> > Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 4
> > 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 4 Part 2

> > **************

> > Chapter Thirty-one: Nârada Instructs the Pracetâs

> > ********

> > TEXT1

> > maitreya uvâca

> > tata utpanna-vijnânâ

> > âsv adhoksaja-bhâsitam

> > smaranta âtmaje bhâryâm

> > visrjya prâvrajan grhât

> > maitreyah uvâca--Maitreya said; tatah--thereafter; utpanna--developed; vijnânâh--possessing perfect knowledge; âsu--very soon; adhoksaja--by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhâsitam--what was enunciated; smarantah--remembering; âtma je--unto their son; bhâryâm--their wife; visrjya--after giving; prâvrajan--left; grhât--from home.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great saint Maitreya continued: After that, the Pracetas lived at home for thousands of years and developed perfect knowledge in spiritual consciousness. At last they remembered the blessings of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and left home, putting their wife in charge of a perfect son.

> > ********

> > TEXT2

> > dîksitâ brahma-satrena

> > sarva-bhûtâtma-medhasâ

> > pratîcyâm disi velâyâm

> > siddho 'bhûd yatra jâjalih

> > dîksitâh--being determined; brahma-satrena--by understanding of the Supreme Spirit; sarva--all; bhûta--living entities; âtma-medhasâ--considering like one's self; pratîcyâm--in the western; disi--direction; velâyâm--on the seashore; siddhah--perfect; abhût--became; yatra--where; jâjalih--the great sage Jâjali.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Pracetas went to the seashore in the west where the great liberated sage Jajali was residing. After perfecting the spiritual knowledge by which one becomes equal toward all living entities, the Pracetas became perfect in Krsna consciousness.

> > ********

> > TEXT3

> > tân nirjita-prâna-mano-vaco-drso

> > jitâsanân sânta-samâna-vigrahân

> > pare 'male brahmani yojitâtmanah

> > surâsuredyo dadrse sma nâradah

> > tân--all of them; nirjita--completely controlled; prâna--the life air (by the prânâyâma process); manah--mind; vacah--words; drsah--and vision; jita-âsanân--who conquered the yogic asana, or sitting posture; sânta--pacified; samâna--straight; vigrahân--whose bodies; pare--transcendental; amale--free from all material contamination; brahmani--in the Supreme; yojita--engaged; âtmanah--whose minds; sura-asura-îdyah--worshiped by the demons and by the demigods; dadrse--saw; sma--in the past; nâradah--the great sage Nârada.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After practicing the yogasana for mystic yoga, the Pracetas managed to control their life air, mind, words and external vision. Thus by the pranayama process they were completely relieved of material attachment. By remaining perpendicular, they could concentrate their minds on the uppermost Brahman. While they were practicing this pranayama, the great sage Narada, who is worshiped both by demons and by demigods, came to see them.

> > ********

> > TEXT4

> > tam âgatam ta utthâya

> > pranipatyâbhinandya ca

> > pûjayitvâ yathâdesam

> > sukhâsînam athâbruvan

> > tam--to him; âgatam--appeared; te--all the Pracetâs; utthâya--after getting up; pranipatya--offering obeisances; abhinandya--offering welcome; ca--also; pûjayitvâ--worshiping; yathâ âdesam--according to regulative principles; sukha-âsînam--comfortably situated; atha--thus; abruvan--they said.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As soon as the Pracetas saw that the great sage Narada had appeared, they immediately got up even from their asanas. As required, they immediately offered obeisances and worshiped him, and when they saw that Narada Muni was properly seated, they began to ask him questions.

> > ********

> > TEXT5

> > pracetasa ûcuh

> > svâgatam te surarse 'dya

> > distyâ no darsanam gatah

> > tava cankramanam brahmann

> > abhayâya yathâ raveh

> > pracetasah ûcuh--the Pracetâs said; su-âgatam--welcome; te--unto you; sura-rse--O sage among the demigods; adya--today; distyâ--by good fortune; nah--of us; darsanam--audience; gatah--you have come; tava--your; cankramanam--movements; brahman--O great brâhmana; abhayâya--for fearlessness; yathâ--as; raveh--of the sun.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All the Pracetas began to address the great sage Narada: O great sage, O brahmana, we hope you met with no disturbances while coming here. It is due to our great fortune that we are now able to see you. By the traveling of the sun, people are relieved from the fear of the darkness of night--a fear brought about by thieves and rogues. Similarly, your traveling is like the sun's, for you drive away all kinds of fear.

> > ********

> > TEXT6

> > yad âdistam bhagavatâ

> > sivenâdhoksajena ca

> > tad grhesu prasaktânâm

> > prâyasah ksapitam prabho

> > yat--what; âdistam--was instructed; bhagavatâ--by the exalted personality; sivena--Lord Siva; adhoksajena--by Lord Visnu; ca--also; tat--that; grhesu--to family affairs; prasaktânâm--by us who were too much attached; prâyasah--almost; ksapitam--forgotten; prabho--O master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O master, may we inform you that because of our being overly attached to family affairs, we almost forgot the instructions we received from Lord Siva and Lord Visnu.

> > ********

> > TEXT7

> > tan nah pradyotayâdhyâtma-

> > jnânam tattvârtha-darsanam

> > yenânjasâ tarisyâmo

> > dustaram bhava-sâgaram

> > tat--therefore; nah--for us; pradyotaya--kindly awaken; adhyâtma--transcendental; jnânam--knowledge; tattva--Absolute Truth; artha--for the purpose of; darsanam--philosophy; yena--by which; anjasâ--easily; tarisyâmah--we can cross over; dustaram--formidable; bhava-sâgaram--the ocean of nescience.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dear master, kindly enlighten us in transcendental knowledge, which may act as a torchlight by which we may cross the dark nescience of material existence.

> > ********

> > TEXT8

> > maitreya uvâca

> > iti pracetasâm prsto

> > bhagavân nârado munih

> > bhagavaty uttama-sloka

> > âvistâtmâravîn nrpân

> > maitreyah uvâca--Maitreya said; iti--thus; pracetasâm--by the Pracetâs; prstah--being asked; bhagavân--the great devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nâradah--Nârada; munih--very thoughtful; bhagavati--in the Supreme Personality of Godhead; uttama-sloke--possessing excellent renown; âvista--absorbed; âtmâ--whose mind; abravît--replied; nrpân--to the Kings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, being thus petitioned by the Pracetas, the supreme devotee Narada, who is always absorbed in thoughts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, began to reply.

> > ********

> > TEXT9

> > nârada uvâca

> > taj janma tâni karmâni

> > tad âyus tan mano vacah

> > nrnâm yena hi visvâtmâ

> > sevyate harir îsvarah

> > nâradah uvâca--Nârada said; tat janma--that birth; tâni--those; karmâni--fruitive activities; tat--that; âyuh--span of life; tat--that; manah--mind; vacah--words; nrnâm--of human beings; yena--by which; hi--certainly; visva-âtmâ--the Supersoul; sevyate--is served; harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; îsvarah--the supreme controller.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Narada said: When a living entity is born to engage in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the supreme controller, his birth, all his fruitive activities, his life-span, his mind and his words are all factually perfect.

> > ********

> > TEXT10

> > kim janmabhis tribhir veha

> > saukra-sâvitra-yâjnikaih

> > karmabhir vâ trayî-proktaih

> > pumso 'pi vibudhâyusâ

> > kim--what is the use; janmabhih--of births; tribhih--three; vâ--or; iha--in this world; saukra--by semen; sâvitra--by initiation; yâjnikaih--by becoming a perfect brâhmana; karmabhih--by activities; vâ--or; trayî--in the Vedas; proktaih--instructed; pumsah--of a human being; api--even; vibudha--of the demigods; âyusâ--with a duration of life.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A civilized human being has three kinds of births. The first birth is by a pure father and mother, and this birth is called birth by semen. The next birth takes place when one is initiated by the spiritual master, and this birth is called savitra. The third birth, called yajnika, takes place when one is given the opportunity to worship Lord Visnu. Despite the opportunities for attaining such births, even if one gets the life-span of a demigod, if one does not actually engage in the service of the Lord, everything is useless. Similarly, one's activities may be mundane or spiritual, but they are useless if they are not meant for satisfying the Lord.

> > ********

> > TEXT11

> > srutena tapasâ vâ kim

> > vacobhis citta-vrttibhih

> > buddhyâ vâ kim nipunayâ

> > balenendriya-râdhasâ

> > srutena--by Vedic education; tapasâ--by austerities; vâ--or; kim--what is the meaning; vacobhih--by words; citta--of consciousness; vrttibhih--by the occupations; buddhyâ--by intelligence; vâ--or; kim--what is the use; nipunayâ--expert; balena--by bodily strength; indriya-râdhasâ--by power of the senses.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Without devotional service, what is the meaning of severe austerities, the process of hearing, the power of speech, the power of mental speculation, elevated intelligence, strength, and the power of the senses?

> > ********

> > TEXT12

> > kim vâ yogena sânkhyena

> > nyâsa-svâdhyâyayor api

> > kim vâ sreyobhir anyais ca

> > na yatrâtma-prado harih

> > kim--what is the use; vâ--or; yogena--by mystic yoga practice; sankhyena--by the study of Sankhya philosophy; nyâsa--by accepting sannyâsa; svâdhyâyayoh--and by study of Vedic literature; api--even; kim--what is the use; vâ--or; sreyobhih--by auspicious activities; anyaih--other; ca--and; na--never; yatra--where; âtma-pradah--full satisfaction of self; harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Transcendental practices that do not ultimately help one realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead are useless, be they mystic yoga practices, the analytical study of matter, severe austerity, the acceptance of sannyasa, or the study of Vedic literature. All these may be very important aspects of spiritual advancement, but unless one understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, all these processes are useless.

> > ********

> > TEXT13

> > sreyasâm api sarvesâm

> > âtmâ hy avadhir arthatah

> > sarvesâm api bhûtânâm

> > harir âtmâtmadah priyah

> > sreyasâm--of auspicious activities; api--certainly; sarvesâm--all; âtmâ--the self; hi--certainly; avadhih--destination; arthatah--factually; sarvesâm--of all; api--certainly; bhûtânâm--living entities; harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; âtmâ--the Supersoul; atma-dah--who can give us our original identity; priyah--very dear.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Factually the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original source of all self-realization. Consequently, the goal of all auspicious activities--karma, jnana, yoga and bhakti--is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > ********

> > TEXT14

> > yathâ taror mûla-nisecanena

> > trpyanti tat-skandha-bhujopasâkhâh

> > prânopahârâc ca yathendriyânâm

> > tathaiva sarvârhanam acyutejyâ

> > yathâ--as; taroh--of a tree; mûla--the root; nisecanena--by watering; trpyanti--are satisfied; tat--its; skandha--trunk; bhuja--branches; upasâkhâh--and twigs; prâna--the life air; upahârât--by feeding; ca--and; yathâ--as; indriyânâm--of the senses; tathâ eva--similarly; sarva--of all demigods; arhanam--worship; acyuta--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ijyâ--worship.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As pouring water on the root of a tree energizes the trunk, branches, twigs and everything else, and as supplying food to the stomach enlivens the senses and limbs of the body, simply worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead through devotional service automatically satisfies the demigods, who are parts of that Supreme Personality.

> > ********

> > TEXT15

> > yathaiva sûryât prabhavanti vârah

> > punas ca tasmin pravisanti kâle

> > bhûtâni bhûmau sthira jangamâni

> > tathâ harâv eva guna-pravâhah

> > yathâ--as; eva--certainly; sûryât--from the sun; prabhavanti--is generated; vârah--water; punah--again; ca--and; tasmin--unto it; pravisanti--enters; kâle--in due course of time; bhûtâni--all living entities; bhûmau--to the earth; sthira--not moving; jangamâni--and moving; tathâ--similarly; harau--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; eva--certainly; guna-pravâhah--emanation of material nature.

> > TRANSLATION

> > During the rainy season, water is generated from the sun, and in due course of time, during the summer season, the very same water is again absorbed by the sun. Similarly, all living entities, moving and inert, are generated from the earth, and again, after some time, they all return to the earth as dust. Similarly, everything emanates from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and in due course of time everything enters into Him again.

> > ********

> > TEXT16

> > etat padam taj jagad-âtmanah param

> > sakrd vibhâtam savitur yathâ prabhâ

> > yathâsavo jâgrati supta-saktayo

> > dravya-kriyâ jnâna-bhidâ-bhramâtyayah

> > etat--this cosmic manifestation; padam--place of habitation; tat--that; jagat-âtmanah--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; param--transcendental; sakrt--sometimes; vibhâtam--manifested; savituh--of the sun; yathâ--as; prabhâ--sunshine; yathâ--as; asavah--the senses; jâgrati--become manifest; supta--inactive; saktayah--energies; dravya--physical elements; kriyâ--activities; jnâna--knowledge; bhidâ-bhrama--differences from misunderstanding; atyayah--passing away.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just as the sunshine is nondifferent from the sun, the cosmic manifestation is also nondifferent from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Personality is therefore all-pervasive within this material creation. When the senses are active, they appear to be part and parcel of the body, but when the body is asleep, their activities are unmanifest. Similarly, the whole cosmic creation appears different and yet nondifferent from the Supreme Person.

> > ********

> > TEXT17

> > yathâ nabhasy abhra-tamah-prakâsâ

> > bhavanti bhûpâ na bhavanty anukramât

> > evam pare brahmani saktayas tv amû

> > rajas tamah sattvam iti pravâhah

> > yathâ--as; nabhasi--in the sky; abhra--clouds; tamah--darkness; prakâsâh--and illumination; bhavanti--exist; bhû-pâh--O Kings; na bhavanti--do not appear; anukramât--consecutively; evam--thus; pare--supreme; brahmani--in the Absolute; saktayah--energies; tu--then; amûh--those; rajah--passion; tamah--darkness; sattvam--goodness; iti--thus; pravâhah--emanation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Kings, sometimes in the sky there are clouds, sometimes there is darkness, and sometimes there is illumination. The appearance of all these takes place consecutively. Similarly, in the Supreme Absolute, the modes of passion, darkness and goodness appear as consecutive energies. Sometimes they appear, and sometimes they disappear.

> > ********

> > TEXT18

> > tenaikam âtmânam asesa-dehinâm

> > kâlam pradhânam purusam paresam

> > sva-tejasâ dhvasta-guna-pravâham

> > âtmaika-bhâvena bhajadhvam addhâ

> > tena--therefore; ekam--one; âtmânam--unto the Supreme Soul; asesa--unlimited; dehinâm--of the individual souls; kâlam--time; pradhânam--the material cause; purusam--the Supreme Person; para-îsam--the transcendental controller; sva-tejasâ--by His spiritual energy; dhvasta--aloof; guna-pravâham--from material emanations; âtma--self; eka-bhâvena--accepting as qualitatively one; bhajadhvam--engage in devotional service; addhâ--directly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Because the Supreme Lord is the cause of all causes, He is the Supersoul of all individual living entities, and He exists as both the remote and immediate cause. Since He is aloof from the material emanations, He is free from their interactions and is Lord of material nature. You should therefore engage in His devotional service, thinking yourself qualitatively one with Him.

> > ********

> > TEXT19

> > dayayâ sarva-bhûtesu

> > santustyâ yena kena vâ

> > sarvendriyopasântyâ ca

> > tusyaty âsu janârdanah

> > dayayâ--by showing mercy; sarva-bhûtesu--to all living entities; santustyâ--by being satisfied; yena kena vâ--somehow or other; sarva-indriya--all the senses; upasântyâ--by controlling; ca--also; tusyati--becomes satisfied; âsu--very soon; janârdanah--the Lord of all living entities.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By showing mercy to all living entities, being satisfied somehow or other and controlling the senses from sense enjoyment, one can very quickly satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Janardana.

> > ********

> > TEXT20

> > apahata-sakalaisanâmalâtmany

> > aviratam edhita-bhâvanopahûtah

> > nija jana-vasa-gatvam âtmano 'yan

> > na sarati chidravad aksarah satâm hi

> > apahata--vanquished; sakala--all; esana--desires; amala--spotless; âtmani--to the mind; aviratam--constantly; edhita--increasing; bhâvanâ--with feeling; upahûtah--being called; nija jana--of His devotees; vasa--under the control; gatvam--going; âtmanah--His; ayan--knowing; na--never; sarati--goes away; chidra-vat--like the sky; aksarah--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; satâm--of the devotees; hi--certainly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Being completely cleansed of all material desires, the devotees are freed from all mental contamination. Thus they can always think of the Lord constantly and address Him very feelingly. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, knowing Himself to be controlled by His devotees, does not leave them for a second, just as the sky overhead never becomes invisible.

> > ********

> > TEXT21

> > na bhajati kumanîsinâm sa ijyâm

> > harir adhanâtma-dhana-priyo rasa jnah

> > sruta-dhana-kula-karmanâm madair ye

> > vidadhati pâpam akincanesu satsu

> > na--never; bhajati--accepts; ku-manîsinâm--of persons with a dirty heart; sah--He; ijyâm--offering; harih--the Supreme Lord; adhana--to those who have no material ossessions; âtma-dhana--simply dependent on the Lord; priyah--who is dear; rasa jnah--who accepts the essence of life; sruta--education; dhana--wealth; kula--aristocracy; karmanâm--and of fruitive activities; madaih--by pride; ye--all those who; vidadhati--perform; pâpam--disgrace; akincanesu--without material possessions; satsu--unto the devotees.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes very dear to those devotees who have no material possessions but are fully happy in possessing the devotional service of the Lord. Indeed, the Lord relishes the devotional activities of such devotees. Those who are puffed up with material education, wealth, aristocracy and fruitive activity are very proud of possessing material things, and they often deride the devotees. Even if such people offer the Lord worship, the Lord never accepts them.

> > ********

> > TEXT 22

> > sriyam anucaratim tad-arthinas ca

> > dvipada-patîn vibudhâms ca yat sva-pûrnah

> > na bhajati nija-bhrtya-varga-tantrah

> > katham amum udvisrjet pumân krta jnah

> > sriyam--the goddess of fortune; anucaratîm--who follows Him; tat--of her; arthinah--those who aspire to get the favor; ca--and; dvipada-patîn--rulers of the human beings; vibudhân--demigods; ca--also; yat--because; sva-pûrnah--self-sufficient; na--never; bhajati--cares for; nija--own; bhrtya-varga--on His devotees; tantrah--dependent; katham--how; amum--Him; udvisrjet--can give up; pumân--a person; krta jnah--grateful.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead is self-sufficient, He becomes dependent on His devotees. He does not care for the goddess of fortune, nor for the kings and demigods who are after the favors of the goddess of fortune. Where is that person who is actually grateful and will not worship the Personality of Godhead?

> > ********

> > TEXT23

> > maitreya uvâca

> > iti pracetaso râjann

> > anyâs ca bhagavat-kathâh

> > srâvayitvâ brahma-lokam

> > yayau svâyambhuvo munih

> > maitreyah uvâca--Maitreya said; iti--thus; pracetasah--the Pracetâs; râjan--O King; anyâh--others; ca--also; bhagavat-kathâh--topics about the relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead; srâvayitvâ--after instructing; brahma-lokam--to Brahmaloka; yayau--went back; svâyambhuvah--the son of Lord Brahmâ; munih--the great sage.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear King Vidura, Sri Narada Muni, the son of Lord Brahma, thus described all these relationships with the Supreme Personality of Godhead to the Pracetas. Afterward, he returned to Brahmaloka.

> > ********

> > TEXT24

> > te 'pi tan-mukha-niryâtam

> > yaso loka-malâpaham

> > harer nisamya tat-pâdam

> > dhyâyantas tad-gatim yayuh

> > te--the Pracetâs; api--also; tat--of Nârada; mukha--from the mouth; niryâtam--gone forth; yasah--glorification; loka--of the world; mala--sins; apaham--destroying; hareh--of Lord Hari; nisamya--having heard; tat--of the Lord; pâdam--feet; dhyâyantah--meditating upon; tat-gatim--unto His abode; yayuh--went.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Hearing from Narada's mouth the glories of the Lord, which vanquish all the ill fortune of the world, the Pracetas also became attached to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Meditating on His lotus feet, they advanced to the ultimate destination.

> > ********

> > TEXT25

> > etat te 'bhihitam ksattar

> > yan mâm tvam pariprstavân

> > pracetasâm nâradasya

> > samvâdam hari-kîrtanam

> > etat--this; te--unto you; abhihitam--instructed; ksattah--O Vidura; yat--whatever; mâm--unto me; tvam--you; pariprstavân--inquired; pracetasâm--of the Pracetâs; nâradasya--of Nârada; samvâdam--conversation; hari-kîrtanam--describing the glories of the Lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Vidura, I have told you everything you wanted to know about the conversation between Narada and the Pracetas, the conversation describing the glories of the Lord. I have related this as far as possible.

> > ********

> > TEXT26

> > srî-suka uvâca

> > ya esa uttânapado

> > mânavasyânuvarnitah

> > vamsah priyavratasyâpi

> > nibodha nrpa-sattama

> > sr-sukah uvâca--Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmî said; yah--which; esah--this dynasty; uttânapadah--of King Uttânapâda; mânavasya--the son of Svâyambhuva Manu; anuvarnitah--described, following in the footprints of previous âcâryas; vamsah--dynasty; priyavratasya--of King Priyavrata; api--also; nibodha--try to understand; nrpa-sattama--O best of kings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sukadeva Gosvami continued: O best of kings [King Pariksit], I have now finished telling about the descendants of the first son of Svayambhuva Manu, Uttanapada. I shall now try to relate the activities of the descendants of Priyavrata, the second son of Svayambhuva Manu. Please hear them attentively.

> > ********

> > TEXT27

> > yo nâradâd âtma-vidyâm

> > adhigamya punar mahîm

> > bhuktvâ vibhajya putrebhya

> > aisvaram samagât padam

> > yah--one who; nâradât--from the great sage Nârada; âtma-vidyâm--spiritual knowledge; adhigamya--after learning; punah--again; mahîm--the earth; bhuktvâ--after enjoying; vibhajya--after dividing; putrebhyah--unto his sons; aisvaram--transcendental; samagât--achieved; padam--position.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although Maharaja Priyavrata received instructions from the great sage Narada, he still engaged in ruling the earth. After fully enjoying material possessions, he divided his property among his sons. He then attained a position by which he could return home, back to Godhead.

> > ********

> > TEXT28

> > imâm tu kausâravinopavarnitâm

> > ksattâ nisamyâjita-vâda-sat-kathâm

> > pravrddha-bhâvo 'sru-kalâkulo muner

> > dadhâra mûrdhnâ caranam hrdâ hareh

> > imâm--all this; tu--then; kausâravinâ--by Maitreya; upavarnitâm--described; ksattâ--Vidura; nisamya--after hearing; ajita-vâda--glorification of the Supreme Lord; sat-kathâm--transcendental message; pravrddha--enhanced; bhâvah--ecstasies; asru--of tears; kalâ--by particles; âkulah--overwhelmed; muneh--of the great sage; dadhâra--captured; mûrdhnâ--by the head; caranam--the lotus feet; hrdâ--by the heart; hareh--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear King, in this way, after hearing the transcendental messages of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotees from the great sage Maitreya, Vidura was overwhelmed with ecstasy. With tears in his eyes, he immediately fell down at the lotus feet of his guru, his spiritual master. He then fixed the Supreme Personality of Godhead within the core of his heart.

> > ********

> > TEXT29

> > vidura uvâca

> > so 'yam adya mahâ-yogin

> > bhavatâ karunâtmanâ

> > darsitas tamasah pâro

> > yatrâkincana-go harih

> > vidurah uvâca--Vidura said; sah--that; ayam--this; adya--today; mahâ-yogin--O great mystic; bhavatâ--by you; karuna-âtmanâ--most merciful; darsitah--I have been shown; tamasah--of the darkness; pârah--the other side; yatra--where; akincana-gah--approachable by the materially free; harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sri Vidura said: O great mystic, O greatest of all devotees, by your causeless mercy I have been shown the path of liberation from this world of darkness. By following this path, a person liberated from the material world can return home, back to Godhead.

> > ********

> > TEXT30

> > srî-suka uvâca

> > ity ânamya tam âmantrya

> > viduro gajasâhvayam

> > svânâm didrksuh prayayau

> > jnâtînâm nirvrtâsayah

> > srî-sukah uvâca--Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti--thus; ânamya--offering obeisances; tam--unto Maitreya; âmantrya--taking permission; vidurah--Vidura; gaja-sâhvayam--the city of Hastinâpura; svânâm--own; didrksuh--desiring to see; prayayau--left that place; jnâtînâm--of his kinsmen; nirvrta-âsayah--free from material desires.

> > TRANSLATION

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

> > ********

> > TEXT 31

> > etad yah srnuyâd râjan

> > râjnâm hary-arpitâtmanâm

> > âyur dhanam yasah svasti

> > gatim aisvaryam âpnuyât

> > etat--this; yah--one who; srnuyât--hears; râjan--O King Parîksit; râjnâm--of kings; hari--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; arpita-âtmanâm--who have given their life and soul; âyuh--duration of life; dhanam--wealth; yasah--reputation; svasti--good fortune; gatim--the ultimate goal of life; aisvaryam--material opulence; âpnuyât--achieves.

> > TRANSLATION

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

> > Back to the running text