> Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 3
> Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda

> Canto 3 Part 1

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

> Chapter 7. Further Inquiries by Vidura.

> Text 1

> srî-suka uvâca

> evam bruvânam maitreyam

> dvaipâyana-suto budhah

> prînayann iva bhâratyâ

> vidurah pratyabhâdata

> srî-sukah uvâca: Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmi said; evam: thus; bruvânam: speaking; maitreyam: unto the sage Maitreya; dvaipâyana-sutah: the son of Dvaipâyana; budhah: learned; prînayan: in a pleasing manner; iva: as it was; bhâratyâ: in the manner of a request; vidurah: Vidura; pratyabhâsata: expressed.

> Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmi said: O King, while Maitreya, the great sage, was thus speaking, Vidura, the learned son of Dvaipâyana Vyâsa, expressed a request in a pleasing manner by asking this question.

> ******

> Text 2

> vidura uvâca

> brahman katam bhagavatas

> cin-mâtrasyâvikârinah

> lîlayâ câpi yujyeran

> nirgunasya gunâh kriyâh

> vidurah uvâca: Vidura said; brahman: O brâhmana; katham: how; bhagavatah: of the Personality of Godhead; cit-mâtrasya: of the complete spiritual whole; avikârinah: of the unchangeable; lîlayâ: by His pastime; ca: either; api: even though it is so; yujyeran: take place; nirgunasya: who is without the modes of nature; gunâh: modes of nature; kriyâh: activities.

> Srî Vidura said: O great brâhmana, since the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the complete spiritual whole and is unchangeable, how is He connected with the material modes of nature and their activities? If this is His pastime, how do the activities of the unchangeable take place and exhibit qualities without the modes of nature?

> ******

> Text 3

> krîdâyâm udyamo 'rbhasya

> kâmas cikrîdisânyatah

> svatas-trptasya ca katham

> nivrttasya sadânyatah

> krîdâyâm: in the matter of playing; udyamah: enthusiasm; arbhasya: of the boys; kâmah: desire; cikrîdisâ: willingness to play; anyatah: with other boys; svatah-trptasya: for one who is self-satisfied; ca: also; katham: what for; nivrttasya: one who is detached; sadâ: at all times; anyatah: otherwise.

> Boys are enthusiastic to play with other boys or with various diversions because they are encouraged by desire. But there is no possibility of such desire for the Lord because He is self-satisfied and detached from everything at all times.

> *******

> Text 4

> asrâksîd bhagavân visvam

> guna-mayyâtma-mâyayâ

> tayâ samsthâpayaty etad

> bhûyah pratyapidhâsyati

> asrâksît: caused to create; bhagavân: the Personality of Godhead; visvam: the universe; guna-mayyâ: endowed with three modes of material nature; âtma: self; mâyayâ: by the potency; tayâ: by her; samsthâpayati: maintains; etat: all these; bhûyah: then again; pratyapidhâsyati: conversely dissolves also.

> By His self-sheltered potency of the three modes of material nature, the Lord has caused the creation of this universe. By her He maintains the creation and conversely dissolves it, again and again.

> ******

> Text 5

> desatah kâlato yo 'sâv

> avasthâtah svato 'nyatah

> aviluptâvabodhâtmâ

> sa yujyetâjayâ katham

> desatah: circumstantial; kâlatah: by the influence of time; yah: one who; asau: the living entity; avasthâtah: by situation; svatah: by dream; anyatah: by others; avilupta: extinct; avabodha: consciousness; âtmâ: pure self; sah: he; yujyeta: engaged; ajayâ: with nescience; katham: how is it so.

> The pure soul is pure consciousness and is never out of consciousness, either due to circumstances, time, situations, dreams or other causes. How then does he become engaged in nescience?

> ******

> Text 6

> bhagavân eka evaisa

> sarva-ksetresv avasthitah

> amusya durbhagatvam vâ

> kleso vâ karmabhih kutah

> bhagavân: the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ekah: alone; evaesah: all these; sarva: all; ksetresu: in the living entities; avasthitah: situated; amusya: of the living entities; durbhagatvam: misfortune; vâ: either; klesah: miseries; vâ: or; karmabhih: by activities; kutah: what for.

> The Lord, as the Supersoul, is situated in every living being's heart. Why then do the living entities' activities result in misfortune and misery?

> ******

> Text 7

> etasmin me mano vidvan

> khidyate 'jnâna-sankate

> tan nah parânuda vibho

> kasmalam mânasam mahat

> etasmin: in this; me: my; manah: mind; vidvan: O learned one; khidyate: is troubling; ajnâna: nescience; sankate: in distress; tat: therefore; nah: my; parânuda: clear up; vibho: O great one; kasmalam: illusion; mânasam: relating to the mind; mahat: great.

> O great and learned one, my mind is greatly illusioned by the distress of this nescience, and I therefore request you to clear it up.

> ******

> Text 8

> srî-suka uvâca

> sa ittham coditah ksattrâ

> tattva-jijnâsunâ munih

> pratyâha bhagavac-cittah

> smayann iva gata-smayah

> srî-sukah uvâca: Sri Sukadeva Gosvâmi said; sah: he (Maitreya Muni); ittham: in this way; coditah: being agitated; ksattrâ: by Vidura; tattva-jijnâsunâ: by one who was anxious to inquire to know the truth; munih: the great sage; pratyâha: replied; bhagavat-cittah: God conscious; smayan: wondering; iva: as if; gata-smayah: without hesitation.

> Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmi said: O King, Maitreya, being thus agitated by the inquisitive Vidura, at first seemed astonished, but then he replied to him without hesitation, since he was fully God conscious.

> ******

> Text 9

> maitreya uvâca

> seyam bhagavato m^yâ

> yan nayena virudhyate

> îvarasya vimuktasya

> kârpanyam uta bandhanam

> maitreya uvâca: Maitreya said; sâ iyam: such a statement; bhagavatah: of the Personality of Godhead; mâyâ: illusion; yat: that which; nayena: by logic; virudhyate: becomes contradictory; îsvarasya: of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; vimuktasya: of the ever liberated; kârpanyam: insufficiency; uta: as also, what to speak of; bandhanam: bondage.

> Srî Maitreya said: Certain conditioned souls put forward the theory that the Supreme Brahman, or the Personality of Godhead, is overcome by illusion, or mâyâ, and at the same time they maintain that He is unconditioned. This is against all logic.

> ******

> Text 10

> yad arthena vinâmusya

> pumsa âtma-viparyayah

> pratiyata upadrastyh

> sva-siras chedanâdikah

> yat: thus; arthena: a purpose or meaning; vinâ: without; amusya: of such a one; pumsah: of the living entity; âtma-viparyayah: upset about self-identification; pratîyate: so appear; upadrastuh: of the superficial onlooker; sva-sirah: own head; chedana-âdikah: cutting off.

> The living entity is in distress regarding his self-identity. He has no factual background, like a man who dreams that he sees his head cut off.

> ******

> Text 11

> yathâ jale candramasah

> kampâdis tat-krto gunah

> drsyate 'sann api drastur

> âtmano 'nâtmano gunah

> yathâ: as; jale: in the water; candramasah: of the moon; kampa-âdih: quivering, etc.; tat-krtah: done by the water; gunah: quality; drsyate: it is so seen; asan api: without existence; drastuh: of the seer; âtmanah: of the self; anâtmanah: of other than the self; gunah: quality.

> As the moon reflected on water appears to the seer to tremble due to being associated with the quality of the water, so the self associated with matter appears to be qualified as matter.

> ******

> Text 12

> sa vai nivrtti-dharmena

> vâsudevânukampayâ

> bhagavad-bhakti-yogena

> tirodhatte sanair iha

> sah: that, vai: also; nivrtti: detachment; dharmena: by engagement; vâsudeva: the Supreme Personality of Godhead; anukampayâ: by the mercy of; bhagavat: in relation with the Personality of Godhead; bhakti-yogena: by linking up; tirodhatte: diminishes; sanaih: gradually; iha: in this existence.

> But that misconception of self-identity can be diminished gradually by the mercy of the Personality of Godhead, Vâsudeva, through the process of devotional service to the Lord in the mode of detachment.

> ******

> Text 13

> yadendriyoparâmo 'tha

> drastrâtmani pare harau

> vilîyante tadâ klesâh

> samsuptasyeva krtsnasah

> yadâ: when; indriya: senses; uparâmah: satiated; atha: thus; drastr-âtmani: unto the seer, the Supersoul; pare: in the Transcendence; harau: unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; vilîyante: become merged in; tadâ: at that time; klesâh: miseries; samsuptasya: one who has enjoyed sound sleep; iva: like; krtsnasah: completely.

> When the senses are satisfied in the seer-Supersoul, the Personality of Godhead, and merge in Him, all miseries are completely vanquished, as after a sound sleep.

> ******

> Text 14

> asesa-sanklesa-samam vidhatte

> gunânuvâda-sravanam murâreh

> kim vâ punas tac-caranâravinda-

> parâga-sevâ-ratir âtma-labdhâ

> asesa: unlimited; sanklesa: miserable conditions; samam: cessation; vidhatte: can perform; guna-anuvâda: of the transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, entourage and paraphernalia, etc.; sravanam:hearing and chanting; murâreh: of Murâri (Srî Krsna), the Personality of Godhead; kim vâ: what to speak of; punah: again; tat: His; carana-aravinda: lotus feet; parâga-sevâ: to the service of the flavorful dust; ratih: attraction; âtma-labdhâ: those who have gained such self-achievement.

> Simply by chanting and hearing of the transcendental name, form, etc., of the Personality of Godhead, Srî Krsna, one can achieve the cessation of unlimited miserable conditions. Therefore what to speak of those who have attained attraction for serving the flavor of the dust of the Lord's lotus feet?

> ******

> Text 15

> vidura uvâca

> sanchinnah samsayo mahyam

> tava sûktâsinâ vibho

> ubhayatrâpi bhagavan

> mano me sampradhâvati

> vidurah uvâca: Vidura said; sanchinnah: cut off; samsayah: doubts; mahyam: unto me; tava: your; sûkta-asinâ: by the weapon of convincing words; vibho: O my lord; ubhayatra api: both in God and in the living entity; bhagavan: O powerful one; manah: mind; me: my; sampradhâvati: perfectly entering.

> Vidura said: O powerful sage; my lord, all my doubts about the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the living entities have now been removed by your convincing words. My mind is now perfectly entering into them.

> ******

> Text 16

> sâdhv etad vyâhrtam vidvan

> nâtma-mâyâyanam hareh

> âbhâty apârtham nirmûlam

> visva-mûlam na yad bahih

> sâdhu: as good as it should be; etat: all these explanations; vyâhrtam: thus spoken; vidvan: O learned one; na: not; âtma: the self; mâyâ: energy; ayanam: movement; hareh: of the Personality of Godhead; âbhâti: appears; apârtham: without meaning; nirmûlam: without basis; visva-mûlam: the origin is the Supreme; na: not; yat: which; bahih: outside.

> O learned sage, your explanations are very good, as they should be. Disturbances to the conditioned soul have no other basis than the movement of the external energy of the Lord.

> ******

> Text 17

> yas ca mûdhatamo loke

> yas ca buddheh param gatah

> tâv ubhau sukham edhete

> klisyaty antarito janah

> yah: one who is; ca: also; mûdha-tamah: the lowest of the fools; loke: in the world; yah ca: and one who is; buddheh: of intelligence; param: transcendental; gatah: gone; tau: of them; ubhau: both; sukham: happiness; edhete: enjoy; klisyati: suffer; antaritah: situated between; janah: persons.

> Both the lowest of fools and he who is transcendental to all intelligence enjoy happiness, whereas persons between them suffer the material pangs.

> ******

> Text 18

> arthâbhâvam viniscitya

> pratîtasyâpi nâtmanah

> yâm câpi yusmac-carana-

> sevayâham parânude

> artha-abhâvam: without substance; viniscitya: being ascertained; pratîtasya: of the apparent values; api: also; na: never; âtmanah: of the self; tâm: that; ca: also; api: thus; yusmat: your; carana: feet; sevayâ: by service; aham: myself; parânude: shall be able to give up.

> But, my dear sir, I am obliged to you because now I can understand that this material manifestation is without substance, although it appears real. I am confident that by serving your feet it will be possible for me to give up the false idea.

> ******

> Text 19

> yat-sevayâ bhagavatah

> kûta-sthasya madhu-dvisah

> rati-râso bhavet tîvrah

> pâdayor vyasanârdanah

> yat: to whom; sevayâ: by service; bhagavatah: of the Personality of Godhead; kûta-sthasya: of the unchangeable; madhu-dvisah: the enemy of the Madhu asura; rati-râsah: attachment in different relationships; bhavet: develops; tîvrah: highly ecstatic; pâdayah: of the feet; vyasana: distresses; ardanah: vanquishing.

> By serving the feet of the spiritual master, one is enabled to develop transcendental ecstasy in the service of the Personality of Godhead, who is the unchangeable enemy of the Madhu demon and whose service vanquishes one's material distresses.

> ******

> Text 20

> durâpâ hy alpa-tapasah

> sevâ vaikuntha-vartmasu

> yatropagîyate nityam

> deva-devo janârdanah

> durâpâ: rarely obtainable; hi: certainly; alpa-tapasah: of one whose austerity is meager; sevâ: service; vaikuntha: the transecendental kingdom of God; vartmasu: on the path of; yatra: wherein; upagîyate: is glorified; nityam: always; deva: of the demigods; devah: the Lord; jana-ardanah: the controller of the living entities.

> Persons whose austerity is meager can hardly obtain the service of the pure devotees who are progressing on the path back to the kingdom of Godhead, the Vaikunthas. Pure devotees engage one hundred percent in glorifying the Supreme Lord, who is the Lord of the demigods and the controller of all living entities.

> ******

> Text 21

> srstvâgre mahad-âdîni

> sa-vikârâny anukramât

> tebhyo virâjam uddhrtya

> tam anu prâvisad vibhuh

> srstvâ: after creating; agre: in the beginning; mahat-âdîni: the total material energy; sa-vikârâny: along with the sense organs; anukramât: by a gradual process of differentiation; tebhyah: out of that; virâjam: the gigantic universal form; uddhrtya: manifesting; tam: unto that; anu: later; prâvisat: entered; vibhuh: the Supreme.

> After creating the total material energy, the mahat-tattva, and thereby manifesting the gigantic universal form with senses and sense organs, the Supreme Lord entered within it.

> ******

> Text 22

> yam âhur âdyam purusam

> sahasrânghry-ûru-bâhukam

> yatra visva ime lokâh

> sa-vikâsam ta âsate

> yam: who; âhuh: is called; âdyam: original; purusam: incarnation for cosmic manifestation; sahasra: thousand; anghri: legs; ûru: thighs; bâhukam: hands; yatra: wherein; visvah: the universe; ime: all these; lokâh: planets; sa-vikâsam: with respective developments; te: all of them; âsate: living.

> The purusa incarnation lying on the Causal Ocean is called the original purusa in the material creations, and in His virât form, in whom all the planets and their inhabitants live. He has many thousands of legs and hands.

> ******

> Text 23

> yasmin dasa-vidhah prânah

> sendriyârthendriyas tri-vrt

> tvayerito yato varnâs

> tad-vibhûtîr vadasva nah

> yasmin: in which; dasa-vidhah: ten kinds of; prânah: air of life; sa: with; indriya: senses; artha: interest; indriyah: of the senses; tri-vrt: three kinds of life vigor; tvayâ: by you; îritah: explained; yatah: wherefrom; varnâh: four specific divisions; tat-vibhûtîh: prowess; vadasva: please describe; nah: unto me.

> O great brâhmana, you have told me that the gigantic virât form and His senses, sense objects and ten kinds of life air exist with three kinds of life vigor. Now, if you will, kindly explain to me the different powers of the specific divisions.

> ******

> Text 24

> yatra putrais ca pautrais ca

> naptrbhih saha gottrajaih

> prajâ vicitrâkrtaya

> âsan yâbhir idam tatam

> yatra: wherein; putraih: along with sons; ca: and; pautraih: along with grandsons; ca: also; naptrbhih: with grandsons from daughters; saha: along with; gotra-jaih: of the same family; prajâh: generations; vicitra: of different kinds; âkrtayah: so done; âsan: exist; yâbhih: by whom; idam: all these planets; tatam: spread.

> O my lord, I think that the prowess manifest in the forms of sons, grandsons and family members has spread all over the universe in different varieties and species.

> *******

> Text 25

> prajâpatînâm sa patis

> caklpe kân prajâpatîn

> sargâms caivânusargâms ca

> manûn manvantarâdhipân

> Prajâ-patînâm: of the demigods like Brahmâ and others; sah: he; patih: leader; caklpe: decided; kân: whomsoever; prajâpatîn: fathers of the living entities; sargân: generations; ca: also; eva: certainly; anusargân: later generations; ca: and; manûn: the Manus; manvantara-adhipân: and the changes of such.

> O learned brâhmana, please describe how the leader of all the demigods, namely Prajâpati, Brahmâ, decided to establish the various Manus, the heads of the ages. Please describe the Manus also, and please describe the descendants of those Manus.

> ******

> Text 26

> upary adhas ca ye lokâ

> bhûmer mitrâtmajâsate

> tesâm samsthâm pramânam ca

> bhûr-lokasya ca varnaya

> upari: on the head; adhah: underneath; ca: also; ye: which; lokâh: planets; bhûmeh: of the earth; mitra-âtmaja: O son of Mitrâ (Maitreya Muni); âsate: do exist; tesâm: their; samsthâm: situation; pramânam ca: also their measurement; bhûh-lokasya: of the earthly planets; ca: also; varnaya: please describe.

> O son of Mitrâ, kindly describe how the planets are situated above the earth as well as underneath it, and also please mention their measurement as well as that of the earthly planets.

> ******

> Text 27

> tyrian-mânusa-devânâm

> sarîsrpa-patattrinâm

> vada nah sarga-samvyûham

> gârbha-sveda-dvijodbhidâm

> tyriak: subhuman;mânusa: human beings; devânâm: of the superhuman beings, or demigods; sarîsrpa: reptiles; patattrinâm: of the birds; vada: kindly describe; nah: unto me; sarga: generation; samvyûham: specific divisions; gârbha: embryonic; sveda: perspiration; dvija: twice-born; udbhidâm: of the planets, etc.

> Also please describe the living beings under different classifications: subhumans, humans, those born of the embryo, those born of perspiration, those who are twice-born [birds], and the plants and vegetables. Kindly describe their generations and subdivisions also.

> ******

> Text 28

> gunâvatârair visvasya

> sarga-sthity-apyayâsrayam

> srjatah srînivâsasya

> vyâcaksvodâra-vikramam

> guna: modes of material nature; avatâraih: of the incarnations; visvasya: of the universe; sarga: creation; sthiti: maintenance; apyaya: destruction; âsrayam: and ultimate rest; srjatah: of the one who creates; srînivâsasya: of the Personality of Godhead; vyâcaksva: kindly describe; udâra: magnanimous; vikramam: specific activities.

> Please also describe the incarnations of the material modes of nature-Brahmâ, Visnu and Mahesvara-and please describe the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His magnanimous activities.

> ******

> Text 29

> varnâsrama-vibhâgâms ca

> rûpa-sîla-svabhâvatah

> rsînâm janma-karmâni

> vedasya ca vikarsanam

> varna-âsrama: the four divisions of social statuses and orders of spiritual culture; vibhâgân: respective divisions; ca: also; rûpa: personal features; sîla-svabhâvatah: personal character; rsînâm: of the sages; janma: birth; karmâni: activities; vedasya: of the Vedas; ca: and; vikarsanam: categorical divisions.

> O great sage, kindly describe the divisions and orders of human society in terms of symptoms, behavior and the characteristics of mental equilibrium and sense control. Also please describe the births of the great sages and the categorical divisions of the Vedas.

> Text 30

> yajnasya ca vitânâni

> yogasya ca pathah prabho

> naiskarmyasya ca sânkhyasya

> tantram vâ bhagavat-smrtam

> yajnasya: of sacrifices; ca: also; vitânâni: expansions; yogasya: of the mystic powers; ca: also; pathah: ways; prabho: O my lord; naiskarmyasya: of knowledge; ca: and; sankhyasya: of analytical studies; tantram: the path of devotional service; vâ: as well as; bhagavat: in relation with the Personality of Godhead; smrtam: regulative principles.

> Please also describe the expansions of different sacrifices and the paths of mystic powers, analytical study of knowledge, and devotional service, all with their respective regulation.

> ******

> Text 31

> pâsanda-patha-vaisamyam

> pratiloma-nivesanam

> jîvasya gatayo yâs ca

> yâvatîr guna-karmajâh

> pâsanda-patha: the path of the faithless; vaisamyam: imperfection by contradiction; pratiloma: crossbreeding; nivesanam: situation; jîvasya: of the living entities; gatayah: movements; yâh: as they are; ca: also; yâvatîh: as many as; guna: modes of material nature; karma-jâh: generated by different work.

> Please also describe the imperfections and contradictions of the faithless atheists, the situation of crossbreeding, and the movements of the living entities in various species of life according to their particular modes of nature and work.

> ******

> Text 32

> dharmârtha-kâma-moksânâm

> nimittâny avirodhatah

> vârtâyâ danda-nîtes ca

> srutasya ca vidhim prthak

> dharma: religiosity; artha: economic development; kâma: sense gratification; moksânâm: salvation; nimittâni: causes; avirodhatah: without being contradictory; vârtâyâh: on the principles of the means of livelihood; danda-nîteh: of law and order; ca: also; srutasya: of the codes of scriptures; ca: also; vidhim: regulations; prthak: different.

> You may also describe the noncontradictory causes of religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and salvation and also the different means of livelihood and different processes of law and order as mentioned in the revealed scriptures.

> ******

> Text 33

> srâddhasya ca vidhim brahman

> pitrnâm sargam eva ca

> graha-naksatra-târânâm

> kâlâvayava-samsthitim

> srâddhasya: of the periodical offerings of respects; ca: also; vidhim: regulations; brahman: O brâhmana; pitrnâm: of the forefathers; sargam: creation; eva: as; ca: also; graha: planetary system; naksatra: the stars; târânâm: luminaries; kâla: time; avayava: duration; samsthitim: situations.

> Please also explain the regulations for offering respects to the forefathers, the creation of the Pitrloka, the time schedule in the planets, stars and luminaries, and their respective situations.

> ******

> Text 34

> dânasya tapaso vâpi

> yac cestâ-pûrtayoh phalam

> pravâsa-sthasya yo dharmo

> yas ca pumsa utâpadi

> dânasya: of charity; tapasah: of penance; vâpi: lake; yat: that which; ca: and; istâ: endeavor; pûrtayoh: of reservoirs of water; phalam: fruitive result; pravâsa-sthasya: one who is away from home; yah: that which; dharmah: duty; yah ca: and which; pumsah: of man; uta: described; âpadi: in danger.

> Please also describe the fruitive results of charity and penance and of digging reservoirs of water. Please describe the situation of persons who are away from home and also the duty of a man in an awkward position.

> ******

> Text 35

> yena vâ bhagavâms tusyed

> dharma-yonir janârdanah

> samprasîdati vâ yesâm

> etad âkhyâhi me 'nagha

> yena: by which; vâ: either; bhagavân: the Personality of Godhead, tusyet: is satisfied; dharma-yonih: the father of all religion; janârdanah: the controller of all living beings; samprasîdati: completely satisfied; vâ: either, or; yesâm: of those; etat: all these; âkhyâhi: kindly describe; me: unto me; anagha: O sinless one.

> O sinless one, because the Personality of Godhead, the controller of all living entities, is the father of all religion and all those who are candidates for religious activities, kindly describe how He can be completely satisfied.

> ******

> Text 36

> anuvratânâm sisyânâm

> putrânâm ca dvijottama

> anâprstam api brûyur

> guravo dîna-vatsalâh

> Anuvratânâm: the followers; sisyânâm: of the disciples; putrânâm: of the sons; ca: also; dvija-uttama: O best amongst the brâhmansa; anâprstam: that which is not asked for; api: in spite of; brûyuh: please describe; guravah: the spiritual masters; dîna-vatsalâh: who are kind to the needy.

> O best among the brâhmanas, those who are spiritual masters are very kind to the needy. They are always kind to their followers, disciples and sons, and without being asked by them, the spiritual master described all that is knowledge.

> ******

> Text 37

> tattvânâm bhagavams tesâm

> katidhâ pratisankramah

> tatremam ka upâsîran

> ka u svid anuserate

> tattvânâm: of the elements of nature; bhagavan: O great sage; tesâm: of them; katidhâ: how many; pratisankramah: dissolutions; tatra: thereupon; imam: unto the Supreme Lord; ke: who are they; upâsîran: being saved; ke: who are they; u: who; svit: may; anuserate: serve the Lord while He sleeps.

> Please describe how many dissolutions there are for the elements of material nature and who survives after the dissolutions to serve the Lord while He is asleep.

> ******

> Text 38

> purusasya ca samsthânam

> svarûpam vâ parasya ca

> jnânam ca naigamam yat tad

> guru-sisya-prayojanam

> purusasya: of the living entity; ca: also; samsthânam: existence; svarûpam: identity; vâ: either, or; parasya: of the Supreme; ca: also; jnânam: knowledge; ca: also; naigamam: in the matter of the Upanisads; yat: that; tat: the same; guru: spiritual master; sisya: disciple; prayojanam: necessity.

> What are the truths regarding the living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead? What are their identities? What are the specific values in the knowledge in the Vedas, and what are the necessities for the spiritual master and his disciples?

> ******

> Text 39

> nimittâni ca tasyeha

> proktâny anagha-sûribhih

> svato jnânam kutah pumsâm

> bhaktir vairâgyam eva vâ

> nimittâni: the source of knowledge; ca: also; tasya: of such knowledge; iha: in this world; proktâni: mentioned; anagha: spotless; sûribhih: by devotees; svatah: self-sufficient; jnânam: knowledge; kutah: how; pumsâm: of the living entity; bhaktih: devotional service; vairâgyam: detachment; eva: certainly; vâ: also.

> Spotless devotees of the Lord have mentioned the source of such knowledge. How could one have knowledge of devotional service and detachment without the help of such devotees?

> ******

> Text 40

> etân me prcchatah prasnân

> hareh karma-vivitsayâ

> brûhi me 'jnasya mitratvâd

> ajayâ nasta-caksusah

> etân: all these; me: my; prcchatah: of one who inquires; prasnân: questions; hareh: of the Supreme Lord; karma: pastimes; vivitsayâ: desiring to know; brûhi: kindly describe; me: unto me; ajnasya: of one who is ignorant; mitratvât: because of friendship; ajayâ: by the external energy; nasta-caksusah: those who have lost their vision.

> My dear sage, I have put all these questions before you with a view to knowing the pastimes of Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You are the friend of all, so kindly describe them for all those who have lost their vision.

> ******

> Text 41

> sarve vedâs ca yajnâs ca

> tapo dânâni cânagha

> jîvâbhaya-pradânasya

> na kurvîran kalâm api

> sarve: all kinds of; vedâh: divisions of the Vedas; ca: also; yajnâh: sacrifices; ca: also; tapah: penances; dânâni: charities; ca: and; anagha: O spotless one; jîva: the living entity; abhaya: immunity from material pangs; pradânasya: of one who gives such assurance; na: not; kurvîran: can be equalized; kalâm: even partially; api: certainly.

> O spotless one, your answers to all these questions will grant immunity from all material miseries. Such charity is greater than all Vedic charities, sacrifices, penances, etc.

> ******

> Text 42

> srî-suka uvâca

> sa ittham âprsta-purâna-kalpah

> kuru-pradhânena muni-pradhânah

> pravrddha-harso bhagavat-kathâyâm

> sancoditas tam prahasann ivâha

> srî-sukah uvâca: Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmi said; sah: he; ittham: thus; âprsta: being questioned; purâna-kalpah: one who knows how to explain the supplements of the Vedas (the Purânas); kuru-pradhânena: by the chief of the Kurus; muni-pradhânah: the chief amongst the sages; pravrddha: sufficiently enriched; harsah: satisfaction; bhagavat: the Personality of Godhead; kathâyâm: in the topics of; sancoditah: being so infused; tam: unto Vidura; prahasan: with smiles; iva: like that; âha: replied.

> Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmi said: Thus the chief of the sages, who was always enthusiastic about describing topics regarding the Personality of Godhead, began to narrate the descriptive explanation of the Purânas, being so infused by Vidura. He was very much enlivened by speaking on the transcendental activities of the Lord.

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