> > S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 10
> > Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
> > (for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

> > *******

> > Canto 10: 'Summum Bonum'

> > *******

> > Chapter Eighty: The Brâhmana Sudâmâ Visits Lord Krishna in Dvârakâ

> > TEXT 1

> > s'rî-râjovâca

> > bhagavan yâni cânyâni

> > mukundasya mahâtmanah

> > vîryâny ananta-vîryasya

> > s'rotum icchâmi he prabho

> > s'rî-râjâ uvâca - the King (Parîkchit) said; bhagavan - my lord (S'ukadeva Gosvâmî); yâni - which; ca - and; anyâni - others; mukundasya - of Lord Krishna; mahâ- âtmanah - the Supreme Soul; vîryâni - valorous deeds; ananta - unlimited; vîryasya - whose valor; s'rotum - to hear; icchâmi - I wish; he prabho - O master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > King Parîkchit said: My lord, O master, I wish to hear about other valorous deeds performed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mukunda, whose valor is unlimited.

> > ******

> > TEXT 2

> > ko nu s'rutvâsakrid brahmann

> > uttamahs'loka-sat-kathâh

> > virameta vis'esha-jn'o

> > vishannah kâma-mârganaih

> > kah - who; nu - indeed; s'rutvâ - having heard; asakrit - repeatedly; brahman - O brâhmana; uttamah-s'loka - of Lord Krishna; sat - transcendental; kathâh - topics; virameta - can desist; vis'esha - the essence (of life); jn'ah - who knows; vishannah - disgusted; kâma - for material desire; mârganaih - with seeking.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O brâhmana, how could anyone who knows the essence of life and is disgusted with endeavoring for sense gratification give up the transcendental topics of Lord Uttamahs'loka after hearing them repeatedly?

> > ******

> > TEXT 3

> > sâ vâg yayâ tasya gunân grinîte

> > karau ca tat-karma-karau manas' ca

> > smared vasantam sthira-jangameshu

> > s'rinoti tat-punya-kathâh sa karnah

> > sâ - that (is); vâk - power of speech; yayâ - by which; tasya - His; gunân - qualities; grinîte - one describes; karau - pair of hands; ca - and; tat - His; karma - work; karau - doing; manah - mind; ca - and; smaret - remembers; vasantam - dwelling; sthira - within the unmoving; jangameshu - and moving; s'rinoti - hears; tat - His; punya - sanctifying; kathâh - topics; sah - that (is); karnah - an ear.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Actual speech is that which describes the qualities of the Lord, real hands are those that work for Him, a true mind is that which always remembers Him dwelling within everything moving and nonmoving, and actual ears are those that listen to sanctifying topics about Him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 4

> > s'iras tu tasyobhaya-lingam ânamet

> > tad eva yat pas'yati tad dhi cakshuh

> > angâni vishnor atha taj-janânâm

> > pâdodakam yâni bhajanti nityam

> > s'irah - head; tu - and; tasya - of Him; ubhaya - both; lingam - to the manifestations; ânamet - bows down; tat - that; eva - only; yat - which; pas'yati - sees; tat - that; hi - indeed; cakshuh - eye; angâni - limbs; vishnoh - of Lord Vishnu; atha - or; tat - His; janânâm - of the devotees; pâda-udakam - the water which has washed the feet; yâni - which; bhajanti - honor; nityam - regularly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > An actual head is one that bows down to the Lord in His manifestations among the moving and nonmoving creatures, real eyes are those that see only the Lord, and actual limbs are those which regularly honor the water that has bathed the Lord's feet or those of His devotees.

> > ******

> > TEXT 5

> > sûta uvâca

> > vishnu-râtena samprishtho

> > bhagavân bâdarâyanih

> > vâsudeve bhagavati

> > nimagna-hridayo 'bravît

> > sûtah uvâca - Sûta Gosvâmî said; vishnu-râtena - by Vishnurâta (Mahârâja Parîkchit); samprishthah - well questioned; bhagavân - the powerful sage; bâdarâyanih - S'ukadeva; vâsudeve - in Lord Vâsudeva; bhagavati - the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nimagna - fully absorbed; hridayah - his heart; abravît - he spoke.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Suta Gosvâmî said: Thus questioned by King Vishnurâta, the powerful sage Bâdarâyani replied, his heart fully absorbed in meditation on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vâsudeva.

> > ******

> > TEXT 6

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > krishnasyâsît sakhâ kas'cid

> > brâhmano brahma-vittamah

> > virakta indriyârtheshu

> > pras'ântâtmâ jitendriyah

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; krishnasya - of Lord Krishna; âsît - there was; sakhâ - friend (named Sudâmâ); kas'cit - a certain; brâhmanah - brâhmana; brahma - in the Vedas; vit-tamah - most learned; viraktah - detached; indriya- artheshu - from the objects of sense enjoyment; pras'ânta - peaceful; âtmâ - whose mind; jita - conquered; indriyah - whose senses.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Lord Krishna had a certain brâhmana friend [named Sudâmâ] who was most learned in Vedic knowledge and detached from all sense enjoyment. Furthermore, his mind was peaceful and his senses subdued.

> > ******

> > TEXT 7

> > yadricchayopapannena

> > vartamâno grihâs'ramî

> > tasya bhâryâ ku-cailasya

> > kshut-kshâmâ ca tathâ-vidhâ

> > yadricchayâ - of its own accord; upapannena - by what was obtained; vartamânah - existing; griha-âs'ramî - in the household order of life; tasya - of him; bhâryâ - the wife; ku-cailasya - who was poorly dressed; kshut - from hunger; kshâmâ - emaciated; ca - and; tathâ-vidhâ - similarly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Living as a householder, he maintained himself with whatever came of its own accord. The wife of that poorly dressed brâhmana suffered along with him and was emaciated from hunger.

> > ******

> > TEXT 8

> > pati-vratâ patim prâha

> > mlâyatâ vadanena sâ

> > daridram sîdamânâ vai

> > vepamânâbhigamya ca

> > pati-vratâ - faithful to her husband; patim - to her husband; prâha - she said; mlâyatâ - drying up; vadanena - with her face; sâ - she; daridram - poor; sîdamânâ - distressed; vai - indeed; vepamânâ - trembling; abhigamya - approaching; ca - and.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The chaste wife of the poverty-stricken brâhmana once approached him, her face dried up because of her distress. Trembling with fear, she spoke as follows.

> > ******

> > TEXT 9

> > nanu brahman bhagavatah

> > sakhâ sâkshâc chriyah patih

> > brahmanyas' ca s'aranyas' ca

> > bhagavân sâtvatarshabhah

> > nanu - indeed; brahman - O brâhmana; bhagavatah - of your exalted self; sakhâ - the friend; sâkshât - directly; s'riyah - of the supreme goddess of fortune; patih - the husband; brahmanyah - compassionate to brâhmanas; ca - and; s'aranyah - willing to give shelter; ca - and; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; sâtvata - of the Yâdavas; rishabhah - the best.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Sudâmâ's wife said:] O brâhmana, isn't it true that the husband of the goddess of fortune is the personal friend of your exalted self? That greatest of Yâdavas, the Supreme Lord Krishna, is compassionate to brâhmanas and very willing to grant them His shelter.

> > ******

> > TEXT 10

> > tam upaihi mahâ-bhâga

> > sâdhûnâm ca parâyanam

> > dâsyati dravinam bhûri

> > sîdate te kuthumbine

> > tam - Him; upaihi - approach; mahâ-bhaga - O fortunate one; sâdhûnâm - of saintly devotees; ca - and; para-ayanam - the ultimate shelter; dâsyati - He will give; dravinam - wealth; bhûri - plentiful; sîdate - suffering; te - to you; kuthumbine - who are maintaining a family.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O fortunate one, please approach Him, the real shelter of all saints. He will certainly give abundant wealth to such a suffering householder as you.

> > ******

> > TEXT 11

> > âste 'dhunâ dvâravatyâm

> > bhoja-vrishny-andhakes'varah

> > smaratah pâda-kamalam

> > âtmânam api yacchati

> > kim nv artha-kâmân bhajato

> > nâty-abhîshthân jagad-guruh

> > âste - is present; adhunâ - now; dvâravatyâm - at Dvârakâ; bhoja-vrishni-andhaka - of the Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas; îs'varah - the Lord; smaratah - to one who remembers; pâda-kamalam - His lotus feet; âtmanâm - Himself; api - even; yacchati - He gives; kim nu - what then to speak of; artha - economic success; kâmân - and sense gratification; bhajatah - to one who worships Him; na - not; ati - very much; abhîshthân - desirable; jagat - of the whole universe; guruh - the spiritual master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Krishna is now the ruler of the Bhojas, Vrishnis and Andhakas and is staying at Dvârakâ. Since He gives even His own self to anyone who simply remembers His lotus feet, what doubt is there that He, the spiritual master of the universe, will bestow upon His sincere worshiper prosperity and material enjoyment, which are not even very desirable?

> > ******

> > TEXTS 12 - 13

> > sa evam bhâryayâ vipro

> > bahus'ah prârthito muhuh

> > ayam hi paramo lâbha

> > uttamahs'loka-dars'anam

> > iti san'cintya manasâ

> > gamanâya matim dadhe

> > apy asty upâyanam kin'cid

> > grihe kalyâni dîyatâm

> > sah - he; evam - in this way; bhâryayâ - by his wife; viprah - the brâhmana; bahus'ah - profusely; prârthitah - entreated; muhuh - over and over; ayam - this; hi - indeed; paramah - the supreme; lâbhah - gain; uttamah-s'loka - of Lord Krishna; dars'anam - the sight;

> > iti - so; san'cintya - thinking; manasâ - within his mind; gamanâya - to go; matim dadhe - he made his decision; api - whether; asti - there is; upâyanam - gift; kin'cit - some; grihe - in the house; kalyâni - my good woman; dîyatâm - please give.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:] When his wife thus repeatedly implored him in various ways, the brâhmana thought to himself, "To see Lord Krishna is indeed the greatest achievement in life." Thus he decided to go, but first he told her, "My good wife, if there is anything in the house I can bring as a gift, please give it to me."

> > ******

> > TEXT 14

> > yâcitvâ caturo mushthîn

> > viprân prithuka-tandulân

> > caila-khandena tân baddhvâ

> > bhartre prâdâd upâyanam

> > yâcitvâ - begging; caturah - four; mushthîn - fistfuls; viprân - from the (neighboring) brâhmanas; prithuka-tandulân - flat rice; caila - of cloth; khandena - with a ripped piece; tân - them; baddhvâ - tying up; bhartre - to her husband; prâdât - she gave; upâyanam - gift.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sudâmâ's wife begged four handfuls of flat rice from neighboring brâhmanas, tied up the rice in a torn piece of cloth and gave it to her husband as a present for Lord Krishna.

> > ******

> > TEXT 15

> > sa tân âdâya viprâgryah

> > prayayau dvârakâm kila

> > krishna-sandars'anam mahyam

> > katham syâd iti cintayan

> > sah - he; tân - them; âdâya - taking; vipra-agryah - the best of brâhmanas; prayayau - went; dvârakâm - to Dvârakâ; kila - indeed; krishna-sandars'anam - the audience of Lord Krishna; mahyam - for me; katham - how; syât - will it happen; iti - thus; cintayan - thinking.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Taking the flat rice, the saintly brâhmana set off for Dvârakâ, all the while wondering "How will I be able to have Krishna's audience?"

> > ******

> > TEXTS 16 - 17

> > trîni gulmâny atîyâya

> > tisrah kakshâs' ca sa-dvijah

> > vipro 'gamyândhaka-vrishnînâm

> > griheshv acyuta-dharminâm

> > griham dvy-ashtha-sahasrânâm

> > mahishînâm harer dvijah

> > vives'aikatamam s'rîmad

> > brahmânandam gato yathâ

> > trîni - three; gulmâni - contingents of guards; atîyâya - passing; tisrah - three; kakshâh - gateways; ca - and; sa-dvijah - accompanied by brâhmanas; viprah - the learned brâhmana; agamya - impassable; andhaka-vrishnînâm - of the Andhakas and Vrishnis; griheshu - between the houses; acyuta - Lord Krishna; dharminâm - who follow faithfully;

> > griham - residence; dvi - two; ashtha - times eight; sahasrânâm - thousands; mahishînâm - of the queens; hareh - of Lord Krishna; dvijah - the brâhmana; vives'a - entered; ekatamam - one of them; s'rî-mat - opulent; brahma-ânandam - the bliss of impersonal liberation; gatah - attaining; yathâ - as if.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The learned brâhmana, joined by some local brâhmanas, passed three guard stations and went through three gateways, and then he walked by the homes of Lord Krishna's faithful devotees, the Andhakas and Vrishnis, which ordinarily no one could do. He then entered one of the opulent palaces belonging to Lord Hari's sixteen thousand queens, and when he did so he felt as if he were attaining the bliss of liberation.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > tam vilokyâcyuto dûrât

> > priyâ-paryankam âsthitah

> > sahasotthâya câbhyetya

> > dorbhyâm paryagrahîn mudâ

> > tam - him; vilokya - seeing; acyutah - Lord Krishna; dûrât - at a distance; priyâ - of His beloved consort; paryankam - on the bed; âsthitah - seated; sahasâ - immediately; utthâya - rising; ca - and; abhyetya - coming forward; dorbhyâm - in His arms; paryagrahît - embraced; mudâ - with pleasure.

> > TRANSLATION

> > At that time Lord Acyuta was seated on His consort's bed. Spotting the brâhmana at some distance, the Lord immediately stood up, went forward to meet him and with great pleasure embraced him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 19

> > sakhyuh priyasya viprarsher

> > anga-sangâti-nirvritah

> > prîto vyamun'cad ab-bindûn

> > netrâbhyâm pushkarekshanah

> > sakhyuh - of His friend; priyasya - dear; vipra-risheh - the sagacious brâhmana; anga - of the body; sanga - by the contact; ati - extremely; nirvritah - ecstatic; prîtah - affectionate; vyamun'cat - He released; ap - of water; bindûn - drops; netrâbhyâm - from His eyes; pushkara-îkshanah - the lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 20 - 22

> > athopaves'ya paryanke

> > svayam sakhyuh samarhanam

> > upahrityâvanijyâsya

> > pâdau pâdâvanejanîh

> > agrahîc chirasâ râjan

> > bhagavâû loka-pâvanah

> > vyalimpad divya-gandhena

> > candanâguru-kunkamaih

> > dhûpaih surabhibhir mitram

> > pradîpâvalibhir mudâ

> > arcitvâvedya tâmbûlam

> > gâm ca svâgatam abravît

> > atha - then; upaves'ya - having him sit; paryanke - on the bed; svayam - Himself; sakhyuh - for His friend; samarhanam - items of worship; upahritya - bringing forward; avanijya - washing; asya - his; pâdau - feet; pâda-avanejanîh - the water which had washed his feet;

> > agrahît - He took; s'irasâ - on His head; râjan - O King (Parîkchit); bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; loka - of all worlds; pâvanah - the purifier; vyalimpat - He anointed him; divya - divine; gandhena - whose fragrance; candana - with sandalwood paste; aguru - aloe-wood paste; kunkumaih - and vermilion;

> > dhûpaih - with incense; surabhibhih - aromatic; mitram - His friend; pradîpa - of lamps; avalibhih - with rows; mudâ - gladly; arcitvâ - worshiping; âvedya - offering as refreshment; tâmbûlam - betel nut; gâm - a cow; ca - and; su-âgatam - welcome; abravît - He spoke.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Krishna seated His friend Sudâmâ upon the bed. Then the Lord, who purifies the whole world, personally offered him various tokens of respect and washed his feet, O King, after which He sprinkled the water on His own head. He anointed him with divinely fragrant sandalwood, aguru and kunkuma pastes and happily worshiped him with aromatic incense and arrays of lamps. After finally offering him betel nut and the gift of a cow, He welcomed him with pleasing words.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > ku-cailam malinam kshâmam

> > dvijam dhamani-santatam

> > devî paryacarat sâkshâc

> > câmara-vyajanena vai

> > ku - poor; cailam - whose dress; malinam - dirty; kshâmam - emaciated; dvijam - the brâhmana; dhamani-santatam - his veins visible; devî - the goddess of fortune; paryacarat - served; sâkshât - personally; câmara - with a yak-tail fan; vyajanena - by fanning; vai - indeed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By fanning him with her câmara, the divine goddess of fortune personally served that poor brâhmana, whose clothing was torn and dirty and who was so thin that veins were visible all over his body.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > antah-pura-jano drishthvâ

> > krishnenâmala-kîrtinâ

> > vismito 'bhûd ati-prîtyâ

> > avadhûtam sabhâjitam

> > antah-pura - of the royal palace; janah - the people; drishthvâ - seeing; krishnena - by Lord Krishna; amala - spotless; kîrtinâ - whose fame; vismitah - amazed; abhût - they became; ati - intense; prîtyâ - with loving affection; avadhûtam - the unkempt brâhmana; sabhâjitam - honored.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The people in the royal palace were astonished to see Krishna, the Lord of spotless glory, so lovingly honor this shabbily dressed brâhmana.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 25 - 26

> > kim anena kritam punyam

> > avadhûtena bhikshunâ

> > s'riyâ hînena loke 'smin

> > garhitenâdhamena ca

> > yo 'sau tri-loka-gurunâ

> > s'rî-nivâsena sambhritah

> > paryanka-sthâm s'riyam hitvâ

> > parishvakto 'gra-jo yathâ

> > kim - what; anena - by him; kritam - was done; punyam - pious activity; avadhûtena - unwashed; bhikshunâ - by the mendicant; s'riyâ - of prosperity; hînena - who is deprived; loke - in the world; asmin - this; garhitena - condemned; adhamena - lowly; ca - and;

> > yah - who; asau - himself; tri - three; loka - of the planetary systems of the universe; gurunâ - by the spiritual master; s'rî - of Lakshmî, the supreme goddess of fortune; nivâsena - the abode; sambhritah - served reverentially; paryanka - on her bed; sthâm - seated; s'rîyam - the goddess of fortune; hitvâ - leaving aside; parishvaktah - embraced; agra-jah - an elder brother; yathâ - as.

> > ******

> > TEXT 27

> > kathayâm cakratur gâthâh

> > pûrvâ guru-kule satoh

> > âtmanor lalitâ râjan

> > karau grihya parasparam

> > kathayâm cakratuh - they discussed; gâthâh - topics; pûrvâh - of the past; guru- kule - in the school of their spiritual master; satoh - who used to reside; âtmanoh - of themselves; lalitâh - charming; râjan - O King (Parîkchit); karau - hands; grihya - taking hold of; parasparam - each other's.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:] Taking each other's hands, O King, Krishna and Sudâmâ talked pleasantly about how they once lived together in the school of their guru.

> > ******

> > TEXT 28

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > api brahman guru-kulâd

> > bhavatâ labdha-dakshinât

> > samâvrittena dharma-jn'a

> > bhâryodhâ sadris'î na vâ

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Lord said; api - whether; brahman - O brâhmana; guru-kulât - from the spiritual master's school; bhavatâ - by your good self; labdha - having received; dakshinât - remuneration; samâvrittena - returned; dharma - of religious principles; jn'a - O knower; bhâryâ - a wife; ûdhâ - married; sadris'î - suitable; na - not; vâ - or.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Lord said: My dear brâhmana, you know well the ways of dharma. After you offered the gift of remuneration to our guru and returned home from his school, did you marry a compatible wife or not?

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > prâyo griheshu te cittam

> > akâma-vihitam tathâ

> > naivâti-prîyase vidvan

> > dhaneshu viditam hi me

> > prâyah - for the most part; griheshu - in household affairs; te - your; cittam - mind; akâma-vihitam - uninfluenced by material desires; tathâ - also; na - not; eva - indeed; ati - very much; prîyase - you take pleasure; vidvan - O wise one; dhaneshu - in the pursuit of material wealth; viditam - it is known; hi - indeed; me - by Me.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Even though you are mostly involved in household affairs, your mind is not affected by material desires. Nor, O learned one, do you take much pleasure in the pursuit of material wealth. This I am well aware of.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > kecit kurvanti karmâni

> > kâmair ahata-cetasah

> > tyajantah prakritîr daivîr

> > yathâham loka-sangraham

> > kecit - some people; kurvanti - execute; karmâni - worldly duties; kâmaih - by desires; ahata - undisturbed; cetasah - whose minds; tyayantah - giving up; prakritîh - propensities; daivîh - created by the Supreme Lord's material energy; yathâ - as; aham - I; loka-sangraham - to instruct the people in general.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Having renounced all material propensities, which spring from the Lord's illusory energy, some people execute worldly duties with their minds undisturbed by mundane desires. They act as I do, to instruct the general populace.

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > kaccid guru-kule vâsam

> > brahman smarasi nau yatah

> > dvijo vijn'âya vijn'eyam

> > tamasah pâram as'nute

> > kaccit - whether; guru-kule - in the spiritual master's school; vâsam - residence; brahman - O brâhmana; smarasi - you remember; nau - our; yatah - from which (spiritual master); dvijah - a twice-born person; vijn'âya - understanding; vijn'eyam - what needs to be known; tamasah - of ignorance; pâram - the transcending; as'nute - experiences.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear brâhmana, do you remember how we lived together in our spiritual master's school? When a twice-born student has learned from his guru all that is to be learned, he can enjoy spiritual life, which lies beyond all ignorance.

> > ******

> > TEXT 32

> > sa vai sat-karmanâm sâkshâd

> > dvijâter iha sambhavah

> > âdyo 'nga yatrâs'raminâm

> > yathâham jn'âna-do guruh

> > sah - he; vai - indeed; sat - sanctified; karmanâm - of duties; sâkshât - directly; dvi-jâteh - of one who has been twice born; iha - in this material life; sambhavah - birth; âdyah - first; anga - My dear friend; yatra - through whom; âs'raminâm - for the members of all the spiritual orders of society; yathâ - as; aham - Myself; jn'âna - of divine knowledge; dah - the bestower; guruh - spiritual master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear friend, he who gives a person his physical birth is his first spiritual master, and he who initiates him as a twice-born brâhmana and engages him in religious duties is indeed more directly his spiritual master. But the person who bestows transcendental knowledge upon the members of all the spiritual orders of society is one's ultimate spiritual master. Indeed, he is as good as My own self.

> > ******

> > TEXT 33

> > nanv artha-kovidâ brahman

> > varnâs'rama-vatâm iha

> > ye mayâ gurunâ vâcâ

> > taranty an'jo bhavârnavam

> > nanu - certainly; artha - of their true welfare; kovidâh - expert knowers; brahman - O brâhmana; varnâs'rama-vatâm - among those engaged in the varnâs'rama system; iha - in this world; ye - who; mayâ - by Me; gurunâ - as the spiritual master; vâcâ - through his words; taranti - cross beyond; an'jah - easily; bhava - of material life; arnavam - the ocean.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Certainly, O brâhmana, of all the followers of the varnâs'rama system, those who take advantage of the words I speak in My form as the spiritual master and thus easily cross over the ocean of material existence best understand their own true welfare.

> > ******

> > TEXT 34

> > nâham ijyâ-prajâtibhyâm

> > tapasopas'amena vâ

> > tushyeyam sarva-bhûtâtmâ

> > guru-s'us'rûshayâ yathâ

> > na - not; aham - I; ijyâ - by ritual worship; prajâtibhyâm - the higher birth of brâhmana initiation; tapasâ - by austerity; upas'amena - by self-control; vâ - or; tushyeyam - can be satisfied; sarva - of all; bhûta - beings; âtmâ - the Soul; guru - to one's spiritual master; s'us'rûshayâ - by faithful service; yathâ - as.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I, the Soul of all beings, am not as satisfied by ritual worship, brahminical initiation, penances or self-discipline as I am by faithful service rendered to one's spiritual master.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 35 - 36

> > api nah smaryate brahman

> > vrittam nivasatâm gurau

> > guru-dârais' coditânâm

> > indhanânayane kvacit

> > pravishthânâm mahâranyam

> > apartau su-mahad dvija

> > vâta-varsham abhût tîvram

> > nishthhurâh stanayitnavah

> > api - whether; nah - of us; smaryate - are remembered; brahman - O brâhmana; vrittam - what we did; nivasatâm - who were living; gurau - with our spiritual master; guru - of our guru; dâraih - by the wife; coditânâm - who were sent; indhana - firewood; anayane - for fetching; kvacit - once;

> > pravishthânâm - having entered; mahâ-aranyam - the large forest; apa-ritau - unseasonal; su-mahat - very great; dvija - O twice-born one; vâta - wind; varsham - and rain; abhût - arose; tîvram - fierce; nishthhurâh - harsh; stanayitnavah - thundering.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O brâhmana, do you remember what happened to us while we were living with our spiritual master? Once our guru's wife sent us to fetch firewood, and after we entered the vast forest, O twice-born one, an unseasonal storm arose, with fierce wind and rain and harsh thunder.

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > sûryas' câstam gatas tâvat

> > tamasâ câvritâ dis'ah

> > nimnam kûlam jala-mayam

> > na prâjn'âyata kin'cana

> > sûryah - the sun; ca - and; astam gatah - having set; tâvat - thereupon; tamasâ - by darkness; ca - and; âvritâh - covered; dis'ah - all the directions; nimnam - low; kûlam - high land; jala-mayam - with water all around; na prâjn'âyata - could not be recognized; kin'cana - any.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Then, as the sun set, the forest was covered by darkness in every direction, and with all the flooding we could not distinguish high land from low.

> > ******

> > TEXT 38

> > vayam bhris'am tatra mahânilâmbubhir

> > nihanyamânâ mahur ambu-samplave

> > dis'o 'vidanto 'tha parasparam vane

> > grihîta-hastâh paribabhrimâturâh

> > vayam - we; bhris'am - thoroughly; tatra - there; mahâ - great; anila - by the wind; ambubhih - and water; nihanyamânâh - beset; muhuh - continuously; ambu- samplave - in the flooding; dis'ah - the directions; avidantah - unable to discern; atha - then; parasparam - each other's; vane - in the forest; grihîta - holding; hastâh - hands; paribabhrima - we wandered; âturâh - distressed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Constantly besieged by the powerful wind and rain, we lost our way amidst the flooding waters. We simply held each other's hands and, in great distress, wandered aimlessly about the forest.

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > etad viditvâ udite

> > ravau sândîpanir guruh

> > anveshamâno nah s'ishyân

> > âcâryo 'pas'yad âturân

> > etat - this; viditvâ - knowing; udite - when it rose; ravau - the sun; sândîpanih - Sândîpani; guruh - our spiritual master; anveshamânah - searching; nah - for us; s'ishyân - his disciples; âcâryah - our teacher; apas'yat - saw; âturân - who were distressed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Our guru, Sândîpani, understanding our predicament, set out after sunrise to search for us, his disciples, and found us in distress.

> > ******

> > TEXT 40

> > aho he putrakâ yûyam

> > asmad-arthe 'ti-duhkhitâh

> > âtmâ vai prâninâm preshthhas

> > tam anâdritya mat-parâh

> > aho - ah; he putrakah - O children; yûyam - you; asmat - our; arthe - for the sake; ati - extremely; duhkhitâh - have suffered; âtmâ - the body; vai - indeed; prâninâm - for all living beings; preshthhah - the most dear; tam - that; anâdritya - disregarding; mat - to me; parâh - dedicated.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Sândîpani said:] O my children, you have suffered so much for my sake! The body is most dear to every living creature, but you are so dedicated to me that you completely disregarded your own comfort.

> > ******

> > TEXT 41

> > etad eva hi sac-chishyaih

> > kartavyam guru-nishkritam

> > yad vai vis'uddha-bhâvena

> > sarvârthâtmârpanam gurau

> > etat - this; eva - alone; hi - certainly; sat - true; s'ishyaih - by disciples; kartavyam - to be done; guru - to the spiritual master; nishkritam - repayment of one's debt; yat - which; vai - indeed; vis'uddha - completely pure; bhâvena - with an attitude; sarva - of all; artha - assets; âtmâ - and one's body; arpanam - the offering; gurau - to one's spiritual master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This indeed is the duty of all true disciples: to repay the debt to their spiritual master by offering him, with pure hearts, their wealth and even their very lives.

> > ******

> > TEXT 42

> > tushtho 'ham bho dvija-s'reshthhâh

> > satyâh santu manorathâh

> > chandâmsy ayâta-yâmâni

> > bhavantv iha paratra ca

> > tushthah - satisfied; aham - I am; bho - my dear ones; dvija - of brâhmanas; s'reshthhâh - O best; satyâh - fulfilled; santu - may they be; manah-rathâh - your desires; chandâmsi - Vedic mantras; ayâta-yâmâni - never growing old; bhavantu - may they be; iha - in this world; paratra - in the next world; ca - and.

> > TRANSLATION

> > You boys are first-class brâhmanas, and I am satisfied with you. May all your desires be fulfilled, and may the Vedic mantras you have learned never lose their meaning for you, in this world or the next.

> > PURPORT

> > Cooked food left sitting for three hours is called yâta-yâma, indicating that it has lost its taste, and similarly if a devotee does not remain fixed in Krishna consciousness, the transcendental knowledge that once inspired him on the spiritual path will lose its "taste," or meaning, for him. Thus Sândîpani Muni blesses his disciples that the Vedic mantras, which reveal the Absolute Truth, will never lose their meaning for them but will remain ever fresh in their minds.

> > ******

> > TEXT 43

> > ittham-vidhâny anekâni

> > vasatâm guru-ves'mani

> > guror anugrahenaiva

> > pumân pûrnah pras'ântaye

> > ittham-vidhâni - like this; anekâni - many things; vasatâm - by us who were living; guru - of our spiritual master; ves'mani - in the home; guroh - of the spiritual master; anugrahena - by the mercy; eva - simply; pumân - a person; pûrnah - fulfilled; pras'ântaye - for attaining total peace.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Lord Krishna continued:] We had many similar experiences while living in our spiritual master's home. Simply by the grace of the spiritual master a person can fulfill life's purpose and attain eternal peace.

> > ******

> > TEXT 44

> > s'rî-brâhmana uvâca

> > kim asmâbhir anirvrittam

> > deva-deva jagad-guro

> > bhavatâ satya-kâmena

> > yeshâm vâso guror abhût

> > s'rî-brâhmanah uvâca - the brâhmana said; kim - what; asmâbhih - by us; anirvrittam - not achieved; deva-deva - O Lord of lords; jagat - of the universe; guro - O spiritual master; bhavatâ - with You; satya - fulfilled; kâmena - all whose desires; yeshâm - whose; vâsah - residence; guroh - at the home of the spiritual master; abhût - was.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The brâhmana said: What could I possibly have failed to achieve, O Lord of lords, O universal teacher, since I was able to personally live with You, whose every desire is fulfilled, at the home of our spiritual master?

> > ******

> > TEXT 45

> > yasya cchando-mayam brahma

> > deha âvapanam vibho

> > s'reyasâm tasya gurushu

> > vâso 'tyanta-vidambanam

> > yasya - whose; chandah - the Vedas; mayam - consisting of; brahma - the Absolute Truth; dehe - within the body; âvapanam - the sowing field; vibho - O almighty Lord; s'reyasâm - of auspicious goals; tasya - His; gurushu - with spiritual masters; vâsah - residence; atyanta - extreme; vidambanam - pretense.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O almighty Lord, Your body comprises the Absolute Truth in the form of the Vedas and is thus the source of all auspicious goals of life. That You took up residence at the school of a spiritual master is simply one of Your pastimes in which You play the role of a human being.

> > Back to the running text