> > 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 three: Krishna Is the Source of All Incarnations

> > TEXT 1

> > sûta uvâca

> > jagrihe paurusham rûpam

> > bhagavân mahad-âdibhih

> > sambhûtam shodas'a-kalam

> > âdau loka-sis'rîkshayâ

> > sûtah uvâca--Sûta said; jagrihe--accepted; paurusham--plenary portion as the purusha incarnation; rûpam--form; bhagavân--the Personality of Godhead; mahat-âdibhih--with the ingredients of the material world; sambhûtam--thus there was the creation of; shodas'a-kalam--sixteen primary principles; âdau--in the beginning; loka--the universes; sis'rîkshayâ--on the intention of creating.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sûta said: In the beginning of the creation, the Lord first expanded Himself in the universal form of the purusha incarnation and manifested all the ingredients for the material creation. And thus at first there was the creation of the sixteen principles of material action. This was for the purpose of creating the material universe.

> > ******

> > TEXT 2

> > yasyâmbhasi s'ayânasya

> > yoga-nidrâm vitanvatah

> > nâbhi-hradâmbujâd âsîd

> > brahmâ vis'va-s'rîjâm patih

> > yasya--whose; ambhasi--in the water; s'ayânasya--lying down; yoga-nidrâm--sleeping in meditation; vitanvatah--ministering; nâbhi--navel; hrada--out of the lake; ambujât--from the lotus; âsît--was manifested; brahmâ--the grandfather of the living beings; vis'va--the universe; s'rîjâm--the engineers; patih--master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A part of the purusha lies down within the water of the universe, from the navel lake of His body sprouts a lotus stem, and from the lotus flower atop this stem, Brahmâ, the master of all engineers in the universe, becomes manifest.

> > ******

> > TEXT 3

> > yasyâvayava-samsthânaih

> > kalpito loka-vistarah

> > tad vai bhagavato rûpam

> > vis'uddham sattvam ûrjitam

> > yasya--whose; avayava--bodily expansion; samsthânaih--situated in; kalpitah--is imagined; loka--planets of inhabitants; vistarah--various; tat vai--but that is; bhagavatah--of the Personality of Godhead; rûpam--form; vis'uddham--purely; sattvam--existence; ûrjitam--excellence.

> > TRANSLATION

> > It is believed that all the universal planetary systems are situated on the extensive body of the purusha, but He has nothing to do with the created material ingredients. His body is eternally in spiritual existence par excellence.

> > ******

> > TEXT 4

> > pas'yanty ado rûpam adabhra-cakshushâ

> > sahasra-pâdoru-bhujânanâdbhutam

> > sahasra-mûrdha-s'ravanâkshi-nâsikam

> > sahasra-mauly-ambara-kundalollasat

> > pas'yanti--see; adah--the form of the purusha; rûpam--form; adabhra--perfect; cakshushâ--by the eyes; sahasra-pâda--thousands of legs; ûru--thighs; bhuja-ânana--hands and faces; adbhutam--wonderful; sahasra--thousands of; mûrdha--heads; s'ravana--ears; akshi--eyes; nâsikam--noses; sahasra--thousands; mauli--garlands; ambara--dresses; kundala--earrings; ullasat--all glowing.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The devotees, with their perfect eyes, see the transcendental form of the purusha who has thousands of legs, thighs, arms and faces--all extraordinary. In that body there are thousands of heads, ears, eyes and noses. They are decorated with thousands of helmets and glowing earrings and are adorned with garlands.

> > ******

> > TEXT 5

> > etan nânâvatârânâm

> > nidhânam bîjam avyayam

> > yasyâms'ams'ena s'rîjyante

> > deva-tiryan-narâdayah

> > etat--this (form); nânâ--multifarious; avatârânâm--of the incarnations; nidhânam--source; bîjam--seed; avyayam--indestructible; yasya--whose; ams'a--plenary portion; ams'ena--part of the plenary portion; s'rîjyante--create; deva--demigods; tiryak--animals; nara-âdayah--human beings and others.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This form [the second manifestation of the purusha] is the source and indestructible seed of multifarious incarnations within the universe. From the particles and portions of this form, different living entities, like demigods, men and others, are created.

> > ******

> > TEXT 6

> > sa eva prathamam devah

> > kaumâram sargam âs'ritah

> > cacâra dus'caram brahmâ

> > brahmacaryam akhanditam

> > sah--that; eva--certainly; prathamam--first; devah--Supreme Lord; kaumâram--named the Kumâras (unmarried); sargam--creation; âs'ritah--under; cacâra--performed; dus'caram--very difficult to do; brahmâ--in the order of Brahman; brahmacaryam--under discipline to realize the Absolute (Brahman); akhanditam--unbroken.

> > TRANSLATION

> > First of all, in the beginning of creation, there were the four unmarried sons of Brahmâ [the Kumâras], who, being situated in a vow of celibacy, underwent severe austerities for realization of the Absolute Truth.

> > ******

> > TEXT 7

> > dvitîyam tu bhavâyâsya

> > rasâtala-gatâm mahîm

> > uddharishyann upâdatta

> > yajn'es'ah saukaram vapuh

> > dvitîyam--the second; tu--but; bhavâya--for the welfare; asya--of this earth; rasâtala--of the lowest region; gatâm--having gone; mahîm--the earth; uddharishyan--lifting; upâdatta--established; yajn'es'ah--the proprietor or the supreme enjoyer; saukaram--hoggish; vapuh--incarnation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices accepted the incarnation of a boar [the second incarnation], and for the welfare of the earth He lifted the earth from the nether regions of the universe.

> > ******

> > TEXT 8

> > tritîyam rishi-sargam vai

> > devarshitvam upetya sah

> > tantram sâtvatam âcashtha

> > naishkarmyam karmanâm yatah

> > tritîyam--the third one; rishi-sargam--the millennium of the rsis; vai--certainly; devarshitvam--incarnation of the rishi amongst the demigods; upetya--having accepted; sah--he; tantram--exposition of the Vedas; sâtvatam--which is especially meant for devotional service; âcashtha--collected; naishkarmyam--nonfruitive; karmanâm--of work; yatah--from which.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the millennium of the rishis, the Personality of Godhead accepted the third empowered incarnation in the form of Devarshi Nârada, who is a great sage among the demigods. He collected expositions of the Vedas which deal with devotional service and which inspire nonfruitive action.

> > ******

> > TEXT 9

> > turye dharma-kalâ-sarge

> > nara-nârâyanâv rishî

> > bhûtvâtmopas'amopetam

> > akarot dus'caram tapah

> > turye--in the fourth of the line; dharma-kalâ--wife of Dharmarâja; sarge--being born of; nara-nârâyanau--named Nara and Nârâyana; rishî--sages; bhûtvâ--becoming; âtma-upas'ama--controlling the senses; upetam--for achievement of; akarot--undertook; dus'caram--very strenuous; tapah--penance.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the fourth incarnation, the Lord became Nara and Nârâyana, the twin sons of the wife of King Dharma. Thus He undertook severe and exemplary penances to control the senses.

> > ******

> > TEXT 10

> > pan'camah kapilo nâma

> > siddhes'ah kâla-viplutam

> > provâcâsuraye sânkhyam

> > tattva-grâma-vinirnayam

> > pan'camah--the fifth one; kapilah--Kapila; nâma--of the name; siddhes'ah--the foremost amongst the perfect; kâla--time; viplutam--lost; provâca--said; âsuraye--unto the brâhmana named Âsuri; sânkhyam--metaphysics; tattva-grâma--the sum total of the creative elements; vinirnayam--exposition.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The fifth incarnation, named Lord Kapila, is foremost among perfected beings. He gave an exposition of the creative elements and metaphysics to Âsuri Brâhmana, for in course of time this knowledge had been lost.

> > ******

> > TEXT 11

> > shashthham atrer apatyatvam

> > vritah prâpto 'nasûyayâ

> > ânvîkshikîm alarkâya

> > prahlâdâdibhya ûcivân

> > shashthham--the sixth one; atreh--of Atri; apatyatvam--sonship; vritah--being prayed for; prâptah--obtained; anasûyayâ--by Anasûyâ; ânvîkshikîm--on the subject of transcendence; alarkâya--unto Alarka; prahlâda-âdibhyah--unto Prahlâda and others; ûcivân--spoke.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The sixth incarnation of the purusha was the son of the sage Atri. He was born from the womb of Anasûyâ, who prayed for an incarnation. He spoke on the subject of transcendence to Alarka, Prahlâda and others [Yadu, Haihaya, etc.].

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > tatah saptama âkûtyâm

> > rucer yajn'o 'bhyajâyata

> > sa yâmâdyaih sura-ganair

> > apât svâyambhuvântaram

> > tatah--after that; saptame--the seventh in the line; âkûtyâm--in the womb of Âkûti; ruceh--by Prajâpati Ruci; yajn'ah--the Lord's incarnation as Yajn'a; abhyajâyata--advented; sah--He; yâma-âdyaih--with Yama and others; sura-ganaih--with demigods; apât--ruled; svâyambhuva-antaram--the change of the period of Svâyambhuva Manu.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The seventh incarnation was Yajn'a, the son of Prajâpati Ruci and his wife Âkûti. He controlled the period during the change of the Svâyambhuva Manu and was assisted by demigods such as His son Yama.

> > ******

> > TEXT 13

> > ashthame merudevyâm tu

> > nâbher jâta urukramah

> > dars'ayan vartma dhîrânâm

> > sarvâs'rama-namaskritam

> > ashthame--the eighth of the incarnations; merudevyâm tu--in the womb of Merudevî, the wife of; nâbheh--King Nâbhi; jâtah--took birth; urukramah--the all-powerful Lord; dars'ayan--by showing; vartma--the way; dhîrânâm--of the perfect beings; sarva--all; âs'rama--orders of life; namaskritam--honored by.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The eighth incarnation was King Rishabha, son of King Nâbhi and his wife Merudevî. In this incarnation the Lord showed the path of perfection, which is followed by those who have fully controlled their senses and who are honored by all orders of life.

> > ******

> > TEXT 14

> > rishibhir yâcito bheje

> > navamam pârthivam vapuh

> > dugdhemâm oshadhîr viprâs

> > tenâyam sa us'attamah

> > rishibhih--by the sages; yâcitah--being prayed for; bheje--accepted; navamam--the ninth one; pârthivam--the ruler of the earth; vapuh--body; dugdha--milking; imâm--all these; oshadhîh--products of the earth; viprâh--O brâhmanas; tena--by; ayam--this; sah--he; us'attamah--beautifully attractive.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O brâhmanas, in the ninth incarnation, the Lord, prayed for by sages, accepted the body of a king [Prithu] who cultivated the land to yield various produces, and for that reason the earth was beautiful and attractive.

> > ******

> > TEXT 15

> > rûpam sa jagrihe mâtsyam

> > câkshushodadhi-samplave

> > nâvy âropya mahî-mayyâm

> > apâd vaivasvatam manum

> > rûpam--form; sah--He; jagrihe--accepted; mâtsyam--of a fish; câkshusha--Câkshusha; udadhi--water; samplave--inundation; nâvi--on the boat; âropya--keeping on; mahî--the earth; mayyâm--drowned in; apât--protected; vaivasvatam--Vaivasvata; manum--Manu, the father of man.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When there was a complete inundation after the period of the Câkshusha Manu and the whole world was deep within water, the Lord accepted the form of a fish and protected Vaivasvata Manu, keeping him up on a boat.

> > ******

> > TEXT 16

> > surâsurânâm udadhim

> > mathnatâm mandarâcalam

> > dadhre kamathha-rûpena

> > prishthha ekâdas'e vibhuh

> > sura--the theists; asurânâm--of the atheists; udadhim--in the ocean; mathnatâm--churning; mandarâcalam--the Mandarâcala Hill; dadhre--sustained; kamathha--tortoise; rûpena--in the form of; prishthhe--shell; ekâdas'e--the eleventh in the line; vibhuh--the great.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The eleventh incarnation of the Lord took the form of a tortoise whose shell served as a pivot for the Mandarâcala Hill, which was being used as a churning rod by the theists and atheists of the universe.

> > ******

> > TEXT 17

> > dhânvantaram dvâdas'amam

> > trayodas'amam eva ca

> > apâyayat surân anyân

> > mohinyâ mohayan striyâ

> > dhânvantaram--the incarnation of Godhead named Dhanvantari; dvâdas'amam--the twelfth in the line; trayodas'amam--the thirteenth in the line; eva--certainly; ca--and; apâyayat--gave to drink; surân--the demigods; anyân--others; mohinyâ--by charming beauty; mohayan--alluring; striyâ--in the form of a woman.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the twelfth incarnation, the Lord appeared as Dhanvantari, and in the thirteenth He allured the atheists by the charming beauty of a woman and gave nectar to the demigods to drink.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > caturdas'am nârasimham

> > bibhrad daityendram ûrjitam

> > dadâra karajair ûrâv

> > erakâm katha-krid yathâ

> > caturdas'am--the fourteenth in the line; nâra-simham--the incarnation of the Lord as half-man and half-lion; bibhrat--advented; daitya-indram--the king of the atheists; ûrjitam--strongly built; dadâra--bifurcated; karajaih--by the nails; ûrau--on the lap; erakâm--canes; katha-krit--carpenter; yathâ--just like.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the fourteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as Nrsimha and bifurcated the strong body of the atheist Hiranyakashipu with His nails, just as a carpenter pierces cane.

> > ******

> > TEXT 19

> > pan'cadas'am vâmanakam

> > kritvâgâd adhvaram baleh

> > pada-trayam yâcamânah

> > pratyâditsus tri-pishthapam

> > pan'cadas'am--the fifteenth in the line; vâmanakam--the dwarfbrâhmana; kritvâ--by assumption of; agât--went; adhvaram--arena of sacrifice; baleh--of King Bali; pada-trayam--three steps only; yâcamânah--begging; pratyâditsuh--willing at heart to return; tri-pishthapam--the kingdom of the three planetary systems.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the fifteenth incarnation, the Lord assumed the form of a dwarf-brâhmana [Vâmana] and visited the arena of sacrifice arranged by Mahârâja Bali. Although at heart He was willing to regain the kingdom of the three planetary systems, He simply asked for a donation of three steps of land.

> > ******

> > TEXT 20

> > avatâre sodas'ame

> > pas'yan brahma-druho nripân

> > trih-sapta-kritvah kupito

> > nih-kshatrâm akaron mahîm

> > avatâre--in the incarnation of the Lord; shodas'ame--the sixteenth; pas'yan--seeing; brahma-druhah--disobedient to the orders of the brâhmanas; nripân--the kingly order; trih-sapta--thrice seven times; kritvah--had done; kupitah--being engaged; nih--negation; kshatrâm--the administrative class; akarot--did perform; mahîm--the earth.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the sixteenth incarnation of the Godhead, the Lord [as Bhrigupati] annihilated the administrative class [kshatriyas] twenty-one times, being angry with them because of their rebellion against the brâhmanas [the intelligent class].

> > ******

> > TEXT 21

> > tatah saptadas'e jâtah

> > satyavatyâm parâs'arât

> > cakre veda-taroh s'âkhâ

> > drishthvâ pumso 'lpa-medhasah

> > tatah--thereafter; saptadas'e--in the seventeenth incarnation; jâtah--advented; satyavatyâm--in the womb of Satyavatî; parâs'arât--by Parâs'ara Muni; cakre--prepared; veda-taroh--of the desire tree of the Vedas; s'âkhâh--branches; drishthvâ--be seeing; pumsah--the people in general; alpa-medhasah--less intelligent.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thereafter, in the seventeenth incarnation of Godhead, S'rî Vyâsadeva appeared in the womb of Satyavatî through Parâs'ara Muni, and he divided the one Veda into several branches and subbranches, seeing that the people in general were less intelligent.

> > ******

> > TEXT 22

> > nara-devatvam âpannah

> > sura-kârya-cikîrshayâ

> > samudra-nigrahâdîni

> > cakre vîryâny atah param

> > nara--human being; devatvam--divinity; âpannah--having assumed the form of; sura--the demigods; kârya--activities; cikîrshayâ--for the purpose of performing; samudra--the Indian Ocean; nigraha-âdîni--controlling, etc.; cakre--did perform; vîryâni--superhuman prowess; atah param--thereafter.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the eighteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as King Râma. In order to perform some pleasing work for the demigods, He exhibited superhuman powers by controlling the Indian Ocean and then killing the atheist King Râvana, who was on the other side of the sea.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > ekonavims'e vims'atime

> > vrishnishu prâpya janmanî

> > râma-krishnâv iti bhuvo

> > bhagavân aharad bharam

> > ekonavims'e--in the nineteenth; vims'atime--in the twentieth also; vrishnishu--in the Vrishni dynasty; prâpya--having obtained; janmanî--births; râma--Balarâma; krishnau--S'rî Krishna; iti--thus; bhuvah--of the world; bhagavân--the Personality of Godhead; aharat--removed; bharam--burden.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the nineteenth and twentieth incarnations, the Lord advented Himself as Lord Balarâma and Lord Krishna in the family of Vrishni [the Yadu dynasty], and by so doing He removed the burden of the world.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > tatah kalau sampravritte

> > sammohâya sura-dvishâm

> > buddho nâmnân'jana-sutah

> > kîkatheshu bhavishyati

> > tatah--thereafter; kalau--the age of Kali; sampravritte--having ensued; sammohâya--for the purpose of deluding; sura--the theists; dvishâm--those who are envious; buddhah--Lord Buddha; nâmnâ--of the name; an'jana-sutah--whose mother was An'jana; kîkatheshu--in the province of Gayâ (Bihar); bhavishyati--will take place.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Then, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha, the son of An'jana, in the province of Gayâ, just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist.

> > ******

> > TEXT 25

> > athâsau yuga-sandhyâyâm

> > dasyu-prâyeshu râjasu

> > janitâ vishnu-yas'aso

> > nâmnâ kalkir jagat-patih

> > atha--thereafter; asau--the same Lord; yuga-sandhyâyâm--at the conjunction of the yugas; dasyu--plunderers; prâyeshu--almost all; râjasu--the governing personalities; janitâ--will take His birth; vishnu--named Vishnu; yas'asah--surnamed Yas'â; nâmnâ--in the name of; kalkih--the incarnation of the Lord; jagat-patih--the Lord of the creation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thereafter, at the conjunction of two yugas, the Lord of the creation will take His birth as the Kalki incarnation and become the son of Vishnu Yas'â. At this time the rulers of the earth will have degenerated into plunderers.

> > ******

> > TEXT 26

> > avatârâ hy asankhyeyâ

> > hareh sattva-nidher dvijâh

> > yathâvidâsinah kulyâh

> > sarasah syuh sahasras'ah

> > avatârâh--incarnations; hi--certainly; asankhyeyâh--innumerable; hareh--of Hari, the Lord; sattva-nidheh--of the ocean of goodness; dvijâh--the brâhmanas; yathâ--as it is; avidâsinah--inexhaustible; kulyâh--rivulets; sarasah--of vast lakes; syuh--are; sahasras'ah--thousands of.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O brâhmanas, the incarnations of the Lord are innumerable, like rivulets flowing from inexhaustible sources of water.

> > ******

> > TEXT 27

> > rishayo manavo devâ

> > manu-putrâ mahaujasah

> > kalâh sarve harer eva

> > sa-prajâpatayah smritâh

> > rishayah--all the sages; manavah--all the Manus; devâh--all the demigods; manu-putrâh--all the descendants of Manu; mahâ-ojasah--very powerful; kalâh--portion of the plenary portion; sarve--all collectively; hareh--of the Lord; eva--certainly; sa-prajâpatayah--along with the Prajâpatis; smritâh--are known.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All the rishis, Manus, demigods and descendants of Manu, who are especially powerful, are plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord. This also includes the Prajâpatis.

> > ******

> > TEXT 28

> > ete cams'a-kalâh pumsah

> > krishnas tu bhagavân svayam

> > indrâri-vyâkulam lokam

> > mridayanti yuge yuge

> > ete--all these; ca--and; ams'a--plenary portions; kalâh--portions of the plenary portions; pumsah--of the Supreme; krishnah--Lord Krishna; tu--but; bhagavân--the Personality of Godhead; svayam--in person; indra-ari--the enemies of Indra; vyâkulam--disturbed; lokam--all the planets; mridayanti--gives protection; yuge yuge--in different ages.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord S'rî Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead. All of them appear on planets whenever there is a disturbance created by the atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists.

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > janma guhyam bhagavato

> > ya etat prayato narah

> > sâyam prâtar grinan bhaktyâ

> > duhkha-grâmâd vimucyate

> > janma--birth; guhyam--mysterious; bhagavatah--of the Lord; yah--one; etat--all these; prayatah--carefully; narah--man; sâyam--evening; prâtah--morning; grinan--recites; bhaktyâ--with devotion; duhkha-grâmât--from all miseries; vimucyate--gets relief from.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Whoever carefully recites the mysterious appearances of the Lord, with devotion in the morning and in the evening, gets relief from all miseries of life.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > etad rûpam bhagavato

> > hy arûpasya cid-âtmanah

> > mâyâ-gunair viracitam

> > mahadâdibhir âtmani

> > etat--all these; rûpam--forms; bhagavatah--of the Lord; hi--certainly; arûpasya--of one who has no material form; cit-âtmanah--of the Transcendence; mâyâ--material energy; gunaih--by the qualities; viracitam--manufactured; mahat-âdibhih--with the ingredients of matter; âtmani--in the self.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The conception of the virat universal form of the Lord, as appearing in the material world, is imaginary. It is to enable the less intelligent [and neophytes] to adjust to the idea of the Lord's having form. But factually the Lord has no material form.

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > yathâ nabhasi meghaugho

> > renur vâ pârthivo 'nile

> > evam drashthari dris'yatvam

> > âropitam abuddhibhih

> > yathâ--as it is; nabhasi--in the sky; megha-oghah--a mass of clouds; renuh--dust; vâ--as well as; pârthivah--muddiness; anile--in the air; evam--thus; drashthari--to the seer; dris'yatvam--for the purpose of seeing; âropitam--is implied; abuddhibhih--by the less intelligent persons.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Clouds and dust are carried by the air, but less intelligent persons say that the sky is cloudy and the air is dirty. Similarly, they also implant material bodily conceptions on the spirit self.

> > ******

> > TEXT 32

> > atah param yad avyaktam

> > avyûdha-guna-brimhitam

> > adrishthâs'ruta-vastutvât

> > sa jîvo yat punar-bhavah

> > atah--this; param--beyond; yat--which; avyaktam--unmanifested; avyûdha--without formal shape; guna-brimhitam--affected by the qualities; adrishtha--unseen; as'ruta--unheard; vastutvât--being like that; sah--that; jîvah--living being; yat--that which; punah-bhavah--takes birth repeatedly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Beyond this gross conception of form is another, subtle conception of form which is without formal shape and is unseen, unheard and unmanifest. The living being has his form beyond this subtlety, otherwise he could not have repeated births.

> > ******

> > TEXT 33

> > yatreme sad-asad-rûpe

> > pratishiddhe sva-samvidâ

> > avidyayâtmani krite

> > iti tad brahma-dars'anam

> > yatra--whenever; ime--in all these; sat-asat--gross and subtle; rûpe--in the forms of; pratishiddhe--on being nullified; sva-samvidâ--by self-realization; avidyayâ--by ignorance; âtmani--in the self; krte--having been imposed; iti--thus; tat--that is; brahma-dars'anam--the process of seeing the Absolute.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Whenever a person experiences, by self-realization, that both the gross and subtle bodies have nothing to do with the pure self, at that time he sees himself as well as the Lord.

> > ******

> > TEXT 34

> > yady eshoparatâ devî

> > mâyâ vais'âradî matih

> > sampanna eveti vidur

> > mahimni sve mahîyate

> > yadi--if, however; eshâ--they; uparatâ--subsided; devî mâyâ--illusory energy; vais'âradî--full of knowledge; matih--enlightenment; sampannah--enriched with; eva--certainly; iti--thus; viduh--being cognizant of; mahimni--in the glories; sve--of the self; mahîyate--being situated in.

> > TRANSLATION

> > If the illusory energy subsides and the living entity becomes fully enriched with knowledge by the grace of the Lord, then he becomes at once enlightened with self-realization and thus becomes situated in his own glory.

> > ******

> > TEXT 35

> > evam janmâni karmâni

> > hy akartur ajanasya ca

> > varnayanti sma kavayo

> > veda-guhyâni hrit-pateh

> > evam--thus; janmâni--birth; karmâni--activities; hi--certainly; akartuh--of the inactive; ajanasya--of the unborn; ca--and; varnayanti--describe; sma--in the past; kavayah--the learned; veda-guhyâni--undiscoverable by the Vedas; hrit-pateh--of the Lord of the heart.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus learned men describe the births and activities of the unborn and inactive, which is undiscoverable even in the Vedic literatures. He is the Lord of the heart.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > sa vâ idam vis'vam amogha-lîlah

> > s'rîjaty avaty atti na sajjate 'smin

> > bhûteshu cântarhita âtma-tantrah

> > shâd-vargikam jighrati shad-gunes'ah

> > sah--the Supreme Lord; vâ--alternately; idam--this; vis'vam--manifested universes; amogha-lîlah--one whose activities are spotless; s'rîjati--creates; avati atti--maintains and annihilates; na--not; sajjate--is affected by; asmin--in them; bhûteshu--in all living beings; ca--also; antarhitah--living within; âtma-tantrah--self-independent; shâth-vargikam--endowed with all the potencies of His opulences; jighrati--superficially attached, like smelling the fragrance; shath-guna-îs'ah--master of the six senses.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Lord, whose activities are always spotless, is the master of the six senses and is fully omnipotent with six opulences. He creates the manifested universes, maintains them and annihilates them without being in the least affected. He is within every living being and is always independent.

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > na câsya kas'cin nipunena dhâtur

> > avaiti jantuh kumanîsha ûtîh

> > nâmâni rûpâni mano-vacobhih

> > santanvato natha-caryâm ivâjn'ah

> > na--not; ca--and; asya--of Him; kas'cit--anyone; nipunena--by dexterity; dhâtuh--of the creator; avaiti--can know; jantuh--the living being; kumanîshah--with a poor fund of knowledge; ûtîh--activities of the Lord; nâmâni--His names; rûpâni--His forms; manah-vacobhih--by dint of mental speculation or deliverance of speeches; santanvatah--displaying; natha-caryâm--a dramatic action; iva--like; ajn'ah--the foolish.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The foolish with a poor fund of knowledge cannot know the transcendental nature of the forms, names and activities of the Lord, who is playing like an actor in a drama. Nor can they express such things, neither in their speculations nor in their words.

> > ******

> > TEXT 38

> > sa veda dhâtuh padavîm parasya

> > duranta-vîryasya rathânga-pâneh

> > yo 'mâyayâ santatayânuvrittyâ

> > bhajeta tat-pâda-saroja-gandham

> > sah--He alone; veda--can know; dhâtuh--of the creator; padavîm--glories; parasya--of the transcendence; duranta-vîryasya--of the greatly powerful; ratha-anga-pâneh--of Lord Krishna, who bears in His hand the wheel of a chariot; yah--one who; amâyayâ--without reservation; santatayâ--without any gap; anuvrittyâ--favorably; bhajeta--renders service; tat-pâda--of His feet; saroja-gandham--fragrance of the lotus.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Only those who render unreserved, uninterrupted, favorable service unto the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, who carries the wheel of the chariot in His hand, can know the creator of the universe in His full glory, power and transcendence.

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > atheha dhanyâ bhagavanta ittham

> > yad vâsudeve 'khila-loka-nâthe

> > kurvanti sarvâtmakam âtma-bhâvam

> > na yatra bhûyah parivarta ugrah

> > atha--thus; iha--in this world; dhanyâh--successful; bhagavantah--perfectly cognizant; ittham--such; yat--what; vâsudeve--unto the Personality of Godhead; akhila--all-embracing; loka-nâthe--unto the proprietor of all the universes; kurvanti--inspires; sarva-âtmakam--one hundred percent; âtma--spirit; bhâvam--ecstasy; na--never; yatra--wherein; bhûyah--again; parivartah--repetition; ugrah--dreadful.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Only by making such inquiries in this world can one be successful and perfectly cognizant, for such inquiries invoke transcendental ecstatic love unto the Personality of Godhead, who is the proprietor of all the universes, and guarantee cent-percent immunity from the dreadful repetition of birth and death.

> > ******

> > TEXT 40

> > idam bhâgavatam nâma

> > purânam brahma-sammitam

> > uttama-s'loka-caritam

> > cakâra bhagavân rishih

> > nihs'reyasâya lokasya

> > dhanyam svasty-ayanam mahat

> > idam--this; bhâgavatam--book containing the narration of the Personality of Godhead and His pure devotees; nâma--of the name; purânam--supplementary to the Vedas; brahma-sammitam--incarnation of Lord S'rî Krishna; uttama-s'loka--of the Personality of Godhead; caritam--activities; cakâra--compiled; bhagavân--incarnation of the Personality of Godhead; rishih--S'rî Vyâsadeva; nihs'reyasâya--for the ultimate good; lokasya--of all people; dhanyam--fully successful; svasti-ayanam--all-blissful; mahat--all-perfect.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam is the literary incarnation of God, and it is compiled by S'rîla Vyâsadeva, the incarnation of God. It is meant for the ultimate good of all people, and it is all-successful, all-blissful and all-perfect.

> > ******

> > TEXT 41

> > tad idam grâhayâm âsa

> > sutam âtmavatâm varam

> > sama-vedetihâsânâm

> > sâram sâram samuddhritam

> > tat--that; idam--this; grâhayâm âsa--made to accept; sutam--unto his son; âtmavatâm--of the self-realized; varam--most respectful; sarva--all; veda--Vedic literatures (books of knowledge); itihâsânâm--of all the histories; sâram--cream; sâram--cream; samuddhritam--taken out.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Vyâsadeva delivered it to his son, who is the most respected among the self-realized, after extracting the cream of all Vedic literatures and histories of the universe.

> > ******

> > TEXT 42

> > sa tu sams'râvayâm âsa

> > mahârâjam parîkshitam

> > prâyopavishtham gangâyâm

> > parîtam paramarshibhih

> > sah--the son of Vyâsadeva; tu--again; sams'râvayâm âsa--make them audible; mahâ-râjam--unto the emperor; parîkshitam--of the name Parîkshit; prâya-upavishtham--who sat until death without food or drink; gangâyâm--on the bank of the Ganges; parîtam--being surrounded; parama-rishibhih--by great sages.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî, the son of Vyâsadeva, in his turn delivered the Bhâgavatam to the great Emperor Parîkshit, who sat surrounded by sages on the bank of the Ganges, awaiting death without taking food or drink.

> > ******

> > TEXT 43

> > krishne sva-dhâmopagate

> > dharma-jn'ânâdibhih saha

> > kalau nashtha-dris'âm esha

> > purânârko 'dhunoditah

> > krishne--in Krishna's; sva-dhâma--own abode; upagate--having returned; dharma--religion; jn'âna--knowledge; âdibhih--combined together; saha--along with; kalau--in the Kali-yuga; nashtha-dris'âm--of persons who have lost their sight; eshah--all these; purâna-arkah--the Purâna which is brilliant like the sun; adhunâ--just now; uditah--has arisen.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This Bhâgavata Purâna is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krishna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purâna.

> > ******

> > TEXT 44

> > tatra kîrtayato viprâ

> > viprarsher bhûri-tejasah

> > aham câdhyagamam tatra

> > nivishthas tad-anugrahât

> > so 'ham vah s'râvayishyâmi

> > yathâdhîtam yathâ-mati

> > tatra--there; kîrtayatah--while reciting; viprâh--O brâhmanas; vipra-risheh--from the great brâhmana-rishi; bhûri--greatly; tejasah--powerful; aham--I; ca--also; adhyagamam--could understand; tatra--in that meeting; nivishthah--being perfectly attentive; tat-anugrahât--by his mercy; sah--that very thing; aham--I; vah--unto you; s'râvayishyâmi--shall let you hear; yathâ-adhîtam yathâ-mati--as far as my realization.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O learned brâhmanas, when S'ukadeva Gosvâmî recited Bhâgavatam there [in the presence of Emperor Parîkshit], I heard him with rapt attention, and thus, by his mercy, I learned the Bhâgavatam from that great and powerful sage. Now I shall try to make you hear the very same thing as I learned it from him and as I have realized it.

> > ******

Back to the running text