> > 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-six: Arjuna Kidnaps Subhadrâ, and Krishna Blesses His Devotees

> > TEXT 1

> > s'rî-râjovâca

> > brahman veditum icchâmah

> > svasârâm râma-krishnayoh

> > yathopayeme vijayo

> > yâ mamâsît pitâmahî

> > s'rî-râjâ uvâca - the great King (Parîkchit) said; brahman - O brâhmana (S'ukadeva); veditum - to know; icchâmah - we wish; svasâram - the sister; râma- krishnayoh - of Balarâma and Krishna; yathâ - how; upayeme - married; vijayah - Arjuna; yâ - she who; mama - my; âsît - was; pitâmahî - the grandmother.

> > TRANSLATION

> > King Parîkchit said: O brâhmana, we would like to learn how Arjuna married Lord Balarâma's and Lord Krishna's sister, who was my grandmother.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 2 - 3

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > arjunas tîrtha-yâtrâyâm

> > paryathann avanîm prabhuh

> > gatah prabhâsam as'rinon

> > mâtuleyîm sa âtmanah

> > duryodhanâya râmas tâm

> > dâsyatîti na câpare

> > tal-lipsuh sa yatir bhûtvâ

> > tri-dandî dvârakâm agât

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; arjunah - Arjuna; tîrtha - to holy places; yâtrâyâm - while on pilgrimage; paryathan - wandering; avanîm - the earth; prabhuh - the great lord; gatah - having gone; prabhâsam - to Prabhâsa; as'rinot - heard; mâtuleyîm - uncle's daughter; sah - he; âtmanah - his;

> > duryodhanâya - to Duryodhana; râmah - Lord Balarâma; tâm - her; dâsyati - intends to give; iti - thus; na - not; ca - and; apare - anyone else; tat - her; lipsuh - desirous of obtaining; sah - he, Arjuna; yatih - a sannyâsî; bhûtvâ - becoming; tri-dandî - carrying a triple staff; dvârakâm - to Dvârakâ; agât - went.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: While traveling far and wide visiting various holy places of pilgrimage, Arjuna came to Prabhâsa. There he heard that Lord Balarâma intended to give his maternal cousin Subhadrâ to Duryodhana in marriage, and that no one else approved of this plan. Arjuna wanted to marry her himself, so he disguised himself as a renunciant, complete with triple staff, and went to Dvârakâ.

> > ******

> > TEXT 4

> > tatra vai vârshitân mâsân

> > avâtsît svârtha-sâdhakah

> > pauraih sabhâjito 'bhîkshnam

> > râmenâjânatâ ca sah

> > tatra - there; vai - indeed; vârshikân - of the rainy season; mâsân - for the months; avâtsît - he resided; sva - his own; artha - purpose; sâdhakah - trying to achieve; pauraih - by the people of the city; sabhâjitah - honored; abhîkshnam - constantly; râmena - by Lord Balarâma; ajânatâ - who was unaware; ca - and; sah - he.

> > TRANSLATION

> > He stayed there during the monsoon months to fulfill his purpose. Lord Balarâma and the other residents of the city, not recognizing him, offered him all honor and hospitality.

> > ******

> > TEXT 5

> > ekadâ griham ânîya

> > âtithyena nimantrya tam

> > s'raddhayopahritam bhaikshyam

> > balena bubhuje kila

> > ekadâ - once; griham - to His (Balarâma's) home; ânîya - bringing; âtithyena - as a guest; nimantrya - inviting; tam - him (Arjuna); s'raddhayâ - with faith; upahritam - presented; bhaikshyam - food; balena - by Lord Balarâma; bubhuje - he ate; kila - indeed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One day Lord Balarâma brought him to His home as His invited dinner guest, and Arjuna ate the food the Lord respectfully offered him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 6

> > so 'pas'yat tatra mahatîm

> > kanyâm vîra-mano-harâm

> > prîty-utphullekshanas tasyâm

> > bhâva-kshubdham mano dadhe

> > sah - he; apas'yat - saw; tatra - there; mahatîm - wonderful; kanyâm - the girl; vîra - to heroes; manah-harâm - enchanting; prîti - with happiness; utphulla - blossoming; îkshanah - his eyes; tasyâm - upon her; bhâva - with emotion; kshubdham - agitated; manah - his mind; dadhe - he put.

> > TRANSLATION

> > There he saw the wonderful maiden Subhadrâ, who was enchanting to heroes. His eyes opened wide with delight, and his mind became agitated and absorbed in thoughts of her.

> > ******

> > TEXT 7

> > sâpi tam cakame vîkshya

> > nârînâm hridayam-gamam

> > hasantî vrîditâpangî

> > tan-nyasta-hridayekshanâ

> > sâ - she; api - also; tam - him; cakame - desired; vîkshya - seeing; nârînâm - of women; hridayam-gamam - the capturer of the hearts; hasantî - smiling; vrîditâ - bashful; apângî - casting sidelong glances; tat - upon him; nyasta - fixed; hridaya - her heart; îkshanâ - and eyes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Arjuna was very attractive to women, and as soon as Subhadrâ saw him, she wanted to have him as her husband. Smiling bashfully with sidelong glances, she fixed her heart and eyes upon him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 8

> > tâm param samanudhyâyann

> > antaram prepsur arjunah

> > na lebhe s'am bhramac-cittah

> > kâmenâti-balîyasâ

> > tâm - on her; param - only; samanudhyâyan - meditating; antaram - the right opportunity; prepsuh - waiting to obtain; arjunah - Arjuna; na lebhe - could not experience; s'am - peace; bhramat - wavering; cittah - his heart; kâmena - due to lust; ati-balîyasâ - most strong.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Meditating only on her and waiting for the opportunity to take her away, Arjuna had no peace. His heart trembled with passionate desire.

> > ******

> > TEXT 9

> > mahatyâm deva-yâtrâyâm

> > ratha-sthâm durga-nirgatâm

> > jahârânumatah pitroh

> > krishnasya ca mahâ-rathah

> > mahatyâm - important; deva - for the Supreme Lord; yâtrâyâm - during a festival; ratha - on a chariot; sthâm - riding; durga - from the fortress; nirgatâm - having exited; jahâra - he seized her; anumatah - sanctioned; pitroh - by her parents; krishnasya - by Krishna; ca - and; mahâ-rathah - the mighty chariot warrior.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Once, on the occasion of a great temple festival in honor of the Supreme Lord, Subhadrâ rode out of the fortresslike palace on a chariot, and at that time the mighty chariot warrior Arjuna took the opportunity to kidnap her. Subhadrâ's parents and Krishna had sanctioned this.

> > ******

> > TEXT 10

> > ratha-stho dhanur âdâya

> > s'ûrâms' cârundhato bhathân

> > vidrâvya kros'atâm svânâm

> > sva-bhâgam mriga-râd iva

> > ratha - on his chariot; sthah - standing; dhanuh - his bow; âdâya - taking up; s'ûrân - the heroes; ca - and; arundhatah - trying to block him; bhathân - and the guards; vidrâvya - driving off; kros'atâm - as they shouted in anger; svânâm - her relatives; sva - his own; bhâgam - rightful portion; mriga-râth - the king of animals, the lion; iva - just as.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Standing on his chariot, Arjuna took up his bow and drove off the valiant fighters and palace guards who tried to block his way. As her relatives shouted in anger, he took Subhadrâ away just as a lion takes his prey from the midst of lesser animals.

> > ******

> > TEXT 11

> > tac chrutvâ kshubhito râmah

> > parvanîva mahârnavah

> > grihîta-pâdah krishnena

> > suhridbhis' cânusântvitah

> > tat - this; s'rutvâ - hearing; kshubhitah - disturbed; râmah - Lord Balarâma; parvani - at the juncture of the month; iva - as if; mahâ-arnavah - the ocean; grihîta - grasped; pâdah - His feet; krishnena - by Lord Krishna; suhridbhih - by His family members; ca - and; anusântvitah - carefully pacified.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When He heard of Subhadrâ's kidnapping, Lord Balarâma became as disturbed as the ocean during the full moon, but Lord Krishna respectfully took hold of His feet and, together with other family members, pacified Him by explaining the matter.

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > prâhinot pâribarhâni

> > vara-vadhvor mudâ balah

> > mahâ-dhanopaskarebha-

> > rathâs'va-nara-yoshitah

> > prâhinot - He sent; pâribarhâni - as wedding gifts; vara-vadhvoh - for the groom and the bride; mudâ - with pleasure; balah - Lord Balarâma; mahâ-dhana - greatly valuable; upaskara - presents; ibha - elephants; ratha - chariots; asva - horses; nara - men; yoshitah - and women.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Balarâma then happily sent the bride and groom very valuable wedding gifts consisting of elephants, chariots, horses and male and female servants.

> > ******

> > TEXT 13

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > krishnasyâsîd dvija-s'reshthhah

> > s'rutadeva iti s'rutah

> > krishnaika-bhaktyâ pûrnârthah

> > s'ântah kavir alampatah

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'rî S'ukadeva said; krishnasya - of Lord Krishna; âsît - there was; dvija - of brâhmanas; s'reshthhah - one of the best; s'rutadevah - S'rutadeva; iti - thus; s'rutah - known; krishna - to Lord Krishna; eka - exclusive; bhaktyâ - by his devotion; pûrna - full; arthah - in all goals of desire; s'ântah - peaceful; kavih - learned and discriminating; alampathah - not desirous of sense gratification.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued: There was a devotee of Krishna's known as S'rutadeva, who was a first-class brâhmana. Perfectly satisfied by rendering unalloyed devotional service to Lord Krishna, he was peaceful, learned and free from sense gratification.

> > ******

> > TEXT 14

> > sa uvâsa videheshu

> > mithilâyâm grihâs'ramî

> > anîhayâgatâhârya-

> > nirvartita-nija-kriyah

> > sah - he; uvâsa - dwelled; videheshu - in the kingdom of Videha; mithilâyâm - in the city of Mithilâ; griha-âs'ramî - as a member of the regulated order of family life; anîhayâ - without endeavor; âgata - came to him; âhârya - by food and other means of sustenance; nirvartita - carried out; nija - his; kriyah - obligations.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Living as a religious householder in the city of Mithilâ, within the kingdom of Videha, he managed to fulfill his obligations while maintaining himself with whatever sustenance easily came his way.

> > ******

> > TEXT 15

> > yâtrâ-mâtram tv ahar ahar

> > daivâd upanamaty uta

> > nâdhikam tâvatâ tushthah

> > kriyâ cakre yathocitâh

> > yâtrâ-mâtram - bare maintenance; tu - and; ahah ahah - day after day; daivât - due to his fate; upanamati - came to him; uta - indeed; na adhikam - no more; tâvatâ - with that much; tushthah - satisfied; kriyâh - duties; cakre - he did; yathâ - as; ucitâh - appropriate.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By the will of Providence he obtained each day just what he needed for his maintenance, and no more. Satisfied with this much, he properly executed his religious duties.

> > ******

> > TEXT 16

> > tathâ tad-râshthra-pâlo 'nga

> > bahulâs'va iti s'rutah

> > maithilo niraham-mâna

> > ubhâv apy acyuta-priyau

> > tathâ - also (an advanced devotee of Krishna); tat - of that; râshthra - kingdom; pâlah - the ruler; anga - my dear (Parîkchit); bahulâs'vah iti s'rutah - known as Bahulâs'va; maithilah - of the royal dynasty descending from King Mithila (Janaka); niraham-mânah - free from false ego; ubhau - both of them; api - indeed; acyuta-priyau - dear to Lord Acyuta.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Similarly free from false ego was the ruler of that kingdom, my dear Parîkchit, a descendant of the Mithila dynasty named Bahulâs'va. Both these devotees were very dear to Lord Acyuta.

> > ******

> > TEXT 17

> > tayoh prasanno bhagavân

> > dârukenâhritam ratham

> > âruhya sâkam munibhir

> > videhân prayayau prabhuh

> > tayoh - with both of them; prasannah - pleased; bhagavân - the Personality of Godhead; dârukena - by Dâruka; âhritam - brought forth; ratham - His chariot; âruhya - mounting; sâkam - together with; munibhih - sages; videhân - to the Videha kingdom; prayayau - went; prabhuh - the Lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Pleased with both of them, the Supreme Personality of Godhead mounted His chariot, which Dâruka had brought, and traveled to Videha with a group of sages.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > nârado vâmadevo 'trih

> > krishno râmo 'sito 'runih

> > aham brihaspatih kanvo

> > maitreyas' cyavanâdayah

> > nâradah vâmadevah atrih - the sages Nârada, Vâmadeva and Atri; krishnah - Krishna- dvaipâyana Vyâsa; râmah - Lord Paras'urâma; asitah arunih - Asita and Aruni; aham - I (S'ukadeva); brihaspatih kanvah - Brihaspati and Kanva; maitreyah - Maitreya; cyavana - Cyavana; âdayah - and others.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Among these sages were Nârada, Vâmadeva, Atri, Krishna-dvaipâyana Vyâsa, Paras'urâma, Asita, Aruni, myself, Brihaspati, Kanva, Maitreya and Cyavana.

> > ******

> > TEXT 19

> > tatra tatra tam âyântam

> > paurâ jânapadâ nripa

> > upatasthuh sârghya-hastâ

> > grahaih sûryam ivoditam

> > tatra tatra - in each place; tam - Him; âyântam - as He was coming; paurâh - city residents; jânapadâh - and village residents; nripa - O King (Parîkchit); upatasthuh - came forward to greet Him; sa - with; arghya - water to offer as a token of respect; hastâh - in their hands; grahaih - by the planets; sûryam - the sun; iva - as; uditam - risen.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In every city and town the Lord passed along the way, O King, the people came forward to worship Him with offerings of arghya water in their hands, as if to worship the risen sun surrounded by planets.

> > PURPORT

> > Here the sages traveling with Krishna on His chariot are likened to planets around the sun.

> > ******

> > TEXT 20

> > ânarta-dhanva-kuru-jângala-kanka-matsya-

> > pân'câla-kunti-madhu-kekaya-kos'alârnâh

> > anye ca tan-mukha-sarojam udâra-hâsa-

> > snigdhekshanam nripa papur dris'ibhir nr-nâryah

> > ânarta - the people of Ânarta (the region in which Dvârakâ is situated); dhanva - the desert (of Gujarat and Rajasthan); kuru-jângala - the region of the Kuru forests (the districts of Thaneswar and Kurukshetra); kanka - Kanka; matsya - Matsya (the kingdoms of Jaipur and Aloyar); pân'câla - the districts surrounding both banks of the Ganges; kunti - Mâlava; madhu - Mathurâ; kekaya - in northeast Punjab, the region between the S'atadru and Vipâs'â rivers; kos'ala - the ancient kingdom of Lord Râmacandra, stretching from the northern border of Kâs'î to the Himalayas; arnâh - and the kingdom bordering Mithilâ on the east; anye - others; ca - also; tat - His; mukha - face; sarojam - lotus; udâra - generous; hâsa - with its smiles; snigdha - and affectionate; îkshanam - glances; nripa - O King; papuh - drank; dris'ibhih - with their eyes; nri-nâryah - the men and women.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The men and women of Ânarta, Dhanva, Kuru-jângala, Kanka, Matsya, Pan'câla, Kunti, Madhu, Kekaya, Kos'ala, Arna and many other kingdoms drank with their eyes the nectarean beauty of Lord Krishna's lotuslike face, which was graced with generous smiles and affectionate glances.

> > ******

> > TEXT 21

> > tebhyah sva-vîkshana-vinashtha-tamisra-drigbhyah

> > kshemam tri-loka-gurur artha-dris'am ca yacchan

> > s'rinvan dig-anta-dhavalam sva-yas'o 's'ubha-ghnam

> > gîtam surair nribhir agâc chanakair videhân

> > tebhyah - to them; sva - His; vîkshana - by the glance; vinashtha - destroyed; tamisra - the darkness; drigbhyah - of whose eyes; kshemam - fearlessness; tri - three; loka - of the worlds; guruh - the spiritual master; artha- dris'am - spiritual vision; ca - and; yacchan - bestowing; s'rinvan - hearing; dik - of the directions; anta - the ends; dhavalam - which purify; sva - His; yas'ah - glories; as'ubha - inauspiciousness; ghnam - which eradicate; gîtam - sung; suraih - by demigods; nribhih - and by men; agât - He came; s'anakaih - gradually; videhân - to the kingdom of Videha.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Simply by glancing at those who came to see Him, Lord Krishna, the spiritual master of the three worlds, delivered them from the blindness of materialism. As He thus endowed them with fearlessness and divine vision, He heard demigods and men singing His glories, which purify the entire universe and destroy all misfortune. Gradually, He reached Videha.

> > ******

> > TEXT 22

> > te 'cyutam prâptam âkarnya

> > paurâ jânapadâ nripa

> > abhîyur muditâs tasmai

> > grihîtârhana-pânayah

> > te - they; acyutam - Lord Krishna; prâptam - arrived; âkarnya - hearing; paurâh - the people of the city; jânapadâh - and of the villages; nripa - O King; abhîyuh - came forward; muditâh - joyful; tasmai - to Him; grihîta - holding; arhana - offerings to present to Him; pânayah - in their hands.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Hearing that Lord Acyuta had arrived, O King, the residents of the cities and villages of Videha joyfully came forth to receive Him with offerings in their hands.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > drishthvâ ta uttamah-s'lokam

> > prîty-utphulânanâs'ayâh

> > kair dhritân'jalibhir nemuh

> > s'ruta-pûrvâms tathâ munîn

> > drishthvâ - seeing; te - they; uttamah-s'lokam - Lord Krishna, who is praised in sublime poetry; prîti - with love; utphulla - broadly blossoming; ânana - their faces; âs'ayâh - and hearts; kaih - on their heads; dhrita - held; an'jalibhih - with joined palms; nemuh - they bowed down; s'ruta - heard of; pûrvân - before; tathâ - also; munîn - to the sages.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As soon as the people saw Lord Uttamahs'loka, their faces and hearts blossomed with affection. Joining their palms above their heads, they bowed down to the Lord and to the sages accompanying Him, whom they had previously only heard about.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > svânugrahâya samprâptam

> > manvânau tam jagad-gurum

> > maithilah s'rutadevas' ca

> > pâdayoh petatuh prabhoh

> > sta - to himself; anugrahâya - for showing mercy; samprâptam - now; manvânau - both thinking; tam - Him; jagat - of the universe; gurum - the spiritual master; maithilah - the King of Mithilâ; s'rutadevah - S'rutadeva; ca - and; pâdayoh - at the feet; petatuh - fell; prabhoh - of the Lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Both the King of Mithilâ and S'rutadeva fell at the Lord's feet, each thinking that the spiritual master of the universe had come there just to show him mercy.

> > ******

> > TEXT 25

> > nyamantrayetâm dâs'ârham

> > âtithyena saha dvijaih

> > maithilah s'rutadevas' ca

> > yugapat samhatân'jalî

> > nyamantrayetâm - they both invited; dâs'ârham - Krishna, the descendant of Das'ârha; âtithyena - to be their guest; saha - along with; dvijaih - the brâhmanas; maithilah - Bahulâs'va; s'rutadevah - S'rutadeva; ca - and; yugapat - simultaneously; samhata - held firmly together; an'jalî - whose palms.

> > TRANSLATION

> > At exactly the same time, King Maithila and S'rutadeva each went forward with joined palms and invited the Lord of the Das'ârhas to be his guest, along with the brâhmana sages.

> > ******

> > TEXT 26

> > bhagavâms tad abhipretya

> > dvayoh priya-cikîrshayâ

> > ubhayor âvis'ad geham

> > ubhâbhyâm tad-alakshitah

> > bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; tat - this; abhipretya - accepting; dvayoh - of the two of them; priya - the pleasing; cikîrshayâ - wishing to do; ubhayoh - of both; âvis'at - He entered; geham - the houses; ubhâbhyâm - to both; tat - in that (entering of the other's house); alakshitah - unseen.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Wanting to please them both, the Lord accepted both their invitations. Thus He simultaneously went to both homes, and neither could see Him entering the other's house.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 27 - 29

> > s'rântân apy atha tân dûrâj

> > janakah sva-grihâgatân

> > ânîteshv âsanâgryeshu

> > sukhâsînân mahâ-manâh

> > pravriddha-bhaktyâ uddharsha-

> > hridayâsrâvilekshanah

> > natvâ tad-anghrîn prakshâlya

> > tad-apo loka-pâvanîh

> > sa-kuthumbo vahan mûrdhnâ

> > pûjayâm cakra îs'varân

> > gandha-mâlyâmbarâkalpa-

> > dhûpa-dîpârghya-go-vrishaih

> > s'rântân - fatigued; api - indeed; atha - then; tân - them; dûrât - from a distance; janakah - King Bahulâs'va, a descendant of Janaka; sva - to his; griha - home; âgatân - come; ânîteshu - which were brought out; âsana - on seats; agryeshu - excellent; sukha - comfortably; âsînân - seated; mahâ-manâh - very intelligent;

> > pravriddha - intense; bhaktyâ - with devotion; ut-dharsha - overjoyed; hridaya - whose heart; asra - with tears; âvila - clouded; îkshanah - whose eyes; natvâ - bowing down; tat - their; anghrîn - feet; prakshâlya - washing; tat - from that; apah - the water; loka - the whole world; pâvanîh - able to purify;

> > sa - together with; kuthumbah - his family; vahan - carrying; mûrdhnâ - on his head; pûjayâm cakre - he worshiped; îs'varân - the lords; gandha - with fragrant (sandalwood) paste; mâlya - flower garlands; ambara - clothing; âkalpa - jewelry; dhûpa - incense; dîpa - lamps; arghya - arghya water; go - cows; vrishaih - and bulls.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When King Bahulâs'va, a descendant of Janaka, saw Lord Krishna approaching his house from a distance with the sages, who were somewhat fatigued from the journey, he immediately arranged to have seats of honor brought out for them. After they were all comfortably seated, the wise King, his heart overflowing with joy and his eyes clouded by tears, bowed down to them and washed their feet with intense devotion. Taking the wash water, which could purify the entire world, he sprinkled it on his head and the heads of his family members. Then he worshiped all those great lords by offering them fragrant sandalwood paste, flower garlands, fine clothing and ornaments, incense, lamps, arghya and cows and bulls.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > vâcâ madhurayâ prînann

> > idam âhânna-tarpitân

> > pâdâv anka-gatau vishnoh

> > samspris'an' chanakair mudâ

> > vâcâ - in a voice; madhurayâ - gentle; prînan - trying to please them; idam - this; âha - he said; anna - with food; tarpitân - who had been gratified; pâdau - the feet; anka - on his lap; gatau - situated; vishnoh - of Lord Krishna; samspris'an - massaging; s'anakaih - slowly; mudâ - happily.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When they had eaten to their full satisfaction, for their further pleasure the King began to speak slowly and in a gentle voice as he held Lord Vishnu's feet in his lap and happily massaged them.

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > s'rî-bahulâs'va uvâca

> > bhavân hi sarva-bhûtânâm

> > âtmâ sâkshî sva-drig vibho

> > atha nas tvat-padâmbhojam

> > smaratâm dars'anam gatah

> > s'rî-bahulâs'vah uvâca - S'rî Bahulâs'va said; bhavân - You; hi - indeed; sarva - of all; bhûtânâm - created beings; âtmâ - the Supreme Soul; sâkshî - the witness; sva- drik - self-illumined; vibho - O almighty one; atha - thus; nah - to us; tvat - Your; pada-ambhojam - lotus feet; smaratâm - who are remembering; dars'anam gatah - have become visible.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Bahulâs'va said: O almighty Lord, You are the Soul of all created beings, their self-illumined witness, and now You are giving Your audience to us, who constantly meditate on Your lotus feet.

> > ******

> > TEXT 32

> > sva-vacas tad ritam kartum

> > asmad-drig-gocaro bhavân

> > yad âtthaikânta-bhaktân me

> > nânantah s'rîr ajah priyah

> > sva - Your own; vacah - statement; tat - that; ritam - true; kartum - to make; asmat - our; drik - to the eyes; gocarah - accessible; bhavân - You; yat - which; âttha - spoke; eka-anta - with a single aim; bhaktât - than the devotee; me - my; na - not; anantah - Lord Ananta; s'rîh - Goddess S'rî; ajah - unborn Brahmâ; priyah - more dear.

> > TRANSLATION

> > You have said, "Neither Ananta, Goddess S'rî nor unborn Brahmâ is dearer to Me than My unalloyed devotee." To prove Your own words true, You have now revealed Yourself to our eyes.

> > ******

> > TEXT 33

> > ko nu tvac-caranâmbhojam

> > evam-vid visrijet pumân

> > nishkin'canânâm s'ântânâm

> > munînâm yas tvam âtma-dah

> > kah - who; nu - at all; tvat - Your; carana-ambhojam - lotus feet; evam - like this; vit - being in knowledge; visrijet - would abandon; pumân - person; nishkin'canânâm - for those who have no material possessions; s'ântânâm - who are peaceful; munînâm - sages; yah - who; tvam - You; âtma - Yourself; dah - giving.

> > TRANSLATION

> > What person who knows this truth would ever abandon Your lotus feet, when You are ready to give Your very self to peaceful sages who call nothing their own?

> > ******

> > TEXT 34

> > yo 'vatîrya yador vams'e

> > nrinâm samsaratâm iha

> > yas'o vitene tac-chântyai

> > trai-lokya-vrijinâpaham

> > yah - who; avatîrya - descending; yadoh - of Yadu; vams'e - into the dynasty; nrinâm - for people; samsaratâm - who are caught up in the cycle of birth and death; iha - in this world; yas'ah - Your fame; vitene - has disseminated; tat - of that (material existence); s'ântyai - for the stopping; trai-lokya - of the three worlds; vrijina - the sins; apaham - which removes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Appearing in the Yadu dynasty, You have spread Your glories, which can remove all the sins of the three worlds, just to deliver those entrapped in the cycle of birth and death.

> > ******

> > TEXT 35

> > namas tubhyam bhagavate

> > krishnâyâkunthha-medhase

> > nârâyanâya rishaye

> > su-s'ântam tapa îyushe

> > namah - obeisances; tubhyam - to You; bhagavate - the Supreme Lord; krishnâya - Krishna; akunthha - unconstricted; medhase - whose intelligence; nârâyanâya rishaye - to the sage Nara-Nârâyana; su-s'ântam - perfectly peaceful; tapah - austerities; îyushe - undergoing.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Obeisances to You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, whose intelligence is ever unrestricted. Obeisances to the sage Nara-Nârâyana, who always undergoes austerities in perfect peace.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > dinâni katicid bhûman

> > grihân no nivasa dvijaih

> > sametah pâda-rajasâ

> > punîhîdam nimeh kulam

> > dinâni - days; katicit - a few; bhûman - O omnipresent one; grihân - in the home; nah - -our; nivasa - please dwell; dvijaih - by the brâhmanas; sametah - joined; pâda - of Your feet; rajasâ - with the dust; punîhi - please sanctify; idam - this; nimeh - of King Nimi; kulam - the dynasty.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Please stay a few days in our house, along with these brâhmanas, O all- pervading one, and with the dust of Your feet sanctify this dynasty of Nimi.

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > ity upâmantrito râjn'â

> > bhagavâû loka-bhâvanah

> > uvâsa kurvan kalyânam

> > mithilâ-nara-yoshitâm

> > iti - thus; upâmantritah - invited; rajn'â - by the King; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; loka - of the entire world; bhâvanah - the maintainer; uvâsa - resided; kurvan - creating; kalyânam - good fortune; mithilâ - of the city of Mithilâ; nara - for the men; yoshitâm - and women.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:] Thus invited by the King, the Supreme Lord, sustainer of the world, consented to stay for some time to bestow good fortune on the men and women of Mithilâ.

> > ******

> > TEXT 38

> > s'rutadevo 'cyutam prâptam

> > sva-grihân' janako yathâ

> > natvâ munîn su-samhrishtho

> > dhunvan vâso nanarta ha

> > s'rutadevah - S'rutadeva; acyutam - Lord Krishna; prâptam - obtained; sva-grihân - at his house; janakah - Bahulâs'va; yathâ - just as; natvâ - bowing down; munîn - to the sages; su - very much; samhrishthah - delighted; dhunvan - waving; vâsah - his cloth; nanarta ha - he danced.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rutadeva received Lord Acyuta into his home with as much enthusiasm as that shown by King Bahulâs'va. After bowing down to the Lord and the sages, S'rutadeva began to dance with great joy, waving his shawl.

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > trina-pîthha-brishîshv etân

> > ânîteshûpaves'ya sah

> > svâgatenâbhinandyânghrîn

> > sa-bhâryo 'vanije mudâ

> > trina - of grass; pîthha - on seats; brishîshu - and on mats of darbha; etân - them; ânîteshu - which were brought; upaves'ya - making sit; sah - he; sva-âgatena - with words of welcome; abhinandya - greeting them; anghrîn - their feet; sa- bhâryah - together with his wife; avanije - washed; mudâ - with pleasure.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After bringing mats of grass and darbha straw and seating his guests upon them, he greeted them with words of welcome. Then he and his wife washed their feet with great pleasure.

> > ******

> > TEXT 40

> > tad-ambhasâ mahâ-bhâga

> > âtmânam sa-grihânvayam

> > snâpayâm cakra uddharsho

> > labdha-sarva-manorathah

> > tat - with that; ambhasâ - water; mahâ-bhâgah - very pious; âtmânam - himself; sa - along with; griha - his house; anvayam - and his family; snâpayâm cakre - he bathed; uddharshah - overjoyed; labdha - having attained; sarva - all; manah- rathah - desires.

> > TRANSLATION

> > With the wash water, the virtuous S'rutadeva copiously sprinkled himself, his house and his family. Overjoyed, he felt that all his desires had now been fulfilled.

> > ******

> > TEXT 41

> > phalârhanos'îra-s'ivâmritâmbubhir

> > mridâ surabhyâ tulasî-kus'âmbuyaih

> > ârâdhayâm âsa yathopapannayâ

> > saparyayâ sattva-vivardhanândhasâ

> > phala - of fruits; arhana - with offerings; us'îra - with a kind of aromatic root; s'iva - pure; amrita - nectar-sweet; ambubhih - and with water; mridâ - with clay; surabhyâ - fragrant; tulasî - tulasî leaves; kus'a - kus'a grass; ambujaih - and lotus flowers; ârâdhayâm âsa - he worshiped them; yathâ - as; upapannayâ - could be obtained; saparyayâ - with items of worship; sattva - the mode of goodness; vivardhana - which increases; andhasâ - with food.

> > TRANSLATION

> > He worshiped them with offerings of auspicious items easily available to him, such as fruits, us'îra root, pure, nectarean water, fragrant clay, tulasî leaves, kus'a grass and lotus flowers. Then he offered them food that increases the mode of goodness.

> > ******

> > TEXT 42

> > sa tarkayâm âsa kuto mamânv abhût

> > grihândha-kupe patitasya sangamah

> > yah sarva-tîrthâspada-pâda-renubhih

> > krishnena câsyâtma-niketa-bhûsuraih

> > sah - he; tarkayâm âsa - tried to understand; kutah - for what reason; mama - for me; anu - indeed; abhût - has happened; griha - of home; andha - blind; kûpe - in the well; patitasya - fallen; sangamah - association; yah - which; sarva - of all; tîrtha - holy places; âspada - which is the shelter; pâda - of whose feet; renubhih - the dust; krishnena - with Lord Krishna; ca - also; asya - this; âtma - of Himself; niketa - who are the place of residence; bhû-suraih - with the brâhmanas.

> > TRANSLATION

> > He wondered: How is it that I, fallen into the blind well of family life, have been able to meet Lord Krishna? And how have I also been allowed to meet these great brâhmanas, who always carry the Lord within their hearts? Indeed, the dust of their feet is the shelter of all holy places.

> > ******

> > TEXT 43

> > sûpavishthân kritâtithyân

> > s'rutadeva upasthitah

> > sa-bhârya-svajanâpatya

> > uvâcânghry-abhimars'anah

> > su-upavishthân - comfortably seated; krita - having been shown; âtithyân - hospitality; s'rutadevah - S'rutadeva; upasthitah - sitting near them; sa-bhârya - along with his wife; sva-jana - relatives; apatyah - and children; uvâca - he spoke; anghri - (Lord Krishna's) feet; abhimars'anah - massaging.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When his guests were seated comfortably, having each received a proper welcome, S'rutadeva approached them and sat down nearby with his wife, children and other dependents. Then, while massaging the Lord's feet, he addressed Krishna and the sages.

> > ******

> > TEXT 44

> > s'rutadeva uvâca

> > nâdya no dars'anam prâptah

> > param parama-pûrushah

> > yarhîdam s'aktibhih srishthvâ

> > pravishtho hy âtma-sattayâ

> > s'rutadevah uvâca - S'rutadeva said; na - not; adya - today; nah - by us; dars'anam - vision; prâptah - obtained; param - only; parama - the supreme; pûrushah - person; yarhi - when; idam - this (universe); s'aktibhih - with His energies; srishthvâ - creating; pravishthah - entered; hi - indeed; âtma - His own; sattayâ - in the state of existence.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rutadeva said: It is not that we have attained the audience of the Supreme Person only today, for we have in fact been associating with Him ever since He created this universe with His energies and then entered it in His transcendental form.

> > ******

> > TEXT 45

> > yathâ s'ayânah purusho

> > manasaivâtma-mâyayâ

> > srishthvâ lokam param svâpnam

> > anuvis'yâvabhâsate

> > yathâ - as; s'ayânah - sleeping; purushah - a person; manasâ - with his mind; eva - alone; âtma - own; mâyayâ - by his imagination; srishthvâ - creating; lokam - a world; param - separate; svâpnam - dream; anuvis'ya - entering; avabhâsate - he appears.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Lord is like a sleeping person who creates a separate world in his imagination and then enters his own dream and sees himself within it.

> > ******

> > TEXT 46

> > s'rinvatâm gadatâm s'as'vad

> > arcatâm tvâbhivandatâm

> > nrinâm samvadatâm antar

> > hridi bhâsy amalâtmanâm

> > s'rinvatâm - for those who are hearing; gadatâm - speaking; s'as'vat - constantly; arcatâm - worshiping; tvâ - You; abhivandatâm - offering praise; nrinâm - for men; samvadatâm - conversing; antah - within; hridi - the heart; bhâsi - You appear; amala - spotless; âtmanâm - whose minds.

> > TRANSLATION

> > You reveal Yourself within the hearts of those persons of pure consciousness who constantly hear about You, chant about You, worship You, glorify You and converse with one another about You.

> > ******

> > TEXT 47

> > hridi-stho 'py ati-dûra-sthah

> > karma-vikshipta-cetasâm

> > âtma-s'aktibhir agrâhyo

> > 'py anty upeta-gunâtmanâm

> > hridi - in the heart; sthah - situated; api - although; ati - very; dûra-sthah - far away; karma - by material activities; vikshipta - disturbed; cetasâm - for those whose minds; âtma - by one's own; s'aktibhih - powers; agrâhyah - not to be taken hold of; api - although; anti - near; upeta - realized; guna - Your qualities; âtmanâm - by whose hearts.

> > TRANSLATION

> > But although You reside within the heart, You are very far away from those whose minds are disturbed by their entanglement in material work. Indeed, no one can grasp You by his material powers, for You reveal Yourself only in the hearts of those who have learned to appreciate Your transcendental qualities.

> > ******

> > TEXT 48

> > namo 'stu te 'dhyâtma-vidâm parâtmane

> > anâtmane svâtma-vibhakta-mrityave

> > sa-kâranâkârana-lingam îyushe

> > sva-mâyayâsamvrita-ruddha-drishthaye

> > namah - obeisances; astu - may there be; te - unto You; adhyâtma - the Absolute Truth; vidâm - for those who know; para-âtmane - the Supreme Soul; anâtmane - to the conditioned jîva soul; sva-âtma - from Yourself (in the form of time); vibhakta - who gives; mrityave - death; sa-kârana - having a cause; akârana - having no cause; lingam - the forms (respectively, the material form of the universe and also Your original spiritual form); îyushe - who assume; sva-mâyayâ - by Your own mystic potency; asamvrita - uncovered; ruddha - and blocked; drishthaye - vision.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Let me offer my obeisances unto You. You are realized as the Supreme Soul by those who know the Absolute Truth, whereas in Your form of time You impose death upon the forgetful souls. You appear both in Your causeless spiritual form and in the created form of this universe, thus simultaneously uncovering the eyes of Your devotees and obstructing the vision of the nondevotees.

> > ******

> > TEXT 49

> > sa tvam s'âdhi sva-bhrityân nah

> > kim deva karavâma he

> > etad-anto nrinâm kles'o

> > yad bhavân akshi-gocarah

> > sah - He; tvam - You; s'âdhi - please order; sva - Your; bhrityân - servants; nah - us; kim - what; deva - O Lord; karavâma - we should do; he - oh; etat - having this; antah - as its end; nrinâm - of humans; kles'ah - the troubles; yat - that; bhavân - Your good self; akshi - to the eyes; go-carah - visible.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Lord, You are that Supreme Soul, and we are Your servants. How shall we serve You? My Lord, simply seeing You puts an end to all the troubles of human life.

> > ******

> > TEXT 50

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > tad-uktam ity upâkarnya

> > bhagavân pranatârti-hâ

> > grihîtvâ pâninâ pânim

> > prahasams tam uvâca ha

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; tat - by him (S'rutadeva); uktam - what was spoken; iti - thus; upâkarnya - hearing; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; pranata - of the surrendered; ârti - of distress; hâ - the destroyer; grihîtvâ - taking; pâninâ - with His hand; pânim - his hand; prahasan - smiling broadly; tam - to him; uvâca ha - said.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: After hearing S'rutadeva speak these words, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who relieves His surrendered devotees' distress, took S'rutadeva's hand in His own and, smiling, spoke to him as follows.

> > ******

> > TEXT 51

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > brahmams te 'nugrahârthâya

> > samprâptân viddhy amûn munîn

> > san'caranti mayâ lokân

> > punantah pâda-renubhih

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Lord said; brahman - O brâhmana; te - your; anugraha - of bestowing benedictions; arthâya - for the purpose; samprâptân - come; viddhi - you should know; amûn - these; munîn - sages; san'caranti - they wander; mayâ - together with Me; lokân - all the worlds; punantah - purifying; pâda - of their feet; renubhih - with the dust.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Lord said: My dear brâhmana, you should know that these great sages have come here just to bless you. They travel throughout the worlds with Me, purifying them with the dust of their feet.

> > ******

> > TEXT 52

> > devâh kshetrâni tîrthâni

> > dars'ana-spars'anârcanaih

> > s'anaih punanti kâlena

> > tad apy arhattamekshayâ

> > devâh - temple deities; kshetrâni - pilgrimage sites; tîrthâni - and sacred rivers; dars'ana - by being seen; spars'ana - being touched; arcanaih - and being worshiped; s'anaih - gradually; punanti - purify; kâlena - with time; tat api - the same; arhat-tama - of those (brâhmanas) who are most worshipable; îkshayâ - by the glance.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One can gradually become purified by seeing, touching and worshiping temple deities, places of pilgrimage and holy rivers. But one can attain the same result immediately simply by receiving the glance of exalted sages.

> > ******

> > TEXT 53

> > brâhmano janmanâ s'reyân

> > sarveshâm prâninâm iha

> > tapasâ vidyayâ tushthyâ

> > kim u mat-kalayâ yutah

> > brâhmanah - a brâhmana; janmanâ - by his birth; s'reyân - the best; sarveshâm - of all; prâninâm - living beings; iha - in this world; tapasâ - by his austerity; vidyayâ - by his learning; tushthyâ - by his satisfaction; kim u - what more, then; mat - upon Me; kalayâ - with loving meditation; yutah - endowed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By his very birth, a brâhmana is the best of all living beings in this world, and he becomes even more exalted when he is endowed with austerity, learning and self-satisfaction, what to speak of devotion to Me.

> > ******

> > TEXT 54

> > na brâhmanân me dayitam

> > rûpam etac catur-bhujam

> > sarva-veda-mayo viprah

> > sarva-deva-mayo hy aham

> > na - not; brâhmanât - than a brâhmana; me - to Me; dayitam - more dear; rûpam - personal form; etat - this; catuh-bhujam - four-armed; sarva - all; veda - the Vedas; mayah - comprising; viprah - a learned brâhmana; sarva - all; deva - the demigods; mayah - comprising; hi - indeed; aham - I.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Even My own four-armed form is no dearer to Me than a brâhmana. Within himself a learned brâhmana comprises all the Vedas, just as within Myself I comprise all the demigods.

> > PURPORT

> > It is understood from the Vedic science of epistemology, the Nyâya-s'âstra, that knowledge of an object (prameya) depends on a valid means of knowing (pramâna). The Supreme Personality of Godhead can be known only by means of the Vedas, and thus He relies on the brâhmana sages, who are the Vedas personified, to reveal Him in this world. Even though Lord Krishna embodies all the demigods and vishnu-tattva expansions of Nârâyana, He considers Himself obliged to the brâhmanas.

> > ******

> > TEXT 55

> > dushprajn'â aviditvaivam

> > avajânanty asûyavah

> > gurum mâm vipram âtmânam

> > arcâdâv ijya-drishthayah

> > dushprajn'âh - those of corrupted intelligence; aviditvâ - failing to understand; evam - in this way; avajânanti - neglect; asûyavah - and behave enviously toward; gurum - their spiritual master; mâm - Me; vipram - the learned brâhmana; âtmânam - their own self; arcâ-âdaû - in the visibly manifest Deity of the Lord; ijya - as being worshipable; drishthayah - whose vision.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Ignorant of this truth, foolish people neglect and enviously offend a learned brâhmana, who, being nondifferent from Me, is their spiritual master and very self. They consider worshipable only such obvious manifestations of divinity as My Deity form.

> > ******

> > TEXT 56

> > carâcaram idam vis'vam

> > bhâvâ ye câsya hetavah

> > mad-rûpânîti cetasy

> > âdhatte vipro mad-îkshayâ

> > cara - moving; acaram - and nonmoving; idam - this; vis'vam - universe; bhâvâh - elemental categories; ye - which; ca - and; asya - its; hetavah - sources; mat - My; rûpâni - forms; iti - such a thought; cetasi - within his mind; âdhatte - maintains; viprah - a brâhmana; mat - of Me; îkshayâ - by his perception.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Because he has realized Me, a brâhmana is firmly fixed in the knowledge that everything moving and nonmoving in the universe, and also the primary elements of its creation, are all manifest forms expanded from Me.

> > ******

> > TEXT 57

> > tasmâd brahma-rishîn etân

> > brahman mac-chraddhayârcaya

> > evam ced arcito 'smy addhâ

> > nânyathâ bhûri-bhûtibhih

> > tasmât - therefore; brahma-rishîn - brâhmana sages; etân - these; brahman - O brâhmana (S'rutadeva); mat - (as you have) for Me; s'raddhayâ - with faith; arcaya - just worship; evam - thus; cet - if (you do); arcitah - worshiped; asmi - I will be; addhâ - directly; na - not; anyathâ - otherwise; bhûri - vast; bhûtibhih - with riches.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Therefore you should worship these brâhmana sages, O brâhmana, with the same faith you have in Me. If you do so, you will worship Me directly, which you cannot do otherwise, even with offerings of vast riches.

> > ******

> > TEXT 58

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > sa ittham prabhunâdishthah

> > saha-krishnân dvijottamân

> > ârâdhyaikâtma-bhâvena

> > maithilas' câpa sad-gatim

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; sah - he (S'rutadeva); ittham - in this manner; prabhunâ - by his Lord; âdishthah - instructed; saha - accompanying; krishnân - Lord Krishna; dvija - the brâhmanas; uttamân - most exalted; ârâdhya - by worshiping; eka-âtma - single-minded; bhavena - with devotion; maithilah - the King of Mithilâ; ca - also; âpa - attained; sat - transcendental; gatim - the ultimate destination.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî S'uka said: So instructed by his Lord, with single-minded devotion S'rutadeva worshiped S'rî Krishna and the topmost brâhmanas accompanying Him, and King Bahulâs'va did the same. Thus both S'rutadeva and the King attained the ultimate transcendental destination.

> > ******

> > TEXT 59

> > evam sva-bhaktayo râjan

> > bhagavân bhakta-bhaktimân

> > ushitvâdis'ya san-mârgam

> > punar dvâravatîm agât

> > evam - thus; sva - His; bhaktayoh - with the two devotees; râjan - O King (Parîkchit); bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; bhakta - to His devotees; bhakti- man - who is devoted; ushitvâ - staying; âdis'ya - teaching; sat - of pure saints; mârgam - the path; punah - again; dvâravatîm - to Dvârakâ; agât - He went.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O King, thus the Personality of Godhead, who is devoted to His own devotees, stayed for some time with His two great devotees S'rutadeva and Bahulâs'va, teaching them the behavior of perfect saints. Then the Lord returned to Dvârakâ.

> > Back to the running text