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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 10, 2022 23:26:46 GMT -6
Continuing SB.1.3.36-38
He doth create, sustain and then withdraw The universe in play, sans taint or flaw; He dwells within the recess of the heart Of all creatures, independent, apart; The master of six divine qualities, And ruler of the six sense faculties. 36
As the spectator cannot recognise An actor in a play through his disguise, A fool can never comprehend, forsooth, By exercise of mind or speech the truth, Even so his names and his rare beauty, The ignorant are unable to see. 37
He alone who without duplicity, Adores his lotus-like feet constantly, And imbibes the fragrance whereof with zeal, Can know him who bears on his hand the wheel; The creator whose glory all exceeds, Of most astonishing heroic deeds. 38
O holy ones! ye are most fortunate, Since love and knowledge thus ye cultivate For Vasudeva, universal Lord, Who is the one beloved and adored; For who doth such eagerness entertain, Will never suffer to be born again. 39
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 11, 2022 0:49:02 GMT -6
This sacred Purana of supreme light, Is as the holy Bhagavatam hight, Which the divine exploits of him rehearse, Whose glories are praised in exquisite verse; Composed by the illustrious seer, Which grants ultimate benefit to hear; And having been to the world manifest, It is fortunate, auspicious and blest. 40
He had his son, with wisdom to discern, This holy text to memorise and learn, Endued with self-knowledge and reverence; Of all Vedas the extracted essence. 41
Then he, the son, this holy text did sing To Pariksit, the great and worthy king, Who sat down fasting by the Ganga's tide, Surrounded by great sages on each side. 42
When Krishna to his own realm did repair, He took virtue and knowledge with him there; With insight lost, now Kali hath begun, This Purana hath risen like the sun. 43
O Vipras! there as the sage did recite, I also heard with wonder and delight, While seated there attentive to his word, By his favour, the narrative I heard; Whatever I have learned in my study, I shall relate, now hear of that from me. 44
Thus ends Chapter Three in Book One 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, 2022 12:16:55 GMT -6
Now, proceeding a bit further with Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1. Ch.4. 1-8
(Vyasa said) Thus having heard all Suta did relate, The sages praise him and congratulate; Then Shaunaka, the elder and learned, In that long sacrifice, to Suta said. 1
(Shaunaka said) O Suta, dear Suta, most highly blest! You are of orators the first and best; The pious narrative to us unfold, The Bhagavat, e'en as by Suka told. 2
In what age was this account introduced? Where and for what reason was it produced? Whence did Krishna, the sage, derive insight, This great epic narrative to indite?* 3
His divine son was a great yogin too, Who held the one non-differential view; Awakened from the sleep of ignorance, Unrecognised, appearing like a dunce. 4
What time some goddesses the sage had viewed, As he along the way his son pursued, Although he was clad as he passed them by, They dressed themselves with decent modesty; He marked they did not put their garments on, When passing there they saw his naked son; The sage, approaching them began to say, And questioned why they acted in that way. The nymphs, replying to the sage began, 'You see distinction twixt man and woman, But this is not so in your holy son, Who is detached and makes no distinction.' 5
How did the city dwellers recognise The sage who of a dullard wore the guise, Who roamed the Kuru-Jangala domain, When to Elephantopolis he came? 6
How did this sacred dialogue take place Between the scion of the Pandu race, The sainted king with the mighty seer; The distilled essence of scripture, my dear? 7
He but the short time only would allow, That it would take for milking of a cow, To remain on a household property, Affording thereto blessed sanctity. 8
*indite /ɪnˈdʌɪt/ verb ARCHAIC write; compose. "he indites the wondrous tale of Our Lord"
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 20, 2022 23:27:47 GMT -6
SB.1.4.9-13
'Tis said, O Suta, Abhimanyu's son Was devoted to the Almighty One; Tell us the wonders of his fame and worth, And of his noble deeds and unique birth. 9
Wherefore did that mighty monarch whose reign Extended the Pandu family's' fame, Sit down to fast on Ganga's holy bank, Forsaking kingdom, royal wealth and rank? 10
Ah me! how was it such a worthy king, At whose feet enemies would tribute bring, Who payed him honour for their benefit, Endowed with every royal requisite, Of youthful vigour and unfailing health, High destiny and the blessings of wealth; Such dear things as would be hard to forswear, Forsake them all without regret nor care? Thus he enjoyed dominion without strife, Why did he forsake comforts, even life? 11
Those who are devoted to the Great Lord, Who is with sublime poetry adored, Act for the peoples' benefit with zeal, And live for others' advancement and weal; They do not live merely for their own sake, Wherefore did he his body thus forsake? 12
All these subjects of inquiry thus, Be kind enough to recount unto us; You know the subject, and to speak are fit; Aside from some portions of holy writ. 13
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 21, 2022 6:01:15 GMT -6
SB.1.4.14-23
(Suta said) When Dvapara, the third age had begun, Parasar by Vasavi got a son, Who was the great sage and mighty yogi, An emanated portion of Hari. 14
Once, seated on Saraswati's fair shore, He did pure libations of water pour; His mind in contemplation did compose, Even as Ravi radiant arose. 15
The seer with his unrestricted view, The past, the present and the future knew, He saw from age to age virtue decline, In the inexorable course of time. 16
He thus observed with untainted vision, General vice and degeneration, The want of faith and dire uncertainty, Folly, misfortune, incapacity; The degradation of caste and status, Diminished longevity and distress; Thus with divine insight he was aware, And thought of the means for the world's welfare. 17/18
The rituals where four high priests preside, Whereby the populace are purified, He made division of their liturgy; One Veda into four accordingly. 19
Rik, Yajuh, Sama and Atharva named, The four-fold texts expounded and explained, And in that which the fifth Veda decrees, In epic chronicles and histories. 20
The Rik was mastered by Paila the sage, Jaimini read the Sama Vedas' page; And Vaisampayana, to fame well known, Was master of the Yajur texts alone. 21
Sumantu-Angira, the angry sage, Was master of Atharva Vedas' page, And my father, Romaharsana hight, Did chronicles and histories recite. 22
Then each with their respective texts assigned, They to their many disciples consigned, Those disciples to their disciples read, And thus branches of Vedic schools were spread. 23
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 21, 2022 11:42:12 GMT -6
SB.1.4.24-33
Illustrious Vyasa in sympathy For people wallowing in misery; The essence of the Vedas did select, For man with his diminished intellect; 24
Women, labourers, friends of the twice-born, Have no access to texts of triple form, Considering how the people to bless, And in their pious deeds to gain success, The seer to great compassion disposed, The Mahabharat history composed. 25
Thus he engaged himself with earnest zeal, To bring to all great benefit and weal; And though he to the task himself applied, He in his heart remained unsatisfied. 26
Thus not too pleased he sate him by the shore Of Saraswati's stream and pondered o'er; And while there in that lonely place he sate, That knower of virtue gan to relate. 27
Strict vows and penances I have sustained, Service to teachers and fires maintained, I have honoured without duplicity The disciplines of pious sanctity; In the Mahabharat is clearly shown Whatever in the Vedic texts is known; Which doth to women and sudras provide On righteous duty an unfailing guide. 28/29
And yet, alas, no true pleasure I find, No, not in my body, my soul nor mind; Haply my learning is not sufficient, Wherefore I am assailed with discontent! 30
Or what! perhaps since I did not explain, Nor did the Bhagavat Dharma proclaim, Which swan-like saints are always wont to hear, And to immutable Acyuta dear. 31
Thus with a sense of insufficiency, The sage Krishna sat there regretfully, Whereupon arrived at his hermitage, As said before, Narad, the god-like sage. 32
Observing his arrival, feeling blest, He rose in haste to greet his worthy guest, And as the gods worship Vidhi the Lord, Thus even so he great Narad adored. 33
Thus ends Chapter four in Book one 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 23, 2022 3:08:34 GMT -6
Atha (now), the opening stanzas to SB.1.5.1-4
(Suta said) The god-like sage was thus seated at ease, And smilingly received the courtesies; The Vina player was thus respected, Then to the learned Vipra Vyasa said. 1
(Narada said) O son of Parasar, most fortunate! Does your good self enjoy a happy state? Are you at peace, is your soul satisfied, With body and the mind identified? 2
You have examined well and analysed; A wondrous composition have devised; A means to all welfare you have explained, As in the Mahabharat text contained. 3
You have examined by analysis, That Supreme Brahman which eternal is, And yet you grieve in lamentation tossed, O my Lord! like one quite undone and lost. 4
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 23, 2022 3:45:06 GMT -6
SB.1.5.5-7
(Vyasa said) 'Tis even as you say my Lord, in truth, Yet my soul is disquieted, forsooth; The causes unseen I do not cognise, But you, great one, are infinitely wise; May we thus question you, O gentle one, Who are of the great self-born god the son? 5
You know ev'rything since you have adored The primal Purusha and mighty Lord; The ruler who exercises control Over the high and low, the supreme whole; The disinterested universal cause, Who projects the gunas and then withdraws. 6
You move about like Arka, Lord of light, In the three worlds with penetrating sight; And like the blowing wind you have access Into the hearts of creatures as witness; Therefore may you the causes ascertain, Though I the righteous discipline maintain, Avowed to Brahman as cause and effect, What is my omission or my defect? 7
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 24, 2022 1:33:31 GMT -6
Narada begins his discourse to Vyasa. SB.1.5.8-12
(Narada said) You have not expounded extensively The spotless fame of Almighty Hari; I think doctrines not pleasing to the Lord, Cannot that high exultation afford. 8
You have not glorified to that extent Almighty Vasudeva radiant, As you, O holy sage, doctrines maintain, Of customary virtue, wealth and gain. 9
Embellished speech that does not glorify Lord Hari, who the world doth purify, Is like a sacred shrine for screeching crows, The which is not resorted to by those Who are like noble swans, and who betake Their way to the tranquil Manasa lake. 10
But such works of literature as there be, Though fraught with some irregularity In each couplet, which devoutly acclaims The Infinite One's fame and diverse names, Are to the sainted souls exceeding dear, Which they recite with joy and love to hear; Which they also acknowledge and approve, And which the sins of the world doth remove. 11
Not bound to acts, that self-knowledge sublime, Without Acyuta's glory does not shine; Then how can actions benefits afford, That are not dedicated to the Lord? 12
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 25, 2022 5:03:43 GMT -6
Narada continues his harangue. SB.1.5.13-18
Now therefore, O highly fortunate one, Recall to mind by deep contemplation, O you of great renown and pure insight, Whose pleasure is the vow and sacred rite, Release from their bondage to all afford, And recount the deeds of the Mighty Lord! 13 Apart from that whatever you construe, And describe with a differential view, The mind in forms and designations lost, Were like a boat without an anchor tossed. 14 You have indeed been negligent I see, Since in forms of righteousness you decree, Some censurable acts you have assigned, To those who are to evil deeds inclined; Who prohibitions will but little heed, That you yourself have also there decreed! 15
One only adept in contemplation, Conceives the bliss of the Infinite One; Then, for those distracted to gunas bound, Devoid of sense, the way to them expound, And for the general welfare and weal, The wondrous deeds of the Great Lord reveal! 16
One who hath his prescribed duty forswore, The lotus-feet of Hari to adore, If he should fall before maturity, Oh what inauspiciousness could there be! But one who merely duty doth maintain, Without such worship, what will be his gain? 17
Therefore the wise man should strive to achieve That which one roaming here cannot conceive, Nor found in lofty heights nor realms below, Where time brings forth due happiness and woe. 18
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 25, 2022 11:13:39 GMT -6
Who serves Mukuda's feet with love profound, Are no more in metempsychosis bound; Mukunda's feet recalling in their heart, From that relish, my dear, they cannot part. 19
This cosmos is indeed the Mighty One, And yet distinct as his emanation; From him this vasty creation evolves. It is in him, and into him dissolves. All this, O sage, to you is fully known, Which I to you in brief outline have shown. 20
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 25, 2022 12:18:06 GMT -6
An interesting digression from the text. In SB.1.2.2. the salutation to Suka by Suta,
I bow down to the sage who left his home, Without a sacred thread alone to roam; And Dvaipayana, fraught with anxious care, Cried, 'Oh where art thou my son!' in despair. But the trees merely re-echoed his call, Since his son knew the One who dwells in all. 1.2.2.
Well, as might be expected, it is variously interpreted. As for that, I came across a passage in Mahabaharata, Moksa Darma Parva, which throws some light on the statement.
Section 333. That foremost of all righteous men, Suka, addressing all of them, said these words, "If my sire follow me and repeatedly call after me by my name, do all of you together return him an answer for me. Moved by the affection all of you bear for me, do you accomplish this request of mine!" Hearing these words of Suka, all the points of the compass, all the forest, all the seas, all the rivers, and all the mountains, answered him from every side, saying,"We accept thy command, O regenerate one! It shall be as thou sayst! It is in this way that we answer the words spoken by the Rishi!"
Again, in Section 334 Proceeding along the same way, Vyasa beheld the mountain summit rent in twain and through which Suka has passed. Encountering the Island-born ascetic, the Rishis began to represent to him the achievements of his son. Vyasa, however, began to indulge in lamentations, loudly calling upon his son by name and causing the three worlds to resound with the noise he made. Meanwhile, the righteous-souled Suka, who had entered the elements, had become their soul and acquired omnipresence, answered his sire by uttering the monosyllable Bho! in the form of an echo. Moreover, in SB.1.4.5.
What time some goddesses the sage had viewed, As he along the way his son pursued, Albe he was clad as he passed them by, They dressed themselves with decent modesty; He marked they did not put their garments on, When passing there they saw his naked son; The sage, approaching them began to say, And questioned why they acted in that way. The nymphs, replying to the sage began, 'You see distinction twixt woman and man, 'But this is not so for your holy son, 'Who is detached and makes no distinction.' 1.4.5.
Proceeding further with Mahabharata Moksa Dharma 334 Beholding that glory and puissance of his son of immeasurable energy, Vyasa sat down on the breast of the mountain and began to think of his son with grief. The Apsaras were sporting on the banks of the celestial stream Mandakini, seeing the Rishi seated there, became all agitated with grave shame and lost heart. Some of them, to hide their nudity, plunged into the stream, and some entered the groves hard by, and some quickly took up their clothes, at beholding the Rishi. (None of them had betrayed any signs of agitation at sight of his son). The Rishi, beholding these movements, understood that his son had been emancipated from all attachments, but that he himself was not freed therefrom. At this he became filled with both joy and shame.
* Mahabharata from Ganguli's translation
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 25, 2022 12:53:52 GMT -6
Returning to the text. SB.1.5.22
Search out the self within the self adored, The Supreme Being and Almighty Lord; You are his portion of taintless insight, Who is the birthless Lord of puissant might. Grant blessing and the world felicitate, On the deeds of the Lord expatiate! 21
The wise ones have determined and maintain, That mankind can the best fulfilment gain, The fruit of study and austerity, Grand sacrifice and pious charity, By hearing the accounts, thence to rehearse The glory of the Lord in charming verse. 22
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 26, 2022 0:12:42 GMT -6
Now Narada begins an account of his own antecedents in order to illustrate how an individual develops attraction and ultimate welfare.
SB.1.5.23-34
Formally, in the previous aeon, I took my birth as a maidservant's son; Some Vedic scholars came once by reason To stay four months of the rainy season, And myself during that time as a boy, Those yogins in their service did employ. 23
Although they looked upon all equally, Those sages were extremely kind to me; Even when a child I was self subdued, And served them with an humble attitude, Without puerile caprice but reverent, I said little and was obedient. 24
On one occasion by their gracious leave, I did a portion of their orts receive; Thereupon suddenly, without delay, All taint within my mind was swept away. Thus purified and of all sin relieved, A fond liking I thereupon conceived For self knowledge, and would the way ensue That those great sages did themselves pursue. 25
Thus everyday I heard attentively, By grace and the favour they showed to me, Accounts of Krishna's deeds, which when I heard, My mind was charmed, with admiration stirred; From every verse which his glory described, A relish for his praises I imbibed. 26
Thus having gained relish, O holy sage, I did my mind attentively engage In the Lord who is exceedingly dear, And who is fond his own praises to hear; His Maya, gross and subtle, I perceived, And Brahman sublime in myself conceived. 27
Those sages for two seasons did remain, The monsoon and Sharat after the rain; And while there with pure praises did prolong The glory of the Lord in verse and song; And as I was attentive to their word, My soul with deepest devotion was stirred. Then restive passion and dark ignorance Were overcome and sudden vanished hence. 28
My sins were absolved by fond attachment To those sages whom I served reverent; Though but a boy, my senses were subdued, And full of faith their teaching I ensued. 29
When those sages were ready to depart, The secret knowledge did to me impart, Which had to them by the Lord been disclosed, Since they are to the meek kindly disposed. 30
In pursuance of that I came to see Almighty Vasudeva's potency Of creation, which when devotees know, His feet they gain, and to his region go. 31
This then, O brahman, is the remedy Prescribed for those under afflictions three, That all acts be done in dedication To the Supreme and Illustrious One. 32
It has been shown, O you of pious vows, The same substance medicated bestows, Though it had been cause of distemper sure, When well decocted it effects the cure. 33
Thus in action mankind themselves engage, Which is the cause of their worldly bondage, But action dedicated to the Lord, Release from that same bondage does afford. 34
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 27, 2022 2:34:47 GMT -6
Concluding SB.1.5.35-40
Deeds done here satisfaction to afford To the Almighty Illustrious Lord, In yoga of devotion the pursuit, Gives rise to knowledge of the absolute. 35
Thus acting in this way the Lord to please, According to his teachings and decrees, And taking up the chanting of his name, Grants recollection of his deeds and fame. 36
Om, let us bow down in salutation To Vasudeva, the Almighty One, And may we the meditation pursue Of Pradyumna and Anirudha too, And bow to Sankarshan with obeisance, In profound contemplative reverence. 37
Thus meditation on him is maintained, Who is not limited by form constrained, And who adores the Lord of sacrifice, Perceives reality and is deemed wise. 38
All this, O holy brahman, was made known, And by Lord Keshava unto me shown; He, marking me observant, deigned to bless, With love and knowledge of his Lordliness. 39
Therefore, O you of infinite insight, The excellences of the Lord recite! Which doth delight on the learned bestow, Who wish to hear and who desire to know; And unto those long suffering convey These tidings, for I see no other way. 40
Thus ends Chapter five in Book one of the great and glorious Bhagavata Purana, the text beloved of swan-like saints, sung by the son of Vyasa.
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