sribhagavatam - Skandah (Canto ) 3a - chapters 20 and 21

Vasya Praneetha

The Bhagavatam

CANTO 3b

Chapter 20: Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura

3.20.1

śaunaka uvāca
mahīṁ pratiṣṭhām adhyasya
saute svāyambhuvo manuḥ
kāny anvatiṣṭhad dvārāṇi
mārgāyāvara-janmanām

(1) S'aunaka said: "After the position of the earth was restored [by Lord Varâha] o son of Romaharshana [Sûta], what did Svâyambhuva Manu [see 2.7: 2, 3.12: 54, 3.13: 2] do to show those to be born the path?

3.20.2

kṣattā mahā-bhāgavataḥ
kṛṣṇasyaikāntikaḥ suhṛt
yas tatyājāgrajaṁ kṛṣṇe
sāpatyam aghavān iti

(2) Vidura, the great, unalloyed devotee and intimate friend of Lord Krishna, abandoned his elder brother [Dhritarâshthra] because he and his hundred sons went against Krishna.

3.20.3

dvaipāyanād anavaro
mahitve tasya dehajaḥ
sarvātmanā śritaḥ kṛṣṇaṁ
tat-parāṁś cāpy anuvrataḥ

 (3) Born from the body of Vyâsa and in no way inferior to him in greatness, he with all his heart took shelter of Lord Krishna and followed those devoted to Him.

3.20.4

kim anvapṛcchan maitreyaṁ
virajās tīrtha-sevayā
upagamya kuśāvarta
āsīnaṁ tattva-vittamam

(4) What was it that this hero of purity when he visited the holy places asked Maitreya, the foremost knower of spiritual life whom he had met at Kus'âvarta [Hardwar] where he resided?

3.20.5

tayoḥ saṁvadatoḥ sūta
pravṛttā hy amalāḥ kathāḥ
āpo gāṅgā ivāgha-ghnīr
hareḥ pādāmbujāśrayāḥ

(5) When the two engaged in their conversation o Sûta, that resulted in the  spotless narrations that like the waters of the Ganges vanquish all sins when one takes shelter of the Lord His lotus feet.

3.20.6

tā naḥ kīrtaya bhadraṁ te
kīrtanyodāra-karmaṇaḥ
rasajñaḥ ko nu tṛpyeta
hari-līlāmṛtaṁ piban

(6) All good fortune to you! Tell us the stories about His selfless actions that are so worthy to be sung. What devotee appreciative of the devotional mellows [rasas] one has with Him would have enough of drinking in the nectar of the Lord His pastimes?"

3.20.7

evam ugraśravāḥ pṛṣṭa
ṛṣibhir naimiṣāyanaiḥ
bhagavaty arpitādhyātmas
tān āha śrūyatām iti

(7) Thus being questioned by the sages assembled in the Naimishâranya forest, Sûta who had dedicated his mind to the Lord then said to them: "Just listen to this."

3.20.8

sūta uvāca
harer dhṛta-kroḍa-tanoḥ sva-māyayā
niśamya gor uddharaṇaṁ rasātalāt
līlāṁ hiraṇyākṣam avajñayā hataṁ
sañjāta-harṣo munim āha bhārataḥ

(8) Sûta said: "Vidura, having heard how the Lord had assumed the body of a boar, He by His own potency had uplifted the earth from the bottom of the ocean and as a good sport indifferently had killed Hiranyâksha, was overjoyed and addressed the sage.

3.20.9

vidura uvāca
prajāpati-patiḥ sṛṣṭvā
prajā-sarge prajāpatīn
kim ārabhata me brahman
prabrūhy avyakta-mārga-vit

(9) Vidura said: 'O holy sage, knower of that which is beyond our scope, please tell me what Brahmâ has started after bringing forth the Prajâpatis who created mankind.

3.20.10

ye marīcy-ādayo viprā
yas tu svāyambhuvo manuḥ
te vai brahmaṇa ādeśāt
katham etad abhāvayan

(10) How did the learned ones headed by Marîci observe the brahminical order of Svâyambhuva Manu and how have they developed this world?

3.20.11

sa-dvitīyāḥ kim asṛjan
svatantrā uta karmasu
āho svit saṁhatāḥ sarva
idaṁ sma samakalpayan

(11) Have they operated being married, did they remain independent or have they all worked together bringing about all of this?'

3.20.12

maitreya uvāca
daivena durvitarkyeṇa
pareṇānimiṣeṇa ca
jāta-kṣobhād bhagavato
mahān āsīd guṇa-trayāt

(12) Maitreya said: 'By Mahâ-Vishnu, by the eternally active power of the hard to grasp divine ordinance, the equilibrium of the three modes of nature got disturbed, so that the complete of the Fortunate One His material elements was produced.

3.20.13

rajaḥ-pradhānān mahatas
tri-liṅgo daiva-coditāt
jātaḥ sasarja bhūtādir
viyad-ādīni pañcaśaḥ

 (13) From the greatness of the cosmic intelligence [the mahat-tattva], as ordained by the divine, beginning from the [spatial force field of the] ether the birth of the basic reality of the material elements [the ego as known] in groups of five took place [the five elements, five senses, five sense objects and five sense organs] with the threefold of nature in which the element of passion [or quality of movement] predominates.

3.20.14

tāni caikaikaśaḥ sraṣṭum
asamarthāni bhautikam
saṁhatya daiva-yogena
haimam aṇḍam avāsṛjan

(14) Those elements, which on themselves could not bring about the coherence of the material universe, produced, having combined with the union of the divine, a globe that shone like gold.

3.20.15

so 'śayiṣṭābdhi-salile
āṇḍakośo nirātmakaḥ
sāgraṁ vai varṣa-sāhasram
anvavātsīt tam īśvaraḥ

(15) It lay in the waters of the causal Ocean as an egg in an unconscious state for in fact quite a bit longer than a thousand [celestial] years before the Lord [as Garbhodakas'âyî Vishnu] entered it. 

3.20.16

tasya nābher abhūt padmaṁ
sahasrārkoru-dīdhiti
sarva-jīvanikāyauko
yatra svayam abhūt svarāṭ

(16) From the Lord His navel the lotus of a thousand and more suns sprouted with a dazzling splendor [the galaxy, see 2.2: 24-25]. It is the abode of all conditioned souls where the self-born one [Lord Brahmâ, the Creator] found his existence as the first living entity.

3.20.17

so 'nuviṣṭo bhagavatā
yaḥ śete salilāśaye
loka-saṁsthāṁ yathā pūrvaṁ
nirmame saṁsthayā svayā

(17) When the Lord who sleeps in the causal waters entered Brahmâ's heart, he created the universe as he did before.

3.20.18

sasarja cchāyayāvidyāṁ
pañca-parvāṇam agrataḥ
tāmisram andha-tāmisraṁ
tamo moho mahā-tamaḥ

(18) First of all he from his shadow created the five types of ignorance called tâmisra [forgetfulness], andha-tâmisra [the illusion of death], tama [not knowing oneself], moha [the illusion of being matter] and mahâ-moha [mad after matter, craving; compare 3.12: 2].

3.20.19

visasarjātmanaḥ kāyaṁ
nābhinandaṁs tamomayam
jagṛhur yakṣa-rakṣāṁsi
rātriṁ kṣut-tṛṭ-samudbhavām

(19) Dissatisfied Brahmâ threw off this body of ignorance which was then seized by Yakshas [evil spirits] and Râkshasas [wild men, demons] to serve as the darkness that is the source of hunger and thirst.

3.20.20

kṣut-tṛḍbhyām upasṛṣṭās te
taṁ jagdhum abhidudruvuḥ
mā rakṣatainaṁ jakṣadhvam
ity ūcuḥ kṣut-tṛḍ-arditāḥ

 (20) Controlled by that hunger and thirst they ran after him in order to eat him and cried in their affliction: 'Do not spare him!'

3.20.21

devas tān āha saṁvigno
mā māṁ jakṣata rakṣata
aho me yakṣa-rakṣāṁsi
prajā yūyaṁ babhūvitha

 (21) That disturbed the godhead and he told them: 'Do not eat me, but preserve me, for you Râkshasas and Yakshas are my sons!'

3.20.22

devatāḥ prabhayā yā yā
dīvyan pramukhato 'sṛjat
te ahārṣur devayanto
visṛṣṭāṁ tāṁ prabhām ahaḥ

(22) The demigods who shine with the glory of the fear of God and were created first, took hold of the effulgent form of the daytime which as the vehicle of God was left behind.

3.20.23

devo 'devāñ jaghanataḥ
sṛjati smātilolupān
ta enaṁ lolupatayā
maithunāyābhipedire

(23) The god next from his backside gave birth to the godless who fond of sex approached the Creator in lust for copulation.

3.20.24

tato hasan sa bhagavān
asurair nirapatrapaiḥ
anvīyamānas tarasā
kruddho bhītaḥ parāpatat

(24) At first the worshipable Lord had to laugh about being followed by the shameless ones of darkness, but he then terrified and annoyed, hurried to get away.

3.20.25

sa upavrajya varadaṁ
prapannārti-haraṁ harim
anugrahāya bhaktānām
anurūpātma-darśanam

(25) He turned to Him who bestows all boons and whose feet are sought, the Lord who dispels distress and who, in order to show His mercy to His devotees, manifests Himself in a suitable form:

3.20.26

pāhi māṁ paramātmaṁs te
preṣaṇenāsṛjaṁ prajāḥ
tā imā yabhituṁ pāpā
upākrāmanti māṁ prabho

(26) 'Protect me o Supersoul, following Your order I created those sinful living beings who approach me for having sex, o Master.

3.20.27

tvam ekaḥ kila lokānāṁ
kliṣṭānāṁ kleśa-nāśanaḥ
tvam ekaḥ kleśadas teṣām
anāsanna-padāṁ tava

(27) Only You are capable of relieving the people who are afflicted by material miseries, only You can stop those who do not take shelter of Your feet.'

3.20.28

so 'vadhāryāsya kārpaṇyaṁ
viviktādhyātma-darśanaḥ
vimuñcātma-tanuṁ ghorām
ity ukto vimumoca ha

(28) He who unerringly knows the mind of each soul, seeing the distress of Lord Brahmâ told him: 'Cast off your impure body' and thus commanded he cast it off.

3.20.29

tāṁ kvaṇac-caraṇāmbhojāṁ
mada-vihvala-locanām
kāñcī-kalāpa-vilasad-
dukūla-cchanna-rodhasam

 (29) That body [in the form of a woman] was intoxicating with tinkling ankle bells, adorable feet, overwhelming eyes and a gold-ornamented shining girdle around the hips covered by fine cloth.

3.20.30

anyonya-śleṣayottuṅga-
nirantara-payodharām
sunāsāṁ sudvijāṁ snigdha-
hāsa-līlāvalokanām

(30) The breasts were tightly pressed together and raised high, the nose was well formed, the teeth beautiful, the smile lovely and the look defiant.

3.20.31

gūhantīṁ vrīḍayātmānaṁ
nīlālaka-varūthinīm
upalabhyāsurā dharma
sarve sammumuhuḥ striyam

 (31) She hid herself out of shyness. O Vidura, all the godless ones fancying the braids of her dark hair were captivated by the woman:

3.20.32

aho rūpam aho dhairyam
aho asyā navaṁ vayaḥ
madhye kāmayamānānām
akāmeva visarpati

 (32) 'O what a beauty, what a grace; o what a budding youth! That she walks with us who are so desirous of her, as if she's free from passion!'

3.20.33

vitarkayanto bahudhā
tāṁ sandhyāṁ pramadākṛtim
abhisambhāvya viśrambhāt
paryapṛcchan kumedhasaḥ

(33) Indulging in all kinds of speculation about the evening twilight that had assumed the form of a young woman, the wicked-minded ones fond of her, full of respect asked her:

3.20.34

kāsi kasyāsi rambhoru
ko vārthas te 'tra bhāmini
rūpa-draviṇa-paṇyena
durbhagān no vibādhase

(34) 'Who are you? Whom do you belong to, o pretty one? Why have you come here, o passionate lady? You are tantalizing us, unfortunate ones, with the priceless commodity of your beauty!

3.20.35

yā vā kācit tvam abale
diṣṭyā sandarśanaṁ tava
utsunoṣīkṣamāṇānāṁ
kanduka-krīḍayā manaḥ

(35) Whoever you may be o beautiful girl, by the fortune of seeing you play with a ball, we onlookers have lost our head.

3.20.36

naikatra te jayati śālini pāda-padmaṁ
ghnantyā muhuḥ kara-talena patat-pataṅgam
madhyaṁ viṣīdati bṛhat-stana-bhāra-bhītaṁ
śānteva dṛṣṭir amalā suśikhā-samūhaḥ

(36) Moving your lotus feet about o beautiful woman, you bounce that ball with the palm of your hand. The weight of your full grown breasts must be tiresome for that waist of yours. You look as if you're tired, please loosen the tie of your hair!'

3.20.37

iti sāyantanīṁ sandhyām
asurāḥ pramadāyatīm
pralobhayantīṁ jagṛhur
matvā mḍha-dhiyaḥ striyam

(37) The godless this way with their minds clouded took the twilight of the evening for the wanton form of an alluring woman and seized her.

3.20.38

prahasya bhāva-gambhīraṁ
jighrantyātmānam ātmanā
kāntyā sasarja bhagavān
gandharvāpsarasāṁ gaṇān

(38) With a smile of deep significance the worshipful Lord then by the self-awareness of His own sweetness created the hosts of celestial musicians and dancing girls [the Gandharvas and Apsaras].

3.20.39

visasarja tanuṁ tāṁ vai
jyotsnāṁ kāntimatīṁ priyām
ta eva cādaduḥ prītyā
viśvāvasu-purogamāḥ

 (39) The attractive form that factually was the shining moonlight He gave up and the Gandharvas headed by Vis'vâvasu gladly took possession of it.

3.20.40

sṛṣṭvā bhūta-piśācāṁś ca
bhagavān ātma-tandriṇā
dig-vāsaso mukta-keśān
vīkṣya cāmīlayad dṛśau

(40) When Lord Brahmâ, after he from sloth had created the ghosts and evil spirits, saw them naked and with disorderly hair, he closed his eyes.

3.20.41

jagṛhus tad-visṛṣṭāṁ tāṁ
jṛmbhaṇākhyāṁ tanuṁ prabhoḥ
nidrām indriya-vikledo
yayā bhūteṣu dṛśyate
yenocchiṣṭān dharṣayanti
tam unmādaṁ pracakṣate

(41) They took possession of the body that by the master of creation was thrown off and which is known as yawning. With it one sees the living beings drooling in their sleep, which is an unclean state that [with the ghosts and evil spirits belonging to it] constitutes the bewilderment of which one speaks as insanity.

3.20.42

ūrjasvantaṁ manyamāna
ātmānaṁ bhagavān ajaḥ
sādhyān gaṇān pitṛ-gaṇān
parokṣeṇāsṛjat prabhuḥ

 (42) Recognizing himself as being full of energy the worshipful Brahmâ, the master of all beings, from his invisible form created the hosts of Sâdhyas and Pitâs [the invisible demigods and departed souls].

3.20.43

ta ātma-sargaṁ taṁ kāyaṁ
pitaraḥ pratipedire
sādhyebhyaś ca pitṛbhyaś ca
kavayo yad vitanvate

 (43) They, the Pitâs, accepted that body, the source of their existence, and it is through that body that those well versed in the rituals offer their oblations [called s'râddha] to these Sâdhyas and Pitâs.

3.20.44

siddhān vidyādharāṁś caiva
tirodhānena so 'sṛjat
tebhyo 'dadāt tam ātmānam
antardhānākhyam adbhutam

 (44) The Siddhas [the ones of special powers] and also the Vidyâdharas [the knowledgeable spirits] were created by his faculty of remaining hidden from vision. He gave them that wonderful form of himself known as Antardhâna [of being present but remaining unseen].

3.20.45

sa kinnarān kimpuruṣān
pratyātmyenāsṛjat prabhuḥ
mānayann ātmanātmānam
ātmābhāsaṁ vilokayan

(45) From admiring himself seeing his reflection in the water the master in his self-awareness created the Kinnaras [the ones of power] and Kimpurushas [the monkey-like].

3.20.46

te tu taj jagṛhū rūpaṁ
tyaktaṁ yat parameṣṭhinā
mithunī-bhūya gāyantas
tam evoṣasi karmabhiḥ

(46) They took possession of the form of the shadow he left behind, for the reason of which they every daybreak [during the brâhma-muhûrta, one and a half hours before sunrise] gather with their spouses to glorify his exploits in song.

3.20.47

dehena vai bhogavatā
śayāno bahu-cintayā
sarge 'nupacite krodhād
utsasarja ha tad vapuḥ

 (47) Once fully stretching his body as he laid down, he to his great concern saw that the creation lacked in progress. Thereupon he out of his anger gave up that body also.

3.20.48

ye 'hīyantāmutaḥ keśā
ahayas te 'ṅga jajñire
sarpāḥ prasarpataḥ krūrā
nāgā bhogoru-kandharāḥ

 (48) O Vidura, from the hairs falling from that body the beings without limbs were created. From their crawling bodies the snakes evolved from whom one with the vicious cobras sees the hood on their neck.

3.20.49

sa ātmānaṁ manyamānaḥ
kṛta-kṛtyam ivātmabhūḥ
tadā manūn sasarjānte
manasā loka-bhāvanān

(49) When he [once] felt as if he had accomplished his life's purpose, from his mind finally sprouted the Manus [the original fathers of mankind] for promoting the welfare of the world.

3.20.50

tebhyaḥ so 'sṛjat svīyaṁ
puraṁ puruṣam ātmavān
tān dṛṣṭvā ye purā sṛṣṭāḥ
praśaśaṁsuḥ prajāpatim

(50) He gave them the form of his own impassioned, personal body, seeing which those who were created earlier welcomed the Prajâpati [the founding father] with the following eulogy:

3.20.51

aho etaj jagat-sraṣṭaḥ
sukṛtaṁ bata te kṛtam
pratiṣṭhitāḥ kriyā yasmin
sākam annam adāma he

(51) 'O Creator of the Universe, you created everything so very well: all the ritualistic customs you have settled so firmly for us to share in the sacrificial oblations!

3.20.52

tapasā vidyayā yukto
yogena susamādhinā
ṛṣīn ṛṣir hṛṣīkeśaḥ
sasarjābhimatāḥ prajāḥ

(52) By being of penance, through worship and by connectedness in yogic discipline being immersed in the finest absorption, you the first seer, the controller of the senses, have evolved the sages, your beloved sons.

3.20.53

tebhyaś caikaikaśaḥ svasya
dehasyāṁśam adād ajaḥ
yat tat samādhi-yogarddhi-
tapo-vidyā-viraktimat

 (53) Each of them you, the unborn one, have given a part of your own body that carries deep meditation, yogic union, supernatural ability, penance, knowledge and renunciation.'

Canto 3a


Chapter 21: The Conversation Between Manu and Kardama

3.21.1

vidura uvāca

svāyambhuvasya ca manor

vaḿśaḥ parama-sammataḥ

kathyatāḿ bhagavan yatra

maithunenaidhire prajāḥ

(1) Vidura said: 'O supreme one, be so good to describe the most esteemed dynasty of Svâyambhuva Manu, the sexual intercourse of which led to all the progeny.

3.21.2

priyavratottānapādau

sutau svāyambhuvasya vai

yathā-dharmaḿ jugupatuḥ

sapta-dvīpavatīḿ mahīm

 (2) Priyavrata and Uttânapâda, the two sons of Svâyambhuva Manu, ruled according to the principles of religion the world consisting of the seven continents.

3.21.3

tasya vai duhitā brahman

devahūtīti viśrutā

patnī prajāpater uktā

kardamasya tvayānagha

 (3) The daughter of that Manu named Devahûti o brahmin, was the wife of the father of mankind you spoke of [see 3.12: 27] as Kardama Muni, o sinless one.

3.21.4

tasyāḿ sa vai mahā-yogī

yuktāyāḿ yoga-lakṣaṇaiḥ

sasarja katidhā vīryaḿ

tan me śuśrūṣave vada

 (4) Can you tell me, eager as I am, the story about how the many offspring of Kardama Muni, who was in fact a great mystic yogi endowed with the eight perfections [see 3.15: 45], sprouted from her?

3.21.5

rucir yo bhagavān brahman

dakṣo vā brahmaṇaḥ sutaḥ

yathā sasarja bhūtāni

labdhvā bhāryāḿ ca mānavīm

(5) And how did the worshipful Ruci, o brahmin, and Daksha, the son of Brahmâ, generate their offspring after securing the two other daughters of Svâyambhuva Manu as their wives?'

3.21.6

maitreya uvāca

prajāḥ sṛjeti bhagavān

kardamo brahmaṇoditaḥ

sarasvatyāḿ tapas tepe

sahasrāṇāḿ samā daśa

(6) Maitreya said: 'Lord Brahmâ told the supreme muni Kardama to beget children after he for ten thousand years had practiced penance on the bank of the river the Sarasvatî.

3.21.7

tataḥ samādhi-yuktena

kriyā-yogena kardamaḥ

samprapede hariḿ bhaktyā

prapanna-varadāśuṣam

 (7) Absorbed in that connectedness Kardama in his yoga was of devotional service unto Him, the Lord who bestows all mercy upon the surrendered souls.

3.21.8

tāvat prasanno bhagavān

puṣkarākṣaḥ kṛte yuge

darśayām āsa taḿ kṣattaḥ

śābdaḿ brahma dadhad vapuḥ

 (8) The Supreme lotus-eyed Lord being pleased then showed him in Satya-yuga through the process of hearing o Vidura, the absolute truth of His transcendental form.

3.21.9

sa taḿ virajam arkābhaḿ

sita-padmotpala-srajam

snigdha-nīlālaka-vrāta-

vaktrābjaḿ virajo 'mbaram

(9) He saw that that body of His was as effulgent and pure as the sun with a garland of white water lilies and lotuses and an abundance of slick blackish-blue locks of hair, a lotus-like face and dressed in spotless clothes.

3.21.10

kirīṭinaḿ kuṇḍalinaḿ

śańkha-cakra-gadā-dharam

śvetotpala-krīḍanakaḿ

manaḥ-sparśa-smitekṣaṇam

 (10) Adorned with a crown and wearing earrings He, captivating the heart with His smiling glances, held a conch, a disc and a mace and played with a white lily.

3.21.11

vinyasta-caraṇāmbhojam

aḿsa-deśe garutmataḥ

dṛṣṭvā khe 'vasthitaḿ vakṣaḥ-

śriyaḿ kaustubha-kandharam

(11) He saw Him in the air standing with His lotus feet on the shoulders of Garuda with the famous Kaustubha jewel on His chest hanging down from His neck.

3.21.12

jāta-harṣo 'patan mūrdhnā

kṣitau labdha-manorathaḥ

gīrbhis tv abhyagṛṇāt prīti-

svabhāvātmā kṛtāñjaliḥ

(12) Having achieved his desire he whose heart had always been filled with love jubilantly fell down with his head to the ground and with folded hands pleased [Him] with prayers.

3.21.13

ṛṣir uvāca

juṣṭaḿ batādyākhila-sattva-rāśeḥ

sāḿsiddhyam akṣṇos tava darśanān naḥ

yad-darśanaḿ janmabhir īḍya sadbhir

āśāsate yogino rūḍha-yogāḥ

(13) The sage said: 'Oh worshipable Lord, now we have attained the complete success of having You before our eyes, the Reservoir of All Goodness; a sight that is aspired [even] by yogis who attained the perfection of yoga after gradually elevating through many births.

3.21.14

ye māyayā te hata-medhasas tvat-

pādāravindaḿ bhava-sindhu-potam

upāsate kāma-lavāya teṣāḿ

rāsīśa kāmān niraye 'pi ye syuḥ

 (14) O Lord, You even fulfill the desires of those who, because of Your deluding energy, have lost their intelligence and worship Your lotus feet - that are the boat for crossing over the ocean of mundane existence - for the purpose of obtaining the trivial pleasures of life that one also finds in hell.

3.21.15

tathā sa cāhaḿ parivoḍhu-kāmaḥ

samāna-śīlāḿ gṛhamedha-dhenum

upeyivān mūlam aśeṣa-mūlaḿ

durāśayaḥ kāma-dughāńghripasya

 (15) Desiring to marry a girl of a likewise disposition who in one's marriage is as a cow of plenty, I also with doubtful intentions approached You, the root and source of everything and desire tree that fulfills all wishes.

3.21.16

prajāpates te vacasādhīśa tantyā

lokaḥ kilāyaḿ kāma-hato 'nubaddhaḥ

ahaḿ ca lokānugato vahāmi

baliḿ ca śuklānimiṣāya tubhyam

 (16) O original father of all, the conditioned souls in the grip of desire are all bound by the rope of the words of You as the Lord of the living beings. I, following their example also offer my oblations to You, o light of eternal time.

3.21.18

na te 'jarākṣa-bhramir āyur eṣāḿ

trayodaśāraḿ tri-śataḿ ṣaṣṭi-parva

ṣaṇ-nemy ananta-cchadi yat tri-ṇābhi

karāla-sroto jagad ācchidya dhāvat

 (17) But those who gave up on the pursuance of their animalistic, earthly interests as well as the people belonging to them, and by discussing Your qualities with each other took shelter under the umbrella of Your lotus feet, with the help of that intoxicating nectar put an end to their being a servant of their physical bodies.

3.21.18

na te 'jarākṣa-bhramir āyur eṣāḿ

trayodaśāraḿ tri-śataḿ ṣaṣṭi-parva

ṣaṇ-nemy ananta-cchadi yat tri-ṇābhi

karāla-sroto jagad ācchidya dhāvat

(18) The wheel of the universe that with a tremendous speed spins around the axle of the imperishable [nature] of You [Brahman] with three naves [sun, moon and stars], [twelve to] thirteen spokes [as lunar months], three hundred and sixty joints [as days in a demigod year], six rims [as seasons], and innumerable leaves [moments], cuts short the life-span of the universe but not the lives of the devotees.

3.21.19

ekaḥ svayaḿ sañ jagataḥ sisṛkṣayā-

dvitīyayātmann adhi-yogamāyayā

sṛjasy adaḥ pāsi punar grasiṣyase

yathorṇa-nābhir bhagavan sva-śaktibhiḥ

(19) You o Supreme Lord as the One Self without a second, are desirous to bring about in Yourself and control by Your deluding yogamâyâ potency, the universes that You by dint of Your own potency create, maintain and again wind up like a spider does.

3.21.20

naitad batādhīśa padaḿ tavepsitaḿ

yan māyayā nas tanuṣe bhūta-sūkṣmam

anugrahāyāstv api yarhi māyayā

lasat-tulasyā bhagavān vilakṣitaḥ

(20) This material world with its gross and subtle elements that You manifest for us, was not just meant by You for providing sensual pleasures. Let that world be there also for our ultimate good [the beatitude] whenever we through Your causeless mercy may perceive the Fortunate One splendid with the tulsî [of the devotion for You].

3.21.21

taḿ tvānubhūtyoparata-kriyārthaḿ

sva-māyayā vartita-loka-tantram

namāmy abhīkṣṇaḿ namanīya-pāda-

sarojam alpīyasi kāma-varṣam

(21) In order to realize the detachment from enjoying the fruits, You by Your energies brought about the material worlds. I continuously offer My obeisances to the worshipable lotus feet that shower benedictions on the insignificant ones.'

3.21.22

ṛṣir uvāca

ity avyalīkaḿ praṇuto 'bja-nābhas

tam ābabhāṣe vacasāmṛtena

suparṇa-pakṣopari rocamānaḥ

prema-smitodvīkṣaṇa-vibhramad-bhrūḥ

(22) The sage [Maitreya] said: 'Thus having been praised sincerely Lord Vishnu replied Kardama Muni with words sweet as nectar, while He, radiating affection standing on the shoulders of Garuda, smilingly looked on from below His expressive eyebrows.

3.21.23

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

viditvā tava caityaḿ me

puraiva samayoji tat

yad-artham ātma-niyamais

tvayaivāhaḿ samarcitaḥ

 (23) The Supreme Lord said: 'Knowing your state of mind, I have already arranged that for which you exercised yourself with Me as the one and only to be worshiped.

3.21.24

na vai jātu mṛṣaiva syāt

prajādhyakṣa mad-arhaṇam

bhavad-vidheṣv atitarāḿ

mayi sańgṛbhitātmanām

(24) The exclusive worship of Me the way it exists of people like you who have fixed their attention fully on Me, is never without meaning and purpose, o leader of the people.

3.21.25

prajāpati-sutaḥ samrāṇ

manur vikhyāta-mańgalaḥ

brahmāvartaḿ yo 'dhivasan

śāsti saptārṇavāḿ mahīm

 (25) The son of the father of man, the emperor Svâyambhuva Manu, whose righteous actions are well known, lives in Brahmâvarta [the world as part of Brahmâ's lotus] where he rules over the seven oceans and the earth.

3.21.26

sa ceha vipra rājarṣir

mahiṣyā śatarūpayā

āyāsyati didṛkṣus tvāḿ

paraśvo dharma-kovidaḥ

(26) He, the saintly king, o learned one, will along with his queen come to this place the day after tomorrow, wishing to meet you as an expert in religious matters.

3.21.27

ātmajām asitāpāńgīḿ

vayaḥ-śīla-guṇānvitām

mṛgayantīḿ patiḿ dāsyaty

anurūpāya te prabho

 (27) He has a grown-up daughter with black eyes and a character full of good qualities and is searching for a husband. He will give you her hand in marriage o master, for you are a suitable candidate.

3.21.28

samāhitaḿ te hṛdayaḿ

yatremān parivatsarān

sā tvāḿ brahman nṛpa-vadhūḥ

kāmam āśu bhajiṣyati

(28) She is the one your heart longed for all these years, she is your princess o brahmin and will soon serve you to your desire.

3.21.29

yā ta ātma-bhṛtaḿ vīryaḿ

navadhā prasaviṣyati

vīrye tvadīye ṛṣaya

ādhāsyanty añjasātmanaḥ

 (29) She, from the seed sown in her by you, will give birth to nine daughters, and from those daughters the sages will beget all of their children.

3.21.30

tvaḿ ca samyag anuṣṭhāya

nideśaḿ ma uśattamaḥ

mayi tīrthī-kṛtāśeṣa-

kriyārtho māḿ prapatsyase

 (30) When you've carried out My command properly and are completely purified unto Me in forsaking the fruits of action, you will finally attain Me.

3.21.31

kṛtvā dayāḿ ca jīveṣu

dattvā cābhayam ātmavān

mayy ātmānaḿ saha jagad

drakṣyasy ātmani cāpi mām

(31) And when you have shown compassion and have given assurance to all souls, you will be self-realized and perceive yourself and the universe as being in Me, as well as Me being in you.

3.21.32

sahāhaḿ svāḿśa-kalayā

tvad-vīryeṇa mahā-mune

tava kṣetre devahūtyāḿ

praṇeṣye tattva-saḿhitām

(32) By your semen I will [appear] as My own plenary portion o great sage and instruct your wife Devahûti in the doctrine of the ultimate reality.'

3.21.33

maitreya uvāca

evaḿ tam anubhāṣyātha

bhagavān pratyag-akṣajaḥ

jagāma bindusarasaḥ

sarasvatyā pariśritāt

(33) Maitreya said: 'Thus having spoken to him, the Supreme Lord who could be directly perceived by the senses departed from lake Bindu-sarovar through which the river Sarasvatî flows.

3.21.34

nirīkṣatas tasya yayāv aśeṣa-

siddheśvarābhiṣṭuta-siddha-mārgaḥ

ākarṇayan patra-rathendra-pakṣair

uccāritaḿ stomam udīrṇa-sāma

(34) While He before his eyes left by the path of perfection [to the spiritual world] that is praised by all liberated souls, the sage heard the hymns that form the Sâma Veda being vibrated by the wings of the Lord's carrier [Garuda].

3.21.35

atha samprasthite śukle

kardamo bhagavān ṛṣiḥ

āste sma bindusarasi

taḿ kālaḿ pratipālayan

(35) Then, after His departure, Kardama, the greatly powerful sage, stayed on the bank of lake Bindu, waiting for the things to come.

3.21.36

manuḥ syandanam āsthāya

śātakaumbha-paricchadam

āropya svāḿ duhitaraḿ

sa-bhāryaḥ paryaṭan mahīm

(36) Svâyambhuva Manu mounted together with his wife a gold-plated chariot, placed his daughter on it and traveled all over the earth.

3.21.37

tasmin sudhanvann ahani

bhagavān yat samādiśat

upāyād āśrama-padaḿ

muneḥ śānta-vratasya tat

 (37) O great archer, as the Lord had foretold, he reached the hermitage of the sage on the very day he completed his vows of austerity.

3.21.38-39

yasmin bhagavato netrān

nyapatann aśru-bindavaḥ

kṛpayā samparītasya

prapanne 'rpitayā bhṛśam

tad vai bindusaro nāma

sarasvatyā pariplutam

puṇyaḿ śivāmṛta-jalaḿ

maharṣi-gaṇa-sevitam

(38-39) That holy auspicious water of the Sarasvatî river flooding the lake was the nectar that had been frequented by hosts of great sages. It was verily a lake of tears, the way it was called after the teardrops that fell down from the Lord His eyes when He was overwhelmed by His extreme compassion for this surrendered soul.

3.21.40

puṇya-druma-latā-jālaiḥ

kūjat-puṇya-mṛga-dvijaiḥ

sarvartu-phala-puṣpāḍhyaḿ

vana-rāji-śriyānvitam

(40) The place was holy with clusters of trees and creepers with the pleasant cries of good-natured animals and birds. Adorned by the beauty of groves of trees it was rich with fruits and flowers throughout all the seasons.

3.21.41

matta-dvija-gaṇair ghuṣṭaḿ

matta-bhramara-vibhramam

matta-barhi-naṭāṭopam

āhvayan-matta-kokilam

(41) It teemed with the life of flocks of birds, intoxicated bees madly buzzing around, peacocks proudly dancing and merry cuckoos calling each other.

3.21.42-43

kadamba-campakāśoka-

karañja-bakulāsanaiḥ

kunda-mandāra-kuṭajaiś

cūta-potair alańkṛtam

kāraṇḍavaiḥ plavair haḿsaiḥ

kurarair jala-kukkuṭaiḥ

sārasaiś cakravākaiś ca

cakorair valgu kūjitam

 (42-43) The lake was adorned by kadamba, campaka, as'oka, karañja and bakula flowers and âsana, kunda, mandâra, kuthaja trees and young mango trees and the pleasant sounds could be heard of kârandava ducks, plavas, swans, ospreys, waterfowls, cranes, cakravâka and cakora birds.

3.21.44

tathaiva hariṇaiḥ kroḍaiḥ

śvāvid-gavaya-kuñjaraiḥ

gopucchair haribhir markair

nakulair nābhibhir vṛtam

(44) There were also masses of deer, boars, porcupines, gavayas [wild cows], elephants, baboons, lions, monkeys, mongooses and musk deer.

3.21.45-47

praviśya tat tīrtha-varam

ādi-rājaḥ sahātmajaḥ

dadarśa munim āsīnaḿ

tasmin huta-hutāśanam

vidyotamānaḿ vapuṣā

tapasy ugra-yujā ciram

nātikṣāmaḿ bhagavataḥ

snigdhāpāńgāvalokanāt

tad-vyāhṛtāmṛta-kalā-

pīyūṣa-śravaṇena ca

prāḿśuḿ padma-palāśākṣaḿ

jaṭilaḿ cīra-vāsasam

upasaḿśritya malinaḿ

yathārhaṇam asaḿskṛtam

(45-47) When the first monarch with his daughter entered that eminent place, he saw the sage sitting in his hermitage, offering oblations in the sacred fire. His body shone brilliantly because of his prolonged, terrible penance of yoga and was not very emaciated, for the Lord had cast His affectionate, sidelong glance upon him and made him listen to His moonlike, nectarean words. He was tall with eyes as the petals of a lotus, had matted locks of hair and ragged clothes. Approaching him he appeared to be soiled like an unpolished gem.

3.21.48

athoṭajam upāyātaḿ

nṛdevaḿ praṇataḿ puraḥ

saparyayā paryagṛhṇāt

pratinandyānurūpayā

 (48) The monarch having approached the cottage bowed before him, whereupon the sage received him with honor and gave him a welcome befitting a king.

3.21.49

gṛhītārhaṇam āsīnaḿ

saḿyataḿ prīṇayan muniḥ

smaran bhagavad-ādeśam

ity āha ślakṣṇayā girā

(49) After having accepted the respect offered, he then remained seated silently and was delighted to hear what the sage, thinking of what the Lord had told him, then in a pleasant tone of voice said:
3.21.50

nūnaḿ cańkramaṇaḿ deva

satāḿ saḿrakṣaṇāya te

vadhāya cāsatāḿ yas tvaḿ

hareḥ śaktir hi pālinī

(50) 'I am sure o divine personality, that you tour around in order to protect the virtuous ones and put an end to the life of the wicked ones, since you are the person representing the Lord His protective potency.

3.21.51

yo 'rkendv-agnīndra-vāyūnāḿ

yama-dharma-pracetasām

rūpāṇi sthāna ādhatse

tasmai śuklāya te namaḥ

(51) According to the necessity you assume the different forms of the sun, the moon, the fire [Agni], the Lord of heaven [Indra], the wind [Vâyu], the one chastising [Yama], the religion [Dharma] and of the waters [Varuna]. I offer Lord Vishnu who is You my obeisances.

3.21.52-54

na yadā ratham āsthāya

jaitraḿ maṇi-gaṇārpitam

visphūrjac-caṇḍa-kodaṇḍo

rathena trāsayann aghān

sva-sainya-caraṇa-kṣuṇṇaḿ

vepayan maṇḍalaḿ bhuvaḥ

vikarṣan bṛhatīḿ senāḿ

paryaṭasy aḿśumān iva

tadaiva setavaḥ sarve

varṇāśrama-nibandhanāḥ

bhagavad-racitā rājan

bhidyeran bata dasyubhiḥ

(52-54) If you wouldn't have mounted the chariot of victory bedecked with its mass of jewels and have twanged your bow so frighteningly, threatening all the culprits with your presence, if your leading a huge army of trampling foot soldiers wouldn't have shaken the earth roaming the globe like the brilliant sun, then surely all moral codes and obligations of the vocations [varna] and age groups [âs'rama] as arranged by the Lord o King, alas would have been broken by rogues.

3.21.55

adharmaś ca samedheta

lolupair vyańkuśair nṛbhiḥ

śayāne tvayi loko 'yaḿ

dasyu-grasto vinańkṣyati

(55) When you would rest, unrighteousness would flourish with a lack of control over men who are simply after the money. This world would then be seized by the miscreants and come to naught [see also B.G. 3: 23].

3.21.56

athāpi pṛcche tvāḿ vīra

yad-arthaḿ tvam ihāgataḥ

tad vayaḿ nirvyalīkena

pratipadyāmahe hṛdā

 (56) Nevertheless I ask you, o heroic one, what the reason is of your visit, for that is what we without reservation will carry out with heart and soul.'

( My humble salutations to the lotus feet of Swamyjis, Philosophic scholars, knowledge seekers, for the collection)