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

> > *******

> > Canto 10: 'Summum Bonum'

> > *******

> > Chapter Eighty-four: The Sages' Teachings at Kurukshetra

> > TEXT 1

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > s'rutvâ prithâ subala-putry atha yâjn'asenî

> > mâdhavy atha kshitipa-patnya uta sva-gopyah

> > krishne 'khilâtmani harau pranayânubandham

> > sarvâ visismyur alam as'ru-kalâkulâkshyah

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; s'rutvâ - hearing; prithâ - Kuntî; subala- putrî - Gândhârî, the daughter of King Subala; atha - and; yâjn'asenî - Draupadî; mâdhavî - Subhadrâ; atha - and; kshiti-pa - of the kings; patnyah - the wives; uta - also; sva - (Lord Krishna's) own; gopyah - gopîs; krishne - to Krishna; akhila - of all; âtmani - the Soul; harau - the Supreme Lord Hari; pranaya - loving; anubandham - attachment; sarvâh - all of them; visismyuh - became amazed; alam - greatly; as'ru-kala - with tears; âkula - filling; akshyah - whose eyes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Prithâ, Gândhârî, Draupadî, Subhadrâ, the wives of other kings and the Lord's cowherd girîfriends were all amazed to hear of the queens' deep love for Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and Soul of all beings, and their eyes filled with tears.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 2 - 5

> > iti sambhâshamânâsu

> > strîbhih strîshu nribhir nrishu

> > âyayur munayas tatra

> > krishna-râma-didrikshayâ

> > dvaipâyano nâradas' ca

> > cyavano devalo 'sitah

> > vis'vâmitrah s'atânando

> > bharadvâjo 'tha gautamah

> > râmah sa-s'ishyo bhagavân

> > vasishthho gâlavo bhriguh

> > pulastyah kas'yapo 'tris' ca

> > mârkandeyo brihaspatih

> > dvitas tritas' caikatas' ca

> > brahma-putrâs tathângirâh

> > agastyo yâjn'avalkyas' ca

> > vâmadevâdayo 'pare

> > iti - thus; sambhâshamânâsu - as they were conversing; strîbhih - with women; strîshu - women; nribhih - with men; nrishu - men; âyayuh - arrived; munayah - great sages; tatra - at that place; krishna-râma - Lord Krishna and Lord Balarâma; didrikshayâ - with the desire to see;

> > dvaipâyanah - Dvaipâyana Vedavyâsa; nâradah - Nârada; ca - and; cyavanah devalah asitah - Cyavana, Devala and Asita; vis'vâmitrah s'atânandah - Vis'vâmitra and S'atânanda; bharadvâjah atha gautamah - Bharadvâja and Gautama;

> > râmah - Paras'urâma; sa - with; s'ishyah - his disciples; bhagavân - the incarnation of the Supreme Lord; vasishthhah gâlavah bhriguh - Vasishthha, Gâlava and Bhrigu; pulastyah kas'yapah atrih ca - Pulastya, Kas'yapa and Atri; mârkandeyah brihaspatih - Mârkandeya and Brihaspati;

> > dvitah tritah ca ekatah ca - Dvita, Trita and Ekata; brahma-putrâh - sons of Lord Brahmâ (Sanaka, Sanat, Sananda and Sanâtana); tathâ - and also; angirâh - Angirâ; agastyah yâjn'avalkyah ca - Agastya and Yâjn'avalkya; vâmadeva- âdayah - led by Vâmadeva; apare - others.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As the women thus talked among themselves and the men among themselves, a number of great sages arrived there, all of them eager to see Lord Krishna and Lord Balarâma. They included Dvaipâyana, Nârada, Cyavana, Devala and Asita, Vis'vâmitra, S'atânanda, Bharadvâja and Gautama, Lord Paras'urâma and his disciples, Vasishthha, Gâlava, Bhrigu, Pulastya and Kas'yapa, Atri, Mârkandeya and Brihaspati, Dvita, Trita, Ekata and the four Kumâras, and Angirâ, Agastya, Yâjn'avalkya and Vâmadeva.

> > ******

> > TEXT 6

> > tân drishthvâ sahasotthâya

> > prâg âsînâ nripâdayah

> > pândavâh krishna-râmau ca

> > pranemur vis'va-vanditân

> > tân - them; drishthvâ - seeing; sahasâ - immediately; utthâya - standing up; prâk - until now; âsînâh - seated; nripa-âdayah - the kings and others; pândavâh - the Pândavas; krishna-râmau - Krishna and Balarâma; ca - also; pranemuh - bowed down; vis'va - by the whole universe; vanditân - to them who are honored.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As soon as they saw the sages approaching, the kings and other gentlemen who had been seated immediately stood up, including the Pândava brothers and Krishna and Balarâma. They all then bowed down to the sages, who are honored throughout the universe.

> > ******

> > TEXT 7

> > tân ânarcur yathâ sarve

> > saha-râmo 'cyuto 'rcayat

> > svâgatâsana-pâdyârghya-

> > mâlya-dhûpânulepanaih

> > tân - them; ânarcuh - they worshiped; yathâ - properly; sarve - all of them; saha- râma - including Lord Balarâma; acyutah - and Lord Krishna; arcayat - worshiped them; sv-âgata - with greetings; âsana - sitting places; pâdya - water to wash the feet; arghya - water to drink; mâlya - flower garlands; dhûpa - incense; anulepanaih - and sandalwood paste.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Krishna, Lord Balarâma and the other kings and leaders properly worshiped the sages by offering them words of greeting, sitting places, water for washing their feet, drinking water, flower garlands, incense and sandalwood paste.

> > ******

> > TEXT 8

> > uvâca sukham âsînân

> > bhagavân dharma-gup-tanuh

> > sadasas tasya mahato

> > yata-vâco 'nus'rinvatah

> > uvâca - said; sukham - comfortably; âsînân - to them who were seated; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; dharma - of religion; gup - the means of protection; tanuh - whose body; sadasah - in the assembly; tasya - that; mahatah - to the great souls; yata - subdued; vâcah - whose speech; anus'rinvatah - as they listened carefully.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After the sages were comfortably seated, the Supreme Lord Krishna, whose transcendental body protects religious principles, addressed them in the midst of that great assembly. Everyone listened silently with rapt attention.

> > ******

> > TEXT 9

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > aho vayam janma-bhrito

> > labdham kârtsnyena tat-phalam

> > devânâm api dushprâpam

> > yad yoges'vara-dars'anam

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Lord said; aho - ah; vayam - we; janma- bhritah - having taken birth successfully; labdham - obtained; kârtsnyena - altogether; tat - of it (one's birth); phalam - the fruit; devânâm - for demigods; api - even; dushprâpam - rarely obtained; yat - which; yoga- îs'vara - of masters of yoga; dars'anam - the sight.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Lord said: Now our lives are indeed successful, for we have obtained life's ultimate goal: the audience of great yoga masters, which even demigods only rarely obtain.

> > ******

> > TEXT 10

> > kim svalpa-tapasâm nrnâm

> > arcâyâm deva-cakshushâm

> > dars'ana-spars'ana-pras'na-

> > prahva-pâdârcanâdikam

> > kim - whether; su-alpa - very meager; tapasâm - whose austerities; nrnâm - for human beings; arcâyâm - in the Deity in the temple; deva - God; cakshushâm - whose perception; dars'ana - seeing; spars'ana - touching; pras'na - asking questions; prahva - bowing down; pâda-arcana - worshiping the feet; âdikam - and so on.

> > TRANSLATION

> > How is it that people who are not very austere and who recognize God only in His Deity form in the temple can now see you, touch you, inquire from you, bow down to you, worship your feet and serve you in other ways?

> > ******

> > TEXT 11

> > na hy am-mayâni tîrthâni

> > na devâ mric-chilâ-mayâh

> > te punanty uru-kâlena

> > dars'anâd eva sâdhavah

> > na - not; hi - indeed; ap - of water; mayâni - composed; tîrthâni - holy places; na - not; devâh - deities; mrit - of earth; s'ilâ - and stone; mayâh - composed; te - they; punanti - purify; uru-kâlena - after a long time; dars'anât - by being seen; eva - only; sâdhavah - saints.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Mere bodies of water are not the real sacred places of pilgrimage, nor are mere images of earth and stone the true worshipable deities. These purify one only after a long time, but saintly sages purify one immediately upon being seen.

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > nâgnir na sûryo na ca candra-târakâ

> > na bhûr jalam kham s'vasano 'tha vân manah

> > upâsitâ bheda-krito haranty agham

> > vipas'cito ghnanti muhûrta-sevayâ

> > na - not; agnih - fire; na - not; sûryah - the sun; na - not; ca - and; candra - the moon; târakâh - and stars; na - not; bhûh - earth; jalam - water; kham - ether; s'vasanah - breath; atha - or; vâk - speech; manah - and the mind; upâsitâh - worshiped; bheda - differences (between himself and other living beings); kritah - of one who creates; haranti - they take away; agham - the sins; vipas'citah - wise men; ghnanti - destroy; muhûrta - for a span of minutes; sevayâ - by service.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Neither the demigods controlling fire, the sun, the moon and the stars nor those in charge of earth, water, ether, air, speech and mind actually remove the sins of their worshipers, who continue to see in terms of dualities. But wise sages destroy one's sins when respectfully served for even a few moments.

> > ******

> > TEXT 13

> > yasyâtma-buddhih kunape tri-dhâtuke

> > sva-dhîh kalatrâdishu bhauma ijya-dhîh

> > yat-tîrtha-buddhih salile na karhicij

> > janeshv abhijn'eshu sa eva go-kharah

> > yasya - whose; âtma - as his self; buddhih - idea; kunape - in a corpselike body; tri-dhâtuke - made of three basic elements; sva - as his own; dhîh - idea; kalatra-âdishu - in wife and so on; bhaume - in earth; ijya - as worshipable; dhîh - idea; yat - whose; tîrtha - as a place of pilgrimage; buddhih - idea; salile - in water; na karhicit - never; janeshu - in men; abhijn'eshu - wise; sah - he; eva - indeed; gah - a cow; kharah - or an ass.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One who identifies his self as the inert body composed of mucus, bile and air, who assumes his wife and family are permanently his own, who thinks an earthen image or the land of his birth is worshipable, or who sees a place of pilgrimage as merely the water there, but who never identifies himself with, feels kinship with, worships or even visits those who are wise in spiritual truth - such a person is no better than a cow or an ass.

> > ******

> > TEXT 14

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > nis'amyettham bhagavatah

> > krishnasyâkuntha-medhasah

> > vaco duranvayam viprâs

> > tûshnîm âsan bhramad-dhiyah

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; nis'amya - hearing; ittham - such; bhagavatah - of the Supreme Lord; krishnasya - Krishna; akunthha - unrestricted; medhasah - whose wisdom; vacah - the words; duranvayam - difficult to comprehend; viprâh - the learned brâhmanas; tûshnîm - silent; âsan - were; bhramat - unsteady; dhiyah - their minds.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Hearing such unfathomable words from the unlimitedly wise Lord Krishna, the learned brâhmanas remained silent, their minds bewildered.

> > ******

> > TEXT 15

> > ciram vimris'ya munaya

> > îs'varasyes'itavyatâm

> > jana-sangraha ity ûcuh

> > smayantas tam jagad-gurum

> > ciram - for some time; vimris'ya - thinking; munayah - the sages; îs'varasya - of the supreme controller; îs'itavyatâm - the status of being controlled; jana- sangrahah - the enlightenment of the people in general; iti - thus (concluding); ûcuh - they said; smayantah - smiling; tam - to Him; jagat - of the universe; gurum - the spiritual master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > For some time the sages pondered the Supreme Lord's behavior, which resembled that of a subordinate living being. They concluded that He was acting this way to instruct the people in general. Thus they smiled and spoke to Him, the spiritual master of the universe.

> > ******

> > TEXT 16

> > s'rî-munaya ûcuh

> > yan-mâyayâ tattva-vid-uttamâ vayam

> > vimohitâ vis'va-srijâm adhîs'varâh

> > yad îs'itavyâyati gûdha îhayâ

> > aho vicitram bhagavad-viceshthitam

> > s'rî-munayah ûcuh - the great sages said; yat - whose; mâyayâ - by the power of illusion; tattva - of the truth; vit - knowers; uttamâh - best; vayam - we; vimohitâh - confused; vis'va - of the universe; srijâm - of creators; adhîs'varah - chief; yat - the fact that; îs'itavyâyati - (the Supreme Lord) pretends to be subject to higher control; gûdhah - hidden; îhayâ - by His activities; aho - ah; vicitram - amazing; bhagavat - of the Supreme Lord; viceshthitam - the activity.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sages said: Your power of illusion has totally bewildered us, the most exalted knowers of the truth and leaders among the universal creators. Ah, how amazing is the behavior of the Supreme Lord! He covers Himself with His humanlike activities and pretends to be subject to superior control.

> > ******

> > TEXT 17

> > anîha etad bahudhaika âtmanâ

> > srijaty avaty atti na badhyate yathâ

> > bhaumair hi bhûmir bahu-nâma-rûpinî

> > aho vibhûmnas' caritam vidambanam

> > anîhah - exerting no endeavor; etat - this (universe); bahudhâ - manifold; ekah - alone; âtmanâ - by Himself; srijati - He creates; avati - maintains; atti - annihilates; na badhyate - is not bound up; yathâ - as; bhaumaih - by the transformations of earth; hi - indeed; bhûmih - earth; bahu - many; nâma- rûpinî - having names and forms; aho - ah; vibhûmnah - of the almighty Lord; caritam - the activities; vidambanam - a pretense.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Indeed, the humanlike pastimes of the Almighty are simply a pretense! Effortlessly, He alone sends forth from His Self this variegated creation, maintains it and then swallows it up again, all without becoming entangled, just as the element earth takes on many names and forms in its various transformations.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > athâpi kâle sva-janâbhiguptaye

> > bibharshi sattvam khala-nigrahâya ca

> > sva-lîlayâ veda-patham sanâtanam

> > varnâs'ramâtmâ purushah paro bhavân

> > atha api - nonetheless; kâle - at the correct time; sva-jana - of Your devotees; abhiguptaye - for the protection; bibharshi - You assume; sattvam - the mode of goodness; khala - of the wicked; nigrahâya - for the punishment; ca - and; sva - Your; lîlayâ - by the pastimes; veda-patham - the path of the Vedas; sanâtanam - eternal; varna-âs'rama - of the divine system of occupational and spiritual divisions of society; âtmâ - the Soul; purushah - the Personality of Godhead; parah - Supreme; bhavân - Your good self.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Nonetheless, at suitable times You assume the pure mode of goodness to protect Your devotees and punish the wicked. Thus You, the Soul of the varnâs'rama social order, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, maintain the eternal path of the Vedas by enjoying Your pleasure pastimes.

> > ******

> > TEXT 19

> > brahma te hridayam s'uklam

> > tapah-svâdhyâya-samyamaih

> > yatropalabdham sad vyaktam

> > avyaktam ca tatah param

> > brahma - the Vedas; te - Your; hridayam - heart; s'uklam - pure; tapah - by austerities; svâdhyâya - study; samyamaih - and self-control; yatra - in which; upalabdham - perceived; sat - pure spiritual existence; vyaktam - the manifest (products of material creation); avyaktam - the unmanifest (subtle causes of creation), ca - and; tatah - to that; param - transcendental.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Vedas are Your spotless heart, and through them one can perceive - by means of austerity, study and self-control - the manifest, the unmanifest and the pure existence transcendental to both.

> > ******

> > TEXT 20

> > tasmâd brahma-kulam brahman

> > s'âstra-yones tvam âtmanah

> > sabhâjayasi sad dhâma

> > tad brahmanyâgranîr bhavân

> > tasmât - therefore; brahma - of brâhmanas; kulam - to the community; brahman - O Absolute Truth; s'âstra - the revealed scriptures; yoneh - whose means of realization; tvam - You; âtmanah - of Yourself; sabhâjayasi - show honor; sat - perfect; dhâma - the abode; tat - consequently; brahmanya - of those who respect brahminical culture; agranîh - the leader; bhavân - You.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Therefore, O Supreme Brahman, You honor the members of the brahminical community, for they are the perfect agents by which one can realize You through the evidence of the Vedas. For that very reason You are the foremost worshiper of the brâhmanas.

> > ******

> > TEXT 21

> > adya no janma-sâphalyam

> > vidyâyâs tapaso dris'ah

> > tvayâ sangamya sad-gatyâ

> > yad antah s'reyasâm parah

> > adya - today; nah - our; janma - of the birth; sâphalyam - fruition; vidyâyâh - of the education; tapasah - of the austerities; dris'ah - of the power of sight; tvayâ - with You; sangamya - obtaining association; sat - of saintly persons; gatyâ - who are the goal; yat - because; antah - the limit; s'reyasâm - of benefits; parah - ultimate.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Today our birth, education, austerity and vision have all become perfect because we have been able to associate with You, the goal of all saintly persons. Indeed, You Yourself are the ultimate, supreme blessing.

> > ******

> > TEXT 22

> > namas tasmai bhagavate

> > krishnâyâkunthha-medhase

> > sva-yogamâyayâcchanna-

> > mahimne paramâtmane

> > namah - obeisances; tasmai - to Him; bhagavate - the Supreme Lord; krishnâya - Krishna; akunthha - unrestricted; medhase - whose wisdom; sva - His own; yoga-mâyayâ - by the internal illusory potency; âcchanna - covered; mahimne - whose glories; parama- âtmane - the Supersoul.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Let us offer obeisances unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, the infinitely intelligent Supersoul, who has disguised His greatness through His mystic Yogamâyâ.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > na yam vidanty amî bhû-pâ

> > ekârâmâs' ca vrishnayah

> > mâyâ-javanikâcchannam

> > âtmânam kâlam îs'varam

> > na - not; yam - whom; vidanti - know; amî - these; bhû-pâh - kings; eka - together; ârâmâh - who enjoy; ca - and; vrishnayah - the Vrishnis; mâyâ - of the divine power of illusion; javanikâ - by the curtain; âcchannam - covered; âtmânam - the Supreme Soul; kâlam - time; îs'varam - the supreme controller.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Neither these kings nor even the Vrishnis, who enjoy Your intimate association, know You as the Soul of all existence, the force of time and the supreme controller. For them You are covered by the curtain of Mâyâ.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 24 - 25

> > yathâ s'ayânah purusha

> > âtmânam guna-tattva-drik

> > nâma-mâtrendriyâbhâtam

> > na veda rahitam param

> > evam tvâ nâma-mâtreshu

> > vishayeshv indriyehayâ

> > mâyayâ vibhramac-citto

> > na veda smrity-upaplavât

> > yathâ - as; s'ayânah - sleeping; purushah - a person; âtmânam - himself; guna - secondary; tattva - of reality; drik - whose vision; nâma - with names; mâtra - and forms; indriya - through his mind; âbhâtam - manifest; na veda - he does not know; rahitam - separate; param - rather;

> > evam - similarly; tvâ - You; nâma-mâtreshu - having names and forms; vishayeshu - in objects of material perception; indriya - of the senses; îhayâ - by the activity; mâyayâ - because of the influence of Your illusory energy; vibhramat - becoming bewildered; cittah - whose consciousness; na veda - one does not know; smriti - of his memory; upaplavât - due to the disruption.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A sleeping person imagines an alternative reality for himself and, seeing himself as having various names and forms, forgets his waking identity, which is distinct from the dream. Similarly, the senses of one whose consciousness is bewildered by illusion perceive only the names and forms of material objects. Thus such a person loses his memory and cannot know You.

> > ******

> > TEXT 26

> > tasyâdya te dadris'imânghrim aghaugha-marsha-

> > tîrthâspadam hridi kritam su-vipakva-yogaih

> > utsikta-bhakty-upahatâs'aya jîva-kos'â

> > âpur bhavad-gatim athânugrihâna bhaktân

> > tasya - His; adya - today; te - Your; dadris'ima - we have seen; anghrim - the feet; agha - of sins; ogha - floods; marsha - which undo; tîrtha - of the holy pilgrimage site (the Ganges); âspadam - the source; hridi - in the heart; kritam - placed; su - well; vipakva - matured; yogaih - by those whose practice of yoga; utsikta - fully developed; bhakti - by devotional service; upahata - destroyed; âs'aya - the material mentality; jîva - of the individual soul; kos'âh - whose external covering; âpuh - they attained; bhavat - Your; gatim - destination; atha - therefore; anugrihâna - please show mercy; bhaktân - to Your devotees.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Today we have directly seen Your feet, the source of the holy Ganges, which washes away volumes of sins. Perfected yogîs can at best meditate upon Your feet within their hearts. But only those who render You wholehearted devotional service and in this way vanquish the soul's covering - the material mind - attain You as their final destination. Therefore kindly show mercy to us, Your devotees.

> > ******

> > TEXT 27

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > ity anujn'âpya dâs'ârham

> > dhritarâshthram yudhishthhiram

> > râjarshe svâs'ramân gantum

> > munayo dadhire manah

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti - thus speaking; anujn'âpya - taking permission to leave; dâs'ârham - of Lord Krishna, the descendant of Mahârâja Das'ârha; dhritarâshthram - of Dhritarâshthra; yudhishthhiram - of Yudhishthhira; râja - among kings; rishe - O sage; sva - their own; âs'ramân - to the hermitages; gantum - to going; munayah - the sages; dadhire - turned; manah - their minds.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Having thus spoken, O wise king, the sages then took leave of Lord Dâs'ârha, Dhritarâshthra and Yudhishthhira and prepared to depart for their âs'ramas.

> > ******

> > TEXT 28

> > tad vîkshya tân upavrajya

> > vasudevo mahâ-yas'âh

> > pranamya copasangrihya

> > babhâshedam su-yantritah

> > tat - this; vîkshya - seeing; tân - them; upavrajya - approaching; vasudevah - Vasudeva; mahâ - great; yas'âh - whose fame; pranamya - bowing down; ca - and; upasangrihya - taking hold of their feet; babhâsha - he said; idam - this; su - very; yantritah - carefully composed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Seeing that they were about to leave, the renowned Vasudeva approached the sages. After bowing down to them and touching their feet, he spoke to them with carefully chosen words.

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > s'rî-vasudeva uvâca

> > namo vah sarva-devebhya

> > rishayah s'rotum arhatha

> > karmanâ karma-nirhâro

> > yathâ syân nas tad ucyatâm

> > s'rî-vasudevah uvâca - S'rî Vasudeva said; namah - obeisances; vah - to you; sarva - all; devebhyah - (who comprise) the demigods; rishayah - O sages; s'rotum arhatha - please listen; karmanâ - by material work; karma - of (previous) work; nirhârah - the purging; yathâ - how; syât - there may be; nah - to us; tat - that; ucyatâm - please say.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Vasudeva said: Obeisances to you, the residence of all the demigods. Please hear me, O sages. Kindly tell us how the reactions of one's work can be counteracted by further work.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > s'rî-nârada uvâca

> > nâti-citram idam viprâ

> > vasudevo bubhutsayâ

> > krishnam matvârbhakam yan nah

> > pricchati s'reya âtmanah

> > s'rî-nâradah uvâca - S'rî Nârada said; na - not; ati - very; citram - wonderful; idam - this; viprâh - O brâhmanas; vasudevah - Vasudeva; bubhutsayâ - with the desire of learning; krishnam - Lord Krishna; matvâ - thinking; arbhakam - a boy; yat - the fact that; nah - from us; pricchati - he asks; s'reyah - about the highest good; âtmanah - for himself.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Nârada Muni said: O brâhmanas, it is not so amazing that in his eagerness to know, Vasudeva has asked us about his ultimate benefit, for he considers Krishna a mere boy.

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > sannikarsho 'tra martyânâm

> > anâdarana-kâranam

> > gângam hitvâ yathânyâmbhas

> > tatratyo yâti s'uddhaye

> > sannikarshah - proximity; atra - here (in this world); martyânâm - for mortals; anâdarana - of disregard; kâranam - a cause; gângam - (the water) of the Ganges; hitvâ - leaving; yathâ - as; anya - other; ambhah - to water; tatratyah - one who lives near it; yâti - goes; s'uddhaye - for purification.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In this world familiarity breeds contempt. For example, one who lives on the banks of the Ganges might travel to some other body of water to be purified.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 32 - 33

> > yasyânubhûtih kâlena

> > layotpatty-âdinâsya vai

> > svato 'nyasmâc ca gunato

> > na kutas'cana rishyati

> > tam kles'a-karma-paripâka-guna-pravâhair

> > avyâhatânubhavam îs'varam advitîyam

> > prânâdibhih sva-vibhavair upagûdham anyo

> > manyeta sûryam iva megha-himoparâgaih

> > yasya - whose; anubhûtih - awareness; kâlena - caused by time; laya - by the destruction; utpatti - creation; âdinâ - and so on; asya - of this (universe); vai - indeed; svatah - on its own; anyasmât - due to some other agency; ca - or; gunatah - in terms of its qualities; na - not; kutas'cana - for any reason; rishyati - becomes disrupted;

> > tam - Him; kles'a - by material distresses; karma - material activities; paripâka - their consequences; guna - of the modes of nature; pravâhaih - and by the constant flow; avyâhata - unaffected; anubhavam - whose consciousness; îs'varam - the supreme controller; advitîyam - who has no second; prâna - by the vital air; âdibhih - and other (elements of the material body); sva - His own; vibhavaih - expansions; upagûdham - disguised; anyah - someone else; manyeta - considers; sûryam iva - like the sun; megha - by clouds; hima - snow; uparâgaih - and eclipses.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Lord's awareness is never disturbed by time, by the creation and destruction of the universe, by changes in its own qualities, or by anything else, whether self-caused or external. But although the consciousness of the Personality of Godhead, who is the supreme one without a second, is never affected by material distress, by the reactions of material work or by the constant flow of nature's modes, ordinary persons nonetheless think that the Lord is covered by His own creations of prâna and other material elements, just as one may think that the sun is covered by clouds, snow or an eclipse.

> > ******

> > TEXT 34

> > athocur munayo râjann

> > âbhâshyânalsadundabhim

> > sarveshâm s'rinvatâm râjn'âm

> > tathaivâcyuta-râmayoh

> > atha - then; ûcuh - said; munayah - the sages; râjan - O King (Parîkchit); âbhâshya - speaking; ânaka-dundubhim - to Vasudeva; sarveshâm - all; s'rinvatâm - as they listened; râjn'âm - the kings; tathâ eva - also; acyuta-râmayoh - Krishna and Balarâma.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:l The sages then spoke again, O King, addressing Vasudeva while all the kings, along with Lord Acyuta and Lord Râma, listened.

> > ******

> > TEXT 35

> > karmanâ karma-nirhâra

> > esha sâdhu-nirûpitah

> > yac chraddhayâ yajed vishnum

> > sarva-yajn'es'varam makhaih

> > karmanâ - by activity; karma - of the reactions of past actions; nirhârah - the counteraction; eshah - this; sâdhu - correctly; nirûpitah - ascertained; yat - that; s'raddhayâ - with faith; yajet - one should worship; vishnum - Vishnu; sarva - of all; yajn'a - sacrifices; îs'varam - the Lord; makhaih - by Vedic fire rituals.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [The sages said:] It has been definitely concluded that work is counteracted by further work when one executes Vedic sacrifices as a means of worshiping Vishnu, the Lord of all sacrifices, with sincere faith.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > cittasyopas'amo 'yam vai

> > kavibhih s'âstra-cakshusâ

> > dars'itah su-gamo yogo

> > dharmas' câtma-mud-âvahah

> > cittasya - of the mind; upas'amah - the pacification; ayam - this; vai - indeed; kavibhih - by learned scholars; s'âstra - of scripture; cakshushâ - with the eye; dars'itah - shown; su-gamah - easily performed; yogah - means of attaining liberation; dharmah - religious duty; ca - and; âtma - to the heart; mut - pleasure; âvahah - which brings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Learned authorities who see through the eye of scripture have demonstrated that this is the easiest method of subduing the agitated mind and attaining liberation, and that it is a sacred duty which brings joy to the heart.

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > ayam svasty-ayanah panthâ

> > dvi-jâter griha-medhinah

> > yac chraddhayâpta-vittena

> > s'uklenejyeta pûrushah

> > ayam - this; svasti - auspiciousness; ayanah - bringing; panthâ - the path; dvi- jâteh - for one who is twice-born (being a member of one of the three higher social orders); griha - at home; medhinah - who performs sacrifices; yat - that; s'raddhayâ - selflessly; âpta - obtained by just means; vittena - with his possessions; s'uklena - untainted; îjyeta - one should worship; pûrushah - the Personality of Godhead.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This is the most auspicious path for a religious householder of the twice- born orders - to selflessly worship the Personality of Godhead with wealth honestly obtained.

> > ******

> > TEXT 38

> > vittaishanâm yajn'a-dânair

> > grihair dâra-sutaishanâm

> > âtma-lokaishanâm deva

> > kâlena visrijed budhah

> > grâme tyaktaishanâh sarve

> > yayur dhîrâs tapo-vanam

> > vitta - for wealth; eshanâm - the desire; yajn'a - by sacrifices; dânaih - and by charity; grihaih - by engagement in household affairs; dâra - for wife; suta - and children; eshanâm - the desire; âtma - for oneself; loka - for an exalted planet (in the next life); eshanâm - the desire; deva - O saintly Vasudeva; kâlena - because of time; visrijet - one should renounce; budhah - who is intelligent; grâme - for household life; tyakta - who renounced; eshanâh - their desires; sarve - all; yayuh - they went; dhîrâh - sober sages; tapah - of austerities; vanam - to the forest.

> > TRANSLATION

> > An intelligent person should learn to renounce his desire for wealth by performing sacrifices and acts of charity. He should learn to renounce his desire for wife and children by experiencing family life. And he should learn to renounce his desire for promotion to a higher planet in his next life, O saintly Vasudeva, by studying the effects of time. Self-controlled sages who have thus renounced their attachment to household life go to the forest to perform austerities.

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > rinais tribhir dvijo jâto

> > devarshi-pitrnâm prabho

> > yajn'âdhyayana-putrais tâny

> > anistîrya tyajan patet

> > rinaih - with debts; tribhih - three; dvi-jah - a member of the twice-born classes; jâtah - is born; deva - to the demigods; rishi - sages; pitrnâm - and forefathers; prabho - O master (Vasudeva); yajn'a - by sacrifice; adhyayana - study of scripture; putraih - and (begetting) children; tâni - these (debts); anistîrya - not liquidating; tyajan - leaving (his body); patet - he falls down.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dear Prabhu, a member of the twice-born classes is born with three kinds of debts - those owed to the demigods, to the sages and to his forefathers. If he leaves his body without first liquidating these debts by performing sacrifice, studying the scriptures and begetting children, he will fall down into a hellish condition.

> > ******

> > TEXT 40

> > tvam tv adya mukto dvâbhyâm vai

> > rishi-pitror mahâ-mate

> > yajn'air devarnam unmucya

> > nirrino 's'arano bhava

> > tvam - you; tu - but; adya - now; muktah - freed; dvâbhyâm - from two (of the debts); vai - certainly; rishi - to the sages; pitroh - and to the forefathers; mahâ-mate - O generous one; yajn'aih - by Vedic sacrifices; deva - to the demigods; rinam - from the debt; unmucya - relieving yourself; nirrinah - without debt; as'aranah - without material shelter; bhava - become.

> > TRANSLATION

> > But you, O magnanimous soul, are already free from two of your debts - those to the sages and the forefathers. Now absolve yourself of your debt to the demigods by executing Vedic sacrifices, and in this way free yourself completely of debt and renounce all material shelter.

> > ******

> > TEXT 41

> > vasudeva bhavân nûnam

> > bhaktyâ paramayâ harim

> > jagatâm îs'varam prârcah

> > sa yad vâm putratâm gatah

> > vasudeva - O Vasudeva; bhavân - your good self; nûnam - doubtlessly; bhaktyâ - with devotion; paramayâ - supreme; harim - Lord Krishna; jagatâm - of all the worlds; îs'varam - the supreme controller; prârcah - have worshiped thoroughly; sah - He; yat - inasmuch; vâm - of both of you (Vasudeva and Devakî); putratâm - the role of son; gatah - has taken on.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Vasudeva, without doubt you must have previously worshiped Lord Hari, the master of all worlds. Both you and your wife must have perfectly worshiped Him with supreme devotion, since He has accepted the role of your son.

> > ******

> > TEXT 42

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > iti tad-vacanam s'rutvâ

> > vasudevo mahâ-manâh

> > tân rishîn ritvijo vavre

> > mûrdhnânamya prasâdya ca

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti - thus spoken; tat - their; vacanam - words; s'rutvâ - having heard; vasudevah - Vasudeva; mahâ- manâh - generous; tân - them; rishîn - the sages; ritvijah - as priests; vavre - chose; mûrdhnâ - with his head; ânamya - bowing down; prasâdya - gratifying them; ca - also.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: After hearing these statements of the sages, generous Vasudeva bowed his head to the ground and, praising them, requested them to become his priests.

> > ******

> > TEXT 43

> > ta enam rishayo râjan

> > vritâ dharmena dhârmikam

> > tasminn ayâjayan kshetre

> > makhair uttama-kalpakaih

> > te - they; enam - him; rishayah - the sages; râjan - O King (Parîkchit); vritâh - chosen; dharmena - according to religious principles; dhârmikam - who was religious; tasmin - in that; ayâjayan - they engaged in executing sacrifices; kshetre - holy field (of Kurukshetra); makhaih - with fire rituals; uttama - superexcellent; kalpakaih - whose arrangements.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus requested by him, O King, the sages engaged the pious Vasudeva in performing fire sacrifices at that holy place of Kurukshetra according to strict religious principles and with most excellent ritual arrangements.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 44 - 45

> > tad-dîkshâyâm pravrittâyâm

> > vrishnayah pushkara-srajah

> > snâtâh su-vâsaso râjan

> > râjânah sushthhv-alankritâh

> > tan-mahishyas' ca muditâ

> > nishka-kanthhyah su-vâsasah

> > dîkshâ-s'âlâm upâjagmur

> > âliptâ vastu-pânayah

> > tat - of him (Vasudeva); dîkshâyâm - the initiation for the sacrifice; pravrittâyâm - when it was about to begin; vrishnayah - the Vrishnis; pushkara - of lotuses; srajah - wearing garlands; snâtâh - bathed; suvâsasah - well dressed; râjan - O King; râjânah - (other) kings; sushthhu - elaborately; alankritâh - ornamented;

> > tat - their; mahishyah - queens; ca - and; muditâh - joyful; nishka - jeweled lockets; kanthhyah - on whose necks; su-vâsasah - well dressed; dîkshâ - of initiation; s'âlâm - the pavilion; upâjagmuh - they approached; âliptâh - anointed; vastu - with auspicious items; pânayah - in whose hands.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When Mahârâja Vasudeva was about to be initiated for the sacrifice, O King, the Vrishnis came to the initiation pavilion after bathing and putting on fine clothes and garlands of lotuses. The other kings also came, elaborately ornamented, as well as all their joyful queens, who wore jeweled lockets around their necks and were also clad in fine garments. The royal wives were anointed with sandalwood paste and carried auspicious items for the worship.

> > ******

> > TEXT 46

> > nedur mridanga-pathaha-

> > s'ankha-bhery-ânakâdayah

> > nanritur natha-nartakyas

> > tushthuvuh sûta-mâgadhâh

> > jaguh su-kanthhyo gandharvyah

> > sangîtam saha-bhartrikâh

> > neduh - sounded; mridanga-pathaha - mridanga and pathaha drums; s'ankha - conchshells; bherî-ânaka - bherî and ânaka drums; âdayah - and other instruments; nanrituh - danced; natha-nartakyah - male and female dancers; tushthuvuh - recited praise; sûta-mâgadhâh - sûta and mâgadha bards; jaguh - sang; su-kanthhyah - sweet- voiced; gandharvyah - female Gandharvas; sangîtam - songs; saha - along with; bhartrikâh - their husbands.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Mridangas, pathahas, conchshells, bherîs, ânakas and other instruments resounded, male and female dancers danced, and sûtas and mâgadhas recited glorifications. Sweet-voiced Gandharvîs sang, accompanied by their husbands.

> > ******

> > TEXT 47

> > tam abhyashin'can vidhi-vad

> > aktam abhyaktam ritvijah

> > patnîbhir ashthâ-das'abhih

> > soma-râjam ivodubhih

> > tam - him; abhyashin'can - they sprinkled with sacred water; vidhivat - according to scriptural rules; aktam - his eyes decorated with mascara; abhyaktam - his body smeared with newly-churned butter; ritvijah - the priests; patnîbhih - along with his wives; ashthâ-das'abhih - eighteen; soma-râjam - the kingly; iva - as if; udubhih - with stars.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After Vasudeva's eyes had been decorated with black cosmetic and his body smeared with fresh butter, the priests initiated him according to scriptural rules by sprinkling him and his eighteen wives with sacred water. Encircled by his wives, he resembled the regal moon encircled by stars.

> > ******

> > TEXT 48

> > tâbhir dukûla-valayair

> > hâra-nûpura-kundalaih

> > sv-alankritâbhir vibabhau

> > dîkshito 'jina-samvritah

> > tâbhih - with them; dukûla - with silk sârîs; valayaih - and bangles; hâra - wearing necklaces; nûpura - ankle bells; kundalaih - and earrings; su - finely; alankritâbhih - decorated; vibabhau - he shone brilliantly; dîkshitah - having been initiated; ajina - by a deerskin; samvritah - enwrapped.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Vasudeva received initiation along with his wives, who wore silk sârîs and were adorned with bangles, necklaces, ankle bells and earrings. With his body wrapped in a deerskin, Vasudeva shone splendidly.

> > ******

> > TEXT 49

> > tasyartvijo mahâ-râja

> > ratna-kaus'eya-vâsasah

> > sa-sadasyâ virejus te

> > yathâ vritra-hano 'dhvare

> > tasya - his; ritvijah - priests; mahâ-râja - O great king (Parîkchit); ratna - with jewels; kaus'eya - silk; vâsasah - and garments; sa - along with; sadasyâh - the officiating members of the assembly; virejuh - appeared effulgent; te - they; yathâ - as if; vritra-hanah - of Lord Indra, the killer of Vritra; adhvare - in the sacrifice.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Mahârâja Parîkchit, Vasudeva's priests and the officiating members of the assembly, dressed in silk dhotîs and jeweled ornaments, looked so effulgent that they seemed to be standing in the sacrificial arena of Indra, the killer of Vritra.

> > ******

> > TEXT 50

> > tadâ râmas' ca krishnas' ca

> > svaih svair bandhubhir anvitau

> > rejatuh sva-sutair dârair

> > jîves'au sva-vibhûtibhih

> > tadâ - at that time; râmah - Lord Balarâma; ca - and; krishnah - Lord Krishna; ca - also; svaih svaih - each by His own; bandhubhih - relatives; anvitau - accompanied; rejatuh - appeared brilliant; sva - with His own; sutaih - sons; dâraih - and wives; jîva - of all living entities; îs'au - the two Lords; sva- vibhûtibhih - with the expansions of Their own opulences.

> > TRANSLATION

> > At that time Balarâma and Krishna, the Lords of all living entities, shone forth with great majesty in the company of Their respective sons, wives and other family members, who were expansions of Their opulences.

> > ******

> > TEXT 51

> > îje 'nu-yajn'am vidhinâ

> > agni-hotrâdi-lakshanaih

> > prâkritair vaikritair yajn'air

> > dravya-jn'âna-kriyes'varam

> > îje - he worshiped; anu-yajn'am - with each kind of sacrifice; vidhinâ - by the proper regulations; agni-hotra - by offering oblations into the sacred fire; âdi - and so on; lakshanaih - characterized; prâkritaih - unmodified, completely specified by s'ruti injunctions; vaikritaih - modified, adjusted according to the indications of other sources; yajn'aih - with sacrifices; dravya - of the sacrificial paraphernalia; jn'âna - of the knowledge of mantras; kriyâ - and of the rituals; îs'varam - the Lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Performing various kinds of Vedic sacrifice according to the proper regulations, Vasudeva worshiped the Lord of all sacrificial paraphernalia, mantras and rituals. He executed both primary and secondary sacrifices, offering oblations to the sacred fire and carrying out other aspects of sacrificial worship.

> > ******

> > TEXT 52

> > athartvigbhyo 'dadât kâle

> > yathâmnâtam sa dakshinâh

> > sv-alankritebhyo 'lankritya

> > go-bhû-kanyâ mahâ-dhanâh

> > atha - then; ritvigbhyah - to the priests; adadât - gave; kâle - at the appropriate time; yathâ-âmnâtam - as stipulated in the scriptures; sah - he; dakshinâh - gifts of thanks; su-alankritebhyah - who were richly adorned; alankritya - decorating them even more elaborately; go - cows; bhû - land; kanyâh - and marriageable girls; mahâ - greatly; dhanâh - valuable.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Then, at the appropriate time and according to scripture, Vasudeva remunerated the priests by decorating them with precious ornaments, though they were already richly adorned, and offering them valuable gifts of cows, land and marriageable girls.

> > ******

> > TEXT 53

> > patnî-samyâjâvabhrithyais'

> > caritvâ te maharshayah

> > sasnû râma-hrade viprâ

> > yajamâna-purah-sarâh

> > patnî-samyâja - the ritual in which the sponsor of the sacrifice offers oblations together with his wife; avabhrithyaih - and the final rituals, known as avabhrithya; caritvâ - having executed; te - they; mahârishayah - the great sages; sasnuh - bathed; râma - of Lord Paras'urâma; hrade - in the lake; viprâh - brâhmanas; yajamâna - the sponsor of the sacrifice (Vasudeva); purah- sarâh - placing in front.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After supervising the patnî-samyâja and avabhrithya rituals, the great brâhmana sages bathed in Lord Paras'urâma's lake with the sponsor of the sacrifice, Vasudeva, who led them.

> > ******

> > TEXT 54

> > snâto 'lankâra-vâsâmsi

> > vandibhyo 'dât tathâ striyah

> > tatah sv-alankrito varnân

> > â-s'vabhyo 'nnena pûjayat

> > snâtah - bathed; alankâra - jewelry; vâsâmsi - and clothing; vandibhyah - to the bards; adât - gave; tathâ - also; striyah - the women; tatah - then; su- alankritah - well ornamented; varnân - all classes of people; â - extending; s'vabhyah - to the dogs; annena - with food; pûjayat - he honored.

> > TRANSLATION

> > His sacred bath complete, Vasudeva joined with his wives in giving the jewelry and clothes they had been wearing to the professional reciters. Vasudeva then put on new garments, after which he honored all classes of people by feeding everyone, even the dogs.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 55 - 56

> > bandhûn sa-dârân sa-sutân

> > pâribarhena bhûyasâ

> > vidarbha-kos'ala-kurûn

> > kâs'i-kekaya-srin'jayân

> > sadasyartvik-sura-ganân

> > nri-bhûta-pitri-câranân

> > s'rî-niketam anujn'âpya

> > s'amsantah prayayuh kratum

> > bandhûn - his relatives; sa-dârân - with their wives; sa-sutân - with their children; pâribarhena - with gifts; bhûyasâ - opulent; vidarbha-kos'ala- kurûn - the leaders of the Vidarbha, Kos'ala and Kuru clans; kâs'i-kekaya- srin'jayân - also the Kâs'îs, Kekayas and Srin'jayas;

> > sadasya - the officials of the sacrificial assembly; ritvik - the priests; sura-ganân - the various classes of demigods; nri - the humans; bhûta - ghostly spirits; pitri - forefathers; câranân - and Câranas, members of a class of minor demigods; s'rî-niketam - from Lord Krishna, the abode of the goddess of fortune; anujn'âpya - taking leave; s'amsantah - praising; prayayuh - they departed; kratum - the sacrificial performance.

> > TRANSLATION

> > With opulent gifts he honored his relatives, including all their wives and children; the royalty of the Vidarbha, Kosala, Kuru, Kâs'î, Kekaya and Srin'jaya kingdoms; the officiating members of the assembly; and also the priests, witnessing demigods, humans, spirits, forefathers and Câranas. Then, taking permission from Lord Krishna, the shelter of the goddess of fortune, the various guests departed as they all chanted the glories of Vasudeva's sacrifice.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 57 - 58

> > dhritarâshthro 'nujah pârthâ

> > bhîshmo dronah prithâ yamau

> > nârado bhagavân vyâsah

> > suhrit-sambandhi-bândhavâh

> > bandhûn parishvajya yadûn

> > sauhridâklinna-cetasah

> > yayur viraha-kricchrena

> > sva-des'âms' câpare janâh

> > dhritarâshthrah - Dhritarâshthra; anujah - (Dhritarâshthra's) younger brother (Vidura); pârthâh - the sons of Prithâ (Yudhishthhira, Bhîma and Arjuna); bhîshmah - Bhîshma; dronah - Drona; prithâ - Kuntî; yamau - the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva); nâradah - Nârada; bhagavân vyâsah - the Personality of Godhead Vyâsadeva; suhrit - friends; sambandhi - immediate family members; bândhavâh - and other relatives;

> > bandhûn - their relatives and friends; parishvajya - embracing; yadûn - the Yadus; sauhrida - out of feelings of friendship; âklinna - melting; cetasah - their hearts; yayuh - they went; viraha - because of becoming separated; kricchrena - with difficulty; sva - to their respective; des'ân - kingdoms; ca - also; apare - the other; janâh - people.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Yadus were all embraced by their friends, close family members and other relatives, including Dhritarâshthra and his younger brother, Vidura; Prithâ and her sons; Bhîshma; Drona; the twins Nakula and Sahadeva; Nârada; and Vedavyâsa, the Personality of Godhead. Their hearts melting with affection, these and the other guests left for their kingdoms, their progress slowed by the pain of separation.

> > ******

> > TEXT 59

> > nandas tu saha gopâlair

> > brihatyâ pûjayârcitah

> > krishna-râmograsenâdyair

> > nyavâtsîd bandhu-vatsalah

> > nandah - Nanda Mahârâja; tu - and; saha - together with; gopâlaih - the cowherds; brihatyâ - especially opulent; pûjayâ - with worship; arcitah - honored; krishna- râma-ugrasena-âdyaih - by Krishna, Balarâma, Ugrasena and the others; nyavâtsît - stayed; bandhu - to his relatives; vatsalah - affectionate.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Nanda Mahârâja showed his affection for his relatives, the Yadus, by remaining with them a little longer, together with his cowherds. During his stay, Krishna, Balarâma, Ugrasena and the others honored him with especially opulent worship.

> > ******

> > TEXT 60

> > vasudevo 'n'jasottîrya

> > manoratha-mahârnavam

> > suhrid-vritah prîta-manâ

> > nandam âha kare spris'an

> > vasudevah - Vasudeva; an'jasâ - easily; uttîrya - having crossed over; manah- ratha - of his desires (to perform Vedic sacrifices); mahâ - great; arnavam - the ocean; suhrit - by his well-wishers; vritah - surrounded; prîta - pleased; manâh - in his mind; nandam - to Nanda; âha - he spoke; kare - his hand; spris'an - touching.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Having so easily crossed over the vast ocean of his ambition, Vasudeva felt fully satisfied. In the company of his many well-wishers, he took Nanda by the hand and addressed him as follows.

> > ******

> > TEXT 61

> > s'rî-vasudeva uvâca

> > bhrâtar îs'a-kritah pâs'o

> > nrinâm yah sneha-samjn'itah

> > tam dustyajam aham manye

> > s'ûrânâm api yoginâm

> > s'rî-vasudevah uvâca - S'rî Vasudeva said; bhrâtah - O brother; îs'a - by the Supreme Lord; kritah - made; pâs'ah - the noose; nrinâm - of men; yah - which; sneha - affection; samjn'itah - named; tam - it; dustyajam - difficult to free oneself from; aham - I; manye - think; s'ûrânâm - for heroes; api - even; yoginâm - and for yogîs.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Vasudeva said: My dear brother, God Himself has tied the knot called affection, which tightly binds human beings together. It seems to me that even great heroes and mystics find it very difficult to free themselves from it.

> > ******

> > TEXT 62

> > asmâsv apratikalpeyam

> > yat kritâjn'eshu sattamaih

> > maitry arpitâphalâ câpi

> > na nivarteta karhicit

> > asmâsu - to us; apratikalpâ - incomparable; iyam - this; yat - since; krita- ajn'eshu - who are oblivious of the mercy that has been shown them; sat- tamaih - by those who are most saintly; maitrî - friendship; arpitâ - offered; aphalâ - unreciprocated; ca api - even though; na nivarteta - it does not cease; karhicit - ever.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Indeed, the Supreme Lord must have created the bonds of affection, for such exalted saints as you have never stopped showing matchless friendship toward us ingrates, although it has never been properly reciprocated.

> > ******

> > TEXT 63

> > prâg akalpâc ca kus'alam

> > bhrâtar vo nâcarâma hi

> > adhunâ s'rî-madândhâkshâ

> > na pas'yâmah purah satah

> > prâk - previously; akalpât - because of incapacity; ca - and; kus'alam - welfare; bhrâtah - O brother; vah - your; na âcarâma - we did not carry out; hi - indeed; adhunâ - now; s'rî - with opulence; mada - due to the intoxication; andha - blinded; akshâh - whose eyes; na pas'yâmah - we fail to see; purah - in front; satah - present.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Previously, dear brother, we did nothing to benefit you because we were unable to, yet even now that you are present before us, our eyes are so blinded by the intoxication of material good fortune that we continue to ignore you.

> > ******

> > TEXT 64

> > mâ râjya-s'rîr abhût pumsah

> > s'reyas-kâmasya mâna-da

> > sva-janân uta bandhûn vâ

> > na pas'yati yayândha-drik

> > mâ - may not; râjya - royal; s'rîh - fortune; abhût - arise; pumsah - for a person; s'reyah - the real benefit of life; kâmasya - who desires; mâna-da - O giver of respect; sva-janân - his kinsmen; uta - even; bandhûn - his friends; vâ - or; na pas'yati - he does not see; yayâ - by which (opulence); andha - blinded; drik - whose vision.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O most respectful one, may a person who wants the highest benefit in life never gain kingly opulence, for it leaves him blind to the needs of his own family and friends.

> > ******

> > TEXT 65

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > evam sauhrida-s'aithilya-

> > citta ânakadundubhih

> > ruroda tat-kritâm maitrîm

> > smarann as'ru-vilocanah

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; evam - thus; sauhrida - by intimate sympathy; s'aithilya - made soft; cittah - whose heart; ânakadundubhih - Vasudeva; ruroda - cried; tat - by him (Nanda); kritâm - done; maitrîm - the acts of friendship; smaran - remembering; as'ru - tears; vilocanah - in whose eyes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: His heart softened by feelings of intimate sympathy, Vasudeva wept. His eyes brimmed with tears as he remembered the friendship Nanda had shown him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 66

> > nandas tu sakhyuh priya-krit

> > premnâ govinda-râmayoh

> > adya s'va iti mâsâms trîn

> > yadubhir mânito 'vasat

> > nandah - Nanda; tu - and; sakhyuh - to his friend; priya - affection; krit - who showed; premnâ - out of his love; govinda-râmayoh - for Krishna and Balarâma; adya - (I will go later) today; s'vah - (I will go) tomorrow; iti - thus saying; mâsân - months; trîn - three; yadubhih - by the Yadus; mânitah - honored; avasat - he remained.

> > TRANSLATION

> > And on his part, Nanda was also full of affection for his friend Vasudeva. Thus during the following days Nanda would repeatedly announce, "I will be leaving later today" and "I will be leaving tomorrow." But out of love for Krishna and Balarâma he remained there for three more months, honored by all the Yadus.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 67 - 68

> > tatah kâmaih pûryamânah

> > sa-vrajah saha-bândhavah

> > parârdhyâbharana-kshauma-

> > nânânarghya-paricchadaih

> > vasudevograsenâbhyâm

> > krishnoddhava-balâdibhih

> > dattam âdâya pâribarham

> > yâpito yadubhir yayau

> > tatah - then; kâmaih - with desirable objects; pûryamânah - satiated; sa- vrajah - with the people of Vraja; saha-bândhavah - with his family members; para - extremely; ardhya - valuable; âbharana - with ornaments; kshauma - fine linen; nânâ - various; anarghya - priceless; paricchadaih - and household furnishings;

> > vasudeva-ugrasenâbhyâm - by Vasudeva and Ugrasena; krishna-uddhava- bala-âdibhih - and by Krishna, Uddhava, Balarâma and others; dattam - given; âdâya - taking; pâribarham - the gifts; yâpitah - seen off; yadubhih - by the Yadus; yayau - he departed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Then, after Vasudeva, Ugrasena, Krishna, Uddhava, Balarâma and others had fulfilled his desires and presented him with precious ornaments, fine linen and varieties of priceless household furnishings, Nanda Mahârâja accepted all these gifts and took his leave. Seen off by all the Yadus, he departed with his family members and the residents of Vraja.

> > ******

> > TEXT 69

> > nando gopâs' ca gopyas' ca

> > govinda-caranâmbuje

> > manah kshiptam punar hartum

> > anîs'â mathurâm yayuh

> > nandah - Nanda; gopâh - the cowherd men; ca - and; gopyah - the cowherd women; ca - also; govinda - of Krishna; carana-ambuje - at the lotus feet; manah - their minds; kshiptam - cast; punah - again; hartum - to remove; anîs'âh - incapable; mathurâm - to Mathurâ; yayuh - they went.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Unable to withdraw their minds from Lord Govinda's lotus feet, where they had surrendered them, Nanda and the cowherd men and women returned to Mathurâ.

> > ******

> > TEXT 70

> > bandhushu pratiyâteshu

> > vrishnayah krishna-devatâh

> > vîkshya prâvrisham âsannâd

> > yayur dvâravatîm punah

> > bandhushu - their relatives; pratiyâteshu - having departed; vrishnayah - the Vrishnis; krishna-devatâh - whose worshipable Deity was Krishna; vîkshya - seeing; prâvrisham - the rainy season; âsannât - imminent; yayuh - went; dvâravatîm - to Dvârakâ; punah - again.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Their relatives having thus departed, and seeing that the rainy season was approaching, the Vrishnis, whose only Lord was Krishna, went back to Dvârakâ.

> > ******

> > TEXT 71

> > janebhyah kathayâm cakrur

> > yadu-deva-mahotsavam

> > yad âsît tîrtha-yâtrâyâm

> > suhrit-sandars'anâdikam

> > janebhyah - to the people; kathayâm cakruh - they related; yadu-deva - of the lord of the Yadus, Vasudeva; mahâ-utsavam - the great festivity; yat - what; âsît - occurred; tîrtha-yâtrâyâm - during their pilgrimage; suhrit - of their well- wishing friends; sandars'ana - the seeing; âdikam - and so on.

> > TRANSLATION

> > They told the people of the city about the festive sacrifices performed by Vasudeva, lord of the Yadus, and about everything else that had happened during their pilgrimage, especially how they had met with all their loved ones.

> > Back to the running text