Before Verses
Devanagari
Verse Text
Synonyms
Translation
Purport
CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
Lord Kṛṣṇa Blesses the Liberated Kings
This chapter relates how Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, after freeing the kings imprisoned by Jarāsandha, mercifully gave them His audience and bestowed royal gifts upon them.
When Lord Kṛṣṇa freed the 20,800 kings Jarāsandha had imprisoned, they immediately fell to the ground to pay Him obeisances. Then they stood with joined palms and began to pray to Him. Seeing their imprisonment as an act of mercy by the Lord to smash their false pride, the kings prayed only to be granted whatever would facilitate their perpetual remembrance of His lotus feet.
The Lord assured the kings that their prayer would be fulfilled. He instructed them, “Worship Me by performing Vedic sacrifices, and protect your subjects in accordance with the principles of religion. Fixing your minds on Me, beget progeny, and remain always equipoised in happiness and distress. Thus at the end of your lives you will surely attain Me.”
Lord Kṛṣṇa then saw to it that the kings were properly bathed and dressed, and He had Sahadeva offer them flower garlands, sandalwood pulp, fine clothing and other things suitable for kings. After having them adorned with jewels and golden ornaments, He seated them on chariots and sent them off to their respective kingdoms. In accordance with the orders the Lord had given them, they began to carry out their various duties once again.
Lord Kṛṣṇa, Bhīma and Arjuna then departed for Indraprastha, where they met with King Yudhiṣṭhira and related to him everything that had happened.
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
अयुते द्वे शतान्यष्टौ निरुद्धा युधि निर्जिता: ।
ते निर्गता गिरिद्रोण्यां मलिना मलवासस: ॥ १ ॥
क्षुत्क्षामा: शुष्कवदना: संरोधपरिकर्शिता: ।
ददृशुस्ते घनश्यामं पीतकौशेयवाससम् ॥ २ ॥
श्रीवत्साङ्कं चतुर्बाहुं पद्मगर्भारुणेक्षणम् ।
चारुप्रसन्नवदनं स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलम् ॥ ३ ॥
पद्महस्तं गदाशङ्ख रथाङ्गैरुपलक्षितम् ।
किरीटहारकटककटिसूत्राङ्गदाञ्चितम् ॥ ४ ॥
भ्राजद्वरमणिग्रीवं निवीतं वनमालया ।
पिबन्त इव चक्षुर्भ्यां लिहन्त इव जिह्वया ॥ ५ ॥
जिघ्रन्त इव नासाभ्यां रम्भन्त इव बाहुभि: ।
प्रणेमुर्हतपाप्मानो मूर्धभि: पादयोर्हरे: ॥ ६ ॥
अयुते द्वे शतान्यष्टौ निरुद्धा युधि निर्जिता: ।
ते निर्गता गिरिद्रोण्यां मलिना मलवासस: ॥ १ ॥
क्षुत्क्षामा: शुष्कवदना: संरोधपरिकर्शिता: ।
ददृशुस्ते घनश्यामं पीतकौशेयवाससम् ॥ २ ॥
श्रीवत्साङ्कं चतुर्बाहुं पद्मगर्भारुणेक्षणम् ।
चारुप्रसन्नवदनं स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलम् ॥ ३ ॥
पद्महस्तं गदाशङ्ख रथाङ्गैरुपलक्षितम् ।
किरीटहारकटककटिसूत्राङ्गदाञ्चितम् ॥ ४ ॥
भ्राजद्वरमणिग्रीवं निवीतं वनमालया ।
पिबन्त इव चक्षुर्भ्यां लिहन्त इव जिह्वया ॥ ५ ॥
जिघ्रन्त इव नासाभ्यां रम्भन्त इव बाहुभि: ।
प्रणेमुर्हतपाप्मानो मूर्धभि: पादयोर्हरे: ॥ ६ ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
ayute dve śatāny aṣṭau
niruddhā yudhi nirjitāḥ
te nirgatā giridroṇyāṁ
malinā mala-vāsasaḥ
ayute dve śatāny aṣṭau
niruddhā yudhi nirjitāḥ
te nirgatā giridroṇyāṁ
malinā mala-vāsasaḥ
kṣut-kṣāmāḥ śuṣka-vadanāḥ
saṁrodha-parikarśitāḥ
dadṛśus te ghana-śyāmaṁ
pīta-kauśeya-vāsasam
saṁrodha-parikarśitāḥ
dadṛśus te ghana-śyāmaṁ
pīta-kauśeya-vāsasam
śrīvatsāṅkaṁ catur-bāhuṁ
padma-garbhāruṇekṣaṇam
cāru-prasanna-vadanaṁ
sphuran-makara-kuṇḍalam
padma-garbhāruṇekṣaṇam
cāru-prasanna-vadanaṁ
sphuran-makara-kuṇḍalam
padma-hastaṁ gadā-śaṅkha
rathāṅgair upalakṣitam
kirīṭa-hāra-kaṭaka-
kaṭi-sūtrāṅgadāñcitam
rathāṅgair upalakṣitam
kirīṭa-hāra-kaṭaka-
kaṭi-sūtrāṅgadāñcitam
bhrājad-vara-maṇi-grīvaṁ
nivītaṁ vana-mālayā
pibanta iva cakṣurbhyāṁ
lihanta iva jihvayā
nivītaṁ vana-mālayā
pibanta iva cakṣurbhyāṁ
lihanta iva jihvayā
jighranta iva nāsābhyāṁ
rambhanta iva bāhubhiḥ
praṇemur hata-pāpmāno
mūrdhabhiḥ pādayor hareḥ
rambhanta iva bāhubhiḥ
praṇemur hata-pāpmāno
mūrdhabhiḥ pādayor hareḥ
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; ayute — ten thousands; dve — two; śatāni — hundreds; aṣṭau — eight; niruddhāḥ — imprisoned; yudhi — in battle; nirjitāḥ — defeated; te — they; nirgatāḥ — coming out; giridroṇyām — in the fortress of Giridroṇī, Jarāsandha’s capital; malināḥ — dirty; mala — dirty; vāsasaḥ — whose clothes; kṣut — by hunger; kṣāmāḥ — emaciated; śuṣka — dried up; vadanāḥ — faces; saṁrodha — by their bondage; parikarśitāḥ — greatly weakened; dadṛśuḥ — saw; te — they; ghana — like a cloud; śyāmam — dark blue; pīta — yellow; kauśeya — of silk; vāsasam — whose clothing; śrīvatsa — by the distinctive sign known as Śrīvatsa; aṅkam — marked; catuḥ — four; bāhum — having arms; padma — of a lotus; garbha — like the whorl; aruṇa — pink; īkṣaṇam — eyes; cāru — charming; prasanna — and pleasant; vadanam — face; sphurat — gleaming; makara — shaped like sea monsters; kuṇḍalam — with earrings; padma — a lotus; hastam — in His hand; gadā — by His club; śaṅkha — conchshell; ratha-aṅgaiḥ — and disc weapon; upalakṣitam — identified; kirīṭa — with a helmet; hāra — jeweled necklace; kaṭaka — gold bracelets; kaṭi-sūtra — belt; aṅgada — and armlets; añcitam — decorated; bhrājat — brilliant; vara — excellent; maṇi — a jewel (the Kaustubha); grīvam — on His neck; nivītam — hanging (from His neck); vana — of forest flowers; mālayā — with a garland; pibantaḥ — drinking; iva — as if; cakṣurbhyām — with their eyes; lihantaḥ — licking; iva — as if; jihvayā — with their tongues; jighrantaḥ — smelling; iva — as if; nāsābhyām — with their nostrils; rambhantaḥ — embracing; iva — as if; bāhubhiḥ — with their arms; praṇemuḥ — they bowed down; hata — destroyed; pāpmānaḥ — whose sins; mūrdhabhiḥ — with their heads; pādayoḥ — at the feet; hareḥ — of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Translation
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Jarāsandha had defeated 20,800 kings in combat and thrown them into prison. As these kings emerged from the Giridroṇī fortress, they appeared dirty and shabbily dressed. They were emaciated by hunger, their faces were dried up, and they were greatly weakened by their long imprisonment.
Purport
The kings then beheld the Lord before them. His complexion was dark blue like the color of a cloud, and He wore a yellow silk garment. He was distinguished by the Śrīvatsa mark on His chest, His four mighty arms, the pinkish hue of His eyes, which resembled the whorl of a lotus, His lovely, cheerful face, His gleaming makara earrings and the lotus, club, conchshell and disc in His hands. A helmet, a jeweled necklace, a golden belt, and golden bracelets and armlets decorated His form, and on His neck He wore both the brilliant, precious Kaustubha gem and a garland of forest flowers. The kings seemed to drink His beauty with their eyes, lick Him with their tongues, relish His fragrance with their nostrils and embrace Him with their arms. Their past sins now eradicated, the kings all bowed down to Lord Hari, placing their heads at His feet.
Devanagari
कृष्णसन्दर्शनाह्लादध्वस्तसंरोधनक्लमा: ।
प्रशशंसुर्हृषीकेशं गीर्भि: प्राञ्जलयो नृपा: ॥ ७ ॥
प्रशशंसुर्हृषीकेशं गीर्भि: प्राञ्जलयो नृपा: ॥ ७ ॥
Verse text
kṛṣṇa-sandarśanāhlāda
dhvasta-saṁrodhana-klamāḥ
praśaśaṁsur hṛṣīkeśaṁ
gīrbhiḥ prāñjalayo nṛpāḥ
dhvasta-saṁrodhana-klamāḥ
praśaśaṁsur hṛṣīkeśaṁ
gīrbhiḥ prāñjalayo nṛpāḥ
Synonyms
kṛṣṇa-sandarśana — of seeing Lord Kṛṣṇa; āhlāda — by the ecstasy; dhvasta — eradicated; saṁrodhana — of imprisonment; klamāḥ — whose weariness; praśaśaṁsuḥ — they praised; hṛṣīkā-īśam — the supreme master of the senses; gīrbhiḥ — with their words; prāñjalayaḥ — with joined palms; nṛpāḥ — the kings.
Translation
The ecstasy of beholding Lord Kṛṣṇa having dispelled the weariness of their imprisonment, the kings stood with joined palms and offered words of praise to that supreme master of the senses.
Devanagari
राजान ऊचु:
नमस्ते देवदेवेश प्रपन्नार्तिहराव्यय ।
प्रपन्नान् पाहि न: कृष्ण निर्विण्णान्घोरसंसृते: ॥ ८ ॥
नमस्ते देवदेवेश प्रपन्नार्तिहराव्यय ।
प्रपन्नान् पाहि न: कृष्ण निर्विण्णान्घोरसंसृते: ॥ ८ ॥
Verse text
rājāna ūcuḥ
namas te deva-deveśa
prapannārti-harāvyaya
prapannān pāhi naḥ kṛṣṇa
nirviṇṇān ghora-saṁsṛteḥ
namas te deva-deveśa
prapannārti-harāvyaya
prapannān pāhi naḥ kṛṣṇa
nirviṇṇān ghora-saṁsṛteḥ
Synonyms
rājānaḥ ūcuḥ — the kings said; namaḥ — obeisances; te — to You; deva — of the demigods; deva — of the lords; īśa — O Supreme Lord; prapanna — of those who are surrendered; ārti — of the distress; hara — O remover; avyaya — O inexhaustible one; prapannān — surrendered; pāhi — please save; naḥ — us; kṛṣṇa — O Kṛṣṇa; nirviṇṇān — despondent; ghora — terrible; saṁsṛteḥ — from material existence.
Translation
The kings said: Obeisances to You, O Lord of the ruling demigods, O destroyer of Your surrendered devotees’ distress. Since we have surrendered to You, O inexhaustible Kṛṣṇa, please save us from this terrible material life, which has made us so despondent.
Devanagari
नैनं नाथानुसूयामो मागधं मधुसूदन ।
अनुग्रहो यद् भवतो राज्ञां राज्यच्युतिर्विभो ॥ ९ ॥
अनुग्रहो यद् भवतो राज्ञां राज्यच्युतिर्विभो ॥ ९ ॥
Verse text
nainaṁ nāthānusūyāmo
māgadhaṁ madhusūdana
anugraho yad bhavato
rājñāṁ rājya-cyutir vibho
māgadhaṁ madhusūdana
anugraho yad bhavato
rājñāṁ rājya-cyutir vibho
Synonyms
Translation
O master, Madhusūdana, we do not blame this King of Magadha, since it is actually by Your mercy that kings fall from their royal position, O almighty Lord.
Purport
It is significant that upon seeing Lord Kṛṣṇa and thus becoming purified of their sins, the kings did not feel any mundane hatred or bitterness toward Jarāsandha, who had imprisoned them. Simply by seeing Lord Kṛṣṇa, the kings came to the position of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and spoke these verses, which show deep spiritual wisdom.
Devanagari
राज्यैश्वर्यमदोन्नद्धो न श्रेयो विन्दते नृप: ।
त्वन्मायामोहितोऽनित्या मन्यते सम्पदोऽचला: ॥ १० ॥
त्वन्मायामोहितोऽनित्या मन्यते सम्पदोऽचला: ॥ १० ॥
Verse text
rājyaiśvarya-madonnaddho
na śreyo vindate nṛpaḥ
tvan-māyā-mohito ’nityā
manyate sampado ’calāḥ
na śreyo vindate nṛpaḥ
tvan-māyā-mohito ’nityā
manyate sampado ’calāḥ
Synonyms
rājya — with sovereignty; aiśvarya — and opulence; mada — by the intoxication; unnaddhaḥ — becoming unrestrained; na — does not; śreyaḥ — real benefit; vindate — obtain; nṛpaḥ — a king; tvat — Your; māyā — by the potency of illusion; mohitaḥ — deluded; anityāḥ — temporary; manyate — he thinks; sampadaḥ — assets; acalāḥ — permanent.
Translation
Infatuated with his opulence and ruling power, a king loses all self-restraint and cannot obtain his true welfare. Thus bewildered by Your illusory energy, he imagines his temporary assets to be permanent.
Purport
The word unnaddha indicates that one who is intoxicated by false pride goes beyond the boundaries of proper behavior. Human life is meant to be governed by dharma, spiritual principles for gradual advancement to the perfection of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Blinded by wealth and power, however, a foolish person does not hesitate to act whimsically, against the laws of nature and God. Unfortunately, this is now the situation in the prosperous Western countries.
Devanagari
मृगतृष्णां यथा बाला मन्यन्त उदकाशयम् ।
एवं वैकारिकीं मायामयुक्ता वस्तु चक्षते ॥ ११ ॥
एवं वैकारिकीं मायामयुक्ता वस्तु चक्षते ॥ ११ ॥
Verse text
mṛga-tṛṣṇāṁ yathā bālā
manyanta udakāśayam
evaṁ vaikārikīṁ māyām
ayuktā vastu cakṣate
manyanta udakāśayam
evaṁ vaikārikīṁ māyām
ayuktā vastu cakṣate
Synonyms
mṛga-tṛṣṇām — a mirage; yathā — as; bālāḥ — men of childish intelligence; manyante — consider; udaka — of water; āśayam — a reservoir; evam — in the same way; vaikārikīm — subject to transformations; māyām — the material illusion; ayuktāḥ — those who lack discrimination; vastu — substance; cakṣate — see as.
Translation
Just as men of childish intelligence consider a mirage in the desert to be a pond of water, so those who are irrational look upon the illusory transformations of Māyā as substantial.
Devanagari
वयं पुरा श्रीमदनष्टदृष्टयो
जिगीषयास्या इतरेतरस्पृध: ।
घ्नन्त: प्रजा: स्वा अतिनिर्घृणा: प्रभो
मृत्युं पुरस्त्वाविगणय्य दुर्मदा: ॥ १२ ॥
त एव कृष्णाद्य गभीररंहसा
दुरन्तेवीर्येण विचालिता: श्रिय: ।
कालेन तन्वा भवतोऽनुकम्पया
विनष्टदर्पाश्चरणौ स्मराम ते ॥ १३ ॥
जिगीषयास्या इतरेतरस्पृध: ।
घ्नन्त: प्रजा: स्वा अतिनिर्घृणा: प्रभो
मृत्युं पुरस्त्वाविगणय्य दुर्मदा: ॥ १२ ॥
त एव कृष्णाद्य गभीररंहसा
दुरन्तेवीर्येण विचालिता: श्रिय: ।
कालेन तन्वा भवतोऽनुकम्पया
विनष्टदर्पाश्चरणौ स्मराम ते ॥ १३ ॥
Verse text
vayaṁ purā śrī-mada-naṣṭa-dṛṣṭayo
jigīṣayāsyā itaretara-spṛdhaḥ
ghnantaḥ prajāḥ svā ati-nirghṛṇāḥ prabho
mṛtyuṁ puras tvāvigaṇayya durmadāḥ
jigīṣayāsyā itaretara-spṛdhaḥ
ghnantaḥ prajāḥ svā ati-nirghṛṇāḥ prabho
mṛtyuṁ puras tvāvigaṇayya durmadāḥ
ta eva kṛṣṇādya gabhīra-raṁhasā
durante-vīryeṇa vicālitāḥ śriyaḥ
kālena tanvā bhavato ’nukampayā
vinaṣṭa-darpāś caraṇau smarāma te
durante-vīryeṇa vicālitāḥ śriyaḥ
kālena tanvā bhavato ’nukampayā
vinaṣṭa-darpāś caraṇau smarāma te
Synonyms
vayam — we; purā — previously; śrī — of opulence; mada — by the intoxication; naṣṭa — lost; dṛṣṭayaḥ — whose sight; jigīṣayā — with the desire of conquering; asyāḥ — this (earth); itara-itara — with one another; spṛdhaḥ — quarreling; ghnantaḥ — attacking; prajāḥ — citizens; svāḥ — our own; ati — extremely; nirghṛṇāḥ — cruel; prabho — O Lord; mṛtyum — death; puraḥ — in front; tvā — You; avigaṇayya — disregarding; durmadāḥ — arrogant; te — they (ourselves); eva — indeed; kṛṣṇa — O Kṛṣṇa; adya — now; gabhīra — mysterious; raṁhasā — whose movement; duranta — irresistible; vīryeṇa — whose power; vicālitāḥ — forced to depart; śriyaḥ — from our opulence; kālena — by time; tanvā — Your personal form; bhavataḥ — Your; anukampayā — by the mercy; vinaṣṭa — destroyed; darpāḥ — whose pride; caraṇau — the two feet; smarāma — may we remember; te — Your.
Translation
Previously, blinded by the intoxication of riches, we wanted to conquer this earth, and thus we fought one another to achieve victory, mercilessly harassing our own subjects. We arrogantly disregarded You, O Lord, who stood before us as death. But now, O Kṛṣṇa, that powerful form of Yours called time, moving mysteriously and irresistibly, has deprived us of our opulences. Now that You have mercifully destroyed our pride, we beg simply to remember Your lotus feet.
Devanagari
अथो न राज्यं मृगतृष्णिरूपितं
देहेन शश्वत् पतता रुजां भुवा ।
उपासितव्यं स्पृहयामहे विभो
क्रियाफलं प्रेत्य च कर्णरोचनम् ॥ १४ ॥
देहेन शश्वत् पतता रुजां भुवा ।
उपासितव्यं स्पृहयामहे विभो
क्रियाफलं प्रेत्य च कर्णरोचनम् ॥ १४ ॥
Verse text
atho na rājyam mṛga-tṛṣṇi-rūpitaṁ
dehena śaśvat patatā rujāṁ bhuvā
upāsitavyaṁ spṛhayāmahe vibho
kriyā-phalaṁ pretya ca karṇa-rocanam
dehena śaśvat patatā rujāṁ bhuvā
upāsitavyaṁ spṛhayāmahe vibho
kriyā-phalaṁ pretya ca karṇa-rocanam
Synonyms
atha u — henceforward; na — not; rājyam — kingdom; mṛga-tṛṣṇi — like a mirage; rūpitam — which appears; dehena — by the material body; śaśvat — perpetually; patatā — subject to demise; rujām — of diseases; bhuvā — the birthplace; upāsitavyam — to be served; spṛhayāmahe — do we hanker for; vibho — O almighty Lord; kriyā — of pious work; phalam — the fruit; pretya — having passed to the next life; ca — and; karṇa — for the ears; rocanam — enticement.
Translation
Never again will we hanker for a miragelike kingdom — a kingdom that must be slavishly served by this mortal body, which is simply a source of disease and suffering and which is declining at every moment. Nor, O almighty Lord, will we hanker to enjoy the heavenly fruits of pious work in the next life, since the promise of such rewards is simply an empty enticement for the ears.
Purport
One must work very hard to maintain a kingdom or political sovereignty. And yet the body, which works so hard to maintain one’s political power, is itself doomed. At every moment the mortal body moves toward death, and all along the way the body is subject to many painful diseases. The whole affair of mundane power is thus a waste of time for the pure soul, who needs to revive his dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
The Vedic scriptures and other religious scriptures contain many promises of prosperity and heavenly enjoyment in the next life for one who acts piously in this life. Such promises are pleasing to the ears, but they are nothing more than that. Material enjoyment, whether in heaven or in hell, is a type of illusion for the pure soul. By the personal association of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the fortunate kings have now realized the higher spiritual reality beyond the phantasmagoria of the material creation.
Devanagari
तं न: समादिशोपायं येन ते चरणाब्जयो: ।
स्मृतिर्यथा न विरमेदपि संसरतामिह ॥ १५ ॥
स्मृतिर्यथा न विरमेदपि संसरतामिह ॥ १५ ॥
Verse text
taṁ naḥ samādiśopāyaṁ
yena te caraṇābjayoḥ
smṛtir yathā na viramed
api saṁsaratām iha
yena te caraṇābjayoḥ
smṛtir yathā na viramed
api saṁsaratām iha
Synonyms
tam — that; naḥ — to us; samādiśa — please instruct; upāyam — the means; yena — by which; te — Your; caraṇa — of the feet; abjayoḥ — lotuslike; smṛtiḥ — remembrance; yathā — as; na viramet — may not cease; api — even; saṁsaratām — for those traveling through the cycle of birth and death; iha — in this world.
Translation
Please tell us how we may constantly remember Your lotus feet, though we continue in the cycle of birth and death in this world.
Purport
One can constantly remember the Lord only by His mercy. Such remembrance is the easy method to obtain supreme liberation, as explained in Bhagavad-gītā (8.14):
ananya-cetāḥ satataṁ
yo māṁ smarati nityaśaḥ
tasyāhaṁ sulabhaḥ pārtha
nitya-yuktasya yoginaḥ
yo māṁ smarati nityaśaḥ
tasyāhaṁ sulabhaḥ pārtha
nitya-yuktasya yoginaḥ
“For one who always remembers Me without deviation, I am easy to obtain, O son of Pṛthā, because of his constant engagement in devotional service.”
The words api saṁsaratām iha indicate that the kings were approaching Lord Kṛṣṇa not merely for liberation but rather for the boon of always being able to remember His lotus feet. Such constant remembrance is a symptom of love, and love of Godhead is the actual goal of life.
Devanagari
कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय हरये परमात्मने ।
प्रणतक्लेशनाशाय गोविन्दाय नमो नम: ॥ १६ ॥
प्रणतक्लेशनाशाय गोविन्दाय नमो नम: ॥ १६ ॥
Verse text
kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya
haraye paramātmane
praṇata-kleśa-nāśāya
govindāya namo namaḥ
haraye paramātmane
praṇata-kleśa-nāśāya
govindāya namo namaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Again and again we offer our obeisances unto Lord Kṛṣṇa, Hari, the son of Vasudeva. That Supreme Soul, Govinda, vanquishes the suffering of all who surrender to Him.
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
संस्तूयमानो भगवान् राजभिर्मुक्तबन्धनै: ।
तानाह करुणस्तात शरण्य: श्लक्ष्णया गिरा ॥ १७ ॥
संस्तूयमानो भगवान् राजभिर्मुक्तबन्धनै: ।
तानाह करुणस्तात शरण्य: श्लक्ष्णया गिरा ॥ १७ ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
saṁstūyamāno bhagavān
rājabhir mukta-bandhanaiḥ
tān āha karuṇas tāta
śaraṇyaḥ ślakṣṇayā girā
saṁstūyamāno bhagavān
rājabhir mukta-bandhanaiḥ
tān āha karuṇas tāta
śaraṇyaḥ ślakṣṇayā girā
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; saṁstūyamāṇaḥ — being nicely praised; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; rājabhiḥ — by the kings; mukta — freed; bandhanaiḥ — from their bondage; tān — to them; āha — He spoke; karuṇaḥ — merciful; tāta — my dear (King Parīkṣit); śaraṇyaḥ — the giver of shelter; ślakṣṇayā — with gentle; girā — words.
Translation
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus the kings, now freed from bondage, glorified the Supreme Lord. Then, my dear Parīkṣit, that merciful bestower of shelter spoke to them in a gentle voice.
Devanagari
श्रीभगवानुवाच
अद्यप्रभृति वो भूपा मय्यात्मन्यखिलेश्वरे ।
सुदृढा जायते भक्तिर्बाढमाशंसितं तथा ॥ १८ ॥
अद्यप्रभृति वो भूपा मय्यात्मन्यखिलेश्वरे ।
सुदृढा जायते भक्तिर्बाढमाशंसितं तथा ॥ १८ ॥
Verse text
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
adya prabhṛti vo bhūpā
mayy ātmany akhileśvare
su-dṛḍhā jāyate bhaktir
bāḍham āśaṁsitaṁ tathā
adya prabhṛti vo bhūpā
mayy ātmany akhileśvare
su-dṛḍhā jāyate bhaktir
bāḍham āśaṁsitaṁ tathā
Synonyms
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Lord said; adya prabhṛti — beginning from now; vaḥ — your; bhū-pāḥ — O kings; mayi — for Me; ātmani — the Self; akhila — of all; īśvare — the controller; su — very; dṛḍhā — firm; jāyate — will arise; bhaktiḥ — devotion; bāḍham — assuredly; āśaṁsitam — what is desired; tathā — so.
Translation
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: From now on, my dear kings, you will have firm devotion to Me, the Supreme Self and the Lord of all that be. I assure you this will come to pass, just as you desire.
Devanagari
दिष्ट्या व्यवसितं भूपा भवन्त ऋतभाषिण: ।
श्रीयैश्वर्यमदोन्नाहं पश्य उन्मादकं नृणाम् ॥ १९ ॥
श्रीयैश्वर्यमदोन्नाहं पश्य उन्मादकं नृणाम् ॥ १९ ॥
Verse text
diṣṭyā vyavasitaṁ bhūpā
bhavanta ṛta-bhāṣiṇaḥ
śrīy-aiśvarya-madonnāhaṁ
paśya unmādakaṁ nṛṇām
bhavanta ṛta-bhāṣiṇaḥ
śrīy-aiśvarya-madonnāhaṁ
paśya unmādakaṁ nṛṇām
Synonyms
Translation
Fortunately you have come to the proper conclusion, my dear kings, and what you have spoken is true. I can see that human beings’ lack of self-restraint, which arises from their intoxication with opulence and power, simply leads to madness.
Devanagari
हैहयो नहुषो वेणो रावणो नरकोऽपरे ।
श्रीमदाद् भ्रंशिता: स्थानाद् देवदैत्यनरेश्वरा: ॥ २० ॥
श्रीमदाद् भ्रंशिता: स्थानाद् देवदैत्यनरेश्वरा: ॥ २० ॥
Verse text
haihayo nahuṣo veṇo
rāvaṇo narako ’pare
śrī-madād bhraṁśitāḥ sthānād
deva-daitya-nareśvarāḥ
rāvaṇo narako ’pare
śrī-madād bhraṁśitāḥ sthānād
deva-daitya-nareśvarāḥ
Synonyms
haihayaḥ nahuṣaḥ veṇaḥ — Haihaya (Kārtavīrya), Nahuṣa and Veṇa; rāvaṇaḥ narakaḥ — Rāvaṇa and Naraka; apare — others also; śrī — due to opulence; madāt — because of their intoxication; bhraṁśitāḥ — made to fall; sthānāt — from their positions; deva — of demigods; daitya — demons; nara — and men; īśvarāḥ — rulers.
Translation
Haihaya, Nahuṣa, Veṇa, Rāvaṇa, Naraka and many other rulers of demigods, men and demons fell from their elevated positions because of infatuation with material opulence.
Purport
As described by Śrīdhara Svāmī, because Haihaya stole the desire cow of Lord Paraśurāma’s father, Jamadagni, Paraśurāma killed him and his impudent sons. Nahuṣa became puffed up when he temporarily assumed the post of Indra. When out of pride Nahuṣa ordered some brāhmaṇas to carry him in a palanquin to an illicit meeting with Lord Indra’s chaste wife, Śacī, the brāhmaṇas made him fall down from his position and become an old man. King Vena was similarly mad, and when he insulted the brāhmaṇas they killed him by loud incantations of the syllable hum. Rāvaṇa was a famous ruler of the Rākṣasas, but out of lust he kidnapped Mother Sītā, and thus her husband, Lord Rāmacandra, killed him. Naraka was a ruler of the Daityas who dared to steal Mother Aditi’s earrings, and for his offense he was also killed. Thus throughout history powerful leaders have fallen from their positions because they became intoxicated with their so-called opulence.
Devanagari
भवन्त एतद् विज्ञाय देहाद्युत्पाद्यमन्तवत् ।
मां यजन्तोऽध्वरैर्युक्ता: प्रजा धर्मेण रक्ष्यथ ॥ २१ ॥
मां यजन्तोऽध्वरैर्युक्ता: प्रजा धर्मेण रक्ष्यथ ॥ २१ ॥
Verse text
bhavanta etad vijñāya
dehādy utpādyam anta-vat
māṁ yajanto ’dhvarair yuktāḥ
prajā dharmeṇa rakṣyatha
dehādy utpādyam anta-vat
māṁ yajanto ’dhvarair yuktāḥ
prajā dharmeṇa rakṣyatha
Synonyms
bhavantaḥ — you; etat — this; vijñāya — understanding; deha-ādi — the material body and so forth; utpādyam — subject to birth; anta-vat — having an end; mām — Me; yajantaḥ — worshiping; adhvaraiḥ — with Vedic sacrifices; yuktāḥ — having clear intelligence; prajāḥ — your citizens; dharmeṇa — according to religious principles; rakṣyatha — you should protect.
Translation
Understanding that this material body and everything connected with it have a beginning and an end, worship Me by Vedic sacrifices, and with clear intelligence protect your subjects in accordance with the principles of religion.
Devanagari
सन्तन्वन्त: प्रजातन्तून् सुखं दु:खं भवाभवौ ।
प्राप्तं प्राप्तं च सेवन्तो मच्चित्ता विचरिष्यथ ॥ २२ ॥
प्राप्तं प्राप्तं च सेवन्तो मच्चित्ता विचरिष्यथ ॥ २२ ॥
Verse text
santanvantaḥ prajā-tantūn
sukhaṁ duḥkhaṁ bhavābhavau
prāptaṁ prāptaṁ ca sevanto
mac-cittā vicariṣyatha
sukhaṁ duḥkhaṁ bhavābhavau
prāptaṁ prāptaṁ ca sevanto
mac-cittā vicariṣyatha
Synonyms
Translation
As you live your lives, begetting generations of progeny and encountering happiness and distress, birth and death, always keep your minds fixed on Me.
Devanagari
उदासीनाश्च देहादावात्मारामा धृतव्रता: ।
मय्यावेश्य मन: सम्यङ्मामन्ते ब्रह्म यास्यथ ॥ २३ ॥
मय्यावेश्य मन: सम्यङ्मामन्ते ब्रह्म यास्यथ ॥ २३ ॥
Verse text
udāsīnāś ca dehādāv
ātmārāmā dhṛta-vratāḥ
mayy āveśya manaḥ samyaṅ
mām ante brahma yāsyatha
ātmārāmā dhṛta-vratāḥ
mayy āveśya manaḥ samyaṅ
mām ante brahma yāsyatha
Synonyms
udāsīnāḥ — indifferent; ca — and; deha-ādau — to the body and so on; ātma-ārāmāḥ — self-satisfied; dhṛta — holding firmly; vratāḥ — to your vows; mayi — upon Me; āveśya — concentrating; manaḥ — the mind; samyak — completely; mām — to Me; ante — in the end; brahma — the Absolute Truth; yāsyatha — you will go.
Translation
Be detached from the body and everything connected to it. Remaining self-satisfied, steadfastly keep your vows while concentrating your minds fully on Me. In this way you will ultimately attain Me, the Supreme Absolute Truth.
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
इत्यादिश्य नृपान् कृष्णो भगवान् भुवनेश्वर: ।
तेषां न्ययुङ्क्त पुरुषान् स्त्रियो मज्जनकर्मणि ॥ २४ ॥
इत्यादिश्य नृपान् कृष्णो भगवान् भुवनेश्वर: ।
तेषां न्ययुङ्क्त पुरुषान् स्त्रियो मज्जनकर्मणि ॥ २४ ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
ity ādiśya nṛpān kṛṣṇo
bhagavān bhuvaneśvaraḥ
teṣāṁ nyayuṅkta puruṣān
striyo majjana-karmaṇi
ity ādiśya nṛpān kṛṣṇo
bhagavān bhuvaneśvaraḥ
teṣāṁ nyayuṅkta puruṣān
striyo majjana-karmaṇi
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; iti — thus; ādiśya — ordering; nṛpān — the kings; kṛṣṇaḥ — Kṛṣṇa; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; bhuvana — of all the worlds; īśvaraḥ — the master; teṣām — of them; nyayuṅkta — engaged; puruṣān — menservants; striyaḥ — and women; majjana — of cleansing; karmaṇi — in the work.
Translation
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus instructed the kings, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the supreme master of all the worlds, engaged male and female servants in bathing and grooming them.
Devanagari
सपर्यां कारयामास सहदेवेन भारत ।
नरदेवोचितैर्वस्त्रैर्भूषणै: स्रग्विलेपनै: ॥ २५ ॥
नरदेवोचितैर्वस्त्रैर्भूषणै: स्रग्विलेपनै: ॥ २५ ॥
Verse text
saparyāṁ kārayām āsa
sahadevena bhārata
naradevocitair vastrair
bhūṣaṇaiḥ srag-vilepanaiḥ
sahadevena bhārata
naradevocitair vastrair
bhūṣaṇaiḥ srag-vilepanaiḥ
Synonyms
Translation
O descendant of Bharata, the Lord then had King Sahadeva honor them with offerings of clothing, jewelry, garlands and sandalwood paste, all suitable for royalty.
Devanagari
भोजयित्वा वरान्नेन सुस्नातान्समलङ्कृतान् ।
भोगैश्च विविधैर्युक्तांस्ताम्बूलाद्यैर्नृपोचितै: ॥ २६ ॥
भोगैश्च विविधैर्युक्तांस्ताम्बूलाद्यैर्नृपोचितै: ॥ २६ ॥
Verse text
bhojayitvā varānnena
su-snātān samalaṅkṛtān
bhogaiś ca vividhair yuktāṁs
tāmbūlādyair nṛpocitaiḥ
su-snātān samalaṅkṛtān
bhogaiś ca vividhair yuktāṁs
tāmbūlādyair nṛpocitaiḥ
Synonyms
Translation
After they had been properly bathed and adorned, Lord Kṛṣṇa saw to it that they dined on excellent food. He also presented them with various items befitting the pleasure of kings, such as betel nut.
Devanagari
ते पूजिता मुकुन्देन राजानो मृष्टकुण्डला: ।
विरेजुर्मोचिता: क्लेशात् प्रावृडन्ते यथा ग्रहा: ॥ २७ ॥
विरेजुर्मोचिता: क्लेशात् प्रावृडन्ते यथा ग्रहा: ॥ २७ ॥
Verse text
te pūjitā mukundena
rājāno mṛṣṭa-kuṇḍalāḥ
virejur mocitāḥ kleśāt
prāvṛḍ-ante yathā grahāḥ
rājāno mṛṣṭa-kuṇḍalāḥ
virejur mocitāḥ kleśāt
prāvṛḍ-ante yathā grahāḥ
Synonyms
te — they; pūjitāḥ — honored; mukundena — by Lord Kṛṣṇa; rājānaḥ — the kings; mṛṣṭa — gleaming; kuṇḍalāḥ — whose earrings; virejuḥ — appeared splendid; mocitāḥ — released; kleśāt — from their distress; prāvṛṭ — of the rainy season; ante — at the end; yathā — as; grahāḥ — the planets (such as the moon).
Translation
Honored by Lord Mukunda and freed from tribulation, the kings shone splendidly, their earrings gleaming, just as the moon and other celestial bodies shine brilliantly in the sky at the end of the rainy season.
Devanagari
रथान्सदश्वानारोप्य मणिकाञ्चनभूषितान् ।
प्रीणय्य सुनृतैर्वाक्यै: स्वदेशान् प्रत्ययापयत् ॥ २८ ॥
प्रीणय्य सुनृतैर्वाक्यै: स्वदेशान् प्रत्ययापयत् ॥ २८ ॥
Verse text
rathān sad-aśvān āropya
maṇi-kāñcana-bhūṣitān
prīṇayya sunṛtair vākyaiḥ
sva-deśān pratyayāpayat
maṇi-kāñcana-bhūṣitān
prīṇayya sunṛtair vākyaiḥ
sva-deśān pratyayāpayat
Synonyms
Translation
Then the Lord arranged for the kings to be seated on chariots drawn by fine horses and adorned with jewels and gold, and pleasing them with gracious words, He sent them off to their own kingdoms.
Devanagari
त एवं मोचिता: कृच्छ्रात् कृष्णेन सुमहात्मना ।
ययुस्तमेव ध्यायन्त: कृतानि च जगत्पते: ॥ २९ ॥
ययुस्तमेव ध्यायन्त: कृतानि च जगत्पते: ॥ २९ ॥
Verse text
ta evaṁ mocitāḥ kṛcchrāt
kṛṣṇena su-mahātmanā
yayus tam eva dhyāyantaḥ
kṛtāni ca jagat-pateḥ
kṛṣṇena su-mahātmanā
yayus tam eva dhyāyantaḥ
kṛtāni ca jagat-pateḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Thus liberated from all difficulty by Kṛṣṇa, the greatest of personalities, the kings departed, and as they went they thought only of Him, the Lord of the universe, and of His wonderful deeds.
Devanagari
जगदु: प्रकृतिभ्यस्ते महापुरुषचेष्टितम् ।
यथान्वशासद् भगवांस्तथा चक्रुरतन्द्रिता: ॥ ३० ॥
यथान्वशासद् भगवांस्तथा चक्रुरतन्द्रिता: ॥ ३० ॥
Verse text
jagaduḥ prakṛtibhyas te
mahā-puruṣa-ceṣṭitam
yathānvaśāsad bhagavāṁs
tathā cakrur atandritāḥ
mahā-puruṣa-ceṣṭitam
yathānvaśāsad bhagavāṁs
tathā cakrur atandritāḥ
Synonyms
Translation
The kings told their ministers and other associates what the Personality of Godhead had done, and then they diligently carried out the orders He had imparted to them.
Devanagari
जरासन्धं घातयित्वा भीमसेनेन केशव: ।
पार्थाभ्यां संयुत: प्रायात् सहदेवेन पूजित: ॥ ३१ ॥
पार्थाभ्यां संयुत: प्रायात् सहदेवेन पूजित: ॥ ३१ ॥
Verse text
jarāsandhaṁ ghātayitvā
bhīmasenena keśavaḥ
pārthābhyāṁ saṁyutaḥ prāyāt
sahadevena pūjitaḥ
bhīmasenena keśavaḥ
pārthābhyāṁ saṁyutaḥ prāyāt
sahadevena pūjitaḥ
Synonyms
jarāsandham — Jarāsandha; ghātayitvā — having had killed; bhīmasenena — by Bhīmasena; keśavaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; pārthābhyam — by the two sons of Pṛthā (Bhīma and Arjuna); saṁyutaḥ — accompanied; prāyāt — He departed; sahadevena — by Sahadeva; pūjitaḥ — worshiped.
Translation
Having arranged for Bhīmasena to kill Jarāsandha, Lord Keśava accepted worship from King Sahadeva and then departed with the two sons of Pṛthā.
Devanagari
गत्वा ते खाण्डवप्रस्थं शङ्खान् दध्मुर्जितारय: ।
हर्षयन्त: स्वसुहृदो दुर्हृदां चासुखावहा: ॥ ३२ ॥
हर्षयन्त: स्वसुहृदो दुर्हृदां चासुखावहा: ॥ ३२ ॥
Verse text
gatvā te khāṇḍava-prasthaṁ
śaṅkhān dadhmur jitārayaḥ
harṣayantaḥ sva-suhṛdo
durhṛdāṁ cāsukhāvahāḥ
śaṅkhān dadhmur jitārayaḥ
harṣayantaḥ sva-suhṛdo
durhṛdāṁ cāsukhāvahāḥ
Synonyms
Translation
When they arrived at Indraprastha, the victorious heroes blew their conchshells, bringing joy to their well-wishing friends and sorrow to their enemies.
Devanagari
तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रीतमनस इन्द्रप्रस्थनिवासिन: ।
मेनिरे मागधं शान्तं राजा चाप्तमनोरथ: ॥ ३३ ॥
मेनिरे मागधं शान्तं राजा चाप्तमनोरथ: ॥ ३३ ॥
Verse text
tac chrutvā prīta-manasa
indraprastha-nivāsinaḥ
menire māgadhaṁ śāntaṁ
rājā cāpta-manorathaḥ
indraprastha-nivāsinaḥ
menire māgadhaṁ śāntaṁ
rājā cāpta-manorathaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
The residents of Indraprastha were very pleased to hear that sound, for they understood that now the King of Magadha had been put to rest. King Yudhiṣṭhira felt that his desires were now fulfilled.
Devanagari
अभिवन्द्याथ राजानं भीमार्जुनजनार्दना: ।
सर्वमाश्रावयां चक्रुरात्मना यदनुष्ठितम् ॥ ३४ ॥
सर्वमाश्रावयां चक्रुरात्मना यदनुष्ठितम् ॥ ३४ ॥
Verse text
abhivandyātha rājānaṁ
bhīmārjuna-janārdanāḥ
sarvam āśrāvayāṁ cakrur
ātmanā yad anuṣṭhitam
bhīmārjuna-janārdanāḥ
sarvam āśrāvayāṁ cakrur
ātmanā yad anuṣṭhitam
Synonyms
abhivandya — offering their respects; atha — then; rājānam — the King; bhīma-arjuna-janārdanāḥ — Bhīma, Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa; sarvam — everything; āśrāvayām cakruḥ — they told; ātmanā — by themselves; yat — what; anuṣṭhitam — executed.
Translation
Bhīma, Arjuna and Janārdana offered their respects to the King and informed him fully about what they had done.
Devanagari
निशम्य धर्मराजस्तत् केशवेनानुकम्पितम् ।
आनन्दाश्रुकलां मुञ्चन् प्रेम्णा नोवाच किञ्चन ॥ ३५ ॥
आनन्दाश्रुकलां मुञ्चन् प्रेम्णा नोवाच किञ्चन ॥ ३५ ॥
Verse text
niśamya dharma-rājas tat
keśavenānukampitam
ānandāśru-kalāṁ muñcan
premṇā novāca kiñcana
keśavenānukampitam
ānandāśru-kalāṁ muñcan
premṇā novāca kiñcana
Synonyms
Translation
Upon hearing their account of the great favor Lord Keśava had mercifully shown him, King Dharmarāja shed tears of ecstasy. He felt such love that he could not say anything.
Purport
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Seventy-third Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Lord Kṛṣṇa Blesses the Liberated Kings.”