text:
See for the online version with illustrations, music and links to the previous translation: http://bhagavata.org/
'The Story of the Fortunate One'
Third revised version 2012
Canto 4a
The Creation of the Fourth Order, The Lord's Protection
Chapter 1 Genealogical Table of the Daughters of Manu
Chapter 2 Daksha Curses Lord S'iva
Chapter 3 Talks Between Lord S'iva and Satî
Chapter 4 Satî Quits Her Body
Chapter 5 Frustration of the Sacrifice of Daksha
Chapter 6 Brahmâ Satîsfies Lord S'iva
Chapter 7 The Sacrifice Performed by Daksha
Chapter 8 Dhruva Leaves Home for the Forest
Chapter 9 Dhruva Returns Home from the Forest
Chapter 10 Dhruva Mahârâja's Fight with the Yakshas
Chapter 11 Svâyambhuva Manu Advises Dhruva Mahârâja to Stop Fighting
Chapter 12 Dhruva Mahârâja Goes Back to Godhead
Chapter 13 Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahârâja
Chapter 14 The Story of King Vena
Chapter 15 King Prithu's Appearance and Coronation
Chapter 16 King Prithu extolled
Chapter 17 Prithu Mahârâja Gets Angry with the Earth
Chapter 18 Prithu Mahârâja Milks the Earth
Chapter 19 King Prithu's One Hundred Horse Sacrifices
IntroductionThis book tells the story of the Lord and His incarnations since the earliest records of Vedic history, the history of the original culture of knowledge of India. It is verily the Krishna 'bible' [in Sanskrit called a samhitâ] of the Hindu universe. The Bhagavad Gîtâ relates to this book like the sermon on the mountain by Lord Jesus relates to the full Bible. It has about 18.000 verses contained in 335 chapters and consists of 12 subdivisons of books that are called Cantos. These books together tell the complete history of the Vedic culture and cover the essence of the classical collections of stories called the Purânas. This specific collection of Vedic stories is considered the most important one of all the great eigtheen classical Purânas of India. It includes the cream of the Vedic knowledge compiled from all the Vedic literatures as also the story of the life of Lord Krishna in full (Canto 10). Lord Krishna constitutes a watershed in the history between the old Vedic culture and the 'modern' political culture in which the rule of state no longer automatically is led by the spiritual order. The book tells the story of His birth, His youth, all His wonderful proofs of His divine nature and His superhuman feats of defeating all kinds of demons up to the great Mahâbhârat war at Kurukshetra. In this war the Vedic culture fell down to be replaced by the fragmented relighiosity we these days call Hinduism. This leading Purâna also called the 'perfect Purâna', is a brilliant story that has been brought to the West by S'rîla A.C. Bhaktivedânta Swami Prabhupâda, a Caitanya Vaishnava, a bhakti (devotional) monk of Lord Vishṇu [the name for the transcendental form of Lord Krishna]. He undertook the daring task of enlightening the materialist westerners, the advanced philosophers and theologians, in order to help them to overcome the perils and loneliness of impersonalism and the philosophy of emptiness.
For the translation the author of this internet version has consulted the translations of C.L Goswami. M.A., Sâstrî (from the Gîtâ Press, Gorakhpur), the paramparâ [disciplic succession] version of S'rîla Vishvanâtha Cakravarti Thhâkura and the later version of this book by S'rîla A.C. Bhaktivedânta Swami Prabhupâda. The latter translators as âcâryas [guru teaching by example] of the age-old Indian Vaishnava tradition are representatives of a culture of reformation of the devotion for God or bhakti, the way it has been practiced in India since the 16th century. This reformation asserts that the false authority of the caste system and single dry book knowledge is to be rejected. S'rî Krishna Caitanya, also called Caitanya Mahâprabhu (1486-1534), the avatâra [an incarnation of the Lord] who heralded this reform, restored the original purpose of developing devotion unto the person of God and endeavored in particular for dissemination of the two main sacred scriptures expounding on that devotion in relation to Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These scriptures are the Bhagavad Gîtâ and this Bhâgavata Purâna, that is also called the S'rîmad Bhâgavatam, from which all the Vaishnava âcâryas derived their wisdom for the purpose of instruction and the shaping of their devotion. The word for word translations as also the full text and commentaries of this book were studied within and without the Hare Krishna temples where the teaching of this culture takes place. The purpose of the translation is first of all to make this glorious text available to a wider audience over the Internet. Since the Bible, the Koran and numerous other holy texts are readily available, the translator meant that this book could not stay behind on the shelf of his own bookcase as a token of material possessiveness. When we started with this endeavor in the year 2000 there was no proper web presentation of this book. Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost, and certainly this type of knowledge, which stresses the yoga of non-possessiveness and devotion as one of its main values could not be left out. The version of Swami Prabhupâda is very extensive covering some 2400 pages of plain fine printed text including his commentaries. And that were only the first ten Cantos. The remaining two Cantos were posthumously published by his pupils in the full of his spirit. I thus was faced with two daring challenges: one was to concatenate the text or make a readable running narrative of the book that had been dissected and commented to the single word and the second challenge was to put it into a language that would befit the 21st century with all its modern and postmodern experience and digital progress of the present cultural order of the world, without losing anything of its original verses. Thus another verse to verse as-it-is translation came about in which Vishvanâtha's, Prabhupâda's and Sâstrî's words were pruned, retranslated and set to the understanding and realization of today. This realization in my case originated directly from the disciplic line of succession of the Vaishnava line of âcâryas as also from a realization of the total field of indian philosophy of enlightenment and yoga discipline as was brought to the West by also non-Vaishnava gurus and maintained by their pupils. Therefore the author has to express his gratitude to all these great heroes who dared to face the adamantine of western philosophy with all its doubts, concreticism and skepticism. Especially the pupils of Prabhupâda, members of the renounced order (sannyâsîs) who instructed the author in the independence and maturity of the philosophy of the bhakti-yogis of Lord Caitanya need to be mentioned. I was already initiated in India by a non-Vaishnava guru and have been given the name of Swami Anand Aadhar ('teacher of the foundation of happiness'). That name the Krishna community converted into Anand Aadhar Prabhu ('master of the foundation of happiness') without further ceremonies of Vaishnava initiation (apart from a basic training). With the name Anand Aadhar I am a withdrawn devotee, a so-called vânaprashta, who does his devotional service independently in the silence and modesty of his local adaptations of the philosophy.
In most cases the word for word translations and grammatical directions of S'rîla A.C. Bhaktivedânta Swami Prabhupâda/ISKCON, Vishvanâtha Cakravarti Thhâkura and C.L. Goswami. M.A., Sâstrî have been followed as they were used in their translations and I have checked them with the help of the Monier-Williams Sanskrit Dictionary [see the file of the terms used]. In footnotes and between square brackets [ ] sometimes a little comment and extra info is given to accommodate the reader when the original text is drawing from a more experienced approach. On the internetsite bhagavata.org of this book, my version refers to the version of Prabhupâda that is linked up at each verse together with my own previous version so that it is possible to retrace at any moment what I have done with the text. This is in accordance with the scientific tradition of the Vaishnava community.
For the copyright on this translation the so-called Commons Attribution Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License has been chosen. This means that one is free to copy, distribute and alter the text on the condition of attribution (refer to the name of Anand Aadhar and to my website address bhagavata.org), that the resulting work can only be distributed under the same or similar license to this one and that one cannot use the text for commercial purposes. For all other usage one will have to contact the translator.
With love and devotion,
Anand Aadhar Prabhu,
Enschede, The Netherlands, April 17, 2012.
Chapter 1: Genealogical Table of the Daughters of Manu
(1) S'rî Maitreya said: 'Svâyambhuva Manu begot in his wife S'atarûpâ [two sons] as well [as] three daughters named Âkûti, Devahûti and Prasûti, as you know [see 3.12: 56]. (2) Despite the fact that Âkûti had brothers * she was handed over to the great sage Ruci on the condition that the king would get the resultant son. This was settled with the support of religious rites and the consent of his wife. (3) Ruci, the most powerful great sage who was entrusted with the procreation, in his supreme concentration begot a pair of children by her who were of the greatest spiritual and brahminical strength. (4) The male child of the two, Yajña ['the One of Sacrifice'], was a direct personification of Vishnu while the other female child Dakshinâ was His inseparable plenary portion, the Goddess of Fortune [Lakshmî]. (5) The very powerful son the daughter bore was taken to the home of the very happy Svâyambhuva Manu, while Dakshinâ was kept by Ruci. (6) The Lord and master of all sacrifice who [always] longed for her then married [her] and she, most pleased to have Him for her husband, gave birth to twelve sons. (7) The twelve were: Tosha, Pratosha, Santosha, Bhadra, Sânti, Idaspati, Idhma, Kavi, Vibhu, Svahna, Sudeva and Rocana. (8) In the period of Svâyambhuva Manu they were known as the Tushita demigods. Marîci headed the sages then and Yajña was the king of the demigods [Indra]. (9) The two sons of Manu, Priyavrata and Uttânapâda, were in that period the greatest of all kings and their sons, grandsons, great grandsons and their offspring followed in his footsteps during that period of Manu. (10) Dear son, concerning Svâyambhuva handing over his daughter to Kardama, you've heard me speak in full [see 3.12: 57]. (11) The great personality Svâyambhuva gave Prasûti to Daksha, the son of Brahmâ, whose offspring expanded greatly over the three worlds. (12) I told you already about the nine daughters of Kardama who became the wives of the nine great sages of spiritual knowledge [see 3.24: 21-25]. Now hear from me my description of the generations stemming from them. (13) The daughter of Kardama, the wife of Marîci also named Kalâ, gave birth to Kas'yapa and Pûrnimâ whose children spread all over the world. (14) Pûrnimâ got sons named Viraja, Vis'vaga, oh conqueror, and a daughter named Devakulyâ who became the water that washed from the Lord His lotus feet and later constituted the heavenly river the Ganges. (15) The wife of Atri Muni, named Anasûyâ, bore three very famous sons: Dattâtreya, Durvâsâ and Soma [the moon god], who are [partial] incarnations of respectively the Supersoul [Vishnu], Lord S'iva and Lord Brahmâ.'
(16) Vidura said: 'Oh spiritual master, tell me how in the house of Atri the chief demigods serving the causes of maintenance, creation and destruction, could appear with a desire to do something.'
(17) Maitreya said: 'Being inspired by Lord Brahmâ to procreate Atri, the chief of the learned in spiritual knowledge, together with his wife went to the great mountain named Riksha to stay there for austerities. (18) In that place in the garden of the forest there were many as'oka and palâs'a trees and flowers, and everywhere the sound of the flowing waters of the river the Nirvindhyâ. (19) Controlling the mind by regulating his breath the sage remained there for a hundred years subsisting on air while standing on the one leg of non-duality. (20) He thought: 'Taking shelter I surrender myself to Him, may He who is the master of the universe give me a son like Himself.' (21) By the fire that, issuing from the top of the head of the sage, was fueled by his breath control, he, practicing his austerities, was noticed by the three principal gods of the three worlds. (22) As his fame was spreading, the Apsaras, the munis, the Gandharvas, the Siddhas, the Vidyâdharas and Nâgas came to his hermitage. (23) When he saw these demigods and great personalities simultaneously appear, the mind of the sage who had awakened on his one leg lighted up. (24) Recognizing the symbols of their personal paraphernalia [drum, kus'a grass and discus] and the bull, the swan and Garuda on which they were seated, he with folded hands fell down prostrating before them to offer his obeisances. (25) Dazzled by the glaring effulgence of their smiling faces and the apparent satisfaction of their merciful glances, the sage closed his eyes. (26-27) Absorbed by that vision he ecstatically expressed his prayers before the ones who are most appreciated in all the worlds. Atri said: 'Let me bow before You oh Lord Brahmâ, Lord S'iva and Lord Vishnu, You who, as usual in the different millennia, have accepted Your bodies according to the division of the modes of nature for the sake of the creation, destruction and maintenance of the universe. Whom of You have I actually called for? (28) Being so merciful, please explain to me full of serious doubt as I am, how it can be that, even though I am far beyond the minds of the ones embodied, all of You have appeared here while I fixed my mind on the One Great Lord of all Fortune for the sake of begetting a child?'
(29) Maitreya said: 'Oh mighty one, after thus having heard the great sage his words, all the three chief demigods smiled at him and replied in gentle voices. (30) The gods said: 'As you have decided, so it shall be done and not otherwise; to you who never lost your resolve oh dear brahmin, we are all the one and same you so truly were meditating upon. (31) Therefore our plenary expansions - your sons to be born - will be very famous in the world dear sage, and to your great fortune they will also spread your good name.'
(32) With the husband and wife looking on the chief demigods, who thus having offered the desired benediction were perfectly worshiped, returned to their places. (33) Soma appeared as a partial expansion of Lord Brahmâ, Dattâtreya as a very powerful yogi of Lord Vishnu, and Durvâsâ as a partial expansion of S'ankara [S'iva]. Hear now about the generations that appeared from Angirâ. (34) S'raddhâ, the wife of Angirâ, gave birth to the daughters Sinîvâlî, Kuhû and Râkâ and had Anumati as the fourth one. (35) The sons he begot next to them were very famous in the millennium of Svârocisha Manu [the second Manu after Svâyambhuva]: they were the mighty Utathya and the foremost knower of the Absolute Truth Brihaspati. (36) Pulastya begot in his wife Havirbhû, Âgastya, who in his next birth would be Dahrâgni [the one of the digestive fire], and Vis'ravâ, who was great in austerity. (37) From Vis'ravâ the demigod Kuvera the king of the Yakshas [his supernatural attendants] appeared. He was born from Idavidâ while the sons Râvana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhîshana were born from another wife [named Kes'inî]. (38) Gati, the wife of Pulaha, oh devoted one, gave birth to three chaste sons [Karmas'reshthha, Varîyân and Sahishnu] who knew all about karma and were also very respectable and tolerant. (39) Kriyâ, the wife of sage Kratu, gave birth to sixty thousand sages who lived in accord with the Vâlakhilya [some Rig Veda verses about the retired position]. They radiated the brilliance of the brahminical perspective [and are also known as the small ones, the Vâlakhilyas produced by Brahmâ who surround the chariot of the sun]. (40) From Ûrjâ [also called Arundhatî], Citraketu was begotten by the sage Vasishthha, oh great one. He appeared as the first of seven sons who were all great and pure sages of Brahman, the Absolute Truth. (41) They were Citraketu, Suroci, Virajâ, Mitra, Ulbana, Vasubhridyâna and Dyumân. And there were also S'akti and other sons born from his other wife. (42) Also Citti [also known as Sânti], the wife of Atharvâ, gave fully dedicated to the Dadhyañca vow [the vow of meditation] birth to a son who was called As'vas'irâ. Now hear about the generation begotten by Bhrigu. (43) Bhrigu, most fortunately, begot in his wife Khyâti, the sons Dhâtâ and Vidhâtâ and a daughter named S'rî, who was very devoted to the Lord. (44) To these two sons were given in marriage Âyati and Niyati, two daughters of sage Meru, from whom appeared Mrikanda and also Prâna. (45) Mârkandeya Muni was born from the seed of Mrikanda and from Prâna the great sage Vedas'irâ appeared whose greatly powerful son named Kavi Bhârgava was also known as Us'anâ [or S'ukrâcârya]. (46-47) Oh Vidura, I have spoken to you about how with the offspring of sage Kardama all the great sages with their descendants populated the three worlds with the grandsons that were born to them. With faith hearing about this is the best way to drive away immediately all sins.
Prasûti, a daughter of Manu, married the son of Brahmâ called Daksha. (48) With her Daksha begot sixteen lotus eyed daughters. Thirteen were given in marriage to Dharma and one was given to Agni. (49-52) One daughter he gave to the combined forefathers and one he gave to Lord S'iva, the deliverer of the sinners. S'raddhâ, Maitrî, Dayâ, Sânti, Tushthi, Pushthi, Kriyâ, Unnati, Buddhi, Medhâ, Titikshâ, Hrî and Mûrti are the names of the daughters of Daksha who were given to Dharma. S'raddhâ gave birth to S'ubha, Maitrî got Prasâda, Dayâ got Abhaya, Sânti got Sukha, Tushthi got Muda, Pushthi got Smaya, Kriyâ got Yoga, Unnati got Darpa, Buddhi got Artha, Medhâ got Smriti, Titikshâ got Kshema and Hrî got Pras'raya. Mûrti, a reservoir of all good qualities, gave birth to the two sages Nara and Nârâyana. (53) The appearance of the both of Them gladdened the universe and filled everyone's mind with joy. In all directions the rivers, mountains and the atmosphere became pleasant. (54-55) The demigods, Brahmâ and the others all full of respect offered prayers. From the heavens musical instruments sounded, flowers were showered from the sky, the sages satisfied chanted Vedic hymns, the Gandharvas and Kinnaras began to sing, the heavenly damsels danced and thus all signs of good fortune were seen. (56) The gods said: 'Our obeisances unto the Supreme Original Personality who by His external energy created the variety of all in existence that resides in Him the same way as masses of clouds are found in the sky, Him who today has appeared in the house of Dharma in the form of these sages. (57) May He, whom we know on the basis of the Vedas and who - in order to put an end to the misfortune of the created world - from the mode of goodness created us, the demigods, bestow upon us His merciful glance which supersedes the spotless lotus that is the home of the Goddess of Fortune.'
(58) Oh Vidura, thus being praised by the assembled demigods who found the mercy of His glance, the Supreme Lord thereafter left for Gandhamâdana Hill. (59) These two partial [ams'a] incarnations of the Supreme Lord Hari, have now for mitigating the burden of the world appeared here as the two of Krishna [Krishna and Arjuna] who are the most eminent ones of the Kuru and Yadu dynasty. (60) Svâhâ [the daughter of Daksha and] the wife of the predominating god of fire Agni, produced three sons: Pâvaka, Pavamâna and S'uci who feed on the oblations of the sacrifice. (61) They produced forty-five fire gods, so that taken together there are forty-nine of them, including the fathers and the grandfather. (62) They with their names constitute the [49] fires in which the knowers of Brahman during Vedic ceremonies offer their oblations [ishthis] for Agni. (63) The forefathers are the Agnishvâttas, Barhishadas, Saumyas and Âjyapas; they are approached [with libations of water in combination] with or without fire and Svadhâ, Daksha's daughter is their wife. (64) They gave her two daughters, Vayunâ and Dhârinî, who both were expert in the knowledge as well as the [transcendental] wisdom of the impersonal way of Brahman. (65) The wife of Bhava [a name of S'iva] named Satî, faithfully engaged herself in serving the demigod, but did not give birth to a son with her qualities and character. (66) Her father namely had in anger behaved unfavorably towards the faultless one [S'iva], so that she, even before attaining maturity, had to give up her body in the connectedness of yoga.'
* Normally when a woman has brothers she is not given away in marriage on these conditions. The grandson is adopted for the sake of securing the inheritance in the male line. This is called putrikā-dharma: to get a son by means of a religious ritual. S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî Thhâkura offers in this connection the explanation that Manu knew that the Supreme Personality would appear as the son of Âkûti. So He would become his son.
Chapter 2: Daksha Curses Lord S'iva
(1) Vidura said: 'Why exhibited Daksha enmity towards Lord S'iva, the best among the gentle ones, while he neglected his daughter Satî whom he cared so much about? (2) How could he hate him who is the spiritual master of the entire world and who, being satisfied within with a peaceful personality and free from enmity, is the greatest demigod of the universe? (3) Tell me therefore, oh brahmin, the reason why the father-in-law and son-in-law quarreled and thus Satî came to give up life which is so difficult to give up.'
(4) Maitreya said: 'Once in the past at a sacrifice held by the ruler of creation [the Prajâpati], the immortal ones of creation, the great sages along with the philosophers, the demigods and the gods of the sacrificial fire together with all their followers had assembled. (5) When he [Daksha] arrived at that great assembly the sages could see him as someone who, free from the darkness of ignorance, shone like the sun. (6) They, the members of the assembly along with the ones taking care of the fire, impressed by his luster all with the exception of Lord Brahmâ and Lord S'iva, stood up from their seats. (7) Daksha, the one of all opulence who was properly welcomed by the leaders of the assembly, made his obeisances towards the one unborn, the master of the world, and sat down upon his order. (8) Before he took his seat though he felt insulted by Lord S'iva who showed no sign of respect, and losing his temper he with an angry look in his eyes said the following. (9) 'Listen to me, oh wise among the brahmins, oh godly ones, oh fire gods, how I speak to you about the manners of the gentle ones, and this I do not out of ignorance or jealousy. (10) He [S'iva] lacking in manners, has shamelessly spoilt the fame of the rulers of the universe and polluted the path followed by the gentle ones. (11) He, acting like an honest man, [as a son of mine] has accepted to be of a lower position in taking the hand of my daughter in the presence of fire and brahmins. (12) He with accepting the hand of her who has eyes like that of a deer cub, himself having the eyes of a monkey, has not as it should with a word of welcome honored me by standing up from his seat. (13) Contrary to what I want I have given my daughter to him who with no respect for the rules and regulations, impure and proud has broken with the code of civility; it is as if I gave the message of the Vedas to a s'ûdra! (14-15) Accompanied by ghosts and demons he wanders around at the burial places where corpses are burnt, and laughs and cries there like a madman, with scattered hair smearing himself with the ashes of the funeral pyre. He has a garland of skulls and is ornamented with dead man's bones; only in name he is S'iva or auspicious. He is in fact inauspicious, crazy and dear to the crazy, he is their leader and Lord engrossed in the mode of ignorance. (16) To him, the Lord of Ghosts void of all cleanliness and with a heart full of nasty matters, I alas, upon the request of the supreme teacher [Brahmâ], have given away Satî.'
(17) Maitreya said: 'After thus having abused S'iva who remained without hostility, Daksha next rinsed his hands and mouth with water and began to curse him angrily: (18) 'The portion of the sacrifice for God that the demigods along with Indra, Upendra [the younger brother of Indra] and others are entitled to, is there not for the lowest of the demigods.' (19) Even though the members of the assembly urged him not to, Daksha, having cursed S'iva, left the place and went home oh Vidura, for he had gotten very angry. (20) Understanding that Lord S'iva had been cursed, one of his principal associates Nandis'vara, turned red and blind with anger he harshly cursed Daksha and the brahmins who had allowed that the cursing happened.
(21) 'May he who in the physical presence of him, the non-envious Lord S'iva, bears envy and thus is stupefied by a dual vision, lose all his grip on reality. (22) He who is attracted to a householder's life of pretentious religiosity and in a desire for material happiness performs fruitive activities, will see his intelligence concerning the Vedic word fail. (23) Let him who, with the intelligence of taking the body for one's self, has forgotten the knowledge of Vishnu and as an animal is attached to his sex life, that excessive Daksha, soon have the head of a goat! (24) May those who follow Daksha in his insults and dulled in the ignorance of their fruitive activities have lost their intelligence and knowledge, time and again end up here in the ocean of material suffering. (25) Let those who are so envious with Lord S'iva and whose minds have grown slow because of the enchanting flowery words of the Vedas that are so pervaded with the scent of honey, for ever be stupefied. (26) Let those brahmins, who have taken to education, austerity and vows for the purpose of acquiring money and satisfying their physical senses, as beggars wander from door to door, eating whatever!'
(27) When Bhrigu heard the words of this curse against the class of the twice-born, he in response pronounced an insurmountable curse in accord with the brahminical way of chastising: (28) 'May anyone who takes a vow to please Lord S'iva and follows such principles, become an atheist straying away from the scriptural injunctions. (29) Let those who took initiation to worship S'iva and abandoned cleanliness, foolishly have their hairs long, wear bones and are covered by ashes, find their destiny in intoxication. (30) Because you blaspheme the Vedas and the brahmins in support of the established rules of society, you have therefore sought your refuge in atheism. (31) In the Vedas, which in the past have always been rigidly followed for being the auspicious, eternal path for all people, one finds the evidence of Janârdana [the Lord as the well-wisher of all]. (32) Blaspheming that supreme and pure spirit which is the eternal path of the truthful, you are doomed to end up in atheism wherein the Lord of matter and death [S'iva as Bhûtapati] is your deity!'
(33) Maitreya said: 'After S'iva thus was mentioned in the curse of Bhrigu, the Supreme One, somewhat downcast, left the place together with his followers. (34) And so the fathers of mankind for a thousand years settled for the sacrifice oh great master, in which the chief of all gods is Hari, the Supreme Personality. (35) After purifying their hearts by taking their ceremonial, concluding bath where the Ganges meets the Yamunâ, they all left from there to return to their own places.'
Chapter 3: Talks Between Lord S'iva and Satî
(1) Maitreya said: 'Thus the heartily enmity that existed between the son-in-law and father-in-law, continued for a very long time. (2) When Daksha was appointed the chief of all the progenitors of mankind by Brahmâ, the supreme teacher, he became very puffed up with pride. (3) Neglecting S'iva and his followers he, after first performing a Vâjapeya sacrifice ['the drink of strength or battle'], began the best of all sacrifices called the Brihaspati-sava sacrifice [the initiatory sacrifice to the honor of the chief offerer of prayers and sacrifice]. (4) To that occasion all the God-conscious and learned ones of wisdom, the ancestors and the demigods including the nicely decorated wives who accompanied their husbands, assembled. (5-7) Satî, the daughter of Daksha and wife of S'iva, heard the denizens of heaven talk in the sky about the great festival to be performed by her father, and when she saw near her residence the beautiful wives of the godly ones with glittering eyes from all directions, in nice dresses with golden earrings and ornaments around their necks, in their heavenly vehicles move about along with their husbands to go there, she highly anxious addressed her husband, the Lord and master of the Bhûtas [the ones of matter and the dead]. (8) Satî said: 'Your father-in-law, Daksha, has started a great sacrifice where all the God-conscious ones are going and where we surely thus also may go to my dearest, if you like to. (9) Surely my sisters together with their husbands will also be going there, eager to see their relatives. I would like to attend that gathering together with you and all the ornaments given to me. Do you consent? (10) I will surely meet my sisters there with their husbands as well as my sweet aunts and my mother. I've been waiting for a long time to see them as also the sacrificial flags raised by the great sages, oh merciful one. (11) Unto you oh unborn one, this manifestation of His external energy that was created as an interaction of the three modes, appears so wonderful. But I am but your poor woman not conversant with the truth who would like to see her place of birth oh Bhava [S'iva as the Lord of existence]. (12) Oh immaterial, blue-throated one, the other women, ornamented and with their husbands and friends, are flocking in large numbers going there standing beautifully out against the sky with their white swans carrying them high. (13) How can I be emotionally unaffected oh best of the demigods, when I as a daughter hear about the festival that takes place in the house of my father? Even when one is not invited one can go to the house of a friend, one's husband, one's father or one's spiritual master, isn't it? (14) Be therefore so kind unto me oh immortal one, and fulfill my desire oh you honorable, compassionate Lord with your unlimited vision. See me as the [full] other half of your body, please be so gracious to answer my request.'
(15) The sage said: 'The deliverer from mount Kailâsa [Lord S'iva] thus addressed by his dearest, amiable to his relatives as he was, replied with a smile, meanwhile remembering the heart-piercing, malicious words that Daksha had spoken in the presence of the guardians of creation. (16) The great Lord said: 'What you said my dear beauty, is perfectly true; one may, even uninvited, visit friends, provided they are not finding fault with you or, more important, when they are not of any anger in being proud of their material achievements. (17) Those who are arrogant are blinded in their pride over the six qualities of pious education, austerity, wealth, beauty, youth and heritage. Not of respect for the glories of the great souls they to the contrary get entangled in untruth and lose their sense of reality. (18) One should not go to the house of relatives and friends who in their suppositions don't see matters as they are and thus offer their guests a cold reception in regarding them with raised eyebrows and anger in their eyes. (19) One is not hurt as much by the arrows of an enemy as one is grieved in the core of one's heart by the deceitful, harsh words of relatives, for such grief makes the one hurt suffer day and night. (20) It is clear that you with your pretty face and good behavior are the darling of the daughters of the Prajâpati [Daksha], yet you will because of being connected to me, meet with pain because your father doesn't honor me. (21) Someone upset with a burning heart is not directly able to rise to merely the standard of the exemplary pious behavior of those whose minds are always turned to the Original Person, as much as demons envious of the Lord cannot act piously. (22) My dear young wife, the intent to rise to our feet and welcome one another with obeisances is proper, but the wise, being intelligent unto the Supreme, direct themselves to the Original Person who resides within the body and certainly not to the one who identifies himself with the body. (23) The pure consciousness known as Vasudeva [God's goodness] is revealed there [within the heart] because the person is in goodness in that position and not covered [by darkness]. The Supreme Lord as such I always respect by the name of Vâsudeva [the 'God of the Soul'] because He is the transcendence. (24) Therefore we should not go and see your father Daksha and his Vis'vasrik followers present at the sacrifice. Even though he gave you your body oh Satî, [remember that] he with cruel words enviously has insulted me who was innocent. (25) And if you decide to go there in neglect of my words, things will not turn out good for you. When you being so most respectable are insulted by your relative, that insult will be equal to dying on the spot.'
Chapter 4: Satî Quits Her Body(1) S'rî Maitreya said: 'After saying this much about the [possible] end of his wife's physical existence, Lord S'iva fell silent. Since she from S'iva understood that she had the choice between being anxious to see her relatives and being afraid to meet her relatives, she was in doubt whether she should go or not. (2) Denied in her desire to see her relatives she felt very sorry and shed tears in her affliction. Trembling she angrily looked at her Bhava, the unequaled one, as if she wanted to burn him. (3) Breathing heavily she walked away from him, the saintly one so dear to her to whom she had given half of her body. Being upset because of her grief and anger and with her intelligence clouded by her female nature, she out of love for her father's embodiment then headed for his house. (4) Rapidly leaving all alone Satî was quickly followed by the thousands of associates and Yaksha's of the three eyed one [Lord S'iva] who were headed by Manimân and Mada. Not afraid [to leave S'iva alone] they had put the bull Nandî in front. (5) Having placed her on the decorated bull, her pet bird, ball, mirror, lotus flower, white umbrella, mosquito net, garlands and other stuff were taken along, accompanied by the music of drums, conch shells and flutes. (6) She [thus] entered the sacrificial arena where with the help of sacrificial animals, pots, clay, wood, iron, gold and grass and skins to sit upon, the sacrifice, brightened by the sounds of Vedic hymns, was held that on all sides was attended by the great sages and authorities. (7) But arriving there she out of fear for the performer of the sacrifice [Daksha] was not respected by anyone with a welcome, save of course for her own sisters and mother who embraced her with reverence, gladdened faces and throats choked by tears of affection. (8) But Satî, not being welcomed by her father, did not respond to the reverence shown with the greetings of her sisters, mother and aunts who with due respect properly informed her and offered her gifts and a seat. (9) Realizing that her father with no oblations for S'iva out of contempt for the godhead had not invited the mighty one for the assembly of the sacrifice, Satî got very angry and looked incensed as if she wanted to burn the fourteen worlds with her eyes. (10) The goddess [next] for everyone present to hear began to condemn with words filled with anger the opponents of S'iva who were so proud of their troublesome sacrifices, meanwhile ordering his Bhûtas who stood prepared to attack, to hold back. (11) The blessed one said: 'He [S'iva] has no one in this world as his rival, no one is his enemy nor is anyone embodied dear to him. Who in the world but you would be envious with him, the most beloved being in the universe free from all enmity? (12) Unlike you, oh twice born one, he doesn't find fault in the qualities of the seekers of truth, he rather greatly magnifies any little good he finds in others. And now you are with him, the greatest of all persons, finding fault! (13) It is not so surprising, this deriding of glorious persons by those who take the transient body for the true self. It is an ugly evil to be envious with great personalities, an evil that perfectly serves the purpose of bringing themselves down by the dust of the holy feet. (14) Persons who only once from their heart pronounce the two syllables of his name, see their sinful activities immediately defeated; that S'iva, whose order is never neglected and who is of an impeccable renown, you now strangely envy. (15) Engaged at his lotus feet the higher personalities exercise their bee-like minds aspiring the nectar of transcendental bliss and for the common man he is the one sought who fulfills all desires. That you of all people now have to be against him, the friend of all living entities in all the three worlds! (16) Do you really think that others than you, like Brahmâ and his brahmins, are not familiar with the inauspicious call of him who is associated with the demons and who with his scattered, matted hair is garlanded with skulls and is smeared with the ashes of the crematorium? They still take on their heads the flowers that fell from the feet of him who is called S'iva or auspicious! (17) When one is confronted with people who irresponsibly blaspheme the controller of the religion, one should block one's ears and walk away, if nothing else can be done. But if one can do something, one should by force cut out the tongue of the vilifying blasphemer and next give up one's own life. That's the way to deal with such matters! (18) Therefore I shall no longer bear this body I received from you who blasphemed God. To purify oneself from mistakenly having eaten poisonous food it is best to vomit, so one says. (19) Elevated transcendentalists who enjoy their lives do not always follow the rules and regulations of the Vedas, de ways of the gods differ from those of man. Therefore a man should not criticize another man [like S'va] by the standard of his own unique sense of duty [see also B.G. 18: 47]. (20) In truth the Vedas distinguish between activities performed in attachment and activities performed in detachment [pravritti and nivritti dharma], and thus one has on the basis of these two characteristics of dharma two choices. To be of both at the same time is contradictory and thus it can be so that none of these activities are to the satisfaction of the one of transcendence. (21) Oh father, the ways we follow are not your ways, they are not recommended by those who satisfied by the food of the sacrifice follow the ritual path and thus get their fill. They are of those complete forsakers who follow the non-manifest form of sacrificing. (22) With your offenses against S'iva and denial of this body that was produced from your body, I say enough is enough! I am ashamed to have taken this contemptible birth. Oh what a shame it is to be related by birth to a bad person, to someone who is an offender of great personalities. (23) Because of the family tie I have with you it makes me very sad when my great Lord S'iva calls me 'daughter of Daksha'. All my joy and smiles vanish immediately when he does so. Therefore I will give up this bag of bones that was produced from your body.'
(24) Maitreya said: 'Oh annihilator of the enemy, speaking thus to Daksha in the arena of sacrifice, she sat down in silence on the ground with her face to the north. After touching water she, dressed in saffron garments, then closed her eyes to find absorption in the process of yoga. (25) Balancing the inward and outward going breath she, the blameless one, in the control of her yogic posture with intelligence directed her life air upward. She raised it gradually up from the navel cakra to the heart, from the heart to the windpipe and from the throat to the place between her eyebrows. (26) In her desire to give it up because of her anger towards Daksha, she who time and again full of respect sat on the lap of the most worshipful one of all saints, thus by the exercise of her own will focussed on the air and fire within her body. (27) When she right there within her mind saw nothing but the nectarean lotus feet of her husband, the supreme spiritual teacher of the universe and was freed from all impurities, soon the body of Satî was ablaze because of the fire that originated from her absorption.
(28) From the side of those who witnessed it a loudly in the sky and on the earth reverberating, wondrous tumult originated: 'Ohhh..., alas Satî the beloved goddess of the most respectable demigod, has given up her life in her anger about Daksha. (29) Oh, just see the great soullessness of him, the Prajâpati from whom all the generations sprang. Because of his disrespect she voluntarily gave up her body, she, his own daughter Satî worthy of our repeated respect. (30) He so hard-hearted and not worthy the brahminical status, will gain extensive ill fame in the world because he in his offenses as an enemy of Lord S'iva couldn't keep his own daughter from preparing herself for death!' (31) While the people were thus talking among themselves after having witnessed the wondrous death of Satî, the attendants of S'iva stood up with their weapons lifted in order to kill Daksha. (32) But as soon as he saw them approaching Bhrigu quickly offered oblations in the southern fire and recited hymns from the Yajur Veda to ward off the destroyers of a sacrifice. (33) From the oblations being offered by Bhrigu, by the thousands the demigods manifested named the Ribhus who by dint of the moon [Soma] and by penance had achieved great strength. (34) And all the ghosts and Guhyakas [guardians of S'iva] being attacked by them with pieces of firewood from the fire, thus, [haunted] by the glow of sheer brahminical power, fled in all directions.
Chapter 5: Frustration of the Sacrifice of Daksha
(1) Maitreya said: 'When Lord S'iva heard from Nârada about the death of Satî because of the impudence shown by the Prajâpati and that the soldiers of his associates had been driven away by the Ribhus produced from Daksha's sacrificial fire, his anger knew no bounds. (2) Angrily clenching his lips with his teeth he snatched from a cluster of hair on his head one hair that blazed terribly like an electric fire. Briskly standing up Rudra laughed with a deep sound and dashed the hair on the ground. (3) Next a great black man appeared with a sky-high body that had a thousand arms upholding several kinds of weapons. He radiated as bright as three suns combined, had fearful teeth, a garland of skulls around his neck and hair on his head that looked like a burning fire. (4) Upon asking him, the great Lord, with folded hands: 'What can I do for you, oh Lord of the Ghosts?', the Lord told him: 'You as the chief of my associates, oh Rudra, oh expert of combat born from my body, go and put an end to Daksha and his sacrifice!'
(5) Thus being ordered he, as the anger of the anger of the god of gods, circumambulated the mighty S'iva. Invested with the unopposable power of the most powerful one he considered himself to be the mightiest my dear Vidura, and thus capable of coping with any force. (6) With bangles on his ankles that made a loud sound and carrying a frightening trident that could even kill death, he with a loud roar hurried away, followed by S'iva's soldiers roaring [along] with a tumultuous sound. (7) At that moment the priests, Daksha the leader of the Yajña and all the persons assembled saw the darkness of a dust storm emerging from the north, upon which the brahmins and their wives began to speculate about where this dust came from: (8) 'The winds don't blow, it can't be plunderers since old King Barhi is still alive to punish them and the cows aren't herded either; so from where is this dust coming? Does this mean that the world is about to end?'
(9) The women of Daksha headed by Prasûti most afraid said: 'This is indeed the danger resulting from the sin of Daksha who, being Satî's Lord and creator, has insulted his completely innocent daughter in the presence of her sisters. (10) Or would it be he who at the time of dissolution dances with his weapons raised like flags in his hands and with the bunch of his hair scattered, while he pierces the rulers with his pointed trident and sends his loud laughter in all directions like a clap of thunder? (11) How can one ever find happiness when one as the one who arranges everything raises the fury of him who with an unbearable effulgence full of anger now darkens the luminaries with the unbearable sight of his fearful teeth and the movement of his eyebrows?'
(12) While the people [assembled at the sacrifice] of Daksha all were talking like this they, looking around nervously, could everywhere and repeatedly observe the countless fearful omens in the sky and on the earth [as a result of the anger] of the great Lordship. (13) Quickly oh Vidura, the arena of sacrifice was surrounded by the followers of Rudra who with al kinds of raised weapons were running all around with their short, blackish and yellowish, shark-like bodies and faces.
(14) Some pulled down the pillars of the pandal while others invaded the quarters of the women, the sacrificial arena, the residence of the priests and the place where one was cooking. (15) Some shattered the pots used for the sacrifice, some extinguished the fires burning for the sacrifice, some tore down the boundary lines demarcating the arena and some urinated there. (16) Others blocked the sages their way and some threatened the women and arrested the godly ones sitting nearby who wanted to get away. (17) Manimân got hold of Bhrigu Muni, Vîrabhadra [the great one] caught Prajâpati Daksha, Candes'a arrested Pûshâ and Nandîs'vara arrested the demigod Bhaga. (18) Suffering a hail of stones all the priests, godly ones and other members of the sacrifice who saw all of this happening, utterly agonized spread in all directions. (19) S'iva's mighty appearance [Vîrabhadra] in the midst of the assembly tore off the mustache of Bhrigu Muni who had held the sacrificial ladle for doing oblations, for he with his [proud] mustache had dared to laugh at S'iva. (20) Bhaga's eyes were by the great warlord, who in great fury had thrust him to the ground, plucked out in the presence of the Vis'vasriks, because he with the movement of his eyebrows had encouraged the cursing of Lord S'iva. (21) Like Baladeva did with the king of Kalinga [during the gambling match at the marriage ceremony of Aniruddha], he knocked out the teeth of Pûshâ who had shown his teeth as he smiled during the cursing of S'iva. (22) But when he with his foot on Daksha's chest with a sharp blade tried to sever his head from his body, the three eyed giant couldn't manage to get it done. (23) Nor with weapons, nor with the help of mantras being able to even scratch his skin, Vîrabhadra was struck with wonder and had to think deeply. (24) Then he spotted the device used for killing the sacrificial animals and managed therewith to sever the head from the body of Daksha, the lord ruling the sacrifice, who now was an animal of sacrifice himself.
(25) All the Bhûtas, Pretas and Pis'âcas of S'iva joyfully cheered the very moment they saw him doing that, while the followers of Daksha suffered the opposite. (26) Out of his great anger with Daksha, Vîrabhadra threw the head as an oblation in the southern sacrificial fire and set ablaze all the arrangements for the sacrifice of the godly. Then they departed for their master's abode ['where the Guhyakas reside' or Kailâsa].'
Chapter 6: Brahmâ Satisfies Lord S'iva
(1-2) Maitreya said: 'After all the demigods by the soldiers of Rudra were defeated with tridents, spears, swords, bludgeons and hammers, they with all their limbs injured together with all the priests and other members of the assembly in great fear offered Lord Brahmâ their obeisances and reported the events to him in detail. (3) Knowing beforehand of the certainty of these events, the Lord born from the lotus flower [Brahmâ] and Nârâyana, the Supersoul of the entire universe [Vishnu] had not attended the sacrifice of Daksha. (4) Hearing what had happened Lord Brahmâ said: 'A great personality has been offended and that is, given the wish to live in agreement, generally not conducive to your happiness. (5) Despite having committed these offenses in denying Lord S'iva his share in the offerings, you will all quickly find his mercy if you without any mental reservations satisfy him by taking to the shelter of his lotus feet. (6) You cannot expect to be able to continue with the sacrifice if you do not forthwith beg for the pardon of the god of all worlds and their controllers whom you have angered; being deprived of his wife, his heart was most upset by the unkind words [spoken to him]. (7) Neither I, nor Indra, nor all of you and others who have a material body, nor even the sages who know the real extent of his strength and power, have an inkling of what it means to dare a thing like that with him, he who relies on the soul only.'
(8) After thus having instructed the godly ones Lord Brahmâ went away with in his wake the forefathers and the leaders of the people whom he took from his own place to the abode of Lord S'iva, Kailâsa, the best of all mountains that is so dear to the master. (9) [The place] enjoyed by Kinnaras, Gandharvas, and Apsaras [the residents and singers of heaven and their wives] is populated by the perfected ones [or Siddhas] who differ from other people [or are gifted] by birth, by austerity, by their use of herbs or by practicing mantras in yoga. (10) The mountain range home to a diversity of deer is replete with all kinds of precious stones and is grown by trees, creepers and a diversity of other plants. (11) The mountain peaks with their crystal clear waterfalls have various caves that accommodate the mystics who sport there with their loving wives. (12) Resounding with the cries of peacocks and the humming of bees blind of intoxication, there is the continuous song of cuckoos and chirping of other birds. (13) With the elephants moving the mountain itself seems to be moving, with the sounds of the waterfalls the mountain itself seems to resound and with the trees that yield to all desires the mountain itself seems to be stretching its arms calling for the birds. (14-15) The mountain is further beautified by mandâra, pârijâta, sarala (pine) and tamâla trees, s'âla and tâla, kovidâra, âsana and arjuna trees, cûtas (mango), kadambas, dhûli-kadambas and nâgas, punnâgas and campakas and one also sees there trees like pâthalas, as'okas, bakulas, kundas and kurabakas. (16) And it is also adorned with golden colored lotuses, the cinnamon tree and the mâlatî, kubja, mallikâ and mâdhavî. (17) With kata, jackfruit, julara and banyan trees, plakshas, nyagrodhas and trees producing asafoetida, there are also betelnut trees, pûgas, râjapûgas and jambus [black berries and greenery alike]. (18) Offering a variety of trees like kharjûras, âmrâtakas, âmras and such and others like priyâlas, madhukas and ingudas, it is as well rich with venu-kîcakaih and kîcaka [different sorts of bamboo]. (19-20) Kumuda, utpala, kahlâra and s'atapatra lotuses cover the lakes of the forests which, filled with the sweet whispers of flocks of birds, harbor deer, monkeys, boars, cats, bears, s'alyakas, forest cows and asses, tigers, smaller deer and buffaloes and such. (21) It is enjoyed by different types of deer like the karnântras, ekapadas, as'vâsyas, vrikas and kastûrîs and has groups of banana trees near the sandy banks of the beautiful hillside lakes filled with lotuses. (22) The devoted ones saw the waters of lake Alakanandâ carrying the flavor of Satî who bathed there and they were struck with wonder about that mountain of the Lord of Ghosts. (23) There at Alakâ ['uncommonly beautiful'] they saw the region with the forest named Saugandhika ['full of fragrance'], which carried that name because of the species of lotus flowers one finds there. (24) And the two rivers the Nandâ and Alakanandâ flowing close to the abode of the feet of the master were even holier because of the dust of the lotus feet. (25) Dear ruler, in both the rivers the celestial damsels descended coming from their dwellings after their lovemaking in order to play there with their husbands and splatter each other with the water. (26) The two streams having turned yellow because of the kunkum powder [that washed from their breasts] make the elephants and their females who take a bath there drink from the water, even though they aren't thirsty. (27) The heavenly homes enjoyed by the wives of the virtuous ones were bedecked with countless valuable jewels, pearls and gold which made them look like clouds in the sky brightened by the flashes of lightening.
(28) Passing through the Saugandhika forest that was so attractive with its variety of trees yielding to all desires with its flowers, fruits and leaves, they reached the abode of the Lord of the Yakshas. (29) There they saw the beauty of many birds with red necks whose sounds mixed with the humming of bees as also lakes with groups of swans and most precious lotus flowers. (30) The breeze of the sandalwood trees made the wild elephants flock together and stimulated the minds of the wives of the virtuous ones over and over. (31) The staircases leading to the bathing places full of lotuses, used by the ones faithful to the divine personality [the Kimpurushas], were made of vaidûrya stone and as soon as they saw them they spotted a banyan tree nearby. (32) At a height of thousands of feet it spread out its branches over a quarter of the foot of the mountain, casting a fine cooling shadow. It had no birds nesting in it. (33) Underneath the tree the godly ones saw Lord S'iva, the shelter of many a great sage desiring liberation, sitting there as grave as eternal time in having given up his wrath. (34) Saintly liberated souls like the Kumâras headed by Sanandana and Kuvera, the master of the Guhyakas and Râkshasas, sat there in praise around the solemn and serene Lord. (35) They saw him there as the master of the senses, the knowledge of austerity and the path of yoga, as the friend of the whole world who with his complete love is the blessing for all. (36) He could be recognized as the one desired by the ascetics: with ashes, a staff, matted hair, seated on an antelope skin, the reddish hue of his body and the crescent moon on his head. (37) With a mattress of darbha straw below him he before an audience of all sages conversed with Nârada about eternality and the Absolute Truth. (38) He had placed his left foot over his right thigh and with his right hand resting on his knee holding his prayer beads, he gesticulated in argument. (39) With his knee thus fixed leaning and absorbed in the trance of spiritual bliss he as the first thinker among the wise received there the respects of the other sages and rulers of the different worlds who had folded their hands. (40) But when Lord S'iva saw that the self born one, Lord Brahmâ, had arrived accompanied by the best of the enlightened and unenlightened, he whose feet were worshiped stood up and bowed his head just like Vishnu did when He as Vâmanadeva welcomed Kas'yapa. (41) And so the other perfected ones and great rishis did who from all sides followed the example of their Lord in offering obeisances. After that demonstration of respect for Lord S'iva, Lord Brahmâ addressed him with a smile.
(42) Brahmâ said: 'I know you as the controller of the entire manifestation of the cosmic creation, as the potency of both the seed [of the father] and the womb [of the mother] and as the one auspicious and supreme who is immaterial and free from change. (43) The way a spider manages its web oh Fortunate One, you with the embodiment of your auspicious energy create, maintain and destroy this universe. (44) In order to protect the benefits of dharma and artha [religion and economy] you empowered Daksha to realize [the system of] sacrifices and settle the respect for that what binds the people [the varnâs'rama system] and to which the brahmins are vowed with the highest regard. (45) Oh auspicious one, the deeds of him who strives to do good lead to the higher worlds, the heavens and the transcendental realm while someone who is of inaupicious deeds awaits a ghastly hell. How can it be that for some these results are the exact opposite? (46) With devotees who in full surrender at your feet perfectly recognize you as present in all kinds of living beings and who from the Supreme position make no difference between living beings, practically never the anger is found that one finds with animalistic types of people. (47) Those who have given up on the heart, look for results and think that everything is different, can't stand it when others are faring well and are always angry with others and hurt with harsh words. They do not need to be killed by you because they are killed by providence already. (48) When materialists at some places [allotted to Kalî see 1.17: 36] bewildered by the insurmountable, illusory energy of the Great Blue One [the Lord as Pushkaranâbha] see matters [of right and wrong] differently, saintly persons out of their compassion will never use their prowess [against them] but be merciful instead, for everything is arranged by fate. (49) Oh your Lordship, since the intelligence of you, the seer and knower of all, is never affected by that great potency of the Supreme Person His material energy [or mâyâ], you should in this case strive to be of mercy with those who are bewildered at heart because of that same illusory energy that attracts them to karmic activities. (50) Lord S'iva, you who would partake in the result of Daksha's now unfinished sacrifice, did what you had to do in putting an end to the sacrificial ceremony of his bad priests and destroyed everything. Because they didn't grant you, who bestow the results, your share of the sacrifice, you have the right to take what's yours. (51) Let the performer Daksha get his life back, let Bhagadeva get his eyes back, let Bhrigu grow his mustache back and let Pûsâ have his row of teeth as before. (52) Let the God-conscious whose limbs were broken and the priests who suffered from the weapons and stones, this very moment by your grace oh angered one, recover from their injuries. (53) Oh Rudra, let the portion of whatever is left of this sacrifice be yours my dear Lord, so that the sacrificial ceremony today may find its completeness oh destroyer of the yajña.'
Chapter 7: The Sacrifice Performed by Daksha
(1) Maitreya said: 'Lord S'iva thus being pacified by Lord Brahmâ fully satisfied spoke with a smile, oh mighty-armed one. (2) Mahâdeva said: 'I do not take offense at those whom I regard as children, I don't mind oh Lord of the created beings, I have [just] chastised the ones who were deluded by the external energy of God. (3) Let there for the Prajâpati whose head was burned to ashes be the head of a goat and let Bhaga look at his share of the sacrifice through the eyes of Mitra. (4) Pûshâ who led the sacrifice will have to eat chickpea dough or food chewed for him, but the godly ones who did grant me a share of the sacrifice will fully recover. (5) The two arms of the As'vins [the twin protectors of medicine] and the hands of Pûshâ are there for those who have to miss those limbs and Bhrigu and the other priests may have the beard of the goat.'
(6) Maitreya said: 'All who at that moment heard what the best of the benedictors said, were innerly satisfied oh dear one, and said: 'Well spoken, well spoken!' (7) Next Lord S'iva was invited by the godly ones and the sages headed by Bhrigu and together they with the Liberal One [S'iva] and the Lord of the Veda [Brahmâ] for the second time headed for the sacrifice they wanted to perform for God. (8) After having performed all that Lord Bhava had told them to do, they joined the head of the animal of sacrifice with the body of Daksha. (9) Proceeding thus King Daksha was under the supervision of Rudra with that head reawakened from his apparent state of unconsciousness, so that he saw the compassionate Lord standing before him. (10) The very moment the Prajâpati saw the Lord who rides the bull, his by hatred polluted heart became as clean as a lake [filled by the rains] in autumn. (11) Although decided to pray to Bhava he, with his eyes full of tears because of the great surge of feelings upon remembering the death of his daughter, couldn't do so. (12) After he with great effort managed to pacify his because of love and affection bewildered mind, the Prajâpati who had come to his senses prayed to the Lord with praise and straightforward feelings. (13) Daksha said: 'What a great favor you have done me by punishing me. Despite the fact that you defeated me, you, nor Vishnu, oh Fortunate One, ever deny an unqualified brahmin [like me], so why would he who keeps to his vows [and performs sacrifices, suffer want]? (14) Oh great one, the brahmins were first created from the mouth of Brahmâ in order to disseminate the teachings of self-realization, the vows and the austerity. Therefore you with a stick in your hand protect them every time they are in danger, just like someone who protects his herd. (15) You who by me unaware of your reality was insulted in the assembly with the arrows of [my] unkind words, do not really take heed of that. Seeing me sliding down to hell because I defamed the most respectable one, you saved me out of compassion. I wish you to be pleased about that what you did out of your own mercy, your Lordship.'
(16) Maitreya said: 'Daksha thus being forgiven by Lord S'iva, with the permission of Lord Brahmâ resumed the performance of the sacrifice together with the priests, the ones of learning and the others. (17) In order to be purified from having been in touch with Vîrabhadra and his men and to perform the sacrifice meant for Vishnu, the best among the brahmins settled for three kinds of offerings [belonging to] the oblation called purodâs'a. (18) Oh Vidura, the moment the leader of the Yajña [Daksha] thus sanctified in meditation offered the clarified butter with the hymns from the Yajur Veda, Lord Hari appeared, the Supreme Personality. (19) The effulgence of all present there was at that moment overshadowed by the brightness [spreading] in all the ten directions of Him who was carried by the enormous wings of Garuda [or Stotra]. (20) With a dark complexion, garments yellow as gold, a helmet dazzling like the sun, curling hair bluish like black bees, a face decorated with earrings, with a conch shell, a lotus flower, a disc and arrows, a bow, a club, a sword and shield in His hands and with His many golden ornaments, He looked like a blossoming tree. (21) Garlanded with forest flowers He had His consort [Lakshmî] on His chest and only a small glimpse of His magnanimous smiling glance was enough to please the entire world. At His side yak-tail fans looking like swans were being waved and above Him one saw a beautiful, moonlike white royal canopy. (22) After they saw Him arriving, all the demigods and the others led by Brahmâ, Indra and the three-eyed S'iva, immediately stood up from their seats and offered their obeisances. (23) They all outshone by the luster of His glaring effulgence fell silent and filled with awe they touched their heads bowing down to pray to Adhokshaja, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (24) Even though His glory is beyond the comprehension of even the powerful ones of the soul, they now by His grace seeing His transcendental form, could offer their prayers according to their different capacities. (25) Daksha seeking shelter was accepted with his honorable oblations of sacrifice for the master of all sacrifices, the supreme preceptor of all progenitors of mankind who is attended by Nanda and Sunanda [the most important servants of Nârâyana in Vaikunthha]. With great pleasure, a subdued mind and with folded hands he then offered Him his prayers. (26) Daksha said: 'You Lordship now fully present here have returned from the purity of Your heavenly abode in a perfect transcendence above all mental speculation. You are the one without a second, the fearless controller of all matter, who seemingly impure are engaged with her [with Mâyâ] as the overseer and self-sufficient One.'
(27) The priests said: 'All of us, not conversant with the truth of Your Lordship who are free from the influence of the material world, we who are of an intelligence that because of S'iva's curse is of too great an attachment to fruitive activities oh Lord, now know about Your name [Yajña] that stands for the arrangement of religious sacrificing moving in the three departments [of the three Vedas] for the sake of which we are engaged in the worship of demigods [like the divinity of the sun and the moon].'
(28) The members of the assembly said: 'On the path of repeated birth and death we have no place to take shelter. We are greatly troubled by being bound to this formidable fort of time that is infested by ugly snakes and in which the mirage of the material happiness of having a home and a body constitutes a heavy burden. When we have to live by the double ditch of distress and so-called happiness, the fear for wild animals, the forest fire of lamentation over the interest of the ignorant ones and are afflicted with all sorts of desire, we, with You who gives shelter, enjoy the protection of Your lotus feet.'
(29) Rudra said: 'Oh supreme benefactor, when I, desiring fulfillment in the material world, have fixed my mind on Your precious lotus feet that are cherished and worshiped by the liberated sages, I, with a compassion like that of Yours, attach no value to it when ignorant people speak against me.'
(30) Bhrigu said: 'From Lord Brahmâ down to every other embodied being, all who, under the influence of the insurmountable material energy, are bereft of the knowledge of their original self, are submerged in the darkness of illusion. They not seeing You as situated in the self cannot understand Your situation as the absolute of reality. Oh Lord, You, as the friend of the surrendered soul, be kind to us.'
(31) Brahmâ said: 'When one tries to see Your person, this original form of Yours cannot be perceived with the help of the different [sensual] virtues of respect for acquiring knowledge, for You who constitute the basis of the knowledge and objectivity of the material qualities must be regarded as differing from that what is made of material energy.'
(32) Indra said: 'This transcendental form oh Infallible One, which is there for the welfare of the universe, is a cause of pleasure to the mind and eye, for You, possessing the eight weapons held up by Your arms, punish those who are hostile towards Your devotees.'
(33) The wives of the attendants of the sacrifice said: 'This worshiping in sacrifice as arranged by Brahmâ was devastated by Lord S'iva. May today the beauty of Your lotuslike vision oh Lord of sacrifice, sanctify the sacrifice that by the anger against Daksha became as still as the dead bodies of the sacrificial animals.'
(34) The sages said: 'How wonderful oh Supreme Lord, are Your activities to which You, in the exercise of Your potencies, are never attached. Nor is Your Lordship attached to the mercy of Your obedient servant, the Goddess of Fortune Lakshmî, for the grace of whom one is of worship.'
(35) The perfected ones prayed: 'The elephant of the mind that scorched by the forest fire of [sensual] afflictions is thirsty, having plunged in the river of the pure nectar of Your pastimes no longer remembers that misery and never wishes to come out, just like someone who merged with the Absolute.'
(36) The wife of Daksha said: 'Be pleased my Lord with my respects for Your auspicious appearance oh abode of the Goddess. With Lakshmî as Your wife You protect us. Our arena knows no beauty without Your arms oh controller, just like a headless person doesn't look good with only a trunk.'
(37) The local rulers said: 'We doubt whether we can see You with our material senses. You, revealing Your eternal form, we regard as the inner witness by whose grace the entire illusory world can be seen oh possessor of all, for You appear with the elements as the sixth one to the five of the senses.'
(38) The great ones of yoga said: 'They who deeming no one as dear as You, see themselves as existing in You and not as separate from You, the Supersoul of all beings oh master, are very dear to You. And how much more You don't value absolutely the faith of those souls oh Lord, who devoted therewith are of worship oh loving parent? (39) We offer our obeisances to Him who by His personal appearance by means of His material potency determined the fate of each living entity depending his specific inclinations, He who appeared differently with the many material qualities for the sake of the creation, maintenance and annihilation of the material world and who in His absolute state turned away from the interaction of the modes of matter.'
(40) The Vedas in person declared: 'Our respects unto You transcendental to the modes of nature who are the shelter of the quality of goodness and the source of the austerity and penance in all religions. I nor anyone else really knows You or Your situation.'
(41) Agni, the fire god said: 'By Your effulgence I am as luminous as the greatest fire and may accept in sacrifice the five kinds of offerings mixed with butter; I offer my obeisances to Yajña, the protector of the sacrifices, worshiped by means of the five kinds of hymns of the Veda.'
(42) The godly ones said: 'Formerly at the time of the devastation of the era [kalpa] when You as the Original Personality rested in the water and lied down on the snake bed Ananta S'esha, You withdrew into Your abdomen that what You had created and was estranged from You. You upon whom the liberated souls in their hearts meditate in philosophical speculations, we now see present here before our two eyes moving on the path of the protection of us Your servants.'
(43) The denizens of heaven said: 'Marîci and the great sages under the direction of Brahmâ and Indra and the divinity led by S'iva, are to be seen as parts and parcels of Your body oh God; may we unto the Supreme Almighty One for whom this whole creation is just a plaything oh Lord, always be of respect and offer You our obeisances.'
(44) The Vidyâdharas [lovers of knowledge] said: 'After with Your external potency having obtained the human body and with dwelling in the body, thinking in terms of 'I 'and 'mine', having misidentified himself with it, the ignorant person who takes the body for himself and is distracted by material possessions, also follows the wrong roads of seeking happiness in sense objects, but relishing the nectar of Your topics he can be delivered, even when he drifted far away from that position.'
(45) The brahmins said: 'You are the sacrifice, the offering of the clarified butter, the fire in person; You are the mantras, the fuel, the kus'a grass [to sit on] and the pots; You are the members of the assembly, the priests, the leader of the Yajña and his wife, the demigods and the sacred fire ceremony, the offering to the forefathers, the soma plant, the clarified butter itself and the sacrificial animal [see also B.G. 4: 24]. (46) In the past it was You who as the great boar incarnation [see canto 3.13] from within the waters lifted the world up on Your tusks the way an elephant picks up a lotus. Very easily the vibration was caught by great sages like Sanaka as an offering of prayers in the form of a sacrifice oh knowledge of the Vedas in person. (47) You as that same person we ask to be pleased with us who failing in performing the sacrifices are awaiting Your audience. When one sings Your holy names oh Lord of Sacrifice, one manages to overcome obstacles. Unto You our respectful obeisances.'
(48) Maitreya said: 'O blessed one, with Hrishîkes'a [Vishnu as the Lord of the senses], the protector of sacrifices, thus being glorified, Daksha, having learned, arranged to resume the sacrifice that was devastated by Vîrabhadra. (49) Oh sinless one, Lord Vishnu, the Supersoul of all beings and enjoyer of all sacrifices having received His share, was satisfied and then addressed Daksha. (50) The Supreme Lord [Vishnu] said: 'I, Brahmâ and also Lord S'iva, do not differ [essentially] in being the supreme cause and Supersoul, the witness and the self-sufficient one of the material manifestation. (51) I, having entered my own external energy that is composed of the modes of nature oh twice-born one, [thus] create, maintain and annihilate the cosmic manifestation and assume a name appropriate to My activities. (52) Someone not conversant with this thinks that Brahmâ, S'iva and the living beings exist in separation and departs [impersonally in disregard of Me] from the notion of the one Supreme Self, the Supreme Brahman that is without a second. (53) The way a person never supposes that his head, hands and other parts of his body would have a separate existence, My devotee neither supposes that the living beings would exist separately. (54) He who does not consider the three [of Us] who constitute the one nature of the Supersoul of all living beings as separate [entities] oh brahmin, achieves peace.'(55) Maitreya said: 'The foremost of all progenitors [Daksha] thus being addressed by the Supreme Lord Hari, after worshiping Him with due ceremony next worshiped the demigods [Brahmâ and S'iva] individually. (56) After with a concentrated mind having granted Lord S'iva his share of the sacrifice and he together with the priests in order to round it off also had paid respect to the God-conscious and the other ones assembled there, he took the concluding [avabhritha] bath. (57) When he thus on the basis of his own belief had achieved the perfection of religious dutifulness, those three servants of God who thus had inspired with intelligence, left for their heavenly abodes. (58) Satî, Daksha's daughter was, after formerly having given up her body, born from the wife of Menâ [or Menakâ] who lives in the Himalayas, so I've heard. (59) As S'iva's beloved one, Ambikâ [Durgâ or Satî], who felt no attraction for an other man, was sure to accept him again as her husband. For her he was the one goal, the original masculinity of the person that lies dormant in the external, feminine energy [of matter]. (60) This story about S'ambhu [Lord S'iva as the Lord of all living beings] who destroyed Daksha's sacrifice, I heard from a great devotee and disciple of Brihaspati: Uddhava. (61) The person who, after having heard about these pure activities of the Lord, always with faith and devotion also recounts them, will find fame, longevity and, being freed from material contamination, find the destruction of his sins, oh descendant of Kuru.'
Chapter 8: Dhruva Leaves Home for the Forest
(1) Maitreya said: 'None of the ones headed by Sanaka [the Kumâras] or the other sons of Brahmâ: Nârada, Ribhu, Hamsa, Aruni and Yati, lived a householder's life [being married], [for] they were [vowed to the] celibate [ûrdhva retasah, sending their seed upwards]. (2) Oh slayer of enemies, Mrishâ, the wife [and sister] of [another son of Brahmâ called Irreligion or] Adharma produced the two [children] Dambha [Bluffing] and Mâyâ [Cheating], but they were taken by [a demon ruling the south-west called] Nirriti who had no children. (3) From those two Lobha [Greed] and Nikrita [Cunning] were born oh great soul. And from the both of them there were Krodha [Anger] and Himsâ [Malice]. From these two [also irreligiously being bound in incest] Kali and the sister called Durukti [Harsh Speech] were born. (4) Oh best of the truthful, bound to Durukti Kali produced Bhaya [Fearfulness] and Mrityu [Death] and of those two combined Yâtanâ [Excessive Pain] and Niraya [Hell] took birth. (5) I thus explained to you in short the cause of the devastation [of landing in hell because of irreligion]. Someone who hears this description three times o pure one, will lead a pious life and see the contamination of his mind being washed away.
(6) Next I will describe the dynasty famous for its virtuous activities, oh best of the Kurus, that evolved from the Manu called Svâyambhuva, who was a part of a plenary portion [Brahmâ] of the Personality of Godhead. (7) Uttânapâda and Priyavrata, the two sons of Queen Satârûpa and her husband were, as parts of [Brahmâ's plenary expansion] of the Supreme Lord Vâsudeva, there for the protection and maintenance of the world. (8) Of the two wives of Uttânapâda, Sunîti ['the one of good conduct'] and Suruci ['the one delighting'], Suruci was far more dear to the husband than the other one who had a son called Dhruva ['the immovable one']. (9) When the king one day was patting the son of Suruci named Uttama ['the one of excel'] whom he had placed on his lap, he turned away Dhruva who also tried to get on his lap. (10) Queen Suruci who was very proud [of the king's attentions] enviously spoke to Dhruva, the child of the co-wife that tried to get on his lap, in such a way that the king could hear it. (11) 'My dear child, you don't deserve to seat yourself where the king sits because, even though you were born as a son of the king, you were not born from my womb. (12) Oh child, you don't understand that, because you are not my own but from the womb of another woman, the thing you desire is out of your reach. (13) You can seat yourself on the throne of the king if you want, but only if you, by means of penance, have satisfied the Person of God and by His mercy have found a place in my womb for yourself [to be born again].'
(14) Maitreya said: 'Pierced by the harsh words of his stepmother, he out of anger began to breathe as heavily as a snake struck by a stick and when he saw his father silently looking on, he began to weep and ran away to his mother. (15) Having heard from the others what had happened Sunîti lifted her heavily breathing son whose lips were trembling on her lap, feeling very sorry over what was said by the co-wife. (16) Losing her composure she cried with a fire of grief which burned like dry leaves and when she remembered the things said by the other wife she spoke through the haze of tears that fell from her lotuslike face. (17) Not knowing how to curb the danger the lady breathed heavily and said to her son: 'Do not wish others anything inauspicious my dear son, a person will have to suffer himself from the ill he wishes others. (18) The truth of what mother Suruci has told you about having taken birth from the womb of me, the unfortunate one, and that you grew up on the milk from my breast, is that the king feels ashamed, he regrets it to have accepted me for his wife. (19) All that your stepmother has told you is true. If you want to sit on the throne just like Uttama, then just engage yourself without being envious my dear son, in worshiping the lotus feet of Adhokshaja, the Lord of Transcendence. (20) The unborn One [your great-grandfather Brahmâ] no doubt acquired his supreme position in the universe and the qualifications to create, from worshiping the One whom we know by His lotus feet and who can be approached by those who in self-regulation have conquered the mind. (21) Likewise Manu, your worshipable grandfather, achieved liberation and the heavenly and earthly happiness that is so difficult to achieve by other means, because he in worship executing sacrifices was of an unflinching devotion and great charity. (22) Take shelter with Him, the Kindhearted One my dear boy, for people who want to get liberated follow the path of His lotus feet. Worship the Supreme Personality by fixing your mind upon His image, thinking of nothing else and being faithful to your original sense of duty with Him. (23) Looking for someone else I wouldn't know any one but the Lord with the lotus eyes who could mitigate your sorrow. Even de Goddess of Fortune who is worshiped by others my dear, is always with a lotus flower in her hand looking for Him.'
(24) Maitreya said: 'Thus having heard the purposeful words of the mother he, mindfully keeping himself under control, left his father's house. (25) Nârada who came to hear about it and understood his intentions, was surprised and with the hand that could expel all sin touching his head he exclaimed: (26) 'Oh that might of the rulers! Unable to tolerate any infringement on their prestige, this one being only a child, took to heart the unpalatable words of his stepmother.' (27) Nârada then said: 'Why is it that you, a child normally fond of sports and games, at present feel insulted because of not being respected? (28) Even though you see no alternative, what reason other than being illusioned would there be for people to be dissatisfied in this world wherein one because of one's karma is separated from one another? (29) Therefore you should be satisfied oh dear one. Whatever it is that fate has in stall for a person, is by someone who is intelligent recognized as a way leading to the Supreme. (30) But the yoga your mother told you to do for elevating yourself to His mercy, is to my opinion too difficult for a person like you. (31) The greatest sages even, who were on the path of detachment for many births, in the trance of their strict yoga practice never came to understand what they were looking for. (32) Stop therefore now with this insistance of yours, it'll take you nowhere. Save that [quest] for the future, then you'll find ample opportunity [to engage in adult matters like these]. (33) Any embodied soul who is of peace with whatever happiness or distress that destiny reserves for him, can reach the opposite side of darkness. (34) With something [or someone who is] better one should be pleased, with something [or someone who is] of a lesser quality one should be compassionate and with something [or someone] equal one should be friendly. Thus fostering no desires one is never affected by tribulations.'
(35) Dhruva said: 'This balance of mind you talk about oh Lordship, is [a quality] of people who are merciful with those who with their happiness and distress have lost track of the soul, but for persons like us it is very difficult to see it the way you said it. (36) Because I was born a ruler I'm not that tolerant. Pierced by the harsh words of mother Suruci I cannot have a heart [like you]. (37) Please tell me about an honest way to pursue my desire for a superior position in the three worlds oh brahmin, a position not even attainable for others like my father, grandfather and forefathers. (38) You as a worthy descendant of Brahmâ playing the vînâ, alike the sun travel all around the world for the sake of its welfare.'
(39) Maitreya said: 'Nârada was very pleased to hear what Dhruva said, whereupon he compassionately replied to give the boy good advice. (40) Nârada told him: 'The path your mother told you about of fully absorbing yourself in rendering service to the Supreme Lord Vâsudeva, constitutes the highest perfection in life. (41) For him who seeks the supreme benefit of the self by what is known as dharma, artha kâma and moksha [the civil virtues of religious righteousness, economic activity, regulation of sense gratification and finding liberation], the worship of the Lord His lotus feet is the only cause. (42) For that purpose, my dear, go with my blessing to the bank of the Yamunâ and be purified by the sacredness of the Madhuvana forest where the Lord is always present. (43) When you have taken a bath in that river, [also called] the Kâlindî [according to the name of the mountain where the Yamunâ springs from] - which performed correctly three times a day is a most auspicious thing to do - you should sit down on a sitting place you have prepared. (44) You should meditate upon the Supreme Spiritual Master with an undisturbed mind. Thereto you must, in relation to the life breath and the senses, gradually with the help of the threefold breath control [of prânâyâma: controlling the ingoing, the outgoing and balanced breath] give up the impurities of your mind. (45) Always prepared to be merciful, He with His pleasing mouth and typical look, His straight nose, arched eyebrows and intelligent forehead, is the beauty of the demigods. (46) Youthful, attractive in all His limbs and with lips and eyes as reddish as a rising sun, He, as the shelter of the surrendered souls who is transcendental in every respect, is the one offering protection as merciful as the ocean. (47) Marked with the S'rîvatsa [a few white hairs on His chest] and of a deeply bluish [gray] color, He is the original Personality garlanded with flowers, showing the conch shell, the disc, the club and lotus flower in His four hands. (48) The garments of yellow silk He wears are complemented by a helmet, pearl earrings, a necklace, bracelets and the Kausthuba jewel. (49) Pleasing as well the eye as the mind, He has small bells of gold around His waist and His ankles and is of a superior calm, peace and serenity. (50) He occupies His place on the whorl of the lotus of the hearts of those who in worship unite in the light of the glittering nails of His lotus feet. (51) You should this way regularly envision the smiling of the Lord who is so affectionate with the devotees, and thus fully attentive let your mind meditate upon the greatest of all benedictors. (52) The mind thus meditating the very auspicious form of the Supreme Lord is, being transcendentally enriched, very soon freed from all material contamination and will never wander off from that position.
(53) Please hear from me the very, very confidential mantra to pray oh prince, from which recited aloud for seven days a person may behold what moves through the ether [planets, heavenly beings, thoughts]. (54) 'Om namo bhagavate vâsudevâya' [my respects for the Supreme Lord Vâsudeva]. With this mantra [called the dvâdas'âkshara mantra] the learned one conversant with the differences according to time and place [des'a-kâla-vibhâgavit] should exercise respect for the physical appearance of the Lord the way it should be done with the help of the different paraphernalia. (55) One purifies with the help of water, garlands of forest flowers, roots, different fruits and vegetables, fresh grass, buds, bark and by offering tulsî leaves, which are very dear to the Lord your master. (56) You can [being alone in the forest] begin with procuring and worshiping a deity made of physical elements like earth and water [clay], and therewith as a sage be of full self-control in peace checking your speech and eat frugally whatever the forest offers. (57) Meditate [thereto] upon the inconceivable activities that by the Supreme Lord of Wisdom in the form of an avatâra were performed in order to exercise His supreme will and potencies. (58) In service of the Supreme Lord you should respect Him in your heart with the mantras that embody Him in the way the previous teachers performed their devotional service as I have told you.(59-60) When the Supreme Lord thus with your engagement in service by your body, mind and words is worshiped according to the regulative principles of bhakti, He will increase the devotion of the devotees who are sincerely and seriously engaged and will award them with what they desire in regard of the spiritual life of the conditioned souls and what belongs to it [the so-called purushârthas]. (61) Being serious in bhakti-yoga about your liberation you must in complete detachment from all sense-gratification unrelenting exercise a respect that is steeped in love for Him directly.'
(62) Thus being addressed by Nârada, the son of the king circumambulated him offering his obeisances and went to the Madhuvana forest which, imprinted with the feet of the Lord, was the right place for him to be. (63) When Dhruva entering the forest thus had withdrawn himself, the respected sage thought it wise to pay the king a visit in his palace. Seated there comfortably, he spoke to him. (64) Nârada said: 'Dear King, your face appears to be withering, what are you thinking so deeply about? Have you lost your way with the gratification of your senses, the religion or the economy?'
(65) The king replied: 'Oh brahmin, my son, my sweet boy who is only five years old and actually a great personality and devotee, I have, being too attached to my wife and too hard-hearted, banished from here together with his mother. (66) I worry whether the helpless boy whose face is like a lotus, without being protected by anyone in the forest, oh brahmin, isn't starving or being tired having laid down hasn't been devoured by wolves. (67) Alas, how cruel I was being conquered by a woman. Just imagine how utterly hard-hearted I was denying him all affection when he out of love tried to climb on my lap.'
(68) Nârada said: 'Do not I say, do not be aggrieved about your son. He is well protected by the Godhead oh master of men, you don't know how widespread His influence is all over the world. (69) The boy is a master. After performing what is impossible for even the greatest personalities around, he, in favor of your reputation, will come straight back to you dear King.'
(70) Maitreya Muni said: 'The king, having heard what Nârada told him, began to think about his son and neglected his opulent kingdom. (71) Meanwhile the Original Personality was worshiped [by Dhruva], after taking a bath and fasting that night, with perfect attention the way Nârada had advised it. (72) For the first month worshiping the Lord he only ate, to the bare necessity of preserving his body, fruits and berries in the morning after every third night. (73) The next month the innocent boy continued his respect for the Almighty by eating every sixth day as mentioned, on those days preparing his food from grasses and leaves gone dry. (74) With the third month passing he, fully absorbed in his respect for the Lord of Wisdom, Uttamas'loka, each ninth day drank water only. (75) That way continuing into the fourth month, he by controlling his breath, meditating in worship of God, only ate air every twelfth day. (76) By the fifth month in full control of his breath the son of the king, meditating upon the Creator, without moving stood on one leg like a column. (77) With his mind fully controlled concentrating in the heart, he meditated with no other thoughts than the thought of the Supreme Lord His form, upon Him, the resting place for the senses and their objects. (78) Keeping his mind focussed on the foundation, the cosmic intelligence of the reality, the master of the primal ether [pradhâna] and the person, the Supreme Spirit, all the three worlds began to tremble. (79) As he remained standing on his one leg he, the child of the king, with the one half [of his body] pressed down the earth with his big toe bent, just like the king of elephants does when he as a boat balances left and right with every step. (80) Because he in the full of his meditation had stopped his breathing and closed all the gates of his body, he thus by confining the life air was suffocating all the worlds so that soon all the great souls from all places sought their refuge with the Lord.
(81) The godly said: 'We don't understand this oh Supreme Lord, the flow of the universal breath is obstructed! Therefore oh reservoir of goodness so kind to the needy, we all approach You for shelter to be saved from this calamity.'
(82) The Supreme Lord replied: 'Fear not, this choking of your life air happens on account of the son of King Uttânapâda who is fully absorbed in thoughts of Me. I will ask the boy so strong in his determination of penance to stop with this. Please return to your homes.'
Chapter 9: Dhruva Returns Home from the Forest
(1) Maitreya said: 'They [the demigods], thus being freed from all fear, offered the Lord of the wide strides [Urukrama, Vishnu] their obeisances, upon which they returned to their three worlds. The Lord with the thousand faces [Sahasras'îrshâ, the original Vishnu] then got on the back of Garuda and went to the Madhuvana forest in order to see His servant [Dhruva]. (2) He who strengthened by his meditation in yoga observed Him brilliant as lightening manifested on the lotus of his heart, all of a sudden noticed that He had disappeared, but looking around he then saw Him standing right before him in the same form. (3) With Him present before him he, confounded, fell to the ground prostrating his body like a rod to offer Him his obeisances. As he looked at Him, it was as if the boy was drinking Him with his eyes, like he was kissing Him with his mouth and embracing Him with his arms. (4) Seeing that he wanted to glorify Him but didn't know how, the Lord, who is the prayer in accord with the scripture in the heart of each, understanding the boy mercifully touched his forehead with His conch shell. (5) Thus being inspired with the ability to say just what he wanted, he, slowly offering his prayers in the love of his devotion, could understand what the supreme of the soul was all about and that he would be the Dhruva of renown and fame whose world couldn't be denied.
(6) Dhruva said: 'Let me offer my obeisances to You, the Supreme Lord and Original Person, who as the One within, from Your internal potency commanding the universal energy, entering my words and breath has brought to life my passive senses as well as my other limbs, my hands, legs and skin. (7) You are the One, Supreme Lord who, after by His own potency creating this vast outer world called mâyâ - that unlimited completeness of reality with its modes - next as the Original Personality has entered here to appear differently in the time-bound qualities the way fire does in fire wood. (8) Like a man awakening from his sleep, the one of surrender to You [Brahmâ] could see this entire universe by dint of the knowledge given by You oh my Lord. How can anyone conversant with Your actions forget Your lotus feet that are the shelter of all who desire liberation, oh friend of the distressed? (9) It suffers no doubt that You, the cause of liberation from birth and death, are like a desire tree to those who, under the influence of the outer world, miss the proper concept of life and worship You with ulterior motives in their desire for the gratification of the senses of this bag of bones, a gratification that is even available to persons in hell. (10) The bliss of Your magnificence that for embodied souls may happen when they meditate upon Your lotus feet or when they hear the stories of Your devotees is never found with the impersonal supreme [Brahman], nor does it compare to what is experienced in [personally] elevated positions from which one has to fall down being destroyed by the sword of death. (11) Let it be so that I may enjoy the intimate association of those who are constantly engaged in Your devotional service oh Unlimited One, of those great devotees by whose purified hearts one can easily cross the terrible and vast ocean of dangers that is material existence. Let it be so that I go mad of drinking the nectar of the stories about Your qualities. (12) They so high-principled my dear Lord, never think of the material body, their relating to their sons, friends, home, wealth and wife; they, oh One of the Lotus Navel, have achieved the association with those who in their hearts always hanker after the fragrance of Your lotus feet. (13) The animals, trees, birds, reptiles, gods, demons and men, driven by the material energy are found throughout the universe in different forms of existence and are for several reasons seen and not seen oh Unborn One. That I know, but about this transcendental form, oh Supreme One I knew not, I do not know but the end of my argument. (14) At the end of each epoch the Supreme Person withdraws all of this universe into His belly, lying down in self-reflection in the company of Ananta S'esha as His bed. From the ocean of His navel the golden abode sprouted, with Brahmâ on the whorl of the lotus. Him, that Supreme Lordship I offer my obeisances. (15) You are the eternally liberated, uncontaminated Supreme Soul full of knowledge, the changeless, authentic Original Person, the Supreme Lord and ruler of the three modes, the continuing intelligence throughout all actions of the intellect, the transcendental vision and witness, the maintainer, enjoyer and the one whose position differs from all the others. (16) You, in whose nature always the different opposing energies of knowledge and ignorance are found, You who are that continuing Brahman, You the cause of the material manifestation, the original and unlimited One who is simply blissful, I offer my respects. (17) Compared to other benedictions Your lotus feet are the true one oh my Lord, and thus You as such are the personification of the goal of life of each person oh beloved Fortunate One. You, eager to bestow Your mercy, maintain the ones poor of heart like me, the way a cow keeps a calf.'
(18) Maitreya said: 'After thus truly being worshiped by means of the fine intelligence of his good intentions only, the Supreme Lord who is always there in favor of His devotees spoke to him, after first having congratulated him. (19) The Supreme Lord said: 'I know about the determination within your heart oh son of the king. Since you are sworn to piety, I shall grant you all the fortune, even though it is a wish difficult to fulfill. (20-21) Never before My good boy, there was anyone who managed to settle for such a brightly glowing place known as the planet of Dhruva, around which all the other planets and constellations of stars are circling like a group of bulls does running stationary around a central pole [for crushing grain]. It is the planet around which, keeping it to their right, along with the stars, all great sages of the forest move circumambulating like Dharma, Agni, Kas'yapa and S'ukra whose lives stretch beyond a millennium. (22) As soon as your father has left for the forest, you will be awarded the entire world. It will be under the pious protection of your rule uninterrupted for thirty-six thousand years in full control of your faculties. (23) When your brother Uttama, being killed during a hunt, is sought in the forest by his most afflicted mother, she will run into a forest fire. (24) After performing great sacrifices for Me, the heart of all sacrifice, and having distributed great charities, you will, after having enjoyed the blessings of this world, at the end of your life be able to remember Me. (25) Thereafter you will head for My abode that is worshiped on all planets and is situated above those of the rishis. Having gone there, you will never come back.'
(26) Maitreya said: 'After thus having assured the boy of His personal protection [and residence], He, the honored and worshiped Supreme Lord who carries Garuda in His flag, before the eyes of Dhruva returned to His heavenly abode. (27) Even though Dhruva by dint of his determination as the result of his service had achieved the feet of Lord Vishnu, he was not very pleased with the satisfaction he obtained and then returned home.'
(28) Vidura said: 'Why is it so that he, who with the very focussed worship of His lotus feet had obtained the in one lifetime rarely achieved supreme position of the Lord, having reached that far and being that wise, felt not that satisfied inside?'
(29) Maitreya replied: 'He was by his stepmother's harsh words pierced in his heart and remembering it all and not desiring liberation from the Lord of salvation, he thus suffered grief. (30) Dhruva said to himself: 'That what the four Kumâras, those infallible celibates, in their absorption never could achieve in one birth, I managed to fathom within six months, but achieving the shelter of His lotus feet I fell down because I fixed my mind on things other than Him. (31) Alas, just see the misfortune based upon my bodily consciousness. Having approached the lotus feet of Him who can cut all bonds, I have prayed for that what is perishable. (32) Because the demigods couldn't tolerate it that they [contrary to me, some day] have to return to an earthly life, my intelligence was contaminated and thus I, wretched as I was, failed to accept the truth of Nârada's instructions. (33) Just like dreaming in my sleep I sought my refuge in the illusory energy of God and complained from within my heart. Seeing things in opposition I, under the influence of the outer world, lamented that my brother was my enemy, although he is only a temporary phenomenon. (34) This what I prayed for, is as useless as a treatment given to someone whose life has already ended. After satisfying the Soul of the Universe by austerities - which is something very difficult to achieve - I prayed with the One with whom one cuts with the world for a repetition of birth and death and thus I am unlucky. (35) From Him who was willing to offer me His full independence I alas out of foolishness asked for material prosperity. It is like a poor man who asks a great emperor who is impressed by his virtue, for a few broken grains of husked rice.'
(36) Maitreya continued: 'My dear Vidura, persons like you who delight in the dust of the lotus feet of the Lord of Liberation, act in serving Him not out of self-interest because that interest is automatically attained by it, they consider themselves very rich. (37) When he heard that his son had returned as if he had risen from death, king Uttânapâda couldn't believe why a sinner like him would befall such a good fortune. (38) With his faith in the words of devarishi Nârada [confirmed], he was overwhelmed by the tidings the messenger brought and being very satisfied he offered him a highly valuable pearl necklace. (39-40) Very eager to see his son he in great haste mounted a gold ornamented chariot drawn by the finest horses and left, accompanied by the sound of conch shells, kettledrums, flutes and the chanting of hymns, the city together with the brahmins, the elderly and his officers, ministers and friends. (41) Both his queens Sunîci and Suruci got, decorated with gold, together with Uttama on a palanquin and joined the procession. (42-43) Meeting him in a small forest nearby, the king hurried down from his chariot and was immediately overwhelmed by love as he approached him. Heavily breathing because of his great anxiety he for a long time with both his arms embraced his son whose bondage of endless material contamination was destroyed by the Lord His lotus feet. (44) Thereupon smelling his head over and over, he who now saw his greatest desire fulfilled, bathed his son with the cool water from his eyes. (45) After respecting his father's feet by him being blessed and honored with questions, he, the best of all noble souls, bowed his head to his two mothers. (46) Suruci, picking up the innocent boy who had fallen at her feet, embraced him and spoke, choked with tears, to him the words: 'May you live long.' (47) Unto anyone with whose qualities and friendship the Supreme Personality, Lord Hari, is pleased, all living beings offer their respect, [as naturally] as water that out of its own flows to the lowest position. (48) Uttama and Dhruva both overwhelmed with affection embraced one another over and over with their hairs standing on end and let their tears run freely. (49) Sunîti, his mother, embracing her son who was more dear to her then her life air, satisfied to touch his body gave up all grief. (50) There and then oh heroic one, he was wetted auspiciously by the incessant tears from her eyes and the milk that started to flow from the breasts of the mother of this hero. (51) The people around her offered the queen praise: 'The fortune of your son will vanquish all your pains now that he, after being lost for such a long time, has returned in order to protect the face of the earth. (52) You must have worshiped Him, the Supreme Lord who can deliver you from the greatest danger and upon whom meditating the wise conquer death which is so difficult to overcome.'
(53) Dhruva thus praised by the people around him, was by the king together with his brother placed on the back of a she-elephant and that way pleased and glorified, he returned to his capital. (54) Here and there brilliant, arched gateways were created, there were shark-teeth shaped festoons and columns of banana trees and young betel nut trees with bunches of flowers and fruits hanging down from them. (55) At each gate there was the decoration of hanging mango leaves, cloth, flower garlands and strings of pearls, combined with pots filled with water and burning lamps. (56) The city gates with the surrounding walls, the houses and the domes of the palace glittered on all sides, beautifully decorated as they were with valuable golden ornaments. (57) The crossroads, streets and the market-place were thoroughly cleansed and sprinkled with sandalwood water and provided with auspicious presentations of fried rice, barley, flowers and fruits. (58-59) Seeing Dhruva on the road, the women of the houses uttering affectionate blessings showered him here and there with white mustard seeds, barley, curd, water, fresh grass, flowers and fruits. With their very pleasant songs ringing in his ears he thus entered his father's palace. (60) In that fine mansion bedecked with mosaics of precious stone he, who under the constant care of his father was elevated to the highest status, lived like a god. (61) The palace was furnished with seats and furniture embellished with gold, very valuable ivory beds and bedding as white as milk foam. (62) The walls, made of marble, had precious gems in them and also the lamps that shone with jewels were held by female figurines made of precious stones as well. (63) Also the gardens were very beautiful with various heavenly trees, pairs of singing birds and the humming of mad bumblebees. (64) Emerald staircases led to ponds full of lilies and blue lotuses, swans and ducks and flocks of geese, and cranes that dwelt nearby.
(65) When the saintly king Uttânapâda heard and saw what the most remarkable influence was of his son, he felt extremely happy about that great miracle. (66) When he saw that Dhruva had come of age and also carried the approval of his ministers and was loved by his subjects, he made him the lord and master of the world. (67) He, this king of Vishnu, then considered himself also old enough and went in regard of the salvation of his soul detached into the forest.'
Chapter 10: Dhruva Mahârâja's Fight with the Yakshas
(1) Maitreya said: 'Dhruva ['the immovable one'] married Bhrami [meaning 'turning around'] the daughter of Prajâpati S'is'umâra ['the dolphin', 'the galaxy'] and named her sons Kalpa ['epoch'] and Vatsara ['tropical year']. (2) With another wife called Ilâ ['the comfort'], a daughter of Vâyu [the demigod of the air], the powerful one begot a son called Utkala ['the one who carries the load'] and a jewel of a girl. (3) Uttama ['the one of excel'] however, Dhruva's brother who didn't marry, was during a hunt in the Himalaya range killed by a very powerful Yaksha [an evil spirit]. He was [soon] followed by his mother [Suruci]. (4) Dhruva hearing about the death of his brother, filled with lamentation angered swore revenge and got on his victorious chariot to leave for the city of the Yakshas.
(5) Heading in the northern direction the king saw in a valley of the Himalayas that was inhabited by followers of Lord S'iva, a city full of ghostly people. (6) There oh ruler, the mighty-armed one blew his conch shell that resounded fearfully in the sky in all directions so that the wives of the Yakshas became most afraid. (7) Thereupon the very powerful soldiers of Kuvera appeared out of their resentment against the sound of the conch shell and attacked him with all kinds of weapons. (8) He, the hero and powerful bowman with all of them attacking, could fight many adversaries simultaneously and killed them one after the other, shooting three arrows at a time. (9) Because these arrows were aimed at their heads, they, being convinced of the fact that they all without fail surely would be defeated, lauded his action. (10) Not accepting that they would be trampled like serpents under his feet, they tried to retaliate, striking back shooting twice as much arrows at the same time. (11-12) Eager to counter his actions and his charioteer they, a 130.000 men strong, very angry showered thereupon all kinds of feathered arrows, bludgeons, swords, tridents, pointed lances, spears and fire weapons. (13) The master of war vanished completely from sight behind that constant shower of weapons, just like a mountain that is covered by a downpour.
(14) In the sky a tumult of disappointment resounded from the perfected ones [the Siddhas] who, witnessing the fight, assumed that this grandson of Manu who was setting like the sun in the ocean of Yakshas, had been killed. (15) The Yakshas exclaimed that the victory was theirs, but then his chariot reappeared from the fighting lot like the sun emerges from the mist. (16) His twanging divine bow created the lamentation of his enemies, scattering the different weapons with his arrows just like the wind scatters an array of clouds. (17) The sharp arrows released from his bow pierced the shields and entered the bodies of the demons, just like thunderbolts hitting the mountains. (18-19) The battlefield that bewilders the mind of a hero, began to glimmer from the by the arrows severed heads complete with garlands and turbans beautiful with earrings and helmets, and the cut off thighs and arms that with beautiful bracelets and armlets shone like golden palm trees. (20) The remaining soldiers, the most of whom had wounded limbs because of the arrows of the greatest of all warriors, fled in all directions like elephants defeated by a lion.
(21) At that time seeing that none of the enemy soldiers were left standing, the best of all men wanted to see their city, but he didn't enter it for one can't be sure of the plans of a mystical enemy. (22) When the one with the finest chariot, apprehensive about a counterattack of his enemies, was talking to his charioteer, a loud sound like that of the ocean was heard that could be recognized as produced by the wind of a dust storm rising from all directions. (23) In a moment the sky was covered by a mass of dense clouds that everywhere glittered with lightening accompanied by a thunder that threatened on all sides. (24) Oh faultless one, there was an inundation of blood, mucus, pus, stool, urine, marrow and trunks of bodies falling from the sky in front of him. (25) Then from the sky a downpour from everywhere could be observed of a mountain of clubs, bludgeons, swords, maces together with a hail of big stones. (26) Serpents breathing like thunder vomited fire with angry eyes and groups of mad elephants, lions and tigers were encroaching. (27) As if the last of days had arrived the sea flooded the earth in all directions with fierce rolling waves, producing a tremendous sound.
(28) These kinds of phenomena are created by heinous demons who with demoniac illusions try to frighten the less intelligent ones. (29) The great sages cognizant of the highly dangerous mystic power that by the demons was directed against Dhruva, then united to support him and help him out. (30) They said: 'Oh son of Uttânapâda, may the Supreme Lord carrying the bow called S'ârnga, be the Godhead that kills all the enemies of the surrendered souls in order to remove their distress. For it is the chanting and hearing of His holy name that forthwith helps men fully to overcome insurmountable death o Dhruva.'
Chapter 11: Svâyambhuva Manu Advises Dhruva Mahârâja to Stop Fighting
(1) Maitreya said: 'After having heard the words of the sages Dhruva touched water and fixed on his bow an arrow made by Nârâyana. (2) Joining this weapon of Nârâyana to his bow, quickly the illusions created by the Yakshas were vanquished o Vidura, just like pleasures and pains are dispelled by the rise of spiritual knowledge. (3) With the weapon that was given to him fixed on his bow, golden arrows with feathers like the wings of swans sprang forward which pierced the enemy soldiers with the tumultuous sound of peacocks entering a forest. (4) Because of those sharp pointed arrows the Yakshas here and there dispersed on the battlefield got terribly excited so that they full of anger with uplifted weapons rushed towards him, just like serpents with raised hoods do when they wage against Garuda. (5) With his arrows he cut through the arms, legs, necks and bellies of all the Yakshas who came forward in battle. He sent them all to the abode above the sun where all those who send their seed upwards [the celibates] are going. (6) When he saw those Yakshas being killed by the man with the wonderful chariot while they factually had not committed any offense, the grandfather, the Manu, in his mercy approached the son of Uttânapâda together with the great sages in order to instruct him. (7) Manu said: 'Enough my son, stop the killing of these good guys who never wronged you. With this escalation of anger you're treading the path of ignorance and sin. (8) My dear, this undertaking to kill the Yakshas who haven't sinned, is not befitting a member of our family and is forbidden by the sages. (9) Surely my best, you are aggrieved at the death of the brother you care about, but now the offense of one Yaksha has led to the killing of his many associates. (10) This killing of living beings is certainly never the way of those who honestly follow the path of the Lord of the Senses. Taking the body for the self one is like the animals. (11) You have with your meditation upon the Supersoul within all living beings reached the abode of Lord Hari who is so difficult to propitiate. You thus being of worship attained the supreme position of Vishnu. (12) How can someone like you who esteemed by the devotees of the Lord always are remembered by them, you who as an example to others are vowed to the saintly, engage in such an abomination?
(13) When one is of tolerance, friendship, mercy and equanimity towards all living beings, the Soul of All, the Supreme Lord will be very pleased. (14) Pleasing the Supreme Lord a person being liberated from the modes of material nature and freed from the worries of his individual existence will achieve unlimited spiritual bliss [brahma nirvâna]. (15) Man and woman [by the impelling force of Time] evolved from the five elements of matter and by their sexual behavior even more men and women came about in this world. (16) Because of the interaction of the modes of nature oh King, thus the creation, maintenance and annihilation takes place with the illusory energy of the Supreme Self. (17) The way iron is moved [by a magnet] this world of cause and effect must be considered as being moved by the remote cause [of] the original and most exalted Person who is free from the modes of nature. (18) Under the influence of the no doubt hard to fathom potency of the Almighty One in the form of the force of Time, the interaction [or disturbance of the equilibrium] of the modes of nature resulted in this diversity of energies upon which the Supreme Personality exerts His influence even though He is not the one acting and in which He leads to death even though He is not the one who kills. (19) He to whom there is no end in the form of Time puts everything to an end, He who knows no beginning constitutes the beginning of everything, He who is inexhaustible gives life to one living being by means of another one and He as death puts an end to everything that kills. (20) As death entering each his life no one is His ally or His definitive enemy. All the combinations of the elements [organic and inorganic] helplessly follow His movement like dust particles moved by the wind. (21) Free from a short or long lifespan as is the case with beings that are born, the Almighty One is ever situated in His transcendental position and grants the covetous ones the results of their actions. (22) Some oh king, explain that karma [the work load of fruitive activities] as arising from one's particular nature or as brought about by others oh protector of men. Some say it's due to time, others refer to fate, while still others ascribe it to the desire of the living entity. (23) Who my dear boy, can ever understand the intentions of Him who is our origin, He of transcendence who from the unmanifested reality [pradhâna] gives rise to the different energies and natural forces?
(24) The same way my son, all these followers of Kuvera [the divine treasurer] are not the murderers of your brother. Only God is the cause of the birth and death of a living being my dear. (25) He creates the universe and also maintains and annihilates it. Moreover He does not get entangled by the activities of the modes of nature, for He [being free from false ego] does not identify Himself with a material body. (26) This Supersoul, the controller and maintainer of all beings, brings forth, fosters and devours, making use of the force of His external energy. (27) For Him my dearest, He the Supreme One of death and immortality who in every respect is the ultimate goal of surrender for all the world, all the devotees and important personalities of creation bring their offerings, being controlled by Him the way bulls are controlled by a rope through their nose. (28) Five years of age only you left your mother, aggrieved at heart by the words of your stepmother and went to the forest to worship the Lord with austerities. Thus you attained the highest position in the three worlds. (29) Keeping Him in mind my best one, free from anger turn yourself to the one infallible spiritual self [the Brahman] situated in the beyond and try looking at the soul to discover the uncontaminated state from within all that is divided appears to be untrue. (30) When you then render transcendental service to the Soul Inside of the Supreme Lord who endowed with all potencies is the unlimited reservoir of all pleasure, you will very soon untie the knot of illusion of 'I' and 'mine' and thus be firmly fixed.
(31) Just control your anger - it is the enemy of all goodness - and all good fortune will be yours. By constantly keeping to this lesson my dear King, this [directive] will work like a medicinal treatment for a disease. (32) An intelligent person who for his soul desires freedom from fear, must never be led by anger, for everyone shuns the person ruled by it. (33) By angrily killing the Yakshas of whom you thought that they had killed your brother, you've slighted the brother of S'iva, Kuvera. (34) Forthwith go pacify him my son. Offer him respectfully, with gentle words your obeisances, before the wrath of the great ones will defeat our family.'
(35) Manu Svâyambhuva after thus giving instruction to his grandson received from him his obeisances and departed together with the sages for his abode.'
Chapter 12: Dhruva Mahârâja Goes Back to Godhead
(1) Maitreya said: 'Having learned that Dhruva, with his anger lingered, had refrained from killing, Kuvera, the master of the treasury who is worshiped by the Câranas, Kinnaras [singers and indwellers of heaven] and Yakshas, appeared there and spoke to Dhruva who stood with folded hands before him. (2) The master of the treasury said: 'Oh son of the ruler, I am very glad about you oh sinless one, because you being instructed by your grandfather gave up the enmity that is so difficult to avoid. (3) You didn't kill the Yakshas, nor killed the Yakshas your brother, for it is the Time that is really the master of annihilation and generation of all living beings. (4) One's intelligence is of ignorance with the misconceptions of 'I' and 'you'. To a person who follows the bodily concept life appears to be just like in a dream; [the physical approach] is the cause of bondage and misfortune. (5) I wish you all good fortune oh Dhruva, live with that in mind for the worship of the Supreme Lord Beyond the Senses of all living beings thinking of Him in the form of the one Supersoul within all that lives. (6) Be of devotion unto Him whose lotus feet deserve it to be worshiped, for they deliver you from a material existence and cut through the knot of being materially entangled. Even though He in His potency of ruling the modes is connected to them, He by His inconceivable nature is aloof from them. (7) Oh King, please ask without hesitation from me whatever you deem desirable oh son of Uttânapâda, because you, oh dear one, considering your endurance at the lotus feet of Him from whose navel the lotus sprouted, deserve the benediction.'
(8) Maitreya said: 'He, by the treasure king of all kings [the ruler of the Yakshas] being offered a benediction, asked, as a first class intelligent and thoughtful devotee of the Lord, for the continuous remembrance by which one without difficulty crosses over the unsurpassable ocean of nescience. (9) Kuvera, the son of Idavidâ, who was very pleased with Dhruva's mentality, granted him that remembrance and next disappeared from sight. Dhruva then also returned to his capital. (10) He subsequently worshiped by means of sacrificial ceremonies and great charities with all that he had, could accomplish and divine support he could find, the Ruler of all Sacrifices, the objective [of one's life] who awards all results. (11) Uninterruptedly rendering service unto the one infallible Soul above all, he saw all living beings as present in Him alone and Him Almighty as the one and only present within all living beings. (12) Thus endowed with godly qualities he, who as a kind protector of the principles of religion had respect for the brahmins and the poor, was considered the father of the people. (13) During the thirty-six thousand years of his rule over the planet Earth he by enjoyment exhausted his merits and by austerity diminished his misfortune. (14) Thus free from agitating his senses the great soul [life after life] for many, many years favorably executed the three kinds of civil duties [the regulation of religion, economy and sense gratification], after which he handed the royal throne over to his son. (15) He realized that this universe consisting of His external energy, to the living being was a phantasmagoria that just like a dream is a result of ignorance. (16) He considered everything created comprising his body, his wives, children, friends, his influence, riches, the pleasure grounds, the facilities for his women and the complete of the beauty of the earth with its oceans, as something bound to time and for that reason he left for Badarikâs'rama [the Himalayan forest]. (17) There he purified his body, bathing in pure water and, fixed in yogic postures, controlled the breathing process by withdrawing the mind from his physical senses. Concentrating on the exact form of the Lord he constantly kept in mind, he thus meditating became fully absorbed. (18) Constantly engaged in his devotion for Lord Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he was of an everlasting bliss and again and again overcome by a stream of tears that made his heart melt and all the hairs of his body stand on end. He no longer remembered that he had a body and was thus liberated from [also the subtlety of] being materially bound [mukta-linga].
(19) Dhruva saw a very beautiful heavenly vehicle [a vimâna] descending from the sky which illumined him and the ten directions as if the full moon itself had appeared. (20) Therein he discerned two beautiful demigods with four arms, a blackish skin, being quite young and with eyes as pink as a lotus flower. They held clubs and were attractively dressed and decorated with helmets, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. (21) Understanding them to be two servants of the Renown One, he stood up, but being puzzled he didn't know anymore how to receive them with proper respect and thus he respectfully joined his hands offering his respects by chanting the names of the chief of these associates, the Enemy of Madhu. (22) He whose heart was always absorbed in thoughts about the feet of Lord Krishna, very humbly folding his hands bowed his head while Nanda and Sunanda, the two confidential servants of the One with the Lotus navel, smilingly approached and addressed him. (23) Nanda and Sunanda said: 'Oh best of kings! All good fortune to you. Listen attentively to our words. You are the one who, being five years old, greatly satisfied God by doing penance. (24) As the associates of the creator of this entire universe, of the Godhead who carries the bow named S'ârnga, we have approached you to take you with us to the Lord His abode. (25) You have achieved the world of Vishnu that is so difficult to achieve that not even the greatest of enlightenment could reach there. Come and see the supreme abode around which to the right the moon, the sun, the other planets and the stars are circumambulating. (26) This has never been achieved by your forefathers nor by others oh dear one, come and live there in that supreme abode of Lord Vishnu who is so worshipable for the inhabitants of the universe. (27) Oh immortal soul, you deserve it to board this unique heavenly vehicle that was sent to you by the One Praised in the Verses, the head of all living beings.'
(28) Sage Maitreya said: 'After hearing the words pouring like honey from the chief associates of the Lord, he who was so dear to Him, after offering the sages his obeisances and accepting their blessings, took a purifying bath and performed his daily duties. (29) After in worship having circumambulated that excellent heavenly vehicle and also having paid his obeisances to the two associates, he whose form shone with a golden effulgence was ready to get on board. (30) Then the son of Uttânapâda could see death personified approaching him. He put his foot on his head and ascended that wonder that was as big as a house. (31) At that moment kettledrums, mridangas [drums of worship] and small drums and such resounded, while the chief singers of liberation sang and flowers showered like rain. (32) As he was about to ascend to the abode of heaven, Dhruva instantly remembered Sunîti and thought: 'How can I go to the difficult to attain world above all worlds and leave my poor mother behind?' (33) Understanding Dhruva's worries, the two superior beings of enlightenment pointed out to him that she in her divinity had preceded him. (34) On his way passing one after the other all the heavenly spheres, he was covered by even more flowers that here and there by the demigods were showered upon him from their heavenly vehicles. (35) In his vimâna surpassing the three worlds and even going beyond the great sages, Dhruva who had attained eternal life then reached the abode of Lord Vishnu. (36) For certain only those who constantly engage in welfare activities reach that place which radiating by its effulgence, illumines and makes radiate all the three worlds everywhere, and not the ones who weren't merciful with other living beings. (37) Peaceful, equipoised, pure and pleasing to all living beings they of friendship with His devotees easily reach the abode of the Infallible One. (38) Dhruva, the son of Uttânapâda thus departing with Krishna finding his purity, became the summit-jewel of the three worlds. (39) The sphere of the luminaries [the galaxy] with great force and speed being connected unceasingly encircles that place oh Kaurava [Vidura's family name], like a herd of bulls moving around a central pole.
(40) Having observed Dhruva's glories the wise and great lord Nârada played his stringed instrument in the sacrificial arena of the Pracetâs, chanting [the following] verses. (41) Nârada sang: 'Thanks to the austerity of this son of Sunîti serving her husband so devotedly, we are aware of the path to our life's destination. With those whom one calls the followers of the Vedas one is never certain of being that eligible, not to mention what one achieves with the regular protectors of mankind. (42) He who at the age of five years aggrieved about the harsh words of the wife of his father so very much pained in his heart, in pursuance of my instruction, went into the forest, won over the unconquerable Supreme Master, winning with the qualities of His devotees. (43) After pleasing the Lord of Vaikunthha he being only five or six years old in the shortest possible time attained His protection. Any other person cannot even expect to attain after many, many of such years [of renunciation] on earth the exalted position that Dhruva, this son of a kshatriya attained.'
(44) Maitreya said: 'I have told you everything that you here have asked me about the great and famous character of Dhruva who is so very much appreciated by many [a devotee]. (45) [To hear] this bestows wealth and repute, increases one's lifespan and is so greatly sacred and auspicious that one can even attain Dhruva's heaven with it, pleasing as it is to the mind and glorious in counteracting all kinds of sin. (46) When one repeatedly listens to it with faith one develops devotional activities that are dear to the Infallible One and therefrom there is bound to be the full defeat of all hindrances. (47) For the one who hears this story there are the qualities of good conduct and such, it constitutes [a source of] strength for the ones who desire it and it is [a breeding ground for] the honor of those who are thoughtful. (48) Carefully chant in the company of converts in the morning and the evening the sacred renown and great character of Dhruva. (49-50) At the time of a full moon or a new moon, on the day after Ekâdas'î [the twelfth day of a lunar month], when the S'ravana star appears, at the end of a tithi [a lunar day], on a day called Vyatîpâta, at the end of the month or on a holiday [relative to the sun] you should recount the story to a receptive audience without desiring remuneration and take shelter of the lotus feet of Him who is the Refuge of the Seeker. You will find your mind then pacified by the soul and thus become perfect. (51) He who imparts this knowledge to those who are not aware of the principles of reality, walks the path of truth and immortality and will be blessed by the gods for being a kind protector of the seekers. (52) Oh best among the Kurus, thus was my description of the activities, the fame and the great purity of Dhruva who as a child forsaking his toys and his mother left home and found the shelter of Lord Vishnu.' "
Chapter 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahârâja
(1) Sûta said [to the rishis at Naimishâranya]: "Hearing Maitreya's description of Dhruva's ascent to the abode of Vaikunthha, Vidura's love for the Supreme Lord in the beyond grew and again he began to question Maitreya Muni.
(2) Vidura asked: 'Who were they, you called the Pracetâs? Which family they were known by, whose sons were they oh best among the sworn and where performed they their sacrifice? (3) I think that Nârada is the greatest of all the devotees; he saw God before his eyes and described the procedure of rendering devotional service to the Lord [in kriyâ-yoga or the pâñcarâtrika-method]. (4) When these men were performing their sacrificial duties in worship of the Supreme Lord, the Enjoyer of All Sacrifices was by Nârada described with devotion. (5) Oh brahmin, be so kind to tell me, so very eager to hear, in full all the stories about the Lord that were narrated there by the devarishi.'
(6) Maitreya said: 'Utkala, the son of Dhruva, after his father departed for the forest, did not desire the throne of the emperor, his father, with all the lands and opulence belonging to it. (7) From the day he was born he was a most satisfied, unattached soul, who equipoised saw the Supersoul as spread everywhere in the world and all the world as resting in the Supersoul. (8-9) Because of his single-minded resolve about the spirit of the Absolute, the separation from heaven had ended in the oneness of the Self. A consequent yoga practice had increased his bliss that as fire burned away the karmic impurities of his mind. Thus realizing his constitutional position all his thoughts were devoted to the Soul of all Souls. (10) Out on the road he to the less intelligent appeared to be like a fool, blind, deaf, dumb and mad, but actually his intelligence was more like a fire with its flames tempered. (11) Thinking that Utkala had no intelligence and was mad, the elders of the family and the ministers of state appointed Vatsara, the younger son of Bhrami, ruler of the world. (12) Svarvîthi, King Vatsara's dearest wife, gave birth to six sons: Pushpârna, Tigmaketu, Isha, Ûrja, Vasu and Jaya. (13) Pushpârna had two wives Doshâ and Prabhâ. Of Prabhâ there were the sons Prâtar, Madhyandinam and Sâyam. (14) Pradosha, Nis'itha and Vyushtha were the three sons of Doshâ. Vyushtha begot in his wife Pushkarinî a son named Sarvatejâ [the all powerful one]. (15-16) His wife, called Âkûti, gave birth to a son named Câkshusha who was the [sixth] Manu. His queen Nadvalâ bore him [twelve] pure sons: Puru, Kutsa, Trita, Dyumna, Satyavân, Rita, Vrata, Agnishthoma, Atîrâtra, Pradyumna, S'ibi and Ulmuka. (17) Ulmuka begot six very good sons in Pushkarinî [who had the same name as her predecessor]: Anga, Sumanâ, Khyâti, Kratu, Angirâ and Gaya. (18) The wife of Anga, Sunîthâ gave birth to Vena who was very crooked. Disappointed about his bad character the wise king Anga left the city [to live in the forest]. (19-20) He [Vena] was cursed by the sages whose angry words struck him like thunder. After that had happened he died. Being without a king all the inhabitants of the world were pestered by thieves and rogues. They then churned his right arm [his 'hand'], upon which a partial incarnation [ams'a-avatâra] of Nârâyana descended called Prithu, who became the original Lord of the Earth.
(21) Vidura said: 'With King Anga being such a reservoir of good qualities and a saintly person, a lover of brahminical culture and a great soul, how could his son be so bad that he became indifferent and left? (22) Why did the sages conversant with the religious principles who saw Vena's faults, desire to pronounce the brahmin's curse against him, while it was the king who carried the rod of punishment? (23) The king is never to be insulted by the citizens however sinful he may be, because he by his personal influence maintains the power of all the local officials. (24) Please describe to me, your faithful devotee oh brahmin, all there is to say about the activities of the son of Sunîthâ, for you are well conversant with [the things of] heaven and earth.'
(25) Maitreya replied: 'King Anga once executed a great as'vamedha sacrifice, but to that great offering all the godly ones never attended despite the fact that they were invited by the officiating brahmins. (26) Puzzled about it they then told the instigator of the sacrifice: 'The godly ones do not accept the oblations in the fire of the priests. (27) Oh King, there is nothing impure about the offerings that you with great care collected, nor is there anything wrong with the proper execution of the mantras by the qualified brahmins. (28) In this connection we cannot find the least insult or neglect in respect of the godly ones because of which the God-conscious who are to witness the sacrifice, wouldn't accept their share.'
(29) Maitreya said: 'King Anga, the performer of the sacrifice, was very depressed after hearing what the twice-born said. He then with their permission addressed the priests to be informed by them: (30) 'Being invited the ones of God are not going to [attend the sacrificial ceremony and] accept their share of the offerings. My dear priests, please tell me what offense I have committed.'
(31) The leading priests said: 'Oh god of man, in this life you haven't even committed the slightest sin, but in your previous life there was a sin because of which you in this life are without a son. (32) Therefore we who wish you all good fortune say to you: execute the sacrifice to get good offspring oh King, when you worship the Lord, the enjoyer of the sacrifice, with the desire to get a son, He will grant you one. (33) Thereupon all the men of God will accept their share of the sacrifice, because for the purpose of [getting] a son then evidently the Supreme Personality has been invited. (34) The Lord being worshiped will award the person whatever he desires; according to the way He is respected by the people they will reap the fruits.'
(35) Thus having decided the learned ones offered rice cake in the fire of the Lord of the Flames, for the king to get a son. (36) From the sacrificial fire a person in white garments appeared with a golden garland and a golden pot in which he carried rice boiled in milk. (37) He, the king, firmly rooted in the noble mind, with the permission of the learned took the in milk boiled rice in his joined palms and offered it, after smelling with great delight, to his wife. (38) The childless queen eating from the food that would give her a child, indeed was impregnated by the husband and thus she in due time gave birth to a son. (39) That boy appeared partly following in the footsteps of his death-oriented, maternal, irreligious grandfather. He therefore became an offender of the holy duty. (40) He used to take up his bow as a hunter and go into the forest to kill innocent deer. Thus all the people cried: 'There he is, the cruel Vena!' (41) While playing in the playground with boys of his age he very cruelly violently killed them mercilessly as if he slaughtered animals. (42) Seeing how cruel his son was, the king by different means of punishment couldn't get a grip on him and thus he became greatly aggrieved thinking: (43) 'They who are without a son probably have worshiped God [in a previous life], they do not have to suffer this unbearable sorrow to live at home with such a bad son. (44) From a bad son's sinful reputation and unrighteousness there will be a great discord among the people who all constantly will live in fear. (45) Who would want such a so-called son? What he no doubt means to the soul is bondage to illusion; which intelligent man would value a son who brings misery to one's family life? (46) I think it's better to have a bad son than a good one. The grief one has because of him will lead to detachment from one's household that is the source of all misery, for it turns the life of a mortal man into a lot of trouble.'
(47) Thus grown indifferent the king, unable to sleep, got up in the middle of the night to forsake his home that was so opulent because of the blessings of the great souls. Not noticed by anyone he left Vena's mother who was fast asleep. (48) As soon as was understood that the king, no longer caring, had left, all the citizens, priests and ministers, friends and the rest of the people searched the earth in great bereavement, just like inexperienced yogis looking for what's hidden within the person. (49) Not finding a trace of their father of state oh Kaurava, the citizens returned disappointed to their city and informed with tears in their eyes, after offering their respects, the assembled sages about the absence of the king.'
Chapter 14: The Story of King Vena
(1) Maitreya said: 'The sages headed by Bhrigu who always aspired the welfare of all the people, understood that the citizens with the king being absent were doomed to live on the level of animals. (2) The men of wisdom called for the mother of Vena Sunîthâ and then enthroned him [Vena] as the master over the world, even though the ministers didn't agree. (3) Hearing that King Vena had ascended the throne the thieves, knowing that he was a most severe punisher, hid themselves immediately like rats afraid of a snake. (4) King Vena having ascended the royal seat was very proud of the eight kind of opulences [bhaga, see 3.24: 32] and considered himself to be the greatest. Impudently he began to insult the great personalities. (5) Thus blinded by power he, as proud as an uncontrolled elephant, mounted a chariot and traveled around creating fear in heaven and on earth. (6) Not permitting the performance of any sacrifice, that charities were given or that any butter was offered in the fire oh twice-born one, he thus beating his kettledrums everywhere put an end to all religious rituals. (7) When the sages who always had performed the sacrifices saw what the great rogue Vena did, they considered it a threat to the common people and out of compassion talked about it. (8) 'Like a log burning from both sides, the common people alas from both the sides of the king and the thieves and rogues are in great danger. (9) Because we were afraid to be without a king Vena has been crowned although he was not qualified and now there is also the threat of danger from his side. How can the living beings be happy now? (10) Vena, born from the womb of Sunîthâ, has grown into a mischievous character, just like a snake that maintained with milk even attacks the one who feeds him. (11) With him appointed king there is no doubt that he desires to harm the citizens, but in order not to suffer the consequences of his sins we nevertheless should try to pacify him. (12) Knowing Vena's unrighteousness we nevertheless have made him king. If he's not amenable to our pacifying words, he for his evildoing will burn by public condemnation just as we will burn him by our prowess.' (13) Thus having decided the sages approached Vena concealing their anger. Pacifying him with kind words they spoke to him.
(14) The sages said: 'Oh best of the royals! Please try to understand that what we are about to tell you oh King, and which will increase your lifespan, strength and good repute oh best one. (15) To those persons who free from attachment in their words, mind, body and intelligence acted according to the religious principles, the worlds will be given that are free from misery; they will find liberation and lasting happiness. (16) May you not lose that spiritual life oh hero of the people, the king who misses that which is the cause of prosperity will lose his sway. (17) Oh King, the royal rule protecting the people against mischievous officials, thieves and rogues may for that reason collect taxes and enjoy this world as well as the next. (18) It is in those kingdoms in whose cities the Supreme Lord, the enjoyer of all sacrifices, is worshiped, that the people following the varnâs'rama system [of vocations and age groups] will act according to their nature. (19) The Fortunate One, the original cause of the cosmic manifestation, will be pleased with that king oh noble one, who in his position of power is of the Soul that keeps the entire universe together. (20) With Him, the Controller of the Controllers, being satisfied, one can achieve the impossible and therefore the people are everywhere with their preferred lead [their gods, kings and idols] by all means with the greatest pleasure all performing sacrifices for Him. (21) It is He who with all the deities that are worshiped is the recipient. He is the sum total of the Vedas, the owner of all means of worship and the goal of all austerity. Therefore oh King, you should to your greater honor and self-interest direct your countrymen to perform worship by means of the different kinds of sacrifices. (22) When the brahmins in the kingdom are of devotional service, all the enlightened ones that are part of the Lord, are properly respected and will, most satisfied, grant the desired result. Oh hero, you should not fail to respect them.'
(23) Vena replied: 'Oh how childish you all are in taking irreligious principles for religious ones. In fact you forsake the father who feeds you being unfaithful with another love. (24) They who ignorantly of disrespect don't realize that the Lord is there in the form of the king, can't find happiness in this world nor after they died! (25) What now is the name of that enjoyer of sacrifice unto whom you direct your great devotion? Like with a bad woman relating to her paramour you fall short in affection for [your king,] the husband! (26-27) The creator, the maintainer, the destroyer, the king of heaven, the god of the wind and the god of death; the god of the sun, the god of the rains, the god of the treasury and the god of the moon; the god of the earth, the god of the fire and the god of the waters; all these and also other powers capable of blessing and cursing abide in the body of the king, the king comprises all the gods. (28) For that reason oh learned ones, you should worship me in your rituals and not be envious. Use those means for my sake, there is no one else to worship as the prime enjoyer of what is offered.'
(29) Maitreya said: 'With all respects offered not acceding to the request of the sages, the one whose intelligence was perverted and who most sinfully had strayed from the path, was thus bereft of all good fortune. (30) All the brahmins felt insulted by him who thought himself to be so very learned. Frustrated in their polite request oh Vidura, they became very angry with him: (31) 'Put him to death, to death, this king, this sinner, this dreadful nature who very soon will turn the whole world into a heap of ash if we let him live. (32) This man full of impiety, doesn't deserve the exalted throne as the god of man. He shamelessly insults Lord Vishnu, the master of all sacrifices! (33) Who else but that miserable Vena would be such a blasphemer of Him by whose mercy all opulence is received?' (34) Thus decided to put him to death they showed their anger and by the sound of their reproach [saying 'Hum'] ended the life of Vena, [the king] who was dead in his blasphemy against the Infallible One. (35) After the sages had returned to their hermitages Sunîthâ in her lamentation preserved the body of her son by means of chanting mantras.
(36) Once, when the sages were bathing in the waters of the Sarasvatî and offering oblations in the fire, they sitting on the bank of the river began to discuss the question of truth. (37) They then told each other that they had noticed that disturbances were developing that created fear among the people; wouldn't the citizens without a ruler suffer the misfortune of having a world full of thieves and rogues? (38) Evidently, as the wise were considering this, wherever one looked dust clouding the sky could be seen caused by the running of plundering criminals. (39-40) They then realized their fault: the disturbance of the common people whose riches were plundered, was due to the death of him who was their protector. With the state full of thieves and murderers and bereft of a king, they despite being aware of all the evil that took place, couldn't manage to subdue the rogues. (41) An equipoised and peaceful brahmin who grossly neglects the ones afflicted is sure to lose the spirit, just like losing water from a broken pot. (42) The family line of the saintly King Anga should not be broken, for the semen of the kings of this family was so productive that they enjoyed the shelter of Kes'ava [He with the beautiful curls]. (43) Thus the wise men decided to churn the thighs of the dead king with great force. Thereupon a person named Bâhuka [the dwarf] was born. (44) He was as black as a crow, very short in every way with very short legs and arms, had big jaws, a flat nose, reddish eyes and copper-red hair. (45) Having appeared he meekly bowed before the sages inquiring: 'What can I do for you?' 'Please sit down' they replied and thus, oh best one, he became thereafter known as Nishâda. (46) His descendants were thereupon called the Naishâdas. They inhabited the hills and forests because they, being born from Vena and with Nishâda taking the burden of all the sins, were feared.'
Chapter 15: King Prithu's Appearance and Coronation
(1) Maitreya said: 'Thus the brahmins again churned the arms of the king who had no son and from that action a couple took birth. (2) About that couple being born the sages conversant with the Vedas said that they were very happy, knowing that it concerned an ['âves'a'-]expansion of the Supreme Lord. (3) The sages said: 'This man is an expansion of the Supreme Lord Vishnu who maintains the world and this woman is Lakshmî, the Goddess of Fortune who is an inseparable, integral part of the Original Person. (4) This male will be the first among the kings and will spread his reputation under the name of Prithu [the one of the earth], becoming widely renown as the Great King. (5) This female as a goddess of all good qualities will enhance the beauty of her ornaments with the magnificence of her teeth; she will be named Arci and will attract Prithu with her great beauty. (6) He as a partial, direct representative of the Lord is born with the desire to protect the entire world and she took birth as the inseparable goddess who is very attracted to him.'
(7) Maitreya said: 'The learned ones praised him, the singers of heaven chanted, the perfected ones showered flowers and the girls of heaven were dancing. (8) Filling the air with vibrating conches, bugles, drums and kettledrums and such, all the godly, the sages and the elderly of all sections of society gathered there. (9-10) Brahmâ, the master of the universe, accompanied by the godly ones arriving there together with all the leaders of the enlightened world, saw on the right hand of that son of Vena, the mark of Vishnu carrying the club. His two feet also showed the [marks of the] lotus flower and thus he was certain that he dealt with a partial appearance of the Lord who with His invincible disc [as a mark in His hand] as a plenary portion represents the Supreme Interest. (11) The brahmins attached to the rituals arranged for his coronation and thus the people for his sake from everywhere collected the different means for performing the ceremony. (12) The rivers, the seas, the mountains, the serpents, the cows, the birds and the animals, the sky, the earth and all living beings contributed with different kinds of gifts. (13) He was thus crowned the Mahârâja. Exquisitely dressed and fully ornamented he together with his nicely jeweled wife Arci appeared like a fire beyond compare. (14) The keeper of wealth Kuvera, presented to him a royal throne made of gold oh hero and Varuna gave him an umbrella as brilliant as the moon which constantly showered a mist of water droplets. (15) Vâyu in his turn gave him two camâras [whisks] made of hair, Dharma a garland that added to his name and fame, Indra gave a very valuable helmet and Yama gave him a scepter to rule the world. (16) Brahmâ armed him with spiritual knowledge, his wife Bhâratî the Goddess of Learning [Sarasvatî] gave a transcendental necklace, the Supreme Personality [Hari, Vishnu] gave him a Sudars'ana disc and His wife Lakshmî gave him imperishable opulence. (17) Lord S'iva came with a sword decorated with ten moons and Durgâ gave a likewise shield showing a hundred moons. The moon god gifted horses of the finest breed and the demigod Vis'vakarmâ donated a very beautiful chariot. (18) Agni gave a bow made of horn, Sûrya gave arrows as brilliant as sunlight, Bhûmi [the Goddess of the Earth] gave slippers that empowered him with mystic union and the gods of the heavenly planets presented him flowers day after day. (19) The art of drama, singing the finest songs, playing musical instruments as well as the ability to make things appear and disappear, were given to him by the space travelers. The great sages blessed him with infallibility and the god of the ocean produced a conch shell for him. (20) The seas, the mountains and the rivers provided him passage for his chariot and professed bards and officials of prayer and praise presented themselves hailing him in verses. (21) Seeing them engaged in their offerings, the greatly powerful son of Vena spoke as follows, smiling with a voice as grave as the thunder of clouds.
(22) King Prithu said: 'Oh dear bards, men of prayer and men of praise, the words of your address are in vain. The way I am now present in this world I do not show all these possible qualities. Thus why praise me for being the shelter? These words should never be applied to me. (23) Therefore offer those prayers some future time when my qualities that you spoke about can be sufficiently appreciated oh gentle reciters. People of honor who correctly discuss the qualities of the Supreme One who is glorified in the scriptures, never offer those prayers to a detestable human being. (24) Someone who causes followers to extoll him for talents that he as a lord and master could have but in reality does not have, is deceptively engaged and a fool not to realize that people insult each other that way. (25) The ones in power certainly don't like it to be praised. Despite being very famous, they are modest: [they know] that as magnanimous as they are in their heroic deeds, they are just as well abominable. (26) Oh you people led by practices of praise, when we just now are not of any fame in the world or of any praiseworthy action, how then could I engage you in songs of praise for me as if you were children?'
Chapter 16: King Prithu Extolled
(1) Maitreya said: 'The professional reciters, content about hearing the king speak these nectarine words, praised him therefore according to the instructions of the sages: (2) 'We are at a loss to describe in full the glories of you who as the foremost godhead has descended out of your own mercy. Despite the fact that you appeared from the body of Vena, your glories bewilder the minds of the foremost speakers. (3) Nevertheless we will, in accord with what the wise have told us to do, try to put the name of King Prithu, [of you who are] famed for being a partial incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in the sweetest words. Encouraged in our attention for the liberality and praiseworthiness of your activities, we shall do our best to sing your praises. (4) This king will as the best defender of the faith incite the entire world to follow dutifully. Apart from being the protector of the regulative principles of human nature he is also the chastiser of all who act against them. (5) He is the one and only who carries all the forms of all local deities within himself. Based upon that justice each and everyone high and low in due course of time will receive his proper share and prosper therefrom. (6) All the riches this king exacts will by him in due course of time be equally distributed over all living beings, just like the all-powerful sun god distributes his rays. (7) He as the king will take up the duty of mother earth to be always kind to the aggrieved and tolerant towards the people who trample her face. (8) As easy as Indra answers with rain when there is a shortage of water and the living entities have to suffer, that divine man of God, this embodiment of the Lord, will protect the citizens. (9) The whole world will thrive on the glances and bright smiles of his beautiful and affectionate moonlike face. (10) The policies of this king are unseen, his actions are confidential and secret, his accomplishments are hidden and there is no limit to his treasury. His soul, as the only reservoir of all good qualities, will be covered just as it is with [the position of] Varuna, the king of the seas. (11) Born from Vena like fire from firewood, he is difficult to approach and unbearable [for his enemies]. When one approaches him he stays at a distance. No one can defeat him. (12) He as the neutral witness oversees the activities inside as well as outside of all living beings, just [as inseparable] as the life breath is of all the embodied beings. (13) Walking the path of righteousness, he will not think of punishing the son of his enemy when he is not to be punished, nevertheless he will punish his own son if he deserves it. (14) Like the sun god shining his light everywhere, the circle of the influence of Prithu will unimpeded remain the most powerful up to Mânasa mountain [the arctic region]. (15) The entire world will be pleased by his personal activities and will therefore call him 'the King Happy to the Mind of the Citizens'. (16) Firm in his determination and always truthful, he in favor of the brahminical and of service to the elderly, is the one of respect and the caring parent for the afflicted with whom all living beings seek their shelter. (17) He is as respectful towards other women as he is towards his mother, unto his own wife he is like the other half of his body, unto the citizens he is like an affectionate father and he is a servant unto those who preach the word of God. (18) All who are embodied are as dear to him as himself, he increases the pleasure of his friends and he intimately associates with those who are free from attachment. This king is the hand chastising the wicked. (19) He who is unmistakably the unchanging Supreme Lord over the three worlds, descended as a partial [s'aktyâves'a] expansion of the Supersoul. He regards [the false security of confiding in] the variegation of matter as meaningless, for such a notion is born from nescience. (20) From the earliest light of day over the hills on, he as the king of the world, uniquely heroic will protect the globe as the master of all gods of men. From his victorious chariot upholding the bow, he will be all around from the south [to the north] like the sun passing [every year from south to north in the celestial sky]. (21) For certain all kings of all places will present themselves before him. With the locally worshiped deities the wives of these kings will consider him the Original King who wields the weapon of his disc in defense of his [His] reputation. (22) He will milk the earth whom one knows in the form of a cow, as an extraordinary king and progenitor [the Prajâpati] he will provide facilities for the populace and for a pastime he will simply by the pointed ends of his bow level the mountains by breaking them apart in preparing the earth [for agriculture], just like Indra, the king of heaven did [hitting the mountains with his thunderbolt]. (23) When he vibrating his bow of horn like a lion keeping his tail high personally travels the earth, he invincible in battle will drive all warmongers everywhere into retreat. (24) The moment this king will have performed a hundred as'vamedha [horse] sacrifices at the source of the Sarasvatî river, his horse during the last of the hundred sacrifices there will be stolen away by Lord Indra. (25) He will meet the worshipable Sanat-kumâra alone in the garden of his palace and will, with his devotion being of worship, achieve the uncontaminated, transcendental knowledge by which the Spirit of the Absolute Truth is enjoyed. (26) He will hear about the reputation far and wide of his chivalry as Prithu, the king of supreme power, being put in so many words in the form of songs and narrations. (27) Conquering [his opponents] everywhere with no one checking him he will, by the grace of his own prowess, uproot the miseries of the citizens. He will be glorified as the greatest soul by the leaders of the godly and the godless and become the lord of the world.'
Chapter 17: Prithu Mahârâja Gets Angry with the Earth
(1) Maitreya said: 'After the son of King Vena thus had been glorified for his qualities and actions as a manifestation of the Supreme Lord, he pleased those who had spoken with gifts and honored them with praises. (2) The brahmin leaders, the other castes, the servants, the ministers, the priests, the citizens, all his subjects, the different communities and his admirers he all properly respected.'
(3) Vidura said: 'Why did Mother Earth who has so many forms, assume the form of a cow? And with King Prithu milking her, who was there as the calf and what was the milking pot? (4) How leveled he her [the goddess] who by nature is sloped and for what reason stole the godhead (Indra) the sacrificial horse? (5) O brahmin, what state was attained by the saintly king after he from the mighty Sanat-kumâra* who is so well versed in Vedic lore had received the practical knowledge? (6-7) Please, your goodness, narrate to this so very attentive devotee everything else about the Supreme Personality of Krishna whom we know as Adhokshaja [the One beyond the senses] and who as the son of Vena milked the earth in the form of that cow. It undoubtedly is a pleasure to listen to the stories about him who from the piety of his previous incarnation arrived at such powerful and glorious activities.'
(8) Sûta said: "Thereupon saint Maitreya very pleased with Vidura being so inspired by the narrations about Vâsudeva, praised him and replied. (9) Maitreya said: 'When King Prithu was enthroned by the brahmins my best, and declared to be the protector of the people, the citizens suffered a shortage of food. They with their bodies emaciated because of the hunger then approached him, the protector of the surface of the earth, in order to inform him.
(10-11) 'O King, suffering a hunger that burns like a fire in the hollow of a tree, we today have come to you to take shelter with you. For you are the appointed person and master to be consulted who must give the orders. Please your Majesty, try therefore to provide us who suffer from hunger o master over all rulers of men, with food. If you don't act as the protector of the people and the leader of the food supply, we will perish!'
(12) Maitreya said: 'Prithu hearing the citizens lamenting their pitiable condition, for a long time contemplated o best of the Kurus, and discovered the cause. (13) Having arrived at that conclusion he with intelligence took up his bow and fixed, like he was the angry Lord of the three Cities [Lord S'iva who once pierced three fortresses with one arrow], an arrow on it and aimed at the earth. (14) When the earth saw that he had taken up his bow and arrows, she, having turned into a cow, fled away trembling as afraid as a deer chased by a hunter. (15) With his eyes turned red of anger chasing the cow, the son of Vena then laid an arrow on his bow wherever she fled. (16) Seeing the king coming after her with his weapons raised, the goddess ran randomly in all the four directions, fleeing hither and thither wherever heaven meets earth. (17) Just like man unable to escape from death, she nowhere in the world being able to escape from the hand of the son of Vena, finally turned back, very scared and very saddened at heart.
(18) She said: 'Since you are now the great one of fortune o knower of the religion, o shelter of the afflicted, please save me. For Your Majesty is there for the protection of the living. (19) Why is it that you want to kill the very person so poor who is without any sin? How can you wish to kill a woman like me, you whom one considers a knower of the principles? (20) If no one should ever strike a woman, not even when she is sinful, how much more wouldn't that be true for a personality like you o King, a human being so full of mercy and affection for the poor? (21) If you break me, this very strong boat carrying all the world, how can you hold yourself and your people afloat then?'
(22) King Prithu replied: 'O dear source of wealth, with you not obeying my rules I will have to kill you because you, who do accept your share of the offerings, do not provide us with the produce. (23) You eat the greenest grass daily but we are never certain of the milk provided by your udder. Is it not demanded to administer punishment to a cow that is indubitably in offense? (24) Not very intelligent disobeying me you do not yield the seeds for the plants, herbs and grains for us, which originally were formed by the Creator but now are hidden by you inside of you. (25) To put an end to the misery of all the distressed who suffer from hunger, I will now cut your flesh to pieces with my arrows. (26) Whether it concerns a man, a woman or an eunuch, kings who kill him who as the lowest of all is after his self-interest with no compassion for other living beings, are not really engaged in killing. (27) You, so foolish and conceited, prove yourself to be a cow of illusion. I will thus with my arrows cut you to pieces as small as grains, for I, by the power of my yoga, will personally uphold all these citizens.'
(28) Being that angry he had assumed the form of death personified. The surrendered planet earth who had to tremble all over, then with folded hands spoke. (29) The earth said: 'My respects for the Transcendence, the Original Person who by the material energy expanded into a variety of forms. Unto that source of the qualities I offer my obeisances, unto that original form of Him who with all of His love and actions as a doer Himself is never affected because He is not bewildered by the waves of the ocean of matter. (30) He by whom I as an abode for all living beings was created as a combination of the different modes and elements, He in His own right ready with His weapons before me wants to kill me now, but what other shelter should I resort to but Him? (31) As the One who in the beginning by His inconceivable potency created all these moving and nonmoving entities and offered them the protection of His shelter, You who by that same mâyâ now proves to be him, this king, how can You, who wants to offer protection as someone strictly following the principles, wish to kill me? (32) Because of His unconquerable potency no doubt the plan of the Supreme Master is never clear to human beings who always fall short. He indeed who by His inconceivable powers and lordship caused the creator and his creation, is the One in the many. (33) I offer Him my obeisances who is the cause of the creation, dissolution and maintenance of this world, Him who by dint of His powers is the cause of the physical elements, the senses and the controlling demigods, the intelligence and the identification with matter, unto Him who manifests and restricts these energies and is the transcendental Original Personality and Cause of all Causes. (34) It was You who factually created this world consisting of the elements, the senses, the mind and the heart o Powerful One, o Unborn One. It was You who as the original boar [Varâha] maintaining me, lifted me from the lower regions out of the water. (35) Having put me on top of the water with the living entities standing upon me as in a boat, You, who indeed want to offer protection, as a hero have become the keeper of the earth. And now You want to kill me with sharp arrows because of [missing] my milk! (36) The ways and activities of Your divine incarnations can never be fully understood by living beings like me or by common people whose minds as a consequence of Your energy are bewildered by the modes. My obeisances for all that You are, You who brings renown to the heroes themselves.'
* Today there are four main disciplic successions in India: the Kumâra-, Brahmâ-, Lakshmî- and S'iva-sampradâyas. This present translation has originated from the Brahmâ-sampradâya.
Chapter 18: Prithu Mahârâja Milks the Earth
(1) Maitreya said: 'After mother earth thus had offered King Prithu prayers, his lips were still trembling of anger. She in fear then managed to come to her senses and spoke again: (2) 'Please pacify your anger o King, understand that what I said, I've said as someone who as an intelligent person, just like a bumblebee, gathers the essence from everywhere. (3) By the great sages who realized the truth methods were found and applied for the common people to have a better life in this world as well as the next. (4) For anyone who fully follows the principles that are traditionally taught to the inexperienced who live by their faith, it is very easy to enjoy what was aimed at. (5) He who in neglect [of the traditions] not knowing the facts engages on his own initiative, will in pursuing his goals see himself fail again and again. (6) O King, all the herbs and seeds that in the past were created by Lord Brahmâ and are cherished by me, we see now in the hands of irresponsible people who have no respect for the spiritual practice. (7) Not being taken care of and neglected by local rulers like your goodness, I have for this world that has fallen into thievery, hidden all the herbs and seeds that are needed for the offerings. (8) Because of being hidden within me for such a long time those herbs and seeds have deteriorated and thus your Majesty should take them out the way it is prescribed. (9-10) O hero, arrange for a calf of mine, from my affection for it I will, if you also arrange for a milking pot and a milkman, fulfill all your desires for milk for each of you. I will as well, o mighty-armed one, o protector of the living beings, provide for the food you wanted for feeding yourself, if you so desire. (11) You will also have to engage in leveling me, the earth, o King, so that the waters that fell from the sky by the mercy of the godhead, outside of the rainy season have not flown away o mighty one.'
(12) Thinking of the pleasing and good words of the earth, the king wisely set himself with a calf to the task and obtained thus milking, all grains and herbs. (13) Everywhere else other men of intelligence also took out the essence and likewise cared [for a calf] to milk from Prithu's planet earth whatever they wanted. (14) O good one, the sages milking the goddess with their senses [as the milking pot], produced, by dint of sage Brihaspati as the calf, milk in the pure form of Vedic hymns. (15) Producing from Indra, the king of heaven, as the calf, the godly milked into a golden pot the nectar of the milk of mental power and the strength of the body and the senses. (16) The sons of Diti, the enemies of God, produced with Prahlâda as the calf, with the most important [devotee] among the godless, the milk of fermented and distilled beverages in an iron pot. (17) The singers and denizens of heaven produced with him who was named Vis'vâvasu as the calf, into a vessel in the form of a lotus the milk of sweet music and beauty. (18) The most fortunate demigods responsible for the funeral rites, with great faith produced with Aryamâ from the realm of the ancestors the milk of the offerings of food into an unbaked earthen pot. (19) The perfected ones and the scholars and such [Vidyâdharas] appointing Kapila as the calf and with the ether [as the milking pot] produced the knowledge of proceeding at will with yogic mystic powers [siddhis]. (20) Others endowed with magical and mystical powers [the Kimpurushas] produced with Maya [a demon] as the calf and with concentration [or dhârana as the milking pot] the milk of the wondrous ability of making the body invisible. (21) The descendants of Kuvera, the demons, ghosts and witches [respectively the Yakshas, Râkshasas, Bhûtas and Pis'âcas] who are all habituated to eating meat, with Lord S'iva's incarnation Rudra [Bhûtanâtha] as the calf, milked out a beverage made of blood in a pot of skulls. (22) So also the snakes with and without hoods, the scorpions and the constrictor snakes, produced with Takshaka, their chief, as the calf, the milk of poison in the pot of the snake pit. (23-24) The four-legged creatures produced with the bull carrier of Lord S'iva [Nandi] as the calf from the green grasses their milk in the pot of the wilderness. The other sharp toothed animals, the predators, with the lion as their calf milked out the flesh of other beings and the birds with Garuda as their calf produced in the pot of their own body the milk of the moving [insects and worms] and nonmoving living beings [the plants and grasses]. (25) With the banyan tree as their calf the different trees produced milk in the form of their juices while the hills and mountains with the Himalayas as the calf produced the various minerals of their peaks. (26) With the leaders as the calves and with each his own specific milking pot thus from the planet Earth ruled by King Prithu the milk was produced of everything that one needed.
(27) O chief of the Kurus, milking the earth with the different calfs, pots and milkers, thus by Prithu and the others following his example, the milk was obtained of all the different forms of food needed to sustain the living entities. (28) King Prithu, being very pleased with all desirables produced as milk, full of affection thereafter treated the planet earth as if she was his own daughter. (29) The emperor, the mighty son of Vena, with the power of his bow had broken up all the hilltops of the entire earth and thus had leveled [cultivated] her almost completely. (30-31) And so the Supreme Lord present on this earth as the son of Vena was as a father to the citizens in employing them and preparing at different locations for numbers of suitable dwellings according to the need: villages, cities, settlements and forts of different kinds as also habitations for the milkmen, pens for livestock, camps, mines, agricultural towns and mountain hamlets. (32) Before Prithu there was on this earth certainly never this kind of planning of towns and villages; one used to live everywhere unrestricted as one liked.'
Chapter 19: King Prithu's One Hundred Horse Sacrifices
(1) The sage Maitreya said: 'Thereafter he, the king, in the land of Manu known as Brahmâvarta, where the Sarasvatî flows to the east, then initiated the performance of a hundred horse sacrifices. (2) Faced with this most powerful excel in fruitive action King Indra, who himself had performed a hundred sacrifices, could not tolerate the great ceremonies of sacrifice of King Prithu. (3) It was there that directly the enjoyer of all sacrifice, the Supreme Lord Vishnu, the transcendental controller who is the proprietor, the teacher of all the world and everyone's soul, would show Himself. (4) Together with Brahmâ and S'iva and all the local rulers with their followers, He is praised by the inhabitants and singers of heaven and the wise. (5) The perfected and the ones rooted in learning, the descendants of Diti, the fruitive workers and the guardians of wealth attended there headed by Nanda and Sunanda, the most respectful associates of the Lord. (6) All the great devotees who always serve Him with diligence assembled there: the masters of yoga led by Sanaka [the Kumâras], Kapila, Nârada and Dattâtreya. (7) Dear son of Bharata, because of that meeting the land fulfilled, alike the cow that produces all the milk, all wishes by yielding as desired every object that the sacrificer needed. (8) The rivers carried all the water needed, there was milk, curd and the food of other dairy products and the trees with their big bodies bore fruits and dripped with honey. (9) The people of all places along with their governors brought forward presentations of the four kinds of foodstuff [what is chewed, licked, sucked and drunk] and heaps of jewels from the hills and oceans. (10) Thus King Prithu abiding by the Lord beyond the Senses, was the most opulent person, but the great Lord Indra, being envious, formed a hindrance. (11) Being that envious he unseen stole the sacrificial animal when the son of Vena was performing the last horse sacrifice meant to please the Lord of all Sacrifices. (12) Indra impersonating as a liberated soul and thus most confusingly presenting irreligion as religion, was spotted by sage Atri and then hurried away into the sky. (13) The son of King Prithu, a great hero, encouraged by sage Atri to kill him, became very angry and shouted: 'Wait, just wait!' (14) But when he saw that he was wearing the dress that is considered religious, had knotted hair and a body smeared all over with ashes, he could not release an arrow at him. (15) My best one, the son of Prithu having refrained from killing was by sage Atri admonished to do it nevertheless since the great Indra had sunken as low as to impede the performance of a yajña. (16) Thus being ordered the son of Prithu, who was as angry as the king of the vultures was with Râvana, began to chase Indra who hastily moved away at a distance. (17) With him in pursuit, Indra vanished abandoning the horse as well as his false dress. The great hero then brought the animal of his father back to the sacrificial arena.
(18) O master [Vidura], seeing the reality of his wonderful action the great sages honored him accordingly with the name Vijitâs'va [he who won the horse]. (19) But not seen under the cover of a dense darkness he had created, the mighty King Indra again took the horse away from the sacrificial block where it was chained in golden shackles. (20) When Atri pointed out that he hurried away in the open, the hero this time seeing him holding a staff with a skull at the top, [again] couldn't manage to kill him. (21) With Atri admonishing him to go after him he in anger had fixed an arrow but the independent Indra who gave up the horse and the apparel [for the second time], kept himself out of reach. (22) The hero then took the horse and went back to the sacrificial arena of his father. Ever since those with a poor fund of knowledge adopt that false show of the lord of heaven. (23) Those forms that Indra assumed with the desire to steal the horse are all sign and symbol of sinful activities. For this the word deficient is used [with khanda or deficient one speaks of pâkhanda or pâshanda, the false preacher or heretic]. (24-25) With Indra who in his desire to stop the sacrifice stole away the horse from the son of Vena and thus adopted and abandoned the religious garb, the common man foolishly enough got attracted to this falsehood of faith in red robes, going naked etc. because it is generally done with great cunning and a good command of speech. (26) The incarnation of the Lord, King Prithu celebrated as the all-powerful one, understood this and very angry with Indra took an arrow and lifted his bow.
(27) The priests who saw that Prithu thus prepared to kill the king of heaven, couldn't tolerate the leap of mind of his terrifying display of power and objected: 'O great soul, as it is said in the scriptures, it is not proper to kill others in matters like these. (28) Indra, your enemy who in fact already lost his power as the destroyer of your interest, we will summon with mantras never used before and forthwith by force sacrifice him in the fire o King.'
(29) After thus having advised the leader of the ceremony o Vidura, the priests grim-faced with the sacrificial ladle in their hand stood prepared to perform the sacrifice, but when they were about to begin Lord Brahmâ asked them to stop: (30) 'Indra shouldn't be killed by you, for he whose end you wish is also the offering himself, he is an integral part of the Supreme Lord. And so also the ones of God you wish to please by the sacrificing are all part of Indra! (31) And then o twice-born ones, beware of this great violation of dharma committed by Indra in his desire to impede these proceedings of the king. (32) Let it be so that from the side of the widely renown King Prithu there are the ninety-nine sacrifices he performed. There is no use [o King] for more correctly performed sacrifices, for you know the path of liberation very well. (33) You surely shouldn't act in anger against Lord Indra, it suffers no doubt that it will be to the good fortune of the both of you to stand together for the multiformity of the Lord celebrated in the scriptures. (34) O great King please listen to what I tell you with the greatest esteem: do not as you did, get into the mind of anger because of a twist of fate, because from the king who is of such a consideration one will enter the darkest regions. (35) Let this sacrificing end, it was by what Indra has created that among the ones of God so many principles of religion were violated and bad habits rooted. (36) Just see how Indra as the one who broke your sacrifice with stealing the horse, introduced this deception that is so alluring to the common man that he is carried away by it. (37) Your Majesty, you incarnated according to time and circumstance in this world in order to deliver us, for the system of religion that by the misdeeds of King Vena almost had vanished. And now you are there as a part and parcel of the body of Vishnu, o son of Vena. (38) Therefore, in consideration of the welfare of the world o protector of the people, answer to the determination of the progenitors of this earth [to respect you as an expansion of the Supreme One] and foil the illusion that was created by Indra in the form of the moralizing without servitude [the pseudo religion, the hypocrisy] that is the mother of the dangerous path of heresy.'
(39) Maitreya continued: 'Thus being advised by the teacher of all Prithu, the king and master, acted according to what was told and concluded, moved to sympathy, to peace with Indra. (40) After having done so he took a customary bath and received for his glorious actions the blessings of the God-conscious whom he had pleased with the performance of his sacrifices. (41) When all the men of learning had offered the original king their blessings, they were most contented with the great respect and rewards they received from him o royal one [and said]: (42) 'O mighty-armed one, we, the forefathers, gods, sages and also common people have all assembled because you invited us and now feel very honored by your gifts and expressions of respect.'
Thus ends the first part of Canto 4 of the S'rîmad Bhâgavatam
Translation: Anand Aadhar Prabhu, http://bhagavata.org/c/8/AnandAadhar.html
Production: the Filognostic Association of The Order of Time, with special thanks to Sakhya Devi Dasi for proofreading and correcting the manuscript. http://theorderoftime.com/info/guests-friends.html
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