> > 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 Sixty-four: The Deliverance of King Nriga

> > SB 10.64 Summary

> > This chapter describes how S'rî Krishna released King Nriga from a curse and instructed the royal order on the great danger of taking a brâhmana's property.

> > One day Sâmba and other young boys of the Yâdava dynasty went to the forest to play, and after playing for a long time they became very thirsty and began looking for water. Inside a dry well they found an amazing creature: a huge lizard resembling a hill. The boys felt sorry for it and tried to pull it out. But after several attempts with leather thongs and ropes, they saw that they would not be able to rescue the creature, and thus they went to Lord Krishna and told Him what had happened. The Lord accompanied them to the well and, extending His left hand, easily lifted the lizard out. By the touch of Lord Krishna's hand the creature transformed at once into a demigod. Then Lord Krishna asked, "Who are you, and how did you assume such a lowly form?

> > The divine being replied, "My name was King Nriga, son of Ikshvâku, and I was famous for giving charity. Indeed, I gave away countless cows to numerous brâhmanas. But on one occasion a cow belonging to a first-class brâhmana wandered into my herd. Unaware of this, I gave this cow in charity to a different brâhmana. When the cow's previous owner saw the second brâhmana taking this cow away, the first brâhmana claimed the cow as his and began arguing with the second brâhmana. After quarreling for some time they approached me, and I implored them to each take one hundred thousand cows in exchange for that one cow, and to please forgive me for the offense I had unknowingly committed. But neither brâhmana would accept my proposal, and the matter remained unsettled.

> > "Shortly thereafter I died and was taken by the Yamadûtas to the court of Yamarâja. Yama asked me which I preferred to do first: suffer the results of my sins or enjoy the results of my pious acts. I decided to suffer my sinful reactions first, and thus I assumed the body of a lizard."

> > After King Nriga had told his story, he offered prayers to Lord Krishna and then mounted a celestial airplane, which transported him to heaven.

> > Lord Krishna then instructed His personal associates, as well as the general mass of people, on the dangers of stealing a brâhmana 's property. Finally, the Lord returned to His palace.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.1

> > TEXT 1

> > s'rî-bâdarâyanir uvâca

> > ekadopavanam râjan

> > jagmur yadu-kumârakâh

> > vihartum sâmba-pradyumna

> > câru-bhânu-gadâdayah

> > s'rî-bâdarâyanih - the son of Badarâyana (S'ukadeva Gosvâmî); uvâca - said; ekadâ - one day; upavanam - to a small forest; râjan - O King (Parîkchit); jagmuh - went; yadu-kumârakâh - boys of the Yadu dynasty; vihartum - to play; sâmba-pradyumna-câru-bhânu-gada-âdayah - Sâmba, Pradyumna, Câru, Bhânu, Gada and others.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Bâdarâyani said: O King, one day Sâmba, Pradyumna, Câru, Bhânu, Gada and other young boys of the Yadu dynasty went to a small forest to play.

> > PURPORT

> > S'rîla S'rîdhara Svâmî states that the story of King Nriga, narrated in this chapter, is meant to give sober instructions to all proud kings. Through this incident Lord Krishna also gave serious lessons to the members of His own family who had become proud of their opulences.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.2

> > TEXT 2

> > krîditvâ su-ciram tatra

> > vicinvantah pipâsitâh

> > jalam nirudake kûpe

> > dadris'uh sattvam adbhutam

> > krîditvâ - after playing; su-ciram - for a long time; tatra - there; vicinvantah - looking for; pipâsitâh - thirsty; jalam - water; nirudake - waterless; kûpe - in a well; dadris'uh - they saw; sattvam - a creature; adbhutam - amazing.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After playing for a long time, they became thirsty. As they searched for water, they looked inside a dry well and saw a peculiar creature.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.3

> > TEXT 3

> > krikalâsam giri-nibham

> > vîkshya vismita-mânasâh

> > tasya coddharane yatnam

> > cakrus te kripayânvitâh

> > krikalâsam - a lizard; giri - a mountain; nibham - resembling; vîkshya - looking at; vismita - astonished; mânasâh - whose minds; tasya - of it; ca - and; uddharane - in the lifting up; yatnam - effort; cakruh - made; te - they; kripayâ anvitâh - feeling compassion.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The boys were astonished to behold this creature, a lizard who looked like a hill. They felt sorry for it and tried to lift it out of the well.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.4

> > TEXT 4

> > carma-jais tântavaih pâs'air

> > baddhvâ patitam arbhakâh

> > nâs'aknuran samuddhartum

> > krishnâyâcakhyur utsukâh

> > carma-jaih - made of leather; tântavaih - and made of spun thread; pâs'aih - with ropes; baddhvâ - attaching; patitam - the fallen creature; arbhakâh - the boys; na as'aknuran - they were not able; samuddhartum - to lift out; krishnâya - to Lord Krishna; âcakhyuh - they reported; utsukâh - excitedly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > They caught on to the trapped lizard with leather thongs and then with woven ropes, but still they could not lift it out. So they went to Lord Krishna and excitedly told Him about the creature.

> > PURPORT

> > S'rîla Jîva Gosvâmî explains that because in this chapter the Yadu boys, even S'rî Pradyumna, are described as quite young, this must be an early pastime.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.5

> > TEXT 5

> > tatrâgatyâravindâksho

> > bhagavân vis'va-bhâvanah

> > vîkshyojjahâra vâmena

> > tam karena sa lîlayâ

> > tatra - there; âgatya - going; aravinda-akshah - lotus-eyed; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; vis'va - of the universe; bhâvanah - the maintainer; vîkshya - seeing; ujjahâra - picked up; vâmena - left; tam - it; karena - with His hand; sah - He; lîlayâ - easily.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, maintainer of the universe, went to the well and saw the lizard. Then with His left hand He easily lifted it out.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.6

> > TEXT 6

> > sa uttamah-s'loka-karâbhimrishtho

> > vihâya sadyah krikalâsa-rûpam

> > santapta-câmîkara-câru-varnah

> > svargy adbhutâlankaranâmbara-srak

> > sah - it; uttamah-s'loka - of the glorious Lord; kara - by the hand; abhimrishthah - touched; vihâya - giving up; sadyah - immediately; krikalâsa - of a lizard; rûpam - the form; santapta - molten; câmîkara - of gold; caru - beautiful; varnah - whose complexion; svargî - a resident of heaven; adbhuta - amazing; alankarana - whose ornaments; ambara - clothing; srak - and garlands.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Touched by the hand of the glorious Supreme Lord, the being at once gave up its lizard form and assumed that of a resident of heaven. His complexion was beautifully colored like molten gold, and he was adorned with wonderful ornaments, clothes and garlands.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.7

> > TEXT 7

> > papraccha vidvân api tan-nidânam

> > janeshu vikhyâpayitum mukundah

> > kas tvam mahâ-bhâga varenya-rûpo

> > devottamam tvâm ganayâmi nûnam

> > papraccha - He asked; vidvân - well aware; api - although; tat - of this; nidânam - the cause; janeshu - among people in general; vikhyâpayitum - to make it known; mukundah - Lord Krishna; kah - who; tvam - you; mahâ-bhâga - O fortunate one; varenya - excellent; rûpah - whose form; deva-uttamam - an exalted demigod; tvâm - You; ganayâmi - I should consider; nûnam - certainly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Krishna understood the situation, but to inform people in general He inquired as follows: "Who are you, O greatly fortunate one? Seeing your excellent form, I think you must surely be an exalted demigod.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.8

> > TEXT 8

> > das'âm imâm vâ katamena karmanâ

> > samprâpito 'sy atad-arhah su-bhadra

> > âtmânam âkhyâhi vivitsatâm no

> > yan manyase nah kshamam atra vaktum

> > das'âm - condition; imâm - to this; vâ - and; katamena - by what; karmanâ - action; samprâpitah - brought; asi - you are; atat-arhah - not deserving it; su-bhadra - O good soul; âtmânam - yourself; âkhyâhi - please explain; vivitsatâm - who are eager to know; nah - to us; yat - if; manyase - you think; nah - to us; kshamam - proper; atra - here; vaktum - to speak.

> > TRANSLATION

> > "By what past activity were you brought to this condition? It seems you did not deserve such a fate, O good soul. We are eager to know about you, so please inform us about yourself - if, that is, you think this the proper time and place to tell us."

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.9

> > TEXT 9

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > iti sma râjâ samprishthah

> > krishnenânanta-mûrtinâ

> > mâdhavam pranipatyâha

> > kirîthenârka-varcasâ

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti - thus; sma - indeed; râjâ - the King; samprishthah - questioned; krishnena - by Lord Krishna; ananta - unlimited; mûrtinâ - whose forms; mâdhavam - to Him, Lord Mâdhava; pranipatya - bowing down; âha - he spoke; kirîthena - with his helmet; arka - like the sun; varcasa - whose brilliance.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Thus questioned by Krishna, whose forms are unlimited, the King, his helmet as dazzling as the sun, bowed down to Lord Mâdhava and replied as follows.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.10

> > TEXT 10

> > nriga uvâca

> > nrigo nâma narendro 'ham

> > ikshvâku-tanayah prabho

> > dânishv âkhyâyamâneshu

> > yadi te karnam aspris'am

> > nrigah uvâca - King Nriga said; nrigah nâma - named Nriga; nara-indrah - a ruler of men; aham - I; ikshvâku-tanayah - a son of Ikshvâku; prabho - O Lord; dânishu - among men of charity; âkhyâyamâneshu - when being enumerated; yadi - perhaps; te - Your; karnam - ear; aspris'am - I have touched.

> > TRANSLATION

> > King Nriga said: I am a king known as Nriga, the son of Ikshvâku. Perhaps, Lord, You have heard of me when lists of charitable men were recited.

> > PURPORT

> > The âcâryas point out here that although a tentative expression is used - "perhaps You have heard of me" - the implication is that there is no doubt.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.11

> > TEXT 11

> > kim nu te 'viditam nâtha

> > sarva-bhûtâtma-sâkshinah

> > kâlenâvyâhata-dris'o

> > vakshye 'thâpi tavâjn'ayâ

> > kim - what; nu - indeed: te - to You; aviditam - unknown; nâtha - O master; sarva - of all; bhûta - beings; âtma - of the intelligence; sâkshinah - to the witness; kâlena - by time; avyâhata - undisturbed; dris'ah - whose vision; vakshye - I will speak; atha api - nevertheless; tava - Your; âjn'ayâ - by the order.

> > TRANSLATION

> > What could possibly be unknown to You, O master? With vision undisturbed by time, You witness the minds of all living beings. Nevertheless, on Your order I will speak.

> > PURPORT

> > Since the Lord knows everything, there is no need to inform Him about anything. Still, to fulfill the Lord's purpose King Nriga will speak.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.12

> > TEXT 12

> > yâvatyah sikatâ bhûmer

> > yâvatyo divi târakâh

> > yâvatyo varsha-dhârâs' ca

> > tâvatîr adadam sma gâh

> > yâvatyah - as many; sikatâh - grains of sand; bhûmeh - belonging to the earth; yâvatyah - as many; divi - in the sky; târakâh - stars; yâvatyah - as many; varsha - of a rainfall; dhârâh - drops; ca - and; tâvatîh - that many; adadam - I gave; sma - indeed; gâh - cows.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I gave in charity as many cows as there are grains of sand on the earth, stars in the heavens, or drops in a rain shower.

> > PURPORT

> > The idea here is that the King gave innumerable cows in charity.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.13

> > TEXT 13

> > payasvinîs tarunîh s'îla-rûpa-

> > gunopapannâh kapilâ hema-sringîh

> > nyâyârjitâ rûpya-khurâh sa-vatsâ

> > dukûla-mâlâbharanâ dadâv aham

> > payah-vinîh - having milk; tarunîh - young; s'îla - with good behavior; rûpa - beauty; guna - and other qualities; upapannâh - endowed; kapilâh - brown; hema - gold; s'ringîh - with horns; nyâya - fairly; arjitâh - earned; rûpya - silver; khurâh - with hooves; sa-vatsâh - together with their calves; dukûla - fine cloth; mâlâ - with garlands; âbharanâh - adorned; dadau - gave; aham - I.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Young, brown, milk-laden cows, who were well behaved, beautiful and endowed with good qualities, who were all acquired honestly, and who had gilded horns, silver-plated hooves and decorations of fine ornamental cloths and garlands - such were the cows, along with their calves, that I gave in charity.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.14-15

> > TEXTS 14 - 15

> > sv-alankritebhyo guna-s'îlavadbhyah

> > sîdat-kuthumbebhya rita-vratebhyah

> > tapah-s'ruta-brahma-vadânya-sadbhyah

> > prâdâm yuvabhyo dvija-pungavebhyah

> > go-bhû-hiranyâyatanâs'va-hastinah

> > kanyâh sa-dâsîs tila-rûpya-s'ayyâh

> > vâsâmsi ratnâni paricchadân rathân

> > ishtham ca yajn'ais' caritam ca pûrtam

> > su - well; alankritebhyah - who were ornamented; guna - good qualities; s'îla - and character; vadbhyah - who possessed; sîdat - distressed; kuthumbebhyah - whose families; rita - to truth; vratebhyah - dedicated; tapah - for austerity; s'ruta - well known; brahma - in the Vedas; vadânya - vastly learned; sadbhyah - saintly; prâdâm - I gave; yuvabhyah - who were young; dvija - to brâhmanas; pum-gavebhyah - most exceptional; go - cows; bhû - land; hiranya - gold; âyatana - houses; as'va - horses; hastinah - and elephants; kanyâh - marriageable daughters; sa - with; dâsîh - maidservants; tila - sesame; rûpya - silver; s'ayyâh - and beds; vâsâmsi - clothing; ratnâni - jewels; paricchadân - furniture; rathân - chariots; ishtham - worship executed; ca - and; yajn'aih - by Vedic fire sacrifices; caritam - done; ca - and; pûrtam - pious works.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I first honored the brâhmanas who were recipients of my charity by decorating them with fine ornaments. Those most exalted brâhmanas, whose families were in need, were young and possessed of excellent character and qualities. They were dedicated to truth, famous for their austerity, vastly learned in the Vedic scriptures and saintly in their behavior. I gave them cows, land, gold and houses, along with horses, elephants and marriageable girls with maidservants, as well as sesame, silver, fine beds, clothing, jewels, furniture and chariots. In addition, I performed Vedic sacrifices and executed various pious welfare activities.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.16

> > TEXT 16

> > kasyacid dvija-mukhyasya

> > bhrashthâ gaur mama go-dhane

> > sampriktâvidushâ sâ ca

> > mayâ dattâ dvijâtaye

> > kasyacit - of a certain; dvija - brâhmana; mukhyasya - first class; bhrashthâ - lost; gauh - a cow; mama - my; go-dhane - in the herd; sampriktâ - becoming mixed; avidushâ - who was unaware; sâ - she; ca - and; mayâ - by me; dattâ - given; dvi- jâtaye - to (another) brâhmana.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Once a cow belonging to a certain first-class brâhmana wandered away and entered my herd. Unaware of this, I gave that cow in charity to a different brâhmana.

> > PURPORT

> > S'rîla S'rîdhara Svâmî explains that the term dvija-mukhya, "first-class brâhmana,'' here indicates a brâhmana who has stopped accepting charity and would thus refuse to accept even one hundred thousand cows in exchange for the cow that had been improperly given away.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.17

> > TEXT 17

> > tâm nîyamânâm tat-svâmî

> > drishthrovâca mameti tam

> > mameti parigrâhy âha

> > nrigo me dattavân iti

> > tâm - she, the cow; nîyamânâm - being led away; tat - her; svâmî - master; drishthvâ - seeing; uvâca - said; mama - mine; iti - thus; tam - to him; mama - mine; iti - thus; parigrâhî - he who had accepted the gift; âha - said; nrigah - King Nriga; me - to me; dattavân - gave; iti - thus.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the cow's first owner saw her being led away, he said, "She is mine!" The second brâhmana, who had accepted her as a gift, replied, "No, she's mine! Nriga gave her to me."

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.18

> > TEXT 18

> > viprau vivadamânau mâm

> > ûcatuh svârtha-sâdhakau

> > bhavân dâtâpaharteti

> > tac chrutvâ me 'bhavad bhramah

> > viprau - the two brâhmanas; vivadamânau - arguing; mâm - to me; ûcatuh - said; sva - their own; artha - interest; sâdhakau - fulfilling; bhavân - you, sir; dâtâ - giver; apahartâ - taker; iti - thus; tat - this; s'rutvâ - hearing; me - my; abhavat - there arose; bhramah - consternation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As the two brâhmanas argued, each trying to fulfill his own purpose, they came to me. One of them said, "You gave me this cow," and the other said, "But you stole her from me." Hearing this, I was bewildered.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.19-20

> > TEXTS 19 - 20

> > anunîtâv ubhau viprau

> > dharma-kricchra-gatena vai

> > gavâm laksham prakrishthânâm

> > dâsyâmy eshâ pradîyatâm

> > bhavantâv anugrihnîtâm

> > kinkarasyâvijânatah

> > samuddharatam mâm kricchrât

> > patantam niraye 's'ucau

> > anunîtau - humbly requested; ubhau - both; viprau - the two brâhmanas; dharma - of religious duty; kricchra - a difficult situation; gatena - by (me) who was in; vai - indeed; gavâm - of cows; laksham - a lakh (one hundred thousand); prakrishthânâm - best quality; dâsyâmi - I will give; eshâ - this one; pradîyatâm - please give; bhavantau - the two of you; anugrihnîtâm - should please show mercy; kinkarasya - to your servant; avijânatah - who was unaware; samuddharatam - please save; mâm - me; kricchrât - from danger; patantam - falling; niraye - into hell; as'ucau - unclean.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Finding myself in a terrible dilemma concerning my duty in the situation, I humbly entreated both the brâhmanas: "I will give one hundred thousand of the best cows in exchange for this one. Please give her back to me. Your good selves should be merciful to me, your servant. I did not know what I was doing. Please save me from this difficult situation, or I'll surely fall into a filthy hell."

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.21

> > TEXT 21

> > nâham pratîcche vai râjann

> > ity uktvâ svâmy apâkramat

> > nânyad gavâm apy ayutam

> > icchâmîty aparo yayau

> > na - not; aham - I; pratîcche - want; vai - indeed; râjan - O King; iti - thus; uktvâ - saying; svâmî - the owner; apâkramat - went away; na - not; anyat - in addition; gavâm - of cows; api - even; ayutam - ten thousand; icchâmi - I want; iti - thus saying; aparah - the other (brâhmana); yayau - left.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The present owner of the cow said, "I don't want anything in exchange for this cow, O King," and went away. The other brâhmana declared, "I don't want even ten thousand more cows [than you are offering]," and he too went away.

> > PURPORT

> > In Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, S'rîla Prabhupâda comments, "Thus disagreeing with the King's proposal, both brâhmanas left the palace in anger, thinking that their lawful position had been usurped."

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.22

> > TEXT 22

> > etasminn antare yâmair

> > dûtair nîto yama-kshayam

> > yamena prishthas tatrâham

> > deva-deva jagat-pate

> > etasmin - at this; antare - opportunity; yâmaih - of Yamarâja, the lord of death; dûtaih - by the messengers; nîtah - taken; yama-kshayam - to the abode of Yamarâja; yamena - by Yamarâja; prishthah - questioned; tatra - there; aham - I; deva- deva - O Lord of lords; jagat - of the universe; pate - O master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Lord of lords, O master of the universe, the agents of Yamarâja, taking advantage of the opportunity thus created, later carried me to his abode. There Yamarâja himself questioned me.

> > PURPORT

> > According to the âcâryas, the King's performance of fruitive activities had previously been flawless. But now an inadvertent discrepancy had arisen, and so when the King died the Yamadûtas took him to the abode of Yamarâja, called Samyamanî.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.23

> > TEXT 23

> > pûrvam tvam as'ubham bhunksha

> > utâho nripate s'ubham

> > nântam dânasya dharmasya

> > pas'ye lokasya bhâsvatah

> > pûrvam - first; tvam - you; as'ubham - impious reactions; bhunkshe - wish to experience; uta âha u - or else; nri-pate - O King; s'ubham - pious reactions; na - not; antam - the end; dânasya - of charity; dharmasya - religious; pas'ye - I see; lokasya - of the world; bhâsvatah - shining.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Yamarâja said:] My dear King, do you wish to experience the results of your sins first, or those of your piety? Indeed, I see no end to the dutiful charity you have performed, or to your consequent enjoyment in the radiant heavenly planets.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.24

> > TEXT 24

> > pûrvam devâs'ubham bhun'ja

> > iti prâha pateti sah

> > tâvad adrâksham âtmânam

> > krikalâsam patan prabho

> > pûrvam - first; deva - O lord; as'ubham - the sinful reactions; bhun'je - I will experience; iti - thus saying; prâha - said; pata - fall; iti - thus; sah - he; tâvat - just then; adrâksham - I saw; âtmânam - myself; krikalâsam - a lizard; patan - falling; prabho - O master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I replied, "First, my lord, let me suffer my sinful reactions," and Yamarâja said, "Then fall!" "At once I fell, and while falling I saw myself becoming a lizard, O master.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.25

> > TEXT 25

> > brahmanyasya vadânyasya

> > tava dâsasya kes'ava

> > smritir nâdyâpi vidhvastâ

> > bhavat-sandars'anârthinah

> > brahmanyasya - who was devoted to the brâhmanas; vadânyasya - who was generous; tava - Your; dâsasya - of the servant; kes'ava - O Krishna; smritih - the memory; na - not; adya - today; api - even; vidhvastâ - lost; bhavat - Your; sandars'ana - audience; arthinah - who hankered for.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Kes'ava, as Your servant I was devoted to the brâhmanas and generous to them, and I always hankered for Your audience. Therefore even till now I have never forgotten [my past life].

> > PURPORT

> > S'rîla Jîva Gosvâmî comments on this verse as follows: "Since King Nriga openly declared that he had two outstanding qualities - namely devotion to the brâhmanas, and generosity - it is clear that he possessed these qualities only partially, since someone who is truly pure would not boast about them. It is also clear that King Nriga considered such piety to be a separate goal, desirable for its own sake. Thus he did not fully appreciate pure devotional service to Lord Krishna. Krishna had not been the only goal of Nriga's life, as He was for Ambarîsha Mahârâja, even in the stage of regulative practice. Nor do we find that King Nriga overcame obstacles like those Ambarîsha did when Durvâsâ Muni became angry at him. Still, we can conclude that since Nriga was able to see the Lord for some reason or another, he must have had the good quality of sincerely desiring the Lord's association."

> > S'rîla Prabhupâda confirms the above analysis in Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead: "On the whole, [Nriga] had not developed Krishna consciousness. The Krishna conscious person develops love of God, Krishna, not love for pious or impious activities; therefore he is not subjected to the results of such action. As stated in the Brahma-samhitâ, a devotee, by the grace of the Lord, does not become subjected to the resultant reactions of fruitive activities."

> > S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî offers the following commentary: "When Nriga mentioned 'one who hankered to have Your audience,' he was referring to an incident concerning a certain great devotee King Nriga had once met. This devotee was very eager to acquire a temple for a most beautiful Deity of the Supreme Lord, and he also wanted copies of such scriptures as the Bhagavad-gîtâ and S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam. Being very generous, Nriga arranged for these things, and the devotee was so satisfied that he blessed the King: 'My dear King, may you have the audience of the Supreme Lord.' From that time on, Nriga desired to see the Lord."

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.26

> > TEXT 26

> > sa tvam katham mama vibho 'kshi-pathah parâtmâ

> > yoges'varah s'ruti-dris'âmala-hrid-vibhâvyah

> > sâkshâd adhokshaja uru-vyasanândha-buddheh

> > syân me 'nudris'ya iha yasya bhavâpavargah

> > sah - He; tvam - Yourself; katham - how; mama - to me; vibho - O almighty one; akshi- pathah - visible; para-âtmâ - the Supreme Soul; yoga - of mystic yoga; îs'varaih - by masters; s'ruti - of the scriptures; dris'â - by the eye; amala - spotless; hrit - within their hearts; vibhâvyah - to be meditated upon; sâkshât - directly visible; adhokshaja - O transcendental Lord, who cannot be seen by material senses; uru - severe; vyasana - by troubles; andha - blinded; buddheh - whose intelligence; syât - it may be; me - for me; anudris'yah - to be perceived; iha - in this world; yasya - whose; bhava - of material life; apavargah - cessation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O almighty one, how is it that my eyes see You here before me? You are the Supreme Soul, whom the greatest masters of mystic yoga can meditate upon within their pure hearts only by employing the spiritual eye of the Vedas. Then how, O transcendental Lord, are You directly visible to me, since my intelligence has been blinded by the severe tribulations of material life? Only one who has finished his material entanglement in this world should be able to see You.

> > PURPORT

> > Even in the body of a lizard, King Nriga could remember his previous life. And now that he had the opportunity to see the Lord, he could understand that he had received special mercy from the Personality of Godhead.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.27-28

> > TEXTS 27 - 28

> > deva-deva jagan-nâtha

> > govinda purushottama

> > nârâyana hrishîkes'a

> > punya-s'lokâcyutâvyaya

> > anujânîhi mâm krishna

> > yântam deva-gatim prabho

> > yatra kvâpi satas' ceto

> > bhûyân me tvat-padâspadam

> > deva-deva - O Lord of lords; jagat - of the universe; nâtha - O master; go- vinda - O Lord of the cows; purusha-uttama - O Supreme Personality; nârâyana - O foundation of all living beings; hrishîkes'a - O master of the senses; punya- s'loka - O You who are glorified in transcendental poetry; acyuta - O infallible one; avyaya - O undiminishing one; anujânîhi - please give leave; mâm - to me; krishna - O Krishna; yântam - who am going; deva-gatim - to the world of the demigods; prabho - O master; yatra kva api - wherever; satah - residing; cetah - the mind; bhûyât - may it be; me - my; tvat - Your; pada - of the feet; âspadam - whose shelter.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Devadeva, Jagannâtha, Govinda, Purushottama, Nârâyana, Hrishîkes'a, Punyas'loka, Acyuta, Avyaya! O Krishna, please permit me to depart for the world of the demigods. Wherever I live, O master, may my mind always take shelter of Your feet.

> > PURPORT

> > S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî comments as follows on this verse: His faith emboldened upon receiving the Lord's mercy and thus attaining the status of servitude, King Nriga properly glorifies the Lord by chanting His names and then asks the Lord's permission to take his leave. The spirit of his prayer is as follows: "You are Devadeva, God even of the gods, and Jagannâtha, the master of the universe, so please be my master. O Govinda, please make me Your property with the same merciful glance You use to enchant the cows. You can do this because You are Purushottama, the supreme form of Godhead. O Nârâyana, since You are the foundation of the living entities, please be my support, even though I am a bad living entity. O Hrishîkes'a, please make my senses Your own. O Punyas'loka, now You have become famous as the deliverer of Nriga. O Acyuta, please never be lost to my mind. O Avyaya, You will never diminish in my mind." Thus the great Bhâgavatam commentator S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî explains the purport of these verses.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.29

> > TEXT 29

> > namas te sarva-bhâvâya

> > brahmane 'nanta-s'aktaye

> > krishnâya vâsudevâya

> > yogânâm pataye namah

> > namah - obeisances; te - to You; sarva-bhâvâya - the source of all beings; brahmane - the Supreme Absolute Truth; ananta - unlimited; s'aktaye - the possessor of potencies; krishnâya - to Krishna; vâsudevâya - the son of Vasudeva; yogânâm - of all processes of yoga; pataye - to the Lord; namah - obeisances.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I offer my repeated obeisances unto You, Krishna, the son of Vasudeva. You are the source of all beings, the Supreme Absolute Truth, the possessor of unlimited potencies, the master of all spiritual disciplines.

> > PURPORT

> > S'rîla S'rîdhara Svâmî comments that King Nriga here offers his obeisances to Brahman - that is, the Absolute Truth - who is unchanged in spite of performing activities. Since ancient times, Western philosophers have puzzled over the question of how God can be unchanging and yet perform activities. S'rîdhara Svâmî states that this doubt is answered here by the term ananta-s'aktaye, which describes the Lord as "the possessor of unlimited potency." Thus through the Lord's infinite potencies He can perform innumerable activities without changing His essential nature.

> > The King further offers his obeisances to S'rî Krishna, the possessor of the form of eternal bliss and the supreme goal of life. The holy name of Krishna is analyzed in a verse from the Mahâbhârata (Udyoga-parva 71.4), which S'rîla Prabhupâda quotes in his Caitanya-caritâmrita (Madhya 9.30, purport):

> > krishir bhû-vâcakah s'abdo

> > nas' ca nirvriti-vâcakah

> > tayor aikyam param brahma

> > krishna ity abhidhîyate

> > "The word krish is the attractive feature of the Lord's existence, and na means 'spiritual pleasure.' When the verb krish is added to na, it becomes krishna, which indicates the Absolute Truth."

> > King Nriga offers the above prayers as he is about to leave the personal association of the Supreme Lord.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.30

> > TEXT 30

> > ity uktvâ tam parikramya

> > pâdau sprishthvâ sva-maulinâ

> > anujn'âto vimânâgryam

> > âruhat pas'yatâm nrinâm

> > iti - thus; uktvâ - having spoken; tam - Him; parikramya - circumambulating; pâdau - His feet; sprishthvâ - touching; sva - with his; maulinâ - crown; anujn'âtah - given leave; vimâna - a celestial airplane; agryam - excellent; âruhat - he boarded; pas'yatâm - as they watched; nrinâm - humans.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Having spoken thus, Mahârâja Nriga circumambulated Lord Krishna and touched his crown to the Lord's feet. Granted permission to depart, King Nriga then boarded a wonderful celestial airplane as all the people present looked on.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.31

> > TEXT 31

> > krishnah parijanam prâha

> > bhagavân devakî-sutah

> > brahmanya-devo dharmâtmâ

> > râjanyân anus'ikshayan

> > krishnah - Lord Krishna; parijanam - His personal associates; prâha - addressed; bhagavân - the Supreme Personality; devakî-sutah - son of Devakî; brahmanya - devoted to the brâhmanas; devah - God; dharma - of religion; âtmâ - the soul; râjanyân - the royal class; anus'ikshayan - in effect instructing.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead - Lord Krishna, the son of Devakî - who is especially devoted to the brâhmanas and who embodies the essence of religion, then spoke to His personal associates and thus instructed the royal class in general.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.32

> > TEXT 32

> > durjaram bata brahma-svam

> > bhuktam agner manâg api

> > tejîyaso 'pi kim uta

> > râjn'âm îs'vara-mâninâm

> > durjaram - indigestible; bata - indeed; brahma - of a brâhmana; svam - the property; bhuktam - consumed; agneh - than fire; manâk - a little; api - even; tejîyasah - for one who is more intensely potent; api - even; kim uta - what then to speak of; râjn'âm - for kings; îs'vara - controllers; mâninâm - who presume themselves.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Lord Krishna said:] How indigestible is the property of a brâhmana, even when enjoyed just slightly and by one more potent than fire! What then to speak of kings who try to enjoy it, presuming themselves lords.

> > PURPORT

> > Even those made powerful by austerity, mystic yoga and so on cannot enjoy property stolen from a brâhmana, and what to speak of others.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.33

> > TEXT 33

> > nâham hâlâhalam manye

> > visham yasya pratikriyâ

> > brahma-svam hi visham proktam

> > nâsya pratividhir bhuvi

> > na - not; aham - I; hâlâhalam - the poison named hâlâhala, which Lord S'iva is famous for having drunk without toxic effects; manye - I consider; visham - poison; yasya - of which; pratikriyâ - counteraction; brahma-svam - a brâhmana's property; hi - indeed; visham - poison; proktam - called; na - not; asya - for it; pratividhih - antidote; bhuvi - in the world.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I do not consider hâlâhala to be real poison, because it has an antidote. But a brâhmana's property, when stolen, can truly be called poison, for it has no antidote in this world.

> > PURPORT

> > One who takes a brâhmana's property, thinking to enjoy it, has actually taken the most deadly poison.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.34

> > TEXT 34

> > hinasti visham attâram

> > vahnir adbhih pras'âmyati

> > kulam sa-mûlam dahati

> > brahma-svârani-pâvakah

> > hinasti - destroys; visham - poison; attâram - the one who ingests; vahnih - fire; adbhih - with water; pras'âmyati - is extinguished; kulam - one's family; sa- mûlam - to the root; dahati - burns; brahma-sva - a brâhmana's property; arani - whose kindling wood; pâvakah - the fire.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Poison kills only the person who ingests it, and an ordinary fire may be extinguished with water. But the fire generated from the kindling wood of a brâhmana's property burns the thief's entire family down to the root.

> > PURPORT

> > S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî compares the fire ignited by stealing a brâhmana's property to the fire that blazes within the cavity of an old tree. Such a fire cannot be put out even with the water of numerous rainfalls. Rather, it burns the whole tree from within, all the way down to the roots in the ground. Similarly, the fire ignited by stealing a brâhmana's property is the most deadly and should be avoided at all costs.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.35

> > TEXT 35

> > brahma-svam duranujn'âtam

> > bhuktam hanti tri-pûrusham

> > prasahya tu balâd bhuktam

> > das'a pûrvân das'âparân

> > brahma-svam - a brâhmana's property; duranujn'âtam - not given proper permission; bhuktam - enjoyed; hanti - destroys; tri - three; pûrusham - persons; prasahya - by force; tu - but; balât - resorting to external power (of the government, etc.); bhuktam - enjoyed; das'a - ten; pûrvân - previous; das'a - ten; aparân - subsequent.

> > TRANSLATION

> > If a person enjoys a brâhmana's property without receiving due permission, that property destroys three generations of his family. But if he takes it by force or gets the government or other outsiders to help him usurp it, then ten generations of his ancestors and ten generations of his descendants are all destroyed.

> > PURPORT

> > According to S'rîla S'rîdhara Svâmî, tri-pûrusha refers to oneself, one's sons and one's grandsons.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.36

> > TEXT 36

> > râjâno râja-lakshmyândhâ

> > nâtma-pâtam vicakshate

> > nirayam ye 'bhimanyante

> > brahma-svam sâdhu bâlis'âh

> > râjânah - members of the kingly class; râja - royal; lakshmyâ - by opulence; andhâh - blinded; na - do not; âtma - their own; pâtam - fall; vicakshate - foresee; nirayam - hell; ye - who; abhimanyante - hanker for; brahma-svam - a brâhmana's property; sâdhu - as appropriate; bâlis'ah - childish.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Members of the royal order, blinded by royal opulence, fail to foresee their own downfall. Childishly hankering to enjoy a brâhmana's property, they are actually hankering to go to hell.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.37-38

> > TEXTS 37 - 38

> > grihnanti yâvatah pâms'ûn

> > krandatâm as'ru-bindavah

> > viprânâm hrita-vrittînâm

> > vadânyânâm kuthumbinâm

> > râjâno râja-kulyâs' ca

> > tâvato 'bdân nirankus'âh

> > kumbhî-pâkeshu pacyante

> > brahma-dâyâpahârinah

> > grihnanti - touch; yâvatah - as many; pâms'ûn - particles of dust; krandatâm - who are crying; as'ru-bindavah - teardrops; viprânâm - of brâhmanas; hrita - taken away; vrittînâm - whose means of support; vadânyânâm - generous; kuthumbinâm - family men; râjânah - the kings; râja-kulyâh - other members of the royal families; ca - also; tâvatah - that many; abdân - years; nirankus'âh - uncontrolled; kumbhî-pâkeshu - in the hell known as Kumbhîpâka; pacyante - they are cooked; brahma-dâya - of the brâhmana's share; apahârinah - the usurpers.

> > TRANSLATION

> > For as many years as there are particles of dust touched by the tears of generous brâhmanas who have dependent families and whose property is stolen, uncontrolled kings who usurp a brâhmana's property are cooked, along with their royal families, in the hell known as Kumbhîpâka.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.39

> > TEXT 39

> > sva-dattâm para-dattâm vâ

> > brahma-vrittim harec ca yah

> > shashthi-varsha-sahasrâni

> > vishthhâyâm jâyate krimih

> > sva - by himself; dattâm - given; para - by another; dattâm - given; vâ - or; brahma- vrittim - a brâhmana's property; haret - steals; ca - and; yah - who; shashthi - sixty; varsha - of years; sahasrâni - thousands; vishthhâyâm - in feces; jâyate - is born; krimih - a worm.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Whether it be his own gift or someone else's, a person who steals a brâhmana's property will take birth as a worm in feces for sixty thousand years.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.40

> > TEXT 40

> > na me brahma-dhanam bhûyâd

> > yad gridhvâlpâyusho narâh

> > parâjitâs' cyutâ râjyâd

> > bhavanty udvejino 'hayah

> > na - not; me - to Me; brahma - of brâhmanas; dhanam - the wealth; bhûyât - may it come; yat - which; gridhvâ - desiring; alpa-âyushah - short-lived; narâh - men; parâjitâh - defeated; cyutâh - deprived; râjyât - of kingdom; bhavanti - become; udvejinah - creators of distress; ahayah - snakes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I do not desire brâhmanas' wealth. Those who lust after it become short- lived and are defeated. They lose their kingdoms and become snakes, who trouble others.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.41

> > TEXT 41

> > vipram kritâgasam api

> > naiva druhyata mâmakâh

> > ghnantam bahu s'apantam vâ

> > namas-kuruta nityas'ah

> > vipram - a learned brâhmana; krita - having committed; âgasam - sin; api - even; na - not; eva - indeed; druhyata - do not treat inimically; mâmakâh - O My followers; ghnantam - striking physically; bahu - repeatedly; s'apantam - cursing; vâ - or; namah-kuruta - you should offer obeisances; nityas'ah - always.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear followers, never treat a learned brâhmana harshly, even if he has sinned. Even if he attacks you physically or repeatedly curses you, always continue to offer him obeisances.

> > PURPORT

> > Lord Krishna offers this instruction not only to His personal associates but to all those who claim to be followers of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.42

> > TEXT 42

> > yathâham praname viprân

> > anukâlam samâhitah

> > tathâ namata yûyam ca

> > yo 'nyathâ me sa danda-bhâk

> > yathâ - as; aham - I; praname - bow down; viprân - to brâhmanas; anu-kâlam - all the time; samâhitah - carefully; tathâ - so; namata - should bow down; yûyam - all of you; ca - also; yah - one who; anyathâ - (does) otherwise; me - by Me; sah - he; danda - for punishment; bhâk - a candidate.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just us I always carefully bow down to brâhmanas, so all of you should likewise bow down to them. I will punish anyone who acts otherwise.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.43

> > TEXT 43

> > brâhmanârtho hy apahrito

> > hartâram pâtayaty adhah

> > ajânantam api hy enam

> > nrigam brâhmana-gaur iva

> > brâhmana - of a brâhmana; arthah - the property; hi - indeed; apahritah - taken away; hartâram - the taker; pâtayati - causes to fall; adhah - down; ajânantam - unaware; api - even; hi - indeed; enam - this person; nrigam - King Nriga; brâhmana - of the brâhmana; gauh - the cow; iva - as.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When a brâhmana's property is stolen, even unknowingly, it certainly causes the person who takes it to fall down, just as the brâhmana's cow did to Nriga.

> > PURPORT

> > The Lord here demonstrates that His instructions are not theoretical but practical, as seen concretely in the case of Nriga Mahârâja.

> > ******

> > SB 10.64.44

> > TEXT 44

> > evam vis'râvya bhagavân

> > mukundo dvârakaukasah

> > pâvanah sarva-lokânâm

> > vives'a nija-mandiram

> > evam - thus; vis'râvya - making hear; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; mukundah - Krishna; dvârakâ-okasah - the residents of Dvârakâ; pâvanah - the purifier; sarva - of all; lokânâm - the worlds; vives'a - He entered; nija - His; mandiram - palace.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Having thus instructed the residents of Dvârakâ, Lord Mukunda, purifier of all the worlds, entered His palace.

> > Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupâda to the Tenth Canto, Sixty-fourth Chapter, of the S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam, entitled "The Deliverance of King Nriga."

> > Back to the running text