S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 10
Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
(for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)
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Canto 10: 'Summum Bonum'
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Chapter Eighty-nine: Krishna and Arjuna Retrieve a Brâhmana's Sons
TEXT 1
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
sarasvatyâs tathe râjann
rishayah satram âsata
vitarkah samabhût teshâm
trishv adhîs'eshu ko mahân
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; sarasvatyâh - of the river Sarasvatî; tathe - on the bank; râjan - O King (Parîkchit); rishayah - sages; satram - a Vedic sacrifice; âsata - were performing; vitarkah - a disagreement; samabhût - arose; teshâm - among them; trishu - among the three; adhîs'eshu - chief lords; kah - who; mahân - the greatest.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Once, O King, as a group of sages were performing a Vedic sacrifice on the banks of the Sarasvatî River, a controversy arose among them as to which of the three chief deities is supreme.
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TEXT 2
tasya jijñâsayâ te vai
bhrigum brahma-sutam nripa
taj-jñaptyai preshayâm âsuh
so 'bhjagâd brahmanah sabhâm
tasya - about this; jijñâsayâ - with the desire of knowing; te - they; vai - indeed; bhrigum - Bhrigu Muni; brahma-sutam - son of Brahmâ; nripa - O King; tat - this; jñaptyai - to find out; preshayâm âsuh - they sent; sah - he; abhyagât - went; brahmanah - of Lord Brahmâ; sabhâm - to the court.
TRANSLATION
Eager to resolve this question, O King, the sages sent Lord Brahmâ's son Bhrigu to find the answer. First he went to his father's court.
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TEXT 3
na tasmai prahvanam stotram
cakre sattva-parîkshayâ
tasmai cukrodha bhagavân
prajvalan svena tejasâ
na - not; tasmai - to him (Brahmâ); prahvanam - bowing down; stotram - recitation of prayers; cakre - made; sattva - his situation in the mode of goodness; parîkshayâ - with the aim of testing; tasmai - at him; cukrodha - became angry; bhagavân - the lord; prajvalan - becoming inflamed; svena - with his own; tejasâ - passion.
TRANSLATION
To test how well Lord Brahmâ was situated in the mode of goodness, Bhrigu failed to bow down to him or glorify him with prayers. The lord became angry at him, inflamed into fury by his own passion.
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TEXT 4
sa âtmany utthitam manyum
âtmajâyâtmanâ prabhuh
as'îs'amad yathâ vahnim
sva-yonyâ vârinâtma-bhûh
sah - he; âtmani - within himself; utthitam - risen; manyum - anger; âtma- jâya - toward his son; âtmanâ - by his own intelligence; prabhuh - the lord; as'îs'amat - subdued; yathâ - just as; vahnim - fire; sva - itself; yonyâ - whose origin; vârinâ - by water; âtma-bhûh - self-born Brahmâ.
TRANSLATION
Though anger toward his son was now rising within his heart, Lord Brahmâ was able to subdue it by applying his intelligence, in the same way that fire is extinguished by its own product, water.
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TEXT 5
tatah kailâsam agamat
sa tam devo mahes'varah
parirabdhum samârebha
utthâya bhrâtaram mudâ
tatah - then; kailâsam - to Mount Kailâsa; agamat - went; sah - he (Bhrigu); tam - him; devah mahâ-îs'varah - Lord S'iva; parirabdhum - to embrace; samârebhe - attempted; utthâya - standing up; bhrâtaram - his brother; mudâ - with pleasure.
TRANSLATION
Bhrigu then went to Mount Kailâsa. There Lord S'iva stood up and happily came forward to embrace his brother.
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TEXTS 6 - 7
naicchat tvam asy utpatha-ga
iti devas' cukopa ha
s'ûlam udyamya tam hantum
ârebhe tigma-locanah
patitvâ pâdayor devî
sântvayâm âsa tam girâ
atho jagâma vaikunthham
yatra devo janârdanah
na aicchat - he did not desire this (embrace); tvam - you; asi - are; utpatha- gah - a transgressor of the path (of religion); iti - so saying; devah - the lord (S'iva); cukopa ha - became angry; s'ûlam - his trident; udyamya - raising; tam - him (Bhrigu); hantum - to kill; ârebhe - was about; tigma - fierce; locanah - whose eyes;
patitvâ - falling; pâdayoh - at (Lord S'iva's) feet; devî - Goddess Devî; sântvayâm âsa - pacified; tam - him; girâ - with words; atha u - then; jagâma - (Bhrigu) went; vaikunthham - to the spiritual planet of Vaikunthha; yatra - where; devah janârdanah - Lord Janârdana (Vishnu).
TRANSLATION
But Bhrigu refused his embrace, telling him, "You are a deviant heretic." At this Lord S'iva became angry, and his eyes burned ferociously. He raised his trident and was about to kill Bhrigu when Goddess Devî fell at his feet and spoke some words to pacify him. Bhrigu then left that place and went to Vaikunthha, where Lord Janârdana resides.
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TEXTS 8 - 9
s'ayânam s'riya utsange
padâ vakshasy atâdayat
tata utthâya bhagavân
saha lakshmyâ satâm gatih
sva-talpâd avaruhyâtha
nanâma s'irasâ munim
âha te svâgatam brahman
nishîdâtrâsane kshanam
ajânatâm âgatân vah
kshantum arhatha nah prabho
s'ayânam - who was lying down; s'riyah - of the goddess of fortune; utsange - on the lap; padâ - with his foot; vakshasi - on His chest; atâdayat - he kicked; tatah - then; utthâya - standing up; bhagavân - the Personality of Godhead; saha lakshmyâ - together with Goddess Lakshmî; satâm - of pure devotees; gatih - the destination;
sva - His; talpât - from the bed; avaruhya - climbing down; atha - then; nanâma - He bowed down; s'irasâ - with His head; munim - to the sage; âha - He said; te - to you; su-âgatam - welcome; brahman - O brâhmana; nishîda - please sit; atra - in this; âsane - seat; kshanam - for a moment; ajânatâm - who were unaware; âgatân - arrived; vah - of you; kshantum - forgive; arhatha - you should please; nah - us; prabho - O master.
TRANSLATION
There he went up to the Supreme Lord, who was lying with His head on the lap of His consort, S'rî, and kicked Him on the chest. The Lord then rose, along with Goddess Lakshmî, as a sign of respect. Coming down from His bedstead, that supreme goal of all pure devotees bowed His head to the floor before the sage and told him, 'Welcome, brâhmana. Please sit in this chair and rest awhile. Kindly forgive us, dear master, for not noticing your arrival.
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TEXTS 10 - 11
punîhi saha-lokam mâm
loka-pâlâms' ca mad-gatân
pâdodakena bhavatas
tîrthânâm tîrtha-kârinâ
adyâham bhagavaû lakshmyâ
âsam ekânta-bhâjanam
vatsyaty urasi me bhûtir
bhavat-pâda-hatâmhasah
punîhi - please purify; saha - along with; lokam - My planet; mâm - Me; loka - of various planets; pâlân - the rulers; ca - and; mat-gatân - who are devoted to Me; pâda - (which has washed) the feet; udakena - by the water; bhavatah - of your good self; tîrthânâm - of holy places of pilgrimage; tîrtha - their sacredness; kârinâ - which creates;
adya - today; aham - I; bhagavan - O My lord; lakshmyâh - of Lakshmî; âsam - have become; eka-anta - exclusive; bhâjanam - the shelter; vatsyati - will reside; urasi - on the chest; me - My; bhûtih - the goddess of fortune; bhavat - your; pâda - by the foot; hata - eradicated; amhasah - whose sinful reactions.
TRANSLATION
"Please purify Me, My realm and the realms of the universal rulers devoted to Me by giving us the water that has washed your feet. This holy water is indeed what makes all places of pilgrimage sacred. Today, my lord, I have become the exclusive shelter of the goddess of fortune, Lakshmî; she will consent to reside on My chest because your foot has rid it of sins."
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TEXT 12
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
evam bruvâne vaikunthhe
bhrigus tan-mandrayâ girâ
nirvritas tarpitas tûshnîm
bhakty-utkanthho 's'ru-locanah
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; evam - in this way; bruvâne - having spoken; vaikunthhe - Lord Vishnu; bhriguh - Bhrigu; tat - His; mandrayâ - solemn; girâ - by the words; nirvritah - delighted; tarpitah - gratified; tûshnîm - was silent; bhakti - with devotion; utkanthhah - overwhelmed; as'ru - tears; locanah - in whose eyes.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Bhrigu felt satisfied and delighted to hear the solemn words spoken by Lord Vaikunthha. Overwhelmed with devotional ecstasy, he remained silent, his eyes brimming with tears.
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TEXT 13
punas' ca satram âvrajya
munînâm brahma-vâdinâm
svânubhûtam as'eshena
râjan bhrigur avarnayat
punah - again; ca - and; satram - to the sacrifice; âvrajya - going; munînâm - of the sages; brahma-vâdinâm - who were expert in knowledge of the Vedas; sva - by himself; anubhûtam - experienced; as'eshena - in full; râjan - O King (Parîkchit); bhriguh - Bhrigu; avarnayat - described.
TRANSLATION
O King, Bhrigu then returned to the sacrificial arena of the wise Vedic authorities and described his entire experience to them.
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TEXTS 14 - 17
tan nis'amyâtha munayo
vismitâ mukta-sams'ayâh
bhûyâmsam s'raddadhur vishnum
yatah s'ântir yato 'bhayam
dharmah sâkshâd yato jñânam
vairâgyam ca tad-anvitam
ais'varyam câshthadhâ yasmâd
yas'as' câtma-malâpaham
munînâm nyasta-dandânâm
s'ântânâm sama-cetasâm
akiñcanânâm sâdhûnâm
yam âhuh paramâm gatim
sattvam yasya priyâ mûrtir
brâhmanâs tv ishtha-devatâh
bhajanty anâs'ishah s'ântâ
yam vâ nipuna-buddhayah
tat - this; nis'amya - hearing; atha - then; munayah - the sages; vismitâh - amazed; mukta - freed; sams'ayâh - from their doubts; bhûyâmsam - as the greatest; s'raddadhuh - they put their faith; vishnum - in Lord Vishnu; yatah - from whom; s'ântih - peace; yatah - from whom; abhayam - fearlessness;
dharmah - religion; sâkshât - in its direct manifestations; yatah - from whom; jñânam - knowledge; vairâgyam - detachment; ca - and; tat - it (knowledge); anvitam - including; ais'varyam - the mystic power (gained by practice of yoga); ca - and; ashthadhâ - eightfold; yasmât - from whom; yas'ah - His fame; ca - also; âtma - of the mind; mala - the contamination; apaham - which eradicates;
munînâm - of the sages; nyasta - who have given up; dandânâm - violence; s'ântânâm - peaceful; sama - equipoised; cetasâm - whose minds; akiñcanânâm - selfless; sâdhûnâm - saintly; yam - whom; âhuh - they call; paramâm - the supreme; gatim - destination;
sattvam - the mode of goodness; yasya - whose; priyâ - favorite; mûrtih - embodiment; brâhmanâh - brâhmanas; tu - and; ishtha - worshiped; devatâh - deities; bhajanti - they worship; anâs'ishah - without ulterior desires; s'ântâh - those who have attained spiritual peace; yam - whom; vâ - indeed; nipuna - expert; buddhayah - whose faculties of intelligence.
TRANSLATION
Amazed upon hearing Bhrigu's account, the sages were freed from all doubts and became convinced that Vishnu is the greatest Lord. From Him come peace; fearlessness; the essential principles of religion; detachment with knowledge; the eightfold powers of mystic yoga; and His glorification, which cleanses the mind of all impurities. He is known as the supreme destination for those who are peaceful and equipoised - the selfless, wise saints who have given up all violence. His most dear form is that of pure goodness, and the brâhmanas are His worshipable deities. Persons of keen intellect who have attained spiritual peace worship Him without selfish motives.
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TEXT 18
tri-vidhâkritayas tasya
râkshasâ asurâh surâh
guninyâ mâyayâ srishthâh
sattvam tat tîrtha-sâdhanam
tri-vidha - of three kinds; âkritayah - forms; tasya - of His; râkshasâh - the ignorant spirits; asurâh - the demons; surâh - and the demigods; guninyâh - qualified by the material modes; mâyayâ - by His material energy; srishthâh - created; sattvam - the mode of goodness; tat - among them; tîrtha - of success in life; sâdhanam - the means of attainment.
TRANSLATION
The Lord expands into three kinds of manifest beings - the Râkshasas, the demons and the demigods - all of whom are created by the Lord's material energy and conditioned by her modes. But among these three modes, it is the mode of goodness which is the means of attaining life's final success.
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TEXT 19
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
ittham sârasvatâ viprâ
nrinâm sams'aya-nuttaye
purushasya padâmbhoja-
sevayâ tad-gatim gatâh
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; ittham - in this way; sârasvatâh - living along the Sarasvatî River; viprâh - the learned brâhmanas; nrinâm - of people in general; sams'aya - the doubts; nuttaye - to dispel; purushasya - of the Supreme Person; pada-ambhoja - of the lotus feet; sevayâ - by service; tat - His; gatim - destination; gatah - attained.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: The learned brâhmanas living along the river Sarasvatî came to this conclusion in order to dispel the doubts of all people. Thereafter they rendered devotional service to the Supreme Lord's lotus feet and attained His abode.
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TEXT 20
s'rî-sûta uvâca
ity etan muni-tanayâsya-padma-gandha
pîyûsham bhava-bhaya-bhit parasya pumsah
su-s'lokam s'ravana-puthaih pibaty abhîkshnam
pântho 'dhva-bhramana-paris'ramam jahâti
s'rî-sûtah uvâca - S'rî Suta said; iti - thus spoken; etat - this; muni - of the sage (Vyâsadeva); tanaya - of the son (S'ukadeva); âsya - from the mouth; padma - (which is just like) a lotus; gandha - with the fragrance; pîyûsham - the nectar; bhava - of material life; bhaya - fear; bhit - which shatters; parasya - of the supreme; pumsah - Personality of Godhead; su-s'lokam - glorious; s'ravana - of the ears; puthaih - through the cavities; pibati - drinks; abhîkshnam - constantly; pânthah - a traveler; adhva - on the road; bhramana - from his wandering; paris'ramam - the fatigue; jahâti - gives up.
TRANSLATION
S'rî Sûta Gosvâmî said: Thus did this fragrant nectar flow from the lotus mouth of S'ukadeva Gosvâmî, the son of the sage Vyâsadeva. This wonderful glorification of the Supreme Person destroys all fear of material existence. A traveler who constantly drinks this nectar through his ear- holes will forget the fatigue brought on by wandering along the paths of worldly life.
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TEXT 21
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
ekadâ dvâravatyâm tu
vipra-patnyâh kumârakah
jâta-mâtro bhuvam sprishthvâ
mamâra kila bhârata
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; ekadâ - once; dvâravatyâm - in Dvârakâ; tu - and; vipra - a brâhmana's; patnyâh - of the wife; kumârakah - the infant son; jâta - born; mâtrah - only; bhuvam - the ground; sprishthvâ - touching; mamâra - died; kila - indeed; bhârata - O descendant of Bharata (Parîkchit Mahârâja).
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Once, in Dvârakâ, a brâhmana's wife gave birth to a son, but the newborn infant died as soon as he touched the ground, O Bhârata.
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TEXT 22
vipro grihîtvâ mritakam
râja-dvâry upadhâya sah
idam provâca vilapann
âturo dîna-mânasah
viprah - the brâhmana; grihîtvâ - taking; mritakam - the corpse; râja - of the King (Ugrasena); dvâri - at the door; upadhâya - presenting it; sah - he; idam - this; provâca - said; vilapan - lamenting; âturah - agitated; dîna - depressed; mânasah - whose mind.
TRANSLATION
The brâhmana took the corpse and placed it at the door of King Ugrasena's court. Then, agitated and lamenting miserably, he spoke the following.
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TEXT 23
brahma-dvishah s'athha-dhiyo
lubdhasya vishayâtmanah
kshatra-bandhoh karma-doshât
pañcatvam me gato 'rbhakah
brahma - against brâhmanas; dvishah - hateful; s'athha - duplicitous; dhiyah - whose mentality; lubdhasya - avaricious; vishaya-âtmanah - addicted to sense gratification; kshatra-bandhoh - of an unqualified kshatriya; karma - in the performance of duties; doshât - because of discrepancies; pañcatvam - death; me - my; gatah - met; arbhakah - son.
TRANSLATION
[The brâhmana said:] This duplicitous, greedy enemy of brâhmanas, this unqualified ruler addicted to sense pleasure, has caused my son's death by some discrepancies in the execution of his duties.
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TEXT 24
himsâ-vihâram nripatim
duhs'îlam ajitendriyam
prajâ bhajantyah sîdanti
daridrâ nitya-duhkhitâh
himsâ - violence; vihâram - whose sport; nri-patim - this King; duhs'îlam - wicked; ajita - unconquered; indriyam - whose senses; prajâh - the citizens; bhajantyah - serving; sîdanti - suffer distress; daridrâh - poverty-stricken; nitya - always; duhkhitâh - unhappy.
TRANSLATION
Citizens serving such a wicked king, who takes pleasure in violence and cannot control his senses, are doomed to suffer poverty and constant misery.
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TEXT 25
evam dvitîyam viprarshis
tritîyam tv evam eva ca
visrijya sa nripa-dvâri
tâm gâthâm samagâyata
evam - in the same manner; dvitîyam - a second time; vipra-rishih - the wise brâhmana; tritîyam - a third time; tu - and; evam eva ca - just the same way; visrijya - leaving (his dead son); sah - he; nripa-dvâri - at the King's door; tâm - the same; gâthâm - song; samagâyata - he sang.
TRANSLATION
The wise brâhmana suffered the same tragedy with his second and third child. Each time, he left the body of his dead son at the King's door and sang the same song of lamentation.
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TEXTS 26 - 27
tâm arjuna upas'rutya
karhicit kes'avântike
parete navame bâle
brâhmanam samabhâshata
kim svid brahmams tvan-nivâse
iha nâsti dhanur-dharah
râjanya-bandhur ete vai
brâhmanâh satram âsate
tâm - that (lamentation); arjunah - Arjuna; upas'rutya - happening to hear; karhicit - once; kes'ava - of Lord Krishna; antike - in the proximity; parete - having died; navame - the ninth; bâle - child; brâhmanam - to the brâhmana; samabhâshata - he said;
kim svit - whether; brahman - O brâhmana; tvat - your; nivâse - at the home; iha - here; na asti - there is not; dhanuh-dharah - holding his bow in his hand; râjanya-bandhuh - a fallen member of the royal order; ete - these (kshatriyas); vah - indeed; brâhmanâh - (like) brâhmanas; satre - at a major fire sacrifice; âsate - are present.
TRANSLATION
When the ninth child died, Arjuna, who was near Lord Kes'ava, happened to overhear the brâhmana lamenting. Thus Arjuna addressed the brâhmana: "What is the matter, my dear brâhmana? Isn't there some lowly member of the royal order here who can at least stand before your house with a bow in his hand? These kshatriyas are behaving as if they were brâhmanas idly engaged in fire sacrifices.
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TEXT 28
dhana-dârâtmajâpriktâ
yatra s'ocanti brâhmanâh
te vai râjanya-veshena
nathâ jîvanty asum-bharâh
dhana - from wealth; dâra - wives; âtmaja - and children; apriktâh - separated; yatra - in which (situation); s'ocanti - lament; brâhmanâh - brâhmanas; te - they; vai - indeed; râjanya-veshena - disguised as kings; nathâh - actors; jîvanti - they live; asum-bharâh - earning their own livelihood.
TRANSLATION
"The rulers of a kingdom in which brâhmanas lament over lost wealth, wives and children are merely imposters playing the role of kings just to earn their livelihood.
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TEXT 29
aham prajâh vâm bhagavan
rakshishye dînayor iha
anistîrna-pratijño 'gnim
pravekshye hata-kalmashah
aham - I; prajâh - the offspring; vâm - of you two (you and your wife); bhagavan - O lord; rakshishye - will protect; dînayoh - who are wretched; iha - in this matter; anistîrna - failing to fulfill; pratijñah - my promise; agnim - fire; pravekshye - I will enter; hata - destroyed; kalmashah - whose contamination.
TRANSLATION
"My lord, I will protect the progeny of you and your wife, who are in such distress. And if I fail to keep this promise, I will enter fire to atone for my sin."
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TEXTS 30 - 31
s'rî-brâhmana uvâca
sankarshano vâsudevah
pradyumno dhanvinâm varah
aniruddho 'prati-ratho
na trâtum s'aknuvanti yat
tat katham nu bhavân karma
dushkaram jagad-îs'varaih
tvam cikîrshasi bâlis'yât
tan na s'raddadhmahe vayam
s'rî-brâhmanah uvâca - the brâhmana said; sankarshanah - Lord Sankarshana (Balarâma); vâsudevah - Lord Vâsudeva (Krishna); pradyumnah - Pradyumna; dhanvinâm - of bowmen; varah - the greatest; aniruddhah - Aniruddha; aprati- rathah - unrivaled as a chariot fighter; na - not; trâtum - to save; s'aknuvanti - were able; yat - inasmuch;
tat - thus; katham - why; nu - indeed; bhavân - you; karma - feat; dushkaram - impossible to be performed; jagat - of the universe; îs'varaih - by the Lords; tvam - you; cikîrshasi - intend to do; bâlis'yât - out of naivete; tat - therefore; na s'raddadhmahe - do not believe; vayam - we.
TRANSLATION
The brâhmana said: Neither Sankarshana; Vâsudeva; Pradyumna, the best of bowmen; nor the unequaled warrior Aniruddha could save my sons. Then why do you naively attempt a feat that the almighty Lords of the universe could not perform? We cannot take you seriously.
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TEXT 32
s'rî-arjuna uvâca
nâham sankarshano brahman
na krishnah kârshnir eva ca
aham vâ arjuno nâma
gândîvam yasya vai dhanuh
s'rî-arjunah uvâca - S'rî Arjuna said; na - not; aham - I; sankarshanah - Lord Balarâma; brahman - O brâhmana; na - not; krishnah - Lord Krishna; kârshnih - a descendant of Lord Krishna; eva ca - even; aham - I; vai - indeed; arjunah nâma - the one known as Arjuna; gândîvam - Gândîva; yasya - whose; vai - indeed; dhanuh - bow.
TRANSLATION
S'rî Arjuna said: I am neither Lord Sankarshana, O brâhmana, nor Lord Krishna, nor even Krishna's son. Rather, I am Arjuna, wielder of the Gândîva bow.
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TEXT 33
mâvamamsthâ mama brahman
vîryam tryambaka-toshanam
mrityum vijitya pradhane
âneshye te prajâh prabho
mâ avamamsthâh - do not belittle; mama - my; brahman - O brâhmana; vîryam - prowess; tri-ambaka - Lord S'iva; toshanam - which satisfied; mrityum - death personified; vijitya - defeating; pradhane - in battle; âneshye - I will bring back; te - your; prajâh - children; prabho - O master.
TRANSLATION
Do not minimize my ability, which was good enough to satisfy Lord S'iva, O brâhmana. I will bring back your sons, dear master, even if I have to defeat Death himself in battle.
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TEXT 34
evam vis'rambhito viprah
phâlgunena parantapa
jagâma sva-griham prîtah
pârtha-vîryam nis'âmayan
evam - thus; vis'rambhitah - given faith; viprah - the brâhmana; phâlgunena - by Arjuna; param - of enemies; tapa - O tormentor (Parîkchit Mahârâja); jagâma - he went; sva - to his own; griham - house; prîtah - satisfied; pârtha - of the son of Prithâ; vîryam - of the prowess; nis'âmayan - hearing.
TRANSLATION
Thus convinced by Arjuna, O tormentor of enemies, the brâhmana went home, satisfied by having heard Arjuna's declaration of his prowess.
******
TEXT 35
prasûti-kâla âsanne
bhâryâyâ dvija-sattamah
pâhi pâhi prajâm mrityor
ity âhârjunam âturah
prasûti - of giving birth; kâle - the time; âsanne - being imminent; bhâryâyâh - of his wife; dvija - the brâhmana; sat-tamah - most elevated; pâhi - please save; pâhi - please save; prajâm - my child; mrityoh - from death; iti - thus; âha - he said; arjunam - to Arjuna; âturah - distraught.
TRANSLATION
When the wife of the elevated brâhmana was again about to give birth, he went to Arjuna in great anxiety and begged him, "Please, please protect my child from death!"
******
TEXT 36
sa upaspris'ya s'ucy ambho
namaskritya mahes'varam
divyâny astrâni samsmritya
sajyam gândîvam âdade
sah - he (Arjuna); upaspris'ya - touching; s'uci - pure; ambhah - water; namah- kritya - offering obeisances; mahâ-îs'varam - to Lord S'iva; divyâni - celestial; astrâni - his missile weapons; samsmritya - remembering; sajyam - the bowstring; gândîvam - to his bow Gândîva; âdade - he fixed.
TRANSLATION
After touching pure water, offering obeisances to Lord Mahes'vara and recollecting the mantras for his celestial weapons, Arjuna strung his bow Gândîva.
******
TEXT 37
nyarunat sûtikâgâram
s'arair nânâstra-yojitaih
tiryag ûrdhvam adhah pârthas'
cakâra s'ara-pañjaram
nyarunat - he enveloped; sûtikâ-âgâram - the house where the birth was taking place; s'araih - with arrows; nânâ - various; astra - to missiles; yojitaih - attached; tiryak - horizontally; ûrdhvam - upwards; adhah - downwards; pârthah - Arjuna; cakâra - made; s'ara - of arrows; pañjaram - a cage.
TRANSLATION
Arjuna fenced in the house where the birth was taking place by shooting arrows attached to various missiles. Thus the son of Prithâ constructed a protective cage of arrows, covering the house upwards, downwards and sideways.
******
TEXT 38
tatah kumârah sañjâto
vipra-patnyâ rudan muhuh
sadyo 'dars'anam âpede
sa-s'arîro vihâyasâ
tatah - then; kumârah - the infant; sañjâtah - born; vipra - the brâhmana's; patnyâh - of the wife; rudan - crying; muhuh - for some time; sadyah - suddenly; adars'anam âpede - he disappeared; sa - along with; s'arîrah - his body; vihâyasâ - through the sky.
TRANSLATION
The brâhmana's wife then gave birth, but after the newborn infant had been crying for a short time, he suddenly vanished into the sky in his selfsame body.
******
TEXT 39
tadâha vipro vijayam
vinindan krishna-sannidhau
maudhyam pas'yata me yo 'ham
s'raddadhe klîba-katthanam
tadâ - then; âha - said; viprah - the brâhmana; vijayam - to Arjuna; vinindan - criticizing; krishna-sannidhau - in the presence of Lord Krishna; maudhyam - foolishness; pas'yata - just see; me - my; yah - who; aham - I; s'raddadhe - trusted; klîba - of an impotent eunuch; katthanam - the boasting.
TRANSLATION
The brâhmana then derided Arjuna in front of Lord Krishna: "Just see how foolish I was to put my faith in the bragging of a eunuch !
******
TEXT 40
na pradyumno nâniruddho
na râmo na ca kes'avah
yasya s'ekuh paritrâtum
ko 'nyas tad-avites'varah
na - not; pradyumnah - Pradyumna; na - not; aniruddhah - Aniruddha; na - not; râmah - Balarâma; na - not; ca - also; kes'avah - Krishna; yasya - whose (infants); s'ekuh - were able; paritrâtum - to save; kah - who; anyah - else; tat - in this situation; avitâ - as a protector; îs'varah - capable.
TRANSLATION
"When neither Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Râma nor Kes'ava can save a person, who else can possibly protect him?
******
TEXT 41
dhig arjunam mrishâ-vâdam
dhig âtma-s'lâghino dhanuh
daivopasrishtham yo maudhyâd
âninîshati durmatih
dhik - damnation; arjunam - on Arjuna; mrishâ - false; vâdam - whose speech; dhik - damnation; âtma - of himself; s'lâghinah - of the glorifier; dhanuh - on the bow; daiva - by fate; upasrishtham - taken; yah - who; maudhyât - out of delusion; âninîshati - intends to bring back; durmatih - unintelligent.
TRANSLATION
"To hell with that liar Arjuna! To hell with that braggart's bow! He is so foolish that he has deluded himself into thinking he can bring back a person whom destiny has taken away."
******
TEXT 42
evam s'apati viprarshau
vidyâm âsthâya phâlgunah
yayau samyamanîm âs'u
yatrâste bhagavân yamah
evam - thus; s'apati - as he cursed him; vipra-rishau - the wise brâhmana; vidyâm - a mystic incantation; âsthâya - resorting to; phâlgunah - Arjuna; yayau - went; samyamanîm - to the heavenly city Samyamanî; asu - immediately; yatra - where; âste - lives; bhagavân yamah - Lord Yamarâja.
TRANSLATION
While the wise brâhmana continued to heap insults upon him, Arjuna employed a mystic incantation to go at once to Samyamanî, the city of heaven where Lord Yamarâja resides.
******
TEXTS 43 - 44
viprâpatyam acakshânas
tata aindrîm agât purîm
âgneyîm nairritîm saumyâm
vâyavyâm vârunîm atha
rasâtalam nâka-prishthham
dhishnyâny anyâny udâyudhah
tato 'labdha-dvija-suto
hy anistîrna-pratis'rutah
agnim vivikshuh krishnena
pratyuktah pratishedhatâ
vipra - of the brâhmana; apatyam - the child; acakshânah - not seeing; tatah - from there; aindrîm - of Lord Indra; agât - he went; purîm - to the city; âgneyîm - the city of the fire-god; nairritîm - the city of the subordinate god of death (Nirriti, who is distinct from Lord Yama); saumyam - the city of the moon-god; vâyavyâm - the city of the wind-god; vârunîm - the city of the god of the waters; atha - then; rasâtalam - the subterranean region; nâka-prishthham - the roof of heaven; dhishnyâni - domains; anyâni - others; udâyudhah - with weapons held ready;
tatah - from them; alabdha - failing to obtain; dvija - of the brâhmana; sutah - the son; hi - indeed; anistîrna - not having fulfilled; pratis'rutah - what he had promised; agnim - fire; vivikshuh - about to enter; krishnena - by Lord Krishna; pratyuktah - opposed; pratishedhatâ - who was trying to convince him to desist.
TRANSLATION
Not seeing the brâhmana's child there, Arjuna went to the cities of Agni, Nirriti, Soma, Vâyu and Varuna. With weapons at the ready he searched through all the domains of the universe, from the bottom of the subterranean region to the roof of heaven. Finally, not having found the brâhmana's son anywhere, Arjuna decided to enter the sacred fire, having failed to keep his promise. But just as he was about to do so, Lord Krishna stopped him and spoke the following words.
******
TEXT 45
dars'aye dvija-sûnûms te
mâvajñâtmânam âtmanâ
ye te nah kîrtim vimalâm
manushyâh sthâpayishyanti
dars'aye - I will show; dvija - of the brâhmana; sûnûn - the sons; te - to you; mâ - please do not; avajña - belittle; âtmânam - yourself; âtmanâ - by your mind; ye - who; te - these (critics); nah - of us both; kîrtim - the fame; vimalâm - spotless; manushyâh - men; sthâpayishyanti - are going to establish.
TRANSLATION
[Lord Krishna said:] I will show you the brâhmana's sons, so please don't despise yourself like this. These same men who now criticize us will soon establish our spotless fame.
******
TEXT 46
iti sambhâshya bhagavân
arjunena sahes'varah
divyam sva-ratham âsthâya
pratîcîm dis'am âvis'at
iti - thus; sambhâshya - conferring; bhagavân - the Personality of Godhead; arjunena saha - with Arjuna; îs'varah - the Supreme Lord; divyam - divine; sva - His; ratham - chariot; âsthâya - mounting; pratîcîm - western; dis'am - the direction; âvis'at - He entered.
TRANSLATION
Having thus advised Arjuna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead had Arjuna join Him on His divine chariot, and together they set off toward the west.
******
TEXT 47
sapta dvîpân sa-sindhûms' ca
sapta sapta girîn atha
lokâlokam tathâtîtya
vives'a su-mahat tamah
sapta - seven; dvîpân - islands; sa - with; sindhûn - their oceans; ca - and; sapta sapta - seven each; girîn - mountains; atha - then; loka-alokam - the mountain range separating light from darkness; tathâ - also; atîtya - crossing; vives'a - He entered; su-mahat - vast; tamah - darkness.
TRANSLATION
The Lord's chariot passed over the seven islands of the middle universe, each with its ocean and its seven principal mountains. Then it crossed the Lokâloka boundary and entered the vast region of total darkness.
******
TEXTS 48 - 49
tatrâs'vâh s'aibya-sugrîva-
meghapushpa-balâhakâh
tamasi bhrashtha-gatayo
babhûvur bharatarshabha
tân drishthvâ bhagavân krishno
mahâ-yoges'vares'varah
sahasrâditya-sankâs'am
sva-cakram prâhinot purah
tatra - at that place; as'vâh - the horses; s'aibya-sugrîva-meghapushpa- balâhakâh - named S'aibya, Sugrîva, Meghapushpa and Balâhaka; tamasi - in the darkness; bhrashtha - having lost; gatayah - their way; babhûvuh - became; bharata- rishabha - O best of the Bhâratas;
tân - them; drishthvâ - seeing; bhagavân - the Personality of Godhead; krishnah - Krishna; mahâ - supreme; yoga-îs'vara - of masters of yoga; îs'varah - the master; sahasra - a thousand; âditya - suns; sankâs'am - comparable to; sva - His personal; cakram - disc weapon; prâhinot - sent; purah - in front.
TRANSLATION
In that darkness the chariot's horses - S'aibya, Sugrîva, Meghapushpa and Balâhaka - lost their way. Seeing them in this condition, O best of the Bhâratas, Lord Krishna, the supreme master of all masters of yoga, sent His Sudars'ana disc before the chariot. That disc shone like thousands of suns.
******
TEXT 50
tamah su-ghoram gahanam kritam mahad
vidârayad bhûri-tarena rocishâ
mano-javam nirvivis'e sudars'anam
guna-cyuto râma-s'aro yathâ camûh
tamah - the darkness; su - very; ghoram - fearsome; gahanam - dense; kritam - a manifestation of the material creation; mahat - immense; vidârayat - cutting through; bhûri-tarena - extremely extensive; rocishâ - with its effulgence; manah - of the mind; javam - having the speed; nirvivis'e - entered; sudars'anam - the Sudars'ana disc; guna - from His bowstring; cyutah - shot; râma - of Lord Râmacandra; s'arah - an arrow; yathâ - as if; camûh - at an army.
TRANSLATION
The Lord's Sudars'ana disc penetrated the darkness with its blazing effulgence. Racing forward with the speed of the mind, it cut through the fearsome, dense oblivion expanded from primeval matter, as an arrow shot from Lord Râma's bow cuts through His enemy's army.
******
TEXT 51
dvârena cakrânupathena tat tamah
param param jyotir ananta-pâram
samas'nuvânam prasamîkshya phâlgunah
pratâditâksho pidadhe 'kshinî ubhe
dvârena - by the path; cakra - the Sudars'ana disc; anupathena - following; tat - that; tamah - darkness; param - beyond; param - transcendental; jyotih - light; ananta - unlimited; pâram - whose expanse; samas'nuvânam - all-pervasive; prasamîkshya - beholding; phâlgunah - Arjuna; pratâdita - pained; akshah - whose eyes; apidadhe - he closed; akshinî - his eyes; ubhe - both.
TRANSLATION
Following the Sudars'ana disc, the chariot went beyond the darkness and reached the endless spiritual light of the all pervasive brahma-jyoti. As Arjuna beheld this glaring effulgence, his eyes hurt, and so he shut them.
******
TEXT 52
tatah pravishthah salilam nabhasvatâ
balîyasaijad-brihad-ûrmi-bhûshanam
tatrâdbhutam vai bhavanam dyumat-tamam
bhrâjan-mani-stambha-sahasra- s'obhitam
tatah - from that; pravishthah - entered; salilam - water; nabhasvatâ - by wind; balîyasâ - mighty; ejat - made to move about; brihat - huge; ûrmi - waves; bhûshanam - whose ornaments; tatra - therein; adbhutam - wondrous; vai - indeed; bhavanam - abode; dyumat-tamam - supremely effulgent; bhrâjat - brilliantly shining; mani - with gems; stambha - of columns; sahasra - with thousands; s'obhitam - made beautiful.
TRANSLATION
From that region they entered a body of water resplendent with huge waves being churned by a mighty wind. Within that ocean Arjuna saw an amazing palace more radiant than anything he had ever seen before. Its beauty was enhanced by thousands of ornamental pillars bedecked with brilliant gems.
******
TEXT 53
tasmin mahâ-bhogam anantam adbhutam
sahasra-mûrdhanya-phanâ-mani-dyubhih
vibhrâjamânam dvi-gunekshanolbanam
sitâcalâbham s'iti-kanthha-jihvam
tasmin - there; mahâ - huge; bhogam - a serpent; anantam - Lord Ananta; adbhutam - amazing; sahasra - thousand; mûrdhanya - on His heads; phanâ - upon the hoods; mani - of the gems; dyubhih - with the rays of effulgence; vibhrâjamânam - shining; dvi - twice; guna - as many; îkshana - whose eyes; ulbanam - frightening; sita - white; acala - the mountain (namely Kailâsa); âbham - whose resemblance; s'iti - dark blue; kanthha - whose necks; jihvam - and tongues.
TRANSLATION
In that palace was the huge, awe-inspiring serpent Ananta S'esha. He shone brilliantly with the radiance emanating from the gems on His thousands of hoods and reflecting from twice as many fearsome eyes. He resembled white Mount Kailâsa, and His necks and tongues were dark blue.
******
SB 10.89.54-56
TEXTS 54 - 56
dadars'a tad-bhoga-sukhâsanam vibhum
mahânubhâvam purushottamottamam
sândrâmbudâbham su-pis'anga-vâsasam
prasanna-vaktram rucirâyatekshanam
mahâ-mani-vrâta-kirîtha-kundala
prabhâ-parikshipta-sahasra-kuntalam
pralamba-cârv-ashtha-bhujam sa-kaustubham
s'rîvatsa-lakshmam vana-mâlayâvritam
sunanda-nanda-pramukhaih sva-pârshadais'
cakrâdibhir mûrti-dharair nijâyudhaih
pushthyâ s'rîyâ kîrty-ajayâkhilardhibhir
nishevyamânam parameshthhinâm patim
dadars'a - (Arjuna) saw; tat - that; bhoga - serpent; sukha - comfortable; âsanam - whose seat; vibhum - all-pervasive; mahâ-anubhâvam - almighty; purusha- uttama - of Personalities of Godhead; uttamam - the supreme; sândra - dense; ambuda - a cloud; âbham - resembling (with His blue complexion); su - beautiful; pis'anga - yellow; vâsasam - whose dress; prasanna - pleasing; vaktram - whose face; rucira - attractive; âyata - broad; îkshanam - whose eyes;
mahâ - great; mani - of jewels; vrâta - with clusters; kirîtha - of His crown; kundala - and earrings; prabhâ - with the reflected brilliance; parikshipta - scattered about; sahasra - thousands; kuntalam - whose locks of hair; pralamba - long; câru - handsome; ashtha - eight; bhujam - whose arms; sa - having; kaustubham - the Kaustubha gem; s'rîvatsa-lakshmam - and displaying the special mark known as S'rîvatsa; vana - of forest flowers; mâlayâ - by a garland; âvritam - embraced;
sunanda-nanda-pramukhaih - headed by Sunanda and Nanda; sva-pârshadaih - by His personal associates; cakra-âdibhih - the disc and so on; mûrti - personal forms; dharaih - manifesting; nija - His own; âyudhaih - by the weapons; pushthyâ s'riyâ kîrti-ajayâ - by His energies Pushthi, S'rî, Kîrti and Ajâ; akhila - all; ridhibhih - by His mystic powers; nishevyamânam - being served; parameshthhinam - of universal rulers; patim - the chief.
TRANSLATION
Arjuna then saw the omnipresent and omnipotent Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mahâ-Vishnu, sitting at ease on the serpent bed. His bluish complexion was the color of a dense raincloud, He wore a beautiful yellow garment, His face looked charming, His broad eyes were most attractive, and He had eight long, handsome arms. His profuse locks of hair were bathed on all sides in the brilliance reflected from the clusters of precious jewels decorating His crown and earrings. He wore the Kaustubha gem, the mark of S'rîvatsa and a garland of forest flowers. Serving that topmost of all Lords were His personal attendants, headed by Sunanda and Nanda; His cakra and other weapons in their personified forms; His consort potencies Pushthi, S'rî, Kîrti and Ajâ; and all His various mystic powers.
PURPORT
S'rîla Prabhupâda mentions that "the Lord has innumerable energies, and they were also standing there personified. The most important among them were as follows: Pushthi, the energy for nourishment; S'rî, the energy of beauty; Kîrti, the energy of reputation; and Ajâ, the energy of material creation. All these energies are invested in the administrators of the material world, namely Lord Brahmâ, Lord S'iva and Lord Vishnu, and in the kings of the heavenly planets, Indra, Candra, Varuna and the sungod. In other words, all these demigods, being empowered by the Lord with certain energies, engage in the transcendental loving service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
******
TEXT 57
vavanda âtmânam anantam acyuto
jishnus' ca tad-dars'ana-jâta-sâdhvasah
tâv âha bhûmâ parameshthhinâm prabhur
beddhâñjalî sa-smitam ûrjayâ girâ
vavanda - paid homage; âtmânam - to Himself; anantam - in His boundless form; acyutah - infallible Lord Krishna; jishnuh - Arjuna; ca - also; tat - of Him; dars'ana - by the sight; jâta - arising; sâdhvasah - whose astonishment; tau - to the two of them; âha - spoke; bhûmâ - the almighty Lord (Mahâ-Vishnu); parame- sthinâm - of the rulers of the universe; prabhuh - the master; baddha- añjalî - who had joined their palms in supplication; sa - with; smitam - a smile; ûrjayâ - potent; girâ - in a voice.
TRANSLATION
Lord Krishna offered homage to Himself in this boundless form, and Arjuna, astonished at the sight of Lord Mahâ-Vishnu, bowed down as well. Then, as the two of them stood before Him with joined palms, the almighty Mahâ- Vishnu, supreme master of all rulers of the universe, smiled and spoke to them in a voice full of solemn authority.
******
TEXT 58
dvijâtmajâ me yuvayor didrikshunâ
mayopanîtâ bhuvi dharma-guptaye
kalâvatîrnâv avaner bharâsurân
hatveha bhûyas tvarayetam anti me
dvija - of the brâhmana; âtma-jâh - the sons; me - My; yuvayoh - you two; didrikshunâ - who wanted to see; mayâ - by Me; upanîtâh - brought; bhuvi - on the earth; dharma - of the principles of religion; guptaye - for the protection; kalâ - (as My) expansions; avatîrnau - descended; avaneh - of the earth; bhara - who are burdens; asurân - the demons; hatvâ - after killing; iha - here; bhûyah - again; tvarayâ - quickly; itam - come; anti - to the proximity; me - My.
TRANSLATION
[Lord Mahâ-Vishnu said:] I brought the brâhmana's sons here because I wanted to see the two of you, My expansions, who have descended to the earth to save the principles of religion. As soon as you finish killing the demons who burden the earth, quickly come back here to Me.
******
TEXT 59
pûrna-kâmâv api yuvâm
nara-nârâyanâv rishî
dharmam âcaratâm sthityai
rishabhau loka-sangraham
pûrna - full; kâmau - in all desires; api - although; yuvâm - you two; nara- nârâyanau rishî - as the sages Nara and Nârâyana; dharmam - the principles of religion; âcaratâm - should execute; sthityai - for its maintenance; rishabhau - the best of all persons; loka-sangraham - for the benefit of the general populace.
TRANSLATION
Although all your desires are completely fulfilled, O best of exalted personalities, for the benefit of the people in general you should continue to exemplify religious behavior as the sages Nara and Nârâyana.
******
TEXTS 60 - 61
ity âdishthau bhagavatâ
tau krishnau parame-shthhinâ
om ity ânamya bhûmânam
âdâya dvija-dârakân
nyavartetâm svakam dhâma
samprahrishthau yathâ-gatam
viprâya dadatuh putrân
yathâ-rûpam yathâ-vayah
iti - with these words; âdishthau - instructed; bhagavatâ - by the Personality of Godhead; tau - they; krishnau - the two Krishnas (Krishna and Arjuna); parame- shthhinâ - by the Lord of the supreme kingdom; om iti - chanting om to signify their agreement; ânamya - bowing down; bhûmânam - to the almighty Lord; âdâya - and taking; dvija - of the brâhmana; dârakân - the sons;
nyavartetâm - they returned; svakam - their own; dhâma - to the abode (Dvârakâ); samprahrishthau - elated; yathâ - in the same way; gatam - as they came; viprâya - to the brâhmana; dadatuh - they gave; putrân - his sons; yathâ - in the same; rûpam - forms; yathâ - with the same; vayah - age.
TRANSLATION
Thus instructed by the Supreme Lord of the topmost planet, Krishna and Arjuna assented by chanting om, and then they bowed down to almighty Lord Mahâ- Vishnu. Taking the brâhmana's sons with them, they returned with great delight to Dvârakâ by the same path along which they had come. There they presented the brâhmana with his sons, who were in the same infant bodies in which they had been lost.
******
TEXT 62
nis'âmya vaishnavam dhâma
pârthah parama-vismitah
yat kiñcit paurusham pumsâm
mene krishnânukampitam
nis'âmya - havîng seen; vaishnavam - of Lord Vishnu; dhâma - the abode; pârthah - Arjuna; parama - supremely; vismitah - astonished; yat kiñcit - whatever; paurusham - special power; pumsâm - belonging to living beings; mene - He concluded; krishna - of Krishna; anukampitam - the mercy shown.
TRANSLATION
Having seen the domain of Lord Vishnu, Arjuna was totally amazed. He concluded that whatever extraordinary power a person exhibits can only be a manifestation of S'rî Krishna's mercy.
******
TEXT 63
itîdris'âny anekâni
vîryânîha pradars'ayan
bubhuje vishayân grâmyân
îje câty-urjitair makhaih
iti - thus; îdris'âni - like this; anekâni - many; vîryâni - feats of valor; iha - in this world; pradars'ayan - exhibiting; bubhuje - (Lord Krishna) enjoyed; vishayân - objects of sense pleasure; grâmyân - ordinary; îje - He performed worship; ca - and; ati - extremely; urjitaih - potent; makhaih - with Vedic fire sacrifices.
TRANSLATION
Lord Krishna exhibited many other, similar heroic pastimes in this world. He apparently enjoyed the pleasures of ordinary human life, and He performed greatly potent fire sacrifices.
******
TEXT 64
pravavarshâkhilân kâmân
prajâsu brâhmanâdishu
yathâ-kâlam yathaivendro
bhagavân s'raishthhyam âsthitah
pravavarsha - He rained down; akhilân - all; kâmân - desired things; prajâsu - upon His subjects; brâhmana-âdishu - beginning with the brâhmanas; yathâ-kâlam - at the suitable times; yathâ eva - in the same way; indrah - (as) Indra; bhagavân - the Personality of Godhead; s'raishthhyam - in His supremacy; âsthitah - situated.
TRANSLATION
The Lord having demonstrated His supremacy, at suitable times He showered down all desirable things upon the brâhmanas and His other subjects, just as Indra pours down his rain.
******
TEXT 65
hatvâ nripân adharmishthhân
ghâthayitvârjunâdibhih
añjasâ vartayâm âsa
dharmam dharma-sutâdibhih
hatvâ - having killed; nripân - kings; adharmishthhân - most irreligious; ghâtayitvâ - having them killed; arjuna-âdibhih - by Arjuna and others; añjasâ - easily; vartayâm âsa - He caused to be carried out; dharmam - the principles of religion; dharma-suta-âdibhih - by Yudhishthhira (the son of Dharma) and others.
TRANSLATION
Now that He had killed many wicked kings and engaged devotees such as Arjuna in killing others, the Lord could easily assure the execution of religious principles through the agency of such pious rulers as Yudhishthhira.
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