> > 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 Twelve - The Topics of S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam Summarized

> > *****

> > TEXT 1

> > sûta uvâca

> > namo dharmâya mahate

> > namah krishnâya vedhase

> > brahmanebhyo namaskritya

> > dharmân vakshye sanâtanân

> > sûtah uvâca-Sûta Gosvâmî said; namah-obeisances; dharmâya-to the principle of religion; mahate-greatest; namah-obeisances; krishnâya-to Lord Krishna; vedhase-the creator; brahmanebhyah-to the brâhmanas; namaskritya-offering my obeisances; dharmân-the principles of religion; vakshye-I shall speak; sanâtanân-eternal.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sûta Gosvâmî said: Offering my obeisances to the supreme religious principle, devotional service; to Lord Krishna, the supreme creator; and to all the brâhmanas, I shall now describe the eternal principles of religion.

> > *****

> > TEXT 2

> > etad vah kathitam viprâ

> > vishnos' caritam adbhutam

> > bhavadbhir yad aham prishtho

> > narânâm purushocitam

> > etat-these; vah-to you; kathitam-narrated; viprâh-O sages; vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; caritam-the pastimes; adbhutam-wonderful; bhavadbhih-by your good selves; yat-which; aham-I; prishthah-was asked about; narânâm-among men; purusha-for an actual human being; ucitam-suitable.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O great sages, I have narrated to you the wonderful pastimes of Lord Vishnu, as you inquired about them from me. Hearing such narrations is the suitable engagement for a person who is actually a human being.

> > *****

> > TEXT 3

> > atra sankîrtitah sâkshât

> > sarva-pâpa-haro harih

> > nârâyano hrishîkes'o

> > bhagavân sâtvatâm patih

> > atra-here, in the S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam; sankîrtitah-is fully glorified; sâkshât-directly; sarva-pâpa-of all sins; harah-the remover; harih-the Personality of Godhead, Lord Hari; nârâyanah-Nârâyana; hrishîkes'ah-Hrishîkes'a, the Lord of the senses; bhagavân-the Supreme Personality; sâtvatâm-of the Yadus; patih-the master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This literature fully glorifies the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari, who removes all His devotees' sinful reactions. The Lord is glorified as Nârâyana, Hrishîkes'a and the Lord of the Sâtvatas.

> > *****

> > TEXT 4

> > atra brahma param guhyam

> > jagatah prabhavâpyayam

> > jn'ânam ca tad-upâkhyânam

> > proktam vijn'âna-samyutam

> > atra-here; brahma-the Absolute Truth; param-supreme; guhyam-confidential; jagatah-of this universe; prabhava-the creation; apyayam-and annihilation; jn'ânam-knowledge; ca-and; tat-upâkhyânam-the means of cultivating it; proktam-are spoken; vijn'âna-transcendental realization; samyutam-including.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This literature describes the mystery of the Supreme Absolute Truth, the source of the creation and annihilation of this universe. Also presented are divine knowledge of Him together with the process of its cultivation, and the transcendental realization one achieves.

> > *****

> > TEXT 5

> > bhakti-yogah samâkhyâto

> > vairâgyam ca tad-âs'rayam

> > pârîkshitam upâkhyânam

> > nâradâkhyânam eva ca

> > bhakti-yogah-the process of devotional service; samâkhyâtah-is thoroughly enunciated; vairâgyam-renunciation; ca-and; tat-âs'rayam-which is subsidiary to it; pârîkshitam-of Mahârâja Parîkshit; upâkhyânam-the history; nârada-of Nârada; âkhyânam-the history; eva-indeed; ca-also.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The following topics are also narrated: the process of devotional service together with its subsidiary feature of renunciation, and the histories of Mahârâja Parîkshit and the sage Nârada.

> > *****

> > TEXT 6

> > prâyopaves'o râjarsher

> > vipra-s'âpât parîkshitah

> > s'ukasya brahmarshabhasya

> > samvâdas' ca parîkshitah

> > prâya-upaves'ah-the fast until death; râja-risheh-of the sage among kings; vipra-s'âpât-because of the curse of the brâhmana's son; parîkshitah-of King Parîkshit; s'ukasya-of S'ukadeva; brahma-rishabhasya-the best of brâhmanas; samvâdah-the conversation; ca-and; parîkshitah-with Parîkshit.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Also described are saintly King Parîkshit's sitting down to fast until death in response to the curse of a brâhmana's son, and the conversations between Parîkshit and S'ukadeva Gosvâmî, who is the best of all brâhmanas.

> > *****

> > TEXT 7

> > yoga-dhâranayotkrântih

> > samvâdo nâradâjayoh

> > avatârânugîtam ca

> > sargah prâdhâniko 'gratah

> > yoga-dhâranayâ-by fixed meditation in yoga; utkrântih-the attainment of liberation at the time of passing away; samvâdah-the conversation; nârada-ajayoh-between Nârada and Brahmâ; avatâra-anugîtam-the listing of the incarnations of the Supreme Lord; ca-and; sargah-the process of creation; prâdhânikah-from the unmanifest material nature; agratah-in progressive order.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Bhâgavatam explains how one can attain liberation at the time of death by practicing fixed meditation in yoga. It also contains a discussion between Nârada and Brahmâ, an enumeration of the incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and a description of how the universe was created in progressive sequence, beginning from the unmanifest stage of material nature.

> > *****

> > TEXT 8

> > viduroddhava-samvâdah

> > kshattri-maitreyayos tatah

> > purâna-samhitâ-pras'no

> > mahâ-purusha-samsthitih

> > vidura-uddhava-between Vidura and Uddhava; samvâdah-the discussion; kshattri-maitreyayoh-between Vidura and Maitreya; tatah-then; purâna-samhitâ-concerning this Purânic compilation; pras'nah-inquiries; mahâ-purusha-within the Supreme Personality of Godhead; samsthitih-the winding up of creation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This scripture also relates the discussions Vidura had with Uddhava and with Maitreya, inquiries about the subject matter of this Purâna, and the winding up of creation within the body of the Supreme Lord at the time of annihilation.

> > *****

> > TEXT 9

> > tatah prâkritikah sargah

> > sapta vaikritikâs' ca ye

> > tato brahmânda-sambhûtir

> > vairâjah purusho yatah

> > tatah-then; prâkritikah-from material nature; sargah-the creation; sapta-the seven; vaikritikâh-stages of creation derived by transformation; ca-and; ye-which; tatah-then; brahma-anda-of the universal egg; sambhûtih-the construction; vairâjah purushah-the universal form of the Lord; yatah-from which.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The creation effected by the agitation of the modes of material nature, the seven stages of evolution by elemental transformation, and the construction of the universal egg, from which arises the universal form of the Supreme Lord-all these are thoroughly described.

> > *****

> > TEXT 10

> > kâlasya sthûla-sûkshmasya

> > gatih padma-samudbhavah

> > bhuva uddharane 'mbhodher

> > hiranyâksha-vadho yathâ

> > kâlasya-of time; sthûla-sûkshmasya-gross and subtle; gatih-the movement; padma-of the lotus; samudbhavah-the generation; bhuvah-of the earth; uddharane-in connection with the deliverance; ambhodheh-from the ocean; hiranyâksha-vadhah-the killing of the demon Hiranyâksha; yathâ-as it occurred.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Other topics include the subtle and gross movements of time, the generation of the lotus from the navel of Garbhodakas'âyî Vishnu, and the killing of the demon Hiranyâksha when the earth was delivered from the Garbhodaka Ocean.

> > *****

> > TEXT 11

> > ûrdhva-tiryag-avâk-sargo

> > rudra-sargas tathaiva ca

> > ardha-nârîs'varasyâtha

> > yatah svâyambhuvo manuh

> > ûrdhva-of the higher species, the demigods; tiryak-of the animals; avâk-and of lower species; sargah-the creation; rudra-of Lord S'iva; sargah-the creation; tathâ-and; eva-indeed; ca-also; ardha-nârî-as a half man, half woman; îs'varasya-of the lord; atha-then; yatah-from whom; svâyambhuvah manuh-Svâyambhuva Manu.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Bhâgavatam also describes the creation of demigods, animals and demoniac species of life; the birth of Lord Rudra; and the appearance of Svâyambhuva Manu from the half-man, half-woman Îs'vara.

> > *****

> > TEXT 12

> > s'atarûpâ ca yâ strînâm

> > âdyâ prakritir uttamâ

> > santâno dharma-patnînâm

> > kardamasya prajâpateh

> > s'atarûpâ-S'atarûpâ; ca-and; yâ-who; strînâm-of women; âdyâ-the first; prakritih-the consort; uttamâ-best; santânah-the progeny; dharma-patnînâm-of the pious wives; kardamasya-of the sage Kardama; prajâpateh-the progenitor.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Also related are the appearance of the first woman, S'atarûpâ, who was the excellent consort of Manu, and the offspring of the pious wives of Prajâpati Kardama.

> > *****

> > TEXT 13

> > avatâro bhagavatah

> > kapilasya mahâtmanah

> > devahûtyâs' ca samvâdah

> > kapilena ca dhîmatâ

> > avatârah-the descent; bhagavatah-of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kapilasya-Lord Kapila; mahâ-âtmanah-the Supreme Soul; devahûtyâh-of Devahûti; ca-and; samvâdah-the conversation; kapilena-with Lord Kapila; ca-and; dhî-matâ-the intelligent.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Bhâgavatam describes the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the exalted sage Kapila and records the conversation between that greatly learned soul and His mother, Devahûti.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 14 & 15

> > nava-brahma-samutpattir

> > daksha-yajn'a-vinâs'anam

> > dhruvasya caritam pas'cât

> > prithoh prâcînabarhishah

> > nâradasya ca samvâdas

> > tatah praiyavratam dvijâh

> > nâbhes tato 'nucaritam

> > rishabhasya bharatasya ca

> > nava-brahma-of the nine brâhmanas (the sons of Lord Brahmâ, headed by Marîci); samutpattih-the descendants; daksha-yajn'a-of the sacrifice performed by Daksha; vinâs'anam-the destruction; dhruvasya-of Dhruva Mahârâja; caritam-the history; pas'cât-then; prithoh-of King Prithu; prâcînabarhishah-of Prâcînabarhi;

> > nâradasya-with Nârada Muni; ca-and; samvâdah-his conversation; tatah-then; praiyavratam-the story of Mahârâja Priyavrata; dvijâh-O brâhmanas; nâbheh-of Nâbhi; tatah-then; anucaritam-the life story; rishabhasya-of Lord Rishabha; bharatasya-of Bharata Mahârâja; ca-and.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Also described are the progeny of the nine great brâhmanas, the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice, and the history of Dhruva Mahârâja, followed by the histories of King Prithu and King Prâcînabarhi, the discussion between Prâcînabarhi and Nârada, and the life of Mahârâja Priyavrata. Then, O brâhmanas, the Bhâgavatam tells of the character and activities of King Nâbhi, Lord Rishabha and King Bharata.

> > *****

> > TEXT 16

> > dvîpa-varsha-samudrânâm

> > giri-nady-upavarnanam

> > jyotis'-cakrasya samsthânam

> > pâtâla-naraka-sthitih

> > dvîpa-varsha-samudrânâm-of the continents, great islands and oceans; giri-nadî-of the mountains and rivers; upavarnanam-the detailed description; jyotih-cakrasya-of the celestial sphere; samsthânam-the arrangement; pâtâla-of the subterranean regions; naraka-and of hell; sthitih-the situation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Bhâgavatam gives an elaborate description of the earth's continents, regions, oceans, mountains and rivers. Also described are the arrangement of the celestial sphere and the conditions found in the subterranean regions and in hell.

> > *****

> > TEXT 17

> > daksha-janma pracetobhyas

> > tat-putrînâm ca santatih

> > yato devâsura-narâs

> > tiryan-naga-khagâdayah

> > daksha-janma-the birth of Daksha; pracetobhyah-from the Pracetâs; tat-putrînâm-of his daughters; ca-and; santatih-the progeny; yatah-from which; deva-asura-narâh-the demigods, demons and human beings; tiryak-naga-khaga-âdayah-the animals, serpents, birds and other species.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The rebirth of Prajâpati Daksha as the son of the Pracetâs, and the progeny of Daksha's daughters, who initiated the races of demigods, demons, human beings, animals, serpents, birds and so on-all this is described.

> > *****

> > TEXT 18

> > tvâshthrasya janma-nidhanam

> > putrayos' ca diter dvijâh

> > daityes'varasya caritam

> > prahrâdasya mahâtmanah

> > tvâshthrasya-of the son of Tvashthâ (Vritra); janma-nidhanam-the birth and death; putrayoh-of the two sons, Hiranyâksha and Hiranyakas'ipu; ca-and; diteh-of Diti; dvijâh-O brâhmanas; daitya-îs'varasya-of the greatest of the Daityas; caritam-the history; prahrâdasya-of Prahlâda; mahâ-âtmanah-the great soul.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O brâhmanas, also recounted are the births and deaths of Vritrâsura and of Diti's sons Hiranyâksha and Hiranyakas'ipu, as well as the history of the greatest of Diti's descendants, the exalted soul Prahlâda.

> > *****

> > TEXT 19

> > manv-antarânukathanam

> > gajendrasya vimokshanam

> > manv-antarâvatârâs' ca

> > vishnor hayas'irâdayah

> > manu-antara-of reigns of the various Manus; anukathanam-the detailed description; gaya-indrasya-of the king of the elephants; vimokshanam-the liberation; manu-antara-avatârâh-the particular incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in each manv-antara; ca-and; vishnoh-of Lord Vishnu; hayas'irâ-âdayah-such as Lord Hayas'îrshâ.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The reign of each Manu, the liberation of Gajendra, and the special incarnations of Lord Vishnu in each manv-antara, such as Lord Hayas'îrshâ, are described as well.

> > *****

> > TEXT 20

> > kaurmam mâtsyam nârasimham

> > vâmanam ca jagat-pateh

> > kshîroda-mathanam tadvad

> > amritârthe divaukasâm

> > kaurmam-the incarnation as a tortoise; mâtsyam-as a fish; nârasimham-as a man-lion; vâmanam-as a dwarf; ca-and; jagat-pateh-of the Lord of the universe; kshîra-uda-of the ocean of milk; mathanam-the churning; tadvat-thus; amrita-arthe-for the sake of nectar; diva-okasâm-on the part of the inhabitants of heaven.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Bhâgavatam also tells of the appearances of the Lord of the universe as Kûrma, Matsya, Narasimha and Vâmana, and of the demigods' churning of the milk ocean to obtain nectar.

> > *****

> > TEXT 21

> > devâsura-mahâ-yuddham

> > râja-vams'ânukîrtanam

> > ikshvâku-janma tad-vams'ah

> > sudyumnasya mahâtmanah

> > deva-asura-of the demigods and demons; mahâ-yuddham-the great war; râja-vams'a-of the dynasties of kings; anukîrtanam-the reciting in sequence; ikshvâku-janma-the birth of Ikshvâku; tat-vams'ah-his dynasty; sudyamnasya-(and the dynasty) of Sudyumna; mahâ-âtmanah-the great soul.

> > TRANSLATION

> > An account of the great battle fought between the demigods and the demons, a systematic description of the dynasties of various kings, and narrations concerning Ikshvâku's birth, his dynasty and the dynasty of the pious Sudyumna-all are presented within this literature.

> > *****

> > TEXT 22

> > ilopâkhyânam atroktam

> > târopâkhyânam eva ca

> > sûrya-vams'ânukathanam

> > s'as'âdâdyâ nrigâdayah

> > ilâ-upâkhyânam-the history of Ilâ; acra-herein; uktam-is spoken; târâ-upâkhyânam-the history of Târâ; eva-indeed; ca-also; sûrya-vams'a-of the dynasty of the sun-god; anukathanam-the narration; s'as'âda-âdyâh-S'as'âda and others; nriga-âdayah-Nriga and others.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Also related are the histories of Ilâ and Târâ, and the description of the descendants of the sun-god, including such kings as S'as'âda and Nriga.

> > *****

> > TEXT 23

> > saukanyam câtha s'aryâteh

> > kakutsthasya ca dhîmatah

> > khathvângasya ca mândhâtuh

> > saubhareh sagarasya ca

> > saukanyam-the story of Sukanyâ; ca-and; atha-then; s'aryâteh-that of S'aryâti; kakutsthasya-of Kakutstha; ca-and; dhî-matah-who was an intelligent king; khathvângasya-of Khathvânga; ca-and; mândhâtuh-of Mândhâtâ; saubhareh-of Saubhari; sagarasya-of Sagara; ca-and.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The histories of Sukanyâ, S'aryâti, the intelligent Kakutstha, Khathvânga, Mândhâtâ, Saubhari and Sagara are narrated.

> > *****

> > TEXT 24

> > râmasya kos'alendrasya

> > caritam kilbishâpaham

> > nimer anga-parityâgo

> > janakânâm ca sambhavah

> > râmasya-of Lord Râmacandra; kos'ala-indrasya-the King of Kos'ala; caritam-the pastimes; kilbisha-apaham-which drive away all sins; nimeh-of King Nimi; anga-parityâgah-the giving up of his body; janakânâm-of the descendants of Janaka; ca-and; sambhavah-the appearance.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Bhâgavatam narrates the sanctifying pastimes of Lord Râmacandra, the King of Kosala, and also explains how King Nimi abandoned his material body. The appearance of the descendants of King Janaka is also mentioned.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 25 - 26

> > râmasya bhârgavendrasya

> > nihkshatriî-karanam bhuvah

> > ailasya soma-vams'asya

> > yayâter nahushasya ca

> > daushmanter bharatasyâpi

> > s'ântanos tat-sutasya ca

> > yayâter jyeshthha-putrasya

> > yador vams'o 'nukîrtitah

> > râmasya-by Lord Paras'urâma; bhârgava-indrasya-the greatest of the descendants of Bhrigu Muni; nihkshatrî-karanam-the elimination of all the kshatriyas; bhuvah-of the earth; ailasya-of Mahârâja Aila; soma-vams'asya-of the dynasty of the moon-god; yayâteh-of Yayâti; nahushasya-of Nahusha; ca-and; daushmanteh-of the son of Dushmanta; bharatasya-Bharata; api-also; s'ântanoh-of King S'ântanu; tat-his; sutasya-of the son, Bhîshma; ca-and; yayâteh-of Yayâti; jyeshthha-putrasya-of the eldest son; yadoh-Yadu; vams'ah-the dynasty; anu-kîrtitah-is glorified.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam describes how Lord Paras'urâma, the greatest descendant of Bhrigu, annihilated all the kshatriyas on the face of the earth. It further recounts the lives of glorious kings who appeared in the dynasty of the moon-god-kings such as Aila, Yayâti, Nahusha, Dushmanta's son Bharata, S'ântanu and S'ântanu's son Bhîshma. Also described is the great dynasty founded by King Yadu, the eldest son of Yayâti.

> > *****

> > TEXT 27

> > yatrâvatîrino bhagavân

> > krishnâkhyo jagad-îs'varah

> > vasudeva-grihe janma

> > tato vriddhis' ca gokule

> > yatra-in which dynasty; avatîrnah-descended; bhagavân-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; krishna-âkhyah-known as Krishna; jagat-îs'varah-the Lord of the universe; vasudeva-grihe-in the home of Vasudeva; janma-His birth; tatah-subsequently; vriddhih-His growing up; ca-and; gokule-in Gokula.

> > TRANSLATION

> > How S'rî Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and Lord of the universe, descended into this Yadu dynasty, how He took birth in the home of Vasudeva, and how He then grew up in Gokula-all this is described in detail.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 28 - 29

> > tasya karmâny apârâni

> > kîrtitâny asura-dvishah

> > pûtanâsu-payah-pânam

> > s'akathoccâthanam s'is'oh

> > trinâvartasya nishpeshas

> > tathaiva baka-vatsayoh

> > aghâsura-vadho dhâtrâ

> > vatsa-pâlâvagûhanam

> > tasya-His; karmânî-activities; apârâni-innumerable; kîrtitâni-are glorified; asura-dvishah-of the enemy of the demons; pûtanâ-of the witch Pûtanâ; asu-along with her life air; payah-of the milk; pânam-the drinking; s'akata-of the cart; uccâthanam-the breaking; s'is'oh-by the child;

> > trinâvartasya-of Trinâvarta; nishpeshah-the trampling; tathâ-and; eva-indeed; baka-vatsayoh-of the demons named Baka and Vatsa; agha-asura-of the demon Agha; vadhah-the killing; dhâtrâ-by Lord Brahmâ; vatsa-pâla-of the calves and cowherd boys; avagûhanam-the hiding away.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Also glorified are the innumerable pastimes of S'rî Krishna, the enemy of the demons, including His childhood pastimes of sucking out Pûtanâ's life air along with her breast-milk, breaking the cart, trampling down Trinâvarta, killing Bakâsura, Vatsâsura and Aghâsura, and the pastimes He enacted when Lord Brahmâ hid His calves and cowherd boyfriends in a cave.

> > *****

> > TEXT 30

> > dhenukasya saha-bhrâtuh

> > pralambasya ca sankshayah

> > gopânâm ca paritrânam

> > dâvâgneh parisarpatah

> > dhenukasya-of Dhenuka; saha-bhrâtuh-along with his companions; pralambasya-of Pralamba; ca-and; sankshayah-the destruction; gopânâm-of the cowherd boys; ca-and; paritrânam-the saving; dâva-agneh-from the forest fire; parisarpatah-which was encircling.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam tells how Lord Krishna and Lord Balarâma killed the demon Dhenukâsura and his companions, how Lord Balarâma destroyed Pralambâsura, and also how Krishna saved the cowherd boys from a raging forest fire that had encircled them.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 31-33

> > damanam kâliyasyâher

> > mahâher nanda-mokshanam

> > vrata-caryâ tu kanyânâm

> > yatra tushtho 'cyuto vrataih

> > prasâdo yajn'a-patnîbhyo

> > viprânâm cânutâpanam

> > govardhanoddhâranam ca

> > s'akrasya surabher atha

> > yajn'abhishekah krishnasya

> > strîbhih krîdâ ca râtrishu

> > s'ankhacûdasya durbuddher

> > vadho 'rishthasya kes'inah

> > damanam-the subduing; kâliyasya-of Kâliya; aheh-the snake; mahâ-aheh-from the great serpent; nanda-mokshanam-the rescue of Mahârâja Nanda; vrata-caryâ-the execution of austere vows; tu-and; kanyânâm-of the gopîs; yatra-by which; tushthah-became satisfied; acyutah-Lord Krishna; vrataih-with their vows;

> > prasâdah-the mercy; yajn'a-patnîbhyah-to the wives of the brâhmanas performing Vedic sacrifices; viprânâm-of the brâhmana husbands; ca-and; anutâpanam-the experience of remorse; govardhana-uddhâranam-the lifting of Govardhana Hill; ca-and; s'akrasya-by Indra; surabheh-along with the Surabhi cow; atha-then;

> > yajn'a-abhishekah-the worship and ritual bathing; krishnasya-of Lord Krishna; strîbhih-together with the women; krîdâ-the sporting; ca-and; râtrishu-in the nights; s'ankhacûdasya-of the demon S'ankhacûda; durbuddheh-who was foolish; vadhah-the killing; arishthasya-of Arishtha; kes'inah-of Kes'î.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The chastisement of the serpent Kâliya; the rescue of Nanda Mahârâja from a great snake; the severe vows performed by the young gopîs, who thus satisfied Lord Krishna; the mercy He showed the wives of the Vedic brâhmanas, who felt remorse; the lifting of Govardhana Hill followed by the worship and bathing ceremony performed by Indra and the Surabhi cow; Lord Krishna's nocturnal pastimes with the cowherd girls; and the killing of the foolish demons S'ankhacûda, Arishtha and Kes'î-all these pastimes are elaborately recounted.

> > *****

> > TEXT 34

> > akrûrâgamanam pas'cât

> > prasthânam râma-krishnayoh

> > vraja-strînâm vilâpas' ca

> > mathurâlokanam tatah

> > akrûra-of Akrûra; âgamanam-the coming; pas'cât-after that; prasthânam-the departure; râma-krishnayoh-of Lord Balarâma and Lord Krishna; vraja-strînâm-of the women of Vrindâvana; vilâpah-the lamentation; ca-and; mathurâ-âlokanam-the seeing of Mathurâ; tatah-then.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Bhâgavatam describes the arrival of Akrûra, the subsequent departure of Krishna and Balarâma, the lamentation of the gopîs and the touring of Mathurâ.

> > *****

> > TEXT 35

> > gaja-mushthika-cânûra-

> > kamsâdînâm tathâ vadhah

> > mritasyânayanam sûnoh

> > punah sândîpaner guroh

> > gaja-of the elephant Kuvalayâpîda; mushthika-cânûra-of the wrestlers Mushthika and Cânûra; kamsa-of Kamsa; âdînâm-and of others; tathâ-also; vadhah-the killing; mritasya-who had died; ânayanam-the bringing back; sûnoh-of the son; punah-again; sândîpaneh-of Sândîpani; guroh-their spiritual master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Also narrated are how Krishna and Balarâma killed the elephant Kuvalayâpîda, the wrestlers Mushthika and Cânûra, and Kamsa and other demons, as well as how Krishna brought back the dead son of His spiritual master, Sândîpani Muni.

> > *****

> > TEXT 36

> > mathurâyâm nivasatâ

> > yadu-cakrasya yat priyam

> > kritam uddhava-râmâbhyâm

> > yutena harinâ dvijâh

> > mathurâyâm-in Mathurâ; nivasatâ-by Him who was residing; yadu-cakrasya-for the circle of Yadus; yat-which; priyam-gratifying; kritam-was done; uddhava-râmâbhyâm-with Uddhava and Balarâma; yutena-joined; harinâ-by Lord Hari; dvijâh-O brâhmanas.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Then, O brâhmanas, this scripture recounts how Lord Hari, while residing in Mathurâ in the company of Uddhava and Balarâma, performed pastimes for the satisfaction of the Yadu dynasty.

> > *****

> > TEXT 37

> > jarâsandha-samânîta-

> > sainyasya bahus'o vadhah

> > ghâtanam yavanendrasya

> > kus'asthalyâ nives'anam

> > jarâsandha-by King Jarâsandha; samânîta-assembled; sainyasya-of the army; bahus'ah-many times; vadhah-the annihilation; ghâtanam-the killing; yavana-indrasya-of the king of the barbarians; kus'asthalyâh-of Dvârakâ; nives'anam-the founding.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Also described are the annihilation of each of the many armies brought by Jarâsandha, the killing of the barbarian king Kâlayavana and the establishment of Dvârakâ City.

> > *****

> > TEXT 38

> > âdânam pârijâtasya

> > sudharmâyâh surâlayât

> > rukminyâ haranam yuddhe

> > pramathya dvishato hareh

> > âdânam-the receiving; pârijâtasya-of the pârijâta tree; sudharmâyâh-of the Sudharmâ assembly hall; sura-âlayât-from the abode of the demigods; rukminyâh-of Rukminî; haranam-the kidnapping; yuddhe-in battle; pramathya-defeating; dvishatah-His rivals; hareh-by Lord Hari.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This work also describes how Lord Krishna brought from heaven the pârijâta tree and the Sudharmâ assembly hall, and how He kidnapped Rukminî by defeating all His rivals in battle.

> > *****

> > TEXT 39

> > harasya jrimbhanam yuddhe

> > bânasya bhuja-krintanam

> > prâgjyotisha-patim hatvâ

> > kanyânâm haranam ca yat

> > harasya-of Lord S'iva; jrimbhanam-the forced yawning; yuddhe-in battle; bânasya-of Bâna; bhuja-of the arms; krintanam-the cutting,; prâgjyotisha-patim-the master of the city Prâgjyotisha; hatvâ-killing; kanyânâm-of the unmarried virgins; haranam-the removal; ca-and; yat-which.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Also narrated are how Lord Krishna, in the battle with Bânâsura, defeated Lord S'iva by making him yawn, how the Lord cut off Bânâsura's arms, and how He killed the master of Prâgjyotishapura and then rescued the young princesses held captive in that city.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 40 - 41

> > caidya-paundraka-s'âlvânâm

> > dantavakrasya durmateh

> > s'ambaro dvividah pîthho

> > murah pan'cajanâdayah

> > mâhâtmyam ca vadhas teshâm

> > vârânasyâs' ca dâhanam

> > bhârâvataranam bhûmer

> > nimittî-kritya pândavân

> > caidya-of the King of Cedi, S'is'upâla; paundraka-of Paundraka; s'âlvânâm-and of S'âlva; dantavakrasya-of Dantavakra; durmateh-the foolish; s'ambarah dvividah pîthhah-the demons S'ambara, Dvivida and Pîthha; murah pan'cajana-âdayah-Mura, Pan'cajana and others;

> > mâhâtmyam-the prowess; ca-and; vadhah-the death; teshâm-of these; vârânasyâh-of the holy city of Benares; ca-and; dâhanam-the burning; bhâra-of the burden; avataranam-the reduction; bhûmeh-of the earth; nimittî-kritya-making the apparent cause; pândavân-the sons of Pându.

> > TRANSLATION

> > There are descriptions of the powers and the deaths of the King of Cedi, Paundraka, S'âlva, the foolish Dantavakra, S'ambara, Dvivida, Pîthha, Mura, Pan'cajana and other demons, along with a description of how Vârânasî was burned to the ground. The Bhâgavatam also recounts how Lord Krishna relieved the earth's burden by engaging the Pândavas in the Battle of Kurukshetra.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 42 - 43

> > vipra-s'âpâpades'ena

> > samhârah sva-kulasya ca

> > uddhavasya ca samvâdo

> > vasudevasya câdbhutah

> > yatrâtma-vidyâ hy akhilâ

> > proktâ dharma-vinirnayah

> > tato martya-parityâga

> > âtma-yogânubhâvatah

> > vipra-s'âpa-of the curse by the brâhmanas; apades'ena-on the pretext; samhârah-the withdrawal; sva-kulasya-of His own family; ca-and; uddhavasya-with Uddhava; ca-and; samvâdah-the discussion; vasudevasya-of Vasudeva (with Nârada); ca-and; adbhutah-wonderful;

> > yatra-in which; âtma-vidyâ-the science of the self; hi-indeed; akhilâ-completely; proktâ-was spoken; dharma-vinirnayah-the ascertainment of the principles of religion; tatah-then; martya-of the mortal world; parityâgah-the giving up; âtma-yoga-of His personal mystic power; anubhâvatah-on the strength.

> > TRANSLATION

> > How the Lord withdrew His own dynasty on the pretext of the brâhmanas' curse; Vasudeva's conversation with Nârada; the extraordinary conversation between Uddhava and Krishna, which reveals the science of the self in complete detail and elucidates the religious principles of human society; and then how Lord Krishna gave up this mortal world by His own mystic power-the Bhâgavatam narrates all these events.

> > *****

> > TEXT 44

> > yuga-lakshana-vrittis' ca

> > kalau nènâm upaplavah

> > catur-vidhas' ca pralaya

> > utpattis tri-vidhâ tathâ

> > yuga-of the different ages; lakshana-the characteristics; vrittih-and the corresponding activities; ca-also; kalau-in the present age of Kali; nènâm-of men; upaplavah-the total disturbance; catuh-vidhah-fourfold; ca-and; pralayah-the process of annihilation; utpattih-creation; tri-vidhâ-of three kinds; tathâ-and.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This work also describes people's characteristics and behavior in the different ages, the chaos men experience in the age of Kali, the four kinds of annihilation and the three kinds of creation.

> > *****

> > TEXT 45

> > deha-tyâgas' ca râjarsher

> > vishnu-râtasya dhîmatah

> > s'âkhâ-pranayanam risher

> > mârkandeyasya sat-kathâ

> > mahâ-purusha-vinyâsah

> > sûryasya jagad-âtmanah

> > deha-tyâgah-the relinquishing of his body; ca-and; râja-risheh-by the saintly king; vishnu-râtasya-Parîkshit; dhî-matah-the intelligent; s'âkhâ-of the branches of the Vedas; pranayanam-the dissemination; risheh-from the great sage Vyâsadeva; mârkandeyasya-of Mârkandeya Rishi; sat-kathâ-the pious narration; mahâ-purusha-of the universal form of the Lord; vinyâsah-the detailed arrangement; sûryasya-of the sun; jagat-âtmanah-who is the soul of the universe.

> > TRANSLATION

> > There are also an account of the passing away of the wise and saintly King Vishnurâta [Parîkshit], an explanation of how S'rîla Vyâsadeva disseminated the branches of the Vedas, a pious narration concerning Mârkandeya Rishi, and a description of the detailed arrangement of the Lord's universal form and His form as the sun, the soul of the universe.

> > *****

> > TEXT 46

> > iti coktam dvija-s'reshthhâ

> > yat prishtho 'ham ihâsmi vah

> > lîlâvatâra-karmâni

> > kîrtitânîha sarvas'ah

> > iti-thus; ca-and; uktam-spoken; dvija-s'reshthhâh-O best of the brâhmanas; yat-what; prishthah-inquired; aham-I; iha-here; asmi-have been; vah-by you; lîlâ-avatâra-of the divine descents of the Supreme Lord for His own enjoyment; karmâni-the activities; kîrtitâni-have been glorified; iha-in this scripture; sarvas'ah-completely.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus, O best of the brâhmanas, I have explained herein what you have inquired from me. This literature has glorified in full detail the activities of the Lord's pastime incarnations.

> > *****

> > TEXT 47

> > patitah skhalitas' cârtah

> > kshuttvâ vâ vivas'o grinan

> > haraye nama ity uccair

> > mucyate sarva-pâtakât

> > patitah-falling; skhalitah-tripping; ca-and; ârtah-feeling pain; kshuttvâ-sneezing; vâ-or; vivas'ah-involuntarily; grinan-chanting; haraye namah-"obeisances to Lord Hari"; iti-thus; uccaih-loudly; mucyate-one is freed; sarva-pâtakât-from all sinful reactions.

> > TRANSLATION

> > If when falling, slipping, feeling pain or sneezing one involuntarily cries out in a loud voice, "Obeisances to Lord Hari!" one will be automatically freed from all his sinful reactions.

> > *****

> > TEXT 48

> > sankîrtyamâno bhagavân anantah

> > s'rutânubhâvo vyasanam hi pumsâm

> > pravis'ya cittam vidhunoty as'esham

> > yathâ tamo 'rko 'bhram ivâti-vâtah

> > sankîrtyamânah-being properly chanted about; bhagavân-the Supreme Personality of Godhead; anantah-the unlimited; s'ruta-being heard about; anubhâvah-His potency; vyasanam-the misery; hi-indeed; pumsâm-of persons; pravis'ya-enter; cittam-the heart; vidhunoti-cleans away; as'esham-entirely; yathâ-just as; tamah-darkness; arkah-the sun; abhram-clouds; iva-as; ati-vâtah-a strong wind.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When people properly glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead or simply hear about His power, the Lord personally enters their hearts and cleanses away every trace of misfortune, just as the sun removes the darkness or as a powerful wind drives away the clouds.

> > *****

> > TEXT 49

> > mrishâ giras tâ hy asatîr asat-kathâ

> > na kathyate yad bhagavân adhokshajah

> > tad eva satyam tad u haiva mangalam

> > tad eva punyam bhagavad-gunodayam

> > mrishâh-false; girah-words; tâh-they; hi-indeed; asatîh-untrue; asat-kathâh-useless discussions of that which is not eternal; na kathyate-is not discussed; yat-wherein; bhagavân-the Personality of Godhead; adhokshajah-the transcendental Lord; tat-that; eva-alone; satyam-true; tat-that; u ha-indeed; eva-alone; mangalam-auspicious; tat-that; eva-alone; punyam-pious; bhagavat-guna-the qualities of the Supreme Personality; udayam-which manifests.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Words that do not describe the transcendental Personality of Godhead but instead deal with temporary matters are simply false and useless. Only those words that manifest the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord are actually truthful, auspicious and pious.

> > *****

> > TEXT 50

> > tad eva ramyam ruciram navam navam

> > tad eva s'as'van manaso mahotsavam

> > tad eva s'okârnava-s'oshanam nrinâm

> > yad uttamahs'loka-yas'o 'nugîyate

> > tat-that; eva-indeed; ramyam-attractive; ruciram-palatable; navam navam-newer and newer; tat-that; eva-indeed; s'as'vat-constantly; manasah-for the mind; mahâ-utsavam-a great festival; tat-that; eva-indeed; s'oka-arnava-the ocean of misery; s'oshanam-that which dries; nènâm-for all persons; yat-in which; uttamahs'loka-of the all-famous Supreme Personality of Godhead; yas'ah-the glories; anugîyate-are sung.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Those words describing the glories of the all-famous Personality of Godhead are attractive, relishable and ever fresh. Indeed, such words are a perpetual festival for the mind, and they dry up the ocean of misery.

> > *****

> > TEXT 51

> > na yad vacas' citra-padam harer yas'o

> > jagat-pavitram pragrinîta karhicit

> > tad dhvânksha-tîritham na tu hamsa-sevitam

> > yatrâcyutas tatra hi sâdhavo 'malâh

> > na-not; yat-which; vacah-vocabulary; citra-padam-decorative words; hareh-of the Lord; yas'ah-the glories; jagat-the universe; pavitram-sanctifying; pragrinîta-describe; karhicit-ever; tat-that; dhvânksha-of the crows; tîrtham-a place of pilgrimage; na-not; tu-on the other hand; hamsa-by saintly persons situated in knowledge; sevitam-served; yatra-in which; acyutah-Lord Acyuta (is described); tatra-there; hi-alone; sâdhavah-the saints; amalâh-who are pure.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Those words that do not describe the glories of the Lord, who alone can sanctify the atmosphere of the whole universe, are considered to be like unto a place of pilgrimage for crows, and are never resorted to by those situated in transcendental knowledge. The pure and saintly devotees take interest only in topics glorifying the infallible Supreme Lord.

> > *****

> > TEXT 52

> > tad vâg-visargo janatâgha-samplavo

> > yasmin prati-s'lokam abaddhavaty api

> > nâmâny anantasya yas'o 'nkitâni yat

> > s'rinvanti gâyanti grinanti sâdhavah

> > tat-that; vâk-vocabulary; visargah-creation; janatâ-of the people in general; agha-of the sins; samplavah-a revolution; yasmin-in which; prati-s'lokam-each and every stanza; abaddhavati-is irregularly composed; api-although; nâmâni-the transcendental names, etc; anantasya-of the unlimited Lord; yas'ah-the glories; ankitâni-depicted; yat-which; s'rinvanti-do hear; gâyanti-do sing; grinanti-do accept; sâdhavah-the purified men who are honest.

> > TRANSLATION

> > On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes and so on of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world's misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.

> > *****

> > TEXT 53

> > naishkarmyam apy acyuta-bhâva-varjitam

> > na s'obhate jn'ânam alam niran'janam

> > kutah punah s'as'vad abhadram îs'vare

> > na hy arpitam karma yad apy anuttamam

> > naishkarmyam-self-realization, being freed from the reactions of fruitive work; api-although; acyuta-of the infallible Lord; bhâva-conception; varjitam-devoid of; na-does not; s'obhate-look well; jn'ânam-transcendental knowledge; alam-actually; niran'janam-free from designations; kutah-where is; punah-again; s'as'vat-always; abhadram-uncongenial; îs'vare-unto the Lord; na-not; hi-indeed; arpitam-offered; karma-fruitive work; yat-which is; api-even; anuttamam-unsurpassed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Knowledge of self-realization, even though free from all material affinity, does not look well if devoid of a conception of the Infallible [God]. What, then, is the use of even the most properly performed fruitive activities, which are naturally painful from the very beginning and transient by nature, if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord?

> > *****

> > TEXT 54

> > yas'ah-s'riyâm eva paris'ramah paro

> > varnâs'ramâcâra-tapah-s'rutâdishu

> > avismritih s'rîdhara-pâda-padmayor

> > gunânuvâda-s'ravanâdarâdibhih

> > yas'ah-in fame; s'rîyâm-and opulence; eva-only; paris'ramah-the labor; parah-great; varna-âs'rama-âcâra-by one's execution of duties in the varnâs'rama system; tapah-austerities; s'ruta-hearing of sacred scripture; âdishu-and so on; avismritih-remembrance; s'rîdhara-of the maintainer of the goddess of fortune; pâda-padmayoh-of the lotus feet; guna-anuvâda-of the chanting of the qualities; s'ravana-by hearing; âdara-respecting; âdibhih-and so on.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great endeavor one undergoes in executing the ordinary social and religious duties of the varnâs'rama system, in performing austerities, and in hearing from the Vedas culminates only in the achievement of mundane fame and opulence. But by respecting and attentively hearing the recitation of the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord, the husband of the goddess of fortune, one can remember His lotus feet.

> > *****

> > TEXT 55

> > avismritih krishna-padâravindayoh

> > kshinoty abhadrâni ca s'am tanoti

> > sattvasya s'uddhim paramâtma-bhaktim

> > jn'ânam ca vijn'âna-virâga-yuktam

> > avismritih-remembrance; krishna-pada-aravindayoh-of Lord Krishna's lotus feet; kshinoti-destroys; abhadrâni-everything inauspicious; ca-and; s'am-good fortune; tanoti-expands; sattvasya-of the heart; s'uddhim-the purification; parama-âtma-for the Supreme Soul; bhaktim-devotion; jn'ânam-knowledge; ca-and; vijn'âna-with direct realization; virâga-and detachment; yuktam-endowed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Remembrance of Lord Krishna's lotus feet destroys everything inauspicious and awards the greatest good fortune. It purifies the heart and bestows devotion for the Supreme Soul, along with knowledge enriched with realization and renunciation.

> > *****

> > TEXT 56

> > yûyam dvijâgryâ bata bhûri-bhâgâ

> > yac chas'vad âtmany akhilâtma-bhûtam

> > nârâyanam devam adevam îs'am

> > ajasra-bhâvâ bhajatâvives'ya

> > yûyam-all of you; dvija-agryâh-O most eminent of brâhmanas; bata-indeed; bhûri-bhâgâh-extremely fortunate; yat-because; s'as'vat-constantly; âtmani-in your hearts; akhila-of all; âtma-bhûtam-who is the ultimate Soul; nârâyanam-Lord Nârâyana; devam-the Personality of Godhead; adevam-beyond whom there is no other god; îs'am-the supreme controller; ajasra-without interruption; bhâvâh-having love; bhajata-you should worship; âvives'ya-placing Him.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O most eminent of brâhmanas, you are all indeed extremely fortunate, since you have already placed within your hearts Lord S'rî Nârâyana-the Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller and the ultimate Soul of all existence-beyond whom there is no other god. You have undeviating love for Him, and thus I request you to worship Him.

> > *****

> > TEXT 57

> > aham ca samsmârita âtma-tattvam

> > s'rutam purâ me paramarshi-vaktrât

> > prâyopaves'e nripateh parîkshitah

> > sadasy rishînâm mahatâm ca s'rinvatâm

> > aham-I; ca-also; samsmâritah-have been made to remember; âtma-tattvam-the science of the Supersoul; s'rutam-heard; purâ-previously; me-by me; parama-rishi-of the greatest of sages, S'ukadeva; vaktrât-from the mouth; prâya-upaves'e-during the fast to death; nripateh-of the king; parîkshitah-Parîkshit; sadasi-in the assembly; rishînâm-of sages; mahatâm-great; ca-and; s'rinvatâm-while they were listening.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I also have now been fully reminded of the science of God, which I previously heard from the mouth of the great sage S'ukadeva Gosvâmî. I was present in the assembly of great sages who heard him speak to King Parîkshit as the monarch sat fasting until death.

> > *****

> > TEXT 58

> > etad vah kathitam viprâh

> > kathanîyoru-karmanah

> > mâhâtmyam vâsudevasya

> > sarvâs'ubha-vinâs'anam

> > etat-this; vah-to you; kathitam-narrated; viprâh-O brâhmanas; kathanîya-of Him who is most worthy of being described; uru-karmanah-and whose activities are very great; mâhâtmyam-the glories; vâsudevasya-of Lord Vâsudeva; sarva-as'ubha-all inauspiciousness; vinâs'anam-which completely destroys.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O brâhmanas, I have thus described to you the glories of the Supreme Lord Vâsudeva, whose extraordinary activities are most worthy of glorification. This narration destroys all that is inauspicious.

> > *****

> > TEXT 59

> > ya etat s'râvayen nityam

> > yâma-kshanam ananya-dhîh

> > s'lokam ekam tad-ardham vâ

> > pâdam pâdârdham eva vâ

> > s'raddhâvân yo 'nus'rinuyât

> > punâty âtmânam eva sah

> > yah-who; etat-this; s'râvayet-makes others hear; nityam-always; yâma-kshanam-every hour and every minute; ananya-dhîh-with undeviated attention; s'lokam-verse; ekam-one; tat-ardham-half of that; vâ-or; pâdam-a single line; pâda-ardham-half a line; eva-indeed; vâ-or; s'raddhâ-vân-with faith; yah-who; anus'rinuyât-hears from the proper source; punâti-purifies; âtmânam-his very self; eva-indeed; sah-he.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One who with undeviating attention constantly recites this literature at every moment of every hour, as well as one who faithfully hears even one verse or half a verse or a single line or even half a line, certainly purifies his very self.

> > *****

> > TEXT 60

> > dvâdas'yâm ekâdas'yâm vâ

> > s'rinvann âyushyavân bhavet

> > pathhaty anas'nan prayatah

> > pûto bhavati pâtakât

> > dvâdas'yâm-on the twelfth day of either fortnight of the month; ekâdas'yâm-on the auspicious eleventh day; vâ-or; s'rinvan-hearing; âyushya-vân-possessed of long life; bhavet-one becomes; pathhati-if one recites; anas'nan-while refraining from eating; prayatah-with careful attention; pûtah-purified; bhavati-one becomes; pâtakât-from sinful reactions.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One who hears this Bhâgavatam on the Ekâdas'î or Dvâdas'î day is assured of long life, and one who recites it with careful attention while fasting is purified of all sinful reactions.

> > *****

> > TEXT 61

> > pushkare mathurayâm ca

> > dvâravatyâm yatâtmavân

> > uposhya samhitâm etâm

> > pathhitvâ mucyate bhayât

> > pushkare-at the holy place Pushkara; mathurâyâm-at Mathurâ; ca-and; dvâravatyâm-at Dvârakâ; yata-âtma-vân-self-controlled; uposhya-fasting; samhitâm-literature; etâm-this; pathhitvâ-reciting; mucyate-one becomes freed; bhayât-from fear.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One who controls his mind, fasts at the holy places Pushkara, Mathurâ or Dvârakâ, and studies this scripture will be freed from all fear.

> > *****

> > TEXT 62

> > devatâ munayah siddhâh

> > pitaro manavo nripâh

> > yacchanti kâmân grinatah

> > s'rinvato yasya kîrtanât

> > devatâh-the demigods; munayah-the sages; siddhâh-the perfected yogîs; pitarah-the forefathers; manavah-the progenitors of mankind; nripah-the kings of the earth; yacchanti-bestow; kâmân-desires; grinatah-to one who is chanting; s'rinvatah-or who is hearing; yasya-of which; kîrtanât-because of the glorification.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Upon the person who glorifies this Purâna by chanting or hearing it, the demigods, sages, Siddhas, Pitâs, Manus and kings of the earth bestow all desirable things.

> > *****

> > TEXT 63

> > rico yajûmshi sâmâni

> > dvijo 'dhîtyânuvindate

> > madhu-kulyâ ghrita-kulyâh

> > payah-kulyâs' ca tat phalam

> > ricah-the mantras of the Rig Veda; yajûmshi-those of the Yajur Veda; sâmâni-and those of the Sâma Veda; dvijah-a brâhmana; adhîtya-studying; anuvindate-obtains; madhu-kulyâh-rivers of honey; ghrita-kulyâh-rivers of ghee; payah-kulyâh-rivers of milk; ca-and; tat-that; phalam-fruit.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By studying this Bhâgavatam, a brâhmana can enjoy the same rivers of honey, ghee and milk he enjoys by studying the hymns of the Rig, Yajur and Sâma Vedas.

> > *****

> > TEXT 64

> > purâna-samhitâm etâm

> > adhîtya prayato dvijah

> > proktam bhagavatâ yat tu

> > tat padam paramam vrajet

> > purâna-samhitâm-essential compilation of all the Purânas; etâm-this; adhîtya-studying; prayatah-carefully; dvijah-a brâhmana; proktam-described; bhagavatâ-by the Personality of Godhead; yat-which; tu-indeed; tat-that; padam-position; paramam-supreme; vrajet-he attains.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A brâhmana who diligently reads this essential compilation of all the Purânas will go to the supreme destination, which the Supreme Lord Himself has herein described.

> > *****

> > TEXT 65

> > vipro 'dhîtyâpnuyât prajn'âm

> > râjanyodadhi-mekhalâm

> > vais'yo nidhi-patitvam ca

> > s'ûdrah s'udhyeta pâtakât

> > viprah-a brâhmana; adhîtya-studying; âpnuyât-achieves; prajn'âm-intelligence in devotional service; râjanya-a king; udadhi-mekhalâm-(the earth) bounded by the seas; vais'yah-a businessman; nidhi-of treasures; patitvam-lordship; ca-and; s'ûdrah-a worker; s'udhyeta-becomes purified; pâtakât-from sinful reactions.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A brâhmana who studies the S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam achieves firm intelligence in devotional service, a king who studies it gains sovereignty over the earth, a vais'ya acquires great treasure and a s'ûdra is freed from sinful reactions.

> > *****

> > TEXT 66

> > kali-mala-samhati-kâlano 'khiles'o

> > harir itaratra na gîyate hy abhîkshnam

> > iha tu punar bhagavân as'esha-mûrtih

> > paripathhito 'nu-padam kathâ-prasangaih

> > kali-of the age of quarrel; mala-samhati-of all the contamination; kâlanah-the annihilator; akhila-îs'ah-the supreme controller of all beings; harih-Lord Hari; itaratra-elsewhere; na gîyate-is not described; hi-indeed; abhîkshnam-constantly; iha-here; tu-however; punah-on the other hand; bhagavân-the Personality of Godhead; as'esha-mûrtih-who expands in unlimited personal forms; paripathhitah-is openly described in narration; anu-padam-in each and every verse; kathâ-prasangaih-on the pretext of stories.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Hari, the supreme controller of all beings, annihilates the accumulated sins of the Kali age, yet other literatures do not constantly glorify Him. But that Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing in His innumerable personal expansions, is abundantly and constantly described throughout the various narrations of this S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam.

> > *****

> > TEXT 67

> > tam aham ajam anantam âtma-tattvam

> > jagad-udaya-sthiti-samyamâtma-s'aktim

> > dyu-patibhir aja-s'akra-s'ankarâdyair

> > duravasita-stavam acyutam nato 'smi

> > tam-to Him; aham-I; ajam-to the unborn; anantam-the unlimited; âtma-tattvam-the original Supersoul; jagat-of the material universe; udaya-the creation; sthiti-maintenance; samyama-and destruction; âtma-s'aktim-by whose personal energies; dyu-patibhih-by the masters of heaven; aja-s'akra-s'ankara-âdyaih-headed by Brahmâ, Indra and S'iva; duravasita-incomprehensible; stavam-whose praises; acyutam-to the infallible Supreme Lord; natah-bowed down; asmi-I am.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I bow down to that unborn and infinite Supreme Soul, whose personal energies effect the creation, maintenance and destruction of the material universe. Even Brahmâ, Indra, S'ankara and the other lords of the heavenly planets cannot fathom the glories of that infallible Personality of Godhead.

> > *****

> > TEXT 68

> > upacita-nava-s'aktibhih sva âtmany

> > uparacita-sthira-jangamâlayâya

> > bhagavata upalabdhi-mâtra-dhamne

> > sura-rishabhâya namah sanâtanâya

> > upacita-fully developed; nava-s'aktibhih-by His nine energies (prakriti, purusha, mahat, false ego and the five subtle forms of perception); sve âtmani-within Himself; uparacita-arranged in proximity; sthira jangama-of both the nonmoving and the moving living beings; âlayâya-the abode; bhagavate-to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; upalabhdhi-mâtra-pure consciousness; dhâmne-whose manifestation; sura-of deities; rishabhâya-the chief; namah-my obeisances; sanâtanâya-to the eternal Lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I offer my obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the eternal Lord and the leader of all other deities, who by evolving His nine material energies has arranged within Himself the abode of all moving and nonmoving creatures, and who is always situated in pure, transcendental consciousness.

> > *****

> > SB 12.12.69

> > TEXT 69

> > sva-sukha-nibhrita-cetâs tad-vyudastânya-bhâvo

> > 'py ajita-rucira-lîlâkrishtha-sâras tadîyam

> > vyatanuta kripayâ yas tattva-dîpam purânam

> > tam akhila-vrijina-ghnam vyâsa-sûnum nato 'smi

> > sva-sukha-in the happiness of the self; nibhrita-solitary; cetâh-whose consciousness; tat-because of that; vyudasta-given up; anya-bhâvah-any other type of consciousness; api-although; ajita-of S'rî Krishna, the unconquerable Lord; rucira-pleasing; lîlâ-by the pastimes; âkrishtha-attracted; sârah-whose heart; tadîyam-consisting of the activities of the Lord; vyatanuta-spread, manifested; kripayâ-mercifully; yah-who; tattva-dîpam-the bright light of the Absolute Truth; purânam-the Purâna (S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam); tam-unto Him; akhila-vrijina-ghnam-defeating everything inauspicious; vyâsa-sûnum-son of Vyâsadeva; natah asmi-I offer my obeisances.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the son of Vyâsadeva, S'ukadeva Gosvâmî. It is he who defeats all inauspicious things within this universe. Although in the beginning he was absorbed in the happiness of Brahman realization and was living in a secluded place, giving up all other types of consciousness, he became attracted by the pleasing, most melodious pastimes of Lord S'rî Krishna. He therefore mercifully spoke this supreme Purâna, S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam, which is the bright light of the Absolute Truth and which describes the activities of the Lord.

> > PURPORT

> > Without offering respectful obeisances to S'ukadeva Gosvâmî and other great âcâryas in his line, one cannot possibly gain the privilege of entering into the deep transcendental meaning of S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam.

> > Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupâda to the Twelfth Canto, Twelfth Chapter, of the S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam, entitled "The Topics of S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam Summarized."

> > *****

> > SB 12.13: The Glories of S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam

> > > Back to the running text