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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
svāyambhuvasya ca manor
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
(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
devahūtīti viśrutā
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
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
dakṣo vā brahmaṇaḥ sutaḥ
(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
kardamo brahmaṇoditaḥ
(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
(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
(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
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
śvetotpala-krīḍanakaḿ
(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
(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
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
sāḿsiddhyam akṣṇos tava darśanān naḥ
(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
(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
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
(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
(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
(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
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
(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
namāmy abhīkṣṇaḿ namanīya-pāda-
(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
suparṇa-pakṣopari rocamānaḥ
(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
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
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
brahmāvartaḿ yo 'dhivasan
(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
(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
mṛgayantīḿ patiḿ dāsyaty
(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
yatremān parivatsarān
(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
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
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
(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
(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
bhagavān pratyag-akṣajaḥ
jagāma
bindusarasaḥ
(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
ākarṇayan patra-rathendra-pakṣair
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
sarvartu-phala-puṣpāḍhyaḿ
(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
(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
cūta-potair alańkṛtam
kāraṇḍavaiḥ plavair haḿsaiḥ
kurarair jala-kukkuṭaiḥ
sārasaiś cakravākaiś ca
(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
nātikṣāmaḿ bhagavataḥ
snigdhāpāńgāvalokanāt
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
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
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
3.21.50
(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
(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
visphūrjac-caṇḍa-kodaṇḍo
(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
lolupair vyańkuśair nṛbhiḥ
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
(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)
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