> > S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 12
> > 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 12: "The Age of Deterioration"

> > *****

> > Chapter Ten: Lord S'iva and Umâ Glorify Mârkandeya Rishi

> > TEXT 1

> > sûta uvâca

> > sa evam anubhûyedam

> > nârâyana-vinirmitam

> > vaibhavam yoga-mâyâyâs

> > tam eva s'aranam yayau

> > sûtah uvâca-Sûta Gosvâmî said; sah-he, Mârkandeya; evam-in this way; anubhûya-experiencing; idam-this; nârâyana-vinirmitam-manufactured by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nârâyana; vaibhavam-the opulent exhibition; yoga-mâyâyâh-of His internal mystic energy; tam-to Him; eva-indeed; s'aranam-for shelter; yayau-he went.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sûta Gosvâmî said: The Supreme Lord Nârâyana had arranged this opulent display of His bewildering potency. Mârkandeya Rishi, having experienced it, took shelter of the Lord.

> > *****

> > TEXT 2

> > s'rî-mârkandeya uvâca

> > prapanno 'smy anghri-mûlam te

> > prapannâbhaya-dam hare

> > yan-mâyayâpi vibudhâ

> > muhyanti jn'âna-kâs'ayâ

> > s'rî-mârkandeyah uvâca-S'rî Mârkandeya said; prapannah-surrendered; asmi-I am; anghri-mûlam-to the soles of the lotus feet; te-Your; prapanna-of those who surrender; abhaya-dam-the giver of fearlessness; hare-O Lord Hari; yat-mâyayâ-by whose illusory potency; api-even; vibudhâh-intelligent demigods; muhyanti-become bewildered; jn'âna-kâs'ayâ-which falsely appears as knowledge.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Mârkandeya said: O Lord Hari, I take shelter of the soles of Your lotus feet, which bestow fearlessness upon all who surrender to them. Even the great demigods are bewildered by Your illusory energy, which appears to them in the guise of knowledge.

> > *****

> > TEXT 3

> > sûta uvâca

> > tam evam nibhritâtmânam

> > vrishena divi paryathan

> > rudrânyâ bhagavân rudro

> > dadars'a sva-ganair vritah

> > sûtah uvâca-Sûta Gosvâmî said; tam-him, Mârkandeya Rishi; evam-thus; nibhrita-âtmânam-his mind completely absorbed in trance; vrishena-on his bull; divi-in the sky; paryathan-traveling; rudrânyâ-accompanied by his consort, Rudrânî (Umâ); bhagavân-the powerful lord; rudrah-S'iva; dadars'a-saw; sva-ganaih-by his entourage; vritah-surrounded.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sûta Gosvâmî said: Lord Rudra, traveling in the sky on his bull and accompanied by his consort, Rudrânî, as well as his personal associates, observed Mârkandeya in trance.

> > *****

> > TEXT 4

> > athomâ tam rishim vîkshya

> > giris'am samabhâshata

> > pas'yemam bhagavan vipram

> > nibhritâtmendriyâs'ayam

> > atha-then; umâ-Umâ; tam-that; rishim-sage; vîkshya-seeing; giris'am-to Lord S'iva; samabhâshata-spoke; pas'ya-just see; imam-this; bhagavan-my lord; vipram-learned brâhmana; nibhrita-motionless; âtma-indriya-âs'ayam-his body, senses and mind.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Goddess Umâ, seeing the sage, addressed Lord Giris'a: My lord, just see this learned brâhmana, his body, mind and senses motionless in trance.

> > *****

> > TEXT 5

> > nibhritoda-jhasha-vrâto

> > vâtâpâye yathârnavah

> > kurv asya tapasah sâkshât

> > samsiddhim siddhi-do bhavân

> > nibhrita-stationary; uda-water; jhasha-vrâtah-and schools of fish; vâta-of the wind; apâye-upon the ceasing; yathâ-just as; arnavah-the ocean; kuru-please make; asya-his; tapasah-of the austerities; sâkshât-manifest; samsiddhim-perfection; siddhi-dah-the bestower of perfection; bhavân-you.

> > TRANSLATION

> > He is as calm as the waters of the ocean when the wind has ceased and the fish remain still. Therefore, my lord, since you bestow perfection on the performers of austerity, please award this sage the perfection that is obviously due him.

> > *****

> > TEXT 6

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > naivecchaty âs'ishah kvâpi

> > brahmarshir moksham apy uta

> > bhaktim parâm bhagavati

> > labdhavân purushe 'vyaye

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca-the powerful lord said; na-not; eva-indeed; icchati-desires; âs'ishah-benedictions; kva api-in any realm; brahma-rishih-the saintly brâhmana; moksham-liberation; api uta-even; bhaktim-devotional service; parâm-transcendental; bhagavati-for the Supreme Lord; labdhavân-he has achieved; purushe-for the Personality of Godhead; avyaye-who is inexhaustible.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord S'iva replied: Surely this saintly brâhmana does not desire any benediction, not even liberation itself, for he has attained pure devotional service unto the inexhaustible Personality of Godhead.

> > *****

> > TEXT 7

> > athâpi samvadishyâmo

> > bhavâny etena sâdhunâ

> > ayam hi paramo lâbho

> > nrinâm sâdhu-samâgamah

> > atha api-nevertheless; samvadishyâmah-we shall converse; bhavâni-my dear Bhavânî; etena-with this; sâdhunâ-pure devotee; ayam-this; hi-indeed; paramah-the best; lâbhah-gain; nrinâm-for men; sâdhu-samâgamah-the association of saintly devotees.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Still, my dear Bhavânî, let us talk with this saintly personality. After all, association with saintly devotees is man's highest achievement.

> > *****

> > TEXT 8

> > sûta uvâca

> > ity uktvâ tam upeyâya

> > bhagavân sa satâm gatih

> > îs'ânah sarva-vidyânâm

> > îs'varah sarva-dehinâm

> > sûtah uvâca-Sûta Gosvâmî said; iti-thus; uktvâ-having said; tam-to the sage; upeyâya-going; bhagavân-the exalted demigod; sah-he; satâm-of the pure souls; gatih-the shelter; îs'ânah-the master; sarva-vidyânâm-of all branches of knowledge; îs'varah-the controller; sarva-dehinâm-of all embodied living beings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sûta Gosvâmî said: Having spoken thus, Lord S'ankara-the shelter of pure souls, master of all spiritual sciences and controller of all embodied living beings-approached the sage.

> > *****

> > TEXT 9

> > tayor âgamanam sâkshâd

> > îs'ayor jagad-âtmanoh

> > na veda ruddha-dhî-vrittir

> > âtmânam vis'vam eva ca

> > tayoh-of the two of them; âgamanam-the arrival; sâkshât-in person; îs'ayoh-of the powerful personalities; jagat-âtmanoh-the controllers of the universe; na veda-he did not notice; ruddha-checked; dhî-vrittih-the functioning of his mind; âtmânam-himself; vis'vam-the external universe; eva-indeed; ca-also.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Because Mârkandeya's material mind had stopped functioning, the sage failed to notice that Lord S'iva and his wife, the controllers of the universe, had personally come to see him. Mârkandeya was so absorbed in meditation that he was unaware of either himself or the external world.

> > *****

> > TEXT 10

> > bhagavâms tad abhijn'âya

> > giris'o yoga-mâyayâ

> > âvis'at tad-guhâkâs'am

> > vâyus' chidram ives'varah

> > bhagavân-the great personality; tat-that; abhijn'âya-understanding; giris'ah-Lord Giris'a; yoga-mâyayâ-by his mystic power; âvis'at-entered; tat-of Mârkandeya; guhâ-âkâs'am-the hidden sky of the heart; vâyuh-the air; chidram-a hole; iva-as if; îs'varah-the lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Understanding the situation very well, the powerful Lord S'iva employed his mystic power to enter within the sky of Mârkandeya's heart, just as the wind passes through an opening.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 11 - 13

> > âtmany api s'ivam prâptam

> > tadit-pinga-jathâ-dharam

> > try-aksham das'a-bhujam prâms'um

> > udyantam iva bhâskaram

> > vyâghra-carmâmbaram s'ûla-

> > dhanur-ishv-asi-carmabhih

> > aksha-mâlâ-damaruka-

> > kapâlam paras'um saha

> > bibhrânam sahasâ bhâtam

> > vicakshya hridi vismitah

> > kim idam kuta eveti

> > samâdher virato munih

> > âtmani-within himself; api-also; s'ivam-Lord S'iva; prâptam-arrived; tadit-like lightning; pinga-yellowish; jathâ-locks of hair; dharam-carrying; tri-aksham-with three eyes; das'a-bhujam-and ten arms; prâms'um-very tall; udyantam-rising; iva-as; bhâskaram-the sun;

> > vyâghra-of a tiger; carma-the fur; ambaram-as his garment; s'ûla-with his trident; dhanah-bow; ishu-arrows; asi-sword; carmabhih-and shield; aksha-mâlâ-his prayer beads; damaruka-small drum; kapâlam-and skull; paras'um-ax; saha-together with;

> > bibhrânam-exhibiting; sahasâ-suddenly; bhâtam-manifest; vicakshya-seeing; hridi-in his heart; vismitah-surprised; kim-what; idam-this; kutah-from where; eva-indeed; iti-thus; samâdheh-from his trance; viratah-desisted; munih-the sage.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Mârkandeya saw Lord S'iva suddenly appear within his heart. Lord S'iva's golden hair resembled lightning, and he had three eyes, ten arms and a tall body that shone like the rising sun. He wore a tiger skin, and he carried a trident, a bow, arrows, a sword and a shield, along with prayer beads, a damaru drum, a skull and an ax. Astonished, the sage came out of his trance and thought, "Who is this, and where has he come from?"

> > *****

> > TEXT 14

> > netre unmîlya dadris'e

> > sa-ganam somayâgatam

> > rudram tri-lokaika-gurum

> > nanâma s'irasâ munih

> > netre-his eyes; unmîlya-opening; dadris'e-he saw; sa-ganam-with his associates; sa-umayâ-and with Umâ; âgatam-having arrived; rudram-Lord Rudra; tri-loka-of the three worlds; eka-gurum-the one spiritual master; nanâma-he offered his obeisances; s'irasâ-with his head; munih-the sage.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Opening his eyes, the sage saw Lord Rudra, the spiritual master of the three worlds, together with Umâ and Rudra's followers. Mârkandeya then offered his respectful obeisances by bowing his head.

> > *****

> > TEXT 15

> > tasmai saparyâm vyadadhât

> > sa-ganâya sahomayâ

> > svâgatâsana-pâdyârghya-

> > gandha-srag-dhûpa-dîpakaih

> > tasmai-to him; saparyâm-worship; vyadadhât-he offered; sa-ganâya-together with his associates; saha umayâ-together with Umâ; su-âgata-by words of greeting; âsana-offering of sitting places; pâdya-water for bathing the feet; arghya-fragrant drinking water; gandha-perfumed oil; srak-garlands; dhûpa-incense; dîpakaih-and lamps.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Mârkandeya worshiped Lord S'iva, along with Umâ and S'iva's associates, by offering them words of welcome, sitting places, water for washing their feet, scented drinking water, fragrant oils, flower garlands and ârati lamps.

> > *****

> > TEXT 16

> > âha tv âtmânubhâvena

> > pûrna-kâmasya te vibho

> > karavâma kim îs'âna

> > yenedam nirvritam jagat

> > âha-Mârkandeya said; tu-indeed; âtma-anubhâvena-by your own experience of ecstasy; pûrna-kâmasya-who is satisfied in all respects; te-for you; vibho-O mighty one; karavâma-I can do; kim-what; îs'âna-O lord; yena-by whom; idam-this; nirvritam-is made peaceful; jagat-the entire world.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Mârkandeya said: O mighty lord, what can I possibly do for you, who are fully satisfied by your own ecstasy? Indeed, by your mercy you satisfy this entire world.

> > *****

> > TEXT 17

> > namah s'ivâya s'ântâya

> > sattvâya pramridâya ca

> > rajo-jushe 'tha ghorâya

> > namas tubhyam tamo-jushe

> > namah-obeisances; s'ivâya-to the all-auspicious; s'ântâya-peaceful; sattvâya-the personification of material goodness; pramridâya-the giver of pleasure; ca-and; rajah-jushe-to him who is in contact with the mode of passion; atha-also; ghorâya-terrible; namah-obeisances; tubhyam-to you; tamah-jushe-who associates with the mode of ignorance.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Again and again I offer my obeisances unto you, O all-auspicious transcendental personality. As the lord of goodness you give pleasure, in contact with the mode of passion you appear most fearful, and you also associate with the mode of ignorance.

> > *****

> > TEXT 18

> > sûta uvâca

> > evam stutah sa bhagavân

> > âdi-devah satâm gatih

> > paritushthah prasannâtmâ

> > prahasams tam abhâshata

> > sûtah uvâca-Sûta Gosvâmî said; evam-in these words; stutah-praised; sah-he; bhagavân-the powerful Lord S'iva; âdi-devah-the foremost of demigods; satâm-of the saintly devotees; gatih-the shelter; paritushthah-perfectly satisfied; prasanna-âtmâ-happy in his mind; prahasan-smiling; tam-to Mârkandeya; abhâshata-spoke.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sûta Gosvâmî said: Lord S'iva, the foremost demigod and the shelter of the saintly devotees, was satisfied by Mârkandeya's praise. Pleased, he smiled and addressed the sage.

> > *****

> > TEXT 19

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > varam vrinîshva nah kâmam

> > vara-des'â vayam trayah

> > amogham dars'anam yeshâm

> > martyo yad vindate 'mritam

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca-Lord S'iva said; varam-a benediction; vrinîshva-please choose; nah-from us; kâmam-as desired; vara-da-of all givers of benedictions; îs'âh-the controlling lords; vayam-we; trayah-three (Brahma, Vishnu and Mahes'vara); amogham-never in vain; dars'anam-the seeing; yeshâm-of whom; martyah-a mortal being; yat-by which; vindate-achieves; amritam-immortality.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord S'iva said: Please ask me for some benediction, since among all givers of benedictions, we three-Brahmâ, Vishnu and I-are the best. Seeing us never goes in vain, because simply by seeing us a mortal achieves immortality.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 20 - 21

> > brâhmanâh sâdhavah s'ântâ

> > nihsangâ bhûta-vatsalâh

> > ekânta-bhaktâ asmâsu

> > nirvairâh sama-dars'inah

> > sa-lokâ loka-pâlâs tân

> > vandanty arcanty upâsate

> > aham ca bhagavân brahmâ

> > svayam ca harir îs'varah

> > brâhmanâh-brâhmanas; sâdhavah-saintly in behavior; s'ântâh-peaceful and free of envy and other bad qualities; nihsangâh-free of material association; bhûta-vatsalâh-compassionate to all living beings; eka-anta-bhaktâh-unalloyed devotees; asmâsu-of ourselves (Brahmâ, Lord S'rî Hari and S'iva); nirvairâh-never hateful; sama-dars'inah-seeing equally;

> > sa-lokâh-with the inhabitants of all the worlds; loka-pâlâh-the rulers of the various planets; tân-those brâhmanas; vandanti-glorify; arcanti-worship; upâsate-assist; aham-I; ca-also; bhagavân-the great lord; brahmâ-Brahmâ; svayam-Himself; ca-also; harih-Lord Hari; îs'varah-the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > *****

> > TEXT 22

> > na te mayy acyute 'je ca

> > bhidâm anv api cakshate

> > nâtmanas' ca janasyâpi

> > tad yushmân vayam îmahi

> > na-do not; te-they; mayi-in me; acyute-in Lord Vishnu; aje-in Lord Brahmâ; ca-and; bhidâm-difference; anu-slight; api-even; cakshate-see; na-not; âtmanah-of themselves; ca-and; janasya-of other people; api-also; tat-therefore; yushmân-yourselves; vayam-we; îmahi-worship.

> > TRANSLATION

> > These devotees do not differentiate between Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahmâ and me, nor do they differentiate between themselves and other living beings. Therefore, because you are this kind of saintly devotee, we worship you.

> > *****

> > TEXT 23

> > na hy am-mayâni tîrthâni

> > na devâs' cetanojjhitâh

> > te punanty uru-kâlena

> > yûyam dars'ana-mâtratah

> > na-not; hi-indeed; ap-mayâni-consisting of sacred water; tîrthâni-holy places; na-not; devâh-deity forms of demigods; cetana-ujjhitâh-devoid of life; te-they; punanti-purify; uru-kâlena-after a long time; yûyam-yourselves; dars'ana-mâtratah-simply by being seen.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Mere bodies of water do not constitute holy places, nor are lifeless statues of the demigods actual worshipable deities. Because external vision fails to appreciate the higher essence of the holy rivers and the demigods, these purify only after a considerable time. But devotees like you purify immediately, just by being seen.

> > *****

> > TEXT 24

> > brâhmanebhyo namasyâmo

> > ye 'smad-rûpam trayî-mayam

> > bibhraty âtma-samâdhâna-

> > tapah-svâdhyâya-samyamaih

> > brâhmanebhyah-to the brâhmanas; namasyâmah-we offer our respects; ye-who; asmat-rûpam-the form of ourselves (S'iva, Brahmâ and Vishnu); trayî-mayam-represented by the three Vedas; bibhrati-carry; âtma-samâdhâna-by meditative trance focused on the Self; tapah-by austerities; svâdhyâya-by study; samyamaih-and by following regulative principles.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By meditating upon the Supreme Soul, performing austerities, engaging in Vedic study and following regulative principles, the brâhmanas sustain within themselves the three Vedas, which are nondifferent from Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahmâ and me. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto the brâhmanas.

> > *****

> > TEXT 25

> > s'ravanâd dars'anâd vâpi

> > mahâ-pâtakino 'pi vah

> > s'udhyerann antya-jâs' câpi

> > kim u sambhâshanâdibhih

> > s'ravanât-by hearing about; dars'anât-by seeing; vâ-or; api-also; mahâ-pâtakinah-those who commit the worst kinds of sins; api-even; vah-you; s'udhyeran-they become purified; antya-jâh-outcastes; ca-and; api-even; kim u-what to speak of; sambhâshana-âdibhih-by directly speaking with, and so on.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Even the worst sinners and social outcastes are purified just by hearing about or seeing personalities like you. Imagine, then, how purified they become by directly speaking with you.

> > *****

> > TEXT 26

> > sûta uvâca

> > iti candra-lalâmasya

> > dharma-gahyopabrimhitam

> > vaco 'mritâyanam rishir

> > nâtripyat karnayoh piban

> > sûtah uvâca-Sûta Gosvâmî said; iti-thus; candra-lalâmasya-of Lord S'iva, who is decorated with the moon; dharma-guhya-with the secret essence of religion; upabrimhitam-filled; vacah-the words; amrita-ayanam-the reservoir of nectar; rishih-the sage; na atripyat-did not feel satiated; karnayoh-with his ears; piban-drinking.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sûta Gosvâmî said: Drinking with his ears Lord S'iva's nectarean words, full of the confidential essence of religion, Mârkandeya Rishi could not be satiated.

> > *****

> > TEXT 27

> > sa ciram mâyayâ vishnor

> > bhrâmitah kars'ito bhris'am

> > s'iva-vâg-amrita-dhvasta-

> > kles'a-pun'jas tam abravît

> > sah-he; ciram-for a long time; mâyayâ-by the illusory energy; vishnoh-of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu; bhrâmitah-made to wander; kars'itah-exhausted; bhris'am-extremely; s'iva-of Lord S'iva; vâk-amrita-by the words of nectar; dhvasta-destroyed; kles'a-pun'jah-his heaps of suffering; tam-to him; abravît-spoke.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Mârkandeya, having been forced by Lord Vishnu's illusory energy to wander about for a long time in the water of dissolution, had become extremely exhausted. But Lord S'iva's words of nectar vanquished his accumulated suffering. Thus he addressed Lord S'iva.

> > *****

> > TEXT 28

> > s'rî-mârkandeya uvâca

> > aho îs'vara-lîleyam

> > durvibhâvyâ s'arîrinâm

> > yan namantîs'itavyâni

> > stuvanti jagad-îs'varâh

> > s'rî-mârkandeyah uvâca-S'rî Mârkandeya said; aho-ah; îs'vara-of the great lords; lîlâ-the pastime; iyam-this; durvibhâvyâ-inconceivable; s'arîrinâm-for embodied souls; yat-since; namanti-they offer obeisances; îs'itavyâni-to those who are controlled by them; stuvanti-they praise; jagat-îs'varâh-the rulers of the universe.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Mârkandeya said: It is indeed most difficult for embodied souls to understand the pastimes of the universal controllers, for such lords bow down to and offer praise to the very living beings they rule.

> > *****

> > TEXT 29

> > dharmam grâhayitum prâyah

> > pravaktâras' ca dehinâm

> > âcaranty anumodante

> > kriyamânam stuvanti ca

> > dharmam-religion; grâhayitum-to cause the acceptance of; prâyah-for the most part; pravaktârah-the authorized speakers; ca-and; dehinâm-for ordinary embodied souls; âcaranti-they act; anumodante-they encourage; kriyamânam-one who is executing; stuvanti-they praise; ca-also.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Generally it is to induce embodied souls to accept religious principles that the authorized teachers of religion exhibit ideal behavior while encouraging and praising the proper behavior of others.

> > *****

> > TEXT 30

> > naitâvatâ bhagavatah

> > sva-mâyâ-maya-vrittibhih

> > na dushyetânubhâvas tair

> > mâyinah kuhakam yathâ

> > na-not; etâvatâ-by such (a show of humility); bhagavatah-of the Personality of Godhead; sva-mâyâ-of His own illusory energy; maya-consisting of; vrittibhih-by the activities; na dushyeta-is not spoiled; anubhâvah-the power; taih-by them; mâyinah-of a magician; kuhakam-the tricks; yathâ-just as.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This apparent humility is simply a show of mercy. Such behavior of the Supreme Lord and His personal associates, which the Lord effects by His own bewildering potency, does not spoil His power any more than a magician's powers are diminished by his exhibition of tricks.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 31 - 32

> > srishthvedam manasâ vis'vam

> > âtmanânupravis'ya yah

> > gunaih kurvadbhir âbhâti

> > karteva svapna-drig yathâ

> > tasmai namo bhagavate

> > tri-gunâya gunâtmane

> > kevalâyâdvitîyâya

> > gurave brahma-mûrtaye

> > srishthvâ-creating; idam-this; manasâ-by His mind, simply by His desire; vis'vam-the universe; âtmanâ-as the Supersoul; anupravis'ya-subsequently entering; yah-who; gunaih-by the modes of nature; kurvadbhih-which are acting; âbhâti-appears; kartâ iva-as if the doer; svapna-drik-a person who is seeing a dream; yathâ-as;

> > tasmai-unto Him; namah-obeisances; bhagavate-unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tri-gunâya-who possesses the three modes of nature; guna-âtmane-who is the ultimate controller of the modes of nature; kevalâya-to the pure; advitîyâya-who has no equal; gurave-the supreme spiritual master; brahma-mûrtaye-the personal form of the Absolute Truth.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I offer my obeisances to that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has created this entire universe simply by His desire and then entered into it as the Supersoul. By making the modes of nature act, He seems to be the direct creator of this world, just as a dreamer seems to be acting within his dream. He is the owner and ultimate controller of the three modes of nature, yet He remains alone and pure, without any equal. He is the supreme spiritual master of all, the original personal form of the Absolute Truth.

> > *****

> > TEXT 33

> > kam vrine nu param bhûman

> > varam tvad vara-dars'anât

> > yad-dars'anât pûrna-kâmah

> > satya-kâmah pumân bhavet

> > kam-what; vrine-shall I choose; nu-indeed; param-other; bhûman-O all-pervading lord; varam-benediction; tvat-from you; vara-dars'anât-the sight of whom is itself the highest benediction; yat-of whom; dars'anât-from the seeing; pûrna-kâmah-full in all desires; satya-kâmah-able to achieve anything desired; pumân-a person; bhavet-becomes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O all-pervading lord, since I have received the benediction of seeing you, what other benediction can I ask for? Simply by seeing you, a person fulfills all his desires and can achieve anything imaginable.

> > *****

> > TEXT 34

> > varam ekam vrine 'thâpi

> > pûrnât kâmâbhivarshanât

> > bhagavaty acyutâm bhaktim

> > tat-pareshu tathâ tvayi

> > varam-benediction; ekam-one; vrine-I request; atha api-nevertheless; pûrnât-from him who is completely full; kâma-abhivarshanât-who showers down the fulfillment of desires; bhagavati-for the Supreme Personality of Godhead; acyutâm-infallible; bhaktim-devotional service; tat-pareshu-for those who are dedicated to Him; tathâ-and also; tvayi-for yourself.

> > TRANSLATION

> > But I do request one benediction from you, who are full of all perfection and able to shower down the fulfillment of all desires. I ask to have unfailing devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead and for His dedicated devotees, especially you.

> > *****

> > TEXT 35

> > sûta uvâca

> > ity arcito 'bhishthutas' ca

> > muninâ sûktayâ girâ

> > tam âha bhagavân' charvah

> > s'arvayâ câbhinanditah

> > sûtah uvâca-Sûta Gosvâmî said; iti-in these words; arcitah-worshiped; abhishthutah-glorified; ca-and; muninâ-by the sage; su-uktayâ-well-spoken; girâ-with words; tam-to him; âha-spoke; bhagavân s'arvah-Lord S'iva; s'arvayâ-by his consort, S'arvâ; ca-and; abhinanditah-encouraged.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sûta Gosvâmî said: Thus worshiped and glorified by the eloquent statements of the sage Mârkandeya, Lord S'arva [S'iva], encouraged by his consort, replied to him as follows.

> > *****

> > TEXT 36

> > kâmo maharshe sarvo 'yam

> > bhaktimâms tvam adhokshaje

> > â-kalpântâd yas'ah punyam

> > ajarâmaratâ tathâ

> > kâmah-desire; mahâ-rishe-O great sage; sarvah-all; ayam-this; bhakti-mân-full of devotion; tvam-you; adhokshaje-for the transcendental Personality of Godhead; â-kalpa-antât-up until the end of the day of Brahmâ; yas'ah-fame; punyam-pious; ajara-amaratâ-freedom from old age and death; tathâ-also.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O great sage, because you are devoted to Lord Adhokshaja, all your desires will be fulfilled. Until the very end of this creation cycle, you will enjoy pious fame and freedom from old age and death.

> > *****

> > TEXT 37

> > jn'ânam trai-kâlikam brahman

> > vijn'ânam ca viraktimat

> > brahma-varcasvino bhûyât

> > purânâcâryatâstu te

> > jn'ânam-knowledge; trai-kâlikam-of all three phases of time (past, present and future); brahman-O brâhmana; vijn'ânam-transcendental realization; ca-also; virakti-mat-including renunciation; brahma-varcasvinah-of him who is endowed with brahminical potency; bhûyât-let there be; purâna-âcâryatâ-the status of being a teacher of the Purânas; astu-may there be; te-of you.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O brâhmana, may you have perfect knowledge of past, present and future, along with transcendental realization of the Supreme, enriched by renunciation. You have the brilliance of an ideal brâhmana, and thus may you achieve the post of spiritual master of the Purânas.

> > *****

> > TEXT 38

> > sûta uvâca

> > evam varân sa munaye

> > dattvâgât try-aksha îs'varah

> > devyai tat-karma kathayann

> > anubhûtam purâmunâ

> > sûtah uvâca-Sûta Gosvâmî said; evam-in this way; varân-benedictions; sah-he; munaye-to the sage; dattvâ-giving; agât-went; tri-akshah-he who has three eyes; îs'varah-Lord S'iva; devyai-to goddess Pârvatî; tat-karma-the activities of Mârkandeya; kathayan-recounting; anubhûtam-what was experienced; purâ-before; amunâ-by him, Mârkandeya.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sûta Gosvâmî said: Having thus granted Mârkandeya Rishi benedictions, Lord S'iva went on his way, continuing to describe to goddess Devî the accomplishments of the sage and the direct exhibition of the Lord's illusory power that he had experienced.

> > *****

> > TEXT 39

> > so 'py avâpta-mahâ-yoga-

> > mahimâ bhârgavottamah

> > vicaraty adhunâpy addhâ

> > harâv ekântatâm gatah

> > sah-he, Mârkandeya; api-indeed; avâpta-having achieved; mahâ-yoga-of the topmost perfection of yoga; mahimâ-the glories; bhârgava-uttamah-the best descendant of Bhrigu; vicarati-is traveling about; adhunâ api-even today; addhâ-directly; harau-for Lord Hari; eka-antatâm-the platform of exclusive devotion; gatah-having attained.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Mârkandeya Rishi, the best of the descendants of Bhrigu, is glorious because of his achievement of perfection in mystic yoga. Even today he travels about this world, fully absorbed in unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > *****

> > TEXT 40

> > anuvarnitam etat te

> > mârkandeyasya dhîmatah

> > anubhûtam bhagavato

> > mâyâ-vaibhavam adbhutam

> > anuvarnitam-described; etat-this; te-to you; mârkandeyasya-by Mârkandeya; dhî-matah-the intelligent; anubhûtam-experienced; bhagavatah-of the Personality of Godhead; mâyâ-vaibhavam-the opulence of the illusory energy; adbhutam-amazing.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I have thus narrated to you the activities of the highly intelligent sage Mârkandeya, especially how he experienced the amazing power of the Supreme Lord's illusory energy.

> > *****

> > TEXT 41

> > etat kecid avidvâmso

> > mâyâ-samsritir âtmanah

> > anâdy-âvartitam nènâm

> > kâdâcitkam pracakshate

> > etat-this; kecit-some persons; avidvâmsah-who are not learned; mâyâ-samsritih-the illusory creation; âtmanah-of the Supreme Soul; anâdi-from time immemorial; âvartitam-repeating; nrînâm-of conditioned living beings; kâdâcitkam-unprecedented; pracakshate-they say.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although this event was unique and unprecedented, some unintelligent persons compare it to the cycle of illusory material existence the Supreme Lord has created for the conditioned souls-an endless cycle that has been continuing since time immemorial.

> > PURPORT

> > Mârkandeya's being drawn into the Lord's body by His inhalation and expelled again by His exhalation should not be considered a symbolic description of the perennial cycles of material creation and annihilation. This portion of the S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam describes a real, historical event experienced by a great devotee of the Lord, and those trying to relegate this story to mere symbolic allegory are here declared to be unintelligent fools.

> > *****

> > TEXT 42

> > ya evam etad bhrigu-varya varnitam

> > rathânga-pâner anubhâva-bhâvitam

> > sams'râvayet sams'rinuyâd u tâv ubhau

> > tayor na karmâs'aya-samsritir bhavet

> > yah-who; evam-thus; etat-this; bhrigu-varya-O best of the descendants of Bhrigu (S'aunaka); varnitam-described; ratha-anga-pâneh-of Lord S'rî Hari, who carries a chariot wheel in His hand; anubhâva-with the potency; bhâvitam-infused; sams'râvayet-causes anyone to hear; sams'rinuyât-himself hears; u-or; tau-they; ubhau-both; tayoh-of them; na-not; karma-âs'aya-based on the mentality of fruitive work; samsritih-the cycle of material life; bhavet-there is.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O best of the Bhrigus, this account concerning Mârkandeya Rishi conveys the transcendental potency of the Supreme Lord. Anyone who properly narrates or hears it will never again undergo material existence, which is based on the desire to perform fruitive activities.

> > Back to the running text