Srimad-Bhagavatam, Fourth Canto, "The Creation of the Fourth Order" Text and Translations by His Divine Grace A.C

Srimad-Bhagavatam, Fourth Canto, "The Creation of the Fourth Order" Text and Translations by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Table of Contents

Chapter One Genealogical Table of the Daughters of Manu ...... 3 Chapter Two Daksa Curses Lord Siva ...... 10 Chapter Three Talks Between Lord Siva and Sati ...... 14 Chapter Four Sati Quits Her Body ...... 17 Chapter Five Frustration of the Sacrifice of Daksa ...... 22 Chapter Six Brahma Satisfies Lord Siva...... 25 Chapter Seven The Sacrifice Performed by Daksa ...... 31 Chapter Eight Dhruva Maharaja Leaves Home for the Forest ...... 40 Chapter Nine Dhruva Maharaja Returns Home ...... 50 Chapter Ten Dhruva Maharaja's Fight With the Yaksas ...... 60 Chapter Eleven Svayambhuva Manu Advises Dhruva Maharaja to Stop Fighting ...... 63 Chapter Twelve Dhruva Maharaja Goes Back to Godhead ...... 68 Chapter Thirteen Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Maharaja ...... 75 Chapter Fourteen The Story of King Vena ...... 80 Chapter Fifteen King Prthu's Appearance and Coronation ...... 86 Chapter Sixteen Praise of King Prthu by the Professional Reciters ...... 89 Chapter Seventeen Maharaja Prthu Becomes Angry at the Earth ...... 93 Chapter Eighteen Prthu Maharaja Milks the Earth Planet ...... 98 Chapter Nineteen King Prthu's One Hundred Horse Sacrifices ...... 101 Chapter Twenty Lord Visnu's Appearance in the Sacrificial Arena of Maharaja Prthu ...... 107 Chapter Twenty-one Instructions by Maharaja Prthu ...... 112 Chapter Twenty-two Prthu Maharaja's Meeting with the Four Kumaras ...... 119 Chapter Twenty-three Maharaja Prthu's Going Back Home ...... 128 Chapter Twenty-four Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Siva ...... 133 Chapter Twenty-five The Descriptions of the Characteristics of King Puranjana ...... 143 Chapter Twenty-six King Puranjana Goes to the Forest to Hunt, and His Queen Becomes Angry ...... 150 2

Chapter Twenty-seven Attack by Candavega on the City of King Puranjana; the Character of Kalakanya ...... 154 Chapter Twenty-eight Puranjana Becomes a Woman in the Next Life ...... 157 Chapter Twenty-nine Talks Between Narada and King Pracinabarhi ...... 165 Chapter Thirty The Activities of the Pracetas ...... 177 Chapter Thirty-one Narada Instructs the Pracetas ...... 183 3

TEXT 5, aninye sva-grham putryah, putram Chapter One Genealogical Table of the vitata-rocisam, svayambhuvo muda yukto, rucir Daughters of Manu jagraha daksinam,

TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, manos tu satarupayam, TRANSLATION tisrah kanyas ca jajnire, akutir devahutis ca, Svayambhuva Manu very gladly brought prasutir iti visrutah, home the beautiful boy named Yajna, and Ruci, his son-in-law, kept with him the TRANSLATION daughter, Daksina. Sri Maitreya said: Svayambhuva Manu begot three daughters in his wife Satarupa, and their TEXT 6, tam kamayanam bhagavan, uvaha names were Akuti, Devahuti and Prasuti. yajusam patih, tustayam tosam apanno, 'janayad dvadasatmajan, TEXT 2, akutim rucaye pradad, api bhratrmatim nrpah, putrika-dharmam asritya, TRANSLATION satarupanumoditah, The Lord of the ritualistic performance of yajna later married Daksina, who was anxious TRANSLATION to have the Personality of Godhead as her Akuti had two brothers, but in spite of her husband, and in this wife the Lord was also brothers, King Svayambhuva Manu handed very much pleased to beget twelve children. her over to Prajapati Ruci on the condition that the son born of her be returned to Manu TEXT 7, tosah pratosah santoso, bhadrah santir as his son. This he did in consultation with his idaspatih, idhmah kavir vibhuh svahnah, sudevo wife, Satarupa. rocano dvi-sat,

TEXT 3, prajapatih sa bhagavan, rucis tasyam TRANSLATION ajijanat, mithunam brahma-varcasvi, paramena The twelve boys born of Yajna and Daksina samadhina, were named Tosa, Pratosa, Santosa, Bhadra, Santi, Idaspati, Idhma, Kavi, Vibhu, Svahna, TRANSLATION Sudeva and Rocana. Ruci, who was very powerful in his brahminical qualifications and was appointed TEXT 8, tusita nama te deva, asan one of the progenitors of the living entities, svayambhuvantare, marici-misra rsayo, yajnah begot one son and one daughter by his wife, sura-ganesvarah, Akuti. TRANSLATION TEXT 4, yas tayoh purusah saksad, visnur yajna- During the time of Svayambhuva Manu, these svarupa-dhrk, ya stri sa daksina bhuter, amsa- sons all became the demigods collectively bhutanapayini, named the Tusitas. Marici became the head of the seven rsis, and Yajna became the king of TRANSLATION the demigods, Indra. Of the two children born of Akuti, the male child was directly an incarnation of the TEXT 9, priyavratottanapadau, manu-putrau Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His mahaujasau, tat-putra-pautra-naptrnam, anuvrttam name was Yajna, which is another name of tad-antaram, Lord Visnu. The female child was a partial incarnation of Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, TRANSLATION the eternal consort of Lord Visnu. Svayambhuva Manu's two sons, Priyavrata and Uttanapada, became very powerful kings, 4

and their sons and grandsons spread all over the three worlds during that period. TRANSLATION My dear Vidura, of the two sons, Kasyapa and TEXT 10, devahutim adat tata, Purnima, Purnima begot three children, kardamayatmajam manuh, tat-sambandhi sruta- namely Viraja, Visvaga and Devakulya. Of prayam, bhavata gadato mama, these three, Devakulya was the water which washed the lotus feet of the Personality of TRANSLATION Godhead and which later on transformed into My dear son, Svayambhuva Manu handed the Ganges of the heavenly planets. over his very dear daughter Devahuti to Kardama Muni. I have already spoken to you TEXT 15, atreh patny anasuya trin, jajne about them, and you have heard about them suyasasah sutan, dattam durvasasam somam, almost in full. atmesa-brahma-sambhavan,

TEXT 11, daksaya brahma-putraya, prasutim TRANSLATION bhagavan manuh, prayacchad yat-krtah sargas, Anasuya, the wife of Atri Muni, gave birth to tri-lokyam vitato mahan, three very famous sons--Soma, Dattatreya and Durvasa--who were partial representations of TRANSLATION Lord Visnu, Lord Siva and Lord Brahma. Svayambhuva Manu handed over his daughter Soma was a partial representation of Lord Prasuti to the son of Brahma named Daksa, Brahma, Dattatreya was a partial who was also one of the progenitors of the representation of Lord Visnu, and Durvasa living entities. The descendants of Daksa are was a partial representation of Lord Siva. spread throughout the three worlds. TEXT 16, vidura uvaca, atrer grhe sura-sresthah, TEXT 12, yah kardama-sutah prokta, nava sthity-utpatty-anta-hetavah, kincic cikirsavo jata, brahmarsi-patnayah, tasam prasuti-prasavam, etad akhyahi me guro, procyamanam nibodha me, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION After hearing this, Vidura inquired from You have already been informed about the Maitreya: My dear master, how is it that the nine daughters of Kardama Muni, who were three deities Brahma, Visnu and Siva, who are handed over to nine different sages. I shall now the creator, maintainer and destroyer of the describe the descendants of those nine whole creation, became the offspring of the daughters. Please hear from me. wife of Atri Muni?

TEXT 13, patni marices tu kala, susuve TEXT 17, maitreya uvaca, brahmana coditah kardamatmaja, kasyapam purnimanam ca, yayor srstav, atrir brahma-vidam varah, saha patnya apuritam jagat, yayav rksam, kuladrim tapasi sthitah,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Kardama Muni's daughter Kala, who was Maitreya said: When Lord Brahma ordered married to Marici, gave birth to two children, Atri Muni to create generations after marrying whose names were Kasyapa and Purnima. Anasuya, Atri Muni and his wife went to Their descendants are spread all over the perform severe austerities in the valley of the world. mountain known as Rksa.

TEXT 14, purnimasuta virajam, visvagam ca TEXT 18, tasmin prasuna-stabaka-, palasasoka- parantapa, devakulyam hareh pada-, saucad kanane, varbhih sravadbhir udghuste, yabhut sarid divah, nirvindhyayah samantatah, 5

Siddhas, the Vidyadharas and the Nagas. Thus TRANSLATION they entered the asrama of the great sage, who In that mountain valley flows a river named had become famous by his austerities. Nirvindhya. On the bank of the river are many asoka trees and other plants full of palasa TEXT 23, tat-pradurbhava-samyoga-, vidyotita- flowers, and there is always the sweet sound of mana munih, uttisthann eka-padena, dadarsa water flowing from a waterfall. The husband vibudharsabhan, and wife reached that beautiful place. TRANSLATION TEXT 19, pranayamena samyamya, mano varsa- The sage was standing on one leg, but as soon satam munih, atisthad eka-padena, nirdvandvo as he saw that the three deities had appeared 'nila-bhojanah, before him, he was so pleased to see them all together that despite great difficulty he TRANSLATION approached them on one leg. There the great sage concentrated his mind by the yogic breathing exercises, and thereby TEXT 24, pranamya dandavad bhumav, controlling all attachment, he remained upatasthe 'rhananjalih, vrsa-hamsa-suparna- standing on one leg only, eating nothing but sthan, svaih svais cihnais ca cihnitan, air, and stood there on one leg for one hundred years. TRANSLATION Thereafter he began to offer prayers to the TEXT 20, saranam tam prapadye 'ham, ya eva three deities, who were seated on different jagad-isvarah, prajam atma-samam mahyam, carriers--a bull, a swan and Garuda--and who prayacchatv iti cintayan, held in their hands a drum, kusa grass and a discus. The sage offered them his respects by TRANSLATION falling down like a stick. He was thinking: May the Lord of the universe, of whom I have taken shelter, kindly TEXT 25, krpavalokena hasad-, he pleased to offer me a son exactly like Him. vadanenopalambhitan, tad-rocisa pratihate, nimilya munir aksini, TEXT 21, tapyamanam tri-bhuvanam, pranayamaidhasagnina, nirgatena muner TRANSLATION murdhnah, samiksya prabhavas trayah, Atri Muni was greatly pleased to see that the three devas were gracious towards him. His TRANSLATION eyes were dazzled by the effulgence of their While Atri Muni was engaged in these severe bodies, and therefore he closed his eyes for the austerities, a blazing fire came out of his head time being. by virtue of his breathing exercise, and that fire was seen by the three principal deities of TEXTS 26-27, cetas tat-pravanam yunjann, the three worlds. astavit samhatanjalih, slaksnaya suktaya vaca, sarva-loka-gariyasah, atrir uvaca, visvodbhava- TEXT 22, apsaro-muni-gandharva-, siddha- sthiti-layesu vibhajyamanair, maya-gunair vidyadharoragaih, vitayamana-yasasas, tad- anuyugam vigrhita-dehah, te brahma-visnu- asrama-padam yayuh, girisah pranato 'smy aham vas, tebhyah ka eva bhavatam ma ihopahutah, TRANSLATION At that time, the three deities approached the TRANSLATION hermitage of Atri Muni, accompanied by the But since his heart was already attracted by denizens of the heavenly planets, such as the the deities, somehow or other he gathered his celestial beauties, the Gandharvas, the senses, and with folded hands and sweet words 6 he began to offer prayers to the predominating TEXT 31, athasmad-amsa-bhutas te, atmaja deities of the universe. The great sage Atri loka-visrutah, bhavitaro 'nga bhadram te, said: O Lord Brahma, Lord Visnu and Lord visrapsyanti ca te yasah, Siva, you have divided yourself into three bodies by accepting the three modes of TRANSLATION material nature, as you do in every millennium You will have sons who will represent a partial for the creation, maintenance and dissolution manifestation of our potency, and because we of the cosmic manifestation. I offer my desire all good fortune for you, those sons will respectful obeisances unto all of you and beg to glorify your reputation throughout the world. inquire whom of you three I have called by my prayer. TEXT 32, evam kama-varam dattva, pratijagmuh suresvarah, sabhajitas tayoh samyag, dampatyor TEXT 28, eko mayeha bhagavan vividha- misatos tatah, pradhanais, citti-krtah prajananaya katham nu yuyam, atragatas tanu-bhrtam manaso 'pi durad, TRANSLATION bruta prasidata mahan iha vismayo me, Thus, while the couple looked on, the three deities Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara TRANSLATION disappeared from that place after bestowing I called for the Supreme Personality of upon Atri Muni the benediction. Godhead, desiring a son like Him, and I thought of Him only. But although He is far TEXT 33, somo 'bhud brahmano 'msena, datto beyond the mental speculation of man, all visnos tu yogavit, durvasah sankarasyamso, three of you have come here. Kindly let me nibodhangirasah prajah, know how you have come, for I am greatly bewildered about this. TRANSLATION Thereafter, from the partial representation of TEXT 29, maitreya uvaca, iti tasya vacah srutva, Brahma, the moon-god was born of them; trayas te vibudharsabhah, pratyahuh slaksnaya from the partial representation of Visnu, the vaca, prahasya tam rsim prabho, great mystic Dattatreya was born; and from the partial representation of Sankara [Lord TRANSLATION Siva], Durvasa was born. Now you may hear The great sage Maitreya continued: Upon from me of the many sons of Angira. hearing Atri Muni speak in that way, the three great deities smiled, and they replied in the TEXT 34, sraddha tv angirasah patni, catasro following sweet words. 'suta kanyakah, sinivali kuhu raka, caturthy anumatis tatha, TEXT 30, deva ucuh, yatha krtas te sankalpo, bhavyam tenaiva nanyatha, sat-sankalpasya te TRANSLATION brahman, yad vai dhyayati te vayam, Angira's wife, Sraddha, gave birth to four daughters, named Sinivali, Kuhu, Raka and TRANSLATION Anumati. The three deities told Atri Muni: Dear brahmana, you are perfect in your TEXT 35, tat-putrav aparav astam, khyatau determination, and therefore as you have svarocise 'ntare, utathyo bhagavan saksad, decided, so it will happen; it will not happen brahmisthas ca brhaspatih, otherwise. We are all the same person upon whom you were meditating, and therefore we TRANSLATION have all come to you. Besides these four daughters, she also had another two sons. One of them was known as 7

Utathya, and the other was the learned scholar The great sage Vasistha begot in his wife, Urja, Brhaspati. sometimes called Arundhati, seven spotlessly great sages, headed by the sage named TEXT 36, pulastyo 'janayat patnyam, agastyam ca Citraketu. havirbhuvi, so 'nya-janmani dahragnir, visravas ca maha-tapah, TEXT 41, citraketuh surocis ca, viraja mitra eva ca, ulbano vasubhrdyano, dyuman sakty-adayo TRANSLATION 'pare, Pulastya begot in his wife, Havirbhu, one son of the name Agastya, who in his next birth TRANSLATION became Dahragni. Besides him, Pulastya begot The names of these seven sages are as follows: another very great and saintly son, whose Citraketu, Suroci, Viraja, Mitra, Ulbana, name was Visrava. Vasubhrdyana and Dyuman. Some other very competent sons were born from Vasistha's TEXT 37, tasya yaksa-patir devah, kuberas tv other wife. idavida-sutah, ravanah kumbhakarnas ca, tathanyasyam vibhisanah, TEXT 42, cittis tv atharvanah patni, lebhe putram dhrta-vratam, dadhyancam asvasirasam, bhrgor TRANSLATION vamsam nibodha me, Visrava had two wives. The first wife was Idavida, from whom Kuvera, the master of all TRANSLATION Yaksas, was born, and the next wife was Citti, wife of the sage Atharva, gave birth to a named Kesini, from whom three sons were son named Asvasira by accepting a great vow born--Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhisana. called Dadhyanca. Now you may hear from me about the descendants of the sage Bhrgu. TEXT 38, pulahasya gatir bharya, trin asuta sati sutan, karmasrestham variyamsam, sahisnum ca TEXT 43, bhrguh khyatyam maha-bhagah, maha-mate, patnyam putran ajijanat, dhataram ca vidhataram, sriyam ca bhagavat-param, TRANSLATION Gati, the wife of the sage Pulaha, gave birth to TRANSLATION three sons, named Karmasrestha, Variyan and The sage Bhrgu was highly fortunate. In his Sahisnu, and all of them were great sages. wife, known as Khyati, he begot two sons, named Dhata and Vidhata, and one daughter, TEXT 39, krator api kriya bharya, valakhilyan named Sri, who was very much devoted to the asuyata, rsin sasti-sahasrani, jvalato brahma- Supreme Personality of Godhead. tejasa, TEXT 44, ayatim niyatim caiva, sute merus tayor TRANSLATION adat, tabhyam tayor abhavatam, mrkandah prana Kratu's wife, Kriya, gave birth to sixty eva ca, thousand great sages, named the Valakhilyas. All these sages were greatly advanced in TRANSLATION spiritual knowledge, and their bodies were The sage Meru had two daughters, named illuminated by such knowledge. Ayati and Niyati, whom he gave in charity to Dhata and Vidhata. Ayati and Niyati gave TEXT 40, urjayam jajnire putra, vasisthasya birth to two sons, Mrkanda and Prana. parantapa, citraketu-pradhanas te, sapta brahmarsayo 'malah, TEXT 45, markandeyo mrkandasya, pranad vedasira munih, kavis ca bhargavo yasya, TRANSLATION bhagavan usana sutah, 8

Lord Siva, who is the deliverer of sinful TRANSLATION persons from material entanglement. The From Mrkanda, Markandeya Muni was born, names of the thirteen daughters of Daksa who and from Prana the sage Vedasira, whose son were given to Dharma are Sraddha, Maitri, was Usana [Sukracarya], also known as Kavi. Daya, Santi, Tusti, Pusti, Kriya, Unnati, Thus Kavi also belonged to the descendants of Buddhi, Medha, Titiksa, Hri and Murti. These the Bhrgu dynasty. thirteen daughters produced the following sons: Sraddha gave birth to Subha, Maitri TEXTS 46-47, ta ete munayah ksattar, lokan produced Prasada, Daya gave birth to Abhaya, sargair abhavayan, esa kardama-dauhitra-, Santi gave birth to Sukha, Tusti gave birth to santanah kathitas tava, srnvatah sraddadhanasya, Muda, Pusti gave birth to Smaya, Kriya gave sadyah papa-harah parah, prasutim manavim birth to Yoga, Unnati gave birth to Darpa, daksa, upayeme hy ajatmajah, Buddhi gave birth to Artha, Medha gave birth to Smrti, Titiksa gave birth to Ksema, and Hri TRANSLATION gave birth to Prasraya. Murti, a reservoir of My dear Vidura, the population of the all respectable qualities, gave birth to Sri universe was thus increased by the Nara-Narayana, the Supreme Personality of descendants of these sages and the daughters Godhead. of Kardama. Anyone who hears the descriptions of this dynasty with faith will be TEXT 53, yayor janmany ado visvam, relieved from all sinful reactions. Another of abhyanandat sunirvrtam, manamsi kakubho vatah, Manu's daughters, known as Prasuti, married praseduh sarito 'drayah, the son of Brahma named Daksa. TRANSLATION TEXT 48, tasyam sasarja duhitrh, sodasamala- On the occasion of the appearance of Nara- locanah, trayodasadad dharmaya, tathaikam Narayana, the entire world was full of joy. agnaye vibhuh, Everyone's mind became tranquil, and thus in all directions the air, the rivers and the TRANSLATION mountains became pleasant. Daksa begot sixteen very beautiful daughters with lotuslike eyes in his wife Prasuti. Of these TEXTS 54-55, divy avadyanta turyani, petuh sixteen daughters, thirteen were given in kusuma-vrstayah, munayas tustuvus tusta, jagur marriage to Dharma, and one daughter was gandharva-kinnarah, nrtyanti sma striyo devya, given to Agni. asit parama-mangalam, deva brahmadayah sarve, upatasthur abhistavaih, TEXTS 49-52, pitrbhya ekam yuktebhyo, bhavayaikam bhava-cchide, sraddha maitri daya TRANSLATION santis, tustih pustih kriyonnatih, buddhir medha In the heavenly planets, hands began to play, titiksa hrir, murtir dharmasya patnayah, and they showered flowers from the sky. The sraddhasuta subham maitri, prasadam abhayam pacified sages chanted Vedic prayers, the daya, santih sukham mudam tustih, smayam denizens of heaven known as the Gandharvas pustir asuyata, yogam kriyonnatir darpam, and Kinnaras sang, the beautiful damsels of artham buddhir asuyata, medha smrtim titiksa the heavenly planets danced, and in this way, tu,ksemam hrih prasrayam sutam, murtih sarva- at the time of the appearance of Nara- gunotpattir, nara-narayanav rsi, Narayana, all signs of good fortune were visible. Just at that time, great demigods like TRANSLATION Brahma also offered their respectful prayers. One of the remaining two daughters was given in charity to the Pitrloka, where she resides TEXT 56, deva ucuh, yo mayaya viracitam very amicably, and the other was given to nijayatmanidam, khe rupa-bhedam iva tat- 9

praticaksanaya, etena dharma-sadane rsi- Krsna and Arjuna respectively, to mitigate the murtinadya, praduscakara purusaya namah burden of the world. parasmai, TEXT 60, svahabhimaninas cagner, atmajams trin TRANSLATION ajijanat, pavakam pavamanam ca, sucim ca huta- The demigods said: Let us offer our respectful bhojanam, obeisances unto the transcendental Personality of Godhead, who created as His external TRANSLATION energy this cosmic manifestation, which is The predominating deity of fire begot in his situated in Him as the air and clouds are wife, Svaha, three children, named Pavaka, situated in space, and who has now appeared Pavamana and Suci, who exist by eating the in the form of Nara-Narayana Rsi in the house oblations offered to the fire of sacrifice. of Dharma. TEXT 61, tebhyo 'gnayah samabhavan, TEXT 57, so 'yam sthiti-vyatikaropasamaya catvarimsac ca panca ca, ta evaikonapancasat, srstan, sattvena nah sura-ganan anumeya-tattvah, sakam pitr-pitamahaih, drsyad adabhra-karunena vilokanena, yac chri- niketam amalam ksipataravindam, TRANSLATION From those three sons another forty-five TRANSLATION descendants were generated, who are also fire- Let that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who gods. The total number of fire-gods is is understood by truly authorized Vedic therefore forty-nine, including the fathers and literature and who has created peace and the grandfather. prosperity to destroy all calamities of the created world, be kind enough to bestow His TEXT 62, vaitanike karmani yan-, namabhir glance upon the demigods. His merciful glance brahma-vadibhih, agneyya istayo yajne, can supersede the beauty of the spotless lotus nirupyante 'gnayas tu te, flower which is the home of the goddess of fortune. TRANSLATION These forty-nine fire-gods are the beneficiaries TEXT 58, evam sura-ganais tata, bhagavantav of the oblations offered in the Vedic sacrificial abhistutau, labdhavalokair yayatur, arcitau fire by impersonalist brahmanas. gandhamadanam, TEXT 63, agnisvatta barhisadah, saumyah pitara TRANSLATION ajyapah, sagnayo 'nagnayas tesam, patni [Maitreya said:] O Vidura, thus the demigods daksayani svadha, worshiped with prayers the Supreme Personality of Godhead appearing as the sage TRANSLATION Nara-Narayana. The Lord glanced upon them The Agnisvattas, the Barhisadas, the Saumyas with mercy and then departed for and the Ajyapas are the Pitas. They are either Gandhamadana Hill. sagnika or niragnika. The wife of all these Pitas is Svadha, who is the daughter of King TEXT 59, tav imau vai bhagavato, harer amsav Daksa. ihagatau, bhara-vyayaya ca bhuvah, krsnau yadu- kurudvahau, TEXT 64, tebhyo dadhara kanye dve, vayunam dharinim svadha, ubhe te brahma-vadinyau, TRANSLATION jnana-vijnana-parage, That Nara-Narayana Rsi, who is a partial expansion of Krsna, has now appeared in the TRANSLATION dynasties of Yadu and Kuru, in the forms of Svadha, who was offered to the Pitas, begot 10

two daughters named Vayuna and Dharini, TEXT 3, etad akhyahi me brahman, jamatuh both of whom were impersonalists and were svasurasya ca, vidvesas tu yatah pranams, tatyaje expert in transcendental and Vedic knowledge. dustyajan sati,

TEXT 65, bhavasya patni tu sati, bhavam devam TRANSLATION anuvrata, atmanah sadrsam putram, na lebhe My dear Maitreya, to part with one's life is guna-silatah, very difficult. Would you kindly explain to me how such a son-in-law and father-in-law could TRANSLATION quarrel so bitterly that the great goddess Sati The sixteenth daughter, whose name was Sati, could give up her life? was the wife of Lord Siva. She could not produce a child, although she always faithfully TEXT 4, maitreya uvaca, pura visva-srjam engaged in the service of her husband. satre, sametah paramarsayah, tathamara-ganah sarve, sanuga munayo 'gnayah, TEXT 66, pitary apratirupe sve, bhavayanagase rusa, apraudhaivatmanatmanam, ajahad yoga- TRANSLATION samyuta, The sage Maitreya said: In a former time, the leaders of the universal creation performed a TRANSLATION great sacrifice in which all the great sages, The reason is that Sati's father, Daksa, used to philosophers, demigods and fire-gods rebuke Lord Siva in spite of Siva's assembled with their followers. faultlessness. Consequently, before attaining a mature age, Sati gave up her body by dint of TEXT 5, tatra pravistam rsayo, drstvarkam iva yogic mystic power. rocisa, bhrajamanam vitimiram, kurvantam tan mahat sadah, Chapter Two Daksa Curses Lord Siva TRANSLATION TEXT 1, vidura uvaca, bhave silavatam sresthe, When Daksa, the leader of the Prajapatis, dakso duhitr-vatsalah, vidvesam akarot kasmad, entered that assembly, his personal bodily anadrtyatmajam satim, luster as bright as the effulgence of the sun, the entire assembly was illuminated, and all the TRANSLATION assembled personalities became insignificant in Vidura inquired: Why was Daksa, who was so his presence. affectionate towards his daughter, envious of Lord Siva, who is the best among the gentle? TEXT 6, udatisthan sadasyas te,sva-dhisnyebhyah Why did he neglect his daughter Sati? sahagnayah, rte virincam sarvam ca, tad- bhasaksipta-cetasah, TEXT 2, kas tam caracara-gurum, nirvairam santa-vigraham, atmaramam katham dvesti, TRANSLATION jagato daivatam mahat, Influenced by his personal bodily luster, all the fire-gods and other participants in that great TRANSLATION assembly, with the exceptions of Lord Brahma Lord Siva, the spiritual master of the entire and Lord Siva, gave up their own sitting places world, is free from enmity, is a peaceful and stood in respect for Daksa. personality, and is always satisfied in himself. He is the greatest among the demigods. How is TEXT 7, sadasas-patibhir dakso, bhagavan sadhu it possible that Daksa could be inimical sat-krtah, ajam loka-gurum natva, nisasada tad- towards such an auspicious personality? ajnaya,

TRANSLATION 11

Daksa was adequately welcomed by the TEXT 12, grhitva mrga-savaksyah, panim president of the great assembly, Lord Brahma. markata-locanah, pratyutthanabhivadarhe, After offering Lord Brahma respect, Daksa, by vacapy akrta nocitam, the order of Brahma, properly took his seat. TRANSLATION TEXT 8, pran-nisannam mrdam drstva, namrsyat He has eyes like a monkey's, yet he has tad-anadrtah, uvaca vamam caksurbhyam, married my daughter, whose eyes are just like abhiviksya dahann iva, those of a deer cub. Nevertheless he did not stand up to receive me, nor did he think it fit to TRANSLATION welcome me with sweet words. Before taking his seat, however, Daksa was very much offended to see Lord Siva sitting TEXT 13, lupta-kriyayasucaye, manine bhinna- and not showing him any respect. At that time, setave, anicchann apy adam balam, Daksa became greatly angry, and, his eyes sudrayevosatim giram, glowing, he began to speak very strongly against Lord Siva. TRANSLATION I had no desire to give my daughter to this TEXT 9, sruyatam brahmarsayo me, saha-devah person, who has broken all rules of civility. sahagnayah, sadhunam bruvato vrttam, najnanan Because of not observing the required rules na ca matsarat, and regulations, he is impure, but I was obliged to hand over my daughter to him just TRANSLATION as one teaches the messages of the Vedas to a All sages, brahmanas and fire-gods present, sudra. please hear me with attention, for I speak about the manners of gentle persons. I do not TEXTS 14-15, pretavasesu ghoresu, pretair speak out of ignorance or envy. bhuta-ganair vrtah, ataty unmattavan nagno, vyupta-keso hasan rudan, cita-bhasma-krta- TEXT 10, ayam tu loka-palanam, yaso-ghno snanah,preta-sran-nrasthi-bhusanah, sivapadeso nirapatrapah, sadbhir acaritah pantha, yena hy asivo, matto matta-jana-priyah, patih stabdhena dusitah, pramatha-nathanam, tamo-matratmakatmanam,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Siva has spoiled the name and fame of the He lives in filthy places like crematoriums, and governors of the universe and has polluted the his companions are the ghosts and demons. path of gentle manners. Because he is Naked like a madman, sometimes laughing shameless, he does not know how to act. and sometimes crying, he smears crematorium ashes all over his body. He does not bathe TEXT 11, esa me sisyatam prapto, yan me regularly, and he ornaments his body with a duhitur agrahit, panim vipragni-mukhatah, garland of skulls and bones. Therefore only in savitrya iva sadhuvat, name is he Siva, or auspicious; actually, he is the most mad and inauspicious creature. Thus TRANSLATION he is very dear to crazy beings in the gross He has already accepted himself as my mode of ignorance, and he is their leader. subordinate by marrying my daughter in the presence of fire and brahmanas. He has TEXT 16, tasma unmada-nathaya, nasta-saucaya married my daughter, who is equal to Gayatri, durhrde, datta bata maya sadhvi, codite and has pretended to be just like an honest paramesthina, person. TRANSLATION On the request of Lord Brahma I handed over 12

my chaste daughter to him, although he is TEXT 21, ya etan martyam uddisya, bhagavaty devoid of all cleanliness and his heart is filled apratidruhi, druhyaty ajnah prthag-drstis, tattvato with nasty things. vimukho bhavet,

TEXT 17, maitreya uvaca, vinindyaivam sa TRANSLATION girisam, apratipam avasthitam, dakso 'thapa Anyone who has accepted Daksa as the most upasprsya, kruddhah saptum pracakrame, important personality and neglected Lord Siva because of envy is less intelligent and, because TRANSLATION of visualizing in duality, will be bereft of The sage Maitreya continued: Thus Daksa, transcendental knowledge. seeing Lord Siva sitting as if against him, washed his hands and mouth and cursed him TEXT 22, grhesu kuta-dharmesu, sakto gramya- in the following words. sukhecchaya, karma-tantram vitanute, veda-vada- vipanna-dhih, TEXT 18, ayam tu deva-yajana, indropendradibhir bhavah, saha bhagam na TRANSLATION labhatam, devair deva-ganadhamah, Pretentiously religious householder life, in which one is attracted to material happiness TRANSLATION and thus also attracted to the superficial The demigods are eligible to share in the explanation of the Vedas, robs one of all oblations of sacrifice, but Lord Siva, who is the intelligence and attaches one to fruitive lowest of all the demigods, should not have a activities as all in all. share. TEXT 23, buddhya parabhidhyayinya, TEXT 19, nisidhyamanah sa sadasya-mukhyair, vismrtatma-gatih pasuh,stri-kamah so 'stv dakso giritraya visrjya sapam, tasmad atitaram, dakso basta-mukho 'cirat, viniskramya vivrddha-manyur, jagama kauravya nijam niketanam, TRANSLATION Daksa has accepted the body as all in all. TRANSLATION Therefore, since he has forgotten the visnu- Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, in spite pada, or visnu-gati, and is attached to sex life of the requests of all the members of the only, within a short time he will have the face sacrificial assembly, Daksa, in great anger, of a goat. cursed Lord Siva and then left the assembly and went back to his home. TEXT 24, vidya-buddhir avidyayam, karmamayyam asau jadah, samsarantv iha ye TEXT 20, vijnaya sapam girisanugagranir, camum, anu sarvavamaninam, nandisvaro rosa-kasaya-dusitah, daksaya sapam visasarja darunam, ye canvamodams tad- TRANSLATION avacyatam dvijah, Those who have become as dull as matter by cultivating materialistic education and TRANSLATION intelligence are nesciently involved in fruitive Upon understanding that Lord Siva had been activities. Such men have purposely insulted cursed, Nandisvara, one of Lord Siva's Lord Siva. May they continue in the cycle of principal associates, became greatly angry. His repeated birth and death. eyes became red, and he prepared to curse Daksa and all the brahmanas present there TEXT 25, girah srutayah puspinya, madhu- who had tolerated Daksa's cursing Siva in gandhena bhurina, mathna conmathitatmanah, harsh words. sammuhyantu hara-dvisah,

TRANSLATION May those who are envious of Lord Siva, being TEXT 30, brahma ca brahmanams caiva, yad attracted by the flowery language of the yuyam parinindatha, setum vidharanam pumsam, enchanting Vedic promises, and who have thus atah pasandam asritah, become dull, always remain attached to fruitive activities. TRANSLATION Bhrgu Muni continued: Since you blaspheme TEXT 26, sarva-bhaksa dvija vrttyai, dhrta- the Vedas and the brahmanas, who are vidya-tapo-vratah, vitta-dehendriyarama, yacaka followers of the Vedic principles, it is vicarantv iha, understood that you have already taken shelter of the doctrine of atheism. TRANSLATION These brahmanas take to education, austerity TEXT 31, esa eva hi lokanam, sivah panthah and vows only for the purpose of maintaining sanatanah, yam purve canusantasthur, yat- the body. They shall be devoid of pramanam janardanah, discrimination between what to eat and what not to eat. They will acquire money, begging TRANSLATION from door to door, simply for the satisfaction The Vedas give the eternal regulative of the body. principles for auspicious advancement in human civilization which have been rigidly TEXT 27, tasyaivam vadatah sapam, srutva followed in the past. The strong evidence of dvija-kulaya vai, bhrguh pratyasrjac chapam, this principle is the Supreme Personality of brahma-dandam duratyayam, Godhead, who is called Janardana, the well- wisher of all living entities. TRANSLATION When all the hereditary brahmanas were thus TEXT 32, tad brahma paramam suddham, satam cursed by Nandisvara, the sage Bhrgu, as a vartma sanatanam, vigarhya yata pasandam, reaction, condemned the followers of Lord daivam vo yatra bhuta-rat, Siva with this very strong brahminical curse. TRANSLATION TEXT 28, bhava-vrata-dhara ye ca, ye ca tan By blaspheming the principles of the Vedas, samanuvratah, pasandinas te bhavantu, sac- which are the pure and supreme path of the chastra-paripanthinah, saintly persons, certainly you followers of Bhutapati, Lord Siva, will descend to the TRANSLATION standard of atheism without a doubt. One who takes a vow to satisfy Lord Siva or who follows such principles will certainly TEXT 33, maitreya uvaca, tasyaivam vadatah become an atheist and be diverted from sapam, bhrgoh sa bhagavan bhavah, niscakrama transcendental scriptural injunctions. tatah kincid, vimana iva sanugah,

TEXT 29, nasta-sauca mudha-dhiyo, jata- TRANSLATION bhasmasthi-dharinah, visantu siva-diksayam, The sage Maitreya said: When such cursing yatra daivam surasavam, and countercursing was going on between Lord Siva's followers and the parties of Daksa TRANSLATION and Bhrgu, Lord Siva became very morose. Those who vow to worship Lord Siva are so Not saying anything, he left the arena of the foolish that they imitate him by keeping long sacrifice, followed by his disciples. hair on their heads. When initiated into worship of Lord Siva, they prefer to live on TEXT 34, te 'pi visva-srjah satram, sahasra- wine, flesh and other such things. parivatsaran, samvidhaya mahesvasa, yatrejya 14

rsabho harih, kratuttamam,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The sage Maitreya continued: O Vidura, all Daksa began a sacrifice named vajapeya, and the progenitors of the universal population he became excessively confident of his support thus executed a sacrifice for thousands of by Lord Brahma, He then performed another years, for sacrifice is the best way to worship great sacrifice, named brhaspati-sava. the Supreme Lord, Hari, the Personality of Godhead. TEXT 4, tasmin brahmarsayah sarve, devarsi- pitr-devatah, asan krta-svastyayanas,tat-patnyas TEXT 35, aplutyavabhrtham yatra, ganga ca sa-bhartrkah, yamunayanvita, virajenatmana sarve,svam svam dhama yayus tatah, TRANSLATION While the sacrifice was being performed, many TRANSLATION brahmarsis, great sages, ancestral demigods My dear Vidura, carrier of bows and arrows, and other demigods, their wives all very nicely all the demigods who were performing the decorated with ornaments, attended from sacrifice took their bath at the confluence of different parts of the universe. the Ganges and the Yamuna after completing the yajna performance. Such a bath is called TEXTS 5-7, tad upasrutya nabhasi, khe-caranam avabhrtha-snana. After thus becoming prajalpatam, sati daksayani devi, pitr-yajna- purified in heart, they departed for their mahotsavam, vrajantih sarvato digbhya, upadeva- respective abodes. vara-striyah, vimana-yanah sa-prestha, niska- kanthih suvasasah, drstva sva-nilayabhyase, Chapter Three Talks Between Lord lolaksir mrsta-kundalah, patim bhuta-patim Siva and Sati devam, autsukyad abhyabhasata,

TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, sada vidvisator evam, TRANSLATION kalo vai dhriyamanayoh, jamatuh svasurasyapi, The chaste lady Sati, the daughter of Daksa, sumahan aticakrame, heard the heavenly denizens flying in the sky conversing about the great sacrifice being TRANSLATION performed by her father. When she saw that Maitreya continued: In this manner the from all directions the beautiful wives of the tension between the father-in-law and son-in- heavenly denizens, their eyes very beautifully law, Daksa and Lord Siva, continued for a glittering, were near her residence and were considerably long period. going to the sacrifice dressed in fine clothing and ornamented with earrings and necklaces TEXT 2, yadabhisikto daksas tu, brahmana with lockets, she approached her husband, the paramesthina, prajapatinam sarvesam, adhipatye master of the bhutas, in great anxiety, and smayo 'bhavat, spoke as follows.

TRANSLATION TEXT 8, saty uvaca, prajapates te svasurasya When Lord Brahma appointed Daksa the chief sampratam, niryapito yajna-mahotsavah kila, of all the Prajapatis, the progenitors of vayam ca tatrabhisarama vama te, yady population, Daksa became very much puffed arthitami vibudha vrajanti hi, up. TRANSLATION TEXT 3, istva sa vajapeyena, brahmisthan Sati said: My dear Lord Siva, your father-in- abhibhuya ca, brhaspati-savam nama, samarebhe law is now executing great sacrifices, and all 15 the demigods, having been invited by him, are TRANSLATION going there. If you desire, we may also go. O never-born, O blue-throated one, not only my relatives but also other women, dressed in TEXT 9, tasmin bhaginyo mama bhartrbhih nice clothes and decorated with ornaments, are svakair, dhruvam gamisyanti suhrd-didrksavah, going there with their husbands and friends. aham ca tasmin bhavatabhikamaye, Just see how their flocks of white airplanes sahopanitam paribarham arhitum, have made the entire sky very beautiful.

TRANSLATION TEXT 13, katham sutayah pitr-geha-kautukam, I think that all my sisters must have gone to nisamya dehah sura-varya nengate, anahuta this great sacrificial ceremony with their apy abhiyanti sauhrdam, bhartur guror deha- husbands just to see their relatives. I also krtas ca ketanam, desire to decorate myself with the ornaments given to me by my father and go there with TRANSLATION you to participate in that assemble. O best of the demigods, how can the body of a daughter remain undisturbed when she hears TEXT 10, tatra svasrr me nanu bhartr-sammita, that some festive event is taking place in her matr-svasrh klinna-dhiyam ca mataram, draksye father's house? Even though you may be cirotkantha-mana maharsibhir, unniyamanam ca considering that I have not been invited, there mrdadhvara-dhvajam, is no harm if one goes to the house of one's friend, husband, spiritual master or father TRANSLATION without invitation. My sisters, my mother's sisters and their husbands, and other affectionate relatives TEXT 14, tan me prasidedam amartya must be assembled there, so if I go I shall be vanchitam, kartum bhavan karuniko batarhati, able to see them, and I shall be able to see the tvayatmano 'rdhe 'ham adabhra-caksusa,nirupita flapping flags and the performance of the manugrhana yacitah, sacrifice by the great sages. For these reasons, my dear husband, I am very much anxious to TRANSLATION go. O immortal Siva, please be kind towards me and fulfill my desire. You have accepted me as TEXT 11, tvayy etad ascaryam ajatma-mayaya, half of your body; therefore please show vinirmitam bhati guna-trayatmakam, tathapy kindness towards me and accept my request. aham yosid atattva-vic ca te, dina didrkse bhava me bhava-ksitim, TEXT 15, rsir uvaca, evam giritrah priyayabhibhasitah, pratyabhyadhatta prahasan TRANSLATION suhrt-priyah, samsmarito marma-bhidah kuvag- This manifested cosmos is a wonderful isun, yan aha ko visva-srjam samaksatah, creation of the interaction of the three material modes, or the external energy of the Supreme TRANSLATION Lord. This truth is fully known to you. Yet I The great sage Maitreya said: Lord Siva, the am but a poor woman, and, as you know, I am deliverer of the hill Kailasa, having thus been not conversant with the truth. Therefore I wish addressed by his dear wife, replied smilingly, to see my birthplace once more. although at the same time he remembered the malicious, heart-piercing speeches delivered by TEXT 12, pasya prayantir abhavanya-yosito, Daksa before the guardians of the universal 'py alankrtah kanta-sakha varuthasah, yasam affairs. vrajadbhih siti-kantha manditam, nabho vimanaih kala-hamsa-pandubhih, TEXT 16, sri-bhagavan uvaca, tvayoditam sobhanam eva sobhane, anahuta apy abhiyanti 16

bandhusu, te yady anutpadita-dosa-drstayo, manam na pituh prapatsyase, mad-asrayat kah baliyasanatmya-madena manyuna, paritapyate yatah,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The great lord replied: My dear beautiful wife, My dear white-complexioned wife, it is clear you have said that one may go to a friend's that of the many daughters of Daksa you are house without being invited, and this is true, the pet, yet you will not be honored at his provided such a friend does not find fault with house because of your being my wife. Rather, the guest because of bodily identification and you will be sorry that you are connected with thereby become angry towards him. me.

TEXT 17, vidya-tapo-vitta-vapur-vayah-kulaih, TEXT 21, papacyamanena hrdaturendriyah, satam gunaih sadbhir asattametaraih, smrtau samrddhibhih purusa-buddhi-saksinam, akalpa hatayam bhrta-mana-durdrsah, stabdha na esam adhirodhum anjasa, param padam dvesti pasyanti hi dhama bhuyasam, yathasura harim,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Although the six qualities education, austerity, One who is conducted by false ego and thus wealth, beauty, youth and heritage are for the always distressed, both mentally and sensually, highly elevated, one who is proud of possessing cannot tolerate the opulence of self-realized them becomes blind, and thus he loses his good persons. Being unable to rise to the standard of sense and cannot appreciate the glories of self-realization, he envies such persons as great personalities. much as demons envy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. TEXT 18, naitadrsanam sva-jana-vyapeksaya, grhan pratiyad anavasthitatmanam, ye 'bhyagatan TEXT 22, pratyudgama-prasrayanabhivadanam, vakra-dhiyabhicaksate, aropita-bhrubhir vidhiyate sadhu mithah sumadhyame, prajnaih amarsanaksibhih, parasmai purusaya cetasa, guha-sayayaiva na deha-manine, TRANSLATION One should not go to anyone's house, even on TRANSLATION the consideration of his being a relative or a My dear young wife, certainly friends and friend, when the man is disturbed in his mind relatives offer mutual greetings by standing and looks upon the guest with raised eyebrows up, welcoming one another and offering and angry eyes. obeisances. But those who are elevated to the transcendental platform, being intelligent, TEXT 19, tatharibhir na vyathate silimukhaih, offer such respects to the Supersoul, who is sete 'rditango hrdayena duyata, svanam yatha sitting within the body, not to the person who vakra-dhiyam duruktibhir, diva-nisam tapyati identifies with the body. marma-taditah, TEXT 23, sattvam visuddham vasudeva- TRANSLATION sabditam, yad iyate tatra puman apavrtah, Lord Siva continued: If one is hurt by the sattve ca tasmin bhagavan vasudevo, hy arrows of an enemy, one is not as aggrieved as adhoksajo me namasa vidhiyate, when cut by the unkind words of a relative, for such grief continues to rend one's heart day TRANSLATION and night. I am always engaged in offering obeisances to Lord Vasudeva in pure Krsna consciousness. TEXT 20, vyaktam tvam utkrsta-gateh prajapateh, Krsna consciousness is always pure priyatmajanam asi subhru me mata, tathapi consciousness, in which the Supreme 17

Personality of Godhead, known as Vasudeva, is revealed without any covering. TRANSLATION Sati felt very sorry at being forbidden to go see TEXT 24, tat te niriksyo na pitapi deha-krd, her relatives at her father's house, and due to dakso mama dvit tad-anuvratas ca ye, yo affection for them, tears fell from her eyes. visvasrg-yajna-gatam varoru mam, anagasam Shaking and very much afflicted, she looked at durvacasakarot tirah, her uncommon husband, Lord Siva, as if she were going to blast him with her vision. TRANSLATION Therefore you should not see your father, TEXT 3, tato vinihsvasya sati vihaya tam,sokena although he is the giver of your body, because rosena ca duyata hrda, pitror agat straina- he and his followers are envious of me. vimudha-dhir grhan, premnatmano yo 'rdham adat Because of his envy, O most worshipful one, he satam priyah, has insulted me with cruel words although I am innocent. TRANSLATION Thereafter Sati left her husband, Lord Siva, TEXT 25, yadi vrajisyasy atihaya mad-vaco, who had given her half his body due to bhadram bhavatya na tato bhavisyati, affection. Breathing very heavily because of sambhavitasya sva-janat parabhavo, yada sa anger and bereavement, she went to the house sadyo maranaya kalpate, of her father. This less intelligent act was due to her being a weak woman. TRANSLATION If in spite of this instruction you decide to go, TEXT 4, tam anvagacchan druta-vikramam neglecting my words, the future will not be satim, ekam tri-netranucarah sahasrasah, sa- good for you. You are most respectable, and parsada-yaksa maniman-madadayah, puro- when you are insulted by your relative, this vrsendras tarasa gata-vyathah, insult will immediately be equal to death. TRANSLATION When they saw Sati leaving alone very rapidly, Chapter Four Sati Quits Her Body thousands of Lord Siva's disciples, headed by Maniman and Mada, quickly followed her TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, etavad uktva virarama with his bull Nandi in front and accompanied sankarah, patny-anga-nasam hy ubhayatra by the Yaksas. cintayan, suhrd-didrksuh parisankita bhavan, niskramati nirvisati dvidhasa sa, TEXT 5, tam sarika-kanduka-darpanambuja-, svetatapatra-vyajana-srag-adibhih, gitayanair TRANSLATION dundubhi-sankha-venubhir, vrsendram aropya The sage Maitreya said: Lord Siva was silent vitankita yayuh, after speaking to Sati, seeing her between decisions. Sati was very much anxious to see TRANSLATION her relatives at her father's house, but at the The disciples of Lord Siva arranged for Sati to same time she was afraid of Lord Siva's be seated on the back of a bull and gave her warning. Her mind unsettled, she moved in the bird which was her pet. They bore a lotus and out of the room as a swing moves this way flower, a mirror and all such paraphernalia and that. for her enjoyment and covered her with a great canopy. Followed by a singing party with TEXT 2, suhrd-didrksa-pratighata-durmanah, drums, conchshells and bugles, the entire snehad rudaty asru-kalativihvala, bhavam procession was as pompous as a royal parade. bhavany apratipurusam rusa, pradhaksyativaiksata jata-vepathuh, 18

TEXT 6, abrahma-ghosorjita-yajna-vaisasam, Siva. Next she realized that not only had her viprarsi-justam vibudhais ca sarvasah, mrd-darv- father failed to invite Lord Siva, but when he ayah-kancana-darbha-carmabhir, nisrsta-bhandam saw Lord Siva's exalted wife, Daksa did not yajanam samavisat, receive her either. Thus she became greatly angry, so much so that she looked at her father TRANSLATION as if she were going to burn him with her eyes. She then reached her father's house, where the sacrifice was being performed, and entered the TEXT 10, jagarha samarsa-vipannaya gira, arena where everyone was chanting the Vedic siva-dvisam dhuma-patha-srama-smayam, sva- hymns. The great sages, brahmanas and tejasa bhuta-ganan samutthitan, nigrhya devi demigods were all assembled there, and there jagato 'bhisrnvatah, were many sacrificial animals, as well as pots made of clay, stone, gold, grass and skin, which TRANSLATION were all requisite for the sacrifice. The followers of Lord Siva, the ghosts, were ready to injure or kill Daksa, but Sati stopped TEXT 7, tam agatam tatra na kascanadriyad, them by her order. She was very angry and vimanitam yajna-krto bhayaj janah, rte svasrr vai sorrowful, and in that mood she began to jananim ca sadarah, premasru-kanthyah condemn the process of sacrificial fruitive parisasvajur muda, activities and persons who are very proud of such unnecessary and troublesome sacrifices. TRANSLATION She especially condemned her father, speaking When Sati, with her followers, reached the against him in the presence of all. arena, because all the people assembled were afraid of Daksa, none of them received her TEXT 11, devy uvaca, na yasya loke 'sty well. No one welcomed her but her mother and atisayanah priyas, tathapriyo deha-bhrtam sisters, who, with tears in their eyes and with priyatmanah, tasmin samastatmani mukta- glad faces, welcomed her and talked with her vairake, rte bhavantam katamah pratipayet, very pleasingly. TRANSLATION TEXT 8, saudarya-samprasna-samartha-vartaya, The blessed goddess said: Lord Siva is the matra ca matr-svasrbhis ca sadaram, dattam most beloved of all living entities. He has no saparyam varam asanam ca sa, nadatta rival. No one is very dear to him, and no one is pitrapratinandita sati, his enemy. No one but you could be envious of such a universal being, who is free from all TRANSLATION enmity. Although she was received by her sisters and mother, she did not reply to their words of TEXT 12, dosan paresam hi gunesu sadhavo, reception, and although she was offered a seat grhnanti kecin na bhavadrso dvija, gunams ca and presents, she did not accept anything, for phalgun bahuli-karisnavo, mahattamas tesv her father neither talked with her nor avidad bhavan agham, welcomed her by asking about her welfare. TRANSLATION TEXT 9, arudra-bhagam tam aveksya Twice-born Daksa, a man like you can simply cadhvaram, pitra ca deve krta-helanam vibhau, find fault in the qualities of others. Lord Siva, anadrta yajna-sadasy adhisvari, cukopa lokan iva however, not only finds no faults with others' dhaksyati rusa, qualities, but if someone has a little good quality, he magnifies it greatly. Unfortunately, TRANSLATION you have found fault with such a great soul. Present in the arena of sacrifice, Sati saw that there were no oblations for her husband, Lord 19

TEXT 13, nascaryam etad yad asatsu sarvada, personalities than you, such as Lord Brahma, mahad-vininda kunapatma-vadisu, sersyam do not know this inauspicious person who goes mahapurusa-pada-pamsubhir, nirasta-tejahsu tad under the name Lord Siva? He associates with eva sobhanam, the demons in the crematorium, his locks of hair are scattered all over his body, he is TRANSLATION garlanded with human skulls and smeared It is not wonderful for persons who have with ashes from the crematorium, but in spite accepted the transient material body as the self of all these inauspicious qualities, great to engage always in deriding great souls. Such personalities like Brahma honor him by envy on the part of materialistic persons is accepting the flowers offered to his lotus feet very good because that is the way they fall and placing them with great respect on their down. They are diminished by the dust of the heads. feet of great personalities. TEXT 17, karnau pidhaya nirayad yad akalpa ise, TEXT 14, yad dvy-aksaram nama gireritam dharmavitary asrnibhir nrbhir asyamane, nrnam, sakrt prasangad agham asu hanti tat, chindyat prasahya rusatim asatim prabhus cej, pavitra-kirtim tam alanghya-sasanam, bhavan aho jihvam asun api tato visrjet sa dharmah, dvesti sivam sivetarah, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Sati continued: If one hears an irresponsible Sati continued: My dear father, you are person blaspheme the master and controller of committing the greatest offense by envying religion, one should block his ears and go away Lord Siva, whose very name, consisting of two if unable to punish him. But if one is able to syllables, si and va, purifies one of all sinful kill, then one should by force cut out the activities. His order is never neglected. Lord blasphemer's tongue and kill the offender, and Siva is always pure, and no one but you envies after that one should give up his own life. him. TEXT 18, atas tavotpannam idam kalevaram, na TEXT 15, yat-pada-padmam mahatam mano- dharayisye siti-kantha-garhinah, jagdhasya 'libhir, nisevitam brahma-rasasavarthibhih, mohad dhi visuddhim andhaso, lokasya yad varsati casiso 'rthinas, tasmai bhavan jugupsitasyoddharanam pracaksate, druhyati visva-bandhave, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Therefore I shall no longer bear this unworthy You are envious of Lord Siva, who is the friend body, which has been received from you, who of all living entities within the three worlds. have blasphemed Lord Siva. If someone has For the common man he fulfills all desires, and taken food which is poisonous, the best because of their engagement in thinking of his treatment is to vomit. lotus feet, he also blesses higher personalities who are seeking after brahmananda TEXT 19, na veda-vadan anuvartate matih, sva [transcendental bliss]. eva loke ramato maha-muneh, yatha gatir deva- manusyayoh prthak, sva eva dharme na param TEXT 16, kim va sivakhyam asivam na vidus ksipet sthitah, tvad anye, brahmadayas tam avakirya jatah smasane, tan-malya-bhasma-nrkapaly avasat TRANSLATION pisacair, ye murdhabhir dadhati tac- It is better to execute one's own occupational caranavasrstam, duty than to criticize others'. Elevated transcendentalists may sometimes forgo the TRANSLATION rules and regulations of the Vedas, since they Do you think that greater, more respectable do not need to follow them, just as the 20

demigods travel in space whereas ordinary who is an offender at the lotus feet of the men travel on the surface of the earth. greatest personality.

TEXT 20, karma pravrttam ca nivrttam apy rtam, TEXT 23, gotram tvadiyam bhagavan vrsadhvajo, vede vivicyobhaya-lingam asritam, virodhi tad daksayanity aha yada sudurmanah, vyapeta- yaugapadaika-kartari, dvayam tatha brahmani narma-smitam asu tadaham, vyutsraksya etat karma narcchati, kunapam tvad-angajam,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION In the Vedas there are directions for two kinds Because of our family relationship, when Lord of activities--activities for those who are Siva addresses me as Daksayani I at once attached to material enjoyment and activities become morose, and my jolliness and my smile for those who are materially detached. In at once disappear. I feel very much sorry that consideration of these two kinds of activities, my body, which is just like a bag, has been there are two kinds of people, who have produced by you. I shall therefore give it up. different symptoms. If one wants to see two kinds of activities in one person, that is TEXT 24, maitreya uvaca, ity adhvare daksam contradictory. But both kinds of activities may anudya satru-han, ksitav udicim nisasada santa- be neglected by a person who is vak, sprstva jalam pita-dukula-samvrta, nimilya transcendentally situated. drg yoga-patham samavisat,

TEXT 21, ma vah padavyah pitar asmad-asthita, TRANSLATION ya yajna-salasu na dhuma-vartmabhih, tad-anna- Maitreya the sage told Vidura: O annihilator trptair asu-bhrdbhir idita, avyakta-linga of enemies, while thus speaking to her father in avadhuta-sevitah, the arena of sacrifice, Sati sat down on the ground and faced north. Dressed in saffron TRANSLATION garments, she sanctified herself with water and My dear father, the opulence we possess is closed her eyes to absorb herself in the process impossible for either you or your flatterers to of mystic yoga. imagine, for persons who engage in fruitive activities by performing great sacrifices are TEXT 25, krtva samanav anilau jitasana, concerned with satisfying their bodily sodanam utthapya ca nabhi-cakratah, sanair hrdi necessities by eating foodstuff offered as a sthapya dhiyorasi sthitam, kanthad bhruvor sacrifice. We can exhibit our opulences simply madhyam aninditanayat, by desiring to do so. This can be achieved only by great personalities who are renounced, self- TRANSLATION realized souls. First of all she sat in the required sitting posture, and then she carried the life air TEXT 22, naitena dehena hare krtagaso, upwards and placed it in the position of dehodbhavenalam alam kujanmana, vrida equilibrium near the navel. Then she raised mamabhut kujana-prasangatas, taj janma dhig yo her life air, mixed with intelligence, to the mahatam avadya-krt, heart and then gradually towards the pulmonary passage and from there to between TRANSLATION her eyebrows. You are an offender at the lotus feet of Lord Siva, and unfortunately I have a body TEXT 26, evam sva-deham mahatam mahiyasa, produced from yours. I am very much muhuh samaropitam ankam adarat, jihasati ashamed of our bodily relationship, and I daksa-rusa manasvini, dadhara gatresv anilagni- condemn myself because my body is dharanam, contaminated by a relationship with a person 21

TRANSLATION Thus, in order to give up her body, which had TRANSLATION been so respectfully and affectionately seated Daksa, who is so hardhearted that he is on the lap of Lord Siva, who is worshiped by unworthy to be a brahmana, will gain great sages and saints, Sati, due to anger extensive ill fame because of his offenses to his towards her father, began to meditate on the daughter, because of not having prevented her fiery air within the body. death, and because of his great envy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. TEXT 27, tatah sva-bhartus caranambujasavam, jagad-guros cintayati na caparam, dadarsa deho TEXT 31, vadaty evam jane satya, drstvasu- hata-kalmasah sati, sadyah prajajvala tyagam adbhutam, daksam tat-parsada hantum, samadhijagnina, udatisthann udayudhah,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Sati concentrated all her meditation on the While people were talking among themselves holy lotus feet of her husband, Lord Siva, who about the wonderful voluntary death of Sati, is the supreme spiritual master of all the the attendants who had come with her readied world. Thus she became completely cleansed of themselves to kill Daksa with their weapons. all taints of sin and quit her body in a blazing fire by meditation on the fiery elements. TEXT 32, tesam apatatam vegam, nisamya bhagavan bhrguh, yajna-ghna-ghnena yajusa, TEXT 28, tat pasyatam khe bhuvi cadbhutam daksinagnau juhava ha, mahad, ha heti vadah sumahan ajayata, hanta priya daivatamasya devi, jahav asun kena sati TRANSLATION prakopita, They came forward forcibly, but Bhrgu Muni saw the danger and, offering oblations into the TRANSLATION southern side of the sacrificial fire, When Sati annihilated her body in anger, there immediately uttered mantric hymns from the was a tumultuous roar all over the universe. Yajur Veda by which the destroyers of yajnic Why had Sati, the wife of the most respectable performances could be killed immediately. demigod, Lord Siva, quit her body in such a manner? TEXT 33, adhvaryuna huyamane, deva utpetur ojasa, rbhavo nama tapasa, somam praptah TEXT 29, aho anatmyam mahad asya pasyata, sahasrasah, prajapater yasya caracaram prajah, jahav asun yad-vimatatmaja sati, manasvini manam TRANSLATION abhiksnam arhati, When Bhrgu Muni offered oblations in the fire, immediately many thousands of demigods TRANSLATION named Rbhus became manifested. All of them It was astonishing that Daksa, who was were powerful, having achieved strength from Prajapati, the maintainer of all living entities, Soma, the moon. was so disrespectful to his own daughter, Sati, who was not only chaste but was also a great TEXT 34, tair alatayudhaih sarve, pramathah soul, that she gave up her body because of his saha-guhyakah, hanyamana diso bhejur, usadbhir neglect. brahma-tejasa,

TEXT 30, so 'yam durmarsa-hrdayo brahma- TRANSLATION dhruk ca, loke 'pakirtim mahatim avapsyati, yad- When the Rbhu demigods attacked the ghosts angajam svam purusa-dvid udyatam, na and Guhyakas with half-burned fuel from the pratyasedhan mrtaye 'paradhatah, yajna fire, all these attendants of Sati fled in 22 different directions and disappeared. This was yajnam jahi mad-bhatanam, tvam agrani rudra possible simply because of brahma-tejas, bhatamsako me, brahminical power. TRANSLATION When that gigantic demon asked with folded Chapter Five Frustration of the hands, "What shall I do, my lord?" Lord Siva, Sacrifice of Daksa who is known as Bhutanatha, directly ordered, "Because you are born from my body, you are TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, bhavo bhavanya the chief of all my associates. Therefore, kill nidhanam prajapater, asat-krtaya avagamya Daksa and his soldiers at the sacrifice." naradat, sva-parsada-sainyam ca tad- adhvararbhubhir, vidravitam krodham aparam TEXT 5, ajnapta evam kupitena manyuna, sa adadhe, deva-devam paricakrame vibhum, mene- tadatmanam asanga-ramhasa, mahiyasam tata TRANSLATION sahah sahisnum, Maitreya said: When Lord Siva heard from Narada that Sati, his wife, was now dead TRANSLATION because of Prajapati Daksa's insult to her and Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, that that his soldiers had been driven away by the black person was the personified anger of the Rbhu demigods, he became greatly angry. Supreme Personality of Godhead, and he was prepared to execute the orders of Lord Siva. TEXT 2, kruddhah sudastaustha-putah sa dhur- Thus, considering himself capable of coping jatir, jatam tadid-vahni-satogra-rocisam, utkrtya with any power offered against him, he rudrah sahasotthito hasan, gambhira-nado circumambulated Lord Siva. visasarja tam bhuvi, TEXT 6, anviyamanah sa tu rudra-parsadair, TRANSLATION bhrsam nadadbhir vyanadat subhairavam, Thus Lord Siva, being extremely angry, udyamya sulam jagad-antakantakam, pressed his lips with his teeth and immediately sampradravad ghosana-bhusananghrih, snatched from his head a strand of hair which blazed like electricity or fire. He stood up at TRANSLATION once, laughing like a madman, and dashed the Many other soldiers of Lord Siva followed the hair to the ground. fierce personality in a tumultuous uproar. He carried a great trident, fearful enough to kill TEXT 3, tato 'tikayas tanuva sprsan divam, even death, and on his legs he wore bangles sahasra-bahur ghana-ruk tri-surya-drk, karala- which seemed to roar. damstro jvalad-agni-murdhajah, kapala-mali vividhodyatayudhah, TEXT 7, athartvijo yajamanah sadasyah, kakubhy udicyam prasamiksya renum, tamah kim TRANSLATION etat kuta etad rajo 'bhud, iti dvija dvija-patnyas ca A fearful black demon as high as the sky and dadhyuh, as bright as three suns combined was thereby created, his teeth very fearful and the hairs on TRANSLATION his head like burning fire. He had thousands of At that time, all the persons assembled in the arms, equipped with various weapons, and he sacrificial arena--the priests, the chief of the was garlanded with the heads of men. sacrificial performance, and the brahmanas and their wives--wondered where the darkness TEXT 4, tam kim karomiti grnantam aha, was coming from. Later they could understand baddhanjalim bhagavan bhuta-nathah, daksam sa- that it was a dust storm, and all of them were full of anxiety. 23

the luminaries all over the sky, and he covered TEXT 8, vata na vanti na hi santi dasyavah, them with his strong, piercing effulgence. pracina-barhir jivati hogra-dandah, gavo na Because of the misbehavior of Daksa, even kalyanta idam kuto rajo, loko 'dhuna kim Lord Brahma, Daksa's father, could not have pralayaya kalpate, been saved from the great exhibition of anger.

TRANSLATION TEXT 12, bahv evam udvigna-drsocyamane, Conjecturing on the origin of the storm, they janena daksasya muhur mahatmanah, utpetur said: There is no wind blowing, and no cows utpatatamah sahasraso, bhayavaha divi bhumau are passing, nor is it possible that this dust ca paryak, storm could be raised by plunderers, for there is still the strong King Barhi, who would TRANSLATION punish them. Where is this dust storm blowing While all the people talked amongst from? Is the dissolution of the planet now to themselves, Daksa saw dangerous omens from occur? all sides, from the earth and from the sky.

TEXT 9, prasuti-misrah striya udvigna-citta, TEXT 13, tavat sa rudranucarair maha-makho, ucur vipako vrjinasyaiva tasya, yat pasyantinam nanayudhair vamanakair udayudhaih, pingaih duhitrnam prajesah, sutam satim avadadhyav pisangair makarodarananaih, paryadravadbhir anagam, viduranvarudhyata,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Prasuti, the wife of Daksa, along with the other My dear Vidura, all the followers of Lord Siva women assembled, became very anxious and surrounded the arena of sacrifice. They were said: This danger has been created by Daksa of short stature and were equipped with because of the death of Sati, who, even though various kinds of weapons; their bodies completely innocent, quit her body as her appeared to be like those of sharks, blackish sisters looked on. and yellowish. They ran all around the sacrificial arena and thus began to create TEXT 10, yas tv anta-kale vyupta-jata-kalapah, disturbances. sva-sula-sucy-arpita-dig-gajendrah, vitatya nrtyaty uditastra-dor-dhvajan, uccatta-hasa- TEXT 14, kecid babhanjuh prag-vamsam, patni- stanayitnu-bhinna-dik, salam tathapare, sada agnidhra-salam ca, tad- viharam mahanasam, TRANSLATION At the time of dissolution, Lord Siva's hair is TRANSLATION scattered, and he pierces the rulers of the Some of the soldiers pulled down the pillars different directions with his trident. He laughs which were supporting the pandal of sacrifice, and dances proudly, scattering their hands like some of them entered the female quarters, flags, as thunder scatters the clouds all over some began destroying the sacrificial arena, the world. and some entered the kitchen and the residential quarters. TEXT 11, amarsayitva tam asahya-tejasam, manyu-plutam durniriksyam bhru-kutya, karala- TEXT 15, rurujur yajna-patrani, tathaike 'gnin damstrabhir udasta-bhaganam, syat svasti kim anasayan, kundesv amutrayan kecid, bibhidur kopayato vidhatuh, vedi-mekhalah,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The gigantic black man bared his fearful teeth. They broke all the pots made for use in the By the movements of his brows he scattered sacrifice, and some of them began to extinguish 24

the sacrificial fire. Some tore down the TRANSLATION boundary line of the sacrificial arena, and Virabhadra immediately caught Bhaga, who some passed urine on the arena. had been moving his eyebrows during Bhrgu's cursing of Lord Siva, and out of great anger TEXT 16, abadhanta munin anye, eke patnir thrust him to the ground and forcibly put out atarjayan, apare jagrhur devan, pratyasannan his eyes. palayitan, TEXT 21, pusno hy apatayad dantan, kalingasya TRANSLATION yatha balah, sapyamane garimani, yo 'hasad Some blocked the way of the fleeing sages, darsayan datah, some threatened the women assembled there, and some arrested the demigods who were TRANSLATION fleeing the pandal. Just as Baladeva knocked out the teeth of Dantavakra, the King of Kalinga, during the TEXT 17, bhrgum babandha maniman, gambling match at the marriage ceremony of virabhadrah prajapatim, candesah pusanam Aniruddha, Virabhadra knocked out the teeth devam, bhagam nandisvaro 'grahit, of both Daksa, who had shown them while cursing Lord Siva, and Pusa, who by smiling TRANSLATION sympathetically had also shown his teeth. Maniman, one of the followers of Lord Siva, arrested Bhrgu Muni, and Virabhadra, the TEXT 22, akramyorasi daksasya, sita-dharena black demon, arrested Prajapati Daksa. hetina, chindann api tad uddhartum, nasaknot Another follower, who was named Candesa, tryambakas tada, arrested Pusa. Nandisvara arrested the demigod Bhaga. TRANSLATION Then Virabhadra, the giantlike personality, sat TEXT 18, sarva evartvijo drstva, sadasyah sa- on the chest of Daksa and tried to separate his divaukasah, tair ardyamanah subhrsam, head from his body with sharp weapons, but gravabhir naikadhadravan, was unsuccessful.

TRANSLATION TEXT 23, sastrair astranvitair evam, anirbhinna- There was a continuous shower of stones, and tvacam harah, vismayam param apanno, dadhyau all the priests and other members assembled at pasupatis ciram, the sacrifice were put into immense misery. For fear of their lives, they dispersed in TRANSLATION different directions. He tried to cut the head of Daksa with hymns as well as weapons, but still it was hard to cut TEXT 19, juhvatah sruva-hastasya, smasruni even the surface of the skin of Daksa's head. bhagavan bhavah, bhrgor lulunce sadasi, yo Thus Virabhadra was exceedingly bewildered. 'hasac chmasru darsayan, TEXT 24, drstva samjnapanam yogam, pasunam TRANSLATION sa patir makhe, yajamana-pasoh kasya, kayat Virabhadra tore off the mustache of Bhrgu, tenaharac chirah, who was offering the sacrificial oblations with his hands in the fire. TRANSLATION Then Virabhadra saw the wooden device in the TEXT 20, bhagasya netre bhagavan, patitasya sacrificial arena by which the animals were to rusa bhuvi, ujjahara sada-stho 'ksna, yah have been killed. He took the opportunity of sapantam asusucat, this facility to behead Daksa.

TEXT 25, sadhu-vadas tada tesam, karma tat kasyadhvaram iyatuh, tasya pasyatam, bhuta-preta-pisacanam, anyesam tad-viparyayah, TRANSLATION Both Lord Brahma and Visnu had already TRANSLATION known that such events would occur in the Upon seeing the action of Virabhadra, the sacrificial arena of Daksa, and knowing party of Lord Siva was pleased and cried out beforehand, they did not go to the sacrifice. joyfully, and all the bhutas, ghosts and demons that had come made a tumultuous sound. On TEXT 4, tad akarnya vibhuh praha, tejiyasi the other hand, the brahmanas in charge of the krtagasi, ksemaya tatra sa bhuyan, na prayena sacrifice cried out in grief at the death of bubhusatam, Daksa. TRANSLATION TEXT 26, juhavaitac chiras tasmin, daksinagnav When Lord Brahma heard everything from amarsitah, tad-deva-yajanam dagdhva, pratisthad the demigods and the members who had guhyakalayam, attended the sacrifice, he replied: You cannot be happy in executing a sacrifice if you TRANSLATION blaspheme a great personality and thereby Virabhadra then took the head and with great offend his lotus feet. You cannot have anger threw it into the southern side of the happiness in that way. sacrificial fire, offering it as an oblation. In this way the followers of Lord Siva devastated all TEXT 5, athapi yuyam krta-kilbisa bhavam, ye the arrangements for sacrifice. After setting barhiso bhaga-bhajam paraduh, fire to the whole arena, they departed for their prasadayadhvam parisuddha-cetasa, ksipra- master's abode, Kailasa. prasadam pragrhitanghri-padmam,

Chapter Six Brahma Satisfies Lord TRANSLATION Siva You have excluded Lord Siva from taking part in the sacrificial results, and therefore you are TEXTS 1-2, all offenders at his lotus feet. Still, if you go maitreya uvaca, atha deva-ganah sarve, without mental reservations and surrender rudranikaih parajitah, sula-pattisa-nistrimsa-, unto him and fall down at his lotus feet, he will gada-parigha-mudgaraih, sanchinna-bhinna- be very pleased. sarvangah, sartvik-sabhya bhayakulah, svayambhuve namaskrtya, kartsnyenaitan TEXT 6, asasana jivitam adhvarasya, lokah sa- nyavedayan, palah kupite na yasmin, tam asu devam priyaya vihinam, ksamapayadhvam hrdi viddham TRANSLATION duruktaih, All the priests and other members of the sacrificial assembly and all the demigods, TRANSLATION having been defeated by the soldiers of Lord Lord Brahma also advised them that Lord Siva and injured by weapons like tridents and Siva is so powerful that by his anger all the swords, approached Lord Brahma with great planets and their chief controllers can be fear. After offering him obeisances, they began destroyed immediately. Also, he said that Lord to speak in detail of all the events which had Siva was especially sorry because he had taken place. recently lost his dear wife and was also very much afflicted by the unkind words of Daksa. TEXT 3, upalabhya puraivaitad, bhagavan abja- Under the circumstances, Lord Brahma sambhavah, narayanas ca visvatma, na suggested, it would behoove them to go at once and beg his pardon. 26

TEXT 7, naham na yajno na ca yuyam anye, TEXT 11, nanamala-prasravanair, nana-kandara- ye deha-bhajo munayas ca tattvam, viduh sanubhih, ramanam viharantinam, ramanaih pramanam bala-viryayor va, yasyatma-tantrasya siddha-yositam, ka upayam vidhitset, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION There are many waterfalls, and in the Lord Brahma said that no one, not even mountains there are many beautiful caves in himself, Indra, all the members assembled in which the very beautiful wives of the mystics the sacrificial arena, or all the sages, could are found. know how powerful Lord Siva is. Under the circumstances, who would dare to commit an TEXT 12, mayura-kekabhirutam, madandhali- offense at his lotus feet?. vimurcchitam, plavitai rakta-kanthanam, kujitais ca patattrinam, TEXT 8, sa ittham adisya suran ajas tu taih, samanvitah pitrbhih sa-prajesaih, yayau sva- TRANSLATION dhisnyan nilayam pura-dvisah, kailasam adri- On Kailasa Hill there is always the rhythmical pravaram priyam prabhoh, sound of the peacocks' sweet vibrations and the bees' humming. Cuckoos are always TRANSLATION singing, and other birds whisper amongst After thus instructing all the demigods, the themselves. Pitas and the lords of the living entities, Lord Brahma took them with him and left for the TEXT 13, ahvayantam ivoddhastair,dvijan kama- abode of Lord Siva, known as the Kailasa Hill. dughair drumaih, vrajantam iva matangair, grnantam iva nirjharaih, TEXT 9, janmausadhi-tapo-mantra-, yoga- siddhair naretaraih, justam kinnara-gandharvair, TRANSLATION apsarobhir vrtam sada, There are tall trees with straight branches that appear to call the sweet birds, and when herds TRANSLATION of elephants pass through the hills, it appears The abode known as Kailasa is full of different that the Kailasa Hill moves with them. When herbs and vegetables, and it is sanctified by the waterfalls resound, it appears that Kailasa Vedic hymns and mystic yoga practice. Thus Hill does also. the residents of that abode are demigods by birth and have all mystic powers. Besides them TEXTS 14-15, mandaraih parijatais ca, saralais there are other human beings, who are known copasobhitam, tamalaih sala-talais ca, as Kinnaras and Gandharvas and are kovidarasanarjunaih, cutaih kadambair nipais ca, accompanied by their beautiful wives, who are naga-punnaga-campakaih, patalasoka-bakulaih, known as Apsaras, or angels. kundaih kurabakair api,

TEXT 10, nana-manimayaih srngair, nana-dhatu- TRANSLATION vicitritaih, nana-druma-lata-gulmair, nana-mrga- The whole of Kailasa Hill is decorated with ganavrtaih, various kinds of trees, of which the following names may be mentioned: mandara, parijata, TRANSLATION sarala, tamala, tala, kovidara, asana, arjuna, Kailasa is full of mountains filled with all kinds amra-jati (mango), kadamba, dhuli-kadamba, of valuable jewels and minerals and naga, punnaga, campaka, patala, asoka, surrounded by all varieties of valuable trees bakula, kunda and kurabaka. The entire hill is and plants. The top of the hill is nicely decorated with such trees, which produce decorated by various types of deer. flowers with fragrant aromas. 27

and many other animals, who are fully TEXT 16, svarnarna-sata-patrais ca, vara-renuka- enjoying their lives. jatibhih, kubjakair mallikabhis ca, madhavibhis ca manditam, TEXT 21, karnantraikapadasvasyair, nirjustam vrka-nabhibhih, kadali-khanda-samruddha-, TRANSLATION nalini-pulina-sriyam, There are other trees also which decorate the hill, such as the golden lotus flower, the TRANSLATION cinnamon tree, malati, kubja, mallika and There are varieties of deer, such as karnantra, madhavi. ekapada, asvasya, vrka and kasturi, the deer which bears musk. Besides the deer there are TEXT 17, panasodumbarasvattha-, plaksa- many banana trees which decorate the small nyagrodha-hingubhih, bhurjair osadhibhih pugai, hillside lakes very nicely. rajapugais ca jambubhih, TEXT 22, paryastam nandaya satyah, snana- TRANSLATION punyatarodaya, vilokya bhutesa-girim, vibudha Kailasa Hill is also decorated with such trees vismayam yayuh, as kata, jackfruit, julara, banyan trees, plaksas, nyagrodhas and trees producing TRANSLATION asafetida. Also there are trees of betel nuts and There is a small lake named Alakananda in bhurja-patra, as well as rajapuga, blackberries which Sati used to take her bath, and that lake and similar other trees. is especially auspicious. All the demigods, after seeing the specific beauty of Kailasa Hill, were TEXT 18, kharjuramratakamradyaih, priyala- struck with wonder at the great opulence to be madhukengudaih, druma-jatibhir anyais ca, found there. rajitam venu-kicakaih, TEXT 23, dadrsus tatra te ramyam, alakam nama TRANSLATION vai purim, vanam saugandhikam capi, yatra tan- There are mango trees, priyala, madhuka and nama pankajam, inguda. Besides these there are other trees, like thin bamboos, kicaka and varieties of other TRANSLATION bamboo trees, all decorating the tract of Thus the demigods saw the wonderfully Kailasa Hill. beautiful region known as Alaka in the forest known as Saugandhika, which means "full of TEXTS 19-20, kumudotpala-kahlara-, satapatra- fragrance." The forest is known as vanarddhibhih, nalinisu kalam kujat-, khaga- Saugandhika because of its abundance of lotus vrndopasobhitam, mrgaih sakhamrgaih krodair, flowers. mrgendrair rksa-salyakaih,gavayaih sarabhair vyaghrai, rurubhir mahisadibhih, TEXT 24, nanda calakananda ca, saritau bahyatah purah, tirthapada-padambhoja-, TRANSLATION rajasativa pavane, There are different kinds of lotus flowers, such as kumuda, utpala and satapatra. The forest TRANSLATION appears to be a decorated garden, and the They also saw the two rivers named Nanda small lakes are full of various kinds of birds and Alakananda. These two rivers are who whisper very sweetly. There are many sanctified by the dust of the lotus feet of the kinds of other animals also, like deer, Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda. monkeys, boars, lions, rksas, salyakas, forest cows, forest asses, tigers, small deer, buffalo TEXT 25, yayoh sura-striyah ksattar, avaruhya sva-dhisnyatah, kridanti pumsah sincantyo, 28

vigahya rati-karsitah, sweet sounds mixed with the humming of the bees. The lakes were abundantly decorated TRANSLATION with crying swans as well as strong-stemmed My dear .ksatta, Vidura, the celestial damsels lotus flowers. come down to those rivers in their airplanes with their husbands, and after sexual TEXT 30, vana-kunjara-sanghrsta-, enjoyment, they enter the water and enjoy haricandana-vayuna, adhi punyajana-strinam, sprinkling their husbands with water. muhur unmathayan manah,

TEXT 26, yayos tat-snana-vibhrasta-, nava- TRANSLATION kunkuma-pinjaram, vitrso 'pi pibanty ambhah, All these atmospheric influences unsettled the payayanto gaja gajih, forest elephants who flocked together in the sandalwood forest, and the blowing wind TRANSLATION agitated the minds of the damsels there for After the damsels of the heavenly planets bathe further sexual enjoyment. in the water, it becomes yellowish and fragrant due to the kunkuma from their bodies. Thus TEXT 31, vaidurya-krta-sopana, vapya utpala- the elephants come to bathe there with their malinih, praptam kimpurusair drstva, ta arad wives, the she-elephants, and they also drink dadrsur vatam, the water, although they are not thirsty. TRANSLATION TEXT 27, tara-hema-maharatna-, vimana-sata- They also saw that the bathing ghatas and sankulam, justam punyajana-stribhir, yatha kham their staircases were made of vaidurya-mani. satadid-ghanam, The water was full of lotus flowers. Passing by such lakes, the demigods reached a place TRANSLATION where there was a great banyan tree. The airplanes of the heavenly denizens are bedecked with pearls, gold and many valuable TEXT 32, sa yojana-satotsedhah, padona- jewels. The heavenly denizens are compared to vitapayatah, paryak-krtacala-cchayo, nirnidas clouds in the sky decorated with occasional tapa-varjitah, flashes of electric lightning. TRANSLATION TEXT 28, hitva yaksesvara-purim, vanam That banyan tree was eight hundred miles saugandhikam ca tat, drumaih kama-dughair high, and its branches spread over six hundred hrdyam, citra-malya-phala-cchadaih, miles around. The tree cast a fine shade which permanently cooled the temperature, yet there TRANSLATION was no noise of birds. While traveling, the demigods passed over the forest known as Saugandhika, which is full of TEXT 33, tasmin maha-yogamaye, mumuksu- varieties of flowers, fruits and desire trees. sarane surah, dadrsuh sivam asinam, While passing over the forest, they also saw the tyaktamarsam ivantakam, regions of Yaksesvara. TRANSLATION TEXT 29, rakta-kantha-khaganika-, svara- The demigods saw Lord Siva sitting under that mandita-satpadam, kalahamsa-kula-prestham, tree, which was competent to give perfection to kharadanda-jalasayam, mystic yogis and deliver all people. As grave as time eternal, he appeared to have given up all TRANSLATION anger. In that celestial forest there were many birds whose necks were colored reddish and whose 29

TEXT 34, sanandanadyair maha-siddhaih, santaih his left hand was placed on his left thigh. In his samsanta-vigraham, upasyamanam sakhya ca, right hand he held rudraksa beads. This sitting bhartra guhyaka-raksasam, posture is called virasana. He sat in the virasana posture, and his finger was in the TRANSLATION mode of argument. Lord Siva sat there, surrounded by saintly persons like Kuvera, the master of the TEXT 39, tam brahma-nirvana-samadhim Guhyakas, and the four Kumaras, who were asritam, vyupasritam girisam yoga-kaksam,sa- already liberated souls. Lord Siva was grave loka-pala munayo manunam, adyam manum and saintly. pranjalayah pranemuh,

TEXT 35, vidya-tapo-yoga-patham, asthitam tam TRANSLATION adhisvaram, carantam visva-suhrdam, vatsalyal All the sages and demigods, headed by Indra, loka-mangalam, offered their respectful obeisances unto Lord Siva with folded hands. Lord Siva was dressed TRANSLATION in saffron garments and absorbed in trance, The demigods saw Lord Siva situated in his thus appearing to be the foremost of all sages. perfection as the master of the senses, knowledge, fruitive activities and the path of TEXT 40, sa tupalabhyagatam atma-yonim, achieving perfection. He was the friend of the surasuresair abhivanditanghrih, utthaya cakre entire world, and by virtue of his full affection sirasabhivandanam, arhattamah kasya yathaiva for everyone, he was very auspicious. visnuh,

TEXT 36, lingam ca tapasabhistam, bhasma- TRANSLATION danda-jatajinam, angena sandhyabhra-ruca, Lord Siva's lotus feet were worshiped by both candra-lekham ca bibhratam, the demigods and demons, but still, in spite of his exalted position, as soon as he saw that TRANSLATION Lord Brahma was there among all the other He was seated on a deerskin and was demigods, he immediately stood up and practicing all forms of austerity. Because his offered him respect by bowing down and body was smeared with ashes, he looked like touching his lotus feet, just as Vamanadeva an evening cloud. On his hair was the sign of a offered His respectful obeisances to Kasyapa half-moon, a symbolic representation. Muni.

TEXT 37, upavistam darbhamayyam, brsyam TEXT 41, tathapare siddha-gana maharsibhir, brahma sanatanam, naradaya pravocantam, ye vai samantad anu nilalohitam, namaskrtah prcchate srnvatam satam, praha sasanka-sekharam, krta-pranamam prahasann ivatmabhuh, TRANSLATION He was seated on a straw mattress and TRANSLATION speaking to all present, including the great All the sages who were sitting with Lord Siva, sage Narada, to whom he specifically spoke such as Narada and others, also offered their about the Absolute Truth. respectful obeisances to Lord Brahma. After being so worshiped, Lord Brahma, smiling, TEXT 38, krtvorau daksine savyam, pada- began to speak to Lord Siva. padmam ca januni, bahum prakosthe 'ksa-malam, asinam tarka-mudraya, TEXT 42, brahmovaca, jane tvam isam visvasya, jagato yoni-bijayoh, sakteh sivasya ca TRANSLATION param, yat tad brahma nirantaram, His left leg was placed on his right thigh, and 30

TRANSLATION TEXT 46, na vai satam tvac-caranarpitatmanam, Lord Brahma said: My dear Lord Siva, I know bhutesu sarvesv abhipasyatam tava, bhutani that you are the controller of the entire catmany aprthag-didrksatam, prayena roso material manifestation, the combination father 'bhibhaved yatha pasum, and mother of the cosmic manifestation, and the Supreme Brahman beyond the cosmic TRANSLATION manifestation as well. I know you in that way. My dear Lord, devotees who have fully dedicated their lives unto your lotus feet TEXT 43, tvam eva bhagavann etac, chiva- certainly observe your presence as Paramatma saktyoh svarupayoh, visvam srjasi pasy atsi, in each and every being, and as such they do kridann urna-pato yatha, not differentiate between one living being and another. Such persons treat all living entities TRANSLATION equally. They never become overwhelmed by My dear lord, you create this cosmic anger like animals, who can see nothing manifestation, maintain it, and annihilate it by without differentiation. expansion of your personality, exactly as a spider creates, maintains and winds up its web. TEXT 47, prthag-dhiyah karma-drso durasayah, parodayenarpita-hrd-rujo 'nisam, paran duruktair TEXT 44, tvam eva dharmartha- vitudanty aruntudas, tan mavadhid daiva-vadhan dughabhipattaye, daksena sutrena bhavad-vidhah, sasarjithadhvaram, tvayaiva loke 'vasitas ca setavo, yan brahmanah sraddadhate dhrta-vratah, TRANSLATION Persons who observe everything with TRANSLATION differentiation, who are simply attached to My dear lord, Your Lordship has introduced fruitive activities, who are mean minded, who the system of sacrifices through the agency of are always pained to see the flourishing Daksa, and thus one may derive the benefits of condition of others and who thus give distress religious activities and economic development. to them by uttering harsh and piercing words Under your regulative principles, the have already been killed by providence. Thus institution of the four varnas and asramas is there is no need for them to be killed again by respected. The brahmanas therefore vow to an exalted personality like you. follow this system strictly. TEXT 48, yasmin yada puskara-nabha-mayaya, TEXT 45, tvam karmanam mangala mangalanam, durantaya sprsta-dhiyah prthag-drsah, kurvanti kartuh sva-lokam tanuse svah param va, tatra hy anukampaya krpam, na sadhavo daiva- amangalanam ca tamisram ulbanam, balat krte kramam, viparyayah kena tad eva kasyacit, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear lord, if in some places materialists, O most auspicious lord, you have ordained the who are already bewildered by the heavenly planets, the spiritual Vaikuntha insurmountable illusory energy of the planets and the impersonal Brahman sphere as Supreme Godhead, sometimes commit the respective destinations of the performers of offenses, a saintly person, with compassion, auspicious activities. Similarly, for others, who does not take this seriously. Knowing that they are miscreants, you have destined different commit offenses because they are overpowered kinds of hells which are horrible and ghastly. by the illusory energy, he does not show his Yet sometimes it is found that their prowess to counteract them. destinations are just the opposite. It is very difficult to ascertain the cause of this. TEXT 49, bhavams tu pumsah paramasya mayaya, durantayasprsta-matih samasta-drk, 31

taya hatatmasv anukarma-cetahsv, anugraham O destroyer of the sacrifice, please take your kartum iharhasi prabho, portion of the sacrifice and let the sacrifice be completed by your grace. TRANSLATION My dear lord, you are never bewildered by the formidable influence of the illusory energy of Chapter Seven The Sacrifice the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Performed by Daksa Therefore you are omniscient and should be merciful and compassionate toward those who TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, ity ajenanunitena, are bewildered by the same illusory energy and bhavena paritusyata, abhyadhayi maha-baho, are very much attached to fruitive activities. prahasya sruyatam iti,

TEXT 50, kurv adhvarasyoddharanam hatasya TRANSLATION bhoh, tvayasamaptasya mano prajapateh, na yatra The sage Maitreya said: O mighty-armed bhagam tava bhagino daduh, kuyajino yena Vidura, Lord Siva, being thus pacified by the makho niniyate, words of Lord Brahma, spoke as follows in answer to Lord Brahma's request. TRANSLATION My dear Lord Siva, you are a shareholder of a TEXT 2, mahadeva uvaca, nagham prajesa portion of the sacrifice, and you are the giver balanam, varnaye nanucintaye, deva- of the result. The bad priests did not deliver mayabhibhutanam, dandas tatra dhrto maya, your share, and therefore you destroyed everything, and the sacrifice remains TRANSLATION unfinished. Now you can do the needful and Lord Siva said: My dear father, Brahma, I do take your rightful share. not mind the offenses created by the demigods. Because these demigods are childish and less TEXT 51, jivatad yajamano 'yam, intelligent, I do not take a serious view of their prapadyetaksini bhagah, bhrgoh smasruni offenses, and I have punished them only in rohantu, pusno dantas ca purvavat, order to right them.

TRANSLATION TEXT 3, prajapater dagdha-sirsno, bhavatv aja- My dear lord, by your mercy the performer of mukham sirah, mitrasya caksusekseta, bhagam the sacrifice (King Daksa) may get back his svam barhiso bhagah, life, Bhaga may get back his eyes, Bhrgu his mustache, and Pusa his teeth. TRANSLATION Lord Siva continued: Since the head of Daksa TEXT 52, devanam bhagna-gatranam, rtvijam has already been burned to ashes, he will have cayudhasmabhih, bhavatanugrhitanam, asu the head of a goat. The demigod known as manyo 'stv anaturam, Bhaga will be able to see his share of sacrifice through the eyes of Mitra. TRANSLATION O Lord Siva, may the demigods and the priests TEXT 4, pusa tu yajamanasya, dadbhir jaksatu whose limbs have been broken by your soldiers pista-bhuk, devah prakrta-sarvanga, ye ma recover from the injuries by your grace. ucchesanam daduh,

TEXT 53, esa te rudra bhago 'stu,yad-ucchisto TRANSLATION 'dhvarasya vai, yajnas te rudra bhagena, The demigod Pusa will be able to chew only kalpatam adya yajna-han, through the teeth of his disciples, and if alone, he will have to satisfy himself by eating dough TRANSLATION 32

made from chickpea flour. But the demigods TEXT 9, sandhiyamane sirasi, dakso who have agreed to give me my share of the rudrabhiviksitah, sadyah supta ivottasthau, sacrifice will recover from all their injuries. dadrse cagrato mrdam,

TEXT 5, bahubhyam asvinoh pusno, hastabhyam TRANSLATION krta-bahavah, bhavantv adhvaryavas canye, basta- When the animal's head was fixed on the body smasrur bhrgur bhavet, of King Daksa, Daksa was immediately brought to consciousness, and as he awakened TRANSLATION from sleep, the King saw Lord Siva standing Those who have had their arms cut off will before him. have to work with the arms of Asvini-kumara, and those whose hands were cut off will have TEXT 10, tada vrsadhvaja-dvesa-, kalilatma to do their work with the hands of Pusa. The prajapatih, sivavalokad abhavac, charad-dhrada priests will also have to act in that manner. As ivamalah, for Bhrgu, he will have the beard from the goat's head. TRANSLATION At that time, when Daksa saw Lord Siva, who TEXT 6, maitreya uvaca, tada sarvani bhutani, rides upon a bull, his heart, which was polluted srutva midhustamoditam, paritustatmabhis tata, by envy of Lord Siva, was immediately sadhu sadhv ity athabruvan, cleansed, just as the water in a lake is cleansed by autumn rains. TRANSLATION The great sage Maitreya said: My dear TEXT 11, bhava-stavaya krta-dhir, nasaknod Vidura, all the personalities present were very anuragatah, autkanthyad baspa-kalaya, much satisfied in heart and soul upon hearing samparetam sutam smaran, the words of Lord Siva, who is the best among the benedictors. TRANSLATION King Daksa wanted to offer prayers to Lord TEXT 7, tato midhvamsam amantrya, sunasirah Siva, but as he remembered the ill-fated death saharsibhih, bhuyas tad deva-yajanam, sa- of his daughter Sati, his eyes filled with tears, midhvad-vedhaso yayuh, and in bereavement his voice choked up, and he could not say anything. TRANSLATION Thereafter, Bhrgu, the chief of the great sages, TEXT 12, krcchrat samstabhya ca manah, invited Lord Siva to come to the sacrificial prema-vihvalitah sudhih, sasamsa nirvyalikena, arena. Thus the demigods, accompanied by the bhavenesam prajapatih, sages, Lord Siva, and Lord Brahma, all went to the place where the great sacrifice was being TRANSLATION performed. At this time, King Daksa, afflicted by love and affection, was very much awakened to his real TEXT 8, vidhaya kartsnyena ca tad, yad aha senses. With great endeavor, he pacified his bhagavan bhavah, sandadhuh kasya kayena, mind, checked his feelings, and with pure savaniya-pasoh sirah, consciousness began to offer prayers to Lord Siva. TRANSLATION After everything was executed exactly as TEXT 13, daksa uvaca, bhuyan anugraha aho directed by Lord Siva, Daksa's body was bhavata krto me, dandas tvaya mayi bhrto yad joined to the head of the animal meant to be api pralabdhah, na brahma-bandhusu ca vam killed in the sacrifice. bhagavann avajna, tubhyam hares ca kuta eva dhrta-vratesu, 33

TRANSLATION performance of the yajna, along with the great King Daksa said: My dear Lord Siva, I learned sages, the priests and others. committed a great offense against you, but you are so kind that instead of withdrawing your TEXT 17, vaisnavam yajna-santatyai, tri- mercy, you have done me a great favor by kapalam dvijottamah, purodasam niravapan, vira- punishing me. You and Lord Visnu never samsarga-suddhaye, neglect even useless, unqualified brahmanas. Why, then, should you neglect me, who am TRANSLATION engaged in performing sacrifices? Thereafter, in order to resume the activities of sacrifice, the brahmanas first arranged to TEXT 14, vidya-tapo-vrata-dharan mukhatah sma purify the sacrificial arena of the vipran, brahmatma-tattvam avitum prathamam contamination caused by the touch of tvam asrak, tad brahmanan parama sarva-vipatsu Virabhadra and the other ghostly followers of pasi, palah pasun iva vibho pragrhita-dandah, Lord Siva. Then they arranged to offer into the fire the oblations known as purodasa. TRANSLATION My dear great and powerful Lord Siva, you TEXT 18, adhvaryunatta-havisa, yajamano were created first from the mouth of Lord visampate, dhiya visuddhaya dadhyau, tatha Brahma in order to protect the brahmanas in pradurabhud dharih, pursuing education, austerities, vows and self- realization. As protector of the brahmanas, TRANSLATION you always protect the regulative principles The great sage Maitreya said to Vidura: My they follow, just as a cowherd boy keeps a stick dear Vidura, as soon as King Daksa offered in his hand to give protection to the cows. the clarified butter with Yajur Veda mantras in sanctified meditation, Lord Visnu appeared TEXT 15, yo 'sau mayavidita-tattva-drsa there in His original form as Narayana. sabhayam, ksipto durukti-visikhair viganayya tan mam, arvak patantam arhattama-nindayapad, TEXT 19, tada sva-prabhaya tesam, dyotayantya drstyardraya sa bhagavan sva-krtena tusyet, diso dasa, musnams teja upanitas, tarksyena stotra-vajina, TRANSLATION I did not know your full glories. For this TRANSLATION reason, I threw arrows of sharp words at you Lord Narayana was seated on the shoulder of in the open assembly, although you did not Stotra, or Garuda, who had big wings. As soon take them into account. I was going down to as the Lord appeared, all directions were hell because of my disobedience to you, who illuminated, diminishing the luster of Brahma are the most respectable personality, but you and the others present. took compassion upon me and saved me by awarding punishment. I request that you be TEXT 20, syamo hiranya-rasano 'rka-kirita-justo, pleased by your own mercy, since I cannot nilalaka-bhramara-mandita-kundalasyah, satisfy you by my words. sankhabja-cakra-sara-capa-gadasi-carma-, vyagrair hiranmaya-bhujair iva karnikarah, TEXT 16, maitreya uvaca, ksamapyaivam sa midhvamsam, brahmana canumantritah, karma TRANSLATION santanayam asa, sopadhyayartvig-adibhih, His complexion was blackish, His garment yellow like gold, and His helmet as dazzling as TRANSLATION the sun. His hair was bluish, the color of black The great sage Maitreya said: Thus being bees, and His face was decorated with earrings. pardoned by Lord Siva, King Daksa, with the His eight hands held a conchshell, wheel, club, permission of Lord Brahma, again began the lotus flower, arrow, bow, shield and sword, 34

and they were decorated with golden TRANSLATION ornaments such as bangles and bracelets. His Although the mental scope of even demigods whole body resembled a blossoming tree like Brahma was unable to comprehend the beautifully decorated with various kinds of unlimited glories of the Supreme Lord, they flowers. were all able to perceive the transcendental form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead TEXT 21, vaksasy adhisrita-vadhur vana-maly by His grace. Only by such grace could they udara-, hasavaloka-kalaya ramayams ca visvam, offer their respectful prayers according to parsva-bhramad-vyajana-camara-raja-hamsah, their different capacities. svetatapatra-sasinopari rajyamanah, TEXT 25, dakso grhitarhana-sadanottamam, TRANSLATION yajnesvaram visva-srjam param gurum, Lord Visnu looked extraordinarily beautiful sunanda-nandady-anugair vrtam muda, grnan because the goddess of fortune and a garland prapede prayatah krtanjalih, were situated on His chest. His face was beautifully decorated with a smiling attitude TRANSLATION which can captivate the entire world, especially When Lord Visnu accepted the oblations the devotees. Fans of white hair appeared on offered in the sacrifice, Daksa, the Prajapati, both sides of the Lord like white swans, and began with great pleasure to offer respectful the white canopy overhead looked like the prayers unto Him. The Supreme Personality of moon. Godhead is actually the master of all sacrifices and preceptor of all the Prajapatis, and He is TEXT 22, tam upagatam alaksya, sarve sura- served even by such personalities as Nanda ganadayah, pranemuh sahasotthaya, brahmendra- and Sunanda. tryaksa-nayakah, TEXT 26, daksa uvaca, suddham sva-dhamny TRANSLATION uparatakhila-buddhy-avastham, cin-matram ekam As soon as Lord Visnu was visible, all the abhayam pratisidhya mayam, tisthams tayaiva demigods--Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, the purusatvam upetya tasyam, aste bhavan Gandharvas and all present there-- aparisuddha ivatma-tantrah, immediately offered their respectful obeisances by falling down straight before Him. TRANSLATION Daksa addressed the Supreme Personality of TEXT 23, tat-tejasa hata-rucah, sanna-jihvah sa- Godhead: My dear Lord, You are sadhvasah, murdhna dhrtanjali-puta, upatasthur transcendental to all speculative positions. You adhoksajam, are completely spiritual, devoid of all fear, and You are always in control of the material TRANSLATION energy. Even though You appear in the In the presence of the glaring effulgence of the material energy, You are situated bodily luster of Narayana, everyone else's transcendentally. You are always free from luster faded away, and everyone stopped material contamination because You are speaking. Fearful with awe and veneration, all completely self-sufficient. present touched their hands to their heads and prepared to offer their prayers to the Supreme TEXT 27, rtvija ucuh, tattvam na te vayam Personality of Godhead, Adhoksaja. ananjana rudra-sapat, karmany avagraha-dhiyo bhagavan vidamah, dharmopalaksanam idam TEXT 24, apy arvag-vrttayo yasya, mahi tv trivrd adhvarakhyam, jnatam yad-artham atmabhuv-adayah, yatha-mati grnanti sma, adhidaivam ado vyavasthah, krtanugraha-vigraham, TRANSLATION 35

The priests addressed the Lord, saying: O disturbed by persons who blaspheme me, Lord, transcendental to material claiming that my activities are not purified. I contamination, by the curse offered by Lord do not mind their accusations, and I excuse Siva's men we have become attached to fruitive them out of compassion, just as You exhibit activities, and thus we are now fallen and compassion toward all living entities. therefore do not know anything about You. On the contrary, we are now involved in the TEXT 30, bhrgur uvaca, yan mayaya injunctions of the three departments of the gahanayapahrtatma-bodha, brahmadayas tanu- Vedic knowledge under the plea of executing bhrtas tamasi svapantah, natman-sritam tava rituals in the name of yajna. We know that vidanty adhunapi tattvam, so 'yam prasidatu You have made arrangements for distributing bhavan pranatatma-bandhuh, the respective shares of the demigods. TRANSLATION TEXT 28, sadasya ucuh, utpatty-adhvany asarana Sri Bhrgu said: My dear Lord, all living uru-klesa-durge 'ntakogra-, vyalanviste visaya- entities, beginning from the highest, namely mrga-trsy atma-gehoru-bharah, dvandva-svabhre Lord Brahma, down to the ordinary ant, are khala-mrga-bhaye soka-dave 'jna-sarthah, under the influence of the insurmountable padaukas te saranada kada yati kamopasrstah, spell of illusory energy, and thus they are ignorant of their constitutional position. TRANSLATION Everyone believes in the concept of the body, The members of the assembly addressed the and all are thus submerged in the darkness of Lord: O exclusive shelter for all who are illusion. They are actually unable to situated in troubled life, in this formidable fort understand how You live in every living entity of conditional existence the time element, like a as the Supersoul, nor can they understand snake, is always looking for an opportunity to Your absolute position. But You are the strike. This world is full of ditches of so-called eternal friend and protector of all surrendered distress and happiness, and there are many souls. Therefore, please be kind toward us and ferocious animals always ready to attack. The forgive all our offenses. fire of lamentation is always blazing, and the mirage of false happiness is always alluring, TEXT 31, brahmovaca, naitat svarupam bhavato but one has no shelter from them. Thus foolish 'sau padartha-, bheda-grahaih puruso yavad ikset, persons live in the cycle of birth and death, jnanasya carthasya gunasya casrayo, always overburdened in discharging their so- mayamayad vyatirikto matas tvam, called duties, and we do not know when they will accept the shelter of Your lotus feet. TRANSLATION Lord Brahma said: My dear Lord, Your TEXT 29, rudra uvaca, tava varada varanghrav personality and eternal form cannot be asisehakhilarthe, hy api munibhir asaktair understood by any person who is trying to adarenarhaniye, yadi racita-dhiyam mavidya-loko know You through the different processes of 'paviddham, japati na ganaye tat tvat- acquiring knowledge. Your position is always paranugrahena, transcendental to the material creation, whereas the empiric attempt to understand TRANSLATION You is material, as are its objectives and Lord Siva said: My dear Lord, my mind and instruments. consciousness are always fixed on Your lotus feet, which, as the source of all benediction and TEXT 32, indra uvaca, idam apy acyuta visva- the fulfillment of all desires, are worshiped by bhavanam, vapur ananda-karam mano-drsam, all liberated great sages because Your lotus sura-vidvit-ksapanair udayudhair, bhuja-dandair feet are worthy of worship. With my mind upapannam astabhih, fixed on Your lotus feet, I am no longer 36

TRANSLATION Your transcendental pastimes, and they desire King Indra said: My dear Lord, Your never to leave such transcendental bliss, which transcendental form with eight hands and is as good as the pleasure of merging in the weapons in each of them appears for the Absolute. welfare of the entire universe, and it is very pleasing to the mind and eyes. In such a form, TEXT 36, yajamany uvaca, svagatam te prasidesa Your Lordship is always prepared to punish tubhyam namah, srinivasa sriya kantaya trahi nah, the demons, who are envious of Your devotees. tvam rte 'dhisa nangair makhah sobhate, sirsa- hinah ka-bandho yatha purusah, TEXT 33, patnya ucuh, yajno 'yam tava yajanaya kena srsto, vidhvastah pasupatinadya daksa- TRANSLATION kopat, tam nas tvam sava-sayanabha-santa- The wife of Daksa prayed as follows: My dear medham, yajnatman nalina-ruca drsa punihi, Lord, it is very fortunate that You have appeared in this arena of sacrifice. I offer my TRANSLATION respectful obeisances unto You, and I request The wives of the performers of the sacrifice that You be pleased on this occasion. The said: My dear Lord, this sacrifice was sacrificial arena is not beautiful without You, arranged under the instruction of Brahma, but just as a body is not beautiful without the unfortunately Lord Siva, being angry at head. Daksa, devastated the entire scene, and because of his anger the animals meant for TEXT 37, lokapala ucuh, drstah kim no drgbhir sacrifice are lying dead. Therefore the asad-grahais tvam, pratyag-drasta drsyate yena preparations of the yajna have been lost. Now, visvam, maya hy esa bhavadiya hi bhuman, yas by the glance of Your lotus eyes, the sanctity of tvam sasthah pancabhir bhasi bhutaih, this sacrificial arena may be again invoked. TRANSLATION TEXT 34, rsaya ucuh, ananvitam te bhagavan The governors of various planets spoke as vicestitam, yad atmana carasi hi karma najyase, follows: Dear Lord, we believe only in our vibhutaye yata upasedur isvarim, na manyate direct perception, but under the circumstances svayam anuvartatim bhavan, we do not know whether we have actually seen You with our material senses. By our material TRANSLATION senses we can simply perceive the cosmic The sages prayed: Dear Lord, Your activities manifestation, but You are beyond the five are most wonderful, and although You do elements. You are the sixth. We see You, everything by Your different potencies, You therefore, as a creation of the material world. are not at all attached to such activities. You are not even attached to the goddess of fortune, TEXT 38, yogesvara ucuh, preyan na te 'nyo 'sty who is worshiped by the great demigods like amutas tvayi prabho, visvatmaniksen na prthag ya Brahma, who pray to achieve her mercy. atmanah, athapi bhaktyesa tayopadhavatam, ananya-vrttyanugrhana vatsala, TEXT 35, siddha ucuh, ayam tvat-katha-mrsta- piyusa-nadyam, mano-varanah klesa-davagni- TRANSLATION dagdhah, trsarto 'vagadho na sasmara davam, na The great mystics said: Dear Lord, persons niskramati brahma-sampannavan nah, who see You as nondifferent from themselves, knowing that You are the Supersoul of all TRANSLATION living entities, are certainly very, very dear to The Siddhas prayed: Like an elephant that has You. You are very favorable toward those who suffered in a forest fire but can forget all its engage in devotional service, accepting You as troubles by entering a river, our minds, O the Lord and themselves as the servants. By Lord, always merge in the nectarean river of 37

Your mercy, You are always inclined in their favor. TEXT 42, deva ucuh, pura kalpapaye sva-krtam udari-krtya vikrtam, tvam evadyas tasmin salila TEXT 39, jagad-udbhava-sthiti-layesu daivato, uragendradhisayane, puman sese siddhair hrdi bahu-bhidyamana-gunayatma-mayaya, vimrsitadhyatma-padavih, sa evadyaksnor yah racitatma-bheda-mataye sva-samsthaya, pathi carasi bhrtyan avasi nah, vinivartita-bhrama-gunatmane namah, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The demigods said: Dear Lord, formerly, when We offer our respectful obeisances unto the there was a devastation, You conserved all the Supreme, who has created varieties of different energies of material manifestation. At manifestations and put them under the spell of that time, all the inhabitants of the higher the three qualities of the material world in planets, represented by such liberated souls as order to create, maintain and annihilate them. Sanaka, were meditating on You by He Himself is not under the control of the philosophical speculation. You are therefore external energy; in His personal feature He is the original person, and You rest in the water completely devoid of the variegated of devastation on the bed of the Sesa snake. manifestation of material qualities, and He is Now, today, You are visible to us, who are all under no illusion of false identification. Your servants. Please give us protection.

TEXT 40, brahmovaca, namas te srita-sattvaya, TEXT 43, gandharva ucuh, amsamsas te deva dharmadinam ca sutaye, nirgunaya ca yat- maricy-adaya ete, brahmendradya deva-gana kastham, naham vedapare 'pi ca, rudra-purogah, krida-bhandam visvam idam yasya vibhuman, tasmai nityam natha namas te TRANSLATION karavama, The personified Vedas said: We offer our respectful obeisances unto You, the Lord, the TRANSLATION shelter of the quality of goodness and therefore The Gandharvas said: Dear Lord, all the the source of all religion, austerity and demigods, including Lord Siva, Lord Brahma, penance, for You are transcendental to all Indra and Marici and the great sages, are all material qualities and no one knows You or only differentiated parts and parcels of Your Your actual situation. body. You are the Supreme Almighty Great; the whole creation is just like a plaything for TEXT 41, agnir uvaca, yat-tejasaham You. We always accept You as the Supreme susamiddha-teja, havyam vahe svadhvara ajya- Personality of Godhead, and we offer our siktam, tam yajniyam panca-vidham ca respectful obeisances unto You. pancabhih, svistam yajurbhih pranato 'smi yajnam, TEXT 44, vidyadhara ucuh, tvan-mayayartham abhipadya kalevare 'smin, krtva mamaham iti TRANSLATION durmatir utpathaih svaih, ksipto 'py asad-visaya- The fire-god said: My dear Lord, I offer my lalasa atma-moham, yusmat-kathamrta-nisevaka respectful obeisances unto You because by udvyudasyet, Your favor I am as luminous as blazing fire and I accept the offerings mixed with butter TRANSLATION and offered in sacrifice. The five kinds of The Vidyadharas said: Dear Lord, this human offerings according to the Yajur Veda are all form of body is meant for attaining the highest Your different energies, and You are perfectional objective, but, impelled by Your worshiped by five kinds of Vedic hymns. external energy, the living entity misidentifies Sacrifice means Your Supreme Personality of himself with his body and with the material Godhead. energy, and therefore, influenced by maya, he 38 wants to become happy by material enjoyment. because we have been unable to perform the He is misled and always attracted by yajnas according to the Vedic rituals. We pray temporary, illusory happiness. But Your unto You, therefore, to be pleased with us. transcendental activities are so powerful that if Simply by chanting Your holy name, one can one engages in the hearing and chanting of surpass all obstacles. We offer our respectful such topics, he can be delivered from illusion. obeisances unto You in Your presence.

TEXT 45, brahmana ucuh, tvam kratus tvam TEXT 48, maitreya uvaca, iti daksah kavir havis tvam hutasah svayam, tvam hi mantrah yajnam, bhadra rudrabhimarsitam, kirtyamane samid-darbha-patrani ca, tvam sadasyartvijo hrsikese, sanninye yajna-bhavane, dampati devata, agnihotram svadha soma ajyam pasuh, TRANSLATION Sri Maitreya said: After Lord Visnu was TRANSLATION glorified by all present, Daksa, his The brahmanas said: Dear Lord, You are consciousness purified, arranged to begin sacrifice personified. You are the offering of again the yajna which had been devastated by clarified butter, You are the fire, You are the the followers of Lord Siva. chanting of Vedic hymns by which the sacrifice is conducted, You are the fuel, You are the TEXT 49, bhagavan svena bhagena, sarvatma flame, You are the kusa grass, and You are the sarva-bhaga-bhuk, daksam babhasa abhasya, sacrificial pots. You are the priests who priyamana ivanagha, perform the yajna, You are the demigods headed by Indra, and You are the sacrificial TRANSLATION animal. Everything that is sacrificed is You or Maitreya continued: My dear sinless Vidura, Your energy. Lord Visnu is actually the enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices. Yet because of His TEXT 46, tvam pura gam rasaya maha-sukaro, being the Supersoul of all living entities, He damstraya padminim varanendro yatha, was satisfied simply with His share of the stuyamano nadal lilaya yogibhir, vyujjahartha sacrificial offerings. He therefore addressed trayi-gatra yajna-kratuh, Daksa in a pleasing attitude.

TRANSLATION TEXT 50, sri-bhagavan uvaca, aham brahma ca Dear Lord, O personified Vedic knowledge, in sarvas ca, jagatah karanam param, atmesvara the past millennium, long, long ago, when You upadrasta, svayan-drg avisesanah, appeared as the great boar incarnation, You picked up the world from the water, as an TRANSLATION elephant picks up a lotus flower from a lake. Lord Visnu replied: Brahma, Lord Siva and I When You vibrated transcendental sound in are the supreme cause of the material that gigantic form of a boar, the sound was manifestation. I am the Supersoul, the self accepted as a sacrificial hymn, and great sages sufficient witness. But impersonally there is no like Sanaka meditated upon it and offered difference between Brahma, Lord Siva and prayers for Your glorification. Me.

TEXT 47, sa prasida tvam asmakam akanksatam, TEXT 51, atma-mayam samavisya, so 'ham darsanam te paribhrasta-sat-karmanam, gunamayim dvija, srjan raksan haran visvam, kirtyamane nrbhir namni yajnesa te, yajna- dadhre samjnam kriyocitam, vighnah ksayam yanti tasmai namah, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The Lord continued: My dear Daksa Dvija, I Dear Lord, we were awaiting Your audience am the original Personality of Godhead, but in 39

order to create, maintain and annihilate this ceremonies, Daksa separately worshiped Lord cosmic manifestation, I act through My Brahma and Lord Siva. material energy, and according to the different grades of activity, My representations are TEXT 56, rudram ca svena bhagena, hy differently named. upadhavat samahitah, karmanodavasanena, somapan itaran api, udavasya sahartvigbhih, TEXT 52, tasmin brahmany advitiye, kevale sasnav avabhrtham tatah, paramatmani, brahma-rudrau ca bhutani, bhedenajno 'nupasyati, TRANSLATION With all respect, Daksa worshiped Lord Siva TRANSLATION with his share of the remnants of the yajna. The Lord continued: One who is not in proper After finishing the ritualistic sacrificial knowledge thinks that demigods like Brahma activities, he satisfied all the other demigods and Siva are independent, or he even thinks and the other people assembled there. Then, that the living entities are independent. after finishing all these duties with the priests, he took a bath and was fully satisfied. TEXT 53, yatha puman na svangesu, sirah-pany- adisu kvacit, parakya-buddhim kurute, evam TEXT 57, tasma apy anubhavena, svenaivavapta- bhutesu mat-parah, radhase, dharma eva matim dattva, tridasas te divam yayuh, TRANSLATION A person with average intelligence does not TRANSLATION think the head and other parts of the body to Thus worshiping the Supreme Lord Visnu by be separate. Similarly, My devotee does not the ritualistic performance of sacrifice, Daksa differentiate Visnu, the all-pervading was completely situated on the religious path. Personality of Godhead, from any thing or any Moreover, all the demigods who had living entity. assembled at the sacrifice blessed him that he might increase his piety, and then they left. TEXT 54, trayanam eka-bhavanam, yo na pasyati vai bhidam, sarva-bhutatmanam brahman, sa TEXT 58, evam daksayani hitva, sati purva- santim adhigacchati, kalevaram, jajne himavatah ksetre, menayam iti susruma, TRANSLATION The Lord continued: One who does not TRANSLATION consider Brahma, Visnu, Siva or the living Maitreya said: I have heard that after giving entities in general to be separate from the up the body she had received from Daksa, Supreme, and who knows Brahman, actually Daksayani (his daughter) took her birth in the realizes peace; others do not. kingdom of the Himalayas. She was born as the daughter of Mena. I heard this from TEXT 55, maitreya uvaca, evam authoritative sources. bhagavatadistah, prajapati-patir harim, arcitva kratuna svena, devan ubhayato 'yajat, TEXT 59, tam eva dayitam bhuya, avrnkte patim ambika, ananya-bhavaika-gatim, saktih supteva TRANSLATION purusam, The sage Maitreya said: Thus Daksa, the head of all Prajapatis, having been nicely instructed TRANSLATION by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Ambika [goddess Durga], who was known as worshiped Lord Visnu. After worshiping Him Daksayini [Sati], again accepted Lord Siva as by performing the prescribed sacrificial her husband, just as different energies of the 40

Supreme Personality of Godhead act during whose wife's name was Falsity. From their the course of a new creation. combination were born two demons named Dambha, or Bluffing, and Maya, or Cheating. TEXT 60, etad bhagavatah sambhoh, karma These two demons were taken by a demon daksadhvara-druhah, srutam bhagavatac chisyad, named Nirrti, who had no children. uddhavan me brhaspateh, TEXT 3, tayoh samabhaval lobho, nikrtis ca TRANSLATION maha-mate, tabhyam krodhas ca himsa ca, yad Maitreya said: My dear Vidura, I heard this duruktih svasa kalih, story of the Daksa yajna, which was devastated by Lord Siva, from Uddhava, a great devotee TRANSLATION and a disciple of Brhaspati. Maitreya told Vidura: O great soul, from Dambha and Maya were born Greed and TEXT 61, idam pavitram param isa-cestitam, Nikrti, or Cunning. From their combination yasasyam ayusyam aghaugha-marsanam, yo came children named Krodha (Anger) and nityadakarnya naro 'nukirtayed, dhunoty agham Himsa (Envy), and from their combination kaurava bhakti-bhavatah, were born Kali and his sister Durukti (Harsh Speech). TRANSLATION The great sage Maitreya concluded: If one TEXT 4, duruktau kalir adhatta, bhayam mrtyum hears and again narrates, with faith and ca sattama, tayos ca mithunam jajne, yatana devotion, this story of the Daksa yajna as it nirayas tatha, was conducted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, then certainly one is cleared TRANSLATION of all contamination of material existence, O O greatest of all good men, by the combination son of Kuru. of Kali and Harsh Speech were born children named Mrtyu (Death) and Bhiti (Fear). From the combination of Mrtyu and Bhiti came Chapter Eight Dhruva Maharaja children named Yatana (Excessive Pain) and Leaves Home for the Forest Niraya (Hell).

TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, sanakadya naradas ca, TEXT 5, sangrahena mayakhyatah, pratisargas rbhur hamso 'runir yatih, naite grhan brahma-suta, tavanagha, trih srutvaitat puman punyam, hy avasann urdhva-retasah, vidhunoty atmano malam,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The great sage Maitreya said: The four great My dear Vidura, I have summarily explained Kumara sages headed by Sanaka, as well as the causes of devastation. One who hears this Narada, Rbhu, Hamsa, Aruni and Yati, all description three times attains piety and sons of Brahma did not live at home, but washes the sinful contamination from his soul. became urdhva-reta, or naisthika- brahmacaris, unadulterated celibates. TEXT 6, athatah kirtaye vamsam, punya-kirteh kurudvaha, svayambhuvasyapi manor, harer TEXT 2, mrsadharmasya bharyasid, dambham amsamsa-janmanah, mayam ca satru-han, asuta mithunam tat tu, nirrtir jagrhe 'prajah, TRANSLATION Maitreya continued: O best of the Kuru TRANSLATION dynasty, I shall now describe before you the Another son of Lord Brahma was Irreligion, descendants of Svayambhuva Manu, who was 41

born of a part of a plenary expansion of the api nrpatmajah, Supreme Personality of Godhead. TRANSLATION TEXT 7, priyavratottanapadau, satarupa-pateh Queen Suruci told Dhruva Maharaja: My dear sutau, vasudevasya kalaya, raksayam jagatah child, you do not deserve to sit on the throne or sthitau, on the lap of the King. Surely you are also the son of the King, but because you did not take TRANSLATION your birth from my womb, you are not Svayambhuva Manu had two sons by his wife, qualified to sit on your father's lap. Satarupa, and the names of the sons were Uttanapada and Priyavrata. Because both of TEXT 12, balo 'si bata natmanam, anya-stri- them were descendants of a plenary expansion garbha-sambhrtam, nunam veda bhavan yasya, of Vasudeva, the Supreme Personality of durlabhe 'rthe manorathah, Godhead, they were very competent to rule the universe to maintain and protect the citizens. TRANSLATION My dear child, you are unaware that you were TEXT 8, jaye uttanapadasya, sunitih surucis born not of my womb but of another woman. tayoh, surucih preyasi patyur, netara yat-suto Therefore you should know that your attempt dhruvah, is doomed to failure. You are trying to fulfill a desire which is impossible to fulfill. TRANSLATION King Uttanapada had two queens, named TEXT 13, tapasaradhya purusam, Suniti and Suruci. Suruci was much more dear tasyaivanugrahena me, garbhe tvam to the King; Suniti, who had a son named sadhayatmanam, yadicchasi nrpasanam, Dhruva, was not his favorite. TRANSLATION TEXT 9, ekada suruceh putram, ankam aropya If you at all desire to rise to the throne of the lalayan, uttamam naruruksantam, dhruvam King, then you have to undergo severe rajabhyanandata, austerities. First of all you must satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, TRANSLATION and then, when you are favored by Him Once upon a time, King Uttanapada was because of such worship, you shall have to take patting the son of Suruci, Uttama, placing him your next birth from my womb. on his lap. Dhruva Maharaja was also trying to get on the King's lap, but the King did not TEXT 14, maitreya uvaca, matuh sapatnyah sa very much welcome him. durukti-viddhah, svasan rusa danda-hato yathahih, hitva misantam pitaram sanna-vacam, TEXT 10, tatha cikirsamanam tam, sapatnyas jagama matuh prarudan sakasam, tanayam dhruvam, surucih srnvato rajnah, sersyam ahatigarvita, TRANSLATION The sage Maitreya continued: My dear TRANSLATION Vidura, as a snake, when struck by a stick, While the child, Dhruva Maharaja, was trying breathes very heavily, Dhruva Maharaja, to get on the lap of his father, Suruci, his having been struck by the strong words of his stepmother, became very envious of the child, stepmother, began to breathe very heavily and with great pride she began to speak so as because of great anger. When he saw that his to be heard by the King himself. father was silent and did not protest, he immediately left the palace and went to his TEXT 11, na vatsa nrpater dhisnyam, bhavan mother. arodhum arhati, na grhito maya yat tvam, kuksav 42

TEXT 15, tam nihsvasantam sphuritadharostham, father, does not consider me his wife or even sunitir utsanga uduhya balam, nisamya tat-paura- his maidservant. He feels ashamed to accept mukhan nitantam, sa vivyathe yad gaditam me. Therefore it is a fact that you have taken sapatnya, birth from the womb of an unfortunate woman, and by being fed from her breast you TRANSLATION have grown up. When Dhruva Maharaja reached his mother, his lips were trembling in anger, and he was TEXT 19, atistha tat tata vimatsaras tvam, crying very grievously. Queen Suniti uktam samatrapi yad avyalikam, immediately lifted her son onto her lap, while aradhayadhoksaja-pada-padmam, yadicchase the palace residents who had heard all the 'dhyasanam uttamo yatha, harsh words of Suruci related everything in detail. Thus Suniti also became greatly TRANSLATION aggrieved. My dear boy, whatever has been spoken by Suruci, your stepmother, although very harsh TEXT 16, sotsrjya dhairyam vilalapa soka-, to hear, is factual. Therefore, if you desire at davagnina dava-lateva bala, vakyam sapatnyah all to sit on the same throne as your smarati saroja-,sriya drsa baspa-kalam uvaha, stepbrother, Uttama, then give up your envious attitude and immediately try to TRANSLATION execute the instructions of your stepmother. This incident was unbearable to Suniti's Without further delay, you must engage patience. She began to burn as if in a forest yourself in worshiping the lotus feet of the fire, and in her grief she became just like a Supreme Personality of Godhead. burnt leaf and so lamented. As she remembered the words of her co-wife, her TEXT 20, yasyanghri-padmam paricarya visva-, bright, lotuslike face filled with tears, and thus vibhavanayatta-gunabhipatteh, ajo 'dhyatisthat she spoke. khalu paramesthyam, padam jitatma- svasanabhivandyam, TEXT 17, dirgham svasanti vrjinasya param, apasyati balakam aha bala, mamangalam tata TRANSLATION paresu mamstha, bhunkte jano yat para- Suniti continued: The Supreme Personality of duhkhadas tat, Godhead is so great that simply by worshiping His lotus feet, your great-grandfather, Lord TRANSLATION Brahma, acquired the necessary qualifications She also was breathing very heavily, and she to create this universe. Although he is unborn did not know the factual remedy for the and is the chief of all living creatures, he is painful situation. Not finding any remedy, she situated in that exalted post because of the said to her son: My dear son, don't wish for mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, anything inauspicious for others. Anyone who whom even great yogis worship by controlling inflicts pains upon others suffers himself from the mind and regulating the life air [prana]. that pain. TEXT 21, tatha manur vo bhagavan pitamaho, TEXT 18, satyam surucyabhihitam bhavan yam eka-matya puru-daksinair makhaih, me,yad durbhagaya udare grhitah, stanyena istvabhipede duravapam anyato, bhaumam vrddhas ca vilajjate yam, bharyeti va vodhum sukham divyam athapavargyam, idaspatir mam, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Suniti informed her son: Your grandfather Suniti said: My dear boy, whatever has been Svayambhuva Manu executed great sacrifices spoken by Suruci is so, because the King, your with distribution of charity, and thereby, with 43

unflinching faith and devotion, he worshiped desired objective. Therefore, after deliberate and satisfied the Supreme Personality of consideration and with intelligence and fixed Godhead. By acting in that way, he achieved determination, he left his father's house. the greatest success in material happiness and afterwards achieved liberation, which is TEXT 25, naradas tad upakarnya, jnatva tasya impossible to obtain by worshiping the cikirsitam, sprstva murdhany agha-ghnena, demigods. panina praha vismitah,

TEXT 22, tam eva vatsasraya bhrtya-vatsalam, TRANSLATION mumuksubhir mrgya-padabja-paddhatim, The great sage Narada overheard this news, ananya-bhave nija-dharma-bhavite, manasy and understanding all the activities of Dhruva avasthapya bhajasva purusam, Maharaja, he was struck with wonder. He approached Dhruva, and touching the boy's TRANSLATION head with his all-virtuous hand, he spoke as My dear boy, you also should take shelter of follows. the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is very kind to His devotees. Persons seeking TEXT 26, aho tejah ksatriyanam, mana-bhangam liberation from the cycle of birth and death amrsyatam, balo 'py ayam hrda dhatte, yat always take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord samatur asad-vacah, in devotional service. Becoming purified by executing your allotted occupation, just situate TRANSLATION the Supreme Personality of Godhead in your How wonderful are the powerful ksatriyas. heart, and without deviating for a moment, They cannot tolerate even a slight engage always in His service. infringement upon their prestige. Just imagine! This boy is only a small child, yet TEXT 23, nanyam tatah padma-palasa-locanad, harsh words from his stepmother proved duhkha-cchidam te mrgayami kancana, yo unbearable to him. mrgyate hasta-grhita-padmaya, sriyetarair anga vimrgyamanaya, TEXT 27, narada uvaca, nadhunapy avamanam te, sammanam vapi putraka, laksayamah TRANSLATION kumarasya, saktasya kridanadisu, My dear Dhruva, as far as I am concerned, I do not find anyone who can mitigate your TRANSLATION distress but the Supreme Personality of The great sage Narada told Dhruva: My dear Godhead, whose eyes are like lotus petals. boy, you are only a little boy whose attachment Many demigods such as Lord Brahma seek the is to sports and other frivolities. Why are you pleasure of the goddess of fortune, but the so affected by words insulting your honor? goddess of fortune herself, with a lotus flower in her hand, is always ready to render service TEXT 28, vikalpe vidyamane 'pi, na hy asantosa- to the Supreme Lord. hetavah, pumso moham rte bhinna, yal loke nija- karmabhih, TEXT 24, maitreya uvaca, evam sanjalpitam matur, akarnyarthagamam vacah, TRANSLATION sanniyamyatmanatmanam, niscakrama pituh My dear Dhruva, if you feel that your sense of purat, honor has been insulted, you still have no cause for dissatisfaction. This kind of TRANSLATION dissatisfaction is another feature of the illusory The great sage Maitreya continued: The energy; every living entity is controlled by his instruction of Dhruva Maharaja's mother, previous actions, and therefore there are Suniti, was actually meant for fulfilling his 44

different varieties of life for enjoying or chance for these mystic performances. At that suffering. time you may execute this function.

TEXT 29, paritusyet tatas tata, tavan-matrena TEXT 33, yasya yad daiva-vihitam, sa tena purusah, daivopasaditam yavad, viksyesvara- sukha-duhkhayoh, atmanam tosayan dehi, gatim budhah, tamasah param rcchati,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The process of the Supreme Personality of One should try to keep himself satisfied in any Godhead is very wonderful. One who is condition of life--whether distress or intelligent should accept that process and be happiness--which is offered by the supreme satisfied with whatever comes, favorable or will. A person who endures in this way is able unfavorable, by His supreme will. to cross over the darkness of nescience very easily. TEXT 30, atha matropadistena, yogenavarurutsasi, yat-prasadam sa vai pumsam, TEXT 34, gunadhikan mudam lipsed, duraradhyo mato mama, anukrosam gunadhamat, maitrim samanad anvicchen, na tapair abhibhuyate, TRANSLATION Now you have decided to undertake the mystic TRANSLATION process of meditation under the instruction of Every man should act like this: when he meets your mother, just to achieve the mercy of the a person more qualified than himself, he Lord, but in my opinion such austerities are should be very pleased; when he meets not possible for any ordinary man. It is very someone less qualified than himself, he should difficult to satisfy the Supreme Personality of be compassionate toward him; and when he Godhead. meets someone equal to himself, he should make friendship with him. In this way one is TEXT 31, munayah padavim yasya, never affected by the threefold miseries of this nihsangenoru-janmabhih, na vidur mrgayanto 'pi, material world. tivra-yoga-samadhina, TEXT 35, dhruva uvaca, so 'yam samo TRANSLATION bhagavata, sukha-duhkha-hatatmanam, darsitah Narada Muni continued: After trying this krpaya pumsam, durdarso 'smad-vidhais tu yah, process for many, many births and remaining unattached to material contamination, placing TRANSLATION themselves continually in trance and executing Dhruva Maharaja said: My dear Lord many types of austerities, many mystic yogis Naradaji, for a person whose heart is were unable to find the end of the path of God disturbed by the material conditions of realization. happiness and distress, whatever you have so kindly explained for attainment of peace of TEXT 32, ato nivartatam esa, nirbandhas tava mind is certainly a very good instruction. But nisphalah, yatisyati bhavan kale, sreyasam as far as I am concerned, I am covered by samupasthite, ignorance, and this kind of philosophy does not touch my heart. TRANSLATION For this reason, my dear boy, you should not TEXT 36, athapi me 'vinitasya, ksattram ghoram endeavor for this; it will not be successful. It is upeyusah, surucya durvaco-banair, na bhinne better that you go home. When you are grown srayate hrdi, up, by the mercy of the Lord you will get a TRANSLATION 45

My dear lord, I am very impudent for not The instruction given by your mother, Suniti, accepting your instructions, but this is not my to follow the path of devotional service to the fault. It is due to my having been born in a Supreme Personality of Godhead, is just ksatriya family. My stepmother, Suruci, has suitable for you. You should therefore pierced my heart with her harsh words. completely absorb yourself in the devotional Therefore your valuable instruction does not service of the Lord. stand in my heart. TEXT 41, dharmartha-kama-moksakhyam, ya TEXT 37, padam tri-bhuvanotkrstam, jigisoh icchec chreya atmanah, ekam hy eva hares tatra, sadhu vartma me, bruhy asmat-pitrbhir brahmann, karanam pada-sevanam, anyair apy anadhisthitam, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Any person who desires the fruits of the four O learned brahmana, I want to occupy a principles religiosity, economic development, position more exalted than any yet achieved sense gratification and, at the end, liberation, within the three worlds by anyone, even by my should engage himself in the devotional service fathers and grandfathers. If you will oblige, of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for kindly advise me of an honest path to follow by worship of His lotus feet yields the fulfillment which I can achieve the goal of my life. of all of these.

TEXT 38, nunam bhavan bhagavato, yo 'ngajah TEXT 42, tat tata gaccha bhadram te, yamunayas paramesthinah, vitudann atate vinam, hitaya tatam suci, punyam madhuvanam yatra, jagato 'rkavat, sannidhyam nityada hareh,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear lord, you are a worthy son of Lord My dear boy, I therefore wish all good fortune Brahma, and you travel, playing on your for you. You should go to the bank of the musical instrument, the vina, for the welfare of Yamuna, where there is a virtuous forest the entire universe. You are like the sun, which named Madhuvana, and there be purified. Just rotates in the universe for the benefit of all by going there, one draws nearer to the living beings. Supreme Personality of Godhead, who always lives there. TEXT 39, maitreya uvaca, ity udahrtam akarnya, bhagavan naradas tada, pritah pratyaha tam TEXT 43, snatvanusavanam tasmin, kalindyah balam, sad-vakyam anukampaya, salile sive, krtvocitani nivasann, atmanah kalpitasanah, TRANSLATION The sage Maitreya continued: The great TRANSLATION personality Narada Muni, upon hearing the Narada Muni instructed: My dear boy, in the words of Dhruva Maharaja, became very waters of the Yamuna River, which is known compassionate toward him, and in order to as Kalindi, you should take three baths daily show him his causeless mercy, he gave him the because the water is very auspicious, sacred following expert advice. and clear. After bathing, you should perform the necessary regulative principles for astanga- TEXT 40, narada uvaca, jananyabhihitah yoga and then sit down on your asana [sitting panthah, sa vai nihsreyasasya te, bhagavan place] in a calm and quiet position. vasudevas tam, bhaja tam pravanatmana, TEXT 44, pranayamena tri-vrta, pranendriya- TRANSLATION mano-malam, sanair vyudasyabhidhyayen, The great sage Narada told Dhruva Maharaja: manasa guruna gurum, 46

manifest with four hands, which hold TRANSLATION [beginning from the lower left hand] a After sitting on your seat, practice the three conchshell, wheel, club and lotus flower. kinds of breathing exercises, and thus gradually control the life air, the mind and the TEXT 48, kiritinam kundalinam, keyura- senses. Completely free yourself from all valayanvitam, kaustubhabharana-grivam, pita- material contamination, and with great kauseya-vasasam, patience begin to meditate on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. TRANSLATION The entire body of the Supreme Personality of TEXT 45, prasadabhimukham sasvat, prasanna- Godhead, Vasudeva, is decorated. He wears a vadaneksanam, sunasam subhruvam caru-, valuable jeweled helmet, necklaces and kapolam sura-sundaram, bracelets, His neck is adorned with the Kaustubha jewel, and He is dressed in yellow TRANSLATION silk garments. [The form of the Lord is described herein.] The Lord's face is perpetually very beautiful TEXT 49, kanci-kalapa-paryastam, lasat-kancana- and pleasing in attitude. To the devotees who nupuram, darsaniyatamam santam, mano-nayana- see Him, He appears never to be displeased, vardhanam, and He is always prepared to award benedictions to them. His eyes, His nicely TRANSLATION decorated eyebrows, His raised nose and His The Lord is decorated with small golden bells broad forehead are all very beautiful. He is around His waist, and His lotus feet are more beautiful than all the demigods. decorated with golden ankle bells. All His bodily features are very attractive and pleasing TEXT 46, tarunam ramaniyangam, to the eyes. He is always peaceful, calm and arunostheksanadharam, pranatasrayanam quiet and very pleasing to the eyes and the nrmnam, saranyam karunarnavam, mind.

TRANSLATION TEXT 50, padbhyam nakha-mani-srenya, Narada Muni continued: The Lord's form is vilasadbhyam samarcatam, hrt-padma-karnika- always youthful. Every limb and every part of dhisnyam, akramyatmany avasthitam, His body is properly formed, free from defect. His eyes and lips are pinkish like the rising TRANSLATION sun. He is always prepared to give shelter to Real yogis meditate upon the transcendental the surrendered soul, and anyone so fortunate form of the Lord as He stands on the whorl of as to look upon Him feels all satisfaction. The the lotus of their hearts, the jewellike nails of Lord is always worthy to be the master of the His lotus feet glittering. surrendered soul, for He is the ocean of mercy. TEXT 51, smayamanam abhidhyayet, TEXT 47, srivatsankam ghana-syamam, purusam sanuragavalokanam, niyatenaika-bhutena, vana-malinam, sankha-cakra-gada-padmair, manasa varadarsabham, abhivyakta-caturbhujam, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The Lord is always smiling, and the devotee The Lord is further described as having the should constantly see the Lord in this form, as mark of Srivatsa, or the sitting place of the He looks very mercifully toward the devotee. goddess of fortune, and His bodily hue is deep In this way the meditator should look toward bluish. The Lord is a person, He wears a the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the garland of flowers, and He is eternally bestower of all benedictions. 47

and if possible, by offering tulasi leaves, which TEXT 52, evam bhagavato rupam, subhadram are very dear to the Supreme Personality of dhyayato manah, nirvrtya paraya turnam, Godhead. sampannam na nivartate, TEXT 56, labdhva dravyamayim arcam, ksity- TRANSLATION ambv-adisu varcayet, abhrtatma munih santo, One who meditates in this way, concentrating yata-van mita-vanya-bhuk, his mind upon the always auspicious form of the Lord, is very soon freed from all material TRANSLATION contamination, and he does not come down It is possible to worship a form of the Lord from meditation upon the Lord. made of physical elements such as earth, water, pulp, wood and metal. In the forest one TEXT 53, japas ca paramo guhyah, sruyatam me can make a form with no more than earth and nrpatmaja, yam sapta-ratram prapathan, puman water and worship Him according to the above pasyati khecaran, principles. A devotee who has full control over his self should be very sober and peaceful and TRANSLATION must be satisfied simply with eating whatever O son of the King, now I shall speak unto you fruits and vegetables are available in the the mantra which is to be chanted with this forest. process of meditation. One who carefully chants this mantra for seven nights can see the TEXT 57, svecchavatara-caritair, acintya-nija- perfect human beings flying in the sky. mayaya, karisyaty uttamaslokas, tad dhyayed dhrdayan-gamam, TEXT 54, om namo bhagavate vasudevaya, mantrenanena devasya, kuryad dravyamayim TRANSLATION budhah, saparyam vividhair dravyair, desa-kala- My dear Dhruva, besides worshiping the Deity vibhagavit, and chanting the mantra three times a day, you should meditate upon the transcendental TRANSLATION activities of the Supreme Personality of Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya. This is the Godhead in His different incarnations, as twelve-syllable mantra for worshiping Lord exhibited by His supreme will and personal Krsna. One should install the physical forms of potencies. the Lord, and with the chanting of the mantra one should offer flowers and fruits and other TEXT 58, paricarya bhagavato, yavatyah purva- varieties of foodstuffs exactly according to the sevitah, ta mantra-hrdayenaiva, prayunjyan rules and regulations prescribed by mantra-murtaye, authorities. But this should be done in consideration of place, time, and attendant TRANSLATION conveniences and inconveniences. One should follow in the footsteps of previous devotees regarding how to worship the TEXT 55, salilaih sucibhir malyair, vanyair Supreme Lord with the prescribed mula-phaladibhih, sastankuramsukais carcet, paraphernalia, or one should offer worship tulasya priyaya prabhum, within the heart by reciting the mantra to the Personality of Godhead, who is nondifferent TRANSLATION from the mantra. One should worship the Lord by offering pure water, pure flower garlands, fruits, flowers TEXTS 59-60, evam kayena manasa, vacasa ca and vegetables, which are available in the mano-gatam, paricaryamano bhagavan, forest, or by collecting newly grown grasses, bhaktimat-paricaryaya, pumsam amayinam small buds of flowers or even the skins of trees, samyag, bhajatam bhava-vardhanah, sreyo disaty 48

abhimatam, yad dharmadisu dehinam, After being seated comfortably, Narada began to speak. TRANSLATION Anyone who thus engages in the devotional TEXT 64, narada uvaca, rajan kim dhyayase service of the Lord, seriously and sincerely, dirgham, mukhena parisusyata, kim va na risyate with his mind, words and body, and who is kamo, dharmo varthena samyutah, fixed in the activities of the prescribed devotional methods, is blessed by the Lord TRANSLATION according to his desire. If a devotee desires The great sage Narada inquired: My dear material religiosity, economic development, King, your face appears to be withering up, sense gratification or liberation from the and you look like you have been thinking of material world, he is awarded these results. something for a very long time. Why is that? Have you been hampered in following your TEXT 61, viraktas cendriya-ratau, bhakti-yogena path of religious rites, economic development bhuyasa, tam nirantara-bhavena, bhajetaddha and sense gratification? vimuktaye, TEXT 65, rajovaca, suto me balako brahman, TRANSLATION strainenakarunatmana, nirvasitah panca-varsah, If one is very serious about liberation, he must saha matra mahan kavih, stick to the process of transcendental loving service, engaging twenty-four hours a day in TRANSLATION the highest stage of ecstasy, and he must The King replied: O best of the brahmanas, I certainly be aloof from all activities of sense am very much addicted to my wife, and I am gratification. so fallen that I have abandoned all merciful behavior, even to my son, who is only five TEXT 62, ity uktas tam parikramya, pranamya years old. I have banished him and his mother, ca nrparbhakah, yayau madhuvanam punyam, even though he is a great soul and a great hares carana-carcitam, devotee.

TRANSLATION TEXT 66, apy anatham vane brahman, ma When Dhruva Maharaja, the son of the King, smadanty arbhakam vrkah, srantam sayanam was thus advised by the great sage Narada, he ksudhitam, parimlana-mukhambujam, circumambulated Narada, his spiritual master, and offered him respectful obeisances. Then he TRANSLATION started for Madhuvana, which is always My dear brahmana, the face of my son was imprinted with the lotus footprints of Lord just like a lotus flower. I am thinking of his Krsna and which is therefore especially precarious condition. He is unprotected, and auspicious. he might he very hungry. He might have lain down somewhere in the forest, and the wolves TEXT 63, tapo-vanam gate tasmin, pravisto 'ntah- might have attacked him to eat his body. puram munih, arhitarhanako rajna, sukhasina uvaca tam, TEXT 67, aho me bata dauratmyam, stri- jitasyopadharaya, yo 'nkam premnaruruksantam, TRANSLATION nabhyanandam asattamah, After Dhruva entered Madhuvana Forest to execute devotional service, the great sage TRANSLATION Narada thought it wise to go to the King to see Alas, just see how I was conquered by my wife! how he was faring within the palace. When Just imagine my cruelty! Out of love and Narada Muni approached, the King received affection the boy was trying to get up on my him properly, offering him due obeisances. lap, but I did not receive him, nor did I even 49

pat him for a moment. Just imagine how in worshiping the Supreme Personality of hardhearted I am. Godhead.

TEXT 68, narada uvaca, ma ma sucah sva- TEXT 72, tri-ratrante tri-ratrante, kapittha- tanayam, deva-guptam visampate, tat-prabhavam badarasanah, atma-vrtty-anusarena, masam ninye avijnaya, pravrnkte yad-yaso jagat, 'rcayan harim,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The great sage Narada replied: My dear King, For the first month Dhruva Maharaja ate only please do not he aggrieved about your son. He fruits and berries on every third day, only to is well protected by the Supreme Personality of keep his body and soul together, and in this Godhead. Although you have no actual way he progressed in his worship of the information of his influence, his reputation is Supreme Personality of Godhead. already spread all over the world. TEXT 73, dvitiyam ca tatha masam, sasthe TEXT 69, suduskaram karma krtva, loka-palair sasthe 'rbhako dine, trna-parnadibhih sirnaih, api prabhuh, aisyaty acirato rajan, yaso krtanno 'bhyarcayan vibhum, vipulayams tava, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION In the second month Dhruva Maharaja ate My dear King, your son is very competent. He only every six days, and for his eatables he will perform activities which would he took dry grass and leaves. Thus he continued impossible even for great kings and sages. his worship. Very soon he will complete his task and come back home. You should know that he will also TEXT 74, trtiyam canayan masam, navame spread your reputation all over the world. navame 'hani, ab-bhaksa uttamaslokam, upadhavat samadhina, TEXT 70, maitreya uvaca, iti devarsina proktam, visrutya jagati-patih, raja-laksmim anadrtya, TRANSLATION putram evanvacintayat, In the third month he drank water only every nine days. Thus he remained completely in TRANSLATION trance and worshiped the Supreme Personality The great Maitreya continued: The King, of Godhead, who is adored by selected verses. Uttanapada, after being advised by Narada Muni, practically gave up all duties in relation TEXT 75, caturtham api vai masam, dvadase with his kingdom, which was very vast and dvadase 'hani, vayu-bhakso jita-svaso, dhyayan wide, opulent like the goddess of fortune, and devam adharayat, he simply began to think of his son Dhruva. TRANSLATION TEXT 71, tatrabhisiktah prayatas, tam uposya In the fourth month Dhruva Maharaja became vibhavarim, samahitah paryacarad, rsy-adesena a complete master of the breathing exercise, purusam, and thus he inhaled air only every twelfth day. In this way he became completely fixed in his TRANSLATION position and worshiped the Supreme Elsewhere, Dhruva Maharaja, having arrived Personality of Godhead. at Madhuvana, took his bath in the River Yamuna and observed fasting in the night with TEXT 76, pancame masy anuprapte, jita-svaso great care and attention. After that, as advised nrpatmajah, dhyayan brahma padaikena, tasthau by the great sage Narada, he engaged himself sthanur ivacalah,

TRANSLATION consciousness, due to his fully concentrating, By the fifth month, Maharaja Dhruva, the son and closing all the holes of his body, the total of the King, had controlled his breathing so universal breathing became choked up, and all perfectly that he was able to stand on only one the great demigods in all the planetary systems leg, just as a column stands, without motion, felt suffocated and thus took shelter of the and concentrate his mind fully on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Parabrahman. TEXT 81, deva ucuh, naivam vidamo bhagavan TEXT 77, sarvato mana akrsya, hrdi prana-rodham, caracarasyakhila-sattva-dhamnah, bhutendriyasayam, dhyayan bhagavato rupam, vidhehi tan no vrjinad vimoksam, prapta vayam nadraksit kincanaparam, tvam saranam saranyam,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION He completely controlled his senses and their The demigods said: Dear Lord, You are the objects, and in this way he fixed his mind, refuge of all moving and nonmoving living without diversion to anything else, upon the entities. We feel all living entities to be form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. suffocating, their breathing processes choked up. We have never experienced such a thing. TEXT 78, adharam mahad-adinam, pradhana- Since You are the ultimate shelter of all purusesvaram, brahma dharayamanasya, trayo surrendered souls, we have therefore lokas cakampire, approached You; kindly save us from this danger. TRANSLATION When Dhruva Maharaja thus captured the TEXT 82, sri-bhagavan uvaca, ma bhaista balam Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the tapaso duratyayan, nivartayisye pratiyata sva- refuge of the total material creation and who is dhama, yato hi vah prana-nirodha asid, the master of all living entities, the three auttanapadir mayi sangatatma, worlds began to tremble. TRANSLATION TEXT 79, yadaika-padena sa parthivarbhakas, The Supreme Personality of Godhead replied: tasthau tad-angustha-nipidita mahi, nanama My dear demigods, do not be perturbed by tatrardham ibhendra-dhisthita, tariva savyetaratah this. It is due to the severe austerity and full pade pade, determination of the son of King Uttanapada, who is now fully absorbed in thought of Me. TRANSLATION He has obstructed the universal breathing As Dhruva Maharaja, the King's son, kept process. You can safely return to your himself steadily standing on one leg, the respective homes. I shall stop this boy in his pressure of his big toe pushed down half the severe acts of austerities, and you will be saved earth, just as an elephant being carried on a from this situation. boat rocks the boat left and right with his every step. Chapter Nine Dhruva Maharaja Returns Home TEXT 80, tasminn abhidhyayati visvam atmano, dvaram nirudhyasum ananyaya dhiya, loka TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, ta evam utsanna-bhaya nirucchvasa-nipidita bhrsam, sa-loka-palah urukrame, krtavanamah prayayus tri-vistapam, saranam yayur harim, sahasrasirsapi tato garutmata, madhor vanam bhrtya-didrksaya gatah, TRANSLATION When Dhruva Maharaja became practically TRANSLATION one in heaviness with Lord Visnu, the total 51

The great sage Maitreya told Vidura: When Personality of Godhead in suitable language. the demigods were thus reassured by the But because he was inexperienced, he could Personality of Godhead, they were freed from not adjust himself immediately. The Supreme all fears, and after offering their obeisances, Personality of Godhead, being situated in they returned to their heavenly planets. Then everyone's heart, could understand Dhruva the Lord, who is nondifferent from the Maharaja's awkward position. Out of His Sahasrasirsa incarnation, got on the back of causeless mercy He touched His conchshell to Garuda, who carried Him to the Madhuvana the forehead of Dhruva Maharaja, who stood Forest to see His servant Dhruva. before Him with folded hands.

TEXT 2, sa vai dhiya yoga-vipaka-tivraya, hrt- TEXT 5, sa vai tadaiva pratipaditam giram, padma-kose sphuritam tadit-prabham, tirohitam daivim parijnata-paratma-nirnayah, tam bhakti- sahasaivopalaksya, bahih-sthitam tad-avastham bhavo 'bhyagrnad asatvaram, parisrutoru- dadarsa, sravasam dhruva-ksitih,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The form of the Lord, which was brilliant like At that time Dhruva Maharaja became lightning and in which Dhruva Maharaja, in perfectly aware of the Vedic conclusion and his mature yogic process, was fully absorbed in understood the Absolute Truth and His meditation, all of a sudden disappeared. Thus relationship with all living entities. In Dhruva was perturbed, and his meditation accordance with the line of devotional service broke. But as soon as he opened his eyes he to the Supreme Lord, whose fame is saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead widespread, Dhruva, who in the future would personally present, just as he had been seeing receive a planet which would never be the Lord in his heart. annihilated, even during the time of dissolution, offered his deliberate and TEXT 3, tad-darsanenagata-sadhvasah ksitav, conclusive prayers. avandatangam vinamayya dandavat, drgbhyam prapasyan prapibann ivarbhakas, cumbann TEXT 6, dhruva uvaca, yo 'ntah pravisya mama ivasyena bhujair ivaslisan, vacam imam prasuptam, sanjivayaty akhila-sakti- dharah sva-dhamna, anyams ca hasta-carana- TRANSLATION sravana-tvag-adin, pranan namo bhagavate When Dhruva Maharaja saw his Lord just in purusaya tubhyam, front of him, he was greatly agitated and offered Him obeisances and respect. He fell flat TRANSLATION before Him like a rod and became absorbed in Dhruva Maharaja said: My dear Lord, You love of Godhead. Dhruva Maharaja, in ecstasy, are all-powerful. After entering within me, looked upon the Lord as if he were drinking You have enlivened all my sleeping senses--my the Lord with his eyes, kissing the lotus feet of hands, legs, ears, touch sensation, life force the Lord with his mouth, and embracing the and especially my power of speech. Let me Lord with his arms. offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

TEXT 4, sa tam vivaksantam atad-vidam harir, TEXT 7, ekas tvam eva bhagavann idam atma- jnatvasya sarvasya ca hrdy avasthitah, saktya, mayakhyayoru-gunaya mahad-ady- krtanjalim brahmamayena kambuna,pasparsa asesam, srstvanuvisya purusas tad-asad-gunesu, balam krpaya kapole, naneva darusu vibhavasuvad vibhasi,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Although Dhruva Maharaja was a small boy, My Lord, You are the supreme one, but by he wanted to offer prayers to the Supreme Your different energies You appear differently 52

in the spiritual and material worlds. You from meditating upon Your lotus feet or create the total energy of the material world by hearing about Your glories from pure devotees Your external potency, and after creation You is so unlimited that it is far beyond the stage of enter within the material world as the brahmananda, wherein one thinks himself Supersoul. You are the Supreme Person, and merged in the impersonal Brahman as one through the temporary modes of material with the Supreme. Since brahmananda is also nature You create varieties of manifestation, defeated by the transcendental bliss derived just as fire, entering into wood of different from devotional service, then what to speak of shapes, burns brilliantly in different varieties. the temporary blissfulness of elevating oneself to the heavenly planets, which is ended by the TEXT 8, tvad-dattaya vayunayedam acasta separating sword of time? Although one may visvam, supta-prabuddha iva natha bhavat- be elevated to the heavenly planets, he falls prapannah, tasyapavargya-saranam tava pada- down in due course of time. mulam, vismaryate krta-vida katham arta-bandho, TEXT 11, bhaktim muhuh pravahatam tvayi me TRANSLATION prasango, bhuyad ananta mahatam O my master, Lord Brahma is fully amalasayanam, yenanjasolbanam uru-vyasanam surrendered unto You. In the beginning You bhavabdhim, nesye bhavad-guna-kathamrta-pana- gave him knowledge, and thus he could see and mattah, understand the entire universe, just as a person awakens from sleep and visualizes his TRANSLATION immediate duties. You are the only shelter of Dhruva Maharaja continued: O unlimited all persons who desire liberation, and You are Lord, kindly bless me so that I may associate the friend of all who are distressed. How, with great devotees who engage in Your therefore, can a learned person who has transcendental loving service constantly, as the perfect knowledge ever forget You? waves of a river constantly flow. Such transcendental devotees are completely TEXT 9, nunam vimusta-matayas tava mayaya situated in an uncontaminated state of life. By te, ye tvam bhavapyaya-vimoksanam anya-hetoh, the process of devotional service I shall surely arcanti kalpaka-tarum kunapopabhogyam, be able to cross the nescient ocean of material icchanti yat sparsajam niraye 'pi nrnam, existence, which is filled with the waves of blazing, firelike dangers. It will be very easy TRANSLATION for me, for I am becoming mad to hear about Persons who worship You simply for the sense Your transcendental qualities and pastimes, gratification of this bag of skin are certainly which are eternally existent. influenced by Your illusory energy. In spite of having You, who are like a desire tree and are TEXT 12, te na smaranty atitaram priyam isa the cause of liberation from birth and death, martyam, ye canv adah suta-suhrd-grha-vitta- foolish persons, such as me, desire benedictions darah, ye tv abja-nabha bhavadiya-padaravinda-, from You for sense gratification, which is saugandhya-lubdha-hrdayesu krta-prasangah, available even for those who live in hellish conditions. TRANSLATION O Lord who have a lotus navel, if a person TEXT 10, ya nirvrtis tanu-bhrtam tava pada- happens to associate with a devotee whose padma-, dhyanad bhavaj-jana-katha-sravanena va heart always hankers after Your lotus feet, syat, sa brahmani sva-mahimany api natha ma seeking always their fragrance, he is never bhut, kim tv antakasi-lulitat patatam vimanat, attached to the material body or, in a bodily relationship, to offspring, friends, home, TRANSLATION wealth and wife, which are very, very dear to My Lord, the transcendental bliss derived 53 materialistic persons. Indeed, he does not care in pure goodness, and You are existent in the for them. Supersoul without change. You are the original Personality of Godhead, full with six TEXT 13, tiryan-naga-dvija-sarisrpa-deva-daitya, opulences, and You are eternally the master of martyadibhih paricitam sad-asad-visesam, the three modes of material nature. Thus, You rupam sthavistham aja te mahad-ady-anekam, are always different from the ordinary living natah param parama vedmi na yatra vadah, entities. As Lord Visnu, You maintain all the affairs of the entire universe, and yet You TRANSLATION stand aloof and are the enjoyer of the results of My dear Lord, O Supreme Unborn, I know all sacrifices. that the different varieties of living entities, such as animals, trees, birds, reptiles, TEXT 16, yasmin viruddha-gatayo hy anisam demigods and human beings, are spread patanti, vidyadayo vividha-saktaya anupurvyat, throughout the universe, which is caused by tad brahma visva-bhavam ekam anantam adyam, the total material energy, and I know that they ananda-matram avikaram aham prapadye, are sometimes manifest and sometimes unmanifest; but I have never experienced the TRANSLATION supreme form I behold as I see You now. Now My dear Lord, in Your impersonal all kinds of methods of theorizing have come to manifestation of Brahman there are always an end. two opposing elements--knowledge and ignorance. Your multienergies are continually TEXT 14, kalpanta etad akhilam jatharena manifest, but the impersonal Brahman, which grhnan, sete puman sva-drg ananta-sakhas tad- is undivided, original, changeless, unlimited anke, yan-nabhi-sindhu-ruha-kancana-loka- and blissful, is the cause of the material padma-, garbhe dyuman bhagavate pranato 'smi manifestation. Because You are the same tasmai, impersonal Brahman, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. TRANSLATION My dear Lord, at the end of each millennium TEXT 17, satyasiso hi bhagavams tava pada- the Supreme Personality of Godhead padmam, asis tathanubhajatah purusartha- Garbhodakasayi Visnu dissolves everything murteh, apy evam arya bhagavan paripati dinan, manifested within the universe into His belly. vasreva vatsakam anugraha-kataro 'sman, He lies down on the lap of Sesa Naga, from His navel sprouts a golden lotus flower on a stem, TRANSLATION and on that lotus Lord Brahma is created. I My Lord, O Supreme Lord, You are the can understand that You are the same supreme personified form of all benediction. Supreme Godhead. I therefore offer my Therefore, for one who abides in Your respectful obeisances unto You. devotional service with no other desire, worshiping Your lotus feet is better than TEXT 15, tvam nitya-mukta-parisuddha- becoming king and lording it over a kingdom. vibuddha atma, kuta-stha adi-puruso bhagavams That is the benediction of worshiping Your try-adhisah, yad-buddhy-avasthitim akhanditaya lotus feet. To ignorant devotees like me, You sva-drstya, drasta sthitav adhimakho vyatirikta are the causelessly merciful maintainer, just asse, like a cow, who takes care of the newly born calf by supplying milk and giving it protection TRANSLATION from attack. My Lord, by Your unbroken transcendental glance You are the supreme witness of all TEXT 18, maitreya uvaca, athabhistuta evam vai, stages of intellectual activities. You are sat-sankalpena dhimata, bhrtyanurakto bhagavan, eternally liberated, Your existence is situated pratinandyedam abravit, 54

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear After your father goes to the forest and awards Vidura, when Dhruva Maharaja, who had you the rule of his kingdom, you will rule good intentions in his heart, finished his continuously the entire world for thirty-six prayer, the Supreme Lord, the Personality of thousand years, and all your senses will Godhead, who is very kind to His devotees and continue to be as strong as they are now. You servants, congratulated him, speaking as will never become old. follows. TEXT 23, tvad-bhratary uttame naste, TEXT 19, sri-bhagavan uvaca, vedaham te mrgayayam tu tan-manah, anvesanti vanam mata, vyavasitam, hrdi rajanya-balaka, tat prayacchami davagnim sa praveksyati, bhadram te, durapam api suvrata, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The Lord continued: Sometime in the future The Personality of Godhead said: My dear your brother, Uttama, will go hunting in the Dhruva, son of the King, you have executed forest, and while absorbed in hunting, he will pious vows, and I also know the desire within be killed. Your stepmother, Suruci, being your heart. Although your desire is very maddened upon the death of her son, will go to ambitious and very difficult to fulfill, I shall search him out in the forest, but she will be favor you with its fulfillment. All good fortune devoured by a forest fire. unto you. TEXT 24, istva mam yajna-hrdayam, yajnaih TEXTS 20-21, nanyair adhisthitam bhadra, yad puskala-daksinaih, bhuktva cehasisah satya, ante bhrajisnu dhruva-ksiti, yatra graharksa-taranam, mam samsmarisyasi, jyotisam cakram ahitam, medhyam go-cakravat sthasnu, parastat kalpa-vasinam,dharmo 'gnih TRANSLATION kasyapah sukro, munayo ye vanaukasah, caranti The Lord continued: I am the heart of all daksini-krtya, bhramanto yat satarakah, sacrifices. You will be able to perform many great sacrifices and also give great charities. In TRANSLATION this way you will be able to enjoy the blessings The Supreme Personality of Godhead of material happiness in this life, and at the continued: My dear Dhruva, I shall award you time of your death you will be able to the glowing planet known as the polestar, remember Me. which will continue to exist even after the dissolution at the end of the millennium. No TEXT 25, tato gantasi mat-sthanam, sarva-loka- one has ever ruled this planet, which is namaskrtam, uparistad rsibhyas tvam, yato surrounded by all the solar systems, planets navartate gatah, and stars. All the luminaries in the sky circumambulate this planet, just as bulls tread TRANSLATION around a central pole for the purpose of The Personality of Godhead continued: My crushing grains. Keeping the polestar to their dear Dhruva, after your material life in this right, all the stars inhabited by the great sages body, you will go to My planet, which is always like Dharma, Agni, Kasyapa and Sukra offered obeisances by the residents of all other circumambulate this planet, which continues planetary systems. It is situated above the to exist even after the dissolution of all others. planets of the seven rsis, and having gone there you will never have to come back again to this TEXT 22, prasthite tu vanam pitra, dattva gam material world. dharma-samsrayah, sat-trimsad-varsa-sahasram, raksitavyahatendriyah, 55

TEXT 26, maitreya uvaca, ity arcitah sa Godhead appeared before him, he was simply bhagavan, atidisyatmanah padam, balasya ashamed of the material demands he had in his pasyato dhama, svam agad garuda-dhvajah, mind.

TRANSLATION TEXT 30, dhruva uvaca, samadhina naika- The great sage Maitreya said: After being bhavena yat padam, viduh sanandadaya urdhva- worshiped and honored by the boy, Dhruva retasah, masair aham sadbhir amusya padayos, Maharaja, and after offering him His abode, chayam upetyapagatah prthan-matih, Lord Visnu, on the back of Garuda, returned to His abode, as Dhruva Maharaja looked on. TRANSLATION Dhruva Maharaja thought to himself: To TEXT 27, so 'pi sankalpajam visnoh, pada- endeavor to be situated in the shade of the sevopasaditam, prapya sankalpa-nirvanam, lotus feet of the Lord is not an ordinary task natiprito 'bhyagat puram, because even the great brahmacaris headed by Sanandana, who practiced astanga-yoga in TRANSLATION trance, attained the shelter of the Lord's lotus Despite having achieved the desired result of feet only after many, many births. Within six his determination by worshiping the lotus feet months I achieved the same result, yet due to of the Lord, Dhruva Maharaja was not very my thinking differently from the Lord, I fell pleased. Thus he returned to his home. down from my position.

TEXT 28, vidura uvaca, sudurlabham yat TEXT 31, aho bata mamanatmyam, manda- paramam padam harer, mayavinas tac- bhagyasya pasyata, bhava-cchidah pada-mulam, caranarcanarjitam, labdhvapy asiddhartham gatva yace yad antavat, ivaika-janmana, katham svam atmanam amanyatartha-vit, TRANSLATION Alas, just look at me! I am so unfortunate. I TRANSLATION approached the lotus feet of the Supreme Sri Vidura inquired: My dear brahmana, the Personality of Godhead, who can immediately abode of the Lord is very difficult to attain. It cut the chain of the repetition of birth and can be attained only by pure devotional death, but still, out of my foolishness, I prayed service, which alone pleases the most for things which are perishable. affectionate, merciful Lord. Dhruva Maharaja achieved this position even in one life, and he TEXT 32, matir vidusita devaih, patadbhir was very wise and conscientious. Why, then, asahisnubhih, yo narada-vacas tathyam, was he not very pleased? nagrahisam asattamah,

TEXT 29, maitreya uvaca, matuh sapatnya vag- TRANSLATION banair, hrdi viddhas tu tan smaran,naicchan Since all the demigods who are situated in the mukti-pater muktim, tasmat tapam upeyivan, higher planetary system will have to come down again, they are all envious of my being TRANSLATION elevated to Vaikunthaloka by devotional Maitreya answered: Dhruva Maharaja's heart, service. These intolerant demigods have which was pierced by the arrows of the harsh dissipated my intelligence, and only for this words of his stepmother, was greatly reason could I not accept the genuine aggrieved, and thus when he fixed upon his benediction of the instructions of Sage Narada. goal of life he did not forget her misbehavior. He did not demand actual liberation from this TEXT 33, daivim mayam upasritya, prasupta iva material world, but at the end of his devotional bhinna-drk, tapye dvitiye 'py asati, bhratr- service, when the Supreme Personality of bhratrvya-hrd-ruja, 56

offer liberation] and who are always attached TRANSLATION to the honey of His lotus feet, are always Dhruva Maharaja lamented: I was under the satisfied in serving at the lotus feet of the Lord. influence of the illusory energy; being ignorant In any condition of life, such persons remain of the actual facts, I was sleeping on her lap. satisfied, and thus they never ask the Lord for Under a vision of duality, I saw my brother as material prosperity. my enemy, and falsely I lamented within my heart, thinking, "They are my enemies." TEXT 37, akarnyatma-jam ayantam, samparetya yathagatam, raja na sraddadhe bhadram, TEXT 34, mayaitat prarthitam vyartham, abhadrasya kuto mama, cikitseva gatayusi, prasadya jagad-atmanam, tapasa dusprasadanam, bhava-cchidam ayace TRANSLATION 'ham, bhavam bhagya-vivarjitah, When King Uttanapada heard that his son Dhruva was coming back home, as if coming TRANSLATION back to life after death, he could not put his It is very difficult to satisfy the Supreme faith in this message, for he was doubtful of Personality of Godhead, but in my case, how it could happen. He considered himself although I have satisfied the Supersoul of the the most wretched, and therefore he thought whole universe, I have prayed only for useless that it was not possible for him to attain such things. My activities were exactly like good fortune. treatment given to a person who is already dead. Just see how unfortunate I am, for in TEXT 38, sraddhaya vakyam devarser, harsa- spite of meeting the Supreme Lord, who can vegena dharsitah, varta-hartur atiprito, haram cut one's link with birth and death, I have pradan maha-dhanam, prayed for the same conditions again. TRANSLATION TEXT 35, svarajyam yacchato maudhyan, mano Although he could not believe the words of the me bhiksito bata, isvarat ksina-punyena, phali- messenger, he had full faith in the word of the karan ivadhanah, great sage Narada. Thus he was greatly overwhelmed by the news, and he immediately TRANSLATION offered the messenger a highly valuable Because of my state of complete foolishness necklace in great satisfaction. and paucity of pious activities, although the Lord offered me His personal service, I wanted TEXTS 39-40, sad-asvam ratham aruhya, material name, fame and prosperity. My case kartasvara-pariskrtam, brahmanaih kula-vrddhais is just like that of the poor man who, when he ca, paryasto 'matya-bandhubhih, sankha- satisfied a great emperor who wanted to give dundubhi-nadena, brahma-ghosena venubhih, him anything he might ask, out of ignorance niscakrama purat turnam, atmajabhiksanotsukah, asked only a few broken grains of husked rice. TRANSLATION TEXT 36, maitreya uvaca, na vai mukundasya Then King Uttanapada, being very eager to see padaravindayo, rajo-jusas tata bhavadrsa janah, the face of his lost son, mounted a chariot vanchanti tad-dasyam rte 'rtham atmano, drawn by excellent horses and bedecked with yadrcchaya labdha-manah-samrddhayah, golden filigree. Taking with him many learned brahmanas, all the elderly personalities of his TRANSLATION family, his officers, his ministers and his The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear immediate friends, he immediately left the city. Vidura, persons like you, who are pure As he proceeded in this parade, there were devotees of the lotus feet of Mukunda [the auspicious sounds of conchshells, kettledrums, Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can 57

flutes, and the chanting of Vedic mantras to nobles, first of all offered his obeisances at the indicate all good fortune. feet of his father and was honored by his father with various questions. He then bowed TEXT 41, sunitih surucis casya, mahisyau rukma- his head at the feet of his two mothers. bhusite, aruhya sibikam sardham, uttamenabhijagmatuh, TEXT 46, surucis tam samutthapya, padavanatam arbhakam, parisvajyaha jiveti, TRANSLATION baspa-gadgadaya gira, Both the queens of King Uttanapada, namely Suniti and Suruci, along with his other son, TRANSLATION Uttama, appeared in the procession. The Suruci, the younger mother of Dhruva queens were seated on a palanquin. Maharaja, seeing that the innocent boy had fallen at her feet, immediately picked him up, TEXTS 42-43, tam drstvopavanabhyasa, ayantam embracing him with her hands, and with tears tarasa rathat, avaruhya nrpas turnam, asadya of feeling she blessed him with the words, "My prema-vihvalah, parirebhe 'ngajam dorbhyam, dear boy, long may you live!" dirghotkantha-manah svasan, visvaksenanghri- samsparsa-, hatasesagha-bandhanam, TEXT 47, yasya prasanno bhagavan, gunair maitry-adibhir harih, tasmai namanti bhutani, TRANSLATION nimnam apa iva svayam, Upon seeing Dhruva Maharaja approaching the neighboring small forest, King Uttanapada TRANSLATION with great haste got down from his chariot. He Unto one who has transcendental qualities due had been very anxious for a long time to see his to friendly behavior with the Supreme son Dhruva, and therefore with great love and Personality of Godhead, all living entities offer affection he went forward to embrace his long- honor, just as water automatically flows down lost boy. Breathing very heavily, the King by nature. embraced him with both arms. But Dhruva Maharaja was not the same as before; he was TEXT 48, uttamas ca dhruvas cobhav, anyonyam completely sanctified by spiritual advancement prema-vihvalau, anga-sangad utpulakav, due to having been touched by the lotus feet of asraugham muhur uhatuh, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. TRANSLATION TEXT 44, athajighran muhur murdhni, sitair The two brothers Uttama and Dhruva nayana-varibhih, snapayam asa tanayam, Maharaja also exchanged their tears. They jatoddama-manorathah, were overwhelmed by the ecstasy of love and affection, and when they embraced one TRANSLATION another, the hair on their bodies stood up. Reunion with Dhruva Maharaja fulfilled King Uttanapada's long-cherished desire, and for TEXT 49, sunitir asya janani, pranebhyo 'pi this reason he smelled Dhruva's head again priyam sutam, upaguhya jahav adhim, tad-anga- and again and bathed him with torrents of sparsa-nirvrta, very cold tears. TRANSLATION TEXT 45, abhivandya pituh padav, asirbhis Suniti, the real mother of Dhruva Maharaja, cabhimantritah, nanama matarau sirsna, sat-krtah embraced the tender body of her son, who was saj-janagranih, dearer to her than her own life, and thus forgot all material grief, for she was very TRANSLATION pleased. Then Dhruva Maharaja, the foremost of all 58

TEXT 50, payah stanabhyam susrava, netra-jaih TEXT 54, tatra tatropasanklptair, lasan-makara- salilaih sivaih, tadabhisicyamanabhyam, vira toranaih, savrndaih kadali-stambhaih, puga-potais vira-suvo muhuh, ca tad-vidhaih,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear Vidura, Suniti was the mother of a The whole city was decorated with columns of great hero. Her tears, together with the milk banana trees containing bunches of fruits and flowing from her breasts, wet the whole body flowers, and betel nut trees with leaves and of Dhruva Maharaja. This was a great, branches were seen here and there. There were auspicious sign. also many gates set up which were structured to give the appearance of sharks. TEXT 51, tam sasamsur jana rajnim, distya te putra arti-ha, pratilabdhas ciram nasto, raksita TEXT 55, cuta-pallava-vasah-sran-, mukta- mandalam bhuvah, dama-vilambibhih, upaskrtam prati-dvaram, apam kumbhaih sadipakaih, TRANSLATION The residents of the palace praised the Queen: TRANSLATION Dear Queen, your beloved son was lost a long At each and every gate there were burning time ago, and it is your great fortune that he lamps and big waterpots decorated with now has come back. It appears, therefore, that differently colored cloth, strings of pearls, your son will be able to protect you for a very flower garlands and hanging mango leaves. long time and will put an end to all your material pangs. TEXT 56, prakarair gopuragaraih, satakumbha- paricchadaih, sarvato 'lankrtam srimad-, vimana- TEXT 52, abhyarcitas tvaya nunam, bhagavan sikhara-dyubhih, pranatarti-ha, yad-anudhyayino dhira, mrtyum jigyuh sudurjayam, TRANSLATION In the capital city there were many palaces, TRANSLATION city gates and surrounding walls, which were Dear Queen, you must have worshiped the already very, very beautiful, and on this Supreme Personality of Godhead, who delivers occasion all of them were decorated with His devotees from the greatest danger. Persons golden ornaments. The domes of the city who constantly meditate upon Him surpass the palaces glittered, as did the domes of the course of birth and death. This perfection is beautiful airplanes which hovered over the very difficult to achieve. city.

TEXT 53, lalyamanam janair evam, dhruvam TEXT 57, mrsta-catvara-rathyatta-, margam sabhrataram nrpah, aropya karinim hrstah, candana-carcitam, lajaksataih puspa-phalais, stuyamano 'visat puram, tandulair balibhir yutam,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The sage Maitreya continued: My dear All the quadrangles, lanes and streets in the Vidura, when everyone was thus praising city, and the raised sitting places at the Dhruva Maharaja, the King was very happy, crossings, were thoroughly cleansed and and he had Dhruva and his brother seated on sprinkled with sandalwood water; and the back of a she-elephant. Thus he returned auspicious grains such as rice and barley, and to his capital, where he was praised by all flowers, fruits and many other auspicious classes of men. presentations were scattered all over the city.

TEXTS 58-59, dhruvaya pathi drstaya, tatra tatra depicted beautiful women with shining jewel pura-striyah, siddharthaksata-dadhy-ambu-, lamps in their hands. durva-puspa-phalani ca, upajahruh prayunjana, vatsalyad asisah satih, srnvams tad-valgu-gitani, TEXT 63, udyanani ca ramyani, vicitrair amara- pravisad bhavanam pituh, drumaih, kujad-vihanga-mithunair, gayan-matta- madhuvrataih, TRANSLATION Thus as Dhruva Maharaja passed on the road, TRANSLATION from every place in the neighborhood all the The King's residence was surrounded by gentle household ladies assembled to see him, gardens wherein there were varieties of trees and out of maternal affection they offered their brought from the heavenly planets. In those blessings, showering him with white mustard trees there were pairs of sweetly singing birds seed, barley, curd, water, newly grown grass, and almost-mad bumblebees, which made a fruits and flowers. In this way Dhruva very relishable buzzing sound. Maharaja, while hearing the pleasing songs sung by the ladies, entered the palace of his TEXT 64, vapyo vaidurya-sopanah, padmotpala- father. kumud-vatih, hamsa-karandava-kulair, justas cakrahva-sarasaih, TEXT 60, mahamani-vratamaye, sa tasmin bhavanottame, lalito nitaram pitra, nyavasad divi TRANSLATION devavat, There were emerald staircases which led to lakes full of variously colored lotus flowers and TRANSLATION lilies, and swans, karandavas, cakravakas, Dhruva Maharaja thereafter lived in his cranes and similar other valuable birds were father's palace, which had walls bedecked with visible in those lakes. highly valuable jewels. His affectionate father took particular care of him, and he dwelled in TEXT 65, uttanapado rajarsih, prabhavam that house just as the demigods live in their tanayasya tam, srutva drstvadbhutatamam, palaces in the higher planetary systems. prapede vismayam param,

TEXT 61, payah-phena-nibhah sayya, danta TRANSLATION rukma-paricchadah, asanani maharhani, yatra The saintly King Uttanapada, hearing of the raukma upaskarah, glorious deeds of Dhruva Maharaja and personally seeing also how influential and TRANSLATION great he was, felt very satisfied, for Dhruva's The bedding in the palace was as white as the activities were wonderful to the supreme foam of milk and was very soft. The bedsteads degree. were made of ivory with embellishments of gold, and the chairs, benches and other sitting TEXT 66, viksyodha-vayasam tam ca, places and furniture were made of gold. prakrtinam ca sammatam, anurakta-prajam raja, dhruvam cakre bhuvah patim, TEXT 62, yatra sphatika-kudyesu, maha- marakatesu ca, mani-pradipa abhanti, lalana- TRANSLATION ratna-samyutah, When, after concentration, King Uttanapada saw that Dhruva Maharaja was suitably TRANSLATION mature to take charge of the kingdom and that The palace of the King was surrounded by his ministers were agreeable and the citizens walls made of marble with many engravings were also very fond of him, he enthroned made of valuable jewels like sapphires, which Dhruva as emperor of this planet.

TEXT 67, atmanam ca pravayasam, akalayya asthaya, gatah punya-janalayam, visampatih, vanam viraktah pratisthad, vimrsann atmano gatim, TRANSLATION When Dhruva Maharaja heard of the killing of TRANSLATION his brother Uttama by the Yaksas in the After considering his advanced age and Himalaya Mountains, being overwhelmed with deliberating on the welfare of his spiritual self, lamentation and anger, he got on his chariot King Uttanapada detached himself from and went out for victory over the city of the worldly affairs and entered the forest. Yaksas, Alakapuri.

TEXT 5, gatvodicim disam raja, rudranucara- Chapter Ten Dhruva Maharaja's Fight sevitam, dadarsa himavad-dronyam, purim With the Yaksas guhyaka-sankulam,

TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, prajapater duhitaram, TRANSLATION sisumarasya vai dhruvah, upayeme bhramim Dhruva Maharaja went to the northern nama, tat-sutau kalpa-vatsarau, direction of the Himalayan range. In a valley he saw a city full of ghostly persons who were TRANSLATION followers of Lord Siva. The great sage Maitreya said: My dear Vidura, thereafter Dhruva Maharaja married TEXT 6, dadhmau sankham brhad-bahuh, kham the daughter of Prajapati Sisumara, whose disas canunadayan, yenodvigna-drsah ksattar, name was Bhrami, and two sons named Kalpa upadevyo 'trasan bhrsam, and Vatsara were born of her. TRANSLATION TEXT 2, ilayam api bharyayam, vayoh putryam Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, as soon maha-balah, putram utkala-namanam, yosid- as Dhruva Maharaja reached Alakapuri, he ratnam ajijanat, immediately blew his conchshell, and the sound reverberated throughout the entire sky TRANSLATION and in every direction. The wives of the Yaksas The greatly powerful Dhruva Maharaja had became very much frightened. From their eyes another wife, named Ila, who was the daughter it was apparent that they were full of anxiety. of the demigod Vayu. By her he begot a son named Utkala and a very beautiful daughter. TEXT 7, tato niskramya balina, upadeva-maha- bhatah, asahantas tan-ninadam, abhipetur TEXT 3, uttamas tv akrtodvaho, mrgayayam udayudhah, baliyasa, hatah punya-janenadrau, tan-matasya gatim gata, TRANSLATION O hero Vidura, the greatly powerful heroes of TRANSLATION the Yaksas, unable to tolerate the resounding Dhruva Maharaja's younger brother Uttama, vibration of the conchshell of Dhruva who was still unmarried, once went on a Maharaja, came forth from their city with hunting excursion and was killed by a weapons and attacked Dhruva. powerful Yaksa in the Himalaya Mountains. Along with him, his mother, Suruci, also TEXT 8, sa tan apatato vira, ugra-dhanva maha- followed the path of her son [she died]. rathah, ekaikam yugapat sarvan,ahan banais tribhis tribhih, TEXT 4, dhruvo bhratr-vadham srutva, kopamarsa-sucarpitah, jaitram syandanam TRANSLATION Dhruva Maharaja, who was a great charioteer 61

and certainly a great bowman also, TEXT 13, auttanapadih sa tada, sastra-varsena immediately began to kill them by bhurina, na evadrsyatacchanna, asarena yatha simultaneously discharging arrows three at a girih, time. TRANSLATION TEXT 9, te vai lalata-lagnais tair, isubhih sarva Dhruva Maharaja was completely covered by eva hi, matva nirastam atmanam, asamsan karma an incessant shower of weapons, just as a tasya tat, mountain is covered by incessant rainfall.

TRANSLATION TEXT 14, haha-karas tadaivasit, siddhanam divi When the heroes of the Yaksas saw that all pasyatam, hato 'yam manavah suryo, magnah their heads were being thus threatened by punya-janarnave, Dhruva Maharaja, they could very easily understand their awkward position, and they TRANSLATION concluded that they would certainly be All the Siddhas from the higher planetary defeated. But, as heroes, they lauded the action systems were observing the fight from the sky, of Dhruva. and when they saw that Dhruva Maharaja had been covered by the incessant arrows of the TEXT 10, te 'pi camum amrsyantah, pada- enemy, they roared tumultuously, "The sparsam ivoragah, sarair avidhyan yugapad, dvi- grandson of Manu, Dhruva, is now lost!" They gunam pracikirsavah, cried that Dhruva Maharaja was just like the sun and that now he had set within the ocean TRANSLATION of the Yaksas. Just like serpents, who cannot tolerate being trampled upon by anyone's feet, the Yaksas, TEXT 15, nadatsu yatudhanesu, jaya-kasisv atho being intolerant of the wonderful prowess of mrdhe, udatisthad rathas tasya, niharad iva Dhruva Maharaja, threw twice as many bhaskarah, arrows--six from each of their soldiers--and thus they very valiantly exhibited their TRANSLATION prowess. The Yaksas, being temporarily victorious, exclaimed that they had conquered Dhruva TEXTS 11-12, tatah parigha-nistrimsaih, Maharaja. But in the meantime Dhruva's prasasula-parasvadhaih, sakty-rstibhir chariot suddenly appeared, just as the sun bhusundibhis, citra-vajaih sarair api, abhyavarsan suddenly appears from within foggy mist. prakupitah, saratham saha-sarathim, icchantas tat pratikartum, ayutanam trayodasa, TEXT 16, dhanur visphurjayan divyam, dvisatam khedam udvahan, astraugham vyadhamad banair, TRANSLATION ghananikam ivanilah, The Yaksa soldiers were 130,000 strong, all greatly angry and all desiring to defeat the TRANSLATION wonderful activities of Dhruva Maharaja. Dhruva Maharaja's bow and arrows twanged With full strength they showered upon and hissed, causing lamentation in the hearts Maharaja Dhruva, along with his chariot and of his enemies. He began to shoot incessant charioteer, various types of feathered arrows, arrows, shattering all their different weapons, parighas [iron bludgeons], nistrimsas [swords], just as the blasting wind scatters the assembled prasasulas [tridents], parasvadhas [lances], clouds in the sky. saktis [pikes], rstis [spears] and bhusundi weapons. TEXT 17, tasya te capa-nirmukta, bhittva varmani raksasam, kayan avivisus tigma, girin asanayo yatha, 62

of Alakapuri, but he thought to himself, "No TRANSLATION one knows the plans of the mystic Yaksas." The sharp arrows released from the bow of Dhruva Maharaja pierced the shields and TEXT 22, iti bruvams citra-rathah sva-sarathim, bodies of the enemy, like the thunderbolts yattah paresam pratiyoga-sankitah, susrava released by the King of heaven, which sabdam jaladher iveritam, nabhasvato diksu rajo dismantle the bodies of the mountains. 'nvadrsyata,

TEXTS 18-19, bhallaih sanchidyamananam, TRANSLATION sirobhis caru-kundalaih, urubhir hema-talabhair, In the meantime, while Dhruva Maharaja, dorbhir valaya-valgubhih, hara-keyura-mukutair, doubtful of his mystic enemies, was talking usnisais ca maha-dhanaih, astrtas ta rana-bhuvo, with his charioteer, they heard a tremendous rejur vira-mano-harah, sound, as if the whole ocean were there, and they found that from the sky a great dust TRANSLATION storm was coming over them from all The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear directions. Vidura, the heads of those who were cut to pieces by the arrows of Dhruva Maharaja were TEXT 23, ksanenacchaditam vyoma, decorated very beautifully with earrings and ghananikena sarvatah, visphurat-tadita diksu, turbans. The legs of their bodies were as trasayat-stanayitnuna, beautiful as golden palm trees, their arms were decorated with golden bracelets and armlets, TRANSLATION and on their heads there were very valuable Within a moment the whole sky was overcast helmets bedecked with gold. All these with dense clouds, and severe thundering was ornaments lying on that battlefield were very heard. There was glittering electric lightning attractive and could bewilder the mind of a and severe rainfall. hero. TEXT 24, vavrsu rudhiraughasrk-, puya-vin- TEXT 20, hatavasista itare ranajirad, rakso- mutra-medasah, nipetur gaganad asya, ganah ksatriya-varya-sayakaih, prayo kabandhany agrato 'nagha, vivrknavayava vidudruvur, mrgendra- vikridita-yuthapa iva, TRANSLATION My dear faultless Vidura, in that rainfall there TRANSLATION was blood, mucus, pus, stool, urine and The remaining Yaksas who somehow or other marrow falling heavily before Dhruva were not killed had their limbs cut to pieces by Maharaja, and there were trunks of bodies the arrows of the great warrior Dhruva falling from the sky. Maharaja. Thus they began to flee, just as elephants flee when defeated by a lion. TEXT 25, tatah khe 'drsyata girir, nipetuh sarvato-disam, gada-parigha-nistrimsa-, musalah TEXT 21, apasyamanah sa tadatatayinam, sasma-varsinah, maha-mrdhe kancana manavottamah, purim didrksann api navisad dvisam, na mayinam TRANSLATION veda cikirsitam janah, Next, a great mountain was visible in the sky, and from all directions hailstones fell, along TRANSLATION with lances, clubs, swords, iron bludgeons and Dhruva Maharaja, the best of human beings, great pieces of stone. observed that in that great battlefield not one of the opposing soldiers was left standing with TEXT 26, ahayo 'sani-nihsvasa, vamanto 'gnim proper weapons. He then desired to see the city rusaksibhih, abhyadhavan gaja mattah, simha- 63

vyaghras ca yuthasah, the Lord is as powerful as the Lord Himself. Therefore, simply by chanting and hearing the TRANSLATION holy name of the Lord, many men can be fully Dhruva Maharaja also saw many big serpents protected from fierce death without difficulty. with angry eyes, vomiting forth fire and Thus a devotee is saved. coming to devour him, along with groups of mad elephants, lions and tigers. Chapter Eleven Svayambhuva Manu Advises Dhruva Maharaja to Stop TEXT 27, samudra urmibhir bhimah, plavayan Fighting sarvato bhuvam, asasada maha-hradah, kalpanta iva bhisanah, TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, nisamya gadatam TRANSLATION evam, rsinam dhanusi dhruvah, sandadhe 'stram Then, as if it were the time of the dissolution of upasprsya, yan narayana-nirmitam, the whole world, the fierce sea with foaming waves and great roaring sounds came forward TRANSLATION before him. Sri Maitreya said: My dear Vidura, when Dhruva Maharaja heard the encouraging TEXT 28, evam-vidhany anekani, trasanany words of the great sages, he performed the amanasvinam, sasrjus tigma-gataya, asurya acamana by touching water and then took up mayayasurah, his arrow made by Lord Narayana and fixed it upon his bow. TRANSLATION The demon Yaksas are by nature very heinous, TEXT 2, sandhiyamana etasmin, maya guhyaka- and by their demoniac power of illusion they nirmitah, ksipram vinesur vidura, klesa jnanodaye can create many strange phenomena to yatha, frighten one who is less intelligent. TRANSLATION TEXT 29, dhruve prayuktam asurais, tam mayam As soon as Dhruva Maharaja joined the atidustaram, nisamya tasya munayah, sam narayanastra arrow to his bow, the illusion asamsan samagatah, created by the Yaksas was immediately vanquished, just as all material pains and TRANSLATION pleasures are vanquished when one becomes When the great sages heard that Dhruva fully cognizant of the self. Maharaja was overpowered by the illusory mystic tricks of the demons, they immediately TEXT 3, tasyarsastram dhanusi prayunjatah, assembled to offer him auspicious suvarna-punkhah kalahamsa-vasasah, vinihsrta encouragement. avivisur dvisad-balam, yatha vanam bhima- ravah sikhandinah, TEXT 30, munaya ucuh, auttanapada bhagavams tava sarngadhanva, devah ksinotv avanatarti-haro TRANSLATION vipaksan, yan-namadheyam abhidhaya nisamya Even as Dhruva Maharaja fixed the weapon caddha, loko 'njasa tarati dustaram anga mrtyum, made by Narayana Rsi onto his bow, arrows with golden shafts and feathers like the wings TRANSLATION of a swan flew out from it. They entered the All the sages said: Dear Dhruva, O son of King enemy soldiers with a great hissing sound, just Uttanapada, may the Supreme Personality of as peacocks enter a forest with tumultuous Godhead known as Sarngadhanva, who crowing. relieves the distresses of His devotees, kill all your threatening enemies. The holy name of 64

TEXT 4, tais tigma-dharaih pradhane sili- Lord Manu said: My dear son, please stop. It mukhair, itas tatah punya-jana upadrutah, tam is not good to become unnecessarily angry--it abhyadhavan kupita udayudhah, suparnam is the path to hellish life. Now you are going unnaddha-phana ivahayah, beyond the limit by killing Yaksas who are actually not offenders. TRANSLATION Those sharp arrows dismayed the enemy TEXT 8, nasmat-kulocitam tata, karmaitat sad- soldiers, who became almost unconscious, but vigarhitam, vadho yad upadevanam, arabdhas te various Yaksas on the battlefield, in a rage 'krtainasam, against Dhruva Maharaja, somehow or other collected their weapons and attacked. Just as TRANSLATION serpents agitated by Garuda rush towards My dear son, the killing of the sinless Yaksas Garuda with upraised hoods, all the Yaksa which you have undertaken is not at all soldiers prepared to overcome Dhruva approved by authorities, and it does not befit Maharaja with their upraised weapons. our family, which is supposed to know the laws of religion and irreligion. TEXT 5, sa tan prsatkair abhidhavato mrdhe, nikrtta-bahuru-sirodharodaran, ninaya lokam TEXT 9, nanv ekasyaparadhena, prasangad param arka-mandalam, vrajanti nirbhidya yam bahavo hatah, bhratur vadhabhitaptena, tvayanga urdhva-retasah, bhratr-vatsala,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION When Dhruva Maharaja saw the Yaksas My dear son, it has been proved that you are coming forward, he immediately took his very much affectionate towards your brother arrows and cut the enemies to pieces. and are greatly aggrieved at his being killed by Separating their arms, legs, heads and bellies the Yaksas, but just consider--for one Yaksa's from their bodies, he delivered the Yaksas to offense, you have killed many others, who are the planetary system which is situated above innocent. the sun globe and which is attainable only by first-class brahmacaris, who have never TEXT 10, nayam margo hi sadhunam, discharged their semen. hrsikesanuvartinam, yad atmanam parag grhya, pasuvad bhuta-vaisasam, TEXT 6, tan hanyamanan abhiviksya guhyakan, anagasas citra-rathena bhurisah, auttanapadim TRANSLATION krpaya pitamaho, manur jagadopagatah One should not accept the body as the self and saharsibhih, thus, like the animals, kill the bodies of others. This is especially forbidden by saintly persons, TRANSLATION who follow the path of devotional service to the When Svayambhuva Manu saw that his Supreme Personality of Godhead. grandson Dhruva Maharaja was killing so many of the Yaksas who were not actually TEXT 11, sarva-bhutatma-bhavena, bhutavasam offenders, out of his great compassion he harim bhavan, aradhyapa duraradhyam, visnos approached Dhruva with great sages to give tat paramam padam, him good instruction. TRANSLATION TEXT 7, manur uvaca, alam vatsatirosena, It is very difficult to achieve the spiritual tamo-dvarena papmana, yena punya-janan etan, abode of Hari, in the Vaikuntha planets, but avadhis tvam anagasah, you are so fortunate that you are already destined to go to that abode by worshiping TRANSLATION Him as the supreme abode of all living entities. 65

TEXT 12, sa tvam harer anudhyatas, tat- TRANSLATION pumsam api sammatah, katham tv avadyam Manu continued: My dear King Dhruva, it is krtavan, anusiksan satam vratam, simply by the illusory, material energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and by the TRANSLATION interaction of the three modes of material Because you are a pure devotee of the Lord, nature that creation, maintenance and the Lord is always thinking of you, and you are annihilation take place. also recognized by all His confidential devotees. Your life is meant for exemplary TEXT 17, nimitta-matram tatrasin, nirgunah behavior. I am therefore surprised--why have purusarsabhah, vyaktavyaktam idam visvam, you undertaken such an abominable task? yatra bhramati lohavat,

TEXT 13, titiksaya karunaya, maitrya cakhila- TRANSLATION jantusu, samatvena ca sarvatma, bhagavan My dear Dhruva, the Supreme Personality of samprasidati, Godhead is uncontaminated by the material modes of nature. He is the remote cause of the TRANSLATION creation of this material cosmic manifestation. The Lord is very satisfied with His devotee When He gives the impetus, many other causes when the devotee greets other people with and effects are produced, and thus the whole tolerance, mercy, friendship and equality. universe moves, just as iron moves by the integrated force of a magnet. TEXT 14, samprasanne bhagavati, purusah prakrtair gunaih, vimukto jiva-nirmukto, brahma TEXT 18, sa khalv idam bhagavan kala-saktya, nirvanam rcchati, guna-pravahena vibhakta-viryah, karoty akartaiva nihanty ahanta, cesta vibhumnah khalu TRANSLATION durvibhavya, One who actually satisfies the Supreme Personality of Godhead during one's lifetime TRANSLATION becomes liberated from the gross and subtle The Supreme Personality of Godhead, by His material conditions. Thus being freed from all inconceivable supreme energy, time, causes the material modes of nature, he achieves interaction of the three modes of material unlimited spiritual bliss. nature, and thus varieties of energy become manifest. It appears that He is acting, but He is TEXT 15, bhutaih pancabhir arabdhair, yosit not the actor. He is killing, but He is not the purusa eva hi, tayor vyavayat sambhutir, yosit- killer. Thus it is understood that only by His purusayor iha, inconceivable power is everything happening.

TRANSLATION TEXT 19, so 'nanto 'nta-karah kalo, 'nadir adi-krd The creation of the material world begins with avyayah, janam janena janayan, marayan the five elements, and thus everything, mrtyunantakam, including the body of a man or a woman, is created of these elements. By the sexual life of TRANSLATION man and woman, the number of men and My dear Dhruva, the Supreme Personality of women in this material world is further Godhead is ever existing, but in the form of increased. time, He is the killer of everything. He has no beginning, although He is the beginning of TEXT 16, evam pravartate sargah, sthitih everything, nor is He ever exhaustible, samyama eva ca, guna-vyatikarad rajan, mayaya although everything is exhausted in due course paramatmanah, of time. The living entities are created through 66 the agency of the father and killed through the TRANSLATION agency of death, but He is perpetually free of The Absolute Truth, Transcendence, is never birth and death. subject to the understanding of imperfect sensory endeavor, nor is He subject to direct TEXT 20, na vai sva-pakso 'sya vipaksa eva va, experience. He is the master of varieties of parasya mrtyor visatah samam prajah, tam energies, like the full material energy, and no dhavamanam anudhavanty anisa, yatha rajamsy one can understand His plans or actions; anilam bhuta-sanghah, therefore it should be concluded that although He is the original cause of all causes, no one TRANSLATION can know Him by mental speculation. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His feature of eternal time, is present in the TEXT 24, na caite putraka bhratur, hantaro material world and is neutral towards dhanadanugah, visargadanayos tata, pumso everyone. No one is His ally, and no one is His daivam hi karanam, enemy. Within the jurisdiction of the time element, everyone enjoys or suffers the result TRANSLATION of his own karma, or fruitive activities. As, My dear son, those Yaksas, who are when the wind blows, small particles of dust descendants of Kuvera, are not actually the fly in the air, so, according to one's particular killers of your brother; the birth and death of karma, one suffers or enjoys material life. every living entity are caused by the Supreme, who is certainly the cause of all causes. TEXT 21, ayuso 'pacayam jantos, tathaivopacayam vibhuh, ubhabhyam rahitah sva- TEXT 25, sa eva visvam srjati, sa evavati hanti stho, duhsthasya vidadhaty asau, ca, athapi hy anahankaran, najyate guna- karmabhih, TRANSLATION The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, TRANSLATION is all-powerful, and He awards the results of The Supreme Personality of Godhead creates one's fruitive activities. Thus, although one this material world, maintains it, and living entity's duration of life is very small annihilates it in due course of time, but whereas that of another is very great, He is because He is transcendental to such activities, always in His transcendental position, and He is never affected by ego in such action or by there is no question of lessening or increasing the modes of material nature. His duration of life. TEXT 26, esa bhutani bhutatma, bhuteso bhuta- TEXT 22, kecit karma vadanty enam, bhavanah, sva-saktya mayaya yuktah, srjaty atti svabhavam apare nrpa, eke kalam pare daivam, ca pati ca, pumsah kamam utapare, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the The differentiation among varieties of life and Supersoul of all living entities. He is the their suffering and enjoyment is explained by controller and maintainer of everyone; some to be the result of karma. Others say it is through the agency of His external energy, He due to nature, others due to time, others due to creates, maintains and annihilates everyone. fate, and still others say that it is due to desire. TEXT 27, tam eva mrtyum amrtam tata daivam, TEXT 23, avyaktasyaprameyasya, nana-sakty- sarvatmanopehi jagat-parayanam, yasmai balim udayasya ca, na vai cikirsitam tata, ko vedatha visva-srjo haranti, gavo yatha vai nasi dama- sva-sambhavam, yantritah,

TRANSLATION you will very soon forget the illusory My dear boy Dhruva, please surrender unto understanding of "I" and "my." the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the ultimate goal of the progress of the world. TEXT 31, samyaccha rosam bhadram te, Everyone, including the demigods headed by pratipam sreyasam param, srutena bhuyasa Lord Brahma, is working under His control, rajann, agadena yathamayam, just as a bull, prompted by a rope in its nose, is controlled by its owner. TRANSLATION My dear King, just consider what I have said TEXT 28, yah panca-varso jananim tvam vihaya, to you, which will act as medicinal treatment matuh sapatnya vacasa bhinna-marma, vanam upon disease. Control your anger, for anger is gatas tapasa pratyag-aksam, aradhya lebhe the foremost enemy on the path of spiritual murdhni padam tri-lokyah, realization. I wish all good fortune for you. Please follow my instructions. TRANSLATION My dear Dhruva, at the age of only five years TEXT 32, yenopasrstat purusal, loka udvijate you were very grievously afflicted by the words bhrsam, na budhas tad-vasam gacched, icchann of your mother's co-wife, and you very boldly abhayam atmanah, gave up the protection of your mother and went to the forest to engage in the yogic TRANSLATION process for realization of the Supreme A person who desires liberation from this Personality of Godhead. As a result of this you material world should not fall under the have already achieved the topmost position in control of anger because when bewildered by all the three worlds. anger one becomes a source of dread for all others. TEXT 29, tam enam angatmani mukta-vigrahe, vyapasritam nirgunam ekam aksaram, atmanam TEXT 33, helanam girisa-bhratur, dhanadasya anviccha vimuktam atma-drg, yasminn idam tvaya krtam, yaj jaghnivan punya-janan, bhratr- bhedam asat pratiyate, ghnan ity amarsitah,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear Dhruva, please, therefore, turn your My dear Dhruva, you thought that the Yaksas attention to the Supreme Person, who is the killed your brother, and therefore you have infallible Brahman. Face the Supreme killed great numbers of them. But by this Personality of Godhead in your original action you have agitated the mind of Lord position, and thus, by self-realization, you will Siva's brother Kuvera, who is the treasurer of find this material differentiation to be merely the demigods. Please note that your actions flickering. have been very disrespectful to Kuvera and Lord Siva. TEXT 30, tvam pratyag-atmani tada bhagavaty ananta, ananda-matra upapanna-samasta-saktau, TEXT 34, tam prasadaya vatsasu, sannatya bhaktim vidhaya paramam sanakair avidya-, prasrayoktibhih, na yavan mahatam tejah, kulam granthim vibhetsyasi mamaham iti prarudham, no 'bhibhavisyati,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Thus regaining your natural position and For this reason, my son, you should rendering service unto the Supreme Lord, who immediately pacify Kuvera with gentle words is the all-powerful reservoir of all pleasure and and prayers, and thus his wrath may not affect who lives in all living entities as the Supersoul, our family.

TEXT 35, evam svayambhuvah pautram, have they killed your brother, for the ultimate anusasya manur dhruvam, tenabhivanditah cause of generation and annihilation is the sakam, rsibhih sva-puram yayau, eternal time feature of the Supreme Lord.

TRANSLATION TEXT 4, aham tvam ity apartha dhir, ajnanat Thus Svayambhuva Manu, after giving purusasya hi, svapnivabhaty atad-dhyanad, yaya instruction to Dhruva Maharaja, his grandson, bandha-viparyayau, received respectful obeisances from him. Then Lord Manu and the great sages went back to TRANSLATION their respective homes. Misidentification of oneself and others as "I" and "you" on the basis of the bodily concept of life is a product of ignorance. This bodily Chapter Twelve Dhruva Maharaja concept is the cause of repeated birth and Goes Back to Godhead death, and it makes us go on continuously in material existence. TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, dhruvam nivrttam pratibuddhya vaisasad, apeta-manyum bhagavan TEXT 5, tad gaccha dhruva bhadram te, dhanesvarah, tatragatas carana-yaksa-kinnaraih, bhagavantam adhoksajam, sarva-bhutatma- samstuyamano nyavadat krtanjalim, bhavena, sarva-bhutatma-vigraham,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The great sage Maitreya said: My dear My dear Dhruva, come forward. May the Lord Vidura, Dhruva Maharaja's anger subsided, always grace you with good fortune. The and he completely ceased killing Yaksas. When Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is Kuvera, the most blessed master of the beyond our sensory perception, is the treasury, learned this news, he appeared Supersoul of all living entities, and thus all before Dhruva. While being worshiped by entities are one, without distinction. Begin, Yaksas, Kinnaras and Caranas, he spoke to therefore, to render service unto the Dhruva Maharaja, who stood before him with transcendental form of the Lord, who is the folded hands. ultimate shelter of all living entities.

TEXT 2, dhanada uvaca, bho bhoh ksatriya- TEXT 6, bhajasva bhajaniyanghrim, abhavaya dayada, paritusto 'smi te 'nagha, yat tvam bhava-cchidam, yuktam virahitam saktya, guna- pitamahadesad, vairam dustyajam atyajah, mayyatma-mayaya,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The master of the treasury, Kuvera, said: O Engage yourself fully, therefore, in the sinless son of a ksatriya, I am very glad to devotional service of the Lord, for only He can know that under the instruction of your deliver us from this entanglement of grandfather you have given up your enmity, materialistic existence. Although the Lord is although it is very difficult to avoid. I am very attached to His material potency, He is aloof pleased with you. from her activities. Everything in this material world is happening by the inconceivable TEXT 3, na bhavan avadhid yaksan, na yaksa potency of the Supreme Personality of bhrataram tava, kala eva hi bhutanam, prabhur Godhead. apyaya-bhavayoh, TEXT 7, vrnihi kamam nrpa yan mano-gatam, TRANSLATION mattas tvam auttanapade 'visankitah, varam Actually, you have not killed the Yaksas, nor vararho 'mbuja-nabha-padayor, anantaram tvam vayam anga susruma, 69

sacrifices, the Supreme Personality of TRANSLATION Godhead. Prescribed ceremonial sacrifices are My dear Dhruva Maharaja, son of Maharaja especially meant to please Lord Visnu, who is Uttanapada, we have heard that you are the objective of all such sacrifices and who constantly engaged in transcendental loving awards the resultant benedictions. service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known for His lotus navel. TEXT 11, sarvatmany acyute 'sarve, tivraugham You are therefore worthy to take all bhaktim udvahan, dadarsatmani bhutesu, tam benedictions from us. Please, therefore, ask evavasthitam vibhum, without hesitation whatever benediction you want from me. TRANSLATION Dhruva Maharaja rendered devotional service TEXT 8, maitreya uvaca,sa raja-rajena varaya unto the Supreme, the reservoir of everything, codito, dhruvo maha-bhagavato maha-matih, with unrelenting force. While carrying out his harau sa vavre 'calitam smrtim yaya, taraty devotional service to the Lord, he could see ayatnena duratyayam tamah, that everything is situated in Him only and that He is situated in all living entities. The TRANSLATION Lord is called Acyuta because He never fails in The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear His prime duty, to give protection to His Vidura, when thus asked to accept a devotees. benediction from Kuvera the Yaksaraja [King of the Yaksas], Dhruva Maharaja, that most TEXT 12, tam evam sila-sampannam, elevated pure devotee, who was an intelligent brahmanyam dina-vatsalam, goptaram dharma- and thoughtful king, begged that he might setunam, menire pitaram prajah, have unflinching faith in and remembrance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for thus TRANSLATION a person can cross over the ocean of nescience Dhruva Maharaja was endowed with all godly very easily, although it is very difficult for qualities; he was very respectful to the others to cross. devotees of the Supreme Lord and very kind to the poor and innocent, and he protected TEXT 9, tasya pritena manasa, tam religious principles. With all these dattvaidavidas tatah, pasyato 'ntardadhe so 'pi, qualifications, he was considered to be the sva-puram pratyapadyata, direct father of all the citizens.

TRANSLATION TEXT 13, sat-trimsad-varsa-sahasram, sasasa The son of Idavida, Lord Kuvera, was very ksiti-mandalam, bhogaih punya-ksayam kurvann, pleased, and happily he gave Dhruva abhogair asubha-ksayam, Maharaja the benediction he wanted. Thereafter he disappeared from Dhruva's TRANSLATION presence, and Dhruva Maharaja returned to Dhruva Maharaja ruled over this planet for his capital city. thirty-six thousand years; he diminished the reactions of pious activities by enjoyment, and TEXT 10, athayajata yajnesam, kratubhir bhuri- by practicing austerities he diminished daksinaih, dravya-kriya-devatanam, karma inauspicious reactions. karma-phala-pradam, TEXT 14, evam bahu-savam kalam, TRANSLATION mahatmavicalendriyah, tri-vargaupayikam nitva, As long as he remained at home, Dhruva putrayadan nrpasanam, Maharaja performed many great ceremonial sacrifices in order to please the enjoyer of all TRANSLATION 70

The self-controlled great soul Dhruva his mind on the arca-vigraha form of the Lord, Maharaja thus passed many, many years which is the exact replica of the Lord and, thus favorably executing three kinds of worldly meditating upon Him, entered into complete activities, namely religiosity, economic trance. development and satisfaction of all material desires. Thereafter he handed over the charge TEXT 18, bhaktim harau bhagavati pravahann of the royal throne to his son. ajasram, ananda-baspa-kalaya muhur ardyamanah, viklidyamana-hrdayah TEXT 15, manyamana idam visvam, maya- pulakacitango, natmanam asmarad asav iti mukta- racitam atmani, avidya-racita-svapna-, gandharva- lingah, nagaropamam, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Because of his transcendental bliss, incessant Srila Dhruva Maharaja realized that this tears flowed from his eyes, his heart melted, cosmic manifestation bewilders living entities and there was shivering and standing of the like a dream or phantasmagoria because it is a hairs all over his body. Thus transformed, in a creation of the illusory, external energy of the trance of devotional service, Dhruva Maharaja Supreme Lord. completely forgot his bodily existence, and thus he immediately became liberated from TEXT 16, atma-stry-apatya-suhrdo balam rddha- material bondage. kosam, antah-puram parivihara-bhuvas ca ramyah, bhu-mandalam jaladhi-mekhalam TEXT 19, sa dadarsa vimanagryam, nabhaso akalayya, kalopasrstam iti sa prayayau visalam, 'vatarad dhruvah, vibhrajayad dasa diso, rakapatim ivoditam, TRANSLATION Thus Dhruva Maharaja, at the end, left his TRANSLATION kingdom, which extended all over the earth As soon as the symptoms of his liberation were and was bounded by the great oceans. He manifest, he saw a very beautiful airplane considered his body, his wives, his children, his coming down from the sky, as if the brilliant friends, his army, his rich treasury, his very full moon were coming down, illuminating all comfortable palaces and his many enjoyable the ten directions. pleasure-grounds to be creations of the illusory energy. Thus in due course of time he retired TEXT 20, tatranu deva-pravarau catur-bhujau, to the forest in the Himalayas known as syamau kisorav arunambujeksanau, sthitav Badarikasrama. avastabhya gadam suvasasau, kirita-harangada- caru-kundalau, TEXT 17, tasyam visuddha-karanah siva-var vigahya, baddhvasanam jita-marun TRANSLATION manasahrtaksah, sthule dadhara bhagavat- Dhruva Maharaja saw two very beautiful pratirupa etad, dhyayams tad avyavahito vyasrjat associates of Lord Visnu in the plane. They samadhau, had four hands and a blackish bodily luster, they were very youthful, and their eyes were TRANSLATION just like reddish lotus flowers. They held clubs In Badarikasrama Dhruva Maharaja's senses in their hands, and they were dressed in very became completely purified because he bathed attractive garments with helmets and were regularly in the crystal-clear purified water. decorated with necklaces, bracelets and He fixed his sitting position and by yogic earrings. practice controlled the breathing process and the air of life; in this way his senses were TEXT 21, vijnaya tav uttamagaya-kinkarav, completely withdrawn. Then he concentrated abhyutthitah sadhvasa-vismrta-kramah, nanama 71

namani grnan madhudvisah, parsat-pradhanav iti bow named Sarnga. We have been specifically samhatanjalih, deputed to take you to the spiritual world.

TRANSLATION TEXT 25, sudurjayam visnu-padam jitam tvaya, Dhruva Maharaja, seeing that these yat surayo 'prapya vicaksate param, atistha tac uncommon personalities were direct servants candra-divakaradayo, graharksa-tarah pariyanti of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, daksinam, immediately stood up. But, being puzzled, in hastiness he forgot how to receive them in the TRANSLATION proper way. Therefore he simply offered To achieve Visnuloka is very difficult, but by obeisances with folded hands and chanted and your austerity you have conquered. Even the glorified the holy names of the Lord. great rsis and demigods cannot achieve this position. Simply to see the supreme abode [the TEXT 22, tam krsna-padabhinivista-cetasam, Visnu planet], the sun and moon and all the baddhanjalim prasraya-namra-kandharam, other planets, stars, lunar mansions and solar sunanda-nandav upasrtya sasmitam, pratyucatuh systems are circumambulating it. Now please puskaranabha-sammatau, come; you are welcome to go there.

TRANSLATION TEXT 26, anasthitam te pitrbhir, anyair apy anga Dhruva Maharaja was always absorbed in karhicit, atistha jagatam vandyam, tad visnoh thinking of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna. His paramam padam, heart was full with Krsna. When the two confidential servants of the Supreme Lord, TRANSLATION who were named Nanda and Sunanda, Dear King Dhruva, neither your forefathers approached him, smiling happily, Dhruva nor anyone else before you ever achieved such stood with folded hands, bowing humbly. They a transcendental planet. The planet known as then addressed him as follows. Visnuloka, where Lord Visnu personally resides, is the highest of all. It is worshipable TEXT 23, sunanda-nandav ucatuh, bho bho rajan by the inhabitants of all other planets within subhadram te, vacam no 'vahitah srnu, yah the universe. Please come with us and live panca-varsas tapasa, bhavan devam atitrpat, there eternally.

TRANSLATION TEXT 27, etad vimana-pravaram, uttamasloka- Nanda and Sunanda, the two confidential maulina, upasthapitam ayusmann, adhirodhum associates of Lord Visnu, said: Dear King, let tvam arhasi, there be all good fortune unto you. Please attentively hear what we shall say. When you TRANSLATION were only five years old, you underwent severe O immortal one, this unique airplane has been austerities, and you thereby greatly satisfied sent by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. who is worshiped by selected prayers and who is the chief of all living entities. You are quite TEXT 24, tasyakhila-jagad-dhatur, avam devasya worthy to board such a plane. sarnginah, parsadav iha sampraptau, netum tvam bhagavat-padam, TEXT 28, maitreya uvaca, nisamya vaikuntha- niyojya-mukhyayor, madhu-cyutam vacam TRANSLATION urukrama-priyah, krtabhisekah krta-nitya- We are representatives of the Supreme mangalo, munin pranamyasisam abhyavadayat, Personality of Godhead, the creator of the whole universe, who carries in His hand the TRANSLATION The great sage Maitreya continued: Maharaja 72

Dhruva was very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When he heard the TRANSLATION sweet speeches of the Lord's chief associates in Dhruva was seated in the transcendental the Vaikuntha planet, he immediately took his airplane, which was just about to start, when sacred bath, dressed himself with suitable he remembered his poor mother, Suniti. He ornaments, and performed his daily spiritual thought to himself, "How shall I go alone to duties. Thereafter he offered his respectful the Vaikuntha planet and leave behind my obeisances to the great sages present there and poor mother?" accepted their blessings. TEXT 33, iti vyavasitam tasya, vyavasaya TEXT 29, parityabhyarcya dhisnyagryam, surottamau, darsayam asatur devim, puro yanena parsadav abhivandya ca, iyesa tad adhisthatum, gacchatim, bibhrad rupam hiranmayam, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The great associates of Vaikunthaloka, Nanda Before getting aboard, Dhruva Maharaja and Sunanda, could understand the mind of worshiped the airplane, circumambulated it, Dhruva Maharaja, and thus they showed him and also offered obeisances to the associates of that his mother, Suniti, was going forward in Visnu. In the meantime he became as brilliant another plane. and illuminating as molten gold. He was thus completely prepared to board the TEXT 34, tatra tatra prasamsadbhih, pathi transcendental plane. vaimanikaih suraih, avakiryamano dadrse, kusumaih kramaso grahan, TEXT 30, tadottanapadah putro, dadarsantakam agatam, mrtyor murdhni padam dattva, TRANSLATION arurohadbhutam grham, While Dhruva Maharaja was passing through space, he gradually saw all the planets of the TRANSLATION solar system, and on the path he saw all the When Dhruva Maharaja was attempting to get demigods in their airplanes showering flowers on the transcendental plane, he saw death upon him like rain. personified approach him. Not caring for death, however, he took advantage of the TEXT 35, tri-lokim deva-yanena, so 'tivrajya opportunity to put his feet on the head of munin api, parastad yad dhruva-gatir, visnoh death, and thus he got up on the airplane, padam athabhyagat, which was as big as a house. TRANSLATION TEXT 31, tada dundubhayo nedur, mrdanga- Dhruva Maharaja thus surpassed the seven panavadayah, gandharva-mukhyah prajaguh, planetary systems of the great sages who are petuh kusuma-vrstayah, known as saptarsi. Beyond that region, he achieved the transcendental situation of TRANSLATION permanent life in the planet where Lord Visnu At that time drums and kettledrums lives. resounded from the sky, the chief Gandharvas began to sing and other demigods showered TEXT 36, yad bhrajamanam sva-rucaiva sarvato, flowers like torrents of rain upon Dhruva lokas trayo hy anu vibhrajanta ete, yan navrajan Maharaja. jantusu ye 'nanugraha, vrajanti bhadrani caranti ye 'nisam, TEXT 32, sa ca svarlokam aroksyan, sunitim jananim dhruvah, anvasmarad agam hitva, dinam TRANSLATION yasye tri-vistapam, The self-effulgent Vaikuntha planets, by whose 73

illumination alone all the illuminating planets Pracetas and very happily chanted the within this material world give off reflected following three verses. light, cannot be reached by those who are not merciful to other living entities. Only persons TEXT 41, narada uvaca, nunam suniteh pati- who constantly engage in welfare activities for devatayas, tapah-prabhavasya sutasya tam gatim, other living entities can reach the Vaikuntha drstvabhyupayan api veda-vadino, planets. naivadhigantum prabhavanti kim nrpah,

TEXT 37, santah sama-drsah suddhah, sarva- TRANSLATION bhutanuranjanah, yanty anjasacyuta-padam, The great sage Narada said: Simply by the acyuta-priya-bandhavah, influence of his spiritual advancement and powerful austerity, Dhruva Maharaja, the son TRANSLATION of Suniti, who was devoted to her husband, Persons who are peaceful, equipoised, cleansed acquired an exalted position not possible to and purified, and who know the art of pleasing attain even for the so-called Vedantists or all other living entities, keep friendship only strict followers of the Vedic principles, not to with devotees of the Lord; they alone can very speak of ordinary human beings. easily achieve the perfection of going back home, back to Godhead. TEXT 42, yah panca-varso guru-dara-vak-sarair, bhinnena yato hrdayena duyata, vanam mad- TEXT 38, ity uttanapadah putro, dhruvah krsna- adesa-karo 'jitam prabhum, jigaya tad-bhakta- parayanah, abhut trayanam lokanam, cuda-manir gunaih parajitam, ivamalah, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The great sage Narada continued: Just see how In this way, the fully Krsna conscious Dhruva Dhruva Maharaja, aggrieved at the harsh Maharaja, the exalted son of Maharaja words of his stepmother, went to the forest at Uttanapada, attained the summit of the three the age of only five years and under my statuses of planetary systems. direction underwent austerity. Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead is TEXT 39, gambhira-vego 'nimisam, jyotisam unconquerable, Dhruva Maharaja defeated cakram ahitam, yasmin bhramati kauravya, Him with the specific qualifications possessed medhyam iva gavam ganah, by the Lord's devotees.

TRANSLATION TEXT 43, yah ksatra-bandhur bhuvi Saint Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, tasyadhirudham, anv aruruksed api varsa-pugaih, descendant of Kuru, as a herd of bulls sat-panca-varso yad ahobhir alpaih, prasadya circumambulates a central pole on their right vaikuntham avapa tat-padam, side, all the luminaries within the universal sky unceasingly circumambulate the abode of TRANSLATION Dhruva Maharaja with great force and speed. Dhruva Maharaja attained an exalted position at the age of only five or six years, after TEXT 40, mahimanam vilokyasya, narado undergoing austerity for six months. Alas, a bhagavan rsih, atodyam vitudan slokan, satre great ksatriya cannot achieve such a position 'gayat pracetasam, even after undergoing austerities for many, many years. TRANSLATION After observing the glories of Dhruva TEXT 44, maitreya uvaca, etat te 'bhihitam Maharaja, the great sage Narada, playing his sarvam, yat prsto 'ham iha tvaya, vina, went to the sacrificial arena of the dhruvasyoddama-yasasas, caritam sammatam 74

satam, acquire them, and for thoughtful men who want adoration, here is the proper means. TRANSLATION The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear TEXT 48, prayatah kirtayet pratah, samavaye dvi- Vidura, whatever you have asked from me janmanam, sayam ca punya-slokasya, dhruvasya about the great reputation and character of caritam mahat, Dhruva Maharaja I have explained to you in all detail. Great saintly persons and devotees TRANSLATION very much like to hear about Dhruva The great sage Maitreya recommended: One Maharaja. should chant of the character and activities of Dhruva Maharaja both in the morning and in TEXT 45, dhanyam yasasyam ayusyam, punyam the evening, with great attention and care, in a svasty-ayanam mahat, svargyam dhrauvyam society of brahmanas or other twice-born saumanasyam, prasasyam agha-marsanam, persons.

TRANSLATION TEXTS 49-50, paurnamasyam sinivalyam, By hearing the narration of Dhruva Maharaja dvadasyam sravane 'thava, dina-ksaye vyatipate, one can fulfill desires for wealth, reputation sankrame 'rkadine 'pi va, sravayec and increased duration of life. It is so chraddadhananam, tirtha-pada-padasrayah, auspicious that one can even go to a heavenly necchams tatratmanatmanam, santusta iti sidhyati, planet or attain Dhruvaloka, which was achieved by Dhruva Maharaja, just by hearing TRANSLATION about him. The demigods also become pleased Persons who have completely taken shelter of because this narration is so glorious, and it is the lotus feet of the Lord should recite this so powerful that it can counteract all the narration of Dhruva Maharaja without taking results of one's sinful actions. remuneration. Specifically, recitation is recommended on the full moon or dark moon TEXT 46, srutvaitac chraddhayabhiksnam, day, on the day after Ekadasi, on the acyuta-priya-cestitam, bhaved bhaktir bhagavati, appearance of the Sravana star, at the end of a yaya syat klesa-sanksayah, particular tithi, or the occasion of Vyatipata, at the end of the month, or on Sunday. Such TRANSLATION recitation should of course be performed Anyone who hears the narration of Dhruva before a favorable audience. When recitation is Maharaja, and who repeatedly tries with faith performed this way, without professional and devotion to understand his pure character, motive, the reciter and audience become attains the pure devotional platform and perfect. executes pure devotional service. By such activities one can diminish the threefold TEXT 51, jnanam ajnata-tattvaya, yo dadyat sat- miserable conditions of material life. pathe 'mrtam, krpalor dina-nathasya, devas tasyanugrhnate, TEXT 47, mahattvam icchatam tirtham, srotuh siladayo gunah, yatra tejas tad icchunam, mano TRANSLATION yatra manasvinam, The narration of Dhruva Maharaja is sublime knowledge for the attainment of immortality. TRANSLATION Persons unaware of the Absolute Truth can be Anyone who hears this narration of Dhruva led to the path of truth. Those who out of Maharaja acquires exalted qualities like him. transcendental kindness take on the For anyone who desires greatness, prowess or responsibility of becoming master-protectors influence, here is the process by which to of the poor living entities automatically gain the interest and blessings of the demigods. 75

TEXT 52, idam maya te 'bhihitam kurudvaha, TRANSLATION dhruvasya vikhyata-visuddha-karmanah, Vidura continued: I know that the great sage hitvarbhakah kridanakani matur, grham ca Narada is the greatest of all devotees. He has visnum saranam yo jagama, compiled the pancaratrika procedure of devotional service and has directly met the TRANSLATION Supreme Personality of Godhead. The transcendental activities of Dhruva Maharaja are well known all over the world, TEXT 4, sva-dharma-silaih purusair, bhagavan and they are very pure. In childhood Dhruva yajna-purusah, ijyamano bhaktimata, Maharaja rejected all kinds of toys and naradeneritah kila, playthings, left the protection of his mother and seriously took shelter of the Supreme TRANSLATION Personality of Godhead, Visnu. My dear While all the Pracetas were executing religious Vidura, I therefore conclude this narration, for rituals and sacrificial ceremonies and thus I have described to you all its details. worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead for His satisfaction, the great sage Narada described the transcendental qualities Chapter Thirteen Description of the of Dhruva Maharaja. Descendants of Dhruva Maharaja TEXT 5, yas ta devarsina tatra, varnita bhagavat- TEXT 1, suta uvaca, nisamya kathah, mahyam susrusave brahman, kausaravinopavarnitam, dhruvasya vaikuntha- kartsnyenacastum arhasi, padadhirohanam, prarudha-bhavo bhagavaty adhoksaje, prastum punas tam vidurah TRANSLATION pracakrame, My dear brahmana, how did Narada Muni glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead, TRANSLATION and what pastimes were described in that Suta Gosvami, continuing to speak to all the meeting? I am very eager to hear of them. rsis, headed by Saunaka, said: After hearing Kindly explain fully about that glorification of Maitreya Rsi describe Dhruva Maharaja's the Lord. ascent to Lord Visnu's abode, Vidura became very much enlightened in devotional emotion, TEXT 6, maitreya uvaca, dhruvasya cotkalah and he inquired from Maitreya as follows. putrah, pitari prasthite vanam,sarvabhauma- sriyam naicchad, adhirajasanam pituh, TEXT 2, vidura uvaca, ke te pracetaso nama, kasyapatyani suvrata, kasyanvavaye prakhyatah, TRANSLATION kutra va satram asata, The great sage Maitreya replied: My dear Vidura, when Maharaja Dhruva departed for TRANSLATION the forest, his son, Utkala, did not desire to Vidura inquired from Maitreya: O greatly accept the opulent throne of his father, which advanced devotee, who were the Pracetas? To was meant for the ruler of all the lands of this which family did they belong? Whose sons planet. were they, and where did they perform the great sacrifices? TEXT 7, sa janmanopasantatma, nihsangah sama-darsanah, dadarsa loke vitatam, atmanam TEXT 3, manye maha-bhagavatam, naradam lokam atmani, deva-darsanam, yena proktah kriya-yogah, paricarya-vidhir hareh, TRANSLATION From his very birth, Utkala was fully satisfied 76

and unattached to the world. He was TEXT 12, svarvithir vatsarasyesta, bharyasuta equipoised, for he could see everything resting sad-atmajan, pusparnam tigmaketum ca, isam in the Supersoul and the Supersoul present in urjam vasum jayam, everyone's heart. TRANSLATION TEXTS 8-9, atmanam brahma nirvanam, King Vatsara had a very dear wife whose pratyastamita-vigraham, avabodha-rasaikatmyam, name was Svarvithi, and she gave birth to six anandam anusantatam, avyavacchinna-yogagni-, sons, named Pusparna, Tigmaketu, Isa, Urja, dagdha-karma-malasayah, svarupam Vasu and Jaya. avarundhano, natmano 'nyam tadaiksata, TEXT 13, pusparnasya prabha bharya, dosa ca TRANSLATION dve babhuvatuh, pratar madhyandinam sayam, iti By expansion of his knowledge of the Supreme hy asan prabha-sutah, Brahman, he had already attained liberation from the bondage of the body. This liberation TRANSLATION is known as nirvana. He was situated in Pusparna had two wives, named Prabha and transcendental bliss, and he continued always Dosa. Prabha had three sons, named Pratar, in that blissful existence, which expanded more Madhyandinam and Sayam. and more. This was possible for him by continual practice of bhakti-yoga, which is TEXT 14, pradoso nisitho vyusta, iti dosa-sutas compared to fire because it burns away all trayah, vyustah sutam puskarinyam, sarvatejasam dirty, material things. He was always situated adadhe, in his constitutional position of self-realization, and he could not see anything else but the TRANSLATION Supreme Lord and himself engaged in Dosa had three sons--Pradosa, Nisitha and discharging devotional service. Vyusta. Vyusta's wife was named Puskarini, and she gave birth to a very powerful son TEXT 10, jadandha-badhironmatta-, mukakrtir named Sarvateja. atan-matih, laksitah pathi balanam, prasantarcir ivanalah, TEXTS 15-16, sa caksuh sutam akutyam, patnyam manum avapa ha, manor asuta mahisi, TRANSLATION virajan nadvala sutan,purum kutsam tritam Utkala appeared to the less intelligent persons dyumnam, satyavantam rtam vratam, on the road to be foolish, blind, dumb, deaf agnistomam atiratram, pradyumnam sibim and mad, although actually he was not so. He ulmukam, remained like fire covered with ashes, without blazing flames. TRANSLATION Sarvateja's wife, Akuti, gave birth to a son TEXT 11, matva tam jadam unmattam, kula- named Caksusa, who became the sixth Manu vrddhah samantrinah, vatsaram bhupatim cakrur, at the end of the Manu millennium. Nadvala, yaviyamsam bhrameh sutam, the wife of Caksusa Manu, gave birth to the following faultless sons: Puru, Kutsa, Trita, TRANSLATION Dyumna, Satyavan, Rta, Vrata, Agnistoma, For this reason the ministers and all the Atiratra, Pradyumna, Sibi and Ulmuka. elderly members of the family thought Utkala to be without intelligence and, in fact, mad. TEXT 17, ulmuko 'janayat putran, puskarinyam Thus his younger brother, named Vatsara, the sad uttaman, angam sumanasam khyatim, kratum son of Bhrami, was elevated to the royal angirasam gayam, throne, and he became king of the world. TRANSLATION 77

Of the twelve sons, Ulmuka begot six sons in TEXT 22, kim vamho vena uddisya, brahma- his wife Puskarini. They were all very good dandam ayuyujan, danda-vrata-dhare rajni, sons, and their names were Anga, Sumana, munayo dharma-kovidah, Khyati, Kratu, Angira and Gaya. TRANSLATION TEXT 18, sunithangasya ya patni, susuve venam Vidura also inquired: How is it that the great ulbanam, yad-dauhsilyat sa rajarsir, nirvinno sages, who were completely conversant with niragat purat, religious principles, desired to curse King Vena, who himself carried the rod of TRANSLATION punishment, and thus awarded him the The wife of Anga, Sunitha, gave birth to a son greatest punishment [brahma-sapa]? named Vena, who was very crooked. The saintly King Anga was very disappointed with TEXT 23, navadhyeyah praja-palah, prajabhir Vena's bad character, and he left home and aghavan api, yad asau loka-palanam, bibharty kingdom and went out to the forest. ojah sva-tejasa,

TEXTS 19-20, yam anga sepuh kupita, vag-vajra TRANSLATION munayah kila, gatasos tasya bhuyas te, It is the duty of all citizens in a state never to mamanthur daksinam karam, arajake tada loke, insult the king, even though he sometimes dasyubhih piditah prajah, jato narayanamsena, appears to have done something very sinful. prthur adyah ksitisvarah, Because of his prowess, the king is always more influential than all other ruling chiefs. TRANSLATION My dear Vidura, when great sages curse, their TEXT 24, etad akhyahi me brahman, words are as invincible as a thunderbolt. Thus sunithatmaja-cestitam, sraddadhanaya bhaktaya, when they cursed King Vena out of anger, he tvam paravara-vittamah, died. After his death, since there was no king, all the rogues and thieves flourished, the TRANSLATION kingdom became unregulated, and all the Vidura requested Maitreya: My dear citizens suffered greatly. On seeing this, the brahmana, you are well conversant with all great sages took the right hand of Vena as a subjects, both past and future. Therefore I churning rod, and as a result of their churning, wish to hear from you all the activities of King Lord Visnu in His partial representation made Vena. I am your faithful devotee, so please His advent as King Prthu, the original explain this. emperor of the world. TEXT 25, maitreya uvaca, ango 'svamedham TEXT 21, vidura uvaca, tasya sila-nidheh rajarsir, ajahara maha-kratum, najagmur devatas sadhor, brahmanyasya mahatmanah, rajnah tasminn, ahuta brahma-vadibhih, katham abhud dusta, praja yad vimana yayau, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Sri Maitreya replied: My dear Vidura, once Vidura inquired from the sage Maitreya: My the great King Anga arranged to perform the dear brahmana, King Anga was very gentle. great sacrifice known as asvamedha. All the He had high character and was a saintly expert brahmanas present knew how to invite personality and lover of brahminical culture. the demigods, but in spite of their efforts, no Mow is it that such a great soul got a bad son demigods participated or appeared in that like Vena, because of whom he became sacrifice. indifferent to his kingdom and left it? TEXT 26, tam ucur vismitas tatra, yajamanam athartvijah, havimsi huyamanani, na te grhnanti 78

devatah, King Anga addressed the priestly order: My dear priests, kindly tell me what offense I have TRANSLATION committed. Although invited, the demigods are The priests engaged in the sacrifice then neither taking part in the sacrifice nor informed King Anga: O King, we are properly accepting their shares. offering the clarified butter in the sacrifice, but despite all our efforts the demigods do not TEXT 31, sadasas-pataya ucuh, nara-deveha accept it. bhavato, nagham tavan manak sthitam, asty ekam praktanam agham, yad ihedrk tvam aprajah, TEXT 27, rajan havimsy adustani, sraddhayasaditani te, chandamsy ayata-yamani, TRANSLATION yojitani dhrta-vrataih, The head priests said: O King, in this life we do not find any sinful activity, even within TRANSLATION your mind, so you are not in the least offensive. O King, we know that the paraphernalia to But we can see that in your previous life you perform the sacrifice is well collected by you performed sinful activities due to which, in with great faith and care and is not polluted. spite of your having all qualifications, you have Our chanting of the Vedic hymns is also not no son. deficient in any way, for all the brahmanas and priests present here are expert and are TEXT 32, tatha sadhaya bhadram te, atmanam executing the performances properly. suprajam nrpa, istas te putra-kamasya, putram dasyati yajna-bhuk, TEXT 28, na vidameha devanam, helanam vayam anv api,yan na grhnanti bhagan svan, ye TRANSLATION devah karma-saksinah, O King, we wish all good fortune for you. You have no son, but if you pray at once to the TRANSLATION Supreme Lord and ask for a son, and if you Dear King, we do not find any reason that the execute the sacrifice for that purpose, the demigods should feel insulted or neglected in enjoyer of the sacrifice, the Supreme any way, but still the demigods who are Personality of Godhead, will fulfill your desire. witnesses for the sacrifice do not accept their shares. We do not know why this is so. TEXT 33, tatha sva-bhagadheyani, grahisyanti divaukasah, yad yajna-purusah saksad, apatyaya TEXT 29, maitreya uvaca, ango dvija-vacah harir vrtah, srutva, yajamanah sudurmanah, tat prastum vyasrjad vacam, sadasyams tad-anujnaya, TRANSLATION When Hari, the supreme enjoyer of all TRANSLATION sacrifices, is invited to fulfill your desire for a Maitreya explained that King Anga, after son, all the demigods will come with Him and hearing the statements of the priests, was take their shares in the sacrifice. greatly aggrieved. At that time he took permission from the priests to break his silence TEXT 34, tams tan kaman harir dadyad, yan yan and inquired from all the priests who were kamayate janah, aradhito yathaivaisa, tatha present in the sacrificial arena. pumsam phalodayah,

TEXT 30, nagacchanty ahuta deva, na grhnanti TRANSLATION grahan iha, sadasas-patayo bruta, kim avadyam The performer of the sacrifices [under karma- maya krtam, kanda activities] achieves the fulfillment of the desire for which he worships the Lord. TRANSLATION 79

TEXT 35, iti vyavasita vipras, tasya rajnah follower; he became a greatly irreligious prajataye, purodasam niravapan, sipi-vistaya person. visnave, TEXT 40, sa sarasanam udyamya, mrgayur TRANSLATION vana-gocarah, hanty asadhur mrgan dinan, veno Thus for the sake of a son for King Anga, they 'sav ity arauj janah, decided to offer oblations to Lord Visnu, who is situated in the hearts of all living entities. TRANSLATION After fixing his bow and arrow, the cruel boy TEXT 36, tasmat purusa uttasthau, hema-maly used to go to the forest and unnecessarily kill amalambarah, hiranmayena patrena, siddham innocent deer, and as soon as he came all the adaya payasam, people would cry, "Here comes cruel Vena! Here comes cruel Vena!" TRANSLATION As soon as the oblation was offered in the fire, TEXT 41, akride kridato balan, vayasyan a person appeared from the fire altar wearing atidarunah, prasahya niranukrosah, pasu-maram a golden garland and a white dress. He was amarayat, carrying a golden pot filled with rice boiled in milk. TRANSLATION The boy was so cruel that while playing with TEXT 37, sa vipranumato raja, young boys of his age he would kill them very grhitvanjalinaudanam, avaghraya muda yuktah, mercilessly, as if they were animals meant for pradat patnya udara-dhih, slaughter.

TRANSLATION TEXT 42, tam vicaksya khalam putram, sasanair The King was very liberal, and after taking vividhair nrpah, yada na sasitum kalpo, bhrsam permission from the priests, he took the asit sudurmanah, preparation in his joined palms, and after smelling it he offered a portion to his wife. TRANSLATION After seeing the cruel and merciless behavior TEXT 38, sa tat pum-savanam rajni, prasya vai of his son, Vena, King Anga punished him in patyur adadhe, garbham kala upavrtte, kumaram different ways to reform him, but was unable susuve 'praja, to bring him to the path of gentleness. He thus became greatly aggrieved. TRANSLATION Although the Queen had no son, after eating TEXT 43, prayenabhyarcito devo, ye 'praja grha- that food, which had the power to produce a medhinah, kad-apatya-bhrtam duhkham, ye na male child, she became pregnant by her vindanti durbharam, husband, and in due course of time she gave birth to a son. TRANSLATION The King thought to himself: Persons who TEXT 39, sa bala eva puruso, matamaham have no son are certainly fortunate. They must anuvratah, adharmamsodbhavam mrtyum, have worshiped the Lord in their previous tenabhavad adharmikah, lives so that they would not have to suffer the unbearable unhappiness caused by a bad son. TRANSLATION That boy was born partially in the dynasty of TEXT 44, yatah papiyasi kirtir, adharmas ca irreligion. His grandfather was death mahan nrnam, yato virodhah sarvesam, yata personified, and the boy grew up as his adhir anantakah,

TRANSLATION When it was understood that the King had A sinful son causes a person's reputation to indifferently left home, all the citizens, priests, vanish. His irreligious activities at home cause ministers, friends, and people in general were irreligion and quarrel among everyone, and greatly aggrieved. They began to search for this creates only endless anxiety. him all over the world, just as a less experienced mystic searches out the Supersoul TEXT 45, kas tam prajapadesam vai, moha- within himself. bandhanam atmanah, pandito bahu manyeta, yad-arthah klesada grhah, TEXT 49, alaksayantah padavim prajapater, hatodyamah pratyupasrtya te purim, rsin TRANSLATION sametan abhivandya sasravo, nyavedayan Who, if he is considerate and intelligent, would paurava bhartr-viplavam, desire such a worthless son? Such a son is nothing but a bond of illusion for the living TRANSLATION entity, and he makes one's home miserable. When the citizens could not find any trace of the King after searching for him everywhere, TEXT 46, kad-apatyam varam manye, sad- they were very disappointed, and they apatyac chucam padat, nirvidyeta grhan martyo, returned to the city, where all the great sages yat-klesa-nivaha grhah, of the country assembled because of the King's absence. With tears in their eyes the citizens TRANSLATION offered respectful obeisances and informed the Then the King thought: A bad son is better sages in full detail that they were unable to than a good son because a good son creates an find the King anywhere. attachment for home, whereas a bad son does not. A bad son creates a hellish home from which an intelligent man naturally becomes Chapter Fourteen The Story of King very easily detached. Vena

TEXT 47, evam sa nirvinna-mana nrpo grhan, TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, bhrgv-adayas te nisitha utthaya mahodayodayat, alabdha-nidro munayo, lokanam ksema-darsinah, goptary asati 'nupalaksito nrbhir, hitva gato vena-suvam vai nrnam, pasyantah pasu-samyatam, prasuptam, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The great sage Maitreya continued: O great Thinking like that, King Anga could not sleep hero Vidura, the great sages, headed by Bhrgu, at night. He became completely indifferent to were always thinking of the welfare of the household life. Once, therefore, in the dead of people in general. When they saw that in the night, he got up from bed and left Vena's absence of King Anga there was no one to mother [his wife], who was sleeping deeply. He protect the interests of the people, they gave up all attraction for his greatly opulent understood that without a ruler the people kingdom, and, unseen by anyone, he very would become independent and nonregulated. silently gave up his home and opulence and proceeded towards the forest. TEXT 2, vira-mataram ahuya, sunitham brahma- vadinah, prakrty-asammatam venam, TEXT 48, vijnaya nirvidya gatam patim prajah, abhyasincan patim bhuvah, purohitamatya-suhrd-ganadayah, vicikyur urvyam atisoka-katara, yatha nigudham purusam TRANSLATION kuyoginah, The great sages then called for the Queen Mother, Sunitha, and with her permission they TRANSLATION 81

installed Vena on the throne as master of the countryside. In other words, he stopped all world. All the ministers, however, disagreed kinds of religious rituals. with this. TEXT 7, venasyaveksya munayo, durvrttasya TEXT 3, srutva nrpasana-gatam, venam atyugra- vicestitam, vimrsya loka-vyasanam, krpayocuh sasanam, nililyur dasyavah sadyah, sarpa-trasta sma satrinah, ivakhavah, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Therefore all the great sages assembled It was already known that Vena was very together and, after observing cruel Vena's severe and cruel; therefore, as soon as all the atrocities, concluded that a great danger and thieves and rogues in the state heard of his catastrophe was approaching the people of the ascendance to the royal throne, they became world. Thus out of compassion they began to very much afraid of him. Indeed, they hid talk amongst themselves, for they themselves themselves here and there as rats hide were the performers of the sacrifices. themselves from snakes. TEXT 8, aho ubhayatah praptam, lokasya TEXT 4, sa arudha-nrpa-sthana, unnaddho 'sta- vyasanam mahat, daruny ubhayato dipte, iva vibhutibhih, avamene maha-bhagan, stabdhah taskara-palayoh, sambhavitah svatah, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION When the great sages consulted one another, When the King ascended to the throne, he they saw that the people were in a dangerous became all-powerful with eight kinds of position from both directions. When a fire opulences. Consequently he became too proud. blazes on both ends of a log, the ants in the By virtue of his false prestige, he considered middle are in a very dangerous situation. himself to be greater than anyone. Thus he Similarly, at that time the people in general began to insult great personalities. were in a dangerous position due to an irresponsible king on one side and thieves and TEXT 5, evam madandha utsikto, nirankusa iva rogues on the other. dvipah, paryatan ratham asthaya, kampayann iva rodasi, TEXT 9, arajaka-bhayad esa, krto rajatad- arhanah, tato 'py asid bhayam tv adya, katham TRANSLATION syat svasti dehinam, When he became overly blind due to his opulences, King Vena mounted a chariot and, TRANSLATION like an uncontrolled elephant, began to travel Thinking to save the state from irregularity, through the kingdom, causing the sky and the sages began to consider that it was due to a earth to tremble wherever he went. political crisis that they made Vena king although he was not qualified. But alas, now TEXT 6, na yastavyam na datavyam, na the people were being disturbed by the king hotavyam dvijah kvacit, iti nyavarayad dharmam, himself. Under such circumstances, how could bheri-ghosena sarvasah, the people be happy?

TRANSLATION TEXT 10, aher iva payah-posah, posakasyapy All the twice-born [brahmanas] were anartha-bhrt, venah prakrtyaiva khalah, sunitha- forbidden henceforward to perform any garbha-sambhavah, sacrifice, and they were also forbidden to give charity or offer clarified butter. Thus King TRANSLATION Vena sounded kettledrums throughout the The sages began to think within themselves: 82

Because he was born from the womb of to give you good advice. Kindly hear us with Sunitha, King Vena is by nature very great attention. By doing so, your duration of mischievous. Supporting this mischievous king life and your opulence, strength and is exactly like maintaining a snake with milk. reputation will increase. Now he has become a source of all difficulties. TEXT 15, dharma acaritah pumsam, van-manah- TEXT 11, nirupitah praja-palah, sa jighamsati vai kaya-buddhibhih, lokan visokan vitaraty, prajah, tathapi santvayemamum, nasmams tat- athanantyam asanginam, patakam sprset, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Those who live according to religious We appointed this Vena king of the state in principles and who follow them by words, order to give protection to the citizens, but now mind, body and intelligence are elevated to the he has become the enemy of the citizens. heavenly kingdom, which is devoid of all Despite all these discrepancies, we should at miseries. Being thus rid of the material once try to pacify him. By doing so, we may influence, they achieve unlimited happiness in not be touched by the sinful results caused by life. him. TEXT 16, sa te ma vinased vira, prajanam TEXT 12, tad-vidvadbhir asad-vrtto, veno ksema-laksanah, yasmin vinaste nrpatir, 'smabhih krto nrpah, santvito yadi no vacam, na aisvaryad avarohati, grahisyaty adharma-krt, loka-dhikkara- sandagdham, dahisyamah sva-tejasa, TRANSLATION The sages continued: O great hero, for this TRANSLATION reason you should not be the cause of spoiling The saintly sages continued thinking: Of the spiritual life of the general populace. If course we are completely aware of his their spiritual life is spoiled because of your mischievous nature. Yet nevertheless we activities, you will certainly fall down from enthroned Vena. If we cannot persuade King your opulent and royal position. Vena to accept our advice, he will be condemned by the public, and we will join TEXT 17, rajann asadhv-amatyebhyas, them. Thus by our prowess we shall burn him coradibhyah praja nrpah, raksan yatha balim to ashes. grhnann, iha pretya ca modate,

TEXT 13, evam adhyavasayainam, munayo TRANSLATION gudha-manyavah, upavrajyabruvan venam, The saintly persons continued: When the king santvayitva ca samabhih, protects the citizens from the disturbances of mischievous ministers as well as from thieves TRANSLATION and rogues, he can, by virtue of such pious The great sages, having thus decided, activities, accept taxes given by his subjects. approached King Vena. Concealing their real Thus a pious king can certainly enjoy himself anger, they pacified him with sweet words and in this world as well as in the life after death. then spoke as follows. TEXT 18, yasya rastre pure caiva, bhagavan TEXT 14, munaya ucuh, nrpa-varya nibodhaitad, yajna-purusah, ijyate svena dharmena, janair yat te vijnapayama bhoh, ayuh-sri-bala-kirtinam, varnasramanvitaih, tava tata vivardhanam, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The king is supposed to be pious in whose state The great sages said: Dear King, we have come and cities the general populace strictly 83

observes the system of eight social orders of cestitum, varna and asrama, and where all citizens engage in worshiping the Supreme Personality TRANSLATION of Godhead by their particular occupations. When all the brahmanas engage in performing sacrifices in your kingdom, all the demigods, TEXT 19, tasya rajno maha-bhaga, bhagavan who are plenary expansions of the Lord, will bhuta-bhavanah, paritusyati visvatma, tisthato be very much satisfied by their activities and nija-sasane, will give you your desired result. Therefore, O hero, do not stop the sacrificial performances. TRANSLATION If you stop them, you will disrespect the O noble one, if the king sees that the Supreme demigods. Personality of Godhead, the original cause of the cosmic manifestation and the Supersoul TEXT 23, vena uvaca, balisa bata yuyam va, within everyone, is worshiped, the Lord will be adharme dharma-maninah, ye vrttidam patim satisfied. hitva, jaram patim upasate,

TEXT 20, tasmims tuste kim aprapyam, jagatam TRANSLATION isvaresvare, lokah sapala hy etasmai, haranti King Vena replied: You are not at all balim adrtah, experienced. It is very much regrettable that you are maintaining something which is not TRANSLATION religious and are accepting it as religious. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is Indeed, I think you are giving up your real worshiped by the great demigods, controllers husband, who maintains you, and are of universal affairs. When He is satisfied, searching after some paramour to worship. nothing is impossible to achieve. For this reason all the demigods, presiding deities of TEXT 24, avajananty ami mudha, nrpa-rupinam different planets, as well as the inhabitants of isvaram, nanuvindanti te bhadram, iha loke their planets, take great pleasure in offering all paratra ca, kinds of paraphernalia for His worship. TRANSLATION TEXT 21, tam sarva-lokamara-yajna-sangraham, Those who, out of gross ignorance, do not trayimayam dravyamayam tapomayam, yajnair worship the king, who is actually the Supreme vicitrair yajato bhavaya te, rajan sva-desan Personality of Godhead, experience happiness anuroddhum arhasi, neither in this world nor in the world after death. TRANSLATION Dear King, the Supreme Personality of TEXT 25, ko yajna-puruso nama, yatra vo Godhead, along with the predominating bhaktir idrsi, bhartr-sneha-viduranam, yatha jare deities, is the enjoyer of the results of all kuyositam, sacrifices in all planets. The Supreme Lord is the sum total of the three Vedas, the owner of TRANSLATION everything, and the ultimate goal of all You are so much devoted to the demigods, but austerity. Therefore your countrymen should who are they? Indeed, your affection for these engage in performing various sacrifices for demigods is exactly like the affection of an your elevation. Indeed, you should always unchaste woman who neglects her married life direct them towards the offering of sacrifices. and gives all attention to her paramour.

TEXT 22, yajnena yusmad-visaye dvijatibhir, TEXTS 26-27, visnur virinco girisa, indro vayur vitayamanena surah kala hareh, svistah sutustah yamo ravih, parjanyo dhanadah somah, ksitir pradisanti vanchitam, tad-dhelanam narhasi vira agnir apampatih, ete canye ca vibudhah, prabhavo 84

vara-sapayoh, dehe bhavanti nrpateh, sarva- My dear Vidura, all good fortune unto you. devamayo nrpah, The foolish King, who thought himself very learned, thus insulted the great sages, and the TRANSLATION sages, being brokenhearted by the King's Lord Visnu; Lord Brahma; Lord Siva; Lord words, became very angry at him. Indra; Vayu, the master of air; Yama, the superintendent of death; the sun-god; the TEXT 31, hanyatam hanyatam esa, papah prakrti- director of rainfall; Kuvera, the treasurer; the darunah, jivan jagad asav asu, kurute bhasmasad moon-god; the predominating deity of the dhruvam, earth; Agni, the fire-god; Varuna, the lord of waters, and all others who are great and TRANSLATION competent to bestow benedictions or to curse, All the great saintly sages immediately cried: all abide in the body of the king. For this Kill him! Kill him! He is the most dreadful, reason the king is known as the reservoir of all sinful person. If he lives, he will certainly turn demigods, who are simply parts and parcels of the whole world into ashes in no time. the king's body. TEXT 32, nayam arhaty asad-vrtto, naradeva- TEXT 28, tasman mam karmabhir vipra, varasanam, yo 'dhiyajna-patim visnum, vinindaty yajadhvam gata-matsarah, balim ca mahyam anapatrapah, harata, matto 'nyah ko 'gra-bhuk puman, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The saintly sages continued: This impious, King Vena continued: For this reason, O impudent man does not deserve to sit on the brahmanas, you should abandon your envy of throne at all. He is so shameless that he even me, and, by your ritualistic activities, you dared insult the Supreme Personality of should worship me and offer me all Godhead, Lord Visnu. paraphernalia. If you are intelligent, you should know that there is no personality TEXT 33, ko vainam paricaksita, venam ekam rte superior to me, who can accept the first 'subham, prapta idrsam aisvaryam, yad- oblations of all sacrifices. anugraha-bhajanah,

TEXT 29, maitreya uvaca, ittham viparyaya- TRANSLATION matih, papiyan utpatham gatah, anuniyamanas But for King Vena, who is simply inauspicious, tad-yacnam, na cakre bhrasta-mangalah, who would blaspheme the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whose mercy one is TRANSLATION awarded all kinds of fortune and opulence? The great sage Maitreya continued: Thus the King, who became unintelligent due to his TEXT 34, ittham vyavasita hantum, rsayo rudha- sinful life and deviation from the right path, manyavah, nijaghnur hunkrtair venam, hatam became actually bereft of all good fortune. He acyuta-nindaya, could not accept the requests of the great sages, which the sages put before him with TRANSLATION great respect, and therefore he was The great sages, thus manifesting their covert condemned. anger, immediately decided to kill the King. King Vena was already as good as dead due to TEXT 30, iti te 'sat-krtas tena, dvijah pandita- his blasphemy against the Supreme manina, bhagnayam bhavya-yacnayam, tasmai Personality of Godhead. Thus without using vidura cukrudhuh, any weapons, the sages killed King Vena simply by high-sounding words. TRANSLATION 85

TEXT 35, rsibhih svasrama-padam, gate putra- TEXTS 39-40, tad upadravam ajnaya, lokasya kalevaram, sunitha palayam asa, vidya-yogena vasu lumpatam, bhartary uparate tasminn, socati, anyonyam ca jighamsatam, cora-prayam janapadam, hina-sattvam arajakam, lokan navarayan TRANSLATION chakta, api tad-dosa-darsinah, After all the sages returned to their respective hermitages, the mother of King Vena, Sunitha, TRANSLATION became very much aggrieved because of her Upon seeing the dust storm, the saintly persons son's death. She decided to preserve the dead could understand that there were a great deal body of her son by the application of certain of irregularities due to the death of King Vena. ingredients and by chanting mantras [mantra- Without government, the state was devoid of yogena]. law and order, and consequently there was a great uprising of murderous thieves and TEXT 36, ekada munayas te tu, sarasvat- rogues, who were plundering the riches of the salilaplutah, hutvagnin sat-kathas cakrur, people in general. Although the great sages upavistah sarit-tate, could subdue the disturbance by their powers-- just as they could kill the King--they TRANSLATION considered it improper on their part to do so. Once upon a time, the same saintly persons, Thus they did not attempt to stop the after taking their bath in the River Sarasvati, disturbance. began to perform their daily duties by offering oblations into the sacrificial fires. After this, TEXT 41, brahmanah sama-drk santo, dinanam sitting on the bank of the river, they began to samupeksakah, sravate brahma tasyapi, bhinna- talk about the transcendental person and His bhandat payo yatha, pastimes. TRANSLATION TEXT 37, viksyotthitams tadotpatan, ahur loka- The great sages began to think that although a bhayankaran, apy abhadram anathaya, dasyubhyo brahmana is peaceful and impartial because he na bhaved bhuvah, is equal to everyone, it is still not his duty to neglect poor humans. By such neglect, a TRANSLATION brahmana's spiritual power diminishes, just as In those days there were various disturbances water kept in a cracked pot leaks out. in the country that were creating a panic in society. Therefore all the sages began to talk TEXT 42, nangasya vamso rajarser, esa amongst themselves: Since the King is dead samsthatum arhati, amogha-virya hi nrpa, vamse and there is no protector in the world, 'smin kesavasrayah, misfortune may befall the people in general on account of rogues and thieves. TRANSLATION The sages decided that the descendants of the TEXT 38, evam mrsanta rsayo, dhavatam family of the saintly King Anga should not be sarvato-disam, pamsuh samutthito bhuris, stopped, for in this family the semen was very coranam abhilumpatam, powerful and the children were prone to become devotees of the Lord. TRANSLATION When the great sages were carrying on their TEXT 43, viniscityaivam rsayo, vipannasya discussion in this way, they saw a dust storm mahipateh, mamanthur urum tarasa, tatrasid arising from all directions. This storm was bahuko narah, caused by the running of thieves and rogues, who were engaged in plundering the citizens. TRANSLATION After making a decision, the saintly persons 86 and sages churned the thighs of the dead body of King Vena with great force and according to TRANSLATION a specific method. As a result of this churning, The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear a dwarf-like person was born from King Vidura, thus the brahmanas and the great Vena's body. sages again churned the two arms of King Vena's dead body. As a result a male and TEXT 44, kaka-krsno 'tihrasvango, hrasva-bahur female couple came out of his arms. maha-hanuh, hrasva-pan nimna-nasagro, raktaksas tamra-murdhajah, TEXT 2, tad drstva mithunam jatam, rsayo brahma-vadinah, ucuh parama-santusta, viditva TRANSLATION bhagavat-kalam, This person born from King Vena's thighs was named Bahuka, and his complexion was as TRANSLATION black as a crow's. All the limbs of his body The great sages were highly learned in Vedic were very short, his arms and legs were short, knowledge. When they saw the male and and his jaws were large. His nose was flat, his female born of the arms of Vena's body, they eyes were reddish, and his hair copper-colored. were very pleased, for they could understand that the couple was an expansion of a plenary TEXT 45, tam tu te 'vanatam dinam, kim portion of Visnu, the Supreme Personality of karomiti vadinam, nisidety abruvams tata, sa Godhead. nisadas tato 'bhavat, TEXT 3, rsaya ucuh, esa visnor bhagavatah, kala TRANSLATION bhuvana-palini, iyam ca laksmyah sambhutih, He was very submissive and meek, and purusasyanapayini, immediately after his birth he bowed down and inquired, "Sirs, what shall I do?" The TRANSLATION great sages replied, "Please sit down [nisida]." The great sages said: The male is a plenary Thus Nisada, the father of the Naisada race, expansion of the power of Lord Visnu, who was born. maintains the entire universe, and the female is a plenary expansion of the goddess of fortune, TEXT 46, tasya vamsyas tu naisada, giri- who is never separated from the Lord. kanana-gocarah, yenaharaj jayamano, vena- kalmasam ulbanam, TEXT 4, ayam tu prathamo rajnam, puman prathayita yasah, prthur nama maharajo, TRANSLATION bhavisyati prthu-sravah, After his [Nisada's] birth, he immediately took charge of all the resultant actions of King TRANSLATION Vena's sinful activities. As such, this Naisada Of the two, the male will be able to expand his class are always engaged in sinful activities like reputation throughout the world. His name stealing, plundering and hunting. will be Prthu. Indeed, he will be the first Consequently they are only allowed to live in among kings. the hills and forests. TEXT 5, iyam ca sudati devi, guna-bhusana- Chapter Fifteen King Prthu's bhusana, arcir nama vararoha, prthum Appearance and Coronation evavarundhati,

TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, atha tasya punar TRANSLATION viprair, aputrasya mahipateh, bahubhyam The female has such beautiful teeth and mathyamanabhyam, mithunam samapadyata, beautiful qualities that she will actually beautify the ornaments she wears. Her name 87 will be Arci. In the future she will accept King Lord Visnu's palm on King Prthu's right hand Prthu as her husband. and impressions of lotus flowers on the soles of his feet, Lord Brahma could understand that TEXT 6, esa saksad dharer amso, jato loka- King Prthu was a partial representation of the riraksaya, iyam ca tat-para hi srir, anujajne Supreme Personality of Godhead. One whose 'napayini, palm bears the sign of a disc, as well as other such lines, should be considered a partial TRANSLATION representation or incarnation of the Supreme In the form of King Prthu, the Supreme Lord. Personality of Godhead has appeared through a part of His potency to protect the people of TEXT 11, tasyabhiseka arabdho, brahmanair the world. The goddess of fortune is the brahma-vadibhih, abhisecanikany asmai, ajahruh constant companion of the Lord, and therefore sarvato janah, she has incarnated partially as Arci to become King Prthu's queen. TRANSLATION The learned brahmanas, who were very TEXT 7, maitreya uvaca, prasamsanti sma tam attached to the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies, vipra, gandharva-pravara jaguh, mumucuh then arranged for the King's coronation. sumano-dharah,siddha nrtyanti svah-striyah, People from all directions collected all the different paraphernalia for the ceremony. TRANSLATION Thus everything was complete. The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Viduraji, at that time all the brahmanas highly TEXT 12, sarit-samudra girayo, naga gavah praised and glorified King Prthu, and the best khaga mrgah, dyauh ksitih sarva-bhutani, singers of Gandharvaloka chanted his glories. samajahrur upayanam, The inhabitants of Siddhaloka showered flowers, and the beautiful women in the TRANSLATION heavenly planets danced in ecstasy. All the rivers, seas, hills, mountains, serpents, cows, birds, animals, heavenly planets, the TEXT 8, sankha-turya-mrdangadya, nedur earthly planet and all other living entities dundubhayo divi, tatra sarva upajagmur, devarsi- collected various presentations, according to pitrnam ganah, their ability, to offer the King.

TRANSLATION TEXT 13, so 'bhisikto maharajah, suvasah sadhv- Conchshells, bugles, drums and kettledrums alankrtah, patnyarcisalankrtaya, vireje 'gnir vibrated in outer space. Great sages, ivaparah, forefathers and personalities from the heavenly planets all came to earth from TRANSLATION various planetary systems. Thus the great King Prthu, exquisitely dressed with garments and ornaments, was coronated TEXTS 9-10, brahma jagad-gurur devaih, and placed on the throne. The King and his sahasrtya suresvaraih, vainyasya daksine haste, wife, Arci, who was also exquisitely drstva cihnam gadabhrtah, padayor aravindam ornamented, appeared exactly like fire. ca, tam vai mene hareh kalam, yasyapratihatam cakram, amsah sa paramesthinah, TEXT 14, tasmai jahara dhanado, haimam vira varasanam, varunah salila-sravam, atapatram sasi- TRANSLATION prabham, Lord Brahma, the master of the entire universe, arrived there accompanied by all the TRANSLATION demigods and their chiefs. Seeing the lines of The great sage continued: My dear Vidura, 88

Kuvera presented the great King Prthu with a golden throne. The demigod Varuna presented TRANSLATION him with an umbrella that constantly sprayed The demigod of fire, Agni, presented him with fine particles of water and was as brilliant as a bow made of the horns of goats and cows. the moon. The sun-god presented him with arrows as brilliant as sunshine. The predominating deity TEXT 15, vayus ca vala-vyajane, dharmah of Bhurloka presented him with slippers full of kirtimayim srajam, indrah kiritam utkrstam, mystic power. The demigods from outer space dandam samyamanam yamah, brought him presentations of flowers again and again. TRANSLATION The demigod of air, Vayu, presented King TEXT 19, natyam sugitam vaditram, Prthu with two whisks [camaras] of hair; the antardhanam ca khecarah, rsayas casisah satyah, King of religion, Dharma, presented him with samudrah sankham atmajam, a flower garland which would expand his fame; the King of heaven, Indra, presented TRANSLATION him with a valuable helmet; and the The demigods who always travel in outer space superintendent of death, Yamaraja, presented gave King Prthu the arts to perform dramas, him with a scepter with which to rule the sing songs, play musical instruments and world. disappear at his will. The great sages also offered him infallible blessings. The ocean TEXT 16, brahma brahmamayam varma, bharati offered him a conchshell produced from the haram uttamam, harih sudarsanam cakram, tat- ocean. patny avyahatam sriyam, TEXT 20, sindhavah parvata nadyo, ratha-vithir TRANSLATION mahatmanah, suto 'tha magadho vandi, tam Lord Brahma presented King Prthu with a stotum upatasthire, protective garment made of spiritual knowledge. Bharati [Sarasvati], the wife of TRANSLATION Brahma, gave him a transcendental necklace. The seas, mountains and rivers gave him room Lord Visnu presented him with a Sudarsana to drive his chariot without impediments, and disc, and Lord Visnu's wife, the goddess of a suta, a magadha and a vandi offered prayers fortune, gave him imperishable opulences. and praises. They all presented themselves before him to perform their respective duties. TEXT 17, dasa-candram asim rudrah, sata- candram tathambika, somo 'mrtamayan asvams, TEXT 21, stavakams tan abhipretya, prthur tvasta rupasrayam ratham, vainyah pratapavan, megha-nirhradaya vaca, prahasann idam abravit, TRANSLATION Lord Siva presented him with a sword within a TRANSLATION sheath marked with ten moons, and his wife, Thus when the greatly powerful King Prthu, the goddess Durga, presented him with a shield the son of Vena, saw the professionals before marked with one hundred moons. The moon- him, to congratulate them he smiled, and with demigod presented him with horses made of the gravity of the vibrating sounds of clouds he nectar, and the demigod Visvakarma spoke as follows. presented him with a very beautiful chariot. TEXT 22, prthur uvaca, bhoh suta he magadha TEXT 18, agnir aja-gavam capam, suryo saumya vandil, loke 'dhunaspasta-gunasya me rasmimayan isun, bhuh paduke yogamayyau, syat, kim asrayo me stava esa yojyatam, ma dyauh puspavalim anvaham, mayy abhuvan vitatha giro vah, 89

famous and powerful does not like to hear TRANSLATION himself praised. King Prthu said: O gentle suta, magadha and other devotee offering prayers, the qualities of TEXT 26, vayam tv avidita loke, sutadyapi which you have spoken are not distinct in me. varimabhih, karmabhih katham atmanam, Why then should you praise me for all these gapayisyama balavat, qualities when I do not shelter these features? I do not wish for these words meant for me to go TRANSLATION in vain, but it is better that they be offered to King Prthu continued: My dear devotees, someone else. headed by the suta, just now I am not very famous for my personal activities because I TEXT 23, tasmat parokse 'smad-upasrutany alam, have not done anything praiseworthy you karisyatha stotram apicya-vacah,csaty could glorify. Therefore how could I engage uttamasloka-gunanuvade, jugupsitam na you in praising my activities exactly like stavayanti sabhyah, children?

TRANSLATION Chapter Sixteen Praise of King Prthu O gentle reciters, offer such prayers in due by the Professional Reciters course of time, when the qualities of which you have spoken actually manifest themselves in TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, iti bruvanam nrpatim, me. The gentle who offer prayers to the gayaka muni-coditah, tustuvus tusta-manasas, Supreme Personality of Godhead do not tad-vag-amrta-sevaya, attribute such qualities to a human being, who does not actually have them. TRANSLATION The great sage Maitreya continued: While TEXT 24, mahad-gunan atmani kartum isah, King Prthu thus spoke, the humility of his kah stavakaih stavayate 'sato 'pi, te nectarean speeches pleased the reciters very 'syabhavisyann iti vipralabdho, janavahasam much. Then again they continued to praise the kumatir na veda, King highly with exalted prayers, as they had been instructed by the great sages. TRANSLATION How could an intelligent man competent TEXT 2, nalam vayam te mahimanuvarnane, enough to possess such exalted qualities allow yo deva-varyo 'vatatara mayaya, venanga-jatasya his followers to praise him if he did not ca paurusani te, vacas-patinam api babhramur actually have them? Praising a man by saying dhiyah, that if he were educated he might have become a great scholar or great personality is nothing TRANSLATION but a process of cheating. A foolish person who The reciters continued: Dear King, you are a agrees to accept such praise does not know direct incarnation of the Supreme Personality that such words simply insult him. of Godhead, Lord Visnu, and by His causeless mercy you have descended on this earth. TEXT 25, prabhavo hy atmanah stotram, Therefore it is not possible for us to actually jugupsanty api visrutah, hrimantah paramodarah, glorify your exalted activities. Although you paurusam va vigarhitam, have appeared through the body of King Vena, even great orators and speakers like Lord TRANSLATION Brahma and other demigods cannot exactly As a person with a sense of honor and describe the glorious activities of Your magnanimity does not like to hear about his Lordship. abominable actions, a person who is very 90

TEXT 3, athapy udara-sravasah prthor hareh, TRANSLATION kalavatarasya kathamrtadrtah, yathopadesam This King Prthu will be as powerful as the sun- munibhih pracoditah, slaghyani karmani vayam god, and just as the sun-god equally distributes vitanmahi, his sunshine to everyone, King Prthu will distribute his mercy equally. Similarly, just as TRANSLATION the sun-god evaporates water for eight months Although we are unable to glorify you and, during the rainy season, returns it adequately, we nonetheless have a profusely, this King will also exact taxes from transcendental taste for glorifying your the citizens and return these monies in times of activities. We shall try to glorify you according need. to the instructions received from authoritative sages and scholars. Whatever we speak, TEXT 7, titiksaty akramam vainya, upary however, is always inadequate and very akramatam api, bhutanam karunah sasvad, insignificant. Dear King, because you are a artanam ksiti-vrttiman, direct incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all your activities are liberal and TRANSLATION ever laudable. This King Prthu will be very, very kind to all citizens. Even though a poor person may TEXT 4, esa dharma-bhrtam srestho, lokam trample over the King's head by violating the dharme 'nuvartayan, gopta ca dharma-setunam, rules and regulations, the King, out of his sasta tat-paripanthinam, causeless mercy, will be forgetful and forgiving. As a protector of the world, he will TRANSLATION be as tolerant as the earth itself. This King, Maharaja Prthu, is the best amongst those who are following religious TEXT 8, deve 'varsaty asau devo, naradeva- principles. As such, he will engage everyone in vapur harih, krcchra-pranah praja hy esa, the pursuit of religious principles and give raksisyaty anjasendravat, those principles all protection. He will also be a great chastiser to the irreligious and atheistic. TRANSLATION When there is no rainfall and the citizens are TEXT 5, esa vai loka-palanam, bibharty ekas in great danger due to the scarcity of water, tanau tanuh, kale kale yatha-bhagam, lokayor this royal Personality of Godhead will be able ubhayor hitam, to supply rains exactly like the heavenly King Indra. Thus he will very easily be able to TRANSLATION protect the citizens from drought. This King alone, in his own body, will be able in due course of time to maintain all living TEXT 9, apyayayaty asau lokam, vadanamrta- entities and keep them in a pleasant condition murtina, sanuragavalokena, visada-smita-caruna, by manifesting himself as different demigods to perform various departmental activities. TRANSLATION Thus he will maintain the upper planetary This King, Prthu Maharaja, by virtue of his system by inducing the populace to perform affectionate glances and beautiful moonlike Vedic sacrifices. In due course of time he will face, which is always smiling with great also maintain this earthly planet by affection for the citizens, will enhance discharging proper rainfall. everyone's peaceful life.

TEXT 6, vasu kala upadatte, kale cayam TEXT 10, avyakta-vartmaisa nigudha-karyo, vimuncati, samah sarvesu bhutesu, pratapan gambhira-vedha upagupta-vittah, ananta- suryavad vibhuh, mahatmya-gunaika-dhama, prthuh praceta iva samvrtatma, 91

Since this King will always remain on the path TRANSLATION of piety, he will be neutral to both his son and The reciters continued: No one will be able to the son of his enemy. If the son of his enemy is understand the policies the King will follow. not punishable, he will not punish him, but if His activities will also be very confidential, and his own son is punishable, he will immediately it will not be possible for anyone to know how punish him. he will make every activity successful. His treasury will always remain unknown to TEXT 14, asyapratihatam cakram, prthor everyone. He will be the reservoir of unlimited amanasacalat, vartate bhagavan arko, yavat tapati glories and good qualities, and his position will go-ganaih, be maintained and covered just as Varuna, the deity of the seas, is covered all around by TRANSLATION water. Just as the sun-god expands his shining rays up to the Arctic region without impedance, the TEXT 11, durasado durvisaha, asanno 'pi influence of King Prthu will cover all tracts of viduravat, naivabhibhavitum sakyo, venarany- land up to the Arctic region and will remain utthito 'nalah, undisturbed as long as he lives.

TRANSLATION TEXT 15, ranjayisyati yal lokam, ayam atma- King Prthu was born of the dead body of King vicestitaih, athamum ahu rajanam, mano- Vena as fire is produced from arani wood. ranjanakaih prajah, Thus King Prthu will always remain just like fire, and his enemies will not be able to TRANSLATION approach him. Indeed, he will be unbearable This King will please everyone by his practical to his enemies, for although staying very near activities, and all of his citizens will remain him, they will never be able to approach him very satisfied. Because of this the citizens will but will have to remain as if far away. No one take great satisfaction in accepting him as their will be able to overcome the strength of King ruling king. Prthu. TEXT 16, drdha-vratah satya-sandho, brahmanyo TEXT 12, antar bahis ca bhutanam, pasyan vrddha-sevakah, saranyah sarva-bhutanam, karmani caranaih, udasina ivadhyakso, vayur manado dina-vatsalah, atmeva dehinam, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The King will be firmly determined and King Prthu will be able to see all the internal always situated in truth. He will be a lover of and external activities of every one of his the brahminical culture and will render all citizens. Still no one will be able to know his service to old men and give shelter to all system of espionage, and he himself will surrendered souls. Giving respect to all, he will remain neutral regarding all matters of always be merciful to the poor and innocent. glorification or vilification paid to him. He will be exactly like air, the life force within the TEXT 17, matr-bhaktih para-strisu, patnyam body, which is exhibited internally and ardha ivatmanah, prajasu pitrvat snigdhah, externally but is always neutral to all affairs. kinkaro brahma-vadinam,

TEXT 13, nadandyam dandayaty esa, sutam TRANSLATION atma-dvisam api, dandayaty atmajam api, The King will respect all women as if they were dandyam dharma-pathe sthitah, his own mother, and he will treat his own wife as the other half of his body. He will be just TRANSLATION like an affectionate father to his citizens, and 92

he will treat himself as the most obedient other kings, as well as the demigods, will offer servant of the devotees, who always preach the him all kinds of presentations. Their queens glories of the Lord. will also consider him the original king, who carries in His hands the emblems of club and TEXT 18, dehinam atmavat-presthah, suhrdam disc, and will sing of his fame, for he will be as nandi-vardhanah, mukta-sanga-prasango 'yam, reputable as the Supreme Personality of danda-panir asadhusu, Godhead.

TRANSLATION TEXT 22, ayam mahim gam duduhe 'dhirajah, The King will consider all embodied living prajapatir vrtti-karah prajanam, yo lilayadrin sva- entities as dear as his own self, and he will sarasa-kotya, bhindan samam gam akarod always be increasing the pleasures of his yathendrah, friends. He will intimately associate with liberated persons, and he will be a chastising TRANSLATION hand to all impious persons. This King, this protector of the citizens, is an extraordinary king and is equal to the TEXT 19, ayam tu saksad bhagavams try- Prajapati demigods. For the living facility of adhisah, kuta-stha atma kalayavatirnah, all citizens, he will milk the earth, which is like yasminn avidya-racitam nirarthakam, pasyanti a cow. Not only that, but he will level the nanatvam api pratitam, surface of the earth with the pointed ends of his bow, breaking all the hills exactly as King TRANSLATION Indra, the heavenly King, breaks mountains This King is the master of the three worlds, with his powerful thunderbolt. and he is directly empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is without change, TEXT 23, visphurjayann aja-gavam dhanuh and he is an incarnation of the Supreme svayam, yadacarat ksmam avisahyam ajau, known as a saktyavesa-avatara. Being a tada nililyur disi disy asanto, langulam udyamya liberated soul and completely learned, he sees yatha mrgendrah, all material varieties as meaningless because their basic principle is nescience. TRANSLATION When the lion travels in the forest with its tail TEXT 20, ayam bhuvo mandalam odayadrer, turned upward, all menial animals hide goptaika-viro naradeva-nathah, asthaya jaitram themselves. Similarly, when King Prthu will ratham atta-capah, paryasyate daksinato travel over his kingdom and vibrate the string yatharkah, of his bow, which is made of the horns of goats and bulls and is irresistible in battle, all TRANSLATION demoniac rogues and thieves will hide This King, being uniquely powerful and themselves in all directions. heroic, will have no competitor. He will travel around the globe on his victorious chariot, TEXT 24, eso 'svamedhan satam ajahara,sarasvati holding his invincible bow in his hand and pradurabhavi yatra, aharsid yasya hayam appearing exactly like the sun, which rotates in purandarah,sata-kratus carame vartamane, its own orbit from the south. TRANSLATION TEXT 21, asmai nr-palah kila tatra tatra, balim At the source of the River Sarasvati, this King harisyanti saloka-palah, mamsyanta esam striya will perform one hundred sacrifices known as adi-rajam, cakrayudham tad-yasa uddharantyah, asvamedha. In the course of the last sacrifice, the heavenly King Indra will steal the TRANSLATION sacrificial horse. When the King travels all over the world, 93

TEXT 25, esa sva-sadmopavane sametya, Prthu offered them various presentations with sanat-kumaram bhagavantam ekam, aradhya all due respect and worshiped them bhaktyalabhatamalam taj, jnanam yato brahma adequately. param vidanti, TEXT 2, brahmana-pramukhan varnan, TRANSLATION bhrtyamatya-purodhasah, pauran jana-padan This King Prthu will meet Sanat-kumara, one srenih, prakrtih samapujayat, of the four Kumaras, in the garden of his palace compound. The King will worship him TRANSLATION with devotion and will be fortunate to receive King Prthu thus satisfied and offered all instructions by which one can enjoy respect to all the leaders of the brahmanas and transcendental bliss. other castes, to his servants, to his ministers and to the priests, citizens, general TEXT 26, tatra tatra giras tas ta, iti visruta- countrymen, people from other communities, vikramah, srosyaty atmasrita gathah, prthuh admirers and others, and thus they all became prthu-parakramah, happy.

TRANSLATION TEXT 3, vidura uvaca, kasmad dadhara go- In this way when the chivalrous activities of rupam, dharitri bahu-rupini, yam dudoha prthus King Prthu come to be known to the people in tatra, ko vatso dohanam ca kim, general, King Prthu will always hear about himself and his uniquely powerful activities. TRANSLATION Vidura inquired from the great sage Maitreya: TEXT 27, diso vijityapratiruddha-cakrah, sva- My dear brahmana, since mother earth can tejasotpatita-loka-salyah, surasurendrair appear in different shapes, why did she take upagiyamana-, mahanubhavo bhavita patir the shape of a cow? And when King Prthu bhuvah, milked her, who became the calf, and what was the milking pot? TRANSLATION No one will be able to disobey the orders of TEXT 4, prakrtya visama devi, krta tena sama Prthu Maharaja. After conquering the world, katham, tasya medhyam hayam devah, kasya he will completely eradicate the threefold hetor apaharat, miseries of the citizens. Then he will be recognized all over the world. At that time TRANSLATION both the suras and the asuras will undoubtedly The surface of the earth is by nature low in glorify his magnanimous activities. some places and high in others. How did King Prthu level the surface of the earth, and why Chapter Seventeen Maharaja Prthu did the King of heaven, Indra, steal the horse Becomes Angry at the Earth meant for the sacrifice ?

TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, evam sa bhagavan TEXT 5, sanat-kumarad bhagavato, brahman vainyah, khyapito guna-karmabhih, chandayam brahma-vid-uttamat, labdhva jnanam sa- asa tan kamaih, pratipujyabhinandya ca, vijnanam, rajarsih kam gatim gatah,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The great sage Maitreya continued: In this The great saintly King, Maharaja Prthu, way the reciters who were glorifying Maharaja received knowledge from Sanat-kumara, who Prthu readily described his qualities and was the greatest Vedic scholar. After receiving chivalrous activities. At the end, Maharaja knowledge to be applied practically in his life, 94

how did the saintly King attain his desired yatah saranam saranyam, yah sadhito vrtti-karah destination? patir nah, tan no bhavan ihatu ratave 'nnam, ksudharditanam naradeva-deva, yavan na TEXTS 6-7, yac canyad api krsnasya, bhavan nanksyamaha ujjhitorja, varta-patis tvam kila bhagavatah prabhoh, sravah susravasah punyam, loka-palah, purva-deha-kathasrayam, bhaktaya me 'nuraktaya, tava cadhoksajasya ca, vaktum arhasi yo 'duhyad, TRANSLATION vainya-rupena gam imam, Dear King, just as a tree with a fire burning in the hollow of the trunk gradually dries up, we TRANSLATION are drying up due to the fire of hunger in our Prthu Maharaja was a powerful incarnation of stomachs. You are the protector of Lord Krsna's potencies; consequently any surrendered souls, and you have been narration concerning his activities is surely appointed to give employment to us. Therefore very pleasing to hear, and it produces all good we have all come to you for protection. You fortune. As far as I am concerned, I am always are not only a king, but the incarnation of God your devotee as well as a devotee of the Lord, as well. Indeed, you are the king of all kings. who is known as Adhoksaja. Please therefore You can give us all kinds of occupational narrate all the stories of King Prthu, who, in engagements, for you are the master of our the form of the son of King Vena, milked the livelihood. Therefore, O king of all kings, cow-shaped earth. please arrange to satisfy our hunger by the proper distribution of food grains. Please take TEXT 8, suta uvaca, codito vidurenaivam, care of us, lest we soon die for want of food. vasudeva-katham prati, prasasya tam prita-mana, maitreyah pratyabhasata, TEXT 12, maitreya uvaca, prthuh prajanam karunam, nisamya paridevitam,dirgham dadhyau TRANSLATION kurusrestha, nimittam so 'nvapadyata, Suta Gosvami continued: When Vidura became inspired to hear of the activities of TRANSLATION Lord Krsna in His various incarnations, After hearing this lamentation and seeing the Maitreya, also being inspired and being very pitiable condition of the citizens, King Prthu pleased with Vidura, began to praise him. contemplated this matter for a long time to see Then Maitreya spoke as follows. if he could find out the underlying causes.

TEXT 9, maitreya uvaca, yadabhisiktah prthur TEXT 13, iti vyavasito buddhya, pragrhita- anga viprair, amantrito janatayas ca palah, sarasanah, sandadhe visikham bhumeh, kruddhas praja niranne ksiti-prstha etya, ksut-ksama- tripura-ha yatha, dehah patim abhyavocan, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Having arrived at a conclusion, the King took The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear up his bow and arrow and aimed them at the Vidura, at the time King Prthu was enthroned earth, exactly like Lord Siva, who destroys the by the great sages and brahmanas and whole world out of anger. declared to be the protector of the citizens, there was a scarcity of food grains. The citizens TEXT 14, pravepamana dharani, actually became skinny due to starvation. nisamyodayudham ca tam, gauh saty apadravad Therefore they came before the King and bhita, mrgiva mrgayu-druta, informed him of their real situation. TRANSLATION TEXTS 10-11, vayam rajan jatharenabhitapta, When the earth saw that King Prthu was yathagnina kotara-sthena vrksah, tvam adya taking his bow and arrow to kill her, she 95

became very much afraid and began to TEXT 19, sa tvam jighamsase kasmad, dinam tremble. She then began to flee, exactly like a akrta-kilbisam, ahanisyat katham yosam, deer, which runs very swiftly when followed by dharma-jna iti yo matah, a hunter. Being afraid of King Prthu, she took the shape of a cow and began to run. TRANSLATION The cow-shaped earth continued to appeal to TEXT 15, tam anvadhavat tad vainyah, kupito the King: I am very poor and have not 'tyaruneksanah, saram dhanusi sandhaya, yatra committed any sinful activities. I do not know yatra palayate, why you want to kill me. Since you are supposed to be the knower of all religious TRANSLATION principles, why are you so envious of me, and Seeing this, Maharaja Prthu became very why are you so anxious to kill a woman? angry, and his eyes became as red as the early- morning sun. Placing an arrow on his bow, he TEXT 20, praharanti na vai strisu, krtagahsv api chased the cow-shaped earth wherever she jantavah, kim uta tvad-vidha rajan, karuna dina- would run. vatsalah,

TEXT 16, sa diso vidiso devi, rodasi cantaram TRANSLATION tayoh, dhavanti tatra tatrainam, Even if a woman does commit some sinful dadarsanudyatayudham, activity, no one should place his hand upon her. And what to speak of you, dear King, who TRANSLATION are so merciful. You are a protector, and you The cow-shaped earth ran here and there in are affectionate to the poor. outer space between the heavenly planets and the earth, and wherever she ran, the King TEXT 21, mam vipatyajaram navam, yatra chased her with his bow and arrows. visvam pratisthitam, atmanam ca prajas cemah, katham ambhasi dhasyasi, TEXT 17, loke navindata tranam, vainyan mrtyor iva prajah, trasta tada nivavrte, hrdayena TRANSLATION viduyata, The cow-shaped earth continued: My dear King, I am just like a strong boat, and all the TRANSLATION paraphernalia of the world is standing upon Just as a man cannot escape the cruel hands of me. If you break me to pieces, how can you death, the cow-shaped earth could not escape protect yourself and your subjects from the hands of the son of Vena. At length the drowning? earth, fearful, her heart aggrieved, turned back in helplessness. TEXT 22, prthur uvaca, vasudhe tvam vadhisyami, mac-chasana-paran-mukhim, TEXT 18, uvaca ca maha-bhagam, dharma- bhagam barhisi ya vrnkte, na tanoti ca no vasu, jnapanna-vatsala, trahi mam api bhutanam, palane 'vasthito bhavan, TRANSLATION King Prthu replied to the earthly Planet: My TRANSLATION dear earth, you have disobeyed my orders and Addressing the great, opulent King Prthu as rulings. In the form of a demigod you accepted the knower of religious principles and shelter your share of the yajnas we performed, but in of the surrendered, she said: Please save me. return you have not produced sufficient food You are the protector of all living entities. Now grains. For this reason I must kill you. you are situated as the King of this planet. TEXT 23, yavasam jagdhy anudinam,naiva dogdhy audhasam payah, tasyam evam hi 96

dustayam, dando natra na sasyate, assumed the form of a cow by your mystic powers. Nonetheless I shall cut you into small TRANSLATION pieces like grain, and I will uphold the entire Although you are eating green grass every day, population by my personal mystic powers. you are not filling your milk bag so we can utilize your milk. Since you are willfully TEXT 28, evam manyumayim murtim, krtantam committing offenses, it cannot be said that you iva bibhratam, pranata pranjalih praha, mahi are not punishable due to your assuming the sanjata-vepathuh, form of a cow. TRANSLATION TEXT 24, tvam khalv osadhi-bijani, prak srstani At this time Prthu Maharaja became exactly svayambhuva, na muncasy atma-ruddhani, mam like Yamaraja, and his whole body appeared avajnaya manda-dhih, very angry. In other words, he was anger personified. After hearing him, the planet TRANSLATION earth began to tremble. She surrendered, and You have so lost your intelligence that, despite with folded hands began to speak as follows. my orders, you do not deliver the seeds of herbs and grains formerly created by Brahma TEXT 29, dharovaca, namah parasmai purusaya and now hidden within yourself. mayaya, vinyasta-nana-tanave gunatmane, namah svarupanubhavena nirdhuta-, dravya- TEXT 25, amusam ksut-paritanam, artanam kriya-karaka-vibhramormaye, paridevitam, samayisyami mad-banair, bhinnayas tava medasa, TRANSLATION The planet earth spoke: My dear Lord, O TRANSLATION Supreme Personality of Godhead, You are Now, with the help of my arrows, I shall cut transcendental in Your position, and by Your you to pieces and with your flesh satisfy the material energy You have expanded Yourself hunger-stricken citizens, who are now crying in various forms and species of life through the for want of grains. Thus I shall satisfy the interaction of the three modes of material crying citizens of my kingdom. nature. Unlike some other masters, You always remain in Your transcendental position and TEXT 26, puman yosid uta kliba, atma- are not affected by the material creation, sambhavano 'dhamah, bhutesu niranukroso, which is subject to different material nrpanam tad-vadho 'vadhah, interactions. Consequently You are not bewildered by material activities. TRANSLATION Any cruel person--be he a man, woman or TEXT 30, yenaham atmayatanam vinirmita, impotent eunuch--who is only interested in his dhatra yato 'yam guna-sarga-sangrahah, sa eva personal maintenance and has no compassion mam hantum udayudhah svarad, upasthito for other living entities may be killed by the 'nyam saranam kam asraye, king. Such killing can never be considered actual killing. TRANSLATION The planet earth continued: My dear Lord, TEXT 27, tvam stabdham durmadam nitva, You are the complete conductor of the maya-gam tilasah saraih, atma-yoga-balenema, material creation. You have created this dharayisyamy aham prajah, cosmic manifestation and the three material qualities, and therefore You have created me, TRANSLATION the planet earth, the resting place of all living You are very much puffed up with pride and entities. Yet You are always fully independent, have become almost insane. Presently you have my Lord. Now that You are present before me 97

and ready to kill me with Your weapons, let and sometimes not manifest. You are therefore me know where I should go to take shelter, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the tell me who can give me protection. cause of all causes. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. TEXT 31, ya etad adav asrjac caracaram, sva- mayayatmasrayayavitarkyaya, tayaiva so 'yam TEXT 34, sa vai bhavan atma-vinirmitam jagad, kila goptum udyatah, katham nu mam dharma- bhutendriyantah-karanatmakam vibho, paro jighamsati, samsthapayisyann aja mam rasatalad, abhyujjaharambhasa adi-sukarah, TRANSLATION In the beginning of creation You created all TRANSLATION these moving and nonmoving living entities by My dear Lord, You are always unborn. Once, Your inconceivable energy. Through this very in the form of the original boar, You rescued same energy You are now prepared to protect me from the waters in the bottom of the the living entities. Indeed, You are the universe. Through Your own energy You supreme protector of religious principles. Why created all the physical elements, the senses are You so anxious to kill me, even though I and the heart, for the maintenance of the am in the form of a cow? world.

TEXT 32, nunam batesasya samihitam janais, TEXT 35, apam upasthe mayi navy avasthitah, tan-mayaya durjayayakrtatmabhih, na laksyate praja bhavan adya riraksisuh kila, sa vira-murtih yas tv akarod akarayad, yo 'neka ekah paratas ca samabhud dhara-dharo, yo mam payasy ugra-saro isvarah, jighamsasi,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear Lord, although You are one, by Your My dear Lord, in this way You once protected inconceivable potencies You have expanded me by rescuing me from the water, and Yourself in many forms. Through the agency consequently Your name has been famous as of Brahma, You have created this universe. Dharadhara--He who holds the planet earth. You are therefore directly the Supreme Yet at the present moment, in the form of a Personality of Godhead. Those who are not great hero, You are about to kill me with sufficiently experienced cannot understand sharpened arrows. I am, however, just like a Your transcendental activities because these boat on the water, keeping everything afloat. persons are covered by Your illusory energy. TEXT 36, nunam janair ihitam isvaranam, TEXT 33, sargadi yo 'syanurunaddhi saktibhir, asmad-vidhais tad-guna-sarga-mayaya, na dravya-kriya-karaka-cetanatmabhih, tasmai jnayate mohita-citta-vartmabhis, tebhyo namo samunnaddha-niruddha-saktaye, namah parasmai vira-yasas-karebhyah, purusaya vedhase, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear Lord, I am also the creation of one of My dear Lord, by Your own potencies You are Your energies, composed of the three modes of the original cause of the material elements, as material nature. Consequently I am well as the performing instruments (the bewildered by Your activities. Even the senses), the workers of the senses (the activities of Your devotees cannot be controlling demigods), the intelligence and the understood, and what to speak of Your ego, as well as everything else. By Your energy pastimes. Thus everything appears to us to be You manifest this entire cosmic creation, contradictory and wonderful. maintain it and dissolve it. Through Your energy alone everything is sometimes manifest 98

Chapter Eighteen Prthu Maharaja purposes. Such a person can very easily enjoy Milks the Earth Planet life and pleasures.

TEXT 5, tan anadrtya yo 'vidvan, arthan arabhate TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, ittham prthum svayam, tasya vyabhicaranty artha, arabdhas ca abhistuya, rusa prasphuritadharam, punar punah punah, ahavanir bhita, samstabhyatmanam atmana,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION A foolish person who manufactures his own The great saint Maitreya continued to address ways and means through mental speculation Vidura: My dear Vidura, at that time, after and does not recognize the authority of the the planet earth finished her prayers, King sages who lay down unimpeachable directions Prthu was still not pacified, and his lips is simply unsuccessful again and again in his trembled in great anger. Although the planet attempts. earth was frightened, she made up her mind

and began to speak as follows in order to TEXT 6, pura srsta hy osadhayo, brahmana ya convince the King. visampate, bhujyamana maya drsta, asadbhir

adhrta-vrataih, TEXT 2, sanniyacchabhibho manyum, nibodha

sravitam ca me, sarvatah saram adatte, yatha TRANSLATION madhu-karo budhah, My dear King, the seeds, roots, herbs and

grains, which were created by Lord Brahma in TRANSLATION the past, are now being used by nondevotees, My dear Lord, please pacify your anger who are devoid of all spiritual understanding. completely and hear patiently whatever I

submit before you. Please turn your kind TEXT 7, apalitanadrta ca, bhavadbhir loka- attention to this. I may be very poor, but a palakaih, cori-bhute 'tha loke 'ham, yajnarthe learned man takes the essence of knowledge 'grasam osadhih, from all places, just as a bumblebee collects

honey from each and every flower. TRANSLATION

My dear King, not only are grains and herbs TEXT 3, asmil loke 'thavamusmin, munibhis being used by nondevotees, but, as far as I am tattva-darsibhih, drsta yogah prayuktas ca, concerned, I am not being properly pumsam sreyah-prasiddhaye, maintained. Indeed, I am being neglected by

kings who are not punishing these rascals who TRANSLATION have turned into thieves by using grains for To benefit all human society, not only in this sense gratification. Consequently I have life but in the next, the great seers and sages hidden all these seeds, which were meant for have prescribed various methods conducive to the performance of sacrifice. the prosperity of the people in general.

TEXT 8, nunam ta virudhah ksina, mayi kalena TEXT 4, tan atisthati yah samyag, upayan purva- bhuyasa, tatra yogena drstena, bhavan adatum darsitan, avarah sraddhayopeta, upeyan vindate arhati, 'njasa,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Due to being stocked for a very long time, all One who follows the principles and the grain seeds within me have certainly instructions enjoined by the great sages of the deteriorated. Therefore you should past can utilize these instructions for practical immediately arrange to take these seeds out by 99

the standard process, which is recommended by the acaryas or sastras. TRANSLATION Others, who were as intelligent as King Prthu, TEXTS 9-10, vatsam kalpaya me vira, yenaham also took the essence out of the earthly planet. vatsala tava, dhoksye ksiramayan kaman, Indeed, everyone took this opportunity to anurupam ca dohanam, dogdharam ca maha-baho, follow in the footsteps of King Prthu and get bhutanam bhuta-bhavana, annam ipsitam whatever he desired from the planet earth. urjasvad, bhagavan vanchate yadi, TEXT 14, rsayo duduhur devim, indriyesv atha TRANSLATION sattama, vatsam brhaspatim krtva, payas O great hero, protector of living entities, if you chandomayam suci, desire to relieve the living entities by supplying them sufficient grain, and if you desire to TRANSLATION nourish them by taking milk from me, you All the great sages transformed Brhaspati into should make arrangements to bring a calf a calf, and making the senses into a pot, they suitable for this purpose and a pot in which the milked all kinds of Vedic knowledge to purify milk can be kept, as well as a milkman to do words, mind and hearing. the work. Since I will be very much affectionate towards my calf, your desire to TEXT 15, krtva vatsam sura-gana, indram somam take milk from me will be fulfilled. aduduhan, hiranmayena patrena, viryam ojo balam payah, TEXT 11, samam ca kuru mam rajan, deva- vrstam yatha payah, apartav api bhadram te, TRANSLATION upavarteta me vibho, All the demigods made Indra, the King of heaven, into a calf, and from the earth they TRANSLATION milked the beverage soma, which is nectar. My dear King, may I inform you that you have Thus they became very powerful in mental to make the entire surface of the globe level. speculation and bodily and sensual strength. This will help me, even when the rainy season has ceased. Rainfall comes by the mercy of TEXT 16, daiteya danava vatsam, prahladam King Indra. Rainfall will remain on the surface asurarsabham, vidhayaduduhan ksiram, ayah- of the globe, always keeping the earth patre surasavam, moistened, and thus it will be auspicious for all kinds of production. TRANSLATION The sons of Diti and the demons transformed TEXT 12, iti priyam hitam vakyam, bhuva Prahlada Maharaja, who was born in an asura adaya bhupatih, vatsam krtva manum panav, family, into a calf, and they extracted various aduhat sakalausadhih, kinds of liquor and beer, which they put into a pot made of iron. TRANSLATION After hearing the auspicious and pleasing TEXT 17, gandharvapsaraso 'dhuksan, patre words of the planet earth, the King accepted padmamaye payah, vatsam visvavasum krtva, them. He then transformed Svayambhuva gandharvam madhu saubhagam, Manu into a calf and milked all the herbs and grains from the earth in the form of a cow, TRANSLATION keeping them in his cupped hands. The inhabitants of Gandharvaloka and Apsaroloka made Visvavasu into a calf, and TEXT 13, tathapare ca sarvatra, saram adadate they drew the milk into a lotus flower pot. The budhah, tato 'nye ca yatha-kamam, duduhuh milk took the shape of sweet musical art and prthu-bhavitam, beauty. 100

TEXT 22, tathahayo dandasukah, sarpa nagas ca TEXT 18, vatsena pitaro 'ryamna, kavyam taksakam, vidhaya vatsam duduhur, bila-patre ksiram adhuksata, ama-patre maha-bhagah, visam payah, sraddhaya sraddha-devatah, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Thereafter cobras and snakes without hoods, The fortunate inhabitants of Pitrloka, who large snakes, scorpions and many other preside over the funeral ceremonies, made poisonous animals took poison out of the Aryama into a calf. With great faith they planet earth as their milk and kept this poison milked kavya, food offered to the ancestors, in snake holes. They made a calf out of into an unbaked earthen pot. Taksaka.

TEXT 19, prakalpya vatsam kapilam, siddhah TEXTS 23-24, pasavo yavasam ksiram, vatsam sankalpanamayim, siddhim nabhasi vidyam ca, ye krtva ca go-vrsam, aranya-patre cadhuksan, ca vidyadharadayah, mrgendrena ca damstrinah, kravyadah praninah kravyam, duduhuh sve kalevare, suparna-vatsa TRANSLATION vihagas, caram cacaram eva ca, After this, the inhabitants of Siddhaloka, as well as the inhabitants of Vidyadhara-loka, TRANSLATION transformed the great sage Kapila into a calf, The four-legged animals like the cows made a and making the whole sky into a pot, they calf out of the bull who carries Lord Siva and milked out specific yogic mystic powers, made a milking pot out of the forest. Thus they beginning with anima. Indeed, the inhabitants got fresh green grasses to eat. Ferocious of Vidyadhara-loka acquired the art of flying animals like tigers transformed a lion into a in the sky. calf, and thus they were able to get flesh for milk. The birds made a calf out of Garuda and TEXT 20, anye ca mayino mayam, took milk from the planet earth in the form of antardhanadbhutatmanam, mayam prakalpya moving insects and nonmoving plants and vatsam te, duduhur dharanamayim, grasses.

TRANSLATION TEXT 25, vata-vatsa vanaspatayah, prthag Others also, the inhabitants of planets known rasamayam payah, girayo himavad-vatsa, nana- as Kimpurusa-loka, made the demon Maya dhatun sva-sanusu, into a calf, and they milked out mystic powers by which one can disappear immediately from TRANSLATION another's vision and appear again in a The trees made a calf out of the banyan tree, different form. and thus they derived milk in the form of many delicious juices. The mountains TEXT 21, yaksa-raksamsi bhutani, pisacah transformed the Himalayas into a calf, and pisitasanah, bhutesa-vatsa duduhuh, kapale they milked a variety of minerals into a pot ksatajasavam, made of the peaks of hills.

TRANSLATION TEXT 26, sarve sva-mukhya-vatsena, sve sve Then the Yaksas, Raksasas, ghosts and patre prthak payah, sarva-kama-dugham prthvim, witches, who are habituated to eating flesh, duduhuh prthu-bhavitam, transformed Lord Siva's incarnation Rudra [Bhutanatha] into a calf and milked out TRANSLATION beverages made of blood and put them in a pot The planet earth supplied everyone his made of skulls. respective food. During the time of King Prthu, the earth was fully under the control of the 101

King. Thus all the inhabitants of the earth different places for residential quarters, could get their food supply by creating various inasmuch as they were desirable. types of calves and putting their particular types of milk in various pots. TEXT 31, graman purah pattanani, durgani vividhani ca, ghosan vrajan sa-sibiran, akaran TEXT 27, evam prthv-adayah prthvim, annadah kheta-kharvatan, svannam atmanah, doha-vatsadi-bhedena, ksira- bhedam kurudvaha, TRANSLATION In this way the King founded many types of TRANSLATION villages, settlements and towns and built forts, My dear Vidura, chief of the Kurus, in this residences for cowherdsmen, stables for the way King Prthu and all the others who subsist animals, and places for the royal camps, on food created different types of calves and mining places, agricultural towns and milked out their respective eatables. Thus they mountain villages. received their various foodstuffs, which were symbolized as milk. TEXT 32, prak prthor iha naivaisa, pura- gramadi-kalpana, yatha-sukham vasanti sma, TEXT 28, tato mahipatih pritah, sarva-kama- tatra tatrakutobhayah, dugham prthuh, duhitrtve cakaremam, premna duhitr-vatsalah, TRANSLATION Before the reign of King Prthu there was no TRANSLATION planned arrangement for different cities, Thereafter King Prthu was very satisfied with villages, pasturing grounds, etc. Every thing the planet earth, for she sufficiently supplied was scattered, and everyone constructed his all food to various living entities. Thus he residential quarters according to his own developed an affection for the planet earth, convenience. However, since King Prthu plans just as if she were his own daughter. were made for towns and villages.

TEXT 29, curnayan sva-dhanus-kotya, giri- Chapter Nineteen King Prthu's One kutani raja-rat, bhu-mandalam idam vainyah, Hundred Horse Sacrifices prayas cakre samam vibhuh, TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, athadiksata raja tu, TRANSLATION hayamedha-satena sah, brahmavarte manoh After this, the king of all kings, Maharaja ksetre, yatra praci sarasvati, Prthu, leveled all rough places on the surface of the globe by breaking up the hills with the TRANSLATION strength of his bow. By his grace the surface of The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear the globe almost became flat. Vidura, King Prthu initiated the performance of one hundred horse sacrifices at the spot TEXT 30, athasmin bhagavan vainyah, prajanam where the River Sarasvati flows towards the vrttidah pita, nivasan kalpayam cakre, tatra tatra east. This piece of land is known as yatharhatah, Brahmavarta, and it was controlled by Svayambhuva Manu. TRANSLATION To all the citizens of the state, King Prthu was TEXT 2, tad abhipretya bhagavan, as good as a father. Thus he was visibly karmatisayam atmanah, sata-kratur na mamrse, engaged in giving them proper subsistence and prthor yajna-mahotsavam, proper employment for subsistence. After leveling the surface of the globe, he earmarked TRANSLATION 102

When the most powerful Indra, the King of the service of the Supreme Personality of heaven, saw this, he considered the fact that Godhead, as well as the great sages named King Prthu was going to exceed him in fruitive Kapila, Narada and Dattatreya, and masters of activities. Thus Indra could not tolerate the mystic powers, headed by Sanaka Kumara, all great sacrificial ceremonies performed by King attended the great sacrifice with Lord Visnu. Prthu. TEXT 7, yatra dharma-dugha bhumih, sarva- TEXT 3, yatra yajna-patih saksad, bhagavan kama-dugha sati, dogdhi smabhipsitan arthan, harir isvarah, anvabhuyata sarvatma, sarva-loka- yajamanasya bharata, guruh prabhuh, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear Vidura, in that great sacrifice the The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord entire land came to be like the milk-producing Visnu, is present in everyone's heart as the kama-dhenu, and thus, by the performance of Supersoul, and He is the proprietor of all yajna, all daily necessities for life were planets and the enjoyer of the results of all supplied. sacrifices. He was personally present at the sacrifices made by King Prthu. TEXT 8, uhuh sarva-rasan nadyah, ksira-dadhy- anna-go-rasan, taravo bhuri-varsmanah, TEXT 4, anvito brahma-sarvabhyam, loka-palaih prasuyanta madhu-cyutah, sahanugaih, upagiyamano gandharvair, munibhis capsaro-ganaih, TRANSLATION The flowing rivers supplied all kinds of tastes-- TRANSLATION sweet, pungent, sour, etc.--and very big trees When Lord Visnu appeared in the sacrificial supplied fruit and honey in abundance. The arena, Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and all the cows, having eaten sufficient green grass, chief predominating personalities of every supplied profuse quantities of milk, curd, planet, as well as their followers, came with clarified butter and similar other necessities. Him. When He appeared on the scene, the residents of Gandharvaloka, the great sages, TEXT 9, sindhavo ratna-nikaran, girayo 'nnam and the residents of Apsaroloka all praised catur-vidham, upayanam upajahruh, sarve lokah Him. sa-palakah,

TEXT 5, siddha vidyadhara daitya, danava TRANSLATION guhyakadayah, sunanda-nanda-pramukhah, King Prthu was presented with various gifts parsada-pravara hareh, from the general populace and predominating deities of all planets. The oceans and seas were TRANSLATION full of valuable jewels and pearls, and the hills The Lord was accompanied by the residents of were full of chemicals and fertilizers. Four Siddhaloka and Vidyadhara-loka, all the kinds of edibles were produced profusely. descendants of Diti, and the demons and the Yaksas. He was also accompanied by His chief TEXT 10, iti cadhoksajesasya, prthos tu associates, headed by Sunanda and Nanda. paramodayam, asuyan bhagavan indrah, pratighatam acikarat, TEXT 6, kapilo narado datto, yogesah sanakadayah, tam anviyur bhagavata, ye ca tat- TRANSLATION sevanotsukah, King Prthu was dependent on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as TRANSLATION Adhoksaja. Because King Prthu Performed so Great devotees, who were always engaged in many sacrifices, he was superhumanly 103

enhanced by the mercy of the Supreme Lord. sannyasi. Therefore he did not release his King Prthu's opulence, however, could not be arrows. tolerated by the King of heaven, Indra, who tried to impede the progress of his opulence. TEXT 15, vadhan nivrttam tam bhuyo, hantave 'trir acodayat, jahi yajna-hanam tata, mahendram TEXT 11, caramenasvamedhena, yajamane vibudhadhamam, yajus-patim, vainye yajna-pasum spardhann, apovaha tirohitah, TRANSLATION When Atri Muni saw that the son of King TRANSLATION Prthu did not kill Indra but returned deceived When Prthu Maharaja was performing the by him, Atri Muni again instructed him to kill last horse sacrifice [asvamedha-yajna], King the heavenly King because he thought that Indra, invisible to everyone, stole the horse Indra had become the lowliest of all demigods intended for sacrifice. He did this because of due to his impeding the execution of King his great envy of King Prthu. Prthu's sacrifice.

TEXT 12, tam atrir bhagavan aiksat, tvaramanam TEXT 16, evam vainya-sutah proktas, vihayasa, amuktam iva pakhandam,yo 'dharme tvaramanam vihayasa, anvadravad abhikruddho, dharma-vibhramah, ravanam grdhra-rad iva,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION When King Indra was taking away the horse, Being thus informed, the grandson of King he dressed himself to appear as a liberated Vena immediately began to follow Indra, who person. Actually this dress was a form of was fleeing through the sky in great haste. He cheating, for it falsely created an impression of was very angry with him, and he chased him religion. When Indra went into outer space in just as the king of the vultures chased Ravana. this way, the great sage Atri saw him and understood the whole situation. TEXT 17, so 'svam rupam ca tad dhitva, tasma antarhitah svarat, virah sva-pasum adaya, pitur TEXT 13, atrina codito hantum, prthu-putro yajnam upeyivan, maha-rathah, anvadhavata sankruddhas, tistha tistheti cabravit, TRANSLATION When Indra saw that the son of Prthu was TRANSLATION chasing him, he immediately abandoned his When the son of King Prthu was informed by false dress and left the horse. Indeed, he Atri of King Indra's trick, he immediately disappeared from that very spot, and the great became very angry and followed Indra to kill hero, the son of Maharaja Prthu, returned the him, calling, "Wait! Wait!" horse to his father's sacrificial arena.

TEXT 14, tam tadrsakrtim viksya, mene TEXT 18, tat tasya cadbhutam karma, vicaksya dharmam saririnam, jatilam bhasmanacchannam, paramarsayah, namadheyam dadus tasmai, tasmai banam na muncati, vijitasva iti prabho,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION King Indra was fraudulently dressed as a My dear Lord Vidura, when the great sages sannyasi, having knotted his hair on his head observed the wonderful prowess of the son of and smeared ashes all over his body. Upon King Prthu, they all agreed to give him the seeing such dress, the son of King Prthu name Vijitasva. considered Indra a religious man and pious 104

TEXT 19, upasrjya tamas tivram, jaharasvam punar harih, casala-yupatas channo, hiranya- TEXT 23, yani rupani jagrhe, indro haya- rasanam vibhuh, jihirsaya, tani papasya khandani, lingam khandam ihocyate, TRANSLATION My dear Vidura, Indra, being the King of TRANSLATION heaven and very powerful, immediately Whatever different forms Indra assumed as a brought a dense darkness upon the sacrificial mendicant because of his desire to seize the arena. Covering the whole scene in this way, he horse were symbols of atheistic philosophy. again took away the horse, which was chained with golden shackles near the wooden TEXTS 24-25, evam indre haraty asvam, vainya- instrument where animals were sacrificed. yajna-jighamsaya, tad-grhita-visrstesu, pakhandesu matir nrnam, dharma ity TEXT 20, atrih sandarsayam asa, tvaramanam upadharmesu, nagna-rakta-patadisu, prayena vihayasa, kapala-khatvanga-dharam, viro nainam sajjate bhrantya, pesalesu ca vagmisu, abadhata, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION In this way, King Indra, in order to steal the The great sage Atri again pointed out to the horse from King Prthu's sacrifice, adopted son of King Prthu that Indra was fleeing several orders of sannyasa. Some sannyasis go through the sky. The great hero, the son of naked, and sometimes they wear red garments Prthu, chased him again. But when he saw that and pass under the name of kapalika. These Indra was carrying in his hand a staff with a are simply symbolic representations of their skull at the top and was again wearing the sinful activities. These so-called sannyasis are dress of a sannyasi, he still chose not to kill very much appreciated by sinful men because him. they are all godless atheists and very expert in putting forward arguments and reasons to TEXT 21, atrina coditas tasmai, sandadhe support their case. We must know, however, visikham rusa, so 'svam rupam ca tad dhitva, that they are only passing as adherents of tasthav antarhitah svarat, religion and are not so in fact. Unfortunately, bewildered persons accept them as religious, TRANSLATION and being attracted to them, they spoil their When the great sage Atri again gave life. directions, the son of King Prthu became very angry and placed an arrow on his bow. Upon TEXT 26, tad abhijnaya bhagavan, prthuh prthu- seeing this, King Indra immediately parakramah, indraya kupito banam, adattodyata- abandoned the false dress of a sannyasi and, karmukah, giving up the horse, made himself invisible. TRANSLATION TEXT 22, viras casvam upadaya, pitr-yajnam Maharaja Prthu, who was celebrated as very athavrajat, tad avadyam hare rupam, jagrhur powerful, immediately took up his bow and jnana-durbalah, arrows and prepared to kill Indra himself, because Indra had introduced such irregular TRANSLATION sannyasa orders. Then the great hero, Vijitasva, the son of King Prthu, again took the horse and returned to his TEXT 27, tam rtvijah sakra-vadhabhisandhitam, father's sacrificial arena. Since that time, vicaksya duspreksyam asahya-ramhasam, certain men with a poor fund of knowledge nivarayam asur aho maha-mate, na yujyate have adopted the dress of a false sannyasi. It 'tranya-vadhah pracoditat, was King Indra who introduced this. 105

TRANSLATION the King of heaven. How, then, can you kill When the priests and all the others saw him in this great sacrifice? Maharaja Prthu very angry and prepared to kill Indra, they requested him: O great soul, do TEXT 31, tad idam pasyata mahad-, dharma- not kill him, for only sacrificial animals can be vyatikaram dvijah, indrenanusthitam rajnah, killed in a sacrifice. Such are the directions karmaitad vijighamsata, given by sastra. TRANSLATION TEXT 28, vayam marutvantam ihartha-nasanam, In order to make trouble and impede the hvayamahe tvac-chravasa hata- performance of King Prthu's great sacrifice, tvisam,ayatayamopahavair anantaram, prasahya King Indra has adopted some means that in rajan juhavama te 'hitam, the future will destroy the clear path of religious life. I draw your attention to this fact. TRANSLATION If you oppose him any further, he will further Dear King, Indra's powers are already misuse his power and introduce many other reduced due to his attempt to impede the irreligious systems. execution of your sacrifice. We shall call him by Vedic mantras which were never before TEXT 32, prthu-kirteh prthor bhuyat, tarhy used, and certainly he will come. Thus by the ekona-sata-kratuh, alam te kratubhih svistair,yad power of our mantra, we shall cast him into bhavan moksa-dharma-vit, the fire because he is your enemy. TRANSLATION TEXT 29, ity amantrya kratu-patim, "Let there be only ninety-nine sacrificial vidurasyartvijo rusa, srug-ghastan juhvato performances for Maharaja Prthu," Lord 'bhyetya, svayambhuh pratyasedhata, Brahma concluded. Lord Brahma then turned towards Maharaja Prthu and informed him TRANSLATION that since he was thoroughly aware of the path My dear Vidura, after giving the King this of liberation, what was the use in performing advice, the priests who had been engaged in more sacrifices? performing the sacrifice called for Indra, the King of heaven, in a mood of great anger. TEXT 33, naivatmane mahendraya, rosam When they were just ready to put the oblation ahartum arhasi, ubhav api hi bhadram te, in the fire, Lord Brahma appeared on the uttamasloka-vigrahau, scene and forbade them to start the sacrifice. TRANSLATION TEXT 30, na vadhyo bhavatam indro, yad yajno Lord Brahma continued: Let there be good bhagavat-tanuh, yam jighamsatha yajnena, fortune to both of you, for you and King Indra yasyestas tanavah surah, are both part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore you should TRANSLATION not be angry with King Indra, who is Lord Brahma addressed them thus: My dear nondifferent from you. sacrificial performers, you cannot kill Indra, the King of heaven. It is not your duty. You TEXT 34, masmin maharaja krthah sma cintam, should know that Indra is as good as the nisamayasmad-vaca adrtatma, yad dhyayato Supreme Personality of Godhead. Indeed, he is daiva-hatam nu kartum, mano 'tirustam visate one of the most powerful assistants of the tamo 'ndham, Personality of Godhead. You are trying to satisfy all the demigods by the performance of TRANSLATION this yajna, but you should know that all these My dear King, do not be agitated and anxious demigods are but parts and parcels of Indra, because your sacrifices have not been properly 106

executed due to providential impediments. TRANSLATION Kindly take my words with great respect. We O protector of the people in general, please should always remember that if something consider the purpose of your being incarnated happens by providential arrangement, we by Lord Visnu. The irreligious principles should not be very sorry. The more we try to created by Indra are but mothers of so many rectify such reversals, the more we enter into unwanted religions. Please therefore stop these the darkest region of materialistic thought. imitations immediately.

TEXT 35, kratur viramatam esa, devesu TEXT 39, maitreya uvaca, ittham sa loka-guruna, duravagrahah, dharma-vyatikaro yatra, samadisto visampatih, tatha ca krtva vatsalyam, pakhandair indra-nirmitaih, maghonapi ca sandadhe,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Lord Brahma continued: Stop the The great sage Maitreya continued: When performance of these sacrifices, for they have King Prthu was thus advised by the supreme induced Indra to introduce so many irreligious teacher, Lord Brahma, he abandoned his aspects. You should know very well that even eagerness to perform yajnas and with great amongst the demigods there are many affection concluded a peace with King Indra. unwanted desires. TEXT 40, krtavabhrtha-snanaya, prthave bhuri- TEXT 36, ebhir indropasamsrstaih, pakhandair karmane, varan dadus te varada, ye tad-barhisi haribhir janam, hriyamanam vicaksvainam,yas te tarpitah, yajna-dhrug asva-mut, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION After this, Prthu Maharaja took his bath, Just see how Indra, the King of heaven, was which is customarily taken after the creating a disturbance in the midst of the performance of a yajna, and received the sacrifice by stealing the sacrificial horse. These benedictions and due blessings of the attractive sinful activities he has introduced demigods, who were very pleased by his will be carried out by the people in general. glorious activities.

TEXT 37, bhavan paritratum ihavatirno, TEXT 41, viprah satyasisas tustah, sraddhaya dharmam jananam samayanurupam, venapacarad labdha-daksinah, asiso yuyujuh ksattar, adi- avaluptam adya, tad-dehato visnu-kalasi vainya, rajaya sat-krtah,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION O King Prthu, son of Vena, you are the part- With great respect, the original king, Prthu, and-parcel expansion of Lord Visnu. Due to offered all kinds of rewards to the brahmanas the mischievous activities of King Vena, present at the sacrifice. Since all these religious principles were almost lost. At that brahmanas were very much satisfied, they opportune moment you descended as the gave their heartfelt blessings to the King. incarnation of Lord Visnu. Indeed, for the protection of religious principles you have TEXT 42, tvayahuta maha-baho, sarva eva appeared from the body of King Vena. samagatah, pujita dana-manabhyam, pitr-devarsi- manavah, TEXT 38, sa tvam vimrsyasya bhavam prajapate, sankalpanam visva-srjam pipiprhi, aindrim ca TRANSLATION mayam upadharma-mataram, pracanda-pakhanda- All the great sages and brahmanas said: O patham prabho jahi, mighty King, by your invitation all classes of living entities have attended this assembly. 107

They have come from Pitrloka and the TEXT 4, purusa yadi muhyanti, tvadrsa deva- heavenly planets, and great sages as well as mayaya, srama eva param jato, dirghaya vrddha- common men have attended this meeting. Now sevaya, all of them are very much satisfied by your dealings and your charity towards them. TRANSLATION If a personality like you, who are so much Chapter Twenty Lord Visnu's advanced because of executing the instructions Appearance in the Sacrificial Arena of of the previous acaryas, is carried away by the Maharaja Prthu influence of My material energy, then all your advancement may be considered simply a waste of time. TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, bhagavan api vaikunthah, sakam maghavata vibhuh, yajnair TEXT 5, atah kayam imam vidvan, avidya-kama- yajna-patis tusto, yajna-bhuk tam abhasata, karmabhih, arabdha iti naivasmin, pratibuddho 'nusajjate, TRANSLATION The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear TRANSLATION Vidura, being very much satisfied by the Those who are in full knowledge of the bodily performance of ninety-nine horse sacrifices, conception of life, who know that this body is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord composed of nescience, desires and activities Visnu, appeared on the scene. Accompanying resulting from illusion, do not become addicted Him was King Indra. Lord Visnu then began to the body. to speak. TEXT 6, asamsaktah sarire 'sminn, TEXT 2, sri-bhagavan uvaca, esa te 'karsid amunotpadite grhe, apatye dravine vapi, kah bhangam, haya-medha-satasya ha, ksamapayata kuryan mamatam budhah, atmanam, amusya ksantum arhasi, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION How can a highly learned person who has Lord Visnu, the Supreme Personality of absolutely no affinity for the bodily conception Godhead, said: My dear King Prthu, Indra, of life be affected by the bodily conception in the King of heaven, has disturbed your regard to house, children, wealth and similar execution of one hundred sacrifices. Now he other bodily productions? has come with Me to be forgiven by you. Therefore excuse him. TEXT 7, ekah suddhah svayam-jyotir, nirguno 'sau gunasrayah, sarva-go 'navrtah saksi, TEXT 3, sudhiyah sadhavo loke, naradeva niratmatmatmanah parah, narottamah, nabhidruhyanti bhutebhyo, yarhi natma kalevaram, TRANSLATION The individual soul is one, Pure, nonmaterial TRANSLATION and self-effulgent. He is the reservoir of all O King, one who is advanced in intelligence good qualities, and He is all-pervading. He is and eager to perform welfare activities for without material covering, and He is the others is considered best amongst human witness of all activities. He is completely beings. An advanced human being is never distinguished from other living entities, and He malicious to others. Those with advanced is transcendental to all embodied souls. intelligence are always conscious that this material body is different from the soul. TEXT 8, ya evam santam atmanam, atma-stham veda purusah, najyate prakrti-stho 'pi, tad-gunaih sa mayi sthitah, 108

the constant change of this material world is TRANSLATION due to the interaction of the three modes of Although within the material nature, one who material nature. The five elements, the senses, is thus situated in full knowledge of the the demigods who control the senses, as well as Paramatma and atma is never affected by the the mind, which is agitated by the spirit soul-- modes of material nature, for he is always all these taken together comprise the body. situated in My transcendental loving service. Since the spirit soul is completely different from this combination of gross and subtle TEXT 9, yah sva-dharmena mam nityam, nirasih material elements, My devotee who is sraddhayanvitah, bhajate sanakais tasya, mano connected with Me in intense friendship and rajan prasidati, affection, being completely in knowledge, is never agitated by material happiness and TRANSLATION distress. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, continued: My dear King Prthu, when TEXT 13, samah samanottama- one situated in his occupational duty engages madhyamadhamah, sukhe ca duhkhe ca in My loving service without motive for jitendriyasayah, mayopaklptakhila-loka-samyuto, material gain, he gradually becomes very vidhatsva virakhila-loka-raksanam, satisfied within. TRANSLATION TEXT 10, parityakta-gunah samyag, darsano My dear heroic King, please keep yourself visadasayah, santim me samavasthanam, brahma always equipoised and treat people equally, kaivalyam asnute, whether they are greater than you, in the intermediate stage or lower than you. Do not TRANSLATION be disturbed by temporary distress or When the heart is cleansed of all material happiness. Fully control your mind and senses. contamination, the devotee's mind becomes In this transcendental position, try to execute broader and transparent, and he can see things your duty as king in whatever condition of life equally. At that stage of life there is peace, and you may be posted by My arrangement, for one is situated equally with Me as sac-cid- your only duty here is to give protection to the ananda-vigraha. citizens of your kingdom.

TEXT 11, udasinam ivadhyaksam, dravya-jnana- TEXT 14, sreyah praja-palanam eva rajno, yat kriyatmanam, kuta-stham imam atmanam, yo samparaye sukrtat sastham amsam, hartanyatha vedapnoti sobhanam, hrta-punyah prajanam, araksita kara-haro 'gham atti, TRANSLATION Anyone who knows that this material body, TRANSLATION made of the five gross elements, the sense To give protection to the general mass of organs, the working senses and the mind, is people who are citizens of the state is the simply supervised by the fixed soul is eligible prescribed occupational duty for a king. By to be liberated from material bondage. acting in that way, the king in his next life shares one sixth of the result of the pious TEXT 12, bhinnasya lingasya guna-pravaho, activities of the citizens. But a king or dravya-kriya-karaka-cetanatmanah, drstasu executive head of state who simply collects sampatsu vipatsu surayo, na vikriyante mayi taxes from the citizens but does not give them baddha-sauhrdah, proper protection as human beings has the results of his own pious activities taken away TRANSLATION by the citizens, and in exchange for his not Lord Visnu told King Prthu: My dear King, giving protection he becomes liable to 109

punishment for the impious activities of his subjects. TEXT 18, sprsantam padayoh premna, vriditam svena karmana, sata-kratum parisvajya, vidvesam TEXT 15, evam dvijagryanumatanuvrtta-, visasarja ha, dharma-pradhano 'nyatamo 'vitasyah,hrasvena kalena grhopayatan, drastasi siddhan anurakta- TRANSLATION lokah, As King Indra was standing by, he became ashamed of his own activities and fell down TRANSLATION before King Prthu to touch his lotus feet. But Lord Visnu continued: My dear King Prthu, if Prthu Maharaja immediately embraced him in you continue to protect the citizens according great ecstasy and gave up all envy against him to the instructions of the learned brahmana for his having stolen the horse meant for the authorities, as they are received by the sacrifice. disciplic succession--by hearing--from master to disciple, and if you follow the religious TEXT 19, bhagavan atha visvatma, principles laid down by them, without prthunopahrtarhanah, samujjihanaya bhaktya, attachment to ideas manufactured by mental grhita-caranambujah, concoction, then every one of your citizens will be happy and will love you, and very soon you TRANSLATION will be able to see such already liberated King Prthu abundantly worshiped the lotus personalities as the four Kumaras [Sanaka, feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sanatana, Sanandana and Sanat-kumara]. who was so merciful to him. While worshiping the lotus feet of the Lord, Prthu Maharaja TEXT 16, varam ca mat kancana manavendra, gradually increased his ecstasy in devotional vrnisva te 'ham guna-sila-yantritah, naham service. makhair vai sulabhas tapobhir, yogena va yat sama-citta-varti, TEXT 20, prasthanabhimukho 'py enam, anugraha-vilambitah, pasyan padma-palasakso, TRANSLATION na pratasthe suhrt satam, My dear King, I am very captivated by your elevated qualities and excellent behavior, and TRANSLATION thus I am very favorably inclined toward you. The Lord was just about to leave, but because You may therefore ask from Me any He was so greatly inclined toward the behavior benediction you like. One who does not possess of King Prthu, He did not depart. Seeing the elevated qualities and behavior cannot possibly behavior of Maharaja Prthu with His lotus achieve My favor simply by performance of eyes, He was detained because He is always the sacrifices, severe austerities or mystic yoga. well-wisher of His devotees. But I always remain equipoised in the heart of one who is also equipoised in all circumstances. TEXT 21, sa adi-rajo racitanjalir harim, vilokitum nasakad asru-locanah, na TEXT 17, maitreya uvaca, sa ittham loka-guruna, kincanovaca sa baspa-viklavo, visvaksenena visva-jit, anusasita adesam, sirasa hrdopaguhyamum adhad avasthitah, jagrhe hareh, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The original king, Maharaja Prthu, his eyes The great saint Maitreya continued: My dear full of tears and his voice faltering and choked Vidura, in this way Maharaja Prthu, the up, could neither see the Lord very distinctly conqueror of the entire world, accepted the nor speak to address the Lord in any way. He instructions of the Supreme Personality of simply embraced the Lord within his heart Godhead on his head. 110 and remained standing in that way with folded hands. TEXT 25, sa uttamasloka mahan-mukha-cyuto, bhavat-padambhoja-sudha kananilah, smrtim TEXT 22, athavamrjyasru-kala vilokayann, punar vismrta-tattva-vartmanam, kuyoginam no atrpta-drg-gocaram aha purusam, pada vitaraty alam varaih, sprsantam ksitim amsa unnate, vinyasta- hastagram uranga-vidvisah, TRANSLATION My dear Lord, You are glorified by the TRANSLATION selected verses uttered by great personalities. The Supreme Personality of Godhead stood Such glorification of Your lotus feet is just like with His lotus feet almost touching the ground saffron particles. When the transcendental while He rested the front of His hand on the vibration from the mouths of great devotees raised shoulder of Garuda, the enemy of the carries the aroma of the saffron dust of Your snakes. Maharaja Prthu, wiping the tears from lotus feet, the forgetful living entity gradually his eyes, tried to look upon the Lord, but it remembers his eternal relationship with You. appeared that the King was not fully satisfied Devotees thus gradually come to the right by looking at Him. Thus the King offered the conclusion about the value of life. My dear following prayers. Lord, I therefore do not need any other benediction but the opportunity to hear from TEXT 23, prthur uvaca, varan vibho tvad the mouth of Your pure devotee. varadesvarad budhah, katham vrnite guna- vikriyatmanam, ye narakanam api santi dehinam, TEXT 26, yasah sivam susrava arya-sangame, tan isa kaivalya-pate vrne na ca, yadrcchaya copasrnoti te sakrt, katham guna-jno viramed vina pasum, srir yat pravavre guna- TRANSLATION sangrahecchaya, My dear Lord, You are the best of the demigods who can offer benedictions. Why, TRANSLATION therefore, should any learned person ask You My dear highly glorified Lord, if one, in the for benedictions meant for living entities association of pure devotees, hears even once bewildered by the modes of nature? Such the glories of Your activities, he does not, benedictions are available automatically, even unless he is nothing but an animal, give up the in the lives of living entities suffering in hellish association of devotees, for no intelligent conditions. My dear Lord, You can certainly person would be so careless as to leave their bestow merging into Your existence, but I do association. The perfection of chanting and not wish to have such a benediction. hearing about Your glories was accepted even by the goddess of fortune, who desired to hear TEXT 24, na kamaye natha tad apy aham kvacin, of Your unlimited activities and na yatra yusmac-caranambujasavah, transcendental glories. mahattamantar-hrdayan mukha-cyuto, vidhatsva karnayutam esa me varah, TEXT 27, athabhaje tvakhila-purusottamam, gunalayam padma-kareva lalasah, apy avayor TRANSLATION eka-pati-sprdhoh kalir, na syat krta-tvac- My dear Lord, I therefore do not wish to have caranaika-tanayoh, the benediction of merging into Your existence, a benediction in which there is no existence of TRANSLATION the nectarean beverage of Your lotus feet. I Now I wish to engage in the service of the lotus want the benediction of at least one million feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ears, for thus I may be able to hear about the and to serve just like the goddess of fortune, glories of Your lotus feet from the mouths of who carries a lotus flower in her hand, because Your pure devotees. His Lordship, the Supreme Personality of 111

Godhead, is the reservoir of all transcendental devotees. People in general, bound by the qualities. I am afraid that the goddess of sweet words of the Vedas, engage themselves fortune and I would quarrel because both of us again and again in fruitive activities, enamored would be attentively engaged in the same by the results of their actions. service. TEXT 31, tvan-mayayaddha jana isa khandito, TEXT 28, jagaj-jananyam jagad-isa vaisasam, yad anyad asasta rtatmano 'budhah, yatha cared syad eva yat-karmani nah samihitam, karosi bala-hitam pita svayam, tatha tvam evarhasi nah phalgv apy uru dina-vatsalah, sva eva dhisnye samihitum, 'bhiratasya kim taya, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My Lord, due to Your illusory energy, all My dear Lord of the universe, the goddess of living beings in this material world have fortune, Laksmi, is the mother of the universe, forgotten their real constitutional position, and and yet I think that she may be angry with me out of ignorance they are always desirous of because of my intruding upon her service and material happiness in the form of society, acting on that very platform to which she is so friendship and love. Therefore, please do not much attached. Yet I am hopeful that even ask me to take some material benefits from though there is some misunderstanding, You You, but as a father, not waiting for the son's will take my part, for You are very much demand, does everything for the benefit of the inclined to the poor and You always magnify son, please bestow upon me whatever You even insignificant service unto You. Therefore think best for me. even though she becomes angry, I think that there is no harm for You, because You are so TEXT 32, maitreya uvaca, ity adi-rajena nutah sa self-sufficient that You can do without her. visva-drk, tam aha rajan mayi bhaktir astu te, distyedrsi dhir mayi te krta yaya, mayam TEXT 29, bhajanty atha tvam ata eva sadhavo, madiyam tarati sma dustyajam, vyudasta-maya-guna-vibhramodayam, bhavat- padanusmaranad rte satam, nimittam anyad TRANSLATION bhagavan na vidmahe, The great sage Maitreya continued by saying that the Lord, the seer of the universe, after TRANSLATION hearing Prthu Maharaja's prayer, addressed Great saintly persons who are always liberated the King: My dear King, may you always be take to Your devotional service because only blessed by engaging in My devotional service. by devotional service can one be relieved from Only by such purity of purpose, as you the illusions of material existence. O my Lord, yourself very intelligently express, can one there is no reason for the liberated souls to cross over the insurmountable illusory energy take shelter at Your lotus feet except that such of maya. souls are constantly thinking of Your feet. TEXT 33, tat tvam kuru mayadistam, apramattah TEXT 30, manye giram te jagatam vimohinim, prajapate, mad-adesa-karo lokah, sarvatrapnoti varam vrnisveti bhajantam attha yat, vaca nu sobhanam, tantya yadi te jano 'sitah, katham punah karma karoti mohitah, TRANSLATION My dear King, O protector of the citizens, TRANSLATION henceforward be very careful to execute My My dear Lord, what You have said to Your orders and not be misled by anything. Anyone unalloyed devotee is certainly very much who lives in that way, simply carrying out My bewildering. The allurements You offer in the orders faithfully, will always find good fortune Vedas are certainly not suitable for pure all over the world. 112

TRANSLATION TEXT 34, maitreya uvaca, iti vainyasya rajarseh, King Prthu then offered his respectful pratinandyarthavad vacah, pujito 'nugrhitvainam, obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of gantum cakre 'cyuto matim, Godhead, who is the Supreme Lord of all demigods. Although not an object of material TRANSLATION vision, the Lord revealed Himself to the sight The great saint Maitreya told Vidura: The of Maharaja Prthu. After offering obeisances Supreme Personality of Godhead amply to the Lord, the King returned to his home. appreciated the meaningful prayers of Maharaja Prthu. Thus, after being properly Chapter Twenty-one Instructions by worshiped by the King, the Lord blessed him Maharaja Prthu and decided to depart. TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, mauktikaih kusuma- TEXTS 35-36, devarsi-pitr-gandharva-, siddha- sragbhir, dukulaih svarna-toranaih, maha- carana-pannagah, kinnarapsaraso martyah, khaga surabhibhir dhupair, manditam tatra tatra vai, bhutany anekasah, yajnesvara-dhiya rajna, vag- vittanjali-bhaktitah, sabhajita yayuh sarve, TRANSLATION vaikunthanugatas tatah, The great sage Maitreya told Vidura: When the King entered his city, it was very TRANSLATION beautifully decorated to receive him with King Prthu worshiped the demigods, the great pearls, flower garlands, beautiful cloth and sages, the inhabitants of Pitrloka, the golden gates, and the entire city was perfumed inhabitants of Gandharvaloka and those of with highly fragrant incense. Siddhaloka, Caranaloka, Pannagaloka, Kinnaraloka, Apsaroloka, the earthly planets TEXT 2, candanaguru-toyardra-, rathya-catvara- and the planets of the birds. He also worshiped margavat, puspaksata-phalais tokmair, lajair many other living entities who presented arcirbhir arcitam, themselves in the sacrificial arena. With folded hands he worshiped all these, as well as the TRANSLATION Supreme Personality of Godhead and the Fragrant water distilled from sandalwood and personal associates of the Lord, by offering aguru herb was sprinkled everywhere on the sweet words and as much wealth as possible. lanes, roads and small parks throughout the After this function, they all went back to their city, and everywhere were decorations of respective abodes, following in the footsteps of unbroken fruits, flowers, wetted grains, varied Lord Visnu. minerals, and lamps, all presented as auspicious paraphernalia. TEXT 37, bhagavan api rajarseh, sopadhyayasya cacyutah, harann iva mano 'musya, sva-dhama TEXT 3, savrndaih kadali-stambhaih, puga-potaih pratyapadyata, pariskrtam, taru-pallava-malabhih, sarvatah samalankrtam, TRANSLATION The infallible Supreme Personality of TRANSLATION Godhead, having captivated the minds of the At the street crossings there were bunches of King and the priests who were present, fruits and flowers, as well as pillars of banana returned to His abode in the spiritual sky. trees and betel nut branches. All these combined decorations everywhere looked very TEXT 38, adrstaya namaskrtya, nrpah attractive. sandarsitatmane, avyaktaya ca devanam, devaya sva-puram yayau,

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TEXT 4, prajas tam dipa-balibhih, sambhrtasesa- mangalaih, abhiyur mrsta-kanyas ca, mrsta- TEXT 8, suta uvaca, tad adi-rajasya yaso kundala-manditah, vijrmbhitam, gunair asesair gunavat-sabhajitam, ksatta maha-bhagavatah sadaspate, kausaravim TRANSLATION praha grnantam arcayan, As the King entered the gate of the city, all the citizens received him with many auspicious TRANSLATION articles like lamps, flowers and yogurt. The Suta Gosvami continued: O Saunaka, leader of King was also received by many beautiful the great sages, after hearing Maitreya speak unmarried girls whose bodies were bedecked about the various activities of King Prthu, the with various ornaments, especially with original king, who was fully qualified, glorified earrings which collided with one another. and widely praised all over the world, Vidura, the great devotee, very submissively worshiped TEXT 5, sankha-dundubhi-ghosena, brahma- Maitreya Rsi and asked him the following ghosena cartvijam, vivesa bhavanam virah, question. stuyamano gata-smayah, TEXT 9, vidura uvaca, so 'bhisiktah prthur TRANSLATION viprair, labdhasesa-surarhanah, bibhrat sa When the King entered the palace, conchshells vaisnavam tejo, bahvor yabhyam dudoha gam, and kettledrums were sounded, priests chanted Vedic mantras, and professional reciters TRANSLATION offered different prayers. But in spite of all this Vidura said: My dear brahmana Maitreya, it ceremony to welcome him, the King was not is very enlightening to understand that King the least bit affected. Prthu was enthroned by the great sages and brahmanas. All the demigods presented him TEXT 6, pujitah pujayam asa, tatra tatra maha- with innumerable gifts, and he also expanded yasah, pauran janapadams tams tan, pritah priya- his influence upon personally receiving vara-pradah, strength from Lord Visnu. Thus he greatly developed the earth. TRANSLATION Both the important citizens and the common TEXT 10, ko nv asya kirtim na srnoty abhijno, citizens welcomed the King very heartily, and yad-vikramocchistam asesa-bhupah, lokah sa-pala he also bestowed upon them their desired upajivanti kamam, adyapi tan me vada karma blessings. suddham,

TEXT 7, sa evam adiny anavadya-cestitah, TRANSLATION karmani bhuyamsi mahan mahattamah, kurvan Prthu Maharaja was so great in his activities sasasavani-mandalam yasah, sphitam and magnanimous in his method of ruling that nidhayaruruhe param padam, all the kings and demigods on the various planets still follow in his footsteps. Who is TRANSLATION there who will not try to hear about his King Prthu was greater than the greatest soul glorious activities? I wish to hear more and and was therefore worshipable by everyone. more about Prthu Maharaja because his He performed many glorious activities in activities are so pious and auspicious. ruling over the surface of the world and was always magnanimous. After achieving such TEXT 11, maitreya uvaca, ganga-yamunayor great success and a reputation which spread nadyor, antara ksetram avasan, arabdhan eva throughout the universe, he at last obtained bubhuje, bhogan punya-jihasaya, the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. TRANSLATION 114

The great saintly sage Maitreya told Vidura: complexion was fair. His arms were full and My dear Vidura, King Prthu lived in the tract broad and his eyes as bright as the rising sun. of land between the two great rivers Ganges His nose was straight, his face very beautiful and Yamuna. Because he was very opulent, it and his personality grave. His teeth were set appeared that he was enjoying his destined beautifully in his smiling face. fortune in order to diminish the results of his past pious activities. TEXT 16, vyudha-vaksa brhac-chronir, vali- valgu-dalodarah, avarta-nabhir ojasvi, kancanorur TEXT 12, sarvatraskhalitadesah, sapta-dvipaika- udagra-pat, danda-dhrk, anyatra brahmana-kulad, anyatracyuta-gotratah, TRANSLATION The chest of Maharaja Prthu was very broad, TRANSLATION his waist was very thick, and his abdomen, Maharaja Prthu was an unrivaled king and wrinkled by lines of skin, resembled in possessed the scepter for ruling all the seven construction a leaf of a banyan tree. His navel islands on the surface of the globe. No one was coiled and deep, his thighs were of a could disobey his irrevocable orders but the golden hue, and his instep was arched. saintly persons, the brahmanas and the descendants of the Supreme Personality of TEXT 17, suksma-vakrasita-snigdha-, murdhajah Godhead [the Vaisnavas]. kambu-kandharah, maha-dhane dukulagrye, paridhayopaviya ca, TEXT 13, ekadasin maha-satra-, diksa tatra divaukasam, samajo brahmarsinam ca, rajarsinam TRANSLATION ca sattama, The black, slick hair on his head was very fine and curly, and his neck, like a conchshell, was TRANSLATION decorated with auspicious lines. He wore a Once upon a time King Prthu initiated the very valuable dhoti, and there was a nice performance of a very great sacrifice in which wrapper on the upper part of his body. great saintly sages, brahmanas, demigods from higher planetary systems and great saintly TEXT 18, vyanjitasesa-gatra-srir, niyame nyasta- kings known as rajarsis all assembled together. bhusanah, krsnajina-dharah sriman, kusa-panih krtocitah, TEXT 14, tasminn arhatsu sarvesu, sv-arcitesu yatharhatah, utthitah sadaso madhye, taranam TRANSLATION udurad iva, As Maharaja Prthu was being initiated to perform the sacrifice, he had to leave aside his TRANSLATION valuable dress, and therefore his natural In that great assembly, Maharaja Prthu first bodily beauty was visible. It was very pleasing of all worshiped all the respectable visitors to see him put on a black deerskin and wear a according to their respective positions. After ring of kusa grass on his finger, for this this, he stood up in the midst of the assembly, increased the natural beauty of his body. It and it appeared that the full moon had arisen appears that Maharaja Prthu observed all the amongst the stars. regulative principles before he performed the sacrifice. TEXT 15, pramsuh pinayata-bhujo, gaurah kanjaruneksanah, sunasah sumukhah saumyah, TEXT 19, sisira-snigdha-taraksah, samaiksata pinamsah sudvija-smitah, samantatah, ucivan idam urvisah, sadah samharsayann iva, TRANSLATION King Prthu's body was tall and sturdy, and his TRANSLATION 115

Just to encourage the members of the assembly Maharaja Prthu said: I think that upon the and to enhance their pleasure, King Prthu execution of my duties as king, I shall be able glanced over them with eyes that seemed like to achieve the desirable objectives described by stars in a sky wet with dew. He then spoke to experts in Vedic knowledge. This destination is them in a great voice. certainly achieved by the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the TEXT 20, caru citra-padam slaksnam, mrstam seer of all destiny. gudham aviklavam, sarvesam upakarartham, tada anuvadann iva, TEXT 24, ya uddharet karam raja, praja dharmesv asiksayan, prajanam samalam bhunkte, TRANSLATION bhagam ca svam jahati sah, Maharaja Prthu's speech was very beautiful, full of metaphorical language, clearly TRANSLATION understandable and very pleasing to hear. His Any king who does not teach his citizens about words were all grave and certain. It appears their respective duties in terms of varna and that when he spoke, he expressed his personal asrama but who simply exacts tolls and taxes realization of the Absolute Truth in order to from them is liable to suffer for the impious benefit all who were present. activities which have been performed by the citizens. In addition to such degradation, the TEXT 21, rajovaca, sabhyah srnuta bhadram vah, king also loses his own fortune. sadhavo ya ihagatah, satsu jijnasubhir dharmam, avedyam sva-manisitam, TEXT 25, tat praja bhartr-pindartham, svartham evanasuyavah, kurutadhoksaja-dhiyas, tarhi me TRANSLATION 'nugrahah krtah, King Prthu said: O gentle members of the assembly, may all good fortune be upon you! TRANSLATION May all of you great souls who have come to Prthu Maharaja continued: Therefore, my attend this meeting kindly hear my prayer dear citizens, for the welfare of your king after attentively. A person who is actually his death, you should execute your duties inquisitive must present his decision before an properly in terms of your positions of varna assembly of noble souls. and asrama and should always think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead within your TEXT 22, aham danda-dharo raja, prajanam iha hearts. By doing so, you will protect your own yojitah, raksita vrttidah svesu, setusu sthapita interests, and you will bestow mercy upon your prthak, king for his welfare after death.

TRANSLATION TEXT 26, yuyam tad anumodadhvam, pitr- King Prthu continued: By the grace of the devarsayo 'malah, kartuh sastur anujnatus,tulyam Supreme Lord I have been appointed the king yat pretya tat phalam, of this planet, and I carry the scepter to rule the citizens, protect them from all danger and TRANSLATION give them employment according to their I request all the pure-hearted demigods, respective positions in the social order forefathers and saintly persons to support my established by Vedic injunction. proposal, for after death the result of an action is equally shared by its doer, its director and TEXT 23, tasya me tad-anusthanad, yan ahur its supporter. brahma-vadinah, lokah syuh kama-sandoha, yasya tusyati dista-drk, TEXT 27, asti yajna-patir nama, kesancid arha- sattamah, ihamutra ca laksyante,jyotsnavatyah TRANSLATION kvacid bhuvah, 116

By the inclination to serve the lotus feet of the TRANSLATION Supreme Personality of Godhead, suffering My dear respectable ladies and gentlemen, humanity can immediately cleanse the dirt according to the authoritative statements of which has accumulated in their minds during sastra, there must be a supreme authority who innumerable births. Like the Ganges water, is able to award the respective benefits of our which emanates from the toes of the lotus feet present activities. Otherwise, why should there of the Lord, such a process immediately be persons who are unusually beautiful and cleanses the mind, and thus spiritual or Krsna powerful both in this life and in the life after consciousness gradually increases. death? TEXT 32, vinirdhutasesa-mano-malah puman, TEXTS 28-29, manor uttanapadasya, dhruvasyapi asanga-vijnana-visesa-viryavan, yad-anghri-mule mahipateh, priyavratasya rajarser, angasyasmat- krta-ketanah punar, na samsrtim klesa-vaham pituh pituh, idrsanam athanyesam, ajasya ca prapadyate, bhavasya ca, prahladasya bales capi, krtyam asti gadabhrta, TRANSLATION When a devotee takes shelter at the lotus feet TRANSLATION of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is This is confirmed not only by the evidence of completely cleansed of all misunderstanding or the Vedas but also by the personal behavior of mental speculation, and he manifests great personalities like Manu, Uttanapada, renunciation. This is possible only when one is Dhruva, Priyavrata and my grandfather Anga, strengthened by practicing bhakti-yoga. Once as well as by many other great personalities having taken shelter at the root of the lotus feet and ordinary living entities, exemplified by of the Lord, a devotee never comes back to this Maharaja Prahlada and Bali, all of whom are material existence, which is full of the theists, believing in the existence of the threefold miseries. Supreme Personality of Godhead, who carries a club. TEXT 33, tam eva yuyam bhajatatma-vrttibhir, mano-vacah-kaya-gunaih sva-karmabhih, TEXT 30, dauhitradin rte mrtyoh, socyan amayinah kama-dughanghri-pankajam, dharma-vimohitan, varga-svargapavarganam, yathadhikaravasitartha-siddhayah, prayenaikatmya-hetuna, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Prthu Maharaja advised his citizens: Engaging Although abominable persons like my father, your minds, your words, your bodies and the Vena, the grandson of death personified, are results of your occupational duties, and being bewildered on the path of religion, all the great always open-minded, you should all render personalities like those mentioned agree that in devotional service to the Lord. According to this world the only bestower of the your abilities and the occupations in which you benedictions of religion, economic are situated, you should engage your service at development, sense gratification, liberation or the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of elevation to the heavenly planets is the Godhead with full confidence and without Supreme Personality of Godhead. reservation. Then you will surely be successful in achieving the final objective in your lives. TEXT 31, yat-pada-sevabhirucis tapasvinam, asesa-janmopacitam malam dhiyah, sadyah TEXT 34 asav ihaneka-guno 'guno 'dhvarah, ksinoty anvaham edhati sati, yatha padangustha- prthag-vidha-dravya-guna-kriyoktibhih, vinihsrta sarit, sampadyate 'rthasaya-linga-namabhir, visuddha- vijnana-ghanah svarupatah, TRANSLATION 117

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The Supreme Personality of Godhead is The brahmanas and Vaisnavas are personally transcendental and not contaminated by this glorified by their characteristic powers of material world. But although He is tolerance, penance, knowledge and education. concentrated spirit soul without material By dint of all these spiritual assets, Vaisnavas variety, for the benefit of the conditioned soul are more powerful than royalty. It is therefore He nevertheless accepts different types of advised that the princely order not exhibit its sacrifice performed with various material material prowess before these two elements, rituals and mantras and offered to communities and should avoid offending them. the demigods under different names according to the interests and purposes of the TEXT 38, brahmanya-devah purusah puratano, performers. nityam harir yac-caranabhivandanat, avapa laksmim anapayinim yaso, jagat-pavitram ca TEXT 35, pradhana-kalasaya-dharma-sangrahe, mahattamagranih, sarira esa pratipadya cetanam, kriya-phalatvena vibhur vibhavyate, yathanalo darusu tad- TRANSLATION gunatmakah, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ancient, eternal Godhead, who is foremost TRANSLATION amongst all great personalities, obtained the The Supreme Personality of Godhead is all- opulence of His staunch reputation, which pervading, but He is also manifested in purifies the entire universe, by worshiping the different types of bodies which arise from a lotus feet of those brahmanas and Vaisnavas. combination of material nature, time, desires and occupational duties. Thus different types TEXT 39, yat-sevayasesa-guhasayah sva-rad, of consciousness develop, just as fire, which is vipra-priyas tusyati kamam isvarah, tad eva tad- always basically the same, blazes in different dharma-parair vinitaih, sarvatmana brahma-kulam ways according to the shape and dimension of nisevyatam, firewood. TRANSLATION TEXT 36, aho mamami vitaranty anugraham, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is harim gurum yajna-bhujam adhisvaram, sva- everlastingly independent and who exists in dharma-yogena yajanti mamaka, nirantaram everyone's heart, is very pleased with those ksoni-tale drdha-vratah, who follow in His footsteps and engage without reservation in the service of the descendants of TRANSLATION brahmanas and Vaisnavas, for He is always The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the dear to brahmanas and Vaisnavas and they master and enjoyer of the results of all are always dear to Him. sacrifices, and He is the supreme spiritual master as well. All of you citizens on the TEXT 40, pumal labhetanativelam atmanah, surface of the globe who have a relationship prasidato 'tyanta-samam svatah svayam, yan- with me and are worshiping Him by dint of nitya-sambandha-nisevaya tatah, param kim your occupational duties are bestowing your atrasti mukham havir-bhujam, mercy upon me. Therefore, O my citizens, I thank you. TRANSLATION By regular service to the brahmanas and TEXT 37, ma jatu tejah prabhaven Vaisnavas, one can clear the dirt from his maharddhibhis, titiksaya tapasa vidyaya heart and thus enjoy supreme peace and ca,dedipyamane 'jita-devatanam, kule svayam liberation from material attachment and be raja-kulad dvijanam, satisfied. In this world there is no fruitive activity superior to serving the brahmana 118

class, for this can bring pleasure to the TEXT 44, gunayanam sila-dhanam krta-jnam, demigods, for whom the many sacrifices are vrddhasrayam samvrnate 'nu sampadah, recommended. prasidatam brahma-kulam gavam ca, janardanah sanucaras ca mahyam, TEXT 41, asnaty anantah khalu tattva-kovidaih, sraddha-hutam yan-mukha ijya-namabhih, na vai TRANSLATION tatha cetanaya bahis-krte, hutasane Whoever acquires the brahminical paramahamsya-paryaguh, qualifications--whose only wealth is good behavior, who is grateful and who takes shelter TRANSLATION of experienced persons--gets all the opulence of Although the Supreme Personality of the world. I therefore wish that the Supreme Godhead, Ananta, eats through the fire Personality of Godhead and His associates be sacrifices offered in the names of the different pleased with the brahmana class, with the cows demigods, He does not take as much pleasure and with me. in eating through fire as He does in accepting offerings through the mouths of learned sages TEXT 45, maitreya uvaca, iti bruvanam nrpatim, and devotees, for then He does not leave the pitr-deva-dvijatayah, tustuvur hrsta-manasah, association of devotees. sadhu-vadena sadhavah,

TEXT 42, yad brahma nityam virajam sanatanam, TRANSLATION sraddha-tapo-mangala-mauna-samyamaih, The great sage Maitreya said: After hearing samadhina bibhrati hartha-drstaye,yatredam King Prthu speak so nicely, all the demigods, adarsa ivavabhasate, the denizens of Pitrloka, the brahmanas and the saintly persons present at the meeting TRANSLATION congratulated him by expressing their good In brahminical culture a brahmana's will. transcendental position is eternally maintained because the injunctions of the Vedas are TEXT 46, putrena jayate lokan, iti satyavati accepted with faith, austerity, scriptural srutih, brahma-danda-hatah papo, yad veno conclusions, full sense and mind control, and 'tyatarat tamah, meditation. In this way the real goal of life is illuminated, just as one's face is fully reflected TRANSLATION in a clear mirror. They all declared that the Vedic conclusion that one can conquer the heavenly planets by TEXT 43, tesam aham pada-saroja-renum,arya the action of a putra, or son, was fulfilled, for vaheyadhi-kiritam ayuh, yam nityada bibhrata asu the most sinful Vena, who had been killed by papam, nasyaty amum sarva-guna bhajanti, the curse of the brahmanas, was now delivered from the darkest region of hellish life by his TRANSLATION son, Maharaja Prthu. O respectable personalities present here, I beg the blessings of all of you that I may TEXT 47, hiranyakasipus capi, bhagavan-nindaya perpetually carry on my crown the dust of the tamah, viviksur atyagat sunoh, lotus feet of such brahmanas and Vaisnavas prahladasyanubhavatah, until the end of my life. He who can carry such dust on his head is very soon relieved of all the TRANSLATION reactions which arise from sinful life, and Similarly, Hiranyakasipu, who by dint of his eventually he develops all good and desirable sinful activities always defied the supremacy of qualities. the Supreme Personality of Godhead, entered into the darkest region of hellish life; but by the grace of his great son, Prahlada Maharaja, 119

he also was delivered and went back home, past deeds and by the arrangement of superior back to Godhead. authority, we are entangled in a network of fruitive activities and have lost sight of the TEXT 48, vira-varya pitah prthvyah, samah destination of life; thus we have been sanjiva sasvatih, yasyedrsy acyute bhaktih, sarva- wandering within the universe. lokaika-bhartari, TEXT 52, namo vivrddha-sattvaya, purusaya TRANSLATION mahiyase, yo brahma ksatram avisya, All the saintly brahmanas thus addressed bibhartidam sva-tejasa, Prthu Maharaja: O best of the warriors, O father of this globe, may you be blessed with a TRANSLATION long life, for you have great devotion to the Dear lord, you are situated in your pure infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead, existential position of goodness; therefore you who is the master of all the universe. are the perfect representative of the Supreme Lord. You are glorified by your own prowess, TEXT 49, aho vayam hy adya pavitra-kirte, and thus you are maintaining the entire world tvayaiva nathena mukunda-nathah,ya by introducing brahminical culture and uttamaslokatamasya visnor, brahmanya-devasya protecting everyone in your line of duty as a katham vyanakti, ksatriya.

TRANSLATION Chapter Twenty-two Prthu Maharaja's The audience continued: Dear King Prthu, Meeting with the Four Kumaras your reputation is the purest of all, for you are preaching the glories of the most glorified of TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, janesu pragrnatsv evam, all, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the prthum prthula-vikramam, tatropajagmur Lord of the brahmanas. Since, due to our great munayas, catvarah surya-varcasah, fortune, we have you as our master, we think that we are living directly under the agency of TRANSLATION the Lord. The great sage Maitreya said: While the citizens were thus praying to the most TEXT 50, natyadbhutam idam natha, powerful King Prthu, the four Kumaras, who tavajivyanusasanam, prajanurago mahatam, were as bright as the sun, arrived on the spot. prakrtih karunatmanam, TEXT 2, tams tu siddhesvaran raja, vyomno TRANSLATION 'vatarato 'rcisa, lokan apapan kurvanan, sanugo Our dear lord, it is your occupational duty to 'casta laksitan, rule over your citizens. That is not a very wonderful task for a personality like you, who TRANSLATION are so affectionate in seeing to the interests of Seeing the glowing effulgence of the four the citizens, because you are full of mercy. Kumaras, the masters of all mystic Power, the That is the greatness of your character. King and his associates could recognize them as they descended from the sky. TEXT 51, adya nas tamasah paras, tvayopasaditah prabho, bhramyatam nasta- TEXT 3, tad-darsanodgatan pranan, pratyaditsur drstinam, karmabhir daiva-samjnitaih, ivotthitah, sa-sadasyanugo vainya, indriyeso gunan iva, TRANSLATION The citizens continued: Today you have TRANSLATION opened our eyes and revealed how to cross to Seeing the four Kumaras, Prthu Maharaja was the other side of the ocean of darkness. By our 120 greatly anxious to receive them. Therefore the you are very rarely seen. I do not know what King, with all his officers, very hastily got up, kind of pious activity I performed for you to as anxiously as a conditioned soul whose senses grace me by appearing before me without are immediately attracted by the modes of difficulty. material nature. TEXT 8, kim tasya durlabhataram, iha loke TEXT 4, gauravad yantritah sabhyah, paratra ca, yasya viprah prasidanti, sivo visnus ca prasrayanata-kandharah, vidhivat pujayam cakre, sanugah, grhitadhyarhanasanan, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Any person upon whom the brahmanas and When the great sages accepted their reception, Vaisnavas are pleased can achieve anything according to the instructions of the sastras, which is very rare to obtain in this world as and finally took their seats offered by the well as after death. Not only that, but one also King, the King, influenced by the glories of the receives the favor of the auspicious Lord Siva sages, immediately bowed down. Thus he and Lord Visnu, who accompany the worshiped the four Kumaras. brahmanas and Vaisnavas.

TEXT 5, tat-pada-sauca-salilair, marjitalaka- TEXT 9, naiva laksayate loko, lokan paryatato bandhanah, tatra silavatam vrttam, acaran 'pi yan, yatha sarva-drsam sarva, atmanam ye manayann iva, 'sya hetavah,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION After this, the King took the water which had Prthu Maharaja continued: Although you are washed the lotus feet of the Kumaras and traveling in all planetary systems, people sprinkled it over his hair. By such respectful cannot know you, just as they cannot know the actions, the King, as an exemplary personality, Supersoul, although He is within everyone's showed how to receive a spiritually advanced heart as the witness of everything. Even Lord personality. Brahma and Lord Siva cannot understand the Supersoul. TEXT 6, hatakasana asinan, sva-dhisnyesv iva pavakan, sraddha-samyama-samyuktah, pritah TEXT 10, adhana api te dhanyah, sadhavo grha- praha bhavagrajan, medhinah, yad-grha hy arha-varyambu-, trna- bhumisvaravarah, TRANSLATION The four great sages were elder to Lord Siva, TRANSLATION and when they were seated on the golden A person who is not very rich and is attached throne, they appeared just like fire blazing on to family life becomes highly glorified when an altar. Maharaja Prthu, out of his great saintly persons are present in his home. The gentleness and respect for them, began to master and servants who are engaged in speak with great restraint as follows. offering the exalted visitors water, a sitting place and paraphernalia for reception are TEXT 7, prthur uvaca, aho acaritam kim me, glorified, and the home itself is also glorified. mangalam mangalayanah, yasya vo darsanam hy asid, durdarsanam ca yogibhih, TEXT 11, vyalalaya-druma vai tesv, ariktakhila- sampadah, yad-grhas tirtha-padiya-, padatirtha- TRANSLATION vivarjitah, King Prthu spoke: My dear great sages, auspiciousness personified, it is very difficult TRANSLATION for even the mystic yogis to see you. Indeed, On the contrary, even though full of all 121

opulence and material prosperity, any I am completely assured that personalities like householder's house where the devotees of the you are the only friends for persons who are Lord are never allowed to come in, and where blazing in the fire of material existence. I there is no water for washing their feet, is to be therefore ask you how in this material world considered a tree in which all venomous we can very soon achieve the ultimate goal of serpents live. life.

TEXT 12, svagatam vo dvija-srestha, yad-vratani TEXT 16, vyaktam atmavatam atma, bhagavan mumuksavah, caranti sraddhaya dhira, bala eva atma-bhavanah, svanam anugrahayemam, brhanti ca, siddha-rupi caraty ajah,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Maharaja Prthu offered his welcome to the The Supreme Personality of Godhead is always four Kumaras, addressing them as the best of anxious to elevate the living entities, who are the brahmanas. He welcomed them, saying: His parts and parcels, and for their special From the beginning of your birth you strictly benefit, the Lord travels all over the world in observed the vows of celibacy, and although the form of self-realized persons like you. you are experienced in the path of liberation, you are keeping yourselves just like small TEXT 17, maitreya uvaca, prthos tat suktam children. akarnya, saram susthu mitam madhu, smayamana iva pritya, kumarah pratyuvaca ha, TEXT 13, kaccin nah kusalam natha, indriyarthartha-vedinam, vyasanavapa etasmin, TRANSLATION patitanam sva-karmabhih, The great sage Maitreya continued: Thus Sanat-kumara, the best of the celibates, after TRANSLATION hearing the speech of Prthu Maharaja, which Prthu Maharaja inquired from the sages about was meaningful, appropriate, full of precise persons entangled in this dangerous material words and very sweet to hear, smiled with full existence because of their previous actions; satisfaction and began to speak as follows. could such persons, whose only aim is sense gratification, be blessed with any good TEXT 18, sanat-kumara uvaca, sadhu prstam fortune? maharaja, sarva-bhuta-hitatmana, bhavata vidusa capi, sadhunam matir idrsi, TEXT 14, bhavatsu kusala-prasna, atmaramesu nesyate, kusalakusala yatra, na santi mati- TRANSLATION vrttayah, Sanat-kumara said: My dear King Prthu, I am very nicely questioned by you. Such questions TRANSLATION are beneficial for all living entities, especially Prthu Maharaja continued: My dear sirs, because they are raised by you, who are always there is no need to ask about your good and thinking of the good of others. Although you bad fortune because you are always absorbed know everything, you ask such questions in spiritual bliss. The mental concoction of the because that is the behavior of saintly persons. auspicious and inauspicious does not exist in Such intelligence is befitting your position. you. TEXT 19, sangamah khalu sadhunam, ubhayesam TEXT 15, tad aham krta-visrambhah, suhrdo vas ca sammatah, yat-sambhasana-samprasnah, tapasvinam, samprcche bhava etasmin, ksemah sarvesam vitanoti sam, kenanjasa bhavet, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION When there is a congregation of devotees, their 122

discussions, questions and answers become TEXT 23, arthendriyarama-sagosthy-atrsnaya, conclusive to both the speaker and the tat-sammatanam aparigrahena ca, vivikta-rucya audience. Thus such a meeting is beneficial for paritosa atmani, vina harer guna-piyusa-panat, everyone's real happiness. TRANSLATION TEXT 20, asty eva rajan bhavato madhudvisah, One has to make progress in spiritual life by padaravindasya gunanuvadane, ratir durapa not associating with persons who are simply vidhunoti naisthiki, kamam kasayam malam interested in sense gratification and making antar-atmanah, money. Not only such persons, but one who associates with such persons should be TRANSLATION avoided. One should mold his life in such a Sanat-kumara continued: My dear King, you way that he cannot live in peace without already have an inclination to glorify the lotus drinking the nectar of the glorification of the feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari. One Such attachment is very difficult to achieve, can be thus elevated by being disgusted with but when one has attained such unflinching the taste for sense enjoyment. faith in the Lord, it automatically cleanses lusty desires from the core of the heart. TEXT 24, ahimsaya paramahamsya-caryaya, smrtya mukundacaritagrya-sidhuna, yamair TEXT 21, sastresv iyan eva suniscito nrnam, akamair niyamais capy anindaya, nirihaya ksemasya sadhryag-vimrsesu hetuh, asanga atma- dvandva-titiksaya ca, vyatirikta atmani, drdha ratir brahmani nirgune ca ya, TRANSLATION A candidate for spiritual advancement must be TRANSLATION nonviolent, must follow in the footsteps of It has been conclusively decided in the great acaryas, must always remember the scriptures, after due consideration, that the nectar of the pastimes of the Supreme ultimate goal for the welfare of human society Personality of Godhead, must follow the is detachment from the bodily concept of life regulative principles without material desire and increased and steadfast attachment for the and, while following the regulative principles, Supreme Lord, who is transcendental, beyond should not blaspheme others. A devotee should the modes of material nature. lead a very simple life and not be disturbed by the duality of opposing elements. He should TEXT 22, sa sraddhaya bhagavad-dharma- learn to tolerate them. caryaya, jijnasayadhyatmika-yoga- nisthaya,yogesvaropasanaya ca nityam, punya- TEXT 25, harer muhus tatpara-karna-pura-, sravah-kathaya punyaya ca, gunabhidhanena vijrmbhamanaya, bhaktya hy asangah sad-asaty anatmani, syan nirgune TRANSLATION brahmani canjasa ratih, Attachment for the Supreme can be increased by practicing devotional service, inquiring TRANSLATION about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, The devotee should gradually increase the applying bhakti-yoga in life, worshiping the culture of devotional service by constant Yogesvara, the Supreme Personality of hearing of the transcendental qualities of the Godhead, and by hearing and chanting about Supreme Personality of Godhead. These the glories of the Supreme Personality of pastimes are like ornamental decorations on Godhead. These actions are pious in the ears of devotees. By rendering devotional themselves. service and transcending the material qualities, one can easily be fixed in 123

transcendence in the Supreme Personality of TRANSLATION Godhead. Only because of different causes does a person see a difference between himself and others, TEXT 26, yada ratir brahmani naisthiki puman, just as one sees the reflection of a body acaryavan jnana-viraga-ramhasa, dahaty aviryam appearing differently manifested on water, on hrdayam jiva-kosam, pancatmakam yonim oil or in a mirror. ivotthito 'gnih, TEXT 30, indriyair visayakrstair, aksiptam TRANSLATION dhyayatam manah, cetanam harate buddheh, Upon becoming fixed in his attachment to the stambas toyam iva hradat, Supreme Personality of Godhead by the grace of the spiritual master and by awakening TRANSLATION knowledge and detachment, the living entity, When one's mind and senses are attracted to situated within the heart of the body and sense objects for enjoyment, the mind becomes covered by the five elements, burns up his agitated. As a result of continually thinking of material surroundings exactly as fire, arising sense objects, one's real consciousness almost from wood, burns the wood itself. becomes lost, like the water in a lake that is gradually sucked up by the big grass straws on TEXT 27, dagdhasayo mukta-samasta-tad-guno, its bank. naivatmano bahir antar vicaste, paratmanor yad- vyavadhanam purastat, svapne yatha purusas tad- TEXT 31, bhrasyaty anusmrtis cittam, jnana- vinase, bhramsah smrti-ksaye, tad-rodham kavayah prahur, atmapahnavam atmanah, TRANSLATION When a person becomes devoid of all material TRANSLATION desires and liberated from all material When one deviates from his original qualities, he transcends distinctions between consciousness, he loses the capacity to actions executed externally and internally. At remember his previous position or recognize that time the difference between the soul and his present one. When remembrance is lost, all the Supersoul, which was existing before self- knowledge acquired is based on a false realization, is annihilated. When a dream is foundation. When this occurs, learned scholars over, there is no longer a distinction between consider that the soul is lost. the dream and the dreamer. TEXT 32, natah parataro loke, pumsah svartha- TEXT 28, atmanam indriyartham ca, param yad vyatikramah, yad-adhy anyasya preyastvam, ubhayor api, saty asaya upadhau vai, puman atmanah sva-vyatikramat, pasyati nanyada, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION There is no stronger obstruction to one's self- When the soul exists for sense gratification, he interest than thinking other subject matters to creates different desires, and for that reason he be more pleasing than one's self-realization. becomes subjected to designations. But when one is in the transcendental position, he is no TEXT 33, arthendriyarthabhidhyanam, longer interested in anything except fulfilling sarvarthapahnavo nrnam, bhramsito jnana- the desires of the Lord. vijnanad, yenavisati mukhyatam,

TEXT 29, nimitte sati sarvatra, jaladav api TRANSLATION purusah, atmanas ca parasyapi, bhidam pasyati For human society, constantly thinking of how nanyada, to earn money and apply it for sense gratification brings about the destruction of 124 everyone's interests. When one becomes devoid my dear King Prthu, try to understand the of knowledge and devotional service, he enters Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is living into species of life like those of trees and within everyone's heart along with the stones. individual soul, in each and every body, either moving or not moving. The individual souls TEXT 34, na kuryat karhicit sangam, tamas are fully covered by the gross material body tivram titirisuh, dharmartha-kama-moksanam, and subtle body made of the life air and yad atyanta-vighatakam, intelligence.

TRANSLATION TEXT 38, yasminn idam sad-asad-atmataya Those who strongly desire to cross the ocean of vibhati, maya viveka-vidhuti sraji vahi-buddhih, nescience must not associate with the modes of tam nitya-mukta-parisuddha-visuddha-tattvam, ignorance, for hedonistic activities are the pratyudha-karma-kalila-prakrtim prapadye, greatest obstructions to realization of religious principles, economic development, regulated TRANSLATION sense gratification and, at last, liberation. The Supreme Personality of Godhead manifests Himself as one with the cause and TEXT 35, tatrapi moksa evartha, effect within this body, but one who has atyantikatayesyate, traivargyo 'rtho yato nityam, transcended the illusory energy by deliberate krtanta-bhaya-samyutah, consideration, which clears the misconception of a snake for a rope, can understand that the TRANSLATION Paramatma is eternally transcendental to the Out of the four principles--namely religion, material creation and situated in pure internal economic development, sense gratification and energy. Thus the Lord is transcendental to all liberation--liberation has to be taken very material contamination. Unto Him only must seriously. The other three are subject to one surrender. destruction by the stringent law of nature-- death. TEXT 39, yat-pada-pankaja-palasa-vilasa- bhaktya, karmasayam grathitam udgrathayanti TEXT 36, pare 'vare ca ye bhava, guna- santah, tadvan na rikta-matayo yatayo 'pi ruddha-, vyatikarad anu, na tesam vidyate ksemam, isa- sroto-ganas tam aranam bhaja vasudevam, vidhvamsitasisam, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The devotees, who are always engaged in the We accept as blessings different states of service of the toes of the lotus feet of the Lord, higher life, distinguishing them from lower can very easily overcome hard-knotted desires states of life, but we should know that such for fruitive activities. Because this is very distinctions exist only in relation to the difficult, the nondevotees--the jnanis and interchange of the modes of material nature. yogis--although trying to stop the waves of Actually these states of life have no permanent sense gratification, cannot do so. Therefore existence, for all of them will be destroyed by you are advised to engage in the devotional the supreme controller. service of Krsna, the son of Vasudeva.

TEXT 37, tat tvam narendra jagatam atha TEXT 40, krcchro mahan iha bhavarnavam tasthusam ca, dehendriyasu-dhisanatmabhir aplavesam, sad-varga-nakram asukhena titirsanti, avrtanam, yah ksetravit-tapataya hrdi visvag avih, tat tvam harer bhagavato bhajaniyam anghrim, pratyak cakasti bhagavams tam avehi so 'smi, krtvodupam vyasanam uttara dustararnam,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Sanat-kumara advised the King: Therefore, The ocean of nescience is very difficult to cross 125

because it is infested with many dangerous brahmanas, my life, wife, children, home, sharks. Although those who are nondevotees furniture and household paraphernalia, my undergo severe austerities and penances to kingdom, strength, land and especially my cross that ocean, we recommend that you treasury are all offered unto you. simply take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord, which are like boats for crossing the TEXT 45, saina-patyam ca rajyam ca, danda- ocean. Although the ocean is difficult to cross, netrtvam eva ca, sarva lokadhipatyam ca, veda- by taking shelter of His lotus feet you will sastra-vid arhati, overcome all dangers. TRANSLATION TEXT 41, maitreya uvaca, sa evam brahma- Since only a person who is completely putrena, kumarenatma-medhasa, darsitatma- educated according to the principles of Vedic gatih samyak, prasasyovaca tam nrpah, knowledge deserves to be commander-in-chief, ruler of the state, the first to chastise and the TRANSLATION proprietor of the whole planet, Prthu The great sage Maitreya continued: Being thus Maharaja offered everything to the Kumaras. enlightened in complete spiritual knowledge by the son of Brahma--one of the Kumaras, who TEXT 46, svam eva brahmano bhunkte, svam was complete in spiritual knowledge--the King vaste svam dadati ca, tasyaivanugrahenannam, worshiped them in the following words. bhunjate ksatriyadayah,

TEXT 42, rajovaca, krto me 'nugrahah purvam, TRANSLATION harinartanukampina, tam apadayitum brahman, The ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras eat their bhagavan yuyam agatah, food by virtue of the brahmanas' mercy. It is the brahmanas who enjoy their own property, TRANSLATION clothe themselves with their own property and The King said: O brahmana, O powerful one, give charity with their own property. formerly Lord Visnu showed me His causeless mercy, indicating that you would come to my TEXT 47, yair idrsi bhagavato gatir atma-vada, house, and to confirm that blessing, you have ekantato nigamibhih pratipadita nah, tusyantv all come. adabhra-karunah sva-krtena nityam, ko nama tat pratikaroti vinoda-patram, TEXT 43, nispaditas ca kartsnyena, bhagavadbhir ghrnalubhih, sadhucchistam hi me TRANSLATION sarvam, atmana saha kim dade, Prthu Maharaja continued: How can such persons, who have rendered unlimited service TRANSLATION by explaining the path of self-realization in My dear brahmana, you have carried out the relation to the Supreme Personality of order thoroughly because you are also as Godhead, and whose explanations are given compassionate as the Lord. It is my duty, for our enlightenment with complete therefore, to offer you something, but all I conviction and Vedic evidence, be repaid possess are but remnants of food taken by except by folded palms containing water for great saintly persons. What shall I give? their satisfaction? Such great personalities can be satisfied only by their own activities, which TEXT 44, prana darah suta brahman, grhas ca sa- are distributed amongst human society out of paricchadah, rajyam balam mahi kosa, iti sarvam their unlimited mercy. niveditam, TEXT 48, maitreya uvaca, ta atma-yoga-pataya, TRANSLATION adi-rajena pujitah, silam tadiyam samsantah, khe The King continued: Therefore, my dear 'bhavan misatam nrnam, 126

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Maharaja Prthu, who was very opulent due to The great sage Maitreya continued: Being thus the prosperity of his entire empire, remained worshiped by Maharaja Prthu, the four at home as a householder. Since he was never Kumaras, who were masters of devotional inclined to utilize his opulences for the service, became very pleased. Indeed, they gratification of his senses, he remained appeared in the sky and praised the character unattached, exactly like the sun, which is of the King, and everyone observed them. unaffected in all circumstances.

TEXT 49, vainyas tu dhuryo mahatam, TEXT 53, evam adhyatma-yogena, karmany samsthityadhyatma-siksaya, apta-kamam anusamacaran, putran utpadayam asa, ivatmanam, mena atmany avasthitah, pancarcisy atma-sammatan,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Amongst great personalities, Maharaja Prthu Being situated in the liberated position of was the chief by virtue of his fixed position in devotional service, Prthu Maharaja not only relation to spiritual enlightenment. He performed all fruitive activities but also begot remained satisfied as one who has achieved all five sons by his wife, Arci. Indeed, all his sons success in spiritual understanding. were begotten according to his own desire.

TEXT 50, karmani ca yatha-kalam, yatha-desam TEXT 54, vijitasvam dhumrakesam, haryaksam yatha-balam, yathocitam yatha-vittam, akarod dravinam vrkam, sarvesam loka-palanam, brahma-sat-krtam, dadharaikah prthur gunan,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Being self-satisfied, Maharaja Prthu executed After begetting five sons, named Vijitasva, his duties as perfectly as possible according to Dhumrakesa, Haryaksa, Dravina and Vrka, the time and his situation, strength and Prthu Maharaja continued to rule the planet. financial position. His only aim in all his He accepted all the qualities of the deities who activities was to satisfy the Absolute Truth. In governed all other planets. this way, he duly acted. TEXT 55, gopithaya jagat-srsteh, kale sve sve TEXT 51, phalam brahmani sannyasya, 'cyutatmakah, mano-vag-vrttibhih saumyair, nirvisangah samahitah, karmadhyaksam ca gunaih samranjayan prajah, manvana, atmanam prakrteh param, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Since Maharaja Prthu was a perfect devotee of Maharaja Prthu completely dedicated himself the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he to be an eternal servant of the Supreme wanted to protect the Lord's creation by Personality of Godhead, transcendental to pleasing the various citizens according to their material nature. Consequently all the fruits of various desires. Therefore Prthu Maharaja his activities were dedicated to the Lord, and used to please them in all respects by his he always thought of himself as the servant of words, mentality, works and gentle behavior. the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the proprietor of everything. TEXT 56, rajety adhan namadheyam, soma-raja ivaparah, suryavad visrjan grhnan, pratapams ca TEXT 52, grhesu vartamano 'pi, sa samrajya- bhuvo vasu, sriyanvitah, nasajjatendriyarthesu, niraham-matir arkavat, TRANSLATION Maharaja Prthu became as celebrated a king 127

as Soma-raja, the king of the moon. He was TRANSLATION also powerful and exacting, just like the sun- In his bodily strength and in the strength of his god, who distributes heat and light and at the senses, Maharaja Prthu was as strong as the same time exacts all the planetary waters. wind, which can go anywhere and everywhere. As far as his intolerance was concerned, he was TEXT 57, durdharsas tejasevagnir, mahendra iva just like the all-powerful Rudra expansion of durjayah, titiksaya dharitriva, dyaur ivabhista-do Lord Siva, or Sadasiva. nrnam, TEXT 61, kandarpa iva saundarye, manasvi TRANSLATION mrga-rad iva, vatsalye manuvan nrnam, Maharaja Prthu was so strong and powerful prabhutve bhagavan ajah, that no one could disobey his orders any more than one could conquer fire itself. He was so TRANSLATION strong that he was compared to Indra, the In his bodily beauty he was just like Cupid, King of heaven, whose power is insuperable. and in his thoughtfulness he was like a lion. In On the other hand, Maharaja Prthu was also his affection he was just like Svayambhuva as tolerant as the earth, and in fulfilling Manu, and in his ability to control he was like various desires of human society, he was like Lord Brahma. heaven itself. TEXT 62, brhaspatir brahma-vade, atmavattve TEXT 58, varsati sma yatha-kamam, parjanya svayam harih, bhaktya go-guru-vipresu, iva tarpayan, samudra iva durbodhah, visvaksenanuvartisu, hriya prasraya-silabhyam, sattvenacala-rad iva, atma-tulyah parodyame,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Just as rainfall satisfies everyone's desires, In his personal behavior, Prthu Maharaja Maharaja Prthu used to satisfy everyone. He exhibited all good qualities, and in spiritual was like the sea in that no one could knowledge he was exactly like Brhaspati. In understand his depths, and he was like Meru, self-control he was like the Supreme the king of hills, in the fixity of his purpose. Personality of Godhead Himself. As far as his devotional service was concerned, he was a TEXT 59, dharma-rad iva siksayam, ascarye great follower of devotees who were attached himavan iva, kuvera iva kosadhyo, guptartho to cow protection and the rendering of all varuno yatha, service to the spiritual master and the brahmanas. He was perfect in his shyness and TRANSLATION in his gentle behavior, and when he engaged in Maharaja Prthu's intelligence and education some philanthropic activity, he worked as if he were exactly like that of Yamaraja, the were working for his own personal self. superintendent of death. His opulence was comparable to the Himalaya Mountains, where TEXT 63, kirtyordhva-gitaya pumbhis, trailokye all valuable jewels and metals are stocked. He tatra tatra ha, pravistah karna-randhresu, strinam possessed great riches like Kuvera, the ramah satam iva, treasurer of the heavenly planets, and no one could reveal his secrets, for they were like the TRANSLATION demigod Varuna's. Throughout the whole universe--in the higher, lower and middle planetary systems--Prthu TEXT 60, matarisveva sarvatma, balena Maharaja's reputation was loudly declared, mahasaujasa, avisahyataya devo, bhagavan and all ladies and saintly persons heard his bhuta-rad iva, glories, which were as sweet as the glories of Lord Ramacandra. 128

Chapter Twenty-three Maharaja ate the trunks and roots of trees, and Prthu's Going Back Home sometimes he ate fruit and dried leaves, and for some weeks he drank only water. Finally

he lived simply by breathing air. TEXTS 1-3, maitreya uvaca, drstvatmanam

pravayasam, ekada vainya atmavan, atmana TEXT 6, grisme panca-tapa viro, varsasv vardhitasesa-, svanusargah prajapatih, jagatas asarasan munih, akantha-magnah sisire, udake tasthusas capi, vrttido dharma-bhrt satam, sthandile-sayah, nispaditesvaradeso, yad-artham iha jajnivan,

atmajesv atmajam nyasya, virahad rudatim iva, TRANSLATION prajasu vimanahsv ekah, sa-daro 'gat tapo- Following the principles of forest living and vanam, the footsteps of the great sages and munis,

Prthu Maharaja accepted five kinds of heating TRANSLATION processes during the summer season, exposed At the last stage of his life, when Maharaja himself to torrents of rain in the rainy season Prthu saw himself getting old, that great soul, and, in the winter, stood in water up to his who was king of the world, divided whatever neck. He also used to simply lie down on the opulence he had accumulated amongst all floor to sleep. kinds of living entities, moving and

nonmoving. He arranged pensions for TEXT 7, titiksur yata-vag danta, urdhva-reta everyone according to religious principles, and jitanilah, ariradhayisuh krsnam, acarat tapa after executing the orders of the Supreme uttamam, Personality of Godhead, in complete

coordination with Him, he dedicated his sons TRANSLATION unto the earth, which was considered to be his Maharaja Prthu underwent all these severe daughter. Then Maharaja Prthu left the austerities in order to control his words and presence of his citizens, who were almost his senses, to refrain from discharging his lamenting and crying from feeling separation semen and to control the life air within his from the King, and went to the forest alone body. All this he did for the satisfaction of with his wife to perform austerities. Krsna. He had no other purpose.

TEXT 4, tatrapy adabhya-niyamo, vaikhanasa- TEXT 8, tena kramanusiddhena, dhvasta-karma- susammate, arabdha ugra-tapasi, yatha sva-vijaye malasayah, pranayamaih sanniruddha-,sad-vargas pura, chinna-bandhanah,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION After retiring from family life, Maharaja By thus practicing severe austerities, Prthu strictly followed the regulations of Maharaja Prthu gradually became steadfast in retired life and underwent severe austerities in spiritual life and completely free of all desires the forest. He engaged in these activities as for fruitive activities. He also practiced seriously as he had formerly engaged in breathing exercises to control his mind and leading the government and conquering senses, and by such control he became everyone. completely free from all desires for fruitive

activity. TEXT 5, kanda-mula-phalaharah, suska-

parnasanah kvacit, ab-bhaksah katicit paksan, TEXT 9, sanat-kumaro bhagavan, yad vayu-bhaksas tatah param, ahadhyatmikam param, yogam tenaiva purusam,

abhajat purusarsabhah, TRANSLATION

In the tapo-vana, Maharaja Prthu sometimes TRANSLATION 129

Thus the best amongst human beings, devotional service to Krsna is the ultimate goal Maharaja Prthu, followed that path of of life and that unless the yogis and jnanis spiritual advancement which was advised by become attracted to krsna-katha [narrations Sanat-kumara. That is to say, he worshiped about Krsna], their illusions concerning the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. existence can never be dispelled.

TEXT 10, bhagavad-dharminah sadhoh, TEXT 13, evam sa vira-pravarah, sraddhaya yatatah sada, bhaktir bhagavati samyojyatmanam atmani, brahma-bhuto drdham brahmany, ananya-visayabhavat, kale, tatyaja svam kalevaram,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Maharaja Prthu thus engaged completely in In due course of time, when Prthu Maharaja devotional service, executing the rules and was to give up his body, he fixed his mind regulations strictly according to principles, firmly upon the lotus feet of Krsna, and thus, twenty-four hours daily. Thus his love and completely situated on the brahma-bhuta devotion unto the Supreme Personality of platform, he gave up the material body. Godhead, Krsna, developed and became unflinching and fixed. TEXT 14, sampidya payum parsnibhyam, vayum utsarayan chanaih,nabhyam kosthesv avasthapya, TEXT 11, tasyanaya bhagavatah parikarma- hrd-urah-kantha-sirsani, suddha-, sattvatmanas tad- anusamsmarananupurtya, jnanam viraktimad TRANSLATION abhun nisitena yena, ciccheda samsaya-padam When Maharaja Prthu practiced a particular nija-jiva-kosam, yogic sitting posture, he blocked the doors of his anus with his ankles, pressed his right and TRANSLATION left calves and gradually raised his life air By regularly discharging devotional service, upward, passing it on to the circle of his navel, Prthu Maharaja became transcendental in up to his heart and throat, and finally pushed mind and could therefore constantly think of it upward to the central position between his the lotus feet of the Lord. Because of this, he two eyebrows. became completely detached and attained perfect knowledge by which he could TEXT 15, utsarpayams tu tam murdhni, transcend all doubt. Thus he was freed from kramenavesya nihsprhah, vayum vayau ksitau the clutches of false ego and the material kayam, tejas tejasy ayuyujat, conception of life. TRANSLATION TEXT 12, chinnanya-dhir adhigatatma-gatir In this way, Prthu Maharaja gradually raised nirihas, tat tatyaje 'cchinad idam vayunena yena, his air of life up to the hole in his skull, tavan na yoga-gatibhir yatir apramatto, yavad whereupon he lost all desire for material gadagraja-kathasu ratim na kuryat, existence. Gradually he merged his air of life with the totality of air, his body with the TRANSLATION totality of earth, and the fire within his body When he became completely free from the with the totality of fire. conception of bodily life, Maharaja Prthu realized Lord Krsna sitting in everyone's heart TEXT 16, khany akase dravam toye, yatha- as the Paramatma. Being thus able to get all sthanam vibhagasah, ksitim ambhasi tat tejasy, instructions from Him, he gave up all other ado vayau nabhasy amum, practices of yoga and jnana. He was not even interested in the perfection of the yoga and TRANSLATION jnana systems, for he thoroughly realized that In this way, according to the different positions 130

of the various parts of the body, Prthu parikarsitapi sa, preyaskara-sparsana-mana- Maharaja merged the holes of his senses with nirvrtih, the sky; his bodily liquids, such as blood and various secretions, with the totality of water; TRANSLATION and he merged earth with water, then water Although she was not accustomed to such with fire, fire with air, air with sky, and so on. difficulties, Queen Arci followed her husband in the regulative principles of living in the TEXT 17, indriyesu manas tani, tan-matresu forest like great sages. She lay down on the yathodbhavam, bhutadinamuny utkrsya, mahaty ground and ate only fruits, flowers and leaves, atmani sandadhe, and because she was not fit for these activities, she became frail and thin. Yet because of the TRANSLATION pleasure she derived in serving her husband, He amalgamated the mind with the senses and she did not feel any difficulties. the senses with the sense objects, according to their respective positions, and he also TEXT 21, deham vipannakhila-cetanadikam, amalgamated the material ego with the total patyuh prthivya dayitasya catmanah, alaksya material energy, mahat-tattva. kincic ca vilapya sa sati, citam atharopayad adri- sanuni, TEXT 18, tam sarva-guna-vinyasam, jive mayamaye nyadhat, tam canusayam atma-stham, TRANSLATION asav anusayi puman, jnana-vairagya- When Queen Arci saw that her husband, who viryena,svarupa-stho 'jahat prabhuh, had been so merciful to her and the earth, no longer showed symptoms of life, she lamented TRANSLATION for a little while and then built a fiery pyre on Prthu Maharaja then offered the total top of a hill and placed the body of her designation of the living entity unto the husband on it. supreme controller of illusory energy. Being released from all the designations by which the TEXT 22, vidhaya krtyam hradini-jalapluta, living entity became entrapped, he became free dattvodakam bhartur udara-karmanah, natva divi- by knowledge and renunciation and by the sthams tridasams trih paritya, vivesa vahnim spiritual force of his devotional service. In this dhyayati bhartr-padau, way, being situated in his original constitutional position of Krsna consciousness, TRANSLATION he gave up this body as a prabhu, or controller After this, the Queen executed the necessary of the senses. funerary functions and offered oblations of water. After bathing in the river, she offered TEXT 19, arcir nama maha-rajni, tat-patny obeisances to various demigods situated in the anugata vanam, sukumary atad-arha ca, yat- sky in the different planetary systems. She padbhyam sparsanam bhuvah, then circumambulated the fire and, while thinking of the lotus feet of her husband, TRANSLATION entered its flames. The Queen, the wife of Prthu Maharaja, whose name was Arci, followed her husband into the TEXT 23, vilokyanugatam sadhvim, prthum forest. Since she was a queen, her body was vira-varam patim, tustuvur varada devair, deva- very delicate. Although she did not deserve to patnyah sahasrasah, live in the forest, she voluntarily touched her lotus feet to the ground. TRANSLATION After observing this brave act performed by TEXT 20, ativa bhartur vrata-dharma-nisthaya, the chaste wife Arci, the wife of the great King susrusaya carsa-deha-yatraya, navindatartim Prthu, many thousands of the wives of the 131

demigods, along with their husbands, offered TEXT 28, sa vancito batatma-dhruk, krcchrena prayers to the Queen, for they were very much mahata bhuvi, labdhvapavargyam manusyam, satisfied. visayesu visajjate,

TEXT 24, kurvatyah kusumasaram, tasmin TRANSLATION mandara-sanuni, nadatsv amara-turyesu, grnanti Any person who engages himself within this sma parasparam, material world in performing activities that necessitate great struggle, and who, after TRANSLATION obtaining a human form of life--which is a At that time the demigods were situated on the chance to attain liberation from miseries-- top of Mandara Hill, and all their wives began undertakes the difficult tasks of fruitive to shower flowers on the funeral pyre and activities, must be considered to be cheated began to talk amongst themselves as follows. and envious of his own self.

TEXT 25, devya ucuh, aho iyam vadhur dhanya, TEXT 29, maitreya uvaca, stuvatisv amara-strisu, ya caivam bhu-bhujam patim, sarvatmana patim pati-lokam gata vadhuh, yam va atma-vidam bheje, yajnesam srir vadhur iva, dhuryo, vainyah prapacyutasrayah,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The wives of the demigods said: All glories to The great sage Maitreya continued speaking: Queen Arci! We can see that this queen of the My dear Vidura, when the wives of the great King Prthu, the emperor of all the kings denizens of heaven were thus talking amongst of the world, has served her husband with themselves, Queen Arci reached the planet mind, speech and body exactly as the goddess which her husband, Maharaja Prthu, the of fortune serves the Supreme Personality of topmost self-realized soul, had attained. Godhead, Yajnesa, or Visnu. TEXT 30, ittham-bhutanubhavo 'sau, prthuh sa TEXT 26, saisa nunam vrajaty urdhvam, anu bhagavattamah, kirtitam tasya caritam, uddama- vainyam patim sati, pasyatasman atityarcir, caritasya te, durvibhavyena karmana, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Maitreya continued: The greatest of all The wives of the demigods continued: Just see devotees, Maharaja Prthu, was very powerful, how this chaste lady, Arci, by dint of her and his character was liberal, magnificent and inconceivable pious activities, is still following magnanimous. Thus I have described him to her husband upward, as far as we can see. you as far as possible.

TEXT 27, tesam durapam kim tv anyan, TEXT 31, ya idam sumahat punyam, martyanam bhagavat-padam, bhuvi lolayuso ye sraddhayavahitah pathet, sravayec chrnuyad vapi, vai, naiskarmyam sadhayanty uta, sa prthoh padavim iyat,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION In this material world, every human being has Any person who describes the great a short span of life, but those who are engaged characteristics of King Prthu with faith and in devotional service go back home, back to determination--whether he reads or hears of Godhead, for they are actually on the path of them himself or helps others to hear of them-- liberation. For such persons, there is nothing is certain to attain the very planet which which is not available. Maharaja Prthu attained. In other words, such a person also returns home to the Vaikuntha planets, back to Godhead. 132

causes of religion, economic development, TEXT 32, brahmano brahma-varcasvi, rajanyo sense gratification and liberation. Therefore jagati-patih, vaisyah pathan vit-patih syac, from all sides it is advisable for a materialistic chudrah sattamatam iyat, person who is interested in such things to read and hear the narrations of the life and TRANSLATION character of Prthu Maharaja. If one hears of the characteristics of Prthu Maharaja and is a brahmana, he becomes TEXT 36, vijayabhimukho raja, srutvaitad perfectly qualified with brahminical powers; if abhiyati yan, balim tasmai haranty agre, rajanah he is a ksatriya, he becomes a king of the prthave yatha, world; if he is a vaisya, he becomes a master of other vaisyas and many animals; and if he is a TRANSLATION sudra, he becomes the topmost devotee. If a king, who is desirous of attaining victory and ruling power, chants the narration of TEXT 33, trih krtva idam akarnya, naro nary Prthu Maharaja three times before going forth athavadrta, aprajah suprajatamo, nirdhano on his chariot, all subordinate kings will dhanavattamah, automatically render all kinds of taxes unto him--as they rendered them unto Maharaja TRANSLATION Prthu--simply upon his order. It does not matter whether one is a man or woman. Anyone who, with great respect, hears TEXT 37, muktanya-sango bhagavaty, amalam this narration of Maharaja Prthu will become bhaktim udvahan, vainyasya caritam punyam, the father of many children if he is without srnuyac chravayet pathet, children and will become the richest of men if he is without money. TRANSLATION A pure devotee who is executing the different TEXT 34, aspasta-kirtih suyasa, murkho bhavati processes of devotional service may be situated panditah, idam svasty-ayanam pumsam, in the transcendental position, being amangalya-nivaranam, completely absorbed in Krsna consciousness, but even he, while discharging devotional TRANSLATION service, must hear, read and induce others to Also, one who hears this narration three times hear about the character and life of Prthu will become very reputable if he is not Maharaja. recognized in society, and he will become a great scholar if he is illiterate. In other words, TEXT 38, vaicitraviryabhihitam, mahan- hearing of the narrations of Prthu Maharaja is mahatmya-sucakam, asmin krtam atimartyam, so auspicious that it drives away all bad luck. parthavim gatim apnuyat,

TEXT 35, dhanyam yasasyam ayusyam, TRANSLATION svargyam kali-malapaham, dharmartha-kama- The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear moksanam, samyak siddhim abhipsubhih, Vidura, I have as far as possible spoken the sraddhayaitad anusravyam, caturnam karanam narrations about Prthu Maharaja, which param, enrich one's devotional attitude. Whoever takes advantage of these benefits also goes TRANSLATION back home, back to Godhead, like Maharaja By hearing the narration of Prthu Maharaja, Prthu. one can become great, increase his duration of life, gain promotion to the heavenly planets TEXT 39, anudinam idam adarena srnvan, prthu- and counteract the contaminations of this age caritam prathayan vimukta-sangah, bhagavati of Kali. In addition, one can promote the bhava-sindhu-pota-pade, sa ca nipunam labhate 133

ratim manusyah, TEXT 4, pavakah pavamanas ca, sucir ity agnayah pura, vasistha-sapad utpannah, punar TRANSLATION yoga-gatim gatah, Whoever, with great reverence and adoration, regularly reads, chants and describes the TRANSLATION history of Maharaja Prthu's activities will The three sons of Maharaja Antardhana were certainly increase unflinching faith and named Pavaka, Pavamana and Suci. Formerly attraction for the lotus feet of the Lord. The these three personalities were the demigods of Lord's lotus feet are the boat by which one can fire, but due to the curse of the great sage cross the ocean of nescience. Vasistha, they became the sons of Maharaja Antardhana. As such, they were as powerful as the fire-gods, and they attained the destination Chapter Twenty-four Chanting the of mystic yoga power, being again situated as Song Sung by Lord Siva the demigods of fire.

TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, vijitasvo 'dhirajasit, TEXT 5, antardhano nabhasvatyam, prthu-putrah prthu-sravah, yaviyobhyo 'dadat havirdhanam avindata, ya indram asva-hartaram, kastha, bhratrbhyo bhratr-vatsalah, vidvan api na jaghnivan,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The great sage Maitreya continued: Vijitasva, Maharaja Antardhana had another wife, the eldest son of Maharaja Prthu, who had a named Nabhasvati, and by her he was happy reputation like his father's, became emperor to beget another son, named Havirdhana. and gave his younger brothers different Since Maharaja Antardhana was very liberal, directions of the world to govern, for he was he did not kill Indra while the demigod was very affectionate toward his brothers. stealing his father's horse at the sacrifice.

TEXT 2, haryaksayadisat pracim, dhumrakesaya TEXT 6, rajnam vrttim karadana-, danda- daksinam, praticim vrka-samjnaya, turyam sulkadi-darunam, manyamano dirgha-sattra-, dravinase vibhuh, vyajena visasarja ha,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Maharaja Vijitasva offered the eastern part of Whenever Antardhana, the supreme royal the world to his brother Haryaksa, the power, had to exact taxes, punish his citizens southern part to Dhumrakesa, the western or fine them severely, he was not willing to do part to Vrka and the northern part to Dravina. so. Consequently he retired from the execution of such duties and engaged himself in the TEXT 3, antardhana-gatim sakral, performance of different sacrifices. labdhvantardhana-samjnitah, apatya-trayam adhatta, sikhandinyam susammatam, TEXT 7, tatrapi hamsam purusam, paramatmanam atma-drk, yajams tal-lokatam apa, TRANSLATION kusalena samadhina, Formerly, Maharaja Vijitasva pleased the King of heaven, Indra, and from him received TRANSLATION the title Antardhana. His wife's name was Although Maharaja Antardhana was engaged Sikhandini, and by her he begot three good in performing sacrifices, because he was a self- sons. realized soul he very intelligently rendered devotional service to the Lord, who eradicates all the fears of His devotees. By thus worshiping the Supreme Lord, Maharaja 134

Antardhana, rapt in ecstasy, attained His it, the fire-god Agni became so attracted to her planet very easily. that he desired her company, exactly as he had formerly desired to enjoy Suki. TEXT 8, havirdhanad dhavirdhani, vidurasuta sat sutan, barhisadam gayam suklam, krsnam TEXT 12, vibudhasura-gandharva-, muni-siddha- satyam jitavratam, naroragah, vijitah suryaya diksu, kvanayantyaiva nupuraih, TRANSLATION Havirdhana, the son of Maharaja Antardhana, TRANSLATION had a wife named Havirdhani, who gave birth While Satadruti was thus being married, the to six sons, named Barhisat, Gaya, Sukla, demons, the denizens of Gandharvaloka, the Krsna, Satya and Jitavrata. great sages, and the denizens of Siddhaloka, the earthly planets and Nagaloka, although TEXT 9, barhisat sumaha-bhago, havirdhanih highly exalted, were all captivated by the prajapatih, kriya-kandesu nisnato, yogesu ca tinkling of her ankle bells. kurudvaha, TEXT 13, pracinabarhisah putrah, satadrutyam TRANSLATION dasabhavan, tulya-nama-vratah sarve, dharma- The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear snatah pracetasah, Vidura, Havirdhana's very powerful son named Barhisat was very expert in performing TRANSLATION various kinds of fruitive sacrifices, and he was King Pracinabarhi begot ten children in the also expert in the practice of mystic yoga. By womb of Satadruti. All of them were equally his great qualifications, he became known as endowed with religiosity, and all of them were Prajapati. known as the Pracetas.

TEXT 10, yasyedam deva-yajanam, anuyajnam TEXT 14, pitradistah praja-sarge, tapase 'rnavam vitanvatah, pracinagraih kusair asid, astrtam avisan, dasa-varsa-sahasrani, tapasarcams tapas- vasudha-talam, patim,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Maharaja Barhisat executed many sacrifices When all these Pracetas were ordered by their all over the world. He scattered kusa grasses father to marry and beget children, they all and kept the tops of the grasses pointed entered the ocean and practiced austerities and eastward. penances for ten thousand years. Thus they worshiped the master of all austerity, the TEXT 11, samudrim devadevoktam, upayeme Supreme Personality of Godhead. satadrutim, yam viksya caru-sarvangim, kisorim susthv-alankrtam, parikramantim udvahe, TEXT 15, yad uktam pathi drstena, girisena cakame 'gnih sukim iva, prasidata, tad dhyayanto japantas ca, pujayantas ca samyatah, TRANSLATION Maharaja Barhisat--henceforward known as TRANSLATION Pracinabarhi--was ordered by the supreme When all the sons of Pracinabarhi left home to demigod Lord Brahma to marry the daughter execute austerities, they met Lord Siva, who, of the ocean named Satadruti. Her bodily out of great mercy, instructed them about the features were completely beautiful, and she Absolute Truth. All the sons of Pracinabarhi was very young. She was decorated with the meditated upon the instructions, chanting and proper garments, and when she came into the worshiping them with great care and attention. marriage arena and began circumambulating 135

TEXT 16, vidura uvaca, pracetasam giritrena, and with these words on their heads, they went yathasit pathi sangamah, yad utaha harah pritas, toward the west to execute their father's order. tan no brahman vadarthavat, TEXT 20, sa-samudram upa vistirnam, apasyan TRANSLATION sumahat sarah, mahan-mana iva svaccham, Vidura asked Maitreya: My dear brahmana, prasanna-salilasayam, why did the Pracetas meet Lord Siva on the way? Please tell me how the meeting TRANSLATION happened, how Lord Siva became very pleased While traveling, the Pracetas happened to see with them and how he instructed them. a great reservoir of water which seemed almost Certainly such talks are important, and I wish as big as the ocean. The water of this lake was that you please be merciful upon me and so calm and quiet that it seemed like the mind describe them. of a great soul, and its inhabitants, the aquatics, appeared very peaceful and happy to TEXT 17, sangamah khalu viprarse, siveneha be under the protection of such a watery saririnam, durlabho munayo dadhyur, asangad reservoir. yam abhipsitam, TEXT 21, nila-raktotpalambhoja-, TRANSLATION kahlarendivarakaram, hamsa-sarasa-cakrahva-, The great sage Vidura continued: O best of the karandava-nikujitam, brahmanas, it is very difficult for living entities encaged within this material body to have TRANSLATION personal contact with Lord Siva. Even great In that great lake there were different types of sages who have no material attachments do not lotus flowers. Some of them were bluish, and contact him, despite their always being some of them were red. Some of them grew at absorbed in meditation to attain his personal night, some in the day and some, like the contact. indivara lotus flower, in the evening. Combined together, the lotus flowers filled the TEXT 18, atmaramo 'pi yas tv asya, loka- lake so full that the lake appeared to be a great kalpasya radhase, saktya yukto vicarati, ghoraya mine of such flowers. Consequently, on the bhagavan bhavah, shores there were swans and cranes, cakravaka, karandava and other beautiful TRANSLATION water birds standing about. Lord Siva, the most powerful demigod, second only to Lord Visnu, is self-sufficient. Although TEXT 22, matta-bhramara-sausvarya-, hrsta- he has nothing to aspire for in the material roma-latanghripam, padma-kosa-rajo diksu, world, for the benefit of those in the material viksipat-pavanotsavam, world he is always busily engaged everywhere and is accompanied by his dangerous energies TRANSLATION like goddess Kali and goddess Durga. There were various trees and creepers on all sides of the lake, and there were mad TEXT 19, maitreya uvaca, pracetasah pitur bumblebees humming all about them. The vakyam, sirasadaya sadhavah, disam praticim trees appeared to be very jolly due to the sweet prayayus, tapasy adrta-cetasah, humming of the bumblebees, and the saffron, which was contained in the lotus flowers, was TRANSLATION being thrown into the air. These all created The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear such an atmosphere that it appeared as though Vidura, because of their pious nature, all the a festival were taking place there. sons of Pracinabarhi very seriously accepted the words of their father with heart and soul, 136

TEXT 23, tatra gandharvam akarnya, divya- therefore I am visible to you just to show my marga-manoharam, visismyu raja-putras te, mercy upon you. mrdanga-panavady anu, TEXT 28, yah param ramhasah saksat, tri-gunaj TRANSLATION jiva-samjnitat, bhagavantam vasudevam, The sons of the King became very much prapannah sa priyo hi me, amazed when they heard vibrations from various drums and kettledrums along with TRANSLATION other orderly musical sounds pleasing to the Lord Siva continued: Any person who is ear. surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, the controller of everything-- TEXTS 24-25, tarhy eva sarasas tasman, material nature as well as the living entity--is niskramantam sahanugam, upagiyamanam actually very dear to me. amara-, pravaram vibudhanugaih, tapta-hema- nikayabham, siti-kantham tri-locanam, prasada- TEXT 29, sva-dharma-nisthah sata-janmabhih sumukham viksya, pranemur jata-kautukah, puman, virincatam eti tatah param hi mam, avyakrtam bhagavato 'tha vaisnavam, padam TRANSLATION yathaham vibudhah kalatyaye, The Pracetas were fortunate to see Lord Siva, the chief of the demigods, emerging from the TRANSLATION water with his associates. His bodily luster was A person who executes his occupational duty just like molten gold, his throat was bluish, properly for one hundred births becomes and he had three eyes, which looked very qualified to occupy the post of Brahma, and if mercifully upon his devotees. He was he becomes more qualified, he can approach accompanied by many musicians, who were Lord Siva. A person who is directly glorifying him. As soon as the Pracetas saw surrendered to Lord Krsna, or Visnu, in Lord Siva, they immediately offered their unalloyed devotional service is immediately obeisances in great amazement and fell down promoted to the spiritual planets. Lord Siva at the lotus feet of the lord. and other demigods attain these planets after the destruction of this material world. TEXT 26, sa tan prapannarti-haro, bhagavan dharma-vatsalah, dharma-jnan sila-sampannan, TEXT 30, atha bhagavata yuyam, priyah stha pritah pritan uvaca ha, bhagavan yatha, na mad bhagavatanam ca, preyan anyo 'sti karhicit, TRANSLATION Lord Siva became very pleased with the TRANSLATION Pracetas because generally Lord Siva is the You are all devotees of the Lord, and as such I protector of pious persons and persons of appreciate that you are as respectable as the gentle behavior. Being very much pleased with Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. I the princes, he began to speak as follows. know in this way that the devotees also respect me and that I am dear to them. Thus no one TEXT 27, sri-rudra uvaca, yuyam vedisadah can be as dear to the devotees as I am. putra, viditam vas cikirsitam, anugrahaya bhadram va, evam me darsanam krtam, TEXT 31, idam viviktam japtavyam, pavitram mangalam param, nihsreyasa-karam capi, TRANSLATION sruyatam tad vadami vah, Lord Siva said: You are all the sons of King Pracinabarhi, and I wish all good fortune to TRANSLATION you. I also know what you are going to do, and Now I shall chant one mantra which is not only transcendental, pure and auspicious, but is the 137

best prayer for anyone who is aspiring to attain the ultimate goal of life. When I chant TRANSLATION this mantra, please hear it carefully and My dear Lord, You are the origin of the subtle attentively. material ingredients, the master of all integration as well as the master of all TEXT 32, maitreya uvaca, ity anukrosa-hrdayo, disintegration, the predominating Deity named bhagavan aha tan chivah, baddhanjalin raja- Sankarsana, and the master of all intelligence, putran, narayana-paro vacah, known as the predominating Deity Pradyumna. Therefore, I offer my respectful TRANSLATION obeisances unto You. The great sage Maitreya continued: Out of his causeless mercy, the exalted personality Lord TEXT 36, namo namo 'niruddhaya, Siva, a great devotee of Lord Narayana, hrsikesendriyatmane, namah paramahamsaya, continued to speak to the King's sons, who purnaya nibhrtatmane, were standing with folded hands. TRANSLATION TEXT 33, sri-rudra uvaca, jitam ta atma-vid- My Lord, as the supreme directing Deity varya-, svastaye svastir astu me, bhavataradhasa known as Aniruddha, You are the master of raddham, sarvasma atmane namah, the senses and the mind. I therefore offer my obeisances unto You again and again. You are TRANSLATION known as Ananta as well as Sankarsana Lord Siva addressed the Supreme Personality because of Your ability to destroy the whole of Godhead with the following prayer: O creation by the blazing fire from Your mouth. Supreme Personality of Godhead, all glories unto You. You are the most exalted of all self- TEXT 37, svargapavarga-dvaraya, nityam suci- realized souls. Since You are always auspicious sade namah, namo hiranya-viryaya, catur-hotraya for the self-realized, I wish that You be tantave, auspicious for me. You are worshipable by virtue of the all-perfect instructions You give. TRANSLATION You are the Supersoul; therefore I offer my My Lord, O Aniruddha, You are the authority obeisances unto You as the supreme living by which the doors of the higher planetary being. systems and liberation are opened. You are always within the pure heart of the living TEXT 34, namah pankaja-nabhaya, bhuta- entity. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto suksmendriyatmane, vasudevaya santaya, kuta- You. You are the possessor of semen which is sthaya sva-rocise, like gold, and thus, in the form of fire, You help the Vedic sacrifices, beginning with catur- TRANSLATION hotra. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto My Lord, You are the origin of the creation by You. virtue of the lotus flower which sprouts from Your navel. You are the supreme controller of TEXT 38, nama urja ise trayyah, pataye yajna- the senses and the sense objects, and You are retase, trpti-daya ca jivanam, namah sarva- also the all-pervading Vasudeva. You are most rasatmane, peaceful, and because of Your self-illuminated existence, You are not disturbed by the six TRANSLATION kinds of transformations. My Lord, You are the provider of the Pitrlokas as well as all the demigods. You are the TEXT 35, sankarsanaya suksmaya, predominating deity of the moon and the durantayantakaya ca, namo visva-prabodhaya, master of all three Vedas. I offer my respectful pradyumnayantar-atmane, obeisances unto You because You are the 138

original source of satisfaction for all living bestowers of all benediction, the oldest and entities. supreme enjoyer amongst all enjoyers. You are the master of all the worlds' metaphysical TEXT 39, sarva-sattvatma-dehaya, visesaya philosophy, for You are the supreme cause of sthaviyase, namas trailokya-palaya, saha ojo- all causes, Lord Krsna. You are the greatest of balaya ca, all religious principles, the supreme mind, and You have a brain which is never checked by TRANSLATION any condition. Therefore I repeatedly offer my My dear Lord, You are the gigantic universal obeisances unto You. form which contains all the individual bodies of the living entities. You are the maintainer of TEXT 43, sakti-traya-sametaya, midhuse the three worlds, and as such You maintain the 'hankrtatmane, ceta-akuti-rupaya, namo vaco mind, senses, body, and air of life within them. vibhutaye, I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You. TRANSLATION My dear Lord, You are the supreme controller TEXT 40, artha-lingaya nabhase, namo 'ntar- of the worker, sense activities and results of bahir-atmane, namah punyaya lokaya, amusmai sense activities [karma]. Therefore You are the bhuri-varcase, controller of the body, mind and senses. You are also the supreme controller of egotism, TRANSLATION known as Rudra. You are the source of My dear Lord, by expanding Your knowledge and the activities of the Vedic transcendental vibrations, You reveal the injunctions. actual meaning of everything. You are the all- pervading sky within and without, and You TEXT 44, darsanam no didrksunam, dehi are the ultimate goal of pious activities bhagavatarcitam, rupam priyatamam svanam, executed both within this material world and sarvendriya-gunanjanam, beyond it. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances again and again unto You. TRANSLATION My dear Lord, I wish to see You exactly in the TEXT 41, pravrttaya nivrttaya, pitr-devaya form that Your very dear devotees worship. karmane, namo 'dharma-vipakaya, mrtyave You have many other forms, but I wish to see duhkha-daya ca, Your form that is especially liked by the devotees. Please be merciful upon me and show TRANSLATION me that form, for only that form worshiped by My dear Lord, You are the viewer of the the devotees can perfectly satisfy all the results of pious activities. You are inclination, demands of the senses. disinclination and their resultant activities. You are the cause of the miserable conditions TEXTS 45-46,snigdha-pravrd-ghana-syamam, of life caused by irreligion, and therefore You sarva-saundarya-sangraham, carv-ayata-catur- are death. I offer You my respectful bahu, sujata-rucirananam, padma-kosa- obeisances. palasaksam, sundara-bhru sunasikam, sudvijam sukapolasyam, sama-karna-vibhusanam, TEXT 42, namas ta asisam isa, manave karanatmane, namo dharmaya brhate, TRANSLATION krsnayakuntha-medhase, purusaya puranaya, The Lord's beauty resembles a dark cloud sankhya-yogesvaraya ca, during the rainy season. As the rainfall glistens, His bodily features also glisten. TRANSLATION Indeed, He is the sum total of all beauty. The My dear Lord, You are the topmost of all Lord has four arms and an exquisitely 139

beautiful face with eyes like lotus petals, a movement of the ripples appears very, very beautiful highly raised nose, a mind-attracting beautiful. The coils within the navel of the smile, a beautiful forehead and equally Lord are so deep that it appears that the entire beautiful and fully decorated ears. universe sprouted out of it and yet again wishes to go back. TEXTS 47-48, priti-prahasitapangam, alakai rupa-sobhitam, lasat-pankaja-kinjalka-, dukulam TEXT 51, syama-srony-adhi-rocisnu-, dukula- mrsta-kundalam, sphurat-kirita-valaya-, hara- svarna-mekhalam, sama-carv-anghri-janghoru-, nupura-mekhalam, sankha-cakra-gada-padma-, nimna-janu-sudarsanam, mala-many-uttamarddhimat, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The lower part of the Lord's waist is dark and The Lord is superexcellently beautiful on covered with yellow garments and a belt account of His open and merciful smile and bedecked with golden embroidery work. His Mis sidelong glance upon His devotees. His symmetrical lotus feet and the calves, thighs black hair is curly, and His garments, waving and joints of His legs are extraordinarily in the wind, appear like flying saffron pollen beautiful. Indeed, the Lord's entire body from lotus flowers. His glittering earrings, appears to be well built. shining helmet, bangles, garland, ankle bells, waist belt and various other bodily ornaments TEXT 52, pada sarat-padma-palasa-rocisa, combine with conchshell, disc, club and lotus nakha-dyubhir no 'ntar-agham vidhunvata, flower to increase the natural beauty of the pradarsaya sviyam apasta-sadhvasam, padam Kaustubha pearl on His chest. guro marga-gurus tamo-jusam,

TEXT 49, simha-skandha-tviso bibhrat, TRANSLATION saubhaga-griva-kaustubham, sriyanapayinya My dear Lord, Your two lotus feet are so ksipta-, nikasasmorasollasat, beautiful that they appear like two blossoming petals of the lotus flower which grows during TRANSLATION the autumn season. Indeed, the nails of Your The Lord has shoulders just like a lion's. Upon lotus feet emanate such a great effulgence that these shoulders are garlands, necklaces and they immediately dissipate all the darkness in epaulets, and all of these are always glittering. the heart of a conditioned soul. My dear Lord, Besides these, there is the beauty of the kindly show me that form of Yours which Kaustubha-mani pearl, and on the dark chest always dissipates all kinds of darkness in the of the Lord there are streaks named Srivatsa, heart of a devotee. My dear Lord, You are the which are signs of the goddess of fortune. The supreme spiritual master of everyone; glittering of these streaks excels the beauty of therefore all conditioned souls covered with the golden streaks on a gold-testing stone. the darkness of ignorance can be enlightened Indeed, such beauty defeats a gold-testing by You as the spiritual master. stone. TEXT 53, etad rupam anudhyeyam, atma- TEXT 50, pura-recaka-samvigna-, vali-valgu- suddhim abhipsatam, yad-bhakti-yogo 'bhayadah, dalodaram, pratisankramayad visvam, sva-dharmam anutisthatam, nabhyavarta-gabhiraya, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear Lord, those who desire to purify their The Lord's abdomen is beautiful due to three existence must always engage in meditation ripples in the flesh. Being so round, His upon Your lotus feet, as described above. abdomen resembles the leaf of a banyan tree, Those who are serious about executing their and when He exhales and inhales, the occupational duties and who want freedom 140

from fear must take to this process of bhakti- benedictions of the demigods, who are subject yoga. to the laws of birth and death?

TEXT 54, bhavan bhaktimata labhyo, durlabhah TEXT 58, athanaghanghres tava kirti-tirthayor, sarva-dehinam, svarajyasyapy abhimata, antar-bahih-snana-vidhuta-papmanam, bhutesv ekantenatma-vid-gatih, anukrosa-susattva-silinam, syat sangamo 'nugraha esa nas tava, TRANSLATION My dear Lord, the king in charge of the TRANSLATION heavenly kingdom is also desirous of obtaining My dear Lord, Your lotus feet are the cause of the ultimate goal of life--devotional service. all auspicious things and the destroyer of all Similarly, You are the ultimate destination of the contamination of sin. I therefore beg Your those who identify themselves with You [aham Lordship to bless me by the association of brahmasmi]. However, it is very difficult for Your devotees, who are completely purified by them to attain You, whereas a devotee can very worshiping Your lotus feet and who are so easily attain Your Lordship. merciful upon the conditioned souls. I think that Your real benediction will be to allow me TEXT 55, tam duraradhyam aradhya, satam api to associate with such devotees. durapaya, ekanta-bhaktya ko vanchet, pada- mulam vina bahih, TEXT 59, na yasya cittam bahir-artha- vibhramam, tamo-guhayam ca visuddham avisat, TRANSLATION yad-bhakti-yoganugrhitam anjasa, munir vicaste My dear Lord, pure devotional service is even nanu tatra te gatim, difficult for liberated persons to discharge, but devotional service alone can satisfy You. Who TRANSLATION will take to other processes of self-realization if The devotee whose heart has been completely he is actually serious about the perfection of cleansed by the process of devotional service life? and who is favored by Bhaktidevi does not become bewildered by the external energy, TEXT 56, yatra nirvistam aranam, krtanto which is just like a dark well. Being completely nabhimanyate, visvam vidhvamsayan virya-, cleansed of all material contamination in this saurya-visphurjita-bhruva, way, a devotee is able to understand very happily Your name, fame, form, activities, etc. TRANSLATION Simply by expansion of His eyebrows, TEXT 60, yatredam vyajyate visvam, invincible time personified can immediately visvasminn avabhati yat, tat tvam brahma param vanquish the entire universe. However, jyotir, akasam iva vistrtam, formidable time does not approach the devotee who has taken complete shelter at Your lotus TRANSLATION feet. My dear Lord, the impersonal Brahman spreads everywhere, like the sunshine or the TEXT 57, ksanardhenapi tulaye, na svargam sky. And that impersonal Brahman, which napunar-bhavam, bhagavat-sangi-sangasya, spreads throughout the universe and in which martyanam kim utasisah, the entire universe is manifested, is You.

TRANSLATION TEXT 61, yo mayayedam puru-rupayasrjad, If one by chance associates with a devotee, bibharti bhuyah ksapayaty avikriyah, yad-bheda- even for a fraction of a moment, he no longer is buddhih sad ivatma-duhsthaya, tvam atma- subject to attraction by the results of karma or tantram bhagavan pratimahi, jnana. What interest then can he have in the 141

TRANSLATION saintly persons--becomes manifest. Thus the My dear Lord, You have manifold energies, material world is created. and these energies are manifested in manifold forms. With such energies You have also TEXT 64, srstam sva-saktyedam anupravistas, created this cosmic manifestation, and catur-vidham puram atmamsakena, atho vidus although You maintain it as if it were tam purusam santam antar, bhunkte hrsikair permanent, You ultimately annihilate it. madhu sara-gham yah, Although You are never disturbed by such changes and alterations, the living entities are TRANSLATION disturbed by them, and therefore they find the My dear Lord, after creating by Your own cosmic manifestation to be different or potencies, You enter within the creation in separated from You. My Lord, You are always four kinds of forms. Being within the hearts of independent, and I can clearly see this fact. the living entities, You know them and know how they are enjoying their senses. The so- TEXT 62, kriya-kalapair idam eva yoginah, called happiness of this material creation is sraddhanvitah sadhu yajanti siddhaye, exactly like the bees' enjoyment of honey after bhutendriyantah-karanopalaksitam, vede ca it has been collected in the honeycomb. tantre ca ta eva kovidah, TEXT 65, sa esa lokan aticanda-vego, vikarsasi TRANSLATION tvam khalu kala-yanah, bhutani bhutair anumeya- My dear Lord, Your universal form consists of tattvo,ghanavalir vayur ivavisahyah, all five elements, the senses, mind, intelligence, false ego (which is material) and the TRANSLATION Paramatma, Your partial expansion, who is My dear Lord, Your absolute authority cannot the director of everything. Yogis other than the be directly experienced, but one can guess by devotees--namely the karma-yogi and jnana- seeing the activities of the world that yogi--worship You by their respective actions everything is being destroyed in due course of in their respective positions. It is stated both in time. The force of time is very strong, and the Vedas and in the sastras that are everything is being destroyed by something corollaries of the Vedas, and indeed else--just as one animal is being eaten by everywhere, that it is only You who are to be another animal. Time scatters everything, worshiped. That is the expert version of all the exactly as the wind scatters clouds in the sky. Vedas. TEXT 66, pramattam uccair iti krtya-cintaya, TEXT 63, tvam eka adyah purusah supta-saktis, pravrddha-lobham visayesu lalasam, tvam taya rajah-sattva-tamo vibhidyate, mahan aham apramattah sahasabhipadyase, ksul-lelihano 'hir kham marud agni-var-dharah, surarsayo bhuta- ivakhum antakah, gana idam yatah, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear Lord, all living entities within this My dear Lord, You are the only Supreme material world are mad after planning for Person, the cause of all causes. Before the things, and they are always busy with a desire creation of this material world, Your material to do this or that. This is due to uncontrollable energy remains in a dormant condition. When greed. The greed for material enjoyment is Your material energy is agitated, the three always existing in the living entity, but Your qualities--namely goodness, passion and Lordship is always alert, and in due course of ignorance--act, and as a result the total time You strike him, just as a snake seizes a material energy--egotism, ether, air, fire, mouse and very easily swallows him. water, earth and all the various demigods and 142

TEXT 67, kas tvat-padabjam vijahati pandito, TEXT 71, yogadesam upasadya, dharayanto yas te 'vamana-vyayamana-ketanah, muni-vratah, samahita-dhiyah sarva, etad visankayasmad-gurur arcati sma yad, abhyasatadrtah, vinopapattim manavas caturdasa, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear princes, in the form of a prayer I have My dear Lord, any learned person knows that delineated the yoga system of chanting the holy unless he worships You, his entire life is name. All of you should take this important spoiled. Knowing this, how could he give up stotra within your minds and promise to keep worshiping Your lotus feet? Even our father it in order to become great sages. By acting and spiritual master, Lord Brahma, silently like a great sage and by giving unhesitatingly worshiped You, and the attention and reverence, you should practice fourteen Manus followed in his footsteps. this method.

TEXT 68, atha tvam asi no brahman, TEXT 72, idam aha purasmakam, bhagavan paramatman vipascitam,visvam rudra-bhaya- visvasrk-patih, bhrgv-adinam atmajanam, dhvastam, akutascid-bhaya gatih, sisrksuh samsisrksatam,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear Lord, all actually learned persons This prayer was first spoken to us by Lord know You as the Supreme Brahman and the Brahma, the master of all creators. The Supersoul. Although the entire universe is creators, headed by Bhrgu, were instructed in afraid of Lord Rudra, who ultimately these prayers because they wanted to create. annihilates everything, for the learned devotees You are the fearless destination of all. TEXT 73, te vayam noditah sarve, praja-sarge prajesvarah, anena dhvasta-tamasah, sisrksmo TEXT 69, idam japata bhadram vo, visuddha vividhah prajah, nrpa-nandanah, sva-dharmam anutisthanto, bhagavaty arpitasayah, TRANSLATION When all the Prajapatis were ordered to create TRANSLATION by Lord Brahma, we chanted these prayers in My dear sons of the King, just execute your praise of the Supreme Personality of Godhead occupational duty as kings with a pure heart. and became completely free from all Just chant this prayer fixing your mind on the ignorance. Thus we were able to create lotus feet of the Lord. That will bring you all different types of living entities. good fortune, for the Lord will be very much pleased with you. TEXT 74, athedam nityada yukto, japann avahitah puman, acirac chreya apnoti, TEXT 70, tam evatmanam atma-stham, sarva- vasudeva-parayanah, bhutesv avasthitam, pujayadhvam grnantas ca, dhyayantas casakrd dharim, TRANSLATION A devotee of Lord Krsna whose mind is always TRANSLATION absorbed in Him, who with great attention and Therefore, O sons of the King, the Supreme reverence chants this stotra [prayer], will Personality of Godhead, Hari, is situated in achieve the greatest perfection of life without everyone's heart. He is also within your hearts. delay. Therefore chant the glories of the Lord and always meditate upon Him continuously. TEXT 75, sreyasam iha sarvesam, jnanam nihsreyasam param, sukham tarati dusparam, jnana-naur vyasanarnavam, 143

apsyathepsitam, TRANSLATION In this material world there are different types TRANSLATION of achievement, but of all of them the My dear sons of the King, the prayers I have achievement of knowledge is considered to be recited to you are meant for pleasing the the highest because one can cross the ocean of Supreme Personality of Godhead, the nescience only on the boat of knowledge. Supersoul. I advise you to recite these prayers, Otherwise the ocean is impassable. which are as effective as great austerities. In this way, when you are mature, your life will TEXT 76, ya imam sraddhaya yukto, mad-gitam be successful, and you will certainly achieve all bhagavat-stavam, adhiyano duraradhyam, harim your desired objectives without fail. aradhayaty asau, Chapter Twenty-five The Descriptions TRANSLATION of the Characteristics of King Although rendering devotional service to the Puranjana Supreme Personality of Godhead and worshiping Him are very difficult, if one vibrates or simply reads this stotra [prayer] TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, iti sandisya bhagavan, composed and sung by me, he will very easily barhisadair abhipujitah, pasyatam raja-putranam, be able to invoke the mercy of the Supreme tatraivantardadhe harah, Personality of Godhead. TRANSLATION TEXT 77, vindate puruso 'musmad, yad yad The great sage Maitreya continued speaking to icchaty asatvaram, mad-gita-gitat supritac, Vidura: My dear Vidura, in this way Lord chreyasam eka-vallabhat, Siva instructed the sons of King Barhisat. The sons of the King also worshiped Lord Siva with TRANSLATION great devotion and respect. Finally, Lord Siva The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the became invisible to the princes. dearmost objective of all auspicious benedictions. A human being who sings this TEXT 2, rudra-gitam bhagavatah, stotram sarve song sung by me can please the Supreme pracetasah, japantas te tapas tepur, varsanam Personality of Godhead. Such a devotee, being ayutam jale, fixed in the Lord's devotional service, can acquire whatever he wants from the Supreme TRANSLATION Lord. All the Praceta princes simply stood in the water for ten thousand years and recited the TEXT 78, idam yah kalya utthaya, pranjalih prayers given to them by Lord Siva. sraddhayanvitah, srnuyac chravayen martyo, mucyate karma-bandhanaih, TEXT 3, pracinabarhisam ksattah, karmasv asakta-manasam,narado 'dhyatma-tattva-jnah, TRANSLATION krpaluh pratyabodhayat, A devotee who rises early in the morning and with folded hands chants these prayers sung TRANSLATION by Lord Siva and gives facility to others to While the princes were undergoing severe hear them certainly becomes free from all austerities in the water, their father was bondage to fruitive activities. performing different types of fruitive activities. At this time the great saint Narada, master and TEXT 79, gitam mayedam naradeva-nandanah, teacher of all spiritual life, became very parasya pumsah paramatmanah stavam, japanta compassionate upon the King and decided to ekagra-dhiyas tapo mahat, caradhvam ante tata instruct him about spiritual life. 144

TEXT 8, ete tvam sampratiksante, smaranto TEXT 4, sreyas tvam katamad rajan, vaisasam tava, samparetam ayah-kutais, karmanatmana ihase, duhkha-hanih sukhavaptih, chindanty utthita-manyavah, sreyas tan neha cesyate, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION All these animals are awaiting your death so Narada Muni asked King Pracinabarhisat: My that they can avenge the injuries you have dear King, what do you desire to achieve by inflicted upon them. After you die, they will performing these fruitive activities? The chief angrily pierce your body with iron horns. aim of life is to get rid of all miseries and enjoy happiness, but these two things cannot be TEXT 9, atra te kathayisye 'mum, itihasam realized by fruitive activity. puratanam, puranjanasya caritam, nibodha gadato mama, TEXT 5, rajovaca, na janami maha-bhaga, param karmapaviddha-dhih, bruhi me vimalam TRANSLATION jnanam, yena mucyeya karmabhih, In this connection I wish to narrate an old history connected with the character of a king TRANSLATION called Puranjana. Please try to hear me with The King replied: O great soul, Narada, my great attention. intelligence is entangled in fruitive activities; therefore I do not know the ultimate goal of TEXT 10, asit puranjano nama, raja rajan brhac- life. Kindly instruct me in pure knowledge so chravah, tasyavijnata-namasit, sakhavijnata- that I can get out of the entanglement of cestitah, fruitive activities. TRANSLATION TEXT 6, grhesu kuta-dharmesu, putra-dara- My dear King, once in the past lived a king dhanartha-dhih, na param vindate mudho, named Puranjana, who was celebrated for his bhramyan samsara-vartmasu, great activities. He had a friend named Avijnata ["the unknown one"]. No one could TRANSLATION understand the activities of Avijnata. Those who are interested only in a so-called beautiful life--namely remaining as a TEXT 11, so 'nvesamanah saranam, babhrama householder entangled by sons and a wife and prthivim prabhuh, nanurupam yadavindad, abhut searching after wealth--think that such things sa vimana iva, are life's ultimate goal. Such people simply wander in different types of bodies throughout TRANSLATION this material existence without finding out the King Puranjana began to search for a suitable ultimate goal of life. place to live, and thus he traveled all over the world. Even after a great deal of traveling, he TEXT 7, narada uvaca, bho bhoh prajapate could not find a place just to his liking. Finally rajan, pasun pasya tvayadhvare, samjnapitan he became morose and disappointed. jiva-sanghan, nirghrnena sahasrasah, TEXT 12, na sadhu mene tah sarva, bhutale TRANSLATION yavatih purah, kaman kamayamano 'sau, tasya The great saint Narada said: O ruler of the tasyopapattaye, citizens, my dear King, please see in the sky those animals which you have sacrificed TRANSLATION without compassion and without mercy in the King Puranjana had unlimited desires for sacrificial arena. sense enjoyment; consequently he traveled all over the world to find a place where all his 145

desires could be fulfilled. Unfortunately he found a feeling of insufficiency everywhere. TRANSLATION On the outskirts of that city were many TEXT 13, sa ekada himavato, daksinesv atha beautiful trees and creepers encircling a nice sanusu, dadarsa navabhir dvarbhih, puram laksita- lake. Also surrounding that lake were many laksanam, groups of birds and bees that were always chanting and humming. TRANSLATION Once, while wandering in this way, he saw on TEXT 18, hima-nirjhara-viprusmat-, the southern side of the Himalayas, in a place kusumakara-vayuna, calat-pravala-vitapa-, named Bharata-varsa [India], a city that had nalini-tata-sampadi, nine gates all about and was characterized by all auspicious facilities. TRANSLATION The branches of the trees standing on the bank TEXT 14, prakaropavanattala-, parikhair aksa- of the lake received particles of water carried toranaih, svarna-raupyayasaih srngaih, sankulam by the spring air from the falls coming down sarvato grhaih, from the icy mountain.

TRANSLATION TEXT 19, nanaranya-mrga-vratair, anabadhe That city was surrounded by walls and parks, muni-vrataih, ahutam manyate pantho, yatra and within it were towers, canals, windows and kokila-kujitaih, outlets. The houses there were decorated with domes made of gold, silver and iron. TRANSLATION In such an atmosphere even the animals of the TEXT 15, nila-sphatika-vaidurya-, mukta- forest became nonviolent and nonenvious like marakatarunaih, klpta-harmya-sthalim diptam, great sages. Consequently, the animals did not sriya bhogavatim iva, attack anyone. Over and above everything was the cooing of the cuckoos. Any passenger TRANSLATION passing along that path was invited by that The floors of the houses in that city were made atmosphere to take rest in that nice garden. of sapphire, crystal, diamonds, pearls, emeralds and rubies. Because of the luster of TEXT 20, yadrcchayagatam tatra, dadarsa the houses in the capital, the city was pramadottamam, bhrtyair dasabhir ayantim, compared to the celestial town named ekaika-sata-nayakaih, Bhogavati. TRANSLATION TEXT 16, sabha-catvara-rathyabhir, While wandering here and there in that akridayatanapanaih, caitya-dhvaja-patakabhir, wonderful garden, King Puranjana suddenly yuktam vidruma-vedibhih, came in contact with a very beautiful woman who was walking there without any TRANSLATION engagement. She had ten servants with her, In that city there were many assembly houses, and each servant had hundreds of wives street crossings, streets, restaurants, gambling accompanying him. houses, markets, resting places, flags, festoons and beautiful parks. All these surrounded the TEXT 21, panca-sirsahina guptam, pratiharena city. sarvatah, anvesamanam rsabham, apraudham kama-rupinim, TEXT 17, puryas tu bahyopavane, divya-druma- latakule, nadad-vihangali-kula-, kolahala- TRANSLATION jalasaye, The woman was protected on all sides by a 146 five-hooded snake. She was very beautiful and TEXT 26, ka tvam kanja-palasaksi, kasyasiha young, and she appeared very anxious to find a kutah sati, imam upa purim bhiru, kim cikirsasi suitable husband. samsa me,

TEXT 22, sunasam sudatim balam, sukapolam TRANSLATION varananam, sama-vinyasta-karnabhyam, My dear lotus-eyed, kindly explain to me bibhratim kundala-sriyam, where you are coming from, who you are, and whose daughter you are. You appear very TRANSLATION chaste. What is the purpose of your coming The woman's nose, teeth and forehead were all here? What are you trying to do? Please very beautiful. Her ears were equally very explain all these things to me. beautiful and were bedecked with dazzling earrings. TEXT 27, ka ete 'nupatha ye ta, ekadasa maha- bhatah, eta va lalanah subhru, ko 'yam te 'hih TEXT 23, pisanga-nivim susronim, syamam purah-sarah, kanaka-mekhalam, padbhyam kvanadbhyam calantim, nupurair devatam iva, TRANSLATION My dear lotus-eyed, who are those eleven TRANSLATION strong bodyguards with you, and who are The waist and hips of the woman were very those ten specific servants? Who are those beautiful. She was dressed in a yellow sari with women following the ten servants, and who is a golden belt. While she walked, her ankle the snake that is preceding you? bells rang. She appeared exactly like a denizen of the heavens. TEXT 28, tvam hrir bhavany asy atha vag rama patim, vicinvati kim munivad raho vane, tvad- TEXT 24, stanau vyanjita-kaisorau, sama-vrttau anghri-kamapta-samasta-kamam, kva padma- nirantarau, vastrantena niguhantim, vridaya gaja- kosah patitah karagrat, gaminim, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear beautiful girl, you are exactly like the With the end of her sari the woman was trying goddess of fortune or the wife of Lord Siva or to cover her breasts, which were equally round the goddess of learning, the wife of Lord and well placed side by side. She again and Brahma. Although you must be one of them, I again tried to cover them out of shyness while see that you are loitering in this forest. Indeed, she walked exactly like a great elephant. you are as silent as the great sages. Is it that you are searching after your own husband? TEXT 25, tam aha lalitam virah, savrida-smita- Whoever your husband may be, simply by sobhanam, snigdhenapanga-punkhena,sprstah understanding that you are so faithful to him, premodbhramad-bhruva, he will come to possess all opulences. I think you must be the goddess of fortune, but I do TRANSLATION not see the lotus flower in your hand. Puranjana, the hero, became attracted by the Therefore I am asking you where you have eyebrows and smiling face of the very beautiful thrown that lotus. girl and was immediately pierced by the arrows of her lusty desires. When she smiled TEXT 29, nasam varorv anyatama bhuvi-sprk, shyly, she looked very beautiful to Puranjana, purim imam vira-varena sakam, arhasy who, although a hero, could not refrain from alankartum adabhra-karmana, lokam param srir addressing her. iva yajna-pumsa,

TRANSLATION 147

O greatly fortunate one, it appears that you his request by smiling. By this time she was are none of the women I have mentioned certainly attracted by the King. because I see that your feet are touching the ground. But if you are some woman of this TEXT 33, na vidama vayam samyak, kartaram planet, you can, like the goddess of fortune, purusarsabha, atmanas ca parasyapi, gotram who, accompanied by Lord Visnu, increases nama ca yat-krtam, the beauty of the Vaikuntha planets, also increase the beauty of this city by associating TRANSLATION with me. You should understand that I am a The girl said: O best of human beings, I do not great hero and a very powerful king on this know who has begotten me. I cannot speak to planet. you perfectly about this. Nor do I know the names or the origin of the associates with me. TEXT 30, yad esa mapanga-vikhanditendriyam, savrida-bhava-smita-vibhramad-bhruva, TEXT 34, ihadya santam atmanam, vidama na tvayopasrsto bhagavan mano-bhavah, tatah param, yeneyam nirmita vira, puri saranam prabadhate 'thanugrhana sobhane, atmanah,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Certainly your glancing upon me today has O great hero, we only know that we are very much agitated my mind. Your smile, existing in this place. We do not know what which is full of shyness but at the same time will come after. Indeed, we are so foolish that lusty, is agitating the most powerful cupid we do not care to understand who has created within me. Therefore, O most beautiful, I ask this beautiful place for our residence. you to be merciful upon me. TEXT 35, ete sakhayah sakhyo me, nara naryas TEXT 31, tvad-ananam subhru sutara-locanam, ca manada, suptayam mayi jagarti, nago 'yam vyalambi-nilalaka-vrnda-samvrtam, unniya me palayan purim, darsaya valgu-vacakam, yad vridaya nabhimukham suci-smite, TRANSLATION My dear gentleman, all these men and women TRANSLATION with me are known as my friends, and the My dear girl, your face is so beautiful with snake, who always remains awake, protects your nice eyebrows and eyes and with your this city even during my sleeping hours. So bluish hair scattered about. In addition, very much I know. I do not know anything beyond sweet sounds are coming from your mouth. this. Nonetheless, you are so covered with shyness that you do not see me face to face. I therefore TEXT 36, distyagato 'si bhadram te, gramyan request you, my dear girl, to smile and kindly kaman abhipsase, udvahisyami tams te 'ham, raise your head to see me. sva-bandhubhir arindama,

TEXT 32, narada uvaca, ittham puranjanam nari, TRANSLATION yacamanam adhiravat, abhyanandata tam viram, O killer of the enemy, you have somehow or hasanti vira mohita, other come here. This is certainly great fortune for me. I wish all auspicious things for you. TRANSLATION You have a great desire to satisfy your senses, Narada continued: My dear King, when and all my friends and I shall try our best in Puranjana became so attracted and impatient all respects to fulfill your desires. to touch the girl and enjoy her, the girl also became attracted by his words and accepted TEXT 37, imam tvam adhitisthasva, purim nava-mukhim vibho, mayopanitan grhnanah, 148

kama-bhogan satam samah, TEXT 41, ka nama vira vikhyatam, vadanyam TRANSLATION priya-darsanam, na vrnita priyam praptam, My dear lord, I have just arranged this city of madrsi tvadrsam patim, nine gates for you so that you can have all kinds of sense gratification. You may live here TRANSLATION for one hundred years, and everything for O my dear hero, who in this world will not your sense gratification will be supplied. accept a husband like you? You are so famous, so magnanimous, so beautiful and so easily TEXT 38, kam nu tvad-anyam ramaye, hy arati- gotten. jnam akovidam, asamparayabhimukham, asvastana-vidam pasum, TEXT 42, kasya manas te bhuvi bhogi- bhogayoh, striya na sajjed bhujayor maha-bhuja, TRANSLATION yo 'natha-vargadhim alam ghrnoddhata-, Mow can I expect to unite with others, who are smitavalokena caraty apohitum, neither conversant about sex nor capable of knowing how to enjoy life while living or after TRANSLATION death? Such foolish persons are like animals O mighty-armed, who in this world will not be because they do not know the process of sense attracted by your arms, which are just like the enjoyment in this life and after death. bodies of serpents? Actually you relieve the distress of husbandless women like us by your TEXT 39, dharmo hy atrartha-kamau ca, attractive smile and your aggressive mercy. prajanando 'mrtam yasah, loka visoka viraja, yan We think that you are traveling on the surface na kevalino viduh, of the earth just to benefit us only.

TRANSLATION TEXT 43, narada uvaca, iti tau dam-pati tatra, The woman continued: In this material world, samudya samayam mithah, tam pravisya purim a householder's life brings all kinds of rajan, mumudate satam samah, happiness in religion, economic development, sense gratification and the begetting of TRANSLATION children, sons and grandsons. After that, one The great sage Narada continued: My dear may desire liberation as well as material King, those two--the man and the woman-- reputation. The householder can appreciate supporting one another through mutual the results of sacrifices, which enable him to understanding, entered that city and enjoyed gain promotion to superior planetary systems. life for one hundred years. All this material happiness is practically unknown to the transcendentalists. They TEXT 44, upagiyamano lalitam, tatra tatra ca cannot even imagine such happiness. gayakaih, kridan parivrtah stribhir, hradinim avisac chucau, TEXT 40, pitr-devarsi-martyanam, bhutanam atmanas ca ha, ksemyam vadanti saranam, bhave TRANSLATION 'smin yad grhasramah, Many professional singers used to sing about the glories of King Puranjana and his glorious TRANSLATION activities. When it was too hot in the summer, The woman continued: According to he used to enter a reservoir of water. He would authorities, the householder life is pleasing not surround himself with many women and enjoy only to oneself but to all the forefathers, their company. demigods, great sages, saintly persons and everyone else. A householder life is thus TEXT 45, saptopari krta dvarah, puras tasyas tu beneficial. dve adhah, prthag-visaya-gaty-artham, tasyam 149

yah kascanesvarah, The fifth gate situated on the eastern side was named Mukhya, or the chief. Through this TRANSLATION gate, accompanied by his friends named Of the nine gates in that city, seven were on the Rasajna and Vipana, he used to visit two surface, and two were subterranean. A total of places named Bahudana and Apana. nine doors were constructed, and these led to different places. All the gates were used by the TEXT 50, pitrhur nrpa purya dvar, daksinena city's governor. puranjanah, rastram daksina-pancalam, yati srutadharanvitah, TEXT 46, panca dvaras tu paurastya, daksinaika tathottara, pascime dve amusam te, namani nrpa TRANSLATION varnaye, The southern gate of the city was known as Pitrhu, and through that gate King Puranjana TRANSLATION used to visit the city named Daksina-pancala, My dear King, of the nine doors, five led accompanied by his friend Srutadhara. toward the eastern side, one led toward the northern side, one led toward the southern TEXT 51, devahur nama purya dva, uttarena side, and two led toward the western side. I puranjanah, rastram uttara-pancalam, yati shall try to give the names of these different srutadharanvitah, doors. TRANSLATION TEXT 47, khadyotavirmukhi ca prag, dvarav On the northern side was the gate named ekatra nirmite, vibhrajitam janapadam, yati Devahu. Through that gate, King Puranjana tabhyam dyumat-sakhah, used to go with his friend Srutadhara to the place known as Uttara-pancala. TRANSLATION The two gates named Khadyota and TEXT 52, asuri nama pascad dvas, taya yati Avirmukhi were situated facing the eastern puranjanah, gramakam nama visayam, side, but they were constructed in one place. durmadena samanvitah, Through those two gates the King used to go to the city of Vibhrajita accompanied by a friend TRANSLATION whose name was Dyuman. On the western side was a gate named Asuri. Through that gate King Puranjana used to go TEXT 48, nalini nalini ca prag, dvarav ekatra to the city of Gramaka, accompanied by his nirmite, avadhuta-sakhas tabhyam, visayam yati friend Durmada. saurabham, TEXT 53, nirrtir nama pascad dvas, taya yati TRANSLATION puranjanah, vaisasam nama visayam, lubdhakena Similarly in the east there were two sets of samanvitah, gates named Nalini and Nalini, and these were also constructed in one place. Through these TRANSLATION gates the King, accompanied by a friend Another gate on the western side was known as named Avadhuta, used to go to the city of Nirrti. Puranjana used to go through this gate Saurabha. to the place known as Vaisasa, accompanied by his friend Lubdhaka. TEXT 49, mukhya nama purastad dvas, tayapana-bahudanau, visayau yati pura-rad, TEXT 54, andhav amisam pauranam, nirvak- rasajna-vipananvitah, pesaskrtav ubhau, aksanvatam adhipatis, tabhyam yati karoti ca, TRANSLATION 150

TRANSLATION also sang. Similarly, when the Queen cried, he Of the many inhabitants of this city, there are also cried, and when the Queen laughed, he two persons named Nirvak and Pesaskrt. also laughed. When the Queen talked loosely, Although King Puranjana was the ruler of he also talked loosely, and when the Queen citizens who possessed eyes, he unfortunately walked, the King walked behind her. When the used to associate with these blind men. Queen would stand still, the King would also Accompanied by them, he used to go here and stand still, and when the Queen would lie down there and perform various activities. in bed, he would also follow and lie down with her. When the Queen sat, he would also sit, TEXT 55, sa yarhy antahpura-gato, visucina- and when the Queen heard something, he samanvitah, moham prasadam harsam va, yati would follow her to hear the same thing. When jayatmajodbhavam, the Queen saw something, the King would also look at it, and when the Queen smelled TRANSLATION something, the King would follow her to smell Sometimes he used to go to his private home the same thing. When the Queen touched with one of his chief servants [the mind], who something, the King would also touch it, and was named Visucina. At that time, illusion, when the dear Queen was lamenting, the poor satisfaction and happiness used to be produced King also had to follow her in lamentation. In from his wife and children. the same way, when the Queen felt enjoyment, he also enjoyed, and when the Queen was TEXT 56, evam karmasu samsaktah, kamatma satisfied, the King also felt satisfaction. vancito 'budhah, mahisi yad yad iheta, tat tad evanvavartata, TEXT 62, vipralabdho mahisyaivam, sarva- prakrti-vancitah, necchann anukaroty ajnah, TRANSLATION klaibyat krida-mrgo yatha, Being thus entangled in different types of mental concoction and engaged in fruitive TRANSLATION activities, King Puranjana came completely In this way, King Puranjana was captivated by under the control of material intelligence and his nice wife and was thus cheated. Indeed, he was thus cheated. Indeed, he used to fulfill all became cheated in his whole existence in the the desires of his wife, the Queen. material world. Even against that poor foolish King's desire, he remained under the control TEXTS 57-61, kvacit pibantyam pibati, madiram of his wife, just like a pet animal that dances mada-vihvalah, asnantyam kvacid asnati, according to the order of its master. jaksatyam saha jaksiti, kvacid gayati gayantyam, rudatyam rudati kvacit, kvacid dhasantyam hasati, jalpantyam anu jalpati, kvacid dhavati Chapter Twenty-six King Puranjana dhavantyam, tisthantyam anu tisthati, anu sete Goes to the Forest to Hunt, and His sayanayam, anvaste kvacid asatim, kvacic chrnoti Queen Becomes Angry srnvantyam, pasyantyam anu pasyati,kvacij jighrati jighrantyam, sprsantyam sprsati kvacit, kvacic ca socatim jayam, anu socati dinavat, anu TEXTS 1-3, narada uvaca, sa ekada mahesvaso, hrsyati hrsyantyam, muditam anu modate, ratham pancasvam asu-gam, dvisam dvi-cakram ekaksam, tri-venum panca-bandhuram, eka-rasmy TRANSLATION eka-damanam, eka-nidam dvi-kubaram, panca- When the Queen drank liquor, King praharanam sapta-, varutham panca-vikramam, Puranjana also engaged in drinking. When the haimopaskaram aruhya, svarna- Queen dined, he used to dine with her, and varmaksayesudhih, ekadasa-camu-nathah, panca- when she chewed, King Puranjana used to prastham agad vanam, chew along with her. When the Queen sang, he 151

TRANSLATION performances, go to the forest and kill some The great sage Narada continued: My dear animals that are recommended for killing. One King, once upon a time King Puranjana took is not allowed to kill animals unnecessarily or up his great bow, and equipped with golden without restrictions. The Vedas regulate armor and a quiver of unlimited arrows and animal-killing to stop the extravagance of accompanied by eleven commanders, he sat on foolish men influenced by the modes of passion his chariot driven by five swift horses and went and ignorance. to the forest named Panca-prastha. He took with him in that chariot two explosive arrows. TEXT 7, ya evam karma niyatam, vidvan kurvita The chariot itself was situated on two wheels manavah, karmana tena rajendra, jnanena na sa and one revolving axle. On the chariot were lipyate, three flags, one rein, one chariot driver, one sitting place, two poles to which the harness TRANSLATION was fixed, five weapons and seven coverings. Narada Muni continued to speak to King The chariot moved in five different styles, and Pracinabarhisat: My dear King, any person five obstacles lay before it. All the decorations who works according to the directions of the of the chariot were made of gold. Vedic scriptures does not become involved in fruitive activities. TEXT 4, cacara mrgayam tatra, drpta attesu- karmukah, vihaya jayam atad-arham, mrga- TEXT 8, anyatha karma kurvano, manarudho vyasana-lalasah, nibadhyate, guna-pravaha-patito, nasta-prajno vrajaty adhah, TRANSLATION It was almost impossible for King Puranjana TRANSLATION to give up the company of his Queen even for a Otherwise, a person who acts whimsically falls moment. Nonetheless, on that day, being very down due to false prestige. Thus he becomes much inspired by the desire to hunt, he took involved in the laws of nature, which are up his bow and arrow with great pride and composed of the three qualities [goodness, went to the forest, not caring for his wife. passion and ignorance]. In this way a living entity becomes devoid of his real intelligence TEXT 5, asurim vrttim asritya, ghoratma and becomes perpetually lost in the cycle of niranugrahah, nyahanan nisitair banair, vanesu birth and death. Thus he goes up and down vana-gocaran, from a microbe in stool to a high position in the Brahmaloka planet. TRANSLATION At that time King Puranjana was very much TEXT 9, tatra nirbhinna-gatranam, citra-vajaih influenced by demoniac propensities. Because silimukhaih, viplavo 'bhud duhkhitanam, of this, his heart became very hard and duhsahah karunatmanam, merciless, and with sharp arrows he killed many innocent animals in the forest, taking no TRANSLATION consideration. When King Puranjana was hunting in this way, many animals within the forest lost their TEXT 6, tirthesu pratidrstesu, raja medhyan lives with great pain, being pierced by the pasun vane, yavad-artham alam lubdho, hanyad sharp arrowheads. Upon seeing these iti niyamyate, devastating, ghastly activities performed by the King, all the people who were merciful by TRANSLATION nature became very unhappy. Such merciful If a king is too attracted to eating flesh, he persons could not tolerate seeing all this may, according to the directions of the killing. revealed scriptures on sacrificial 152

TEXT 10, sasan varahan mahisan, gavayan ruru- salyakan, medhyan anyams ca vividhan, TRANSLATION vinighnan sramam adhyagat, At that time King Puranjana was a little anxious, and he inquired from the household TRANSLATION women: My dear beautiful women, are you In this way King Puranjana killed many and your mistress all very happy like before, animals, including rabbits, boars, buffalo, or not? bison, black deer, porcupines and other game animals. After killing and killing, the King TEXT 15, na tathaitarhi rocante, grhesu grha- became very tired. sampadah, yadi na syad grhe mata, patni va pati- devata, vyange ratha iva prajnah, ko namasita TEXT 11, tatah ksut-trt-parisranto, nivrtto grham dinavat, eyivan, krta-snanocitaharah, samvivesa gata- klamah, TRANSLATION King Puranjana said: I do not understand why TRANSLATION my household paraphernalia does not attract After this, the King, very much fatigued, me as before. I think that if there is neither a hungry and thirsty, returned to his royal mother nor devoted wife at home, the home is palace. After returning, he took a bath and like a chariot without wheels. Where is the fool had an appropriate dinner. Then he took rest who will sit down on such an unworkable and thus became freed from all restlessness. chariot?

TEXT 12, atmanam arhayam cakre, dhupalepa- TEXT 16, kva vartate sa lalana, majjantam srag-adibhih, sadhv-alankrta-sarvango, mahisyam vyasanarnave, ya mam uddharate prajnam, adadhe manah, dipayanti pade pade,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION After this, King Puranjana decorated his body Kindly let me know the whereabouts of that with suitable ornaments. He also smeared beautiful woman who always saves me when I scented sandalwood pulp over his body and am drowning in the ocean of danger. By giving put on flower garlands. In this way he became me good intelligence at every step, she always completely refreshed. After this, he began to saves me. search out his Queen. TEXT 17, rama ucuh, nara-natha na janimas, TEXT 13, trpto hrstah sudrptas ca, tvat-priya yad vyavasyati, bhutale niravastare, kandarpakrsta-manasah, na vyacasta vararoham, sayanam pasya satru-han, grhinim grha-medhinim, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION All the women addressed the King: O master After taking his dinner and having his thirst of the citizens, we do not know why your dear and hunger satisfied, King Puranjana felt wife has taken on this sort of existence. O killer some joy within his heart. Instead of being of enemies, kindly look! She is lying on the elevated to a higher consciousness, he became ground without bedding. We cannot captivated by Cupid, and was moved by a understand why she is acting this way. desire to find his wife, who kept him satisfied in his household life. TEXT 18, narada uvaca, puranjanah sva-mahisim, niriksyavadhutam bhuvi, tat-sangonmathita- TEXT 14, antahpura-striyo 'prcchad, vimana iva jnano, vaiklavyam paramam yayau, vedisat, api vah kusalam ramah, sesvarinam yatha pura, TRANSLATION 153

The great sage Narada continued: My dear TEXT 23, sa tvam mukham sudati subhrv King Pracinabarhi, as soon as King Puranjana anuraga-bhara-, vrida-vilamba-vilasad- saw his Queen lying on the ground, appearing dhasitavalokam, nilalakalibhir upaskrtam like a mendicant, he immediately became unnasam nah, svanam pradarsaya manasvini bewildered. valgu-vakyam,

TEXT 19, santvayan slaksnaya vaca, hrdayena TRANSLATION viduyata, preyasyah sneha-samrambha-, lingam My dear wife, your teeth are very beautifully atmani nabhyagat, set, and your attractive features make you appear very thoughtful. Kindly give up your TRANSLATION anger, be merciful upon me, and please smile The King, with aggrieved mind, began to upon me with loving attachment. When I see a speak to his wife with very pleasing words. smile on your beautiful face, and when I see Although he was filled with regret and tried to your hair, which is as beautiful as the color pacify her, he could not see any symptom of blue, and see your raised nose and hear your anger caused by love within the heart of his sweet talk, you will become more beautiful to beloved wife. me and thus attract me and oblige me. You are my most respected mistress. TEXT 20, anuninye 'tha sanakair, viro 'nunaya- kovidah, pasparsa pada-yugalam, aha cotsanga- TEXT 24, tasmin dadhe damam aham tava vira- lalitam, patni, yo 'nyatra bhusura-kulat krta-kilbisas tam, pasye na vita-bhayam unmuditam tri-lokyam, TRANSLATION anyatra vai mura-ripor itaratra dasat, Because the King was very expert in flattery, he began to pacify his Queen very slowly. First TRANSLATION he touched her two feet, then embraced her O hero's wife, kindly tell me if someone has nicely, seating her on his lap, and began to offended you. I am prepared to give such a speak as follows. person punishment as long as he does not belong to the brahmana caste. But for the TEXT 21, puranjana uvaca, nunam tv akrta- servant of Muraripu [Krsna], I excuse no one punyas te, bhrtya yesv isvarah subhe, krtagahsv within or beyond these three worlds. No one atmasat krtva, siksa-dandam na yunjate, can freely move after offending you, for I am prepared to punish him. TRANSLATION King Puranjana said: My dear beautiful wife, TEXT 25, vaktram na te vitilakam malinam when a master accepts a servant as his own viharsam, samrambha-bhimam avimrstam apeta- man, but does not punish him for his offenses, ragam, pasye stanav api sucopahatau sujatau, the servant must be considered unfortunate. bimbadharam vigata-kunkuma-panka-ragam,

TEXT 22, paramo 'nugraho dando, bhrtyesu TRANSLATION prabhunarpitah, balo na veda tat tanvi, bandhu- My dear wife, until this day I have never seen krtyam amarsanah, your face without tilaka decorations, nor have I seen you so morose and without luster or TRANSLATION affection. Nor have I seen your two nice My dear slender maiden, when a master breasts wet with tears from your eyes. Nor chastises his servant, the servant should accept have I ever before seen your lips, which are this as great mercy. One who becomes angry ordinarily as red as the bimba fruit, without must be very foolish not to know that such is their reddish hue. the duty of his friend.

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TEXT 26, tan me prasida suhrdah krta- parigrahah, kilbisasya, svairam gatasya mrgayam vyasanaturasya, ka devaram vasa-gatam TRANSLATION kusumastra-vega-, visrasta-paumsnam usati na Queen Puranjani embraced the King, and the bhajeta krtye, King also responded by embracing her shoulders. In this way, in a solitary place, they TRANSLATION enjoyed joking words. Thus King Puranjana My dear Queen, due to my sinful desires I became very much captivated by his beautiful went to the forest to hunt without asking you. wife and deviated from his good sense. He Therefore I must admit that I have offended forgot that the passing of days and nights you. Nonetheless, thinking of me as your most meant that his span of life was being reduced intimate subordinate, you should still be very without profit. much pleased with me. Factually I am very much bereaved, but being pierced by the TEXT 4, sayana unnaddha-mado maha-mana, arrow of Cupid, I am feeling lusty. But where maharha-talpe mahisi-bhujopadhih, tam eva viro is the beautiful woman who would give up her manute param yatas, tamo-'bhibhuto na nijam lusty husband and refuse to unite with him? param ca yat,

Chapter Twenty-seven Attack by TRANSLATION Candavega on the City of King In this way, increasingly overwhelmed by Puranjana; the Character of Kalakanya illusion, King Puranjana, although advanced in consciousness, remained always lying down with his head on the pillow of his wife's arms. TEXT 1, narada uvaca, ittham puranjanam In this way he considered woman to be his sadhryag, vasamaniya vibhramaih, puranjani ultimate life and soul. Becoming thus maharaja, reme ramayati patim, overwhelmed by the mode of ignorance, he could not understand the meaning of self- TRANSLATION realization, of his self or of the Supreme The great sage Narada continued: My dear Personality of Godhead. King, after bewildering her husband in different ways and bringing him under her TEXT 5, tayaivam ramamanasya, kama- control, the wife of King Puranjana gave him kasmala-cetasah, ksanardham iva rajendra, all satisfaction and enjoyed sex life with him. vyatikrantam navam vayah,

TEXT 2, sa raja mahisim rajan, susnatam TRANSLATION rucirananam, krta-svastyayanam trptam, My dear King Pracinabarhisat, in this way abhyanandad upagatam, King Puranjana, with his heart full of lust and sinful reactions, began to enjoy sex with his TRANSLATION wife, and in this way his new life and youth The Queen took her bath and dressed herself expired in half a moment. nicely with all auspicious garments and ornaments. After taking food and becoming TEXT 6, tasyam ajanayat putran, puranjanyam completely satisfied, she returned to the King. puranjanah, satany ekadasa virad, ayuso 'rdham Upon seeing her beautifully decorated athatyagat, attractive face, the King welcomed her with all devotion. TRANSLATION The great sage Narada then addressed King TEXT 3, tayopagudhah parirabdha-kandharo, Pracinabarhisat: O one whose life-span is raho 'numantrair apakrsta-cetanah, na kala-ramho great [virat], in this way King Puranjana begot bubudhe duratyayam, diva niseti pramada- 1,100 sons within the womb of his wife, 155

Puranjani. However, in this business he passed yatha bhavan, away half of his life-span. TRANSLATION TEXT 7, duhitrr dasottara-satam, pitr-matr- The great sage Narada continued: My dear yasaskarih, silaudarya-gunopetah, pauranjanyah King Pracinabarhisat, like you King praja-pate, Puranjana also became implicated in so many desires. Thus he worshiped demigods, TRANSLATION forefathers and social leaders with various O Prajapati, King Pracinabarhisat, in this way sacrifices which were all very ghastly because King Puranjana also begot 110 daughters. All they were inspired by the desire to kill of these were equally glorified like the father animals. and mother. Their behavior was gentle, and they possessed magnanimity and other good TEXT 12, yuktesv evam pramattasya, qualities. kutumbasakta-cetasah, asasada sa vai kalo, yo 'priyah priya-yositam, TEXT 8, sa pancala-patih putran, pitr-vamsa- vivardhanan, daraih samyojayam asa, duhitrh TRANSLATION sadrsair varaih, Thus King Puranjana, being attached to fruitive activities [karma-kandiya] as well as TRANSLATION kith and kin, and being obsessed with polluted After this, King Puranjana, King of the consciousness, eventually arrived at that point Pancala country, in order to increase the not very much liked by those who are overly descendants of his paternal family, married his attached to material things. sons with qualified wives and married his daughters with qualified husbands. TEXT 13, candavega iti khyato, gandharvadhipatir nrpa, gandharvas tasya TEXT 9, putranam cabhavan putra, ekaikasya balinah, sasty-uttara-sata-trayam, satam satam, yair vai pauranjano vamsah, pancalesu samedhitah, TRANSLATION O King! In Gandharvaloka there is a king TRANSLATION named Candavega. Under him there are 360 Of these many sons, each produced hundreds very powerful Gandharva soldiers. and hundreds of grandsons. In this way the whole city of Pancala became overcrowded by TEXT 14, gandharvyas tadrsir asya, maithunyas these sons and grandsons of King Puranjana. ca sitasitah, parivrttya vilumpanti, sarva-kama- vinirmitam, TEXT 10, tesu tad-riktha-haresu, grha- kosanujivisu, nirudhena mamatvena, visayesv TRANSLATION anvabadhyata, Along with Candavega were as many female Gandharvis as there were soldiers, and all of TRANSLATION them repetitively plundered all the These sons and grandsons were virtually paraphernalia for sense enjoyment. plunderers of King Puranjana's riches, including his home, treasury, servants, TEXT 15, te candaveganucarah, puranjana- secretaries and all other paraphernalia. puram yada, hartum arebhire tatra, pratyasedhat Puranjana's attachment for these things was prajagarah, very deep-rooted. TRANSLATION TEXT 11, ije ca kratubhir ghorair, diksitah pasu- When King Gandharva-raja [Candavega] and marakaih, devan pitrn bhuta-patin, nana-kamo his followers began to plunder the city of 156

Puranjana, a snake with five hoods began to TEXT 20, daurbhagyenatmano loke, visruta defend the city. durbhageti sa, ya tusta rajarsaye tu, vrtadat purave varam, TEXT 16, sa saptabhih satair eko, vimsatya ca satam samah, puranjana-puradhyakso, TRANSLATION gandharvair yuyudhe bali, The daughter of Time [Jara] was very unfortunate. Consequently she was known as TRANSLATION Durbhaga ["ill-fated"]. However, she was once The five-hooded serpent, the superintendent pleased with a great king, and because the king and protector of the city of King Puranjana, accepted her, she granted him a great fought with the Gandharvas for one hundred benediction. years. He fought alone, with all of them, although they numbered 720. TEXT 21, kadacid atamana sa, brahma-lokan mahim gatam, vavre brhad-vratam mam tu, TEXT 17, ksiyamane sva-sambandhe, ekasmin janati kama-mohita, bahubhir yudha, cintam param jagamartah, sa- rastra-pura-bandhavah, TRANSLATION When I once came to this earth from TRANSLATION Brahmaloka, the highest planetary system, the Because he had to fight alone with so many daughter of Time, wandering over the soldiers, all of whom were great warriors, the universe, met me. Knowing me to be an serpent with five hoods became very weak. avowed brahmacari, she became lusty and Seeing that his most intimate friend was proposed that I accept her. weakening, King Puranjana and his friends and citizens living within the city all became TEXT 22, mayi samrabhya vipula-, madac very anxious. chapam suduhsaham, sthatum arhasi naikatra, mad-yacna-vimukho mune, TEXT 18, sa eva puryam madhu-bhuk, pancalesu sva-parsadaih, upanitam balim grhnan, TRANSLATION stri-jito navidad bhayam, The great sage Narada continued: When I refused to accept her request, she became very TRANSLATION angry at me and cursed me severely. Because I King Puranjana collected taxes in the city refused her request, she said that I would not known as Pancala and thus was able to engage be able to stay in one place for a long time. in sexual indulgence. Being completely under the control of women, he could not understand TEXT 23, tato vihata-sankalpa, kanyaka that his life was passing away and that he was yavanesvaram, mayopadistam asadya, vavre reaching the point of death. namna bhayam patim,

TEXT 19, kalasya duhita kacit, tri-lokim varam TRANSLATION icchati, paryatanti na barhisman, pratyanandata After she was thus disappointed by me, with kascana, my permission she approached the King of the Yavanas, whose name was Bhaya, or Fear, and TRANSLATION she accepted him as her husband. My dear King Pracinabarhisat, at this time the daughter of formidable Time was seeking her TEXT 24, rsabham yavananam tvam, vrne husband throughout the three worlds. virepsitam patim, sankalpas tvayi bhutanam, Although no one agreed to accept her, she krtah kila na risyati, came. TRANSLATION 157

Approaching the King of the Yavanas, you are inauspicious and mischievous. Since no Kalakanya addressed him as a great hero, one likes you, how can anyone accept you as saying: My dear sir, you are the best of the his wife? untouchables. I am in love with you, and I want you as my husband. I know that no one is TEXT 29, tvam avyakta-gatir bhunksva, lokam baffled if he makes friends with you. karma-vinirmitam, ya hi me prtana-yukta, praja- nasam pranesyasi, TEXT 25, dvav imav anusocanti, balav asad- avagrahau, yal loka-sastropanatam, na rati na tad TRANSLATION icchati, This world is a product of fruitive activities. Therefore you may imperceptibly attack TRANSLATION people in general. Helped by my soldiers, you One who does not give charity according to the can kill them without opposition. customs or injunctions of the scriptures and one who does not accept charity in that way TEXT 30, prajvaro 'yam mama bhrata, tvam ca are considered to be in the mode of ignorance. me bhagini bhava, caramy ubhabhyam loke Such persons follow the path of the foolish. 'sminn, avyakto bhima-sainikah, Surely they must lament at the end. TRANSLATION TEXT 26, atho bhajasva mam bhadra, bhajantim The King of the Yavanas continued: Here is me dayam kuru, etavan pauruso dharmo, yad my brother Prajvara. I now accept you as my artan anukampate, sister. I shall employ both of you, as well as my dangerous soldiers, to act imperceptibly within TRANSLATION this world. Kalakanya continued: O gentle one, I am now present before you to serve you. Please accept me and thus show me mercy. It is a Chapter Twenty-eight Puranjana gentleman's greatest duty to be compassionate Becomes a Woman in the Next Life upon a person who is distressed. TEXT 1, narada uvaca, sainika bhaya-namno ye, TEXT 27, kala-kanyodita-vaco, nisamya barhisman dista-karinah, prajvara-kala- yavanesvarah, cikirsur deva-guhyam sa, kanyabhyam, vicerur avanim imam, sasmitam tam abhasata, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The great sage Narada continued: My dear After hearing the statement of Kalakanya, King Pracinabarhisat, afterward, the King of daughter of Time, the King of the Yavanas the Yavanas, whose name is fear itself, as well began to smile and devise a means for as Prajvara, Kalakanya, and his soldiers, executing his confidential duty on behalf of began to travel all over the world. providence. He then addressed Kalakanya as follows. TEXT 2, ta ekada tu rabhasa, puranjana-purim nrpa, rurudhur bhauma-bhogadhyam, jarat- TEXT 28, maya nirupitas tubhyam, patir atma- pannaga-palitam, samadhina, nabhinandati loko 'yam, tvam abhadram asammatam, TRANSLATION Once the dangerous soldiers attacked the city TRANSLATION of Puranjana with great force. Although the The King of the Yavanas replied: After much city was full of paraphernalia for sense consideration, I have arrived at a husband for you. Actually, as far as everyone is concerned, 158 gratification, it was being protected by the old gata-sauhrdam, serpent. TRANSLATION TEXT 3, kala-kanyapi bubhuje, puranjana-puram King Puranjana then saw that everything in balat, yayabhibhutah purusah, sadyo nihsaratam his town was scattered and that his sons, iyat, grandsons, servants and ministers were all gradually opposing him. He also noted that his TRANSLATION wife was becoming cold and indifferent. Gradually Kalakanya, with the help of dangerous soldiers, attacked all the inhabitants TEXT 8, atmanam kanyaya grastam, pancalan of Puranjana's city and thus rendered them ari-dusitan, duranta-cintam apanno, na lebhe tat- useless for all purposes. pratikriyam,

TEXT 4, tayopabhujyamanam vai, yavanah TRANSLATION sarvato-disam, dvarbhih pravisya subhrsam, When King Puranjana saw that all his family prardayan sakalam purim, members, relatives, followers, servants, secretaries and everyone else had turned TRANSLATION against him, he certainly became very anxious. When Kalakanya, daughter of Time, attacked But he could not counteract the situation the body, the dangerous soldiers of the King of because he was thoroughly overwhelmed by the Yavanas entered the city through different Kalakanya. gates. They then began to give severe trouble to all the citizens. TEXT 9, kaman abhilasan dino, yata-yamams ca kanyaya, vigatatma-gati-snehah, putra-darams ca TEXT 5, tasyam prapidyamanayam, abhimani lalayan, puranjanah, avaporu-vidhams tapan, kutumbi mamatakulah, TRANSLATION The objects of enjoyment became stale by the TRANSLATION influence of Kalakanya. Due to the When the city was thus endangered by the continuance of his lusty desires, King soldiers and Kalakanya, King Puranjana, Puranjana became very poor in everything. being overly absorbed in affection for his Thus he did not understand the aim of life. He family, was placed in difficulty by the attack of was still very affectionate toward his wife and Yavana-raja and Kalakanya. children, and he worried about maintaining them. TEXT 6, kanyopagudho nasta-srih, krpano visayatmakah, nasta-prajno hrtaisvaryo, TEXT 10, gandharva-yavanakrantam, kala- gandharva-yavanair balat, kanyopamarditam, hatum pracakrame raja, tam purim anikamatah, TRANSLATION When King Puranjana was embraced by TRANSLATION Kalakanya, he gradually lost all his beauty. The city of King Puranjana was overcome by Having been too much addicted to sex, he the Gandharva and Yavana soldiers, and became very poor in intelligence and lost all although the King had no desire to leave the his opulence. Being bereft of all possessions, he city, he was circumstantially forced to do so, was conquered forcibly by the Gandharvas for it was smashed by Kalakanya. and the Yavanas. TEXT 11, bhaya-namno 'grajo bhrata, prajvarah TEXT 7, visirnam sva-purim viksya, pratikulan pratyupasthitah, dadaha tam purim krtsnam, anadrtan, putran pautranugamatyan, jayam ca bhratuh priya-cikirsaya, 159

checked by his enemies. Being thus baffled in TRANSLATION his attempt, he began to cry loudly. Under the circumstances, the elder brother of Yavana-raja, known as Prajvara, set fire to the TEXT 16, duhitrh putra-pautrams ca, jami- city to please his younger brother, whose other jamatr-parsadan, svatvavasistam yat kincid, grha- name is fear itself. kosa-paricchadam,

TEXT 12, tasyam sandahyamanayam, sapaurah TRANSLATION saparicchadah, kautumbikah kutumbinya, King Puranjana then began to think of his upatapyata sanvayah, daughters, sons, grandsons, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, servants and other associates as TRANSLATION well as his house, his household paraphernalia When the city was set ablaze, all the citizens and his little accumulation of wealth. and servants of the King, as well as all family members, sons, grandsons, wives and other TEXT 17, aham mameti svikrtya, grhesu relatives, were within the fire. King Puranjana kumatir grhi, dadhyau pramadaya dino, thus became very unhappy. viprayoga upasthite,

TEXT 13, yavanoparuddhayatano, grastayam TRANSLATION kala-kanyaya, puryam prajvara-samsrstah, pura- King Puranjana was overly attached to his palo 'nvatapyata, family and conceptions of "I" and "mine." Because he was overly attracted to his wife, he TRANSLATION was already quite poverty-stricken. At the time The city's superintendent of police, the of separation, he became very sorry. serpent, saw that the citizens were being attacked by Kalakanya, and he became very TEXT 18, lokantaram gatavati, mayy anatha aggrieved to see his own residence set ablaze kutumbini, vartisyate katham tv esa, balakan after being attacked by the Yavanas. anusocati,

TEXT 14, na seke so 'vitum tatra, puru- TRANSLATION krcchroru-vepathuh, gantum aicchat tato vrksa-, King Puranjana was anxiously thinking, kotarad iva sanalat, "Alas, my wife is encumbered by so many children. When I pass from this body, how will TRANSLATION she be able to maintain all these family As a serpent living within the cavity of a tree members? Alas, she will be greatly harassed by wishes to leave when there is a forest fire, so thoughts of family maintenance." the city's police superintendent, the snake, wished to leave the city due to the fire's severe TEXT 19, na mayy anasite bhunkte, nasnate snati heat. mat-para, mayi ruste susantrasta, bhartsite yata- vag bhayat, TEXT 15, sithilavayavo yarhi, gandharvair hrta- paurusah, yavanair aribhi rajann, uparuddho TRANSLATION ruroda ha, King Puranjana then began to think of his past dealings with his wife. He recalled that his wife TRANSLATION would not take her dinner until he had finished The limbs of the serpent's body were slackened his, that she would not take her bath until he by the Gandharvas and Yavana soldiers, who had finished his, and that she was always very had thoroughly defeated his bodily strength. much attached to him, so much so that if he When he attempted to leave the body, he was would sometimes become angry and chastise 160

her, she would simply remain silent and greatly aggrieved. While they lamented, they tolerate his misbehavior. were forced to go along with him.

TEXT 20, prabodhayati mavijnam, vyusite soka- TEXT 24, purim vihayopagata, uparuddho karsita, vartmaitad grha-medhiyam, vira-sur api bhujangamah, yada tam evanu puri, visirna nesyati, prakrtim gata,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION King Puranjana continued thinking how, when The serpent, who had already been arrested by he was in a state of bewilderment, his wife the soldiers of Yavana-raja and was out of the would give him good counsel and how she city, began to follow his master along with the would become aggrieved when he was away others. As soon as they all left the city, it was from home. Although she was the mother of so immediately dismantled and smashed to dust. many sons and heroes, the King still feared that she would not be able to maintain the TEXT 25, vikrsyamanah prasabham, yavanena responsibility of household affairs. baliyasa, navindat tamasavistah, sakhayam suhrdam purah, TEXT 21, katham nu daraka dina, darakir vaparayanah, vartisyante mayi gate, bhinna-nava TRANSLATION ivodadhau, When King Puranjana was being dragged with great force by the powerful Yavana, out of his TRANSLATION gross ignorance he still could not remember his King Puranjana continued worrying: "After I friend and well-wisher, the Supersoul. pass from this world, how will my sons and daughters, who are now fully dependent on TEXT 26, tam yajna-pasavo 'nena, samjnapta ye me, live and continue their lives? Their 'dayaluna, kutharais cicchiduh kruddhah, position will be similar to that of passengers smaranto 'mivam asya tat, aboard a ship wrecked in the midst of the ocean." TRANSLATION That most unkind king, Puranjana, had killed TEXT 22, evam krpanaya buddhya, socantam many animals in various sacrifices. Now, atad-arhanam, grahitum krta-dhir enam, bhaya- taking advantage of this opportunity, all these namabhyapadyata, animals began to pierce him with their horns. It was as though he were being cut to pieces by TRANSLATION axes. Although King Puranjana should not have lamented over the fate of his wife and children, TEXT 27, ananta-pare tamasi, magno nasta- he nonetheless did so due to his miserly smrtih samah, sasvatir anubhuyartim, pramada- intelligence. In the meantime, Yavana-raja, sanga-dusitah, whose name was fear itself, immediately drew near to arrest him. TRANSLATION Due to his contaminated association with TEXT 23, pasuvad yavanair esa, niyamanah women, a living entity like King Puranjana svakam ksayam, anvadravann anupathah, socanto eternally suffers all the pangs of material bhrsam aturah, existence and remains in the dark region of material life, bereft of all remembrance for TRANSLATION many, many years. When the Yavanas were taking King Puranjana away to their place, binding him TEXT 28, tam eva manasa grhnan, babhuva like an animal, the King's followers became pramadottama, anantaram vidarbhasya, raja- 161

simhasya vesmani, first-born daughter of Malayadhvaja, the avowed devotee of Lord Krsna. From her one TRANSLATION son was born, whose name was Drdhacyuta, King Puranjana gave up his body while and from him another son was born, whose remembering his wife, and consequently in his name was Idhmavaha. next life he became a very beautiful and well- situated woman. He took his next birth as the TEXT 33, vibhajya tanayebhyah ksmam, rajarsir daughter of King Vidarbha in the very house malayadhvajah, ariradhayisuh krsnam, sa of the King. jagama kulacalam,

TEXT 29, upayeme virya-panam, vaidarbhim TRANSLATION malayadhvajah, yudhi nirjitya rajanyan, pandyah After this, the great saintly King para-puranjayah, Malayadhvaja divided his entire kingdom among his sons. Then, in order to worship TRANSLATION Lord Krsna with full attention, he went to a It was fixed that Vaidarbhi, daughter of King solitary place known as Kulacala. Vidarbha, was to be married to a very powerful man, Malayadhvaja, an inhabitant of TEXT 34, hitva grhan sutan bhogan, vaidarbhi the Pandu country. After conquering other madireksana, anvadhavata pandyesam, jyotsneva princes, he married the daughter of King rajani-karam, Vidarbha. TRANSLATION TEXT 30, tasyam sa janayam cakra, atmajam Just as the moonshine follows the moon at asiteksanam, yaviyasah sapta sutan, sapta night, immediately after King Malayadhvaja dravida-bhubhrtah, departed for Kulacala, his devoted wife, whose eyes were very enchanting, followed him, TRANSLATION giving up all homely happiness, despite family King Malayadhvaja fathered one daughter, and children. who had very black eyes. He also had seven sons, who later became rulers of that tract of TEXTS 35-36, tatra candravasa nama, land known as Dravida. Thus there were seven tamraparni vatodaka, tat-punya-salilair nityam, kings in that land. ubhayatratmano mrjan, kandastibhir mula- phalaih, puspa-parnais trnodakaih, vartamanah TEXT 31, ekaikasyabhavat tesam, rajann sanair gatra-, karsanam tapa asthitah, arbudam arbudam, bhoksyate yad-vamsa-dharair, mahi manvantaram param, TRANSLATION In the province of Kulacala, there were rivers TRANSLATION named Candravasa, Tamraparni and My dear King Pracinabarhisat, the sons of Vatodaka. King Malayadhvaja used to go to Malayadhvaja gave birth to many thousands those pious rivers regularly and take his bath and thousands of sons, and all of these have there. Thus he purified himself externally and been protecting the entire world up to the end internally. He took his bath and ate bulbs, of one Manu's life-span and even afterward. seeds, leaves, flowers, roots, fruits and grasses and drank water. In this way he underwent TEXT 32, agastyah prag duhitaram, upayeme severe austerities. Eventually he became very dhrta-vratam, yasyam drdhacyuto jata, skinny. idhmavahatmajo munih, TEXT 37, sitosna-vata-varsani, ksut-pipase TRANSLATION priyapriye, sukha-duhkhe iti dvandvany, ajayat The great sage named Agastya married the sama-darsanah, 162

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Through austerity, King Malayadhvaja in In this way King Malayadhvaja attained body and mind gradually became equal to the perfect knowledge because in his pure state he dualities of cold and heat, happiness and was directly instructed by the Supreme distress, wind and rain, hunger and thirst, the Personality of Godhead. By means of such pleasant and the unpleasant. In this way he enlightening transcendental knowledge, he conquered all relativities. could understand everything from all angles of vision. TEXT 38, tapasa vidyaya pakva-, kasayo niyamair yamaih, yuyuje brahmany atmanam, TEXT 42, pare brahmani catmanam, param vijitaksanilasayah, brahma tathatmani, viksamano vihayeksam, asmad upararama ha, TRANSLATION By worshiping, executing austerities and TRANSLATION following the regulative principles, King King Malayadhvaja could thus observe that Malayadhvaja conquered his senses, his life the Supersoul was sitting by his side, and that and his consciousness. Thus he fixed he, as the individual soul, was sitting by the everything on the central point of the Supreme side of the Supersoul. Since both were Brahman [Krsna]. together, there was no need for separate interests; thus he ceased from such activities. TEXT 39, aste sthanur ivaikatra, divyam varsa- satam sthirah, vasudeve bhagavati, nanyad TEXT 43, patim parama-dharma-jnam, vedodvahan ratim, vaidarbhi malayadhvajam, premna paryacarad dhitva, bhogan sa pati-devata, TRANSLATION In this way he stayed immovable in one place TRANSLATION for one hundred years by the calculations of The daughter of King Vidarbha accepted her the demigods. After this time, he developed husband all in all as the Supreme. She gave up pure devotional attraction for Krsna, the all sensual enjoyment and in complete Supreme Personality of Godhead, and renunciation followed the principles of her remained fixed in that position. husband, who was so advanced. Thus she remained engaged in his service. TEXT 40, sa vyapakatayatmanam, vyatiriktatayatmani, vidvan svapna ivamarsa-, TEXT 44, cira-vasa vrata-ksama, veni-bhuta- saksinam virarama ha, siroruha, babhav upa patim santa, sikha santam ivanalam, TRANSLATION King Malayadhvaja attained perfect TRANSLATION knowledge by being able to distinguish the The daughter of King Vidarbha wore old Supersoul from the individual soul. The garments, and she was lean and thin because individual soul is localized, whereas the of her vows of austerity. Since she did not Supersoul is all-pervasive. He became perfect arrange her hair, it became entangled and in knowledge that the material body is not the twisted in locks. Although she remained soul but that the soul is the witness of the always near her husband, she was as silent and material body. unagitated as the flame of an undisturbed fire.

TEXT 41, saksad bhagavatoktena, guruna harina TEXT 45, ajanati priyatamam, yadoparatam nrpa, visuddha-jnana-dipena, sphurata visvato- angana, susthirasanam asadya, yatha-purvam mukham, upacarat, 163

pitifully in that solitary forest. Thus the tears TRANSLATION rolled down from her eyes. The daughter of King Vidarbha continued as usual to serve her husband, who was seated in TEXT 50, citim darumayim citva, tasyam patyuh a steady posture, until she could ascertain that kalevaram, adipya canumarane, vilapanti mano he had passed away from the body. dadhe,

TEXT 46, yada nopalabhetanghrav, usmanam TRANSLATION patyur arcati, asit samvigna-hrdaya, yutha- She then prepared a blazing fire with firewood bhrasta mrgi yatha, and placed the dead body of her husband upon it. When this was finished, she lamented TRANSLATION severely and prepared herself to perish in the While she was serving her husband by fire with her husband. massaging his legs, she could feel that his feet were no longer warm and could thus TEXT 51, tatra purvatarah kascit, sakha understand that he had already passed from brahmana atmavan, santvayan valguna samna, the body. She felt great anxiety upon being left tam aha rudatim prabho, alone. Bereft of her husband's company, she felt exactly as the deer feels upon being TRANSLATION separated from its mate. My dear King, one brahmana, who was an old friend of King Puranjana, came to that place TEXT 47, atmanam socati dinam, abandhum and began to pacify the Queen with sweet viklavasrubhih, stanav asicya vipine, susvaram words. praruroda sa, TEXT 52, brahmana uvaca, ka tvam kasyasi ko TRANSLATION vayam, sayano yasya socasi, janasi kim Being now alone and a widow in that forest, sakhayam mam, yenagre vicacartha ha, the daughter of Vidarbha began to lament, incessantly shedding tears, which soaked her TRANSLATION breasts, and crying very loudly. The brahmana inquired as follows: Who are you? Whose wife or daughter are you? Who is TEXT 48, uttisthottistha rajarse, imam udadhi- the man lying here? It appears you are mekhalam, dasyubhyah ksatra-bandhubhyo, lamenting for this dead body. Don't you bibhyatim patum arhasi, recognize Me? I am your eternal friend. You may remember that many times in the past TRANSLATION you have consulted Me. O best of kings, please get up! Get up! Just see this world surrounded by water and infested TEXT 53, api smarasi catmanam, avijnata- with rogues and so-called kings. This world is sakham sakhe, hitva mam padam anvicchan, very much afraid, and it is your duty to protect bhauma-bhoga-rato gatah, her. TRANSLATION TEXT 49, evam vilapanti bala, vipine 'nugata The brahmana continued: My dear friend, patim, patita padayor bhartu, rudaty asruny even though you cannot immediately recognize avartayat, Me, can't you remember that in the past you had a very intimate friend? Unfortunately, you TRANSLATION gave up My company and accepted a position That most obedient wife thus fell down at the as enjoyer of this material world. feet of her dead husband and began to cry 164

TEXT 54, hamsav aham ca tvam carya, sakhayau navabudhyate, manasayanau, abhutam antara vaukah, sahasra- parivatsaran, TRANSLATION The five stores are the five working sensory TRANSLATION organs. They transact their business through My dear gentle friend, both you and I are the combined forces of the five elements, which exactly like two swans. We live together in the are eternal. Behind all this activity is the soul. same heart, which is just like the Manasa The soul is a person and an enjoyer in reality. Lake. Although we have been living together However, because he is now hidden within the for many thousands of years, we are still far city of the body, he is devoid of knowledge. away from our original home. TEXT 59, tasmims tvam ramaya sprsto, TEXT 55, sa tvam vihaya mam bandho, gato ramamano 'sruta-smrtih, tat-sangad idrsim gramya-matir mahim, vicaran padam adraksih, prapto, dasam papiyasim prabho, kayacin nirmitam striya, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION My dear friend, when you enter such a body My dear friend, you are now My very same along with the woman of material desires, you friend. Since you left Me, you have become become overly absorbed in sense enjoyment. more and more materialistic, and not seeing Because of this, you have forgotten your Me, you have been traveling in different forms spiritual life. Due to your material conceptions, throughout this material world, which was you are placed in various miserable conditions. created by some woman. TEXT 60, na tvam vidarbha-duhita, nayam virah TEXT 56, pancaramam nava-dvaram, eka-palam suhrt tava, na patis tvam puranjanya, ruddho tri-kosthakam, sat-kulam panca-vipanam, panca- nava-mukhe yaya, prakrti stri-dhavam, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Actually, you are not the daughter of In that city [the material body] there are five Vidarbha, nor is this man, Malayadhvaja, gardens, nine gates, one protector, three your well-wishing husband. Nor were you the apartments, six families, five stores, five actual husband of Puranjani. You were simply material elements, and one woman who is lord captivated in this body of nine gates. of the house. TEXT 61, maya hy esa maya srsta, yat TEXT 57, pancendriyartha arama, dvarah prana pumamsam striyam satim, manyase nobhayam nava prabho, tejo-'b-annani kosthani, kulam yad vai, hamsau pasyavayor gatim, indriya-sangrahah, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Sometimes you think yourself a man, My dear friend, the five gardens are the five sometimes a chaste woman and sometimes a objects of sense enjoyment, and the protector neutral eunuch. This is all because of the body, is the life air, which passes through the nine which is created by the illusory energy. This gates. The three apartments are the chief illusory energy is My potency, and actually ingredients--fire, water and earth. The six both of us--you and I--are pure spiritual families are the aggregate total of the mind identities. Now just try to understand this. I and five senses. am trying to explain our factual position.

TEXT 58, vipanas tu kriya-saktir, bhuta-prakrtir TEXT 62, aham bhavan na canyas tvam, tvam avyaya, sakty-adhisah pumams tv atra, pravisto evaham vicaksva bhoh, na nau pasyanti kavayas, 165

chidram jatu manag api, Chapter Twenty-nine Talks Between Narada and King Pracinabarhi TRANSLATION

My dear friend, I, the Supersoul, and you, the TEXT 1, pracinabarhir uvaca, bhagavams te vaco individual soul, are not different in quality, for 'smabhir, na samyag avagamyate, kavayas tad we are both spiritual. In fact, My dear friend, vijananti, na vayam karma-mohitah, you are qualitatively not different from Me in

your constitutional position. Just try to TRANSLATION consider this subject. Those who are actually King Pracinabarhi replied: My dear lord, we advanced scholars, who are in knowledge, do could not appreciate completely the purport of not find any qualitative difference between you your allegorical story of King Puranjana. and Me. Actually, those who are perfect in spiritual

knowledge can understand, but for us, who are TEXT 63, yatha purusa atmanam, ekam adarsa- overly attached to fruitive activities, to realize caksusoh, dvidhabhutam avekseta, tathaivantaram the purpose of your story is very difficult. avayoh,

TEXT 2, narada uvaca, purusam puranjanam TRANSLATION vidyad, yad vyanakty atmanah puram, eka-dvi- As a person sees the reflection of his body in a tri-catus-padam, bahu-padam apadakam, mirror to be one with himself and not

different, whereas others actually see two TRANSLATION bodies, so in our material condition, in which The great sage Narada Muni continued: You the living being is affected and yet not affected, must understand that Puranjana, the living there is a difference between God and the entity, transmigrates according to his own living entity. work into different types of bodies, which may

be one-legged, two-legged, three-legged, four- TEXT 64, evam sa manaso hamso, hamsena legged, many-legged or simply legless. pratibodhitah, sva-sthas tad-vyabhicarena, Transmigrating into these various types of nastam apa punah smrtim, bodies, the living entity, as the so-called

enjoyer, is known as Puranjana. TRANSLATION

In this way both swans live together in the TEXT 3, yo 'vijnatahrtas tasya, purusasya heart. When the one swan is instructed by the sakhesvarah, yan na vijnayate pumbhir, other, he is situated in his constitutional namabhir va kriya-gunaih, position. This means he regains his original

Krsna consciousness, which was lost because of TRANSLATION his material attraction. The person I have described as unknown is the

Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master TEXT 65, barhismann etad adhyatmam, and eternal friend of the living entity. Since the paroksyena pradarsitam, yat paroksa-priyo devo, living entities cannot realize the Supreme bhagavan visva-bhavanah, Personality of Godhead by material names,

activities or qualities, He remains everlastingly TRANSLATION unknown to the conditioned soul. My dear King Pracinabarhi, the Supreme

Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, TEXT 4, yada jighrksan purusah, kartsnyena is celebrated to be known indirectly. Thus I prakrter gunan, nava-dvaram dvi-hastanghri, have described the story of Puranjana to you. tatramanuta sadhv iti, Actually it is an instruction for self-realization.

TRANSLATION

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When the living entity wants to enjoy the TEXT 8, aksini nasike karnau, mukham sisna- modes of material nature in their totality, he gudav iti, dve dve dvarau bahir yati, yas tad- prefers, out of many bodily forms, to accept indriya-samyutah, that body which has nine gates, two hands and two legs. Thus he prefers to become a human TRANSLATION being or a demigod. The eyes, nostrils and ears are pairs of gates situated in one place. The mouth, genital and TEXT 5, buddhim tu pramadam vidyan, rectum are also different gates. Being placed mamaham iti yat-krtam, yam adhisthaya dehe into a body having these nine gates, the living 'smin, puman bhunkte 'ksabhir gunan, entity acts externally in the material world and enjoys sense objects like form and taste. TRANSLATION The great sage Narada continued: The word TEXT 9, aksini nasike asyam, iti panca purah pramada mentioned in this regard refers to krtah, daksina daksinah karna, uttara cottarah material intelligence, or ignorance. It is to be smrtah, pascime ity adho dvarau, gudam sisnam understood as such. When one takes shelter of ihocyate, this kind of intelligence, he identifies himself with the material body. Influenced by the TRANSLATION material consciousness of "I" and "mine," he Two eyes, two nostrils and a mouth--all begins to enjoy and suffer through his senses. together five--are situated in the front. The Thus the living entity is entrapped. right ear is accepted as the southern gate, and the left ear is the northern gate. The two holes, TEXT 6, sakhaya indriya-gana, jnanam karma ca or gates, situated in the west are known as the yat-krtam, sakhyas tad-vrttayah pranah, panca- rectum and genital. vrttir yathoragah, TEXT 10, khadyotavirmukhi catra, netre ekatra TRANSLATION nirmite, rupam vibhrajitam tabhyam, vicaste The five working senses and the five senses caksusesvarah, that acquire knowledge are all male friends of Puranjani. The living entity is assisted by these TRANSLATION senses in acquiring knowledge and engaging in The two gates named Khadyota and activity. The engagements of the senses are Avirmukhi, which have been spoken of, are the known as girl friends, and the serpent, which two eyes side by side in one place. The town was described as having five heads, is the life named Vibhrajita should be understood as air acting within the five circulatory processes. form. In this way the two eyes are always engaged in seeing different kinds of forms. TEXT 7, brhad-balam mano vidyad, ubhayendriya-nayakam, pancalah panca visaya, TEXT 11, nalini nalini nase, gandhah saurabha yan-madhye nava-kham puram, ucyate, ghrano 'vadhuto mukhyasyam, vipano vag rasavid rasah, TRANSLATION The eleventh attendant, who is the commander TRANSLATION of the others, is known as the mind. He is the The two doors named Nalini and Nalini should leader of the senses both in the acquisition of be known as the two nostrils, and the city knowledge and in the performance of work. named Saurabha represents aroma. The The Pancala kingdom is that atmosphere in companion spoken of as Avadhuta is the sense which the five sense objects are enjoyed. of smell. The door called Mukhya is the mouth, Within that Pancala kingdom is the city of the and Vipana is the faculty of speech. Rasajna is body, which has nine gates. the sense of taste.

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TEXT 12, apano vyavaharo 'tra, citram andho associates should be understood to be the bahudanam, pitrhur daksinah karna, uttaro hands and legs. Being helped by the hands and devahuh smrtah, legs, the living entity performs all kinds of work and moves hither and thither. TRANSLATION The city called Apana represents engagement TEXT 16, antah-puram ca hrdayam, visucir mana of the tongue in speech, and Bahudana is the ucyate, tatra moham prasadam va, harsam variety of foodstuffs. The right ear is called the prapnoti tad-gunaih, gate of Pitrhu, and the left ear is called the gate of Devahu. TRANSLATION The word antah-pura refers to the heart. The TEXT 13, pravrttam ca nivrttam ca, sastram word visucina, meaning "going everywhere," pancala-samjnitam, pitr-yanam deva- indicates the mind. Within the mind the living yanam,srotrac chruta-dharad vrajet, entity enjoys the effects of the modes of material nature. These effects sometimes cause TRANSLATION illusion, sometimes satisfaction and sometimes Narada Muni continued: The city spoken of as jubilation. Daksina-pancala represents the scriptures meant for directing pravrtti, the process of TEXT 17, yatha yatha vikriyate, gunakto vikaroti sense enjoyment in fruitive activities. The va, tatha tathopadrastatma, tad-vrttir anukaryate, other city, named Uttara-pancala, represents the scriptures meant for decreasing fruitive TRANSLATION activities and increasing knowledge. The living Formerly it was explained that the Queen is entity receives different kinds of knowledge by one's intelligence. While one is awake or means of two ears, and some living entities are asleep, that intelligence creates different promoted to Pitrloka and some to Devaloka. situations. Being influenced by contaminated All this is made possible by the two ears. intelligence, the living entity envisions something and simply imitates the actions and TEXT 14, asuri medhram arvag-dvar, vyavayo reactions of his intelligence. graminam ratih, upastho durmadah prokto, nirrtir guda ucyate, TEXTS 18-20, deho rathas tv indriyasvah, samvatsara-rayo 'gatih, dvi-karma-cakras tri- TRANSLATION guna-, dhvajah pancasu-bandhurah, mano-rasmir The city called Gramaka, which is approached buddhi-suto, hrn-nido dvandva-kubarah, through the lower gate of Asuri [the genital], is pancendriyartha-praksepah, sapta-dhatu- meant for sex, which is very pleasing to varuthakah, akutir vikramo bahyo, mrga-trsnam common men who are simply fools and rascals. pradhavati, ekadasendriya-camuh, panca-suna- The faculty of procreation is called Durmada, vinoda-krt, and the rectum is called Nirrti. TRANSLATION TEXT 15, vaisasam narakam payur, lubdhako Narada Muni continued: What I referred to as 'ndhau tu me srnu, hasta-padau pumams tabhyam, the chariot was in actuality the body. The yukto yati karoti ca, senses are the horses that pull that chariot. As time passes, year after year, these horses run TRANSLATION without obstruction, but in fact they make no When it is said that Puranjana goes to Vaisasa, progress. Pious and impious activities are the it is meant that he goes to hell. He is two wheels of the chariot. The three modes of accompanied by Lubdhaka, which is the material nature are the chariot's flags. The five working sense in the rectum. Formerly I have types of life air constitute the living entity's also spoken of two blind associates. These bondage, and the mind is considered to be the 168

rope. Intelligence is the chariot driver. The disturbed by many tribulations pertaining to heart is the sitting place in the chariot, and the providence, to other living entities and to his dualities of life, such as pleasure and pain, are own body and mind. Despite all kinds of the knotting place. The seven elements are the tribulations, the living entity, subjected to the coverings of the chariot, and the working necessities of the body, mind and senses and senses are the five external processes. The suffering from various types of disease, is eleven senses are the soldiers. Being engrossed carried away by many plans due to his lust to in sense enjoyment, the living entity, seated on enjoy the world. Although transcendental to the chariot, hankers after fulfillment of his this material existence, the living entity, out of false desires and runs after sense enjoyment ignorance, accepts all these material miseries life after life. under the pretext of false egoism ("I" and "mine"). In this way he lives for a hundred TEXT 21, samvatsaras candavegah, kalo years within this body. yenopalaksitah, tasyahaniha gandharva, gandharvyo ratrayah smrtah, haranty ayuh TEXTS 26-27, yadatmanam avijnaya, parikrantya, sasty-uttara-sata-trayam, bhagavantam param gurum, purusas tu visajjeta, gunesu prakrteh sva-drk, gunabhimani sa tada, TRANSLATION karmani kurute 'vasah, suklam krsnam lohitam What was previously explained as Candavega, va, yatha-karmabhijayate, powerful time, is covered by days and nights, named Gandharvas and Gandharvis. The TRANSLATION body's life-span is gradually reduced by the The living entity by nature has minute passage of days and nights, which number 360. independence to choose his own good or bad fortune, but when he forgets his supreme TEXT 22, kala-kanya jara saksal, lokas tam master, the Personality of Godhead, he gives nabhinandati, svasaram jagrhe mrtyuh, ksayaya himself up unto the modes of material nature. yavanesvarah, Being influenced by the modes of material nature, he identifies himself with the body and, TRANSLATION for the interest of the body, becomes attached What was described as Kalakanya should be to various activities. Sometimes he is under the understood as old age. No one wants to accept influence of the mode of ignorance, sometimes old age, but Yavanesvara [Yavana-raja], who the mode of passion and sometimes the mode is death, accepts Jara [old age] as his sister. of goodness. The living entity thus gets different types of bodies under the modes of TEXTS 23-25, adhayo vyadhayas tasya, sainika material nature. yavanas carah, bhutopasargasu-rayah, prajvaro dvi-vidho jvarah, evam bahu-vidhair duhkhair, TEXT 28, suklat prakasa-bhuyisthal, lokan apnoti daiva-bhutatma-sambhavaih, klisyamanah satam karhicit, duhkhodarkan kriyayasams, tamah- varsam, dehe dehi tamo-vrtah, pranendriya- sokotkatan kvacit, mano-dharman, atmany adhyasya nirgunah, sete kama-lavan dhyayan, mamaham iti karma-krt, TRANSLATION Those who are situated in the mode of TRANSLATION goodness act piously according to Vedic The followers of Yavanesvara [Yamaraja] are injunctions. Thus they are elevated to the called the soldiers of death, and they are higher planetary systems where the demigods known as the various types of disturbances live. Those who are influenced by the mode of that pertain to the body and mind. Prajvara passion engage in various types of productive represents the two types of fever: extreme heat activities in the planetary systems where and extreme cold--typhoid and pneumonia. human beings live. Similarly, those influenced The living entity lying down within the body is by the mode of darkness are subjected to 169

various types of misery and live in the animal kingdom. TEXT 33, yatha hi puruso bharam, sirasa gurum udvahan, tam skandhena sa adhatte, tatha sarvah TEXT 29, kvacit puman kvacic ca stri, kvacin pratikriyah, nobhayam andha-dhih, devo manusyas tiryag va, yatha-karma-gunam bhavah, TRANSLATION A man may carry a burden on his head, and TRANSLATION when he feels it to be too heavy, he sometimes Covered by the mode of ignorance in material gives relief to his head by putting the burden nature, the living entity is sometimes a male, on his shoulder. In this way he tries to relieve sometimes a female, sometimes a eunuch, himself of the burden. However, whatever sometimes a human being, sometimes a process he devises to counteract the burden demigod, sometimes a bird, an animal, and so does nothing more than Put the same burden on. In this way he is wandering within the from one place to another. material world. His acceptance of different types of bodies is brought about by his TEXT 34, naikantatah pratikarah, karmanam activities under the influence of the modes of karma kevalam, dvayam hy avidyopasrtam, nature. svapne svapna ivanagha,

TEXTS 30-31, ksut-parito yatha dinah, TRANSLATION sarameyo grham grham, caran vindati yad- Narada continued: O you who are free from all distam, dandam odanam eva va, tatha kamasayo sinful activity! No one can counteract the jiva, uccavaca-patha bhraman, upary adho va effects of fruitive activity simply by madhye va, yati distam priyapriyam, manufacturing a different activity devoid of Krsna consciousness. All such activity is due to TRANSLATION our ignorance. When we have a troublesome The living entity is exactly like a dog, who, dream, we cannot relieve it with a troublesome overcome with hunger, goes from door to door hallucination. One can counteract a dream for some food. According to his destiny, he only by awaking. Similarly, our material sometimes receives punishment and is driven existence is due to our ignorance and illusion. out and at other times receives a little food to Unless we awaken to Krsna consciousness, we eat. Similarly, the living entity, being cannot be relieved of such dreams. For the influenced by so many desires, wanders in ultimate solution to all problems, we must different species of life according to destiny. awaken to Krsna consciousness. Sometimes he is high, and sometimes he is low. Sometimes he goes to the heavenly planets, TEXT 35, arthe hy avidyamane 'pi, samsrtir na sometimes to hell, sometimes to the middle nivartate, manasa linga-rupena, svapne vicarato planets, and so on. yatha,

TEXT 32, duhkhesv ekatarenapi, daiva- TRANSLATION bhutatma-hetusu, jivasya na vyavacchedah,syac Sometimes we suffer because we see a tiger in a cet tat-tat-pratikriya, dream or a snake in a vision, but actually there is neither a tiger nor a snake. Thus we create TRANSLATION some situation in a subtle form and suffer the The living entities are trying to counteract consequences. These sufferings cannot be different miserable conditions pertaining to mitigated unless we are awakened from our providence, other living entities or the body dream. and mind. Still, they must remain conditioned by the laws of nature, despite all attempts to TEXTS 36-37, athatmano 'rtha-bhutasya, yato counter these laws. 'nartha-parampara, samsrtis tad-vyavacchedo, 170

bhaktya paramaya gurau, vasudeve bhagavati, TEXT 41, etair upadruto nityam, jiva-lokah bhakti-yogah samahitah, sadhricinena vairagyam, svabhavajaih, na karoti harer nunam, kathamrta- jnanam ca janayisyati, nidhau ratim,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The real interest of the living entity is to get Because the conditioned soul is always out of the nescience that causes him to endure disturbed by the bodily necessities such as repeated birth and death. The only remedy is hunger and thirst, he has very little time to to surrender unto the Supreme Personality of cultivate attachment to hearing the nectarean Godhead through His representative. Unless words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. one renders devotional service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva, TEXTS 42-44, prajapati-patih saksad, bhagavan one cannot possibly become completely giriso manuh, daksadayah prajadhyaksa, detached from this material world, nor can he naisthikah sanakadayah, maricir atry-angirasau, possibly manifest real knowledge. pulastyah pulahah kratuh, bhrgur vasistha ity ete, mad-anta brahma-vadinah, adyapi vacas-patayas, TEXT 38, so 'cirad eva rajarse, syad acyuta- tapo-vidya-samadhibhih, pasyanto 'pi na kathasrayah, srnvatah sraddadhanasya, nityada pasyanti, pasyantam paramesvaram, syad adhiyatah, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The most powerful Lord Brahma, the father of O best of kings, one who is faithful, who is all progenitors; Lord Siva; Manu, Daksa and always hearing the glories of the Supreme the other rulers of humankind; the four saintly Personality of Godhead, who is always first-class brahmacaris headed by Sanaka and engaged in the culture of Krsna consciousness Sanatana; the great sages Marici, Atri, Angira, and in hearing of the Lord's activities, very Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Bhrgu and Vasistha; soon becomes eligible to see the Supreme and my humble self [Narada] are all stalwart Personality of Godhead face to face. brahmanas who can speak authoritatively on Vedic literature. We are very powerful because TEXTS 39-40, yatra bhagavata rajan, sadhavo of austerities, meditation and education. visadasayah, bhagavad-gunanukathana-, sravana- Nonetheless, even after inquiring about the vyagra-cetasah, tasmin mahan-mukharita Supreme Personality of Godhead, whom we madhubhic-caritra-, piyusa-sesa-saritah paritah always see, we do not know perfectly about sravanti, ta ye pibanty avitrso nrpa gadha-karnais, Him. tan na sprsanty asana-trd-bhaya-soka-mohah, TEXT 45, sabda-brahmani duspare, caranta uru- TRANSLATION vistare, mantra-lingair vyavacchinnam, bhajanto My dear King, in the place where pure na viduh param, devotees live, following the rules and regulations and thus purely conscious and TRANSLATION engaged with great eagerness in hearing and Despite the cultivation of Vedic knowledge, chanting the glories of the Supreme which is unlimited, and the worship of Personality of Godhead, in that place if one different demigods by the symptoms of Vedic gets a chance to hear their constant flow of mantras, demigod worship does not help one to nectar, which is exactly like the waves of a understand the supreme powerful Personality river, one will forget the necessities of life-- of Godhead. namely hunger and thirst--and become immune to all kinds of fear, lamentation and TEXT 46, yada yasyanugrhnati, bhagavan atma- illusion. bhavitah, sa jahati matim loke, vede ca parinisthitam, 171

of Godhead. Our education should be such TRANSLATION that we can become elevated to Krsna When a person is fully engaged in devotional consciousness. service, he is favored by the Lord, who bestows His causeless mercy. At such a time, the TEXT 50, harir deha-bhrtam atma, svayam awakened devotee gives up all material prakrtir isvarah, tat-pada-mulam saranam, yatah activities and ritualistic performances ksemo nrnam iha, mentioned in the Vedas. TRANSLATION TEXT 47, tasmat karmasu barhismann, ajnanad Sri Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, artha-kasisu, martha-drstim krthah srotra-, is the Supersoul and guide of all living entities sparsisv asprsta-vastusu, who have accepted material bodies within this world. He is the supreme controller of all TRANSLATION material activities in material nature. He is My dear King Barhisman, you should never also our best friend, and everyone should take out of ignorance take to the Vedic rituals or to shelter at His lotus feet. In doing so, one's life fruitive activity, which may be pleasing to hear will be auspicious. about or which may appear to be the goal of self-interest. You should never take these to be TEXT 51, sa vai priyatamas catma, yato na the ultimate goal of life. bhayam anv api, iti veda sa vai vidvan, yo vidvan sa gurur harih, TEXT 48, svam lokam na vidus te vai, yatra devo janardanah, ahur dhumra-dhiyo vedam, TRANSLATION sakarmakam atad-vidah, One who is engaged in devotional service has not the least fear in material existence. This is TRANSLATION because the Supreme Personality of Godhead Those who are less intelligent accept the Vedic is the Supersoul and friend of everyone. One ritualistic ceremonies as all in all. They do not who knows this secret is actually educated, and know that the purpose of the Vedas is to one thus educated can become the spiritual understand one's own home, where the master of the world. One who is an actually Supreme Personality of Godhead lives. Not bona fide spiritual master, representative of being interested in their real home, they are Krsna, is not different from Krsna. illusioned and search after other homes. TEXT 52, narada uvaca, prasna evam hi TEXT 49, astirya darbhaih prag-agraih, sanchinno, bhavatah purusarsabha, atra me vadato kartsnyena ksiti-mandalam, stabdho brhad- guhyam, nisamaya suniscitam, vadhan mani, karma navaisi yat param, tat karma hari-tosam yat, sa vidya tan-matir yaya, TRANSLATION The great saint Narada continued: O great TRANSLATION personality, I have replied properly about all My dear King, the entire world is covered with that you have asked me. Now hear another the sharp points of kusa grass, and on the narration that is accepted by saintly persons strength of this you have become proud and is very confidential. because you have killed various types of animals in sacrifices. Because of your TEXT 53, ksudram caram sumanasam sarane foolishness, you do not know that devotional mithitva, raktam sadanghri-gana-samasu lubdha- service is the only way one can please the karnam, agre vrkan asu-trpo 'viganayya yantam, Supreme Personality of Godhead. You cannot prsthe mrgam mrgaya lubdhaka-bana-bhinnam, understand this fact. Your only activities should be those that can please the Personality TRANSLATION 172

My dear King, please search out that deer who is engaged in eating grass in a very nice flower TEXT 55, sa tvam vicaksya mrga-cestitam garden along with his wife. That deer is very atmano 'ntas, cittam niyaccha hrdi karna-dhunim much attached to his business, and he is ca citte, jahy anganasramam asattama-yutha- enjoying the sweet singing of the bumblebees gatham, prinihi hamsa-saranam virama kramena, in his garden. Just try to understand his position. He is unaware that before him is a TRANSLATION tiger, which is accustomed to living at the cost My dear King, just try to understand the of another's flesh. Behind the deer is a hunter, allegorical position of the deer. Be fully who is threatening to pierce him with sharp conscious of yourself, and give up the pleasure arrows. Thus the deer's death is imminent. of hearing about promotion to heavenly planets by fruitive activity. Give up household TEXT 54,sumanah-sama-dharmanam strinam life, which is full of sex, as well as stories about sarana asrame puspa-madhu-gandhavat such things, and take shelter of the Supreme ksudratamam kamya-karma-vipakajam kama- Personality of Godhead through the mercy of sukha-lavam jaihvyaupasthyadi vicinvantam the liberated souls. In this way, please give up mithuni-bhuya tad-abhinivesita-manasam your attraction for material existence. sadanghri-gana-sama-gitavad atimanohara- vanitadi-janalapesv atitaram atipralobhita-karnam TEXT 56, rajovaca, srutam anviksitam brahman, agre vrka-yuthavad atmana ayur harato 'ho-ratran bhagavan yad abhasata, naitaj jananty tan kala-lava-visesan aviganayya grhesu upadhyayah, kim na bruyur vidur yadi, viharantam prsthata eva paroksam anupravrtto lubdhakah krtanto 'ntah sarena yam iha TRANSLATION paravidhyati tam imam atmanam aho rajan The King replied: My dear brahmana, bhinna-hrdayam drastum arhasiti., whatever you have said I have heard with great attention and, considering all of it, have TRANSLATION come to the conclusion that the acaryas My dear King, woman, who is very attractive [teachers] who engaged me in fruitive activity in the beginning but in the end very did not know this confidential knowledge. If disturbing, is exactly like the flower, which is they were aware of it, why did they not explain attractive in the beginning and detestable at it to me? the end. With woman, the living entity is entangled with lusty desires, and he enjoys sex, TEXT 57, samsayo 'tra tu me vipra, sanchinnas just as one enjoys the aroma of a flower. He tat-krto mahan, rsayo 'pi hi muhyanti, yatra thus enjoys a life of sense gratification--from nendriya-vrttayah, his tongue to his genitals--and in this way the living entity considers himself very happy in TRANSLATION family life. United with his wife, he always My dear brahmana, there are contradictions remains absorbed in such thoughts. He feels between your instructions and those of my great pleasure in hearing the talks of his wife spiritual teachers who engaged me in fruitive and children, which are like the sweet activities. I now can understand the distinction humming of bumblebees that collect honey between devotional service, knowledge and from flower to flower. He forgets that before renunciation. I had some doubts about them, him is time, which is taking away his life-span but you have now very kindly dissipated all with the passing of day and night. He does not these doubts. I can now understand how even see the gradual diminishing of his life, nor does the great sages are bewildered by the real he care about the superintendent of death, who purpose of life. Of course, there is no question is trying to kill him from behind. Just try to of sense gratification. understand this. You are in a precarious position and are threatened from all sides. 173

TEXT 58, karmany arabhate yena, puman iha yena punar bhavah, vihaya tam, amutranyena dehena, justani sa yad asnute, TRANSLATION The living entity labors under the bodily TRANSLATION conception of "I am this, I am that. My duty is The results of whatever a living entity does in this, and therefore I shall do it." These are all this life are enjoyed in the next life. mental impressions, and all these activities are temporary; nonetheless, by the grace of the TEXT 59, iti veda-vidam vadah, sruyate tatra Supreme Personality of Godhead, the living tatra ha, karma yat kriyate proktam, paroksam na entity gets a chance to execute all his mental prakasate, concoctions. Thus he gets another body.

TRANSLATION TEXT 63, yathanumiyate cittam, ubhayair The expert knowers of the Vedic conclusions indriyehitaih, evam prag-dehajam karma, say that one enjoys or suffers the results of his laksyate citta-vrttibhih, past activities. But practically it is seen that the body that performed the work in the last birth TRANSLATION is already lost. So how is it possible to enjoy or One can understand the mental or conscious suffer the reactions of that work in a different position of a living entity by the activities of body? two kinds of senses--the knowledge-acquiring senses and the executive senses. Similarly, by TEXT 60, narada uvaca, yenaivarabhate karma, the mental condition or consciousness of a tenaivamutra tat puman, bhunkte hy person, one can understand his position in the avyavadhanena, lingena manasa svayam, previous life.

TRANSLATION TEXT 64, nanubhutam kva canena, The great sage Narada continued: The living dehenadrstam asrutam, kadacid upalabhyeta, yad entity acts in a gross body in this life. This rupam yadrg atmani, body is forced to act by the subtle body, composed of mind, intelligence and ego. After TRANSLATION the gross body is lost, the subtle body is still Sometimes we suddenly experience something there to enjoy or suffer. Thus there is no that was never experienced in the present body change. by sight or hearing. Sometimes we see such things suddenly in dreams. TEXT 61, sayanam imam utsrjya, svasantam puruso yatha, karmatmany ahitam bhunkte, TEXT 65, tenasya tadrsam rajal, lingino deha- tadrsenetarena va, sambhavam, sraddhatsvananubhuto 'rtho, na manah sprastum arhati, TRANSLATION The living entity, while dreaming, gives up the TRANSLATION actual living body. Through the activities of his Therefore, my dear King, the living entity, who mind and intelligence, he acts in another body, has a subtle mental covering, develops all either as a god or a dog. After giving up this kinds of thoughts and images because of his gross body, the living entity enters either an previous body. Take this from me as certain. animal body or a demigod's body on this There is no possibility of concocting anything planet or on another planet. He thus enjoys the mentally without having perceived it in the results of the actions of his past life. previous body.

TEXT 62, mamaite manasa yad yad, asav aham TEXT 66, mana eva manusyasya, purva-rupani iti bruvan, grhniyat tat puman raddham, karma samsati, bhavisyatas ca bhadram te, tathaiva na 174

bhavisyatah, planet known as Rahu, which is observed in the presence of the full moon. TRANSLATION O King, all good fortune unto you! The mind is TEXT 70, naham mameti bhavo 'yam, puruse the cause of the living entity's attaining a vyavadhiyate, yavad buddhi-mano-'ksartha-, certain type of body in accordance with his guna-vyuho hy anadiman, association with material nature. According to one's mental composition, one can understand TRANSLATION what the living entity was in his past life as As long as there exists the subtle material body well as what kind of body he will have in the composed of intelligence, mind, senses, sense future. Thus the mind indicates the past and objects, and the reactions of the material future bodies. qualities, the consciousness of false identification and its relative objective, the TEXT 67, adrstam asrutam catra, kvacin manasi gross body, exist as well. drsyate, yatha tathanumantavyam, desa-kala- kriyasrayam, TEXT 71, supti-murcchopatapesu, pranayana- vighatatah, nehate 'ham iti jnanam, mrtyu- TRANSLATION prajvarayor api, Sometimes in a dream we see something never experienced or heard of in this life, but all TRANSLATION these incidents have been experienced at When the living entity is in deep sleep, when he different times, in different places and in faints, when there is some great shock on different conditions. account of severe loss, at the time of death, or when the body temperature is very high, the TEXT 68, sarve kramanurodhena, manasindriya- movement of the life air is arrested. At that gocarah, ayanti bahuso yanti, sarve samanaso time the living entity loses knowledge of janah, identifying the body with the self.

TRANSLATION TEXT 72, garbhe balye 'py apauskalyad, The mind of the living entity continues to exist ekadasa-vidham tada, lingam na drsyate yunah, in various gross bodies, and according to one's kuhvam candramaso yatha, desires for sense gratification, the mind records different thoughts. In the mind these TRANSLATION appear together in different combinations; When one is a youth, all the ten senses and the therefore these images sometimes appear as mind are completely visible. However, in the things never seen or never heard before. mother's womb or in the boyhood state, the sense organs and the mind remain covered, TEXT 69, sattvaika-nisthe manasi, bhagavat- just as the full moon is covered by the parsva-vartini, tamas candramasivedam, darkness of the dark-moon night. uparajyavabhasate, TEXT 73, arthe hy avidyamane 'pi, samsrtir na TRANSLATION nivartate, dhyayato visayan asya, svapne Krsna consciousness means constantly 'narthagamo yatha, associating with the Supreme Personality of Godhead in such a mental state that the TRANSLATION devotee can observe the cosmic manifestation When the living entity dreams, the sense exactly as the Supreme Personality of Godhead objects are not actually present. However, does. Such observation is not always possible, because one has associated with the sense but it becomes manifest exactly like the dark objects, they become manifest. Similarly, the living entity with undeveloped senses does not 175

cease to exist materially, even though he may When the living entity acts in the material not be exactly in contact with the sense objects. field, he enjoys the senses, and while enjoying the senses, he creates another series of material TEXT 74, evam panca-vidham lingam, tri-vrt activities. In this way the living entity becomes sodasa vistrtam, esa cetanaya yukto, jiva ity entrapped as a conditioned soul. abhidhiyate, TEXT 79, atas tad apavadartham, bhaja TRANSLATION sarvatmana harim, pasyams tad-atmakam visvam, The five sense objects, the five sense organs, sthity-utpatty-apyaya yatah, the five knowledge-acquiring senses and the mind are the sixteen material expansions. TRANSLATION These combine with the living entity and are You should always know that this cosmic influenced by the three modes of material manifestation is created, maintained and nature. Thus the existence of the conditioned annihilated by the will of the Supreme soul is understood. Personality of Godhead. Consequently, everything within this cosmic manifestation is TEXT 75, anena puruso dehan, upadatte under the control of the Lord. To be vimuncati, harsam sokam bhayam duhkham, enlightened by this perfect knowledge, one sukham canena vindati, should always engage himself in the devotional service of the Lord. TRANSLATION By virtue of the processes of the subtle body, TEXT 80, maitreya uvaca, bhagavata-mukhyo the living entity develops and gives up gross bhagavan, narado hamsayor gatim, pradarsya hy bodies. This is known as the transmigration of amum amantrya, siddha-lokam tato 'gamat, the soul. Thus the soul becomes subjected to different types of so-called enjoyment, TRANSLATION lamentation, fear, happiness and unhappiness. The great sage Maitreya continued: The supreme devotee, the great saint Narada, thus TEXTS 76-77, yatha trna-jalukeyam, napayaty explained to King Pracinabarhi the apayati ca, na tyajen mriyamano 'pi, prag- constitutional position of the Supreme dehabhimatim janah, yavad anyam na vindeta, Personality of Godhead and the living entity. vyavadhanena karmanam, mana eva After giving an invitation to the King, Narada manusyendra, bhutanam bhava-bhavanam, Muni left to return to Siddhaloka.

TRANSLATION TEXT 81, pracinabarhi rajarsih, praja- The caterpillar transports itself from one leaf sargabhiraksane, adisya putran agamat, tapase to another by capturing one leaf before giving kapilasramam, up the other. Similarly, according to his previous work, the living entity must capture TRANSLATION another body before giving up the one he has. In the presence of his ministers, the saintly This is because the mind is the reservoir of all King Pracinabarhi left orders for his sons to kinds of desires. protect the citizens. He then left home and went off to undergo austerities in a holy place TEXT 78, yadaksais caritan dhyayan, karmany known as Kapilasrama. acinute 'sakrt, sati karmany avidyayam, bandhah karmany anatmanah, TEXT 82, tatraikagra-mana dhiro, govinda- caranambujam, vimukta-sango 'nubhajan, TRANSLATION bhaktya tat-samyatam agat, As long as we desire to enjoy sense gratification, we create material activities. TRANSLATION 176

Having undergone austerities and penances at clearly understand life after death. Although Kapilasrama, King Pracinabarhi attained full one may not understand what transmigration liberation from all material designations. He of the soul actually is, one can fully understand constantly engaged in the transcendental it by studying this narration. loving service of the Lord and attained a spiritual position qualitatively equal to that of TEXTS 1a-2a, sarvesam eva jantunam, satatam the Supreme Personality of Godhead. deha-posane, asti prajna samayatta, ko visesas tada nrnam, labdhvehante manusyatvam, hitva TEXT 83, etad adhyatma-paroksyam, gitam dehady-asad-graham, atma-srtya vihayedam, devarsinanagha, yah sravayed yah srnuyat, sa jivatma sa visisyate, lingena vimucyate, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION A desire to maintain body, wife and children is My dear Vidura, one who hears this narration also observed in animal society. The animals concerning the understanding of the living have full intelligence to manage such affairs. If entity's spiritual existence, as described by the a human being is simply advanced in this great sage Narada, or who relates it to others, respect, what is the difference between him will be liberated from the bodily conception of and an animal? One should be very careful to life. understand that this human life is attained after many, many births in the evolutionary TEXT 84, etan mukunda-yasasa bhuvanam process. A learned man who gives up the punanam, devarsi-varya-mukha-nihsrtam atma- bodily conception of life, both gross and subtle, saucam, yah kirtyamanam adhigacchati will, by the enlightenment of spiritual paramesthyam, nasmin bhave bhramati mukta- knowledge, become a prominent individual samasta-bandhah, spirit soul, as the Supreme Lord is also.

TRANSLATION TEXT 1b, bhaktih krsne daya jivesv, akuntha- This narration spoken by the great sage jnanam atmani, yadi syad atmano bhuyad, Narada is full of the transcendental fame of the apavargas tu samsrteh, Supreme Personality of Godhead. Consequently this narration, when described, TRANSLATION certainly sanctifies this material world. It If a living entity is developed in Krsna purifies the heart of the living entity and helps consciousness and is merciful to others, and if him attain his spiritual identity. One who his spiritual knowledge of self-realization is relates this transcendental narration will be perfect, he will immediately attain liberation liberated from all material bondage and will from the bondage of material existence. no longer have to wander within this material world. TEXT 2b, adrstam drstavan nanksed, bhutam svapnavad anyatha, bhutam bhavad bhavisyac ca, TEXT 85, adhyatma-paroksyam idam, suptam sarva-raho-rahah, mayadhigatam adbhutam, evam striyasramah pumsas, chinno 'mutra ca samsayah, TRANSLATION Everything happening within time, which TRANSLATION consists of past, present and future, is merely a The allegory of King Puranjana, described dream. That is the secret understanding in all herein according to authority, was heard by Vedic literature. me from my spiritual master, and it is full of spiritual knowledge. If one can understand the purpose of this allegory, he will certainly be relieved from the bodily conception and will 177

Chapter Thirty The Activities of the austerities performed by the Pracetas, the Pracetas Supreme Personality of Godhead, to reward their austerities, appeared before them in His TEXT 1, vidura uvaca, ye tvayabhihita brahman, very pleasing form. This appealed to the sutah pracinabarhisah, te rudra-gitena harim, Pracetas and satisfied the labor of their siddhim apuh pratosya kam, austerities.

TRANSLATION TEXT 5, suparna-skandham arudho, meru- Vidura inquired from Maitreya: O brahmana, srngam ivambudah, pita-vasa mani-grivah, you formerly spoke about the sons of kurvan vitimira disah, Pracinabarhi and informed me that they

satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead TRANSLATION by chanting a song composed by Lord Siva. The Personality of Godhead, appearing on the What did they achieve in this way? shoulder of Garuda, seemed like a cloud

resting on the summit of the mountain known TEXT 2, kim barhaspatyeha paratra vatha, as Meru. The transcendental body of the kaivalya-natha-priya-parsva-vartinah, asadya Personality of Godhead was covered by devam girisam yadrcchaya, prapuh param attractive yellow garments, and His neck was nunam atha pracetasah, decorated with the jewel known as Kaustubha-

mani. The bodily effulgence of the Lord TRANSLATION dissipated all the darkness of the universe. My dear Barhaspatya, what did the sons of

King Barhisat, known as the Pracetas, obtain TEXT 6, kasisnuna kanaka-varna-vibhusanena, after meeting Lord Siva, who is very dear to bhrajat-kapola-vadano vilasat-kiritah, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the astayudhair anucarair munibhih surendrair, bestower of liberation? Certainly they were asevito garuda-kinnara-gita-kirtih, transferred to the spiritual world, but apart

from that, what did they obtain within this TRANSLATION material world, either in this life or in other The Lord's face was very beautiful, and His lives? head was decorated with a shining helmet and

golden ornaments. The helmet was dazzling TEXT 3, maitreya uvaca, pracetaso 'ntar and was very beautifully situated on His head. udadhau, pitur adesa-karinah, japa-yajnena The Lord had eight arms, which each held a tapasa, puranjanam atosayan, particular weapon. The Lord was surrounded

by demigods, great sages and other associates. TRANSLATION These were all engaged in His service. Garuda, The great sage Maitreya said: The sons of the carrier of the Lord, glorified the Lord with King Pracinabarhi, known as the Pracetas, Vedic hymns by flapping his wings. Garuda underwent severe austerities within the appeared to be an inhabitant of the planet seawater to carry out the order of their father. known as Kinnaraloka. By chanting and repeating the mantras given

by Lord Siva, they were able to satisfy Lord TEXT 7, pinayatasta-bhuja-mandala-madhya- Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. laksmya, spardhac-chriya parivrto vana-

malayadyah, barhismatah purusa aha sutan TEXT 4, dasa-varsa-sahasrante, purusas tu prapannan, parjanya-nada-rutaya sanatanah, tesam avirabhut krcchram, santena saghrnavalokah, samayan ruca,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Around the neck of the Personality of At the end of ten thousand years of severe Godhead hung a flower garland that reached 178

to His knees. His eight stout and elongated and have executed those orders very faithfully, arms were decorated with that garland, which your attractive qualities will be celebrated all challenged the beauty of the goddess of over the world. fortune. With a merciful glance and a voice like thunder, the Lord addressed the sons of TEXT 12, bhavita visrutah putro, 'navamo King Pracinabarhisat, who were very much brahmano gunaih, ya etam atma-viryena, tri- surrendered unto Him. lokim purayisyati,

TEXT 8, sri-bhagavan uvaca, varam vrnidhvam TRANSLATION bhadram vo, yuyam me nrpa-nandanah, You will have a nice son, who will be in no way sauhardenaprthag-dharmas, tusto 'ham sauhrdena inferior to Lord Brahma. Consequently, he vah, will be very famous all over the universe, and the sons and grandsons generated by him will TRANSLATION fill the three worlds. The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear sons of the King, I am very much pleased TEXT 13, kandoh pramlocaya labdha, kanya by the friendly relationships among you. All of kamala-locana, tam capaviddham jagrhur, you are engaged in one occupation--devotional bhuruha nrpa-nandanah, service. I am so pleased with your mutual friendship that I wish you all good fortune. TRANSLATION Now you may ask a benediction of Me. O sons of King Pracinabarhisat, the heavenly society girl named Pramloca kept the lotus- TEXT 9, yo 'nusmarati sandhyayam, yusman eyed daughter of Kandu in the care of the anudinam narah, tasya bhratrsv atma-samyam, forest trees. Then she went back to the tatha bhutesu sauhrdam, heavenly planet. This daughter was born by the coupling of the Apsara named Pramloca TRANSLATION with the sage Kandu. The Lord continued: Those who remember you every evening of every day will become TEXT 14, ksut-ksamaya mukhe raja, somah friendly with their brothers and with all other piyusa-varsinim, desinim rodamanaya, nidadhe living entities. sa dayanvitah,

TEXT 10, ye tu mam rudra-gitena, sayam pratah TRANSLATION samahitah, stuvanty aham kama-varan, dasye Thereafter the child, who was left to the care prajnam ca sobhanam, of the trees, began to cry in hunger. At that time the king of the forest, namely the king of TRANSLATION the moon planet, out of compassion placed his Those who will offer Me the prayers composed finger, which poured forth nectar, within the by Lord Siva, both in the morning and in the child's mouth. Thus the child was raised by the evening, will be given benedictions by Me. In mercy of the king of the moon. this way they can both fulfill their desires and attain good intelligence. TEXT 15, praja-visarga adistah, pitra mam anuvartata, tatra kanyam vararoham, tam TEXT 11, yad yuyam pitur adesam, agrahista udvahata ma ciram, mudanvitah, atho va usati kirtir, lokan anu bhavisyati, TRANSLATION Since all of you are very much obedient to My TRANSLATION orders, I ask you to immediately marry that Because you have with pleasure accepted girl, who is so well qualified with beauty and within your hearts the orders of your father 179

good qualities. According to the order of your Godhead. Thus when one acts, he offers the father, create progeny through her. results to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and passes life always engaged in the topics of TEXT 16, aprthag-dharma-silanam, sarvesam the Lord. Even though such a person may be vah sumadhyama, aprthag-dharma-sileyam, participating in family life, he is not affected bhuyat patny arpitasaya, by the results of his actions.

TRANSLATION TEXT 20, navyavad dhrdaye yaj jno, brahmaitad You brothers are all of the same nature, being brahma-vadibhih, na muhyanti na socanti, na devotees and obedient sons of your father. hrsyanti yato gatah, Similarly, that girl is also of the same type and is dedicated to all of you. Thus both the girl TRANSLATION and you, the sons of Pracinabarhisat, are on Always engaging in the activities of devotional the same platform, being united on a common service, devotees feel ever-increasingly fresh principle. and new in all their activities. The all-knower, the Supersoul within the heart of the devotee, TEXT 17, divya-varsa-sahasranam, sahasram makes everything increasingly fresh. This is ahataujasah, bhauman bhoksyatha bhogan vai, known as the Brahman position by the divyams canugrahan mama, advocates of the Absolute Truth. In such a liberated stage [brahma-bhuta], one is never TRANSLATION bewildered. Nor does one lament or become The Lord then blessed all the Pracetas, saying: unnecessarily jubilant. This is due to the My dear princes, by My mercy, you can enjoy brahma-bhuta situation. all the facilities of this world as well as the heavenly world. Indeed, you can enjoy all of TEXT 21, maitreya uvaca, evam bruvanam them without hindrance and with full strength purusartha-bhajanam, janardanam pranjalayah for one million celestial years. pracetasah, tad-darsana-dhvasta-tamo-rajo-mala, giragrnan gadgadaya suhrttamam, TEXT 18, atha mayy anapayinya, bhaktya pakva-gunasayah, upayasyatha mad-dhama, TRANSLATION nirvidya nirayad atah, The great sage Maitreya said: After the Personality of Godhead spoke thus, the TRANSLATION Pracetas began to offer Him prayers. The Lord Thereafter you will develop unadulterated is the bestower of all success in life and is the devotional service unto Me and be freed from supreme benefactor. He is also the supreme all material contamination. At that time, being friend who takes away all miserable conditions completely unattached to material enjoyment experienced by a devotee. In a faltering voice, in the so-called heavenly planets as well as in due to ecstasy, the Pracetas began to offer hellish planets, you will return home, back to prayers. They were purified by the presence of Godhead. the Lord, who was before them face to face.

TEXT 19, grhesv avisatam capi, pumsam kusala- TEXT 22, pracetasa ucuh, namo namah klesa- karmanam, mad-varta-yata-yamanam, na vinasanaya, nirupitodara-gunahvayaya, mano- bandhaya grha matah, vaco-vega-puro-javaya, sarvaksa-margair agatadhvane namah, TRANSLATION Those who are engaged in auspicious activities TRANSLATION in devotional service certainly understand that The Pracetas spoke as follows: Dear Lord, You the ultimate enjoyer or beneficiary of all relieve all kinds of material distress. Your activities is the Supreme Personality of magnanimous transcendental qualities and 180

holy name are all-auspicious. This conclusion all its fragrance. Your eyes are also like the is already settled. You can go faster than the petals of a lotus flower. Therefore we always speed of mind and words. You cannot be offer our respectful obeisances unto You. perceived by material senses. We therefore offer You respectful obeisances again and TEXT 26, namah kamala-kinjalka-, again. pisangamala-vasase, sarva-bhuta-nivasaya, namo 'yunksmahi saksine, TEXT 23, suddhaya santaya namah sva-nisthaya, manasy apartham vilasad-dvayaya,namo jagat- TRANSLATION sthana-layodayesu, grhita-maya-guna-vigrahaya, Dear Lord, the garment You have put on is yellowish in color, like the saffron of a lotus TRANSLATION flower, but it is not made of anything material. Dear Lord, we beg to offer our obeisances unto Since You live in everyone's heart, You are the You. When the mind is fixed upon You, the direct witness of all the activities of all living world of duality, although a place for material entities. We offer our respectful obeisances enjoyment, appears meaningless. Your unto You again and again. transcendental form is full of transcendental bliss. We therefore offer our respects unto TEXT 27, rupam bhagavata tv etad, asesa-klesa- You. Your appearances as Lord Brahma, Lord sanksayam, aviskrtam nah klistanam, kim anyad Visnu and Lord Siva are meant for the anukampitam, purpose of creating, maintaining and annihilating this cosmic manifestation. TRANSLATION Dear Lord, we conditioned souls are always TEXT 24, namo visuddha-sattvaya, haraye hari- covered by ignorance in the bodily conception medhase, vasudevaya krsnaya, prabhave sarva- of life. We therefore always prefer the satvatam, miserable conditions of material existence. To deliver us from these miserable conditions, TRANSLATION You have advented Yourself in this Dear Lord, we offer our respectful obeisances transcendental form. This is evidence of Your unto You because Your existence is completely unlimited causeless mercy upon those of us independent of all material influences. Your who are suffering in this way. What, then, to Lordship always takes away the devotee's speak of the devotees to whom You are always miserable conditions, for Your brain plans so favorably disposed? how to do so. You live everywhere as Paramatma; therefore You are known as TEXT 28, etavat tvam hi vibhubhir, bhavyam Vasudeva. You also accept Vasudeva as Your dinesu vatsalaih, yad anusmaryate kale, sva- father, and You are celebrated by the name buddhyabhadra-randhana, Krsna. You are so kind that You always increase the influence of all kinds of devotees. TRANSLATION Dear Lord, You are the killer of all TEXT 25, namah kamala-nabhaya, namah inauspicious things. You are compassionate kamala-maline, namah kamala-padaya, namas te upon Your poor devotees through the kamaleksana, expansion of Your arca-vigraha. You should certainly think of us as Your eternal servants. TRANSLATION Dear Lord, we offer our respectful obeisances TEXT 29, yenopasantir bhutanam, ksullakanam unto You because from Your abdomen sprouts apihatam, antarhito 'ntar-hrdaye, kasman no veda the lotus flower, the origin of all living entities. nasisah, You are always decorated with a lotus garland, and Your feet resemble the lotus flower with TRANSLATION 181

When the Lord, out of His natural compassion, thinks of His devotee, by that process only are TRANSLATION all desires of the neophyte devotee fulfilled. Dear Lord, as long as we have to remain The Lord is situated in every living entity's within this material world due to our material heart, although the living entity may be very contamination and wander from one type of insignificant. The Lord knows everything body to another and from one planet to about the living entity, including all his desires. another, we pray that we may associate with Although we are very insignificant, why should those who are engaged in discussing Your the Lord not know our desires? pastimes. We pray for this benediction life after life, in different bodily forms and on TEXT 30, asav eva varo 'smakam, ipsito jagatah different planets. pate, prasanno bhagavan yesam, apavarga-gurur gatih, TEXT 34, tulayama lavenapi, na svargam napunar-bhavam, bhagavat-sangi-sangasya, TRANSLATION martyanam kim utasisah, O Lord of the universe, You are the actual teacher of the science of devotional service. We TRANSLATION are satisfied that Your Lordship is the ultimate Even a moment's association with a pure goal of our lives, and we pray that You will be devotee cannot be compared to being satisfied with us. That is our benediction. We transferred to heavenly planets or even do not desire anything other than Your full merging into the Brahman effulgence in satisfaction. complete liberation. For living entities who are destined to give up the body and die, TEXT 31, varam vrnimahe 'thapi, natha tvat association with pure devotees is the highest paratah parat, na hy antas tvad-vibhutinam, so benediction. 'nanta iti giyase, TEXT 35, yatredyante katha mrstas, trsnayah TRANSLATION prasamo yatah, nirvairam yatra bhutesu, nodvego Dear Lord, we shall therefore pray for Your yatra kascana, benediction because You are the Supreme, beyond all transcendence, and because there is TRANSLATION no end to Your opulences. Consequently, You Whenever pure topics of the transcendental are celebrated by the name Ananta. world are discussed, the members of the audience forget all kinds of material TEXT 32, parijate 'njasa labdhe, sarango 'nyan na hankerings, at least for the time being. Not sevate, tvad-anghri-mulam asadya, saksat kim only that, but they are no longer envious of one kim vrnimahi, another, nor do they suffer from anxiety or fear. TRANSLATION Dear Lord, when the bee approaches the TEXT 36, yatra narayanah saksad, bhagavan celestial tree called the parijata, it certainly nyasinam gatih, samstuyate sat-kathasu, mukta- does not leave the tree, because there is no sangaih punah punah, need for such action. Similarly, when we have approached Your lotus feet and taken shelter TRANSLATION of them, what further benediction may we ask The Supreme Lord, Narayana, is present of You? among devotees who are engaged in hearing and chanting the holy name of the Supreme TEXT 33, yavat te mayaya sprsta, bhramama iha Personality of Godhead. Lord Narayana is the karmabhih, tavad bhavat-prasanganam, sangah ultimate goal of sannyasis, those in the syan no bhave bhave, renounced order of life, and Narayana is 182

worshiped through this sankirtana movement for Your satisfaction. We pray for this by those who are liberated from material benediction only, and nothing more. contamination. Indeed, they recite the holy name again and again. TEXT 41, manuh svayambhur bhagavan bhavas ca, ye 'nye tapo-jnana-visuddha-sattvah,adrsta- TEXT 37, tesam vicaratam padbhyam, tirthanam para api yan-mahimnah, stuvanty atho tvatma- pavanecchaya, bhitasya kim na roceta, samam grnimah, tavakanam samagamah, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Dear Lord, even great yogis and mystics who Dear Lord, Your personal associates, devotees, are very much advanced by virtue of wander all over the world to purify even the austerities and knowledge and who have holy places of pilgrimage. Is not such activity completely situated themselves in pure pleasing to those who are actually afraid of existence, as well as great personalities like material existence? Manu, Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, cannot fully understand Your glories and potencies. TEXT 38, vayam tu saksad bhagavan bhavasya, Nonetheless they have offered their prayers priyasya sakhyuh ksana-sangamena, according to their own capacities. In the same suduscikitsyasya bhavasya mrtyor, way, we, although much lower than these bhisaktamam tvadya gatim gatah sma, personalities, also offer our prayers according to our own capability. TRANSLATION Dear Lord, by virtue of a moment's association TEXT 42, namah samaya suddhaya, purusaya with Lord Siva, who is very dear to You and paraya ca, vasudevaya sattvaya, tubhyam who is Your most intimate friend, we were bhagavate namah, fortunate to attain You. You are the most expert physician, capable of treating the TRANSLATION incurable disease of material existence. On Dear Lord, You have no enemies or friends. account of our great fortune, we have been Therefore You are equal to everyone. You able to take shelter at Your lotus feet. cannot be contaminated by sinful activities, and Your transcendental form is always TEXTS 39-40, yan nah svadhitam guravah beyond the material creation. You are the prasadita, vipras ca vrddhas ca sad-anuvrttya, Supreme Personality of Godhead because You arya natah suhrdo bhrataras ca,sarvani bhutany remain everywhere within all existence. You anasuyayaiva, yan nah sutaptam tapa etad isa, are consequently known as Vasudeva. We nirandhasam kalam adabhram apsu, sarvam tad offer You our respectful obeisances. etat purusasya bhumno, vrnimahe te paritosanaya, TEXT 43, maitreya uvaca, iti pracetobhir abhistuto harih, pritas tathety aha saranya- TRANSLATION vatsalah, anicchatam yanam atrpta-caksusam, Dear Lord, we have studied the Vedas, yayau sva-dhamanapavarga-viryah, accepted a spiritual master and offered respect to brahmanas, advanced devotees and aged TRANSLATION personalities who are spiritually very The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear advanced. We have offered our respects to Vidura, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, them, and we have not been envious of any who is the protector of surrendered souls, brother, friends or anyone else. We have also being thus addressed by the Pracetas and undergone severe austerities within the water worshiped by them, replied, "May whatever and have not taken food for a long time. All you have prayed for be fulfilled." After saying these spiritual assets of ours are simply offered this, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, 183

whose prowess is never defeated, left. The TEXT 48, te ca brahmana adesan, marisam Pracetas were unwilling to be separated from upayemire, yasyam mahad-avajnanad, ajany Him because they had not seen Him to their ajana-yonijah, full satisfaction. TRANSLATION TEXT 44, atha niryaya salilat, pracetasa Following the order of Lord Brahma, all the udanvatah, viksyakupyan drumais channam,gam Pracetas accepted the girl as their wife. From gam roddhum ivocchritaih, the womb of this girl, the son of Lord Brahma named Daksa took birth. Daksa had to take TRANSLATION birth from the womb of Marisa due to his Thereafter all the Pracetas emerged from the disobeying and disrespecting Lord Mahadeva waters of the sea. They then saw that all the [Siva]. Consequently he had to give up his trees on land had grown very tall, as if to body twice. obstruct the path to the heavenly planets. These trees had covered the entire surface of TEXT 49, caksuse tv antare prapte, prak-sarge the world. At this time the Pracetas became kala-vidrute, yah sasarja praja istah, sa dakso very angry. daiva-coditah,

TEXT 45, tato 'gni-marutau rajann, amuncan TRANSLATION mukhato rusa, mahim nirvirudham kartum, His previous body had been destroyed, but he, samvartaka ivatyaye, the same Daksa, inspired by the supreme will, created all the desired living entities in the TRANSLATION Caksusa manvantara. My dear King, at the time of devastation, Lord Siva emits fire and air from his mouth out of TEXTS 50-51, yo jayamanah sarvesam, tejas anger. To make the surface of the earth tejasvinam ruca, svayopadatta daksyac ca, completely treeless, the Pracetas also emitted karmanam daksam abruvan, tam praja-sarga- fire and air from their mouths. raksayam, anadir abhisicya ca, yuyoja yuyuje 'nyams ca, sa vai sarva-prajapatin, TEXT 46, bhasmasat kriyamanams tan, druman viksya pitamahah, agatah samayam asa, putran TRANSLATION barhismato nayaih, After being born, Daksa, by the superexcellence of his bodily luster, covered all TRANSLATION others' bodily opulence. Because he was very After seeing that all the trees on the surface of expert in performing fruitive activity, he was the earth were being turned to ashes, Lord called by the name Daksa, meaning "the very Brahma immediately came to the sons of King expert." Lord Brahma therefore engaged Barhisman and pacified them with words of Daksa in the work of generating living entities logic. and maintaining them. In due course of time, Daksa also engaged other Prajapatis TEXT 47, tatravasista ye vrksa, bhita duhitaram [progenitors] in the process of generation and tada, ujjahrus te pracetobhya, upadistah maintenance. svayambhuva, Chapter Thirty-one Narada Instructs TRANSLATION the Pracetas The remaining trees, being very much afraid of the Pracetas, immediately delivered their TEXT 1, maitreya uvaca, tata utpanna-vijnana, daughter at the advice of Lord Brahma. asv adhoksaja-bhasitam, smaranta atmaje bharyam, visrjya pravrajan grhat, 184

was properly seated, they began to ask him TRANSLATION questions. The great saint Maitreya continued: After that, the Pracetas lived at home for thousands TEXT 5, pracetasa ucuh, svagatam te surarse of years and developed perfect knowledge in 'dya, distya no darsanam gatah, tava spiritual consciousness. At last they cankramanam brahmann, abhayaya yatha raveh, remembered the blessings of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and left home, putting TRANSLATION their wife in charge of a perfect son. All the Pracetas began to address the great sage Narada: O great sage, O brahmana, we TEXT 2, diksita brahma-satrena, sarva-bhutatma- hope you met with no disturbances while medhasa, praticyam disi velayam, siddho 'bhud coming here. It is due to our great fortune that yatra jajalih, we are now able to see you. By the traveling of the sun, people are relieved from the fear of TRANSLATION the darkness of night--a fear brought about by The Pracetas went to the seashore in the west thieves and rogues. Similarly, your traveling is where the great liberated sage Jajali was like the sun's, for you drive away all kinds of residing. After perfecting the spiritual fear. knowledge by which one becomes equal toward all living entities, the Pracetas became TEXT 6, yad adistam bhagavata, perfect in Krsna consciousness. sivenadhoksajena ca, tad grhesu prasaktanam, prayasah ksapitam prabho, TEXT 3, tan nirjita-prana-mano-vaco-drso, jitasanan santa-samana-vigrahan, pare 'male TRANSLATION brahmani yojitatmanah, surasuredyo dadrse sma O master, may we inform you that because of naradah, our being overly attached to family affairs, we almost forgot the instructions we received TRANSLATION from Lord Siva and Lord Visnu. After practicing the yogasana for mystic yoga, the Pracetas managed to control their life air, TEXT 7, tan nah pradyotayadhyatma-, jnanam mind, words and external vision. Thus by the tattvartha-darsanam, yenanjasa tarisyamo, pranayama process they were completely dustaram bhava-sagaram, relieved of material attachment. By remaining perpendicular, they could concentrate their TRANSLATION minds on the uppermost Brahman. While they Dear master, kindly enlighten us in were practicing this pranayama, the great sage transcendental knowledge, which may act as a Narada, who is worshiped both by demons and torchlight by which we may cross the dark by demigods, came to see them. nescience of material existence.

TEXT 4, tam agatam ta utthaya, TEXT 8, maitreya uvaca, iti pracetasam prsto, pranipatyabhinandya ca, pujayitva yathadesam, bhagavan narado munih, bhagavaty uttama-sloka, sukhasinam athabruvan, avistatmabravin nrpan,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION As soon as the Pracetas saw that the great sage The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Narada had appeared, they immediately got Vidura, being thus petitioned by the Pracetas, up even from their asanas. As required, they the supreme devotee Narada, who is always immediately offered obeisances and worshiped absorbed in thoughts of the Supreme him, and when they saw that Narada Muni Personality of Godhead, began to reply.

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TEXT 9, narada uvaca, taj janma tani karmani, Personality of Godhead are useless, be they tad ayus tan mano vacah, nrnam yena hi mystic yoga practices, the analytical study of visvatma, sevyate harir isvarah, matter, severe austerity, the acceptance of sannyasa, or the study of Vedic literature. All TRANSLATION these may be very important aspects of The great sage Narada said: When a living spiritual advancement, but unless one entity is born to engage in the devotional understands the Supreme Personality of service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, all these processes are useless. Godhead, who is the supreme controller, his birth, all his fruitive activities, his life-span, his TEXT 13, sreyasam api sarvesam, atma hy mind and his words are all factually perfect. avadhir arthatah, sarvesam api bhutanam, harir atmatmadah priyah, TEXT 10, kim janmabhis tribhir veha, saukra- savitra-yajnikaih,karmabhir va trayi-proktaih, TRANSLATION pumso 'pi vibudhayusa, Factually the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original source of all self-realization. TRANSLATION Consequently, the goal of all auspicious A civilized human being has three kinds of activities--karma, jnana, yoga and bhakti--is births. The first birth is by a pure father and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. mother, and this birth is called birth by semen. The next birth takes place when one is initiated TEXT 14, yatha taror mula-nisecanena, trpyanti by the spiritual master, and this birth is called tat-skandha-bhujopasakhah, pranopaharac ca savitra. The third birth, called yajnika, takes yathendriyanam, tathaiva sarvarhanam acyutejya, place when one is given the opportunity to worship Lord Visnu. Despite the opportunities TRANSLATION for attaining such births, even if one gets the As pouring water on the root of a tree life-span of a demigod, if one does not actually energizes the trunk, branches, twigs and engage in the service of the Lord, everything is everything else, and as supplying food to the useless. Similarly, one's activities may be stomach enlivens the senses and limbs of the mundane or spiritual, but they are useless if body, simply worshiping the Supreme they are not meant for satisfying the Lord. Personality of Godhead through devotional service automatically satisfies the demigods, TEXT 11, srutena tapasa va kim, vacobhis citta- who are parts of that Supreme Personality. vrttibhih, buddhya va kim nipunaya, balenendriya-radhasa, TEXT 15, yathaiva suryat prabhavanti varah, punas ca tasmin pravisanti kale, bhutani bhumau TRANSLATION sthira-jangamani, tatha harav eva guna-pravahah, Without devotional service, what is the meaning of severe austerities, the process of TRANSLATION hearing, the power of speech, the power of During the rainy season, water is generated mental speculation, elevated intelligence, from the sun, and in due course of time, during strength, and the power of the senses? the summer season, the very same water is again absorbed by the sun. Similarly, all living TEXT 12, kim va yogena sankhyena, nyasa- entities, moving and inert, are generated from svadhyayayor api, kim va sreyobhir anyais ca, na the earth, and again, after some time, they all yatratma-prado harih, return to the earth as dust. Similarly, everything emanates from the Supreme TRANSLATION Personality of Godhead, and in due course of Transcendental practices that do not time everything enters into Him again. ultimately help one realize the Supreme 186

TEXT 16, etat padam taj jagad-atmanah param, TEXT 19, dayaya sarva-bhutesu, santustya yena sakrd vibhatam savitur yatha prabha, yathasavo kena va, sarvendriyopasantya ca, tusyaty asu jagrati supta-saktayo, dravya-kriya-jnana-bhida- janardanah, bhramatyayah, TRANSLATION TRANSLATION By showing mercy to all living entities, being Just as the sunshine is nondifferent from the satisfied somehow or other and controlling the sun, the cosmic manifestation is also senses from sense enjoyment, one can very nondifferent from the Supreme Personality of quickly satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Personality is Godhead, Janardana. therefore all-pervasive within this material creation. When the senses are active, they TEXT 20, apahata-sakalaisanamalatmany, appear to be part and parcel of the body, but aviratam edhita-bhavanopahutah, nija-jana-vasa- when the body is asleep, their activities are gatvam atmano 'yan, na sarati chidravad aksarah unmanifest. Similarly, the whole cosmic satam hi, creation appears different and yet nondifferent from the Supreme Person. TRANSLATION Being completely cleansed of all material TEXT 17, yatha nabhasy abhra-tamah-prakasa, desires, the devotees are freed from all mental bhavanti bhupa na bhavanty anukramat, evam contamination. Thus they can always think of pare brahmani saktayas tv amu, rajas tamah the Lord constantly and address Him very sattvam iti pravahah, feelingly. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, knowing Himself to be controlled by TRANSLATION His devotees, does not leave them for a second, My dear Kings, sometimes in the sky there are just as the sky overhead never becomes clouds, sometimes there is darkness, and invisible. sometimes there is illumination. The appearance of all these takes place TEXT 21, na bhajati kumanisinam sa ijyam, harir consecutively. Similarly, in the Supreme adhanatma-dhana-priyo rasa-jnah, sruta-dhana- Absolute, the modes of passion, darkness and kula-karmanam madair ye, vidadhati papam goodness appear as consecutive energies. akincanesu satsu, Sometimes they appear, and sometimes they disappear. TRANSLATION The Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes TEXT 18, tenaikam atmanam asesa-dehinam, very dear to those devotees who have no kalam pradhanam purusam paresam, sva-tejasa material possessions but are fully happy in dhvasta-guna-pravaham, atmaika-bhavena possessing the devotional service of the Lord. bhajadhvam addha, Indeed, the Lord relishes the devotional activities of such devotees. Those who are TRANSLATION puffed up with material education, wealth, Because the Supreme Lord is the cause of all aristocracy and fruitive activity are very proud causes, He is the Supersoul of all individual of possessing material things, and they often living entities, and He exists as both the remote deride the devotees. Even if such people offer and immediate cause. Since He is aloof from the Lord worship, the Lord never accepts the material emanations, He is free from their them. interactions and is Lord of material nature. You should therefore engage in His devotional TEXT 22, sriyam anucaratim tad-arthinas ca, service, thinking yourself qualitatively one dvipada-patin vibudhams ca yat sva-purnah, na with Him. bhajati nija-bhrtya-varga-tantrah, katham amum udvisrjet puman krta-jnah, 187

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Sukadeva Gosvami continued: O best of kings Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead [King Pariksit], I have now finished telling is self-sufficient, He becomes dependent on His about the descendants of the first son of devotees. He does not care for the goddess of Svayambhuva Manu, Uttanapada. I shall now fortune, nor for the kings and demigods who try to relate the activities of the descendants of are after the favors of the goddess of fortune. Priyavrata, the second son of Svayambhuva Where is that person who is actually grateful Manu. Please hear them attentively. and will not worship the Personality of Godhead? TEXT 27, yo naradad atma-vidyam, adhigamya punar mahim, bhuktva vibhajya putrebhya, TEXT 23, maitreya uvaca, iti pracetaso rajann, aisvaram samagat padam, anyas ca bhagavat-kathah, sravayitva brahma- lokam, yayau svayambhuvo munih, TRANSLATION Although Maharaja Priyavrata received TRANSLATION instructions from the great sage Narada, he The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear still engaged in ruling the earth. After fully King Vidura, Sri Narada Muni, the son of enjoying material possessions, he divided his Lord Brahma, thus described all these property among his sons. He then attained a relationships with the Supreme Personality of position by which he could return home, back Godhead to the Pracetas. Afterward, he to Godhead. returned to Brahmaloka. TEXT 28, imam tu kausaravinopavarnitam, TEXT 24, te 'pi tan-mukha-niryatam, yaso loka- ksatta nisamyajita-vada-sat-katham, pravrddha- malapaham, harer nisamya tat-padam, dhyayantas bhavo 'sru-kalakulo muner, dadhara murdhna tad-gatim yayuh, caranam hrda hareh,

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Hearing from Narada's mouth the glories of My dear King, in this way, after hearing the the Lord, which vanquish all the ill fortune of transcendental messages of the Supreme the world, the Pracetas also became attached Personality of Godhead and His devotees from to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. the great sage Maitreya, Vidura was Meditating on His lotus feet, they advanced to overwhelmed with ecstasy. With tears in his the ultimate destination. eyes, he immediately fell down at the lotus feet of his guru, his spiritual master. He then fixed TEXT 25, etat te 'bhihitam ksattar, yan mam tvam the Supreme Personality of Godhead within pariprstavan, pracetasam naradasya, samvadam the core of his heart. hari-kirtanam, TEXT 29, vidura uvaca, so 'yam adya maha- TRANSLATION yogin, bhavata karunatmana, darsitas tamasah My dear Vidura, I have told you everything paro, yatrakincana-go harih, you wanted to know about the conversation between Narada and the Pracetas, the TRANSLATION conversation describing the glories of the Lord. Sri Vidura said: O great mystic, O greatest of I have related this as far as possible. all devotees, by your causeless mercy I have been shown the path of liberation from this TEXT 26, sri-suka uvaca, ya esa uttanapado, world of darkness. By following this path, a manavasyanuvarnitah, vamsah priyavratasyapi, person liberated from the material world can nibodha nrpa-sattama, return home, back to Godhead.

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TEXT 30, sri-suka uvaca, ity anamya tam amantrya, viduro gajasahvayam, svanam didrksuh prayayau, jnatinam nirvrtasayah,

TRANSLATION Sukadeva Gosvami continued: Vidura thus offered obeisances unto the great sage Maitreya and, taking his permission, started for the city of Hastinapura to see his own kinsmen, although he had no material desires.

TEXT 31, etad yah srnuyad rajan, rajnam hary- arpitatmanam, ayur dhanam yasah svasti, gatim aisvaryam apnuyat,

TRANSLATION O King, those who hear these topics about kings who are completely surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead obtain without difficulty a long life, wealth, good reputation, good fortune and, ultimately, the opportunity to return home, back to Godhead.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Fourth Canto, Thirty-first Chapter, of the Srimad- Bhagavatam, entitled "Narada Instructs the Pracetas.",

END OF THE FOURTH CANTO,