Before Verses
Devanagari
Verse Text
Synonyms
Translation
Purport
CHAPTER FOUR
The Four Categories of Universal Annihilation
This chapter discusses the four kinds of annihilation (constant, occasional, material and final) and the chanting of the holy name of Lord Hari, which is the only means of stopping the cycle of material life.
One thousand cycles of four ages constitute one day of Brahmā, and each day of Brahmā, called a kalpa, contains within it the lifetimes of fourteen Manus. The duration of Brahmā’s night is the same as that of his day. During his night Brahmā sleeps, and the three planetary systems meet destruction; this is the naimittika, or occasional, annihilation. When Brahmā’s life span of one hundred years is finished, there occurs the prākṛtika, or total material, annihilation. At that time the seven elements of material nature, beginning with the mahat, and the entire universal egg composed of them are destroyed. When a person achieves knowledge of the Absolute, he understands factual reality. He perceives the entire created universe as separate from the Absolute and therefore unreal. That is called the ātyantika, or final, annihilation (liberation). At every moment time invisibly transforms the bodies of all created beings and all other manifestations of matter. This process of transformation causes the living entity to undergo the constant annihilation of birth and death. Those possessed of subtle vision state that all creatures, including Brahmā himself, are always subject to generation and annihilation. Material life means subjugation to birth and death, or generation and annihilation. The only boat suitable for crossing the ocean of material existence, which is otherwise impossible to cross, is the boat of submissive hearing of the nectarean pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
कालस्ते परमाण्वादिर्द्विपरार्धावधिर्नृप ।
कथितो युगमानं च शृणु कल्पलयावपि ॥ १ ॥
कालस्ते परमाण्वादिर्द्विपरार्धावधिर्नृप ।
कथितो युगमानं च शृणु कल्पलयावपि ॥ १ ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
kālas te paramāṇv-ādir
dvi-parārdhāvadhir nṛpa
kathito yuga-mānaṁ ca
śṛṇu kalpa-layāv api
kālas te paramāṇv-ādir
dvi-parārdhāvadhir nṛpa
kathito yuga-mānaṁ ca
śṛṇu kalpa-layāv api
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; kālaḥ — time; te — to you; parama-aṇu — (the smallest fraction of time measured in terms of) the indivisible atom; ādiḥ — beginning with; dvi-para-ardha — the two halves of Brahmā’s total life span; avadhiḥ — culminating in; nṛpa — O King Parīkṣit; kathitaḥ — has been described; yuga-mānam — the duration of the millennia; ca — and; śṛṇu — now hear; kalpa — Brahmā’s day; layau — annihilation; api — also.
Translation
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King, I have already described to you the measurements of time, beginning from the smallest fraction measured by the movement of a single atom up to the total life span of Lord Brahmā. I have also discussed the measurement of the different millennia of universal history. Now hear about the time of Brahmā’s day and the process of annihilation.
Devanagari
चतुर्युगसहस्रं तु ब्रह्मणो दिनमुच्यते ।
स कल्पो यत्र मनवश्चतुर्दश विशाम्पते ॥ २ ॥
स कल्पो यत्र मनवश्चतुर्दश विशाम्पते ॥ २ ॥
Verse text
catur-yuga-sahasraṁ tu
brahmaṇo dinam ucyate
sa kalpo yatra manavaś
caturdaśa viśām-pate
brahmaṇo dinam ucyate
sa kalpo yatra manavaś
caturdaśa viśām-pate
Synonyms
Translation
One thousand cycles of four ages constitute a single day of Brahmā, known as a kalpa. In that period, O King, fourteen Manus come and go.
Devanagari
तदन्ते प्रलयस्तावान् ब्राह्मी रात्रिरुदाहृता ।
त्रयो लोका इमे तत्र कल्पन्ते प्रलयाय हि ॥ ३ ॥
त्रयो लोका इमे तत्र कल्पन्ते प्रलयाय हि ॥ ३ ॥
Verse text
tad-ante pralayas tāvān
brāhmī rātrir udāhṛtā
trayo lokā ime tatra
kalpante pralayāya hi
brāhmī rātrir udāhṛtā
trayo lokā ime tatra
kalpante pralayāya hi
Synonyms
tat-ante — after those (thousand cycles of ages); pralayaḥ — the annihilation; tāvān — of the same duration; brāhmī — of Brahmā; rātriḥ — the nighttime; udāhṛtā — is described; trayaḥ — the three; lokāḥ — worlds; ime — these; tatra — at that time; kalpante — are prone; pralayāya — to annihilation; hi — indeed.
Translation
After one day of Brahmā, annihilation occurs during his night, which is of the same duration. At that time all the three planetary systems are subject to destruction.
Devanagari
एष नैमित्तिक: प्रोक्त: प्रलयो यत्र विश्वसृक् ।
शेतेऽनन्तासनो विश्वमात्मसात्कृत्य चात्मभू: ॥ ४ ॥
शेतेऽनन्तासनो विश्वमात्मसात्कृत्य चात्मभू: ॥ ४ ॥
Verse text
eṣa naimittikaḥ proktaḥ
pralayo yatra viśva-sṛk
śete ’nantāsano viśvam
ātmasāt-kṛtya cātma-bhūḥ
pralayo yatra viśva-sṛk
śete ’nantāsano viśvam
ātmasāt-kṛtya cātma-bhūḥ
Synonyms
eṣaḥ — this; naimittikaḥ — occasional; proktaḥ — is said; pralayaḥ — annihilation; yatra — in which; viśva-sṛk — the creator of the universe, the Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa; śete — lies down; ananta-āsanaḥ — upon the snake-bed of Ananta Śeṣa; viśvam — the universe; ātma-sāt-kṛtya — absorbing within Himself; ca — also; ātma-bhūḥ — Lord Brahmā.
Translation
This is called the naimittika, or occasional, annihilation, during which the original creator, Lord Nārāyaṇa, lies down upon the bed of Ananta Śeṣa and absorbs the entire universe within Himself while Lord Brahmā sleeps.
Devanagari
द्विपरार्धे त्वतिक्रान्ते ब्रह्मण: परमेष्ठिन: ।
तदा प्रकृतय: सप्त कल्पन्ते प्रलयाय वै ॥ ५ ॥
तदा प्रकृतय: सप्त कल्पन्ते प्रलयाय वै ॥ ५ ॥
Verse text
dvi-parārdhe tv atikrānte
brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ
tadā prakṛtayaḥ sapta
kalpante pralayāya vai
brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ
tadā prakṛtayaḥ sapta
kalpante pralayāya vai
Synonyms
dvi-parārdhe — two parārdhas; tu — and; atikrānte — when they have become completed; brahmaṇaḥ — of Lord Brahmā; parame-sthinaḥ — the most highly situated living entity; tadā — then; prakṛtayaḥ — the elements of nature; sapta — seven; kalpante — are subject; pralayāya — to destruction; vai — indeed.
Translation
When the two halves of the lifetime of Lord Brahmā, the most elevated created being, are complete, the seven basic elements of creation are annihilated.
Devanagari
एष प्राकृतिको राजन् प्रलयो यत्र लीयते ।
अण्डकोषस्तु सङ्घातो विघाट उपसादिते ॥ ६ ॥
अण्डकोषस्तु सङ्घातो विघाट उपसादिते ॥ ६ ॥
Verse text
eṣa prākṛtiko rājan
pralayo yatra līyate
aṇḍa-koṣas tu saṅghāto
vighāta upasādite
pralayo yatra līyate
aṇḍa-koṣas tu saṅghāto
vighāta upasādite
Synonyms
eṣaḥ — this; prākṛtikaḥ — of the elements of material nature; rājan — O King Parīkṣit; pralayaḥ — the annihilation; yatra — in which; līyate — is dissolved; aṇḍa-koṣaḥ — the egg of the universe; tu — and; saṅghātaḥ — the amalgamation; vighāte — the cause of its disruption; upasādite — being encountered.
Translation
O King, upon the annihilation of the material elements, the universal egg, comprising the elemental amalgamation of creation, is confronted with destruction.
Purport
It is significant that Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the spiritual master of King Parīkṣit, is broadly discussing cosmic annihilation just before the death of his disciple. By attentively hearing the story of universal destruction, one can easily understand one’s personal departure from this temporary world to be an insignificant incident within the gigantic scope of the total material manifestation. By his deep and relevant discussions of the creation of God, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, as an ideal spiritual master, is preparing his disciple for the moment of death.
Devanagari
पर्जन्य: शतवर्षाणि भूमौ राजन् न वर्षति ।
तदा निरन्ने ह्यन्योन्यं भक्ष्यमाणा: क्षुधार्दिता: ।
क्षयं यास्यन्ति शनकै: कालेनोपद्रुता: प्रजा: ॥ ७ ॥
तदा निरन्ने ह्यन्योन्यं भक्ष्यमाणा: क्षुधार्दिता: ।
क्षयं यास्यन्ति शनकै: कालेनोपद्रुता: प्रजा: ॥ ७ ॥
Verse text
parjanyaḥ śata-varṣāṇi
bhūmau rājan na varṣati
tadā niranne hy anyonyaṁ
bhakṣyamāṇāḥ kṣudhārditāḥ
kṣayaṁ yāsyanti śanakaiḥ
kālenopadrutāḥ prajāḥ
bhūmau rājan na varṣati
tadā niranne hy anyonyaṁ
bhakṣyamāṇāḥ kṣudhārditāḥ
kṣayaṁ yāsyanti śanakaiḥ
kālenopadrutāḥ prajāḥ
Synonyms
parjanyaḥ — the clouds; śata-varṣāṇi — for one hundred years; bhūmau — upon the earth; rājan — my dear King; na varṣati — will not give rain; tadā — then; niranne — with the coming of famine; hi — indeed; anyonyam — one another; bhakṣyamāṇāḥ — eating; kṣudhā — by hunger; arditāḥ — distressed; kṣayam — to destruction; yāsyanti — they go; śanakaiḥ — gradually; kālena — by the force of time; upadrutāḥ — confounded; prajāḥ — the people.
Translation
As annihilation approaches, O King, there will be no rain upon the earth for one hundred years. Drought will lead to famine, and the starving populace will literally consume one another. The inhabitants of the earth, bewildered by the force of time, will gradually be destroyed.
Devanagari
सामुद्रं दैहिकं भौमं रसं सांवर्तको रवि: ।
रश्मिभि: पिबते घोरै: सर्वं नैव विमुञ्चति ॥ ८ ॥
रश्मिभि: पिबते घोरै: सर्वं नैव विमुञ्चति ॥ ८ ॥
Verse text
sāmudraṁ daihikaṁ bhaumaṁ
rasaṁ sāṁvartako raviḥ
raśmibhiḥ pibate ghoraiḥ
sarvaṁ naiva vimuñcati
rasaṁ sāṁvartako raviḥ
raśmibhiḥ pibate ghoraiḥ
sarvaṁ naiva vimuñcati
Synonyms
Translation
The sun in its annihilating form will drink up with its terrible rays all the water of the ocean, of living bodies and of the earth itself. But the devastating sun will not give any rain in return.
Devanagari
तत: संवर्तको वह्नि: सङ्कर्षणमुखोत्थित: ।
दहत्यनिलवेगोत्थ: शून्यान् भूविवरानथ ॥ ९ ॥
दहत्यनिलवेगोत्थ: शून्यान् भूविवरानथ ॥ ९ ॥
Verse text
tataḥ saṁvartako vahniḥ
saṅkarṣaṇa-mukhotthitaḥ
dahaty anila-vegotthaḥ
śūnyān bhū-vivarān atha
saṅkarṣaṇa-mukhotthitaḥ
dahaty anila-vegotthaḥ
śūnyān bhū-vivarān atha
Synonyms
tataḥ — then; saṁvartakaḥ — of destruction; vahniḥ — the fire; saṅkarṣaṇa — of the Supreme Lord, Saṅkarṣaṇa; mukha — from the mouth; utthitaḥ — arisen; dahati — burns; anila-vega — by the force of the wind; utthaḥ — raised; śūnyān — empty; bhū — of the planets; vivarān — the crevices; atha — after that.
Translation
Next the great fire of annihilation will flare up from the mouth of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa. Carried by the mighty force of the wind, this fire will burn throughout the universe, scorching the lifeless cosmic shell.
Devanagari
उपर्यध: समन्ताच्च शिखाभिर्वह्निसूर्ययो: ।
दह्यमानं विभात्यण्डं दग्धगोमयपिण्डवत् ॥ १० ॥
दह्यमानं विभात्यण्डं दग्धगोमयपिण्डवत् ॥ १० ॥
Verse text
upary adhaḥ samantāc ca
śikhābhir vahni-sūryayoḥ
dahyamānaṁ vibhāty aṇḍaṁ
dagdha-gomaya-piṇḍa-vat
śikhābhir vahni-sūryayoḥ
dahyamānaṁ vibhāty aṇḍaṁ
dagdha-gomaya-piṇḍa-vat
Synonyms
Translation
Burned from all sides — from above by the blazing sun and from below by the fire of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa — the universal sphere will glow like a burning ball of cow dung.
Devanagari
तत: प्रचण्डपवनो वर्षाणामधिकं शतम् ।
पर: सांवर्तको वाति धूम्रं खं रजसावृतम् ॥ ११ ॥
पर: सांवर्तको वाति धूम्रं खं रजसावृतम् ॥ ११ ॥
Verse text
tataḥ pracaṇḍa-pavano
varṣāṇām adhikaṁ śatam
paraḥ sāṁvartako vāti
dhūmraṁ khaṁ rajasāvṛtam
varṣāṇām adhikaṁ śatam
paraḥ sāṁvartako vāti
dhūmraṁ khaṁ rajasāvṛtam
Synonyms
Translation
A great and terrible wind of destruction will begin to blow for more than one hundred years, and the sky, covered with dust, will turn gray.
Devanagari
ततो मेघकुलान्यङ्ग चित्र वर्णान्यनेकश: ।
शतं वर्षाणि वर्षन्ति नदन्ति रभसस्वनै: ॥ १२ ॥
शतं वर्षाणि वर्षन्ति नदन्ति रभसस्वनै: ॥ १२ ॥
Verse text
tato megha-kulāny aṅga
citra varṇāny anekaśaḥ
śataṁ varṣāṇi varṣanti
nadanti rabhasa-svanaiḥ
citra varṇāny anekaśaḥ
śataṁ varṣāṇi varṣanti
nadanti rabhasa-svanaiḥ
Synonyms
Translation
After that, O King, groups of multicolored clouds will gather, roaring terribly with thunder, and will pour down floods of rain for one hundred years.
Devanagari
तत एकोदकं विश्वं ब्रह्माण्डविवरान्तरम् ॥ १३ ॥
Verse text
tata ekodakaṁ viśvaṁ
brahmāṇḍa-vivarāntaram
brahmāṇḍa-vivarāntaram
Synonyms
Translation
At that time, the shell of the universe will fill up with water, forming a single cosmic ocean.
Devanagari
तदा भूमेर्गन्धगुणं ग्रसन्त्याप उदप्लवे ।
ग्रस्तगन्धा तु पृथिवी प्रलयत्वाय कल्पते ॥ १४ ॥
ग्रस्तगन्धा तु पृथिवी प्रलयत्वाय कल्पते ॥ १४ ॥
Verse text
tadā bhūmer gandha-guṇaṁ
grasanty āpa uda-plave
grasta-gandhā tu pṛthivī
pralayatvāya kalpate
grasanty āpa uda-plave
grasta-gandhā tu pṛthivī
pralayatvāya kalpate
Synonyms
Translation
As the entire universe is flooded, the water will rob the earth of its unique quality of fragrance, and the element earth, deprived of its distinguishing quality, will be dissolved.
Purport
As clearly explained throughout Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the first element, sky, possesses the unique quality of sound. As creation expands, the second element, air, comes into being, and it possesses sound and touch. The third element, fire, possesses sound, touch and form, and the fourth element, water, possesses sound, touch, form and flavor. The earth possesses sound, touch, form, flavor and aroma. As each element loses its unique distinguishing quality, it naturally becomes indistinguishable from the more subtle elements and is thus effectively dissolved as a unique entity.
Devanagari
अपां रसमथो तेजस्ता लीयन्तेऽथ नीरसा: ।
ग्रसते तेजसो रूपं वायुस्तद्रहितं तदा ॥ १५ ॥
लीयते चानिले तेजो वायो: खं ग्रसते गुणम् ।
स वै विशति खं राजंस्ततश्च नभसो गुणम् ॥ १६ ॥
शब्दं ग्रसति भूतादिर्नभस्तमनुलीयते ।
तैजसश्चेन्द्रियाण्यङ्ग देवान् वैकारिको गुणै: ॥ १७ ॥
महान् ग्रसत्यहङ्कारं गुणा: सत्त्वादयश्च तम् ।
ग्रसतेऽव्याकृतं राजन् गुणान् कालेन चोदितम् ॥ १८ ॥
न तस्य कालावयवै: परिणामादयो गुणा: ।
अनाद्यनन्तमव्यक्तं नित्यं कारणमव्ययम् ॥ १९ ॥
ग्रसते तेजसो रूपं वायुस्तद्रहितं तदा ॥ १५ ॥
लीयते चानिले तेजो वायो: खं ग्रसते गुणम् ।
स वै विशति खं राजंस्ततश्च नभसो गुणम् ॥ १६ ॥
शब्दं ग्रसति भूतादिर्नभस्तमनुलीयते ।
तैजसश्चेन्द्रियाण्यङ्ग देवान् वैकारिको गुणै: ॥ १७ ॥
महान् ग्रसत्यहङ्कारं गुणा: सत्त्वादयश्च तम् ।
ग्रसतेऽव्याकृतं राजन् गुणान् कालेन चोदितम् ॥ १८ ॥
न तस्य कालावयवै: परिणामादयो गुणा: ।
अनाद्यनन्तमव्यक्तं नित्यं कारणमव्ययम् ॥ १९ ॥
Verse text
apāṁ rasam atho tejas
tā līyante ’tha nīrasāḥ
grasate tejaso rūpaṁ
vāyus tad-rahitaṁ tadā
tā līyante ’tha nīrasāḥ
grasate tejaso rūpaṁ
vāyus tad-rahitaṁ tadā
līyate cānile tejo
vāyoḥ khaṁ grasate guṇam
sa vai viśati khaṁ rājaṁs
tataś ca nabhaso guṇam
vāyoḥ khaṁ grasate guṇam
sa vai viśati khaṁ rājaṁs
tataś ca nabhaso guṇam
śabdaṁ grasati bhūtādir
nabhas tam anu līyate
taijasaś cendriyāṇy aṅga
devān vaikāriko guṇaiḥ
nabhas tam anu līyate
taijasaś cendriyāṇy aṅga
devān vaikāriko guṇaiḥ
mahān grasaty ahaṅkāraṁ
guṇāḥ sattvādayaś ca tam
grasate ’vyākṛtaṁ rājan
guṇān kālena coditam
guṇāḥ sattvādayaś ca tam
grasate ’vyākṛtaṁ rājan
guṇān kālena coditam
na tasya kālāvayavaiḥ
pariṇāmādayo guṇāḥ
anādy anantam avyaktaṁ
nityaṁ kāraṇam avyayam
pariṇāmādayo guṇāḥ
anādy anantam avyaktaṁ
nityaṁ kāraṇam avyayam
Synonyms
apām — of water; rasam — the taste; atha — then; tejaḥ — fire; tāḥ — that water; līyante — dissolves; atha — after this; nīrasāḥ — deprived of its quality of taste; grasate — takes away; tejasaḥ — of fire; rūpam — the form; vāyuḥ — the air; tat-rahitam — deprived of that form; tadā — then; līyate — merges; ca — and; anile — in wind; tejaḥ — fire; vāyoḥ — of the air; kham — the ether; grasate — takes away; guṇam — the perceptible quality (touch); saḥ — that air; vai — indeed; viśati — enters; kham — the ether; rājan — O King Parīkṣit; tataḥ — thereupon; ca — and; nabhasaḥ — of the ether; guṇam — the quality; śabdam — sound; grasati — takes away; bhūta-ādiḥ — the element of false ego in the mode of ignorance; nabhaḥ — the ether; tam — into that false ego; anu — subsequently; līyate — merges; taijasaḥ — false ego in the mode of passion; ca — and; indriyāṇi — the senses; aṅga — my dear King; devān — the demigods; vaikārikaḥ — false ego in the mode of goodness; guṇaiḥ — along with the manifest functions (of false ego); mahān — the mahat-tattva; grasati — seizes; ahaṅkāram — false ego; guṇāḥ — the basic modes of nature; sattva-ādayaḥ — goodness, passion and ignorance; ca — and; tam — that mahat; grasate — seizes; avyākṛtam — the unmanifest original form of nature; rājan — O King; guṇān — the three modes; kālena — by time; coditam — impelled; na — there are not; tasya — of that unmanifest nature; kāla — of time; avayavaiḥ — by the segments; pariṇāma-ādayaḥ — transformation and the other changes of visible matter (creation, growth and so on); guṇāḥ — such qualities; anādi — without beginning; anantam — without end; avyaktam — unmanifest; nityam — eternal; kāraṇam — the cause; avyayam — infallible.
Translation
The element fire then seizes the taste from the element water, which, deprived of its unique quality, taste, merges into fire. Air seizes the form inherent in fire, and then fire, deprived of form, merges into air. The element ether seizes the quality of air, namely touch, and that air enters into ether. Then, O King, false ego in ignorance seizes sound, the quality of ether, after which ether merges into false ego. False ego in the mode of passion takes hold of the senses, and false ego in the mode of goodness absorbs the demigods. Then the total mahat-tattva seizes false ego along with its various functions, and that mahat is seized by the three basic modes of nature — goodness, passion and ignorance. My dear King Parīkṣit, these modes are further overtaken by the original unmanifest form of nature, impelled by time. That unmanifest nature is not subject to the six kinds of transformation caused by the influence of time. Rather, it has no beginning and no end. It is the unmanifest, eternal and infallible cause of creation.
Devanagari
न यत्र वाचो न मनो न सत्त्वं
तमो रजो वा महदादयोऽमी ।
न प्राणबुद्धीन्द्रियदेवता वा
न सन्निवेश: खलु लोककल्प: ॥ २० ॥
न स्वप्नजाग्रन्न च तत् सुषुप्तं
न खं जलं भूरनिलोऽग्निरर्क: ।
संसुप्तवच्छून्यवदप्रतर्क्यं
तन्मूलभूतं पदमामनन्ति ॥ २१ ॥
तमो रजो वा महदादयोऽमी ।
न प्राणबुद्धीन्द्रियदेवता वा
न सन्निवेश: खलु लोककल्प: ॥ २० ॥
न स्वप्नजाग्रन्न च तत् सुषुप्तं
न खं जलं भूरनिलोऽग्निरर्क: ।
संसुप्तवच्छून्यवदप्रतर्क्यं
तन्मूलभूतं पदमामनन्ति ॥ २१ ॥
Verse text
na yatra vāco na mano na sattvaṁ
tamo rajo vā mahad-ādayo ’mī
na prāṇa-buddhīndriya-devatā vā
na sanniveśaḥ khalu loka-kalpaḥ
tamo rajo vā mahad-ādayo ’mī
na prāṇa-buddhīndriya-devatā vā
na sanniveśaḥ khalu loka-kalpaḥ
na svapna-jāgran na ca tat suṣuptaṁ
na khaṁ jalaṁ bhūr anilo ’gnir arkaḥ
saṁsupta-vac chūnya-vad apratarkyaṁ
tan mūla-bhūtaṁ padam āmananti
na khaṁ jalaṁ bhūr anilo ’gnir arkaḥ
saṁsupta-vac chūnya-vad apratarkyaṁ
tan mūla-bhūtaṁ padam āmananti
Synonyms
na — not; yatra — wherein; vācaḥ — speech; na — not; manaḥ — the mind; na — not; sattvam — the mode of goodness; tamaḥ — the mode of ignorance; rajaḥ — the mode of passion; vā — or; mahat — the mahat-tattva; ādayaḥ — and so on; amī — these elements; na — not; prāṇa — the vital air; buddhi — intelligence; indriya — the senses; devatāḥ — and the controlling demigods; vā — or; na — not; sanniveśaḥ — the particular construction; khalu — indeed; loka-kalpaḥ — of the arrangement of the planetary systems; na — not; svapna — sleep; jāgrat — waking condition; na — not; ca — and; tat — that; suṣuptam — deep sleep; na — not; kham — ether; jalam — water; bhūḥ — earth; anilaḥ — air; agniḥ — fire; arkaḥ — the sun; saṁsupta-vat — like one who is fast asleep; śūnya-vat — like a void; apratarkyam — inaccessible to logic; tat — that pradhāna; mūla-bhūtam — serving as the basis; padam — the substance; āmananti — great authorities say.
Translation
In the unmanifest stage of material nature, called pradhāna, there is no expression of words, no mind and no manifestation of the subtle elements beginning from the mahat, nor are there the modes of goodness, passion and ignorance. There is no life air or intelligence, nor any senses or demigods. There is no definite arrangement of planetary systems, nor are there present the different stages of consciousness — sleep, wakefulness and deep sleep. There is no ether, water, earth, air, fire or sun. The situation is just like that of complete sleep, or of voidness. Indeed, it is indescribable. Authorities in spiritual science explain, however, that since pradhāna is the original substance, it is the actual basis of material creation.
Devanagari
लय: प्राकृतिको ह्येष पुरुषाव्यक्तयोर्यदा ।
शक्तय: सम्प्रलीयन्ते विवशा: कालविद्रुता: ॥ २२ ॥
शक्तय: सम्प्रलीयन्ते विवशा: कालविद्रुता: ॥ २२ ॥
Verse text
layaḥ prākṛtiko hy eṣa
puruṣāvyaktayor yadā
śaktayaḥ sampralīyante
vivaśāḥ kāla-vidrutāḥ
puruṣāvyaktayor yadā
śaktayaḥ sampralīyante
vivaśāḥ kāla-vidrutāḥ
Synonyms
layaḥ — the annihilation; prākṛtikaḥ — of the material elements; hi — indeed; eṣaḥ — this; puruṣa — of the Supreme Lord; avyaktayoḥ — and of His material nature in its unmanifest form; yadā — when; śaktayaḥ — the energies; sampralīyante — merge totally; vivaśāḥ — helpless; kāla — by time; vidrutāḥ — disarrayed.
Translation
This is the annihilation called prākṛtika, during which the energies belonging to the Supreme Person and His unmanifest material nature, disassembled by the force of time, are deprived of their potencies and merge together totally.
Devanagari
बुद्धीन्द्रियार्थरूपेण ज्ञानं भाति तदाश्रयम् ।
दृश्यत्वाव्यतिरेकाभ्यामाद्यन्तवदवस्तु यत् ॥ २३ ॥
दृश्यत्वाव्यतिरेकाभ्यामाद्यन्तवदवस्तु यत् ॥ २३ ॥
Verse text
buddhīndriyārtha-rūpeṇa
jñānaṁ bhāti tad-āśrayam
dṛśyatvāvyatirekābhyām
ādy-antavad avastu yat
jñānaṁ bhāti tad-āśrayam
dṛśyatvāvyatirekābhyām
ādy-antavad avastu yat
Synonyms
buddhi — of intelligence; indriya — the senses; artha — and the objects of perception; rūpeṇa — in the form; jñānam — the Absolute Truth; bhāti — manifests; tat — of these elements; āśrayam — the basis; dṛśyatva — because of being perceived; avyatirekābhyām — and because of being nondifferent from its own cause; ādi-anta-vat — which has a beginning and an end; avastu — is insubstantial; yat — whatever.
Translation
It is the Absolute Truth alone who manifests in the forms of intelligence, the senses and the objects of sense perception, and who is their ultimate basis. Whatever has a beginning and an end is insubstantial because of being an object perceived by limited senses and because of being nondifferent from its own cause.
Purport
The word dṛśyatva indicates that all subtle and gross material manifestations are made visible by the potency of the Supreme Lord and again become invisible, or unmanifest, at the time of annihilation. They are therefore in essence not separate from the source of their expansion and withdrawal.
Devanagari
दीपश्चक्षुश्च रूपं च ज्योतिषो न पृथग् भवेत् ।
एवं धी: खानि मात्राश्च न स्युरन्यतमादृतात् ॥ २४ ॥
एवं धी: खानि मात्राश्च न स्युरन्यतमादृतात् ॥ २४ ॥
Verse text
dīpaś cakṣuś ca rūpaṁ ca
jyotiṣo na pṛthag bhavet
evaṁ dhīḥ khāni mātrāś ca
na syur anyatamād ṛtāt
jyotiṣo na pṛthag bhavet
evaṁ dhīḥ khāni mātrāś ca
na syur anyatamād ṛtāt
Synonyms
dīpaḥ — a lamp; cakṣuḥ — a perceiving eye; ca — and; rūpam — a perceived form; ca — and; jyotiṣaḥ — from the original element fire; na — not; pṛthak — distinct; bhavet — are; evam — in the same way; dhīḥ — intelligence; khāni — the senses; mātrāḥ — the perceptions; ca — and; na syuḥ — they are not; anyatamāt — which is itself completely distinct; ṛtāt — from the reality.
Translation
A lamp, the eye that views by the light of that lamp, and the visible form that is viewed are all basically nondifferent from the element fire. In the same way, intelligence, the senses and sense perceptions have no existence separate from the supreme reality, although that Absolute Truth remains totally distinct from them.
Devanagari
बुद्धेर्जागरणं स्वप्न: सुषुप्तिरिति चोच्यते ।
मायामात्रमिदं राजन् नानात्वं प्रत्यगात्मनि ॥ २५ ॥
मायामात्रमिदं राजन् नानात्वं प्रत्यगात्मनि ॥ २५ ॥
Verse text
buddher jāgaraṇaṁ svapnaḥ
suṣuptir iti cocyate
māyā-mātram idaṁ rājan
nānātvaṁ pratyag-ātmani
suṣuptir iti cocyate
māyā-mātram idaṁ rājan
nānātvaṁ pratyag-ātmani
Synonyms
Translation
The three states of intelligence are called waking consciousness, sleep and deep sleep. But, my dear King, the variegated experiences created for the pure living entity by these different states are nothing more than illusion.
Purport
Pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness exists beyond the various stages of material awareness. Just as darkness vanishes in the presence of light, so illusory material intelligence, which is experienced as normal perception, dreaming and deep sleep, completely vanishes in the brilliant presence of pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the constitutional condition of every living entity.
Devanagari
यथा जलधरा व्योम्नि भवन्ति न भवन्ति च ।
ब्रह्मणीदं तथा विश्वमवयव्युदयाप्ययात् ॥ २६ ॥
ब्रह्मणीदं तथा विश्वमवयव्युदयाप्ययात् ॥ २६ ॥
Verse text
yathā jala-dharā vyomni
bhavanti na bhavanti ca
brahmaṇīdaṁ tathā viśvam
avayavy udayāpyayāt
bhavanti na bhavanti ca
brahmaṇīdaṁ tathā viśvam
avayavy udayāpyayāt
Synonyms
Translation
Just as clouds in the sky come into being and are then dispersed by the amalgamation and dissolution of their constituent elements, this material universe is created and destroyed within the Absolute Truth by the amalgamation and dissolution of its elemental, constituent parts.
Devanagari
सत्यं ह्यवयव: प्रोक्त: सर्वावयविनामिह ।
विनार्थेन प्रतीयेरन् पटस्येवाङ्ग तन्तव: ॥ २७ ॥
विनार्थेन प्रतीयेरन् पटस्येवाङ्ग तन्तव: ॥ २७ ॥
Verse text
satyaṁ hy avayavaḥ proktaḥ
sarvāvayavinām iha
vinārthena pratīyeran
paṭasyevāṅga tantavaḥ
sarvāvayavinām iha
vinārthena pratīyeran
paṭasyevāṅga tantavaḥ
Synonyms
satyam — real; hi — because; avayavaḥ — the ingredient cause; proktaḥ — is said to be; sarva-avayavinām — of all constituted entities; iha — in this created world; vinā — apart from; arthena — their manifest product; pratīyeran — they can be perceived; paṭasya — of a cloth; iva — as; aṅga — my dear King; tantavaḥ — the threads.
Translation
My dear King, it is stated [in the Vedānta-sūtra] that the ingredient cause that constitutes any manifested product in this universe can be perceived as a separate reality, just as the threads that make up a cloth can be perceived separately from their product.
Devanagari
यत् सामान्यविशेषाभ्यामुपलभ्येत स भ्रम: ।
अन्योन्यापाश्रयात् सर्वमाद्यन्तवदवस्तु यत् ॥ २८ ॥
अन्योन्यापाश्रयात् सर्वमाद्यन्तवदवस्तु यत् ॥ २८ ॥
Verse text
yat sāmānya-viśeṣābhyām
upalabhyeta sa bhramaḥ
anyonyāpāśrayāt sarvam
ādy-antavad avastu yat
upalabhyeta sa bhramaḥ
anyonyāpāśrayāt sarvam
ādy-antavad avastu yat
Synonyms
yat — whatever; sāmānya — in terms of general cause; viśeṣābhyām — and specific product; upalabhyeta — is experienced; saḥ — that; bhramaḥ — is illusion; anyonya — mutual; apāśrayāt — because of dependence; sarvam — everything; ādi-anta-vat — subject to beginning and end; avastu — unreal; yat — which.
Translation
Anything experienced in terms of general cause and specific effect must be an illusion, because such causes and effects exist only relative to each other. Indeed, whatever has a beginning and an end is unreal.
Purport
The nature of a material cause cannot be perceived without perception of the effect. For example, the burning nature of fire cannot be perceived without observing the effect of fire, such as a burning object or ashes. Similarly, the saturating quality of water cannot be understood without observing the effect, a saturated cloth or paper. The organizational power of a man cannot be understood without observing the effect of his dynamic work, namely a solid institution. In this way, not only do effects depend upon their causes, but the perception of the cause also depends upon observation of the effect. Thus both are defined relatively and have a beginning and an end. The conclusion is that all such material causes and effects are essentially temporary and relative, and consequently illusory.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, although the cause of all causes, has no beginning or end. Therefore He is neither material nor illusory. Lord Kṛṣṇa’s opulences and potencies are absolute reality, beyond the interdependence of material cause and effect.
Devanagari
विकार: ख्यायमानोऽपि प्रत्यगात्मानमन्तरा ।
न निरूप्योऽस्त्यणुरपि स्याच्चेच्चित्सम आत्मवत् ॥ २९ ॥
न निरूप्योऽस्त्यणुरपि स्याच्चेच्चित्सम आत्मवत् ॥ २९ ॥
Verse text
vikāraḥ khyāyamāno ’pi
pratyag-ātmānam antarā
na nirūpyo ’sty aṇur api
syāc cec cit-sama ātma-vat
pratyag-ātmānam antarā
na nirūpyo ’sty aṇur api
syāc cec cit-sama ātma-vat
Synonyms
vikāraḥ — the transformation of created existence; khyāyamānaḥ — appearing; api — although; pratyak-ātmānam — the Supreme Soul; antarā — without; na — not; nirūpyaḥ — conceivable; asti — is; aṇuḥ — a single atom; api — even; syāt — it is so; cet — if; cit-samaḥ — equally spirit; ātma-vat — remaining as it is, without change.
Translation
Although perceived, the transformation of even a single atom of material nature has no ultimate definition without reference to the Supreme Soul. To be accepted as factually existing, something must possess the same quality as pure spirit — eternal, unchanging existence.
Purport
A mirage of water appearing in the desert is actually a manifestation of light; the false appearance of water is a specific transformation of light. That which falsely appears as independent material nature is similarly a transformation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Material nature is the external potency of the Lord.
Devanagari
न हि सत्यस्य नानात्वमविद्वान् यदि मन्यते ।
नानात्वं छिद्रयोर्यद्वज्ज्योतिषोर्वातयोरिव ॥ ३० ॥
नानात्वं छिद्रयोर्यद्वज्ज्योतिषोर्वातयोरिव ॥ ३० ॥
Verse text
na hi satyasya nānātvam
avidvān yadi manyate
nānātvaṁ chidrayor yadvaj
jyotiṣor vātayor iva
avidvān yadi manyate
nānātvaṁ chidrayor yadvaj
jyotiṣor vātayor iva
Synonyms
na — there is no; hi — indeed; satyasya — of the Absolute Truth; nānātvam — duality; avidvān — a person not in true knowledge; yadi — if; manyate — he thinks; nānātvam — the duality; chidrayoḥ — of the two skies; yadvat — just as; jyotiṣoḥ — of the two celestial lights; vātayoḥ — of the two winds; iva — as.
Translation
There is no material duality in the Absolute Truth. The duality perceived by an ignorant person is like the difference between the sky contained in an empty pot and the sky outside the pot, or the difference between the reflection of the sun in water and the sun itself in the sky, or the difference between the vital air within one living body and that within another body.
Devanagari
यथा हिरण्यं बहुधा समीयते
नृभि: क्रियाभिर्व्यवहारवर्त्मसु ।
एवं वचोभिर्भगवानधोक्षजो
व्याख्यायते लौकिकवैदिकैर्जनै: ॥ ३१ ॥
नृभि: क्रियाभिर्व्यवहारवर्त्मसु ।
एवं वचोभिर्भगवानधोक्षजो
व्याख्यायते लौकिकवैदिकैर्जनै: ॥ ३१ ॥
Verse text
yathā hiraṇyaṁ bahudhā samīyate
nṛbhiḥ kriyābhir vyavahāra-vartmasu
evaṁ vacobhir bhagavān adhokṣajo
vyākhyāyate laukika-vaidikair janaiḥ
nṛbhiḥ kriyābhir vyavahāra-vartmasu
evaṁ vacobhir bhagavān adhokṣajo
vyākhyāyate laukika-vaidikair janaiḥ
Synonyms
yathā — just as; hiraṇyam — gold; bahudhā — in many forms; samīyate — appears; nṛbhiḥ — to men; kriyābhiḥ — in terms of different functions; vyavahāra-vartmasu — in ordinary usage; evam — similarly; vacobhiḥ — in varying terms; bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; adhokṣajaḥ — the transcendental Lord, who is inconceivable to material senses; vyākhyāyate — is described; laukika — mundane; vaidikaiḥ — and Vedic; janaiḥ — by men.
Translation
According to their different purposes, men utilize gold in various ways, and gold is therefore perceived in various forms. In the same way, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is inaccessible to material senses, is described in various terms, both ordinary and Vedic, by different types of men.
Purport
All those who are not pure devotees of the Supreme Lord are basically trying to exploit the Lord and His energies. According to their strategy of exploitation, they conceive of and describe the Absolute Truth in various ways. In Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam the Absolute Truth presents Himself as He actually is for the benefit of sincere people who do not foolishly try to conceptually manipulate the Supreme Godhead.
Devanagari
यथा घनोऽर्कप्रभवोऽर्कदर्शितो
ह्यर्कांशभूतस्य च चक्षुषस्तम: ।
एवं त्वहं ब्रह्मगुणस्तदीक्षितो
ब्रह्मांशकस्यात्मन आत्मबन्धन: ॥ ३२ ॥
ह्यर्कांशभूतस्य च चक्षुषस्तम: ।
एवं त्वहं ब्रह्मगुणस्तदीक्षितो
ब्रह्मांशकस्यात्मन आत्मबन्धन: ॥ ३२ ॥
Verse text
yathā ghano ’rka-prabhavo ’rka-darśito
hy arkāṁśa-bhūtasya ca cakṣuṣas tamaḥ
evaṁ tv ahaṁ brahma-guṇas tad-īkṣito
brahmāṁśakasyātmana ātma-bandhanaḥ
hy arkāṁśa-bhūtasya ca cakṣuṣas tamaḥ
evaṁ tv ahaṁ brahma-guṇas tad-īkṣito
brahmāṁśakasyātmana ātma-bandhanaḥ
Synonyms
yathā — as; ghanaḥ — a cloud; arka — of the sun; prabhavaḥ — the product; arka — by the sun; darśitaḥ — made visible; hi — indeed; arka — of the sun; aṁśa-bhūtasya — which is the partial expansion; ca — and; cakṣuṣaḥ — of the eye; tamaḥ — darkness; evam — in the same way; tu — indeed; aham — false ego; brahma-guṇaḥ — a quality of the Absolute Truth; tat-īkṣitaḥ — visible through the agency of that Absolute Truth; brahma-aṁśakasya — of the partial expansion of the Absolute Truth; ātmanaḥ — of the jīva soul; ātma-bandhanaḥ — serving to obstruct perception of the Supreme Soul.
Translation
Although a cloud is a product of the sun and is also made visible by the sun, it nevertheless creates darkness for the viewing eye, which is another partial expansion of the sun. Similarly, material false ego, a particular product of the Absolute Truth made visible by the Absolute Truth, obstructs the individual soul, another partial expansion of the Absolute Truth, from realizing the Absolute Truth.
Devanagari
घनो यदार्कप्रभवो विदीर्यते
चक्षु: स्वरूपं रविमीक्षते तदा ।
यदा ह्यहङ्कार उपाधिरात्मनो
जिज्ञासया नश्यति तर्ह्यनुस्मरेत् ॥ ३३ ॥
चक्षु: स्वरूपं रविमीक्षते तदा ।
यदा ह्यहङ्कार उपाधिरात्मनो
जिज्ञासया नश्यति तर्ह्यनुस्मरेत् ॥ ३३ ॥
Verse text
ghano yadārka-prabhavo vidīryate
cakṣuḥ svarūpaṁ ravim īkṣate tadā
yadā hy ahaṅkāra upādhir ātmano
jijñāsayā naśyati tarhy anusmaret
cakṣuḥ svarūpaṁ ravim īkṣate tadā
yadā hy ahaṅkāra upādhir ātmano
jijñāsayā naśyati tarhy anusmaret
Synonyms
ghanaḥ — the cloud; yadā — when; arka-prabhavaḥ — the product of the sun; vidīryate — is torn apart; cakṣuḥ — the eye; svarūpam — in its real form; ravim — the sun; īkṣate — sees; tadā — then; yadā — when; hi — indeed also; ahaṅkāraḥ — false ego; upādhiḥ — the superficial covering; ātmanaḥ — of the spirit soul; jijñāsayā — by spiritual inquiry; naśyati — is destroyed; tarhi — at that time; anusmaret — one gains his proper remembrance.
Translation
When the cloud originally produced from the sun is torn apart, the eye can see the actual form of the sun. Similarly, when the spirit soul destroys his material covering of false ego by inquiring into the transcendental science, he regains his original spiritual awareness.
Purport
Just as the sun can burn away the clouds that prevent one from seeing it, the Supreme Lord (and He alone) can remove the false ego that prevents one from seeing Him. There are some creatures, however, like owls, who are averse to seeing the sun. In the same way, those who are not interested in spiritual knowledge will never receive the privilege of seeing God.
Devanagari
यदैवमेतेन विवेकहेतिना
मायामयाहङ्करणात्मबन्धनम् ।
छित्त्वाच्युतात्मानुभवोऽवतिष्ठते
तमाहुरात्यन्तिकमङ्ग सम्प्लवम् ॥ ३४ ॥
मायामयाहङ्करणात्मबन्धनम् ।
छित्त्वाच्युतात्मानुभवोऽवतिष्ठते
तमाहुरात्यन्तिकमङ्ग सम्प्लवम् ॥ ३४ ॥
Verse text
yadaivam etena viveka-hetinā
māyā-mayāhaṅkaraṇātma-bandhanam
chittvācyutātmānubhavo ’vatiṣṭhate
tam āhur ātyantikam aṅga samplavam
māyā-mayāhaṅkaraṇātma-bandhanam
chittvācyutātmānubhavo ’vatiṣṭhate
tam āhur ātyantikam aṅga samplavam
Synonyms
yadā — when; evam — in this way; etena — by this; viveka — of discrimination; hetinā — sword; māyā-maya — illusory; ahaṅkaraṇa — false ego; ātma — of the soul; bandhanam — the cause of bondage; chittvā — cutting off; acyuta — of the infallible; ātma — Supreme Soul; anubhavaḥ — realization; avatiṣṭhate — develops firmly; tam — that; āhuḥ — they call; ātyantikam — ultimate; aṅga — my dear King; samplavam — annihilation.
Translation
My dear Parīkṣit, when the illusory false ego that binds the soul has been cut off with the sword of discriminating knowledge and one has developed realization of Lord Acyuta, the Supreme Soul, this is called the ātyantika, or ultimate, annihilation of material existence.
Devanagari
नित्यदा सर्वभूतानां ब्रह्मादीनां परन्तप ।
उत्पत्तिप्रलयावेके सूक्ष्मज्ञा: सम्प्रचक्षते ॥ ३५ ॥
उत्पत्तिप्रलयावेके सूक्ष्मज्ञा: सम्प्रचक्षते ॥ ३५ ॥
Verse text
nityadā sarva-bhūtānāṁ
brahmādīnāṁ parantapa
utpatti-pralayāv eke
sūkṣma-jñāḥ sampracakṣate
brahmādīnāṁ parantapa
utpatti-pralayāv eke
sūkṣma-jñāḥ sampracakṣate
Synonyms
Translation
Experts in the subtle workings of nature, O subduer of the enemy, have declared that there are continuous processes of creation and annihilation that all created beings, beginning with Brahmā, constantly undergo.
Devanagari
कालस्रोतोजवेनाशु ह्रियमाणस्य नित्यदा ।
परिणामिनामवस्थास्ता जन्मप्रलयहेतव: ॥ ३६ ॥
परिणामिनामवस्थास्ता जन्मप्रलयहेतव: ॥ ३६ ॥
Verse text
kāla-sroto-javenāśu
hriyamāṇasya nityadā
pariṇāminām avasthās tā
janma-pralaya-hetavaḥ
hriyamāṇasya nityadā
pariṇāminām avasthās tā
janma-pralaya-hetavaḥ
Synonyms
kāla — of time; srotaḥ — of the mighty current; javena — by the force; āśu — rapidly; hriyamāṇasya — of that which is being taken away; nityadā — constantly; pariṇāminām — of things subject to transformation; avasthāḥ — the various conditions; tāḥ — they; janma — of birth; pralaya — and annihilation; hetavaḥ — the causes.
Translation
All material entities undergo transformation and are constantly and swiftly eroded by the mighty currents of time. The various stages of existence that material things exhibit are the perpetual causes of their generation and annihilation.
Devanagari
अनाद्यन्तवतानेन कालेनेश्वरमूर्तिना ।
अवस्था नैव दृश्यन्ते वियति ज्योतिषामिव ॥ ३७ ॥
अवस्था नैव दृश्यन्ते वियति ज्योतिषामिव ॥ ३७ ॥
Verse text
anādy-antavatānena
kāleneśvara-mūrtinā
avasthā naiva dṛśyante
viyati jyotiṣām iva
kāleneśvara-mūrtinā
avasthā naiva dṛśyante
viyati jyotiṣām iva
Synonyms
anādi-anta-vatā — without beginning or end; anena — by this; kālena — time; īśvara — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; mūrtinā — the representation; avasthāḥ — the different stages; na — not; eva — indeed; dṛśyante — are seen; viyati — in outer space; jyotiṣām — of the moving planets; iva — just as.
Translation
These stages of existence created by beginningless and endless time, the impersonal representative of the Supreme Lord, are not visible, just as the infinitesimal momentary changes of position of the planets in the sky cannot be directly seen.
Purport
Although everyone knows that the sun is constantly moving in the sky, one cannot normally see the sun moving. Similarly, no one can directly perceive his hair or nails growing, although with the passing of time we perceive the fact of growth. Time, the potency of the Lord, is very subtle and powerful and is an insurmountable barrier to fools who are trying to exploit the material creation.
Devanagari
नित्यो नैमित्तिकश्चैव तथा प्राकृतिको लय: ।
आत्यन्तिकश्च कथित: कालस्य गतिरीदृशी ॥ ३८ ॥
आत्यन्तिकश्च कथित: कालस्य गतिरीदृशी ॥ ३८ ॥
Verse text
nityo naimittikaś caiva
tathā prākṛtiko layaḥ
ātyantikaś ca kathitaḥ
kālasya gatir īdṛśī
tathā prākṛtiko layaḥ
ātyantikaś ca kathitaḥ
kālasya gatir īdṛśī
Synonyms
nityaḥ — continuous; naimittikaḥ — occasional; ca — and; eva — indeed; tathā — also; prākṛtikaḥ — natural; layaḥ — annihilation; ātyantikaḥ — final; ca — and; kathitaḥ — are described; kālasya — of time; gatiḥ — the progress; īdṛśī — like this.
Translation
In this way the progress of time is described in terms of the four kinds of annihilation — continuous, occasional, elemental and final.
Devanagari
एता: कुरुश्रेष्ठ जगद्विधातु-
र्नारायणस्याखिलसत्त्वधाम्न: ।
लीलाकथास्ते कथिता: समासत:
कार्त्स्न्येन नाजोऽप्यभिधातुमीश: ॥ ३९ ॥
र्नारायणस्याखिलसत्त्वधाम्न: ।
लीलाकथास्ते कथिता: समासत:
कार्त्स्न्येन नाजोऽप्यभिधातुमीश: ॥ ३९ ॥
Verse text
etāḥ kuru-śreṣṭha jagad-vidhātur
nārāyaṇasyākhila-sattva-dhāmnaḥ
līlā-kathās te kathitāḥ samāsataḥ
kārtsnyena nājo ’py abhidhātum īśaḥ
nārāyaṇasyākhila-sattva-dhāmnaḥ
līlā-kathās te kathitāḥ samāsataḥ
kārtsnyena nājo ’py abhidhātum īśaḥ
Synonyms
etāḥ — these; kuru-śreṣṭha — O best of the Kurus; jagat-vidhātuḥ — of the creator of the universe; nārāyaṇasya — of Lord Nārāyaṇa; akhila-sattva-dhāmnaḥ — the reservoir of all existences; līlā-kathāḥ — the pastime narrations; te — to you; kathitāḥ — have been related; samāsataḥ — in summary; kārtsnyena — entirely; na — not; ajaḥ — unborn Brahmā; api — even; abhidhātum — to enumerate; īśaḥ — is capable.
Translation
O best of the Kurus, I have related to you these narrations of the pastimes of Lord Nārāyaṇa, the creator of this world and the ultimate reservoir of all existence, presenting them to you only in brief summary. Even Lord Brahmā himself would be incapable of describing them entirely.
Devanagari
संसारसिन्धुमतिदुस्तरमुत्तितीर्षो-
र्नान्य: प्लवो भगवत: पुरुषोत्तमस्य ।
लीलाकथारसनिषेवणमन्तरेण
पुंसो भवेद् विविधदु:खदवार्दितस्य ॥ ४० ॥
र्नान्य: प्लवो भगवत: पुरुषोत्तमस्य ।
लीलाकथारसनिषेवणमन्तरेण
पुंसो भवेद् विविधदु:खदवार्दितस्य ॥ ४० ॥
Verse text
saṁsāra-sindhum ati-dustaram uttitīrṣor
nānyaḥ plavo bhagavataḥ puruṣottamasya
līlā-kathā-rasa-niṣevaṇam antareṇa
puṁso bhaved vividha-duḥkha-davārditasya
nānyaḥ plavo bhagavataḥ puruṣottamasya
līlā-kathā-rasa-niṣevaṇam antareṇa
puṁso bhaved vividha-duḥkha-davārditasya
Synonyms
saṁsāra — of material existence; sindhum — the ocean; ati-dustaram — impossible to cross; uttitīrṣoḥ — for one who desires to cross; na — there is not; anyaḥ — any other; plavaḥ — boat; bhagavataḥ — of the Personality of Godhead; puruṣa-uttamasya — the Supreme Lord; līlā-kathā — of the narrations of the pastimes; rasa — to the transcendental taste; niṣevaṇam — the rendering of service; antareṇa — apart from; puṁsaḥ — for a person; bhavet — there can be; vividha — various; duḥkha — of material miseries; dava — by the fire; arditasya — who is distressed.
Translation
For a person who is suffering in the fire of countless miseries and who desires to cross the insurmountable ocean of material existence, there is no suitable boat except that of cultivating devotion to the transcendental taste for the narrations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s pastimes.
Purport
Although it is not possible to completely describe the pastimes of the Lord, even a partial appreciation can save one from the unbearable miseries of material existence. The fever of material existence can be removed only by the medicine of the holy name and pastimes of the Supreme Lord, which are perfectly narrated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Devanagari
पुराणसंहितामेतामृषिर्नारायणोऽव्यय: ।
नारदाय पुरा प्राह कृष्णद्वैपायनाय स: ॥ ४१ ॥
नारदाय पुरा प्राह कृष्णद्वैपायनाय स: ॥ ४१ ॥
Verse text
purāṇa-saṁhitām etām
ṛṣir nārāyaṇo ’vyayaḥ
nāradāya purā prāha
kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyanāya saḥ
ṛṣir nārāyaṇo ’vyayaḥ
nāradāya purā prāha
kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyanāya saḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Long ago this essential anthology of all the Purāṇas was spoken by the infallible Lord Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi to Nārada, who then repeated it to Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vedavyāsa.
Devanagari
स वै मह्यं महाराज भगवान् बादरायण: ।
इमां भागवतीं प्रीत: संहितां वेदसम्मिताम् ॥ ४२ ॥
इमां भागवतीं प्रीत: संहितां वेदसम्मिताम् ॥ ४२ ॥
Verse text
sa vai mahyaṁ mahā-rāja
bhagavān bādarāyaṇaḥ
imāṁ bhāgavatīṁ prītaḥ
saṁhitāṁ veda-sammitām
bhagavān bādarāyaṇaḥ
imāṁ bhāgavatīṁ prītaḥ
saṁhitāṁ veda-sammitām
Synonyms
saḥ — he; vai — indeed; mahyam — to me, Śukadeva Gosvāmī; mahārāja — O King Parīkṣit; bhagavān — the powerful incarnation of the Supreme Lord; bādarāyaṇaḥ — Śrīla Vyāsadeva; imām — this; bhāgavatīm — Bhāgavata scripture; prītaḥ — being satisfied; saṁhitām — the anthology; veda-sammitām — equal in status to the four Vedas..
Translation
My dear Mahārāja Parīkṣit, that great personality Śrīla Vyāsadeva taught me this same scripture, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is equal in stature to the four Vedas.
Devanagari
इमां वक्ष्यत्यसौ सूत ऋषिभ्यो नैमिषालये ।
दीर्घसत्रे कुरुश्रेष्ठ सम्पृष्ट: शौनकादिभि: ॥ ४३ ॥
दीर्घसत्रे कुरुश्रेष्ठ सम्पृष्ट: शौनकादिभि: ॥ ४३ ॥
Verse text
imāṁ vakṣyaty asau sūta
ṛṣibhyo naimiṣālaye
dīrgha-satre kuru-śreṣṭha
sampṛṣṭaḥ śaunakādibhiḥ
ṛṣibhyo naimiṣālaye
dīrgha-satre kuru-śreṣṭha
sampṛṣṭaḥ śaunakādibhiḥ
Synonyms
imām — this; vakṣyati — will speak; asau — present before us; sūtaḥ — Sūta Gosvāmī; ṛṣibhyaḥ — to the sages; naimiṣa-ālaye — in the forest of Naimiṣa; dīrgha-satre — at the lengthy sacrificial performance; kuru-śreṣṭha — O best of the Kurus; sampṛṣṭaḥ — questioned; śaunaka-ādibhiḥ — by the assembly led by Śaunaka.
Translation
O best of the Kurus, the same Sūta Gosvāmī who is sitting before us will speak this Bhāgavatam to the sages assembled in the great sacrifice at Naimiṣāraṇya. This he will do when questioned by the members of the assembly, headed by Śaunaka.
Purport
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Twelfth Canto, Fourth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Four Categories of Universal Annihilation.”