> Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 7
> 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 7: "The Science of God"

> *****

> Chapter Ten: Prahlada, the Best Among Exalted Devotees

> *****

> TEXT 1

> srî-nârada uvâca

> bhakti-yogasya tat sarvam

> antarâyatayârbhakah

> manyamâno hrsikesam

> smayamâna uvâca ha

> srî-nâradah uvâca--Nârada Muni said; bhakti-yogasya--of the principles of devotional service; tat--those (blessings or benedictions offered by Lord Nrsimhadeva); sarvam--each and every one of them; antarâyatayâ--because of being impediments (on the path of bhakti-yoga); arbhakah--Prahlâda Mahârâja, although only a boy; manyamânah--considering; hrsîkesam--unto Lord Nrsimhadeva; smayamânah--smiling; uvâca--said; ha--in the past.

> TRANSLATION

> The saint Narada Muni continued: Although Prahlada Maharaja was only a boy, when he heard the benedictions offered by Lord Nrsimhadeva he considered them impediments on the path of devotional service. Thus he smiled very mildly and spoke as follows.

> *****

> TEXT 2

> srî-prahrâda uvâca

> mâ mâm pralobhayotpattyâ

> saktam kâmesu tair varaih

> tat-sanga-bhîto nirvinno

> mumuksus tvâm upâsritah

> srî-prahrâdah uvâca--Prahlâda Mahârâja said (to the Supreme Personality of Godhead); mâ--please do not; mâm--me; pralobhaya--allure; utpattyâ--because of my birth (in a demoniac family); saktam--(I am already) attached; kâmesu--to material enjoyment; taih--by all those; varaih--benedictions of material possessions; tat-sanga-bhîtah--being afraid of such material association; nirvinnah--completely detached from material desires; mumuksuh--desiring to be liberated from material conditions of life; tvâm--unto Your lotus feet; upâsritah--I have taken shelter.

> TRANSLATION

> Prahlada Maharaja said: My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, because I was born in an atheistic family I am naturally attached to material enjoyment. Therefore, kindly do not tempt me with these illusions. I am very much afraid of material conditions, and I desire to be liberated from materialistic life. It is for this reason that I have taken shelter of Your lotus feet.

> *****

> TEXT 3

> bhrtya-laksana-jijnâsur

> bhaktam kâmesv acodayat

> bhavân samsâra-bîjesu

> hrdaya-granthisu prabho

> bhrtya-laksana-jijnâsuh--desiring to exhibit the symptoms of a pure devotee; bhaktam--the devotee; kâmesu--in the material world, where lusty desires predominate; acodayat--has sent; bhavân--Your Lordship; samsâra-bîjesu--the root cause of being present in this material world; hrdaya-granthisu--which (desire for material enjoyment) is in the cores of the hearts of all conditioned souls; prabho--O my worshipable Lord.

> TRANSLATION

> O my worshipable Lord, because the seed of lusty desires, which is the root cause of material existence, is within the core of everyone's heart, You have sent me to this material world to exhibit the symptoms of a pure devotee.

> *****

> TEXT 4

> nânyathâ te 'khila-guro

> ghateta karunâtmanah

> yas ta âsisa âsâste

> na sa bhrtyah sa vai vanik

> na--not; anyathâ--otherwise; te--of You; akhila-guro--O supreme instructor of the entire creation; ghateta--such a thing can happen; karunâ-âtmanah--the Supreme Person, who is extremely kind to His devotees; yah--any person who; te--from You; âsisah--material benefits; âsâste--desires (in exchange for serving You); na--not; sah--such a person; bhrtyah--a servitor; sah--such a person; vai--indeed; vanik--a merchant (who wants to get material profit from his business).

> TRANSLATION

> Otherwise, O my Lord, O supreme instructor of the entire world, You are so kind to Your devotee that You could not induce him to do something unbeneficial for him. On the other hand, one who desires some material benefit in exchange for devotional service cannot be Your pure devotee. Indeed, he is no better than a merchant who wants profit in exchange for service.

> *****

> TEXT 5

> âsâsâno na vai bhrtyah

> svâminy âsisa âtmanah

> na svâmî bhrtyatah svâmyam

> icchan yo râti câsisah

> âsâsânah--a person who desires (in exchange for service); na--not; vai--indeed; bhrtyah--a qualified servant or pure devotee of the Lord; svâmini--from the master; âsisah--material benefit; âtmanah--for personal sense gratification; na--nor; svâmî--the master; bhrtyatah--from the servant; svâmyam--the prestigious position of being the master; icchan--desiring; yah--any such master who; râti--bestows; ca--also; âsisah--material profit.

> TRANSLATION

> A servant who desires material profits from his master is certainly not a qualified servant or pure devotee. Similarly, a master who bestows benedictions upon his servant because of a desire to maintain a prestigious position as master is also not a pure master.

> *****

> TEXT 6

> aham tv akâmas tvad-bhaktas

> tvam ca svâmy anapâsrayah

> nânyathehâvayor artho

> râja-sevakayor iva

> aham--as far as I am concerned; tu--indeed; akâmah--without material desire; tvat-bhaktah--fully attached to You without motivation; tvam ca--Your Lordship also; svâmî--the real master; anapâsrayah--without motivation (You do not become the master with motivation); na--not; anyathâ--without being in such a relationship as master and servant; iha--here; âvayoh--our; arthah--any motivation (the Lord is the pure master, and Prahlâda Mahârâja is the pure devotee with no materialistic motivation); râja--of a king; sevakayoh--and the servitor; iva--like (just as a king exacts taxes for the benefit of the servant or the citizens pay taxes for the benefit of the king).

> TRANSLATION

> O my Lord, I am Your unmotivated servant, and You are my eternal master. There is no need of our being anything other than master and servant. You are naturally my master, and I am naturally Your servant. We have no other relationship.

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> TEXT 7

> yadi dâsyasi me kâmân

> varâms tvam varadarsabha

> kâmânâm hrdy asamroham

> bhavatas tu vrne varam

> yadi--if; dâsyasi--want to give; me--me; kâmân--anything desirable; varân--as Your benediction; tvam--You; varada-rsabha--O Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can give any benediction; kâmânâm--of all desires for material happiness; hrdi--within the core of my heart; asamroham--no growth; bhava tah--from You; tu--then; vrne--I pray for; varam--such a benediction.

> TRANSLATION

> O my Lord, best of the givers of benediction, if You at all want to bestow a desirable benediction upon me, then I pray from Your Lordship that within the core of my heart there be no material desires.

> *****

> TEXT 8

> indriyâni manah prâna

> âtmâ dharmo dhrtir matih

> hrîh srîs tejah smrtih satyam

> yasya nasyanti janmanâ

> indriyâni--the senses; manah--the mind; prânah--the life air; âtmâ--the body; dharmah--religion; dhrtih--patience; matih--intelligence; hrîh--shyness; srîh--opulence; tejah--strength; smrtih--memory; satyam--truthfulness; yasya--of which lusty desires; nasyanti--are vanquished; janmanâ--from the very beginning of birth.

> TRANSLATION

> O my Lord, because of lusty desires from the very beginning of one's birth, the functions of one's senses, mind, life, body, religion, patience, intelligence, shyness, opulence, strength, memory and truthfulness are vanquished.

> *****

> TEXT 9

> vimuncati yadâ kâmân

> mânavo manasi sthitân

> tarhy eva pundarîkâksa

> bhagavattvâya kalpate

> vimuncati--gives up; yadâ--whenever; kâmân--all material desires; mânavah--human society; manasi--within the mind; sthitân--situated; tarhi--at that time only; eva--indeed; pundarîka-aksa--O lotus-eyed Lord; bhagavattvâya--to be equally as opulent as the Lord; kalpate--becomes eligible.

> TRANSLATION

> O my Lord, when a human being is able to give up all the material desires in his mind, he becomes eligible to possess wealth and opulence like Yours.

> *****

> TEXT 10

> om namo bhagavate tubhyam

> purusâya mahâtmane

> haraye 'dbhuta-simhâya

> brahmane paramâtmane

> om--O my Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead; namah--I offer my respectful obeisances; bhagavate--unto the Supreme Person; tubhyam--unto You; purusâya--unto the Supreme Person; mahâ-âtmane--unto the Supreme Soul, or the Supersoul; haraye--unto the Lord, who vanquishes all the miseries of devotees; adbhuta-simhâya--unto Your wonderful lionlike form as Nrsimhadeva; brahmane--unto the Supreme Brahman; parama-âtmane--unto the Supreme Soul.

> TRANSLATION

> O my Lord, full of six opulences, O Supreme Person! O Supreme Soul, killer of all miseries! O Supreme Person in the form of a wonderful lion and man, let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

> *****

> TEXT 11

> srî-bhagavân uvâca

> naikântino me mayi jâtv ihâsisa

> âsâsate 'mutra ca ye bhavad-vidhâh

> tathâpi manvantaram etad atra

> daityesvarânâm anubhunksva bhogân

> srî-bhagavân uvâca--the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; na--not; ekântinah--unalloyed, without desires except for the one desire for devotional service; me--from Me; mayi--unto Me; jâtu--any time; iha--within this material world; âsisah--benedictions; âsâsate--intent desire; amutra--in the next life; ca--and; ye--all such devotees who; bhavat-vidhâh--like you; tathâpi--still; manvantaram--the duration of time until the end of the life of one Manu; etat--this; atra--within this material world; daitya-îsvarânâm--of the opulences of materialistic persons; anubhunksva--you can enjoy; bhogân--all material opulences.

> TRANSLATION

> The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Prahlada, a devotee like you never desires any kind of material opulences, either in this life or in the next. Nonetheless, I order you to enjoy the opulences of the demons in this material world, acting as their king until the end of the duration of time occupied by Manu.

> *****

> TEXT 12

> kathâ madîyâ jusamânah priyâs tvam

> âvesya mâm âtmani santam ekam

> sarvesu bhûtesv adhiyajnam îsam

> yajasva yogena ca karma hinvan

> kathâh--messages or instructions; madîyâh--given by Me; jusamânah--always hearing or contemplating; priyâh--extremely pleasing; tvam--yourself; âvesya--being fully absorbed in; mâm--Me; âtmani--within the core of your heart; santam--existing; ekam--one (the same Supreme Soul); sarvesu--in all; bhûtesu--living entities; adhiyajnam--the enjoyer of all ritualistic ceremonies; îsam--the Supreme Lord; yajasva--worship; yogena--by bhakti-yoga, devotional service; ca--also; karma--fruitive activities; hinvan--giving up.

> TRANSLATION

> It does not matter that you are in the material world. You should always, continuously, hear the instructions and messages given by Me and always be absorbed in thought of Me, for I am the Supersoul existing in the core of everyone's heart. Therefore, give up fruitive activities and worship Me.

> *****

> TEXT 13

> bhogena punyam kusalena pâpam

> kalevaram kâla-javena hitvâ

> kîrtim visuddhâm sura-loka-gîtâm

> vitâya mâm esyasi mukta-bandhah

> bhogena--by feelings of material happiness; punyam--pious activities or their results; kusalena--by acting piously (devotional service is the best of all pious activities); pâpam--all kinds of reactions to impious activities; kalevaram--the material body; kâla-javena--by the most powerful time factor; hitvâ--giving up; kîrtim--reputation; visuddhâm--transcendental or fully purified; sura-loka-gîtâm--praised even in the heavenly planets; vitâya--spreading all through the universe; mâm--unto Me; esyasi--you will come back; mukta-bandhah--being liberated from all bondage.

> TRANSLATION

> My dear Prahlada, while you are in this material world you will exhaust all the reactions of pious activity by feeling happiness, and by acting piously you will neutralize impious activity. Because of the powerful time factor, you will give up your body, but the glories of your activities will be sung in the upper planetary systems, and being fully freed from all bondage, you will return home, back to Godhead.

> *****

> TEXT 14

> ya etat kîrtayen mahyam

> tvayâ gîtam idam narah

> tvâm ca mâm ca smaran kâle

> karma-bandhât pramucyate

> yah--anyone who; etat--this activity; kîrtayet--chants; mahyam--unto Me; tvayâ--by you; gîtam--prayers offered; idam--this; narah--human being; tvâm--you; ca--as well as; mâm ca--Me also; smaran--remembering; kâle--in due course of time; karma-bandhât--from the bondage of material activities; pramucyate--becomes free.

> TRANSLATION

> One who always remembers your activities and My activities also, and who chants the prayers you have offered, becomes free, in due course of time, from the reactions of material activities.

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> TEXTS 15-17

> srî-prahrâda uvâca

> varam varaya etat te

> varadesân mahesvara

> yad anindat pitâ me

> tvâm avidvâms teja aisvaram

> viddhâmarsâsayah sâksât

> sarva-loka-gurum prabhum

> bhrâtr-heti mrsâ-drstis

> tvad-bhakte mayi câghavân

> tasmât pitâ me pûyeta

> durantâd dustarâd aghât

> pûtas te 'pânga-samdrstas

> tadâ krpana-vatsala

> srî-prahrâdah uvâca--Prahlâda Mahârâja said; varam--benediction; varaye--I pray; etat--this; te--from You; varada-îsât--the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who offers benedictions even to such exalted demigods as Brahmâ and Siva; mahâ-îsvara--O my Supreme Lord; yat--that; anindat--vilified; pitâ--father; me--my; tvâm--You; avidvan--without knowledge of; tejah--strength; aisvaram--supremacy; viddha--being polluted; amarsa--with anger; âsayah--within the heart; sâksât--directly; sarva-loka-gurum--unto the supreme spiritual master of all living beings; prabhum--unto the supreme master; bhrâtr-hâ--the killer of his brother; iti--thus; mrsâ-drstih--falsely envious because of a false conception; tvat-bhakte--unto Your devotee; mayi--unto me; ca--and; agha-vân--who committed heavily sinful activities; tasmât--from that; pitâ--father; me--my; pûyeta--may be purified; durantât--very great; dustarât--difficult to pass over; aghât--from all sinful activities; pûtah--(although he was) purified; te--of You; apânga--by the glance over him; samdrstah--being looked at; tadâ--at that time; krpana-vatsala--O You who are merciful to the materialistic.

> TRANSLATION

> Prahlada Maharaja said: O Supreme Lord, because You are so merciful to the fallen souls, I ask You for only one benediction. I know that my father, at the time of his death, had already been purified by Your glance upon him, but because of his ignorance of Your beautiful power and supremacy, he was unnecessarily angry at You, falsely thinking that You were the killer of his brother. Thus he directly blasphemed Your Lordship, the spiritual master of all living beings, and committed heavily sinful activities directed against me, Your devotee. I wish that he be excused for these sinful activities.

> *****

> TEXT 18

> srî-bhagavân uvâca

> trih-saptabhih pitâ pûtah

> pitrbhih saha te 'nagha

> yat sâdho 'sya kule jâto

> bhavân vai kula-pâvanah

> srî-bhagavân uvâca--the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; trih-saptabhih--seven multiplied by three (that is to say, twenty-one); pitâ--father; pûtah--purified; pitrbhih--with your forefathers; saha--all together; te--your; anagha--O most sinless personality (Prahlâda Mahârâja); yat--because; sâdho--O great saintly person; asya--of this person; kule--in the dynasty; jâtah--took birth; bhavân--you; vai--indeed; kula-pâvanah--the purifier of the whole dynasty.

> TRANSLATION

> The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Prahlada, O most pure, O great saintly person, your father has been purified, along with twenty-one forefathers in your family. Because you were born in this family, the entire dynasty has been purified.

> *****

> TEXT 19

> yatra yatra ca mad-bhaktâh

> prasântâh sama-darsinah

> sâdhavah samudâcârâs

> te pûyante 'pi kîkatâh

> yatra yatra--wherever and whenever; ca--also; mat-bhaktâh--My devotees; prasântâh--extremely peaceful; sama-darsinah--equipoised; sâdhavah--decorated with all good qualities; samudâcârâh--equally magnanimous; te--all of them; pûyante--are purified; api--even; kîkatâh--a degraded country or the inhabitants of such a place.

> TRANSLATION

> Whenever and wherever there are peaceful, equipoised devotees who are well behaved and decorated with all good qualities, that place and the dynasties there, even if condemned, are purified.

> *****

> TEXT 20

> sarvâtmanâ na himsanti

> bhûta-grâmesu kincana

> uccâvacesu daityendra

> mad-bhâva-vigata-sprhâh

> sarva-âtmanâ--in all respects, even in the modes of anger and jealousy; na--never; himsanti--they are envious; bhûta-grâmesu--among all species of life; kincana--toward any one of them; ucca-avacesu--the lower and higher living entities; daitya-indra--O my dear Prahlâda, King of the Daityas; mat-bhâva--because of devotional service unto Me; vigata--given up; sprhâh--all material modes of anger and greed.

> TRANSLATION

> My dear Prahlada, King of the Daityas, because of being attached to devotional service to Me, My devotee does not distinguish between lower and higher living entities. In all respects, he is never jealous of anyone.

> *****

> TEXT 21

> bhavanti purusâ loke

> mad-bhaktâs tvâm anuvratâh

> bhavân me khalu bhaktânâm

> sarvesâm pratirûpa-dhrk

> bhavanti--become; purusâh--persons; loke--in this world; mat-bhaktâh--My pure devotees; tvâm--you; anuvratâh--following in your footsteps; bhavân--you; me--My; khalu--indeed; bhaktânâm--of all devotees; sarvesâm--in different mellows; pratirûpa-dhrk--tangible example.

> TRANSLATION

> Those who follow your example will naturally become My pure devotees. You are the best example of My devotee, and others should follow in your footsteps.

> *****

> TEXT 22

> kuru tvam preta-krtyâni

> pituh pûtasya sarvasah

> mad-anga-sparsanenânga

> lokân yâsyati suprajâh

> kuru--perform; tvam--you; preta-krtyâni--the ritualistic ceremony performed after death; pituh--of your father; pûtasya--already purified; sarvasah--in all respects; mat-anga--My body; sparsanena--by touching; anga--My dear child; lokân--to planets; yâsyati--he will be elevated; su-prajâh--to become a devotee-citizen.

> TRANSLATION

> My dear child, your father has already been purified just by the touch of My body at the time of his death. Nonetheless, the duty of a son is to perform the sraddha ritualistic ceremony after his father's death so that his father may be promoted to a planetary system where he may become a good citizen and devotee.

> *****

> TEXT 23

> pitryam ca sthânam âtistha

> yathoktam brahmavâdibhih

> mayy âvesya manas tâta

> kuru karmâni mat-parah

> pitryam--paternal; ca--also; sthânam--place, throne; âtistha--sit upon; yathâ-uktam--as described; brahmavâdibhih--by the followers of Vedic civilization; mayi--unto Me; âvesya--being fully absorbed; manah--the mind; tâta--My dear boy; kuru--just execute; karmâni--the regulative duties; mat-parah--just for the sake of My work.

> TRANSLATION

> After performing the ritualistic ceremonies, take charge of your father's kingdom. Sit upon the throne and do not be disturbed by materialistic activities. Please keep your mind fixed upon Me. Without transgressing the injunctions of the Vedas, as a matter of formality you may perform your particular duties.

> *****

> TEXT 24

> srî-nârada uvâca

> prahrâdo 'pi tathâ cakre

> pitur yat sâmparâyikam

> yathâha bhagavân râjann

> abhisikto dvijâtibhih

> srî-nâradah uvâca--Nârada Muni said; prahrâdah--Prahlâda Mahârâja; api--also; tathâ--in that way; cakre--executed; pituh--of his father; yat--whatever; sâmparâyikam--ritualistic ceremonies performed after death; yathâ--even as; âha--order; bhagavân--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; râjan--O King Yudhisthira; abhisiktah--he was enthroned in the kingdom; dvi-jâtibhih--by the brâhmanas present.

> TRANSLATION

> Sri Narada Muni continued: Thus, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead ordered, Prahlada Maharaja performed the ritualistic ceremonies for his father. O King Yudhisthira, he was then enthroned in the kingdom of Hiranyakasipu, as directed by the brahmanas.

> *****

> TEXT 25

> prasâda-sumukham drstvâ

> brahmâ naraharim harim

> stutvâ vâgbhih pavitrâbhih

> prâha devâdibhir vrtah

> prasâda-sumukham--whose face was bright because the Supreme Lord was pleased; drstvâ--seeing this situation; brahmâ--Lord Brahmâ; nara-harim--unto Lord Nrsimhadeva; harim--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; stutvâ--offering prayers; vâgbhih--by transcendental words; pavitrâbhih--without any material contamination; prâha--addressed (the Lord); deva-âdibhih--by other demigods; vrtah--surrounded.

> TRANSLATION

> Lord Brahma, surrounded by the other demigods, was bright-faced because the Lord was pleased. Thus he offered prayers to the Lord with transcendental words.

> *****

> TEXT 26

> srî-brahmovâca

> deva-devâkhilâdhyaksa

> bhûta-bhâvana pûrvaja

> distyâ te nihatah pâpo

> loka-santâpano 'surah

> srî-brahmâ uvâca--Lord Brahmâ said; deva-deva--O my Lord, Lord of all the demigods; akhila-adhyaksa--owner of the whole universe; bhûta-bhâvana--O cause of all living entities; pûrva-ja--O original Personality of Godhead; distyâ--by Your example or because of our good fortune; te--by You; nihatah--killed; pâpah--most sinful; loka-santâpanah--giving trouble to the entire universe; asurah--the demon Hiranyakasipu.

> TRANSLATION

> Lord Brahma said: O Supreme Lord of all lords, proprietor of the entire universe, O benedictor of all living entities, O original person [adi-purusa], because of our good fortune You have now killed this sinful demon, who was giving trouble to the entire universe.

> *****

> TEXT 27

> yo 'sau labdha-varo matto

> na vadhyo mama srstibhih

> tapo-yoga-balonnaddhah

> samasta-nigamân ahan

> yah--the person who; asau--he (Hiranyakasipu); labdha-varah--being given the extraordinary benediction; mattah--from me; na vadhyah--not to be killed; mama srstibhih--by any living being created by me; tapah-yoga-bala--by austerity, mystic power and strength; unnaddhah--thus being very proud; samasta--all; nigamân--Vedic injunctions; ahan--disregarded, transgressed.

> TRANSLATION

> This demon, Hiranyakasipu, received from me the benediction that he would not be killed by any living being within my creation. With this assurance and with strength derived from austerities and mystic power, he became excessively proud and transgressed all the Vedic injunctions.

> *****

> TEXT 28

> distyâ tat-tanayah sâdhur

> mahâ-bhâgavato 'rbhakah

> tvayâ vimocito mrtyor

> distyâ tvâm samito 'dhunâ

> distyâ--by fortune; tat-tanayah--his son; sâdhuh--who is a great saintly person; mahâ-bhâgavatah--a great and exalted devotee; arbhakah--although a child; tvayâ--by Your Lordship; vimocitah--released; mrtyoh--from the clutches of death; distyâ--also by great fortune; tvâm samitah--perfectly under Your shelter; adhunâ--now.

> TRANSLATION

> By great fortune, Hiranyakasipu's son Prahlada Maharaja has now been released from death, for although he is a child, he is an exalted devotee. Now he is fully under the protection of Your lotus feet.

> *****

> TEXT 29

> etad vapus te bhagavan

> dhyâyatah paramâtmanah

> sarvato goptr santrâsân

> mrtyor api jighâmsatah

> etat--this; vapuh--body; te--Your; bhagavan--O Supreme personality of Godhead; dhyâyatah--those who meditate upon; parama-âtmanah--of the Supreme Person; sarvatah--from everywhere; goptr--the protector; santrâsât--from all kinds of fear; mrtyoh api--even from fear of death; jighâmsatah--if one is envied by an enemy.

> TRANSLATION

> My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, You are the Supreme Soul. If one meditates upon Your transcendental body, You naturally protect him from all sources of fear, even the imminent danger of death.

> *****

> TEXT 30

> srî-bhagavân uvâca

> maivam vibho 'surânâm te

> pradeyah padma-sambhava

> varah krûra-nisargânâm

> ahînâm amrtam yathâ

> srî-bhagavân uvâca--the Supreme Personality of Godhead replied (to Brahmâ); mâ--do not; evam--thus; vibho--O great person; asurânâm--unto the demons; te--by you; pradeyah--bestow benedictions; padma-sambhava--O Lord Brahmâ, born from the lotus flower; varah--benediction; krûra-nisargânâm--persons who are by nature very cruel and jealous; ahînâm--to snakes; amrtam--nectar or milk; yathâ--just as.

> TRANSLATION

> The Personality of Godhead replied: My dear Lord Brahma, O great lord born from the lotus flower, just as it is dangerous to feed milk to a snake, so it is dangerous to give benedictions to demons, who are by nature ferocious and jealous. I warn you not to give such benedictions to any demon again.

> *****

> TEXT 31

> srî-nârada uvâca

> ity uktvâ bhagavân râjams

> tatas cântardadhe harih

> adrsyah sarva-bhûtânâm

> pûjitah paramesthinâ

> srî-nâradah uvâca--Nârada Muni said; iti uktvâ--saying this; bhagavân--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; râjan--O King Yudhisthira; tatah--from that place; ca--also; antardadhe--disappeared; harih--the Lord; adrsyah--without being visible; sarva-bhûtânâm--by all kinds of living entities; pûjitah--being worshiped; paramesthinâ--by Lord Brahmâ.

> TRANSLATION

> Narada Muni continued: O King Yudhisthira, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is not visible to an ordinary human being, spoke in this way, instructing Lord Brahma. Then, being worshiped by Brahma, the Lord disappeared from that place.

> *****

> TEXT 32

> tatah sampûjya sirasâ

> vavande paramesthinam

> bhavam prajâpatîn devân

> prahrâdo bhagavat-kalâh

> tatah--thereafter; sampûjya--worshiping; sirasâ--by bowing the head; vavande--offered prayers; paramesthinam--to Lord Brahmâ; bhavam--to Lord Siva; prajâpatîn--to the great demigods entrusted with increasing the population; devân--to all the great demigods; prahrâdah--Prahlâda Mahârâja; bhagavat-kalâh--influential parts of the Lord.

> TRANSLATION

> Prahlada Maharaja then worshiped and offered prayers to all the demigods, such as Brahma, Siva and the Prajapatis, who are all parts of the Lord.

> *****

> TEXT 33

> tatah kâvyâdibhih sârdham

> munibhih kamalâsanah

> daityânâm dânavânâm ca

> prahrâdam akarot patim

> tatah--thereafter; kâvya-âdibhih--with Sukrâcârya and others; sârdham--and with; munibhih--great saintly persons; kamala-âsanah--Lord Brahmâ; daityânâm--of all the demons; dânavânâm--of all the giants; ca--and; prahrâdam--Prahlâda Mahârâja; akarot--created; patim--the master or king.

> TRANSLATION

> Thereafter, along with Sukracarya and other great saints, Lord Brahma, whose seat is on the lotus flower, made Prahlada the king of all the demons and giants in the universe.

> *****

> TEXT 34

> pratinandya tato devâh

> prayujya paramâsisah

> sva-dhâmâni yayû râjan

> brahmâdyâh pratipûjitâh

> pratinandya--congratulating; tatah--thereafter; devâh--all the demigods; prayujya--having offered; parama-âsisah--exalted benedictions; sva-dhâmâni--to their respective abodes; yayuh--returned; râjan--O King Yudhisthira; brahma-âdyâh--all the demigods, headed by Lord Brahmâ; pratipûjitâh--being thoroughly worshiped (by Prahlâda Mahârâja).

> TRANSLATION

> O King Yudhisthira, after all the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, were properly worshiped by Prahlada Maharaja, they offered Prahlada their utmost benedictions and then returned to their respective abodes.

> *****

> TEXT 35

> evam ca pârsadau visnoh

> putratvam prâpitau diteh

> hrdi sthitena harinâ

> vaira-bhâvena tau hatau

> evam--in this way; ca--also; pârsadau--the two personal associates; visnoh--of Lord Visnu; putratvam--becoming the sons; prâpitau--having gotten; diteh--of Diti; hrdi--within the core of the heart; sthitena--being situated; harinâ--by the Supreme Lord; vaira-bhâvena--by conceiving as an enemy; tau--both of them; hatau--were killed.

> TRANSLATION

> Thus the two associates of Lord Visnu who had become Hiranyaksa and Hiranyakasipu, the sons of Diti, were both killed. By illusion they had thought that the Supreme Lord, who is situated in everyone's heart, was their enemy.

> *****

> TEXT 36

> punas ca vipra-sâpena

> râksasau tau babhûvatuh

> kumbhakarna-dasa-grîvau

> hatau tau râma-vikramaih

> punah--again; ca--also; vipra-sâpena--being cursed by the brâhmanas; râksasau--the two Râksasas; tau--both of them; babhûvatuh--incarnated as; kumbhakarna-dasa-grîvau--known as Kumbhakarna and the ten-headed Râvana (in their next birth); hatau--they also were killed; tau--both of them; râma-vikramaih--by the extraordinary strength of Lord Râmacandra.

> TRANSLATION

> Being cursed by the brahmanas, the same two associates took birth again as Kumbhakarna and the ten-headed Ravana. These two Raksasas were killed by Lord Ramacandra's extraordinary power.

> *****

> TEXT 37

> sayânau yudhi nirbhinna-

> hrdayau râma-sâyakaih

> tac-cittau jahatur deham

> yathâ prâktana-janmani

> sayânau--being laid down; yudhi--on the battlefield; nirbhinna--being pierced; hrdayau--in the core of the heart; râma-sâyakaih--by the arrows of Lord Râmacandra; tat-cittau--thinking or being conscious of Lord Râmacandra; jahatuh--gave up; deham--body; yathâ--even as; prâktana-janmani--in their previous births.

> TRANSLATION

> Pierced by the arrows of Lord Ramacandra, both Kumbhakarna and Ravana lay on the ground and left their bodies, fully absorbed in thought of the Lord, just as they had in their previous births as Hiranyaksa and Hiranyakasipu.

> *****

> TEXT 38

> tâv ihâtha punar jâtau

> sisupâla-karûsa-jau

> harau vairânubandhena

> pasyatas te samîyatuh

> tau--both of them; iha--in this human society; atha--in this way; punah--again; jâtau--took their births; sisupâla--Sisupâla; karûsa-jau--Dantavakra; harau--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; vaira-anubandhena--by the bondage of considering the Lord an enemy; pasyatah--were looking on; te--while you; samîyatuh--merged or went into the lotus feet of the Lord.

> TRANSLATION

> They both took birth again in human society as Sisupala and Dantavakra and continued in the same enmity toward the Lord. It is they who merged into the body of the Lord in your presence.

> *****

> TEXT 39

> enah pûrva-krtam yat tad

> râjânah krsna-vairinah

> jahus te 'nte tad-âtmânah

> kîtah pesaskrto yathâ

> enah--this sinful activity (of blaspheming the Supreme Lord); pûrva-krtam--executed in previous births; yat--which; tat--that; râjânah--kings; krsna-vairinah--always acting as enemies of Krsna; jahuh--gave up; te--all of them; ante--at the time of death; tat-âtmânah--attaining the same spiritual body and form; kîtah--a worm; pesaskrtah--(captured by) a black drone; yathâ--just like.

> TRANSLATION

> Not only Sisupala and Dantavakra but also many, many other kings who acted as enemies of Krsna attained salvation at the time of death. Because they thought of the Lord, they received spiritual bodies and forms the same as His, just as worms captured by a black drone obtain the same type of body as the drone.

> *****

> TEXT 40

> yathâ yathâ bhagavato

> bhaktyâ paramayâbhidâ

> nrpâs caidyâdayah sâtmyam

> hares tac-cintayâ yayuh

> yathâ yathâ--just as; bhagavatah--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhaktyâ--by devotional service; paramayâ--supreme; abhidâ--incessantly thinking of such activities; nrpâh--kings; caidya-âdayah--Sisupâla, Dantavakra and others; sâtmyam--the same form; hareh--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tat-cintayâ--by constantly thinking of Him; yayuh--returned home, back to Godhead.

> TRANSLATION

> By devotional service, pure devotees who incessantly think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead receive bodies similar to His. This is known as sarupya-mukti. Although Sisupala, Dantavakra and other kings thought of Krsna as an enemy, they also achieved the same result.

> *****

> TEXT 41

> âkhyâtam sarvam etat te

> yan mâm tvam pariprstavân

> damaghosa-sutâdînâm

> hareh sâtmyam api dvisâm

> âkhyâtam--described; sarvam--everything; etat--this; te--unto you; yat--whatever; mâm--unto me; tvam--you; pariprstavân--inquired; damaghosa-suta-âdinâm--of the son of Damaghosa (Sisupâla) and others; hareh--of the Lord; sâtmyam--equal bodily features; api--even; dvisâm--although they were inimical.

> TRANSLATION

> Everything you asked me about how Sisupala and others attained salvation although they were inimical has now been explained to you by me.

> *****

> TEXT 42

> esâ brahmanya-devasya

> krsnasya ca mahâtmanah

> avatâra-kathâ punyâ

> vadho yatrâdi-daityayoh

> esâ--all this; brahmanya-devasya--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is worshiped by all brâhmanas; krsnasya--of Krsna, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead; ca--also; mahâ-âtmanah--the Supersoul; avatâra-kathâ--narrations about His incarnations; punyâ--pious, purifying; vadhah--killing; yatra--wherein; âdi--in the beginning of the millennium; daityayoh--of the demons (Hiranyâksa and Hiranyakasipu).

> TRANSLATION

> In this narration about Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, various expansions or incarnations of the Lord have been described, and the killing of the two demons Hiranyaksa and Hiranyakasipu has also been described.

> *****

> TEXTS 43-44

> prahrâdasyânucaritam

> mahâ-bhâgavatasya ca

> bhaktir jnânam viraktis ca

> yâthârthyam câsya vai hareh

> sarga-sthity-apyayesasya

> guna-karmânuvarnanam

> parâvaresâm sthânânâm

> kâlena vyatyayo mahân

> prahrâdasya--of Prahlâda Mahârâja; anucaritam--characteristics (understood by reading or describing his activities); mahâ-bhâgavatasya--of the great and exalted devotee; ca--also; bhaktih--devotional service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; jnânam--complete knowledge of the Transcendence (Brahman, Paramâtmâ and Bhagavân); viraktih--renunciation of material existence; ca--also; yâthârthyam--just to understand each of them perfectly; ca--and; asya--of this; vai--indeed; hareh--always in reference to the Supreme Personality of Godhead;

> sarga--of creation; sthiti--maintenance; apyaya--and annihilation; îsasya--of the master (the Supreme personality of Godhead); guna--of the transcendental qualities and opulences; karma--and activities; anuvarnanam--description within the disciplic succession; para-avaresâm--of different types of living entities known as demigods and demons; sthânânâm--of the various planets or places to live; kâlena--in due course of time; vyatyayah--the annihilation of everything; mahân--although very great.

> TRANSLATION

> This narration describes the characteristics of the great and exalted devotee Prahlada Maharaja, his staunch devotional service, his perfect knowledge, and his perfect detachment from material contamination. It also describes the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the cause of creation, maintenance and annihilation. Prahlada Maharaja, in his prayers, has described the transcendental qualities of the Lord and has also described how the various abodes of the demigods and demons, regardless of how materially opulent, are destroyed by the mere direction of the Lord.

> *****

> TEXT 45

> dharmo bhâgavatânâm ca

> bhagavân yena gamyate

> âkhyâne 'smin samâmnâtam

> âdhyâtmikam asesatah

> dharmah--religious principles; bhâgavatânâm--of the devotees; ca--and; bhagavân--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yena--by which; gamyate--one can understand; âkhyâne--in the narration; asmin--this; samâmnâtam--is perfectly described; âdhyâtmikam--transcendence; asesatah--without reservations.

> TRANSLATION

> The principles of religion by which one can actually understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are called bhagavata-dharma. In this narration, therefore, which deals with these principles, actual transcendence is properly described.

> *****

> TEXT 46

> ya etat punyam âkhyânam

> visnor viryopabrmhitam

> kîrtayec chraddhayâ srutvâ

> karma-pâsair vimucyate

> yah--anyone who; etat--this; punyam--pious; âkhyânam--narration; visnoh--of Lord Visnu; vîrya--the supreme power; upabrmhitam--in which is described; kîrtayet--chants or repeats; sraddhayâ--with great faith; srutvâ--after properly hearing (from the right source); karma-pâsaih--from the bondage of fruitive activities; vimucyate--becomes liberated.

> TRANSLATION

> One who hears and chants this narration about the omnipotence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, is certainly liberated from material bondage without fail.

> *****

> TEXT 47

> etad ya âdi-purusasya mrgendra-lîlâm

> daityendra-yûtha-pa-vadham prayatah patheta

> daityâtmajasya ca satâm pravarasya punyam

> srutvânubhâvam akuto-bhayam eti lokam

> etat--this narration; yah--anyone who; âdi-purusasya--of the original Personality of Godhead; mrga-indra-lîlâm--pastimes as a lion and human being combined; daitya-indra--of the King of the demons; yûtha-pa--as strong as an elephant; vadham--the killing; prayatah--with great attention; patheta--reads; daitya-âtma-jasya--of Prahlâda Mahârâja, the son of the demon; ca--also; satâm--among elevated devotees; pravarasya--the best; punyam--pious; srutvâ--hearing; anubhâvam--the activities; akutah-bhayam--where there is no fear anywhere or at any time; eti--reaches; lokam--the spiritual world.

> TRANSLATION

> Prahlada Maharaja was the best among exalted devotees. Anyone who with great attention hears this narration concerning the activities of Prahlada Maharaja, the killing of Hiranyakasipu, and the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nrsimhadeva, surely reaches the spiritual world, where there is no anxiety.

> *****

> TEXT 48

> yûyam nr-loke bata bhûri-bhâgâ

> lokam punânâ munayo 'bhiyanti

> yesâm grhân âvasatîti sâksâd

> gûdham param brahma manusya-lingam

> yûyam--all of you (the Pândavas); nr-loke--within this material world; bata--however; bhûri-bhâgâh--extremely fortunate; lokam--all the planets; punânâh--who can purify; munayah--great saintly persons; abhiyanti--almost always come to visit; yesâm--of whom; grhân--the house; âvasati--resides in; iti--thus; sâksât--directly; gûdham--very confidential; param brahma--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; manusya-lingam--appearing just like a human being.

> TRANSLATION

> Narada Muni continued: My dear Maharaja Yudhisthira, all of you [the Pandavas] are extremely fortunate, for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, lives in your palace just like a human being. Great saintly persons know this very well, and therefore they constantly visit this house.

> *****

> TEXT 49

> sa vâ ayam brahma mahad-vimrgya-

> kaivalya-nirvâna-sukhânubhûtih

> priyah suhrd vah khalu mâtuleya

> âtmârhanîyo vidhi-krd gurus ca

> sah--that (Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna); vâ--also; ayam--this; brahma--the impersonal Brahman (which is an emanation from Krsna); mahat--by great personalities; vimrgya--searched for; kaivalya--oneness; nirvâna-sukha--of transcendental happiness; anubhûtih--the source of practical experience; priyah--very, very dear; suhrt--well-wisher; vah--of you; khalu--indeed; mâtuleyah--the son of a maternal uncle; âtmâ--exactly like body and soul together; arhanîyah--worshipable (because He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead); vidhi-krt--(yet He serves you as) an order carrier; guruh--your supreme advisor; ca--as well.

> TRANSLATION

> The impersonal Brahman is Krsna Himself because Krsna is the source of the impersonal Brahman. He is the origin of the transcendental bliss sought by great saintly persons, yet He, the Supreme Person, is your most dear friend and constant well-wisher and is intimately related to you as the son of your maternal uncle. Indeed, He is always like your body and soul. He is worshipable, yet He acts as your servant and sometimes as your spiritual master.

> *****

> TEXT 50

> na yasya sâksâd bhava-padmajâdibhî

> rûpam dhiyâ vastutayopavarnitam

> maunena bhaktyopasamena pûjitah

> prasîdatâm esa sa sâtvatâm patih

> na--not; yasya--of whom; sâksât--directly; bhava--Lord Siva; padma-ja--Lord Brahmâ (born from the lotus); âdibhih--by them and others also; rûpam--the form; dhiyâ--even by meditation; vastutayâ--fundamentally; upavarnitam--described and perceived; maunena--by samâdhi, deep meditation; bhaktyâ--by devotional service; upasamena--by renunciation; pûjitah--worshiped; prasîdatâm--may He be pleased; esah--this; sah--He; sâtvatâm--of the great devotees; patih--the master.

> TRANSLATION

> Exalted persons like Lord Siva and Lord Brahma could not properly describe the truth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. May the Lord, who is always worshiped as the protector of all devotees by great saints who observe vows of silence, meditation, devotional service and renunciation, be pleased with us.

> *****

> TEXT 51

> sa esa bhagavân râjan

> vyatanod vihatam yasah

> purâ rudrasya devasya

> mayenânanta-mâyinâ

> sah esah bhagavân--the same Personality of Godhead, Krsna, who is Parabrahman; râjan--my dear King; vyatanot--expanded; vihatam--lost; yasah--reputation; purâ--formerly in history; rudrasya--of Lord Siva (the most powerful among the demigods); devasya--the demigod; mayena--by a demon named Maya; ananta--unlimited; mâyinâ--possessing technical knowledge.

> TRANSLATION

> My dear King Yudhisthira, long, long ago in history, a demon known as Maya Danava, who was very expert in technical knowledge, reduced the reputation of Lord Siva. In that situation, Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, saved Lord Siva.

> *****

> TEXT 52

> râjovâca

> kasmin karmani devasya

> mayo 'han jagad-îsituh

> yathâ copacitâ kîrtih

> krsnenânena kathyatâm

> râja uvâca--King Yudhisthira inquired; kasmin--for what reason; karmani--by which activities; devasya--of Lord Mahâdeva (Siva); mayah--the great demon Maya Dânava; ahan--vanquished; jagat-îsituh--of Lord Siva, who controls the power of the material energy and is the husband of Durgâdevî; yathâ--just as; ca--and; upacitâ--again expanded; kîrtih--reputation; krsnena--by Lord Krsna; anena--this; kathyatâm--please describe.

> TRANSLATION

> Maharaja Yudhisthira said: For what reason did the demon Maya Danava vanquish Lord Siva's reputation? How did Lord Krsna save Lord Siva and expand his reputation again? Kindly describe these incidents.

> *****

> TEXT 53

> srî-nârada uvâca

> nirjitâ asurâ devair

> yudhy anenopabrmhitaih

> mâyinâm paramâcâryam

> mayam saranam âyayuh

> srî-nâradah uvâca--Srî Nârada Muni said; nirjitâh--being defeated; asurâh--all the demons; devaih--by the demigods; yudhi--in battle; anena--by Lord Krsna; upabrmhitaih--increased in power; mâyinâm--of all the demons; parama-âcâryam--the best and largest; mayam--unto Maya Dânava; saranam--shelter; âyayuh--took.

> TRANSLATION

> Narada Muni said: When the demigods, who are always powerful by the mercy of Lord Krsna, fought with the asuras, the asuras were defeated, and therefore they took shelter of Maya Danava, the greatest of the demons.

> *****

> TEXTS 54-55

> sa nirmâya puras tisro

> haimî-raupyâyasîr vibhuh

> durlaksyâpâya-samyogâ

> durvitarkya-paricchadâh

> tâbhis te 'sura-senânyo

> lokâms trin sesvarân nrpa

> smaranto nâsayâm cakruh

> pûrva-vairam alaksitâh

> sah--that (great demon Maya Dânava); nirmâya--constructing; purah--big residences; tisrah--three; haimî--made of gold; raupyâ--made of silver; âyasîh--made of iron; vibhuh--very great, powerful; durlaksya--immeasurable; apâya-samyogâh--whose movements in coming and going; durvitarkya--uncommon; paricchadâh--possessing paraphernalia; tâbhih--by all of them (the three residences, which resembled airplanes); te--they; asura-senâ-anyah--the commanders of the asuras; lokân trîn--the three worlds; sa-îsvarân--with their chief rulers; nrpa--my dear King Yudhisthira; smarantah--remembering; nâsayâm cakruh--began to annihilate; pûrva--former; vairam--enmity; alaksitâh--unseen by anyone else.

> TRANSLATION

> Maya Danava, the great leader of the demons, prepared three invisible residences and gave them to the demons. These dwellings resembled airplanes made of gold, silver and iron, and they contained uncommon paraphernalia. My dear King Yudhisthira, because of these three dwellings the commanders of the demons remained invisible to the demigods. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the demons, remembering their former enmity, began to vanquish the three worlds--the upper, middle and lower planetary systems.

> *****

> TEXT 56

> tatas te sesvarâ lokâ

> upâsâdyesvaram natâh

> trâhi nas tâvakân deva

> vinastâms tripurâlayaih

> tatah--thereafter; te--they (the demigods); sa-îsvarâh--with their rulers; lokâh--the planets; upâsâdya--approaching; îsvaram--Lord Siva; natâh--fell down in surrender; trâhi--please save; nah--us; tâvakân--near and dear to you and very frightened; deva--O Lord; vinastân--almost finished; tripura-âlayaih--by the demons dwelling in those three planes.

> TRANSLATION

> Thereafter, when the demons had begun to destroy the higher planetary systems, the rulers of those planets went to Lord Siva, fully surrendered unto him and said: Dear Lord, we demigods living in the three worlds are about to be vanquished. We are your followers. Kindly save us.

> *****

> TEXT 57

> athânugrhya bhagavân

> mâ bhaisteti surân vibhuh

> saram dhanusi sandhâya

> puresv astram vyamuncata

> atha--thereafter; anugrhya--just to show them favor; bhagavân--the most powerful; mâ--do not; bhaista--be afraid; iti--thus; surân--unto the demigods; vibhuh--Lord Siva; saram--arrows; dhanusi--on the bow; sandhâya--fixing; puresu--at those three residences occupied by the demons; astram--weapons; vyamuncata--released.

> TRANSLATION

> The most powerful and able Lord Siva reassured them and said, "Do not be afraid." He then fixed his arrows to his bow and released them toward the three residences occupied by the demons.

> *****

> TEXT 58

> tato 'gni-varnâ isava

> utpetuh sûrya-mandalât

> yathâ mayûkha-sandohâ

> nâdrsyanta puro yatah

> tatah--thereafter; agni-varnâh--as brilliant as fire; isavah--arrows; utpetuh--released; sûrya-mandalât--from the sun globe; yathâ--just as; mayûkha-sandohâh--beams of light; na adrsyanta--could not be seen; purah--the three residences; yatah--because of this (being covered by the arrows of Lord Siva).

> TRANSLATION

> The arrows released by Lord Siva appeared like fiery beams emanating from the sun globe and covered the three residential airplanes, which could then no longer be seen.

> *****

> TEXT 59

> taih sprstâ vyasavah sarve

> nipetuh sma puraukasah

> tân âniya mahâ-yogî

> mayah kûpa-rase 'ksipat

> taih--by those (fiery arrows); sprstâh--being attacked or being touched; vyasavah--without life; sarve--all the demons; nipetuh--fell down; sma--formerly; pura-okasah--being the inhabitants of the above-mentioned three residential airplanes; tân--all of them; âniya--bringing; mahâ-yogî--the great mystic; mayah--Maya Dânava; kûpa-rase--in the well of nectar (created by the great mystic Maya); aksipat--put.

> TRANSLATION

> Attacked by Lord Siva's golden arrows, all the demoniac inhabitants of those three dwellings lost their lives and fell down. Then the great mystic Maya Danava dropped the demons into a nectarean well that he had created.

> *****

> TEXT 60

> siddhâmrta-rasa-sprstâ

> vajra-sârâ mahaujasah

> uttasthur megha-dalanâ

> vaidyutâ iva vahnayah

> siddha-amrta-rasa-sprstâh--the demons, thus being touched by the powerful mystic nectarean liquid; vajra-sârâh--their bodies becoming invincible to thunderbolts; mahâ-ojasah--being extremely strong; uttasthuh--again got up; megha-dalanâh--that which goes through the clouds; vaidyutâh--lightning (which penetrates the clouds); iva--like; vahnayah--fiery.

> TRANSLATION

> When the dead bodies of the demons came in touch with the nectar, their bodies became invincible to thunderbolts. Endowed with great strength, they got up like lightning penetrating clouds.

> *****

> TEXT 61

> vilokya bhagna-sankalpam

> vimanaskam vrsa-dhvajam

> tadâyam bhagavân visnus

> tatropâyam akalpayat

> vilokya--seeing; bhagna-sankalpam--disappointed; vimanaskam--extremely unhappy; vrsa-dhvajam--Lord Siva; tadâ--at that time; ayam--this; bhagavân--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; visnuh--Lord Visnu; tatra--about the well of nectar; upâyam--means (how to stop it); akalpayat--considered.

> TRANSLATION

> Seeing Lord Siva very much aggrieved and disappointed, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, considered how to stop this nuisance created by Maya Danava.

> *****

> TEXT 62

> vatsas câsît tadâ brahmâ

> svayam visnur ayam hi gauh

> pravisya tripuram kâle

> rasa-kûpâmrtam papau

> vatsah--a calf; ca--also; âsît--became; tadâ--at that time; brahmâ--Lord Brahmâ; svayam--personally; visnuh--Lord Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ayam--this; hi--indeed; gauh--a cow; pravisya--entering; tri-puram--the three residences; kâle--at noon; rasa-kûpa-amrtam--the nectar contained in that well; papau--drank.

> TRANSLATION

> Then Lord Brahma became a calf and Lord Visnu a cow, and at noon they entered the residences and drank all the nectar in the well.

> *****

> TEXT 63

> te 'surâ hy api pasyanto

> na nyasedhan vimohitâh

> tad vijnâya mahâ-yogî

> rasa-pâlân idam jagau

> smayan visokah sokârtân

> smaran daiva-gatim ca tâm

> te--those; asurâh--demons; hi--indeed; api--although; pasyantah--seeing (the calf and cow drinking the nectar); na--not; nyasedhan--forbade them; vimohitâh--being bewildered by illusion; tat vijnâya--knowing this fully; mahâ-yogî--the great mystic Maya Dânava; rasa-pâlân--unto the demons who guarded the nectar; idam--this; jagau--said; smayan--being bewildered; visokah--not being very unhappy; soka-ârtân--greatly lamenting; smaran--remembering; daiva-gatim--spiritual power; ca--also; tâm--that.

> TRANSLATION

> The demons could see the calf and cow, but because of the illusion created by the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demons could not forbid them. The great mystic Maya Danava became aware that the calf and cow were drinking the nectar, and he could understand this to be the unseen power of providence. Thus he spoke to the demons, who were grievously lamenting.

> *****

> TEXT 64

> devo 'suro naro 'nyo vâ

> nesvaro 'stîha kascana

> âtmano 'nyasya vâ distam

> daivenâpohitum dvayoh

> devah--the demigods; asurah--the demons; narah--humans; anyah--or anyone else; vâ--either; na--not; îsvarah--the supreme controller; asti--is; iha--in this world; kascana--anyone; âtmanah--one's own; anyasya--another's; vâ--either; distam--destiny; daivena--which is given by the Supreme Lord; apohitum--to undo; dvayoh--of both of them.

> TRANSLATION

> Maya Danava said: What has been destined by the Supreme Lord for oneself, for others, or for both oneself and others cannot be undone anywhere or by anyone, whether one be a demigod, a demon, a human being or anyone else.

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> TEXTS 65-66

> athâsau saktibhih svâbhih

> sambhoh prâdhânikam vyadhât

> dharma-jnâna-virakty-rddhi-

> tapo-vidyâ-kriyâdibhih

> ratham sûtam dhvajam vâhân

> dhanur varma-sarâdi yat

> sannaddho ratham âsthâya

> saram dhanur upâdade

> atha--thereafter; asau--He (Lord Krsna); saktibhih--by His potencies; svâbhih--personal; sambhoh--of Lord Siva; prâdhânikam--ingredients; vyadhât--created; dharma--religion; jnâna--knowledge; virakti--renunciation; rddhi--opulence; tapah--austerity; vidyâ--education; kriyâ--activities; âdibhih--by all these and other transcendental opulences; ratham--chariot; sûtam--charioteer; dhvajam--flag; vâhân--horses and elephants; dhanuh--bow; varma--shield; sara-âdi--arrows and so on; yat--everything that was required; sannaddhah--equipped; ratham--on the chariot; âsthâya--seated; saram--arrow; dhanuh--unto the bow; upâdade--joined.

> TRANSLATION

> Narada Muni continued: Thereafter, Lord Krsna, by His own personal potency, consisting of religion, knowledge, renunciation, opulence, austerity, education and activities, equipped Lord Siva with all the necessary paraphernalia, such as a chariot, a charioteer, a flag, horses, elephants, a bow, a shield and arrows. When Lord Siva was fully equipped in this way, he sat down on the chariot with his arrows and bow to fight with the demons.

> *****

> TEXT 67

> saram dhanusi sandhâya

> muhûrte 'bhijitîsvarah

> dadâha tena durbhedyâ

> haro 'tha tripuro nrpa

> saram--the arrows; dhanusi--on the bow; sandhâya--joining together; muhûrte abhijiti--at noon; îsvarah--Lord Siva; dadâha--set afire; tena--by them (the arrows); durbhedyâh--very difficult to pierce; harah--Lord Siva; atha--in this way; tri-purah--the three residences of the demons; nrpa--O King Yudhisthira.

> TRANSLATION

> My dear King Yudhisthira, the most powerful Lord Siva joined the arrows to his bow, and at noon he set fire to all three residences of the demons and thus destroyed them.

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> TEXT 68

> divi dundubhayo nedur

> vimâna-sata-sankulâh

> devarsi-pitr-siddhesâ

> jayeti kusumotkaraih

> avâkiran jagur hrstâ

> nanrtus câpsaro-ganâh

> divi--in the sky; dundubhayah--kettledrums; neduh--vibrated; vimâna--of airplanes; sata--hundreds and thousands; sankulâh--endowed; deva-rsi--all the demigods and saints; pitr--the residents of Pitrloka; siddha--the residents of Siddhaloka; îsâh--all the great personalities; jaya iti--vibrated the chant "let there be victory"; kusuma-utkaraih--various kinds of flowers; avâkiran--showered on the head of Lord Siva; jaguh--chanted; hrstâh--in great pleasure; nanrtuh--danced; ca--and; apsarah-ganâh--the beautiful women of the heavenly planets.

> TRANSLATION

> Seated in their airplanes in the sky, the inhabitants of the higher planetary systems beat many kettledrums. The demigods, saints, Pitas, Siddhas and various great personalities showered flowers on the head of Lord Siva, wishing him all victory, and the Apsaras began to chant and dance with great pleasure.

> *****

> TEXT 69

> evam dagdhvâ puras tisro

> bhagavân pura-hâ nrpa

> brahmâdibhih stûyamânah

> svam dhâma pratyapadyata

> evam--thus; dagdhvâ--burning to ashes; purah tisrah--the three residences of the demons; bhagavân--the supreme powerful; pura-hâ--who annihilated the residences of the asuras; nrpa--O King Yudhisthira; brahma-âdibhih--by Lord Brahmâ and other demigods; stûyamânah--being worshiped; svam--to his own; dhâma--abode; pratyapadyata--returned.

> TRANSLATION

> O King Yudhisthira, thus Lord Siva is known as Tripurari, the annihilator of the three dwellings of the demons, because he burnt these dwellings to ashes. Being worshiped by the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, Lord Siva returned to his own abode.

> *****

> TEXT 70

> evam vidhâny asya hareh sva-mâyayâ

> vidambamânasya nr-lokam âtmanah

> viryâni gîtâny rsibhir jagad-guror

> lokam punânâny aparam vadâmi kim

> evam vidhâni--in this way; asya--of Krsna; hareh--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sva-mâyayâ--by His transcendental potencies; vidambamânasya--acting like an ordinary human being; nr-lokam--within human society; âtmanah--of Him; vîryâni--transcendental activities; gîtâni--narrations; rsibhih--by great saintly persons; jagat-guroh--of the supreme master; lokam--all the planetary systems; punânâni--purifying; aparam--what else; vadâmi kim--can I say.

> TRANSLATION

> The Lord, Sri Krsna, appeared as a human being, yet He performed many uncommon and wonderful pastimes by His own potency. How can I say more about His activities than what has already been said by great saintly persons? Everyone can be purified by His activities, simply by hearing about them from the right source.

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