> > S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 1
> > 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 1: 'Creation'

> > ******

> > Chapter Nineteen: The Appearance of S'ukadeva Gosvâmî

> > TEXT 1

> > sûta uvâca

> > mahî-patis tv atha tat-karma garhyam

> > vicintayann âtma-kritam sudurmanâh

> > aho mayâ nîcam anârya-vat kritam

> > nirâgasi brahmani gûdha-tejasi-

> > sûtah uvâca--Sûta Gosvâmî said; mahî-patih--the King; tu--but; atha--thus (while coming back home); tat--that; karma--act; garhyam--abominable; vicintayan--thus thinking; âtma-kritam--done by himself; su-durmanâh--very much depressed; aho--alas; mayâ--by me; nîcam--heinous; anârya--uncivilized; vat--like; kritam--done; nirâgasi--unto one who is faultless; brahmani--unto a brâhmana; gûdha--grave; tejasi--unto the powerful.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Sûta Gosvâmî said: While returning home, the King [Mahârâja Parîkshit] felt that the act he had committed against the faultless and powerful brâhmana was heinous and uncivilized. Consequently he was distressed.

> > ******

> > TEXT 2

> > dhruvam tato me krita-deva-helanâd

> > duratyayam vyasanam nâti-dîrghât

> > tad astu kâmam hy agha-niskritâya me

> > yathâ na kuryâm punar evam addhâ

> > dhruvam--sure and certain; tatah--therefore; me--my; krita-deva-helanât--because of disobeying the orders of the Lord; duratyayam--very difficult; vyasanam--calamity; na--not; ati--greatly; dîrghât--far off; tat--that; astu--let it be; kâmam--desire without reservations; hi--certainly; agha--sins; nishkritâya--for getting free; me--my; yathâ--so that; na--never; kuryâm--shall I do it; punah--again; evam--as I have done; addhâ--directly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [King Parîkshit thought:] Due to my neglecting the injunctions of the Supreme Lord I must certainly expect some difficulty to overcome me in the near future. I now desire without reservation that the calamity come now, for in this way I may be freed of the sinful action and not commit such an offense again.

> > ******

> > TEXT 3

> > adyaiva râjyam balam riddha-kos'am

> > prakopita-brahma-kulânalo me

> > dahatv abhadrasya punar na me 'bhût

> > pâpîyasî dhîr dvija-deva-gobhyah

> > adya--this day; eva--on the very; râjyam--kingdom; balam riddha--strength and riches; kos'am--treasury; prakopita--ignited by; brahma-kula--by the brahmana community; analah--fire; me dahatu--let it burn me; abhadrasya--inauspiciousness; punah--again; na--not; me--unto me; abhût--may occur; pâpîyasî--sinful; dhîh--intelligence; dvija--brâhmanas; deva--the Supreme Lord; gobhyah--and the cows.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I am uncivilized and sinful due to my neglect of brahminical culture, God consciousness and cow protection. Therefore I wish that my kingdom, strength and riches burn up immediately by the fire of the brâhmana's wrath so that in the future I may not be guided by such inauspicious attitudes.

> > ******

> > TEXT 4

> > sa cintayann ittham athâs'rinod yathâ

> > muneh sutokto nirritis takshakâkhyah

> > sa sâdhu mene na cirena takshakâ-

> > nalam prasaktasya virakti-kâranam

> > sah--he, the King; cintayan--thinking; ittham--like this; atha--now; as'rinot--heard; yathâ--as; muneh--of the sage; suta-uktah--uttered by the son; nirritih--death; takshaka-âkhyah--in relation with the snake-bird; sah--he (the King); sâdhu--well and good; mene--accepted; na--not; cirena--very long time; takshaka--snake-bird; analam--fire; prasaktasya--for one who is too attached; virakti--indifference; kâranam--cause.

> > TRANSLATION

> > While the King was thus repenting, he received news of his imminent death, which would be due to the bite of a snake-bird, occasioned by the curse spoken by the sage's son. The King accepted this as good news, for it would be the cause of his indifference toward worldly things.

> > ******

> > TEXT 5

> > atho vihâyemam amum ca lokam

> > vimars'itau heyatayâ purastât

> > krishnânghri-sevâm adhimanyamâna

> > upâvis'at prâyam amartya-nadyâm

> > atho--thus; vihâya--giving up; imam--this; amum--and the next; ca--also; lokam--planets; vimars'itau--all of them being judged; heyatayâ--because of inferiority; purastât--hereinbefore; krishna-anghri--the lotus feet of the Lord, S'rî Krishna; sevâm--transcendental loving service; adhimanyamânah--one who thinks of the greatest of all achievements; upâvis'at--sat down firmly; prâyam--for fasting; amartya-nadyâm--on the bank of the transcendental river (the Ganges or the Yamunâ).

> > TRANSLATION

> > Mahârâja Parîkshit sat down firmly on the banks of the Ganges to concentrate his mind in Krishna consciousness, rejecting all other practices of self-realization, because transcendental loving service to Krishna is the greatest achievement, superseding all other methods.

> > ******

> > TEXT 6

> > yâ vai lasac-chrî-tulasî-vimis'ra-

> > krishnânghri-renv-abhyadhikâmbu-netrî

> > punâti lokân ubhayatra ses'ân

> > kas tâm na seveta marishyamânah

> > ya--the river which; vai--always; lasat--floating with; sri-tulasi--tulasi leaves; vimisra--mixed; Krishna-anghri--the lotus feet of the Lord, S'rî Krishna; renu--dust; abhyadhika--auspicious; ambu--water; netrî--that which is carrying; punâti--sanctifies; lokân--planets; ubhayatra--both the upper and lower or inside and outside; sa-îs'ân--along with Lord S'iva; kah--who else; tâm--that river; na--does not; seveta--worship; marishyamânah--one who is to die at any moment.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The river [Ganges, by which the King sat to fast] carries the most auspicious water, which is mixed with the dust of the lotus feet of the Lord and tulasî leaves. Therefore that water sanctifies the three worlds inside and outside and even sanctifies Lord S'iva and other demigods. Consequently everyone who is destined to die must take shelter of this river.

> > ******

> > TEXT 7

> > iti vyavacchidya sa pândaveyah

> > prâyopaves'am prati vishnu-padyâm

> > dadhau mukundânghrim ananya-bhâvo

> > muni-vrato mukta-samasta-sangah

> > iti--thus; vyavacchidya--having decided; sah--the King; pândaveyah--worthy descendant of the Pândavas; prâya-upaves'am--for fasting until death; prati--toward; vishnu-padyâm--on the bank of the Ganges (emanating from the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu); dadhau--gave himself up; mukunda-anghrim--unto the lotus feet of Lord Krishna; ananya--without deviation; bhâvah--spirit; muni-vratah--with the vows of a sage; mukta--liberated from; samasta--all kinds of; sangah--association.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus the King, the worthy descendant of the Pândavas, decided once and for all and sat on the Ganges' bank to fast until death and give himself up to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, who alone is able to award liberation. So, freeing himself from all kinds of associations and attachments, he accepted the vows of a sage.

> > ******

> > TEXT 8

> > tatropajagmur bhuvanam punânâ

> > mahânubhâvâ munayah sa-s'ishyâh

> > prâyena tîrthâbhigamâpades'aih

> > svayam hi tîrthâni punanti santah

> > tatra--there; upajagmuh--arrived; bhuvanam--the universe; punânâh--those who can sanctify; mahâ-anubhâvâh--great minds; munayah--thinkers; sa-s'ishyâh--along with their disciples; prâyena--almost; tîrtha--place of pilgrimage; abhigama--journey; apades'aih--on the plea of; svayam--personally; hi--certainly; tîrthâni--all the places of pilgrimage; punanti--sanctify; santah--sages.

> > TRANSLATION

> > At that time all the great minds and thinkers, accompanied by their disciples, and sages who could verily sanctify a place of pilgrimage just by their presence, arrived there on the plea of making a pilgrim's journey.

> > ******

> > TEXT 9-10

> > atrir vasishthhas' cyavanah s'aradvân

> > arishthanemir bhrigur angirâs' ca

> > parâs'aro gâdhi-suto 'tha râma

> > utathya indrapramadedhmavâhau

> > medhâtithir devala ârshthiseno

> > bhâradvâjo gautamah pippalâdah

> > maitreya aurvah kavashah kumbhayonir

> > dvaipâyano bhagavân nâradas' ca

> > atri to nârada--all names of the different saintly personalities who arrived there from different parts of the universe.

> > TRANSLATION

> > From different parts of the universe there arrived great sages like Atri, Cyavana, S'aradvân, Arishthanemi, Bhrigu, Vasishthha, Parâs'ara, Vis'vâmitra, Angirâ, Paras'urâma, Utathya, Indrapramada, Idhmavâhu, Medhâtithi, Devala, Ârshthisena, Bhâradvâja, Gautama, Pippalâda, Maitreya, Aurva, Kavasha, Kumbhayoni, Dvaipâyana and the great personality Nârada.

> > ******

> > TEXT 11

> > anye ca devarshi-brahmarshi-varyâ

> > râjarshi-varyâ arunâdayas' ca

> > nânârsheya-pravarân sametân

> > abhyarcya râjâ s'irasâ vavande

> > anye--many others; ca--also; devarshi--saintly demigods; brahmarshi--saintly brâhmanas; varyâh--topmost; râjarshi-varyâh--topmost saintly kings; aruna-âdayah--a special rank of râjarshis; ca--and; nânâ--many others; ârsheya-pravarân--chief amongst the dynasties of the sages; sametân--assembled together; abhyarcya--by worshiping; râjâ--the Emperor; s'irasâ--bowed his head to the ground; vavande--welcomed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > There were also many other saintly demigods, kings and special royal orders called arunâdayas [a special rank of râjarshis] from different dynasties of sages. When they all assembled together to meet the Emperor [Parîkshit ], he received them properly and bowed his head to the ground.

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > sukhopavishtheshv atha teshu bhûyah

> > krita-pranâmah sva-cikîrshitam yat

> > vijnâpayâm âsa vivikta-cetâ

> > upasthito 'gre 'bhigrihîta-pânih

> > sukha--happily; upavishtheshu--all sitting down; atha--thereupon; teshu--unto them (the visitors); bhûyah--again; krita-pranâmah--having offered obeisances; sva--his own; cikîrshitam--decision of fasting; yat--who; vijnâpayâm âsa--submitted; vivikta-cetâh--one whose mind is detached from worldly affairs; upasthitah--being present; agre--before them; abhigrihîta-pânih--humbly with folded hands.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After all the rishis and others had seated themselves comfortably, the King, humbly standing before them with folded hands, told them of his decision to fast until death.

> > ******

> > TEXT 13

> > râjovâca

> > aho vayam dhanyatamâ nripânâm

> > mahattamânugrahanîya-s'îlâh

> > râjnâm kulam brâhmana-pâda-s'aucâd

> > dûrâd visrishtham bata garhya-karma

> > râjâ uvâca--the fortunate King said; aho--ah; vayam--we; dhanya-tamâh--most thankful; nripânâm--of all the kings; mahat-tama--of the great souls; anugrahanîya-s'îlâh--trained to get favors; râjnâm--of the royal; kulam--orders; brâhmana-pâda--feet of the brâhmanas; s'aucât--refuse after cleaning; dûrât--at a distance; visrishtham--always left out; bata--on account of; garhya--condemnable; karma--activities.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The fortunate King said: Indeed, we are the most grateful of all the kings who are trained to get favors from the great souls. Generally you [sages] consider royalty as refuse to be rejected and left in a distant place.

> > ******

> > TEXT 14

> > tasyaiva me 'ghasya parâvares'o

> > vyâsakta-cittasya griheshv abhîkshnam

> > nirveda-mûlo dvija-s'âpa-rûpo

> > yatra prasakto bhayam âs'u dhatte

> > tasya--his; eva--certainly; me--mine; aghasya--of the sinful; parâ--transcendental; avara--mundane; îs'ah--controller, the Supreme Lord; vyâsakta--overly attached; cittasya--of the mind; griheshu--to family affairs; abhîkshnam--always; nirveda-mûlah--the source of detachment; dvija-s'âpa--cursing by the brâhmana; rûpah--form of; yatra--whereupon; prasaktah--one who is affected; bhayam--fearfulness; âs'u--very soon; dhatte--take place.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the controller of both the transcendental and mundane worlds, has graciously overtaken me in the form of a brâhmana's curse. Due to my being too much attached to family life, the Lord, in order to save me, has appeared before me in such a way that only out of fear I will detach myself from the world.

> > ******

> > TEXT 15

> > tam mopayâtam pratiyantu viprâ

> > gangâ ca devî dhrita-cittam îs'e

> > dvijopasrishthah kuhakas takshako vâ

> > das'atv alam gâyata vishnu-gâthâh

> > tam--for that reason; mâ--me; upayâtam--taken shelter of; pratiyantu--just accept me; viprâh--o brâhmanas; gangâ--mother Ganges; ca--also; devî--direct representative of the Lord; dhrita--taken into; cittam--heart; îs'e--unto the Lord; dvija-upasrishthah--created by the brâhmana; kuhakah--something magical; takshakah--the snakebird; vâ--either; das'atu--let it bite; alam--without further delay; gâyata--please go on singing; vishnu-gâthâh--narration of the deeds of Vishnu.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O brâhmanas, just accept me as a completely surrendered soul, and let mother Ganges, the representative of the Lord, also accept me in that way, for I have already taken the lotus feet of the Lord into my heart. Let the snake-bird--or whatever magical thing the brâhmana created--bite me at once. I only desire that you all continue singing the deeds of Lord Vishnu.

> > ******

> > TEXT 16

> > punas' ca bhûyâd bhagavaty anante

> > ratih prasangas' ca tad-âs'rayeshu

> > mahatsu yâm yâm upayâmi srishthim

> > maitry astu sarvatra namo dvijebhyah

> > punah--again; ca--and; bhûyât--let it be; bhagavati--unto Lord S'rî Krishna; anante--who has unlimited potency; ratih--attracting; prasangah--association; ca--also; tat--His; âs'rayeshu--with those who are His devotees; mahatsu--within the material creation; yâm yâm--wherever; upayâmi--I may take; srishthim--my birth; maitrî--friendly relation; astu--let it be; sarvatra--everywhere; namah--my obeisances; dvijebhyah--unto the brâhmanas.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Again, offering obeisances unto all you brâhmanas, I pray that if I should again take my birth in the material world I will have complete attachment to the unlimited Lord Krishna, association with His devotees and friendly relations with all living beings.

> > ******

> > TEXT 17

> > iti sma râjâdhyavasâya-yuktah

> > prâcîna-mûleshu kus'eshu dhîrah

> > udan-mukho dakshina-kûla âste

> > samudra-patnyâh sva-suta-nyasta-bhârah

> > iti--thus; sma--as in the past; râjâ--the King; adhyavasâya--perseverance; yuktah--being engaged; prâcîna--eastern; mûleshu--with the root; kus'eshu--on a seat made of kus'a straw; dhîrah--self-controlled; udak-mukhah--facing the northern side; dakshina--on the southern; kûle--bank; âste--situated; samudra--the sea; patnyâh--wife of (the Ganges); sva--own; suta--son; nyasta--given over; bhârah--the charge of administration.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In perfect self-control, Mahârâja Parîkshit sat down on a seat of straw, with straw-roots facing the east, placed on the southern bank of the Ganges, and he himself faced the north. Just previously he had given charge of his kingdom over to his son.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > evam ca tasmin nara-deva-deve

> > prâyopavishthe divi deva-sanghâh

> > pras'asya bhûmau vyakiran prasûnair

> > mudâ muhur dundubhayas' ca neduh

> > evam--thus; ca--and; tasmin--in that; nara-deva-deve--upon the King's; prâya-upavishthe--being engaged in fasting to death; divi--in the sky; deva--demigods; sanghâh--all of them; pras'asya--having praised the action; bhûmau--on the earth; vyakiran--scattered; prasûnaih--with flowers; mudâ--in pleasure; muhuh--continually; dundubhayah--celestial drums; ca--also; neduh--beaten.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus the King, Mahârâja Parîkshit, sat to fast until death. All the demigods of the higher planets praised the King's actions and in pleasure continually scattered flowers over the earth and beat celestial drums.

> > ******

> > TEXT 19

> > maharshayo vai samupâgatâ ye

> > pras'asya sâdhv ity anumodamânâh

> > ûcuh prajânugraha-s'îla-sârâ

> > yad uttama-s'loka-gunâbhirûpam

> > maharshayah--the great sages; vai--as a matter of course; samupâgatâh--assembled there; ye--those who; pras'asya--by praising; sâdhu--quite all right; iti--thus; anumodamânâh--all approving; ûcuh--said; prajâ-anugraha--doing good to the living being; s'îla-sârâh--qualitatively powerful; yat--because; uttama-s'loka--one who is praised by selected poems; guna-abhirûpam--as beautiful as godly qualities.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All the great sages who were assembled there also praised the decision of Mahârâja Parîkshit and they expressed their approval by saying, "Very good." Naturally the sages are inclined to do good to common men, for they have all the qualitative powers of the Supreme Lord. Therefore they were very much pleased to see Mahârâja Parîkshit, a devotee of the Lord, and they spoke as follows.

> > ******

> > TEXT 20

> > na vâ idam râjarshi-varya citram

> > bhavatsu krishnam samanuvrateshu

> > ye 'dhyâsanam râja-kirîta jushtham

> > sadyo jahur bhagavat-pârs'va-kâmâh

> > na--neither; vâ--like this; idam--this; râjarshi--saintly king; varya--the chief; citram--astonishing; bhavatsu--unto all of you; krishnam--Lord Krishna; samanuvrateshu--unto those who are strictly in the line of; ye--who; adhyâsanam--seated on the throne; râja-kirîta--helmets of kings; jushtham--decorated; sadyah--immediately; jahuh--gave up; bhagavat--the Personality of Godhead; pârs'va-kâmâh--desiring to achieve association.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [The sages said:] O chief of all the saintly kings of the Pându dynasty who are strictly in the line of Lord S'rî Krishna! It is not at all astonishing that you give up your throne, which is decorated with the helmets of many kings, to achieve eternal association with the Personality of Godhead.

> > ******

> > TEXT 21

> > sarve vayam tâvad ihâsmahe 'tha

> > kalevaram yâvad asau vihâya

> > lokam param virajaskam vis'okam

> > yâsyaty ayam bhâgavata-pradhânah

> > sarve--all; vayam--of us; tâvat--as long as; iha--at this place; âsmahe--shall stay; atha--hereafter; kalevaram--the body; yâvat--so long; asau--the King; vihâya--giving up; lokam--the planet; param--the supreme; virajaskam--completely free from mundane contamination; vis'okam--completely freed from all kinds of lamentation; yâsyati--returns; ayam--this; bhâgavata--devotee; pradhânah--the foremost.

> > TRANSLATION

> > We shall all wait here until the foremost devotee of the Lord, Mahârâja Parîkshit , returns to the supreme planet, which is completely free from all mundane contamination and all kinds of lamentation.

> > ******

> > TEXT 22

> > âs'rutya tad rishi-gana-vacah parîkshit

> > samam madhu-cyud guru câvyalîkam

> > âbhâshatainân abhinandya yuktân

> > s'us'rûshamânas' caritâni vishnoh

> > âs'rutya--just after hearing; tat--that; rishi-gana--the sages assembled; vacah--speaking; parîkshit --Mahârâja Parîkshit ; samam--impartial; madhu-cyut--sweet to hear; guru--grave; ca--also; avyalîkam--perfectly true; âbhâshata--said; enân--all of them; abhinandya--congratulated; yuktân--appropriately presented; s'us'rûshamânah--being desirous to hear; caritâni--activities of; vishnoh--the Personality of Godhead.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All that was spoken by the great sages was very sweet to hear, full of meaning and appropriately presented as perfectly true. So after hearing them, Mahârâja Parîkshit, desiring to hear of the activities of Lord S'rî Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, congratulated the great sages.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > samâgatâh sarvata eva sarve

> > vedâ yathâ mûrti-dharâs tri-prishthhe

> > nehâtha nâmutra ca kas'canârtha

> > rite parânugraham âtma-s'îlam

> > samâgatâh--assembled; sarvatah--from all directions; eva--certainly; sarve--all of you; vedâh--supreme knowledge; yathâ--as; mûrti-dharâh--personified; tri-prishthhe--on the planet of Brahmâ (which is situated above the three planetary systems, namely the upper, intermediate and lower worlds); na--not; iha--in this world; atha--thereafter; na--nor; amutra--in the other world; ca--also; kas'cana--any other; arthah--interest; rite--save and except; para--others; anugraham--doing good to; âtma-s'îlam--own nature.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The King said: O great sages, you have all very kindly assembled here, having come from all parts of the universe. You are all as good as supreme knowledge personified, who resides in the planet above the three worlds [Satyaloka]. Consequently you are naturally inclined to do good to others, and but for this you have no interest, either in this life or in the next.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > tatas' ca vah pricchyam imam vipricche

> > vis'rabhya viprâ iti krityatâyâm

> > sarvâtmanâ mriyamânais' ca krityam

> > s'uddham ca tatrâmris'atâbhiyuktâh

> > tatah--as such; ca--and; vah--unto you; pricchyam--that which is to be asked; imam--this; vipricche--beg to ask you; vis'rabhya--trustworthy; viprâh--brâhmanas; iti--thus; krityatâyâm--out of all different duties; sarva-âtmanâ--by everyone; mriyamânaih--especially those who are just about to die; ca--and; krityam--dutiful; s'uddham--perfectly correct; ca--and; tatra--therein; âmris'ata--by complete deliberation; abhiyuktâh--just befitting.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O trustworthy brâhmanas, I now ask you about my immediate duty. Please, after proper deliberation, tell me of the unalloyed duty of everyone in all circumstances, and specifically of those who are just about to die.

> > ******

> > TEXT 25

> > tatrâbhavad bhagavân vyâsa-putro

> > yadricchayâ gâm athamâno 'napekshah

> > alakshya-lingo nija-lâbha-tushtho

> > vritas' ca bâlair avadhûta-veshah

> > tatra--there; abhavat--appeared; bhagavân--powerful; vyâsa-putrah--son of Vyâsadeva; yadricchayâ--as one desires; gâm--the earth; athamânah--while traveling; anapekshah--disinterested; alakshya--unmanifested; lingah--symptoms; nija-lâbha--self-realized; tushthah--satisfied; vritah--surrounded; ca--and; bâlaih--by children; avadhûta--neglected by others; veshah--dressed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > At that moment there appeared the powerful son of Vyâsadeva, who traveled over the earth disinterested and satisfied with himself. He did not manifest any symptoms of belonging to any social order or status of life. He was surrounded with women and children, and he dressed as if others had neglected him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 26

> > tam dvyashtha-varsham su-kumâra-pâda-

> > karoru-bâhv-amsa-kapola-gâtram

> > cârv-âyatâkshonnasa-tulya-karna-

> > subhrv-ânanam kambu-sujâta-kanthham

> > tam--him; dvi-ashtha--sixteen; varsham--years; su-kumâra--delicate; pâda--legs; kara--hands; ûru--thighs; bâhu--arms; amsa--shoulders; kapola--forehead; gâtram--body; câru--beautiful; âyata--broad; aksha--eyes; unnasa--high nose; tulya--similar; karna--ears; subhru--nice brows; ânanam--face; kambu--conchshell; sujâta--nicely built; kanthham--neck.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This son of Vyâsadeva was only sixteen years old. His legs, hands, thighs, arms, shoulders, forehead and the other parts of his body were all delicately formed. His eyes were beautifully wide, and his nose and ears were highly raised. He had a very attractive face, and his neck was well formed and beautiful like a conchshell.

> > ******

> > TEXT 27

> > nigûdha-jatrum prithu-tunga-vakshasam

> > âvarta-nâbhim vali-valgûdaram ca

> > dig-ambaram vaktra-vikîrna-kes'am

> > pralamba-bâhum svamarottamâbham

> > nigûdha--covered; jatrum--collarbone; prithu--broad; tunga--swollen; vakshasam--chest; âvarta--whirled; nâbhim--navel; vali-valgu--striped; udaram--abdomen; ca--also; dik-ambaram--dressed by all directions (naked); vaktra--curled; vikîrna--scattered; kes'am--hair; pralamba--elongated; bâhum--hands; su-amara-uttama--the best among the gods (Krishna); âbham--hue.

> > TRANSLATION

> > His collarbone was fleshy, his chest broad and thick, his navel deep and his abdomen beautifully striped. His arms were long, and curly hair was strewn over his beautiful face. He was naked, and the hue of his body reflected that of Lord Krishna.

> > ******

> > TEXT 28

> > s'yâmam sadâpîvya-vayo-'nga-lakshmyâ

> > strînâm mano-jnam rucira-smitena

> > pratyutthitâs te munayah svâsanebhyas

> > tal-lakshana-jnâ api gûdha-varcasam

> > s'yâmam--blackish; sadâ--always; apîvya--excessively; vayah--age; anga--symptoms; lakshmyâ--by the opulence of; strînâm--of the fair sex; manah-jnam--attractive; rucira--beautiful; smitena--smiling; pratyutthitâh--stood up; te--all of them; munayah--the great sages; sva--own; âsanebhyah--from the seats; tat--those; lakshana-jnâh--expert in the art of physiognomy; api--even; gûdha-varcasam--covered glories.

> > TRANSLATION

> > He was blackish and very beautiful due to his youth. Because of the glamor of his body and his attractive smiles, he was pleasing to women. Though he tried to cover his natural glories, the great sages present there were all expert in the art of physiognomy, and so they honored him by rising from their seats.

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > sa vishnu-râto 'tithaya âgatâya

> > tasmai saparyâm s'irasâjahâra

> > tato nivrittâ hy abudhâh striyo 'rbhakâ

> > mahâsane sopavives'a pûjitah

> > sah--he; vishnu-râtah--Mahârâja Parîkshit (who is always protected by Lord Vishnu); atithaye--to become a guest; âgatâya--one who arrived there; tasmai--unto him; saparyâm--with the whole body; s'irasâ--with bowed head; âjahâra--offered obeisances; tatah--thereafter; nivrittâh--ceased; hi--certainly; abudhâh--less intelligent; striyah--women; arbhakâh--boys; mahâ-âsane--exalted seat; sa--he; upavives'a--sat down; pûjitah--being respected.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Mahârâja Parîkshit, who is also known as Vishnurâta [one who is always protected by Vishnu], bowed his head to receive the chief guest, S'ukadeva Gosvâmî. At that time all the ignorant women and boys ceased following S'rîla S'ukadeva. Receiving respect from all, S'ukadeva Gosvâmî took his exalted seat.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > sa samvritas tatra mahân mahîyasâm

> > brahmarshi-râjarshi-devarshi-sanghaih

> > vyarocatâlam bhagavân yathendur

> > graharksha-târâ-nikaraih parîtah

> > sah--S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî; samvritah--surrounded by; tatra--there; mahân--great; mahîyasâm--of the greatest; brahmarshi--saint among the brâhmanas; râjarshi--saint among the kings; devarshi--saint among the demigods; sanghaih--by the assembly of; vyarocata--well deserved; alam--able; bhagavân--powerful; yathâ--as; induh--the moon; graha--planets; riksha--heavenly bodies; târâ--stars; nikaraih--by the assembly of; parîtah--surrounded by.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî was then surrounded by saintly sages and demigods just as the moon is surrounded by stars, planets and other heavenly bodies. His presence was gorgeous, and he was respected by all.

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > pras'ântam âsînam akunthha-medhasam

> > munim nripo bhâgavato 'bhyupetya

> > pranamya mûrdhnâvahitah kritânjalir

> > natvâ girâ sûnritayânvapricchat

> > pras'ântam--perfectly pacified; âsînam--sitting; akunthha--without hesitation; medhasam--one who has sufficient intelligence; munim--unto the great sage; nripah--the King (Mahârâja Parîkshit); bhâgavatah--the great devotee; abhyupetya--approaching him; pranamya--bowing down; mûrdhnâ--his head; avahitah--properly; krita-anjalih--with folded hands; natvâ--politely, girâ--by words; sûnritayâ--in sweet voices; anvapricchat--inquired.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The sage S'rî Sukadeva Gosvâmî sat perfectly pacified, intelligent and ready to answer any question without hesitation. The great devotee, Mahârâja Parîkshit, approached him, offered his respects by bowing before him, and politely inquired with sweet words and folded hands.

> > ******

> > TEXT 32

> > parîkshid uvâca

> > aho adya vayam brahman

> > sat-sevyâh kshatra-bandhavah

> > kripayâtithi-rûpena

> > bhavadbhis tîrthakâh kritâh

> > parîkshit uvâca--the fortunate Mahârâja Parîkshit said; aho--ah; adya--today; vayam--we; brahman--o brâhmana; sat-sevyâh--eligible to serve the devotee; kshatra--the ruling class; bandhavah--friends; kripayâ--by your mercy; atithi-rûpena--in the manner of a guest; bhavadbhih--by your good self; tîrthakâh--qualified for being places of pilgrimage; kritâh--done by you.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The fortunate King Parîkshit said: O brâhmana, by your mercy only, you have sanctified us, making us like unto places of pilgrimage, all by your presence here as my guest. By your mercy, we, who are but unworthy royalty, become eligible to serve the devotee.

> > ******

> > TEXT 33

> > yeshâm samsmaranât pumsâm

> > sadyah s'uddhyanti vai grihâh

> > kim punar dars'ana-spars'a-

> > pâda-s'aucâsanâdibhih

> > yeshâm--of whom; samsmaranât--by remembrance; pumsâm--of a person; sadyah--instantly; s'uddhyanti--cleanses; vai--certainly; grihâh--all houses; kim--what; punah--then; dars'ana--meeting; spars'a--touching; pâda--the feet; s'auca--washing; âsana-âdibhih--by offering a seat, etc.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Simply by our remembering you, our houses become instantly sanctified. And what to speak of seeing you, touching you, washing your holy feet and offering you a seat in our home?

> > ******

> > TEXT 34

> > sânnidhyât te mahâ-yogin

> > pâtakâni mahânty api

> > sadyo nas'yanti vai pumsâm

> > vishnor iva suretarâh

> > sânnidhyât--on account of the presence; te--your; mahâ-yogin--O great mystic; pâtakâni--sins; mahânti--invulnerable; api--in spite of; sadyah--immediately; nas'yanti--vanquished; vai--certainly; pumsâm--of a person; vishnoh--like the presence of the Personality of Godhead; iva--like; sura-itarâh--other than the demigods.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just as the atheist cannot remain in the presence of the Personality of Godhead, so also the invulnerable sins of a man are immediately vanquished in your presence, O saint! O great mystic!

> > ******

> > TEXT 35

> > api me bhagavân prîtah

> > krishnah pându-suta-priyah

> > paitr-svaseya-prîty-artham

> > tad-gotrasyâtta-bândhavah

> > api--definitely; me--unto me; bhagavân--the Personality of Godhead; prîtah--pleased; krishnah--the Lord; pându-suta--the sons of King Pându; priyah--dear; paitr--in relation with the father; svaseya--the sons of the sister; prîti--satisfaction; artham--in the matter of; tat--their; gotrasya--of the descendant; âtta--accepted; bândhavah--as a friend.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, who is very dear to the sons of King Pându, has accepted me as one of those relatives just to please His great cousins and brothers.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > anyathâ te 'vyakta-gater

> > dars'anam nah katham nrinâm

> > nitarâm mriyamânânâm

> > samsiddhasya vanîyasah

> > anyathâ--otherwise; te--your; avyakta-gateh--of one whose movements are invisible; dars'anam--meeting; nah--for us; katham--how; nrinâm--of the people; nitarâm--specifically; mriyamânânâm--of those who are about to die; samsiddhasya--of one who is all-perfect; vanîyasah--voluntary appearance.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Otherwise [without being inspired by Lord Krishna] how is it that you have voluntarily appeared here, though you are moving incognito to the common man and are not visible to us who are on the verge of death?

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > atah pricchâmi samsiddhim

> > yoginâm paramam gurum

> > purushasyeha yat kâryam

> > mriyamânasya sarvathâ

> > atah--therefore; pricchâmi--beg to inquire; samsiddhim--the way of perfection; yoginâm--of the saints; paramam--the supreme; gurum--the spiritual master; purushasya--of a person; iha--in this life; yat--whatever; kâryam--duty; mriyamânasya--of one who is going to die; sarvathâ--in every way.

> > TRANSLATION

> > You are the spiritual master of great saints and devotees. I am therefore begging you to show the way of perfection for all persons, and especially for one who is about to die.

> > ******

> > TEXT 38

> > yac chrotavyam atho japyam

> > yat kartavyam nribhih prabho

> > smartavyam bhajanîyam vâ

> > brûhi yad vâ viparyayam

> > yat--whatever; s'rotavyam--worth hearing; atho--thereof; japyam--chanted; yat--what also; kartavyam--executed; nribhih--by the people in general; prabho--o master; smartavyam--that which is remembered; bhajanîyam--worshipable; vâ--either; brûhi--please explain; yad vâ--what it may be; viparyayam--against the principle.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Please let me know what a man should hear, chant, remember and worship, and also what he should not do. Please explain all this to me.

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > nûnam bhagavato brahman

> > griheshu griha-medhinâm

> > na lakshyate hy avasthânam

> > api go-dohanam kvacit

> > nûnam--because; bhagavatah--of you, who are powerful; brahman--O brâhmana; grihesu--in the houses; griha-medhinâm--of the householders; na--not; lakshyate--are seen; hi--exactly; avasthânam--staying in; api--even; go-dohanam--milking the cow; kvacit--rarely.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O powerful brâhmana, it is said that you hardly stay in the houses of men long enough to milk a cow.

> > ******

> > TEXT 40

> > sûta uvâca

> > evam âbhâshitah prishthah

> > sa râjnâ s'lakshnayâ girâ

> > pratyabhâshata dharma-jno

> > bhagavân bâdarâyanih

> > sûtah uvâca--S'rî Sûta Gosvâmî said; evam--thus; âbhâshitah--being spoken; prishthah--and asked for; sah--he; râjn'â--by the King; s'lakshnayâ--by sweet; girâ--language; pratyabhâshata--began to reply; dharma-jn'ah--one who knows the principles of religion; bhagavân--the powerful personality; bâdarâyanih--son of Vyâsadeva.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Sûta Gosvâmî said: The King thus spoke and questioned the sage, using sweet language. Then the great and powerful personality, the son of Vyâsadeva, who knew the principles of religion, began his reply.

> Back to the running text