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Srimad-Bhagavatam, Fifth Canto, "The Creative Impetus" Text and Translations by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada.

Table of Contents

Chapter One The Activities of Maharaja Priyavrata ...... 2 Chapter Two The Activities of Maharaja Agnidhra ...... 9 Chapter Three Rsabhadeva's Appearance in the Womb of Merudevi, the Wife of King Nabhi ...... 13 Chapter Four The Characteristics of Rsabhadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead ...... 16 Chapter Five Lord Rsabhadeva's Teachings to His Sons ...... 20 Chapter Six The Activities of Lord Rsabhadeva ...... 27 Chapter Seven The Activities of King Bharata ...... 30 Chapter Eight A Description of the Character of Bharata Maharaja ...... 33 Chapter Nine The Supreme Character of Jada Bharata ...... 38 Chapter Ten The Discussion Between Jada Bharata and Maharaja Rahugana ...... 42 Chapter Eleven Jada Bharata Instructs King Rahugana ...... 47 Chapter Thirteen Further Talks Between King Rahugana and Jada Bharata ...... 53 Chapter Fourteen The Material World as the Great Forest of Enjoyment ...... 58 Chapter Fifteen The Glories of the Descendants of King Priyavrata ...... 67 Chapter Sixteen A Description of Jambudvipa ...... 70 Chapter Seventeen The Descent of the River Ganges ...... 74 Chapter Eighteen The Prayers Offered to the Lord by the Residents of Jambudvipa ...... 79 Chapter Nineteen A Description of the Island of Jambudvipa ...... 86 Chapter Twenty Studying the Structure of the Universe ...... 92 Chapter Twenty-one The Movements of the Sun ...... 100 Chapter Twenty-two The Orbits of the Planets ...... 103 Chapter Twenty-three The Sisumara Planetary Systems ...... 106 Chapter Twenty-four The Subterranean Heavenly Planets ...... 108 Chapter Twenty-five The Glories of Lord Ananta ...... 114 Chapter Twenty-six A Description of the Hellish Planets ...... 117 2

TEXT 5, sri-suka uvaca badham uktam Chapter One The Activities of uttamaslokasya srimac-caranaravinda- Maharaja Priyavrata makaranda-rasa avesita-cetaso bhagavata- paramahamsa-dayita-katham kincid antaraya- TEXT 1, rajovaca, priyavrato bhagavata, vihatam svam sivatamam padavim na prayena atmaramah katham mune, grhe 'ramata yan- hinvanti. mulah, karma-bandhah parabhavah TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: What you have King Pariksit inquired from Sukadeva said is correct. The glories of the Supreme Gosvami: O great sage, why did King Personality of Godhead, who is praised in Priyavrata, who was a great, self-realized eloquent, transcendental verses by such devotee of the Lord, remain in household life, exalted personalities as , are very which is the root cause of the bondage of pleasing to great devotees and liberated karma [fruitive activities] and which defeats persons. One who is attached to the nectarean the mission of human life? honey of the Lord's lotus feet, and whose mind is always absorbed in His glories, may TEXT 2, na nunam mukta-sanganam, tadrsanam sometimes be checked by some impediment, dvijarsabha, grhesv abhiniveso 'yam, pumsam but he still never gives up the exalted position bhavitum arhati he has acquired.

TRANSLATION TEXT 6, yarhi vava ha rajan sa raja-putrah Devotees are certainly liberated persons. priyavratah parama-bhagavato naradasya Therefore, O greatest of the , they caranopasevayanjasavagata-paramartha-satattvo cannot possibly be absorbed in family affairs. brahma-satrena diksisyamano 'vani-tala- paripalanayamnata-pravara-guna-ganaikanta- TEXT 3, mahatam khalu viprarse, uttamasloka- bhajanataya sva-pitropamantrito bhagavati padayoh, chaya-nirvrta-cittanam, na kutumbe vasudeva evavyavadhana-samadhi-yogena sprha-matih samavesita-sakala-karaka-kriya-kalapo naivabhyanandad yadyapi tad apratyamnatavyam TRANSLATION tad-adhikarana atmano 'nyasmad asato 'pi Elevated mahatmas who have taken shelter parabhavam anviksamanah. of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are fully satiated by the shade of TRANSLATION those lotus feet. Their consciousness cannot Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear possibly become attached to family members. King, Prince Priyavrata was a great devotee because he sought the lotus feet of , his TEXT 4, samsayo 'yam mahan brahman, spiritual master, and thus achieved the highest daragara-sutadisu, saktasya yat siddhir abhut, perfection in transcendental knowledge. With krsne ca matir acyuta advanced knowledge, he always engaged in discussing spiritual subjects and did not divert TRANSLATION his attention to anything else. The Prince's The King continued: O great , father then asked him to take charge of ruling this is my great doubt. How was it possible for the world. He tried to convince Priyavrata that a person like King Priyavrata, who was so this was his duty as indicated in the revealed attached to wife, children and home, to achieve scriptures. Prince Priyavrata, however, was the topmost infallible perfection in Krsna continuously practicing bhakti- by consciousness? constantly remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thus engaging all his senses in the service of the Lord. Therefore, 3

although the order of his father could not be rejected, the Prince did not welcome it. Thus TEXT 9, tatra ha va enam devarsir hamsa-yanena he very conscientiously raised the question of pitaram bhagavantam hiranya-garbham whether he might be diverted from devotional upalabhamanah sahasaivotthayarhanena saha pita- service by accepting the responsibility of ruling putrabhyam avahitanjalir upatasthe. over the world. TRANSLATION TEXT 7, atha ha bhagavan adi- etasya guna- Lord Brahma, the father of Narada Muni, visargasya paribrmhananudhyana-vyavasita- is the supreme person within this universe. As sakala-jagad-abhipraya atma-yonir akhila- soon as Narada saw the great swan, he could nigama-nija-gana-parivestitah sva-bhavanad understand that Lord Brahma had arrived. avatatara. Therefore he immediately stood up, along with Svayambhuva Manu and his son Priyavrata, TRANSLATION whom Narada was instructing. Then they Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: The first folded their hands and began to worship Lord created being and most powerful demigod in Brahma with great respect. this universe is Lord Brahma, who is always responsible for developing universal affairs. TEXT 10, bhagavan api bharata tad- Born directly from the Supreme Personality of upanitarhanah sukta-vakenatitaram udita-guna- Godhead, he dedicates his activities to the ganavatara-sujayah priyavratam adi-purusas tam welfare of the entire universe, for he knows the sadaya-hasavaloka iti hovaca. purpose of the universal creation. This supremely powerful Lord Brahma, TRANSLATION accompanied by his associates and the My dear King Pariksit, because Lord personified , left his own abode in the Brahma had finally descended from Satyaloka highest planetary system and descended to the to Bhuloka, Narada Muni, Prince Priyavrata place of Prince Priyavrata's meditation. and Svayambhuva Manu came forward to offer him objects of worship and to praise him TEXT 8, sa tatra tatra gagana-tala udu-patir iva in highly qualified language, according to vimanavalibhir anupatham amara-parivrdhair Vedic etiquette. At that time, Lord Brahma, abhipujyamanah pathi pathi ca varuthasah siddha- the original person of this universe, felt gandharva-sadhya-carana-muni-ganair compassion for Priyavrata and, looking upon upagiyamano gandha-madana-dronim him with a smiling face, spoke to him as avabhasayann upasasarpa. follows.

TRANSLATION TEXT 11, sri-bhagavan uvaca, nibodha tatedam As Lord Brahma descended on his carrier, rtam bravimi, masuyitum devam arhasy the great swan, all the residents of the planets aprameyam, vayam bhavas te tata esa maharsir, named Siddhaloka, Gandharvaloka, vahama sarve vivasa yasya distam Sadhyaloka and Caranaloka, as well as great sages and demigods flying in their different TRANSLATION airplanes, assembled within the canopy of the Lord Brahma, the supreme person within sky to receive Lord Brahma and worship him. this universe, said: My dear Priyavrata, kindly As he received respect and adoration from the hear attentively what I shall say to you. Do not residents of the various planets, Lord Brahma be jealous of the Supreme Lord, who is beyond appeared just like the full moon surrounded our experimental measurements. All of us, by illuminating stars. Lord Brahma's great including Lord Siva, your father and the great swan then arrived at the border of sage Maharsi Narada, must carry out the Gandhamadana Hill and approached Prince order of the Supreme. We cannot deviate from Priyavrata, who was sitting there. His order. 4

TEXT 12, na tasya kascit tapasa vidyaya va, na TRANSLATION yoga-viryena manisaya va, naivartha-dharmaih My dear Priyavrata, according to our paratah svato va, krtam vihantum tanu-bhrd association with different modes of material vibhuyat nature, the Supreme Personality of Godhead gives us our specific bodies and the happiness TRANSLATION and distress we achieve. One must therefore One cannot avoid the order of the Supreme remain situated as he is and be conducted by Personality of Godhead, not by the strength of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, exactly severe austerities, an exalted Vedic education, as a blind man is led by a person who has eyes or the power of mystic yoga, physical prowess with which to see. or intellectual activities. Nor can one use his power of religion, his material opulence or any TEXT 16, mukto 'pi tavad bibhryat sva-deham, other means, either by himself or with the help arabdham asnann abhimana-sunyah, of others, to defy the orders of the Supreme yathanubhutam pratiyata-nidrah, kim tv anya- Lord. That is not possible for any living being, dehaya gunan na vrnkte from Brahma down to the ant. TRANSLATION TEXT 13, bhavaya nasaya ca karma kartum, Even if one is liberated, he nevertheless sokaya mohaya sada bhayaya, sukhaya duhkhaya accepts the body he has received according to ca deha-yogam, avyakta-distam janatanga dhatte his past karma. Without misconceptions, however, he regards his enjoyment and TRANSLATION suffering due to that karma the way an My dear Priyavrata, by the order of the awakened person regards a dream he had Supreme Personality of Godhead, all living while sleeping. He thus remains steadfast and entities accept different types of bodies for never works to achieve another material body birth and death, activity, lamentation, illusion, under the influence of the three modes of fear of future dangers, and happiness and material nature. distress. TEXT 17, bhayam pramattasya vanesv api syad, TEXT 14, yad-vaci tantyam guna-karma- yatah sa aste saha-sat-sapatnah, jitendriyasyatma- damabhih, sudustarair vatsa vayam suyojitah, rater budhasya, grhasramah kim nu karoty sarve vahamo balim isvaraya, prota nasiva dvi- avadyam pade catus-padah TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Even if he goes from forest to forest, one My dear boy, all of us are bound by the who is not self-controlled must always fear Vedic injunctions to the divisions of material bondage because he is living with six varnasrama according to our qualities and co-wives--the mind and knowledge-acquiring work. These divisions are difficult to avoid senses. Even householder life, however, cannot because they are scientifically arranged. We harm a self-satisfied, learned man who has must therefore carry out our duties of conquered his senses. varnasrama-, like bulls obliged to move according to the direction of a driver TEXT 18, yah sat sapatnan vijigisamano, grhesu pulling on ropes knotted to their noses. nirvisya yateta purvam, atyeti durgasrita urjitarin, ksinesu kamam vicared vipascit TEXT 15, isabhisrstam hy avarundhmahe 'nga, duhkham sukham va guna-karma-sangat, asthaya TRANSLATION tat tad yad ayunkta nathas, caksusmatandha iva One who is situated in household life and niyamanah who systematically conquers his mind and five 5

sense organs is like a king in his fortress who abode, Satyaloka, which is indescribable by the conquers his powerful enemies. After one has endeavor of mundane mind or words. been trained in household life and his lusty desires have decreased, he can move anywhere TEXT 22, manur api parenaivam pratisandhita- without danger. manorathah surarsi-varanumatenatmajam akhila- dhara-mandala-sthiti-guptaya asthapya svayam TEXT 19, tvam tv abja-nabhanghri-saroja-kosa-, ati-visama-visaya-visa-jalasayasaya upararama. durgasrito nirjita-sat-sapatnah, bhunksveha bhogan purusatidistan, vimukta-sangah prakrtim TRANSLATION bhajasva Svayambhuva Manu, with the assistance of Lord Brahma, thus fulfilled his desires. With TRANSLATION the permission of the great sage Narada, he Lord Brahma continued: My dear delivered to his son the governmental Priyavrata, seek shelter inside the opening in responsibility for maintaining and protecting the lotus of the feet of the Lord, whose navel is all the planets of the universe. He thus also like a lotus. Thus conquer the six sense achieved relief from the most dangerous, organs [the mind and knowledge-acquiring poisonous ocean of material desires. senses]. Accept material enjoyment because the Lord, extraordinarily, has ordered you to TEXT 23, iti ha vava sa jagati-patir do this. You will thus always be liberated from isvarecchayadhinivesita-karmadhikaro 'khila- material association and be able to carry out jagad-bandha-dhvamsana-paranubhavasya the Lord's orders in your constitutional bhagavata adi-purusasyanghri-yugalanavarata- position. dhyananubhavena parirandhita-kasayasayo 'vadato 'pi mana-vardhano mahatam mahitalam TEXT 20, sri-suka uvaca iti samabhihito maha- anusasasa. bhagavato tri-bhuvana-guror anusasanam atmano laghutayavanata-sirodharo TRANSLATION badham iti sabahu-manam uvaha. Following the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Maharaja Priyavrata TRANSLATION fully engaged in worldly affairs, yet he always Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: After thought of the lotus feet of the Lord, which are thus being fully instructed by Lord Brahma, the cause of liberation from all material who is the spiritual master of the three worlds, attachment. Although Priyavrata Maharaja Priyavrata, his own position being inferior, was completely freed from all material offered obeisances, accepted the order and contamination, he ruled the material world carried it out with great respect. just to honor the orders of his superiors.

TEXT 21, bhagavan api manuna yathavad TEXT 24, atha ca duhitaram prajapater upakalpitapacitih priyavrata-naradayor avisamam visvakarmana upayeme barhismatim nama abhisamiksamanayor atmasam avasthanam avan- tasyam u ha vava atmajan atma-samana-sila- manasam ksayam avyavahrtam pravartayann guna-karma-rupa-viryodaran dasa bhavayam agamat. babhuva kanyam ca yaviyasim urjasvatim nama.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Lord Brahma was then worshiped by Thereafter, Maharaja Priyavrata married Manu, who respectfully satisfied him as well as Barhismati, the daughter of the he could. Priyavrata and Narada also looked named Visvakarma. In her he begot ten sons upon Brahma with no tinges of resentment. equal to him in beauty, character, Having engaged Priyavrata in accepting his magnanimity and other qualities. He also father's request, Lord Brahma returned to his begot a daughter, the youngest of all, named 6

Urjasvati. devotional service. By the prowess of their devotional service, they could directly perceive TEXT 25, agnidhredhmajihva-yajnabahu- the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is mahavira-hiranyareto-ghrtaprstha-savana- situated in everyone's heart as the Supersoul, medhatithi-vitihotra-kavaya iti sarva evagni- and realize that there was qualitatively no namanah. difference between themselves and Him.

TRANSLATION TEXT 28, anyasyam api jayayam trayah putra The ten sons of Maharaja Priyavrata were asann uttamas tamaso raivata iti named Agnidhra, Idhmajihva, Yajnabahu, manvantaradhipatayah. Mahavira, Hiranyareta, Ghrtaprstha, Savana, Medhatithi, Vitihotra and Kavi. These are also TRANSLATION names of , the fire-god. In his other wife, Maharaja Priyavrata begot three sons, named Uttama, Tamasa and TEXT 26, etesam kavir mahavirah savana iti Raivata. All of them later took charge of traya asann urdhva-retasas ta atma-vidyayam manvantara millenniums. arbha-bhavad arabhya krta-paricayah paramahamsyam evasramam abhajan. TEXT 29, evam upasamayanesu sva-tanayesv atha jagati-patir jagatim arbudany ekadasa TRANSLATION parivatsaranam avyahatakhila-purusa-kara-sara- Three among these ten--namely Kavi, sambhrta-dor-danda-yugalapidita-maurvi-guna- Mahavira and Savana--lived in complete stanita-viramita-dharma-pratipakso barhismatyas celibacy. Thus trained in brahmacari life from canudinam edhamana-pramoda-prasarana- the beginning of childhood, they were very yausinya-vrida-pramusita-hasavaloka-rucira- conversant with the highest perfection, known ksvely-adibhih parabhuyamana-viveka as the paramahamsa-asrama. ivanavabudhyamana iva mahamana bubhuje.

TEXT 27, tasminn u ha va upasama-silah TRANSLATION paramarsayah sakala-jiva-nikayavasasya After Kavi, Mahavira and Savana were bhagavato vasudevasya bhitanam sarana-bhutasya completely trained in the paramahamsa stage srimac-caranaravindavirata-smaranavigalita- of life, Maharaja Priyavrata ruled the universe parama-bhakti-yoganu-bhavena paribhavitantar- for eleven arbudas of years. Whenever he was hrdayadhigate bhagavati sarvesam bhutanam determined to fix his arrow upon his bowstring atma-bhute pratyag-atmany evatmanas with his two powerful arms, all opponents of tadatmyam avisesena samiyuh. the regulative principles of religious life would flee from his presence in fear of the TRANSLATION unparalleled prowess he displayed in ruling Thus situated in the renounced order from the universe. He greatly loved his wife the beginning of their lives, all three of them Barhismati, and with the increase of days, completely controlled the activities of their their exchange of nuptial love also increased. senses and thus became great saints. They By her feminine behavior as she dressed concentrated their minds always upon the herself, walked, got up, smiled, laughed, and lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of glanced about, Queen Barhismati increased his Godhead, who is the resting place of the energy. Thus although he was a great soul, he totality of living entities and who is therefore appeared lost in the feminine conduct of his celebrated as Vasudeva. Lord Vasudeva is the wife. He behaved with her just like an only shelter of those who are actually afraid of ordinary man, but actually he was a great soul. material existence. By constantly thinking of His lotus feet, these three sons of Maharaja TEXT 30, yavad avabhasayati sura-girim Priyavrata became advanced in pure anuparikraman bhagavan adityo vasudha-talam 7 ardhenaiva pratapaty ardhenavacchadayati tada hi TEXT 33, ksarodeksu-rasoda-suroda-ghrtoda- bhagavad-upasanopacitati-purusa-prabhavas tad ksiroda-dadhi-mandoda-suddhodah sapta anabhinandan samajavena rathena jyotirmayena jaladhayah sapta dvipa-parikha ivabhyantara- rajanim api dinam karisyamiti sapta-krt dvipa-samana ekaikasyena yathanupurvam vastaranim anuparyakramad dvitiya iva patangah. saptasv api bahir dvipesu prthak parita upakalpitas tesu jambv-adisu barhismati-patir TRANSLATION anuvratanatmajan agnidhredhmajihva-yajnabahu- While so excellently ruling the universe, hiranyareto-ghrtaprstha-medhatithi-vitihotra- King Priyavrata once became dissatisfied with samjnan yatha-sankhyenaikaikasminn ekam the circumambulation of the most powerful evadhi-patim vidadhe. sun-god. Encircling Sumeru Hill on his chariot, the sun-god illuminates all the TRANSLATION surrounding planetary systems. However, The seven oceans respectively contain salt when the sun is on the northern side of the hill, water, sugarcane juice, liquor, clarified butter, the south receives less light, and when the sun , emulsified yogurt, and sweet drinking is in the south, the north receives less. King water. All the islands are completely Priyavrata disliked this situation and therefore surrounded by these oceans, and each ocean is decided to make daylight in the part of the equal in breadth to the island it surrounds. universe where there was night. He followed Maharaja Priyavrata, the husband of Queen the orbit of the sun-god on a brilliant chariot Barhismati, gave sovereignty over these islands and thus fulfilled his desire. He could perform to his respective sons, namely Agnidhra, such wonderful activities because of the power Idhmajihva, Yajnabahu, Hiranyareta, he had achieved by worshiping the Supreme Ghrtaprstha, Medhatithi and Vitihotra. Thus Personality of Godhead. they all became kings by the order of their father. TEXT 31, ye va u ha tad-ratha-carana-nemi-krta- parikhatas te sapta sindhava asan yata eva krtah TEXT 34, duhitaram corjasvatim namosanase sapta bhuvo dvipah. prayacchad yasyam asid devayani nama kavya- suta. TRANSLATION When Priyavrata drove his chariot behind TRANSLATION the sun, the rims of his chariot wheels created King Priyavrata then gave his daughter, impressions that later became seven oceans, Urjasvati, in marriage to Sukracarya, who dividing the planetary system known as Bhu- begot in her a daughter named Devayani. mandala into seven islands. TEXT 35, naivam-vidhah purusa-kara TEXT 32, jambu-plaksa-salmali-kusa-kraunca- urukramasya, pumsam tad-anghri-rajasa jita-sad- saka-puskara-samjnas tesam parimanam gunanam, citram vidura-vigatah sakrd adadita, purvasmat purvasmad uttara uttaro yatha- yan-namadheyam adhuna sa jahati bandham sankhyam dvi-guna-manena bahih samantata upaklptah. TRANSLATION My dear King, a devotee who has taken TRANSLATION shelter of the dust from the lotus feet of the The names of the islands are Jambu, Lord can transcend the influence of the six Plaksa, Salmali, Kusa, Kraunca, Saka and material whips--namely hunger, thirst, Puskara. Each island is twice as large as the lamentation, illusion, old age and death--and one preceding it, and each is surrounded by a he can conquer the mind and five senses. liquid substance, beyond which is the next However, this is not very wonderful for a pure island. devotee of the Lord because even a person beyond the jurisdiction of the four --in 8

other words, an untouchable--is immediately he had enjoyed so much sense gratification, relieved of bondage to material existence if he and his great and opulent kingdom, and he utters the holy name of the Lord even once. completely renounced all attachment. His heart, having been cleansed, became a place of TEXT 36, sa evam aparimita-bala-parakrama pastimes for the Supreme Personality of ekada tu devarsi-carananusayananu-patita-guna- Godhead. Thus he was able to return to the visarga-samsargenanirvrtam ivatmanam path of Krsna consciousness, spiritual life, and manyamana atma-nirveda idam aha. resume the position he had attained by the grace of the great saint Narada. TRANSLATION While enjoying his material opulences with TEXT 39, tasya ha va ete slokah----, priyavrata- full strength and influence, Maharaja krtam karma, ko nu kuryad vinesvaram, yo nemi- Priyavrata once began to consider that nimnair akaroc, chayam ghnan sapta varidhin although he had fully surrendered to the great saint Narada and was actually on the path of TRANSLATION Krsna consciousness, he had somehow become There are many famous verses regarding again entangled in material activities. Thus his Maharaja Priyavrata's activities:, "No one mind now became restless, and he began to but the Supreme Personality of Godhead could speak in a spirit of renunciation. do what Maharaja Priyavrata has done. Maharaja Priyavrata dissipated the darkness TEXT 37, aho asadhv anusthitam yad of night, and with the rims of his great chariot, abhinivesito 'ham indriyair avidya-racita-visama- he excavated seven oceans." visayandha-kupe tad alam alam amusya vanitaya vinoda-mrgam mam dhig dhig iti garhayam TEXT 40, bhu-samsthanam krtam yena, sarid- cakara. giri-vanadibhih, sima ca bhuta-nirvrtyai, dvipe dvipe vibhagasah TRANSLATION The King thus began criticizing himself: TRANSLATION Alas, how condemned I have become because "To stop the quarreling among different of my sense gratification! I have now fallen peoples, Maharaja Priyavrata marked into material enjoyment, which is exactly like a boundaries at rivers and at the edges of covered well. I have had enough! I am not mountains and forests so that no one would going to enjoy any more. Just see how I have trespass upon another's property." become like a dancing monkey in the hands of my wife. Because of this, I am condemned. TEXT 41, bhaumam divyam manusam ca, mahitvam karma-yogajam, yas cakre TEXT 38, para-devata-prasadadhigatatma- nirayaupamyam, purusanujana-priyah pratyavamarsenanupravrttebhyah putrebhya imam yatha-dayam vibhajya bhukta-bhogam ca TRANSLATION mahisim mrtakam iva saha maha-vibhutim "As a great follower and devotee of the sage apahaya svayam nihita-nirvedo hrdi grhita-hari- Narada, Maharaja Priyavrata considered viharanubhavo bhagavato naradasya padavim hellish the opulences he had achieved by dint punar evanusasara. of fruitive activities and mystic power, whether in the lower or heavenly planetary systems or TRANSLATION in human society." By the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Maharaja Priyavrata reawakened to his senses. He divided all his earthly possessions among his obedient sons. He gave up everything, including his wife, with whom 9

Chapter Two The Activities of pratibodhyamana-salila-kukkuta-karandava- Maharaja Agnidhra kalahamsadibhir vicitram upakujitamala-jalasaya- kamalakaram upababhrama.

TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca evam pitari sampravrtte TRANSLATION tad-anusasane vartamana agnidhro The Apsara sent by Lord Brahma began jambudvipaukasah praja aurasavad strolling in a beautiful park near the place dharmaveksamanah paryagopayat. where the King was meditating and

worshiping. The park was beautiful because of TRANSLATION its dense green foliage and golden creepers. Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: After his There were pairs of varied birds such as father, Maharaja Priyavrata, departed to peacocks, and in a lake there were ducks and follow the path of spiritual life by undergoing swans, all vibrating very sweet sounds. Thus austerities, King Agnidhra completely obeyed the park was magnificently beautiful because his order. Strictly observing the principles of of the foliage, the clear water, the lotus flowers religion, he gave full protection to the and the sweet singing of various kinds of birds. inhabitants of Jambudvipa as if they were his

own begotten sons. TEXT 5, tasyah sulalita-gamana-pada-vinyasa-

gati-vilasayas canupadam khana-khanayamana- TEXT 2, sa ca kadacit pitrloka-kamah sura-vara- rucira-caranabharana-svanam upakarnya vanitakridacala-dronyam bhagavantam visva- naradeva-kumarah samadhi-yogenamilita-nayana- srjam patim abhrta-paricaryopakarana nalina-mukula-yugalam isad vikacayya vyacasta. atmaikagryena tapasvy aradhayam babhuva.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION As Purvacitti passed by on the road in a Desiring to get a perfect son and become an very beautiful style and mood of her own, the inhabitant of Pitrloka, Maharaja Agnidhra pleasing ornaments on her ankles tinkled with once worshiped Lord Brahma, the master of her every step. Although Prince Agnidhra was those in charge of material creation. He went controlling his senses, practicing yoga with to a valley of Mandara Hill, where the damsels half-open eyes, he could see her with his of the heavenly planets come down to stroll. lotuslike eyes, and when he heard the sweet There he collected garden flowers and other tinkling of her bangles, he opened his eyes necessary paraphernalia and then engaged in slightly more and could see that she was just severe austerities and worship. nearby.

TEXT 3, tad upalabhya bhagavan adi-purusah TEXT 6, tam evavidure madhukarim iva sadasi gayantim purvacittim namapsarasam sumanasa upajighrantim divija-manuja-mano- abhiyapayam asa. nayanahlada-dughair gati-vihara-vrida-

vinayavaloka-susvaraksaravayavair manasi nrnam TRANSLATION kusumayudhasya vidadhatim vivaram nija- Understanding King Agnidhra's desire, the mukha-vigalitamrtasava-sahasa-bhasanamoda- first and most powerful created being of this madandha-madhukara-nikaroparodhena druta- universe, Lord Brahma, selected the best of the pada-vinyasena valgu-spandana-stana-kalasa- dancing girls in his assembly, whose name was kabara-bhara-rasanam devim tad-avalokanena Purvacitti, and sent her to the King. vivrtavasarasya bhagavato makara-dhvajasya

vasam upanito jadavad iti hovaca. TEXT 4, sa ca tad-asramopavanam ati-

ramaniyam vividha-nibida-vitapi-vitapa-nikara- TRANSLATION samslista-purata-latarudha-sthala-vihangama- Like a honeybee, the Apsara smelled the mithunaih procyamana-srutibhih beautiful and attractive flowers. She could 10

attract the minds and vision of both humans no shafts, they are very beautiful, and they and demigods by her playful movements, her have very sharp, piercing points. They appear shyness and humility, her glances, the very very peaceful, and thus it seems that they will pleasing sounds that poured from her mouth not be shot at anyone. You must be loitering in as she spoke, and the motion of her limbs. By this forest to shoot those arrows at someone, all these qualities, she opened for Cupid, who but I cannot understand whom. My bears an arrow of flowers, a path of aural intelligence is dull, and I cannot combat you. reception into the minds of men. When she Indeed, no one can equal you in prowess, and spoke, nectar seemed to flow from her mouth. therefore I pray that your prowess will be for As she breathed, the bees, mad for the taste of my good fortune. her breath, tried to hover about her beautiful lotuslike eyes. Disturbed by the bees, she tried TEXT 9, sisya ime bhagavatah paritah pathanti, to move hastily, but as she raised her feet to gayanti sama sarahasyam ajasram isam, yusmac- walk quickly, her hair, the belt on her hips, chikha-vilulitah sumano 'bhivrstih, sarve bhajanty and her breasts, which were like water jugs, rsi-gana iva veda-sakhah also moved in a way that made her extremely beautiful and attractive. Indeed, she seemed to TRANSLATION be making a path for the entrance of Cupid, Seeing the bumblebees following Purvacitti, who is most powerful. Therefore the prince, Maharaja Agnidhra said: My dear Lord, the completely subdued by seeing her, spoke to her bumblebees surrounding your body are like as follows. disciples surrounding your worshipable self. They are incessantly chanting the of TEXT 7, ka tvam cikirsasi ca kim muni-varya the Sama Veda and the Upanisads, thus saile, mayasi kapi bhagavat-para-devatayah, vijye offering prayers to you. Just as great sages bibharsi dhanusi suhrd-atmano 'rthe, kim va resort to the branches of Vedic literatures, the mrgan mrgayase vipine pramattan bumblebees are enjoying the showers of flowers falling from your hair. TRANSLATION The Prince mistakenly addressed the TEXT 10, vacam param carana-panjara- Apsara: O best of saintly persons, who are tittirinam, brahmann arupa-mukharam srnavama you? Why are you on this hill, and what do tubhyam, labdha kadamba-rucir anka-vitanka- you want to do? Are you one of the illusory bimbe, yasyam alata-paridhih kva ca valkalam te potencies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? You seem to be carrying two bows TRANSLATION without strings, What is the reason you carry O brahmana, I can simply hear the tinkling these bows? Is it for some purpose of your own of your ankle bells. Within those bells, tittiri or for the sake of a friend? Perhaps you carry birds seem to be chirping among themselves. them to kill the mad animals in this forest. Although I do not see their forms, I can hear how they are chirping. When I look at your TEXT 8, banav imau bhagavatah sata-patra- beautiful circular hips, I see they are the lovely patrau, santav apunkha-rucirav ati-tigma-dantau, color of kadamba flowers, and your waist is kasmai yuyunksasi vane vicaran na vidmah, encircled by a belt of burning cinders. Indeed, ksemaya no jada-dhiyam tava vikramo 'stu you seem to have forgotten to dress yourself.

TRANSLATION TEXT 11, kim sambhrtam rucirayor dvija Then Agnidhra observed the glancing eyes srngayos te, madhye krso vahasi drsih srita of Purvacitti and said: My dear friend, you me, panko 'runah surabhir atma-visana idrg, have two very powerful arrows, namely your yenasramam subhaga me surabhi-karosi glancing eyes. Those arrows have feathers like the petals of a lotus flower. Although they have TRANSLATION 11

Agnidhra then praised Purvacitti's raised bumblebees following the beauty of your face. breasts. He said: My dear brahmana your waist is very thin, yet with great difficulty you TEXT 14, yo 'sau tvaya kara-saroja-hatah are carefully carrying two horns, to which my patango, diksu bhraman bhramata ejayate 'ksini eyes have become attracted. What is filling me, muktam na te smarasi vakra-jata-varutham, those two beautiful horns? You seem to have kasto 'nilo harati lampata esa nivim spread fragrant red powder upon them, powder that is like the rising morning sun. O TRANSLATION most fortunate one, I beg to inquire where you My mind is already restless, and by playing have gotten this fragrant powder that is with a ball, moving it all about with your perfuming my asrama, my place of residence. lotuslike palm, you are also agitating my eyes. Your curling black hair is now scattered, but TEXT 12, lokam pradarsaya suhrttama tavakam you are not attentive to arranging it. Are you me, yatratya ittham urasavayavav apurvau, not going to arrange it? Like a man attached asmad-vidhasya mana-unnayanau bibharti, bahv to women, the most cunning wind is trying to adbhutam sarasa-rasa-sudhadi vaktre take off your lower garment. Are you not mindful of it? TRANSLATION O best friend, will you kindly show me the TEXT 15, rupam tapodhana tapas caratam place where you reside? I cannot imagine how tapoghnam, hy etat tu kena tapasa the residents of that place have gotten such bhavatopalabdham, cartum tapo 'rhasi maya saha wonderful bodily features as your raised mitra mahyam, kim va prasidati sa vai bhava- breasts, which agitate the mind and eyes of a bhavano me person like me who sees them. Judging by the sweet speech and kind smiles of those TRANSLATION residents, I think that their mouths must O best among those performing austerities, contain nectar. where did you get this wonderful beauty that dismantles the austerities performed by TEXT 13, ka vatma-vrttir adanad dhavir anga others? Where have you learned this art? vati, visnoh kalasy animisonmakarau ca karnau, What austerity have you undergone to achieve udvigna-mina-yugalam dvija-pankti-socir, this beauty, my dear friend? I desire that you asanna-bhrnga-nikaram sara in mukham te join me to perform austerity and penance, for it may be that the creator of the universe, Lord TRANSLATION Brahma, being pleased with me, has sent you My dear friend, what do you eat to to become my wife. maintain your body? Because you are chewing betel, a pleasing scent is emanating from your TEXT 16, na tvam tyajami dayitam dvija-deva- mouth. This proves that you always eat the dattam, yasmin mano drg api no na viyati lagnam, remnants of food offered to Visnu. Indeed, you mam caru-srngy arhasi netum anuvratam te, must also be an expansion of Lord Visnu's cittam yatah pratisarantu sivah sacivyah body. Your face is as beautiful as a pleasing lake. Your jeweled earrings resemble two TRANSLATION brilliant sharks with unblinking eyes like those Lord Brahma, who is worshiped by the of Visnu, and your own eyes resemble two brahmanas, has very mercifully given you to restless fish. Simultaneously, therefore, two me, and that is why I have met you. I do not sharks and two restless fish are swimming in want to give up your company, for my mind the lake of your face. Besides them, the white and eyes are fixed upon you and cannot be rows of your teeth seem like rows of very drawn away. O woman with beautiful raised beautiful swans in the water, and your breasts, I am your follower. You may take me scattered hair resembles swarms of wherever you like, and your friends may also 12

follow me. to worship him.

TEXT 17, sri-suka uvaca iti lalananunayati- TEXT 21, agnidhra-sutas te matur anugrahad visarado gramya-vaidagdhyaya paribhasaya tam autpattikenaiva samhanana-balopetah pitra vibudha-vadhum vibudha-matir adhisabhajayam vibhakta atma-tulya-namani yatha-bhagam asa. jambudvipa-varsani bubhujuh.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Sukadeva Gosvami continued: Maharaja Because of drinking the breast milk of their Agnidhra, whose intelligence was like that of a mother, the nine sons of Agnidhra naturally demigod, knew the art of flattering women to had strong, well-built bodies. Their father gave win them to his side. He therefore pleased that them each a kingdom in a different part of celestial girl with his lusty words and gained Jambudvipa. The kingdoms were named her favor. according to the names of the sons. Thus the sons of Agnidhra ruled the kingdoms they TEXT 18, sa ca tatas tasya vira-yutha-pater received from their father. buddhi-sila-rupa-vayah-sriyaudaryena paraksipta- manas tena sahayutayuta-parivatsaropalaksanam TEXT 22, agnidhro rajatrptah kamanam kalam jambudvipa-patina bhauma--bhogan apsarasam evanudinam adhi-manyamanas tasyah bubhuje. salokatam srutibhir avarundha yatra pitaro madayante. TRANSLATION Attracted by the intelligence, learning, TRANSLATION youth, beauty, behavior, opulence and After Purvacitti's departure, King magnanimity of Agnidhra, the King of Agnidhra, his lusty desires not at all satisfied, Jambudvipa and master of all heroes, always thought of her. Therefore, in Purvacitti lived with him for many thousands accordance with the Vedic injunctions, the of years and luxuriously enjoyed both worldly King, after his death, was promoted to the and heavenly happiness. same planet as his celestial wife. That planet, which is called Pitrloka, is where the pitas, the TEXT 19, tasyam u ha va atmajan sa raja-vara forefathers, live in great delight. agnidhro nabhi-kimpurusa-harivarselavrta- ramyaka-hiranmaya-kuru-bhadrasva-ketumala- TEXT 23, samparete pitari nava bhrataro meru- samjnan nava putran ajanayat. duhitrr merudevim pratirupam ugradamstrim latam ramyam syamam narim bhadram devavitim TRANSLATION iti samjna navodavahan. In the womb of Purvacitti, Maharaja Agnidhra, the best of kings, begot nine sons, TRANSLATION named Nabhi, Kimpurusa, Harivarsa, Ilavrta, After the departure of their father, the nine Ramyaka, Hiranmaya, Kuru, Bhadrasva and brothers married the nine daughters of Meru Ketumala. named Merudevi, Pratirupa, Ugradamstri, Lata, Ramya, Syama, Nari, Bhadra and TEXT 20, sa sutvatha sutan navanuvatsaram grha Devaviti., Thus end the Bhaktivedanta evapahaya purvacittir bhuya evajam devam purports of the Fifth Canto, Second Chapter, upatasthe. of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, entitled "The Activities of Maharaja Agnidhra.", TRANSLATION Chapter Three, Rsabhadeva's Appearance in Purvacitti gave birth to these nine sons, one the Womb of Merudevi, the Wife of King each year, but after they grew up, she left them Nabhi, Rsabhadeva' s Appearance in the at home and again approached Lord Brahma Womb of Merudevi, the Wife of King Nabhi 13

In this chapter the spotless character of King mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead: Nabhi, the oldest son of Agnidhra, is described. (1) by sacrificing valuable things or eatables, Wanting to have sons, Maharaja Nabhi (2) by acting in terms of place, (3) by acting in underwent severe austerities and penances. He terms of time, (4) by offering hymns, (5) by performed many sacrifices along with his wife going through the priest, (6) by offering gifts to and worshiped Lord Visnu, master of all the priests and (7) by observing the regulative sacrifices. Being very kind to His devotees, the principles. However, one cannot always obtain Supreme Personality of Godhead was very the Supreme Lord through this paraphernalia. pleased with the austerities of Maharaja Nonetheless, the Lord is affectionate to His Nabhi. He personally appeared before the devotee; therefore when Maharaja Nabhi, who King in His four-handed feature, and the was a devotee, worshiped and offered prayers priests, who were performing the sacrifices, to the Lord with great faith and devotion and began to offer their prayers unto Him. They with a pure uncontaminated mind, prayed for a son like the Lord, and Lord Visnu superficially performing some in the line agreed to take birth in the womb of Merudevi, of pravargya, the kind Supreme Personality of the wife of King Nabhi, and incarnate as King Godhead, due to His affection for His devotees, Rsabhadeva. appeared before King Nabhi in His unconquerable and captivating form with four Chapter Three Rsabhadeva's hands. In this way, to fulfill the desire of His Appearance in the Womb of Merudevi, devotee, the Supreme Personality of Godhead the Wife of King Nabhi manifested Himself in His beautiful body before His devotee. This body pleases the mind and eyes of the devotees. TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca nabhir apatya-kamo 'prajaya merudevya bhagavantam yajna-purusam TEXT 3, atha ha tam aviskrta-bhuja-yugala- avahitatmayajata. dvayam hiranmayam purusa-visesam kapisa- kauseyambara-dharam urasi vilasac-chrivatsa- TRANSLATION lalamam daravara-vanaruha-vana-malacchury- Sukadeva Gosvami continued to speak: amrta-mani-gadadibhir upalaksitam sphuta- Maharaja Nabhi, the son of Agnidhra, wished kirana-pravara-mukuta-kundala-kataka-kati-- to have sons, and therefore he attentively hara-keyura-nupurady-anga-bhusana-vibhusitam began to offer prayers and worship the rtvik-sadasya-grha-patayo 'dhana ivottama- Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, dhanam upalabhya sabahu-manam the master and enjoyer of all sacrifices. arhanenavanata-sirsana upatasthuh. Maharaja Nabhi's wife, Merudevi, who had not given birth to any children at that time, TRANSLATION also worshiped Lord Visnu along with her Lord Visnu appeared before King Nabhi husband. with four arms. He was very bright, and He TEXT 2, tasya ha vava sraddhaya visuddha- appeared to be the best of all personalities. bhavena yajatah pravargyesu pracaratsu dravya- Around the lower portion of His body, He desa-kala-mantrartvig-daksina-vidhana- wore a yellow silken garment. On His chest yogopapattya duradhigamo 'pi bhagavan was the mark of Srivatsa, which always bhagavata-vatsalyataya supratika atmanam displays beauty. He carried a conchshell, lotus aparajitam nija-janabhipretartha-vidhitsaya flower, disc and club, and He wore a grhita-hrdayo hrdayangamam mano- of forest flowers and the Kaustubha gem. He nayananandanavayavabhiramam aviscakara. was beautifully decorated with a helmet, earrings, bangles, belt, pearl necklace, armlets, TRANSLATION ankle bells and other bodily ornaments In the performance of a sacrifice, there are bedecked with radiant jewels. Seeing the Lord seven transcendental means to obtain the present before them, King Nabhi and his 14 priests and associates felt just like poor people voices and in ecstasy bring You tulasi leaves, who have suddenly attained great riches. They water, twigs bearing new leaves, and newly received the Lord and respectfully bent their grown grass. This surely makes You satisfied. heads and offered Him things in worship. TEXT S 4-5, rtvija ucuh arhasi muhur TEXT 7, athanayapi na bhavata ijyayoru-bhara- arhattamarhanam asmakam anupathanam namo bharaya samucitam artham ihopalabhamahe. nama ity etavat sad-upasiksitam ko 'rhati puman prakrti-guna-vyatikara-matir anisa isvarasya TRANSLATION parasya prakrti-purusayor arvaktanabhir nama- We have engaged in Your worship with rupakrtibhi rupa-nirupanam; sakala-jana-nikaya- many things and have offered sacrifices unto vrjina-nirasana-sivatama-pravara-guna-ganaika- You, but we think that there is no need for so desa-kathanad rte. many arrangements to please Your Lordship.

TRANSLATION TEXT 8, atmana evanusavanam The priests began to offer prayers to the anjasavyatirekena bobhuyamanasesa-purusartha- Lord, saying: O most worshipable one, we are svarupasya kintu nathasisa asasananam etad simply Your servants. Although You are full in abhisamradhana-matram bhavitum arhati. Yourself, please, out of Your causeless mercy, accept a little service from us, Your eternal TRANSLATION servants. We are not actually aware of Your All of life's goals and opulences are directly, transcendental form, but we can simply offer self-sufficiently, unceasingly and unlimitedly our respectful obeisances again and again, as increasing in You at every moment. Indeed, instructed by the Vedic literatures and You are unlimited enjoyment and blissful authorized acaryas. Materialistic living entities existence itself. As far as we are concerned, O are very much attracted to the modes of Lord, we are always after material enjoyment. material nature, and therefore they are never You do not need all these sacrificial perfect, but You are above the jurisdiction of arrangements, but they are meant for us so all material conceptions. Your name, form and that we may be benedicted by Your Lordship. qualities are all transcendental and beyond the All these sacrifices are performed for our conception of experimental knowledge. Indeed, fruitive results, aid they are not actually who can conceive of You? In the material needed by You. world we can perceive only material names and qualities. We have no other power than to TEXT 9, tad yatha balisanam svayam atmanah offer our respectful obeisances and prayers sreyah param avidusam parama-parama-purusa unto You, the transcendental person. The prakarsa-karunaya sva-mahimanam chanting of Your auspicious transcendental capavargakhyam upakalpayisyan svayam napacita qualities will wipe out the sins of all mankind. evetaravad ihopalaksitah. That is the most auspicious activity for us, and we can thus partially understand Your TRANSLATION supernatural position. O Lord of lords, we are completely ignorant of the execution of dharma, artha, kama and TEXT 6, parijananuraga-viracita-sabala- moksa, the process of liberation, because we do samsabda-salila--kisalaya-tulasika- not actually know the goal of life. You have durvankurair api sambhrtaya saparyaya kila appeared personally before us like a person parama paritusyasi. soliciting worship, but actually You are present here just so we can see You. You have TRANSLATION come out of Your abundant and causeless O Supreme Lord, You are full in every mercy in order to serve our purpose, our respect. You are certainly very satisfied when interest, and give us the benefit of Your Your devotees offer You prayers with faltering personal glory called apavarga, liberation. You 15

have come, although You are not properly worshiped by us due to our ignorance. TEXT 13, kincayam rajarsir apatya-kamah prajam bhavadrsim asasana isvaram asisam TEXT 10, athayam eva varo hy arhattama yarhi svargapavargayor api bhavantam upadhavati barhisi rajarser varadarsabho bhavan nija- prajayam artha-pratyayo dhanadam ivadhanah puruseksana-visaya asit. phalikaranam.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION O most worshipable of all, You are the best Dear Lord, here is the great King Nabhi, of all benefactors, and Your appearance at whose ultimate goal in life is to have a son like saintly King Nabhi's sacrificial arena is meant You. Your Lordship, his position is like that of for our benediction. Because You have been a person approaching a very rich man and seen by us, You have bestowed upon us the begging for a little grain. Maharaja Nabhi is so most valuable benediction. desirous of having a son that he is worshiping You for a son, although You can offer him any TEXT 11, asanga-nisita-jnananala-vidhutasesa- exalted position, including elevation to the malanam bhavat-svabhavanam atmaramanam heavenly planets or liberation back to muninam anavarata-parigunita-guna-gana Godhead. parama-mangalayana-guna-gana-kathano 'si. TEXT 14, ko va iha te 'parajito 'parajitaya TRANSLATION mayayanavasita-padavyanavrta-matir visaya-visa- Dear Lord, all the great sages who are rayanavrta-prakrtir anupasita-mahac-caranah. thoughtful and saintly persons incessantly recount Your spiritual qualities. These sages TRANSLATION have already burned up all the unlimited dirty Dear Lord, unless one worships the lotus things and, by the fire of knowledge, feet of great devotees, one will be conquered by strengthened their detachment from the the illusory energy, and his intelligence will be material world. Thus they have attained Your bewildered. Indeed, who has not been carried qualities and are self-satisfied. Yet even for away by the waves of material enjoyment, those who feel spiritual bliss in chanting Your which are like poison? Your illusory energy is attributes, Your personal presence is very unconquerable. No one can see the path of this rare. material energy or tell how it is working.

TEXT 12, atha kathancit skhalana-ksut-patana- TEXT 15, yad u ha vava tava punar adabhra- jrmbhana-duravasthanadisu vivasanam nah kartar iha samahutas tatrartha-dhiyam mandanam smaranaya jvara-marana-dasayam api sakala- nas tad yad deva-helanam deva-devarhasi kasmala-nirasanani tava guna-krta-namadheyani samyena sarvan prativodhum avidusam. vacana-gocarani bhavantu. TRANSLATION TRANSLATION O Lord, You perform many wonderful Dear Lord, we may not be able to activities. Our only aim was to acquire a son remember Your name, form and qualities due by performing this great sacrifice; therefore to stumbling, hunger, falling down, yawning or our intelligence is not very sharp. We are not being in a miserable diseased condition at the experienced in ascertaining life's goal. By time of death when there is a high fever. We inviting You to this negligible sacrifice for therefore pray unto You, O Lord, for You are some material motive, we have certainly very affectionate to Your devotees. Please help committed a great offense at Your lotus feet. us remember You and utter Your holy names, Therefore, O Lord of lords, please excuse our attributes and activities, which can dispel all offense because of Your causeless mercy and the reactions of our sinful lives. equal mind. 16

TEXT 19, sri-suka uvaca iti nisamayantya TEXT 16, sri-suka uvaca iti merudevyah patim abhidhayantardadhe bhagavan. nigadenabhistuyamano bhagavan animisarsabho varsa-dharabhivaditabhivandita-caranah sadayam TRANSLATION idam aha. Sukadeva Gosvami continued: After saying this, the Lord disappeared. The wife of King TRANSLATION Nabhi, Queen Merudevi, was sitting by the Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: The priests, side of her husband, and consequently she who were even worshiped by King Nabhi, the could hear everything the Supreme Lord had Emperor of Bharata-varsa, offered prayers in spoken. prose [generally they were in poetry] and bowed down at the Lord's lotus feet. The Lord TEXT 20, barhisi tasminn eva visnudatta of lords, the ruler of the demigods, was very bhagavan paramarsibhih prasadito nabheh priya- pleased with them, and He began to speak as cikirsaya tad-avarodhayane merudevyam follows. dharman darsayitu-kamo vata-rasananam sramananam rsinam urdhva-manthinam suklaya TEXT 17, sri-bhagavan uvaca aho bataham rsayo tanuvavatatara. bhavadbhir avitatha-girbhir varam asulabham abhiyacito yad amusyatmajo maya sadrso bhuyad TRANSLATION iti mamaham evabhirupah kaivalyad athapi O Visnudatta, Pariksit Maharaja, the brahma-vado na mrsa bhavitum arhati mamaiva Supreme Personality of Godhead was pleased hi mukham yad dvija-deva-kulam. by the great sages at that sacrifice. Consequently the Lord decided to personally TRANSLATION exhibit the method of executing religious The Supreme Personality of Godhead principles [as observed by brahmacaris, replied: O great sages, I am certainly very sannyasis, vanaprasthas and grhasthas pleased with your prayers. You are all engaged in rituals] and also satisfy Maharaja truthful. You have prayed for the benediction Nabhi's desire. Consequently He appeared as of a son like Me for King Nabhi, but this is the son of Merudevi in His original spiritual very difficult to obtain. Since I am the form, which is above the modes of material Supreme Person without a second and since no nature. one is equal to Me, another personality like Me is not possible to find. In any case, because you Chapter Four The Characteristics of are all qualified brahmanas, your vibrations Rsabhadeva, the Supreme Personality should not prove untrue. I consider the of Godhead brahmanas who are well qualified with brahminical qualities to be as good as My own mouth. TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca atha ha tam utpattyaivabhivyajyamana-bhagaval-laksanam TEXT 18, tata agnidhriye 'msa- samyopasama-vairagyaisvarya-maha-vibhutibhir kalayavatarisyamy atma-tulyam anudinam edhamananubhavam prakrtayah praja anupalabhamanah. brahmana devatas cavani-tala-samavanayatitaram jagrdhuh. TRANSLATION Since I cannot find anyone equal to Me, I TRANSLATION shall personally expand Myself into a plenary Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: As soon as the portion and thus advent Myself in the womb of Lord was born as the son of Maharaja Nabhi, Merudevi, the wife of Maharaja Nabhi, the son He manifested symptoms of the Supreme Lord, of Agnidhra. such as marks on the bottoms of His feet [the flag, thunderbolt, etc.]. This son was equal to 17

everyone and very peaceful. He could control His senses and His mind, and, possessing all TRANSLATION opulence, He did not hanker for material Due to getting a perfect son according to his enjoyment. Endowed with all these attributes, desire, King Nabhi was always overwhelmed the son of Maharaja Nabhi became more with transcendental bliss and was very powerful day after day. Due to this, the affectionate to his son. It was with ecstasy and citizens, learned brahmanas, demigods and a faltering voice that he addressed Him, "My ministers wanted Rsabhadeva to be appointed dear son, my darling." This mentality was ruler of the earth. brought about by yogamaya, whereby he accepted the Supreme Lord, the supreme TEXT 2, tasya ha va ittham varsmana variyasa father, as his own son. Out of His supreme brhac-chlokena caujasa balena sriya yasasa virya- good will, the Lord became his son and dealt sauryabhyam ca pita rsabha itidam nama cakara. with everyone as if He were an ordinary human being. Thus King Nabhi began to raise TRANSLATION his transcendental son with great affection, When the son of Maharaja Nabhi became and he was overwhelmed with transcendental visible, He evinced all good qualities described bliss, joy and devotion. by the great poets--namely, a well-built body with all the symptoms of the Godhead, TEXT 5, viditanuragam apaura-prakrti jana-pado prowess, strength, beauty, name, fame, raja nabhir atmajam samaya-setu-raksayam influence and enthusiasm. When the father, abhisicya brahmanesupanidhaya saha merudevya Maharaja Nabhi, saw all these qualities, he visalayam prasanna-nipunena tapasa samadhi- thought his son to be the best of human beings yogena nara-narayanakhyam bhagavantam or the supreme being. Therefore he gave Him vasudevam upasinah kalena tan-mahimanam the name Rsabha. avapa.

TEXT 3, yasya hindrah spardhamano bhagavan TRANSLATION varse na vavarsa tad avadharya bhagavan King Nabhi understood that his son, rsabhadevo yogesvarah prahasyatma-yogamayaya Rsabhadeva, was very popular among the sva-varsam ajanabham namabhyavarsat. citizens and among government officers and ministers. Understanding the popularity of his TRANSLATION son, Maharaja Nabhi enthroned Him as the , the King of heaven, who is very emperor of the world to give protection to the materially opulent, became envious of King general populace in terms of the Vedic Rsabhadeva. Consequently he stopped pouring religious system. To do this, he entrusted Him water on the planet known as Bharata-varsa. into the hands of learned brahmanas, who At that time the Supreme Lord, Rsabhadeva, would guide Him in administrating the the master of all mystic power, understood government. Then Maharaja Nabhi and his King Indra's purpose and smiled a little. Then, wife, Merudevi, went to Badarikasrama in the by His own prowess, through yogamaya [His Himalaya Mountains, where the King engaged internal potency], He profusely poured water Himself very expertly in austerities and upon His own place, which was known as penances with great jubilation. In full samadhi Ajanabha. he worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nara-Narayana, who is Krsna in His TEXT 4, nabhis tu yathabhilasitam suprajastvam plenary expansion. By doing so, in course of avarudhyati-pramoda-bhara-vihvalo time Maharaja Nabhi was elevated to the gadgadaksaraya gira svairam grhita-naraloka- spiritual world known as Vaikuntha. sadharmam bhagavantam purana-purusam maya- vilasita-matir vatsa tateti sanuragam upalalayan TEXT 6, yasya ha pandaveya slokav udaharanti-- param nirvrtim upagatah. --, ko nu tat karma rajarser, nabher anv acaret 18

puman, apatyatam agad yasya, harih suddhena performed householder life in an exemplary karmana way, carrying out ritualistic activities ordained by the sruti and smrti sastra. TRANSLATION O Maharaja Pariksit, to glorify Maharaja TEXT 9, yesam khalu maha- bharato Nabhi, the old sages composed two verses. One jyesthah srestha-guna asid yenedam varsam of them is this: "Who can attain the perfection bharatam iti vyapadisanti. of Maharaja Nabhi? Who can attain his activities? Because of his devotional service, TRANSLATION the Supreme Personality of Godhead agreed to Of Rsabhadeva's one hundred sons, the become his son." eldest, named Bharata, was a great, exalted devotee qualified with the best attributes. In TEXT 7, brahmanyo 'nyah kuto nabher, vipra his honor, this planet has become known as mangala-pujitah, yasya barhisi yajnesam, Bharata-varsa. darsayam asur ojasa TEXT 10, tam anu kusavarta ilavarto TRANSLATION brahmavarto malayah ketur bhadrasena indrasprg [The second prayer is this.] "Who is a vidarbhah kikata iti nava navati pradhanah. better worshiper of brahmanas than Maharaja Nabhi? Because he worshiped the qualified TRANSLATION brahmanas to their full satisfaction, the Following Bharata, there were ninety-nine brahmanas, by their brahminical prowess, other sons. Among these were nine elderly showed Maharaja Nabhi the Supreme sons, named Kusavarta, Ilavarta, Personality of Godhead, Narayana, in person." Brahmavarta, Malaya, Ketu, Bhadrasena, Indrasprk, Vidarbha and Kikata. TEXT 8, atha ha bhagavan rsabhadevah sva- TEXT S 11-12, kavir havir antariksah, varsam karma-ksetram anumanyamanah prabuddhah pippalayanah, avirhotro 'tha drumilas, pradarsita-gurukula-vaso labdha-varair gurubhir camasah karabhajanahupasamayanam uparistad anujnato grhamedhinam dharman anusiksamano varnayisyamah. jayantyam indra-dattayam ubhaya-laksanam karma samamnayamnatam abhiyunjann TRANSLATION atmajanam atma-samananam satam janayam asa. In addition to these sons were Kavi, Havi, Antariksa, Prabuddha, Pippalayana, TRANSLATION Avirhotra, Drumila, Camasa and After Nabhi Maharaja departed for Karabhajana. These were all very exalted, Badarikasrama, the Supreme Lord, advanced devotees and authorized preachers Rsabhadeva, understood that His kingdom was of Srimad-Bhagavatam. These devotees were His field of activities. He therefore showed glorified due to their strong devotion to Himself as an example and taught the duties of Vasudeva, the Supreme Personality of a householder by first accepting brahmacarya Godhead. Therefore they were very exalted. under the direction of spiritual masters. He To satisfy the mind perfectly, I [Sukadeva also went to live at the spiritual masters' place, Gosvami] shall hereafter describe the gurukula. After His education was finished, He characteristics of these nine devotees when I gave gifts (-daksina) to His spiritual discuss the conversation between Narada and masters and then accepted the life of a Vasudeva. householder. He took a wife named Jayanti and begot one hundred sons who were as TEXT 13, yaviyamsa ekasitir jayanteyah pitur powerful and qualified as He Himself. His wife adesakara maha-salina maha-srotriya yajna-silah Jayanti had been offered to Him by Indra, the karma-visuddha brahmana babhuvuh. King of heaven. Rsabhadeva and Jayanti 19

TRANSLATION following the principles of varnasrama- In addition to these nineteen sons dharma. mentioned above, there were eighty-one younger ones, all born of Rsabhadeva and TEXT 15, yad yac chirsanyacaritam tat tad Jayanti. According to the order of their father, anuvartate lokah. they became well cultured, well behaved, very pure in their activities and expert in Vedic TRANSLATION knowledge and the performance of Vedic Whatever action is performed by a great rituals. Thus they all became perfectly man, common men follow. qualified brahmanas. TEXT 16, yadyapi sva-viditam sakala-dharmam TEXT 14, bhagavan rsabha-samjna atma-tantrah brahmam guhyam brahmanair darsita-margena svayam nitya-nivrttanartha-paramparah samadibhir upayair janatam anusasasa. kevalanandanubhava isvara eva viparitavat karmany arabhamanah kalenanugatam dharmam TRANSLATION acaranenopasiksayann atad-vidam sama upasanto Although Lord Rsabhadeva knew maitrah karuniko dharmartha-yasah- everything about confidential Vedic prajanandamrtavarodhena grhesu lokam knowledge, which includes information about niyamayat. all types of occupational duties, He still maintained Himself as a ksatriya and followed TRANSLATION the instructions of the brahmanas as they Being an incarnation of the Supreme related to mind control, sense control, Personality of Godhead, Lord Rsabhadeva was tolerance and so forth. Thus He ruled the fully independent because His form was people according to the system of varnasrama- spiritual, eternal and full of transcendental dharma, which enjoins that the brahmanas bliss. He eternally had nothing to do with the instruct the ksatriyas and the ksatriyas four principles of material misery [birth, administer to the state through the vaisyas and death, old age and disease]. Nor was He sudras. materially attached. He was always equipoised, and He saw everyone on the same level. He was TEXT 17, dravya-desa-kala-vayah-sraddhartvig- unhappy to see others unhappy, and He was vividhoddesopacitaih sarvair api kratubhir the well-wisher of all living entities. Although yathopadesam sata-krtva iyaja. He was a perfect personality, the Supreme Lord and controller of all, He nonetheless TRANSLATION acted as if He were an ordinary conditioned Lord Rsabhadeva performed all kinds of soul. Therefore He strictly followed the sacrifices one hundred times according to the principles of varnasrama-dharma and acted instructions of the Vedic literatures. Thus He accordingly. In due course of time, the satisfied Lord Visnu in every respect. All the principles of varnasrama-dharma had become rituals were enriched by first-class ingredients. neglected; therefore through His personal They were executed in holy places according to characteristics and behavior, He taught the the proper time by priests who were all young ignorant public how to perform duties within and faithful. In this way Lord Visnu was the varnasrama-dharma. In this way He worshiped, and the prasada was offered to all regulated the general populace in householder the demigods. Thus the functions and festivals life, enabling them to develop religion and were all successful. economic well-being and to attain reputations, sons and daughters, material pleasure and TEXT 18, bhagavatarsabhena pariraksyamana finally eternal life. By His instructions, He etasmin varse na kascana puruso vanchaty showed how people could remain householders avidyamanam ivatmano 'nyasmat kathancana and at the same time become perfect by kimapi karhicid aveksate bhartary anusavanam 20

vijrmbhita-snehatisayam antarena. who has been awarded this human form should not work hard day and night simply for TRANSLATION sense gratification, which is available even for No one likes to possess anything that is like dogs and hogs that eat stool. One should a will-o'-the-wisp or a flower in the sky, for engage in penance and austerity to attain the everyone knows very well that such things do divine position of devotional service. By such not exist. When Lord Rsabhadeva ruled this activity, one's heart is purified, and when one planet of Bharatavarsa, even common men did attains this position, he attains eternal, blissful not want to ask for anything, at any time or by life, which is transcendental to material any means. No one ever asks for a will-o'-the- happiness and which continues forever. wisp. In other words, everyone was completely satisfied, and therefore there was no chance of TEXT 2, mahat-sevam dvaram ahur vimuktes, anyone's asking for anything. The people were tamo-dvaram yositam sangi-sangam, mahantas te absorbed in great affection for the King. Since sama-cittah prasanta, vimanyavah suhrdah this affection was always expanding, they were sadhavo ye not inclined to ask for anything. TRANSLATION TEXT 19, sa kadacid atamano bhagavan rsabho One can attain the path of liberation from brahmavarta-gato brahmarsi-pravara-sabhayam material bondage only by rendering service to prajanam nisamayantinam atmajan avahitatmanah highly advanced spiritual personalities. These prasraya-pranaya-bhara-suyantritan apy personalities are impersonalists and devotees. upasiksayann iti hovaca. Whether one wants to merge into the Lord's existence or wants to associate with the TRANSLATION Personality of Godhead, one should render Once while touring the world, Lord service to the mahatmas. For those who are not Rsabhadeva, the Supreme Lord, reached a interested in such activities, who associate with place known as Brahmavarta. There was a people fond of women and sex, the path to hell great conference of learned brahmanas at that is wide open. The mahatmas are equipoised. place, and all the King's sons attentively heard They do not see any difference between one the instructions of the brahmanas there. At living entity and another. They are very that assembly, within the hearing of the peaceful and are fully engaged in devotional citizens, Rsabhadeva instructed His sons, service. They are devoid of anger, and they although they were already very well behaved, work for the benefit of everyone. They do not devoted and qualified. He instructed them so behave in any abominable way. Such people that in the future they could rule the world are known as mahatmas. very perfectly. Thus he spoke as follows. TEXT 3, ye va mayise krta-sauhrdartha, janesu Chapter Five Lord Rsabhadeva's dehambhara-vartikesu, grhesu jayatmaja- Teachings to His Sons ratimatsu, na priti-yukta yavad-arthas ca loke

TEXT 1, rsabha uvaca, nayam deho deha-bhajam TRANSLATION nrloke, kastan kaman arhate vid-bhujam ye, tapo Those who are interested in reviving Krsna divyam putraka yena sattvam, suddhyed yasmad consciousness and increasing their love of brahma-saukhyam tv anantam Godhead do not like to do anything that is not related to Krsna. They are not interested in TRANSLATION mingling with people who are busy Lord Rsabhadeva told His sons: My dear maintaining their bodies, eating, sleeping, boys, of all the living entities who have mating and defending. They are not attached accepted material bodies in this world, one to their homes, although they may be householders. Nor are they attached to wives, 21

children, friends or wealth. At the same time, being, and his mind is subjugated to fruitive they are not indifferent to the execution of activity. Therefore, until one has love for Lord their duties. Such people are interested in Vasudeva, who is none other than Myself, he is collecting only enough money to keep the body certainly not delivered from having to accept a and soul together. material body again and again.

TEXT 4, nunam pramattah kurute vikarma, yad TEXT 7, yada na pasyaty ayatha guneham, indriya-pritaya aprnoti, na manye yata svarthe pramattah sahasa vipascit, gata-smrtir atmano 'yam, asann api klesada asa dehah vindati tatra tapan, asadya maithunyam agaram ajnah TRANSLATION When a person considers sense gratification TRANSLATION the aim of life, he certainly becomes mad after Even though one may be very learned and materialistic living and engages in all kinds of wise, he is mad if he does not understand that sinful activity. He does not know that due to the endeavor for sense gratification is a useless his past misdeeds he has already received a waste of time. Being forgetful of his own body which, although temporary, is the cause interest, he tries to be happy in the material of his misery. Actually the living entity should world, centering his interests around his home, not have taken on a material body, but he has which is based on sexual intercourse and been awarded the material body for sense which brings him all kinds of material gratification. Therefore I think it not befitting miseries. In this way one is no better than a an intelligent man to involve himself again in foolish animal. the activities of sense gratification by which he perpetually gets material bodies one after TEXT 8, pumsah striya mithuni-bhavam etam, another. tayor mitho hrdaya-granthim ahuh, ato grha- ksetra-sutapta-vittair, janasya moho 'yam aham TEXT 5, parabhavas tavad abodha-jato, yavan na mameti jijnasata atma-tattvam, yavat kriyas tavad idam mano vai, karmatmakam yena sarira-bandhah TRANSLATION The attraction between male and female is TRANSLATION the basic principle of material existence. On As long as one does not inquire about the the basis of this misconception, which ties spiritual values of life, one is defeated and together the hearts of the male and female, one subjected to miseries arising from ignorance. becomes attracted to his body, home, property, Be it sinful or pious, karma has its resultant children, relatives and wealth. In this way one actions. If a person is engaged in any kind of increases life's illusions and thinks in terms of karma, his mind is called karmatmaka, "I and mine." colored with fruitive activity. As long as the mind is impure, consciousness is unclear, and TEXT 9, yada mano-hrdaya-granthir asya, as long as one is absorbed in fruitive activity, karmanubaddho drdha aslatheta, tada janah he has to accept a material body. samparivartate 'smad, muktah param yaty atihaya hetum TEXT 6, evam manah karma-vasam prayunkte, avidyayatmany upadhiyamane, pritir na yavan TRANSLATION mayi vasudeve, na mucyate deha-yogena tavat When the strong knot in the heart of a person implicated in material life due to the TRANSLATION results of past action is slackened, one turns When the living entity is covered by the away from his attachment to home, wife and mode of ignorance, he does not understand the children. In this way, one gives up the basic individual living being and the supreme living principle of illusion [I and mine] and becomes 22

liberated. Thus one goes to the transcendental observe celibacy. Perform your prescribed world. duties and avoid unnecessary talks. Always thinking of the Supreme Personality of TEXT S 10-13, hamse gurau mayi Godhead, acquire knowledge from the right bhaktyanuvrtya, vitrsnaya dvandva-titiksaya ca, source. Thus practicing bhakti-yoga, you will sarvatra jantor vyasanavagatya, jijnasaya patiently and enthusiastically be elevated in tapaseha-nivrttya knowledge and will be able to give up the false ego. mat-karmabhir mat-kathaya ca nityam, mad- deva-sangad guna-kirtanan me, nirvaira- TEXT 14, karmasayam hrdaya-granthi-bandham, samyopasamena putra, jihasaya deha-gehatma- avidyayasaditam apramattah, anena yogena buddheh yathopadesam, samyag vyapohyoparameta yogat

adhyatma-yogena vivikta-sevaya, TRANSLATION pranendriyatmabhijayena sadhryak, sac- As I have advised you, My dear sons, you chraddhaya brahmacaryena sasvad, should act accordingly. Be very careful. By asampramadena yamena vacam these means you will be freed from the sarvatra mad-bhava-vicaksanena, jnanena ignorance of the desire for fruitive activity, vijnana-virajitena, yogena dhrty-udyama-sattva- and the knot of bondage in the heart will be yukto, vyapohet kusalo 'ham-akhyam completely severed. For further advancement, you should also give up the means. That is, you TRANSLATION should not become attached to the process of O My sons, you should accept a highly liberation itself. elevated paramahamsa, a spiritually advanced spiritual master. In this way, you should place TEXT 15, putrams ca sisyams ca nrpo gurur va, your faith and love in Me, the Supreme mal-loka-kamo mad-anugraharthah, ittham Personality of Godhead. You should detest vimanyur anusisyad ataj-jnan, na yojayet karmasu sense gratification and tolerate the duality of karma-mudhan, kam yojayan manujo 'rtham pleasure and pain, which are like the seasonal labheta, nipatayan nasta-drsam hi garte changes of summer and winter. Try to realize the miserable condition of living entities, who TRANSLATION are miserable even in the higher planetary If one is serious about going back home, systems. Philosophically inquire about the back to Godhead, he must consider the mercy truth. Then undergo all kinds of austerities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead the and penances for the sake of devotional summum bonum and chief aim of life. If he is a service. Give up the endeavor for sense father instructing his sons, a spiritual master enjoyment and engage in the service of the instructing his disciples, or a king instructing Lord. Listen to discussions about the Supreme his citizens, he must instruct them as I have Personality of Godhead, and always associate advised. Without being angry, he should with devotees. Chant about and glorify the continue giving instructions, even if his Supreme Lord, and look upon everyone disciple, son or citizen is sometimes unable to equally on the spiritual platform. Give up follow his order. Ignorant people who engage enmity and subdue anger and lamentation. in pious and impious activities should be Abandon identifying the self with the body and engaged in devotional service by all means. the home, and practice reading the revealed They should always avoid fruitive activity. If scriptures. Live in a secluded place and one puts into the bondage of karmic activity practice the process by which you can his disciple, son or citizen who is bereft of completely control your life air, mind and transcendental vision, how will one profit? It is senses. Have full faith in the revealed like leading a blind man to a dark well and scriptures, the Vedic literatures, and always causing him to fall in. 23

prahur aryah TEXT 16, lokah svayam sreyasi nasta-drstir, yo 'rthan samiheta nikama-kamah, anyonya-vairah TRANSLATION sukha-lesa-hetor, ananta-duhkham ca na veda My transcendental body [sac-cid-ananda- mudhah vigraha] looks exactly like a human form, but it is not a material human body. It is TRANSLATION inconceivable. I am not forced by nature to Due to ignorance, the materialistic person accept a particular type of body; I take on a does not know anything about his real self- body by My own sweet will. My heart is also interest, the auspicious path in life. He is spiritual, and I always think of the welfare of simply bound to material enjoyment by lusty My devotees. Therefore within My heart can desires, and all his plans are made for this be found the process of devotional service, purpose. For temporary sense gratification, which is meant for the devotees. Far from My such a person creates a society of envy, and heart have I abandoned irreligion [adharma] due to this mentality, he plunges into the ocean and nondevotional activities. They do not of suffering. Such a foolish person does not appeal to Me. Due to all these transcendental even know about this. qualities, people generally pray to Me as Rsabhadeva, the Supreme Personality of TEXT 17, kas tam svayam tad-abhijno vipascid, Godhead, the best of all living entities. avidyayam antare vartamanam, drstva punas tam saghrnah kubuddhim, prayojayed utpathagam TEXT 20, tasmad bhavanto hrdayena jatah, sarve yathandham mahiyamsam amum sanabham, aklista-buddhya bharatam bhajadhvam, susrusanam tad bharanam TRANSLATION prajanam If someone is ignorant and addicted to the path of samsara, how can one who is actually TRANSLATION learned, merciful and advanced in spiritual My dear boys, you are all born of My heart, knowledge engage him in fruitive activity and which is the seat of all spiritual qualities. thus further entangle him in material Therefore you should not be like materialistic existence? If a blind man is walking down the and envious men. You should accept your wrong path, how can a gentleman allow him to eldest brother, Bharata, who is exalted in continue on his way to danger? How can he devotional service. If you engage yourselves in approve this method? No wise or kind man can Bharata's service, your service to him will allow this. include My service, and you will rule the citizens automatically. TEXT 18, gurur na sa syat sva-jano na sa syat, pita na sa syaj janani na sa syat, daivam na tat TEXT S 21-22, bhutesu virudbhya uduttama ye, syan na patis ca sa syan, na mocayed yah sarisrpas tesu sabodha-nisthah, tato manusyah samupeta-mrtyum pramathas tato 'pi, gandharva-siddha vibudhanuga ye TRANSLATION "One who cannot deliver his dependents devasurebhyo maghavat-pradhana, daksadayo from the path of repeated birth and death brahma-sutas tu tesam, bhavah parah so 'tha should never become a spiritual master, a virinca-viryah, sa mat-paro 'ham dvija-deva- father, a husband, a mother or a worshipable devah demigod. TRANSLATION TEXT 19, idam sariram mama durvibhavyam, Of the two energies manifest [spirit and dull sattvam hi me hrdayam yatra dharmah, prsthe matter], beings possessing living force krto me yad adharma arad, ato hi mam rsabham [vegetables, grass, trees and plants] are 24

superior to dull matter [stone, earth, etc.]. thoroughly study all the Vedas, and because Superior to nonmoving plants and vegetables they assimilate the Vedic conclusions, they are are worms and snakes, which can move. also to be considered the Vedas personified. Superior to worms and snakes are animals The brahmanas are situated in the supreme that have developed intelligence. Superior to transcendental mode of nature--sattva-guna. animals are human beings, and superior to Because of this, they are fixed in mind control human beings are ghosts because they have no [sama], sense control [dama], and truthfulness material bodies. Superior to ghosts are the [satya]. They describe the Vedas in their Gandharvas, and superior to them are the original sense, and out of mercy [anugraha] Siddhas. Superior to the Siddhas are the they preach the purpose of the Vedas to all Kinnaras, and superior to them are the asuras. conditioned souls. They practice penance Superior to the asuras are the demigods, and [tapasya] and tolerance [titiksa], and they of the demigods, Indra, the King of heaven, is realize the position of the living entity and the supreme. Superior to Indra are the direct sons Supreme Lord [anubhava]. These are the eight of Lord Brahma, sons like King Daksa, and qualifications of the brahmanas. Therefore supreme among Brahma's sons is Lord Siva. among all living entities, no one is superior to Since Lord Siva is the son of Lord Brahma, the brahmanas. Brahma is considered superior, but Brahma is also subordinate to Me, the Supreme TEXT 25, matto 'py anantat paratah parasmat, Personality of Godhead. Because I am inclined svargapavargadhipater na kincit, yesam kim u to the brahmanas, the brahmanas are best of syad itarena tesam, akincananam mayi bhakti- all. bhajam

TEXT 23, na brahmanais tulaye bhutam anyat, TRANSLATION pasyami viprah kim atah param tu, yasmin nrbhih I am fully opulent, almighty and superior to prahutam sraddhayaham, asnami kamam na Lord Brahma and Indra, the King of the tathagni-hotre heavenly planets. I am also the bestower of all happiness obtained in the heavenly kingdom TRANSLATION and by liberation. Nonetheless, the brahmanas O respectful brahmanas, as far as I am do not seek material comforts from Me. They concerned, no one is equal or superior to the are very pure and do not want to possess brahmanas in this world. I do not find anyone anything. They simply engage in My comparable to them. When people know My devotional service. What is the need of their motive after performing rituals according to asking for material benefits from anyone else? the Vedic principles, they offer food to Me with faith and love through the mouth of a TEXT 26, sarvani mad-dhisnyataya bhavadbhis, brahmana. When food is thus offered unto Me, carani bhutani suta dhruvani, sambhavitavyani I eat it with full satisfaction. Indeed, I derive pade pade vo, vivikta-drgbhis tad u harhanam me more pleasure from food offered in that way than from the food offered in the sacrificial TRANSLATION fire. My dear sons, you should not envy any living entity--be he moving or nonmoving. TEXT 24, dhrta tanur usati me purani, yeneha Knowing that I am situated in them, you sattvam paramam pavitram, samo damah satyam should offer respect to all of them at every anugrahas ca, tapas titiksanubhavas ca yatra moment. In this way, you offer respect to Me.

TRANSLATION TEXT 27, mano-vaco-drk-karanehitasya, saksat- The Vedas are My eternal transcendental krtam me paribarhanam hi, vina puman yena sound incarnation. Therefore the Vedas are maha-vimohat, krtanta-pasan na vimoktum iset sabda-brahma. In this world, the brahmanas 25

TRANSLATION tusnim babhuva. The true activity of the sense organs--mind, sight, words and all the knowledge-gathering TRANSLATION and working senses--is to engage fully in My After accepting the feature of avadhuta, a service. Unless his senses are thus engaged, a great saintly person without material cares, living entity cannot think of getting out of the Lord Rsabhadeva passed through human great entanglement of material existence, society like a blind, deaf and dumb man, an which is exactly like Yamaraja's stringent idle stone, a ghost or a madman. Although rope. people called Him such names, He remained silent and did not speak to anyone. TEXT 28, sri-suka uvaca evam anusasyatmajan svayam anusistan api lokanusasanartham TEXT 30, tatra tatra pura-gramakara-kheta-vata- mahanubhavah parama-suhrd bhagavan kharvata-sibira-vraja-ghosa-sartha-giri- rsabhapadesa upasama-silanam uparata- vanasramadisv anupatham avanicarapasadaih karmanam maha-muninam bhakti-jnana-vairagya- paribhuyamano maksikabhir iva vana-gajas laksanam paramahamsya-dharmam tarjana-tadanavamehana-sthivana-grava-sakrd- upasiksamanah sva-tanaya-sata-jyestham parama- rajah-praksepa-puti-vata-duruktais tad bhagavatam bhagavaj-jana-parayanam bharatam aviganayann evasat-samsthana etasmin dharani-palanayabhisicya svayam bhavana dehopalaksane sad-apadesa ubhayanubhava- evorvarita-sarira-matra-parigraha unmatta iva svarupena sva-mahimavasthanenasamaropitaham- gagana-paridhanah prakirna-kesa atmany mamabhimanatvad avikhandita-manah prthivim aropitahavaniyo brahmavartat pravavraja. eka-carah paribabhrama.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Sukadeva Gosvami said: Thus the great Rsabhadeva began to tour through cities, well-wisher of everyone, the Supreme Lord villages, mines, countrysides, valleys, gardens, Rsabhadeva, instructed His own sons. military camps, cow pens, the homes of Although they were perfectly educated and cowherd men, transient hotels, hills, forests cultured, He instructed them just to set an and hermitages. Wherever He traveled, all bad example of how a father should instruct his elements surrounded Him, just as flies sons before retiring from family life. surround the body of an elephant coming from Sannyasis, who are no longer bound by fruitive a forest. He was always being threatened, activity and who have taken to devotional beaten, urinated upon and spat upon. service after all their material desires have Sometimes people threw stones, stool and dust been vanquished, also learn by these at Him, and sometimes people passed foul air instructions. Lord Rsabhadeva instructed His before Him. Thus people called Him many bad one hundred sons, of whom the eldest, names and gave Him a great deal of trouble, Bharata, was a very advanced devotee and a but He did not care about this, for He follower of Vaisnavas. In order to rule the understood that the body is simply meant for whole world, the Lord enthroned His eldest such an end. He was situated on the spiritual son on the royal seat. Thereafter, although still platform, and, being in His spiritual glory, He at home, Lord Rsabhadeva lived like a did not care for all these material insults. In madman, naked and with disheveled hair. other words, He completely understood that Then the Lord took the sacrificial fire within matter and spirit are separate, and He had no Himself, and He left Brahmavarta to tour the bodily conception. Thus, without being angry whole world. at anyone, He walked through the whole world alone. TEXT 29, jadandha-muka-badhira- pisaconmadakavad-avadhuta-veso TEXT 31, ati-sukumara-kara-caranorah-sthala- 'bhibhasyamano 'pi jananam grhita-mauna- vipula-bahv-amsa-gala-vadanady-avayava- 26 vinyasah prakrti-sundara-svabhava-hasa-sumukho nava-nalina-dalayamana-sisira-tararunayata- TEXT 33, tasya ha yah purisa-surabhi- nayana-rucirah sadrsa-subhaga-kapola-karna- saugandhya- tam desam dasa-yojanam kantha-naso vigudha-smita-vadana-mahotsavena samantat surabhim cakara. pura-vanitanam manasi kusuma-sarasanam upadadhanah parag-avalambamana-kutila-jatila- TRANSLATION kapisa-kesa-bhuri-bharo 'vadhuta-malina-nija- Because Lord Rsabhadeva remained in that sarirena graha-grhita ivadrsyata. condition, the public did not disturb Him, but no bad aroma emanated from His stool and TRANSLATION urine. Quite the contrary, His stool and urine Lord Rsabhadeva's hands, feet and chest were so aromatic that they filled eighty miles were very long. His shoulders, face and limbs of the countryside with a pleasant fragrance. were all very delicate and symmetrically proportioned. His mouth was beautifully TEXT 34, evam go-mrga-kaka-caryaya vrajams decorated with His natural smile, and He tisthann asinah sayanah kaka-mrga-go-caritah appeared all the more lovely with His reddish pibati khadaty avamehati sma. eyes spread wide like the petals of a newly grown lotus flower covered with dew in the TRANSLATION early morning. The irises of His eyes were so In this way Lord Rsabhadeva followed the pleasing that they removed all the troubles of behavior of cows, deer and crows. Sometimes everyone who saw Him. His forehead, ears, He moved or walked, and sometimes He sat neck, nose and all His other features were very down in one place. Sometimes He lay down, beautiful. His gentle smile always made His behaving exactly like cows, deer and crows. In face beautiful, so much so that He even that way, He ate, drank, passed stool and urine attracted the hearts of married women. It was and cheated the people in this way. as though they had been pierced by arrows of Cupid. About His head was an abundance of TEXT 35, iti nana-yoga-caryacarano bhagavan curly, matted brown hair. His hair was kaivalya-patir rsabho 'virata-parama- disheveled because His body was dirty and not mahanandanubhava atmani sarvesam bhutanam taken care of. He appeared as if He were atma-bhute bhagavati vasudeva atmano haunted by a ghost. 'vyavadhanananta-rodara-bhavena siddha- samastartha-paripurno yogaisvaryani vaihayasa- TEXT 32, yarhi vava sa bhagavan lokam imam mano-javantardhana-parakaya-pravesa-dura- yogasyaddha pratipam ivacaksanas tat-pratikriya- grahanadini yadrcchayopagatani nanjasa nrpa karma bibhatsitam iti vratam ajagaram-asthitah hrdayenabhyanandat. sayana evasnati pibati khadaty avamehati hadati sma cestamana uccarita adigdhoddesah. TRANSLATION O King Pariksit, just to show all the TRANSLATION the mystic process, Lord Rsabhadeva, the When Lord Rsabhadeva saw that the partial expansion of Lord Krsna, performed general populace was very antagonistic to His wonderful activities. Actually He was the execution of mystic yoga, He accepted the master of liberation and was fully absorbed in behavior of a python in order to counteract transcendental bliss, which increased a their opposition. Thus He stayed in one place thousandfold. Lord Krsna, Vasudeva, the son and lay down. While lying down, He ate and of Vasudeva, is the original source of Lord drank, and He passed stool and urine and Rsabhadeva. There is no difference in Their rolled in it. Indeed, He smeared His whole constitution, and consequently Lord body with His own stool and urine so that Rsabhadeva awakened the loving symptoms of opposing elements might not come and disturb crying, laughing and shivering. He was always Him. absorbed in transcendental love. Due to this, 27

all mystic powers automatically approached us at any moment. Even Lord Siva became Him, such as the ability to travel in outer space agitated upon seeing the form of Lord at the speed of mind, to appear and disappear, Krsna, and Saubhari Muni also fell down from to enter the bodies of others, and to see things the mature stage of yogic perfection. far, far away. Although He could do all this, He did not exercise these powers. TEXT 4, nityam dadati kamasya, cchidram tam anu ye 'rayah, yoginah krta-maitrasya, patyur jayeva pumscali Chapter Six The Activities of Lord Rsabhadeva TRANSLATION An unchaste woman is very easily carried TEXT 1, rajovaca na nunam bhagava away by paramours, and it sometimes happens atmaramanam yoga-samirita-jnanavabharjita- that her husband is violently killed by her karma-bijanam aisvaryani punah klesadani paramours. If the yogi gives his mind a chance bhavitum arhanti yadrc-chayopagatani. and does not restrain it, his mind will give facility to enemies like lust, anger and greed, TRANSLATION and they will doubtlessly kill the yogi. King Pariksit asked Sukadeva Gosvami: My dear Lord, for those who are completely TEXT 5, kamo manyur mado lobhah, soka- pure in heart, knowledge is attained by the moha-bhayadayah, karma-bandhas ca yan-mulah, practice of bhakti-yoga, and attachment for svikuryat ko nu tad budhah fruitive activity is completely burned to ashes. For such people, the powers of mystic yoga TRANSLATION automatically arise. They do not cause distress. The mind is the root cause of lust, anger, Why, then, did Rsabhadeva neglect them? pride, greed, lamentation, illusion and fear. Combined, these constitute bondage to fruitive TEXT 2, rsir uvaca satyam uktam kintv iha va activity. What learned man would put faith in eke na manaso 'ddha visrambham anavasthanasya the mind? satha-kirata iva sangacchante. TEXT 6, athaivam akhila-loka-pala-lalamo 'pi TRANSLATION vilaksanair jadavad avadhuta-vesa-bhasa-caritair Srila Sukadeva Gosvami replied: My dear avilaksita-bhagavat-prabhavo yoginam King, you have spoken correctly. However, samparaya-vidhim anusiksayan sva-kalevaram after capturing animals, a cunning hunter does jihasur atmany atmanam asamvyavahitam not put faith in them, for they might run away. anarthantara-bhavenanviksamana uparatanuvrttir Similarly, those who are advanced in spiritual upararama. life do not put faith in the mind. Indeed, they always remain vigilant and watch the mind's TRANSLATION action. Lord Rsabhadeva was the head of all kings and emperors within this universe, but TEXT 3, tatha coktam----, na kuryat karhicit assuming the dress and language of an sakhyam, manasi hy anavasthite, yad-visrambhac avadhuta, He acted as if dull and materially cirac cirnam, caskanda tapa aisvaram bound. Consequently no one could observe His divine opulence. He adopted this behavior just TRANSLATION to teach yogis how to give up the body. All the learned scholars have given their Nonetheless, He maintained His original opinion. The mind is by nature very restless, position as a plenary expansion of Lord and one should not make friends with it. If we Vasudeva, Krsna. Remaining always in that place full confidence in the mind, it may cheat state, He gave up His pastimes as Lord Rsabhadeva within the material world. If, 28 following in the footsteps of Lord Rsabhadeva, Maharaja Pariksit: My dear King, the King of one can give up his subtle body, there is no Konka, Venka and Kutaka whose name was chance that one will accept a material body Arhat, heard of the activities of Rsabhadeva again. and, imitating Rsabhadeva's principles, introduced a new system of religion. Taking TEXT 7, tasya ha va evam mukta-lingasya advantage of Kali-yuga, the age of sinful bhagavata rsabhasya yogamaya-vasanaya deha activity, King Arhat, being bewildered, gave imam jagatim abhimanabhasena sankramamanah up the Vedic principles, which are free from konka-venka-kutakan daksina-karnatakan desan risk, and concocted a new system of religion yadrcchayopagatah kutakacalopavana asya opposed to the Vedas. That was the beginning krtasma-kavala unmada iva mukta-murdhajo of the Jain dharma. Many other so-called 'samvita eva vicacara. religions followed this atheistic system.

TRANSLATION TEXT 10, yena ha vava kalau manujapasada Actually Lord Rsabhadeva had no material deva-maya-mohitah sva-vidhi-niyoga-sauca- body, but due to yogamaya, He considered His caritra-vihina deva-helanany apavratani nija- body material, and therefore, because He nijecchaya grhnana asnananacamanasauca- played like an ordinary human being, He gave kesolluncanadini kalinadharma-bahulenopahata- up the mentality of identifying with it. dhiyo brahma-brahmana-yajna-purusa-loka- Following this principle, He began to wander vidusakah prayena bhavisyanti. all over the world. While traveling, He came to the province of Karnata in South India and TRANSLATION passed through Konka, Venka and Kutaka. He People who are lowest among men and had no plan to travel this way, but He arrived bewildered by the illusory energy of the near Kutakacala and entered a forest there. He Supreme Lord will give up the original placed stones within His mouth and began to varnasrama-dharma and its rules and wander through the forest, naked and with His regulations. They will abandon bathing three hair disheveled like a madman. times daily and worshiping the Lord. Abandoning cleanliness and neglecting the TEXT 8, atha samira-vega-vidhuta-venu- Supreme Lord, they will accept nonsensical vikarsana-jatogra-davanalas tad vanam alelihanah principles. Not regularly bathing or washing saha tena dadaha. their mouths regularly, they will always remain unclean, and they will pluck out their TRANSLATION hair. Following a concocted religion, they will While He was wandering about, a wild flourish. During this age of Kali, people are forest fire began. This fire was caused by the more inclined to irreligious systems. friction of bamboos, which were being blown Consequently these people will naturally by the wind. In that fire, the entire forest near deride Vedic authority, the followers of Vedic Kutakacala and the body of Lord Rsabhadeva authority, the brahmanas, the Supreme were burnt to ashes. Personality of Godhead and the devotees.

TEXT 9, yasya kilanucaritam upakarnya konka- TEXT 11, te ca hy arvaktanaya nija-loka- venka-kutakanam rajarhan-namopasiksya kalav yatrayandha-paramparayasvastas tamasy andhe adharma utkrsyamane bhavitavyena vimohitah svayam eva prapatisyanti. sva-dharma-patham akuto-bhayam apahaya kupatha-pakhandam asamanjasam nija-manisaya TRANSLATION mandah sampravartayisyate. Low-class people, due to their gross ignorance, introduce a system of religion that TRANSLATION deviates from the Vedic principles. Following Sukadeva Gosvami continued speaking to their own mental concoctions, they 29

automatically fall down into the darkest examples of Lord Rsabhadeva even with his regions of existence. mind? Lord Rsabhadeva rejected all kinds of yogic perfection, which other yogis hanker to TEXT 12, ayam avataro rajasopapluta- attain. Who is that yogi who can compare to kaivalyopasiksanarthah. Lord Rsabhadeva?"

TRANSLATION TEXT 16, iti ha sma sakala-veda-loka-deva- In this age of Kali, people are overwhelmed brahmana-gavam parama-guror bhagavata by the modes of passion and ignorance. Lord rsabhakhyasya visuddhacaritam iritam pumsam Rsabhadeva incarnated Himself to deliver samasta-duscaritabhiharanam parama-maha- them from the clutches of maya. mangalayanam idam anusraddhayopacitayanusrnoty asravayati TEXT 13, tasyanugunan slokan gayanti----, aho vavahito bhagavati tasmin vasudeva ekantato bhuvah sapta-samudravatya, dvipesu varsesv bhaktir anayor api samanuvartate. adhipunyam etat, gayanti yatratya-jana murareh, karmani bhadrany avataravanti TRANSLATION Sukadeva Gosvami continued: Lord TRANSLATION Rsabhadeva is the master of all Vedic Learned scholars chant about the knowledge, human beings, demigods, cows and transcendental qualities of Lord Rsabhadeva brahmanas. I have already explained His pure, in this way: "Oh, this earthly planet contains transcendental activities, which will vanquish seven seas and many islands and lands, of the sinful activities of all living entities. This which Bharata-varsa is considered the most narration of Lord Rsabhadeva's pastimes is pious. People of Bharata-varsa are accustomed the reservoir of all auspicious things. Whoever to glorifying the activities of the Supreme attentively hears or speaks of them, following Personality of Godhead in His incarnations as in the footsteps of the acaryas, will certainly Lord Rsabhadeva and others. All these attain unalloyed devotional service at the lotus activities are very auspicious for the welfare of feet of Lord Vasudeva, the Supreme humanity. Personality of Godhead.

TEXT 14, aho nu vamso yasasavadatah, TEXT 17, yasyam eva kavaya atmanam aviratam praiyavrato yatra puman puranah, krtavatarah vividha-vrjina-samsara-paritapopatapyamanam purusah sa adyas, cacara dharmam yad akarma- anusavanam snapayantas tayaiva paraya nirvrtya hetum hy apavargam atyantikam parama-purusartham api svayam asaditam no evadriyante TRANSLATION bhagavadiyatvenaiva parisamapta-sarvarthah. "Oh, what shall I say of the dynasty of Priyavrata, which is pure and very much TRANSLATION celebrated. In that dynasty, the Supreme Devotees always bathe themselves in Person, the original Personality of Godhead, devotional service in order to be relieved from descended as an incarnation and executed the various tribulations of material existence. religious principles that could free one from By doing this, the devotees enjoy supreme the results of fruitive activity. bliss, and liberation personified comes to serve them. Nonetheless, they do not accept that TEXT 15, ko nv asya kastham aparo 'nugacchen, service, even if it is offered by the Supreme mano-rathenapy abhavasya yogi, yo yoga-mayah Personality of Godhead Himself. For the sprhayaty udasta, hy asattaya yena krta-prayatnah devotees, liberation [mukti] is very unimportant because, having attained the TRANSLATION Lord's transcendental loving service, they have "Who is that mystic yogi who can follow the attained everything desirable and have 30

transcended all material desires. sancintitas tad-anusasana-parah pancajanim visvarupa-duhitaram upayeme. TEXT 18, rajan patir gurur alam bhavatam yadunam, daivam priyah kula-patih kva ca TRANSLATION kinkaro vah, astv evam anga bhagavan bhajatam Sukadeva Gosvami continued speaking to mukundo, muktim dadati karhicit sma na bhakti- Maharaja Pariksit: My dear King, Bharata yogam Maharaja was a topmost devotee. Following the orders of his father, who had already TRANSLATION decided to install him on the throne, he began Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear to rule the earth accordingly. When Bharata King, the Supreme Person, Mukunda, is Maharaja ruled the entire globe, he followed actually the maintainer of all the members of the orders of his father and married the Pandava and Yadu dynasties. He is your Pancajani, the daughter of Visvarupa. spiritual master, worshipable , friend, and the director of your activities. To say TEXT 2, tasyam u ha va atmajan nothing of this, He sometimes serves your kartsnyenanurupan atmanah panca janayam asa family as a messenger or servant. This means bhutadir iva bhuta-suksmani sumatim He worked just as ordinary servants do. Those rastrabhrtam sudarsanam avaranam dhumraketum engaged in getting the Lord's favor attain iti. liberation from the Lord very easily, but He does not very easily give the opportunity to TRANSLATION render direct service unto Him. Just as the false ego creates the subtle sense objects, Maharaja Bharata created five sons in TEXT 19, nityanubhuta-nija-labha-nivrtta-trsnah, the womb of Pancajani, his wife. These sons sreyasy atad-racanaya cira-supta-buddheh, were named Sumati, Rastrabhrta, Sudarsana, lokasya yah karunayabhayam atma-lokam, Avarana and Dhumraketu. akhyan namo bhagavate rsabhaya tasmai TEXT 3, ajanabham namaitad varsam bharatam iti yata arabhya vyapadisanti. TRANSLATION The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord TRANSLATION Rsabhadeva, was fully aware of His true Formerly this planet was known as identity; therefore He was self-sufficient, and Ajanabha-varsa, but since Maharaja He did not desire external gratification. There Bharata's reign, it has become known as was no need for Him to aspire for success, Bharata-varsa. since He was complete in Himself. Those who unnecessarily engage in bodily conceptions and TEXT 4, sa bahuvin mahi-patih pitr-pitamahavad create an atmosphere of materialism are uru-vatsalataya sve sve karmani vartamanah always ignorant of their real self-interest. Out prajah sva-dharmam anuvartamanah of His causeless mercy, Lord Rsabhadeva paryapalayat. taught the self's real identity and the goal of life. We therefore offer our respectful TRANSLATION obeisances unto the Lord, who appeared as Maharaja Bharata was a very learned and Lord Rsabhadeva. experienced king on this earth. He perfectly ruled the citizens, being himself engaged in his Chapter Seven The Activities of King own respective duties. Maharaja Bharata was Bharata as affectionate to the citizens as his father and grandfather had been. Keeping them engaged TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca bharatas tu maha- in their occupational duties, he ruled the earth. bhagavato yada bhagavatavani-tala-paripalanaya TEXT 5, ije ca bhagavantam yajna-kratu-rupam 31

kratubhir uccavacaih sraddhayahrtagnihotra- were actually offered unto the different limbs darsa-purnamasa-caturmasya-pasu-somanam of Lord Vasudeva. prakrti-vikrtibhir anusavanam caturhotra-vidhina. TEXT 7, evam karma-visuddhya visuddha- TRANSLATION sattvasyantar-hrdayakasa-sarire brahmani With great faith King Bharata performed bhagavati vasudeve maha-purusa-rupopalaksane various kinds of sacrifice. He performed the srivatsa-kaustubha-vana-malari-dara-gadadibhir sacrifices known as agni-hotra, darsa, upalaksite nija-purusa-hrl-likhitenatmani purusa- purnamasa, caturmasya, pasu-yajna [wherein rupena virocamana uccaistaram bhaktir anudinam a horse is sacrificed] and -yajna [wherein edhamana-rayajayata. a kind of beverage is offered]. Sometimes these sacrifices were performed completely and TRANSLATION sometimes partially. In any case, in all the In this way, being purified by ritualistic sacrifices the regulations of caturhotra were sacrifices, the heart of Maharaja Bharata was strictly followed. In this way Bharata completely uncontaminated. His devotional Maharaja worshiped the Supreme Personality service unto Vasudeva, Lord Krsna, increased of Godhead. day after day. Lord Krsna, the son of Vasudeva, is the original Personality of TEXT 6, sampracaratsu nana-yagesu viracitanga- Godhead manifest as the Supersoul kriyesv apurvam yat tat kriya-phalam [Paramatma] as well as the impersonal dharmakhyam pare brahmani yajna-puruse sarva- Brahman. Yogis meditate upon the localized devata-linganam mantranam artha-niyama-kataya Paramatma situated in the heart, jnanis saksat-kartari para-devatayam bhagavati vasudeva worship the impersonal Brahman as the eva bhavayamana atma-naipunya-mrdita-kasayo Supreme Absolute Truth, and devotees havihsv adhvaryubhir grhyamanesu sa yajamano worship Vasudeva, the Supreme Personality of yajna-bhajo devams tan purusavayavesv Godhead, whose transcendental body is abhyadhyayat. described in the sastras. His body is decorated with the Srivatsa, the Kaustubha jewel and a TRANSLATION flower garland, and His hands hold a After performing the preliminaries of conchshell, disc, club and lotus flower. various sacrifices, Maharaja Bharata offered Devotees like Narada always think of Him the results in the name of religion to the within their hearts. Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva. In other words, he performed all the for TEXT 8, evam varsayuta-sahasra-paryantavasita- the satisfaction of Lord Vasudeva, Krsna. karma-nirvanavasaro 'dhibhujyamanam sva- Maharaja Bharata thought that since the tanayebhyo riktham pitr-paitamaham yatha- demigods were different parts of Vasudeva's dayam vibhajya svayam sakala-sampan-niketat body, He controls those who are explained in sva-niketat pulahasramam pravavraja. the Vedic mantras. By thinking in this way, Maharaja Bharata was freed from all material TRANSLATION contamination, such as attachment, lust and Destiny fixed the time for Maharaja greed. When the priests were about to offer the Bharata's enjoyment of material opulence at sacrificial ingredients into the fire, Maharaja one thousand times ten thousand years. When Bharata expertly understood how the offering that period was finished, he retired from made to different demigods was simply an family life and divided the wealth he had offering to the different limbs of the Lord. For received from his forefathers among his sons. instance, Indra is the arm of the Supreme He left his paternal home, the reservoir of all Personality of Godhead, and [the sun] is opulence, and started for Pulahasrama, which His eye. Thus Maharaja Bharata considered is situated in Hardwar. The salagrama-silas that the oblations offered to different demigods are obtainable there. 32

evam nija-ramanaruna-caranaravindanudhyana- TEXT 9, yatra ha vava bhagavan harir adyapi paricita-bhakti-yogena paripluta-paramahlada- tatratyanam nija-jananam vatsalyena gambhira-hrdaya-hradavagadha-dhisanas tam api sannidhapyata iccha-rupena. kriyamanam bhagavat-saparyam na sasmara.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION At Pulaha-asrama, the Supreme Personality That most exalted devotee, Maharaja of Godhead, Hari, out of His transcendental Bharata, in this way engaged constantly in the affection for His devotee, becomes visible to devotional service of the Lord. Naturally his His devotee, satisfying His devotee's desires. love for Vasudeva, Krsna, increased more and more and melted his heart. Consequently he TEXT 10, yatrasrama-padany ubhayato gradually lost all attachment for regulative nabhibhir drsac-cakrais cakra-nadi nama sarit- duties. The hairs of his body stood on end, and pravara sarvatah pavitri-karoti. all the ecstatic bodily symptoms were manifest. Tears flowed from his eyes, so much so that he TRANSLATION could not see anything. Thus he constantly In Pulaha-asrama is the Gandaki River, meditated on the reddish lotus feet of the Lord. which is the best of all rivers. The salagrama- At that time, his heart, which was like a lake, sila, the marble pebbles, purify all those places. was filled with the water of ecstatic love. When On each and every marble pebble, up and his mind was immersed in that lake, he even down, circles like navels are visible. forgot the regulative service to the Lord.

TEXT 11, tasmin vava kila sa ekalah TEXT 13, ittham dhrta-bhagavad- pulahasramopavane vividha-kusuma-kisalaya- aineyajina-vasasanusavanabhisekardra-kapisa- tulasikambubhih kanda-mula-phalopaharais ca kutila-jata-kalapena ca virocamanah suryarca samihamano bhagavata aradhanam vivikta bhagavantam hiranmayam purusam ujjihane uparata-visayabhilasa upabhrtopasamah param surya-mandale 'bhyupatisthann etad u hovaca. nirvrtim avapa. TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Maharaja Bharata appeared very beautiful. In the gardens of Pulaha-asrama, Maharaja He had a wealth of curly hair on his head, Bharata lived alone and collected a variety of which was wet from bathing three times daily. flowers, twigs and tulasi leaves. He also He dressed in a deerskin. He worshiped Lord collected the water of the Gandaki River, as Narayana, whose body was composed of well as various roots, fruits and bulbs. With golden effulgence and who resided within the these he offered food to the Supreme sun. Maharaja Bharata worshiped Lord Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva, and, Narayana by chanting the hymns given in the worshiping Him, he remained satisfied. In this Rg Veda, and he recited the following verse as way his heart was completely uncontaminated, the sun rose. and he did not have the least desire for material enjoyment. All material desires TEXT 14, paro-rajah savitur jata-vedo, devasya vanished. In this steady position, he felt full bhargo manasedam jajana, suretasadah punar satisfaction and was situated in devotional avisya , hamsam grdhranam nrsad-ringiram service. imah

TEXT 12, tayettham avirata-purusa-paricaryaya TRANSLATION bhagavati pravardhamana-nuraga-bhara-druta- "The Supreme Personality of Godhead is hrdaya-saithilyah praharsa-vegenatmany situated in pure goodness. He illuminates the udbhidyamana-roma-pulaka-kulaka autkanthya- entire universe and bestows all benedictions pravrtta-pranaya-baspa-niruddhavaloka-nayana upon His devotees. The Lord has created this 33

universe from His own spiritual potency. looking about suspiciously. When it heard the According to His desire, the Lord entered this lion's tumultuous roar, it became very universe as the Supersoul, and by virtue of His agitated. Looking here and there with different potencies, He is maintaining all living disturbed eyes, the doe, although it had not entities desiring material enjoyment. Let me fully satisfied itself by drinking water, offer my respectful obeisances unto the Lord, suddenly leaped across the river. who is the giver of intelligence." TEXT 5, tasya utpatantya antarvatnya uru- Chapter Eight A Description of the bhayavagalito -nirgato garbhah srotasi Character of Bharata Maharaja nipapata.

TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca ekada tu maha-nadyam TRANSLATION krtabhiseka-naiyamikavasyako brahmaksaram The doe was pregnant, and when it jumped abhigrnano muhurta-trayam udakanta upavivesa. out of fear, the baby deer fell from its womb into the flowing waters of the river. TRANSLATION Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear TEXT 6, tat-prasavotsarpana-bhaya-khedatura King, one day, after finishing his morning sva-ganena viyujyamana kasyancid daryam duties--evacuating, urinating and bathing-- krsna-sarasati nipapatatha ca mamara. Maharaja Bharata sat down on the bank of the River Gandaki for a few minutes and began TRANSLATION chanting his , beginning with omkara. Being separated from its flock and distressed by its miscarriage, the black doe, TEXT 2, tatra tada rajan harini pipasaya having crossed the river, was very much jalasayabhyasam ekaivopajagama. distressed. Indeed, it fell down in a cave and died immediately. TRANSLATION O King, while Bharata Maharaja was TEXT 7, tam tv ena-kunakam krpanam sitting on the bank of that river, a doe, being srotasanuhyamanam abhiviksyapaviddham very thirsty, came there to drink. bandhur ivanukampaya rajarsir bharata adaya mrta-mataram ity asrama-padam anayat. TEXT 3, taya pepiyamana udake tavad evavidurena nadato mrga-pater unnado loka- TRANSLATION bhayankara udapatat. The great King Bharata, while sitting on the bank of the river, saw the small deer, bereft of TRANSLATION its mother, floating down the river. Seeing this, While the doe was drinking with great he felt great compassion. Like a sincere friend, satisfaction, a lion, which was very close, he lifted the infant deer from the waves, and, roared very loudly. This was frightful to every knowing it to be motherless, brought it to his living entity, and it was heard by the doe. asrama.

TEXT 4, tam upasrutya sa mrga-vadhuh prakrti- TEXT 8, tasya ha va ena-kunaka uccair etasmin viklava cakita-niriksana sutaram api hari- krta-nijabhimanasyahar-ahas tat-posana-palana- bhayabhinivesa-vyagra-hrdaya pariplava-drstir lalana-prinananudhyanenatma-niyamah saha- agata-trsa bhayat sahasaivoccakrama. yamah purusa-paricaryadaya ekaikasah katipayenahar-ganena viyujyamanah kila sarva TRANSLATION evodavasan. By nature the doe was always afraid of being killed by others, and it was always TRANSLATION Gradually Maharaja Bharata became very 34 affectionate toward the deer. He began to raise for suffering living entities. One should it and maintain it by giving it grass. He was certainly neglect his own personal interests, always careful to protect it from the attacks of although they may be very important, to tigers and other animals. When it itched, he protect one who has surrendered. petted it, and in this way he always tried to keep it in a comfortable condition. He TEXT 11, iti krtanusanga asana-sayanatana- sometimes kissed it out of love. Being attached snanasanadisu saha mrga-jahuna snehanubaddha- to raising the deer, Maharaja Bharata forgot hrdaya asit. the rules and regulations for the advancement of spiritual life, and he gradually forgot to TRANSLATION worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Due to attachment for the deer, Maharaja After a few days, he forgot everything about Bharata lay down with it, walked about with it, his spiritual advancement. bathed with it and even ate with it. Thus his heart became bound to the deer in affection. TEXT 9, aho batayam harina-kunakah krpana isvara-ratha-carana-paribhramana-rayena sva- TEXT 12, kusa-kusuma-samit-palasa-phala- gana-suhrd-bandhubhyah parivarjitah saranam ca mulodakany aharisyamano vrkasala-vrkadibhyo mopasadito mam eva mata-pitarau bhratr-jnatin bhayam asamsamano yada saha harina-kunakena yauthikams caivopeyaya nanyam kancana veda vanam samavisati. mayy ati-visrabdhas cata eva maya mat- parayanasya posana-palana-prinana-lalanam TRANSLATION anasuyunanustheyam saranyopeksa-dosa-vidusa. When Maharaja Bharata wanted to enter the forest to collect kusa grass, flowers, wood, TRANSLATION leaves, fruits, roots and water, he would fear The great King Maharaja Bharata began to that dogs, jackals, tigers and other ferocious think: Alas, this helpless young deer, by the animals might kill the deer. He would force of time, an agent of the Supreme therefore always take the deer with him when Personality of Godhead, has now lost its entering the forest. relatives and friends and has taken shelter of me. It does not know anyone but me, as I have TEXT 13, pathisu ca mugdha-bhavena tatra tatra become its father, mother, brother and visakta-mati-pranaya-bhara-hrdayah karpanyat relatives. This deer is thinking in this way, and skandhenodvahati evam utsanga urasi it has full faith in me. It does not know anyone cadhayopalalayan mudam paramam avapa. but me; therefore I should not be envious and think that for the deer my own welfare will be TRANSLATION destroyed. I should certainly raise, protect, When entering the forest, the animal would gratify and fondle it. When it has taken shelter appear very attractive to Maharaja Bharata with me, how can I neglect it? Even though the due to its childish behavior. Maharaja Bharata deer is disturbing my spiritual life, I realize would even take the deer on his shoulders and that a helpless person who has taken shelter carry it due to affection. His heart was so filled cannot be neglected. That would be a great with great love for the deer that he would fault. sometimes keep it on his lap or, when sleeping, on his chest. In this way he felt great pleasure TEXT 10, nunam hy aryah sadhava upasama- in fondling the animal. silah krpana-suhrda evam-vidharthe svarthan api gurutaran upeksante. TEXT 14, kriyayam nirvartyamanayam antarale 'py utthayotthaya yadainam abhicaksita tarhi vava TRANSLATION sa varsa-patih prakrti-sthena manasa tasma asisa Even though one is in the renounced order, asaste svasti stad vatsa te sarvata iti. one who is advanced certainly feels compassion 35

TRANSLATION Alas, is it possible that I shall again see this When Maharaja Bharata was actually animal protected by the Lord and fearless of worshiping the Lord or was engaged in some tigers and other animals? Shall I again see him ritualistic ceremony, although his activities wandering in the garden eating soft grass? were unfinished, he would still, at intervals, get up and see where the deer was. In this way he TEXT 18, api ca na vrkah sala-vrko 'nyatamo va would look for it, and when he could see that naika-cara eka-caro va bhak-sayati. the deer was comfortably situated, his mind and heart would be very satisfied, and he TRANSLATION would bestow his upon the deer, I do not know, but the deer might have been saying, "My dear calf, may you be happy in all eaten by a wolf or a dog or by the boars that respects." flock together or the tiger who travels alone.

TEXT 15, anyada bhrsam udvigna-mana nasta- TEXT 19, nimlocati ha bhagavan sakala-jagat- dravina iva krpanah sakarunam ati-tarsena harina- ksemodayas trayy-atmadyapi mama na mrga- kunaka-viraha-vihvala-hrdaya-santapas tam vadhu-nyasa agacchati. evanusocan kila kasmalam mahad abhirambhita iti hovaca. TRANSLATION Alas, when the sun rises, all auspicious TRANSLATION things begin. Unfortunately, they have not If Bharata Maharaja sometimes could not begun for me. The sun-god is the Vedas see the deer, his mind would be very agitated. personified, but I am bereft of all Vedic He would become like a miser, who, having principles. That sun-god is now setting, yet the obtained some riches, had lost them and had poor animal who trusted in me since its mother then become very unhappy. When the deer died has not returned. was gone, he would be filled with anxiety and would lament due to separation. Thus he TEXT 20, api svid akrta-sukrtam agatya mam would become illusioned and speak as follows. sukhayisyati harina-raja-kumaro vividha-rucira- darsaniya-nija-mrga-daraka-vinodair asantosam TEXT 16, api bata sa vai krpana ena-balako svanam apanudan. mrta-harini-suto 'ho mamanaryasya satha-kirata- mater akrta-sukrtasya krta-visrambha atma- TRANSLATION pratyayena tad aviganayan sujana ivagamisyati. That deer is exactly like a prince. When will it return? When will it again display its TRANSLATION personal activities, which are so pleasing? Bharata Maharaja would think: Alas, the When will it again pacify a wounded heart like deer is now helpless. I am now very mine? I certainly must have no pious assets, unfortunate, and my mind is like a cunning otherwise the deer would have returned by hunter, for it is always filled with cheating now. propensities and cruelty. The deer has put its faith in me, just as a good man who has a TEXT 21, ksvelikayam mam mrsa- natural interest in good behavior forgets the samadhinamilita-drsam prema-samrambhena misbehavior of a cunning friend and puts his cakita-cakita agatya prsad-aparusa-visanagrena faith in him. Although I have proved faithless, luthati. will this deer return and place its faith in me? TRANSLATION TEXT 17, api ksemenasminn asramopavane Alas, the small deer, while playing with me saspani carantam deva-guptam drak-syami. and seeing me feigning meditation with closed eyes, would circumambulate me due to anger TRANSLATION arising from love, and it would fearfully touch 36

me with the points of its soft horns, which felt like drops of water. TRANSLATION Maharaja Bharata continued to speak like a TEXT 22, asadita-havisi barhisi dusite madman. Seeing above his head the dark mayopalabdho bhita-bhitah sapady uparata-rasa marks on the rising moon, which resembled a rsi-kumaravad avahita-karana-kalapa aste. deer, he said: Can it be that the moon, who is so kind to an unhappy man, might also be kind TRANSLATION upon my deer, knowing that it has strayed When I placed all the sacrificial ingredients from home and has become motherless? This on the kusa grass, the deer, when playing, moon has given the deer shelter near itself just would touch the grass with its teeth and thus to protect it from the fearful attacks of a lion. pollute it. When I chastised the deer by pushing it away, it would immediately become TEXT 25, kim vatmaja-vislesa-jvara-dava- fearful and sit down motionless, exactly like dahana-sikhabhir upatapyamana-hrdaya-sthala- the son of a saintly person. Thus it would stop nalinikam mam upasrta-mrgi-tanayam sisira- its play. santanuraga-gunita-nija-vadana-salilamrtamaya- gabhastibhih svadhayatiti ca. TEXT 23, kim va are acaritam tapas tapasvinyanaya yad iyam avanih savinaya-krsna- TRANSLATION sara-tanaya-tanutara-subhaga-sivatamakhara- After perceiving the moonshine, Maharaja khura-pada-panktibhir dravina-vidhuraturasya Bharata continued speaking like a crazy krpanasya mama dravina-padavim sucayanty person. He said: The deer's son was so atmanam ca sarvatah krta-kautukam dvijanam submissive and dear to me that due to its svargapavarga-kamanam deva-yajanam karoti. separation I am feeling separation from my own son. Due to the burning fever of this TRANSLATION separation, I am suffering as if inflamed by a After speaking like a madman in this way, forest fire. My heart, which is like the lily of Maharaja Bharata got up and went outside. the land, is now burning. Seeing me so Seeing the footprints of the deer on the distressed, the moon is certainly splashing its ground, he praised the footprints out of love, shining nectar upon me--just as a friend saying: O unfortunate Bharata, your throws water on another friend who has a high austerities and penances are very insignificant fever. In this way, the moon is bringing me compared to the penance and austerity happiness. undergone by this earth planet. Due to the earth's severe penances, the footprints of this TEXT 26, evam aghatamana-manorathakula- deer, which are small, beautiful, most hrdayo mrga-darakabhasena svarabdha-karmana auspicious and soft, are imprinted on the yogarambhanato vibhramsitah sa yoga-tapaso surface of this fortunate planet. This series of bhagavad-aradhana-laksanac ca katham itaratha footprints show a person like me, who am jaty-antara ena-kunaka asangah saksan bereaved due to loss of the deer, how the nihsreyasa-pratipaksataya prak-parityakta- animal has passed through the forest and how dustyaja-hrdayabhijatasya tasyaivam antaraya- I can regain my lost wealth. By these vihata-yogarambhanasya rajarser bharatasya footprints, this land has become a proper place tavan mrgarbhaka-posana-palana-prinana- for brahmanas who desire heavenly planets or lalananusangenaviganayata atmanam ahir ivakhu- liberation to execute sacrifices to the demigods. bilam duratikramah kalah karala-rabhasa apadyata. TEXT 24, api svid asau bhagavan udu-patir enam mrga-pati-bhayan mrta-mataram mrga-balakam TRANSLATION svasrama-paribhrastam anukampaya krpana-jana- Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear vatsalah paripati. King, in this way Bharata Maharaja was 37

overwhelmed by an uncontrollable desire which was manifest in the form of the deer. TEXT 29, aho kastam bhrasto 'ham atmavatam Due to the fruitive results of his past deeds, he anupathad yad-vimukta-samasta-sangasya fell down from mystic yoga, austerity and vivikta-punyaranya-saranasyatmavata atmani worship of the Supreme Personality of sarvesam atmanam bhagavati vasudeve tad- Godhead. If it were not due to his past fruitive anusravana-manana- activity, how could he have been attracted to sankirtanaradhananusmaranabhiyogenasunya- the deer after giving up the association of his sakala-yamena kalena samavesitam samahitam own son and family, considering them kartsnyena manas tat tu punar mamabudhasyaran stumbling blocks on the path of spiritual life? mrga-sutam anu parisusrava. Mow could he show such uncontrollable affection for a deer? This was definitely due to TRANSLATION his past karma. The King was so engrossed in In the body of a deer, Bharata Maharaja petting and maintaining the deer that he fell began to lament: What misfortune! I have down from his spiritual activities. In due fallen from the path of the self-realized. I gave course of time, insurmountable death, which is up my real sons, wife and home to advance in compared to a venomous snake that enters the spiritual life, and I took shelter in a solitary hole created by a mouse, situated itself before holy place in the forest. I became self- him. controlled and self-realized, and I engaged constantly in devotional service, hearing, TEXT 27, tadanim api parsva-vartinam atmajam thinking, chanting, worshiping and ivanusocantam abhiviksamano mrga remembering the Supreme Personality of evabhinivesita-mana visrjya lokam imam saha Godhead, Vasudeva. I was successful in my mrgena kalevaram mrtam anu na mrta- attempt, so much so that my mind was always janmanusmrtir itaravan mrga-sariram avapa. absorbed in devotional service. However, due to my personal foolishness, my mind again TRANSLATION became attached--this time to a deer. Now I At the time of death, the King saw that the have obtained the body of a deer and have deer was sitting by his side, exactly like his fallen far from my devotional practices. own son, and was lamenting his death. Actually the mind of the King was absorbed in TEXT 30, ity evam nigudha-nirvedo visrjya the body of the deer, and consequently--like mrgim mataram punar bhagavat-ksetram those bereft of Krsna consciousness--he left the upasama-sila-muni-gana-dayitam salagramam world, the deer, and his material body and pulastya-pulahasramam kalanjarat pratyajagama. acquired the body of a deer. However, there was one advantage. Although he lost his TRANSLATION human body and received the body of a deer, Although Bharata Maharaja received the he did not forget the incidents of his past life. body of a deer, by constant repentance he became completely detached from all material TEXT 28, tatrapi ha va atmano mrgatva-karanam things. He did not disclose these things to bhagavad-aradhana-samihanubhavenanusmrtya anyone, but he left his mother deer in a place bhrsam anutapyamana aha. known as Kalanjara Mountain, where he was born. He again went to the forest of Salagrama TRANSLATION and to the asrama of Pulastya and Pulaha. Although in the body of a deer, Bharata Maharaja, due to his rigid devotional service TEXT 31, tasminn api kalam pratiksamanah in his past life, could understand the cause of sangac ca bhrsam udvigna atma-sahacarah suska- his birth in that body. Considering his past parna-trna-virudha vartamano mrgatva- and present life, he constantly repented his nimittavasanam eva ganayan mrga-sariram activities, speaking in the following way. tirthodaka-klinnam ut-sasarja. 38

TRANSLATION TEXT 3, tatrapi svajana-sangac ca bhrsam Remaining in that asrama, the great King udvijamano bhagavatah karma-bandha- Bharata Maharaja was now very careful not to vidhvamsana-sravana-smarana-guna-vivarana- fall victim to bad association. Without caranaravinda-yugalam manasa vidadhad disclosing his past to anyone, he remained in atmanah pratighatam asankamano bhagavad- that asrama and ate dry leaves only. He was anugrahenanusmrta-sva-purva-janmavalir not exactly alone, for he had the association of atmanam unmatta-jadandha-badhira-svarupena the Supersoul. In this way he waited for death darsayam asa lokasya. in the body of a deer. Bathing in that holy place, he finally gave up that body. TRANSLATION Due to his being especially gifted with the Lord's mercy, Bharata Maharaja could Chapter Nine The Supreme Character remember the incidents of his past life. of Jada Bharata Although he received the body of a brahmana, he was still very much afraid of his relatives TEXT S 1-2, sri-suka uvaca atha kasyacid dvija- and friends who were not devotees. He was varasyangirah-pravarasya sama-dama-tapah- always very cautious of such association svadhyayadhyayana-tyaga-santosa-titiksa- because he feared that he would again fall prasraya-vidyanasuyatma-jnanananda- down. Consequently he manifested himself yuktasyatma-sadrsa-sruta-silacara-rupaudarya- before the public eye as a madman--dull, blind guna nava sodarya angaja babhuvur mithunam ca and deaf--so that others would not try to talk yaviyasyam bharyayam; to him. In this way he saved himself from bad association. Within he was always thinking of yas tu tatra pumams tam parama-bhagavatam the lotus feet of the Lord and chanting the rajarsi-pravaram bharatam utsrsta-mrga-sariram Lord's glories, which save one from the carama-sarirena vipratvam gatam ahuh. bondage of fruitive action. In this way he saved himself from the onslaught of nondevotee TRANSLATION associates. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear King, after giving up the body of a deer, TEXT 4, tasyapi ha va atmajasya viprah putra- Bharata Maharaja took birth in a very pure snehanubaddha-mana asamavartanat samskaran brahmana family. There was a brahmana who yathopadesam vidadhana upanitasya ca punah belonged to the dynasty of Angira. He was saucacamanadin karma-niyaman anabhipretan api fully qualified with brahminical qualifications. samasiksayad anusistena hi bhavyam pituh He could control his mind and senses, and he putreneti. had studied the Vedic literatures and other subsidiary literatures. He was expert in giving TRANSLATION charity, and he was always satisfied, tolerant, The brahmana father's mind was always very gentle, learned and nonenvious. He was filled with affection for his son, Jada Bharata self-realized and engaged in the devotional [Bharata Maharaja]. Therefore he was always service of the Lord. He remained always in a attached to Jada Bharata. Because Jada trance. He had nine equally qualified sons by Bharata was unfit to enter the grhastha- his first wife, and by his second wife he begot asrama, he simply executed the purificatory twins--a brother and a sister, of which the male process up to the end of the brahmacarya- child was said to be the topmost devotee and asrama. Although Jada Bharata was unwilling foremost of saintly kings--Bharata Maharaja. to accept his father's instructions, the This, then, is the story of the birth he took brahmana nonetheless instructed him in how after giving up the body of a deer. to keep clean and how to wash, thinking that the son should be taught by the father. 39

was not forgetful. At the proper time, death TEXT 5, sa capi tad u ha pitr-sannidhav appeared and took him away. evasadhricinam iva sma karoti chandamsy adhyapayisyan saha vyahrtibhih sapranava-siras TEXT 7, atha yaviyasi dvija-sati sva-garbha- tripadim savitrim graisma-vasantikan masan jatam mithunam sapatnya upanyasya svayam adhiyanam apy asamaveta-rupam grahayam asa. anusamsthaya patilokam agat.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Jada Bharata behaved before his father like Thereafter, the brahmana's younger wife, a fool, despite his father's adequately after entrusting her twin children--the boy and instructing him in Vedic knowledge. He girl--to the elder wife, departed for Patiloka, behaved in that way so that his father would voluntarily dying with her husband. know that he was unfit for instruction and TEXT 8, pitary uparate bhratara enam atat- would abandon the attempt to instruct him prabhava-vidas trayyam vidyayam eva further. He would behave in a completely paryavasita-matayo na para-vidyayam jada-matir opposite way. Although instructed to wash his iti bhratur anusasana-nirbandhan nyavrtsanta. hands after evacuating, he would wash them before. Nonetheless, his father wanted to give TRANSLATION him Vedic instructions during the spring and After the father died, the nine stepbrothers summer. He tried to teach him the Gayatri of Jada Bharata, who considered Jada Bharata mantra along with omkara and vyahrti, but dull and brainless, abandoned the father's after four months, his father still was not attempt to give Jada Bharata a complete successful in instructing him. education. The stepbrothers of Jada Bharata were learned in the three Vedas--the Rg Veda, TEXT 6, evam sva-tanuja atmany anuragavesita- Sama Veda and Yajur Veda--which very much cittah saucadhyayana-vrata-niyama-gurv-anala- encourage fruitive activity. The nine brothers susrusanady-aupakurvanaka-karmany were not at all spiritually enlightened in anabhiyuktany api samanusistena bhavyam ity devotional service to the Lord. Consequently asad-agrahah putram anusasya svayam tavad they could not understand the highly exalted anadhigata-manorathah kalenapramattena svayam position of Jada Bharata. grha eva pramatta upasamhrtah. TEXTS 9-10, sa ca prakrtair dvipada-pasubhir TRANSLATION unmatta-jada-badhira-mukety abhibhasyamano The brahmana father of Jada Bharata yada tad-anurupani prabhasate karmani ca considered his son his heart and soul, and karyamanah parecchaya karoti vistito vetanato va therefore he was very much attached to him. yacnaya yadrcchaya vopasaditam alpam bahu He thought it wise to educate his son properly, mrstam kadannam vabhyavaharati param and being absorbed in this unsuccessful nendriya-priti-nimittam; endeavor, he tried to teach his son the rules and regulations of brahmacarya--including the nitya-nivrtta-nimitta-sva-siddha- execution of the Vedic vows, cleanliness, study visuddhanubhavananda-svatma-labhadhigamah of the Vedas, the regulative methods, service to sukha-duhkhayor dvandva-nimittayor the spiritual master and the method of offering asambhavita-dehabhimanah; sitosna-vata-varsesu a fire sacrifice. He tried his best to teach his vrsa ivanavrtangah pinah samhananangah son in this way, but all his endeavors failed. In sthandila-samvesananunmardanamajjana-rajasa his heart he hoped that his son would be a mahamanir ivanabhivyakta-brahma-varcasah learned scholar, but all his attempts were kupatavrta-katir upavitenoru-masina dvijatir iti unsuccessful. Like everyone, this brahmana brahma-bandhur iti samjnayataj-jnajanavamato was attached to his home, and he had forgotten vicacara. that someday he would die. Death, however, 40

TRANSLATION not know how to work very well in the field. Degraded men are actually no better than He did not know where to spread dirt or where animals. The only difference is that animals to make the ground level or uneven. His have four legs and such men have only two. brothers used to give him broken rice, oil These two-legged, animalistic men used to call cakes, the chaff of rice, worm-eaten grains and Jada Bharata mad, dull, deaf and dumb. They burned grains that had stuck to the pot, but he mistreated him, and Jada Bharata behaved for gladly accepted all this as if it were nectar. He them like a madman who was deaf, blind or did not hold any grudges and ate all this very dull. He did not protest or try to convince them gladly. that he was not so. If others wanted him to do something, he acted according to their desires. TEXT 12, atha kadacit kascid vrsala-patir Whatever food he could acquire by begging or bhadra-kalyai purusa-pasum alabhatapatya- by wages, and whatever came of its own kamah. accord--be it a small quantity, palatable, stale or tasteless--he would accept and eat. He never TRANSLATION ate anything for sense gratification because he At this time, being desirous of obtaining a was already liberated from the bodily son, a leader of dacoits who came from a sudra conception, which induces one to accept family wanted to worship the goddess Bhadra palatable or unpalatable food. He was full in Kali by offering her in sacrifice a dull man, the transcendental consciousness of devotional who is considered no better than an animal. service, and therefore he was unaffected by the dualities arising from the bodily conception. TEXT 13, tasya ha daiva-muktasya pasoh Actually his body was as strong as a bull's, and padavim tad-anucarah paridhavanto nisi nisitha- his limbs were very muscular. He didn't care samaye tamasavrtayam anadhigata-pasava for winter or summer, wind or rain, and he akasmikena vidhina kedaran virasanena mrga- never covered his body at any time. He lay on varahadibhyah samraksamanam angirah-pravara- the ground, and never smeared oil on his body sutam apasyan. or took a bath. Because his body was dirty, his spiritual effulgence and knowledge were TRANSLATION covered, just as the splendor of a valuable gem The leader of the dacoits captured a man- is covered by dirt. He only wore a dirty animal for sacrifice, but he escaped, and the loincloth and his sacred thread, which was leader ordered his followers to find him. They blackish. Understanding that he was born in a ran in different directions but could not find brahmana family, people would call him a him. Wandering here and there in the middle brahma-bandhu and other names. Being thus of the night, covered by dense darkness, they insulted and neglected by materialistic people, came to a paddy field where they saw the he wandered here and there. exalted son of the Angira family [Jada Bharata], who was sitting in an elevated place TEXT 11, yada tu parata aharam karma-vetanata guarding the field against the attacks of deer ihamanah sva-bhratrbhir api kedara-karmani and wild pigs. nirupitas tad api karoti kintu na samam visamam nyunam adhikam iti veda kana-pinyaka-phali- TEXT 14, atha ta enam anavadya-laksanam karana-kulmasa-sthalipurisadiny apy amrtavad avamrsya bhartr-karma-nispattim manyamana abhyavaharati. baddhva rasanaya candika-grham upaninyur muda vikasita-vadanah. TRANSLATION Jada Bharata used to work only for food. TRANSLATION His stepbrothers took advantage of this and The followers and servants of the dacoit engaged him in agricultural field work in chief considered Jada Bharata to possess exchange for some food, but actually he did qualities quite suitable for a man-animal, and 41

they decided that he was a perfect choice for darunam yad brahma-bhutasya saksad brahmarsi- sacrifice. Their faces bright with happiness, sutasya nirvairasya sarva-bhuta-suhrdah sunayam they bound him with ropes and brought him to apy ananumatam alambhanam tad upalabhya the temple of the goddess Kali. brahma-tejasati-durvisahena dandahyamanena vapusa sahasoccacata saiva devi bhadra-kali. TEXT 15, atha panayas tam sva- vidhinabhisicyahatena vasasacchadya TRANSLATION bhusanalepa-srak-tilakadibhir upaskrtam All the rogues and thieves who had made bhuktavantam -dipa-malya-laja- arrangements for the worship of goddess Kali kisalayankura-phalopaharopetaya vaisasa- were low minded and bound to the modes of samsthaya mahata gita-stuti-mrdanga-panava- passion and ignorance. They were ghosena ca purusa-pasum bhadra-kalyah purata overpowered by the desire to become very upavesayam asuh. rich; therefore they had the audacity to disobey the injunctions of the Vedas, so much TRANSLATION so that they were prepared to kill Jada After this, all the thieves, according to their Bharata, a self-realized soul born in a imaginative ritual for killing animalistic men, brahmana family. Due to their envy, these bathed Jada Bharata, dressed him in new dacoits brought him before the goddess Kali clothes, decorated him with ornaments for sacrifice. Such people are always addicted befitting an animal, smeared his body with to envious activities, and therefore they dared scented oils and decorated him with , to try to kill Jada Bharata. Jada Bharata was pulp and . They fed him the best friend of all living entities. He was no sumptuously and then brought him before the one's enemy, and he was always absorbed in goddess Kali, offering her , lamps, meditation on the Supreme Personality of garlands, parched grain, newly grown twigs, Godhead. He was born of a good brahmana sprouts, fruits and flowers. In this way they father, and killing him was forbidden, even worshiped the deity before killing the man- though he might have been an enemy or animal, and they vibrated songs and prayers aggressive person. In any case, there was no and played drums and bugles. Jada Bharata reason to kill Jada Bharata, and the goddess was then made to sit down before the deity. Kali could not bear this. She could immediately understand that these sinful TEXT 16, atha vrsala-raja-panih purusa-pasor dacoits were about to kill a great devotee of the asrg-asavena devim bhadra-kalim yaksyamanas Lord. Suddenly the deity's body burst asunder, tad-abhimantritam asim ati-karala-nisitam and the goddess Kali personally emerged from upadade. it in a body burning with an intense and intolerable effulgence. TRANSLATION At this time, one of the thieves, acting as the TEXT 18, bhrsam amarsa-rosavesa-rabhasa- chief priest, was ready to offer the blood of vilasita-bhru-kuti-vitapa-kutila- Jada Bharata, whom they imagined to be an damstraruneksanatopati-bhayanaka-vadana hantu- animal-man, to the goddess Kali to drink as a kamevedam mahatta-hasam ati-samrambhena liquor. He therefore took up a very fearsome vimuncanti tata utpatya papiyasam dustanam sword, which was very sharp and, consecrating tenaivasina vivrkna-sirsnam galat sravantam asrg- it by the mantra of Bhadra Kali, raised it to asavam atyusnam saha ganena nipiyati-pana- kill Jada Bharata. mada-vihvaloccaistaram sva-parsadaih saha jagau nanarta ca vijahara ca sirah-kanduka-lilaya. TEXT 17, iti tesam vrsalanam rajas-tamah- prakrtinam dhana-mada-raja-utsikta-manasam TRANSLATION bhagavat-kala-vira-kulam kadarthi-krtyotpathena Intolerant of the offenses committed, the svairam viharatam himsa-viharanam karmati- infuriated goddess Kali flashed her eyes and 42 displayed her fierce, curved teeth. Her reddish Lord. Therefore at all times, even if threatened eyes glowed, and she displayed her fearsome by decapitation, they remain unagitated. For features. She assumed a frightening body, as if them, this is not at all wonderful. she were prepared to destroy the entire creation. Leaping violently from the , she immediately decapitated all the rogues and Chapter Ten The Discussion Between thieves with the very sword with which they Jada Bharata and Maharaja Rahugana had intended to kill Jada Bharata. She then began to drink the hot blood that flowed from TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca atha sindhu-sauvira-pate the necks of the beheaded rogues and thieves, rahuganasya vrajata iksumatyas tate tat-kula- as if this blood were liquor. Indeed, she drank patina sibika-vaha-purusanvesana-samaye this intoxicant with her associates, who were daivenopasaditah sa dvija-vara upalabdha esa witches and female demons. Becoming piva yuva samhananango go-kharavad dhuram intoxicated with this blood, they all began to vodhum alam iti purva-visti-grhitaih saha grhitah sing very loudly and dance as though prepared prasabham atad-arha uvaha sibikam sa to annihilate the entire universe. At the same mahanubhavah. time, they began to play with the heads of the rogues and thieves, tossing them about as if TRANSLATION they were balls. Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear King, after this, King Rahugana, ruler of the TEXT 19, evam eva khalu mahad-abhicarati- states known as Sindhu and Sauvira, was going kramah kartsnyenatmane phalati. to Kapilasrama. When the King's chief palanquin carriers reached the banks of the TRANSLATION River Iksumati, they needed another carrier. When an envious person commits an Therefore they began searching for someone, offense before a great personality, he is always and by chance they came upon Jada Bharata. punished in the way mentioned above. They considered the fact that Jada Bharata was very young and strong and had firm TEXT 20, na va etad visnudatta mahad- limbs. Like cows and asses, he was quite fit to adbhutam yad asambhramah sva-siras-chedana carry loads. Thinking in this way, although the apatite 'pi vimukta-dehady-atma-bhava-sudrdha- great soul Jada Bharata was unfit for such hrdaya-granthinam sarva-sattva-suhrd-atmanam work, they nonetheless unhesitatingly forced nirvairanam saksad bhagavatanimisari- him to carry the palanquin. varayudhenapramattena tais tair bhavaih TEXT 2, yada hi dvija-varasyesu- pariraksyamananam tat-pada-mulam akutascid- matravalokanugater na samahita purusa-gatis tada bhayam upasrtanam bhagavata-paramahamsanam. visama - gatam sva-sibikam rahugana upadharya purusan adhivahata aha he vodharah sadhv TRANSLATION atikramata kim iti visamam uhyate yanam iti. Sukadeva Gosvami then said to Maharaja Pariksit: O Visnudatta, those who already TRANSLATION know that the soul is separate from the body, The palanquin, however, was very who are liberated from the invincible knot in erratically carried by Jada Bharata due to his the heart, who are always engaged in welfare sense of nonviolence. As he stepped forward, activities for all living entities and who never he checked before him every three feet to see contemplate harming anyone are always whether he was about to step on ants. protected by the Supreme Personality of Consequently he could not keep pace with the Godhead, who carries His disc [the Sudarsana other carriers. Due to this, the palanquin was cakra] and acts as supreme time to kill the shaking, and King Rahugana immediately demons and protect His devotees. The devotees asked the carriers, "Why are you carrying this always take shelter at the lotus feet of the 43 palanquin unevenly? Better carry it properly." TEXT 6, aho kastam bhratar vyaktam uru- parisranto dirgham adhvanam eka eva uhivan TEXT 3, atha ta isvara-vacah sopalambham suciram nati-piva na samhananango jarasa upakarnyopaya-turiyac chankita-manasas tam copadruto bhavan sakhe no evapara ete vijnapayam babhuvuh. sanghattina iti bahu-vipralabdho 'py avidyaya racita-dravya-guna-karmasaya-sva-carama- TRANSLATION kalevare 'vastuni samsthana-visese 'ham mamety When the palanquin carriers heard the anadhyaropita-mithya-pratyayo brahma-bhutas threatening words of Maharaja Rahugana, tusnim sibikam purvavad uvaha. they became very afraid of his punishment and began to speak to him as follows. TRANSLATION King Rahugana told Jada Bharata: How TEXT 4, na vayam nara-deva pramatta bhavan- troublesome this is, my dear brother. You niyamanupathah sadhv eva vahamah; ayam certainly appear very fatigued because you adhunaiva niyukto 'pi na drutam vrajati nanena have carried this palanquin alone without saha vodhum u ha vayam parayama iti. assistance for a long time and for a long distance. Besides that, due to your old age you TRANSLATION have become greatly troubled. My dear friend, O lord, please note that we are not at all I see that you are not very firm, nor very negligent in discharging our duties. We have strong and stout. Aren't your fellow carriers been faithfully carrying this palanquin cooperating with you?, In this way the King according to your desire, but this man who has criticized Jada Bharata with sarcastic words, been recently engaged to work with us cannot yet despite being criticized in this way, Jada walk very swiftly. Therefore we are not able to Bharata had no bodily conception of the carry the palanquin with him. situation. He knew that he was not the body, for he had attained his spiritual identity. He TEXT 5, samsargiko dosa eva nunam ekasyapi was neither fat, lean nor thin, nor had he sarvesam samsargikanam bhavitum arhatiti anything to do with a lump of matter, a niscitya nisamya krpana-vaco raja rahugana combination of the five gross and three subtle upasita-vrddho 'pi nisargena balat krta isad- elements. He had nothing to do with the utthita-manyur avispasta-brahma-tejasam jata- material body and its two hands and legs. In vedasam iva rajasavrta-matir aha. other words, he had completely realized his spiritual identity [aham brahmasmi]. He was TRANSLATION therefore unaffected by this sarcastic criticism King Rahugana could understand the from the King. Without saying anything, he speeches given by the carriers, who were continued carrying the palanquin as before. afraid of being punished. He could also understand that simply due to the fault of one TEXT 7, atha punah sva-sibikayam visama- person, the palanquin was not being carried gatayam prakupita uvaca rahuganah kim idam are properly. Knowing this perfectly well and tvam jivan-mrto mam kadarthi-krtya bhartr- hearing their appeal, he became a little angry, sasanam aticarasi pramattasya ca te karomi although he was very advanced in political cikitsam danda-panir iva janataya yatha prakrtim science and was very experienced. His anger svam bhajisyasa iti. arose due to his inborn nature as a king. Actually King Rahugana's mind was covered TRANSLATION by the mode of passion, and he therefore spoke Thereafter, when the King saw that his as follows to Jada Bharata, whose Brahman palanquin was still being shaken by the effulgence was not clearly visible, being carriers, he became very angry and said: You covered like a fire covered by ashes. rascal, what are you doing? Are you dead despite the life within your body? Do you not 44

know that I am your master? You are body. I am not the carrier of the palanquin; disregarding me and are not carrying out my the body is the carrier. Certainly, as you have order. For this disobedience I shall now punish hinted, I have not labored carrying the you just as Yamaraja, the superintendent of palanquin, for I am detached from the body. death, punishes sinful people. I shall give you You have said that I am not stout and strong, proper treatment so that you will come to your and these words are befitting a person who senses and do the correct thing. does not know the distinction between the body and the soul. The body may be fat or TEXT 8, evam bahv abaddham api bhasamanam thin, but no learned man would say such nara-devabhimanam rajasa tamasanuviddhena things of the spirit soul. As far as the spirit madena tiraskrtasesa-bhagavat-priya-niketam soul is concerned, I am neither fat nor skinny; pandita-maninam sa bhagavan brahmano brahma- therefore you are correct when you say that I bhuta-sarva-bhuta-suhrd-atma yogesvara- am not very stout. Also, if the object of this caryayam nati-vyutpanna-matim smayamana iva journey and the path leading there were mine, vigata-smaya idam aha. there would be many troubles for me, but because they relate not to me but to my body, TRANSLATION there is no trouble at all. Thinking himself a king, King Rahugana was in the bodily conception and was TEXT 10, sthaulyam karsyam vyadhaya adhayas influenced by material nature's modes of ca, ksut trd bhayam kalir iccha jara ca, nidra ratir passion and ignorance. Due to madness, he manyur aham madah suco, dehena jatasya hi me chastised Jada Bharata with uncalled-for and na santi contradictory words. Jada Bharata was a topmost devotee and the dear abode of the TRANSLATION Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although Fatness, thinness, bodily and mental considering himself very learned, the King did distress, thirst, hunger, fear, disagreement, not know about the position of an advanced desires for material happiness, old age, sleep, devotee situated in devotional service, nor did attachment for material possessions, anger, he know his characteristics. Jada Bharata was lamentation, illusion and identification of the the residence of the Supreme Personality of body with the self are all transformations of Godhead; he always carried the form of the the material covering of the spirit soul. A Lord within his heart. He was the dear friend person absorbed in the material bodily of all living beings, and he did not entertain conception is affected by these things, but I am any bodily conception. He therefore smiled free from all bodily conceptions. Consequently and spoke the following words. I am neither fat nor skinny nor anything else you have mentioned. TEXT 9, brahmana uvaca, tvayoditam vyaktam avipralabdham, bhartuh sa me syad yadi vira TEXT 11, jivan-mrtatvam niyamena rajan, bharah, gantur yadi syad adhigamyam adhva, adyantavad yad vikrtasya drstam, sva-svamya- piveti rasau na vidam pravadah bhavo dhruva idya yatra, tarhy ucyate 'sau vidhikrtya-yogah TRANSLATION The great brahmana Jada Bharata said: TRANSLATION My dear King and hero, whatever you have My dear King, you have unnecessarily spoken sarcastically is certainly true. Actually accused me of being dead though alive. In this these are not simply words of chastisement, for regard, I can only say that this is the case the body is the carrier. The load carried by the everywhere because everything material has its body does not belong to me, for I am the spirit beginning and end. As far as your thinking soul. There is no contradiction in your that you are the king and master and are thus statements because I am different from the trying to order me, this is also incorrect 45

because these positions are temporary. Today Sukadeva Gosvami said: O Maharaja you are a king and I am your servant, but Pariksit, when King Rahugana chastised the tomorrow the position may be changed, and exalted devotee Jada Bharata with harsh you may be my servant and I your master. words, that peaceful, saintly person tolerated it These are temporary circumstances created by all and replied properly. Nescience is due to providence. the bodily conception, and Jada Bharata was not affected by this false conception. Out of his TEXT 12, visesa-buddher vivaram manak ca, natural humility, he never considered himself pasyama yan na vyavaharato 'nyat, ka isvaras a great devotee, and he agreed to suffer the tatra kim isitavyam, tathapi rajan karavama kim te results of his past karma. Like an ordinary man, he thought that by carrying the TRANSLATION palanquin, he was destroying the reactions of My dear King, if you still think that you are his past misdeeds. Thinking in this way, he the King and that I am your servant, you began to carry the palanquin as before. should order me, and I should follow your order. I can then say that this differentiation is TEXT 15, sa capi pandaveya sindhu-sauvira- temporary, and it expands only from usage or patis tattva-jijnasayam samyak- convention. I do not see any other cause. In sraddhayadhikrtadhikaras tad dhrdaya-granthi- that case, who is the master, and who is the mocanam dvija-vaca asrutya bahu-yoga-grantha- servant? Everyone is being forced by the laws sammatam tvarayavaruhya sirasa pada-mulam of material nature; therefore no one is master, upasrtah ksamapayan vigata-nrpa-deva-smaya and no one is servant. Nonetheless, if you think uvaca. that you are the master and that I am the servant, I shall accept this. Please order me. TRANSLATION What can I do for you? Sukadeva Gosvami continued: O best of the Pandu dynasty [Maharaja Pariksit], the King TEXT 13, unmatta-matta-jadavat sva-samstham, of the Sindhu and Sauvira states [Maharaja gatasya me vira cikitsitena, arthah kiyan bhavata Rahugana] had great faith in discussions of the siksitena, stabdha-pramattasya ca pistapesah Absolute Truth. Being thus qualified, he heard from Jada Bharata that philosophical TRANSLATION presentation which is approved by all My dear King, you have said, "You rascal, scriptures on the mystic yoga process and you dull, crazy fellow! I am going to chastise which slackens the knot in the heart. His you, and then you will come to your senses." In material conception of himself as a king was this regard, let me say that although I live like thus destroyed. He immediately descended a dull, deaf and dumb man, I am actually a from his palanquin and fell flat on the ground self-realized person. What will you gain by with his head at the lotus feet of Jada Bharata punishing me? If your calculation is true and I in such a way that he might be excused for his am a madman, then your punishment will be insulting words against the great brahmana. like beating a dead horse. There will be no He then prayed as follows. effect. When a madman is punished, he is not cured of his madness. TEXT 16, kas tvam nigudhas carasi dvijanam, bibharsi sutram katamo 'vadhutah, kasyasi TEXT 14, sri-suka uvaca etavad anuvada- kutratya ihapi kasmat, ksemaya nas ced asi nota paribhasaya pratyudirya muni-vara upasama-sila suklah uparatanatmya-nimitta upabhogena karmarabdham vyapanayan raja-yanam api TRANSLATION tathovaha. King Rahugana said: O brahmana, you appear to be moving in this world very much TRANSLATION covered and unknown to others. Who are you? 46

Are you a learned brahmana and saintly TRANSLATION person? I see that you are wearing a sacred I consider your good self the most exalted thread. Are you one of those exalted, liberated master of mystic power. You know the saints such as Dattatreya and other highly spiritual science perfectly well. You are the advanced, learned scholars? May I ask whose most exalted of all learned sages, and you have disciple you are? Where do you live? Why descended for the benefit of all human society. have you come to this place? Is your mission in You have come to give spiritual knowledge, coming here to do good for us? Please let me and you are a direct representative of know who you are. Kapiladeva, the incarnation of God and the plenary portion of knowledge. I am therefore TEXT 17, naham visanke sura-raja-vajran, na asking you, O spiritual master, what is the tryaksa-sulan na yamasya dandat, nagny-arka- most secure shelter in this world? somanila-vittapastrac, chanke bhrsam brahma- kulavamanat TEXT 20, sa vai bhaval loka-niriksanartham, avyakta-lingo vicaraty api svit, yogesvaranam TRANSLATION gatim andha-buddhih, katham vicaksita My dear sir, I am not at all afraid of the grhanubandhah thunderbolt of King Indra, nor am I afraid of the serpentine, piercing trident of Lord Siva. I TRANSLATION do not care about the punishment of Is it not a fact that your good self is the Yamaraja, the superintendent of death, nor direct representative of Kapiladeva, the am I afraid of fire, scorching sun, moon, wind, incarnation of the Supreme Personality of nor the weapons of Kuvera. Yet I am afraid of Godhead? To examine people and see who is offending a brahmana. I am very much afraid actually a human being and who is not, you of this. have presented yourself to be a deaf and dumb person. Are you not moving this way upon the TEXT 18, tad bruhy asango jadavan nigudha-, surface of the world? I am very attached to vijnana-viryo vicarasy aparah, vacamsi yoga- family life and worldly activities, and I am grathitani sadho, na nah ksamante manasapi blind to spiritual knowledge. Nonetheless, I am bhettum now present before you and am seeking enlightenment from you. How can I advance in TRANSLATION spiritual life? My dear sir, it appears that the influence of your great spiritual knowledge is hidden. TEXT 21, drstah sramah karmata atmano vai, Factually you are bereft of all material bhartur gantur bhavatas canumanye, association and fully absorbed in the thought yathasatodanayanady-abhavat, samula isto of the Supreme. Consequently you are vyavahara-margah unlimitedly advanced in spiritual knowledge. Please tell me why you are wandering around TRANSLATION like a dullard. O great, saintly person, you You have said, "I am not fatigued from have spoken words approved by the yogic labor." Although the soul is different from the process, but it is not possible for us to body, there is fatigue because of bodily labor, understand what you have said. Therefore and it appears to be the fatigue of the soul. kindly explain it. When you are carrying the palanquin, there is certainly labor for the soul. This is my TEXT 19, aham ca yogesvaram atma-tattva-, conjecture. You have also said that the vidam muninam paramam gurum vai, prastum external behavior exhibited between the pravrttah kim iharanam tat, saksad dharim jnana- master and the servant is not factual, but kalavatirnam although in the phenomenal world it is not factual, the products of the phenomenal world 47

can actually affect things. That is visible and madena tucchikrta-sattamasya, krsista maitri- experienced. As such, even though material drsam arta-bandho, yatha tare sad-avadhyanam activities are impermanent, they cannot be said amhah to be untrue. TRANSLATION TEXT 22, sthaly-agni-tapat payaso 'bhitapas, tat- Whatever you have spoken appears to me to tapatas tandula-garbha-randhih, be contradictory. O best friend of the dehendriyasvasaya-sannikarsat, tat-samsrtih distressed, I have committed a great offense by purusasyanurodhat insulting you. I was puffed up with false prestige due to possessing the body of a king. TRANSLATION For this I have certainly become an offender. King Rahugana continued: My dear sir, you Therefore I pray that you kindly glance at me have said that designations like bodily fatness with your causeless mercy. If you do so, I can and thinness are not characteristics of the soul. be relieved from sinful activities brought about That is incorrect because designations like by insulting you. pain and pleasure are certainly felt by the soul. You may put a pot of milk and rice within fire, TEXT 25, na vikriya visva-suhrt-sakhasya, and the milk and rice are automatically heated samyena vitabhimates tavapi, mahad-vimanat one after the other. Similarly, due to bodily sva-krtad dhi madrn, nanksyaty adurad api pains and pleasures, the senses, mind and soul sulapanih are affected. The soul cannot be completely detached from this conditioning. TRANSLATION O my dear lord, you are the friend of the TEXT 23, sastabhigopta nrpatih prajanam, yah Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the kinkaro vai na pinasti pistam, sva-dharmam friend of all living entities. You are therefore aradhanam acyutasya, yad ihamano vijahaty equal to everyone, and you are free from the aghaugham bodily conception. Although I have committed an offense by insulting you, I know that there TRANSLATION is no loss or gain for you due to my insult. You My dear sir, you have said that the are fixed in your determination, but I have relationship between the king and the subject committed an offense. Because of this, even or between the master and the servant are not though I may be as strong as Lord Siva, I shall eternal, but although such relationships are be vanquished without delay due to my offense temporary, when a person takes the position of at the lotus feet of a Vaisnava. a king, his duty is to rule the citizens and punish those who are disobedient to the laws. By punishing them, he teaches the citizens to Chapter Eleven Jada Bharata Instructs obey the laws of the state. Again, you have said King Rahugana that punishing a person who is deaf and dumb is like chewing the chewed or grinding the TEXT 1, brahmana uvaca, akovidah kovida-vada- pulp; that is to say, there is no benefit in it. vadan, vadasy atho nati-vidam varisthah, na However, if one is engaged in his own surayo hi vyavaharam enam, tattvavamarsena occupational duty as ordered by the Supreme sahamananti Lord, his sinful activities are certainly diminished. Therefore if one is engaged in his TRANSLATION occupational duty by force, he benefits because The brahmana Jada Bharata said: My dear he can vanquish all his sinful activities in that King, although you are not at all experienced, way. you are trying to speak like a very experienced man. Consequently you cannot be considered TEXT 24, tan me bhavan nara-devabhimana-, 48 an experienced person. An experienced person entity remains in the material world to enjoy does not speak the way you are speaking about and suffer pleasures and pains due to material the relationship between a master and a activity. servant or about material pains and pleasures. These are simply external activities. Any TEXT 5, sa vasanatma visayoparakto, guna- advanced, experienced man, considering the pravaho vikrtah sodasatma, bibhrat prthan- Absolute Truth, does not talk in this way. namabhi rupa-bhedam, antar-bahistvam ca purais tanoti TEXT 2, tathaiva rajann uru-garhamedha-, vitana-vidyoru-vijrmbhitesu, na veda-vadesu hi TRANSLATION tattva-vadah, prayena suddho nu cakasti sadhuh Because the mind is absorbed in desires for pious and impious activities, it is naturally TRANSLATION subjected to the transformations of lust and My dear King, talks of the relationship anger. In this way, it becomes attracted to between the master and the servant, the king material sense enjoyment. In other words, the and the subject and so forth are simply talks mind is conducted by the modes of goodness, about material activities. People interested in passion and ignorance. There are eleven senses material activities, which are expounded in the and five material elements, and out of these Vedas, are intent on performing material sixteen items, the mind is the chief. Therefore sacrifices and placing faith in their material the mind brings about birth in different types activities. For such people, spiritual of bodies among demigods, human beings, advancement is definitely not manifest. animals and birds. When the mind is situated in a higher or lower position, it accepts a TEXT 3, na tasya tattva-grahanaya saksad, higher or lower material body. variyasir api vacah samasan, svapne niruktya grhamedhi-saukhyam, na yasya heyanumitam TEXT 6, duhkham sukham vyatiriktam ca svayam syat tivram, kalopapannam phalam avyanakti, alingya maya-racitantaratma, sva-dehinam samsrti-cakra- TRANSLATION kutah A dream becomes automatically known to a person as false and immaterial, and similarly TRANSLATION one eventually realizes that material happiness The materialistic mind covering the living in this life or the next, on this planet or a entity's soul carries it to different species of higher planet, is insignificant. When one life. This is called continued material existence. realizes this, the Vedas, although an excellent Due to the mind, the living entity suffers or source, are insufficient to bring about direct enjoys material distress and happiness. Being knowledge of the truth. thus illusioned, the mind further creates pious and impious activities and their karma, and TEXT 4, yavan mano rajasa purusasya, sattvena thus the soul becomes conditioned. va tamasa vanuruddham, cetobhir akutibhir atanoti, nirankusam kusalam cetaram va TEXT 7, tavan ayam vyavaharah sadavih, ksetrajna-saksyo bhavati sthula-suksmah, tasman TRANSLATION mano lingam ado vadanti, gunagunatvasya As long as the mind of the living entity is paravarasya contaminated by the three modes of material nature (goodness, passion and ignorance), his TRANSLATION mind is exactly like an independent, The mind makes the living entity within this uncontrolled elephant. It simply expands its material world wander through different jurisdiction of pious and impious activities by species of life, and thus the living entity using the senses. The result is that the living experiences mundane affairs in different forms 49 as a human being, demigod, fat person, skinny TRANSLATION person and so forth. Learned scholars say that Sound, touch, form, taste and smell are the bodily appearance, bondage and liberation are objects of the five knowledge-acquiring senses. caused by the mind. Speech, touch, movement, evacuation and sexual intercourse are the objects of the TEXT 8, gunanuraktam vyasanaya jantoh, working senses. Besides this, there is another ksemaya nairgunyam atho manah syat, yatha conception by which one thinks, "This is my pradipo ghrta-vartim asnan, sikhah sadhuma body, this is my society, this is my family, this bhajati hy anyada svam, padam tatha guna- is my nation," and so forth. This eleventh karmanubaddham, vrttir manah srayate 'nyatra function, that of the mind, is called the false tattvam ego. According to some philosophers, this is the twelfth function, and its field of activity is TRANSLATION the body. When the living entity's mind becomes absorbed in the sense gratification of the TEXT 11, dravya-svabhavasaya-karma-kalair, material world, it brings about his conditioned ekadasami manaso vikarah, sahasrasah satasah life and suffering within the material situation. kotisas ca, ksetrajnato na mitho na svatah syuh However, when the mind becomes unattached to material enjoyment, it becomes the cause of TRANSLATION liberation. When the flame in a lamp burns the The physical elements, nature, the original wick improperly, the lamp is blackened, but cause, culture, destiny and the time element when the lamp is filled with and is are all material causes. Agitated by these burning properly, there is bright illumination. material causes, the eleven functions transform Similarly, when the mind is absorbed in into hundreds of functions and then into material sense gratification, it causes suffering, thousands and then into millions. But all these and when detached from material sense transformations do not take place gratification, it brings about the original automatically by mutual combination. Rather, brightness of Krsna consciousness. they are under the direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. TEXT 9, ekadasasan manaso hi vrttaya, akutayah panca dhiyo 'bhimanah, matrani karmani puram TEXT 12, ksetrajna eta manaso vibhutir, jivasya ca tasam, vadanti haikadasa vira bhumih maya - racitasya nityah, avirhitah kvapi tirohitas ca, suddho vicaste hy avisuddha-kartuh TRANSLATION There are five working senses and five TRANSLATION knowledge-acquiring senses. There is also the The individual soul bereft of Krsna false ego. In this way, there are eleven items consciousness has many ideas and activities for the mind's functions. O hero, the objects of created in the mind by the external energy. the senses [such as sound and touch], the They have been existing from time organic activities [such as evacuation] and the immemorial. Sometimes they are manifest in different types of bodies, society, friendship the wakening state and in the dream state, but and personality are considered by learned during deep sleep [unconsciousness] or trance, scholars the fields of activity for the functions they disappear. A person who is liberated in of the mind. this life [jivan-mukta] can see all these things vividly. TEXT 10, gandhakrti-sparsa-rasa-sravamsi, TEXT S 13-14, ksetrajna atma purusah puranah, visarga-raty-arty-abhijalpa-silpah, ekadasam saksat svayam jyotir ajah paresah, narayano svikaranam mameti, sayyam aham dvadasam eka bhagavan vasudevah, sva-mayayatmany ahuh avadhiyamanah

50 yathanilah sthavara-jangamanam, atma-svarupena TRANSLATION nivista iset, evam paro bhagavan vasudevah, The soul's designation, the mind, is the ksetrajna atmedam anupravistah cause of all tribulations in the material world. As long as this fact is unknown to the TRANSLATION conditioned living entity, he has to accept the There are two kinds of ksetrajna--the living miserable condition of the material body and entity, as explained above, and the Supreme wander within this universe in different Personality of Godhead, who is explained as positions. Because the mind is affected by follows. He is the all-pervading cause of disease, lamentation, illusion, attachment, creation. He is full in Himself and is not greed and enmity, it creates bondage and a dependent on others. He is perceived by false sense of intimacy within this material hearing and direct perception. He is self- world. effulgent and does not experience birth, death, old age or disease. He is the controller of all the TEXT 17, bhratrvyam enam tad adabhra-viryam, demigods, beginning with Lord Brahma. He is upeksayadhyedhitam apramattah, guror hares called Narayana, and He is the shelter of living caranopasanastro, jahi vyalikam svayam atma- entities after the annihilation of this material mosam world. He is full of all opulences, and He is the resting place of everything material. He is TRANSLATION therefore known as Vasudeva, the Supreme This uncontrolled mind is the greatest Personality of Godhead. By His own potency, enemy of the living entity. If one neglects it or He is present within the hearts of all living gives it a chance, it will grow more and more entities, just as the air or vital force is within powerful and will become victorious. Although the bodies of all beings, moving and it is not factual, it is very strong. It covers the nonmoving. In this way He controls the body. constitutional position of the soul. O King, In His partial feature, the Supreme Personality please try to conquer this mind by the weapon of Godhead enters all bodies and controls of service to the lotus feet of the spiritual them. master and of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Do this with great care. TEXT 15, na yavad etam tanu-bhrn narendra, vidhuya mayam vayunodayena, vimukta-sango Chapter Twelve Conversation Between jita-sat-sapatno, vedatma-tattvam bhramatiha Maharaja Rahugana and Jada Bharata tavat TEXT 1, rahugana uvaca, namo namah karana- TRANSLATION vigrahaya, svarupa-tucchikrta-vigrahaya, namo My dear King Rahugana, as long as the 'vadhuta dvija-bandhu-linga-, nigudha- conditioned soul accepts the material body and nityanubhavaya tubhyam is not freed from the contamination of material enjoyment, and as long as he does not conquer TRANSLATION his six enemies and come to the platform of King Rahugana said: O most exalted self-realization by awakening his spiritual personality, you are not different from the knowledge, he has to wander among different Supreme Personality of Godhead. By the places and different species of life in this influence of your true self, all kinds of material world. contradiction in the sastras have been removed. In the dress of a friend of a TEXT 16, na yavad etan mana atma-lingam, brahmana, you are hiding your transcendental samsara-tapavapanam janasya, yac choka- blissful position. I offer my respectful mohamaya-raga-lobha-, vairanubandham obeisances unto you. mamatam vidhatte TEXT 2, jvaramayartasya yathagadam sat, 51

nidagha-dagdhasya yatha himambhah, kudeha- amse 'dhi darvi sibika ca yasyam, sauvira-rajety manahi-vidasta-drsteh, brahman vacas te 'mrtam apadesa aste, yasmin bhavan rudha-nijabhimano, ausadham me rajasmi sindhusv iti durmadandhah

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION O best of the brahmanas, my body is filled The self-realized brahmana Jada Bharata with dirty things, and my vision has been said: Among the various material bitten by the serpent of pride. Due to my combinations and permutations, there are material conceptions, I am diseased. Your various forms and earthly transformations. nectarean instructions are the proper medicine For some reason, these move on the surface of for one suffering from such a fever, and they the earth and are called palanquin carriers. are cooling waters for one scorched by the Those material transformations which do not heat. move are gross material objects like stones. In any case, the material body is made of earth TEXT 3, tasmad bhavantam mama and stone in the form of feet, ankles, calves, samsayartham, praksyami pascad adhuna knees, thighs, torso, throat and head. Upon the subodham, adhyatma-yoga-grathitam tavoktam, shoulders is the wooden palanquin, and within akhyahi kautuhala-cetaso me the palanquin is the so-called King of Sauvira. The body of the King is simply another TRANSLATION transformation of earth, but within that body Whatever doubts I have about a particular Your Lordship is situated and falsely thinking subject matter I shall ask you about later. For that you are the King of the state of Sauvira. the time being, these mysterious yoga instructions you have given me for self- TEXT 7, socyan imams tvam adhikasta-dinan, realization appear very difficult to understand. vistya nigrhnan niranugraho 'si, janasya goptasmi Please repeat them in a simple way so that I vikatthamano, na sobhase vrddha-sabhasu dhrstah can understand them. My mind is very inquisitive, and I want to understand this TRANSLATION clearly. It is a fact, however, that these innocent people carrying your palanquin without TEXT 4, yad aha yogesvara drsyamanam, kriya- payment are certainly suffering due to this phalam sad-vyavahara-mulam, na hy anjasa injustice. Their condition is very lamentable tattva-vimarsanaya, bhavan amusmin bhramate because you have forcibly engaged them in mano me carrying your palanquin. This proves that you are cruel and unkind, yet due to false prestige TRANSLATION you were thinking that you were protecting the O master of yogic power, you said that citizens. This is ludicrous. You were such a fool fatigue resulting from moving the body here that you could not have been adored as a great and there is appreciated by direct perception, man in an assembly of persons advanced in but actually there is no fatigue. It simply exists knowledge. as a matter of formality. By such inquiries and answers, no one can come to the conclusion of TEXT 8, yada ksitav eva caracarasya, vidama the Absolute Truth. Because of your nistham prabhavam ca nityam, tan namato 'nyad presentation of this statement, my mind is a vyavahara-mulam, nirupyatam sat- little disturbed. kriyayanumeyam

TEXTS 5-6, brahmana uvaca, ayam jano nama TRANSLATION calan prthivyam, yah parthivah parthiva kasya All of us on the surface of the globe are hetoh, tasyapi canghryor adhi gulpha-jangha-, living entities in different forms. Some of us januru-madhyora-sirodharamsah are moving and some not moving. All of us 52 come into existence, remain for some time and pratyak prasantam bhagavac-chabda-samjnam, are annihilated when the body is again yad vasudevam kavayo vadanti mingled with the earth. We are all simply different transformations of the earth. TRANSLATION Different bodies and capacities are simply What, then, is the ultimate truth? The transformations of the earth that exist in name answer is that nondual knowledge is the only, for everything grows out of the earth and ultimate truth. It is devoid of the when everything is annihilated it again mingles contamination of material qualities. It gives us with the earth. In other words, we are but liberation. It is the one without a second, all- dust, and we shall but be dust. Everyone can pervading and beyond imagination. The first consider this point. realization of that knowledge is Brahman. Then Paramatma, the Supersoul, is realized by TEXT 9, evam niruktam ksiti-sabda-vrttam, asan the yogis who try to see Him without nidhanat paramanavo ye, avidyaya manasa grievance. This is the second stage of kalpitas te, yesam samuhena krto visesah realization. Finally, full realization of the same supreme knowledge is realized in the Supreme TRANSLATION Person. All learned scholars describe the One may say that varieties arise from the Supreme Person as Vasudeva, the cause of planet earth itself. However, although the Brahman, Paramatma and others. universe may temporarily appear to be the truth, it ultimately has no real existence. The TEXT 12, rahuganaitat tapasa na yati, na cejyaya earth was originally created by a combination nirvapanad grhad va, na cchandasa naiva jalagni- of atomic particles, but these particles are suryair, vina mahat-pada-rajo-'bhisekam impermanent. Actually the atom is not the cause of the universe, although some TRANSLATION philosophers think so. It is not a fact that the My dear King Rahugana, unless one has the varieties found in this material world simply opportunity to smear his entire body with the result from atomic juxtaposition or dust of the lotus feet of great devotees, one combination. cannot realize the Absolute Truth. One cannot realize the Absolute Truth simply by observing TEXT 10, evam krsam sthulam anur brhad yad, celibacy [brahmacarya], strictly following the asac ca saj jivam ajivam anyat, dravya- rules and regulations of householder life, svabhavasaya-kala-karma-, namnajayavehi krtam leaving home as a vanaprastha, accepting dvitiyam , or undergoing severe penances in winter by keeping oneself submerged in water TRANSLATION or surrounding oneself in summer by fire and Since this universe has no real ultimate the scorching heat of the sun. There are many existence, the things within it--shortness, other processes to understand the Absolute differences, grossness, skinniness, smallness, Truth, but the Absolute Truth is only revealed bigness, result, cause, living symptoms, and to one who has attained the mercy of a great materials--are all imagined. They are all pots devotee. made of the same substance, earth, but they are named differently. The differences are TEXT 13, yatrottamasloka-gunanuvadah, characterized by the substance, nature, prastuyate gramya-katha-vighatah, nisevyamano predisposition, time and activity. You should 'nudinam mumuksor, matim satim yacchati know that all these are simply mechanical vasudeve manifestations created by material nature. TRANSLATION TEXT 11, jnanam visuddham paramartham Who are the pure devotees mentioned here? ekam, anantaram tv abahir brahma satyam, In an assembly of pure devotees, there is no 53

question of discussing material subjects like adhvanah politics and sociology. In an assembly of pure devotees, there is discussion only of the TRANSLATION qualities, forms and pastimes of the Supreme Simply by associating with exalted devotees, Personality of Godhead. He is praised and anyone can attain perfection of knowledge and worshiped with full attention. In the with the sword of knowledge can cut to pieces association of pure devotees, by constantly the illusory associations within this material hearing such topics respectfully, even a person world. Through the association of devotees, who wants to merge into the existence of the one can engage in the service of the Lord by Absolute Truth abandons this idea and hearing and chanting [sravanam kirtanam]. gradually becomes attached to the service of Thus one can revive his dormant Krsna Vasudeva. consciousness and, sticking to the cultivation of Krsna consciousness, return home, back to TEXT 14, aham pura bharato nama raja, Godhead, even in this life. vimukta-drsta-sruta-sanga-bandhah, aradhanam bhagavata ihamano, mrgo 'bhavam mrga-sangad Chapter Thirteen Further Talks dhatarthah Between King Rahugana and Jada Bharata TRANSLATION In a previous birth I was known as Maharaja Bharata. I attained perfection by TEXT 1, brahmana uvaca, duratyaye 'dhvany becoming completely detached from material ajaya nivesito, rajas-tamah-sattva-vibhakta- activities through direct experience, and karmadrk, sa esa sartho 'rtha-parah paribhraman, through indirect experience I received bhavatavim yati na sarma vindati understanding from the Vedas. I was fully engaged in the service of the Lord, but due to TRANSLATION my misfortune, I became very affectionate to a Jada Bharata, who had fully realized small deer, so much so that I neglected my Brahman, continued: My dear King spiritual duties. Due to my deep affection for Rahugana, the living entity wanders on the the deer, in my next life I had to accept the path of the material world, which is very body of a deer. difficult for him to traverse, and he accepts repeated birth and death. Being captivated by TEXT 15, sa mam smrtir mrga-dehe 'pi vira, the material world under the influence of the krsnarcana-prabhava no jahati, atho aham jana- three modes of material nature (sattva-guna, sangad asango, visankamano 'vivrtas carami rajo - guna and tamo-guna), the living entity can see only the three fruits of activities under TRANSLATION the spell of material nature. These fruits are My dear heroic King, due to my past auspicious, inauspicious and mixed. He thus sincere service to the Lord, I could remember becomes attached to religion, economic everything of my past life even while in the development, sense gratification and the body of a deer. Because I am aware of the monistic theory of liberation (merging with the falldown in my past life, I always keep myself Supreme). He works very hard day and night separate from the association of ordinary men. exactly like a merchant who enters a forest to Being afraid of their bad, materialistic acquire some articles to sell later for profit. association, I wander alone unnoticed by However, he cannot really achieve happiness others. within this material world.

TEXT 16, tasman naro 'sanga-susanga-jata-, TEXT 2, yasyam ime san nara-deva dasyavah, jnanasinehaiva vivrkna-mohah, harim tad-iha- sartham vilumpanti kunayakam balat, gomayavo kathana-srutabhyam, labdha-smrtir yaty atiparam yatra haranti sarthikam, pramattam avisya 54

yathoranam vrkah vagbhir vyathitantaratma, apunya-vrksan srayate ksudhardito, marici-toyany abhidhavati kvacit TRANSLATION O King Rahugana, in this forest of material TRANSLATION existence there are six very powerful Wandering in the forest of the material plunderers. When the conditioned soul enters world, the conditioned soul sometimes hears the forest to acquire some material gain, the an invisible cricket making harsh sounds, and six plunderers misguide him. Thus the his ears become very much aggrieved. conditioned merchant does not know how to Sometimes his heart is pained by the sounds of spend his money, and it is taken away by these owls, which are just like the harsh words of his plunderers. Like tigers, jackals and other enemies. Sometimes he takes shelter of a tree ferocious animals in a forest that are ready to that has no fruits or flowers. He approaches take away a lamb from the custody of its such a tree due to his strong appetite, and thus protector, the wife and children enter the heart he suffers. He would like to acquire water, but of the merchant and plunder him in so many he is simply illusioned by a mirage, and he ways. runs after it.

TEXT 3, prabhuta-virut-trna-gulma-gahvare, TEXT 6, kvacid vitoyah sarito 'bhiyati, kathora-damsair masakair upadrutah, kvacit tu parasparam calasate nirandhah, asadya davam gandharva-puram prapasyati, kvacit kvacic casu- kvacid agni-tapto, nirvidyate kva ca yaksair rayolmuka-graham hrtasuh

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION In this forest there are dense bowers Sometimes the conditioned soul jumps into composed of thickets of bushes, grass and a shallow river, or being short of food grains, creepers. In these bowers the conditioned soul he goes to beg food from people who are not at is always disturbed by cruelly biting all charitable. Sometimes he suffers from the mosquitoes [envious people]. Sometimes he burning heat of household life, which is like a sees an imaginary palace in the forest, and forest fire, and sometimes he becomes sad to sometimes he is bewildered by seeing a fleeting have his wealth, which is as dear as life, fiend or ghost, which appears like a meteor in plundered by kings in the name of heavy the sky. income taxes.

TEXT 4, nivasa-toya-dravinatma-buddhis, tatas TEXT 7, surair hrta-svah kva ca nirvinna-cetah, tato dhavati bho atavyam, kvacic ca vatyotthita- socan vimuhyann upayati kasmalam, kvacic ca pamsu-dhumra, diso na janati rajas-valaksah gandharva -puram pravistah, pramodate nirvrtavan muhurtam TRANSLATION My dear King, the merchant on the forest TRANSLATION path of the material world, his intelligence Sometimes, being defeated or plundered by victimized by home, wealth, relatives and so a superior, powerful agent, a living entity loses forth, runs from one place to another in search all his possessions. He then becomes very of success. Sometimes his eyes are covered by morose, and lamenting their loss, he sometimes the dust of a whirlwind--that is to say, in his becomes unconscious. Sometimes he imagines lust he is captivated by the beauty of his wife, a great palatial city in which he desires to live especially during her menstrual period. Thus happily with his family members and riches. his eyes are blinded, and he cannot see where He thinks himself fully satisfied if this is to go or what he is doing. possible, but such so-called happiness continues only for a moment. TEXT 5, adrsya-jhilli-svana-karna-sula, uluka- 55

TEXT 8, calan kvacit kantaka-sarkaranghrir, TEXT 11, kvacic ca sitatapa-vata-varsa-, nagaruruksur vimana ivaste, pade pade pratikriyam kartum anisa aste, kvacin mitho 'bhyantara-vahninarditah, kautumbikah krudhyati vipanan yac ca kincid, vidvesam rcchaty uta vitta- vai janaya sathyat

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Sometimes the merchant in the forest wants Sometimes the living entity is busy to climb the hills and mountains, but due to counteracting the natural disturbances of insufficient footwear, his feet are pricked by freezing cold, scorching heat, strong wind, small stone fragments and by thorns on the excessive rainfall and so forth. When he is mountain. Being pricked by them, he becomes unable to do so, he becomes very unhappy. very aggrieved. Sometimes a person who is Sometimes he is cheated in business very attached to his family becomes transactions one after another. In this way, by overwhelmed with hunger, and due to his cheating, living entities create enmity among miserable condition he becomes furious with themselves. his family members. TEXT 12, kvacit kvacit ksina-dhanas tu tasmin, TEXT 9, kvacin nigirno 'jagarahina jano, navaiti sayyasana-sthana-vihara-hinah, yacan parad kincid vipine 'paviddhah, dastah sma sete kva ca apratilabdha-kamah, parakya-drstir labhate danda-sukair, andho 'ndha-kupe patitas tamisre 'vamanam

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The conditioned soul in the material forest On the forest path of material existence, is sometimes swallowed by a python or sometimes a person is without wealth and due crushed. At such a time he is left lying in the to this does not have a proper home, bed or forest like a dead person, devoid of sitting place, nor proper family enjoyment. He consciousness and knowledge. Sometimes therefore goes to beg money from others, but other poisonous snakes bite him. Being blind to when his desires are not fulfilled by begging, his consciousness, he falls down into a dark he wants to borrow or steal the property of well of hellish life with no hope of being others. Thus he is insulted in society. rescued. TEXT 13, anyonya-vitta-vyatisanga-vrddha-, TEXT 10, karhi sma cit ksudra-rasan vicinvams, vairanubandho vivahan mithas ca, adhvany tan-maksikabhir vyathito vimanah, tatrati- amusminn uru-krcchra-vitta-, badhopasargair krcchrat pratilabdhamano, balad vilumpanty atha viharan vipannah tam tato 'nye TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Due to monetary transactions, relationships Sometimes, in order to have a little become very strained and end in enmity. insignificant sex enjoyment, one searches after Sometimes the husband and wife walk on the debauched women. In this attempt, one is path of material progress, and to maintain insulted and chastised by the women's their relationship they work very hard. kinsmen. This is like going to take honey from Sometimes due to scarcity of money or due to a beehive and being attacked by the bees. diseased conditions, they are embarrassed and Sometimes, after spending lots of money, one almost die. may acquire another woman for some extra sense enjoyment. Unfortunately, the object of TEXT 14, tams tan vipannan sa hi tatra tatra, sense enjoyment, the woman, is taken away or vihaya jatam parigrhya sarthah, avartate 'dyapi na kidnapped by another debauchee. kascid atra, viradhvanah param upaiti yogam

56

TRANSLATION of real devotees, but due to misfortune he My dear King, on the forest path of cannot follow the instructions of the spiritual material life, first a person is bereft of his master or advanced devotees; therefore he father and mother, and after their death he gives up their company and again returns to becomes attached to his newly born children. the association of monkeys who are simply In this way he wanders on the path of material interested in sense gratification and women. progress and is eventually embarrassed. He derives satisfaction by associating with Nonetheless, no one knows how to get out of sense gratifiers and enjoying sex and this, even up to the moment of death. intoxication. In this way he spoils his life simply by indulging in sex and intoxication. TEXT 15, manasvino nirjita-dig-gajendra, Looking into the faces of other sense gratifiers, mameti sarve bhuvi baddha-vairah, mrdhe sayiran he becomes forgetful and thus approaches na tu tad vrajanti, yan nyasta-dando gata-vairo death. 'bhiyati TEXT 18, drumesu ramsyan suta-dara-vatsalo, TRANSLATION vyavaya-dino vivasah sva-bandhane, kvacit There were and are many political and pramadad giri-kandare patan, vallim grhitva gaja- social heroes who have conquered enemies of bhita asthitah equal power, yet due to their ignorance in believing that the land is theirs, they fight one TRANSLATION another and lay down their lives in battle. When the living entity becomes exactly like They are not able to take up the spiritual path a monkey jumping from one branch to accepted by those in the renounced order. another, he remains in the tree of household Although they are big heroes and political life without any profit but sex. Thus he is leaders, they cannot take to the path of kicked by his wife just like the he-ass. Unable spiritual realization. to gain release, he remains helplessly in that position. Sometimes he falls victim to am TEXT 16, prasajjati kvapi lata-bhujasrayas, tad- incurable disease, which is like falling into a asrayavyakta-pada-dvija-sprhah, kvacit kadacid mountain cave. He becomes afraid of death, dhari-cakratas trasan, sakhyam vidhatte baka- which is like the elephant in the back of that kanka-grdhraih cave, and he remains stranded, grasping at the twigs and branches of a creeper. TRANSLATION Sometimes the living entity in the forest of TEXT 19, atah kathancit sa vimukta apadah, material existence takes shelter of creepers and punas ca sartham pravisaty arindama, adhvany desires to hear the chirping of the birds in amusminn ajaya nivesito, bhraman jano 'dyapi na those creepers. Being afraid of roaring lions in veda kascana the forest, he makes friends with cranes, herons and vultures. TRANSLATION O killer of enemies, Maharaja Rahugana, if TEXT 17, tair vancito hamsa-kulam samavisann, the conditioned soul somehow or other gets out arocayan silam upaiti vanaran, taj-jati-rasena of his dangerous position, he again returns to sunirvrtendriyah, parasparodviksana- his home to enjoy sex life, for that is the way of vismrtavadhih attachment. Thus, under the spell of the Lord's material energy, he continues to loiter in the TRANSLATION forest of material existence. He does not Being cheated by them, the living entity in discover his real interest even at the point of the forest of the material world tries to give up death. the association of these so-called yogis, svamis and incarnations and come to the association TEXT 20, rahugana tvam api hy adhvano 'sya, 57 sannyasta-dandah krta-bhuta-maitrah, asaj-jitatma sisubhyo, namo yuvabhyo nama avatubhyah, ye hari-sevaya sitam, jnanasim adaya tarati-param brahmana gam avadhuta-lingas, caranti tebhyah sivam astu rajnam TRANSLATION My dear King Rahugana, you are also a TRANSLATION victim of the external energy, being situated on I offer my respectful obeisances unto the the path of attraction to material pleasure. So great personalities, whether they walk on the that you may become an equal friend to all earth's surface as children, young boys, living entities, I now advise you to give up your avadhutas or great brahmanas. Even if they kingly position and the rod by which you are hidden under different guises, I offer my punish criminals. Give up attraction to the respects to all of them. By their mercy, may sense objects and take up the sword of there be good fortune in the royal dynasties knowledge sharpened by devotional service. that are always offending them. Then you will be able to cut the hard knot of illusory energy and cross to the other side of TEXT 24, sri-suka uvaca ity evam uttara-matah the ocean of nescience. sa vai brahmarsi-sutah sindhu-pataya atma- satattvam viganayatah paranubhavah parama- TEXT 21, rajovaca, aho nr-janmakhila-janma- karunikatayopadisya rahuganena sakarunam sobhanam, kim janmabhis tv aparair apy abhivandita-carana apurnarnava iva nibhrta- amusmin, na yad dhrsikesa-yasah-krtatmanam, karanormy-asayo dharanim imam vicacara. mahatmanam vah pracurah samagamah TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Srila Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My King Rahugana said: This birth as a human dear King, O son of mother Uttara, there were being is the best of all. Even birth among the some waves of dissatisfaction in the mind of demigods in the heavenly planets is not as Jada Bharata due to his being insulted by King glorious as birth as a human being on this Rahugana, who made him carry his palanquin, earth. What is the use of the exalted position of but Jada Bharata neglected this, and his heart a demigod? In the heavenly planets, due to again became calm and quiet like an ocean. profuse material comforts, there is no Although King Rahugana had insulted him, he possibility of associating with devotees. was a great paramahamsa. Being a Vaisnava, he was naturally very kindhearted, and he TEXT 22, na hy adbhutam tvac-caranabja- therefore told the King about the renubhir, hatamhaso bhaktir adhoksaje 'mala, constitutional position of the soul. He then mauhurtikad yasya samagamac ca me, dustarka- forgot the insult because King Rahugana mulo 'pahato 'vivekah pitifully begged pardon at his lotus feet. After this, he began to wander all over the earth, just TRANSLATION as before. It is not at all wonderful that simply by being covered by the dust of your lotus feet, TEXT 25, sauvira-patir api sujana-samavagata- one immediately attains the platform of pure paramatma-satattva atmany avidyadhyaropitam ca devotional service to Adhoksaja, which is not dehatma-matim visasarja; evam hi nrpa available even to great demigods like Brahma. bhagavad-asritasritanubhavah. By associating with you just for a moment, I am now freed from all argument, false prestige TRANSLATION and lack of discrimination, which are the roots After receiving lessons from the great of entanglement in the material world. Now I devotee Jada Bharata, King Rahugana of the am free from all these problems. state of Sauvira became completely aware of the constitutional position of the soul. He thus TEXT 23, namo mahadbhyo 'stu namah gave up the bodily conception completely. My 58 dear King, whoever takes shelter of the servant Gosvami about the direct meaning of the of the servant of the Lord is certainly glorified material forest, Sukadeva Gosvami replied as because he can without difficulty give up the follows: My dear King, a man belonging to the bodily conception. mercantile community [vanik] is always interested in earning money. Sometimes he TEXT 26, rajovaca yo ha va iha bahu-vida maha- enters the forest to acquire some cheap bhagavata tvayabhihitah paroksena vacasa jiva- commodities like wood and earth and sell them loka-bhavadhva sa hy arya-manisaya kalpita- in the city at good prices. Similarly, the visayo nanjasavyutpanna-loka-samadhigamah; conditioned soul, being greedy, enters this atha tad evaitad duravagamam material world for some material profit. samavetanukalpena nirdisyatam iti. Gradually he enters the deepest part of the forest, not really knowing how to get out. TRANSLATION Having entered the material world, the pure King Pariksit then told Sukadeva Gosvami: soul becomes conditioned by the material My dear lord, O great devotee sage, you are atmosphere, which is created by the external omniscient. You have very nicely described the energy under the control of Lord Visnu. Thus position of the conditioned soul, who is the living entity comes under the control of the compared to a merchant in the forest. From external energy, daivi maya. Living these instructions intelligent men can independently and bewildered in the forest, he understand that the senses of a person in the does not attain the association of devotees who bodily conception are like rogues and thieves are always engaged in the service of the Lord. in that forest, and one's wife and children are Once in the bodily conception, he gets different like jackals and other ferocious animals. types of bodies one after the other under the However, it is not very easy for the influence of material energy and impelled by unintelligent to understand the purport of this the modes of material nature [sattva-guna, story because it is difficult to extricate the rajo-guna and tamo-guna]. In this way the exact meaning from the allegory. I therefore conditioned soul goes sometimes to the request Your Holiness to give the direct heavenly planets, sometimes to the earthly meaning. planets and sometimes to the lower planets and lower species. Thus he suffers continuously Chapter Fourteen The Material World due to different types of bodies. These as the Great Forest of Enjoyment sufferings and pains are sometimes mixed. Sometimes they are very severe, and TEXT 1, sa hovaca sa esa dehatma-maninam sometimes they are not. These bodily sattvadi-guna-visesa-vikalpita-kusalaku-sala- conditions are acquired due to the conditioned samavahara-vinirmita-vividha-dehavalibhir soul's mental speculation. He uses his mind viyoga-samyogady-anadi-samsaranubhavasya and five senses to acquire knowledge, and dvara-bhutena sad-indriya-vargena tasmin these bring about the different bodies and durgadhvavad asugame 'dhvany apatita isvarasya different conditions. Using the senses under bhagavato visnor vasa-vartinya mayaya jiva-loko the control of the external energy, maya, the 'yam yatha vanik-sartho 'rtha-parah sva-deha- living entity suffers the miserable conditions of nispadita-karmanubhavah smasanavad material existence. He is actually searching for asivatamayam samsaratavyam gato nadyapi relief, but he is generally baffled, although viphala-bahu-pratiyogehas tat-tapopasamanim sometimes he is relieved after great difficulty. hari-guru-caranaravinda-madhukaranupadavim Struggling for existence in this way, he cannot avarundhe. get the shelter of pure devotees, who are like bumblebees engaged in loving service at the TRANSLATION lotus feet of Lord Visnu. When King Pariksit asked Sukadeva TEXT 2, yasyam u ha va ete sad-indriya- 59

namanah karmana dasyava eva te; tad yatha TRANSLATION purusasya dhanam yat kincid dharmaupayikam Every year the plowman plows over his bahu-krcchradhigatam saksat parama- grain field, completely uprooting all weeds. purusaradhana-laksano yo 'sau tam tu Nonetheless, the seeds lie there and, not being samparaya udaharanti; tad-dharmyam dhanam completely burned, again come up with the darsana-sparsana-sravanasvadanavaghrana- plants sown in the field. Even after being sankalpa-vyavasaya-grha-gramyopabhogena plowed under, the weeds come up densely. kunathasyajitatmano yatha sarthasya vilum-panti. Similarly, the grhastha-asrama [family life] is a field of fruitive activity. Unless the desire to TRANSLATION enjoy family life is completely burned out, it In the forest of material existence, the grows up again and again. Even though uncontrolled senses are like plunderers. The may be removed from a pot, the pot conditioned soul may earn some money for the nonetheless retains the aroma of camphor. As advancement of Krsna consciousness, but long as the seeds of desire are not destroyed, unfortunately the uncontrolled senses plunder fruitive activities are not destroyed. his money through sense gratification. The senses are plunderers because they make one TEXT 5, tatra gato damsa-masaka-samapasadair spend his money unnecessarily for seeing, manujaih salabha-sakunta-taskara-musakadibhir smelling, tasting, touching, hearing, desiring uparudhyamana-bahih-pranah kvacit and willing. In this way the conditioned soul is parivartamano 'sminn adhvany avidya-kama- obliged to gratify his senses, and thus all his karmabhir uparakta-manasanupapannartham nara- money is spent. This money is actually lokam gandharva-nagaram upapannam iti mithya- acquired for the execution of religious drstir anupasyati. principles, but it is taken away by the plundering senses. TRANSLATION Sometimes the conditioned soul in TEXT 3, atha ca yatra kautumbika household life, being attached to material darapatyadayo namna karmana vrka-srgala wealth and possessions, is disturbed by gadflies evanicchato 'pi kadaryasya kutumbina uranakavat and mosquitoes, and sometimes locusts, birds samraksyamanam misato 'pi haranti. of prey and rats give him trouble. Nonetheless, he still wanders down the path of material TRANSLATION existence. Due to ignorance he becomes lusty My dear King, family members in this and engages in fruitive activity. Because his material world go under the names of wife and mind is absorbed in these activities, he sees the children, but actually they behave like tigers material world as permanent, although it is and jackals. A herdsman tries to protect his temporary like a phantasmagoria, a house in sheep to the best of his ability, but the tigers the sky. and foxes take them away by force. Similarly, although a miserly man wants to guard his TEXT 6, tatra ca kvacid atapodaka-nibhan money very carefully, his family members take visayan upadhavati pana-bhojana-vyavayadi- away all his assets forcibly, even though he is vyasana-lolupah. very vigilant. TRANSLATION TEXT 4, yatha hy anuvatsaram krsyamanam apy Sometimes in this house in the sky adagdha-bijam ksetram punar evavapana-kale [gandharva-pura] the conditioned soul drinks, gulma-trna-virudbhir gahvaram iva bhavaty evam eats and has sex. Being overly attached, he eva grhasramah karma-ksetram yasmin na hi chases after the objects of the senses just as a karmany utsidanti yad ayam kama-karanda esa deer chases a mirage in the desert. avasathah. TEXT 7, kvacic casesa-dosa-nisadanam purisa- 60

visesam tad--guna-nirmita-matih suvarnam tayaiva marici-toya-prayams tan evabhidhavati. upaditsaty agni-kama-katara ivolmuka-pisacam. TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The conditioned soul sometimes personally Sometimes the living entity is interested in appreciates the futility of sense enjoyment in the yellow stool known as gold and runs after the material world, and he sometimes it. That gold is the source of material opulence considers material enjoyment to be full of and envy, and it can enable one to afford illicit miseries. However, due to his strong bodily sex, gambling, meat-eating and intoxication. conception, his memory is destroyed, and Those whose minds are overcome by the mode again and again he runs after material of passion are attracted by the color of gold, enjoyment, just as an animal runs after a just as a man suffering from cold in the forest mirage in the desert. runs after a phosphorescent light in a marshy land, considering it to be fire. TEXT 11, kvacid uluka-jhilli-svanavad ati- parusa-rabhasatopam pratyaksam paroksam va TEXT 8, atha kadacin nivasa-paniya-dravinady- ripu-raja-kula-nirbhartsitenati-vyathita-karna- anekatmopajivanabhinivesa etasyam mula-hrdayah. samsaratavyam itas tatah paridhavati. TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Sometimes the conditioned soul is very Sometimes the conditioned soul is absorbed aggrieved by the chastisement of his enemies in finding residential quarters or apartments and government servants, who use harsh and getting a supply of water and riches to words against him directly or indirectly. At maintain his body. Absorbed in acquiring a that time his heart and ears become very variety of necessities, he forgets everything and saddened. Such chastisement may be perpetually runs around the forest of material compared to the sounds of owls and crickets. existence. TEXT 12, sa yada dugdha-purva-sukrtas tada TEXT 9, kvacic ca vatyaupamyaya karaskara-kakatundady-apunya-druma-lata- pramadayaroham aropitas tat-kala-rajasa rajani- visoda-panavad ubhayartha-sunya-dravinan jivan- bhuta ivasadhu-maryado rajas-valakso 'pi dig- mrtan svayam jivan-mriyamana upadhavati. devata atirajas-vala-matir na vijanati. TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Due to his pious activities in previous lives, Sometimes, as if blinded by the dust of a the conditioned soul attains material facilities whirlwind, the conditioned soul sees the beauty in this life, but when they are finished, he takes of the opposite sex, which is called pramada. shelter of wealth and riches, which cannot help Being thus bewildered, he is raised upon the him in this life or the next. Because of this, he lap of a woman, and at that time his good approaches the living dead who possess these senses are overcome by the force of passion. He things. Such people are compared to impure thus becomes almost blind with lusty desire trees, creepers and poisonous wells. and disobeys the rules and regulations governing sex life. He does not know that his TEXT 13, ekadasat-prasangan nikrta-matir disobedience is witnessed by different vyudaka-srotah-skhalanavad ubhayato 'pi demigods, and he enjoys illicit sex in the dead duhkhadam pakhandam abhiyati. of night, not seeing the future punishment awaiting him. TRANSLATION Sometimes, to mitigate distresses in this TEXT 10, kvacit sakrd avagata-visaya-vaitathyah forest of the material world, the conditioned svayam parabhidhyanena vibhramsita-smrtis soul receives cheap blessings from atheists. He 61

then loses all intelligence in their association. carnivorous demons called Raksasas [man- This is exactly like jumping in a shallow river. eaters]. Sometimes these government men turn As a result one simply breaks his head. He is against the conditioned soul and take away all not able to mitigate his sufferings from the his accumulated wealth. Being bereft of his heat, and in both ways he suffers. The life's reserved wealth, the conditioned soul misguided conditioned soul also approaches loses all enthusiasm. Indeed, it is as though he so-called and svamis who preach loses his life. against the principles of the Vedas. He does not receive benefit from them, either in the TEXT 17, kadacin manorathopagata-pitr- present or in the future. pitamahady asat sad iti svapna-nirvrti-laksanam anubhavati. TEXT 14, yada tu para-badhayandha atmane nopanamati tada hi pitr-putra-barhismatah pitr- TRANSLATION putran va sa khalu bhaksayati. Sometimes the conditioned soul imagines that his father or grandfather has again come TRANSLATION in the form of his son or grandson. In this way In this material world, when the he feels the happiness one sometimes feels in a conditioned soul cannot arrange for his own dream, and the conditioned soul sometimes maintenance, despite exploiting others, he tries takes pleasure in such mental concoctions. to exploit his own father or son, taking away that relative's possessions, although they may TEXT 18, kvacid grhasrama-karma-codanati- be very insignificant. If he cannot acquire bhara-girim aruruksamano loka-vyasana-karsita- things from his father, son or other relatives, manah kantaka-sarkara-ksetram pravisann iva he is prepared to give them all kinds of sidati. trouble. TRANSLATION TEXT 15, kvacid asadya grham davavat In household life one is ordered to execute priyartha-vidhuram asukhodarkam sokagnina many yajnas and fruitive activities, especially dahyamano bhrsam nirvedam upagacchati. the vivaha -yajna [the marriage ceremony for sons and daughters] and the sacred thread TRANSLATION ceremony. These are all the duties of a In this world, family life is exactly like a grhastha, and they are very extensive and blazing fire in the forest. There is not the least troublesome to execute. They are compared to happiness, and gradually one becomes more a big hill over which one must cross when one and more implicated in unhappiness. In is attached to material activities. A person household life, there is nothing favorable for desiring to cross over these ritualistic perpetual happiness. Being implicated in home ceremonies certainly feels pains like the life, the conditioned soul is burned by the fire piercing of thorns and pebbles endured by one of lamentation. Sometimes he condemns attempting to climb a hill. Thus the himself as being very unfortunate, and conditioned soul suffers unlimitedly. sometimes he claims that he suffers because he performed no pious activities in his previous TEXT 19, kvacic ca duhsahena kayabhyantara- life. vahnina grhita-sarah sva-kutumbaya krudhyati.

TEXT 16, kvacit kala-visa-mita-raja-kula- TRANSLATION raksasapahrta-priyatama-dhanasuh pramrtaka iva Sometimes, due to bodily hunger and thirst, vigata-jiva-laksana aste. the conditioned soul becomes so disturbed that he loses his patience and becomes angry with TRANSLATION his own beloved sons, daughters and wife. Government men are always like Thus, being unkind to them, he suffers all the 62

more. TEXT 23, atha ca tasmad ubhayathapi hi TEXT 20, sa eva punar nidrajagara-grhito 'ndhe karmasminn atmanah samsaravapanam tamasi magnah sunyaranya iva sete nanyat- udaharanti. kincana veda sava ivapaviddhah. TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Learned scholars and transcendentalists Sukadeva Gosvami continued speaking to therefore condemn the materialistic path of Maharaja Pariksit: My dear King, sleep is fruitive activity because it is the original source exactly like a python. Those who wander in the and breeding ground of material miseries, forest of material life are always devoured by both in this life and in the next. the python of sleep. Being bitten by this python, they always remain in the darkness of TEXT 24, muktas tato yadi bandhad devadatta ignorance. They are like dead bodies thrown in upacchinatti tasmad api visnumitra ity a distant forest. Thus the conditioned souls anavasthitih. cannot understand what is going on in life. TRANSLATION TEXT 21, kadacid bhagna-mana-damstro Stealing or cheating another person out of durjana-danda-sukair alabdha-nidra-ksano his money, the conditioned soul somehow or vyathita-hrdayenanuksiyamana-vijnano 'ndha- other keeps it in his possession and escapes kupe 'ndhavat patati. punishment. Then another man, named Devadatta, cheats him and takes the money TRANSLATION away. Similarly, another man, named In the forest of the material world, the Visnumitra, steals the money from Devadatta conditioned soul is sometimes bitten by envious and takes it away. In any case, the money does enemies, which are compared to serpents and not stay in one place. It passes from one hand other creatures. Through the tricks of the to another. Ultimately no one can enjoy the enemy, the conditioned soul falls from his money, and it remains the property of the prestigious position. Being anxious, he cannot Supreme Personality of Godhead. even sleep properly. He thus becomes more and more unhappy, and he gradually loses his TEXT 25, kvacic ca sita-vatady- intelligence and consciousness. In that state he anekadhidaivika-bhautikatmiyanam dasanam becomes almost perpetually like a blind man pratinivarane 'kalpo duranta-cintaya visanna aste. who has fallen into a dark well of ignorance. TRANSLATION TEXT 22, karhi sma cit kama-madhu-lavan Being unable to protect himself from the vicinvan yada para-dara-para-drav-yany threefold miseries of material existence, the avarundhano rajna svamibhir va nihatah pataty conditioned soul becomes very morose and apare niraye. lives a life of lamentation. These threefold miseries are miseries suffered by mental TRANSLATION calamity at the hands of the demigods [such as The conditioned soul is sometimes attracted freezing wind and scorching heat], miseries to the little happiness derived from sense offered by other living entities, and miseries gratification. Thus he has illicit sex or steals arising from the mind and body themselves. another's property. At such a time he may be arrested by the government or chastised by the TEXT 26, kvacin mitho vyavaharan yat kincid woman's husband or protector. Thus simply dhanam anyebhyo va kakinika-matram apy for a little material satisfaction, he falls into a apaharan yat kincid va vidvesam eti vitta-sathyat. hellish condition and is put into jail for rape, kidnapping, theft and so forth. TRANSLATION 63

As far as transactions with money are animisato misatam vitrasta-hrdayas tam concerned, if one person cheats another by a evesvaram kala-cakra-nijayudham saksad farthing or less, they become enemies. bhagavantam yajna-purusam anadrtya pakhanda- devatah kanka-grdhra-baka-vata-praya arya- TEXT 27, adhvany amusminn ima upasargas samaya-parihrtah sanketyenabhidhatte. tatha sukha-duhkha-raga-dvesa-bhayabhimana- pramadonmada-soka-moha-lobha- TRANSLATION matsaryersyava-mana-ksut-pipasadhi-vyadhi- The personal weapon used by Lord Krsna, janma-jara-maranadayah. the disc, is called hari-cakra, the disc of Hari. This cakra is the wheel of time. It expands TRANSLATION from the beginning of the atoms up to the time In this materialistic life, there are many of Brahma's death, and it controls all difficulties, as I have just mentioned, and all of activities. It is always revolving and spending these are insurmountable. In addition, there the lives of the living entities, from Lord are difficulties arising from so-called Brahma down to an insignificant blade of happiness, distress, attachment, hate, fear, grass. Thus one changes from infancy, to false prestige, illusion, madness, lamentation, childhood, to youth and maturity, and thus one bewilderment, greed, envy, enmity, insult, approaches the end of life. It is impossible to hunger, thirst, tribulation, disease, birth, old check this wheel of time. This wheel is very age and death. All these combine together to exacting because it is the personal weapon of give the materialistic conditioned soul nothing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. but misery. Sometimes the conditioned soul, fearing the approach of death, wants to worship someone TEXT 28, kvapi deva-mayaya striya bhuja- who can save him from imminent danger. Yet latopagudhah praskanna-viveka-vijnano yad- he does not care for the Supreme Personality vihara-grharambhakula-hrdayas tad- of Godhead, whose weapon is the indefatigable asrayavasakta-suta-duhitr-kalatra-bhasitavaloka- time factor. The conditioned soul instead takes vicestitapahrta-hrdaya atmanam ajitatmapare shelter of a man-made god described in 'ndhe tamasi prahinoti. unauthorized scriptures. Such gods are like buzzards, vultures, herons and crows. Vedic TRANSLATION scriptures do not refer to them. Imminent Sometimes the conditioned soul is attracted death is like the attack of a lion, and neither by illusion personified (his wife or girl friend) vultures, buzzards, crows nor herons can save and becomes eager to be embraced by a one from such an attack. One who takes woman. Thus he loses his intelligence as well as shelter of unauthorized man-made gods cannot knowledge of life's goal. At that time, no longer be saved from the clutches of death. attempting spiritual cultivation, he becomes overly attached to his wife or girl friend and TEXT 30, yada pakhandibhir atma-vancitais tair tries to provide her with a suitable apartment. uru vancito brahma-kulam samavasams tesam Again, he becomes very busy under the shelter silam upanayanadi-srauta-smarta-karmanustha- of that home and is captivated by the talks, nena bhagavato yajna-purusasyaradhanam eva tad glances and activities of his wife and children. arocayan sudra-kulam bhajate nigamacare In this way he loses his Krsna consciousness 'suddhito yasya mithuni-bhavah kutumba- and throws himself in the dense darkness of bharanam yatha vanara-jateh. material existence. TRANSLATION TEXT 29, kadacid isvarasya bhagavato visnos The pseudo svamis, yogis and incarnations cakrat paramanv-adi-dvi-parardhapavarga- who do not believe in the Supreme Personality kalopalaksanat parivartitena vayasa ramhasa of Godhead are known as pasandis. They harata abrahma-trna-stambadinam bhutanam themselves are fallen and cheated because they 64

do not know the real path of spiritual clutches. advancement, and whoever goes to them is certainly cheated in his turn. When one is thus TEXT 33, evam adhvany avarundhano mrtyu- cheated, he sometimes takes shelter of the real gaja-bhayat tamasi giri-kandara-praye. followers of Vedic principles [brahmanas or those in Krsna consciousness], who teach TRANSLATION everyone how to worship the Supreme In this material world, when the Personality of Godhead according to the Vedic conditioned soul forgets his relationship with rituals. However, being unable to stick to these the Supreme Personality of Godhead and does principles, these rascals again fall down and not care for Krsna consciousness, he simply take shelter among sudras who are very expert engages in different types of mischievous and in making arrangements for sex indulgence. sinful activities. He is then subjected to the Sex is very prominent among animals like threefold miseries, and, out of fear of the monkeys, and such people who are enlivened elephant of death, he falls into the darkness by sex may be called descendants of monkeys. found in a mountain cave.

TEXT 31, tatrapi niravarodhah svairena viharann TEXT 34, kvacic chita-vatady-aneka-daivika- ati-krpana-buddhir anyonya-mukha-niriksanadina bhautikatmiyanam duhkhanam pratinivarane gramya-karmanaiva vismrta-kalavadhih. 'kalpo duranta-visaya-visanna aste.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION In this way the descendants of the monkeys The conditioned soul suffers many intermingle with each other, and they are miserable bodily conditions, such as being generally known as sudras. Without hesitating, affected by severe cold and strong winds. He they live and move freely, not knowing the goal also suffers due to the activities of other living of life. They are captivated simply by seeing beings and due to natural disturbances. When the faces of one another, which remind them of he is unable to counteract them and has to sense gratification. They are always engaged in remain in a miserable condition, he naturally material activities, known as gramya-karma, becomes very morose because he wants to and they work hard for material benefit. Thus enjoy material facilities. they forget completely that one day their small life spans will be finished and they will be TEXT 35, kvacin mitho vyavaharan yat kincid degraded in the evolutionary cycle. dhanam upayati vitta-sathyena.

TEXT 32, kvacid drumavad aihikarthesu grhesu TRANSLATION ramsyan yatha vanarah suta-dara-vatsalo Sometimes conditioned souls exchange vyavaya-ksanah. money, but in due course of time, enmity arises because of cheating. Although there may be a TRANSLATION tiny profit, the conditioned souls cease to be Just as a monkey jumps from one tree to friends and become enemies. another, the conditioned soul jumps from one body to another. As the monkey is ultimately TEXT 36, kvacit ksina-dhanah sayyasanasanady- captured by the hunter and is unable to get out upabhoga-vihino yavad apratilabdha- of captivity, the conditioned soul, being manorathopagatadane 'vasita-matis tatas tato captivated by momentary sex pleasure, 'vamanadini janad abhilabhate. becomes attached to different types of bodies and is encaged in family life. Family life TRANSLATION affords the conditioned soul a festival of Sometimes, having no money, the momentary sex pleasure, and thus he is conditioned soul does not get sufficient completely unable to get out of the material accommodations. Sometimes he doesn't even 65

have a place to sit, nor does he have the other in order to get out of this dangerous material necessities. In other words, he falls into existence. Without accepting the devotional scarcity, and at that time, when he is unable to path, one cannot get out of the clutches of secure the necessities by fair means, he decides material existence. The conclusion is that no to seize the property of others unfairly. When one can be happy in material life. One must he cannot get the things he wants, he simply take to Krsna consciousness. receives insults from others and thus becomes very morose. TEXT 39, yad idam yoganusasanam na va etad avarundhate yan nyasta-danda munaya upasama- TEXT 37, evam vitta-vyatisanga-vivrddha- sila uparatatmanah samavagacchanti. vairanubandho 'pi purva-vasanaya mitha udvahaty athapavahati. TRANSLATION Saintly persons, who are friends to all living TRANSLATION entities, have a peaceful consciousness. They Although people may be enemies, in order have controlled their senses and minds, and to fulfill their desires again and again, they they easily attain the path of liberation, the sometimes get married. Unfortunately, these path back to Godhead. Being unfortunate and marriages do not last very long, and the people attached to the miserable material conditions, involved are separated again by divorce or a materialistic person cannot associate with other means. them.

TEXT 38, etasmin samsaradhvani nana- TEXT 40, yad api dig-ibha-jayino yajvino ye vai klesopasarga-badhita apanna-vipanno yatra yas rajarsayah kim tu param mrdhe sayirann asyam tam u ha vavetaras tatra visrjya jatam jatam eva mameyam iti krta-vairanubandhayam visrjya upadaya socan muhyan bibhyad-vivadan krandan svayam upasamhrtah. samhrsyan gayan nahyamanah sadhu-varjito naivavartate 'dyapi yata arabdha esa nara-loka- TRANSLATION sartho yam adhvanah param upadisanti. There were many great saintly kings who were very expert in performing sacrificial TRANSLATION rituals and very competent in conquering The path of this material world is full of other kingdoms, yet despite their power they material miseries, and various troubles disturb could not attain the loving service of the the conditioned souls. Sometimes he loses, and Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is sometimes he gains. In either case, the path is because those great kings could not even full of danger. Sometimes the conditioned soul conquer the false consciousness of "I am this is separated from his father by death or other body, and this is my property." Thus they circumstances. Leaving him aside he gradually simply created enmity with rival kings, fought becomes attached to others, such as his with them and died without having discharged children. In this way, the conditioned soul is life's real mission. sometimes illusioned and afraid. Sometimes he cries loudly out of fear. Sometimes he is happy TEXT 41, karma-vallim avalambya tata apadah maintaining his family, and sometimes he is kathancin narakad vimuktah punar apy evam overjoyed and sings melodiously. In this way samsaradhvani vartamano nara-loka-sartham he becomes entangled and forgets his upayati evam upari gato 'pi. separation from the Supreme Personality of Godhead since time immemorial. Thus he TRANSLATION traverses the dangerous path of material When the conditioned soul accepts the existence, and on this path he is not at all shelter of the creeper of fruitive activity, he happy. Those who are self-realized simply take may be elevated by his pious activities to shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead higher planetary systems and thus gain 66

liberation from hellish conditions, but wife and his family. His opulence was so great unfortunately he cannot remain there. After that even the demigods envied it, yet he gave it reaping the results of his pious activities, he up. It was quite befitting a great personality has to return to the lower planetary systems. like him to be a great devotee. He could In this way he perpetually goes up and comes renounce everything because he was so down. attracted to the beauty, opulence, reputation, knowledge, strength and renunciation of the TEXT 42, tasyedam upagayanti----, arsabhasyeha Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. rajarser, manasapi mahatmanah, nanuvartmarhati Krsna is so attractive that one can give up all nrpo, maksikeva garutmatah desirable things for His sake. Indeed, even liberation is considered insignificant for those TRANSLATION whose minds are attracted to the loving service Having summarized the teachings of Jada of the Lord. Bharata, Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear King Pariksit, the path indicated by Jada TEXT 45, yajnaya dharma-pataye vidhi- Bharata is like the path followed by , naipunaya, yogaya sankhya-sirase prakrtisvaraya, the carrier of the Lord, and ordinary kings are narayanaya haraye nama ity udaram, hasyan just like flies. Flies cannot follow the path of mrgatvam api yah samudajahara Garuda, and to date none of the great kings and victorious leaders could follow this path of TRANSLATION devotional service, not even mentally. Even though in the body of a deer, Maharaja Bharata did not forget the Supreme TEXT 43, yo dustyajan dara-sutan, suhrd rajyam Personality of Godhead; therefore when he hrdi-sprsah, jahau yuvaiva malavad, uttamasloka- was giving up the body of a deer, he loudly lalasah uttered the following prayer: "The Supreme Personality of Godhead is sacrifice personified. TRANSLATION He gives the results of ritualistic activity. He is While in the prime of life, the great the protector of religious systems, the Maharaja Bharata gave up everything because personification of mystic yoga, the source of all he was fond of serving the Supreme knowledge, the controller of the entire Personality of Godhead, Uttamasloka. He gave creation, and the Supersoul in every living up his beautiful wife, nice children, great entity. He is beautiful and attractive. I am friends and an enormous empire. Although quitting this body offering obeisances unto these things were very difficult to give up, Him and hoping that I may perpetually engage Maharaja Bharata was so exalted that he gave in His transcendental loving service." Uttering them up just as one gives up stool after this, Maharaja Bharata left his body. evacuating. Such was the greatness of His Majesty. TEXT 46, ya idam bhagavata-sabhajitavadata- guna-karmano rajarser bharatasyanucaritam TEXT 44, yo dustyajan ksiti-suta-svajanartha- svasty-ayanam ayusyam dhanyam yasasyam daran, prarthyam sriyam sura-varaih svargyapavargyam vanusrnoty akhyasyaty sadayavalokam, naicchan nrpas tad-ucitam abhinandati ca sarva evasisa atmana asaste na mahatam madhudvit-, sevanurakta-manasam kancana parata iti. abhavo 'pi phalguh TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Devotees interested in hearing and chanting Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear [sravanam kirtanam] regularly discuss the King, the activities of Bharata Maharaja are pure characteristics of Bharata Maharaja and wonderful. He gave up everything difficult for praise his activities. If one submissively hears others to give up. He gave up his kingdom, his and chants about the all-auspicious Maharaja 67

Bharata, one's life span and material suvarcalayam pratiha upajatah. opulences certainly increase. One can become very famous and easily attain promotion to the TRANSLATION heavenly planets, or attain liberation by Thereafter, in the womb of Asuri, the wife merging into the existence of the Lord. of Devatajit, a son named Devadyumna was Whatever one desires can be attained simply begotten. Devadyumna begot in the womb of by hearing, chanting and glorifying the his wife, Dhenumati, a son named Paramesthi. activities of Maharaja Bharata. In this way, Paramesthi begot a son named Pratiha in the one can fulfill all his material and spiritual womb of his wife, Suvarcala. desires. One does not have to ask anyone else for these things, for simply by studying the life TEXT 4, ya atma-vidyam akhyaya svayam of Maharaja Bharata, one can attain all samsuddho maha-purusam anusasmara. desirable things. TRANSLATION King Pratiha personally propagated the Chapter Fifteen The Glories of the principles of self-realization. In this way, not Descendants of King Priyavrata only was he purified, but he became a great devotee of the Supreme Person, Lord Visnu, TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca bharatasyatmajah sumatir and directly realized Him. namabhihito yam u ha vava kecit pakhandina rsabha-padavim anuvartamanam canarya aveda- TEXT 5, pratihat suvarcalayam pratihartradayas samamnatam devatam sva-manisaya papiyasya traya asann ijya-kovidah sunavah pratihartuh kalau kalpayisyanti. stutyam aja-bhumanav ajanisatam.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Srila Sukadeva Gosvami continued: The In the womb of his wife Suvarcala, Pratiha son of Maharaja Bharata known as Sumati begot three sons, named Pratiharta, Prastota followed the path of Rsabhadeva, but some and Udgata. These three sons were very expert unscrupulous people imagined him to be Lord in performing Vedic rituals. Pratiharta begot Buddha himself. These people, who were two sons, named Aja and Bhuma, in the womb actually atheistic and of bad character, took up of his wife, named Stuti. the Vedic principles in an imaginary, infamous way to support their activities. Thus these TEXT 6, bhumna rsikulyayam udgithas tatah sinful people accepted Sumati as Lord prastavo devakulyayam prastavan niyutsayam Buddhadeva and propagated the theory that hrdayaja asid vibhur vibho ratyam ca prthusenas everyone should follow the principles of tasman nakta akutyam jajne naktad druti-putro Sumati. In this way they were carried away by gayo rajarsi-pravara udara-srava ajayata saksad mental concoction. bhagavato visnor jagad-riraksisaya grhita- sattvasya kalatmavattvadi-laksanena maha- TEXT 2, tasmad vrddhasenayam devatajin-nama purusatam praptah. putro 'bhavat. TRANSLATION TRANSLATION In the womb of his wife, Rsikulya, King From Sumati, a son named Devatajit was Bhuma begot a son named Udgitha. From born by the womb of his wife named Udgitha's wife, Devakulya, a son named Vrddhasena. Prastava was born, and Prastava begot a son named Vibhu through his wife, Niyutsa. In the TEXT 3, athasuryam tat-tanayo devadyumnas womb of his wife, Rati, Vibhu begot a son tato dhenumatyam sutah paramesthi tasya named Prthusena. Prthusena begot a son named Nakta in the womb of his wife, named 68

Akuti. Nakta's wife was Druti, and from her transcendental activities, King Gaya was womb the great King Gaya was born. Gaya always free from the bodily conception. He was was very famous and pious; he was the best of full in Brahman realization, and consequently saintly kings. Lord Visnu and His expansions, he was always jubilant. He did not experience who are meant to protect the universe, are material lamentation. Although he was perfect always situated in the transcendental mode of in all respects, he was not proud, nor was he goodness, known as visuddha-sattva. Being the anxious to rule the kingdom. direct expansion of Lord Visnu, King Gaya was also situated in the visuddha-sattva. TEXT 8, tasyemam gatham pandaveya puravida Because of this, Maharaja Gaya was fully upagayanti. equipped with transcendental knowledge. Therefore he was called Mahapurusa. TRANSLATION My dear King Pariksit, those who are TEXT 7, sa vai sva-dharmena praja-palana- learned scholars in the histories of the posana-prinanopalalananusasana- eulogize and glorify King Gaya with the laksanenejyadina ca bhagavati maha-puruse following verses. paravare brahmani sarvatmanarpita-paramartha- laksanena brahmavic-carananusevayapadita- TEXT 9, gayam nrpah kah pratiyati karmabhir, bhagavad-bhakti-yogena cabhiksnasah yajvabhimani bahuvid dharma-gopta, samagata- paribhavitati-suddha-matir uparatanatmya atmani srih sadasas-patih satam, sat-sevako 'nyo svayam upalabhyamana-brahmatmanubhavo 'pi bhagavat-kalam rte nirabhimana evavanim ajugupat. TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The great King Gaya used to perform all King Gaya gave full protection and security kinds of Vedic rituals. He was highly to the citizens so that their personal property intelligent and expert in studying all the Vedic would not be disturbed by undesirable literatures. He maintained the religious elements. He also saw that there was sufficient principles and possessed all kinds of opulence. food to feed all the citizens. [This is called He was a leader among gentlemen and a posana.] He would sometimes distribute gifts servant of the devotees. He was a totally to the citizens to satisfy them. [This is called qualified plenary expansion of the Supreme prinana.] He would sometimes call meetings Personality of Godhead. Therefore who could and satisfy the citizens with sweet words. [This equal him in the performance of gigantic is called upalalana.] He would also give them ritualistic ceremonies? good instructions on how to become first-class citizens. [This is called anusasana.] Such were TEXT 10, yam abhyasincan paraya muda satih, the characteristics of King Gaya's royal order. satyasiso daksa-kanyah saridbhih, yasya prajanam Besides all this, King Gaya was a householder duduhe dharasiso, nirasiso guna-vatsa-snutodhah who strictly observed the rules and regulations of household life. He performed sacrifices and TRANSLATION was an unalloyed pure devotee of the Supreme All the chaste and honest daughters of Personality of Godhead. He was called Maharaja Daksa, such as Sraddha, Maitri and Mahapurusa because as a king he gave the Daya, whose blessings were always effective, citizens all facilities, and as a householder he bathed Maharaja Gaya with sanctified water. executed all his duties so that at the end he Indeed, they were very satisfied with Maharaja became a strict devotee of the Supreme Lord. Gaya. The planet earth personified came as a As a devotee, he was always ready to give cow, and, as though she saw her calf, she respect to other devotees and to engage in the delivered milk profusely when she saw all the devotional service of the Lord. This is the good qualities of Maharaja Gaya. In other bhakti-yoga process. Due to all these words, Maharaja Gaya was able to derive all 69

benefits from the earth and thus satisfy the pleased. The Supreme Personality of Godhead desires of his citizens. However, he personally is the Supersoul of everyone, and He is by had no desire. nature fully pleased. Nonetheless, He came to the arena of Maharaja Gaya and said, "I am TEXT 11, chandamsy akamasya ca yasya kaman, fully pleased." duduhur ajahrur atho balim nrpah, pratyancita yudhi dharmena vipra, yadasisam sastham amsam TEXT S 14-15, gayad gayantyam citrarathah paretya sugatir avarodhana iti trayah putra babhuvus citrarathad urnayam samrad ajanista; TRANSLATION Although King Gaya had no personal desire tata utkalayam maricir maricer bindumatyam for sense gratification, all his desires were bindum anudapadyata tasmat saraghayam madhur fulfilled by virtue of his performance of Vedic namabhavan madhoh sumanasi viravratas tato rituals. All the kings with whom Maharaja bhojayam manthu-pramanthu jajnate manthoh Gaya had to fight were forced to fight on satyayam bhauvanas tato dusanayam tvastajanista religious principles. They were very satisfied tvastur virocanayam virajo virajasya satajit- with his fighting, and they would present all pravaram putra-satam kanya ca visucyam kila kinds of gifts to him. Similarly, all the jatam. brahmanas in his kingdom were very satisfied with King Gaya's munificent charities. TRANSLATION Consequently the brahmanas contributed a In the womb of Gayanti, Maharaja Gaya sixth of their pious activities for King Gaya's begot three sons, named Citraratha, Sugati benefit in the next life. and Avarodhana. In the womb of his wife Urna, Citraratha begot a son named Samrat. TEXT 12, yasyadhvare bhagavan adhvaratma, The wife of Samrat was Utkala, and in her maghoni madyaty uru-soma-pithe, sraddha- womb Samrat begot a son named Marici. In visuddhacala-bhakti-yoga-, samarpitejya-phalam the womb of his wife Bindumati, Marici begot ajahara a son named Bindu. In the womb of his wife Saragha, Bindu begot a son named Madhu. In TRANSLATION the womb of his wife named Sumana, Madhu In Maharaja Gaya's sacrifices, there was a begot a son named Viravrata. In the womb of great supply of the intoxicant known as soma. his wife Bhoja, Viravrata begot two sons King Indra used to come and become named Manthu and Pramanthu. In the womb intoxicated by drinking large quantities of of his wife Satya, Manthu begot a son named soma-rasa. Also, the Supreme Personality of Bhauvana, and in the womb of his wife Godhead, Lord Visnu [the yajna-purusa] also Dusana, Bhauvana begot a son named Tvasta. came and personally accepted all the sacrifices In the womb of his wife Virocana, Tvasta offered unto Him with pure and firm devotion begot a son named Viraja. The wife of Viraja in the sacrificial arena. was Visuci, and in her womb Viraja begot one hundred sons and one daughter. Of all these TEXT 13, yat-prinanad barhisi deva-tiryan-, sons, the son named Satajit was predominant. manusya-virut-trnam avirincat, priyeta sadyah sa ha visva-jivah, pritah svayam pritim agad gayasya TEXT 16 , tatrayam slokah----, praiyavratam vamsam imam, virajas caramodbhavah, akarod TRANSLATION aty-alam kirtya, visnuh sura-ganam yatha When the Supreme Lord is pleased by a person's actions, automatically all the TRANSLATION demigods, human beings, animals, birds, bees, There is a famous verse about King Viraja. creepers, trees, grass and all other living "Because of his high qualities and wide fame, entities, beginning with Lord Brahma, are King Viraja became the jewel of the dynasty of 70

King Priyavrata, just as Lord Visnu, by His the Supreme Personality of Godhead, transcendental potency, decorates and blesses Vasudeva, who in His subtler form is self- the demigods." effulgent and beyond the modes of nature. O my lord, please describe vividly how that form, which covers the entire universe, is perceived. Chapter Sixteen A Description of Jambudvipa TEXT 4, rsir uvaca na vai maharaja bhagavato maya-guna-vibhuteh kastham manasa vacasa TEXT 1, rajovaca uktas tvaya bhu-mandalayama- vadhigantum alam vibudhayusapi purusas tasmat viseso yavad adityas tapati yatra casau jyotisam pradhan-yenaiva bhu-golaka-visesam nama-rupa- ganais candrama va saha drsyate. mana-laksanato vyakhyasyamah.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION King Pariksit said to Sukadeva Gosvami: O The great rsi Sukadeva Gosvami said: My brahmana, you have already informed me that dear King, there is no limit to the expansion of the radius of Bhu-mandala extends as far as the Supreme Personality of Godhead's the sun spreads its light and heat and as far as material energy. This material world is a the moon and all the stars can be seen. transformation of the material qualities [sattva-guna, rajo-guna and tamo-guna], yet TEXT 2, tatrapi priyavrata-ratha-carana- no one could possibly explain it perfectly, even parikhataih saptabhih sapta sindhava upaklpta in a lifetime as long as that of Brahma No one yata etasyah sapta-dvipa-visesa-vikalpas tvaya in the material world is perfect, and an bhagavan khalu sucita etad evakhilam aham imperfect person could not describe this manato laksanatas ca sarvam vi-jijnasami. material universe accurately, even after continued speculation. O King, I shall TRANSLATION nevertheless try to explain to you the principal My dear Lord, the rolling wheels of regions, such as Bhu-goloka [Bhuloka], with Maharaja Priyavrata's chariot created seven their names, forms, measurements and various ditches, in which the seven oceans came into symptoms. existence. Because of these seven oceans, Bhu- mandala is divided into seven islands. You TEXT 5, yo vayam dvipah kuvalaya-kamala- have given a very general description of their kosabhyantara-koso niyuta-yojana-visalah measurement, names and characteristics. Now samavartulo yatha puskara-patram. I wish to know of them in detail. Kindly fulfill my desire. TRANSLATION The planetary system known as Bhu- TEXT 3, bhagavato gunamaye sthula-rupa mandala resembles a lotus flower, and its avesitam mano hy agune 'pi suksmatama atma- seven islands resemble the whorl of that jyotisi pare brahmani bhagavati vasudevakhye flower. The length and breadth of the island ksamam avesitum tad u haitad guro 'rhasy known as Jambudvipa, which is situated in the anuvarnayitum iti. middle of the whorl, are one million yojanas [eight million miles]. Jambudvipa is round like TRANSLATION the leaf of a lotus flower. When the mind is fixed upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His external feature TEXT 6, yasmin nava varsani nava-yojana- made of the material modes of nature--the sahasrayamany astabhir maryada-giribhih gross universal form--it is brought to the suvibhaktani bhavanti. platform of pure goodness. In that transcendental position, one can understand TRANSLATION In Jambudvipa there are nine divisions of 71

land, each with a length of 9,000 yojanas [72,000 miles]. There are eight mountains that TEXT 9, evam daksinenelavrtam nisadho mark the boundaries of these divisions and hemakuto himalaya iti prag-ayata yatha niladayo separate them nicely. 'yuta-yojanotsedha hari-varsa-kimpurusa- bharatanam yatha-sankhyam. TEXT 7, esam madhye ilavrtam namabhyantara- varsam yasya nabhyam avasthitah sarvatah TRANSLATION sauvarnah kula-giri-rajo merur dvipayama- Similarly, south of Ilavrta-varsa and samunnahah karnika-bhutah kuvalaya-kamalasya extending from east to west are three great murdhani dva-trimsat sahasra-yojana-vitato mule mountains named (from north to south) sodasa-sahasram tavat antar-bhumyam pravistah. Nisadha, Hemakuta and Himalaya. Each of them is 10,000 yojanas [80,000 miles] high. TRANSLATION They mark the boundaries of the three varsas Amidst these divisions, or varsas, is the named Hari-varsa, Kimpurusa-varsa and varsa named Ilavrta, which is situated in the Bharata-varsa [India]. middle of the whorl of the lotus. Within Ilavrta-varsa is Sumeru Mountain, which is TEXT 10, tathaivelavrtam aparena purvena ca made of gold. Sumeru Mountain is like the malyavad-gandhamadanav anila-nisadhayatau pericarp of the lotuslike Bhu-mandala dvi-sahasram paprathatuh ketumala-bhadrasvayoh planetary system. The mountain's height is the simanam vidadhate. same as the width of Jambudvipa--or, in other words, 100,000 yojanas [800,000 miles]. Of TRANSLATION that, 16,000 yojanas [128,000 miles] are within In the same way, west and east of Ilavrta- the earth, and therefore the mountain's height varsa are two great mountains named above the earth is 84,000 yojanas [672,000 Malyavan and Gandhamadana respectively. miles]. The mountain's width is 32,000 yojanas These two mountains, which are 2,000 yojanas [256,000 miles] at its summit and 16,000 [16,000 miles] high, extend as far as Nila yojanas at its base. Mountain in the north and Nisadha in the south. They indicate the borders of Ilavrta- TEXT 8, uttarottarenelavrtam nilah svetah varsa and also the varsas known as Ketumala srngavan iti trayo ramyaka-hiranmaya-kurunam and Bhadrasva. varsanam maryada-girayah prag-ayata ubhayatah ksarodavadhayo dvi-sahasra-prthava ekaikasah TEXT 11, mandaro merumandarah suparsvah purvasmat purvasmad uttara uttaro kumuda ity ayuta-yojana-vistaronnaha meros dasamsadhikamsena dairghya eva hrasanti. catur -disam avastambha-giraya upaklptah.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Just north of Ilavrta-varsa--and going On the four sides of the great mountain further northward, one after another--are known as Sumeru are four mountains-- three mountains named Nila, Sveta and Mandara, Merumandara, Suparsva and Srngavan. These mark the borders of the three Kumuda--which are like its belts. The length varsas named Ramyaka, Hiranmaya and Kuru and height of these mountains are calculated to and separate them from one another. The be 10,000 yojanas [80,000 miles]. width of these mountains is 2,000 yojanas [16,000 miles]. Lengthwise, they extend east TEXT 12, catursv etesu cuta-jambu-kadamba- and west to the beaches of the ocean of salt nyagrodhas catvarah padapa-pravarah parvata- water. Going from south to north, the length of ketava ivadhi-sahasra-yojanonnahas tavad vitapa- each mountain is one tenth that of the previous vitatayah sata-yojana-parinahah. mountain, but the height of them all is the same. TRANSLATION 72

Standing like flagstaffs on the summits of is a mango tree named Devacuta. It is 1,100 these four mountains are a mango tree, a rose yojanas high. Mangoes as big as mountain apple tree, a kadamba tree and a tree. peaks and as sweet as nectar fall from the top Those trees are calculated to have a width of of this tree for the enjoyment of the denizens of 100 yojanas [800 miles] and a height of 1,100 heaven. yojanas [8,800 miles]. Their branches also spread to a radius of 1,100 yojanas. TEXT 17, tesam visiryamananam ati-madhura- surabhi-sugandhi-bahularuna-rasodenarunoda TEXT S 13-14, hradas catvarah payo-madhv- nama nadi mandara-giri-sikharan nipatanti pur- iksurasa-mrsta-jala yad-upasparsina upadeva- venelavrtam upaplavayati. gana yogaisvaryani svabhavikani bharatarsabha dharayanti; TRANSLATION When all those solid fruits fall from such a devodyanani ca bhavanti catvari nandanam height, they break, and the sweet, fragrant caitraratham vaibhrajakam sarvatobhadram iti. juice within them flows out and becomes increasingly more fragrant as it mixes with TRANSLATION other scents. That juice cascades from the O Maharaja Pariksit, best of the Bharata mountain in waterfalls and becomes a river dynasty, between these four mountains are called Arunoda, which flows pleasantly four huge lakes. The water of the first tastes through the eastern side of Ilavrta. just like milk; the water of the second, like honey; and that of the third, like sugarcane TEXT 18, yad-upajosanad bhavanya anucarinam juice. The fourth lake is filled with pure water. punya-jana-vadhunam avayava-sparsa-sugandha- The celestial beings such as the Siddhas, vato dasa-yojanam samantad anuvasayati. Caranas and Gandharvas, who are also known as demigods, enjoy the facilities of those four TRANSLATION lakes. Consequently they have the natural The pious wives of the Yaksas act as perfections of mystic yoga, such as the power personal maidservants to assist Bhavani, the to become smaller than the smallest or greater wife of Lord Siva. Because they drink the than the greatest. There are also four celestial water of the River Arunoda, their bodies gardens named Nandana, Caitraratha, become fragrant, and as the air carries away Vaibhrajaka and Sarvatobhadra. that fragrance, it perfumes the entire atmosphere for eighty miles around. TEXT 15, yesv amara-parivrdhah saha sura- lalana-lalama-yutha-pataya upadeva-ganair TEXT 19, evam jambu-phalanam atyucca-nipata- upagiyamana-mahimanah kila viharanti. visirnanam anasthi-prayanam ibha-kaya- nibhanam rasena jambu nama nadi meru- TRANSLATION mandara-sikharad ayuta-yojanad avani-tale The best of the demigods, along with their nipatanti daksinenatmanam yavad ilavrtam wives, who are like ornaments of heavenly upasyandayati. beauty, meet together and enjoy within those gardens, while their glories are sung by lesser TRANSLATION demigods known as Gandharvas. Similarly, the fruits of the jambu tree, which are full of pulp and have very small TEXT 16, mandarotsanga ekadasa-sata- seeds, fall from a great height and break to yojanottunga-devacuta-siraso giri-sikhara-sthulani pieces. Those fruits are the size of elephants, phalany amrta-kalpani patanti. and the juice gliding from them becomes a river named Jambu-nadi. This river falls a TRANSLATION distance of 10,000 yojanas, from the summit of On the lower slopes of Mandara Mountain Merumandara to the southern side of Ilavrta, 73 and floods the entire land of Ilavrta with juice. nadah kum udagrat patantas tam uttarenelavrtam TEXT S 20-21, tavad ubhayor api rodhasor ya upayojayanti. mrttika tad-rasenanuvidhyamana vayv-arka- samyoga-vipakena sadamara-lokabharanam TRANSLATION jambu-nadam nama suvarnam bhavati; yad u ha Similarly, on Kumuda Mountain there is a vava vibudhadayah saha yuvatibhir mukuta- great banyan tree, which is called Satavalsa kataka-kati-sutrady-abharana-rupena khalu because it has a hundred main branches. From dharayanti. those branches come many roots, from which many rivers are flowing. These rivers flow TRANSLATION down from the top of the mountain to the The mud on both banks of the River northern side of Ilavrta-varsa for the benefit of Jambu-nadi, being moistened by the flowing those who live there. Because of these flowing juice and then dried by the air and the rivers, all the people have ample supplies of sunshine, produces huge quantities of gold milk, yogurt, honey, clarified butter [ghee], called Jambu-nada. The denizens of heaven molasses, food grains, clothes, bedding, sitting use this gold for various kinds of ornaments. places and ornaments. All the objects they Therefore all the inhabitants of the heavenly desire are sufficiently supplied for their planets and their youthful wives are fully prosperity, and therefore they are very happy. decorated with golden helmets, bangles and belts, and thus they enjoy life. TEXT 25, yan upajusananam na kadacid api prajanam vali-palita-klama-sveda-daurgandhya- TEXT 22, yas tu maha-kadambah suparsva- jaramaya-mrtyu-sitosna-vaivarnyopasargadayas nirudho yas tasya kotarebhyo vinihsrtah tapa-visesa bhavanti yavaj jivam sukham pancayama-parinahah panca madhu-dharah niratisayam eva. suparsva-sikharat patantyo 'parenatmanam ilavrtam anumodayanti. TRANSLATION The residents of the material world who TRANSLATION enjoy the products of these flowing rivers have On the side of Suparsva Mountain stands a no wrinkles on their bodies and no grey hair. big tree called Mahakadamba, which is very They never feel fatigue, and perspiration does celebrated. From the hollows of this tree flow not give their bodies a bad odor. They are not five rivers of honey, each about five vyamas afflicted by old age, disease or untimely death, wide. This flowing honey falls incessantly from they do not suffer from chilly cold or scorching the top of Suparsva Mountain and flows all heat, nor do their bodies lose their luster. They around Ilavrta-varsa, beginning from the all live very happily, without anxieties, until western side. Thus the whole land is saturated death. with the pleasing fragrance. TEXT 26, kuranga-kurara-kusumbha-vaikanka- TEXT 23, ya hy upayunjananam mukha-nirvasito trikuta-sisira-patanga-rucaka-nisadha-sinivasa- vayuh samantac chata-yojanam anuvasayati. kapila - sankha -vaidurya-jarudhi-hamsa-rsabha- naga-kalanjara-naradadayo vimsati-girayo meroh TRANSLATION karnikaya iva kesara-bhuta mula-dese parita The air carrying the scent from the mouths upaklptah. of those who drink that honey perfumes the land for a hundred yojanas around. TRANSLATION There are other mountains beautifully TEXT 24, evam kumuda-nirudho yah satavalso arranged around the foot of Mount Meru like nama vatas tasya skandhebhyo nicinah payo- the filaments around the whorl of a lotus dadhi-madhu-ghrta-gudannady-ambara- flower. Their names are Kuranga, Kurara, sayyasanabharanadayah sarva eva kama-dugha Kusumbha, Vaikanka, Trikuta, Sisira, 74

Patanga, Rucaka, Nisadha, Sinivasa, Kapila, are the residences of the eight principal Sankha, Vaidurya, Jarudhi, Hamsa, Rsabha, governors of the planetary systems, beginning Naga, Kalanjara and Narada. with King Indra. These abodes are similar to Brahmapuri but are one fourth the size. TEXT 27, jathara-devakutau merum purvenastadasa-yojana-sahasram udagayatau dvi- sahasram prthu-tungau bhavatah; evam aparena Chapter Seventeen The Descent of the pavana-pariyatrau daksinena kailasa-karavirau River Ganges prag-ayatav evam uttaratas trisrnga-makarav astabhir etaih parisrto 'gnir iva paritas cakasti TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca tatra bhagavatah saksad kancana-girih. yajna-lingasya visnor vikramato vama- padangustha-nakha-nirbhinnordhvanda-kataha- TRANSLATION vivarenantah-pravista ya bahya-jala-dhara tac- On the eastern side of Sumeru Mountain carana-pankajavanejanaruna- are two mountains named Jathara and kinjalkoparanjitakhila-jagad-agha- Devakuta, which extend to the north and south malapahopasparsanamala saksad bhagavat-padity for 18,000 yojanas [144,000 miles]. Similarly, anupalaksita-vaco 'bhidhiyamanati-mahata kalena on the western side of Sumeru are two yuga-sahasropalaksanena divo murdhany mountains named Pavana and Pariyatra, avatatara yat tad visnu-padam ahuh. which also extend north and south for the same distance. On the southern side of Sumeru TRANSLATION are two mountains named Kailasa and Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear King, Karavira, which extend east and west for Lord Visnu, the enjoyer of all sacrifices, 18,000 yojanas, and on the northern side of appeared as Vamanadeva in the sacrificial Sumeru, extending for the same distance east arena of Bali Maharaja. Then He extended His and west, are two mountains named Trisrnga left foot to the end of the universe and pierced and Makara. The width and height of all these a hole in its covering with the nail of His big mountains is 2,000 yojanas [16,000 miles]. toe. Through the hole, the pure water of the Sumeru, a mountain of solid gold shining as Causal Ocean entered this universe as the brilliantly as fire, is surrounded by these eight Ganges River. Having washed the lotus feet of mountains. the Lord, which are covered with reddish powder, the water of the Ganges acquired a TEXT 28, meror murdhani bhagavata atma-yoner very beautiful pink color. Every living being madhyata upaklptam purim ayuta-yojana- can immediately purify his mind of material sahasrim sama-caturasram satakaumbhim vadanti. contamination by touching the transcendental water of the Ganges, yet its waters remain ever TRANSLATION pure. Because the Ganges directly touches the In the middle of the summit of Meru is the lotus feet of the Lord before descending within township of Lord Brahma. Each of its four this universe, she is known as Visnupadi. Later sides is calculated to extend for ten million she received other names like Jahnavi and yojanas [eighty million miles]. It is made Bhagirathi. After one thousand millenniums, entirely of gold, and therefore learned scholars the water of the Ganges descended on and sages call it Satakaumbhi. Dhruvaloka, the topmost planet in this universe. Therefore all learned sages and TEXT 29, tam anuparito loka-palanam astanam scholars proclaim Dhruvaloka to be yatha-disam yatha-rupam turiya-manena puro Visnupada ["situated on Lord Visnu's lotus 'stav upaklptah. feet"].

TRANSLATION TEXT 2, yatra ha vava vira-vrata auttanapadih Surrounding Brahmapuri in all directions 75

parama-bhagavato 'smat-kula-devata- caranaravindodakam iti yam anusavanam TEXT 4, tato 'neka-sahasra-koti-vimananika- utkrsyamana-bhagavad-bhakti-yogena drdham sankula-deva-yanenavatar-antindu mandalam klidyamanantar-hrdaya autkanthya-vivasamilita- avarya brahma-sadane nipatati. locana-yugala-kudmala-vigalitamala-baspa- kalayabhivyajyamana-roma-pulaka-kulako TRANSLATION 'dhunapi paramadarena sirasa bibharti. After purifying the seven planets near Dhruvaloka [the polestar], the Ganges water is TRANSLATION carried through the spaceways of the demigods Dhruva Maharaja, the famous son of in billions of celestial airplanes. Then it Maharaja Uttanapada, is known as the most inundates the moon [Candraloka] and finally exalted devotee of the Supreme Lord because reaches Lord Brahma's abode atop Mount of his firm determination in executing Meru. devotional service. Knowing that the sacred Ganges water washes the lotus feet of Lord TEXT 5, tatra caturdha bhidyamana caturbhir Visnu, Dhruva Maharaja, situated on his own namabhis catur-disam abhispandanti nada-nadi- planet, to this very day accepts that water on patim evabhinivisati sitalakananda caksur his head with great devotion. Because he bhadreti. constantly thinks of Krsna very devoutly within the core of his heart, he is overcome TRANSLATION with ecstatic anxiety. Tears flow from his half- On top of Mount Meru, the Ganges divides open eyes, and eruptions appear on his entire into four branches, each of which gushes in a body. different direction [east, west, north and south]. These branches, known by the names TEXT 3, tatah sapta rsayas tat prabhavabhijna Sita, Alakananda, Caksu and Bhadra, flow yam nanu tapasa atyantiki siddhir etavati down to the ocean. bhagavati sarvatmani vasudeve 'nuparata-bhakti- yoga-labhenaivopeksitanyarthatma-gatayo TEXT 6, sita tu brahma-sadanat kesaracaladi-giri- muktim ivagatam mumuksava iva sabahu-manam sikharebhyo 'dho 'dhah prasravanti adyapi jata-jutair udvahanti. gandhamadana-murdhasu patitvantarena bhadrasva-varsam pracyam disi ksara-samudram TRANSLATION abhipravisati. The seven great sages [Marici, Vasistha, Atri and so on] reside on planets beneath TRANSLATION Dhruvaloka. Well aware of the influence of the The branch of the Ganges known as the Sita water of the Ganges, to this day they keep flows through Brahmapuri atop Mount Meru, Ganges water on the tufts of hair on their and from there it runs down to the nearby heads. They have concluded that this is the peaks of the Kesaracala Mountains, which ultimate wealth, the perfection of all stand almost as high as Mount Meru itself. austerities, and the best means of prosecuting These mountains are like a bunch of filaments transcendental life. Having obtained around Mount Meru. From the Kesaracala uninterrupted devotional service to the Mountains, the Ganges falls to the peak of Supreme Personality of Godhead, they neglect Gandhamadana Mountain and then flows into all other beneficial processes like religion, the land of Bhadrasva-varsa. Finally it reaches economic development, sense gratification and the ocean of salt water in the west. even merging into the Supreme. Just as jnanis think that merging into the existence of the TEXT 7, evam malyavac-chikharan nispatanti Lord is the highest truth, these seven exalted tato 'nuparata-vega ketumalam abhi caksuh personalities accept devotional service as the praticyam disi sarit-patim pravisati. perfection of life. 76

TRANSLATION santi bahuso merv-adi-giri-duhitarah satasah. The branch of the Ganges known as Caksu falls onto the summit of Malyavan Mountain TRANSLATION and from there cascades onto the land of Many other rivers, both big and small, flow Ketumala-varsa. The Ganges flows incessantly from the top of Mount Meru. These rivers are through Ketumala-varsa and in this way also like daughters of the mountain, and they flow reaches the ocean of salt water in the West. to the various tracts of land in hundreds of branches. TEXT 8, bhadra cottarato meru-siraso nipatita giri-sikharad giri-sikharam atihaya srngavatah TEXT 11, tatrapi bharatam eva varsam karma- srngad avasyandamana uttarams tu kurun abhita ksetram anyany asta varsani svarginam punya- udicyam disi jaladhim abhipravisati. sesopabhoga -sthanani bhaumani svarga-padani vyapadisanti. TRANSLATION The branch of the Ganges known as Bhadra TRANSLATION flows from the northern side of Mount Meru. Among the nine varsas, the tract of land Its waters fall onto the peaks of Kumuda known as Bharata-varsa is understood to be Mountain, Mount Nila, Sveta Mountain and the field of fruitive activities. Learned scholars Srngavan Mountain in succession. Then it runs and saintly persons declare the other eight down into the province of Kuru and, after varsas to be meant for very highly elevated crossing through that land, flows into the pious persons. After returning from the saltwater ocean in the north. heavenl y planets, they enjoy the remaining results of their pious activities in these eight TEXT 9, tathaivalakananda daksinena brahma- earthly varsas. sadanad bahuni giri-kutany atikramya hemakutad dhaimakutany ati-rabhasatara-ramhasa luthayanti TEXT 12, esu purusanam ayuta-purusayur- bharatam abhivarsam daksinasyam disi jaladhim varsanam deva-kalpanam nagayuta-prananam abhipravisati yasyam snanartham cagacchatah vajra-samhanana-bala-vayo-moda-pramudita- pumsah pade pade 'svamedha-rajasuyadinam maha-saurata-mithuna-vyavayapavarga-varsa- phalam na durlabham iti. dhrtaika-garbha-kalatranam tatra tu treta-yuga- samah kalo vartate. TRANSLATION Similarly, the branch of the Ganges known TRANSLATION as Alakananda flows from the southern side of In these eight varsas, or tracts of land, Brahmapuri [Brahma-sadana]. Passing over human beings live ten thousand years the tops of mountains in various lands, it falls according to earthly calculations. All the down with fierce force upon the peaks of the inhabitants are almost like demigods. They mountains Hemakuta and Himakuta. After have the bodily strength of ten thousand inundating the tops of those mountains, the elephants. Indeed, their bodies are as sturdy as Ganges falls down onto the tract of land thunderbolts. The youthful duration of their known as Bharata-varsa, which she also lives is very pleasing, and both men and inundates. Then the Ganges flows into the women enjoy sexual union with great pleasure ocean of salt water in the south. Persons who for a long time. After years of sensual come to bathe in this river are fortunate. It is pleasure--when a balance of one year of life not very difficult for them to achieve with remains--the wife conceives a child. Thus the every step the results of performing great standard of pleasure for the residents of these sacrifices like the Rajasuya and Asvamedha heavenly regions is exactly like that of the yajnas. human beings who lived during Treta-yuga.

TEXT 10, anye ca nada nadyas ca varse varse TEXT 13, yatra ha deva-patayah svaih svair 77

gana-nayakair vihita-maharhanah sarvartu- TEXT 15, ilavrte tu bhagavan bhava eka eva kusuma-stabaka-phala-kisalaya-sriyanamyamana- puman na hy anyas tatraparo nirvisati bhavanyah vitapa-lata-vitapibhir upasumbhamana-rucira- sapa-nimitta-jno yat-praveksyatah stri-bhavas tat kananasramayatana-varsa-giri-dronisu tatha pascad vaksyami. camala-jalasayesu vikaca-vividha-nava- vanaruhamoda-mudita-raja-hamsa-jala-kukkuta- TRANSLATION karandava-sarasa-cakravakadibhir madhukara- Sukadeva Gosvami said: In the tract of land nikarakrtibhir upakujitesu jala-kridadibhir vicitra- known as Ilavrta-varsa, the only male person vinodaih sulalita-sura-sundarinam kama-kalila- is Lord Siva, the most powerful demigod. vilasa-hasa-lilavalokakrsta-mano-drstayah Goddess Durga, the wife of Lord Siva, does not svairam viharanti. like any man to enter that land. If any foolish man dares to do so, she immediately turns him TRANSLATION into a woman. I shall explain this later [in the In each of those tracts of land, there are Ninth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam]. many gardens filled with flowers and fruits according to the season, and there are TEXT 16, bhavani-nathaih stri-ganarbuda- beautifully decorated hermitages as well. sahasrair avarudhyamano bhagavatas catur-murter Between the great mountains demarcating the maha-purusasya turiyam tamasim murtim borders of those lands lie enormous lakes of prakrtim atmanah sankarsana-samjnam atma- clear water filled with newly grown lotus samadhi-rupena sannidhapyaitad abhigrnan bhava flowers. Aquatic birds such as swans, ducks, upadhavati. water chickens, and cranes become greatly excited by the fragrance of lotus flowers, and TRANSLATION the charming sound of bumblebees fills the air. In Ilavrta-varsa, Lord Siva is always The inhabitants of those lands are important encircled by ten billion maidservants of leaders among the demigods. Always attended goddess Durga, who minister to him. The by their respective servants, they enjoy life in quadruple expansion of the Supreme Lord is gardens alongside the lakes. In this pleasing composed of Vasudeva, Pradyumna, situation, the wives of the demigods smile Aniruddha and Sankarsana. Sankarsana, the playfully at their husbands and look upon fourth expansion, is certainly transcendental, them with lusty desires. All the demigods and but because his activities of destruction in the their wives are constantly supplied with material world are in the mode of ignorance, sandalwood pulp and flower garlands by their He is known as tamasi, the Lord's form in the servants. In this way, all the residents of the mode of ignorance. Lord Siva knows that eight heavenly varsas enjoy, attracted by the Sankarsana is the original cause of his own activities of the opposite sex. existence, and thus he always meditates upon Him in trance by chanting the following TEXT 14, navasv api varsesu bhagavan narayano mantra. maha-purusah purusanam tad-anugrahayatma- tattva-vyuhenatmanadyapi sannidhiyate. TEXT 17, sri-bhagavan uvaca namo bhagavate maha-purusaya sarva-guna- TRANSLATION sankhyanayanantayavyaktaya nama iti. To show mercy to His devotees in each of these nine tracts of land, the Supreme TRANSLATION Personality of Godhead known as Narayana The most powerful Lord Siva says: O expands Himself in His quadruple principles of Supreme Personality of Godhead, I offer my Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and respectful obeisances unto You in Your Aniruddha. In this way He remains near His expansion as Lord Sankarsana. You are the devotees to accept their service. reservoir of all transcendental qualities. Although You are unlimited, You remain 78

unmanifest to the nondevotees. Supreme Lord, and due to their angry mood the Lord Himself appears angry and very TEXT 18, bhaje bhajanyarana-pada-pankajam, fearful. However, this is an illusion. When the bhagasya krtsnasya param parayanam, bhaktesv wives of the serpent demon were agitated by alam bhavita-bhuta-bhavanam, bhavapaham tva the touch of the Lord's lotus feet, due to bhava-bhavam isvaram shyness they could proceed no further in their worship of Him. Yet the Lord remained TRANSLATION unagitated by their touch, for He is equipoised O my Lord, You are the only worshipable in all circumstances. Therefore who will not person, for You are the Supreme Personality worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead of Godhead, the reservoir of all opulences. ? Your secure lotus feet are the only source of protection for all Your devotees, whom You TEXT 21, yam ahur asya sthiti-janma- satisfy by manifesting Yourself in various samyamam, tribhir vihinam yam anantam rsayah, forms. O my Lord, You deliver Your devotees na veda siddhartham iva kvacit sthitam, bhu- from the clutches of material existence. mandalam murdha-sahasra-dhamasu Nondevotees, however, remain entangled in material existence by Your will. Kindly accept TRANSLATION me as Your eternal servant. Lord Siva continued: All the great sages accept the Lord as the source of creation, TEXT 19, na yasya maya-guna-citta-vrttibhir, maintenance and destruction, although He niriksato hy anv api drstir ajyate, ise yatha no actually has nothing to do with these activities. 'jita-manyu-ramhasam, kas tam na manyeta Therefore the Lord is called unlimited. jigisur atmanah Although the Lord in His incarnation as Sesa holds all the universes on His hoods, each TRANSLATION universe feels no heavier than a mustard seed We cannot control the force of our anger. to Him. Therefore, what person desiring Therefore when we look at material things, we perfection will not worship the Lord? cannot avoid feeling attraction or repulsion for them. But the Supreme Lord is never affected TEXT S 22-23, yasyadya asid guna-vigraho in this way. Although He glances over the mahan, vijnana-dhisnyo bhagavan ajah kila, yat- material world for the purpose of creating, sambhavo 'ham tri-vrta sva-tejasa, vaikarikam maintaining and destroying it, He is not tamasam aindriyam srje affected, even to the slightest degree. Therefore, one who desires to conquer the ete vayam yasya vase mahatmanah, sthitah force of the senses must take shelter of the sakunta iva sutra-yantritah, mahan aham vaikrta- lotus feet of the Lord. Then he will be tamasendriyah, srjama sarve yad-anugrahad idam victorious. TRANSLATION TEXT 20, asad-drso yah pratibhati mayaya, From that Supreme Personality of Godhead ksibeva madhv-asava-tamra-locanah, na naga- appears Lord Brahma, whose body is made vadhvo 'rhana isire hriya, yat-padayoh sparsana- from the total material energy, the reservoir of dharsitendriyah intelligence predominated by the passionate mode of material nature. From Lord Brahma, TRANSLATION I myself am born as a representation of false For persons with impure vision, the ego known as . By my own power I Supreme Lord's eyes appear like those of create all the other demigods, the five elements someone who indiscriminately drinks and the senses. Therefore, I worship the intoxicating beverages. Thus bewildered, such Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is unintelligent persons become angry at the greater than any of us and under whose 79 control are situated all the demigods, material pronunciation. elements and senses, and even Lord Brahma TEXT 2, bhadrasravasa ucuh om namo and I myself, like birds bound by a rope. Only bhagavate dharmayatma-visodhanaya nama iti. by the Lord's grace can we create, maintain and annihilate the material world. Therefore I TRANSLATION offer my respectful obeisances unto the The ruler Bhadrasrava and his intimate Supreme Being. associates utter the following prayer: We offer our respectful obeisances unto the Supreme TEXT 24, yan-nirmitam karhy api karma- Personality of Godhead, the reservoir of all parvanim, mayam jano 'yam guna-sarga-mohitah, religious principles, who cleanses the heart of na veda nistarana-yogam anjasa, tasmai namas te the conditioned soul in this material world. vilayodayatmane Again and again we offer our respectful obeisances unto Him. TRANSLATION The illusory energy of the Supreme TEXT 3, aho vicitram bhagavad-vicestitam, Personality of Godhead binds all of us ghnantam jano 'yam hi misan na pasyati, conditioned souls to this material world. dhyayann asad yarhi vikarma sevitum, nirhrtya Therefore, without being favored by Him, putram pitaram jijivisati persons like us cannot understand how to get out of that illusory energy. Let me offer my TRANSLATION respectful obeisances unto the Lord, who is the Alas! How wonderful it is that the foolish cause of creation and annihilation. materialist does not heed the great danger of impending death! He knows that death will surely come, yet he is nevertheless callous and Chapter Eighteen The Prayers Offered neglectful. If his father dies, he wants to enjoy to the Lord by the Residents of his father's property, and if his son dies, he Jambudvipa wants to enjoy his son's possessions as well. In either case, he heedlessly tries to enjoy material happiness with the acquired money. TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca tatha ca bhadrasrava nama dharma-sutas tat-kula-patayah purusa TEXT 4, vadanti visvam kavayah sma nasvaram, bhadrasva-varse saksad bhagavato vasudevasya pasyanti cadhyatmavido vipascitah, tathapi priyam tanum dharmamayim hayasirsabhidhanam muhyanti tavaja mayaya, suvismitam krtyam paramena samadhina sannidhapyedam ajam nato 'smi tam abhigrnanta upadhavanti. TRANSLATION TRANSLATION O unborn one, learned Vedic scholars who Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: Bhadrasrava, are advanced in spiritual knowledge certainly the son of Dharmaraja, rules the tract of land know that this material world is perishable, as known as Bhadrasva-varsa. Just as Lord Siva do other logicians and philosophers. In trance worships Sankarsana in Ilavrta-varsa, they realize the factual position of this world, Bhadrasrava, accompanied by his intimate and they preach the truth as well. Yet even servants and all the residents of the land, they are sometimes bewildered by Your worships the plenary expansion of Vasudeva illusory energy. This is Your own wonderful known as Hayasirsa. Lord Hayasirsa is very pastime. Therefore, I can understand that dear to the devotees, and He is the director of Your illusory energy is very wonderful, and I all religious principles. Fixed in the topmost offer my respectful obeisances unto You. trance, Bhadrasrava and his associates offer their respectful obeisances to the Lord and TEXT 5, visvodbhava-sthana-nirodha-karma te, chant the following prayers with careful hy akartur angikrtam apy apavrtah, yuktam na 80

citram tvayi karya-karane, sarvatmani vyatirikte have delivered all the fallen members of his ca vastutah demoniac family. Lord Nrsimhadeva is very dear to this exalted personality. Thus Prahlada TRANSLATION Maharaja, along with his servants and all the O Lord, although You are completely denizens of Hari-varsa, worships Lord detached from the creation, maintenance and Nrsimhadeva by chanting the following annihilation of this material world and are not mantra. directly affected by these activities, they are all attributed to You. We do not wonder at this, TEXT 8, om namo bhagavate narasimhaya for Your inconceivable energies perfectly namas tejas-tejase avir-avirbhava vajra-nakha qualify You to be the cause of all causes. You vajra-damstra karmasayan randhaya randhaya are the active principle in everything, although tamo grasa grasa om svaha; abhayam abhayam You are separate from everything. Thus we atmani bhuyistha om ksraum. can realize that everything is happening because of Your inconceivable energy. TRANSLATION I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord TEXT 6, vedan yugante tamasa tiraskrtan, Nrsimhadeva, the source of all power. O my rasatalad yo nr-turanga-vigrahah, pratyadade vai Lord who possesses nails and teeth just like kavaye 'bhiyacate, tasmai namas te 'vitathehitaya thunderbolts, kindly vanquish our demonlike iti desires for fruitive activity in this material world. Please appear in our hearts and drive TRANSLATION away our ignorance so that by Your mercy we At the end of the millennium, ignorance may become fearless in the struggle for personified assumed the form of a demon, stole existence in this material world. all the Vedas and took them down to the planet of Rasatala. The Supreme Lord, however, in TEXT 9, svasty astu visvasya khalah prasidatam, His form of retrieved the Vedas and dhyayantu bhutani sivam mitho dhiya, manas ca returned them to Lord Brahma when he bhadram bhajatad adhoksaje, avesyatam no matir begged for them. I offer my respectful apy ahaituki obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, whose determination never fails. TRANSLATION May there be good fortune throughout the TEXT 7, hari-varse capi bhagavan nara-hari- universe, and may all envious persons be rupenaste; tad-rupa-grahana-nimittam pacified. May all living entities become calm uttaratrabhidhasye; tad dayitam rupam maha- by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting purusa-guna-bhajano maha-bhagavato daitya- devotional service they will think of each danava-kula-tirthikarana-sila-caritah prahlado other's welfare. Therefore let us all engage in 'vyavadhanananya-bhakti-yogena saha tad-varsa- the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord purusair upaste idam codaharati. Sri Krsna, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him. TRANSLATION Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear TEXT 10, magara-daratmaja-vitta-bandhusu, King, Lord Nrsimhadeva resides in the tract of sango yadi syad bhagavat-priyesu nah, yah prana- land known as Hari-varsa. In the Seventh vrttya paritusta atmavan, siddhyaty aduran na Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, I shall describe tathendriya-priyah to you how Prahlada Maharaja caused the Lord to assume the form of Nrsimhadeva. TRANSLATION Prahlada Maharaja, the topmost devotee of the My dear Lord, we pray that we may never Lord, is a reservoir of all the good qualities of feel attraction for the prison of family life, great personalities. His character and activities consisting of home, wife, children, friends, 81

bank balance, relatives and so on. If we do no good qualities. Even if he is adept at the have some attachment, let it be for devotees, practice of mystic yoga or the honest endeavor whose only dear friend is Krsna. A person who of maintaining his family and relatives, he is actually self-realized and who has controlled must be driven by his own mental speculations his mind is perfectly satisfied with the bare and must engage in the service of the Lord's necessities of life. He does not try to gratify his external energy. How can there be any good senses. Such a person quickly advances in qualities in such a man? Krsna consciousness, whereas others, who are too attached to material things, find TEXT 13, harir hi saksad bhagavan saririnam, advancement very difficult. atma jhasanam iva toyam ipsitam, hitva mahams tam yadi sajjate grhe, tada mahattvam vayasa TEXT 11, yat-sanga-labdham nija-virya- dampatinam vaibhavam, tirtham muhuh samsprsatam hi manasam, haraty ajo 'ntah srutibhir gato 'ngajam, TRANSLATION ko vai na seveta mukunda-vikramam Just as aquatics always desire to remain in the vast mass of water, all conditioned living TRANSLATION entities naturally desire to remain in the vast By associating with persons for whom the existence of the Supreme Lord. Therefore if Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mukunda, is someone very great by material calculations the all in all, one can hear of His powerful fails to take shelter of the Supreme Soul but activities and soon come to understand them. instead becomes attached to material The activities of Mukunda are so potent that household life, his greatness is like that of a simply by hearing of them one immediately young, low-class couple. One who is too associates with the Lord. For a person who attached to material life loses all good spiritual constantly and very eagerly hears narrations qualities. of the Lord's powerful activities, the Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead in the form TEXT 14, tasmad rajo-raga-visada-manyu-, of sound vibrations, enters within his heart mana-sprha-bhayadainyadhimulam, hitva grham and cleanses it of all contamination. On the samsrti-cakravalam, nrsimha-padam other hand, although bathing in the Ganges bhajatakutobhayam iti diminishes bodily contaminations and infections, this process and the process of TRANSLATION visiting holy places can cleanse the heart only Therefore, O demons, give up the so-called after a long time. Therefore who is the sane happiness of family life and simply take shelter man who will not associate with devotees to of the lotus feet of Lord Nrsimhadeva, which quickly perfect his life? are the actual shelter of fearlessness. Entanglement in family life is the root cause of TEXT 12, yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana, material attachment, indefatigable desires, sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah, harav moroseness, anger, despair, fear and the desire abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna, manorathenasati for false prestige, all of which result in the dhavato bahih repetition of birth and death.

TRANSLATION TEXT 15, ketumale 'pi bhagavan kamadeva- All the demigods and their exalted qualities, svarupena laksmyah priya-cikirsaya prajapater such as religion, knowledge and renunciation, duhitrnam putranam tad-varsa-patinam become manifest in the body of one who has purusayusaho-ratra-parisankhyananam yasam developed unalloyed devotion for the Supreme garbha maha-purusa-mahastra-tejasodvejita- Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva. On the manasam vidhvasta vyasavah samvatsarante other hand, a person devoid of devotional vinipatanti. service and engaged in material activities has 82

TRANSLATION bhagavate hrsikesaya sarva-guna-visesair Sukadeva Gosvami continued: In the tract vilaksitatmane akutinam cittinam cetasam of land called Ketumala-varsa, Lord Visnu visesanam cadhipataye sodasa-kalaya cchando- lives in the form of Kamadeva, only for the mayayanna-mayayamrta-mayaya sarva-mayaya satisfaction of His devotees. These include sahase ojase balaya kantaya kamaya namas te Laksmiji [the goddess of fortune], the ubhayatra bhuyat. Prajapati Samvatsara and all of Samvatsara's sons and daughters. The daughters of TRANSLATION Prajapati are considered the controlling Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto of the nights, and his sons are considered the the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord controllers of the days. The Prajapati's Hrsikesa, the controller of all my senses and offspring number 36,000, one for each day and the origin of everything. As the supreme each night in the lifetime of a human being. At master of all bodily, mental and intellectual the end of each year, the Prajapati's daughters activities, He is the only enjoyer of their become very agitated upon seeing the results. The five sense objects and eleven extremely effulgent disc of the Supreme senses, including the mind, are His partial Personality of Godhead, and thus they all manifestations. He supplies all the necessities suffer miscarriages. of life, which are His energy and thus nondifferent from Him, and He is the cause of TEXT 16, ativa sulalita-gati-vilasa-vilasita- everyone's bodily and mental prowess, which rucira-hasa-lesavaloka-lilaya kincid-uttambhita- is also nondifferent from Him. Indeed, He is sundara-bhru-mandala-subhaga-vadanaravinda- the husband and provider of necessities for all sriya ramam ramayann indriyani ramayate. living entities. The purpose of all the Vedas is to worship Him. Therefore let us all offer Him TRANSLATION our respectful obeisances. May He always be In Ketumala-varsa, Lord Kamadeva favorable toward us in this life and the next. [Pradyumna] moves very graciously. His mild smile is very beautiful, and when He increases TEXT 19, striyo vratais tva hrsikesvaram svato, the beauty of His face by slightly raising His hy aradhya loke patim asasate 'nyam, tasam na te eyebrows and glancing playfully, He pleases vai paripanty apatyam, priyam dhanayumsi yato the goddess of fortune. Thus He enjoys His 'sva-tantrah transcendental senses. TRANSLATION TEXT 17, tad bhagavato mayamayam rupam My dear Lord, You are certainly the fully parama-samadhi-yogena devi samvatsarasya independent master of all the senses. Therefore ratrisu prajapater duhitrbhir upetahahsu ca tad- all women who worship You by strictly bhartrbhir upaste idam codaharati. observing vows because they wish to acquire a husband to satisfy their senses are surely TRANSLATION under illusion. They do not know that such a Accompanied during the daytime by the husband cannot actually give protection to sons of the Prajapati [the predominating them or their children. Nor can he protect deities of the days] and accompanied at night their wealth or duration of life, for he himself by his daughters [the deities of the nights], is dependent on time, fruitive results and the Laksmidevi worships the Lord during the modes of nature, which are all subordinate to period known as the Samvatsara in His most You. merciful form as Kamadeva. Fully absorbed in devotional service, she chants the following TEXT 20, sa vai patih syad akutobhayah svayam, mantras. samantatah pati bhayaturam janam, sa eka evetaratha mitho bhayam, naivatmalabhad adhi TEXT 18, om hram hrim hrum om namo manyate param 83

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION He alone who is never afraid but who, on O infallible one, Your lotus palm is the the contrary, gives complete shelter to all source of all benediction. Therefore Your pure fearful persons can actually become a husband devotees worship it, and You very mercifully and protector. Therefore, my Lord, you are place Your hand on their heads. I wish that the only husband, and no one else can claim You may also place Your hand on My head, this position. If you were not the only husband, for although You already bear my insignia of You would be afraid of others. Therefore golden streaks on Your chest, I regard this persons learned in all Vedic literature accept honor as merely a kind of false prestige for me. only Your Lordship as everyone's master, and You show Your real mercy to Your devotees, they think no one else a better husband and not to me. Of course, You are the supreme protector than You. absolute controller, and no one can understand Your motives. TEXT 21, ya tasya te pada-saroruharhanam, nikamayet sakhila-kama-lampata, tad eva TEXT 24, ramyake ca bhagavatah priyatamam rasipsitam ipsito 'rcito, yad-bhagna-yacna matsyam avatara-rupam tad-varsa-purusasya bhagavan pratapyate manoh prak-pradarsitam sa idanim api mahata bhakti-yogenaradhayatidam codaharati. TRANSLATION My dear Lord, You automatically fulfill all TRANSLATION the desires of a woman who worships Your Sukadeva Gosvami continued: In lotus feet in pure love. However, if a woman Ramyaka-varsa, where Vaivasvata Manu worships Your lotus feet for a particular rules, the Supreme Personality of Godhead purpose, You also quickly fulfill her desires, appeared as Lord at the end of the last but in the end she becomes broken-hearted era [the Caksusa-manvantara]. Vaivasvata and laments. Therefore one need not worship Manu now worships Lord Matsya in pure Your lotus feet for some material benefit. devotional service and chants the following mantra. TEXT 22, mat-praptaye 'jesa-surasuradayas, tapyanta ugram tapa aindriye dhiyah, rte bhavat- TEXT 25, om namo bhagavate mukhyatamaya pada-parayanan na mam, vindanty aham tvad- namah sattvaya pranayaujase sahase balaya maha- dhrdaya yato 'jita matsyaya nama iti.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION O supreme unconquerable Lord, when they I offer my respectful obeisances unto the become absorbed in thoughts of material Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is pure enjoyment, Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, as transcendence. He is the origin of all life, well as other demigods and demons, undergo bodily strength, mental power and sensory severe penances and austerities to receive my ability. Known as Matsyavatara, the gigantic benedictions. But I do not favor anyone, fish incarnation, He appears first among all however great he may be; unless he is always the incarnations. Again I offer my obeisances engaged in the service of Your lotus feet. unto Him. Because I always keep You within my heart, I cannot favor anyone but a devotee. TEXT 26, antar bahis cakhila-loka-palakair, adrsta-rupo vicarasy uru-svanah, sa isvaras tvam TEXT 23, sa tvam mamapy acyuta sirsni ya idam vase 'nayan, namna yatha darumayim vanditam, karambujam yat tvad-adhayi satvatam, narah striyam bibharsi mam laksma varenya mayaya, ka isvarasyehitam uhitum vibhur iti TRANSLATION 84

My dear Lord, just as a puppeteer controls -tanum bibhranas tasya tat priyatamam his dancing dolls and a husband controls his tanum aryama saha varsa-purusaih pitr- wife, Your Lordship controls all the living ganadhipatir upadhavati mantram imam entities in the universe, such as the brahmanas, canujapati. ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras. Although You are in everyone's heart as the supreme witness TRANSLATION and commander and are outside everyone as Sukadeva Gosvami continued: In well, the so-called leaders of societies, Hiranmaya-varsa, the Supreme Lord, Visnu, communities and countries cannot realize You. lives in the form of a tortoise [kurma-sarira]. Only those who hear the vibration of the Vedic This most dear and beautiful form is always mantras can appreciate You. worshiped there in devotional service by Aryama, the chief resident of Hiranmaya- TEXT 27, yam loka-palah kila matsara-jvara, varsa, along with the other inhabitants of that hitva yatanto 'pi prthak sametya ca, patum na land. They chant the following hymns. sekur dvi-padas catus-padah, sarisrpam sthanu yad atra drsyate TEXT 30, om namo bhagavate akuparaya sarva- sattva-guna-visesanayanu-palaksita-sthanaya TRANSLATION namo varsmane namo bhumne namo namo My Lord, from the great leaders of the 'vasthanaya namas te. universe, such as Lord Brahma and other demigods, down to the political leaders of this TRANSLATION world, all are envious of Your authority. O my Lord, I offer my respectful obeisances Without Your help, however, they could unto You, who have assumed the form of a neither separately nor concertedly maintain tortoise. You are the reservoir of all the innumerable living entities within the transcendental qualities, and being entirely universe. You are actually the only maintainer untinged by matter, You are perfectly situated of all human beings, of animals like cows and in pure goodness. You move here and there in asses, and of plants, reptiles, birds, mountains the water, but no one can discern Your and whatever else is visible within this position. Therefore I offer my respectful material world. obeisances unto You. Because of Your transcendental position, You are not limited by TEXT 28, bhavan yugantarnava urmi-malini, past, present and future. You are present ksonim imam osadhi-virudham nidhim, maya everywhere as the shelter of all things, and sahoru kramate 'ja ojasa, tasmai jagat-prana- therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto ganatmane nama iti You again and again.

TRANSLATION TEXT 31, yad-rupam etan nija-mayayarpitam, O almighty Lord, at the end of the artha-svarupam bahu-rupa-rupitam, sankhya na millennium this planet earth, which is the yasyasty ayathopalambhanat, tasmai namas te source of all kinds of herbs, drugs and trees, 'vyapadesa-rupine was inundated by water and drowned beneath the devastating waves. At that time, You TRANSLATION protected me along with the earth and roamed My dear Lord, this visible cosmic the sea with great speed. O unborn one, You manifestation is a demonstration of Your own are the actual maintainer of the entire creative energy. Since the countless varieties of universal creation, and therefore You are the forms within this cosmic manifestation are cause of all living entities. I offer my respectful simply a display of Your external energy, this obeisances unto You. virat-rupa [universal body] is not Your real form. Except for a devotee in transcendental TEXT 29, hiranmaye 'pi bhagavan nivasati consciousness, no one can perceive Your actual 85

form. Therefore I offer my respectful yogenopadhavati imam ca paramam upanisadam obeisances unto You. avartayati.

TEXT 32, jarayujam svedajam andajodbhidam, TRANSLATION caracaram devarsi-pitr-bhutam aindriyam, dyauh Sukadeva Gosvami said: Dear King, the kham ksitih saila-sarit-samudra-, dvipa- Supreme Lord in His boar incarnation, who graharksety abhidheya ekah accepts all sacrificial offerings, lives in the northern part of Jambudvipa. There, in the TRANSLATION tract of land known as Uttarakuru-varsa, My dear Lord, You manifest Your different mother earth and all the other inhabitants energies in countless forms: as living entities worship Him with unfailing devotional service born from wombs, from eggs and from by repeatedly chanting the following Upanisad perspiration; as plants and trees that grow out mantra. of the earth; as all living entities, both moving and standing, including the demigods, the TEXT 35, om namo bhagavate mantra-tattva- learned sages and the pitas; as outer space, as lingaya yajna-kratave maha-dhvaravayavaya the higher planetary system containing the maha-purusaya namah karma-suklaya tri-yugaya heavenly planets, and as the planet earth with namas te. its hills, rivers, seas, oceans and islands. Indeed, all the stars and planets are simply TRANSLATION manifestations of Your different energies, but O Lord, we offer our respectful obeisances originally You are one without a second. unto You as the gigantic person. Simply by Therefore there is nothing beyond You. This chanting mantras, we shall be able to entire cosmic manifestation is therefore not understand You fully. You are yajna false but is simply a temporary manifestation [sacrifice], and You are the kratu [ritual]. of Your inconceivable energy. Therefore all the ritualistic ceremonies of sacrifice are part of Your transcendental body, TEXT 33, yasminn asankhyeya-visesa-nama-, and You are the only enjoyer of all sacrifices. rupakrtau kavibhih kalpiteyam, sankhya yaya Your form is composed of transcendental tattva-drsapaniyate, tasmai namah sankhya- goodness. You are known as tri-yuga because nidarsanaya te iti in Kali-yuga You appeared as a concealed incarnation and because You always fully TRANSLATION possess the three pairs of opulences. O my Lord, Your name, form and bodily features are expanded in countless forms. No TEXT 36, yasya svarupam kavayo vipascito, one can determine exactly how many forms gunesu darusv iva jata-vedasam, mathnanti exist, yet You Yourself, in Your incarnation as mathna manasa didrksavo, gudham kriyarthair the learned scholar Kapiladeva, have analyzed nama iritatmane the cosmic manifestation as containing twenty- four elements. Therefore if one is interested in TRANSLATION Sankhya philosophy, by which one can By manipulating a fire-generating stick, enumerate the different truths, he must hear it great saints and sages can bring forth the fire from You. Unfortunately, nondevotees simply lying dormant within wood. In the same way, count the different elements and remain O Lord, those expert in understanding the ignorant of Your actual form. I offer my Absolute Truth try to see You in everything-- respectful obeisances unto You. even in their own bodies. Yet you remain concealed. You are not to be understood by TEXT 34, uttaresu ca kurusu bhagavan yajna- indirect processes involving mental or physical purusah krta--rupa aste tam tu devi haisa activities. Because You are self-manifested, bhuh saha kurubhir askhalita-bhakti- only when You see that a person is 86

wholeheartedly engaged in searching for You plucks a lotus flower from the water. I bow do You reveal Yourself. Therefore I offer my down before You. respectful obeisances unto You. Chapter Nineteen A Description of the TEXT 37, dravya-kriya-hetv-ayanesa-kartrbhir, Island of Jambudvipa maya-gunair vastu-niriksitatmane, anviksayangatisayatma-buddhibhir, nirasta- TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca kimpuruse varse mayakrtaye namo namah bhagavantam adi-purusam laksmanagrajam sitabhiramam ramam tac-carana- TRANSLATION sannikarsabhiratah parama-bhagavato The objects of material enjoyment [sound, saha kimpurusair avirata-bhaktir upaste. form, taste, touch and smell], the activities of the senses, the controllers of sensory activities TRANSLATION [the demigods], the body, eternal time and Srila Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear egotism are all creations of Your material King, in Kimpurusa-varsa the great devotee energy. Those whose intelligence has become Hanuman is always engaged with the fixed by perfect execution of mystic yoga can inhabitants of that land in devotional service to see that all these elements result from the Lord Ramacandra, the elder brother of actions of Your external energy. They can also Laksmana and dear husband of Sitadevi. see Your transcendental form as Supersoul in the background of everything. Therefore I TEXT 2, arstisenena saha gandharvair repeatedly offer my respectful obeisances unto anugiyamanam parama-kalyanim bhartr- You. bhagavat-katham samupasrnoti svayam cedam gayati. TEXT 38, karoti visva-sthiti-samyamodayam, yasyepsitam nepsitam iksitur gunaih, maya TRANSLATION yathayo bhramate tad-asrayam, gravno namas te A host of Gandharvas is always engaged in guna-karma-saksine chanting the glories of Lord Ramacandra. That chanting is always extremely auspicious. TRANSLATION Hanumanji and Arstisena, the chief person in O Lord, You do not desire the creation, Kimpurusa-varsa, constantly hear those maintenance or annihilation of this material glories with complete attention. Hanuman world, but You perform these activities for the chants the following mantras. conditioned souls by Your creative energy. Exactly as a piece of iron moves under the TEXT 3, om namo bhagavate uttamaslokaya influence of a lodestone, inert matter moves nama arya-laksana-sila-vrataya nama when You glance over the total material upasiksitatmana upasita-lokaya namah sadhu- energy. vada-nikasanaya namo brahmanya-devaya maha- purusaya maha-rajaya nama iti. TEXT 39, pramathya daityam prativaranam mrdhe, yo mam rasaya jagad-adi-sukarah, TRANSLATION krtvagra-damstre niragad udanvatah, kridann Let me please Your Lordship by chanting ivebhah pranatasmi tam vibhum iti the bija-mantra omkara. I wish to offer my respectful obeisances unto the Personality of TRANSLATION Godhead, who is the best among the most My Lord, as the original boar within this highly elevated personalities. Your Lordship is universe, You fought and killed the great the reservoir of all the good qualities of demon Hiranyaksa. Then You lifted me [the , people who are advanced. Your earth] from the Garbhodaka Ocean on the end character and behavior are always consistent, of Your tusk, exactly as a sporting elephant 87 and You always control Your senses and mind. of many miseries. He is the self-sufficient Acting just like an ordinary human being, You Supreme Personality of Godhead, and nothing exhibit exemplary character to teach others is lamentable for Him. Therefore why else how to behave. There is a touchstone that can could He be subjected to tribulations by the be used to examine the quality of gold, but You kidnapping of mother Sita? are like a touchstone that can verify all good qualities. You are worshiped by brahmanas TEXT 6, na vai sa atmatmavatam suhrttamah, who are the foremost of all devotees. You, the saktas tri-lokyam bhagavan vasudevah, na stri- Supreme Person, are the King of kings, and krtam kasmalam asnuvita, na laksmanam capi therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto vihatum arhati You. TRANSLATION TEXT 4, yat tad visuddhanubhava-matram ekam, Since Lord Sri Ramacandra is the Supreme sva-tejasa dhvasta-guna-vyavastham, pratyak Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva, He is not prasantam sudhiyopalambhanam, hy anama- attached to anything in this material world. He rupam niraham prapadye is the most beloved Supersoul of all self- realized souls, and He is their very intimate TRANSLATION friend. He is full of all opulences. Therefore He The Lord, whose pure form [sac-cid- could not possibly have suffered because of ananda-vigraha] is uncontaminated by the separation from His wife, nor could He have modes of material nature, can be perceived by given up His wife and Laksmana, His younger pure consciousness. In the Vedanta He is brother. To give up either would have been described as being one without a second. absolutely impossible. Because of His spiritual potency, He is untouched by the contamination of material TEXT 7, na janma nunam mahato na saubhagam, nature, and because He is not subjected to na van na buddhir nakrtis tosa-hetuh, tair yad material vision, He is known as transcendental. visrstan api no vanaukasas, cakara sakhye bata He has no material activities, nor has He a laksmanagrajah material form or name. Only in pure consciousness, Krsna consciousness, can one TRANSLATION perceive the transcendental form of the Lord. One cannot establish a friendship with the Let us be firmly fixed at the lotus feet of Lord Supreme Lord Ramacandra on the basis of Ramacandra, and let us offer our respectful material qualities such as one's birth in an obeisances unto those transcendental lotus feet. aristocratic family, one's personal beauty, one's eloquence, one's sharp intelligence or TEXT 5, martyavataras tv iha martya-siksanam, one's superior race or nation. None of these rakso-vadhayaiva na kevalam vibhoh, kuto qualifications is actually a prerequisite for 'nyatha syad ramatah sva atmanah, sita-krtani friendship with Lord Sri Ramacandra. vyasananisvarasya Otherwise how is it possible that although we uncivilized inhabitants of the forest have not TRANSLATION taken noble births, although we have no It was ordained that Ravana, chief of the physical beauty and although we cannot speak Raksasas, could not be killed by anyone but a like gentlemen, Lord Ramacandra has man, and for this reason Lord Ramacandra, nevertheless accepted us as friends? the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appeared in the form of a human being. Lord TEXT 8, suro 'suro vapy atha vanaro narah, Ramacandra's mission, however, was not only sarvatmana yah sukrtajnam uttamam, bhajeta to kill Ravana but also to teach mortal beings ramam manujakrtim harim, ya uttaran anayat that material happiness centered around sex kosalan divam iti life or centered around one's wife is the cause 88

TRANSLATION great sage Narada instructed the tenets of this Therefore, whether one is a demigod or a transcendental literature to Savarni Manu in demon, a man or a creature other than man, order to teach those inhabitants of Bharata- such as a beast or bird, everyone should varsa who strictly follow the principles of worship Lord Ramacandra, the Supreme varnasrama-dharma how to achieve the Personality of Godhead, who appears on this devotional service of the Lord. Thus Narada earth just like a human being. There is no need Muni, along with the other inhabitants of of great austerities or penances to worship the Bharata-varsa, always engages in the service of Lord, for Me accepts even a small service Nara-Narayana, and he chants as follows. offered by His devotee. Thus He is satisfied, and as soon as He is satisfied, the devotee is TEXT 11, om namo bhagavate upasama- successful. Indeed, Lord Sri Ramacandra silayoparatanatmyaya namo 'kincana-vittaya rsi- brought all the devotees of Ayodhya back rsabhaya nara-narayanaya paramahamsa-parama- home, back to Godhead [Vaikuntha]. gurave atmaramadhipataye namo nama iti.

TEXT 9, bharate 'pi varse bhagavan nara- TRANSLATION narayanakhya akalpantam upacita-dharma-jnana- Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto vairagyaisvaryopasamoparamatmopalambhanam Nara-Narayana, the best of all saintly persons, anugrahayatmavatam anukampaya tapo 'vyakta- the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the gatis carati. most self-controlled and self-realized, He is free from false prestige, and He is the asset of TRANSLATION persons who have no material possessions. He [Sukadeva Gosvami continued:] The glories is the spiritual master of all paramahamsas, of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are who are the most exalted human beings, and inconceivable. He has appeared in the form of He is the master of the self-realized. Let me Nara-Narayana in the land of Bharata-varsa, offer my repeated obeisances at His lotus feet. at the place known as Badarikasrama, to favor His devotees by teaching them religion, TEXT 12, gayati cedam----, kartasya sargadisu knowledge, renunciation, spiritual power, yo na badhyate, na hanyate deha-gato 'pi sense control and freedom from false ego. He is daihikaih, drastur na drg yasya gunair vidusyate, advanced in the opulence of spiritual assets, tasmai namo 'sakta-vivikta-saksine and He engages in executing austerity until the end of this millennium. This is the process of TRANSLATION self-realization. Narada, the most powerful saintly sage, also worships Nara-Narayana by chanting the TEXT 10, tam bhagavan narado following mantra: The Supreme Personality of varnasramavatibhir bharatibhih prajabhir Godhead is the master of the creation, bhagavat-proktabhyam sankhya-yogabhyam maintenance and annihilation of this visible bhagavad-anubhavopavarnanam savarner cosmic manifestation, yet He is completely free upadeksyamanah parama-bhakti-bhavenopasarati from false prestige. Although to the foolish He idam cabhigrnati. appears to have accepted a material body like us, He is unaffected by bodily tribulations like TRANSLATION hunger, thirst and fatigue. Although He is the In his own book, known as Narada witness who sees everything, His senses are Pancaratra, Bhagavan Narada has very vividly unpolluted by the objects He sees. Let me offer described how to work to achieve the ultimate my respectful obeisances unto that unattached, goal of life--devotion--through knowledge and pure witness of the world, the Supreme Soul, through execution of the mystic yoga system. the Personality of Godhead. He has also described the glories of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The TEXT 13, idam hi yogesvara yoga-naipunam, 89 hiranyagarbho bhagavan jagada yat, yad anta-kale santi bahavo malayo mangala-prastho mainakas tvayi nirgune mano, bhaktya dadhitojjhita- trikuta rsabhah kutakah kollakah sahyo devagirir duskalevarah rsyamukah sri-sailo venkato mahendro varidharo vindhyah suktiman rksagirih pariyatro dronas TRANSLATION citrakuto govardhano raivatakah kakubho nilo O my Lord, master of all mystic yoga, this is gokamukha indrakilah kamagirir iti canye ca sata- the explanation of the yogic process spoken of sahasrasah sailas tesam nitamba-prabhava nada by Lord Brahma [Hiranyagarbha], who is self- nadyas ca santy asankhyatah. realized. At the time of death, all yogis give up the material body with full detachment simply TRANSLATION by placing their minds at Your lotus feet. That In the tract of land known as Bharata- is the perfection of yoga. varsa, as in Ilavrta-varsa, there are many mountains and rivers. Some of the mountains TEXT 14, yathaihikamusmika-kama-lampatah, are known as Malaya, Mangala-prastha, sutesu daresu dhanesu cintayan, sanketa vidvan Mainaka, Trikuta, Rsabha, Kutaka, Kollaka, kukalevaratyayad, yas tasya yatnah srama eva Sahya, Devagiri, Rsyamuka, Sri-saila, kevalam Venkata, Mahendra, Varidhara, Vindhya, Suktiman, Rksagiri, Pariyatra, Drona, TRANSLATION Citrakuta, Govardhana, Raivataka, Kakubha, Materialists are generally very attached to Nila, Gokamukha, Indrakila and Kamagiri. their present bodily comforts and to the bodily Besides these, there are many other hills, with comforts they expect in the future. Therefore many large and small rivers flowing from their they are always absorbed in thoughts of their slopes. wives, children and wealth and are afraid of giving up their bodies, which are full of stool TEXT S 17-18, etasam apo bharatyah praja and urine. If a person engaged in Krsna namabhir eva punantinam atmana copasprsanti; consciousness, however, is also afraid of giving candravasa tamraparni avatoda krtamala up his body, what is the use of his having vaihayasi kaveri veni payasvini sarkaravarta labored to study the sastras? It was simply a tungabhadra krsnavenya bhimarathi godavari waste of time. nirvindhya payosni tapi reva surasa narmada carmanvati sindhur andhah sonas ca nadau TEXT 15, tan nah prabho tvam mahanadi vedasmrtir rsikulya trisama kausiki kukalevararpitam, tvan-mayayaham-mamatam mandakini yamuna sarasvati drsadvati gomati adhoksaja, bhindyama yenasu vayam sarayu rodhasvati saptavati susoma satadrus sudurbhidam, vidhehi yogam tvayi nah candrabhaga marudvrdha vitasta asikni visveti svabhavam iti maha-nadyah.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Therefore, O Lord, O Transcendence, Two of the rivers--the Brahmaputra and the kindly help us by giving us the power to Sona--are called nadas, or main rivers. These execute bhakti-yoga so that we can control our are other great rivers that are very prominent: restless minds and fix them upon You. We are Candravasa, Tamraparni, Avatoda, Krtamala, all infected by Your illusory energy; therefore Vaihayasi, Kaveri, Veni, Payasvini, we are very attached to the body, which is full Sarkaravarta, Tungabhadra, Krsnavenya, of stool and urine, and to anything related with Bhimarathi, Godavari, Nirvindhya, Payosni, the body. Except for devotional service, there Tapi, Reva, Surasa, Narmada, Carmanvati, is no way to give up this attachment. Therefore Mahanadi, Vedasmrti, Rsikulya, Trisama, kindly bestow upon us this benediction. Kausiki, Mandakini, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Drsadvati, Gomati, Sarayu, Rodhasvati, TEXT 16, bharate 'py asmin varse saric-chailah Saptavati, Susoma, Satadru, Candrabhaga, 90

Marudvrdha, Vitasta, Asikni and Visva. The from attachment to the material world, beyond inhabitants of Bharata-varsa are purified the mind and words, and independent of because they always remember these rivers. everything else. That bhakti-yoga, devotional Sometimes they chant the names of these rivers service to Lord Vasudeva, is the real path of as mantras, and sometimes they go directly to liberation. the rivers to touch them and bathe in them. Thus the inhabitants of Bharata-varsa become TEXT 21, etad eva hi deva gayanti----, aho purified. amisam kim akari sobhanam, prasanna esam svid uta svayam harih, yair janma labdham nrsu TEXT 19, asminn eva varse purusair labdha- bharatajire, mukunda-sevaupayikam sprha hi nah janmabhih sukla-lohita-krsna-varnena svarabdhena karmana divya-manusa-naraka- TRANSLATION gatayo bahvya atmana anupurvyena sarva hy eva Since the human form of life is the sublime sarvesam vidhiyante yatha-varna-vidhanam position for spiritual realization, all the apavargas capi bhavati. demigods in heaven speak in this way: Mow wonderful it is for these human beings to have TRANSLATION been born in the land of Bharata-varsa. They The people who take birth in this tract of must have executed pious acts of austerity in land are divided according to the qualities of the past, or the Supreme Personality of material nature--the modes of goodness Godhead Himself must have been pleased with [sattva-guna], passion [rajo-guna], and them. Otherwise, how could they engage in ignorance [tamo-guna]. Some of them are born devotional service in so many ways? We as exalted personalities, some are ordinary demigods can only aspire to achieve human human beings, and some are extremely births in Bharata-varsa to execute devotional abominable, for in Bharata-varsa one takes service, but these human beings are already birth exactly according to one's past karma. If engaged there. one's position is ascertained by a bona fide spiritual master and one is properly trained to TEXT 22, kim duskarair nah kratubhis tapo- engage in the service of Lord Visnu according vratair, danadibhir va dyujayena phalguna, na to the four social divisions [brahmana, yatra narayana-pada-pankaja-, smrtih ksatriya, vaisya and sudra] and the four pramustatisayendriyotsavat spiritual divisions [brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa], one's life becomes TRANSLATION perfect. The demigods continue: After performing the very difficult tasks of executing Vedic TEXT 20, yo 'sau bhagavati sarva-bhutatmany ritualistic sacrifices, undergoing austerities, anatmye 'nirukte 'nilayane paramatmani vasudeve observing vows and giving charity, we have 'nanya-nimitta-bhakti-yoga-laksano nana-gati- achieved this position as inhabitants of the nimittavidya-granthi-randhana-dvarena yada hi heavenly planets. But what is the value of this maha-purusa-purusa-prasangah. achievement? Here we are certainly very engaged in material sense gratification, and TRANSLATION therefore we can hardly remember the lotus After many, many births, when the results feet of Lord Narayana. Indeed, because of our of one's pious activities mature, one gets an excessive sense gratification, we have almost opportunity to associate with pure devotees. forgotten His lotus feet. Then one is able to cut the knot of bondage to ignorance, which bound him because of varied TEXT 23, kalpayusam sthanajayat punar-bhavat, fruitive activities. As a result of associating ksanayusam bharata-bhujayo varam, ksanena with devotees, one gradually renders service to martyena krtam manasvinah, sannyasya samyanty Lord Vasudeva, who is transcendental, free abhayam padam hareh 91

TEXT 26, yaih sraddhaya barhisi bhagaso havir, TRANSLATION niruptam istam vidhi-mantra-vastutah, ekah A short life in the land of Bharata-varsa is prthan-namabhir ahuto muda, grhnati purnah preferable to a life achieved in Brahmaloka for svayam asisam prabhuh millions and billions of years because even if one is elevated to Brahmaloka, he must return TRANSLATION to repeated birth and death. Although life in In India [Bharata-varsa], there are many Bharata-varsa, in a lower planetary system, is worshipers of the demigods, the various very short, one who lives there can elevate officials appointed by the Supreme Lord, such himself to full Krsna consciousness and as Indra, Candra and Surya, all of whom are achieve the highest perfection, even in this worshiped differently. The worshipers offer short life, by fully surrendering unto the lotus the demigods their oblations, considering the feet of the Lord. Thus one attains demigods part and parcel of the whole, the Vaikunthaloka, where there is neither anxiety Supreme Lord. Therefore the Supreme nor repeated birth in a material body. Personality of Godhead accepts these offerings and gradually raises the worshipers to the real TEXT 24, na yatra vaikuntha-katha-sudhapaga, standard of devotional service by fulfilling na sadhavo bhagavatas tadasrayah, na yatra their desires and aspirations. Because the Lord yajnesa-makha mahotsavah, suresa-loko 'pi na vai is complete, He offers the worshipers the sa sevyatam benedictions they desire even if they worship only part of His transcendental body. TRANSLATION An intelligent person does not take interest TEXT 27, satyam disaty arthitam arthito nrnam, in a place, even in the topmost planetary naivarthado yat punar arthita yatah, svayam system, if the pure Ganges of topics concerning vidhatte bhajatam anicchatam, icchapidhanam the Supreme Lord's activities does not flow nija-pada-pallavam there, if there are not devotees engaged in service on the banks of such a river of piety, or TRANSLATION if there are no festivals of sankirtana-yajna to The Supreme Personality of Godhead satisfy the Lord [especially since sankirtana- fulfills the material desires of a devotee who yajna is recommended in this age]. approaches Him with such motives, but He does not bestow benedictions upon the devotee TEXT 25, prapta nr-jatim tv iha ye ca jantavo, that will cause him to demand more jnana-kriya-dravya-kalapa-sambhrtam, na vai benedictions again. However, the Lord yaterann apunar-bhavaya te, bhuyo vanauka iva willingly gives the devotee shelter at His own yanti bandhanam lotus feet, even though such a person does not aspire for it, and that shelter satisfies all his TRANSLATION desires. That is the Supreme Personality's Bharata-varsa offers the proper land and special mercy. circumstances in which to execute devotional service, which can free one from the results of TEXT 28, yady atra nah svarga-sukhavasesitam, jnana and karma. If one obtains a human body svistasya suktasya krtasya sobhanam, tenajanabhe in the land of Bharata-varsa, with clear smrtimaj janma nah syad, varse harir yad- sensory organs with which to execute the bhajatam sam tanoti sankirtana-yajna, but in spite of this opportunity he does not take to devotional TRANSLATION service, he is certainly like liberated forest We are now living in the heavenly planets, animals and birds that are careless and are undoubtedly as a result of our having therefore again bound by a hunter. performed ritualistic ceremonies, pious activities and yajnas and having studied the 92

Vedas. However, our lives here will one day be characteristics and forms of the six islands finished. We pray that at that time, if any beginning with the island of Plaksa. merit remains from our pious activities, we may again take birth in Bharata-varsa as TEXT 2, jambudvipo 'yam yavat-- human beings able to remember the lotus feet vistaras tavata ksarodadhina parivestito yatha of the Lord. The Lord is so kind that He merur jambv-akhyena lavanodadhir api tato dvi- personally comes to the land of Bharata-varsa guna-visalena plaksakhyena pariksipto yatha and expands the good fortune of its people. parikha bahyopavanena; plakso jambu-pramano dvipakhyakaro hiranmaya utthito yatragnir upaste TEXT S 29-30, sri-suka uvaca jambudvipasya ca sapta-jihvas tasyadhipatih priyavratatmaja rajann upadvipan astau haika upadisanti idhmajihvah svam dvipam sapta-varsani vibhajya sagaratmajair asvanvesana imam mahim parito sapta-varsa-namabhya atmajebhya akalayya nikhanadbhir upakalpitan; tad yatha svayam atma-yogenopararama. svarnaprasthas candrasukla avartano ramanako mandaraharinah pancajanyah simhalo lanketi. TRANSLATION As Sumeru Mountain is surrounded by TRANSLATION Jambudvipa, Jambudvipa is also surrounded Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear King, by an ocean of salt water. The breadth of in the opinion of some learned scholars, eight Jambudvipa is 100,000 yojanas [800,000 smaller islands surround Jambudvipa. When miles], and the breadth of the saltwater ocean the sons of Maharaja Sagara were searching is the same. As a moat around a fort is all over the world for their lost horse, they dug sometimes surrounded by gardenlike forest, up the earth, and in this way eight adjoining the saltwater ocean surrounding Jambudvipa islands came into existence. The names of these is itself surrounded by Plaksadvipa. The islands are Svarnaprastha, Candrasukla, breadth of Plaksadvipa is twice that of the Avartana, Ramanaka, Mandara-harina, saltwater ocean--in other words 260,000 Pancajanya, Simhala and Lanka. yojanas [1,600,000 miles]. On Plaksadvipa there is a tree shining like gold and as tall as TEXT 31, evam tava bharatottama jambudvipa- the jambu tree on Jambudvipa. At its root is a varsa-vibhago yathopadesam upavarnita iti. fire with seven flames. It is because this tree is a plaksa tree that the island is called TRANSLATION Plaksadvipa. Plaksadvipa was governed by My dear King Pariksit, O best of the Idhmajihva, one of the sons of Maharaja descendants of Bharata Maharaja, I have thus Priyavrata. He endowed the seven islands with described to you, as I myself have been the names of his seven sons, divided the islands instructed, the island of Bharata-varsa and its among the sons, and then retired from active adjoining islands. These are the islands that life to engage in the devotional service of the constitute Jambudvipa. Lord.

Chapter Twenty Studying the TEXTS 3-4, sivam yavasam subhadram santam Structure of the Universe ksemam amrtam abhayam iti varsani tesu girayo nadyas ca saptaivabhijnatah; manikuto vajrakuta TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca atah param plaksadinam indraseno jyotisman suparno hiranyasthivo pramana-laksana-samsthanato varsa-vibhaga meghamala iti setu-sailah aruna nrmnangirasi upavarnyate. savitri suptabhata rtambhara satyambhara iti maha-nadyah; TRANSLATION The great sage Sukadeva Gosvami said: yasam jalopasparsana-vidhuta-rajas-tamaso Hereafter I shall describe the dimensions, hamsa-patangordhvayana-satyanga-samjnas catvaro varnah sahasrayuso vibudhopama- 93

sandarsana-prajananah svarga-dvaram trayya O King, longevity, sensory prowess, vidyaya bhagavantam trayimayam suryam physical and mental strength, intelligence and atmanam yajante. bravery are naturally and equally manifested in all the inhabitants of the five islands headed TRANSLATION by Plaksadvipa. The seven islands [varsas] are named according to the names of those seven sons-- TEXT 7, plaksah sva-samaneneksu-rasodenavrto Siva, Yavasa, Subhadra, Santa, Ksema, Amrta yatha tatha dvipo 'pi salmalo dvi-guna-visalah and Abhaya. In those seven tracts of land, samanena surodenavrtah parivrnkte. there are seven mountains and seven rivers. The mountains are named Manikuta, TRANSLATION Vajrakuta, Indrasena, Jyotisman, Suparna, Plaksadvipa is surrounded by an ocean of Hiranyasthiva and Meghamala, and the rivers sugarcane juice, equal in breadth to the island are named Aruna, Nrmna, Angirasi, Savitri, itself. Similarly, there is then another island-- Suptabhata, Rtambhara and Satyambhara. Salmalidvipa--twice as broad as Plaksadvipa One can immediately be free from material [400,000 yojanas, or 3,200,000 miles] and contamination by touching or bathing in those surrounded by an equally broad body of water rivers, and the four castes of people who live in called Surasagara, the ocean that tastes like Plaksadvipa--the Hamsas, Patangas, liquor. Urdhvayanas and Satyangas--purify themselves in that way. The inhabitants of TEXT 8, yatra ha vai salmali plaksayama yasyam Plaksadvipa live for one thousand years. They vava kila nilayam ahur bhagavatas chandah-stutah are beautiful like the demigods, and they also patattri-rajasya sa dvipa-hutaye upalaksyate. beget children like the demigods. By completely performing the ritualistic TRANSLATION ceremonies mentioned in the Vedas and by On Salmalidvipa there is a salmali tree, worshiping the Supreme Personality of from which the island takes its name. That tree Godhead as represented by the sun-god, they is as broad and tall as the plaksa tree--in other attain the sun, which is a heavenly planet. words 100 yojanas [800 miles] broad and 1,100 yojanas [8,800 miles] tall. Learned scholars say TEXT 5, pratnasya visno rupam yat, that this gigantic tree is the residence of satyasyartasya brahmanah, amrtasya ca mrtyos ca, Garuda, the king of all birds and carrier of suryam atmanam imahiti Lord Visnu. In that tree, Garuda offers Lord Visnu his Vedic prayers. TRANSLATION [This is the mantra by which the TEXT 9, tad-dvipadhipatih priyavratatmajo inhabitants of Plaksadvipa worship the yajnabahuh sva-sutebhyah saptabhyas tan-namani Supreme Lord.] Let us take shelter of the sun- sapta-varsani vyabhajat surocanam saumanasyam god, who is a reflection of Lord Visnu, the all- ramanakam deva-varsam paribhadram apyayanam expanding Supreme Personality of Godhead, avijnatam iti. the oldest of all persons. Visnu is the only worshipable Lord. He is the Vedas, He is TRANSLATION religion, and He is the origin of all auspicious The son of Maharaja Priyavrata named and inauspicious results. Yajnabahu, the master of Salmalidvipa, divided the island into seven tracts of land, TEXT 6, plaksadisu pancasu purusanam ayur which he gave to his seven sons. The names of indriyam ojah saho balam buddhir vikrama iti ca those divisions, which correspond to the names sarvesam autpattiki siddhir avisesena vartate. of the sons, are Surocana, Saumanasya, Ramanaka, Deva-varsa, Paribhadra, TRANSLATION Apyayana and Avijnata. 94

TEXT 10, tesu varsadrayo nadyas ca TRANSLATION saptaivabhijnatah svarasah satasrngo vamadevah Outside the ocean of liquor is another kundo mukundah puspa-varsah sahasra-srutir iti; island, known as Kusadvipa, which is 800,000 anumatih sinivali sarasvati kuhu rajani nanda yojanas [6,400,000 miles] wide, twice as wide raketi. as the ocean of liquor. As Salmalidvipa is surrounded by a liquor ocean, Kusadvipa is TRANSLATION surrounded by an ocean of liquid ghee as In those tracts of land there are seven broad as the island itself. On Kusadvipa there mountains--Svarasa, Satasrnga, Vamadeva, are clumps of kusa grass, from which the Kunda, Mukunda, Puspa-varsa and Sahasra- island takes its name. This kusa grass, which sruti. There are also seven rivers--Anumati, was created by the demigods by the will of the Sinivali, Sarasvati, Kuhu, Rajani, Nanda and Supreme Lord, appears like a second form of Raka. They are still existing. fire, but with very mild and pleasing flames. Its young shoots illuminate all directions. TEXT 11, tad-varsa-purusah srutadhara- viryadhara-vasundharesandhara-samjna TEXT 14, tad-dvipa-patih praiyavrato rajan bhagavantam vedamayam somam atmanam hiranyareta nama svam dvipam saptabhyah sva- vedena yajante. putrebhyo yatha-bhagam vibhajya svayam tapa atisthata vasu-vasudana-drdharuci-nabhigupta- TRANSLATION stutyavrata-vivikta-vamadeva-namabhyah. Strictly following the cult of varnasrama- dharma, the inhabitants of those islands, who TRANSLATION are known as Srutidharas, Viryadharas, O King, another son of Maharaja Vasundharas and Isandharas, all worship the Priyavrata, Hiranyareta, was the king of this expansion of the Supreme Personality of island. He divided it into seven parts, which he Godhead named Soma, the moon-god. delivered to his seven sons according to the rights of inheritance. The King then retired TEXT 12, sva-gobhih pitr-devebhyo, vibhajan from family life to engage in austerities. The krsna-suklayoh, prajanam sarvasam raja-, ndhah names of those sons are Vasu, Vasudana, somo na astv iti Drdharuci, Stutyavrata, Nabhigupta, Vivikta and Vamadeva. TRANSLATION [The inhabitants of Salmalidvipa worship TEXT 15, tesam varsesu sima-girayo nadyas the demigod of the moon in the following cabhijnatah sapta saptaiva cakras catuhsrngah words.] By his own rays, the moon-god has kapilas citrakuto devanika urdhvaroma dravina iti divided the month into two fortnights, known rasakulya madhukulya mitravinda srutavinda as sukla and krsna, for the distribution of food devagarbha ghrtacyuta mantramaleti. grains to the pitas and the demigods. The demigod of the moon is he who divides time, TRANSLATION and he is the king of all the residents of the In those seven islands there are seven universe. We therefore pray that he may boundary mountains, known as Cakra, remain our king and guide, and we offer him Catuhsrnga, Kapila, Citrakuta, Devanika, our respectful obeisances. Urdhvaroma and Dravina. There are also seven rivers, known as Ramakulya, TEXT 13, evam surodad bahis tad-dvi-gunah Madhukulya, Mitravinda, Srutavinda, samanenavrto ghrtodena yatha-purvah kusa-dvipo Devagarbha, Ghrtacyuta and Mantramala. yasmin kusa-stambo deva-krtas tad- dvipakhyakaro jvalana ivaparah sva-saspa-rocisa TEXT 16, yasam payobhih kusadvipaukasah diso virajayati. kusala-kovidabhiyukta-kulaka-samjna 95

bhagavantam jataveda-sarupinam karma- varunenabhigupto vibhayo babhuva. kausalena yajante. TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Although the vegetables living on the slopes The inhabitants of the island of Kusadvipa of Mount Kraunca were attacked and are celebrated as the Kusalas, Kovidas, devastated by the weapons of Karttikeya, the Abhiyuktas and Kulakas. They are like the mountain has become fearless because it is brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras always bathed on all sides by the ocean of milk respectively. By bathing in the waters of those and protected by Varunadeva. rivers, they all become purified. They are expert in performing ritualistic ceremonies TEXT 20, tasminn api praiyavrato ghrtaprstho according to the orders of the Vedic scriptures. namadhipatih sve dvipe varsani sapta vibhajya Thus they worship the Lord in His aspect as tesu putra-namasu sapta rikthadan varsapan the demigod of fire. nivesya svayam bhagavan bhagavatah parama- kalyana-yasasa atma-bhutasya hares TEXT 17, parasya brahmanah saksaj, jata-vedo caranaravindam upajagama. 'si havyavat, devanam purusanganam, yajnena purusam yajeti TRANSLATION The ruler of this island was another son of TRANSLATION Maharaja Priyavrata. His name was [This is the mantra by which the Ghrtaprstha, and he was a very learned inhabitants of Kusadvipa worship the fire- scholar. He also divided his own island among god.] O fire-god, you are a part of the Supreme his seven sons. After dividing the island into Personality of Godhead, Hari, and you carry seven parts, named according to the names of to Him all the offerings of sacrifices. Therefore his sons, Ghrtaprstha Maharaja completely we request you to offer to the Supreme retired from family life and took shelter at the Personality of Godhead the yajnic ingredients lotus feet of the Lord, the soul of all souls, who we are offering the demigods, for the Lord is has all auspicious qualities. Thus he attained the real enjoyer. perfection.

TEXT 18, tatha ghrtodad bahih krauncadvipo TEXT 21, amo madhuruho meghaprsthah dvi-gunah sva-manena ksirodena parita upaklpto sudhama bhrajistho lohitarno vanaspatir iti vrto yatha kusadvipo ghrtodena yasmin kraunco ghrtaprstha-sutas tesam varsa-girayah sapta nama parvata-rajo dvipa-nama-nirvartaka aste. saptaiva nadyas cabhikhyatah suklo vardhamano bhojana upabarhino nando nandanah TRANSLATION sarvatobhadra iti abhaya amrtaugha aryaka Outside the ocean of clarified butter is tirthavati rupavati pavitravati sukleti. another island, known as Krauncadvipa, which has a width of 1,600,000 yojanas TRANSLATION [12,800,000 miles], twice the width of the ocean The sons of Maharaja Ghrtaprstha were of clarified butter. As Kusadvipa is named Ama, Madhuruha, Meghaprstha, surrounded by an ocean of clarified butter, Sudhama, Bhrajistha, Lohitarna and Krauncadvipa is surrounded by an ocean of Vanaspati. In their island there are seven milk as broad as the island itself. On mountains, which indicate the boundaries of Krauncadvipa there is a great mountain the seven tracts of land, and there are also known as Kraunca, from which the island seven rivers. The mountains are named Sukla, takes its name. Vardhamana, Bhojana, Upabarhina, Nanda, Nandana and Sarvatobhadra. The rivers are TEXT 19, yo 'sau guha-praharanonmathita- named Abhaya, Amrtaugha, Aryaka, nitamba-kunjo 'pi ksirodena-sicyamano bhagavata Tirthavati, Rupavati, Pavitravati and Sukla. 96

medhatithih so 'pi vibhajya sapta varsani putra- TEXT 22, yasam ambhah pavitram amalam namani tesu svatmajan purojava-manojava- upayunjanah purusa-rsabha-dravina-devaka- pavamana-dhumranika-citrarepha-bahurupa- samjna varsa-purusa apomayam devam apam visvadhara-samjnan nidhapyadhipatin svayam purnenanjalina yajante. bhagavaty ananta a-vesita-matis tapovanam pravivesa. TRANSLATION The inhabitants of Krauncadvipa are TRANSLATION divided into four castes, called the Purusas, The master of this island, also one of the Rsabhas, Dravinas and Devakas. Using the sons of Priyavrata, was known as Medhatithi. waters of those sanctified rivers, they worship He also divided his island into seven sections, the Supreme Personality of Godhead by named according to the names of his own sons, offering a palmful of water at the lotus feet of whom he made the kings of that island. The Varuna, the demigod who has a form of water. names of those sons are Purojava, Manojava, Pavamana, Dhumranika, Citrarepha, TEXT 23, apah purusa-viryah stha, punantir Bahurupa and Visvadhara. After dividing the bhur-bhuvah-suvah, ta nah punitamiva-ghnih, island and situating his sons as its rulers, sprsatam atmana bhuva iti Medhatithi personally retired, and to fix his mind completely upon the lotus feet of the TRANSLATION Supreme Personality of Godhead, he entered a [The inhabitants of Krauncadvipa worship forest suitable for meditation. with this mantra.] O water of the rivers, you have obtained energy from the Supreme TEXT 26, etesam varsa-maryada-girayo nadyas Personality of Godhead. Therefore you purify ca sapta saptaiva isana urusrngo balabhadrah the three planetary systems, known as satakesarah sahasrasroto devapalo mahanasa iti Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka and Svarloka. By your anaghayurda ubhayasprstir aparajita pancapadi constitutional nature, you take away sins, and sahasrasrutir nijadhrtir iti. that is why we are touching you. Kindly continue to purify us. TRANSLATION For these lands also, there are seven TEXT 24, evam purastat ksirodat parita boundary mountains and seven rivers. The upavesitah sakadvipo dvatrimsal-laksa- mountains are Isana, Urusrnga, Balabhadra, yojanayamah samanena ca dadhi-mandodena Satakesara, Sahasrasrota, Devapala and parito yasmin sako nama mahiruhah sva-ksetra- Mahanasa. The rivers are Anagha, Ayurda, vyapadesako yasya ha maha-surabhi-gandhas tam Ubhayasprsti, Aparajita, Pancapadi, Sahasra- dvipam anuvasayati. sruti and Nijadhrti.

TRANSLATION TEXT 27, tad-varsa-purusa rtavrata-satyavrata- Outside the ocean of milk is another island, danavratanuvrata-namano bhagavantam vayv- Sakadvipa, which has a width of 3,200,000 atmakam pranayama-vidhuta-rajas-tamasah yojanas [25,600,000 miles]. As Krauncadvipa is parama-samadhina yajante. surrounded by its own ocean of milk, Sakadvipa is surrounded by an ocean of TRANSLATION churned yogurt as broad as the island itself. In The inhabitants of those islands are also Sakadvipa there is a big saka tree, from which divided into four castes--Rtavrata, Satyavrata, the island takes its name. This tree is very Danavrata and Anuvrata--which exactly fragrant. Indeed, it lends its scent to the entire resemble brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and island. sudra. They practice pranayama and mystic yoga, and in trance they worship the Supreme TEXT 25, tasyapi praiyavrata evadhipatir namna Lord in the form of . 97

outer side of the island. Its breadth and height TEXT 28, antah-pravisya bhutani, yo bibharty are 10,000 yojanas [80,000 miles]. On that atma-ketubhih, antaryamisvarah saksat, patu no mountain, in the four directions, are the yad-vase sphutam residential quarters of demigods such as Indra. In the chariot of the sun-god, the sun travels TRANSLATION on the top of the mountain in an orbit called [The inhabitants of Sakadvipa worship the the Samvatsara, encircling Mount Meru. The Supreme Personality of Godhead in the form sun's path on the northern side is called of Vayu in the following words.] O Supreme Uttarayana, and its path on the southern side Person, situated as the Supersoul within the is called Daksinayana. One side represents a body, You direct the various actions of the day for the demigods, and the other represents different airs, such as prana, and thus You their night. maintain all living entities. O Lord, O Supersoul of everyone, O controller of the TEXT 31, tad-dvipasyapy adhipatih praiyavrato cosmic manifestation under whom everything vitihotro namaitasyatmajau ramanaka-dhataki- exists, may You protect us from all dangers. namanau varsa-pati niyujya sa svayam purvajavad-bhagavat-karma-sila evaste. TEXT 29, evam eva dadhi-mandodat paratah puskaradvipas tato dvi-gunayamah samantata TRANSLATION upakalpitah samanena svadudakena samudrena The ruler of this island, the son of bahir avrto yasmin brhat-puskaram jvalana- Maharaja Priyavrata named Vitihotra, had sikhamala-kanaka-patrayutayutam bhagavatah two sons named Ramanaka and Dhataki. He kamalasanasyadhyasanam parikalpitam. granted the two sides of the island to these two sons and then personally engaged himself in TRANSLATION activities for the sake of the Supreme Outside the ocean of yogurt is another Personality of Godhead like his elder brother island, known as Puskaradvipa, which is Medhatithi. 6,400,000 yojanas [51,200,000 miles] wide, twice as wide as the ocean of yogurt. It is TEXT 32, tad-varsa-purusa bhagavantam surrounded by an ocean of very tasteful water brahma-rupinam sakarmakena as broad as the island itself. On Puskaradvipa karmanaradhayantidam codaharanti. there is a great lotus flower with 100,000,000 pure golden petals, as effulgent as the flames of TRANSLATION fire. That lotus flower is considered the sitting For the fulfillment of material desires, the place of Lord Brahma, who is the most inhabitants of this tract of land worship the powerful living being and who is therefore Supreme Personality of Godhead as sometimes called bhagavan. represented by Lord Brahma. They offer prayers to the Lord as follows. TEXT 30, tad-dvipa-madhye manasottara- namaika evarvacina-paracina-varsayor TEXT 33, yat tat karmamayam lingam, brahma- maryadacalo 'yuta-yojanocchrayayamo yatra tu lingam jano 'rcayet, ekantam advayam santam, catasrsu diksu catvari purani loka-palanam tasmai bhagavate nama iti indradinam yad-uparistat surya-rathasya merum paribhramatah samvatsaratmakam cakram TRANSLATION devanam aho-ratrabhyam paribhramati. Lord Brahma is known as karma-maya, the form of ritualistic ceremonies, because by TRANSLATION performing ritualistic ceremonies one may In the middle of that island is a great attain his position and because the Vedic mountain named Manasottara, which forms ritualistic hymns become manifest from him. the boundary between the inner side and the He is devoted to the Supreme Personality of 98

Godhead without deviation, and therefore in avitanvana na kadacit paracina bhavitum one sense he is not different from the Lord. utsahante tavad un-nahanayamah. Nevertheless, he should be worshiped not as the monists worship him, but in duality. One TRANSLATION should always remain a servitor of the By the supreme will of Krsna, the mountain Supreme Lord, the supreme worshipable known as Lokaloka has been installed as the Deity. We therefore offer our respectful outer border of the three worlds--Bhurloka, obeisances unto Lord Brahma, the form of Bhuvarloka and Svarloka--to control the rays manifest Vedic knowledge. of the sun throughout the universe. All the luminaries, from the sun up to Dhruvaloka, TEXT 34, tatah parastal lokaloka-namacalo distribute their rays throughout the three lokalokayor antarale parita upaksiptah. worlds, but only within the boundary formed by this mountain. Because it is extremely high, TRANSLATION extending even higher than Dhruvaloka, it Thereafter, beyond the ocean of sweet water blocks the rays of the luminaries, which and fully surrounding it, is a mountain named therefore can never extend beyond it. Lokaloka, which divides the countries that are full of sunlight from those not lit by the sun. TEXT 38, etaval loka-vinyaso mana-laksana- samsthabhir vicintitah kavibhih sa tu pancasat- TEXT 35, yavan manasottara-mervor antaram koti-ganitasya bhu-golasya turiya-bhago 'yam tavati bhumih kancany anyadarsa-talopama lokalokacalah. yasyam prahitah padartho na kathancit punah pratyupalabhyate tasmat sarva-sattva-parihrtasit. TRANSLATION Learned scholars who are free from TRANSLATION mistakes, illusions and propensities to cheat Beyond the ocean of sweet water is a tract have thus described the planetary systems and of land as broad as the area between the their particular symptoms, measurements and middle of Mount Sumeru and the boundary of locations. With great deliberation, they have Manasottara Mountain. In that tract of land established the truth that the distance between there are many living beings. Beyond it, Sumeru and the mountain known as Lokaloka extending to Lokaloka Mountain, is another is one fourth of the diameter of the universe-- land, which is made of gold. Because of its or, in other words, 125,000,000 yojanas [1 golden surface, it reflects light like the surface billion miles]. of a mirror, and any physical article that falls on that land can never be perceived again. All TEXT 39, tad-uparistac catasrsv asasvatma- living entities, therefore, have abandoned that yoninakhila-jagad-gurunadhinivesita ye dvirada- golden land. pataya rsabhah puskaracudo vamano 'parajita iti sakala-loka-sthiti-hetavah. TEXT 36, lokaloka iti samakhya yad anenacalena lokalokasyantarvar-tinavasthapyate. TRANSLATION On the top of Lokaloka Mountain are the TRANSLATION four gaja-patis, the best of elephants, which Between the lands inhabited by living were established in the four directions by Lord entities and those that are uninhabited stands Brahma, the supreme spiritual master of the the great mountain which separates the two entire universe. The names of those elephants and which is therefore celebrated as Lokaloka. are Rsabha, Puskaracuda, and Aparajita. They are responsible for TEXT 37, sa loka-trayante parita isvarena vihito maintaining the planetary systems of the yasmat suryadinam dhruvapavarganam jyotir- universe. gananam gabhastayo 'rvacinams tril lokan 99

TEXT 40, tesam sva-vibhutinam loka-palanam is the tract of land known as Aloka-varsa, ca vividha-viryopabrmhanaya bhagavan parama- which extends for the same breadth as the area maha-puruso maha--patir antaryamy within the mountain--in other words, atmano visuddha-sattvam dharma-jnana- 125,000,000 yojanas [one billion miles]. Beyond vairagyaisvaryady-asta-maha-siddhy- Aloka-varsa is the destination of those who upalaksanam visvaksenadibhih sva-parsada- aspire for liberation from the material world. pravaraih parivarito nija-varayudhopasobhitair It is beyond the jurisdiction of the material nija-bhuja-dandaih sandharayamanas tasmin giri- modes of nature, and therefore it is completely vare samantat sakala-loka-svastaya aste. pure. Lord Krsna took Arjuna through this place to bring back the sons of the brahmana. TRANSLATION The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the TEXT 43, anda-madhya-gatah suryo, dyav- master of all transcendental opulences and the abhumyor yad antaram, suryanda-golayor master of the spiritual sky. He is the Supreme madhye, kotyah syuh panca-vimsatih Person, Bhagavan, the Supersoul of everyone. The demigods, led by Indra, the King of TRANSLATION heaven, are entrusted with seeing to the affairs The sun is situated [vertically] in the middle of the material world. To benefit all living of the universe, in the area between Bhurloka beings in all the varied planets and to increase and Bhuvarloka, which is called antariksa, the power of those elephants and of the outer space. The distance between the sun and demigods, the Lord manifests Himself on top the circumference of the universe is twenty- of that mountain in a spiritual body, five koti yojanas [two billion miles]. uncontaminated by the modes of material nature. Surrounded by His personal TEXT 44, mrte 'nda esa etasmin yad abhut tato expansions and assistants like Visvaksena, He martanda iti vyapadesah; hiranyagarbha iti yad exhibits all His perfect opulences, such as dhiranyanda-samudbhavah. religion and knowledge, and His mystic powers such as anima, laghima and mahima. He is TRANSLATION beautifully situated, and He is decorated by the The sun-god is also known as Vairaja, the different weapons in His four hands. total material body for all living entities. Because he entered this dull egg of the universe TEXT 41, akalpam evam vesam gata esa at the time of creation, he is also called bhagavan atma-yogamayaya viracita-vividha- Martanda. He is also known as Hiranyagarbha loka-yatra-gopiyayety arthah. because he received his material body from Hiranyagarbha [Lord Brahma]. TRANSLATION The various forms of the Supreme TEXT 45, suryena hi vibhajyante, disah kham Personality of Godhead, such as Narayana and dyaur mahi bhida, svargapavargau naraka, Visnu, are beautifully decorated with different rasaukamsi ca sarvasah weapons. The Lord exhibits those forms to maintain all the varied planets created by His TRANSLATION personal potency, yogamaya. O King, the sun-god and the sun planet divide all the directions of the universe. It is TEXT 42, yo 'ntar-vistara etena hy aloka- only because of the presence of the sun that we parimanam ca vyakhyatam yad bahir can understand what the sky, the higher lokalokacalat; tatah parastad yogesvara-gatim planets, this world and the lower planets are. It visuddham udaharanti. is also only because of the sun that we can understand which places are for material TRANSLATION enjoyment, which are for liberation, which are My dear King, outside Lokaloka Mountain hellish and subterranean. 100

avabhasayaty atma-bhasa sa esa udagayana- TEXT 46, deva-tiryan-manusyanam, sarisrpa- daksinayana-vaisuvata-samjnabhir mandya- savirudham, sarva-jiva-nikayanam, surya atma saighrya-samanabhir gatibhir arohanavarohana- drg-isvarah samana-sthanesu yatha-savanam abhipadyamano makaradisu rasisv aho-ratrani dirgha-hrasva- TRANSLATION samanani vidhatte. All living entities, including demigods, human beings, animals, birds, insects, reptiles, TRANSLATION creepers and trees, depend upon the heat and In the midst of that region of outer space light given by the sun-god from the sun planet. [antariksa] is the most opulent sun, the king of Furthermore, it is because of the sun's all the planets that emanate heat, such as the presence that all living entities can see, and moon. By the influence of its radiation, the sun therefore he is called drg-isvara, the heats the universe and maintains its proper Personality of Godhead presiding over sight. order. It also gives light to help all living entities see. While passing toward the north, toward the south or through the equator, in Chapter Twenty-one The Movements accordance with the order of the Supreme of the Sun Personality of Godhead, it is said to move slowly, swiftly or moderately. According to its TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca etavan eva bhu- movements in rising above, going beneath or valayasya sannivesah pramana-laksanato passing through the equator--and vyakhyatah. correspondingly coming in touch with various signs of the zodiac, headed by Makara TRANSLATION [Capricorn]--days and nights are short, long or Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear King, I equal to one another. have thus far described the diameter of the universe [fifty crores of yojanas, or four billion TEXT 4, yada mesa-tulayor vartate tadaho- miles] and its general characteristics, ratrani samanani bhavanti yada vrsabhadisu according to the estimations of learned pancasu ca rasisu carati tadahany eva vardhante scholars. hrasati ca masi masy ekaika ghatika ratrisu.

TEXT 2, etena hi divo mandala-manam tad-vida TRANSLATION upadisanti yatha dvi-dalayor nispavadinam te When the sun passes through Mesa [Aries] antarenantariksam tad-ubhaya-sandhitam. and Tula [Libra], the durations of day and night are equal. When it passes through the TRANSLATION five signs headed by Vrsabha [Taurus], the As a grain of wheat is divided into two parts duration of the days increases [until Cancer], and one can estimate the size of the upper part and then it gradually decreases by half an hour by knowing that of the lower, so, expert each month, until day and night again become geographers instruct, one can understand the equal [in Libra]. measurements of the upper part of the universe by knowing those of the lower part. TEXT 5, yada vrscikadisu pancasu vartate The sky between the earthly sphere and tadaho-ratrani viparyayani bhavanti. heavenly sphere is called antariksa, or outer space. It adjoins the top of the sphere of earth TRANSLATION and the bottom of that of heaven. When the sun passes through the five signs beginning with Vrscika [Scorpio], the duration TEXT 3, yan-madhya-gato bhagavams tapatam of the days decreases [until Capricorn], and patis tapana atapena tri-lokim pratapaty then gradually it increases month after month, 101

until day and night become equal [in Aries]. Although the sun moves counterclockwise, facing the constellations, with Sumeru TEXT 6, yavad daksinayanam ahani vardhante Mountain on its left, it also moves clockwise yavad udagayanam ratrayah. and appears to have the mountain on its right because it is influenced by the daksinavarta TRANSLATION wind. People living in countries at points Until the sun travels to the south the days diametrically opposite to where the sun is first grow longer, and until it travels to the north seen rising will see the sun setting, and if a the nights grow longer. straight line were drawn from a point where the sun is at midday, the people in countries at TEXT 7, evam nava kotaya eka-pancasal-laksani the opposite end of the line would be yojananam manasottara-giri- experiencing midnight. Similarly, if people parivartanasyopadisanti tasminn aindrim purim residing where the sun is setting were to go to purvasman meror devadhanim nama daksinato countries diametrically opposite, they would yamyam samyamanim nama pascad varunim not see the sun in the same condition. nimlocanim nama uttaratah saumyam vibhavarim nama tasudaya-madhyahnastamaya-nisithaniti TEXT 10, yada caindryah puryah pracalate bhutanam pravrtti-nivrtti-nimittani samaya- pancadasa-ghatikabhir yamyam sapada-koti- visesena meros catur-disam. dvayam yojananam sardha-dvadasa-laksani sadhikani copayati. TRANSLATION Sukadeva Gosvami continued; My dear TRANSLATION King, as stated before, the learned say that the When the sun travels from Devadhani, the sun travels over all sides of Manasottara residence of Indra, to Samyamani, the Mountain in a circle whose length is 95,100,000 residence of Yamaraja, it travels 23,775,000 yojanas [760,800,000 miles]. On Manasottara yojanas [190,200,000 miles] in fifteen ghatikas Mountain, due east of Mount Sumeru, is a [six hours]. place known as Devadhani, possessed by King Indra. Similarly, in the south is a place known TEXT 11, evam tato varunim saumyam aindrim as Samyamani, possessed by Yamaraja, in the ca punas tathanye ca grahah somadayo naksatraih west is a place known as Nimlocani, possessed saha jyotis-cakre samabhyudyanti saha va nimlo- by Varuna, and in the north is a place named canti. Vibhavari, possessed by the moon-god. Sunrise, midday, sunset and midnight occur in TRANSLATION all those places according to specific times, From the residence of Yamaraja the sun thus engaging all living entities in their various travels to Nimlocani, the residence of Varuna, occupational duties and also making them from there to Vibhavari, the residence of the cease such duties. moon-god, and from there again to the residence of Indra. In a similar way, the moon, TEXTS 8-9, tatratyanam divasa-madhyangata eva along with the other stars and planets, sadadityas tapati savyenacalam daksinena karoti; becomes visible in the celestial sphere and then yatrodeti tasya ha samana-sutra-nipate nimlocati sets and again becomes invisible. yatra kvacana syandenabhitapati tasya haisa samana-sutra-nipate prasvapayati tatra gatam na TEXT 12, evam muhurtena catus-trimsal-laksa- pasyanti ye tam samanupasyeran. yojanany asta-satadhikani sauro rathas trayimayo 'sau catasrsu parivartate purisu. TRANSLATION The living entities residing on Sumeru TRANSLATION Mountain are always very warm, as at midday, Thus the chariot of the sun-god, which is because for them the sun is always overhead. trayimaya, or worshiped by the words om 102

bhur bhuvah svah, travels through the four by Arunadeva to a yoke that is also 900,000 residences mentioned above at a speed of yojanas wide. This chariot continuously carries 3,400,800 yojanas [27,206,400 miles] in a the sun-god. muhurta. TEXT 16, purastat savitur arunah pascac ca TEXT 13, yasyaikam cakram dvadasaram san- niyuktah sautye karmani kilaste. nemi tri-nabhi samvatsaratmakam samamananti tasyakso meror murdhani krto manasottare TRANSLATION krtetara-bhago yatra protam ravi-ratha-cakram Although Arunadeva sits in front of the taila-yantra-cakravad bhraman manasottara-girau sun-god and is engaged in driving the chariot paribhramati. and controlling the horses, he looks backward toward the sun-god. TRANSLATION The chariot of the sun-god has only one TEXT 17, tatha valikhilya rsayo 'ngustha-parva- wheel, which is known as Samvatsara. The matrah sasti-sahasrani puratah suryam sukta- twelve months are calculated to be its twelve vakaya niyuktah samstuvanti. spokes, the six seasons are the sections of its rim, and the three catur-masya periods are its TRANSLATION three-sectioned hub. One side of the axle There are sixty thousand saintly persons carrying the wheel rests upon the summit of named Valikhilyas, each the size of a thumb, Mount Sumeru, and the other rests upon who are located in front of the sun-god and Manasottara Mountain. Affixed to the outer who offer him eloquent prayers of end of the axle, the wheel continuously rotates glorification. on Manasottara Mountain like the wheel of an oil-pressing machine. TEXT 18, tathanye ca rsayo gandharvapsaraso naga gramanyo yatudhana deva ity ekaikaso TEXT 14, tasminn akse krtamulo dvitiyo 'ksas ganah sapta caturdasa masi masi bhagavantam turyamanena sammitas taila-yantraksavad dhruve suryam atmanam nana-namanam prthan-nana- krtopari-bhagah. namanah prthak-karmabhir dvandvasa upasate.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION As in an oil-pressing machine, this first axle Similarly, fourteen other saints, is attached to a second axle, which is one- Gandharvas, Apsaras, Nagas, Yaksas, fourth as long [3,937,500 yojanas, or Raksasas and demigods, who are divided into 31,500,000 miles]. The upper end of this second groups of two, assume different names every axle is attached to Dhruvaloka by a rope of month and continuously perform different wind. ritualistic ceremonies to worship the Supreme Lord as the most powerful demigod TEXT 15, ratha-nidas tu sat-trimsal-laksa- Suryadeva, who holds many names. yojanayatas tat-turiya-bhaga-visalas tavan ravi- ratha-yugo yatra hayas chando-namanah TEXT 19, laksottaram sardha-nava-koti-yojana- saptaruna-yojita vahanti devam adityam. parimandalam bhu-valayasya ksanena sagavyuty- uttaram dvi-sahasra-yojanani sa bhunkte. TRANSLATION My dear King, the carriage of the sun-god's TRANSLATION chariot is estimated to be 3,600,000 yojanas My dear King, in his orbit through Bhu- [28,800,000 miles] long and one-fourth as wide mandala, the sun-god traverses a distance of [900,000 yojanas, or 7,200,000 miles]. The 95,100,000 yojanas [760,800,000 miles] at the chariot's horses, which are named after speed of 2,000 yojanas and two krosas [16,004 Gayatri and other Vedic meters, are harnessed miles] in a moment. 103

the wheel of time itself.

Chapter Twenty-two The Orbits of the TEXT 3, sa esa bhagavan adi-purusa eva saksan Planets narayano lokanam svastaya atmanam trayimayam karma-visuddhi-nimittam kavibhir api ca vedena TEXT 1, rajovaca yad etad bhagavata adityasya vijijnasyamano dvadasadha vibhajya satsu merum dhruvam ca pradaksinena parikramato vasantadisv rtusu yathopa-josam rtu-gunan rasinam abhimukham pracalitam capradaksinam vidadhati. bhagavatopavarnitam amusya vayam katham anumimimahiti. TRANSLATION The original cause of the cosmic TRANSLATION manifestation is the Supreme Personality of King Pariksit inquired from Sukadeva Godhead, Narayana. When great saintly Gosvami: My dear lord, you have already persons, fully aware of the Vedic knowledge, affirmed the truth that the supremely powerful offered prayers to the Supreme Person, He sun-god travels around Dhruvaloka with both descended to this material world in the form of Dhruvaloka and Mount Sumeru on his right. the sun to benefit all the planets and purify Yet at the same time the sun-god faces the fruitive activities. He divided Himself into signs of the zodiac and keeps Sumeru and twelve parts and created seasonal forms, Dhruvaloka on his left. How can we reasonably beginning with spring. In this way He created accept that the sun-god proceeds with Sumeru the seasonal qualities, such as heat, cold and so and Dhruvaloka on both his left and right on. simultaneously? TEXT 4, tam etam iha purusas trayya vidyaya TEXT 2, sa hovaca yatha kulala-cakrena varnasramacaranupatha uccavacaih karmabhir bhramata saha bhramatam tad-asrayanam amnatair yoga-vitanais ca sraddhaya yajanto pipilikadinam gatir anyaiva pradesantaresv apy 'njasa sreyah samadhigacchanti. upalabhyamanatvad evam naksatra-rasibhir upalaksitena kala-cakrena dhruvam merum ca TRANSLATION pradaksinena paridhavata saha According to the system of four varnas and paridhavamananam tad-asrayanam suryadinam four asramas, people generally worship the grahanam gatir anyaiva naksatrantare rasy-antare Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, copalabhyamanatvat. who is situated as the sun-god. With great faith they worship the Supreme Personality as the TRANSLATION Supersoul according to ritualistic ceremonies Sri Sukadeva Gosvami clearly answered: handed down in the three Vedas, such as When a potter's wheel is moving and small and similar higher and lower ants located on that big wheel are moving with fruitive acts, and according to the process of it, one can see that their motion is different mystic yoga. In this way they very easily attain from that of the wheel because they appear the ultimate goal of life. sometimes on one part of the wheel and sometimes on another. Similarly, the signs and TEXT 5, atha sa esa atma lokanam dyav- constellations, with Sumeru and Dhruvaloka aprthivyor antarena nabho-valayasya kalacakra- on their right, move with the wheel of time, gato dvadasa masan bhunkte rasi-samjnan and the antlike sun and other planets move samvatsaravayavan masah paksa-dvayam diva with them. The sun and planets, however, are naktam ceti sapadarksa-dvayam upadisanti yavata seen in different signs and constellations at sastham amsam bhunjita sa vai rtur ity upadisyate different times. This indicates that their samvatsaravayavah. motion is different from that of the zodiac and TRANSLATION 104

The sun-god, who is Narayana, or Visnu, TRANSLATION the soul of all the worlds, is situated in outer Above the rays of the sunshine by a distance space between the upper and lower portions of of 100,000 yojanas [800,000 miles] is the moon, the universe. Passing through twelve months which travels at a speed faster than that of the on the wheel of time, the sun comes in touch sun. In two lunar fortnights the moon travels with twelve different signs of the zodiac and through the equivalent of a samvatsara of the assumes twelve different names according to sun, in two and a quarter days it passes those signs. The aggregate of those twelve through a month of the sun, and in one day it months is called a samvatsara, or an entire passes through a fortnight of the sun. year. According to lunar calculations, two fortnights--one of the waxing moon and the TEXT 9, atha capuryamanabhis ca kalabhir other of the waning--form one month. That amaranam ksiyamanabhis ca kalabhih pitrnam same period is one day and night for the planet aho-ratrani purva-paksapara-paksabhyam Pitrloka. According to stellar calculations, a vitanvanah sarva-jiva-nivaha-prano jivas caikam month equals two and one quarter ekam naksatram trimsata muhurtair bhunkte. constellations. When the sun travels for two months, a season passes, and therefore the TRANSLATION seasonal changes are considered parts of the When the moon is waxing, the illuminating body of the year. portions of it increase daily, thus creating day for the demigods and night for the pitas. When TEXT 6, atha ca yavatardhena nabho-vithyam the moon is waning, however, it causes night pracarati tam kalam ayanam acaksate. for the demigods and day for the pitas. In this way the moon passes through each TRANSLATION constellation of stars in thirty muhurtas [an Thus the time the sun takes to rotate entire day]. The moon is the source of through half of outer space is called an ayana, nectarean coolness that influences the growth or its period of movement [in the north or in of food grains, and therefore the moon-god is the south]. considered the life of all living entities. He is consequently called Jiva, the chief living being TEXT 7, atha ca yavan nabho-mandalam saha within the universe. dyav-aprthivyor mandalabhyam kartsnyena sa ha bhunjita tam kalam samvatsaram parivatsaram TEXT 10, ya esa sodasa-kalah puruso bhagavan idavatsaram anuvatsaram vatsaram iti bhanor manomayo 'nnamayo 'mrtamayo deva-pitr- mandya-saighrya-sama-gatibhih samamananti. manusya -bhuta-pasu-paksi-sarisrpa-virudham pranapy ayana-silatvat sarvamaya iti varnayanti. TRANSLATION The sun-god has three speeds--slow, fast TRANSLATION and moderate. The time he takes to travel Because the moon is full of all potentialities, entirely around the spheres of heaven, earth it represents the influence of the Supreme and space at these three speeds is referred to, Personality of Godhead. The moon is the by learned scholars, by the five names predominating deity of everyone's mind, and Samvatsara, Parivatsara, Idavatsara, therefore the moon-god is called Manomaya. Anuvatsara and Vatsara. He is also called Annamaya because he gives potency to all herbs and plants, and he is called TEXT 8, evam candrama arka-gabhastibhya Amrtamaya because he is the source of life for uparistal laksa-yojanata upalabhyamano 'rkasya all living entities. The moon pleases the samvatsara-bhuktim paksabhyam masa-bhuktim demigods, pitas, human beings, animals, birds, sapadarksabhyam dinenaiva paksa-bhuktim reptiles, trees, plants and all other living agracari drutatara-gamano bhunkte. entities. Everyone is satisfied by the presence of the moon. Therefore the moon is also called 105

Sarvamaya [all-pervading]. which is the son of the moon, is almost always very auspicious for the inhabitants of the TEXT 11, tata uparistad dvi-laksa-yojanato universe, but when it does not move along with naksatrani merum daksinenaiva kalayana isvara- the sun, it forbodes cyclones, dust, irregular yojitani sahabhijitasta-vimsatih. rainfall, and waterless clouds. In this way it creates fearful conditions due to inadequate or TRANSLATION excessive rainfall. There are many stars located 200,000 yojanas [1,600,000 miles] above the moon. By TEXT 14, ata urdhvam angarako 'pi yojana- the supreme will of the Supreme Personality of laksa-dvitaya upalabhyamanas tribhis tribhih Godhead, they are fixed to the wheel of time, paksair ekaikaso rasin dvadasanubhunkte yadi na and thus they rotate with Mount Sumeru on vakrenabhivartate prayenasubha-graho 'gha- their right, their motion being different from samsah. that of the sun. There are twenty-eight important stars, headed by Abhijit. TRANSLATION Situated 1,600,000 miles above Mercury, or TEXT 12, tata uparistad usana dvi-laksa-yojanata 8,800,000 miles above earth, is the planet upalabhyate puratah pascat sahaiva varkasya Mars. If this planet does not travel in a saighrya-mandya-samyabhir gatibhir arkavac crooked way, it crosses through each sign of carati lokanam nityadanukula eva prayena the zodiac in three fortnights and in this way varsayams carenanumiyate sa vrsti-vistambha- travels through all twelve, one after another. It grahopasamanah. almost always creates unfavorable conditions in respect to rainfall and other influences. TRANSLATION Some 1,600,000 miles above this group of TEXT 15, tata uparistad dvi-laksa-yojanantara- stars is the planet Venus, which moves at gata bhagavan brhaspatir ekaikasmin rasau almost exactly the same pace as the sun parivatsaram parivatsaram carati yadi na vakrah according to swift, slow and moderate syat prayenanukulo brahmana-kulasya. movements. Sometimes Venus moves behind the sun, sometimes in front of the sun and TRANSLATION sometimes along with it. Venus nullifies the Situated 1,600,000 miles above Mars, or influence of planets that are obstacles to 10,400,000 miles above earth, is the planet rainfall. Consequently its presence causes Jupiter, which travels through one sign of the rainfall, and it is therefore considered very zodiac within the period of a Parivatsara. If its favorable for all living beings within this movement is not curved, the planet Jupiter is universe. This has been accepted by learned very favorable to the brahmanas of the scholars. universe.

TEXT 13, usanasa budho vyakhyatas tata TEXT 16, tata uparistad yojana-laksa-dvayat uparistad dvi-laksa-yojanato budhah soma-suta pratiyamanah sanaiscara ekaikasmin rasau upalabhyamanah prayena subha-krd yadarkad trimsan masan vilambamanah sarvan vyatiricyeta tadativatabhra-prayanavrsty-adi- evanuparyeti tavadbhir anuvatsaraih prayena hi bhayam asamsate. sarvesam asantikarah.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Mercury is described to be similar to Venus, Situated 1,600,000 miles above Jupiter, or in that it moves sometimes behind the sun, 12,000,000 miles above earth, is the planet sometimes in front of the sun and sometimes Saturn, which passes through one sign of the along with it. It is 1,600,000 miles above Venus, zodiac in thirty months and covers the entire or 7,200,000 miles above earth. Mercury, zodiac circle in thirty Anuvatsaras. This planet 106

is always very inauspicious for the universal ivavastambha isvarena vihitah sasvad avabhasate. situation. TRANSLATION TEXT 17, tata uttarasmad rsaya ekadasa-laksa- Established by the supreme will of the yojanantara upalabhyante ya eva lokanam sam Supreme Personality of Godhead, the polestar, anubhavayanto bhagavato visnor yat paramam which is the planet of Maharaja Dhruva, padam pradaksinam prakramanti. constantly shines as the central pivot for all the stars and planets. The unsleeping, invisible, TRANSLATION most powerful time factor causes these Situated 8,800,000 miles above Saturn, or luminaries to revolve around the polestar 20,800,000 miles above earth, are the seven without cessation. saintly sages, who are always thinking of the well-being of the inhabitants of the universe. TEXT 3, yatha medhistambha akramana-pasavah They circumambulate the supreme abode of samyojitas tribhis tribhih savanair yatha-sthanam Lord Visnu, known as Dhruvaloka, the mandalani caranty evam bhagana grahadaya polestar. etasminn antar-bahir-yogena kala-cakra ayojita dhruvam evavalambya vayunodiryamana Chapter Twenty-three The Sisumara akalpantam parican kramanti nabhasi yatha Planetary Systems meghah syenadayo vayu-vasah karma-sarathayah parivartante evam jyotirganah prakrti-purusa- TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca atha tasmat paratas samyoganugrhitah karma-nirmita-gatayo bhuvi na trayodasa-laksa-yojanantarato yat tad visnoh patanti. paramam padam abhivadanti yatra ha maha- bhagavato dhruva auttanapadir agninendrena TRANSLATION prajapatina kasyapena dharmena ca samakala- When bulls are yoked together and tied to a yugbhih sabahu-manam daksinatah kriyamana central post to thresh rice, they tread around idanim api -jivinam ajivya upaste that pivot without deviating from their proper tasyehanubhava upavarnitah. positions--one bull being closest to the post, another in the middle, and a third on the TRANSLATION outside. Similarly, all the planets and all the Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear hundreds and thousands of stars revolve King, 1,300,000 yojanas [10,400,000 miles] around the polestar, the planet of Maharaja above the planets of the seven sages is the place Dhruva, in their respective orbits, some higher that learned scholars describe as the abode of and some lower. Fastened by the Supreme Lord Visnu. There the son of Maharaja Personality of Godhead to the machine of Uttanapada, the great devotee Maharaja material nature according to the results of Dhruva, still resides as the life source of all the their fruitive acts, they are driven around the living entities who live until the end of the polestar by the wind and will continue to be so creation. Agni, Indra, Prajapati, Kasyapa and until the end of creation. These planets float in Dharma all assemble there to offer him honor the air within the vast sky, just as clouds with and respectful obeisances. They hundreds of tons of water float in the air or as circumambulate him with their right sides the great syena eagles, due to the results of toward him. I have already described the past activities, fly high in the sky and have no glorious activities of Maharaja Dhruva [in the chance of falling to the ground. Fourth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam]. TEXT 4, kecanaitaj jyotir-anikam sisumara- TEXT 2, sa hi sarvesam jyotir-gananam graha- samsthanena bhagavato vasudevasya yoga- naksatradinam animisenavyakta-ramhasa dharanayam anuvarnayanti. bhagavata kalena bhramyamananam sthanur TRANSLATION 107

This great machine, consisting of the stars and planets, resembles the form of a sisumara TRANSLATION [dolphin] in the water. It is sometimes On the right and left sides of where the loins considered an incarnation of Krsna, Vasudeva. might be on the Sisumara-cakra are the stars Great yogis meditate upon Vasudeva in this named Punarvasu and Pusya. Ardra and form because it is actually visible. Aslesa are on its right and left feet, Abhijit and Uttarasadha are on its right and left nostrils, TEXT 5, yasya pucchagre 'vaksirasah kundali- Sravana and Purvasadha are at its right and bhuta-dehasya dhruva upakalpitas tasya langule left eyes, and Dhanistha and Mula are on its prajapatir agnir indro dharma iti puccha-mule right and left ears. The eight stars from Magha dhata vidhata ca katyam saptarsayah; tasya to Anuradha, which mark the southern course, daksinavarta-kundali-bhuta-sarirasya yany are on the ribs of the left of its body, and the udagayanani daksina-parsve tu naksatrany eight stars from Mrgasirsa to Purvabhadra, upakalpayanti daksinayanani tu savye; yatha which mark the northern course, are on the sisumarasya kundala-bhoga-sannivesasya ribs on the right side. Satabhisa and Jyestha parsvayor ubhayor apy avayavah samasankhya are on the right and left shoulders. bhavanti; prsthe tv ajavithi akasa-ganga codaratah. TEXT 7, uttara-hanav agastir adhara-hanau yamo mukhesu cangarakah sanaiscara upasthe TRANSLATION brhaspatih kakudi vaksasy adityo hrdaye This form of the sisumara has its head narayano manasi candro nabhyam usana stanayor downward and its body coiled. On the end of asvinau budhah pranapanayo rahur gale ketavah its tail is the planet of Dhruva, on the body of sarvangesu romasu sarve tara-ganah. its tail are the planets of the demigods Prajapati, Agni, Indra and Dharma, and at the TRANSLATION base of its tail are the planets of the demigods On the upper chin of the sisumara is Agasti; Dhata and Vidhata. Where the hips might be on its lower chin, Yamaraja; on its mouth, on the sisumara are the seven saintly sages like Mars; on its genitals, Saturn; on the back of its Vasistha and Angira. The coiled body of the neck, Jupiter; on its chest, the sun; and within Sisumara-cakra turns toward its right side, on the core of its heart, Narayana. Within its which the fourteen constellations from Abhijit mind is the moon; on its navel, Venus; and on to Punarvasu are located. On its left side are its breasts, the Asvini-kumaras. Within its life the fourteen stars from Pusya to Uttarasadha. air, which is known as pranapana, is Mercury, Thus its body is balanced because its sides are on its neck is Rahu, all over its body are occupied by an equal number of stars. On the comets, and in its pores are the numerous back of the sisumara is the group of stars stars. known as Ajavithi, and on its abdomen is the TEXT 8, etad u haiva bhagavato visnoh sarva- Ganges that flows in the sky [the Milky Way]. devatamayam rupam aharahah sandhyayam prayato vagyato niriksamana upatistheta namo TEXT 6, punarvasu-pusyau daksina-vamayoh jyotir-lokaya kalayanayanimisam pataye maha- sronyor ardraslese ca daksina-vamayoh purusayabhidhimahiti. pascimayoh padayor abhijid-uttarasadhe daksina- vamayor nasikayor yatha-sankhyam sravana- TRANSLATION purvasadhe daksina-vamayor locanayor dhanistha My dear King, the body of the sisumara, as mulam ca daksina-vamayoh karnayor maghadiny thus described, should be considered the asta naksatrani daksinayanani vama-parsva- external form of Lord Visnu, the Supreme vankrisu yunjita tathaiva mrga-sirsadiny Personality of Godhead. Morning, noon and udagayanani daksina-parsva-vankrisu evening, one should silently observe the form pratilomyena prayunjita satabhisa-jyesthe of the Lord as the Sisumara-cakra and skandhayor daksina-vamayor nyaset. worship Him with this mantra: "O Lord who 108

has assumed the form of time! O resting place TEXT 2, yad adas taraner mandalam pratapatas of all the planets moving in different orbits! O tad vistarato yojanayutam acaksate dvadasa- master of all demigods, O Supreme Person, I sahasram somasya trayodasa-sahasram rahor yah offer my respectful obeisances unto You and parvani tad-vyavadhana-krd vairanubandhah meditate upon You." surya-candramasav abhidhavati.

TEXT 9, graharksataramayam adhidaivikam, TRANSLATION papapaham mantra-krtam tri-kalam, namasyatah The sun globe, which is a source of heat, smarato va tri-kalam, nasyeta tat-kalajam asu extends for 10,000 yojanas [80,000 miles]. The papam moon extends for 20,000 yojanas [160,000 miles], and Rahu extends for 30,000 yojanas TRANSLATION [240,000 miles]. Formerly, when nectar was The body of the Supreme Lord, Visnu, being distributed, Rahu tried to create which forms the Sisumara-cakra, is the resting dissension between the sun and moon by place of all the demigods and all the stars and interposing himself between them. Rahu is planets. One who chants this mantra to inimical toward both the sun and the moon, worship that Supreme Person three times a and therefore he always tries to cover the day--morning, noon and evening--will surely sunshine and moonshine on the dark-moon be freed from all sinful reactions. If one simply day and full-moon night. offers his obeisances to this form or remembers this form three times a day, all his TEXT 3, tan nisamyobhayatrapi bhagavata recent sinful activities will be destroyed. raksanaya prayuktam sudarsanam nama bhagavatam dayitam astram tat tejasa durvisaham muhuh parivartamanam abhyavasthito muhurtam Chapter Twenty-four The udvijamanas cakita-hrdaya arad eva nivartate tad Subterranean Heavenly Planets uparagam iti vadanti lokah.

TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca adhastat savitur TRANSLATION yojanayute svarbhanur naksatravac caratity eke After hearing from the sun and moon yo 'sav amaratvam grahatvam calabhata demigods about Rahu's attack, the Supreme bhagavad-anukampaya svayam asurapasadah Personality of Godhead, Visnu, engages His saimhikeyo hy atad-arhas tasya tata janma disc, known as the Sudarsana cakra, to protect karmani coparistad vaksyamah. them. The Sudarsana cakra is the Lord's most beloved devotee and is favored by the Lord. TRANSLATION The intense heat of its effulgence, meant for Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: My dear King, killing non-Vaisnavas, is unbearable to Rahu, some historians, the speakers of the Puranas, and he therefore flees in fear of it. During the say that 10,000 yojanas [80,000 miles] below time Rahu disturbs the sun or moon, there the sun is the planet known as Rahu, which occurs what people commonly know as an moves like one of the stars. The presiding deity eclipse. of that planet, who is the son of Simhika, is the most abominable of all asuras, but although he TEXT 4, tato 'dhastat siddha-carana- is completely unfit to assume the position of a vidyadharanam sadanani tavan matra eva. demigod or planetary deity, he has achieved that position by the grace of the Supreme TRANSLATION Personality of Godhead. Later I shall speak Below Rahu by 10,000 yojanas [80,000 further about him. miles] are the planets known as Siddhaloka, Caranaloka and Vidyadhara-loka.

TEXT 5, tato 'dhastad yaksa-raksah-pisaca-preta- 109

bhuta-gananam viharajiram antariksam yavad gardens and places of sense enjoyment, which vayuh pravati yavan megha upalabhyante. are even more opulent than those in the higher planets because the demons have a very high TRANSLATION standard of sensual pleasure, wealth and Beneath Vidyadhara-loka, Caranaloka and influence. Most of the residents of these Siddhaloka, in the sky called antariksa, are the planets, who are known as Daityas, Danavas places of enjoyment for the Yaksas, Raksasas, and Nagas, live as householders. Their wives, Pisacas, ghosts and so on. Antariksa extends as children, friends and society are all fully far as the wind blows and the clouds float in engaged in illusory, material happiness. The the sky. Above this there is no more air. sense enjoyment of the demigods is sometimes disturbed, but the residents of these planets TEXT 6, tato 'dhastac chata-yojanantara iyam enjoy life without disturbances. Thus they are prthivi yavad dhamsa-bhasa-syena-suparnadayah understood to be very attached to illusory patattri-pravara utpatantiti. happiness.

TRANSLATION TEXT 9, yesu maharaja mayena mayavina Below the abodes of the Yaksas and vinirmitah puro nana-mani-pravara-praveka- Raksasas by a distance of 100 yojanas [800 viracita-vicitra-bhavana-prakara-gopura-sabha- miles] is the planet earth. Its upper limits caitya-catvarayatanadibhir nagasura-mithuna- extend as high as swans, hawks, eagles and paravata-suka-sarikakirna-krtrima-bhumibhir similar large birds can fly. vivaresvara -grhottamaih samalankrtas cakasati.

TEXT 7, upavarnitam bhumer yatha- TRANSLATION sannivesavasthanam avaner apy adhastat sapta My dear King, in the imitation heavens bhu-vivara ekaikaso yojanayutantarenayama- known as bila-svarga there is a great demon vistarenopaklpta atalam vitalam sutalam talatalam named Maya Danava, who is an expert artist mahatalam rasatalam patalam iti. and architect. He has constructed many brilliantly decorated cities. There are many TRANSLATION wonderful houses, walls, gates, assembly My dear King, beneath this earth are seven houses, temples, yards and temple compounds, other planets, known as Atala, Vitala, Sutala, as well as many hotels serving as residential Talatala, Mahatala, Rasatala and Patala. I quarters for foreigners. The houses for the have already explained the situation of the leaders of these planets are constructed with planetary systems of earth. The width and the most valuable jewels, and they are always length of the seven lower planetary systems are crowded with living entities known as Nagas calculated to be exactly the same as those of and Asuras, as well as many pigeons, parrots earth. and similar birds. All in all, these imitation heavenly cities are most beautifully situated TEXT 8, etesu hi bila-svargesu svargad apy and attractively decorated. adhika-kama-bhogaisvaryananda-bhuti- vibhutibhih susamrddha-bhavanodyanakrida- TEXT 10, udyanani catitaram mana- viharesu daitya-danava-kadraveya nitya- indriyanandibhih kusuma-phala-stabaka-subhaga- pramuditanurakta-kalatrapatya-bandhu-suhrd- kisalayavanata-rucira-vitapa-vitapinam anucara grha-pataya isvarad apy apratihata-kama latangalingitanam sribhih samithuna-vividha- maya-vinoda nivasanti. vihangama-jalasayanam amala-jala-purnanam jhasakulollanghana-ksubhita-nira-niraja-kumuda- TRANSLATION kuva-laya-kahlara-nilotpala-lohita-satapatradi- In these seven planetary systems, which are vanesu krta-niketananam eka-viharakula- also known as the subterranean heavens [bila- madhura-vividha-svanadibhir indriyotsavair svarga], there are very beautiful houses, amara-loka-sriyam atisayitani. 110

their bodily lusters do not fade, their TRANSLATION perspiration does not cause a bad smell, and The parks and gardens in the artificial they are not troubled by fatigue or by lack of heavens surpass in beauty those of the upper energy or enthusiasm due to old age. heavenly planets. The trees in those gardens, embraced by creepers, bend with a heavy TEXT 14, na hi tesam kalyananam prabhavati burden of twigs with fruits and flowers, and kutascana mrtyur vina bhagavat-tejasas therefore they appear extraordinarily cakrapadesat. beautiful. That beauty could attract anyone and make his mind fully blossom in the TRANSLATION pleasure of sense gratification. There are many They live very auspiciously and do not fear lakes and reservoirs with clear, transparent death from anything but death's established water, agitated by jumping fish and decorated time, which is the effulgence of the Sudarsana with many flowers such as lilies, kuvalayas, cakra of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. kahlaras and blue and red lotuses. Pairs of cakravakas and many other water birds nest TEXT 15, yasmin praviste 'sura-vadhunam in the lakes and always enjoy in a happy mood, prayah pumsavanani bhayad eva sravanti patanti making sweet, pleasing vibrations that are ca. very satisfying and conducive to enjoyment of the senses. TRANSLATION When the Sudarsana disc enters those TEXT 11, yatra ha vava na bhayam aho- provinces, the pregnant wives of the demons ratradibhih kala-vibhagair upalaksyate. all have miscarriages due to fear of its effulgence. TRANSLATION Since there is no sunshine in those TEXT 16, athatale maya-putro 'suro balo nivasati subterranean planets, time is not divided into yena ha va iha srstah san-navatir mayah days and nights, and consequently fear kascanadyapi mayavino dharayanti yasya ca produced by time does not exist. jrmbhamanasya mukhatas trayah stri-gana udapadyanta svairinyah kaminyah pumscalya iti TEXT 12, yatra hi mahahi-pravara-siro-manayah ya vai bilayanam pravistam purusam rasena sarvam tamah prabadhante. hatakakhyena sadhayitva sva- vilasavalokananuraga-smita- TRANSLATION samlapopaguhanadibhih svairam kila ramayanti Many great serpents reside there with gems yasminn upayukte purusa isvaro 'ham siddho 'ham on their hoods, and the effulgence of these ity ayuta-maha-gaja-balam atmanam gems dissipates the darkness in all directions. abhimanyamanah katthate madandha iva.

TEXT 13, na va etesu vasatam divyausadhi-rasa- TRANSLATION rasayananna-pana-snanadibhir adhayo vyadhayo My dear King, now I shall describe to you vali-palita-jaradayas ca deha-vaivarnya- the lower planetary systems, one by one, daurgandhya-sveda-klama-glanir iti vayo 'vasthas beginning from Atala. In Atala there is a ca bhavanti. demon, the son of Maya Danava named Bala, who created ninety-six kinds of mystic power. TRANSLATION Some so-called yogis and svamis take Since the residents of these planets drink advantage of this mystic power to cheat people and bathe in juices and elixirs made from even today. Simply by yawning, the demon wonderful herbs, they are freed from all Bala created three kinds of women, known as anxieties and physical diseases. They have no svairini, kamini and pumscali. The svairinis experience of grey hair, wrinkles or invalidity, like to marry men from their own group, the 111

kaminis marry men from any group, and the trayo bhagavad-anukampayaiva punah pravesita pumscalis change husbands one after another. indradisv avidyamanaya susamrddhaya If a man enters the planet of Atala, these sriyabhijustah sva-dharmenaradhayams tam eva women immediately capture him and induce bhagavantam aradhaniyam apagata-sadhvasa aste him to drink an intoxicating beverage made 'dhunapi. with a drug known as hataka [cannabis indica]. This intoxicant endows the man with TRANSLATION great sexual prowess, of which the women take Below the planet Vitala is another planet, advantage for enjoyment. A woman will known as Sutala, where the great son of enchant him with attractive glances, intimate Maharaja Virocana, Bali Maharaja, who is words, smiles of love and then embraces. In celebrated as the most pious king, resides even this way she induces him to enjoy sex with her now. For the welfare of Indra, the King of to her full satisfaction. Because of his increased heaven, Lord Visnu appeared in the form of a sexual power, the man thinks himself stronger dwarf brahmacari as the son of Aditi and than ten thousand elephants and considers tricked Bali Maharaja by begging for only himself most perfect. Indeed, illusioned and three paces of land but taking all the three intoxicated by false pride, he thinks himself worlds. Being very pleased with Bali Maharaja God, ignoring impending death. for giving all his possessions, the Lord returned his kingdom and made him richer TEXT 17, tato 'dhastad vitale haro bhagavan than the opulent King Indra. Even now, Bali hatakesvarah sva-parsada-bhuta-ganavrtah Maharaja engages in devotional service by prajapati-sargopabrmhanaya bhavo bhavanya worshiping the Supreme Personality of saha mithuni-bhuta aste yatah pravrtta sarit- Godhead in the planet of Sutala. pravara hataki nama bhavayor viryena yatra citrabhanur matarisvana samidhyamana ojasa TEXT 19, no evaitat saksatkaro -danasya pibati tan nisthyutam hatakakhyam suvarnam yat tad bhagavaty asesa-jiva-nikayanam jiva- bhusanenasurendravarodhesu purusah saha bhutatma-bhute paramatmani vasudeve tirthatame purusibhir dharayanti. patra upapanne paraya sraddhaya paramadara- samahita-manasa sampratipaditasya saksad TRANSLATION apavarga-dvarasya yad bila-nilayaisvaryam. The next planet below Atala is Vitala, wherein Lord Siva, who is known as the TRANSLATION master of gold mines, lives with his personal My dear King, Bali Maharaja donated all associates, the ghosts and similar living his possessions to the Supreme Personality of entities. Lord Siva, as the progenitor, engages Godhead, Vamanadeva, but one should in sex with Bhavani, the progenitress, to certainly not conclude that he achieved his produce living entities, and from the mixture great worldly opulence in bila-svarga as a of their vital fluid the river named Hataki is result of his charitable disposition. The generated. When fire, being made to blaze by Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the the wind, drinks of this river and then sizzles source of life for all living entities, lives within and spits it out, it produces gold called Hataka. everyone as the friendly Supersoul, and under The demons who live on that planet with their His direction a living entity enjoys or suffers in wives decorate themselves with various the material world. Greatly appreciating the ornaments made from that gold, and thus they transcendental qualities of the Lord, Bali live there very happily. Maharaja offered everything at His lotus feet. His purpose, however, was not to gain TEXT 18, tato 'dhastat sutale udara-sravah anything material, but to become a pure punya-sloko virocanatmajo balir bhagavata devotee. For a pure devotee, the door of mahendrasya priyam cikirsamanenaditer labdha- liberation is automatically opened. One should kayo bhutva vatu-vamana-rupena paraksipta-loka- not think that Bali Maharaja was given so 112 much material opulence merely because of his for these make one forget loving service to the charity. When one becomes a pure devotee in Lord. The result of material opulence is that love, he may also be blessed with a good one can no longer absorb his mind in the material position by the will of the Supreme Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord. However, one should not mistakenly think that the material opulence of a devotee is TEXT 23, yat tad bhagavatanadhigatanyopayena the result of his devotional service. The real yacna-cchalenapahrta-sva-sariravasesita-loka- result of devotional service is the awakening of trayo varuna-pasais ca sampratimukto giri- pure love for the Supreme Personality of daryam capaviddha iti hovaca. Godhead, which continues under all circumstances. TRANSLATION When the Supreme Personality of Godhead TEXT 20, yasya ha vava ksuta-patana- could see no other means of taking everything praskhalanadisu vivasah sakrn namabhigrnan away from Bali Maharaja, He adopted the purusah karma-bandhanam anjasa vidhunoti trick of begging from him and took away all yasya haiva pratibadhanam mumuksavo the three worlds. Thus only his body was left, 'nyathaivopalabhante. but the Lord was still not satisfied. He arrested Bali Maharaja, bound him with the ropes of TRANSLATION Varuna and threw him in a cave in a If one who is embarrassed by hunger or mountain. Nevertheless, although all his who falls down or stumbles chants the holy property was taken and he was thrown into a name of the Lord even once, willingly or cave, Bali Maharaja was such a great devotee unwillingly, he is immediately freed from the that he spoke as follows. reactions of his past deeds. Karmis entangled in material activities face many difficulties in TEXT 24, nunam batayam bhagavan arthesu na the practice of mystic yoga and other nisnato yo 'sav indro yasya sacivo mantraya vrta endeavors to achieve that same freedom. ekantato brhaspatis tam atihaya svayam upendrenatmanam ayacatatmanas casiso no eva TEXT 21, tad bhaktanam atmavatam sarvesam tad-dasyam ati-gambhira-vayasah kalasya atmany atmada atmatayaiva. manvantara -parivrttam kiyal loka-trayam idam.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who Alas, how pitiable it is for Indra, the King is situated in everyone's heart as the of heaven, that although he is very learned and Supersoul, sells Himself to His devotees such as powerful and although he chose Brhaspati as Narada Muni. In other words, the Lord gives his prime minister to instruct him, he is pure love to such devotees and gives Himself to completely ignorant concerning spiritual those who love Him purely. Great, self-realized advancement. Brhaspati is also unintelligent mystic yogis such as the four Kumaras also because he did not properly instruct his derive great transcendental bliss from disciple Indra. Lord Vamanadeva was realizing the Supersoul within themselves. standing at Indra's door, but King Indra, instead of begging Him for an opportunity to TEXT 22, na vai bhagavan nunam render transcendental loving service, engaged amusyanujagraha yad uta punar atmanusmrti- Him in asking me for alms to gain the three mosanam mayamaya-bhogaisvaryam evatanuteti. worlds for his sense gratification. Sovereignty over the three worlds is very insignificant TRANSLATION because whatever material opulence one may The Supreme Personality of Godhead did possess lasts only for an age of Manu, which is not award His mercy to Bali Maharaja by but a tiny fraction of endless time. giving him material happiness and opulence, 113

TEXT 25, yasyanudasyam evasmat-pitamahah Vamanadeva kicked him a distance of eighty kila vavre na tu sva-pitryam yad utakutobhayam thousand miles with His big toe. I shall explain padam diyamanam bhagavatah param iti the character and activities of Bali Maharaja bhagavatoparate khalu sva-pitari. later [in the Eighth Canto of Srimad- Bhagavatam]. TRANSLATION Bali Maharaja said: My grandfather TEXT 28, tato 'dhastat talatale mayo nama Prahlada Maharaja is the only person who danavendras tri-puradhipatir bhagavata purarina understood his own self-interest. Upon the tri-loki-sam cikirsuna nirdagdha-sva-pura-trayas death of Prahlada's father, Hiranyakasipu, tat-prasadal labdha-pado mayavinam acaryo Lord Nrsimhadeva wanted to offer Prahlada mahadevena pariraksito vigata-sudarsana-bhayo his father's kingdom and even wanted to grant mahiyate. him liberation from material bondage, but Prahlada accepted neither. Liberation and TRANSLATION material opulence, he thought, are obstacles to Beneath the planet known as Sutala is devotional service, and therefore such gifts another planet, called Talatala, which is ruled from the Supreme Personality of Godhead are by the Danava demon named Maya. Maya is not His actual mercy. Consequently, instead of known as the acarya [master] of all the accepting the results of karma and jnana, mayavis, who can invoke the powers of Prahlada Maharaja simply begged the Lord sorcery. For the benefit of the three worlds, for engagement in the service of His servant. Lord Siva, who is known as Tripurari, once set fire to the three kingdoms of Maya, but later, TEXT 26, tasya mahanubhavasyanupatham being pleased with him, he returned his amrjita-kasayah ko vasmad-vidhah parihina- kingdom. Since that time, Maya Danava has bhagavad-anugraha upajigamisatiti. been protected by Lord Siva, and therefore he falsely thinks that he need not fear the TRANSLATION Sudarsana cakra of the Supreme Personality Bali Maharaja said: Persons like us, who of Godhead. are still attached to material enjoyment, who are contaminated by the modes of material TEXT 29, tato 'dhastan mahatale kadraveyanam nature and who lack the mercy of the Supreme sarpanam naika-sirasam krodhavaso nama ganah Personality of Godhead, cannot follow the kuhaka-taksaka-kaliya-susenadi-pradhana maha- supreme path of Prahlada Maharaja, the bhogavantah patattri-rajadhipateh purusa-vahad exalted devotee of the Lord. anavaratam udvijamanah sva-kalatrapatya-suhrt- kutumba-sangena kvacit pramatta viharanti. TEXT 27, tasyanucaritam uparistad vistarisyate yasya bhagavan svayam akhila-jagad-gurur TRANSLATION narayano dvari gada-panir avatisthate nija- The planetary system below Talatala is jananukampita-hrdayo yenangusthena pada dasa- known as Mahatala. It is the abode of many- kandharo yojanayutayutam dig-vijaya uccatitah. hooded snakes, descendants of Kadru, who are always very angry. The great snakes who are TRANSLATION prominent are Kuhaka, Taksaka, Kaliya and Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear Susena. The snakes in Mahatala are always King, how shall I glorify the character of Bali disturbed by fear of Garuda, the carrier of Maharaja? The Supreme Personality of Lord Visnu, but although they are full of Godhead, the master of the three worlds, who anxiety, some of them nevertheless sport with is most compassionate to His own devotee, their wives, children, friends and relatives. stands with club in hand at Bali Maharaja's door. When Ravana, the powerful demon, TEXT 30, tato 'dhastad rasatale daiteya danavah came to gain victory over Bali Maharaja, panayo nama nivata-kavacah kaleya hiranya- 114

puravasina iti vibudha-pratyanika utpattya Chapter Twenty-five The Glories of mahaujaso maha-sahasino bhagavatah sakala- Lord Ananta lokanubhavasya harer eva tejasa pratihata-

balavalepa bilesaya iva vasanti ye vai TEXT 1, sri-suka uvaca tasya mula-dese trimsad- saramayendra-dutya vagbhir mantra-varnabhir yojana-sahasrantara aste ya vai kala bhagavatas indrad bibhyati. tamasi samakhyatananta iti satvatiya drastr-

drsyayoh sankarsanam aham ity abhimana- TRANSLATION laksanam yam sankarsanam ity acaksate. Beneath Mahatala is the planetary system

known as Rasatala, which is the abode of the TRANSLATION demoniac sons of Diti and Danu. They are Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said to Maharaja called Panis, Nivata-kavacas, Kaleyas and Pariksit: My dear King, approximately Hiranya-puravasis [those living in Hiranya- 240,000 miles beneath the planet Patala lives pura]. They are all enemies of the demigods, another incarnation of the Supreme and they reside in holes like snakes. From Personality of Godhead. He is the expansion of birth they are extremely powerful and cruel, Lord Visnu known as Lord Ananta or Lord and although they are proud of their strength, Sankarsana. He is always in the transcendental they are always defeated by the Sudarsana position, but because He is worshiped by Lord cakra of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Siva, the deity of tamo-guna or darkness, He is who rules all the planetary systems. When a sometimes called tamasi. Lord Ananta is the female messenger from Indra named Sarama predominating Deity of the material mode of chants a particular curse, the serpentine ignorance as well as the false ego of all demons of Mahatala become very afraid of conditioned souls. When a conditioned living Indra. being thinks, "I am the enjoyer, and this world

is meant to be enjoyed by me," this conception TEXT 31, tato 'dhastat patale naga-loka-patayo of life is dictated to him by Sankarsana. Thus vasuki-pramukhah sankha-kulika-mahasankha- the mundane conditioned soul thinks himself sveta-dhananjaya-dhrtarastra-sankhacuda- the Supreme Lord. kambalasvatara-devadattadayo maha-bhogino mahamarsa nivasanti yesam u ha vai panca-sapta- TEXT 2, yasyedam ksiti-mandalam bhagavato dasa-sata-sahasra-sirsanam phanasu viracita 'nanta-murteh sahasra-sirasa ekasminn eva sirsani maha-manayo rocisnavah patala-vivara-timira- dhriyamanam siddhartha iva laksyate. nikaram sva-rocisa vidhamanti.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Sukadeva Gosvami continued: This great Beneath Rasatala is another planetary universe, situated on one of Lord system, known as Patala or Nagaloka, where Anantadeva's thousands of hoods, appears just there are many demoniac serpents, the masters like a white mustard seed. It is infinitesimal of Nagaloka, such as Sankha, Kulika, compared to the hood of Lord Ananta. Mahasankha, Sveta, Dhananjaya, Dhrtarastra,

Sankhacuda, Kambala, Asvatara and TEXT 3, yasya ha va idam kalenopasanjihirsato Devadatta. The chief among them is Vasuki. 'marsa-viracita-rucira-bhramad-bhruvor antarena They are all extremely angry, and they have sankarsano nama rudra ekadasa-vyuhas try-aksas many, many hoods--some snakes five hoods, tri-sikham sulam uttambhayann udatisthat. some seven, some ten, others a hundred and

others a thousand. These hoods are bedecked TRANSLATION with valuable gems, and the light emanating At the time of devastation, when Lord from the gems illuminates the entire planetary Anantadeva desires to destroy the entire system of bila-svarga. creation, He becomes slightly angry. Then

115 from between His two eyebrows appears three- desires. Then they smile beautifully and look eyed Rudra, carrying a trident. This Rudra, upon the Lord's lotus face, which is beautified who is known as Sankarsana, is the by reddish eyes rolling slightly from embodiment of the eleven , or intoxication and delighted by love for His incarnations of Lord Siva. He appears in order devotees. to devastate the entire creation. TEXT 6, sa eva bhagavan ananto 'nanta- TEXT 4, yasyanghri-kamala-yugalaruna-visada- gunarnava adi-deva upasamhrtamarsa-rosa-vego nakha-mani-sanda-mandalesv ahi-patayah saha lokanam svastaya aste. satvatarsabhair ekanta-bhakti-yogenavanamantah sva-vadanani parisphurat-kundala-prabha- TRANSLATION mandita-ganda-sthalany ati-manoharani Lord Sankarsana is the ocean of unlimited pramudita-manasah khalu vilokayanti. spiritual qualities, and thus He is known as Anantadeva. He is nondifferent from the TRANSLATION Supreme Personality of Godhead. For the The pink, transparent toenails on the welfare of all living entities within this material Lord's lotus feet are exactly like valuable gems world, He resides in His abode, restraining His polished to a mirror finish. When the anger and intolerance. unalloyed devotees and the leaders of the snakes offer their obeisances to Lord TEXT 7, dhyayamanah surasuroraga-siddha- Sankarsana with great devotion, they become gandharva-vidyadhara-muni-ganair anavarata- very joyful upon seeing their own beautiful mada-mudita-vikrta-vihvala-locanah sulalita- faces reflected in His toenails. Their cheeks are mukharikamrtenapyayamanah sva-parsada- decorated with glittering earrings, and the vibudha-yutha-patin aparimlana-raga-nava- beauty of their faces is extremely pleasing to tulasikamoda-madhv-asavena madyan see. madhukara-vrata-madhura-gita-sriyam vaijayantim svam vanamalam nila-vasa eka- TEXT 5, yasyaiva hi naga-raja-kumarya asisa kundalo hala-kakudi krta-subhaga-sundara-bhujo asasanas carv-anga-valaya-vilasita-visada-vipula- bhagavan mahendro varanendra iva kancanim dhavala-subhaga-rucira-bhuja-rajata-stambhesv kaksam udara-lilo bibharti. aguru-candana-kunkuma- pankanulepenavalimpamanas tad- TRANSLATION abhimarsanonmathita-hrdaya-makara-dhvajavesa- Sukadeva Gosvami continued: The rucira-lalita-smitas tad-anuragamada-mudita- demigods, the demons, the Uragas [serpentine mada-vighurnitaruna-karunavaloka-nayana- demigods], the Siddhas, the Gandharvas, the vadanaravindam savridam kila vilokayanti. Vidyadharas and many highly elevated sages constantly offer prayers to the Lord. Because TRANSLATION He is intoxicated, the Lord looks bewildered, Lord Ananta's arms are attractively long, and His eyes, appearing like flowers in full beautifully decorated with bangles and bloom, move to and fro. He pleases His completely spiritual. They are white, and so personal associates, the heads of the demigods, they appear like silver columns. When the by the sweet vibrations emanating from His beautiful princesses of the serpent kings, mouth. Dressed in bluish garments and hoping for the Lord's auspicious , wearing a single earring, He holds a plow on smear His arms with aguru pulp, sandalwood His back with His two beautiful and well- pulp and kunkuma, the touch of His limbs constructed hands. Appearing as white as the awakens lusty desires within them. heavenly King Indra, He wears a golden belt Understanding their minds, the Lord looks at around His waist and a vaijayanti garland of the princesses with a merciful smile, and they ever-fresh tulasi blossoms around His neck. become bashful, realizing that He knows their Bees intoxicated by the honeylike fragrance of 116 the tulasi flowers hum very sweetly around the svajana-manamsy udara-viryah garland, which thus becomes more and more beautiful. In this way, the Lord enjoys His very TRANSLATION magnanimous pastimes. This manifestation of subtle and gross matter exists within the Supreme Personality TEXT 8, ya esa evam anusruto dhyayamano of Godhead. Out of causeless mercy toward mumuksunam anadi-kala-karma-vasana-grathitam His devotees, He exhibits various forms, which avidyamayam hrdaya-granthim sattva-rajas- are all transcendental. The Supreme Lord is tamomayam antar-hrdayam gata asu nirbhinatti most liberal, and He possesses all mystic tasyanubhavan bhagavan svayambhuvo naradah power. To conquer the minds of His devotees saha tumburuna sabhayam brahmanah and give pleasure to their hearts, He appears samslokayam asa. in different incarnations and manifests many pastimes. TRANSLATION If persons who are very serious about being TEXT 11, yan-nama srutam anukirtayed liberated from material life hear the glories of akasmad, arto va yadi patitah pralambhanad va, Anantadeva from the mouth of a spiritual hanty amhah sapadi nrnam asesam anyam, kam master in the chain of disciplic succession, and sesad bhagavata asrayen mumuksuh if they always meditate upon Sankarsana, the Lord enters the cores of their hearts, TRANSLATION vanquishes all the dirty contamination of the Even if he be distressed or degraded, any material modes of nature, and cuts to pieces person who chants the holy name of the Lord, the hard knot within the heart, which has been having heard it from a bona fide spiritual tied tightly since time immemorial by the master, is immediately purified. Even if he desire to dominate material nature through chants the Lord's name jokingly or by chance, fruitive activities. Narada Muni, the son of he and anyone who hears him are freed from Lord Brahma, always glorifies Anantadeva in all sins. Therefore how can anyone seeking his father's assembly. There he sings blissful disentanglement from the material clutches verses of his own composition, accompanied by avoid chanting the name of Lord Sesa? Of his stringed instrument [or a celestial singer] whom else should one take shelter? known as Tumburu. TEXT 12, murdhany arpitam anuvat sahasra- TEXT 9, utpatti-sthiti-laya-hetavo 'sya kalpah, murdhno, bhu-golam sagiri-sarit-samudra- sattvadyah prakrti-guna yad-iksayasan, yad- sattvam, anantyad animita-vikramasya bhumnah, rupam dhruvam akrtam yad ekam atman, ko viryany adhi ganayet sahasra-jihvah nanadhat katham u ha veda tasya vartma TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Because the Lord is unlimited, no one can By His glance, the Supreme Personality of estimate His power. This entire universe, filled Godhead enables the modes of material nature with its many great mountains, rivers, oceans, to act as the causes of universal creation, trees and living entities, is resting just like an maintenance and destruction. The Supreme atom on one of His many thousands of hoods. Soul is unlimited and beginningless, and Is there anyone, even with thousands of although He is one, He has manifested Himself tongues, who can describe His glories? in many forms. How can human society understand the ways of the Supreme? TEXT 13, evam-prabhavo bhagavan ananto, duranta-viryoru-gunanubhavah, mule rasayah TEXT 10, murtim nah puru-krpaya babhara sthita atma-tantro, yo lilaya ksmam sthitaye sattvam, samsuddham sad-asad idam vibhati tatra, bibharti yal-lilam mrga-patir adade 'navadyam, adatum 117

TRANSLATION There is no end to the great and glorious TEXT 2, rsir uvaca tri-gunatvat kartuh sraddhaya qualities of that powerful Lord Anantadeva. karma-gatayah prthag-vidhah sarva eva sarvasya Indeed, His prowess is unlimited. Though self- taratamyena bhavanti. sufficient, He Himself is the support of everything. He resides beneath the lower TRANSLATION planetary systems and easily sustains the entire The great sage Sukadeva Gosvami said: My universe. dear King, in this material world there are three kinds of activities--those in the mode of TEXT 14, eta hy eveha nrbhir upagantavya goodness, the mode of passion and the mode of gatayo yatha-karma-vinirmita yathopadesam ignorance. Because all people are influenced anuvarnitah kaman kamayamanaih. by the three modes of material nature, the results of their activities are also divided into TRANSLATION three. One who acts in the mode of goodness is My dear King, as I heard of it from my religious and happy, one who acts in passion spiritual master, I have fully described to you achieves mixed misery and happiness, and one the creation of this material world according to who acts under the influence of ignorance is the fruitive activities and desires of the always unhappy and lives like an animal. conditioned souls. Those conditioned souls, Because of the varying degrees to which the who are full of material desires, achieve living entities are influenced by the different various situations in different planetary modes of nature, their destinations are also of systems, and in this way they live within this different varieties. material creation. TEXT 3, athedanim pratisiddha- TEXT 15, etavatir hi rajan pumsah pravrtti- laksanasyadharmasya tathaiva kartuh sraddhaya laksanasya dharmasya vipaka-gataya uccavaca vaisadrsyat karma-phalam visadrsam bhavati ya visadrsa yatha-prasnam vyacakhye kim anyat hy anady-avidyaya krta-kamanam tat-parinama- kathayama iti. laksanah srtayah sahasrasah pravrttas tasam pracuryenanuvarnayisyamah. TRANSLATION My dear King, I have thus described how TRANSLATION people generally act according to their Just as by executing various pious activities different desires and, as a result, get different one achieves different positions in heavenly types of bodies in higher or lower planets. You life, by acting impiously one achieves different inquired of these things from me, and I have positions in hellish life. Those who are explained to you whatever I have heard from activated by the material mode of ignorance authorities. What shall I speak of now engage in impious activities, and according to the extent of their ignorance, they are placed in Chapter Twenty-six A Description of different grades of hellish life. If one acts in the the Hellish Planets mode of ignorance because of madness, his resulting misery is the least severe. One who TEXT 1, rajovaca maharsa etad vaicitryam acts impiously but knows the distinction lokasya katham iti. between pious and impious activities is placed in a hell of intermediate severity. And for one TRANSLATION who acts impiously and ignorantly because of King Pariksit inquired from Sukadeva atheism, the resultant hellish life is the worst. Gosvami: My dear sir, why are the living Because of ignorance, every living entity has entities put into different material situations? been carried by various desires into thousands Kindly explain this to me. of different hellish planets since time immemorial. I shall try to describe them as far 118

as possible. TEXT 7, tatra haike narakan eka-vimsatim TEXT 4, rajovaca naraka nama bhagavan kim ganayanti atha tams te rajan nama-rupa-laksanato desa-visesa athava bahis tri-lokya ahosvid 'nukramisyamas tamisro 'ndhatamisro rauravo antarala iti. maharauravah kumbhipakah kalasutram asipatravanam sukaramukham andhakupah TRANSLATION krmibhojanah sandamsas taptasurmir King Pariksit inquired from Sukadeva vajrakantaka-salmali vaitarani puyodah Gosvami: My dear lord, are the hellish regions pranarodho visasanam lalabhaksah outside the universe, within the covering of the sarameyadanam avicir ayahpanam iti; kinca universe, or in different places on this planet? ksarakardamo raksogana-bhojanah sulaproto TEXT 5, rsir uvaca antarala eva tri-jagatyas tu dandasuko 'vata-nirodhanah paryavartanah disi daksinasyam adhastad bhumer uparistac ca sucimukham ity asta-vimsatir naraka vividha- jalad yasyam agnisvattadayah pitr-gana disi yatana-bhumayah. svanam gotranam paramena samadhina satya evasisa asasana nivasanti. TRANSLATION Some authorities say that there is a total of TRANSLATION twenty-one hellish planets, and some say The great sage Sukadeva Gosvami twenty-eight. My dear King, I shall outline all answered: All the hellish planets are situated of them according to their names, forms and in the intermediate space between the three symptoms. The names of the different hells are worlds and the Garbhodaka Ocean. They lie as follows: Tamisra, Andhatamisra, Raurava, on the southern side of the universe, beneath Maharaurava, Kumbhipaka, Kalasutra, Asi- Bhu-mandala, and slightly above the water of patravana, Sukaramukha, Andhakupa, the Garbhodaka Ocean. Pitrloka is also Krmibhojana, Sandamsa, Taptasurmi, located in this region between the Garbhodaka Vajrakantaka-salmali, Vaitarani, Puyoda, Ocean and the lower planetary systems. All the Pranarodha, Visasana, Lalabhaksa, residents of Pitrloka, headed by Agnisvatta, Sarameyadana, Avici, Ayahpana, meditate in great samadhi on the Supreme Ksarakardama, Raksogana-bhojana, Personality of Godhead and always wish their Sulaprota, Dandasuka, Avata-nirodhana, families well. Paryavartana and Sucimukha. All these planets are meant for punishing the living TEXT 6, yatra ha vava bhagavan pitr-rajo entities. vaivasvatah sva-visayam prapitesu sva-purusair jantusu samparetesu yatha-karmavadyam dosam TEXT 8, tatra yas tu para-vittapatya-kalatrany evanullanghita-bhagavac-chasanah sagano apaharati sa hi kala-pasa-baddho yama-purusair damam dharayati. ati-bhayanakais tamisre narake balan nipatyate anasananudapana-danda-tadana-santarjanadibhir TRANSLATION yatanabhir yatyamano jantur yatra kasmalam The King of the pitas is Yamaraja, the very asadita ekadaiva murccham upayati tamisra- powerful son of the sun-god. He resides in praye. Pitrloka with his personal assistants and, while abiding by the rules and regulations set down TRANSLATION by the Supreme Lord, has his agents, the My dear King, a person who appropriates Yamadutas, bring all the sinful men to him another's legitimate wife, children or money is immediately upon their death. After bringing arrested at the time of death by the fierce them within his jurisdiction, he properly Yamadutas, who bind him with the rope of judges them according to their specific sinful time and forcibly throw him into the hellish activities and sends them to one of the many planet known as Tamisra. On this very dark hellish planets for suitable punishments. planet, the sinful man is chastised by the 119

Yamadutas, who beat and rebuke him. He is violent acts against many living entities. starved, and he is given no water to drink. Therefore after his death, when he is taken to Thus the wrathful assistants of Yamaraja hell by Yamaraja, those living entities who cause him severe suffering, and sometimes he were hurt by him appear as animals called faints from their chastisement. rurus to inflict very severe pain upon him. Learned scholars call this hell Raurava. Not TEXT 9, evam evandhatamisre yas tu vancayitva generally seen in this world, the ruru is more purusam daradin upayunkte yatra sariri envious than a snake. nipatyamano yatana-stho vedanaya nasta-matir nasta-drstis ca bhavati yatha vanaspatir TEXT 12, evam eva maharauravo yatra nipatitam vrscyamana-mulas tasmad andhatamisram tam purusam kravyada nama ruravas tam kravyena upadisanti. ghatayanti yah kevalam dehambharah.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION The destination of a person who slyly cheats Punishment in the hell called Maharaurava another man and enjoys his wife and children is compulsory for a person who maintains his is the hell known as Andhatamisra. There his own body by hurting others. In this hell, ruru condition is exactly like that of a tree being animals known as kravyada torment him and chopped at its roots. Even before reaching eat his flesh. Andhatamisra, the sinful living being is subjected to various extreme miseries. These TEXT 13, yas tv iha va ugrah pasun paksino va afflictions are so severe that he loses his pranata uparandhayati tam apakarunam intelligence and sight. It is for this reason that purusadair api vigarhitam amutra yamanucarah learned sages call this hell Andhatamisra. kumbhipake tapta-taile uparandhayanti.

TEXT 10, yas tv iha va etad aham iti mamedam TRANSLATION iti bhuta-drohena kevalam sva-kutumbam For the maintenance of their bodies and the evanudinam prapusnati sa tad iha vihaya svayam satisfaction of their tongues, cruel persons eva tad-asubhena raurave nipatati. cook poor animals and birds alive. Such persons are condemned even by man-eaters. In TRANSLATION their next lives they are carried by the A person who accepts his body as his self Yamadutas to the hell known as Kumbhipaka, works very hard day and night for money to where they are cooked in boiling oil. maintain his own body and the bodies of his wife and children. While working to maintain TEXT 14, yas tv iha brahma-dhruk sa kalasutra- himself and his family, he may commit samjnake narake ayuta-yojana-parimandale violence against other living entities. Such a tamramaye tapta-khale upary-adhastad agny- person is forced to give up his body and his arkabhyam ati-tapyamane 'bhinivesitah ksut- family at the time of death, when he suffers the pipasabhyam ca dahyamanantar-bahih-sarira aste reaction for his envy of other creatures by sete cestate 'vatisthati paridhavati ca yavanti pasu- being thrown into the hell called Raurava. romani tavad varsa-sahasrani.

TEXT 11, ye tv iha yathaivamuna vihimsita TRANSLATION jantavah paratra yama-yatanam upagatam ta eva The killer of a brahmana is put into the hell ruravo bhutva tatha tam eva vihimsanti tasmad known as Kalasutra, which has a rauravam ity ahu rurur iti sarpad ati-krura- circumference of eighty thousand miles and sattvasyapadesah. which is made entirely of copper. Heated from below by fire and from above by the scorching TRANSLATION sun, the copper surface of this planet is In this life, an envious person commits extremely hot. Thus the murderer of a 120

brahmana suffers from being burned both sugarcane to squeeze out the juice. The sinful internally and externally. Internally he is living entity cries very pitiably and faints, just burning with hunger and thirst, and externally like an innocent man undergoing punishments. he is burning from the scorching heat of the This is the result of punishing a faultless sun and the fire beneath the copper surface. person. Therefore he sometimes lies down, sometimes sits, sometimes stands up and sometimes runs TEXT 17, yas tv iha vai bhutanam here and there. He must suffer in this way for isvaropakalpita-vrttinam avivikta-para-vyathanam as many thousands of years as there are hairs svayam purusopakalpita-vrttir vivikta-para- on the body of an animal. vyatho vyatham acarati sa paratrandhakupe tad- abhidrohena nipatati tatra hasau tair jantubhih TEXT 15, yas tv iha vai nija-veda-pathad pasu-mrga-paksi-sarisrpair masaka-yuka- anapady apagatah pakhandam copagatas tam asi- matkuna-maksikadibhir ye ke cabhidrugdhas taih patravanam pravesya kasaya praharanti tatra sarvato 'bhidruhyamanas tamasi vihata-nidra- hasav itas tato dhavamana ubhayato dharais tala- nirvrtir alabdhavasthanah parikramati yatha vanasi-patrais chidyamana-sarvango ha hato kusarire jivah. 'smiti paramaya vedanaya murcchitah pade pade nipatati sva-dharmaha pakhandanugatam phalam TRANSLATION bhunkte. By the arrangement of the Supreme Lord, low-grade living beings like bugs and TRANSLATION mosquitoes suck the blood of human beings If a person deviates from the path of the and other animals. Such insignificant creatures Vedas in the absence of an emergency, the are unaware that their bites are painful to the servants of Yamaraja put him into the hell human being. However, first-class human called Asi-patravana, where they beat him beings--brahmanas, ksatriyas and vaisyas--are with whips. When he runs hither and thither, developed in consciousness, and therefore they fleeing from the extreme pain, on all sides he know how painful it is to be killed. A human runs into palm trees with leaves like sharpened being endowed with knowledge certainly swords. Thus injured all over his body and commits sin if he kills or torments insignificant fainting at every step, he cries out, "Oh, what creatures, who have no discrimination. The shall I do now! How shall I be saved!" This is Supreme Lord punishes such a man by putting how one suffers who deviates from the him into the hell known as Andhakupa, where accepted religious principles. he is attacked by all the birds and beasts, reptiles, mosquitoes, lice, worms, flies, and any TEXT 16, yas tv iha vai raja raja-puruso va other creatures he tormented during his life. adandye dandam pranayati brahmane va sarira- They attack him from all sides, robbing him of dandam sa papiyan narake 'mutra sukaramukhe the pleasure of sleep. Unable to rest, he nipatati tatratibalair vinispisyamanavayavo constantly wanders about in the darkness. yathaiveheksukhanda arta-svarena svanayan Thus in Andhakupa his suffering is just like kvacin murcchitah kasmalam upagato yathaiveha- that of a creature in the lower species. drsta-dosa uparuddhah. TEXT 18, yas tv iha va asamvibhajyasnati yat TRANSLATION kincanopanatam anirmita-panca-yajno vayasa- In his next life, a sinful king or samstutah sa paratra krmibhojane narakadhame governmental representative who punishes an nipatati tatra sata-sahasra-yojane krmi-kunde innocent person, or who inflicts corporal krmi-bhutah svayam krmibhir eva bhaksyamanah punishment upon a brahmana, is taken by the krmi-bhojano yavat tad aprattaprahutado Yamadutas to the hell named Sukaramukha, 'nirvesam atmanam yatayate. where the most powerful assistants of Yamaraja crush him exactly as one crushes TRANSLATION 121

A person is considered no better than a A person who indulges in sex crow if after receiving some food, he does not indiscriminately--even with animals--is taken divide it among guests, old men and children, after death to the hell known as Vajrakantaka- but simply eats it himself, or if he eats it salmali. In this hell there is a silk-cotton tree without performing the five kinds of sacrifice. full of thorns as strong as thunderbolts. The After death he is put into the most abominable agents of Yamaraja hang the sinful man on hell, known as Krmibhojana. In that hell is a that tree and pull him down forcibly so that lake becomes a worm in that lake and feeds on the thorns very severely tear his body. the other worms there, who also feed on him. Unless he atones for his actions before his TEXT 22, ye tv iha vai rajanya raja-purusa va death, such a sinful man remains in the hellish apakhanda dharma-setun bhindanti te samparetya lake of Krmibhojana for as many years as vaitaranyam nipatanti bhinna-maryadas tasyam there are yojanas in the width of the lake. niraya-parikha-bhutayam nadyam yado-ganair itas tato bhaksyamana atmana na viyujyamanas TEXT 19, yas tv iha vai steyena balad va casubhir uhyamanah svaghena karma-pakam hiranya-ratnadini brahmanasya vapaharaty anusmaranto vin-mutra-puya-sonita-kesa- anyasya vanapadi purusas tam amutra rajan nakhasthi-medo-mamsa-vasa-vahinyam yama-purusa ayasmayair agni-pindaih sandamsais upatapyante. tvaci niskusanti. TRANSLATION TRANSLATION A person who is born into a responsible My dear King, a person who in the absence family--such as a ksatriya, a member of of an emergency robs a brahmana--or, indeed, royalty or a government servant--but who anyone else--of his gems and gold is put into a neglects to execute his prescribed duties hell known as Sandamsa. There his skin is torn according to religious principles, and who thus and separated by red-hot iron balls and tongs. becomes degraded, falls down at the time of In this way, his entire body is cut to pieces. death into the river of hell known as Vaitarani. This river, which is a moat surrounding hell, is TEXT 20, yas tv iha va agamyam striyam full of ferocious aquatic animals. When a sinful agamyam va purusam yosid abhigacchati tav man is thrown into the River Vaitarani, the amutra kasaya tadayantas tigmaya surmya aquatic animals there immediately begin to eat lohamayya purusam alingayanti striyam ca him, but because of his extremely sinful life, he purusa-rupaya surmya. does not leave his body. He constantly remembers his sinful activities and suffers TRANSLATION terribly in that river, which is full of stool, A man or woman who indulges in sexual urine, pus, blood, hair, nails, bones, marrow, intercourse with an unworthy member of the flesh and fat. opposite sex is punished after death by the assistants of Yamaraja in the hell known as TEXT 23, ye tv iha vai vrsali-patayo nasta- Taptasurmi. There such men and women are saucacara-niyamas tyakta-lajjah pasu-caryam beaten with whips. The man is forced to caranti te capi pretya puya-vin-mutra-slesma- embrace a red-hot iron form of a woman, and mala-purnarnave nipatanti tad evatibibhatsitam the woman is forced to embrace a similar form asnanti. of a man. Such is the punishment for illicit sex. TRANSLATION TEXT 21, yas tv iha vai sarvabhigamas tam The shameless husbands of lowborn sudra amutra niraye vartamanam vajrakantaka-salmalim women live exactly like animals, and therefore aropya niskarsanti. they have no good behavior, cleanliness or regulated life. After death, such persons are TRANSLATION thrown into the hell called Puyoda, where they 122

are put into an ocean filled with pus, stool, svanah sapta-satani vimsatis ca sarabhasam urine, mucus, saliva and similar things. Sudras khadanti. who could not improve themselves fall into that ocean and are forced to eat those TRANSLATION disgusting things. In this world, some persons are professional plunderers who set fire to others' houses or TEXT 24, ye tv iha vai sva-gardabha-patayo administer poison to them. Also, members of brahmanadayo mrgaya vihara atirthe ca mrgan the royalty or government officials sometimes nighnanti tan api samparetal laksya-bhutan yama- plunder mercantile men by forcing them to purusa isubhir vidhyanti. pay income tax and by other methods. After death such demons are put into the hell known TRANSLATION as Sarameyadana. On that planet there are 720 If in this life a man of the higher classes dogs with teeth as strong as thunderbolts. [brahmana, ksatriya and vaisya] is very fond Under the orders of the agents of Yamaraja, of taking his pet dogs, mules or asses into the these dogs voraciously devour such sinful forest to hunt and kill animals unnecessarily, people. he is placed after death into the hell known as Pranarodha. There the assistants of Yamaraja TEXT 28, yas tv iha va anrtam vadati saksye make him their targets and pierce him with dravya-vinimaye dane va kathancit sa vai pretya arrows. narake 'vicimaty adhah-sira niravakase yojana- satocchrayad giri-murdhnah sampatyate yatra TEXT 25, ye tv iha vai dambhika dambha- jalam iva sthalam asma-prstham avabhasate tad yajnesu pasun visasanti tan amusmil loke vaisase avicimat tilaso visiryamana-sariro na mriyamanah narake patitan niraya-patayo yatayitva visasanti. punar aropito nipatati.

TRANSLATION TRANSLATION A person who in this life is proud of his A person who in this life bears false witness eminent position, and who heedlessly sacrifices or lies while transacting business or giving animals simply for material prestige, is put charity is severely punished after death by the into the hell called Visasana after death. There agents of Yamaraja. Such a sinful man is taken the assistants of Yamaraja kill him after giving to the top of a mountain eight hundred miles him unlimited pain. high and thrown headfirst into the hell known as Avicimat. This hell has no shelter and is TEXT 26, yas tv iha vai savarnam bharyam dvijo made of strong stone resembling the waves of retah payayati kama-mohitas tam papa-krtam water. There is no water there, however, and amutra retah-kulyayam patayitva retah thus it is called Avicimat [waterless]. Although sampayayanti. the sinful man is repeatedly thrown from the mountain and his body broken to tiny pieces, TRANSLATION he still does not die but continuously suffers If a foolish member of the twice-born chastisement. classes [brahmana, ksatriya and vaisya] forces his wife to drink his semen out of a lusty desire TEXT 29, yas tv iha vai vipro rajanyo vaisyo va to keep her under control, he is put after death soma-pithas tat-kalatram va suram vrata-stho 'pi into the hell known as Lalabhaksa. There he is va pibati pramadatas tesam nirayam nitanam urasi thrown into a flowing river of semen, which he padakramyasye vahnina dravamanam is forced to drink. karsnayasam nisincanti.

TEXT 27, ye tv iha vai dasyavo 'gnida garada TRANSLATION graman sarthan va vilumpanti rajano raja-bhata va Any brahmana or brahmana's wife who tams capi hi paretya yamaduta vajra-damstrah drinks liquor is taken by the agents of 123

Yamaraja to the hell known as Ayahpana. This protatmanah ksut-trdbhyam cabhihatah kanka- hell also awaits any ksatriya, vaisya, or person vatadibhis cetas tatas tigma-tundair ahanyamana under a vow who in illusion drinks soma-rasa. atma-samalam smaranti. In Ayahpana the agents of Yamaraja stand on their chests and pour hot melted iron into their TRANSLATION mouths. In this life some people give shelter to animals and birds that come to them for TEXT 30, atha ca yas tv iha va atma- protection in the village or forest, and after sambhavanena svayam adhamo janma-tapo- making them believe that they will be vidyacara-varnasramavato variyaso na bahu protected, such people pierce them with lances manyeta sa mrtaka eva mrtva ksarakardame or threads and play with them like toys, giving niraye 'vak-sira nipatito duranta yatana hy asnute. them great pain. After death such people are brought by the assistants of Yamaraja to the TRANSLATION hell known as Sulaprota, where their bodies A lowborn and abominable person who in are pierced with sharp, needlelike lances. They this life becomes falsely proud, thinking "I am suffer from hunger and thirst, and sharp- great," and who thus fails to show proper beaked birds such as vultures and herons come respect to one more elevated than he by birth, at them from all sides to tear at their bodies. austerity, education, behavior, caste or Tortured and suffering, they can then spiritual order, is like a dead man even in this remember the sinful activities they committed lifetime, and after death he is thrown headfirst in the past. into the hell known as Ksarakardama. There he must great suffer great tribulation at the TEXT 33, ye tv iha vai bhutany udvejayanti nara hands of the agents of Yamaraja. ulbana-svabhava yatha dandasukas te 'pi pretya narake dandasukakhye nipatanti yatra nrpa TEXT 31, ye tv iha vai purusah purusa-medhena dandasukah panca-mukhah sapta-mukha upasrtya yajante yas ca striyo nr-pasun khadanti tams ca te grasanti yatha bilesayan. pasava iva nihata yama-sadane yatayanto rakso- ganah saunika iva svadhitinavadayasrk pibanti TRANSLATION nrtyanti ca gayanti ca hrsyamana yatheha Those who in this life are like envious purusadah. serpents, always angry and giving pain to other living entities, fall after death into the TRANSLATION hell known as Dandasuka. My dear King, in There are men and women in this world this hell there are serpents with five or seven who sacrifice human beings to Bhairava or hoods. These serpents eat such sinful persons Bhadra Kali and then eat their victims' flesh. just as snakes eat mice. Those who perform such sacrifices are taken after death to the abode of Yamaraja, where TEXT 34, ye tv iha va andhavata-kusula- their victims, having taken the form of guhadisu bhutani nirundhanti tathamutra tesv Raksasas, cut them to pieces with sharpened evopavesya sagarena vahnina dhumena swords. Just as in this world the man-eaters nirundhanti. drank their victims' blood, dancing and singing in jubilation, their victims now enjoy TRANSLATION drinking the blood of the sacrificers and Those who in this life confine other living celebrating in the same way. entities in dark wells, granaries or mountain caves are put after death into the hell known TEXT 32, ye tv iha va anagaso 'ranye grame va as Avata-nirodhana. There they themselves are vaisrambhakair upasrtan upavisrambhayya pushed into dark wells, where poisonous fumes jijivisun sula-sutradisupaprotan kridanakataya and smoke suffocate them and they suffer very yatayanti te 'pi ca pretya yama-yatanasu suladisu severely. 124

TRANSLATION TEXT 35, yas tv iha va atithin abhyagatan va My dear King Pariksit, in the province of grha-patir asakrd upagata-manyur didhaksur iva Yamaraja there are hundreds and thousands papena caksusa niriksate tasya capi niraye papa- of hellish planets. The impious people I have drster aksini vajra-tunda grdhrah kanka-kaka- mentioned--and also those I have not vatadayah prasahyoru-balad utpatayanti. mentioned --must all enter these various planets according to the degree of their TRANSLATION impiety. Those who are pious, however, enter A householder who receives guests or other planetary systems, namely the planets of visitors with cruel glances, as if to burn them the demigods. Nevertheless, both the pious and to ashes, is put into the hell called impious are again brought to earth after the Paryavartana, where he is gazed at by hard- results of their pious or impious acts are eyed vultures, herons, crows and similar birds, exhausted. which suddenly swoop down and pluck out his eyes with great force. TEXT 38, nivrtti-laksana-marga adav eva vyakhyatah; etavan evanda-koso yas caturdasadha TEXT 36, yas tv iha va adhyabhimatir ahankrtis puranesu vikalpita upagiyate yat tad bhagavato tiryak-preksanah sarvato 'bhivisanki artha-vyaya- narayanasya saksan maha-purusasya sthavistham nasa-cintaya parisusyamana-hrdaya-vadano rupam atmamaya-gunamayam anuvarnitam adrtah nirvrtim anavagato graha ivartham abhiraksati sa pathati srnoti sravayati sa upageyam bhagavatah capi pretya tad-utpadanotkarsana-samraksana- paramatmano 'grahyam api sraddha-bhakti- samala-grahah sucimukhe narake nipatati yatra ha visuddha-buddhir veda. vitta-graham papa-purusam dharmaraja-purusa vayaka iva sarvato 'ngesu sutraih parivayanti. TRANSLATION In the beginning [the Second and Third TRANSLATION Cantos of Srimad-Bhagavatam] I have already One who in this world or this life is very described how one can progress on the path of proud of his wealth always thinks, "I am so liberation. In the Puranas the vast universal rich. Who can equal me?" His vision is twisted, existence, which is like an egg divided into and he is always afraid that someone will take fourteen parts, is described. This vast form is his wealth. Indeed, he even suspects his considered the external body of the Lord, superiors. His face and heart dry up at the created by His energy and qualities. It is thought of losing his wealth, and therefore he generally called the virat-rupa. If one reads the always looks like a wretched fiend. He is not in description of this external form of the Lord any way able to obtain actual happiness, and with great faith, or if one hears about it or he does not know what it is to be free from explains it to others to propagate bhagavata- anxiety. Because of the sinful things he does to dharma, or Krsna consciousness, his faith and earn money, augment his wealth and protect it, devotion in spiritual consciousness, Krsna he is put into the hell called Sucimukha, where consciousness, will gradually increase. the officials of Yamaraja punish him by Although developing this consciousness is very stitching thread through his entire body like difficult, by this process one can purify himself weavers manufacturing cloth. and gradually come to an awareness of the Supreme Absolute Truth. TEXT 37, evam-vidha naraka yamalaye santi satasah sahasrasas tesu sarvesu ca sarva TEXT 39, srutva sthulam tatha suksmam, rupam evadharma-vartino ye kecid ihodita anuditas bhagavato yatih, sthule nirjitam atmanam, sanaih cavani-pate paryayena visanti tathaiva suksmam dhiya nayed iti dharmanuvartina itaratra iha tu punar-bhave ta ubhaya-sesabhyam nivisanti. TRANSLATION One who is interested in liberation, who 125

accepts the path of liberation and is not Chapter Three, verse 13. it is said: attracted to the path of conditional life, is astame merudevyam tu, nabher jata urukramah, called yati, or a devotee. Such a person should darsayan vartma dhiranam, sarvasrama- first control his mind by thinking of the virat- namaskrtam "Lord Visnu appeared in the eighth rupa, the gigantic universal form of the Lord, incarnation as the son of Maharaja Nabhi [the son and then gradually think of the spiritual form of Agnidhra] and his wife Merudevi. He showed of Krsna [sac-cid-ananda-vigraha] after the path of perfection, the paramahamsa stage of hearing of both forms. Thus one's mind is life, which is worshiped by all the followers of fixed in samadhi. By devotional service one can varnasrama-dharma. "Rsabhadeva is the Supreme then realize the spiritual form of the Lord, Personality of Godhead, and His body is spiritual which is the destination of devotees. Thus his (sac-cid-ananda-vigraha). Therefore one might life becomes successful. ask how it might be possible that he passed stool and urine. The Gaudiya vedanta acarya Baladeva TEXT 40, bhu-dvipa-varsa-sarid-adri-nabhah- Vidyabhusana has replied to this question in his samudra-, patala-din-naraka-bhagana-loka- book known as Siddhanta-ratna (First Portion, samstha, gita maya tava nrpadbhutam isvarasya, TEXTS 65-68). Imperfect men call attention to sthulam vapuh sakala-jiva-nikaya-dhama Rsabhadeva's passing stool and urine as a subject matter for the study of nondevotees, who do not TRANSLATION understand the spiritual position of a My dear King, I have now described for you transcendental body. In this Fifth Canto of this planet earth, other planetary systems, and Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.6.11) the illusioned and their lands [varsas], rivers and mountains. I bewildered state of the materialists of this age is have also described the sky, the oceans, the fully described. Elsewhere in Fifth Canto (5.5.19) lower planetary systems, the directions, the Rsabhadeva stated, idam sariram mama hellish planetary systems and the stars. These durvibhavyam: "This body of Mine is constitute the virat-rupa, the gigantic material inconceivable for materialists." This is also form of the Lord, on which all living entities confirmed by Lord Krsna in Bhagavad-gita repose. Thus I have explained the wonderful (9.11): avajananti mam mudha, manusim tanum expanse of the external body of the Lord., asritam, param bhavam ajananto, mama bhuta- mahesvaram "Fools deride Me when I descend There is a supplementary note written by His in the human form. They do not know My Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati transcendental nature and My supreme dominion Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada in his over all that be." The human form of the Supreme Gaudiya-bhasya. It is as follows. personality of Godhead is extremely difficult to understand, and, in fact, for a common man it is Learned scholars who have full knowledge of all inconceivable. Therefore Rsabhadeva has directly the Vedic scriptures agree that the incarnations of explained that His own body belongs to the the Supreme personality of Godhead are spiritual platform. This being so. Rsabhadeva did innumerable. These incarnations are classified not actually pass stool and urine. Even though He into two divisions, called prabhava and vaibhava. superficially seemed to pass stool and urine, that According to the scriptures, prabhava was also transcendental and cannot be imitated by incarnations are also classified in two divisions-- any common man. It is also stated in Srimad- those which are called eternal and those which are Bhagavatam that the stool and urine of not vividly described. In this Fifth Canto of Rsabhadeva were full of transcendental fragrance. Srimad-Bhagavatam, in Chapters Three through One may imitate Rsabhadeva, but he cannot Six, there is a description of Rsabhadeva, but imitate Him by passing stool that is fragrant., The there is not an expanded description of His activities of Rsabhadeva, therefore, do not spiritual activities. Therefore He is considered to support the claims of a certain class of men belong to the second group of prabhava known as arhat, who sometimes advertise that incarnations. In Srimad-Bhagavatam, First Canto, they are followers of Rsabhadeva. How can they 126 be followers of Rsabhadeva while they act against the Vedic principles? Sukadeva Gosvami has related that after hearing about the characteristics of Lord Rsabhadeva, the King of Konka, Venka and Kutaka initiated a system of religious principles known as arhat. These principles were not in accord with Vedic principles, and therefore they are called pasanda-dharma. The members of the arhat community considered Rsabhadeva's activities material. However, Rsabhadeva is an incarnation of the Supreme personality of Godhead. Therefore He is on the transcendental platform, and no one can compare to Him., Rsabhadeva personally exhibited the activities of the Supreme personality of Godhead. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.6.8), davanalas tad vanam alelihanah saha tena dadaha: at the conclusion of Rsabhadeva's pastimes, an entire forest and the Lord's body were burned to ashes in a great forest fire. In the same way, Rsabhadeva burned people's ignorance to ashes. He exhibited the characteristics of a paramahamsa in His instructions to His sons. The principles of the arhat community, however, do not correspond to the teachings of Rsabhadeva., Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana remarks that in the Eighth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam there is another description of Rsabhadeva, but that Rsabhadeva is different from the one described in this canto.

END OF THE FIFTH CANTO