> > Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 8
> > 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 8: 'Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations'

> > *****

> > Chapter Three: Gajendra's Prayers of Surrender

> > *****

> > TEXT 1

> > srî-bâdarâyanir uvâca

> > evam vyavasito buddhyâ

> > samâdhâya mano hrdi

> > jajâpa paramam jâpyam

> > prâg-janmany anusiksitam

> > srî-bâdarâyanih uvâca--Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmî said; evam--thus; vyavasitah--fixed; buddhyâ--by intelligence; samâdhâya--for concentration; manah--the mind; hrdi--in consciousness or in the heart; jajâpa--he chanted; paramam--a supreme; jâpyam--mantra he had learned from great devotees; prâk-janmani--in his previous birth; anusiksitam--practiced.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: Thereafter, the King of the elephants, Gajendra, fixed his mind in his heart with perfect intelligence and chanted a mantra which he had learned in his previous birth as Indradyumna and which he remembered by the grace of Krsna.

> > *****

> > TEXT 2

> > srî-gajendra uvâca

> > om namo bhagavate tasmai

> > yata etac cid-âtmakam

> > purusâyâdi-bîjâya

> > paresâyâbhidhîmahi

> > srî-gajendrah uvâca--Gajendra, the King of elephants, said; om--O my Lord; namah--I offer my respectful obeisances unto You; bhagavate--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tasmai--unto Him; yatah--from whom; etat--this body and the material manifestation; cit-âtmakam--is moving due to consciousness (the spirit soul); purusâya--unto the Supreme Person; âdi-bîjâya--who is the origin or root cause of everything; para-îsâya--who is supreme, transcendental and worshipable for such exalted persons as Brahmâ and Siva; abhidhîmahi--let me meditate upon Him.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The King of the elephants, Gajendra, said: I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Person, Vasudeva [om namo bhagavate vasudevaya]. Because of Him this material body acts due to the presence of spirit, and He is therefore the root cause of everyone. He is worshipable for such exalted persons as Brahma and Siva, and He has entered the heart of every living being. Let me meditate upon Him.

> > *****

> > TEXT 3

> > yasminn idam yatas cedam

> > yenedam ya idam svayam

> > yo 'smât parasmâc ca paras

> > tam prapadye svayambhuvam

> > yasmin--the basic platform on which; idam--the universe rests; yatah--the ingredients from which; ca--and; idam--the cosmic manifestation is produced; yena--by whom; idam--this cosmic manifestation is created and maintained; yah--He who; idam--this material world; svayam--is Himself; yah--He who; asmât--from the effect (this material world); parasmât--from the cause; ca--and; parah--transcendental or different; tam--unto Him; prapadye--I surrender; svayambhuvam--unto the supreme self-sufficient.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Godhead is the supreme platform on which everything rests, the ingredient by which everything has been produced, and the person who has created and is the only cause of this cosmic manifestation. Nonetheless, He is different from the cause and the result. I surrender unto Him, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is self-sufficient in everything.

> > *****

> > TEXT 4

> > yah svâtmanîdam nija-mâyayârpitam

> > kvacid vibhâtam kva ca tat tirohitam

> > aviddha-drk sâksy ubhayam tad îksate

> > sa âtma-mûlo 'vatu mâm parât-parah

> > yah--the Supreme Personality of Godhead who; sva-âtmani--in Him; idam--this cosmic manifestation; nija-mâyayâ--by His own potency; arpitam--invested; kvacit--sometimes, at the beginning of a kalpa; vibhâtam--it is manifested; kva ca--sometimes, during dissolution; tat--that (manifestation); tirohitam--not visible; aviddha-drk--He sees everything (in all these circumstances); sâksî--the witness; ubhayam--both (manifestation and annihilation); tat îksate--sees everything, without loss of sight; sah--that Supreme Personality of Godhead; âtma-mûlah--self-sufficient, having no other cause; avatu--please give protection; mâm--unto me; parât-parah--He is transcendental to transcendental, or above all transcendence.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead, by expanding His own energy, keeps this cosmic manifestation visible and again sometimes renders it invisible. He is both the supreme cause and the supreme result, the observer and the witness, in all circumstances. Thus He is transcendental to everything. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead give me protection.

> > PURPORT

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead has multipotencies (parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate). Therefore, as soon as He likes, He uses one of His potencies, and by that expansion He creates this cosmic manifestation. Again, when the cosmic manifestation is annihilated, it rests in Him. Nonetheless, He is infallibly the supreme observer. Under any circumstances, the Supreme Lord is changeless. He is simply a witness and is aloof from all creation and annihilation.

> > *****

> > TEXT 5

> > kâlena pancatvam itesu krtsnaso

> > lokesu pâlesu ca sarva-hetusu

> > tamas tadâsîd gahanam gabhîram

> > yas tasya pâre 'bhivirâjate vibhuh

> > kâlena--in due course of time (after millions and millions of years); pancatvam--when everything illusory is annihilated; itesu--all transformations; krtsnasah--with everything within this cosmic manifestation; lokesu--all the planets, or everything that exists; pâlesu--maintainers like Lord Brahmâ; ca--also; sarva-hetusu--all causative existences; tamah--great darkness; tadâ--then; âsît--was; gahanam--very dense; gabhîram--very deep; yah--the Supreme Personality of Godhead who; tasya--this dark situation; pâre--over and above; abhivirâjate--exists or shines; vibhuh--the Supreme.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In due course of time, when all the causative and effective manifestations of the universe, including the planets and their directors and maintainers, are annihilated, there is a situation of dense darkness. Above this darkness, however, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I take shelter of His lotus feet.

> > *****

> > TEXT 6

> > na yasya devâ rsayah padam vidur

> > jantuh punah ko 'rhati gantum îritum

> > yathâ natasyâkrtibhir vicestato

> > duratyayânukramanah sa mâvatu

> > na--neither; yasya--He of whom; devâh--the demigods; rsayah--great sages; padam--position; viduh--can understand; jantuh--unintelligent living beings like animals; punah--again; kah--who; arhati--is able; gantum--to enter into the knowledge; îritum--or to express by words; yathâ--as; natasya--of the artist; âkrtibhih--by bodily features; vicestatah--dancing in different ways; duratyaya--very difficult; anukramanah--His movements; sah--that Supreme Personality of Godhead; mâ--unto me; avatu--may give His protection.

> > TRANSLATION

> > An artist onstage, being covered by attractive dresses and dancing with different movements, is not understood by his audience; similarly, the activities and features of the supreme artist cannot be understood even by the demigods or great sages, and certainly not by those who are unintelligent like animals. Neither the demigods and sages nor the unintelligent can understand the features of the Lord, nor can they express in words His actual position. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead give me protection.

> > *****

> > TEXT 7

> > didrksavo yasya padam sumangalam

> > vimukta-sangâ munayah susâdhavah

> > caranty aloka-vratam avranam vane

> > bhûtâtma-bhûtâh suhrdah sa me gatih

> > didrksavah--those who desire to see (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); yasya--of Him; padam--the lotus feet; su-mangalam--all-auspicious; vimukta-sangâh--persons who are completely disinfected of material conditions; munayah--great sages; su-sâdhavah--those who are highly elevated in spiritual consciousness; caranti--practice; aloka-vratam--vows of brahmacarya, vânaprastha or sannyâsa; avranam--without any fault; vane--in the forest; bhûta-âtma-bhûtâh--those who are equal to all living entities; suhrdah--those who are friends to everyone; sah--that same Supreme Personality of Godhead; me--my; gatih--destination.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Renunciants and great sages who see all living beings equally, who are friendly to everyone and who flawlessly practice in the forest the vows of brahmacarya, vanaprastha and sannyasa desire to see the all-auspicious lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. May that same Supreme Personality of Godhead be my destination.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 8-9

> > na vidyate yasya ca janma karma vâ

> > na nâma-rûpe guna-dosa eva vâ

> > tathâpi lokâpyaya-sambhavâya yah

> > sva-mâyayâ tâny anukâlam rcchati

> > tasmai namah paresâya

> > brahmane 'nanta-saktaye

> > arûpâyoru-rûpâya

> > nama âscarya-karmane

> > na--not; vidyate--there is; yasya--of whom (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); ca--also; janma--birth; karma--activities; vâ--or; na--nor; nâma-rûpe--any material name or material form; guna--qualities; dosah--fault; eva--certainly; vâ--either; tathâpi--still; loka--of this cosmic manifestation; apyaya--who is the destruction; sambhavâya--and creation; yah--He who; sva-mâyayâ--by His own potency; tâni--activities; anukâlam--eternally; rcchati--accepts;

> > tasmai--unto Him; namah--I offer my obeisances; para--transcendental; îsâya--who is the supreme controller; brahmane--who is the Supreme Brahman (Parabrahman); ananta-saktaye--with unlimited potency; arûpâya--possessing no material form; uru-rûpâya--possessing various forms as incarnations; namah--I offer my obeisances; âscarya-karmane--whose activities are wonderful.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead has no material birth, activities, name, form, qualities or faults. To fulfill the purpose for which this material world is created and destroyed, He comes in the form of a human being like Lord Rama or Lord Krsna by His original internal potency. He has immense potency, and in various forms, all free from material contamination, He acts wonderfully. He is therefore the Supreme Brahman. I offer my respects to Him.

> > *****

> > TEXT 10

> > nama âtma-pradîpâya

> > sâksine paramâtmane

> > namo girâm vidûrâya

> > manasas cetasâm api

> > namah--I offer my respectful obeisances; âtma-pradîpâya--unto He who is self-effulgent or who gives enlightenment to the living entities; sâksine--who is situated in everyone's heart as a witness; parama-âtmane--unto the Supreme Soul, the Supersoul; namah--I offer my respectful obeisances; girâm--by words; vidûrâya--who is impossible to reach; manasah--by the mind; cetasâm--or by consciousness; api--even.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the self-effulgent Supersoul, who is the witness in everyone's heart, who enlightens the individual soul and who cannot be reached by exercises of the mind, words or consciousness.

> > *****

> > TEXT 11

> > sattvena pratilabhyâya

> > naiskarmyena vipascitâ

> > namah kaivalya-nâthâya

> > nirvâna-sukha-samvide

> > sattvena--by pure devotional service; prati-labhyâya--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is achieved by such devotional activities; naiskarmyena--by transcendental activities; vipascitâ--by persons who are sufficiently learned; namah--I offer my respectful obeisances; kaivalya-nâthâya--unto the master of the transcendental world; nirvâna--for one completely freed from material activities; sukha--of happiness; samvide--who is the bestower.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead is realized by pure devotees who act in the transcendental existence of bhakti-yoga. He is the bestower of uncontaminated happiness and is the master of the transcendental world. Therefore I offer my respect unto Him.

> > *****

> > TEXT 12

> > namah sântâya ghorâya

> > mûdhâya guna-dharmine

> > nirvisesâya sâmyâya

> > namo jnâna-ghanâya ca

> > namah--all obeisances; sântâya--unto He who is above all material qualities and completely peaceful, or unto Vâsudeva, the Supersoul in every living entity; ghorâya--unto the fierce forms of the Lord like Jâmadagnya and Nrsimhadeva; mûdhâya--the form of the Lord as an animal, such as the boar; guna-dharmine--who accepts different qualities within the material world; nirvisesâya--who is without material qualities, being fully spiritual; sâmyâya--Lord Buddha, the form of nirvâna, wherein the material qualities stop; namah--I offer my respectful obeisances; jnâna-ghanâya--who is knowledge or the impersonal Brahman; ca--also.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Vasudeva, who is all-pervading, to the Lord's fierce form as Lord Nrsimhadeva, to the Lord's form as an animal [Lord Varahadeva], to Lord Dattatreya, who preached impersonalism, to Lord Buddha, and to all the other incarnations. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Lord, who has no material qualities but who accepts the three qualities goodness, passion and ignorance within this material world. I also offer my respectful obeisances unto the impersonal Brahman effulgence.

> > *****

> > TEXT 13

> > ksetra-jnâya namas tubhyam

> > sarvâdhyaksâya sâksine

> > purusâyâtma-mûlâya

> > mûla-prakrtaye namah

> > ksetra-jnâya--unto the one who knows everything of the external body; namah--I offer my respectful obeisances; tubhyam--unto You; sarva--everything; adhyaksâya--who are superintending, managing; sâksine--who are the witness, Paramâtmâ, or antaryâmî; purusâya--the Supreme Person; âtma-mûlâya--who are the original source of everything; mûla-prakrtaye--unto the purusa-avatâra, the origin of prakrti and pradhâna; namah--I offer my respectful obeisances.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are the Supersoul, the superintendent of everything, and the witness of all that occurs. You are the Supreme Person, the origin of material nature and of the total material energy. You are also the owner of the material body. Therefore, You are the supreme complete. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

> > *****

> > TEXT 14

> > sarvendriya-guna-drastre

> > sarva-pratyaya-hetave

> > asatâ cchâyayoktâya

> > sad-âbhâsâya te namah

> > sarva-indriya-guna-drastre--unto the seer of all objectives pursued by the senses; sarva-pratyaya-hetave--who is the solution to all doubts (and without whose help one cannot solve all doubts and inabilities); asatâ--with the manifestation of unreality or illusion; châyayâ--because of the resemblance; uktâya--called; sat--of reality; âbhâsâya--unto the reflection; te--unto You; namah--I offer my respectful obeisances.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, You are the observer of all the objectives of the senses. Without Your mercy, there is no possibility of solving the problem of doubts. The material world is just like a shadow resembling You. Indeed, one accepts this material world as real because it gives a glimpse of Your existence.

> > *****

> > TEXT 15

> > namo namas te 'khila-kâranâya

> > niskâranâyâdbhuta-kâranâya

> > sarvâgamâmnâya-mahârnavâya

> > namo 'pavargâya parâyanâya

> > namah--I offer my respectful obeisances; namah--again I offer my respectful obeisances; te--unto You; akhila-kâranâya--unto the supreme cause of everything; niskâranâya--unto You who are causeless; adbhuta-kâranâya--the wonderful cause of everything; sarva--all; âgama-âmnâya--unto the source of the paramparâ system of all Vedic knowledge; mahâ-arnavâya--the great ocean of knowledge, or the great ocean wherein all the rivers of knowledge merge; namah--I offer my obeisances; apavargâya--unto You who can give deliverance or liberation; para-ayanâya--the shelter of all transcendentalists.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, You are the cause of all causes, but You Yourself have no cause. Therefore You are the wonderful cause of everything. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are the shelter of the Vedic knowledge contained in the sastras like the Pancaratras and Vedanta-sutra, which are Your representations, and who are the source of the parampara system. Because it is You who can give liberation, You are the only shelter for all transcendentalists. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

> > *****

> > TEXT 16

> > gunârani-cchanna-cid-usmapâya

> > tat-ksobha-visphûrjita-mânasâya

> > naiskarmya-bhâvena vivarjitâgama-

> > svayam-prakâsâya namas karomi

> > guna--by the three gunas, the modes of material nature (sattva, rajas and tamas); arani--by arani wood; channa--covered; cit--of knowledge; usmapaya--unto He whose fire; tat-ksobha--of the agitation of the modes of material nature; visphûrjita--outside; mânasâya--unto He whose mind; naiskarmya-bhâvena--because of the stage of spiritual understanding; vivarjita--in those who give up; âgama--Vedic principles; svayam--personally; prakâsâya--unto He who is manifest; namah karomi--I offer my respectful obeisances.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, as the fire in arani wood is covered, You and Your unlimited knowledge are covered by the material modes of nature. Your mind, however, is not attentive to the activities of the modes of nature. Those who are advanced in spiritual knowledge are not subject to the regulative principles directed in the Vedic literatures. Because such advanced souls are transcendental, You personally appear in their pure minds. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

> > *****

> > TEXT 17

> > mâdrk prapanna-pasu-pâsa-vimoksanâya

> > muktâya bhûri-karunâya namo 'layâya

> > svâmsena sarva-tanu-bhrn-manasi pratîta-

> > pratyag-drse bhagavate brhate namas te

> > mâdrk--like me; prapanna--surrendered; pasu--an animal; pâsa--from entanglement; vimoksanâya--unto He who releases; muktâya--unto the Supreme, who is untouched by the contamination of material nature; bhûri-karunâya--who are unlimitedly merciful; namah--I offer my respectful obeisances; alayâya--who are never inattentive or idle (for the purpose of my deliverance); sva-amsena--by Your partial feature as Paramâtmâ; sarva--of all; tanu-bhrt--the living entities embodied in material nature; manasi--in the mind; pratîta--who are acknowledged; pratyak-drse--as the direct observer (of all activities); bhagavate--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; brhate--who are unlimited; namah--I offer my respectful obeisances; te--unto You.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Since an animal such as I has surrendered unto You, who are supremely liberated, certainly You will release me from this dangerous position. Indeed, being extremely merciful, You incessantly try to deliver me. By your partial feature as Paramatma, You are situated in the hearts of all embodied beings. You are celebrated as direct transcendental knowledge, and You are unlimited. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > *****

> > TEXT 18

> > âtmâtma-jâpta-grha-vitta-janesu saktair

> > dusprâpanâya guna-sanga-vivarjitâya

> > muktâtmabhih sva-hrdaye paribhâvitâya

> > jnânâtmane bhagavate nama îsvarâya

> > âtma--the mind and body; âtma-ja--sons and daughters; âpta--friends and relatives; grha--home, community, society and nation; vitta--wealth; janesu--to various servants and assistants; saktaih--by those who are too attached; dusprâpanâya--unto You, who are very difficult to achieve; guna-sanga--by the three modes of material nature; vivarjitâya--who are not contaminated; mukta-âtmabhih--by persons who are already liberated; sva-hrdaye--within the core of the heart; paribhâvitâya--unto You, who are always meditated upon; jnâna-âtmane--the reservoir of all enlightenment; bhagavate--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; namah--I offer my respectful obeisances; îsvarâya--unto the supreme controller.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, those who are completely freed from material contamination always meditate upon You within the cores of their hearts. You are extremely difficult to attain for those like me who are too attached to mental concoction, home, relatives, friends, money, servants and assistants. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, uncontaminated by the modes of nature. You are the reservoir of all enlightenment, the supreme controller. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

> > *****

> > TEXT 19

> > yam dharma-kâmârtha-vimukti-kâmâ

> > bhajanta istâm gatim âpnuvanti

> > kim câsiso râty api deham avyayam

> > karotu me 'dabhra-dayo vimoksanam

> > yam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead who; dharma-kâma-artha-vimukti-kâmâh--persons who desire the four principles of religion, economic development, sense gratification and salvation; bhajantah--by worshiping; istâm--the objective; gatim--destination; âpnuvanti--can achieve; kim--what to speak of; ca--also; âsisah--other benedictions; râti--He bestows; api--even; deham--a body; avyayam--spiritual; karotu--may He bestow benediction; me--unto me; adabhra-dayah--the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is unlimitedly merciful; vimoksanam--liberation from the present danger and from the material world.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, those who are interested in the four principles of religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation obtain from Him what they desire. What then is to be said of other benedictions? Indeed, sometimes the Lord gives a spiritual body to such ambitious worshipers. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is unlimitedly merciful, bestow upon me the benediction of liberation from this present danger and from the materialistic way of life.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 20-21

> > ekântino yasya na kancanârtham

> > vânchanti ye vai bhagavat-prapannâh

> > aty-adbhutam tac-caritam sumangalam

> > gâyanta ânanda-samudra-magnâh

> > tam aksaram brahma param paresam

> > avyaktam âdhyâtmika-yoga-gamyam

> > atîndriyam sûksmam ivâtidûram

> > anantam âdyam paripûrnam îde

> > ekântinah--unalloyed devotees (who have no desire other than Krsna consciousness); yasya--the Lord, of whom; na--not; kancana--some; artham--benediction; vânchanti--desire; ye--those devotees who; vai--indeed; bhagavat-prapannâh--fully surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord; ati-adbhutam--which are wonderful; tat-caritam--the activities of the Lord; su-mangalam--and very auspicious (to hear); gâyantah--by chanting and hearing; ânanda--of transcendental bliss; samudra--in the ocean; magnâh--who are immersed;

> > tam--unto Him; aksaram--eternally existing; brahma--the Supreme; param--transcendental; para-îsam--the Lord of the supreme personalities; avyaktam--invisible or not able to be realized by the mind and senses; âdhyâtmika--transcendental; yoga--by bhakti-yoga, devotional service; gamyam--obtainable (bhaktyâ mâm abhijânâti); ati-indriyam--beyond the perception of material senses; sûksmam--minute; iva--like; ati-dûram--very far away; anantam--unlimited; âdyam--the original cause of everything; paripûrnam--completely full; îde--I offer my obeisances.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Unalloyed devotees, who have no desire other than to serve the Lord, worship Him in full surrender and always hear and chant about His activities, which are most wonderful and auspicious. Thus they always merge in an ocean of transcendental bliss. Such devotees never ask the Lord for any benediction. I, however, am in danger. Thus I pray to that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is eternally existing, who is invisible, who is the Lord of all great personalities, such as Brahma, and who is available only by transcendental bhakti-yoga. Being extremely subtle, He is beyond the reach of my senses and transcendental to all external realization. He is unlimited, He is the original cause, and He is completely full in everything. I offer my obeisances unto Him.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 22-24

> > yasya brahmâdayo devâ

> > vedâ lokâs carâcarâh

> > nâma-rûpa-vibhedena

> > phalgvyâ ca kalayâ krtâh

> > yathârciso 'gneh savitur gabhastayo

> > niryânti samyânty asakrt sva-rocisah

> > tathâ yato 'yam guna-sampravâho

> > buddhir manah khâni sarîra-sargâh

> > sa vai na devâsura-martya-tiryan

> > na strî na sandho na pumân na jantuh

> > nâyam gunah karma na san na câsan

> > nisedha-seso jayatâd asesah

> > yasya--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who; brahma-âdayah--the great demigods, headed by Lord Brahmâ; devâh--and other demigods; vedâh--the Vedic knowledge; lokâh--different personalities; cara-acarâh--the moving and the nonmoving (like trees and plants); nâma-rûpa--of different names and different forms; vibhedena--by such divisions; phalgvyâ--who are less important; ca--also; kalayâ--by the parts; krtâh--created;

> > yathâ--as; arcisah--the sparks; agneh--of fire; savituh--from the sun; gabhastayah--the shining particles; niryânti--emanate from; samyânti--and enter into; asakrt--again and again; sva-rocisah--as parts and parcels; tathâ--similarly; yatah--the Personality of Godhead from whom; ayam--this; guna-sampravâhah--continuous manifestation of the different modes of nature; buddhih manah--the intelligence and mind; khâni--the senses; sarîra--of the body (gross and subtle); sargâh--the divisions;

> > sah--that Supreme Personality of Godhead; vai--indeed; na--is not; deva--demigod; asura--demon; martya--human being; tiryak--bird or beast; na--neither; strî--woman; na--nor; sandhah--neuter; na--neither; pumân--man; na--nor; jantuh--living being or animal; na ayam--nor is He; gunah--material quality; karma--fruitive activity; na--is not; sat--manifestation; na--nor; ca--also; asat--nonmanifestation; nisedha--of the discrimination of neti neti ("not this, not this"); sesah--He is the end; jayatât--all glories unto Him; asesah--who is unlimited.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead creates His minor parts and parcels, the jiva-tattva, beginning with Lord Brahma, the demigods and the expansions of Vedic knowledge [Sama, Rg, Yajur and Atharva] and including all other living entities, moving and nonmoving, with their different names and characteristics. As the sparks of a fire or the shining rays of the sun emanate from their source and merge into it again and again, the mind, the intelligence, the senses, the gross and subtle material bodies, and the continuous transformations of the different modes of nature all emanate from the Lord and again merge into Him. He is neither demigod nor demon, neither human nor bird or beast. He is not woman, man, or neuter, nor is He an animal. He is not a material quality, a fruitive activity, a manifestation or nonmanifestation. He is the last word in the discrimination of "not this, not this," and He is unlimited. All glories to the Supreme Personality of Godhead!

> > *****

> > TEXT 25

> > jijîvise nâham ihâmuyâ kim

> > antar bahis câvrtayebha-yonyâ

> > icchâmi kâlena na yasya viplavas

> > tasyâtma-lokâvaranasya moksam

> > jijîvise--wish to live long; na--not; aham--I; iha--in this life; amuyâ--or in the next life (I do not wish to live upon being saved from this dangerous position); kim--what is the value; antah--internally; bahih--externally; ca--and; âvrtayâ--covered by ignorance; ibha-yonyâ--in this birth as an elephant; icchâmi--I desire; kâlena--because of the influence of time; na--there is not; yasya--of which; viplavah--annihilation; tasya--that; âtma-loka-âvaranasya--from the covering of self-realization; moksam--liberation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I do not wish to live anymore after I am released from the attack of the crocodile. What is the use of an elephant's body covered externally and internally by ignorance? I simply desire eternal liberation from the covering of ignorance. That covering is not destroyed by the influence of time.

> > *****

> > TEXT 26

> > so 'ham visva-srjam visvam

> > avisvam visva-vedasam

> > visvâtmânam ajam brahma

> > pranato 'smi param padam

> > sah--that; aham--I (the person desiring release from material life); visva-srjam--unto He who has created this cosmic manifestation; visvam--who is Himself the whole cosmic presentation; avisvam--although He is transcendental to the cosmic manifestation; visva-vedasam--who is the knower or ingredient of this universal manifestation; visva-âtmânam--the soul of the universe; ajam--who is never born, eternally existing; brahma--the Supreme; pranatah asmi--I offer my respectful obeisances; param--who is transcendental; padam--the shelter.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Now, fully desiring release from material life, I offer my respectful obeisances unto that Supreme Person who is the creator of the universe, who is Himself the form of the universe and who is nonetheless transcendental to this cosmic manifestation. He is the supreme knower of everything in this world, the Supersoul of the universe. He is the unborn, supremely situated Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.

> > *****

> > TEXT 27

> > yoga-randhita-karmâno

> > hrdi yoga-vibhâvite

> > yogino yam prapasyanti

> > yogesam tam nato 'smy aham

> > yoga-randhita-karmânah--persons whose reactions to fruitive activities have been burnt up by bhakti-yoga; hrdi--within the core of the heart; yoga-vibhâvite--completely purified and clean; yoginah--mystics who are competent; yam--unto the Personality of Godhead who; prapasyanti--directly see; yoga-îsam--unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of all mystic yoga; tam--unto Him; natah asmi--offering obeisances; aham--I.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme, the Supersoul, the master of all mystic yoga, who is seen in the core of the heart by perfect mystics when they are completely purified and freed from the reactions of fruitive activity by practicing bhakti-yoga.

> > *****

> > TEXT 28

> > namo namas tubhyam asahya-vega-

> > sakti-trayâyâkhila-dhî-gunâya

> > prapanna-pâlâya duranta-saktaye

> > kad-indriyânâm anavâpya-vartmane

> > namah--I offer my respectful obeisances; namah--again I offer my respectful obeisances; tubhyam--unto You; asahya--formidable; vega--forces; sakti-trayâya--unto the Supreme Person, who has threefold potencies; akhila--of the universe; dhî--for the intelligence; gunâya--who appears as the sense objects; prapanna-pâlâya--unto the Supreme, who gives shelter to the surrendered; duranta-saktaye--who possesses energies very difficult to overcome; kat-indriyânâm--by persons unable to control their senses; anavâpya--who is unattainable; vartmane--on the path.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, You are the controller of formidable strength in three kinds of energy. You appear as the reservoir of all sense pleasure and the protector of the surrendered souls. You possess unlimited energy, but You are unapproachable by those who are unable to control their senses. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You again and again.

> > *****

> > TEXT 29

> > nâyam veda svam âtmânam

> > yac-chaktyâham-dhiyâ hatam

> > tam duratyaya-mâhâtmyam

> > bhagavantam ito 'smy aham

> > na--not; ayam--people in general; veda--know; svam--own; âtmânam--identity; yat-saktyâ--by whose influence; aham--I am independent; dhiyâ--by this intelligence; hatam--defeated or covered; tam--unto Him; duratyaya--difficult to understand; mâhâtmyam--whose glories; bhagavantam--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; itah--taking shelter; asmi aham--I am.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whose illusory energy the jiva, who is part and parcel of God, forgets his real identity because of the bodily concept of life. I take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose glories are difficult to understand.

> > *****

> > TEXT 30

> > srî-suka uvâca

> > evam gajendram upavarnita-nirvisesam

> > brahmâdayo vividha-linga-bhidâbhimânâh

> > naite yadopasasrpur nikhilâtmakatvât

> > tatrâkhilâmara-mayo harir âvirâsît

> > srî-sukah uvâca--Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmî said; evam--in this way; gajendram--unto the King of the elephants, Gajendra; upavarnita--whose description; nirvisesam--not directed to any particular person (but to the Supreme, although he did not know who the Supreme is); brahmâ-âdayah--the demigods, beginning with Brahmâ, Siva, Indra and Candra; vividha--varieties; linga-bhidâ--with separate forms; abhimânâh--considering themselves separate authorities; na--not; ete--all of them; yadâ--when; upasasrpuh--approached; nikhila-âtmakatvât--because the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Supersoul of everyone; tatra--there; akhila--of the universe; amara-mayah--consisting of the demigods (who are only external parts of the body); harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can take away everything; âvirâsît--appeared (before the elephant).

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: When the King of the elephants was describing the supreme authority, without mentioning any particular person, he did not invoke the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, Indra and Candra. Thus none of them approached him. However, because Lord Hari is the Supersoul, Purusottama, the Personality of Godhead, He appeared before Gajendra.

> > *****

> > TEXT 31

> > tam tadvad ârtam upalabhya jagan-nivâsah

> > stotram nisamya divijaih saha samstuvadbhih

> > chandomayena garudena samuhyamânas

> > cakrâyudho 'bhyagamad âsu yato gajendrah

> > tam--unto him (Gajendra); tadvat--in that way; ârtam--who was very depressed (because of being attacked by the crocodile); upalabhya--understanding; jagat-nivâsah--the Lord, who exists everywhere; stotram--the prayer; nisamya--hearing; divijaih--the denizens of the heavenly planets; saha--with; samstuvadbhih--who were offering their prayers also; chandomayena--with the speed He desired; garudena--by Garuda; samuhyamânah--being carried; cakra--carrying His disc; âyudhah--and other weapons, like the club; abhyagamat--arrived; âsu--immediately; yatah--where; gajendrah--the King of the elephants, Gajendra, was situated.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After understanding the awkward condition of Gajendra, who had offered his prayers, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, who lives everywhere, appeared with the demigods, who were offering prayers to Him. Carrying His disc and other weapons, He appeared there on the back of His carrier, Garuda, with great speed, according to His desire. Thus He appeared before Gajendra.

> > *****

> > TEXT 32

> > so 'ntah-sarasy urubalena grhîta ârto

> > drstvâ garutmati harim kha upâtta-cakram

> > utksipya sâmbuja-karam giram âha krcchrân

> > nârâyanâkhila-guro bhagavan namas te

> > sah--he (Gajendra); antah-sarasi--in the water; uru-balena--with great force; grhîtah--who had been captured by the crocodile; ârtah--and severely suffering; drstvâ--upon seeing; garutmati--on the back of Garuda; harim--the Lord; khe--in the sky; upâtta-cakram--wielding His disc; utksipya--raising; sa-ambuja-karam--his trunk, along with a lotus flower; giram-âha--uttered the words; krcchrât--with great difficulty (because of his precarious position); nârâyana--O my Lord Nârâyana; akhila-guro--O universal Lord; bhagavan--O Supreme Personality of Godhead; namah te--I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Gajendra had been forcefully captured by the crocodile in the water and was feeling acute pain, but when he saw that Narayana, wielding His disc, was coming in the sky on the back of Garuda, he immediately took a lotus flower in his trunk, and with great difficulty due to his painful condition, he uttered the following words: "O my Lord, Narayana, master of the universe, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You."

> > *****

> > TEXT 33

> > tam vîksya pîditam ajah sahasâvatîrya

> > sa-grâham âsu sarasah krpayojjahâra

> > grâhâd vipâtita-mukhâd arinâ gajendram

> > sampasyatâm harir amûm ucad ucchriyânâm

> > tam--him (Gajendra); vîksya--after seeing (in that condition); pîditam--who was very aggrieved; ajah--the unborn, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sahasâ--all of a sudden; avatîrya--getting down (from the back of Garuda); sa-grâham--with the crocodile; âsu--immediately; sarasah--from the water; krpayâ--out of great mercy; ujjahâra--took out; grâhât--from the crocodile; vipâtita--separated; mukhât--from the mouth; arinâ--with the disc; gajendram--Gajendra; sampasyatâm--who were looking on; harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; amûm--him (Gajendra); ucat--saved; ucchriyânâm--in the presence of all the demigods.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thereafter, seeing Gajendra in such an aggrieved position, the unborn Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, immediately got down from the back of Garuda by His causeless mercy and pulled the King of the elephants, along with the crocodile, out of the water. Then, in the presence of all the demigods, who were looking on, the Lord severed the crocodile's mouth from its body with His disc. In this way He saved Gajendra, the King of the elephants.

> > Back to the running text