Śrīmad Bhāgavatam - Canto 4
Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupāda
(for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)
(see
also the
pdf for this chapter)
Chapter 24: Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Śiva
4.24.1
maitreya uvāca
vijitāśvo 'dhirājāsīt
pṛthu-putraḥ pṛthu-śravāḥ
yavīyobhyo 'dadāt kāṣṭhā
bhrātṛbhyo bhrātṛ-vatsalaḥ
maitreyaḥ uvāca — Maitreya continued to speak; vijitāśvaḥ — of the name Vijitāśva; adhirājā — the emperor; āsīt — became; pṛthu-putraḥ — the son of Mahārāja Pṛthu; pṛthu-śravāḥ — of great activities; yavīyobhyaḥ — unto the younger brothers; adadāt — offered; kāṣṭhāḥ — different directions; bhrātṛbhyaḥ — unto the brothers; bhrātṛ-vatsalaḥ — very affectionate to the brothers.
TRANSLATION
The great sage Maitreya continued: Vijitāśva, the eldest son of Mahārāja Pṛthu, who had a reputation like his father's, became emperor and gave his younger brothers different directions of the world to govern, for he was very affectionate toward his brothers.
4.24.2
haryakṣāyādiśat prācīḿ
dhūmrakeśāya dakṣiṇām
pratīcīḿ vṛka-saḿjñāya
turyāḿ draviṇase vibhuḥ
haryakṣāya — unto Haryakṣa; adiśat — delivered; prācīm — eastern; dhūmrakeśāya — unto Dhūmrakeśa; dakṣiṇām — the southern side; pratīcīm — the western side; vṛka-saḿjñāya — unto his brother whose name was Vṛka; turyām — the northern side; draviṇase — unto another brother of his named Draviṇa; vibhuḥ — the master.
TRANSLATION
Mahārāja Vijitāśva offered the eastern part of the world to his brother Haryakṣa, the southern part to Dhūmrakeśa, the western part to Vṛka and the northern part to Draviṇa.
4.24.3
antardhāna-gatiḿ śakrāl
labdhvāntardhāna-saḿjñitaḥ
apatya-trayam ādhatta
śikhaṇḍinyāḿ susammatam
antardhāna — of disappearance; gatim — achievement; śakrāt — from King Indra; labdhvā — getting; antardhāna — of the name; saḿjñitaḥ — so nominated; apatya — children; trayam — three; ādhatta — begot; śikhaṇḍinyām — in Śikhaṇḍinī, his wife; su-sammatam — approved by everyone.
TRANSLATION
Formerly, Mahārāja Vijitāśva pleased the King of heaven, Indra, and from him received the title Antardhāna. His wife's name was Śikhaṇḍinī, and by her he begot three good sons.
4.24.4
pāvakaḥ pavamānaś ca
śucir ity agnayaḥ purā
vasiṣṭha-śāpād utpannāḥ
punar yoga-gatiḿ gatāḥ
pāvakaḥ — of the name Pāvaka; pavamānaḥ — of the name Pavamāna; ca — also; śuciḥ — of the name Śuci; iti — thus; agnayaḥ — the fire-gods; purā — formerly; vasiṣṭha — the great sage Vasiṣṭha; śāpāt — by being cursed; utpannāḥ — now born as such; punaḥ — again; yoga-gatim — the destination of mystic yoga practice; gatāḥ — attained.
TRANSLATION
The three sons of Mahārāja Antardhāna were named Pāvaka, Pavamāna and Śuci. Formerly these three personalities were the demigods of fire, but due to the curse of the great sage Vasiṣṭha, they became the sons of Mahārāja Antardhāna. As such, they were as powerful as the fire-gods, and they attained the destination of mystic yoga power, being again situated as the demigods of fire.
4.24.5
antardhāno nabhasvatyāḿ
havirdhānam avindata
ya indram aśva-hartāraḿ
vidvān api na jaghnivān
antardhānaḥ — the king of the name Antardhāna; nabhasvatyām — unto his wife Nabhasvatī; havirdhānam — of the name Havirdhāna; avindata — obtained; yaḥ — who; indram — King Indra; aśva-hartāram — who was stealing the horse of his father; vidvān api — although he knew it; na jaghnivān — did not kill.
TRANSLATION
Mahārāja Antardhāna had another wife, named Nabhasvatī, and by her he was happy to beget another son, named Havirdhāna. Since Mahārāja Antardhāna was very liberal, he did not kill Indra while the demigod was stealing his father's horse at the sacrifice.
4.24.6
rājñāḿ vṛttiḿ karādāna-
daṇḍa-śulkādi-dāruṇām
manyamāno dīrgha-sattra-
vyājena visasarja ha
rājñām — of the kings; vṛttim — source of livelihood; kara — taxes; ādāna — realization; daṇḍa — punishment; śulka — fines; ādi — etc.; dāruṇām — which are very severe; manyamānaḥ — thinking like that; dīrgha — long; sattra — sacrifice; vyājena — on the plea; visasarja — gave up; ha — in the past.
TRANSLATION
Whenever Antardhāna, the supreme royal power, had to exact taxes, punish his citizens or fine them severely, he was not willing to do so. Consequently he retired from the execution of such duties and engaged himself in the performance of different sacrifices.
4.24.7
tatrāpi haḿsaḿ puruṣaḿ
paramātmānam ātma-dṛk
yajaḿs tal-lokatām āpa
kuśalena samādhinā
tatra api — despite his engagement; haḿsam — one who kills the distress of his kinsmen; puruṣam — unto the Supreme Person; parama-ātmānam — the most beloved Supersoul; ātma-dṛk — one who has seen or acquired self-realization; yajan — by worshiping; tat-lokatām — achieved the same planet; āpa — achieved; kuśalena — very easily; samādhinā — always keeping himself in ecstasy.
TRANSLATION
Although Mahārāja Antardhāna was engaged in performing sacrifices, because he was a self-realized soul he very intelligently rendered devotional service to the Lord, who eradicates all the fears of His devotees. By thus worshiping the Supreme Lord, Mahārāja Antardhāna, rapt in ecstasy, attained His planet very easily.
4.24.8
havirdhānād dhavirdhānī
vidurāsūta ṣaṭ sutān
barhiṣadaḿ gayaḿ śuklaḿ
kṛṣṇaḿ satyaḿ jitavratam
havirdhānāt — from Havirdhāna; havirdhānī — the name of the wife of Havirdhāna; vidura — O Vidura; asūta — gave birth; ṣaṭ — six; sutān — sons; barhiṣadam — of the name Barhiṣat; gayam — of the name Gaya; śuklam — of the name Śukla; kṛṣṇam — of the name Kṛṣṇa; satyam — of the name Satya; jitavratam — of the name Jitavrata.
TRANSLATION
Havirdhāna, the son of Mahārāja Antardhāna, had a wife named Havirdhānī, who gave birth to six sons, named Barhiṣat, Gaya, Śukla, Kṛṣṇa, Satya and Jitavrata.
4.24.9
barhiṣat sumahā-bhāgo
hāvirdhāniḥ prajāpatiḥ
kriyā-kāṇḍeṣu niṣṇāto
yogeṣu ca kurūdvaha
barhiṣat — of the name Barhiṣat; su-mahā-bhāgaḥ — very fortunate; hāvirdhāniḥ — of the name Hāvirdhāni; prajā-patiḥ — the post of Prajāpati; kriyā-kāṇḍeṣu — in the matter of fruitive activities; niṣṇātaḥ — being merged in; yogeṣu — in mystic yoga practices; ca — also; kuru-udvaha — O best of the Kurus (Vidura).
TRANSLATION
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, Havirdhāna's very powerful son named Barhiṣat was very expert in performing various kinds of fruitive sacrifices, and he was also expert in the practice of mystic yoga. By his great qualifications, he became known as Prajāpati.
4.24.10
yasyedaḿ deva-yajanam
anuyajñaḿ vitanvataḥ
prācīnāgraiḥ kuśair āsīd
āstṛtaḿ vasudhā-talam
yasya — whose; idam — this; deva-yajanam — satisfying the demigods by sacrifices; anuyajñam — continually sacrificing; vitanvataḥ — executing; prācīna-agraiḥ — keeping the kuśa grass facing toward the eastern side; kuśaiḥ — the kuśa grass; āsīt — remained; āstṛtam — scattered; vasudhā-talam — all over the surface of the globe.
TRANSLATION
Mahārāja Barhiṣat executed many sacrifices all over the world. He scattered kuśa grasses and kept the tops of the grasses pointed eastward.
4.24.11
sāmudrīḿ devadevoktām
upayeme śatadrutim
yāḿ vīkṣya cāru-sarvāńgīḿ
kiśorīḿ suṣṭhv-alańkṛtām
parikramantīm udvāhe
cakame 'gniḥ śukīm iva
sāmudrīm — unto the daughter of the ocean; deva-deva-uktām — being advised by the supreme demigod, Lord Brahmā; upayeme — married; śatadrutim — of the name Śatadruti; yām — whom; vīkṣya — seeing; cāru — very attractive; sarva-ańgīm — all the features of the body; kiśorīm — youthful; suṣṭhu — sufficiently; alańkṛtām — decorated with ornaments; parikramantīm — circumambulating; udvāhe — in the marriage ceremony; cakame — being attracted; agniḥ — the fire-god; śukīm — unto Śukī; iva — like.
TRANSLATION
Mahārāja Barhiṣat — henceforward known as Prācīnabarhi — was ordered by the supreme demigod Lord Brahmā to marry the daughter of the ocean named Śatadruti. Her bodily features were completely beautiful, and she was very young. She was decorated with the proper garments, and when she came into the marriage arena and began circumambulating it, the fire-god Agni became so attracted to her that he desired her company, exactly as he had formerly desired to enjoy Śukī.
4.24.12
vibudhāsura-gandharva-
muni-siddha-naroragāḥ
vijitāḥ sūryayā dikṣu
kvaṇayantyaiva nūpuraiḥ
vibudha — learned; asura — the demons; gandharva — the denizens of Gandharvaloka; muni — great sages; siddha — the denizens of Siddhaloka; nara — the inhabitants of the earthly planets; uragāḥ — denizens of Nāgaloka; vijitāḥ — captivated; sūryayā — by the new bride; dikṣu — in all directions; kvaṇayantyā — tinkling; eva — only; nūpuraiḥ — by her ankle bells.
TRANSLATION
While Śatadruti was thus being married, the demons, the denizens of Gandharvaloka, the great sages, and the denizens of Siddhaloka, the earthly planets and Nāgaloka, although highly exalted, were all captivated by the tinkling of her ankle bells.
4.24.13
prācīnabarhiṣaḥ putrāḥ
śatadrutyāḿ daśābhavan
tulya-nāma-vratāḥ sarve
dharma-snātāḥ pracetasaḥ
prācīnabarhiṣaḥ — of King Prācīnabarhi; putrāḥ — sons; śatadrutyām — in the womb of Śatadruti; daśa — ten; abhavan — became manifest; tulya — equally; nāma — name; vratāḥ — vow; sarve — all; dharma — religiosity; snātāḥ — completely merged in; pracetasaḥ — all of them being designated as Pracetās.
TRANSLATION
King Prācīnabarhi begot ten children in the womb of Śatadruti. All of them were equally endowed with religiosity, and all of them were known as the Pracetās.
4.24.14
pitrādiṣṭāḥ prajā-sarge
tapase 'rṇavam āviśan
daśa-varṣa-sahasrāṇi
tapasārcaḿs tapas-patim
pitrā — by the father; ādiṣṭāḥ — being ordered by; prajā-sarge — in the matter of begetting children; tapase — for executing austerity; arṇavam — in the ocean; āviśan — entered; daśa-varṣa — ten years; sahasrāṇi — such thousands; tapasā — by their austerity; ārcan — worshiped; tapaḥ — of austerity; patim — the master.
TRANSLATION
When all these Pracetās were ordered by their father to marry and beget children, they all entered the ocean and practiced austerities and penances for ten thousand years. Thus they worshiped the master of all austerity, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
4.24.15
yad uktaḿ pathi dṛṣṭena
giriśena prasīdatā
tad dhyāyanto japantaś ca
pūjayantaś ca saḿyatāḥ
yat — that; uktam — said; pathi — on the way; dṛṣṭena — while meeting; giriśena — by Lord Śiva; prasīdatā — being very much satisfied; tat — that; dhyāyantaḥ — meditating; japantaḥ ca — chanting also; pūjayantaḥ ca — worshiping also; saḿyatāḥ — with great control.
TRANSLATION
When all the sons of Prācīnabarhi left home to execute austerities, they met Lord Śiva, who, out of great mercy, instructed them about the Absolute Truth. All the sons of Prācīnabarhi meditated upon the instructions, chanting and worshiping them with great care and attention.
4.24.16
vidura uvāca
pracetasāḿ giritreṇa
yathāsīt pathi sańgamaḥ
yad utāha haraḥ prītas
tan no brahman vadārthavat
viduraḥ uvāca — Vidura inquired; pracetasām — of all the Pracetās; giritreṇa — by Lord Śiva; yathā — just as; āsīt — it was; pathi — on the road; sańgamaḥ — meeting; yat — which; uta āha — said; haraḥ — Lord Śiva; prītaḥ — being pleased; tat — that; naḥ — unto us; brahman — O great brāhmaṇa; vada — speak; artha-vat — with clear meaning.
TRANSLATION
Vidura asked Maitreya: My dear brāhmaṇa, why did the Pracetās meet Lord Śiva on the way? Please tell me how the meeting happened, how Lord Śiva became very pleased with them and how he instructed them. Certainly such talks are important, and I wish that you please be merciful upon me and describe them.
4.24.17
sańgamaḥ khalu viprarṣe
śiveneha śarīriṇām
durlabho munayo dadhyur
asańgād yam abhīpsitam
sańgamaḥ — association; khalu — certainly; vipra-ṛṣe — O best of the brāhmaṇas; śivena — along with Lord Śiva; iha — in this world; śarīriṇām — those who are encaged in material bodies; durlabhaḥ — very rare; munayaḥ — great sages; dadhyuḥ — engaged themselves in meditation; asańgāt — being detached from anything else; yam — unto whom; abhīpsitam — desiring.
TRANSLATION
The great sage Vidura continued: O best of the brāhmaṇas, it is very difficult for living entities encaged within this material body to have personal contact with Lord Śiva. Even great sages who have no material attachments do not contact him, despite their always being absorbed in meditation to attain his personal contact.
4.24.18
ātmārāmo 'pi yas tv asya
loka-kalpasya rādhase
śaktyā yukto vicarati
ghorayā bhagavān bhavaḥ
ātma-ārāmaḥ — self-satisfied; api — although he is; yaḥ — one who is; tu — but; asya — this; loka — material world; kalpasya — when manifested; rādhase — for the matter of helping its existence; śaktyā — potencies; yuktaḥ — being engaged; vicarati — he acts; ghorayā — very dangerous; bhagavān — His Lordship; bhavaḥ — Śiva.
TRANSLATION
Lord Śiva, the most powerful demigod, second only to Lord Viṣṇu, is self-sufficient. Although he has nothing to aspire for in the material world, for the benefit of those in the material world he is always busily engaged everywhere and is accompanied by his dangerous energies like goddess Kālī and goddess Durgā.
4.24.19
maitreya uvāca
pracetasaḥ pitur vākyaḿ
śirasādāya sādhavaḥ
diśaḿ pratīcīḿ prayayus
tapasy ādṛta-cetasaḥ
maitreyaḥ uvāca — the great sage Maitreya continued to speak; pracetasaḥ — all the sons of King Prācīnabarhi; pituḥ — of the father; vākyam — words; śirasā — on the head; ādāya — accepting; sādhavaḥ — all pious; diśam — direction; pratīcīm — western; prayayuḥ — went away; tapasi — in austerities; ādṛta — accepting seriously; cetasaḥ — in the heart.
TRANSLATION
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, because of their pious nature, all the sons of Prācīnabarhi very seriously accepted the words of their father with heart and soul, and with these words on their heads, they went toward the west to execute their father's order.
4.24.20
sa-samudram upa vistīrṇam
apaśyan sumahat saraḥ
mahan-mana iva svacchaḿ
prasanna-salilāśayam
sa-samudram — almost near the ocean; upa — more or less; vistīrṇam — very wide and long; apaśyan — they saw; su-mahat — very great; saraḥ — reservoir of water; mahat — great soul; manaḥ — mind; iva — like; su-accham — clear; prasanna — joyful; salila — water; āśayam — taken shelter of.
TRANSLATION
While traveling, the Pracetās happened to see a great reservoir of water which seemed almost as big as the ocean. The water of this lake was so calm and quiet that it seemed like the mind of a great soul, and its inhabitants, the aquatics, appeared very peaceful and happy to be under the protection of such a watery reservoir.
4.24.21
nīla-raktotpalāmbhoja-
kahlārendīvarākaram
haḿsa-sārasa-cakrāhva-
kāraṇḍava-nikūjitam
nīla — blue; rakta — red; utpala — lotus; ambhaḥ-ja — born from the water; kahlāra — another kind of lotus; indīvara — another kind of lotus; ākaram — the mine; haḿsa — swans; sārasa — cranes; cakrāhva — the ducks of the name; kāraṇḍava — birds of the name; nikūjitam — vibrated by their sounds.
TRANSLATION
In that great lake there were different types of lotus flowers. Some of them were bluish, and some of them were red. Some of them grew at night, some in the day and some, like the indīvara lotus flower, in the evening. Combined together, the lotus flowers filled the lake so full that the lake appeared to be a great mine of such flowers. Consequently, on the shores there were swans and cranes, cakravāka, kāraṇḍava and other beautiful water birds standing about.
4.24.22
matta-bhramara-sausvarya-
hṛṣṭa-roma-latāńghripam
padma-kośa-rajo dikṣu
vikṣipat-pavanotsavam
matta — mad; bhramara — bumblebees; sau-svarya — with great humming; hṛṣṭa — joyfully; roma — hair on the body; latā — creepers; ańghripam — trees; padma — lotus flower; kośa — whorl; rajaḥ — saffron; dikṣu — in all directions; vikṣipat — throwing away; pavana — air; utsavam — festival.
TRANSLATION
There were various trees and creepers on all sides of the lake, and there were mad bumblebees humming all about them. The trees appeared to be very jolly due to the sweet humming of the bumblebees, and the saffron, which was contained in the lotus flowers, was being thrown into the air. These all created such an atmosphere that it appeared as though a festival were taking place there.
4.24.23
tatra gāndharvam ākarṇya
divya-mārga-manoharam
visismyū rāja-putrās te
mṛdańga-paṇavādy anu
tatra — there; gāndharvam — musical sounds; ākarṇya — hearing; divya — heavenly; mārga — symmetrical; manaḥ-haram — beautiful; visismyuḥ — they became amazed; rāja-putrāḥ — all the sons of King Barhiṣat; te — all of them; mṛdańga — drums; paṇava — kettledrums; ādi — all together; anu — always.
TRANSLATION
The sons of the King became very much amazed when they heard vibrations from various drums and kettledrums along with other orderly musical sounds pleasing to the ear.
4.24.24-25
tarhy eva sarasas tasmān
niṣkrāmantaḿ sahānugam
upagīyamānam amara-
pravaraḿ vibudhānugaiḥ
tapta-hema-nikāyābhaḿ
śiti-kaṇṭhaḿ tri-locanam
prasāda-sumukhaḿ vīkṣya
praṇemur jāta-kautukāḥ
tarhi — in that very moment; eva — certainly; sarasaḥ — from the water; tasmāt — therefrom; niṣkrāmantam — coming out; saha-anugam — accompanied by great souls; upagīyamānam — glorified by the followers; amara-pravaram — the chief of the demigods; vibudha-anugaiḥ — followed by his associates;
tapta-hema — molten gold; nikāya-ābham — bodily features; śiti-kaṇṭham — blue throat; tri-locanam — with three eyes; prasāda — merciful; su-mukham — beautiful face; vīkṣya — seeing; praṇemuḥ — offered obeisances; jāta — aroused; kautukāḥ — being amazed by the situation.
TRANSLATION
The Pracetās were fortunate to see Lord Śiva, the chief of the demigods, emerging from the water with his associates. His bodily luster was just like molten gold, his throat was bluish, and he had three eyes, which looked very mercifully upon his devotees. He was accompanied by many musicians, who were glorifying him. As soon as the Pracetās saw Lord Śiva, they immediately offered their obeisances in great amazement and fell down at the lotus feet of the lord.
4.24.26
sa tān prapannārti-haro
bhagavān dharma-vatsalaḥ
dharma-jñān śīla-sampannān
prītaḥ prītān uvāca ha
saḥ — Lord Śiva; tān — them; prapanna-ārti-haraḥ — one who drives away all kinds of dangers; bhagavān — the lord; dharma-vatsalaḥ — very much fond of religious principles; dharma-jñān — persons who are aware of religious principles; śīla-sampannān — very well behaved; prītaḥ — being pleased; prītān — of very gentle behavior; uvāca — talked with them; ha — in the past.
TRANSLATION
Lord Śiva became very pleased with the Pracetās because generally Lord Śiva is the protector of pious persons and persons of gentle behavior. Being very much pleased with the princes, he began to speak as follows.
4.24.27
śrī-rudra uvāca
yūyaḿ vediṣadaḥ putrā
viditaḿ vaś cikīrṣitam
anugrahāya bhadraḿ va
evaḿ me darśanaḿ kṛtam
śrī-rudraḥ uvāca — Lord Śiva began to speak; yūyam — all of you; vediṣadaḥ — of King Prācīnabarhi; putrāḥ — sons; viditam — knowing; vaḥ — your; cikīrṣitam — desires; anugrahāya — for the matter of showing you mercy; bhadram — all good fortune unto you; vaḥ — all of you; evam — thus; me — my; darśanam — audience; kṛtam — you have done.
TRANSLATION
Lord Śiva said: You are all the sons of King Prācīnabarhi, and I wish all good fortune to you. I also know what you are going to do, and therefore I am visible to you just to show my mercy upon you.
4.24.28
yaḥ paraḿ raḿhasaḥ sākṣāt
tri-guṇāj jīva-saḿjñitāt
bhagavantaḿ vāsudevaḿ
prapannaḥ sa priyo hi me
yaḥ — anyone; param — transcendental; raḿhasaḥ — of the controller; sākṣāt — directly; tri-guṇāt — from the three modes of material nature; jīva-saḿjñitāt — living entities called by the name jīvas; bhagavantam — unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; vāsudevam — unto Kṛṣṇa; prapannaḥ — surrendered; saḥ — he; priyaḥ — very dear; hi — undoubtedly; me — of me.
TRANSLATION
Lord Śiva continued: Any person who is surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, the controller of everything — material nature as well as the living entity — is actually very dear to me.
4.24.29
sva-dharma-niṣṭhaḥ śata-janmabhiḥ pumān
viriñcatām eti tataḥ paraḿ hi mām
avyākṛtaḿ bhāgavato 'tha vaiṣṇavaḿ
padaḿ yathāhaḿ vibudhāḥ kalātyaye
sva-dharma-niṣṭhaḥ — one who is situated in his own dharma, or occupation; śata-janmabhiḥ — for one hundred births; pumān — a living entity; viriñcatām — the post of Lord Brahmā; eti — gets; tataḥ — thereafter; param — above; hi — certainly; mām — attains me; avyākṛtam — without deviation; bhāgavataḥ — unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; atha — therefore; vaiṣṇavam — a pure devotee of the Lord; padam — post; yathā — as; aham — I; vibudhāḥ — demigods; kalā-atyaye — after the annihilation of the material world.
TRANSLATION
A person who executes his occupational duty properly for one hundred births becomes qualified to occupy the post of Brahmā, and if he becomes more qualified, he can approach Lord Śiva. A person who is directly surrendered to Lord Kṛṣṇa, or Viṣṇu, in unalloyed devotional service is immediately promoted to the spiritual planets. Lord Śiva and other demigods attain these planets after the destruction of this material world.
4.24.30
atha bhāgavatā yūyaḿ
priyāḥ stha bhagavān yathā
na mad bhāgavatānāḿ ca
preyān anyo 'sti karhicit
atha — therefore; bhāgavatāḥ — devotees; yūyam — all of you; priyāḥ — very dear to me; stha — you are; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yathā — as; na — neither; mat — than me; bhāgavatānām — of the devotees; ca — also; preyān — very dear; anyaḥ — others; asti — there is; karhicit — at any time.
TRANSLATION
You are all devotees of the Lord, and as such I appreciate that you are as respectable as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. I know in this way that the devotees also respect me and that I am dear to them. Thus no one can be as dear to the devotees as I am.
4.24.31
idaḿ viviktaḿ japtavyaḿ
pavitraḿ mańgalaḿ param
niḥśreyasa-karaḿ cāpi
śrūyatāḿ tad vadāmi vaḥ
idam — this; viviktam — very, particular; japtavyam — always to be chanted; pavitram — very pure; mańgalam — auspicious; param — transcendental; niḥśreyasa-karam — very beneficial; ca — also; api — certainly; śrūyatām — please hear; tat — that; vadāmi — I am speaking; vaḥ — unto you.
TRANSLATION
Now I shall chant one mantra which is not only transcendental, pure and auspicious, but is the best prayer for anyone who is aspiring to attain the ultimate goal of life. When I chant this mantra, please hear it carefully and attentively.
4.24.32
maitreya uvāca
ity anukrośa-hṛdayo
bhagavān āha tāñ chivaḥ
baddhāñjalīn rāja-putrān
nārāyaṇa-paro vacaḥ
maitreyaḥ uvāca — the great saint Maitreya continued to speak; iti — thus; anukrośa-hṛdayaḥ — very kindhearted; bhagavān — the lord; āha — said; tān — unto the Pracetās; śivaḥ — Lord Śiva; baddha-añjalīn — who were standing with folded hands; rāja-putrān — the sons of the King; nārāyaṇa-paraḥ — Lord Śiva, the great devotee of Nārāyaṇa; vacaḥ — words.
TRANSLATION
The great sage Maitreya continued: Out of his causeless mercy, the exalted personality Lord Śiva, a great devotee of Lord Nārāyaṇa, continued to speak to the King's sons, who were standing with folded hands.
4.24.33
śrī-rudra uvāca
jitaḿ ta ātma-vid-varya-
svastaye svastir astu me
bhavatārādhasā rāddhaḿ
sarvasmā ātmane namaḥ
śrī-rudraḥ uvāca — Lord Śiva began to speak; jitam — all glories; te — unto You; ātma-vit — self-realized; varya — the best; svastaye — unto the auspicious; svastiḥ — auspiciousness; astu — let there be; me — of me; bhavatā — by You; ārādhasā — by the all-perfect; rāddham — worshipable; sarvasmai — the Supreme Soul; ātmane — unto the Supreme Soul; namaḥ — obeisances.
TRANSLATION
Lord Śiva addressed the Supreme Personality of Godhead with the following prayer: O Supreme Personality of Godhead, all glories unto You. You are the most exalted of all self-realized souls. Since You are always auspicious for the self-realized, I wish that You be auspicious for me. You are worshipable by virtue of the all-perfect instructions You give. You are the Supersoul; therefore I offer my obeisances unto You as the supreme living being.
4.24.34
namaḥ pańkaja-nābhāya
bhūta-sūkṣmendriyātmane
vāsudevāya śāntāya
kūṭa-sthāya sva-rociṣe
namaḥ — all obeisances unto You; pańkaja-nābhāya — unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, from whose navel the lotus flower emanates; bhūta-sūkṣma — the sense objects; indriya — the senses; ātmane — the origin; vāsudevāya — unto Lord Vāsudeva; śāntāya — always peaceful; kūṭa-sthāya — without being changed; sva-rociṣe — unto the supreme illumination.
TRANSLATION
My Lord, You are the origin of the creation by virtue of the lotus flower which sprouts from Your navel. You are the supreme controller of the senses and the sense objects, and You are also the all-pervading Vāsudeva. You are most peaceful, and because of Your self-illuminated existence, You are not disturbed by the six kinds of transformations.
4.24.35
sańkarṣaṇāya sūkṣmāya
durantāyāntakāya ca
namo viśva-prabodhāya
pradyumnāyāntar-ātmane
sańkarṣaṇāya — unto the master of integration; sūkṣmāya — unto the subtle unmanifested material ingredients; durantāya — unto the unsurpassable; antakāya — unto the master of disintegration; ca — also; namaḥ — obeisances; viśva-prabodhāya — unto the master of the development of the universe; pradyumnāya — unto Lord Pradyumna; antaḥ-ātmane — unto the Supersoul in everyone's heart.
TRANSLATION
My dear Lord, You are the origin of the subtle material ingredients, the master of all integration as well as the master of all disintegration, the predominating Deity named Sańkarṣaṇa, and the master of all intelligence, known as the predominating Deity Pradyumna. Therefore, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
4.24.36
namo namo 'niruddhāya
hṛṣīkeśendriyātmane
namaḥ paramahaḿsāya
pūrṇāya nibhṛtātmane
namaḥ — all my obeisances unto You; namaḥ — obeisances again; aniruddhāya — unto Lord Aniruddha; hṛṣīkeśa — the master of the senses; indriya-ātmane — the director of the senses; namaḥ — all obeisances unto You; parama-haḿsāya — unto the supreme perfect; pūrṇāya — unto the supreme complete; nibhṛta-ātmane — who is situated apart from this material creation.
TRANSLATION
My Lord, as the supreme directing Deity known as Aniruddha, You are the master of the senses and the mind. I therefore offer my obeisances unto You again and again. You are known as Ananta as well as Sańkarṣaṇa because of Your ability to destroy the whole creation by the blazing fire from Your mouth.
4.24.37
svargāpavarga-dvārāya
nityaḿ śuci-ṣade namaḥ
namo hiraṇya-vīryāya
cātur-hotrāya tantave
svarga — the heavenly planets; apavarga — the path of liberation; dvārāya — unto the door of; nityam — eternally; śuci-sade — unto the most purified; namaḥ — my obeisances unto You; namaḥ — my obeisances; hiraṇya — gold; vīryāya — semen; cātuḥ-hotrāya — the Vedic sacrifices of the name; tantave — unto one who expands.
TRANSLATION
My Lord, O Aniruddha, You are the authority by which the doors of the higher planetary systems and liberation are opened. You are always within the pure heart of the living entity. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto You. You are the possessor of semen which is like gold, and thus, in the form of fire, You help the Vedic sacrifices, beginning with cātur-hotra. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto You.
4.24.38
nama ūrja iṣe trayyāḥ
pataye yajña-retase
tṛpti-dāya ca jīvānāḿ
namaḥ sarva-rasātmane
namaḥ — I offer all obeisances unto You; ūrje — unto the provider of the Pitṛloka; iṣe — the provider of all the demigods; trayyāḥ — of the three Vedas; pataye — unto the master; yajña — sacrifices; retase — unto the predominating deity of the moon planet; tṛpti-dāya — unto Him who gives satisfaction to everyone; ca — also; jīvānām — of the living entities; namaḥ — I offer my obeisances; sarva-rasa-ātmane — unto the all-pervading Supersoul.
TRANSLATION
My Lord, You are the provider of the Pitṛlokas as well as all the demigods. You are the predominating deity of the moon and the master of all three Vedas. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You because You are the original source of satisfaction for all living entities.
4.24.39
sarva-sattvātma-dehāya
viśeṣāya sthavīyase
namas trailokya-pālāya
saha ojo-balāya ca
sarva — all; sattva — existence; ātma — soul; dehāya — unto the body; viśeṣāya — diversity; sthavīyase — unto the material world; namaḥ — offering obeisances; trai-lokya — three planetary systems; pālāya — maintainer; saha — along with; ojaḥ — prowess; balāya — unto the strength; ca — also.
TRANSLATION
My dear Lord, You are the gigantic universal form which contains all the individual bodies of the living entities. You are the maintainer of the three worlds, and as such You maintain the mind, senses, body, and air of life within them. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
4.24.40
artha-lińgāya nabhase
namo 'ntar-bahir-ātmane
namaḥ puṇyāya lokāya
amuṣmai bhūri-varcase
artha — meaning; lińgāya — revealing; nabhase — unto the sky; namaḥ — offering obeisances; antaḥ — within; bahiḥ — and without; ātmane — unto the self; namaḥ — offering obeisances; puṇyāya — pious activities; lokāya — for creation; amuṣmai — beyond death; bhūri-varcase — the supreme effulgence.
TRANSLATION
My dear Lord, by expanding Your transcendental vibrations, You reveal the actual meaning of everything. You are the all-pervading sky within and without, and You are the ultimate goal of pious activities executed both within this material world and beyond it. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances again and again unto You.
4.24.41
pravṛttāya nivṛttāya
pitṛ-devāya karmaṇe
namo 'dharma-vipākāya
mṛtyave duḥkha-dāya ca
pravṛttāya — inclination; nivṛttāya — disinclination; pitṛ-devāya — unto the master of Pitṛloka; karmaṇe — unto the resultant action of fruitive activities; namaḥ — offering respects; adharma — irreligious; vipākāya — unto the result; mṛtyave — unto death; duḥkha-dāya — the cause of all kinds of miserable conditions; ca — also.
TRANSLATION
My dear Lord, You are the viewer of the results of pious activities. You are inclination, disinclination and their resultant activities. You are the cause of the miserable conditions of life caused by irreligion, and therefore You are death. I offer You my respectful obeisances.
4.24.42
namas ta āśiṣām īśa
manave kāraṇātmane
namo dharmāya bṛhate
kṛṣṇāyākuṇṭha-medhase
puruṣāya purāṇāya
sāńkhya-yogeśvarāya ca
namaḥ — offering obeisances; te — unto You; āśiṣām īśa — O topmost of all bestowers of benediction; manave — unto the supreme mind or supreme Manu; kāraṇa-ātmane — the supreme cause of all causes; namaḥ — offering obeisances; dharmāya — unto one who knows the best of all religion; bṛhate — the greatest; kṛṣṇāya — unto Kṛṣṇa; akuṇṭha-medhase — unto one whose brain activity is never checked; puruṣāya — the Supreme Person; purāṇāya — the oldest of the old; sāńkhya-yoga-īśvarāya — the master of the principles of sāńkhya-yoga; ca — and.
TRANSLATION
My dear Lord, You are the topmost of all bestowers of all benediction, the oldest and supreme enjoyer amongst all enjoyers. You are the master of all the worlds' metaphysical philosophy, for You are the supreme cause of all causes, Lord Kṛṣṇa. You are the greatest of all religious principles, the supreme mind, and You have a brain which is never checked by any condition. Therefore I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto You.
4.24.43
śakti-traya-sametāya
mīḍhuṣe 'hańkṛtātmane
ceta-ākūti-rūpāya
namo vāco vibhūtaye
śakti-traya — three kinds of energies; sametāya — unto the reservoir; mīḍhuṣe — unto Rudra; ahańkṛta-ātmane — the source of egotism; cetaḥ — knowledge; ākūti — eagerness to work; rūpāya — unto the form of; namaḥ — my obeisances; vācaḥ — unto the sound; vibhūtaye — unto the different types of opulences.
TRANSLATION
My dear Lord, You are the supreme controller of the worker, sense activities and results of sense activities [karma]. Therefore You are the controller of the body, mind and senses. You are also the supreme controller of egotism, known as Rudra. You are the source of knowledge and the activities of the Vedic injunctions.
4.24.44
darśanaḿ no didṛkṣūṇāḿ
dehi bhāgavatārcitam
rūpaḿ priyatamaḿ svānāḿ
sarvendriya-guṇāñjanam
darśanam — vision; naḥ — our; didṛkṣūṇām — desirous to see; dehi — kindly exhibit; bhāgavata — of the devotees; arcitam — as worshiped by them; rūpam — form; priya-tamam — dearmost; svānām — of Your devotees; sarva-indriya — all the senses; guṇa — qualities; añjanam — very much pleasing.
TRANSLATION
My dear Lord, I wish to see You exactly in the form that Your very dear devotees worship. You have many other forms, but I wish to see Your form that is especially liked by the devotees. Please be merciful upon me and show me that form, for only that form worshiped by the devotees can perfectly satisfy all the demands of the senses.
4.24.45-46
snigdha-prāvṛḍ-ghana-śyāmaḿ
sarva-saundarya-sańgraham
cārv-āyata-catur-bāhu
sujāta-rucirānanam
padma-kośa-palāśākṣaḿ
sundara-bhru sunāsikam
sudvijaḿ sukapolāsyaḿ
sama-karṇa-vibhūṣaṇam
snigdha — glistening; prāvṛṭ — rainy season; ghana-śyāmam — densely cloudy; sarva — all; saundarya — beauty; sańgraham — collection; cāru — beautiful; āyata — bodily feature; catuḥ-bāhu — unto the four-armed; su-jāta — ultimately beautiful; rucira — very pleasing; ānanam — face;
padma-kośa — the whorl of the lotus flower; palāśa — petals; akṣam — eyes; sundara — beautiful; bhru — eyebrows; su-nāsikam — raised nose; su-dvijam — beautiful teeth; su-kapola — beautiful forehead; āsyam — face; sama-karṇa — equally beautiful ears; vibhūṣaṇam — fully decorated.
TRANSLATION
The Lord's beauty resembles a dark cloud during the rainy season. As the rainfall glistens, His bodily features also glisten. Indeed, He is the sum total of all beauty. The Lord has four arms and an exquisitely beautiful face with eyes like lotus petals, a beautiful highly raised nose, a mind-attracting smile, a beautiful forehead and equally beautiful and fully decorated ears.
4.24.47-48
prīti-prahasitāpāńgam
alakai rūpa-śobhitam
lasat-pańkaja-kiñjalka-
dukūlaḿ mṛṣṭa-kuṇḍalam
sphurat-kirīṭa-valaya-
hāra-nūpura-mekhalam
śańkha-cakra-gadā-padma-
mālā-maṇy-uttamarddhimat
prīti — merciful; prahasita — smiling; apāńgam — sidelong glance; alakaiḥ — with curling hair; rūpa — beauty; śobhitam — increased; lasat — glittering; pańkaja — of the lotus; kiñjalka — saffron; dukūlam — clothing; mṛṣṭa — glittering; kuṇḍalam — earrings;
sphurat — shiny; kirīṭa — helmet; valaya — bangles; hāra — necklace; nūpura — ankle bells; mekhalam — belt; śańkha — conchshell; cakra — wheel; gadā — club; padma — lotus flower; mālā — garland; maṇi — pearls; uttama — first class; ṛddhi-mat — still more beautified on account of this.