> > Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 8
> > Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
> > (for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

> > Canto 8: 'Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations'

> > *****

> > Chapter Five: The Demigods Appeal to the Lord for Protection

> > *****

> > TEXT 1

> > srî-suka uvâca

> > râjann uditam etat te

> > hareh karmâgha-nâsanam

> > gajendra-moksanam punyam

> > raivatam tv antaram srnu

> > srî-sukah uvâca--Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmî said; râjan--O King; uditam--already described; etat--this; te--unto you; hareh--of the Lord; karma--activity; agha-nâsanam--by hearing which one can be freed from all misfortune; gajendra-moksanam--deliverance of Gajendra, the King of the elephants; punyam--very pious to hear and describe; raivatam--about Raivata Manu; tu--but; antaram--in this millennium; srnu--kindly hear from me.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sukadeva Gosvami continued: O King, I have described to you the pastime of Gajendra-moksana, which is most pious to hear. By hearing of such activities of the Lord, one can be freed from all sinful reactions. Now please listen as I describe Raivata Manu.

> > *****

> > TEXT 2

> > pancamo raivato nâma

> > manus tâmasa-sodarah

> > bali-vindhyâdayas tasya

> > sutâ hârjuna-pûrvakâh

> > pancamah--the fifth; raivatah--Raivata; nâma--by the name; manuh--Manu; tâmasa-sodarah--the brother of Tâmasa Manu; bali--Bali; vindhya--Vindhya; âdayah--and so on; tasya--his; sutâh--sons; ha--certainly; arjuna--Arjuna; pûrvakâh--heading all the sons.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The brother of Tamasa Manu was the fifth Manu, named Raivata. His sons were headed by Arjuna, Bali and Vindhya.

> > *****

> > TEXT 3

> > vibhur indrah sura-ganâ

> > râjan bhûtarayâdayah

> > hiranyaromâ vedasirâ

> > ûrdhvabâhv-âdayo dvijâh

> > vibhuh--Vibhu; indrah--the King of heaven; sura-ganâh--the demigods; râjan--O King; bhûtaraya-âdayah--headed by the Bhûtarayas; hiranyaromâ--Hiranyaromâ; vedasirâ--Vedasirâ; ûrdhvabâhu--Ûrdhvabâhu; âdayah--and others; dvijâh--the brâhmanas or rsis who occupied the seven planets.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O King, in the millennium of Raivata Manu the King of heaven was known as Vibhu, among the demigods were the Bhutarayas, and among the seven brahmanas who occupied the seven planets were Hiranyaroma, Vedasira and Urdhvabahu.

> > *****

> > TEXT 4

> > patnî vikunthâ subhrasya

> > vaikunthaih sura-sattamaih

> > tayoh sva-kalayâ jajne

> > vaikuntho bhagavân svayam

> > patnî--the wife; vikunthâ--named Vikunthâ; subhrasya--of Subhra; vaikunthaih--with the Vaikunthas; sura-sat-tamaih--demigods; tayoh--by Vikunthâ and Subhra; sva-kalayâ--with plenary expansions; jajne--appeared; vaikunthah--the Lord; bhagavân--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; svayam--personally.

> > TRANSLATION

> > From the combination of Subhra and his wife, Vikuntha, there appeared the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vaikuntha, along with demigods who were His personal plenary expansions.

> > *****

> > TEXT 5

> > vaikunthah kalpito yena

> > loko loka-namaskrtah

> > ramayâ prârthyamânena

> > devyâ tat-priya-kâmyayâ

> > vaikunthah--a Vaikuntha planet; kalpitah--was constructed; yena--by whom; lokah--planet; loka-namaskrtah--worshiped by all people; ramayâ--by Ramâ, the goddess of fortune; prârthyamânena--being so requested; devyâ--by the goddess; tat--her; priya-kâmyayâ--just to please.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just to please the goddess of fortune, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vaikuntha, at her request, created another Vaikuntha planet, which is worshiped by everyone.

> > *****

> > TEXT 6

> > tasyânubhâvah kathito

> > gunâs ca paramodayâh

> > bhaumân renûn sa vimame

> > yo visnor varnayed gunân

> > tasya--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead appearing as Vaikuntha; anubhâvah--great activities; kathitah--were explained; gunâh--transcendental qualities; ca--also; parama-udayâh--greatly glorious; bhaumân--earthly; renûn--particles; sah--someone; vimame--can count; yah--such a person; visnoh--of Lord Visnu; varnayet--can count; gunân--the transcendental qualities.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although the great activities and transcendental qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead's various incarnations are wonderfully described, sometimes we are unable to understand them. Yet everything is possible for Lord Visnu. If one could count the atoms of the universe, then he could count the qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. But no one can count the atoms of the universe, nor can anyone count the transcendental qualities of the Lord.

> > *****

> > TEXT 7

> > sasthas ca caksusah putras

> > câksuso nâma vai manuh

> > pûru-pûrusa-sudyumna-

> > pramukhâs câksusâtmajâh

> > sasthah--the sixth; ca--and; caksusah--of Caksu; putrah--the son; câksusah--Câksusa; nâma--named; vai--indeed; manuh--Manu; pûru--Pûru; pûrusa--Pûrusa; sudyumna--Sudyumna; pramukhâh--headed by; câksusa-âtma-jâh--the sons of Câksusa.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The son of Caksu known as Caksusa was the sixth Manu. He had many sons, headed by Puru, Purusa and Sudyumna.

> > *****

> > TEXT 8

> > indro mantradrumas tatra

> > devâ âpyâdayo ganâh

> > munayas tatra vai râjan

> > havismad-vîrakâdayah

> > indrah--the King of heaven; mantradrumah--known as Mantradruma; tatra--in that sixth manvantara; devâh--the demigods; âpya-âdayah--the Âpyas and others; ganâh--that assembly; munayah--the seven sages; tatra--there; vai--indeed; râjan--O King; havismat--of the name Havismân; vîraka-âdayah--Vîraka and others.

> > TRANSLATION

> > During the reign of Caksusa Manu, the King of heaven was known as Mantradruma. Among the demigods were the Apyas, and among the great sages were Havisman and Viraka.

> > *****

> > TEXT 9

> > tatrâpi devasambhûtyâm

> > vairâjasyâbhavat sutah

> > ajito nâma bhagavân

> > amsena jagatah patih

> > tatra api--again in that sixth manvantara; devasambhûtyâm--by Devasambhûti; vairâjasya--by her husband, Vairâja; abhavat--there was; sutah--a son; ajitah nâma--by the name Ajita; bhagavân--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; amsena--partially; jagatah patih--the master of the universe.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In this sixth manvantara millennium, Lord Visnu, the master of the universe, appeared in His partial expansion. He was begotten by Vairaja in the womb of his wife, Devasambhuti, and His name was Ajita.

> > *****

> > TEXT 10

> > payodhim yena nirmathya

> > surânâm sâdhitâ sudhâ

> > bhramamâno 'mbhasi dhrtah

> > kûrma-rûpena mandarah

> > payodhim--the ocean of milk; yena--by whom; nirmathya--by churning; surânâm--of the demigods; sâdhitâ--produced; sudhâ--nectar; bhramamânah--moving here and there; ambhasi--within the water; dhrtah--was staying; kûrma-rûpena--in the form of a tortoise; mandarah--the mountain known as Mandara.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By churning the ocean of milk, Ajita produced nectar for the demigods. In the form of a tortoise, He moved here and there, carrying on His back the great mountain known as Mandara.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 11-12

> > srî-râjovâca

> > yathâ bhagavatâ brahman

> > mathitah ksîra-sâgarah

> > yad-artham vâ yatas câdrim

> > dadhârâmbucarâtmanâ

> > yathâmrtam suraih prâptam

> > kim cânyad abhavat tatah

> > etad bhagavatah karma

> > vadasva paramâdbhutam

> > srî-râjâ uvâca--King Parîksit inquired; yathâ--as; bhagavatâ--by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; brahman--O learned brâhmana; mathitah--churned; ksîra-sâgarah--the ocean of milk; yat-artham--what was the purpose; vâ--either; yatah--wherefrom, for what reason; ca--and; adrim--the mountain (Mandara); dadhâra--was staying; ambucara-âtmanâ--in the form of a tortoise;

> > yathâ--as; amrtam--nectar; suraih--by the demigods; prâptam--was achieved; kim--what; ca--and; anyat--other; abhavat--became; tatah--thereafter; etat--all these; bhagavatah--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; karma--pastimes, activities; vadasva--kindly describe; parama-adbhutam--because they are so wonderful.

> > TRANSLATION

> > King Pariksit inquired: O great brahmana, Sukadeva Gosvami, why and how did Lord Visnu churn the ocean of milk? For what reason did He stay in the water as a tortoise and hold up Mandara Mountain? Mow did the demigods obtain the nectar, and what other things were produced from the churning of the ocean? Kindly describe all these wonderful activities of the Lord.

> > *****

> > TEXT 13

> > tvayâ sankathyamânena

> > mahimnâ sâtvatâm pateh

> > nâtitrpyati me cittam

> > suciram tâpa-tâpitam

> > tvayâ--by Your Holiness; sankathyamânena--being described; mahimnâ--by all the glories; sâtvatâm pateh--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the devotees; na--not; ati-trpyati--is sufficiently satisfied; me--my; cittam--heart; suciram--for such a long time; tâpa--by miseries; tâpitam--being distressed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My heart, which is disturbed by the three miserable conditions of material life, is not yet sated with hearing you describe the glorious activities of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the master of the devotees.

> > *****

> > TEXT 14

> > srî-sûta uvâca

> > samprsto bhagavân evam

> > dvaipâyana-suto dvijâh

> > abhinandya harer vîryam

> > abhyâcastum pracakrame

> > srî-sûtah uvâca--Srî Sûta Gosvâmî said; samprstah--being questioned; bhagavân--Sukadeva Gosvâmî; evam--thus; dvaipâyana-sutah--the son of Vyâsadeva; dvi-jâh--O brâhmanas assembled here; abhinandya--congratulating Mahârâja Parîksit; hareh vîryam--the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; abhyâcastum--to describe; pracakrame--endeavored.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sri Suta Gosvami said: O learned brahmanas assembled here at Naimisaranya, when Sukadeva Gosvami, the son of Dvaipayana, was thus questioned by the King, he congratulated the King and then endeavored to describe further the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 15-16

> > srî-suka uvâca

> > yadâ yuddhe 'surair devâ

> > badhyamânâh sitâyudhaih

> > gatâsavo nipatitâ

> > nottistheran sma bhûrisah

> > yadâ durvâsah sâpena

> > sendrâ lokâs trayo nrpa

> > nihsrîkâs câbhavams tatra

> > nesur ijyâdayah kriyâh

> > srî-sukah uvâca--Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmi said; yadâ--when; yuddhe--in the fighting; asuraih--by the demons; devâh--the demigods; badhyamânâh--besieged; sita-âyudhaih--by serpent weapons; gata-âsavah--almost dead; nipatitâh--some of them having fallen; na--not; uttistheran--got up again; sma--so became; bhûrisah--the majority of them;

> > yadâ--when; durvâsah--of Durvâsâ Muni; sâpena--with the curse; sa-indrâh--with Indra; lokâh trayah--the three worlds; nrpa--O King; nihsrîkâh--without any material opulence; ca--also; abhavan--became; tatra--at that time; nesuh--could not be performed; ijya-âdayah--sacrifices; kriyâh--ritualistic ceremonies.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sukadeva Gosvami said: When the asuras, with their serpent weapons, severely attacked the demigods in a fight, many of the demigods fell and lost their lives. Indeed, they could not be revived. At that time, O King, the demigods had been cursed by Durvasa Muni, the three worlds were poverty-stricken, and therefore ritualistic ceremonies could not be performed. The effects of this were very serious.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 17-18

> > nisâmyaitat sura-ganâ

> > mahendra-varunâdayah

> > nâdhyagacchan svayam mantrair

> > mantrayanto viniscitam

> > tato brahma-sabhâm jagmur

> > meror mûrdhani sarvasah

> > sarvam vijnâpayâm cakruh

> > pranatâh paramesthine

> > nisâmya--hearing; etat--this incident; sura-ganâh--all the demigods; mahâ-indra--King Indra; varuna-âdayah--Varuna and other demigods; na--not; adhyagacchan--reached; svayam--personally; mantraih--by deliberation; mantrayantah--discussing; viniscitam--a real conclusion;

> > tatah--thereupon; brahma-sabhâm--to the assembly of Lord Brahmâ; jagmuh--they went; meroh--of Sumeru Mountain; mûrdhani--on the top; sarvasah--all of them; sarvam--everything; vijnâpayâm cakruh--they informed; pranatâh--offered obeisances; paramesthine--unto Lord Brahmâ.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Indra, Varuna and the other demigods, seeing their lives in such a state, consulted among themselves, but they could not find any solution. Then all the demigods assembled and went together to the peak of Sumeru Mountain. There, in the assembly of Lord Brahma, they fell down to offer Lord Brahma their obeisances, and then they informed him of all the incidents that had taken place.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 19-20

> > sa vilokyendra-vâyv-âdîn

> > nihsattvân vigata-prabhân

> > lokân amangala-prâyân

> > asurân ayathâ vibhuh

> > samâhitena manasâ

> > samsmaran purusam param

> > uvâcotphulla-vadano

> > devân sa bhagavân parah

> > sah--Lord Brahma; vilokya--looking over; indra-vâyu-âdîn--all the demigods, headed by Lord Indra and Vâyu; nihsattvân--bereft of all spiritual potency; vigata-prabhân--bereft of all effulgence; lokân--all the three worlds; amangala-prâyân--merged into misfortune; asurân--all the demons; ayathâh--flourishing; vibhuh--Lord Brahmâ, the supreme within this material world;

> > samâhitena--by full adjustment; manasâ--of the mind; samsmaran--remembering again and again; purusam--the Supreme Person; param--transcendental; uvâca--said; utphulla-vadanah--bright-faced; devân--unto the demigods; sah--he; bhagavân--the most powerful; parah--of the demigods.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Upon seeing that the demigods were bereft of all influence and strength and that the three worlds were consequently devoid of auspiciousness, and upon seeing that the demigods were in an awkward position whereas all the demons were flourishing, Lord Brahma, who is above all the demigods and who is most powerful, concentrated his mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus being encouraged, he became bright-faced and spoke to the demigods as follows.

> > *****

> > TEXT 21

> > aham bhavo yûyam atho 'surâdayo

> > manusya-tiryag-druma-gharma-jâtayah

> > yasyâvatârâmsa-kalâ-visarjitâ

> > vrajâma sarve saranam tam avyayam

> > aham--I; bhavah--Lord Siva; yûyam--all of you demigods; atho--as well as; asura-âdayah--demons and others; manusya--the human beings; tiryak--the animals; druma--the trees and plants; gharma-jâtayah--as well as the insects and germs born of perspiration; yasya--of whom (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); avatara--of the purusa incarnation; amsa--of His part and parcel, the guna-avatâra, Brahmâ; kalâ--of Brahmâ's sons; visarjitâh--produced by the generation; vrajâma--we shall go; sarve--all of us; saranam--unto the shelter; tam--unto the Supreme; avyayam--the inexhaustible.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Brahma said: I, Lord Siva, all of you demigods, the demons, the living entities born of perspiration, the living beings born of eggs, the trees and plants sprouting from the earth, and the living entities born from embryos--all come from the Supreme Lord, from His incarnation of rajo-guna [Lord Brahma, the guna-avatara] and from the great sages [rsis] who are part of me. Let us therefore go to the Supreme Lord and take shelter of His lotus feet.

> > *****

> > TEXT 22

> > na yasya vadhyo na ca raksanîyo

> > nopeksanîyâdaranîya-paksah

> > tathâpi sarga-sthiti-samyamârtham

> > dhatte rajah-sattva-tamâmsi kâle

> > na--not; yasya--by whom (the Lord); vadhyah--anyone is to be killed; na--nor; ca--also; raksanîyah--anyone is to be protected; na--nor; upeksanîya--to be neglected; âdaranîya--to be worshiped; paksah--part; tathâpi--still; sarga--creation; sthiti--maintenance; samyama--and annihilation; artham--for the sake of; dhatte--He accepts; rajah--passion; sattva--goodness; tamâmsi--and ignorance; kâle--in due course of time.

> > TRANSLATION

> > For the Supreme Personality of Godhead there is no one to be killed, no one to be protected, no one to be neglected and no one to be worshiped. Nonetheless, for the sake of creation, maintenance and annihilation according to time, He accepts different forms as incarnations either in the mode of goodness, the mode of passion or the mode of ignorance.

> > *****

> > TEXT 23

> > ayam ca tasya sthiti-pâlana-ksanah

> > sattvam jusânasya bhavâya dehinâm

> > tasmâd vrajâmah saranam jagad-gurum

> > svânâm sa no dhâsyati sam sura-priyah

> > ayam--this period; ca--also; tasya--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sthiti-pâlana-ksanah--the time for maintenance, or for establishing His rule; sattvam--the mode of goodness; jusânasya--accepting (now, without waiting); bhavâya--for the increased development or establishment; dehinâm--of all living entities who accept material bodies; tasmât--therefore; vrajâmah--let us take; saranam--shelter; jagat-gurum--at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the universal teacher; svânâm--His own persons; sah--He (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); nah--unto us; dhâsyati--will give; sam--the good fortune we need; sura-priyah--because He is naturally very dear to the devotees.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Now is the time to invoke the mode of goodness of the living entities who have accepted material bodies. The mode of goodness is meant to establish the Supreme Lord's rule, which will maintain the existence of the creation. Therefore, this is the opportune moment to take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because He is naturally very kind and dear to the demigods, He will certainly bestow good fortune upon us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 24

> > srî-suka uvâca

> > ity âbhâsya surân vedhâh

> > saha devair arindama

> > ajitasya padam sâksâj

> > jagâma tamasah param

> > srî-sukah uvâca--Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti--thus; âbhâsya--talking; surân--unto the demigods; vedhâh--Lord Brahmâ, who is the head of this universe and who gives everyone good sense in Vedic knowledge; saha--with; devaih--the demigods; arim-dama--O Mahârâja Parîksit, subduer of all kinds of enemies (such as the senses); ajitasya--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; padam--to the place; sâksât--directly; jagâma--went; tamasah--the world of darkness; param--transcendental to, beyond.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Maharaja Pariksit, subduer of all enemies, after Lord Brahma finished speaking to the demigods, he took them with him to the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which is beyond this material world. The Lord's abode is on an island called Svetadvipa, which is situated in the ocean of milk.

> > *****

> > TEXT 25

> > tatrâdrsta-svarûpâya

> > sruta-pûrvâya vai prabhuh

> > stutim abrûta daivîbhir

> > gîrbhis tv avahitendriyah

> > tatra--there (at the Lord's abode known as Svetadvîpa); adrsta-svarûpâya--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who was not seen even by Lord Brahmâ; sruta-pûrvâya--but who was heard about from the Vedas; vai--indeed; prabhuh--Lord Brahmâ; stutim--prayers derived from Vedic literature; abrûta--performed; daivîbhih--by prayers mentioned in the Vedic literature or offered by persons strictly following Vedic principles; gîrbhih--by such sound vibrations or songs; tu--then; avahita-indriyah--fixed in mind, without deviation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > There [at Svetadvipa], Lord Brahma offered prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, even though he had never seen the Supreme Lord. Simply because Lord Brahma had heard about the Supreme Personality of Godhead from Vedic literature, with a fixed mind he offered the Lord prayers as written or approved by Vedic literature.

> > *****

> > TEXT 26

> > srî-brahmovâca

> > avikriyam satyam anantam âdyam

> > guhâ-sayam niskalam apratarkyam

> > mano-'grayânam vacasâniruktam

> > namâmahe deva-varam varenyam

> > srî-brahmâ uvâca--Lord Brahmâ said; avikriyam--unto the Personality of Godhead, who never changes (as opposed to material existence); satyam--the eternal supreme truth; anantam--unlimited; âdyam--the original cause of all causes; guhâ-sayam--present in everyone's heart; niskalam--without any decrease in potency; apratarkyam--inconceivable, not within the jurisdiction of material arguments; manah-agrayânam--more quick than the mind, inconceivable to mental speculation; vacasâ--by jugglery of words; aniruktam--indescribable; namâmahe--all of us demigods offer our respectful obeisances; deva-varam--unto the Supreme Lord, who is not equalled or surpassed by anyone; varenyam--the supreme worshipable, who is worshiped by the Gâyatri mantra.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Brahma said: O Supreme Lord, O changeless, unlimited supreme truth. You are the origin of everything. Being all-pervading, You are in everyone's heart and also in the atom. You have no material qualities. Indeed, You are inconceivable. The mind cannot catch You by speculation, and words fail to describe You. You are the supreme master of everyone, and therefore You are worshipable for everyone. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.

> > *****

> > TEXT 27

> > vipascitam prâna-mano-dhiyâtmanâm

> > arthendriyâbhâsam anidram avranam

> > châyâtapau yatra na grdhra-paksau

> > tam aksaram kham tri-yugam vrajâmahe

> > vipascitam--unto the omniscient; prâna--how the living force is working; manah--how the mind is working; dhiya--how the intelligence is working; âtmanâm--of all living entities; artha--the objects of the senses; indriya--the senses; âbhâsam--knowledge; anidram--always awake and free from ignorance; avranam--without a material body subject to pains and pleasures; châyâ-âtapau--the shelter for all who are suffering from ignorance; yatra--wherein; na--not; grdhra-paksau--partiality toward any living being; tam--unto Him; aksaram--infallible; kham--all-pervading like the sky; tri-yugam--appearing with six opulences in three yugas (Satya, Tretâ and Dvâpara); vrajâmahe--I take shelter.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead directly and indirectly knows how everything, including the living force, mind and intelligence, is working under His control. He is the illuminator of everything and has no ignorance. He does not have a material body subject to the reactions of previous activities, and He is free from the ignorance of partiality and materialistic education. I therefore take shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, who is eternal, all-pervading and as great as the sky and who appears with six opulences in three yugas [Satya, Treta and Dvapara].

> > *****

> > TEXT 28

> > ajasya cakram tv ajayeryamânam

> > manomayam pancadasâram âsu

> > tri-nâbhi vidyuc-calam asta-nemi

> > yad-aksam âhus tam rtam prapadye

> > ajasya--of the living being; cakram--the wheel (the cycle of birth and death in this material world); tu--but; ajayâ--by the external energy of the Supreme Lord; îryamânam--going around with great force; manah-mayam--which is nothing but a mental creation depending chiefly on the mind; pancadasa--fifteen; aram--possessing spokes; âsu--very quick; tri-nâbhi--having three naves (the three modes of material nature); vidyut--like electricity; calam--moving; asta-nemi--made of eight fellies (the eight external energies of the Lord--bhûmir âpo 'nalo vâyuh, etc.); yat--who; aksam--the hub; âhuh--they say; tam--unto Him; rtam--the fact; prapadye--let us offer our respectful obeisances.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the cycle of material activities, the material body resembles the wheel of a mental chariot. The ten senses [five for working and five for gathering knowledge] and the five life airs within the body form the fifteen spokes of the chariot's wheel. The three modes of nature [goodness, passion and ignorance] are its center of activities, and the eight ingredients of nature [earth, water, fire, air, sky, mind, intelligence and false ego] comprise the rim of the wheel. The external, material energy moves this wheel like electrical energy. Thus the wheel revolves very quickly around its hub or central support, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the Supersoul and the ultimate truth. We offer our respectful obeisances unto Him.

> > *****

> > TEXT 29

> > ya eka-varnam tamasah param tad

> > alokam avyaktam ananta-pâram

> > âsâm cakâropasuparnam enam

> > upâsate yoga-rathena dhîrâh

> > yah--the Supreme Personality of Godhead who; eka-varnam--absolute, situated in pure goodness; tamasah--to the darkness of the material world; param--transcendental; tat--that; alokam--who cannot be seen; avyaktam--not manifested; ananta-parâm--unlimited, beyond the measurement of material time and space; âsâm cakâra--situated; upa-suparnam--on the back of Garuda; enam--Him; upâsate--worship; yoga-rathena--by the vehicle of mystic yoga; dhîrâh--persons who are sober, undisturbed by material agitation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead is situated in pure goodness [suddha-sattva], and therefore He is eka-varna--the omkara [pranava]. Because the Lord is beyond the cosmic manifestation, which is considered to be darkness, He is not visible to material eyes. Nonetheless, He is not separated from us by time or space, but is present everywhere. Seated on His carrier, Garuda, He is worshiped by means of mystical yogic power by those who have achieved freedom from agitation. Let us all offer our respectful obeisances unto Him.

> > *****

> > TEXT 30

> > na yasya kascâtititarti mâyâm

> > yayâ jano muhyati veda nârtham

> > tam nirjitâtmâtma-gunam paresam

> > namâma bhûtesu samam carantam

> > na--not; yasya--of whom (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); kasca--anyone; atititarti--is able to overcome; mâyâm--the illusory energy; yayâ--by whom (by the illusory energy); janah--people in general; muhyati--become bewildered; veda--understand; na--not; artham--the aim of life; tam--unto Him (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); nirjita--completely controlling; âtmâ--the living entities; âtma-gunam--and His external energy; para-îsam--the Lord, who is transcendentally situated; namâma--we offer our respectful obeisances; bhûtesu--unto all living beings; samam--equally situated, or equipoised; carantam--controlling or ruling them.

> > TRANSLATION

> > No one can overcome the Supreme Personality of Godhead's illusory energy [maya], which is so strong that it bewilders everyone, making one lose the sense to understand the aim of life. That same maya, however, is subdued by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who rules everyone and who is equally disposed toward all living entities. Let us offer our obeisances unto Him.

> > *****

> > TEXT 31

> > ime vayam yat-priyayaiva tanvâ

> > sattvena srstâ bahir-antar-âvih

> > gatim na sûksmâm rsayas ca vidmahe

> > kuto 'surâdyâ itara-pradhânâh

> > ime--these; vayam--we (the demigods); yat--to whom; priyayâ--appearing very near and dear; eva--certainly; tanvâ--the material body; sattvena--by the mode of goodness; srstâh--created; bahih-antah-âvih--although fully aware, internally and externally; gatim--destination; na--not; sûksmâm--very subtle; rsayah--great saintly persons; ca--also; vidmahe--understand; kutah--how; asura-âdyâh--the demons and atheists; itara--who are insignificant in their identities; pradhânâh--although they are leaders of their own societies.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Since our bodies are made of sattva-guna, we, the demigods, are internally and externally situated in goodness. All the great saints are also situated in that way. Therefore, if even we cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, what is to be said of those who are most insignificant in their bodily constitutions, being situated in the modes of passion and ignorance? How can they understand the Lord? Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto Him.

> > *****

> > TEXT 32

> > pâdau mahîyam sva-krtaiva yasya

> > catur-vidho yatra hi bhûta-sargah

> > sa vai mahâ-pûrusa âtma-tantrah

> > prasîdatâm brahma mahâ-vibhûtih

> > pâdau--His lotus feet; mahî--the earth; iyam--this; sva-krta--created by Himself; eva--indeed; yasya--of whom; catuh-vidhah--of four kinds of living entities; yatra--wherein; hi--indeed; bhûta-sargah--material creation; sah--He; vai--indeed; mahâ-pûrusah--the Supreme Person; âtma-tantrah--self-sufficient; prasîdatâm--may He be merciful to us; brahma--the greatest; mahâ-vibhûtih--with unlimited potency.

> > TRANSLATION

> > On this earth there are four kinds of living entities, who are all created by Him. The material creation rests on His lotus feet. He is the great Supreme Person, full of opulence and power. May He be pleased with us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 33

> > ambhas tu yad-reta udâra-vîryam

> > sidhyanti jîvanty uta vardhamânâh

> > lokâ yato 'thâkhila-loka-pâlâh

> > prasîdatâm nah sa mahâ-vibhûtih

> > ambhah--the masses of water seen on this planet or on others; tu--but; yat-retah--His semen; udâra-vîryam--so powerful; sidhyanti--are generated; jîvanti--live; uta--indeed; vardhamânâh--flourish; lokâh--all the three worlds; yatah--from which; atha--also; akhila-loka-pâlâh--all the demigods throughout the universe; prasîdatâm--may be pleased; nah--upon us; sah--He; mahâ-vibhûtih--a person with unlimited potency.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The entire cosmic manifestation has emerged from water, and it is because of water that all living entities endure, live and develop. This water is nothing but the semen of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, may the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has such great potency, be pleased with us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 34

> > somam mano yasya samâmananti

> > divaukasâm yo balam andha âyuh

> > îso nagânâm prajanah prajânâm

> > prasîdatâm nah sa mahâ-vibhûtih

> > somam--the moon; manah--the mind; yasya--of whom (of the Supreme Personality of Godhead); samâmananti--they say; divaukasâm--of the denizens of the upper planetary systems; yah--who; balam--the strength; andhah--the food grains; âyuh--the duration of life; îsah--the Supreme Lord; nagânâm--of the trees; prajanah--the source of breeding; prajânâm--of all living entities; prasîdatâm--may He be pleased; nah--upon us; sah--that Supreme Personality of Godhead; mahâ-vibhûtih--the source of all opulences.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Soma, the moon, is the source of food grains, strength and longevity for all the demigods. He is also the master of all vegetation and the source of generation for all living entities. As stated by learned scholars, the moon is the mind of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of all opulences, be pleased with us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 35

> > agnir mukham yasya tu jâta-vedâ

> > jâtah kriyâ-kânda-nimitta-janmâ

> > antah-samudre 'nupacan sva-dhâtûn

> > prasîdatâm nah sa mahâ-vibhûtih

> > agnih--fire; mukham--the mouth through which the Supreme Personality of Godhead eats; yasya--of whom; tu--but; jâta-vedâh--the producer of wealth or of all necessities of life; jâtah--produced; kriyâ-kânda--ritualistic ceremonies; nimitta--for the sake of; janmâ--formed for this reason; antah-samudre--within the depths of the ocean; anupacan--always digesting; sva-dhâtûn--all elements; prasîdatâm--may be pleased; nah--upon us; sah--He; mahâ-vibhûtih--the supremely powerful.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Fire, which is born for the sake of accepting oblations in ritualistic ceremonies, is the mouth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Fire exists within the depths of the ocean to produce wealth, and fire is also present in the abdomen to digest food and produce various secretions for the maintenance of the body. May that supremely powerful Personality of Godhead be pleased with us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 36

> > yac-caksur âsît taranir deva-yânam

> > trayîmayo brahmana esa dhisnyam

> > dvâram ca mukter amrtam ca mrtyuh

> > prasîdatâm nah sa mahâ-vibhûtih

> > yat--that which; caksuh--eye; âsît--became; taranih--the sun-god; deva-yânam--the predominating deity for the path of deliverance for the demigods; trayî-mayah--for the sake of guidance in karma-kânda Vedic knowledge; brahmanah--of the supreme truth; esah--this; dhisnyam--the place for realization; dvâram ca--as well as the gateway; mukteh--for liberation; amrtam--the path of eternal life; ca--as well as; mrtyuh--the cause of death; prasîdatâm--may He be pleased; nah--upon us; sah--that Supreme Personality of Godhead; mahâ-vibhûtih--the all-powerful.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The sun-god marks the path of liberation, which is called arciradi-vartma. He is the chief source for understanding of the Vedas, he is the abode where the Absolute Truth can be worshiped, He is the gateway to liberation, and he is the source of eternal life as well as the cause of death. The sun-god is the eye of the Lord. May that Supreme Lord, who is supremely opulent, be pleased with us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 37

> > prânâd abhûd yasya carâcarânâm

> > prânah saho balam ojas ca vâyuh

> > anvâsma samrâjam ivânugâ vayam

> > prasîdatâm nah sa mahâ-vibhûtih

> > prânât--from the vital force; abhût--generated; yasya--of whom; cara-acarânâm--of all living entities, moving and nonmoving; prânah--the vital force; sahah--the basic principle of life; balam--strength; ojah--the vital force; ca--and; vâyuh--the air; anvâsma--follow; samrâjam--an emperor; iva--like; anugâh--followers; vayam--all of us; prasîdatâm--may be pleased; nah--upon us; sah--He; mahâ-vibhûtih--the supremely powerful.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All living entities, moving and nonmoving, receive their vital force, their bodily strength and their very lives from the air. All of us follow the air for our vital force, exactly as servants follow an emperor. The vital force of air is generated from the original vital force of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. May that Supreme Lord be pleased with us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 38

> > srotrâd diso yasya hrdas ca khâni

> > prajajnire kham purusasya nâbhyâh

> > prânendriyâtmâsu-sarîra-ketah

> > prasîdatâm nah sa mahâ-vibhûtih

> > srotrât--from the ears; disah--different directions; yasya--of whom; hrdah--from the heart; ca--also; khâni--the holes of the body; prajajnire--generated; kham--the sky; purusasya--of the Supreme Person; nâbhyâh--from the navel; prâna--of the life force; indriya--senses; âtmâ--mind; asu--vital force; sarîra--and body; ketah--the shelter; prasîdatâm--may be pleased; nah--upon us; sah--He; mahâ-vibhûtih--the supremely powerful.

> > TRANSLATION

> > May the supremely powerful Personality of Godhead be pleased with us. The different directions are generated from His ears, the holes of the body come from His heart, and the vital force, the senses, the mind, the air within the body, and the ether, which is the shelter of the body, come from His navel.

> > *****

> > TEXT 39

> > balân mahendras tri-dasâh prasâdân

> > manyor girîso dhisanâd virincah

> > khebhyas tu chandâmsy rsayo medhratah kah

> > prasîdatâm nah sa mahâ-vibhûtih

> > balât--by His strength; mahâ-indrah--King Indra became possible; tri-dasâh--as well as the demigods; prasâdât--by satisfaction; manyoh--by anger; giri-îsah--Lord Siva; dhisanât--from sober intelligence; virincah--Lord Brahmâ; khebhyah--from the bodily holes; tu--as well as; chandâmsi--Vedic mantras; rsayah--great saintly persons; medhratah--from the genitals; kah--the prajâpatis; prasîdatâm--may be pleased; nah--upon us; sah--He; mahâ-vibhûtih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has extraordinary power.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Mahendra, the King of Heaven, was generated from the prowess of the Lord, the demigods were generated from the mercy of the Lord, Lord Siva was generated from the anger of the Lord, and Lord Brahma from His sober intelligence. The Vedic mantras were generated from the bodily holes of the Lord, and the great saints and prajapatis were generated from His genitals. May that supremely powerful Lord be pleased with us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 40

> > srîr vaksasah pitaras châyayâsan

> > dharmah stanâd itarah prsthato 'bhût

> > dyaur yasya sîrsno 'psaraso vihârât

> > prasîdatâm nah sa mahâ-vibhûtih

> > srîh--the goddess of fortune; vaksasah--from His chest; pitarah--the inhabitants of Pitrloka; châyayâ--from His shadow; âsan--became possible; dharmah--the principle of religion; stanât--from His bosom; itarah--irreligion (the opposite of dharma); prsthatah--from the back; abhût--became possible; dyauh--the heavenly planets; yasya--of whom; sîrsnah--from the top of the head; apsarasah--the inhabitants of Apsaroloka; vihârât--by His sense enjoyment; prasîdatâm--kindly be pleased; nah--upon us; sah--He (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); mahâ-vibhûtih--the greatest in all prowess.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The goddess of fortune was generated from His chest, the inhabitants of Pitrloka from His shadow, religion from His bosom, and irreligion [the opposite of religion] from His back. The heavenly planets were generated from the top of His head, and the Apsaras from His sense enjoyment. May that supremely powerful Personality of Godhead be pleased with us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 41

> > vipro mukhâd brahma ca yasya guhyam

> > râjanya âsîd bhujayor balam ca

> > ûrvor vid ojo 'nghrir aveda-sûdrau

> > prasîdatâm nah sa mahâ-vibhûtih

> > viprah--the brâhmanas; mukhât--from His mouth; brahma--the Vedic literatures; ca--also; yasya--of whom; guhyam--from His confidential knowledge; râjanyah--the ksatriyas; âsît--became possible; bhujayoh--from His arms; balam ca--as well as bodily strength; ûrvoh--from the thighs; vit--vaisyas; ojah--and their expert productive knowledge; anghrih--from His feet; aveda--those who are beyond the jurisdiction of Vedic knowledge; sûdrau--the worker class; prasîdatâm--may be pleased; nah--upon us; sah--He; mahâ-vibhûtih--the supremely powerful Personality of Godhead.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The brahmanas and Vedic knowledge come from the mouth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ksatriyas and bodily strength come from His arms, the vaisyas and their expert knowledge in productivity and wealth come from His thighs, and the sudras, who are outside of Vedic knowledge, come from His feet. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is full in prowess, be pleased with us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 42

> > lobho 'dharât prîtir upary abhûd dyutir

> > nastah pasavyah sparsena kâmah

> > bhruvor yamah paksma-bhavas tu kâlah

> > prasîdatâm nah sa mahâ-vibhûtih

> > lobhah--greed; adharât--from the lower lip; prîtih--affection; upari--from the upper lip; abhût--became possible; dyutih--bodily luster; nastah--from the nose; pasavyah--fit for the animals; sparsena--by the touch; kâmah--lusty desires; bhruvoh--from the eyebrows; yamah--Yamarâja became possible; paksma-bhavah--from the eyelashes; tu--but; kâlah--eternal time, which brings death; prasîdatâm--be pleased; nah--upon us; sah--He; mahâ-vibhûtih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has great prowess.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Greed is generated from His lower lip, affection from His upper lip, bodily luster from His nose, animalistic lusty desires from His sense of touch, Yamaraja from His eyebrows, and eternal time from His eyelashes. May that Supreme Lord be pleased with us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 43

> > dravyam vayah karma gunân visesam

> > yad-yogamâyâ-vihitân vadanti

> > yad durvibhâvyam prabudhâpabâdham

> > prasîdatâm nah sa mahâ-vibhûtih

> > dravyam--the five elements of the material world; vayah--time; karma--fruitive activities; gunân--the three modes of material nature; visesam--the varieties caused by combinations of the twenty-three elements; yat--that which; yoga-mâyâ--by the Lord's creative potency; vihitân--all done; vadanti--all learned men say; yat durvibhâvyam--which is actually extremely difficult to understand; prabudha-apabâdham--rejected by the learned, by those who are fully aware; prasîdatâm--may be pleased; nah--upon us; sah--He; mahâ-vibhûtih--the controller of everything.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All learned men say that the five elements, eternal time, fruitive activity, the three modes of material nature, and the varieties produced by these modes are all creations of yogamaya. This material world is therefore extremely difficult to understand, but those who are highly learned have rejected it. May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the controller of everything, be pleased with us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 44

> > namo 'stu tasmâ upasânta-saktaye

> > svârâjya-lâbha-pratipûritâtmane

> > gunesu mâyâ-racitesu vrttibhir

> > na sajjamânâya nabhasvad-ûtaye

> > namah--our respectful obeisances; astu--let there be; tasmai--unto Him; upasânta-saktaye--who does not endeavor to achieve anything else, who is free from restlessness; svârâjya--completely independent; lâbha--of all gains; pratipûrita--fully achieved; âtmane--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; gunesu--of the material world, which is moving because of the three modes of nature; mâyâ-racitesu--things created by the external energy; vrttibhih--by such activities of the senses; na sajjamânâya--one who does not become attached, or one who is above material pains and pleasures; nabhasvat--the air; ûtaye--unto the Lord, who has created this material world as His pastime.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is completely silent, free from endeavor, and completely satisfied by His own achievements. He is not attached to the activities of the material world through His senses. Indeed, in performing His pastimes in this material world, He is just like the unattached air.

> > *****

> > TEXT 45

> > sa tvam no darsayâtmânam

> > asmat-karana-gocaram

> > prapannânâm didrksûnâm

> > sasmitam te mukhâmbujam

> > sah--He (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); tvam--You are my Lord; nah--to us; darsaya--be visible; âtmânam--in Your original form; asmat-karana-gocaram--appreciable by our direct senses, especially by our eyes; prapannânâm--we are all surrendered unto You; didrksûnâm--yet we wish to see You; sasmitam--smiling; te--Your; mukha-ambujam--lotuslike face.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Supreme Personality of Godhead, we are surrendered unto You, yet we wish to see You. Please make Your original form and smiling lotus face visible to our eyes and appreciable to our other senses.

> > *****

> > TEXT 46

> > tais taih svecchâ-bhûtai rûpaih

> > kâle kâle svayam vibho

> > karma durvisaham yan no

> > bhagavâms tat karoti hi

> > taih--by such appearances; taih--by such incarnations; sva-icchâ-bhûtaih--all appearing by Your personal sweet will; rûpaih--by factual forms; kâle kâle--in different millenniums; svayam--personally; vibho--O Supreme; karma--activities; durvisaham--uncommon (unable to be enacted by anyone else); yat--that which; nah--unto us; bhagavân--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tat--that; karoti--executes; hi--indeed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, by Your sweet will You appear in various incarnations, millennium after millennium, and act wonderfully, performing uncommon activities that would be impossible for us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 47

> > klesa-bhûry-alpa-sârâni

> > karmâni viphalâni vâ

> > dehinâm visayârtânâm

> > na tathaivârpitam tvayi

> > klesa--hardship; bhûri--very much; alpa--very little; sârâni--good result; karmâni--activities; viphalâni--frustration; vâ--either; dehinâm--of persons; visaya-artânâm--who are eager to enjoy the material world; na--not; tathâ--like that; eva--indeed; arpitam--dedicated; tvayi--unto Your Lordship.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Karmis are always anxious to accumulate wealth for their sense gratification, but for that purpose they must work very hard. Yet even though they work hard, the results are not satisfying. Indeed, sometimes their work results only in frustration. But devotees who have dedicated their lives to the service of the Lord can achieve substantial results without working very hard. These results exceed the devotee's expectations.

> > *****

> > TEXT 48

> > nâvamah karma-kalpo 'pi

> > viphalâyesvarârpitah

> > kalpate purusasyaiva

> > sa hy âtmâ dayito hitah

> > na--not; avamah--very little, or insignificant; karma--activities; kalpah--rightly executed; api--even; viphalâya--go in vain; îsvara-arpitah--because of being dedicated to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kalpate--it is so accepted; purusasya--of all persons; eva--indeed; sah--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; hi--certainly; âtmâ--the Supersoul, the supreme father; dayitah--extremely dear; hitah--beneficial.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Activities dedicated to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, even if performed in small measure, never go in vain. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, being the supreme father, is naturally very dear and always ready to act for the good of the living entities.

> > *****

> > TEXT 49

> > yathâ hi skandha-sâkhânâm

> > taror mûlâvasecanam

> > evam ârâdhanam visnoh

> > sarvesâm âtmanas ca hi

> > yathâ--as; hi--indeed; skandha--of the trunk; sâkhânâm--and of the branches; taroh--of a tree; mûla--the root; avasecanam--watering; evam--in this way; ârâdhanam--worship; visnoh--of Lord Visnu; sarvesâm--of everyone; âtmanah--of the Supersoul; ca--also; hi--indeed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When one pours water on the root of a tree, the trunk and branches of the tree are automatically pleased. Similarly, when one becomes a devotee of Lord Visnu, everyone is served, for the Lord is the Supersoul of everyone.

> > *****

> > TEXT 50

> > namas tubhyam anantâya

> > durvitarkyâtma-karmane

> > nirgunâya gunesâya

> > sattva-sthâya ca sâmpratam

> > namah--all obeisances; tubhyam--unto You, my Lord; anantâya--who are everlasting, transcending the three phases of time (past, present and future); durvitarkya-âtma-karmane--unto You, who perform inconceivable activities; nirgunâya--which are all transcendental, free from the inebriety of material qualities; guna-îsâya--unto You, who control the three modes of material nature; sattva-sthâya--who are in favor of the material quality of goodness; ca--also; sâmpratam--at present.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, all obeisances unto You, who are eternal, beyond time's limits of past, present and future. You are inconceivable in Your activities, You are the master of the three modes of material nature, and, being transcendental to all material qualities, You are free from material contamination. You are the controller of all three of the modes of nature, but at the present You are in favor of the quality of goodness. Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto You.

> > Back to the running text