rule



 

Canto 3

Krishna Murāri

 

 

Chapter 25: The Glories of Devotional Service

(1) S' S'aunaka said: "Even though being unborn, the Supreme Lord personally, from His own potency, took birth as Lord Kapila, the analyst of the ultimate truth, in order to disseminate transcendental knowledge for the human race. (2) Despite repeatedly hearing about Him, the foremost among the yogis and the godhead of the Vedas the greater of whom cannot be found among men, I am essentially not satisfied. (3) Please describe to me faithfully all the praiseworthy actions of the independent Supreme Lord, who is so full of the delight of the soul."

(4) Sūta said: "Because he as a friend of Vyāsadeva was pleased with being asked about the transcendental knowledge, the venerable sage Maitreya then spoke as follows to Vidura. (5) Maitreya said: 'After the father had left for the forest, Lord Kapila stayed behind at lake Bindu-sarovara in order to please His mother. (6) When He, her son, who could show her the path to the ultimate reality, [some day] comfortably sat before her, Devahūti remembered the words of Brahmā and addressed Him.

(7) Devahūti said: 'Oh my Lord, I am very disgusted with the prevalence of untruth of my agitated senses because of which I fell into the darkness of ignorance. (8) After so many births I, by Your mercy, have now attained You who are my transcendental eye to overcome this so difficult to defeat darkness of not knowing.  (9) He who is the origin, the Supreme Lord of all beings and the Master of the Universe has, with You, alike the sun, risen to the eye that was blinded by the darkness of ignorance. (10) You engaged me in this misconception of 'I' and 'mine' [of false ego], so now be pleased, my Lord, to dispel the delusion. (11) With the desire to know about Your material and personal aspect [prakriti and purusha], I offer You my obeisances who are the greatest of all the sages of the true nature. I have taken to the shelter of Your feet because You are the person deserving it. You are for those who depend on You the ax that cuts the tree of an existence ruled by matter.'

(12) Maitreya said: 'Thus hearing about His mother's innocent and common human wish to be successful on the path of liberation, He with a mind of approval, slightly smiling with His beautiful face, expounded on the way of the transcendentalists. (13) The Supreme Lord said: 'I am of the opinion that the ultimate benefit for mankind consists of the discipline of yoga of relating to the soul by which complete detachment from whatever pleasure and distress can be attained. (14) Oh pious mother, I will now explain to you what I formerly explained to the sages eager to hear about the perfection of the yoga system in every respect. (15) The [state of] consciousness of the living being is held responsible for the bondage and liberation of the soul. In attraction to the three basic qualities or modes of nature one is materially conditioned, but when one attaches to the soul of the universe [the Original Person], one is of liberation. (16) From the impurities of lust and greed and such, that result from the misconception of 'I' and 'mine', one is freed when the mind is pure in being equipoised, without distress and pleasure. (17) It is in that state that the person, who is pure and transcendental to material nature, does not consider himself as being different but, self-effulgent, sees himself as [simultaneously] complete and small. (18) With a mind full of spiritual knowledge, renunciation and connectedness in devotion, one is indifferent about one's material existence, that is then less of influence. (19) There is no yogic path as auspicious for the perfection of the spirit as the performance of devotional service for the Supreme Lord, the complete of the Soul. (20) Any man of knowledge knows that strong attachment constitutes the entanglement of the soul, but that for devotees that same attachment opens the door to liberation. (21) Being tolerant, compassionate, friendly to all living beings and inimical to no one, being peaceful and abiding by the scriptures, the sādhu [the man of virtue, of holiness, a seer] is adorned with sublime qualities. (22) They who are persistent in performing devotional service unto Me, refrain staunch for My sake from acting in desire and give up on family ties and friendships. (23) Delighted to listen to the stories about Me they fix their minds upon Me and chant [My names], without causing distress with their various penances. (24) Oh virtuous mother, try to develop a bond with these devotees who are free from all attachments, for they are the ones who compensate for the harmful effects of being materially entangled. (25) Through association with saintly souls, the stories cultivated in discussing My heroism become a joy to the ear and heart. When one is of that choice then, firmly being convinced on the path of liberation experiencing the attraction, soon devotion will follow. (26) Someone who in devotional service got detached from sensual pleasures, will, on the path of yoga uniting his consciousness, constantly thinking about everything that I arranged, in this world [that is 'seen'] and the next [world that is 'heard about'] be engaged in the endeavor of controlling his mind the proper way. (27) By not being the servant of  the basic qualities of nature, by developing spiritual knowledge on the basis of renunciation, by fixing oneself on Me in yoga and by serving Me with devotion, a person in this very life reaches Me, the True Self within all souls.'

(28) Devahūti said: 'What is the proper concept of devotion unto You that is fit for me and from which I immediately may find liberation at Your feet? (29) Oh embodiment of truth, You explained that yoga is the way to focus on the Supreme Personality. But what form of yoga do You refer to exactly, what does it entail and what all needs to be done in order to comprehend the ultimate reality? (30) Please explain this to me, so that I, with my limited understanding, oh my Lord, by Your grace, as a woman may easily understand what is so hard to fathom.'

(31) Maitreya said: 'Kapila understanding what His mother wanted, being born from her body sympathized with her and thus described the truths handed down in disciplic succession of what one calls analytical yoga, a form of yoga that in fact concerns an extension, a further development in devotional service. (32) The Fortunate One said: 'It is better to be of service to the Lord than [egocentric] to strive for fame and perfection. It is the natural inclination of the undivided mind to serve according to the scriptures that what is purely good and true, and of the senses in their detection of sense objects to be of service as gods. (33) This [devotional] service quickly dissolves the subtle internal dealings of one's material motivation [the 'subtle body'], the way food is quickly consumed by the fire of digestion. (34) Pure devotees who, engaged in the service at My lotus feet, endeavor to attain Me, never ever desire to be one with Me. They assemble to glorify My personal activities in association. (35) Oh mother, they see My smiling face and eyes that are as beautiful as the morning sun and together speak in favorable terms about the benevolence of My transcendental forms. (36) With their minds and senses captivated by those forms, who are so charming in all their limbs, exalted pastimes, smiling glances and words, their devotion secures them a place in My subtle heaven, even though they do not long for that [liberation]. (37) Because they do not desire My opulence or the eightfold mastery over the material illusion [the siddhis, see 3.15:45], nor follow a desire for the splendor of My Supreme Divinity, those devotees in this life enjoy the blissful state of My transcendence. (38) Oh mother, My devotees will never, not by time nor by a weapon of destruction, lose Me [and My opulence], who was chosen by them as their dearest self, son, friend, preceptor, benefactor and deity. (39-40) Thus wandering through both this world and the world of the more subtle experiences, they, who in relation to My embodiment in this world have given up on [the desire for] wealth, cattle, houses and everything else, unflinching in their devotion worship Me, the all-pervading Lord of liberation, for I take them to the other side of birth and death. (41) No other person or anything else but Me, the Supreme Lord and original ruler over matter and the person, the Soul of all souls, can put an end to the terrible fear [of birth and death]. (42) Out of fear for Me the wind blows and the sun shines, out of fear for Me Indra showers rain and fire burns, and out of fear for Me death is all around. (43) Absorbed in spiritual knowledge and renunciation, yogis free from fear, for the ultimate benefit in bhakti-yoga take shelter of My feet. (44) The only way for people to find in this world the ultimate perfection of life is to steadily focus their mind in an intensive practice of devotional service to Me.'

 

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Third revised edition, loaded January 13, 2024.

     

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

S' S'aunaka said: "Even though being unborn, the Supreme Lord personally, from His own potency, took birth as Lord Kapila, the analyst of the ultimate truth, in order to disseminate transcendental knowledge for the human race.
S'rī S'aunaka said: "Although unborn Himself, did the Supreme Lord, personally by His own potency take birth as Lord Kapila, the analyst of the ultimate truth, in order to disseminate transcendental knowledge for the human race. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

Despite repeatedly hearing about Him, the foremost among the yogis and the godhead of the Vedas the greater of whom cannot be found among men, I am essentially not satisfied.

Indeed hearing about Him, the greater of whom cannot be found among men, the foremost of all yogis and the godhead of the Vedas, are my senses sated. (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

Please describe to me faithfully all the praiseworthy actions of the independent Supreme Lord, who is so full of the delight of the soul."

Please describe me faithfully whatever the praiseworthy is that the Supreme Lord so full of the delight of the soul by His internal potency does." (Vedabase)

 

Text 4

Sūta said: "Because he as a friend of Vyāsadeva was pleased with being asked about the transcendental knowledge, the venerable sage Maitreya then spoke as follows to Vidura.

Sūta said: ''Being a friend of Vyāsadeva did the worshipful Maitreya then spoke as follows to Vidura, as he was pleased being asked about the transcendental knowledge. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

Maitreya said: 'After the father had left for the forest, Lord Kapila stayed behind at lake Bindu-sarovara in order to please His mother.

Maitreya said: ' When the father had left for the forest, stayed Lord Kapila behind at lake Bindu-sarovar with the desire to please His mother indeed. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

When He, her son, who could show her the path to the ultimate reality, [some day] comfortably sat before her, Devahūti remembered the words of Brahmā and addressed Him.

To Him, her son, seated at ease, who was capable of showing her the path to the goal of the ultimate reality, spoke Devahūti remembering the words of Brahmā. (Vedabase)

 

Text 7

Devahūti said: 'Oh my Lord, I am very disgusted with the prevalence of untruth of my agitated senses because of which I fell into the darkness of ignorance.

Devahūti said: 'O my Lord, I am very disgusted by the prevalence of untruth of the agitated senses, which made me fall into the abyss of ignorance. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

After so many births I, by Your mercy, have now attained You who are my transcendental eye to overcome this so difficult to defeat darkness of not knowing. 

At the end of many births, by your mercy I attained to the transcendental eye of You so that I can now overcome the darkness of ignorance which is so difficult to defeat. (Vedabase)

   

Text 9

He who is the origin, the Supreme Lord of all beings and the Master of the Universe has, with You, alike the sun, risen to the eye that was blinded by the darkness of ignorance.

He who is the origin, de Supreme Lord of all beings and in fact the Master of the Universe has, with You, alike the sun, risen to the eye that was blinded by the darkness of ignorance. (Vedabase)


Text 10

You engaged me in this misconception of 'I' and 'mine' [of false ego], so now be pleased my Lord to dispel the delusion.

Nu, mijn Heer, voel Je vrij om het wanbegrip uit te drijven, de misvatting van het Ik en Mijn in dezen, waarmee Jij, zoals Je weet, me hebt bezig gehouden. (Vedabase)


Text 11

With the desire to know about Your material and personal aspect [prakriti and purusha], I offer You my obeisances who are the greatest of all the sages of true nature. I have taken to the shelter of Your feet because You are the person deserving it. You are for those who depend on You the ax that cuts the tree of an existence ruled by matter.'

With the desire to know about the material and the personal aspect, I offer You, who are the greatest of the seers of the true nature, my obeisances having taken to the shelter of You, as You are that person worth it; for the ones depending on You, You are the ax that cuts the tree of material existence.' (Vedabase)

 

 Text 12

Maitreya said: 'Thus hearing about His mother's innocent and common human wish to be successful on the path of liberation, He with a mind of approval, slightly smiling with His beautiful face, expounded on the way of the transcendentalists.

Maitreya said: 'Thus hearing from His mother about the uncontaminated wish of man to gain in self-realization on the path of liberation, He with a grateful mind, slightly smiling with His beautiful face, explained about the way of the transcendentalists. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13

The Supreme Lord said: 'I am of the opinion that the ultimate benefit for mankind consists of the discipline of yoga of relating to the soul by which complete detachment from whatever pleasure and distress can be attained.

The Supreme Lord said: 'The discipline of yoga of men of relating to the soul carries My approval for the sake of the ultimate detachment from whatever pleasure and distress. (Vedabase)

  

Text 14

Oh pious mother, I will now explain to you what I formerly explained to the sages eager to hear about the perfection of the yoga system in every respect.

I will now explain the very same to you as I explained formerly, o pious mother, to the sages who were eager to hear about all ins and outs of the yoga-system. (Vedabase)

 

Text 15

The [state of] consciousness of the living being is held responsible for the bondage and liberation of the soul. In attraction to the three basic qualities or modes of nature one is materially conditioned, but when one attaches to the soul of the universe [the Original Person], one is of liberation.

It is so that the consciousness of him, who in bondage is after the freedom of the self, is under the spell of the modes of material nature, but when one is moved in attraction of being conditioned to what is the mother of virtue, is one of liberation. (Vedabase)


Text 16

From the impurities of lust and greed and such, that result from the misconception of 'I' and 'mine', one is freed when the mind is pure in being equipoised, without distress and pleasure.

From the impurities of lust and greed and such, resulting from the misconception of I and Mine, is one freed, when the mind is pure in being equipoised, without distress and pleasure. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

It is in that state that the person, who is pure and transcendental to material nature, does not consider himself as being different but, self-effulgent, sees himself as [simultaneously] complete and small.

It is then that the person, pure and transcendental to the material world sees himself not bound and not fragmented as being non-different and self-effulgent. (Vedabase)

  

Text 18

With a mind full of spiritual knowledge, renunciation and connectedness in devotion, one is indifferent about one's material existence, that is then less of influence.

Of spiritual knowledge and renunciation and connected in devotion one regards the material of existence indifferently, finding it reduced in strength. (Vedabase)

  

Text 19

There is no yogic path as auspicious for the perfection of the spirit as the performance of devotional service for the Supreme Lord, the complete of the Soul.

Apart from performing in devotional service for the Supreme Lord is there, to the complete of the Soul, no other yogic path as auspicious for the perfection of the spirit. (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

Any man of knowledge knows that strong attachment constitutes the entanglement of the soul, but that for devotees that same attachment opens the door to liberation.

Any man of knowledge knows that strong attachment is the entanglement of the soul, but that that same attachment managed by devotees opens the door to liberation. (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

Being tolerant, compassionate, friendly to all living beings and inimical to no one, being peaceful and abiding by the scriptures, the sādhu [the man of virtue, of holiness, a seer] is adorned with sublime qualities.

Tolerant, compassionate, friendly to all living beings and inimical to no one, peaceful and abiding by the scriptures is the sādhu [the man of virtue, of holiness, a seer] adorned with sublime qualities. (Vedabase)

 

Text 22

They who are persistent in performing devotional service unto Me, refrain staunch for My sake from acting in desire and give up on family ties and friendships.

Unto Me unwavering in performing their devotional service do those staunch for My sake, renounce to act in desire, giving up on their own family and friends. (Vedabase)


Text 23

Delighted to listen to the stories about Me they fix their minds upon Me and chant [My names], without causing distress with their various penances.

In delight of hearing stories about Me they chant and fix their thoughts on Me, not troubling anyone in their various penances. (Vedabase)

  

Text 24

Oh virtuous mother, try to develop a bond with these devotees who are free from all attachments, for they are the ones who compensate for the harmful effects of being materially entangled.

Unto those very devotees, o virtuous mother, who are freed from all attachments, you must seek to be attached, as verily they are the ones who counter the harmful effects of material entanglement. (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

Through association with saintly souls, the stories cultivated in discussing My heroism become a joy to the ear and heart. When one is of that choice then, firmly being convinced on the path of liberation experiencing the attraction, soon devotion will follow.

Through association with the ones of truth, in discussing My heroism, become the stories cultivated a joy to the ear and heart and will quickly follow the devotion in due order after the firm faith and attraction on the path of liberation. (Vedabase)

 

Text 26

Someone who in devotional service got detached from sensual pleasures, will, on the path of yoga uniting his consciousness, constantly thinking about everything that I arranged, in this world [that is 'seen'] and the next [world that is 'heard about'] be engaged in the endeavor of controlling his mind the proper way.

By devotional service having developed a distaste for the sensual of what is seen and heard, constantly thinking about My doings and with the mind engaged in the control of the connectedness of yoga, will one find ease on the path of one's endeavor to unite the consciousness. (Vedabase)


Text 27

By not being the servant of  the basic qualities of nature, by developing spiritual knowledge on the basis of renunciation, by fixing oneself on Me in yoga and by serving Me with devotion, a person in this very life reaches Me, the True Self within all souls.'

As a person not serving the modes of nature, does one through spiritual knowledge, with renunciation developed in yoga, fixed on Me and devoted to Me, in this very life attain to the Absolute of the soul.'  (Vedabase)

 

Text 28

Devahūti said: 'What is the proper concept of devotion unto You that is fit for me and from which I immediately may find liberation at Your feet?

Devahūti said: 'What is unto You the proper concept of devotion fit for me of which I, without delay, will find liberation at Your feet? (Vedabase)

 

Text 29

Oh embodiment of truth, You explained that yoga is the way to focus on the Supreme Personality. But what form of yoga do You refer to exactly, what does it entail and what all needs to be done in order to comprehend the ultimate reality?

What is, aiming at the One Supreme, o embodiment of heaven, the nature of that yoga You explained about; in how many divisions is the reality understood by it? (Vedabase)


Text 30

Please explain this to me, so that I, with my limited understanding, oh my Lord, by Your grace, as a woman may easily understand what is so hard to fathom.'

Please explain that very same thing to Me whose intelligence is but slow, o my Lord, so that I by Your grace may easily comprehend what for a woman is so difficult to understand.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 31

Maitreya said: 'Kapila understanding what His mother wanted, being born from her body sympathized with her and thus described the truths handed down in disciplic succession of what one calls analytical yoga, a form of yoga that in fact concerns an extension, a further development in devotional service. 

Maitreya said: 'Kapila understanding what His mother was after found, being born from her body, compassion for her and described the truths of the analytic of yoga the way they were handed down and in fact reach to the devotional of a united consciousness. (Vedabase)

 

Text 32

The Fortunate One said: 'It is better to be of service to the Lord than [egocentric] to strive for fame and perfection. It is the natural inclination of the undivided mind to serve according to the scriptures that what is purely good and true, and of the senses in their detection of sense objects to be of service as gods.

The sweet Lord said: 'The divine of relating to the material qualities works according the scriptures; and so is the oneness of mind in fact but naturally inclined to a goodness of undivided devotional service towards the Supreme One, which exceeds the single mastery. (Vedabase)


Text 33

This [devotional] service quickly dissolves the subtle internal dealings of one's material motivation [the 'subtle body'], the way food is quickly consumed by the fire of digestion.

It dissolves quickly the subtle internal dealings like food is consumed by the fire of digestion. (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

Pure devotees who, engaged in the service at My lotus feet, endeavor to attain Me, never ever desire to be one with Me. They assemble to glorify My personal activities in association.

The pure devotees who, engaged in the service of My lotus feet endeavor to attain Me, never desire anyway to be one with Me; they assemble to glorify with one another My personal activities. (Vedabase)

  

Text 35

Oh mother, they see My smiling face and eyes that are as beautiful as the morning sun and together speak in favorable terms about the benevolence of My transcendental forms.

O mother, they see My smiling face and eyes as beautiful as the morning sun and speak with Me in favorable terms of the benevolence of the transcendental forms. (Vedabase)

 

Text 36

With their minds and senses captivated by those forms, who are so charming in all their limbs, exalted pastimes, smiling glances and words, their devotion secures them a place in My subtle heaven, even though they do not long for that [liberation].

By those forms charming in all their limbs, exalted pastimes, smiling glances and the pleasing of their delightful words are their minds and senses captivated and is in their devotion over their resentment the subtle secured of My abode. (Vedabase)


Text 37

Because they do not desire My opulence or the eightfold mastery over the material illusion [the siddhis, see 3.15:45], nor follow a desire for the splendor of My Supreme Divinity, those devotees in this life enjoy the blissful state of My transcendence.

Then they do not desire My opulence or the eightfold mastery of lording over the illusion [the siddhis, see 3.15:45] or follow for the splendor of the Supreme Divinity; blissful of Me as the Supreme One, those devotees enjoy but their simple lives. (Vedabase)

 

Text 38

Oh mother, My devotees will never, not by time nor by a weapon of destruction, lose Me [and My opulence], who was chosen by them as their dearest self, son, friend, preceptor, benefactor and deity.

O mother, never, by no time nor weapon destroying, will My devotees lose Me, who was chosen to be their dearest self, son, friend, preceptor, benefactor and deity. (Vedabase)

 

Text 39-40

Thus wandering through both this world and the world of the more subtle experiences, they, who in relation to My embodiment in this world have given up on [the desire for] wealth, cattle, houses and everything else, unflinching in their devotion worship Me, the all-pervading Lord of liberation, for I take them to the other side of birth and death.

Accordingly roaming in both this world and that world of the subtle body, do those who relating to the embodiment have given up in this world on wealth, cattle, houses and everything else worship Me, the all-pervading Lord of liberation in unflinching devotion, as I take them to the other side of birth and death. (Vedabase)


Text 41

No other person or anything else but Me, the Supreme Lord and original ruler over matter and the person, the Soul of all souls, can put an end to the terrible fear [of birth and death].

By no other than Me, the Supreme Lord  and ruler as the original person, the Soul of all souls, can the terrible fear [of birth and death] be forsaken. (Vedabase)

 

Text 42

Out of fear for Me the wind blows and the sun shines, out of fear for Me Indra showers rain and fire burns, and out of fear for Me death is all around.

Fearing Me does the wind blow and does the sun shine; out of fear for Me showers Indra the rain and burns the fire and afraid of Me goes death around. (Vedabase)

 

Text 43

Absorbed in spiritual knowledge and renunciation, yogis free from fear, for the ultimate benefit in bhakti-yoga take shelter of My feet.

Connected by the knowledge and renunciation, do yogīs through bhakti-yoga without fear take shelter of My feet fo r the benefit of the eternal. (Vedabase)

 

Text 44

The only way for people to find in this world the ultimate perfection of life is to steadily focus their mind in an intensive practice of devotional service to Me.'

Only insofar as one's mind is fixed in an intensive practice of devotion to Me, will men in this world going for the perfection of life, be steady.' (Vedabase)


 

 

 

 

 

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The illustration of a young Kapila talking to His mother Devahūti is of B.K. Mitra.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time


  

 

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