Before Verses
Devanagari
Verse Text
Synonyms
Translation
Purport
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Topics of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Summarized
In this chapter, Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī summarizes the subjects discussed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
The Supreme Lord, Śrī Hari, personally removes all the distress of a person who hears about His glories. Whatever words glorify the innumerable transcendental qualities of the Personality of Godhead are truthful, auspicious and conducive to piety, whereas all other words are impure. Discussions of topics concerning the Supreme Lord bestow ecstasy, which remains constantly new, but persons who are like crows become absorbed in unessential topics, those unrelated to the Personality of Godhead.
By chanting and hearing the countless names of Lord Śrī Hari, which describe His glorious qualities, all human beings can be relieved of their sins. Neither knowledge devoid of devotion for Lord Viṣṇu nor fruitive work not offered to Him have any real beauty. By constant remembrance of Lord Kṛṣṇa, on the other hand, all one’s inauspicious desires are destroyed, one’s mind is purified, and one attains devotion for Lord Śrī Hari along with knowledge filled with realization and detachment.
Sūta Gosvāmī then states that previously, in the assembly of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, he heard from the mouth of Śrī Śukadeva the glories of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, which annihilate all sinful reactions, and that now he has related these glories to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya. By hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the spirit soul is purified and obtains salvation from all sins and all kinds of fear. Through the study of this scripture, one achieves the same result as that achieved by one who studies all the Vedas, and one also achieves the fulfillment of all desires. By studying with a controlled mind this essential compilation of all the Purāṇas, one will reach the supreme abode of the Personality of Godhead. Every verse of this scripture, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, contains the narrations of Lord Śrī Hari, who has innumerable personal forms.
Finally, Śrī Sūta offers obeisances to the unborn and unlimited Supreme Soul, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, as well as to Śrī Śukadeva, the son of Vyāsa, who is capable of destroying the sins of all living beings.
Devanagari
सूत उवाच
नमो धर्माय महते नम: कृष्णाय वेधसे ।
ब्रह्मणेभ्यो नमस्कृत्य धर्मान् वक्ष्ये सनातनान् ॥ १ ॥
नमो धर्माय महते नम: कृष्णाय वेधसे ।
ब्रह्मणेभ्यो नमस्कृत्य धर्मान् वक्ष्ये सनातनान् ॥ १ ॥
Verse text
sūta uvāca
namo dharmāya mahate
namaḥ kṛṣṇāya vedhase
brahmaṇebhyo namaskṛtya
dharmān vakṣye sanātanān
namo dharmāya mahate
namaḥ kṛṣṇāya vedhase
brahmaṇebhyo namaskṛtya
dharmān vakṣye sanātanān
Synonyms
sūtaḥ uvāca — Sūta Gosvāmī said; namaḥ — obeisances; dharmāya — to the principle of religion; mahate — greatest; namaḥ — obeisances; kṛṣṇāya — to Lord Kṛṣṇa; vedhase — the creator; brahmaṇebhyaḥ — to the brāhmaṇas; namaskṛtya — offering my obeisances; dharmān — the principles of religion; vakṣye — I shall speak; sanātanān — eternal.
Translation
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Offering my obeisances to the supreme religious principle, devotional service; to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the supreme creator; and to all the brāhmaṇas, I shall now describe the eternal principles of religion.
Purport
In this Twelfth Chapter of the Twelfth Canto, Sūta Gosvāmī will summarize all the topics of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, beginning from the First Canto.
Devanagari
एतद् व: कथितं विप्रा विष्णोश्चरितमद्भुतम् ।
भवद्भिर्यदहं पृष्टो नराणां पुरुषोचितम् ॥ २ ॥
भवद्भिर्यदहं पृष्टो नराणां पुरुषोचितम् ॥ २ ॥
Verse text
etad vaḥ kathitaṁ viprā
viṣṇoś caritam adbhutam
bhavadbhir yad ahaṁ pṛṣṭo
narāṇāṁ puruṣocitam
viṣṇoś caritam adbhutam
bhavadbhir yad ahaṁ pṛṣṭo
narāṇāṁ puruṣocitam
Synonyms
Translation
O great sages, I have narrated to you the wonderful pastimes of Lord Viṣṇu, as you inquired about them from me. Hearing such narrations is the suitable engagement for a person who is actually a human being.
Purport
The words narāṇāṁ puruṣocitam indicate that men and women who actually come to the standard of human life hear and chant the glories of the Supreme Lord, whereas uncivilized persons may not be interested in the science of God.
Devanagari
अत्र सङ्कीर्तित: साक्षात् सर्वपापहरो हरि: ।
नारायणो हृषीकेशो भगवान् सात्वतां पति: ॥ ३ ॥
नारायणो हृषीकेशो भगवान् सात्वतां पति: ॥ ३ ॥
Verse text
atra saṅkīrtitaḥ sākṣāt
sarva-pāpa-haro hariḥ
nārāyaṇo hṛṣīkeśo
bhagavān sātvatāṁ patiḥ
sarva-pāpa-haro hariḥ
nārāyaṇo hṛṣīkeśo
bhagavān sātvatāṁ patiḥ
Synonyms
atra — here, in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; saṅkīrtitaḥ — is fully glorified; sākṣāt — directly; sarva-pāpa — of all sins; haraḥ — the remover; hariḥ — the Personality of Godhead, Lord Hari; nārāyaṇaḥ — Nārāyaṇa; hṛṣīkeśaḥ — Hṛṣīkeśa, the Lord of the senses; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality; sātvatām — of the Yadus; patiḥ — the master.
Translation
This literature fully glorifies the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari, who removes all His devotees’ sinful reactions. The Lord is glorified as Nārāyaṇa, Hṛṣīkeśa and the Lord of the Sātvatas.
Purport
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s many holy names indicate His extraordinary transcendental qualities. The name Hari indicates that the Lord removes all sins from the heart of His devotee. Nārāyaṇa indicates that the Lord sustains the existence of all other beings. Hṛṣīkeśa indicates that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate controller of the senses of all living beings. The word bhagavān indicates that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the all-attractive Supreme Being. And the words sātvatāṁ patiḥ indicate that the Lord is naturally the master of saintly and religious people, especially the members of the exalted Yadu family.
Devanagari
अत्र ब्रह्म परं गुह्यं जगत: प्रभवाप्ययम् ।
ज्ञानं च तदुपाख्यानं प्रोक्तं विज्ञानसंयुतम् ॥ ४ ॥
ज्ञानं च तदुपाख्यानं प्रोक्तं विज्ञानसंयुतम् ॥ ४ ॥
Verse text
atra brahma paraṁ guhyaṁ
jagataḥ prabhavāpyayam
jñānaṁ ca tad-upākhyānaṁ
proktaṁ vijñāna-saṁyutam
jagataḥ prabhavāpyayam
jñānaṁ ca tad-upākhyānaṁ
proktaṁ vijñāna-saṁyutam
Synonyms
atra — here; brahma — the Absolute Truth; param — supreme; guhyam — confidential; jagataḥ — of this universe; prabhava — the creation; apyayam — and annihilation; jñānam — knowledge; ca — and; tat-upākhyānam — the means of cultivating it; proktam — are spoken; vijñāna — transcendental realization; saṁyutam — including.
Translation
This literature describes the mystery of the Supreme Absolute Truth, the source of the creation and annihilation of this universe. Also presented are divine knowledge of Him together with the process of its cultivation, and the transcendental realization one achieves.
Devanagari
भक्तियोग: समाख्यातो वैराग्यं च तदाश्रयम् ।
पारीक्षितमुपाख्यानं नारदाख्यानमेव च ॥ ५ ॥
पारीक्षितमुपाख्यानं नारदाख्यानमेव च ॥ ५ ॥
Verse text
bhakti-yogaḥ samākhyāto
vairāgyaṁ ca tad-āśrayam
pārīkṣitam upākhyānaṁ
nāradākhyānam eva ca
vairāgyaṁ ca tad-āśrayam
pārīkṣitam upākhyānaṁ
nāradākhyānam eva ca
Synonyms
bhakti-yogaḥ — the process of devotional service; samākhyātaḥ — is thoroughly enunciated; vairāgyam — renunciation; ca — and; tat-āśrayam — which is subsidiary to it; pārīkṣitam — of Mahārāja Parīkṣit; upākhyānam — the history; nārada — of Nārada; ākhyānam — the history; eva — indeed; ca — also.
Translation
The following topics are also narrated: the process of devotional service together with its subsidiary feature of renunciation, and the histories of Mahārāja Parīkṣit and the sage Nārada.
Devanagari
प्रायोपवेशो राजर्षेर्विप्रशापात् परीक्षित: ।
शुकस्य ब्रह्मर्षभस्य संवादश्च परीक्षित: ॥ ६ ॥
शुकस्य ब्रह्मर्षभस्य संवादश्च परीक्षित: ॥ ६ ॥
Verse text
prāyopaveśo rājarṣer
vipra-śāpāt parīkṣitaḥ
śukasya brahmarṣabhasya
saṁvādaś ca parīkṣitaḥ
vipra-śāpāt parīkṣitaḥ
śukasya brahmarṣabhasya
saṁvādaś ca parīkṣitaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Also described are saintly King Parīkṣit’s sitting down to fast until death in response to the curse of a brāhmaṇa’s son, and the conversations between Parīkṣit and Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who is the best of all brāhmaṇas.
Devanagari
योगधारणयोत्क्रान्ति: संवादो नारदाजयो: ।
अवतारानुगीतं च सर्ग: प्राधानिकोऽग्रत: ॥ ७ ॥
अवतारानुगीतं च सर्ग: प्राधानिकोऽग्रत: ॥ ७ ॥
Verse text
yoga-dhāraṇayotkrāntiḥ
saṁvādo nāradājayoḥ
avatārānugītaṁ ca
sargaḥ prādhāniko ’grataḥ
saṁvādo nāradājayoḥ
avatārānugītaṁ ca
sargaḥ prādhāniko ’grataḥ
Synonyms
yoga-dhāraṇayā — by fixed meditation in yoga; utkrāntiḥ — the attainment of liberation at the time of passing away; saṁvādaḥ — the conversation; nārada-ajayoḥ — between Nārada and Brahmā; avatāra-anugītam — the listing of the incarnations of the Supreme Lord; ca — and; sargaḥ — the process of creation; prādhānikaḥ — from the unmanifest material nature; agrataḥ — in progressive order.
Translation
The Bhāgavatam explains how one can attain liberation at the time of death by practicing fixed meditation in yoga. It also contains a discussion between Nārada and Brahmā, an enumeration of the incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and a description of how the universe was created in progressive sequence, beginning from the unmanifest stage of material nature.
Purport
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that it would be difficult to give a complete list of the numerous accounts and topics contained in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Therefore it is understood that Sūta Gosvāmī is merely summarizing the topics. We should not consider the topics he fails to mention here less important or superfluous, since every letter and word of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is absolute, Kṛṣṇa conscious sound vibration.
Devanagari
विदुरोद्धवसंवाद: क्षत्तृमैत्रेययोस्तत: ।
पुराणसंहिताप्रश्नो महापुरुषसंस्थिति: ॥ ८ ॥
पुराणसंहिताप्रश्नो महापुरुषसंस्थिति: ॥ ८ ॥
Verse text
viduroddhava-saṁvādaḥ
kṣattṛ-maitreyayos tataḥ
purāṇa-saṁhitā-praśno
mahā-puruṣa-saṁsthitiḥ
kṣattṛ-maitreyayos tataḥ
purāṇa-saṁhitā-praśno
mahā-puruṣa-saṁsthitiḥ
Synonyms
vidura-uddhava — between Vidura and Uddhava; saṁvādaḥ — the discussion; kṣattṛ-maitreyayoḥ — between Vidura and Maitreya; tataḥ — then; purāṇa-saṁhitā — concerning this Purāṇic compilation; praśnaḥ — inquiries; mahā-puruṣa — within the Supreme Personality of Godhead; saṁsthitiḥ — the winding up of creation.
Translation
This scripture also relates the discussions Vidura had with Uddhava and with Maitreya, inquiries about the subject matter of this Purāṇa, and the winding up of creation within the body of the Supreme Lord at the time of annihilation.
Devanagari
तत: प्राकृतिक: सर्ग: सप्त वैकृतिकाश्च ये ।
ततो ब्रह्माण्डसम्भूतिर्वैराज: पुरुषो यत: ॥ ९ ॥
ततो ब्रह्माण्डसम्भूतिर्वैराज: पुरुषो यत: ॥ ९ ॥
Verse text
tataḥ prākṛtikaḥ sargaḥ
sapta vaikṛtikāś ca ye
tato brahmāṇḍa-sambhūtir
vairājaḥ puruṣo yataḥ
sapta vaikṛtikāś ca ye
tato brahmāṇḍa-sambhūtir
vairājaḥ puruṣo yataḥ
Synonyms
tataḥ — then; prākṛtikaḥ — from material nature; sargaḥ — the creation; sapta — the seven; vaikṛtikāḥ — stages of creation derived by transformation; ca — and; ye — which; tataḥ — then; brahma-aṇḍa — of the universal egg; sambhūtiḥ — the construction; vairājaḥ puruṣaḥ — the universal form of the Lord; yataḥ — from which.
Translation
The creation effected by the agitation of the modes of material nature, the seven stages of evolution by elemental transformation, and the construction of the universal egg, from which arises the universal form of the Supreme Lord — all these are thoroughly described.
Devanagari
कालस्य स्थूलसूक्ष्मस्य गति: पद्मसमुद्भव: ।
भुव उद्धरणेऽम्भोधेर्हिरण्याक्षवधो यथा ॥ १० ॥
भुव उद्धरणेऽम्भोधेर्हिरण्याक्षवधो यथा ॥ १० ॥
Verse text
kālasya sthūla-sūkṣmasya
gatiḥ padma-samudbhavaḥ
bhuva uddharaṇe ’mbhodher
hiraṇyākṣa-vadho yathā
gatiḥ padma-samudbhavaḥ
bhuva uddharaṇe ’mbhodher
hiraṇyākṣa-vadho yathā
Synonyms
kālasya — of time; sthūla-sūkṣmasya — gross and subtle; gatiḥ — the movement; padma — of the lotus; samudbhavaḥ — the generation; bhuvaḥ — of the earth; uddharaṇe — in connection with the deliverance; ambhodheḥ — from the ocean; hiraṇyākṣa-vadhaḥ — the killing of the demon Hiraṇyākṣa; yathā — as it occurred.
Translation
Other topics include the subtle and gross movements of time, the generation of the lotus from the navel of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, and the killing of the demon Hiraṇyākṣa when the earth was delivered from the Garbhodaka Ocean.
Devanagari
ऊर्ध्वतिर्यगवाक्सर्गो रुद्रसर्गस्तथैव च । अर्धनारीश्वरस्याथ यत: स्वायम्भुवो मनु: ॥ ११ ॥
Verse text
ūrdhva-tiryag-avāk-sargo
rudra-sargas tathaiva ca
ardha-nārīśvarasyātha
yataḥ svāyambhuvo manuḥ
rudra-sargas tathaiva ca
ardha-nārīśvarasyātha
yataḥ svāyambhuvo manuḥ
Synonyms
ūrdhva — of the higher species, the demigods; tiryak — of the animals; avāk — and of lower species; sargaḥ — the creation; rudra — of Lord Śiva; sargaḥ — the creation; tathā — and; eva — indeed; ca — also; ardha-nārī — as a half man, half woman; īśvarasya — of the lord; atha — then; yataḥ — from whom; svāyambhuvaḥ manuḥ — Svāyambhuva Manu.
Translation
The Bhāgavatam also describes the creation of demigods, animals and demoniac species of life; the birth of Lord Rudra; and the appearance of Svāyambhuva Manu from the half-man, half-woman Īśvara.
Devanagari
शतरूपा च या स्त्रीणामाद्या प्रकृतिरुत्तमा ।
सन्तानो धर्मपत्नीनां कर्दमस्य प्रजापते: ॥ १२ ॥
सन्तानो धर्मपत्नीनां कर्दमस्य प्रजापते: ॥ १२ ॥
Verse text
śatarūpā ca yā strīṇām
ādyā prakṛtir uttamā
santāno dharma-patnīnāṁ
kardamasya prajāpateḥ
ādyā prakṛtir uttamā
santāno dharma-patnīnāṁ
kardamasya prajāpateḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Also related are the appearance of the first woman, Śatarūpā, who was the excellent consort of Manu, and the offspring of the pious wives of Prajāpati Kardama.
Devanagari
अवतारो भगवत: कपिलस्य महात्मन: ।
देवहूत्याश्च संवाद: कपिलेन च धीमता ॥ १३ ॥
देवहूत्याश्च संवाद: कपिलेन च धीमता ॥ १३ ॥
Verse text
avatāro bhagavataḥ
kapilasya mahātmanaḥ
devahūtyāś ca saṁvādaḥ
kapilena ca dhīmatā
kapilasya mahātmanaḥ
devahūtyāś ca saṁvādaḥ
kapilena ca dhīmatā
Synonyms
Translation
The Bhāgavatam describes the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the exalted sage Kapila and records the conversation between that greatly learned soul and His mother, Devahūti.
Devanagari
नवब्रह्मसमुत्पत्तिर्दक्षयज्ञविनाशनम् ।
ध्रुवस्य चरितं पश्चात्पृथो: प्राचीनबर्हिष: ॥ १४ ॥
नारदस्य च संवादस्तत: प्रैयव्रतं द्विजा: ।
नाभेस्ततोऽनु चरितमृषभस्य भरतस्य च ॥ १५ ॥
ध्रुवस्य चरितं पश्चात्पृथो: प्राचीनबर्हिष: ॥ १४ ॥
नारदस्य च संवादस्तत: प्रैयव्रतं द्विजा: ।
नाभेस्ततोऽनु चरितमृषभस्य भरतस्य च ॥ १५ ॥
Verse text
nava-brahma-samutpattir
dakṣa-yajña-vināśanam
dhruvasya caritaṁ paścāt
pṛthoḥ prācīnabarhiṣaḥ
dakṣa-yajña-vināśanam
dhruvasya caritaṁ paścāt
pṛthoḥ prācīnabarhiṣaḥ
nāradasya ca saṁvādas
tataḥ praiyavrataṁ dvijāḥ
nābhes tato ’nucaritam
ṛṣabhasya bharatasya ca
tataḥ praiyavrataṁ dvijāḥ
nābhes tato ’nucaritam
ṛṣabhasya bharatasya ca
Synonyms
nava-brahma — of the nine brāhmaṇas (the sons of Lord Brahmā, headed by Marīci); samutpattiḥ — the descendants; dakṣa-yajña — of the sacrifice performed by Dakṣa; vināśanam — the destruction; dhruvasya — of Dhruva Mahārāja; caritam — the history; paścāt — then; pṛthoḥ — of King Pṛthu; prācīnabarhiṣaḥ — of Prācīnabarhi; nāradasya — with Nārada Muni; ca — and; saṁvādaḥ — his conversation; tataḥ — then; praiyavratam — the story of Mahārāja Priyavrata; dvijāḥ — O brāhmaṇas; nābheḥ — of Nābhi; tataḥ — then; anucaritam — the life story; ṛṣabhasya — of Lord Ṛṣabha; bharatasya — of Bharata Mahārāja; ca — and.
Translation
Also described are the progeny of the nine great brāhmaṇas, the destruction of Dakṣa’s sacrifice, and the history of Dhruva Mahārāja, followed by the histories of King Pṛthu and King Prācīnabarhi, the discussion between Prācīnabarhi and Nārada, and the life of Mahārāja Priyavrata. Then, O brāhmaṇas, the Bhāgavatam tells of the character and activities of King Nābhi, Lord Ṛṣabha and King Bharata.
Devanagari
द्वीपवर्षसमुद्राणां गिरिनद्युपवर्णनम् ।
ज्योतिश्चक्रस्य संस्थानं पातालनरकस्थिति: ॥ १६ ॥
ज्योतिश्चक्रस्य संस्थानं पातालनरकस्थिति: ॥ १६ ॥
Verse text
dvīpa-varṣa-samudrāṇāṁ
giri-nady-upavarṇanam
jyotiś-cakrasya saṁsthānaṁ
pātāla-naraka-sthitiḥ
giri-nady-upavarṇanam
jyotiś-cakrasya saṁsthānaṁ
pātāla-naraka-sthitiḥ
Synonyms
dvīpa-varṣa-samudrāṇām — of the continents, great islands and oceans; giri-nadī — of the mountains and rivers; upavarṇanam — the detailed description; jyotiḥ-cakrasya — of the celestial sphere; saṁsthānam — the arrangement; pātāla — of the subterranean regions; naraka — and of hell; sthitiḥ — the situation.
Translation
The Bhāgavatam gives an elaborate description of the earth’s continents, regions, oceans, mountains and rivers. Also described are the arrangement of the celestial sphere and the conditions found in the subterranean regions and in hell.
Devanagari
दक्षजन्म प्रचेतोभ्यस्तत्पुत्रीणां च सन्तति: ।
यतो देवासुरनरास्तिर्यङ्नगखगादय: ॥ १७ ॥
यतो देवासुरनरास्तिर्यङ्नगखगादय: ॥ १७ ॥
Verse text
dakṣa-janma pracetobhyas
tat-putrīṇāṁ ca santatiḥ
yato devāsura-narās
tiryaṅ-naga-khagādayaḥ
tat-putrīṇāṁ ca santatiḥ
yato devāsura-narās
tiryaṅ-naga-khagādayaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
The rebirth of Prajāpati Dakṣa as the son of the Pracetās, and the progeny of Dakṣa’s daughters, who initiated the races of demigods, demons, human beings, animals, serpents, birds and so on — all this is described.
Devanagari
त्वाष्ट्रस्य जन्म निधनं पुत्रयोश्च दितेर्द्विजा: ।
दैत्येश्वरस्य चरितं प्रह्लादस्य महात्मन: ॥ १८ ॥
दैत्येश्वरस्य चरितं प्रह्लादस्य महात्मन: ॥ १८ ॥
Verse text
tvāṣṭrasya janma-nidhanaṁ
putrayoś ca diter dvijāḥ
daityeśvarasya caritaṁ
prahrādasya mahātmanaḥ
putrayoś ca diter dvijāḥ
daityeśvarasya caritaṁ
prahrādasya mahātmanaḥ
Synonyms
tvāṣṭrasya — of the son of Tvaṣṭā (Vṛtra); janma-nidhanam — the birth and death; putrayoḥ — of the two sons, Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu; ca — and; diteḥ — of Diti; dvijāḥ — O brāhmaṇas; daitya-īśvarasya — of the greatest of the Daityas; caritam — the history; prahrādasya — of Prahlāda; mahā-ātmanaḥ — the great soul.
Translation
O brāhmaṇas, also recounted are the births and deaths of Vṛtrāsura and of Diti’s sons Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu, as well as the history of the greatest of Diti’s descendants, the exalted soul Prahlāda.
Devanagari
मन्वन्तरानुकथनं गजेन्द्रस्य विमोक्षणम् ।
मन्वन्तरावताराश्च विष्णोर्हयशिरादय: ॥ १९ ॥
मन्वन्तरावताराश्च विष्णोर्हयशिरादय: ॥ १९ ॥
Verse text
manv-antarānukathanaṁ
gajendrasya vimokṣaṇam
manvantarāvatārāś ca
viṣṇor hayaśirādayaḥ
gajendrasya vimokṣaṇam
manvantarāvatārāś ca
viṣṇor hayaśirādayaḥ
Synonyms
manu-antara — of reigns of the various Manus; anukathanam — the detailed description; gaja-indrasya — of the king of the elephants; vimokṣaṇam — the liberation; manuantara-avatārāḥ — the particular incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in each manvantara; ca — and; viṣṇoḥ — of Lord Viṣṇu; hayaśirā-ādayaḥ — such as Lord Hayaśīrṣā.
Translation
The reign of each Manu, the liberation of Gajendra, and the special incarnations of Lord Viṣṇu in each manvantara, such as Lord Hayaśīrṣā, are described as well.
Devanagari
कौर्मं मात्स्यं नारसिंहं वामनं च जगत्पते: ।
क्षीरोदमथनं तद्वदमृतार्थे दिवौकसाम् ॥ २० ॥
क्षीरोदमथनं तद्वदमृतार्थे दिवौकसाम् ॥ २० ॥
Verse text
kaurmaṁ mātsyaṁ nārasiṁhaṁ
vāmanaṁ ca jagat-pateḥ
kṣīroda-mathanaṁ tadvad
amṛtārthe divaukasām
vāmanaṁ ca jagat-pateḥ
kṣīroda-mathanaṁ tadvad
amṛtārthe divaukasām
Synonyms
kaurmam — the incarnation as a tortoise; mātsyam — as a fish; nārasiṁham — as a man-lion; vāmanam — as a dwarf; ca — and; jagat-pateḥ — of the Lord of the universe; kṣīra-uda — of the Ocean of Milk; mathanam — the churning; tadvat — thus; amṛta-arthe — for the sake of nectar; diva-okasām — on the part of the inhabitants of heaven.
Translation
The Bhāgavatam also tells of the appearances of the Lord of the universe as Kūrma, Matsya, Narasiṁha and Vāmana, and of the demigods’ churning of the Milk Ocean to obtain nectar.
Devanagari
देवासुरमहायुद्धं राजवंशानुकीर्तनम् ।
इक्ष्वाकुजन्म तद्वंश: सुद्युम्नस्य महात्मन: ॥ २१ ॥
इक्ष्वाकुजन्म तद्वंश: सुद्युम्नस्य महात्मन: ॥ २१ ॥
Verse text
devāsura-mahā-yuddhaṁ
rāja-vaṁśānukīrtanam
ikṣvāku-janma tad-vaṁśaḥ
sudyumnasya mahātmanaḥ
rāja-vaṁśānukīrtanam
ikṣvāku-janma tad-vaṁśaḥ
sudyumnasya mahātmanaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
An account of the great battle fought between the demigods and the demons, a systematic description of the dynasties of various kings, and narrations concerning Ikṣvāku’s birth, his dynasty and the dynasty of the pious Sudyumna — all are presented within this literature.
Devanagari
इलोपाख्यानमत्रोक्तं तारोपाख्यानमेव च ।
सूर्यवंशानुकथनं शशादाद्या नृगादय: ॥ २२ ॥
सूर्यवंशानुकथनं शशादाद्या नृगादय: ॥ २२ ॥
Verse text
ilopākhyānam atroktaṁ
tāropākhyānam eva ca
sūrya-vaṁśānukathanaṁ
śaśādādyā nṛgādayaḥ
tāropākhyānam eva ca
sūrya-vaṁśānukathanaṁ
śaśādādyā nṛgādayaḥ
Synonyms
ilā-upākhyānam — the history of Ilā; atra — herein; uktam — is spoken; tārā-upākhyānam — the history of Tārā; eva — indeed; ca — also; sūrya-vaṁśa — of the dynasty of the sun-god; anukathanam — the narration; śaśāda-ādyāḥ — Śaśāda and others; nṛga-ādayaḥ — Nṛga and others.
Translation
Also related are the histories of Ilā and Tārā, and the description of the descendants of the sun-god, including such kings as Śaśāda and Nṛga.
Devanagari
सौकन्यं चाथ शर्याते: ककुत्स्थस्य च धीमत: ।
खट्वाङ्गस्य च मान्धातु: सौभरे: सगरस्य च ॥ २३ ॥
खट्वाङ्गस्य च मान्धातु: सौभरे: सगरस्य च ॥ २३ ॥
Verse text
saukanyaṁ cātha śaryāteḥ
kakutsthasya ca dhīmataḥ
khaṭvāṅgasya ca māndhātuḥ
saubhareḥ sagarasya ca
kakutsthasya ca dhīmataḥ
khaṭvāṅgasya ca māndhātuḥ
saubhareḥ sagarasya ca
Synonyms
Translation
The histories of Sukanyā, Śaryāti, the intelligent Kakutstha, Khaṭvāṅga, Māndhātā, Saubhari and Sagara are narrated.
Devanagari
रामस्य कोशलेन्द्रस्य चरितं किल्बिषापहम् ।
निमेरङ्गपरित्यागो जनकानां च सम्भव: ॥ २४ ॥
निमेरङ्गपरित्यागो जनकानां च सम्भव: ॥ २४ ॥
Verse text
rāmasya kośalendrasya
caritaṁ kilbiṣāpaham
nimer aṅga-parityāgo
janakānāṁ ca sambhavaḥ
caritaṁ kilbiṣāpaham
nimer aṅga-parityāgo
janakānāṁ ca sambhavaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
The Bhāgavatam narrates the sanctifying pastimes of Lord Rāmacandra, the King of Kośala, and also explains how King Nimi abandoned his material body. The appearance of the descendants of King Janaka is also mentioned.
Devanagari
रामस्य भार्गवेन्द्रस्य नि:क्षत्रीकरणं भुव: ।
ऐलस्य सोमवंशस्य ययातेर्नहुषस्य च ॥ २५ ॥
दौष्मन्तेर्भरतस्यापि शान्तनोस्तत्सुतस्य च ।
ययातेर्ज्येष्ठपुत्रस्य यदोर्वंशोऽनुकीर्तित: ॥ २६ ॥
ऐलस्य सोमवंशस्य ययातेर्नहुषस्य च ॥ २५ ॥
दौष्मन्तेर्भरतस्यापि शान्तनोस्तत्सुतस्य च ।
ययातेर्ज्येष्ठपुत्रस्य यदोर्वंशोऽनुकीर्तित: ॥ २६ ॥
Verse text
rāmasya bhārgavendrasya
niḥkṣatrī-karaṇaṁ bhuvaḥ
ailasya soma-vaṁśasya
yayāter nahuṣasya ca
niḥkṣatrī-karaṇaṁ bhuvaḥ
ailasya soma-vaṁśasya
yayāter nahuṣasya ca
dauṣmanter bharatasyāpi
śāntanos tat-sutasya ca
yayāter jyeṣṭha-putrasya
yador vaṁśo ’nukīrtitaḥ
śāntanos tat-sutasya ca
yayāter jyeṣṭha-putrasya
yador vaṁśo ’nukīrtitaḥ
Synonyms
rāmasya — by Lord Paraśurāma; bhārgava-indrasya — the greatest of the descendants of Bhṛgu Muni; niḥkṣatrī-karaṇam — the elimination of all the kṣatriyas; bhuvaḥ — of the earth; ailasya — of Mahārāja Aila; soma-vaṁśasya — of the dynasty of the moon-god; yayāteḥ — of Yayāti; nahuṣasya — of Nahuṣa; ca — and; dauṣmanteḥ — of the son of Duṣmanta; bharatasya — Bharata; api — also; śāntanoḥ — of King Śāntanu; tat — his; sutasya — of the son, Bhīṣma; ca — and; yayāteḥ — of Yayāti; jyeṣṭha-putrasya — of the eldest son; yadoḥ — Yadu; vaṁśaḥ — the dynasty; anu-kīrtitaḥ — is glorified.
Translation
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam describes how Lord Paraśurāma, the greatest descendant of Bhṛgu, annihilated all the kṣatriyas on the face of the earth. It further recounts the lives of glorious kings who appeared in the dynasty of the moon-god — kings such as Aila, Yayāti, Nahuṣa, Duṣmanta’s son Bharata, Śāntanu and Śāntanu’s son Bhīṣma. Also described is the great dynasty founded by King Yadu, the eldest son of Yayāti.
Devanagari
यत्रावतीर्णो भगवान् कृष्णाख्यो जगदीश्वर: ।
वसुदेवगृहे जन्म ततो वृद्धिश्च गोकुले ॥ २७ ॥
वसुदेवगृहे जन्म ततो वृद्धिश्च गोकुले ॥ २७ ॥
Verse text
yatrāvatīrṇo bhagavān
kṛṣṇākhyo jagad-īśvaraḥ
vasudeva-gṛhe janma
tato vṛddhiś ca gokule
kṛṣṇākhyo jagad-īśvaraḥ
vasudeva-gṛhe janma
tato vṛddhiś ca gokule
Synonyms
yatra — in which dynasty; avatīrṇaḥ — descended; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kṛṣṇa-ākhyaḥ — known as Kṛṣṇa; jagat-īśvaraḥ — the Lord of the universe; vasudeva-gṛhe — in the home of Vasudeva; janma — His birth; tataḥ — subsequently; vṛddhiḥ — His growing up; ca — and; gokule — in Gokula.
Translation
How Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and Lord of the universe, descended into this Yadu dynasty, how He took birth in the home of Vasudeva, and how He then grew up in Gokula — all this is described in detail.
Devanagari
तस्य कर्माण्यपाराणि कीर्तितान्यसुरद्विष: ।
पूतनासुपय:पानं शकटोच्चाटनं शिशो: ॥ २८ ॥
तृणावर्तस्य निष्पेषस्तथैव बकवत्सयो: ।
अघासुरवधो धात्रा वत्सपालावगूहनम् ॥ २९ ॥
पूतनासुपय:पानं शकटोच्चाटनं शिशो: ॥ २८ ॥
तृणावर्तस्य निष्पेषस्तथैव बकवत्सयो: ।
अघासुरवधो धात्रा वत्सपालावगूहनम् ॥ २९ ॥
Verse text
tasya karmāṇy apārāṇi
kīrtitāny asura-dviṣaḥ
pūtanāsu-payaḥ-pānaṁ
śakaṭoccāṭanaṁ śiśoḥ
kīrtitāny asura-dviṣaḥ
pūtanāsu-payaḥ-pānaṁ
śakaṭoccāṭanaṁ śiśoḥ
tṛṇāvartasya niṣpeṣas
tathaiva baka-vatsayoḥ
aghāsura-vadho dhātrā
vatsa-pālāvagūhanam
tathaiva baka-vatsayoḥ
aghāsura-vadho dhātrā
vatsa-pālāvagūhanam
Synonyms
tasya — His; karmāṇi — activities; apārāṇi — innumerable; kīrtitāni — are glorified; asura-dviṣaḥ — of the enemy of the demons; pūtanā — of the witch Pūtanā; asu — along with her life air; payaḥ — of the milk; pānam — the drinking; śakaṭa — of the cart; uccāṭanam — the breaking; śiśoḥ — by the child; tṛṇāvartasya — of Tṛṇāvarta; niṣpeṣaḥ — the trampling; tathā — and; eva — indeed; baka-vatsayoḥ — of the demons named Baka and Vatsa; agha-asura — of the demon Agha; vadhaḥ — the killing; dhātrā — by Lord Brahmā; vatsa-pāla — of the calves and cowherd boys; avagūhanam — the hiding away.
Translation
Also glorified are the innumerable pastimes of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the enemy of the demons, including His childhood pastimes of sucking out Pūtanā’s life air along with her breast milk, breaking the cart, trampling down Tṛṇāvarta, killing Bakāsura, Vatsāsura and Aghāsura, and the pastimes He enacted when Lord Brahmā hid His calves and cowherd boyfriends in a cave.
Devanagari
धेनुकस्य सहभ्रातु: प्रलम्बस्य च सङ्क्षय: ।
गोपानां च परित्राणं दावाग्ने: परिसर्पत: ॥ ३० ॥
गोपानां च परित्राणं दावाग्ने: परिसर्पत: ॥ ३० ॥
Verse text
dhenukasya saha-bhrātuḥ
pralambasya ca saṅkṣayaḥ
gopānāṁ ca paritrāṇaṁ
dāvāgneḥ parisarpataḥ
pralambasya ca saṅkṣayaḥ
gopānāṁ ca paritrāṇaṁ
dāvāgneḥ parisarpataḥ
Synonyms
dhenukasya — of Dhenuka; saha-bhrātuḥ — along with his companions; pralambasya — of Pralamba; ca — and; saṅkṣayaḥ — the destruction; gopānām — of the cowherd boys; ca — and; paritrāṇam — the saving; dāva-agneḥ — from the forest fire; parisarpataḥ — which was encircling.
Translation
The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam tells how Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma killed the demon Dhenukāsura and his companions, how Lord Balarāma destroyed Pralambāsura, and also how Kṛṣṇa saved the cowherd boys from a raging forest fire that had encircled them.
Devanagari
दमनं कालियस्याहेर्महाहेर्नन्दमोक्षणम् ।
व्रतचर्या तु कन्यानां यत्र तुष्टोऽच्युतो व्रतै: ॥ ३१ ॥
प्रसादो यज्ञपत्नीभ्यो विप्राणां चानुतापनम् ।
गोवर्धनोद्धारणं च शक्रस्य सुरभेरथ ॥ ३२ ॥
यज्ञाभिषेक: कृष्णस्य स्त्रीभि: क्रीडा च रात्रिषु ।
शङ्खचूडस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्वधोऽरिष्टस्य केशिन: ॥ ३३ ॥
व्रतचर्या तु कन्यानां यत्र तुष्टोऽच्युतो व्रतै: ॥ ३१ ॥
प्रसादो यज्ञपत्नीभ्यो विप्राणां चानुतापनम् ।
गोवर्धनोद्धारणं च शक्रस्य सुरभेरथ ॥ ३२ ॥
यज्ञाभिषेक: कृष्णस्य स्त्रीभि: क्रीडा च रात्रिषु ।
शङ्खचूडस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्वधोऽरिष्टस्य केशिन: ॥ ३३ ॥
Verse text
damanaṁ kāliyasyāher
mahāher nanda-mokṣaṇam
vrata-caryā tu kanyānāṁ
yatra tuṣṭo ’cyuto vrataiḥ
mahāher nanda-mokṣaṇam
vrata-caryā tu kanyānāṁ
yatra tuṣṭo ’cyuto vrataiḥ
prasādo yajña-patnībhyo
viprāṇāṁ cānutāpanam
govardhanoddhāraṇaṁ ca
śakrasya surabher atha
viprāṇāṁ cānutāpanam
govardhanoddhāraṇaṁ ca
śakrasya surabher atha
yajñabhiṣekaḥ kṛṣṇasya
strībhiḥ krīḍā ca rātriṣu
śaṅkhacūḍasya durbuddher
vadho ’riṣṭasya keśinaḥ
strībhiḥ krīḍā ca rātriṣu
śaṅkhacūḍasya durbuddher
vadho ’riṣṭasya keśinaḥ
Synonyms
damanam — the subduing; kāliyasya — of Kāliya; aheḥ — the snake; mahā-aheḥ — from the great serpent; nanda-mokṣaṇam — the rescue of Mahārāja Nanda; vrata-caryā — the execution of austere vows; tu — and; kanyānām — of the gopīs; yatra — by which; tuṣṭaḥ — became satisfied; acyutaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; vrataiḥ — with their vows; prasādaḥ — the mercy; yajña-patnībhyaḥ — to the wives of the brāhmaṇas performing Vedic sacrifices; viprāṇām — of the brāhmaṇa husbands; ca — and; anutāpanam — the experience of remorse; govardhana-uddhāraṇam — the lifting of Govardhana Hill; ca — and; śakrasya — by Indra; surabheḥ — along with the Surabhi cow; atha — then; yajña-abhiṣekaḥ — the worship and ritual bathing; kṛṣṇasya — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; strībhiḥ — together with the women; krīḍā — the sporting; ca — and; rātriṣu — in the nights; śaṅkhacūḍasya — of the demon Śaṅkhacūḍa; durbuddheḥ — who was foolish; vadhaḥ — the killing; ariṣṭasya — of Ariṣṭa; keśinaḥ — of Keśī.
Translation
The chastisement of the serpent Kāliya; the rescue of Nanda Mahārāja from a great snake; the severe vows performed by the young gopīs, who thus satisfied Lord Kṛṣṇa; the mercy He showed the wives of the Vedic brāhmaṇas, who felt remorse; the lifting of Govardhana Hill followed by the worship and bathing ceremony performed by Indra and the Surabhi cow; Lord Kṛṣṇa’s nocturnal pastimes with the cowherd girls; and the killing of the foolish demons Śaṅkhacūḍa, Ariṣṭa and Keśī — all these pastimes are elaborately recounted.
Devanagari
अक्रूरागमनं पश्चात् प्रस्थानं रामकृष्णयो: ।
व्रजस्त्रीणां विलापश्च मथुरालोकनं तत: ॥ ३४ ॥
व्रजस्त्रीणां विलापश्च मथुरालोकनं तत: ॥ ३४ ॥
Verse text
akrūrāgamanaṁ paścāt
prasthānaṁ rāma-kṛṣṇayoḥ
vraja-strīṇāṁ vilāpaś ca
mathurālokanaṁ tataḥ
prasthānaṁ rāma-kṛṣṇayoḥ
vraja-strīṇāṁ vilāpaś ca
mathurālokanaṁ tataḥ
Synonyms
Translation
The Bhāgavatam describes the arrival of Akrūra, the subsequent departure of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, the lamentation of the gopīs and the touring of Mathurā.
Devanagari
गजमुष्टिकचाणूरकंसादीनां तथा वध: ।
मृतस्यानयनं सूनो: पुन: सान्दीपनेर्गुरो: ॥ ३५ ॥
मृतस्यानयनं सूनो: पुन: सान्दीपनेर्गुरो: ॥ ३५ ॥
Verse text
gaja-muṣṭika-cāṇūra-
kaṁsādīnāṁ tathā vadhaḥ
mṛtasyānayanaṁ sūnoḥ
punaḥ sāndīpaner guroḥ
kaṁsādīnāṁ tathā vadhaḥ
mṛtasyānayanaṁ sūnoḥ
punaḥ sāndīpaner guroḥ
Synonyms
gaja — of the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa; muṣṭika-cāṇūra — of the wrestlers Muṣṭika and Cāṇūra; kaṁsa — of Kaṁsa; ādīnām — and of others; tathā — also; vadhaḥ — the killing; mṛtasya — who had died; ānayanam — the bringing back; sūnoḥ — of the son; punaḥ — again; sāndīpaneḥ — of Sāndīpani; guroḥ — their spiritual master.
Translation
Also narrated are how Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma killed the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa, the wrestlers Muṣṭika and Cāṇūra, and Kaṁsa and other demons, as well as how Kṛṣṇa brought back the dead son of His spiritual master, Sāndīpani Muni.
Devanagari
मथुरायां निवसता यदुचक्रस्य यत्प्रियम् ।
कृतमुद्धवरामाभ्यां युतेन हरिणा द्विजा: ॥ ३६ ॥
कृतमुद्धवरामाभ्यां युतेन हरिणा द्विजा: ॥ ३६ ॥
Verse text
mathurāyāṁ nivasatā
yadu-cakrasya yat priyam
kṛtam uddhava-rāmābhyāṁ
yutena hariṇā dvijāḥ
yadu-cakrasya yat priyam
kṛtam uddhava-rāmābhyāṁ
yutena hariṇā dvijāḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Then, O brāhmaṇas, this scripture recounts how Lord Hari, while residing in Mathurā in the company of Uddhava and Balarāma, performed pastimes for the satisfaction of the Yadu dynasty.
Devanagari
जरासन्धसमानीतसैन्यस्य बहुशो वध: ।
घातनं यवनेन्द्रस्य कुशस्थल्या निवेशनम् ॥ ३७ ॥
घातनं यवनेन्द्रस्य कुशस्थल्या निवेशनम् ॥ ३७ ॥
Verse text
jarāsandha-samānīta-
sainyasya bahuśo vadhaḥ
ghātanaṁ yavanendrasya
kuśasthalyā niveśanam
sainyasya bahuśo vadhaḥ
ghātanaṁ yavanendrasya
kuśasthalyā niveśanam
Synonyms
jarāsandha — bv King Jarāsandha; samānīta — assembled; sainyasya — of the army; bahuśaḥ — many times; vadhaḥ — the annihilation; ghātanam — the killing; yavana-indrasya — of the king of the barbarians; kuśasthalyāḥ — of Dvārakā; niveśanam — the founding.
Translation
Also described are the annihilation of each of the many armies brought by Jarāsandha, the killing of the barbarian king Kālayavana and the establishment of Dvārakā City.
Devanagari
आदानं पारिजातस्य सुधर्माया: सुरालयात् ।
रुक्मिण्या हरणं युद्धे प्रमथ्य द्विषतो हरे: ॥ ३८ ॥
रुक्मिण्या हरणं युद्धे प्रमथ्य द्विषतो हरे: ॥ ३८ ॥
Verse text
ādānaṁ pārijātasya
sudharmāyāḥ surālayāt
rukmiṇyā haraṇaṁ yuddhe
pramathya dviṣato hareḥ
sudharmāyāḥ surālayāt
rukmiṇyā haraṇaṁ yuddhe
pramathya dviṣato hareḥ
Synonyms
Translation
This work also describes how Lord Kṛṣṇa brought from heaven the pārijāta tree and the Sudharmā assembly hall, and how He kidnapped Rukmiṇī by defeating all His rivals in battle.
Devanagari
हरस्य जृम्भणं युद्धे बाणस्य भुजकृन्तनम् ।
प्राग्ज्योतिषपतिं हत्वा कन्यानां हरणं च यत् ॥ ३९ ॥
प्राग्ज्योतिषपतिं हत्वा कन्यानां हरणं च यत् ॥ ३९ ॥
Verse text
harasya jṛmbhaṇaṁ yuddhe
bāṇasya bhuja-kṛntanam
prāgjyotiṣa-patiṁ hatvā
kanyānāṁ haraṇaṁ ca yat
bāṇasya bhuja-kṛntanam
prāgjyotiṣa-patiṁ hatvā
kanyānāṁ haraṇaṁ ca yat
Synonyms
Translation
Also narrated are how Lord Kṛṣṇa, in the battle with Bāṇāsura, defeated Lord Śiva by making him yawn, how the Lord cut off Bāṇāsura’s arms, and how He killed the master of Prāgjyotiṣapura and then rescued the young princesses held captive in that city.
Devanagari
चैद्यपौण्ड्रकशाल्वानां दन्तवक्रस्य दुर्मते: ।
शम्बरो द्विविद: पीठो मुर: पञ्चजनादय: ॥ ४० ॥
माहात्म्यं च वधस्तेषां वाराणस्याश्च दाहनम् ।
भारावतरणं भूमेर्निमित्तीकृत्य पाण्डवान् ॥ ४१ ॥
शम्बरो द्विविद: पीठो मुर: पञ्चजनादय: ॥ ४० ॥
माहात्म्यं च वधस्तेषां वाराणस्याश्च दाहनम् ।
भारावतरणं भूमेर्निमित्तीकृत्य पाण्डवान् ॥ ४१ ॥
Verse text
caidya-pauṇḍraka-śālvānāṁ
dantavakrasya durmateḥ
śambaro dvividaḥ pīṭho
muraḥ pañcajanādayaḥ
dantavakrasya durmateḥ
śambaro dvividaḥ pīṭho
muraḥ pañcajanādayaḥ
māhātmyaṁ ca vadhas teṣāṁ
vārāṇasyāś ca dāhanam
bhārāvataraṇaṁ bhūmer
nimittī-kṛtya pāṇḍavān
vārāṇasyāś ca dāhanam
bhārāvataraṇaṁ bhūmer
nimittī-kṛtya pāṇḍavān
Synonyms
caidya — of the King of Cedi, Śiśupāla; pauṇḍraka — of Pauṇḍraka; śālvānām — and of Śālva; dantavakrasya — of Dantavakra; durmateḥ — the foolish; śambaraḥ dvividaḥ pīṭhaḥ — the demons Śambara, Dvivida and Pīṭha; muraḥ pañcajana-ādayaḥ — Mura, Pañcajana and others; māhātmyam — the prowess; ca — and; vadhaḥ — the death; teṣām — of these; vārāṇasyāḥ — of the holy city of Benares; ca — and; dāhanam — the burning; bhāra — of the burden; avataraṇam — the reduction; bhūmeḥ — of the earth; nimittī-kṛtya — making the apparent cause; pāṇḍavān — the sons of Pāṇḍu.
Translation
There are descriptions of the powers and the deaths of the King of Cedi, Pauṇḍraka, Śālva, the foolish Dantavakra, Śambara, Dvivida, Pīṭha, Mura, Pañcajana and other demons, along with a description of how Vārāṇasī was burned to the ground. The Bhāgavatam also recounts how Lord Kṛṣṇa relieved the earth’s burden by engaging the Pāṇḍavas in the Battle of Kurukṣetra.
Devanagari
विप्रशापापदेशेन संहार: स्वकुलस्य च ।
उद्धवस्य च संवादो वसुदेवस्य चाद्भुत: ॥ ४२ ॥
यत्रात्मविद्या ह्यखिला प्रोक्ता धर्मविनिर्णय: ।
ततो मर्त्यपरित्याग आत्मयोगानुभावत: ॥ ४३ ॥
उद्धवस्य च संवादो वसुदेवस्य चाद्भुत: ॥ ४२ ॥
यत्रात्मविद्या ह्यखिला प्रोक्ता धर्मविनिर्णय: ।
ततो मर्त्यपरित्याग आत्मयोगानुभावत: ॥ ४३ ॥
Verse text
vipra-śāpāpadeśena
saṁhāraḥ sva-kulasya ca
uddhavasya ca saṁvādo
vasudevasya cādbhutaḥ
saṁhāraḥ sva-kulasya ca
uddhavasya ca saṁvādo
vasudevasya cādbhutaḥ
yatrātma-vidyā hy akhilā
proktā dharma-vinirṇayaḥ
tato martya-parityāga
ātma-yogānubhāvataḥ
proktā dharma-vinirṇayaḥ
tato martya-parityāga
ātma-yogānubhāvataḥ
Synonyms
vipra-śāpa — of the curse by the brāhmaṇas; apadeśena — on the pretext; saṁhāraḥ — the withdrawal; sva-kulasya — of His own family; ca — and; uddhavasya — with Uddhava; ca — and; saṁvādaḥ — the discussion; vasudevasya — of Vasudeva (with Nārada); ca — and; adbhutaḥ — wonderful; yatra — in which; ātma-vidyā — the science of the self; hi — indeed; akhilā — completely; proktā — was spoken; dharma-vinirṇayaḥ — the ascertainment of the principles of religion; tataḥ — then; martya — of the mortal world; parityāgaḥ — the giving up; ātma-yoga — of His personal mystic power; anubhāvataḥ — on the strength.
Translation
How the Lord withdrew His own dynasty on the pretext of the brāhmaṇas’ curse; Vasudeva’s conversation with Nārada; the extraordinary conversation between Uddhava and Kṛṣṇa, which reveals the science of the self in complete detail and elucidates the religious principles of human society; and then how Lord Kṛṣṇa gave up this mortal world by His own mystic power — the Bhāgavatam narrates all these events.
Devanagari
युगलक्षणवृत्तिश्च कलौ नृणामुपप्लव: ।
चतुर्विधश्च प्रलय उत्पत्तिस्त्रिविधा तथा ॥ ४४ ॥
चतुर्विधश्च प्रलय उत्पत्तिस्त्रिविधा तथा ॥ ४४ ॥
Verse text
yuga-lakṣaṇa-vṛttiś ca
kalau nṝṇām upaplavaḥ
catur-vidhaś ca pralaya
utpattis tri-vidhā tathā
kalau nṝṇām upaplavaḥ
catur-vidhaś ca pralaya
utpattis tri-vidhā tathā
Synonyms
yuga — of the different ages; lakṣaṇa — the characteristics; vṛttiḥ — and the corresponding activities; ca — also; kalau — in the present Age of Kali; nṝṇām — of men; upaplavaḥ — the total disturbance; catuḥ-vidhaḥ — fourfold; ca — and; pralayaḥ — the process of annihilation; utpattiḥ — creation; tri-vidhā — of three kinds; tathā — and.
Translation
This work also describes people’s characteristics and behavior in the different ages, the chaos men experience in the Age of Kali, the four kinds of annihilation and the three kinds of creation.
Devanagari
देहत्यागश्च राजर्षेर्विष्णुरातस्य धीमत: ।
शाखाप्रणयनमृषेर्मार्कण्डेयस्य सत्कथा ।
महापुरुषविन्यास: सूर्यस्य जगदात्मन: ॥ ४५ ॥
शाखाप्रणयनमृषेर्मार्कण्डेयस्य सत्कथा ।
महापुरुषविन्यास: सूर्यस्य जगदात्मन: ॥ ४५ ॥
Verse text
deha-tyāgaś ca rājarṣer
viṣṇu-rātasya dhīmataḥ
śākhā-praṇayanam ṛṣer
mārkaṇḍeyasya sat-kathā
mahā-puruṣa-vinyāsaḥ
sūryasya jagad-ātmanaḥ
viṣṇu-rātasya dhīmataḥ
śākhā-praṇayanam ṛṣer
mārkaṇḍeyasya sat-kathā
mahā-puruṣa-vinyāsaḥ
sūryasya jagad-ātmanaḥ
Synonyms
deha-tyāgaḥ — the relinquishing of his body; ca — and; rāja-ṛṣeḥ — by the saintly king; viṣṇu-rātasya — Parīkṣit; dhī-mataḥ — the intelligent; śākhā — of the branches of the Vedas; praṇayanam — the dissemination; ṛṣeḥ — from the great sage Vyāsadeva; mārkaṇḍeyasya — of Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi; sat-kathā — the pious narration; mahā-puruṣa — of the universal form of the Lord; vinyāsaḥ — the detailed arrangement; sūryasya — of the sun; jagat-ātmanaḥ — who is the soul of the universe.
Translation
There are also an account of the passing away of the wise and saintly King Viṣṇurāta [Parīkṣit], an explanation of how Śrīla Vyāsadeva disseminated the branches of the Vedas, a pious narration concerning Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, and a description of the detailed arrangement of the Lord’s universal form and His form as the sun, the soul of the universe.
Devanagari
इति चोक्तं द्विजश्रेष्ठा यत्पृष्टोऽहमिहास्मि व: ।
लीलावतारकर्माणि कीर्तितानीह सर्वश: ॥ ४६ ॥
लीलावतारकर्माणि कीर्तितानीह सर्वश: ॥ ४६ ॥
Verse text
iti coktaṁ dvija-śreṣṭhā
yat pṛṣṭo ’ham ihāsmi vaḥ
līlāvatāra-karmāṇi
kīrtitānīha sarvaśaḥ
yat pṛṣṭo ’ham ihāsmi vaḥ
līlāvatāra-karmāṇi
kīrtitānīha sarvaśaḥ
Synonyms
iti — thus; ca — and; uktam — spoken; dvija-śreṣṭhāḥ — O best of the brāhmaṇas; yat — what; pṛṣṭaḥ — inquired; aham — I; iha — here; asmi — have been; vaḥ — by you; līlā-avatāra — of the divine descents of the Supreme Lord for His own enjoyment; karmāṇi — the activities; kīrtitāni — have been glorified; iha — in this scripture; sarvaśaḥ — completely.
Translation
Thus, O best of the brāhmaṇas, I have explained herein what you have inquired from me. This literature has glorified in full detail the activities of the Lord’s pastime incarnations.
Devanagari
पतित: स्खलितश्चार्त: क्षुत्त्वा वा विवशो गृणन् ।
हरये नम इत्युच्चैर्मुच्यते सर्वपातकात् ॥ ४७ ॥
हरये नम इत्युच्चैर्मुच्यते सर्वपातकात् ॥ ४७ ॥
Verse text
patitaḥ skhalitaś cārtaḥ
kṣuttvā vā vivaśo gṛṇan
haraye nama ity uccair
mucyate sarva-pātakāt
kṣuttvā vā vivaśo gṛṇan
haraye nama ity uccair
mucyate sarva-pātakāt
Synonyms
Translation
If when falling, slipping, feeling pain or sneezing one involuntarily cries out in a loud voice, “Obeisances to Lord Hari!” one will be automatically freed from all his sinful reactions.
Purport
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains that Lord Śrī Caitanya is always loudly chanting the song haraye namaḥ kṛṣṇa in the courtyard of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura and that this same Lord Caitanya will free us from our materialistic enjoying propensity if we also loudly chant the glories of the Supreme Lord Hari.
Devanagari
सङ्कीर्त्यमानो भगवाननन्त:
श्रुतानुभावो व्यसनं हि पुंसाम् ।
प्रविश्य चित्तं विधुनोत्यशेषं
यथा तमोऽर्कोऽभ्रमिवातिवात: ॥ ४८ ॥
श्रुतानुभावो व्यसनं हि पुंसाम् ।
प्रविश्य चित्तं विधुनोत्यशेषं
यथा तमोऽर्कोऽभ्रमिवातिवात: ॥ ४८ ॥
Verse text
saṅkīrtyamāno bhagavān anantaḥ
śrutānubhāvo vyasanaṁ hi puṁsām
praviśya cittaṁ vidhunoty aśeṣaṁ
yathā tamo ’rko ’bhram ivāti-vātaḥ
śrutānubhāvo vyasanaṁ hi puṁsām
praviśya cittaṁ vidhunoty aśeṣaṁ
yathā tamo ’rko ’bhram ivāti-vātaḥ
Synonyms
saṅkīrtyamānaḥ — being properly chanted about; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; anantaḥ — the unlimited; śruta — being heard about; anubhāvaḥ — His potency; vyasanam — the misery; hi — indeed; puṁsām — of persons; praviśya — enter; cittam — the heart; vidhunoti — cleans away; aśeṣam — entirely; yathā — just as; tamaḥ — darkness; arkaḥ — the sun; abhram — clouds; iva — as; ati-vātaḥ — a strong wind.
Translation
When people properly glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead or simply hear about His power, the Lord personally enters their hearts and cleanses away every trace of misfortune, just as the sun removes the darkness or as a powerful wind drives away the clouds.
Purport
One may not be satisfied by the example of the sun removing the darkness, since sometimes the darkness in a cave is not removed by the sun. Therefore the example is given of a strong wind that drives away a cover of clouds. It is thus emphatically stated here that the Supreme Lord will remove from the heart of His devotee the darkness of material illusion.
Devanagari
मृषा गिरस्ता ह्यसतीरसत्कथा
न कथ्यते यद् भगवानधोक्षज: ।
तदेव सत्यं तदुहैव मङ्गलं
तदेव पुण्यं भगवद्गुणोदयम् ॥ ४९ ॥
न कथ्यते यद् भगवानधोक्षज: ।
तदेव सत्यं तदुहैव मङ्गलं
तदेव पुण्यं भगवद्गुणोदयम् ॥ ४९ ॥
Verse text
mṛṣā giras tā hy asatīr asat-kathā
na kathyate yad bhagavān adhokṣajaḥ
tad eva satyaṁ tad u haiva maṅgalaṁ
tad eva puṇyaṁ bhagavad-guṇodayam
na kathyate yad bhagavān adhokṣajaḥ
tad eva satyaṁ tad u haiva maṅgalaṁ
tad eva puṇyaṁ bhagavad-guṇodayam
Synonyms
mṛṣāḥ — false; giraḥ — words; tāḥ — they; hi — indeed; asatīḥ — untrue; asat-kathāḥ — useless discussions of that which is not eternal; na kathyate — is not discussed; yat — wherein; bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; adhokṣajaḥ — the transcendental Lord; tat — that; eva — alone; satyam — true; tat — that; u ha — indeed; eva — alone; maṅgalam — auspicious; tat — that; eva — alone; puṇyam — pious; bhagavat-guṇa — the qualities of the Supreme Personality; udayam — which manifests.
Translation
Words that do not describe the transcendental Personality of Godhead but instead deal with temporary matters are simply false and useless. Only those words that manifest the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord are actually truthful, auspicious and pious.
Purport
Sooner or later, all material literature and discussion must fail the test of time. On the other hand, the transcendental descriptions of the Supreme Lord can free us from the bondage of illusion and restore us to our eternal status as loving servants of the Lord. Although men who are like animals may criticize the glorification of the Absolute Truth, those who are civilized should go on vigorously propagating the transcendental glories of the Lord.
Devanagari
तदेव रम्यं रुचिरं नवं नवं
तदेव शश्वन्मनसो महोत्सवम् ।
तदेव शोकार्णवशोषणं नृणां
यदुत्तम:श्लोकयशोऽनुगीयते ॥ ५० ॥
तदेव शश्वन्मनसो महोत्सवम् ।
तदेव शोकार्णवशोषणं नृणां
यदुत्तम:श्लोकयशोऽनुगीयते ॥ ५० ॥
Verse text
tad eva ramyaṁ ruciraṁ navaṁ navaṁ
tad eva śaśvan manaso mahotsavam
tad eva śokārṇava-śoṣaṇaṁ nṛṇāṁ
yad uttamaḥśloka-yaśo ’nugīyate
tad eva śaśvan manaso mahotsavam
tad eva śokārṇava-śoṣaṇaṁ nṛṇāṁ
yad uttamaḥśloka-yaśo ’nugīyate
Synonyms
tat — that; eva — indeed; ramyam — attractive; ruciram — palatable; navam navam — newer and newer; tat — that; eva — indeed; śaśvat — constantly; manasaḥ — for the mind; mahā-utsavam — a great festival; tat — that; eva — indeed; śoka-arṇava — the ocean of misery; śoṣaṇam — that which dries; nṛṇām — for all persons; yat — in which; uttamaḥśloka — of the all-famous Supreme Personality of Godhead; yaśaḥ — the glories; anugīyate — are sung.
Translation
Those words describing the glories of the all-famous Personality of Godhead are attractive, relishable and ever fresh. Indeed, such words are a perpetual festival for the mind, and they dry up the ocean of misery.
Devanagari
न यद् वचश्चित्रपदं हरेर्यशो
जगत्पवित्रं प्रगृणीत कर्हिचित् ।
तद् ध्वाङ्क्षतीर्थं न तु हंससेवितं
यत्राच्युतस्तत्र हि साधवोऽमला: ॥ ५१ ॥
जगत्पवित्रं प्रगृणीत कर्हिचित् ।
तद् ध्वाङ्क्षतीर्थं न तु हंससेवितं
यत्राच्युतस्तत्र हि साधवोऽमला: ॥ ५१ ॥
Verse text
na yad vacaś citra-padaṁ harer yaśo
jagat-pavitraṁ pragṛṇīta karhicit
tad dhvāṅkṣa-tīrthaṁ na tu haṁsa-sevitaṁ
yatrācyutas tatra hi sādhavo ’malāḥ
jagat-pavitraṁ pragṛṇīta karhicit
tad dhvāṅkṣa-tīrthaṁ na tu haṁsa-sevitaṁ
yatrācyutas tatra hi sādhavo ’malāḥ
Synonyms
na — not; yat — which; vacaḥ — vocabulary; citra-padam — decorative words; hareḥ — of the Lord; yaśaḥ — the glories; jagat — the universe; pavitram — sanctifying; pragṛṇīta — describe; karhicit — ever; tat — that; dhvāṅkṣa — of the crows; tīrtham — a place of pilgrimage; na — not; tu — on the other hand; haṁsa — by saintly persons situated in knowledge; sevitam — served; yatra — in which; acyutaḥ — Lord Acyuta (is described); tatra — there; hi — alone; sādhavaḥ — the saints; amalāḥ — who are pure.
Translation
Those words that do not describe the glories of the Lord, who alone can sanctify the atmosphere of the whole universe, are considered to be like unto a place of pilgrimage for crows, and are never resorted to by those situated in transcendental knowledge. The pure and saintly devotees take interest only in topics glorifying the infallible Supreme Lord.
Devanagari
तद्वाग्विसर्गो जनताघसम्प्लवो
यस्मिन् प्रतिश्लोकमबद्धवत्यपि ।
नामान्यनन्तस्य यशोऽङ्कितानि य-
च्छृण्वन्ति गायन्ति गृणन्ति साधव: ॥ ५२ ॥
यस्मिन् प्रतिश्लोकमबद्धवत्यपि ।
नामान्यनन्तस्य यशोऽङ्कितानि य-
च्छृण्वन्ति गायन्ति गृणन्ति साधव: ॥ ५२ ॥
Verse text
tad vāg-visargo janatāgha-samplavo
yasmin prati-ślokam abaddhavaty api
nāmāny anantasya yaśo ’ṅkitāni yat
śṛṇvanti gāyanti gṛṇanti sādhavaḥ
yasmin prati-ślokam abaddhavaty api
nāmāny anantasya yaśo ’ṅkitāni yat
śṛṇvanti gāyanti gṛṇanti sādhavaḥ
Synonyms
tat — that; vāk — vocabulary; visargaḥ — creation; janatā — of the people in general; agha — of the sins; samplavaḥ — a revolution; yasmin — in which; prati-ślokam — each and every stanza; abaddhavati — is irregularly composed; api — although; nāmāni — the transcendental names, etc; anantasya — of the unlimited Lord; yaśaḥ — the glories; aṅkitāni — depicted; yat — which; śṛṇvanti — do hear; gāyanti — do sing; gṛṇanti — do accept; sādhavaḥ — the purified men who are honest.
Translation
On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes and so on of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.
Devanagari
नैष्कर्म्यमप्यच्युतभाववर्जितं
न शोभते ज्ञानमलं निरञ्जनम् ।
कुत: पुन: शश्वदभद्रमीश्वरे
न ह्यर्पितं कर्म यदप्यनुत्तमम् ॥ ५३ ॥
न शोभते ज्ञानमलं निरञ्जनम् ।
कुत: पुन: शश्वदभद्रमीश्वरे
न ह्यर्पितं कर्म यदप्यनुत्तमम् ॥ ५३ ॥
Verse text
naiṣkarmyam apy acyuta-bhāva-varjitaṁ
na śobhate jñānam alaṁ nirañjanam
kutaḥ punaḥ śaśvad abhadram īśvare
na hy arpitaṁ karma yad apy anuttamam
na śobhate jñānam alaṁ nirañjanam
kutaḥ punaḥ śaśvad abhadram īśvare
na hy arpitaṁ karma yad apy anuttamam
Synonyms
naiṣkarmyam — self-realization, being freed from the reactions of fruitive work; api — although; acyuta — of the infallible Lord; bhāva — conception; varjitam — devoid of; na — does not; śobhate — look well; jñānam — transcendental knowledge; alam — actually; nirañjanam — free from designations; kutaḥ — where is; punaḥ — again; śaśvat — always; abhadram — uncongenial; īśvare — unto the Lord; na — not; hi — indeed; arpitam — offered; karma — fruitive work; yat — which is; api — even; anuttamam — unsurpassed.
Translation
Knowledge of self-realization, even though free from all material affinity, does not look well if devoid of a conception of the Infallible [God]. What, then, is the use of even the most properly performed fruitive activities, which are naturally painful from the very beginning and transient by nature, if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord?
Purport
This and the previous two verses are found in a slightly different form in the First Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.10-12). The translations are based on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s.
Devanagari
यश:श्रियामेव परिश्रम: परो
वर्णाश्रमाचारतप:श्रुतादिषु ।
अविस्मृति: श्रीधरपादपद्मयो-
र्गुणानुवादश्रवणादरादिभि: ॥ ५४ ॥
वर्णाश्रमाचारतप:श्रुतादिषु ।
अविस्मृति: श्रीधरपादपद्मयो-
र्गुणानुवादश्रवणादरादिभि: ॥ ५४ ॥
Verse text
yaśaḥ-śriyām eva pariśramaḥ paro
varṇāśramācāra-tapaḥ-śrutādiṣu
avismṛtiḥ śrīdhara-pāda-padmayor
guṇānuvāda-śravaṇādarādibhiḥ
varṇāśramācāra-tapaḥ-śrutādiṣu
avismṛtiḥ śrīdhara-pāda-padmayor
guṇānuvāda-śravaṇādarādibhiḥ
Synonyms
yaśaḥ — in fame; śriyām — and opulence; eva — only; pariśramaḥ — the labor; paraḥ — great; varṇa-āśrama-ācāra — by one’s execution of duties in the varṇāśrama system; tapaḥ — austerities; śruta — hearing of sacred scripture; ādiṣu — and so on; avismṛtiḥ — remembrance; śrīdhara — of the maintainer of the goddess of fortune; pāda-padmayoḥ — of the lotus feet; guṇa-anuvāda — of the chanting of the qualities; śravaṇa — by hearing; ādara — respecting; ādibhiḥ — and so on.
Translation
The great endeavor one undergoes in executing the ordinary social and religious duties of the varṇāśrama system, in performing austerities, and in hearing from the Vedas culminates only in the achievement of mundane fame and opulence. But by respecting and attentively hearing the recitation of the transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord, the husband of the goddess of fortune, one can remember His lotus feet.
Devanagari
अविस्मृति: कृष्णपदारविन्दयो:
क्षिणोत्यभद्राणि च शं तनोति ।
सत्त्वस्य शुद्धिं परमात्मभक्तिं
ज्ञानं च विज्ञानविरागयुक्तम् ॥ ५५ ॥
क्षिणोत्यभद्राणि च शं तनोति ।
सत्त्वस्य शुद्धिं परमात्मभक्तिं
ज्ञानं च विज्ञानविरागयुक्तम् ॥ ५५ ॥
Verse text
avismṛtiḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayoḥ
kṣiṇoty abhadrāṇi ca śaṁ tanoti
sattvasya śuddhiṁ paramātma-bhaktiṁ
jñānaṁ ca vijñāna-virāga-yuktam
kṣiṇoty abhadrāṇi ca śaṁ tanoti
sattvasya śuddhiṁ paramātma-bhaktiṁ
jñānaṁ ca vijñāna-virāga-yuktam
Synonyms
avismṛtiḥ — remembrance; kṛṣṇa-pada-aravindayoḥ — of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet; kṣiṇoti — destroys; abhadrāṇi — everything inauspicious; ca — and; śam — good fortune; tanoti — expands; sattvasya — of the heart; śuddhim — the purification; parama-ātma — for the Supreme Soul; bhaktim — devotion; jñānam — knowledge; ca — and; vijñāna — with direct realization; virāga — and detachment; yuktam — endowed.
Translation
Remembrance of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet destroys everything inauspicious and awards the greatest good fortune. It purifies the heart and bestows devotion for the Supreme Soul, along with knowledge enriched with realization and renunciation.
Devanagari
यूयं द्विजाग्र्या बत भूरिभागा
यच्छश्वदात्मन्यखिलात्मभूतम् ।
नारायणं देवमदेवमीश-
मजस्रभावा भजताविवेश्य ॥ ५६ ॥
यच्छश्वदात्मन्यखिलात्मभूतम् ।
नारायणं देवमदेवमीश-
मजस्रभावा भजताविवेश्य ॥ ५६ ॥
Verse text
yūyaṁ dvijāgryā bata bhūri-bhāgā
yac chaśvad ātmany akhilātma-bhūtam
nārāyaṇaṁ devam adevam īśam
ajasra-bhāvā bhajatāviveśya
yac chaśvad ātmany akhilātma-bhūtam
nārāyaṇaṁ devam adevam īśam
ajasra-bhāvā bhajatāviveśya
Synonyms
yūyam — all of you; dvija-agryāḥ — O most eminent of brāhmaṇas; bata — indeed; bhūri-bhāgāḥ — extremely fortunate; yat — because; śaśvat — constantly; ātmani — in your hearts; akhila — of all; ātma-bhūtam — who is the ultimate Soul; nārāyaṇam — Lord Nārāyaṇa; devam — the Personality of Godhead; adevam — beyond whom there is no other god; īśam — the supreme controller; ajasra — without interruption; bhāvāḥ — having love; bhajata — you should worship; āviveśya — placing Him.
Translation
O most eminent of brāhmaṇas, you are all indeed extremely fortunate, since you have already placed within your hearts Lord Śrī Nārāyaṇa — the Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller and the ultimate Soul of all existence — beyond whom there is no other god. You have undeviating love for Him, and thus I request you to worship Him.
Devanagari
अहं च संस्मारित आत्मतत्त्वं
श्रुतं पुरा मे परमर्षिवक्त्रात् ।
प्रायोपवेशे नृपते: परीक्षित:
सदस्यृषीणां महतां च शृण्वताम् ॥ ५७ ॥
श्रुतं पुरा मे परमर्षिवक्त्रात् ।
प्रायोपवेशे नृपते: परीक्षित:
सदस्यृषीणां महतां च शृण्वताम् ॥ ५७ ॥
Verse text
ahaṁ ca saṁsmārita ātma-tattvaṁ
śrutaṁ purā me paramarṣi-vaktrāt
prāyopaveśe nṛpateḥ parīkṣitaḥ
sadasy ṛṣīṇāṁ mahatāṁ ca śṛṇvatām
śrutaṁ purā me paramarṣi-vaktrāt
prāyopaveśe nṛpateḥ parīkṣitaḥ
sadasy ṛṣīṇāṁ mahatāṁ ca śṛṇvatām
Synonyms
aham — I; ca — also; saṁsmāritaḥ — have been made to remember; ātma-tattvam — the science of the Supersoul; śrutam — heard; purā — previously; me — by me; parama-ṛṣi — of the greatest of sages, Śukadeva; vaktrāt — from the mouth; prāya-upaveśe — during the fast to death; nṛpateḥ — of the king; parīkṣitaḥ — Parīkṣit; sadasi — in the assembly; ṛṣīṇām — of sages; mahatām — great; ca — and; śṛṇvatām — while they were listening.
Translation
I also have now been fully reminded of the science of God, which I previously heard from the mouth of the great sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī. I was present in the assembly of great sages who heard him speak to King Parīkṣit as the monarch sat fasting until death.
Devanagari
एतद्व: कथितं विप्रा: कथनीयोरुकर्मण: ।
माहात्म्यं वासुदेवस्य सर्वाशुभविनाशनम् ॥ ५८ ॥
माहात्म्यं वासुदेवस्य सर्वाशुभविनाशनम् ॥ ५८ ॥
Verse text
etad vaḥ kathitaṁ viprāḥ
kathanīyoru-karmaṇaḥ
māhātmyaṁ vāsudevasya
sarvāśubha-vināśanam
kathanīyoru-karmaṇaḥ
māhātmyaṁ vāsudevasya
sarvāśubha-vināśanam
Synonyms
etat — this; vaḥ — to you; kathitam — narrated; viprāḥ — O brāhmaṇas; kathanīya — of Him who is most worthy of being described; uru-karmaṇaḥ — and whose activities are very great; māhātmyam — the glories; vāsudevasya — of Lord Vāsudeva; sarva-aśubha — all inauspiciousness; vināśanam — which completely destroys.
Translation
O brāhmaṇas, I have thus described to you the glories of the Supreme Lord Vāsudeva, whose extraordinary activities are most worthy of glorification. This narration destroys all that is inauspicious.
Devanagari
य एतत् श्रावयेन्नित्यं यामक्षणमनन्यधी: ।
श्लोकमेकं तदर्धं वा पादं पादार्धमेव वा ।
श्रद्धावान् योऽनुशृणुयात् पुनात्यात्मानमेव स: ॥ ५९ ॥
श्लोकमेकं तदर्धं वा पादं पादार्धमेव वा ।
श्रद्धावान् योऽनुशृणुयात् पुनात्यात्मानमेव स: ॥ ५९ ॥
Verse text
ya etat śrāvayen nityaṁ
yāma-kṣaṇam ananya-dhīḥ
ślokam ekaṁ tad-ardhaṁ vā
pādaṁ pādārdham eva vā
śraddhāvān yo ’nuśṛṇuyāt
punāty ātmānam eva saḥ
yāma-kṣaṇam ananya-dhīḥ
ślokam ekaṁ tad-ardhaṁ vā
pādaṁ pādārdham eva vā
śraddhāvān yo ’nuśṛṇuyāt
punāty ātmānam eva saḥ
Synonyms
yaḥ — who; etat — this; śrāvayet — makes others hear; nityam — always; yāma-kṣaṇam — every hour and every minute; ananya-dhīḥ — with undeviated attention; ślokam — verse; ekam — one; tat-ardham — half of that; vā — or; pādam — a single line; pāda-ardham — half a line; eva — indeed; vā — or; śraddhā-vān — with faith; yaḥ — who; anuśṛṇuyāt — hears from the proper source; punāti — purifies; ātmānam — his very self; eva — indeed; saḥ — he.
Translation
One who with undeviating attention constantly recites this literature at every moment of every hour, as well as one who faithfully hears even one verse or half a verse or a single line or even half a line, certainly purifies his very self.
Devanagari
द्वादश्यामेकादश्यां वा शृण्वन्नायुष्यवान्भवेत् ।
पठत्यनश्नन् प्रयतस्पूतो भवति पातकात् ॥ ६० ॥
पठत्यनश्नन् प्रयतस्पूतो भवति पातकात् ॥ ६० ॥
Verse text
dvādaśyām ekādaśyāṁ vā
śṛṇvann āyuṣyavān bhavet
paṭhaty anaśnan prayataḥ
pūto bhavati pātakāt
śṛṇvann āyuṣyavān bhavet
paṭhaty anaśnan prayataḥ
pūto bhavati pātakāt
Synonyms
dvādaśyām — on the twelfth day of either fortnight of the month; ekādaśyām — on the auspicious eleventh day; vā — or; śṛṇvan — hearing; āyuṣya-vān — possessed of long life; bhavet — one becomes; paṭhati — if one recites; anaśnan — while refraining from eating; prayataḥ — with careful attention; pūtaḥ — purified; bhavati — one becomes; pātakāt — from sinful reactions.
Translation
One who hears this Bhāgavatam on the Ekādaśī or Dvādaśī day is assured of long life, and one who recites it with careful attention while fasting is purified of all sinful reactions.
Devanagari
पुष्करे मथुरायां च द्वारवत्यां यतात्मवान् ।
उपोष्य संहितामेतां पठित्वा मुच्यते भयात् ॥ ६१ ॥
उपोष्य संहितामेतां पठित्वा मुच्यते भयात् ॥ ६१ ॥
Verse text
puṣkare mathurāyāṁ ca
dvāravatyāṁ yatātmavān
upoṣya saṁhitām etāṁ
paṭhitvā mucyate bhayāt
dvāravatyāṁ yatātmavān
upoṣya saṁhitām etāṁ
paṭhitvā mucyate bhayāt
Synonyms
Translation
One who controls his mind, fasts at the holy places Puṣkara, Mathurā or Dvārakā, and studies this scripture will be freed from all fear.
Devanagari
देवता मुनय: सिद्धा: पितरो मनवो नृपा: ।
यच्छन्ति कामान् गृणत: शृण्वतो यस्य कीर्तनात् ॥ ६२ ॥
यच्छन्ति कामान् गृणत: शृण्वतो यस्य कीर्तनात् ॥ ६२ ॥
Verse text
devatā munayaḥ siddhāḥ
pitaro manavo nṛpāḥ
yacchanti kāmān gṛṇataḥ
śṛṇvato yasya kīrtanāt
pitaro manavo nṛpāḥ
yacchanti kāmān gṛṇataḥ
śṛṇvato yasya kīrtanāt
Synonyms
devatāḥ — the demigods; munayaḥ — the sages; siddhāḥ — the perfected yogīs; pitaraḥ — the forefathers; manavaḥ — the progenitors of mankind; nṛpāḥ — the kings of the earth; yacchanti — bestow; kāmān — desires; gṛṇataḥ — to one who is chanting; śṛṇvataḥ — or who is hearing; yasya — of which; kīrtanāt — because of the glorification.
Translation
Upon the person who glorifies this Purāṇa by chanting or hearing it, the demigods, sages, Siddhas, Pitās, Manus and kings of the earth bestow all desirable things.
Devanagari
ऋचो यजूंषि सामानि द्विजोऽधीत्यानुविन्दते ।
मधुकुल्या घृतकुल्या: पय:कुल्याश्च तत्फलम् ॥ ६३ ॥
मधुकुल्या घृतकुल्या: पय:कुल्याश्च तत्फलम् ॥ ६३ ॥
Verse text
ṛco yajūṁṣi sāmāni
dvijo ’dhītyānuvindate
madhu-kulyā ghṛta-kulyāḥ
payaḥ-kulyāś ca tat phalam
dvijo ’dhītyānuvindate
madhu-kulyā ghṛta-kulyāḥ
payaḥ-kulyāś ca tat phalam
Synonyms
ṛcaḥ — the mantras of the Ṛg Veda; yajūṁṣi — those of the Yajur Veda; sāmāni — and those of the Sāma Veda; dvijaḥ — a brāhmaṇa; adhītya — studying; anuvindate — obtains; madhu-kulyāḥ — rivers of honey; ghṛta-kulyāḥ — rivers of ghee; payaḥ-kulyāḥ — rivers of milk; ca — and; tat — that; phalam — fruit.
Translation
By studying this Bhāgavatam, a brāhmaṇa can enjoy the same rivers of honey, ghee and milk he enjoys by studying the hymns of the Ṛg, Yajur and Sāma Vedas.
Devanagari
पुराणसंहितामेतामधीत्य प्रयतो द्विज: ।
प्रोक्तं भगवता यत्तु तत्पदं परमं व्रजेत् ॥ ६४ ॥
प्रोक्तं भगवता यत्तु तत्पदं परमं व्रजेत् ॥ ६४ ॥
Verse text
purāṇa-saṁhitām etām
adhītya prayato dvijaḥ
proktaṁ bhagavatā yat tu
tat padaṁ paramaṁ vrajet
adhītya prayato dvijaḥ
proktaṁ bhagavatā yat tu
tat padaṁ paramaṁ vrajet
Synonyms
Translation
A brāhmaṇa who diligently reads this essential compilation of all the Purāṇas will go to the supreme destination, which the Supreme Lord Himself has herein described.
Devanagari
विप्रोऽधीत्याप्नुयात् प्रज्ञां राजन्योदधिमेखलाम् ।
वैश्यो निधिपतित्वं च शूद्र: शुध्येत पातकात् ॥ ६५ ॥
वैश्यो निधिपतित्वं च शूद्र: शुध्येत पातकात् ॥ ६५ ॥
Verse text
vipro ’dhītyāpnuyāt prajñāṁ
rājanyodadhi-mekhalām
vaiśyo nidhi-patitvaṁ ca
śūdraḥ śudhyeta pātakāt
rājanyodadhi-mekhalām
vaiśyo nidhi-patitvaṁ ca
śūdraḥ śudhyeta pātakāt
Synonyms
vipraḥ — a brāhmaṇa; adhītya — studying; āpnuyāt — achieves; prajñām — intelligence in devotional service; rājanya — a king; udadhi-mekhalām — (the earth) bounded by the seas; vaiśyaḥ — a businessman; nidhi — of treasures; patitvam — lordship; ca — and; śūdraḥ — a worker; śudhyeta — becomes purified; pātakāt — from sinful reactions.
Translation
A brāhmaṇa who studies the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam achieves firm intelligence in devotional service, a king who studies it gains sovereignty over the earth, a vaiśya acquires great treasure and a śūdra is freed from sinful reactions.
Devanagari
कलिमलसंहतिकालनोऽखिलेशो
हरिरितरत्र न गीयते ह्यभीक्ष्णम् ।
इह तु पुनर्भगवानशेषमूर्ति:
परिपठितोऽनुपदं कथाप्रसङ्गै: ॥ ६६ ॥
हरिरितरत्र न गीयते ह्यभीक्ष्णम् ।
इह तु पुनर्भगवानशेषमूर्ति:
परिपठितोऽनुपदं कथाप्रसङ्गै: ॥ ६६ ॥
Verse text
kali-mala-saṁhati-kālano ’khileśo
harir itaratra na gīyate hy abhīkṣṇam
iha tu punar bhagavān aśeṣa-mūrtiḥ
paripaṭhito ’nu-padaṁ kathā-prasaṅgaiḥ
harir itaratra na gīyate hy abhīkṣṇam
iha tu punar bhagavān aśeṣa-mūrtiḥ
paripaṭhito ’nu-padaṁ kathā-prasaṅgaiḥ
Synonyms
kali — of the age of quarrel; mala-saṁhati — of all the contamination; kālanaḥ — the annihilator; akhila-īśaḥ — the supreme controller of all beings; hariḥ — Lord Hari; itaratra — elsewhere; na gīyate — is not described; hi — indeed; abhīkṣṇam — constantly; iha — here; tu — however; punaḥ — on the other hand; bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; aśeṣa-mūrtiḥ — who expands in unlimited personal forms; paripaṭhitaḥ — is openly described in narration; anu-padam — in each and every verse; kathā-prasaṅgaiḥ — on the pretext of stories.
Translation
Lord Hari, the supreme controller of all beings, annihilates the accumulated sins of the Kali age, yet other literatures do not constantly glorify Him. But that Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing in His innumerable personal expansions, is abundantly and constantly described throughout the various narrations of this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Devanagari
तमहमजमनन्तमात्मतत्त्वं
जगदुदयस्थितिसंयमात्मशक्तिम् ।
द्युपतिभिरजशक्रशङ्कराद्यै-
र्दुरवसितस्तवमच्युतं नतोऽस्मि ॥ ६७ ॥
जगदुदयस्थितिसंयमात्मशक्तिम् ।
द्युपतिभिरजशक्रशङ्कराद्यै-
र्दुरवसितस्तवमच्युतं नतोऽस्मि ॥ ६७ ॥
Verse text
tam aham ajam anantam ātma-tattvaṁ
jagad-udaya-sthiti-saṁyamātma-śaktim
dyu-patibhir aja-śakra-śaṅkarādyair
duravasita-stavam acyutaṁ nato ’smi
jagad-udaya-sthiti-saṁyamātma-śaktim
dyu-patibhir aja-śakra-śaṅkarādyair
duravasita-stavam acyutaṁ nato ’smi
Synonyms
tam — to Him; aham — I; ajam — to the unborn; anantam — the unlimited; ātma-tattvam — the original Supersoul; jagat — of the material universe; udaya — the creation; sthiti — maintenance; saṁyama — and destruction; ātma-śaktim — by whose personal energies; dyu-patibhiḥ — by the masters of heaven; aja-śakra-śaṅkara-ādyaiḥ — headed by Brahmā, Indra and Śiva; duravasita — incomprehensible; stavam — whose praises; acyutam — to the infallible Supreme Lord; nataḥ — bowed down; asmi — I am.
Translation
I bow down to that unborn and infinite Supreme Soul, whose personal energies effect the creation, maintenance and destruction of the material universe. Even Brahmā, Indra, Śaṅkara and the other lords of the heavenly planets cannot fathom the glories of that infallible Personality of Godhead.
Devanagari
उपचितनवशक्तिभि: स्व आत्म-
न्युपरचितस्थिरजङ्गमालयाय ।
भगवत उपलब्धिमात्रधाम्ने
सुरऋषभाय नम: सनातनाय ॥ ६८ ॥
न्युपरचितस्थिरजङ्गमालयाय ।
भगवत उपलब्धिमात्रधाम्ने
सुरऋषभाय नम: सनातनाय ॥ ६८ ॥
Verse text
upacita-nava-śaktibhiḥ sva ātmany
uparacita-sthira-jaṅgamālayāya
bhagavata upalabdhi-mātra-dhamne
sura-ṛṣabhāya namaḥ sanātanāya
uparacita-sthira-jaṅgamālayāya
bhagavata upalabdhi-mātra-dhamne
sura-ṛṣabhāya namaḥ sanātanāya
Synonyms
upacita — fully developed; nava-śaktibhiḥ — by His nine energies (prakṛti, puruṣa, mahat, false ego and the five subtle forms of perception); sve ātmani — within Himself; uparacita — arranged in proximity; sthira jaṅgama — of both the nonmoving and the moving living beings; ālayāya — the abode; bhagavate — to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; upalabhdhi-mātra — pure consciousness; dhāmne — whose manifestation; sura — of deities; ṛṣabhāya — the chief; namaḥ — my obeisances; sanātanāya — to the eternal Lord.
Translation
I offer my obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the eternal Lord and the leader of all other deities, who by evolving His nine material energies has arranged within Himself the abode of all moving and nonmoving creatures, and who is always situated in pure, transcendental consciousness.
Devanagari
स्वसुखनिभृतचेतास्तद्वयुदस्तान्यभावो-
ऽप्यजितरुचिरलीलाकृष्टसारस्तदीयम् ।
व्यतनुत कृपया यस्तत्त्वदीपं पुराणं
तमखिलवृजिनघ्नं व्याससूनुं नतोऽस्मि ॥ ६९ ॥
ऽप्यजितरुचिरलीलाकृष्टसारस्तदीयम् ।
व्यतनुत कृपया यस्तत्त्वदीपं पुराणं
तमखिलवृजिनघ्नं व्याससूनुं नतोऽस्मि ॥ ६९ ॥
Verse text
sva-sukha-nibhṛta-cetās tad-vyudastānya-bhāvo
’py ajita-rucira-līlākṛṣṭa-sāras tadīyam
vyatanuta kṛpayā yas tattva-dīpaṁ purāṇaṁ
tam akhila-vṛjina-ghnaṁ vyāsa-sūnuṁ nato ’smi
’py ajita-rucira-līlākṛṣṭa-sāras tadīyam
vyatanuta kṛpayā yas tattva-dīpaṁ purāṇaṁ
tam akhila-vṛjina-ghnaṁ vyāsa-sūnuṁ nato ’smi
Synonyms
sva-sukha — in the happiness of the self; nibhṛta — solitary; cetāḥ — whose consciousness; tat — because of that; vyudasta — given up; anya-bhāvaḥ — any other type of consciousness; api — although; ajita — of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the unconquerable Lord; rucira — pleasing; līlā — by the pastimes; ākṛṣṭa — attracted; sāraḥ — whose heart; tadīyam — consisting of the activities of the Lord; vyatanuta — spread, manifested; kṛpayā — mercifully; yaḥ — who; tattva-dīpam — the bright light of the Absolute Truth; purāṇam — the Purāṇa (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam); tam — unto Him; akhila-vṛjina-ghnam — defeating everything inauspicious; vyāsa-sūnum — son of Vyāsadeva; nataḥ asmi — I offer my obeisances.
Translation
Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the son of Vyāsadeva, Śukadeva Gosvāmī. It is he who defeats all inauspicious things within this universe. Although in the beginning he was absorbed in the happiness of Brahman realization and was living in a secluded place, giving up all other types of consciousness, he became attracted by the pleasing, most melodious pastimes of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He therefore mercifully spoke this supreme Purāṇa, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is the bright light of the Absolute Truth and which describes the activities of the Lord.
Purport
Without offering respectful obeisances to Śukadeva Gosvāmī and other great ācāryas in his line, one cannot possibly gain the privilege of entering into the deep transcendental meaning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Twelfth Canto, Twelfth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Topics of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Summarized.”