S'RÎMAD BHÂGAVATAM

"The story of the fortunate one"

CANTO 6:

Prescribed Duties for Mankind

Chapter 1 Dharma and Adharma: the Life of Ajâmila

Chapter 2 Ajâmila Delivered by the Vishnudûtas: the motivation for the Holy Name

Chapter 3 Yamarâja Instructs His Messengers

Chapter 4 The Hamsa-guhya Prayers Offered to the Lord by Prajâpati Daksha

Chapter 5 Nârada Muni Cursed by Prajâpati Daksha

Chapter 6 The Progeny of the Daughters of Daksha

Chapter 7 Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Brihaspati

Chapter 8 The Armor of Mantra's that Protected Indra

Chapter 9 Appearance of the Demon Vritrâsura

Chapter 10 The Battle Between the Demigods and Vritrâsura

Chapter 11 The Transcendental Qualities of Vritrâsura

Chapter 12 Vritrâsura's Glorious Death

Chapter 13 King Indra Afflicted by Sinful Reaction

Chapter 14 King Citraketu's Lamentation

Chapter 15 The Saints Nârada and Angirâ Instruct King Citraketu

Chapter 16 King Citraketu Meets the Supreme Lord

Chapter 17 Mother Pârvatî Curses Citraketu

Chapter 18 Diti Vows to Kill King Indra

Chapter 19 Performing the Pumsavana Ritualistic Ceremony 

 Chapter 1

Dharma and Adharma: the Life of Ajâmila

(1) S'rî Parîkchit said: 'By following the path of liberation described in the beginning by your Holiness is duly to order, by means of the process of yoga and by Lord Brahmâ, learnt how not to start for another life. (2) Marked by fate and indeed directed at the three modes, is one time and again caught in the material world, where there is a constant renewal of forms, o sage. (3) The hells typical for the different sorts of impiety you described as also the period of Manu, the manvantara wherein we find the original Svâyambhuva son of Brahmâ. (4-5) Of Priyavrata and of Uttânapâda you described the character and the dynasties and also did you describe the different realms, regions, oceans, mountains, rivers, gardens and trees of the earthly sphere and its situation in the sense of the divisions, characteristics and measurements of all the higher and lower worlds that the Almighty created. (6) Please explain to me right now what human beings must do out here so that they may not have to undergo all the sorts of terrible conditions of veritable suffering in hell.'

(7) S'rî S'uka said: 'If within this life not the necessary counteraction, the proper atonement, after doing the wrong things in the mind, in one's words and in one's sensuality have been performed, will undoubtedly that person indeed after death end in the different types of hell of terrible suffering, which I've already described to you. (8) Therefore, before one's death and before one's body is too old and decrepit, should one out here quickly indeed endeavor to nullify one's sins with a proper estimate of its gravity, just like a physician good at diagnosing would do treating a disease.

(9) The king said: 'Since one despite from hearing and seeing about it and from knowing how harmful to the self one acts in committing sins, is not able to control falling in repetition, of what value then is atonement? (10) Sometimes ceasing with the sin, sometimes engaging in it again, I consider the process of atonement quite useless; like with an elephant covering itself with dust after coming out of the water.'

(11) The son of Vyâsa said: 'By undoing karma is indeed, from being without knowledge, not its end realized; for real atonement one really has to be through with all that. (12) Those who eat the right food are truly not overcome by all sorts of disease indeed, similarly is the one acting in orderly observance o King, more and more likely to be well. (13-14) This is done by vow and regulation [yama and niyama]; voluntary penance, celibacy, mindcontrol [in dhyana and japa e.g.] and restraint of the sensual as also by donating to good causes, truthfulness and internal and external cleanliness. By the body, the voice and by the intelligence do the sober ones in full knowledge of the actual duty of dharma with faith destroy all kinds of sin, however great and abominable, like fire does with dry leaves. (15) Some manage, in relying on nothing but unalloyed devotion [*] towards Vâsudeva, to destroy all their badness beyond revival like the sun does with fog. (16) A man full of sin, o King is for certain not as much purified by penance and such as the devotee who surrendered his life to Krishna is in dedicated service unto the original person of God [or the âcârya]. (17) In this world is the path that is really appropriate the one that is followed by the well-behaved, fearless and auspicious, saintly people in surrender of Nârâyana. (18) Most of the atonement well performed by a nondevotee will not purify, o King, like all the rivers can't with the washing of a liquor jar. (19) Once the mind is of full surrender to the two lotusfeet of Lord Krishna, will one hankering after His qualities out here never encounter Yamarâja and his superintendents, or even in one's dreams meet his servants carrying the ropes to bind, as one indeed is then of the right atonement [compare B.G. 18:66]. (20) To this is also the example given of the very old story of the discussion between the order-carriers of Vishnu and Yamarâja. Please take notice of this from me.

(21) In the city of Kânyakubja there was some brahmin with the name of Ajâmila who as the husband of a low class woman was contaminated by the association with her services and had lost all his truthful conduct. (22) By having resorted to reprehensible exploits as arresting without need, cheating in gambling and theft, he maintained his family a most sinful way, causing trouble to others. (23) Living on this way, keeping up his family consisting of many sons, o King, passed the great amount of time of eighty-eight years of his life. (24) He, as an old man, had ten sons and the youngest of them was a small child that by the father and the mother was held very dear and addressed by the name of Nârâyana. (25) He kept the little one close at heart; to see its child-talk and its playing enjoyed the old man very much. (26) As he ate, drank and chewed did he in great affection for the child feed it and give it something to drink too, but being foolish did he not understand that his end had come. (27) Thus, living as an ignoramus, did he, when his time to die had arrived, fix his mind on the child son who carried the name of Nârâyana. (28-29) At a short distance he saw that three characters, with ropes in their hands and fearful features, twisted faces and their hairs erect on their bodies, had arrived, ready to take him away. Terrified and with tears in his eyes he loudly called for his nearby playing child with the name of Nârâyana thus. (30) Hearing the chant of the name of the Lord their master from the mouth of the dying man, o King, arrived His attendants immediately. (31) As the messengers of Yâma were snatching the husband of the maid away from within the heart, did the Vishnudûtas with resounding voices forbade it. (32) They being forbidden replied to them: 'Who are you all, to oppose the jurisdiction of the King of Dharma? (33) To whom or where do you belong, why have you come here and why are you forbidding us to proceed? Who would you be, the best of the perfect, gods or some godlike? (34-36) You all, with your lotuslike eyes, yellow garments, helmets, glittering earrings and lotusflower garlands; you all, looking so young and all beautiful with four arms, bow, quiver of arrows and the decoration of a sword, club, conch, disc and lotusflower, in all directions you dissipate the darkness by the effulgence of the light emanating from you; what is the purpose of your denying us, the servants of the Maintainer of Dharma?'

(37) S'uka said: 'Thus being addressed by the Yamadûtas did they, always ready to serve Vâsudeva, reply them smilingly the following, with voices resounding like rumbling clouds. (38) The honorable Vishnudûtas said: 'If the lot of you are indeed the order-carriers of the King of Dharma, then you tell us the truth of dharma as also how adharma should be recognized. (39) In what way should punishment be administered or what would be the suitable place to do so, and are all or only some of the humans out for their advantage punishable?'

(40) The Yamadûtas said: 'In the Veda's indeed is the dharma prescribed, adharma is the opposite of that; the Veda's are to be seen as born from Himself, from Nârâyana, so we've heard. (41) By Him, from His own position, are under the rule of the modes of passion, goodness and slowness all these manifestations created and have they their appropriate differences in qualities, names, activities and forms. (42) The divinity of the sun, the fire, the sky, the air, the gods, the moon, the evening, the day and the night, the directions, the water and the land; all these are Dharma personified verily thus bearing witness to the embodied living entity. (43) By all these is the deviation in adharma known and are the proper places of punishment all acknowledged with regard to the karma in question of the sinners deserving the chastisement. (44) With the karmîs who contaminated by the modes took up a material form, are there indeed auspicious pious acts as well as actions opposite to that, o sinless ones, as there verily is not a single one who does his work completely free from material motives. (45) The extent to which someone in this life performs a certain adharma or dharma, assures him of enjoying or suffering a particular result in accord with it in his next life [compare B.G. 14: 18]. (46) The way in this life among the living, o best of the divine, from the different effects of the natural modes, the three kinds of attributes are achieved [of being peaceful, restless and foolish; of being happy, unhappy or in-between; or of being religious, irreligious and semi-religious], similarly may one expect it to be reaching elsewhere [in an afterlife]. (47) Just as the present time is evidence of the past and an indication for the future, is even so this birth indicative of the dharma and adharma of one's past and future births. (48) In his abode does the godhead [of Yamarâja] in his mind's eye observe the previous form taken and considers he its possible future; to the mind is he a great Lord as good as Brahmâ. (49) The way someone in his sleep is engaged in acting to a particular form, is one similarly unaware of the past and of what's next, of birth having lost the remembrance. (50) By the seventeen of the five working senses, the five senses of perception and their five objects, he performs, knows and has its interests, but with these fifteen elements and the mind to it, is he himself the one [soul] that is the seventeenth element enjoying the threefold. (51) Since that sixteen part subtle body is the effect of the three forces of the greater of nature, is the living entity subjected to a [difficult to overcome] perpetual transmigration [samsrti] that gives it jubilation, lamentation, fear and misery. (52) The embodied one missing the awareness not being in control with the senses and the mind is against his will caused to perform actions for his own material benefit; like a silkworm he thus weaves himself into his own karma, getting bewildered. (53) There is verily no one who but for a moment can remain without doing anything; indeed is one by the three modes automatically forced to perform fruitive activities that are the result of one's own natural tendencies. (54) By the so very powerful inborn nature comes no doubt as a copy to the mothers flesh and the fathers seed into being the gross and the subtle of the body driven by the, for the person invisible, cause [see also: B.G. 8:6]. (55) The position of a living entity has because of this association with the material of nature come to be an awkward one of forgetfulness, but if one has not too long been away from the association of the Controller, is that overcome.

(56-57) This one [Ajâmila] indeed was always good with the Veda, of good character, good conduct and a reservoir of good qualities; conscientiously he followed the injunctions, was mild, controlled, truthful, knew his mantra's, was neat and clean, of the greatest esteem in service of the guru, the fire-god, his guests and members of the household and free from false pride, friendly to all, faultless, non-envious and of the best words. (58-60) Once did this brahmin, following the orders of his father, go to the forest to collect from there fruits and flowers and samit and kus'a [types of grass]. Returning, he saw some s'ûdra very lusty together with a public woman that drunken of maireya nectar [a drink made from the somaflower] rolled her eyes to and fro of the intoxication. Under the influence had her dress slackened and unashamed having fallen from proper behavior was he close by singing and laughing, having a good time with her. (61) Seeing her with his lusty, with turmeric decorated, arm around her, was he thus all of a sudden sure, of his pursuing heart, to fall victim of perplexity. (62) From within trying to get himself under control, reminding himself what was taught, did he not manage to restrain his mind, agitated as it was by Cupid. (63) Caused by the sight, in his minds deception, was he a planet in eclipse forgetting his real position and did he, sure of keeping his mind contemplating her, completely forsake his dharma. (64) Her he ventured to please, as far as the money he had from his father would permit it, offering her material certainty in catering to her desires, so that she thus would be satisfied. (65) His youthful wife, a brahmins daughter from a respectable family whom he was married to, he in sin gave up the moment his mind got caught by the looks of the public woman. (66) By all means and at all times did he, this person, bereft of all intelligence, by either properly or improperly getting the money for it, take care of her and the many children making up her family. (67) Because this one broke with all the rules of the sâstra acting irresponsibly, is his life of passing such a long time in sinful activities, because of the impurity very much condemned as being unclean. (68) Since he was of no atonement for his perpetual sinning, shall we therefore take him to the presence of the Lord of Punishment where being chastised he will find purification.'

•: In this regard comments S'rîla Jîva Gosvâmî that bhakti may be divided into two divisions: (1) santata, devotional service that continues incessantly with faith and love, and (2) kâdâ-citkî, devotional service that does not continue incessantly but is sometimes awakened. Incessantly flowing devotional service (santata) may also be divided into two categories: (1) service performed with slight attachment and (2) spontaneous devotional service. Intermittent devotional service (kâdâcitkî) may be divided into three categories: (1) râgâbhâsamayî, devotional service in which one is almost attached, (2) râgâbhâsa-sûnya-svarûpa-bhûtâ, devotional service in which there is no spontaneous love but one likes the constitutional position of serving, and (3) âbhâsa-rûpâ, a slight glimpse of devotional service.  

Chapter 2  

Ajâmila Delivered by the Vishnudûtas: the motivation for the Holy Name

(1) The son of Vyâsadeva said: 'O King, the servants of the Supreme Lord having heard what the Yamadûtas said then replied them, good as they were in argument and logic, in proper terms. (2) The Vishnudûtas said: 'Alas, how painful it is to see how irreligion affects the dharmic community; how from those being allotted the task, sinless people have to undergo punishment unnecessarily. (3) To whom must the citizens go for shelter if there is wrongdoing among those, who as the protectors of the citizens, endowed with all good qualities and equal to all, are to give instruction? (4) Whatever the better man puts in practice is done by the rest as whatever he does is, by the general public that is of following, accepted as the right thing [see also B.G. 3:21] (5-6) In whose lap the mass of people just like pets have laid their head to sleep in peace, indeed not knowing what would exactly be dharma or adharma; how can such a person with a soft heart enjoying the trust of the living beings, give pain to the unawares who surrendered themselves in good faith and friendship? (7) This one here has indeed already atoned for the sins of millions of births because he, being helpless, chanted the holy name of the Lord, that is the means for liberation. (8) This way, when he said 'O Nârâyana, please come', there is for sure for the mischief performed by this sinner the complete of atonement realized, as he thus chanted the four syllables [nâ-râ-ya-na]. (9-10) A thief, an alcoholic, a spiteful one, he who killed a brahmin, he who lusted for his guru's wife and he who murdered a woman, a king, cows or his father, all those and many others of sin; although they might have committed many sins, will Lord Vishnu attend to anyone who is of that concern for Him, considering the chanting of the holy name the perfection of atonement. (*) (11) A sinful man is not to that extend purified by the atonement in obedience of vows prescribed by the brahminical as he is by uttering the syllables of the Lord His name which remind one of the qualities of the One hailed by the scriptures [compare: 6.1:16]. (12) Although one was of atonement, will the mind run out again on the path of the untrue, because the heart was not fully cleansed; therefore do those who are seriously interested in putting an end to their karma [see B.G. 4: 16], indeed actually purify their existence by setting their mouths to the glories of the Lord [compare: 1.2: 17]. (13) Therefore do not try to take him with you; he has already found the infinite to the atonement for his sins because he chanted the name of the Supreme Lord as he was dying [see also B.G. 7.27 and 8.5]. (14) For other purposes, for fun, as entertainment or casually done has resounding the name [of the Lord] of Vaikunthha an unlimited capacity to neutralize sin, thus know the advanced. (15) If one has fallen, slipped, broken one's bones, has been bitten or is plagued with disease or injured, is a person thus having ended relating to the Lord sure not to be thrown into a hellish life [see also B.G. 8:6]. (16) By the great sages who are well versed has the heavy and light of atonement been prescribed to the heavy and light of sins. (17) But all the sinful that according them finds it end in austerity, charity, vows and such, does not dissolve the adharmic knot in the heart; that one reaches in the service of what belongs to the Controller. (18) Knowingly or unknowingly chanting the name of the One praised in the verses is that which, like fire does with dry grass, burns to ashes the sins of a person. (19) A mantra uttered manifests its potency just like a powerful medicine does that somehow or other by even an ignorant one was taken the right way.'

(20) S'rî S'uka said: 'They, perfectly making sure what dharma is in terms of service to the Lord, o King, thus rescued him from the noose of Yamarâja, releasing him from death. (21) O subduer of the enemies, the Yamadûtas thus having been answered went to the abode of Yamarâja to duly inform him in detail about everything that had happened. (22) The twice-born one being released from the noose, now free from fear came to his senses and offered his respects bowing his head unto the servants of Vishnu, pleased as he was to see them. (23) The servants of the Supreme Personality though understanding, o sinless one, that he wanted to say something, suddenly disappeared there from before his eyes. (24-25) Ajâmila who because of the talks about Lord Hari thus from the servants of Vishnu and Yamarâja came to know better of what the pure of dharma in relation to the Lord meant, how it is described in the three Veda's and how under the modes of nature in devotion unto the Supreme Lord the glorification of the name immediately purifies, greatly regretted all the bad that he remembered he had done: (26) 'Alas, because I lost the control over myself with this low class woman making babies, did I destroy all the brahminical in me and end up in utter misery. (27) Condemned by the honest is he who, abandoning his chaste young wife, fallen in sin has defamed the family; doomed I am, I, who had sex with an unchaste wino maid. (28) My father and mother, old, with no one else, no other friend to look after them, had to suffer badly from the moment they were given up by me, ungrateful as the lowest. (29) It may be clear that as such a truly miserable person, that all too lusty broke with the dharma, I should fall in hell to undergo there the pains of retribution. (30) Have I been dreaming or did I witness a miracle here? Where have all they now gone to who were dragging me away with ropes in their hands? (31) And where went those perfect four personalities of extreme beauty who released me when, direction hell, I was carried away arrested in ropes? (32) It was because of having seen these exalted devotees, of which the auspicious had to happen, that I, despite of my ill fortune, could see myself actually becoming happy! (33) Otherwise without, how can it be that a man heading for death, most unclean as a loyal to a prostitute, as such is able to have his tongue speak the word of the holy name of the Lord of Vaikunthha? (34) Where would I, such a cheater, sinner personified and shameless destroyer of his own culture, be; where would Nârâyana the all-auspicious of the holy name of the Supreme Lord then be? (35) As such a person of devotion I will endeavor in that way, so that controlling the senses, the mind and the breath, my soul will not again of ignorance be drawn into the darkness. (36-37) Released from this bondage in karmic actions of ignorance and lust will I be the self-realized, most kind, merciful and peaceful friend of all living entities. I will disentangle from the encasement of my soul, the being caught in mâyâ in the form of a woman, that for sure, so fallen, played with me like with a pet-animal. (38) Thus giving up on the I and mine of the body and the things related to it, I will engage, concentrating and behaving to the values, my mind with the pure of the Supreme Lord His name in song and everything thereto.'

(39) Thus did he give up the idea of a material life and did he go to Hardvar [from the Ganges 'the doorway to Hari'] being freed from all bondage by only for a moment associating with the holy. (40) There in a place of spiritual discipline [an ashram or temple] did he under the lead of yoga turn inward from his senses, [thus] fixing his mind on the true of the self. (41) To that absorbed within, detaching the mind from the direction of the modes, was he engaged with the Supersoul as the form of the Lord who's Self is step by step realized. (42) At the time he had fixed his mind and intelligence, did he get to see the persons before him he got to see previously; the twiceborn one then bowed his head in reverence. (43) At that holy place at the Ganges seeing them, he immediately gave up his vehicle of time, to assume his original spiritual form [svarûpa] fit for an associate of the Lord. (44) Going to heaven where the husband of the Goddess of Fortune [Vishnu] resides, did the one of learning along with the servants of the Lord board a celestial chariot [vimâna] made of gold. (45) This way did he who had forsaken all dharma, who had married a low class maid, had fallen into abominable activities and, having broken with all his vows, had landed in a hellish life, without delay find liberation in seizing the name of the Supreme Lord. (46) Therefore, in order not to become again attached to fruitive actions with a mind contaminated by passion and slowness, is there for persons desiring to escape from the material bondage no better means to cut with the karmic consequence than repeatedly singing the name of the Refuge of all Holy places. (47-48) Any person who with faith hears about or with great devotion recounts this confidential history that frees one from all sins, will indeed not, under the supervision of the servants of Yamarâja, go to hell, but will be welcomed in the spiritual world of Vishnu, whatever the mishap in his material life. (49) If at the time of his death Ajâmila by seizing the name of the Lord, even indicating his son, went to heaven, then what would it be if one holds on to the name with faith and love?

  *: It is this verse that âcârya's like S'rîla Visvanâtha Cakravartî Thâkura of the disciplic succession quote to give scriptural support to the argument that chanting the holy name will immediately cleanse oneself of all sins: it is how one calls for the Lord His protection. It is His dharma to do so and He will even incarnate for it if necessary as he explains in the Gîtâ (4.7). Also as Lord Caitanya He came down for this reason being prayed for by S'rî Advaita, and thus He reinstated the necessity of this Bhâgavatam for the religious reform of the people of our modern time to chant the holy name.

Chapter 3  

Yamarâja Instructs His Messengers

(1) The king said: 'What did the divinity, the King of Dharma whose order had been foiled, reply after he had heard what his servants, defeated by the order carriers of the Slayer of Mura [Krishna], who rules all people of the world, had to say? (2) O wise, this breaking of the order of a godhead like Yamarâja was a thing no one heard of before; o sage, to this I am convinced that there is verily no one better than you to remove the doubts of the people.'

(3) S'rî S'uka said: 'The servants of Death, o King, whose plans had been frustrated by the men of the Supreme Lord, informed their master Yamarâja, the ruler of the city of Samyamanî. (4) The Yamadûtas said: 'How many controllers are there factually in this material world, to the cause of fruitive activity performed under the influence of the manifestation that is known in three, o master? (5) If there are so many authorities in this world to chastise the sinner or not, how can there of them be any certainty of either misery or happiness? (6) Should there not, with the diversity of governors to the many karmîs in this world, be one head of administration like one has with the different heads of state departments? (7) As such would you be the one supreme master and ruler over all beings including the other controllers; you would be the master of punishment to tell right from wrong in human society. (8) None of it can one, with the punishment you ordained, find in existence in this world, now that your order has been surpassed by four of the most magnificent and perfect beings. (9) By force they cut the ropes releasing this sinner who by us on your order was taken to the places of requital. (10) About them who quickly arrived saying 'Do not fear' when 'Nârâyana' was uttered, we would like to hear from you, if you think us worthy.'

(11) The son of Vyâsadeva said: 'He, Lord Yamarâja the controller of all alive, thus being questioned, replied his servants, pleased to be reminded of the lotusfeet of the Lord. (12) Yamarâja said: 'Superior to me there is another one who is as the warp and woof of cloth to all the moving and unmoving; in Him the entire cosmos is found and of Him there are the partial manifestations of the maintenance [Vishnu], creation [Brahmâ] and destruction [S'iva] of this universe - of Him is the whole creation under control as by a rope through the nose. (13) By Him, who with different names in vedic language, like bulls by cords to a rope, binds the people who emanated from Him, are they all taxed, tied as they are by the obligations to their titles and karma that carry them fear. (14-15) That is so for even I myself the one of death, Indra of heaven, Nirriti of chaos, Varuna of water, Candra of the moon, Agni of fire, Lord S'iva of destruction, Pavana of the air, Brahmâ of creation, Sûrya of the sun, Vis'vâsu of beauty [see 4.18:17], the eight Vasu's of goodness, the Sâdhya's of the godly, the Maruts of the wind, the Rudra's of anger; the Siddha's of perfection, Marîci and the other ones settling order, immortal rulers like Brihaspati and sages like Bhrigu, if it is so with those who are not contaminated by passion and ignorance, who do not know themselves affected by mâyâ and who are predominantly of goodness, then what to say of others besides them? (16) He, the Supersoul present in the heart of all entities, can in fact by all that breathe, through the senses, the mind, the breath or by means of ideation and words not be seen or known, just like the different parts of the body cannot see the eyes supervising them [compare B.G.: 7:26]. (17) Of Him, who is the fully self-reliant Lord ruling everything, the Transcendence, the Master over the illusory energy of mâyâ, the Great of the Soul, are His order-carriers out here likewise in truth creating happiness with their appearance, to His nature with His qualities moving around in a body alike His. (18) The ones of Vishnu who are worshiped by the enlightened, have forms rarely seen that are most wonderful to behold; they protect the Lord His devotees against inimical ones like the normal mortals and those belonging to me and thus are they practically protected against everything. (19) The full of dharma that is established by directly the Supreme Lord only, is truly not known by the great rishi's, nor by the godly, nor by the best of perfection, nor by the ones of darkness, nor by the humans among whom one counts the ones founded in knowledge [the vidhyâdhara's] and the ones of music and song [the cârana's] and such. (20-21) Lord Brahmâ, Nârada, Lord S'iva, the four Kumâra's, Kapila, Manu, Prahlâda, Janaka, Bhîsma, Bali, the one of Vyâsa [like S'uka] and I myself; we, these twelve [mahâjana's], know of the dharma of surrender to the Lord, my dear servants, which is very confidential, of the purest and hard to grasp; he who understands it achieves eternal life [compare 3:32: 2 and B.G.: 18:66]. (22) So far is certain that for the people living in this material world the yoga of devotion unto the Supreme Lord starting with the singing of the holy name, is the recognised dharma of transcending. (23) Just see the exalted of pronouncing the holy name of the Lord my dear sons, see how it by itself assured the deliverance from the bondage to death. (24) This much suffices for removing the sins of man: the together chanting of the qualities and names to His actions, since this sinner at his death only innocently for his son crying out 'Nârâyana' thus achieved liberation. (25) Know that this of the mahâjana's, this of the divine, is practically always missed by indeed those whose minds got bewildered by mâyâ, whose intelligence was dulled to a great extend by the sweetness of the flowery language to the performances mentioned in the three Veda's and the weight of being preoccupied with fruitive activities [see also B.G. 2:42-43]. (26) Of this consideration take the sharp-witted indeed to the yoga of love unto the Supreme and Unlimited Lord; such persons do therefore not deserve my punishment and if there would be any falldown with them, then will that also be destroyed by the high praise they voice. (27) Never be after them, the godly and perfected to the pure narrations of which the devotees are singing who with an equal vision are of surrender to the Supreme Lord; because they are fully protected by the club of the Lord is it us, just as the time itself, not given to punish them. (28) Those who are unattached, those unbound swanlike of selfrealization [the paramahamsa's], continuously relish the honey of the lotusfeet; those who enjoy a household life in desires of bondage are on the path leading to hell. Bring those before me who are of the untrue and who turned against Mukunda, the Lord of Liberation [compare 2.1:4]. (29) All those who run from the truth, whose tongues never speak of the Supreme Lord His qualities and names, who do not know Him by heart, nor remember His lotusfeet, who do not even once bow their heads before what is of Krishna[see B.G. 4: 4-6] all those lacking in their duties towards Lord Vishnu, bring them before me. (30) I pray that He, the Supreme Lord, the original person, the oldest, Lord Nârâyana, will excuse me for my servants offense of impudence; we, me and my men, were of ignorance and with folded hands, in the glorious of respect unto the all-pervading Authentic Personality, we beg forgiveness.'

(31) (S'uka:) 'Therefore understand o descendant of Kuru, that the ultimate of atonement, the most auspicious in the world to cope with sin however great, is the together singing for Lord Vishnu. (32) Those who always hear and chant the heroic of the Lord that can wipe away all sin, may by devotional service very easily be purified, while that is not so easily brought about with the heart and soul set to the ceremonies and such. (33) The one who sticks to the honey of Krishna's lotusfeet does not fall in sin again because he already renounced the desire to enjoy the illusory to the modes of nature that brings distress; another one however, enchanted by the lust trying to do something to cleanse the passion out of his soul, is sure to find the passion reappear. (34) Being reminded of the power, the greatness of the Lord, explained to them by their master, were all the servants of Yamarâja struck with wonder; from then on, o King, they remembered to fear on sight the person who is never ever afraid in taking shelter of the Infallible One. (35) This very confidential history was explained to me by the most powerful sage, the son of Kumbha [Âgastya Muni] who residing in the Malaya hills worships the Lord.'

Chapter 4

The Hamsa-guhya Prayers Offered to the Lord by Prajâpati Daksha

(1-2) The king said: 'Although you in brief explained to me about the creation of the godly, the ones of darkness and the human beings; the serpentine, the beasts and the birds under the rule of Svâyambhuva Manu [see canto 3], I would like to hear a more detailed account about this from you, my Lord, as well as an account about the creation that thereafter rose from the potency of the Transcendental Supreme Lord'.

(3) S'rî Sûta said: "O best of the sages [assembled at Naimishâranya see canto 1.1], thus hearing the king his inquiry did the son of Vyâsa, the great yogî, praising him, reply. (4) S'rî S'uka said: 'When the Pracetâs, the ten sons of king Prâcinabarhi returned from [their meditations] near the ocean saw they that the entire planet was overgrown by trees [see 4.24-30-31]. (5) Incensed about the trees, having undergone austerities for so long, had they by their mouths blown up a fire with the intention to burn down the forests. (6) Seeing all the trees being burnt by the blazing fire, o son of Kuru, spoke the king of the forest, the great Soma, in order to pacify their anger, like this:

(7) 'Do not burn the poor trees to ashes, o fortunate souls, it is yours to strive for an increase of all living beings that know you as their protectors. (8) You may regret; the Supreme Personality of the Lord, the original, unchanging father and almighty protector, created all the trees, plants and herbs to serve as food. (9) Verily do the nonmoving provide the winged ones with food and do those without limbs [like grasses] serve as food for the ones with legs who have no hands or paws; the fourlegged on their turn are there for the animals with claws and the bipeds [to serve with respectively their flesh and milk]. (10) You are, on the order of your father and the God of Gods, o sinless ones, there also to generate the population; how then for the love of God can you burn the trees to ashes? (11) Like your father, grandfather and great-grandfather did, just follow the path of the saints and subdue the anger that has risen in you! (12) Be the way parents, like eyelids to their eyes, are as friends to their children, be the way the husband protects the wife and the way the householder cares for the ones in need of charity or be alike the learned that are the friends of the ignorant. (13) The Supersoul residing within the bodies of all living entities is the Lord and Controller of all; try to see them as His residence and may He thus be pleased with you. (14) Anyone who by inquiry of self-realization subdues the powerful anger that, as fallen from the sky, suddenly awoke, will transcend the modes of nature. (15) Enough with that burning the trees, let there be all fortune for the ones remaining and accept for true the daughter [called Mârishâ] that was raised by them, choosing her for your wife.'

(16) O King, after thus addressing them, did he, king Soma, deliver the apsara girl that had beautiful hips, to the ones who had returned and married they with her according the religion. (17) In her was from all of them generated Daksha, the Son of the Pracetâs, of whose procreative activity next the three worlds were said to fill with offspring. (18) Please attentively hear from me how Daksha, so affectionate with his daughters, by his semen as sure as also by his mind, brought about all that life. (19) By his mind indeed set the Prajâpati in the beginning the scene for those living beings that are of the godly and the godless and for those all resorting under them that live in the sky, on the land or in the water. (20) But upon seeing that his creation of beings did not increase in number, went Daksha to the feet of the Vindhya mountains where he performed the most difficult austerities. (21) There at the most suitable place for ending all reactions to sin, the holy place called Aghamarshana, satisfied he the Lord by austere and regularly performing the ceremonies. (22) I shall now explain you how with the hamsa-guhya ['the secret of the swan']-prayers he satisfied the Lord pleasing Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead beyond the senses. (23) Daksha said: 'My reverential homage I offer Him, from whom we may realize the right way of transcending the modes and the material energy to which all alive are bound; my offer for Him, the self-born Controller beyond measure and calculation, who in His abode is imperceptible to the materially directed intelligence. (24) The friend of whose friendship the person has no knowledge just like sense objects that have no knowledge of the sense-organ that oversees them; that friend one lives with in this body, unto Him I offer my obeisances. (25) This body with its life airs, its senses, its understanding, its elements and sense-objects, they to themselves, to each other and to everything outside of them are known by the living being; but knowing all those qualities, he does not know the unlimited one who knows all; Him I revere. (26) When the mind is put to a stop and all ideas and names of form of a material vision and remembrance have ceased, will due to that ending He be perceived in His own unique spiritual completeness; unto to that swanlike [swan of sifting the true from the untrue, the milk from the water], unto Him who is realized in the purest state, my respects. (27-28) Just like with fire that locked within wood is extracted singing the fifteen hymns [the sâmidhenî mantra's], do the great brahmins of sacrifice extract what with His powers by the modes of nature is situated within the heart of the celebrated elements and the rest of them [see e.g. 3.26:11]; He, who is realized by the bliss, the negation in liberation of the illusory of all the variety, He of all names, He, the gigantic form of the universe, may He, that inconceivable reservoir of all qualities have mercy upon me. (29) Whatever expressed by words or ascertained by contemplation, by sense perception or by the mind, may of something, as an expression of the three modes, not be the actual form indeed; the actual form in truth appears as that [Supreme Lord] which is the cause that puts an end to all that is of the modes in creation. (30) In whom, from whom and by whom and also to whom belongs and towards whom is directed; whether acting or causing to act, He is of both the material and spiritual of existence the Supreme Origin, well known to everyone that is the Brahman, the Cause of All Causes, the one without a second to which there is no other cause. (31) Of whose many energies the speakers of the different philosophies discussing the causes are of argument and accord, and of which they continuously, bewildered about the soul, create; unto Him, that unlimited all-pervading One of all transcendental attributes, my reverence. (32) Those professing the knowledge of the ultimate cause speaking about what would be [the absolute has form: sâkâra] and would not be [the absolute is formless, nirâkâra], deal with one and the same subject matter but demonstrate different and opposing characters as one may notice from that which is of mystic union and of analysis; indeed is that transcendental dwelling place, that ultimate cause, one and the same [compare 5.26:39]. (33) To be of causeless mercy to the devotees at the lotusfeet does He, the eternal, Supreme Personality who is not bound to any name or form, manifest with the forms and holy names He takes birth with and enacts; may He, the Transcendence be merciful unto me. (34) He who by the lower grade paths of worship to the desires of each living being manifests from within core of the heart, gains, just as the wind blowing over the earth, in color and aroma [taking the form of demigods thus]; may He, my Controller, attend to my bearings.'

(35-39) S'rî S'uka said: 'Thus being praised by the prayers offered did He, the Supreme Lord, the caretaker of the devotees, appear there in Aghamarshana, o best among the Kuru's. With His feet on Garuda's shoulders held He with His long and mighty eight arms, the disc, the conchshell, the sword, the shield, the arrow, the bow, the rope and the club. His intense black-blue form was clad in yellow garments, His face and glance were very cheerful and His whole body was adorned from top to bottom; decorated with the shining kausthubha jewel, the s'rîvatsa mark, a large full circle helmet, glittering shark-earrings, a belt, finger-rings, bracelets around His wrists and upper-arms and with His ankle bells, captivated His appearance the three worlds. As the brilliance of the lower, the higher and the middle spheres was the Controller surrounded by Nârada, Nanda and other eternal associates as well as by the leaders of the godly and was He glorified by the perfect, the heavenly singers, and the venerable ones of the Veda, who sang for Him. (40) Seeing that greatly wonderful form he was at first frightened but then pleased in body mind and soul did the prajâpati prostrate flat on the ground. (41) By the great happiness that filled His senses like rivers flooded by mountain streams, was he unable to utter a word. (42) Seeing a great devotee like him, desirous of offspring, prostrate before Him, did He, Janârdhana who appeases all, knowing each his heart, speak as follows. (43) The Supreme Lord said: 'O son of the Pracetâs, you so greatly fortunate perfected by your austerities your good self in great faith and attained with Me as your object the supreme of love. (44) I am very pleased with you, o ruler of man; because of your penance the numbers of beings living here increased. May there of this desire be progress in all fields. (45) Brahmâ, S'iva, all you founding fathers, the Manu's and all rulers of power [like the divinities of the sun and the moon], all these are indeed expansions of My energy and are the cause of the welfare of all living beings. (46) Penance is My heart, o brahmin, the vedic knowledge is My body, the spiritual activities are My form, the rituals conducted by the book are My limbs, and the enlivening of the godly [the unseen good fortune of devotional activities] is the true of My mind and soul. (47) In the beginning, before the creation, was I certainly the only one existing, nothing else was found besides me; the external of a material consciousness was unmanifest like being immersed in sleep. (48) When in Me, from My unlimited potency, the unlimited of qualities in the form of the universe came into existence, was indeed therein born the first being, Lord Brahmâ, originating from no other but himself. (49-50) When he Svayambhû, the truly great God, in trying to bring about the creation thought himself as incapable being an extension of My power, was the god that he was at that time advised by Me to perform the severest austerity; thus were there from him in the beginning the nine great of creation from whom all of you came about [see 3.24:21 and also 3.8]. (51) O prajâpati, take this daughter named Asiknî of another prajâpaiti called Pañcajana as your wife, my dear son. (52) You, married to her, will in sexual union according the religion again [see 4.2] be the cause of the many of this who according the dharma in marriage will give birth to all alive [see also B.G. 7.11]. (53) All the ones alive who, because of My illusory energy, after you engage in sexual intercourse, will then also come to do their best offering to Me. '

(54) S'rî S'uka said: 'Thus speaking before his eyes was the Supreme Lord, the creator of all the universe sure to disappear from there as if He, the Supreme Personality, was something found in a dream.

Chapter 5  

Nârada Muni Cursed by Prajâpati Daksha

(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'Impelled by Lord Vishnu His external potency [mâyâ] begot he [Daksha] in his wife named Pâñcananî [Asiknî] a countless number of most powerful sons that were named the Haryas'vas. (2) Alike in character and conduct went all of the sons of Daksha, o King, by their father ordered to increase the population, in the western direction. (3) The water there named Nârâyana-saras, is a most great and sacred place where the Sindhu [the present Indus] flows into the ocean; it is frequented by the sages and the perfect. (4-5) Though to be in touch with that water was enough to completely purify them of their fixations on the untrue, felt they themselves in their minds highly attracted to the practices of the elevated souls and executed they with conviction the severest penances. Ready for the purpose of increasing the population as their father had ordered them to, was the Devarshi [Nârada] sure to visit them. (6-8) He spoke to them as follows: 'O Haryas'vas, although you are the princes to rule are you, alas, lacking in experience; as the lot of you have not seen the extreme of this earth, how then for true would you beget offspring? So is there one man whose kingdom consists of a hole in the ground from which there is no escape and a woman appearing in all kinds of forms to even turn her own husband into a slave of prostitution. It's a river flowing both ways in a house of twenty-five mirrors where a swan of nice stories at times cuts like a razor sharp disc. (9) How can you, ignorant, follow the orders of your well-acquainted father, not knowing what is good for you or for what creation to settle?'

(10) S'rî S'uka said: 'After the Haryas'vas had heard those enigmatic words of the Devarshi, pondered they over them with the full of their intelligence and awakened their power of discrimination. (11) The earth was the field of action, the designation of the living being, which, existing since time immemorial, is the cause of his bondage; what use of timebound labor would there be not seeing its finality? (12) With indeed one controller, one Supreme Lord present who cannot be seen, who is not created and who independent, as His own shelter in the beyond, is the fourth dimension, what benefit can there be of a man's temporary activities? (13) If indeed ignorant [in the hole] out here a man is gone for the lower regions with no way to return to the spiritual abode from which one returns either, of what use then can the impermanence of fruitive action be [compare B.G. 9.4 and 8.15]? (14) The different forms that the living being his intelligence assumes, being possessed by passion and so on, make him like a prostitute; if one cannot see the end of that in this world, then what would be the use of working for the falsehood? (15) In that context subject to the material way one loses one's status as an independent controller and moves the intelligence precisely like a sex-addicted person bereft of insight moves; what use in this world has all that love for being bound in karma ? (16) The illusory of matter gives rise to creation and dissolution, which is a river [thus streaming both ways] that for the maddened one flows [too] fast at its banks [to get out of it]; if one has no knowledge of that, what is the use of working for temporary profit? (17) For one who in this existence does not know of the twenty-five ways [the elements see: 3.26:11-15] to look at the reality of the original person, the wondrous mirror to the individual personality, what benefit is there in exhausting oneself for the falsehood of material results? (18) If one does not know to discriminate [like the swan] to the refuge, giving up on the Lord His literatures [the s'âstras] that inform about the ways of bondage and liberation, what then can be the use of wrestling in attachment to temporary results? (19) The so very sharp, revolving wheel of time drives all the world according its own rule; what use is it to endeavor in desiring profit in this world not knowing about this [this order of time]? (20) How can one entangled in the modes [see B.G. 18a 19-29], not understanding the instructions of the scriptures of the Father to follow to the book saying how to put an end to the material way of life, be of any exploit?'

(21) Thus being convinced, o King, were the Haryas'vas all of the same opinion; circumambulating him [Nârada] they left treading the path of no return [see also B.G. 8:16]. (22) In spiritual sound keeping the Lord of the Senses in mind, undivided engaging the consciousness at the lotus feet [see the bhajan Nârada Muni], traveled the muni all the worlds. (23) Hearing from Nârada about the loss of the sons that were the best of the best in conduct, had he, Daksha, to suffer lamenting; to see what had become of his fine sons hurt him deep. (24) Pacified by the Unborn One he again begot in Pâncajanî a thousand sons that were named the Savalâs'vas. (25) They then, by their father ordered to populate the universe, went, to accept the vows, to the perfect ones at Nârâyana-saras where their older brothers previously had gone to. (26) Bathing regularly there doing japa and reciting mantra's for the Transcendence they performed great austerities which indeed purified them of all the dirt within. (27-28) For month's drinking water and eating air only they practiced with this mantra worshiping the Master of all Mantra's: 'Our obeisances unto Lord Nârâyana, the Great Soul residing eternally in the purest of goodness, the great swanlike personality upon whom we meditate.' [om namo nârâyanâya purusâya mahâtmane visuddha-sattva-dhisnyâya mahâ-hamsâya dhîmahi']. (29) They too, meditating to populate the universe, were thus approached, o King, by sage Nârada who as before spoke in words that went deep: (30) 'O sons of Daksha, please listen attentively to my instruction: 'Follow the path of your brothers, you all who care so much about them. (31) A brother faithful to the path of an elder brother knowing the dharma [see 6.1] is a pious person who may enjoy with the Maruts [the gods of the wind].'

(32) Saying this much departed Nârada with his all-auspicious vision from there and so did they come to follow the path of their brothers before them, o worthy friend. (33) In full compliance putting themselves in that direction, taking to the transcendental path, have they, like the nights that have parted in the west, till today not returned. (34) At that very time observed the Prajâpati many inauspicious signs and heard he how as before from Nârada his sons had come to naught. (35) He in lamentation about his children became very angry with Nârada. When he saw the devarishi spoke he, almost fainting, furious with trembling lips. (36) S'rî Daksha said: 'You false preacher in the dress of a saint! What great profanity you've presented us; poor boys lacking in experience you've shown the path of beggars! (37) From the three debts [to the saints, the gods and the father by celibacy, ceremony and progeny] not freed at all, inconsiderate of their workload, you've ruined their path of good fortune to both heaven and earth, you sinner! (38) As such have you heartless spoilt the minds of those boys, you, traveling in the company of the Lord, have defamed Him, you dilettant! (39) Realize that the Lords His best are ever anxious to bless the fallen, but not you, you've really broken the bond and created opposition among people of harmony [compare B.G.: 18:68-69]. (40) By the illusions of your preaching you think renunciation is attained by cutting the bonds of affection, but this is not how renunciation works with people. (41) Not experiencing the hardship after the pleasure does a person not know; one naturally refrains in the end, not because of the brainwash by others. (42) With wife and children do those who are honest take the load of vedic duties; with the unbearable wrong you did to us I can [for once] forgive. (43) But, o weary man of division, for the bad you did to us for the second time may, therefore, o fool, there nowhere in the world be a place for you in your wandering around.'

(44) S'rî S'uka said: 'Nârada Muni, as appropriate for an accomplished saint [see also 3.25:21-27 and B.G. 12:13-20], said, verily tolerating, but: 'Accepted, so be it thus', although he was the man of control himself.

Chapter 6

The Progeny of the Daughters of Daksha

(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'Thereafter [after he had cursed Nârada] did the son of the Prâcetas, pacified by Lord Brahmâ, in his wife Asiknî beget sixty daughters who were all very fond of their father. (2) Ten of them he gave to king Dharma [Yamarâja], Kas'yapa he gave thirteen, twenty-seven were given to the moon-god and Bhûta, Angirâ and Krisâs'va he gave each two. The four remaining he gave also to Kas'yapa. (3) Please hear from me the different names of all of them who with their many children and descendants populated the three worlds and from whom you and I are stemming.

(4) The wives of Yamarâja were Bhânu, Lambâ, Kakud, Yâmi, Vis'vâ, Sâdhyâ, Marutvatî, Vasu, Muhûrtâ and Sankalpâ. Now hear of their sons. (5) From Bhânu was born Deva-rishabha and from him was born Indrasena, o King. Vidyota appeared from Lambâ and he made many clouds [of babies]. (6) From Kakud came Sankata and from him there was the son named Kîkatha from whom there were many protectors of the earth. Yâmi brought Svarga from whom was born Nandi. (7) The Vis'vadeva's came from Vis'vâ, but it is said that from them there was no progeny. The Sâdhya's that were born from Sâdhyâ, had one son: Arthasiddhi. (8) Marutvân and Jayanta took birth from Marutvatî. Jayanta was an expansion of Vâsudeva, who thus was known as Upendra. (9) The Mauhûrtika's were the godly born from Muhûrtâ and the lot of them indeed took birth to deliver the living beings the fruit of their own timebound actions. (10-11) From Sankalpâ came Sankalpa and from him was Kâma [lust] born. Vasu gave birth to the eight Vasu's and hear now the names of their sons: Drona, Prâna, Dhruva, Arka, Agni, Dosha, Vâstu and Vibhâvasu. From Drona's wife Abhimati there were sons as Harsha, S'oka, Bhaya and more. (12) Of the wife of Prâna, Ûrjasvatî there were Saha, Âyus and Purojava. The births from Dhruva's wife Dharani led to various cities and towns. (13) From the wife of Arka, Vâsanâ there were the memorable sons of Tarsha and so on and from Dhârâ the wife of the Vasu Agni there were the sons known as Dravinaka and so on. (14) From Skanda born from Krittikâ, another wife of Agni, were all [like Skanda and Kârttikeya] headed by Visâka born and from Dosha's wife S'arvarî came the son S'is'umâra, an expansion of the Lord of Time [see 5.23]. (15) Of Vâstu's wife Ângirasî was there the son Vis'vakarmâ [the great architect] the husband of Âkritî. From them was born the Manu named Câkshusha of whom the sons of Vis'vâ and Sâdhyâ were born [see 7]. (16) Ûsâ of Vibhâvasu gave birth to Vyushtha, Rocisha and Âtapa, the one of whom thereafter Pañcayâma ['the span of day'] was born who awakens the living beings to material activities. (17-18) Sarûpâ, the wife of Bhûta, gave birth to the millions of Rudra's and thus are there of the Rudra's, Raivata, Aja, Bhava, Bhîma, Vâma, Ugra, Vrishâkapi, Ajaikapât, Ahirbradhna, Bahurûpa, Mahân and others [or other wifes of Bhûta], the associates the ghastly ghosts and Vinâyaka's [a type of demons, hobgoblins]. (19) Prajâpati Angirâ his wife Svadhâ welcomed the Pitâ's as her sons whereafter as the son of his other wife Satî the son Atharvângirasa was received, who was the Veda's in person. (20) The wife of Krisâs'va, Arcis gave birth to Dhûmaketu who in Dhishanâ begot Vedas'irâ, Devala, Vayuna and Manu. (21-22) Kas'yapa [or Târkshya] had four wives: Vinatâ [Suparnâ], Kadrû, Patangî and Yâminî. From Patangî originated the different species of birds, from Yâminî came the locusts and after that brought Vinatâ Garuda about, the one regarded as the carrier of Yajña [Vishnu] and Anûru the chariot driver of the god of the sun Sûrya. From Kadrû there were the serpents in their variety. (23) The constellations headed by Krittikâ were of the wives of the moongod, but o son of Bharata, because of a curse of Daksha, had he, pestered by a degenerative disease, no children with them. (24-26) Again pacifying him had Soma to time managed to remove the decay [in the dark fortnight]. Now please take notice of all the names of the mothers, the wives of Kas'yapa from whose places thus set right, this whole universe was born: Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kâshthhâ, Arishthâ, Surasâ, Ilâ, Muni, Krodhavas'â, Tâmrâ, Surabhi, Saramâ and Timi. From Timi appeared the aquatics while the ferocious animals were the children of Saramâ. (27) From Surabhi the buffalo came the cows as well as others with cloven hooves, o King, from Tâmrâ came the eagles and vultures and so on and from Muni there were the groups of angels. (28) From the soul of Krodhavas'â were born the reptiles headed by the dandas'ûka snakes, from Ilâ came the creepers and trees and all the ones of evil were there from Surasâ. (29-31) From Arishthâ there were only Gandharva's and from Kâshthhâ there were the animals whose hooves are not split. From Danu there were sixty-one sons born; hear of the ones important: Dvimûrdhâ, S'ambara, Arishtha, Hayagrîva, Vibhâvasu, Ayomukha, S'ankus'irâ, Svarbhânu, Kapila, Aruna, Pulomâ and Vrishaparvâ as well as Ekacakra, Anutâpana, Dhûmrakes'a, Virûpâksha, Vipracitti and Durjaya. (32) Suprabhâ, the daughter of Svabhânu married Namuci so one says, but S'armishthhâ of Vrishaparvâ went to king Yajâti the powerful son of Nahusha. (33-36) There were four very beautiful daughters of Vais'vânara: Upadânavî, Hayas'irâ, Pulomâ and Kâlakâ. Hiranyâksha married Upadânavî and Kratu married Hayas'irâ, o King, but when on the plea Lord Brahmâ the two daughters Pulomâ and Kâlakâ of Vais'vânara married to the o so mighty prajâpati Kas'yapa, were of them born the Pauloma and Kâlakeya demons who were very fond of fighting. The sixty thousand of them who [headed by Nivâtakavaca] were a disturbance to the sacrifices in the heavenly places, were by your grandfather [Arjuna] killed, o King, just to please Indra. (37) From Vipracitti's wife Simhikâ were born a hundred and one sons who all obtained a planet of their own: Râhu was the eldest and the hundred others were the Ketu's. (38-39) Let it now be heard in chronological order how thereafter the dynasty came about from Aditi, wherein Nârâyana, the Lord, by His own plenary expansion descended as the Almighty: Vivasvân, Aryamâ, Pûshâ and Tvashthâ with next Savitâ, Bhaga, Dhâtâ, Vidhâtâ, Varuna, Mitra, S'atru and Urukrama. (40) Of Vivasvân gave the fortunate Samjñâ birth to the Manu called S'râddhadeva as well as to the demigod Yamarâja and his sister Yâmî [the river Yamunâ]. She also, having become a mare, gave birth on this earth to the As'vinî-kumâras. (41) Châyâ [another wife of the sungod] got the sons S'anais'cara [Saturn] and Sâvarni the Manu as well and a daughter from him named Tapatî who had Samvarana for her husband. (42) Of the union of Aryamâ with his wife Mâtrikâ were born many scholarly sons among whom Lord Brahmâ created a species of man that was indeed like them. (43) Pûshâ remained childless living on dough as he had his teeth broken because of formerly having shown his teeth laughing at the anger of Daksha [when he insulted Lord S'iva, see 4.5:21, 4.7:4]. (44) From the two of Tvashthâ, and the maiden named Racanâ, who was a Daitya daughter, were born the physically very powerful sons Sannives'a 

Chapter 7

Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Brihaspati.

(1) The king said: 'Please, o great one, describe for what reason the god-conscious were rejected by their teacher of example [Brihaspati]; what was the offense of the disciples unto the spiritual master?'

(2-8) The son of Vyâsadeva said: 'King Indra enjoying the wealth of the three worlds due to pride had strayed from the path of truth. Surrounded, o King, by the Maruts [of the shining], the Vasu's [of excellence], the Rudra's [of anger], the Âditya's [of the untrue], the Rihbu's [of invention, see also 4.4:33], the Vis'vadeva's [of royal riches], the Sâdhya's [of refinement], the As'vinî-kumâras [of helping] and the Kumâra's [of the celibate] and being served by the Siddha's [of perfection], the Câranas [of the theater], Gandharva's [of song], the Muni's [of wisdom], the Brahmâvâdi's [of learning], the Vidyâdharas [of science], Apsara's [of heaven] and Kinnara's [of superpower], the Pataga's [of the birds] and the Uraga's [of the snakes], was king Indra with sweet song being offered prayers o son of Bharata [compare 2.3: 2-7]. In his assembly he was sitting on his throne enjoying the royal opulence of a white parasol as beautiful as the moon-disc and other regalia like yaktails to fan him and such amenities. Shining with his wife Sacî who shared the throne with him thought he the highest of himself and was the exalted teacher of example, the spiritual master of all the godly, having appeared in the assembly, not welcomed by him; he did not stand up from his throne, offer him a seat or greet the priest of the godly, the best of sages. who was respected by the enlightened and unenlightened alike. Although Indra saw him coming in did he not show him any respect.

(9) Brihaspati, the learned sage and master, thereupon immediately leaving, returned home in silence well known with the alienation of being puffed up in wealth. (10) Soon indeed came Indra to realize his disrespect for his own guru and did he in person in public criticize himself: (11) 'Alas, how disrespectful it was indeed what I have done; I must be out of my mind out of conceit about my wealth having mistreated the preceptor in the midst of this assembly. (12) What man of learning would be of opulence; although I am the king above all have I, the ruler to be of goodness, now by it been led into a demoniac mentality. (13) He who says that to sit on the royal throne means that one should not rise for anyone else, has no idea of the higher code of dharma [compare 4.2]. (14) Those leading on the false path fall themselves into the darkness indeed and anyone who places faith in their words will indeed go down sinking like a boat made of stone. (15) Therefore will I propitiate the spiritual leader of the immaculate twice-born whose knowledge is profound and touch without duplicity his lotusfeet with my head.'

(16) As he, Indra the most powerful of all, was ruminating thus, became Brihaspati invisible to him due to the potency of his highly elevated state. (17) Not finding a trace of his guru vigorously searching all around, could the mighty Indra relying on his own wisdom and with the help of all associated with him not find any peace of mind. (18) When the lot of the unenlightened keeping to the precepts of Sukrâcârya heard about it did they, not so intelligent, take up their weapons declaring war against the godly. (19) Their trunks, arms and legs being pierced by the sharp arrows they shot, took the godly together with Indra refuge with Lord Brahmâ bowing their heads before him. (20) Seeing their plight of being pestered by the assault did the god, the supreme unborn one that was Brahmâ, out of his causeless, infinite mercy speak assuaging them. (21) Lord Brahmâ said: 'Alas, what an unpleasant surprise, o supreme of the enlightened, you indeed did great injustice to a loyal of the Absolute Truth, a brahmin of full control; because of your opulences you failed to welcome him properly. (22) It was this impudence of you being so very much successful that made the others, the enemies you defeated yourselves, in spite of their apparent weakness defeat you, o loyals of God. (23) O you Maghavan, Honor of Wealth, just see how your enemies formerly so weak, because of respecting their preceptor now have regained their power in worshiping their sage with great devotion to such an extent that they even, as the godly to the son of Bhrigu (Sukrâcârya), might overtake my abode of truth! (24) In the decision to follow the instructions of disciples of Bhrigu [like Sukrâcârya] to care for the complete of all divinity, do nor they, nor the human rulers following this principle, nor anyone who is of care and respect for the cows, the brahmins and Govinda, by the oneness of the mantra's have to suffer any misfortune. (25) Therefore devote yourselves forthwith to the son of Tvashthâ, Vis'varûpa who is an independent ['unmarried'] soul of learning, austerity and penance; provided you tolerate his workload [of supporting the Daitya's] will he hearten your interests if you are of respect for him.'

(26) S'rî S'uka said: 'They all thus being advised by Lord Brahmâ, o King, relieved from their worries went to embrace the great rishi, the son of Tvashthâ, telling him the following. (27) The godly said: 'We, arriving as guests at your abode, wish you all good fortune and like to express the desire, o cherished one, to have, to the ancestral authority of us, to the present situation things set right. (28) The highest duty indeed of sons is to serve their parents as good as they can and even those of old who are without offspring, o brahmin, not to mention the celibates [the brahmacârî's]. (29-30) The teacher of example personifies the vedic knowledge, the father stands for the Original Father of God, the brother is the representative of the ruler over the godly and the mother is the direct embodiment of the earth. The sister personifies the mercy, the guest is there as the true self of dharma, the one invited is there as the representative of the sacrificial fire and all living beings are there to the mold of the Supreme one of the Soul. (31) Therefore to the troubled ancestral, the grief of being defeated by our enemies, take away with the power of austerity in you, o best one, our yearning submitted to your concern. (32) We choose you as our preceptor of perfection to the Supreme Brahman, as our brahmin and spiritual master, so that by the strength of your splendor we may easily defeat our rivals. (33) It is indeed not forbidden to take interest in offering respects at the feet of someone younger; next to being of praise, o brahmin, there is nothing smart in such a thing as being advanced in age [*].'

(34) The honorable rishi said: 'Thus on the request of the enlightened accepting the priesthood as the great one of austerity did he, Vis'varûpa, pleased with their sweet words address them. (35) Vis'varûpa said: 'Though it is condemned by the ones sworn to dharma as being detrimental to one's brahminical power can right now, o lords, o controllers of all, a person like me, who's real interest in this could be described as being your disciple, not decline such a request. (36) Persons withdrawing from the world may count on the wealth of grains left behind in the field or the marketplace [to live 'on the dole']; that way do the sâdhu's in this world accomplish, but how reproachable indeed is it for me, acting in piety then o rulers of the worlds, to be of the duty of the priesthood by which the less intelligent are pleased. (37) Nevertheless, I cannot turn the request of the lot of you, as persons as good as the guru, down; the desire for my own life and good being of little value, will I concede.'

(38) The son of Vyâsa said: 'Vis'varûpa, the great one of penance, thus promising them the priesthood executed in their midst with great attention the highest. (39) Although by the talents of Sukrâcârya the opulence of the enemies of the godly was protected, did the mighty sage by a prayer [called Nârâyana kavaca] unto Lord Vishnu collect and deliver the wealth unto the great Indra [compare B.G. 9.31]. (40) By this hymn that the broad-minded Vis'varûpa spoke to Mahendra ['the great Indra'] was he, the god with the thousand eyes, protected and was the military power of the ones of darkness that had grown into a great threat defeated.

*: S'rî Caitanya Mahâprabhu, the propagator of this Bhâgavatam, approved of this when He expressed this opinion before Ramananda Raya (Cc. Madhya 8.128): kiba vipra, kiba nyasi, s'ûdra kene naya yei krsna-tattva-vetta, sei `guru' haya': 'It does not matter whether one is a brâhmana, s'ûdra, grhastha or sannyâsî. These are all material designations. A spiritually advanced person has nothing to do with such designations. Therefore, if one is advanced in the science of Krishna consciousness, regardless of his position in human society, he may become a spiritual master. ' 

Chapter 8

The Armor of Mantra's that Protected Indra.

(1-2) The king said: 'What was the protection of the thousand eyed king [Indra] when he sported with the armed forces of the enemy and their carriers; conquering the three worlds he enjoyed the opulence, o sage - please explain to me in which way the defense of Lord Nârâyana's mercy was protecting him as he defeated in the fight those who tried to kill him. '

(3) The son of Vyâsadeva said: 'Now hear attentively about that what the son of Tvâsta, chosen as priest, being asked for it told the great Indra to be the protective defense in mantra's of Nârâyana. (4-6) Vis'varûpa said: 'Having washed one's hand and feet, sipping the water with the necessary mantra's [âcamana] should one, sitting in proper respect ['with Kusa'] facing the north, prepare oneself mentally designating mantra's [like om namo bhagavate vâsudevâya and om namo nârâyanâya] to the different parts of the body. In silence purified in dedication to the lordship of Nârâyana should one, in case of rising fear, adopt the defense [called nârâyana-kavaca] offering one's obeisances to Nârâyana by touching one's lower legs, the knees, the thighs, the abdomen, the heart, the chest, the mouth and the head one after another beginning with 'om' or even do this once more in reverse order [this is called utpatti-nyâsa and samhâra-nyâsa].(*) (7) Next one should assign the [12] syllables of the mantra beginning with om and ending with ya [: om na-mo bha-ga-va-te va-su-de-va-ya] to the fingers starting with the index finger and ending with the four joints of the thumbs. (8-10) The heart one should assign 'om', 'vi' next comes to the top of the head, 'sa' comes between the eyebrows, 'na' on the s'ikhâ [the tuft of hair on the back of the head with vaishnava monks], 've' comes between the eyes, the syllable 'na' should be assigned to all the joints of the body, and 'ma' should be thought of as a weapon in the form of a mantra. Thus should an intelligent person, saying the mantra of 'visarga' ending with 'phat' in all directions ['visarga mah astrâya phath' or: 'with this weapon I free myself from the world'], fix himself on 'Om Vishnave Namah' ['All glories to Lord Vishnu']. (11) One should recite the following mantra's that personify the Supreme Self worthy to meditate upon that is endowed with the six opulences of learning, power and austerity [as also wealth, beauty and fame]:

(12) 'I pray that the Lord, He of the eight perfections [see 3-15-45] whose feet rest on the back of Garuda holding the conchshell, disc, shield, sword, club, arrows, bow and ropes in his eight arms, will grant me His protection. (13) May Matsya [the fish-incarnation of Lord Vishnu] protect me in the water against the predators of Varuna, may He on land protect me by the ropes of Vâmana, the dwarf-incarnation of Trivikrama [Lord Vishnu as the conqueror of the three worlds] and may He in the sky protect me as Vis'varûpa [Him in the form of the universe]. (14) May the Supreme Master protect me in my toiling in the wilderness and at the front in battle; may Lord Nrsimhadev, of whose fearful laughter, resounding in all directions, the enemy of the leader of the demons and his offspring to be came to fall, release me. (15) May on the street there be the protection of that One Lordship respected in the rituals, Lord Varâha who on his own tusks raised the planet earth; may there for us be on the mountain peaks the protection of Lord [Parasu-]Râma and in foreign countries the protection of the elder brother [Lord Râmacandra] of Bharata, and His brother Lakshmana. (16) May Lord Nârâyana protect me from religious fanaticism and from acting to madness; may Nara keep me from being arrogant, may Dattâtreya keep me away from disloyal union [non-yoga] and may the master of all Yoga, the controller of all quality, Lord Kapila be my guarantee against the bondage of karma. (17) May Sanat-Kumâra [the perfect celibate] keep me out of the hands of Cupid, may Hayagrîva [the horse-incarnation] keep me on the path away from disrespecting the divinity, may the best of sages Devarshi Nârada keep me from offenses doing worship and may the Lord as Kûrma [the tortoise-incarnation] keep me out of the infinite hell. (18) May Bhagavân Dhanvantari [the physician-avatâra] protect me from things injurious to one's health, may Rshabhadeva, the full control over the mind and the self [see 5. 4-6], keep me from the duality and fear, may Yajña [Vishnu as the Lord of sacrifice] keep me from infamy and an akward social position, and may Lord Balarâma in the form of Ananta S'esha [the Lord of the ego, see 5.25] keep me away from the angry serpents. (19) May Bhagavân Dvaipâyana [Vyâsadeva] keep me from incompetence, may also Lord Buddha, who leads the ones who are illusioned, keep me away from the delusional and may Kalki, the Lord of this age of quarrel incarnating as the greatest in defense of the dharma [as the channa- or covert avatâra's], protect me against the impurities of the time [intoxication, promiscuity, gambling and meat-eating; see also 1.17:24]. (20) May Kes'ava with His club protect me in the morning, may Govinda holding His flute do so in the afternoon, may Nârâyana protect me in the late afternoon and may for the fourth part of the day Lord Vishnu, the ruler with the disc, be the controller of all forces [see also 5.21.10]. (21) May Lord Madhusûdana with the fearful bow Sârnga protect me in the early evening. May Mâdhava, the Lord of Brahmâ, Vishnu and S'iva, protect me in the late evening and may Lord Hrisikes'a protect me in the early night. May around midnight Lord Padmanâbha [the Lord from whose navel the universe sprang] be my only protector. (22) May the Lord with the S'rîvatsa-mark be the controller after midnight, may Janardhana, the Lord with the sword in His hand be the controller over the end of the night, may Lord Dâmodara protect me at dawn and may the Controller of the Universe, the Supreme Lord that is the personification of time rule over the early morning [**]. (23) Please let the sharp rimmed disc operated by the Lord [His order of time, the cyclic of natural time], that at the end of the age is as the fire of devastation, with its moving around the entirety of worlds, burn to ashes the enemy forces just like a blazing fire with its friend the wind would do instantly with dry grass. (24) May You, o club, so dear to the Invincible Lord, whose touch like thunderbolts sparks with fire, pound to pieces and pound to pieces, destroy and pulverize my enemies, the imps [Kushmânda's], the conjurers [Vainâyaka's], the evil spirits [Yaksha's], the demons [Râkshasa's], the ghosts [Bhûta's] and the poisoners [Graha's]. (25) O conchshell, may you with your frightening sound cause the hearts of the enemy torturers [Pramatha's], living dead [Preta's], bastards [Mâtâ's], madmen [Pis'âca's] and heretics [Vipra-graha's] with their evil looks, to tremble to the core. (26) You, o sharpest of swords, may you in the hands of the Lord cut to pieces, chop up, the enemy soldiers. O shield marked with a hundred shining moons, blind the eyes of the envious so full of evil and pluck their sinful eyeballs out. (27-28) May by the glory of Your name, form and attributes all the enmity, all the sin, all the envious, the snakes, the scorpions and predators, the earthly ghosts, as well as the fear arousing poisoners of our minds and bodies which hindered our well-being, be sent to their full destruction. (29) Garuda, the majesty of the Lord glorified in verses, the personification of the Veda; may that master protect us from endless suffering by all the names of Vis'vaksena Himself [the Lord who's powers are found throughout the universe]. (30) May the adornment of His retinue, of His holy name, form, carriers and weapons, protect and maintain our intelligence, mind and life-air from all kinds of dangers.

(31) As sure a fact that with the Supreme Lord there is no doubt of the ultimate over the manifest and unmanifest, are we sure that by this truth whatever that is all of disturbance to us will find its end. (32-33) With those thinking an absence of differences is the oneness known by the diversity. Following that course, is He Himself by His expanding spiritual energy with all His decorations, weapons, characteristics and having so many potencies and different names, truly understood as the omniscient Supreme Lord defeating the illusion; may He, the all-pervading One, with all His forms, protect us always and everywhere. (34) May the Supreme Lord In every nook and corner, in all directions, above and below, from all sides, from within and from without in the form of Nrsimhadev annihilate all worldly fears by His mighty roar [or song, see the Nrsimha Pranâma]; may He with His effulgence overshadow all other influences.

(35) O King Indra, under the protection of this mystic armor relating to Lord Nârâyana that I described, will you conquer very easily the leaders of the demoniac hordes. (36) Whatever the person who but sets his mind to it, whether he came to see it, found it at his feet or stumbled into it, will immediately be freed from all fears. (37) He who employs this mystic prayer has nothing to fear, not from the government, nor from rogues, not from the poisoners and such nor from diseases either at any time. (38) This prayer was before used by a man named Kaus'ika, a brahmin, a yoga-adept who gave up his body in the desert. (39) His dead body was spotted from above in his heavenly chariot by the King of the Ghandarva's, Citraratha when he once surrounded by many a beautiful woman went to where the twice-born one had died. (40) All of a sudden he inescapably, headfirst, fell down from the sky with his heavenly vehicle. Struck with wonder talking to the Vâlikhilya's [the sages of the sungod], he received instruction to collect all the bones and throw them in the eastward flowing Sarasvatî. After taking a bath in that river he could then return home.'

(41) S'rî S'uka said: 'Anyone who may hear this in times of trouble or anyone who employs this zealously, offering Him obeisances, is released from all the fearful of any creature in existence. (42) By this prayer received from Vis'varûpa enjoyed Indra as the vessel of enlightenment, the riches of all three worlds and conquered he in battle all the ones of darkness [see also B.G. 4.43].  

Chapter 9

Appearance of the Demon Vritrâsura.

(1) S'rî S'uka said: ' Of Vis'varûpa [see previous chapter], o son of Bharata, there are three heads for drinking the soma [doing sacrifice] and drinking the wine [taking the seat of enlightenment]. (2) He, o ruler, factually offered the gods, to whom he was related by his fathers side, their proper share in publicly chanting aloud the mantra's. (3) Compelled by the affection for his mother though did he, sacrificing for the godly, without their knowledge offer a share in sacrifice to the unenlightened too. (4) The king of the enlightened [Indra] seeing how by that offense to the godly he betrayed the dharma, in fear, greatly angered, quickly cut Vis'varûpa's heads off. (5) The head of him used for drinking the soma became a kapiñjala [a francolin partridge], the head for drinking the wine turned into a kalavinka [a sparrow] and the one used for taking food turned into a tittiri [common partridge]. (6) However powerful he was, to the reaction of killing a brahmin had he with folded hands for one year to assume the responsibility and so did Indra to purify from that sin to the elements distribute the burden over the four divisions of the earth, the waters,