Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sri Bhagavatam - Canto 12 (Skandha 12) Chapter 12




















VedaVyasa
Praneetha

The Mad Bhagavatam


 
 Canto 12
Chapter 12
The Topics of S'rîmad Bhâgavatam Summarized
In this chapter, Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī summarizes the subjects discussed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
The Supreme Lord, Śrī Hari, personally removes all the distress of a person who hears about His glories. Whatever words glorify the innumerable transcendental qualities of the Personality of Godhead are truthful, auspicious and conducive to piety, whereas all other words are impure. Discussions of topics concerning the Supreme Lord bestow ecstasy, which remains constantly new, but persons who are like crows become absorbed in unessential topics, those unrelated to the Personality of Godhead.
By chanting and hearing the countless names of Lord Śrī Hari, which describe His glorious qualities, all human beings can be relieved of their sins. Neither knowledge devoid of devotion for Lord Viṣṇu nor fruitive work not offered to Him have any real beauty. By constant remembrance of Lord Kṛṣṇa, on the other hand, all one's inauspicious desires are destroyed, one's mind is purified, and one attains devotion for Lord Śrī Hari along with knowledge filled with realization and detachment.
Sūta Gosvāmī then states that previously, in the assembly of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, he heard from the mouth of Śrī Śukadeva the glories of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, which annihilate all sinful reactions, and that now he has related these glories to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya. By hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the spirit soul is purified and obtains salvation from all sins and all kinds of fear. Through the study of this scripture, one achieves the same result as that achieved by one who studies all the Vedas, and one also achieves the fulfillment of all desires. By studying with a controlled mind this essential compilation of all the Purāṇas, one will reach the supreme abode of the Personality of Godhead. Every verse of this scripture. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, contains the narrations of Lord Śrī Hari, who has innumerable personal forms.
Finally, Śrī Sūta offers obeisances to the unborn and unlimited Supreme Soul, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, as well as to Śrī Śukadeva, the son of Vyāsa, who is capable of destroying the sins of all living beings.


12.12.1
brahmaṇebhyo namaskṛtya



(1) Sûta said: "Offering my obeisances to Lord Krishna, to the creator, to the brahmins and to the supreme of dharma, I shall now discuss the eternal nature of religion [in terms of the topics discussed in the Bhâgavatam].
In this Twelfth Chapter of the Twelfth Canto, Sūta Gosvāmī will summarize all the topics of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, beginning from the First Canto.
12.12.2
viṣṇoś caritam adbhutam
bhavadbhir yad ahaḿ pṛṣṭo
narāṇāḿ puruṣocitam

 (2) O sages, upon your request I related to you these wonderous pastimes of Lord Vishnu that are especially suitable for people in respect of the person.
The words narāṇāḿ puruṣocitam indicate that men and women who actually come to the standard of human life hear and chant the glories of the Supreme Lord, whereas uncivilized persons may not be interested in the science of God.

12.12.3
nārāyaṇo hṛṣīkeśo

(3) The direct interest of this narration is the glorification of the Lord, the Remover of All Sins, Nârâyana, the Lord of the Senses, the Supreme Personality and Master of the Sâtvatas.
Lord Kṛṣṇa's many holy names indicate His extraordinary transcendental qualities. The name Hari indicates that the Lord removes all sins from the heart of His devotee. Nārāyaṇa indicates that the Lord sustains the existence of all other beings. Hṛṣīkeśa indicates that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate controller of the senses of all living beings. The word bhagavān indicates that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the all-attractive Supreme Being. And the words sātvatāḿ patiḥ indicate that the Lord is naturally the master of saintly and religious people, especially the members of the exalted Yadu family.
12.12.4
jagataḥ prabhavāpyayam

 (4) The creation and annihilation of this universe and the confidential knowledge of the One Self-existent Supreme Spirit is discussed herein, together with the purity of perception and the means of cultivating that realization.

12.12.5
bhakti-yogaḥ samākhyāto
nāradākhyānam eva ca
The following topics are also narrated: the process of devotional service together with its subsidiary feature of renunciation, and the histories of Mahārāja Parīkṣit and the sage Nārada.

12.12.6
prāyopaveśo rājarṣer
śukasya brahmarṣabhasya
saḿvādaś ca parīkṣitaḥ
Also described are saintly King Parīkṣit's sitting down to fast until death in response to the curse of a brāhmaṇa's son, and the conversations between Parīkṣit and Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who is the best of all brāhmaṇas.

(5-6) Bhakti-yoga and the renunciation belonging to it are at length discussed [in 1.2, 7.5-10 & Canto 11.29], just as the history of Nârada [1.4-6] and the story of Parîkchit describing how the sage among the kings fasted until death because he was cursed by [the son of] a sage and then had his conversation with S'uka, the best of the brahmins [see Canto 1.8-18].
12.12.7
yoga-dhāraṇayotkrāntiḥ
saḿvādo nāradājayoḥ
avatārānugītaḿ ca
sargaḥ prādhāniko 'grataḥ


(7) What follows is a discussion of how one may attain liberation by concentrating in yoga in case one has to die [2.2: 15-21], a conversation between Nârada and Brahmâ [2.5], the row of avatâras [1.3 & 2.7] and how the process of evolution takes place from the primary of nature [or pradhâna, 3.26: 10-72].
it would be difficult to give a complete list of the numerous accounts and topics contained in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Therefore it is understood that Sūta Gosvāmī is merely summarizing the topics. We should not consider the topics he fails to mention here less important or superfluous, since every letter and word of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is absolute, Kṛṣṇa conscious sound vibration.

12.12.8
viduroddhava-saḿvādaḥ
kṣattṛ-maitreyayos tataḥ

(8) Next there is the discussion Vidura had with Uddhava [3.1: 25-3.4] and the one Vidura had with Maitreya [3.5-4.31], [preceded by] what a Purâna entails [in general, see 2.10: 1 and 12.7: 9-10], and then the subject is discussed of the winding up of the creation within the Mahâpurusha [2.10: 6, 3.11: 30, 8.5: 35, 11.3: 8-15, 12.4].
12.12.9
sapta vaikṛtikāś ca ye
tato brahmāṇḍa-sambhūtir

(9) What follows is the creation the way it occurs from [the modes of] material nature and the generation of the seven derivatives [of mahat, ahamkâra and the tanmâtras, see 3.20: 12-17], that come about with the evolution of the egg of the universe from which the universal form of the Lord arises [3.6].
12.12.10
bhuva uddharaṇe 'mbhodher

(10) The gross and subtle movements of time [3.11], [are discussed as well as] the generation of the lotus [3.8] and the killing of Hiranyâksha relating to the deliverance of the earth from the ocean [3.17-19].
12.12.11
ūrdhva-tiryag-avāk-sargo
rudra-sargas tathaiva ca
ardha-nārīśvarasyātha
yataḥ svāyambhuvo manuḥ

(11) [And thus we have] the creation of the higher beings, the animals and the lower ones [3.12: 37-48], the birth of Rudra [3.12], and the appearance of Svâyambhuva Manu from the male/female division of the Lord [see 3.12: 49-53, 4.1].

12.12.12
ādyā prakṛtir uttamā
Also related are the appearance of the first woman, Śatarūpā, who was the excellent consort of Manu, and the offspring of the pious wives of Prajāpati Kardama.

12.12.13
avatāro bhagavataḥ
devahūtyāś ca saḿvādaḥ
The Bhāgavatam describes the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the exalted sage Kapila and records the conversation between that greatly learned soul and His mother, Devahūti.
(12-13) [Discussed are] the progeny of the excellent consort of the first woman S'atarûpâ, and the offspring of [the nine daughters of] the pious wife [Devahûti] of the founding father Kardama [see 3.24: 20-25 and 4.1], the descend of the Supreme Soul, the Supreme Personality of Lord Kapila and the conversation of the scholarly Kapila with Devahûti [4.25-33].
12.12.14-15
nava-brahma-samutpattir
nāradasya ca saḿvādas
nābhes tato 'nucaritam


(14-15) The descendants of the nine brahmins [who married Kardama's daughters, 4.1], the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice [4.2-7] and the history of Dhruva [4.8-13] is then followed by the stories of Prithu [4.15-23] and Prâcînabarhi [4.24-29], his conversation with Nârada [4.29], the stories of Priyavrata [5.1], o brahmins, Nâbhi [5.3], the life of Rishabha [5.3-6], and Bharata Mahârâja [5.7-13].
Also described are the progeny of the nine great brāhmaṇas, the destruction of Dakṣa's sacrifice, and the history of Dhruva Mahārāja, followed by the histories of King Pṛthu and King Prācīnabarhi, the discussion between Prācīnabarhi and Nārada, and the life of Mahārāja Priyavrata. Then, O brāhmaṇas, the Bhāgavatam tells of the character and activities of King Nābhi, Lord Ṛṣabha and King Bharata.

12.12.16


(16) The continents, subcontinents and oceans, the mountains and rivers are described in detail [5.19-20], as well as the celestial sphere [5.21-23] and the arrangement of the subterranean regions and hell [5.24-26].
12.12.17
dakṣa-janma pracetobhyas
yato devāsura-narās
tiryań-naga-khagādayaḥ

(17) [Described are] Daksha's [re-]birth as the son of the Pracetâs [6.4] and the progeny of his daughters from which there were the demigods, demons and human beings, the animals [the mammals], serpents, birds and other species [6.6].
12.12.18
putrayoś ca diter dvijāḥ
daityeśvarasya caritaḿ

 (18) [Also there is] the birth and death of [Vritra, 6.9-12] the son of Tvashthâ and the two sons of Diti, Hiranyâksha [3.14-19] and Hiranyakas'ipu, o brahmins, together with the history of the great soul Prahlâda, the controller of the Daityas [7.2-8].
12.12.19
manv-antarānukathanaḿ
manv-antarāvatārāś ca
viṣṇor hayaśirādayaḥ
The reign of each Manu, the liberation of Gajendra, and the special incarnations of Lord Viṣṇu in each manv-antara, such as Lord Hayaśīrṣā, are described as well.
12.12.20
amṛtārthe divaukasām
The Bhāgavatam also tells of the appearances of the Lord of the universe as Kūrma, Matsya, Narasiḿha and Vāmana, and of the demigods' churning of the milk ocean to obtain nectar.
(19-20) In detail are described the reigns of the Manus [8.1], the liberation of the king of the elephants [Gajendra, 8.2-4] and the avatâras of Lord Vishnu in each period of Manu [8.5 & 13] like Hayas'îrshâ [8.24: 8 & 57; 5.18: 1], Nrisimha [7.9-10], Vâmana [8.18-22], Mâtsya [8.24] and Kûrma for the sake of churning the nectar from the milk ocean by the inhabitants of heaven [8.7-8].

12.12.21
devāsura-mahā-yuddhaḿ
rāja-vaḿśānukīrtanam

(21) The great war between the demons and the gods is described [8.10] as also systematically the dynasties of the kings [9.2, 7, 9, 12, 13, 17, 20-24]; the dynasty of Sudyumna [9.1] and the birth of Ikshvâku and his dynasty [9.6].

12.12.22
ilopākhyānam atroktaḿ
tāropākhyānam eva ca
sūrya-vaḿśānukathanaḿ
śaśādādyā nṛgādayaḥ

(22) Related are the stories of Ilâ [9.1: 16-27] and Târâ [9.14: 4-13] as also an account of the descendants of the Sûrya-vams'a, like S'as'âda [Vikukshi, 9.6: 6-11] and Nriga [9.1: 11-12, 9.2: 17 & 10: 64].
12.12.23

(23) There are the stories of Sukanyâ [9.3], [the daughter of] S'aryâti, the intelligent Kakutstha [Purañjaya, 9.6: 12-19], Mândhâtâ [9.6: 33-37 & 9.7], Saubhari [9.6], Sagara [9.8] and Khathvânga [9.9: 41-47].
12.12.24
rāmasya kośalendrasya
caritaḿ kilbiṣāpaham
nimer ańga-parityāgo


(24) [Presented are] the pastimes of Lord Râmacandra, the King of Kosala, which dispel all sin [9.10 & 11], Nimi who gave up his material body [9.13], and the appearance of the descendants of king Janaka [or S'îradhvaja, 9.13: 18-27].
12.12.25-26
rāmasya bhārgavendrasya
yayāter nahuṣasya ca
dauṣmanter bharatasyāpi
śāntanos tat-sutasya ca
yador vaḿśo 'nukīrtitaḥ


(25-26) [Spoken is about] the elimination of the ruling class by Lord Paras'urâma, the Greatest One of Bhrigu [9.15 & 16]; about Aila [Purûravâ, 9.14 & 15], Nahusha [9.18: 1], Yayâti [9.18 & 19], Dushmanta's son Bharata [9.20], S'ântanu [9.22: 12-13] and S'ântanu's son Bhîshma [9.22: 18-19] of the Candra-vams'a as also about the celebrated dynasty of Yadu, the eldest son of Yayâti [9.23: 18-29].
12.12.27
yatrāvatīṛṇo bhagavān
kṛṣṇākhyo jagad-īśvaraḥ
tato vṛddhiś ca gokule


(27) [It is] the dynasty in which - in the house of Vasudeva - the Supreme Lord known as Krishna, the Controller of the Living Being, descended; [following is described] His birth [10.3] and how He grew up in Gokula [10.4-10].
12.12.28-29
tasya karmāṇy apārāṇi
kīrtitāny asura-dviṣaḥ
pūtanāsu-payaḥ-pānaḿ
śakaṭoccāṭanaḿ śiśoḥ
tṛṇāvartasya niṣpeṣas
tathaiva baka-vatsayoḥ
vatsa-pālāvagūhanam
Also glorified are the innumerable pastimes of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the enemy of the demons, including His childhood pastimes of sucking out Pūtanā's life air along with her breast-milk, breaking the cart, trampling down Tṛṇāvarta, killing Bakāsura, Vatsāsura and Aghāsura, and the pastimes He enacted when Lord Brahmā hid His calves and cowherd boyfriends in a cave.
12.12.30
dāvāgneḥ parisarpataḥ
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam tells how Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma killed the demon Dhenukāsura and his companions, how Lord Balarāma destroyed Pralambāsura, and also how Kṛṣṇa saved the cowherd boys from a raging forest fire that had encircled them.
(28-30) His countless exploits are [next] glorified [in the descriptions of]: how He sucked the milk along with the life-air out of Pûtanâ [10.6], how He as a child broke the cart and trampled Trinâvarta [10.7], killed Baka, Vatsa [10.11], and Agha [10.12], [and how He dealt with] Brahmâ hiding away the calves and boys [10.13 & 14], how He destroyed Dhenuka [10.15] and Pralamba [10.18] with His companions, and how He saved them [the gopas] from a forest fire that entrapped them [10.17 & 19].
12.12.31-33
damanaḿ kāliyasyāher
yatra tuṣṭo 'cyuto vrataiḥ
prasādo yajña-patnībhyo
viprāṇāḿ cānutāpanam
govardhanoddhāraṇaḿ ca
śakrasya surabher atha
yajñabhiṣekaḥ kṛṣṇasya
vadho 'riṣṭasya keśinaḥ

(31-33) [Recounted are] the subduing of the snake Kâliya [10.16-17]; the vows that to the contentment of the Infallible One were observed by the young gopîs [10.21 & 22]; the mercy for the brahmin wives feeling sorry [10.23]; the lifting of Govardhana Hill [10.25] and the worship and ritual bathing next performed by Indra and Surabhi [10.27]; Krishna's sporting with the gopîs during the nights [10.29-33], the rescue of Nanda Mahârâja from a great serpent [10.34] and the killing of the foolish S'ankhacûda [10.34], Arishtha [10.36] and Kes'î [10.37].
The chastisement of the serpent Kāliya; the rescue of Nanda Mahārāja from a great snake; the severe vows performed by the young gopīs, who thus satisfied Lord Kṛṣṇa; the mercy He showed the wives of the Vedic brāhmaṇas, who felt remorse; the lifting of Govardhana Hill followed by the worship and bathing ceremony performed by Indra and the Surabhi cow; Lord Kṛṣṇa's nocturnal pastimes with the cowherd girls; and the killing of the foolish demons Śańkhacūḍa, Ariṣṭa and Keśī — all these pastimes are elaborately recounted.
12.12.34
akrūrāgamanaḿ paścāt
mathurālokanaḿ tataḥ

 (34) Thereafter Akrûra arrives [10.38] and the departure takes place of Râma and Krishna, there is lamentation of the women of Vraja [10.39] and the tour around Mathurâ [10.41].

12.12.35
kaḿsādīnāḿ tathā vadhaḥ
mṛtasyānayanaḿ sūnoḥ
punaḥ sāndīpaner guroḥ

(35) Then the killing of the elephant Kuvalayâpîda [10.43], the wrestlers Mushthika, Cânûra, and Kamsa and others [10.44], as well as the retrieval of the son of Sândîpani, the guru are described [10.45].
12.12.36

(36) Residing in Mathurâ in the company of Uddhava and Balarâma, by the Lord, o brahmins, pastimes were performed for the satisfaction of the circle of the Yadus [10.48].
12.12.37
ghātanaḿ yavanendrasya
kuśasthalyā niveśanam


(37) [Next there is] the annihilation many times over of the troops assembled by Jarasândha [10.50], the founding of Dvârakâ and the killing of the barbarian king [10.51].
12.12.38
sudharmāyāḥ surālayāt
pramathya dviṣato hareḥ


(38) There is the kidnapping of Rukminî with the Lord defeating His rivals in battle [10.53] and the pârijâta from heaven [from Indra, 10.50: 54] received together with the Sudharmâ assembly hall.
12.12.39

 (39) The killing of the master of Prâgjyotishapura [Bhauma or Naraka] and the rescue of the young maidens [is discussed in 10.59] with next the forced yawning of S'iva in the battle with Bâna and the cutting of Bâna's arms [10.63].
12.12.40-41
śambaro dvividaḥ pīṭho
muraḥ pañcajanādayaḥ
vārāṇasyāś ca dāhanam
bhārāvataraṇaḿ bhūmer


 (40-41) The [Bhâgavatam also deals with the] prowess and death of Pañcajana [10.45: 40-41], S'ambara [10.55], Pîthha [10.59], Mura [10.59], Dvivida [10.67], the king of Cedi [10.74], S'âlva [10.76-77], the foolish Dantavakra [10.78], and others; how the Pândavas became the direct cause [for Krishna] to relieve the earth of its burden [10.49] and the burning of Vârânasî [10.66].
12.12.42-43
vipra-śāpāpadeśena
uddhavasya ca saḿvādo
vasudevasya cādbhutaḥ
yatrātma-vidyā hy akhilā
ātma-yogānubhāvataḥ


(42-43) [Dealt with is] the withdrawal of His own family [11.30] on the pretext of a curse from the learned [11.1] and the wonderful discussion of Vâsudeva with Uddhava in which the science of the true self came to its full expression in ascertaining the dharma [of how to live with Krishna not physically present anymore, see 11.6-29], with thereafter His forsaking of the mortal world by the strength of His own mystical power [11.31].
12.12.44
yuga-lakṣaṇa-vṛttiś ca
catur-vidhaś ca pralaya
utpattis tri-vidhā tathā


(44) [Also discussed are] the characteristics of the different yugas and their corresponding activities [11.17 & 12.3], the total annoyance of man in Kali-yuga [12.1-3] and the four types of annihilation and three [guna] kinds of creation [12.4].

12.12.45
deha-tyāgaś ca rājarṣer


(45) [At last there is an account of] Vishnurata [Parîkchit], the intelligent saintly king, relinquishing his body [12.5-6], how the seer [Vyâsa and others] conveyed the branches of the Veda [12.6-7], the pious narration about Mârkandeya [12.8-10] and the arrangement of the [limbs of the] Mahâpurusha and the arrangement [of time] in relation to the sun, the self of the living being of the universe [12.11].

12.12.46
yat pṛṣṭo 'ham ihāsmi vaḥ
līlāvatāra-karmāṇi
kīrtitānīha sarvaśaḥ


(46) Thus I have discussed in this narration, in response to your inquiry o best of the twice-born, the activities of the lîlâ-avatâras.

12.12.47
patitaḥ skhalitaś cārtaḥ
haraye nama ity uccair

(47) If one, falling, tripping, being hurt or sneezing spontaneously cries out aloud 'haraye namah' (obeisances to Hari), is one freed from all that leads to a fall-down.
12.12.48
sańkīrtyamāno bhagavān anantaḥ
śrutānubhāvo vyasanaḿ hi puḿsām
yathā tamo 'rko 'bhram ivāti-vātaḥ


(48) Of persons who properly chant about the Supreme Lord and hear about the Unlimited One His potency, the misery that enters the heart is cleansed away entirely, the same way the sun removes the darkness or a strong wind removes the clouds.
One may not be satisfied by the example of the sun removing the darkness, since sometimes the darkness in a cave is not removed by the sun. Therefore the example is given of a strong wind that drives away a cover of clouds. It is thus emphatically stated here that the Supreme Lord will remove from the heart of His devotee the darkness of material illusion.

12.12.49
mṛṣā giras hy asatīr asat-kathā
tad eva puṇyaḿ bhagavad-guṇodayam

 (49) Vain indeed are those words and discussions about the relative truth wherein the Possessor of the Opulences, the Lord in the Beyond is not mentioned; that alone is true, that alone indeed is auspicious, that alone is meritorious which gives rise to the qualities of the Fortunate One.
Sooner or later, all material literature and discussion must fail the test of time. On the other hand, the transcendental descriptions of the Supreme Lord can free us from the bondage of illusion and restore us to our eternal status as loving servants of the Lord. Although men who are like animals may criticize the glorification of the Absolute Truth, those who are civilized should go on vigorously propagating the transcendental glories of the Lord.

12.12.50
tad eva śaśvan manaso mahotsavam
yad uttamaḥśloka-yaśo 'nugīyate

 (50) That for true is attractive, is newer and newer; that indeed is a constant, great festival to the mind; that [way of speaking] in which the glories of the Best One of the Verses, Uttamas'loka, are sung repeatedly, dries up the ocean of misery for all persons.
12.12.51
na yad vacaś citra-padaḿ harer yaśo
yatrācyutas tatra hi sādhavo 'malāḥ


 (51) An exposition of illustrative words which never describes the sanctifying glories of the Lord compares to a place of pilgrimage for crows and is never served by the swanlike, the pure saints who think of Acyuta only [alike 1.5: 10].
12.12.52
tad vāg-visargo janatāgha-samplavo
yasmin prati-ślokam abaddhavaty api
nāmāny anantasya yaśo 'ńkitāni yat


(52) That creation of words which revolutionizes the sins of the people and in which, although imperfectly composed, each verse depicts the names and glories of the unlimited Lord, is heard, sung and accepted by the ones who are purified and honest [identical to 1.5: 11].
12.12.53


(53) In spite of self-realization free from material motives, the transcendental knowledge of the infallible that is void of love [or devotion for the Supreme Lord] doesn't look very good actually. Would indeed working for a result do any good when one fails in the unsurpassable work that is performed for the Lord [alike 1.5: 11]?
12.12.54
varṇāśramācāra-tapaḥ-śrutādiṣu
guṇānuvāda-śravaṇādarādibhiḥ

(54) When one is of penance and listens to the scriptures and so on, one is, for the sake of repute and material success, of great endeavor in serving the varnâs'rama system. But when one listens to and exercizes respect for - and so on - the lotus feet of the Maintainer of the Goddess of Fortune, one is of remembrance because one lives in confirmation of the qualities.
12.12.55
avismṛtiḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayoḥ

(55) The remembrance of Lord Krishna's lotusfeet destroys everything inauspicious, leads to good fortune, purification of the heart and, connected in the wisdom and detachment, to spiritual knowing and devotion for the Supreme Soul.
12.12.56
yac chaśvad ātmany akhilātma-bhūtam
ajasra-bhāvā bhajatāviveśya

 (56) You all, o most eminent brahmins, are indeed extremely fortunate being constant with Nârâyana, the Original Soul and Godhead of all, in having placed in your heart the Heavenly Lord Beyond Whom No Other is Found. Unrelenting in your love be now of worship.
12.12.57
ahaḿ ca saḿsmārita ātma-tattvaḿ
śrutaḿ purā me paramarṣi-vaktrāt


(57) I also was reminded of this science of the Soul as I, just as you present in an assembly of attentively listening great sages, heard it from the mouth of S'uka, the greatest of sages, when king Parîkchit was fasting until death.
12.12.58
kathanīyoru-karmaṇaḥ
sarvāśubha-vināśanam


(58) This o learned ones, what I narrated to you about the glories of Vâsudeva, the One of Great Deeds Who is Most Worthy to Describe, completely puts an end to all inauspiciousness.

12.12.59
ya etat śrāvayen nityaḿ
pādaḿ pādārdham eva
śraddhāvān yo 'nuśṛṇuyāt

 (59) Someone who with unswerving attention every yâma [three hour period] and every kshana [a moment of 1.6 second] with faith makes others listen or faithfully listens himself to but one verse or even half a one, but one line or even half a line, will purify his very soul.
12.12.60
śṛṇvann āyuṣyavān bhavet


(60) If one, not having eaten, with careful attention recites or listens [to the Bhâgavatam] on the eleventh or either twelfth day [of a 15-day lunar fortnight, on Ekâdas'î thus, see 3.11: 10], one will be blessed with a long life and be freed from all that causes one to fall.
12.12.61
dvāravatyāḿ yatātmavān


 (61) In self-control fasting and reciting this collection of verses at [the holy places of] Pushkara, Mathurâ or Dvârakâ, one will be freed from the fear [of Time, or of a material life, see also 1.13: 19].
12.12.62
pitaro manavo nṛpāḥ
śṛṇvato yasya kīrtanāt


(62) Chanting or hearing being of that glorification, the demigods and sages, the perfected and the forefathers, the progenitors and the kings will bestow all that is desired.
12.12.63
dvijo 'dhītyānuvindate
payaḥ-kulyāś ca tat phalam

(63) A twice-born soul studying [this text] as a result may obtain the same rivers of honey, ghee and milk one acquires with studying the Rig, Yayur and Sâma verses.

12.12.64

(64) Diligently studying this essential compilation of classical stories will a twice-born as a consequence attain that supreme position which is described by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

12.12.65
vipro 'dhītyāpnuyāt prajñāḿ
rājanyodadhi-mekhalām

(65) An educated man studying it achieves spiritual insight, a king achieves this way the dominion, a businessman the lordship of treasures and a worker will rid himself of all that leads to a falldown.
12.12.66
kali-mala-saḿhati-kālano 'khileśo


(66) Because in Kali-yuga Hari, the Lord of All and Annihilator of the Contamination, is not [really or as fully] described anywhere else but in here, for the justification of Bhagavân who expands in countless forms, each and every verse is describing Him in the form of the stories as they've been told.
12.12.67
jagad-udaya-sthiti-saḿyamātma-śaktim
dyu-patibhir aja-śakra-śańkarādyair


(67) I am bowed down to Him the Unborn, Unlimited, Real Self by whose energies there is the creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe, to Him the Lord Infallible who is unfathomable in His glory to [even] the masters of heaven who are lead by the unseen one [Aja or Brahmâ], the mighty one [S'akra or Indra], and the beneficent one [S'ankara or S'iva].
12.12.68
uparacita-sthira-jańgamālayāya

 (68) My obeisances to the Eternal Lord, the Best of All the Gods, to the Fortunate One whose Manifestation is Pure Consciousness and who by His nine powers [s'aktis or potencies] arranged for His own Self as the safe haven of the moving and nonmoving living beings.
12.12.69
sva-sukha-nibhṛta-cetās tad-vyudastānya-bhāvo
'py ajita-rucira-līlākṛṣṭa-sāras tadīyam


(69) I bow down to him, the son of Vyâsa who defeats everything inauspicious and who, attracted in his heart by the pastimes of His activities, in order to please the one Unconquerable, in denial of any other type of consciousness had the intelligence to give up his solitary happiness and mercifully disclosed the [Bhâgavata] Purâna, the light of reality."

Without offering respectful obeisances to Śukadeva Gosvāmī and other great ācāryas in his line, one cannot possibly gain the privilege of entering into the deep transcendental meaning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Thus end  of the Twelfth Canto, Twelfth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled "The Topics of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Summarized."


(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of Swamyjis, Philosophers, Scholars and Knowledge Seekers for the collection)

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