Sri Brhad-Bhagavatamrta, Part 3
BY: SUN STAFF
Shiva as Pashupatinath
Jun 28, CANADA (SUN) — By Srila Sanatana Goswami, translated by Sriman Kusakratha dasa.
Part One, Chapter Three
Prapancatita (Beyond the Material World)
Texts 1-3
sri-parikshid uvaca
bhagavantam haram tatra
bhavavishtataya hareh
nrityantam kirtayantam ca
krita-sankarshanarcanam
bhrisam nandisvaradims ca
slaghamanam nijanugan
pritya sa-jaya-sabdani
gita-vadyani tanvatah
devim comam prasamsantam
karatalishu kovidam
durad drishtva munir hrishto
'namad vinam ninadayan
Seeing Lord Siva who, rapt in love for Krishna, was singing and dancing as He worshiped Lord Sankarshana, and who was also praising his followers, headed by Nandisvara, as they were singing, playing musical instruments, and joyfully calling out, "Jaya! Jaya!", and who was also praising Goddess Uma as she was expertly playing the karatalas, the sage Narada became happy, sounded his vina and bowed down to offer respect.
Text 4
paramanugrihito 'si
krishnasyeti muhur muhuh
jagau sarvam ca pitroktam
su-svaram samakirtayat
Again and again Narada sang, "You are the great object of Lord Krishna's mercy!" Repeating his father's words, Narada glorified Siva in a melodious voice.
Texts 5 and 6
atha sri-rudra-padabja-
renu-sparsana-kamyaya
samipe 'bhyagatam devo
vaikunthasya priyam munim
akrishyaslishya sammattah
sri-krishna-rasa-dharaya
bhrisam papraccha kim brushe
brahma-putreti sadaram
When, eager to touch the dust of Sri Siva's lotus feet, the sage dear to Krishna approached him, the demigod, intoxicated by the flooding nectar stream of love for Sri Krishna, pulled the sage to him, embraced him, and respectfully said, "O son of Brahma, what are you saying?"
Texts 7-9
tatah sri-vaishnava-sreshtha-
sambhashana-rasaplutam
santyakta-nritya-kutukam
mita-priya-janavritam
parvati-prana-natham tam
vrishyam virasanena sah
asinam pranaman bhaktya
pathan rudra-sad-angakam
jagadisatva-mahatmya-
prakasana-paraih stavaih
astaud vivritya tasmims ca
jagau krishna-kripa-bharam
When, by conversing with Narada, the best of Vaishnavas, Siva, who is the lord of Parvati's life, became plunged in the nectar of transcendental bliss, stopped his ecstatic dancing, retired with a few intimate associates, and sat in the virasana yoga-posture on a kusa-grass seat, with great devotion Narada bowed down to offer respect to him and recited many prayers describing his glory as the master of the universe. Then he sang of Lord Krishna's great mercy to Siva.
Text 10
karnau pidhaya rudro 'sau
sa-krodham avadad bhrisam
sarva-vaishnava-murdhanyo
vishnu-bhakti-pravartakah
Covering his ears, Siva, the best of all Vaishnavas, the preacher of devotion for Lord Vishnu, very angrily said:
Text 11
na jatu jagad-iso 'ham
napi krishna-kripaspadam
param tad-dasa-dasanam
sadanugraha-kamukah
I have never been the master of the universe, and I am not the object of Lord Krishna's mercy. I always yearn for the mercy of the servants of the servants of Lord Krishna.
Text 12
sri-parikshid uvaca
sambhranto 'tha munir hitva
krishnenaikyena tat-stutim
saparadham ivatmanam
manyamano 'bravic chanaih
Sri Parikshit said: Bewildered, Narada stopped his prayer of Siva's identity with Krishna. Thinking himself an offender, he slowly said:
Text 13
sri-narada uvaca
satyam eva bhavan vishnor
vaishnavanam ca durgamam
nigudham mahima-srenim
vetti vijnapayaty api
Sri Narada said: Lord, in truth you both understand and preach the great mystery of the glories of Lord Vishnu and His devotees.
Text 14
ato hi vaishnava-sreshthair
ishyate tvad-anugrahah
krishnas ca mahimanam te
prito vitanute 'dhikam
For this reason the best of Vaishnavas yearn for your mercy and Lord Krishna Himself is pleased with you and wholeheartedly chants your glories.
Text 15
kati varams ca krishnena
vara vividha-murtibhih
bhaktya bhavantam aradhya
grihitah kati santi na
How many times did Lord Krishna, assuming many different forms, worship you with devotion? How many benedictions did He take from you?
Text 16
sri-parikshid uvaca
iti srutva tu sahasa
dhairyam kartum asaknuvan
lajjito drutam utthaya
naradasya mukham harah
karabhyam pidadhe dharshtyam
mama tan na vader iti
Sri Parikshit said: Unable to remain peaceful while hearing these words, the embarrassed Siva suddenly rose from his seat and with both hands covered Narada's mouth. "Don't speak this reckless nonsense about me," he said.
Text 17
anantaram uvacoccaih
sa-vismayam aho mune
durvitarkyataram lila-
vaibhavam drisyatam prabhoh
Struck with wonder, Siva loudly said: O sage, you should see ¨the inconceivable power and opulence of the Supreme Lord's transcendental pastimes!
Text 18
aho vicitra-gambhira-
mahimabdhir mad-isvarah
vividheshv aparadheshu
nopeksheta kriteshv api
Ah! My Lord is a wonderful deep ocean of transcendental glory. Even though I have many times offended Him, He does not become averse to me.
Text 19
sri-parikshid uvaca
paramanandito dhritva
padayor upavesya tam
naradah paritushtava
krishna-bhakti-rasa-plutam
Sri Parikshit said: Filled with bliss, Narada touched Siva's feet, made him sit down, and continued his glorification of Siva, who is always plunged in the nectar of devotion to Lord Krishna.
Text 20
sri-narada uvaca
naparadhavakasas te
preyasah kascid acyute
kadacil loka-drishtyapi
jato nasmin prakasate
Sri Narada said: You are very dear to the infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead. You have never offended Him. In the eyes of the common people you may seem to have sometimes offended Him but He does not see any offense in you.
Texts 21-23
sva-bahu-bala-driptasya
sadhupadrava-karinah
maya-baddhaniruddhasya
yudhyamanasya cakrina
hata-prayasya banasya
nija-bhaktasya putravat
palitasya tvaya prana-
rakshartham sri-harih stutah
sadyo hitva svayam prito
dattva nija-svarupatam
bhavat-parshadatam ninye
tam durapam surair api
When a demon named Bana, who was your devotee, who was very proud of the strength of his arms, and who brought many troubles to the saintly devotees, captured and bound Aniruddha with his mystic power, fought with Lord Krishna, the holder of the cakra, was almost dead, and was saved by you, who prayed that his life be spared, Lord Krishna at once stopped killing him, became pleased with him, gave him a form like His own, and made him your personal associate, a state even the demigods cannot attain.
Text 24
bhavams ca vaishnava-drohi-
gargyadibhyah su-duscaraih
tapobhir bhajamanebhyo
navyalikam varam dade
When Gargya and other enemies of the Vaishnavas worshiped you with severe austerities, you granted them a clever benediction that proved to be no benediction at all.
Text 25
citraketu-prabhritayo
'dhiyo 'py amsasrita hareh
nindaka yadyapi svasya
tebhyo 'kupyas tathapi na
Even though Citraketu and many others had offended you, because they took shelter of Lord Krishna you were not at all angry with them.
Text 26
krishnasya pritaye tasmac
chraishthyam apy abhivanchata
tad-bhaktataiva caturya-
viseshenarthita tvaya
You desire only the satisfaction of Lord Krishna. You eloquently pray only to remain a pure devotee of Lord Krishna.
Text 27
ato brahmadi-samprarthya-
mukti-danadhikaritam
bhavate bhagavatyai ca
durgayai bhagavan adat
For this reason the Supreme Personality of Godhead gave to you and goddess Durga the power to grant the liberation prayed for by Brahma and the demigods.
Text 28
aho brahmadi-dushprape
aisvarye saty apidrise
tat sarvam sukham apy atmyam
anadrityavadhutavat
Living as an ascetic, you have a low opinion of all the happiness found in your power and opulence, which is greater than that of Brahma and all the demigods.
Text 29
bhavavishtah sada vishnor
mahonmada-grihitavat
ko 'nyah patnya samam nrityed
ganair api dig-ambarah
Who else, filled with ecstatic love for Lord Vishnu, and clothed in only the ten directions, would dance as a madman with his wife and friends?
Text 30
drishto 'dya bhagavad-bhakti-
lampatya-mahimadbhutah
tad bhavan eva krishnasya
nityam parama-vallabhah
Today I have seen the wonderful glory of your intense desire to attain pure devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This desire has made you eternally very dear to Lord Krishna.
Text 31
ah kim vacyanavacchinna
krishnasya priyata tvayi
tvat-prasadena bahavo
'nye pi tat-priyatam gatah
What more can I say? You are very dear to Lord Krishna, and by your mercy many others have also become dear to Him.
Text 32
parvatyas ca prasadena
bahavas tat-priyah kritah
tattvabhijna viseshena
bhavator iyam eva hi
By Parvati's mercy also many have become dear to Lord Krishna. She knows very perfectly the truth about you both (Siva and Krishna).
Text 33
krishnasya bhaginivaisha
sneha-patram sadambika
ata eva bhavan atma-
ramo 'py etam apekshate
Lord Krishna loves her as if she were His own sister. For this reason, even though you are very renounced and advanced in spiritual life, you have great respect for her.
Text 34
vicitra-bhagavan-nama-
sankirtana-kathotsavaih
sademam ramayan vishnu-
jana-sanga-sukham bhajet
You please her by always chanting the wonderful glories of the Supreme Lord's holy names and pastimes. In this way you attain the happiness of associating with a pure devotee of Lord Vishnu.
Text 35
sri-parikshid uvaca
tato mahesvaro matas
trapavanamitananah
naradam bhagavad-bhaktam
avadad vaishnavagranih
Sri Parikshit said: O mother, then Siva, the best of the Vaishnavas, his head bowed with embarrassment, said to the great devotee Narada:
Text 36
sri-mahesa uvaca
aho bata mahat kashtam
tyakta-sarvabhimana he
kvaham sarvabhimananam
mulam kva tvadrisesvarah
Sri Siva said: Alas! Alas! O completely prideless Narada, who am I, the root of all pride, in comparison to your master, Krishna?
Text 37
lokeso jnana-do jnani
mukto mukti-prado 'py aham
bhakto bhakti-prado vishnor
ity ady-ahankriyavritah
I think that I am the master of the world, the supreme teacher, the omniscient philosopher, liberated, the giver of liberation, a pure devotee of Lord Vishnu, and the giver of pure devotion to others. In this way I am filled with pride.
Text 38
sarva-grasa-kare ghore
maha-kale samagate
vilajje 'sesha-samhara-
tamasam sva-prayojanat
When the terrible time for devouring the entire world comes, I am ashamed of my duty to destroy everything in the darkness of ignorance.
Text 39
mayi narada varteta
kripa-leso 'pi ced dhareh
tada kim parijatosha-
haranadau maya ranah
Narada, if I had received even a small particle of Lord Krishna's mercy, would I have been willing to fight with Him over the parijata flower, over Usha's kidnapping, and over so many other things?
Text 40
kim mam aradhayed dasam
kim etac cadiset prabhuh
svagamaih kalpitais tvam ca
janan mad-vimukhan kuru
Would He worship His own servant? Would the Lord have ordered me: "With a philosophy of your own invention make everyone averse to Me"?
Text 41
avayor mukti-datritvam
yad bhavan stauti hrishtavat
tac cati-darunam tasya
bhaktanam sruti-duhkhadam
You happily glorify us both as givers of liberation, but the very terrible liberation we give brings pain to the devotees' ears.
Text 42
tat krishna-parshada-sreshtha
ma mam tasya dayaspadam
viddhi kintu kripa-sara-
bhajo vaikuntha-vasinah
O best of Lord Krishna's associates, don't think I am the object of His mercy. Know that the residents of Vaikuntha are the actual objects of His very great mercy.
Text 43
yaih sarvam trinavat tyaktva
bhaktyaradhya priyam harim
sarvartha-siddhayo labdhva-
panga-drishtyapi nadritah
Renouncing everything material as if it were only a clump of grass, with great devotion they worship their beloved Lord Krishna. If all material benefits and yogic perfections come before them, they will not look at them, even from the corner of their eye.
Text 44
tyakta-sarvabhimana ye
samasta-bhaya-varjitam
vaikuntham sac-cid-anandam
gunatitam padam gatah
They who are free of all pride may go to that realm of Vaikuntha, which is beyond the three modes of material nature, free of all fear, eternal, and full of transcendental knowledge and bliss.
Text 45
tatra ye sad-cid-ananda-
dehah parama-vaibhavam
sampraptum sac-cid-anandam
hari-sarshtim ca nabhajan
Their forms already eternal and full of knowledge and bliss, the devotees there do not worship Lord Krishna to attain eternity, knowledge, bliss, or opulence equal to His.
Text 46
harer bhaktya param prita
bhaktan bhaktim ca sarvatah
rakshanto vardhayantas ca
sancaranti yadricchaya
Happy with devotional service to the Lord, protecting the devotees and preaching devotional service, they travel as they wish.
Text 47
muktan upahasantiva
vaikunthe satatam prabhum
bhajantah pakshi-vrikshadi-
rupaih vividha-sevaya
As, in the forms of birds, trees, and other creatures, They eternally serve the Supreme Lord in many ways in the realm of Vaikuntha, they seem to mock the souls merged in impersonal liberation.
Text 48
kamala-lalyamananghri-
kamalam moda-vardhanam
sampasyanto harim sakshad
ramante saha tena ye
They gaze at the delightful Supreme Lord Hari, whose lotus feet are massaged by the goddess of fortune. They enjoy blissful pastimes in His company.
Text 49
aho karunya-mahima
sri-krishnasya kuto 'nyatah
vaikunthaloke ye 'jasram
tadiyeshu ca rajate
The great glory of Lord Krishna's mercy is eternally granted to the residents of Vaikunthaloka. Where else may that mercy be placed?
Text 50
yasmin maha-madasrantam
prabhoh sankirtanadibhih
vicitram antara bhaktim
nasty anyat prema-vahinim
In that place is only a wonderful, blissful, eternal flowing stream of pure love for the Lord and sankirtana and a host of devotional activities. In that place there is not anything other than this.
Text 51
aho tat-paramananda-
rasabdher mahimadbhutah
brahmanandas tulam narhet
yat-kanardhamsakena ca
Ah! The happiness of impersonal Brahman does not equal even a very small portion of half a drop of the great wonder that is the glory of that nectar ocean of the bliss of pure devotion.
Text 52
sa vaikunthas tadiyas ca
tatratyam akhilam ca yat
tad eva krishna-padabja-
para-premanukampitam
Vaikuntha, its residents, and everything within it are the greatest object of the transcendental love and mercy of Lord Krishna's lotus feet.
Text 53
tadrik karunya-patranam
srimad-vaikuntha-vasinam
matto 'dhikataras tat-tan-
mahima kim nu varnyatam
The glory of the opulent residents of Vaikuntha, who are all the objects of Lord Krishna's mercy, is much greater than any glory I may possess. How will it be possible for me to describe their glory?
Text 54
panca-bhautika-deha ye
martyaloka-nivasinah
bhagavad-bhakti-rasika
namasya madrisam sada
People like myself should also always bow down to offer respect to they who, although they live in the earthly planets, and although they possess material bodies made of the five elements, are expert at always tasting the nectar mellows of pure devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Text 55
sri-krishna-caranambhojar-
pitatmano hi ye kila
tad-eka-prema-labhasa-
tyaktartha-jana-jivanah
They have placed themselves at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. Hoping to attain pure love for Lord Krishna, they have renounced wealth, followers, and the whole sphere of material life.
Text 56
aihikamushmikasesha-
sadhya-sadhana-nisprihah
jati-varnasramacara-
dharmadhinatva-paragah
They do not care for material activities or material goals either in this life or the next. They have crossed to the farther shore of varnasrama duties based on the circumstances of birth.
Text 57
rina-trayadi-nirmukta
veda-margati-ga api
hari-bhakti-balavegad
akutascid bhayah sada
Because of the power of their pure devotional service to Lord Hari they are free from the three debts, they have crossed beyond the path of the Vedas, and they are eternally free from all fear.
Text 58
nanyat kim api vanchanti
tad-bhakti-rasa-lampatah
svargapavarga-narakeshv
api tulyartha-darsinah
They do not desire anything in this world. They only yearn for the nectar of pure devotional service. They see heaven, hell and liberation to be the same.
Text 59
bhagavan iva satyam me
ta eva parama-priyah
parama-prarthaniyas ca
mama taih saha sangamah
In truth, to me they are as dear as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. I pray that I may always have their company.
Text 60
naradaham idam manye
tadrisanam yatah sthitih
bhavet sa eva vaikuntha-
loko natra vicarana
Narada, I think that wherever devotees like this live is already Vaikunthaloka. Of this I have no doubt.
Text 61
krishna-bhakti-sudha-panad
deha-daihika-vismriteh
tesham bhautika-dehe 'pi
sac-cid-ananda-rupata
Because they drink the nectar of pure devotional service to Lord Krishna, and because they thus forget everything of the material body and the great host of things in relation to it, they have forms of eternity, knowledge, and bliss, even while they stay in bodies made of material elements.
Text 62
param bhagavata sakam
sakshat-krida-paramparah
sadanubhavitum tair hi
vaikuntho 'pekshyate kvacit
They patiently wait for the time when they will enter Vaikuntha to enjoy transcendental pastimes with the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.
Text 63
ato hi sarve tatratya
mayoktah sarvato 'dhikah
daya-visesha-vishayah
krishnasya parama-priyah
The devotees I have described are all my superiors. They are very dear to Lord Krishna. They are the special object of His mercy.
Text 64
sri-parvaty uvaca
tatrapi srir viseshena
prasiddha sri-hari-priya
tadrig vaikuntha-vaikuntha-
vasinam isvari hi sa
Sri Parvati said: Of these devotees Lakshmi-devi is the most dear to Lord Hari. She is the queen of Vaikuntha and its residents.
Text 65
yasyah kataksha-patena
loka-pala-vibhutayah
jnanam viraktir bhaktis ca
sidhyanti yad-anugrahat
By her sidelong glance one may attain powers and opulences like the demigods who rule of the various planets. By her mercy one may attain perfect knowledge, renunciation, and devotional service.
Text 66
ya vihayadarenapi
bhajamanan bhavadrisan
vavre tapobhir aradhya
nirapeksham ca tat priyam
Even though many sages like yourself worship her with great reverence, she ignores you all, and chooses her beloved Lord Narayana instead. Even though Narayana is indifferent to her, she worships Him and performs severe austerities to please Him.
Text 67
karoti vasatim nityam
ya ramye tasya vakshasi
pati-vratottamasesha-
vatareshv anuyaty amum
She eternally resides on His handsome chest. A faithful wife, she follows her husband in all His incarnations.
Texts 68 and 69
sri-parikshid uvaca
tatah parama-harshena
kshobhitatmalapan munih
jaya sri-kamala-kanta
he vaikuntha-pate hare
jaya vaikuntha-loketi
tatratya jayateti ca
jaya krishna-priye padme
vaikunthadhisvarity api
Sri Parikshit said: His heart trembling with great happiness, Narada Muni called out, "O husband of Lakshmi, glory to You! O master of Vaikuntha, O Lord Hari, glory to You! O realm of Vaikuntha, glory to you! O residents of Vaikuntha, glory to you! O Lakshmi, O beloved of Lord Krishna, O queen of Vaikuntha, glory to you!"
Text 70
athabhinandanayasya
vaikunthe gantum utthitah
abhipretya harenoktah
kare dhritva nivarya sah
Narada rose to go to Vaikuntha and meet Lakshmi. Understanding his plan, Siva took his hand, stopped him, and said:
Text 71
sri-mahesa uvaca
krishna-priyajanalokot-
sukata-vihata-smrite
na kim smarasi yad bhumau
dvarakayam vasaty asau
Sri Siva said: "O sage whose memory is defeated by the wish to meet Lord Krishna's beloved, do you not remember that the Lord is now lives in Dvaraka on the earth?"
Text 72
rukmini sa maha-lakshmih
krishnas tu bhagavan svayam
tasya amsavatara hi
vamanadi-samipatah
Lord Krishna is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead and Rukmini is the goddess of fortune, Maha-lakshmi, whose plenary portions are the consorts of Lord Vamana and the other incarnations of the Lord.
Text 73
sampurna paripurnasya
lakshmir bhagavatah sada
nishevate padambhoje
sri-krishnasyaiva rukmini
Rukmini, the original goddess of fortune, eternally serves the two lotus feet of Lord Krishna, the original Personality of Godhead.
Text 74
tasmad upavisa brahman
rahasyam paramam sanaih
karne te kathayamy ekam
parama-sraddhaya srinu
O brahmana, sit down, and I will whisper a great secret in your ear. Please listen with great faith.
Text 75
tvat-tatato mad-garudaditas ca
sriyo 'pi karunya-visesha-patram
prahlada eva prathito jagatyam
krishnasya bhakto nitaram priyas ca
Prahlada, whose fame as a great devotee is spread throughout the entire universe, is more dear to Lord Krishna than your father, than me, than Garuda and all the other devotees, and even than the goddess of fortune herself.
Text 76
bhagavad-vacanani tvam
kim nu vismritavan asi
adhitani puraneshu
slokam etam na kim smareh
Have you forgotten the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? Do you not remember this verse in the Puranas (Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.4.64):
Text 77
naham atmanam asase
mad-bhaktaih sadhubhir vina
sriyam catyantikim brahman
yesham gatir aham para
"O best of the brahmanas, without saintly persons for whom I am the only destination, I do not desire to enjoy My transcendental bliss and My supreme opulences."
Text 78
mad-adi-devata-yonir
nija-bhakta-vinoda-krit
sri-murtir api sa yogya
napekshya ko hi nautu tan
Neither I, all the demigods, or even His own transcendental forms are as pleasing to Him as His dear devotees. Who can properly glorify the devotees?
Text 79
tatrapy asesha-bhaktanam
upamanatayoditah
sakshad-bhagavataivasau
prahlado 'tarkya-bhagyavan
The Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself proclaims that the inconceivably fortunate Prahlada is the most fortunate of all the devotees.
Text 80
tasya saubhagyam asmabhih
sarvair lakshmyapy anuttamam
sakshad dhiranyakasipor
anubhutam vidarane
When Hiranyakasipu was ripped apart by the Lord, Lakshmi-devi and all of us were able to see directly the incomparable good fortune of Prahlada.
Text 81
punar punar varan ditsur
vishnur muktim na yacitah
bhaktir eva vrita yena
prahladam tam namamy aham
Although Lord Vishnu wished to give him a host of benedictions one after another, Prahlada never asked for liberation. He only wished for pure devotional service. I bow down to offer my respects to him.
Texts 82-84
maryada-langhakasyapi
gurv-adesakrito mune
asampanna-sva-vag-jala-
satyatantasya yad baleh
dvare tadrig avasthanam
tuccha-dana-phalam kim u
rakshanam dushta-banasya
kim nu mat-stava-karitam
kevalam tan-maha-preshtha-
prahlada-prity-apekshaya
kim bruyam param atraste
gauri lakshmyah priya sakhi
Bali Maharaja jumped over the rules of propriety, disobeyed the order of his spiritual master, and was unable to keep his own promise. Did Lord Vishnu become his doorkeeper as a reward for Bali's very insignificant gift? Did the Lord protect the demon Bana because of my prayers? The Lord became Bali's doorkeeper and protected Bana only to please His dear devotee Prahlada. Shall I say any more about this? After all, Lakshmi's friend Parvati is here.
Note: Siva hints that Parvati may become offended if Prahlada is glorified at the expense of her friend Lakshmi.
Text 85
tad gatva sutale sighram
vardhayitvasisham ganaih
prahladam svayam aslishya
mad-asleshavalim vadeh
Quickly go now to Sutalaloka. Speak many words of blessing to Prahlada, embrace him, and tell him that I also embrace him again and again.
Text 86
aho na sahate 'smakam
pranamam saj-janagranih
stutim ca ma pramadi syat
tatra cet sukham icchasi
Prahlada, the best of the devotees, will not tolerate our bowing down before him. Also, if you wish to remain happy, do not make the mistake of praising him.
