Srimad Bhagavata Purana · Chapter 6
Skandha 6 — Prescribed Duties for Mankind
षष्ठस्कन्धः
Ajamila's deliverance; the chanting of Vishnu's name.
696 verses
राजोवाच । निवृत्तिमार्गः कथित आदौ भगवता यथा । क्रमयोगोपलब्धेन ब्रह्मणा यदसंसृतिः
rājovāca | nivṛttimārgaḥ kathita ādau bhagavatā yathā | kramayogopalabdhena brahmaṇā yadasaṃsṛtiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit said: O my lord, O Śukadeva Gosvāmī, you have already described [in the Second Canto] the path of liberation [nivṛtti-mārga]. By following that path, one is certainly elevated gradually to the highest planetary system, Brahmaloka, from which one is promoted to the spiritual world along with Lord Brahmā. Thus one’s repetition of birth and death in the material world ceases.
प्रवृत्तिलक्षणश्चैव त्रैगुण्यविषयो मुने । योऽसावलीनप्रकृतेर्गुणसर्गः पुनः पुनः
pravṛttilakṣaṇaścaiva traiguṇyaviṣayo mune | yo'sāvalīnaprakṛterguṇasargaḥ punaḥ punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī, unless the living entity is freed from the infection of the material modes of nature, he receives different types of bodies in which to enjoy or suffer, and according to the body, he is understood to have various inclinations. By following these inclinations he traverses the path called pravṛtti-mārga, by which one may be elevated to the heavenly planets, as you have already described [in the Third Canto].
अधर्मलक्षणा नाना नरकाश्चानुवर्णिताः । मन्वन्तरश्च व्याख्यात आद्यः स्वायम्भुवो यतः
adharmalakṣaṇā nānā narakāścānuvarṇitāḥ | manvantaraśca vyākhyāta ādyaḥ svāyambhuvo yataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You have also described [at the end of the Fifth Canto] the varieties of hellish life that result from impious activities, and you have described [in the Fourth Canto] the first manvantara, which was presided over by Svāyambhuva Manu, the son of Lord Brahmā.
अधुनेह महाभाग यथैव नरकान्नरः । नानोग्रयातनान् नेयात्तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि
adhuneha mahābhāga yathaiva narakānnaraḥ | nānograyātanān neyāttanme vyākhyātumarhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O greatly fortunate and opulent Śukadeva Gosvāmī, now kindly tell me how human beings may be saved from having to enter hellish conditions in which they suffer terrible pains.
श्रीशुक उवाच । न चेदिहैवापचितिं यथांहसः कृतस्य कुर्यान्मन उक्तपाणिभिः । ध्रुवं स वै प्रेत्य नरकानुपैति ये कीर्तिता मे भवतस्तिग्मयातनाः
śrīśuka uvāca | na cedihaivāpacitiṃ yathāṃhasaḥ kṛtasya kuryānmana uktapāṇibhiḥ | dhruvaṃ sa vai pretya narakānupaiti ye kīrtitā me bhavatastigmayātanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī replied: My dear King, if before one’s next death whatever impious acts one has performed in this life with his mind, words and body are not counteracted through proper atonement according to the description of the Manu-saṁhitā and other dharma-śāstras, one will certainly enter the hellish planets after death and undergo terrible suffering, as I have previously described to you.
तस्मात्पुरैवाश्विह पापनिष्कृतौ यतेत मृत्योरविपद्यतात्मना । दोषस्य दृष्ट्वा गुरुलाघवं यथा भिषक्चिकित्सेत रुजां निदानवित्
tasmātpuraivāśviha pāpaniṣkṛtau yateta mṛtyoravipadyatātmanā | doṣasya dṛṣṭvā gurulāghavaṃ yathā bhiṣakcikitseta rujāṃ nidānavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, before one’s next death comes, as long as one’s body is strong enough, one should quickly adopt the process of atonement according to śāstra; otherwise one’s time will be lost, and the reactions of his sins will increase. As an expert physician diagnoses and treats a disease according to its gravity, one should undergo atonement according to the severity of one’s sins.
राजोवाच । दृष्टश्रुताभ्यां यत्पापं जानन्नप्यात्मनोऽहितम् । करोति भूयो विवशः प्रायश्चित्तमथो कथम्
rājovāca | dṛṣṭaśrutābhyāṃ yatpāpaṃ jānannapyātmano'hitam | karoti bhūyo vivaśaḥ prāyaścittamatho katham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit said: One may know that sinful activity is injurious for him because he actually sees that a criminal is punished by the government and rebuked by people in general and because he hears from scriptures and learned scholars that one is thrown into hellish conditions in the next life for committing sinful acts. Nevertheless, in spite of such knowledge, one is forced to commit sins again and again, even after performing acts of atonement. Therefore, what is the value of such atonement?
क्वचिन्निवर्ततेऽभद्रात्क्वचिच्चरति तत्पुनः । प्रायश्चित्तमथोऽपार्थं मन्ये कुञ्जरशौचवत्
kvacinnivartate'bhadrātkvaciccarati tatpunaḥ | prāyaścittamatho'pārthaṃ manye kuñjaraśaucavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sometimes one who is very alert so as not to commit sinful acts is victimized by sinful life again. I therefore consider this process of repeated sinning and atoning to be useless. It is like the bathing of an elephant, for an elephant cleanses itself by taking a full bath, but then throws dust over its head and body as soon as it returns to the land.
श्रीशुक उवाच । कर्मणा कर्मनिर्हारो न ह्यात्यन्तिक इष्यते । अविद्वदधिकारित्वात्प्रायश्चित्तं विमर्शनम्
śrīśuka uvāca | karmaṇā karmanirhāro na hyātyantika iṣyate | avidvadadhikāritvātprāyaścittaṃ vimarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the son of Vedavyāsa, answered: My dear King, since acts meant to neutralize impious actions are also fruitive, they will not release one from the tendency to act fruitively. Persons who subject themselves to the rules and regulations of atonement are not at all intelligent. Indeed, they are in the mode of darkness. Unless one is freed from the mode of ignorance, trying to counteract one action through another is useless because this will not uproot one’s desires. Thus even though one may superficially seem pious, he will undoubtedly be prone to act impiously. Therefore real atonement is enlightenment in perfect knowledge, Vedānta, by which one understands the Supreme Absolute Truth.
नाश्नतः पथ्यमेवान्नं व्याधयोऽभिभवन्ति हि । एवं नियमकृद्राजन् शनैः क्षेमाय कल्पते
nāśnataḥ pathyamevānnaṃ vyādhayo'bhibhavanti hi | evaṃ niyamakṛdrājan śanaiḥ kṣemāya kalpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, if a diseased person eats the pure, uncontaminated food prescribed by a physician, he is gradually cured, and the infection of disease can no longer touch him. Similarly, if one follows the regulative principles of knowledge, he gradually progresses toward liberation from material contamination.
केचित्केवलया भक्त्या वासुदेवपरायणाः । अघं धुन्वन्ति कार्त्स्न्येन नीहारमिव भास्करः
kecitkevalayā bhaktyā vāsudevaparāyaṇāḥ | aghaṃ dhunvanti kārtsnyena nīhāramiva bhāskaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Only a rare person who has adopted complete, unalloyed devotional service to Kṛṣṇa can uproot the weeds of sinful actions with no possibility that they will revive. He can do this simply by discharging devotional service, just as the sun can immediately dissipate fog by its rays.
न तथा ह्यघवान् राजन् पूयेत तप आदिभिः । यथा कृष्णार्पितप्राणस्तत्पूरुषनिषेवया
na tathā hyaghavān rājan pūyeta tapa ādibhiḥ | yathā kṛṣṇārpitaprāṇastatpūruṣaniṣevayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, if a sinful person engages in the service of a bona fide devotee of the Lord and thus learns how to dedicate his life unto the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, he can be completely purified. One cannot be purified merely by undergoing austerity, penance, brahmacarya and the other methods of atonement I have previously described.
सध्रीचीनो ह्ययं लोके पन्थाः क्षेमोऽकुतोभयः । सुशीलाः साधवो यत्र नारायणपरायणाः
sadhrīcīno hyayaṃ loke panthāḥ kṣemo'kutobhayaḥ | suśīlāḥ sādhavo yatra nārāyaṇaparāyaṇāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The path followed by pure devotees, who are well-behaved and fully endowed with the best qualifications, is certainly the most auspicious path in this material world. It is free from fear, and it is authorized by the śāstras.
प्रायश्चित्तानि चीर्णानि नारायणपराङ्मुखम् । न निष्पुनन्ति राजेन्द्र सुराकुम्भमिवापगाः
prāyaścittāni cīrṇāni nārāyaṇaparāṅmukham | na niṣpunanti rājendra surākumbhamivāpagāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, as a pot containing liquor cannot be purified even if washed in the waters of many rivers, nondevotees cannot be purified by processes of atonement even if they perform them very well.
सकृन्मनः कृष्णपदारविन्दयो- र्निवेशितं तद्गुणरागि यैरिह । न ते यमं पाशभृतश्च तद्भटान् स्वप्नेऽपि पश्यन्ति हि चीर्णनिष्कृताः
sakṛnmanaḥ kṛṣṇapadāravindayo- rniveśitaṃ tadguṇarāgi yairiha | na te yamaṃ pāśabhṛtaśca tadbhaṭān svapne'pi paśyanti hi cīrṇaniṣkṛtāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although not having fully realized Kṛṣṇa, persons who have even once surrendered completely unto His lotus feet and who have become attracted to His name, form, qualities and pastimes are completely freed of all sinful reactions, for they have thus accepted the true method of atonement. Even in dreams, such surrendered souls do not see Yamarāja or his order carriers, who are equipped with ropes to bind the sinful.
अत्र चोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । दूतानां विष्णुयमयोः संवादस्तं निबोध मे
atra codāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam | dūtānāṃ viṣṇuyamayoḥ saṃvādastaṃ nibodha me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this regard, learned scholars and saintly persons describe a very old historical incident involving a discussion between the order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu and those of Yamarāja. Please hear of this from me.
कान्यकुब्जे द्विजः कश्चिद्दासीपतिरजामिलः । नाम्ना नष्टसदाचारो दास्याः संसर्गदूषितः
kānyakubje dvijaḥ kaściddāsīpatirajāmilaḥ | nāmnā naṣṭasadācāro dāsyāḥ saṃsargadūṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the city known as Kānyakubja there was a brāhmaṇa named Ajāmila who married a prostitute maidservant and lost all his brahminical qualities because of the association of that low-class woman.
बन्द्यक्षकैतवैश्चौर्यैर्गर्हितां वृत्तिमास्थितः । बिभ्रत्कुटुम्बमशुचिर्यातयामास देहिनः
bandyakṣakaitavaiścauryairgarhitāṃ vṛttimāsthitaḥ | bibhratkuṭumbamaśuciryātayāmāsa dehinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This fallen brāhmaṇa, Ajāmila, gave trouble to others by arresting them, by cheating them in gambling or by directly plundering them. This was the way he earned his livelihood and maintained his wife and children.
एवं निवसतस्तस्य लालयानस्य तत्सुतान् । कालोऽत्यगान्महान् राजन्नष्टाशीत्यायुषः समाः
evaṃ nivasatastasya lālayānasya tatsutān | kālo'tyagānmahān rājannaṣṭāśītyāyuṣaḥ samāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, while he thus spent his time in abominable, sinful activities to maintain his family of many sons, eighty-eight years of his life passed by.
तस्य प्रवयसः पुत्रा दश तेषां तु योऽवमः । बालो नारायणो नाम्ना पित्रोश्च दयितो भृशम्
tasya pravayasaḥ putrā daśa teṣāṃ tu yo'vamaḥ | bālo nārāyaṇo nāmnā pitrośca dayito bhṛśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That old man Ajāmila had ten sons, of whom the youngest was a baby named Nārāyaṇa. Since Nārāyaṇa was the youngest of all the sons, he was naturally very dear to both his father and his mother.
स बद्धहृदयस्तस्मिन्नर्भके कलभाषिणि । निरीक्षमाणस्तल्लीलां मुमुदे जरठो भृशम्
sa baddhahṛdayastasminnarbhake kalabhāṣiṇi | nirīkṣamāṇastallīlāṃ mumude jaraṭho bhṛśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of the child’s broken language and awkward movements, old Ajāmila was very much attached to him. He always took care of the child and enjoyed the child’s activities.
भुञ्जानः प्रपिबन् खादन् बालकस्नेहयन्त्रितः । भोजयन् पाययन् मूढो न वेदागतमन्तकम्
bhuñjānaḥ prapiban khādan bālakasnehayantritaḥ | bhojayan pāyayan mūḍho na vedāgatamantakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Ajāmila chewed food and ate it, he called the child to chew and eat, and when he drank he called the child to drink also. Always engaged in taking care of the child and calling his name, Nārāyaṇa, Ajāmila could not understand that his own time was now exhausted and that death was upon him.
स एवं वर्तमानोऽज्ञो मृत्युकाल उपस्थिते । मतिं चकार तनये बाले नारायणाह्वये
sa evaṃ vartamāno'jño mṛtyukāla upasthite | matiṃ cakāra tanaye bāle nārāyaṇāhvaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the time of death arrived for the foolish Ajāmila, he began thinking exclusively of his son Nārāyaṇa.
निशम्य म्रियमाणस्य ब्रुवतो हरिकीर्तनम् । भर्तुर्नाम महाराज पार्षदाः सहसापतन्
niśamya mriyamāṇasya bruvato harikīrtanam | bharturnāma mahārāja pārṣadāḥ sahasāpatan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, the order carriers of Viṣṇu, the Viṣṇudūtas, immediately arrived when they heard the holy name of their master from the mouth of the dying Ajāmila, who had certainly chanted without offense because he had chanted in complete anxiety.
विकर्षतोऽन्तर्हृदयाद्दासीपतिमजामिलम् । यमप्रेष्यान् विष्णुदूता वारयामासुरोजसा
vikarṣato'ntarhṛdayāddāsīpatimajāmilam | yamapreṣyān viṣṇudūtā vārayāmāsurojasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The order carriers of Yamarāja were snatching the soul from the core of the heart of Ajāmila, the husband of the prostitute, but with resounding voices the messengers of Lord Viṣṇu, the Viṣṇudūtas, forbade them to do so.
ऊचुर्निषेधितास्तांस्ते वैवस्वतपुरःसराः । के यूयं प्रतिषेद्धारो धर्मराजस्य शासनम्
ūcurniṣedhitāstāṃste vaivasvatapuraḥsarāḥ | ke yūyaṃ pratiṣeddhāro dharmarājasya śāsanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the order carriers of Yamarāja, the son of the sun-god, were thus forbidden, they replied: Who are you, sirs, that have the audacity to challenge the jurisdiction of Yamarāja?
कस्य वा कुत आयाताः कस्मादस्य निषेधथ । किं देवा उपदेवा या यूयं किं सिद्धसत्तमाः
kasya vā kuta āyātāḥ kasmādasya niṣedhatha | kiṃ devā upadevā yā yūyaṃ kiṃ siddhasattamāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear sirs, whose servants are you, where have you come from, and why are you forbidding us to touch the body of Ajāmila? Are you demigods from the heavenly planets, are you sub-demigods, or are you the best of devotees?
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्युक्ते यमदूतैस्तैर्वासुदेवोक्तकारिणः । तान् प्रत्यूचुः प्रहस्येदं मेघनिर्ह्रादया गिरा
śrīśuka uvāca | ityukte yamadūtaistairvāsudevoktakāriṇaḥ | tān pratyūcuḥ prahasyedaṃ meghanirhrādayā girā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Being thus addressed by the messengers of Yamarāja, the servants of Vāsudeva smiled and spoke the following words in voices as deep as the sound of rumbling clouds.
विष्णुदूता ऊचुः । यूयं वै धर्मराजस्य यदि निर्देशकारिणः । ब्रूत धर्मस्य नस्तत्त्वं यच्च धर्मस्य लक्षणम्
viṣṇudūtā ūcuḥ | yūyaṃ vai dharmarājasya yadi nirdeśakāriṇaḥ | brūta dharmasya nastattvaṃ yacca dharmasya lakṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The blessed messengers of Lord Viṣṇu, the Viṣṇudūtas, said: If you are actually servants of Yamarāja, you must explain to us the meaning of religious principles and the symptoms of irreligion.
कथं स्विद्ध्रियते दण्डः किं वास्य स्थानमीप्सितम् । दण्ड्याः किं कारिणः सर्वे आहोस्वित्कतिचिन्नृणाम्
kathaṃ sviddhriyate daṇḍaḥ kiṃ vāsya sthānamīpsitam | daṇḍyāḥ kiṃ kāriṇaḥ sarve āhosvitkaticinnṛṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What is the process of punishing others? Who are the actual candidates for punishment? Are all karmīs engaged in fruitive activities punishable, or only some of them?
यमदूता ऊचुः । वेदप्रणिहितो धर्मो ह्यधर्मस्तद्विपर्ययः । वेदो नारायणः साक्षात्स्वयम्भूरिति शुश्रुम
yamadūtā ūcuḥ | vedapraṇihito dharmo hyadharmastadviparyayaḥ | vedo nārāyaṇaḥ sākṣātsvayambhūriti śuśruma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Yamadūtas replied: That which is prescribed in the Vedas constitutes dharma, the religious principles, and the opposite of that is irreligion. The Vedas are directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, and are self-born. This we have heard from Yamarāja.
येन स्वधाम्न्यमी भावा रजःसत्त्वतमोमयाः । गुणनामक्रियारूपैर्विभाव्यन्ते यथातथम्
yena svadhāmnyamī bhāvā rajaḥsattvatamomayāḥ | guṇanāmakriyārūpairvibhāvyante yathātatham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The supreme cause of all causes, Nārāyaṇa, is situated in His own abode in the spiritual world, but nevertheless He controls the entire cosmic manifestation according to the three modes of material nature — sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa. In this way all living entities are awarded different qualities, different names [such as brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya and vaiśya], different duties according to the varṇāśrama institution, and different forms. Thus Nārāyaṇa is the cause of the entire cosmic manifestation.
सूर्योऽग्निः खं मरुद्गावः सोमः सन्ध्याहनी दिशः । कं कुः स्वयं धर्म इति ह्येते दैह्यस्य साक्षिणः
sūryo'gniḥ khaṃ marudgāvaḥ somaḥ sandhyāhanī diśaḥ | kaṃ kuḥ svayaṃ dharma iti hyete daihyasya sākṣiṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sun, fire, sky, air, demigods, moon, evening, day, night, directions, water, land and Supersoul Himself all witness the activities of the living entity.
एतैरधर्मो विज्ञातः स्थानं दण्डस्य युज्यते । सर्वे कर्मानुरोधेन दण्डमर्हन्ति कारिणः
etairadharmo vijñātaḥ sthānaṃ daṇḍasya yujyate | sarve karmānurodhena daṇḍamarhanti kāriṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The candidates for punishment are those who are confirmed by these many witnesses to have deviated from their prescribed regulative duties. Everyone engaged in fruitive activities is suitable to be subjected to punishment according to his sinful acts.
सम्भवन्ति हि भद्राणि विपरीतानि चानघाः । कारिणां गुणसङ्गोऽस्ति देहवान् न ह्यकर्मकृत्
sambhavanti hi bhadrāṇi viparītāni cānaghāḥ | kāriṇāṃ guṇasaṅgo'sti dehavān na hyakarmakṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O inhabitants of Vaikuṇṭha, you are sinless, but those within this material world are all karmīs, whether acting piously or impiously. Both kinds of action are possible for them because they are contaminated by the three modes of nature and must act accordingly. One who has accepted a material body cannot be inactive, and sinful action is inevitable for one acting under the modes of material nature. Therefore all the living entities within this material world are punishable.
येन यावान् यथाधर्मो धर्मो वेह समीहितः । स एव तत्फलं भुङ्क्ते तथा तावदमुत्र वै
yena yāvān yathādharmo dharmo veha samīhitaḥ | sa eva tatphalaṃ bhuṅkte tathā tāvadamutra vai
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In proportion to the extent of one’s religious or irreligious actions in this life, one must enjoy or suffer the corresponding reactions of his karma in the next.
यथेह देवप्रवरास्त्रैविध्यमुपलभ्यते । भूतेषु गुणवैचित्र्यात्तथान्यत्रानुमीयते
yatheha devapravarāstraividhyamupalabhyate | bhūteṣu guṇavaicitryāttathānyatrānumīyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of the demigods, we can see three different varieties of life, which are due to the contamination of the three modes of nature. The living entities are thus known as peaceful, restless and foolish; as happy, unhappy or in-between; or as religious, irreligious and semireligious. We can deduce that in the next life these three kinds of material nature will similarly act.
वर्तमानोऽन्ययोः कालो गुणाभिज्ञापको यथा । एवं जन्मान्ययोरेतद्धर्माधर्मनिदर्शनम्
vartamāno'nyayoḥ kālo guṇābhijñāpako yathā | evaṃ janmānyayoretaddharmādharmanidarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as springtime in the present indicates the nature of springtimes in the past and future, so this life of happiness, distress or a mixture of both gives evidence concerning the religious and irreligious activities of one’s past and future lives.
मनसैव पुरे देवः पूर्वरूपं विपश्यति । अनुमीमांसतेऽपूर्वं मनसा भगवानजः
manasaiva pure devaḥ pūrvarūpaṃ vipaśyati | anumīmāṃsate'pūrvaṃ manasā bhagavānajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The omnipotent Yamarāja is as good as Lord Brahmā, for while situated in his own abode or in everyone’s heart like the Paramātmā, he mentally observes the past activities of a living entity and thus understands how the living entity will act in future lives.
यथाज्ञस्तमसा युक्त उपास्ते व्यक्तमेव हि । न वेद पूर्वमपरं नष्टजन्मस्मृतिस्तथा
yathājñastamasā yukta upāste vyaktameva hi | na veda pūrvamaparaṃ naṣṭajanmasmṛtistathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a sleeping person acts according to the body manifested in his dreams and accepts it to be himself, so one identifies with his present body, which he acquired because of his past religious or irreligious actions, and is unable to know his past or future lives.
पञ्चभिः कुरुते स्वार्थान् पञ्च वेदाथ पञ्चभिः । एकस्तु षोडशेन त्रीन् स्वयं सप्तदशोऽश्नुते
pañcabhiḥ kurute svārthān pañca vedātha pañcabhiḥ | ekastu ṣoḍaśena trīn svayaṃ saptadaśo'śnute
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Above the five senses of perception, the five working senses and the five objects of the senses is the mind, which is the sixteenth element. Above the mind is the seventeenth element, the soul, the living being himself, who, in cooperation with the other sixteen, enjoys the material world alone. The living being enjoys three kinds of situations, namely happy, distressful and mixed.
तदेतत्षोडशकलं लिङ्गं शक्तित्रयं महत् । धत्तेऽनु संसृतिं पुंसि हर्षशोकभयार्तिदाम्
tadetatṣoḍaśakalaṃ liṅgaṃ śaktitrayaṃ mahat | dhatte'nu saṃsṛtiṃ puṃsi harṣaśokabhayārtidām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The subtle body is endowed with sixteen parts — the five knowledge-acquiring senses, the five working senses, the five objects of sense gratification, and the mind. This subtle body is an effect of the three modes of material nature. It is composed of insurmountably strong desires, and therefore it causes the living entity to transmigrate from one body to another in human life, animal life and life as a demigod. When the living entity gets the body of a demigod, he is certainly very jubilant, when he gets a human body he is always in lamentation, and when he gets the body of an animal, he is always afraid. In all conditions, however, he is actually miserable. His miserable condition is called saṁsṛti, or transmigration in material life.
देह्यज्ञोऽजितषड्वर्गो नेच्छन् कर्माणि कार्यते । कोशकार इवात्मानं कर्मणाऽऽच्छाद्य मुह्यति
dehyajño'jitaṣaḍvargo necchan karmāṇi kāryate | kośakāra ivātmānaṃ karmaṇā''cchādya muhyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The foolish embodied living entity, inept at controlling his senses and mind, is forced to act according to the influence of the modes of material nature, against his desires. He is like a silkworm that uses its own saliva to create a cocoon and then becomes trapped in it, with no possibility of getting out. The living entity traps himself in a network of his own fruitive activities and then can find no way to release himself. Thus he is always bewildered, and repeatedly he dies.
न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् । कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म गुणैः स्वाभाविकैर्बलात्
na hi kaścitkṣaṇamapi jātu tiṣṭhatyakarmakṛt | kāryate hyavaśaḥ karma guṇaiḥ svābhāvikairbalāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Not a single living entity can remain unengaged even for a moment. One must act by his natural tendency according to the three modes of material nature because this natural tendency forcibly makes him work in a particular way.
लब्ध्वा निमित्तमव्यक्तं व्यक्ताव्यक्तं भवत्युत । यथायोनि यथाबीजं स्वभावेन बलीयसा
labdhvā nimittamavyaktaṃ vyaktāvyaktaṃ bhavatyuta | yathāyoni yathābījaṃ svabhāvena balīyasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The fruitive activities a living being performs, whether pious or impious, are the unseen cause for the fulfillment of his desires. This unseen cause is the root for the living entity’s different bodies. Because of his intense desire, the living entity takes birth in a particular family and receives a body which is either like that of his mother or like that of his father. The gross and subtle bodies are created according to his desire.
एष प्रकृतिसङ्गेन पुरुषस्य विपर्ययः । आसीत्स एव न चिरादीशसङ्गाद्विलीयते
eṣa prakṛtisaṅgena puruṣasya viparyayaḥ | āsītsa eva na cirādīśasaṅgādvilīyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since the living entity is associated with material nature, he is in an awkward position, but if in the human form of life he is taught how to associate with the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His devotee, this position can be overcome.
दृष्ट्वा तां कामलिप्तेन बाहुना परिरम्भिताम् । जगाम हृच्छयवशं सहसैव विमोहितः
dṛṣṭvā tāṃ kāmaliptena bāhunā parirambhitām | jagāma hṛcchayavaśaṃ sahasaiva vimohitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The śūdra, his arm decorated with turmeric powder, was embracing the prostitute. When Ajāmila saw her, the dormant lusty desires in his heart awakened, and in illusion he fell under their control.
स्तम्भयन्नात्मनाऽऽत्मानं यावत्सत्त्वं यथाश्रुतम् । न शशाक समाधातुं मनो मदनवेपितम्
stambhayannātmanā''tmānaṃ yāvatsattvaṃ yathāśrutam | na śaśāka samādhātuṃ mano madanavepitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As far as possible he patiently tried to remember the instructions of the śāstras not even to see a woman. With the help of this knowledge and his intellect, he tried to control his lusty desires, but because of the force of Cupid within his heart, he failed to control his mind.
तन्निमित्तस्मरव्याजग्रहग्रस्तो विचेतनः । तामेव मनसा ध्यायन् स्वधर्माद्विरराम ह
tannimittasmaravyājagrahagrasto vicetanaḥ | tāmeva manasā dhyāyan svadharmādvirarāma ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the same way that the sun and moon are eclipsed by a low planet, the brāhmaṇa lost all his good sense. Taking advantage of this situation, he always thought of the prostitute, and within a short time he took her as a servant in his house and abandoned all the regulative principles of a brāhmaṇa.
तामेव तोषयामास पित्र्येणार्थेन यावता । ग्राम्यैर्मनोरमैः कामैः प्रसीदेत यथा तथा
tāmeva toṣayāmāsa pitryeṇārthena yāvatā | grāmyairmanoramaiḥ kāmaiḥ prasīdeta yathā tathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus Ajāmila began spending whatever money he had inherited from his father to satisfy the prostitute with various material presentations so that she would remain pleased with him. He gave up all his brahminical activities to satisfy the prostitute.
विप्रां स्वभार्यामप्रौढां कुले महति लम्भिताम् । विससर्जाचिरात्पापः स्वैरिण्यापाङ्गविद्धधीः
viprāṃ svabhāryāmaprauḍhāṃ kule mahati lambhitām | visasarjācirātpāpaḥ svairiṇyāpāṅgaviddhadhīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because his intelligence was pierced by the lustful glance of the prostitute, the victimized brāhmaṇa Ajāmila engaged in sinful acts in her association. He even gave up the company of his very beautiful young wife, who came from a very respectable brāhmaṇa family.
यतस्ततश्चोपनिन्ये न्यायतोऽन्यायतो धनम् । बभारास्याः कुटुम्बिन्याः कुटुम्बं मन्दधीरयम्
yatastataścopaninye nyāyato'nyāyato dhanam | babhārāsyāḥ kuṭumbinyāḥ kuṭumbaṃ mandadhīrayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although born of a brāhmaṇa family, this rascal, bereft of intelligence because of the prostitute’s association, earned money somehow or other, regardless of whether properly or improperly, and used it to maintain the prostitute’s sons and daughters.
यदसौ शास्त्रमुल्लङ्घ्य स्वैरचार्यार्यगर्हितः । अवर्तत चिरं कालमघायुरशुचिर्मलात्
yadasau śāstramullaṅghya svairacāryāryagarhitaḥ | avartata ciraṃ kālamaghāyuraśucirmalāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This brāhmaṇa irresponsibly spent his long lifetime transgressing all the rules and regulations of the holy scripture, living extravagantly and eating food prepared by a prostitute. Therefore he is full of sins. He is unclean and is addicted to forbidden activities.
तत एनं दण्डपाणेः सकाशं कृतकिल्बिषम् । नेष्यामोऽकृतनिर्वेशं यत्र दण्डेन शुद्ध्यति
tata enaṃ daṇḍapāṇeḥ sakāśaṃ kṛtakilbiṣam | neṣyāmo'kṛtanirveśaṃ yatra daṇḍena śuddhyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This man Ajāmila did not undergo atonement. Therefore because of his sinful life, we must take him into the presence of Yamarāja for punishment. There, according to the extent of his sinful acts, he will be punished and thus purified.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं ते भगवद्दूता यमदूताभिभाषितम् । उपधार्याथ तान् राजन् प्रत्याहुर्नयकोविदाः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ te bhagavaddūtā yamadūtābhibhāṣitam | upadhāryātha tān rājan pratyāhurnayakovidāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King, the servants of Lord Viṣṇu are always very expert in logic and arguments. After hearing the statements of the Yamadūtas, they replied as follows.
विष्णुदूता ऊचुः । अहो कष्टं धर्मदृशामधर्मः स्पृशते सभाम् । यत्रादण्ड्येष्वपापेषु दण्डो यैर्ध्रियते वृथा
viṣṇudūtā ūcuḥ | aho kaṣṭaṃ dharmadṛśāmadharmaḥ spṛśate sabhām | yatrādaṇḍyeṣvapāpeṣu daṇḍo yairdhriyate vṛthā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Viṣṇudūtas said: Alas, how painful it is that irreligion is being introduced into an assembly where religion should be maintained. Indeed, those in charge of maintaining the religious principles are needlessly punishing a sinless, unpunishable person.
प्रजानां पितरो ये च शास्तारः साधवः समाः । यदि स्यात्तेषु वैषम्यं कं यान्ति शरणं प्रजाः
prajānāṃ pitaro ye ca śāstāraḥ sādhavaḥ samāḥ | yadi syātteṣu vaiṣamyaṃ kaṃ yānti śaraṇaṃ prajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A king or governmental official should be so well qualified that he acts as a father, maintainer and protector of the citizens because of affection and love. He should give the citizens good advice and instructions according to the standard scriptures and should be equal to everyone. Yamarāja does this, for he is the supreme master of justice, and so do those who follow in his footsteps. However, if such persons become polluted and exhibit partiality by punishing an innocent, blameless person, where will the citizens go to take shelter for their maintenance and security?
यद्यदाचरति श्रेयानितरस्तत्तदीहते । स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते
yadyadācarati śreyānitarastattadīhate | sa yatpramāṇaṃ kurute lokastadanuvartate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The mass of people follow the example of a leader in society and imitate his behavior. They accept as evidence whatever the leader accepts.
अयं हि कृतनिर्वेशो जन्मकोट्यंहसामपि । यद्व्याजहार विवशो नाम स्वस्त्ययनं हरेः
ayaṃ hi kṛtanirveśo janmakoṭyaṃhasāmapi | yadvyājahāra vivaśo nāma svastyayanaṃ hareḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ajāmila has already atoned for all his sinful actions. Indeed, he has atoned not only for sins performed in one life but for those performed in millions of lives, for in a helpless condition he chanted the holy name of Nārāyaṇa. Even though he did not chant purely, he chanted without offense, and therefore he is now pure and eligible for liberation.
एतेनैव ह्यघोनोऽस्य कृतं स्यादघनिष्कृतम् । यदा नारायणायेति जगाद चतुरक्षरम्
etenaiva hyaghono'sya kṛtaṃ syādaghaniṣkṛtam | yadā nārāyaṇāyeti jagāda caturakṣaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Viṣṇudūtas continued: Even previously, while eating and at other times, this Ajāmila would call his son, saying, “My dear Nārāyaṇa, please come here.” Although calling the name of his son, he nevertheless uttered the four syllables nā-rā-ya-ṇa. Simply by chanting the name of Nārāyaṇa in this way, he sufficiently atoned for the sinful reactions of millions of lives.
न निष्कृतैरुदितैर्ब्रह्मवादिभि- स्तथा विशुद्ध्यत्यघवान् व्रतादिभिः । यथा हरेर्नामपदैरुदाहृतै- स्तदुत्तमश्लोकगुणोपलम्भकम्
na niṣkṛtairuditairbrahmavādibhi- stathā viśuddhyatyaghavān vratādibhiḥ | yathā harernāmapadairudāhṛtai- staduttamaślokaguṇopalambhakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By following the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies or undergoing atonement, sinful men do not become as purified as by chanting once the holy name of Lord Hari. Although ritualistic atonement may free one from sinful reactions, it does not awaken devotional service, unlike the chanting of the Lord’s names, which reminds one of the Lord’s fame, qualities, attributes, pastimes and paraphernalia.
नैकान्तिकं तद्धि कृतेऽपि निष्कृते मनः पुनर्धावति चेदसत्पथे । तत्कर्मनिर्हारमभीप्सतां हरे- र्गुणानुवादः खलु सत्त्वभावनः
naikāntikaṃ taddhi kṛte'pi niṣkṛte manaḥ punardhāvati cedasatpathe | tatkarmanirhāramabhīpsatāṃ hare- rguṇānuvādaḥ khalu sattvabhāvanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The ritualistic ceremonies of atonement recommended in the religious scriptures are insufficient to cleanse the heart absolutely because after atonement one’s mind again runs toward material activities. Consequently, for one who wants liberation from the fruitive reactions of material activities, the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, or glorification of the name, fame and pastimes of the Lord, is recommended as the most perfect process of atonement because such chanting eradicates the dirt from one’s heart completely.
अथैनं मापनयत कृताशेषाघनिष्कृतम् । यदसौ भगवन्नाम म्रियमाणः समग्रहीत्
athainaṃ māpanayata kṛtāśeṣāghaniṣkṛtam | yadasau bhagavannāma mriyamāṇaḥ samagrahīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the time of death, this Ajāmila helplessly and very loudly chanted the holy name of the Lord, Nārāyaṇa. That chanting alone has already freed him from the reactions of all sinful life. Therefore, O servants of Yamarāja, do not try to take him to your master for punishment in hellish conditions.
साङ्केत्यं पारिहास्यं वा स्तोभं हेलनमेव वा । वैकुण्ठनामग्रहणमशेषाघहरं विदुः
sāṅketyaṃ pārihāsyaṃ vā stobhaṃ helanameva vā | vaikuṇṭhanāmagrahaṇamaśeṣāghaharaṃ viduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who chants the holy name of the Lord is immediately freed from the reactions of unlimited sins, even if he chants indirectly [to indicate something else], jokingly, for musical entertainment, or even neglectfully. This is accepted by all the learned scholars of the scriptures.
पतितः स्खलितो भग्नः सन्दष्टस्तप्त आहतः । हरिरित्यवशेनाह पुमान् नार्हति यातनाम्
patitaḥ skhalito bhagnaḥ sandaṣṭastapta āhataḥ | harirityavaśenāha pumān nārhati yātanām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If one chants the holy name of Hari and then dies because of an accidental misfortune, such as falling from the top of a house, slipping and suffering broken bones while traveling on the road, being bitten by a serpent, being afflicted with pain and high fever, or being injured by a weapon, one is immediately absolved from having to enter hellish life, even though he is sinful.
गुरूणां च लघूनां च गुरूणि च लघूनि च । प्रायश्चित्तानि पापानां ज्ञात्वोक्तानि महर्षिभिः
gurūṇāṃ ca laghūnāṃ ca gurūṇi ca laghūni ca | prāyaścittāni pāpānāṃ jñātvoktāni maharṣibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Authorities who are learned scholars and sages have carefully ascertained that one should atone for the heaviest sins by undergoing a heavy process of atonement and one should atone for lighter sins by undergoing lighter atonement. Chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, however, vanquishes all the effects of sinful activities, regardless of whether heavy or light.
तैस्तान्यघानि पूयन्ते तपोदानजपादिभिः । नाधर्मजं तद्धृदयं तदपीशाङ्घ्रिसेवया
taistānyaghāni pūyante tapodānajapādibhiḥ | nādharmajaṃ taddhṛdayaṃ tadapīśāṅghrisevayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although one may neutralize the reactions of sinful life through austerity, charity, vows and other such methods, these pious activities cannot uproot the material desires in one’s heart. However, if one serves the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead, he is immediately freed from all such contaminations.
अज्ञानादथवा ज्ञानादुत्तमश्लोकनाम यत् । सङ्कीर्तितमघं पुंसो दहेदेधो यथानलः
ajñānādathavā jñānāduttamaślokanāma yat | saṅkīrtitamaghaṃ puṃso dahededho yathānalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a fire burns dry grass to ashes, so the holy name of the Lord, whether chanted knowingly or unknowingly, burns to ashes, without fail, all the reactions of one’s sinful activities.
यथागदं वीर्यतममुपयुक्तं यदृच्छया । अजानतोऽप्यात्मगुणं कुर्यान्मन्त्रोऽप्युदाहृतः
yathāgadaṃ vīryatamamupayuktaṃ yadṛcchayā | ajānato'pyātmaguṇaṃ kuryānmantro'pyudāhṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If a person unaware of the effective potency of a certain medicine takes that medicine or is forced to take it, it will act even without his knowledge because its potency does not depend on the patient’s understanding. Similarly, even though one does not know the value of chanting the holy name of the Lord, if one chants knowingly or unknowingly, the chanting will be very effective.
श्रीशुक उवाच । त एवं सुविनिर्णीय धर्मं भागवतं नृप । तं याम्यपाशान्निर्मुच्य विप्रं मृत्योरमूमुचन्
śrīśuka uvāca | ta evaṃ suvinirṇīya dharmaṃ bhāgavataṃ nṛpa | taṃ yāmyapāśānnirmucya vipraṃ mṛtyoramūmucan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, having thus perfectly judged the principles of devotional service with reasoning and arguments, the order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu released the brāhmaṇa Ajāmila from the bondage of the Yamadūtas and saved him from imminent death.
इति प्रत्युदिता याम्या दूता यात्वा यमान्तिके । यमराज्ञे यथा सर्वमाचचक्षुररिन्दम
iti pratyuditā yāmyā dūtā yātvā yamāntike | yamarājñe yathā sarvamācacakṣurarindama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Mahārāja Parīkṣit, O subduer of all enemies, after the servants of Yamarāja had been answered by the order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu, they went to Yamarāja and explained to him everything that had happened.
द्विजः पाशाद्विनिर्मुक्तो गतभीः प्रकृतिं गतः । ववन्दे शिरसा विष्णोः किङ्करान् दर्शनोत्सवः
dvijaḥ pāśādvinirmukto gatabhīḥ prakṛtiṃ gataḥ | vavande śirasā viṣṇoḥ kiṅkarān darśanotsavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having been released from the nooses of Yamarāja’s servants, the brāhmaṇa Ajāmila, now free from fear, came to his senses and immediately offered obeisances to the Viṣṇudūtas by bowing his head at their lotus feet. He was extremely pleased by their presence, for he had seen them save his life from the hands of the servants of Yamarāja.
तं विवक्षुमभिप्रेत्य महापुरुषकिङ्कराः । सहसा पश्यतस्तस्य तत्रान्तर्दधिरेऽनघ
taṃ vivakṣumabhipretya mahāpuruṣakiṅkarāḥ | sahasā paśyatastasya tatrāntardadhire'nagha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O sinless Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the order carriers of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Viṣṇudūtas, saw that Ajāmila was attempting to say something, and thus they suddenly disappeared from his presence.
अहो मे परमं कष्टमभूदविजितात्मनः । येन विप्लावितं ब्रह्म वृषल्यां जायताऽऽत्मना
aho me paramaṃ kaṣṭamabhūdavijitātmanaḥ | yena viplāvitaṃ brahma vṛṣalyāṃ jāyatā''tmanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ajāmila said: Alas, being a servant of my senses, how degraded I became! I fell down from my position as a duly qualified brāhmaṇa and begot children in the womb of a prostitute.
धिङ् मां विगर्हितं सद्भिर्दुष्कृतं कुलकज्जलम् । हित्वा बालां सतीं योऽहं सुरापामसतीमगाम्
dhiṅ māṃ vigarhitaṃ sadbhirduṣkṛtaṃ kulakajjalam | hitvā bālāṃ satīṃ yo'haṃ surāpāmasatīmagām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Alas, all condemnation upon me! I acted so sinfully that I degraded my family tradition. Indeed, I gave up my chaste and beautiful young wife to have sexual intercourse with a fallen prostitute accustomed to drinking wine. All condemnation upon me!
वृद्धावनाथौ पितरौ नान्यबन्धू तपस्विनौ । अहो मयाधुना त्यक्तावकृतज्ञेन नीचवत्
vṛddhāvanāthau pitarau nānyabandhū tapasvinau | aho mayādhunā tyaktāvakṛtajñena nīcavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My father and mother were old and had no other son or friend to look after them. Because I did not take care of them, they lived with great difficulty. Alas, like an abominable lower-class man, I ungratefully left them in that condition.
सोऽहं व्यक्तं पतिष्यामि नरके भृशदारुणे । धर्मघ्नाः कामिनो यत्र विन्दन्ति यमयातनाः
so'haṃ vyaktaṃ patiṣyāmi narake bhṛśadāruṇe | dharmaghnāḥ kāmino yatra vindanti yamayātanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is now clear that as a consequence of such activities, a sinful person like me must be thrown into hellish conditions meant for those who have broken religious principles and must there suffer extreme miseries.
किमिदं स्वप्न आहोस्वित्साक्षाद्दृष्टमिहाद्भुतम् । क्व याता अद्य ते ये मां व्यकर्षन् पाशपाणयः
kimidaṃ svapna āhosvitsākṣāddṛṣṭamihādbhutam | kva yātā adya te ye māṃ vyakarṣan pāśapāṇayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Was this a dream I saw, or was it reality? I saw fearsome men with ropes in their hands coming to arrest me and drag me away. Where have they gone?
अथ ते क्व गताः सिद्धाश्चत्वारश्चारुदर्शनाः । व्यमोचयन् नीयमानं बद्ध्वा पाशैरधो भुवः
atha te kva gatāḥ siddhāścatvāraścārudarśanāḥ | vyamocayan nīyamānaṃ baddhvā pāśairadho bhuvaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And where have those four liberated and very beautiful persons gone who released me from arrest and saved me from being dragged down to the hellish regions?
अथापि मे दुर्भगस्य विबुधोत्तमदर्शने । भवितव्यं मङ्गलेन येनात्मा मे प्रसीदति
athāpi me durbhagasya vibudhottamadarśane | bhavitavyaṃ maṅgalena yenātmā me prasīdati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am certainly most abominable and unfortunate to have merged in an ocean of sinful activities, but nevertheless, because of my previous spiritual activities, I could see those four exalted personalities who came to rescue me. Now I feel exceedingly happy because of their visit.
अन्यथा म्रियमाणस्य नाशुचेर्वृषलीपतेः । वैकुण्ठनामग्रहणं जिह्वा वक्तुमिहार्हति
anyathā mriyamāṇasya nāśucervṛṣalīpateḥ | vaikuṇṭhanāmagrahaṇaṃ jihvā vaktumihārhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Were it not for my past devotional service, how could I, a most unclean keeper of a prostitute, have gotten an opportunity to chant the holy name of Vaikuṇṭhapati when I was just ready to die? Certainly it could not have been possible.
क्व चाहं कितवः पापो ब्रह्मघ्नो निरपत्रपः । क्व च नारायणेत्येतद्भगवन्नाम मङ्गलम्
kva cāhaṃ kitavaḥ pāpo brahmaghno nirapatrapaḥ | kva ca nārāyaṇetyetadbhagavannāma maṅgalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ajāmila continued: I am a shameless cheater who has killed his brahminical culture. Indeed, I am sin personified. Where am I in comparison to the all-auspicious chanting of the holy name of Lord Nārāyaṇa?
सोऽहं तथा यतिष्यामि यतचित्तेन्द्रियानिलः । यथा न भूय आत्मानमन्धे तमसि मज्जये
so'haṃ tathā yatiṣyāmi yatacittendriyānilaḥ | yathā na bhūya ātmānamandhe tamasi majjaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am such a sinful person, but since I have now gotten this opportunity, I must completely control my mind, life and senses and always engage in devotional service so that I may not fall again into the deep darkness and ignorance of material life.
ममाहमिति देहादौ हित्वा मिथ्यार्थधीर्मतिम् । धास्ये मनो भगवति शुद्धं तत्कीर्तनादिभिः
mamāhamiti dehādau hitvā mithyārthadhīrmatim | dhāsye mano bhagavati śuddhaṃ tatkīrtanādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Simply because I chanted the holy name of the Lord in the association of devotees, my heart is now becoming purified. Therefore I shall not fall victim again to the false lures of material sense gratification. Now that I have become fixed in the Absolute Truth, henceforward I shall not identify myself with the body. I shall give up false conceptions of “I” and “mine” and fix my mind on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति जातसुनिर्वेदः क्षणसङ्गेन साधुषु । गङ्गाद्वारमुपेयाय मुक्तसर्वानुबन्धनः
śrīśuka uvāca | iti jātasunirvedaḥ kṣaṇasaṅgena sādhuṣu | gaṅgādvāramupeyāya muktasarvānubandhanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of a moment’s association with devotees [the Viṣṇudūtas], Ajāmila detached himself from the material conception of life with determination. Thus freed from all material attraction, he immediately started for Hardwar.
स तस्मिन् देवसदन आसीनो योगमाश्रितः । प्रत्याहृतेन्द्रियग्रामो युयोज मन आत्मनि
sa tasmin devasadana āsīno yogamāśritaḥ | pratyāhṛtendriyagrāmo yuyoja mana ātmani
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In Hardwar, Ajāmila took shelter at a Viṣṇu temple, where he executed the process of bhakti-yoga. He controlled his senses and fully applied his mind in the service of the Lord.
ततो गुणेभ्य आत्मानं वियुज्यात्मसमाधिना । युयुजे भगवद्धाम्नि ब्रह्मण्यनुभवात्मनि
tato guṇebhya ātmānaṃ viyujyātmasamādhinā | yuyuje bhagavaddhāmni brahmaṇyanubhavātmani
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ajāmila fully engaged in devotional service. Thus he detached his mind from the process of sense gratification and became fully absorbed in thinking of the form of the Lord.
यर्ह्युपारतधीस्तस्मिन्नद्राक्षीत्पुरुषान् पुरः । उपलभ्योपलब्धान् प्राग्ववन्दे शिरसा द्विजः
yarhyupāratadhīstasminnadrākṣītpuruṣān puraḥ | upalabhyopalabdhān prāgvavande śirasā dvijaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When his intelligence and mind were fixed upon the form of the Lord, the brāhmaṇa Ajāmila once again saw before him four celestial persons. He could understand that they were those he had seen previously, and thus he offered them his obeisances by bowing down before them.
हित्वा कलेवरं तीर्थे गङ्गायां दर्शनादनु । सद्यः स्वरूपं जगृहे भगवत्पार्श्ववर्तिनाम्
hitvā kalevaraṃ tīrthe gaṅgāyāṃ darśanādanu | sadyaḥ svarūpaṃ jagṛhe bhagavatpārśvavartinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon seeing the Viṣṇudūtas, Ajāmila gave up his material body at Hardwar on the bank of the Ganges. He regained his original spiritual body, which was a body appropriate for an associate of the Lord.
साकं विहायसा विप्रो महापुरुषकिङ्करैः । हैमं विमानमारुह्य ययौ यत्र श्रियः पतिः
sākaṃ vihāyasā vipro mahāpuruṣakiṅkaraiḥ | haimaṃ vimānamāruhya yayau yatra śriyaḥ patiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Accompanied by the order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu, Ajāmila boarded an airplane made of gold. Passing through the airways, he went directly to the abode of Lord Viṣṇu, the husband of the goddess of fortune.
एवं स विप्लावितसर्वधर्मा दास्याः पतिः पतितो गर्ह्यकर्मणा । निपात्यमानो निरये हतव्रतः सद्यो विमुक्तो भगवन्नाम गृह्णन्
evaṃ sa viplāvitasarvadharmā dāsyāḥ patiḥ patito garhyakarmaṇā | nipātyamāno niraye hatavrataḥ sadyo vimukto bhagavannāma gṛhṇan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ajāmila was a brāhmaṇa who because of bad association had given up all brahminical culture and religious principles. Becoming most fallen, he stole, drank and performed other abominable acts. He even kept a prostitute. Thus he was destined to be carried away to hell by the order carriers of Yamarāja, but he was immediately rescued simply by a glimpse of the chanting of the holy name Nārāyaṇa.
नातः परं कर्मनिबन्धकृन्तनं मुमुक्षतां तीर्थपदानुकीर्तनात् । न यत्पुनः कर्मसु सज्जते मनो रजस्तमोभ्यां कलिलं ततोऽन्यथा
nātaḥ paraṃ karmanibandhakṛntanaṃ mumukṣatāṃ tīrthapadānukīrtanāt | na yatpunaḥ karmasu sajjate mano rajastamobhyāṃ kalilaṃ tato'nyathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore one who desires freedom from material bondage should adopt the process of chanting and glorifying the name, fame, form and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, at whose feet all the holy places stand. One cannot derive the proper benefit from other methods, such as pious atonement, speculative knowledge and meditation in mystic yoga, because even after following such methods one takes to fruitive activities again, unable to control his mind, which is contaminated by the base qualities of nature, namely passion and ignorance.
म्रियमाणो हरेर्नाम गृणन् पुत्रोपचारितम् । अजामिलोऽप्यगाद्धाम किं पुनः श्रद्धया गृणन्
mriyamāṇo harernāma gṛṇan putropacāritam | ajāmilo'pyagāddhāma kiṃ punaḥ śraddhayā gṛṇan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While suffering at the time of death, Ajāmila chanted the holy name of the Lord, and although the chanting was directed toward his son, he nevertheless returned home, back to Godhead. Therefore if one faithfully and inoffensively chants the holy name of the Lord, where is the doubt that he will return to Godhead?
राजोवाच । निशम्य देवः स्वभटोपवर्णितं प्रत्याह किं तान् प्रति धर्मराजः । एवं हताज्ञो विहतान् मुरारे- र्नैदेशिकैर्यस्य वशे जनोऽयम्
rājovāca | niśamya devaḥ svabhaṭopavarṇitaṃ pratyāha kiṃ tān prati dharmarājaḥ | evaṃ hatājño vihatān murāre- rnaideśikairyasya vaśe jano'yam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit said: O my lord, O Śukadeva Gosvāmī, Yamarāja is the controller of all living entities in terms of their religious and irreligious activities, but his order had been foiled. When his servants, the Yamadūtas, informed him of their defeat by the Viṣṇudūtas, who had stopped them from arresting Ajāmila, what did he reply?
यमस्य देवस्य न दण्डभङ्गः कुतश्चनर्षे श्रुतपूर्व आसीत् । एतन्मुने वृश्चति लोकसंशयं न हि त्वदन्य इति मे विनिश्चितम्
yamasya devasya na daṇḍabhaṅgaḥ kutaścanarṣe śrutapūrva āsīt | etanmune vṛścati lokasaṃśayaṃ na hi tvadanya iti me viniścitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great sage, never before has it been heard anywhere that an order from Yamarāja has been baffled. Therefore I think that people will have doubts about this that no one but you can eradicate. Since that is my firm conviction, kindly explain the reasons for these events.
श्रीशुक उवाच । भगवत्पुरुषै राजन् याम्याः प्रतिहतोद्यमाः । पतिं विज्ञापयामासुर्यमं संयमनीपतिम्
śrīśuka uvāca | bhagavatpuruṣai rājan yāmyāḥ pratihatodyamāḥ | patiṃ vijñāpayāmāsuryamaṃ saṃyamanīpatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī replied: My dear King, when the order carriers of Yamarāja were baffled and defeated by the order carriers of Viṣṇu, they approached their master, the controller of Saṁyamanī-purī and master of sinful persons, to tell him of this incident.
यमदूता ऊचुः । कति सन्तीह शास्तारो जीवलोकस्य वै प्रभो । त्रैविध्यं कुर्वतः कर्म फलाभिव्यक्तिहेतवः
yamadūtā ūcuḥ | kati santīha śāstāro jīvalokasya vai prabho | traividhyaṃ kurvataḥ karma phalābhivyaktihetavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Yamadūtas said: Our dear lord, how many controllers or rulers are there in this material world? How many causes are responsible for manifesting the various results of activities performed under the three modes of material nature [sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa]?
यदि स्युर्बहवो लोके शास्तारो दण्डधारिणः । कस्य स्यातां न वा कस्य मृत्युश्चामृतमेव वा
yadi syurbahavo loke śāstāro daṇḍadhāriṇaḥ | kasya syātāṃ na vā kasya mṛtyuścāmṛtameva vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If in this universe there are many rulers and justices who disagree about punishment and reward, their contradictory actions will neutralize each other, and no one will be punished or rewarded. Otherwise, if their contradictory acts fail to neutralize each other, everyone will have to be both punished and rewarded.
किन्तु शास्तृबहुत्वे स्याद्बहूनामिह कर्मिणाम् । शास्तृत्वमुपचारो हि यथा मण्डलवर्तिनाम्
kintu śāstṛbahutve syādbahūnāmiha karmiṇām | śāstṛtvamupacāro hi yathā maṇḍalavartinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Yamadūtas continued: Since there are many different karmīs, or workers, there may be different judges or rulers to give them justice, but just as one central emperor controls different departmental rulers, there must be one supreme controller to guide all the judges.
अतस्त्वमेको भूतानां सेश्वराणामधीश्वरः । शास्ता दण्डधरो नॄणां शुभाशुभविवेचनः
atastvameko bhūtānāṃ seśvarāṇāmadhīśvaraḥ | śāstā daṇḍadharo nṝṇāṃ śubhāśubhavivecanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The supreme judge must be one, not many. It was our understanding that you are that supreme judge and that you have jurisdiction even over the demigods. Our impression was that you are the master of all living entities, the supreme authority who discriminates between the pious and impious activities of all human beings.
तस्य ते विहतो दण्डो न लोके वर्ततेऽधुना । चतुर्भिरद्भुतैः सिद्धैराज्ञा ते विप्रलम्भिता
tasya te vihato daṇḍo na loke vartate'dhunā | caturbhiradbhutaiḥ siddhairājñā te vipralambhitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But now we see that the punishment ordained under your authority is no longer effective, since your order has been transgressed by four wonderful and perfect persons.
नीयमानं तवादेशादस्माभिर्यातनागृहान् । व्यमोचयन् पातकिनं छित्त्वा पाशान् प्रसह्य ते
nīyamānaṃ tavādeśādasmābhiryātanāgṛhān | vyamocayan pātakinaṃ chittvā pāśān prasahya te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We were bringing the most sinful Ajāmila toward the hellish planets, following your order, when those beautiful persons from Siddhaloka forcibly cut the knots of the ropes with which we were arresting him.
तांस्ते वेदितुमिच्छामो यदि नो मन्यसे क्षमम् । नारायणेत्यभिहिते मा भैरित्याययुर्द्रुतम्
tāṃste veditumicchāmo yadi no manyase kṣamam | nārāyaṇetyabhihite mā bhairityāyayurdrutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as the sinful Ajāmila uttered the name Nārāyaṇa, these four beautiful men immediately arrived and reassured him, saying, “Do not fear. Do not fear.” We wish to know about them from Your Lordship. If you think we are able to understand them, kindly describe who they are.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति देवः स आपृष्टः प्रजासंयमनो यमः । प्रीतः स्वदूतान् प्रत्याह स्मरन् पादाम्बुजं हरेः
śrīśuka uvāca | iti devaḥ sa āpṛṣṭaḥ prajāsaṃyamano yamaḥ | prītaḥ svadūtān pratyāha smaran pādāmbujaṃ hareḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus having been questioned, Lord Yamarāja, the supreme controller of the living entities, was very pleased with his order carriers because of hearing from them the holy name of Nārāyaṇa. He remembered the lotus feet of the Lord and began to reply.
यम उवाच । परो मदन्यो जगतस्तस्थुषश्च ओतं प्रोतं पटवद्यत्र विश्वम् । यदंशतोऽस्य स्थितिजन्मनाशा नस्योतवद्यस्य वशे च लोकः
yama uvāca | paro madanyo jagatastasthuṣaśca otaṃ protaṃ paṭavadyatra viśvam | yadaṃśato'sya sthitijanmanāśā nasyotavadyasya vaśe ca lokaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Yamarāja said: My dear servants, you have accepted me as the Supreme, but factually I am not. Above me, and above all the other demigods, including Indra and Candra, is the one supreme master and controller. The partial manifestations of His personality are Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva, who are in charge of the creation, maintenance and annihilation of this universe. He is like the two threads that form the length and breadth of a woven cloth. The entire world is controlled by Him just as a bull is controlled by a rope in its nose.
यो नामभिर्वाचि जनान्निजायां बध्नाति तन्त्र्यामिव दामभिर्गाः । यस्मै बलिं त इमे नामकर्म- निबन्धबद्धाश्चकिता वहन्ति
yo nāmabhirvāci janānnijāyāṃ badhnāti tantryāmiva dāmabhirgāḥ | yasmai baliṃ ta ime nāmakarma- nibandhabaddhāścakitā vahanti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as the driver of a bullock cart ties ropes through the nostrils of his bulls to control them, the Supreme Personality of Godhead binds all men through the ropes of His words in the Vedas, which set forth the names and activities of the distinct orders of human society [brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra]. In fear, the members of these orders all worship the Supreme Lord by offering Him presentations according to their respective activities.
यं वै न गोभिर्मनसासुभिर्वा हृदा गिरा वासुभृतो विचक्षते । आत्मानमन्तर्हृदि सन्तमात्मनां चक्षुर्यथैवाकृतयस्ततः परम्
yaṃ vai na gobhirmanasāsubhirvā hṛdā girā vāsubhṛto vicakṣate | ātmānamantarhṛdi santamātmanāṃ cakṣuryathaivākṛtayastataḥ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the different limbs of the body cannot see the eyes, the living entities cannot see the Supreme Lord, who is situated as the Supersoul in everyone’s heart. Not by the senses, by the mind, by the life air, by thoughts within the heart, or by the vibration of words can the living entities ascertain the real situation of the Supreme Lord.
तस्यात्मतन्त्रस्य हरेरधीशितुः परस्य मायाधिपतेर्महात्मनः । प्रायेण दूता इह वै मनोहरा- श्चरन्ति तद्रूपगुणस्वभावाः
tasyātmatantrasya hareradhīśituḥ parasya māyādhipatermahātmanaḥ | prāyeṇa dūtā iha vai manoharā- ścaranti tadrūpaguṇasvabhāvāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is self-sufficient and fully independent. He is the master of everyone and everything, including the illusory energy. He has His form, qualities and features; and similarly His order carriers, the Vaiṣṇavas, who are very beautiful, possess bodily features, transcendental qualities and a transcendental nature almost like His. They always wander within this world with full independence.
भूतानि विष्णोः सुरपूजितानि दुर्दर्शलिङ्गानि महाद्भुतानि । रक्षन्ति तद्भक्तिमतः परेभ्यो मत्तश्च मर्त्यानथ सर्वतश्च
bhūtāni viṣṇoḥ surapūjitāni durdarśaliṅgāni mahādbhutāni | rakṣanti tadbhaktimataḥ parebhyo mattaśca martyānatha sarvataśca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The order carriers of Lord Viṣṇu, who are worshiped even by the demigods, possess wonderful bodily features exactly like those of Viṣṇu and are very rarely seen. The Viṣṇudūtas protect the devotees of the Lord from the hands of enemies, from envious persons and even from my jurisdiction, as well as from natural disturbances.
धर्मं तु साक्षाद्भगवत्प्रणीतं न वै विदुरृषयो नापि देवाः । न सिद्धमुख्या असुरा मनुष्याः कुतश्च विद्याधरचारणादयः
dharmaṃ tu sākṣādbhagavatpraṇītaṃ na vai vidurṛṣayo nāpi devāḥ | na siddhamukhyā asurā manuṣyāḥ kutaśca vidyādharacāraṇādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Real religious principles are enacted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although fully situated in the mode of goodness, even the great ṛṣis who occupy the topmost planets cannot ascertain the real religious principles, nor can the demigods or the leaders of Siddhaloka, to say nothing of the asuras, ordinary human beings, Vidyādharas and Cāraṇas.
एतावानेव लोकेऽस्मिन् पुंसां धर्मः परः स्मृतः । भक्तियोगो भगवति तन्नामग्रहणादिभिः
etāvāneva loke'smin puṃsāṃ dharmaḥ paraḥ smṛtaḥ | bhaktiyogo bhagavati tannāmagrahaṇādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Devotional service, beginning with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, is the ultimate religious principle for the living entity in human society.
नामोच्चारणमाहात्म्यं हरेः पश्यत पुत्रकाः । अजामिलोऽपि येनैव मृत्युपाशादमुच्यत
nāmoccāraṇamāhātmyaṃ hareḥ paśyata putrakāḥ | ajāmilo'pi yenaiva mṛtyupāśādamucyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear servants, who are as good as my sons, just see how glorious is the chanting of the holy name of the Lord. The greatly sinful Ajāmila chanted only to call his son, not knowing that he was chanting the Lord’s holy name. Nevertheless, by chanting the holy name of the Lord, he remembered Nārāyaṇa, and thus he was immediately saved from the ropes of death.
एतावतालमघनिर्हरणाय पुंसां सङ्कीर्तनं भगवतो गुणकर्मनाम्नाम् । विक्रुश्य पुत्रमघवान् यदजामिलोऽपि नारायणेति म्रियमाण इयाय मुक्तिम्
etāvatālamaghanirharaṇāya puṃsāṃ saṅkīrtanaṃ bhagavato guṇakarmanāmnām | vikruśya putramaghavān yadajāmilo'pi nārāyaṇeti mriyamāṇa iyāya muktim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore it should be understood that one is easily relieved from all sinful reactions by chanting the holy name of the Lord and chanting of His qualities and activities. This is the only process recommended for relief from sinful reactions. Even if one chants the holy name of the Lord with improper pronunciation, he will achieve relief from material bondage if he chants without offenses. Ajāmila, for example, was extremely sinful, but while dying he merely chanted the holy name, and although calling his son, he achieved complete liberation because he remembered the name of Nārāyaṇa.
प्रायेण वेद तदिदं न महाजनोऽयं देव्या विमोहितमतिर्बत माययालम् । त्रय्यां जडीकृतमतिर्मधुपुष्पितायां वैतानिके महति कर्मणि युज्यमानः
prāyeṇa veda tadidaṃ na mahājano'yaṃ devyā vimohitamatirbata māyayālam | trayyāṃ jaḍīkṛtamatirmadhupuṣpitāyāṃ vaitānike mahati karmaṇi yujyamānaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because they are bewildered by the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Yājñavalkya and Jaimini and other compilers of the religious scriptures cannot know the secret, confidential religious system of the twelve mahājanas. They cannot understand the transcendental value of performing devotional service or chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. Because their minds are attracted to the ritualistic ceremonies mentioned in the Vedas — especially the Yajur Veda, Sāma Veda and Ṛg Veda — their intelligence has become dull. Thus they are busy collecting the ingredients for ritualistic ceremonies that yield only temporary benefits, such as elevation to Svargaloka for material happiness. They are not attracted to the saṅkīrtana movement; instead, they are interested in dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa.
एवं विमृश्य सुधियो भगवत्यनन्ते सर्वात्मना विदधते खलु भावयोगम् । ते मे न दण्डमर्हन्त्यथ यद्यमीषां स्यात्पातकं तदपि हन्त्युरुगायवादः
evaṃ vimṛśya sudhiyo bhagavatyanante sarvātmanā vidadhate khalu bhāvayogam | te me na daṇḍamarhantyatha yadyamīṣāṃ syātpātakaṃ tadapi hantyurugāyavādaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Considering all these points, therefore, intelligent men decide to solve all problems by adopting the devotional service of chanting the holy name of the Lord, who is situated in everyone’s heart and who is a mine of all auspicious qualities. Such persons are not within my jurisdiction for punishment. Generally they never commit sinful activities, but even if by mistake or because of bewilderment or illusion they sometimes commit sinful acts, they are protected from sinful reactions because they always chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.
ते देवसिद्धपरिगीतपवित्रगाथाः ये साधवः समदृशो भगवत्प्रपन्नाः । तान् नोपसीदत हरेर्गदयाभिगुप्तान् नैषां वयं न च वयः प्रभवाम दण्डे
te devasiddhaparigītapavitragāthāḥ ye sādhavaḥ samadṛśo bhagavatprapannāḥ | tān nopasīdata harergadayābhiguptān naiṣāṃ vayaṃ na ca vayaḥ prabhavāma daṇḍe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear servants, please do not approach such devotees, for they have fully surrendered to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are equal to everyone, and their narrations are sung by the demigods and the inhabitants of Siddhaloka. Please do not even go near them. They are always protected by the club of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore Lord Brahmā and I and even the time factor are not competent to chastise them.
तानानयध्वमसतो विमुखान् मुकुन्द- पादारविन्दमकरन्दरसादजस्रम् । निष्किञ्चनैः परमहंसकुलै रसज्ञैः जुष्टाद्गृहे निरयवर्त्मनि बद्धतृष्णान्
tānānayadhvamasato vimukhān mukunda- pādāravindamakarandarasādajasram | niṣkiñcanaiḥ paramahaṃsakulai rasajñaiḥ juṣṭādgṛhe nirayavartmani baddhatṛṣṇān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Paramahaṁsas are exalted persons who have no taste for material enjoyment and who drink the honey of the Lord’s lotus feet. My dear servants, bring to me for punishment only persons who are averse to the taste of that honey, who do not associate with paramahaṁsas and who are attached to family life and worldly enjoyment, which form the path to hell.
जिह्वा न वक्ति भगवद्गुणनामधेयं चेतश्च न स्मरति तच्चरणारविन्दम् । कृष्णाय नो नमति यच्छिर एकदापि तानानयध्वमसतोऽकृतविष्णुकृत्यान्
jihvā na vakti bhagavadguṇanāmadheyaṃ cetaśca na smarati taccaraṇāravindam | kṛṣṇāya no namati yacchira ekadāpi tānānayadhvamasato'kṛtaviṣṇukṛtyān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear servants, please bring to me only those sinful persons who do not use their tongues to chant the holy name and qualities of Kṛṣṇa, whose hearts do not remember the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa even once, and whose heads do not bow down even once before Lord Kṛṣṇa. Send me those who do not perform their duties toward Viṣṇu, which are the only duties in human life. Please bring me all such fools and rascals.
तत्क्षम्यतां स भगवान् पुरुषः पुराणो नारायणः स्वपुरुषैर्यदसत्कृतं नः । स्वानामहो न विदुषां रचिताञ्जलीनां क्षान्तिर्गरीयसि नमः पुरुषाय भूम्ने
tatkṣamyatāṃ sa bhagavān puruṣaḥ purāṇo nārāyaṇaḥ svapuruṣairyadasatkṛtaṃ naḥ | svānāmaho na viduṣāṃ racitāñjalīnāṃ kṣāntirgarīyasi namaḥ puruṣāya bhūmne
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Then Yamarāja, considering himself and his servants to be offenders, spoke as follows, begging pardon from the Lord.] O my Lord, my servants have surely committed a great offense by arresting a Vaiṣṇava such as Ajāmila. O Nārāyaṇa, O supreme and oldest person, please forgive us. Because of our ignorance, we failed to recognize Ajāmila as a servant of Your Lordship, and thus we have certainly committed a great offense. Therefore with folded hands we beg Your pardon. My Lord, since You are supremely merciful and are always full of good qualities, please pardon us. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
तस्मात्सङ्कीर्तनं विष्णोर्जगन्मङ्गलमंहसाम् । महतामपि कौरव्य विद्ध्यैकान्तिकनिष्कृतिम्
tasmātsaṅkīrtanaṃ viṣṇorjaganmaṅgalamaṃhasām | mahatāmapi kauravya viddhyaikāntikaniṣkṛtim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, the chanting of the holy name of the Lord is able to uproot even the reactions of the greatest sins. Therefore the chanting of the saṅkīrtana movement is the most auspicious activity in the entire universe. Please try to understand this so that others will take it seriously.
शृण्वतां गृणतां वीर्याण्युद्दामानि हरेर्मुहुः । यथा सुजातया भक्त्या शुद्ध्येन्नात्मा व्रतादिभिः
śṛṇvatāṃ gṛṇatāṃ vīryāṇyuddāmāni harermuhuḥ | yathā sujātayā bhaktyā śuddhyennātmā vratādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who constantly hears and chants the holy name of the Lord and hears and chants about His activities can very easily attain the platform of pure devotional service, which can cleanse the dirt from one’s heart. One cannot achieve such purification merely by observing vows and performing Vedic ritualistic ceremonies.
कृष्णाङ्घ्रिपद्ममधुलिण् न पुनर्विसृष्ट- मायागुणेषु रमते वृजिनावहेषु । अन्यस्तु कामहत आत्मरजः प्रमार्ष्टु- मीहेत कर्म यत एव रजः पुनः स्यात्
kṛṣṇāṅghripadmamadhuliṇ na punarvisṛṣṭa- māyāguṇeṣu ramate vṛjināvaheṣu | anyastu kāmahata ātmarajaḥ pramārṣṭu- mīheta karma yata eva rajaḥ punaḥ syāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Devotees who always lick the honey from the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa do not care at all for material activities, which are performed under the three modes of material nature and which bring only misery. Indeed, devotees never give up the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa to return to material activities. Others, however, who are addicted to Vedic rituals because they have neglected the service of the Lord’s lotus feet and are enchanted by lusty desires, sometimes perform acts of atonement. Nevertheless, being incompletely purified, they return to sinful activities again and again.
इत्थं स्वभर्तृगदितं भगवन्महित्वं संस्मृत्य विस्मितधियो यमकिङ्करास्ते । नैवाच्युताश्रयजनं प्रतिशङ्कमाना द्रष्टुं च बिभ्यति ततः प्रभृति स्म राजन्
itthaṃ svabhartṛgaditaṃ bhagavanmahitvaṃ saṃsmṛtya vismitadhiyo yamakiṅkarāste | naivācyutāśrayajanaṃ pratiśaṅkamānā draṣṭuṃ ca bibhyati tataḥ prabhṛti sma rājan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After hearing from the mouth of their master about the extraordinary glories of the Lord and His name, fame and attributes, the Yamadūtas were struck with wonder. Since then, as soon as they see a devotee, they fear him and dare not look at him again.
इतिहासमिमं गुह्यं भगवान् कुम्भसम्भवः । कथयामास मलये आसीनो हरिमर्चयन्
itihāsamimaṃ guhyaṃ bhagavān kumbhasambhavaḥ | kathayāmāsa malaye āsīno harimarcayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the great sage Agastya, the son of Kumbha, was residing in the Malaya Hills and worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I approached him, and he explained to me this confidential history.
सूत उवाच । इति सम्प्रश्नमाकर्ण्य राजर्षेर्बादरायणिः । प्रतिनन्द्य महायोगी जगाद मुनिसत्तमाः
sūta uvāca | iti sampraśnamākarṇya rājarṣerbādarāyaṇiḥ | pratinandya mahāyogī jagāda munisattamāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: O great sages [assembled at Naimiṣāraṇya], after the great yogi Śukadeva Gosvāmī heard King Parīkṣit’s inquiry, he praised it and thus replied.
श्रीशुक उवाच । यदा प्रचेतसः पुत्रा दश प्राचीनबर्हिषः । अन्तःसमुद्रादुन्मग्ना ददृशुर्गां द्रुमैर्वृताम्
śrīśuka uvāca | yadā pracetasaḥ putrā daśa prācīnabarhiṣaḥ | antaḥsamudrādunmagnā dadṛśurgāṃ drumairvṛtām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When the ten sons of Prācīnabarhi emerged from the waters, in which they were performing austerities, they saw that the entire surface of the world was covered by trees.
द्रुमेभ्यः क्रुध्यमानास्ते तपोदीपितमन्यवः । मुखतो वायुमग्निं च ससृजुस्तद्दिधक्षया
drumebhyaḥ krudhyamānāste tapodīpitamanyavaḥ | mukhato vāyumagniṃ ca sasṛjustaddidhakṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of having undergone long austerities in the water, the Pracetās were very angry at the trees. Desiring to burn them to ashes, they generated wind and fire from their mouths.
ताभ्यां निर्दह्यमानांस्तानुपलभ्य कुरूद्वह । राजोवाच महान् सोमो मन्युं प्रशमयन्निव
tābhyāṃ nirdahyamānāṃstānupalabhya kurūdvaha | rājovāca mahān somo manyuṃ praśamayanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Parīkṣit, when Soma, the king of the trees and predominating deity of the moon, saw the fire and wind burning all the trees to ashes, he felt great sympathy because he is the maintainer of all herbs and trees. To appease the anger of the Pracetās, Soma spoke as follows.
न द्रुमेभ्यो महाभागा दीनेभ्यो द्रोग्धुमर्हथ । विवर्धयिषवो यूयं प्रजानां पतयः स्मृताः
na drumebhyo mahābhāgā dīnebhyo drogdhumarhatha | vivardhayiṣavo yūyaṃ prajānāṃ patayaḥ smṛtāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O greatly fortunate ones, you should not kill these poor trees by burning them to ashes. Your duty is to wish the citizens [prajās] all prosperity and to act as their protectors.
अहो प्रजापतिपतिर्भगवान् हरिरव्ययः । वनस्पतीनोषधीश्च ससर्जोर्जमिषं विभुः
aho prajāpatipatirbhagavān hariravyayaḥ | vanaspatīnoṣadhīśca sasarjorjamiṣaṃ vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Hari, is the master of all living entities, including all the prajāpatis, such as Lord Brahmā. Because He is the all-pervading and indestructible master, He has created all these trees and vegetables as eatables for other living entities.
अन्नं चराणामचरा ह्यपदः पादचारिणाम् । अहस्ता हस्तयुक्तानां द्विपदां च चतुष्पदः
annaṃ carāṇāmacarā hyapadaḥ pādacāriṇām | ahastā hastayuktānāṃ dvipadāṃ ca catuṣpadaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By nature’s arrangement, fruits and flowers are considered the food of insects and birds; grass and other legless living entities are meant to be the food of four-legged animals like cows and buffalo; animals that cannot use their front legs as hands are meant to be the food of animals like tigers, which have claws; and four-legged animals like deer and goats, as well as food grains, are meant to be the food of human beings.
यूयं च पित्रान्वादिष्टा देवदेवेन चानघाः । प्रजासर्गाय हि कथं वृक्षान् निर्दग्धुमर्हथ
yūyaṃ ca pitrānvādiṣṭā devadevena cānaghāḥ | prajāsargāya hi kathaṃ vṛkṣān nirdagdhumarhatha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O pure-hearted ones, your father, Prācīnabarhi, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead have ordered you to generate population. Therefore how can you burn to ashes these trees and herbs, which are needed for the maintenance of your subjects and descendants?
आतिष्ठत सतां मार्गं कोपं यच्छत दीपितम् । पित्रा पितामहेनापि जुष्टं वः प्रपितामहैः
ātiṣṭhata satāṃ mārgaṃ kopaṃ yacchata dīpitam | pitrā pitāmahenāpi juṣṭaṃ vaḥ prapitāmahaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The path of goodness traversed by your father, grandfather and great-grandfathers is that of maintaining the subjects [prajās], including the men, animals and trees. That is the path you should follow. Unnecessary anger is contrary to your duty. Therefore I request you to control your anger.
तोकानां पितरौ बन्धू दृशः पक्ष्म स्त्रियाः पतिः । पतिः प्रजानां भिक्षूणां गृह्यज्ञानां बुधः सुहृत्
tokānāṃ pitarau bandhū dṛśaḥ pakṣma striyāḥ patiḥ | patiḥ prajānāṃ bhikṣūṇāṃ gṛhyajñānāṃ budhaḥ suhṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the father and mother are the friends and maintainers of their children, as the eyelid is the protector of the eye, as the husband is the maintainer and protector of a woman, as the householder is the maintainer and protector of beggars, and as the learned is the friend of the ignorant, so the king is the protector and giver of life to all his subjects. The trees are also subjects of the king. Therefore they should be given protection.
अन्तर्देहेषु भूतानामात्माऽऽस्ते हरिरीश्वरः । सर्वं तद्धिष्ण्यमीक्षध्वमेवं वस्तोषितो ह्यसौ
antardeheṣu bhūtānāmātmā''ste harirīśvaraḥ | sarvaṃ taddhiṣṇyamīkṣadhvamevaṃ vastoṣito hyasau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is situated as the Supersoul within the cores of the hearts of all living entities, whether moving or nonmoving, including men, birds, animals, trees and, indeed, all living entities. Therefore you should consider every body a residence or temple of the Lord. By such vision you will satisfy the Lord. You should not angrily kill these living entities in the forms of trees.
यः समुत्पतितं देह आकाशान्मन्युमुल्बणम् । आत्मजिज्ञासया यच्छेत्स गुणानतिवर्तते
yaḥ samutpatitaṃ deha ākāśānmanyumulbaṇam | ātmajijñāsayā yacchetsa guṇānativartate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who inquires into self-realization and thus subdues his powerful anger — which awakens suddenly in the body as if falling from the sky — transcends the influence of the modes of material nature.
अलं दग्धैर्द्रुमैर्दीनैः खिलानां शिवमस्तु वः । वार्क्षी ह्येषा वरा कन्या पत्नीत्वे प्रतिगृह्यताम्
alaṃ dagdhairdrumairdīnaiḥ khilānāṃ śivamastu vaḥ | vārkṣī hyeṣā varā kanyā patnītve pratigṛhyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There is no need to burn these poor trees any longer. Let whatever trees still remain be happy. Indeed, you should also be happy. Now, here is a beautiful, well-qualified girl named Māriṣā, who was raised by the trees as their daughter. You may accept this beautiful girl as your wife.
इत्यामन्त्र्य वरारोहां कन्यामाप्सरसीं नृप । सोमो राजा ययौ दत्त्वा ते धर्मेणोपयेमिरे
ityāmantrya varārohāṃ kanyāmāpsarasīṃ nṛpa | somo rājā yayau dattvā te dharmeṇopayemire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, after thus pacifying the Pracetās, Soma, the king of the moon, gave them the beautiful girl born of Pramlocā Apsarā. The Pracetās all received Pramlocā’s daughter, who had high, very beautiful hips, and married her according to the religious system.
तेभ्यस्तस्यां समभवद्दक्षः प्राचेतसः किल । यस्य प्रजाविसर्गेण लोका आपूरितास्त्रयः
tebhyastasyāṃ samabhavaddakṣaḥ prācetasaḥ kila | yasya prajāvisargeṇa lokā āpūritāstrayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the womb of that girl the Pracetās all begot a son named Dakṣa, who filled the three worlds with living entities.
यथा ससर्ज भूतानि दक्षो दुहितृवत्सलः । रेतसा मनसा चैव तन्ममावहितः शृणु
yathā sasarja bhūtāni dakṣo duhitṛvatsalaḥ | retasā manasā caiva tanmamāvahitaḥ śṛṇu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Please hear from me with great attention how Prajāpati Dakṣa, who was very affectionate to his daughters, created different types of living entities through his semen and through his mind.
मनसैवासृजत्पूर्वं प्रजापतिरिमाः प्रजाः । देवासुरमनुष्यादीन् नभःस्थलजलौकसः
manasaivāsṛjatpūrvaṃ prajāpatirimāḥ prajāḥ | devāsuramanuṣyādīn nabhaḥsthalajalaukasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With his mind, Prajāpati Dakṣa first created all kinds of demigods, demons, human beings, birds, beasts, aquatics and so on.
तमबृंहितमालोक्य प्रजासर्गं प्रजापतिः । विन्ध्यपादानुपव्रज्य सोऽचरद्दुष्करं तपः
tamabṛṃhitamālokya prajāsargaṃ prajāpatiḥ | vindhyapādānupavrajya so'caradduṣkaraṃ tapaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But when Prajāpati Dakṣa saw that he was not properly generating all kinds of living entities, he approached a mountain near the Vindhya mountain range, and there he executed very difficult austerities.
तत्राघमर्षणं नाम तीर्थं पापहरं परम् । उपस्पृश्यानुसवनं तपसातोषयद्धरिम्
tatrāghamarṣaṇaṃ nāma tīrthaṃ pāpaharaṃ param | upaspṛśyānusavanaṃ tapasātoṣayaddharim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Near that mountain was a very holy place named Aghamarṣaṇa. There Prajāpati Dakṣa executed ritualistic ceremonies and satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, by engaging in great austerities to please Him.
अस्तौषीद्धंसगुह्येन भगवन्तमधोक्षजम् । तुभ्यं तदभिधास्यामि कस्यातुष्यद्यथा हरिः
astauṣīddhaṃsaguhyena bhagavantamadhokṣajam | tubhyaṃ tadabhidhāsyāmi kasyātuṣyadyathā hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, I shall fully explain to you the Haṁsa-guhya prayers, which were offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead by Dakṣa, and I shall explain how the Lord was pleased with him for those prayers.
प्रजापतिरुवाच । नमः परायावितथानुभूतये गुणत्रयाभासनिमित्तबन्धवे । अदृष्टधाम्ने गुणतत्त्वबुद्धिभि- र्निवृत्तमानाय दधे स्वयम्भुवे
prajāpatiruvāca | namaḥ parāyāvitathānubhūtaye guṇatrayābhāsanimittabandhave | adṛṣṭadhāmne guṇatattvabuddhibhi- rnivṛttamānāya dadhe svayambhuve
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Prajāpati Dakṣa said: The Supreme Personality of Godhead is transcendental to the illusory energy and the physical categories it produces. He possesses the potency for unfailing knowledge and supreme willpower, and He is the controller of the living entities and the illusory energy. The conditioned souls who have accepted this material manifestation as everything cannot see Him, for He is above the evidence of experimental knowledge. Self-evident and self-sufficient, He is not caused by any superior cause. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.
न यस्य सख्यं पुरुषोऽवैति सख्युः सखा वसन् संवसतः पुरेऽस्मिन् । गुणो यथा गुणिनो व्यक्तदृष्टे- स्तस्मै महेशाय नमस्करोमि
na yasya sakhyaṃ puruṣo'vaiti sakhyuḥ sakhā vasan saṃvasataḥ pure'smin | guṇo yathā guṇino vyaktadṛṣṭe- stasmai maheśāya namaskaromi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the sense objects [form, taste, touch, smell and sound] cannot understand how the senses perceive them, so the conditioned soul, although residing in his body along with the Supersoul, cannot understand how the supreme spiritual person, the master of the material creation, directs his senses. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto that Supreme Person, who is the supreme controller.
देहोऽसवोऽक्षा मनवो भूतमात्रा नात्मानमन्यं च विदुः परं यत् । सर्वं पुमान् वेद गुणांश्च तज्ज्ञो न वेद सर्वज्ञमनन्तमीडे
deho'savo'kṣā manavo bhūtamātrā nātmānamanyaṃ ca viduḥ paraṃ yat | sarvaṃ pumān veda guṇāṃśca tajjño na veda sarvajñamanantamīḍe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because they are only matter, the body, the life airs, the external and internal senses, the five gross elements and the subtle sense objects [form, taste, smell, sound and touch] cannot know their own nature, the nature of the other senses or the nature of their controllers. But the living being, because of his spiritual nature, can know his body, the life airs, the senses, the elements and the sense objects, and he can also know the three qualities that form their roots. Nevertheless, although the living being is completely aware of them, he is unable to see the Supreme Being, who is omniscient and unlimited. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.
यदोपरामो मनसो नामरूप- रूपस्य दृष्टस्मृतिसम्प्रमोषात् । य ईयते केवलया स्वसंस्थया हंसाय तस्मै शुचिसद्मने नमः
yadoparāmo manaso nāmarūpa- rūpasya dṛṣṭasmṛtisampramoṣāt | ya īyate kevalayā svasaṃsthayā haṃsāya tasmai śucisadmane namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When one’s consciousness is completely purified of the contamination of material existence, gross and subtle, without being agitated as in the working and dreaming states, and when the mind is not dissolved as in suṣupti, deep sleep, one comes to the platform of trance. Then one’s material vision and the memories of the mind, which manifests names and forms, are vanquished. Only in such a trance is the Supreme Personality of Godhead revealed. Thus let us offer our respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is seen in that uncontaminated, transcendental state.
यद्यन्निरुक्तं वचसा निरूपितं धियाक्षभिर्वा मनसोऽत यस्य । मा भूत्स्वरूपं गुणरूपं हि तत्त- त्स वै गुणापायविसर्गलक्षणः
yadyanniruktaṃ vacasā nirūpitaṃ dhiyākṣabhirvā manaso'ta yasya | mā bhūtsvarūpaṃ guṇarūpaṃ hi tatta- tsa vai guṇāpāyavisargalakṣaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Anything expressed by material vibrations, anything ascertained by material intelligence and anything experienced by the material senses or concocted within the material mind is but an effect of the modes of material nature and therefore has nothing to do with the real nature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Lord is beyond the creation of this material world, for He is the source of the material qualities and creation. As the cause of all causes, He exists before the creation and after the creation. I wish to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.
यस्मिन् यतो येन च यस्य यस्मै यद्यो यथा कुरुते कार्यते च । परावरेषां परमं प्राक्प्रसिद्धं तद्ब्रह्म तद्धेतुरनन्यदेकम्
yasmin yato yena ca yasya yasmai yadyo yathā kurute kāryate ca | parāvareṣāṃ paramaṃ prākprasiddhaṃ tadbrahma taddheturananyadekam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Brahman, Kṛṣṇa, is the ultimate resting place and source of everything. Everything is done by Him, everything belongs to Him, and everything is offered to Him. He is the ultimate objective, and whether acting or causing others to act, He is the ultimate doer. There are many causes, high and low, but since He is the cause of all causes, He is well known as the Supreme Brahman who existed before all activities. He is one without a second and has no other cause. I therefore offer my respects unto Him.
यच्छक्तयो वदतां वादिनां वै विवादसंवादभुवो भवन्ति । कुर्वन्ति चैषां मुहुरात्ममोहं तस्मै नमोऽनन्तगुणाय भूम्ने
yacchaktayo vadatāṃ vādināṃ vai vivādasaṃvādabhuvo bhavanti | kurvanti caiṣāṃ muhurātmamohaṃ tasmai namo'nantaguṇāya bhūmne
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the all-pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead, who possesses unlimited transcendental qualities. Acting from within the cores of the hearts of all philosophers, who propagate various views, He causes them to forget their own souls while sometimes agreeing and sometimes disagreeing among themselves. Thus He creates within this material world a situation in which they are unable to come to a conclusion. I offer my obeisances unto Him.
अस्तीति नास्तीति च वस्तुनिष्ठयो- रेकस्थयोर्भिन्नविरुद्धधर्मयोः । अवेक्षितं किञ्चन योगसाङ्ख्ययोः समं परं ह्यनुकूलं बृहत्तत्
astīti nāstīti ca vastuniṣṭhayo- rekasthayorbhinnaviruddhadharmayoḥ | avekṣitaṃ kiñcana yogasāṅkhyayoḥ samaṃ paraṃ hyanukūlaṃ bṛhattat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There are two parties — namely, the theists and the atheists. The theist, who accepts the Supersoul, finds the spiritual cause through mystic yoga. The Sāṅkhyite, however, who merely analyzes the material elements, comes to a conclusion of impersonalism and does not accept a supreme cause — whether Bhagavān, Paramātmā or even Brahman. Instead, he is preoccupied with the superfluous, external activities of material nature. Ultimately, however, both parties demonstrate the Absolute Truth because although they offer opposing statements, their object is the same ultimate cause. They are both approaching the same Supreme Brahman, to whom I offer my respectful obeisances.
योऽनुग्रहार्थं भजतां पादमूल- मनामरूपो भगवाननन्तः । नामानि रूपाणि च जन्मकर्मभि- र्भेजे स मह्यं परमः प्रसीदतु
yo'nugrahārthaṃ bhajatāṃ pādamūla- manāmarūpo bhagavānanantaḥ | nāmāni rūpāṇi ca janmakarmabhi- rbheje sa mahyaṃ paramaḥ prasīdatu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is inconceivably opulent, who is devoid of all material names, forms and pastimes, and who is all-pervading, is especially merciful to the devotees who worship His lotus feet. Thus He exhibits transcendental forms and names with His different pastimes. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose form is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss, be merciful to me.
यः प्राकृतैर्ज्ञानपथैर्जनानां यथाशयं देहगतो विभाति । यथानिलः पार्थिवमाश्रितो गुणं स ईश्वरो मे कुरुतान्मनोरथम्
yaḥ prākṛtairjñānapathairjanānāṃ yathāśayaṃ dehagato vibhāti | yathānilaḥ pārthivamāśrito guṇaṃ sa īśvaro me kurutānmanoratham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the air carries various characteristics of the physical elements, like the aroma of a flower or colors resulting from a mixture of dust in the air, the Lord appears through lower systems of worship according to one’s desires, although He appears as the demigods and not in His original form. What is the use of these other forms? May the original Supreme Personality of Godhead please fulfill my desires.
स्तूयमानोऽनुगायद्भिः सिद्धगन्धर्वचारणैः । रूपं तन्महदाश्चर्यं विचक्ष्यागतसाध्वसः
stūyamāno'nugāyadbhiḥ siddhagandharvacāraṇaiḥ | rūpaṃ tanmahadāścaryaṃ vicakṣyāgatasādhvasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing that wonderful and effulgent form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Prajāpati Dakṣa was first somewhat afraid, but then he was very pleased to see the Lord, and he fell to the ground like a stick to offer his respects to the Lord.
ननाम दण्डवद्भूमौ प्रहृष्टात्मा प्रजापतिः । न किञ्चनोदीरयितुमशकत्तीव्रया मुदा । आपूरितमनोद्वारैर्ह्रदिन्य इव निर्झरैः
nanāma daṇḍavadbhūmau prahṛṣṭātmā prajāpatiḥ | na kiñcanodīrayitumaśakattīvrayā mudā | āpūritamanodvārairhradinya iva nirjharaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As rivers are filled by water flowing from a mountain, all of Dakṣa’s senses were filled with pleasure. Because of his highly elevated happiness, Dakṣa could not say anything, but simply remained flat on the ground.
तं तथावनतं भक्तं प्रजाकामं प्रजापतिम् । चित्तज्ञः सर्वभूतानामिदमाह जनार्दनः
taṃ tathāvanataṃ bhaktaṃ prajākāmaṃ prajāpatim | cittajñaḥ sarvabhūtānāmidamāha janārdanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although Prajāpati Dakṣa could not say anything, when the Lord, who knows everyone’s heart, saw His devotee prostrate in that manner and desiring to increase the population, He addressed him as follows.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । प्राचेतस महाभाग संसिद्धस्तपसा भवान् । यच्छ्रद्धया मत्परया मयि भावं परं गतः
śrībhagavānuvāca | prācetasa mahābhāga saṃsiddhastapasā bhavān | yacchraddhayā matparayā mayi bhāvaṃ paraṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O most fortunate Prācetasa, because of your great faith in Me, you have attained the supreme devotional ecstasy. Indeed, because of your austerities, combined with exalted devotion, your life is now successful. You have achieved complete perfection.
प्रीतोऽहं ते प्रजानाथ यत्तेऽस्योद्बृंहणं तपः । ममैष कामो भूतानां यद्भूयासुर्विभूतयः
prīto'haṃ te prajānātha yatte'syodbṛṃhaṇaṃ tapaḥ | mamaiṣa kāmo bhūtānāṃ yadbhūyāsurvibhūtayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Prajāpati Dakṣa, you have performed extreme austerities for the welfare and growth of the world. My desire also is that everyone within this world be happy. I am therefore very pleased with you because you are endeavoring to fulfill My desire for the welfare of the entire world.
ब्रह्मा भवो भवन्तश्च मनवो विबुधेश्वराः । विभूतयो मम ह्येता भूतानां भूतिहेतवः
brahmā bhavo bhavantaśca manavo vibudheśvarāḥ | vibhūtayo mama hyetā bhūtānāṃ bhūtihetavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, the Manus, all the other demigods in the higher planetary systems, and you prajāpatis, who are increasing the population, are working for the benefit of all living entities. Thus you expansions of My marginal energy are incarnations of My various qualities.
तपो मे हृदयं ब्रह्मंस्तनुर्विद्या क्रियाऽऽकृतिः । अङ्गानि क्रतवो जाता धर्म आत्मासवः सुराः
tapo me hṛdayaṃ brahmaṃstanurvidyā kriyā''kṛtiḥ | aṅgāni kratavo jātā dharma ātmāsavaḥ surāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear brāhmaṇa, austerity in the form of meditation is My heart, Vedic knowledge in the form of hymns and mantras constitutes My body, and spiritual activities and ecstatic emotions are My actual form. The ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices, when properly conducted, are the various limbs of My body, the unseen good fortune proceeding from pious or spiritual activities constitutes My mind, and the demigods who execute My orders in various departments are My life and soul.
अहमेवासमेवाग्रे नान्यत्किञ्चान्तरं बहिः । संज्ञानमात्रमव्यक्तं प्रसुप्तमिव विश्वतः
ahamevāsamevāgre nānyatkiñcāntaraṃ bahiḥ | saṃjñānamātramavyaktaṃ prasuptamiva viśvataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Before the creation of this cosmic manifestation, I alone existed with My specific spiritual potencies. Consciousness was then unmanifested, just as one’s consciousness is unmanifested during the time of sleep.
मय्यनन्तगुणेऽनन्ते गुणतो गुणविग्रहः । यदासीत्तत एवाद्यः स्वयम्भूः समभूदजः
mayyanantaguṇe'nante guṇato guṇavigrahaḥ | yadāsīttata evādyaḥ svayambhūḥ samabhūdajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am the reservoir of unlimited potency, and therefore I am known as unlimited or all-pervading. From My material energy the cosmic manifestation appeared within Me, and in this universal manifestation appeared the chief being, Lord Brahmā, who is your source and is not born of a material mother.
एषा पञ्चजनस्याङ्ग दुहिता वै प्रजापतेः । असिक्नी नाम पत्नीत्वे प्रजेश प्रतिगृह्यताम्
eṣā pañcajanasyāṅga duhitā vai prajāpateḥ | asiknī nāma patnītve prajeśa pratigṛhyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O My dear son Dakṣa, Prajāpati Pañcajana has a daughter named Asiknī, whom I offer to you so that you may accept her as your wife.
मिथुनव्यवायधर्मस्त्वं प्रजासर्गमिमं पुनः । मिथुनव्यवायधर्मिण्यां भूरिशो भावयिष्यसि
mithunavyavāyadharmastvaṃ prajāsargamimaṃ punaḥ | mithunavyavāyadharmiṇyāṃ bhūriśo bhāvayiṣyasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now unite in sexual life as man and woman, and in this way, by sexual intercourse, you will be able to beget hundreds of children in the womb of this girl to increase the population.
त्वत्तोऽधस्तात्प्रजाः सर्वा मिथुनीभूय मायया । मदीयया भविष्यन्ति हरिष्यन्ति च मे बलिम्
tvatto'dhastātprajāḥ sarvā mithunībhūya māyayā | madīyayā bhaviṣyanti hariṣyanti ca me balim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After you give birth to many hundreds and thousands of children, they will also be captivated by My illusory energy and will engage, like You, in sexual intercourse. But because of My mercy to you and them, they will also be able to give Me presentations in devotion.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा मिषतस्तस्य भगवान् विश्वभावनः । स्वप्नोपलब्धार्थ इव तत्रैवान्तर्दधे हरिः
śrīśuka uvāca | ityuktvā miṣatastasya bhagavān viśvabhāvanaḥ | svapnopalabdhārtha iva tatraivāntardadhe hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: After the creator of the entire universe, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, had spoken in this way in the presence of Prajāpati Dakṣa, He immediately disappeared as if He were an object experienced in a dream.
श्रीशुक उवाच । तस्यां स पाञ्चजन्यां वै विष्णुमायोपबृंहितः । हर्यश्वसंज्ञानयुतं पुत्रानजनयद्विभुः
śrīśuka uvāca | tasyāṃ sa pāñcajanyāṃ vai viṣṇumāyopabṛṃhitaḥ | haryaśvasaṃjñānayutaṃ putrānajanayadvibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Impelled by the illusory energy of Lord Viṣṇu, Prajāpati Dakṣa begot ten thousand sons in the womb of Pāñcajanī [Asiknī]. My dear King, these sons were called the Haryaśvas.
अपृथग्धर्मशीलास्ते सर्वे दाक्षायणा नृप । पित्रा प्रोक्ताः प्रजासर्गे प्रतीचीं प्रययुर्दिशम्
apṛthagdharmaśīlāste sarve dākṣāyaṇā nṛpa | pitrā proktāḥ prajāsarge pratīcīṃ prayayurdiśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, all the sons of Prajāpati Dakṣa were alike in being very gentle and obedient to the orders of their father. When their father ordered them to beget children, they all went in the western direction.
तत्र नारायणसरस्तीर्थं सिन्धुसमुद्रयोः । सङ्गमो यत्र सुमहन्मुनिसिद्धनिषेवितम्
tatra nārāyaṇasarastīrthaṃ sindhusamudrayoḥ | saṅgamo yatra sumahanmunisiddhaniṣevitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the west, where the river Sindhu meets the sea, there is a great place of pilgrimage known as Nārāyaṇa-saras. Many sages and others advanced in spiritual consciousness live there.
कथं स्वपितुरादेशमविद्वांसो विपश्चितः । अनुरूपमविज्ञाय अहो सर्गं करिष्यथ
kathaṃ svapiturādeśamavidvāṃso vipaścitaḥ | anurūpamavijñāya aho sargaṃ kariṣyatha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Alas, your father is omniscient, but you do not know his actual order. Without knowing the actual purpose of your father, how will you create progeny?
श्रीशुक उवाच । तन्निशम्याथ हर्यश्वा औत्पत्तिकमनीषया । वाचः कूटं तु देवर्षेः स्वयं विममृशुर्धिया
śrīśuka uvāca | tanniśamyātha haryaśvā autpattikamanīṣayā | vācaḥ kūṭaṃ tu devarṣeḥ svayaṃ vimamṛśurdhiyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing these enigmatic words of Nārada Muni, the Haryaśvas considered them with their natural intelligence, without help from others.
भूः क्षेत्रं जीवसंज्ञं यदनादि निजबन्धनम् । अदृष्ट्वा तस्य निर्वाणं किमसत्कर्मभिर्भवेत्
bhūḥ kṣetraṃ jīvasaṃjñaṃ yadanādi nijabandhanam | adṛṣṭvā tasya nirvāṇaṃ kimasatkarmabhirbhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The Haryaśvas understood the meaning of Nārada’s words as follows.] The word “bhūḥ” [“the earth”] refers to the field of activities. The material body, which is a result of the living being’s actions, is his field of activities, and it gives him false designations. Since time immemorial, he has received various types of material bodies, which are the roots of bondage to the material world. If one foolishly engages in temporary fruitive activities and does not look toward the cessation of this bondage, what will be the benefit of his actions?
एक एवेश्वरस्तुर्यो भगवान् स्वाश्रयः परः । तमदृष्ट्वाभवं पुंसः किमसत्कर्मभिर्भवेत्
eka eveśvarasturyo bhagavān svāśrayaḥ paraḥ | tamadṛṣṭvābhavaṃ puṃsaḥ kimasatkarmabhirbhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nārada Muni had said that there is a kingdom where there is only one male. The Haryaśvas realized the purport of this statement.] The only enjoyer is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who observes everything, everywhere. He is full of six opulences and fully independent of everyone else. He is never subject to the three modes of material nature, for He is always transcendental to this material creation. If the members of human society do not understand Him, the Supreme, through their advancement in knowledge and activities, but simply work very hard like cats and dogs all day and night for temporary happiness, what will be the benefit of their activities?
पुमान् नैवैति यद्गत्वा बिलस्वर्गं गतो यथा । प्रत्यग्धामाविद इह किमसत्कर्मभिर्भवेत्
pumān naivaiti yadgatvā bilasvargaṃ gato yathā | pratyagdhāmāvida iha kimasatkarmabhirbhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nārada Muni had described that there is a bila, or hole, from which, having entered, one does not return. The Haryaśvas understood the meaning of this allegory.] Hardly once has a person who has entered the lower planetary system called Pātāla been seen to return. Similarly, if one enters the Vaikuṇṭha-dhāma [pratyag-dhāma], he does not return to this material world. If there is such a place, from which, having gone, one does not return to the miserable material condition of life, what is the use of jumping like monkeys in the temporary material world and not seeing or understanding that place? What will be the profit?
नानारूपात्मनो बुद्धिः स्वैरिणीव गुणान्विता । तन्निष्ठामगतस्येह किमसत्कर्मभिर्भवेत्
nānārūpātmano buddhiḥ svairiṇīva guṇānvitā | tanniṣṭhāmagatasyeha kimasatkarmabhirbhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nārada Muni had described a woman who is a professional prostitute. The Haryaśvas understood the identity of this woman.] Mixed with the mode of passion, the unsteady intelligence of every living entity is like a prostitute who changes dresses just to attract one’s attention. If one fully engages in temporary fruitive activities, not understanding how this is taking place, what does he actually gain?
तत्सङ्गभ्रंशितैश्वर्यं संसरन्तं कुभार्यवत् । तद्गतीरबुधस्येह किमसत्कर्मभिर्भवेत्
tatsaṅgabhraṃśitaiśvaryaṃ saṃsarantaṃ kubhāryavat | tadgatīrabudhasyeha kimasatkarmabhirbhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nārada Muni had also spoken of a man who is the husband of the prostitute. The Haryaśvas understood this as follows.] If one becomes the husband of a prostitute, he loses all independence. Similarly, if a living entity has polluted intelligence, he prolongs his materialistic life. Frustrated by material nature, he must follow the movements of the intelligence, which brings various conditions of happiness and distress. If one performs fruitive activities under such conditions, what will be the benefit?
सृष्ट्यप्ययकरीं मायां वेलाकूलान्तवेगिताम् । मत्तस्य तामविज्ञस्य किमसत्कर्मभिर्भवेत्
sṛṣṭyapyayakarīṃ māyāṃ velākūlāntavegitām | mattasya tāmavijñasya kimasatkarmabhirbhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nārada Muni had said that there is a river flowing in both directions. The Haryaśvas understood the purport of this statement.] Material nature functions in two ways — by creation and dissolution. Thus the river of material nature flows both ways. A living entity who unknowingly falls in this river is submerged in its waves, and since the current is swifter near the banks of the river, he is unable to get out. What will be the benefit of performing fruitive activities in that river of māyā?
पञ्चविंशतितत्त्वानां पुरुषोऽद्भुतदर्पणम् । अध्यात्ममबुधस्येह किमसत्कर्मभिर्भवेत्
pañcaviṃśatitattvānāṃ puruṣo'dbhutadarpaṇam | adhyātmamabudhasyeha kimasatkarmabhirbhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nārada Muni had said that there is a house made of twenty-five elements. The Haryaśvas understood this analogy.] The Supreme Lord is the reservoir of the twenty-five elements, and as the Supreme Being, the conductor of cause and effect, He causes their manifestation. If one engages in temporary fruitive activities, not knowing that Supreme Person, what benefit will he derive?
ऐश्वरं शास्त्रमुत्सृज्य बन्धमोक्षानुदर्शनम् । विविक्तपदमज्ञाय किमसत्कर्मभिर्भवेत्
aiśvaraṃ śāstramutsṛjya bandhamokṣānudarśanam | viviktapadamajñāya kimasatkarmabhirbhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nārada Muni had spoken of a swan. That swan is explained in this verse.] The Vedic literatures [śāstras] vividly describe how to understand the Supreme Lord, the source of all material and spiritual energy. Indeed, they elaborately explain these two energies. The swan [haṁsa] is one who discriminates between matter and spirit, who accepts the essence of everything, and who explains the means of bondage and the means of liberation. The words of scriptures consist of variegated vibrations. If a foolish rascal leaves aside the study of these śāstras to engage in temporary activities, what will be the result?
कालचक्रं भ्रमिस्तीक्ष्णं सर्वं निष्कर्षयज्जगत् । स्वतन्त्रमबुधस्येह किमसत्कर्मभिर्भवेत्
kālacakraṃ bhramistīkṣṇaṃ sarvaṃ niṣkarṣayajjagat | svatantramabudhasyeha kimasatkarmabhirbhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nārada Muni had spoken of a physical object made of sharp blades and thunderbolts. The Haryaśvas understood this allegory as follows.] Eternal time moves very sharply, as if made of razors and thunderbolts. Uninterrupted and fully independent, it drives the activities of the entire world. If one does not try to study the eternal element of time, what benefit can he derive from performing temporary material activities?
शास्त्रस्य पितुरादेशं यो न वेद निवर्तकम् । कथं तदनुरूपाय गुणविस्रम्भ्युपक्रमेत्
śāstrasya piturādeśaṃ yo na veda nivartakam | kathaṃ tadanurūpāya guṇavisrambhyupakramet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nārada Muni had asked how one could ignorantly defy one’s own father. The Haryaśvas understood the meaning of this question.] One must accept the original instructions of the śāstra. According to Vedic civilization, one is offered a sacred thread as a sign of second birth. One takes his second birth by dint of having received instructions in the śāstra from a bona fide spiritual master. Therefore, śāstra, scripture, is the real father. All the śāstras instruct that one should end his material way of life. If one does not know the purpose of the father’s orders, the śāstras, he is ignorant. The words of a material father who endeavors to engage his son in material activities are not the real instructions of the father.
इति व्यवसिता राजन् हर्यश्वा एकचेतसः । प्रययुस्तं परिक्रम्य पन्थानमनिवर्तनम्
iti vyavasitā rājan haryaśvā ekacetasaḥ | prayayustaṃ parikramya panthānamanivartanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, after hearing the instructions of Nārada, the Haryaśvas, the sons of Prajāpati Dakṣa, were firmly convinced. They all believed in his instructions and reached the same conclusion. Having accepted him as their spiritual master, they circumambulated that great sage and followed the path by which one never returns to this world.
स्वरब्रह्मणि निर्भातहृषीकेशपदाम्बुजे । अखण्डं चित्तमावेश्य लोकाननुचरन् मुनिः
svarabrahmaṇi nirbhātahṛṣīkeśapadāmbuje | akhaṇḍaṃ cittamāveśya lokānanucaran muniḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The seven musical notes — ṣa, ṛ, gā, ma, pa, dha and ni — are used in musical instruments, but originally they come from the Sāma Veda. The great sage Nārada vibrates sounds describing the pastimes of the Supreme Lord. By such transcendental vibrations, such as Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, he fixes his mind at the lotus feet of the Lord. Thus he directly perceives Hṛṣīkeśa, the master of the senses. After delivering the Haryaśvas, Nārada Muni continued traveling throughout the planetary systems, his mind always fixed at the lotus feet of the Lord.
नाशं निशम्य पुत्राणां नारदाच्छीलशालिनाम् । अन्वतप्यत कः शोचन् सुप्रजास्त्वं शुचां पदम्
nāśaṃ niśamya putrāṇāṃ nāradācchīlaśālinām | anvatapyata kaḥ śocan suprajāstvaṃ śucāṃ padam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Haryaśvas, the sons of Prajāpati Dakṣa, were very well-behaved, cultured sons, but unfortunately, because of the instructions of Nārada Muni, they deviated from the order of their father. When Dakṣa heard this news, which was brought to him by Nārada Muni, he began to lament. Although he was the father of such good sons, he had lost them all. Certainly this was lamentable.
स भूयः पाञ्चजन्यायामजेन परिसान्त्वितः । पुत्रानजनयद्दक्षः शबलाश्वान् सहस्रशः
sa bhūyaḥ pāñcajanyāyāmajena parisāntvitaḥ | putrānajanayaddakṣaḥ śabalāśvān sahasraśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Prajāpati Dakṣa was lamenting for his lost children, Lord Brahmā pacified him with instructions, and thereafter Dakṣa begot one thousand more children in the womb of his wife, Pāñcajanī. This time his sons were known as the Savalāśvas.
तेऽपि पित्रा समादिष्टाः प्रजासर्गे धृतव्रताः । नारायणसरो जग्मुर्यत्र सिद्धाः स्वपूर्वजाः
te'pi pitrā samādiṣṭāḥ prajāsarge dhṛtavratāḥ | nārāyaṇasaro jagmuryatra siddhāḥ svapūrvajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In accordance with their father’s order to beget children, the second group of sons also went to Nārāyaṇa-saras, the same place where their brothers had previously attained perfection by following the instructions of Nārada. Undertaking great vows of austerity, the Savalāśvas remained at that holy place.
तदुपस्पर्शनादेव विनिर्धूतमलाशयाः । जपन्तो ब्रह्म परमं तेपुस्तेऽत्र महत्तपः
tadupasparśanādeva vinirdhūtamalāśayāḥ | japanto brahma paramaṃ tepuste'tra mahattapaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At Nārāyaṇa-saras, the second group of sons performed penances in the same way as the first. They bathed in the holy water, and by its touch all the dirty material desires in their hearts were cleansed away. They murmured mantras beginning with oṁkāra and underwent a severe course of austerities.
इति तानपि राजेन्द्र प्रतिसर्गधियो मुनिः । उपेत्य नारदः प्राह वाचः कूटानि पूर्ववत्
iti tānapi rājendra pratisargadhiyo muniḥ | upetya nāradaḥ prāha vācaḥ kūṭāni pūrvavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, Nārada Muni approached these sons of Prajāpati Dakṣa, who were engaged in tapasya to beget children, and spoke enigmatic words to them just as he had spoken to their elder brothers.
दाक्षायणाः संशृणुत गदतो निगमं मम । अन्विच्छतानुपदवीं भ्रातॄणां भ्रातृवत्सलाः
dākṣāyaṇāḥ saṃśṛṇuta gadato nigamaṃ mama | anvicchatānupadavīṃ bhrātṝṇāṃ bhrātṛvatsalāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O sons of Dakṣa, please hear my words of instruction attentively. You are all very affectionate to your elder brothers, the Haryaśvas. Therefore you should follow their path.
भ्रातॄणां प्रायणं भ्राता योऽनुतिष्ठति धर्मवित् । स पुण्यबन्धुः पुरुषो मरुद्भिः सह मोदते
bhrātṝṇāṃ prāyaṇaṃ bhrātā yo'nutiṣṭhati dharmavit | sa puṇyabandhuḥ puruṣo marudbhiḥ saha modate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A brother aware of the principles of religion follows in the footsteps of his elder brothers. Because of being highly elevated, such a pious brother gets the opportunity to associate and enjoy with demigods like the Maruts, who are all affectionate to their brothers.
एतावदुक्त्वा प्रययौ नारदोऽमोघदर्शनः । तेऽपि चान्वगमन् मार्गं भ्रातॄणामेव मारिष
etāvaduktvā prayayau nārado'moghadarśanaḥ | te'pi cānvagaman mārgaṃ bhrātṝṇāmeva māriṣa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O best of the advanced Āryans, after saying this much to the sons of Prajāpati Dakṣa, Nārada Muni, whose merciful glance never goes in vain, left as he had planned. The sons of Dakṣa followed their elder brothers. Not attempting to produce children, they engaged themselves in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
सध्रीचीनं प्रतीचीनं परस्यानुपथं गताः । नाद्यापि ते निवर्तन्ते पश्चिमा यामिनीरिव
sadhrīcīnaṃ pratīcīnaṃ parasyānupathaṃ gatāḥ | nādyāpi te nivartante paścimā yāminīriva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Savalāśvas took to the correct path, which is obtainable by a mode of life meant to achieve devotional service, or the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Like nights that have gone to the west, they have not returned even until now.
एतस्मिन् काल उत्पातान् बहून् पश्यन् प्रजापतिः । पूर्ववन्नारदकृतं पुत्रनाशमुपाशृणोत्
etasmin kāla utpātān bahūn paśyan prajāpatiḥ | pūrvavannāradakṛtaṃ putranāśamupāśṛṇot
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At this time, Prajāpati Dakṣa observed many inauspicious signs, and he heard from various sources that his second group of sons, the Savalāśvas, had followed the path of their elder brothers in accordance with the instructions of Nārada.
चुक्रोध नारदायासौ पुत्रशोकविमूर्च्छितः । देवर्षिमुपलभ्याह रोषाद्विस्फुरिताधरः
cukrodha nāradāyāsau putraśokavimūrcchitaḥ | devarṣimupalabhyāha roṣādvisphuritādharaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When he heard that the Savalāśvas had also left this world to engage in devotional service, Dakṣa was angry at Nārada, and he almost fainted due to lamentation. When Dakṣa met Nārada, Dakṣa’s lips began trembling in anger, and he spoke as follows.
दक्ष उवाच । अहो असाधो साधूनां साधुलिङ्गेन नस्त्वया । असाध्वकार्यर्भकाणां भिक्षोर्मार्गः प्रदर्शितः
dakṣa uvāca | aho asādho sādhūnāṃ sādhuliṅgena nastvayā | asādhvakāryarbhakāṇāṃ bhikṣormārgaḥ pradarśitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Prajāpati Dakṣa said: Alas, Nārada Muni, you wear the dress of a saintly person, but you are not actually a saint. Indeed, although I am now in gṛhastha life, I am a saintly person. By showing my sons the path of renunciation, you have done me an abominable injustice.
ऋणैस्त्रिभिरमुक्तानाममीमांसितकर्मणाम् । विघातः श्रेयसः पाप लोकयोरुभयोः कृतः
ṛṇaistribhiramuktānāmamīmāṃsitakarmaṇām | vighātaḥ śreyasaḥ pāpa lokayorubhayoḥ kṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Prajāpati Dakṣa said: My sons were not at all freed from their three debts. Indeed, they did not properly consider their obligations. O Nārada Muni, O personality of sinful action, you have obstructed their progress toward good fortune in this world and the next because they are still indebted to the saintly persons, the demigods and their father.
एवं त्वं निरनुक्रोशो बालानां मतिभिद्धरेः । पार्षदमध्ये चरसि यशोहा निरपत्रपः
evaṃ tvaṃ niranukrośo bālānāṃ matibhiddhareḥ | pārṣadamadhye carasi yaśohā nirapatrapaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Prajāpati Dakṣa continued: Thus committing violence against other living entities and yet claiming to be an associate of Lord Viṣṇu, you are defaming the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You needlessly created a mentality of renunciation in innocent boys, and therefore you are shameless and devoid of compassion. How could you travel with the personal associates of the Supreme Lord?
ननु भागवता नित्यं भूतानुग्रहकातराः । ऋते त्वां सौहृदघ्नं वै वैरङ्करमवैरिणाम्
nanu bhāgavatā nityaṃ bhūtānugrahakātarāḥ | ṛte tvāṃ sauhṛdaghnaṃ vai vairaṅkaramavairiṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the devotees of the Lord but you are very kind to the conditioned souls and are eager to benefit others. Although you wear the dress of a devotee, you create enmity with people who are not your enemies, or you break friendship and create enmity between friends. Are you not ashamed of posing as a devotee while performing these abominable actions?
नेत्थं पुंसां विरागः स्यात्त्वया केवलिना मृषा । मन्यसे यद्युपशमं स्नेहपाशनिकृन्तनम्
netthaṃ puṃsāṃ virāgaḥ syāttvayā kevalinā mṛṣā | manyase yadyupaśamaṃ snehapāśanikṛntanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Prajāpati Dakṣa continued: If you think that simply awakening the sense of renunciation will detach one from the material world, I must say that unless full knowledge is awakened, simply changing dresses as you have done cannot possibly bring detachment.
नानुभूय न जानाति पुमान् विषयतीक्ष्णताम् । निर्विद्यते स्वयं तस्मान्न तथा भिन्नधीः परैः
nānubhūya na jānāti pumān viṣayatīkṣṇatām | nirvidyate svayaṃ tasmānna tathā bhinnadhīḥ paraiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Material enjoyment is indeed the cause of all unhappiness, but one cannot give it up unless one has personally experienced how much suffering it is. Therefore one should be allowed to remain in so-called material enjoyment while simultaneously advancing in knowledge to experience the misery of this false material happiness. Then, without help from others, one will find material enjoyment detestful. Those whose minds are changed by others do not become as renounced as those who have personal experience.
यन्नस्त्वं कर्मसन्धानां साधूनां गृहमेधिनाम् । कृतवानसि दुर्मर्षं विप्रियं तव मर्षितम्
yannastvaṃ karmasandhānāṃ sādhūnāṃ gṛhamedhinām | kṛtavānasi durmarṣaṃ vipriyaṃ tava marṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although I live in household life with my wife and children, I honestly follow the Vedic injunctions by engaging in fruitive activities to enjoy life without sinful reactions. I have performed all kinds of yajñas, including the deva-yajña, ṛṣi-yajña, pitṛ-yajña and nṛ-yajña. Because these yajñas are called vratas [vows], I am known as a gṛhavrata. Unfortunately, you have given me great displeasure by misguiding my sons, for no reason, to the path of renunciation. This can be tolerated once.
तन्तुकृन्तन यन्नस्त्वमभद्रमचरः पुनः । तस्माल्लोकेषु ते मूढ न भवेद्भ्रमतः पदम्
tantukṛntana yannastvamabhadramacaraḥ punaḥ | tasmāllokeṣu te mūḍha na bhavedbhramataḥ padam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You have made me lose my sons once, and now you have again done the same inauspicious thing. Therefore you are a rascal who does not know how to behave toward others. You may travel all over the universe, but I curse you to have no residence anywhere.
श्रीशुक उवाच । प्रतिजग्राह तद्बाढं नारदः साधुसम्मतः । एतावान् साधुवादो हि तितिक्षेतेश्वरः स्वयम्
śrīśuka uvāca | pratijagrāha tadbāḍhaṃ nāradaḥ sādhusammataḥ | etāvān sādhuvādo hi titikṣeteśvaraḥ svayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, since Nārada Muni is an approved saintly person, when cursed by Prajāpati Dakṣa he replied, “tad bāḍham: Yes, what you have said is good. I accept this curse.” He could have cursed Prajāpati Dakṣa in return, but because he is a tolerant and merciful sādhu, he took no action.
श्रीशुक उवाच । ततः प्राचेतसोऽसिक्न्यामनुनीतः स्वयम्भुवा । षष्टिं सञ्जनयामास दुहितॄः पितृवत्सलाः
śrīśuka uvāca | tataḥ prācetaso'siknyāmanunītaḥ svayambhuvā | ṣaṣṭiṃ sañjanayāmāsa duhitṝḥ pitṛvatsalāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King, thereafter, at the request of Lord Brahmā, Prajāpati Dakṣa, who is known as Prācetasa, begot sixty daughters in the womb of his wife Asiknī. All the daughters were very affectionate toward their father.
दश धर्माय कायेन्दोर्द्विषट्त्रिणव दत्तवान् । भूताङ्गिरःकृशाश्वेभ्यो द्वे द्वे तार्क्ष्याय चापराः
daśa dharmāya kāyendordviṣaṭtriṇava dattavān | bhūtāṅgiraḥkṛśāśvebhyo dve dve tārkṣyāya cāparāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He gave ten daughters in charity to Dharmarāja [Yamarāja], thirteen to Kaśyapa [first twelve and then one more], twenty-seven to the moon-god, and two each to Aṅgirā, Kṛśāśva and Bhūta. The other four daughters were given to Kaśyapa. [Thus Kaśyapa received seventeen daughters in all.]
नामधेयान्यमूषां त्वं सापत्यानां च मे शृणु । यासां प्रसूतिप्रसवैर्लोका आपूरितास्त्रयः
nāmadheyānyamūṣāṃ tvaṃ sāpatyānāṃ ca me śṛṇu | yāsāṃ prasūtiprasavairlokā āpūritāstrayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now please hear from me the names of all these daughters and their descendants, who filled all the three worlds.
भानुर्लम्बा ककुद्यामिर्विश्वा साध्या मरुत्वती । वसुर्मुहूर्ता सङ्कल्पा धर्मपत्न्यः सुताञ्छृणु
bhānurlambā kakudyāmirviśvā sādhyā marutvatī | vasurmuhūrtā saṅkalpā dharmapatnyaḥ sutāñchṛṇu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The ten daughters given to Yamarāja were named Bhānu, Lambā, Kakud, Yāmi, Viśvā, Sādhyā, Marutvatī, Vasu, Muhūrtā and Saṅkalpā. Now hear the names of their sons.
भानोस्तु देवऋषभ इन्द्रसेनस्ततो नृप । विद्योत आसील्लम्बायास्ततश्च स्तनयित्नवः
bhānostu devaṛṣabha indrasenastato nṛpa | vidyota āsīllambāyāstataśca stanayitnavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, a son named Deva-ṛṣabha was born from the womb of Bhānu, and from him came a son named Indrasena. From the womb of Lambā came a son named Vidyota, who generated all the clouds.
ककुदः सङ्कटस्तस्य कीकटस्तनयो यतः । भुवो दुर्गाणि जामेयः स्वर्गो नन्दिस्ततोऽभवत्
kakudaḥ saṅkaṭastasya kīkaṭastanayo yataḥ | bhuvo durgāṇi jāmeyaḥ svargo nandistato'bhavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From the womb of Kakud came the son named Saṅkaṭa, whose son was named Kīkaṭa. From Kīkaṭa came the demigods named Durgā. From Yāmi came the son named Svarga, whose son was named Nandi.
विश्वेदेवास्तु विश्वाया अप्रजांस्तान् प्रचक्षते । साध्योगणस्तु साध्याया अर्थसिद्धिस्तु तत्सुतः
viśvedevāstu viśvāyā aprajāṃstān pracakṣate | sādhyogaṇastu sādhyāyā arthasiddhistu tatsutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sons of Viśvā were the Viśvadevas, who had no progeny. From the womb of Sādhyā came the Sādhyas, who had a son named Arthasiddhi.
मरुत्वांश्च जयन्तश्च मरुत्वत्यां बभूवतुः । जयन्तो वासुदेवांश उपेन्द्र इति यं विदुः
marutvāṃśca jayantaśca marutvatyāṃ babhūvatuḥ | jayanto vāsudevāṃśa upendra iti yaṃ viduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The two sons who took birth from the womb of Marutvatī were Marutvān and Jayanta. Jayanta, who is an expansion of Lord Vāsudeva, is known as Upendra.
मौहूर्तिका देवगणा मुहूर्तायाश्च जज्ञिरे । ये वै फलं प्रयच्छन्ति भूतानां स्वस्वकालजम्
mauhūrtikā devagaṇā muhūrtāyāśca jajñire | ye vai phalaṃ prayacchanti bhūtānāṃ svasvakālajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods named the Mauhūrtikas took birth from the womb of Muhūrtā. These demigods deliver the results of actions to the living entities of their respective times.
प्राणस्योर्जस्वती भार्या सह आयुः पुरोजवः । ध्रुवस्य भार्या धरणिरसूत विविधाः पुरः
prāṇasyorjasvatī bhāryā saha āyuḥ purojavaḥ | dhruvasya bhāryā dharaṇirasūta vividhāḥ puraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ūrjasvatī, the wife of Prāṇa, gave birth to three sons, named Saha, Āyus and Purojava. The wife of Dhruva was known as Dharaṇi, and from her womb various cities took birth.
अर्कस्य वासना भार्या पुत्रास्तर्षादयः स्मृताः । अग्नेर्भार्या वसोर्धारा पुत्रा द्रविणकादयः
arkasya vāsanā bhāryā putrāstarṣādayaḥ smṛtāḥ | agnerbhāryā vasordhārā putrā draviṇakādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From the womb of Vāsanā, the wife of Arka, came many sons, headed by Tarṣa. Dhārā, the wife of the Vasu named Agni, gave birth to many sons, headed by Draviṇaka.
स्कन्दश्च कृत्तिकापुत्रो ये विशाखादयस्ततः । दोषस्य शर्वरीपुत्रः शिशुमारो हरेः कला
skandaśca kṛttikāputro ye viśākhādayastataḥ | doṣasya śarvarīputraḥ śiśumāro hareḥ kalā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From Kṛttikā, another wife of Agni, came the son named Skanda, Kārttikeya, whose sons were headed by Viśākha. From the womb of Śarvarī, the wife of the Vasu named Doṣa, came the son named Śiśumāra, who was an expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
वसोराङ्गिरसीपुत्रो विश्वकर्मा कृतीपतिः । ततो मनुश्चाक्षुषोऽभूद्विश्वे साध्या मनोः सुताः
vasorāṅgirasīputro viśvakarmā kṛtīpatiḥ | tato manuścākṣuṣo'bhūdviśve sādhyā manoḥ sutāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From Āṅgirasī, the wife of the Vasu named Vāstu, was born the great architect Viśvakarmā. Viśvakarmā became the husband of Ākṛtī, from whom the Manu named Cākṣuṣa was born. The sons of Manu were known as the Viśvadevas and Sādhyas.
विभावसोरसूतोषा व्युष्टं रोचिषमातपम् । पञ्चयामोऽथ भूतानि येन जाग्रति कर्मसु
vibhāvasorasūtoṣā vyuṣṭaṃ rociṣamātapam | pañcayāmo'tha bhūtāni yena jāgrati karmasu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ūṣā, the wife of Vibhāvasu, gave birth to three sons — Vyuṣṭa, Rociṣa and Ātapa. From Ātapa came Pañcayāma, the span of day, who awakens all living entities to material activities.
प्रजापतेरङ्गिरसः स्वधा पत्नी पितॄनथ । अथर्वाङ्गिरसं वेदं पुत्रत्वे चाकरोत्सती
prajāpateraṅgirasaḥ svadhā patnī pitṝnatha | atharvāṅgirasaṃ vedaṃ putratve cākarotsatī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The prajāpati Aṅgirā had two wives, named Svadhā and Satī. The wife named Svadhā accepted all the Pitās as her sons, and Satī accepted the Atharvāṅgirasa Veda as her son.
कृशाश्वोऽर्चिषि भार्यायां धूम्रकेशमजीजनत् । धिषणायां वेदशिरो देवलं वयुनं मनुम्
kṛśāśvo'rciṣi bhāryāyāṃ dhūmrakeśamajījanat | dhiṣaṇāyāṃ vedaśiro devalaṃ vayunaṃ manum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛśāśva had two wives, named Arcis and Dhiṣaṇā. In the wife named Arcis he begot Dhūmaketu and in Dhiṣaṇā he begot four sons, named Vedaśirā, Devala, Vayuna and Manu.
कृत्तिकादीनि नक्षत्राणीन्दोः पत्न्यस्तु भारत । दक्षशापात्सोऽनपत्यस्तासु यक्ष्मग्रहार्दितः
kṛttikādīni nakṣatrāṇīndoḥ patnyastu bhārata | dakṣaśāpātso'napatyastāsu yakṣmagrahārditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, best of the Bhāratas, the constellations named Kṛttikā were all wives of the moon-god. However, because Prajāpati Dakṣa had cursed him to suffer from a disease causing gradual destruction, the moon-god could not beget children in any of his wives.
सुरभेर्महिषा गावो ये चान्ये द्विशफा नृप । ताम्रायाः श्येनगृध्राद्या मुनेरप्सरसां गणाः
surabhermahiṣā gāvo ye cānye dviśaphā nṛpa | tāmrāyāḥ śyenagṛdhrādyā munerapsarasāṃ gaṇāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Parīkṣit, from the womb of Surabhi the buffalo, cow and other animals with cloven hooves took birth, from the womb of Tāmrā the eagles, vultures and other large birds of prey took birth, and from the womb of Muni the angels took birth.
दन्दशूकादयः सर्पा राजन् क्रोधवशात्मजाः । इलाया भूरुहाः सर्वे यातुधानाश्च सौरसाः
dandaśūkādayaḥ sarpā rājan krodhavaśātmajāḥ | ilāyā bhūruhāḥ sarve yātudhānāśca saurasāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sons born of Krodhavaśā were the serpents known as dandaśūka, as well as other serpents and the mosquitoes. All the various creepers and trees were born from the womb of Ilā. The Rākṣasas, bad spirits, were born from the womb of Surasā.
स्वर्भानोः सुप्रभां कन्यामुवाह नमुचिः किल । वृषपर्वणस्तु शर्मिष्ठां ययातिर्नाहुषो बली
svarbhānoḥ suprabhāṃ kanyāmuvāha namuciḥ kila | vṛṣaparvaṇastu śarmiṣṭhāṃ yayātirnāhuṣo balī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The daughter of Svarbhānu named Suprabhā was married by Namuci. The daughter of Vṛṣaparvā named Śarmiṣṭhā was given to the powerful King Yayāti, the son of Nahuṣa.
विप्रचित्तिः सिंहिकायां शतं चैकमजीजनत् । राहुज्येष्ठं केतुशतं ग्रहत्वं य उपागतः
vipracittiḥ siṃhikāyāṃ śataṃ caikamajījanat | rāhujyeṣṭhaṃ ketuśataṃ grahatvaṃ ya upāgataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In his wife Siṁhikā, Vipracitti begot one hundred and one sons, of whom the eldest is Rāhu and the others are the one hundred Ketus. All of them attained positions in the influential planets.
विवस्वतः श्राद्धदेवं संज्ञासूयत वै मनुम् । मिथुनं च महाभागा यमं देवं यमीं तथा । सैव भूत्वाथ बडवा नासत्यौ सुषुवे भुवि
vivasvataḥ śrāddhadevaṃ saṃjñāsūyata vai manum | mithunaṃ ca mahābhāgā yamaṃ devaṃ yamīṃ tathā | saiva bhūtvātha baḍavā nāsatyau suṣuve bhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Saṁjñā, the wife of Vivasvān, the sun-god, gave birth to the Manu named Śrāddhadeva, and the same fortunate wife also gave birth to the twins Yamarāja and the river Yamunā. Then Yamī, while wandering on the earth in the form of a mare, gave birth to the Aśvinī-kumāras.
छाया शनैश्चरं लेभे सावर्णिं च मनुं ततः । कन्यां च तपतीं या वै वव्रे संवरणं पतिम्
chāyā śanaiścaraṃ lebhe sāvarṇiṃ ca manuṃ tataḥ | kanyāṃ ca tapatīṃ yā vai vavre saṃvaraṇaṃ patim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Chāyā, another wife of the sun-god, begot two sons named Śanaiścara and Sāvarṇi Manu, and one daughter, Tapatī, who married Saṁvaraṇa.
अर्यम्णो मातृका पत्नी तयोश्चर्षणयः सुताः । यत्र वै मानुषी जातिर्ब्रह्मणा चोपकल्पिता
aryamṇo mātṛkā patnī tayoścarṣaṇayaḥ sutāḥ | yatra vai mānuṣī jātirbrahmaṇā copakalpitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From the womb of Mātṛkā, the wife of Aryamā, were born many learned scholars. Among them Lord Brahmā created the human species, which are endowed with an aptitude for self-examination.
पूषानपत्यः पिष्टादो भग्नदन्तोऽभवत्पुरा । योऽसौ दक्षाय कुपितं जहास विवृतद्विजः
pūṣānapatyaḥ piṣṭādo bhagnadanto'bhavatpurā | yo'sau dakṣāya kupitaṃ jahāsa vivṛtadvijaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pūṣā had no sons. When Lord Śiva was angry at Dakṣa, Pūṣā had laughed at Lord Śiva and shown his teeth. Therefore he lost his teeth and had to live by eating only ground flour.
त्वष्टुर्दैत्यानुजा भार्या रचना नाम कन्यका । सन्निवेशस्तयोर्जज्ञे विश्वरूपश्च वीर्यवान्
tvaṣṭurdaityānujā bhāryā racanā nāma kanyakā | sanniveśastayorjajñe viśvarūpaśca vīryavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Racanā, the daughter of the Daityas, became the wife of Prajāpati Tvaṣṭā. By his semen he begot in her womb two very powerful sons named Sanniveśa and Viśvarūpa.
तं वव्रिरे सुरगणा स्वस्रीयं द्विषतामपि । विमतेन परित्यक्ता गुरुणाङ्गिरसेन यत्
taṃ vavrire suragaṇā svasrīyaṃ dviṣatāmapi | vimatena parityaktā guruṇāṅgirasena yat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although Viśvarūpa was the son of the daughter of their eternal enemies the demons, the demigods accepted him as their priest in accordance with the order of Brahmā when they were abandoned by their spiritual master, Bṛhaspati, whom they had disrespected.
राजोवाच । कस्य हेतोः परित्यक्ता आचार्येणात्मनः सुराः । एतदाचक्ष्व भगवञ्छिष्याणामक्रमं गुरौ
rājovāca | kasya hetoḥ parityaktā ācāryeṇātmanaḥ surāḥ | etadācakṣva bhagavañchiṣyāṇāmakramaṃ gurau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: O great sage, why did the spiritual master of the demigods, Bṛhaspati, reject the demigods, who were his own disciples? What offense did the demigods commit against their spiritual master? Please describe to me this incident.
ततो निर्गत्य सहसा कविराङ्गिरसः प्रभुः । आययौ स्वगृहं तूष्णीं विद्वान् श्रीमदविक्रियाम्
tato nirgatya sahasā kavirāṅgirasaḥ prabhuḥ | āyayau svagṛhaṃ tūṣṇīṃ vidvān śrīmadavikriyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bṛhaspati knew everything that would happen in the future. Seeing Indra’s transgression of etiquette, he completely understood that Indra was puffed up by his material opulence. Although able to curse Indra, he did not do so. Instead, he left the assembly and in silence returned to his home.
तर्ह्येव प्रतिबुध्येन्द्रो गुरुहेलनमात्मनः । गर्हयामास सदसि स्वयमात्मानमात्मना
tarhyeva pratibudhyendro guruhelanamātmanaḥ | garhayāmāsa sadasi svayamātmānamātmanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indra, the King of heaven, could immediately understand his mistake. Realizing he had disrespected his spiritual master, he condemned himself in the presence of all the members of the assembly.
अहो बत मयासाधु कृतं वै दभ्रबुद्धिना । यन्मयैश्वर्यमत्तेन गुरुः सदसि कात्कृतः
aho bata mayāsādhu kṛtaṃ vai dabhrabuddhinā | yanmayaiśvaryamattena guruḥ sadasi kātkṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Alas, what a regrettable deed I have committed because of my lack of intelligence and my pride in my material opulences. I failed to show respect to my spiritual master when he entered this assembly, and thus I have insulted him.
को गृध्येत्पण्डितो लक्ष्मीं त्रिविष्टपपतेरपि । ययाहमासुरं भावं नीतोऽद्य विबुधेश्वरः
ko gṛdhyetpaṇḍito lakṣmīṃ triviṣṭapapaterapi | yayāhamāsuraṃ bhāvaṃ nīto'dya vibudheśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although I am King of the demigods, who are situated in the mode of goodness, I was proud of a little opulence and polluted by false ego. Under the circumstances, who in this world would accept such riches at the risk of falling down? Alas! I condemn my wealth and opulence.
ये पारमेष्ठ्यं धिषणमधितिष्ठन्न कञ्चन । प्रत्युत्तिष्ठेदिति ब्रूयुर्धर्मं ते न परं विदुः
ye pārameṣṭhyaṃ dhiṣaṇamadhitiṣṭhanna kañcana | pratyuttiṣṭhediti brūyurdharmaṃ te na paraṃ viduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If a person says, “One who is situated on the exalted throne of a king should not stand up to show respect to another king or a brāhmaṇa,” it is to be understood that he does not know the superior religious principles.
तेषां कुपथदेष्टॄणां पततां तमसि ह्यधः । ये श्रद्दध्युर्वचस्ते वै मज्जन्त्यश्मप्लवा इव
teṣāṃ kupathadeṣṭṝṇāṃ patatāṃ tamasi hyadhaḥ | ye śraddadhyurvacaste vai majjantyaśmaplavā iva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Leaders who have fallen into ignorance and who mislead people by directing them to the path of destruction [as described in the previous verse] are, in effect, boarding a stone boat, and so too are those who blindly follow them. A stone boat would be unable to float and would sink in the water with its passengers. Similarly, those who mislead people go to hell, and their followers go with them.
अथाहममराचार्यमगाधधिषणं द्विजम् । प्रसादयिष्ये निशठः शीर्ष्णा तच्चरणं स्पृशन्
athāhamamarācāryamagādhadhiṣaṇaṃ dvijam | prasādayiṣye niśaṭhaḥ śīrṣṇā taccaraṇaṃ spṛśan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Indra said: Therefore with great frankness and without duplicity I shall now bow my head at the lotus feet of Bṛhaspati, the spiritual master of the demigods. Because he is in the mode of goodness, he is fully aware of all knowledge and is the best of the brāhmaṇas. Now I shall touch his lotus feet and offer my obeisances unto him to try to satisfy him.
एवं चिन्तयतस्तस्य मघोनो भगवान् गृहात् । बृहस्पतिर्गतोऽदृष्टां गतिमध्यात्ममायया
evaṃ cintayatastasya maghono bhagavān gṛhāt | bṛhaspatirgato'dṛṣṭāṃ gatimadhyātmamāyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Indra, the King of the demigods, thought in this way and repented in his own assembly, Bṛhaspati, the most powerful spiritual master, understood his mind. Thus he became invisible to Indra and left home, for Bṛhaspati was spiritually more powerful than King Indra.
गुरोर्नाधिगतः संज्ञां परीक्षन् भगवान् स्वराट् । ध्यायन् धिया सुरैर्युक्तः शर्म नालभतात्मनः
gurornādhigataḥ saṃjñāṃ parīkṣan bhagavān svarāṭ | dhyāyan dhiyā surairyuktaḥ śarma nālabhatātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although Indra searched vigorously with the assistance of the other demigods, he could not find Bṛhaspati. Then Indra thought, “Alas, my spiritual master has become dissatisfied with me, and now I have no means of achieving good fortune.” Although Indra was surrounded by demigods, he could not find peace of mind.
तच्छ्रुत्वैवासुराः सर्व आश्रित्यौशनसं मतम् । देवान् प्रत्युद्यमं चक्रुर्दुर्मदा आततायिनः
tacchrutvaivāsurāḥ sarva āśrityauśanasaṃ matam | devān pratyudyamaṃ cakrurdurmadā ātatāyinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing of the pitiable condition of King Indra, the demons, following the instructions of their guru, Śukrācārya, equipped themselves with weapons and declared war against the demigods.
तैर्विसृष्टेषुभिस्तीक्ष्णैर्निर्भिन्नाङ्गोरुबाहवः । ब्रह्माणं शरणं जग्मुः सहेन्द्रा नतकन्धराः
tairvisṛṣṭeṣubhistīkṣṇairnirbhinnāṅgorubāhavaḥ | brahmāṇaṃ śaraṇaṃ jagmuḥ sahendrā natakandharāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods’ heads, thighs and arms and the other parts of their bodies were injured by the sharp arrows of the demons. The demigods, headed by Indra, saw no other course than to immediately approach Lord Brahmā with bowed heads for shelter and proper instruction.
तांस्तथाभ्यर्दितान् वीक्ष्य भगवानात्मभूरजः । कृपया परया देव उवाच परिसान्त्वयन्
tāṃstathābhyarditān vīkṣya bhagavānātmabhūrajaḥ | kṛpayā parayā deva uvāca parisāntvayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the most powerful Lord Brahmā saw the demigods coming toward him, their bodies gravely injured by the arrows of the demons, he pacified them by his great causeless mercy and spoke as follows.
ब्रह्मोवाच । अहो बत सुरश्रेष्ठा ह्यभद्रं वः कृतं महत् । ब्रह्मिष्ठं ब्राह्मणं दान्तमैश्वर्यान्नाभ्यनन्दत
brahmovāca | aho bata suraśreṣṭhā hyabhadraṃ vaḥ kṛtaṃ mahat | brahmiṣṭhaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ dāntamaiśvaryānnābhyanandata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā said: O best of the demigods, unfortunately, because of madness resulting from your material opulence, you failed to receive Bṛhaspati properly when he came to your assembly. Because he is aware of the Supreme Brahman and fully in control of his senses, he is the best of the brāhmaṇas. Therefore it is very astonishing that you have acted impudently toward him.
तस्यायमनयस्यासीत्परेभ्यो वः पराभवः । प्रक्षीणेभ्यः स्ववैरिभ्यः समृद्धानां च यत्सुराः
tasyāyamanayasyāsītparebhyo vaḥ parābhavaḥ | prakṣīṇebhyaḥ svavairibhyaḥ samṛddhānāṃ ca yatsurāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of your misbehavior toward Bṛhaspati, you have been defeated by the demons. My dear demigods, since the demons were weak, having been defeated by you several times, how else could you, who were so advanced in opulence, be defeated by them?
मघवन् द्विषतः पश्य प्रक्षीणान् गुर्वतिक्रमात् । सम्प्रत्युपचितान् भूयः काव्यमाराध्य भक्तितः । आददीरन् निलयनं ममापि भृगुदेवताः
maghavan dviṣataḥ paśya prakṣīṇān gurvatikramāt | sampratyupacitān bhūyaḥ kāvyamārādhya bhaktitaḥ | ādadīran nilayanaṃ mamāpi bhṛgudevatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Indra, your enemies, the demons, were extremely weak because of their disrespect toward Śukrācārya, but since they have now worshiped Śukrācārya with great devotion, they have again become powerful. By their devotion to Śukrācārya, they have increased their strength so much that now they are even able to easily seize my abode from me.
त्रिविष्टपं किं गणयन्त्यभेद्य- मन्त्रा भृगूणामनुशिक्षितार्थाः । न विप्रगोविन्दगवीश्वराणां भवन्त्यभद्राणि नरेश्वराणाम्
triviṣṭapaṃ kiṃ gaṇayantyabhedya- mantrā bhṛgūṇāmanuśikṣitārthāḥ | na vipragovindagavīśvarāṇāṃ bhavantyabhadrāṇi nareśvarāṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of their firm determination to follow the instructions of Śukrācārya, his disciples, the demons, are now unconcerned about the demigods. In fact, kings or others who have determined faith in the mercy of brāhmaṇas, cows and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, and who always worship these three are always strong in their position.
तद्विश्वरूपं भजताशु विप्रं तपस्विनं त्वाष्ट्रमथात्मवन्तम् । सभाजितोऽर्थान् स विधास्यते वो यदि क्षमिष्यध्वमुतास्य कर्म
tadviśvarūpaṃ bhajatāśu vipraṃ tapasvinaṃ tvāṣṭramathātmavantam | sabhājito'rthān sa vidhāsyate vo yadi kṣamiṣyadhvamutāsya karma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O demigods, I instruct you to approach Viśvarūpa, the son of Tvaṣṭā, and accept him as your guru. He is a pure and very powerful brāhmaṇa undergoing austerity and penances. Pleased by your worship, he will fulfill your desires, provided that you tolerate his being inclined to side with the demons.
श्रीशुक उवाच । त एवमुदिता राजन् ब्रह्मणा विगतज्वराः । ऋषिं त्वाष्ट्रमुपव्रज्य परिष्वज्येदमब्रुवन्
śrīśuka uvāca | ta evamuditā rājan brahmaṇā vigatajvarāḥ | ṛṣiṃ tvāṣṭramupavrajya pariṣvajyedamabruvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thus advised by Lord Brahmā and relieved of their anxiety, all the demigods went to the sage Viśvarūpa, the son of Tvaṣṭā. My dear King, they embraced him and spoke as follows.
देवा ऊचुः । वयं तेऽतिथयः प्राप्ता आश्रमं भद्रमस्तु ते । कामः सम्पाद्यतां तात पितॄणां समयोचितः
devā ūcuḥ | vayaṃ te'tithayaḥ prāptā āśramaṃ bhadramastu te | kāmaḥ sampādyatāṃ tāta pitṝṇāṃ samayocitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods said: Beloved Viśvarūpa, may there be all good fortune for you. We, the demigods, have come to your āśrama as your guests. Please try to fulfill our desires according to the time, since we are on the level of your parents.
पुत्राणां हि परो धर्मः पितृशुश्रूषणं सताम् । अपि पुत्रवतां ब्रह्मन् किमुत ब्रह्मचारिणाम्
putrāṇāṃ hi paro dharmaḥ pitṛśuśrūṣaṇaṃ satām | api putravatāṃ brahman kimuta brahmacāriṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O brāhmaṇa, the highest duty of a son, even though he has sons of his own, is to serve his parents, and what to speak of a son who is a brahmacārī?
तस्मात्पितॄणामार्तानामार्तिं परपराभवम् । तपसापनयंस्तात सन्देशं कर्तुमर्हसि
tasmātpitṝṇāmārtānāmārtiṃ paraparābhavam | tapasāpanayaṃstāta sandeśaṃ kartumarhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear son, we have been defeated by our enemies, and therefore we are very much aggrieved. Please mercifully fulfill our desires by relieving our distress through the strength of your austerities. Please fulfill our prayers.
वृणीमहे त्वोपाध्यायं ब्रह्मिष्ठं ब्राह्मणं गुरुम् । यथाञ्जसा विजेष्यामः सपत्नांस्तव तेजसा
vṛṇīmahe tvopādhyāyaṃ brahmiṣṭhaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ gurum | yathāñjasā vijeṣyāmaḥ sapatnāṃstava tejasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since you are completely aware of the Supreme Brahman, you are a perfect brāhmaṇa, and therefore you are the spiritual master of all orders of life. We accept you as our spiritual master and director so that by the power of your austerity we may easily defeat the enemies who have conquered us.
न गर्हयन्ति ह्यर्थेषु यविष्ठाङ्घ्र्यभिवादनम् । छन्दोभ्योऽन्यत्र न ब्रह्मन् वयो ज्यैष्ठ्यस्य कारणम्
na garhayanti hyartheṣu yaviṣṭhāṅghryabhivādanam | chandobhyo'nyatra na brahman vayo jyaiṣṭhyasya kāraṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods continued: Do not fear criticism for being younger than us. Such etiquette does not apply in regard to Vedic mantras. Except in relationship to Vedic mantras, seniority is determined by age, but one may offer respectful obeisances even to a younger person who is advanced in chanting Vedic mantras. Therefore although you are junior in relationship to us, you may become our priest without hesitation.
ऋषिरुवाच । अभ्यर्थितः सुरगणैः पौरोहित्ये महातपाः । स विश्वरूपस्तानाह प्रसन्नः श्लक्ष्णया गिरा
ṛṣiruvāca | abhyarthitaḥ suragaṇaiḥ paurohitye mahātapāḥ | sa viśvarūpastānāha prasannaḥ ślakṣṇayā girā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: When all the demigods requested the great Viśvarūpa to be their priest, Viśvarūpa, who was advanced in austerities, was very pleased. He replied to them as follows.
विश्वरूप उवाच । विगर्हितं धर्मशीलैर्ब्रह्मवर्च उपव्ययम् । कथं नु मद्विधो नाथा लोकेशैरभियाचितम् । प्रत्याख्यास्यति तच्छिष्यः स एव स्वार्थ उच्यते
viśvarūpa uvāca | vigarhitaṃ dharmaśīlairbrahmavarca upavyayam | kathaṃ nu madvidho nāthā lokeśairabhiyācitam | pratyākhyāsyati tacchiṣyaḥ sa eva svārtha ucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Viśvarūpa said: O demigods, although the acceptance of priesthood is decried as causing the loss of previously acquired brahminical power, how can someone like me refuse to accept your personal request? You are all exalted commanders of the entire universe. I am your disciple and must take many lessons from you. Therefore I cannot refuse you. I must agree for my own benefit.
अकिञ्चनानां हि धनं शिलोञ्छनं तेनेह निर्वर्तितसाधुसत्क्रियः । कथं विगर्ह्यं नु करोम्यधीश्वराः पौरोधसं हृष्यति येन दुर्मतिः
akiñcanānāṃ hi dhanaṃ śiloñchanaṃ teneha nirvartitasādhusatkriyaḥ | kathaṃ vigarhyaṃ nu karomyadhīśvarāḥ paurodhasaṃ hṛṣyati yena durmatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O exalted governors of various planets, the true brāhmaṇa, who has no material possessions, maintains himself by the profession of accepting śiloñchana. In other words, he picks up grains left in the field and on the ground in the wholesale marketplace. By this means, householder brāhmaṇas who actually abide by the principles of austerity and penance maintain themselves and their families and perform all necessary pious activities. A brāhmaṇa who desires to achieve happiness by gaining wealth through professional priesthood must certainly have a very low mind. How shall I accept such priesthood?
तथापि न प्रतिब्रूयां गुरुभिः प्रार्थितं कियत् । भवतां प्रार्थितं सर्वं प्राणैरर्थैश्च साधये
tathāpi na pratibrūyāṃ gurubhiḥ prārthitaṃ kiyat | bhavatāṃ prārthitaṃ sarvaṃ prāṇairarthaiśca sādhaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All of you are my superiors. Therefore although accepting priesthood is sometimes reproachable, I cannot refuse even a small request from you. I agree to be your priest. I shall fulfill your request by dedicating my life and possessions.
श्रीशुक उवाच । तेभ्य एवं प्रतिश्रुत्य विश्वरूपो महातपाः । पौरोहित्यं वृतश्चक्रे परमेण समाधिना
śrīśuka uvāca | tebhya evaṃ pratiśrutya viśvarūpo mahātapāḥ | paurohityaṃ vṛtaścakre parameṇa samādhinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O King, after making this promise to the demigods, the exalted Viśvarūpa, surrounded by the demigods, performed the necessary priestly activities with great enthusiasm and attention.
सुरद्विषां श्रियं गुप्तामौशनस्यापि विद्यया । आच्छिद्यादान्महेन्द्राय वैष्णव्या विद्यया विभुः
suradviṣāṃ śriyaṃ guptāmauśanasyāpi vidyayā | ācchidyādānmahendrāya vaiṣṇavyā vidyayā vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The opulence of the demons, who are generally known as the enemies of the demigods, was protected by the talents and tactics of Śukrācārya, but Viśvarūpa, who was most powerful, composed a protective prayer known as the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca. By this intelligent mantra, he took away the opulence of the demons and gave it to Mahendra, the King of heaven.
यया गुप्तः सहस्राक्षो जिग्येऽसुरचमूर्विभुः । तां प्राह स महेन्द्राय विश्वरूप उदारधीः
yayā guptaḥ sahasrākṣo jigye'suracamūrvibhuḥ | tāṃ prāha sa mahendrāya viśvarūpa udāradhīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Viśvarūpa, who was most liberal, spoke to King Indra [Sahasrākṣa] the secret hymn that protected Indra and conquered the military power of the demons.
श्रीशुक उवाच । वृतः पुरोहितस्त्वाष्ट्रो महेन्द्रायानुपृच्छते । नारायणाख्यं वर्माह तदिहैकमनाः शृणु
śrīśuka uvāca | vṛtaḥ purohitastvāṣṭro mahendrāyānupṛcchate | nārāyaṇākhyaṃ varmāha tadihaikamanāḥ śṛṇu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: King Indra, the leader of the demigods, inquired about the armor known as Nārāyaṇa-kavaca from Viśvarūpa, who was engaged by the demigods as their priest. Please hear Viśvarūpa’s reply with great attention.
करन्यासं ततः कुर्याद्द्वादशाक्षरविद्यया । प्रणवादियकारान्तमङ्गुल्यङ्गुष्ठपर्वसु
karanyāsaṃ tataḥ kuryāddvādaśākṣaravidyayā | praṇavādiyakārāntamaṅgulyaṅguṣṭhaparvasu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then one should chant the mantra composed of twelve syllables [oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya]. Preceding each syllable by the oṁkāra, one should place the syllables of the mantra on the tips of his fingers, beginning with the index finger of the right hand and concluding with the index finger of the left. The four remaining syllables should be placed on the joints of the thumbs.
आत्मानं परमं ध्यायेद्ध्येयं षट् शक्तिभिर्युतम् । विद्यातेजस्तपोमूर्तिमिमं मन्त्रमुदाहरेत्
ātmānaṃ paramaṃ dhyāyeddhyeyaṃ ṣaṭ śaktibhiryutam | vidyātejastapomūrtimimaṃ mantramudāharet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After finishing this chanting, one should think himself qualitatively one with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is full in six opulences and is worthy to be meditated upon. Then one should chant the following protective prayer to Lord Nārāyaṇa, the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca.
ओं हरिर्विदध्यान्मम सर्वरक्षां न्यस्ताङ्घ्रिपद्मः पतगेन्द्रपृष्ठे । दरारिचर्मासिगदेषुचाप- पाशान् दधानोऽष्टगुणोऽष्टबाहुः
oṃ harirvidadhyānmama sarvarakṣāṃ nyastāṅghripadmaḥ patagendrapṛṣṭhe | darāricarmāsigadeṣucāpa- pāśān dadhāno'ṣṭaguṇo'ṣṭabāhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord, who sits on the back of the bird Garuḍa, touching him with His lotus feet, holds eight weapons — the conchshell, disc, shield, sword, club, arrows, bow and ropes. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead protect me at all times with His eight arms. He is all-powerful because He fully possesses the eight mystic powers [aṇimā, laghimā, etc.].
जलेषु मां रक्षतु मत्स्यमूर्ति- र्यादोगणेभ्यो वरुणस्य पाशात् । स्थलेषु मायावटुवामनोऽव्या- त्त्रिविक्रमः खेऽवतु विश्वरूपः
jaleṣu māṃ rakṣatu matsyamūrti- ryādogaṇebhyo varuṇasya pāśāt | sthaleṣu māyāvaṭuvāmano'vyā- ttrivikramaḥ khe'vatu viśvarūpaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May the Lord, who assumes the body of a great fish, protect me in the water from the fierce animals that are associates of the demigod Varuṇa. By expanding His illusory energy, the Lord assumed the form of the dwarf Vāmana. May Vāmana protect me on the land. Since the gigantic form of the Lord, Viśvarūpa, conquers the three worlds, may He protect me in the sky.
दुर्गेष्वटव्याजिमुखादिषु प्रभुः पायान्नृसिंहोऽसुरयूथपारिः । विमुञ्चतो यस्य महाट्टहासं दिशो विनेदुर्न्यपतंश्च गर्भाः
durgeṣvaṭavyājimukhādiṣu prabhuḥ pāyānnṛsiṃho'surayūthapāriḥ | vimuñcato yasya mahāṭṭahāsaṃ diśo vinedurnyapataṃśca garbhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, who appeared as the enemy of Hiraṇyakaśipu, protect me in all directions. His loud laughing vibrated in all directions and caused the pregnant wives of the asuras to have miscarriages. May that Lord be kind enough to protect me in difficult places like the forest and battlefront.
रक्षत्वसौ माध्वनि यज्ञकल्पः स्वदंष्ट्रयोन्नीतधरो वराहः । रामोऽद्रिकूटेष्वथ विप्रवासे सलक्ष्मणोऽव्याद्भरताग्रजोऽस्मान्
rakṣatvasau mādhvani yajñakalpaḥ svadaṃṣṭrayonnītadharo varāhaḥ | rāmo'drikūṭeṣvatha vipravāse salakṣmaṇo'vyādbharatāgrajo'smān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme indestructible Lord is ascertained through the performance of ritualistic sacrifices and is therefore known as Yajñeśvara. In His incarnation as Lord Boar, He raised the planet earth from the water at the bottom of the universe and kept it on His pointed tusks. May that Lord protect me from rogues on the street. May Paraśurāma protect me on the tops of mountains, and may the elder brother of Bharata, Lord Rāmacandra, along with His brother Lakṣmaṇa, protect me in foreign countries.
मामुग्रधर्मादखिलात्प्रमादा- न्नारायणः पातु नरश्च हासात् । दत्तस्त्वयोगादथ योगनाथः पायाद्गुणेशः कपिलः कर्मबन्धात्
māmugradharmādakhilātpramādā- nnārāyaṇaḥ pātu naraśca hāsāt | dattastvayogādatha yoganāthaḥ pāyādguṇeśaḥ kapilaḥ karmabandhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May Lord Nārāyaṇa protect me from unnecessarily following false religious systems and falling from my duties due to madness. May the Lord in His appearance as Nara protect me from unnecessary pride. May Lord Dattātreya, the master of all mystic power, protect me from falling while performing bhakti-yoga, and may Lord Kapila, the master of all good qualities, protect me from the material bondage of fruitive activities.
सनत्कुमारोऽवतु कामदेवा- द्धयशीर्षा मां पथि देवहेलनात् । देवर्षिवर्यः पुरुषार्चनान्तरा- त्कूर्मो हरिर्मां निरयादशेषात्
sanatkumāro'vatu kāmadevā- ddhayaśīrṣā māṃ pathi devahelanāt | devarṣivaryaḥ puruṣārcanāntarā- tkūrmo harirmāṃ nirayādaśeṣāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May Sanat-kumāra protect me from lusty desires. As I begin some auspicious activity, may Lord Hayagrīva protect me from being an offender by neglecting to offer respectful obeisances to the Supreme Lord. May Devarṣi Nārada protect me from committing offenses in worshiping the Deity, and may Lord Kūrma, the tortoise, protect me from falling to the unlimited hellish planets.
धन्वन्तरिर्भगवान् पात्वपथ्या- द्द्वन्द्वाद्भयादृषभो निर्जितात्मा । यज्ञश्च लोकादवताज्जनान्ता- द्बलो गणात्क्रोधवशादहीन्द्रः
dhanvantarirbhagavān pātvapathyā- ddvandvādbhayādṛṣabho nirjitātmā | yajñaśca lokādavatājjanāntā- dbalo gaṇātkrodhavaśādahīndraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Dhanvantari relieve me from undesirable eatables and protect me from physical illness. May Lord Ṛṣabhadeva, who conquered His inner and outer senses, protect me from fear produced by the duality of heat and cold. May Yajña protect me from defamation and harm from the populace, and may Lord Balarāma as Śeṣa protect me from envious serpents.
द्वैपायनो भगवानप्रबोधा- द्बुद्धस्तु पाखण्डगणप्रमादात् । कल्किः कलेः कालमलात्प्रपातु धर्मावनायोरुकृतावतारः
dvaipāyano bhagavānaprabodhā- dbuddhastu pākhaṇḍagaṇapramādāt | kalkiḥ kaleḥ kālamalātprapātu dharmāvanāyorukṛtāvatāraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May the Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Vyāsadeva protect me from all kinds of ignorance resulting from the absence of Vedic knowledge. May Lord Buddhadeva protect me from activities opposed to Vedic principles and from laziness that causes one to madly forget the Vedic principles of knowledge and ritualistic action. May Kalkideva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who appeared as an incarnation to protect religious principles, protect me from the dirt of the Age of Kali.
मां केशवो गदया प्रातरव्या- द्गोविन्द आसङ्गवमात्तवेणुः । नारायणः प्राह्ण उदात्तशक्ति- र्मध्यन्दिने विष्णुररीन्द्रपाणिः
māṃ keśavo gadayā prātaravyā- dgovinda āsaṅgavamāttaveṇuḥ | nārāyaṇaḥ prāhṇa udāttaśakti- rmadhyandine viṣṇurarīndrapāṇiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May Lord Keśava protect me with His club in the first portion of the day, and may Govinda, who is always engaged in playing His flute, protect me in the second portion of the day. May Lord Nārāyaṇa, who is equipped with all potencies, protect me in the third part of the day, and may Lord Viṣṇu, who carries a disc to kill His enemies, protect me in the fourth part of the day.
देवोऽपराह्णे मधुहोग्रधन्वा सायं त्रिधामावतु माधवो माम् । दोषे हृषीकेश उतार्धरात्रे निशीथ एकोऽवतु पद्मनाभः
devo'parāhṇe madhuhogradhanvā sāyaṃ tridhāmāvatu mādhavo mām | doṣe hṛṣīkeśa utārdharātre niśītha eko'vatu padmanābhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May Lord Madhusūdana, who carries a bow very fearful for the demons, protect me during the fifth part of the day. In the evening, may Lord Mādhava, appearing as Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara, protect me, and in the beginning of night may Lord Hṛṣīkeśa protect me. At the dead of night [in the second and third parts of night] may Lord Padmanābha alone protect me.
श्रीवत्सधामापररात्र ईशः प्रत्यूष ईशोऽसिधरो जनार्दनः । दामोदरोऽव्यादनुसन्ध्यं प्रभाते विश्वेश्वरो भगवान् कालमूर्तिः
śrīvatsadhāmāpararātra īśaḥ pratyūṣa īśo'sidharo janārdanaḥ | dāmodaro'vyādanusandhyaṃ prabhāte viśveśvaro bhagavān kālamūrtiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who bears the Śrīvatsa on His chest, protect me after midnight until the sky becomes pinkish. May Lord Janārdana, who carries a sword in His hand, protect me at the end of night [during the last four ghaṭikās of night]. May Lord Dāmodara protect me in the early morning, and may Lord Viśveśvara protect me during the junctions of day and night.
चक्रं युगान्तानलतिग्मनेमि भ्रमत्समन्ताद्भगवत्प्रयुक्तम् । दन्दग्धि दन्दग्ध्यरिसैन्यमाशु कक्षं यथा वातसखो हुताशः
cakraṃ yugāntānalatigmanemi bhramatsamantādbhagavatprayuktam | dandagdhi dandagdhyarisainyamāśu kakṣaṃ yathā vātasakho hutāśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Set into motion by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and wandering in all the four directions, the disc of the Supreme Lord has sharp edges as destructive as the fire of devastation at the end of the millennium. As a blazing fire burns dry grass to ashes with the assistance of the breeze, may that Sudarśana cakra burn our enemies to ashes.
गदेऽशनिस्पर्शनविस्फुलिङ्गे निष्पिण्ढि निष्पिण्ढ्यजितप्रियासि । कूष्माण्डवैनायकयक्षरक्षो- भूतग्रहांश्चूर्णय चूर्णयारीन्
gade'śanisparśanavisphuliṅge niṣpiṇḍhi niṣpiṇḍhyajitapriyāsi | kūṣmāṇḍavaināyakayakṣarakṣo- bhūtagrahāṃścūrṇaya cūrṇayārīn
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O club in the hand of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you produce sparks of fire as powerful as thunderbolts, and you are extremely dear to the Lord. I am also His servant. Therefore kindly help me pound to pieces the evil living beings known as Kuṣmāṇḍas, Vaināyakas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Bhūtas and Grahas. Please pulverize them.
त्वं यातुधानप्रमथप्रेतमातृ- पिशाचविप्रग्रहघोरदृष्टीन् । दरेन्द्र विद्रावय कृष्णपूरितो भीमस्वनोऽरेर्हृदयानि कम्पयन्
tvaṃ yātudhānapramathapretamātṛ- piśācavipragrahaghoradṛṣṭīn | darendra vidrāvaya kṛṣṇapūrito bhīmasvano'rerhṛdayāni kampayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of conchshells, O Pāñcajanya in the hands of the Lord, you are always filled with the breath of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Therefore you create a fearful sound vibration that causes trembling in the hearts of enemies like the Rākṣasas, pramatha ghosts, Pretas, Mātās, Piśācas and brāhmaṇa ghosts with fearful eyes.
त्वं तिग्मधारासिवरारिसैन्य- मीशप्रयुक्तो मम छिन्धि छिन्धि । चक्षूंषि चर्मञ्छतचन्द्र छादय द्विषामघोनां हर पापचक्षुषाम्
tvaṃ tigmadhārāsivarārisainya- mīśaprayukto mama chindhi chindhi | cakṣūṃṣi carmañchatacandra chādaya dviṣāmaghonāṃ hara pāpacakṣuṣām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O king of sharp-edged swords, you are engaged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Please cut the soldiers of my enemies to pieces. Please cut them to pieces! O shield marked with a hundred brilliant moonlike circles, please cover the eyes of the sinful enemies. Pluck out their sinful eyes.
गरुडो भगवान् स्तोत्रस्तोभश्छन्दोमयः प्रभुः । रक्षत्वशेषकृच्छ्रेभ्यो विष्वक्सेनः स्वनामभिः
garuḍo bhagavān stotrastobhaśchandomayaḥ prabhuḥ | rakṣatvaśeṣakṛcchrebhyo viṣvaksenaḥ svanāmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Garuḍa, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu, is the most worshipable lord, for he is as powerful as the Supreme Lord Himself. He is the personified Vedas and is worshiped by selected verses. May he protect us from all dangerous conditions, and may Lord Viṣvaksena, the Personality of Godhead, also protect us from all dangers by His holy names.
सर्वापद्भ्यो हरेर्नामरूपयानायुधानि नः । बुद्धीन्द्रियमनःप्राणान् पान्तु पार्षदभूषणाः
sarvāpadbhyo harernāmarūpayānāyudhāni naḥ | buddhīndriyamanaḥprāṇān pāntu pārṣadabhūṣaṇāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s holy names, His transcendental forms, His carriers and all the weapons decorating Him as personal associates protect our intelligence, senses, mind and life air from all dangers.
यथा हि भगवानेव वस्तुतः सदसच्च यत् । सत्येनानेन नः सर्वे यान्तु नाशमुपद्रवाः
yathā hi bhagavāneva vastutaḥ sadasacca yat | satyenānena naḥ sarve yāntu nāśamupadravāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The subtle and gross cosmic manifestation is material, but nevertheless it is nondifferent from the Supreme Personality of Godhead because He is ultimately the cause of all causes. Cause and effect are factually one because the cause is present in the effect. Therefore the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can destroy all our dangers by any of His potent parts.
विदिक्षु दिक्षूर्ध्वमधः समन्ता- दन्तबर्हिर्भगवान् नारसिंहः । प्रहापयँल्लोकभयं स्वनेन स्वतेजसा ग्रस्तसमस्ततेजाः
vidikṣu dikṣūrdhvamadhaḥ samantā- dantabarhirbhagavān nārasiṃhaḥ | prahāpaya~llokabhayaṃ svanena svatejasā grastasamastatejāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Prahlāda Mahārāja loudly chanted the holy name of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva. May Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, roaring for His devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja, protect us from all fear of dangers created by stalwart leaders in all directions through poison, weapons, water, fire, air and so on. May the Lord cover their influence by His own transcendental influence. May Nṛsiṁhadeva protect us in all directions and in all corners, above, below, within and without.
मघवन्निदमाख्यातं वर्म नारायणात्मकम् । विजेष्यस्यञ्जसा येन दंशितोऽसुरयूथपान्
maghavannidamākhyātaṃ varma nārāyaṇātmakam | vijeṣyasyañjasā yena daṃśito'surayūthapān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Viśvarūpa continued: O Indra, this mystic armor related to Lord Nārāyaṇa has been described by me to you. By putting on this protective covering, you will certainly be able to conquer the leaders of the demons.
एतद्धारयमाणस्तु यं यं पश्यति चक्षुषा । पदा वा संस्पृशेत्सद्यः साध्वसात्स विमुच्यते
etaddhārayamāṇastu yaṃ yaṃ paśyati cakṣuṣā | padā vā saṃspṛśetsadyaḥ sādhvasātsa vimucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If one employs this armor, whomever he sees with his eyes or touches with his feet is immediately freed from all the above-mentioned dangers.
न कुतश्चिद्भयं तस्य विद्यां धारयतो भवेत् । राजदस्युग्रहादिभ्यो व्याध्यादिभ्यश्च कर्हिचित्
na kutaścidbhayaṃ tasya vidyāṃ dhārayato bhavet | rājadasyugrahādibhyo vyādhyādibhyaśca karhicit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This prayer, Nārāyaṇa-kavaca, constitutes subtle knowledge transcendentally connected with Nārāyaṇa. One who employs this prayer is never disturbed or put in danger by the government, by plunderers, by evil demons or by any type of disease.
इमां विद्यां पुरा कश्चित्कौशिको धारयन् द्विजः । योगधारणया स्वाङ्गं जहौ स मरुधन्वनि
imāṃ vidyāṃ purā kaścitkauśiko dhārayan dvijaḥ | yogadhāraṇayā svāṅgaṃ jahau sa marudhanvani
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King of heaven, a brāhmaṇa named Kauśika formerly used this armor when he purposely gave up his body in the desert by mystic power.
तस्योपरि विमानेन गन्धर्वपतिरेकदा । ययौ चित्ररथः स्त्रीभिर्वृतो यत्र द्विजक्षयः
tasyopari vimānena gandharvapatirekadā | yayau citrarathaḥ strībhirvṛto yatra dvijakṣayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Surrounded by many beautiful women, Citraratha, the King of Gandharvaloka, was once passing in his airplane over the brāhmaṇa’s body at the spot where the brāhmaṇa had died.
गगनान्न्यपतत्सद्यः सविमानो ह्यवाक्शिराः । स वालखिल्यवचनादस्थीन्यादाय विस्मितः । प्रास्य प्राचीसरस्वत्यां स्नात्वा धाम स्वमन्वगात्
gaganānnyapatatsadyaḥ savimāno hyavākśirāḥ | sa vālakhilyavacanādasthīnyādāya vismitaḥ | prāsya prācīsarasvatyāṃ snātvā dhāma svamanvagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Suddenly Citraratha was forced to fall from the sky headfirst with his airplane. Struck with wonder, he was ordered by the great sages named the Vālikhilyas to throw the brāhmaṇa’s bones in the nearby river Sarasvatī. He had to do this and bathe in the river before returning to his own abode.
श्रीशुक उवाच । य इदं शृणुयात्काले यो धारयति चादृतः । तं नमस्यन्ति भूतानि मुच्यते सर्वतो भयात्
śrīśuka uvāca | ya idaṃ śṛṇuyātkāle yo dhārayati cādṛtaḥ | taṃ namasyanti bhūtāni mucyate sarvato bhayāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear Mahārāja Parīkṣit, one who employs this armor or hears about it with faith and veneration when afraid because of any conditions in the material world is immediately freed from all dangers and is worshiped by all living entities.
एतां विद्यामधिगतो विश्वरूपाच्छतक्रतुः । त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्मीं बुभुजे विनिर्जित्य मृधेऽसुरान्
etāṃ vidyāmadhigato viśvarūpācchatakratuḥ | trailokyalakṣmīṃ bubhuje vinirjitya mṛdhe'surān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Indra, who performed one hundred sacrifices, received this prayer of protection from Viśvarūpa. After conquering the demons, he enjoyed all the opulences of the three worlds.
श्रीशुक उवाच । तस्यासन् विश्वरूपस्य शिरांसि त्रीणि भारत । सोमपीथं सुरापीथमन्नादमिति शुश्रुम
śrīśuka uvāca | tasyāsan viśvarūpasya śirāṃsi trīṇi bhārata | somapīthaṃ surāpīthamannādamiti śuśruma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Viśvarūpa, who was engaged as the priest of the demigods, had three heads. He used one to drink the beverage soma-rasa, another to drink wine and the third to eat food. O King Parīkṣit, thus I have heard from authorities.
स वै बर्हिषि देवेभ्यो भागं प्रत्यक्षमुच्चकैः । अददद्यस्य पितरो देवाः सप्रश्रयं नृप
sa vai barhiṣi devebhyo bhāgaṃ pratyakṣamuccakaiḥ | adadadyasya pitaro devāḥ sapraśrayaṃ nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the demigods were related to Viśvarūpa from his father’s side, and therefore he visibly offered clarified butter in the fire while chanting mantras such as indrāya idaṁ svāhā [“this is meant for King Indra”] and idam agnaye [“this is for the demigod of fire”]. He loudly chanted these mantras and offered each of the demigods his proper share.
स एव हि ददौ भागं परोक्षमसुरान् प्रति । यजमानोऽवहद्भागं मातृस्नेहवशानुगः
sa eva hi dadau bhāgaṃ parokṣamasurān prati | yajamāno'vahadbhāgaṃ mātṛsnehavaśānugaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although offering clarified butter in the sacrificial fire in the name of the demigods, without the knowledge of the demigods he also offered oblations to the demons because they were his relatives through his mother.
तद्देवहेलनं तस्य धर्मालीकं सुरेश्वरः । आलक्ष्य तरसा भीतस्तच्छीर्षाण्यच्छिनद्रुषा
taddevahelanaṃ tasya dharmālīkaṃ sureśvaraḥ | ālakṣya tarasā bhītastacchīrṣāṇyacchinadruṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once upon a time, however, the King of heaven, Indra, understood that Viśvarūpa was secretly cheating the demigods by offering oblations on behalf of the demons. He became extremely afraid of being defeated by the demons, and in great anger at Viśvarūpa he cut Viśvarūpa’s three heads from his shoulders.
सोमपीथं तु यत्तस्य शिर आसीत्कपिञ्जलः । कलविङ्कः सुरापीथमन्नादं यत्स तित्तिरिः
somapīthaṃ tu yattasya śira āsītkapiñjalaḥ | kalaviṅkaḥ surāpīthamannādaṃ yatsa tittiriḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, the head meant for drinking soma-rasa was transformed into a kapiñjala [francolin partridge]. Similarly, the head meant for drinking wine was transformed into a kalaviṅka [sparrow], and the head meant for eating food became a tittiri [common partridge].
ब्रह्महत्यामञ्जलिना जग्राह यदपीश्वरः । संवत्सरान्ते तदघं भूतानां स विशुद्धये
brahmahatyāmañjalinā jagrāha yadapīśvaraḥ | saṃvatsarānte tadaghaṃ bhūtānāṃ sa viśuddhaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although Indra was so powerful that he could neutralize the sinful reactions for killing a brāhmaṇa, he repentantly accepted the burden of these reactions with folded hands. He suffered for one year, and then to purify himself he distributed the reactions for this sinful killing among the earth, water, trees and women.
भूम्यम्बुद्रुमयोषिद्भ्यश्चतुर्धा व्यभजद्धरिः । भूमिस्तुरीयं जग्राह खातपूरवरेण वै
bhūmyambudrumayoṣidbhyaścaturdhā vyabhajaddhariḥ | bhūmisturīyaṃ jagrāha khātapūravareṇa vai
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In return for King Indra’s benediction that ditches in the earth would be filled automatically, the land accepted one fourth of the sinful reactions for killing a brāhmaṇa. Because of those sinful reactions, we find many deserts on the surface of the earth.
ईरिणं ब्रह्महत्याया रूपं भूमौ प्रदृश्यते । तुर्यं छेदविरोहेण वरेण जगृहुर्द्रुमाः
īriṇaṃ brahmahatyāyā rūpaṃ bhūmau pradṛśyate | turyaṃ chedaviroheṇa vareṇa jagṛhurdrumāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In return for Indra’s benediction that their branches and twigs would grow back when trimmed, the trees accepted one fourth of the reactions for killing a brāhmaṇa. These reactions are visible in the flowing of sap from trees. [Therefore one is forbidden to drink this sap.]
तेषां निर्यासरूपेण ब्रह्महत्या प्रदृश्यते । शश्वत्कामवरेणांहस्तुरीयं जगृहुः स्त्रियः
teṣāṃ niryāsarūpeṇa brahmahatyā pradṛśyate | śaśvatkāmavareṇāṃhasturīyaṃ jagṛhuḥ striyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In return for Lord Indra’s benediction that they would be able to enjoy lusty desires continuously, even during pregnancy for as long as sex is not injurious to the embryo, women accepted one fourth of the sinful reactions. As a result of those reactions, women manifest the signs of menstruation every month.
रजोरूपेण तास्वंहो मासि मासि प्रदृश्यते । द्रव्यभूयोवरेणापस्तुरीयं जगृहुर्मलम्
rajorūpeṇa tāsvaṃho māsi māsi pradṛśyate | dravyabhūyovareṇāpasturīyaṃ jagṛhurmalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And in return for King Indra’s benediction that water would increase the volume of other substances with which it was mixed, water accepted one fourth of the sinful reactions. Therefore there are bubbles and foam in water. When one collects water, these should be avoided.
तासु बुद्बुदफेनाभ्यां दृष्टं तद्धरति क्षिपन् । हतपुत्रस्ततस्त्वष्टा जुहावेन्द्राय शत्रवे
tāsu budbudaphenābhyāṃ dṛṣṭaṃ taddharati kṣipan | hataputrastatastvaṣṭā juhāvendrāya śatrave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Viśvarūpa was killed, his father, Tvaṣṭā, performed ritualistic ceremonies to kill Indra. He offered oblations in the sacrificial fire, saying, “O enemy of Indra, flourish to kill your enemy without delay.”
इन्द्रशत्रो विवर्धस्व मा चिरं जहि विद्विषम् । अथान्वाहार्यपचनादुत्थितो घोरदर्शनः
indraśatro vivardhasva mā ciraṃ jahi vidviṣam | athānvāhāryapacanādutthito ghoradarśanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, from the southern side of the sacrificial fire known as Anvāhārya came a fearful personality who looked like the destroyer of the entire creation at the end of the millennium.
येनावृता इमे लोकास्तमसा त्वाष्ट्रमूर्तिना । स वै वृत्र इति प्रोक्तः पापः परमदारुणः
yenāvṛtā ime lokāstamasā tvāṣṭramūrtinā | sa vai vṛtra iti proktaḥ pāpaḥ paramadāruṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That very fearful demon, who was actually the son of Tvaṣṭā, covered all the planetary systems by dint of austerity. Therefore he was named Vṛtra, or one who covers everything.
तं निजघ्नुरभिद्रुत्य सगणा विबुधर्षभाः । स्वैः स्वैर्दिव्यास्त्रशस्त्रौघैः सोऽग्रसत्तानि कृत्स्नशः
taṃ nijaghnurabhidrutya sagaṇā vibudharṣabhāḥ | svaiḥ svairdivyāstraśastraughaiḥ so'grasattāni kṛtsnaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods, headed by Indra, charged the demon with their soldiers, striking him with their own transcendental bows and arrows and other weapons but Vṛtrāsura swallowed all their weapons.
ततस्ते विस्मिताः सर्वे विषण्णा ग्रस्ततेजसः । प्रत्यञ्चमादिपुरुषमुपतस्थुः समाहिताः
tataste vismitāḥ sarve viṣaṇṇā grastatejasaḥ | pratyañcamādipuruṣamupatasthuḥ samāhitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Struck with wonder and disappointment upon seeing the strength of the demon, the demigods lost their own strength. Therefore they all met together to try to please the Supersoul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, by worshiping Him.
देवा ऊचुः । वाय्वम्बराग्न्यप्क्षितयस्त्रिलोका ब्रह्मादयो ये वयमुद्विजन्तः । हराम यस्मै बलिमन्तकोऽसौ बिभेति यस्मादरणं ततो नः
devā ūcuḥ | vāyvambarāgnyapkṣitayastrilokā brahmādayo ye vayamudvijantaḥ | harāma yasmai balimantako'sau bibheti yasmādaraṇaṃ tato naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods said: The three worlds are created by the five elements — namely ether, air, fire, water and earth — which are controlled by various demigods, beginning from Lord Brahmā. Being very much afraid that the time factor will end our existence, we offer presentations unto time by performing our work as time dictates. The time factor himself, however, is afraid of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore let us now worship that Supreme Lord, who alone can give us full protection.
अविस्मितं तं परिपूर्णकामं स्वेनैव लाभेन समं प्रशान्तम् । विनोपसर्पत्यपरं हि बालिशः श्वलाङ्गुलेनातितितर्ति सिन्धुम्
avismitaṃ taṃ paripūrṇakāmaṃ svenaiva lābhena samaṃ praśāntam | vinopasarpatyaparaṃ hi bāliśaḥ śvalāṅgulenātititarti sindhum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Free from all material conceptions of existence and never wonder-struck by anything, the Lord is always jubilant and fully satisfied by His own spiritual perfection. He has no material designations, and therefore He is steady and unattached. That Supreme Personality of Godhead is the only shelter of everyone. Anyone desiring to be protected by others is certainly a great fool who desires to cross the sea by holding the tail of a dog.
यस्योरुशृङ्गे जगतीं स्वनावं मनुर्यथाऽऽबध्य ततार दुर्गम् । स एव नस्त्वाष्ट्रभयाद्दुरन्ता- त्त्राताऽऽश्रितान् वारिचरोऽपि नूनम्
yasyoruśṛṅge jagatīṃ svanāvaṃ manuryathā''badhya tatāra durgam | sa eva nastvāṣṭrabhayāddurantā- ttrātā''śritān vāricaro'pi nūnam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Manu named King Satyavrata formerly saved himself by tying the small boat of the entire world to the horn of the Matsya avatāra, the fish incarnation. By the grace of the Matsya avatāra, Manu saved himself from the great danger of the flood. May that same fish incarnation save us from the great and fearful danger caused by the son of Tvaṣṭā.
पुरा स्वयम्भूरपि संयमाम्भ- स्युदीर्णवातोर्मिरवैः कराले । एकोऽरविन्दात्पतितस्ततार तस्माद्भयाद्येन स नोऽस्तु पारः
purā svayambhūrapi saṃyamāmbha- syudīrṇavātormiravaiḥ karāle | eko'ravindātpatitastatāra tasmādbhayādyena sa no'stu pāraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the beginning of creation, a tremendous wind caused fierce waves of inundating water. The great waves made such a horrible sound that Lord Brahmā almost fell from his seat on the lotus into the water of devastation, but he was saved with the help of the Lord. Thus we also expect the Lord to protect us from this dangerous condition.
य एक ईशो निजमायया नः ससर्ज येनानुसृजाम विश्वम् । वयं न यस्यापि पुरः समीहतः पश्याम लिङ्गं पृथगीशमानिनः
ya eka īśo nijamāyayā naḥ sasarja yenānusṛjāma viśvam | vayaṃ na yasyāpi puraḥ samīhataḥ paśyāma liṅgaṃ pṛthagīśamāninaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who created us by His external potency and by whose mercy we expand the creation of the universe, is always situated before us as the Supersoul, but we cannot see His form. We are unable to see Him because all of us think that we are separate and independent gods.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति तेषां महाराज सुराणामुपतिष्ठताम् । प्रतीच्यां दिश्यभूदाविः शङ्खचक्रगदाधरः
śrīśuka uvāca | iti teṣāṃ mahārāja surāṇāmupatiṣṭhatām | pratīcyāṃ diśyabhūdāviḥ śaṅkhacakragadādharaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King, when all the demigods offered Him their prayers, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Hari, carrying His weapons, the conchshell, disc and club, appeared first within their hearts and then before them.
देवा ऊचुः । नमस्ते यज्ञवीर्याय वयसे उत ते नमः । नमस्ते ह्यस्तचक्राय नमः सुपुरुहूतये
devā ūcuḥ | namaste yajñavīryāya vayase uta te namaḥ | namaste hyastacakrāya namaḥ supuruhūtaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods said: O Supreme Personality of Godhead, You are competent to give the results of sacrifice, and You are also the time factor that destroys all such results in due course. You are the one who releases the cakra to kill the demons. O Lord, who possess many varieties of names, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
यत्ते गतीनां तिसृणामीशितुः परमं पदम् । नार्वाचीनो विसर्गस्य धातर्वेदितुमर्हति
yatte gatīnāṃ tisṛṇāmīśituḥ paramaṃ padam | nārvācīno visargasya dhātarveditumarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O supreme controller, You control the three destinations [promotion to the heavenly planets, birth as a human being, and condemnation in hell], yet Your supreme abode is Vaikuṇṭha-dhāma. Since we appeared after You created this cosmic manifestation, Your activities are impossible for us to understand. We therefore have nothing to offer You but our humble obeisances.
ओं नमस्तेऽस्तु भगवन् नारायण वासुदेवाऽऽदिपुरुष महापुरुष महानुभाव परममङ्गल परमकल्याण परमकारुणिक केवल जगदाधार लोकैकनाथ सर्वेश्वर लक्ष्मीनाथ परमहंसपरिव्राजकैः परमेणात्मयोगसमाधिना परिभावित- परिस्फुटपारमहंस्यधर्मेणोद्घाटिततमः- कपाटद्वारे चित्तेऽपावृत आत्मलोके स्वयमुपलब्धनिजसुखानुभवो भवान्
oṃ namaste'stu bhagavan nārāyaṇa vāsudevā''dipuruṣa mahāpuruṣa mahānubhāva paramamaṅgala paramakalyāṇa paramakāruṇika kevala jagadādhāra lokaikanātha sarveśvara lakṣmīnātha paramahaṃsaparivrājakaiḥ parameṇātmayogasamādhinā paribhāvita- parisphuṭapāramahaṃsyadharmeṇodghāṭitatamaḥ- kapāṭadvāre citte'pāvṛta ātmaloke svayamupalabdhanijasukhānubhavo bhavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Supreme Personality of Godhead, O Nārāyaṇa, O Vāsudeva, original person! O most exalted person, supreme experience, welfare personified! O supreme benediction, supremely merciful and changeless! O support of the cosmic manifestation, sole proprietor of all planetary systems, master of everything and husband of the goddess of fortune! Your Lordship is realized by the topmost sannyāsīs, who wander about the world to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness, fully absorbed in samādhi through bhakti-yoga. Because their minds are concentrated upon You, they can receive the conception of Your personality in their fully purified hearts. When the darkness in their hearts is completely eradicated and You are revealed to them, the transcendental bliss they enjoy is the transcendental form of Your Lordship. No one but such persons can realize You. Therefore we simply offer You our respectful obeisances.
दुरवबोध इव तवायं विहारयोगो यदशरणोऽशरीर इदमनवेक्षितास्म- त्समवाय आत्मनैवाविक्रियमाणेन सगुणमगुणः सृजसि पासि हरसि
duravabodha iva tavāyaṃ vihārayogo yadaśaraṇo'śarīra idamanavekṣitāsma- tsamavāya ātmanaivāvikriyamāṇena saguṇamaguṇaḥ sṛjasi pāsi harasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, You need no support, and although You have no material body, You do not need cooperation from us. Since You are the cause of the cosmic manifestation and You supply its material ingredients without being transformed, You create, maintain and annihilate this cosmic manifestation by Yourself. Nevertheless, although You appear engaged in material activity, You are transcendental to all material qualities. Consequently these transcendental activities of Yours are extremely difficult to understand.
अथ तत्र भवान् किं देवदत्तवदिह गुणविसर्गपतितः पारतन्त्र्येण स्वकृत- कुशलाकुशलं फलमुपाददात्याहोस्वि- दात्माराम उपशमशीलः समञ्जसदर्शन उदास्त इति ह वाव न विदामः
atha tatra bhavān kiṃ devadattavadiha guṇavisargapatitaḥ pāratantryeṇa svakṛta- kuśalākuśalaṃ phalamupādadātyāhosvi- dātmārāma upaśamaśīlaḥ samañjasadarśana udāsta iti ha vāva na vidāmaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These are our inquiries. The ordinary conditioned soul is subject to the material laws, and he thus receives the fruits of his actions. Does Your Lordship, like an ordinary human being, exist within this material world in a body produced by the material modes? Do You enjoy or suffer the good or bad results of actions under the influence of time, past work and so forth? Or, on the contrary, are You present here only as a neutral witness who is self-sufficient, free from all material desires, and always full of spiritual potency? We certainly cannot understand Your actual position.
न हि विरोध उभयं भगवत्यपरिमित- गुणगण ईश्वरेऽनवगाह्यमाहात्म्येऽर्वाचीन- विकल्पवितर्कविचारप्रमाणाभासकुतर्क- शास्त्रकलिलान्तःकरणाश्रयदुरवग्रहवादिनां विवादानवसर उपरतसमस्तमायामये केवल एवात्ममायामन्तर्धाय को न्वर्थो दुर्घट इव भवति स्वरूपद्वयाभावात्
na hi virodha ubhayaṃ bhagavatyaparimita- guṇagaṇa īśvare'navagāhyamāhātmye'rvācīna- vikalpavitarkavicārapramāṇābhāsakutarka- śāstrakalilāntaḥkaraṇāśrayaduravagrahavādināṃ vivādānavasara uparatasamastamāyāmaye kevala evātmamāyāmantardhāya ko nvartho durghaṭa iva bhavati svarūpadvayābhāvāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Supreme Personality of Godhead, all contradictions can be reconciled in You. O Lord, since You are the Supreme Person, the reservoir of unlimited spiritual qualities, the supreme controller, Your unlimited glories are inconceivable to the conditioned souls. Many modern theologians argue about right and wrong without knowing what is actually right. Their arguments are always false and their judgments inconclusive because they have no authorized evidence with which to gain knowledge of You. Because their minds are agitated by scriptures containing false conclusions, they are unable to understand the truth concerning You. Furthermore, because of polluted eagerness to arrive at the right conclusion, their theories are incapable of revealing You, who are transcendental to their material conceptions. You are one without a second, and therefore in You contradictions like doing and not doing, happiness and distress, are not contradictory. Your potency is so great that it can do and undo anything as You like. With the help of that potency, what is impossible for You? Since there is no duality in Your constitutional position, You can do everything by the influence of Your energy.
समविषममतीनां मतमनुसरसि यथा रज्जुखण्डः सर्पादिधियाम्
samaviṣamamatīnāṃ matamanusarasi yathā rajjukhaṇḍaḥ sarpādidhiyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A rope causes fear for a bewildered person who considers it a snake, but not for a person with proper intelligence who knows it to be only a rope. Similarly, You, as the Supersoul in everyone’s heart, inspire fear or fearlessness according to one’s intelligence, but in You there is no duality.
स एव हि पुनः सर्ववस्तुनि वस्तुस्वरूपः सर्वेश्वरः सकलजगत्कारणकारणभूतः सर्वप्रत्यगात्मत्वात्सर्वगुणाभासोपलक्षित एक एव पर्यवशेषितः
sa eva hi punaḥ sarvavastuni vastusvarūpaḥ sarveśvaraḥ sakalajagatkāraṇakāraṇabhūtaḥ sarvapratyagātmatvātsarvaguṇābhāsopalakṣita eka eva paryavaśeṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With deliberation, one will see that the Supreme Soul, although manifested in different ways, is actually the basic principle of everything. The total material energy is the cause of the material manifestation, but the material energy is caused by Him. Therefore He is the cause of all causes, the manifester of intelligence and the senses. He is perceived as the Supersoul of everything. Without Him, everything would be dead. You, as that Supersoul, the supreme controller, are the only one remaining.
अथ ह वाव तव महिमामृतरससमुद्र- विप्रुषा सकृदवलीढया स्वमनसि निष्यन्दमानानवरतसुखेन विस्मारित- दृष्टश्रुतविषयसुखलेशाभासाः परमभागवता एकान्तिनो भगवति सर्वभूतप्रियसुहृदि सर्वात्मनि नितरां निरन्तरं निर्वृतमनसः कथमु ह वा एते मधुमथन पुनः स्वार्थकुशला ह्यात्मप्रिय- सुहृदः साधवस्त्वच्चरणाम्बुजानुसेवां विसृजन्ति न यत्र पुनरयं संसारपर्यावर्तः
atha ha vāva tava mahimāmṛtarasasamudra- vipruṣā sakṛdavalīḍhayā svamanasi niṣyandamānānavaratasukhena vismārita- dṛṣṭaśrutaviṣayasukhaleśābhāsāḥ paramabhāgavatā ekāntino bhagavati sarvabhūtapriyasuhṛdi sarvātmani nitarāṃ nirantaraṃ nirvṛtamanasaḥ kathamu ha vā ete madhumathana punaḥ svārthakuśalā hyātmapriya- suhṛdaḥ sādhavastvaccaraṇāmbujānusevāṃ visṛjanti na yatra punarayaṃ saṃsāraparyāvartaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O killer of the Madhu demon, incessant transcendental bliss flows in the minds of those who have even once tasted but a drop of the nectar from the ocean of Your glories. Such exalted devotees forget the tiny reflection of so-called material happiness produced from the material senses of sight and sound. Free from all desires, such devotees are the real friends of all living entities. Offering their minds unto You and enjoying transcendental bliss, they are expert in achieving the real goal of life. O Lord, You are the soul and dear friend of such devotees, who never need return to this material world. How could they give up engagement in Your devotional service?
त्रिभुवनात्मभवन त्रिविक्रम त्रिनयन त्रिलोकमनोहरानुभाव तवैव विभूतयो दितिजदनुजादयश्चापि तेषामनुपक्रम- समयोऽयमिति स्वात्ममायया सुरनरमृगमिश्रितजलचराकृतिभि- र्यथापराधं दण्डं दण्डधर दधर्थ एवमेनमपि भगवन् जहि त्वाष्ट्रमुत यदि मन्यसे
tribhuvanātmabhavana trivikrama trinayana trilokamanoharānubhāva tavaiva vibhūtayo ditijadanujādayaścāpi teṣāmanupakrama- samayo'yamiti svātmamāyayā suranaramṛgamiśritajalacarākṛtibhi- ryathāparādhaṃ daṇḍaṃ daṇḍadhara dadhartha evamenamapi bhagavan jahi tvāṣṭramuta yadi manyase
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, O personified three worlds, father of the three worlds! O strength of the three worlds, in the form of the Vāmana incarnation! O three-eyed form of Nṛsiṁhadeva! O most beautiful person within the three worlds! Everything and everyone, including human beings and even the Daitya demons and the Dānavas, is but an expansion of Your energy. O supremely powerful one, You have always appeared in Your forms as the various incarnations to punish the demons as soon as they become very powerful. You appear as Lord Vāmanadeva, Lord Rāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa. You appear sometimes as an animal like Lord Boar, sometimes a mixed incarnation like Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva and Lord Hayagrīva, and sometimes an aquatic like Lord Fish and Lord Tortoise. Assuming such various forms, You have always punished the demons and Dānavas. We therefore pray that Your Lordship appear today as another incarnation, if You so desire, to kill the great demon Vṛtrāsura.
अस्माकं तावकानां तव नतानां तत ततामह तव चरणनलिनयुगलध्याना- नुबद्धहृदयनिगडानां स्वलिङ्गविवरणेना- त्मसात्कृतानामनुकम्पानुरञ्जितविशद- रुचिरशिशिरस्मितावलोकेन विगलित- मधुरमुखरसामृतकलया चान्तस्ताप- मनघार्हसि शमयितुम्
asmākaṃ tāvakānāṃ tava natānāṃ tata tatāmaha tava caraṇanalinayugaladhyānā- nubaddhahṛdayanigaḍānāṃ svaliṅgavivaraṇenā- tmasātkṛtānāmanukampānurañjitaviśada- ruciraśiśirasmitāvalokena vigalita- madhuramukharasāmṛtakalayā cāntastāpa- managhārhasi śamayitum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O supreme protector, O grandfather, O supreme pure, O Lord! We are all surrendered souls at Your lotus feet. Indeed, our minds are bound to Your lotus feet in meditation by chains of love. Now please manifest Your incarnation. Accepting us as Your own eternal servants and devotees, be pleased with us and sympathetic toward us. By Your love-filled glance, with its cool and pleasing smile of sympathy, and by the sweet, nectarean words emanating from Your beautiful face, free us from the anxiety caused by this Vṛtrāsura, who always pains the cores of our hearts.
अथ भगवंस्तवास्माभिरखिलजग- दुत्पत्तिस्थितिलयनिमित्तायमानदिव्य- मायाविनोदस्य सकलजीवनिकायाना- मन्तर्हृदयेषु बहिरपि च ब्रह्मप्रत्यगात्म- स्वरूपेण प्रधानरूपेण च यथादेशकाल- देहावस्थानविशेषं तदुपादानो- पलम्भकतयानुभवतः सर्वप्रत्ययसाक्षिण आकाशशरीरस्य साक्षात्परब्रह्मणः परमात्मनः कियानिह वार्थविशेषो विज्ञापनीयः स्याद्विस्फुलिङ्गादिभिरिव हिरण्यरेतसः
atha bhagavaṃstavāsmābhirakhilajaga- dutpattisthitilayanimittāyamānadivya- māyāvinodasya sakalajīvanikāyānā- mantarhṛdayeṣu bahirapi ca brahmapratyagātma- svarūpeṇa pradhānarūpeṇa ca yathādeśakāla- dehāvasthānaviśeṣaṃ tadupādāno- palambhakatayānubhavataḥ sarvapratyayasākṣiṇa ākāśaśarīrasya sākṣātparabrahmaṇaḥ paramātmanaḥ kiyāniha vārthaviśeṣo vijñāpanīyaḥ syādvisphuliṅgādibhiriva hiraṇyaretasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, as the small sparks of a fire cannot possibly perform the actions of the whole fire, we sparks of Your Lordship cannot inform You of the necessities of our lives. You are the complete whole. Therefore, of what do we need to inform You? You know everything because You are the original cause of the cosmic manifestation, the maintainer and the annihilator of the entire universal creation. You always engage in Your pastimes with Your spiritual and material energies, for You are the controller of all these varied energies. You exist within all living entities, within the cosmic manifestation, and also beyond them. You exist internally as Parabrahman and externally as the ingredients of the material creation. Therefore, although manifested in various stages, at different times and places, and in various bodies, You, the Personality of Godhead, are the original cause of all causes. Indeed, You are the original element. You are the witness of all activities, but because You are as great as the sky, You are never touched by any of them. You are the witness of everything as Parabrahman and Paramātmā. O Supreme Personality of Godhead, nothing is unknown to You.
अत एव स्वयं तदुपकल्पयास्माकं भगवतः परमगुरोस्तव चरणशत- पलाशच्छायां विविधवृजिनसंसार- परिश्रमोपशमनीमुपसृतानां वयं यत्कामेनोपसादिताः
ata eva svayaṃ tadupakalpayāsmākaṃ bhagavataḥ paramagurostava caraṇaśata- palāśacchāyāṃ vividhavṛjinasaṃsāra- pariśramopaśamanīmupasṛtānāṃ vayaṃ yatkāmenopasāditāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Lord, You are omniscient, and therefore You know very well why we have taken shelter at Your lotus feet, which provide shade that gives relief from all material disturbances. Since You are the supreme spiritual master and You know everything, we have sought shelter of Your lotus feet for instruction. Please give us relief by counteracting our present distress. Your lotus feet are the only shelter for a fully surrendered devotee and are the only means for subduing all the tribulations of this material world.
अथो ईश जहि त्वाष्ट्रं ग्रसन्तं भुवनत्रयम् । ग्रस्तानि येन नः कृष्ण तेजांस्यस्त्रायुधानि च
atho īśa jahi tvāṣṭraṃ grasantaṃ bhuvanatrayam | grastāni yena naḥ kṛṣṇa tejāṃsyastrāyudhāni ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O Lord, O supreme controller, O Lord Kṛṣṇa, please annihilate this dangerous demon Vṛtrāsura, Tvaṣṭā’s son, who has already swallowed all our weapons, our paraphernalia for fighting, and our strength and influence.
हंसाय दह्रनिलयाय निरीक्षकाय कृष्णाय मृष्टयशसे निरुपक्रमाय । सत्सङ्ग्रहाय भवपान्थनिजाश्रमाप्त- वन्ते परीष्टगतये हरये नमस्ते
haṃsāya dahranilayāya nirīkṣakāya kṛṣṇāya mṛṣṭayaśase nirupakramāya | satsaṅgrahāya bhavapānthanijāśramāpta- vante parīṣṭagataye haraye namaste
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, O supreme pure, You live within the core of everyone’s heart and observe all the desires and activities of the conditioned souls. O Supreme Personality of Godhead known as Lord Kṛṣṇa, Your reputation is bright and illuminating. You have no beginning, for You are the beginning of everything. This is understood by pure devotees because You are easily accessible to the pure and truthful. When the conditioned souls are liberated and sheltered at Your lotus feet after roving throughout the material world for many millions of years, they attain the highest success of life. Therefore, O Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, we offer our respectful obeisances at Your lotus feet.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथैवमीडितो राजन् सादरं त्रिदशैर्हरिः । स्वमुपस्थानमाकर्ण्य प्राह तानभिनन्दितः
śrīśuka uvāca | athaivamīḍito rājan sādaraṃ tridaśairhariḥ | svamupasthānamākarṇya prāha tānabhinanditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O King Parīkṣit, when the demigods offered the Lord their sincere prayers in this way, the Lord listened by His causeless mercy. Being pleased, He then replied to the demigods.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । प्रीतोऽहं वः सुरश्रेष्ठा मदुपस्थानविद्यया । आत्मैश्वर्यस्मृतिः पुंसां भक्तिश्चैव यया मयि
śrībhagavānuvāca | prīto'haṃ vaḥ suraśreṣṭhā madupasthānavidyayā | ātmaiśvaryasmṛtiḥ puṃsāṃ bhaktiścaiva yayā mayi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O beloved demigods, you have offered your prayers to Me with great knowledge, and I am certainly most pleased with you. A person is liberated by such knowledge, and thus he remembers My exalted position, which is above the conditions of material life. Such a devotee is fully purified by offering prayers in full knowledge. This is the source of devotional service to Me.
किं दुरापं मयि प्रीते तथापि विबुधर्षभाः । मय्येकान्तमतिर्नान्यन्मत्तो वाञ्छति तत्त्ववित्
kiṃ durāpaṃ mayi prīte tathāpi vibudharṣabhāḥ | mayyekāntamatirnānyanmatto vāñchati tattvavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of the intelligent demigods, although it is true that nothing is difficult for one to obtain when I am pleased with him, a pure devotee, whose mind is exclusively fixed upon Me, does not ask Me for anything but the opportunity to engage in devotional service.
न वेद कृपणः श्रेय आत्मनो गुणवस्तुदृक् । तस्य तानिच्छतो यच्छेद्यदि सोऽपि तथाविधः
na veda kṛpaṇaḥ śreya ātmano guṇavastudṛk | tasya tānicchato yacchedyadi so'pi tathāvidhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who think material assets to be everything or to be the ultimate goal of life are called misers [kṛpaṇas]. They do not know the ultimate necessity of the soul. Moreover, if one awards that which is desired by such fools, he must also be considered foolish.
स्वयं निःश्रेयसं विद्वान् न वक्त्यज्ञाय कर्म हि । न राति रोगिणोऽपथ्यं वाञ्छतो हि भिषक्तमः
svayaṃ niḥśreyasaṃ vidvān na vaktyajñāya karma hi | na rāti rogiṇo'pathyaṃ vāñchato hi bhiṣaktamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A pure devotee who is fully accomplished in the science of devotional service will never instruct a foolish person to engage in fruitive activities for material enjoyment, not to speak of helping him in such activities. Such a devotee is like an experienced physician, who never encourages a patient to eat food injurious to his health, even if the patient desires it.
मघवन् यात भद्रं वो दध्यञ्चमृषिसत्तमम् । विद्याव्रततपःसारं गात्रं याचत मा चिरम्
maghavan yāta bhadraṃ vo dadhyañcamṛṣisattamam | vidyāvratatapaḥsāraṃ gātraṃ yācata mā ciram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Maghavan [Indra], all good fortune unto you. I advise you to approach the exalted saint Dadhyañca [Dadhīci]. He has become very accomplished in knowledge, vows and austerities, and his body is very strong. Go ask him for his body without delay.
स वा अधिगतो दध्यङ्ङश्विभ्यां ब्रह्म निष्कलम् । यद्वा अश्वशिरो नाम तयोरमरतां व्यधात्
sa vā adhigato dadhyaṅṅaśvibhyāṃ brahma niṣkalam | yadvā aśvaśiro nāma tayoramaratāṃ vyadhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That saintly Dadhyañca, who is also known as Dadhīci, personally assimilated the spiritual science and then delivered it to the Aśvinī-kumāras. It is said that Dadhyañca gave them mantras through the head of a horse. Therefore the mantras are called Aśvaśira. After obtaining the mantras of spiritual science from Dadhīci, the Aśvinī-kumāras became jīvan-mukta, liberated even in this life.
दध्यङ्ङाथर्वणस्त्वष्ट्रे वर्माभेद्यं मदात्मकम् । विश्वरूपाय यत्प्रादात्त्वष्टा यत्त्वमधास्ततः
dadhyaṅṅātharvaṇastvaṣṭre varmābhedyaṃ madātmakam | viśvarūpāya yatprādāttvaṣṭā yattvamadhāstataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dadhyañca’s invincible protective covering known as the Nārāyaṇa-kavaca was given to Tvaṣṭā, who delivered it to his son Viśvarūpa, from whom you have received it. Because of this Nārāyaṇa-kavaca, Dadhīci’s body is now very strong. You should therefore beg him for his body.
युष्मभ्यं याचितोऽश्विभ्यां धर्मज्ञोऽङ्गानि दास्यति । ततस्तैरायुधश्रेष्ठो विश्वकर्मविनिर्मितः । येन वृत्रशिरो हर्ता मत्तेज उपबृंहितः
yuṣmabhyaṃ yācito'śvibhyāṃ dharmajño'ṅgāni dāsyati | tatastairāyudhaśreṣṭho viśvakarmavinirmitaḥ | yena vṛtraśiro hartā matteja upabṛṃhitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Aśvinī-kumāras beg for Dadhyañca’s body on your behalf, he will surely give it because of affection. Do not doubt this, for Dadhyañca is very experienced in religious understanding. When Dadhyañca awards you his body, Viśvakarmā will prepare a thunderbolt from his bones. This thunderbolt will certainly kill Vṛtrāsura because it will be invested with My power.
तस्मिन् विनिहते यूयं तेजोऽस्त्रायुधसम्पदः । भूयः प्राप्स्यथ भद्रं वो न हिंसन्ति च मत्परान्
tasmin vinihate yūyaṃ tejo'strāyudhasampadaḥ | bhūyaḥ prāpsyatha bhadraṃ vo na hiṃsanti ca matparān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Vṛtrāsura is killed because of My spiritual strength, you will regain your strength, weapons and wealth. Thus there will be all good fortune for all of you. Although Vṛtrāsura can destroy all the three worlds, do not fear that he will harm you. He is also a devotee and will never be envious of you.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इन्द्रमेवं समादिश्य भगवान् विश्वभावनः । पश्यतामनिमेषाणां तत्रैवान्तर्दधे हरिः
śrīśuka uvāca | indramevaṃ samādiśya bhagavān viśvabhāvanaḥ | paśyatāmanimeṣāṇāṃ tatraivāntardadhe hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After instructing Indra in this way, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, the cause of the cosmic manifestation, then and there disappeared from the presence of the onlooking demigods.
तथाभियाचितो देवैरृषिराथर्वणो महान् । मोदमान उवाचेदं प्रहसन्निव भारत
tathābhiyācito devairṛṣirātharvaṇo mahān | modamāna uvācedaṃ prahasanniva bhārata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, following the Lord’s instructions, the demigods approached Dadhīci, the son of Atharvā. He was very liberal, and when they begged him to give them his body, he at once partially agreed. However, just to hear religious instructions from them, he smiled and jokingly spoke as follows.
अपि वृन्दारका यूयं न जानीथ शरीरिणाम् । संस्थायां यस्त्वभिद्रोहो दुःसहश्चेतनापहः
api vṛndārakā yūyaṃ na jānītha śarīriṇām | saṃsthāyāṃ yastvabhidroho duḥsahaścetanāpahaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O elevated demigods, at the time of death, severe, unbearable pain takes away the consciousness of all living entities who have accepted material bodies. Don’t you know about this pain?
जिजीविषूणां जीवानामात्मा प्रेष्ठ इहेप्सितः । क उत्सहेत तं दातुं भिक्षमाणाय विष्णवे
jijīviṣūṇāṃ jīvānāmātmā preṣṭha ihepsitaḥ | ka utsaheta taṃ dātuṃ bhikṣamāṇāya viṣṇave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this material world, every living entity is very much addicted to his material body. Struggling to keep his body forever, everyone tries to protect it by all means, even at the sacrifice of all his possessions. Therefore, who would be prepared to deliver his body to anyone, even if it were demanded by Lord Viṣṇu?
देवा ऊचुः । किं नु तद्दुस्त्यजं ब्रह्मन् पुंसां भूतानुकम्पिनाम् । भवद्विधानां महतां पुण्यश्लोकेड्यकर्मणाम्
devā ūcuḥ | kiṃ nu taddustyajaṃ brahman puṃsāṃ bhūtānukampinām | bhavadvidhānāṃ mahatāṃ puṇyaślokeḍyakarmaṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods replied: O exalted brāhmaṇa, pious persons like you, whose activities are praiseworthy, are very kind and affectionate to people in general. What can’t such pious souls give for the benefit of others? They can give everything, including their bodies.
न नु स्वार्थपरो लोको न वेद परसङ्कटम् । यदि वेद न याचेत नेति नाह यदीश्वरः
na nu svārthaparo loko na veda parasaṅkaṭam | yadi veda na yāceta neti nāha yadīśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who are too self-interested beg something from others, not knowing of others’ pain. But if the beggar knew the difficulty of the giver, he would not ask for anything. Similarly, he who is able to give charity does not know the beggar’s difficulty, for otherwise he would not refuse to give the beggar anything he might want as charity.
ऋषिरुवाच । धर्मं वः श्रोतुकामेन यूयं मे प्रत्युदाहृताः । एष वः प्रियमात्मानं त्यजन्तं सन्त्यजाम्यहम्
ṛṣiruvāca | dharmaṃ vaḥ śrotukāmena yūyaṃ me pratyudāhṛtāḥ | eṣa vaḥ priyamātmānaṃ tyajantaṃ santyajāmyaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Dadhīci said: Just to hear from you about religious principles, I refused to offer my body at your request. Now, although my body is extremely dear to me, I must give it up for your better purposes since I know that it will leave me today or tomorrow.
योऽध्रुवेणात्मना नाथा न धर्मं न यशः पुमान् । ईहेत भूतदयया स शोच्यः स्थावरैरपि
yo'dhruveṇātmanā nāthā na dharmaṃ na yaśaḥ pumān | īheta bhūtadayayā sa śocyaḥ sthāvarairapi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O demigods, one who has no compassion for humanity in its suffering and does not sacrifice his impermanent body for the higher causes of religious principles or eternal glory is certainly pitied even by the immovable beings.
एतावानव्ययो धर्मः पुण्यश्लोकैरुपासितः । यो भूतशोकहर्षाभ्यामात्मा शोचति हृष्यति
etāvānavyayo dharmaḥ puṇyaślokairupāsitaḥ | yo bhūtaśokaharṣābhyāmātmā śocati hṛṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If one is unhappy to see the distress of other living beings and happy to see their happiness, his religious principles are appreciated as imperishable by exalted persons who are considered pious and benevolent.
अहो दैन्यमहो कष्टं पारक्यैः क्षणभङ्गुरैः । यन्नोपकुर्यादस्वार्थैर्मर्त्यः स्वज्ञातिविग्रहैः
aho dainyamaho kaṣṭaṃ pārakyaiḥ kṣaṇabhaṅguraiḥ | yannopakuryādasvārthairmartyaḥ svajñātivigrahaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This body, which is eatable by jackals and dogs after death, does not actually do any good for me, the spirit soul. It is usable only for a short time and may perish at any moment. The body and its possessions, its riches and relatives, must all be engaged for the benefit of others, or else they will be sources of tribulation and misery.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं कृतव्यवसितो दध्यङ्ङाथर्वणस्तनुम् । परे भगवति ब्रह्मण्यात्मानं सन्नयन् जहौ
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ kṛtavyavasito dadhyaṅṅātharvaṇastanum | pare bhagavati brahmaṇyātmānaṃ sannayan jahau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Dadhīci Muni, the son of Atharvā, thus resolved to give his body to the service of the demigods. He placed himself, the spirit soul, at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and in this way gave up his gross material body made of five elements.
यताक्षासुमनोबुद्धिस्तत्त्वदृग् ध्वस्तबन्धनः । आस्थितः परमं योगं न देहं बुबुधे गतम्
yatākṣāsumanobuddhistattvadṛg dhvastabandhanaḥ | āsthitaḥ paramaṃ yogaṃ na dehaṃ bubudhe gatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dadhīci Muni controlled his senses, life force, mind and intelligence and became absorbed in trance. Thus he cut all his material bonds. He could not perceive how his material body became separated from his self.
वृत्रमभ्यद्रवच्छत्रुमसुरानीकयूथपैः । पर्यस्तमोजसा राजन् क्रुद्धो रुद्र इवान्तकम्
vṛtramabhyadravacchatrumasurānīkayūthapaiḥ | paryastamojasā rājan kruddho rudra ivāntakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Parīkṣit, as Rudra, being very angry at Antaka [Yamarāja] had formerly run toward Antaka to kill him, Indra angrily and with great force attacked Vṛtrāsura, who was surrounded by the leaders of the demoniac armies.
ततः सुराणामसुरै रणः परमदारुणः । त्रेतामुखे नर्मदायामभवत्प्रथमे युगे
tataḥ surāṇāmasurai raṇaḥ paramadāruṇaḥ | tretāmukhe narmadāyāmabhavatprathame yuge
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, at the end of Satya-yuga and the beginning of Tretā-yuga, a fierce battle took place between the demigods and the demons on the bank of the Narmadā.
शूलैः परश्वधैः खड्गैः शतघ्नीभिर्भुशुण्डिभिः । सर्वतोऽवाकिरन् शस्त्रैरस्त्रैश्च विबुधर्षभान्
śūlaiḥ paraśvadhaiḥ khaḍgaiḥ śataghnībhirbhuśuṇḍibhiḥ | sarvato'vākiran śastrairastraiśca vibudharṣabhān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Armed with lances, tridents, axes, swords and other weapons like śataghnīs and bhuśuṇḍis, the demons attacked from different directions and scattered all the chiefs of the demigod armies.
न तेऽदृश्यन्त सञ्छन्नाः शरजालैः समन्ततः । पुङ्खानुपुङ्खपतितैर्ज्योतींषीव नभोघनैः
na te'dṛśyanta sañchannāḥ śarajālaiḥ samantataḥ | puṅkhānupuṅkhapatitairjyotīṃṣīva nabhoghanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the stars in the sky cannot be seen when covered by dense clouds, the demigods, being completely covered by networks of arrows falling upon them one after another, could not be seen.
न ते शस्त्रास्त्रवर्षौघा ह्यासेदुः सुरसैनिकान् । छिन्नाः सिद्धपथे देवैर्लघुहस्तैः सहस्रधा
na te śastrāstravarṣaughā hyāseduḥ surasainikān | chinnāḥ siddhapathe devairlaghuhastaiḥ sahasradhā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The showers of various weapons and arrows released to kill the soldiers of the demigods did not reach them because the demigods, acting quickly, cut the weapons into thousands of pieces in the sky.
अथ क्षीणास्त्रशस्त्रौघा गिरिशृङ्गद्रुमोपलैः । अभ्यवर्षन् सुरबलं चिच्छिदुस्तांश्च पूर्ववत्
atha kṣīṇāstraśastraughā giriśṛṅgadrumopalaiḥ | abhyavarṣan surabalaṃ cicchidustāṃśca pūrvavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As their weapons and mantras decreased, the demons began showering mountain peaks, trees and stones upon the demigod soldiers, but the demigods were so powerful and expert that they nullified all these weapons by breaking them to pieces in the sky as before.
तानक्षतान् स्वस्तिमतो निशाम्य शस्त्रास्त्रपूगैरथ वृत्रनाथाः । द्रुमैर्दृषद्भिर्विविधाद्रिशृङ्गै- रविक्षतांस्तत्रसुरिन्द्रसैनिकान्
tānakṣatān svastimato niśāmya śastrāstrapūgairatha vṛtranāthāḥ | drumairdṛṣadbhirvividhādriśṛṅgai- ravikṣatāṃstatrasurindrasainikān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the soldiers of the demons, commanded by Vṛtrāsura, saw that the soldiers of King Indra were quite well, having not been injured at all by their volleys of weapons, not even by the trees, stones and mountain peaks, the demons were very much afraid.
सर्वे प्रयासा अभवन् विमोघाः कृताः कृता देवगणेषु दैत्यैः । कृष्णानुकूलेषु यथा महत्सु क्षुद्रैः प्रयुक्ता रुशती रूक्षवाचः
sarve prayāsā abhavan vimoghāḥ kṛtāḥ kṛtā devagaṇeṣu daityaiḥ | kṛṣṇānukūleṣu yathā mahatsu kṣudraiḥ prayuktā ruśatī rūkṣavācaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When insignificant persons use rough words to cast false, angry accusations against saintly persons, their fruitless words do not disturb the great personalities. Similarly, all the efforts of the demons against the demigods, who were favorably situated under the protection of Kṛṣṇa, were futile.
ते स्वप्रयासं वितथं निरीक्ष्य हरावभक्ता हतयुद्धदर्पाः । पलायनायाजिमुखे विसृज्य पतिं मनस्ते दधुरात्तसाराः
te svaprayāsaṃ vitathaṃ nirīkṣya harāvabhaktā hatayuddhadarpāḥ | palāyanāyājimukhe visṛjya patiṃ manaste dadhurāttasārāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The asuras, who are never devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, lost their pride in fighting when they found all their endeavors futile. Leaving aside their leader even in the very beginning of the fight, they decided to flee because all their prowess had been taken away by the enemy.
वृत्रोऽसुरांस्ताननुगान् मनस्वी प्रधावतः प्रेक्ष्य बभाष एतत् । पलायितं प्रेक्ष्य बलं च भग्नं भयेन तीव्रेण विहस्य वीरः
vṛtro'surāṃstānanugān manasvī pradhāvataḥ prekṣya babhāṣa etat | palāyitaṃ prekṣya balaṃ ca bhagnaṃ bhayena tīvreṇa vihasya vīraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing his army broken and all the asuras, even those known as great heroes, fleeing the battlefield out of intense fear, Vṛtrāsura, who was truly a great-minded hero, smiled and spoke the following words.
कालोपपन्नां रुचिरां मनस्विनां उवाच वाचं पुरुषप्रवीरः । हे विप्रचित्ते नमुचे पुलोमन् मयानर्वञ्छम्बर मे शृणुध्वम्
kālopapannāṃ rucirāṃ manasvināṃ uvāca vācaṃ puruṣapravīraḥ | he vipracitte namuce puloman mayānarvañchambara me śṛṇudhvam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
According to his position and the time and circumstances, Vṛtrāsura, the hero among heroes, spoke words that were much to be appreciated by thoughtful men. He called to the heroes of the demons, “O Vipracitti! O Namuci! O Pulomā! O Maya, Anarvā and Śambara! Please hear me and do not flee.”
जातस्य मृत्युर्ध्रुव एव सर्वतः प्रतिक्रिया यस्य न चेह कॢप्ता । लोको यशश्चाथ ततो यदि ह्यमुं को नाम मृत्युं न वृणीत युक्तम्
jātasya mṛtyurdhruva eva sarvataḥ pratikriyā yasya na ceha kḷptā | loko yaśaścātha tato yadi hyamuṃ ko nāma mṛtyuṃ na vṛṇīta yuktam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vṛtrāsura said: All living entities who have taken birth in this material world must die. Surely, no one in this world has found any means to be saved from death. Even providence has not provided a means to escape it. Under the circumstances, death being inevitable, if one can gain promotion to the higher planetary systems and be always celebrated here by dying a suitable death, what man will not accept such a glorious death?
द्वौ सम्मताविह मृत्यू दुरापौ यद्ब्रह्मसन्धारणया जितासुः । कलेवरं योगरतो विजह्या- द्यदग्रणीर्वीरशयेऽनिवृत्तः
dvau sammatāviha mṛtyū durāpau yadbrahmasandhāraṇayā jitāsuḥ | kalevaraṃ yogarato vijahyā- dyadagraṇīrvīraśaye'nivṛttaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There are two ways to meet a glorious death, and both are very rare. One is to die after performing mystic yoga, especially bhakti-yoga, by which one can control the mind and living force and die absorbed in thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The second is to die on the battlefield, leading the army and never showing one’s back. These two kinds of death are recommended in the śāstra as glorious.
श्रीशुक उवाच । त एवं शंसतो धर्मं वचः पत्युरचेतसः । नैवागृह्णन् भयत्रस्ताः पलायनपरा नृप
śrīśuka uvāca | ta evaṃ śaṃsato dharmaṃ vacaḥ patyuracetasaḥ | naivāgṛhṇan bhayatrastāḥ palāyanaparā nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, Vṛtrāsura, the commander in chief of the demons, advised his lieutenants in the principles of religion, but the cowardly demoniac commanders, intent upon fleeing the battlefield, were so disturbed by fear that they could not accept his words.
किं व उच्चरितैर्मातुर्धावद्भिः पृष्ठतो हतैः । न हि भीतवधः श्लाघ्यो न स्वर्ग्यः शूरमानिनाम्
kiṃ va uccaritairmāturdhāvadbhiḥ pṛṣṭhato hataiḥ | na hi bhītavadhaḥ ślāghyo na svargyaḥ śūramāninām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O demigods, these demoniac soldiers have taken birth uselessly. Indeed, they have come from the bodies of their mothers exactly like stool. What is the benefit of killing such enemies from behind while they are running in fear? One who considers himself a hero should not kill an enemy who is afraid of losing his life. Such killing is never glorious, nor can it promote one to the heavenly planets.
यदि वः प्रधने श्रद्धा सारं वा क्षुल्लका हृदि । अग्रे तिष्ठत मात्रं मे न चेद्ग्राम्यसुखे स्पृहा
yadi vaḥ pradhane śraddhā sāraṃ vā kṣullakā hṛdi | agre tiṣṭhata mātraṃ me na cedgrāmyasukhe spṛhā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O insignificant demigods, if you truly have faith in your heroism, if you have patience in the cores of your hearts and if you are not ambitious for sense gratification, please stand before me for a moment.
एवं सुरगणान् क्रुद्धो भीषयन् वपुषा रिपून् । व्यनदत्सुमहाप्राणो येन लोका विचेतसः
evaṃ suragaṇān kruddho bhīṣayan vapuṣā ripūn | vyanadatsumahāprāṇo yena lokā vicetasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Vṛtrāsura, the angry and most powerful hero, terrified the demigods with his stout and strongly built body. When he roared with a resounding voice, nearly all living entities fainted.
तेन देवगणाः सर्वे वृत्रविस्फोटनेन वै । निपेतुर्मूर्च्छिता भूमौ यथैवाशनिना हताः
tena devagaṇāḥ sarve vṛtravisphoṭanena vai | nipeturmūrcchitā bhūmau yathaivāśaninā hatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When all the demigods heard Vṛtrāsura’s tumultuous roar, which resembled that of a lion, they fainted and fell to the ground as if struck by thunderbolts.
ममर्द पद्भ्यां सुरसैन्यमातुरं निमीलिताक्षं रणरङ्गदुर्मदः । गां कम्पयन्नुद्यतशूल ओजसा नालं वनं यूथपतिर्यथोन्मदः
mamarda padbhyāṃ surasainyamāturaṃ nimīlitākṣaṃ raṇaraṅgadurmadaḥ | gāṃ kampayannudyataśūla ojasā nālaṃ vanaṃ yūthapatiryathonmadaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the demigods closed their eyes in fear, Vṛtrāsura, taking up his trident and making the earth tremble with his great strength, trampled the demigods beneath his feet on the battlefield the way a mad elephant tramples hollow bamboos in the forest.
विलोक्य तं वज्रधरोऽत्यमर्षितः स्वशत्रवेऽभिद्रवते महागदाम् । चिक्षेप तामापततीं सुदुःसहां जग्राह वामेन करेण लीलया
vilokya taṃ vajradharo'tyamarṣitaḥ svaśatrave'bhidravate mahāgadām | cikṣepa tāmāpatatīṃ suduḥsahāṃ jagrāha vāmena kareṇa līlayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing Vṛtrāsura’s disposition, Indra, the King of heaven, became intolerant and threw at him one of his great clubs, which are extremely difficult to counteract. However, as the club flew toward him, Vṛtrāsura easily caught it with his left hand.
स इन्द्रशत्रुः कुपितो भृशं तया महेन्द्रवाहं गदयोरुविक्रमः । जघान कुम्भस्थल उन्नदन् मृधे तत्कर्म सर्वे समपूजयन् नृप
sa indraśatruḥ kupito bhṛśaṃ tayā mahendravāhaṃ gadayoruvikramaḥ | jaghāna kumbhasthala unnadan mṛdhe tatkarma sarve samapūjayan nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, the powerful Vṛtrāsura, the enemy of King Indra, angrily struck the head of Indra’s elephant with that club, making a tumultuous sound on the battlefield. For this heroic deed, the soldiers on both sides glorified him.
ऐरावतो वृत्रगदाभिमृष्टो विघूर्णितोऽद्रिः कुलिशाहतो यथा । अपासरद्भिन्नमुखः सहेन्द्रो मुञ्चन्नसृक् सप्तधनुर्भृशार्तः
airāvato vṛtragadābhimṛṣṭo vighūrṇito'driḥ kuliśāhato yathā | apāsaradbhinnamukhaḥ sahendro muñcannasṛk saptadhanurbhṛśārtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Struck with the club by Vṛtrāsura like a mountain struck by a thunderbolt, the elephant Airāvata, feeling great pain and spitting blood from its broken mouth, was pushed back fourteen yards. In great distress, the elephant fell, with Indra on its back.
न सन्नवाहाय विषण्णचेतसे प्रायुङ्क्त भूयः स गदां महात्मा । इन्द्रोऽमृतस्यन्दिकराभिमर्श- वीतव्यथक्षतवाहोऽवतस्थे
na sannavāhāya viṣaṇṇacetase prāyuṅkta bhūyaḥ sa gadāṃ mahātmā | indro'mṛtasyandikarābhimarśa- vītavyathakṣatavāho'vatasthe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When he saw Indra’s carrier elephant thus fatigued and injured and when he saw Indra morose because his carrier had been harmed in that way, the great soul Vṛtrāsura, following religious principles, refrained from again striking Indra with the club. Taking this opportunity, Indra touched the elephant with his nectar-producing hand, thus relieving the animal’s pain and curing its injuries. Then the elephant and Indra both stood silently.
स तं नृपेन्द्राहवकाम्यया रिपुं वज्रायुधं भ्रातृहणं विलोक्य । स्मरंश्च तत्कर्म नृशंसमंहः शोकेन मोहेन हसन् जगाद
sa taṃ nṛpendrāhavakāmyayā ripuṃ vajrāyudhaṃ bhrātṛhaṇaṃ vilokya | smaraṃśca tatkarma nṛśaṃsamaṃhaḥ śokena mohena hasan jagāda
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, when the great hero Vṛtrāsura saw Indra, his enemy, the killer of his brother, standing before him with a thunderbolt in his hand, desiring to fight, Vṛtrāsura remembered how Indra had cruelly killed his brother. Thinking of Indra’s sinful activities, he became mad with lamentation and forgetfulness. Laughing sarcastically, he spoke as follows.
वृत्र उवाच । दिष्ट्या भवान् मे समवस्थितो रिपु- र्यो ब्रह्महा गुरुहा भ्रातृहा च । दिष्ट्यानृणोऽद्याहमसत्तम त्वया मच्छूलनिर्भिन्नदृषद्धृदाचिरात्
vṛtra uvāca | diṣṭyā bhavān me samavasthito ripu- ryo brahmahā guruhā bhrātṛhā ca | diṣṭyānṛṇo'dyāhamasattama tvayā macchūlanirbhinnadṛṣaddhṛdācirāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Vṛtrāsura said: He who has killed a brāhmaṇa, he who has killed his spiritual master — indeed, he who has killed my brother — is now, by good fortune, standing before me face to face as my enemy. O most abominable one, when I pierce your stonelike heart with my trident, I shall be freed from my debt to my brother.
यो नोऽग्रजस्यात्मविदो द्विजाते- र्गुरोरपापस्य च दीक्षितस्य । विश्रभ्य खड्गेन शिरांस्यवृश्च- त्पशोरिवाकरुणः स्वर्गकामः
yo no'grajasyātmavido dvijāte- rgurorapāpasya ca dīkṣitasya | viśrabhya khaḍgena śirāṃsyavṛśca- tpaśorivākaruṇaḥ svargakāmaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Only for the sake of living in the heavenly planets, you killed my elder brother — a self-realized, sinless, qualified brāhmaṇa who had been appointed your chief priest. He was your spiritual master, but although you entrusted him with the performance of your sacrifice, you later mercilessly severed his heads from his body the way one butchers an animal.
श्रीह्रीदयाकीर्तिभिरुज्झितं त्वां स्वकर्मणा पुरुषादैश्च गर्ह्यम् । कृच्छ्रेण मच्छूलविभिन्नदेह- मस्पृष्टवह्निं समदन्ति गृध्राः
śrīhrīdayākīrtibhirujjhitaṃ tvāṃ svakarmaṇā puruṣādaiśca garhyam | kṛcchreṇa macchūlavibhinnadeha- maspṛṣṭavahniṃ samadanti gṛdhrāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indra, you are bereft of all shame, mercy, glory and good fortune. Deprived of these good qualities by the reactions of your fruitive activities, you are to be condemned even by the man-eaters [Rākṣasas]. Now I shall pierce your body with my trident, and after you die with great pain, even fire will not touch you; only the vultures will eat your body.
अन्येऽनु ये त्वेह नृशंसमज्ञा ये ह्युद्यतास्त्राः प्रहरन्ति मह्यम् । तैर्भूतनाथान् सगणान् निशात- त्रिशूलनिर्भिन्नगलैर्यजामि
anye'nu ye tveha nṛśaṃsamajñā ye hyudyatāstrāḥ praharanti mahyam | tairbhūtanāthān sagaṇān niśāta- triśūlanirbhinnagalairyajāmi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are naturally cruel. If the other demigods, unaware of my prowess, follow you by attacking me with raised weapons, I shall sever their heads with this sharp trident. With those heads I shall perform a sacrifice to Bhairava and the other leaders of the ghosts, along with their hordes.
अथो हरे मे कुलिशेन वीर हर्ता प्रमथ्यैव शिरो यदीह । तत्रानृणो भूतबलिं विधाय मनस्विनां पादरजः प्रपत्स्ये
atho hare me kuliśena vīra hartā pramathyaiva śiro yadīha | tatrānṛṇo bhūtabaliṃ vidhāya manasvināṃ pādarajaḥ prapatsye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But if in this battle you cut off my head with your thunderbolt and kill my soldiers, O Indra, O great hero, I shall take great pleasure in offering my body to other living entities [such as jackals and vultures]. I shall thus be relieved of my obligations to the reactions of my karma, and my fortune will be to receive the dust from the lotus feet of great devotees like Nārada Muni.
सुरेश कस्मान्न हिनोषि वज्रं पुरः स्थिते वैरिणि मय्यमोघम् । मा संशयिष्ठा न गदेव वज्रः स्यान्निष्फलः कृपणार्थेव याच्ञा
sureśa kasmānna hinoṣi vajraṃ puraḥ sthite vairiṇi mayyamogham | mā saṃśayiṣṭhā na gadeva vajraḥ syānniṣphalaḥ kṛpaṇārtheva yācñā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King of the demigods, since I, your enemy, am standing before you, why don’t you hurl your thunderbolt at me? Although your attack upon me with your club was certainly useless, like a request of money from a miser, the thunderbolt you carry will not be useless. You need have no doubts about this.
नन्वेष वज्रस्तव शक्र तेजसा हरेर्दधीचेस्तपसा च तेजितः । तेनैव शत्रुं जहि विष्णुयन्त्रितो यतो हरिर्विजयः श्रीर्गुणास्ततः
nanveṣa vajrastava śakra tejasā harerdadhīcestapasā ca tejitaḥ | tenaiva śatruṃ jahi viṣṇuyantrito yato harirvijayaḥ śrīrguṇāstataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Indra, King of heaven, the thunderbolt you carry to kill me has been empowered by the prowess of Lord Viṣṇu and the strength of Dadhīci’s austerities. Since you have come here to kill me in accordance with Lord Viṣṇu’s order, there is no doubt that I shall be killed by the release of your thunderbolt. Lord Viṣṇu has sided with you. Therefore your victory, opulence and all good qualities are assured.
अहं समाधाय मनो यथाऽऽह सङ्कर्षणस्तच्चरणारविन्दे । त्वद्वज्ररंहोलुलितग्राम्यपाशो गतिं मुनेर्याम्यपविद्धलोकः
ahaṃ samādhāya mano yathā''ha saṅkarṣaṇastaccaraṇāravinde | tvadvajraraṃholulitagrāmyapāśo gatiṃ muneryāmyapaviddhalokaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By the force of your thunderbolt, I shall be freed of material bondage and shall give up this body and this world of material desires. Fixing my mind upon the lotus feet of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, I shall attain the destination of such great sages as Nārada Muni, just as Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa has said.
पुंसां किलैकान्तधियां स्वकानां याः सम्पदो दिवि भूमौ रसायाम् । न राति यद्द्वेष उद्वेग आधि- र्मदः कलिर्व्यसनं सम्प्रयासः
puṃsāṃ kilaikāntadhiyāṃ svakānāṃ yāḥ sampado divi bhūmau rasāyām | na rāti yaddveṣa udvega ādhi- rmadaḥ kalirvyasanaṃ samprayāsaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Persons who fully surrender at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and always think of His lotus feet are accepted and recognized by the Lord as His own personal assistants or servants. The Lord never bestows upon such servants the brilliant opulences of the upper, lower and middle planetary systems of this material world. When one possesses material opulence in any of these three divisions of the universe, his possessions naturally increase his enmity, anxiety, mental agitation, pride and belligerence. Thus one goes through much endeavor to increase and maintain his possessions, and he suffers great unhappiness when he loses them.
त्रैवर्गिकायासविघातमस्म- त्पतिर्विधत्ते पुरुषस्य शक्र । ततोऽनुमेयो भगवत्प्रसादो यो दुर्लभोऽकिञ्चनगोचरोऽन्यैः
traivargikāyāsavighātamasma- tpatirvidhatte puruṣasya śakra | tato'numeyo bhagavatprasādo yo durlabho'kiñcanagocaro'nyaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Our Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, forbids His devotees to endeavor uselessly for religion, economic development and sense gratification. O Indra, one can thus infer how kind the Lord is. Such mercy is obtainable only by unalloyed devotees, not by persons who aspire for material gains.
अहं हरे तव पादैकमूल- दासानुदासो भवितास्मि भूयः । मनः स्मरेतासुपतेर्गुणांस्ते गृणीत वाक्कर्म करोतु कायः
ahaṃ hare tava pādaikamūla- dāsānudāso bhavitāsmi bhūyaḥ | manaḥ smaretāsupaterguṇāṃste gṛṇīta vākkarma karotu kāyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, will I again be able to be a servant of Your eternal servants who find shelter only at Your lotus feet? O Lord of my life, may I again become their servant so that my mind may always think of Your transcendental attributes, my words always glorify those attributes, and my body always engage in the loving service of Your Lordship?
न नाकपृष्ठं न च पारमेष्ठ्यं न सार्वभौमं न रसाधिपत्यम् । न योगसिद्धीरपुनर्भवं वा समञ्जस त्वा विरहय्य काङ्क्षे
na nākapṛṣṭhaṃ na ca pārameṣṭhyaṃ na sārvabhaumaṃ na rasādhipatyam | na yogasiddhīrapunarbhavaṃ vā samañjasa tvā virahayya kāṅkṣe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my Lord, source of all opportunities, I do not desire to enjoy in Dhruvaloka, the heavenly planets or the planet where Lord Brahmā resides, nor do I want to be the supreme ruler of all the earthly planets or the lower planetary systems. I do not desire to be master of the powers of mystic yoga, nor do I want liberation if I have to give up Your lotus feet.
अजातपक्षा इव मातरं खगाः स्तन्यं यथा वत्सतराः क्षुधार्ताः । प्रियं प्रियेव व्युषितं विषण्णा मनोऽरविन्दाक्ष दिदृक्षते त्वाम्
ajātapakṣā iva mātaraṃ khagāḥ stanyaṃ yathā vatsatarāḥ kṣudhārtāḥ | priyaṃ priyeva vyuṣitaṃ viṣaṇṇā mano'ravindākṣa didṛkṣate tvām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O lotus-eyed Lord, as baby birds that have not yet developed their wings always look for their mother to return and feed them, as small calves tied with ropes await anxiously the time of milking, when they will be allowed to drink the milk of their mothers, or as a morose wife whose husband is away from home always longs for him to return and satisfy her in all respects, I always yearn for the opportunity to render direct service unto You.
ममोत्तमश्लोकजनेषु सख्यं संसारचक्रे भ्रमतः स्वकर्मभिः । त्वन्माययाऽऽत्माऽऽत्मजदारगेहे- ष्वासक्तचित्तस्य न नाथ भूयात्
mamottamaślokajaneṣu sakhyaṃ saṃsāracakre bhramataḥ svakarmabhiḥ | tvanmāyayā''tmā''tmajadāragehe- ṣvāsaktacittasya na nātha bhūyāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my Lord, my master, I am wandering throughout this material world as a result of my fruitive activities. Therefore I simply seek friendship in the association of Your pious and enlightened devotees. My attachment to my body, wife, children and home is continuing by the spell of Your external energy, but I wish to be attached to them no longer. Let my mind, my consciousness and everything I have be attached only to You.
ऋषिरुवाच । एवं जिहासुर्नृप देहमाजौ मृत्युं वरं विजयान्मन्यमानः । शूलं प्रगृह्याभ्यपतत्सुरेन्द्रं यथा महापुरुषं कैटभोऽप्सु
ṛṣiruvāca | evaṃ jihāsurnṛpa dehamājau mṛtyuṃ varaṃ vijayānmanyamānaḥ | śūlaṃ pragṛhyābhyapatatsurendraṃ yathā mahāpuruṣaṃ kaiṭabho'psu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Desiring to give up his body, Vṛtrāsura considered death in the battle preferable to victory. O King Parīkṣit, he vigorously took up his trident and with great force attacked Lord Indra, the King of heaven, just as Kaiṭabha had forcefully attacked the Supreme Personality of Godhead when the universe was inundated.
ततो युगान्ताग्निकठोरजिह्व- माविध्य शूलं तरसासुरेन्द्रः । क्षिप्त्वा महेन्द्राय विनद्य वीरो हतोऽसि पापेति रुषा जगाद
tato yugāntāgnikaṭhorajihva- māvidhya śūlaṃ tarasāsurendraḥ | kṣiptvā mahendrāya vinadya vīro hato'si pāpeti ruṣā jagāda
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Vṛtrāsura, the great hero of the demons, whirled his trident, which had points like the flames of the blazing fire at the end of the millennium. With great force and anger he threw it at Indra, roaring and exclaiming loudly, “O sinful one, thus shall I kill you!”
ख आपतत्तद्विचलद्ग्रहोल्कव- न्निरीक्ष्य दुष्प्रेक्ष्यमजातविक्लवः । वज्रेण वज्री शतपर्वणाच्छिन- द्भुजं च तस्योरगराजभोगम्
kha āpatattadvicaladgraholkava- nnirīkṣya duṣprekṣyamajātaviklavaḥ | vajreṇa vajrī śataparvaṇācchina- dbhujaṃ ca tasyoragarājabhogam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Flying in the sky, Vṛtrāsura’s trident resembled a brilliant meteor. Although the blazing weapon was difficult to look upon, King Indra, unafraid, cut it to pieces with his thunderbolt. Simultaneously, he cut off one of Vṛtrāsura’s arms, which was as thick as the body of Vāsuki, the King of the serpents.
छिन्नैकबाहुः परिघेण वृत्रः संरब्ध आसाद्य गृहीतवज्रम् । हनौ तताडेन्द्रमथामरेभं वज्रं च हस्तान्न्यपतन्मघोनः
chinnaikabāhuḥ parigheṇa vṛtraḥ saṃrabdha āsādya gṛhītavajram | hanau tatāḍendramathāmarebhaṃ vajraṃ ca hastānnyapatanmaghonaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although one of his arms was severed from his body, Vṛtrāsura angrily approached King Indra and struck him on the jaw with an iron mace. He also struck the elephant that carried Indra. Thus Indra dropped the thunderbolt from his hand.
वृत्रस्य कर्मातिमहाद्भुतं तत् सुरासुराश्चारणसिद्धसङ्घाः । अपूजयंस्तत्पुरुहूतसङ्कटं निरीक्ष्य हा हेति विचुक्रुशुर्भृशम्
vṛtrasya karmātimahādbhutaṃ tat surāsurāścāraṇasiddhasaṅghāḥ | apūjayaṃstatpuruhūtasaṅkaṭaṃ nirīkṣya hā heti vicukruśurbhṛśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The denizens of various planets, like the demigods, demons, Cāraṇas and Siddhas, praised Vṛtrāsura’s deed, but when they observed that Indra was in great danger, they lamented, “Alas! Alas!”
इन्द्रो न वज्रं जगृहे विलज्जित- श्च्युतं स्वहस्तादरिसन्निधौ पुनः । तमाह वृत्रो हर आत्तवज्रो जहि स्वशत्रुं न विषादकालः
indro na vajraṃ jagṛhe vilajjita- ścyutaṃ svahastādarisannidhau punaḥ | tamāha vṛtro hara āttavajro jahi svaśatruṃ na viṣādakālaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having dropped the thunderbolt from his hand in the presence of his enemy, Indra was practically defeated and was very much ashamed. He dared not pick up his weapon again. Vṛtrāsura, however, encouraged him, saying, “Take up your thunderbolt and kill your enemy. This is not the time to lament your fate.”
युयुत्सतां कुत्रचिदाततायिनां जयः सदैकत्र न वै परात्मनाम् । विनैकमुत्पत्तिलयस्थितीश्वरं सर्वज्ञमाद्यं पुरुषं सनातनम्
yuyutsatāṃ kutracidātatāyināṃ jayaḥ sadaikatra na vai parātmanām | vinaikamutpattilayasthitīśvaraṃ sarvajñamādyaṃ puruṣaṃ sanātanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vṛtrāsura continued: O Indra, no one is guaranteed of being always victorious but the original enjoyer, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavān. He is the cause of creation, maintenance and annihilation, and He knows everything. Being dependent and being obliged to accept material bodies, belligerent subordinates are sometimes victorious and sometimes defeated.
लोकाः सपाला यस्येमे श्वसन्ति विवशा वशे । द्विजा इव शिचा बद्धाः स काल इह कारणम्
lokāḥ sapālā yasyeme śvasanti vivaśā vaśe | dvijā iva śicā baddhāḥ sa kāla iha kāraṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All living beings in all the planets of this universe, including the presiding deities of all the planets, are fully under the control of the Lord. They work like birds caught in a net, who cannot move independently.
ओजः सहो बलं प्राणममृतं मृत्युमेव च । तमज्ञाय जनो हेतुमात्मानं मन्यते जडम्
ojaḥ saho balaṃ prāṇamamṛtaṃ mṛtyumeva ca | tamajñāya jano hetumātmānaṃ manyate jaḍam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Our sensory prowess, mental power, bodily strength, living force, immortality and mortality are all subject to the superintendence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Not knowing this, foolish people think the dull material body to be the cause of their activities.
यथा दारुमयी नारी यथा यन्त्रमयो मृगः । एवं भूतानि मघवन्नीशतन्त्राणि विद्धि भोः
yathā dārumayī nārī yathā yantramayo mṛgaḥ | evaṃ bhūtāni maghavannīśatantrāṇi viddhi bhoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Indra, as a wooden doll that looks like a woman or as an animal made of grass and leaves cannot move or dance independently, but depends fully on the person who handles it, all of us dance according to the desire of the supreme controller, the Personality of Godhead. No one is independent.
पुरुषः प्रकृतिर्व्यक्तमात्मा भूतेन्द्रियाशयाः । शक्नुवन्त्यस्य सर्गादौ न विना यदनुग्रहात्
puruṣaḥ prakṛtirvyaktamātmā bhūtendriyāśayāḥ | śaknuvantyasya sargādau na vinā yadanugrahāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The three puruṣas — Kāraṇodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and Kṣīrodakaśāyī-Viṣṇu — the material nature, the total material energy, the false ego, the five material elements, the material senses, the mind, the intelligence and consciousness cannot create the material manifestation without the direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
अविद्वानेवमात्मानं मन्यतेऽनीशमीश्वरम् । भूतैः सृजति भूतानि ग्रसते तानि तैः स्वयम्
avidvānevamātmānaṃ manyate'nīśamīśvaram | bhūtaiḥ sṛjati bhūtāni grasate tāni taiḥ svayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A foolish, senseless person cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although always dependent, he falsely thinks himself the Supreme. If one thinks, “According to one’s previous fruitive actions, one’s material body is created by the father and mother, and the same body is annihilated by another agent, as another animal is devoured by a tiger,” this is not proper understanding. The Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself creates and devours the living beings through other living beings.
आयुः श्रीः कीर्तिरैश्वर्यमाशिषः पुरुषस्य याः । भवन्त्येव हि तत्काले यथानिच्छोर्विपर्ययाः
āyuḥ śrīḥ kīrtiraiśvaryamāśiṣaḥ puruṣasya yāḥ | bhavantyeva hi tatkāle yathānicchorviparyayāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as a person not inclined to die must nonetheless give up his longevity, opulence, fame and everything else at the time of death, so, at the appointed time of victory, one can gain all these when the Supreme Lord awards them by His mercy.
तस्मादकीर्तियशसोर्जयापजययोरपि । समः स्यात्सुखदुःखाभ्यां मृत्युजीवितयोस्तथा
tasmādakīrtiyaśasorjayāpajayayorapi | samaḥ syātsukhaduḥkhābhyāṃ mṛtyujīvitayostathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since everything is dependent on the supreme will of the Personality of Godhead, one should be equipoised in fame and defamation, victory and defeat, life and death. In their effects, represented as happiness and distress, one should maintain oneself in equilibrium, without anxiety.
सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति प्रकृतेर्नात्मनो गुणाः । तत्र साक्षिणमात्मानं यो वेद न स बध्यते
sattvaṃ rajastama iti prakṛternātmano guṇāḥ | tatra sākṣiṇamātmānaṃ yo veda na sa badhyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who knows that the three qualities — goodness, passion and ignorance — are not qualities of the soul but qualities of material nature, and who knows that the pure soul is simply an observer of the actions and reactions of these qualities, should be understood to be a liberated person. He is not bound by these qualities.
पश्य मां निर्जितं शक्र वृक्णायुधभुजं मृधे । घटमानं यथाशक्ति तव प्राणजिहीर्षया
paśya māṃ nirjitaṃ śakra vṛkṇāyudhabhujaṃ mṛdhe | ghaṭamānaṃ yathāśakti tava prāṇajihīrṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my enemy, just look at me. I have already been defeated, for my weapon and arm have been cut to pieces. You have already overwhelmed me, but nonetheless, with a desire to kill you, I am trying my best to fight. I am not at all morose, even under such adverse conditions. Therefore you should give up your moroseness and continue fighting.
प्राणग्लहोऽयं समर इष्वक्षो वाहनासनः । अत्र न ज्ञायतेऽमुष्य जयोऽमुष्य पराजयः
prāṇaglaho'yaṃ samara iṣvakṣo vāhanāsanaḥ | atra na jñāyate'muṣya jayo'muṣya parājayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my enemy, consider this battle a gambling match in which our lives are the stakes, the arrows are the dice, and the animals acting as carriers are the game board. No one can understand who will be defeated and who will be victorious. It all depends on providence.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इन्द्रो वृत्रवचः श्रुत्वा गतालीकमपूजयत् । गृहीतवज्रः प्रहसंस्तमाह गतविस्मयः
śrīśuka uvāca | indro vṛtravacaḥ śrutvā gatālīkamapūjayat | gṛhītavajraḥ prahasaṃstamāha gatavismayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing the straightforward, instructive words of Vṛtrāsura, King Indra praised him and again took the thunderbolt in his hand. Without bewilderment or duplicity, he then smiled and spoke to Vṛtrāsura as follows.
इन्द्र उवाच । अहो दानव सिद्धोऽसि यस्य ते मतिरीदृशी । भक्तः सर्वात्मनाऽऽत्मानं सुहृदं जगदीश्वरम्
indra uvāca | aho dānava siddho'si yasya te matirīdṛśī | bhaktaḥ sarvātmanā''tmānaṃ suhṛdaṃ jagadīśvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indra said: O great demon, I see by your discrimination and endurance in devotional service, despite your dangerous position, that you are a perfect devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul and friend of everyone.
भवानतार्षीन्मायां वै वैष्णवीं जनमोहिनीम् । यद्विहायासुरं भावं महापुरुषतां गतः
bhavānatārṣīnmāyāṃ vai vaiṣṇavīṃ janamohinīm | yadvihāyāsuraṃ bhāvaṃ mahāpuruṣatāṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You have surmounted the illusory energy of Lord Viṣṇu, and because of this liberation, you have given up the demoniac mentality and have attained the position of an exalted devotee.
खल्विदं महदाश्चर्यं यद्रजःप्रकृतेस्तव । वासुदेवे भगवति सत्त्वात्मनि दृढा मतिः
khalvidaṃ mahadāścaryaṃ yadrajaḥprakṛtestava | vāsudeve bhagavati sattvātmani dṛḍhā matiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Vṛtrāsura, demons are generally conducted by the mode of passion. Therefore, what a great wonder it is that although you are a demon, you have adopted the mentality of a devotee and have fixed your mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, who is always situated in pure goodness.
यस्य भक्तिर्भगवति हरौ निःश्रेयसेश्वरे । विक्रीडतोऽमृताम्भोधौ किं क्षुद्रैः खातकोदकैः
yasya bhaktirbhagavati harau niḥśreyaseśvare | vikrīḍato'mṛtāmbhodhau kiṃ kṣudraiḥ khātakodakaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A person fixed in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord, Hari, the Lord of the highest auspiciousness, swims in the ocean of nectar. For him what is the use of the water in small ditches?
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति ब्रुवाणावन्योन्यं धर्मजिज्ञासया नृप । युयुधाते महावीर्याविन्द्रवृत्रौ युधाम्पती
śrīśuka uvāca | iti bruvāṇāvanyonyaṃ dharmajijñāsayā nṛpa | yuyudhāte mahāvīryāvindravṛtrau yudhāmpatī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Vṛtrāsura and King Indra spoke about devotional service even on the battlefield, and then as a matter of duty they again began fighting. My dear King, both of them were great fighters and were equally powerful.
आविध्य परिघं वृत्रः कार्ष्णायसमरिन्दमः । इन्द्राय प्राहिणोद्घोरं वामहस्तेन मारिष
āvidhya parighaṃ vṛtraḥ kārṣṇāyasamarindamaḥ | indrāya prāhiṇodghoraṃ vāmahastena māriṣa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, Vṛtrāsura, who was completely able to subdue his enemy, took his iron club, whirled it around, aimed it at Indra and then threw it at him with his left hand.
स तु वृत्रस्य परिघं करं च करभोपमम् । चिच्छेद युगपद्देवो वज्रेण शतपर्वणा
sa tu vṛtrasya parighaṃ karaṃ ca karabhopamam | ciccheda yugapaddevo vajreṇa śataparvaṇā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With his thunderbolt named Śataparvan, Indra simultaneously cut to pieces Vṛtrāsura’s club and his remaining hand.
दोर्भ्यामुत्कृत्तमूलाभ्यां बभौ रक्तस्रवोऽसुरः । छिन्नपक्षो यथा गोत्रः खाद्भ्रष्टो वज्रिणा हतः
dorbhyāmutkṛttamūlābhyāṃ babhau raktasravo'suraḥ | chinnapakṣo yathā gotraḥ khādbhraṣṭo vajriṇā hataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vṛtrāsura, bleeding profusely, his two arms cut off at their roots, looked very beautiful, like a flying mountain whose wings have been cut to pieces by Indra.
महाप्राणो महावीर्यो महासर्प इव द्विपम् । वृत्रग्रस्तं तमालक्ष्य सप्रजापतयः सुराः । हा कष्टमिति निर्विण्णाश्चुक्रुशुः समहर्षयः
mahāprāṇo mahāvīryo mahāsarpa iva dvipam | vṛtragrastaṃ tamālakṣya saprajāpatayaḥ surāḥ | hā kaṣṭamiti nirviṇṇāścukruśuḥ samaharṣayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the demigods, along with Brahmā, other prajāpatis and other great saintly persons, saw that Indra had been swallowed by the demon, they became very morose. “Alas,” they lamented. “What a calamity! What a calamity!”
निगीर्णोऽप्यसुरेन्द्रेण न ममारोदरं गतः । महापुरुषसन्नद्धो योगमायाबलेन च
nigīrṇo'pyasurendreṇa na mamārodaraṃ gataḥ | mahāpuruṣasannaddho yogamāyābalena ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The protective armor of Nārāyaṇa, which Indra possessed, was identical with Nārāyaṇa Himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Protected by that armor and by his own mystic power, King Indra, although swallowed by Vṛtrāsura, did not die within the demon’s belly.
भित्त्वा वज्रेण तत्कुक्षिं निष्क्रम्य बलभिद्विभुः । उच्चकर्त शिरः शत्रोर्गिरिशृङ्गमिवौजसा
bhittvā vajreṇa tatkukṣiṃ niṣkramya balabhidvibhuḥ | uccakarta śiraḥ śatrorgiriśṛṅgamivaujasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With his thunderbolt, King Indra, who was also extremely powerful, pierced through Vṛtrāsura’s abdomen and came out. Indra, the killer of the demon Bala, then immediately cut off Vṛtrāsura’s head, which was as high as the peak of a mountain.
वज्रस्तु तत्कन्धरमाशुवेगः कृन्तन् समन्तात्परिवर्तमानः । न्यपातयत्तावदहर्गणेन यो ज्योतिषामयने वार्त्रहत्ये
vajrastu tatkandharamāśuvegaḥ kṛntan samantātparivartamānaḥ | nyapātayattāvadahargaṇena yo jyotiṣāmayane vārtrahatye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the thunderbolt revolved around Vṛtrāsura’s neck with great speed, separating his head from his body took one complete year — 360 days, the time in which the sun, moon and other luminaries complete a northern and southern journey. Then, at the suitable time for Vṛtrāsura to be killed, his head fell to the ground.
तदा च खे दुन्दुभयो विनेदु- र्गन्धर्वसिद्धाः समहर्षिसङ्घाः । वार्त्रघ्नलिङ्गैस्तमभिष्टुवाना मन्त्रैर्मुदा कुसुमैरभ्यवर्षन्
tadā ca khe dundubhayo vinedu- rgandharvasiddhāḥ samaharṣisaṅghāḥ | vārtraghnaliṅgaistamabhiṣṭuvānā mantrairmudā kusumairabhyavarṣan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Vṛtrāsura was killed, the Gandharvas and Siddhas in the heavenly planets beat kettledrums in jubilation. With Vedic hymns they celebrated the prowess of Indra, the killer of Vṛtrāsura, praising Indra and showering flowers upon him with great pleasure.
वृत्रस्य देहान्निष्क्रान्तमात्मज्योतिररिन्दम । पश्यतां सर्वलोकानामलोकं समपद्यत
vṛtrasya dehānniṣkrāntamātmajyotirarindama | paśyatāṃ sarvalokānāmalokaṃ samapadyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, subduer of enemies, the living spark then came forth from Vṛtrāsura’s body and returned home, back to Godhead. While all the demigods looked on, he entered the transcendental world to become an associate of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa.
श्रीशुक उवाच । वृत्रे हते त्रयो लोका विना शक्रेण भूरिद । सपाला ह्यभवन् सद्यो विज्वरा निर्वृतेन्द्रियाः
śrīśuka uvāca | vṛtre hate trayo lokā vinā śakreṇa bhūrida | sapālā hyabhavan sadyo vijvarā nirvṛtendriyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King Parīkṣit, who are so charitably disposed, when Vṛtrāsura was killed, all the presiding deities and everyone else in the three planetary systems was immediately pleased and free from trouble — everyone, that is, except Indra.
देवर्षिपितृभूतानि दैत्या देवानुगाः स्वयम् । प्रतिजग्मुः स्वधिष्ण्यानि ब्रह्मेशेन्द्रादयस्ततः
devarṣipitṛbhūtāni daityā devānugāḥ svayam | pratijagmuḥ svadhiṣṇyāni brahmeśendrādayastataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, the demigods, the great saintly persons, the inhabitants of Pitṛloka and Bhūtaloka, the demons, the followers of the demigods, and also Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and the demigods subordinate to Indra all returned to their respective homes. While departing, however, no one spoke to Indra.
राजोवाच । इन्द्रस्यानिर्वृतेर्हेतुं श्रोतुमिच्छामि भो मुने । येनासन् सुखिनो देवा हरेर्दुःखं कुतोऽभवत्
rājovāca | indrasyānirvṛterhetuṃ śrotumicchāmi bho mune | yenāsan sukhino devā harerduḥkhaṃ kuto'bhavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: O great sage, what was the reason for Indra’s unhappiness? I wish to hear about this. When he killed Vṛtrāsura, all the demigods were extremely happy. Why, then, was Indra himself unhappy?
श्रीशुक उवाच । वृत्रविक्रमसंविग्नाः सर्वे देवाः सहर्षिभिः । तद्वधायार्थयन्निन्द्रं नैच्छद्भीतो बृहद्वधात्
śrīśuka uvāca | vṛtravikramasaṃvignāḥ sarve devāḥ saharṣibhiḥ | tadvadhāyārthayannindraṃ naicchadbhīto bṛhadvadhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī answered: When all the great sages and demigods were disturbed by the extraordinary power of Vṛtrāsura, they had assembled to ask Indra to kill him. Indra, however, being afraid of killing a brāhmaṇa, declined their request.
इन्द्र उवाच । स्त्रीभूजलद्रुमैरेनो विश्वरूपवधोद्भवम् । विभक्तमनुगृह्णद्भिर्वृत्रहत्यां क्व मार्ज्म्यहम्
indra uvāca | strībhūjaladrumaireno viśvarūpavadhodbhavam | vibhaktamanugṛhṇadbhirvṛtrahatyāṃ kva mārjmyaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Indra replied: When I killed Viśvarūpa, I received extensive sinful reactions, but I was favored by the women, land, trees and water, and therefore I was able to divide the sin among them. But now if I kill Vṛtrāsura, another brāhmaṇa, how shall I free myself from the sinful reactions?
श्रीशुक उवाच । ऋषयस्तदुपाकर्ण्य महेन्द्रमिदमब्रुवन् । याजयिष्याम भद्रं ते हयमेधेन मा स्म भैः
śrīśuka uvāca | ṛṣayastadupākarṇya mahendramidamabruvan | yājayiṣyāma bhadraṃ te hayamedhena mā sma bhaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing this, the great sages replied to King Indra, “O King of heaven, all good fortune unto you. Do not fear. We shall perform an aśvamedha sacrifice to release you from any sin you may accrue by killing the brāhmaṇa.”
हयमेधेन पुरुषं परमात्मानमीश्वरम् । इष्ट्वा नारायणं देवं मोक्ष्यसेऽपि जगद्वधात्
hayamedhena puruṣaṃ paramātmānamīśvaram | iṣṭvā nārāyaṇaṃ devaṃ mokṣyase'pi jagadvadhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The ṛṣis continued: O King Indra, by performing an aśvamedha sacrifice and thereby pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the Supersoul, Lord Nārāyaṇa, the supreme controller, one can be relieved even of the sinful reactions for killing the entire world, not to speak of killing a demon like Vṛtrāsura.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं सञ्चोदितो विप्रैर्मरुत्वानहनद्रिपुम् । ब्रह्महत्या हते तस्मिन्नाससाद वृषाकपिम्
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ sañcodito viprairmarutvānahanadripum | brahmahatyā hate tasminnāsasāda vṛṣākapim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Encouraged by the words of the sages, Indra killed Vṛtrāsura, and when he was killed the sinful reaction for killing a brāhmaṇa [brahma-hatyā] certainly took shelter of Indra.
तयेन्द्रः स्मासहत्तापं निर्वृतिर्नामुमाविशत् । ह्रीमन्तं वाच्यतां प्राप्तं सुखयन्त्यपि नो गुणाः
tayendraḥ smāsahattāpaṃ nirvṛtirnāmumāviśat | hrīmantaṃ vācyatāṃ prāptaṃ sukhayantyapi no guṇāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Following the advice of the demigods, Indra killed Vṛtrāsura, and he suffered because of this sinful killing. Although the other demigods were happy, he could not derive happiness from the killing of Vṛtrāsura. Indra’s other good qualities, such as tolerance and opulence, could not help him in his grief.
नभो गतो दिशः सर्वाः सहस्राक्षो विशाम्पते । प्रागुदीचीं दिशं तूर्णं प्रविष्टो नृप मानसम्
nabho gato diśaḥ sarvāḥ sahasrākṣo viśāmpate | prāgudīcīṃ diśaṃ tūrṇaṃ praviṣṭo nṛpa mānasam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, Indra first fled to the sky, but there also he saw the woman of personified sin chasing him. This witch followed him wherever he went. At last he very quickly went to the northeast and entered the Mānasa-sarovara Lake.
स आवसत्पुष्करनालतन्तू- नलब्धभोगो यदिहाग्निदूतः । वर्षाणि साहस्रमलक्षितोऽन्तः स चिन्तयन् ब्रह्मवधाद्विमोक्षम्
sa āvasatpuṣkaranālatantū- nalabdhabhogo yadihāgnidūtaḥ | varṣāṇi sāhasramalakṣito'ntaḥ sa cintayan brahmavadhādvimokṣam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Always thinking of how he could be relieved from the sinful reaction for killing a brāhmaṇa, King Indra, invisible to everyone, lived in the lake for one thousand years in the subtle fibers of the stem of a lotus. The fire-god used to bring him his share of all yajñas, but because the fire-god was afraid to enter the water, Indra was practically starving.
तावत्त्रिणाकं नहुषः शशास विद्यातपोयोगबलानुभावः । स सम्पदैश्वर्यमदान्धबुद्धि- र्नीतस्तिरश्चां गतिमिन्द्रपत्न्या
tāvattriṇākaṃ nahuṣaḥ śaśāsa vidyātapoyogabalānubhāvaḥ | sa sampadaiśvaryamadāndhabuddhi- rnītastiraścāṃ gatimindrapatnyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As long as King Indra lived in the water, wrapped in the stem of the lotus, Nahuṣa was equipped with the ability to rule the heavenly kingdom, due to his knowledge, austerity and mystic power. Nahuṣa, however, blinded and maddened by power and opulence, made undesirable proposals to Indra’s wife with a desire to enjoy her. Thus Nahuṣa was cursed by a brāhmaṇa and later became a snake.
ततो गतो ब्रह्मगिरोपहूत ऋतम्भरध्याननिवारिताघः । पापस्तु दिग्देवतया हतौजा- स्तं नाभ्यभूदवितं विष्णुपत्न्या
tato gato brahmagiropahūta ṛtambharadhyānanivāritāghaḥ | pāpastu digdevatayā hataujā- staṃ nābhyabhūdavitaṃ viṣṇupatnyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indra’s sins were diminished by the influence of Rudra, the demigod of all directions. Because Indra was protected by the goddess of fortune, Lord Viṣṇu’s wife, who resides in the lotus clusters of Mānasa-sarovara Lake, Indra’s sins could not affect him. Indra was ultimately relieved of all the reactions of his sinful deeds by strictly worshiping Lord Viṣṇu. Then he was called back to the heavenly planets by the brāhmaṇas and reinstated in his position.
तं च ब्रह्मर्षयोऽभ्येत्य हयमेधेन भारत । यथावद्दीक्षयाञ्चक्रुः पुरुषाराधनेन ह
taṃ ca brahmarṣayo'bhyetya hayamedhena bhārata | yathāvaddīkṣayāñcakruḥ puruṣārādhanena ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, when Lord Indra reached the heavenly planets, the saintly brāhmaṇas approached him and properly initiated him into a horse sacrifice [aśvamedha-yajña] meant to please the Supreme Lord.
स वाजिमेधेन यथोदितेन वितायमानेन मरीचिमिश्रैः । इष्ट्वाधियज्ञं पुरुषं पुराण- मिन्द्रो महानास विधूतपापः
sa vājimedhena yathoditena vitāyamānena marīcimiśraiḥ | iṣṭvādhiyajñaṃ puruṣaṃ purāṇa- mindro mahānāsa vidhūtapāpaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Indra was favored by Marīci and the other great sages. They performed the sacrifice just according to the rules and regulations, worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul, the original person. Thus Indra regained his exalted position and was again honored by everyone.
परीक्षिदुवाच । रजस्तमःस्वभावस्य ब्रह्मन् वृत्रस्य पाप्मनः । नारायणे भगवति कथमासीद्दृढा मतिः
parīkṣiduvāca | rajastamaḥsvabhāvasya brahman vṛtrasya pāpmanaḥ | nārāyaṇe bhagavati kathamāsīddṛḍhā matiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: O learned brāhmaṇa, demons are generally sinful, being obsessed with the modes of passion and ignorance. How, then, could Vṛtrāsura have attained such exalted love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa?
देवानां शुद्धसत्त्वानामृषीणां चामलात्मनाम् । भक्तिर्मुकुन्दचरणे न प्रायेणोपजायते
devānāṃ śuddhasattvānāmṛṣīṇāṃ cāmalātmanām | bhaktirmukundacaraṇe na prāyeṇopajāyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Demigods situated in the mode of goodness and great saints cleansed of the dirt of material enjoyment hardly ever render pure devotional service at the lotus feet of Mukunda. [Therefore how could Vṛtrāsura have become such a great devotee?]
रजोभिः समसङ्ख्याताः पार्थिवैरिह जन्तवः । तेषां ये केचनेहन्ते श्रेयो वै मनुजादयः
rajobhiḥ samasaṅkhyātāḥ pārthivairiha jantavaḥ | teṣāṃ ye kecanehante śreyo vai manujādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this material world there are as many living entities as atoms. Among these living entities, a very few are human beings, and among them, few are interested in following religious principles.
प्रायो मुमुक्षवस्तेषां केचनैव द्विजोत्तम । मुमुक्षूणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिन्मुच्येत सिध्यति
prāyo mumukṣavasteṣāṃ kecanaiva dvijottama | mumukṣūṇāṃ sahasreṣu kaścinmucyeta sidhyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of the brāhmaṇas, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, out of many persons who follow religious principles, only a few desire liberation from the material world. Among many thousands who desire liberation, one may actually achieve liberation, giving up material attachment to society, friendship, love, country, home, wife and children. And among many thousands of such liberated persons, one who can understand the true meaning of liberation is very rare.
मुक्तानामपि सिद्धानां नारायणपरायणः । सुदुर्लभः प्रशान्तात्मा कोटिष्वपि महामुने
muktānāmapi siddhānāṃ nārāyaṇaparāyaṇaḥ | sudurlabhaḥ praśāntātmā koṭiṣvapi mahāmune
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great sage, among many millions who are liberated and perfect in knowledge of liberation, one may be a devotee of Lord Nārāyaṇa, or Kṛṣṇa. Such devotees, who are fully peaceful, are extremely rare.
वृत्रस्तु स कथं पापः सर्वलोकोपतापनः । इत्थं दृढमतिः कृष्ण आसीत्सङ्ग्राम उल्बणे
vṛtrastu sa kathaṃ pāpaḥ sarvalokopatāpanaḥ | itthaṃ dṛḍhamatiḥ kṛṣṇa āsītsaṅgrāma ulbaṇe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vṛtrāsura was situated in the blazing fire of battle and was an infamous, sinful demon, always engaged in giving troubles and anxieties to others. How could such a demon become so greatly Kṛṣṇa conscious?
अत्र नः संशयो भूयाञ्छ्रोतुं कौतूहलं प्रभो । यः पौरुषेण समरे सहस्राक्षमतोषयत्
atra naḥ saṃśayo bhūyāñchrotuṃ kautūhalaṃ prabho | yaḥ pauruṣeṇa samare sahasrākṣamatoṣayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear lord, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, although Vṛtrāsura was a sinful demon, he showed the prowess of a most exalted kṣatriya and satisfied Lord Indra in battle. How could such a demon be a great devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa? These contradictions have caused me great doubt, and they have made me eager to hear of this from you.
सूत उवाच । परीक्षितोऽथ सम्प्रश्नं भगवान् बादरायणिः । निशम्य श्रद्दधानस्य प्रतिनन्द्य वचोऽब्रवीत्
sūta uvāca | parīkṣito'tha sampraśnaṃ bhagavān bādarāyaṇiḥ | niśamya śraddadhānasya pratinandya vaco'bravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: After hearing Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s very intelligent question, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the most powerful sage, began answering his disciple with great affection.
श्रीशुक उवाच । शृणुष्वावहितो राजन्नितिहासमिमं यथा । श्रुतं द्वैपायनमुखान्नारदाद्देवलादपि
śrīśuka uvāca | śṛṇuṣvāvahito rājannitihāsamimaṃ yathā | śrutaṃ dvaipāyanamukhānnāradāddevalādapi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, I shall speak to you the same history I have heard from the mouths of Vyāsadeva, Nārada and Devala. Please listen with attention.
आसीद्राजा सार्वभौमः शूरसेनेषु वै नृप । चित्रकेतुरिति ख्यातो यस्यासीत्कामधुङ्मही
āsīdrājā sārvabhaumaḥ śūraseneṣu vai nṛpa | citraketuriti khyāto yasyāsītkāmadhuṅmahī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, in the province of Śūrasena there was a king named Citraketu, who ruled the entire earth. During his reign, the earth produced all the necessities for life.
तस्य भार्यासहस्राणां सहस्राणि दशाभवन् । सान्तानिकश्चापि नृपो न लेभे तासु सन्ततिम्
tasya bhāryāsahasrāṇāṃ sahasrāṇi daśābhavan | sāntānikaścāpi nṛpo na lebhe tāsu santatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This Citraketu had ten million wives, but although he was capable of producing children, he did not receive a child from any of them. By chance, all the wives were barren.
रूपौदार्यवयोजन्मविद्यैश्वर्यश्रियादिभिः । सम्पन्नस्य गुणैः सर्वैश्चिन्ता वन्ध्यापतेरभूत्
rūpaudāryavayojanmavidyaiśvaryaśriyādibhiḥ | sampannasya guṇaiḥ sarvaiścintā vandhyāpaterabhūt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Citraketu, the husband of these millions of wives, was endowed with a beautiful form, magnanimity and youth. He was born in a high family, he had a complete education, and he was wealthy and opulent. Nevertheless, in spite of being endowed with all these assets, he was full of anxiety because he did not have a son.
न तस्य सम्पदः सर्वा महिष्यो वामलोचनाः । सार्वभौमस्य भूश्चेयमभवन् प्रीतिहेतवः
na tasya sampadaḥ sarvā mahiṣyo vāmalocanāḥ | sārvabhaumasya bhūśceyamabhavan prītihetavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His queens all had beautiful faces and attractive eyes, yet neither his opulences, his hundreds and thousands of queens, nor the lands of which he was the supreme proprietor were sources of happiness for him.
तस्यैकदा तु भवनमङ्गिरा भगवान् ऋषिः । लोकाननुचरन्नेतानुपागच्छद्यदृच्छया
tasyaikadā tu bhavanamaṅgirā bhagavān ṛṣiḥ | lokānanucarannetānupāgacchadyadṛcchayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once upon a time, when the powerful sage named Aṅgirā was traveling all over the universe without engagement, by his sweet will he came to the palace of King Citraketu.
तं पूजयित्वा विधिवत्प्रत्युत्थानार्हणादिभिः । कृतातिथ्यमुपासीदत्सुखासीनं समाहितः
taṃ pūjayitvā vidhivatpratyutthānārhaṇādibhiḥ | kṛtātithyamupāsīdatsukhāsīnaṃ samāhitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Citraketu immediately stood up from his throne and offered him worship. He offered drinking water and eatables and in this way performed his duty as a host to a great guest. When the ṛṣi was seated very comfortably, the King, restraining his mind and senses, sat on the ground at the side of the ṛṣi’s feet.
महर्षिस्तमुपासीनं प्रश्रयावनतं क्षितौ । प्रतिपूज्य महाराज समाभाष्येदमब्रवीत्
maharṣistamupāsīnaṃ praśrayāvanataṃ kṣitau | pratipūjya mahārāja samābhāṣyedamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, when Citraketu, bent low in humility, was seated at the lotus feet of the great sage, the sage congratulated him for his humility and hospitality. The sage addressed him in the following words.
अङ्गिरा उवाच । अपि तेऽनामयं स्वस्ति प्रकृतीनां तथाऽऽत्मनः । यथा प्रकृतिभिर्गुप्तः पुमान् राजापि सप्तभिः
aṅgirā uvāca | api te'nāmayaṃ svasti prakṛtīnāṃ tathā''tmanaḥ | yathā prakṛtibhirguptaḥ pumān rājāpi saptabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Aṅgirā said: My dear King, I hope that your body and mind and your royal associates and paraphernalia are well. When the seven properties of material nature [the total material energy, the ego and the five objects of sense gratification] are in proper order, the living entity within the material elements is happy. Without these seven elements one cannot exist. Similarly, a king is always protected by seven elements — his instructor (svāmī or guru), his ministers, his kingdom, his fort, his treasury, his royal order and his friends.
आत्मानं प्रकृतिष्वद्धा निधाय श्रेय आप्नुयात् । राज्ञा तथा प्रकृतयो नरदेवाहिताधयः
ātmānaṃ prakṛtiṣvaddhā nidhāya śreya āpnuyāt | rājñā tathā prakṛtayo naradevāhitādhayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, O lord of humanity, when a king directly depends upon his associates and follows their instructions, he is happy. Similarly, when his associates offer their gifts and activities to the king and follow his orders, they are also happy.
अपि दाराः प्रजामात्या भृत्याः श्रेण्योऽथ मन्त्रिणः । पौरा जानपदा भूपा आत्मजा वशवर्तिनः
api dārāḥ prajāmātyā bhṛtyāḥ śreṇyo'tha mantriṇaḥ | paurā jānapadā bhūpā ātmajā vaśavartinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, are your wives, citizens, secretaries and servants and the merchants who sell spices and oil under your control? Are you also in full control of ministers, the inhabitants of your palace, your provincial governors, your sons and your other dependents?
यस्यात्मानुवशश्चेत्स्यात्सर्वे तद्वशगा इमे । लोकाः सपाला यच्छन्ति सर्वे बलिमतन्द्रिताः
yasyātmānuvaśaścetsyātsarve tadvaśagā ime | lokāḥ sapālā yacchanti sarve balimatandritāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If the king’s mind is fully controlled, all his family members and governmental officers are subordinate to him. His provincial governors present taxes on time, without resistance, and what to speak of lesser servants?
आत्मनः प्रीयते नात्मा परतः स्वत एव वा । लक्षयेऽलब्धकामं त्वां चिन्तया शबलं मुखम्
ātmanaḥ prīyate nātmā parataḥ svata eva vā | lakṣaye'labdhakāmaṃ tvāṃ cintayā śabalaṃ mukham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Citraketu, I can observe that your mind is not pleased. You seem not to have achieved your desired goal. Is this because of you yourself, or has it been caused by others? Your pale face reflects your deep anxiety.
एवं विकल्पितो राजन् विदुषा मुनिनापि सः । प्रश्रयावनतोऽभ्याह प्रजाकामस्ततो मुनिम्
evaṃ vikalpito rājan viduṣā munināpi saḥ | praśrayāvanato'bhyāha prajākāmastato munim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King Parīkṣit, although the great sage Aṅgirā knew everything, he inquired from the King in this way. Thus King Citraketu, desiring a son, bent low in great humility and spoke to the great sage as follows.
चित्रकेतुरुवाच । भगवन् किं न विदितं तपोज्ञानसमाधिभिः । योगिनां ध्वस्तपापानां बहिरन्तः शरीरिषु
citraketuruvāca | bhagavan kiṃ na viditaṃ tapojñānasamādhibhiḥ | yogināṃ dhvastapāpānāṃ bahirantaḥ śarīriṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Citraketu said: O great lord Aṅgirā, because of austerity, knowledge and transcendental samādhi, you are freed from all the reactions of sinful life. Therefore, as a perfect yogī, you can understand everything external and internal regarding embodied, conditioned souls like us.
तथापि पृच्छतो ब्रूयां ब्रह्मन्नात्मनि चिन्तितम् । भवतो विदुषश्चापि चोदितस्त्वदनुज्ञया
tathāpi pṛcchato brūyāṃ brahmannātmani cintitam | bhavato viduṣaścāpi coditastvadanujñayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great soul, you are aware of everything, yet you are asking me why I am full of anxiety. Therefore, in response to your order, let me disclose the cause.
लोकपालैरपि प्रार्थ्याः साम्राज्यैश्वर्यसम्पदः । न नन्दयन्त्यप्रजं मां क्षुत्तृट्काममिवापरे
lokapālairapi prārthyāḥ sāmrājyaiśvaryasampadaḥ | na nandayantyaprajaṃ māṃ kṣuttṛṭkāmamivāpare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a person aggrieved by hunger and thirst is not pleased by the external gratification of flower garlands or sandalwood pulp, I am not pleased with my empire, opulence or possessions, which are desirable even for great demigods, because I have no son.
ततः पाहि महाभाग पूर्वैः सह गतं तमः । यथा तरेम दुस्तारं प्रजया तद्विधेहि नः
tataḥ pāhi mahābhāga pūrvaiḥ saha gataṃ tamaḥ | yathā tarema dustāraṃ prajayā tadvidhehi naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O great sage, please save me and my forefathers, who are descending to the darkness of hell because I have no progeny. Kindly do something so that I may have a son to deliver us from hellish conditions.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्यर्थितः स भगवान् कृपालुर्ब्रह्मणः सुतः । श्रपयित्वा चरुं त्वाष्ट्रं त्वष्टारमयजद्विभुः
śrīśuka uvāca | ityarthitaḥ sa bhagavān kṛpālurbrahmaṇaḥ sutaḥ | śrapayitvā caruṃ tvāṣṭraṃ tvaṣṭāramayajadvibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In response to the request of Mahārāja Citraketu, Aṅgirā Ṛṣi, who was born of Lord Brahmā’s mind, was very merciful toward him. Because the sage was a greatly powerful personality, he performed a sacrifice by offering oblations of sweetrice to Tvaṣṭā.
ज्येष्ठा श्रेष्ठा च या राज्ञो महिषीणां च भारत । नाम्ना कृतद्युतिस्तस्यै यज्ञोच्छिष्टमदाद्द्विजः
jyeṣṭhā śreṣṭhā ca yā rājño mahiṣīṇāṃ ca bhārata | nāmnā kṛtadyutistasyai yajñocchiṣṭamadāddvijaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Parīkṣit Mahārāja, best of the Bhāratas, the remnants of the food offered in the yajña were given by the great sage Aṅgirā to the first and most perfect among Citraketu’s millions of queens, whose name was Kṛtadyuti.
अथाह नृपतिं राजन् भवितैकस्तवात्मजः । हर्षशोकप्रदस्तुभ्यमिति ब्रह्मसुतो ययौ
athāha nṛpatiṃ rājan bhavitaikastavātmajaḥ | harṣaśokapradastubhyamiti brahmasuto yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, the great sage told the King, “O great King, now you will have a son who will be the cause of both jubilation and lamentation.” The sage then left, without waiting for Citraketu’s response.
सापि तत्प्राशनादेव चित्रकेतोरधारयत् । गर्भं कृतद्युतिर्देवी कृत्तिकाग्नेरिवात्मजम्
sāpi tatprāśanādeva citraketoradhārayat | garbhaṃ kṛtadyutirdevī kṛttikāgnerivātmajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Kṛttikādevī, after receiving the semen of Lord Śiva from Agni, conceived a child named Skanda [Kārttikeya], Kṛtadyuti, having received semen from Citraketu, became pregnant after eating remnants of food from the yajña performed by Aṅgirā.
तस्या अनुदिनं गर्भः शुक्लपक्ष इवोडुपः । ववृधे शूरसेनेशतेजसा शनकैर्नृप
tasyā anudinaṃ garbhaḥ śuklapakṣa ivoḍupaḥ | vavṛdhe śūraseneśatejasā śanakairnṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After receiving semen from Mahārāja Citraketu, the King of Śūrasena, Queen Kṛtadyuti gradually developed in her pregnancy, O King Parīkṣit, just as the moon develops during the bright fortnight.
अथ काल उपावृत्ते कुमारः समजायत । जनयन् शूरसेनानां शृण्वतां परमां मुदम्
atha kāla upāvṛtte kumāraḥ samajāyata | janayan śūrasenānāṃ śṛṇvatāṃ paramāṃ mudam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, in due course of time, a son was born to the King. Hearing news of this, all the inhabitants of the state of Śūrasena were extremely pleased.
हृष्टो राजा कुमारस्य स्नातः शुचिरलङ्कृतः । वाचयित्वाऽऽशिषो विप्रैः कारयामास जातकम्
hṛṣṭo rājā kumārasya snātaḥ śuciralaṅkṛtaḥ | vācayitvā''śiṣo vipraiḥ kārayāmāsa jātakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Citraketu was especially pleased. After purifying himself by bathing and by decorating himself with ornaments, he engaged learned brāhmaṇas in offering benedictions to the child and performing the birth ceremony.
तेभ्यो हिरण्यं रजतं वासांस्याभरणानि च । ग्रामान् हयान् गजान् प्रादाद्धेनूनामर्बुदानि षट्
tebhyo hiraṇyaṃ rajataṃ vāsāṃsyābharaṇāni ca | grāmān hayān gajān prādāddhenūnāmarbudāni ṣaṭ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Unto the brāhmaṇas who took part in the ritualistic ceremony the King gave charity of gold, silver, garments, ornaments, villages, horses and elephants, as well as sixty crores of cows [six hundred million cows].
ववर्ष काममन्येषां पर्जन्य इव देहिनाम् । धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं कुमारस्य महामनाः
vavarṣa kāmamanyeṣāṃ parjanya iva dehinām | dhanyaṃ yaśasyamāyuṣyaṃ kumārasya mahāmanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a cloud indiscriminately pours water on the earth, the beneficent King Citraketu, to increase the reputation, opulence and longevity of his son, distributed like rainfall all desirable things to everyone.
कृच्छ्रलब्धेऽथ राजर्षेस्तनयेऽनुदिनं पितुः । यथा निःस्वस्य कृच्छ्राप्ते धने स्नेहोऽन्ववर्धत
kṛcchralabdhe'tha rājarṣestanaye'nudinaṃ pituḥ | yathā niḥsvasya kṛcchrāpte dhane sneho'nvavardhata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When a poor man gets some money after great difficulty, his affection for the money increases daily. Similarly, when King Citraketu, after great difficulty, received a son, his affection for the son increased day after day.
मातुस्त्वतितरां पुत्रे स्नेहो मोहसमुद्भवः । कृतद्युतेः सपत्नीनां प्रजाकामज्वरोऽभवत्
mātustvatitarāṃ putre sneho mohasamudbhavaḥ | kṛtadyuteḥ sapatnīnāṃ prajākāmajvaro'bhavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The mother’s attraction and attention to the son, like that of the child’s father, excessively increased. The other wives, seeing Kṛtadyuti’s son, were very much agitated, as if by high fevers, with a desire to have sons.
चित्रकेतोरतिप्रीतिर्यथा दारे प्रजावति । न तथान्येषु सञ्जज्ञे बालं लालयतोऽन्वहम्
citraketoratiprītiryathā dāre prajāvati | na tathānyeṣu sañjajñe bālaṃ lālayato'nvaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As King Citraketu fostered his son very carefully, his affection for Queen Kṛtadyuti increased, but gradually he lost affection for the other wives, who had no sons.
ताः पर्यतप्यन्नात्मानं गर्हयन्त्योऽभ्यसूयया । आनपत्येन दुःखेन राज्ञोऽनादरेण च
tāḥ paryatapyannātmānaṃ garhayantyo'bhyasūyayā | ānapatyena duḥkhena rājño'nādareṇa ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The other queens were extremely unhappy due to their being sonless. Because of the King’s negligence toward them, they condemned themselves in envy and lamented.
धिगप्रजां स्त्रियं पापां पत्युश्चागृहसम्मताम् । सुप्रजाभिः सपत्नीभिर्दासीमिव तिरस्कृताम्
dhigaprajāṃ striyaṃ pāpāṃ patyuścāgṛhasammatām | suprajābhiḥ sapatnībhirdāsīmiva tiraskṛtām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A wife who has no sons is neglected at home by her husband and dishonored by her co-wives exactly like a maidservant. Certainly such a woman is condemned in every respect because of her sinful life.
दासीनां को नु सन्तापः स्वामिनः परिचर्यया । अभीक्ष्णं लब्धमानानां दास्या दासीव दुर्भगाः
dāsīnāṃ ko nu santāpaḥ svāminaḥ paricaryayā | abhīkṣṇaṃ labdhamānānāṃ dāsyā dāsīva durbhagāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even maidservants who are constantly engaged in rendering service to the husband are honored by the husband, and thus they have nothing for which to lament. Our position, however, is that we are maidservants of the maidservant. Therefore we are most unfortunate.
एवं सन्दह्यमानानां सपत्न्याः पुत्रसम्पदा । राज्ञोऽसम्मतवृत्तीनां विद्वेषो बलवानभूत्
evaṃ sandahyamānānāṃ sapatnyāḥ putrasampadā | rājño'sammatavṛttīnāṃ vidveṣo balavānabhūt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Being neglected by their husband and seeing Kṛtadyuti’s opulence in possessing a son, Kṛtadyuti’s co-wives always burned in envy, which became extremely strong.
विद्वेषनष्टमतयः स्त्रियो दारुणचेतसः । गरं ददुः कुमाराय दुर्मर्षा नृपतिं प्रति
vidveṣanaṣṭamatayaḥ striyo dāruṇacetasaḥ | garaṃ daduḥ kumārāya durmarṣā nṛpatiṃ prati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As their envy increased, they lost their intelligence. Being extremely hardhearted and unable to tolerate the King’s neglect, they finally administered poison to the son.
कृतद्युतिरजानन्ती सपत्नीनामघं महत् । सुप्त एवेति सञ्चिन्त्य निरीक्ष्य व्यचरद्गृहे
kṛtadyutirajānantī sapatnīnāmaghaṃ mahat | supta eveti sañcintya nirīkṣya vyacaradgṛhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Unaware of the poison administered by her co-wives, Queen Kṛtadyuti walked within the house, thinking that her son was sleeping deeply. She did not understand that he was dead.
शयानं सुचिरं बालमुपधार्य मनीषिणी । पुत्रमानय मे भद्रे इति धात्रीमचोदयत्
śayānaṃ suciraṃ bālamupadhārya manīṣiṇī | putramānaya me bhadre iti dhātrīmacodayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thinking that her child had been sleeping for a long time, Queen Kṛtadyuti, who was certainly very intelligent, ordered the nurse, “My dear friend, please bring my son here.”
सा शयानमुपव्रज्य दृष्ट्वा चोत्तारलोचनम् । प्राणेन्द्रियात्मभिस्त्यक्तं हतास्मीत्यपतद्भुवि
sā śayānamupavrajya dṛṣṭvā cottāralocanam | prāṇendriyātmabhistyaktaṃ hatāsmītyapatadbhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the maidservant approached the child, who was lying down, she saw that his eyes were turned upward. There were no signs of life, all his senses having stopped, and she could understand that the child was dead. Seeing this, she immediately cried, “Now I am doomed,” and fell to the ground.
तस्यास्तदाकर्ण्य भृशातुरं स्वरं घ्नन्त्याः कराभ्यामुर उच्चकैरपि । प्रविश्य राज्ञी त्वरयाऽऽत्मजान्तिकं ददर्श बालं सहसा मृतं सुतम्
tasyāstadākarṇya bhṛśāturaṃ svaraṃ ghnantyāḥ karābhyāmura uccakairapi | praviśya rājñī tvarayā''tmajāntikaṃ dadarśa bālaṃ sahasā mṛtaṃ sutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In great agitation, the maidservant struck her breast with both hands and cried loudly in regretful words. Hearing her loud voice, the Queen immediately came, and when she approached her son, she saw that he was suddenly dead.
पपात भूमौ परिवृद्धया शुचा मुमोह विभ्रष्टशिरोरुहाम्बरा
papāta bhūmau parivṛddhayā śucā mumoha vibhraṣṭaśiroruhāmbarā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In great lamentation, her hair and dress in disarray, the Queen fell to the ground unconscious.
ततो नृपान्तःपुरवर्तिनो जना नराश्च नार्यश्च निशम्य रोदनम् । आगत्य तुल्यव्यसनाः सुदुःखिता- स्ताश्च व्यलीकं रुरुदुः कृतागसः
tato nṛpāntaḥpuravartino janā narāśca nāryaśca niśamya rodanam | āgatya tulyavyasanāḥ suduḥkhitā- stāśca vyalīkaṃ ruruduḥ kṛtāgasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, hearing the loud crying, all the inhabitants of the palace came, both men and women. Being equally aggrieved, they also began to cry. The queens who had administered the poison also cried pretentiously, knowing full well their offense.
पतिं निरीक्ष्योरुशुचार्पितं तदा मृतं च बालं सुतमेकसन्ततिम् । जनस्य राज्ञी प्रकृतेश्च हृद्रुजं सती दधाना विललाप चित्रधा
patiṃ nirīkṣyoruśucārpitaṃ tadā mṛtaṃ ca bālaṃ sutamekasantatim | janasya rājñī prakṛteśca hṛdrujaṃ satī dadhānā vilalāpa citradhā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Queen saw her husband, King Citraketu, merged in great lamentation and saw the dead child, who was the only son in the family, she lamented in various ways. This increased the pain in the cores of the hearts of all the inhabitants of the palace, the ministers and all the brāhmaṇas.
स्तनद्वयं कुङ्कुमगन्धमण्डितं निषिञ्चती साञ्जनबाष्पबिन्दुभिः । विकीर्य केशान् विगलत्स्रजः सुतं शुशोच चित्रं कुररीव सुस्वरम्
stanadvayaṃ kuṅkumagandhamaṇḍitaṃ niṣiñcatī sāñjanabāṣpabindubhiḥ | vikīrya keśān vigalatsrajaḥ sutaṃ śuśoca citraṃ kurarīva susvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The garland of flowers decorating the Queen’s head fell, and her hair scattered. Falling tears melted the collyrium on her eyes and moistened her breasts, which were covered with kuṅkuma powder. As she lamented the loss of her son, her loud crying resembled the sweet sound of a kurarī bird.
अहो विधातस्त्वमतीव बालिशो यस्त्वात्मसृष्ट्यप्रतिरूपमीहसे । परे नु जीवत्यपरस्य या मृति- र्विपर्ययश्चेत्त्वमसि ध्रुवः परः
aho vidhātastvamatīva bāliśo yastvātmasṛṣṭyapratirūpamīhase | pare nu jīvatyaparasya yā mṛti- rviparyayaścettvamasi dhruvaḥ paraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Alas, O Providence, O Creator, You are certainly inexperienced in creation, for during the lifetime of a father You have caused the death of his son, thus acting in opposition to Your creative laws. If You are determined to contradict these laws, You are certainly the enemy of living entities and are never merciful.
न हि क्रमश्चेदिह मृत्युजन्मनोः शरीरिणामस्तु तदात्मकर्मभिः । यः स्नेहपाशो निजसर्गवृद्धये स्वयं कृतस्ते तमिमं विवृश्चसि
na hi kramaścediha mṛtyujanmanoḥ śarīriṇāmastu tadātmakarmabhiḥ | yaḥ snehapāśo nijasargavṛddhaye svayaṃ kṛtaste tamimaṃ vivṛścasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, You may say that there is no law that a father must die in the lifetime of his son and that a son must be born in the lifetime of his father, since everyone lives and dies according to his own fruitive activity. However, if fruitive activity is so strong that birth and death depend upon it, there is no need of a controller, or God. Again, if You say that a controller is needed because the material energy does not have the power to act, one may answer that if the bonds of affection You have created are disturbed by fruitive action, no one will raise children with affection; instead, everyone will cruelly neglect his children. Since You have cut the bonds of affection that compel a parent to raise his child, You appear inexperienced and unintelligent.
त्वं तात नार्हसि च मां कृपणामनाथां त्यक्तुं विचक्ष्व पितरं तव शोकतप्तम् । अञ्जस्तरेम भवताप्रजदुस्तरं यद्- ध्वान्तं न याह्यकरुणेन यमेन दूरम्
tvaṃ tāta nārhasi ca māṃ kṛpaṇāmanāthāṃ tyaktuṃ vicakṣva pitaraṃ tava śokataptam | añjastarema bhavatāprajadustaraṃ yad- dhvāntaṃ na yāhyakaruṇena yamena dūram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear son, I am helpless and very much aggrieved. You should not give up my company. Just look at your lamenting father. We are helpless because without a son we shall have to suffer the distress of going to the darkest hellish regions. You are the only hope by which we can get out of these dark regions. Therefore I request you not to go any further with the merciless Yama.
उत्तिष्ठ तात त इमे शिशवो वयस्या- स्त्वामाह्वयन्ति नृपनन्दन संविहर्तुम् । सुप्तश्चिरं ह्यशनया च भवान् परीतो भुङ्क्ष्व स्तनं पिब शुचो हर नः स्वकानाम्
uttiṣṭha tāta ta ime śiśavo vayasyā- stvāmāhvayanti nṛpanandana saṃvihartum | suptaściraṃ hyaśanayā ca bhavān parīto bhuṅkṣva stanaṃ piba śuco hara naḥ svakānām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear son, you have slept a long time. Now please get up. Your playmates are calling you to play. Since you must be very hungry, please get up and suck my breast and dissipate our lamentation.
नाहं तनूज ददृशे हतमङ्गला ते मुग्धस्मितं मुदितवीक्षणमाननाब्जम् । किं वा गतोऽस्यपुनरन्वयमन्यलोकं नीतोऽघृणेन न शृणोमि कला गिरस्ते
nāhaṃ tanūja dadṛśe hatamaṅgalā te mugdhasmitaṃ muditavīkṣaṇamānanābjam | kiṃ vā gato'syapunaranvayamanyalokaṃ nīto'ghṛṇena na śṛṇomi kalā giraste
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear son, I am certainly most unfortunate, for I can no longer see your mild smiling. You have closed your eyes forever. I therefore conclude that you have been taken from this planet to another, from which you will not return. My dear son, I can no longer hear your pleasing voice.
श्रीशुक उवाच । विलपन्त्या मृतं पुत्रमिति चित्रविलापनैः । चित्रकेतुर्भृशं तप्तो मुक्तकण्ठो रुरोद ह
śrīśuka uvāca | vilapantyā mṛtaṃ putramiti citravilāpanaiḥ | citraketurbhṛśaṃ tapto muktakaṇṭho ruroda ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Accompanied by his wife, who was thus lamenting for her dead son, King Citraketu began crying loudly with an open mouth, being greatly aggrieved.
तयोर्विलपतोः सर्वे दम्पत्योस्तदनुव्रताः । रुरुदुः स्म नरा नार्यः सर्वमासीदचेतनम्
tayorvilapatoḥ sarve dampatyostadanuvratāḥ | ruruduḥ sma narā nāryaḥ sarvamāsīdacetanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the King and Queen lamented, all their male and female followers joined them in crying. Because of the sudden accident, all the citizens of the kingdom were almost unconscious.
एवं कश्मलमापन्नं नष्टसंज्ञमनायकम् । ज्ञात्वाङ्गिरा नाम मुनिराजगाम सनारदः
evaṃ kaśmalamāpannaṃ naṣṭasaṃjñamanāyakam | jñātvāṅgirā nāma munirājagāma sanāradaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the great sage Aṅgirā understood that the King was almost dead in an ocean of lamentation, he went there with Nārada Ṛṣi.
श्रीशुक उवाच । ऊचतुर्मृतकोपान्ते पतितं मृतकोपमम् । शोकाभिभूतं राजानं बोधयन्तौ सदुक्तिभिः
śrīśuka uvāca | ūcaturmṛtakopānte patitaṃ mṛtakopamam | śokābhibhūtaṃ rājānaṃ bodhayantau saduktibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: While King Citraketu, overcome by lamentation, lay like a dead body at the side of the dead body of his son, the two great sages Nārada and Aṅgirā instructed him about spiritual consciousness as follows.
कोऽयं स्यात्तव राजेन्द्र भवान् यमनुशोचति । त्वं चास्य कतमः सृष्टौ पुरेदानीमतः परम्
ko'yaṃ syāttava rājendra bhavān yamanuśocati | tvaṃ cāsya katamaḥ sṛṣṭau puredānīmataḥ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, what relationship does the dead body for which you lament have with you, and what relationship do you have with him? You may say that you are now related as father and son, but do you think this relationship existed before? Does it truly exist now? Will it continue in the future?
यथा प्रयान्ति संयान्ति स्रोतोवेगेन वालुकाः । संयुज्यन्ते वियुज्यन्ते तथा कालेन देहिनः
yathā prayānti saṃyānti srotovegena vālukāḥ | saṃyujyante viyujyante tathā kālena dehinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, as small particles of sand sometimes come together and are sometimes separated due to the force of the waves, the living entities who have accepted material bodies sometimes come together and are sometimes separated by the force of time.
यथा धानासु वै धाना भवन्ति न भवन्ति च । एवं भूतेषु भूतानि चोदितानीशमायया
yathā dhānāsu vai dhānā bhavanti na bhavanti ca | evaṃ bhūteṣu bhūtāni coditānīśamāyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When seeds are sown in the ground, they sometimes grow into plants and sometimes do not. Sometimes the ground is not fertile, and the sowing of seeds is unproductive. Similarly, sometimes a prospective father, being impelled by the potency of the Supreme Lord, can beget a child, but sometimes conception does not take place. Therefore one should not lament over the artificial relationship of parenthood, which is ultimately controlled by the Supreme Lord.
वयं च त्वं च ये चेमे तुल्यकालाश्चराचराः । जन्ममृत्योर्यथा पश्चात्प्राङ् नैवमधुनापि भोः
vayaṃ ca tvaṃ ca ye ceme tulyakālāścarācarāḥ | janmamṛtyoryathā paścātprāṅ naivamadhunāpi bhoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, both you and we — your advisers, wives and ministers — as well as everything moving and not moving throughout the entire cosmos at this time, are in a temporary situation. Before our birth this situation did not exist, and after our death it will exist no longer. Therefore our situation now is temporary, although it is not false.
भूतैर्भूतानि भूतेशः सृजत्यवति हन्त्यजः । आत्मसृष्टैरस्वतन्त्रैरनपेक्षोऽपि बालवत्
bhūtairbhūtāni bhūteśaḥ sṛjatyavati hantyajaḥ | ātmasṛṣṭairasvatantrairanapekṣo'pi bālavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master and proprietor of everything, is certainly not interested in the temporary cosmic manifestation. Nonetheless, just as a boy at the beach creates something in which he is not interested, the Lord, keeping everything under His control, causes creation, maintenance and annihilation. He creates by engaging a father to beget a son, He maintains by engaging a government or king to see to the public’s welfare, and He annihilates through agents for killing, such as snakes. The agents for creation, maintenance and annihilation have no independent potency, but because of the spell of the illusory energy, one thinks himself the creator, maintainer and annihilator.
देहेन देहिनो राजन् देहाद्देहोऽभिजायते । बीजादेव यथा बीजं देह्यर्थ इव शाश्वतः
dehena dehino rājan dehāddeho'bhijāyate | bījādeva yathā bījaṃ dehyartha iva śāśvataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As from one seed another seed is generated, O King, so from one body [the body of the father], through another body [the body of the mother], a third body is generated [the body of a son]. As the elements of the material body are eternal, the living entity who appears through these material elements is also eternal.
देहदेहिविभागोऽयमविवेककृतः पुरा । जातिव्यक्तिविभागोऽयं यथा वस्तुनि कल्पितः
dehadehivibhāgo'yamavivekakṛtaḥ purā | jātivyaktivibhāgo'yaṃ yathā vastuni kalpitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Divisions of generalization and specification, such as nationality and individuality, are the imaginations of persons who are not advanced in knowledge.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवमाश्वासितो राजा चित्रकेतुर्द्विजोक्तिभिः । प्रमृज्य पाणिना वक्त्रमाधिम्लानमभाषत
śrīśuka uvāca | evamāśvāsito rājā citraketurdvijoktibhiḥ | pramṛjya pāṇinā vaktramādhimlānamabhāṣata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thus enlightened by the instructions of Nārada and Aṅgirā, King Citraketu became hopeful with knowledge. Wiping his shriveled face with his hand, the King began to speak.
राजोवाच । कौ युवां ज्ञानसम्पन्नौ महिष्ठौ च महीयसाम् । अवधूतेन वेषेण गूढाविह समागतौ
rājovāca | kau yuvāṃ jñānasampannau mahiṣṭhau ca mahīyasām | avadhūtena veṣeṇa gūḍhāviha samāgatau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Citraketu said: You have both come here dressed like avadhūtas, liberated persons, just to cover your identities, but I see that of all men, you are the most elevated in awareness. You know everything as it is. Therefore you are the greatest of all great personalities.
चरन्ति ह्यवनौ कामं ब्राह्मणा भगवत्प्रियाः । मादृशां ग्राम्यबुद्धीनां बोधायोन्मत्तलिङ्गिनः
caranti hyavanau kāmaṃ brāhmaṇā bhagavatpriyāḥ | mādṛśāṃ grāmyabuddhīnāṃ bodhāyonmattaliṅginaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Brāhmaṇas who are exalted to the position of Vaiṣṇavas, the most dear servants of Kṛṣṇa, sometimes dress like madmen. Just to benefit materialists like us, who are always attached to sense gratification, and just to dissipate our ignorance, these Vaiṣṇavas wander on the surface of the globe according to their desire.
तस्माद्युवां ग्राम्यपशोर्मम मूढधियः प्रभू । अन्धे तमसि मग्नस्य ज्ञानदीप उदीर्यताम्
tasmādyuvāṃ grāmyapaśormama mūḍhadhiyaḥ prabhū | andhe tamasi magnasya jñānadīpa udīryatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because you are great personalities, you can give me real knowledge. I am as foolish as a village animal like a pig or dog because I am merged in the darkness of ignorance. Therefore, please ignite the torch of knowledge to save me.
अङ्गिरा उवाच । अहं ते पुत्रकामस्य पुत्रदोऽस्म्यङ्गिरा नृप । एष ब्रह्मसुतः साक्षान्नारदो भगवान् ऋषिः
aṅgirā uvāca | ahaṃ te putrakāmasya putrado'smyaṅgirā nṛpa | eṣa brahmasutaḥ sākṣānnārado bhagavān ṛṣiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Aṅgirā said: My dear King, when you desired to have a son, I approached you. Indeed, I am the same Aṅgirā Ṛṣi who gave you this son. As for this ṛṣi, he is the great sage Nārada, the direct son of Lord Brahmā.
तदैव ते परं ज्ञानं ददामि गृहमागतः । ज्ञात्वान्याभिनिवेशं ते पुत्रमेव ददावहम्
tadaiva te paraṃ jñānaṃ dadāmi gṛhamāgataḥ | jñātvānyābhiniveśaṃ te putrameva dadāvaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When I first came to your home, I could have given you the supreme transcendental knowledge, but when I saw that your mind was absorbed in material things, I gave you only a son, who caused you jubilation and lamentation.
दृश्यमाना विनार्थेन न दृश्यन्ते मनोभवाः । कर्मभिर्ध्यायतो नानाकर्माणि मनसोऽभवन्
dṛśyamānā vinārthena na dṛśyante manobhavāḥ | karmabhirdhyāyato nānākarmāṇi manaso'bhavan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These visible objects like wife, children and property are like dreams and mental concoctions. Actually what we see has no permanent existence. It is sometimes seen and sometimes not. Only because of our past actions do we create such mental concoctions, and because of these concoctions, we perform further activities.
अयं हि देहिनो देहो द्रव्यज्ञानक्रियात्मकः । देहिनो विविधक्लेशसन्तापकृदुदाहृतः
ayaṃ hi dehino deho dravyajñānakriyātmakaḥ | dehino vividhakleśasantāpakṛdudāhṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The living entity in the bodily conception of life is absorbed in the body, which is a combination of the physical elements, the five senses for gathering knowledge, and the five senses of action, along with the mind. Through the mind the living entity suffers three kinds of tribulations — adhibhautika, adhidaivika and adhyātmika. Therefore this body is a source of all miseries.
तस्मात्स्वस्थेन मनसा विमृश्य गतिमात्मनः । द्वैते ध्रुवार्थविश्रम्भं त्यजोपशममाविश
tasmātsvasthena manasā vimṛśya gatimātmanaḥ | dvaite dhruvārthaviśrambhaṃ tyajopaśamamāviśa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O King Citraketu, carefully consider the position of the ātmā. In other words, try to understand who you are — whether body, mind or soul. Consider where you have come from, where you are going after giving up this body, and why you are under the control of material lamentation. Try to understand your real position in this way, and then you will be able to give up your unnecessary attachment. You will also be able to give up the belief that this material world, or anything not directly in touch with service to Kṛṣṇa, is eternal. Thus you will obtain peace.
नारद उवाच । एतां मन्त्रोपनिषदं प्रतीच्छ प्रयतो मम । यां धारयन् सप्तरात्राद्द्रष्टा सङ्कर्षणं प्रभुम्
nārada uvāca | etāṃ mantropaniṣadaṃ pratīccha prayato mama | yāṃ dhārayan saptarātrāddraṣṭā saṅkarṣaṇaṃ prabhum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Nārada continued: My dear King, attentively receive from me a mantra, which is most auspicious. After accepting it from me, in seven nights you will be able to see the Lord face to face.
यत्पादमूलमुपसृत्य नरेन्द्र पूर्वे शर्वादयो भ्रममिमं द्वितयं विसृज्य । सद्यस्तदीयमतुलानधिकं महित्वं प्रापुर्भवानपि परं न चिरादुपैति
yatpādamūlamupasṛtya narendra pūrve śarvādayo bhramamimaṃ dvitayaṃ visṛjya | sadyastadīyamatulānadhikaṃ mahitvaṃ prāpurbhavānapi paraṃ na cirādupaiti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, in former days Lord Śiva and other demigods took shelter of the lotus feet of Saṅkarṣaṇa. Thus they immediately got free from the illusion of duality and achieved unequaled and unsurpassed glories in spiritual life. You will very soon attain that very same position.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथ देवऋषी राजन् सम्परेतं नृपात्मजम् । दर्शयित्वेति होवाच ज्ञातीनामनुशोचताम्
śrīśuka uvāca | atha devaṛṣī rājan samparetaṃ nṛpātmajam | darśayitveti hovāca jñātīnāmanuśocatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King Parīkṣit, by his mystic power the great sage Nārada brought the dead son into the vision of all the lamenting relatives and then spoke as follows.
नारद उवाच । जीवात्मन् पश्य भद्रं ते मातरं पितरं च ते । सुहृदो बान्धवास्तप्ताः शुचा त्वत्कृतया भृशम्
nārada uvāca | jīvātman paśya bhadraṃ te mātaraṃ pitaraṃ ca te | suhṛdo bāndhavāstaptāḥ śucā tvatkṛtayā bhṛśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Nārada Muni said: O living entity, all good fortune unto you. Just see your father and mother. All your friends and relatives are overwhelmed with grief because of your passing away.
कलेवरं स्वमाविश्य शेषमायुः सुहृद्वृतः । भुङ्क्ष्व भोगान् पितृप्रत्तानधितिष्ठ नृपासनम्
kalevaraṃ svamāviśya śeṣamāyuḥ suhṛdvṛtaḥ | bhuṅkṣva bhogān pitṛprattānadhitiṣṭha nṛpāsanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because you died untimely, the balance of your lifetime still remains. Therefore you may reenter your body and enjoy the remainder of your life, surrounded by your friends and relatives. Accept the royal throne and all the opulences given by your father.
जीव उवाच । कस्मिन् जन्मन्यमी मह्यं पितरो मातरोऽभवन् । कर्मभिर्भ्राम्यमाणस्य देवतिर्यङ्नृयोनिषु
jīva uvāca | kasmin janmanyamī mahyaṃ pitaro mātaro'bhavan | karmabhirbhrāmyamāṇasya devatiryaṅnṛyoniṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By the mystic power of Nārada Muni, the living entity reentered his dead body for a short time and spoke in reply to Nārada Muni’s request. He said: According to the results of my fruitive activities, I, the living being, transmigrate from one body to another, sometimes going to the species of the demigods, sometimes to the species of lower animals, sometimes among the vegetables, and sometimes to the human species. Therefore, in which birth were these my mother and father? No one is actually my mother and father. How can I accept these two people as my parents?
बन्धुज्ञात्यरिमध्यस्थमित्रोदासीनविद्विषः । सर्व एव हि सर्वेषां भवन्ति क्रमशो मिथः
bandhujñātyarimadhyasthamitrodāsīnavidviṣaḥ | sarva eva hi sarveṣāṃ bhavanti kramaśo mithaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this material world, which advances like a river that carries away the living entity, all people become friends, relatives and enemies in due course of time. They also act neutrally, they mediate, they despise one another, and they act in many other relationships. Nonetheless, despite these various transactions, no one is permanently related.
यथा वस्तूनि पण्यानि हेमादीनि ततस्ततः । पर्यटन्ति नरेष्वेवं जीवो योनिषु कर्तृषु
yathā vastūni paṇyāni hemādīni tatastataḥ | paryaṭanti nareṣvevaṃ jīvo yoniṣu kartṛṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as gold and other commodities are continually transferred from one place to another in due course of purchase and sale, so the living entity, as a result of his fruitive activities, wanders throughout the entire universe, being injected into various bodies in different species of life by one kind of father after another.
नित्यस्यार्थस्य सम्बन्धो ह्यनित्यो दृश्यते नृषु । यावद्यस्य हि सम्बन्धो ममत्वं तावदेव हि
nityasyārthasya sambandho hyanityo dṛśyate nṛṣu | yāvadyasya hi sambandho mamatvaṃ tāvadeva hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A few living entities are born in the human species, and others are born as animals. Although both are living entities, their relationships are impermanent. An animal may remain in the custody of a human being for some time, and then the same animal may be transferred to the possession of other human beings. As soon as the animal goes away, the former proprietor no longer has a sense of ownership. As long as the animal is in his possession he certainly has an affinity for it, but as soon as the animal is sold, the affinity is lost.
एवं योनिगतो जीवः स नित्यो निरहङ्कृतः । यावद्यत्रोपलभ्येत तावत्स्वत्वं हि तस्य तत्
evaṃ yonigato jīvaḥ sa nityo nirahaṅkṛtaḥ | yāvadyatropalabhyeta tāvatsvatvaṃ hi tasya tat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even though one living entity becomes connected with another because of a relationship based on bodies that are perishable, the living entity is eternal. Actually it is the body that is born or lost, not the living entity. One should not accept that the living entity takes birth or dies. The living being actually has no relationship with so-called fathers and mothers. As long as he appears as the son of a certain father and mother as a result of his past fruitive activities, he has a connection with the body given by that father and mother. Thus he falsely accepts himself as their son and acts affectionately. After he dies, however, the relationship is finished. Under these circumstances, one should not be falsely involved with jubilation and lamentation.
एष नित्योऽव्ययः सूक्ष्म एष सर्वाश्रयः स्वदृक् । आत्ममायागुणैर्विश्वमात्मानं सृजति प्रभुः
eṣa nityo'vyayaḥ sūkṣma eṣa sarvāśrayaḥ svadṛk | ātmamāyāguṇairviśvamātmānaṃ sṛjati prabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The living entity is eternal and imperishable because he actually has no beginning and no end. He never takes birth or dies. He is the basic principle of all types of bodies, yet he does not belong to the bodily category. The living being is so sublime that he is equal in quality to the Supreme Lord. Nonetheless, because he is extremely small, he is prone to be illusioned by the external energy, and thus he creates various bodies for himself according to his different desires.
न ह्यस्यातिप्रियः कश्चिन् नाप्रियः स्वः परोऽपि वा । एकः सर्वधियां द्रष्टा कर्तॄणां गुणदोषयोः
na hyasyātipriyaḥ kaścin nāpriyaḥ svaḥ paro'pi vā | ekaḥ sarvadhiyāṃ draṣṭā kartṝṇāṃ guṇadoṣayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For this living entity, no one is dear, nor is anyone unfavorable. He makes no distinction between that which is his own and that which belongs to anyone else. He is one without a second; in other words, he is not affected by friends and enemies, well-wishers or mischief-mongers. He is only an observer, a witness, of the different qualities of men.
नादत्त आत्मा हि गुणं न दोषं न क्रियाफलम् । उदासीनवदासीनः परावरदृगीश्वरः
nādatta ātmā hi guṇaṃ na doṣaṃ na kriyāphalam | udāsīnavadāsīnaḥ parāvaradṛgīśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord [ātmā], the creator of cause and effect, does not accept the happiness and distress that result from fruitive actions. He is completely independent of having to accept a material body, and because He has no material body, He is always neutral. The living entities, being part and parcel of the Lord, possess His qualities in a minute quantity. Therefore one should not be affected by lamentation.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्युदीर्य गतो जीवो ज्ञातयस्तस्य ते तदा । विस्मिता मुमुचुः शोकं छित्त्वाऽऽत्मस्नेहशृङ्खलाम्
śrīśuka uvāca | ityudīrya gato jīvo jñātayastasya te tadā | vismitā mumucuḥ śokaṃ chittvā''tmasnehaśṛṅkhalām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: When the conditioned soul [jīva] in the form of Mahārāja Citraketu’s son had spoken in this way and then left, Citraketu and the other relatives of the dead son were all astonished. Thus they cut off the shackles of their affection, which was due to their relationship with him, and gave up their lamentation.
निर्हृत्य ज्ञातयो ज्ञातेर्देहं कृत्वोचिताः क्रियाः । तत्यजुर्दुस्त्यजं स्नेहं शोकमोहभयार्तिदम्
nirhṛtya jñātayo jñāterdehaṃ kṛtvocitāḥ kriyāḥ | tatyajurdustyajaṃ snehaṃ śokamohabhayārtidam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the relatives had discharged their duties by performing the proper funeral ceremonies and burning the dead child’s body, they gave up the affection that leads to illusion, lamentation, fear and pain. Such affection is undoubtedly difficult to give up, but they gave it up very easily.
बालघ्न्यो व्रीडितास्तत्र बालहत्याहतप्रभाः । बालहत्याव्रतं चेरुर्ब्राह्मणैर्यन्निरूपितम् । यमुनायां महाराज स्मरन्त्यो द्विजभाषितम्
bālaghnyo vrīḍitāstatra bālahatyāhataprabhāḥ | bālahatyāvrataṃ cerurbrāhmaṇairyannirūpitam | yamunāyāṃ mahārāja smarantyo dvijabhāṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Queen Kṛtyadyuti’s co-wives, who had poisoned the child, were very much ashamed, and they lost all their bodily luster. While lamenting, O King, they remembered the instructions of Aṅgirā and gave up their ambition to bear children. Following the directions of the brāhmaṇas, they went to the bank of the Yamunā, where they bathed and atoned for their sinful activities.
स इत्थं प्रतिबुद्धात्मा चित्रकेतुर्द्विजोक्तिभिः । गृहान्धकूपान्निष्क्रान्तः सरःपङ्कादिव द्विपः
sa itthaṃ pratibuddhātmā citraketurdvijoktibhiḥ | gṛhāndhakūpānniṣkrāntaḥ saraḥpaṅkādiva dvipaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus enlightened by the instructions of the brāhmaṇas Aṅgirā and Nārada, King Citraketu became fully aware of spiritual knowledge. As an elephant becomes free from a muddy reservoir of water, King Citraketu came out of the dark well of family life.
कालिन्द्यां विधिवत्स्नात्वा कृतपुण्यजलक्रियः । मौनेन संयतप्राणो ब्रह्मपुत्राववन्दत
kālindyāṃ vidhivatsnātvā kṛtapuṇyajalakriyaḥ | maunena saṃyataprāṇo brahmaputrāvavandata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King bathed in the water of the Yamunā, and according to prescribed duties, he offered oblations of water to the forefathers and demigods. Very gravely controlling his senses and mind, he then offered his respects and obeisances to the sons of Lord Brahmā [Aṅgirā and Nārada].
अथ तस्मै प्रपन्नाय भक्ताय प्रयतात्मने । भगवान्नारदः प्रीतो विद्यामेतामुवाच ह
atha tasmai prapannāya bhaktāya prayatātmane | bhagavānnāradaḥ prīto vidyāmetāmuvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, being very much pleased with Citraketu, who was a self-controlled devotee and surrendered soul, Nārada, the most powerful sage, spoke to him the following transcendental instructions.
आत्मानन्दानुभूत्यैव न्यस्तशक्त्यूर्मये नमः । हृषीकेशाय महते नमस्ते विश्वमूर्तये
ātmānandānubhūtyaiva nyastaśaktyūrmaye namaḥ | hṛṣīkeśāya mahate namaste viśvamūrtaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Perceiving Your personal bliss, You are always transcendental to the waves of material nature. Therefore, my Lord, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. You are the supreme controller of the senses, and Your expansions of form are unlimited. You are the greatest, and therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
वचस्युपरतेऽप्राप्य य एको मनसा सह । अनामरूपश्चिन्मात्रः सोऽव्यान्नः सदसत्परः
vacasyuparate'prāpya ya eko manasā saha | anāmarūpaścinmātraḥ so'vyānnaḥ sadasatparaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The words and mind of the conditioned soul cannot approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for material names and forms are not applicable to the Lord, who is entirely spiritual, beyond the conception of gross and subtle forms. The impersonal Brahman is another of His forms. May He, by His pleasure, protect us.
यस्मिन्निदं यतश्चेदं तिष्ठत्यप्येति जायते । मृण्मयेष्विव मृज्जातिस्तस्मै ते ब्रह्मणे नमः
yasminnidaṃ yataścedaṃ tiṣṭhatyapyeti jāyate | mṛṇmayeṣviva mṛjjātistasmai te brahmaṇe namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As pots made completely of earth are situated on earth after being created and are transformed into earth again when broken, this cosmic manifestation is caused by the Supreme Brahman, situated in the Supreme Brahman, and annihilated in the same Supreme Brahman. Therefore, since the Supreme Lord is the cause of Brahman, let us offer Him our respectful obeisances.
यन्न स्पृशन्ति न विदुर्मनोबुद्धीन्द्रियासवः । अन्तर्बहिश्च विततं व्योमवत्तन्नतोऽस्म्यहम्
yanna spṛśanti na vidurmanobuddhīndriyāsavaḥ | antarbahiśca vitataṃ vyomavattannato'smyaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Brahman emanates from the Supreme Personality of Godhead and expands like the sky. Although untouched by anything material, it exists within and without. Nonetheless, the mind, intelligence, senses and living force can neither touch Him nor know Him. I offer unto Him my respectful obeisances.
देहेन्द्रियप्राणमनोधियोऽमी यदंशविद्धाः प्रचरन्ति कर्मसु । नैवान्यदा लोहमिवाप्रतप्तं स्थानेषु तद्द्रष्ट्रपदेशमेति
dehendriyaprāṇamanodhiyo'mī yadaṃśaviddhāḥ pracaranti karmasu | naivānyadā lohamivāprataptaṃ sthāneṣu taddraṣṭrapadeśameti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As iron has the power to burn when made red-hot in the association of fire, so the body, senses, living force, mind and intelligence, although merely lumps of matter, can function in their activities when infused with a particle of consciousness by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As iron cannot burn unless heated by fire, the bodily senses cannot act unless favored by the Supreme Brahman.
ओं नमो भगवते महापुरुषाय महानुभावाय महाविभूतिपतये सकलसात्वतपरिवृढ- निकरकरकमलकुड्मलोपलालितचरणा- रविन्दयुगल परम परमेष्ठिन् नमस्ते
oṃ namo bhagavate mahāpuruṣāya mahānubhāvāya mahāvibhūtipataye sakalasātvataparivṛḍha- nikarakarakamalakuḍmalopalālitacaraṇā- ravindayugala parama parameṣṭhin namaste
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O transcendental Lord, who are situated in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Your two lotus feet are always massaged by a multitude of the best devotees with their lotus-bud hands. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, complete in six opulences. You are the supreme person mentioned in the Puruṣa-sūkta prayers. You are the most perfect, self-realized master of all mystic power. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
श्रीशुक उवाच । भक्तायैतां प्रपन्नाय विद्यामादिश्य नारदः । ययावङ्गिरसा साकं धाम स्वायम्भुवं प्रभो
śrīśuka uvāca | bhaktāyaitāṃ prapannāya vidyāmādiśya nāradaḥ | yayāvaṅgirasā sākaṃ dhāma svāyambhuvaṃ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Nārada, having become the spiritual master of Citraketu, instructed him fully in this prayer because Citraketu was fully surrendered. O King Parīkṣit, Nārada then left with the great sage Aṅgirā for the topmost planet, known as Brahmaloka.
चित्रकेतुस्तु विद्यां तां यथा नारदभाषिताम् । धारयामास सप्ताहमब्भक्षः सुसमाहितः
citraketustu vidyāṃ tāṃ yathā nāradabhāṣitām | dhārayāmāsa saptāhamabbhakṣaḥ susamāhitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Fasting and drinking only water, Citraketu for one week continuously chanted with great care and attention the mantra given by Nārada Muni.
ततः स सप्तरात्रान्ते विद्यया धार्यमाणया । विद्याधराधिपत्यं स लेभेऽप्रतिहतं नृप
tataḥ sa saptarātrānte vidyayā dhāryamāṇayā | vidyādharādhipatyaṃ sa lebhe'pratihataṃ nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, after only one week of repeatedly practicing the mantra received from the spiritual master, Citraketu achieved the rule of the planet of the Vidyādharas as an intermediate product of his spiritual advancement in knowledge.
ततः कतिपयाहोभिर्विद्ययेद्धमनोगतिः । जगाम देवदेवस्य शेषस्य चरणान्तिकम्
tataḥ katipayāhobhirvidyayeddhamanogatiḥ | jagāma devadevasya śeṣasya caraṇāntikam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, within a very few days, by the influence of the mantra that Citraketu had practiced, his mind became increasingly enlightened in spiritual progress, and he attained shelter at the lotus feet of Anantadeva.
मृणालगौरं शितिवाससं स्फुर- त्किरीटकेयूरकटित्रकङ्कणम् । प्रसन्नवक्त्रारुणलोचनं वृतं ददर्श सिद्धेश्वरमण्डलैः प्रभुम्
mṛṇālagauraṃ śitivāsasaṃ sphura- tkirīṭakeyūrakaṭitrakaṅkaṇam | prasannavaktrāruṇalocanaṃ vṛtaṃ dadarśa siddheśvaramaṇḍalaiḥ prabhum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon reaching the shelter of Lord Śeṣa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Citraketu saw that He was as white as the white fibers of a lotus flower. He was dressed in bluish garments and adorned with a brilliantly glittering helmet, armlets, belt and bangles. His face was smiling, and His eyes were reddish. He was surrounded by such exalted liberated persons as Sanat-kumāra.
तद्दर्शनध्वस्तसमस्तकिल्बिषः स्वस्थामलान्तःकरणोऽभ्ययान्मुनिः । प्रवृद्धभक्त्या प्रणयाश्रुलोचनः प्रहृष्टरोमाऽऽनमदादिपूरुषम्
taddarśanadhvastasamastakilbiṣaḥ svasthāmalāntaḥkaraṇo'bhyayānmuniḥ | pravṛddhabhaktyā praṇayāśrulocanaḥ prahṛṣṭaromā''namadādipūruṣam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as Mahārāja Citraketu saw the Supreme Lord, he was cleansed of all material contamination and situated in his original Kṛṣṇa consciousness, being completely purified. He became silent and grave, and because of love for the Lord, tears fell from his eyes, and his hairs stood on end. With great devotion and love, he offered his respectful obeisances unto the original Personality of Godhead.
स उत्तमश्लोकपदाब्जविष्टरं प्रेमाश्रुलेशैरुपमेहयन् मुहुः । प्रेमोपरुद्धाखिलवर्णनिर्गमो नैवाशकत्तं प्रसमीडितुं चिरम्
sa uttamaślokapadābjaviṣṭaraṃ premāśruleśairupamehayan muhuḥ | premoparuddhākhilavarṇanirgamo naivāśakattaṃ prasamīḍituṃ ciram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With tears of love and affection, Citraketu repeatedly moistened the resting place of the Supreme Lord’s lotus feet. Because his voice was choked in ecstasy, for a considerable time he was unable to utter any of the letters of the alphabet to offer the Lord suitable prayers.
ततः समाधाय मनो मनीषया बभाष एतत्प्रतिलब्धवागसौ । नियम्य सर्वेन्द्रियबाह्यवर्तनं जगद्गुरुं सात्वतशास्त्रविग्रहम्
tataḥ samādhāya mano manīṣayā babhāṣa etatpratilabdhavāgasau | niyamya sarvendriyabāhyavartanaṃ jagadguruṃ sātvataśāstravigraham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, by controlling his mind with his intelligence and thus restricting his senses from external engagements, he recovered suitable words with which to express his feelings. Thus he began offering prayers to the Lord, who is the personification of the holy scriptures [the sātvata-saṁhitās like the Brahma-saṁhitā and the Nārada-pañcarātra] and who is the spiritual master of all. He offered his prayers as follows.
चित्रकेतुरुवाच । अजित जितः सममतिभिः साधुभि- र्भवान् जितात्मभिर्भवता । विजितास्तेऽपि च भजतामकामात्मनां य आत्मदोऽतिकरुणः
citraketuruvāca | ajita jitaḥ samamatibhiḥ sādhubhi- rbhavān jitātmabhirbhavatā | vijitāste'pi ca bhajatāmakāmātmanāṃ ya ātmado'tikaruṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Citraketu said: O unconquerable Lord, although You cannot be conquered by anyone, You are certainly conquered by devotees who have control of the mind and senses. They can keep You under their control because You are causelessly merciful to devotees who desire no material profit from You. Indeed, You give Yourself to them, and because of this You also have full control over Your devotees.
तव विभवः खलु भगवन् जगदुदयस्थितिलयादीनि । विश्वसृजस्तेंऽशांशास्तत्र मृषा स्पर्धन्ते पृथगभिमत्या
tava vibhavaḥ khalu bhagavan jagadudayasthitilayādīni | viśvasṛjasteṃ'śāṃśāstatra mṛṣā spardhante pṛthagabhimatyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, this cosmic manifestation and its creation, maintenance and annihilation are all but Your opulences. Since Lord Brahmā and the other creators are nothing but small portions of a portion of You, their partial power to create does not make them God [īśvara]. Their consciousness of themselves as separate Lords is therefore merely false prestige. It is not valid.
परमाणुपरममहतोस्त्व- माद्यन्तान्तरवर्ती त्रयविधुरः । आदावन्तेऽपि च सत्त्वानां यद्ध्रुवं तदेवान्तरालेऽपि
paramāṇuparamamahatostva- mādyantāntaravartī trayavidhuraḥ | ādāvante'pi ca sattvānāṃ yaddhruvaṃ tadevāntarāle'pi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You exist in the beginning, middle and end of everything, from the most minute particle of the cosmic manifestation — the atom — to the gigantic universes and total material energy. Nonetheless, You are eternal, having no beginning, end or middle. You are perceived to exist in these three phases, and thus You are permanent. When the cosmic manifestation does not exist, You exist as the original potency.
क्षित्यादिभिरेष किलावृतः सप्तभिर्दशगुणोत्तरैरण्डकोशः । यत्र पतत्यणुकल्पः सहाण्डकोटिकोटिभिस्तदनन्तः
kṣityādibhireṣa kilāvṛtaḥ saptabhirdaśaguṇottarairaṇḍakośaḥ | yatra patatyaṇukalpaḥ sahāṇḍakoṭikoṭibhistadanantaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Every universe is covered by seven layers — earth, water, fire, air, sky, the total energy and false ego — each ten times greater than the previous one. There are innumerable universes besides this one, and although they are unlimitedly large, they move about like atoms in You. Therefore You are called unlimited [ananta].
विषयतृषो नरपशवो य उपासते विभूतीर्न परं त्वाम् । तेषामाशिष ईश तदनु विनश्यन्ति यथा राजकुलम्
viṣayatṛṣo narapaśavo ya upāsate vibhūtīrna paraṃ tvām | teṣāmāśiṣa īśa tadanu vinaśyanti yathā rājakulam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, O Supreme, unintelligent persons who thirst for sense enjoyment and who worship various demigods are no better than animals in the human form of life. Because of their animalistic propensities, they fail to worship Your Lordship, and instead they worship the insignificant demigods, who are but small sparks of Your glory. With the destruction of the entire universe, including the demigods, the benedictions received from the demigods also vanish, just like the nobility when a king is no longer in power.
कामधियस्त्वयि रचिता न परम रोहन्ति यथा करम्भबीजानि । ज्ञानात्मन्यगुणमये गुणगणतोऽस्य द्वन्द्वजालानि
kāmadhiyastvayi racitā na parama rohanti yathā karambhabījāni | jñānātmanyaguṇamaye guṇagaṇato'sya dvandvajālāni
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Supreme Lord, if persons obsessed with material desires for sense gratification through material opulence worship You, who are the source of all knowledge and are transcendental to material qualities, they are not subject to material rebirth, just as sterilized or fried seeds do not produce plants. Living entities are subjected to the repetition of birth and death because they are conditioned by material nature, but since You are transcendental, one who is inclined to associate with You in transcendence escapes the conditions of material nature.
जितमजित तदा भवता यदाह भागवतं धर्ममनवद्यम् । निष्किञ्चना ये मुनय आत्मारामा यमुपासतेऽपवर्गाय
jitamajita tadā bhavatā yadāha bhāgavataṃ dharmamanavadyam | niṣkiñcanā ye munaya ātmārāmā yamupāsate'pavargāya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O unconquerable one, when You spoke about bhāgavata-dharma, which is the uncontaminated religious system for achieving the shelter of Your lotus feet, that was Your victory. Persons who have no material desires, like the Kumāras, who are self-satisfied sages, worship You to be liberated from material contamination. In other words, they accept the process of bhāgavata-dharma to achieve shelter at Your lotus feet.
विषममतिर्न यत्र नृणां त्वमहमिति मम तवेति च यदन्यत्र । विषमधिया रचितो यः स ह्यविशुद्धः क्षयिष्णुरधर्मबहुलः
viṣamamatirna yatra nṛṇāṃ tvamahamiti mama taveti ca yadanyatra | viṣamadhiyā racito yaḥ sa hyaviśuddhaḥ kṣayiṣṇuradharmabahulaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being full of contradictions, all forms of religion but bhāgavata-dharma work under conceptions of fruitive results and distinctions of “you and I” and “yours and mine.” The followers of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam have no such consciousness. They are all Kṛṣṇa conscious, thinking that they are Kṛṣṇa’s and Kṛṣṇa is theirs. There are other, low-class religious systems, which are contemplated for the killing of enemies or the gain of mystic power, but such religious systems, being full of passion and envy, are impure and temporary. Because they are full of envy, they are full of irreligion.
कः क्षेमो निजपरयोः कियानर्थः स्वपरद्रुहा धर्मेण । स्वद्रोहात्तव कोपः परसम्पीडया च तथाधर्मः
kaḥ kṣemo nijaparayoḥ kiyānarthaḥ svaparadruhā dharmeṇa | svadrohāttava kopaḥ parasampīḍayā ca tathādharmaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How can a religious system that produces envy of one’s self and of others be beneficial for oneself and for them? What is auspicious about following such a system? What is actually to be gained? By causing pain to one’s own self due to self-envy and by causing pain to others, one arouses Your anger and practices irreligion.
न व्यभिचरति तवेक्षा यया ह्यभिहितो भागवतो धर्मः । स्थिरचरसत्त्वकदम्बेष्वपृथग्धियो यमुपासते त्वार्याः
na vyabhicarati tavekṣā yayā hyabhihito bhāgavato dharmaḥ | sthiracarasattvakadambeṣvapṛthagdhiyo yamupāsate tvāryāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, one’s occupational duty is instructed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā according to Your point of view, which never deviates from the highest goal of life. Those who follow their occupational duties under Your supervision, being equal to all living entities, moving and nonmoving, and not considering high and low, are called Āryans. Such Āryans worship You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
न हि भगवन्नघटितमिदं त्वद्दर्शनान्नृणामखिलपापक्षयः । यन्नाम सकृच्छ्रवणात्पुल्कसकोऽपि विमुच्यते संसारात्
na hi bhagavannaghaṭitamidaṃ tvaddarśanānnṛṇāmakhilapāpakṣayaḥ | yannāma sakṛcchravaṇātpulkasako'pi vimucyate saṃsārāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, it is not impossible for one to be immediately freed from all material contamination by seeing You. Not to speak of seeing You personally, merely by hearing the holy name of Your Lordship only once, even caṇḍālas, men of the lowest class, are freed from all material contamination. Under the circumstances, who will not be freed from material contamination simply by seeing You?
अथ भगवन् वयमधुना त्वदवलोकपरिमृष्टाशयमलाः । सुरऋषिणा यदुदितं तावकेन कथमन्यथा भवति
atha bhagavan vayamadhunā tvadavalokaparimṛṣṭāśayamalāḥ | suraṛṣiṇā yaduditaṃ tāvakena kathamanyathā bhavati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, my dear Lord, simply seeing You has now wiped away all the contamination of sinful activities and their results of material attachment and lusty desires, which always filled my mind and the core of my heart. Whatever is predicted by the great sage Nārada Muni cannot be otherwise. In other words, I have obtained Your audience as a result of being trained by Nārada Muni.
विदितमनन्त समस्तं तव जगदात्मनो जनैरिहाचरितम् । विज्ञाप्यं परमगुरोः कियदिव सवितुरिव खद्योतैः
viditamananta samastaṃ tava jagadātmano janairihācaritam | vijñāpyaṃ paramaguroḥ kiyadiva savituriva khadyotaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O unlimited Supreme Personality of Godhead, whatever a living entity does in this material world is well known to You because You are the Supersoul. In the presence of the sun there is nothing to be revealed by the light of a glowworm. Similarly, because You know everything, in Your presence there is nothing for me to make known.
नमस्तुभ्यं भगवते सकलजग- त्स्थितिलयोदयेशाय । दुरवसितात्मगतये कुयोगिनां भिदा परमहंसाय
namastubhyaṃ bhagavate sakalajaga- tsthitilayodayeśāya | duravasitātmagataye kuyogināṃ bhidā paramahaṃsāya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, You are the creator, maintainer and annihilator of this cosmic manifestation, but persons who are too materialistic and who always see separateness do not have eyes with which to see You. They cannot understand Your real position, and therefore they conclude that the cosmic manifestation is independent of Your opulence. My Lord, You are the supreme pure, and You are full in all six opulences. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
यं वै श्वसन्तमनु विश्वसृजः श्वसन्ति यं चेकितानमनु चित्तय उच्चकन्ति । भूमण्डलं सर्षपायति यस्य मूर्ध्नि तस्मै नमो भगवतेऽस्तु सहस्रमूर्ध्ने
yaṃ vai śvasantamanu viśvasṛjaḥ śvasanti yaṃ cekitānamanu cittaya uccakanti | bhūmaṇḍalaṃ sarṣapāyati yasya mūrdhni tasmai namo bhagavate'stu sahasramūrdhne
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, it is after You endeavor that Lord Brahmā, Indra and the other directors of the cosmic manifestation become occupied with their activities. It is after You perceive the material energy, My Lord, that the senses begin to perceive. The Supreme Personality of Godhead holds all the universes on His heads like seeds of mustard. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, that Supreme Personality, who has thousands of hoods.
श्रीशुक उवाच । संस्तुतो भगवानेवमनन्तस्तमभाषत । विद्याधरपतिं प्रीतश्चित्रकेतुं कुरूद्वह
śrīśuka uvāca | saṃstuto bhagavānevamanantastamabhāṣata | vidyādharapatiṃ prītaścitraketuṃ kurūdvaha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: The Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Anantadeva, being very much pleased with the prayers offered by Citraketu, the King of the Vidyādharas, replied to him as follows, O best of the Kuru dynasty, Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । यन्नारदाङ्गिरोभ्यां ते व्याहृतं मेऽनुशासनम् । संसिद्धोऽसि तया राजन् विद्यया दर्शनाच्च मे
śrībhagavānuvāca | yannāradāṅgirobhyāṃ te vyāhṛtaṃ me'nuśāsanam | saṃsiddho'si tayā rājan vidyayā darśanācca me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Anantadeva, replied as follows: O King, as a result of your having accepted the instructions spoken about Me by the great sages Nārada and Aṅgirā, you have become completely aware of transcendental knowledge. Because you are now educated in the spiritual science, you have seen Me face to face. Therefore you are now completely perfect.
अहं वै सर्वभूतानि भूतात्मा भूतभावनः । शब्दब्रह्म परं ब्रह्म ममोभे शाश्वती तनू
ahaṃ vai sarvabhūtāni bhūtātmā bhūtabhāvanaḥ | śabdabrahma paraṃ brahma mamobhe śāśvatī tanū
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All living entities, moving and nonmoving, are My expansions and are separate from Me. I am the Supersoul of all living beings, who exist because I manifest them. I am the form of the transcendental vibrations like oṁkāra and Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Rāma, and I am the Supreme Absolute Truth. These two forms of Mine — namely, the transcendental sound and the eternally blissful spiritual form of the Deity, are My eternal forms; they are not material.
लोके विततमात्मानं लोकं चात्मनि सन्ततम् । उभयं च मया व्याप्तं मयि चैवोभयं कृतम्
loke vitatamātmānaṃ lokaṃ cātmani santatam | ubhayaṃ ca mayā vyāptaṃ mayi caivobhayaṃ kṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this world of matter, which the conditioned soul accepts as consisting of enjoyable resources, the conditioned soul expands, thinking that he is the enjoyer of the material world. Similarly, the material world expands in the living entity as a source of enjoyment. In this way they both expand, but because they are My energies, they are both pervaded by Me. As the Supreme Lord, I am the cause of these effects, and one should know that both of them rest in Me.
येन प्रसुप्तः पुरुषः स्वापं वेदात्मनस्तदा । सुखं च निर्गुणं ब्रह्म तमात्मानमवेहि माम्
yena prasuptaḥ puruṣaḥ svāpaṃ vedātmanastadā | sukhaṃ ca nirguṇaṃ brahma tamātmānamavehi mām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Know Me to be the Supreme Brahman, the all-pervading Supersoul through whom the sleeping living entity can understand his dreaming condition and his happiness beyond the activities of the material senses. That is to say, I am the cause of the activities of the sleeping living being.
उभयं स्मरतः पुंसः प्रस्वापप्रतिबोधयोः । अन्वेति व्यतिरिच्येत तज्ज्ञानं ब्रह्म तत्परम्
ubhayaṃ smarataḥ puṃsaḥ prasvāpapratibodhayoḥ | anveti vyatiricyeta tajjñānaṃ brahma tatparam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If one’s dreams during sleep are merely subject matters witnessed by the Supersoul, how can the living entity, who is different from the Supersoul, remember the activities of dreams? The experiences of one person cannot be understood by another. Therefore the knower of the facts, the living entity who inquires into the incidents manifested in dreams and wakefulness, is different from the circumstantial activities. That knowing factor is Brahman. In other words, the quality of knowing belongs to the living entities and to the Supreme Soul. Thus the living entity can also experience the activities of dreams and wakefulness. In both stages the knower is unchanged, but is qualitatively one with the Supreme Brahman.
यदेतद्विस्मृतं पुंसो मद्भावं भिन्नमात्मनः । ततः संसार एतस्य देहाद्देहो मृतेर्मृतिः
yadetadvismṛtaṃ puṃso madbhāvaṃ bhinnamātmanaḥ | tataḥ saṃsāra etasya dehāddeho mṛtermṛtiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When a living entity, thinking himself different from Me, forgets his spiritual identity of qualitative oneness with Me in eternity, knowledge and bliss, his material, conditional life begins. In other words, instead of identifying his interest with Mine, he becomes interested in his bodily expansions like his wife, children and material possessions. In this way, by the influence of his actions, one body comes from another, and after one death, another death takes place.
लब्ध्वेह मानुषीं योनिं ज्ञानविज्ञानसम्भवाम् । आत्मानं यो न बुद्ध्येत न क्वचित्क्षेममाप्नुयात्
labdhveha mānuṣīṃ yoniṃ jñānavijñānasambhavām | ātmānaṃ yo na buddhyeta na kvacitkṣemamāpnuyāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A human being can attain perfection in life by self-realization through the Vedic literature and its practical application. This is possible especially for a human being born in India, the land of piety. A man who obtains birth in such a convenient position but does not understand his self is unable to achieve the highest perfection, even if he is exalted to life in the higher planetary systems.
स्मृत्वेहायां परिक्लेशं ततः फलविपर्ययम् । अभयं चाप्यनीहायां सङ्कल्पाद्विरमेत्कविः
smṛtvehāyāṃ parikleśaṃ tataḥ phalaviparyayam | abhayaṃ cāpyanīhāyāṃ saṅkalpādvirametkaviḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Remembering the great trouble found in the field of activities performed for fruitive results, and remembering how one receives the reverse of the results one desires — whether from material actions or from the fruitive activities recommended in the Vedic literatures — an intelligent man should cease from the desire for fruitive actions, for by such endeavors one cannot achieve the ultimate goal of life. On the other hand, if one acts without desires for fruitive results — in other words, if one engages in devotional activities — he can achieve the highest goal of life with freedom from miserable conditions. Considering this, one should cease from material desires.
सुखाय दुःखमोक्षाय कुर्वाते दम्पती क्रियाः । ततोऽनिवृत्तिरप्राप्तिर्दुःखस्य च सुखस्य च
sukhāya duḥkhamokṣāya kurvāte dampatī kriyāḥ | tato'nivṛttiraprāptirduḥkhasya ca sukhasya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As husband and wife, a man and woman plan together to attain happiness and decrease unhappiness, working jointly in many ways, but because their activities are full of desires, these activities are never a source of happiness, and they never diminish distress. On the contrary, they are a cause of great unhappiness.
एतावानेव मनुजैर्योगनैपुण्यबुद्धिभिः । स्वार्थः सर्वात्मना ज्ञेयो यत्परात्मैकदर्शनम्
etāvāneva manujairyoganaipuṇyabuddhibhiḥ | svārthaḥ sarvātmanā jñeyo yatparātmaikadarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Persons who try to reach the ultimate goal of life must expertly observe the Supreme Absolute Person and the living entity, who are one in quality in their relationship as part and whole. This is the ultimate understanding of life. There is no better truth than this.
त्वमेतच्छ्रद्धया राजन्नप्रमत्तो वचो मम । ज्ञानविज्ञानसम्पन्नो धारयन्नाशु सिध्यसि
tvametacchraddhayā rājannapramatto vaco mama | jñānavijñānasampanno dhārayannāśu sidhyasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, if you accept this conclusion of Mine, being unattached to material enjoyment, adhering to Me with great faith and thus becoming proficient and fully aware of knowledge and its practical application in life, you will achieve the highest perfection by attaining Me.
श्रीशुक उवाच । आश्वास्य भगवानित्थं चित्रकेतुं जगद्गुरुः । पश्यतस्तस्य विश्वात्मा ततश्चान्तर्दधे हरिः
śrīśuka uvāca | āśvāsya bhagavānitthaṃ citraketuṃ jagadguruḥ | paśyatastasya viśvātmā tataścāntardadhe hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: After thus instructing Citraketu and assuring him of perfection in this way, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the supreme spiritual master, the supreme soul, Saṅkarṣaṇa, disappeared from that place as Citraketu looked on.
श्रीशुक उवाच । यतश्चान्तर्हितोऽनन्तस्तस्यै कृत्वा दिशे नमः । विद्याधरश्चित्रकेतुश्चचार गगनेचरः
śrīśuka uvāca | yataścāntarhito'nantastasyai kṛtvā diśe namaḥ | vidyādharaścitraketuścacāra gaganecaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After offering obeisances to the direction from which Ananta, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, had disappeared, Citraketu began traveling in outer space as the head of the Vidyādharas.
चित्रकेतुरुवाच । एष लोकगुरुः साक्षाद्धर्मं वक्ता शरीरिणाम् । आस्ते मुख्यः सभायां वै मिथुनीभूय भार्यया
citraketuruvāca | eṣa lokaguruḥ sākṣāddharmaṃ vaktā śarīriṇām | āste mukhyaḥ sabhāyāṃ vai mithunībhūya bhāryayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Citraketu said: Lord Śiva, the spiritual master of the general populace, is the best of all living entities who have accepted material bodies. He enunciates the system of religion. Yet how wonderful it is that he is embracing his wife, Pārvatī, in the midst of an assembly of great saintly persons.
जटाधरस्तीव्रतपा ब्रह्मवादिसभापतिः । अङ्कीकृत्य स्त्रियं चास्ते गतह्रीः प्राकृतो यथा
jaṭādharastīvratapā brahmavādisabhāpatiḥ | aṅkīkṛtya striyaṃ cāste gatahrīḥ prākṛto yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva, whose hair is matted on his head, has certainly undergone great austerities and penances. Indeed, he is the president in the assembly of strict followers of Vedic principles. Nonetheless, he is seated with his wife on his lap in the midst of saintly persons and is embracing her as if he were a shameless, ordinary human being.
प्रायशः प्राकृताश्चापि स्त्रियं रहसि बिभ्रति । अयं महाव्रतधरो बिभर्ति सदसि स्त्रियम्
prāyaśaḥ prākṛtāścāpi striyaṃ rahasi bibhrati | ayaṃ mahāvratadharo bibharti sadasi striyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ordinary conditioned persons generally embrace their wives and enjoy their company in solitary places. How wonderful it is that Lord Mahādeva, although a great master of austerity, is embracing his wife openly in the midst of an assembly of great saints.
श्रीशुक उवाच । भगवानपि तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रहस्यागाधधीर्नृप । तूष्णीं बभूव सदसि सभ्याश्च तदनुव्रताः
śrīśuka uvāca | bhagavānapi tacchrutvā prahasyāgādhadhīrnṛpa | tūṣṇīṃ babhūva sadasi sabhyāśca tadanuvratāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, after hearing Citraketu’s statement, Lord Śiva, the most powerful personality, whose knowledge is fathomless, simply smiled and remained silent, and all the members of the assembly followed the lord by not saying anything.
इत्यतद्वीर्यविदुषि ब्रुवाणे बह्वशोभनम् । रुषाऽऽह देवी धृष्टाय निर्जितात्माभिमानिने
ityatadvīryaviduṣi bruvāṇe bahvaśobhanam | ruṣā''ha devī dhṛṣṭāya nirjitātmābhimānine
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Not knowing the prowess of Lord Śiva and Pārvatī, Citraketu strongly criticized them. His statements were not at all pleasing, and therefore the goddess Pārvatī, being very angry, spoke as follows to Citraketu, who thought himself better than Lord Śiva in controlling the senses.
पार्वत्युवाच । अयं किमधुना लोके शास्ता दण्डधरः प्रभुः । अस्मद्विधानां दुष्टानां निर्लज्जानां च विप्रकृत्
pārvatyuvāca | ayaṃ kimadhunā loke śāstā daṇḍadharaḥ prabhuḥ | asmadvidhānāṃ duṣṭānāṃ nirlajjānāṃ ca viprakṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The goddess Pārvatī said: Alas, has this upstart now received a post from which to punish shameless persons like us? Has he been appointed ruler, carrier of the rod of punishment? Is he now the only master of everything?
न वेद धर्मं किल पद्मयोनि- र्न ब्रह्मपुत्रा भृगुनारदाद्याः । न वै कुमारः कपिलो मनुश्च ये नो निषेधन्त्यतिवर्तिनं हरम्
na veda dharmaṃ kila padmayoni- rna brahmaputrā bhṛgunāradādyāḥ | na vai kumāraḥ kapilo manuśca ye no niṣedhantyativartinaṃ haram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Alas, Lord Brahmā, who has taken his birth from the lotus flower, does not know the principles of religion, nor do the great saints like Bhṛgu and Nārada, nor the four Kumāras, headed by Sanat-kumāra. Manu and Kapila have also forgotten the religious principles. I suppose it to be because of this that they have not tried to stop Lord Śiva from behaving improperly.
एषामनुध्येयपदाब्जयुग्मं जगद्गुरुं मङ्गलमङ्गलं स्वयम् । यः क्षत्रबन्धुः परिभूय सूरीन् प्रशास्ति धृष्टस्तदयं हि दण्ड्यः
eṣāmanudhyeyapadābjayugmaṃ jagadguruṃ maṅgalamaṅgalaṃ svayam | yaḥ kṣatrabandhuḥ paribhūya sūrīn praśāsti dhṛṣṭastadayaṃ hi daṇḍyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This Citraketu is the lowest of kṣatriyas, for he has impudently overridden Brahmā and the other demigods by insulting Lord Śiva, upon whose lotus feet they always meditate. Lord Śiva is personified religion and the spiritual master of the entire world, and therefore Citraketu must be punished.
नायमर्हति वैकुण्ठपादमूलोपसर्पणम् । सम्भावितमतिः स्तब्धः साधुभिः पर्युपासितम्
nāyamarhati vaikuṇṭhapādamūlopasarpaṇam | sambhāvitamatiḥ stabdhaḥ sādhubhiḥ paryupāsitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This person is puffed up because of his achievements, thinking, “I am the best.” He does not deserve to approach the shelter of Lord Viṣṇu’s lotus feet, which are worshiped by all saintly persons, for he is impudent, thinking himself greatly important.
अतः पापीयसीं योनिमासुरीं याहि दुर्मते । यथेह भूयो महतां न कर्ता पुत्र किल्बिषम्
ataḥ pāpīyasīṃ yonimāsurīṃ yāhi durmate | yatheha bhūyo mahatāṃ na kartā putra kilbiṣam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O impudent one, my dear son, now take birth in a low, sinful family of demons so that you will not commit such an offense again toward exalted, saintly persons in this world.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं शप्तश्चित्रकेतुर्विमानादवरुह्य सः । प्रसादयामास सतीं मूर्ध्ना नम्रेण भारत
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ śaptaścitraketurvimānādavaruhya saḥ | prasādayāmāsa satīṃ mūrdhnā namreṇa bhārata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King Parīkṣit, when Citraketu was cursed by Pārvatī, he descended from his airplane, bowed before her with great humility and pleased her completely.
चित्रकेतुरुवाच । प्रतिगृह्णामि ते शापमात्मनोऽञ्जलिनाम्बिके । देवैर्मर्त्याय यत्प्रोक्तं पूर्वदिष्टं हि तस्य तत्
citraketuruvāca | pratigṛhṇāmi te śāpamātmano'ñjalināmbike | devairmartyāya yatproktaṃ pūrvadiṣṭaṃ hi tasya tat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Citraketu said: My dear mother, with my own hands folded together I accept the curse upon me. I do not mind the curse, for happiness and distress are given by the demigods as a result of one’s past deeds.
संसारचक्र एतस्मिञ्जन्तुरज्ञानमोहितः । भ्राम्यन् सुखं च दुःखं च भुङ्क्ते सर्वत्र सर्वदा
saṃsāracakra etasmiñjanturajñānamohitaḥ | bhrāmyan sukhaṃ ca duḥkhaṃ ca bhuṅkte sarvatra sarvadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Deluded by ignorance, the living entity wanders in the forest of this material world, enjoying the happiness and distress resulting from his past deeds, everywhere and at all times. [Therefore, my dear mother, neither you nor I am to be blamed for this incident.]
नैवात्मा न परश्चापि कर्ता स्यात्सुखदुःखयोः । कर्तारं मन्यतेऽत्राज्ञ आत्मानं परमेव च
naivātmā na paraścāpi kartā syātsukhaduḥkhayoḥ | kartāraṃ manyate'trājña ātmānaṃ parameva ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this material world, neither the living entity himself nor others [friends and enemies] are the cause of material happiness and distress. But because of gross ignorance, the living entity thinks that he and others are the cause.
गुणप्रवाह एतस्मिन् कः शापः को न्वनुग्रहः । कः स्वर्गो नरकः को वा किं सुखं दुःखमेव वा
guṇapravāha etasmin kaḥ śāpaḥ ko nvanugrahaḥ | kaḥ svargo narakaḥ ko vā kiṃ sukhaṃ duḥkhameva vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This material world resembles the waves of a constantly flowing river. Therefore, what is a curse and what is a favor? What are the heavenly planets, and what are the hellish planets? What is actually happiness, and what is actually distress? Because the waves flow constantly, none of them has an eternal effect.
एकः सृजति भूतानि भगवानात्ममायया । एषां बन्धं च मोक्षं च सुखं दुःखं च निष्कलः
ekaḥ sṛjati bhūtāni bhagavānātmamāyayā | eṣāṃ bandhaṃ ca mokṣaṃ ca sukhaṃ duḥkhaṃ ca niṣkalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is one. Unaffected by the conditions of the material world, He creates all the conditioned souls by His own personal potency. Because of being contaminated by the material energy, the living entity is put into ignorance and thus into different conditions of bondage. Sometimes, by knowledge, the living entity is given liberation. In sattva-guṇa and rajo-guṇa, he is subjected to happiness and distress.
न तस्य कश्चिद्दयितः प्रतीपो न ज्ञातिबन्धुर्न परो न च स्वः । समस्य सर्वत्र निरञ्जनस्य सुखे न रागः कुत एव रोषः
na tasya kaściddayitaḥ pratīpo na jñātibandhurna paro na ca svaḥ | samasya sarvatra nirañjanasya sukhe na rāgaḥ kuta eva roṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is equally disposed toward all living entities. Therefore no one is very dear to Him, and no one is a great enemy for Him; no one is His friend, and no one is His relative. Being unattached to the material world, He has no affection for so-called happiness or hatred for so-called distress. The two terms happiness and distress are relative. Since the Lord is always happy, for Him there is no question of distress.
तथापि तच्छक्तिविसर्ग एषां सुखाय दुःखाय हिताहिताय । बन्धाय मोक्षाय च मृत्युजन्मनोः शरीरिणां संसृतयेव कल्पते
tathāpi tacchaktivisarga eṣāṃ sukhāya duḥkhāya hitāhitāya | bandhāya mokṣāya ca mṛtyujanmanoḥ śarīriṇāṃ saṃsṛtayeva kalpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the Supreme Lord is unattached to our happiness and distress according to karma, and although no one is His enemy or favorite, He creates pious and impious activities through the agency of His material potency. Thus for the continuation of the materialistic way of life He creates happiness and distress, good fortune and bad, bondage and liberation, birth and death.
अथ प्रसादये न त्वां शापमोक्षाय भामिनि । यन्मन्यसे असाधूक्तं मम तत्क्षम्यतां सति
atha prasādaye na tvāṃ śāpamokṣāya bhāmini | yanmanyase asādhūktaṃ mama tatkṣamyatāṃ sati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O mother, you are now unnecessarily angry, but since all my happiness and distress are destined by my past activities, I do not plead to be excused or relieved from your curse. Although what I have said is not wrong, please let whatever you think is wrong be pardoned.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति प्रसाद्य गिरिशौ चित्रकेतुररिन्दम । जगाम स्वविमानेन पश्यतोः स्मयतोस्तयोः
śrīśuka uvāca | iti prasādya giriśau citraketurarindama | jagāma svavimānena paśyatoḥ smayatostayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O King Parīkṣit, subduer of the enemy, after Citraketu satisfied Lord Śiva and his wife, Pārvatī, he boarded his airplane and left as they looked on. When Lord Śiva and Pārvatī saw that Citraketu, although informed of the curse, was unafraid, they smiled, being fully astonished by his behavior.
ततस्तु भगवान् रुद्रो रुद्राणीमिदमब्रवीत् । देवर्षिदैत्यसिद्धानां पार्षदानां च शृण्वताम्
tatastu bhagavān rudro rudrāṇīmidamabravīt | devarṣidaityasiddhānāṃ pārṣadānāṃ ca śṛṇvatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, in the presence of the great sage Nārada, the demons, the inhabitants of Siddhaloka, and his personal associates, Lord Śiva, who is most powerful, spoke to his wife, Pārvatī, while they all listened.
श्रीरुद्र उवाच । दृष्टवत्यसि सुश्रोणि हरेरद्भुतकर्मणः । माहात्म्यं भृत्यभृत्यानां निःस्पृहाणां महात्मनाम्
śrīrudra uvāca | dṛṣṭavatyasi suśroṇi hareradbhutakarmaṇaḥ | māhātmyaṃ bhṛtyabhṛtyānāṃ niḥspṛhāṇāṃ mahātmanām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva said: My dear beautiful Pārvatī, have you seen the greatness of the Vaiṣṇavas? Being servants of the servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, they are great souls and are not interested in any kind of material happiness.
नारायणपराः सर्वे न कुतश्चन बिभ्यति । स्वर्गापवर्गनरकेष्वपि तुल्यार्थदर्शिनः
nārāyaṇaparāḥ sarve na kutaścana bibhyati | svargāpavarganarakeṣvapi tulyārthadarśinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Devotees solely engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, never fear any condition of life. For them the heavenly planets, liberation and the hellish planets are all the same, for such devotees are interested only in the service of the Lord.
देहिनां देहसंयोगाद्द्वन्द्वानीश्वरलीलया । सुखं दुःखं मृतिर्जन्म शापोऽनुग्रह एव च
dehināṃ dehasaṃyogāddvandvānīśvaralīlayā | sukhaṃ duḥkhaṃ mṛtirjanma śāpo'nugraha eva ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of the actions of the Supreme Lord’s external energy, the living entities are conditioned in contact with material bodies. The dualities of happiness and distress, birth and death, curses and favors, are natural by-products of this contact in the material world.
अविवेककृतः पुंसो ह्यर्थभेद इवात्मनि । गुणदोषविकल्पश्च भिदेव स्रजिवत्कृतः
avivekakṛtaḥ puṃso hyarthabheda ivātmani | guṇadoṣavikalpaśca bhideva srajivatkṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As one mistakenly considers a flower garland to be a snake or experiences happiness and distress in a dream, so, in the material world, by a lack of careful consideration, we differentiate between happiness and distress, considering one good and the other bad.
वासुदेवे भगवति भक्तिमुद्वहतां नृणाम् । ज्ञानवैराग्यवीर्याणां नेह कश्चिद्व्यपाश्रयः
vāsudeve bhagavati bhaktimudvahatāṃ nṛṇām | jñānavairāgyavīryāṇāṃ neha kaścidvyapāśrayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Persons engaged in devotional service to Lord Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa, have naturally perfect knowledge and detachment from this material world. Therefore such devotees are not interested in the so-called happiness or so-called distress of this world.
नाहं विरिञ्चो न कुमारनारदौ न ब्रह्मपुत्रा मुनयः सुरेशाः । विदाम यस्येहितमंशकांशका न तत्स्वरूपं पृथगीशमानिनः
nāhaṃ viriñco na kumāranāradau na brahmaputrā munayaḥ sureśāḥ | vidāma yasyehitamaṃśakāṃśakā na tatsvarūpaṃ pṛthagīśamāninaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Neither I [Lord Śiva], nor Brahmā, nor the Aśvinī-kumāras, nor Nārada or the other great sages who are Brahmā’s sons, nor even the demigods can understand the pastimes and personality of the Supreme Lord. Although we are part of the Supreme Lord, we consider ourselves independent, separate controllers, and thus we cannot understand His identity.
न ह्यस्यास्ति प्रियः कश्चिन्नाप्रियः स्वः परोऽपि वा । आत्मत्वात्सर्वभूतानां सर्वभूतप्रियो हरिः
na hyasyāsti priyaḥ kaścinnāpriyaḥ svaḥ paro'pi vā | ātmatvātsarvabhūtānāṃ sarvabhūtapriyo hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He holds no one as very dear and no one as inimical. He has no one for His own relative, and no one is alien to Him. He is actually the soul of the soul of all living entities. Thus He is the auspicious friend of all living beings and is very near and dear to all of them.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा भगवतः शिवस्योमाभिभाषितम् । बभूव शान्तधी राजन् देवी विगतविस्मया
śrīśuka uvāca | iti śrutvā bhagavataḥ śivasyomābhibhāṣitam | babhūva śāntadhī rājan devī vigatavismayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, after hearing this speech by her husband, the demigoddess [Umā, the wife of Lord Śiva] gave up her astonishment at the behavior of King Citraketu and became steady in intelligence.
इति भागवतो देव्याः प्रतिशप्तुमलन्तमः । मूर्ध्ना सञ्जगृहे शापमेतावत्साधुलक्षणम्
iti bhāgavato devyāḥ pratiśaptumalantamaḥ | mūrdhnā sañjagṛhe śāpametāvatsādhulakṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great devotee Citraketu was so powerful that he was quite competent to curse mother Pārvatī in retaliation, but instead of doing so he very humbly accepted the curse and bowed his head before Lord Śiva and his wife. This is very much to be appreciated as the standard behavior of a Vaiṣṇava.
जज्ञे त्वष्टुर्दक्षिणाग्नौ दानवीं योनिमाश्रितः । वृत्र इत्यभिविख्यातो ज्ञानविज्ञानसंयुतः
jajñe tvaṣṭurdakṣiṇāgnau dānavīṃ yonimāśritaḥ | vṛtra ityabhivikhyāto jñānavijñānasaṃyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being cursed by mother Durgā [Bhavānī, the wife of Lord Śiva], that same Citraketu accepted birth in a demoniac species of life. Although still fully equipped with transcendental knowledge and practical application of that knowledge in life, he appeared as a demon at the fire sacrifice performed by Tvaṣṭā, and thus he became famous as Vṛtrāsura.
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि । वृत्रस्यासुरजातेश्च कारणं भगवन्मतेः
etatte sarvamākhyātaṃ yanmāṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi | vṛtrasyāsurajāteśca kāraṇaṃ bhagavanmateḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Parīkṣit, you inquired from me how Vṛtrāsura, a great devotee, took birth in a demoniac family. Thus I have tried to explain to you everything about this.
इतिहासमिमं पुण्यं चित्रकेतोर्महात्मनः । माहात्म्यं विष्णुभक्तानां श्रुत्वा बन्धाद्विमुच्यते
itihāsamimaṃ puṇyaṃ citraketormahātmanaḥ | māhātmyaṃ viṣṇubhaktānāṃ śrutvā bandhādvimucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Citraketu was a great devotee [mahātmā]. If one hears this history of Citraketu from a pure devotee, the listener also is freed from the conditional life of material existence.
य एतत्प्रातरुत्थाय श्रद्धया वाग्यतः पठेत् । इतिहासं हरिं स्मृत्वा स याति परमां गतिम्
ya etatprātarutthāya śraddhayā vāgyataḥ paṭhet | itihāsaṃ hariṃ smṛtvā sa yāti paramāṃ gatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who rises from bed early in the morning and recites this history of Citraketu, controlling his words and mind and remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will return home, back to Godhead, without difficulty.
श्रीशुक उवाच । पृश्निस्तु पत्नी सवितुः सावित्रीं व्याहृतिं त्रयीम् । अग्निहोत्रं पशुं सोमं चातुर्मास्यं महामखान्
śrīśuka uvāca | pṛśnistu patnī savituḥ sāvitrīṃ vyāhṛtiṃ trayīm | agnihotraṃ paśuṃ somaṃ cāturmāsyaṃ mahāmakhān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Pṛśni, who was the wife of Savitā, the fifth of the twelve sons of Aditi, gave birth to three daughters — Sāvitrī, Vyāhṛti and Trayī — and the sons named Agnihotra, Paśu, Soma, Cāturmāsya and the five Mahāyajñas.
सिद्धिर्भगस्य भार्याङ्ग महिमानं विभुं प्रभुम् । आशिषं च वरारोहां कन्यां प्रासूत सुव्रताम्
siddhirbhagasya bhāryāṅga mahimānaṃ vibhuṃ prabhum | āśiṣaṃ ca varārohāṃ kanyāṃ prāsūta suvratām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, Siddhi, who was the wife of Bhaga, the sixth son of Aditi, bore three sons, named Mahimā, Vibhu and Prabhu, and one extremely beautiful daughter, whose name was Āśī.
वाल्मीकिश्च महायोगी वल्मीकादभवत्किल । अगस्त्यश्च वसिष्ठश्च मित्रावरुणयोरृषी
vālmīkiśca mahāyogī valmīkādabhavatkila | agastyaśca vasiṣṭhaśca mitrāvaruṇayorṛṣī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By the semen of Varuṇa, the great mystic Vālmīki took birth from an anthill. Bhṛgu and Vālmīki were specific sons of Varuṇa, whereas Agastya and Vasiṣṭha Ṛṣis were the common sons of Varuṇa and Mitra, the tenth son of Aditi.
रेतः सिषिचतुः कुम्भे उर्वश्याः सन्निधौ द्रुतम् । रेवत्यां मित्र उत्सर्गमरिष्टं पिप्पलं व्यधात्
retaḥ siṣicatuḥ kumbhe urvaśyāḥ sannidhau drutam | revatyāṃ mitra utsargamariṣṭaṃ pippalaṃ vyadhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon seeing Urvaśī, the celestial society girl, both Mitra and Varuṇa discharged semen, which they preserved in an earthen pot. The two sons Agastya and Vasiṣṭha later appeared from that pot, and they are therefore the common sons of Mitra and Varuṇa. Mitra begot three sons in the womb of his wife, whose name was Revatī. Their names were Utsarga, Ariṣṭa and Pippala.
पौलोम्यामिन्द्र आधत्त त्रीन् पुत्रानिति नः श्रुतम् । जयन्तमृषभं तात तृतीयं मीढुषं प्रभुः
paulomyāmindra ādhatta trīn putrāniti naḥ śrutam | jayantamṛṣabhaṃ tāta tṛtīyaṃ mīḍhuṣaṃ prabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, Indra, the King of the heavenly planets and eleventh son of Aditi, begot three sons, named Jayanta, Ṛṣabha and Mīḍhuṣa, in the womb of his wife, Paulomī. Thus we have heard.
उरुक्रमस्य देवस्य मायावामनरूपिणः । कीर्तौ पत्न्यां बृहच्छ्लोकस्तस्यासन् सौभगादयः
urukramasya devasya māyāvāmanarūpiṇaḥ | kīrtau patnyāṃ bṛhacchlokastasyāsan saubhagādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By His own potency, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has multifarious potencies, appeared in the form of a dwarf as Urukrama, the twelfth son of Aditi. In the womb of His wife, whose name was Kīrti, He begot one son, named Bṛhatśloka, who had many sons, headed by Saubhaga.
तत्कर्मगुणवीर्याणि काश्यपस्य महात्मनः । पश्चाद्वक्ष्यामहेऽदित्यां यथा वावततार ह
tatkarmaguṇavīryāṇi kāśyapasya mahātmanaḥ | paścādvakṣyāmahe'dityāṃ yathā vāvatatāra ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Later [in the Eighth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam] I shall describe how Urukrama, Lord Vāmanadeva, appeared as the son of the great sage Kaśyapa and how He covered the three worlds with three steps. I shall describe the uncommon activities He performed, His qualities, His power and how He took birth from the womb of Aditi.
अथ कश्यपदायादान् दैतेयान् कीर्तयामि ते । यत्र भागवतः श्रीमान् प्रह्लादो बलिरेव च
atha kaśyapadāyādān daiteyān kīrtayāmi te | yatra bhāgavataḥ śrīmān prahlādo balireva ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now let me describe the sons of Diti, who were begotten by Kaśyapa but who became demons. In this demoniac family the great devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja appeared, and Bali Mahārāja also appeared in that family. The demons are technically known as Daityas because they proceeded from the womb of Diti.
दितेर्द्वावेव दायादौ दैत्यदानववन्दितौ । हिरण्यकशिपुर्नाम हिरण्याक्षश्च कीर्तितौ
diterdvāveva dāyādau daityadānavavanditau | hiraṇyakaśipurnāma hiraṇyākṣaśca kīrtitau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
First the two sons named Hiraṇyakaśipu and Hiraṇyākṣa took birth from Diti’s womb. Both of them were very powerful and were worshiped by the Daityas and Dānavas.
शिरोऽहरद्यस्य हरिश्चक्रेण पिबतोऽमृतम् । संह्लादस्य कृतिर्भार्यासूत पञ्चजनं ततः
śiro'haradyasya hariścakreṇa pibato'mṛtam | saṃhlādasya kṛtirbhāryāsūta pañcajanaṃ tataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Rāhu, in disguise, was drinking nectar among the demigods, the Supreme Personality of Godhead severed his head. The wife of Saṁhlāda was named Kṛti. By union with Saṁhlāda, Kṛti gave birth to a son named Pañcajana.
ह्लादस्य धमनिर्भार्यासूत वातापिमिल्वलम् । योऽगस्त्याय त्वतिथये पेचे वातापिमिल्वलः
hlādasya dhamanirbhāryāsūta vātāpimilvalam | yo'gastyāya tvatithaye pece vātāpimilvalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wife of Hlāda was named Dhamani. She gave birth to two sons, named Vātāpi and Ilvala. When Agastya Muni became Ilvala’s guest, Ilvala served him a feast by cooking Vātāpi, who was in the shape of a ram.
अनुह्लादस्य सूर्म्यायां बाष्कलो महिषस्तथा । विरोचनस्तु प्राह्लादिर्देव्यास्तस्याभवद्बलिः
anuhlādasya sūrmyāyāṃ bāṣkalo mahiṣastathā | virocanastu prāhlādirdevyāstasyābhavadbaliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wife of Anuhlāda was named Sūryā. She gave birth to two sons, named Bāṣkala and Mahiṣa. Prahlāda had one son, Virocana, whose wife gave birth to Bali Mahārāja.
बाणज्येष्ठं पुत्रशतमशनायां ततोऽभवत् । तस्यानुभावं सुश्लोक्याः पश्चादेवाभिधास्यते
bāṇajyeṣṭhaṃ putraśatamaśanāyāṃ tato'bhavat | tasyānubhāvaṃ suślokyāḥ paścādevābhidhāsyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, Bali Mahārāja begot one hundred sons in the womb of Aśanā. Of these one hundred sons, King Bāṇa was the eldest. The activities of Bali Mahārāja, which are very laudable, will be described later [in the Eighth Canto].
बाण आराध्य गिरिशं लेभे तद्गणमुख्यताम् । यत्पार्श्वे भगवानास्ते ह्यद्यापि पुरपालकः
bāṇa ārādhya giriśaṃ lebhe tadgaṇamukhyatām | yatpārśve bhagavānāste hyadyāpi purapālakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since King Bāṇa was a great worshiper of Lord Śiva, he became one of Lord Śiva’s most celebrated associates. Even now, Lord Śiva protects King Bāṇa’s capital and always stands beside him.
मरुतश्च दितेः पुत्राश्चत्वारिंशन्नवाधिकाः । त आसन्नप्रजाः सर्वे नीता इन्द्रेण सात्मताम्
marutaśca diteḥ putrāścatvāriṃśannavādhikāḥ | ta āsannaprajāḥ sarve nītā indreṇa sātmatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The forty-nine Marut demigods were also born from the womb of Diti. None of them had sons. Although they were born of Diti, King Indra gave them a position as demigods.
राजोवाच । कथं त आसुरं भावमपोह्यौत्पत्तिकं गुरो । इन्द्रेण प्रापिताः सात्म्यं किं तत्साधु कृतं हि तैः
rājovāca | kathaṃ ta āsuraṃ bhāvamapohyautpattikaṃ guro | indreṇa prāpitāḥ sātmyaṃ kiṃ tatsādhu kṛtaṃ hi taiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit inquired: My dear lord, due to their birth, the forty-nine Maruts must have been obsessed with a demoniac mentality. Why did Indra, the King of heaven, convert them into demigods? Did they perform any rituals or pious activities?
इमे श्रद्दधते ब्रह्मन्नृषयो हि मया सह । परिज्ञानाय भगवंस्तन्नो व्याख्यातुमर्हसि
ime śraddadhate brahmannṛṣayo hi mayā saha | parijñānāya bhagavaṃstanno vyākhyātumarhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear brāhmaṇa, I and all the sages present with me are eager to know about this. Therefore, O great soul, kindly explain to us the reason.
सूत उवाच । तद्विष्णुरातस्य स बादरायणि- र्वचो निशम्यादृतमल्पमर्थवत् । सभाजयन् सन्निभृतेन चेतसा जगाद सत्रायण सर्वदर्शनः
sūta uvāca | tadviṣṇurātasya sa bādarāyaṇi- rvaco niśamyādṛtamalpamarthavat | sabhājayan sannibhṛtena cetasā jagāda satrāyaṇa sarvadarśanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: O great sage Śaunaka, after hearing Mahārāja Parīkṣit speak respectfully and briefly on topics essential to hear, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who was well aware of everything, praised his endeavor with great pleasure and replied.
श्रीशुक उवाच । हतपुत्रा दितिः शक्रपार्ष्णिग्राहेण विष्णुना । मन्युना शोकदीप्तेन ज्वलन्ती पर्यचिन्तयत्
śrīśuka uvāca | hataputrā ditiḥ śakrapārṣṇigrāheṇa viṣṇunā | manyunā śokadīptena jvalantī paryacintayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Just to help Indra, Lord Viṣṇu killed the two brothers Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu. Because of their being killed, their mother, Diti, overwhelmed with lamentation and anger, contemplated as follows.
कदा नु भ्रातृहन्तारमिन्द्रियाराममुल्बणम् । अक्लिन्नहृदयं पापं घातयित्वा शये सुखम्
kadā nu bhrātṛhantāramindriyārāmamulbaṇam | aklinnahṛdayaṃ pāpaṃ ghātayitvā śaye sukham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Indra, who is very much fond of sense gratification, has killed the two brothers Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu by means of Lord Viṣṇu. Therefore Indra is cruel, hardhearted and sinful. When will I, having killed him, rest with a pacified mind?
कृमिविड्भस्मसंज्ञासीद्यस्येशाभिहितस्य च । भूतध्रुक् तत्कृते स्वार्थं किं वेद निरयो यतः
kṛmiviḍbhasmasaṃjñāsīdyasyeśābhihitasya ca | bhūtadhruk tatkṛte svārthaṃ kiṃ veda nirayo yataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When dead, the bodies of all the rulers known as kings and great leaders will be transformed into worms, stool or ashes. If one enviously kills others for the protection of such a body, does he actually know the true interest of life? Certainly he does not, for if one is envious of other entities, he surely goes to hell.
आशासानस्य तस्येदं ध्रुवमुन्नद्धचेतसः । मदशोषक इन्द्रस्य भूयाद्येन सुतो हि मे
āśāsānasya tasyedaṃ dhruvamunnaddhacetasaḥ | madaśoṣaka indrasya bhūyādyena suto hi me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Diti thought: Indra considers his body eternal, and thus he has become unrestrained. I therefore wish to have a son who can remove Indra’s madness. Let me adopt some means to help me in this.
एवं स्त्रिया जडीभूतो विद्वानपि विदग्धया । बाढमित्याह विवशो न तच्चित्रं हि योषिति
evaṃ striyā jaḍībhūto vidvānapi vidagdhayā | bāḍhamityāha vivaśo na taccitraṃ hi yoṣiti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although Kaśyapa Muni was a learned scholar, he was captivated by Diti’s artificial behavior, which brought him under her control. Therefore he assured his wife that he would fulfill her desires. Such a promise by a husband is not at all astonishing.
विलोक्यैकान्तभूतानि भूतान्यादौ प्रजापतिः । स्त्रियं चक्रे स्वदेहार्धं यया पुंसां मतिर्हृता
vilokyaikāntabhūtāni bhūtānyādau prajāpatiḥ | striyaṃ cakre svadehārdhaṃ yayā puṃsāṃ matirhṛtā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the beginning of creation, Lord Brahmā, the father of the living entities of the universe, saw that all the living entities were unattached. To increase population, he then created woman from the better half of man’s body, for woman’s behavior carries away a man’s mind.
एवं शुश्रूषितस्तात भगवान् कश्यपः स्त्रिया । प्रहस्य परमप्रीतो दितिमाहाभिनन्द्य च
evaṃ śuśrūṣitastāta bhagavān kaśyapaḥ striyā | prahasya paramaprīto ditimāhābhinandya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my dear one, the most powerful sage Kaśyapa, being extremely pleased by the mild behavior of his wife Diti, smiled and spoke to her as follows.
कश्यप उवाच । वरं वरय वामोरु प्रीतस्तेऽहमनिन्दिते । स्त्रिया भर्तरि सुप्रीते कः काम इह चागमः
kaśyapa uvāca | varaṃ varaya vāmoru prītaste'hamanindite | striyā bhartari suprīte kaḥ kāma iha cāgamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaśyapa Muni said: O beautiful woman, O irreproachable lady, since I am very much pleased by your behavior, you may ask me for any benediction you want. If a husband is pleased, what desires are difficult for his wife to obtain, either in this world or in the next?
तस्मात्पतिव्रतानार्यः श्रेयस्कामाः सुमध्यमे । यजन्तेऽनन्यभावेन पतिमात्मानमीश्वरम्
tasmātpativratānāryaḥ śreyaskāmāḥ sumadhyame | yajante'nanyabhāvena patimātmānamīśvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear wife, whose body is so beautiful, your waist being thin, a conscientious wife should be chaste and should abide by the orders of her husband. She should very devoutly worship her husband as a representative of Vāsudeva.
सोऽहं त्वयार्चितो भद्रे ईदृग्भावेन भक्तितः । तत्ते सम्पादये काममसतीनां सुदुर्लभम्
so'haṃ tvayārcito bhadre īdṛgbhāvena bhaktitaḥ | tatte sampādaye kāmamasatīnāṃ sudurlabham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear gentle wife, because you have worshiped me with great devotion, considering me a representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I shall reward you by fulfilling your desires, which are unobtainable for an unchaste wife.
दितिरुवाच । वरदो यदि मे ब्रह्मन् पुत्रमिन्द्रहणं वृणे । अमृत्युं मृतपुत्राहं येन मे घातितौ सुतौ
ditiruvāca | varado yadi me brahman putramindrahaṇaṃ vṛṇe | amṛtyuṃ mṛtaputrāhaṃ yena me ghātitau sutau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Diti replied: O my husband, O great soul, I have now lost my sons. If you want to give me a benediction, I ask you for an immortal son who can kill Indra. I pray for this because Indra, with the help of Viṣṇu, has killed my two sons Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu.
निशम्य तद्वचो विप्रो विमनाः पर्यतप्यत । अहो अधर्मः सुमहानद्य मे समुपस्थितः
niśamya tadvaco vipro vimanāḥ paryatapyata | aho adharmaḥ sumahānadya me samupasthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon hearing Diti’s request, Kaśyapa Muni was very much aggrieved. “Alas,” he lamented, “now I face the danger of the impious act of killing Indra.”
अहो अद्येन्द्रियारामो योषिन्मय्येह मायया । गृहीतचेताः कृपणः पतिष्ये नरके ध्रुवम्
aho adyendriyārāmo yoṣinmayyeha māyayā | gṛhītacetāḥ kṛpaṇaḥ patiṣye narake dhruvam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaśyapa Muni thought: Alas, I have now become too attached to material enjoyment. Taking advantage of this, my mind has been attracted by the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the form of a woman [my wife]. Therefore I am surely a wretched person who will glide down toward hell.
कोऽतिक्रमोऽनुवर्तन्त्याः स्वभावमिह योषितः । धिङ् मां बताबुधं स्वार्थे यदहं त्वजितेन्द्रियः
ko'tikramo'nuvartantyāḥ svabhāvamiha yoṣitaḥ | dhiṅ māṃ batābudhaṃ svārthe yadahaṃ tvajitendriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This woman, my wife, has adopted a means that follows her nature, and therefore she is not to be blamed. But I am a man. Therefore, all condemnation upon me! I am not at all conversant with what is good for me, since I could not control my senses.
शरत्पद्मोत्सवं वक्त्रं वचश्च श्रवणामृतम् । हृदयं क्षुरधाराभं स्त्रीणां को वेद चेष्टितम्
śaratpadmotsavaṃ vaktraṃ vacaśca śravaṇāmṛtam | hṛdayaṃ kṣuradhārābhaṃ strīṇāṃ ko veda ceṣṭitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A woman’s face is as attractive and beautiful as a blossoming lotus flower during autumn. Her words are very sweet, and they give pleasure to the ear, but if we study a woman’s heart, we can understand it to be extremely sharp, like the blade of a razor. In these circumstances, who could understand the dealings of a woman?
न हि कश्चित्प्रियः स्त्रीणामञ्जसा स्वाशिषात्मनाम् । पतिं पुत्रं भ्रातरं वा घ्नन्त्यर्थे घातयन्ति च
na hi kaścitpriyaḥ strīṇāmañjasā svāśiṣātmanām | patiṃ putraṃ bhrātaraṃ vā ghnantyarthe ghātayanti ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To satisfy their own interests, women deal with men as if the men were most dear to them, but no one is actually dear to them. Women are supposed to be very saintly, but for their own interests they can kill even their husbands, sons or brothers, or cause them to be killed by others.
प्रतिश्रुतं ददामीति वचस्तन्न मृषा भवेत् । वधं नार्हति चेन्द्रोऽपि तत्रेदमुपकल्पते
pratiśrutaṃ dadāmīti vacastanna mṛṣā bhavet | vadhaṃ nārhati cendro'pi tatredamupakalpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I promised to give her a benediction, and this promise cannot be violated, but Indra does not deserve to be killed. In these circumstances, the solution I have is quite suitable.
इति सञ्चिन्त्य भगवान् मारीचः कुरुनन्दन । उवाच किञ्चित्कुपित आत्मानं च विगर्हयन्
iti sañcintya bhagavān mārīcaḥ kurunandana | uvāca kiñcitkupita ātmānaṃ ca vigarhayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Kaśyapa Muni, thinking in this way, became somewhat angry. Condemning himself, O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, descendant of Kuru, he spoke to Diti as follows.
कश्यप उवाच । पुत्रस्ते भविता भद्रे इन्द्रहा देवबान्धवः । संवत्सरं व्रतमिदं यद्यञ्जो धारयिष्यसि
kaśyapa uvāca | putraste bhavitā bhadre indrahā devabāndhavaḥ | saṃvatsaraṃ vratamidaṃ yadyañjo dhārayiṣyasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaśyapa Muni said: My dear gentle wife, if you follow my instructions regarding this vow for at least one year, you will surely get a son who will be able to kill Indra. However, if you deviate from this vow of following the Vaiṣṇava principles, you will get a son who will be favorable to Indra.
दितिरुवाच । धारयिष्ये व्रतं ब्रह्मन् ब्रूहि कार्याणि यानि मे । यानि चेह निषिद्धानि न व्रतं घ्नन्ति यानि तु
ditiruvāca | dhārayiṣye vrataṃ brahman brūhi kāryāṇi yāni me | yāni ceha niṣiddhāni na vrataṃ ghnanti yāni tu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Diti replied: My dear brāhmaṇa, I must accept your advice and follow the vow. Now let me understand what I have to do, what is forbidden and what will not break the vow. Please clearly state all this to me.
कश्यप उवाच । न हिंस्याद्भूतजातानि न शपेन्नानृतं वदेत् । न छिन्द्यान्नखरोमाणि न स्पृशेद्यदमङ्गलम्
kaśyapa uvāca | na hiṃsyādbhūtajātāni na śapennānṛtaṃ vadet | na chindyānnakharomāṇi na spṛśedyadamaṅgalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaśyapa Muni said: My dear wife, to follow this vow, do not be violent or cause harm to anyone. Do not curse anyone, and do not speak lies. Do not cut your nails and hair, and do not touch impure things like skulls and bones.
नाप्सु स्नायान्न कुप्येत न सम्भाषेत दुर्जनैः । न वसीताधौतवासः स्रजं च विधृतां क्वचित्
nāpsu snāyānna kupyeta na sambhāṣeta durjanaiḥ | na vasītādhautavāsaḥ srajaṃ ca vidhṛtāṃ kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaśyapa Muni continued: My dear gentle wife, never enter the water while bathing, never be angry, and do not even speak or associate with wicked people. Never wear clothes that have not been properly washed, and do not put on a garland that has already been worn.
नोच्छिष्टं चण्डिकान्नं च सामिषं वृषलाहृतम् । भुञ्जीतोदक्यया दृष्टं पिबेदञ्जलिना त्वपः
nocchiṣṭaṃ caṇḍikānnaṃ ca sāmiṣaṃ vṛṣalāhṛtam | bhuñjītodakyayā dṛṣṭaṃ pibedañjalinā tvapaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Never eat leftover food, never eat prasāda offered to the goddess Kālī [Durgā], and do not eat anything contaminated by flesh or fish. Do not eat anything brought or touched by a śūdra nor anything seen by a woman in her menstrual period. Do not drink water by joining your palms.
नोच्छिष्टास्पृष्टसलिला सन्ध्यायां मुक्तमूर्धजा । अनर्चितासंयतवाक् नासंवीता बहिश्चरेत्
nocchiṣṭāspṛṣṭasalilā sandhyāyāṃ muktamūrdhajā | anarcitāsaṃyatavāk nāsaṃvītā bahiścaret
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After eating, you should not go out to the street without having washed your mouth, hands and feet. You should not go out in the evening or with your hair loose, nor should you go out unless you are properly decorated with ornaments. You should not leave the house unless you are very grave and are sufficiently covered.
नाधौतपादाप्रयता नार्द्रपादा उदक्शिराः । शयीत नापराङ्नान्यैर्न नग्ना न च सन्ध्ययोः
nādhautapādāprayatā nārdrapādā udakśirāḥ | śayīta nāparāṅnānyairna nagnā na ca sandhyayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You should not lie down without having washed both of your feet or without being purified, nor with wet feet or with your head pointed west or north. You should not lie naked, or with other women, or during the sunrise or sunset.
धौतवासा शुचिर्नित्यं सर्वमङ्गलसंयुता । पूजयेत्प्रातराशात्प्राग्गोविप्राञ्श्रियमच्युतम्
dhautavāsā śucirnityaṃ sarvamaṅgalasaṃyutā | pūjayetprātarāśātprāggoviprāñśriyamacyutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Putting on washed clothing, being always pure and being adorned with turmeric, sandalwood pulp and other auspicious items, before breakfast one should worship the cows, the brāhmaṇas, the goddess of fortune and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
स्त्रियो वीरवतीश्चार्चेत्स्रग्गन्धबलिमण्डनैः । पतिं चार्च्योपतिष्ठेत ध्यायेत्कोष्ठगतं च तम्
striyo vīravatīścārcetsraggandhabalimaṇḍanaiḥ | patiṃ cārcyopatiṣṭheta dhyāyetkoṣṭhagataṃ ca tam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With flower garlands, sandalwood pulp, ornaments and other paraphernalia, a woman following this vow should worship women who have sons and whose husbands are living. The pregnant wife should worship her husband and offer him prayers. She should meditate upon him, thinking that he is situated in her womb.
सांवत्सरं पुंसवनं व्रतमेतदविप्लुतम् । धारयिष्यसि चेत्तुभ्यं शक्रहा भविता सुतः
sāṃvatsaraṃ puṃsavanaṃ vratametadaviplutam | dhārayiṣyasi cettubhyaṃ śakrahā bhavitā sutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaśyapa Muni continued: If you perform this ceremony called puṁsavana, adhering to the vow with faith for at least one year, you will give birth to a son destined to kill Indra. But if there is any discrepancy in the discharge of this vow, the son will be a friend to Indra.
बाढमित्यभिप्रेत्याथ दिती राजन् महामनाः । कश्यपाद्गर्भमाधत्त व्रतं चाञ्जो दधार सा
bāḍhamityabhipretyātha ditī rājan mahāmanāḥ | kaśyapādgarbhamādhatta vrataṃ cāñjo dadhāra sā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, Diti, the wife of Kaśyapa, agreed to undergo the purificatory process known as puṁsavana. “Yes,” she said, “I shall do everything according to your instructions.” With great jubilation she became pregnant, having taken semen from Kaśyapa, and faithfully began discharging the vow.
मातृष्वसुरभिप्रायमिन्द्र आज्ञाय मानद । शुश्रूषणेनाश्रमस्थां दितिं पर्यचरत्कविः
mātṛṣvasurabhiprāyamindra ājñāya mānada | śuśrūṣaṇenāśramasthāṃ ditiṃ paryacaratkaviḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, who are respectful to everyone, Indra understood Diti’s purpose, and thus he contrived to fulfill his own interests. Following the logic that self-preservation is the first law of nature, he wanted to break Diti’s promise. Thus he engaged himself in the service of Diti, his aunt, who was residing in an āśrama.
नित्यं वनात्सुमनसः फलमूलसमित्कुशान् । पत्राङ्कुरमृदोऽपश्च काले काल उपाहरत्
nityaṃ vanātsumanasaḥ phalamūlasamitkuśān | patrāṅkuramṛdo'paśca kāle kāla upāharat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indra served his aunt daily by bringing flowers, fruits, roots and wood for yajñas from the forest. He also brought kuśa grass, leaves, sprouts, earth and water exactly at the proper time.
एवं तस्या व्रतस्थाया व्रतच्छिद्रं हरिर्नृप । प्रेप्सुः पर्यचरज्जिह्मो मृगहेव मृगाकृतिः
evaṃ tasyā vratasthāyā vratacchidraṃ harirnṛpa | prepsuḥ paryacarajjihmo mṛgaheva mṛgākṛtiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, as the hunter of a deer becomes like a deer by covering his body with deerskin and serving the deer, so Indra, although at heart the enemy of the sons of Diti, became outwardly friendly and served Diti in a faithful way. Indra’s purpose was to cheat Diti as soon as he could find some fault in the way she discharged the vows of the ritualistic ceremony. However, he wanted to be undetected, and therefore he served her very carefully.
नाध्यगच्छद्व्रतच्छिद्रं तत्परोऽथ महीपते । चिन्तां तीव्रां गतः शक्रः केन मे स्याच्छिवं त्विह
nādhyagacchadvratacchidraṃ tatparo'tha mahīpate | cintāṃ tīvrāṃ gataḥ śakraḥ kena me syācchivaṃ tviha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O master of the entire world, when Indra could find no faults, he thought, “How will there be good fortune for me?” Thus he was full of deep anxiety.
एकदा सा तु सन्ध्यायामुच्छिष्टा व्रतकर्शिता । अस्पृष्टवार्यधौताङ्घ्रिः सुष्वाप विधिमोहिता
ekadā sā tu sandhyāyāmucchiṣṭā vratakarśitā | aspṛṣṭavāryadhautāṅghriḥ suṣvāpa vidhimohitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having grown weak and thin because of strictly following the principles of the vow, Diti once unfortunately neglected to wash her mouth, hands and feet after eating and went to sleep during the evening twilight.
लब्ध्वा तदन्तरं शक्रो निद्रापहृतचेतसः । दितेः प्रविष्ट उदरं योगेशो योगमायया
labdhvā tadantaraṃ śakro nidrāpahṛtacetasaḥ | diteḥ praviṣṭa udaraṃ yogeśo yogamāyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Finding this fault, Indra, who has all the mystic powers [the yoga-siddhis such as aṇimā and laghimā], entered Diti’s womb while she was unconscious, being fast asleep.
चकर्त सप्तधा गर्भं वज्रेण कनकप्रभम् । रुदन्तं सप्तधैकैकं मा रोदीरिति तान् पुनः
cakarta saptadhā garbhaṃ vajreṇa kanakaprabham | rudantaṃ saptadhaikaikaṃ mā rodīriti tān punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After entering Diti’s womb, Indra, with the help of his thunderbolt, cut into seven pieces her embryo, which appeared like glowing gold. In seven places, seven different living beings began crying. Indra told them, “Do not cry,” and then he cut each of them into seven pieces again.
ते तमूचुः पाट्यमानास्ते सर्वे प्राञ्जलयो नृप । नो जिघांससि किमिन्द्र भ्रातरो मरुतस्तव
te tamūcuḥ pāṭyamānāste sarve prāñjalayo nṛpa | no jighāṃsasi kimindra bhrātaro marutastava
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, being very much aggrieved, they pleaded to Indra with folded hands, saying, “Dear Indra, we are the Maruts, your brothers. Why are you trying to kill us?”
मा भैष्ट भ्रातरो मह्यं यूयमित्याह कौशिकः । अनन्यभावान् पार्षदानात्मनो मरुतां गणान्
mā bhaiṣṭa bhrātaro mahyaṃ yūyamityāha kauśikaḥ | ananyabhāvān pārṣadānātmano marutāṃ gaṇān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Indra saw that actually they were his devoted followers, he said to them: If you are all my brothers, you have nothing more to fear from me.
न ममार दितेर्गर्भः श्रीनिवासानुकम्पया । बहुधा कुलिशक्षुण्णो द्रौण्यस्त्रेण यथा भवान्
na mamāra ditergarbhaḥ śrīnivāsānukampayā | bahudhā kuliśakṣuṇṇo drauṇyastreṇa yathā bhavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King Parīkṣit, you were burned by the brahmāstra of Aśvatthāmā, but when Lord Kṛṣṇa entered the womb of your mother, you were saved. Similarly, although the one embryo was cut into forty-nine pieces by the thunderbolt of Indra, they were all saved by the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
दितिरुत्थाय ददृशे कुमाराननलप्रभान् । इन्द्रेण सहितान् देवी पर्यतुष्यदनिन्दिता
ditirutthāya dadṛśe kumārānanalaprabhān | indreṇa sahitān devī paryatuṣyadaninditā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Diti was completely purified. When she got up from bed, she saw her forty-nine sons along with Indra. These forty-nine sons were all as brilliant as fire and were in friendship with Indra, and therefore she was very pleased.
अथेन्द्रमाह ताताहमादित्यानां भयावहम् । अपत्यमिच्छन्त्यचरं व्रतमेतत्सुदुष्करम्
athendramāha tātāhamādityānāṃ bhayāvaham | apatyamicchantyacaraṃ vratametatsuduṣkaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, Diti said to Indra: My dear son, I adhered to this difficult vow just to get a son to kill you twelve Ādityas.
एकः सङ्कल्पितः पुत्रः सप्त सप्ताभवन् कथम् । यदि ते विदितं पुत्र सत्यं कथय मा मृषा
ekaḥ saṅkalpitaḥ putraḥ sapta saptābhavan katham | yadi te viditaṃ putra satyaṃ kathaya mā mṛṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I prayed for only one son, but now I see that there are forty-nine. How has this happened? My dear son Indra, if you know, please tell me the truth. Do not try to speak lies.
इन्द्र उवाच । अम्ब तेऽहं व्यवसितमुपधार्यागतोऽन्तिकम् । लब्धान्तरोऽच्छिदं गर्भमर्थबुद्धिर्न धर्मदृक्
indra uvāca | amba te'haṃ vyavasitamupadhāryāgato'ntikam | labdhāntaro'cchidaṃ garbhamarthabuddhirna dharmadṛk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indra replied: My dear mother, because I was grossly blinded by selfish interests, I lost sight of religion. When I understood that you were observing a great vow in spiritual life, I wanted to find some fault in you. When I found such a fault, I entered your womb and cut the embryo to pieces.
कृत्तो मे सप्तधा गर्भ आसन् सप्त कुमारकाः । तेऽपि चैकैकशो वृक्णाः सप्तधा नापि मम्रिरे
kṛtto me saptadhā garbha āsan sapta kumārakāḥ | te'pi caikaikaśo vṛkṇāḥ saptadhā nāpi mamrire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
First I cut the child in the womb into seven pieces, which became seven children. Then I cut each of the children into seven pieces again. By the grace of the Supreme Lord, however, none of them died.
ततस्तत्परमाश्चर्यं वीक्ष्याध्यवसितं मया । महापुरुषपूजायाः सिद्धिः काप्यनुषङ्गिणी
tatastatparamāścaryaṃ vīkṣyādhyavasitaṃ mayā | mahāpuruṣapūjāyāḥ siddhiḥ kāpyanuṣaṅgiṇī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear mother, when I saw that all forty-nine sons were alive, I was certainly struck with wonder. I decided that this was a secondary result of your having regularly executed devotional service in worship of Lord Viṣṇu.
आराधनं भगवत ईहमाना निराशिषः । ये तु नेच्छन्त्यपि परं ते स्वार्थकुशलाः स्मृताः
ārādhanaṃ bhagavata īhamānā nirāśiṣaḥ | ye tu necchantyapi paraṃ te svārthakuśalāḥ smṛtāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although those who are interested only in worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead do not desire anything material from the Lord and do not even want liberation, Lord Kṛṣṇa fulfills all their desires.
आराध्यात्मप्रदं देवं स्वात्मानं जगदीश्वरम् । को वृणीते गुणस्पर्शं बुधः स्यान्नरकेऽपि यत्
ārādhyātmapradaṃ devaṃ svātmānaṃ jagadīśvaram | ko vṛṇīte guṇasparśaṃ budhaḥ syānnarake'pi yat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The ultimate goal of all ambitions is to become a servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If an intelligent man serves the most dear Lord, who gives Himself to His devotees, how can he desire material happiness, which is available even in hell?
तदिदं मम दौर्जन्यं बालिशस्य महीयसि । क्षन्तुमर्हसि मातस्त्वं दिष्ट्या गर्भो मृतोत्थितः
tadidaṃ mama daurjanyaṃ bāliśasya mahīyasi | kṣantumarhasi mātastvaṃ diṣṭyā garbho mṛtotthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my mother, O best of all women, I am a fool. Kindly excuse me for whatever offenses I have committed. Your forty-nine sons have been born unhurt because of your devotional service. As an enemy, I cut them to pieces, but because of your great devotional service they did not die.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इन्द्रस्तयाभ्यनुज्ञातः शुद्धभावेन तुष्टया । मरुद्भिः सह तां नत्वा जगाम त्रिदिवं प्रभुः
śrīśuka uvāca | indrastayābhyanujñātaḥ śuddhabhāvena tuṣṭayā | marudbhiḥ saha tāṃ natvā jagāma tridivaṃ prabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Diti was extremely satisfied by Indra’s good behavior. Then Indra offered his respects to his aunt with profuse obeisances, and with her permission he went away to the heavenly planets with his brothers the Maruts.
एवं ते सर्वमाख्यातं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि । मङ्गलं मरुतां जन्म किं भूयः कथयामि ते
evaṃ te sarvamākhyātaṃ yanmāṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi | maṅgalaṃ marutāṃ janma kiṃ bhūyaḥ kathayāmi te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Parīkṣit, I have replied as far as possible to the questions you have asked me, especially in regard to this pure, auspicious narration about the Maruts. Now you may inquire further, and I shall explain more.
राजोवाच । व्रतं पुंसवनं ब्रह्मन् भवता यदुदीरितम् । तस्य वेदितुमिच्छामि येन विष्णुः प्रसीदति
rājovāca | vrataṃ puṃsavanaṃ brahman bhavatā yadudīritam | tasya veditumicchāmi yena viṣṇuḥ prasīdati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit said: My dear lord, you have already spoken about the puṁsavana vow. Now I want to hear about it in detail, for I understand that by observing this vow one can please the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu.
अलं ते निरपेक्षाय पूर्णकाम नमोऽस्तु ते । महाविभूतिपतये नमः सकलसिद्धये
alaṃ te nirapekṣāya pūrṇakāma namo'stu te | mahāvibhūtipataye namaḥ sakalasiddhaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[She should then pray to the Lord as follows.] My dear Lord, You are full in all opulences, but I do not beg You for opulence. I simply offer my respectful obeisances unto You. You are the husband and master of Lakṣmīdevī, the goddess of fortune, who has all opulences. Therefore You are the master of all mystic yoga. I simply offer my obeisances unto You.
यथा त्वं कृपया भूत्या तेजसा महिमौजसा । जुष्ट ईश गुणैः सर्वैस्ततोऽसि भगवान् प्रभुः
yathā tvaṃ kṛpayā bhūtyā tejasā mahimaujasā | juṣṭa īśa guṇaiḥ sarvaistato'si bhagavān prabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my Lord, because You are endowed with causeless mercy, all opulences, all prowess and all glories, strength and transcendental qualities, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of everyone.
विष्णुपत्नि महामाये महापुरुषलक्षणे । प्रीयेथा मे महाभागे लोकमातर्नमोऽस्तु ते
viṣṇupatni mahāmāye mahāpuruṣalakṣaṇe | prīyethā me mahābhāge lokamātarnamo'stu te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[After profusely offering obeisances unto Lord Viṣṇu, the devotee should offer respectful obeisances unto mother Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, and pray as follows.] O wife of Lord Viṣṇu, O internal energy of Lord Viṣṇu, you are as good as Lord Viṣṇu Himself, for you have all of His qualities and opulences. O goddess of fortune, please be kind to me. O mother of the entire world, I offer my respectful obeisances unto you.
ओं नमो भगवते महापुरुषाय महानुभावाय महाविभूतिपतये सह महाविभूतिभिर्बलिमुप- हराणीति अनेनाहरहर्मन्त्रेण विष्णोरावाहना- र्घ्यपाद्योपस्पर्शनस्नानवासौपवीतविभूषण- गन्धपुष्पधूपदीपोपहाराद्युपचारांश्च समाहितोपाहरेत्
oṃ namo bhagavate mahāpuruṣāya mahānubhāvāya mahāvibhūtipataye saha mahāvibhūtibhirbalimupa- harāṇīti anenāharaharmantreṇa viṣṇorāvāhanā- rghyapādyopasparśanasnānavāsaupavītavibhūṣaṇa- gandhapuṣpadhūpadīpopahārādyupacārāṃśca samāhitopāharet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“My Lord Viṣṇu, full in six opulences, You are the best of all enjoyers and the most powerful. O husband of mother Lakṣmī, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are accompanied by many associates, such as Viśvaksena. I offer all the paraphernalia for worshiping You.” One should chant this mantra every day with great attention while worshiping Lord Viṣṇu with all paraphernalia, such as water for washing His feet, hands and mouth and water for His bath. One must offer Him various presentations for His worship, such as garments, a sacred thread, ornaments, scents, flowers, incense and lamps.
हविःशेषं तु जुहुयादनले द्वादशाहुतीः । ओं नमो भगवते महापुरुषाय महाविभूतिपतये स्वाहेति
haviḥśeṣaṃ tu juhuyādanale dvādaśāhutīḥ | oṃ namo bhagavate mahāpuruṣāya mahāvibhūtipataye svāheti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: After worshiping the Lord with all the paraphernalia mentioned above, one should chant the following mantra while offering twelve oblations of ghee on the sacred fire: oṁ namo bhagavate mahā-puruṣāya mahāvibhūti-pataye svāhā.
श्रियं विष्णुं च वरदावाशिषां प्रभवावुभौ । भक्त्या सम्पूजयेन्नित्यं यदीच्छेत्सर्वसम्पदः
śriyaṃ viṣṇuṃ ca varadāvāśiṣāṃ prabhavāvubhau | bhaktyā sampūjayennityaṃ yadīcchetsarvasampadaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If one desires all opulences, his duty is to daily worship Lord Viṣṇu with His wife, Lakṣmī. With great devotion one should worship Him according to the above-mentioned process. Lord Viṣṇu and the goddess of fortune are an immensely powerful combination. They are the bestowers of all benedictions and the sources of all good fortune. Therefore the duty of everyone is to worship Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa.
प्रणमेद्दण्डवद्भूमौ भक्तिप्रह्वेण चेतसा । दशवारं जपेन्मन्त्रं ततः स्तोत्रमुदीरयेत्
praṇameddaṇḍavadbhūmau bhaktiprahveṇa cetasā | daśavāraṃ japenmantraṃ tataḥ stotramudīrayet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One should offer obeisances unto the Lord with a mind humbled through devotion. While offering daṇḍavats by falling on the ground like a rod, one should chant the above mantra ten times. Then one should chant the following prayer.
युवां तु विश्वस्य विभू जगतः कारणं परम् । इयं हि प्रकृतिः सूक्ष्मा मायाशक्तिर्दुरत्यया
yuvāṃ tu viśvasya vibhū jagataḥ kāraṇaṃ param | iyaṃ hi prakṛtiḥ sūkṣmā māyāśaktirduratyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord Viṣṇu and mother Lakṣmī, goddess of fortune, you are the proprietors of the entire creation. Indeed, you are the cause of the creation. Mother Lakṣmī is extremely difficult to understand because she is so powerful that the jurisdiction of her power is difficult to overcome. Mother Lakṣmī is represented in the material world as the external energy, but actually she is always the internal energy of the Lord.
तस्या अधीश्वरः साक्षात्त्वमेव पुरुषः परः । त्वं सर्वयज्ञ इज्येयं क्रियेयं फलभुग्भवान्
tasyā adhīśvaraḥ sākṣāttvameva puruṣaḥ paraḥ | tvaṃ sarvayajña ijyeyaṃ kriyeyaṃ phalabhugbhavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, You are the master of energy, and therefore You are the Supreme Person. You are sacrifice [yajña] personified. Lakṣmī, the embodiment of spiritual activities, is the original form of worship offered unto You, whereas You are the enjoyer of all sacrifices.
गुणव्यक्तिरियं देवी व्यञ्जको गुणभुग्भवान् । त्वं हि सर्वशरीर्यात्मा श्रीः शरीरेन्द्रियाशया । नामरूपे भगवती प्रत्ययस्त्वमपाश्रयः
guṇavyaktiriyaṃ devī vyañjako guṇabhugbhavān | tvaṃ hi sarvaśarīryātmā śrīḥ śarīrendriyāśayā | nāmarūpe bhagavatī pratyayastvamapāśrayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother Lakṣmī, who is here, is the reservoir of all spiritual qualities, whereas You manifest and enjoy all these qualities. Indeed, You are actually the enjoyer of everything. You live as the Supersoul of all living entities, and the goddess of fortune is the form of their bodies, senses and minds. She also has a holy name and form, whereas You are the support of all such names and forms and the cause for their manifestation.
यथा युवां त्रिलोकस्य वरदौ परमेष्ठिनौ । तथा म उत्तमश्लोक सन्तु सत्या महाशिषः
yathā yuvāṃ trilokasya varadau parameṣṭhinau | tathā ma uttamaśloka santu satyā mahāśiṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are both the supreme rulers and benedictors of the three worlds. Therefore, my Lord, Uttamaśloka, may my ambitions be fulfilled by Your grace.
इत्यभिष्टूय वरदं श्रीनिवासं श्रिया सह । तन्निःसार्योपहरणं दत्त्वाऽऽचमनमर्चयेत्
ityabhiṣṭūya varadaṃ śrīnivāsaṃ śriyā saha | tanniḥsāryopaharaṇaṃ dattvā''camanamarcayet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thus one should worship Lord Viṣṇu, who is known as Śrīnivāsa, along with mother Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, by offering prayers according to the process mentioned above. After removing all the paraphernalia of worship, one should offer them water to wash their hands and mouths, and then one should worship them again.
ततः स्तुवीत स्तोत्रेण भक्तिप्रह्वेण चेतसा । यज्ञोच्छिष्टमवघ्राय पुनरभ्यर्चयेद्धरिम्
tataḥ stuvīta stotreṇa bhaktiprahveṇa cetasā | yajñocchiṣṭamavaghrāya punarabhyarcayeddharim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, with devotion and humility, one should offer prayers to the Lord and mother Lakṣmī. Then one should smell the remnants of the food offered and then again worship the Lord and Lakṣmījī.
पतिं च परया भक्त्या महापुरुषचेतसा । प्रियैस्तैस्तैरुपनमेत्प्रेमशीलः स्वयं पतिः । बिभृयात्सर्वकर्माणि पत्न्या उच्चावचानि च
patiṃ ca parayā bhaktyā mahāpuruṣacetasā | priyaistaistairupanametpremaśīlaḥ svayaṃ patiḥ | bibhṛyātsarvakarmāṇi patnyā uccāvacāni ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Accepting her husband as the representative of the Supreme Person, a wife should worship him with unalloyed devotion by offering him prasāda. The husband, being very pleased with his wife, should engage himself in the affairs of his family.
कृतमेकतरेणापि दम्पत्योरुभयोरपि । पत्न्यां कुर्यादनर्हायां पतिरेतत्समाहितः
kṛtamekatareṇāpi dampatyorubhayorapi | patnyāṃ kuryādanarhāyāṃ patiretatsamāhitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Between the husband and wife, one person is sufficient to execute this devotional service. Because of their good relationship, both of them will enjoy the result. Therefore if the wife is unable to execute this process, the husband should carefully do so, and the faithful wife will share the result.
एतेन पूजाविधिना मासान् द्वादश हायनम् । नीत्वाथोपरमेत्साध्वी कार्तिके चरमेऽहनि
etena pūjāvidhinā māsān dvādaśa hāyanam | nītvāthoparametsādhvī kārtike carame'hani
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The chaste wife must perform such devotional service continuously for one year. After one year passes, she should fast on the full-moon day in the month of Kārttika [October-November].
श्वोभूतेऽप उपस्पृश्य कृष्णमभ्यर्च्य पूर्ववत् । पयःशृतेन जुहुयाच्चरुणा सह सर्पिषा । पाकयज्ञविधानेन द्वादशैवाहुतीः पतिः
śvobhūte'pa upaspṛśya kṛṣṇamabhyarcya pūrvavat | payaḥśṛtena juhuyāccaruṇā saha sarpiṣā | pākayajñavidhānena dvādaśaivāhutīḥ patiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the morning of the next day, one should wash oneself, and after worshiping Lord Kṛṣṇa as before, one should cook as one cooks for festivals as stated in the Gṛhya-sūtras. Sweetrice should be cooked with ghee, and with this preparation the husband should offer oblations to the fire twelve times.
आशिषः शिरसाऽऽदाय द्विजैः प्रीतैः समीरिताः । प्रणम्य शिरसा भक्त्या भुञ्जीत तदनुज्ञया
āśiṣaḥ śirasā''dāya dvijaiḥ prītaiḥ samīritāḥ | praṇamya śirasā bhaktyā bhuñjīta tadanujñayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, he should satisfy the brāhmaṇas. When the satisfied brāhmaṇas bestow their blessings, he should devotedly offer them respectful obeisances with his head, and with their permission he should take prasāda.
आचार्यमग्रतः कृत्वा वाग्यतः सह बन्धुभिः । दद्यात्पत्न्यै चरोः शेषं सुप्रजस्त्वं सुसौभगम्
ācāryamagrataḥ kṛtvā vāgyataḥ saha bandhubhiḥ | dadyātpatnyai caroḥ śeṣaṃ suprajastvaṃ susaubhagam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Before taking his meal, the husband must first seat the ācārya comfortably, and, along with his relatives and friends, should control his speech and offer prasāda to the guru. Then the wife should eat the remnants of the oblation of sweetrice cooked with ghee. Eating the remnants insures a learned, devoted son and all good fortune.
एतच्चरित्वा विधिवद्व्रतं विभो- रभीप्सितार्थं लभते पुमानिह । स्त्री त्वेतदास्थाय लभेत सौभगं श्रियं प्रजां जीवपतिं यशो गृहम्
etaccaritvā vidhivadvrataṃ vibho- rabhīpsitārthaṃ labhate pumāniha | strī tvetadāsthāya labheta saubhagaṃ śriyaṃ prajāṃ jīvapatiṃ yaśo gṛham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If this vow or ritualistic ceremony is observed according to the description of śāstra, even in this life a man will be able to achieve all the benedictions he desires from the Lord. A wife who performs this ritualistic ceremony will surely receive good fortune, opulence, sons, a long-living husband, a good reputation and a good home.