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)
*******
Canto 10: 'Summum Bonum'
*******
Chapter Seventy-four: The Deliverance of S'is'upâla at the Râjasûya Sacrifice
TEXT 1
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
evam yudhishthhiro râjâ
jarâsandha-vadham vibhoh
krishnasya cânubhâvam tam
s'rutvâ prîtas tam abravît
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; evam - thus; yudhishthhirah - Yudhishthhira; râjâ - the King; jarâsandha-vadham - the killing of Jarâsandha; vibhoh - of the almighty; krishnasya - Lord Krishna; ca - and; anubhâvam - the (display of) power; tam - that; s'rutvâ - hearing of; prîtah - pleased; tam - Him; abravît - he addressed.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Having thus heard of the killing of Jarâsandha, and also of almighty Krishna's wonderful power, King Yudhishthhira addressed the Lord as follows with great pleasure.
******
TEXT 2
s'rî-yudhishthhira uvâca
ye syus trai-lokya-guravah
sarve lokâ mahes'varâh
vahanti durlabham labdvâ
s'irasaivânus'âsanam
s'rî-yudhishthhirah uvâca - S'rî Yudhishthhira said; ye - who; syuh - there are; trai- lokya - of the three worlds; guravah - spiritual masters; sarve - all; lokâh - (the inhabitants of) the planets; mahâ-îs'varâh - and the great controlling demigods; vahanti - they carry; durlabham - rarely obtained; labdhvâ - having obtained; s'irasâ - on their heads; eva - indeed; anus'âsanam - (Your) command.
TRANSLATION
S'rî Yudhishthhira said: All the exalted spiritual masters of the three worlds, together with the inhabitants and rulers of the various planets, carry on their heads Your command, which is rarely obtained.
******
TEXT 3
sa bhavân aravindâksho
dînânâm îs'a-mâninâm
dhatte 'nus'âsanam bhûmams
tad atyanta-vidambanam
sah - He; bhavân - Yourself; aravinda-akshah - the lotus-eyed Lord; dînânâm - of those who are wretched; îs'a - rulers; mâninâm - who presume themselves; dhatte - takes upon Himself; anus'âsanam - the order; bhûman - O all-pervading one; tat - that; atyanta - extreme; vidambanam - pretense.
TRANSLATION
That You, the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, accept the orders of wretched fools who presume themselves rulers is a great pretense on Your part, O all- pervading one.
******
TEXT 4
na hy ekasyâdvitîyasya
brahmanah paramâtmanah
karmabhir vardhate tejo
hrasate ca yathâ raveh
na - not; hi - indeed; ekasya - of the one; advitîyasya - without a second; brahmanah - the Absolute Truth; parama-âtmanah - the Supreme Soul; karmabhih - by activities; vardhate - increases; tejah - the power; hrasate - diminishes; ca - and; yathâ - as; raveh - of the sun.
TRANSLATION
But of course the power of the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Soul, the primeval one without a second, is neither increased nor diminished by His activities, any more than the sun's power is by its movements.
******
TEXT 5
na vai te 'jita bhaktânâm
mamâham iti mâdhava
tvam taveti ca nânâ-dhîh
pas'ûnâm iva vaikritî
na - not; vai - indeed; te - Your; ajita - O unconquerable one; bhaktânâm - of the devotees; mama aham iti - "mine" and "I"; mâdhava - O Krishna; tvam tava iti - "you" and "yours"; ca - and; nânâ - of differences; dhîh - mentality; pas'ûnâm - of animals; iva - as if; vaikritî - perverted.
TRANSLATION
O unconquerable Mâdhava, even Your devotees make no distinctions of "I" and "mine," "you" and "yours," for this is the perverted mentality of animals.
******
TEXT 6
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
ity uktvâ yajñiye kâle
vavre yuktân sa ritvijah
krishnânumoditah pârtho
brâhmanân brahma-vâdinah
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti - thus; uktvâ - speaking; yajñiye - appropriate for the sacrifice; kâle - at the time; vavre - chose; yuktân - suitable; sah - he; ritvijah - sacrificial priests; krishna - by Lord Krishna; anumoditah - sanctioned; pârthah - the son of Prithâ (Yudhishthhira); brâhmanân - brâhmanas; brahma - of the Vedas; vâdinah - expert authorities.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Having said this, King Yudhishthhira waited until the proper time for the sacrifice was at hand. Then with Lord Krishna's permission he selected suitable priests, all expert authorities on the Vedas, to execute the sacrifice.
******
TEXTS 7 - 9
dvaipâyano bharadvâjah
sumantur gotamo 'sitah
vasishthhas' cyavanah kanvo
maitreyah kavashas tritah
vis'vâmitro vâmadevah
sumatir jaiminih kratuh
pailah parâs'aro gargo
vais'ampâyana eva ca
atharvâ kas'yapo dhaumyo
râmo bhârgava âsurih
vîtihotro madhucchandâ
vîraseno 'kritavranah
dvaipâyanah bharadvâjah - Dvaipâyana (Vedavyâsa) and Bharadvâja; sumantuh gotamah asitah - Sumantu, Gotama and Asita; vasishthhah cyavanah kanvah - Vasishthha, Cyavana and Kanva; maitreyah kavashah tritah - Maitreya, Kavasa and Trita;
vis'vâmitrah vâmadevah - Vis'vâmitra and Vâmadeva; sumatih jaiminih kratuh - Sumati, Jaimini and Kratu; pailah parâs'arah gargah - Paila, Parâs'ara and Garga; vais'ampâyanah - Vais'ampâyana; eva ca - also;
atharvâ kas'yapah dhaumyah - Atharvâ, Kas'yapa and Dhaumya; râmah bhârgavah - Pâras'urâma, the descendant of Bhrigu; âsurih - Âsuri; vîtihotrah madhucchandâh - Vîtihotra and Madhucchandâ; vîrasenah akritavranah - Vîrasena and Akritavrana.
TRANSLATION
He selected Krishna-dvaipâyana, Bharadvâja, Sumantu, Gotama and Asita, along with Vasishthha, Cyavana, Kanva, Maitreya, Kavasha and Trita. He also selected Vis'vâmitra, Vâmadeva, Sumati, Jaimini, Kratu, Paila and Parâs'ara, as well as Garga, Vais'ampâyana, Atharvâ, Kas'yapa, Dhaumya, Râma of the Bhârgavas, Âsuri, Vîtihotra, Madhucchandâ, Vîrasena and Akritavrana.
******
TEXTS 10 - 11
upahûtâs tathâ cânye
drona-bhîshma-kripâdayah
dhritarâshthrah saha-suto
viduras' ca mahâ-matih
brâhmanâh kshatriyâ vais'yâh
s'ûdrâ yajña-didrikshavah
tatreyuh sarva-râjâno
râjñâm prakritayo nripa
upahûtâh - invited; tathâ - also; ca - and; anye - others; drona-bhîshma-kripa- âdayah - headed by Drona, Bhîshma and Kripa; dhritarâshthrah - Dhritarâshthra; saha- sutah - together with his sons; vidurah - Vidura; ca - and; mahâ-matih - greatly intelligent;
brâhmanâh kshatriyâh vais'yâh s'ûdrâh - brâhmanas, kshatriyas, vais'yas and s'ûdras; yajña - the sacrifice; didrikshavah - eager to see; tatra - there; îyuh - came; sarva - all; râjânah - kings; râjñâm - of the kings; prakritayah - the entourages; nripa - O King.
TRANSLATION
O King, others who were invited included Drona, Bhîshma, Kripa, Dhritarâshthra with his sons, the wise Vidura, and many other brâhmanas, kshatriyas, vais'yas and s'ûdras, all eager to witness the sacrifice. Indeed, all the kings came there with their entourages.
******
TEXT 12
tatas te deva-yajanam
brâhmanâh svarna-lângalaih
krishthvâ tatra yathâmnâyam
dîkshayâm cakrire nripam
tatah - then; te - they; deva-yajanam - the place for worshiping the demigods; brâhmanâh - the brâhmanas; svarna - gold; lângalaih - with plows; krishthvâ - furrowing; tatra - there; yathâ-âmnâyam - according to the standard authorities; dîkshayâm cakrire - they initiated; nripam - the King.
TRANSLATION
The brâhmana priests then plowed the sacrificial ground with golden plowshares and initiated King Yudhishthhira for the sacrifice in accordance with the traditions set down by standard authorities.
******
TEXTS 13 - 15
haimâh kilopakaranâ
varunasya yathâ purâ
indrâdayo loka-pâlâ
viriñci-bhava-samyutâh
sa-ganâh siddha-gandharvâ
vidyâdhara-mahoragâh
munayo yaksha-rakshâmsi
khaga-kinnara-câranâh
râjânas' ca samâhûtâ
râja-patnyas' ca sarvas'ah
râjasûyam samîyuh sma
râjñah pându-sutasya vai
menire krishna-bhaktasya
sûpapannam avismitâh
haimâh - fashioned out of gold; kila - indeed; upakaranâh - utensils; varunasya - of Varuna; yathâ - as; purâ - in the past; indra-âdayah - headed by Lord Indra; loka-pâlâh - the rulers of planets; viriñci-bhava- samyutâh - including Lord Brahmâ and Lord S'iva;
sa-ganâh - with their attendants; siddha-gandharvâh - the Siddhas and Gandharvas; vidyâdhara - the Vidyâdharas; mahâ-uragâh - and great serpents; munayah - the exalted sages; yaksha-rakshâmsi - the Yaksha and Râkshasa demons; khaga-kinnara-câranâh - the celestial birds, the Kinnaras and the Câranas;
râjânah - kings; ca - and; samâhûtâh - invited; râja - of the kings; patnyah - the wives; ca - also; sarvas'ah - from everywhere; râjasûyam - to the Râjasûya sacrifice; samîyuh sma - they came; râjñah - of the King; pându-sutasya - the son of Pându; vai - indeed; menire - they considered; krishna-bhaktasya - for the devotee of Lord Krishna; su-upapannam - quite appropriate; avismitâh - not surprised.
TRANSLATION
The utensils used in the sacrifice were made of gold, just as in the ancient Râjasûya performed by Lord Varuna. Indra, Brahmâ, S'iva and many other planetary rulers; the Siddhas and Gandharvas with their entourage; the Vidyâdharas; great serpents; sages; Yakshas; Râkshasas; celestial birds; Kinnaras; Câranas; and earthly kings - all were invited, and indeed they all came from every direction to the Râjasûya sacrifice of King Yudhishthhira, the son of Pându. They were not in the least astonished to see the opulence of the sacrifice, since it was quite appropriate for a devotee of Lord Krishna.
******
TEXT 16
ayâjayan mahâ-râjam
yâjakâ deva-varcasah
râjasûyena vidhi-vat
pracetasam ivâmarâh
ayâjayan - they performed the sacrifice; mahâ-râjam - for the great King; yâjakâh - the sacrificial priests; deva - of demigods; varcasah - possessing the power; râjasûyena - the Râjasûya; vidhi-vat - according to the prescriptions of the Vedas; pracetasam - Varuna; iva - as; amarâh - the demigods.
TRANSLATION
The priests, as powerful as gods, performed the Râjasûya sacrifice for King Yudhishthhira in accordance with the Vedic injunctions, just as the demigods had previously performed it for Varuna.
******
SB 10.74.17
TEXT 17
sûtye 'hany avanî-pâlo
yâjakân sadasas-patîn
apûjayan mahâ-bhâgân
yathâ-vat su-samâhitah
sûtye - of extracting the soma juice; ahani - on the day; avanî-pâlah - the King; yâjakân - the sacrificers; sadasah - of the assembly; patîn - the leaders; apûjayat - worshiped; mahâ-bhâgân - greatly exalted; yathâvat - correctly; su- samâhitah - with careful attention.
TRANSLATION
On the day of extracting the soma juice, King Yudhishthhira properly and very attentively worshiped the priests and the most exalted personalities of the assembly.
******
TEXT 18
sadasyâgryârhanârham vai
vimris'antah sabhâ-sadah
nâdhyagacchann anaikântyât
sahadevas tadâbravît
sadasya - of the members of the assembly; agrya - first; arhana - worship; arham - him who deserves; vai - indeed; vimris'antah - pondering over; sabhâ - in the assembly; sadah - those seated; na adhyagacchan - they could not come to a conclusion; anaika-antyât - because of the great number (of qualified candidates); sahadevah - Sahadeva, the younger brother of Mahârâja Yudhishthhira; tadâ - then; abravît - spoke.
TRANSLATION
The members of the assembly then pondered over who among them should be worshiped first, but since there were many personalities qualified for this honor, they were unable to decide. Finally Sahadeva spoke up.
******
TEXT 19
arhati hy acyutah s'raishthhyam
bhagavân sâtvatâm patih
esha vai devatâh sarvâ
des'a-kâla-dhanâdayah
arhati - deserves; hi - indeed; acyutah - infallible Krishna; s'raishthhyam - the supreme position; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; sâtvatâm - of the Yâdavas; patih - the chief; eshah - He; vai - certainly; devatâh - demigods; sarvâh - all; des'a - the place (for the sacrifice); kâla - the time; dhana - the material paraphernalia; âdayah - and so on.
TRANSLATION
[Sahadeva said:] Certainly it is Acyuta, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and chief of the Yâdavas, who deserves the highest position. In truth, He Himself comprises all the demigods worshiped in sacrifice, along with such aspects of the worship as the sacred place, the time and the paraphernalia.
******
TEXTS 20 - 21
yad-âtmakam idam vis'vam
kratavas' ca yad-âtmakâh
agnir âhutayo mantrâ
sânkhyam yogas' ca yat-parah
eka evâdvitîyo 'sâv
aitad-âtmyam idam jagat
âtmanâtmâs'rayah sabhyâh
srijaty avati hanty ajah
yat-âtmakam - founded upon whom; idam - this; vis'vam - universe; kratavah - great sacrificial performances; ca - and; yat-âtmakâh - founded upon whom; agnih - the sacred fire; âhutayah - the oblations; mantrâh - the incantations; sânkhyam - the doctrine of philosophic investigation; yogah - the art of meditation; ca - and; yat - at whom; parah - aimed;
ekah - one; eva - alone; advitîyah - without a second; asau - He; aitat-âtmyam - founded upon Him; idam - this; jagat - universe; âtmanâ - through Himself (i.e., His energies); âtma - Himself alone; âs'rayah - having as His shelter; sabhyâh - O members of the assembly; srijati - He creates; avati - maintains; hanti - and destroys; ajah - the unborn.
TRANSLATION
This entire universe is founded upon Him, as are the great sacrificial performances, with their sacred fires, oblations and mantras. Sânkhya and yoga both aim toward Him, the one without a second. O assembly members, that unborn Lord, relying solely on Himself, creates, maintains and destroys this cosmos by His personal energies, and thus the existence of this universe depends on Him alone.
******
TEXT 22
vividhânîha karmâni
janayan yad-avekshayâ
îhate yad ayam sarvah
s'reyo dharmâdi-lakshanam
vividhâni - various; iha - in this world; karmâni - material activities; janayan - generating; yat - by whose; avekshayâ - grace; îhate - endeavors; yat - inasmuch; ayam - this world; sarvah - entire; s'reyah - for the ideals; dharma- âdi - religiosity and so on; lakshanam - characterized as.
TRANSLATION
He creates the many activities of this world, and thus by His grace the whole world endeavors for the ideals of religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation.
******
TEXT 23
tasmât krishnâya mahate
dîyatâm paramârhanam
evam cet sarva-bhûtânâm
âtmanas' cârhanam bhavet
tasmât - therefore; krishnâya - to Lord Krishna; mahate - the Supreme; dîyatâm - should be given; parama - the greatest; arhanam - honor; evam - in this manner; cet - if; sarva - of all; bhûtânâm - living beings; âtmanah - of oneself; ca - and; arhanam - honoring; bhavet - will be.
TRANSLATION
Therefore we should give the highest honor to Krishna, the Supreme Lord. If we do so, we will be honoring all living beings and also our own selves.
******
TEXT 24
sarva-bhûtâtma-bhûtâya
krishnâyânanya-dars'ine
deyam s'ântâya pûrnâya
dattasyânantyam icchatâ
sarva - of all; bhûta - beings; âtma - the Soul; bhûtâya - who comprises; krishnâya - to Lord Krishna; ananya - never as separate; dars'ine - who sees; deyam - (honor) should be given; s'ântâya - to the peaceful; pûrnâya - perfectly complete; dattasya - of what is given; ânantyam - unlimited increase; icchatâ - by him who desires.
TRANSLATION
Anyone who wishes the honor he gives to be reciprocated infinitely should honor Krishna, the perfectly peaceful and perfectly complete Soul of all beings, the Supreme Lord, who views nothing as separate from Himself.
******
TEXT 25
ity uktvâ sahadevo 'bhût
tûshnîm krishnânubhâva-vit
tac chrutvâ tushthuvuh sarve
sâdhu sâdhv iti sattamâh
iti - thus; uktvâ - speaking; sahadevah - Sahadeva; abhût - became; tûshnîm - silent; krishna - of Lord Krishna; anubhâva - -the influence; vit - who knew well; tat - this; s'rutvâ - hearing; tushthuvuh - praised; sarve - all; sâdhu sâdhu iti - "excellent, excellent!"; sat - of saintly persons; tamâh - the best.
TRANSLATION
[S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:] Having said this, Sahadeva, who understood Lord Krishna's powers, fell silent. And having heard his words, all the saintly persons present congratulated him, exclaiming "Excellent! Excellent!"
******
TEXT 26
s'rutvâ dvijeritam râjâ
jñâtvâ hârdam sabhâ-sadâm
samarhayad dhrishîkes'am
prîtah pranaya-vihvalah
s'rutvâ - hearing; dvija - by the brâhmanas; îritam - what was pronounced; râjâ - the King, Yudhishthhira; jñâtvâ - understanding; hârdam - the inner thoughts; sabhâ-sadâm - of the members of the assembly; samarhayat - fully worshiped; hrishîkes'am - Lord Krishna; prîtah - pleased; pranaya - by love; vihvalah - overwhelmed.
TRANSLATION
The King was delighted to hear this pronouncement of the brâhmanas, from which he understood the mood of the entire assembly. Overwhelmed with love, he fully worshiped Lord Krishna, the master of the senses.
******
TEXTS 27 - 28
tat-pâdâv avanijyâpah
s'irasâ loka-pâvanîh
sa-bhâryah sânujâmâtyah
sa-kuthumbo vahan mudâ
vâsobhih pîta-kausheyair
bhûshanais' ca mahâ-dhanaih
arhayitvâs'ru-pûrnâksho
nâs'akat samavekshitum
tat - His; pâdau - feet; avanijya - washing; âpah - the water; s'irasâ - on his head; loka - the world; pâvanîh - which purifies; sa - with; bhâryah - his wife; sa - with; anuja - his brothers; amâtyah - and his ministers; sa - with; kuthumbah - his family; vahan - carrying; mudâ - with pleasure;
vâsobhih - with garments; pîta - yellow; kausheyaih - silk; bhûshanaih - with jewelry; ca - and; mahâ- dhanaih - precious; arhayitvâ - honoring; as'ru - with tears; pûrna - filled; akshah - whose eyes; na as'akat - he was unable; samavekshitum - to look upon Him directly.
TRANSLATION
After bathing Lord Krishna's feet, Mahârâja Yudhishthhira joyfully sprinkled the water upon his own head, and then upon the heads of his wife, brothers, other family members and ministers. That water purifies the whole world. As he honored the Lord with presentations of yellow silken garments and precious jeweled ornaments, the King's tear-filled eyes prevented him from looking directly at the Lord.
******
TEXT 29
ittham sabhâjitam vîkshya
sarve prâñjalayo janâh
namo jayeti nemus tam
nipetuh pushpa-vrishthayah
ittham - in this manner; sabhâjitam - honored; vîkshya - seeing; sarve - all; prâñjalayah - with palms joined in supplication; janâh - the people; namah - "obeisances to You"; jaya - "all victory to You"; iti - so saying; nemuh - they bowed down; tam - to Him; nipetuh - fell; pushpa - of flowers; vrishthayah - showers.
TRANSLATION
When they saw Lord Krishna thus honored, nearly all who were present joined their palms reverentially, exclaiming "Obeisances to You! All victory to You!" and then bowed down to Him. Flowers rained down from above.
******
TEXT 30
ittham nis'amya damaghosha-sutah sva-pîthhâd
utthâya krishna-guna-varnana-jâta-manyuh
utkshipya bâhum idam âha sadasy amarshî
sams'râvayan bhagavate parushâny abhîtah
ittham - thus; nis'amya - hearing; damaghosha-sutah - the son of Damaghosha (S'is'upâla); sva - his; pîthhât - from the seat; utthâya - rising; krishna-guna - of the great qualities of Lord Krishna; varnana - by the descriptions; jâta - aroused; manyuh - whose anger; utkshipya - waving; bâhum - his arms; idam - this; âha - he said; sadasi - in the midst of the assembly; amarshî - intolerant; sams'râvayan - addressing; bhagavate - at the Supreme Lord; parushâni - harsh words; abhîtah - having no fear.
TRANSLATION
The intolerant son of Damaghosha became infuriated upon hearing the glorification of Lord Krishna's transcendental qualities. He stood up from his seat and, angrily waving his arms, fearlessly spoke to the entire assembly the following harsh words against the Supreme Lord.
******
TEXT 31
îs'o duratyayah kâla
iti satyavatî srutih
vriddhânâm api yad buddhir
bâla-vâkyair vibhidyate
îs'ah - the supreme controller; duratyayah - unavoidable; kâlah - time; iti - thus; satya-vatî - truthful; srutih - the revealed statement of the Vedas; vriddhânâm - of elder authorities; api - even; yat - since; buddhih - the intelligence; bâla - of a boy; vâkyaih - by the words; vibhidyate - is diverted.
TRANSLATION
[S'is'upâla said:] The statement of the Vedas that time is the unavoidable controller of all has indeed been proven true, since the intelligence of wise elders has now become diverted by the words of a mere boy.
******
TEXT 32
yûyam pâtra-vidâm s'reshthhâ
mâ mandhvam bâla-bhâshîtam
sadasas-patayah sarve
krishno yat sammato 'rhane
yûyam - all of you; pâtra - of worthy candidates; vidâm - of knowers; s'reshthhâh - the best; mâ mandhvam - please do not heed; bâla - of a boy; bhâshitam - the statements; sadasah-patayah - O leaders of the assembly; sarve - all; krishnah - Krishna; yat - the fact that; sammatah - chosen; arhane - for being honored.
TRANSLATION
O leaders of the assembly, you know best who is a fit candidate for being honored. Therefore you should not heed the words of a child when he claims that Krishna deserves to be worshiped.
******
TEXTS 33 - 34
tapo-vidyâ-vrata-dharân
jñâna-vidhvasta-kalmashân
paramarishîn brahma-nishthhâû
loka-pâlais' ca pûjitân
sadas-patîn atikramya
gopâlah kula-pâmsanah
yathâ kâkah purodâs'am
saparyâm katham arhati
tapah - austerity; vidyâ - Vedic knowledge; vrata - severe vows; dharân - who maintain; jñâna - by spiritual understanding; vidhvasta - eradicated; kalmashân - whose impurities; parama - topmost; rishîn - sages; brahma - to the Absolute Truth; nishthhân - dedicated; loka-pâlaih - by the rulers of the planetary systems; ca - and; pûjitân - worshiped;
sadah-patîn - leaders of the assembly; atikramya - passing over; gopâlah - a cowherd; kula - of His family; pâmsanah - the disgrace; yathâ - as; kâkah - a crow; purodâs'am - the sacred rice cake (offered to the demigods); saparyâm - worship; katham - how; arhati - deserves.
TRANSLATION
How can you pass over the most exalted members of this assembly - topmost sages dedicated to the Absolute Truth endowed with powers of austerity, divine insight and strict adherence to severe vows, sanctified by knowledge and worshiped even by the rulers of the universe? How does this cowherd boy, the disgrace of His family, deserve your worship, any more than a crow deserves to eat the sacred purodâs'a rice cake?
******
TEXT 35
varnâs'rama-kulâpetah
sarva-dharma-bahish-kritah
svaira-vartî gunair hînah
saparyâm katham arhati
varna - of the principles of the four occupational orders of society; âs'rama - of the four spiritual orders; kula - and of proper family upbringing; apetah - devoid; sarva - from all; dharma - codes of religious duty; bahih- kritah - excluded; svaira - independently; vartî - behaving; gunaih - qualities; hînah - lacking; saparyâm - worship; katham - how; arhati - deserves.
TRANSLATION
How does one who follows no principles of the social and spiritual orders or of family ethics, who has been excluded from all religious duties, who behaves whimsically, and who has no good qualities - how does such a person deserve to be worshiped?
******
TEXT 36
yayâtinaishâm hi kulam
s'aptam sadbhir bahish-kritam
vrithâ-pâna-ratam s'as'vat
saparyâm katham arhati
yayâtinâ - by Yayâti; eshâm - their; hi - indeed; kulam - dynasty; s'aptam - was cursed; sadbhih - by well-behaved persons; bahih-kritam - ostracized; vrithâ - wantonly; pâna - to drinking; ratam - addicted; s'as'vat - always; saparyâm - worship; katham - how; arhati - does He deserve.
TRANSLATION
Yayâti cursed the dynasty of these Yâdavas, and ever since then they have been ostracized by honest men and addicted to liquor. How, then, does Krishna deserve to be worshiped?
******
TEXT 37
brahmarshi-sevitân des'ân
hitvaite 'brahma-varcasam
samudram durgam âs'ritya
bâdhante dasyavah prajâh
brahma-rishi - by great brâhmana sages; sevitân - graced; des'ân - lands (like Mathurâ); hitvâ - abandoning; ete - these (Yâdavas); abrahma-varcasam - where brahminical principles are not observed; samudram - the ocean; durgam - a fortress; âs'ritya - taking shelter of; bâdhante - they cause trouble; dasyavah - thieves; prajâh - to their subjects.
TRANSLATION
These Yâdavas have abandoned the holy lands inhabited by saintly sages and have instead taken shelter of a fortress in the sea, a place where no brahminical principles are observed. There, just like thieves, they harass their subjects.
******
TEXT 38
evam-âdîny abhadrâni
babhâshe nashtha-mangalah
novâca kiñcid bhagavân
yathâ simhah s'ivâ-rutam
evam - such; âdîni - and more; abhadrâni - harsh words; babhâshe - he spoke; nashtha - ruined; mangalah - whose good fortune; na uvâca - He did not say; kiñcit - anything; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; yathâ - just as; simhah - a lion; s'ivâ - of a jackal; rutam - the cry.
TRANSLATION
[S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:] Bereft of all good fortune, S'is'upâla spoke these and other insults. But the Supreme Lord said nothing, just as a lion ignores a jackal's cry.
******
TEXT 39
bhagavan-nindanam s'rutvâ
duhsaham tat sabhâ-sadah
karnau pidhâya nirjagmuh
s'apantas' cedi-pam rushâ
bhagavat - of the Supreme Lord; nindanam - criticism; s'rutvâ - hearing; duhsaham - intolerable; tat - that; sabhâ-sadah - the members of the assembly; karnau - their ears; pidhâya - covering; nirjagmuh - went away; s'apantah - cursing; cedi-pam - the King of Cedi (S'is'upâla); rushâ - angrily.
TRANSLATION
Upon hearing such intolerable blasphemy of the Lord, several members of the assembly covered their ears and walked out, angrily cursing the King of Cedi.
******
TEXT 40
nindâm bhagavatah s'rinvams
tat-parasya janasya vâ
tato nâpaiti yah so 'pi
yâty adhah sukritâc cyutah
nindâm - criticism; bhagavatah - of the Supreme Lord; s'rinvan - hearing; tat - to Him; parasya - who is dedicated; janasya - of a person; vâ - or; tatah - from that place; na apaiti - does not go away; yah - who; sah - he; api - indeed; yâti - goes; adhah - down; su-kritât - from the good results of his pious works; cyutah - fallen.
TRANSLATION
Anyone who fails to immediately leave the place where he hears criticism of the Supreme Lord or His faithful devotee will certainly fall down, bereft of his pious credit.
******
TEXT 41
tatah pându-sutâh kruddhâ
matsya-kaikaya-sriñjayâh
udâyudhâh samuttasthuh
s'is'upâla-jighâmsavah
tatah - then; pându-sutâh - the sons of Pându; kruddhâh - angered; matsya-kaikaya- sriñjayâh - the Matsyas, Kaikayas and Sriñjayas; ut-âyudhâh - holding up their weapons; samuttasthuh - stood; s'isupâla-jighâmsavah - desiring to kill S'is'upâla.
TRANSLATION
Then the sons of Pându became furious, and together with the warriors of the Matsya, Kaikaya and Sriñjaya clans, they rose up from their seats with weapons poised, ready to kill S'is'upâla.
******
TEXT 42
tatas' caidyas tv asambhrânto
jagrihe khadga-carmanî
bhartsayan krishna-pakshîyân
râjñah sadasi bhârata
tatah - then; caidyah - S'is'upâla; tu - but; asambhrântah - unshaken; jagrihe - took up; khadga - his sword; carmanî - and shield; bhartsayan - insulting; krishna - of Krishna; pakshîyân - the proponents; râjñah - the kings; sadasi - in the assembly; bhârata - O descendant of Bharata.
TRANSLATION
Undaunted, S'is'upâla then took up his sword and shield in the midst of all the assembled kings, O Bhârata, and hurled insults at those who sided with Lord Krishna.
******
TEXT 43
tâvad utthâya bhagavân
svân nivârya svayam rushâ
s'irah kshurânta-cakrena
jahâra patato ripoh
tâvat - at that point; utthâya - rising; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; svân - His own (devotees); nivârya - stopping; svayam - Himself; rushâ - angrily; s'irah - the head; kshura - sharp; anta - whose edge; cakrena - with His disc weapon; jahâra - severed; patatah - attacking; ripoh - of His enemy.
TRANSLATION
At that point the Supreme Lord stood up and checked His devotees. He then angrily sent forth His razor-sharp disc and severed the head of His enemy as he was attacking.
******
TEXT 44
s'abdah kolâhalo 'thâsîc
chis'upâle hate mahân
tasyânuyâyino bhûpâ
dudruvur jîvitaishinah
s'abdah - a sound; kolâhalah - uproar; atha - thereupon; âsît - there was; s'is'upâle - S'is'upâla; hate - being killed; mahân - huge; tasya - his; anuyâyinah - followers; bhûpâh - kings; dudruvuh - fled; jîvita - their lives; eshinah - hoping to save.
TRANSLATION
When S'is'upâla was thus killed, a great roar and howl went up from the crowd. Taking advantage of that disturbance, the few kings who were supporters of S'is'upâla quickly left the assembly out of fear for their lives.
******
TEXT 45
caidya-dehotthitam jyotir
vâsudevam upâvis'at
pas'yatâm sarva-bhûtânâm
ulkeva bhuvi khâc cyutâ
caidya - of S'is'upâla; deha - from the body; utthitam - risen; jyotih - a light; vâsudevam - Lord Krishna; upâvis'at - entered; pas'yatâm - as they watched; sarva - all; bhûtânâm - living beings; ulkâ - a meteor; iva - as if; bhuvi - on the earth; khât - from the sky; cyutâ - fallen.
TRANSLATION
An effulgent light rose from S'is'upâla's body and, as everyone watched, entered Lord Krishna just like a meteor falling from the sky to the earth.
******
TEXT 46
janma-trayânugunita-
vaira-samrabdhayâ dhiyâ
dhyâyams tan-mayatâm yâto
bhâvo hi bhava-kâranam
janma - births; traya - three; anugunita - extending through; vaira - by enmity; samrabdhayâ - obsessed; dhiyâ - with a mentality; dhyâyan - meditating; tat- mayatâm - oneness with Him; yâtah - attained; bhâvah - one's attitude; hi - indeed; bhava - of rebirth; kâranam - the cause.
TRANSLATION
Obsessed with hatred of Lord Krishna throughout three lifetimes, S'is'upâla attained the Lord's transcendental nature. Indeed, one's consciousness determines one's future birth.
******
TEXT 47
ritvigbhyah sa-sadasyebhyo
dakshinâm vipulâm adât
sarvân sampûjya vidhi-vac
cakre 'vabhritham eka-râth
ritvigbhyah - to the priests; sa-sadasyebhyah - along with the members of the assembly; dakshinâm - gifts in gratitude; vipulâm - abundant; adât - he gave; sarvân - all of them; sampûjya - properly worshiping; vidhi-vat - according to scriptural injunctions; cakre - executed; avabhritham - the purificatory bathing of the sponsor of the sacrifice and the washing of the sacrificial utensils that mark the end of a major sacrifice; eka-râth - the emperor, Yudhishthhira.
TRANSLATION
Emperor Yudhishthhira gave generous gifts to the sacrificial priests and the members of the assembly, properly honoring them all in the manner prescribed by the Vedas. He then took the avabhritha bath.
******
TEXT 48
sâdhayitvâ kratuh râjñah
krishno yoges'vares'varah
uvâsa katicin mâsân
suhridbhir abhiyâcitah
sâdhayitvâ - accomplishing; kratuh - the soma sacrifice; râjñah - of the King; krishnah - Lord Krishna; yoga-îs'vara - of the masters of mystic power; îs'varah - the supreme master; uvâsa - resided; katicit - some; mâsân - months; su-hridbhih - by His well-wishers; abhiyâcitah - begged.
TRANSLATION
Thus S'rî Krishna, the Lord of all masters of mystic yoga, saw to the successful execution of this great sacrifice on behalf of King Yudhishthhira. Afterwards, the Lord stayed with His intimate friends for a few months at their earnest request.
******
TEXT 49
tato 'nujñâpya râjânam
anicchantam apîs'varah
yayau sa-bhâryah sâmâtyah
sva-puram devakî-sutah
tatah - then; anujñâpya - requesting leave; râjânam - of the King; anicchantam - who did not want it; api - although; îs'varah - the Supreme Lord; yayau - went; sa-bhâryah - with His wives; sa-amâtyah - and with His ministers; sva - to His own; puram - city; devakî-sutah - the son of Devakî.
TRANSLATION
Then the Lord, the son of Devakî, took the reluctant permission of the King and returned to His capital with His wives and ministers.
******
TEXT 50
varnitam tad upâkhyânam
mayâ te bahu-vistaram
vaikunthha-vâsinor janma
vipra-s'âpât punah punah
varnitam - related; tat - that; upâkhyânam - account; mayâ - by me; te - to you; bahu - much; vistaram - in detail; vaikunthha-vâsinoh - of the two residents of the eternal kingdom of God (namely, the doorkeepers Jaya and Vijaya); janma - the material birth; vipra - of brâhmanas (the four Kumâras); s'âpât - due to the curse; punah punah - again and again.
TRANSLATION
I have already described to you in detail the history of the two residents of Vaikunthha who had to undergo repeated births in the material world because of being cursed by brâhmanas.
******
TEXT 51
râjasûyâvabhrithyena
snâto râjâ yudhishthhirah
brahma-kshatra-sabhâ-madhye
s'us'ubhe sura-râd iva
râjasûya - of the Râjasûya sacrifice; avabhrithyena - by the final, avabhritya ritual; snâtah - bathed; râjâ yudhishthhirah - King Yudhishthhira; brahma-kshatra - of brâhmanas and kshatriyas; sabhâ - of the assembly; madhye - in the midst; s'us'ubhe - he appeared brilliant; sura - of the demigods; râth - the King (Lord Indra); iva - like.
TRANSLATION
Purified in the final, avabhrithya ritual, which marked the successful completion of the Râjasûya sacrifice, King Yudhishthhira shone among the assembled brâhmanas and kshatriyas like the King of the demigods himself.
******
TEXT 52
râjñâ sabhâjitâh sarve
sura-mânava-khecarâh
krishnam kratum ca s'amsantah
sva-dhâmâni yayur mudâ
râjñâ - by the King; sabhâjitâh - honored; sarve - all; sura - the demigods; mânava - humans; khe-carâh - and travelers of the sky (minor demigods and demons); krishnam - Lord Krishna; kratum - the sacrifice; ca - and; s'amsantah - praising; sva - to their own; dhâmâni - domains; yayuh - went; mudâ - happily.
TRANSLATION
The demigods, humans and residents of intermediate heavens, all properly honored by the King, happily set off for their respective domains while singing the praises of Lord Krishna and the great sacrifice.
******
TEXT 53
duryodhanam rite pâpam
kalim kuru-kulâmayam
yo na sehe s'rîyam sphîtâm
drishthvâ pându-sutasya tâm
duryodhanam - Duryodhana; rite - except; pâpam - sinful; kalim - the empowered expansion of the age of Kali; kuru-kula - of the Kuru dynasty; âmayam - the disease; yah - who; na sehe - could not tolerate; s'rîyam - the opulences; sphîtâm - flourishing; drishthvâ - seeing; pându-sutasya - of the son of Pându; tâm - that.
TRANSLATION
[All were satisfied] except sinful Duryodhana, the personification of the age of quarrel and the disease of the Kuru dynasty. He could not bear to see the flourishing opulence of the son of Pându.
******
TEXT 54
ya idam kîrtayed vishnoh
karma caidya-vadhâdikam
râja-moksham vitânam ca
sarva-pâpaih pramucyate
yah - who; idam - these; kîrtayet - chants; vishnoh - of Lord Vishnu; karma - activities; caidya-vadha - the killing of S'is'upâla; âdikam - and so on; râja - of the kings (who were imprisoned by Jarâsandha); moksham - the deliverance; vitânam - the sacrifice; ca - and; sarva - from all; pâpaih - sinful reactions; pramucyate - he is freed.
TRANSLATION
One who recites these activities of Lord Vishnu, including the killing of S'is'upâla, the deliverance of the kings and the performance of the Râjasûya sacrifice, is freed from all sins.
Back to the running text