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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 11, 2023 8:31:08 GMT -6
Concluding SB.1.19, and thus concludes Book One.
Thus he, pre-eminent among them sate, In that gathering, greatest of the great; The brahman sages, royal sages too. God-like sages and all their retinue, Were like the stellar constellations found, The bright moon in his glory to surround. 30
Thus having been seated with all respect, That tranquil sage of lofty intellect, The king approached with deep humility, And bowing his head, that great devotee, With modesty and palms together pressed, In sweet words his inquiry addressed. 31
(The king said) Ah me, ah me, how fortunate are we! To serve the great unworthy though we be; O Brahman, by coming here as a guest, Thou hast shown thy favour, and we are bless'd. 32
Mere recollection of great ones like thee, Confers straightway on the home sanctity; What of seeing, touching, washing thy feet Can be said, and of offering a seat? 33
Great yogi thy mere presence drives away, The deadly sins of man without delay, As Vishnu himself subjugates all those, Who presume to hold the gods as their foes. 34
Even I, it seems, have been favoured here, Since Pandu's sons to Krishna were most dear, For love of them and the whole family, He hath most graciously accepted me. 35
Elsewise how could such vision be conceived, Of one who traverses paths unperceived, Unseen of men, but having approached nigh, One like myself who am about to die? 36
Therefore I question thee, most worthy lord, Thou foremost of yoga teachers adored, What is a man supposed to do and how, When death approaches, as it does e'en now? 37
What should he hear, and what mantras divine By man should be recited, master mine? What should he think, how in worship employed, And say, what is there that he should avoid? 38
Indeed, potent brahman, you do not wait, And are not seen at a householders' gate, And only the limited time allow, That it would take for milking of a cow. 39
(Suta said) And thus with his eloquent questioning, These points of inquiry spoke the king; And that knower of virtue, seated nigh, Badarayana's son, made his reply. 40
Thus ends Chapter Nineteen in Book One of the great and glorious Bhagavata Purana, the text beloved of swan-like saints, sung by the sone of Vyasa.
End of Book One.
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 11, 2023 12:42:08 GMT -6
Previously I had got as far as the end of Chapter 47 in Book Ten, before finishing Book One. Well, that having been done, it seems only right to continue with SB.10.48. 1-4
Argument First Krishna visits Sairendhri, the maid, Whose crooked figure had perfect been made, Then to Akrura's home to honour him, And then Akrura's exuberant hymn; Akrura to Elephantopolis, Is sent to know if aught were there amiss; These are the themes that Suka doth relate, To Pariksit in Chapter Forty Eight.
(Suka said) Thus having been acquainted with the news, The Lord, the soul of all, who all souls views, Desired to oblige that serving maid Who loved him, and to her house his way made. 1
Her home with costly articles was graced, With furnishings expediently placed, With strands of pearls and flower garlands strung, Which pendant from the flags and banners hung; With bright arrases and canopies dight, Calculated to waken soft delight. A luxurious bed and bolstered seat, And shining lamps and fragrant sandal sweet. 2
When him she saw arriving at her home, She swiftly rose to offer him welcome, And with her friends in fond beatitude, She worshipped Acyuta, the untransmewed; And with the articles of honour meet, She offered him respectfully a seat. 3
Pious Uddhava, who was also there, Was honoured with the offer of a chair, But due to his diffidence he forbore, And sat him contentedly on the floor. Meanwhile Krishna, without further delay, According to custom recumbent lay, Upon the luxurious costly bed, In keeping with the human life he led. 4
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 22, 2023 5:07:46 GMT -6
A digression.
The Twenty Four Gurus. SB. 11. 7.33-35
pṛthivī vāyur ākāśam āpo ’gniś candramā raviḥ kapoto ’jagaraḥ sindhuḥ pataṅgo madhukṛd gajaḥ madhu-hā hariṇo mīnaḥ piṅgalā kuraro ’rbhakaḥ kumārī śara-kṛt sarpa ūrṇanābhiḥ supeśakṛt ete me guravo rājan catur-viṁśatir āśritāḥ śikṣā vṛttibhir eteṣām anvaśikṣam ihātmanaḥ
The Avadhuta (Dattatreya) to Yadu.
The earth, the wind, the sky of lofty height, Water, fire, the moon and the sun bright; The pigeon, the python, and the broad sea, The moth, the elephant, the honey bee,
The deer, the fish, the honey taker styled, Pingala, and the osprey, and the child; The maiden, arrow-smith, the cunning snake, The wasp, the spider that a web doth make.
All these are my preceptors, mighty king, That come to twenty four in numbering; Their teachings by their ways and means discerned, Whence I myself have many lessons learned.
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Post by madanmohandas on Apr 15, 2023 10:06:06 GMT -6
Srimad Bhagavatam, Book 2, Ch.1. 1-5
(Suka said) Your question is right excellent, O king, The answer whereof all welfare doth bring; Which knowers of the self highly revere, And approve, and which is worthy to hear. 1
Indeed, mankind, O mighty king of kings, May listen and discuss thousands of things; Since they do not of the self see the truth, Attached to home and household life forsooth. 2
They spend their nights sleeping in weariness, And but indulge in amorous congress; Their days are spent accumulating gain, The burden of their kindred to maintain. 3
Although he sees he does not really see, Deluded by love of the family; His body, his children, his wife withal, As fallible soldiers must die and fall. 4
Therefore, best of the Bharat dynasty, The soul of all, Illustrious Hari, Should be heard of and glorified sincere, And recollected, to be rid of fear. 5
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Post by madanmohandas on May 13, 2023 23:24:38 GMT -6
SB.5.6.1-3 On Rishabha Avatara
rājovāca na nūnaṁ bhagava ātmārāmāṇāṁ yoga-samīrita-jñānāvabharjita-karma-bījānām aiśvaryāṇi punaḥ kleśadāni bhavitum arhanti yadṛc-chayopagatāni. 1
The king said. Certes, O great one, for those who revel in the self the seeds of action are all burnt up in the fire of yoga meditation and wisdom; how then could the spontaneous development of powers be deemed harmful, and wherefore did he spurn them? 1
ṛṣir uvāca satyam uktaṁ kintv iha vā eke na manaso ’ddhā viśrambham anavasthānasya śaṭha-kirāta iva saṅgacchante. 2
The Rishi said. Truly said, and yet though the mind be singularly concentrated, faith should not be reposed in it, as the wily hunter is wary of his captive prey. 2
tathā coktam — na kuryāt karhicit sakhyaṁ manasi hy anavasthite yad-viśrambhāc cirāc cīrṇaṁ caskanda tapa aiśvaram 3
And so it is said, Friendship and trust should never be consigned To the most restless and inconstant mind, For e'en the great who long penance maintain, Distracted by the mind, lose all their gain. 3 ........................................ ko nv asya kāṣṭhām aparo ’nugacchen mano-rathenāpy abhavasya yogī yo yoga-māyāḥ spṛhayaty udastā hy asattayā yena kṛta-prayatnāḥ 5.6.12
Who is there then his course could emulate? What yogi could hope to attain his state? That even powers great ones strive to gain, He spurned, knowing them as worthless and vain.
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Post by madanmohandas on Nov 29, 2023 0:29:12 GMT -6
Picking up from where I left off in 10th Skandha.
SB. 10.48. 1-22
Argument
First Krishna visits Sairendhri, the maid, Whose crooked figure had perfect been made, Then to Akrura's home to honour him, And then Akrura's exuberant hymn; Akrura to Elephantopolis, Is sent to know if aught were there amiss; These are the themes that Suka doth relate, To Pariksit in Chapter Forty Eight.
(Suka said) Thus having been acquainted with the news, The Lord, the soul of all, who all souls views, Desired to oblige that serving maid Who loved him, and to her house his way made. 1
Her home with costly articles was graced, With furnishings expediently placed, With strands of pearls and flower garlands strung, Which pendant from the flags and banners hung; With bright arrases and canopies dight, So arranged to awaken soft delight. A luxurious bed and bolstered seat, And shining lamps and fragrant sandal sweet. 2
When him she saw arriving at her home, She swiftly rose to offer him welcome, And with her friends in fond beatitude, She worshipped Acyuta, the untransmewed; And with the articles of honour meet, She offered him respectfully a seat. 3
Pious Uddhava, who was also there, Was honoured with the offer of a chair, But due to his diffidence he forbore, And sat contentedly upon the floor. Meanwhile Krishna, without further delay, According to custom recumbent lay, Upon the luxurious costly bed, In keeping with the human life he led. 4
Well bathed and dressed and well adorned she came, With sandal paste and water as became; And approached Madhava with modest smiles, And bashful glances soft that love beguiles. 5
His beloved he drew toward the bed, Who was by knew contact disquieted; And took her by the hand with bangles bright, Then played with her in amorous delight. The merit gained from offering mere scent, Brought her supreme fulfilment and content. 6
She was relieved of Cupids' burning heat, That in her bosom raged, touching the feet Of Lord Acyuta, and imbibed his scent, Her eyes were satisfied and well content; Which all her burning passion did allay, And all her pain and grief were swept away. She held him twixt her arms against her breast, And in embrace her lover fond compressed; And having gained that state of happiness, She overcame her long standing distress. 48.7
Thus she the Lord of salvation attained, The Lord Supreme, by others hardly gained; By merely anointing him she was bless'd, Yet made, unfortunately, this request. 48.8
"O most beloved and my dearest friend, Some days let us the time together spend, Let pleasure and delight be all our care, O Lotus-eyed, parting I cannot bear." 48.9
On her he did her wished for boon bestow, And respectful, he did much honour show; The Lord of all, with Uddhava, content, Back to his luxurious palace went. 48.10
Rarely adored is Vishnu, worshipful, And one who has worshipped him to the full, Yet seeks from him some rash whimsical gain, Indeed, such are of wicked and dull brain. 48.11
Now with Rama and Uddhava the twain, Lord Krishna to Akrura's dwelling came, With some intent purpose, the Mighty Lord Arrived, Akrura pleasure to afford. 12
When he those foremost of heroes beheld, Who were his own kinsmen, he was compelled, To rise up from his seat in joyful haste, And greeted them with honour and embraced. 13
He then to Rama and Krishna bowed down, And by them to him all respect was shown; With high honour he had them seated there, Worshipped his guests as holy texts declare. 14
When he the bathing of their feet had sped, He took that water and sprinkled his head, And proffered rare gifts of raiment divine, Scents and garlands and ornaments sublime. 15
He bowed him down when worship was complete, And taking on his lap massaged their feet; Then bowing in humility his head, To Krishna and Rama, Akrura said. 16
"To our good fortune Kamsa hath been slain, The sinful one hath perished with his train; The clan, long suffering, hath been relieved, And increase of prosperity achieved. 17
Ye both are Primal Nature and the Lord, Cause of the world, one with the world, adored; There is no cause nor effect but for thee, Without ye both, no, nothing could there be. 18
The universe is from your self create, Entering by power you infiltrate; As Brahman in many forms are perceived, By hearing and by perception conceived. 19
As earth and other elements involve, The moving and inert creatures evolve, In varied species manifest to view, So all are manifestations of you, The self Supreme, self-dependant, alone, Diversely manifest yet always one. 20
To generate, maintain and then destroy, Raja, Sattva and Tama you employ; With attributes of your power combined; But you acts and qualities do not bind. And how could you by ignorance be bound, Who are the self of pure wisdom profound. 21
The conditioning adjunct of body Has never been predicated in thee; Since thou art Soul Supreme sans distinction, Thou hast no birth, bondage nor salvation. And if it should be otherwise conceived, It is because our learning is deceived. 22
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Post by malati on Nov 29, 2023 2:14:24 GMT -6
Dada Madanmohan dasji Thanks for posting your translation work on here. I can see that we are the only ones now, posting on here. The erstwhile regular posters seem to have gone underground or maybe they're having their intimate meetings at the Naimisaranya forest of whatsapp
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Post by madanmohandas on Nov 29, 2023 14:00:29 GMT -6
Well, Malati, it's good to know someone is still here.
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Post by madanmohandas on Nov 29, 2023 15:08:26 GMT -6
Well, here is more. SB.10.48.23-24. Akrura speaking.
From thee the Vedas and their path proceed, And the great epic chronicles decreed, Which propagate the codes of holy writ, For the world and general benefit. When infidels and heretics abound, The lessons of the scripture they confound, And when from the world scriptures disappear, Then thou dost in thy sacred form appear. 23
And thou, O puissant mighty Lord art he, Incarnate with thy part divinity; The burden of the good earth to allay, And legions* of the royal hosts to slay; Who are demons as princes incarnate, Who always strive with the gods whom they hate; And thus thy high supremacy is shown, Enhancing thus thy family's renown. 24
* An hundred akshauhinis.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 9, 2023 4:52:16 GMT -6
Continuing SB.10.48.25/26. Akrura addressing Krishna and Balarama.
Today, O Lord, our house is sanctified, For thou, Great God, in whom all creatures bide, Who art of gods the God pre-eminent; Of gods, manes and men constituent; Whose foot wash as holy Ganga appears, Which sanctifies all the world of three spheres; O Adhoksaja, having entered in My home, it is purified of all sin. 25
Who is that man with the wisdom to see That would seek shelter in any but thee? Who are so much affectionate to those Devoted lovers who in thee repose; Righteous, truth-spoken, full of amity, Generous to an excessive degree; The benefactor fraught with gratitude, Thou givest thyself and beatitude. As such, thy love, so full, bears no increase, And suffers not at any time decrease. 26
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 9, 2023 10:27:07 GMT -6
SB.10.48.27-36
'Tis fortunate, Janardana, I ween, That thou art present here before me seen; Whom great gods and master yogins pursue, But thy ways are most difficult to view; Be pleased to cut the bonds that fetter me, Derived from thy power illusiory, Which occasions attachment in this life, To body, home, wealth, friends, children and wife. 27
(Sri Suka said) Thus praised and worshipped by his devotee, The Almighty Illustrious Hari, To Akrura a smile did express, And then with charming speech made his address. 28
(The Illustrious One said) You are our preceptor and uncle dear, Our fond kinsman whom we always revere; And we dependant subjects in this place, Reliant on your kindness and your grace. 29
Those bless'd like you, O highly fortunate, Are worthy for the wise to venerate, Who seek the good, for even gods aspire To self interest, but saints have no desire. 30
The holy shrines are not without virtues, And gods are divine even in statues; But these take time the soul to purify, Yet mere sight of sadhus doth sanctify. 31
You are our friend and fond well-wisher too, And we a goodly task desire of you; To Elephantopolis quickly go, The condition of Pandu's sons to know. 32
They lost their father in their infancy, Which brought to their mother much misery; The king had them to the city transferred, Where even now they dwell, so I have heard. 33
Indeed, Ambika's son of feeble mind, Subjected to his wicked sons and blind, Does not treat equally as right becomes, His elder brother's helpless orphaned sons. 34
Go then and seek to learn the truth of this, If things go well with them or are amiss, Having learned I will act as seemeth fit, In order to bring our friends benefit." 35
Thus having commissioned Akrura, he The Almighty Illustrious Hari, With Sankarshan and Uddhava, content, To his own residential palace went. 36
Thus ends chapter forty eight in Book Ten of the great and glorious Bhagavata Purana, the text beloved of swan-like saints, sung by the son of Vyasa.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 10, 2023 3:23:40 GMT -6
The opening passage from SB.10.49.1-13
(Sri Suka said) Thus to Elephantopolis he went, With glory of Pauravas radiant, Where he the son of Ambika did greet, And did Bhishma, Vidura, Pritha meet. 1
He also met Bahlika and his son, Bharadvaja, Gautama the great one; Karna, Suyodhana, Drauni allied, The Pandavas, and other friends beside. 2 *
Greeted with all respect and dignity By his kinsmen, the son of Gandidni, Was inquired of by his dear friends there, And he in turn inquired of their welfare. 3
For a few months he made there his dwelling, To learn the conduct of the feeble king; Who was by wicked advisors subdued, And who their unjust policies pursued. 4
The great prowess, the skill and potent might, Humility and other virtues bright, And love the subjects bore for Pritha's sons, Was insufferable to evil ones. 5
Both Pritha and Vidura did relate How Dhritarastra's sons, driven by hate, Did poison give and other plots contrive, The sons of Pandu of life to deprive. 6
Pritha thus having opportunity, Came to her cousin brother privily, And of her birth place made inquiries,* The which recalling tears rolled from her eyes. 7
(Sri Kunti said) O gentle one, do my parents at all, Our brothers, sisters and nephews recall; And do my girlhood friends and family And other kinsmen there remember me? 8
Does my nephew Krishna, the Deity, Who loves the devout and the refugee, And lotus-eyed Rama whom all revere, Remember their paternal cousins here? 9
I languish here in the midst of the foe, As when a pack of wolves surround a doe; Will he come here to mollify our grief, And grant to his orphaned cousins relief? 10
O Krishna, Krishna! supreme yogin great! Soul of the world, who the world doth create' O Govinda, save us, your refugees! Myself and my sons are your devotees! 11
I see no other shelter or retreat, Aside from your lotus flower-like feet; For mankind, fearful of transmigration, You are the God who confers salvation. 12
Hail to Krishna! The immaculate One, The Supreme Self and Almighty Brahman! Hail to the Lord of Yoga; yoga's source, In you as my refuge I take recourse." 13 ...............
*The son of Ambika is Dhrtarastra. Bahlika and his son Somadatta. Bharadvaja refers to Drona. Gautama is Kripa Drauni is Drona's son Asvatthama. Suyodhana is a euphemistic appellation for Duryodhana.
*Her birth place, Mathura.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 10, 2023 6:27:35 GMT -6
SB.10.49.14-25
(Sri Suka said) Thus she, remembering her family, Thinking of Krishna, the world Deity; Your grandmother, O king, without restraint, Wept with anguish her tears and made her plaint. 14
Akrura and Vidura, in distress, Consoled, knowing her woe and happiness; And comforted by praising of her sons, And the unique birth of those mighty ones. 15
Before he left he sought the doting king, Partial to his own sons in favouring; And in the midst of his well-wishers there, The message of his kinsmen did declare. 16
(Sri Akrura said) "Oh! Vichitravirya's son, great hero! From whom the Kurus fame and greatness grow; Your brother Pandu having passed away, You have assumed the throne and regal sway. 17
By righteousness in the world to maintain, To please the subjects under your domain, And equally disposed to family, You shall gain renown and prosperity. 18
But if you behave contrary to this, You shall be censured and go quite amiss, Therefore treat with impartiality, The sons of Pandu and yours equally. 19
Staying together in this world are none, One cannot dwell always with anyone; O king, one must resign body and life, What then of offspring, what then of the wife? 20
A man is born alone, alone he dies, Alone he suffers joys and miseries, Alone the soul his destined way proceeds, Prompted by his pious and evil deeds. 21
By unrighteousness lost is pious gain, And evil relatives his goodness drain, As finny fish in shallow pools at strife, Drink up the water that sustains their life. 22
A fool nurtures with vice his family, Clinging to them in self identity; And thus without fulfilment plays his part, Then life and treasures and offspring depart. 23
He carries with him thence the heap of sin, Unknowing how his own true gain to win; His purposes and gain in life are lost, Averse to his duty, in darkness tossed. 24
Therefore, O king, all this world is I ween, A contrivance of the mind like a dream; Therefore with sense control and mind restored, Be tranquil and equanimous, my lord." 25
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 10, 2023 8:23:15 GMT -6
Well, concluding SB.10.49.26-31
(Dhrtarastra said) O master donor of great charity, Your salutary speech much pleaseth me, As when a mortal satisfaction gains, When deathless ambrosia he attains. 26
And yet your speech which wisdom does impart, Does not remain settled within my heart, Love for my sons my intellect enshrouds, As restless lightning flits amid the clouds. 27
Who can avoid irrevocable fate? That Lord Supreme is now here incarnate; And has appeared Earth's burden to assuage, And taken birth in Yadu's lineage. 28
All hail to him who this world generates! Who with Maya and the gunas creates; And enters in his power to display, And here enacts his inscrutable play; He turns the cycle of transmigration, All hail to him who confers salvation! 29
(Sri Suka said) Thus having learnt of the kings attitude, That foremost of Yadus his way pursued, And taking leave of his well-wishing friends, Back to the Yadu's capitol he wends. 30
To Rama and Krishna he did declare, The behaviour of Dhrtarastra there; O Kuru prince, he thus performed with skill, The task that he was sent there to fulfil. 31
Thus ends chapter forty nine in Book Ten of the great and glorious Bhagavata Purana, the text beloved of swan-like saints, sung by the son of Vyasa.
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Post by madanmohandas on Dec 11, 2023 8:27:37 GMT -6
Now, patient reader, commencing SB.10.50.1-6
(Sri Suka said) Asti and Prapti, Kamsa's wives by name. O foremost of Bharats, widowed became, And grieving over their departed spouse, Disconsolate, went to their father's house. 1
To their father Jarasandha, the king Of Magadha, th'unwelcome news they bring; And in distress, the cause to him relate, Which had occasioned their sad widowed state. 2
Hearing those sad tidings, O king, he flew Into remorse and raging wrathful grew; He then made plans his puissance to employ To rid the world of Yadus and destroy. 3
He then amassed a mighty host to see, Of Akshauhini legions twenty three; And invested Mathura on each side, The Yadu's capitol where they abide. 4
When Krishna saw that force and armament, Like ocean overbearing continent, His city besieged by the enemy, He feared for his people calamity. 5
Almighty Hari thought of his intent, And the great cause of his human descent, Considering time, place and circumstance, The purpose of his advent to advance. 6
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