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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 16, 2021 3:42:18 GMT -6
Continuing SB.X.XXIII. 34-39
(Sri Suka said) Thus he, and so the brahman's wives were sent, And to the sacrificial ground they went; The twice-born ones, without envy or spite, Together with their wives, conclude the rite. 34
One of them by her husband was restrained, And being thus compelled, at home remained, But having heard of his beauty and grace, Within her heart she conceived his embrace, Which did the bonds of action straightway break, And thereupon her body did forsake. 35
Thus even Govinda, the Lord divine, Had his friends on the rice and dainties dine, Of four types, licked or drunk or sucked or chewed, Then the Almighty himself took some food. 36
Thus he, the Lord, assuming human form, Did with the ways of human kind conform; With cows, cowherds and cowherd dames he played, And by his speech and beauty love conveyed. 37
Meantime, the Vipras, with remorse oppressed, Had come to understand, 'We have transgressed', That the two Lords should humbly beg from them, But they had deemed them ordinary men. 38
Observing how their good wives were possessed Of such uncommon love, by Krishna blest, How they themselves, without of grace a jot, In self abasement, lamented their lot. 39
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 16, 2021 12:46:16 GMT -6
Concluding SB.X.XXIII.40-52
The repentance of the brahmanas.
"Fie on our pedigree of three-fold birth! Fie on our rituals, of little worth! Fie on our vows and extensive study! Fie on our pride in aristocracy! The inscrutable Lord we thus offend, Adhoksaja; we are therefore condemned. 40
The Maya of the illustrious one, Throws even mystics into illusion; The status of teachers we have abused, And in our own self interest are confused. 41
Ah see! what love these women have conceived, The world teacher Krishna's grace have achieved, Which love has freed them from stern death and strife, The bonds represented by household life. 42
They have not undergone the twice-born vows, Nor dwelt, for study, in a teacher's house, Nor have they undergone austerities, For self-knowledge, nor rites and sanctities. Yet still the one by choice verses adored, Lord Krishna, of mystic masters the Lord, Is loved by them in fond beatitude, But we lack love, though with virtues endued. 43/44
We have indeed our own interest denied, And in the state of householders take pride; But he, through these simple cowherder's speech, To us the path of truth divine doth teach. 45
Else why should he who all fulfilment knows, Who liberation and blessings bestows, On those who are subjected to his sway, This curious deception on us play? 46
The others who the Goddess Sri entreat, She disregards in hopes to touch his feet, Forsaking restlessness to him doth cling, That he should beg is quite astonishing! 47
The place, the time, the diverse articles, The hymns, the priest, the fire and rituals, The gods and the performer resolute, And the bestowal of the pious fruit; All these his divine being constitute. And he, the illustrious one, adored, Is Vishnu, of yoga masters the Lord; Certainly we had heard of his advent Midst the Yadus, but we were ignorant. 48/49
All hail to the Almighty one, all hail To Krishna, whose insight doth never fail; We were by his illusion in dismay, And on the path of worldly action stray. 50
Certainly the primeval being thus, By his own Maya has bewildered us; We did not understand through ignorance, He should therefore forgive our dire offence". 51
Thus in repentance of their sin and crime, In disregarding Lord Krishna sublime, To see him to Vraja would make their way, But feared stern Kamsa's tyrannical sway. 52
And thus ends Canto twenty three in Book ten of the great and glorious Bhagavata Purana the text beloved of swan-like saints, sung by the son of Vyasa.
Note; text 48 is a repetition of text 10. In the first instance it is an observation of Suka muni, the latter, is spoken in the repentance by the brahmanas
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 17, 2021 10:13:11 GMT -6
Commencing SB.X.XXIV. 1-7
(Sri Suka said) Thus the Illustrious in Vraja stayed With Baladeva, where he once surveyed, The cowherds eager sacrifice to make, For the rain-giver, mighty Indra's sake. 1
Although Almighty and omniscient, The soul of all, he perceived their intent; To Nanda and the peers, respectfully, He raised some fine points of inquiry. 2
"What is this commotion, Oh father dear? What undertaking is going on here? By whom, for whom, for what is thus performed, This sacrifice? I fain would be informed. 3
I am greatly desirous to hear, Please speak, and I will lend a willing ear, For things may be tacitly understood, But to keep secrets ill becomes the good; But those who view with equanimity, Impartial in friendship and enmity, And see all souls as equally divine, Make no distinction between thine and mine. 4
A stranger might be viewed with enmity, A friend is like one's own self said to be. 5
Or knowing or not knowing what they do, The common people diverse acts pursue; The knowing ones their objects do fulfil, The unknowing remain unsuccessful. 6
Such being so, let this act be described, Has it been by authority prescribed? Or is it by tradition long maintained? This I would know, then let it be explained." 7
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 17, 2021 12:01:45 GMT -6
SB.X.XXIV. 8-12. Nanda's response to Krishna's interrogation.
(Sri Nanda said) Illustrious Indra, Parjanya hight, Has clouds as emanations of his might; To please all creatures and the life maintain, The clouds shower goodness like milky rain. 8
Dear child, both we and all others implore His grace, and the cloud-compeller adore; With fire rites and offerings of grain, He sends his discharge in the form of rain. 9
The remnants of sacrifice life sustains, There is fulfilment of life's three-fold aims; Parjanya is the cause of man's success, And does with pious fruits the people bless. 10
Both by tradition and authority, Men perform this holy ceremony; And those who out of spite this rite transgress, Or lust or greed, gain not auspiciousness." 11
(Sri Suka said) Thus hearing what noble Nanda had said, With other cowherds by the elders led, Lord Indra's pride intending to provoke, Lord Keshava unto his father spoke. 12
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 19, 2021 15:18:29 GMT -6
SB.X.XXIV.13-17. Krishna begins to state his reasons for worshipping Mount Govardhan (The Illustrious one said) A creature's life from past action proceeds, His death is also determined by deeds; Of sorrow, joy, fear and welfare, the cause, From deeds derive, and action's stringent laws. 13
Now if there were a ruler absolute, Who grants to the performer diverse fruit, He must obliged upon the agent be, But not when there is no activity. 14
With living things what has Indra to do, Whose state each from their own actions ensue? Man's inherent nature cannot be changed By him, since providence hath all arranged. 15
Inherent nature doth all creatures bind, To inherent nature all are confined; Here all the gods, mankind and demons bold, Are by their inherent nature controlled. 16
The bodies of creatures both low and high, Are gained and forsaken by destiny; The stranger, enemy, the lord, the friend, The teacher; all on destiny depend. 17
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 20, 2021 0:43:36 GMT -6
Proceeding further with SB.X.XXIV. 18-28. Krishna continues his speech.
Therefore, to worship acts one should commit, With which inherent nature does befit; And which provides easy prosperity; That is the worshipable deity. 18
One benefactor doth the life sustain, To go elsewhere in the pursuit of gain, Were like a faithless wife who doth resort, Forsaking her lord, to a new consort. 19
Vipras by Vedic study life sustain, The martial princes by just rule maintain, The merchants by trade sustenance provide, And sudras serve the twice-born, void of pride. 20
Four duties are of merchants said to be, Agriculture, commerce and usury, And, as in our case, tending of the kine, In which duty we spend all of our time. 21
From Sattva, Rajas and Tamas evolves The world, which is maintained and then dissolves; And when Rajas rises to dominate, Creatures combine, and more creatures create. 22
Impelled by Rajas clouds pour down the rain, And do, with water, all subjects maintain; From whence sustenance and welfare proceed, Of what use is great Indra, or what need? 23
We do not where the people flock abide, Nor in hamlets and nice dwellings reside; But we, dear father, in the forest roam, And in woods and on hillsides make our home. 24
Therefore, sacrifice let us undertake, For the cows, brahmans and the mountains sake, Let articles for Indra's rite gathered, Be to this sacrificial act transferred. 25
Let many fine comestibles be made, Let soup and cakes and sweet-rice be displayed, Let all the milky produce of the kine Be brought here for this sacrifice divine. 26
The brahmans should the holy fire light, And Vedic incantations should recite; And they must be rewarded for their vows, With lavish gifts of food and milking cows. 27
All should be fed, with an especial grace, E'en as befits the outcast and the base; Then feed the cows with grass that welfare brings, Then to the mountain make your offerings. 28
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 20, 2021 4:17:40 GMT -6
SB.X.XXIV.29-38. Concluding the Canto
After the feast your persons ornament, With fine raiment, gems, and fragrant ointment; Round the cows and Vipras, to celebrate, The fires and mount, circumambulate. 29
This is, dear father, my decided view, You may perform it if it pleases you; Let sacrifice to cows and brahmans be, And to the mount, and that would well please me. 30
(Sri Suka said) Thus did the Lord, as one with time, deride Sakra in order to minish his pride; Which Nanda and the cowherds having heard, They thought it well and trusted in his word. 31
Thereon they were eager to undertake Whatever Madhusudana thus spake; They had the brahmans Vedic hymns recite, And used the articles for Indra's rite, And the twice-born the sacred tribute bring, Then make to the mountain their offering; They fed the cows grass from abundant store, Then driving the cattle wealth on before, The grand festivity they celebrate, And round the mountain circumambulate. 32/33
The cowherd dames, well dressed and beautified. Mounting on ox-drawn wagons forward ride, They sang of Krishna's deeds as on they went, Which with the blessings of the twice-borns blent. 34
Then Krishna a colossal form assumed, And the tribute and offerings consumed; To fill the cowherds with wonder and dread, While eating, 'I am the Mountain!' he said. 35
Then saluting, with cowherds to conform, He bowed to himself in that other form, And said, 'See! the mountain is manifest, To favour us with grace and make us blest. 36
This mount, assuming any form at will, The mortals who dishonour him will kill; Therefore, ye cowherds, let honour be shown To him, for the cows safety, and our own'. 37
And thus the cowherds, with the twice-borns aid, By Vasudeva urged, sacrifice made To the mountain; then with his merry friends. The cows and cowherds, back to Vraja wends. 38
And thus ends Canto twenty four 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 Jun 20, 2021 12:42:55 GMT -6
Commencing SB.X.XXV. 1-7. Indra's wrath.
(Sri Suka said) When Indra knew his rites had been profaned, That his divinity had been disdained, By Nanda and others, on Krishna's hest, He was incensed, Oh king, by rage possessed. 1
He summoned devastating clouds of might, The world destroyers, Samvartaka hight; And sent them forth, raging with injured pride, And in his fury to the clouds he cried. 2
"Oh, mark these cowherds in their insolence, These forest dwellers proud of opulence, Who taking mortal Krishna for their guide, The gods have thus offended and defied. 3
As even those who rituals maintain, Like hypocrites, worship only in name, Who forsake knowledge of divinity, And hope to cross this existential sea. 4
This Krishna is loquacious and puerile, Most arrogant and obstinately vile; Who though mortal considers himself wise, And has taught cowherds the gods to despise; They have, by his urging, offended me, And by this act done me an injury. 5
These people in their affluence and pride, And urged on by Krishna, the gods deride; Proceed, and their arrogance decimate, Ruin their flocks and herds and devastate! 6
I will release the winds erstwhile confined, And follow on Airavata behind, I will storm winds impetuous employ, And Nanda's cowherd settlement destroy!" 7
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 21, 2021 2:40:39 GMT -6
Continuing SB.X.XXV. 8-16
(Sri Suka said) The clouds thus ordered by the god of rains, Swelled in their rage and burst forth from their chains, And went to Nanda's cowherd settlement, And poured the rain the people to torment. 8
The blust'ring winds urged clouds across the sky, The lightning bolts in forky flashes fly; The thunder rumbles, resonating round, And bursts of hailstones crash upon the ground. 9
Descending torrents of a column's girth, Relentlessly poured down upon the earth; Which caused a devastating flood to flow, Nor could be seen the high ground or the low. 10
The cows were by the wind and rain oppressed, The cowherds trembled and were sore distressed, The cowherd dames were by the cold distraught; And all Govinda's protection besought. 11
They tried in vain their exposed heads to shield, And keep their children and themselves concealed; And much distressed by the wind and the rain, Before the feet of the Almighty came. 12
"Oh Krishna, Krishna, highly fortunate! Our dear Lord and Gokula's potentate, You should from the god's fury save us please, Since you are always kind to devotees!"13
Marking the hail, the violent wind and rain, The cowherds almost senseless in their pain, The Almighty one, after thinking, knew, That all to Indra's injured pride was due. 14
'Since we his sacred rites had nullified, Indra seeks to destroy us in his pride; And thus does with untimely winds assail, With rain storms unseasonable and hail. 15
Well, as for that, as a matter of fact, By my own power I shall counteract, And teach those lords of the world who presume, In folly, false vanity to assume; And who by tyrannical sway disturb The world; I shall their vain arrogance curb. 16
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 21, 2021 5:16:35 GMT -6
Continuing SB.X.XXV.17-23
Since gods to sanctity should be disposed, Deluded not by pride, to good opposed, My purpose is; they must be rectified, And thus relieved of inordinate pride. 17
My supplicants must therefore be restored To safety, who have me as their own Lord, I shall on my people comfort bestow, Indeed I have made this my certain vow.' 18
Thus he, then with one hand he raised on high The mountain Govardhan into the sky; Thus Vishnu playful aspect did assume, And held it as a child holds a mushroom. 19
Now the Almighty spoke in words like these, "Oh mother, father, cowherds, if you please, Enter beneath the mountain's cavity, With all your cattle wealth and property. 20
Fear not the rain as I the mountain prop, I will not let it from my hand to drop; Enough of your terror and wild alarm, I assure you freedom from scathe and harm." 21
On Krishna's word they entered hastily, A wide and commodious cavity, Their cows and wains and attendants convey, And free from fear under the mountain stay. 22
Bearing hunger and thirst for their dear sake, All thought of his own comfort did forsake, He stood there still and held for seven days The mountain, while the people on him gaze. 23
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 22, 2021 2:51:30 GMT -6
SB.X.XXV.24-28
Seeing Krishna's power Indra was dazed, Astonied, and his vanity was razed; From his resolution he did desist, And then his devastating clouds dismissed. 24
Now shone the sun, the wind and rain abate, The fleecy clouds disperse and dissipate, To all the cowherds, now the storm had fled, The lifter of Govardhan to them said. 25
"Oh cowherds! free from apprehensive woe, You may with your wives, wealth, and children go; Abated is the wind, the ground has dried, The streams into their wonted channels glide." 26
Thereon the cowherds loaded each his cart, With their effects and cattle wealth depart; The women, children and the aged men, With cautious steps began to follow them. 27
Even the illustrious Lord of grace, Put down the mountain in its proper place; While all beings saw him the mount restore, With playful ease, where it had stood before. 28
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 22, 2021 4:24:23 GMT -6
Concluding SB.X.XXV. 29-33
The dwellers of the cowherd settlement, Fraught with love and affection were content; To greet him with delight they forward pace, And strain him in their fond eager embrace. The cowherd dames came forward to adore, They showered grains, and curds and water pour; And with affection brought fine offerings, And conferred on him their choicest blessings. 29
Yashoda and Rohini forward came, With Nanda and Bala, of potent fame, And embrace him and his soft limbs caress, And with sincere eager affection bless. 30
The host of gods who in heaven abide, The Siddhas, Sadhyas, Gandharvas, beside, The Charanas, all dance, recite and sing, And send a rain of flowers, my dear king. 31
Of conch shells and of kettledrums the sound, Through all the regions of heaven resound, Tumburu and Gandharva chiefs attend, And in song, Oh king, his praises commend. 32
The loving cowherds surround him, O king, And with Bala, the cattle forward bring, Then back to tending the cows they proceed, And praise the wonder of his mighty deed. The cowherd damsels, as they homeward wend, Sing of his deeds and his graces commend, Which love and joy and happiness imparts, Since he had deeply touched their tender hearts. 33
And thus ends Canto twenty five 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 Jun 22, 2021 11:14:57 GMT -6
Commencing SB.X.XXVI. 1-7. Here we get a brief recapitulation of the preceding events to remind the audience of Krishna exploits so far.
(Sri Suka said) The cowherds saw with astonishment fraught, The wonderful exploits by Krishna wrought; They could not comprehend such a display, And gathering together gan to say. 1
'Since this small child of soft and tender age, Does in such wondrous enterprise engage, And therefore seems of superior worth, Wherefore has he taken this lowly birth? 2
How did this child of but seven years stand, Holding the chief of mountains in his hand, As if in play to exhibit his power, Like a tusker plucking a lotus flower? 3
When but an infant, still with half closed eyes, The wicked Putana came in disguise, But sucking at her breast, her life was ta'en, E'en as time does youth from the body drain. 4
Again when a few months old, on a day, As the child underneath the wagon lay, And weeping, with his tender toe he spurned, And with a kick the wagon overturned. 5
Once, sitting when he was but one year old, He was abducted by a demon bold, Who as a whirlwind took him through the sky, But the child squeezed his throat and made him die. 6
When stealing curds and cream he once was found, His mother to the grinding mortar bound, But he dragged the mortar with playful ease, And felled the two mighty Arjuna trees. 7
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 22, 2021 15:20:02 GMT -6
Continiung SB.X.XXVI. 8-11
Once, while roaming under the green wood boughs, With Rama and the boys, tending the cows, Baka, desirous to kill him came, But tore with his arms the beak of the crane. 8
A demon in a calve's form, Vatsa hight, With the calves mingled in order to smite, But he was flung away with playful ease, And knocked down fruit from the Kapittha trees. 9
Once, Dhenuka the ass, and all his crew, He easily, along with Bala, slew; And flung them to the tree tops to repel Their onset, whence the mellow palm fruits fell. 10
He had the puissant Bala in his might, The terrible Pralambasura smite; He saved the cows and cowherds from dread dire, By swallowing a raging forest fire. 11
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 23, 2021 2:56:09 GMT -6
Concluding SB.X.XXVI.12-25. verses 17-22 are a verbatim repetition of SB.X.VIII.13-19, being part of Garga's speech, given during the naming ceremony of Rama and Krishna.
The mighty serpent with poison endued, And dreadful fangs, was by this child subdued, And banished from the lake back to the main, And made Yamuna's waters clean again. 12
The love, Oh Nanda, we bear for his sake, And all the cowherds, never could forsake, His natural love and affection flow Toward us constantly, how is it so? 13
How can this boy of seven years compare, With the great mountain which he raised in air? Therefore a great doubt with us has begun, Oh cowherd chief, regarding your dear son.' 14
(Sri Nanda said) Oh cowherds, attentive hear what I say, And all your doubts and scruples put away, I shall repeat what Garga said before, Regarding this my child in days of yore. 15
"This younger is in each age incarnate, Once red, once white, then yellow, alternate, And now he has assumed a sable hue, Therefore as Krishna shall be known to you. 16
From Vasudev once on a time he came, And so your son will bear Vaasudev's name. 17
With many names by deed and virtue shown, Suggestive of his form and beauty known, By diverse names the people will him call, I know some, but they are not known to all. 18
This gladsome child shall afford you content, And fortune to the cowherd settlement; And by his influence you shall with ease, Surmount your sorrows and your miseries. 19
Oh lord of Vraja, when evil prevailed, Anarchic thieves the good always assailed, This child gave succour to the pious men, And thus established righteousness again. 20
Whoso by fortune has love for this boy, No wicked adversary can destroy; E'en as those who on Vishnu's side remain, Their safety and prosperity maintain. 21
Therefore, Oh Nanda, cherish and hold dear, This child, for he is Narayana's peer, In glory and renown and quality, Therefore you must protect him cautiously." 22
'Thus at that time had Garga informed me, And I returned home in deep reverie, That Krishna who our safety does impart, Of mighty Narayana is a part.' 23
Thus Nanda, Garga's statement did recite, Which afforded the cowherds vast delight; Their doubts were gone, their spirits were restored, And Nanda, along with Krishna, adored. 24
What time the angry god poured down the rain, Deeming that his rites were held in disdain, The hail and thunder, winds and lightning sent, The cowherds and their women to torment, And herds of animals to decimate; Which seeing, the child waxed compassionate, And then a playful manner did assume And with one hand plucked up like a mushroom The mountain, to show honour and respect, And thus did all the cowherders protect. By this act of high magnanimity, Great Indra was relieved of vanity; May he, the Indra of cows, glorious, Be propitiated and pleased with us. 25*
*It may not be so remote a possibility that this verse has been added by a later rhapsodist,
And thus ends Canto twenty six 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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