakekābhirutaṃ madāndhālivimūrcchitam | plāvitai raktakaṇṭhānāṃ kūjitaiśca patattriṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On Kailāsa Hill there is always the rhythmical sound of the peacocks’ sweet vibrations and the bees’ humming. Cuckoos are always singing, and other birds whisper amongst themselves.
आह्वयन्तमिवोद्धस्तैर्द्विजान् कामदुघैर्द्रुमैः । व्रजन्तमिव मातङ्गैर्गृणन्तमिव निर्झरैः
āhvayantamivoddhastairdvijān kāmadughairdrumaiḥ | vrajantamiva mātaṅgairgṛṇantamiva nirjharaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There are tall trees with straight branches that appear to call the sweet birds, and when herds of elephants pass through the hills, it appears that the Kailāsa Hill moves with them. When the waterfalls resound, it appears that Kailāsa Hill does also.
स्वर्णार्णशतपत्रैश्च वररेणुकजातिभिः । कुब्जकैर्मल्लिकाभिश्च माधवीभिश्च मण्डितम्
svarṇārṇaśatapatraiśca varareṇukajātibhiḥ | kubjakairmallikābhiśca mādhavībhiśca maṇḍitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There are other trees also which decorate the hill, such as the golden lotus flower, the cinnamon tree, mālatī, kubja, mallikā and mādhavī.
पनसोदुम्बराश्वत्थप्लक्षन्यग्रोधहिङ्गुभिः । भूर्जैरोषधिभिः पूगै राजपूगैश्च जम्बुभिः
panasodumbarāśvatthaplakṣanyagrodhahiṅgubhiḥ | bhūrjairoṣadhibhiḥ pūgai rājapūgaiśca jambubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kailāsa Hill is also decorated with such trees as kata, jackfruit, julara, banyan trees, plakṣas, nyagrodhas and trees producing asafetida. Also there are trees of betel nuts and bhūrja-patra, as well as rājapūga, blackberries and similar other trees.
खर्जूराम्रातकाम्राद्यैः प्रियालमधुकेङ्गुदैः । द्रुमजातिभिरन्यैश्च राजितं वेणुकीचकैः
kharjūrāmrātakāmrādyaiḥ priyālamadhukeṅgudaiḥ | drumajātibhiranyaiśca rājitaṃ veṇukīcakaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There are mango trees, priyāla, madhuka and iṅguda. Besides these there are other trees, like thin bamboos, kīcaka and varieties of other bamboo trees, all decorating the tract of Kailāsa Hill.
कर्णान्त्रैकपदाश्वास्यैर्निर्जुष्टं वृकनाभिभिः । कदलीखण्डसंरुद्धनलिनीपुलिनश्रियम्
karṇāntraikapadāśvāsyairnirjuṣṭaṃ vṛkanābhibhiḥ | kadalīkhaṇḍasaṃruddhanalinīpulinaśriyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There are varieties of deer, such as karṇāntra, ekapada, aśvāsya, vṛka and kastūrī, the deer which bears musk. Besides the deer there are many banana trees which decorate the small hillside lakes very nicely.
पर्यस्तं नन्दया सत्याः स्नानपुण्यतरोदया । विलोक्य भूतेशगिरिं विबुधा विस्मयं ययुः
paryastaṃ nandayā satyāḥ snānapuṇyatarodayā | vilokya bhūteśagiriṃ vibudhā vismayaṃ yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There is a small lake named Alakanandā in which Satī used to take her bath, and that lake is especially auspicious. All the demigods, after seeing the specific beauty of Kailāsa Hill, were struck with wonder at the great opulence to be found there.
ददृशुस्तत्र ते रम्यामलकां नाम वै पुरीम् । वनं सौगन्धिकं चापि यत्र तन्नामपङ्कजम्
dadṛśustatra te ramyāmalakāṃ nāma vai purīm | vanaṃ saugandhikaṃ cāpi yatra tannāmapaṅkajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the demigods saw the wonderfully beautiful region known as Alakā in the forest known as Saugandhika, which means “full of fragrance.” The forest is known as Saugandhika because of its abundance of lotus flowers.
नन्दा चालकनन्दा च सरितौ बाह्यतः पुरः । तीर्थपादपदाम्भोजरजसातीव पावने
nandā cālakanandā ca saritau bāhyataḥ puraḥ | tīrthapādapadāmbhojarajasātīva pāvane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They also saw the two rivers named Nandā and Alakanandā. These two rivers are sanctified by the dust of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda.
ययोः सुरस्त्रियः क्षत्तरवरुह्य स्वधिष्ण्यतः । क्रीडन्ति पुंसः सिञ्चन्त्यो विगाह्य रतिकर्शिताः
yayoḥ surastriyaḥ kṣattaravaruhya svadhiṣṇyataḥ | krīḍanti puṃsaḥ siñcantyo vigāhya ratikarśitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Kṣattā, Vidura, the celestial damsels come down to those rivers in their airplanes with their husbands, and after sexual enjoyment, they enter the water and enjoy sprinkling their husbands with water.
ययोस्तत्स्नानविभ्रष्टनवकुङ्कुमपिञ्जरम् । वितृषोऽपि पिबन्त्यम्भः पाययन्तो गजा गजीः
yayostatsnānavibhraṣṭanavakuṅkumapiñjaram | vitṛṣo'pi pibantyambhaḥ pāyayanto gajā gajīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the damsels of the heavenly planets bathe in the water, it becomes yellowish and fragrant due to the kuṅkuma from their bodies. Thus the elephants come to bathe there with their wives, the she-elephants, and they also drink the water, although they are not thirsty.
तारहेममहारत्नविमानशतसङ्कुलाम् । जुष्टां पुण्यजनस्त्रीभिर्यथा खं सतडिद्घनम्
tārahemamahāratnavimānaśatasaṅkulām | juṣṭāṃ puṇyajanastrībhiryathā khaṃ sataḍidghanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The airplanes of the heavenly denizens are bedecked with pearls, gold and many valuable jewels. The heavenly denizens are compared to clouds in the sky decorated with occasional flashes of electric lightning.
हित्वा यक्षेश्वरपुरीं वनं सौगन्धिकं च तत् । द्रुमैः कामदुघैर्हृद्यं चित्रमाल्यफलच्छदैः
hitvā yakṣeśvarapurīṃ vanaṃ saugandhikaṃ ca tat | drumaiḥ kāmadughairhṛdyaṃ citramālyaphalacchadaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While traveling, the demigods passed over the forest known as Saugandhika, which is full of varieties of flowers, fruits and desire trees. While passing over the forest, they also saw the regions of Yakṣeśvara.
रक्तकण्ठखगानीकस्वरमण्डितषट्पदम् । कलहंसकुलप्रेष्ठं खरदण्डजलाशयम्
raktakaṇṭhakhagānīkasvaramaṇḍitaṣaṭpadam | kalahaṃsakulapreṣṭhaṃ kharadaṇḍajalāśayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that celestial forest there were many birds whose necks were colored reddish and whose sweet sounds mixed with the humming of the bees. The lakes were abundantly decorated with crying swans as well as strong-stemmed lotus flowers.
वनकुञ्जरसङ्घृष्टहरिचन्दनवायुना । अधि पुण्यजनस्त्रीणां मुहुरुन्मथयन् मनः
vanakuñjarasaṅghṛṣṭaharicandanavāyunā | adhi puṇyajanastrīṇāṃ muhurunmathayan manaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All these atmospheric influences unsettled the forest elephants who flocked together in the sandalwood forest, and the blowing wind agitated the minds of the damsels there for further sexual enjoyment.
वैदूर्यकृतसोपाना वाप्य उत्पलमालिनीः । प्राप्तं किम्पुरुषैर्दृष्ट्वा त आराद्ददृशुर्वटम्
vaidūryakṛtasopānā vāpya utpalamālinīḥ | prāptaṃ kimpuruṣairdṛṣṭvā ta ārāddadṛśurvaṭam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They also saw that the bathing ghāṭas and their staircases were made of vaidūrya-maṇi. The water was full of lotus flowers. Passing by such lakes, the demigods reached a place where there was a great banyan tree.
स योजनशतोत्सेधः पादोनविटपायतः । पर्यक्कृताचलच्छायो निर्नीडस्तापवर्जितः
sa yojanaśatotsedhaḥ pādonaviṭapāyataḥ | paryakkṛtācalacchāyo nirnīḍastāpavarjitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That banyan tree was eight hundred miles high, and its branches spread over six hundred miles around. The tree cast a fine shade which permanently cooled the temperature, yet there was no noise of birds.
तस्मिन् महायोगमये मुमुक्षुशरणे सुराः । ददृशुः शिवमासीनं त्यक्तामर्षमिवान्तकम्
tasmin mahāyogamaye mumukṣuśaraṇe surāḥ | dadṛśuḥ śivamāsīnaṃ tyaktāmarṣamivāntakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods saw Lord Śiva sitting under that tree, which was competent to give perfection to mystic yogīs and deliver all people. As grave as time eternal, he appeared to have given up all anger.
(हर हर नमः पार्वतीपतये हर हर महादेव) सनन्दनाद्यैर्महासिद्धैः शान्तैः संशान्तविग्रहम् । उपास्यमानं सख्या च भर्त्रा गुह्यकरक्षसाम्
(hara hara namaḥ pārvatīpataye hara hara mahādeva) sanandanādyairmahāsiddhaiḥ śāntaiḥ saṃśāntavigraham | upāsyamānaṃ sakhyā ca bhartrā guhyakarakṣasām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva sat there, surrounded by saintly persons like Kuvera, the master of the Guhyakas, and the four Kumāras, who were already liberated souls. Lord Śiva was grave and saintly.
विद्यातपोयोगपथमास्थितं तमधीश्वरम् । चरन्तं विश्वसुहृदं वात्सल्याल्लोकमङ्गलम्
vidyātapoyogapathamāsthitaṃ tamadhīśvaram | carantaṃ viśvasuhṛdaṃ vātsalyāllokamaṅgalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods saw Lord Śiva situated in his perfection as the master of the senses, knowledge, fruitive activities and the path of achieving perfection. He was the friend of the entire world, and by virtue of his full affection for everyone, he was very auspicious.
लिङ्गं च तापसाभीष्टं भस्मदण्डजटाजिनम् । अङ्गेन सन्ध्याभ्ररुचा चन्द्रलेखां च बिभ्रतम्
liṅgaṃ ca tāpasābhīṣṭaṃ bhasmadaṇḍajaṭājinam | aṅgena sandhyābhrarucā candralekhāṃ ca bibhratam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He was seated on a deerskin and was practicing all forms of austerity. Because his body was smeared with ashes, he looked like an evening cloud. On his hair was the sign of a half-moon, a symbolic representation.
उपविष्टं दर्भमय्यां बृस्यां ब्रह्म सनातनम् । नारदाय प्रवोचन्तं पृच्छते शृण्वतां सताम्
upaviṣṭaṃ darbhamayyāṃ bṛsyāṃ brahma sanātanam | nāradāya pravocantaṃ pṛcchate śṛṇvatāṃ satām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He was seated on a straw mattress and speaking to all present, including the great sage Nārada, to whom he specifically spoke about the Absolute Truth.
कृत्वोरौ दक्षिणे सव्यं पादपद्मं च जानुनि । बाहुं प्रकोष्ठेऽक्षमालामासीनं तर्कमुद्रया
kṛtvorau dakṣiṇe savyaṃ pādapadmaṃ ca jānuni | bāhuṃ prakoṣṭhe'kṣamālāmāsīnaṃ tarkamudrayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His left leg was placed on his right thigh, and his left hand was placed on his left thigh. [This sitting posture is called vīrāsana.] In his right hand he held rudrākṣa beads, and his finger was in the mode of argument.
तं ब्रह्मनिर्वाणसमाधिमाश्रितं व्युपाश्रितं गिरिशं योगकक्षाम् । सलोकपाला मुनयो मनूना- माद्यम्मनुं प्राञ्जलयः प्रणेमुः
taṃ brahmanirvāṇasamādhimāśritaṃ vyupāśritaṃ giriśaṃ yogakakṣām | salokapālā munayo manūnā- mādyammanuṃ prāñjalayaḥ praṇemuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the sages and demigods, headed by Indra, offered their respectful obeisances unto Lord Śiva with folded hands. Lord Śiva was dressed in saffron garments and absorbed in trance, thus appearing to be the foremost of all sages.
स तूपलभ्यागतमात्मयोनिं सुरासुरेशैरभिवन्दिताङ्घ्रिः । उत्थाय चक्रे शिरसाभिवन्दन- मर्हत्तमः कस्य यथैव विष्णुः
sa tūpalabhyāgatamātmayoniṃ surāsureśairabhivanditāṅghriḥ | utthāya cakre śirasābhivandana- marhattamaḥ kasya yathaiva viṣṇuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva’s lotus feet were worshiped by both the demigods and demons, but still, in spite of his exalted position, as soon as he saw that Lord Brahmā was there among all the other demigods, he immediately stood up and offered him respect by bowing down and touching his lotus feet, just as Vāmanadeva offered His respectful obeisances to Kaśyapa Muni.
तथापरे सिद्धगणा महर्षिभि- र्येवै समन्तादनु नीललोहितम् । नमस्कृतः प्राह शशाङ्कशेखरं कृतप्रणामं प्रहसन्निवात्मभूः
tathāpare siddhagaṇā maharṣibhi- ryevai samantādanu nīlalohitam | namaskṛtaḥ prāha śaśāṅkaśekharaṃ kṛtapraṇāmaṃ prahasannivātmabhūḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the sages who were sitting with Lord Śiva, such as Nārada and others, also offered their respectful obeisances to Lord Brahmā. After being so worshiped, Lord Brahmā, smiling, began to speak to Lord Śiva.
ब्रह्मोवाच । जाने त्वामीशं विश्वस्य जगतो योनिबीजयोः । शक्तेः शिवस्य च परं यत्तद्ब्रह्म निरन्तरम्
brahmovāca | jāne tvāmīśaṃ viśvasya jagato yonibījayoḥ | śakteḥ śivasya ca paraṃ yattadbrahma nirantaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā said: My dear Lord Śiva, I know that you are the controller of the entire material manifestation, the combination father and mother of the cosmic manifestation, and the Supreme Brahman beyond the cosmic manifestation as well. I know you in that way.
त्वमेव भगवन्नेतच्छिवशक्त्योः स्वरूपयोः । विश्वं सृजसि पास्यत्सि क्रीडन्नूर्णपटो यथा
tvameva bhagavannetacchivaśaktyoḥ svarūpayoḥ | viśvaṃ sṛjasi pāsyatsi krīḍannūrṇapaṭo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear lord, you create this cosmic manifestation, maintain it, and annihilate it by expansion of your personality, exactly as a spider creates, maintains and winds up its web.
त्वमेव धर्मार्थदुघाभिपत्तये दक्षेण सूत्रेण ससर्जिथाध्वरम् । त्वयैव लोकेऽवसिताश्च सेतवो यान् ब्राह्मणाः श्रद्दधते धृतव्रताः
tvameva dharmārthadughābhipattaye dakṣeṇa sūtreṇa sasarjithādhvaram | tvayaiva loke'vasitāśca setavo yān brāhmaṇāḥ śraddadhate dhṛtavratāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear lord, Your Lordship has introduced the system of sacrifices through the agency of Dakṣa, and thus one may derive the benefits of religious activities and economic development. Under your regulative principles, the institution of the four varṇās and āśramas is respected. The brāhmaṇas therefore vow to follow this system strictly.
त्वं कर्मणां मङ्गलमङ्गलानां कर्तुः स्म लोकं तनुषे स्वः परं वा । अमङ्गलानां च तमिस्रमुल्बणं विपर्ययः केन तदेव कस्यचित्
tvaṃ karmaṇāṃ maṅgalamaṅgalānāṃ kartuḥ sma lokaṃ tanuṣe svaḥ paraṃ vā | amaṅgalānāṃ ca tamisramulbaṇaṃ viparyayaḥ kena tadeva kasyacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O most auspicious lord, you have ordained the heavenly planets, the spiritual Vaikuṇṭha planets and the impersonal Brahman sphere as the respective destinations of the performers of auspicious activities. Similarly, for others, who are miscreants, you have destined different kinds of hells which are horrible and ghastly. Yet sometimes it is found that their destinations are just the opposite. It is very difficult to ascertain the cause of this.
न वै सतां त्वच्चरणार्पितात्मनां भूतेषु सर्वेष्वभिपश्यतां तव । भूतानि चात्मन्यपृथग्दिदृक्षतां प्रायेण रोषोऽभिभवेद्यथा पशुम्
na vai satāṃ tvaccaraṇārpitātmanāṃ bhūteṣu sarveṣvabhipaśyatāṃ tava | bhūtāni cātmanyapṛthagdidṛkṣatāṃ prāyeṇa roṣo'bhibhavedyathā paśum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, devotees who have fully dedicated their lives unto your lotus feet certainly observe your presence as Paramātmā in each and every being, and as such they do not differentiate between one living being and another. Such persons treat all living entities equally. They never become overwhelmed by anger like animals, who can see nothing without differentiation.
पृथग्धियः कर्मदृशो दुराशयाः परोदयेनार्पितहृद्रुजोऽनिशम् । परान् दुरुक्तैर्वितुदन्त्यरुन्तुदाः तान् मावधीद्दैववधान् भवद्विधः
pṛthagdhiyaḥ karmadṛśo durāśayāḥ parodayenārpitahṛdrujo'niśam | parān duruktairvitudantyaruntudāḥ tān māvadhīddaivavadhān bhavadvidhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Persons who observe everything with differentiation, who are simply attached to fruitive activities, who are mean-minded, who are always pained to see the flourishing condition of others and who thus give distress to them by uttering harsh and piercing words have already been killed by providence. Thus there is no need for them to be killed again by an exalted personality like you.
यस्मिन् यदा पुष्करनाभमायया दुरन्तया स्पृष्टधियः पृथग्दृशः । कुर्वन्ति तत्र ह्यनुकम्पया कृपां न साधवो दैवबलात्कृते क्रमम्
yasmin yadā puṣkaranābhamāyayā durantayā spṛṣṭadhiyaḥ pṛthagdṛśaḥ | kurvanti tatra hyanukampayā kṛpāṃ na sādhavo daivabalātkṛte kramam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear lord, if in some places materialists, who are already bewildered by the insurmountable illusory energy of the Supreme Godhead, sometimes commit offenses, a saintly person, with compassion, does not take this seriously. Knowing that they commit offenses because they are overpowered by the illusory energy, he does not show his prowess to counteract them.
भवांस्तु पुंसः परमस्य मायया दुरन्तयास्पृष्टमतिः समस्तदृक् । तया हतात्मस्वनुकर्मचेतः- स्वनुग्रहं कर्तुमिहार्हसि प्रभो
bhavāṃstu puṃsaḥ paramasya māyayā durantayāspṛṣṭamatiḥ samastadṛk | tayā hatātmasvanukarmacetaḥ- svanugrahaṃ kartumihārhasi prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear lord, you are never bewildered by the formidable influence of the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore you are omniscient and should be merciful and compassionate toward those who are bewildered by the same illusory energy and are very much attached to fruitive activities.
कुर्वध्वरस्योद्धरणं हतस्य भोः त्वयासमाप्तस्य मनो प्रजापतेः । न यत्र भागं तव भागिनो ददुः कुयज्विनो येन मखो निनीयते
kurvadhvarasyoddharaṇaṃ hatasya bhoḥ tvayāsamāptasya mano prajāpateḥ | na yatra bhāgaṃ tava bhāgino daduḥ kuyajvino yena makho ninīyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord Śiva, you are a shareholder of a portion of the sacrifice, and you are the giver of the result. The bad priests did not deliver your share, and therefore you destroyed everything, and the sacrifice remains unfinished. Now you can do the needful and take your rightful share.
जीवताद्यजमानोऽयं प्रपद्येताक्षिणी भगः । भृगोः श्मश्रूणि रोहन्तु पूष्णो दन्ताश्च पूर्ववत्
jīvatādyajamāno'yaṃ prapadyetākṣiṇī bhagaḥ | bhṛgoḥ śmaśrūṇi rohantu pūṣṇo dantāśca pūrvavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear lord, by your mercy the performer of the sacrifice [King Dakṣa] may get back his life, Bhaga may get back his eyes, Bhṛgu his mustache, and Pūṣā his teeth.
देवानां भग्नगात्राणां ऋत्विजां चायुधाश्मभिः । भवतानुगृहीतानामाशु मन्योऽस्त्वनातुरम्
devānāṃ bhagnagātrāṇāṃ ṛtvijāṃ cāyudhāśmabhiḥ | bhavatānugṛhītānāmāśu manyo'stvanāturam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord Śiva, may the demigods and the priests whose limbs have been broken by your soldiers recover from the injuries by your grace.
एष ते रुद्र भागोऽस्तु यदुच्छिष्टोऽध्वरस्य वै । यज्ञस्ते रुद्रभागेन कल्पतामद्य यज्ञहन्
eṣa te rudra bhāgo'stu yaducchiṣṭo'dhvarasya vai | yajñaste rudrabhāgena kalpatāmadya yajñahan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O destroyer of the sacrifice, please take your portion of the sacrifice and let the sacrifice be completed by your grace.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इत्यजेनानुनीतेन भवेन परितुष्यता । अभ्यधायि महाबाहो प्रहस्य श्रूयतामिति
maitreya uvāca | ityajenānunītena bhavena parituṣyatā | abhyadhāyi mahābāho prahasya śrūyatāmiti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Maitreya said: O mighty-armed Vidura, Lord Śiva, being thus pacified by the words of Lord Brahmā, spoke as follows in answer to Lord Brahmā’s request.
महादेव उवाच । नाघं प्रजेश बालानां वर्णये नानुचिन्तये । देवमायाभिभूतानां दण्डस्तत्र धृतो मया
mahādeva uvāca | nāghaṃ prajeśa bālānāṃ varṇaye nānucintaye | devamāyābhibhūtānāṃ daṇḍastatra dhṛto mayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva said: My dear father, Brahmā, I do not mind the offenses created by the demigods. Because these demigods are childish and less intelligent, I do not take a serious view of their offenses, and I have punished them only in order to right them.
प्रजापतेर्दग्धशीर्ष्णो भवत्वजमुखं शिरः । मित्रस्य चक्षुषेक्षेत भागं स्वं बर्हिषो भगः
prajāpaterdagdhaśīrṣṇo bhavatvajamukhaṃ śiraḥ | mitrasya cakṣuṣekṣeta bhāgaṃ svaṃ barhiṣo bhagaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva continued: Since the head of Dakṣa has already been burned to ashes, he will have the head of a goat. The demigod known as Bhaga will be able to see his share of sacrifice through the eyes of Mitra.
पूषा तु यजमानस्य दद्भिर्जक्षतु पिष्टभुक् । देवाः प्रकृतसर्वाङ्गा ये म उच्छेषणं ददुः
pūṣā tu yajamānasya dadbhirjakṣatu piṣṭabhuk | devāḥ prakṛtasarvāṅgā ye ma uccheṣaṇaṃ daduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigod Pūṣā will be able to chew only through the teeth of his disciples, and if alone, he will have to satisfy himself by eating dough made from chickpea flour. But the demigods who have agreed to give me my share of the sacrifice will recover from all their injuries.
बाहुभ्यामश्विनोः पूष्णो हस्ताभ्यां कृतबाहवः । भवन्त्वध्वर्यवश्चान्ये बस्तश्मश्रुर्भृगुर्भवेत्
bāhubhyāmaśvinoḥ pūṣṇo hastābhyāṃ kṛtabāhavaḥ | bhavantvadhvaryavaścānye bastaśmaśrurbhṛgurbhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who have had their arms cut off will have to work with the arms of Aśvinī-kumāra, and those whose hands were cut off will have to do their work with the hands of Pūṣā. The priests will also have to act in that manner. As for Bhṛgu, he will have the beard from the goat’s head.
मैत्रेय उवाच । तदा सर्वाणि भूतानि श्रुत्वा मीढुष्टमोदितम् । परितुष्टात्मभिस्तात साधु साध्वित्यथाब्रुवन्
maitreya uvāca | tadā sarvāṇi bhūtāni śrutvā mīḍhuṣṭamoditam | parituṣṭātmabhistāta sādhu sādhvityathābruvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya said: My dear Vidura, all the personalities present were very much satisfied in heart and soul upon hearing the words of Lord Śiva, who is the best among the benedictors.
ततो मीढ्वांसमामन्त्र्य शुनासीराः सहर्षिभिः । भूयस्तद्देवयजनं समीढ्वद्वेधसो ययुः
tato mīḍhvāṃsamāmantrya śunāsīrāḥ saharṣibhiḥ | bhūyastaddevayajanaṃ samīḍhvadvedhaso yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, Bhṛgu, the chief of the great sages, invited Lord Śiva to come to the sacrificial arena. Thus the demigods, accompanied by the sages, Lord Śiva, and Lord Brahmā, all went to the place where the great sacrifice was being performed.
विधाय कार्त्स्न्येन च तद्यदाह भगवान् भवः । सन्दधुः कस्य कायेन सवनीयपशोः शिरः
vidhāya kārtsnyena ca tadyadāha bhagavān bhavaḥ | sandadhuḥ kasya kāyena savanīyapaśoḥ śiraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After everything was executed exactly as directed by Lord Śiva, Dakṣa’s body was joined to the head of the animal meant to be killed in the sacrifice.
सन्धीयमाने शिरसि दक्षो रुद्राभिवीक्षितः । सद्यः सुप्त इवोत्तस्थौ ददृशे चाग्रतो मृडम्
sandhīyamāne śirasi dakṣo rudrābhivīkṣitaḥ | sadyaḥ supta ivottasthau dadṛśe cāgrato mṛḍam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the animal’s head was fixed on the body of King Dakṣa, Dakṣa was immediately brought to consciousness, and as he awakened from sleep, the King saw Lord Śiva standing before him.
तदा वृषध्वजद्वेषकलिलात्मा प्रजापतिः । शिवावलोकादभवच्छरद्ध्रद इवामलः
tadā vṛṣadhvajadveṣakalilātmā prajāpatiḥ | śivāvalokādabhavaccharaddhrada ivāmalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time, when Dakṣa saw Lord Śiva, who rides upon a bull, his heart, which was polluted by envy of Lord Śiva, was immediately cleansed, just as the water in a lake is cleansed by autumn rains.
भवस्तवाय कृतधीर्नाशक्नोदनुरागतः । औत्कण्ठ्याद्बाष्पकलया सम्परेतां सुतां स्मरन्
bhavastavāya kṛtadhīrnāśaknodanurāgataḥ | autkaṇṭhyādbāṣpakalayā samparetāṃ sutāṃ smaran
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Dakṣa wanted to offer prayers to Lord Śiva, but as he remembered the ill-fated death of his daughter Satī, his eyes filled with tears, and in bereavement his voice choked up and he could not say anything.
कृच्छ्रात्संस्तभ्य च मनः प्रेमविह्वलितः सुधीः । शशंस निर्व्यलीकेन भावेनेशं प्रजापतिः
kṛcchrātsaṃstabhya ca manaḥ premavihvalitaḥ sudhīḥ | śaśaṃsa nirvyalīkena bhāveneśaṃ prajāpatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At this time, King Dakṣa, afflicted by love and affection, was very much awakened to his real senses. With great endeavor, he pacified his mind, checked his feelings, and with pure consciousness began to offer prayers to Lord Śiva.
दक्ष उवाच । भूयाननुग्रह अहो भवता कृतो मे दण्डस्त्वया मयि भृतो यदपि प्रलब्धः । न ब्रह्मबन्धुषु च वां भगवन्नवज्ञा तुभ्यं हरेश्च कुत एव धृतव्रतेषु
dakṣa uvāca | bhūyānanugraha aho bhavatā kṛto me daṇḍastvayā mayi bhṛto yadapi pralabdhaḥ | na brahmabandhuṣu ca vāṃ bhagavannavajñā tubhyaṃ hareśca kuta eva dhṛtavrateṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Dakṣa said: My dear Lord Śiva, I committed a great offense against you, but you are so kind that instead of withdrawing your mercy, you have done me a great favor by punishing me. You and Lord Viṣṇu never neglect even useless, unqualified brāhmaṇas. Why, then, should you neglect me, who am engaged in performing sacrifices?
विद्यातपोव्रतधरान् मुखतः स्म विप्रान् ब्रह्मात्मतत्त्वमवितुं प्रथमं त्वमस्राक् । तद्ब्राह्मणान् परम सर्वविपत्सु पासि पालः पशूनिव विभो प्रगृहीतदण्डः
vidyātapovratadharān mukhataḥ sma viprān brahmātmatattvamavituṃ prathamaṃ tvamasrāk | tadbrāhmaṇān parama sarvavipatsu pāsi pālaḥ paśūniva vibho pragṛhītadaṇḍaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear great and powerful Lord Śiva, you were created first from the mouth of Lord Brahmā in order to protect the brāhmaṇas in pursuing education, austerities, vows and self-realization. As protector of the brāhmaṇas, you always protect the regulative principles they follow, just as a cowherd boy keeps a stick in his hand to give protection to the cows.
योऽसौ मयाविदिततत्त्वदृशा सभायां क्षिप्तो दुरुक्तिविशिखैर्विगणय्य तन्माम् । अर्वाक्पतन्तमर्हत्तम निन्दयापा- द्दृष्ट्याऽऽर्द्रया स भगवान् स्वकृतेन तुष्येत्
yo'sau mayāviditatattvadṛśā sabhāyāṃ kṣipto duruktiviśikhairvigaṇayya tanmām | arvākpatantamarhattama nindayāpā- ddṛṣṭyā''rdrayā sa bhagavān svakṛtena tuṣyet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I did not know your full glories. For this reason, I threw arrows of sharp words at you in the open assembly, although you did not take them into account. I was going down to hell because of my disobedience to you, who are the most respectable personality, but you took compassion upon me and saved me by awarding punishment. I request that you be pleased by your own mercy, since I cannot satisfy you by my words.
मैत्रेय उवाच । क्षमाप्यैवं स मीढ्वांसं ब्रह्मणा चानुमन्त्रितः । कर्म सन्तानयामास सोपाध्यायर्त्विगादिभिः
maitreya uvāca | kṣamāpyaivaṃ sa mīḍhvāṃsaṃ brahmaṇā cānumantritaḥ | karma santānayāmāsa sopādhyāyartvigādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya said: Thus being pardoned by Lord Śiva, King Dakṣa, with the permission of Lord Brahmā, again began the performance of the yajña, along with the great learned sages, the priests and others.
वैष्णवं यज्ञसन्तत्यै त्रिकपालं द्विजोत्तमाः । पुरोडाशं निरवपन् वीरसंसर्गशुद्धये
vaiṣṇavaṃ yajñasantatyai trikapālaṃ dvijottamāḥ | puroḍāśaṃ niravapan vīrasaṃsargaśuddhaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, in order to resume the activities of sacrifice, the brāhmaṇas first arranged to purify the sacrificial arena of the contamination caused by the touch of Vīrabhadra and the other ghostly followers of Lord Śiva. Then they arranged to offer into the fire the oblations known as puroḍāśa.
अध्वर्युणाऽऽत्तहविषा यजमानो विशाम्पते । धिया विशुद्धया दध्यौ तथा प्रादुरभूद्धरिः
adhvaryuṇā''ttahaviṣā yajamāno viśāmpate | dhiyā viśuddhayā dadhyau tathā prādurabhūddhariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya said to Vidura: My dear Vidura, as soon as King Dakṣa offered the clarified butter with Yajur Veda mantras in sanctified meditation, Lord Viṣṇu appeared there in His original form as Nārāyaṇa.
तदा स्वप्रभया तेषां द्योतयन्त्या दिशो दश । मुष्णंस्तेज उपानीतस्तार्क्ष्येण स्तोत्रवाजिना
tadā svaprabhayā teṣāṃ dyotayantyā diśo daśa | muṣṇaṃsteja upānītastārkṣyeṇa stotravājinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Nārāyaṇa was seated on the shoulder of Stotra, or Garuḍa, who had big wings. As soon as the Lord appeared, all directions were illuminated, diminishing the luster of Brahmā and the others present.
श्यामो हिरण्यरशनोऽर्ककिरीटजुष्टो नीलालकभ्रमरमण्डितकुण्डलास्यः । कम्ब्वब्जचक्रशरचापगदासिचर्म- व्यग्रैर्हिरण्मयभुजैरिव कर्णिकारः
śyāmo hiraṇyaraśano'rkakirīṭajuṣṭo nīlālakabhramaramaṇḍitakuṇḍalāsyaḥ | kambvabjacakraśaracāpagadāsicarma- vyagrairhiraṇmayabhujairiva karṇikāraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His complexion was blackish, His garment yellow like gold, and His helmet as dazzling as the sun. His hair was bluish, the color of black bees, and His face was decorated with earrings. His eight hands held a conchshell, wheel, club, lotus flower, arrow, bow, shield and sword, and they were decorated with golden ornaments such as bangles and bracelets. His whole body resembled a blossoming tree beautifully decorated with various kinds of flowers.
वक्षस्यधिश्रितवधूर्वनमाल्युदार- हासावलोककलया रमयंश्च विश्वम् । पार्श्वभ्रमद्व्यजनचामरराजहंसः श्वेतातपत्रशशिनोपरि रज्यमानः
vakṣasyadhiśritavadhūrvanamālyudāra- hāsāvalokakalayā ramayaṃśca viśvam | pārśvabhramadvyajanacāmararājahaṃsaḥ śvetātapatraśaśinopari rajyamānaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Viṣṇu looked extraordinarily beautiful because the goddess of fortune and a garland were situated on His chest. His face was beautifully decorated with a smiling attitude which can captivate the entire world, especially the devotees. Fans of white hair appeared on both sides of the Lord like white swans, and the white canopy overhead looked like the moon.
तमुपागतमालक्ष्य सर्वे सुरगणादयः । प्रणेमुः सहसोत्थाय ब्रह्मेन्द्रत्र्यक्षनायकाः
tamupāgatamālakṣya sarve suragaṇādayaḥ | praṇemuḥ sahasotthāya brahmendratryakṣanāyakāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as Lord Viṣṇu was visible, all the demigods — Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, the Gandharvas and all present there — immediately offered their respectful obeisances by falling down straight before Him.
तत्तेजसा हतरुचः सन्नजिह्वाः ससाध्वसाः । मूर्ध्ना धृताञ्जलिपुटा उपतस्थुरधोक्षजम्
tattejasā hatarucaḥ sannajihvāḥ sasādhvasāḥ | mūrdhnā dhṛtāñjalipuṭā upatasthuradhokṣajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the presence of the glaring effulgence of the bodily luster of Nārāyaṇa, everyone else’s luster faded away, and everyone stopped speaking. Fearful with awe and veneration, all present touched their hands to their heads and prepared to offer their prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Adhokṣaja.
अप्यर्वाग्वृत्तयो यस्य महि त्वात्मभुवादयः । यथामति गृणन्ति स्म कृतानुग्रहविग्रहम्
apyarvāgvṛttayo yasya mahi tvātmabhuvādayaḥ | yathāmati gṛṇanti sma kṛtānugrahavigraham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the mental scope of even demigods like Brahmā was unable to comprehend the unlimited glories of the Supreme Lord, they were all able to perceive the transcendental form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by His grace. Only by such grace could they offer their respectful prayers according to their different capacities.
दक्षो गृहीतार्हणसादनोत्तमं यज्ञेश्वरं विश्वसृजां परं गुरुम् । सुनन्दनन्दाद्यनुगैर्वृतं मुदा गृणन् प्रपेदे प्रयतः कृताञ्जलिः
dakṣo gṛhītārhaṇasādanottamaṃ yajñeśvaraṃ viśvasṛjāṃ paraṃ gurum | sunandanandādyanugairvṛtaṃ mudā gṛṇan prapede prayataḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Viṣṇu accepted the oblations offered in the sacrifice, Dakṣa, the Prajāpati, began with great pleasure to offer respectful prayers unto Him. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is actually the master of all sacrifices and preceptor of all the Prajāpatis, and He is served even by such personalities as Nanda and Sunanda.
दक्ष उवाच । शुद्धं स्वधाम्न्युपरताखिलबुद्ध्यवस्थं चिन्मात्रमेकमभयं प्रतिषिध्य मायाम् । तिष्ठंस्तयैव पुरुषत्वमुपेत्य तस्या- मास्तेभवानपरिशुद्ध इवात्मतन्त्रः
dakṣa uvāca | śuddhaṃ svadhāmnyuparatākhilabuddhyavasthaṃ cinmātramekamabhayaṃ pratiṣidhya māyām | tiṣṭhaṃstayaiva puruṣatvamupetya tasyā- māstebhavānapariśuddha ivātmatantraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dakṣa addressed the Supreme Personality of Godhead: My dear Lord, You are transcendental to all speculative positions. You are completely spiritual, devoid of all fear, and You are always in control of the material energy. Even though You appear in the material energy, You are situated transcendentally. You are always free from material contamination because You are completely self-sufficient.
ऋत्विज ऊचुः । तत्त्वं न ते वयमनञ्जन रुद्रशापात् कर्मण्यवग्रहधियो भगवन् विदामः । धर्मोपलक्षणमिदं त्रिवृदध्वराख्यं ज्ञातं यदर्थमधिदैवमदो व्यवस्थाः
ṛtvija ūcuḥ | tattvaṃ na te vayamanañjana rudraśāpāt karmaṇyavagrahadhiyo bhagavan vidāmaḥ | dharmopalakṣaṇamidaṃ trivṛdadhvarākhyaṃ jñātaṃ yadarthamadhidaivamado vyavasthāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The priests addressed the Lord, saying: O Lord, transcendental to material contamination, by the curse offered by Lord Śiva’s men we have become attached to fruitive activities, and thus we are now fallen and therefore do not know anything about You. On the contrary, we are now involved in the injunctions of the three departments of the Vedic knowledge under the plea of executing rituals in the name of yajña. We know that You have made arrangements for distributing the respective shares of the demigods.
सदस्या ऊचुः । उत्पत्त्यध्वन्यशरण उरुक्लेशदुर्गेऽन्तकोग्र- व्यालान्विष्टे विषयमृगतृष्णाऽऽत्मगेहोरुभारः । द्वन्द्वश्वभ्रे खलमृगभये शोकदावेऽज्ञसार्थः पादौकस्ते शरणद कदा याति कामोपसृष्टः
sadasyā ūcuḥ | utpattyadhvanyaśaraṇa urukleśadurge'ntakogra- vyālānviṣṭe viṣayamṛgatṛṣṇā''tmagehorubhāraḥ | dvandvaśvabhre khalamṛgabhaye śokadāve'jñasārthaḥ pādaukaste śaraṇada kadā yāti kāmopasṛṣṭaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The members of the assembly addressed the Lord: O exclusive shelter for all who are situated in troubled life, in this formidable fort of conditional existence the time element, like a snake, is always looking for an opportunity to strike. This world is full of ditches of so-called distress and happiness, and there are many ferocious animals always ready to attack. The fire of lamentation is always blazing, and the mirage of false happiness is always alluring, but one has no shelter from them. Thus foolish persons live in the cycle of birth and death, always overburdened in discharging their so-called duties, and we do not know when they will accept the shelter of Your lotus feet.
रुद्र उवाच । तव वरद वराङ्घ्रावाशिषेहाखिलार्थे ह्यपि मुनिभिरसक्तैरादरेणार्हणीये । यदि रचितधियं माविद्यलोकोऽपविद्धं जपति न गणये तत्त्वत्परानुग्रहेण
rudra uvāca | tava varada varāṅghrāvāśiṣehākhilārthe hyapi munibhirasaktairādareṇārhaṇīye | yadi racitadhiyaṃ māvidyaloko'paviddhaṃ japati na gaṇaye tattvatparānugraheṇa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva said: My dear Lord, my mind and consciousness are always fixed on Your lotus feet, which, as the source of all benediction and the fulfillment of all desires, are worshiped by all liberated great sages because Your lotus feet are worthy of worship. With my mind fixed on Your lotus feet, I am no longer disturbed by persons who blaspheme me, claiming that my activities are not purified. I do not mind their accusations, and I excuse them out of compassion, just as You exhibit compassion toward all living entities.
भृगुरुवाच । यन्मायया गहनयापहृतात्मबोधा ब्रह्मादयस्तनुभृतस्तमसि स्वपन्तः । नात्मन् श्रितं तव विदन्त्यधुनापि तत्त्वं सोऽयं प्रसीदतु भवान् प्रणतात्मबन्धुः
bhṛguruvāca | yanmāyayā gahanayāpahṛtātmabodhā brahmādayastanubhṛtastamasi svapantaḥ | nātman śritaṃ tava vidantyadhunāpi tattvaṃ so'yaṃ prasīdatu bhavān praṇatātmabandhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Bhṛgu said: My dear Lord, all living entities, beginning from the highest, namely Lord Brahmā, down to the ordinary ant, are under the influence of the insurmountable spell of illusory energy, and thus they are ignorant of their constitutional position. Everyone believes in the concept of the body, and all are thus submerged in the darkness of illusion. They are actually unable to understand how You live in every living entity as the Supersoul, nor can they understand Your absolute position. But You are the eternal friend and protector of all surrendered souls. Therefore, please be kind toward us and forgive all our offenses.
ब्रह्मोवाच । नैतत्स्वरूपं भवतोऽसौ पदार्थ- भेदग्रहैः पुरुषो यावदीक्षेत् । ज्ञानस्य चार्थस्य गुणस्य चाश्रयो मायामयाद्व्यतिरिक्तो यतस्त्वम्
brahmovāca | naitatsvarūpaṃ bhavato'sau padārtha- bhedagrahaiḥ puruṣo yāvadīkṣet | jñānasya cārthasya guṇasya cāśrayo māyāmayādvyatirikto yatastvam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā said: My dear Lord, Your personality and eternal form cannot be understood by any person who is trying to know You through the different processes of acquiring knowledge. Your position is always transcendental to the material creation, whereas the empiric attempt to understand You is material, as are its objectives and instruments.
इन्द्र उवाच । इदमप्यच्युत विश्वभावनं वपुरानन्दकरं मनोदृशाम् । सुरविद्विट्क्षपणैरुदायुधैर्भुजदण्डैरुपपन्नमष्टभिः
indra uvāca | idamapyacyuta viśvabhāvanaṃ vapurānandakaraṃ manodṛśām | suravidviṭkṣapaṇairudāyudhairbhujadaṇḍairupapannamaṣṭabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Indra said: My dear Lord, Your transcendental form with eight hands and weapons in each of them appears for the welfare of the entire universe, and it is very pleasing to the mind and eyes. In such a form, Your Lordship is always prepared to punish the demons, who are envious of Your devotees.
पत्न्य ऊचुः । यज्ञोऽयं तव यजनाय केन सृष्टो विध्वस्तः पशुपतिनाद्य दक्षकोपात् । तं नस्त्वं शवशयनाभशान्तमेधं यज्ञात्मन् नलिनरुचा दृशा पुनीहि
patnya ūcuḥ | yajño'yaṃ tava yajanāya kena sṛṣṭo vidhvastaḥ paśupatinādya dakṣakopāt | taṃ nastvaṃ śavaśayanābhaśāntamedhaṃ yajñātman nalinarucā dṛśā punīhi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wives of the performers of the sacrifice said: My dear Lord, this sacrifice was arranged under the instruction of Brahmā, but unfortunately Lord Śiva, being angry at Dakṣa, devastated the entire scene, and because of his anger the animals meant for sacrifice are lying dead. Therefore the preparations of the yajña have been lost. Now, by the glance of Your lotus eyes, the sanctity of this sacrificial arena may be again invoked.
ऋषय ऊचुः । अनन्वितं ते भगवन् विचेष्टितं यदात्मना चरसि हि कर्म नाज्यसे । विभूतये यत उपसेदुरीश्वरीं न मन्यते स्वयमनुवर्ततीं भवान्
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | ananvitaṃ te bhagavan viceṣṭitaṃ yadātmanā carasi hi karma nājyase | vibhūtaye yata upasedurīśvarīṃ na manyate svayamanuvartatīṃ bhavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sages prayed: Dear Lord, Your activities are most wonderful, and although You do everything by Your different potencies, You are not at all attached to such activities. You are not even attached to the goddess of fortune, who is worshiped by the great demigods like Brahmā, who pray to achieve her mercy.
सिद्धा ऊचुः । अयं त्वत्कथामृष्टपीयूषनद्यां मनोवारणः क्लेशदावाग्निदग्धः । तृषार्तोऽवगाढो न सस्मार दावं न निष्क्रामति ब्रह्मसम्पन्नवन्नः
siddhā ūcuḥ | ayaṃ tvatkathāmṛṣṭapīyūṣanadyāṃ manovāraṇaḥ kleśadāvāgnidagdhaḥ | tṛṣārto'vagāḍho na sasmāra dāvaṃ na niṣkrāmati brahmasampannavannaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Siddhas prayed: Like an elephant that has suffered in a forest fire but can forget all its troubles by entering a river, our minds, O Lord, always merge in the nectarean river of Your transcendental pastimes, and they desire never to leave such transcendental bliss, which is as good as the pleasure of merging in the Absolute.
यजमान्युवाच । स्वागतं ते प्रसीदेश तुभ्यं नमः श्रीनिवास श्रिया कान्तया त्राहि नः । त्वामृतेऽधीश नाङ्गैर्मखः शोभते शीर्षहीनः कबन्धो यथा पूरुषः
yajamānyuvāca | svāgataṃ te prasīdeśa tubhyaṃ namaḥ śrīnivāsa śriyā kāntayā trāhi naḥ | tvāmṛte'dhīśa nāṅgairmakhaḥ śobhate śīrṣahīnaḥ kabandho yathā pūruṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wife of Dakṣa prayed as follows: My dear Lord, it is very fortunate that You have appeared in this arena of sacrifice. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, and I request that You be pleased on this occasion. The sacrificial arena is not beautiful without You, just as a body is not beautiful without the head.
लोकपाला ऊचुः । दृष्टः किं नो दृग्भिरसद्ग्रहैस्त्वं प्रत्यग्द्रष्टा दृश्यते येन दृश्यम् । माया ह्येषा भवदीया हि भूमन् यस्त्वं षष्ठः पञ्चभिर्भासि भूतैः
lokapālā ūcuḥ | dṛṣṭaḥ kiṃ no dṛgbhirasadgrahaistvaṃ pratyagdraṣṭā dṛśyate yena dṛśyam | māyā hyeṣā bhavadīyā hi bhūman yastvaṃ ṣaṣṭhaḥ pañcabhirbhāsi bhūtaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The governors of various planets spoke as follows: Dear Lord, we believe only in our direct perception, and therefore we see You as a creation of the material world. But under the circumstances we do not know whether we have actually seen You with our material senses. By our material senses we can simply perceive the cosmic manifestation, but You are beyond the five elements. You are the sixth.
योगेश्वरा ऊचुः । प्रेयान्न तेऽन्योऽस्त्यमुतस्त्वयि प्रभो विश्वात्मनीक्षेन्न पृथग्य आत्मनः । अथापि भक्त्येश तयोपधावता- मनन्यवृत्त्यानुगृहाण वत्सल
yogeśvarā ūcuḥ | preyānna te'nyo'styamutastvayi prabho viśvātmanīkṣenna pṛthagya ātmanaḥ | athāpi bhaktyeśa tayopadhāvatā- mananyavṛttyānugṛhāṇa vatsala
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great mystics said: Dear Lord, persons who see You as nondifferent from themselves, knowing that You are the Supersoul of all living entities, are certainly very, very dear to You. You are very favorable toward those who engage in devotional service, accepting You as the Lord and themselves as the servants. By Your mercy, You are always inclined in their favor.
जगदुद्भवस्थितिलयेषु दैवतो बहुभिद्यमान गुणयाऽऽत्ममायया । रचितात्मभेदमतये स्वसंस्थया विनिवर्तितभ्रमगुणात्मने नमः
jagadudbhavasthitilayeṣu daivato bahubhidyamāna guṇayā''tmamāyayā | racitātmabhedamataye svasaṃsthayā vinivartitabhramaguṇātmane namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We offer our respectful obeisances unto the Supreme, who has created varieties of manifestations and put them under the spell of the three qualities of the material world in order to create, maintain and annihilate them. He Himself is not under the control of the external energy: in His personal feature He is completely devoid of the variegated manifestation of material qualities, and He is under no illusion of false identification.
ब्रह्मोवाच । नमस्ते श्रितसत्त्वाय धर्मादीनां च सूतये । निर्गुणाय च यत्काष्ठां नाहं वेदापरेऽपि च
brahmovāca | namaste śritasattvāya dharmādīnāṃ ca sūtaye | nirguṇāya ca yatkāṣṭhāṃ nāhaṃ vedāpare'pi ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The personified Vedas said: We offer our respectful obeisances unto You, the Lord, the shelter of the quality of goodness and therefore the source of all religion, austerity and penance, for You are transcendental to all material qualities and no one knows You or Your actual situation.
अग्निरुवाच । यत्तेजसाहं सुसमिद्धतेजा हव्यं वहे स्वध्वर आज्यसिक्तम् । तं यज्ञियं पञ्चविधं च पञ्चभिः स्विष्टं यजुर्भिः प्रणतोऽस्मि यज्ञम्
agniruvāca | yattejasāhaṃ susamiddhatejā havyaṃ vahe svadhvara ājyasiktam | taṃ yajñiyaṃ pañcavidhaṃ ca pañcabhiḥ sviṣṭaṃ yajurbhiḥ praṇato'smi yajñam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The fire-god said: My dear Lord, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You because by Your favor I am as luminous as blazing fire and I accept the offerings mixed with butter and offered in sacrifice. The five kinds of offerings according to the Yajur Veda are all Your different energies, and You are worshiped by five kinds of Vedic hymns. Sacrifice means You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
देवा ऊचुः । पुरा कल्पापाये स्वकृतमुदरीकृत्य विकृतं त्वमेवाद्यस्तस्मिन् सलिल उरगेन्द्राधिशयने । पुमान् शेषे सिद्धैर्हृदि विमृशिताध्यात्मपदविः स एवाद्याक्ष्णोर्यः पथि चरसि भृत्यानवसि नः
devā ūcuḥ | purā kalpāpāye svakṛtamudarīkṛtya vikṛtaṃ tvamevādyastasmin salila uragendrādhiśayane | pumān śeṣe siddhairhṛdi vimṛśitādhyātmapadaviḥ sa evādyākṣṇoryaḥ pathi carasi bhṛtyānavasi naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods said: Dear Lord, formerly, when there was a devastation, You conserved all the different energies of material manifestation. At that time, all the inhabitants of the higher planets, represented by such liberated souls as Sanaka, were meditating on You by philosophical speculation. You are therefore the original person, and You rest in the water of devastation on the bed of the Śeṣa snake. Now, today, You are visible to us, who are all Your servants. Please give us protection.
गन्धर्वा ऊचुः । अंशांशास्ते देव मरीच्यादय एते ब्रह्मेन्द्राद्या देवगणा रुद्रपुरोगाः । क्रीडाभाण्डं विश्वमिदं यस्य विभूमन् तस्मै नित्यं नाथ नमस्ते करवाम
gandharvā ūcuḥ | aṃśāṃśāste deva marīcyādaya ete brahmendrādyā devagaṇā rudrapurogāḥ | krīḍābhāṇḍaṃ viśvamidaṃ yasya vibhūman tasmai nityaṃ nātha namaste karavāma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Gandharvas said: Dear Lord, all the demigods, including Lord Śiva, Lord Brahmā and Indra, along with Marīci and the other great sages, are all only differentiated parts and parcels of Your body. You are the Supreme Almighty Great; the whole creation is just like a plaything for You. We always accept You as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and we offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
विद्याधरा ऊचुः । त्वन्माययार्थमभिपद्य कलेवरेऽस्मिन् कृत्वा ममाहमिति दुर्मतिरुत्पथैः स्वैः । क्षिप्तोऽप्यसद्विषयलालस आत्ममोहं युष्मत्कथामृतनिषेवक उद्व्युदस्येत्
vidyādharā ūcuḥ | tvanmāyayārthamabhipadya kalevare'smin kṛtvā mamāhamiti durmatirutpathaiḥ svaiḥ | kṣipto'pyasadviṣayalālasa ātmamohaṃ yuṣmatkathāmṛtaniṣevaka udvyudasyet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Vidyādharas said: Dear Lord, this human form of body is meant for attaining the highest perfectional objective, but, impelled by Your external energy, the living entity misidentifies himself with his body and with the material energy, and therefore, influenced by māyā, he wants to become happy by material enjoyment. He is misled and always attracted by temporary, illusory happiness. But Your transcendental activities are so powerful that if one engages in hearing and chanting such topics, he can be delivered from illusion.
ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । त्वं क्रतुस्त्वं हविस्त्वं हुताशः स्वयं त्वं हि मन्त्रः समिद्दर्भ पात्राणि च । त्वं सदस्यर्त्विजो दम्पती देवता अग्निहोत्रं स्वधा सोम आज्यं पशुः
brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ | tvaṃ kratustvaṃ havistvaṃ hutāśaḥ svayaṃ tvaṃ hi mantraḥ samiddarbha pātrāṇi ca | tvaṃ sadasyartvijo dampatī devatā agnihotraṃ svadhā soma ājyaṃ paśuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇas said: Dear Lord, You are sacrifice personified. You are the offering of clarified butter, You are the fire, You are the chanting of Vedic hymns by which the sacrifice is conducted, You are the fuel, You are the flame, You are the kuśa grass, and You are the sacrificial pots. You are the priests who perform the yajña, You are the demigods headed by Indra, and You are the sacrificial animal. Everything that is sacrificed is You or Your energy.
त्वं पुरा गां रसाया महासूकरो दंष्ट्रया पद्मिनीं वारणेन्द्रो यथा । स्तूयमानो नदँल्लीलया योगिभि- र्व्युज्जहर्थ त्रयीगात्र यज्ञक्रतुः
tvaṃ purā gāṃ rasāyā mahāsūkaro daṃṣṭrayā padminīṃ vāraṇendro yathā | stūyamāno nada~llīlayā yogibhi- rvyujjahartha trayīgātra yajñakratuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, O personified Vedic knowledge, in the past millennium, long, long ago, when You appeared as the great boar incarnation, You picked up the world from the water, as an elephant picks up a lotus flower from a lake. When You vibrated transcendental sound in that gigantic form of a boar, the sound was accepted as a sacrificial hymn, and great sages like Sanaka meditated upon it and offered prayers for Your glorification.
स प्रसीद त्वमस्माकमाकाङ्क्षतां दर्शनं ते परिभ्रष्टसत्कर्मणाम् । कीर्त्यमाने नृभिर्नाम्नि यज्ञेश ते यज्ञविघ्नाः क्षयं यान्ति तस्मै नमः
sa prasīda tvamasmākamākāṅkṣatāṃ darśanaṃ te paribhraṣṭasatkarmaṇām | kīrtyamāne nṛbhirnāmni yajñeśa te yajñavighnāḥ kṣayaṃ yānti tasmai namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, we were awaiting Your audience because we have been unable to perform the yajñas according to the Vedic rituals. We pray unto You, therefore, to be pleased with us. Simply by chanting Your holy name, one can surpass all obstacles. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You in Your presence.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इति दक्षः कविर्यज्ञं भद्र रुद्राभिमर्शितम् । कीर्त्यमाने हृषीकेशे सन्निन्ये यज्ञभावने
maitreya uvāca | iti dakṣaḥ kaviryajñaṃ bhadra rudrābhimarśitam | kīrtyamāne hṛṣīkeśe sanninye yajñabhāvane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Maitreya said: After Lord Viṣṇu was glorified by all present, Dakṣa, his consciousness purified, arranged to begin again the yajña which had been devastated by the followers of Lord Śiva.
भगवान् स्वेन भागेन सर्वात्मा सर्वभागभुक् । दक्षं बभाष आभाष्य प्रीयमाण इवानघ
bhagavān svena bhāgena sarvātmā sarvabhāgabhuk | dakṣaṃ babhāṣa ābhāṣya prīyamāṇa ivānagha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya continued: My dear sinless Vidura, Lord Viṣṇu is actually the enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices, yet because of His being the Supersoul of all living entities, He was satisfied simply with His share of the sacrificial offerings. He therefore addressed Dakṣa in a pleasing attitude.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । अहं ब्रह्मा च शर्वश्च जगतः कारणं परम् । आत्मेश्वर उपद्रष्टा स्वयन्दृगविशेषणः
śrībhagavānuvāca | ahaṃ brahmā ca śarvaśca jagataḥ kāraṇaṃ param | ātmeśvara upadraṣṭā svayandṛgaviśeṣaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Viṣṇu replied: Brahmā, Lord Śiva and I are the supreme cause of the material manifestation. I am the Supersoul, the self-sufficient witness. But impersonally there is no difference between Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Me.
आत्ममायां समाविश्य सोऽहं गुणमयीं द्विज । सृजन् रक्षन् हरन् विश्वं दध्रे संज्ञां क्रियोचिताम्
ātmamāyāṃ samāviśya so'haṃ guṇamayīṃ dvija | sṛjan rakṣan haran viśvaṃ dadhre saṃjñāṃ kriyocitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord continued: My dear Dakṣa Dvija, I am the original Personality of Godhead, but in order to create, maintain and annihilate this cosmic manifestation, I act through My material energy, and according to the different grades of activity, My representations are differently named.
तस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यद्वितीये केवले परमात्मनि । ब्रह्मरुद्रौ च भूतानि भेदेनाज्ञोऽनुपश्यति
tasmin brahmaṇyadvitīye kevale paramātmani | brahmarudrau ca bhūtāni bhedenājño'nupaśyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord continued: One who is not in proper knowledge thinks that demigods like Brahmā and Śiva are independent, or he even thinks that the living entities are independent.
यथा पुमान् न स्वाङ्गेषु शिरः पाण्यादिषु क्वचित् । पारक्यबुद्धिं कुरुते एवं भूतेषु मत्परः
yathā pumān na svāṅgeṣu śiraḥ pāṇyādiṣu kvacit | pārakyabuddhiṃ kurute evaṃ bhūteṣu matparaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A person with average intelligence does not think the head and other parts of the body to be separate. Similarly, My devotee does not differentiate Viṣṇu, the all-pervading Personality of Godhead, from any thing or any living entity.
त्रयाणामेकभावानां यो न पश्यति वै भिदाम् । सर्वभूतात्मनां ब्रह्मन् स शान्तिमधिगच्छति
trayāṇāmekabhāvānāṃ yo na paśyati vai bhidām | sarvabhūtātmanāṃ brahman sa śāntimadhigacchati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord continued: One who does not consider Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva or the living entities in general to be separate from the Supreme, and who knows Brahman, actually realizes peace; others do not.
मैत्रेय उवाच । एवं भगवताऽऽदिष्टः प्रजापतिपतिर्हरिम् । अर्चित्वा क्रतुना स्वेन देवानुभयतोऽयजत्
maitreya uvāca | evaṃ bhagavatā''diṣṭaḥ prajāpatipatirharim | arcitvā kratunā svena devānubhayato'yajat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Maitreya said: Thus Dakṣa, the head of all Prajāpatis, having been nicely instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, worshiped Lord Viṣṇu. After worshiping Him by performing the prescribed sacrificial ceremonies, Dakṣa separately worshiped Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva.
रुद्रं च स्वेन भागेन ह्युपाधावत्समाहितः । कर्मणोदवसानेन सोमपानितरानपि । उदवस्य सहर्त्विग्भिः सस्नाववभृथं ततः
rudraṃ ca svena bhāgena hyupādhāvatsamāhitaḥ | karmaṇodavasānena somapānitarānapi | udavasya sahartvigbhiḥ sasnāvavabhṛthaṃ tataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With all respect, Dakṣa worshiped Lord Śiva with his share of the remnants of the yajña. After finishing the ritualistic sacrificial activities, he satisfied all the other demigods and the other people assembled there. Then, after finishing all these duties with the priests, he took a bath and was fully satisfied.
तस्मा अप्यनुभावेन स्वेनैवावाप्तराधसे । धर्म एव मतिं दत्त्वा त्रिदशास्ते दिवं ययुः
tasmā apyanubhāvena svenaivāvāptarādhase | dharma eva matiṃ dattvā tridaśāste divaṃ yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus worshiping the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu by the ritualistic performance of sacrifice, Dakṣa was completely situated on the religious path. Moreover, all the demigods who had assembled at the sacrifice blessed him that he might increase his piety, and then they left.
एवं दाक्षायणी हित्वा सती पूर्वकलेवरम् । जज्ञे हिमवतः क्षेत्रे मेनायामिति शुश्रुम
evaṃ dākṣāyaṇī hitvā satī pūrvakalevaram | jajñe himavataḥ kṣetre menāyāmiti śuśruma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya said: I have heard that after giving up the body she had received from Dakṣa, Dākṣāyaṇī (his daughter) took her birth in the kingdom of the Himālayas. She was born as the daughter of Menā. I heard this from authoritative sources.
तमेव दयितं भूय आवृङ्क्ते पतिमम्बिका । अनन्यभावैकगतिं शक्तिः सुप्तेव पूरुषम्
tameva dayitaṃ bhūya āvṛṅkte patimambikā | ananyabhāvaikagatiṃ śaktiḥ supteva pūruṣam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ambikā [goddess Durgā], who was known as Dākṣāyiṇī [Satī], again accepted Lord Śiva as her husband, just as different energies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead act during the course of a new creation.
एतद्भगवतः शम्भोः कर्म दक्षाध्वरद्रुहः । श्रुतं भागवताच्छिष्यादुद्धवान्मे बृहस्पतेः
etadbhagavataḥ śambhoḥ karma dakṣādhvaradruhaḥ | śrutaṃ bhāgavatācchiṣyāduddhavānme bṛhaspateḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya said: My dear Vidura, I heard this story of the Dakṣa yajña, which was devastated by Lord Śiva, from Uddhava, a great devotee and a disciple of Bṛhaspati.
इदं पवित्रं परमीशचेष्टितं यशस्यमायुष्यमघौघमर्षणम् । यो नित्यदाऽऽकर्ण्य नरोऽनुकीर्तये- द्धुनोत्यघं कौरव भक्तिभावतः
idaṃ pavitraṃ paramīśaceṣṭitaṃ yaśasyamāyuṣyamaghaughamarṣaṇam | yo nityadā''karṇya naro'nukīrtaye- ddhunotyaghaṃ kaurava bhaktibhāvataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya concluded: If one hears and again narrates, with faith and devotion, this story of the Dakṣa yajña as it was conducted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, then certainly one is cleared of all contamination of material existence, O son of Kuru.
मैत्रेय उवाच । सनकाद्या नारदश्च ऋभुर्हंसोऽरुणिर्यतिः । नैते गृहान् ब्रह्मसुता ह्यावसन्नूर्ध्वरेतसः
maitreya uvāca | sanakādyā nāradaśca ṛbhurhaṃso'ruṇiryatiḥ | naite gṛhān brahmasutā hyāvasannūrdhvaretasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya said: The four great Kumāra sages headed by Sanaka, as well as Nārada, Ṛbhu, Haṁsa, Aruṇi and Yati, all sons of Brahmā, did not live at home, but became ūrdhva-retā, or naiṣṭhika-brahmacārīs, unadulterated celibates.
मृषाधर्मस्य भार्यासीद्दम्भं मायां च शत्रुहन् । असूत मिथुनं तत्तु निरृतिर्जगृहेऽप्रजः
mṛṣādharmasya bhāryāsīddambhaṃ māyāṃ ca śatruhan | asūta mithunaṃ tattu nirṛtirjagṛhe'prajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Another son of Lord Brahmā was Irreligion, whose wife’s name was Falsity. From their combination were born two demons named Dambha, or Bluffing, and Māyā, or Cheating. These two demons were taken by a demon named Nirṛti, who had no children.
तयोः समभवल्लोभो निकृतिश्च महामते । ताभ्यां क्रोधश्च हिंसा च यद्दुरुक्तिः स्वसा कलिः
tayoḥ samabhavallobho nikṛtiśca mahāmate | tābhyāṃ krodhaśca hiṃsā ca yadduruktiḥ svasā kaliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya told Vidura: O great soul, from Dambha and Māyā were born Greed and Nikṛti, or Cunning. From their combination came children named Krodha [Anger] and Hiṁsā [Envy], and from their combination were born Kali and his sister Durukti (Harsh Speech).
दुरुक्तौ कलिराधत्त भयं मृत्युं च सत्तम । तयोश्च मिथुनं जज्ञे यातना निरयस्तथा
duruktau kalirādhatta bhayaṃ mṛtyuṃ ca sattama | tayośca mithunaṃ jajñe yātanā nirayastathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O greatest of all good men, by the combination of Kali and Harsh Speech were born children named Mṛtyu (Death) and Bhīti (Fear). From the combination of Mṛtyu and Bhīti came children named Yātanā (Excessive Pain) and Niraya (Hell).
सङ्ग्रहेण मयाऽऽख्यातः प्रतिसर्गस्तवानघ । त्रिः श्रुत्वैतत्पुमान् पुण्यं विधुनोत्यात्मनो मलम्
saṅgraheṇa mayā''khyātaḥ pratisargastavānagha | triḥ śrutvaitatpumān puṇyaṃ vidhunotyātmano malam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vidura, I have summarily explained the causes of devastation. One who hears this description three times attains piety and washes the sinful contamination from his soul.
अथातः कीर्तये वंशं पुण्यकीर्तेः कुरूद्वह । स्वायम्भुवस्यापि मनोर्हरेरंशांशजन्मनः
athātaḥ kīrtaye vaṃśaṃ puṇyakīrteḥ kurūdvaha | svāyambhuvasyāpi manorhareraṃśāṃśajanmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya continued: O best of the Kuru dynasty, I shall now describe to you the descendants of Svāyambhuva Manu, who was born of a part of a plenary expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
प्रियव्रतोत्तानपादौ शतरूपापतेः सुतौ । वासुदेवस्य कलया रक्षायां जगतः स्थितौ
priyavratottānapādau śatarūpāpateḥ sutau | vāsudevasya kalayā rakṣāyāṃ jagataḥ sthitau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Svāyambhuva Manu had two sons by his wife, Śatarūpā, and the names of the sons were Uttānapāda and Priyavrata. Because both of them were descendants of a plenary expansion of Vāsudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they were very competent to rule the universe to maintain and protect the citizens.
जाये उत्तानपादस्य सुनीतिः सुरुचिस्तयोः । सुरुचिः प्रेयसी पत्युर्नेतरा यत्सुतो ध्रुवः
jāye uttānapādasya sunītiḥ surucistayoḥ | suruciḥ preyasī patyurnetarā yatsuto dhruvaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Uttānapāda had two queens, named Sunīti and Suruci. Suruci was much more dear to the King; Sunīti, who had a son named Dhruva, was not his favorite.
एकदा सुरुचेः पुत्रमङ्कमारोप्य लालयन् । उत्तमं नारुरुक्षन्तं ध्रुवं राजाभ्यनन्दत
ekadā suruceḥ putramaṅkamāropya lālayan | uttamaṃ nārurukṣantaṃ dhruvaṃ rājābhyanandata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once upon a time, King Uttānapāda was patting the son of Suruci, Uttama, placing him on his lap. Dhruva Mahārāja was also trying to get on the King’s lap, but the King did not very much welcome him.
तथा चिकीर्षमाणं तं सपत्न्यास्तनयं ध्रुवम् । सुरुचिः शृण्वतो राज्ञः सेर्ष्यमाहातिगर्विता
tathā cikīrṣamāṇaṃ taṃ sapatnyāstanayaṃ dhruvam | suruciḥ śṛṇvato rājñaḥ serṣyamāhātigarvitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the child, Dhruva Mahārāja, was trying to get on the lap of his father, Suruci, his stepmother, became very envious of the child, and with great pride she began to speak so as to be heard by the King himself.
न वत्स नृपतेर्धिष्ण्यं भवानारोढुमर्हति । न गृहीतो मया यत्त्वं कुक्षावपि नृपात्मजः
na vatsa nṛpaterdhiṣṇyaṃ bhavānāroḍhumarhati | na gṛhīto mayā yattvaṃ kukṣāvapi nṛpātmajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Queen Suruci told Dhruva Mahārāja: My dear child, you do not deserve to sit on the throne or on the lap of the King. Surely you are also the son of the King, but because you did not take your birth from my womb, you are not qualified to sit on your father’s lap.
बालोऽसि बत नात्मानमन्यस्त्रीगर्भसम्भृतम् । नूनं वेद भवान् यस्य दुर्लभेऽर्थे मनोरथः
bālo'si bata nātmānamanyastrīgarbhasambhṛtam | nūnaṃ veda bhavān yasya durlabhe'rthe manorathaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear child, you are unaware that you were born not of my womb but of another woman. Therefore you should know that your attempt is doomed to failure. You are trying to fulfill a desire which is impossible to fulfill.
तपसाऽऽराध्य पुरुषं तस्यैवानुग्रहेण मे । गर्भे त्वं साधयात्मानं यदीच्छसि नृपासनम्
tapasā''rādhya puruṣaṃ tasyaivānugraheṇa me | garbhe tvaṃ sādhayātmānaṃ yadīcchasi nṛpāsanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If you at all desire to rise to the throne of the King, then you have to undergo severe austerities. First of all you must satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, and then, when you are favored by Him because of such worship, you shall have to take your next birth from my womb.
मैत्रेय उवाच । मातुः सपत्न्याः स दुरुक्तिविद्धः श्वसन् रुषा दण्डहतो यथाहिः । हित्वा मिषन्तं पितरं सन्नवाचं जगाम मातुः प्ररुदन् सकाशम्
maitreya uvāca | mātuḥ sapatnyāḥ sa duruktividdhaḥ śvasan ruṣā daṇḍahato yathāhiḥ | hitvā miṣantaṃ pitaraṃ sannavācaṃ jagāma mātuḥ prarudan sakāśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, as a snake, when struck by a stick, breathes very heavily, Dhruva Mahārāja, having been struck by the strong words of his stepmother, began to breathe very heavily because of great anger. When he saw that his father was silent and did not protest, he immediately left the palace and went to his mother.
तं निःश्वसन्तं स्फुरिताधरोष्ठं सुनीतिरुत्सङ्ग उदूह्य बालम् । निशम्य तत्पौरमुखान्नितान्तं सा विव्यथे यद्गदितं सपत्न्या
taṃ niḥśvasantaṃ sphuritādharoṣṭhaṃ sunītirutsaṅga udūhya bālam | niśamya tatpauramukhānnitāntaṃ sā vivyathe yadgaditaṃ sapatnyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Dhruva Mahārāja reached his mother, his lips were trembling in anger, and he was crying very grievously. Queen Sunīti immediately lifted her son onto her lap, while the palace residents who had heard all the harsh words of Suruci related everything in detail. Thus Sunīti also became greatly aggrieved.
सोत्सृज्य धैर्यं विललाप शोक- दावाग्निना दावलतेव बाला । वाक्यं सपत्न्याः स्मरती सरोज- श्रिया दृशा बाष्पकलामुवाह
sotsṛjya dhairyaṃ vilalāpa śoka- dāvāgninā dāvalateva bālā | vākyaṃ sapatnyāḥ smaratī saroja- śriyā dṛśā bāṣpakalāmuvāha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This incident was unbearable to Sunīti’s patience. She began to burn as if in a forest fire, and in her grief she became just like a burnt leaf and so lamented. As she remembered the words of her co-wife, her bright, lotuslike face filled with tears, and thus she spoke.
दीर्घं श्वसन्ती वृजिनस्य पार- मपश्यती बालकमाह बाला । मामङ्गलं तात परेषु मंस्था भुङ्क्ते जनो यत्परदुःखदस्तत्
dīrghaṃ śvasantī vṛjinasya pāra- mapaśyatī bālakamāha bālā | māmaṅgalaṃ tāta pareṣu maṃsthā bhuṅkte jano yatparaduḥkhadastat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
She also was breathing very heavily, and she did not know the factual remedy for the painful situation. Not finding any remedy, she said to her son: My dear son, don’t wish for anything inauspicious for others. Anyone who inflicts pains upon others suffers himself from that pain.
सत्यं सुरुच्याभिहितं भवान् मे यद्दुर्भगाया उदरे गृहीतः । स्तन्येन वृद्धश्च विलज्जते यां भार्येति वा वोढुमिडस्पतिर्माम्
satyaṃ surucyābhihitaṃ bhavān me yaddurbhagāyā udare gṛhītaḥ | stanyena vṛddhaśca vilajjate yāṃ bhāryeti vā voḍhumiḍaspatirmām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sunīti said: My dear boy, whatever has been spoken by Suruci is so, because the King, your father, does not consider me his wife or even his maidservant. He feels ashamed to accept me. Therefore it is a fact that you have taken birth from the womb of an unfortunate woman, and by being fed from her breast you have grown up.
आतिष्ठ तत्तात विमत्सरस्त्व- मुक्तं समात्रापि यदव्यलीकम् । आराधयाधोक्षजपादपद्मं यदीच्छसेऽध्यासनमुत्तमो यथा
ātiṣṭha tattāta vimatsarastva- muktaṃ samātrāpi yadavyalīkam | ārādhayādhokṣajapādapadmaṃ yadīcchase'dhyāsanamuttamo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear boy, whatever has been spoken by Suruci, your stepmother, although very harsh to hear, is factual. Therefore, if you desire at all to sit on the same throne as your stepbrother, Uttama, then give up your envious attitude and immediately try to execute the instructions of your stepmother. Without further delay, you must engage yourself in worshiping the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
यस्याङ्घ्रिपद्मं परिचर्य विश्व- विभावनायात्तगुणाभिपत्तेः । अजोऽध्यतिष्ठत्खलु पारमेष्ठ्यं पदं जितात्मश्वसनाभिवन्द्यम्
yasyāṅghripadmaṃ paricarya viśva- vibhāvanāyāttaguṇābhipatteḥ | ajo'dhyatiṣṭhatkhalu pārameṣṭhyaṃ padaṃ jitātmaśvasanābhivandyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sunīti continued: The Supreme Personality of Godhead is so great that simply by worshiping His lotus feet, your great-grandfather, Lord Brahmā, acquired the necessary qualifications to create this universe. Although he is unborn and is the chief of all living creatures, he is situated in that exalted post because of the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whom even great yogīs worship by controlling the mind and regulating the life air [prāṇa].
तथा मनुर्वो भगवान् पितामहो यमेकमत्या पुरुदक्षिणैर्मखैः । इष्ट्वाभिपेदे दुरवापमन्यतो भौमं सुखं दिव्यमथापवर्ग्यम्
tathā manurvo bhagavān pitāmaho yamekamatyā purudakṣiṇairmakhaiḥ | iṣṭvābhipede duravāpamanyato bhaumaṃ sukhaṃ divyamathāpavargyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sunīti informed her son: Your grandfather Svāyambhuva Manu executed great sacrifices with distribution of charity, and thereby, with unflinching faith and devotion, he worshiped and satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By acting in that way, he achieved the greatest success in material happiness and afterwards achieved liberation, which is impossible to obtain by worshiping the demigods.
तमेव वत्साश्रय भृत्यवत्सलं मुमुक्षुभिर्मृग्यपदाब्जपद्धतिम् । अनन्यभावे निजधर्मभाविते मनस्यवस्थाप्य भजस्व पूरुषम्
tameva vatsāśraya bhṛtyavatsalaṃ mumukṣubhirmṛgyapadābjapaddhatim | ananyabhāve nijadharmabhāvite manasyavasthāpya bhajasva pūruṣam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear boy, you also should take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is very kind to His devotees. Persons seeking liberation from the cycle of birth and death always take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord in devotional service. Becoming purified by executing your allotted occupation, just situate the Supreme Personality of Godhead in your heart, and without deviating for a moment, engage always in His service.
नान्यं ततः पद्मपलाशलोचना- द्दुःखच्छिदं ते मृगयामि कञ्चन । यो मृग्यते हस्तगृहीतपद्मया श्रियेतरैरङ्ग विमृग्यमाणया
nānyaṃ tataḥ padmapalāśalocanā- dduḥkhacchidaṃ te mṛgayāmi kañcana | yo mṛgyate hastagṛhītapadmayā śriyetarairaṅga vimṛgyamāṇayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Dhruva, as far as I am concerned, I do not find anyone who can mitigate your distress but the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose eyes are like lotus petals. Many demigods such as Lord Brahmā seek the pleasure of the goddess of fortune, but the goddess of fortune herself, with a lotus flower in her hand, is always ready to render service to the Supreme Lord.
मैत्रेय उवाच । एवं सञ्जल्पितं मातुराकर्ण्यार्थागमं वचः । सन्नियम्यात्मनाऽऽत्मानं निश्चक्राम पितुः पुरात्
maitreya uvāca | evaṃ sañjalpitaṃ māturākarṇyārthāgamaṃ vacaḥ | sanniyamyātmanā''tmānaṃ niścakrāma pituḥ purāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: The instruction of Dhruva Mahārāja’s mother, Sunīti, was actually meant for fulfilling his desired objective. Therefore, after deliberate consideration and with intelligence and fixed determination, he left his father’s house.
नारदस्तदुपाकर्ण्य ज्ञात्वा तस्य चिकीर्षितम् । स्पृष्ट्वा मूर्धन्यघघ्नेन पाणिना प्राह विस्मितः
nāradastadupākarṇya jñātvā tasya cikīrṣitam | spṛṣṭvā mūrdhanyaghaghnena pāṇinā prāha vismitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada overheard this news, and understanding all the activities of Dhruva Mahārāja, he was struck with wonder. He approached Dhruva, and touching the boy’s head with his all-virtuous hand, he spoke as follows.
अहो तेजः क्षत्रियाणां मानभङ्गममृष्यताम् । बालोऽप्ययं हृदा धत्ते यत्समातुरसद्वचः
aho tejaḥ kṣatriyāṇāṃ mānabhaṅgamamṛṣyatām | bālo'pyayaṃ hṛdā dhatte yatsamāturasadvacaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How wonderful are the powerful kṣatriyas! They cannot tolerate even a slight infringement upon their prestige. Just imagine! This boy is only a small child, yet harsh words from his stepmother proved unbearable to him.
नारद उवाच । नाधुनाप्यवमानं ते सम्मानं वापि पुत्रक । लक्षयामः कुमारस्य सक्तस्य क्रीडनादिषु
nārada uvāca | nādhunāpyavamānaṃ te sammānaṃ vāpi putraka | lakṣayāmaḥ kumārasya saktasya krīḍanādiṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada told Dhruva: My dear boy, you are only a little boy whose attachment is to sports and other frivolities. Why are you so affected by words insulting your honor?
विकल्पे विद्यमानेऽपि न ह्यसन्तोषहेतवः । पुंसो मोहमृते भिन्ना यल्लोके निजकर्मभिः
vikalpe vidyamāne'pi na hyasantoṣahetavaḥ | puṃso mohamṛte bhinnā yalloke nijakarmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Dhruva, if you feel that your sense of honor has been insulted, you still have no cause for dissatisfaction. This kind of dissatisfaction is another feature of the illusory energy; every living entity is controlled by his previous actions, and therefore there are different varieties of life for enjoying or suffering.
परितुष्येत्ततस्तात तावन्मात्रेण पूरुषः । दैवोपसादितं यावद्वीक्ष्येश्वरगतिं बुधः
parituṣyettatastāta tāvanmātreṇa pūruṣaḥ | daivopasāditaṃ yāvadvīkṣyeśvaragatiṃ budhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The process of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very wonderful. One who is intelligent should accept that process and be satisfied with whatever comes, favorable or unfavorable, by His supreme will.
अथ मात्रोपदिष्टेन योगेनावरुरुत्ससि । यत्प्रसादं स वै पुंसां दुराराध्यो मतो मम
atha mātropadiṣṭena yogenāvarurutsasi | yatprasādaṃ sa vai puṃsāṃ durārādhyo mato mama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now you have decided to undertake the mystic process of meditation under the instruction of your mother, just to achieve the mercy of the Lord, but in my opinion such austerities are not possible for any ordinary man. It is very difficult to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
मुनयः पदवीं यस्य निःसङ्गेनोरुजन्मभिः । न विदुर्मृगयन्तोऽपि तीव्रयोगसमाधिना
munayaḥ padavīṃ yasya niḥsaṅgenorujanmabhiḥ | na vidurmṛgayanto'pi tīvrayogasamādhinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada Muni continued: After trying this process for many, many births and remaining unattached to material contamination, placing themselves continually in trance and executing many types of austerities, many mystic yogīs were unable to find the end of the path of God realization.
अतो निवर्ततामेष निर्बन्धस्तव निष्फलः । यतिष्यति भवान् काले श्रेयसां समुपस्थिते
ato nivartatāmeṣa nirbandhastava niṣphalaḥ | yatiṣyati bhavān kāle śreyasāṃ samupasthite
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For this reason, my dear boy, you should not endeavor for this; it will not be successful. It is better that you go home. When you are grown up, by the mercy of the Lord you will get a chance for these mystic performances. At that time you may execute this function.
यस्य यद्दैवविहितं स तेन सुखदुःखयोः । आत्मानं तोषयन् देही तमसः पारमृच्छति
yasya yaddaivavihitaṃ sa tena sukhaduḥkhayoḥ | ātmānaṃ toṣayan dehī tamasaḥ pāramṛcchati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One should try to keep himself satisfied in any condition of life — whether distress or happiness — which is offered by the supreme will. A person who endures in this way is able to cross over the darkness of nescience very easily.
गुणाधिकान्मुदं लिप्सेदनुक्रोशं गुणाधमात् । मैत्रीं समानादन्विच्छेन्न तापैरभिभूयते
guṇādhikānmudaṃ lipsedanukrośaṃ guṇādhamāt | maitrīṃ samānādanvicchenna tāpairabhibhūyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Every man should act like this: when he meets a person more qualified than himself, he should be very pleased; when he meets someone less qualified than himself, he should be compassionate toward him; and when he meets someone equal to himself, he should make friendship with him. In this way one is never affected by the threefold miseries of this material world.
ध्रुव उवाच । सोऽयं शमो भगवता सुखदुःखहतात्मनाम् । दर्शितः कृपया पुंसां दुर्दर्शोऽस्मद्विधैस्तु यः
dhruva uvāca | so'yaṃ śamo bhagavatā sukhaduḥkhahatātmanām | darśitaḥ kṛpayā puṃsāṃ durdarśo'smadvidhaistu yaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja said: My dear Lord Nāradajī, for a person whose heart is disturbed by the material conditions of happiness and distress, whatever you have so kindly explained for attainment of peace of mind is certainly a very good instruction. But as far as I am concerned, I am covered by ignorance, and this kind of philosophy does not touch my heart.
अथापि मेऽविनीतस्य क्षात्रं घोरमुपेयुषः । सुरुच्या दुर्वचो बाणैर्न भिन्ने श्रयते हृदि
athāpi me'vinītasya kṣātraṃ ghoramupeyuṣaḥ | surucyā durvaco bāṇairna bhinne śrayate hṛdi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear lord, I am very impudent for not accepting your instructions, but this is not my fault. It is due to my having been born in a kṣatriya family. My stepmother, Suruci, has pierced my heart with her harsh words. Therefore your valuable instruction does not stand in my heart.
पदं त्रिभुवनोत्कृष्टं जिगीषोः साधु वर्त्म मे । ब्रूह्यस्मत्पितृभिर्ब्रह्मन्नन्यैरप्यनधिष्ठितम्
padaṃ tribhuvanotkṛṣṭaṃ jigīṣoḥ sādhu vartma me | brūhyasmatpitṛbhirbrahmannanyairapyanadhiṣṭhitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O learned brāhmaṇa, I want to occupy a position more exalted than any yet achieved within the three worlds by anyone, even by my father and grandfather. If you will oblige, kindly advise me of an honest path to follow by which I can achieve the goal of my life.
नूनं भवान् भगवतो योऽङ्गजः परमेष्ठिनः । वितुदन्नटते वीणां हितार्थं जगतोऽर्कवत्
nūnaṃ bhavān bhagavato yo'ṅgajaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ | vitudannaṭate vīṇāṃ hitārthaṃ jagato'rkavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear lord, you are a worthy son of Lord Brahmā, and you travel, playing on your musical instrument, the vīṇā, for the welfare of the entire universe. You are like the sun, which rotates in the universe for the benefit of all living beings.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इत्युदाहृतमाकर्ण्य भगवान्नारदस्तदा । प्रीतः प्रत्याह तं बालं सद्वाक्यमनुकम्पया
maitreya uvāca | ityudāhṛtamākarṇya bhagavānnāradastadā | prītaḥ pratyāha taṃ bālaṃ sadvākyamanukampayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Maitreya continued: The great personality Nārada Muni, upon hearing the words of Dhruva Mahārāja, became very compassionate toward him, and in order to show him his causeless mercy, he gave him the following expert advice.
नारद उवाच । जनन्याभिहितः पन्थाः स वै निःश्रेयसस्य ते । भगवान् वासुदेवस्तं भज तत्प्रवणात्मना
nārada uvāca | jananyābhihitaḥ panthāḥ sa vai niḥśreyasasya te | bhagavān vāsudevastaṃ bhaja tatpravaṇātmanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada told Dhruva Mahārāja: The instruction given by your mother, Sunīti, to follow the path of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is just suitable for you. You should therefore completely absorb yourself in the devotional service of the Lord.
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाख्यं य इच्छेच्छ्रेय आत्मनः । एकमेव हरेस्तत्र कारणं पादसेवनम्
dharmārthakāmamokṣākhyaṃ ya icchecchreya ātmanaḥ | ekameva harestatra kāraṇaṃ pādasevanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Any person who desires the fruits of the four principles religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and, at the end, liberation, should engage himself in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for worship of His lotus feet yields the fulfillment of all of these.
तत्तात गच्छ भद्रं ते यमुनायास्तटं शुचि । पुण्यं मधुवनं यत्र सान्निध्यं नित्यदा हरेः
tattāta gaccha bhadraṃ te yamunāyāstaṭaṃ śuci | puṇyaṃ madhuvanaṃ yatra sānnidhyaṃ nityadā hareḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear boy, I therefore wish all good fortune for you. You should go to the bank of the Yamunā, where there is a virtuous forest named Madhuvana, and there be purified. Just by going there, one draws nearer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who always lives there.
स्नात्वानुसवनं तस्मिन् कालिन्द्याः सलिले शिवे । कृत्वोचितानि निवसन्नात्मनः कल्पितासनः
snātvānusavanaṃ tasmin kālindyāḥ salile śive | kṛtvocitāni nivasannātmanaḥ kalpitāsanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada Muni instructed: My dear boy, in the waters of the Yamunā River, which is known as Kālindī, you should take three baths daily because the water is very auspicious, sacred and clear. After bathing, you should perform the necessary regulative principles for aṣṭāṅga-yoga and then sit down on your āsana [sitting place] in a calm and quiet position.
प्राणायामेन त्रिवृता प्राणेन्द्रियमनोमलम् । शनैर्व्युदस्याभिध्यायेन्मनसा गुरुणा गुरुम्
prāṇāyāmena trivṛtā prāṇendriyamanomalam | śanairvyudasyābhidhyāyenmanasā guruṇā gurum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After sitting on your seat, practice the three kinds of breathing exercises, and thus gradually control the life air, the mind and the senses. Completely free yourself from all material contamination, and with great patience begin to meditate on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
प्रसादाभिमुखं शश्वत्प्रसन्नवदनेक्षणम् । सुनासं सुभ्रुवं चारुकपोलं सुरसुन्दरम्
prasādābhimukhaṃ śaśvatprasannavadanekṣaṇam | sunāsaṃ subhruvaṃ cārukapolaṃ surasundaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The form of the Lord is described herein.] The Lord’s face is perpetually very beautiful and pleasing in attitude. To the devotees who see Him, He appears never to be displeased, and He is always prepared to award benedictions to them. His eyes, His nicely decorated eyebrows, His raised nose and His broad forehead are all very beautiful. He is more beautiful than all the demigods.
तरुणं रमणीयाङ्गमरुणोष्ठेक्षणाधरम् । प्रणताश्रयणं नृम्णं शरण्यं करुणार्णवम्
taruṇaṃ ramaṇīyāṅgamaruṇoṣṭhekṣaṇādharam | praṇatāśrayaṇaṃ nṛmṇaṃ śaraṇyaṃ karuṇārṇavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada Muni continued: The Lord’s form is always youthful. Every limb and every part of His body is properly formed, free from defect. His eyes and lips are pinkish like the rising sun. He is always prepared to give shelter to the surrendered soul, and anyone so fortunate as to look upon Him feels all satisfaction. The Lord is always worthy to be the master of the surrendered soul, for He is the ocean of mercy.
श्रीवत्साङ्कं घनश्यामं पुरुषं वनमालिनम् । शङ्खचक्रगदापद्मैरभिव्यक्तचतुर्भुजम्
śrīvatsāṅkaṃ ghanaśyāmaṃ puruṣaṃ vanamālinam | śaṅkhacakragadāpadmairabhivyaktacaturbhujam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord is further described as having the mark of Śrīvatsa, or the sitting place of the goddess of fortune, and His bodily hue is deep bluish. The Lord is a person, He wears a garland of flowers, and He is eternally manifest with four hands, which hold [beginning from the lower left hand] a conchshell, wheel, club and lotus flower.
किरीटिनं कुण्डलिनं केयूरवलयान्वितम् । कौस्तुभाभरणग्रीवं पीतकौशेयवाससम्
kirīṭinaṃ kuṇḍalinaṃ keyūravalayānvitam | kaustubhābharaṇagrīvaṃ pītakauśeyavāsasam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The entire body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, is decorated. He wears a valuable jeweled helmet, necklaces and bracelets, His neck is adorned with the Kaustubha jewel, and He is dressed in yellow silk garments.
काञ्चीकलापपर्यस्तं लसत्काञ्चननूपुरम् । दर्शनीयतमं शान्तं मनोनयनवर्धनम्
kāñcīkalāpaparyastaṃ lasatkāñcananūpuram | darśanīyatamaṃ śāntaṃ manonayanavardhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord is decorated with small golden bells around His waist, and His lotus feet are decorated with golden ankle bells. All His bodily features are very attractive and pleasing to the eyes. He is always peaceful, calm and quiet and very pleasing to the eyes and the mind.
पद्भ्यां नखमणिश्रेण्या विलसद्भ्यां समर्चताम् । हृत्पद्मकर्णिकाधिष्ण्यमाक्रम्यात्मन्यवस्थितम्
padbhyāṃ nakhamaṇiśreṇyā vilasadbhyāṃ samarcatām | hṛtpadmakarṇikādhiṣṇyamākramyātmanyavasthitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Real yogīs meditate upon the transcendental form of the Lord as He stands on the whorl of the lotus of their hearts, the jewellike nails of His lotus feet glittering.
स्मयमानमभिध्यायेत्सानुरागावलोकनम् । नियतेनैकभूतेन मनसा वरदर्षभम्
smayamānamabhidhyāyetsānurāgāvalokanam | niyatenaikabhūtena manasā varadarṣabham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord is always smiling, and the devotee should constantly see the Lord in this form, as He looks very mercifully toward the devotee. In this way the meditator should look toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the bestower of all benedictions.
एवं भगवतो रूपं सुभद्रं ध्यायतो मनः । निर्वृत्या परया तूर्णं सम्पन्नं न निवर्तते
evaṃ bhagavato rūpaṃ subhadraṃ dhyāyato manaḥ | nirvṛtyā parayā tūrṇaṃ sampannaṃ na nivartate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who meditates in this way, concentrating his mind upon the always auspicious form of the Lord, is very soon freed from all material contamination, and he does not come down from meditation upon the Lord.
जप्यश्च परमो गुह्यः श्रूयतां मे नृपात्मज । यं सप्तरात्रं प्रपठन् पुमान् पश्यति खेचरान्
japyaśca paramo guhyaḥ śrūyatāṃ me nṛpātmaja | yaṃ saptarātraṃ prapaṭhan pumān paśyati khecarān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O son of the King, now I shall speak unto you the mantra which is to be chanted with this process of meditation. One who carefully chants this mantra for seven nights can see the perfect human beings flying in the sky.
ओं नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय । मन्त्रेणानेन देवस्य कुर्याद्द्रव्यमयीं बुधः । सपर्यां विविधैर्द्रव्यैर्देशकालविभागवित्
oṃ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya | mantreṇānena devasya kuryāddravyamayīṃ budhaḥ | saparyāṃ vividhairdravyairdeśakālavibhāgavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. This is the twelve-syllable mantra for worshiping Lord Kṛṣṇa. One should install the physical forms of the Lord, and with the chanting of the mantra one should offer flowers and fruits and other varieties of foodstuffs exactly according to the rules and regulations prescribed by authorities. But this should be done in consideration of place, time, and attendant conveniences and inconveniences.
सलिलैः शुचिभिर्माल्यैर्वन्यैर्मूलफलादिभिः । शस्ताङ्कुरांशुकैश्चार्चेत्तुलस्या प्रियया प्रभुम्
salilaiḥ śucibhirmālyairvanyairmūlaphalādibhiḥ | śastāṅkurāṃśukaiścārcettulasyā priyayā prabhum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One should worship the Lord by offering pure water, pure flower garlands, fruits, flowers and vegetables which are available in the forest, or by collecting newly grown grasses, small buds of flowers or even the skins of trees, and if possible, by offering tulasī leaves, which are very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
लब्ध्वा द्रव्यमयीमर्चां क्षित्यम्ब्वादिषु वार्चयेत् । आभृतात्मा मुनिः शान्तो यतवाङ्मितवन्यभुक्
labdhvā dravyamayīmarcāṃ kṣityambvādiṣu vārcayet | ābhṛtātmā muniḥ śānto yatavāṅmitavanyabhuk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is possible to worship a form of the Lord made of physical elements such as earth, water, pulp, wood and metal. In the forest one can make a form with no more than earth and water and worship Him according to the above principles. A devotee who has full control over his self should be very sober and peaceful and must be satisfied simply with eating whatever fruits and vegetables are available in the forest.
स्वेच्छावतारचरितैरचिन्त्यनिजमायया । करिष्यत्युत्तमश्लोकस्तद्ध्यायेद्धृदयङ्गमम्
svecchāvatāracaritairacintyanijamāyayā | kariṣyatyuttamaślokastaddhyāyeddhṛdayaṅgamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Dhruva, besides worshiping the Deity and chanting the mantra three times a day, you should meditate upon the transcendental activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His different incarnations, as exhibited by His supreme will and personal potencies.
परिचर्या भगवतो यावत्यः पूर्वसेविताः । ता मन्त्रहृदयेनैव प्रयुञ्ज्यान्मन्त्रमूर्तये
paricaryā bhagavato yāvatyaḥ pūrvasevitāḥ | tā mantrahṛdayenaiva prayuñjyānmantramūrtaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One should follow in the footsteps of previous devotees regarding how to worship the Supreme Lord with the prescribed paraphernalia, or one should offer worship within the heart by reciting the mantra to the Personality of Godhead, who is nondifferent from the mantra.
विरक्तश्चेन्द्रियरतौ भक्तियोगेन भूयसा । तं निरन्तरभावेन भजेताद्धा विमुक्तये
viraktaścendriyaratau bhaktiyogena bhūyasā | taṃ nirantarabhāvena bhajetāddhā vimuktaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If one is very serious about liberation, he must stick to the process of transcendental loving service, engaging twenty-four hours a day in the highest stage of ecstasy, and he must certainly be aloof from all activities of sense gratification.
इत्युक्तस्तं परिक्रम्य प्रणम्य च नृपार्भकः । ययौ मधुवनं पुण्यं हरेश्चरणचर्चितम्
ityuktastaṃ parikramya praṇamya ca nṛpārbhakaḥ | yayau madhuvanaṃ puṇyaṃ hareścaraṇacarcitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Dhruva Mahārāja, the son of the King, was thus advised by the great sage Nārada, he circumambulated Nārada, his spiritual master, and offered him respectful obeisances. Then he started for Madhuvana, which is always imprinted with the lotus footprints of Lord Kṛṣṇa and which is therefore especially auspicious.
तपोवनं गते तस्मिन् प्रविष्टोऽन्तःपुरं मुनिः । अर्हितार्हणको राज्ञा सुखासीन उवाच तम्
tapovanaṃ gate tasmin praviṣṭo'ntaḥpuraṃ muniḥ | arhitārhaṇako rājñā sukhāsīna uvāca tam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Dhruva entered Madhuvana Forest to execute devotional service, the great sage Nārada thought it wise to go to the King to see how he was faring within the palace. When Nārada Muni approached, the King received him properly, offering him due obeisances. After being seated comfortably, Nārada began to speak.
नारद उवाच । राजन् किं ध्यायसे दीर्घं मुखेन परिशुष्यता । किं वा न रिष्यते कामो धर्मो वार्थेन संयुतः
nārada uvāca | rājan kiṃ dhyāyase dīrghaṃ mukhena pariśuṣyatā | kiṃ vā na riṣyate kāmo dharmo vārthena saṃyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada inquired: My dear King, your face appears to be withering up, and you look like you have been thinking of something for a very long time. Why is that? Have you been hampered in following your path of religious rites, economic development and sense gratification?
राजोवाच । सुतो मे बालको ब्रह्मन् स्त्रैणेनाकरुणात्मना । निर्वासितः पञ्चवर्षः सह मात्रा महान् कविः
rājovāca | suto me bālako brahman straiṇenākaruṇātmanā | nirvāsitaḥ pañcavarṣaḥ saha mātrā mahān kaviḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King replied: O best of the brāhmaṇas, I am very much addicted to my wife, and I am so fallen that I have abandoned all merciful behavior, even to my son, who is only five years old. I have banished him and his mother, even though he is a great soul and a great devotee.
अप्यनाथं वने ब्रह्मन् मा स्मादन्त्यर्भकं वृकाः । श्रान्तं शयानं क्षुधितं परिम्लानमुखाम्बुजम्
apyanāthaṃ vane brahman mā smādantyarbhakaṃ vṛkāḥ | śrāntaṃ śayānaṃ kṣudhitaṃ parimlānamukhāmbujam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear brāhmaṇa, the face of my son was just like a lotus flower. I am thinking of his precarious condition. He is unprotected, and he might be very hungry. He might have lain down somewhere in the forest, and the wolves might have attacked him to eat his body.
अहो मे बत दौरात्म्यं स्त्रीजितस्योपधारय । योऽङ्कं प्रेम्णाऽऽरुरुक्षन्तं नाभ्यनन्दमसत्तमः
aho me bata daurātmyaṃ strījitasyopadhāraya | yo'ṅkaṃ premṇā''rurukṣantaṃ nābhyanandamasattamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Alas, just see how I was conquered by my wife! Just imagine my cruelty! Out of love and affection the boy was trying to get up on my lap, but I did not receive him, nor did I even pat him for a moment. Just imagine how hardhearted I am.
नारद उवाच । मा मा शुचः स्वतनयं देवगुप्तं विशाम्पते । तत्प्रभावमविज्ञाय प्रावृङ्क्ते यद्यशो जगत्
nārada uvāca | mā mā śucaḥ svatanayaṃ devaguptaṃ viśāmpate | tatprabhāvamavijñāya prāvṛṅkte yadyaśo jagat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada replied: My dear King, please do not be aggrieved about your son. He is well protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although you have no actual information of his influence, his reputation is already spread all over the world.
सुदुष्करं कर्म कृत्वा लोकपालैरपि प्रभुः । एष्यत्यचिरतो राजन् यशो विपुलयंस्तव
suduṣkaraṃ karma kṛtvā lokapālairapi prabhuḥ | eṣyatyacirato rājan yaśo vipulayaṃstava
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, your son is very competent. He will perform activities which would be impossible even for great kings and sages. Very soon he will complete his task and come back home. You should know that he will also spread your reputation all over the world.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इति देवर्षिणा प्रोक्तं विश्रुत्य जगतीपतिः । राजलक्ष्मीमनादृत्य पुत्रमेवान्वचिन्तयत्
maitreya uvāca | iti devarṣiṇā proktaṃ viśrutya jagatīpatiḥ | rājalakṣmīmanādṛtya putramevānvacintayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great Maitreya continued: The King, Uttānapāda, after being advised by Nārada Muni, practically gave up all duties in relation with his kingdom, which was very vast and wide, opulent like the goddess of fortune, and he simply began to think of his son Dhruva.
तत्राभिषिक्तः प्रयतस्तामुपोष्य विभावरीम् । समाहितः पर्यचरदृष्यादेशेन पूरुषम्
tatrābhiṣiktaḥ prayatastāmupoṣya vibhāvarīm | samāhitaḥ paryacaradṛṣyādeśena pūruṣam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Elsewhere, Dhruva Mahārāja, having arrived at Madhuvana, took his bath in the river Yamunā and observed fasting in the night with great care and attention. After that, as advised by the great sage Nārada, he engaged himself in worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
त्रिरात्रान्ते त्रिरात्रान्ते कपित्थबदराशनः । आत्मवृत्त्यनुसारेण मासं निन्येऽर्चयन् हरिम्
trirātrānte trirātrānte kapitthabadarāśanaḥ | ātmavṛttyanusāreṇa māsaṃ ninye'rcayan harim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For the first month Dhruva Mahārāja ate only fruits and berries on every third day, only to keep his body and soul together, and in this way he progressed in his worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
द्वितीयं च तथा मासं षष्ठे षष्ठेऽर्भको दिने । तृणपर्णादिभिः शीर्णैः कृतान्नोऽभ्यर्चयद्विभुम्
dvitīyaṃ ca tathā māsaṃ ṣaṣṭhe ṣaṣṭhe'rbhako dine | tṛṇaparṇādibhiḥ śīrṇaiḥ kṛtānno'bhyarcayadvibhum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the second month Dhruva Mahārāja ate only every six days, and for his eatables he took dry grass and leaves. Thus he continued his worship.
तृतीयं चानयन्मासं नवमे नवमेऽहनि । अब्भक्ष उत्तमश्लोकमुपाधावत्समाधिना
tṛtīyaṃ cānayanmāsaṃ navame navame'hani | abbhakṣa uttamaślokamupādhāvatsamādhinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the third month he drank water only every nine days. Thus he remained completely in trance and worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is adored by selected verses.
चतुर्थमपि वै मासं द्वादशे द्वादशेऽहनि । वायुभक्षो जितश्वासो ध्यायन् देवमधारयत्
caturthamapi vai māsaṃ dvādaśe dvādaśe'hani | vāyubhakṣo jitaśvāso dhyāyan devamadhārayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the fourth month Dhruva Mahārāja became a complete master of the breathing exercise, and thus he inhaled air only every twelfth day. In this way he became completely fixed in his position and worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
पञ्चमे मास्यनुप्राप्ते जितश्वासो नृपात्मजः । ध्यायन् ब्रह्म पदैकेन तस्थौ स्थाणुरिवाचलः
pañcame māsyanuprāpte jitaśvāso nṛpātmajaḥ | dhyāyan brahma padaikena tasthau sthāṇurivācalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By the fifth month, Mahārāja Dhruva, the son of the King, had controlled his breathing so perfectly that he was able to stand on only one leg, just as a column stands, without motion, and concentrate his mind fully on the Parabrahman.
सर्वतो मन आकृष्य हृदि भूतेन्द्रियाशयम् । ध्यायन् भगवतो रूपं नाद्राक्षीत्किञ्चनापरम्
sarvato mana ākṛṣya hṛdi bhūtendriyāśayam | dhyāyan bhagavato rūpaṃ nādrākṣītkiñcanāparam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He completely controlled his senses and their objects, and in this way he fixed his mind, without diversion to anything else, upon the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
आधारं महदादीनां प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरम् । ब्रह्म धारयमाणस्य त्रयो लोकाश्चकम्पिरे
ādhāraṃ mahadādīnāṃ pradhānapuruṣeśvaram | brahma dhārayamāṇasya trayo lokāścakampire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Dhruva Mahārāja thus captured the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the refuge of the total material creation and who is the master of all living entities, the three worlds began to tremble.
यदैकपादेन स पार्थिवार्भक- स्तस्थौ तदङ्गुष्ठनिपीडिता मही । ननाम तत्रार्धमिभेन्द्रधिष्ठिता तरीव सव्येतरतः पदे पदे
yadaikapādena sa pārthivārbhaka- stasthau tadaṅguṣṭhanipīḍitā mahī | nanāma tatrārdhamibhendradhiṣṭhitā tarīva savyetarataḥ pade pade
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Dhruva Mahārāja, the King’s son, kept himself steadily standing on one leg, the pressure of his big toe pushed down half the earth, just as an elephant being carried on a boat rocks the boat left and right with his every step.
तस्मिन्नभिध्यायति विश्वमात्मनो द्वारं निरुध्यासुमनन्यया धिया । लोका निरुच्छ्वासनिपीडिता भृशं सलोकपालाः शरणं ययुर्हरिम्
tasminnabhidhyāyati viśvamātmano dvāraṃ nirudhyāsumananyayā dhiyā | lokā nirucchvāsanipīḍitā bhṛśaṃ salokapālāḥ śaraṇaṃ yayurharim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Dhruva Mahārāja became practically one in heaviness with Lord Viṣṇu, the total consciousness, due to his fully concentrating and his closing all the holes of his body, the total universal breathing became choked up, and all the great demigods in all the planetary systems felt suffocated and thus took shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
देवा ऊचुः । नैवं विदामो भगवन् प्राणरोधं चराचरस्याखिलसत्त्वधाम्नः । विधेहि तन्नो वृजिनाद्विमोक्षं प्राप्ता वयं त्वां शरणं शरण्यम्
devā ūcuḥ | naivaṃ vidāmo bhagavan prāṇarodhaṃ carācarasyākhilasattvadhāmnaḥ | vidhehi tanno vṛjinādvimokṣaṃ prāptā vayaṃ tvāṃ śaraṇaṃ śaraṇyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods said: Dear Lord, You are the refuge of all moving and nonmoving living entities. We feel all living entities to be suffocating, their breathing processes choked up. We have never experienced such a thing. Since You are the ultimate shelter of all surrendered souls, we have therefore approached You; kindly save us from this danger.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । मा भैष्ट बालं तपसो दुरत्यया- न्निवर्तयिष्ये प्रतियात स्वधाम । यतो हि वः प्राणनिरोध आसी- दौत्तानपादिर्मयि सङ्गतात्मा
śrībhagavānuvāca | mā bhaiṣṭa bālaṃ tapaso duratyayā- nnivartayiṣye pratiyāta svadhāma | yato hi vaḥ prāṇanirodha āsī- dauttānapādirmayi saṅgatātmā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead replied: My dear demigods, do not be perturbed by this. It is due to the severe austerity and full determination of the son of King Uttānapāda, who is now fully absorbed in thought of Me. He has obstructed the universal breathing process. You can safely return to your respective homes. I shall stop this boy in his severe acts of austerities, and you will be saved from this situation.
मैत्रेय उवाच । त एवमुत्सन्नभया उरुक्रमे कृतावनामाः प्रययुस्त्रिविष्टपम् । सहस्रशीर्षापि ततो गरुत्मता मधोर्वनं भृत्यदिदृक्षया गतः
maitreya uvāca | ta evamutsannabhayā urukrame kṛtāvanāmāḥ prayayustriviṣṭapam | sahasraśīrṣāpi tato garutmatā madhorvanaṃ bhṛtyadidṛkṣayā gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya told Vidura: When the demigods were thus reassured by the Personality of Godhead, they were freed from all fears, and after offering their obeisances they returned to their heavenly planets. Then the Lord, who is nondifferent from the Sahasraśīrṣā incarnation, got on the back of Garuḍa, who carried Him to the Madhuvana Forest to see His servant Dhruva.
स वै धिया योगविपाकतीव्रया हृत्पद्मकोशे स्फुरितं तडित्प्रभम् । तिरोहितं सहसैवोपलक्ष्य बहिःस्थितं तदवस्थं ददर्श
sa vai dhiyā yogavipākatīvrayā hṛtpadmakośe sphuritaṃ taḍitprabham | tirohitaṃ sahasaivopalakṣya bahiḥsthitaṃ tadavasthaṃ dadarśa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The form of the Lord, which was brilliant like lightning and in which Dhruva Mahārāja, in his mature yogic process, was fully absorbed in meditation, all of a sudden disappeared. Thus Dhruva was perturbed, and his meditation broke. But as soon as he opened his eyes he saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead personally present, just as he had been seeing the Lord in his heart.
तद्दर्शनेनागतसाध्वसः क्षिता- ववन्दताङ्गं विनमय्य दण्डवत् । दृग्भ्यां प्रपश्यन् प्रपिबन्निवार्भकः चुम्बन्निवास्येन भुजैरिवाश्लिषन्
taddarśanenāgatasādhvasaḥ kṣitā- vavandatāṅgaṃ vinamayya daṇḍavat | dṛgbhyāṃ prapaśyan prapibannivārbhakaḥ cumbannivāsyena bhujairivāśliṣan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Dhruva Mahārāja saw his Lord just in front of him, he was greatly agitated and offered Him obeisances and respect. He fell flat before Him like a rod and became absorbed in love of Godhead. Dhruva Mahārāja, in ecstasy, looked upon the Lord as if he were drinking the Lord with his eyes, kissing the lotus feet of the Lord with his mouth, and embracing the Lord with his arms.
स तं विवक्षन्तमतद्विदं हरिः ज्ञात्वास्य सर्वस्य च हृद्यवस्थितः । कृताञ्जलिं ब्रह्ममयेन कम्बुना पस्पर्श बालं कृपया कपोले
sa taṃ vivakṣantamatadvidaṃ hariḥ jñātvāsya sarvasya ca hṛdyavasthitaḥ | kṛtāñjaliṃ brahmamayena kambunā pasparśa bālaṃ kṛpayā kapole
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although Dhruva Mahārāja was a small boy, he wanted to offer prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead in suitable language. But because he was inexperienced, he could not adjust himself immediately. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, being situated in everyone’s heart, could understand Dhruva Mahārāja’s awkward position. Out of His causeless mercy He touched His conchshell to the forehead of Dhruva Mahārāja, who stood before Him with folded hands.
स वै तदैव प्रतिपादितां गिरं दैवीं परिज्ञातपरात्मनिर्णयः । तं भक्तिभावोऽभ्यगृणादसत्वरं परिश्रुतोरुश्रवसं ध्रुवक्षितिः
sa vai tadaiva pratipāditāṃ giraṃ daivīṃ parijñātaparātmanirṇayaḥ | taṃ bhaktibhāvo'bhyagṛṇādasatvaraṃ pariśrutoruśravasaṃ dhruvakṣitiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time Dhruva Mahārāja became perfectly aware of the Vedic conclusion and understood the Absolute Truth and His relationship with all living entities. In accordance with the line of devotional service to the Supreme Lord, whose fame is widespread, Dhruva, who in the future would receive a planet which would never be annihilated, even during the time of dissolution, offered his deliberate and conclusive prayers.
ध्रुव उवाच । योऽन्तःप्रविश्य मम वाचमिमां प्रसुप्तां सञ्जीवयत्यखिलशक्तिधरः स्वधाम्ना । अन्यांश्च हस्तचरणश्रवणत्वगादीन् प्राणान् नमो भगवते पुरुषाय तुभ्यम्
dhruva uvāca | yo'ntaḥpraviśya mama vācamimāṃ prasuptāṃ sañjīvayatyakhilaśaktidharaḥ svadhāmnā | anyāṃśca hastacaraṇaśravaṇatvagādīn prāṇān namo bhagavate puruṣāya tubhyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja said: My dear Lord, You are all-powerful. After entering within me, You have enlivened all my sleeping senses — my hands, legs, ears, touch sensation, life force and especially my power of speech. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
एकस्त्वमेव भगवन्निदमात्मशक्त्या मायाख्ययोरुगुणया महदाद्यशेषम् । सृष्ट्वानुविश्य पुरुषस्तदसद्गुणेषु नानेव दारुषु विभावसुवद्विभासि
ekastvameva bhagavannidamātmaśaktyā māyākhyayoruguṇayā mahadādyaśeṣam | sṛṣṭvānuviśya puruṣastadasadguṇeṣu nāneva dāruṣu vibhāvasuvadvibhāsi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, You are the supreme one, but by Your different energies You appear differently in the spiritual and material worlds. You create the total energy of the material world by Your external potency, and after creation You enter within the material world as the Supersoul. You are the Supreme Person, and through the temporary modes of material nature You create varieties of manifestation, just as fire, entering into wood of different shapes, burns brilliantly in different varieties.
त्वद्दत्तया वयुनयेदमचष्ट विश्वं सुप्तप्रबुद्ध इव नाथ भवत्प्रपन्नः । तस्यापवर्ग्यशरणं तव पादमूलं विस्मर्यते कृतविदा कथमार्तबन्धो
tvaddattayā vayunayedamacaṣṭa viśvaṃ suptaprabuddha iva nātha bhavatprapannaḥ | tasyāpavargyaśaraṇaṃ tava pādamūlaṃ vismaryate kṛtavidā kathamārtabandho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my master, Lord Brahmā is fully surrendered unto You. In the beginning You gave him knowledge, and thus he could see and understand the entire universe, just as a person awakens from sleep and visualizes his immediate duties. You are the only shelter of all persons who desire liberation, and You are the friend of all who are distressed. How, therefore, can a learned person who has perfect knowledge ever forget You?
नूनं विमुष्टमतयस्तव मायया ते ये त्वां भवाप्ययविमोक्षणमन्यहेतोः । अर्चन्ति कल्पकतरुं कुणपोपभोग्य- मिच्छन्ति यत्स्पर्शजं निरयेऽपि नॄणाम्
nūnaṃ vimuṣṭamatayastava māyayā te ye tvāṃ bhavāpyayavimokṣaṇamanyahetoḥ | arcanti kalpakataruṃ kuṇapopabhogya- micchanti yatsparśajaṃ niraye'pi nṝṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Persons who worship You simply for the sense gratification of this bag of skin are certainly influenced by Your illusory energy. In spite of having You, who are like a desire tree and are the cause of liberation from birth and death, foolish persons, such as me, desire benedictions from You for sense gratification, which is available even for those who live in hellish conditions.
या निर्वृतिस्तनुभृतां तव पादपद्म- ध्यानाद्भवज्जनकथाश्रवणेन वा स्यात् । सा ब्रह्मणि स्वमहिमन्यपि नाथ मा भूत् किं त्वन्तकासिलुलितात्पततां विमानात्
yā nirvṛtistanubhṛtāṃ tava pādapadma- dhyānādbhavajjanakathāśravaṇena vā syāt | sā brahmaṇi svamahimanyapi nātha mā bhūt kiṃ tvantakāsilulitātpatatāṃ vimānāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, the transcendental bliss derived from meditating upon Your lotus feet or hearing about Your glories from pure devotees is so unlimited that it is far beyond the stage of brahmānanda, wherein one thinks himself merged in the impersonal Brahman as one with the Supreme. Since brahmānanda is also defeated by the transcendental bliss derived from devotional service, then what to speak of the temporary blissfulness of elevating oneself to the heavenly planets, which is ended by the separating sword of time? Although one may be elevated to the heavenly planets, he falls down in due course of time.
भक्तिं मुहुः प्रवहतां त्वयि मे प्रसङ्गो भूयादनन्त महताममलाशयानाम् । येनाञ्जसोल्बणमुरुव्यसनं भवाब्धिं नेष्ये भवद्गुणकथामृतपानमत्तः
bhaktiṃ muhuḥ pravahatāṃ tvayi me prasaṅgo bhūyādananta mahatāmamalāśayānām | yenāñjasolbaṇamuruvyasanaṃ bhavābdhiṃ neṣye bhavadguṇakathāmṛtapānamattaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja continued: O unlimited Lord, kindly bless me so that I may associate with great devotees who engage in Your transcendental loving service constantly, as the waves of a river constantly flow. Such transcendental devotees are completely situated in an uncontaminated state of life. By the process of devotional service I shall surely be able to cross the nescient ocean of material existence, which is filled with the waves of blazing, firelike dangers. It will be very easy for me, for I am becoming mad to hear about Your transcendental qualities and pastimes, which are eternally existent.
ते न स्मरन्त्यतितरां प्रियमीश मर्त्यं ये चान्वदः सुतसुहृद्गृहवित्तदाराः । ये त्वब्जनाभ भवदीयपदारविन्द- सौगन्ध्यलुब्धहृदयेषु कृतप्रसङ्गाः
te na smarantyatitarāṃ priyamīśa martyaṃ ye cānvadaḥ sutasuhṛdgṛhavittadārāḥ | ye tvabjanābha bhavadīyapadāravinda- saugandhyalubdhahṛdayeṣu kṛtaprasaṅgāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord who have a lotus navel, if a person happens to associate with a devotee whose heart always hankers after Your lotus feet, seeking always their fragrance, he is never attached to the material body or, in a bodily relationship, to offspring, friends, home, wealth and wife, which are very, very dear to materialistic persons. Indeed, he does not care for them.
तिर्यङ्नगद्विजसरीसृपदेवदैत्य- मर्त्यादिभिः परिचितं सदसद्विशेषम् । रूपं स्थविष्ठमज ते महदाद्यनेकं नातः परं परम वेद्मि न यत्र वादः
tiryaṅnagadvijasarīsṛpadevadaitya- martyādibhiḥ paricitaṃ sadasadviśeṣam | rūpaṃ sthaviṣṭhamaja te mahadādyanekaṃ nātaḥ paraṃ parama vedmi na yatra vādaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, O Supreme Unborn, I know that the different varieties of living entities, such as animals, trees, birds, reptiles, demigods and human beings, are spread throughout the universe, which is caused by the total material energy, and I know that they are sometimes manifest and sometimes unmanifest; but I have never experienced the supreme form I behold as I see You now. Now all kinds of methods of theorizing have come to an end.
कल्पान्त एतदखिलं जठरेण गृह्णन् शेते पुमान् स्वदृगनन्तसखस्तदङ्के । यन्नाभिसिन्धुरुहकाञ्चनलोकपद्म- गर्भे द्युमान् भगवते प्रणतोऽस्मि तस्मै
kalpānta etadakhilaṃ jaṭhareṇa gṛhṇan śete pumān svadṛganantasakhastadaṅke | yannābhisindhuruhakāñcanalokapadma- garbhe dyumān bhagavate praṇato'smi tasmai
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, at the end of each millennium the Supreme Personality of Godhead Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu dissolves everything manifested within the universe into His belly. He lies down on the lap of Śeṣa Nāga, from His navel sprouts a golden lotus flower on a stem, and on that lotus Lord Brahmā is created. I can understand that You are the same Supreme Godhead. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
त्वं नित्यमुक्तपरिशुद्धविबुद्ध आत्मा कूटस्थ आदिपुरुषो भगवांस्त्र्यधीशः । यद्बुद्ध्यवस्थितिमखण्डितया स्वदृष्ट्या द्रष्टा स्थितावधिमखो व्यतिरिक्त आस्से
tvaṃ nityamuktapariśuddhavibuddha ātmā kūṭastha ādipuruṣo bhagavāṃstryadhīśaḥ | yadbuddhyavasthitimakhaṇḍitayā svadṛṣṭyā draṣṭā sthitāvadhimakho vyatirikta āsse
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, by Your unbroken transcendental glance You are the supreme witness of all stages of intellectual activities. You are eternally liberated, Your existence is situated in pure goodness, and You are existent in the Supersoul without change. You are the original Personality of Godhead, full with six opulences, and You are eternally the master of the three modes of material nature. Thus, You are always different from the ordinary living entities. As Lord Viṣṇu, You maintain all the affairs of the entire universe, and yet You stand aloof and are the enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices.
यस्मिन् विरुद्धगतयो ह्यनिशं पतन्ति विद्यादयो विविधशक्तय आनुपूर्व्यात् । तद्ब्रह्मविश्वभवमेकमनन्तमाद्य- मानन्दमात्रमविकारमहं प्रपद्ये
yasmin viruddhagatayo hyaniśaṃ patanti vidyādayo vividhaśaktaya ānupūrvyāt | tadbrahmaviśvabhavamekamanantamādya- mānandamātramavikāramahaṃ prapadye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, in Your impersonal manifestation of Brahman there are always two opposing elements — knowledge and ignorance. Your multi-energies are continually manifest, but the impersonal Brahman, which is undivided, original, changeless, unlimited and blissful, is the cause of the material manifestation. Because You are the same impersonal Brahman, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
सत्याशिषो हि भगवंस्तव पादपद्म- माशीस्तथानुभजतः पुरुषार्थमूर्तेः । अप्येवमार्य भगवान् परिपाति दीनान् वाश्रेव वत्सकमनुग्रहकातरोऽस्मान्
satyāśiṣo hi bhagavaṃstava pādapadma- māśīstathānubhajataḥ puruṣārthamūrteḥ | apyevamārya bhagavān paripāti dīnān vāśreva vatsakamanugrahakātaro'smān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, O Supreme Lord, You are the supreme personified form of all benediction. Therefore, for one who abides in Your devotional service with no other desire, worshiping Your lotus feet is better than becoming king and lording it over a kingdom. That is the benediction of worshiping Your lotus feet. To ignorant devotees like me, You are the causelessly merciful maintainer, just like a cow, who takes care of the newly born calf by supplying milk and giving it protection from attack.
मैत्रेय उवाच । अथाभिष्टुत एवं वै सत्सङ्कल्पेन धीमता । भृत्यानुरक्तो भगवान् प्रतिनन्द्येदमब्रवीत्
maitreya uvāca | athābhiṣṭuta evaṃ vai satsaṅkalpena dhīmatā | bhṛtyānurakto bhagavān pratinandyedamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, when Dhruva Mahārāja, who had good intentions in his heart, finished his prayer, the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, who is very kind to His devotees and servants, congratulated him, speaking as follows.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । वेदाहं ते व्यवसितं हृदि राजन्यबालक । तत्प्रयच्छामि भद्रं ते दुरापमपि सुव्रत
śrībhagavānuvāca | vedāhaṃ te vyavasitaṃ hṛdi rājanyabālaka | tatprayacchāmi bhadraṃ te durāpamapi suvrata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Personality of Godhead said: My dear Dhruva, son of the King, you have executed pious vows, and I also know the desire within your heart. Although your desire is very ambitious and very difficult to fulfill, I shall favor you with its fulfillment. All good fortune unto you.
प्रस्थिते तु वनं पित्रा दत्त्वा गां धर्मसंश्रयः । षट्त्रिंशद्वर्षसाहस्रं रक्षिताव्याहतेन्द्रियः
prasthite tu vanaṃ pitrā dattvā gāṃ dharmasaṃśrayaḥ | ṣaṭtriṃśadvarṣasāhasraṃ rakṣitāvyāhatendriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After your father goes to the forest and awards you the rule of his kingdom, you will rule continuously the entire world for thirty-six thousand years, and all your senses will continue to be as strong as they are now. You will never become old.
त्वद्भ्रातर्युत्तमे नष्टे मृगयायां तु तन्मनाः । अन्वेषन्ती वनं माता दावाग्निं सा प्रवेक्ष्यति
tvadbhrātaryuttame naṣṭe mṛgayāyāṃ tu tanmanāḥ | anveṣantī vanaṃ mātā dāvāgniṃ sā pravekṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord continued: Sometime in the future your brother, Uttama, will go hunting in the forest, and while absorbed in hunting, he will be killed. Your stepmother, Suruci, being maddened upon the death of her son, will go to search him out in the forest, but she will be devoured by a forest fire.
इष्ट्वा मां यज्ञहृदयं यज्ञैः पुष्कलदक्षिणैः । भुक्त्वा चेहाशिषः सत्या अन्ते मां संस्मरिष्यसि
iṣṭvā māṃ yajñahṛdayaṃ yajñaiḥ puṣkaladakṣiṇaiḥ | bhuktvā cehāśiṣaḥ satyā ante māṃ saṃsmariṣyasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord continued: I am the heart of all sacrifices. You will be able to perform many great sacrifices and also give great charities. In this way you will be able to enjoy the blessings of material happiness in this life, and at the time of your death you will be able to remember Me.
ततो गन्तासि मत्स्थानं सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम् । उपरिष्टादृषिभ्यस्त्वं यतो नावर्तते गतः
tato gantāsi matsthānaṃ sarvalokanamaskṛtam | upariṣṭādṛṣibhyastvaṃ yato nāvartate gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Personality of Godhead continued: My dear Dhruva, after your material life in this body, you will go to My planet, which is always offered obeisances by the residents of all other planetary systems. It is situated above the planets of the seven ṛṣis, and having gone there you will never have to come back again to this material world.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इत्यर्चितः स भगवानतिदिश्यात्मनः पदम् । बालस्य पश्यतो धाम स्वमगाद्गरुडध्वजः
maitreya uvāca | ityarcitaḥ sa bhagavānatidiśyātmanaḥ padam | bālasya paśyato dhāma svamagādgaruḍadhvajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya said: After being worshiped and honored by the boy [Dhruva Mahārāja], and after offering him His abode, Lord Viṣṇu, on the back of Garuḍa, returned to His abode as Dhruva Mahārāja looked on.
सोऽपि सङ्कल्पजं विष्णोः पादसेवोपसादितम् । प्राप्य सङ्कल्पनिर्वाणं नातिप्रीतोभ्यगात्पुरम्
so'pi saṅkalpajaṃ viṣṇoḥ pādasevopasāditam | prāpya saṅkalpanirvāṇaṃ nātiprītobhyagātpuram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Despite having achieved the desired result of his determination by worshiping the lotus feet of the Lord, Dhruva Mahārāja was not very pleased. Thus he returned to his home.
विदुर उवाच । सुदुर्लभं यत्परमं पदं हरे- र्मायाविनस्तच्चरणार्चनार्जितम् । लब्ध्वाप्यसिद्धार्थमिवैकजन्मना कथं स्वमात्मानममन्यतार्थवित्
vidura uvāca | sudurlabhaṃ yatparamaṃ padaṃ hare- rmāyāvinastaccaraṇārcanārjitam | labdhvāpyasiddhārthamivaikajanmanā kathaṃ svamātmānamamanyatārthavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Vidura inquired: My dear brāhmaṇa, the abode of the Lord is very difficult to attain. It can be attained only by pure devotional service, which alone pleases the most affectionate, merciful Lord. Dhruva Mahārāja achieved this position even in one life, and he was very wise and conscientious. Why, then, was he not very pleased?
मैत्रेय उवाच । मातुः सपत्न्या वाग्बाणैर्हृदि विद्धस्तु तान् स्मरन् । नैच्छन्मुक्तिपतेर्मुक्तिं तस्मात्तापमुपेयिवान्
maitreya uvāca | mātuḥ sapatnyā vāgbāṇairhṛdi viddhastu tān smaran | naicchanmuktipatermuktiṃ tasmāttāpamupeyivān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya answered: Dhruva Mahārāja’s heart, which was pierced by the arrows of the harsh words of his stepmother, was greatly aggrieved, and thus when he fixed upon his goal of life he did not forget her misbehavior. He did not demand actual liberation from this material world, but at the end of his devotional service, when the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared before him, he was simply ashamed of the material demands he had in his mind.
ध्रुव उवाच । समाधिना नैकभवेन यत्पदं विदुः सनन्दादय ऊर्ध्वरेतसः । मासैरहं षड्भिरमुष्यपादयोः छायामुपेत्यापगतः पृथङ्मतिः
dhruva uvāca | samādhinā naikabhavena yatpadaṃ viduḥ sanandādaya ūrdhvaretasaḥ | māsairahaṃ ṣaḍbhiramuṣyapādayoḥ chāyāmupetyāpagataḥ pṛthaṅmatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja thought to himself: To endeavor to be situated in the shade of the lotus feet of the Lord is not an ordinary task, because even the great brahmacārīs headed by Sanandana, who practiced aṣṭāṅga-yoga in trance, attained the shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet only after many, many births. Within six months I achieved the same result, yet due to my thinking differently from the Lord, I fell down from my position.
अहो बत ममानात्म्यं मन्दभाग्यस्य पश्यत । भवच्छिदः पादमूलं गत्वा याचे यदन्तवत्
aho bata mamānātmyaṃ mandabhāgyasya paśyata | bhavacchidaḥ pādamūlaṃ gatvā yāce yadantavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Alas, just look at me! I am so unfortunate. I approached the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can immediately cut the chain of the repetition of birth and death, but still, out of my foolishness, I prayed for things which are perishable.
मतिर्विदूषिता देवैः पतद्भिरसहिष्णुभिः । यो नारदवचस्तथ्यं नाग्राहिषमसत्तमः
matirvidūṣitā devaiḥ patadbhirasahiṣṇubhiḥ | yo nāradavacastathyaṃ nāgrāhiṣamasattamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since all the demigods who are situated in the higher planetary system will have to come down again, they are all envious of my being elevated to Vaikuṇṭhaloka by devotional service. These intolerant demigods have dissipated my intelligence, and only for this reason could I not accept the genuine benediction of the instructions of Sage Nārada.
दैवीं मायामुपाश्रित्य प्रसुप्त इव भिन्नदृक् । तप्ये द्वितीयेऽप्यसति भ्रातृभ्रातृव्यहृद्रुजा
daivīṃ māyāmupāśritya prasupta iva bhinnadṛk | tapye dvitīye'pyasati bhrātṛbhrātṛvyahṛdrujā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja lamented: I was under the influence of the illusory energy; being ignorant of the actual facts, I was sleeping on her lap. Under a vision of duality, I saw my brother as my enemy, and falsely I lamented within my heart, thinking, “They are my enemies.”
मयैतत्प्रार्थितं व्यर्थं चिकित्सेव गतायुषि । प्रसाद्य जगदात्मानं तपसा दुष्प्रसादनम् । भवच्छिदमयाचेऽहं भवं भाग्यविवर्जितः
mayaitatprārthitaṃ vyarthaṃ cikitseva gatāyuṣi | prasādya jagadātmānaṃ tapasā duṣprasādanam | bhavacchidamayāce'haṃ bhavaṃ bhāgyavivarjitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is very difficult to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but in my case, although I have satisfied the Supersoul of the whole universe, I have prayed only for useless things. My activities were exactly like treatment given to a person who is already dead. Just see how unfortunate I am, for in spite of meeting the Supreme Lord, who can cut one’s link with birth and death, I have prayed for the same conditions again.
स्वाराज्यं यच्छतो मौढ्यान्मानो मे भिक्षितो बत । ईश्वरात्क्षीणपुण्येन फलीकारानिवाधनः
svārājyaṃ yacchato mauḍhyānmāno me bhikṣito bata | īśvarātkṣīṇapuṇyena phalīkārānivādhanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of my state of complete foolishness and paucity of pious activities, although the Lord offered me His personal service, I wanted material name, fame and prosperity. My case is just like that of the poor man who, when he satisfied a great emperor who wanted to give him anything he might ask, out of ignorance asked only a few broken grains of husked rice.
मैत्रेय उवाच । न वै मुकुन्दस्य पदारविन्दयोः रजोजुषस्तात भवादृशा जनाः । वाञ्छन्ति तद्दास्यमृतेऽर्थमात्मनो यदृच्छया लब्धमनः समृद्धयः
maitreya uvāca | na vai mukundasya padāravindayoḥ rajojuṣastāta bhavādṛśā janāḥ | vāñchanti taddāsyamṛte'rthamātmano yadṛcchayā labdhamanaḥ samṛddhayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, persons like you, who are pure devotees of the lotus feet of Mukunda [the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can offer liberation] and who are always attached to the honey of His lotus feet, are always satisfied in serving at the lotus feet of the Lord. In any condition of life, such persons remain satisfied, and thus they never ask the Lord for material prosperity.
आकर्ण्यात्मजमायान्तं सम्परेत्य यथाऽऽगतम् । राजा न श्रद्दधे भद्रमभद्रस्य कुतो मम
ākarṇyātmajamāyāntaṃ samparetya yathā''gatam | rājā na śraddadhe bhadramabhadrasya kuto mama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When King Uttānapāda heard that his son Dhruva was coming back home, as if coming back to life after death, he could not put his faith in this message, for he was doubtful of how it could happen. He considered himself the most wretched, and therefore he thought that it was not possible for him to attain such good fortune.
श्रद्धाय वाक्यं देवर्षेर्हर्षवेगेन धर्षितः । वार्ताहर्तुरतिप्रीतो हारं प्रादान्महाधनम्
śraddhāya vākyaṃ devarṣerharṣavegena dharṣitaḥ | vārtāharturatiprīto hāraṃ prādānmahādhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although he could not believe the words of the messenger, he had full faith in the word of the great sage Nārada. Thus he was greatly overwhelmed by the news, and he immediately offered the messenger a highly valuable necklace in great satisfaction.
सुनीतिः सुरुचिश्चास्य महिष्यौ रुक्मभूषिते । आरुह्य शिबिकां सार्धमुत्तमेनाभिजग्मतुः
sunītiḥ suruciścāsya mahiṣyau rukmabhūṣite | āruhya śibikāṃ sārdhamuttamenābhijagmatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Both the queens of King Uttānapāda, namely Sunīti and Suruci, along with his other son, Uttama, appeared in the procession. The queens were seated on a palanquin.
अथाजिघ्रन्मुहुर्मूर्ध्नि शीतैर्नयनवारिभिः । स्नापयामास तनयं जातोद्दाममनोरथः
athājighranmuhurmūrdhni śītairnayanavāribhiḥ | snāpayāmāsa tanayaṃ jātoddāmamanorathaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Reunion with Dhruva Mahārāja fulfilled King Uttānapāda’s long-cherished desire, and for this reason he smelled Dhruva’s head again and again and bathed him with torrents of very cold tears.
अभिवन्द्य पितुः पादावाशीर्भिश्चाभिमन्त्रितः । ननाम मातरौ शीर्ष्णा सत्कृतः सज्जनाग्रणीः
abhivandya pituḥ pādāvāśīrbhiścābhimantritaḥ | nanāma mātarau śīrṣṇā satkṛtaḥ sajjanāgraṇīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Dhruva Mahārāja, the foremost of all nobles, first of all offered his obeisances at the feet of his father and was honored by his father with various questions. He then bowed his head at the feet of his two mothers.
सुरुचिस्तं समुत्थाप्य पादावनतमर्भकम् । परिष्वज्याह जीवेति बाष्पगद्गदया गिरा
surucistaṃ samutthāpya pādāvanatamarbhakam | pariṣvajyāha jīveti bāṣpagadgadayā girā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Suruci, the younger mother of Dhruva Mahārāja, seeing that the innocent boy had fallen at her feet, immediately picked him up, embracing him with her hands, and with tears of feeling she blessed him with the words “My dear boy, long may you live!”
यस्य प्रसन्नो भगवान् गुणैर्मैत्र्यादिभिर्हरिः । तस्मै नमन्ति भूतानि निम्नमाप इव स्वयम्
yasya prasanno bhagavān guṇairmaitryādibhirhariḥ | tasmai namanti bhūtāni nimnamāpa iva svayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Unto one who has transcendental qualities due to friendly behavior with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all living entities offer honor, just as water automatically flows down by nature.
उत्तमश्च ध्रुवश्चोभावन्योन्यं प्रेमविह्वलौ । अङ्गसङ्गादुत्पुलकावस्रौघं मुहुरूहतुः
uttamaśca dhruvaścobhāvanyonyaṃ premavihvalau | aṅgasaṅgādutpulakāvasraughaṃ muhurūhatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The two brothers Uttama and Dhruva Mahārāja also exchanged their tears. They were overwhelmed by the ecstasy of love and affection, and when they embraced one another, the hair on their bodies stood up.
सुनीतिरस्य जननी प्राणेभ्योऽपि प्रियं सुतम् । उपगुह्य जहावाधिं तदङ्गस्पर्शनिर्वृता
sunītirasya jananī prāṇebhyo'pi priyaṃ sutam | upaguhya jahāvādhiṃ tadaṅgasparśanirvṛtā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sunīti, the real mother of Dhruva Mahārāja, embraced the tender body of her son, who was dearer to her than her own life, and thus forgot all material grief, for she was very pleased.
पयः स्तनाभ्यां सुस्राव नेत्रजैः सलिलैः शिवैः । तदाभिषिच्यमानाभ्यां वीर वीरसुवो मुहुः
payaḥ stanābhyāṃ susrāva netrajaiḥ salilaiḥ śivaiḥ | tadābhiṣicyamānābhyāṃ vīra vīrasuvo muhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vidura, Sunīti was the mother of a great hero. Her tears, together with the milk flowing from her breasts, wet the whole body of Dhruva Mahārāja. This was a great, auspicious sign.
तां शशंसुर्जना राज्ञीं दिष्ट्या ते पुत्र आर्तिहा । प्रतिलब्धश्चिरं नष्टो रक्षिता मण्डलं भुवः
tāṃ śaśaṃsurjanā rājñīṃ diṣṭyā te putra ārtihā | pratilabdhaściraṃ naṣṭo rakṣitā maṇḍalaṃ bhuvaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The residents of the palace praised the Queen: Dear Queen, your beloved son was lost a long time ago, and it is your great fortune that he now has come back. It appears, therefore, that your son will be able to protect you for a very long time and will put an end to all your material pangs.
अभ्यर्चितस्त्वया नूनं भगवान् प्रणतार्तिहा । यदनुध्यायिनो धीरा मृत्युं जिग्युः सुदुर्जयम्
abhyarcitastvayā nūnaṃ bhagavān praṇatārtihā | yadanudhyāyino dhīrā mṛtyuṃ jigyuḥ sudurjayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Queen, you must have worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who delivers His devotees from the greatest danger. Persons who constantly meditate upon Him surpass the course of birth and death. This perfection is very difficult to achieve.
लाल्यमानं जनैरेवं ध्रुवं सभ्रातरं नृपः । आरोप्य करिणीं हृष्टः स्तूयमानोऽविशत्पुरम्
lālyamānaṃ janairevaṃ dhruvaṃ sabhrātaraṃ nṛpaḥ | āropya kariṇīṃ hṛṣṭaḥ stūyamāno'viśatpuram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, when everyone was thus praising Dhruva Mahārāja, the King was very happy, and he had Dhruva and his brother seated on the back of a she-elephant. Thus he returned to his capital, where he was praised by all classes of men.
तत्र तत्रोपसङ्कॢप्तैर्लसन्मकरतोरणैः । सवृन्दैः कदलीस्तम्भैः पूगपोतैश्च तद्विधैः
tatra tatropasaṅkḷptairlasanmakaratoraṇaiḥ | savṛndaiḥ kadalīstambhaiḥ pūgapotaiśca tadvidhaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The whole city was decorated with columns of banana trees containing bunches of fruits and flowers, and betel-nut trees with leaves and branches were seen here and there. There were also many gates set up which were structured to give the appearance of sharks.
चूतपल्लववासःस्रङ् मुक्तादामविलम्बिभिः । उपस्कृतं प्रतिद्वारमपां कुम्भैः सदीपकैः
cūtapallavavāsaḥsraṅ muktādāmavilambibhiḥ | upaskṛtaṃ pratidvāramapāṃ kumbhaiḥ sadīpakaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At each and every gate there were burning lamps and big waterpots decorated with differently colored cloth, strings of pearls, flower garlands and hanging mango leaves.
प्राकारैर्गोपुरागारैः शातकुम्भपरिच्छदैः । सर्वतोऽलङ्कृतं श्रीमद्विमानशिखरद्युभिः
prākārairgopurāgāraiḥ śātakumbhaparicchadaiḥ | sarvato'laṅkṛtaṃ śrīmadvimānaśikharadyubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the capital city there were many palaces, city gates and surrounding walls, which were already very, very beautiful, and on this occasion all of them were decorated with golden ornaments. The domes of the city palaces glittered, as did the domes of the beautiful airplanes which hovered over the city.
मृष्टचत्वररथ्याट्टमार्गं चन्दनचर्चितम् । लाजाक्षतैः पुष्पफलैस्तण्डुलैर्बलिभिर्युतम्
mṛṣṭacatvararathyāṭṭamārgaṃ candanacarcitam | lājākṣataiḥ puṣpaphalaistaṇḍulairbalibhiryutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the quadrangles, lanes and streets in the city, and the raised sitting places at the crossings, were thoroughly cleansed and sprinkled with sandalwood water; and auspicious grains such as rice and barley, and flowers, fruits and many other auspicious presentations, were scattered all over the city.
महामणिव्रातमये स तस्मिन् भवनोत्तमे । लालितो नितरां पित्रा न्यवसद्दिवि देववत्
mahāmaṇivrātamaye sa tasmin bhavanottame | lālito nitarāṃ pitrā nyavasaddivi devavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja thereafter lived in his father’s palace, which had walls bedecked with highly valuable jewels. His affectionate father took particular care of him, and he dwelled in that house just as the demigods live in their palaces in the higher planetary systems.
पयःफेननिभाः शय्या दान्ता रुक्मपरिच्छदाः । आसनानि महार्हाणि यत्र रौक्मा उपस्कराः
payaḥphenanibhāḥ śayyā dāntā rukmaparicchadāḥ | āsanāni mahārhāṇi yatra raukmā upaskarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The bedding in the palace was as white as the foam of milk and was very soft. The bedsteads were made of ivory with embellishments of gold, and the chairs, benches and other sitting places and furniture were made of gold.
यत्र स्फटिककुड्येषु महामारकतेषु च । मणिप्रदीपा आभान्ति ललनारत्नसंयुताः
yatra sphaṭikakuḍyeṣu mahāmārakateṣu ca | maṇipradīpā ābhānti lalanāratnasaṃyutāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The palace of the King was surrounded by walls made of marble with many engravings made of valuable jewels like sapphires, which depicted beautiful women with shining jewel lamps in their hands.
उद्यानानि च रम्याणि विचित्रैरमरद्रुमैः । कूजद्विहङ्गमिथुनैर्गायन् मत्तमधुव्रतैः
udyānāni ca ramyāṇi vicitrairamaradrumaiḥ | kūjadvihaṅgamithunairgāyan mattamadhuvrataiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King’s residence was surrounded by gardens wherein there were varieties of trees brought from the heavenly planets. In those trees there were pairs of sweetly singing birds and almost-mad bumblebees, which made a very relishable buzzing sound.
वाप्यो वैदूर्यसोपानाः पद्मोत्पलकुमुद्वतीः । हंसकारण्डवकुलैर्जुष्टाश्चक्राह्वसारसैः
vāpyo vaidūryasopānāḥ padmotpalakumudvatīḥ | haṃsakāraṇḍavakulairjuṣṭāścakrāhvasārasaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There were emerald staircases which led to lakes full of variously colored lotus flowers and lilies, and swans, kāraṇḍavas, cakravākas, cranes and similar other valuable birds were visible in those lakes.
उत्तानपादो राजर्षिः प्रभावं तनयस्य तम् । श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वाद्भुततमं प्रपेदे विस्मयं परम्
uttānapādo rājarṣiḥ prabhāvaṃ tanayasya tam | śrutvā dṛṣṭvādbhutatamaṃ prapede vismayaṃ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The saintly King Uttānapāda, hearing of the glorious deeds of Dhruva Mahārāja and personally seeing also how influential and great he was, felt very satisfied, for Dhruva’s activities were wonderful to the supreme degree.
वीक्ष्योढवयसं तं च प्रकृतीनां च सम्मतम् । अनुरक्तप्रजं राजा ध्रुवं चक्रे भुवः पतिम्
vīkṣyoḍhavayasaṃ taṃ ca prakṛtīnāṃ ca sammatam | anuraktaprajaṃ rājā dhruvaṃ cakre bhuvaḥ patim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When, after concentration, King Uttānapāda saw that Dhruva Mahārāja was suitably mature to take charge of the kingdom and that his ministers were agreeable and the citizens were also very fond of him, he enthroned Dhruva as emperor of this planet.
आत्मानं च प्रवयसमाकलय्य विशाम्पतिः । वनं विरक्तः प्रातिष्ठद्विमृशन्नात्मनो गतिम्
ātmānaṃ ca pravayasamākalayya viśāmpatiḥ | vanaṃ viraktaḥ prātiṣṭhadvimṛśannātmano gatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After considering his advanced age and deliberating on the welfare of his spiritual self, King Uttānapāda detached himself from worldly affairs and entered the forest.
मैत्रेय उवाच । प्रजापतेर्दुहितरं शिशुमारस्य वै ध्रुवः । उपयेमे भ्रमिं नाम तत्सुतौ कल्पवत्सरौ
maitreya uvāca | prajāpaterduhitaraṃ śiśumārasya vai dhruvaḥ | upayeme bhramiṃ nāma tatsutau kalpavatsarau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya said: My dear Vidura, thereafter Dhruva Mahārāja married the daughter of Prajāpati Śiśumāra, whose name was Bhrami, and two sons named Kalpa and Vatsara were born of her.
इलायामपि भार्यायां वायोः पुत्र्यां महाबलः । पुत्रमुत्कलनामानं योषिद्रत्नमजीजनत्
ilāyāmapi bhāryāyāṃ vāyoḥ putryāṃ mahābalaḥ | putramutkalanāmānaṃ yoṣidratnamajījanat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The greatly powerful Dhruva Mahārāja had another wife, named Ilā, who was the daughter of the demigod Vāyu. By her he begot a son named Utkala and a very beautiful daughter.
उत्तमस्त्वकृतोद्वाहो मृगयायां बलीयसा । हतः पुण्यजनेनाद्रौ तन्मातास्य गतिं गता
uttamastvakṛtodvāho mṛgayāyāṃ balīyasā | hataḥ puṇyajanenādrau tanmātāsya gatiṃ gatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja’s younger brother Uttama, who was still unmarried, once went on a hunting excursion and was killed by a powerful Yakṣa in the Himālaya Mountains. Along with him, his mother, Suruci, also followed the path of her son [she died].
ध्रुवो भ्रातृवधं श्रुत्वा कोपामर्षः शुचार्पितः । जैत्रं स्यन्दनमास्थाय गतः पुण्यजनालयम्
dhruvo bhrātṛvadhaṃ śrutvā kopāmarṣaḥ śucārpitaḥ | jaitraṃ syandanamāsthāya gataḥ puṇyajanālayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Dhruva Mahārāja heard of the killing of his brother Uttama by the Yakṣas in the Himālaya Mountains, being overwhelmed with lamentation and anger, he got on his chariot and went out for victory over the city of the Yakṣas, Alakāpurī.
गत्वोदीचीं दिशं राजा रुद्रानुचरसेविताम् । ददर्श हिमवद्द्रोण्यां पुरीं गुह्यकसङ्कुलाम्
gatvodīcīṃ diśaṃ rājā rudrānucarasevitām | dadarśa himavaddroṇyāṃ purīṃ guhyakasaṅkulām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja went to the northern direction of the Himālayan range. In a valley he saw a city full of ghostly persons who were followers of Lord Śiva.
दध्मौ शङ्खं बृहद्बाहुः खं दिशश्चानुनादयन् । येनोद्विग्नदृशः क्षत्तरुपदेव्योऽत्रसन् भृशम्
dadhmau śaṅkhaṃ bṛhadbāhuḥ khaṃ diśaścānunādayan | yenodvignadṛśaḥ kṣattarupadevyo'trasan bhṛśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, as soon as Dhruva Mahārāja reached Alakāpurī, he immediately blew his conchshell, and the sound reverberated throughout the entire sky and in every direction. The wives of the Yakṣas became very much frightened. From their eyes it was apparent that they were full of anxiety.
ततो निष्क्रम्य बलिन उपदेवमहाभटाः । असहन्तस्तन्निनादमभिपेतुरुदायुधाः
tato niṣkramya balina upadevamahābhaṭāḥ | asahantastanninādamabhipeturudāyudhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O hero Vidura, the greatly powerful heroes of the Yakṣas, unable to tolerate the resounding vibration of the conchshell of Dhruva Mahārāja, came forth from their city with weapons and attacked Dhruva.
स तानापततो वीर उग्रधन्वा महारथः । एकैकं युगपत्सर्वानहन् बाणैस्त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः
sa tānāpatato vīra ugradhanvā mahārathaḥ | ekaikaṃ yugapatsarvānahan bāṇaistribhistribhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja, who was a great charioteer and certainly a great bowman also, immediately began to kill them by simultaneously discharging arrows three at a time.
ते वै ललाटलग्नैस्तैरिषुभिः सर्व एव हि । मत्वा निरस्तमात्मानमाशंसन् कर्म तस्य तत्
te vai lalāṭalagnaistairiṣubhiḥ sarva eva hi | matvā nirastamātmānamāśaṃsan karma tasya tat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the heroes of the Yakṣas saw that all their heads were being thus threatened by Dhruva Mahārāja, they could very easily understand their awkward position, and they concluded that they would certainly be defeated. But, as heroes, they lauded the action of Dhruva.
तेऽपि चामुममृष्यन्तः पादस्पर्शमिवोरगाः । शरैरविध्यन् युगपद्द्विगुणं प्रचिकीर्षवः
te'pi cāmumamṛṣyantaḥ pādasparśamivoragāḥ | śarairavidhyan yugapaddviguṇaṃ pracikīrṣavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just like serpents, who cannot tolerate being trampled upon by anyone’s feet, the Yakṣas, being intolerant of the wonderful prowess of Dhruva Mahārāja, threw twice as many arrows — six from each of their soldiers — and thus they very valiantly exhibited their prowess.
औत्तानपादिः स तदा शस्त्रवर्षेण भूरिणा । न उपादृश्यतच्छन्न आसारेण यथा गिरिः
auttānapādiḥ sa tadā śastravarṣeṇa bhūriṇā | na upādṛśyatacchanna āsāreṇa yathā giriḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja was completely covered by an incessant shower of weapons, just as a mountain is covered by incessant rainfall.
हाहाकारस्तदैवासीत्सिद्धानां दिवि पश्यताम् । हतोऽयं मानवः सूर्यो मग्नः पुण्यजनार्णवे
hāhākārastadaivāsītsiddhānāṃ divi paśyatām | hato'yaṃ mānavaḥ sūryo magnaḥ puṇyajanārṇave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the Siddhas from the higher planetary systems were observing the fight from the sky, and when they saw that Dhruva Mahārāja had been covered by the incessant arrows of the enemy, they roared tumultuously, “The grandson of Manu, Dhruva, is now lost!” They cried that Dhruva Mahārāja was just like the sun and that now he had set within the ocean of the Yakṣas.
नदत्सु यातुधानेषु जयकाशिष्वथो मृधे । उदतिष्ठद्रथस्तस्य नीहारादिव भास्करः
nadatsu yātudhāneṣu jayakāśiṣvatho mṛdhe | udatiṣṭhadrathastasya nīhārādiva bhāskaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Yakṣas, being temporarily victorious, exclaimed that they had conquered Dhruva Mahārāja. But in the meantime Dhruva’s chariot suddenly appeared, just as the sun suddenly appears from within foggy mist.
धनुर्विस्फूर्जयन् दिव्यं द्विषतां खेदमुद्वहन् । अस्त्रौघं व्यधमद्बाणैर्घनानीकमिवानिलः
dhanurvisphūrjayan divyaṃ dviṣatāṃ khedamudvahan | astraughaṃ vyadhamadbāṇairghanānīkamivānilaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja’s bow and arrows twanged and hissed, causing lamentation in the hearts of his enemies. He began to shoot incessant arrows, shattering all their different weapons, just as the blasting wind scatters the assembled clouds in the sky.
तस्य ते चापनिर्मुक्ता भित्त्वा वर्माणि रक्षसाम् । कायानाविविशुस्तिग्मा गिरीनशनयो यथा
tasya te cāpanirmuktā bhittvā varmāṇi rakṣasām | kāyānāviviśustigmā girīnaśanayo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sharp arrows released from the bow of Dhruva Mahārāja pierced the shields and bodies of the enemy, like the thunderbolts released by the King of heaven, which dismantle the bodies of the mountains.
हतावशिष्टा इतरे रणाजिरा- द्रक्षोगणाः क्षत्रियवर्यसायकैः । प्रायो विवृक्णावयवा विदुद्रुवुः मृगेन्द्रविक्रीडितयूथपा इव
hatāvaśiṣṭā itare raṇājirā- drakṣogaṇāḥ kṣatriyavaryasāyakaiḥ | prāyo vivṛkṇāvayavā vidudruvuḥ mṛgendravikrīḍitayūthapā iva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The remaining Yakṣas who somehow or other were not killed had their limbs cut to pieces by the arrows of the great warrior Dhruva Mahārāja. Thus they began to flee, just as elephants flee when defeated by a lion.
अपश्यमानः स तदाततायिनं महामृधे कञ्चन मानवोत्तमः । पुरीं दिदृक्षन्नपि नाविशद्द्विषां न मायिनां वेद चिकीर्षितं जनः
apaśyamānaḥ sa tadātatāyinaṃ mahāmṛdhe kañcana mānavottamaḥ | purīṃ didṛkṣannapi nāviśaddviṣāṃ na māyināṃ veda cikīrṣitaṃ janaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja, the best of human beings, observed that in that great battlefield not one of the opposing soldiers was left standing with proper weapons. He then desired to see the city of Alakāpurī, but he thought to himself, “No one knows the plans of the mystic Yakṣas.”
इति ब्रुवंश्चित्ररथः स्वसारथिं यत्तः परेषां प्रतियोगशङ्कितः । शुश्राव शब्दं जलधेरिवेरितं नभस्वतो दिक्षु रजोऽन्वदृश्यत
iti bruvaṃścitrarathaḥ svasārathiṃ yattaḥ pareṣāṃ pratiyogaśaṅkitaḥ | śuśrāva śabdaṃ jaladheriveritaṃ nabhasvato dikṣu rajo'nvadṛśyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the meantime, while Dhruva Mahārāja, doubtful of his mystic enemies, was talking with his charioteer, they heard a tremendous sound, as if the whole ocean were there, and they found that from the sky a great dust storm was coming over them from all directions.
क्षणेनाच्छादितं व्योम घनानीकेन सर्वतः । विस्फुरत्तडिता दिक्षु त्रासयत्स्तनयित्नुना
kṣaṇenācchāditaṃ vyoma ghanānīkena sarvataḥ | visphurattaḍitā dikṣu trāsayatstanayitnunā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Within a moment the whole sky was overcast with dense clouds, and severe thundering was heard. There was glittering electric lightning and severe rainfall.
ववृषू रुधिरौघासृक्पूयविण्मूत्रमेदसः । निपेतुर्गगनादस्य कबन्धान्यग्रतोऽनघ
vavṛṣū rudhiraughāsṛkpūyaviṇmūtramedasaḥ | nipeturgaganādasya kabandhānyagrato'nagha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear faultless Vidura, in that rainfall there was blood, mucus, pus, stool, urine and marrow falling heavily before Dhruva Mahārāja, and there were trunks of bodies falling from the sky.
ततः खेऽदृश्यत गिरिर्निपेतुः सर्वतोदिशम् । गदापरिघनिस्त्रिंशमुसलाः साश्मवर्षिणः
tataḥ khe'dṛśyata girirnipetuḥ sarvatodiśam | gadāparighanistriṃśamusalāḥ sāśmavarṣiṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Next, a great mountain was visible in the sky, and from all directions hailstones fell, along with lances, clubs, swords, iron bludgeons and great pieces of stone.
अहयोऽशनिनिःश्वासा वमन्तोऽग्निं रुषाक्षिभिः । अभ्यधावन् गजा मत्ताः सिंहव्याघ्राश्च यूथशः
ahayo'śaniniḥśvāsā vamanto'gniṃ ruṣākṣibhiḥ | abhyadhāvan gajā mattāḥ siṃhavyāghrāśca yūthaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja also saw many big serpents with angry eyes, vomiting forth fire and coming to devour him, along with groups of mad elephants, lions and tigers.
समुद्र ऊर्मिभिर्भीमः प्लावयन् सर्वतोभुवम् । आससाद महाह्रादः कल्पान्त इव भीषणः
samudra ūrmibhirbhīmaḥ plāvayan sarvatobhuvam | āsasāda mahāhrādaḥ kalpānta iva bhīṣaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, as if it were the time of the dissolution of the whole world, the fierce sea with foaming waves and great roaring sounds came forward before him.
एवं विधान्यनेकानि त्रासनान्यमनस्विनाम् । ससृजुस्तिग्मगतय आसुर्या माययासुराः
evaṃ vidhānyanekāni trāsanānyamanasvinām | sasṛjustigmagataya āsuryā māyayāsurāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demon Yakṣas are by nature very heinous, and by their demoniac power of illusion they can create many strange phenomena to frighten one who is less intelligent.
ध्रुवे प्रयुक्तामसुरैस्तां मायामतिदुस्तराम् । निशाम्य तस्य मुनयः समाशंसन् समागताः
dhruve prayuktāmasuraistāṃ māyāmatidustarām | niśāmya tasya munayaḥ samāśaṃsan samāgatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the great sages heard that Dhruva Mahārāja was overpowered by the illusory mystic tricks of the demons, they immediately assembled to offer him auspicious encouragement.
मुनय ऊचुः । औत्तानपादे भगवांस्तव शार्ङ्गधन्वा देवः क्षिणोत्ववनतार्तिहरो विपक्षान् । यन्नामधेयमभिधाय निशम्य चाद्धा लोकोऽञ्जसा तरति दुस्तरमङ्ग मृत्युम्
munaya ūcuḥ | auttānapāde bhagavāṃstava śārṅgadhanvā devaḥ kṣiṇotvavanatārtiharo vipakṣān | yannāmadheyamabhidhāya niśamya cāddhā loko'ñjasā tarati dustaramaṅga mṛtyum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the sages said: Dear Dhruva, O son of King Uttānapāda, may the Supreme Personality of Godhead known as Śārṅgadhanvā, who relieves the distresses of His devotees, kill all your threatening enemies. The holy name of the Lord is as powerful as the Lord Himself. Therefore, simply by chanting and hearing the holy name of the Lord, many men can be fully protected from fierce death without difficulty. Thus a devotee is saved.
मैत्रेय उवाच । निशम्य गदतामेवं ऋषीणां धनुषि ध्रुवः । सन्दधेऽस्त्रमुपस्पृश्य यन्नारायणनिर्मितम्
maitreya uvāca | niśamya gadatāmevaṃ ṛṣīṇāṃ dhanuṣi dhruvaḥ | sandadhe'stramupaspṛśya yannārāyaṇanirmitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Maitreya said: My dear Vidura, when Dhruva Mahārāja heard the encouraging words of the great sages, he performed the ācamana by touching water and then took up his arrow made by Lord Nārāyaṇa and fixed it upon his bow.
सन्धीयमान एतस्मिन् माया गुह्यकनिर्मिताः । क्षिप्रं विनेशुर्विदुर क्लेशा ज्ञानोदये यथा
sandhīyamāna etasmin māyā guhyakanirmitāḥ | kṣipraṃ vineśurvidura kleśā jñānodaye yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as Dhruva Mahārāja joined the nārāyaṇāstra arrow to his bow, the illusion created by the Yakṣas was immediately vanquished, just as all material pains and pleasures are vanquished when one becomes fully cognizant of the self.
तस्यार्षास्त्रं धनुषि प्रयुञ्जतः सुवर्णपुङ्खाः कलहंसवाससः । विनिःसृता आविविशुर्द्विषद्बलं यथा वनं भीमरवाः शिखण्डिनः
tasyārṣāstraṃ dhanuṣi prayuñjataḥ suvarṇapuṅkhāḥ kalahaṃsavāsasaḥ | viniḥsṛtā āviviśurdviṣadbalaṃ yathā vanaṃ bhīmaravāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even as Dhruva Mahārāja fixed the weapon made by Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi onto his bow, arrows with golden shafts and feathers like the wings of a swan flew out from it. They entered the enemy soldiers with a great hissing sound, just as peacocks enter a forest with tumultuous crowing.
तैस्तिग्मधारैः प्रधने शिलीमुखै- रितस्ततः पुण्यजना उपद्रुताः । तमभ्यधावन् कुपिता उदायुधाः सुपर्णमुन्नद्धफणा इवाहयः
taistigmadhāraiḥ pradhane śilīmukhai- ritastataḥ puṇyajanā upadrutāḥ | tamabhyadhāvan kupitā udāyudhāḥ suparṇamunnaddhaphaṇā ivāhayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those sharp arrows dismayed the enemy soldiers, who became almost unconscious, but various Yakṣas on the battlefield, in a rage against Dhruva Mahārāja, somehow or other collected their weapons and attacked. Just as serpents agitated by Garuḍa rush towards Garuḍa with upraised hoods, all the Yakṣa soldiers prepared to overcome Dhruva Mahārāja with their upraised weapons.
स तान् पृषत्कैरभिधावतो मृधे निकृत्तबाहूरुशिरोधरोदरान् । निनाय लोकं परमर्कमण्डलं व्रजन्ति निर्भिद्य यमूर्ध्वरेतसः
sa tān pṛṣatkairabhidhāvato mṛdhe nikṛttabāhūruśirodharodarān | nināya lokaṃ paramarkamaṇḍalaṃ vrajanti nirbhidya yamūrdhvaretasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Dhruva Mahārāja saw the Yakṣas coming forward, he immediately took his arrows and cut the enemies to pieces. Separating their arms, legs, heads and bellies from their bodies, he delivered the Yakṣas to the planetary system which is situated above the sun globe and which is attainable only by first-class brahmacārīs, who have never discharged their semen.
तान् हन्यमानानभिवीक्ष्य गुह्यका- ननागसश्चित्ररथेन भूरिशः । औत्तानपादिं कृपया पितामहो मनुर्जगादोपगतः सहर्षिभिः
tān hanyamānānabhivīkṣya guhyakā- nanāgasaścitrarathena bhūriśaḥ | auttānapādiṃ kṛpayā pitāmaho manurjagādopagataḥ saharṣibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Svāyambhuva Manu saw that his grandson Dhruva Mahārāja was killing so many of the Yakṣas who were not actually offenders, out of his great compassion he approached Dhruva with great sages to give him good instruction.
मनुरुवाच । अलं वत्सातिरोषेण तमोद्वारेण पाप्मना । येन पुण्यजनानेतानवधीस्त्वमनागसः
manuruvāca | alaṃ vatsātiroṣeṇa tamodvāreṇa pāpmanā | yena puṇyajanānetānavadhīstvamanāgasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Manu said: My dear son, please stop. It is not good to become unnecessarily angry — it is the path to hellish life. Now you are going beyond the limit by killing Yakṣas who are actually not offenders.
नास्मत्कुलोचितं तात कर्मैतत्सद्विगर्हितम् । वधो यदुपदेवानामारब्धस्तेऽकृतैनसाम्
nāsmatkulocitaṃ tāta karmaitatsadvigarhitam | vadho yadupadevānāmārabdhaste'kṛtainasām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear son, the killing of the sinless Yakṣas which you have undertaken is not at all approved by authorities, and it does not befit our family, which is supposed to know the laws of religion and irreligion.
नन्वेकस्यापराधेन प्रसङ्गाद्बहवो हताः । भ्रातुर्वधाभितप्तेन त्वयाङ्ग भ्रातृवत्सल
nanvekasyāparādhena prasaṅgādbahavo hatāḥ | bhrāturvadhābhitaptena tvayāṅga bhrātṛvatsala
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear son, it has been proved that you are very much affectionate towards your brother and are greatly aggrieved at his being killed by the Yakṣas, but just consider: for one Yakṣa’s offense, you have killed many others, who are innocent.
नायं मार्गो हि साधूनां हृषीकेशानुवर्तिनाम् । यदात्मानं पराग्गृह्य पशुवद्भूतवैशसम्
nāyaṃ mārgo hi sādhūnāṃ hṛṣīkeśānuvartinām | yadātmānaṃ parāggṛhya paśuvadbhūtavaiśasam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One should not accept the body as the self and thus, like the animals, kill the bodies of others. This is especially forbidden by saintly persons, who follow the path of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
सर्वभूतात्मभावेन भूतावासं हरिं भवान् । आराध्याप दुराराध्यं विष्णोस्तत्परमं पदम्
sarvabhūtātmabhāvena bhūtāvāsaṃ hariṃ bhavān | ārādhyāpa durārādhyaṃ viṣṇostatparamaṃ padam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is very difficult to achieve the spiritual abode of Hari, in the Vaikuṇṭha planets, but you are so fortunate that you are already destined to go to that abode by worshiping Him as the supreme abode of all living entities.
स त्वं हरेरनुध्यातस्तत्पुंसामपि सम्मतः । कथं त्ववद्यं कृतवाननुशिक्षन् सतां व्रतम्
sa tvaṃ hareranudhyātastatpuṃsāmapi sammataḥ | kathaṃ tvavadyaṃ kṛtavānanuśikṣan satāṃ vratam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because you are a pure devotee of the Lord, the Lord is always thinking of you, and you are also recognized by all His confidential devotees. Your life is meant for exemplary behavior. I am therefore surprised — why have you undertaken such an abominable task?
तितिक्षया करुणया मैत्र्या चाखिलजन्तुषु । समत्वेन च सर्वात्मा भगवान् सम्प्रसीदति
titikṣayā karuṇayā maitryā cākhilajantuṣu | samatvena ca sarvātmā bhagavān samprasīdati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord is very satisfied with His devotee when the devotee greets other people with tolerance, mercy, friendship and equality.
सम्प्रसन्ने भगवति पुरुषः प्राकृतैर्गुणैः । विमुक्तो जीवनिर्मुक्तो ब्रह्मनिर्वाणमृच्छति
samprasanne bhagavati puruṣaḥ prākṛtairguṇaiḥ | vimukto jīvanirmukto brahmanirvāṇamṛcchati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who actually satisfies the Supreme Personality of Godhead during one’s lifetime becomes liberated from the gross and subtle material conditions. Thus being freed from all material modes of nature, he achieves unlimited spiritual bliss.
भूतैः पञ्चभिरारब्धैर्योषित्पुरुष एव हि । तयोर्व्यवायात्सम्भूतिर्योषित्पुरुषयोरिह
bhūtaiḥ pañcabhirārabdhairyoṣitpuruṣa eva hi | tayorvyavāyātsambhūtiryoṣitpuruṣayoriha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The creation of the material world begins with the five elements, and thus everything, including the body of a man or a woman, is created of these elements. By the sexual life of man and woman, the number of men and women in this material world is further increased.
एवं प्रवर्तते सर्गः स्थितिः संयम एव च । गुणव्यतिकराद्राजन् मायया परमात्मनः
evaṃ pravartate sargaḥ sthitiḥ saṃyama eva ca | guṇavyatikarādrājan māyayā paramātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Manu continued: My dear King Dhruva, it is simply by the illusory material energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and by the interaction of the three modes of material nature that creation, maintenance and annihilation take place.
निमित्तमात्रं तत्रासीन्निर्गुणः पुरुषर्षभः । व्यक्ताव्यक्तमिदं विश्वं यत्र भ्रमति लोहवत्
nimittamātraṃ tatrāsīnnirguṇaḥ puruṣarṣabhaḥ | vyaktāvyaktamidaṃ viśvaṃ yatra bhramati lohavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Dhruva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is uncontaminated by the material modes of nature. He is the remote cause of the creation of this material cosmic manifestation. When He gives the impetus, many other causes and effects are produced, and thus the whole universe moves, just as iron moves by the integrated force of a magnet.
स खल्विदं भगवान् कालशक्त्या गुणप्रवाहेण विभक्तवीर्यः । करोत्यकर्तैव निहन्त्यहन्ता चेष्टा विभूम्नः खलु दुर्विभाव्या
sa khalvidaṃ bhagavān kālaśaktyā guṇapravāheṇa vibhaktavīryaḥ | karotyakartaiva nihantyahantā ceṣṭā vibhūmnaḥ khalu durvibhāvyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, by His inconceivable supreme energy, time, causes the interaction of the three modes of material nature, and thus varieties of energy become manifest. It appears that He is acting, but He is not the actor. He is killing, but He is not the killer. Thus it is understood that only by His inconceivable power is everything happening.
सोऽनन्तोऽन्तकरः कालोऽनादिरादिकृदव्ययः । जनं जनेन जनयन् मारयन् मृत्युनान्तकम्
so'nanto'ntakaraḥ kālo'nādirādikṛdavyayaḥ | janaṃ janena janayan mārayan mṛtyunāntakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Dhruva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is ever existing, but in the form of time He is the killer of everything. He has no beginning, although He is the beginning of everything, nor is He ever exhaustible, although everything is exhausted in due course of time. The living entities are created through the agency of the father and killed through the agency of death, but He is perpetually free of birth and death.
न वै स्वपक्षोऽस्य विपक्ष एव वा परस्य मृत्योर्विशतः समं प्रजाः । तं धावमानमनुधावन्त्यनीशा यथा रजांस्यनिलं भूतसङ्घाः
na vai svapakṣo'sya vipakṣa eva vā parasya mṛtyorviśataḥ samaṃ prajāḥ | taṃ dhāvamānamanudhāvantyanīśā yathā rajāṃsyanilaṃ bhūtasaṅghāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His feature of eternal time, is present in the material world and is neutral towards everyone. No one is His ally, and no one is His enemy. Within the jurisdiction of the time element, everyone enjoys or suffers the result of his own karma, or fruitive activities. As, when the wind blows, small particles of dust fly in the air, so, according to one’s particular karma, one suffers or enjoys material life.
आयुषोऽपचयं जन्तोस्तथैवोपचयं विभुः । उभाभ्यां रहितः स्वस्थो दुःस्थस्य विदधात्यसौ
āyuṣo'pacayaṃ jantostathaivopacayaṃ vibhuḥ | ubhābhyāṃ rahitaḥ svastho duḥsthasya vidadhātyasau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, is all-powerful, and He awards the results of one’s fruitive activities. Thus, although one living entity’s duration of life is very small whereas that of another is very great, He is always in His transcendental position, and there is no question of lessening or increasing His duration of life.
केचित्कर्म वदन्त्येनं स्वभावमपरे नृप । एके कालं परे दैवं पुंसः काममुतापरे
kecitkarma vadantyenaṃ svabhāvamapare nṛpa | eke kālaṃ pare daivaṃ puṃsaḥ kāmamutāpare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The differentiation among varieties of life and their suffering and enjoyment is explained by some to be the result of karma. Others say it is due to nature, others due to time, others due to fate, and still others say that it is due to desire.
अव्यक्तस्याप्रमेयस्य नानाशक्त्युदयस्य च । न वै चिकीर्षितं तात को वेदाथ स्वसम्भवम्
avyaktasyāprameyasya nānāśaktyudayasya ca | na vai cikīrṣitaṃ tāta ko vedātha svasambhavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Absolute Truth, Transcendence, is never subject to the understanding of imperfect sensory endeavor, nor is He subject to direct experience. He is the master of varieties of energies, like the full material energy, and no one can understand His plans or actions; therefore it should be concluded that although He is the original cause of all causes, no one can know Him by mental speculation.
न चैते पुत्रक भ्रातुर्हन्तारो धनदानुगाः । विसर्गादानयोस्तात पुंसो दैवं हि कारणम्
na caite putraka bhrāturhantāro dhanadānugāḥ | visargādānayostāta puṃso daivaṃ hi kāraṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear son, those Yakṣas, who are descendants of Kuvera, are not actually the killers of your brother; the birth and death of every living entity are caused by the Supreme, who is certainly the cause of all causes.
स एव विश्वं सृजति स एवावति हन्ति च । अथापि ह्यनहङ्कारान्नाज्यते गुणकर्मभिः
sa eva viśvaṃ sṛjati sa evāvati hanti ca | athāpi hyanahaṅkārānnājyate guṇakarmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead creates this material world, maintains it, and annihilates it in due course of time, but because He is transcendental to such activities, He is never affected by ego in such action or by the modes of material nature.
एष भूतानि भूतात्मा भूतेशो भूतभावनः । स्वशक्त्या मायया युक्तः सृजत्यत्ति च पाति च
eṣa bhūtāni bhūtātmā bhūteśo bhūtabhāvanaḥ | svaśaktyā māyayā yuktaḥ sṛjatyatti ca pāti ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Supersoul of all living entities. He is the controller and maintainer of everyone; through the agency of His external energy, He creates, maintains and annihilates everyone.
तमेव मृत्युममृतं तात दैवं सर्वात्मनोपेहि जगत्परायणम् । यस्मै बलिं विश्वसृजो हरन्ति गावो यथा वै नसि दामयन्त्रिताः
tameva mṛtyumamṛtaṃ tāta daivaṃ sarvātmanopehi jagatparāyaṇam | yasmai baliṃ viśvasṛjo haranti gāvo yathā vai nasi dāmayantritāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear boy Dhruva, please surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the ultimate goal of the progress of the world. Everyone, including the demigods headed by Lord Brahmā, is working under His control, just as a bull, prompted by a rope in its nose, is controlled by its owner.
यः पञ्चवर्षो जननीं त्वं विहाय मातुः सपत्न्या वचसा भिन्नमर्मा । वनं गतस्तपसा प्रत्यगक्ष- माराध्य लेभे मूर्ध्नि पदं त्रिलोक्याः
yaḥ pañcavarṣo jananīṃ tvaṃ vihāya mātuḥ sapatnyā vacasā bhinnamarmā | vanaṃ gatastapasā pratyagakṣa- mārādhya lebhe mūrdhni padaṃ trilokyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Dhruva, at the age of only five years you were very grievously afflicted by the words of your mother’s co-wife, and you very boldly gave up the protection of your mother and went to the forest to engage in the yogic process for realization of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As a result of this you have already achieved the topmost position in all the three worlds.
तमेनमङ्गात्मनि मुक्तविग्रहे व्यपाश्रितं निर्गुणमेकमक्षरम् । आत्मानमन्विच्छ विमुक्तमात्मदृ- ग्यस्मिन्निदं भेदमसत्प्रतीयते
tamenamaṅgātmani muktavigrahe vyapāśritaṃ nirguṇamekamakṣaram | ātmānamanviccha vimuktamātmadṛ- gyasminnidaṃ bhedamasatpratīyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, my dear Dhruva, please turn your attention to the Supreme Person, who is the infallible Brahman. Face the Supreme Personality of Godhead in your original position, and thus, by self-realization, you will find this material differentiation to be merely flickering.
त्वं प्रत्यगात्मनि तदा भगवत्यनन्त आनन्दमात्र उपपन्नसमस्तशक्तौ । भक्तिं विधाय परमां शनकैरविद्या- ग्रन्थिं विभेत्स्यसि ममाहमिति प्ररूढम्
tvaṃ pratyagātmani tadā bhagavatyananta ānandamātra upapannasamastaśaktau | bhaktiṃ vidhāya paramāṃ śanakairavidyā- granthiṃ vibhetsyasi mamāhamiti prarūḍham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus regaining your natural position and rendering service unto the Supreme Lord, who is the all-powerful reservoir of all pleasure and who lives in all living entities as the Supersoul, you will very soon forget the illusory understanding of “I” and “my.”
संयच्छ रोषं भद्रं ते प्रतीपं श्रेयसां परम् । श्रुतेन भूयसा राजन्नगदेन यथाऽऽमयम्
saṃyaccha roṣaṃ bhadraṃ te pratīpaṃ śreyasāṃ param | śrutena bhūyasā rājannagadena yathā''mayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, just consider what I have said to you, which will act as medicinal treatment upon disease. Control your anger, for anger is the foremost enemy on the path of spiritual realization. I wish all good fortune for you. Please follow my instructions.
येनोपसृष्टात्पुरुषाल्लोक उद्विजते भृशम् । न बुधस्तद्वशं गच्छेदिच्छन्नभयमात्मनः
yenopasṛṣṭātpuruṣālloka udvijate bhṛśam | na budhastadvaśaṃ gacchedicchannabhayamātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A person who desires liberation from this material world should not fall under the control of anger because when bewildered by anger one becomes a source of dread for all others.
हेलनं गिरिशभ्रातुर्धनदस्य त्वया कृतम् । यज्जघ्निवान् पुण्यजनान् भ्रातृघ्नानित्यमर्षितः
helanaṃ giriśabhrāturdhanadasya tvayā kṛtam | yajjaghnivān puṇyajanān bhrātṛghnānityamarṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Dhruva, you thought that the Yakṣas killed your brother, and therefore you have killed great numbers of them. But by this action you have agitated the mind of Lord Śiva’s brother Kuvera, who is the treasurer of the demigods. Please note that your actions have been very disrespectful to Kuvera and Lord Śiva.
तं प्रसादय वत्साशु सन्नत्या प्रश्रयोक्तिभिः । न यावन्महतां तेजः कुलं नोऽभिभविष्यति
taṃ prasādaya vatsāśu sannatyā praśrayoktibhiḥ | na yāvanmahatāṃ tejaḥ kulaṃ no'bhibhaviṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For this reason, my son, you should immediately pacify Kuvera with gentle words and prayers, and thus his wrath may not affect our family.
एवं स्वायम्भुवः पौत्रमनुशास्य मनुर्ध्रुवम् । तेनाभिवन्दितः साकमृषिभिः स्वपुरं ययौ
evaṃ svāyambhuvaḥ pautramanuśāsya manurdhruvam | tenābhivanditaḥ sākamṛṣibhiḥ svapuraṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus Svāyambhuva Manu, after giving instruction to Dhruva Mahārāja, his grandson, received respectful obeisances from him. Then Lord Manu and the great sages went back to their respective homes.
मैत्रेय उवाच । ध्रुवं निवृत्तं प्रतिबुद्ध्य वैशसा- दपेतमन्युं भगवान् धनेश्वरः । तत्रागतश्चारणयक्षकिन्नरैः संस्तूयमानोऽभ्यवदत्कृताञ्जलिम्
maitreya uvāca | dhruvaṃ nivṛttaṃ pratibuddhya vaiśasā- dapetamanyuṃ bhagavān dhaneśvaraḥ | tatrāgataścāraṇayakṣakinnaraiḥ saṃstūyamāno'bhyavadatkṛtāñjalim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya said: My dear Vidura, Dhruva Mahārāja’s anger subsided, and he completely ceased killing Yakṣas. When Kuvera, the most blessed master of the treasury, learned this news, he appeared before Dhruva. While being worshiped by Yakṣas, Kinnaras and Cāraṇas, he spoke to Dhruva Mahārāja, who stood before him with folded hands.
धनद उवाच । भो भोः क्षत्रियदायाद परितुष्टोऽस्मि तेऽनघ । यत्त्वं पितामहादेशाद्वैरं दुस्त्यजमत्यजः
dhanada uvāca | bho bhoḥ kṣatriyadāyāda parituṣṭo'smi te'nagha | yattvaṃ pitāmahādeśādvairaṃ dustyajamatyajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The master of the treasury, Kuvera, said: O sinless son of a kṣatriya, I am very glad to know that under the instruction of your grandfather you have given up your enmity, although it is very difficult to avoid. I am very pleased with you.
न भवानवधीद्यक्षान् न यक्षा भ्रातरं तव । काल एव हि भूतानां प्रभुरप्ययभावयोः
na bhavānavadhīdyakṣān na yakṣā bhrātaraṃ tava | kāla eva hi bhūtānāṃ prabhurapyayabhāvayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Actually, you have not killed the Yakṣas, nor have they killed your brother, for the ultimate cause of generation and annihilation is the eternal time feature of the Supreme Lord.
अहं त्वमित्यपार्था धीरज्ञानात्पुरुषस्य हि । स्वाप्नीवाभात्यतद्ध्यानाद्यया बन्धविपर्ययौ
ahaṃ tvamityapārthā dhīrajñānātpuruṣasya hi | svāpnīvābhātyataddhyānādyayā bandhaviparyayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Misidentification of oneself and others as “I” and “you” on the basis of the bodily concept of life is a product of ignorance. This bodily concept is the cause of repeated birth and death, and it makes us go on continuously in material existence.
तद्गच्छ ध्रुव भद्रं ते भगवन्तमधोक्षजम् । सर्वभूतात्मभावेन सर्वभूतात्मविग्रहम्
tadgaccha dhruva bhadraṃ te bhagavantamadhokṣajam | sarvabhūtātmabhāvena sarvabhūtātmavigraham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Dhruva, come forward. May the Lord always grace you with good fortune. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is beyond our sensory perception, is the Supersoul of all living entities, and thus all entities are one, without distinction. Therefore begin rendering service unto the transcendental form of the Lord, who is the ultimate shelter of all living entities.
भजस्व भजनीयाङ्घ्रिमभवाय भवच्छिदम् । युक्तं विरहितं शक्त्या गुणमय्याऽऽत्ममायया
bhajasva bhajanīyāṅghrimabhavāya bhavacchidam | yuktaṃ virahitaṃ śaktyā guṇamayyā''tmamāyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Engage yourself fully, therefore, in the devotional service of the Lord, for only He can deliver us from this entanglement of materialistic existence. Although the Lord is attached to His material potency, He is aloof from her activities. Everything in this material world is happening by the inconceivable potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
वृणीहि कामं नृप यन्मनोगतं मत्तस्त्वमौत्तानपदेऽविशङ्कितः । वरं वरार्होऽम्बुजनाभपादयो- रनन्तरं त्वां वयमङ्ग शुश्रुम
vṛṇīhi kāmaṃ nṛpa yanmanogataṃ mattastvamauttānapade'viśaṅkitaḥ | varaṃ varārho'mbujanābhapādayo- ranantaraṃ tvāṃ vayamaṅga śuśruma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Dhruva Mahārāja, son of Mahārāja Uttānapāda, we have heard that you are constantly engaged in transcendental loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known for His lotus navel. You are therefore worthy to take all benedictions from us. Please, therefore, ask without hesitation whatever benediction you want from me.
मैत्रेय उवाच । स राजराजेन वराय चोदितो ध्रुवो महाभागवतो महामतिः । हरौ स वव्रेऽचलितां स्मृतिं यया तरत्ययत्नेन दुरत्ययं तमः
maitreya uvāca | sa rājarājena varāya codito dhruvo mahābhāgavato mahāmatiḥ | harau sa vavre'calitāṃ smṛtiṃ yayā taratyayatnena duratyayaṃ tamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, when thus asked to accept a benediction from Kuvera the Yakṣarāja [King of the Yakṣas], Dhruva Mahārāja, that most elevated pure devotee, who was an intelligent and thoughtful king, begged that he might have unflinching faith in and remembrance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for thus a person can cross over the ocean of nescience very easily, although it is very difficult for others to cross.
तस्य प्रीतेन मनसा तां दत्त्वैडविडस्ततः । पश्यतोऽन्तर्दधे सोऽपि स्वपुरं प्रत्यपद्यत
tasya prītena manasā tāṃ dattvaiḍaviḍastataḥ | paśyato'ntardadhe so'pi svapuraṃ pratyapadyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The son of Iḍaviḍā, Lord Kuvera, was very pleased, and happily he gave Dhruva Mahārāja the benediction he wanted. Thereafter he disappeared from Dhruva’s presence, and Dhruva Mahārāja returned to his capital city.
अथायजत यज्ञेशं क्रतुभिर्भूरिदक्षिणैः । द्रव्यक्रियादेवतानां कर्म कर्मफलप्रदम्
athāyajata yajñeśaṃ kratubhirbhūridakṣiṇaiḥ | dravyakriyādevatānāṃ karma karmaphalapradam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As long as he remained at home, Dhruva Mahārāja performed many great ceremonial sacrifices in order to please the enjoyer of all sacrifices, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Prescribed ceremonial sacrifices are especially meant to please Lord Viṣṇu, who is the objective of all such sacrifices and who awards the resultant benedictions.
सर्वात्मन्यच्युतेऽसर्वे तीव्रौघां भक्तिमुद्वहन् । ददर्शात्मनि भूतेषु तमेवावस्थितं विभुम्
sarvātmanyacyute'sarve tīvraughāṃ bhaktimudvahan | dadarśātmani bhūteṣu tamevāvasthitaṃ vibhum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja rendered devotional service unto the Supreme, the reservoir of everything, with unrelenting force. While carrying out his devotional service to the Lord, he could see that everything is situated in Him only and that He is situated in all living entities. The Lord is called Acyuta because He never fails in His prime duty, to give protection to His devotees.
तमेवं शीलसम्पन्नं ब्रह्मण्यं दीनवत्सलम् । गोप्तारं धर्मसेतूनां मेनिरे पितरं प्रजाः
tamevaṃ śīlasampannaṃ brahmaṇyaṃ dīnavatsalam | goptāraṃ dharmasetūnāṃ menire pitaraṃ prajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja was endowed with all godly qualities; he was very respectful to the devotees of the Supreme Lord and very kind to the poor and innocent, and he protected religious principles. With all these qualifications, he was considered to be the direct father of all the citizens.
षट्त्रिंशद्वर्षसाहस्रं शशास क्षितिमण्डलम् । भोगैः पुण्यक्षयं कुर्वन्नभोगैरशुभक्षयम्
ṣaṭtriṃśadvarṣasāhasraṃ śaśāsa kṣitimaṇḍalam | bhogaiḥ puṇyakṣayaṃ kurvannabhogairaśubhakṣayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja ruled over this planet for thirty-six thousand years; he diminished the reactions of pious activities by enjoyment, and by practicing austerities he diminished inauspicious reactions.
एवं बहुसवं कालं महात्माविचलेन्द्रियः । त्रिवर्गौपयिकं नीत्वा पुत्रायादान्नृपासनम्
evaṃ bahusavaṃ kālaṃ mahātmāvicalendriyaḥ | trivargaupayikaṃ nītvā putrāyādānnṛpāsanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The self-controlled great soul Dhruva Mahārāja thus passed many, many years favorably executing three kinds of worldly activities, namely religiosity, economic development and satisfaction of all material desires. Thereafter he handed over the charge of the royal throne to his son.
मन्यमान इदं विश्वं मायारचितमात्मनि । अविद्यारचितस्वप्नगन्धर्वनगरोपमम्
manyamāna idaṃ viśvaṃ māyāracitamātmani | avidyāracitasvapnagandharvanagaropamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Dhruva Mahārāja realized that this cosmic manifestation bewilders living entities like a dream or phantasmagoria because it is a creation of the illusory, external energy of the Supreme Lord.
आत्मस्त्र्यपत्यसुहृदो बलमृद्धकोश- मन्तःपुरं परिविहारभुवश्च रम्याः । भूमण्डलं जलधिमेखलमाकलय्य कालोपसृष्टमिति स प्रययौ विशालाम्
ātmastryapatyasuhṛdo balamṛddhakośa- mantaḥpuraṃ parivihārabhuvaśca ramyāḥ | bhūmaṇḍalaṃ jaladhimekhalamākalayya kālopasṛṣṭamiti sa prayayau viśālām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus Dhruva Mahārāja, at the end, left his kingdom, which extended all over the earth and was bounded by the great oceans. He considered his body, his wives, his children, his friends, his army, his rich treasury, his very comfortable palaces and his many enjoyable pleasure-grounds to be creations of the illusory energy. Thus in due course of time he retired to the forest in the Himālayas known as Badarikāśrama.
तस्यां विशुद्धकरणः शिववार्विगाह्य- बद्ध्वाऽऽसनं जितमरुन्मनसाऽऽहृताक्षः । स्थूले दधार भगवत्प्रतिरूप एत- द्ध्यायंस्तदव्यवहितो व्यसृजत्समाधौ
tasyāṃ viśuddhakaraṇaḥ śivavārvigāhya- baddhvā''sanaṃ jitamarunmanasā''hṛtākṣaḥ | sthūle dadhāra bhagavatpratirūpa eta- ddhyāyaṃstadavyavahito vyasṛjatsamādhau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In Badarikāśrama Dhruva Mahārāja’s senses became completely purified because he bathed regularly in the crystal-clear, purified water. He fixed his sitting position and by yogic practice controlled the breathing process and the air of life; in this way his senses were completely withdrawn. Then he concentrated his mind on the arcā-vigraha form of the Lord, which is the exact replica of the Lord and, thus meditating upon Him, entered into complete trance.
भक्तिं हरौ भगवति प्रवहन्नजस्र- मानन्दबाष्पकलया मुहुरर्द्यमानः । विक्लिद्यमानहृदयः पुलकाचिताङ्गो नात्मानमस्मरदसाविति मुक्तलिङ्गः
bhaktiṃ harau bhagavati pravahannajasra- mānandabāṣpakalayā muhurardyamānaḥ | viklidyamānahṛdayaḥ pulakācitāṅgo nātmānamasmaradasāviti muktaliṅgaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of his transcendental bliss, incessant tears flowed from his eyes, his heart melted, and there was shivering and standing of the hairs all over his body. Thus transformed, in a trance of devotional service, Dhruva Mahārāja completely forgot his bodily existence, and thus he immediately became liberated from material bondage.
स ददर्श विमानाग्र्यं नभसोऽवतरद्ध्रुवः । विभ्राजयद्दश दिशो राकापतिमिवोदितम्
sa dadarśa vimānāgryaṃ nabhaso'vataraddhruvaḥ | vibhrājayaddaśa diśo rākāpatimivoditam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as the symptoms of his liberation were manifest, he saw a very beautiful airplane coming down from the sky, as if the brilliant full moon were coming down, illuminating all the ten directions.
तत्रानु देवप्रवरौ चतुर्भुजौ श्यामौ किशोरावरुणाम्बुजेक्षणौ । स्थिताववष्टभ्य गदां सुवाससौ किरीटहाराङ्गदचारुकुण्डलौ
tatrānu devapravarau caturbhujau śyāmau kiśorāvaruṇāmbujekṣaṇau | sthitāvavaṣṭabhya gadāṃ suvāsasau kirīṭahārāṅgadacārukuṇḍalau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja saw two very beautiful associates of Lord Viṣṇu in the plane. They had four hands and a blackish bodily luster, they were very youthful, and their eyes were just like reddish lotus flowers. They held clubs in their hands, and they were dressed in very attractive garments with helmets and were decorated with necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
विज्ञाय तावुत्तमगायकिङ्करा- वभ्युत्थितः साध्वसविस्मृतक्रमः । नाम नामानि गृणन् मधुद्विषः पार्षत्प्रधानाविति संहताञ्जलिः
vijñāya tāvuttamagāyakiṅkarā- vabhyutthitaḥ sādhvasavismṛtakramaḥ | nāma nāmāni gṛṇan madhudviṣaḥ pārṣatpradhānāviti saṃhatāñjaliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja, seeing that these uncommon personalities were direct servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, immediately stood up. But, being puzzled, in hastiness he forgot how to receive them in the proper way. Therefore he simply offered obeisances with folded hands and chanted and glorified the holy names of the Lord.
तं कृष्णपादाभिनिविष्टचेतसं बद्धाञ्जलिं प्रश्रयनम्रकन्धरम् । सुनन्दनन्दावुपसृत्य सस्मितं प्रत्यूचतुः पुष्करनाभसम्मतौ
taṃ kṛṣṇapādābhiniviṣṭacetasaṃ baddhāñjaliṃ praśrayanamrakandharam | sunandanandāvupasṛtya sasmitaṃ pratyūcatuḥ puṣkaranābhasammatau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja was always absorbed in thinking of the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa. His heart was full with Kṛṣṇa. When the two confidential servants of the Supreme Lord, who were named Nanda and Sunanda, approached him, smiling happily, Dhruva stood with folded hands, bowing humbly. They then addressed him as follows.
सुनन्दनन्दावूचतुः भो भो राजन् सुभद्रं ते वाचं नोऽवहितः शृणु । यः पञ्चवर्षस्तपसा भवान् देवमतीतृपत्
sunandanandāvūcatuḥ bho bho rājan subhadraṃ te vācaṃ no'vahitaḥ śṛṇu | yaḥ pañcavarṣastapasā bhavān devamatītṛpat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda and Sunanda, the two confidential associates of Lord Viṣṇu, said: Dear King, let there be all good fortune unto you. Please attentively hear what we shall say. When you were only five years old, you underwent severe austerities, and you thereby greatly satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
तस्याखिलजगद्धातुरावां देवस्य शार्ङ्गिणः । पार्षदाविह सम्प्राप्तौ नेतुं त्वां भगवत्पदम्
tasyākhilajagaddhāturāvāṃ devasya śārṅgiṇaḥ | pārṣadāviha samprāptau netuṃ tvāṃ bhagavatpadam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We are representatives of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the creator of the whole universe, who carries in His hand the bow named Śārṅga. We have been specifically deputed to take you to the spiritual world.
सुदुर्जयं विष्णुपदं जितं त्वया यत्सूरयोऽप्राप्य विचक्षते परम् । आतिष्ठ तच्चन्द्रदिवाकरादयो ग्रहर्क्षताराः परियन्ति दक्षिणम्
sudurjayaṃ viṣṇupadaṃ jitaṃ tvayā yatsūrayo'prāpya vicakṣate param | ātiṣṭha taccandradivākarādayo graharkṣatārāḥ pariyanti dakṣiṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To achieve Viṣṇuloka is very difficult, but by your austerity you have conquered. Even the great ṛṣis and demigods cannot achieve this position. Simply to see the supreme abode [the Viṣṇu planet], the sun and moon and all the other planets, stars, lunar mansions and solar systems are circumambulating it. Now please come; you are welcome to go there.
अनास्थितं ते पितृभिरन्यैरप्यङ्ग कर्हिचित् । आतिष्ठ जगतां वन्द्यं तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्
anāsthitaṃ te pitṛbhiranyairapyaṅga karhicit | ātiṣṭha jagatāṃ vandyaṃ tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṃ padam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear King Dhruva, neither your forefathers nor anyone else before you ever achieved such a transcendental planet. The planet known as Viṣṇuloka, where Lord Viṣṇu personally resides, is the highest of all. It is worshipable by the inhabitants of all other planets within the universe. Please come with us and live there eternally.
एतद्विमानप्रवरमुत्तमश्लोकमौलिना । उपस्थापितमायुष्मन्नधिरोढुं त्वमर्हसि
etadvimānapravaramuttamaślokamaulinā | upasthāpitamāyuṣmannadhiroḍhuṃ tvamarhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O immortal one, this unique airplane has been sent by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is worshiped by selected prayers and who is the chief of all living entities. You are quite worthy to board such a plane.
मैत्रेय उवाच । निशम्य वैकुण्ठनियोज्यमुख्ययो- र्मधुच्युतं वाचमुरुक्रमप्रियः । कृताभिषेकः कृतनित्यमङ्गलो मुनीन् प्रणम्याशिषमभ्यवादयत्
maitreya uvāca | niśamya vaikuṇṭhaniyojyamukhyayo- rmadhucyutaṃ vācamurukramapriyaḥ | kṛtābhiṣekaḥ kṛtanityamaṅgalo munīn praṇamyāśiṣamabhyavādayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: Mahārāja Dhruva was very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When he heard the sweet speeches of the Lord’s chief associates in the Vaikuṇṭha planet, he immediately took his sacred bath, dressed himself with suitable ornaments, and performed his daily spiritual duties. Thereafter he offered his respectful obeisances to the great sages present there and accepted their blessings.
परीत्याभ्यर्च्य धिष्ण्याग्र्यं पार्षदावभिवन्द्य च । इयेष तदधिष्ठातुं बिभ्रद्रूपं हिरण्मयम्
parītyābhyarcya dhiṣṇyāgryaṃ pārṣadāvabhivandya ca | iyeṣa tadadhiṣṭhātuṃ bibhradrūpaṃ hiraṇmayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Before getting aboard, Dhruva Mahārāja worshiped the airplane, circumambulated it, and also offered obeisances to the associates of Viṣṇu. In the meantime he became as brilliant and illuminating as molten gold. He was thus completely prepared to board the transcendental plane.
तदोत्तानपदः पुत्रो ददर्शान्तकमागतम् । मृत्योर्मूर्ध्नि पदं दत्त्वा आरुरोहाद्भुतं गृहम्
tadottānapadaḥ putro dadarśāntakamāgatam | mṛtyormūrdhni padaṃ dattvā ārurohādbhutaṃ gṛham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Dhruva Mahārāja was attempting to get on the transcendental plane, he saw death personified approach him. Not caring for death, however, he took advantage of the opportunity to put his feet on the head of death, and thus he got up on the airplane, which was as big as a house.
तदा दुन्दुभयो नेदुर्मृदङ्गपणवादयः । गन्धर्वमुख्याः प्रजगुः पेतुः कुसुमवृष्टयः
tadā dundubhayo nedurmṛdaṅgapaṇavādayaḥ | gandharvamukhyāḥ prajaguḥ petuḥ kusumavṛṣṭayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time drums and kettledrums resounded from the sky, the chief Gandharvas began to sing, and other demigods showered flowers like torrents of rain upon Dhruva Mahārāja.
स च स्वर्लोकमारोक्ष्यन् सुनीतिं जननीं ध्रुवः । अन्वस्मरदगं हित्वा दीनां यास्ये त्रिविष्टपम्
sa ca svarlokamārokṣyan sunītiṃ jananīṃ dhruvaḥ | anvasmaradagaṃ hitvā dīnāṃ yāsye triviṣṭapam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva was seated in the transcendental airplane, which was just about to start, when he remembered his poor mother, Sunīti. He thought to himself, “How shall I go alone to the Vaikuṇṭha planet and leave behind my poor mother?”
इति व्यवसितं तस्य व्यवसाय सुरोत्तमौ । दर्शयामासतुर्देवीं पुरो यानेन गच्छतीम्
iti vyavasitaṃ tasya vyavasāya surottamau | darśayāmāsaturdevīṃ puro yānena gacchatīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great associates of Vaikuṇṭhaloka, Nanda and Sunanda, could understand the mind of Dhruva Mahārāja, and thus they showed him that his mother, Sunīti, was going forward in another plane.
तत्र तत्र प्रशंसद्भिः पथि वैमानिकैः सुरैः । अवकीर्यमाणो ददृशे कुसुमैः क्रमशो ग्रहान्
tatra tatra praśaṃsadbhiḥ pathi vaimānikaiḥ suraiḥ | avakīryamāṇo dadṛśe kusumaiḥ kramaśo grahān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Dhruva Mahārāja was passing through space, he gradually saw all the planets of the solar system, and on the path he saw all the demigods in their airplanes showering flowers upon him like rain.
त्रिलोकीं देवयानेन सोऽतिव्रज्य मुनीनपि । परस्ताद्यद्ध्रुवगतिर्विष्णोः पदमथाभ्यगात्
trilokīṃ devayānena so'tivrajya munīnapi | parastādyaddhruvagatirviṣṇoḥ padamathābhyagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja thus surpassed the seven planetary systems of the great sages who are known as saptarṣi. Beyond that region, he achieved the transcendental situation of permanent life in the planet where Lord Viṣṇu lives.
यद्भ्राजमानं स्वरुचैव सर्वतो लोकास्त्रयो ह्यनुविभ्राजन्त एते । यन्नाव्रजन् जन्तुषु येऽननुग्रहा व्रजन्ति भद्राणि चरन्ति येऽनिशम्
yadbhrājamānaṃ svarucaiva sarvato lokāstrayo hyanuvibhrājanta ete | yannāvrajan jantuṣu ye'nanugrahā vrajanti bhadrāṇi caranti ye'niśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The self-effulgent Vaikuṇṭha planets, by whose illumination alone all the illuminating planets within this material world give off reflected light, cannot be reached by those who are not merciful to other living entities. Only persons who constantly engage in welfare activities for other living entities can reach the Vaikuṇṭha planets.
शान्ताः समदृशः शुद्धाः सर्वभूतानुरञ्जनाः । यान्त्यञ्जसाच्युतपदमच्युतप्रियबान्धवाः
śāntāḥ samadṛśaḥ śuddhāḥ sarvabhūtānurañjanāḥ | yāntyañjasācyutapadamacyutapriyabāndhavāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Persons who are peaceful, equipoised, cleansed and purified, and who know the art of pleasing all other living entities, keep friendship only with devotees of the Lord; they alone can very easily achieve the perfection of going back home, back to Godhead.
इत्युत्तानपदः पुत्रो ध्रुवः कृष्णपरायणः । अभूत्त्रयाणां लोकानां चूडामणिरिवामलः
ityuttānapadaḥ putro dhruvaḥ kṛṣṇaparāyaṇaḥ | abhūttrayāṇāṃ lokānāṃ cūḍāmaṇirivāmalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way, the fully Kṛṣṇa conscious Dhruva Mahārāja, the exalted son of Mahārāja Uttānapāda, attained the summit of the three statuses of planetary systems.
गम्भीरवेगोऽनिमिषं ज्योतिषां चक्रमाहितम् । यस्मिन् भ्रमति कौरव्य मेढ्यामिव गवां गणः
gambhīravego'nimiṣaṃ jyotiṣāṃ cakramāhitam | yasmin bhramati kauravya meḍhyāmiva gavāṃ gaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Saint Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, descendant of Kuru, as a herd of bulls circumambulates a central pole on their right side, all the luminaries within the universal sky unceasingly circumambulate the abode of Dhruva Mahārāja with great force and speed.
महिमानं विलोक्यास्य नारदो भगवान् ऋषिः । आतोद्यं वितुदञ्श्लोकान् सत्रेऽगायत्प्रचेतसाम्
mahimānaṃ vilokyāsya nārado bhagavān ṛṣiḥ | ātodyaṃ vitudañślokān satre'gāyatpracetasām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After observing the glories of Dhruva Mahārāja, the great sage Nārada, playing his vīṇā, went to the sacrificial arena of the Pracetās and very happily chanted the following three verses.
नारद उवाच । नूनं सुनीतेः पतिदेवताया- स्तपःप्रभावस्य सुतस्य तां गतिम् । दृष्ट्वाभ्युपायानपि वेदवादिनो नैवाधिगन्तुं प्रभवन्ति किं नृपाः
nārada uvāca | nūnaṃ sunīteḥ patidevatāyā- stapaḥprabhāvasya sutasya tāṃ gatim | dṛṣṭvābhyupāyānapi vedavādino naivādhigantuṃ prabhavanti kiṃ nṛpāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada said: Simply by the influence of his spiritual advancement and powerful austerity, Dhruva Mahārāja, the son of Sunīti, who was devoted to her husband, acquired an exalted position not possible to attain even for the so-called Vedāntists or strict followers of the Vedic principles, not to speak of ordinary human beings.
यः पञ्चवर्षो गुरुदारवाक्शरै- र्भिन्नेन यातो हृदयेन दूयता । वनं मदादेशकरोऽजितं प्रभुं जिगाय तद्भक्तगुणैः पराजितम्
yaḥ pañcavarṣo gurudāravākśarai- rbhinnena yāto hṛdayena dūyatā | vanaṃ madādeśakaro'jitaṃ prabhuṃ jigāya tadbhaktaguṇaiḥ parājitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada continued: Just see how Dhruva Mahārāja, aggrieved at the harsh words of his stepmother, went to the forest at the age of only five years and under my direction underwent austerity. Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead is unconquerable, Dhruva Mahārāja defeated Him with the specific qualifications possessed by the Lord’s devotees.
यः क्षत्रबन्धुर्भुवि तस्याधिरूढ- मन्वारुरुक्षेदपि वर्षपूगैः । षट्पञ्चवर्षो यदहोभिरल्पैः प्रसाद्य वैकुण्ठमवाप तत्पदम्
yaḥ kṣatrabandhurbhuvi tasyādhirūḍha- manvārurukṣedapi varṣapūgaiḥ | ṣaṭpañcavarṣo yadahobhiralpaiḥ prasādya vaikuṇṭhamavāpa tatpadam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhruva Mahārāja attained an exalted position at the age of only five or six years, after undergoing austerity for six months. Alas, a great kṣatriya cannot achieve such a position even after undergoing austerities for many, many years.
मैत्रेय उवाच । एतत्तेऽभिहितं सर्वं यत्पृष्टोऽहमिह त्वया । ध्रुवस्योद्दामयशसश्चरितं सम्मतं सताम्
maitreya uvāca | etatte'bhihitaṃ sarvaṃ yatpṛṣṭo'hamiha tvayā | dhruvasyoddāmayaśasaścaritaṃ sammataṃ satām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, whatever you have asked from me about the great reputation and character of Dhruva Mahārāja I have explained to you in all detail. Great saintly persons and devotees very much like to hear about Dhruva Mahārāja.
धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं पुण्यं स्वस्त्ययनं महत् । स्वर्ग्यं ध्रौव्यं सौमनस्यं प्रशस्यमघमर्षणम्
dhanyaṃ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṃ puṇyaṃ svastyayanaṃ mahat | svargyaṃ dhrauvyaṃ saumanasyaṃ praśasyamaghamarṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By hearing the narration of Dhruva Mahārāja one can fulfill desires for wealth, reputation and increased duration of life. It is so auspicious that one can even go to a heavenly planet or attain Dhruvaloka, which was achieved by Dhruva Mahārāja, just by hearing about him. The demigods also become pleased because this narration is so glorious, and it is so powerful that it can counteract all the results of one’s sinful actions.
श्रुत्वैतच्छ्रद्धयाभीक्ष्णमच्युतप्रियचेष्टितम् । भवेद्भक्तिर्भगवति यया स्यात्क्लेशसङ्क्षयः
śrutvaitacchraddhayābhīkṣṇamacyutapriyaceṣṭitam | bhavedbhaktirbhagavati yayā syātkleśasaṅkṣayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Anyone who hears the narration of Dhruva Mahārāja, and who repeatedly tries with faith and devotion to understand his pure character, attains the pure devotional platform and executes pure devotional service. By such activities one can diminish the threefold miserable conditions of material life.
महत्त्वमिच्छतां तीर्थं श्रोतुः शीलादयो गुणाः । यत्र तेजस्तदिच्छूनां मानो यत्र मनस्विनाम्
mahattvamicchatāṃ tīrthaṃ śrotuḥ śīlādayo guṇāḥ | yatra tejastadicchūnāṃ māno yatra manasvinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Anyone who hears this narration of Dhruva Mahārāja acquires exalted qualities like him. For anyone who desires greatness, prowess or influence, here is the process by which to acquire them, and for thoughtful men who want adoration, here is the proper means.
प्रयतः कीर्तयेत्प्रातः समवाये द्विजन्मनाम् । सायं च पुण्यश्लोकस्य ध्रुवस्य चरितं महत्
prayataḥ kīrtayetprātaḥ samavāye dvijanmanām | sāyaṃ ca puṇyaślokasya dhruvasya caritaṃ mahat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya recommended: One should chant of the character and activities of Dhruva Mahārāja both in the morning and in the evening, with great attention and care, in a society of brāhmaṇas or other twice-born persons.
ज्ञानमज्ञाततत्त्वाय यो दद्यात्सत्पथेऽमृतम् । कृपालोर्दीननाथस्य देवास्तस्यानुगृह्णते
jñānamajñātatattvāya yo dadyātsatpathe'mṛtam | kṛpālordīnanāthasya devāstasyānugṛhṇate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The narration of Dhruva Mahārāja is sublime knowledge for the attainment of immortality. Persons unaware of the Absolute Truth can be led to the path of truth. Those who out of transcendental kindness take on the responsibility of becoming master-protectors of the poor living entities automatically gain the interest and blessings of the demigods.
इदं मया तेऽभिहितं कुरूद्वह ध्रुवस्य विख्यातविशुद्धकर्मणः । हित्वार्भकः क्रीडनकानि मातु- र्गृहं च विष्णुं शरणं यो जगाम
idaṃ mayā te'bhihitaṃ kurūdvaha dhruvasya vikhyātaviśuddhakarmaṇaḥ | hitvārbhakaḥ krīḍanakāni mātu- rgṛhaṃ ca viṣṇuṃ śaraṇaṃ yo jagāma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The transcendental activities of Dhruva Mahārāja are well known all over the world, and they are very pure. In childhood Dhruva Mahārāja rejected all kinds of toys and playthings, left the protection of his mother and seriously took shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu. My dear Vidura, I therefore conclude this narration, for I have described to you all its details.
सूत उवाच । निशम्य कौषारविणोपवर्णितं ध्रुवस्य वैकुण्ठपदाधिरोहणम् । प्ररूढभावो भगवत्यधोक्षजे प्रष्टुं पुनस्तं विदुरः प्रचक्रमे
sūta uvāca | niśamya kauṣāraviṇopavarṇitaṃ dhruvasya vaikuṇṭhapadādhirohaṇam | prarūḍhabhāvo bhagavatyadhokṣaje praṣṭuṃ punastaṃ viduraḥ pracakrame
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī, continuing to speak to all the ṛṣis, headed by Śaunaka, said: After hearing Maitreya Ṛṣi describe Dhruva Mahārāja’s ascent to Lord Viṣṇu’s abode, Vidura became very much enlightened in devotional emotion, and he inquired from Maitreya as follows.
विदुर उवाच । के ते प्रचेतसो नाम कस्यापत्यानि सुव्रत । कस्यान्ववाये प्रख्याताः कुत्र वा सत्रमासत
vidura uvāca | ke te pracetaso nāma kasyāpatyāni suvrata | kasyānvavāye prakhyātāḥ kutra vā satramāsata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vidura inquired from Maitreya: O greatly advanced devotee, who were the Pracetās? To which family did they belong? Whose sons were they, and where did they perform the great sacrifices?
मन्ये महाभागवतं नारदं देवदर्शनम् । येन प्रोक्तः क्रियायोगः परिचर्याविधिर्हरेः
manye mahābhāgavataṃ nāradaṃ devadarśanam | yena proktaḥ kriyāyogaḥ paricaryāvidhirhareḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vidura continued: I know that the great sage Nārada is the greatest of all devotees. He has compiled the pāñcarātrika procedure of devotional service and has directly met the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
स्वधर्मशीलैः पुरुषैर्भगवान् यज्ञपूरुषः । इज्यमानो भक्तिमता नारदेनेरितः किल
svadharmaśīlaiḥ puruṣairbhagavān yajñapūruṣaḥ | ijyamāno bhaktimatā nāradeneritaḥ kila
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While all the Pracetās were executing religious rituals and sacrificial ceremonies and thus worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead for His satisfaction, the great sage Nārada described the transcendental qualities of Dhruva Mahārāja.
यास्ता देवर्षिणा तत्र वर्णिता भगवत्कथाः । मह्यं शुश्रूषवे ब्रह्मन् कार्त्स्न्येनाचष्टुमर्हसि
yāstā devarṣiṇā tatra varṇitā bhagavatkathāḥ | mahyaṃ śuśrūṣave brahman kārtsnyenācaṣṭumarhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear brāhmaṇa, how did Nārada Muni glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and what pastimes were described in that meeting? I am very eager to hear of them. Kindly explain fully about that glorification of the Lord.
मैत्रेय उवाच । ध्रुवस्य चोत्कलः पुत्रः पितरि प्रस्थिते वनम् । सार्वभौमश्रियं नैच्छदधिराजासनं पितुः
maitreya uvāca | dhruvasya cotkalaḥ putraḥ pitari prasthite vanam | sārvabhaumaśriyaṃ naicchadadhirājāsanaṃ pituḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya replied: My dear Vidura, when Mahārāja Dhruva departed for the forest, his son, Utkala, did not desire to accept the opulent throne of his father, which was meant for the ruler of all the lands of this planet.
स जन्मनोपशान्तात्मा निःसङ्गः समदर्शनः । ददर्श लोके विततमात्मानं लोकमात्मनि
sa janmanopaśāntātmā niḥsaṅgaḥ samadarśanaḥ | dadarśa loke vitatamātmānaṃ lokamātmani
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From his very birth, Utkala was fully satisfied and unattached to the world. He was equipoised, for he could see everything resting in the Supersoul and the Supersoul present in everyone’s heart.
जडान्धबधिरोन्मत्तमूकाकृतिरतन्मतिः । लक्षितः पथि बालानां प्रशान्तार्चिरिवानलः
jaḍāndhabadhironmattamūkākṛtiratanmatiḥ | lakṣitaḥ pathi bālānāṃ praśāntārcirivānalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Utkala appeared to the less intelligent persons on the road to be foolish, blind, dumb, deaf and mad, although actually he was not so. He remained like fire covered with ashes, without blazing flames.
मत्वा तं जडमुन्मत्तं कुलवृद्धाः समन्त्रिणः । वत्सरं भूपतिं चक्रुर्यवीयांसं भ्रमेः सुतम्
matvā taṃ jaḍamunmattaṃ kulavṛddhāḥ samantriṇaḥ | vatsaraṃ bhūpatiṃ cakruryavīyāṃsaṃ bhrameḥ sutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For this reason the ministers and all the elderly members of the family thought Utkala to be without intelligence and, in fact, mad. Thus his younger brother, named Vatsara, the son of Bhrami, was elevated to the royal throne, and he became king of the world.
स्वर्वीथिर्वत्सरस्येष्टा भार्यासूत षडात्मजान् । पुष्पार्णं तिग्मकेतुं च इषमूर्जं वसुं जयम्
svarvīthirvatsarasyeṣṭā bhāryāsūta ṣaḍātmajān | puṣpārṇaṃ tigmaketuṃ ca iṣamūrjaṃ vasuṃ jayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Vatsara had a very dear wife whose name was Svarvīthi, and she gave birth to six sons, named Puṣpārṇa, Tigmaketu, Iṣa, Ūrja, Vasu and Jaya.
पुष्पार्णस्य प्रभा भार्या दोषा च द्वे बभूवतुः । प्रातर्मध्यन्दिनं सायमिति ह्यासन् प्रभासुताः
puṣpārṇasya prabhā bhāryā doṣā ca dve babhūvatuḥ | prātarmadhyandinaṃ sāyamiti hyāsan prabhāsutāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Puṣpārṇa had two wives, named Prabhā and Doṣā. Prabhā had three sons, named Prātar, Madhyandinam and Sāyam.
प्रदोषो निशिथो व्युष्ट इति दोषा सुतास्त्रयः । व्युष्टः सुतं पुष्करिण्यां सर्वतेजसमादधे
pradoṣo niśitho vyuṣṭa iti doṣā sutāstrayaḥ | vyuṣṭaḥ sutaṃ puṣkariṇyāṃ sarvatejasamādadhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Doṣā had three sons — Pradoṣa, Niśitha and Vyuṣṭa. Vyuṣṭa’s wife was named Puṣkariṇī, and she gave birth to a very powerful son named Sarvatejā.
उल्मुकोऽजनयत्पुत्रान् पुष्करिण्यां षडुत्तमान् । अङ्गं सुमनसं ख्यातिं क्रतुमङ्गिरसं गयम्
ulmuko'janayatputrān puṣkariṇyāṃ ṣaḍuttamān | aṅgaṃ sumanasaṃ khyātiṃ kratumaṅgirasaṃ gayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Of the twelve sons, Ulmuka begot six sons in his wife Puṣkariṇī. They were all very good sons, and their names were Aṅga, Sumanā, Khyāti, Kratu, Aṅgirā and Gaya.
सुनीथाङ्गस्य या पत्नी सुषुवे वेनमुल्बणम् । यद्दौःशील्यात्स राजर्षिर्निर्विण्णो निरगात्पुरात्
sunīthāṅgasya yā patnī suṣuve venamulbaṇam | yaddauḥśīlyātsa rājarṣirnirviṇṇo niragātpurāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wife of Aṅga, Sunīthā, gave birth to a son named Vena, who was very crooked. The saintly King Aṅga was very disappointed with Vena’s bad character, and he left home and kingdom and went out to the forest.
विदुर उवाच । तस्य शीलनिधेः साधोर्ब्रह्मण्यस्य महात्मनः । राज्ञः कथमभूद्दुष्टा प्रजा यद्विमना ययौ
vidura uvāca | tasya śīlanidheḥ sādhorbrahmaṇyasya mahātmanaḥ | rājñaḥ kathamabhūdduṣṭā prajā yadvimanā yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vidura inquired from the sage Maitreya: My dear brāhmaṇa, King Aṅga was very gentle. He had high character and was a saintly personality and lover of brahminical culture. How is it that such a great soul got a bad son like Vena, because of whom he became indifferent to his kingdom and left it?
किं वांहो वेन उद्दिश्य ब्रह्मदण्डमयूयुजन् । दण्डव्रतधरे राज्ञि मुनयो धर्मकोविदाः
kiṃ vāṃho vena uddiśya brahmadaṇḍamayūyujan | daṇḍavratadhare rājñi munayo dharmakovidāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vidura also inquired: How is it that the great sages, who were completely conversant with religious principles, desired to curse King Vena, who himself carried the rod of punishment, and thus awarded him the greatest punishment [brahma-śāpa]?
नावध्येयः प्रजापालः प्रजाभिरघवानपि । यदसौ लोकपालानां बिभर्त्योजः स्वतेजसा
nāvadhyeyaḥ prajāpālaḥ prajābhiraghavānapi | yadasau lokapālānāṃ bibhartyojaḥ svatejasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is the duty of all citizens in a state never to insult the king, even though he sometimes appears to have done something very sinful. Because of his prowess, the king is always more influential than all other ruling chiefs.
एतदाख्याहि मे ब्रह्मन् सुनीथात्मजचेष्टितम् । श्रद्दधानाय भक्ताय त्वं परावरवित्तमः
etadākhyāhi me brahman sunīthātmajaceṣṭitam | śraddadhānāya bhaktāya tvaṃ parāvaravittamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vidura requested Maitreya: My dear brāhmaṇa, you are well conversant with all subjects, both past and future. Therefore I wish to hear from you all the activities of King Vena. I am your faithful devotee, so please explain this.
मैत्रेय उवाच । अङ्गोऽश्वमेधं राजर्षिराजहार महाक्रतुम् । नाजग्मुर्देवतास्तस्मिन्नाहूता ब्रह्मवादिभिः
maitreya uvāca | aṅgo'śvamedhaṃ rājarṣirājahāra mahākratum | nājagmurdevatāstasminnāhūtā brahmavādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Maitreya replied: My dear Vidura, once the great King Aṅga arranged to perform the great sacrifice known as aśvamedha. All the expert brāhmaṇas present knew how to invite the demigods, but in spite of their efforts, no demigods participated or appeared in that sacrifice.
तमूचुर्विस्मितास्तत्र यजमानमथर्त्विजः । हवींषि हूयमानानि न ते गृह्णन्ति देवताः
tamūcurvismitāstatra yajamānamathartvijaḥ | havīṃṣi hūyamānāni na te gṛhṇanti devatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The priests engaged in the sacrifice then informed King Aṅga: O King, we are properly offering the clarified butter in the sacrifice, but despite all our efforts the demigods do not accept it.
राजन् हवींष्यदुष्टानि श्रद्धयाऽऽसादितानि ते । छन्दांस्ययातयामानि योजितानि धृतव्रतैः
rājan havīṃṣyaduṣṭāni śraddhayā''sāditāni te | chandāṃsyayātayāmāni yojitāni dhṛtavrataiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, we know that the paraphernalia to perform the sacrifice is well collected by you with great faith and care and is not polluted. Our chanting of the Vedic hymns is also not deficient in any way, for all the brāhmaṇas and priests present here are expert and are executing the performances properly.
न विदामेह देवानां हेलनं वयमण्वपि । यन्न गृह्णन्ति भागान् स्वान् ये देवाः कर्मसाक्षिणः
na vidāmeha devānāṃ helanaṃ vayamaṇvapi | yanna gṛhṇanti bhāgān svān ye devāḥ karmasākṣiṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear King, we do not find any reason that the demigods should feel insulted or neglected in any way, but still the demigods who are witnesses for the sacrifice do not accept their shares. We do not know why this is so.
मैत्रेय उवाच । अङ्गो द्विजवचः श्रुत्वा यजमानः सुदुर्मनाः । तत्प्रष्टुं व्यसृजद्वाचं सदस्यांस्तदनुज्ञया
maitreya uvāca | aṅgo dvijavacaḥ śrutvā yajamānaḥ sudurmanāḥ | tatpraṣṭuṃ vyasṛjadvācaṃ sadasyāṃstadanujñayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya explained that King Aṅga, after hearing the statements of the priests, was greatly aggrieved. At that time he took permission from the priests to break his silence and inquired from all the priests who were present in the sacrificial arena.
नागच्छन्त्याहुता देवा न गृह्णन्ति ग्रहानिह । सदसस्पतयो ब्रूत किमवद्यं मया कृतम्
nāgacchantyāhutā devā na gṛhṇanti grahāniha | sadasaspatayo brūta kimavadyaṃ mayā kṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Aṅga addressed the priestly order: My dear priests, kindly tell me what offense I have committed. Although invited, the demigods are neither taking part in the sacrifice nor accepting their shares.
सदसस्पतय ऊचुः । नरदेवेह भवतो नाघं तावन्मनाक्स्थितम् । अस्त्येकं प्राक्तनमघं यदिहेदृक्त्वमप्रजः
sadasaspataya ūcuḥ | naradeveha bhavato nāghaṃ tāvanmanāksthitam | astyekaṃ prāktanamaghaṃ yadihedṛktvamaprajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The head priests said: O King, in this life we do not find any sinful activity, even within your mind, so you are not in the least offensive. But we can see that in your previous life you performed sinful activities due to which, in spite of your having all qualifications, you have no son.
तथा साधय भद्रं ते आत्मानं सुप्रजं नृप । इष्टस्ते पुत्रकामस्य पुत्रं दास्यति यज्ञभुक्
tathā sādhaya bhadraṃ te ātmānaṃ suprajaṃ nṛpa | iṣṭaste putrakāmasya putraṃ dāsyati yajñabhuk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, we wish all good fortune for you. You have no son, but if you pray at once to the Supreme Lord and ask for a son, and if you execute the sacrifice for that purpose, the enjoyer of the sacrifice, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will fulfill your desire.
तथा स्वभागधेयानि ग्रहीष्यन्ति दिवौकसः । यद्यज्ञपुरुषः साक्षादपत्याय हरिर्वृतः
tathā svabhāgadheyāni grahīṣyanti divaukasaḥ | yadyajñapuruṣaḥ sākṣādapatyāya harirvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Hari, the supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices, is invited to fulfill your desire for a son, all the demigods will come with Him and take their shares in the sacrifice.
तांस्तान् कामान् हरिर्दद्याद्यान् यान् कामयते जनः । आराधितो यथैवैष तथा पुंसां फलोदयः
tāṃstān kāmān harirdadyādyān yān kāmayate janaḥ | ārādhito yathaivaiṣa tathā puṃsāṃ phalodayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The performer of the sacrifices [under karma-kāṇḍa activities] achieves the fulfillment of the desire for which he worships the Lord.
इति व्यवसिता विप्रास्तस्य राज्ञः प्रजातये । पुरोडाशं निरवपन् शिपिविष्टाय विष्णवे
iti vyavasitā viprāstasya rājñaḥ prajātaye | puroḍāśaṃ niravapan śipiviṣṭāya viṣṇave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus for the sake of a son for King Aṅga, they decided to offer oblations to Lord Viṣṇu, who is situated in the hearts of all living entities.
तस्मात्पुरुष उत्तस्थौ हेममाल्यमलाम्बरः । हिरण्मयेन पात्रेण सिद्धमादाय पायसम्
tasmātpuruṣa uttasthau hemamālyamalāmbaraḥ | hiraṇmayena pātreṇa siddhamādāya pāyasam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as the oblation was offered in the fire, a person appeared from the fire altar wearing a golden garland and a white dress. He was carrying a golden pot filled with rice boiled in milk.
स विप्रानुमतो राजा गृहीत्वाञ्जलिनौदनम् । अवघ्राय मुदा युक्तः प्रादात्पत्न्या उदारधीः
sa viprānumato rājā gṛhītvāñjalinaudanam | avaghrāya mudā yuktaḥ prādātpatnyā udāradhīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King was very liberal, and after taking permission from the priests, he took the preparation in his joined palms, and after smelling it he offered a portion to his wife.
सा तत्पुंसवनं राज्ञी प्राश्य वै पत्युरादधे । गर्भं काल उपावृत्ते कुमारं सुषुवेऽप्रजा
sā tatpuṃsavanaṃ rājñī prāśya vai patyurādadhe | garbhaṃ kāla upāvṛtte kumāraṃ suṣuve'prajā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the Queen had no son, after eating that food, which had the power to produce a male child, she became pregnant by her husband, and in due course of time she gave birth to a son.
स बाल एव पुरुषो मातामहमनुव्रतः । अधर्मांशोद्भवं मृत्युं तेनाभवदधार्मिकः
sa bāla eva puruṣo mātāmahamanuvrataḥ | adharmāṃśodbhavaṃ mṛtyuṃ tenābhavadadhārmikaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That boy was born partially in the dynasty of irreligion. His grandfather was death personified, and the boy grew up as his follower; he became a greatly irreligious person.
स शरासनमुद्यम्य मृगयुर्वनगोचरः । हन्त्यसाधुर्मृगान् दीनान् वेनोऽसावित्यरौज्जनः
sa śarāsanamudyamya mṛgayurvanagocaraḥ | hantyasādhurmṛgān dīnān veno'sāvityaraujjanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After fixing his bow and arrow, the cruel boy used to go to the forest and unnecessarily kill innocent deer, and as soon as he came all the people would cry, “Here comes cruel Vena! Here comes cruel Vena!”
आक्रीडे क्रीडतो बालान् वयस्यानतिदारुणः । प्रसह्य निरनुक्रोशः पशुमारममारयत्
ākrīḍe krīḍato bālān vayasyānatidāruṇaḥ | prasahya niranukrośaḥ paśumāramamārayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The boy was so cruel that while playing with young boys of his age he would kill them very mercilessly, as if they were animals meant for slaughter.
तं विचक्ष्य खलं पुत्रं शासनैर्विविधैर्नृपः । यदा न शासितुं कल्पो भृशमासीत्सुदुर्मनाः
taṃ vicakṣya khalaṃ putraṃ śāsanairvividhairnṛpaḥ | yadā na śāsituṃ kalpo bhṛśamāsītsudurmanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After seeing the cruel and merciless behavior of his son, Vena, King Aṅga punished him in different ways to reform him, but was unable to bring him to the path of gentleness. He thus became greatly aggrieved.
प्रायेणाभ्यर्चितो देवो येऽप्रजा गृहमेधिनः । कदपत्यभृतं दुःखं ये न विन्दन्ति दुर्भरम्
prāyeṇābhyarcito devo ye'prajā gṛhamedhinaḥ | kadapatyabhṛtaṃ duḥkhaṃ ye na vindanti durbharam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King thought to himself: Persons who have no son are certainly fortunate. They must have worshiped the Lord in their previous lives so that they would not have to suffer the unbearable unhappiness caused by a bad son.
यतः पापीयसी कीर्तिरधर्मश्च महान् नृणाम् । यतो विरोधः सर्वेषां यत आधिरनन्तकः
yataḥ pāpīyasī kīrtiradharmaśca mahān nṛṇām | yato virodhaḥ sarveṣāṃ yata ādhiranantakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A sinful son causes a person’s reputation to vanish. His irreligious activities at home cause irreligion and quarrel among everyone, and this creates only endless anxiety.
कस्तं प्रजापदेशं वै मोहबन्धनमात्मनः । पण्डितो बहु मन्येत यदर्थाः क्लेशदा गृहाः
kastaṃ prajāpadeśaṃ vai mohabandhanamātmanaḥ | paṇḍito bahu manyeta yadarthāḥ kleśadā gṛhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Who, if he is considerate and intelligent, would desire such a worthless son? Such a son is nothing but a bond of illusion for the living entity, and he makes one’s home miserable.
कदपत्यं वरं मन्ये सदपत्याच्छुचां पदात् । निर्विद्येत गृहान्मर्त्यो यत्क्लेशनिवहा गृहाः
kadapatyaṃ varaṃ manye sadapatyācchucāṃ padāt | nirvidyeta gṛhānmartyo yatkleśanivahā gṛhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the King thought: A bad son is better than a good son because a good son creates an attachment for home, whereas a bad son does not. A bad son creates a hellish home from which an intelligent man naturally becomes very easily detached.
एवं स निर्विण्णमना नृपो गृहान् निशीथ उत्थाय महोदयोदयात् । अलब्धनिद्रोऽनुपलक्षितो नृभि- र्हित्वा गतो वेनसुवं प्रसुप्ताम्
evaṃ sa nirviṇṇamanā nṛpo gṛhān niśītha utthāya mahodayodayāt | alabdhanidro'nupalakṣito nṛbhi- rhitvā gato venasuvaṃ prasuptām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thinking like that, King Aṅga could not sleep at night. He became completely indifferent to household life. Once, therefore, in the dead of night, he got up from bed and left Vena’s mother [his wife], who was sleeping deeply. He gave up all attraction for his greatly opulent kingdom, and, unseen by anyone, he very silently gave up his home and opulence and proceeded towards the forest.
विज्ञाय निर्विद्य गतं पतिं प्रजाः पुरोहितामात्यसुहृद्गणादयः । विचिक्युरुर्व्यामतिशोककातरा यथा निगूढं पुरुषं कुयोगिनः
vijñāya nirvidya gataṃ patiṃ prajāḥ purohitāmātyasuhṛdgaṇādayaḥ | vicikyururvyāmatiśokakātarā yathā nigūḍhaṃ puruṣaṃ kuyoginaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When it was understood that the King had indifferently left home, all the citizens, priests, ministers, friends, and people in general were greatly aggrieved. They began to search for him all over the world, just as a less experienced mystic searches out the Supersoul within himself.
अलक्षयन्तः पदवीं प्रजापतेः हतोद्यमाः प्रत्युपसृत्य ते पुरीम् । ऋषीन् समेतानभिवन्द्य साश्रवो न्यवेदयन् पौरव भर्तृविप्लवम्
alakṣayantaḥ padavīṃ prajāpateḥ hatodyamāḥ pratyupasṛtya te purīm | ṛṣīn sametānabhivandya sāśravo nyavedayan paurava bhartṛviplavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the citizens could not find any trace of the King after searching for him everywhere, they were very disappointed, and they returned to the city, where all the great sages of the country assembled because of the King’s absence. With tears in their eyes the citizens offered respectful obeisances and informed the sages in full detail that they were unable to find the King anywhere.
मैत्रेय उवाच । भृग्वादयस्ते मुनयो लोकानां क्षेमदर्शिनः । गोप्तर्यसति वै नॄणां पश्यन्तः पशुसाम्यताम्
maitreya uvāca | bhṛgvādayaste munayo lokānāṃ kṣemadarśinaḥ | goptaryasati vai nṝṇāṃ paśyantaḥ paśusāmyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: O great hero Vidura, the great sages, headed by Bhṛgu, were always thinking of the welfare of the people in general. When they saw that in the absence of King Aṅga there was no one to protect the interests of the people, they understood that without a ruler the people would become independent and nonregulated.
वीरमातरमाहूय सुनीथां ब्रह्मवादिनः । प्रकृत्यसम्मतं वेनमभ्यषिञ्चन् पतिं भुवः
vīramātaramāhūya sunīthāṃ brahmavādinaḥ | prakṛtyasammataṃ venamabhyaṣiñcan patiṃ bhuvaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sages then called for the Queen Mother, Sunīthā, and with her permission they installed Vena on the throne as master of the world. All the ministers, however, disagreed with this.
श्रुत्वा नृपासनगतं वेनमत्युग्रशासनम् । निलिल्युर्दस्यवः सद्यः सर्पत्रस्ता इवाखवः
śrutvā nṛpāsanagataṃ venamatyugraśāsanam | nililyurdasyavaḥ sadyaḥ sarpatrastā ivākhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was already known that Vena was very severe and cruel; therefore, as soon as all the thieves and rogues in the state heard of his ascendance to the royal throne, they became very much afraid of him. Indeed, they hid themselves here and there as rats hide themselves from snakes.
स आरूढनृपस्थान उन्नद्धोऽष्टविभूतिभिः । अवमेने महाभागान् स्तब्धः सम्भावितः स्वतः
sa ārūḍhanṛpasthāna unnaddho'ṣṭavibhūtibhiḥ | avamene mahābhāgān stabdhaḥ sambhāvitaḥ svataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the King ascended to the throne, he became all-powerful with eight kinds of opulences. Consequently he became too proud. By virtue of his false prestige, he considered himself to be greater than anyone. Thus he began to insult great personalities.
एवं मदान्ध उत्सिक्तो निरङ्कुश इव द्विपः । पर्यटन् रथमास्थाय कम्पयन्निव रोदसी
evaṃ madāndha utsikto niraṅkuśa iva dvipaḥ | paryaṭan rathamāsthāya kampayanniva rodasī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When he became overly blind due to his opulences, King Vena mounted a chariot and, like an uncontrolled elephant, began to travel through the kingdom, causing the sky and earth to tremble wherever he went.
न यष्टव्यं न दातव्यं न होतव्यं द्विजाः क्वचित् । इति न्यवारयद्धर्मं भेरीघोषेण सर्वशः
na yaṣṭavyaṃ na dātavyaṃ na hotavyaṃ dvijāḥ kvacit | iti nyavārayaddharmaṃ bherīghoṣeṇa sarvaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the twice-born [brāhmaṇas] were forbidden henceforward to perform any sacrifice, and they were also forbidden to give charity or offer clarified butter. Thus King Vena sounded kettledrums throughout the countryside. In other words, he stopped all kinds of religious rituals.
वेनस्यावेक्ष्य मुनयो दुर्वृत्तस्य विचेष्टितम् । विमृश्य लोकव्यसनं कृपयोचुः स्म सत्रिणः
venasyāvekṣya munayo durvṛttasya viceṣṭitam | vimṛśya lokavyasanaṃ kṛpayocuḥ sma satriṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore all the great sages assembled together and, after observing cruel Vena’s atrocities, concluded that a great danger and catastrophe was approaching the people of the world. Thus out of compassion they began to talk amongst themselves, for they themselves were the performers of the sacrifices.
अहो उभयतः प्राप्तं लोकस्य व्यसनं महत् । दारुण्युभयतो दीप्ते इव तस्करपालयोः
aho ubhayataḥ prāptaṃ lokasya vyasanaṃ mahat | dāruṇyubhayato dīpte iva taskarapālayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the great sages consulted one another, they saw that the people were in a dangerous position from both directions. When a fire blazes on both ends of a log, the ants in the middle are in a very dangerous situation. Similarly, at that time the people in general were in a dangerous position due to an irresponsible king on one side and thieves and rogues on the other.
अराजकभयादेष कृतो राजातदर्हणः । ततोऽप्यासीद्भयं त्वद्य कथं स्यात्स्वस्ति देहिनाम्
arājakabhayādeṣa kṛto rājātadarhaṇaḥ | tato'pyāsīdbhayaṃ tvadya kathaṃ syātsvasti dehinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thinking to save the state from irregularity, the sages began to consider that it was due to a political crisis that they made Vena king although he was not qualified. But alas, now the people were being disturbed by the king himself. Under such circumstances, how could the people be happy?
अहेरिव पयः पोषः पोषकस्याप्यनर्थभृत् । वेनः प्रकृत्यैव खलः सुनीथागर्भसम्भवः
aheriva payaḥ poṣaḥ poṣakasyāpyanarthabhṛt | venaḥ prakṛtyaiva khalaḥ sunīthāgarbhasambhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sages began to think within themselves: Because he was born from the womb of Sunīthā, King Vena is by nature very mischievous. Supporting this mischievous king is exactly like maintaining a snake with milk. Now he has become a source of all difficulties.
निरूपितः प्रजापालः स जिघांसति वै प्रजाः । तथापि सान्त्वयेमामुं नास्मांस्तत्पातकं स्पृशेत्
nirūpitaḥ prajāpālaḥ sa jighāṃsati vai prajāḥ | tathāpi sāntvayemāmuṃ nāsmāṃstatpātakaṃ spṛśet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We appointed this Vena king of the state in order to give protection to the citizens, but now he has become the enemy of the citizens. Despite all these discrepancies, we should at once try to pacify him. By doing so, we may not be touched by the sinful results caused by him.
तद्विद्वद्भिरसद्वृत्तो वेनोऽस्माभिः कृतो नृपः । सान्त्वितो यदि नो वाचं न ग्रहीष्यत्यधर्मकृत्
tadvidvadbhirasadvṛtto veno'smābhiḥ kṛto nṛpaḥ | sāntvito yadi no vācaṃ na grahīṣyatyadharmakṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The saintly sages continued thinking: Of course, we were completely aware of his mischievous nature, yet we nevertheless enthroned Vena. If we cannot persuade King Vena to accept our advice, he will be condemned by the public, and we will join them. Thus by our prowess we shall burn him to ashes.
लोकधिक्कारसन्दग्धं दहिष्यामः स्वतेजसा । एवमध्यवसायैनं मुनयो गूढमन्यवः । उपव्रज्याब्रुवन् वेनं सान्त्वयित्वा च सामभिः
lokadhikkārasandagdhaṃ dahiṣyāmaḥ svatejasā | evamadhyavasāyainaṃ munayo gūḍhamanyavaḥ | upavrajyābruvan venaṃ sāntvayitvā ca sāmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sages, having thus decided, approached King Vena. Concealing their real anger, they pacified him with sweet words and then spoke as follows.
मुनय ऊचुः । नृपवर्य निबोधैतद्यत्ते विज्ञापयाम भोः । आयुःश्रीबलकीर्तीनां तव तात विवर्धनम्
munaya ūcuḥ | nṛpavarya nibodhaitadyatte vijñāpayāma bhoḥ | āyuḥśrībalakīrtīnāṃ tava tāta vivardhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sages said: Dear King, we have come to give you good advice. Kindly hear us with great attention. By doing so, your duration of life and your opulence, strength and reputation will increase.
धर्म आचरितः पुंसां वाङ्मनःकायबुद्धिभिः । लोकान् विशोकान् वितरत्यथानन्त्यमसङ्गिनाम्
dharma ācaritaḥ puṃsāṃ vāṅmanaḥkāyabuddhibhiḥ | lokān viśokān vitaratyathānantyamasaṅginām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who live according to religious principles and who follow them by words, mind, body and intelligence are elevated to the heavenly kingdom, which is devoid of all miseries. Being thus rid of the material influence, they achieve unlimited happiness in life.
स ते मा विनशेद्वीर प्रजानां क्षेमलक्षणः । यस्मिन् विनष्टे नृपतिरैश्वर्यादवरोहति
sa te mā vinaśedvīra prajānāṃ kṣemalakṣaṇaḥ | yasmin vinaṣṭe nṛpatiraiśvaryādavarohati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sages continued: O great hero, for this reason you should not be the cause of spoiling the spiritual life of the general populace. If their spiritual life is spoiled because of your activities, you will certainly fall down from your opulent and royal position.
राजन्नसाध्वमात्येभ्यश्चोरादिभ्यः प्रजा नृपः । रक्षन् यथा बलिं गृह्णन्निह प्रेत्य च मोदते
rājannasādhvamātyebhyaścorādibhyaḥ prajā nṛpaḥ | rakṣan yathā baliṃ gṛhṇanniha pretya ca modate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The saintly persons continued: When the king protects the citizens from the disturbances of mischievous ministers as well as from thieves and rogues, he can, by virtue of such pious activities, accept taxes given by his subjects. Thus a pious king can certainly enjoy himself in this world as well as in the life after death.
यस्य राष्ट्रे पुरे चैव भगवान् यज्ञपूरुषः । इज्यते स्वेन धर्मेण जनैर्वर्णाश्रमान्वितैः
yasya rāṣṭre pure caiva bhagavān yajñapūruṣaḥ | ijyate svena dharmeṇa janairvarṇāśramānvitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The king is supposed to be pious in whose state and cities the general populace strictly observes the system of eight social orders of varṇa and āśrama, and where all citizens engage in worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead by their particular occupations.
तस्य राज्ञो महाभाग भगवान् भूतभावनः । परितुष्यति विश्वात्मा तिष्ठतो निजशासने
tasya rājño mahābhāga bhagavān bhūtabhāvanaḥ | parituṣyati viśvātmā tiṣṭhato nijaśāsane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O noble one, if the king sees that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original cause of the cosmic manifestation and the Supersoul within everyone, is worshiped, the Lord will be satisfied.
तस्मिंस्तुष्टे किमप्राप्यं जगतामीश्वरेश्वरे । लोकाः सपाला ह्येतस्मै हरन्ति बलिमादृताः
tasmiṃstuṣṭe kimaprāpyaṃ jagatāmīśvareśvare | lokāḥ sapālā hyetasmai haranti balimādṛtāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped by the great demigods who are controllers of universal affairs. When He is satisfied, nothing is impossible to achieve. For this reason all the demigods, presiding deities of different planets, as well as the inhabitants of their planets, take great pleasure in offering all kinds of paraphernalia for His worship.
तं सर्वलोकामरयज्ञसङ्ग्रहं त्रयीमयं द्रव्यमयं तपोमयम् । यज्ञैर्विचित्रैर्यजतो भवाय ते राजन् स्वदेशाननुरोद्धुमर्हसि
taṃ sarvalokāmarayajñasaṅgrahaṃ trayīmayaṃ dravyamayaṃ tapomayam | yajñairvicitrairyajato bhavāya te rājan svadeśānanuroddhumarhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, along with the predominating deities, is the enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices in all planets. The Supreme Lord is the sum total of the three Vedas, the owner of everything, and the ultimate goal of all austerity. Therefore your countrymen should engage in performing various sacrifices for your elevation. Indeed, you should always direct them towards the offering of sacrifices.
यज्ञेन युष्मद्विषये द्विजातिभि- र्वितायमानेन सुराः कला हरेः । स्विष्टाः सुतुष्टाः प्रदिशन्ति वाञ्छितं तद्धेलनं नार्हसि वीर चेष्टितुम्
yajñena yuṣmadviṣaye dvijātibhi- rvitāyamānena surāḥ kalā hareḥ | sviṣṭāḥ sutuṣṭāḥ pradiśanti vāñchitaṃ taddhelanaṃ nārhasi vīra ceṣṭitum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When all the brāhmaṇas engage in performing sacrifices in your kingdom, all the demigods, who are plenary expansions of the Lord, will be very much satisfied by their activities and will give you your desired result. Therefore, O hero, do not stop the sacrificial performances. If you stop them, you will disrespect the demigods.
वेन उवाच । बालिशा बत यूयं वा अधर्मे धर्ममानिनः । ये वृत्तिदं पतिं हित्वा जारं पतिमुपासते
vena uvāca | bāliśā bata yūyaṃ vā adharme dharmamāninaḥ | ye vṛttidaṃ patiṃ hitvā jāraṃ patimupāsate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Vena replied: You are not at all experienced. It is very much regrettable that you are maintaining something which is not religious and are accepting it as religious. Indeed, I think you are giving up your real husband, who maintains you, and are searching after some paramour to worship.
अवजानन्त्यमी मूढा नृपरूपिणमीश्वरम् । नानुविन्दन्ति ते भद्रमिह लोके परत्र च
avajānantyamī mūḍhā nṛparūpiṇamīśvaram | nānuvindanti te bhadramiha loke paratra ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who, out of gross ignorance, do not worship the king, who is actually the Supreme Personality of Godhead, experience happiness neither in this world nor in the world after death.
को यज्ञपुरुषो नाम यत्र वो भक्तिरीदृशी । भर्तृस्नेहविदूराणां यथा जारे कुयोषिताम्
ko yajñapuruṣo nāma yatra vo bhaktirīdṛśī | bhartṛsnehavidūrāṇāṃ yathā jāre kuyoṣitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are so much devoted to the demigods, but who are they? Indeed, your affection for these demigods is exactly like the affection of an unchaste woman who neglects her married life and gives all attention to her paramour.
तस्मान्मां कर्मभिर्विप्रा यजध्वं गतमत्सराः । बलिं च मह्यं हरत मत्तोऽन्यः कोऽग्रभुक् पुमान्
tasmānmāṃ karmabhirviprā yajadhvaṃ gatamatsarāḥ | baliṃ ca mahyaṃ harata matto'nyaḥ ko'grabhuk pumān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Vena continued: For this reason, O brāhmaṇas, you should abandon your envy of me, and by your ritualistic activities you should worship me and offer me all paraphernalia. If you are intelligent, you should know that there is no personality superior to me who can accept the first oblations of all sacrifices.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इत्थं विपर्ययमतिः पापीयानुत्पथं गतः । अनुनीयमानस्तद्याच्ञां न चक्रे भ्रष्टमङ्गलः
maitreya uvāca | itthaṃ viparyayamatiḥ pāpīyānutpathaṃ gataḥ | anunīyamānastadyācñāṃ na cakre bhraṣṭamaṅgalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: Thus the King, who became unintelligent due to his sinful life and deviation from the right path, became actually bereft of all good fortune. He could not accept the requests of the great sages, which the sages put before him with great respect, and therefore he was condemned.
इति तेऽसत्कृतास्तेन द्विजाः पण्डितमानिना । भग्नायां भव्ययाच्ञायां तस्मै विदुर चुक्रुधुः
iti te'satkṛtāstena dvijāḥ paṇḍitamāninā | bhagnāyāṃ bhavyayācñāyāṃ tasmai vidura cukrudhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vidura, all good fortune unto you. The foolish King, who thought himself very learned, thus insulted the great sages, and the sages, being brokenhearted by the King’s words, became very angry at him.
हन्यतां हन्यतामेष पापः प्रकृतिदारुणः । जीवन् जगदसावाशु कुरुते भस्मसाद्ध्रुवम्
hanyatāṃ hanyatāmeṣa pāpaḥ prakṛtidāruṇaḥ | jīvan jagadasāvāśu kurute bhasmasāddhruvam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the great saintly sages immediately cried: Kill him! Kill him! He is the most dreadful, sinful person. If he lives, he will certainly turn the whole world into ashes in no time.
नायमर्हत्यसद्वृत्तो नरदेववरासनम् । योऽधियज्ञपतिं विष्णुं विनिन्दत्यनपत्रपः
nāyamarhatyasadvṛtto naradevavarāsanam | yo'dhiyajñapatiṃ viṣṇuṃ vinindatyanapatrapaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The saintly sages continued: This impious, impudent man does not deserve to sit on the throne at all. He is so shameless that he even dared insult the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu.
को वैनं परिचक्षीत वेनमेकमृतेऽशुभम् । प्राप्त ईदृशमैश्वर्यं यदनुग्रहभाजनः
ko vainaṃ paricakṣīta venamekamṛte'śubham | prāpta īdṛśamaiśvaryaṃ yadanugrahabhājanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But for King Vena, who is simply inauspicious, who would blaspheme the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whose mercy one is awarded all kinds of fortune and opulence?
इत्थं व्यवसिता हन्तुं ऋषयो रूढमन्यवः । निजघ्नुर्हुङ्कृतैर्वेनं हतमच्युतनिन्दया
itthaṃ vyavasitā hantuṃ ṛṣayo rūḍhamanyavaḥ | nijaghnurhuṅkṛtairvenaṃ hatamacyutanindayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sages, thus manifesting their covert anger, immediately decided to kill the King. King Vena was already as good as dead due to his blasphemy against the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus without using any weapons, the sages killed King Vena simply by high-sounding words.
ऋषिभिः स्वाश्रमपदं गते पुत्रकलेवरम् । सुनीथा पालयामास विद्यायोगेन शोचती
ṛṣibhiḥ svāśramapadaṃ gate putrakalevaram | sunīthā pālayāmāsa vidyāyogena śocatī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After all the sages returned to their respective hermitages, the mother of King Vena, Sunīthā, became very much aggrieved because of her son’s death. She decided to preserve the dead body of her son by the application of certain ingredients and by chanting mantras [mantra-yogena].
एकदा मुनयस्ते तु सरस्वत्सलिलाप्लुताः । हुत्वाग्नीन् सत्कथाश्चक्रुरुपविष्टाः सरित्तटे
ekadā munayaste tu sarasvatsalilāplutāḥ | hutvāgnīn satkathāścakrurupaviṣṭāḥ sarittaṭe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once upon a time, the same saintly persons, after taking their bath in the river Sarasvatī, began to perform their daily duties by offering oblations into the sacrificial fires. After this, sitting on the bank of the river, they began to talk about the transcendental person and His pastimes.
वीक्ष्योत्थितान्तदोत्पातानाहुर्लोकभयङ्करान् । अप्यभद्रमनाथाया दस्युभ्यो न भवेद्भुवः
vīkṣyotthitāntadotpātānāhurlokabhayaṅkarān | apyabhadramanāthāyā dasyubhyo na bhavedbhuvaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In those days there were various disturbances in the country that were creating a panic in society. Therefore all the sages began to talk amongst themselves: Since the King is dead and there is no protector in the world, misfortune may befall the people in general on account of rogues and thieves.
एवं मृशन्त ऋषयो धावतां सर्वतोदिशम् । पांसुः समुत्थितो भूरिश्चोराणामभिलुम्पताम्
evaṃ mṛśanta ṛṣayo dhāvatāṃ sarvatodiśam | pāṃsuḥ samutthito bhūriścorāṇāmabhilumpatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the great sages were carrying on their discussion in this way, they saw a dust storm arising from all directions. This storm was caused by the running of thieves and rogues, who were engaged in plundering the citizens.
ब्राह्मणः समदृक् शान्तो दीनानां समुपेक्षकः । स्रवते ब्रह्म तस्यापि भिन्नभाण्डात्पयो यथा
brāhmaṇaḥ samadṛk śānto dīnānāṃ samupekṣakaḥ | sravate brahma tasyāpi bhinnabhāṇḍātpayo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sages began to think that although a brāhmaṇa is peaceful and impartial because he is equal to everyone, it is still not his duty to neglect poor humans. By such neglect, a brāhmaṇa’s spiritual power diminishes, just as water kept in a cracked pot leaks out.
नाङ्गस्य वंशो राजर्षेरेष संस्थातुमर्हति । अमोघवीर्या हि नृपा वंशेऽस्मिन् केशवाश्रयाः
nāṅgasya vaṃśo rājarṣereṣa saṃsthātumarhati | amoghavīryā hi nṛpā vaṃśe'smin keśavāśrayāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sages decided that the descendants of the family of the saintly King Aṅga should not be stopped, for in this family the semen was very powerful and the children were prone to become devotees of the Lord.
विनिश्चित्यैवमृषयो विपन्नस्य महीपतेः । ममन्थुरूरुं तरसा तत्रासीद्बाहुको नरः
viniścityaivamṛṣayo vipannasya mahīpateḥ | mamanthurūruṃ tarasā tatrāsīdbāhuko naraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After making a decision, the saintly persons and sages churned the thighs of the dead body of King Vena with great force and according to a specific method. As a result of this churning, a dwarflike person was born from King Vena’s body.
काककृष्णोऽतिह्रस्वाङ्गो ह्रस्वबाहुर्महाहनुः । ह्रस्वपान्निम्ननासाग्रो रक्ताक्षस्ताम्रमूर्धजः
kākakṛṣṇo'tihrasvāṅgo hrasvabāhurmahāhanuḥ | hrasvapānnimnanāsāgro raktākṣastāmramūrdhajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This person born from King Vena’s thighs was named Bāhuka, and his complexion was as black as a crow’s. All the limbs of his body were very short, his arms and legs were short, and his jaws were large. His nose was flat, his eyes were reddish, and his hair copper-colored.
तं तु तेऽवनतं दीनं किं करोमीति वादिनम् । निषीदेत्यब्रुवंस्तात स निषादस्ततोऽभवत्
taṃ tu te'vanataṃ dīnaṃ kiṃ karomīti vādinam | niṣīdetyabruvaṃstāta sa niṣādastato'bhavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He was very submissive and meek, and immediately after his birth he bowed down and inquired, “Sirs, what shall I do?” The great sages replied, “Please sit down [niṣīda].” Thus Niṣāda, the father of the Naiṣāda race, was born.
तस्य वंश्यास्तु नैषादा गिरिकाननगोचराः । येनाहरज्जायमानो वेनकल्मषमुल्बणम्
tasya vaṃśyāstu naiṣādā girikānanagocarāḥ | yenāharajjāyamāno venakalmaṣamulbaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After his [Niṣāda’s] birth, he immediately took charge of all the resultant actions of King Vena’s sinful activities. As such, this Naiṣāda class are always engaged in sinful activities like stealing, plundering and hunting. Consequently they are only allowed to live in the hills and forests.
मैत्रेय उवाच । अथ तस्य पुनर्विप्रैरपुत्रस्य महीपतेः । बाहुभ्यां मथ्यमानाभ्यां मिथुनं समपद्यत
maitreya uvāca | atha tasya punarviprairaputrasya mahīpateḥ | bāhubhyāṃ mathyamānābhyāṃ mithunaṃ samapadyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, thus the brāhmaṇas and the great sages again churned the two arms of King Vena’s dead body. As a result a male and female couple came out of his arms.
तद्दृष्ट्वा मिथुनं जातं ऋषयो ब्रह्मवादिनः । ऊचुः परमसन्तुष्टा विदित्वा भगवत्कलाम्
taddṛṣṭvā mithunaṃ jātaṃ ṛṣayo brahmavādinaḥ | ūcuḥ paramasantuṣṭā viditvā bhagavatkalām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sages were highly learned in Vedic knowledge. When they saw the male and female born of the arms of Vena’s body, they were very pleased, for they could understand that the couple was an expansion of a plenary portion of Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
ऋषय ऊचुः । एष विष्णोर्भगवतः कला भुवनपालिनी । इयं च लक्ष्म्याः सम्भूतिः पुरुषस्यानपायिनी
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | eṣa viṣṇorbhagavataḥ kalā bhuvanapālinī | iyaṃ ca lakṣmyāḥ sambhūtiḥ puruṣasyānapāyinī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sages said: The male is a plenary expansion of the power of Lord Viṣṇu, who maintains the entire universe, and the female is a plenary expansion of the goddess of fortune, who is never separated from the Lord.
अयं तु प्रथमो राज्ञां पुमान् प्रथयिता यशः । पृथुर्नाम महाराजो भविष्यति पृथुश्रवाः
ayaṃ tu prathamo rājñāṃ pumān prathayitā yaśaḥ | pṛthurnāma mahārājo bhaviṣyati pṛthuśravāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Of the two, the male will be able to expand his reputation throughout the world. His name will be Pṛthu. Indeed, he will be the first among kings.
इयं च सुदती देवी गुणभूषणभूषणा । अर्चिर्नाम वरारोहा पृथुमेवावरुन्धती
iyaṃ ca sudatī devī guṇabhūṣaṇabhūṣaṇā | arcirnāma varārohā pṛthumevāvarundhatī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The female has such beautiful teeth and beautiful qualities that she will actually beautify the ornaments she wears. Her name will be Arci. In the future she will accept King Pṛthu as her husband.
एष साक्षाद्धरेरंशो जातो लोकरिरक्षया । इयं च तत्परा हि श्रीरनुजज्ञेऽनपायिनी
eṣa sākṣāddhareraṃśo jāto lokarirakṣayā | iyaṃ ca tatparā hi śrīranujajñe'napāyinī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the form of King Pṛthu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead has appeared through a part of His potency to protect the people of the world. The goddess of fortune is the constant companion of the Lord, and therefore she has incarnated partially as Arci to become King Pṛthu’s queen.
मैत्रेय उवाच । प्रशंसन्ति स्म तं विप्रा गन्धर्वप्रवरा जगुः । मुमुचुः सुमनोधाराः सिद्धा नृत्यन्ति स्वःस्त्रियः
maitreya uvāca | praśaṃsanti sma taṃ viprā gandharvapravarā jaguḥ | mumucuḥ sumanodhārāḥ siddhā nṛtyanti svaḥstriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidurajī, at that time all the brāhmaṇas highly praised and glorified King Pṛthu, and the best singers of Gandharvaloka chanted his glories. The inhabitants of Siddhaloka showered flowers, and the beautiful women in the heavenly planets danced in ecstasy.
शङ्खतूर्यमृदङ्गाद्या नेदुर्दुन्दुभयो दिवि । तत्र सर्व उपाजग्मुर्देवर्षिपितॄणां गणाः
śaṅkhatūryamṛdaṅgādyā nedurdundubhayo divi | tatra sarva upājagmurdevarṣipitṝṇāṃ gaṇāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Conchshells, bugles, drums and kettledrums vibrated in outer space. Great sages, forefathers and personalities from the heavenly planets all came to earth from various planetary systems.
तस्याभिषेक आरब्धो ब्राह्मणैर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः । आभिषेचनिकान्यस्मै आजह्रुः सर्वतो जनाः
tasyābhiṣeka ārabdho brāhmaṇairbrahmavādibhiḥ | ābhiṣecanikānyasmai ājahruḥ sarvato janāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The learned brāhmaṇas, who were very attached to the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies, then arranged for the King’s coronation. People from all directions collected all the different paraphernalia for the ceremony. Thus everything was complete.
सरित्समुद्रा गिरयो नागा गावः खगा मृगाः । द्यौः क्षितिः सर्वभूतानि समाजह्रुरुपायनम्
saritsamudrā girayo nāgā gāvaḥ khagā mṛgāḥ | dyauḥ kṣitiḥ sarvabhūtāni samājahrurupāyanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the rivers, seas, hills, mountains, serpents, cows, birds, animals, heavenly planets, the earthly planet and all other living entities collected various presentations, according to their ability, to offer the King.
सोऽभिषिक्तो महाराजः सुवासाः साध्वलङ्कृतः । पत्न्यार्चिषालङ्कृतया विरेजेऽग्निरिवापरः
so'bhiṣikto mahārājaḥ suvāsāḥ sādhvalaṅkṛtaḥ | patnyārciṣālaṅkṛtayā vireje'gnirivāparaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the great King Pṛthu, exquisitely dressed with garments and ornaments, was coronated and placed on the throne. The King and his wife, Arci, who was also exquisitely ornamented, appeared exactly like fire.
तस्मै जहार धनदो हैमं वीरवरासनम् । वरुणः सलिलस्रावमातपत्रं शशिप्रभम्
tasmai jahāra dhanado haimaṃ vīravarāsanam | varuṇaḥ salilasrāvamātapatraṃ śaśiprabham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage continued: My dear Vidura, Kuvera presented the great King Pṛthu with a golden throne. The demigod Varuṇa presented him with an umbrella that constantly sprayed fine particles of water and was as brilliant as the moon.
वायुश्च वालव्यजने धर्मः कीर्तिमयीं स्रजम् । इन्द्रः किरीटमुत्कृष्टं दण्डं संयमनं यमः
vāyuśca vālavyajane dharmaḥ kīrtimayīṃ srajam | indraḥ kirīṭamutkṛṣṭaṃ daṇḍaṃ saṃyamanaṃ yamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigod of air, Vāyu, presented King Pṛthu with two whisks [cāmaras] of hair; the King of religion, Dharma, presented him with a flower garland which would expand his fame; the King of heaven, Indra, presented him with a valuable helmet; and the superintendent of death, Yamarāja, presented him with a scepter with which to rule the world.
ब्रह्मा ब्रह्ममयं वर्म भारती हारमुत्तमम् । हरिः सुदर्शनं चक्रं तत्पत्न्यव्याहतां श्रियम्
brahmā brahmamayaṃ varma bhāratī hāramuttamam | hariḥ sudarśanaṃ cakraṃ tatpatnyavyāhatāṃ śriyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā presented King Pṛthu with a protective garment made of spiritual knowledge. Bhāratī [Sarasvatī], the wife of Brahmā, gave him a transcendental necklace. Lord Viṣṇu presented him with a Sudarśana disc, and Lord Viṣṇu’s wife, the goddess of fortune, gave him imperishable opulences.
दशचन्द्रमसिं रुद्रः शतचन्द्रं तथाम्बिका । सोमोऽमृतमयानश्वांस्त्वष्टा रूपाश्रयं रथम्
daśacandramasiṃ rudraḥ śatacandraṃ tathāmbikā | somo'mṛtamayānaśvāṃstvaṣṭā rūpāśrayaṃ ratham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva presented him with a sword within a sheath marked with ten moons, and his wife, the goddess Durgā, presented him with a shield marked with one hundred moons. The moon-demigod presented him with horses made of nectar, and the demigod Viśvakarmā presented him with a very beautiful chariot.
अग्निराजगवं चापं सूर्यो रश्मिमयानिषून् । भूः पादुके योगमय्यौ द्यौः पुष्पावलिमन्वहम्
agnirājagavaṃ cāpaṃ sūryo raśmimayāniṣūn | bhūḥ pāduke yogamayyau dyauḥ puṣpāvalimanvaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigod of fire, Agni, presented him with a bow made of the horns of goats and cows. The sun-god presented him with arrows as brilliant as sunshine. The predominating deity of Bhūrloka presented him with slippers full of mystic power. The demigods from outer space brought him presentations of flowers again and again.
नाट्यं सुगीतं वादित्रमन्तर्धानं च खेचराः । ऋषयश्चाशिषः सत्याः समुद्रः शङ्खमात्मजम्
nāṭyaṃ sugītaṃ vāditramantardhānaṃ ca khecarāḥ | ṛṣayaścāśiṣaḥ satyāḥ samudraḥ śaṅkhamātmajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods who always travel in outer space gave King Pṛthu the arts to perform dramas, sing songs, play musical instruments and disappear at his will. The great sages also offered him infallible blessings. The ocean offered him a conchshell produced from the ocean.
सिन्धवः पर्वता नद्यो रथवीथीर्महात्मनः । सूतोऽथ मागधो वन्दी तं स्तोतुमुपतस्थिरे
sindhavaḥ parvatā nadyo rathavīthīrmahātmanaḥ | sūto'tha māgadho vandī taṃ stotumupatasthire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The seas, mountains and rivers gave him room to drive his chariot without impediments, and a sūta, a māgadha and a vandī offered prayers and praises. They all presented themselves before him to perform their respective duties.
स्तावकांस्तानभिप्रेत्य पृथुर्वैन्यः प्रतापवान् । मेघनिर्ह्रादया वाचा प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत्
stāvakāṃstānabhipretya pṛthurvainyaḥ pratāpavān | meghanirhrādayā vācā prahasannidamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus when the greatly powerful King Pṛthu, the son of Vena, saw the professionals before him, to congratulate them he smiled, and with the gravity of the vibrating sounds of clouds he spoke as follows.
पृथुरुवाच । भोः सूत हे मागध सौम्य वन्दिन् लोकेऽधुनास्पष्टगुणस्य मे स्यात् । किमाश्रयो मे स्तव एष योज्यतां मा मय्यभूवन् वितथा गिरो वः
pṛthuruvāca | bhoḥ sūta he māgadha saumya vandin loke'dhunāspaṣṭaguṇasya me syāt | kimāśrayo me stava eṣa yojyatāṃ mā mayyabhūvan vitathā giro vaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu said: O gentle sūta, māgadha and other devotee offering prayers, the qualities of which you have spoken are not distinct in me. Why then should you praise me for all these qualities when I do not shelter these features? I do not wish for these words meant for me to go in vain, but it is better that they be offered to someone else.
तस्मात्परोक्षेऽस्मदुपश्रुतान्यलं करिष्यथ स्तोत्रमपीच्यवाचः । सत्युत्तमश्लोकगुणानुवादे जुगुप्सितं न स्तवयन्ति सभ्याः
tasmātparokṣe'smadupaśrutānyalaṃ kariṣyatha stotramapīcyavācaḥ | satyuttamaślokaguṇānuvāde jugupsitaṃ na stavayanti sabhyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O gentle reciters, offer such prayers in due course of time, when the qualities of which you have spoken actually manifest themselves in me. The gentle who offer prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead do not attribute such qualities to a human being, who does not actually have them.
महद्गुणानात्मनि कर्तुमीशः कः स्तावकैः स्तावयतेऽसतोऽपि । तेऽस्याभविष्यन्निति विप्रलब्धो जनावहासं कुमतिर्न वेद
mahadguṇānātmani kartumīśaḥ kaḥ stāvakaiḥ stāvayate'sato'pi | te'syābhaviṣyanniti vipralabdho janāvahāsaṃ kumatirna veda
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How could an intelligent man competent enough to possess such exalted qualities allow his followers to praise him if he did not actually have them? Praising a man by saying that if he were educated he might have become a great scholar or great personality is nothing but a process of cheating. A foolish person who agrees to accept such praise does not know that such words simply insult him.
प्रभवो ह्यात्मनः स्तोत्रं जुगुप्सन्त्यपि विश्रुताः । ह्रीमन्तः परमोदाराः पौरुषं वा विगर्हितम्
prabhavo hyātmanaḥ stotraṃ jugupsantyapi viśrutāḥ | hrīmantaḥ paramodārāḥ pauruṣaṃ vā vigarhitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a person with a sense of honor and magnanimity does not like to hear about his abominable actions, a person who is very famous and powerful does not like to hear himself praised.
वयं त्वविदिता लोके सूताद्यापि वरीमभिः । कर्मभिः कथमात्मानं गापयिष्याम बालवत्
vayaṃ tvaviditā loke sūtādyāpi varīmabhiḥ | karmabhiḥ kathamātmānaṃ gāpayiṣyāma bālavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu continued: My dear devotees, headed by the sūta, just now I am not very famous for my personal activities because I have not done anything praiseworthy you could glorify. Therefore how could I engage you in praising my activities exactly like children?
मैत्रेय उवाच । इति ब्रुवाणं नृपतिं गायका मुनिचोदिताः । तुष्टुवुस्तुष्टमनसस्तद्वागमृतसेवया
maitreya uvāca | iti bruvāṇaṃ nṛpatiṃ gāyakā municoditāḥ | tuṣṭuvustuṣṭamanasastadvāgamṛtasevayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: While King Pṛthu thus spoke, the humility of his nectarean speeches pleased the reciters very much. Then again they continued to praise the King highly with exalted prayers, as they had been instructed by the great sages.
नालं वयं ते महिमानुवर्णने यो देववर्योऽवततार मायया । वेनाङ्गजातस्य च पौरुषाणि ते वाचस्पतीनामपि बभ्रमुर्धियः
nālaṃ vayaṃ te mahimānuvarṇane yo devavaryo'vatatāra māyayā | venāṅgajātasya ca pauruṣāṇi te vācaspatīnāmapi babhramurdhiyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The reciters continued: Dear King, you are a direct incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, and by His causeless mercy you have descended to this earth. Therefore it is not possible for us to actually glorify your exalted activities. Although you have appeared through the body of King Vena, even great orators and speakers like Lord Brahmā and other demigods cannot exactly describe the glorious activities of Your Lordship.
अथाप्युदारश्रवसः पृथोर्हरेः कलावतारस्य कथामृतादृताः । यथोपदेशं मुनिभिः प्रचोदिताः श्लाघ्यानि कर्माणि वयं वितन्महि
athāpyudāraśravasaḥ pṛthorhareḥ kalāvatārasya kathāmṛtādṛtāḥ | yathopadeśaṃ munibhiḥ pracoditāḥ ślāghyāni karmāṇi vayaṃ vitanmahi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although we are unable to glorify you adequately, we nonetheless have a transcendental taste for glorifying your activities. We shall try to glorify you according to the instructions received from authoritative sages and scholars. Whatever we speak, however, is always inadequate and very insignificant. Dear King, because you are a direct incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all your activities are liberal and ever laudable.
एष धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठो लोकं धर्मेऽनुवर्तयन् । गोप्ता च धर्मसेतूनां शास्ता तत्परिपन्थिनाम्
eṣa dharmabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭho lokaṃ dharme'nuvartayan | goptā ca dharmasetūnāṃ śāstā tatparipanthinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This King, Mahārāja Pṛthu, is the best amongst those who are following religious principles. As such, he will engage everyone in the pursuit of religious principles and give those principles all protection. He will also be a great chastiser to the irreligious and atheistic.
एष वै लोकपालानां बिभर्त्येकस्तनौ तनूः । काले काले यथा भागं लोकयोरुभयोर्हितम्
eṣa vai lokapālānāṃ bibhartyekastanau tanūḥ | kāle kāle yathā bhāgaṃ lokayorubhayorhitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This King alone, in his own body, will be able in due course of time to maintain all living entities and keep them in a pleasant condition by manifesting himself as different demigods to perform various departmental activities. Thus he will maintain the upper planetary system by inducing the populace to perform Vedic sacrifices. In due course of time he will also maintain this earthly planet by discharging proper rainfall.
वसु काल उपादत्ते काले चायं विमुञ्चति । समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु प्रतपन् सूर्यवद्विभुः
vasu kāla upādatte kāle cāyaṃ vimuñcati | samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu pratapan sūryavadvibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This King Pṛthu will be as powerful as the sun-god, and just as the sun-god equally distributes his sunshine to everyone, King Pṛthu will distribute his mercy equally. Similarly, just as the sun-god evaporates water for eight months and, during the rainy season, returns it profusely, this King will also exact taxes from the citizens and return these monies in times of need.
तितिक्षत्यक्रमं वैन्य उपर्याक्रमतामपि । भूतानां करुणः शश्वदार्तानां क्षितिवृत्तिमान्
titikṣatyakramaṃ vainya uparyākramatāmapi | bhūtānāṃ karuṇaḥ śaśvadārtānāṃ kṣitivṛttimān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This King Pṛthu will be very, very kind to all citizens. Even though a poor person may trample over the King’s head by violating the rules and regulations, the King, out of his causeless mercy, will be forgetful and forgiving. As a protector of the world, he will be as tolerant as the earth itself.
देवेऽवर्षत्यसौ देवो नरदेववपुर्हरिः । कृच्छ्रप्राणाः प्रजा ह्येष रक्षिष्यत्यञ्जसेन्द्रवत्
deve'varṣatyasau devo naradevavapurhariḥ | kṛcchraprāṇāḥ prajā hyeṣa rakṣiṣyatyañjasendravat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When there is no rainfall and the citizens are in great danger due to the scarcity of water, this royal Personality of Godhead will be able to supply rains exactly like the heavenly King Indra. Thus he will very easily be able to protect the citizens from drought.
आप्याययत्यसौ लोकं वदनामृतमूर्तिना । सानुरागावलोकेन विशदस्मितचारुणा
āpyāyayatyasau lokaṃ vadanāmṛtamūrtinā | sānurāgāvalokena viśadasmitacāruṇā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This King, Pṛthu Mahārāja, by virtue of his affectionate glances and beautiful moonlike face, which is always smiling with great affection for the citizens, will enhance everyone’s peaceful life.
अव्यक्तवर्त्मैष निगूढकार्यो गम्भीरवेधा उपगुप्तवित्तः । अनन्तमाहात्म्यगुणैकधामा पृथुः प्रचेता इव संवृतात्मा
avyaktavartmaiṣa nigūḍhakāryo gambhīravedhā upaguptavittaḥ | anantamāhātmyaguṇaikadhāmā pṛthuḥ pracetā iva saṃvṛtātmā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The reciters continued: No one will be able to understand the policies the King will follow. His activities will also be very confidential, and it will not be possible for anyone to know how he will make every activity successful. His treasury will always remain unknown to everyone. He will be the reservoir of unlimited glories and good qualities, and his position will be maintained and covered just as Varuṇa, the deity of the seas, is covered all around by water.
दुरासदो दुर्विषह आसन्नोऽपि विदूरवत् । नैवाभिभवितुं शक्यो वेनारण्युत्थितोऽनलः
durāsado durviṣaha āsanno'pi vidūravat | naivābhibhavituṃ śakyo venāraṇyutthito'nalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu was born of the dead body of King Vena as fire is produced from araṇi wood. Thus King Pṛthu will always remain just like fire, and his enemies will not be able to approach him. Indeed, he will be unbearable to his enemies, for although staying very near him, they will never be able to approach him but will have to remain as if far away. No one will be able to overcome the strength of King Pṛthu.
अन्तर्बहिश्च भूतानां पश्यन् कर्माणि चारणैः । उदासीन इवाध्यक्षो वायुरात्मेव देहिनाम्
antarbahiśca bhūtānāṃ paśyan karmāṇi cāraṇaiḥ | udāsīna ivādhyakṣo vāyurātmeva dehinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu will be able to see all the internal and external activities of every one of his citizens. Still, no one will be able to know his system of espionage, and he himself will remain neutral regarding all matters of glorification or vilification paid to him. He will be exactly like air, the life force within the body, which is exhibited internally and externally but is always neutral to all affairs.
नादण्ड्यं दण्डयत्येष सुतमात्मद्विषामपि । दण्डयत्यात्मजमपि दण्ड्यं धर्मपथे स्थितः
nādaṇḍyaṃ daṇḍayatyeṣa sutamātmadviṣāmapi | daṇḍayatyātmajamapi daṇḍyaṃ dharmapathe sthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since this King will always remain on the path of piety, he will be neutral to both his son and the son of his enemy. If the son of his enemy is not punishable, he will not punish him, but if his own son is punishable, he will immediately punish him.
अस्याप्रतिहतं चक्रं पृथोरामानसाचलात् । वर्तते भगवानर्को यावत्तपति गोगणैः
asyāpratihataṃ cakraṃ pṛthorāmānasācalāt | vartate bhagavānarko yāvattapati gogaṇaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as the sun-god expands his shining rays up to the Arctic region without impedance, the influence of King Pṛthu will cover all tracts of land up to the Arctic region and will remain undisturbed as long as he lives.
रञ्जयिष्यति यल्लोकमयमात्मविचेष्टितैः । अथामुमाहू राजानं मनोरञ्जनकैः प्रजाः
rañjayiṣyati yallokamayamātmaviceṣṭitaiḥ | athāmumāhū rājānaṃ manorañjanakaiḥ prajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This King will please everyone by his practical activities, and all of his citizens will remain very satisfied. Because of this the citizens will take great satisfaction in accepting him as their ruling king.
दृढव्रतः सत्यसन्धो ब्रह्मण्यो वृद्धसेवकः । शरण्यः सर्वभूतानां मानदो दीनवत्सलः
dṛḍhavrataḥ satyasandho brahmaṇyo vṛddhasevakaḥ | śaraṇyaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ mānado dīnavatsalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King will be firmly determined and always situated in truth. He will be a lover of the brahminical culture and will render all service to old men and give shelter to all surrendered souls. Giving respect to all, he will always be merciful to the poor and innocent.
मातृभक्तिः परस्त्रीषु पत्न्यामर्ध इवात्मनः । प्रजासु पितृवत्स्निग्धः किङ्करो ब्रह्मवादिनाम्
mātṛbhaktiḥ parastrīṣu patnyāmardha ivātmanaḥ | prajāsu pitṛvatsnigdhaḥ kiṅkaro brahmavādinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King will respect all women as if they were his own mother, and he will treat his own wife as the other half of his body. He will be just like an affectionate father to his citizens, and he will treat himself as the most obedient servant of the devotees, who always preach the glories of the Lord.
देहिनामात्मवत्प्रेष्ठः सुहृदां नन्दिवर्धनः । मुक्तसङ्गप्रसङ्गोऽयं दण्डपाणिरसाधुषु
dehināmātmavatpreṣṭhaḥ suhṛdāṃ nandivardhanaḥ | muktasaṅgaprasaṅgo'yaṃ daṇḍapāṇirasādhuṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King will consider all embodied living entities as dear as his own self, and he will always be increasing the pleasures of his friends. He will intimately associate with liberated persons, and he will be a chastising hand to all impious persons.
अयं तु साक्षाद्भगवांस्त्र्यधीशः कूटस्थ आत्मा कलयावतीर्णः । यस्मिन्नविद्यारचितं निरर्थकं पश्यन्ति नानात्वमपि प्रतीतम्
ayaṃ tu sākṣādbhagavāṃstryadhīśaḥ kūṭastha ātmā kalayāvatīrṇaḥ | yasminnavidyāracitaṃ nirarthakaṃ paśyanti nānātvamapi pratītam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This King is the master of the three worlds, and he is directly empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is without change, and he is an incarnation of the Supreme known as a śaktyāveśa-avatāra. Being a liberated soul and completely learned, he sees all material varieties as meaningless because their basic principle is nescience.
अयं भुवो मण्डलमोदयाद्रे- र्गोप्तैकवीरो नरदेवनाथः । आस्थाय जैत्रं रथमात्तचापः पर्यस्यते दक्षिणतो यथार्कः
ayaṃ bhuvo maṇḍalamodayādre- rgoptaikavīro naradevanāthaḥ | āsthāya jaitraṃ rathamāttacāpaḥ paryasyate dakṣiṇato yathārkaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This King, being uniquely powerful and heroic, will have no competitor. He will travel around the globe on his victorious chariot, holding his invincible bow in his hand and appearing exactly like the sun, which rotates in its own orbit from the south.
अस्मै नृपालाः किल तत्र तत्र बलिं हरिष्यन्ति सलोकपालाः । मंस्यन्त एषां स्त्रिय आदिराजं चक्रायुधं तद्यश उद्धरन्त्यः
asmai nṛpālāḥ kila tatra tatra baliṃ hariṣyanti salokapālāḥ | maṃsyanta eṣāṃ striya ādirājaṃ cakrāyudhaṃ tadyaśa uddharantyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the King travels all over the world, other kings, as well as the demigods, will offer him all kinds of presentations. Their queens will also consider him the original king, who carries in His hands the emblems of club and disc, and will sing of his fame, for he will be as reputable as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
अयं महीं गां दुदुहेऽधिराजः प्रजापतिर्वृत्तिकरः प्रजानाम् । यो लीलयाद्रीन् स्वशरासकोट्या भिन्दन् समां गामकरोद्यथेन्द्रः
ayaṃ mahīṃ gāṃ duduhe'dhirājaḥ prajāpatirvṛttikaraḥ prajānām | yo līlayādrīn svaśarāsakoṭyā bhindan samāṃ gāmakarodyathendraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This King, this protector of the citizens, is an extraordinary king and is equal to the Prajāpati demigods. For the living facility of all citizens, he will milk the earth, which is like a cow. Not only that, but he will level the surface of the earth with the pointed ends of his bow, breaking all the hills exactly as King Indra, the heavenly King, breaks mountains with his powerful thunderbolt.
विस्फूर्जयन्नाजगवं धनुः स्वयं यदाचरत्क्ष्मामविषह्यमाजौ । तदा निलिल्युर्दिशि दिश्यसन्तो लाङ्गूलमुद्यम्य यथा मृगेन्द्रः
visphūrjayannājagavaṃ dhanuḥ svayaṃ yadācaratkṣmāmaviṣahyamājau | tadā nililyurdiśi diśyasanto lāṅgūlamudyamya yathā mṛgendraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the lion travels in the forest with its tail turned upward, all menial animals hide themselves. Similarly, when King Pṛthu will travel over his kingdom and vibrate the string of his bow, which is made of the horns of goats and bulls and is irresistible in battle, all demoniac rogues and thieves will hide themselves in all directions.
एषोऽश्वमेधाञ्शतमाजहार सरस्वती प्रादुरभावि यत्र । अहार्षीद्यस्य हयं पुरन्दरः शतक्रतुश्चरमे वर्तमाने
eṣo'śvamedhāñśatamājahāra sarasvatī prādurabhāvi yatra | ahārṣīdyasya hayaṃ purandaraḥ śatakratuścarame vartamāne
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the source of the river Sarasvatī, this King will perform one hundred sacrifices known as aśvamedha. In the course of the last sacrifice, the heavenly King Indra will steal the sacrificial horse.
एष स्वसद्मोपवने समेत्य सनत्कुमारं भगवन्तमेकम् । आराध्य भक्त्यालभतामलं तत् ज्ञानं यतो ब्रह्म परं विदन्ति
eṣa svasadmopavane sametya sanatkumāraṃ bhagavantamekam | ārādhya bhaktyālabhatāmalaṃ tat jñānaṃ yato brahma paraṃ vidanti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This King Pṛthu will meet Sanat-kumāra, one of the four Kumāras, in the garden of his palace compound. The King will worship him with devotion and will be fortunate to receive instructions by which one can enjoy transcendental bliss.
तत्र तत्र गिरस्तास्ता इति विश्रुतविक्रमः । श्रोष्यत्यात्माश्रिता गाथाः पृथुः पृथुपराक्रमः
tatra tatra girastāstā iti viśrutavikramaḥ | śroṣyatyātmāśritā gāthāḥ pṛthuḥ pṛthuparākramaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way, when the chivalrous activities of King Pṛthu come to be known to the people in general, King Pṛthu will always hear about himself and his uniquely powerful activities.
दिशो विजित्याप्रतिरुद्धचक्रः स्वतेजसोत्पाटितलोकशल्यः । सुरासुरेन्द्रैरुपगीयमान- महानुभावो भविता पतिर्भुवः
diśo vijityāpratiruddhacakraḥ svatejasotpāṭitalokaśalyaḥ | surāsurendrairupagīyamāna- mahānubhāvo bhavitā patirbhuvaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
No one will be able to disobey the orders of Pṛthu Mahārāja. After conquering the world, he will completely eradicate the threefold miseries of the citizens. Then he will be recognized all over the world. At that time both the suras and the asuras will undoubtedly glorify his magnanimous activities.
मैत्रेय उवाच । एवं स भगवान् वैन्यः ख्यापितो गुणकर्मभिः । छन्दयामास तान् कामैः प्रतिपूज्याभिनन्द्य च
maitreya uvāca | evaṃ sa bhagavān vainyaḥ khyāpito guṇakarmabhiḥ | chandayāmāsa tān kāmaiḥ pratipūjyābhinandya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: In this way the reciters who were glorifying Mahārāja Pṛthu readily described his qualities and chivalrous activities. At the end, Mahārāja Pṛthu offered them various presentations with all due respect and worshiped them adequately.
ब्राह्मणप्रमुखान् वर्णान् भृत्यामात्यपुरोधसः । पौरान् जानपदान् श्रेणीः प्रकृतीः समपूजयत्
brāhmaṇapramukhān varṇān bhṛtyāmātyapurodhasaḥ | paurān jānapadān śreṇīḥ prakṛtīḥ samapūjayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu thus satisfied and offered all respect to all the leaders of the brāhmaṇas and other castes, to his servants, to his ministers and to the priests, citizens, general countrymen, people from other communities, admirers and others, and thus they all became happy.
विदुर उवाच । कस्माद्दधार गोरूपं धरित्री बहुरूपिणी । यां दुदोह पृथुस्तत्र को वत्सो दोहनं च किम्
vidura uvāca | kasmāddadhāra gorūpaṃ dharitrī bahurūpiṇī | yāṃ dudoha pṛthustatra ko vatso dohanaṃ ca kim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vidura inquired from the great sage Maitreya: My dear brāhmaṇa, since mother earth can appear in different shapes, why did she take the shape of a cow? And when King Pṛthu milked her, who became the calf, and what was the milking pot?
प्रकृत्या विषमा देवी कृता तेन समा कथम् । तस्य मेध्यं हयं देवः कस्य हेतोरपाहरत्
prakṛtyā viṣamā devī kṛtā tena samā katham | tasya medhyaṃ hayaṃ devaḥ kasya hetorapāharat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The surface of the earth is by nature low in some places and high in others. How did King Pṛthu level the surface of the earth, and why did the King of heaven, Indra, steal the horse meant for the sacrifice?
सनत्कुमाराद्भगवतो ब्रह्मन् ब्रह्मविदुत्तमात् । लब्ध्वा ज्ञानं सविज्ञानं राजर्षिः कां गतिं गतः
sanatkumārādbhagavato brahman brahmaviduttamāt | labdhvā jñānaṃ savijñānaṃ rājarṣiḥ kāṃ gatiṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great saintly King, Mahārāja Pṛthu, received knowledge from Sanat-kumāra, who was the greatest Vedic scholar. After receiving knowledge to be applied practically in his life, how did the saintly King attain his desired destination?
सूत उवाच । चोदितो विदुरेणैवं वासुदेवकथां प्रति । प्रशस्य तं प्रीतमना मैत्रेयः प्रत्यभाषत
sūta uvāca | codito vidureṇaivaṃ vāsudevakathāṃ prati | praśasya taṃ prītamanā maitreyaḥ pratyabhāṣata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī continued: When Vidura became inspired to hear of the activities of Lord Kṛṣṇa in His various incarnations, Maitreya, also being inspired and being very pleased with Vidura, began to praise him. Then Maitreya spoke as follows.
मैत्रेय उवाच । यदाभिषिक्तः पृथुरङ्ग विप्रै- रामन्त्रितो जनतायाश्च पालः । प्रजा निरन्ने क्षितिपृष्ठ एत्य क्षुत्क्षामदेहाः पतिमभ्यवोचन्
maitreya uvāca | yadābhiṣiktaḥ pṛthuraṅga viprai- rāmantrito janatāyāśca pālaḥ | prajā niranne kṣitipṛṣṭha etya kṣutkṣāmadehāḥ patimabhyavocan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, at the time King Pṛthu was enthroned by the great sages and brāhmaṇas and declared to be the protector of the citizens, there was a scarcity of food grains. The citizens actually became skinny due to starvation. Therefore they came before the King and informed him of their real situation.
मैत्रेय उवाच । पृथुः प्रजानां करुणं निशम्य परिदेवितम् । दीर्घं दध्यौ कुरुश्रेष्ठ निमित्तं सोऽन्वपद्यत
maitreya uvāca | pṛthuḥ prajānāṃ karuṇaṃ niśamya paridevitam | dīrghaṃ dadhyau kuruśreṣṭha nimittaṃ so'nvapadyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After hearing this lamentation and seeing the pitiable condition of the citizens, King Pṛthu contemplated this matter for a long time to see if he could find out the underlying causes.
इति व्यवसितो बुद्ध्या प्रगृहीतशरासनः । सन्दधे विशिखं भूमेः क्रुद्धस्त्रिपुरहा यथा
iti vyavasito buddhyā pragṛhītaśarāsanaḥ | sandadhe viśikhaṃ bhūmeḥ kruddhastripurahā yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having arrived at a conclusion, the King took up his bow and arrow and aimed them at the earth, exactly like Lord Śiva, who destroys the whole world out of anger.
प्रवेपमाना धरणी निशाम्योदायुधं च तम् । गौः सत्यपाद्रवद्भीता मृगीव मृगयुद्रुता
pravepamānā dharaṇī niśāmyodāyudhaṃ ca tam | gauḥ satyapādravadbhītā mṛgīva mṛgayudrutā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the earth saw that King Pṛthu was taking his bow and arrow to kill her, she became very much afraid and began to tremble. She then began to flee, exactly like a deer, which runs very swiftly when followed by a hunter. Being afraid of King Pṛthu, she took the shape of a cow and began to run.
तामन्वधावत्तद्वैन्यः कुपितोऽत्यरुणेक्षणः । शरं धनुषि सन्धाय यत्र यत्र पलायते
tāmanvadhāvattadvainyaḥ kupito'tyaruṇekṣaṇaḥ | śaraṃ dhanuṣi sandhāya yatra yatra palāyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing this, Mahārāja Pṛthu became very angry, and his eyes became as red as the early-morning sun. Placing an arrow on his bow, he chased the cow-shaped earth wherever she would run.
सा दिशो विदिशो देवी रोदसी चान्तरं तयोः । धावन्ती तत्र तत्रैनं ददर्शानूद्यतायुधम्
sā diśo vidiśo devī rodasī cāntaraṃ tayoḥ | dhāvantī tatra tatrainaṃ dadarśānūdyatāyudham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cow-shaped earth ran here and there in outer space between the heavenly planets and the earth, and wherever she ran, the King chased her with his bow and arrows.
लोके नाविन्दत त्राणं वैन्यान्मृत्योरिव प्रजाः । त्रस्ता तदा निववृते हृदयेन विदूयता
loke nāvindata trāṇaṃ vainyānmṛtyoriva prajāḥ | trastā tadā nivavṛte hṛdayena vidūyatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as a man cannot escape the cruel hands of death, the cow-shaped earth could not escape the hands of the son of Vena. At length the earth, fearful, her heart aggrieved, turned back in helplessness.
उवाच च महाभागं धर्मज्ञाऽऽपन्नवत्सल । त्राहि मामपि भूतानां पालनेऽवस्थितो भवान्
uvāca ca mahābhāgaṃ dharmajñā''pannavatsala | trāhi māmapi bhūtānāṃ pālane'vasthito bhavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Addressing the great, opulent King Pṛthu as the knower of religious principles and shelter of the surrendered, she said: Please save me. You are the protector of all living entities. Now you are situated as the King of this planet.
स त्वं जिघांससे कस्माद्दीनामकृतकिल्बिषाम् । अहनिष्यत्कथं योषां धर्मज्ञ इति यो मतः
sa tvaṃ jighāṃsase kasmāddīnāmakṛtakilbiṣām | ahaniṣyatkathaṃ yoṣāṃ dharmajña iti yo mataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cow-shaped earth continued to appeal to the King: I am very poor and have not committed any sinful activities. I do not know why you want to kill me. Since you are supposed to be the knower of all religious principles, why are you so envious of me, and why are you so anxious to kill a woman?
प्रहरन्ति न वै स्त्रीषु कृतागःस्वपि जन्तवः । किमुत त्वद्विधा राजन् करुणा दीनवत्सलाः
praharanti na vai strīṣu kṛtāgaḥsvapi jantavaḥ | kimuta tvadvidhā rājan karuṇā dīnavatsalāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even if a woman does commit some sinful activity, no one should place his hand upon her. And what to speak of you, dear King, who are so merciful. You are a protector, and you are affectionate to the poor.
मां विपाट्याजरां नावं यत्र विश्वं प्रतिष्ठितम् । आत्मानं च प्रजाश्चेमाः कथमम्भसि धास्यसि
māṃ vipāṭyājarāṃ nāvaṃ yatra viśvaṃ pratiṣṭhitam | ātmānaṃ ca prajāścemāḥ kathamambhasi dhāsyasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cow-shaped earth continued: My dear King, I am just like a strong boat, and all the paraphernalia of the world is standing upon me. If you break me to pieces, how can you protect yourself and your subjects from drowning?
पृथुरुवाच । वसुधे त्वां वधिष्यामि मच्छासनपराङ्मुखीम् । भागं बर्हिषि या वृङ्क्ते न तनोति च नो वसु
pṛthuruvāca | vasudhe tvāṃ vadhiṣyāmi macchāsanaparāṅmukhīm | bhāgaṃ barhiṣi yā vṛṅkte na tanoti ca no vasu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu replied to the earthly planet: My dear earth, you have disobeyed my orders and rulings. In the form of a demigod you accepted your share of the yajñas we performed, but in return you have not produced sufficient food grains. For this reason I must kill you.
यवसं जग्ध्यनुदिनं नैव दोग्ध्यौधसं पयः । तस्यामेवं हि दुष्टायां दण्डो नात्र न शस्यते
yavasaṃ jagdhyanudinaṃ naiva dogdhyaudhasaṃ payaḥ | tasyāmevaṃ hi duṣṭāyāṃ daṇḍo nātra na śasyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although you are eating green grass every day, you are not filling your milk bag so we can utilize your milk. Since you are willfully committing offenses, it cannot be said that you are not punishable due to your assuming the form of a cow.
त्वं खल्वोषधिबीजानि प्राक्सृष्टानि स्वयम्भुवा । न मुञ्चस्यात्मरुद्धानि मामवज्ञाय मन्दधीः
tvaṃ khalvoṣadhibījāni prāksṛṣṭāni svayambhuvā | na muñcasyātmaruddhāni māmavajñāya mandadhīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You have so lost your intelligence that, despite my orders, you do not deliver the seeds of herbs and grains formerly created by Brahmā and now hidden within yourself.
अमूषां क्षुत्परीतानामार्तानां परिदेवितम् । शमयिष्यामि मद्बाणैर्भिन्नायास्तव मेदसा
amūṣāṃ kṣutparītānāmārtānāṃ paridevitam | śamayiṣyāmi madbāṇairbhinnāyāstava medasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now, with the help of my arrows, I shall cut you to pieces and with your flesh satisfy the hunger-stricken citizens, who are now crying for want of grains. Thus I shall satisfy the crying citizens of my kingdom.
पुमान् योषिदुत क्लीब आत्मसम्भावनोऽधमः । भूतेषु निरनुक्रोशो नृपाणां तद्वधोऽवधः
pumān yoṣiduta klība ātmasambhāvano'dhamaḥ | bhūteṣu niranukrośo nṛpāṇāṃ tadvadho'vadhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Any cruel person — be he a man, woman or impotent eunuch — who is only interested in his personal maintenance and has no compassion for other living entities may be killed by the king. Such killing can never be considered actual killing.
त्वां स्तब्धां दुर्मदां नीत्वा मायागां तिलशः शरैः । आत्मयोगबलेनेमा धारयिष्याम्यहं प्रजाः
tvāṃ stabdhāṃ durmadāṃ nītvā māyāgāṃ tilaśaḥ śaraiḥ | ātmayogabalenemā dhārayiṣyāmyahaṃ prajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are very much puffed up with pride and have become almost insane. Presently you have assumed the form of a cow by your mystic powers. Nonetheless I shall cut you into small pieces like grain, and I will uphold the entire population by my personal mystic powers.
एवं मन्युमयीं मूर्तिं कृतान्तमिव बिभ्रतम् । प्रणता प्राञ्जलिः प्राह मही सञ्जातवेपथुः
evaṃ manyumayīṃ mūrtiṃ kṛtāntamiva bibhratam | praṇatā prāñjaliḥ prāha mahī sañjātavepathuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At this time Pṛthu Mahārāja became exactly like Yamarāja, and his whole body appeared very angry. In other words, he was anger personified. After hearing him, the planet earth began to tremble. She surrendered, and with folded hands began to speak as follows.
धरोवाच । नमः परस्मै पुरुषाय मायया विन्यस्तनानातनवे गुणात्मने । नमः स्वरूपानुभवेन निर्धुत- द्रव्यक्रियाकारकविभ्रमोर्मये
dharovāca | namaḥ parasmai puruṣāya māyayā vinyastanānātanave guṇātmane | namaḥ svarūpānubhavena nirdhuta- dravyakriyākārakavibhramormaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The planet earth spoke: My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, You are transcendental in Your position, and by Your material energy You have expanded Yourself in various forms and species of life through the interaction of the three modes of material nature. Unlike some other masters, You always remain in Your transcendental position and are not affected by the material creation, which is subject to different material interactions. Consequently You are not bewildered by material activities.
येनाहमात्माऽऽयतनं विनिर्मिता धात्रा यतोऽयं गुणसर्गसङ्ग्रहः । स एव मां हन्तुमुदायुधः स्वरा- डुपस्थितोऽन्यं शरणं कमाश्रये
yenāhamātmā''yatanaṃ vinirmitā dhātrā yato'yaṃ guṇasargasaṅgrahaḥ | sa eva māṃ hantumudāyudhaḥ svarā- ḍupasthito'nyaṃ śaraṇaṃ kamāśraye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The planet earth continued: My dear Lord, You are the complete conductor of the material creation. You have created this cosmic manifestation and the three material qualities, and therefore You have created me, the planet earth, the resting place of all living entities. Yet You are always fully independent, my Lord. Now that You are present before me and ready to kill me with Your weapons, let me know where I should go to take shelter, and tell me who can give me protection.
य एतदादावसृजच्चराचरं स्वमाययाऽऽत्माश्रययावितर्क्यया । तयैव सोऽयं किल गोप्तुमुद्यतः कथं नु मां धर्मपरो जिघांसति
ya etadādāvasṛjaccarācaraṃ svamāyayā''tmāśrayayāvitarkyayā | tayaiva so'yaṃ kila goptumudyataḥ kathaṃ nu māṃ dharmaparo jighāṃsati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the beginning of creation You created all these moving and nonmoving living entities by Your inconceivable energy. Through this very same energy You are now prepared to protect the living entities. Indeed, You are the supreme protector of religious principles. Why are You so anxious to kill me, even though I am in the form of a cow?
नूनं बतेशस्य समीहितं जनै- स्तन्मायया दुर्जययाकृतात्मभिः । न लक्ष्यते यस्त्वकरोदकारय- द्योऽनेक एकः परतश्च ईश्वरः
nūnaṃ bateśasya samīhitaṃ janai- stanmāyayā durjayayākṛtātmabhiḥ | na lakṣyate yastvakarodakāraya- dyo'neka ekaḥ parataśca īśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, although You are one, by Your inconceivable potencies You have expanded Yourself in many forms. Through the agency of Brahmā, You have created this universe. You are therefore directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those who are not sufficiently experienced cannot understand Your transcendental activities because these persons are covered by Your illusory energy.
सर्गादि योऽस्यानुरुणद्धि शक्तिभि- र्द्रव्यक्रियाकारकचेतनात्मभिः । तस्मै समुन्नद्धनिरुद्धशक्तये नमः परस्मै पुरुषाय वेधसे
sargādi yo'syānuruṇaddhi śaktibhi- rdravyakriyākārakacetanātmabhiḥ | tasmai samunnaddhaniruddhaśaktaye namaḥ parasmai puruṣāya vedhase
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, by Your own potencies You are the original cause of the material elements, the performing instruments (the senses), the workers of the senses (the controlling demigods), the intelligence and the ego, as well as everything else. By Your energy You manifest this entire cosmic creation, maintain it and dissolve it. Through Your energy alone everything is sometimes manifest and sometimes not manifest. You are therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
स वै भवानात्मविनिर्मितं जग- द्भूतेन्द्रियान्तःकरणात्मकं विभो । संस्थापयिष्यन्नज मां रसातला- दभ्युज्जहाराम्भस आदिसूकरः
sa vai bhavānātmavinirmitaṃ jaga- dbhūtendriyāntaḥkaraṇātmakaṃ vibho | saṃsthāpayiṣyannaja māṃ rasātalā- dabhyujjahārāmbhasa ādisūkaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, You are always unborn. Once, in the form of the original boar, You rescued me from the waters in the bottom of the universe. Through Your own energy You created all the physical elements, the senses and the heart, for the maintenance of the world.
अपामुपस्थे मयि नाव्यवस्थिताः प्रजा भवानद्य रिरक्षिषुः किल । स वीरमूर्तिः समभूद्धराधरो यो मां पयस्युग्रशरो जिघांससि
apāmupasthe mayi nāvyavasthitāḥ prajā bhavānadya rirakṣiṣuḥ kila | sa vīramūrtiḥ samabhūddharādharo yo māṃ payasyugraśaro jighāṃsasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, in this way You once protected me by rescuing me from the water, and consequently Your name has been famous as Dharādhara — He who holds the planet earth. Yet at the present moment, in the form of a great hero, You are about to kill me with sharpened arrows. I am, however, just like a boat on the water, keeping everything afloat.
नूनं जनैरीहितमीश्वराणा- मस्मद्विधैस्तद्गुणसर्गमायया । न ज्ञायते मोहितचित्तवर्त्मभि- स्तेभ्यो नमो वीरयशस्करेभ्यः
nūnaṃ janairīhitamīśvarāṇā- masmadvidhaistadguṇasargamāyayā | na jñāyate mohitacittavartmabhi- stebhyo namo vīrayaśaskarebhyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, I am also the creation of one of Your energies, composed of the three modes of material nature. Consequently I am bewildered by Your activities. Even the activities of Your devotees cannot be understood, and what to speak of Your pastimes. Thus everything appears to us to be contradictory and wonderful.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इत्थं पृथुमभिष्टूय रुषा प्रस्फुरिताधरम् । पुनराहावनिर्भीता संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना
maitreya uvāca | itthaṃ pṛthumabhiṣṭūya ruṣā prasphuritādharam | punarāhāvanirbhītā saṃstabhyātmānamātmanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great saint Maitreya continued to address Vidura: My dear Vidura, at that time, after the planet earth finished her prayers, King Pṛthu was still not pacified, and his lips trembled in great anger. Although the planet earth was frightened, she made up her mind and began to speak as follows in order to convince the King.
सन्नियच्छाभिभो मन्युं निबोध श्रावितं च मे । सर्वतः सारमादत्ते यथा मधुकरो बुधः
sanniyacchābhibho manyuṃ nibodha śrāvitaṃ ca me | sarvataḥ sāramādatte yathā madhukaro budhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, please pacify your anger completely and hear patiently whatever I submit before you. Please turn your kind attention to this. I may be very poor, but a learned man takes the essence of knowledge from all places, just as a bumblebee collects honey from each and every flower.
अस्मिन् लोकेऽथवामुष्मिन् मुनिभिस्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः । दृष्टा योगाः प्रयुक्ताश्च पुंसां श्रेयःप्रसिद्धये
asmin loke'thavāmuṣmin munibhistattvadarśibhiḥ | dṛṣṭā yogāḥ prayuktāśca puṃsāṃ śreyaḥprasiddhaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To benefit all human society, not only in this life but in the next, the great seers and sages have prescribed various methods conducive to the prosperity of the people in general.
तानातिष्ठति यः सम्यगुपायान् पूर्वदर्शितान् । अवरः श्रद्धयोपेत उपेयान् विन्दतेऽञ्जसा
tānātiṣṭhati yaḥ samyagupāyān pūrvadarśitān | avaraḥ śraddhayopeta upeyān vindate'ñjasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who follows the principles and instructions enjoined by the great sages of the past can utilize these instructions for practical purposes. Such a person can very easily enjoy life and pleasures.
ताननादृत्य योऽविद्वानर्थानारभते स्वयम् । तस्य व्यभिचरन्त्यर्था आरब्धाश्च पुनः पुनः
tānanādṛtya yo'vidvānarthānārabhate svayam | tasya vyabhicarantyarthā ārabdhāśca punaḥ punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A foolish person who manufactures his own ways and means through mental speculation and does not recognize the authority of the sages who lay down unimpeachable directions is simply unsuccessful again and again in his attempts.
पुरा सृष्टा ह्योषधयो ब्रह्मणा या विशाम्पते । भुज्यमाना मया दृष्टा असद्भिरधृतव्रतैः
purā sṛṣṭā hyoṣadhayo brahmaṇā yā viśāmpate | bhujyamānā mayā dṛṣṭā asadbhiradhṛtavrataiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, the seeds, roots, herbs and grains, which were created by Lord Brahmā in the past, are now being used by nondevotees, who are devoid of all spiritual understanding.
अपालितानादृता च भवद्भिर्लोकपालकैः । चोरीभूतेऽथ लोकेऽहं यज्ञार्थेऽग्रसमोषधीः
apālitānādṛtā ca bhavadbhirlokapālakaiḥ | corībhūte'tha loke'haṃ yajñārthe'grasamoṣadhīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, not only are grains and herbs being used by nondevotees, but, as far as I am concerned, I am not being properly maintained. Indeed, I am being neglected by kings who are not punishing these rascals who have turned into thieves by using grains for sense gratification. Consequently I have hidden all these seeds, which were meant for the performance of sacrifice.
नूनं ता वीरुधः क्षीणा मयि कालेन भूयसा । तत्र योगेन दृष्टेन भवानादातुमर्हति
nūnaṃ tā vīrudhaḥ kṣīṇā mayi kālena bhūyasā | tatra yogena dṛṣṭena bhavānādātumarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Due to being stocked for a very long time, all the grain seeds within me have certainly deteriorated. Therefore you should immediately arrange to take these seeds out by the standard process, which is recommended by the ācāryas or śāstras.
समां च कुरु मां राजन् देववृष्टं यथा पयः । अपर्तावपि भद्रं ते उपावर्तेत मे विभो
samāṃ ca kuru māṃ rājan devavṛṣṭaṃ yathā payaḥ | apartāvapi bhadraṃ te upāvarteta me vibho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, may I inform you that you have to make the entire surface of the globe level. This will help me, even when the rainy season has ceased. Rainfall comes by the mercy of King Indra. Rainfall will remain on the surface of the globe, always keeping the earth moistened, and thus it will be auspicious for all kinds of production.
इति प्रियं हितं वाक्यं भुव आदाय भूपतिः । वत्सं कृत्वा मनुं पाणावदुहत्सकलौषधीः
iti priyaṃ hitaṃ vākyaṃ bhuva ādāya bhūpatiḥ | vatsaṃ kṛtvā manuṃ pāṇāvaduhatsakalauṣadhīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After hearing the auspicious and pleasing words of the planet earth, the King accepted them. He then transformed Svāyambhuva Manu into a calf and milked all the herbs and grains from the earth in the form of a cow, keeping them in his cupped hands.
तथापरे च सर्वत्र सारमाददते बुधाः । ततोऽन्ये च यथाकामं दुदुहुः पृथुभाविताम्
tathāpare ca sarvatra sāramādadate budhāḥ | tato'nye ca yathākāmaṃ duduhuḥ pṛthubhāvitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Others, who were as intelligent as King Pṛthu, also took the essence out of the earthly planet. Indeed, everyone took this opportunity to follow in the footsteps of King Pṛthu and get whatever he desired from the planet earth.
ऋषयो दुदुहुर्देवीमिन्द्रियेष्वथ सत्तम । वत्सं बृहस्पतिं कृत्वा पयश्छन्दोमयं शुचि
ṛṣayo duduhurdevīmindriyeṣvatha sattama | vatsaṃ bṛhaspatiṃ kṛtvā payaśchandomayaṃ śuci
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the great sages transformed Bṛhaspati into a calf, and making the senses into a pot, they milked all kinds of Vedic knowledge to purify words, mind and hearing.
कृत्वा वत्सं सुरगणा इन्द्रं सोममदूदुहन् । हिरण्मयेन पात्रेण वीर्यमोजो बलं पयः
kṛtvā vatsaṃ suragaṇā indraṃ somamadūduhan | hiraṇmayena pātreṇa vīryamojo balaṃ payaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the demigods made Indra, the King of heaven, into a calf, and from the earth they milked the beverage soma, which is nectar. Thus they became very powerful in mental speculation and bodily and sensual strength.
दैतेया दानवा वत्सं प्रह्लादमसुरर्षभम् । विधायादूदुहन् क्षीरमयःपात्रे सुरासवम्
daiteyā dānavā vatsaṃ prahlādamasurarṣabham | vidhāyādūduhan kṣīramayaḥpātre surāsavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sons of Diti and the demons transformed Prahlāda Mahārāja, who was born in an asura family, into a calf, and they extracted various kinds of liquor and beer, which they put into a pot made of iron.
गन्धर्वाप्सरसोऽधुक्षन् पात्रे पद्ममये पयः । वत्सं विश्वावसुं कृत्वा गान्धर्वं मधु सौभगम्
gandharvāpsaraso'dhukṣan pātre padmamaye payaḥ | vatsaṃ viśvāvasuṃ kṛtvā gāndharvaṃ madhu saubhagam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The inhabitants of Gandharvaloka and Apsaroloka made Viśvāvasu into a calf, and they drew the milk into a lotus-flower pot. The milk took the shape of sweet musical art and beauty.
वत्सेन पितरोऽर्यम्णा कव्यं क्षीरमधुक्षत । आमपात्रे महाभागाः श्रद्धया श्राद्धदेवताः
vatsena pitaro'ryamṇā kavyaṃ kṣīramadhukṣata | āmapātre mahābhāgāḥ śraddhayā śrāddhadevatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The fortunate inhabitants of Pitṛloka, who preside over the funeral ceremonies, made Aryamā into a calf. With great faith they milked kavya, food offered to the ancestors, into an unbaked earthen pot.
प्रकल्प्य वत्सं कपिलं सिद्धाः सङ्कल्पनामयीम् । सिद्धिं नभसि विद्यां च ये च विद्याधरादयः
prakalpya vatsaṃ kapilaṃ siddhāḥ saṅkalpanāmayīm | siddhiṃ nabhasi vidyāṃ ca ye ca vidyādharādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After this, the inhabitants of Siddhaloka, as well as the inhabitants of Vidyādhara-loka, transformed the great sage Kapila into a calf, and making the whole sky into a pot, they milked out specific yogic mystic powers, beginning with aṇimā. Indeed, the inhabitants of Vidyādhara-loka acquired the art of flying in the sky.
अन्ये च मायिनो मायामन्तर्धानाद्भुतात्मनाम् । मयं प्रकल्प्य वत्सं ते दुदुहुर्धारणामयीम्
anye ca māyino māyāmantardhānādbhutātmanām | mayaṃ prakalpya vatsaṃ te duduhurdhāraṇāmayīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Others also, the inhabitants of planets known as Kimpuruṣa-loka, made the demon Maya into a calf, and they milked out mystic powers by which one can disappear immediately from another’s vision and appear again in a different form.
यक्षरक्षांसि भूतानि पिशाचाः पिशिताशनाः । भूतेशवत्सा दुदुहुः कपाले क्षतजासवम्
yakṣarakṣāṃsi bhūtāni piśācāḥ piśitāśanāḥ | bhūteśavatsā duduhuḥ kapāle kṣatajāsavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, ghosts and witches, who are habituated to eating flesh, transformed Lord Śiva’s incarnation Rudra [Bhūtanātha] into a calf and milked out beverages made of blood and put them in a pot made of skulls.
तथाहयो दन्दशूकाः सर्पा नागाश्च तक्षकम् । विधाय वत्सं दुदुहुर्बिलपात्रे विषं पयः
tathāhayo dandaśūkāḥ sarpā nāgāśca takṣakam | vidhāya vatsaṃ duduhurbilapātre viṣaṃ payaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter cobras and snakes without hoods, large snakes, scorpions and many other poisonous animals took poison out of the planet earth as their milk and kept this poison in snake holes. They made a calf out of Takṣaka.
वटवत्सा वनस्पतयः पृथग्रसमयं पयः । गिरयो हिमवद्वत्सा नानाधातून् स्वसानुषु
vaṭavatsā vanaspatayaḥ pṛthagrasamayaṃ payaḥ | girayo himavadvatsā nānādhātūn svasānuṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The trees made a calf out of the banyan tree, and thus they derived milk in the form of many delicious juices. The mountains transformed the Himālayas into a calf, and they milked a variety of minerals into a pot made of the peaks of hills.
सर्वे स्वमुख्यवत्सेन स्वे स्वे पात्रे पृथक्पयः । सर्वकामदुघां पृथ्वीं दुदुहुः पृथुभाविताम्
sarve svamukhyavatsena sve sve pātre pṛthakpayaḥ | sarvakāmadughāṃ pṛthvīṃ duduhuḥ pṛthubhāvitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The planet earth supplied everyone his respective food. During the time of King Pṛthu, the earth was fully under the control of the King. Thus all the inhabitants of the earth could get their food supply by creating various types of calves and putting their particular types of milk in various pots.
एवं पृथ्वादयः पृथ्वीमन्नादाः स्वन्नमात्मनः । दोहवत्सादि भेदेन क्षीरभेदं कुरूद्वह
evaṃ pṛthvādayaḥ pṛthvīmannādāḥ svannamātmanaḥ | dohavatsādi bhedena kṣīrabhedaṃ kurūdvaha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vidura, chief of the Kurus, in this way King Pṛthu and all the others who subsist on food created different types of calves and milked out their respective eatables. Thus they received their various foodstuffs, which were symbolized as milk.
ततो महीपतिः प्रीतः सर्वकामदुघां पृथुः । दुहितृत्वे चकारेमां प्रेम्णा दुहितृवत्सलः
tato mahīpatiḥ prītaḥ sarvakāmadughāṃ pṛthuḥ | duhitṛtve cakāremāṃ premṇā duhitṛvatsalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter King Pṛthu was very satisfied with the planet earth, for she sufficiently supplied all food to various living entities. Thus he developed an affection for the planet earth, just as if she were his own daughter.
चूर्णयन् स्वधनुष्कोट्या गिरिकूटानि राजराट् । भूमण्डलमिदं वैन्यः प्रायश्चक्रे समं विभुः
cūrṇayan svadhanuṣkoṭyā girikūṭāni rājarāṭ | bhūmaṇḍalamidaṃ vainyaḥ prāyaścakre samaṃ vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After this, the king of all kings, Mahārāja Pṛthu, leveled all rough places on the surface of the globe by breaking up the hills with the strength of his bow. By his grace the surface of the globe almost became flat.
अथास्मिन् भगवान् वैन्यः प्रजानां वृत्तिदः पिता । निवासान् कल्पयाञ्चक्रे तत्र तत्र यथार्हतः
athāsmin bhagavān vainyaḥ prajānāṃ vṛttidaḥ pitā | nivāsān kalpayāñcakre tatra tatra yathārhataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To all the citizens of the state, King Pṛthu was as good as a father. Thus he was visibly engaged in giving them proper subsistence and proper employment for subsistence. After leveling the surface of the globe, he earmarked different places for residential quarters, inasmuch as they were desirable.
ग्रामान् पुरः पत्तनानि दुर्गाणि विविधानि च । घोषान् व्रजान् सशिबिरानाकरान् खेटखर्वटान्
grāmān puraḥ pattanāni durgāṇi vividhāni ca | ghoṣān vrajān saśibirānākarān kheṭakharvaṭān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way the King founded many types of villages, settlements and towns and built forts, residences for cowherdsmen, stables for the animals, places for the royal camps, mining places, agricultural towns and mountain villages.
प्राक्पृथोरिह नैवैषा पुरग्रामादि कल्पना । यथासुखं वसन्ति स्म तत्र तत्राकुतोभयाः
prākpṛthoriha naivaiṣā puragrāmādi kalpanā | yathāsukhaṃ vasanti sma tatra tatrākutobhayāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Before the reign of King Pṛthu there was no planned arrangement for different cities, villages, pasturing grounds, etc. Everything was scattered, and everyone constructed his residential quarters according to his own convenience. However, from the time of King Pṛthu, plans were made for towns and villages.
मैत्रेय उवाच । अथादीक्षत राजा तु हयमेधशतेन सः । ब्रह्मावर्ते मनोः क्षेत्रे यत्र प्राची सरस्वती
maitreya uvāca | athādīkṣata rājā tu hayamedhaśatena saḥ | brahmāvarte manoḥ kṣetre yatra prācī sarasvatī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, King Pṛthu initiated the performance of one hundred horse sacrifices at the spot where the river Sarasvatī flows towards the east. This piece of land is known as Brahmāvarta, and it was controlled by Svāyambhuva Manu.
तदभिप्रेत्य भगवान् कर्मातिशयमात्मनः । शतक्रतुर्न ममृषे पृथोर्यज्ञमहोत्सवम्
tadabhipretya bhagavān karmātiśayamātmanaḥ | śatakraturna mamṛṣe pṛthoryajñamahotsavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the most powerful Indra, the King of heaven, saw this, he considered the fact that King Pṛthu was going to exceed him in fruitive activities. Thus Indra could not tolerate the great sacrificial ceremonies performed by King Pṛthu.
यत्र यज्ञपतिः साक्षाद्भगवान् हरिरीश्वरः । अन्वभूयत सर्वात्मा सर्वलोकगुरुः प्रभुः
yatra yajñapatiḥ sākṣādbhagavān harirīśvaraḥ | anvabhūyata sarvātmā sarvalokaguruḥ prabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, is present in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul, and He is the proprietor of all planets and the enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices. He was personally present at the sacrifices made by King Pṛthu.
अन्वितो ब्रह्मशर्वाभ्यां लोकपालैः सहानुगैः । उपगीयमानो गन्धर्वैर्मुनिभिश्चाप्सरोगणैः
anvito brahmaśarvābhyāṃ lokapālaiḥ sahānugaiḥ | upagīyamāno gandharvairmunibhiścāpsarogaṇaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Viṣṇu appeared in the sacrificial arena, Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and all the chief predominating personalities of every planet, as well as their followers, came with Him. When He appeared on the scene, the residents of Gandharvaloka, the great sages, and the residents of Apsaroloka all praised Him.
सिद्धा विद्याधरा दैत्या दानवा गुह्यकादयः । सुनन्दनन्दप्रमुखाः पार्षदप्रवरा हरेः
siddhā vidyādharā daityā dānavā guhyakādayaḥ | sunandanandapramukhāḥ pārṣadapravarā hareḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord was accompanied by the residents of Siddhaloka and Vidyādhara-loka, all the descendants of Diti, and the demons and the Yakṣas. He was also accompanied by His chief associates, headed by Sunanda and Nanda.
कपिलो नारदो दत्तो योगेशाः सनकादयः । तमन्वीयुर्भागवता ये च तत्सेवनोत्सुकाः
kapilo nārado datto yogeśāḥ sanakādayaḥ | tamanvīyurbhāgavatā ye ca tatsevanotsukāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Great devotees, who were always engaged in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as well as the great sages named Kapila, Nārada and Dattātreya, and masters of mystic powers, headed by Sanaka Kumāra, all attended the great sacrifice with Lord Viṣṇu.
यत्र धर्मदुघा भूमिः सर्वकामदुघा सती । दोग्धि स्माभीप्सितानर्थान् यजमानस्य भारत
yatra dharmadughā bhūmiḥ sarvakāmadughā satī | dogdhi smābhīpsitānarthān yajamānasya bhārata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vidura, in that great sacrifice the entire land came to be like the milk-producing kāma-dhenu, and thus, by the performance of yajña, all daily necessities for life were supplied.
ऊहुः सर्वरसान् नद्यः क्षीरदध्यन्नगोरसान् । तरवो भूरि वर्ष्माणः प्रासूयन्त मधुच्युतः
ūhuḥ sarvarasān nadyaḥ kṣīradadhyannagorasān | taravo bhūri varṣmāṇaḥ prāsūyanta madhucyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The flowing rivers supplied all kinds of tastes — sweet, pungent, sour, etc. — and very big trees supplied fruit and honey in abundance. The cows, having eaten sufficient green grass, supplied profuse quantities of milk, curd, clarified butter and similar other necessities.
सिन्धवो रत्ननिकरान् गिरयोऽन्नं चतुर्विधम् । उपायनमुपाजह्रुः सर्वे लोकाः सपालकाः
sindhavo ratnanikarān girayo'nnaṃ caturvidham | upāyanamupājahruḥ sarve lokāḥ sapālakāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu was presented with various gifts from the general populace and predominating deities of all planets. The oceans and seas were full of valuable jewels and pearls, and the hills were full of chemicals and fertilizers. Four kinds of edibles were produced profusely.
इति चाधोक्षजेशस्य पृथोस्तु परमोदयम् । असूयन् भगवानिन्द्रः प्रतिघातमचीकरत्
iti cādhokṣajeśasya pṛthostu paramodayam | asūyan bhagavānindraḥ pratighātamacīkarat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu was dependent on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as Adhokṣaja. Because King Pṛthu performed so many sacrifices, he was superhumanly enhanced by the mercy of the Supreme Lord. King Pṛthu’s opulence, however, could not be tolerated by the King of heaven, Indra, who tried to impede the progress of his opulence.
चरमेणाश्वमेधेन यजमाने यजुष्पतिम् । वैन्ये यज्ञपशुं स्पर्धन्नपोवाह तिरोहितः
carameṇāśvamedhena yajamāne yajuṣpatim | vainye yajñapaśuṃ spardhannapovāha tirohitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Pṛthu Mahārāja was performing the last horse sacrifice [aśvamedha-yajña], King Indra, invisible to everyone, stole the horse intended for sacrifice. He did this because of his great envy of King Pṛthu.
तमत्रिर्भगवानैक्षत्त्वरमाणं विहायसा । आमुक्तमिव पाखण्डं योऽधर्मे धर्मविभ्रमः
tamatrirbhagavānaikṣattvaramāṇaṃ vihāyasā | āmuktamiva pākhaṇḍaṃ yo'dharme dharmavibhramaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When King Indra was taking away the horse, he dressed himself to appear as a liberated person. Actually this dress was a form of cheating, for it falsely created an impression of religion. When Indra went into outer space in this way, the great sage Atri saw him and understood the whole situation.
अत्रिणा चोदितो हन्तुं पृथुपुत्रो महारथः । अन्वधावत सङ्क्रुद्धस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्
atriṇā codito hantuṃ pṛthuputro mahārathaḥ | anvadhāvata saṅkruddhastiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the son of King Pṛthu was informed by Atri of King Indra’s trick, he immediately became very angry and followed Indra to kill him, calling, “Wait! Wait!”
तं तादृशाकृतिं वीक्ष्य मेने धर्मं शरीरिणम् । जटिलं भस्मनाच्छन्नं तस्मै बाणं न मुञ्चति
taṃ tādṛśākṛtiṃ vīkṣya mene dharmaṃ śarīriṇam | jaṭilaṃ bhasmanācchannaṃ tasmai bāṇaṃ na muñcati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Indra was fraudulently dressed as a sannyāsī, having knotted his hair on his head and smeared ashes all over his body. Upon seeing such dress, the son of King Pṛthu considered Indra a religious man and pious sannyāsī. Therefore he did not release his arrows.
वधान्निवृत्तं तं भूयो हन्तवेऽत्रिरचोदयत् । जहि यज्ञहनं तात महेन्द्रं विबुधाधमम्
vadhānnivṛttaṃ taṃ bhūyo hantave'triracodayat | jahi yajñahanaṃ tāta mahendraṃ vibudhādhamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Atri Muni saw that the son of King Pṛthu did not kill Indra but returned deceived by him, Atri Muni again instructed him to kill the heavenly King because he thought that Indra had become the lowliest of all demigods due to his impeding the execution of King Pṛthu’s sacrifice.
एवं वैन्यसुतः प्रोक्तस्त्वरमाणं विहायसा । अन्वद्रवदभिक्रुद्धो रावणं गृध्रराडिव
evaṃ vainyasutaḥ proktastvaramāṇaṃ vihāyasā | anvadravadabhikruddho rāvaṇaṃ gṛdhrarāḍiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being thus informed, the grandson of King Vena immediately began to follow Indra, who was fleeing through the sky in great haste. He was very angry with him, and he chased him just as the king of the vultures chased Rāvaṇa.
सोऽश्वं रूपं च तद्धित्वा तस्मा अन्तर्हितः स्वराट् । वीरः स्वपशुमादाय पितुर्यज्ञमुपेयिवान्
so'śvaṃ rūpaṃ ca taddhitvā tasmā antarhitaḥ svarāṭ | vīraḥ svapaśumādāya pituryajñamupeyivān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Indra saw that the son of Pṛthu was chasing him, he immediately abandoned his false dress and left the horse. Indeed, he disappeared from that very spot, and the great hero, the son of Mahārāja Pṛthu, returned the horse to his father’s sacrificial arena.
तत्तस्य चाद्भुतं कर्म विचक्ष्य परमर्षयः । नामधेयं ददुस्तस्मै विजिताश्व इति प्रभो
tattasya cādbhutaṃ karma vicakṣya paramarṣayaḥ | nāmadheyaṃ dadustasmai vijitāśva iti prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord Vidura, when the great sages observed the wonderful prowess of the son of King Pṛthu, they all agreed to give him the name Vijitāśva.
उपसृज्य तमस्तीव्रं जहाराश्वं पुनर्हरिः । चषाल यूपतश्छन्नो हिरण्यरशनं विभुः
upasṛjya tamastīvraṃ jahārāśvaṃ punarhariḥ | caṣāla yūpataśchanno hiraṇyaraśanaṃ vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vidura, Indra, being the King of heaven and very powerful, immediately brought a dense darkness upon the sacrificial arena. Covering the whole scene in this way, he again took away the horse, which was chained with golden shackles near the wooden instrument where animals were sacrificed.
अत्रिः सन्दर्शयामास त्वरमाणं विहायसा । कपालखट्वाङ्गधरं वीरो नैनमबाधत
atriḥ sandarśayāmāsa tvaramāṇaṃ vihāyasā | kapālakhaṭvāṅgadharaṃ vīro nainamabādhata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Atri again pointed out to the son of King Pṛthu that Indra was fleeing through the sky. The great hero, the son of Pṛthu, chased him again. But when he saw that Indra was carrying in his hand a staff with a skull at the top and was again wearing the dress of a sannyāsī, he still chose not to kill him.
अत्रिणा चोदितस्तस्मै सन्दधे विशिखं रुषा । सोऽश्वं रूपं च तद्धित्वा तस्थावन्तर्हितः स्वराट्
atriṇā coditastasmai sandadhe viśikhaṃ ruṣā | so'śvaṃ rūpaṃ ca taddhitvā tasthāvantarhitaḥ svarāṭ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the great sage Atri again gave directions, the son of King Pṛthu became very angry and placed an arrow on his bow. Upon seeing this, King Indra immediately abandoned the false dress of a sannyāsī and, giving up the horse, made himself invisible.
वीरश्चाश्वमुपादाय पितृयज्ञमथाव्रजत् । तदवद्यं हरे रूपं जगृहुर्ज्ञानदुर्बलाः
vīraścāśvamupādāya pitṛyajñamathāvrajat | tadavadyaṃ hare rūpaṃ jagṛhurjñānadurbalāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the great hero, Vijitāśva, the son of King Pṛthu, again took the horse and returned to his father’s sacrificial arena. Since that time, certain men with a poor fund of knowledge have adopted the dress of a false sannyāsī. It was King Indra who introduced this.
यानि रूपाणि जगृहे इन्द्रो हयजिहीर्षया । तानि पापस्य खण्डानि लिङ्गं खण्डमिहोच्यते
yāni rūpāṇi jagṛhe indro hayajihīrṣayā | tāni pāpasya khaṇḍāni liṅgaṃ khaṇḍamihocyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whatever different forms Indra assumed as a mendicant because of his desire to seize the horse were symbols of atheistic philosophy.
तदभिज्ञाय भगवान् पृथुः पृथुपराक्रमः । इन्द्राय कुपितो बाणमादत्तोद्यतकार्मुकः
tadabhijñāya bhagavān pṛthuḥ pṛthuparākramaḥ | indrāya kupito bāṇamādattodyatakārmukaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Pṛthu, who was celebrated as very powerful, immediately took up his bow and arrows and prepared to kill Indra himself, because Indra had introduced such irregular sannyāsa orders.
तमृत्विजः शक्रवधाभिसन्धितं विचक्ष्य दुष्प्रेक्ष्यमसह्यरंहसम् । निवारयामासुरहो महामते न युज्यतेऽत्रान्यवधः प्रचोदितात्
tamṛtvijaḥ śakravadhābhisandhitaṃ vicakṣya duṣprekṣyamasahyaraṃhasam | nivārayāmāsuraho mahāmate na yujyate'trānyavadhaḥ pracoditāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the priests and all the others saw Mahārāja Pṛthu very angry and prepared to kill Indra, they requested him: O great soul, do not kill him, for only sacrificial animals can be killed in a sacrifice. Such are the directions given by śāstra.
वयं मरुत्वन्तमिहार्थनाशनं ह्वयामहे त्वच्छ्रवसा हतत्विषम् । अयातयामोपहवैरनन्तरं प्रसह्य राजन् जुहवाम तेऽहितम्
vayaṃ marutvantamihārthanāśanaṃ hvayāmahe tvacchravasā hatatviṣam | ayātayāmopahavairanantaraṃ prasahya rājan juhavāma te'hitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear King, Indra’s powers are already reduced due to his attempt to impede the execution of your sacrifice. We shall call him by Vedic mantras which were never before used, and certainly he will come. Thus by the power of our mantra, we shall cast him into the fire because he is your enemy.
इत्यामन्त्र्य क्रतुपतिं विदुरास्यर्त्विजो रुषा । स्रुग्घस्तान् जुह्वतोऽभ्येत्य स्वयम्भूः प्रत्यषेधत
ityāmantrya kratupatiṃ vidurāsyartvijo ruṣā | srugghastān juhvato'bhyetya svayambhūḥ pratyaṣedhata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vidura, after giving the King this advice, the priests who had been engaged in performing the sacrifice called for Indra, the King of heaven, in a mood of great anger. When they were just ready to put the oblation in the fire, Lord Brahmā appeared on the scene and forbade them to start the sacrifice.
न वध्यो भवतामिन्द्रो यद्यज्ञो भगवत्तनुः । यं जिघांसथ यज्ञेन यस्येष्टास्तनवः सुराः
na vadhyo bhavatāmindro yadyajño bhagavattanuḥ | yaṃ jighāṃsatha yajñena yasyeṣṭāstanavaḥ surāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā addressed them thus: My dear sacrificial performers, you cannot kill Indra, the King of heaven. It is not your duty. You should know that Indra is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Indeed, he is one of the most powerful assistants of the Personality of Godhead. You are trying to satisfy all the demigods by the performance of this yajña, but you should know that all these demigods are but parts and parcels of Indra, the King of heaven. How, then, can you kill him in this great sacrifice?
तदिदं पश्यत महद्धर्मव्यतिकरं द्विजाः । इन्द्रेणानुष्ठितं राज्ञः कर्मैतद्विजिघांसता
tadidaṃ paśyata mahaddharmavyatikaraṃ dvijāḥ | indreṇānuṣṭhitaṃ rājñaḥ karmaitadvijighāṃsatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In order to make trouble and impede the performance of King Pṛthu’s great sacrifice, King Indra has adopted some means that in the future will destroy the clear path of religious life. I draw your attention to this fact. If you oppose him any further, he will further misuse his power and introduce many other irreligious systems.
पृथुकीर्तेः पृथोर्भूयात्तर्ह्येकोनशतक्रतुः । अलं ते क्रतुभिः स्विष्टैर्यद्भवान् मोक्षधर्मवित्
pṛthukīrteḥ pṛthorbhūyāttarhyekonaśatakratuḥ | alaṃ te kratubhiḥ sviṣṭairyadbhavān mokṣadharmavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Let there be only ninety-nine sacrificial performances for Mahārāja Pṛthu,” Lord Brahmā concluded. Lord Brahmā then turned towards Mahārāja Pṛthu and informed him that since he was thoroughly aware of the path of liberation, what was the use in performing more sacrifices?
नैवात्मने महेन्द्राय रोषमाहर्तुमर्हसि । उभावपि हि भद्रं ते उत्तमश्लोकविग्रहौ
naivātmane mahendrāya roṣamāhartumarhasi | ubhāvapi hi bhadraṃ te uttamaślokavigrahau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā continued: Let there be good fortune to both of you, for you and King Indra are both part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore you should not be angry with King Indra, who is nondifferent from you.
मास्मिन् महाराज कृथाः स्म चिन्तां निशामयास्मद्वच आदृतात्मा । यद्ध्यायतो दैवहतं नु कर्तुं मनोऽतिरुष्टं विशते तमोऽन्धम्
māsmin mahārāja kṛthāḥ sma cintāṃ niśāmayāsmadvaca ādṛtātmā | yaddhyāyato daivahataṃ nu kartuṃ mano'tiruṣṭaṃ viśate tamo'ndham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, do not be agitated and anxious because your sacrifices have not been properly executed due to providential impediments. Kindly take my words with great respect. We should always remember that if something happens by providential arrangement, we should not be very sorry. The more we try to rectify such reversals, the more we enter into the darkest region of materialistic thought.
क्रतुर्विरमतामेष देवेषु दुरवग्रहः । धर्मव्यतिकरो यत्र पाखण्डैरिन्द्रनिर्मितैः
kraturviramatāmeṣa deveṣu duravagrahaḥ | dharmavyatikaro yatra pākhaṇḍairindranirmitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā continued: Stop the performance of these sacrifices, for they have induced Indra to introduce so many irreligious aspects. You should know very well that even amongst the demigods there are many unwanted desires.
एभिरिन्द्रोपसंसृष्टैः पाखण्डैर्हारिभिर्जनम् । ह्रियमाणं विचक्ष्वैनं यस्ते यज्ञध्रुगश्वमुट्
ebhirindropasaṃsṛṣṭaiḥ pākhaṇḍairhāribhirjanam | hriyamāṇaṃ vicakṣvainaṃ yaste yajñadhrugaśvamuṭ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just see how Indra, the King of heaven, was creating a disturbance in the midst of the sacrifice by stealing the sacrificial horse. These attractive sinful activities he has introduced will be carried out by the people in general.
भवान् परित्रातुमिहावतीर्णो धर्मं जनानां समयानुरूपम् । वेनापचारादवलुप्तमद्य तद्देहतो विष्णुकलासि वैन्य
bhavān paritrātumihāvatīrṇo dharmaṃ janānāṃ samayānurūpam | venāpacārādavaluptamadya taddehato viṣṇukalāsi vainya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Pṛthu, son of Vena, you are the part-and-parcel expansion of Lord Viṣṇu. Due to the mischievous activities of King Vena, religious principles were almost lost. At that opportune moment you descended as the incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu. Indeed, for the protection of religious principles you have appeared from the body of King Vena.
स त्वं विमृश्यास्य भवं प्रजापते सङ्कल्पनं विश्वसृजां पिपीपृहि । ऐन्द्रीं च मायामुपधर्ममातरं प्रचण्डपाखण्डपथं प्रभो जहि
sa tvaṃ vimṛśyāsya bhavaṃ prajāpate saṅkalpanaṃ viśvasṛjāṃ pipīpṛhi | aindrīṃ ca māyāmupadharmamātaraṃ pracaṇḍapākhaṇḍapathaṃ prabho jahi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O protector of the people in general, please consider the purpose of your being incarnated by Lord Viṣṇu. The irreligious principles created by Indra are but mothers of so many unwanted religions. Please therefore stop these imitations immediately.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इत्थं स लोकगुरुणा समादिष्टो विशाम्पतिः । तथा च कृत्वा वात्सल्यं मघोनापि च सन्दधे
maitreya uvāca | itthaṃ sa lokaguruṇā samādiṣṭo viśāmpatiḥ | tathā ca kṛtvā vātsalyaṃ maghonāpi ca sandadhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: When King Pṛthu was thus advised by the supreme teacher, Lord Brahmā, he abandoned his eagerness to perform yajñas and with great affection concluded a peace with King Indra.
कृतावभृथस्नानाय पृथवे भूरिकर्मणे । वरान् ददुस्ते वरदा ये तद्बर्हिषि तर्पिताः
kṛtāvabhṛthasnānāya pṛthave bhūrikarmaṇe | varān daduste varadā ye tadbarhiṣi tarpitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After this, Pṛthu Mahārāja took his bath, which is customarily taken after the performance of a yajña, and received the benedictions and due blessings of the demigods, who were very pleased by his glorious activities.
विप्राः सत्याशिषस्तुष्टाः श्रद्धया लब्धदक्षिणाः । आशिषो युयुजुः क्षत्तरादिराजाय सत्कृताः
viprāḥ satyāśiṣastuṣṭāḥ śraddhayā labdhadakṣiṇāḥ | āśiṣo yuyujuḥ kṣattarādirājāya satkṛtāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With great respect, the original king, Pṛthu, offered all kinds of rewards to the brāhmaṇas present at the sacrifice. Since all these brāhmaṇas were very much satisfied, they gave their heartfelt blessings to the King.
त्वयाऽऽहूता महाबाहो सर्व एव समागताः । पूजिता दानमानाभ्यां पितृदेवर्षिमानवाः
tvayā''hūtā mahābāho sarva eva samāgatāḥ | pūjitā dānamānābhyāṃ pitṛdevarṣimānavāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the great sages and brāhmaṇas said: O mighty King, by your invitation all classes of living entities have attended this assembly. They have come from Pitṛloka and the heavenly planets, and great sages as well as common men have attended this meeting. Now all of them are very much satisfied by your dealings and your charity towards them.
मैत्रेय उवाच । भगवानपि वैकुण्ठः साकं मघवता विभुः । यज्ञैर्यज्ञपतिस्तुष्टो यज्ञभुक् तमभाषत
maitreya uvāca | bhagavānapi vaikuṇṭhaḥ sākaṃ maghavatā vibhuḥ | yajñairyajñapatistuṣṭo yajñabhuk tamabhāṣata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, being very much satisfied by the performance of ninety-nine horse sacrifices, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, appeared on the scene. Accompanying Him was King Indra. Lord Viṣṇu then began to speak.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । एष तेऽकार्षीद्भङ्गं हयमेधशतस्य ह । क्षमापयत आत्मानममुष्य क्षन्तुमर्हसि
śrībhagavānuvāca | eṣa te'kārṣīdbhaṅgaṃ hayamedhaśatasya ha | kṣamāpayata ātmānamamuṣya kṣantumarhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, said: My dear King Pṛthu, Indra, the King of heaven, has disturbed your execution of one hundred sacrifices. Now he has come with Me to be forgiven by you. Therefore excuse him.
सुधियः साधवो लोके नरदेव नरोत्तमाः । नाभिद्रुह्यन्ति भूतेभ्यो यर्हि नात्मा कलेवरम्
sudhiyaḥ sādhavo loke naradeva narottamāḥ | nābhidruhyanti bhūtebhyo yarhi nātmā kalevaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, one who is advanced in intelligence and eager to perform welfare activities for others is considered best amongst human beings. An advanced human being is never malicious to others. Those with advanced intelligence are always conscious that this material body is different from the soul.
पुरुषा यदि मुह्यन्ति त्वादृशा देवमायया । श्रम एव परं जातो दीर्घया वृद्धसेवया
puruṣā yadi muhyanti tvādṛśā devamāyayā | śrama eva paraṃ jāto dīrghayā vṛddhasevayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If a personality like you, who are so much advanced because of executing the instructions of the previous ācāryas, is carried away by the influence of My material energy, then all your advancement may be considered simply a waste of time.
अतः कायमिमं विद्वानविद्याकामकर्मभिः । आरब्ध इति नैवास्मिन् प्रतिबुद्धोऽनुषज्जते
ataḥ kāyamimaṃ vidvānavidyākāmakarmabhiḥ | ārabdha iti naivāsmin pratibuddho'nuṣajjate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who are in full knowledge of the bodily conception of life, who know that this body is composed of nescience, desires and activities resulting from illusion, do not become addicted to the body.
असंसक्तः शरीरेऽस्मिन्नमुनोत्पादिते गृहे । अपत्ये द्रविणे वापि कः कुर्यान्ममतां बुधः
asaṃsaktaḥ śarīre'sminnamunotpādite gṛhe | apatye draviṇe vāpi kaḥ kuryānmamatāṃ budhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How can a highly learned person who has absolutely no affinity for the bodily conception of life be affected by the bodily conception in regard to house, children, wealth and similar other bodily productions?
एकः शुद्धः स्वयञ्ज्योतिर्निर्गुणोऽसौ गुणाश्रयः । सर्वगोऽनावृतः साक्षी निरात्माऽऽत्माऽऽत्मनःपरः
ekaḥ śuddhaḥ svayañjyotirnirguṇo'sau guṇāśrayaḥ | sarvago'nāvṛtaḥ sākṣī nirātmā''tmā''tmanaḥparaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The individual soul is one, pure, nonmaterial and self-effulgent. He is the reservoir of all good qualities, and He is all-pervading. He is without material covering, and He is the witness of all activities. He is completely distinguished from other living entities, and He is transcendental to all embodied souls.
य एवं सन्तमात्मानमात्मस्थं वेद पूरुषः । नाज्यते प्रकृतिस्थोऽपि तद्गुणैः स मयि स्थितः
ya evaṃ santamātmānamātmasthaṃ veda pūruṣaḥ | nājyate prakṛtistho'pi tadguṇaiḥ sa mayi sthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although within the material nature, one who is thus situated in full knowledge of the Paramātmā and ātmā is never affected by the modes of material nature, for he is always situated in My transcendental loving service.
यः स्वधर्मेण मां नित्यं निराशीः श्रद्धयान्वितः । भजते शनकैस्तस्य मनो राजन् प्रसीदति
yaḥ svadharmeṇa māṃ nityaṃ nirāśīḥ śraddhayānvitaḥ | bhajate śanakaistasya mano rājan prasīdati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, continued: My dear King Pṛthu, when one situated in his occupational duty engages in My loving service without motive for material gain, he gradually becomes very satisfied within.
परित्यक्तगुणः सम्यग्दर्शनो विशदाशयः । शान्तिं मे समवस्थानं ब्रह्मकैवल्यमश्नुते
parityaktaguṇaḥ samyagdarśano viśadāśayaḥ | śāntiṃ me samavasthānaṃ brahmakaivalyamaśnute
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the heart is cleansed of all material contamination, the devotee’s mind becomes broader and transparent and he can see things equally. At that stage of life there is peace, and one is situated equally with Me as sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha.
उदासीनमिवाध्यक्षं द्रव्यज्ञानक्रियात्मनाम् । कूटस्थमिममात्मानं यो वेदाप्नोति शोभनम्
udāsīnamivādhyakṣaṃ dravyajñānakriyātmanām | kūṭasthamimamātmānaṃ yo vedāpnoti śobhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Anyone who knows that this material body, made of the five gross elements, the sense organs, the working senses and the mind, is simply supervised by the fixed soul is eligible to be liberated from material bondage.
भिन्नस्य लिङ्गस्य गुणप्रवाहो द्रव्यक्रियाकारकचेतनात्मनः । दृष्टासु सम्पत्सु विपत्सु सूरयो न विक्रियन्ते मयि बद्धसौहृदाः
bhinnasya liṅgasya guṇapravāho dravyakriyākārakacetanātmanaḥ | dṛṣṭāsu sampatsu vipatsu sūrayo na vikriyante mayi baddhasauhṛdāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Viṣṇu told King Pṛthu: My dear King, the constant change of this material world is due to the interaction of the three modes of material nature. The five elements, the senses, the demigods who control the senses, as well as the mind, which is agitated by the spirit soul — all these taken together comprise the body. Since the spirit soul is completely different from this combination of gross and subtle material elements, My devotee who is connected with Me in intense friendship and affection, being completely in knowledge, is never agitated by material happiness and distress.
समः समानोत्तममध्यमाधमः सुखे च दुःखे च जितेन्द्रियाशयः । मयोपकॢप्ताखिललोकसंयुतो विधत्स्व वीराखिललोकरक्षणम्
samaḥ samānottamamadhyamādhamaḥ sukhe ca duḥkhe ca jitendriyāśayaḥ | mayopakḷptākhilalokasaṃyuto vidhatsva vīrākhilalokarakṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear heroic King, please keep yourself always equipoised and treat people equally, whether they are greater than you, in the intermediate stage or lower than you. Do not be disturbed by temporary distress or happiness. Fully control your mind and senses. In this transcendental position, try to execute your duty as king in whatever condition of life you may be posted by My arrangement, for your only duty here is to give protection to the citizens of your kingdom.
श्रेयः प्रजापालनमेव राज्ञो यत्साम्पराये सुकृतात्षष्ठमंशम् । हर्तान्यथा हृतपुण्यः प्रजाना- मरक्षिता करहारोऽघमत्ति
śreyaḥ prajāpālanameva rājño yatsāmparāye sukṛtātṣaṣṭhamaṃśam | hartānyathā hṛtapuṇyaḥ prajānā- marakṣitā karahāro'ghamatti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To give protection to the general mass of people who are citizens of the state is the prescribed occupational duty for a king. By acting in that way, the king in his next life shares one sixth of the result of the pious activities of the citizens. But a king or executive head of state who simply collects taxes from the citizens but does not give them proper protection as human beings has the results of his own pious activities taken away by the citizens, and in exchange for his not giving protection he becomes liable to punishment for the impious activities of his subjects.
एवं द्विजाग्र्यानुमतानुवृत्त- धर्मप्रधानोऽन्यतमोऽवितास्याः । ह्रस्वेन कालेन गृहोपयातान् द्रष्टासि सिद्धाननुरक्तलोकः
evaṃ dvijāgryānumatānuvṛtta- dharmapradhāno'nyatamo'vitāsyāḥ | hrasvena kālena gṛhopayātān draṣṭāsi siddhānanuraktalokaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Viṣṇu continued: My dear King Pṛthu, if you continue to protect the citizens according to the instructions of the learned brāhmaṇa authorities, as they are received by the disciplic succession — by hearing — from master to disciple, and if you follow the religious principles laid down by them, without attachment to ideas manufactured by mental concoction, then every one of your citizens will be happy and will love you, and very soon you will be able to see such already liberated personalities as the four Kumāras [Sanaka, Sanātana, Sanandana and Sanat-kumāra].
वरं च मत्कञ्चन मानवेन्द्र वृणीष्व तेऽहं गुणशीलयन्त्रितः । नाहं मखैर्वै सुलभस्तपोभि- र्योगेन वा यत्समचित्तवर्ती
varaṃ ca matkañcana mānavendra vṛṇīṣva te'haṃ guṇaśīlayantritaḥ | nāhaṃ makhairvai sulabhastapobhi- ryogena vā yatsamacittavartī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, I am very captivated by your elevated qualities and excellent behavior, and thus I am very favorably inclined toward you. You may therefore ask from Me any benediction you like. One who does not possess elevated qualities and behavior cannot possibly achieve My favor simply by performance of sacrifices, severe austerities or mystic yoga. But I always remain equipoised in the heart of one who is also equipoised in all circumstances.
मैत्रेय उवाच । स इत्थं लोकगुरुणा विष्वक्सेनेन विश्वजित् । अनुशासित आदेशं शिरसा जगृहे हरेः
maitreya uvāca | sa itthaṃ lokaguruṇā viṣvaksenena viśvajit | anuśāsita ādeśaṃ śirasā jagṛhe hareḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great saint Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, in this way Mahārāja Pṛthu, the conqueror of the entire world, accepted the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead on his head.
स्पृशन्तं पादयोः प्रेम्णा व्रीडितं स्वेन कर्मणा । शतक्रतुं परिष्वज्य विद्वेषं विससर्ज ह
spṛśantaṃ pādayoḥ premṇā vrīḍitaṃ svena karmaṇā | śatakratuṃ pariṣvajya vidveṣaṃ visasarja ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As King Indra was standing by, he became ashamed of his own activities and fell down before King Pṛthu to touch his lotus feet. But Pṛthu Mahārāja immediately embraced him in great ecstasy and gave up all envy against him for his having stolen the horse meant for the sacrifice.
भगवानथ विश्वात्मा पृथुनोपहृतार्हणः । समुज्जिहानया भक्त्या गृहीतचरणाम्बुजः
bhagavānatha viśvātmā pṛthunopahṛtārhaṇaḥ | samujjihānayā bhaktyā gṛhītacaraṇāmbujaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu abundantly worshiped the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who was so merciful to him. While worshiping the lotus feet of the Lord, Pṛthu Mahārāja gradually increased his ecstasy in devotional service.
प्रस्थानाभिमुखोऽप्येनमनुग्रहविलम्बितः । पश्यन् पद्मपलाशाक्षो न प्रतस्थे सुहृत्सताम्
prasthānābhimukho'pyenamanugrahavilambitaḥ | paśyan padmapalāśākṣo na pratasthe suhṛtsatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord was just about to leave, but because He was so greatly inclined toward the behavior of King Pṛthu, He did not depart. Seeing the behavior of Mahārāja Pṛthu with His lotus eyes, He was detained because He is always the well-wisher of His devotees.
स आदिराजो रचिताञ्जलिर्हरिं विलोकितुं नाशकदश्रुलोचनः । न किञ्चनोवाच स बाष्पविक्लवो हृदोपगुह्यामुमधादवस्थितः
sa ādirājo racitāñjalirhariṃ vilokituṃ nāśakadaśrulocanaḥ | na kiñcanovāca sa bāṣpaviklavo hṛdopaguhyāmumadhādavasthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The original king, Mahārāja Pṛthu, his eyes full of tears and his voice faltering and choked up, could neither see the Lord very distinctly nor speak to address the Lord in any way. He simply embraced the Lord within his heart and remained standing in that way with folded hands.
अथावमृज्याश्रुकला विलोकय- न्नतृप्तदृग्गोचरमाह पूरुषम् । पदा स्पृशन्तं क्षितिमंस उन्नते विन्यस्तहस्ताग्रमुरङ्गविद्विषः
athāvamṛjyāśrukalā vilokaya- nnatṛptadṛggocaramāha pūruṣam | padā spṛśantaṃ kṣitimaṃsa unnate vinyastahastāgramuraṅgavidviṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead stood with His lotus feet almost touching the ground while He rested the front of His hand on the raised shoulder of Garuḍa, the enemy of the snakes. Mahārāja Pṛthu, wiping the tears from his eyes, tried to look upon the Lord, but it appeared that the King was not fully satisfied by looking at Him. Thus the King offered the following prayers.
पृथुरुवाच । वरान्विभो त्वद्वरदेश्वराद्बुधः कथं वृणीते गुणविक्रियात्मनाम् । ये नारकाणामपि सन्ति देहिनां तानीश कैवल्यपते वृणे न च
pṛthuruvāca | varānvibho tvadvaradeśvarādbudhaḥ kathaṃ vṛṇīte guṇavikriyātmanām | ye nārakāṇāmapi santi dehināṃ tānīśa kaivalyapate vṛṇe na ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, You are the best of the demigods who can offer benedictions. Why, therefore, should any learned person ask You for benedictions meant for living entities bewildered by the modes of nature? Such benedictions are available automatically, even in the lives of living entities suffering in hellish conditions. My dear Lord, You can certainly bestow merging into Your existence, but I do not wish to have such a benediction.
न कामये नाथ तदप्यहं क्वचि- न्न यत्र युष्मच्चरणाम्बुजासवः । महत्तमान्तर्हृदयान्मुखच्युतो विधत्स्व कर्णायुतमेष मे वरः
na kāmaye nātha tadapyahaṃ kvaci- nna yatra yuṣmaccaraṇāmbujāsavaḥ | mahattamāntarhṛdayānmukhacyuto vidhatsva karṇāyutameṣa me varaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, I therefore do not wish to have the benediction of merging into Your existence, a benediction in which there is no existence of the nectarean beverage of Your lotus feet. I want the benediction of at least one million ears, for thus I may be able to hear about the glories of Your lotus feet from the mouths of Your pure devotees.
स उत्तमश्लोकमहन्मुखच्युतो भवत्पदाम्भोजसुधाकणानिलः । स्मृतिं पुनर्विस्मृततत्त्ववर्त्मनां कुयोगिनां नो वितरत्यलं वरैः
sa uttamaślokamahanmukhacyuto bhavatpadāmbhojasudhākaṇānilaḥ | smṛtiṃ punarvismṛtatattvavartmanāṃ kuyogināṃ no vitaratyalaṃ varaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, You are glorified by the selected verses uttered by great personalities. Such glorification of Your lotus feet is just like saffron particles. When the transcendental vibration from the mouths of great devotees carries the aroma of the saffron dust of Your lotus feet, the forgetful living entity gradually remembers his eternal relationship with You. Devotees thus gradually come to the right conclusion about the value of life. My dear Lord, I therefore do not need any other benediction but the opportunity to hear from the mouth of Your pure devotee.
यशः शिवं सुश्रव आर्यसङ्गमे यदृच्छया चोपशृणोति ते सकृत् । कथं गुणज्ञो विरमेद्विना पशुं श्रीर्यत्प्रवव्रे गुणसङ्ग्रहेच्छया
yaśaḥ śivaṃ suśrava āryasaṅgame yadṛcchayā copaśṛṇoti te sakṛt | kathaṃ guṇajño viramedvinā paśuṃ śrīryatpravavre guṇasaṅgrahecchayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear highly glorified Lord, if one, in the association of pure devotees, hears even once the glories of Your activities, he does not, unless he is nothing but an animal, give up the association of devotees, for no intelligent person would be so careless as to leave their association. The perfection of chanting and hearing about Your glories was accepted even by the goddess of fortune, who desired to hear of Your unlimited activities and transcendental glories.
अथाभजे त्वाखिलपूरुषोत्तमं गुणालयं पद्मकरेव लालसः । अप्यावयोरेकपतिस्पृधोः कलि- र्न स्यात्कृतत्वच्चरणैकतानयोः
athābhaje tvākhilapūruṣottamaṃ guṇālayaṃ padmakareva lālasaḥ | apyāvayorekapatispṛdhoḥ kali- rna syātkṛtatvaccaraṇaikatānayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now I wish to engage in the service of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and to serve just like the goddess of fortune, who carries a lotus flower in her hand, because His Lordship, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the reservoir of all transcendental qualities. I am afraid that the goddess of fortune and I would quarrel because both of us would be attentively engaged in the same service.
जगज्जनन्यां जगदीश वैशसं स्यादेव यत्कर्मणि नः समीहितम् । करोषि फल्ग्वप्युरु दीनवत्सलः स्व एव धिष्ण्येऽभिरतस्य किं तया
jagajjananyāṃ jagadīśa vaiśasaṃ syādeva yatkarmaṇi naḥ samīhitam | karoṣi phalgvapyuru dīnavatsalaḥ sva eva dhiṣṇye'bhiratasya kiṃ tayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord of the universe, the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, is the mother of the universe, and yet I think that she may be angry with me because of my intruding upon her service and acting on that very platform to which she is so much attached. Yet I am hopeful that even though there is some misunderstanding, You will take my part, for You are very much inclined to the poor, and You always magnify even insignificant service unto You. Therefore even though she becomes angry, I think that there is no harm for You, because You are so self-sufficient that You can do without her.
भजन्त्यथ त्वामत एव साधवः व्युदस्तमायागुणविभ्रमोदयम् । भवत्पदानुस्मरणादृते सतां निमित्तमन्यद्भगवन् न विद्महे
bhajantyatha tvāmata eva sādhavaḥ vyudastamāyāguṇavibhramodayam | bhavatpadānusmaraṇādṛte satāṃ nimittamanyadbhagavan na vidmahe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Great saintly persons who are always liberated take to Your devotional service because only by devotional service can one be relieved from the illusions of material existence. O my Lord, there is no reason for the liberated souls to take shelter at Your lotus feet except that such souls are constantly thinking of Your feet.
मन्ये गिरं ते जगतां विमोहिनीं वरं वृणीष्वेति भजन्तमात्थ यत् । वाचा नु तन्त्या यदि ते जनोऽसितः कथं पुनः कर्म करोति मोहितः
manye giraṃ te jagatāṃ vimohinīṃ varaṃ vṛṇīṣveti bhajantamāttha yat | vācā nu tantyā yadi te jano'sitaḥ kathaṃ punaḥ karma karoti mohitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, what You have said to Your unalloyed devotee is certainly very much bewildering. The allurements You offer in the Vedas are certainly not suitable for pure devotees. People in general, bound by the sweet words of the Vedas, engage themselves again and again in fruitive activities, enamored by the results of their actions.
त्वन्माययाद्धा जन ईश खण्डितो यदन्यदाशास्त ऋतात्मनोऽबुधः । यथा चरेद्बालहितं पिता स्वयं तथा त्वमेवार्हसि नः समीहितुम्
tvanmāyayāddhā jana īśa khaṇḍito yadanyadāśāsta ṛtātmano'budhaḥ | yathā caredbālahitaṃ pitā svayaṃ tathā tvamevārhasi naḥ samīhitum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, due to Your illusory energy, all living beings in this material world have forgotten their real constitutional position, and out of ignorance they are always desirous of material happiness in the form of society, friendship and love. Therefore, please do not ask me to take some material benefits from You, but as a father, not waiting for the son’s demand, does everything for the benefit of the son, please bestow upon me whatever You think best for me.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इत्यादिराजेन नुतः स विश्वदृक्- तमाह राजन् मयि भक्तिरस्तु ते । दिष्ट्येदृशी धीर्मयि ते कृता यया मायां मदीयां तरति स्म दुस्त्यजाम्
maitreya uvāca | ityādirājena nutaḥ sa viśvadṛk- tamāha rājan mayi bhaktirastu te | diṣṭyedṛśī dhīrmayi te kṛtā yayā māyāṃ madīyāṃ tarati sma dustyajām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued by saying that the Lord, the seer of the universe, after hearing Pṛthu Mahārāja’s prayer, addressed the King: My dear King, may you always be blessed by engaging in My devotional service. Only by such purity of purpose, as you yourself very intelligently express, can one cross over the insurmountable illusory energy of māyā.
तत्त्वं कुरु मयाऽऽदिष्टमप्रमत्तः प्रजापते । मदादेशकरो लोकः सर्वत्राप्नोति शोभनम्
tattvaṃ kuru mayā''diṣṭamapramattaḥ prajāpate | madādeśakaro lokaḥ sarvatrāpnoti śobhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, O protector of the citizens, henceforward be very careful to execute My orders and not be misled by anything. Anyone who lives in that way, simply carrying out My orders faithfully, will always find good fortune all over the world.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इति वैन्यस्य राजर्षेः प्रतिनन्द्यार्थवद्वचः । पूजितोऽनुगृहीत्वैनं गन्तुं चक्रेऽच्युतो मतिम्
maitreya uvāca | iti vainyasya rājarṣeḥ pratinandyārthavadvacaḥ | pūjito'nugṛhītvainaṃ gantuṃ cakre'cyuto matim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great saint Maitreya told Vidura: The Supreme Personality of Godhead amply appreciated the meaningful prayers of Mahārāja Pṛthu. Thus, after being properly worshiped by the King, the Lord blessed him and decided to depart.
भगवानपि राजर्षेः सोपाध्यायस्य चाच्युतः । हरन्निव मनोऽमुष्य स्वधाम प्रत्यपद्यत
bhagavānapi rājarṣeḥ sopādhyāyasya cācyutaḥ | haranniva mano'muṣya svadhāma pratyapadyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead, having captivated the minds of the King and the priests who were present, returned to His abode in the spiritual sky.
अदृष्टाय नमस्कृत्य नृपः सन्दर्शितात्मने । अव्यक्ताय च देवानां देवाय स्वपुरं ययौ
adṛṣṭāya namaskṛtya nṛpaḥ sandarśitātmane | avyaktāya ca devānāṃ devāya svapuraṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu then offered his respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the Supreme Lord of all demigods. Although not an object of material vision, the Lord revealed Himself to the sight of Mahārāja Pṛthu. After offering obeisances to the Lord, the King returned to his home.
मैत्रेय उवाच । मौक्तिकैः कुसुमस्रग्भिर्दुकूलैः स्वर्णतोरणैः । महासुरभिभिर्धूपैर्मण्डितं तत्र तत्र वै
maitreya uvāca | mauktikaiḥ kusumasragbhirdukūlaiḥ svarṇatoraṇaiḥ | mahāsurabhibhirdhūpairmaṇḍitaṃ tatra tatra vai
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya told Vidura: When the King entered his city, it was very beautifully decorated to receive him with pearls, flower garlands, beautiful cloth and golden gates, and the entire city was perfumed with highly fragrant incense.
चन्दनागुरुतोयार्द्ररथ्याचत्वरमार्गवत् । पुष्पाक्षतफलैस्तोक्मैर्लाजैरर्चिर्भिरर्चितम्
candanāgurutoyārdrarathyācatvaramārgavat | puṣpākṣataphalaistokmairlājairarcirbhirarcitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Fragrant water distilled from sandalwood and aguru herb was sprinkled everywhere on the lanes, roads and small parks throughout the city, and everywhere were decorations of unbroken fruits, flowers, wetted grains, varied minerals, and lamps, all presented as auspicious paraphernalia.
सवृन्दैः कदलीस्तम्भैः पूगपोतैः परिष्कृतम् । तरुपल्लवमालाभिः सर्वतः समलङ्कृतम्
savṛndaiḥ kadalīstambhaiḥ pūgapotaiḥ pariṣkṛtam | tarupallavamālābhiḥ sarvataḥ samalaṅkṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the street crossings there were bunches of fruits and flowers, as well as pillars of banana trees and betel nut branches. All these combined decorations everywhere looked very attractive.
प्रजास्तं दीपबलिभिः सम्भृताशेषमङ्गलैः । अभीयुर्मृष्टकन्याश्च मृष्टकुण्डलमण्डिताः
prajāstaṃ dīpabalibhiḥ sambhṛtāśeṣamaṅgalaiḥ | abhīyurmṛṣṭakanyāśca mṛṣṭakuṇḍalamaṇḍitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the King entered the gate of the city, all the citizens received him with many auspicious articles like lamps, flowers and yogurt. The King was also received by many beautiful unmarried girls whose bodies were bedecked with various ornaments, especially with earrings which collided with one another.
शङ्खदुन्दुभिघोषेण ब्रह्मघोषेण चर्त्विजाम् । विवेश भवनं वीरः स्तूयमानो गतस्मयः
śaṅkhadundubhighoṣeṇa brahmaghoṣeṇa cartvijām | viveśa bhavanaṃ vīraḥ stūyamāno gatasmayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the King entered the palace, conchshells and kettledrums were sounded, priests chanted Vedic mantras, and professional reciters offered different prayers. But in spite of all this ceremony to welcome him, the King was not the least bit affected.
पूजितः पूजयामास तत्र तत्र महायशाः । पौराञ्जानपदांस्तांस्तान् प्रीतः प्रियवरप्रदः
pūjitaḥ pūjayāmāsa tatra tatra mahāyaśāḥ | paurāñjānapadāṃstāṃstān prītaḥ priyavarapradaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Both the important citizens and the common citizens welcomed the King very heartily, and he also bestowed upon them their desired blessings.
स एवमादीन्यनवद्यचेष्टितः कर्माणि भूयांसि महान् महत्तमः । कुर्वन् शशासावनिमण्डलं यशः स्फीतं निधायारुरुहे परं पदम्
sa evamādīnyanavadyaceṣṭitaḥ karmāṇi bhūyāṃsi mahān mahattamaḥ | kurvan śaśāsāvanimaṇḍalaṃ yaśaḥ sphītaṃ nidhāyāruruhe paraṃ padam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu was greater than the greatest soul and was therefore worshipable by everyone. He performed many glorious activities in ruling over the surface of the world and was always magnanimous. After achieving such great success and a reputation which spread throughout the universe, he at last obtained the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
सूत उवाच । तदादिराजस्य यशो विजृम्भितं गुणैरशेषैर्गुणवत्सभाजितम् । क्षत्ता महाभागवतः सदस्पते कौषारविं प्राह गृणन्तमर्चयन्
sūta uvāca | tadādirājasya yaśo vijṛmbhitaṃ guṇairaśeṣairguṇavatsabhājitam | kṣattā mahābhāgavataḥ sadaspate kauṣāraviṃ prāha gṛṇantamarcayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī continued: O Śaunaka, leader of the great sages, after hearing Maitreya speak about the various activities of King Pṛthu, the original king, who was fully qualified, glorified and widely praised all over the world, Vidura, the great devotee, very submissively worshiped Maitreya Ṛṣi and asked him the following question.
विदुर उवाच । सोऽभिषिक्तः पृथुर्विप्रैर्लब्धाशेषसुरार्हणः । बिभ्रत्स वैष्णवं तेजो बाह्वोर्याभ्यां दुदोह गाम्
vidura uvāca | so'bhiṣiktaḥ pṛthurviprairlabdhāśeṣasurārhaṇaḥ | bibhratsa vaiṣṇavaṃ tejo bāhvoryābhyāṃ dudoha gām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vidura said: My dear brāhmaṇa Maitreya, it is very enlightening to understand that King Pṛthu was enthroned by the great sages and brāhmaṇas. All the demigods presented him with innumerable gifts, and he also expanded his influence upon personally receiving strength from Lord Viṣṇu. Thus he greatly developed the earth.
को न्वस्य कीर्तिं न शृणोत्यभिज्ञो यद्विक्रमोच्छिष्टमशेषभूपाः । लोकाः सपाला उपजीवन्ति काम- मद्यापि तन्मे वद कर्म शुद्धम्
ko nvasya kīrtiṃ na śṛṇotyabhijño yadvikramocchiṣṭamaśeṣabhūpāḥ | lokāḥ sapālā upajīvanti kāma- madyāpi tanme vada karma śuddham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pṛthu Mahārāja was so great in his activities and magnanimous in his method of ruling that all the kings and demigods on the various planets still follow in his footsteps. Who is there who will not try to hear about his glorious activities? I wish to hear more and more about Pṛthu Mahārāja because his activities are so pious and auspicious.
मैत्रेय उवाच । गङ्गायमुनयोर्नद्योरन्तरा क्षेत्रमावसन् । आरब्धानेव बुभुजे भोगान् पुण्यजिहासया
maitreya uvāca | gaṅgāyamunayornadyorantarā kṣetramāvasan | ārabdhāneva bubhuje bhogān puṇyajihāsayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great saintly sage Maitreya told Vidura: My dear Vidura, King Pṛthu lived in the tract of land between the two great rivers Ganges and Yamunā. Because he was very opulent, it appeared that he was enjoying his destined fortune in order to diminish the results of his past pious activities.
सर्वत्रास्खलितादेशः सप्तद्वीपैकदण्डधृक् । अन्यत्र ब्राह्मणकुलादन्यत्राच्युतगोत्रतः
sarvatrāskhalitādeśaḥ saptadvīpaikadaṇḍadhṛk | anyatra brāhmaṇakulādanyatrācyutagotrataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Pṛthu was an unrivaled king and possessed the scepter for ruling all the seven islands on the surface of the globe. No one could disobey his irrevocable orders but the saintly persons, the brāhmaṇas and the descendants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead [the Vaiṣṇavas].
एकदाऽऽसीन्महासत्रदीक्षा तत्र दिवौकसाम् । समाजो ब्रह्मर्षीणां च राजर्षीणां च सत्तम
ekadā''sīnmahāsatradīkṣā tatra divaukasām | samājo brahmarṣīṇāṃ ca rājarṣīṇāṃ ca sattama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once upon a time King Pṛthu initiated the performance of a very great sacrifice in which great saintly sages, brāhmaṇas, demigods from higher planetary systems and great saintly kings known as rājarṣis all assembled together.
तस्मिन्नर्हत्सु सर्वेषु स्वर्चितेषु यथार्हतः । उत्थितः सदसो मध्ये ताराणामुडुराडिव
tasminnarhatsu sarveṣu svarciteṣu yathārhataḥ | utthitaḥ sadaso madhye tārāṇāmuḍurāḍiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that great assembly, Mahārāja Pṛthu first of all worshiped all the respectable visitors according to their respective positions. After this, he stood up in the midst of the assembly, and it appeared that the full moon had arisen amongst the stars.
प्रांशुः पीनायतभुजो गौरः कञ्जारुणेक्षणः । सुनासः सुमुखः सौम्यः पीनांसः सुद्विजस्मितः
prāṃśuḥ pīnāyatabhujo gauraḥ kañjāruṇekṣaṇaḥ | sunāsaḥ sumukhaḥ saumyaḥ pīnāṃsaḥ sudvijasmitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu’s body was tall and sturdy, and his complexion was fair. His arms were full and broad and his eyes as bright as the rising sun. His nose was straight, his face very beautiful, and his personality grave. His teeth were set beautifully in his smiling face.
व्यूढवक्षा बृहच्छ्रोणिर्वलिवल्गुदलोदरः । आवर्तनाभिरोजस्वी काञ्चनोरुरुदग्रपात्
vyūḍhavakṣā bṛhacchroṇirvalivalgudalodaraḥ | āvartanābhirojasvī kāñcanorurudagrapāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The chest of Mahārāja Pṛthu was very broad, his waist was very thick, and his abdomen, wrinkled by lines of skin, resembled in construction a leaf of a banyan tree. His navel was coiled and deep, his thighs were of a golden hue, and his instep was arched.
सूक्ष्मवक्रासितस्निग्धमूर्धजः कम्बुकन्धरः । महाधने दुकूलाग्र्ये परिधायोपवीय च
sūkṣmavakrāsitasnigdhamūrdhajaḥ kambukandharaḥ | mahādhane dukūlāgrye paridhāyopavīya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The black, slick hair on his head was very fine and curly, and his neck, like a conchshell, was decorated with auspicious lines. He wore a very valuable dhotī, and there was a nice wrapper on the upper part of his body.
व्यञ्जिताशेषगात्रश्रीर्नियमे न्यस्तभूषणः । कृष्णाजिनधरः श्रीमान् कुशपाणिः कृतोचितः
vyañjitāśeṣagātraśrīrniyame nyastabhūṣaṇaḥ | kṛṣṇājinadharaḥ śrīmān kuśapāṇiḥ kṛtocitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Mahārāja Pṛthu was being initiated to perform the sacrifice, he had to leave aside his valuable dress, and therefore his natural bodily beauty was visible. It was very pleasing to see him put on a black deerskin and wear a ring of kuśa grass on his finger, for this increased the natural beauty of his body. It appears that Mahārāja Pṛthu observed all the regulative principles before he performed the sacrifice.
शिशिरस्निग्धताराक्षः समैक्षत समन्ततः । ऊचिवानिदमुर्वीशः सदः संहर्षयन्निव
śiśirasnigdhatārākṣaḥ samaikṣata samantataḥ | ūcivānidamurvīśaḥ sadaḥ saṃharṣayanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just to encourage the members of the assembly and to enhance their pleasure, King Pṛthu glanced over them with eyes that seemed like stars in a sky wet with dew. He then spoke to them in a great voice.
चारुचित्रपदं श्लक्ष्णं मृष्टं गूढमविक्लवम् । सर्वेषामुपकारार्थं तदा अनुवदन्निव
cārucitrapadaṃ ślakṣṇaṃ mṛṣṭaṃ gūḍhamaviklavam | sarveṣāmupakārārthaṃ tadā anuvadanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Pṛthu’s speech was very beautiful, full of metaphorical language, clearly understandable and very pleasing to hear. His words were all grave and certain. It appears that when he spoke, he expressed his personal realization of the Absolute Truth in order to benefit all who were present.
राजोवाच । सभ्याः शृणुत भद्रं वः साधवो य इहागताः । सत्सु जिज्ञासुभिर्धर्ममावेद्यं स्वमनीषितम्
rājovāca | sabhyāḥ śṛṇuta bhadraṃ vaḥ sādhavo ya ihāgatāḥ | satsu jijñāsubhirdharmamāvedyaṃ svamanīṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu said: O gentle members of the assembly, may all good fortune be upon you! May all of you great souls who have come to attend this meeting kindly hear my prayer attentively. A person who is actually inquisitive must present his decision before an assembly of noble souls.
अहं दण्डधरो राजा प्रजानामिह योजितः । रक्षिता वृत्तिदः स्वेषु सेतुषु स्थापिता पृथक्
ahaṃ daṇḍadharo rājā prajānāmiha yojitaḥ | rakṣitā vṛttidaḥ sveṣu setuṣu sthāpitā pṛthak
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu continued: By the grace of the Supreme Lord I have been appointed the king of this planet, and I carry the scepter to rule the citizens, protect them from all danger, and give them employment according to their respective positions in the social order established by Vedic injunction.
तस्य मे तदनुष्ठानाद्यानाहुर्ब्रह्मवादिनः । लोकाः स्युः कामसन्दोहा यस्य तुष्यति दिष्टदृक्
tasya me tadanuṣṭhānādyānāhurbrahmavādinaḥ | lokāḥ syuḥ kāmasandohā yasya tuṣyati diṣṭadṛk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Pṛthu said: I think that upon the execution of my duties as king, I shall be able to achieve the desirable objectives described by experts in Vedic knowledge. This destination is certainly achieved by the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the seer of all destiny.
य उद्धरेत्करं राजा प्रजा धर्मेष्वशिक्षयन् । प्रजानां शमलं भुङ्क्ते भगं च स्वं जहाति सः
ya uddharetkaraṃ rājā prajā dharmeṣvaśikṣayan | prajānāṃ śamalaṃ bhuṅkte bhagaṃ ca svaṃ jahāti saḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Any king who does not teach his citizens about their respective duties in terms of varṇa and āśrama but who simply exacts tolls and taxes from them is liable to suffer for the impious activities which have been performed by the citizens. In addition to such degradation, the king also loses his own fortune.
तत्प्रजा भर्तृपिण्डार्थं स्वार्थमेवानसूयवः । कुरुताधोक्षजधियस्तर्हि मेऽनुग्रहः कृतः
tatprajā bhartṛpiṇḍārthaṃ svārthamevānasūyavaḥ | kurutādhokṣajadhiyastarhi me'nugrahaḥ kṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pṛthu Mahārāja continued: Therefore, my dear citizens, for the welfare of your king after his death, you should execute your duties properly in terms of your positions of varṇa and āśrama and should always think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead within your hearts. By doing so, you will protect your own interests, and you will bestow mercy upon your king for his welfare after death.
यूयं तदनुमोदध्वं पितृदेवर्षयोऽमलाः । कर्तुः शास्तुरनुज्ञातुस्तुल्यं यत्प्रेत्य तत्फलम्
yūyaṃ tadanumodadhvaṃ pitṛdevarṣayo'malāḥ | kartuḥ śāsturanujñātustulyaṃ yatpretya tatphalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I request all the purehearted demigods, forefathers and saintly persons to support my proposal, for after death the result of an action is equally shared by its doer, its director and its supporter.
अस्ति यज्ञपतिर्नाम केषाञ्चिदर्हसत्तमाः । इहामुत्र च लक्ष्यन्ते ज्योत्स्नावत्यः क्वचिद्भुवः
asti yajñapatirnāma keṣāñcidarhasattamāḥ | ihāmutra ca lakṣyante jyotsnāvatyaḥ kvacidbhuvaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear respectable ladies and gentlemen, according to the authoritative statements of śāstra, there must be a supreme authority who is able to award the respective benefits of our present activities. Otherwise, why should there be persons who are unusually beautiful and powerful both in this life and in the life after death?
दौहित्रादीन् ऋते मृत्योः शोच्यान् धर्मविमोहितान् । वर्गस्वर्गापवर्गाणां प्रायेणैकात्म्यहेतुना
dauhitrādīn ṛte mṛtyoḥ śocyān dharmavimohitān | vargasvargāpavargāṇāṃ prāyeṇaikātmyahetunā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although abominable persons like my father, Vena, the grandson of death personified, are bewildered on the path of religion, all the great personalities like those mentioned agree that in this world the only bestower of the benedictions of religion, economic development, sense gratification, liberation or elevation to the heavenly planets is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
यत्पादसेवाभिरुचिस्तपस्विना- मशेषजन्मोपचितं मलं धियः । सद्यः क्षिणोत्यन्वहमेधती सती यथा पदाङ्गुष्ठविनिःसृता सरित्
yatpādasevābhirucistapasvinā- maśeṣajanmopacitaṃ malaṃ dhiyaḥ | sadyaḥ kṣiṇotyanvahamedhatī satī yathā padāṅguṣṭhaviniḥsṛtā sarit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By the inclination to serve the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, suffering humanity can immediately cleanse the dirt which has accumulated in their minds during innumerable births. Like the Ganges water, which emanates from the toes of the lotus feet of the Lord, such a process immediately cleanses the mind, and thus spiritual or Kṛṣṇa consciousness gradually increases.
विनिर्धुताशेषमनोमलः पुमा- नसङ्गविज्ञानविशेषवीर्यवान् । यदङ्घ्रिमूले कृतकेतनः पुन- र्न संसृतिं क्लेशवहां प्रपद्यते
vinirdhutāśeṣamanomalaḥ pumā- nasaṅgavijñānaviśeṣavīryavān | yadaṅghrimūle kṛtaketanaḥ puna- rna saṃsṛtiṃ kleśavahāṃ prapadyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When a devotee takes shelter at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is completely cleansed of all misunderstanding or mental speculation, and he manifests renunciation. This is possible only when one is strengthened by practicing bhakti-yoga. Once having taken shelter at the root of the lotus feet of the Lord, a devotee never comes back to this material existence, which is full of the threefold miseries.
तमेव यूयं भजतात्मवृत्तिभि- र्मनोवचःकायगुणैः स्वकर्मभिः । अमायिनः कामदुघाङ्घ्रिपङ्कजं यथाधिकारावसितार्थसिद्धयः
tameva yūyaṃ bhajatātmavṛttibhi- rmanovacaḥkāyaguṇaiḥ svakarmabhiḥ | amāyinaḥ kāmadughāṅghripaṅkajaṃ yathādhikārāvasitārthasiddhayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pṛthu Mahārāja advised his citizens: Engaging your minds, your words, your bodies and the results of your occupational duties, and being always open-minded, you should all render devotional service to the Lord. According to your abilities and the occupations in which you are situated, you should engage your service at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead with full confidence and without reservation. Then you will surely be successful in achieving the final objective in your lives.
असाविहानेकगुणोऽगुणोऽध्वरः पृथग्विधद्रव्यगुणक्रियोक्तिभिः । सम्पद्यतेऽर्थाशयलिङ्गनामभि- र्विशुद्धविज्ञानघनः स्वरूपतः
asāvihānekaguṇo'guṇo'dhvaraḥ pṛthagvidhadravyaguṇakriyoktibhiḥ | sampadyate'rthāśayaliṅganāmabhi- rviśuddhavijñānaghanaḥ svarūpataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is transcendental and not contaminated by this material world. But although He is concentrated spirit soul without material variety, for the benefit of the conditioned soul He nevertheless accepts different types of sacrifice performed with various material elements, rituals and mantras and offered to the demigods under different names according to the interests and purposes of the performers.
प्रधानकालाशयधर्मसङ्ग्रहे शरीर एष प्रतिपद्य चेतनाम् । क्रियाफलत्वेन विभुर्विभाव्यते यथानलो दारुषु तद्गुणात्मकः
pradhānakālāśayadharmasaṅgrahe śarīra eṣa pratipadya cetanām | kriyāphalatvena vibhurvibhāvyate yathānalo dāruṣu tadguṇātmakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is all-pervading, but He is also manifested in different types of bodies which arise from a combination of material nature, time, desires and occupational duties. Thus different types of consciousness develop, just as fire, which is always basically the same, blazes in different ways according to the shape and dimension of firewood.
अहो ममामी वितरन्त्यनुग्रहं हरिं गुरुं यज्ञभुजामधीश्वरम् । स्वधर्मयोगेन यजन्ति मामका निरन्तरं क्षोणितले दृढव्रताः
aho mamāmī vitarantyanugrahaṃ hariṃ guruṃ yajñabhujāmadhīśvaram | svadharmayogena yajanti māmakā nirantaraṃ kṣoṇitale dṛḍhavratāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the master and enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices, and He is the supreme spiritual master as well. All of you citizens on the surface of the globe who have a relationship with me and are worshiping Him by dint of your occupational duties are bestowing your mercy upon me. Therefore, O my citizens, I thank you.
मा जातु तेजः प्रभवेन्महर्द्धिभि- स्तितिक्षया तपसा विद्यया च । देदीप्यमानेऽजितदेवतानां कुले स्वयं राजकुलाद्द्विजानाम्
mā jātu tejaḥ prabhavenmaharddhibhi- stitikṣayā tapasā vidyayā ca | dedīpyamāne'jitadevatānāṃ kule svayaṃ rājakulāddvijānām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas are personally glorified by their characteristic powers of tolerance, penance, knowledge and education. By dint of all these spiritual assets, Vaiṣṇavas are more powerful than royalty. It is therefore advised that the princely order not exhibit its material prowess before these two communities and should avoid offending them.
ब्रह्मण्यदेवः पुरुषः पुरातनो नित्यं हरिर्यच्चरणाभिवन्दनात् । अवाप लक्ष्मीमनपायिनीं यशो जगत्पवित्रं च महत्तमाग्रणीः
brahmaṇyadevaḥ puruṣaḥ purātano nityaṃ hariryaccaraṇābhivandanāt | avāpa lakṣmīmanapāyinīṃ yaśo jagatpavitraṃ ca mahattamāgraṇīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ancient, eternal Godhead, who is foremost amongst all great personalities, obtained the opulence of His staunch reputation, which purifies the entire universe, by worshiping the lotus feet of those brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas.
यत्सेवयाशेषगुहाशयः स्वराड् विप्रप्रियस्तुष्यति काममीश्वरः । तदेव तद्धर्मपरैर्विनीतैः सर्वात्मना ब्रह्मकुलं निषेव्यताम्
yatsevayāśeṣaguhāśayaḥ svarāḍ viprapriyastuṣyati kāmamīśvaraḥ | tadeva taddharmaparairvinītaiḥ sarvātmanā brahmakulaṃ niṣevyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is everlastingly independent and who exists in everyone’s heart, is very pleased with those who follow in His footsteps and engage without reservation in the service of the descendants of brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, for He is always dear to brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas and they are always dear to Him.
पुमान् लभेतानतिवेलमात्मनः प्रसीदतोऽत्यन्तशमं स्वतः स्वयम् । यन्नित्यसम्बन्धनिषेवया ततः परं किमत्रास्ति मुखं हविर्भुजाम्
pumān labhetānativelamātmanaḥ prasīdato'tyantaśamaṃ svataḥ svayam | yannityasambandhaniṣevayā tataḥ paraṃ kimatrāsti mukhaṃ havirbhujām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By regular service to the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, one can clear the dirt from his heart and thus enjoy supreme peace and liberation from material attachment and be satisfied. In this world there is no fruitive activity superior to serving the brāhmaṇa class, for this can bring pleasure to the demigods, for whom the many sacrifices are recommended.
अश्नात्यनन्तः खलु तत्त्वकोविदैः श्रद्धाहुतं यन्मुख इज्यनामभिः । न वै तथा चेतनया बहिष्कृते हुताशने पारमहंस्यपर्यगुः
aśnātyanantaḥ khalu tattvakovidaiḥ śraddhāhutaṃ yanmukha ijyanāmabhiḥ | na vai tathā cetanayā bahiṣkṛte hutāśane pāramahaṃsyaparyaguḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Ananta, eats through the fire sacrifices offered in the names of the different demigods, He does not take as much pleasure in eating through fire as He does in accepting offerings through the mouths of learned sages and devotees, for then He does not leave the association of devotees.
यद्ब्रह्म नित्यं विरजं सनातनं श्रद्धातपोमङ्गलमौनसंयमैः । समाधिना बिभ्रति हार्थदृष्टये यत्रेदमादर्श इवावभासते
yadbrahma nityaṃ virajaṃ sanātanaṃ śraddhātapomaṅgalamaunasaṃyamaiḥ | samādhinā bibhrati hārthadṛṣṭaye yatredamādarśa ivāvabhāsate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In brahminical culture a brāhmaṇa’s transcendental position is eternally maintained because the injunctions of the Vedas are accepted with faith, austerity, scriptural conclusions, full sense and mind control, and meditation. In this way the real goal of life is illuminated, just as one’s face is fully reflected in a clear mirror.
तेषामहं पादसरोजरेणु- मार्यावहेयाधिकिरीटमायुः । यं नित्यदा बिभ्रत आशु पापं नश्यत्यमुं सर्वगुणा भजन्ति
teṣāmahaṃ pādasarojareṇu- māryāvaheyādhikirīṭamāyuḥ | yaṃ nityadā bibhrata āśu pāpaṃ naśyatyamuṃ sarvaguṇā bhajanti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O respectable personalities present here, I beg the blessings of all of you that I may perpetually carry on my crown the dust of the lotus feet of such brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas until the end of my life. He who can carry such dust on his head is very soon relieved of all the reactions which arise from sinful life, and eventually he develops all good and desirable qualities.
गुणायनं शीलधनं कृतज्ञं वृद्धाश्रयं संवृणतेऽनुसम्पदः । प्रसीदतां ब्रह्मकुलं गवां च जनार्दनः सानुचरश्च मह्यम्
guṇāyanaṃ śīladhanaṃ kṛtajñaṃ vṛddhāśrayaṃ saṃvṛṇate'nusampadaḥ | prasīdatāṃ brahmakulaṃ gavāṃ ca janārdanaḥ sānucaraśca mahyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whoever acquires the brahminical qualifications — whose only wealth is good behavior, who is grateful, and who takes shelter of experienced persons — gets all the opulence of the world. I therefore wish that the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His associates be pleased with the brāhmaṇa class, with the cows and with me.
SB 4.21.45
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya said: After hearing King Pṛthu speak so nicely, all the demigods, the denizens of Pitṛloka, the brāhmaṇas and the saintly persons present at the meeting congratulated him by expressing their good will.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इति ब्रुवाणं नृपतिं पितृदेवद्विजातयः । तुष्टुवुर्हृष्टमनसः साधुवादेन साधवः
maitreya uvāca | iti bruvāṇaṃ nṛpatiṃ pitṛdevadvijātayaḥ | tuṣṭuvurhṛṣṭamanasaḥ sādhuvādena sādhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They all declared that the Vedic conclusion that one can conquer the heavenly planets by the action of a putra, or son, was fulfilled, for the most sinful Vena, who had been killed by the curse of the brāhmaṇas, was now delivered from the darkest region of hellish life by his son, Mahārāja Pṛthu.
पुत्रेण जयते लोकानिति सत्यवती श्रुतिः । ब्रह्मदण्डहतः पापो यद्वेनोऽत्यतरत्तमः
putreṇa jayate lokāniti satyavatī śrutiḥ | brahmadaṇḍahataḥ pāpo yadveno'tyatarattamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Similarly, Hiraṇyakaśipu, who by dint of his sinful activities always defied the supremacy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, entered into the darkest region of hellish life; but by the grace of his great son, Prahlāda Mahārāja, he also was delivered and went back home, back to Godhead.
हिरण्यकशिपुश्चापि भगवन्निन्दया तमः । विविक्षुरत्यगात्सूनोः प्रह्लादस्यानुभावतः
hiraṇyakaśipuścāpi bhagavannindayā tamaḥ | vivikṣuratyagātsūnoḥ prahlādasyānubhāvataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the saintly brāhmaṇas thus addressed Pṛthu Mahārāja: O best of the warriors, O father of this globe, may you be blessed with a long life, for you have great devotion to the infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the master of all the universe.
वीरवर्य पितः पृथ्व्याः समाः सञ्जीव शाश्वतीः । यस्येदृश्यच्युते भक्तिः सर्वलोकैकभर्तरि
vīravarya pitaḥ pṛthvyāḥ samāḥ sañjīva śāśvatīḥ | yasyedṛśyacyute bhaktiḥ sarvalokaikabhartari
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The audience continued: Dear King Pṛthu, your reputation is the purest of all, for you are preaching the glories of the most glorified of all, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord of the brāhmaṇas. Since, due to our great fortune, we have you as our master, we think that we are living directly under the agency of the Lord.
अहो वयं ह्यद्य पवित्रकीर्ते त्वयैव नाथेन मुकुन्दनाथाः । य उत्तमश्लोकतमस्य विष्णो- र्ब्रह्मण्यदेवस्य कथां व्यनक्ति
aho vayaṃ hyadya pavitrakīrte tvayaiva nāthena mukundanāthāḥ | ya uttamaślokatamasya viṣṇo- rbrahmaṇyadevasya kathāṃ vyanakti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Our dear lord, it is your occupational duty to rule over your citizens. That is not a very wonderful task for a personality like you, who are so affectionate in seeing to the interests of the citizens, because you are full of mercy. That is the greatness of your character.
नात्यद्भुतमिदं नाथ तवाजीव्यानुशासनम् । प्रजानुरागो महतां प्रकृतिः करुणात्मनाम्
nātyadbhutamidaṃ nātha tavājīvyānuśāsanam | prajānurāgo mahatāṃ prakṛtiḥ karuṇātmanām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The citizens continued: Today you have opened our eyes and revealed how to cross to the other side of the ocean of darkness. By our past deeds and by the arrangement of superior authority, we are entangled in a network of fruitive activities and have lost sight of the destination of life; thus we have been wandering within the universe.
अद्य नस्तमसः पारस्त्वयोपासादितः प्रभो । भ्राम्यतां नष्टदृष्टीनां कर्मभिर्दैवसंज्ञितैः
adya nastamasaḥ pārastvayopāsāditaḥ prabho | bhrāmyatāṃ naṣṭadṛṣṭīnāṃ karmabhirdaivasaṃjñitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear lord, you are situated in your pure existential position of goodness; therefore you are the perfect representative of the Supreme Lord. You are glorified by your own prowess, and thus you are maintaining the entire world by introducing brahminical culture and protecting everyone in your line of duty as a kṣatriya.
मैत्रेय उवाच । जनेषु प्रगृणत्स्वेवं पृथुं पृथुलविक्रमम् । तत्रोपजग्मुर्मुनयश्चत्वारः सूर्यवर्चसः
maitreya uvāca | janeṣu pragṛṇatsvevaṃ pṛthuṃ pṛthulavikramam | tatropajagmurmunayaścatvāraḥ sūryavarcasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya said: While the citizens were thus praying to the most powerful King Pṛthu, the four Kumāras, who were as bright as the sun, arrived on the spot.
तांस्तु सिद्धेश्वरान् राजा व्योम्नोऽवतरतोऽर्चिषा । लोकानपापान् कुर्वत्या सानुगोऽचष्ट लक्षितान्
tāṃstu siddheśvarān rājā vyomno'vatarato'rciṣā | lokānapāpān kurvatyā sānugo'caṣṭa lakṣitān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing the glowing effulgence of the four Kumāras, the masters of all mystic power, the King and his associates could recognize them as they descended from the sky.
तद्दर्शनोद्गतान् प्राणान् प्रत्यादित्सुरिवोत्थितः । ससदस्यानुगो वैन्य इन्द्रियेशो गुणानिव
taddarśanodgatān prāṇān pratyāditsurivotthitaḥ | sasadasyānugo vainya indriyeśo guṇāniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing the four Kumāras, Pṛthu Mahārāja was greatly anxious to receive them. Therefore the King, with all his officers, very hastily got up, as anxiously as a conditioned soul whose senses are immediately attracted by the modes of material nature.
गौरवाद्यन्त्रितः सभ्यः प्रश्रयानतकन्धरः । विधिवत्पूजयाञ्चक्रे गृहीताध्यर्हणासनान्
gauravādyantritaḥ sabhyaḥ praśrayānatakandharaḥ | vidhivatpūjayāñcakre gṛhītādhyarhaṇāsanān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the great sages accepted their reception, according to the instructions of the śāstras, and finally took their seats offered by the King, the King, influenced by the glories of the sages, immediately bowed down. Thus he worshiped the four Kumāras.
तत्पादशौचसलिलैर्मार्जितालकबन्धनः । तत्र शीलवतां वृत्तमाचरन् मानयन्निव
tatpādaśaucasalilairmārjitālakabandhanaḥ | tatra śīlavatāṃ vṛttamācaran mānayanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After this, the King took the water which had washed the lotus feet of the Kumāras and sprinkled it over his hair. By such respectful actions, the King, as an exemplary personality, showed how to receive a spiritually advanced personality.
हाटकासन आसीनान् स्वधिष्ण्येष्विव पावकान् । श्रद्धासंयमसंयुक्तः प्रीतः प्राह भवाग्रजान्
hāṭakāsana āsīnān svadhiṣṇyeṣviva pāvakān | śraddhāsaṃyamasaṃyuktaḥ prītaḥ prāha bhavāgrajān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The four great sages were elder to Lord Śiva, and when they were seated on the golden throne, they appeared just like fire blazing on an altar. Mahārāja Pṛthu, out of his great gentleness and respect for them, began to speak with great restraint as follows.
पृथुरुवाच । अहो आचरितं किं मे मङ्गलं मङ्गलायनाः । यस्य वो दर्शनं ह्यासीद्दुर्दर्शानां च योगिभिः
pṛthuruvāca | aho ācaritaṃ kiṃ me maṅgalaṃ maṅgalāyanāḥ | yasya vo darśanaṃ hyāsīddurdarśānāṃ ca yogibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Pṛthu spoke: My dear great sages, auspiciousness personified, it is very difficult for even the mystic yogīs to see you. Indeed, you are very rarely seen. I do not know what kind of pious activity I performed for you to grace me by appearing before me without difficulty.
किं तस्य दुर्लभतरमिह लोके परत्र च । यस्य विप्राः प्रसीदन्ति शिवो विष्णुश्च सानुगः
kiṃ tasya durlabhataramiha loke paratra ca | yasya viprāḥ prasīdanti śivo viṣṇuśca sānugaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Any person upon whom the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas are pleased can achieve anything which is very rare to obtain in this world as well as after death. Not only that, but one also receives the favor of the auspicious Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu, who accompany the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas.
नैव लक्षयते लोको लोकान् पर्यटतोऽपि यान् । यथा सर्वदृशं सर्व आत्मानं येऽस्य हेतवः
naiva lakṣayate loko lokān paryaṭato'pi yān | yathā sarvadṛśaṃ sarva ātmānaṃ ye'sya hetavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pṛthu Mahārāja continued: Although you are traveling in all planetary systems, people cannot know you, just as they cannot know the Supersoul, although He is within everyone’s heart as the witness of everything. Even Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva cannot understand the Supersoul.
अधना अपि ते धन्याः साधवो गृहमेधिनः । यद्गृहा ह्यर्हवर्याम्बुतृणभूमीश्वरावराः
adhanā api te dhanyāḥ sādhavo gṛhamedhinaḥ | yadgṛhā hyarhavaryāmbutṛṇabhūmīśvarāvarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A person who is not very rich and is attached to family life becomes highly glorified when saintly persons are present in his home. The master and servants who are engaged in offering the exalted visitors water, a sitting place and paraphernalia for reception are glorified, and the home itself is also glorified.
व्यालालयद्रुमा वै तेऽप्यरिक्ताखिलसम्पदः । यद्गृहास्तीर्थपादीयपादतीर्थविवर्जिताः
vyālālayadrumā vai te'pyariktākhilasampadaḥ | yadgṛhāstīrthapādīyapādatīrthavivarjitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the contrary, even though full of all opulence and material prosperity, any householder’s house where the devotees of the Lord are never allowed to come in, and where there is no water for washing their feet, is to be considered a tree in which all venomous serpents live.
स्वागतं वो द्विजश्रेष्ठा यद्व्रतानि मुमुक्षवः । चरन्ति श्रद्धया धीरा बाला एव बृहन्ति च
svāgataṃ vo dvijaśreṣṭhā yadvratāni mumukṣavaḥ | caranti śraddhayā dhīrā bālā eva bṛhanti ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Pṛthu offered his welcome to the four Kumāras, addressing them as the best of the brāhmaṇas. He welcomed them, saying: From the beginning of your birth you strictly observed the vows of celibacy, and although you are experienced in the path of liberation, you are keeping yourselves just like small children.
कच्चिन्नः कुशलं नाथा इन्द्रियार्थार्थवेदिनाम् । व्यसनावाप एतस्मिन् पतितानां स्वकर्मभिः
kaccinnaḥ kuśalaṃ nāthā indriyārthārthavedinām | vyasanāvāpa etasmin patitānāṃ svakarmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pṛthu Mahārāja inquired from the sages about persons entangled in this dangerous material existence because of their previous actions. Could such persons, whose only aim is sense gratification, be blessed with any good fortune?
भवत्सु कुशलप्रश्न आत्मारामेषु नेष्यते । कुशलाकुशला यत्र न सन्ति मतिवृत्तयः
bhavatsu kuśalapraśna ātmārāmeṣu neṣyate | kuśalākuśalā yatra na santi mativṛttayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pṛthu Mahārāja continued: My dear sirs, there is no need to ask about your good and bad fortune because you are always absorbed in spiritual bliss. The mental concoction of the auspicious and inauspicious does not exist in you.
तदहं कृतविश्रम्भः सुहृदो वस्तपस्विनाम् । सम्पृच्छे भव एतस्मिन् क्षेमः केनाञ्जसा भवेत्
tadahaṃ kṛtaviśrambhaḥ suhṛdo vastapasvinām | sampṛcche bhava etasmin kṣemaḥ kenāñjasā bhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am completely assured that personalities like you are the only friends for persons who are blazing in the fire of material existence. I therefore ask you how in this material world we can very soon achieve the ultimate goal of life.
व्यक्तमात्मवतामात्मा भगवानात्मभावनः । स्वानामनुग्रहायेमां सिद्धरूपी चरत्यजः
vyaktamātmavatāmātmā bhagavānātmabhāvanaḥ | svānāmanugrahāyemāṃ siddharūpī caratyajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is always anxious to elevate the living entities, who are His parts and parcels, and for their special benefit the Lord travels all over the world in the form of self-realized persons like you.
मैत्रेय उवाच । पृथोस्तत्सूक्तमाकर्ण्य सारं सुष्ठु मितं मधु । स्मयमान इव प्रीत्या कुमारः प्रत्युवाच ह
maitreya uvāca | pṛthostatsūktamākarṇya sāraṃ suṣṭhu mitaṃ madhu | smayamāna iva prītyā kumāraḥ pratyuvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: Thus Sanat-kumāra, the best of the celibates, after hearing the speech of Pṛthu Mahārāja, which was meaningful, appropriate, full of precise words and very sweet to hear, smiled with full satisfaction and began to speak as follows.
सनत्कुमार उवाच । साधु पृष्टं महाराज सर्वभूतहितात्मना । भवता विदुषा चापि साधूनां मतिरीदृशी
sanatkumāra uvāca | sādhu pṛṣṭaṃ mahārāja sarvabhūtahitātmanā | bhavatā viduṣā cāpi sādhūnāṃ matirīdṛśī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sanat-kumāra said: My dear King Pṛthu, I am very nicely questioned by you. Such questions are beneficial for all living entities, especially because they are raised by you, who are always thinking of the good of others. Although you know everything, you ask such questions because that is the behavior of saintly persons. Such intelligence is befitting your position.
सङ्गमः खलु साधूनामुभयेषां च सम्मतः । यत्सम्भाषणसम्प्रश्नः सर्वेषां वितनोति शम्
saṅgamaḥ khalu sādhūnāmubhayeṣāṃ ca sammataḥ | yatsambhāṣaṇasampraśnaḥ sarveṣāṃ vitanoti śam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When there is a congregation of devotees, their discussions, questions and answers become conclusive to both the speaker and the audience. Thus such a meeting is beneficial for everyone’s real happiness.
अस्त्येव राजन् भवतो मधुद्विषः पादारविन्दस्य गुणानुवादने । रतिर्दुरापा विधुनोति नैष्ठिकी कामं कषायं मलमन्तरात्मनः
astyeva rājan bhavato madhudviṣaḥ pādāravindasya guṇānuvādane | ratirdurāpā vidhunoti naiṣṭhikī kāmaṃ kaṣāyaṃ malamantarātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sanat-kumāra continued: My dear King, you already have an inclination to glorify the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such attachment is very difficult to achieve, but when one has attained such unflinching faith in the Lord, it automatically cleanses lusty desires from the core of the heart.
शास्त्रेष्वियानेव सुनिश्चितो नृणां क्षेमस्य सध्र्यग् विमृशेषु हेतुः । असङ्ग आत्मव्यतिरिक्त आत्मनि दृढा रतिर्ब्रह्मणि निर्गुणे च या
śāstreṣviyāneva suniścito nṛṇāṃ kṣemasya sadhryag vimṛśeṣu hetuḥ | asaṅga ātmavyatirikta ātmani dṛḍhā ratirbrahmaṇi nirguṇe ca yā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It has been conclusively decided in the scriptures, after due consideration, that the ultimate goal for the welfare of human society is detachment from the bodily concept of life and increased and steadfast attachment for the Supreme Lord, who is transcendental, beyond the modes of material nature.
सा श्रद्धया भगवद्धर्मचर्यया जिज्ञासयाऽऽध्यात्मिकयोगनिष्ठया । योगेश्वरोपासनया च नित्यं पुण्यश्रवः कथया पुण्यया च
sā śraddhayā bhagavaddharmacaryayā jijñāsayā''dhyātmikayoganiṣṭhayā | yogeśvaropāsanayā ca nityaṃ puṇyaśravaḥ kathayā puṇyayā ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Attachment for the Supreme can be increased by practicing devotional service, inquiring about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, applying bhakti-yoga in life, worshiping the Yogeśvara, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and by hearing and chanting about the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These actions are pious in themselves.
अर्थेन्द्रियारामसगोष्ठ्यतृष्णया तत्सम्मतानामपरिग्रहेण च । विविक्तरुच्या परितोष आत्मन् विना हरेर्गुणपीयूषपानात्
arthendriyārāmasagoṣṭhyatṛṣṇayā tatsammatānāmaparigraheṇa ca | viviktarucyā paritoṣa ātman vinā harerguṇapīyūṣapānāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One has to make progress in spiritual life by not associating with persons who are simply interested in sense gratification and making money. Not only such persons, but one who associates with such persons should be avoided. One should mold his life in such a way that he cannot live in peace without drinking the nectar of the glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari. One can be thus elevated by being disgusted with the taste for sense enjoyment.
अहिंसया पारमहंस्यचर्यया स्मृत्या मुकुन्दाचरिताग्र्यसीधुना । यमैरकामैर्नियमैश्चाप्यनिन्दया निरीहया द्वन्द्वतितिक्षया च
ahiṃsayā pāramahaṃsyacaryayā smṛtyā mukundācaritāgryasīdhunā | yamairakāmairniyamaiścāpyanindayā nirīhayā dvandvatitikṣayā ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A candidate for spiritual advancement must be nonviolent, must follow in the footsteps of great ācāryas, must always remember the nectar of the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, must follow the regulative principles without material desire and, while following the regulative principles, should not blaspheme others. A devotee should lead a very simple life and not be disturbed by the duality of opposing elements. He should learn to tolerate them.
हरेर्मुहुस्तत्परकर्णपूर- गुणाभिधानेन विजृम्भमाणया । भक्त्या ह्यसङ्गः सदसत्यनात्मनि स्यान्निर्गुणे ब्रह्मणि चाञ्जसा रतिः
harermuhustatparakarṇapūra- guṇābhidhānena vijṛmbhamāṇayā | bhaktyā hyasaṅgaḥ sadasatyanātmani syānnirguṇe brahmaṇi cāñjasā ratiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The devotee should gradually increase the culture of devotional service by constant hearing of the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These pastimes are like ornamental decorations on the ears of devotees. By rendering devotional service and transcending the material qualities, one can easily be fixed in transcendence in the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
यदा रतिर्ब्रह्मणि नैष्ठिकी पुमा- नाचार्यवान् ज्ञानविरागरंहसा । दहत्यवीर्यं हृदयं जीवकोशं पञ्चात्मकं योनिमिवोत्थितोऽग्निः
yadā ratirbrahmaṇi naiṣṭhikī pumā- nācāryavān jñānavirāgaraṃhasā | dahatyavīryaṃ hṛdayaṃ jīvakośaṃ pañcātmakaṃ yonimivotthito'gniḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon becoming fixed in his attachment to the Supreme Personality of Godhead by the grace of the spiritual master and by awakening knowledge and detachment, the living entity, situated within the heart of the body and covered by the five elements, burns up his material surroundings exactly as fire, arising from wood, burns the wood itself.
दग्धाशयो मुक्तसमस्ततद्गुणो नैवात्मनो बहिरन्तर्विचष्टे । परात्मनोर्यद्व्यवधानं पुरस्तात् स्वप्ने यथा पुरुषस्तद्विनाशे
dagdhāśayo muktasamastatadguṇo naivātmano bahirantarvicaṣṭe | parātmanoryadvyavadhānaṃ purastāt svapne yathā puruṣastadvināśe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When a person becomes devoid of all material desires and liberated from all material qualities, he transcends distinctions between actions executed externally and internally. At that time the difference between the soul and the Supersoul, which was existing before self-realization, is annihilated. When a dream is over, there is no longer a distinction between the dream and the dreamer.
आत्मानमिन्द्रियार्थं च परं यदुभयोरपि । सत्याशय उपाधौ वै पुमान् पश्यति नान्यदा
ātmānamindriyārthaṃ ca paraṃ yadubhayorapi | satyāśaya upādhau vai pumān paśyati nānyadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the soul exists for sense gratification, he creates different desires, and for that reason he becomes subjected to designations. But when one is in the transcendental position, he is no longer interested in anything except fulfilling the desires of the Lord.
निमित्ते सति सर्वत्र जलादावपि पूरुषः । आत्मनश्च परस्यापि भिदां पश्यति नान्यदा
nimitte sati sarvatra jalādāvapi pūruṣaḥ | ātmanaśca parasyāpi bhidāṃ paśyati nānyadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Only because of different causes does a person see a difference between himself and others, just as one sees the reflection of a body appearing differently manifested on water, on oil or in a mirror.
इन्द्रियैर्विषयाकृष्टैराक्षिप्तं ध्यायतां मनः । चेतनां हरते बुद्धेः स्तम्बस्तोयमिव ह्रदात्
indriyairviṣayākṛṣṭairākṣiptaṃ dhyāyatāṃ manaḥ | cetanāṃ harate buddheḥ stambastoyamiva hradāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When one’s mind and senses are attracted to sense objects for enjoyment, the mind becomes agitated. As a result of continually thinking of sense objects, one’s real consciousness almost becomes lost, like the water in a lake that is gradually sucked up by the big grass straws on its bank.
भ्रश्यत्यनुस्मृतिश्चित्तं ज्ञानभ्रंशः स्मृतिक्षये । तद्रोधं कवयः प्राहुरात्मापह्नवमात्मनः
bhraśyatyanusmṛtiścittaṃ jñānabhraṃśaḥ smṛtikṣaye | tadrodhaṃ kavayaḥ prāhurātmāpahnavamātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When one deviates from his original consciousness, he loses the capacity to remember his previous position or recognize his present one. When remembrance is lost, all knowledge acquired is based on a false foundation. When this occurs, learned scholars consider that the soul is lost.
नातः परतरो लोके पुंसः स्वार्थव्यतिक्रमः । यदध्यन्यस्य प्रेयस्त्वमात्मनः स्वव्यतिक्रमात्
nātaḥ parataro loke puṃsaḥ svārthavyatikramaḥ | yadadhyanyasya preyastvamātmanaḥ svavyatikramāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There is no stronger obstruction to one’s self-interest than thinking other subject matters to be more pleasing than one’s self-realization.
अर्थेन्द्रियार्थाभिध्यानं सर्वार्थापह्नवो नृणाम् । भ्रंशितो ज्ञानविज्ञानाद्येनाविशति मुख्यताम्
arthendriyārthābhidhyānaṃ sarvārthāpahnavo nṛṇām | bhraṃśito jñānavijñānādyenāviśati mukhyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For human society, constantly thinking of how to earn money and apply it for sense gratification brings about the destruction of everyone’s interests. When one becomes devoid of knowledge and devotional service, he enters into species of life like those of trees and stones.
न कुर्यात्कर्हिचित्सङ्गं तमस्तीव्रं तितीरिषुः । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां यदत्यन्तविघातकम्
na kuryātkarhicitsaṅgaṃ tamastīvraṃ titīriṣuḥ | dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṃ yadatyantavighātakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who strongly desire to cross the ocean of nescience must not associate with the modes of ignorance, for hedonistic activities are the greatest obstructions to realization of religious principles, economic development, regulated sense gratification and, at last, liberation.
तत्रापि मोक्ष एवार्थ आत्यन्तिकतयेष्यते । त्रैवर्ग्योऽर्थो यतो नित्यं कृतान्तभयसंयुतः
tatrāpi mokṣa evārtha ātyantikatayeṣyate | traivargyo'rtho yato nityaṃ kṛtāntabhayasaṃyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Out of the four principles — namely religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation — liberation has to be taken very seriously. The other three are subject to destruction by the stringent law of nature — death.
परेऽवरे च ये भावा गुणव्यतिकरादनु । न तेषां विद्यते क्षेममीश विध्वंसिताशिषाम्
pare'vare ca ye bhāvā guṇavyatikarādanu | na teṣāṃ vidyate kṣemamīśa vidhvaṃsitāśiṣām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We accept as blessings different states of higher life, distinguishing them from lower states of life, but we should know that such distinctions exist only in relation to the interchange of the modes of material nature. Actually these states of life have no permanent existence, for all of them will be destroyed by the supreme controller.
तत्त्वं नरेन्द्र जगतामथ तस्थुषां च देहेन्द्रियासुधिषणात्मभिरावृतानाम् । यः क्षेत्रवित्तपतया हृदि विश्वगाविः प्रत्यक् चकास्ति भगवांस्तमवेहि सोऽस्मि
tattvaṃ narendra jagatāmatha tasthuṣāṃ ca dehendriyāsudhiṣaṇātmabhirāvṛtānām | yaḥ kṣetravittapatayā hṛdi viśvagāviḥ pratyak cakāsti bhagavāṃstamavehi so'smi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sanat-kumāra advised the King: Therefore, my dear King Pṛthu, try to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is living within everyone’s heart along with the individual soul, in each and every body, either moving or not moving. The individual souls are fully covered by the gross material body and subtle body made of the life air and intelligence.
यस्मिन्निदं सदसदात्मतया विभाति मायाविवेकविधुति स्रजि वाहिबुद्धिः । तं नित्यमुक्तपरिशुद्धविशुद्धतत्त्वं प्रत्यूढकर्मकलिलप्रकृतिं प्रपद्ये
yasminnidaṃ sadasadātmatayā vibhāti māyāvivekavidhuti sraji vāhibuddhiḥ | taṃ nityamuktapariśuddhaviśuddhatattvaṃ pratyūḍhakarmakalilaprakṛtiṃ prapadye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead manifests Himself as one with the cause and effect within this body, but one who has transcended the illusory energy by deliberate consideration, which clears the misconception of a snake for a rope, can understand that the Paramātmā is eternally transcendental to the material creation and situated in pure internal energy. Thus the Lord is transcendental to all material contamination. Unto Him only must one surrender.
यत्पादपङ्कजपलाशविलासभक्त्या कर्माशयं ग्रथितमुद्ग्रथयन्ति सन्तः । तद्वन्न रिक्तमतयो यतयोऽपि रुद्ध- स्रोतोगणास्तमरणं भज वासुदेवम्
yatpādapaṅkajapalāśavilāsabhaktyā karmāśayaṃ grathitamudgrathayanti santaḥ | tadvanna riktamatayo yatayo'pi ruddha- srotogaṇāstamaraṇaṃ bhaja vāsudevam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The devotees, who are always engaged in the service of the toes of the lotus feet of the Lord, can very easily overcome hard-knotted desires for fruitive activities. Because this is very difficult, the nondevotees — the jñānīs and yogīs — although trying to stop the waves of sense gratification, cannot do so. Therefore you are advised to engage in the devotional service of Kṛṣṇa, the son of Vasudeva.
कृच्छ्रो महानिह भवार्णवमप्लवेशां षड्वर्गनक्रमसुखेन तितीर्षन्ति । तत्त्वं हरेर्भगवतो भजनीयमङ्घ्रिं कृत्वोडुपं व्यसनमुत्तर दुस्तरार्णम्
kṛcchro mahāniha bhavārṇavamaplaveśāṃ ṣaḍvarganakramasukhena titīrṣanti | tattvaṃ harerbhagavato bhajanīyamaṅghriṃ kṛtvoḍupaṃ vyasanamuttara dustarārṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The ocean of nescience is very difficult to cross because it is infested with many dangerous sharks. Although those who are nondevotees undergo severe austerities and penances to cross that ocean, we recommend that you simply take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord, which are like boats for crossing the ocean. Although the ocean is difficult to cross, by taking shelter of His lotus feet you will overcome all dangers.
मैत्रेय उवाच । स एवं ब्रह्मपुत्रेण कुमारेणात्ममेधसा । दर्शितात्मगतिः सम्यक् प्रशस्योवाच तं नृपः
maitreya uvāca | sa evaṃ brahmaputreṇa kumāreṇātmamedhasā | darśitātmagatiḥ samyak praśasyovāca taṃ nṛpaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: Being thus enlightened in complete spiritual knowledge by the son of Brahmā — one of the Kumāras, who was complete in spiritual knowledge — the King worshiped them in the following words.
राजोवाच । कृतो मेऽनुग्रहः पूर्वं हरिणाऽऽर्तानुकम्पिना । तमापादयितुं ब्रह्मन् भगवन् यूयमागताः
rājovāca | kṛto me'nugrahaḥ pūrvaṃ hariṇā''rtānukampinā | tamāpādayituṃ brahman bhagavan yūyamāgatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King said: O brāhmaṇa, O powerful one, formerly Lord Viṣṇu showed me His causeless mercy, indicating that you would come to my house, and to confirm that blessing, you have all come.
निष्पादितश्च कार्त्स्न्येन भगवद्भिर्घृणालुभिः । साधूच्छिष्टं हि मे सर्वमात्मना सह किं ददे
niṣpāditaśca kārtsnyena bhagavadbhirghṛṇālubhiḥ | sādhūcchiṣṭaṃ hi me sarvamātmanā saha kiṃ dade
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear brāhmaṇa, you have carried out the order thoroughly because you are also as compassionate as the Lord. It is my duty, therefore, to offer you something, but all I possess are but remnants of food taken by great saintly persons. What shall I give?
प्राणा दाराः सुता ब्रह्मन् गृहाश्च सपरिच्छदाः । राज्यं बलं मही कोश इति सर्वं निवेदितम्
prāṇā dārāḥ sutā brahman gṛhāśca saparicchadāḥ | rājyaṃ balaṃ mahī kośa iti sarvaṃ niveditam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King continued: Therefore, my dear brāhmaṇas, my life, wife, children, home, furniture and household paraphernalia, my kingdom, strength, land and especially my treasury are all offered unto you.
सैनापत्यं च राज्यं च दण्डनेतृत्वमेव च । सर्वलोकाधिपत्यं च वेदशास्त्रविदर्हति
saināpatyaṃ ca rājyaṃ ca daṇḍanetṛtvameva ca | sarvalokādhipatyaṃ ca vedaśāstravidarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since only a person who is completely educated according to the principles of Vedic knowledge deserves to be commander-in-chief, ruler of the state, the first to chastise or the proprietor of the whole planet, Pṛthu Mahārāja offered everything to the Kumāras.
स्वमेव ब्राह्मणो भुङ्क्ते स्वं वस्ते स्वं ददाति च । तस्यैवानुग्रहेणान्नं भुञ्जते क्षत्रियादयः
svameva brāhmaṇo bhuṅkte svaṃ vaste svaṃ dadāti ca | tasyaivānugraheṇānnaṃ bhuñjate kṣatriyādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras eat their food by virtue of the brāhmaṇas’ mercy. It is the brāhmaṇas who enjoy their own property, clothe themselves with their own property and give charity with their own property.
यैरीदृशी भगवतो गतिरात्मवादे एकान्ततो निगमिभिः प्रतिपादिता नः । तुष्यन्त्वदभ्रकरुणाः स्वकृतेन नित्यं को नाम तत्प्रतिकरोति विनोदपात्रम्
yairīdṛśī bhagavato gatirātmavāde ekāntato nigamibhiḥ pratipāditā naḥ | tuṣyantvadabhrakaruṇāḥ svakṛtena nityaṃ ko nāma tatpratikaroti vinodapātram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pṛthu Mahārāja continued: How can such persons, who have rendered unlimited service by explaining the path of self-realization in relation to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and whose explanations are given for our enlightenment with complete conviction and Vedic evidence, be repaid except by folded palms containing water for their satisfaction? Such great personalities can be satisfied only by their own activities, which are distributed amongst human society out of their unlimited mercy.
मैत्रेय उवाच । त आत्मयोगपतय आदिराजेन पूजिताः । शीलं तदीयं शंसन्तः खेऽभूवन् मिषतां नृणाम्
maitreya uvāca | ta ātmayogapataya ādirājena pūjitāḥ | śīlaṃ tadīyaṃ śaṃsantaḥ khe'bhūvan miṣatāṃ nṛṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: Being thus worshiped by Mahārāja Pṛthu, the four Kumāras, who were masters of devotional service, became very pleased. Indeed, they appeared in the sky and praised the character of the King, and everyone observed them.
वैन्यस्तु धुर्यो महतां संस्थित्याध्यात्मशिक्षया । आप्तकाममिवात्मानं मेन आत्मन्यवस्थितः
vainyastu dhuryo mahatāṃ saṃsthityādhyātmaśikṣayā | āptakāmamivātmānaṃ mena ātmanyavasthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Amongst great personalities, Mahārāja Pṛthu was the chief by virtue of his fixed position in relation to spiritual enlightenment. He remained satisfied as one who has achieved all success in spiritual understanding.
कर्माणि च यथाकालं यथादेशं यथाबलम् । यथोचितं यथावित्तमकरोद्ब्रह्मसात्कृतम्
karmāṇi ca yathākālaṃ yathādeśaṃ yathābalam | yathocitaṃ yathāvittamakarodbrahmasātkṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being self-satisfied, Mahārāja Pṛthu executed his duties as perfectly as possible according to the time and his situation, strength and financial position. His only aim in all his activities was to satisfy the Absolute Truth. In this way, he duly acted.
फलं ब्रह्मणि विन्न्यस्य निर्विषङ्गः समाहितः । कर्माध्यक्षं च मन्वान आत्मानं प्रकृतेः परम्
phalaṃ brahmaṇi vinnyasya nirviṣaṅgaḥ samāhitaḥ | karmādhyakṣaṃ ca manvāna ātmānaṃ prakṛteḥ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Pṛthu completely dedicated himself to be an eternal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, transcendental to material nature. Consequently all the fruits of his activities were dedicated to the Lord, and he always thought of himself as the servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the proprietor of everything.
गृहेषु वर्तमानोऽपि स साम्राज्यश्रियान्वितः । नासज्जतेन्द्रियार्थेषु निरहम्मतिरर्कवत्
gṛheṣu vartamāno'pi sa sāmrājyaśriyānvitaḥ | nāsajjatendriyārtheṣu nirahammatirarkavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Pṛthu, who was very opulent due to the prosperity of his entire empire, remained at home as a householder. Since he was never inclined to utilize his opulences for the gratification of his senses, he remained unattached, exactly like the sun, which is unaffected in all circumstances.
एवमध्यात्मयोगेन कर्माण्यनुसमाचरन् । पुत्रानुत्पादयामास पञ्चार्चिष्यात्मसम्मतान्
evamadhyātmayogena karmāṇyanusamācaran | putrānutpādayāmāsa pañcārciṣyātmasammatān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being situated in the liberated position of devotional service, Pṛthu Mahārāja not only performed all fruitive activities but also begot five sons by his wife, Arci. Indeed, all his sons were begotten according to his own desire.
विजिताश्वं धूम्रकेशं हर्यक्षं द्रविणं वृकम् । सर्वेषां लोकपालानां दधारैकः पृथुर्गुणान्
vijitāśvaṃ dhūmrakeśaṃ haryakṣaṃ draviṇaṃ vṛkam | sarveṣāṃ lokapālānāṃ dadhāraikaḥ pṛthurguṇān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After begetting five sons, named Vijitāśva, Dhūmrakeśa, Haryakṣa, Draviṇa and Vṛka, Pṛthu Mahārāja continued to rule the planet. He accepted all the qualities of the deities who governed all other planets.
गोपीथाय जगत्सृष्टेः काले स्वे स्वेऽच्युतात्मकः । मनोवाग्वृत्तिभिः सौम्यैर्गुणैः संरञ्जयन् प्रजाः
gopīthāya jagatsṛṣṭeḥ kāle sve sve'cyutātmakaḥ | manovāgvṛttibhiḥ saumyairguṇaiḥ saṃrañjayan prajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since Mahārāja Pṛthu was a perfect devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he wanted to protect the Lord’s creation by pleasing the various citizens according to their various desires. Therefore Pṛthu Mahārāja used to please them in all respects by his words, mentality, works and gentle behavior.
राजेत्यधान्नामधेयं सोमराज इवापरः । सूर्यवद्विसृजन् गृह्णन् प्रतपंश्च भुवो वसु
rājetyadhānnāmadheyaṃ somarāja ivāparaḥ | sūryavadvisṛjan gṛhṇan pratapaṃśca bhuvo vasu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Pṛthu became as celebrated a king as Soma-rāja, the king of the moon. He was also powerful and exacting, just like the sun-god, who distributes heat and light and at the same time exacts all the planetary waters.
दुर्धर्षस्तेजसेवाग्निर्महेन्द्र इव दुर्जयः । तितिक्षया धरित्रीव द्यौरिवाभीष्टदो नृणाम्
durdharṣastejasevāgnirmahendra iva durjayaḥ | titikṣayā dharitrīva dyaurivābhīṣṭado nṛṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Pṛthu was so strong and powerful that no one could disobey his orders, any more than one could conquer fire itself. He was so strong that he was compared to Indra, the King of heaven, whose power is insuperable. On the other hand, Mahārāja Pṛthu was also as tolerant as the earth, and in fulfilling various desires of human society, he was like heaven itself.
वर्षति स्म यथाकामं पर्जन्य इव तर्पयन् । समुद्र इव दुर्बोधः सत्त्वेनाचलराडिव
varṣati sma yathākāmaṃ parjanya iva tarpayan | samudra iva durbodhaḥ sattvenācalarāḍiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as rainfall satisfies everyone’s desires, Mahārāja Pṛthu used to satisfy everyone. He was like the sea in that no one could understand his depths, and he was like Meru, the king of hills, in the fixity of his purpose.
धर्मराडिव शिक्षायामाश्चर्ये हिमवानिव । कुबेर इव कोशाढ्यो गुप्तार्थो वरुणो यथा
dharmarāḍiva śikṣāyāmāścarye himavāniva | kubera iva kośāḍhyo guptārtho varuṇo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Pṛthu’s intelligence and education were exactly like that of Yamarāja, the superintendent of death. His opulence was comparable to the Himālaya Mountains, where all valuable jewels and metals are stocked. He possessed great riches like Kuvera, the treasurer of the heavenly planets, and no one could reveal his secrets, for they were like the demigod Varuṇa’s.
मातरिश्वेव सर्वात्मा बलेन महसौजसा । अविषह्यतया देवो भगवान् भूतराडिव
mātariśveva sarvātmā balena mahasaujasā | aviṣahyatayā devo bhagavān bhūtarāḍiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In his bodily strength and in the strength of his senses, Mahārāja Pṛthu was as strong as the wind, which can go anywhere and everywhere. As far as his intolerance was concerned, he was just like the all-powerful Rudra expansion of Lord Śiva, or Sadāśiva.
कन्दर्प इव सौन्दर्ये मनस्वी मृगराडिव । वात्सल्ये मनुवन्नॄणां प्रभुत्वे भगवानजः
kandarpa iva saundarye manasvī mṛgarāḍiva | vātsalye manuvannṝṇāṃ prabhutve bhagavānajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In his bodily beauty he was just like Cupid, and in his thoughtfulness he was like a lion. In his affection he was just like Svāyambhuva Manu, and in his ability to control he was like Lord Brahmā.
बृहस्पतिर्ब्रह्मवादे आत्मवत्त्वे स्वयं हरिः । भक्त्या गोगुरुविप्रेषु विष्वक्सेनानुवर्तिषु । ह्रिया प्रश्रयशीलाभ्यामात्मतुल्यः परोद्यमे
bṛhaspatirbrahmavāde ātmavattve svayaṃ hariḥ | bhaktyā goguruvipreṣu viṣvaksenānuvartiṣu | hriyā praśrayaśīlābhyāmātmatulyaḥ parodyame
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In his personal behavior, Pṛthu Mahārāja exhibited all good qualities, and in spiritual knowledge he was exactly like Bṛhaspati. In self-control he was like the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. As far as his devotional service was concerned, he was a great follower of devotees who were attached to cow protection and the rendering of all service to the spiritual master and the brāhmaṇas. He was perfect in his shyness and in his gentle behavior, and when he engaged in some philanthropic activity, he worked as if he were working for his own personal self.
कीर्त्योर्ध्वगीतया पुम्भिस्त्रैलोक्ये तत्र तत्र ह । प्रविष्टः कर्णरन्ध्रेषु स्त्रीणां रामः सतामिव
kīrtyordhvagītayā pumbhistrailokye tatra tatra ha | praviṣṭaḥ karṇarandhreṣu strīṇāṃ rāmaḥ satāmiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Throughout the whole universe — in the higher, lower and middle planetary systems — Pṛthu Mahārāja’s reputation was loudly declared, and all ladies and saintly persons heard his glories, which were as sweet as the glories of Lord Rāmacandra.
तत्राप्यदाभ्यनियमो वैखानससुसम्मते । आरब्ध उग्रतपसि यथा स्वविजये पुरा
tatrāpyadābhyaniyamo vaikhānasasusammate | ārabdha ugratapasi yathā svavijaye purā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After retiring from family life, Mahārāja Pṛthu strictly followed the regulations of retired life and underwent severe austerities in the forest. He engaged in these activities as seriously as he had formerly engaged in leading the government and conquering everyone.
कन्दमूलफलाहारः शुष्कपर्णाशनः क्वचित् । अब्भक्षः कतिचित्पक्षान् वायुभक्षस्ततः परम्
kandamūlaphalāhāraḥ śuṣkaparṇāśanaḥ kvacit | abbhakṣaḥ katicitpakṣān vāyubhakṣastataḥ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the tapo-vana, Mahārāja Pṛthu sometimes ate the trunks and roots of trees, sometimes he ate fruit and dried leaves, and for some weeks he drank only water. Finally he lived simply by breathing air.
ग्रीष्मे पञ्चतपा वीरो वर्षास्वासारषाण्मुनिः । आकण्ठमग्नः शिशिरे उदके स्थण्डिलेशयः
grīṣme pañcatapā vīro varṣāsvāsāraṣāṇmuniḥ | ākaṇṭhamagnaḥ śiśire udake sthaṇḍileśayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Following the principles of forest living and the footsteps of the great sages and munis, Pṛthu Mahārāja accepted five kinds of heating processes during the summer season, exposed himself to torrents of rain in the rainy season and, in the winter, stood in water up to his neck. He also used to simply lie down on the floor to sleep.
तितिक्षुर्यतवाग्दान्त ऊर्ध्वरेता जितानिलः । आरिराधयिषुः कृष्णमचरत्तप उत्तमम्
titikṣuryatavāgdānta ūrdhvaretā jitānilaḥ | ārirādhayiṣuḥ kṛṣṇamacarattapa uttamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Pṛthu underwent all these severe austerities in order to control his words and his senses, to refrain from discharging his semen and to control the life air within his body. All this he did for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa. He had no other purpose.
तेन क्रमानुसिद्धेन ध्वस्तकर्ममलाशयः । प्राणायामैः सन्निरुद्धषड्वर्गश्छिन्नबन्धनः
tena kramānusiddhena dhvastakarmamalāśayaḥ | prāṇāyāmaiḥ sanniruddhaṣaḍvargaśchinnabandhanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By thus practicing severe austerities, Mahārāja Pṛthu gradually became steadfast in spiritual life and completely free of all desires for fruitive activities. He also practiced breathing exercises to control his mind and senses, and by such control he became completely free from all desires for fruitive activity.
सनत्कुमारो भगवान् यदाहाध्यात्मिकं परम् । योगं तेनैव पुरुषमभजत्पुरुषर्षभः
sanatkumāro bhagavān yadāhādhyātmikaṃ param | yogaṃ tenaiva puruṣamabhajatpuruṣarṣabhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the best amongst human beings, Mahārāja Pṛthu, followed that path of spiritual advancement which was advised by Sanat-kumāra. That is to say, he worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.
भगवद्धर्मिणः साधोः श्रद्धया यततः सदा । भक्तिर्भगवति ब्रह्मण्यनन्यविषयाभवत्
bhagavaddharmiṇaḥ sādhoḥ śraddhayā yatataḥ sadā | bhaktirbhagavati brahmaṇyananyaviṣayābhavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Pṛthu thus engaged completely in devotional service, executing the rules and regulations strictly according to principles, twenty-four hours daily. Thus his love and devotion unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, developed and became unflinching and fixed.
तस्यानया भगवतः परिकर्मशुद्ध- सत्त्वात्मनस्तदनुसंस्मरणानुपूर्त्या । ज्ञानं विरक्तिमदभून्निशितेन येन चिच्छेद संशयपदं निजजीवकोशम्
tasyānayā bhagavataḥ parikarmaśuddha- sattvātmanastadanusaṃsmaraṇānupūrtyā | jñānaṃ viraktimadabhūnniśitena yena ciccheda saṃśayapadaṃ nijajīvakośam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By regularly discharging devotional service, Pṛthu Mahārāja became transcendental in mind and could therefore constantly think of the lotus feet of the Lord. Because of this, he became completely detached and attained perfect knowledge by which he could transcend all doubt. Thus he was freed from the clutches of false ego and the material conception of life.
छिन्नान्यधीरधिगतात्मगतिर्निरीह- स्तत्तत्यजेऽच्छिनदिदं वयुनेन येन । तावन्न योगगतिभिर्यतिरप्रमत्तो यावद्गदाग्रजकथासु रतिं न कुर्यात्
chinnānyadhīradhigatātmagatirnirīha- stattatyaje'cchinadidaṃ vayunena yena | tāvanna yogagatibhiryatirapramatto yāvadgadāgrajakathāsu ratiṃ na kuryāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When he became completely free from the conception of bodily life, Mahārāja Pṛthu realized Lord Kṛṣṇa sitting in everyone’s heart as the Paramātmā. Being thus able to get all instructions from Him, he gave up all other practices of yoga and jñāna. He was not even interested in the perfection of the yoga and jñāna systems, for he thoroughly realized that devotional service to Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate goal of life and that unless the yogīs and jñānīs become attracted to kṛṣṇa-kathā [narrations about Kṛṣṇa], their illusions concerning existence can never be dispelled.
एवं स वीरप्रवरः संयोज्यात्मानमात्मनि । ब्रह्मभूतो दृढं काले तत्याज स्वं कलेवरम्
evaṃ sa vīrapravaraḥ saṃyojyātmānamātmani | brahmabhūto dṛḍhaṃ kāle tatyāja svaṃ kalevaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In due course of time, when Pṛthu Mahārāja was to give up his body, he fixed his mind firmly upon the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, and thus, completely situated on the brahma-bhūta platform, he gave up the material body.
सम्पीड्य पायुं पार्ष्णिभ्यां वायुमुत्सारयञ्छनैः । नाभ्यां कोष्ठेष्ववस्थाप्य हृदुरःकण्ठशीर्षणि
sampīḍya pāyuṃ pārṣṇibhyāṃ vāyumutsārayañchanaiḥ | nābhyāṃ koṣṭheṣvavasthāpya hṛduraḥkaṇṭhaśīrṣaṇi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Mahārāja Pṛthu practiced a particular yogic sitting posture, he blocked the door of his anus with his ankles, pressed his right and left calves and gradually raised his life air upward, passing it on to the circle of his navel, up to his heart and throat, and finally pushed it upward to the central position between his two eyebrows.
उत्सर्पयंस्तु तं मूर्ध्नि क्रमेणावेश्य निःस्पृहः । वायुं वायौ क्षितौ कायं तेजस्तेजस्ययूयुजत्
utsarpayaṃstu taṃ mūrdhni krameṇāveśya niḥspṛhaḥ | vāyuṃ vāyau kṣitau kāyaṃ tejastejasyayūyujat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way, Pṛthu Mahārāja gradually raised his air of life up to the hole in his skull, whereupon he lost all desire for material existence. Gradually he merged his air of life with the totality of air, his body with the totality of earth, and the fire within his body with the totality of fire.
खान्याकाशे द्रवं तोये यथास्थानं विभागशः । क्षितिमम्भसि तत्तेजस्यदो वायौ नभस्यमुम्
khānyākāśe dravaṃ toye yathāsthānaṃ vibhāgaśaḥ | kṣitimambhasi tattejasyado vāyau nabhasyamum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way, according to the different positions of the various parts of the body, Pṛthu Mahārāja merged the holes of his senses with the sky; his bodily liquids, such as blood and various secretions, with the totality of water; and he merged earth with water, then water with fire, fire with air, air with sky, and so on.
इन्द्रियेषु मनस्तानि तन्मात्रेषु यथोद्भवम् । भूतादिनामून्युत्कृष्य महत्यात्मनि सन्दधे
indriyeṣu manastāni tanmātreṣu yathodbhavam | bhūtādināmūnyutkṛṣya mahatyātmani sandadhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He amalgamated the mind with the senses and the senses with the sense objects, according to their respective positions, and he also amalgamated the material ego with the total material energy, mahat-tattva.
तं सर्वगुणविन्यासं जीवे मायामये न्यधात् । तं चानुशयमात्मस्थमसावनुशयी पुमान् । ज्ञानवैराग्यवीर्येण स्वरूपस्थोऽजहात्प्रभुः
taṃ sarvaguṇavinyāsaṃ jīve māyāmaye nyadhāt | taṃ cānuśayamātmasthamasāvanuśayī pumān | jñānavairāgyavīryeṇa svarūpastho'jahātprabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pṛthu Mahārāja then offered the total designation of the living entity unto the supreme controller of illusory energy. Being released from all the designations by which the living entity became entrapped, he became free by knowledge and renunciation and by the spiritual force of his devotional service. In this way, being situated in his original constitutional position of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he gave up this body as a prabhu, or controller of the senses.
अर्चिर्नाम महाराज्ञी तत्पत्न्यनुगता वनम् । सुकुमार्यतदर्हा च यत्पद्भ्यां स्पर्शनं भुवः
arcirnāma mahārājñī tatpatnyanugatā vanam | sukumāryatadarhā ca yatpadbhyāṃ sparśanaṃ bhuvaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Queen, the wife of Pṛthu Mahārāja, whose name was Arci, followed her husband into the forest. Since she was a queen, her body was very delicate. Although she did not deserve to live in the forest, she voluntarily touched her lotus feet to the ground.
अतीव भर्तुर्व्रतधर्मनिष्ठया शुश्रूषया चार्षदेहयात्रया । नाविन्दतार्तिं परिकर्शितापि सा प्रेयस्करस्पर्शनमाननिर्वृतिः
atīva bharturvratadharmaniṣṭhayā śuśrūṣayā cārṣadehayātrayā | nāvindatārtiṃ parikarśitāpi sā preyaskarasparśanamānanirvṛtiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although she was not accustomed to such difficulties, Queen Arci followed her husband in the regulative principles of living in the forest like great sages. She lay down on the ground and ate only fruits, flowers and leaves, and because she was not fit for these activities, she became frail and thin. Yet because of the pleasure she derived in serving her husband, she did not feel any difficulties.
देहं विपन्नाखिलचेतनादिकं पत्युः पृथिव्या दयितस्य चात्मनः । आलक्ष्य किञ्चिच्च विलप्य सा सती चितामथारोपयदद्रिसानुनि
dehaṃ vipannākhilacetanādikaṃ patyuḥ pṛthivyā dayitasya cātmanaḥ | ālakṣya kiñcicca vilapya sā satī citāmathāropayadadrisānuni
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Queen Arci saw that her husband, who had been so merciful to her and the earth, no longer showed symptoms of life, she lamented for a little while and then built a fiery pyre on top of a hill and placed the body of her husband on it.
विधाय कृत्यं ह्रदिनीजलाप्लुता दत्त्वोदकं भर्तुरुदारकर्मणः । नत्वा दिविस्थांस्त्रिदशांस्त्रिः परीत्य विवेश वह्निं ध्यायती भर्तृपादौ
vidhāya kṛtyaṃ hradinījalāplutā dattvodakaṃ bharturudārakarmaṇaḥ | natvā divisthāṃstridaśāṃstriḥ parītya viveśa vahniṃ dhyāyatī bhartṛpādau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After this, the Queen executed the necessary funerary functions and offered oblations of water. After bathing in the river, she offered obeisances to various demigods situated in the sky in the different planetary systems. She then circumambulated the fire and, while thinking of the lotus feet of her husband, entered its flames.
विलोक्यानुगतां साध्वीं पृथुं वीरवरं पतिम् । तुष्टुवुर्वरदा देवैर्देवपत्न्यः सहस्रशः
vilokyānugatāṃ sādhvīṃ pṛthuṃ vīravaraṃ patim | tuṣṭuvurvaradā devairdevapatnyaḥ sahasraśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After observing this brave act performed by the chaste wife Arci, the wife of the great King Pṛthu, many thousands of the wives of the demigods, along with their husbands, offered prayers to the Queen, for they were very much satisfied.
कुर्वत्यः कुसुमासारं तस्मिन् मन्दरसानुनि । नदत्स्वमरतूर्येषु गृणन्ति स्म परस्परम्
kurvatyaḥ kusumāsāraṃ tasmin mandarasānuni | nadatsvamaratūryeṣu gṛṇanti sma parasparam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time the demigods were situated on the top of Mandara Hill, and all their wives began to shower flowers on the funeral pyre and began to talk amongst themselves as follows.
देव्य ऊचुः । अहो इयं वधूर्धन्या या चैवं भूभुजां पतिम् । सर्वात्मना पतिं भेजे यज्ञेशं श्रीर्वधूरिव
devya ūcuḥ | aho iyaṃ vadhūrdhanyā yā caivaṃ bhūbhujāṃ patim | sarvātmanā patiṃ bheje yajñeśaṃ śrīrvadhūriva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wives of the demigods said: All glories to Queen Arci! We can see that this queen of the great King Pṛthu, the emperor of all the kings of the world, has served her husband with mind, speech and body exactly as the goddess of fortune serves the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Yajñeśa, or Viṣṇu.
सैषा नूनं व्रजत्यूर्ध्वमनु वैन्यं पतिं सती । पश्यतास्मानतीत्यार्चिर्दुर्विभाव्येन कर्मणा
saiṣā nūnaṃ vrajatyūrdhvamanu vainyaṃ patiṃ satī | paśyatāsmānatītyārcirdurvibhāvyena karmaṇā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wives of the demigods continued: Just see how this chaste lady, Arci, by dint of her inconceivable pious activities, is still following her husband upward, as far as we can see.
तेषां दुरापं किं त्वन्यन्मर्त्यानां भगवत्पदम् । भुवि लोलायुषो ये वै नैष्कर्म्यं साधयन्त्युत
teṣāṃ durāpaṃ kiṃ tvanyanmartyānāṃ bhagavatpadam | bhuvi lolāyuṣo ye vai naiṣkarmyaṃ sādhayantyuta
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this material world, every human being has a short span of life, but those who are engaged in devotional service go back home, back to Godhead, for they are actually on the path of liberation. For such persons, there is nothing which is not available.
स वञ्चितो बतात्मध्रुक् कृच्छ्रेण महता भुवि । लब्ध्वापवर्ग्यं मानुष्यं विषयेषु विषज्जते
sa vañcito batātmadhruk kṛcchreṇa mahatā bhuvi | labdhvāpavargyaṃ mānuṣyaṃ viṣayeṣu viṣajjate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Any person who engages himself within this material world in performing activities that necessitate great struggle, and who, after obtaining a human form of life — which is a chance to attain liberation from miseries — undertakes the difficult tasks of fruitive activities, must be considered to be cheated and envious of his own self.
मैत्रेय उवाच । स्तुवतीष्वमरस्त्रीषु पतिलोकं गता वधूः । यं वा आत्मविदां धुर्यो वैन्यः प्रापाच्युताश्रयः
maitreya uvāca | stuvatīṣvamarastrīṣu patilokaṃ gatā vadhūḥ | yaṃ vā ātmavidāṃ dhuryo vainyaḥ prāpācyutāśrayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued speaking: My dear Vidura, when the wives of the denizens of heaven were thus talking amongst themselves, Queen Arci reached the planet which her husband, Mahārāja Pṛthu, the topmost self-realized soul, had attained.
इत्थम्भूतानुभावोऽसौ पृथुः स भगवत्तमः । कीर्तितं तस्य चरितमुद्दामचरितस्य ते
itthambhūtānubhāvo'sau pṛthuḥ sa bhagavattamaḥ | kīrtitaṃ tasya caritamuddāmacaritasya te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Maitreya continued: The greatest of all devotees, Mahārāja Pṛthu, was very powerful, and his character was liberal, magnificent and magnanimous. Thus I have described him to you as far as possible.
य इदं सुमहत्पुण्यं श्रद्धयावहितः पठेत् । श्रावयेच्छृणुयाद्वापि स पृथोः पदवीमियात्
ya idaṃ sumahatpuṇyaṃ śraddhayāvahitaḥ paṭhet | śrāvayecchṛṇuyādvāpi sa pṛthoḥ padavīmiyāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Any person who describes the great characteristics of King Pṛthu with faith and determination — whether he reads or hears of them himself or helps others to hear of them — is certain to attain the very planet which Mahārāja Pṛthu attained. In other words, such a person also returns home to the Vaikuṇṭha planets, back to Godhead.
ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मवर्चस्वी राजन्यो जगतीपतिः । वैश्यः पठन् विट्पतिः स्याच्छूद्रः सत्तमतामियात्
brāhmaṇo brahmavarcasvī rājanyo jagatīpatiḥ | vaiśyaḥ paṭhan viṭpatiḥ syācchūdraḥ sattamatāmiyāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If one hears of the characteristics of Pṛthu Mahārāja and is a brāhmaṇa, he becomes perfectly qualified with brahminical powers; if he is a kṣatriya, he becomes a king of the world; if he is a vaiśya, he becomes a master of other vaiśyas and many animals; and if he is a śūdra, he becomes the topmost devotee.
त्रिकृत्व इदमाकर्ण्य नरो नार्यथवाऽऽदृता । अप्रजः सुप्रजतमो निर्धनो धनवत्तमः
trikṛtva idamākarṇya naro nāryathavā''dṛtā | aprajaḥ suprajatamo nirdhano dhanavattamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It does not matter whether one is a man or woman. Anyone who, with great respect, hears this narration of Mahārāja Pṛthu will become the parent of many children if without children, and will become the richest if without money.
अस्पष्टकीर्तिः सुयशा मूर्खो भवति पण्डितः । इदं स्वस्त्ययनं पुंसाममङ्गल्यनिवारणम्
aspaṣṭakīrtiḥ suyaśā mūrkho bhavati paṇḍitaḥ | idaṃ svastyayanaṃ puṃsāmamaṅgalyanivāraṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Also, one who hears this narration three times will become very reputable if he is not recognized in society, and he will become a great scholar if he is illiterate. In other words, hearing of the narrations of Pṛthu Mahārāja is so auspicious that it drives away all bad luck.
धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं स्वर्ग्यं कलिमलापहम् । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां सम्यक् सिद्धिमभीप्सुभिः । श्रद्धयैतदनुश्राव्यं चतुर्णां कारणं परम्
dhanyaṃ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṃ svargyaṃ kalimalāpaham | dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṃ samyak siddhimabhīpsubhiḥ | śraddhayaitadanuśrāvyaṃ caturṇāṃ kāraṇaṃ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By hearing the narration of Pṛthu Mahārāja, one can become great, increase his duration of life, gain promotion to the heavenly planets and counteract the contaminations of this Age of Kali. In addition, one can promote the causes of religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation. Therefore from all sides it is advisable for a materialistic person who is interested in such things to read and hear the narrations of the life and character of Pṛthu Mahārāja.
विजयाभिमुखो राजा श्रुत्वैतदभियाति यान् । बलिं तस्मै हरन्त्यग्रे राजानः पृथवे यथा
vijayābhimukho rājā śrutvaitadabhiyāti yān | baliṃ tasmai harantyagre rājānaḥ pṛthave yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If a king, who is desirous of attaining victory and ruling power, chants the narration of Pṛthu Mahārāja three times before going forth on his chariot, all subordinate kings will automatically render all kinds of taxes unto him — as they rendered them unto Mahārāja Pṛthu — simply upon his order.
मुक्तान्यसङ्गो भगवत्यमलां भक्तिमुद्वहन् । वैन्यस्य चरितं पुण्यं शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेत्पठेत्
muktānyasaṅgo bhagavatyamalāṃ bhaktimudvahan | vainyasya caritaṃ puṇyaṃ śṛṇuyācchrāvayetpaṭhet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A pure devotee who is executing the different processes of devotional service may be situated in the transcendental position, being completely absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but even he, while discharging devotional service, must hear, read and induce others to hear about the character and life of Pṛthu Mahārāja.
वैचित्रवीर्याभिहितं महन्माहात्म्यसूचकम् । अस्मिन् कृतमतिर्मर्त्यः पार्थवीं गतिमाप्नुयात्
vaicitravīryābhihitaṃ mahanmāhātmyasūcakam | asmin kṛtamatirmartyaḥ pārthavīṃ gatimāpnuyāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, I have as far as possible spoken the narrations about Pṛthu Mahārāja, which enrich one’s devotional attitude. Whoever takes advantage of these benefits also goes back home, back to Godhead, like Mahārāja Pṛthu.
अनुदिनमिदमादरेण शृण्वन् पृथुचरितं प्रथयन् विमुक्तसङ्गः । भगवति भवसिन्धुपोतपादे स च निपुणां लभते रतिं मनुष्यः
anudinamidamādareṇa śṛṇvan pṛthucaritaṃ prathayan vimuktasaṅgaḥ | bhagavati bhavasindhupotapāde sa ca nipuṇāṃ labhate ratiṃ manuṣyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whoever, with great reverence and adoration, regularly reads, chants and describes the history of Mahārāja Pṛthu’s activities will certainly increase unflinching faith and attraction for the lotus feet of the Lord. The Lord’s lotus feet are the boat by which one can cross the ocean of nescience.
मैत्रेय उवाच । विजिताश्वोऽधिराजाऽऽसीत्पृथुपुत्रः पृथुश्रवाः । यवीयोभ्योऽददात्काष्ठा भ्रातृभ्यो भ्रातृवत्सलः
maitreya uvāca | vijitāśvo'dhirājā''sītpṛthuputraḥ pṛthuśravāḥ | yavīyobhyo'dadātkāṣṭhā bhrātṛbhyo bhrātṛvatsalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: Vijitāśva, the eldest son of Mahārāja Pṛthu, who had a reputation like his father’s, became emperor and gave his younger brothers different directions of the world to govern, for he was very affectionate toward his brothers.
हर्यक्षायादिशत्प्राचीं धूम्रकेशाय दक्षिणाम् । प्रतीचीं वृकसंज्ञाय तुर्यां द्रविणसे विभुः
haryakṣāyādiśatprācīṃ dhūmrakeśāya dakṣiṇām | pratīcīṃ vṛkasaṃjñāya turyāṃ draviṇase vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Vijitāśva offered the eastern part of the world to his brother Haryakṣa, the southern part to Dhūmrakeśa, the western part to Vṛka and the northern part to Draviṇa.
अन्तर्धानगतिं शक्राल्लब्ध्वान्तर्धानसंज्ञितः । अपत्यत्रयमाधत्त शिखण्डिन्यां सुसम्मतम्
antardhānagatiṃ śakrāllabdhvāntardhānasaṃjñitaḥ | apatyatrayamādhatta śikhaṇḍinyāṃ susammatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Formerly, Mahārāja Vijitāśva pleased the King of heaven, Indra, and from him received the title Antardhāna. His wife’s name was Śikhaṇḍinī, and by her he begot three good sons.
पावकः पवमानश्च शुचिरित्यग्नयः पुरा । वसिष्ठशापादुत्पन्नाः पुनर्योगगतिं गताः
pāvakaḥ pavamānaśca śucirityagnayaḥ purā | vasiṣṭhaśāpādutpannāḥ punaryogagatiṃ gatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The three sons of Mahārāja Antardhāna were named Pāvaka, Pavamāna and Śuci. Formerly these three personalities were the demigods of fire, but due to the curse of the great sage Vasiṣṭha, they became the sons of Mahārāja Antardhāna. As such, they were as powerful as the fire-gods, and they attained the destination of mystic yoga power, being again situated as the demigods of fire.
अन्तर्धानो नभस्वत्यां हविर्धानमविन्दत । य इन्द्रमश्वहर्तारं विद्वानपि न जघ्निवान्
antardhāno nabhasvatyāṃ havirdhānamavindata | ya indramaśvahartāraṃ vidvānapi na jaghnivān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Antardhāna had another wife, named Nabhasvatī, and by her he was happy to beget another son, named Havirdhāna. Since Mahārāja Antardhāna was very liberal, he did not kill Indra while the demigod was stealing his father’s horse at the sacrifice.
राज्ञां वृत्तिं करादानदण्डशुल्कादिदारुणाम् । मन्यमानो दीर्घसत्त्रव्याजेन विससर्ज ह
rājñāṃ vṛttiṃ karādānadaṇḍaśulkādidāruṇām | manyamāno dīrghasattravyājena visasarja ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whenever Antardhāna, the supreme royal power, had to exact taxes, punish his citizens or fine them severely, he was not willing to do so. Consequently he retired from the execution of such duties and engaged himself in the performance of different sacrifices.
तत्रापि हंसं पुरुषं परमात्मानमात्मदृक् । यजंस्तल्लोकतामाप कुशलेन समाधिना
tatrāpi haṃsaṃ puruṣaṃ paramātmānamātmadṛk | yajaṃstallokatāmāpa kuśalena samādhinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although Mahārāja Antardhāna was engaged in performing sacrifices, because he was a self-realized soul he very intelligently rendered devotional service to the Lord, who eradicates all the fears of His devotees. By thus worshiping the Supreme Lord, Mahārāja Antardhāna, rapt in ecstasy, attained His planet very easily.
हविर्धानाद्धविर्धानी विदुरासूत षट् सुतान् । बर्हिषदं गयं शुक्लं कृष्णं सत्यं जितव्रतम्
havirdhānāddhavirdhānī vidurāsūta ṣaṭ sutān | barhiṣadaṃ gayaṃ śuklaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ satyaṃ jitavratam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Havirdhāna, the son of Mahārāja Antardhāna, had a wife named Havirdhānī, who gave birth to six sons, named Barhiṣat, Gaya, Śukla, Kṛṣṇa, Satya and Jitavrata.
बर्हिषत्सुमहाभागो हाविर्धानिः प्रजापतिः । क्रियाकाण्डेषु निष्णातो योगेषु च कुरूद्वह
barhiṣatsumahābhāgo hāvirdhāniḥ prajāpatiḥ | kriyākāṇḍeṣu niṣṇāto yogeṣu ca kurūdvaha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, Havirdhāna’s very powerful son named Barhiṣat was very expert in performing various kinds of fruitive sacrifices, and he was also expert in the practice of mystic yoga. By his great qualifications, he became known as Prajāpati.
यस्येदं देवयजनमनुयज्ञं वितन्वतः । प्राचीनाग्रैः कुशैरासीदास्तृतं वसुधातलम्
yasyedaṃ devayajanamanuyajñaṃ vitanvataḥ | prācīnāgraiḥ kuśairāsīdāstṛtaṃ vasudhātalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Barhiṣat executed many sacrifices all over the world. He scattered kuśa grasses and kept the tops of the grasses pointed eastward.
सामुद्रीं देवदेवोक्तामुपयेमे शतद्रुतिम् । यां वीक्ष्य चारुसर्वाङ्गीं किशोरीं सुष्ठ्वलङ्कृताम् । परिक्रमन्तीमुद्वाहे चकमेऽग्निः शुकीमिव
sāmudrīṃ devadevoktāmupayeme śatadrutim | yāṃ vīkṣya cārusarvāṅgīṃ kiśorīṃ suṣṭhvalaṅkṛtām | parikramantīmudvāhe cakame'gniḥ śukīmiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Barhiṣat — henceforward known as Prācīnabarhi — was ordered by the supreme demigod Brahmā to marry the daughter of the ocean named Śatadruti. Her bodily features were completely beautiful, and she was very young. She was decorated with the proper garments, and when she came into the marriage arena and began circumambulating it, the fire-god Agni became so attracted to her that he desired her company, exactly as he had formerly desired to enjoy Śukī.
विबुधासुरगन्धर्वमुनिसिद्धनरोरगाः । विजिताः सूर्यया दिक्षु क्वणयन्त्यैव नूपुरैः
vibudhāsuragandharvamunisiddhanaroragāḥ | vijitāḥ sūryayā dikṣu kvaṇayantyaiva nūpuraiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Śatadruti was thus being married, the demons, the denizens of Gandharvaloka, the great sages, and the denizens of Siddhaloka, the earthly planets and Nāgaloka, although highly exalted, were all captivated by the tinkling of her ankle bells.
प्राचीनबर्हिषः पुत्राः शतद्रुत्यां दशाभवन् । तुल्यनामव्रताः सर्वे धर्मस्नाताः प्रचेतसः
prācīnabarhiṣaḥ putrāḥ śatadrutyāṃ daśābhavan | tulyanāmavratāḥ sarve dharmasnātāḥ pracetasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Prācīnabarhi begot ten children in the womb of Śatadruti. All of them were equally endowed with religiosity, and all of them were known as the Pracetās.
पित्राऽऽदिष्टाः प्रजासर्गे तपसेऽर्णवमाविशन् । दशवर्षसहस्राणि तपसाऽऽर्चंस्तपस्पतिम्
pitrā''diṣṭāḥ prajāsarge tapase'rṇavamāviśan | daśavarṣasahasrāṇi tapasā''rcaṃstapaspatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When all these Pracetās were ordered by their father to marry and beget children, they all entered the ocean and practiced austerities and penances for ten thousand years. Thus they worshiped the master of all austerity, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
यदुक्तं पथि दृष्टेन गिरिशेन प्रसीदता । तद्ध्यायन्तो जपन्तश्च पूजयन्तश्च संयताः
yaduktaṃ pathi dṛṣṭena giriśena prasīdatā | taddhyāyanto japantaśca pūjayantaśca saṃyatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When all the sons of Prācīnabarhi left home to execute austerities, they met Lord Śiva, who, out of great mercy, instructed them about the Absolute Truth. All the sons of Prācīnabarhi meditated upon the instructions, chanting and worshiping them with great care and attention.
विदुर उवाच । प्रचेतसां गिरित्रेण यथाऽऽसीत्पथि सङ्गमः । यदुताह हरः प्रीतस्तन्नो ब्रह्मन् वदार्थवत्
vidura uvāca | pracetasāṃ giritreṇa yathā''sītpathi saṅgamaḥ | yadutāha haraḥ prītastanno brahman vadārthavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vidura asked Maitreya: My dear brāhmaṇa, why did the Pracetās meet Lord Śiva on the way? Please tell me how the meeting happened, how Lord Śiva became very pleased with them and how he instructed them. Certainly such talks are important, and I wish that you please be merciful upon me and describe them.
सङ्गमः खलु विप्रर्षे शिवेनेह शरीरिणाम् । दुर्लभो मुनयो दध्युरसङ्गाद्यमभीप्सितम्
saṅgamaḥ khalu viprarṣe śiveneha śarīriṇām | durlabho munayo dadhyurasaṅgādyamabhīpsitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Vidura continued: O best of the brāhmaṇas, it is very difficult for living entities encaged within this material body to have personal contact with Lord Śiva. Even great sages who have no material attachments do not contact him, despite their always being absorbed in meditation to attain his personal contact.
आत्मारामोऽपि यस्त्वस्य लोककल्पस्य राधसे । शक्त्या युक्तो विचरति घोरया भगवान् भवः
ātmārāmo'pi yastvasya lokakalpasya rādhase | śaktyā yukto vicarati ghorayā bhagavān bhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva, the most powerful demigod, second only to Lord Viṣṇu, is self-sufficient. Although he has nothing to aspire for in the material world, for the benefit of those in the material world he is always busily engaged everywhere and is accompanied by his dangerous energies like the goddess Kālī and the goddess Durgā.
मैत्रेय उवाच । प्रचेतसः पितुर्वाक्यं शिरसाऽऽदाय साधवः । दिशं प्रतीचीं प्रययुस्तपस्यादृतचेतसः
maitreya uvāca | pracetasaḥ piturvākyaṃ śirasā''dāya sādhavaḥ | diśaṃ pratīcīṃ prayayustapasyādṛtacetasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, because of their pious nature, all the sons of Prācīnabarhi very seriously accepted the words of their father with heart and soul, and with these words on their heads, they went toward the west to execute their father’s order.
समुद्रमुप विस्तीर्णमपश्यन् सुमहत्सरः । महन्मन इव स्वच्छं प्रसन्नसलिलाशयम्
samudramupa vistīrṇamapaśyan sumahatsaraḥ | mahanmana iva svacchaṃ prasannasalilāśayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While traveling, the Pracetās happened to see a great reservoir of water which seemed almost as big as the ocean. The water of this lake was so calm and quiet that it seemed like the mind of a great soul, and its inhabitants, the aquatics, appeared very peaceful and happy to be under the protection of such a watery reservoir.
नीलरक्तोत्पलाम्भोजकह्लारेन्दीवराकरम् । हंससारसचक्राह्वकारण्डवनिकूजितम्
nīlaraktotpalāmbhojakahlārendīvarākaram | haṃsasārasacakrāhvakāraṇḍavanikūjitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that great lake there were different types of lotus flowers. Some of them were bluish, and some of them were red. Some of them grew at night, some in the day and some, like the indīvara lotus flower, in the evening. Combined together, the lotus flowers filled the lake so full that the lake appeared to be a great mine of such flowers. Consequently, on the shores there were swans and cranes, cakravākas, kāraṇḍavas and other beautiful water birds standing about.
मत्तभ्रमरसौस्वर्यहृष्टरोमलताङ्घ्रिपम् । पद्मकोशरजो दिक्षु विक्षिपत्पवनोत्सवम्
mattabhramarasausvaryahṛṣṭaromalatāṅghripam | padmakośarajo dikṣu vikṣipatpavanotsavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There were various trees and creepers on all sides of the lake, and there were mad bumblebees humming all about them. The trees appeared to be very jolly due to the sweet humming of the bumblebees, and the saffron, which was contained in the lotus flowers, was being thrown into the air. These all created such an atmosphere that it appeared as though a festival were taking place there.
तत्र गान्धर्वमाकर्ण्य दिव्यमार्गमनोहरम् । विसिस्म्यू राजपुत्रास्ते मृदङ्गपणवाद्यनु
tatra gāndharvamākarṇya divyamārgamanoharam | visismyū rājaputrāste mṛdaṅgapaṇavādyanu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sons of the King became very much amazed when they heard vibrations from various drums and kettledrums along with other orderly musical sounds pleasing to the ear.
स तान् प्रपन्नार्तिहरो भगवान् धर्मवत्सलः । धर्मज्ञान् शीलसम्पन्नान् प्रीतः प्रीतानुवाच ह
sa tān prapannārtiharo bhagavān dharmavatsalaḥ | dharmajñān śīlasampannān prītaḥ prītānuvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva became very pleased with the Pracetās because generally Lord Śiva is the protector of pious persons and persons of gentle behavior. Being very much pleased with the princes, he began to speak as follows.
रुद्र उवाच । यूयं वेदिषदः पुत्रा विदितं वश्चिकीर्षितम् । अनुग्रहाय भद्रं व एवं मे दर्शनं कृतम्
rudra uvāca | yūyaṃ vediṣadaḥ putrā viditaṃ vaścikīrṣitam | anugrahāya bhadraṃ va evaṃ me darśanaṃ kṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva said: You are all the sons of King Prācīnabarhi, and I wish all good fortune to you. I also know what you are going to do, and therefore I am visible to you just to show my mercy upon you.
यः परं रंहसः साक्षात्त्रिगुणाज्जीवसंज्ञितात् । भगवन्तं वासुदेवं प्रपन्नः स प्रियो हि मे
yaḥ paraṃ raṃhasaḥ sākṣāttriguṇājjīvasaṃjñitāt | bhagavantaṃ vāsudevaṃ prapannaḥ sa priyo hi me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva continued: Any person who is surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, the controller of everything — material nature as well as the living entity — is actually very dear to me.
स्वधर्मनिष्ठः शतजन्मभिः पुमान् विरिञ्चतामेति ततः परं हि माम् । अव्याकृतं भागवतोऽथ वैष्णवं पदं यथाहं विबुधाः कलात्यये
svadharmaniṣṭhaḥ śatajanmabhiḥ pumān viriñcatāmeti tataḥ paraṃ hi mām | avyākṛtaṃ bhāgavato'tha vaiṣṇavaṃ padaṃ yathāhaṃ vibudhāḥ kalātyaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A person who executes his occupational duty properly for one hundred births becomes qualified to occupy the post of Brahmā, and if he becomes more qualified, he can approach Lord Śiva. A person who is directly surrendered to Lord Kṛṣṇa, or Viṣṇu, in unalloyed devotional service is immediately promoted to the spiritual planets. Lord Śiva and other demigods attain these planets after the destruction of this material world.
अथ भागवता यूयं प्रियाः स्थ भगवान् यथा । न मद्भागवतानां च प्रेयानन्योऽस्ति कर्हिचित्
atha bhāgavatā yūyaṃ priyāḥ stha bhagavān yathā | na madbhāgavatānāṃ ca preyānanyo'sti karhicit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are all devotees of the Lord, and as such I appreciate that you are as respectable as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. I know in this way that the devotees also respect me and that I am dear to them. Thus no one can be as dear to the devotees as I am.
इदं विविक्तं जप्तव्यं पवित्रं मङ्गलं परम् । निःश्रेयसकरं चापि श्रूयतां तद्वदामि वः
idaṃ viviktaṃ japtavyaṃ pavitraṃ maṅgalaṃ param | niḥśreyasakaraṃ cāpi śrūyatāṃ tadvadāmi vaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now I shall chant one mantra which is not only transcendental, pure and auspicious, but is the best prayer for anyone who is aspiring to attain the ultimate goal of life. When I chant this mantra, please hear it carefully and attentively.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इत्यनुक्रोशहृदयो भगवानाह ताञ्छिवः । बद्धाञ्जलीन् राजपुत्रान् नारायणपरो वचः
maitreya uvāca | ityanukrośahṛdayo bhagavānāha tāñchivaḥ | baddhāñjalīn rājaputrān nārāyaṇaparo vacaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: Out of his causeless mercy, the exalted personality Lord Śiva, a great devotee of Lord Nārāyaṇa, continued to speak to the King’s sons, who were standing with folded hands.
रुद्र उवाच । जितं त आत्मविद्धुर्यस्वस्तये स्वस्तिरस्तु मे । भवता राधसा राद्धं सर्वस्मा आत्मने नमः
rudra uvāca | jitaṃ ta ātmaviddhuryasvastaye svastirastu me | bhavatā rādhasā rāddhaṃ sarvasmā ātmane namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva addressed the Supreme Personality of Godhead with the following prayer: O Supreme Personality of Godhead, all glories unto You. You are the most exalted of all self-realized souls. Since You are always auspicious for the self-realized, I wish that You be auspicious for me. You are worshipable by virtue of the all-perfect instructions You give. You are the Supersoul; therefore I offer my obeisances unto You as the supreme living being.
नमः पङ्कजनाभाय भूतसूक्ष्मेन्द्रियात्मने । वासुदेवाय शान्ताय कूटस्थाय स्वरोचिषे
namaḥ paṅkajanābhāya bhūtasūkṣmendriyātmane | vāsudevāya śāntāya kūṭasthāya svarociṣe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, You are the origin of the creation by virtue of the lotus flower which sprouts from Your navel. You are the supreme controller of the senses and the sense objects, and You are also the all-pervading Vāsudeva. You are most peaceful, and because of Your self-illuminated existence, You are not disturbed by the six kinds of transformations.
सङ्कर्षणाय सूक्ष्माय दुरन्तायान्तकाय च । नमो विश्वप्रबोधाय प्रद्युम्नायान्तरात्मने
saṅkarṣaṇāya sūkṣmāya durantāyāntakāya ca | namo viśvaprabodhāya pradyumnāyāntarātmane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, You are the origin of the subtle material ingredients, the master of all integration as well as the master of all disintegration, the predominating Deity named Saṅkarṣaṇa, and the master of all intelligence, known as the predominating Deity Pradyumna. Therefore, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
नमो नमोऽनिरुद्धाय हृषीकेशेन्द्रियात्मने । नमः परमहंसाय पूर्णाय निभृतात्मने
namo namo'niruddhāya hṛṣīkeśendriyātmane | namaḥ paramahaṃsāya pūrṇāya nibhṛtātmane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, as the supreme directing Deity known as Aniruddha, You are the master of the senses and the mind. I therefore offer my obeisances unto You again and again. You are known as Ananta as well as Saṅkarṣaṇa because of Your ability to destroy the whole creation by the blazing fire from Your mouth.
स्वर्गापवर्गद्वाराय नित्यं शुचिषदे नमः । नमो हिरण्यवीर्याय चातुर्होत्राय तन्तवे
svargāpavargadvārāya nityaṃ śuciṣade namaḥ | namo hiraṇyavīryāya cāturhotrāya tantave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, O Aniruddha, You are the authority by which the doors of the higher planetary systems and liberation are opened. You are always within the pure heart of the living entity. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto You. You are the possessor of semen which is like gold, and thus, in the form of fire, You help the Vedic sacrifices, beginning with cātur-hotra. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto You.
नम ऊर्ज इषे त्रय्याः पतये यज्ञरेतसे । तृप्तिदाय च जीवानां नमः सर्वरसात्मने
nama ūrja iṣe trayyāḥ pataye yajñaretase | tṛptidāya ca jīvānāṃ namaḥ sarvarasātmane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, You are the provider of the Pitṛlokas as well as all the demigods. You are the predominating deity of the moon and the master of all three Vedas. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You because You are the original source of satisfaction for all living entities.
सर्वसत्त्वात्मदेहाय विशेषाय स्थवीयसे । नमस्त्रैलोक्यपालाय सह ओजो बलाय च
sarvasattvātmadehāya viśeṣāya sthavīyase | namastrailokyapālāya saha ojo balāya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, You are the gigantic universal form which contains all the individual bodies of the living entities. You are the maintainer of the three worlds, and as such You maintain the mind, senses, body, and air of life within them. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
अर्थलिङ्गाय नभसे नमोऽन्तर्बहिरात्मने । नमः पुण्याय लोकाय अमुष्मै भूरिवर्चसे
arthaliṅgāya nabhase namo'ntarbahirātmane | namaḥ puṇyāya lokāya amuṣmai bhūrivarcase
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, by expanding Your transcendental vibrations, You reveal the actual meaning of everything. You are the all-pervading sky within and without, and You are the ultimate goal of pious activities executed both within this material world and beyond it. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances again and again unto You.
प्रवृत्ताय निवृत्ताय पितृदेवाय कर्मणे । नमोऽधर्मविपाकाय मृत्यवे दुःखदाय च
pravṛttāya nivṛttāya pitṛdevāya karmaṇe | namo'dharmavipākāya mṛtyave duḥkhadāya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, You are the viewer of the results of pious activities. You are inclination, disinclination and their resultant activities. You are the cause of the miserable conditions of life caused by irreligion, and therefore You are death. I offer You my respectful obeisances.
नमस्त आशिषामीश मनवे कारणात्मने । नमो धर्माय बृहते कृष्णायाकुण्ठमेधसे । पुरुषाय पुराणाय साङ्ख्ययोगेश्वराय च
namasta āśiṣāmīśa manave kāraṇātmane | namo dharmāya bṛhate kṛṣṇāyākuṇṭhamedhase | puruṣāya purāṇāya sāṅkhyayogeśvarāya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, You are the topmost of all bestowers of all benediction, the oldest and supreme enjoyer amongst all enjoyers. You are the master of all the worlds’ metaphysical philosophy, for You are the supreme cause of all causes, Lord Kṛṣṇa. You are the greatest of all religious principles, the supreme mind, and You have a brain which is never checked by any condition. Therefore I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto You.
शक्तित्रयसमेताय मीढुषेऽहङ्कृतात्मने । चेत आकूतिरूपाय नमो वाचो विभूतये
śaktitrayasametāya mīḍhuṣe'haṅkṛtātmane | ceta ākūtirūpāya namo vāco vibhūtaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, You are the supreme controller of the worker, sense activities and results of sense activities [karma]. Therefore You are the controller of the body, mind and senses. You are also the supreme controller of egotism, known as Rudra. You are the source of knowledge and the activities of the Vedic injunctions.
दर्शनं नो दिदृक्षूणां देहि भागवतार्चितम् । रूपं प्रियतमं स्वानां सर्वेन्द्रियगुणाञ्जनम्
darśanaṃ no didṛkṣūṇāṃ dehi bhāgavatārcitam | rūpaṃ priyatamaṃ svānāṃ sarvendriyaguṇāñjanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, I wish to see You exactly in the form that Your very dear devotees worship. You have many other forms, but I wish to see Your form that is especially liked by the devotees. Please be merciful upon me and show me that form, for only that form worshiped by the devotees can perfectly satisfy all the demands of the senses.
सिंहस्कन्धत्विषो बिभ्रत्सौभगग्रीवकौस्तुभम् । श्रियानपायिन्या क्षिप्तनिकषाश्मोरसोल्लसत्
siṃhaskandhatviṣo bibhratsaubhagagrīvakaustubham | śriyānapāyinyā kṣiptanikaṣāśmorasollasat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord has shoulders just like a lion’s. Upon these shoulders are garlands, necklaces and epaulets, and all of these are always glittering. Besides these, there is the beauty of the Kaustubha-maṇi pearl, and on the dark chest of the Lord there are streaks named Śrīvatsa, which are signs of the goddess of fortune. The glittering of these streaks excels the beauty of the golden streaks on a gold-testing stone. Indeed, such beauty defeats a gold-testing stone.
पूररेचकसंविग्नवलिवल्गुदलोदरम् । प्रतिसङ्क्रामयद्विश्वं नाभ्याऽऽवर्तगभीरया
pūrarecakasaṃvignavalivalgudalodaram | pratisaṅkrāmayadviśvaṃ nābhyā''vartagabhīrayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord’s abdomen is beautiful due to three ripples in the flesh. Being so round, His abdomen resembles the leaf of a banyan tree, and when He exhales and inhales, the movement of the ripples appears very, very beautiful. The coils within the navel of the Lord are so deep that it appears that the entire universe sprouted out of it and yet again wishes to go back.
श्यामश्रोण्यधिरोचिष्णु दुकूलस्वर्णमेखलम् । समचार्वङ्घ्रिजङ्घोरुनिम्नजानुसुदर्शनम्
śyāmaśroṇyadhirociṣṇu dukūlasvarṇamekhalam | samacārvaṅghrijaṅghorunimnajānusudarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The lower part of the Lord’s waist is dark and covered with yellow garments and a belt bedecked with golden embroidery work. His symmetrical lotus feet and the calves, thighs and joints of His legs are extraordinarily beautiful. Indeed, the Lord’s entire body appears to be well built.
पदा शरत्पद्मपलाशरोचिषा नखद्युभिर्नोऽन्तरघं विधुन्वता । प्रदर्शय स्वीयमपास्तसाध्वसं पदं गुरो मार्गगुरुस्तमोजुषाम्
padā śaratpadmapalāśarociṣā nakhadyubhirno'ntaraghaṃ vidhunvatā | pradarśaya svīyamapāstasādhvasaṃ padaṃ guro mārgagurustamojuṣām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, Your two lotus feet are so beautiful that they appear like two blossoming petals of the lotus flower which grows during the autumn season. Indeed, the nails of Your lotus feet emanate such a great effulgence that they immediately dissipate all the darkness in the heart of a conditioned soul. My dear Lord, kindly show me that form of Yours which always dissipates all kinds of darkness in the heart of a devotee. My dear Lord, You are the supreme spiritual master of everyone; therefore all conditioned souls covered with the darkness of ignorance can be enlightened by You as the spiritual master.
एतद्रूपमनुध्येयमात्मशुद्धिमभीप्सताम् । यद्भक्तियोगोभयदः स्वधर्ममनुतिष्ठताम्
etadrūpamanudhyeyamātmaśuddhimabhīpsatām | yadbhaktiyogobhayadaḥ svadharmamanutiṣṭhatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, those who desire to purify their existence must always engage in meditation upon Your lotus feet, as described above. Those who are serious about executing their occupational duties and who want freedom from fear must take to this process of bhakti-yoga.
भवान् भक्तिमता लभ्यो दुर्लभः सर्वदेहिनाम् । स्वाराज्यस्याप्यभिमत एकान्तेनात्मविद्गतिः
bhavān bhaktimatā labhyo durlabhaḥ sarvadehinām | svārājyasyāpyabhimata ekāntenātmavidgatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, the king in charge of the heavenly kingdom is also desirous of obtaining the ultimate goal of life — devotional service. Similarly, You are the ultimate destination of those who identify themselves with You [ahaṁ brahmāsmi]. However, it is very difficult for them to attain You, whereas a devotee can very easily attain Your Lordship.
तं दुराराध्यमाराध्य सतामपि दुरापया । एकान्तभक्त्या को वाञ्छेत्पादमूलं विना बहिः
taṃ durārādhyamārādhya satāmapi durāpayā | ekāntabhaktyā ko vāñchetpādamūlaṃ vinā bahiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, pure devotional service is even difficult for liberated persons to discharge, but devotional service alone can satisfy You. Who will take to other processes of self-realization if he is actually serious about the perfection of life?
यत्र निर्विष्टमरणं कृतान्तो नाभिमन्यते । विश्वं विध्वंसयन् वीर्यशौर्यविस्फूर्जितभ्रुवा
yatra nirviṣṭamaraṇaṃ kṛtānto nābhimanyate | viśvaṃ vidhvaṃsayan vīryaśauryavisphūrjitabhruvā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Simply by expansion of His eyebrows, invincible time personified can immediately vanquish the entire universe. However, formidable time does not approach the devotee who has taken complete shelter at Your lotus feet.
क्षणार्धेनापि तुलये न स्वर्गं नापुनर्भवम् । भगवत्सङ्गिसङ्गस्य मर्त्यानां किमुताशिषः
kṣaṇārdhenāpi tulaye na svargaṃ nāpunarbhavam | bhagavatsaṅgisaṅgasya martyānāṃ kimutāśiṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If one by chance associates with a devotee, even for a fraction of a moment, he no longer is subject to attraction by the results of karma or jñāna. What interest then can he have in the benedictions of the demigods, who are subject to the laws of birth and death?
अथानघाङ्घ्रेस्तव कीर्तितीर्थयो- रन्तर्बहिः स्नानविधूतपाप्मनाम् । भूतेष्वनुक्रोशसुसत्त्वशीलिनां स्यात्सङ्गमोऽनुग्रह एष नस्तव
athānaghāṅghrestava kīrtitīrthayo- rantarbahiḥ snānavidhūtapāpmanām | bhūteṣvanukrośasusattvaśīlināṃ syātsaṅgamo'nugraha eṣa nastava
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, Your lotus feet are the cause of all auspicious things and the destroyer of all the contamination of sin. I therefore beg Your Lordship to bless me by the association of Your devotees, who are completely purified by worshiping Your lotus feet and who are so merciful upon the conditioned souls. I think that Your real benediction will be to allow me to associate with such devotees.
न यस्य चित्तं बहिरर्थविभ्रमं तमोगुहायां च विशुद्धमाविशत् । यद्भक्तियोगानुगृहीतमञ्जसा मुनिर्विचष्टे ननु तत्र ते गतिम्
na yasya cittaṃ bahirarthavibhramaṃ tamoguhāyāṃ ca viśuddhamāviśat | yadbhaktiyogānugṛhītamañjasā munirvicaṣṭe nanu tatra te gatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The devotee whose heart has been completely cleansed by the process of devotional service and who is favored by Bhaktidevī does not become bewildered by the external energy, which is just like a dark well. Being completely cleansed of all material contamination in this way, a devotee is able to understand very happily Your name, fame, form, activities, etc.
यत्रेदं व्यज्यते विश्वं विश्वस्मिन्नवभाति यत् । तत्त्वं ब्रह्म परञ्ज्योतिराकाशमिव विस्तृतम्
yatredaṃ vyajyate viśvaṃ viśvasminnavabhāti yat | tattvaṃ brahma parañjyotirākāśamiva vistṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, the impersonal Brahman spreads everywhere, like the sunshine or the sky. And that impersonal Brahman, which spreads throughout the universe and in which the entire universe is manifested, is You.
यो माययेदं पुरुरूपयासृज- द्बिभर्ति भूयः क्षपयत्यविक्रियः । यद्भेदबुद्धिः सदिवात्मदुःस्थया तमात्मतन्त्रं भगवन् प्रतीमहि
yo māyayedaṃ pururūpayāsṛja- dbibharti bhūyaḥ kṣapayatyavikriyaḥ | yadbhedabuddhiḥ sadivātmaduḥsthayā tamātmatantraṃ bhagavan pratīmahi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, You have manifold energies, and these energies are manifested in manifold forms. With such energies You have also created this cosmic manifestation, and although You maintain it as if it were permanent, You ultimately annihilate it. Although You are never disturbed by such changes and alterations, the living entities are disturbed by them, and therefore they find the cosmic manifestation to be different or separated from You. My Lord, You are always independent, and I can clearly see this fact.
क्रियाकलापैरिदमेव योगिनः श्रद्धान्विताः साधु यजन्ति सिद्धये । भूतेन्द्रियान्तःकरणोपलक्षितं वेदे च तन्त्रे च त एव कोविदाः
kriyākalāpairidameva yoginaḥ śraddhānvitāḥ sādhu yajanti siddhaye | bhūtendriyāntaḥkaraṇopalakṣitaṃ vede ca tantre ca ta eva kovidāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, Your universal form consists of all five elements, the senses, mind, intelligence, false ego (which is material) and the Paramātmā, Your partial expansion, who is the director of everything. Yogīs other than the devotees — namely the karma-yogī and jñāna-yogī — worship You by their respective actions in their respective positions. It is stated both in the Vedas and in the śāstras that are corollaries of the Vedas, and indeed everywhere, that it is only You who are to be worshiped. That is the expert version of all the Vedas.
त्वमेक आद्यः पुरुषः सुप्तशक्ति- स्तया रजःसत्त्वतमो विभिद्यते । महानहं खं मरुदग्निवार्धराः सुरर्षयो भूतगणा इदं यतः
tvameka ādyaḥ puruṣaḥ suptaśakti- stayā rajaḥsattvatamo vibhidyate | mahānahaṃ khaṃ marudagnivārdharāḥ surarṣayo bhūtagaṇā idaṃ yataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, You are the only Supreme Person, the cause of all causes. Before the creation of this material world, Your material energy remains in a dormant condition. When Your material energy is agitated, the three qualities — namely goodness, passion and ignorance — act, and as a result the total material energy — egotism, ether, air, fire, water, earth and all the various demigods and saintly persons — becomes manifest. Thus the material world is created.
सृष्टं स्वशक्त्येदमनुप्रविष्ट- श्चतुर्विधं पुरमात्मांशकेन । अथो विदुस्तं पुरुषं सन्तमन्त- र्भुङ्क्ते हृषीकैर्मधु सारघं यः
sṛṣṭaṃ svaśaktyedamanupraviṣṭa- ścaturvidhaṃ puramātmāṃśakena | atho vidustaṃ puruṣaṃ santamanta- rbhuṅkte hṛṣīkairmadhu sāraghaṃ yaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, after creating by Your own potencies, You enter within the creation in four kinds of forms. Being within the hearts of the living entities, You know them and know how they are enjoying their senses. The so-called happiness of this material creation is exactly like the bees’ enjoyment of honey after it has been collected in the honeycomb.
स एष लोकानतिचण्डवेगो विकर्षसि त्वं खलु कालयानः । भूतानि भूतैरनुमेयतत्त्वो घनावलीर्वायुरिवाविषह्यः
sa eṣa lokānaticaṇḍavego vikarṣasi tvaṃ khalu kālayānaḥ | bhūtāni bhūtairanumeyatattvo ghanāvalīrvāyurivāviṣahyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, Your absolute authority cannot be directly experienced, but one can guess by seeing the activities of the world that everything is being destroyed in due course of time. The force of time is very strong, and everything is being destroyed by something else — just as one animal is being eaten by another animal. Time scatters everything, exactly as the wind scatters clouds in the sky.
प्रमत्तमुच्चैरितिकृत्यचिन्तया प्रवृद्धलोभं विषयेषु लालसम् । त्वमप्रमत्तः सहसाभिपद्यसे क्षुल्लेलिहानोऽहिरिवाखुमन्तकः
pramattamuccairitikṛtyacintayā pravṛddhalobhaṃ viṣayeṣu lālasam | tvamapramattaḥ sahasābhipadyase kṣullelihāno'hirivākhumantakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, all living entities within this material world are mad after planning for things, and they are always busy with a desire to do this or that. This is due to uncontrollable greed. The greed for material enjoyment is always existing in the living entity, but Your Lordship is always alert, and in due course of time You strike him, just as a snake seizes a mouse and very easily swallows him.
कस्त्वत्पदाब्जं विजहाति पण्डितो यस्तेऽवमानव्ययमानकेतनः । विशङ्कयास्मद्गुरुरर्चति स्म यद्- विनोपपत्तिं मनवश्चतुर्दश
kastvatpadābjaṃ vijahāti paṇḍito yaste'vamānavyayamānaketanaḥ | viśaṅkayāsmadgururarcati sma yad- vinopapattiṃ manavaścaturdaśa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, any learned person knows that unless he worships You, his entire life is spoiled. Knowing this, how could he give up worshiping Your lotus feet? Even our father and spiritual master, Lord Brahmā, unhesitatingly worshiped You, and the fourteen Manus followed in his footsteps.
अथ त्वमसि नो ब्रह्मन् परमात्मन् विपश्चिताम् । विश्वं रुद्रभयध्वस्तमकुतश्चिद्भया गतिः
atha tvamasi no brahman paramātman vipaścitām | viśvaṃ rudrabhayadhvastamakutaścidbhayā gatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, all actually learned persons know You as the Supreme Brahman and the Supersoul. Although the entire universe is afraid of Lord Rudra, who ultimately annihilates everything, for the learned devotees You are the fearless destination of all.
इदं जपत भद्रं वो विशुद्धा नृपनन्दनाः । स्वधर्ममनुतिष्ठन्तो भगवत्यर्पिताशयाः
idaṃ japata bhadraṃ vo viśuddhā nṛpanandanāḥ | svadharmamanutiṣṭhanto bhagavatyarpitāśayāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear sons of the King, just execute your occupational duty as kings with a pure heart. Just chant this prayer fixing your mind on the lotus feet of the Lord. That will bring you all good fortune, for the Lord will be very much pleased with you.
तमेवात्मानमात्मस्थं सर्वभूतेष्ववस्थितम् । पूजयध्वं गृणन्तश्च ध्यायन्तश्चासकृद्धरिम्
tamevātmānamātmasthaṃ sarvabhūteṣvavasthitam | pūjayadhvaṃ gṛṇantaśca dhyāyantaścāsakṛddharim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O sons of the King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, is situated in everyone’s heart. He is also within your hearts. Therefore chant the glories of the Lord and always meditate upon Him continuously.
योगादेशमुपासाद्य धारयन्तो मुनिव्रताः । समाहितधियः सर्व एतदभ्यसतादृताः
yogādeśamupāsādya dhārayanto munivratāḥ | samāhitadhiyaḥ sarva etadabhyasatādṛtāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear princes, in the form of a prayer I have delineated the yoga system of chanting the holy name. All of you should take this important stotra within your minds and promise to keep it in order to become great sages. By acting silently like a great sage and by giving attention and reverence, you should practice this method.
इदमाह पुरास्माकं भगवान् विश्वसृक्पतिः । भृग्वादीनामात्मजानां सिसृक्षुः संसिसृक्षताम्
idamāha purāsmākaṃ bhagavān viśvasṛkpatiḥ | bhṛgvādīnāmātmajānāṃ sisṛkṣuḥ saṃsisṛkṣatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This prayer was first spoken to us by Lord Brahmā, the master of all creators. The creators, headed by Bhṛgu, were instructed in these prayers because they wanted to create.
ते वयं नोदिताः सर्वे प्रजासर्गे प्रजेश्वराः । अनेन ध्वस्ततमसः सिसृक्ष्मो विविधाः प्रजाः
te vayaṃ noditāḥ sarve prajāsarge prajeśvarāḥ | anena dhvastatamasaḥ sisṛkṣmo vividhāḥ prajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When all the Prajāpatis were ordered to create by Lord Brahmā, we chanted these prayers in praise of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and became completely free from all ignorance. Thus we were able to create different types of living entities.
अथेदं नित्यदा युक्तो जपन्नवहितः पुमान् । अचिराच्छ्रेय आप्नोति वासुदेवपरायणः
athedaṃ nityadā yukto japannavahitaḥ pumān | acirācchreya āpnoti vāsudevaparāyaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa whose mind is always absorbed in Him, who with great attention and reverence chants this stotra [prayer], will achieve the greatest perfection of life without delay.
श्रेयसामिह सर्वेषां ज्ञानं निःश्रेयसं परम् । सुखं तरति दुष्पारं ज्ञाननौर्व्यसनार्णवम्
śreyasāmiha sarveṣāṃ jñānaṃ niḥśreyasaṃ param | sukhaṃ tarati duṣpāraṃ jñānanaurvyasanārṇavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this material world there are different types of achievement, but of all of them the achievement of knowledge is considered to be the highest because one can cross the ocean of nescience only on the boat of knowledge. Otherwise the ocean is impassable.
य इमं श्रद्धया युक्तो मद्गीतं भगवत्स्तवम् । अधीयानो दुराराध्यं हरिमाराधयत्यसौ
ya imaṃ śraddhayā yukto madgītaṃ bhagavatstavam | adhīyāno durārādhyaṃ harimārādhayatyasau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although rendering devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and worshiping Him are very difficult, if one vibrates or simply reads this stotra [prayer] composed and sung by me, he will very easily be able to invoke the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
विन्दते पुरुषोऽमुष्माद्यद्यदिच्छत्यसत्वरम् । मद्गीतगीतात्सुप्रीताच्छ्रेयसामेकवल्लभात्
vindate puruṣo'muṣmādyadyadicchatyasatvaram | madgītagītātsuprītācchreyasāmekavallabhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the dearmost objective of all auspicious benedictions. A human being who sings this song sung by me can please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such a devotee, being fixed in the Lord’s devotional service, can acquire whatever he wants from the Supreme Lord.
इदं यः कल्य उत्थाय प्राञ्जलिः श्रद्धयान्वितः । शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेन्मर्त्यो मुच्यते कर्मबन्धनैः
idaṃ yaḥ kalya utthāya prāñjaliḥ śraddhayānvitaḥ | śṛṇuyācchrāvayenmartyo mucyate karmabandhanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A devotee who rises early in the morning and with folded hands chants these prayers sung by Lord Śiva, and gives facility to others to hear them, certainly becomes free from all bondage to fruitive activities.
गीतं मयेदं नरदेवनन्दनाः परस्य पुंसः परमात्मनः स्तवम् । जपन्त एकाग्रधियस्तपो मह- च्चरध्वमन्ते तत आप्स्यथेप्सितम्
gītaṃ mayedaṃ naradevanandanāḥ parasya puṃsaḥ paramātmanaḥ stavam | japanta ekāgradhiyastapo maha- ccaradhvamante tata āpsyathepsitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear sons of the King, the prayers I have recited to you are meant for pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul. I advise you to recite these prayers, which are as effective as great austerities. In this way, when you are mature, your life will be successful, and you will certainly achieve all your desired objectives without fail.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इति सन्दिश्य भगवान् बार्हिषदैरभिपूजितः । पश्यतां राजपुत्राणां तत्रैवान्तर्दधे हरः
maitreya uvāca | iti sandiśya bhagavān bārhiṣadairabhipūjitaḥ | paśyatāṃ rājaputrāṇāṃ tatraivāntardadhe haraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued speaking to Vidura: My dear Vidura, in this way Lord Śiva instructed the sons of King Barhiṣat. The sons of the King also worshiped Lord Śiva with great devotion and respect. Finally, Lord Śiva became invisible to the princes.
रुद्रगीतं भगवतः स्तोत्रं सर्वे प्रचेतसः । जपन्तस्ते तपस्तेपुर्वर्षाणामयुतं जले
rudragītaṃ bhagavataḥ stotraṃ sarve pracetasaḥ | japantaste tapastepurvarṣāṇāmayutaṃ jale
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the Pracetā princes simply stood in the water for ten thousand years and recited the prayers given to them by Lord Śiva.
प्राचीनबर्हिषं क्षत्तः कर्मस्वासक्तमानसम् । नारदोऽध्यात्मतत्त्वज्ञः कृपालुः प्रत्यबोधयत्
prācīnabarhiṣaṃ kṣattaḥ karmasvāsaktamānasam | nārado'dhyātmatattvajñaḥ kṛpāluḥ pratyabodhayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the princes were undergoing severe austerities in the water, their father was performing different types of fruitive activities. At this time the great saint Nārada, master and teacher of all spiritual life, became very compassionate upon the King and decided to instruct him about spiritual life.
श्रेयस्त्वं कतमद्राजन् कर्मणाऽऽत्मन ईहसे । दुःखहानिः सुखावाप्तिः श्रेयस्तन्नेह चेष्यते
śreyastvaṃ katamadrājan karmaṇā''tmana īhase | duḥkhahāniḥ sukhāvāptiḥ śreyastanneha ceṣyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada Muni asked King Prācīnabarhiṣat: My dear King, what do you desire to achieve by performing these fruitive activities? The chief aim of life is to get rid of all miseries and enjoy happiness, but these two things cannot be realized by fruitive activity.
राजोवाच । न जानामि महाभाग परं कर्मापविद्धधीः । ब्रूहि मे विमलं ज्ञानं येन मुच्येय कर्मभिः
rājovāca | na jānāmi mahābhāga paraṃ karmāpaviddhadhīḥ | brūhi me vimalaṃ jñānaṃ yena mucyeya karmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King replied: O great soul, Nārada, my intelligence is entangled in fruitive activities; therefore I do not know the ultimate goal of life. Kindly instruct me in pure knowledge so that I can get out of the entanglement of fruitive activities.
गृहेषु कूटधर्मेषु पुत्रदारधनार्थधीः । न परं विन्दते मूढो भ्राम्यन् संसारवर्त्मसु
gṛheṣu kūṭadharmeṣu putradāradhanārthadhīḥ | na paraṃ vindate mūḍho bhrāmyan saṃsāravartmasu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who are interested only in a so-called dutiful life — namely remaining as a householder entangled by sons and a wife and searching after wealth — think that such things are life’s ultimate goal. Such people simply wander in different types of bodies throughout this material existence without finding out the ultimate goal of life.
नारद उवाच । भो भोः प्रजापते राजन् पशून् पश्य त्वयाध्वरे । संज्ञापिताञ्जीवसङ्घान् निर्घृणेन सहस्रशः
nārada uvāca | bho bhoḥ prajāpate rājan paśūn paśya tvayādhvare | saṃjñāpitāñjīvasaṅghān nirghṛṇena sahasraśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great saint Nārada said: O ruler of the citizens, my dear King, please see in the sky those animals which you have sacrificed without compassion and without mercy in the sacrificial arena.
एते त्वां सम्प्रतीक्षन्ते स्मरन्तो वैशसं तव । सम्परेतमयःकूटैश्छिन्दन्त्युत्थितमन्यवः
ete tvāṃ sampratīkṣante smaranto vaiśasaṃ tava | samparetamayaḥkūṭaiśchindantyutthitamanyavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All these animals are awaiting your death so that they can avenge the injuries you have inflicted upon them. After you die, they will angrily pierce your body with iron horns.
अत्र ते कथयिष्येऽमुमितिहासं पुरातनम् । पुरञ्जनस्य चरितं निबोध गदतो मम
atra te kathayiṣye'mumitihāsaṃ purātanam | purañjanasya caritaṃ nibodha gadato mama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this connection I wish to narrate an old history connected with the character of a king called Purañjana. Please try to hear me with great attention.
आसीत्पुरञ्जनो नाम राजा राजन् बृहच्छ्रवाः । तस्याविज्ञातनामाऽऽसीत्सखाविज्ञातचेष्टितः
āsītpurañjano nāma rājā rājan bṛhacchravāḥ | tasyāvijñātanāmā''sītsakhāvijñātaceṣṭitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, once in the past lived a king named Purañjana, who was celebrated for his great activities. He had a friend named Avijñāta [“the unknown one”]. No one could understand the activities of Avijñāta.
सोऽन्वेषमाणः शरणं बभ्राम पृथिवीं प्रभुः । नानुरूपं यदाविन्ददभूत्स विमना इव
so'nveṣamāṇaḥ śaraṇaṃ babhrāma pṛthivīṃ prabhuḥ | nānurūpaṃ yadāvindadabhūtsa vimanā iva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana began to search for a suitable place to live, and thus he traveled all over the world. Even after a great deal of traveling, he could not find a place just to his liking. Finally he became morose and disappointed.
न साधु मेने ताः सर्वा भूतले यावतीः पुरः । कामान् कामयमानोऽसौ तस्य तस्योपपत्तये
na sādhu mene tāḥ sarvā bhūtale yāvatīḥ puraḥ | kāmān kāmayamāno'sau tasya tasyopapattaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana had unlimited desires for sense enjoyment; consequently he traveled all over the world to find a place where all his desires could be fulfilled. Unfortunately he found a feeling of insufficiency everywhere.
स एकदा हिमवतो दक्षिणेष्वथ सानुषु । ददर्श नवभिर्द्वार्भिः पुरं लक्षितलक्षणाम्
sa ekadā himavato dakṣiṇeṣvatha sānuṣu | dadarśa navabhirdvārbhiḥ puraṃ lakṣitalakṣaṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once, while wandering in this way, he saw on the southern side of the Himālayas, in a place named Bhārata-varṣa [India], a city that had nine gates all about and was characterized by all auspicious facilities.
प्राकारोपवनाट्टालपरिखैरक्षतोरणैः । स्वर्णरौप्यायसैः शृङ्गैः सङ्कुलां सर्वतो गृहैः
prākāropavanāṭṭālaparikhairakṣatoraṇaiḥ | svarṇaraupyāyasaiḥ śṛṅgaiḥ saṅkulāṃ sarvato gṛhaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That city was surrounded by walls and parks, and within it were towers, canals, windows and outlets. The houses there were decorated with domes made of gold, silver and iron.
नीलस्फटिकवैदूर्यमुक्तामरकतारुणैः । कॢप्तहर्म्यस्थलीं दीप्तां श्रिया भोगवतीमिव
nīlasphaṭikavaidūryamuktāmarakatāruṇaiḥ | kḷptaharmyasthalīṃ dīptāṃ śriyā bhogavatīmiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The floors of the houses in that city were made of sapphire, crystal, diamonds, pearls, emeralds and rubies. Because of the luster of the houses in the capital, the city was compared to the celestial town named Bhogavatī.
सभाचत्वररथ्याभिराक्रीडायतनापणैः । चैत्यध्वजपताकाभिर्युक्तां विद्रुमवेदिभिः
sabhācatvararathyābhirākrīḍāyatanāpaṇaiḥ | caityadhvajapatākābhiryuktāṃ vidrumavedibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that city there were many assembly houses, street crossings, streets, restaurants, gambling houses, markets, resting places, flags, festoons and beautiful parks. All these surrounded the city.
पुर्यास्तु बाह्योपवने दिव्यद्रुमलताकुले । नदद्विहङ्गालिकुलकोलाहलजलाशये
puryāstu bāhyopavane divyadrumalatākule | nadadvihaṅgālikulakolāhalajalāśaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the outskirts of that city were many beautiful trees and creepers encircling a nice lake. Also surrounding that lake were many groups of birds and bees that were always chanting and humming.
हिमनिर्झरविप्रुष्मत्कुसुमाकरवायुना । चलत्प्रवालविटपनलिनीतटसम्पदि
himanirjharavipruṣmatkusumākaravāyunā | calatpravālaviṭapanalinītaṭasampadi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The branches of the trees standing on the bank of the lake received particles of water carried by the spring air from the falls coming down from the icy mountain.
नानारण्यमृगव्रातैरनाबाधे मुनिव्रतैः । आहूतं मन्यते पान्थो यत्र कोकिलकूजितैः
nānāraṇyamṛgavrātairanābādhe munivrataiḥ | āhūtaṃ manyate pāntho yatra kokilakūjitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In such an atmosphere even the animals of the forest became nonviolent and nonenvious like great sages. Consequently, the animals did not attack anyone. Over and above everything was the cooing of the cuckoos. Any passenger passing along that path was invited by that atmosphere to take rest in that nice garden.
यदृच्छयाऽऽगतां तत्र ददर्श प्रमदोत्तमाम् । भृत्यैर्दशभिरायान्तीमेकैकशतनायकैः
yadṛcchayā''gatāṃ tatra dadarśa pramadottamām | bhṛtyairdaśabhirāyāntīmekaikaśatanāyakaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While wandering here and there in that wonderful garden, King Purañjana suddenly came in contact with a very beautiful woman who was walking there without any engagement. She had ten servants with her, and each servant had hundreds of wives accompanying him.
पञ्चशीर्षाहिना गुप्तां प्रतीहारेण सर्वतः । अन्वेषमाणामृषभमप्रौढां कामरूपिणीम्
pañcaśīrṣāhinā guptāṃ pratīhāreṇa sarvataḥ | anveṣamāṇāmṛṣabhamaprauḍhāṃ kāmarūpiṇīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The woman was protected on all sides by a five-hooded snake. She was very beautiful and young, and she appeared very anxious to find a suitable husband.
सुनासां सुदतीं बालां सुकपोलां वराननाम् । समविन्यस्तकर्णाभ्यां बिभ्रतीं कुण्डलश्रियम्
sunāsāṃ sudatīṃ bālāṃ sukapolāṃ varānanām | samavinyastakarṇābhyāṃ bibhratīṃ kuṇḍalaśriyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The woman’s nose, teeth and forehead were all very beautiful. Her ears were equally very beautiful and were bedecked with dazzling earrings.
पिशङ्गनीवीं सुश्रोणीं श्यामां कनकमेखलाम् । पद्भ्यां क्वणद्भ्यां चलतीं नूपुरैर्देवतामिव
piśaṅganīvīṃ suśroṇīṃ śyāmāṃ kanakamekhalām | padbhyāṃ kvaṇadbhyāṃ calatīṃ nūpurairdevatāmiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The waist and hips of the woman were very beautiful. She was dressed in a yellow sārī with a golden belt. While she walked, her ankle bells rang. She appeared exactly like a denizen of the heavens.
स्तनौ व्यञ्जितकैशोरौ समवृत्तौ निरन्तरौ । वस्त्रान्तेन निगूहन्तीं व्रीडया गजगामिनीम्
stanau vyañjitakaiśorau samavṛttau nirantarau | vastrāntena nigūhantīṃ vrīḍayā gajagāminīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With the end of her sārī the woman was trying to cover her breasts, which were equally round and well placed side by side. She again and again tried to cover them out of shyness while she walked exactly like a great elephant.
तामाह ललितं वीरः सव्रीडस्मितशोभनाम् । स्निग्धेनापाङ्गपुङ्खेन स्पृष्टः प्रेमोद्भ्रमद्भ्रुवा
tāmāha lalitaṃ vīraḥ savrīḍasmitaśobhanām | snigdhenāpāṅgapuṅkhena spṛṣṭaḥ premodbhramadbhruvā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Purañjana, the hero, became attracted by the eyebrows and smiling face of the very beautiful girl and was immediately pierced by the arrows of her lusty desires. When she smiled shyly, she looked very beautiful to Purañjana, who, although a hero, could not refrain from addressing her.
का त्वं कञ्जपलाशाक्षि कस्यासीह कुतः सति । इमामुप पुरीं भीरु किं चिकीर्षसि शंस मे
kā tvaṃ kañjapalāśākṣi kasyāsīha kutaḥ sati | imāmupa purīṃ bhīru kiṃ cikīrṣasi śaṃsa me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear lotus-eyed, kindly explain to me where you are coming from, who you are, and whose daughter you are. You appear very chaste. What is the purpose of your coming here? What are you trying to do? Please explain all these things to me.
क एतेऽनुपथा ये त एकादश महाभटाः । एता वा ललनाः सुभ्रु कोऽयं तेऽहिः पुरःसरः
ka ete'nupathā ye ta ekādaśa mahābhaṭāḥ | etā vā lalanāḥ subhru ko'yaṃ te'hiḥ puraḥsaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear lotus-eyed, who are those eleven strong bodyguards with you, and who are those ten specific servants? Who are those women following the ten servants, and who is the snake that is preceding you?
त्वं ह्रीर्भवान्यस्यथवाग्रमा पतिं विचिन्वती किं मुनिवद्रहो वने । त्वदङ्घ्रिकामाप्तसमस्तकामं क्व पद्मकोशः पतितः कराग्रात्
tvaṃ hrīrbhavānyasyathavāgramā patiṃ vicinvatī kiṃ munivadraho vane | tvadaṅghrikāmāptasamastakāmaṃ kva padmakośaḥ patitaḥ karāgrāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear beautiful girl, you are exactly like the goddess of fortune or the wife of Lord Śiva or the goddess of learning, the wife of Lord Brahmā. Although you must be one of them, I see that you are loitering in this forest. Indeed, you are as silent as the great sages. Is it that you are searching after your own husband? Whoever your husband may be, simply by understanding that you are so faithful to him, he will come to possess all opulences. I think you must be the goddess of fortune, but I do not see the lotus flower in your hand. Therefore I am asking you where you have thrown that lotus.
नासां वरोर्वन्यतमा भुविस्पृक् पुरीमिमां वीरवरेण साकम् । अर्हस्यलङ्कर्तुमदभ्रकर्मणा लोकं परं श्रीरिव यज्ञपुंसा
nāsāṃ varorvanyatamā bhuvispṛk purīmimāṃ vīravareṇa sākam | arhasyalaṅkartumadabhrakarmaṇā lokaṃ paraṃ śrīriva yajñapuṃsā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O greatly fortunate one, it appears that you are none of the women I have mentioned because I see that your feet are touching the ground. But if you are some woman of this planet, you can, like the goddess of fortune — who, accompanied by Lord Viṣṇu, increases the beauty of the Vaikuṇṭha planets — also increase the beauty of this city by associating with me. You should understand that I am a great hero and a very powerful king on this planet.
यदेष मापाङ्गविखण्डितेन्द्रियं सव्रीडभावस्मितविभ्रमद्भ्रुवा । त्वयोपसृष्टो भगवान् मनोभवः प्रबाधतेऽथानुगृहाण शोभने
yadeṣa māpāṅgavikhaṇḍitendriyaṃ savrīḍabhāvasmitavibhramadbhruvā | tvayopasṛṣṭo bhagavān manobhavaḥ prabādhate'thānugṛhāṇa śobhane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Certainly your glancing upon me today has very much agitated my mind. Your smile, which is full of shyness but at the same time lusty, is agitating the most powerful cupid within me. Therefore, O most beautiful, I ask you to be merciful upon me.
त्वदाननं सुभ्रु सुतारलोचनं व्यालम्बि नीलालकवृन्दसंवृतम् । उन्नीय मे दर्शय वल्गु वाचकं यद्व्रीडया नाभिमुखं शुचिस्मिते
tvadānanaṃ subhru sutāralocanaṃ vyālambi nīlālakavṛndasaṃvṛtam | unnīya me darśaya valgu vācakaṃ yadvrīḍayā nābhimukhaṃ śucismite
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear girl, your face is so beautiful with your nice eyebrows and eyes and with your bluish hair scattered about. In addition, very sweet sounds are coming from your mouth. Nonetheless, you are so covered with shyness that you do not see me face to face. I therefore request you, my dear girl, to smile and kindly raise your head to see me.
नारद उवाच । इत्थं पुरञ्जनं नारी याचमानमधीरवत् । अभ्यनन्दत तं वीरं हसन्ती वीरमोहिता
nārada uvāca | itthaṃ purañjanaṃ nārī yācamānamadhīravat | abhyanandata taṃ vīraṃ hasantī vīramohitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada continued: My dear King, when Purañjana became so attracted and impatient to touch the girl and enjoy her, the girl also became attracted by his words and accepted his request by smiling. By this time she was certainly attracted by the King.
न विदाम वयं सम्यक्कर्तारं पुरुषर्षभ । आत्मनश्च परस्यापि गोत्रं नाम च यत्कृतम्
na vidāma vayaṃ samyakkartāraṃ puruṣarṣabha | ātmanaśca parasyāpi gotraṃ nāma ca yatkṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The girl said: O best of human beings, I do not know who has begotten me. I cannot speak to you perfectly about this. Nor do I know the names or the origin of the associates with me.
इहाद्य सन्तमात्मानं विदाम न ततः परम् । येनेयं निर्मिता वीर पुरी शरणमात्मनः
ihādya santamātmānaṃ vidāma na tataḥ param | yeneyaṃ nirmitā vīra purī śaraṇamātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great hero, we only know that we are existing in this place. We do not know what will come after. Indeed, we are so foolish that we do not care to understand who has created this beautiful place for our residence.
एते सखायः सख्यो मे नरा नार्यश्च मानद । सुप्तायां मयि जागर्ति नागोऽयं पालयन् पुरीम्
ete sakhāyaḥ sakhyo me narā nāryaśca mānada | suptāyāṃ mayi jāgarti nāgo'yaṃ pālayan purīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear gentleman, all these men and women with me are known as my friends, and the snake, who always remains awake, protects this city even during my sleeping hours. So much I know. I do not know anything beyond this.
दिष्ट्याऽऽगतोऽसि भद्रं ते ग्राम्यान् कामानभीप्ससे । उद्वहिष्यामि तांस्तेऽहं स्वबन्धुभिररिन्दम
diṣṭyā''gato'si bhadraṃ te grāmyān kāmānabhīpsase | udvahiṣyāmi tāṃste'haṃ svabandhubhirarindama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O killer of the enemy, you have somehow or other come here. This is certainly great fortune for me. I wish all auspicious things for you. You have a great desire to satisfy your senses, and all my friends and I shall try our best in all respects to fulfill your desires.
इमां त्वमधितिष्ठस्व पुरीं नवमुखीं विभो । मयोपनीतान् गृह्णानः कामभोगान् शतं समाः
imāṃ tvamadhitiṣṭhasva purīṃ navamukhīṃ vibho | mayopanītān gṛhṇānaḥ kāmabhogān śataṃ samāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear lord, I have just arranged this city of nine gates for you so that you can have all kinds of sense gratification. You may live here for one hundred years, and everything for your sense gratification will be supplied.
कं नु त्वदन्यं रमये ह्यरतिज्ञमकोविदम् । असम्परायाभिमुखमश्वस्तनविदं पशुम्
kaṃ nu tvadanyaṃ ramaye hyaratijñamakovidam | asamparāyābhimukhamaśvastanavidaṃ paśum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How can I expect to unite with others, who are neither conversant about sex nor capable of knowing how to enjoy life while living or after death? Such foolish persons are like animals because they do not know the process of sense enjoyment in this life and after death.
धर्मो ह्यत्रार्थकामौ च प्रजानन्दोऽमृतं यशः । लोका विशोका विरजा यान्न केवलिनो विदुः
dharmo hyatrārthakāmau ca prajānando'mṛtaṃ yaśaḥ | lokā viśokā virajā yānna kevalino viduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The woman continued: In this material world, a householder’s life brings all kinds of happiness in religion, economic development, sense gratification and the begetting of children, sons and grandsons. After that, one may desire liberation as well as material reputation. The householder can appreciate the results of sacrifices, which enable him to gain promotion to superior planetary systems. All this material happiness is practically unknown to the transcendentalists. They cannot even imagine such happiness.
पितृदेवर्षिमर्त्यानां भूतानामात्मनश्च ह । क्षेम्यं वदन्ति शरणं भवेऽस्मिन् यद्गृहाश्रमः
pitṛdevarṣimartyānāṃ bhūtānāmātmanaśca ha | kṣemyaṃ vadanti śaraṇaṃ bhave'smin yadgṛhāśramaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The woman continued: According to authorities, the householder life is pleasing not only to oneself but to all the forefathers, demigods, great sages, saintly persons and everyone else. A householder life is thus beneficial.
का नाम वीर विख्यातं वदान्यं प्रियदर्शनम् । न वृणीत प्रियं प्राप्तं मादृशी त्वादृशं पतिम्
kā nāma vīra vikhyātaṃ vadānyaṃ priyadarśanam | na vṛṇīta priyaṃ prāptaṃ mādṛśī tvādṛśaṃ patim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my dear hero, who in this world will not accept a husband like you? You are so famous, so magnanimous, so beautiful and so easily gotten.
कस्या मनस्ते भुवि भोगिभोगयोः स्त्रिया न सज्जेद्भुजयोर्महाभुज । योऽनाथवर्गाधिमलं घृणोद्धत- स्मितावलोकेन चरत्यपोहितुम्
kasyā manaste bhuvi bhogibhogayoḥ striyā na sajjedbhujayormahābhuja | yo'nāthavargādhimalaṃ ghṛṇoddhata- smitāvalokena caratyapohitum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O mighty-armed, who in this world will not be attracted by your arms, which are just like the bodies of serpents? Actually you relieve the distress of husbandless women like us by your attractive smile and your aggressive mercy. We think that you are traveling on the surface of the earth just to benefit us only.
नारद उवाच । इति तौ दम्पती तत्र समुद्य समयं मिथः । तां प्रविश्य पुरीं राजन् मुमुदाते शतं समाः
nārada uvāca | iti tau dampatī tatra samudya samayaṃ mithaḥ | tāṃ praviśya purīṃ rājan mumudāte śataṃ samāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada continued: My dear King, those two — the man and the woman — supporting one another through mutual understanding, entered that city and enjoyed life for one hundred years.
उपगीयमानो ललितं तत्र तत्र च गायकैः । क्रीडन् परिवृतः स्त्रीभिर्ह्रदिनीमाविशच्छुचौ
upagīyamāno lalitaṃ tatra tatra ca gāyakaiḥ | krīḍan parivṛtaḥ strībhirhradinīmāviśacchucau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Many professional singers used to sing about the glories of King Purañjana and his glorious activities. When it was too hot in the summer, he used to enter a reservoir of water. He would surround himself with many women and enjoy their company.
सप्तोपरि कृता द्वारः पुरस्तस्यास्तु द्वे अधः । पृथग्विषयगत्यर्थं तस्यां यः कश्चनेश्वरः
saptopari kṛtā dvāraḥ purastasyāstu dve adhaḥ | pṛthagviṣayagatyarthaṃ tasyāṃ yaḥ kaścaneśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Of the nine gates in that city, seven were on the surface and two were subterranean. A total of nine doors were constructed, and these led to different places. All the gates were used by the city’s governor.
पञ्चद्वारस्तु पौरस्त्या दक्षिणैका तथोत्तरा । पश्चिमे द्वे अमूषां ते नामानि नृप वर्णये
pañcadvārastu paurastyā dakṣiṇaikā tathottarā | paścime dve amūṣāṃ te nāmāni nṛpa varṇaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, of the nine doors, five led toward the eastern side, one led toward the northern side, one led toward the southern side, and two led toward the western side. I shall try to give the names of these different doors.
खद्योऽऽताविर्मुखी च प्राग्द्वारावेकत्र निर्मिते । विभ्राजितं जनपदं याति ताभ्यां द्युमत्सखः
khadyo''tāvirmukhī ca prāgdvārāvekatra nirmite | vibhrājitaṃ janapadaṃ yāti tābhyāṃ dyumatsakhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The two gates named Khadyotā and Āvirmukhī were situated facing the eastern side, but they were constructed in one place. Through those two gates the King used to go to the city of Vibhrājita accompanied by a friend whose name was Dyumān.
नलिनी नालिनी च प्राग्द्वारावेकत्र निर्मिते । अवधूतसखस्ताभ्यां विषयं याति सौरभम्
nalinī nālinī ca prāgdvārāvekatra nirmite | avadhūtasakhastābhyāṃ viṣayaṃ yāti saurabham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Similarly in the east there were two sets of gates named Nalinī and Nālinī, and these were also constructed in one place. Through these gates the King, accompanied by a friend named Avadhūta, used to go to the city of Saurabha.
मुख्या नाम पुरस्ताद्द्वास्तयाऽऽपणबहूदनौ । विषयौ याति पुरराड्रसज्ञविपणान्वितः
mukhyā nāma purastāddvāstayā''paṇabahūdanau | viṣayau yāti purarāḍrasajñavipaṇānvitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The fifth gate situated on the eastern side was named Mukhyā, or the chief. Through this gate, accompanied by his friends named Rasajña and Vipaṇa, he used to visit two places named Bahūdana and Āpaṇa.
पितृहूर्नृप पुर्या द्वार्दक्षिणेन पुरञ्जनः । राष्ट्रं दक्षिणपञ्चालं याति श्रुतधरान्वितः
pitṛhūrnṛpa puryā dvārdakṣiṇena purañjanaḥ | rāṣṭraṃ dakṣiṇapañcālaṃ yāti śrutadharānvitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The southern gate of the city was known as Pitṛhū, and through that gate King Purañjana used to visit the city named Dakṣiṇa-pañcāla, accompanied by his friend Śrutadhara.
देवहूर्नाम पुर्या द्वा उत्तरेण पुरञ्जनः । राष्ट्रमुत्तरपञ्चालं याति श्रुतधरान्वितः
devahūrnāma puryā dvā uttareṇa purañjanaḥ | rāṣṭramuttarapañcālaṃ yāti śrutadharānvitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the northern side was the gate named Devahū. Through that gate, King Purañjana used to go with his friend Śrutadhara to the place known as Uttara-pañcāla.
आसुरी नाम पश्चाद्द्वास्तया याति पुरञ्जनः । ग्रामकं नाम विषयं दुर्मदेन समन्वितः
āsurī nāma paścāddvāstayā yāti purañjanaḥ | grāmakaṃ nāma viṣayaṃ durmadena samanvitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the western side was a gate named Āsurī. Through that gate King Purañjana used to go to the city of Grāmaka, accompanied by his friend Durmada.
निरृतिर्नाम पश्चाद्द्वास्तया याति पुरञ्जनः । वैशसं नाम विषयं लुब्धकेन समन्वितः
nirṛtirnāma paścāddvāstayā yāti purañjanaḥ | vaiśasaṃ nāma viṣayaṃ lubdhakena samanvitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Another gate on the western side was known as Nirṛti. Purañjana used to go through this gate to the place known as Vaiśasa, accompanied by his friend Lubdhaka.
अन्धावमीषां पौराणां निर्वाक्पेशस्कृतावुभौ । अक्षण्वतामधिपतिस्ताभ्यां याति करोति च
andhāvamīṣāṃ paurāṇāṃ nirvākpeśaskṛtāvubhau | akṣaṇvatāmadhipatistābhyāṃ yāti karoti ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Of the many inhabitants of this city, there are two persons named Nirvāk and Peśaskṛt. Although King Purañjana was the ruler of citizens who possessed eyes, he unfortunately used to associate with these blind men. Accompanied by them, he used to go here and there and perform various activities.
स यर्ह्यन्तःपुरगतो विषूचीनसमन्वितः । मोहं प्रसादं हर्षं वा याति जायात्मजोद्भवम्
sa yarhyantaḥpuragato viṣūcīnasamanvitaḥ | mohaṃ prasādaṃ harṣaṃ vā yāti jāyātmajodbhavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sometimes he used to go to his private home with one of his chief servants [the mind], who was named Viṣūcīna. At that time, illusion, satisfaction and happiness used to be produced from his wife and children.
एवं कर्मसु संसक्तः कामात्मा वञ्चितोऽबुधः । महिषी यद्यदीहेत तत्तदेवान्ववर्तत
evaṃ karmasu saṃsaktaḥ kāmātmā vañcito'budhaḥ | mahiṣī yadyadīheta tattadevānvavartata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being thus entangled in different types of mental concoction and engaged in fruitive activities, King Purañjana came completely under the control of material intelligence and was thus cheated. Indeed, he used to fulfill all the desires of his wife, the Queen.
विप्रलब्धो महिष्यैवं सर्वप्रकृतिवञ्चितः । नेच्छन्ननुकरोत्यज्ञः क्लैब्यात्क्रीडामृगो यथा
vipralabdho mahiṣyaivaṃ sarvaprakṛtivañcitaḥ | necchannanukarotyajñaḥ klaibyātkrīḍāmṛgo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way, King Purañjana was captivated by his nice wife and was thus cheated. Indeed, he became cheated in his whole existence in the material world. Even against that poor foolish King’s desire, he remained under the control of his wife, just like a pet animal that dances according to the order of its master.
चचार मृगयां तत्र दृप्त आत्तेषुकार्मुकः । विहाय जायामतदर्हां मृगव्यसनलालसः
cacāra mṛgayāṃ tatra dṛpta ātteṣukārmukaḥ | vihāya jāyāmatadarhāṃ mṛgavyasanalālasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was almost impossible for King Purañjana to give up the company of his Queen even for a moment. Nonetheless, on that day, being very much inspired by the desire to hunt, he took up his bow and arrow with great pride and went to the forest, not caring for his wife.
आसुरीं वृत्तिमाश्रित्य घोरात्मा निरनुग्रहः । न्यहनन्निशितैर्बाणैर्वनेषु वनगोचरान्
āsurīṃ vṛttimāśritya ghorātmā niranugrahaḥ | nyahananniśitairbāṇairvaneṣu vanagocarān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time King Purañjana was very much influenced by demoniac propensities. Because of this, his heart became very hard and merciless, and with sharp arrows he killed many innocent animals in the forest, taking no consideration.
तीर्थेषु प्रतिदृष्टेषु राजा मेध्यान् पशून् वने । यावदर्थमलं लुब्धो हन्यादिति नियम्यते
tīrtheṣu pratidṛṣṭeṣu rājā medhyān paśūn vane | yāvadarthamalaṃ lubdho hanyāditi niyamyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If a king is too attracted to eating flesh, he may, according to the directions of the revealed scriptures on sacrificial performances, go to the forest and kill some animals that are recommended for killing. One is not allowed to kill animals unnecessarily or without restrictions. The Vedas regulate animal-killing to stop the extravagance of foolish men influenced by the modes of passion and ignorance.
य एवं कर्म नियतं विद्वान् कुर्वीत मानवः । कर्मणा तेन राजेन्द्र ज्ञानेन न स लिप्यते
ya evaṃ karma niyataṃ vidvān kurvīta mānavaḥ | karmaṇā tena rājendra jñānena na sa lipyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada Muni continued to speak to King Prācīnabarhiṣat: My dear King, any person who works according to the directions of the Vedic scriptures does not become involved in fruitive activities.
अन्यथा कर्म कुर्वाणो मानारूढो निबध्यते । गुणप्रवाहपतितो नष्टप्रज्ञो व्रजत्यधः
anyathā karma kurvāṇo mānārūḍho nibadhyate | guṇapravāhapatito naṣṭaprajño vrajatyadhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Otherwise, a person who acts whimsically falls down due to false prestige. Thus he becomes involved in the laws of nature, which are composed of the three qualities [goodness, passion and ignorance]. In this way a living entity becomes devoid of his real intelligence and becomes perpetually lost in the cycle of birth and death. Thus he goes up and down from a microbe in stool to a high position in the Brahmaloka planet.
तत्र निर्भिन्नगात्राणां चित्रवाजैः शिलीमुखैः । विप्लवोऽभूद्दुःखितानां दुःसहः करुणात्मनाम्
tatra nirbhinnagātrāṇāṃ citravājaiḥ śilīmukhaiḥ | viplavo'bhūdduḥkhitānāṃ duḥsahaḥ karuṇātmanām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When King Purañjana was hunting in this way, many animals within the forest lost their lives with great pain, being pierced by the sharp arrowheads. Upon seeing these devastating, ghastly activities performed by the King, all the people who were merciful by nature became very unhappy. Such merciful persons could not tolerate seeing all this killing.
शशान् वराहान् महिषान् गवयान् रुरुशल्यकान् । मेध्यानन्यांश्च विविधान् विनिघ्नन् श्रममध्यगात्
śaśān varāhān mahiṣān gavayān ruruśalyakān | medhyānanyāṃśca vividhān vinighnan śramamadhyagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way King Purañjana killed many animals, including rabbits, boars, buffalo, bison, black deer, porcupines and other game animals. After killing and killing, the King became very tired.
ततः क्षुत्तृट्परिश्रान्तो निवृत्तो गृहमेयिवान् । कृतस्नानोचिताहारः संविवेश गतक्लमः
tataḥ kṣuttṛṭpariśrānto nivṛtto gṛhameyivān | kṛtasnānocitāhāraḥ saṃviveśa gataklamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After this, the King, very much fatigued, hungry and thirsty, returned to his royal palace. After returning, he took a bath and had an appropriate dinner. Then he took rest and thus became freed from all restlessness.
आत्मानमर्हयाञ्चक्रे धूपालेपस्रगादिभिः । साध्वलङ्कृतसर्वाङ्गो महिष्यामादधे मनः
ātmānamarhayāñcakre dhūpālepasragādibhiḥ | sādhvalaṅkṛtasarvāṅgo mahiṣyāmādadhe manaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After this, King Purañjana decorated his body with suitable ornaments. He also smeared scented sandalwood pulp over his body and put on flower garlands. In this way he became completely refreshed. After this, he began to search out his Queen.
तृप्तो हृष्टः सुदृप्तश्च कन्दर्पाकृष्टमानसः । न व्यचष्ट वरारोहां गृहिणीं गृहमेधिनीम्
tṛpto hṛṣṭaḥ sudṛptaśca kandarpākṛṣṭamānasaḥ | na vyacaṣṭa varārohāṃ gṛhiṇīṃ gṛhamedhinīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After taking his dinner and having his thirst and hunger satisfied, King Purañjana felt some joy within his heart. Instead of being elevated to a higher consciousness, he became captivated by Cupid, and was moved by a desire to find his wife, who kept him satisfied in his household life.
अन्तःपुरस्त्रियोऽपृच्छद्विमना इव वेदिषत् । अपि वः कुशलं रामाः सेश्वरीणां यथा पुरा
antaḥpurastriyo'pṛcchadvimanā iva vediṣat | api vaḥ kuśalaṃ rāmāḥ seśvarīṇāṃ yathā purā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time King Purañjana was a little anxious, and he inquired from the household women: My dear beautiful women, are you and your mistress all very happy like before, or not?
न तथैतर्हि रोचन्ते गृहेषु गृहसम्पदः । यदि न स्याद्गृहे माता पत्नी वा पतिदेवता । व्यङ्गे रथ इव प्राज्ञः को नामासीत दीनवत्
na tathaitarhi rocante gṛheṣu gṛhasampadaḥ | yadi na syādgṛhe mātā patnī vā patidevatā | vyaṅge ratha iva prājñaḥ ko nāmāsīta dīnavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana said: I do not understand why my household paraphernalia does not attract me as before. I think that if there is neither a mother nor devoted wife at home, the home is like a chariot without wheels. Where is the fool who will sit down on such an unworkable chariot?
क्व वर्तते सा ललना मज्जन्तं व्यसनार्णवे । या मामुद्धरते प्रज्ञां दीपयन्ती पदे पदे
kva vartate sā lalanā majjantaṃ vyasanārṇave | yā māmuddharate prajñāṃ dīpayantī pade pade
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kindly let me know the whereabouts of that beautiful woman who always saves me when I am drowning in the ocean of danger. By giving me good intelligence at every step, she always saves me.
रामा ऊचुः । नरनाथ न जानीमस्त्वत्प्रिया यद्व्यवस्यति । भूतले निरवस्तारे शयानां पश्य शत्रुहन्
rāmā ūcuḥ | naranātha na jānīmastvatpriyā yadvyavasyati | bhūtale niravastāre śayānāṃ paśya śatruhan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the women addressed the King: O master of the citizens, we do not know why your dear wife has taken on this sort of existence. O killer of enemies, kindly look! She is lying on the ground without bedding. We cannot understand why she is acting this way.
नारद उवाच । पुरञ्जनः स्वमहिषीं निरीक्ष्यावधुतां भुवि । तत्सङ्गोन्मथितज्ञानो वैक्लव्यं परमं ययौ
nārada uvāca | purañjanaḥ svamahiṣīṃ nirīkṣyāvadhutāṃ bhuvi | tatsaṅgonmathitajñāno vaiklavyaṃ paramaṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada continued: My dear King Prācīnabarhi, as soon as King Purañjana saw his Queen lying on the ground, appearing like a mendicant, he immediately became bewildered.
सान्त्वयन् श्लक्ष्णया वाचा हृदयेन विदूयता । प्रेयस्याः स्नेहसंरम्भलिङ्गमात्मनि नाभ्यगात्
sāntvayan ślakṣṇayā vācā hṛdayena vidūyatā | preyasyāḥ snehasaṃrambhaliṅgamātmani nābhyagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King, with aggrieved mind, began to speak to his wife with very pleasing words. Although he was filled with regret and tried to pacify her, he could not see any symptom of anger caused by love within the heart of his beloved wife.
अनुनिन्येऽथ शनकैर्वीरोऽनुनयकोविदः । पस्पर्श पादयुगलमाह चोत्सङ्गलालिताम्
anuninye'tha śanakairvīro'nunayakovidaḥ | pasparśa pādayugalamāha cotsaṅgalālitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because the King was very expert in flattery, he began to pacify his Queen very slowly. First he touched her two feet, then embraced her nicely, seating her on his lap, and began to speak as follows.
पुरञ्जन उवाच । नूनं त्वकृतपुण्यास्ते भृत्या येष्वीश्वराः शुभे । कृतागःस्वात्मसात्कृत्वा शिक्षा दण्डं न युञ्जते
purañjana uvāca | nūnaṃ tvakṛtapuṇyāste bhṛtyā yeṣvīśvarāḥ śubhe | kṛtāgaḥsvātmasātkṛtvā śikṣā daṇḍaṃ na yuñjate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana said: My dear beautiful wife, when a master accepts a servant as his own man, but does not punish him for his offenses, the servant must be considered unfortunate.
परमोऽनुग्रहो दण्डो भृत्येषु प्रभुणार्पितः । बालो न वेद तत्तन्वि बन्धुकृत्यममर्षणः
paramo'nugraho daṇḍo bhṛtyeṣu prabhuṇārpitaḥ | bālo na veda tattanvi bandhukṛtyamamarṣaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear slender maiden, when a master chastises his servant, the servant should accept this as great mercy. One who becomes angry must be very foolish not to know that such is the duty of his friend.
सा त्वं मुखं सुदति सुभ्र्वनुरागभार- व्रीडाविलम्बविलसद्धसितावलोकम् । नीलालकालिभिरुपस्कृतमुन्नसं नः स्वानां प्रदर्शय मनस्विनि वल्गु वाक्यम्
sā tvaṃ mukhaṃ sudati subhrvanurāgabhāra- vrīḍāvilambavilasaddhasitāvalokam | nīlālakālibhirupaskṛtamunnasaṃ naḥ svānāṃ pradarśaya manasvini valgu vākyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear wife, your teeth are very beautifully set, and your attractive features make you appear very thoughtful. Kindly give up your anger, be merciful upon me, and please smile upon me with loving attachment. When I see a smile on your beautiful face, and when I see your hair, which is as beautiful as the color blue, and see your raised nose and hear your sweet talk, you will become more beautiful to me and thus attract me and oblige me. You are my most respected mistress.
तस्मिन् दधे दममहं तव वीरपत्नि योऽन्यत्र भूसुरकुलात्कृतकिल्बिषस्तम् । पश्ये न वीतभयमुन्मुदितं त्रिलोक्या- मन्यत्र वै मुररिपोरितरत्र दासात्
tasmin dadhe damamahaṃ tava vīrapatni yo'nyatra bhūsurakulātkṛtakilbiṣastam | paśye na vītabhayamunmuditaṃ trilokyā- manyatra vai murariporitaratra dāsāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O hero’s wife, kindly tell me if someone has offended you. I am prepared to give such a person punishment as long as he does not belong to the brāhmaṇa caste. But for the servant of Muraripu [Kṛṣṇa], I excuse no one within or beyond these three worlds. No one can freely move after offending you, for I am prepared to punish him.
वक्त्रं न ते वितिलकं मलिनं विहर्षं संरम्भभीममविमृष्टमपेतरागम् । पश्ये स्तनावपि शुचोपहतौ सुजातौ बिम्बाधरं विगतकुङ्कुमपङ्करागम्
vaktraṃ na te vitilakaṃ malinaṃ viharṣaṃ saṃrambhabhīmamavimṛṣṭamapetarāgam | paśye stanāvapi śucopahatau sujātau bimbādharaṃ vigatakuṅkumapaṅkarāgam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear wife, until this day I have never seen your face without tilaka decorations, nor have I seen you so morose and without luster or affection. Nor have I seen your two nice breasts wet with tears from your eyes. Nor have I ever before seen your lips, which are ordinarily as red as the bimba fruit, without their reddish hue.
तन्मे प्रसीद सुहृदः कृतकिल्बिषस्य स्वैरं गतस्य मृगयां व्यसनातुरस्य । का देवरं वशगतं कुसुमास्त्रवेग- विस्रस्तपौंस्नमुशती न भजेत कृत्ये
tanme prasīda suhṛdaḥ kṛtakilbiṣasya svairaṃ gatasya mṛgayāṃ vyasanāturasya | kā devaraṃ vaśagataṃ kusumāstravega- visrastapauṃsnamuśatī na bhajeta kṛtye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Queen, due to my sinful desires I went to the forest to hunt without asking you. Therefore I must admit that I have offended you. Nonetheless, thinking of me as your most intimate subordinate, you should still be very much pleased with me. Factually I am very much bereaved, but being pierced by the arrow of Cupid, I am feeling lusty. But where is the beautiful woman who would give up her lusty husband and refuse to unite with him?
नारद उवाच । इत्थं पुरञ्जनं सध्र्यग् वशमानीय विभ्रमैः । पुरञ्जनी महाराज रेमे रमयती पतिम्
nārada uvāca | itthaṃ purañjanaṃ sadhryag vaśamānīya vibhramaiḥ | purañjanī mahārāja reme ramayatī patim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada continued: My dear King, after bewildering her husband in different ways and bringing him under her control, the wife of King Purañjana gave him all satisfaction and enjoyed sex life with him.
स राजा महिषीं राजन् सुस्नातां रुचिराननाम् । कृतस्वस्त्ययनां तृप्तामभ्यनन्ददुपागताम्
sa rājā mahiṣīṃ rājan susnātāṃ rucirānanām | kṛtasvastyayanāṃ tṛptāmabhyanandadupāgatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Queen took her bath and dressed herself nicely with all auspicious garments and ornaments. After taking food and becoming completely satisfied, she returned to the King. Upon seeing her beautifully decorated attractive face, the King welcomed her with all devotion.
तयोपगूढः परिरब्धकन्धरो रहोऽनुमन्त्रैरपकृष्टचेतनः । न कालरंहो बुबुधे दुरत्ययं दिवानिशेति प्रमदापरिग्रहः
tayopagūḍhaḥ parirabdhakandharo raho'numantrairapakṛṣṭacetanaḥ | na kālaraṃho bubudhe duratyayaṃ divāniśeti pramadāparigrahaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Queen Purañjanī embraced the King, and the King also responded by embracing her shoulders. In this way, in a solitary place, they enjoyed joking words. Thus King Purañjana became very much captivated by his beautiful wife and deviated from his good sense. He forgot that the passing of days and nights meant that his span of life was being reduced without profit.
शयान उन्नद्धमदो महामना महार्हतल्पे महिषीभुजोपधिः । तामेव वीरो मनुते परं यत- स्तमोऽभिभूतो न निजं परं च यत्
śayāna unnaddhamado mahāmanā mahārhatalpe mahiṣībhujopadhiḥ | tāmeva vīro manute paraṃ yata- stamo'bhibhūto na nijaṃ paraṃ ca yat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way, increasingly overwhelmed by illusion, King Purañjana, although advanced in consciousness, remained always lying down with his head on the pillow of his wife’s arms. In this way he considered woman to be his ultimate life and soul. Becoming thus overwhelmed by the mode of ignorance, he could not understand the meaning of self-realization, whether regarding his own self or the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
तयैवं रममाणस्य कामकश्मलचेतसः । क्षणार्धमिव राजेन्द्र व्यतिक्रान्तं नवं वयः
tayaivaṃ ramamāṇasya kāmakaśmalacetasaḥ | kṣaṇārdhamiva rājendra vyatikrāntaṃ navaṃ vayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Prācīnabarhiṣat, in this way King Purañjana, with his heart full of lust and sinful reactions, began to enjoy sex with his wife, and in this way his new life and youth expired in half a moment.
तस्यामजनयत्पुत्रान् पुरञ्जन्यां पुरञ्जनः । शतान्येकादश विराडायुषोऽर्धमथात्यगात्
tasyāmajanayatputrān purañjanyāṃ purañjanaḥ | śatānyekādaśa virāḍāyuṣo'rdhamathātyagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada then addressed King Prācīnabarhiṣat: O one whose life span is great [virāṭ], in this way King Purañjana begot 1,100 sons within the womb of his wife, Purañjanī. However, in this business he passed away half of his life span.
दुहितॄर्दशोत्तरशतं पितृमातृयशस्करीः । शीलौदार्यगुणोपेताः पौरञ्जन्यः प्रजापते
duhitṝrdaśottaraśataṃ pitṛmātṛyaśaskarīḥ | śīlaudāryaguṇopetāḥ paurañjanyaḥ prajāpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Prajāpati, King Prācīnabarhiṣat, in this way King Purañjana also begot 110 daughters. All of these were equally glorified like the father and mother. Their behavior was gentle, and they possessed magnanimity and other good qualities.
स पञ्चालपतिः पुत्रान् पितृवंशविवर्धनान् । दारैः संयोजयामास दुहितॄः सदृशैर्वरैः
sa pañcālapatiḥ putrān pitṛvaṃśavivardhanān | dāraiḥ saṃyojayāmāsa duhitṝḥ sadṛśairvaraiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After this, King Purañjana, King of the Pañcāla country, in order to increase the descendants of his paternal family, married his sons with qualified wives and married his daughters with qualified husbands.
पुत्राणां चाभवन् पुत्रा एकैकस्य शतं शतम् । यैर्वै पौरञ्जनो वंशः पञ्चालेषु समेधितः
putrāṇāṃ cābhavan putrā ekaikasya śataṃ śatam | yairvai paurañjano vaṃśaḥ pañcāleṣu samedhitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Of these many sons, each produced hundreds and hundreds of grandsons. In this way the whole city of Pañcāla became overcrowded by these sons and grandsons of King Purañjana.
तेषु तद्रिक्थहारेषु गृहकोशानुजीविषु । निरूढेन ममत्वेन विषयेष्वन्वबध्यत
teṣu tadrikthahāreṣu gṛhakośānujīviṣu | nirūḍhena mamatvena viṣayeṣvanvabadhyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These sons and grandsons were virtually plunderers of King Purañjana’s riches, including his home, treasury, servants, secretaries and all other paraphernalia. Purañjana’s attachment for these things was very deep-rooted.
ईजे च क्रतुभिर्घोरैर्दीक्षितः पशुमारकैः । देवान् पितॄन् भूतपतीन् नानाकामो यथा भवान्
īje ca kratubhirghorairdīkṣitaḥ paśumārakaiḥ | devān pitṝn bhūtapatīn nānākāmo yathā bhavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada continued: My dear King Prācīnabarhiṣat, like you King Purañjana also became implicated in so many desires. Thus he worshiped demigods, forefathers and social leaders with various sacrifices which were all very ghastly because they were inspired by the desire to kill animals.
युक्तेष्वेवं प्रमत्तस्य कुटुम्बासक्तचेतसः । आससाद स वै कालो योऽप्रियः प्रिययोषिताम्
yukteṣvevaṃ pramattasya kuṭumbāsaktacetasaḥ | āsasāda sa vai kālo yo'priyaḥ priyayoṣitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus King Purañjana, being attached to fruitive activities [karma-kāṇḍīya] as well as kith and kin, and being obsessed with polluted consciousness, eventually arrived at that point not very much liked by those who are overly attached to material things.
चण्डवेग इति ख्यातो गन्धर्वाधिपतिर्नृप । गन्धर्वास्तस्य बलिनः षष्ट्युत्तरशतत्रयम्
caṇḍavega iti khyāto gandharvādhipatirnṛpa | gandharvāstasya balinaḥ ṣaṣṭyuttaraśatatrayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King! In Gandharvaloka there is a king named Caṇḍavega. Under him there are 360 very powerful Gandharva soldiers.
गन्धर्व्यस्तादृशीरस्य मैथुन्यश्च सितासिताः । परिवृत्त्या विलुम्पन्ति सर्वकामविनिर्मिताम्
gandharvyastādṛśīrasya maithunyaśca sitāsitāḥ | parivṛttyā vilumpanti sarvakāmavinirmitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Along with Caṇḍavega were as many female Gandharvīs as there were soldiers, and all of them repetitively plundered all the paraphernalia for sense enjoyment.
ते चण्डवेगानुचराः पुरञ्जनपुरं यदा । हर्तुमारेभिरे तत्र प्रत्यषेधत्प्रजागरः
te caṇḍavegānucarāḥ purañjanapuraṃ yadā | hartumārebhire tatra pratyaṣedhatprajāgaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When King Gandharva-rāja [Caṇḍavega] and his followers began to plunder the city of Purañjana, a snake with five hoods began to defend the city.
स सप्तभिः शतैरेको विंशत्या च शतं समाः । पुरञ्जनपुराध्यक्षो गन्धर्वैर्युयुधे बली
sa saptabhiḥ śataireko viṃśatyā ca śataṃ samāḥ | purañjanapurādhyakṣo gandharvairyuyudhe balī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The five-hooded serpent, the superintendent and protector of the city of King Purañjana, fought with the Gandharvas for one hundred years. He fought alone, with all of them, although they numbered 720.
क्षीयमाणे स्वसम्बन्धे एकस्मिन् बहुभिर्युधा । चिन्तां परां जगामार्तः स राष्ट्रपुरबान्धवः
kṣīyamāṇe svasambandhe ekasmin bahubhiryudhā | cintāṃ parāṃ jagāmārtaḥ sa rāṣṭrapurabāndhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because he had to fight alone with so many soldiers, all of whom were great warriors, the serpent with five hoods became very weak. Seeing that his most intimate friend was weakening, King Purañjana and his friends and citizens living within the city all became very anxious.
स एव पुर्यां मधुभुक् पञ्चालेषु स्वपार्षदैः । उपनीतं बलिं गृह्णन् स्त्रीजितो नाविदद्भयम्
sa eva puryāṃ madhubhuk pañcāleṣu svapārṣadaiḥ | upanītaṃ baliṃ gṛhṇan strījito nāvidadbhayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana collected taxes in the city known as Pañcāla and thus was able to engage in sexual indulgence. Being completely under the control of women, he could not understand that his life was passing away and that he was reaching the point of death.
कालस्य दुहिता काचित्त्रिलोकीं वरमिच्छती । पर्यटन्ती न बर्हिष्मन् प्रत्यनन्दत कश्चन
kālasya duhitā kācittrilokīṃ varamicchatī | paryaṭantī na barhiṣman pratyanandata kaścana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Prācīnabarhiṣat, at this time the daughter of formidable Time was seeking her husband throughout the three worlds. Although no one agreed to accept her, she came.
दौर्भाग्येनात्मनो लोके विश्रुता दुर्भगेति सा । या तुष्टा राजर्षये तु वृतादात्पूरवे वरम्
daurbhāgyenātmano loke viśrutā durbhageti sā | yā tuṣṭā rājarṣaye tu vṛtādātpūrave varam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The daughter of Time [Jarā] was very unfortunate. Consequently she was known as Durbhagā [“ill-fated”]. However, she was once pleased with a great king, and because the king accepted her, she granted him a great benediction.
कदाचिदटमाना सा ब्रह्मलोकान्महीं गतम् । वव्रे बृहद्व्रतं मां तु जानती काममोहिता
kadācidaṭamānā sā brahmalokānmahīṃ gatam | vavre bṛhadvrataṃ māṃ tu jānatī kāmamohitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When I once came to this earth from Brahmaloka, the highest planetary system, the daughter of Time, wandering over the universe, met me. Knowing me to be an avowed brahmacārī, she became lusty and proposed that I accept her.
मयि संरभ्य विपुलमदाच्छापं सुदुःसहम् । स्थातुमर्हसि नैकत्र मद्याच्ञाविमुखो मुने
mayi saṃrabhya vipulamadācchāpaṃ suduḥsaham | sthātumarhasi naikatra madyācñāvimukho mune
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada continued: When I refused to accept her request, she became very angry at me and cursed me severely. Because I refused her request, she said that I would not be able to stay in one place for a long time.
ततो विहतसङ्कल्पा कन्यका यवनेश्वरम् । मयोपदिष्टमासाद्य वव्रे नाम्ना भयं पतिम्
tato vihatasaṅkalpā kanyakā yavaneśvaram | mayopadiṣṭamāsādya vavre nāmnā bhayaṃ patim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After she was thus disappointed by me, with my permission she approached the King of the Yavanas, whose name was Bhaya, or Fear, and she accepted him as her husband.
ऋषभं यवनानां त्वां वृणे वीरेप्सितं पतिम् । सङ्कल्पस्त्वयि भूतानां कृतः किल न रिष्यति
ṛṣabhaṃ yavanānāṃ tvāṃ vṛṇe vīrepsitaṃ patim | saṅkalpastvayi bhūtānāṃ kṛtaḥ kila na riṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Approaching the King of the Yavanas, Kālakanyā addressed him as a great hero, saying: My dear sir, you are the best of the untouchables. I am in love with you, and I want you as my husband. I know that no one is baffled if he makes friends with you.
द्वाविमावनुशोचन्ति बालावसदवग्रहौ । यल्लोकशास्त्रोपनतं न राति न तदिच्छति
dvāvimāvanuśocanti bālāvasadavagrahau | yallokaśāstropanataṃ na rāti na tadicchati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who does not give charity according to the customs or injunctions of the scriptures and one who does not accept charity in that way are considered to be in the mode of ignorance. Such persons follow the path of the foolish. Surely they must lament at the end.
अथो भजस्व मां भद्र भजन्तीं मे दयां कुरु । एतावान् पौरुषो धर्मो यदार्ताननुकम्पते
atho bhajasva māṃ bhadra bhajantīṃ me dayāṃ kuru | etāvān pauruṣo dharmo yadārtānanukampate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kālakanyā continued: O gentle one, I am now present before you to serve you. Please accept me and thus show me mercy. It is a gentleman’s greatest duty to be compassionate upon a person who is distressed.
कालकन्योदितवचो निशम्य यवनेश्वरः । चिकीर्षुर्देवगुह्यं स सस्मितं तामभाषत
kālakanyoditavaco niśamya yavaneśvaraḥ | cikīrṣurdevaguhyaṃ sa sasmitaṃ tāmabhāṣata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After hearing the statement of Kālakanyā, daughter of Time, the King of the Yavanas began to smile and devise a means for executing his confidential duty on behalf of providence. He then addressed Kālakanyā as follows.
मया निरूपितस्तुभ्यं पतिरात्मसमाधिना । नाभिनन्दति लोकोऽयं त्वामभद्रामसम्मताम्
mayā nirūpitastubhyaṃ patirātmasamādhinā | nābhinandati loko'yaṃ tvāmabhadrāmasammatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King of the Yavanas replied: After much consideration, I have arrived at a husband for you. Actually, as far as everyone is concerned, you are inauspicious and mischievous. Since no one likes you, how can anyone accept you as his wife?
त्वमव्यक्तगतिर्भुङ्क्ष्व लोकं कर्मविनिर्मितम् । या हि मे पृतना युक्ता प्रजानाशं प्रणेष्यसि
tvamavyaktagatirbhuṅkṣva lokaṃ karmavinirmitam | yā hi me pṛtanā yuktā prajānāśaṃ praṇeṣyasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This world is a product of fruitive activities. Therefore you may imperceptibly attack people in general. Helped by my soldiers, you can kill them without opposition.
प्रज्वारोऽयं मम भ्राता त्वं च मे भगिनी भव । चराम्युभाभ्यां लोकेऽस्मिन्नव्यक्तो भीमसैनिकः
prajvāro'yaṃ mama bhrātā tvaṃ ca me bhaginī bhava | carāmyubhābhyāṃ loke'sminnavyakto bhīmasainikaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King of the Yavanas continued: Here is my brother Prajvāra. I now accept you as my sister. I shall employ both of you, as well as my dangerous soldiers, to act imperceptibly within this world.
नारद उवाच । सैनिका भयनाम्नो ये बर्हिष्मन् दिष्टकारिणः । प्रज्वारकालकन्याभ्यां विचेरुरवनीमिमाम्
nārada uvāca | sainikā bhayanāmno ye barhiṣman diṣṭakāriṇaḥ | prajvārakālakanyābhyāṃ viceruravanīmimām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada continued: My dear King Prācīnabarhiṣat, afterward the King of the Yavanas, whose name is fear itself, as well as Prajvāra, Kālakanyā, and his soldiers, began to travel all over the world.
त एकदा तु रभसा पुरञ्जनपुरीं नृप । रुरुधुर्भौमभोगाढ्यां जरत्पन्नगपालिताम्
ta ekadā tu rabhasā purañjanapurīṃ nṛpa | rurudhurbhaumabhogāḍhyāṃ jaratpannagapālitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once the dangerous soldiers attacked the city of Purañjana with great force. Although the city was full of paraphernalia for sense gratification, it was being protected by the old serpent.
कालकन्यापि बुभुजे पुरञ्जनपुरं बलात् । ययाभिभूतः पुरुषः सद्यो निःसारतामियात्
kālakanyāpi bubhuje purañjanapuraṃ balāt | yayābhibhūtaḥ puruṣaḥ sadyo niḥsāratāmiyāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Gradually Kālakanyā, with the help of dangerous soldiers, attacked all the inhabitants of Purañjana’s city and thus rendered them useless for all purposes.
तयोपभुज्यमानां वै यवनाः सर्वतोदिशम् । द्वार्भिः प्रविश्य सुभृशं प्रार्दयन् सकलां पुरीम्
tayopabhujyamānāṃ vai yavanāḥ sarvatodiśam | dvārbhiḥ praviśya subhṛśaṃ prārdayan sakalāṃ purīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Kālakanyā, daughter of Time, attacked the body, the dangerous soldiers of the King of the Yavanas entered the city through different gates. They then began to give severe trouble to all the citizens.
तस्यां प्रपीड्यमानायामभिमानी पुरञ्जनः । अवापोरुविधांस्तापान् कुटुम्बी ममताकुलः
tasyāṃ prapīḍyamānāyāmabhimānī purañjanaḥ | avāporuvidhāṃstāpān kuṭumbī mamatākulaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the city was thus endangered by the soldiers and Kālakanyā, King Purañjana, being overly absorbed in affection for his family, was placed in difficulty by the attack of Yavana-rāja and Kālakanyā.
कन्योपगूढो नष्टश्रीः कृपणो विषयात्मकः । नष्टप्रज्ञो हृतैश्वर्यो गन्धर्वयवनैर्बलात्
kanyopagūḍho naṣṭaśrīḥ kṛpaṇo viṣayātmakaḥ | naṣṭaprajño hṛtaiśvaryo gandharvayavanairbalāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When King Purañjana was embraced by Kālakanyā, he gradually lost all his beauty. Having been too much addicted to sex, he became very poor in intelligence and lost all his opulence. Being bereft of all possessions, he was conquered forcibly by the Gandharvas and the Yavanas.
विशीर्णां स्वपुरीं वीक्ष्य प्रतिकूलाननादृतान् । पुत्रान् पौत्रानुगामात्यान् जायां च गतसौहृदाम्
viśīrṇāṃ svapurīṃ vīkṣya pratikūlānanādṛtān | putrān pautrānugāmātyān jāyāṃ ca gatasauhṛdām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana then saw that everything in his town was scattered and that his sons, grandsons, servants and ministers were all gradually opposing him. He also noted that his wife was becoming cold and indifferent.
आत्मानं कन्यया ग्रस्तं पञ्चालानरिदूषितान् । दुरन्तचिन्तामापन्नो न लेभे तत्प्रतिक्रियाम्
ātmānaṃ kanyayā grastaṃ pañcālānaridūṣitān | durantacintāmāpanno na lebhe tatpratikriyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When King Purañjana saw that all his family members, relatives, followers, servants, secretaries and everyone else had turned against him, he certainly became very anxious. But he could not counteract the situation because he was thoroughly overwhelmed by Kālakanyā.
कामानभिलषन् दीनो यातयामांश्च कन्यया । विगतात्मगतिस्नेहः पुत्रदारांश्च लालयन्
kāmānabhilaṣan dīno yātayāmāṃśca kanyayā | vigatātmagatisnehaḥ putradārāṃśca lālayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The objects of enjoyment became stale by the influence of Kālakanyā. Due to the continuance of his lusty desires, King Purañjana became very poor in everything. Thus he did not understand the aim of life. He was still very affectionate toward his wife and children, and he worried about maintaining them.
गन्धर्वयवनाक्रान्तां कालकन्योपमर्दिताम् । हातुं प्रचक्रमे राजा तां पुरीमनिकामतः
gandharvayavanākrāntāṃ kālakanyopamarditām | hātuṃ pracakrame rājā tāṃ purīmanikāmataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The city of King Purañjana was overcome by the Gandharva and Yavana soldiers, and although the King had no desire to leave the city, he was circumstantially forced to do so, for it was smashed by Kālakanyā.
भयनाम्नोऽग्रजो भ्राता प्रज्वारः प्रत्युपस्थितः । ददाह तां पुरीं कृत्स्नां भ्रातुः प्रियचिकीर्षया
bhayanāmno'grajo bhrātā prajvāraḥ pratyupasthitaḥ | dadāha tāṃ purīṃ kṛtsnāṃ bhrātuḥ priyacikīrṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Under the circumstances, the elder brother of Yavana-rāja, known as Prajvāra, set fire to the city to please his younger brother, whose other name is fear itself.
तस्यां सन्दह्यमानायां सपौरः सपरिच्छदः । कौटुम्बिकः कुटुम्बिन्या उपातप्यत सान्वयः
tasyāṃ sandahyamānāyāṃ sapauraḥ saparicchadaḥ | kauṭumbikaḥ kuṭumbinyā upātapyata sānvayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the city was set ablaze, all the citizens and servants of the King, as well as all family members, sons, grandsons, wives and other relatives, were within the fire. King Purañjana thus became very unhappy.
यवनोपरुद्धायतनो ग्रस्तायां कालकन्यया । पुर्यां प्रज्वारसंसृष्टः पुरपालोऽन्वतप्यत
yavanoparuddhāyatano grastāyāṃ kālakanyayā | puryāṃ prajvārasaṃsṛṣṭaḥ purapālo'nvatapyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The city’s superintendent of police, the serpent, saw that the citizens were being attacked by Kālakanyā, and he became very aggrieved to see his own residence set ablaze after being attacked by the Yavanas.
न शेके सोऽवितुं तत्र पुरुकृच्छ्रोरुवेपथुः । गन्तुमैच्छत्ततो वृक्षकोटरादिव सानलात्
na śeke so'vituṃ tatra purukṛcchroruvepathuḥ | gantumaicchattato vṛkṣakoṭarādiva sānalāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a serpent living within the cavity of a tree wishes to leave when there is a forest fire, so the city’s police superintendent, the snake, wished to leave the city due to the fire’s severe heat.
शिथिलावयवो यर्हि गन्धर्वैर्हृतपौरुषः । यवनैररिभी राजन्नुपरुद्धो रुरोद ह
śithilāvayavo yarhi gandharvairhṛtapauruṣaḥ | yavanairaribhī rājannuparuddho ruroda ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The limbs of the serpent’s body were slackened by the Gandharvas and Yavana soldiers, who had thoroughly defeated his bodily strength. When he attempted to leave the body, he was checked by his enemies. Being thus baffled in his attempt, he began to cry loudly.
दुहितॄः पुत्रपौत्रांश्च जामिजामातृपार्षदान् । स्वत्वावशिष्टं यत्किञ्चिद्गृहकोशपरिच्छदम्
duhitṝḥ putrapautrāṃśca jāmijāmātṛpārṣadān | svatvāvaśiṣṭaṃ yatkiñcidgṛhakośaparicchadam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana then began to think of his daughters, sons, grandsons, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, servants and other associates, as well as his house, his household paraphernalia and his little accumulation of wealth.
अहं ममेति स्वीकृत्य गृहेषु कुमतिर्गृही । दध्यौ प्रमदया दीनो विप्रयोग उपस्थिते
ahaṃ mameti svīkṛtya gṛheṣu kumatirgṛhī | dadhyau pramadayā dīno viprayoga upasthite
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana was overly attached to his family and conceptions of “I” and “mine.” Because he was overly attracted to his wife, he was already quite poverty-stricken. At the time of separation, he became very sorry.
लोकान्तरं गतवति मय्यनाथा कुटुम्बिनी । वर्तिष्यते कथं त्वेषा बालकाननुशोचती
lokāntaraṃ gatavati mayyanāthā kuṭumbinī | vartiṣyate kathaṃ tveṣā bālakānanuśocatī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana was anxiously thinking, “Alas, my wife is encumbered by so many children. When I pass from this body, how will she be able to maintain all these family members? Alas, she will be greatly harassed by thoughts of family maintenance.”
न मय्यनाशिते भुङ्क्ते नास्नाते स्नाति मत्परा । मयि रुष्टे सुसन्त्रस्ता भर्त्सिते यतवाग्भयात्
na mayyanāśite bhuṅkte nāsnāte snāti matparā | mayi ruṣṭe susantrastā bhartsite yatavāgbhayāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana then began to think of his past dealings with his wife. He recalled that his wife would not take her dinner until he had finished his, that she would not take her bath until he had finished his, and that she was always very much attached to him, so much so that if he would sometimes become angry and chastise her, she would simply remain silent and tolerate his misbehavior.
प्रबोधयति माविज्ञं व्युषिते शोककर्शिता । वर्त्मैतद्गृहमेधीयं वीरसूरपि नेष्यति
prabodhayati māvijñaṃ vyuṣite śokakarśitā | vartmaitadgṛhamedhīyaṃ vīrasūrapi neṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana continued thinking how, when he was in a state of bewilderment, his wife would give him good counsel and how she would become aggrieved when he was away from home. Although she was the mother of so many sons and heroes, the King still feared that she would not be able to maintain the responsibility of household affairs.
कथं नु दारका दीना दारकीर्वापरायणाः । वर्तिष्यन्ते मयि गते भिन्ननाव इवोदधौ
kathaṃ nu dārakā dīnā dārakīrvāparāyaṇāḥ | vartiṣyante mayi gate bhinnanāva ivodadhau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana continued worrying: “After I pass from this world, how will my sons and daughters, who are now fully dependent on me, live and continue their lives? Their position will be similar to that of passengers aboard a ship wrecked in the midst of the ocean.”
एवं कृपणया बुद्ध्या शोचन्तमतदर्हणम् । ग्रहीतुं कृतधीरेनं भयनामाभ्यपद्यत
evaṃ kṛpaṇayā buddhyā śocantamatadarhaṇam | grahītuṃ kṛtadhīrenaṃ bhayanāmābhyapadyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although King Purañjana should not have lamented over the fate of his wife and children, he nonetheless did so due to his miserly intelligence. In the meantime, Yavana-rāja, whose name was fear itself, immediately drew near to arrest him.
पशुवद्यवनैरेष नीयमानः स्वकं क्षयम् । अन्वद्रवन्ननुपथाः शोचन्तो भृशमातुराः
paśuvadyavanaireṣa nīyamānaḥ svakaṃ kṣayam | anvadravannanupathāḥ śocanto bhṛśamāturāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Yavanas were taking King Purañjana away to their place, binding him like an animal, the King’s followers became greatly aggrieved. While they lamented, they were forced to go along with him.
पुरीं विहायोपगत उपरुद्धो भुजङ्गमः । यदा तमेवानु पुरी विशीर्णा प्रकृतिं गता
purīṃ vihāyopagata uparuddho bhujaṅgamaḥ | yadā tamevānu purī viśīrṇā prakṛtiṃ gatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The serpent, who had already been arrested by the soldiers of Yavana-rāja and was out of the city, began to follow his master along with the others. As soon as they all left the city, it was immediately dismantled and smashed to dust.
विकृष्यमाणः प्रसभं यवनेन बलीयसा । नाविन्दत्तमसाऽऽविष्टः सखायं सुहृदं पुरः
vikṛṣyamāṇaḥ prasabhaṃ yavanena balīyasā | nāvindattamasā''viṣṭaḥ sakhāyaṃ suhṛdaṃ puraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When King Purañjana was being dragged with great force by the powerful Yavana, out of his gross ignorance he still could not remember his friend and well-wisher, the Supersoul.
तं यज्ञपशवोऽनेन संज्ञप्ता येऽदयालुना । कुठारैश्चिच्छिदुः क्रुद्धाः स्मरन्तोऽमीवमस्य तत्
taṃ yajñapaśavo'nena saṃjñaptā ye'dayālunā | kuṭhāraiścicchiduḥ kruddhāḥ smaranto'mīvamasya tat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That most unkind king, Purañjana, had killed many animals in various sacrifices. Now, taking advantage of this opportunity, all these animals began to pierce him with their horns. It was as though he were being cut to pieces by axes.
अनन्तपारे तमसि मग्नो नष्टस्मृतिः समाः । शाश्वतीरनुभूयार्तिं प्रमदासङ्गदूषितः
anantapāre tamasi magno naṣṭasmṛtiḥ samāḥ | śāśvatīranubhūyārtiṃ pramadāsaṅgadūṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Due to his contaminated association with women, a living entity like King Purañjana eternally suffers all the pangs of material existence and remains in the dark region of material life, bereft of all remembrance for many, many years.
तामेव मनसा गृह्णन् बभूव प्रमदोत्तमा । अनन्तरं विदर्भस्य राजसिंहस्य वेश्मनि
tāmeva manasā gṛhṇan babhūva pramadottamā | anantaraṃ vidarbhasya rājasiṃhasya veśmani
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Purañjana gave up his body while remembering his wife, and consequently in his next life he became a very beautiful and well-situated woman. He took his next birth as the daughter of King Vidarbha in the very house of the King.
उपयेमे वीर्यपणां वैदर्भीं मलयध्वजः । युधि निर्जित्य राजन्यान् पाण्ड्यः परपुरञ्जयः
upayeme vīryapaṇāṃ vaidarbhīṃ malayadhvajaḥ | yudhi nirjitya rājanyān pāṇḍyaḥ parapurañjayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was fixed that Vaidarbhī, daughter of King Vidarbha, was to be married to a very powerful man, Malayadhvaja, an inhabitant of the Pāṇḍu country. After conquering other princes, he married the daughter of King Vidarbha.
तस्यां स जनयाञ्चक्र आत्मजामसितेक्षणाम् । यवीयसः सप्त सुतान् सप्त द्रविडभूभृतः
tasyāṃ sa janayāñcakra ātmajāmasitekṣaṇām | yavīyasaḥ sapta sutān sapta draviḍabhūbhṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Malayadhvaja fathered one daughter, who had very black eyes. He also had seven sons, who later became rulers of that tract of land known as Draviḍa. Thus there were seven kings in that land.
एकैकस्याभवत्तेषां राजन्नर्बुदमर्बुदम् । भोक्ष्यते यद्वंशधरैर्मही मन्वन्तरं परम्
ekaikasyābhavatteṣāṃ rājannarbudamarbudam | bhokṣyate yadvaṃśadharairmahī manvantaraṃ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Prācīnabarhiṣat, the sons of Malayadhvaja gave birth to many thousands and thousands of sons, and all of these have been protecting the entire world up to the end of one Manu’s life span and even afterward.
अगस्त्यः प्राग्दुहितरमुपयेमे धृतव्रताम् । यस्यां दृढच्युतो जात इध्मवाहात्मजो मुनिः
agastyaḥ prāgduhitaramupayeme dhṛtavratām | yasyāṃ dṛḍhacyuto jāta idhmavāhātmajo muniḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage named Agastya married the first-born daughter of Malayadhvaja, the avowed devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. From her one son was born, whose name was Dṛḍhacyuta, and from him another son was born, whose name was Idhmavāha.
विभज्य तनयेभ्यः क्ष्मां राजर्षिर्मलयध्वजः । आरिराधयिषुः कृष्णं स जगाम कुलाचलम्
vibhajya tanayebhyaḥ kṣmāṃ rājarṣirmalayadhvajaḥ | ārirādhayiṣuḥ kṛṣṇaṃ sa jagāma kulācalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After this, the great saintly King Malayadhvaja divided his entire kingdom among his sons. Then, in order to worship Lord Kṛṣṇa with full attention, he went to a solitary place known as Kulācala.
हित्वा गृहान् सुतान् भोगान् वैदर्भी मदिरेक्षणा । अन्वधावत पाण्ड्येशं ज्योत्स्नेव रजनीकरम्
hitvā gṛhān sutān bhogān vaidarbhī madirekṣaṇā | anvadhāvata pāṇḍyeśaṃ jyotsneva rajanīkaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as the moonshine follows the moon at night, immediately after King Malayadhvaja departed for Kulācala, his devoted wife, whose eyes were very enchanting, followed him, giving up all homely happiness, despite family and children.
शीतोष्णवातवर्षाणि क्षुत्पिपासे प्रियाप्रिये । सुखदुःखे इति द्वन्द्वान्यजयत्समदर्शनः
śītoṣṇavātavarṣāṇi kṣutpipāse priyāpriye | sukhaduḥkhe iti dvandvānyajayatsamadarśanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Through austerity, King Malayadhvaja in body and mind gradually became equal to the dualities of cold and heat, happiness and distress, wind and rain, hunger and thirst, the pleasant and the unpleasant. In this way he conquered all relativities.
तपसा विद्यया पक्वकषायो नियमैर्यमैः । युयुजे ब्रह्मण्यात्मानं विजिताक्षानिलाशयः
tapasā vidyayā pakvakaṣāyo niyamairyamaiḥ | yuyuje brahmaṇyātmānaṃ vijitākṣānilāśayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By worshiping, executing austerities and following the regulative principles, King Malayadhvaja conquered his senses, his life and his consciousness. Thus he fixed everything on the central point of the Supreme Brahman [Kṛṣṇa].
आस्ते स्थाणुरिवैकत्र दिव्यं वर्षशतं स्थिरः । वासुदेवे भगवति नान्यद्वेदोद्वहन् रतिम्
āste sthāṇurivaikatra divyaṃ varṣaśataṃ sthiraḥ | vāsudeve bhagavati nānyadvedodvahan ratim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way he stayed immovable in one place for one hundred years by the calculation of the demigods. After this time, he developed pure devotional attraction for Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and remained fixed in that position.
स व्यापकतयाऽऽत्मानं व्यतिरिक्ततयाऽऽत्मनि । विद्वान् स्वप्न इवामर्शसाक्षिणं विरराम ह
sa vyāpakatayā''tmānaṃ vyatiriktatayā''tmani | vidvān svapna ivāmarśasākṣiṇaṃ virarāma ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Malayadhvaja attained perfect knowledge by being able to distinguish the Supersoul from the individual soul. The individual soul is localized, whereas the Supersoul is all-pervasive. He became perfect in knowledge that the material body is not the soul but that the soul is the witness of the material body.
साक्षाद्भगवतोक्तेन गुरुणा हरिणा नृप । विशुद्धज्ञानदीपेन स्फुरता विश्वतोमुखम्
sākṣādbhagavatoktena guruṇā hariṇā nṛpa | viśuddhajñānadīpena sphuratā viśvatomukham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way King Malayadhvaja attained perfect knowledge because in his pure state he was directly instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By means of such enlightening transcendental knowledge, he could understand everything from all angles of vision.
परे ब्रह्मणि चात्मानं परं ब्रह्म तथाऽऽत्मनि । वीक्षमाणो विहायेक्षामस्मादुपरराम ह
pare brahmaṇi cātmānaṃ paraṃ brahma tathā''tmani | vīkṣamāṇo vihāyekṣāmasmādupararāma ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Malayadhvaja could thus observe that the Supersoul was sitting by his side, and that he, as the individual soul, was sitting by the side of the Supersoul. Since both were together, there was no need for separate interests; thus he ceased from such activities.
पतिं परमधर्मज्ञं वैदर्भी मलयध्वजम् । प्रेम्णा पर्यचरद्धित्वा भोगान् सा पतिदेवता
patiṃ paramadharmajñaṃ vaidarbhī malayadhvajam | premṇā paryacaraddhitvā bhogān sā patidevatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The daughter of King Vidarbha accepted her husband all in all as the Supreme. She gave up all sensual enjoyment and in complete renunciation followed the principles of her husband, who was so advanced. Thus she remained engaged in his service.
चीरवासा व्रतक्षामा वेणीभूतशिरोरुहा । बभावुप पतिं शान्ता शिखा शान्तमिवानलम्
cīravāsā vratakṣāmā veṇībhūtaśiroruhā | babhāvupa patiṃ śāntā śikhā śāntamivānalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The daughter of King Vidarbha wore old garments, and she was lean and thin because of her vows of austerity. Since she did not arrange her hair, it became entangled and twisted in locks. Although she remained always near her husband, she was as silent and unagitated as the flame of an undisturbed fire.
अजानती प्रियतमं यदोपरतमङ्गना । सुस्थिरासनमासाद्य यथापूर्वमुपाचरत्
ajānatī priyatamaṃ yadoparatamaṅganā | susthirāsanamāsādya yathāpūrvamupācarat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The daughter of King Vidarbha continued as usual to serve her husband, who was seated in a steady posture, until she could ascertain that he had passed away from the body.
यदा नोपलभेताङ्घ्रावूष्माणं पत्युरर्चती । आसीत्संविग्नहृदया यूथभ्रष्टा मृगी यथा
yadā nopalabhetāṅghrāvūṣmāṇaṃ patyurarcatī | āsītsaṃvignahṛdayā yūthabhraṣṭā mṛgī yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While she was serving her husband by massaging his legs, she could feel that his feet were no longer warm and could thus understand that he had already passed from the body. She felt great anxiety upon being left alone. Bereft of her husband’s company, she felt exactly as the deer feels upon being separated from its mate.
आत्मानं शोचती दीनमबन्धुं विक्लवाश्रुभिः । स्तनावासिच्य विपिने सुस्वरं प्ररुरोद सा
ātmānaṃ śocatī dīnamabandhuṃ viklavāśrubhiḥ | stanāvāsicya vipine susvaraṃ praruroda sā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being now alone and a widow in that forest, the daughter of Vidarbha began to lament, incessantly shedding tears, which soaked her breasts, and crying very loudly.
उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ राजर्षे इमामुदधिमेखलाम् । दस्युभ्यः क्षत्रबन्धुभ्यो बिभ्यतीं पातुमर्हसि
uttiṣṭhottiṣṭha rājarṣe imāmudadhimekhalām | dasyubhyaḥ kṣatrabandhubhyo bibhyatīṃ pātumarhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of kings, please get up! Get up! Just see this world surrounded by water and infested with rogues and so-called kings. This world is very much afraid, and it is your duty to protect her.
एवं विलपती बाला विपिनेऽनुगता पतिम् । पतिता पादयोर्भर्तू रुदत्यश्रूण्यवर्तयत्
evaṃ vilapatī bālā vipine'nugatā patim | patitā pādayorbhartū rudatyaśrūṇyavartayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That most obedient wife thus fell down at the feet of her dead husband and began to cry pitifully in that solitary forest. Thus the tears rolled down from her eyes.
चितिं दारुमयीं चित्वा तस्यां पत्युः कलेवरम् । आदीप्य चानुमरणे विलपन्ती मनो दधे
citiṃ dārumayīṃ citvā tasyāṃ patyuḥ kalevaram | ādīpya cānumaraṇe vilapantī mano dadhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
She then prepared a blazing fire with firewood and placed the dead body of her husband upon it. When this was finished, she lamented severely and prepared herself to perish in the fire with her husband.
तत्र पूर्वतरः कश्चित्सखा ब्राह्मण आत्मवान् । सान्त्वयन् वल्गुना साम्ना तामाह रुदतीं प्रभो
tatra pūrvataraḥ kaścitsakhā brāhmaṇa ātmavān | sāntvayan valgunā sāmnā tāmāha rudatīṃ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, one brāhmaṇa, who was an old friend of King Purañjana, came to that place and began to pacify the Queen with sweet words.
ब्राह्मण उवाच । का त्वं कस्यासि को वायं शयानो यस्य शोचसि । जानासि किं सखायं मां येनाग्रे विचचर्थ ह
brāhmaṇa uvāca | kā tvaṃ kasyāsi ko vāyaṃ śayāno yasya śocasi | jānāsi kiṃ sakhāyaṃ māṃ yenāgre vicacartha ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇa inquired as follows: Who are you? Whose wife or daughter are you? Who is the man lying here? It appears you are lamenting for this dead body. Don’t you recognize Me? I am your eternal friend. You may remember that many times in the past you have consulted Me.
अपि स्मरसि चात्मानमविज्ञातसखं सखे । हित्वा मां पदमन्विच्छन् भौमभोगरतो गतः
api smarasi cātmānamavijñātasakhaṃ sakhe | hitvā māṃ padamanvicchan bhaumabhogarato gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇa continued: My dear friend, even though you cannot immediately recognize Me, can’t you remember that in the past you had a very intimate friend? Unfortunately, you gave up My company and accepted a position as enjoyer of this material world.
हंसावहं च त्वं चार्य सखायौ मानसायनौ । अभूतामन्तरा वौकः सहस्रपरिवत्सरान्
haṃsāvahaṃ ca tvaṃ cārya sakhāyau mānasāyanau | abhūtāmantarā vaukaḥ sahasraparivatsarān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear gentle friend, both you and I are exactly like two swans. We live together in the same heart, which is just like the Mānasa Lake. Although we have been living together for many thousands of years, we are still far away from our original home.
स त्वं विहाय मां बन्धो गतो ग्राम्यमतिर्महीम् । विचरन् पदमद्राक्षीः कयाचिन्निर्मितं स्त्रिया
sa tvaṃ vihāya māṃ bandho gato grāmyamatirmahīm | vicaran padamadrākṣīḥ kayācinnirmitaṃ striyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear friend, you are now My very same friend. Since you left Me, you have become more and more materialistic, and not seeing Me, you have been traveling in different forms throughout this material world, which was created by some woman.
पञ्चारामं नवद्वारमेकपालं त्रिकोष्ठकम् । षट्कुलं पञ्चविपणं पञ्चप्रकृति स्त्रीधवम्
pañcārāmaṃ navadvāramekapālaṃ trikoṣṭhakam | ṣaṭkulaṃ pañcavipaṇaṃ pañcaprakṛti strīdhavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that city [the material body] there are five gardens, nine gates, one protector, three apartments, six families, five stores, five material elements, and one woman who is lord of the house.
पञ्चेन्द्रियार्था आरामा द्वारः प्राणा नव प्रभो । तेजोऽबन्नानि कोष्ठानि कुलमिन्द्रियसङ्ग्रहः
pañcendriyārthā ārāmā dvāraḥ prāṇā nava prabho | tejo'bannāni koṣṭhāni kulamindriyasaṅgrahaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear friend, the five gardens are the five objects of sense enjoyment, and the protector is the life air, which passes through the nine gates. The three apartments are the chief ingredients — fire, water and earth. The six families are the aggregate total of the mind and five senses.
विपणस्तु क्रिया शक्तिर्भूतप्रकृतिरव्यया । शक्त्यधीशः पुमांस्त्वत्र प्रविष्टो नावबुध्यते
vipaṇastu kriyā śaktirbhūtaprakṛtiravyayā | śaktyadhīśaḥ pumāṃstvatra praviṣṭo nāvabudhyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The five stores are the five working sensory organs. They transact their business through the combined forces of the five elements, which are eternal. Behind all this activity is the soul. The soul is a person and an enjoyer in reality. However, because he is now hidden within the city of the body, he is devoid of knowledge.
तस्मिंस्त्वं रामया स्पृष्टो रममाणोऽश्रुतस्मृतिः । तत्सङ्गादीदृशीं प्राप्तो दशां पापीयसीं प्रभो
tasmiṃstvaṃ rāmayā spṛṣṭo ramamāṇo'śrutasmṛtiḥ | tatsaṅgādīdṛśīṃ prāpto daśāṃ pāpīyasīṃ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear friend, when you enter such a body along with the woman of material desires, you become overly absorbed in sense enjoyment. Because of this, you have forgotten your spiritual life. Due to your material conceptions, you are placed in various miserable conditions.
न त्वं विदर्भदुहिता नायं वीरः सुहृत्तव । न पतिस्त्वं पुरञ्जन्या रुद्धो नवमुखे यया
na tvaṃ vidarbhaduhitā nāyaṃ vīraḥ suhṛttava | na patistvaṃ purañjanyā ruddho navamukhe yayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Actually, you are not the daughter of Vidarbha, nor is this man, Malayadhvaja, your well-wishing husband. Nor were you the actual husband of Purañjanī. You were simply captivated in this body of nine gates.
माया ह्येषा मया सृष्टा यत्पुमांसं स्त्रियं सतीम् । मन्यसे नोभयं यद्वै हंसौ पश्यावयोर्गतिम्
māyā hyeṣā mayā sṛṣṭā yatpumāṃsaṃ striyaṃ satīm | manyase nobhayaṃ yadvai haṃsau paśyāvayorgatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sometimes you think yourself a man, sometimes a chaste woman and sometimes a neutral eunuch. This is all because of the body, which is created by the illusory energy. This illusory energy is My potency, and actually both of us — you and I — are pure spiritual identities. Now just try to understand this. I am trying to explain our factual position.
अहं भवान् न चान्यस्त्वं त्वमेवाहं विचक्ष्व भोः । न नौ पश्यन्ति कवयश्छिद्रं जातु मनागपि
ahaṃ bhavān na cānyastvaṃ tvamevāhaṃ vicakṣva bhoḥ | na nau paśyanti kavayaśchidraṃ jātu manāgapi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear friend, I, the Supersoul, and you, the individual soul, are not different in quality, for we are both spiritual. In fact, My dear friend, you are qualitatively not different from Me in your constitutional position. Just try to consider this subject. Those who are actually advanced scholars, who are in knowledge, do not find any qualitative difference between you and Me.
यथा पुरुष आत्मानमेकमादर्शचक्षुषोः । द्विधाभूतमवेक्षेत तथैवान्तरमावयोः
yathā puruṣa ātmānamekamādarśacakṣuṣoḥ | dvidhābhūtamavekṣeta tathaivāntaramāvayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a person sees the reflection of his body in a mirror to be one with himself and not different, whereas others actually see two bodies, so in our material condition, in which the living being is affected and yet not affected, there is a difference between God and the living entity.
एवं स मानसो हंसो हंसेन प्रतिबोधितः । स्वस्थस्तद्व्यभिचारेण नष्टामाप पुनः स्मृतिम्
evaṃ sa mānaso haṃso haṃsena pratibodhitaḥ | svasthastadvyabhicāreṇa naṣṭāmāpa punaḥ smṛtim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way both swans live together in the heart. When the one swan is instructed by the other, he is situated in his constitutional position. This means he regains his original Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which was lost because of his material attraction.
बर्हिष्मन्नेतदध्यात्मं पारोक्ष्येण प्रदर्शितम् । यत्परोक्षप्रियो देवो भगवान् विश्वभावनः
barhiṣmannetadadhyātmaṃ pārokṣyeṇa pradarśitam | yatparokṣapriyo devo bhagavān viśvabhāvanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Prācīnabarhi, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, is celebrated to be known indirectly. Thus I have described the story of Purañjana to you. Actually it is an instruction for self-realization.
प्राचीनबर्हिरुवाच । भगवंस्ते वचोऽस्माभिर्न सम्यगवगम्यते । कवयस्तद्विजानन्ति न वयं कर्ममोहिताः
prācīnabarhiruvāca | bhagavaṃste vaco'smābhirna samyagavagamyate | kavayastadvijānanti na vayaṃ karmamohitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Prācīnabarhi replied: My dear lord, we could not appreciate completely the purport of your allegorical story of King Purañjana. Actually, those who are perfect in spiritual knowledge can understand, but for us, who are overly attached to fruitive activities, to realize the purpose of your story is very difficult.
नारद उवाच । पुरुषं पुरञ्जनं विद्याद्यद्व्यनक्त्यात्मनः पुरम् । एकद्वित्रिचतुष्पादं बहु पादमपादकम्
nārada uvāca | puruṣaṃ purañjanaṃ vidyādyadvyanaktyātmanaḥ puram | ekadvitricatuṣpādaṃ bahu pādamapādakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada Muni continued: You must understand that Purañjana, the living entity, transmigrates according to his own work into different types of bodies, which may be one-legged, two-legged, three-legged, four-legged, many-legged or simply legless. Transmigrating into these various types of bodies, the living entity, as the so-called enjoyer, is known as Purañjana.
योऽविज्ञाताहृतस्तस्य पुरुषस्य सखेश्वरः । यन्न विज्ञायते पुम्भिर्नामभिर्वा क्रियागुणैः
yo'vijñātāhṛtastasya puruṣasya sakheśvaraḥ | yanna vijñāyate pumbhirnāmabhirvā kriyāguṇaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The person I have described as unknown is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master and eternal friend of the living entity. Since the living entities cannot realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead by material names, activities or qualities, He remains everlastingly unknown to the conditioned soul.
यदा जिघृक्षन् पुरुषः कार्त्स्न्येन प्रकृतेर्गुणान् । नवद्वारं द्विहस्ताङ्घ्रि तत्रामनुत साध्विति
yadā jighṛkṣan puruṣaḥ kārtsnyena prakṛterguṇān | navadvāraṃ dvihastāṅghri tatrāmanuta sādhviti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the living entity wants to enjoy the modes of material nature in their totality, he prefers, out of many bodily forms, to accept that body which has nine gates, two hands and two legs. Thus he prefers to become a human being or a demigod.
बुद्धिं तु प्रमदां विद्यान्ममाहमिति यत्कृतम् । यामधिष्ठाय देहेऽस्मिन् पुमान् भुङ्क्तेऽक्षभिर्गुणान्
buddhiṃ tu pramadāṃ vidyānmamāhamiti yatkṛtam | yāmadhiṣṭhāya dehe'smin pumān bhuṅkte'kṣabhirguṇān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada continued: The word pramadā mentioned in this regard refers to material intelligence, or ignorance. It is to be understood as such. When one takes shelter of this kind of intelligence, he identifies himself with the material body. Influenced by the material consciousness of “I” and “mine,” he begins to enjoy and suffer through his senses. Thus the living entity is entrapped.
सखाय इन्द्रियगणा ज्ञानं कर्म च यत्कृतम् । सख्यस्तद्वृत्तयः प्राणः पञ्चवृत्तिर्यथोरगः
sakhāya indriyagaṇā jñānaṃ karma ca yatkṛtam | sakhyastadvṛttayaḥ prāṇaḥ pañcavṛttiryathoragaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The five working senses and the five senses that acquire knowledge are all male friends of Purañjanī. The living entity is assisted by these senses in acquiring knowledge and engaging in activity. The engagements of the senses are known as girlfriends, and the serpent, which was described as having five heads, is the life air acting within the five circulatory processes.
बृहद्बलं मनो विद्यादुभयेन्द्रियनायकम् । पञ्चालाः पञ्चविषया यन्मध्ये नव खं पुरम्
bṛhadbalaṃ mano vidyādubhayendriyanāyakam | pañcālāḥ pañcaviṣayā yanmadhye nava khaṃ puram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The eleventh attendant, who is the commander of the others, is known as the mind. He is the leader of the senses both in the acquisition of knowledge and in the performance of work. The Pañcāla kingdom is that atmosphere in which the five sense objects are enjoyed. Within that Pañcāla kingdom is the city of the body, which has nine gates.
अक्षिणी नासिके कर्णौ मुखं शिश्नगुदाविति । द्वे द्वे द्वारौ बहिर्याति यस्तदिन्द्रियसंयुतः
akṣiṇī nāsike karṇau mukhaṃ śiśnagudāviti | dve dve dvārau bahiryāti yastadindriyasaṃyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The eyes, nostrils and ears are pairs of gates situated in one place. The mouth, genitals and rectum are also different gates. Being placed into a body having these nine gates, the living entity acts externally in the material world and enjoys sense objects like form and taste.
अक्षिणी नासिके आस्यमिति पञ्च पुरः कृताः । दक्षिणा दक्षिणः कर्ण उत्तरा चोत्तरः स्मृतः
akṣiṇī nāsike āsyamiti pañca puraḥ kṛtāḥ | dakṣiṇā dakṣiṇaḥ karṇa uttarā cottaraḥ smṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Two eyes, two nostrils and a mouth — all together five — are situated in the front. The right ear is accepted as the southern gate, and the left ear is the northern gate. The two holes, or gates, situated in the west are known as the rectum and genital organ.
पश्चिमे इत्यधो द्वारौ गुदं शिश्नमिहोच्यते । खद्योताविर्मुखी चात्र नेत्रे एकत्र निर्मिते । रूपं विभ्राजितं ताभ्यां विचष्टे चक्षुषेश्वरः
paścime ityadho dvārau gudaṃ śiśnamihocyate | khadyotāvirmukhī cātra netre ekatra nirmite | rūpaṃ vibhrājitaṃ tābhyāṃ vicaṣṭe cakṣuṣeśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The two gates named Khadyotā and Āvirmukhī, which have been spoken of, are the two eyes side by side in one place. The town named Vibhrājita should be understood as form. In this way the two eyes are always engaged in seeing different kinds of forms.
नलिनी नालिनी नासे गन्धः सौरभ उच्यते । घ्राणोऽवधूतो मुख्यास्यं विपणो वाग्रसविद्रसः
nalinī nālinī nāse gandhaḥ saurabha ucyate | ghrāṇo'vadhūto mukhyāsyaṃ vipaṇo vāgrasavidrasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The two doors named Nalinī and Nālinī should be known as the two nostrils, and the city named Saurabha represents aroma. The companion spoken of as Avadhūta is the sense of smell. The door called Mukhyā is the mouth, and Vipaṇa is the faculty of speech. Rasajña is the sense of taste.
आपणो व्यवहारोऽत्र चित्रमन्धो बहूदनम् । पितृहूर्दक्षिणः कर्ण उत्तरो देवहूः स्मृतः
āpaṇo vyavahāro'tra citramandho bahūdanam | pitṛhūrdakṣiṇaḥ karṇa uttaro devahūḥ smṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The city called Āpaṇa represents engagement of the tongue in speech, and Bahūdana is the variety of foodstuffs. The right ear is called the gate of Pitṛhū, and the left ear is called the gate of Devahū.
प्रवृत्तं च निवृत्तं च शास्त्रं पञ्चालसंज्ञितम् । पितृयानं देवयानं श्रोत्राच्छ्रुतधराद्व्रजेत्
pravṛttaṃ ca nivṛttaṃ ca śāstraṃ pañcālasaṃjñitam | pitṛyānaṃ devayānaṃ śrotrācchrutadharādvrajet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada Muni continued: The city spoken of as Dakṣiṇa-pañcāla represents the scriptures meant for directing pravṛtti, the process of sense enjoyment in fruitive activities. The other city, named Uttara-pañcāla, represents the scriptures meant for decreasing fruitive activities and increasing knowledge. The living entity receives different kinds of knowledge by means of two ears, and some living entities are promoted to Pitṛloka and some to Devaloka. All this is made possible by the two ears.
आसुरी मेढ्रमर्वाग्द्वार्व्यवायो ग्रामिणां रतिः । उपस्थो दुर्मदः प्रोक्तो निरृतिर्गुद उच्यते
āsurī meḍhramarvāgdvārvyavāyo grāmiṇāṃ ratiḥ | upastho durmadaḥ prokto nirṛtirguda ucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The city called Grāmaka, which is approached through the lower gate of Āsurī [the genital organ], is meant for sex, which is very pleasing to common men who are simply fools and rascals. The faculty of procreation is called Durmada, and the rectum is called Nirṛti.
वैशसं नरकं पायुर्लुब्धकोऽन्धौ तु मे शृणु । हस्तपादौ पुमांस्ताभ्यां युक्तो याति करोति च
vaiśasaṃ narakaṃ pāyurlubdhako'ndhau tu me śṛṇu | hastapādau pumāṃstābhyāṃ yukto yāti karoti ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When it is said that Purañjana goes to Vaiśasa, it is meant that he goes to hell. He is accompanied by Lubdhaka, which is the working sense in the rectum. Formerly I have also spoken of two blind associates. These associates should be understood to be the hands and legs. Being helped by the hands and legs, the living entity performs all kinds of work and moves hither and thither.
अन्तःपुरं च हृदयं विषूचिर्मन उच्यते । तत्र मोहं प्रसादं वा हर्षं प्राप्नोति तद्गुणैः
antaḥpuraṃ ca hṛdayaṃ viṣūcirmana ucyate | tatra mohaṃ prasādaṃ vā harṣaṃ prāpnoti tadguṇaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The word antaḥ-pura refers to the heart. The word viṣūcīna, meaning “going everywhere,” indicates the mind. Within the mind the living entity enjoys the effects of the modes of material nature. These effects sometimes cause illusion, sometimes satisfaction and sometimes jubilation.
यथा यथा विक्रियते गुणाक्तो विकरोति वा । तथा तथोपद्रष्टाऽऽत्मा तद्वृत्तीरनुकार्यते
yathā yathā vikriyate guṇākto vikaroti vā | tathā tathopadraṣṭā''tmā tadvṛttīranukāryate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Formerly it was explained that the Queen is one’s intelligence. While one is awake or asleep, that intelligence creates different situations. Being influenced by contaminated intelligence, the living entity envisions something and simply imitates the actions and reactions of his intelligence.
संवत्सरश्चण्डवेगः कालो येनोपलक्षितः । तस्याहानीह गन्धर्वा गन्धर्व्यो रात्रयः स्मृताः । हरन्त्यायुः परिक्रान्त्या षष्ट्युत्तरशतत्रयम्
saṃvatsaraścaṇḍavegaḥ kālo yenopalakṣitaḥ | tasyāhānīha gandharvā gandharvyo rātrayaḥ smṛtāḥ | harantyāyuḥ parikrāntyā ṣaṣṭyuttaraśatatrayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What was previously explained as Caṇḍavega, powerful time, is covered by days and nights, named Gandharvas and Gandharvīs. The body’s life span is gradually reduced by the passage of days and nights, which number 360.
कालकन्या जरा साक्षाल्लोकस्तां नाभिनन्दति । स्वसारं जगृहे मृत्युः क्षयाय यवनेश्वरः
kālakanyā jarā sākṣāllokastāṃ nābhinandati | svasāraṃ jagṛhe mṛtyuḥ kṣayāya yavaneśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What was described as Kālakanyā should be understood as old age. No one wants to accept old age, but Yavaneśvara [Yavana-rāja], who is death, accepts Jarā [old age] as his sister.
शुक्लात्प्रकाशभूयिष्ठान् लोकानाप्नोति कर्हिचित् । दुःखोदर्कान् क्रियायासांस्तमः शोकोत्कटान् क्वचित्
śuklātprakāśabhūyiṣṭhān lokānāpnoti karhicit | duḥkhodarkān kriyāyāsāṃstamaḥ śokotkaṭān kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who are situated in the mode of goodness act piously according to Vedic injunctions. Thus they are elevated to the higher planetary systems where the demigods live. Those who are influenced by the mode of passion engage in various types of productive activities in the planetary systems where human beings live. Similarly, those influenced by the mode of darkness are subjected to various types of misery and live in the animal kingdom.
क्वचित्पुमान् क्वचिच्च स्त्री क्वचिन्नोभयमन्धधीः । देवो मनुष्यस्तिर्यग्वा यथा कर्मगुणं भवः
kvacitpumān kvacicca strī kvacinnobhayamandhadhīḥ | devo manuṣyastiryagvā yathā karmaguṇaṃ bhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Covered by the mode of ignorance in material nature, the living entity is sometimes a male, sometimes a female, sometimes a eunuch, sometimes a human being, sometimes a demigod, sometimes a bird, an animal, and so on. In this way he is wandering within the material world. His acceptance of different types of bodies is brought about by his activities under the influence of the modes of nature.
दुःखेष्वेकतरेणापि दैवभूतात्महेतुषु । जीवस्य न व्यवच्छेदः स्याच्चेत्तत्तत्प्रतिक्रिया
duḥkheṣvekatareṇāpi daivabhūtātmahetuṣu | jīvasya na vyavacchedaḥ syāccettattatpratikriyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The living entities are trying to counteract different miserable conditions pertaining to providence, other living entities or the body and mind. Still, they must remain conditioned by the laws of nature, despite all attempts to counter these laws.
यथा हि पुरुषो भारं शिरसा गुरुमुद्वहन् । तं स्कन्धेन स आधत्ते तथा सर्वाः प्रतिक्रियाः
yathā hi puruṣo bhāraṃ śirasā gurumudvahan | taṃ skandhena sa ādhatte tathā sarvāḥ pratikriyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A man may carry a burden on his head, and when he feels it to be too heavy, he sometimes gives relief to his head by putting the burden on his shoulder. In this way he tries to relieve himself of the burden. However, whatever process he devises to counteract the burden does nothing more than put the same burden from one place to another.
नैकान्ततः प्रतीकारः कर्मणां कर्म केवलम् । द्वयं ह्यविद्योपसृतं स्वप्ने स्वप्न इवानघ
naikāntataḥ pratīkāraḥ karmaṇāṃ karma kevalam | dvayaṃ hyavidyopasṛtaṃ svapne svapna ivānagha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada continued: O you who are free from all sinful activity! No one can counteract the effects of fruitive activity simply by manufacturing a different activity devoid of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. All such activity is due to our ignorance. When we have a troublesome dream, we cannot relieve it with a troublesome hallucination. One can counteract a dream only by awaking. Similarly, our material existence is due to our ignorance and illusion. Unless we awaken to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we cannot be relieved of such dreams. For the ultimate solution to all problems, we must awaken to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
अर्थे ह्यविद्यमानेऽपि संसृतिर्न निवर्तते । मनसा लिङ्गरूपेण स्वप्ने विचरतो यथा
arthe hyavidyamāne'pi saṃsṛtirna nivartate | manasā liṅgarūpeṇa svapne vicarato yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sometimes we suffer because we see a tiger in a dream or a snake in a vision, but actually there is neither a tiger nor a snake. Thus we create some situation in a subtle form and suffer the consequences. These sufferings cannot be mitigated unless we are awakened from our dream.
सोऽचिरादेव राजर्षे स्यादच्युतकथाश्रयः । शृण्वतः श्रद्दधानस्य नित्यदा स्यादधीयतः
so'cirādeva rājarṣe syādacyutakathāśrayaḥ | śṛṇvataḥ śraddadhānasya nityadā syādadhīyataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of kings, one who is faithful, who is always hearing the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is always engaged in the culture of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and in hearing of the Lord’s activities, very soon becomes eligible to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face.
एतैरुपद्रुतो नित्यं जीवलोकः स्वभावजैः । न करोति हरेर्नूनं कथामृतनिधौ रतिम्
etairupadruto nityaṃ jīvalokaḥ svabhāvajaiḥ | na karoti harernūnaṃ kathāmṛtanidhau ratim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because the conditioned soul is always disturbed by the bodily necessities such as hunger and thirst, he has very little time to cultivate attachment to hearing the nectarean words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
शब्दब्रह्मणि दुष्पारे चरन्त उरु विस्तरे । मन्त्रलिङ्गैर्व्यवच्छिन्नं भजन्तो न विदुः परम्
śabdabrahmaṇi duṣpāre caranta uru vistare | mantraliṅgairvyavacchinnaṃ bhajanto na viduḥ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Despite the cultivation of Vedic knowledge, which is unlimited, and the worship of different demigods by the symptoms of Vedic mantras, demigod worship does not help one to understand the supreme powerful Personality of Godhead.
(सर्वेषामेव जन्तूनां सततं देहपोषणे । अस्ति प्रज्ञा समायत्ता को विशेषस्तदा नृणाम् ॥ लब्ध्वेहान्ते मनुष्यत्वं हित्वा देहाद्यसद्ग्रहम् । आत्मसृत्या विहायेदं जीवात्मा स विशिष्यते ॥) यदा यमनुगृह्णाति भगवानात्मभावितः । स जहाति मतिं लोके वेदे च परिनिष्ठिताम्
(sarveṣāmeva jantūnāṃ satataṃ dehapoṣaṇe | asti prajñā samāyattā ko viśeṣastadā nṛṇām || labdhvehānte manuṣyatvaṃ hitvā dehādyasadgraham | ātmasṛtyā vihāyedaṃ jīvātmā sa viśiṣyate ||) yadā yamanugṛhṇāti bhagavānātmabhāvitaḥ | sa jahāti matiṃ loke vede ca pariniṣṭhitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When a person is fully engaged in devotional service, he is favored by the Lord, who bestows His causeless mercy. At such a time, the awakened devotee gives up all material activities and ritualistic performances mentioned in the Vedas.
तस्मात्कर्मसु बर्हिष्मन्नज्ञानादर्थकाशिषु । मार्थदृष्टिं कृथाः श्रोत्रस्पर्शिष्वस्पृष्टवस्तुषु
tasmātkarmasu barhiṣmannajñānādarthakāśiṣu | mārthadṛṣṭiṃ kṛthāḥ śrotrasparśiṣvaspṛṣṭavastuṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Barhiṣmān, you should never out of ignorance take to the Vedic rituals or to fruitive activity, which may be pleasing to hear about or which may appear to be the goal of self-interest. You should never take these to be the ultimate goal of life.
स्वं लोकं न विदुस्ते वै यत्र देवो जनार्दनः । आहुर्धूम्रधियो वेदं सकर्मकमतद्विदः
svaṃ lokaṃ na viduste vai yatra devo janārdanaḥ | āhurdhūmradhiyo vedaṃ sakarmakamatadvidaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who are less intelligent accept the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies as all in all. They do not know that the purpose of the Vedas is to understand one’s own home, where the Supreme Personality of Godhead lives. Not being interested in their real home, they are illusioned and search after other homes.
आस्तीर्य दर्भैः प्रागग्रैः कार्त्स्न्येन क्षितिमण्डलम् । स्तब्धो बृहद्वधान्मानी कर्म नावैषि यत्परम् । तत्कर्म हरितोषं यत्सा विद्या तन्मतिर्यया
āstīrya darbhaiḥ prāgagraiḥ kārtsnyena kṣitimaṇḍalam | stabdho bṛhadvadhānmānī karma nāvaiṣi yatparam | tatkarma haritoṣaṃ yatsā vidyā tanmatiryayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, the entire world is covered with the sharp points of kuśa grass, and on the strength of this you have become proud because you have killed various types of animals in sacrifices. Because of your foolishness, you do not know that devotional service is the only way one can please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You cannot understand this fact. Your only activities should be those that can please the Personality of Godhead. Our education should be such that we can become elevated to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
हरिर्देहभृतामात्मा स्वयं प्रकृतिरीश्वरः । तत्पादमूलं शरणं यतः क्षेमो नृणामिह
harirdehabhṛtāmātmā svayaṃ prakṛtirīśvaraḥ | tatpādamūlaṃ śaraṇaṃ yataḥ kṣemo nṛṇāmiha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the Supersoul and guide of all living entities who have accepted material bodies within this world. He is the supreme controller of all material activities in material nature. He is also our best friend, and everyone should take shelter at His lotus feet. In doing so, one’s life will be auspicious.
स वै प्रियतमश्चात्मा यतो न भयमण्वपि । इति वेद स वै विद्वान् यो विद्वान् स गुरुर्हरिः
sa vai priyatamaścātmā yato na bhayamaṇvapi | iti veda sa vai vidvān yo vidvān sa gururhariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who is engaged in devotional service has not the least fear in material existence. This is because the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Supersoul and friend of everyone. One who knows this secret is actually educated, and one thus educated can become the spiritual master of the world. One who is an actually bona fide spiritual master, representative of Kṛṣṇa, is not different from Kṛṣṇa.
नारद उवाच । प्रश्न एवं हि सञ्छिन्नो भवतः पुरुषर्षभ । अत्र मे वदतो गुह्यं निशामय सुनिश्चितम्
nārada uvāca | praśna evaṃ hi sañchinno bhavataḥ puruṣarṣabha | atra me vadato guhyaṃ niśāmaya suniścitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great saint Nārada continued: O great personality, I have replied properly about all that you have asked me. Now hear another narration that is accepted by saintly persons and is very confidential.
क्षुद्रं चरं सुमनसां शरणे मिथित्वा रक्तं षडङ्घ्रिगणसामसु लुब्धकर्णम् । अग्रे वृकानसुतृपोऽविगणय्य यान्तं पृष्ठे मृगं मृगयलुब्धकबाणभिन्नम्
kṣudraṃ caraṃ sumanasāṃ śaraṇe mithitvā raktaṃ ṣaḍaṅghrigaṇasāmasu lubdhakarṇam | agre vṛkānasutṛpo'vigaṇayya yāntaṃ pṛṣṭhe mṛgaṃ mṛgayalubdhakabāṇabhinnam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, please search out that deer who is engaged in eating grass in a very nice flower garden along with his wife. That deer is very much attached to his business, and he is enjoying the sweet singing of the bumblebees in his garden. Just try to understand his position. He is unaware that before him is a tiger, which is accustomed to living at the cost of another’s flesh. Behind the deer is a hunter, who is threatening to pierce him with sharp arrows. Thus the deer’s death is imminent.
अस्यार्थः - सुमनः समधर्मणां स्त्रीणां शरण आश्रमे पुष्पमधुगन्धवत्क्षुद्रतमं काम्यकर्म- विपाकजं कामसुखलवं जैह्व्यौपस्थ्यादि विचिन्वन्तं मिथुनीभूय तदभिनिवेशितमनसं षडङ्घ्रिगणसामगीतवदतिमनोहरवनितादि जनालापेष्वतितरामतिप्रलोभितकर्णमग्रे वृकयूथवदात्मन आयुर्हरतोऽहोरात्रान् तान् काललवविशेषानविगणय्य गृहेषु विहरन्तं पृष्ठत एव परोक्षमनुप्रवृत्तो लुब्धकः कृतान्तोऽन्तः शरेण यमिह पराविध्यति तमिममात्मानमहो राजन् भिन्नहृदयं द्रष्टुमर्हसीति
asyārthaḥ - sumanaḥ samadharmaṇāṃ strīṇāṃ śaraṇa āśrame puṣpamadhugandhavatkṣudratamaṃ kāmyakarma- vipākajaṃ kāmasukhalavaṃ jaihvyaupasthyādi vicinvantaṃ mithunībhūya tadabhiniveśitamanasaṃ ṣaḍaṅghrigaṇasāmagītavadatimanoharavanitādi janālāpeṣvatitarāmatipralobhitakarṇamagre vṛkayūthavadātmana āyurharato'horātrān tān kālalavaviśeṣānavigaṇayya gṛheṣu viharantaṃ pṛṣṭhata eva parokṣamanupravṛtto lubdhakaḥ kṛtānto'ntaḥ śareṇa yamiha parāvidhyati tamimamātmānamaho rājan bhinnahṛdayaṃ draṣṭumarhasīti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, woman, who is very attractive in the beginning but in the end very disturbing, is exactly like the flower, which is attractive in the beginning and detestable at the end. With woman, the living entity is entangled with lusty desires, and he enjoys sex, just as one enjoys the aroma of a flower. He thus enjoys a life of sense gratification — from his tongue to his genitals — and in this way the living entity considers himself very happy in family life. United with his wife, he always remains absorbed in such thoughts. He feels great pleasure in hearing the talks of his wife and children, which are like the sweet humming of bumblebees that collect honey from flower to flower. He forgets that before him is time, which is taking away his life span with the passing of day and night. He does not see the gradual diminishing of his life, nor does he care about the superintendent of death, who is trying to kill him from behind. Just try to understand this. You are in a precarious position and are threatened from all sides.
स त्वं विचक्ष्य मृगचेष्टितमात्मनोऽन्त- श्चित्तं नियच्छ हृदि कर्णधुनीं च चित्ते । जह्यङ्गनाश्रममसत्तमयूथगाथं प्रीणीहि हंसशरणं विरम क्रमेण
sa tvaṃ vicakṣya mṛgaceṣṭitamātmano'nta- ścittaṃ niyaccha hṛdi karṇadhunīṃ ca citte | jahyaṅganāśramamasattamayūthagāthaṃ prīṇīhi haṃsaśaraṇaṃ virama krameṇa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, just try to understand the allegorical position of the deer. Be fully conscious of yourself, and give up the pleasure of hearing about promotion to heavenly planets by fruitive activity. Give up household life, which is full of sex, as well as stories about such things, and take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead through the mercy of the liberated souls. In this way, please give up your attraction for material existence.
राजोवाच । श्रुतमन्वीक्षितं ब्रह्मन् भगवान् यदभाषत । नैतज्जानन्त्युपाध्यायाः किं न ब्रूयुर्विदुर्यदि
rājovāca | śrutamanvīkṣitaṃ brahman bhagavān yadabhāṣata | naitajjānantyupādhyāyāḥ kiṃ na brūyurviduryadi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King replied: My dear brāhmaṇa, whatever you have said I have heard with great attention and, considering all of it, have come to the conclusion that the ācāryas [teachers] who engaged me in fruitive activity did not know this confidential knowledge. If they were aware of it, why did they not explain it to me?
संशयोऽत्र तु मे विप्र सञ्छिन्नस्तत्कृतो महान् । ऋषयोऽपि हि मुह्यन्ति यत्र नेन्द्रियवृत्तयः
saṃśayo'tra tu me vipra sañchinnastatkṛto mahān | ṛṣayo'pi hi muhyanti yatra nendriyavṛttayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear brāhmaṇa, there are contradictions between your instructions and those of my spiritual teachers who engaged me in fruitive activities. I now can understand the distinction between devotional service, knowledge and renunciation. I had some doubts about them, but you have now very kindly dissipated all these doubts. I can now understand how even the great sages are bewildered by the real purpose of life. Of course, there is no question of sense gratification.
कर्माण्यारभते येन पुमानिह विहाय तम् । अमुत्रान्येन देहेन जुष्टानि स यदश्नुते
karmāṇyārabhate yena pumāniha vihāya tam | amutrānyena dehena juṣṭāni sa yadaśnute
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The results of whatever a living entity does in this life are enjoyed in the next life.
इति वेदविदां वादः श्रूयते तत्र तत्र ह । कर्म यत्क्रियते प्रोक्तं परोक्षं न प्रकाशते
iti vedavidāṃ vādaḥ śrūyate tatra tatra ha | karma yatkriyate proktaṃ parokṣaṃ na prakāśate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The expert knowers of the Vedic conclusions say that one enjoys or suffers the results of his past activities. But practically it is seen that the body that performed the work in the last birth is already lost. So how is it possible to enjoy or suffer the reactions of that work in a different body?
नारद उवाच । येनैवारभते कर्म तेनैवामुत्र तत्पुमान् । भुङ्क्ते ह्यव्यवधानेन लिङ्गेन मनसा स्वयम्
nārada uvāca | yenaivārabhate karma tenaivāmutra tatpumān | bhuṅkte hyavyavadhānena liṅgena manasā svayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada continued: The living entity acts in a gross body in this life. This body is forced to act by the subtle body, composed of mind, intelligence and ego. After the gross body is lost, the subtle body is still there to enjoy or suffer. Thus there is no change.
शयानमिममुत्सृज्य श्वसन्तं पुरुषो यथा । कर्मात्मन्याहितं भुङ्क्ते तादृशेनेतरेण वा
śayānamimamutsṛjya śvasantaṃ puruṣo yathā | karmātmanyāhitaṃ bhuṅkte tādṛśenetareṇa vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The living entity, while dreaming, gives up the actual living body. Through the activities of his mind and intelligence, he acts in another body, either as a god or a dog. After giving up this gross body, the living entity enters either an animal body or a demigod’s body on this planet or on another planet. He thus enjoys the results of the actions of his past life.
ममैते मनसा यद्यदसावहमिति ब्रुवन् । गृह्णीयात्तत्पुमान् राद्धं कर्म येन पुनर्भवः
mamaite manasā yadyadasāvahamiti bruvan | gṛhṇīyāttatpumān rāddhaṃ karma yena punarbhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The living entity labors under the bodily conception of “I am this, I am that. My duty is this, and therefore I shall do it.” These are all mental impressions, and all these activities are temporary; nonetheless, by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the living entity gets a chance to execute all his mental concoctions. Thus he gets another body.
यथानुमीयते चित्तमुभयैरिन्द्रियेहितैः । एवं प्राग्देहजं कर्म लक्ष्यते चित्तवृत्तिभिः
yathānumīyate cittamubhayairindriyehitaiḥ | evaṃ prāgdehajaṃ karma lakṣyate cittavṛttibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One can understand the mental or conscious position of a living entity by the activities of two kinds of senses — the knowledge-acquiring senses and the executive senses. Similarly, by the mental condition or consciousness of a person, one can understand his position in the previous life.
नानुभूतं क्व चानेन देहेनादृष्टमश्रुतम् । कदाचिदुपलभ्येत यद्रूपं यादृगात्मनि
nānubhūtaṃ kva cānena dehenādṛṣṭamaśrutam | kadācidupalabhyeta yadrūpaṃ yādṛgātmani
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sometimes we suddenly experience something that was never experienced in the present body by sight or hearing. Sometimes we see such things suddenly in dreams.
तेनास्य तादृशं राजन् लिङ्गिनो देहसम्भवम् । श्रद्धत्स्वाननुभूतोऽर्थो न मनः स्प्रष्टुमर्हति
tenāsya tādṛśaṃ rājan liṅgino dehasambhavam | śraddhatsvānanubhūto'rtho na manaḥ spraṣṭumarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, my dear King, the living entity, who has a subtle mental covering, develops all kinds of thoughts and images because of his previous body. Take this from me as certain. There is no possibility of concocting anything mentally without having perceived it in the previous body.
मन एव मनुष्यस्य पूर्वरूपाणि शंसति । भविष्यतश्च भद्रं ते तथैव न भविष्यतः
mana eva manuṣyasya pūrvarūpāṇi śaṃsati | bhaviṣyataśca bhadraṃ te tathaiva na bhaviṣyataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, all good fortune unto you! The mind is the cause of the living entity’s attaining a certain type of body in accordance with his association with material nature. According to one’s mental composition, one can understand what the living entity was in his past life as well as what kind of body he will have in the future. Thus the mind indicates the past and future bodies.
अदृष्टमश्रुतं चात्र क्वचिन्मनसि दृश्यते । यथा तथानुमन्तव्यं देशकालक्रियाश्रयम्
adṛṣṭamaśrutaṃ cātra kvacinmanasi dṛśyate | yathā tathānumantavyaṃ deśakālakriyāśrayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sometimes in a dream we see something never experienced or heard of in this life, but all these incidents have been experienced at different times, in different places and in different conditions.
सर्वे क्रमानुरोधेन मनसीन्द्रियगोचराः । आयान्ति वर्गशो यान्ति सर्वे समनसो जनाः
sarve kramānurodhena manasīndriyagocarāḥ | āyānti vargaśo yānti sarve samanaso janāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The mind of the living entity continues to exist in various gross bodies, and according to one’s desires for sense gratification, the mind records different thoughts. In the mind these appear together in different combinations; therefore these images sometimes appear as things never seen or never heard before.
सत्त्वैकनिष्ठे मनसि भगवत्पार्श्ववर्तिनि । तमश्चन्द्रमसीवेदमुपरज्यावभासते
sattvaikaniṣṭhe manasi bhagavatpārśvavartini | tamaścandramasīvedamuparajyāvabhāsate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa consciousness means constantly associating with the Supreme Personality of Godhead in such a mental state that the devotee can observe the cosmic manifestation exactly as the Supreme Personality of Godhead does. Such observation is not always possible, but it becomes manifest exactly like the dark planet known as Rāhu, which is observed in the presence of the full moon.
नाहं ममेति भावोऽयं पुरुषे व्यवधीयते । यावद्बुद्धिमनोऽक्षार्थगुणव्यूहो ह्यनादिमान्
nāhaṃ mameti bhāvo'yaṃ puruṣe vyavadhīyate | yāvadbuddhimano'kṣārthaguṇavyūho hyanādimān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As long as there exists the subtle material body composed of intelligence, mind, senses, sense objects, and the reactions of the material qualities, the consciousness of false identification and its relative objective, the gross body, exist as well.
सुप्तिमूर्च्छोपतापेषु प्राणायनविघाततः । नेहतेऽहमिति ज्ञानं मृत्युप्रज्वारयोरपि
suptimūrcchopatāpeṣu prāṇāyanavighātataḥ | nehate'hamiti jñānaṃ mṛtyuprajvārayorapi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the living entity is in deep sleep, when he faints, when there is some great shock on account of severe loss, at the time of death, or when the body temperature is very high, the movement of the life air is arrested. At that time the living entity loses knowledge of identifying the body with the self.
गर्भे बाल्येऽप्यपौष्कल्यादेकादशविधं तदा । लिङ्गं न दृश्यते यूनः कुह्वां चन्द्रमसो यथा
garbhe bālye'pyapauṣkalyādekādaśavidhaṃ tadā | liṅgaṃ na dṛśyate yūnaḥ kuhvāṃ candramaso yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When one is a youth, all the ten senses and the mind are completely visible. However, in the mother’s womb or in the boyhood state, the sense organs and the mind remain covered, just as the full moon is covered by the darkness of the dark-moon night.
अर्थे ह्यविद्यमानेऽपि संसृतिर्न निवर्तते । ध्यायतो विषयानस्य स्वप्नेऽनर्थागमो यथा
arthe hyavidyamāne'pi saṃsṛtirna nivartate | dhyāyato viṣayānasya svapne'narthāgamo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the living entity dreams, the sense objects are not actually present. However, because one has associated with the sense objects, they become manifest. Similarly, the living entity with undeveloped senses does not cease to exist materially, even though he may not be exactly in contact with the sense objects.
एवं पञ्चविधं लिङ्गं त्रिवृत्षोडशविस्तृतम् । एष चेतनया युक्तो जीव इत्यभिधीयते
evaṃ pañcavidhaṃ liṅgaṃ trivṛtṣoḍaśavistṛtam | eṣa cetanayā yukto jīva ityabhidhīyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The five sense objects, the five sense organs, the five knowledge-acquiring senses and the mind are the sixteen material expansions. These combine with the living entity and are influenced by the three modes of material nature. Thus the existence of the conditioned soul is understood.
अनेन पुरुषो देहानुपादत्ते विमुञ्चति । हर्षं शोकं भयं दुःखं सुखं चानेन विन्दति
anena puruṣo dehānupādatte vimuñcati | harṣaṃ śokaṃ bhayaṃ duḥkhaṃ sukhaṃ cānena vindati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By virtue of the processes of the subtle body, the living entity develops and gives up gross bodies. This is known as the transmigration of the soul. Thus the soul becomes subjected to different types of so-called enjoyment, lamentation, fear, happiness and unhappiness.
यदाक्षैश्चरितान् ध्यायन् कर्माण्याचिनुतेऽसकृत् । सति कर्मण्यविद्यायां बन्धः कर्मण्यनात्मनः
yadākṣaiścaritān dhyāyan karmāṇyācinute'sakṛt | sati karmaṇyavidyāyāṃ bandhaḥ karmaṇyanātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As long as we desire to enjoy sense gratification, we create material activities. When the living entity acts in the material field, he enjoys the senses, and while enjoying the senses, he creates another series of material activities. In this way the living entity becomes entrapped as a conditioned soul.
अतस्तदपवादार्थं भज सर्वात्मना हरिम् । पश्यंस्तदात्मकं विश्वं स्थित्युत्पत्त्यप्यया यतः
atastadapavādārthaṃ bhaja sarvātmanā harim | paśyaṃstadātmakaṃ viśvaṃ sthityutpattyapyayā yataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You should always know that this cosmic manifestation is created, maintained and annihilated by the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Consequently, everything within this cosmic manifestation is under the control of the Lord. To be enlightened by this perfect knowledge, one should always engage himself in the devotional service of the Lord.
मैत्रेय उवाच । भागवतमुख्यो भगवान् नारदो हंसयोर्गतिम् । प्रदर्श्य ह्यमुमामन्त्र्य सिद्धलोकं ततोऽगमत्
maitreya uvāca | bhāgavatamukhyo bhagavān nārado haṃsayorgatim | pradarśya hyamumāmantrya siddhalokaṃ tato'gamat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: The supreme devotee, the great saint Nārada, thus explained to King Prācīnabarhi the constitutional position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the living entity. After giving an invitation to the King, Nārada Muni left to return to Siddhaloka.
प्राचीनबर्ही राजर्षिः प्रजासर्गाभिरक्षणे । आदिश्य पुत्रानगमत्तपसे कपिलाश्रमम्
prācīnabarhī rājarṣiḥ prajāsargābhirakṣaṇe | ādiśya putrānagamattapase kapilāśramam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the presence of his ministers, the saintly King Prācīnabarhi left orders for his sons to protect the citizens. He then left home and went off to undergo austerities in a holy place known as Kapilāśrama.
तत्रैकाग्रमना वीरो गोविन्दचरणाम्बुजम् । विमुक्तसङ्गोऽनुभजन् भक्त्या तत्साम्यतामगात्
tatraikāgramanā vīro govindacaraṇāmbujam | vimuktasaṅgo'nubhajan bhaktyā tatsāmyatāmagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having undergone austerities and penances at Kapilāśrama, King Prācīnabarhi attained full liberation from all material designations. He constantly engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord and attained a spiritual position qualitatively equal to that of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
एतदध्यात्मपारोक्ष्यं गीतं देवर्षिणानघ । यः श्रावयेद्यः शृणुयात्स लिङ्गेन विमुच्यते
etadadhyātmapārokṣyaṃ gītaṃ devarṣiṇānagha | yaḥ śrāvayedyaḥ śṛṇuyātsa liṅgena vimucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vidura, one who hears this narration concerning the understanding of the living entity’s spiritual existence, as described by the great sage Nārada, or who relates it to others, will be liberated from the bodily conception of life.
एतन्मुकुन्दयशसा भुवनं पुनानं देवर्षिवर्यमुखनिःसृतमात्मशौचम् । यः कीर्त्यमानमधिगच्छति पारमेष्ठ्यं नास्मिन् भवे भ्रमति मुक्तसमस्तबन्धः
etanmukundayaśasā bhuvanaṃ punānaṃ devarṣivaryamukhaniḥsṛtamātmaśaucam | yaḥ kīrtyamānamadhigacchati pārameṣṭhyaṃ nāsmin bhave bhramati muktasamastabandhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This narration spoken by the great sage Nārada is full of the transcendental fame of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Consequently this narration, when described, certainly sanctifies this material world. It purifies the heart of the living entity and helps him attain his spiritual identity. One who relates this transcendental narration will be liberated from all material bondage and will no longer have to wander within this material world.
अध्यात्मपारोक्ष्यमिदं मयाधिगतमद्भुतम् । एवं स्त्रियाऽऽश्रमः पुंसश्छिन्नोऽमुत्र च संशयः
adhyātmapārokṣyamidaṃ mayādhigatamadbhutam | evaṃ striyā''śramaḥ puṃsaśchinno'mutra ca saṃśayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The allegory of King Purañjana, described herein according to authority, was heard by me from my spiritual master, and it is full of spiritual knowledge. If one can understand the purpose of this allegory, he will certainly be relieved from the bodily conception and will clearly understand life after death. Although one may not understand what transmigration of the soul actually is, one can fully understand it by studying this narration.
विदुर उवाच । ये त्वयाभिहिता ब्रह्मन् सुताः प्राचीनबर्हिषः । ते रुद्रगीतेन हरिं सिद्धिमापुः प्रतोष्य काम्
vidura uvāca | ye tvayābhihitā brahman sutāḥ prācīnabarhiṣaḥ | te rudragītena hariṃ siddhimāpuḥ pratoṣya kām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vidura inquired from Maitreya: O brāhmaṇa, you formerly spoke about the sons of Prācīnabarhi and informed me that they satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead by chanting a song composed by Lord Śiva. What did they achieve in this way?
किं बार्हस्पत्येह परत्र वाथ कैवल्यनाथप्रियपार्श्ववर्तिनः । आसाद्य देवं गिरिशं यदृच्छया प्रापुः परं नूनमथ प्रचेतसः
kiṃ bārhaspatyeha paratra vātha kaivalyanāthapriyapārśvavartinaḥ | āsādya devaṃ giriśaṃ yadṛcchayā prāpuḥ paraṃ nūnamatha pracetasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Bārhaspatya, what did the sons of King Barhiṣat, known as the Pracetās, obtain after meeting Lord Śiva, who is very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the bestower of liberation? Certainly they were transferred to the spiritual world, but apart from that, what did they obtain within this material world, either in this life or in other lives?
मैत्रेय उवाच । प्रचेतसोऽन्तरुदधौ पितुरादेशकारिणः । जपयज्ञेन तपसा पुरञ्जनमतोषयन्
maitreya uvāca | pracetaso'ntarudadhau piturādeśakāriṇaḥ | japayajñena tapasā purañjanamatoṣayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya said: The sons of King Prācīnabarhi, known as the Pracetās, underwent severe austerities within the seawater to carry out the order of their father. By chanting and repeating the mantras given by Lord Śiva, they were able to satisfy Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
दशवर्षसहस्रान्ते पुरुषस्तु सनातनः । तेषामाविरभूत्कृच्छ्रं शान्तेन शमयन् रुचा
daśavarṣasahasrānte puruṣastu sanātanaḥ | teṣāmāvirabhūtkṛcchraṃ śāntena śamayan rucā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the end of ten thousand years of severe austerities performed by the Pracetās, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to reward their austerities, appeared before them in His very pleasing form. This appealed to the Pracetās and satisfied the labor of their austerities.
सुपर्णस्कन्धमारूढो मेरुशृङ्गमिवाम्बुदः । पीतवासा मणिग्रीवः कुर्वन् वितिमिरा दिशः
suparṇaskandhamārūḍho meruśṛṅgamivāmbudaḥ | pītavāsā maṇigrīvaḥ kurvan vitimirā diśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Personality of Godhead, appearing on the shoulder of Garuḍa, seemed like a cloud resting on the summit of the mountain known as Meru. The transcendental body of the Personality of Godhead was covered by attractive yellow garments, and His neck was decorated with the jewel known as Kaustubha-maṇi. The bodily effulgence of the Lord dissipated all the darkness of the universe.
काशिष्णुना कनकवर्णविभूषणेन भ्राजत्कपोलवदनो विलसत्किरीटः । अष्टायुधैरनुचरैर्मुनिभिः सुरेन्द्रै- रासेवितो गरुडकिन्नरगीतकीर्तिः
kāśiṣṇunā kanakavarṇavibhūṣaṇena bhrājatkapolavadano vilasatkirīṭaḥ | aṣṭāyudhairanucarairmunibhiḥ surendrai- rāsevito garuḍakinnaragītakīrtiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord’s face was very beautiful, and His head was decorated with a shining helmet and golden ornaments. The helmet was dazzling and was very beautifully situated on His head. The Lord had eight arms, which each held a particular weapon. The Lord was surrounded by demigods, great sages and other associates. These were all engaged in His service. Garuḍa, the carrier of the Lord, glorified the Lord with Vedic hymns by flapping his wings. Garuḍa appeared to be an inhabitant of the planet known as Kinnaraloka.
पीनायताष्टभुजमण्डलमध्यलक्ष्म्या स्पर्धच्छ्रिया परिवृतो वनमालयाऽऽद्यः । बर्हिष्मतः पुरुष आह सुतान् प्रपन्नान् पर्जन्यनादरुतया सघृणावलोकः
pīnāyatāṣṭabhujamaṇḍalamadhyalakṣmyā spardhacchriyā parivṛto vanamālayā''dyaḥ | barhiṣmataḥ puruṣa āha sutān prapannān parjanyanādarutayā saghṛṇāvalokaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Around the neck of the Personality of Godhead hung a flower garland that reached to His knees. His eight stout and elongated arms were decorated with that garland, which challenged the beauty of the goddess of fortune. With a merciful glance and a voice like thunder, the Lord addressed the sons of King Prācīnabarhiṣat, who were very much surrendered unto Him.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । वरं वृणीध्वं भद्रं वो यूयं मे नृपनन्दनाः । सौहार्देनापृथग्धर्मास्तुष्टोऽहं सौहृदेन वः
śrībhagavānuvāca | varaṃ vṛṇīdhvaṃ bhadraṃ vo yūyaṃ me nṛpanandanāḥ | sauhārdenāpṛthagdharmāstuṣṭo'haṃ sauhṛdena vaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear sons of the King, I am very much pleased by the friendly relationships among you. All of you are engaged in one occupation — devotional service. I am so pleased with your mutual friendship that I wish you all good fortune. Now you may ask a benediction of Me.
योऽनुस्मरति सन्ध्यायां युष्माननुदिनं नरः । तस्य भ्रातृष्वात्मसाम्यं तथा भूतेषु सौहृदम्
yo'nusmarati sandhyāyāṃ yuṣmānanudinaṃ naraḥ | tasya bhrātṛṣvātmasāmyaṃ tathā bhūteṣu sauhṛdam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord continued: Those who remember you every evening of every day will become friendly with their brothers and with all other living entities.
ये तु मां रुद्रगीतेन सायं प्रातः समाहिताः । स्तुवन्त्यहं कामवरान् दास्ये प्रज्ञां च शोभनाम्
ye tu māṃ rudragītena sāyaṃ prātaḥ samāhitāḥ | stuvantyahaṃ kāmavarān dāsye prajñāṃ ca śobhanām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who will offer Me the prayers composed by Lord Śiva, both in the morning and in the evening, will be given benedictions by Me. In this way they can both fulfill their desires and attain good intelligence.
यद्यूयं पितुरादेशमग्रहीष्ट मुदान्विताः । अथो व उशती कीर्तिर्लोकाननु भविष्यति
yadyūyaṃ piturādeśamagrahīṣṭa mudānvitāḥ | atho va uśatī kīrtirlokānanu bhaviṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because you have with pleasure accepted within your hearts the orders of your father and have executed those orders very faithfully, your attractive qualities will be celebrated all over the world.
भविता विश्रुतः पुत्रोऽनवमो ब्रह्मणो गुणैः । य एतामात्मवीर्येण त्रिलोकीं पूरयिष्यति
bhavitā viśrutaḥ putro'navamo brahmaṇo guṇaiḥ | ya etāmātmavīryeṇa trilokīṃ pūrayiṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You will have a nice son, who will be in no way inferior to Lord Brahmā. Consequently, he will be very famous all over the universe, and the sons and grandsons generated by him will fill the three worlds.
कण्डोः प्रम्लोचया लब्धा कन्या कमललोचना । तां चापविद्धां जगृहुर्भूरुहा नृपनन्दनाः
kaṇḍoḥ pramlocayā labdhā kanyā kamalalocanā | tāṃ cāpaviddhāṃ jagṛhurbhūruhā nṛpanandanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O sons of King Prācīnabarhiṣat, the heavenly society girl named Pramlocā kept the lotus-eyed daughter of Kaṇḍu in the care of the forest trees. Then she went back to the heavenly planet. This daughter was born by the coupling of the Apsarā named Pramlocā with the sage Kaṇḍu.
क्षुत्क्षामाया मुखे राजा सोमः पीयूषवर्षिणीम् । देशिनीं रोदमानाया निदधे स दयान्वितः
kṣutkṣāmāyā mukhe rājā somaḥ pīyūṣavarṣiṇīm | deśinīṃ rodamānāyā nidadhe sa dayānvitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter the child, who was left to the care of the trees, began to cry in hunger. At that time the king of the forest, namely the king of the moon planet, out of compassion placed his finger, which poured forth nectar, within the child’s mouth. Thus the child was raised by the mercy of the king of the moon.
प्रजाविसर्ग आदिष्टाः पित्रा मामनुवर्तता । तत्र कन्यां वरारोहां तामुद्वहत मा चिरम्
prajāvisarga ādiṣṭāḥ pitrā māmanuvartatā | tatra kanyāṃ varārohāṃ tāmudvahata mā ciram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since all of you are very much obedient to My orders, I ask you to immediately marry that girl, who is so well qualified with beauty and good qualities. According to the order of your father, create progeny through her.
अपृथग्धर्मशीलानां सर्वेषां वः सुमध्यमा । अपृथग्धर्मशीलेयं भूयात्पत्न्यर्पिताशया
apṛthagdharmaśīlānāṃ sarveṣāṃ vaḥ sumadhyamā | apṛthagdharmaśīleyaṃ bhūyātpatnyarpitāśayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You brothers are all of the same nature, being My devotees and obedient sons of your father. Similarly, that girl is also of the same type and is dedicated to all of you. Thus both the girl and you, the sons of Prācīnabarhiṣat, are on the same platform, being united on a common principle.
दिव्यवर्षसहस्राणां सहस्रमहतौजसः । भौमान् भोक्ष्यथ भोगान् वै दिव्यांश्चानुग्रहान्मम
divyavarṣasahasrāṇāṃ sahasramahataujasaḥ | bhaumān bhokṣyatha bhogān vai divyāṃścānugrahānmama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord then blessed all the Pracetās, saying: My dear princes, by My mercy you can enjoy all the facilities of this world as well as the heavenly world. Indeed, you can enjoy all of them without hindrance and with full strength for one million celestial years.
अथ मय्यनपायिन्या भक्त्या पक्वगुणाशयाः । उपयास्यथ मद्धाम निर्विद्य निरयादतः
atha mayyanapāyinyā bhaktyā pakvaguṇāśayāḥ | upayāsyatha maddhāma nirvidya nirayādataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter you will develop unadulterated devotional service unto Me and be freed from all material contamination. At that time, being completely unattached to material enjoyment in the so-called heavenly planets as well as in hellish planets, you will return home, back to Godhead.
गृहेष्वाविशतां चापि पुंसां कुशलकर्मणाम् । मद्वार्ता यातयामानां न बन्धाय गृहा मताः
gṛheṣvāviśatāṃ cāpi puṃsāṃ kuśalakarmaṇām | madvārtā yātayāmānāṃ na bandhāya gṛhā matāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who are engaged in auspicious activities in devotional service certainly understand that the ultimate enjoyer or beneficiary of all activities is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus when one acts, he offers the results to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and passes life always engaged in the topics of the Lord. Even though such a person may be participating in family life, he is not affected by the results of his actions.
न व्यवद्धृदये यज्ज्ञो ब्रह्मैतद्ब्रह्मवादिभिः । न मुह्यन्ति न शोचन्ति न हृष्यन्ति यतो गताः
na vyavaddhṛdaye yajjño brahmaitadbrahmavādibhiḥ | na muhyanti na śocanti na hṛṣyanti yato gatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Always engaging in the activities of devotional service, devotees feel ever-increasingly fresh and new in all their activities. The all-knower, the Supersoul within the heart of the devotee, makes everything increasingly fresh. This is known as the Brahman position by the advocates of the Absolute Truth. In such a liberated stage [brahma-bhūta], one is never bewildered. Nor does one lament or become unnecessarily jubilant. This is due to the brahma-bhūta situation.
मैत्रेय उवाच । एवं ब्रुवाणं पुरुषार्थभाजनं जनार्दनं प्राञ्जलयः प्रचेतसः । तद्दर्शनध्वस्ततमोरजोमला गिरागृणन् गद्गदया सुहृत्तमम्
maitreya uvāca | evaṃ bruvāṇaṃ puruṣārthabhājanaṃ janārdanaṃ prāñjalayaḥ pracetasaḥ | taddarśanadhvastatamorajomalā girāgṛṇan gadgadayā suhṛttamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya said: After the Personality of Godhead spoke thus, the Pracetās began to offer Him prayers. The Lord is the bestower of all success in life and is the supreme benefactor. He is also the supreme friend who takes away all miserable conditions experienced by a devotee. In a faltering voice, due to ecstasy, the Pracetās began to offer prayers. They were purified by the presence of the Lord, who was before them face to face.
प्रचेतस ऊचुः । नमो नमः क्लेशविनाशनाय निरूपितोदारगुणाह्वयाय । मनोवचोवेगपुरोजवाय सर्वाक्षमार्गैरगताध्वने नमः
pracetasa ūcuḥ | namo namaḥ kleśavināśanāya nirūpitodāraguṇāhvayāya | manovacovegapurojavāya sarvākṣamārgairagatādhvane namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Pracetās spoke as follows: Dear Lord, You relieve all kinds of material distress. Your magnanimous transcendental qualities and holy name are all-auspicious. This conclusion is already settled. You can go faster than the speed of mind and words. You cannot be perceived by material senses. We therefore offer You respectful obeisances again and again.
शुद्धाय शान्ताय नमः स्वनिष्ठया मनस्यपार्थं विलसद्द्वयाय । नमो जगत्स्थानलयोदयेषु गृहीतमायागुणविग्रहाय
śuddhāya śāntāya namaḥ svaniṣṭhayā manasyapārthaṃ vilasaddvayāya | namo jagatsthānalayodayeṣu gṛhītamāyāguṇavigrahāya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, we beg to offer our obeisances unto You. When the mind is fixed upon You, the world of duality, although a place for material enjoyment, appears meaningless. Your transcendental form is full of transcendental bliss. We therefore offer our respects unto You. Your appearances as Lord Brahmā, Lord Viṣṇu and Lord Śiva are meant for the purpose of creating, maintaining and annihilating this cosmic manifestation.
नमो विशुद्धसत्त्वाय हरये हरिमेधसे । वासुदेवाय कृष्णाय प्रभवे सर्वसात्वताम्
namo viśuddhasattvāya haraye harimedhase | vāsudevāya kṛṣṇāya prabhave sarvasātvatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You because Your existence is completely independent of all material influences. Your Lordship always takes away the devotee’s miserable conditions, for Your brain plans how to do so. You live everywhere as Paramātmā; therefore You are known as Vāsudeva. You also accept Vasudeva as Your father, and You are celebrated by the name Kṛṣṇa. You are so kind that You always increase the influence of all kinds of devotees.
नमः कमलनाभाय नमः कमलमालिने । नमः कमलपादाय नमस्ते कमलेक्षण
namaḥ kamalanābhāya namaḥ kamalamāline | namaḥ kamalapādāya namaste kamalekṣaṇa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You because from Your abdomen sprouts the lotus flower, the origin of all living entities. You are always decorated with a lotus garland, and Your feet resemble the lotus flower with all its fragrance. Your eyes are also like the petals of a lotus flower. Therefore we always offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
नमः कमलकिञ्जल्कपिशङ्गामलवाससे । सर्वभूतनिवासाय नमोऽयुङ्क्ष्महि साक्षिणे
namaḥ kamalakiñjalkapiśaṅgāmalavāsase | sarvabhūtanivāsāya namo'yuṅkṣmahi sākṣiṇe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, the garment You have put on is yellowish in color, like the saffron of a lotus flower, but it is not made of anything material. Since You live in everyone’s heart, You are the direct witness of all the activities of all living entities. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You again and again.
रूपं भगवता त्वेतदशेषक्लेशसङ्क्षयम् । आविष्कृतं नः क्लिष्टानां किमन्यदनुकम्पितम्
rūpaṃ bhagavatā tvetadaśeṣakleśasaṅkṣayam | āviṣkṛtaṃ naḥ kliṣṭānāṃ kimanyadanukampitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, we conditioned souls are always covered by ignorance in the bodily conception of life. We therefore always prefer the miserable conditions of material existence. To deliver us from these miserable conditions, You have advented Yourself in this transcendental form. This is evidence of Your unlimited causeless mercy upon those of us who are suffering in this way. Then what to speak of the devotees to whom You are always so favorably disposed?
एतावत्त्वं हि विभुभिर्भाव्यं दीनेषु वत्सलैः । यदनुस्मर्यते काले स्वबुद्ध्याभद्ररन्धन
etāvattvaṃ hi vibhubhirbhāvyaṃ dīneṣu vatsalaiḥ | yadanusmaryate kāle svabuddhyābhadrarandhana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, You are the killer of all inauspicious things. You are compassionate upon Your poor devotees through the expansion of Your arcā-vigraha. You should certainly think of us as Your eternal servants.
येनोपशान्तिर्भूतानां क्षुल्लकानामपीह ताम् । अन्तर्हितोऽन्तर्हृदये कस्मान्नो वेद नाशिषः
yenopaśāntirbhūtānāṃ kṣullakānāmapīha tām | antarhito'ntarhṛdaye kasmānno veda nāśiṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Lord, out of His natural compassion, thinks of His devotee, by that process only are all desires of the neophyte devotee fulfilled. The Lord is situated in every living entity’s heart, although the living entity may be very insignificant. The Lord knows everything about the living entity, including all his desires. Although we are very insignificant, why should the Lord not know our desires?
असावेव वरोऽस्माकमीप्सितो जगतः पते । प्रसन्नो भगवान् येषामपवर्गगुरुर्गतिः
asāveva varo'smākamīpsito jagataḥ pate | prasanno bhagavān yeṣāmapavargagururgatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord of the universe, You are the actual teacher of the science of devotional service. We are satisfied that Your Lordship is the ultimate goal of our life, and we pray that You will be satisfied with us. That is our benediction. We do not desire anything other than Your full satisfaction.
वरं वृणीमहेऽथापि नाथ त्वत्परतः परात् । न ह्यन्तस्त्वद्विभूतीनां सोऽनन्त इति गीयसे
varaṃ vṛṇīmahe'thāpi nātha tvatparataḥ parāt | na hyantastvadvibhūtīnāṃ so'nanta iti gīyase
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, we shall therefore pray for Your benediction because You are the Supreme, beyond all transcendence, and because there is no end to Your opulences. Consequently, You are celebrated by the name Ananta.
पारिजातेऽञ्जसा लब्धे सारङ्गोऽन्यन्न सेवते । त्वदङ्घ्रिमूलमासाद्य साक्षात्किं किं वृणीमहि
pārijāte'ñjasā labdhe sāraṅgo'nyanna sevate | tvadaṅghrimūlamāsādya sākṣātkiṃ kiṃ vṛṇīmahi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, when the bee approaches the celestial tree called the pārijāta, it certainly does not leave the tree, because there is no need for such action. Similarly, when we have approached Your lotus feet and taken shelter of them, what further benediction may we ask of You?
यावत्ते मायया स्पृष्टा भ्रमाम इह कर्मभिः । तावद्भवत्प्रसङ्गानां सङ्गः स्यान्नो भवे भवे
yāvatte māyayā spṛṣṭā bhramāma iha karmabhiḥ | tāvadbhavatprasaṅgānāṃ saṅgaḥ syānno bhave bhave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, as long as we have to remain within this material world due to our material contamination and wander from one type of body to another and from one planet to another, we pray that we may associate with those who are engaged in discussing Your pastimes. We pray for this benediction life after life, in different bodily forms and on different planets.
तुलयाम लवेनापि न स्वर्गं नापुनर्भवम् । भगवत्सङ्गिसङ्गस्य मर्त्यानां किमुताशिषः
tulayāma lavenāpi na svargaṃ nāpunarbhavam | bhagavatsaṅgisaṅgasya martyānāṃ kimutāśiṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even a moment’s association with a pure devotee cannot be compared to being transferred to heavenly planets or even merging into the Brahman effulgence in complete liberation. For living entities who are destined to give up the body and die, association with pure devotees is the highest benediction.
यत्रेड्यन्ते कथा मृष्टास्तृष्णायाः प्रशमो यतः । निर्वैरं यत्र भूतेषु नोद्वेगो यत्र कश्चन
yatreḍyante kathā mṛṣṭāstṛṣṇāyāḥ praśamo yataḥ | nirvairaṃ yatra bhūteṣu nodvego yatra kaścana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whenever pure topics of the transcendental world are discussed, the members of the audience forget all kinds of material hankerings, at least for the time being. Not only that, but they are no longer envious of one another, nor do they suffer from anxiety or fear.
यत्र नारायणः साक्षाद्भगवान् न्यासिनां गतिः । संस्तूयते सत्कथासु मुक्तसङ्गैः पुनः पुनः
yatra nārāyaṇaḥ sākṣādbhagavān nyāsināṃ gatiḥ | saṃstūyate satkathāsu muktasaṅgaiḥ punaḥ punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa, is present among devotees who are engaged in hearing and chanting the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Nārāyaṇa is the ultimate goal of sannyāsīs, those in the renounced order of life, and Nārāyaṇa is worshiped through this saṅkīrtana movement by those who are liberated from material contamination. Indeed, they recite the holy name again and again.
तेषां विचरतां पद्भ्यां तीर्थानां पावनेच्छया । भीतस्य किं न रोचेत तावकानां समागमः
teṣāṃ vicaratāṃ padbhyāṃ tīrthānāṃ pāvanecchayā | bhītasya kiṃ na roceta tāvakānāṃ samāgamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, Your personal associates, devotees, wander all over the world to purify even the holy places of pilgrimage. Is not such activity pleasing to those who are actually afraid of material existence?
वयं तु साक्षाद्भगवन् भवस्य प्रियस्य सख्युः क्षणसङ्गमेन । सुदुश्चिकित्स्यस्य भवस्य मृत्यो- र्भिषक्तमं त्वाद्य गतिं गताः स्म
vayaṃ tu sākṣādbhagavan bhavasya priyasya sakhyuḥ kṣaṇasaṅgamena | suduścikitsyasya bhavasya mṛtyo- rbhiṣaktamaṃ tvādya gatiṃ gatāḥ sma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, by virtue of a moment’s association with Lord Śiva, who is very dear to You and who is Your most intimate friend, we were fortunate to attain You. You are the most expert physician, capable of treating the incurable disease of material existence. On account of our great fortune, we have been able to take shelter at Your lotus feet.
मनुः स्वयम्भूर्भगवान् भवश्च येऽन्ये तपोज्ञानविशुद्धसत्त्वाः । अदृष्टपारा अपि यन्महिम्नः स्तुवन्त्यथो त्वात्मसमं गृणीमः
manuḥ svayambhūrbhagavān bhavaśca ye'nye tapojñānaviśuddhasattvāḥ | adṛṣṭapārā api yanmahimnaḥ stuvantyatho tvātmasamaṃ gṛṇīmaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, even great yogīs and mystics who are very much advanced by virtue of austerities and knowledge and who have completely situated themselves in pure existence, as well as great personalities like Manu, Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, cannot fully understand Your glories and potencies. Nonetheless they have offered their prayers according to their own capacities. In the same way, we, although much lower than these personalities, also offer our prayers according to our own capability.
नमः समाय शुद्धाय पुरुषाय पराय च । वासुदेवाय सत्त्वाय तुभ्यं भगवते नमः
namaḥ samāya śuddhāya puruṣāya parāya ca | vāsudevāya sattvāya tubhyaṃ bhagavate namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, You have no enemies or friends. Therefore You are equal to everyone. You cannot be contaminated by sinful activities, and Your transcendental form is always beyond the material creation. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead because You remain everywhere within all existence. You are consequently known as Vāsudeva. We offer You our respectful obeisances.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इति प्रचेतोभिरभिष्टुतो हरिः प्रीतस्तथेत्याह शरण्यवत्सलः । अनिच्छतां यानमतृप्तचक्षुषां ययौ स्वधामानपवर्गवीर्यः
maitreya uvāca | iti pracetobhirabhiṣṭuto hariḥ prītastathetyāha śaraṇyavatsalaḥ | anicchatāṃ yānamatṛptacakṣuṣāṃ yayau svadhāmānapavargavīryaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the protector of surrendered souls, being thus addressed by the Pracetās and worshiped by them, replied, “May whatever you have prayed for be fulfilled.” After saying this, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose prowess is never defeated, left. The Pracetās were unwilling to be separated from Him because they had not seen Him to their full satisfaction.
अथ निर्याय सलिलात्प्रचेतस उदन्वतः । वीक्ष्याकुप्यन् द्रुमैश्छन्नां गां गां रोद्धुमिवोच्छ्रितैः
atha niryāya salilātpracetasa udanvataḥ | vīkṣyākupyan drumaiśchannāṃ gāṃ gāṃ roddhumivocchritaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter all the Pracetās emerged from the waters of the sea. They then saw that all the trees on land had grown very tall, as if to obstruct the path to the heavenly planets. These trees had covered the entire surface of the world. At this time the Pracetās became very angry.
ततोऽग्निमारुतौ राजन्नमुञ्चन् मुखतो रुषा । महीं निर्वीरुधं कर्तुं संवर्तक इवात्यये
tato'gnimārutau rājannamuñcan mukhato ruṣā | mahīṃ nirvīrudhaṃ kartuṃ saṃvartaka ivātyaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, at the time of devastation, Lord Śiva emits fire and air from his mouth out of anger. To make the surface of the earth completely treeless, the Pracetās also emitted fire and air from their mouths.
भस्मसात्क्रियमाणांस्तान् द्रुमान् वीक्ष्य पितामहः । आगतः शमयामास पुत्रान् बर्हिष्मतो नयैः
bhasmasātkriyamāṇāṃstān drumān vīkṣya pitāmahaḥ | āgataḥ śamayāmāsa putrān barhiṣmato nayaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After seeing that all the trees on the surface of the earth were being turned to ashes, Lord Brahmā immediately came to the sons of King Barhiṣmān and pacified them with words of logic.
तत्रावशिष्टा ये वृक्षा भीता दुहितरं तदा । उज्जह्रुस्ते प्रचेतोभ्य उपदिष्टाः स्वयम्भुवा
tatrāvaśiṣṭā ye vṛkṣā bhītā duhitaraṃ tadā | ujjahruste pracetobhya upadiṣṭāḥ svayambhuvā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The remaining trees, being very much afraid of the Pracetās, immediately delivered their daughter at the advice of Lord Brahmā.
ते च ब्रह्मण आदेशान्मारिषामुपयेमिरे । यस्यां महदवज्ञानादजन्यजनयोनिजः
te ca brahmaṇa ādeśānmāriṣāmupayemire | yasyāṃ mahadavajñānādajanyajanayonijaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Following the order of Lord Brahmā, all the Pracetās accepted the girl as their wife. From the womb of this girl, the son of Lord Brahmā named Dakṣa took birth. Dakṣa had to take birth from the womb of Māriṣā due to his disobeying and disrespecting Lord Mahādeva [Śiva]. Consequently he had to give up his body twice.
चाक्षुषे त्वन्तरे प्राप्ते प्राक्सर्गे कालविद्रुते । यः ससर्ज प्रजा इष्टाः स दक्षो दैवचोदितः
cākṣuṣe tvantare prāpte prāksarge kālavidrute | yaḥ sasarja prajā iṣṭāḥ sa dakṣo daivacoditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His previous body had been destroyed, but he, the same Dakṣa, inspired by the supreme will, created all the desired living entities in the Cākṣuṣa manvantara.
मैत्रेय उवाच । तत उत्पन्नविज्ञाना आश्वधोक्षजभाषितम् । स्मरन्त आत्मजे भार्यां विसृज्य प्राव्रजन् गृहात्
maitreya uvāca | tata utpannavijñānā āśvadhokṣajabhāṣitam | smaranta ātmaje bhāryāṃ visṛjya prāvrajan gṛhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great saint Maitreya continued: After that, the Pracetās lived at home for thousands of years and developed perfect knowledge in spiritual consciousness. At last they remembered the blessings of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and left home, putting their wife in charge of a perfect son.
दीक्षिता ब्रह्मसत्रेण सर्वभूतात्ममेधसा । प्रतीच्यां दिशि वेलायां सिद्धोऽभूद्यत्र जाजलिः
dīkṣitā brahmasatreṇa sarvabhūtātmamedhasā | pratīcyāṃ diśi velāyāṃ siddho'bhūdyatra jājaliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Pracetās went to the seashore in the west where the great liberated sage Jājali was residing. After perfecting the spiritual knowledge by which one becomes equal toward all living entities, the Pracetās became perfect in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
तान्निर्जितप्राणमनोवचोदृशो जितासनान् शान्तसमानविग्रहान् । परेऽमले ब्रह्मणि योजितात्मनः सुरासुरेड्यो ददृशे स्म नारदः
tānnirjitaprāṇamanovacodṛśo jitāsanān śāntasamānavigrahān | pare'male brahmaṇi yojitātmanaḥ surāsureḍyo dadṛśe sma nāradaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After practicing the yogāsana for mystic yoga, the Pracetās managed to control their life air, mind, words and external vision. Thus by the prāṇāyāma process they were completely relieved of material attachment. By remaining perpendicular, they could concentrate their minds on the uppermost Brahman. While they were practicing this prāṇāyāma, the great sage Nārada, who is worshiped both by demons and by demigods, came to see them.
तमागतं त उत्थाय प्रणिपत्याभिनन्द्य च । पूजयित्वा यथादेशं सुखासीनमथाब्रुवन्
tamāgataṃ ta utthāya praṇipatyābhinandya ca | pūjayitvā yathādeśaṃ sukhāsīnamathābruvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as the Pracetās saw that the great sage Nārada had appeared, they immediately got up even from their āsanas. As required, they immediately offered obeisances and worshiped him, and when they saw that Nārada Muni was properly seated, they began to ask him questions.
प्रचेतस ऊचुः । स्वागतं ते सुरर्षेऽद्य दिष्ट्या नो दर्शनं गतः । तव चङ्क्रमणं ब्रह्मन्नभयाय यथा रवेः
pracetasa ūcuḥ | svāgataṃ te surarṣe'dya diṣṭyā no darśanaṃ gataḥ | tava caṅkramaṇaṃ brahmannabhayāya yathā raveḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the Pracetās began to address the great sage Nārada: O great sage, O brāhmaṇa, we hope you met with no disturbances while coming here. It is due to our great fortune that we are now able to see you. By the traveling of the sun, people are relieved from the fear of the darkness of night — a fear brought about by thieves and rogues. Similarly, your traveling is like the sun’s, for you drive away all kinds of fear.
यदादिष्टं भगवता शिवेनाधोक्षजेन च । तद्गृहेषु प्रसक्तानां प्रायशः क्षपितं प्रभो
yadādiṣṭaṃ bhagavatā śivenādhokṣajena ca | tadgṛheṣu prasaktānāṃ prāyaśaḥ kṣapitaṃ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O master, may we inform you that because of our being overly attached to family affairs, we almost forgot the instructions we received from Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu.
तन्नः प्रद्योतयाध्यात्मज्ञानं तत्त्वार्थदर्शनम् । येनाञ्जसा तरिष्यामो दुस्तरं भवसागरम्
tannaḥ pradyotayādhyātmajñānaṃ tattvārthadarśanam | yenāñjasā tariṣyāmo dustaraṃ bhavasāgaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear master, kindly enlighten us in transcendental knowledge, which may act as a torchlight by which we may cross the dark nescience of material existence.
मैत्रेय उवाच । इति प्रचेतसां पृष्टो भगवान् नारदो मुनिः । भगवत्युत्तमश्लोक आविष्टात्माब्रवीन्नृपान्
maitreya uvāca | iti pracetasāṃ pṛṣṭo bhagavān nārado muniḥ | bhagavatyuttamaśloka āviṣṭātmābravīnnṛpān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, being thus petitioned by the Pracetās, the supreme devotee Nārada, who is always absorbed in thoughts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, began to reply.
नारद उवाच । तज्जन्म तानि कर्माणि तदायुस्तन्मनो वचः । नृणां येनेह विश्वात्मा सेव्यते हरिरीश्वरः
nārada uvāca | tajjanma tāni karmāṇi tadāyustanmano vacaḥ | nṛṇāṃ yeneha viśvātmā sevyate harirīśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada said: When a living entity is born to engage in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the supreme controller, his birth, all his fruitive activities, his life span, his mind and his words are all factually perfect.
किं जन्मभिस्त्रिभिर्वेह शौक्लसावित्रयाज्ञिकैः । कर्मभिर्वा त्रयीप्रोक्तैः पुंसोऽपि विबुधायुषा
kiṃ janmabhistribhirveha śauklasāvitrayājñikaiḥ | karmabhirvā trayīproktaiḥ puṃso'pi vibudhāyuṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A civilized human being has three kinds of births. The first birth is by a pure father and mother, and this birth is called birth by semen. The next birth takes place when one is initiated by the spiritual master, and this birth is called sāvitra. The third birth, called yājñika, takes place when one is given the opportunity to worship Lord Viṣṇu. Despite the opportunities for attaining such births, even if one gets the life span of a demigod, if one does not actually engage in the service of the Lord, everything is useless. Similarly, one’s activities may be mundane or spiritual, but they are useless if they are not meant for satisfying the Lord.
श्रुतेन तपसा वा किं वचोभिश्चित्तवृत्तिभिः । बुद्ध्या वा किं निपुणया बलेनेन्द्रियराधसा
śrutena tapasā vā kiṃ vacobhiścittavṛttibhiḥ | buddhyā vā kiṃ nipuṇayā balenendriyarādhasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Without devotional service, what is the meaning of severe austerities, the process of hearing, the power of speech, the power of mental speculation, elevated intelligence, strength, and the power of the senses?
किं वा योगेन साङ्ख्येन न्यासस्वाध्याययोरपि । किं वा श्रेयोभिरन्यैश्च न यत्रात्मप्रदो हरिः
kiṃ vā yogena sāṅkhyena nyāsasvādhyāyayorapi | kiṃ vā śreyobhiranyaiśca na yatrātmaprado hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Transcendental practices that do not ultimately help one realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead are useless, be they mystic yoga practices, the analytical study of matter, severe austerity, the acceptance of sannyāsa, or the study of Vedic literature. All these may be very important aspects of spiritual advancement, but unless one understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, all these processes are useless.
श्रेयसामपि सर्वेषामात्मा ह्यवधिरर्थतः । सर्वेषामपि भूतानां हरिरात्माऽऽत्मदः प्रियः
śreyasāmapi sarveṣāmātmā hyavadhirarthataḥ | sarveṣāmapi bhūtānāṃ harirātmā''tmadaḥ priyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Factually the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original source of all self-realization. Consequently, the goal of all auspicious activities — karma, jñāna, yoga and bhakti — is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
यथा तरोर्मूलनिषेचनेन तृप्यन्ति तत्स्कन्धभुजोपशाखाः । प्राणोपहाराच्च यथेन्द्रियाणां तथैव सर्वार्हणमच्युतेज्या
yathā tarormūlaniṣecanena tṛpyanti tatskandhabhujopaśākhāḥ | prāṇopahārācca yathendriyāṇāṃ tathaiva sarvārhaṇamacyutejyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As pouring water on the root of a tree energizes the trunk, branches, twigs and everything else, and as supplying food to the stomach enlivens the senses and limbs of the body, simply worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead through devotional service automatically satisfies the demigods, who are parts of that Supreme Personality.
यथैव सूर्यात्प्रभवन्ति वारः पुनश्च तस्मिन् प्रविशन्ति काले । भूतानि भूमौ स्थिरजङ्गमानि तथा हरावेव गुणप्रवाहः
yathaiva sūryātprabhavanti vāraḥ punaśca tasmin praviśanti kāle | bhūtāni bhūmau sthirajaṅgamāni tathā harāveva guṇapravāhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
During the rainy season, water is generated from the sun, and in due course of time, during the summer season, the very same water is again absorbed by the sun. Similarly, all living entities, moving and inert, are generated from the earth, and again, after some time, they all return to the earth as dust. Similarly, everything emanates from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and in due course of time everything enters into Him again.
एतत्पदं तज्जगदात्मनः परं सकृद्विभातं सवितुर्यथा प्रभा । यथासवो जाग्रति सुप्तशक्तयो द्रव्यक्रियाज्ञानभिदा भ्रमात्ययः
etatpadaṃ tajjagadātmanaḥ paraṃ sakṛdvibhātaṃ savituryathā prabhā | yathāsavo jāgrati suptaśaktayo dravyakriyājñānabhidā bhramātyayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as the sunshine is nondifferent from the sun, the cosmic manifestation is also nondifferent from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Personality is therefore all-pervasive within this material creation. When the senses are active, they appear to be part and parcel of the body, but when the body is asleep, their activities are unmanifest. Similarly, the whole cosmic creation appears different and yet nondifferent from the Supreme Person.
यथा नभस्यभ्रतमः प्रकाशा भवन्ति भूपा न भवन्त्यनुक्रमात् । एवं परे ब्रह्मणि शक्तयस्त्वमू रजस्तमःसत्त्वमिति प्रवाहः
yathā nabhasyabhratamaḥ prakāśā bhavanti bhūpā na bhavantyanukramāt | evaṃ pare brahmaṇi śaktayastvamū rajastamaḥsattvamiti pravāhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Kings, sometimes in the sky there are clouds, sometimes there is darkness, and sometimes there is illumination. The appearance of all these takes place consecutively. Similarly, in the Supreme Absolute, the modes of passion, darkness and goodness appear as consecutive energies. Sometimes they appear, and sometimes they disappear.
तेनैकमात्मानमशेषदेहिनां कालं प्रधानं पुरुषं परेशम् । स्वतेजसा ध्वस्तगुणप्रवाह- मात्मैकभावेन भजध्वमद्धा
tenaikamātmānamaśeṣadehināṃ kālaṃ pradhānaṃ puruṣaṃ pareśam | svatejasā dhvastaguṇapravāha- mātmaikabhāvena bhajadhvamaddhā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because the Supreme Lord is the cause of all causes, He is the Supersoul of all individual living entities, and He exists as both the remote and immediate cause. Since He is aloof from the material emanations, He is free from their interactions and is Lord of material nature. You should therefore engage in His devotional service, thinking yourself qualitatively one with Him.
दयया सर्वभूतेषु सन्तुष्ट्या येन केन वा । सर्वेन्द्रियोपशान्त्या च तुष्यत्याशु जनार्दनः
dayayā sarvabhūteṣu santuṣṭyā yena kena vā | sarvendriyopaśāntyā ca tuṣyatyāśu janārdanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By showing mercy to all living entities, being satisfied somehow or other, and restricting the senses from sense enjoyment, one can very quickly satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Janārdana.
अपहतसकलैषणामलात्म- न्यविरतमेधितभावनोपहूतः । निजजनवशगत्वमात्मनो य- न्न सरति छिद्रवदक्षरः सतां हि
apahatasakalaiṣaṇāmalātma- nyaviratamedhitabhāvanopahūtaḥ | nijajanavaśagatvamātmano ya- nna sarati chidravadakṣaraḥ satāṃ hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being completely cleansed of all material desires, the devotees are freed from all mental contamination. Thus they can always think of the Lord constantly and address Him very feelingly. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, knowing Himself to be controlled by His devotees, does not leave them for a second, just as the sky overhead never becomes invisible.
न भजति कुमनीषिणां स इज्यां हरिरधनात्मधनप्रियो रसज्ञः । श्रुतधनकुलकर्मणां मदैर्ये विदधति पापमकिञ्चनेषु सत्सु
na bhajati kumanīṣiṇāṃ sa ijyāṃ hariradhanātmadhanapriyo rasajñaḥ | śrutadhanakulakarmaṇāṃ madairye vidadhati pāpamakiñcaneṣu satsu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes very dear to those devotees who have no material possessions but are fully happy in possessing the devotional service of the Lord. Indeed, the Lord relishes the devotional activities of such devotees. Those who are puffed up with material education, wealth, aristocracy and fruitive activity are very proud of possessing material things, and they often deride the devotees. Even if such people offer the Lord worship, the Lord never accepts them.
श्रियमनुचरतीं तदर्थिनश्च द्विपदपतीन् विबुधांश्च यत्स्वपूर्णः । न भजति निजभृत्यवर्गतन्त्रः कथममुमुद्विसृजेत्पुमान् कृतज्ञः
śriyamanucaratīṃ tadarthinaśca dvipadapatīn vibudhāṃśca yatsvapūrṇaḥ | na bhajati nijabhṛtyavargatantraḥ kathamamumudvisṛjetpumān kṛtajñaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead is self-sufficient, He becomes dependent on His devotees. He does not care for the goddess of fortune, nor for the kings and demigods who are after the favors of the goddess of fortune. Where is that person who is actually grateful and will not worship the Personality of Godhead?
मैत्रेय उवाच । इति प्रचेतसो राजन्नन्याश्च भगवत्कथाः । श्रावयित्वा ब्रह्मलोकं ययौ स्वायम्भुवो मुनिः
maitreya uvāca | iti pracetaso rājannanyāśca bhagavatkathāḥ | śrāvayitvā brahmalokaṃ yayau svāyambhuvo muniḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear King Vidura, Śrī Nārada Muni, the son of Lord Brahmā, thus described all these relationships with the Supreme Personality of Godhead to the Pracetās. Afterward, he returned to Brahmaloka.
तेऽपि तन्मुखनिर्यातं यशो लोकमलापहम् । हरेर्निशम्य तत्पादं ध्यायन्तस्तद्गतिं ययुः
te'pi tanmukhaniryātaṃ yaśo lokamalāpaham | harerniśamya tatpādaṃ dhyāyantastadgatiṃ yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing from Nārada’s mouth the glories of the Lord, which vanquish all the ill fortune of the world, the Pracetās also became attached to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Meditating on His lotus feet, they advanced to the ultimate destination.
एतत्तेऽभिहितं क्षत्तर्यन्मां त्वं परिपृष्टवान् । प्रचेतसां नारदस्य संवादं हरिकीर्तनम्
etatte'bhihitaṃ kṣattaryanmāṃ tvaṃ paripṛṣṭavān | pracetasāṃ nāradasya saṃvādaṃ harikīrtanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Vidura, I have told you everything you wanted to know about the conversation between Nārada and the Pracetās, the conversation describing the glories of the Lord. I have related this as far as possible.
श्रीशुक उवाच । य एष उत्तानपदो मानवस्यानुवर्णितः । वंशः प्रियव्रतस्यापि निबोध नृपसत्तम
śrīśuka uvāca | ya eṣa uttānapado mānavasyānuvarṇitaḥ | vaṃśaḥ priyavratasyāpi nibodha nṛpasattama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O best of kings [King Parīkṣit], I have now finished telling about the descendants of the first son of Svāyambhuva Manu, Uttānapāda. I shall now try to relate the activities of the descendants of Priyavrata, the second son of Svāyambhuva Manu. Please hear them attentively.
यो नारदादात्मविद्यामधिगम्य पुनर्महीम् । भुक्त्वा विभज्य पुत्रेभ्य ऐश्वरं समगात्पदम्
yo nāradādātmavidyāmadhigamya punarmahīm | bhuktvā vibhajya putrebhya aiśvaraṃ samagātpadam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although Mahārāja Priyavrata received instructions from the great sage Nārada, he still engaged in ruling the earth. After fully enjoying material possessions, he divided his property among his sons. He then attained a position by which he could return home, back to Godhead.
इमां तु कौषारविणोपवर्णितां क्षत्ता निशम्याजितवादसत्कथाम् । प्रवृद्धभावोऽश्रुकलाकुलो मुने- र्दधार मूर्ध्ना चरणं हृदा हरेः
imāṃ tu kauṣāraviṇopavarṇitāṃ kṣattā niśamyājitavādasatkathām | pravṛddhabhāvo'śrukalākulo mune- rdadhāra mūrdhnā caraṇaṃ hṛdā hareḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, in this way, after hearing the transcendental messages of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotees from the great sage Maitreya, Vidura was overwhelmed with ecstasy. With tears in his eyes, he immediately fell down at the lotus feet of his guru, his spiritual master. He then fixed the Supreme Personality of Godhead within the core of his heart.
विदुर उवाच । सोऽयमद्य महायोगिन् भवता करुणात्मना । दर्शितस्तमसः पारो यत्राकिञ्चनगो हरिः
vidura uvāca | so'yamadya mahāyogin bhavatā karuṇātmanā | darśitastamasaḥ pāro yatrākiñcanago hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Vidura said: O great mystic, O greatest of all devotees, by your causeless mercy I have been shown the path of liberation from this world of darkness. By following this path, a person liberated from the material world can return home, back to Godhead.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्यानम्य तमामन्त्र्य विदुरो गजसाह्वयम् । स्वानां दिदृक्षुः प्रययौ ज्ञातीनां निर्वृताशयः
śrīśuka uvāca | ityānamya tamāmantrya viduro gajasāhvayam | svānāṃ didṛkṣuḥ prayayau jñātīnāṃ nirvṛtāśayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Vidura thus offered obeisances unto the great sage Maitreya and, taking his permission, started for the city of Hastināpura to see his own kinsmen, although he had no material desires.
एतद्यः शृणुयाद्राजन् राज्ञां हर्यर्पितात्मनाम् । आयुर्धनं यशः स्वस्ति गतिमैश्वर्यमाप्नुयात्
etadyaḥ śṛṇuyādrājan rājñāṃ haryarpitātmanām | āyurdhanaṃ yaśaḥ svasti gatimaiśvaryamāpnuyāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, those who hear these topics about kings who are completely surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead obtain without difficulty a long life, wealth, good reputation, good fortune and, ultimately, the opportunity to return home, back to Godhead.