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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 28, 2022 13:03:39 GMT -6
Invoking the grace of Sri Hari, Guru and Vaishnavas, proceeding on with SB. 1.6.1-10; Vyasa inquires further into the antecedents of Devarshi Narada.
(Suta said) O brahmans! when Vyasa the sage had heard The god-like seers' birth and deeds was stirred, Then Satyavati's son, much delighted, Again with further questions to him said, 1
(Vyasa said) When they who live on alms away had sped, And they to you had wisdom imparted, How did you spend that antedated time, Before you gained your present form divine? 2
O son of the self-born, how did you spend, Your life endued with wisdom to the end? And how did you that old body forsake, And in times' course your present body take? 3
How is it you remember, holy one, The events of a previous aeon? Remembrance of previous lives and states, The passage of great time eradicates! 4
(Narada said) When they who live on alms had departed, And unto me wisdom had imparted, While still a boy, after those Vipras went, This is the way that prior life I spent. 5
I was my mothers' one and only son, And she a maid and ignorant woman, I had no other to look to for care, And she did the fondest affection bare. 6
Nor did she have independence beside, And found it hard maintenance to provide; Since all the will of providence controls, Impelled as if they were but wooden dolls. 7
And so we dwelt with the good brahmans there, And I depended on my mothers' care; I had no knowledge of the outside world, Or time, since I was only five years old. 8
One day, at night, to milk a cow she went, The poor woman was bit by a serpent; Death comes in the due season and the time, Influenced by the supreme will divine. 9
I took it as a blessing upon me, From the great Lord who loves the devotee, And thinking in this way I journeyed forth, With eager aspiration, to the north. 10
I came to where the multitudes abound, The city, village and the pasture ground, I passed quarries and crossed the hills and vales, The bosky forests and the flowery dales. 11
I came to where the rocky mountains glowed, Which varied bright mineral pigments showed, I saw the stately trees with branches rent And torn by tramping tusker elephant; There lakes with pellucid water I viewed, With odours of the bright lily endued, The feathered choristers perched on the trees, Sent forth sweet notes that blended with the bees; A most agreeable charming display, Where gods descend to frolic and to play. 12
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 28, 2022 23:32:46 GMT -6
Continuing SB.1.6.13-28
I passed thru' dense cane bowers, then I stood, Upon the confines of a bosky wood; With reeds and bamboo and sharp blades of grass, Alone the way was difficult to pass. I traversed dreary glade and jungle dread, And gloomy caves and grottoes visited; Where owls screeched and slith'ring serpents stray, And jackals wander round in search of prey. 13
Thus spent with weariness along the path, Hungry and thirsty; then I took my bath In a pool by the river and partook, The waters and my weariness forsook. 14
Thus in that place devoid of humankind, I set to contemplation in my mind, Seated beneath a shady Pippal tree, According to precepts given to me. 15
Contemplating those lotus-feet I sate, And thence perceived a wondrous blissful state; In eagerness tears from my eyes did start, And Hari then appeared within my heart. 16
My hair all stood on end in loves' excess, And I was drowned in joy and happiness; Then in such blinding ecstasy absorbed, I could see neither myself nor the Lord. 17
When I no more his beauteous form could see, Which pleases the mind; allays misery, I then stood up, in perturbation tossed, Like one who has the rarest treasure lost! 18
Desiring to see that form again, My mind in contemplation did restrain, And though with earnest endeavour I tried, I saw him not and was dissatisfied. 19
Marking my attempts in that lonely place, The Lord divine was fain to show his grace, And though of words he is beyond the reach, He spoke words of comfort in charming speech. 20
(The Illustrious one said) Ah! you are not eligible to see In this birth a vision divine of me; Those yogins who are yet tainted with stain, The vision of myself cannot attain. 21
With this brief vision you must be content, O sinless one, love for me to augment; Then little by little you will be free From desire and be my devotee. 22
By serving holy ones for a short time, You have attained firm faith in the divine; And when you abandon this lower state, You shall become my own associate. 23
When consciousness is firmly fixed in me, Thereafter separation cannot be; Nor in creation nor at destruction, Is recollection lost, O my dear one. 24
(This verse (24) answers Vyasa's last question in verse 4)
This much he said and spoke no more to me, The imperceptible divinity; I bowed to that great One in gratitude For mercies gained, in humble attitude. 25
Awaiting thus the time I did abide, Without ill will, immensely satisfied; I did his most auspicious deeds recite, And in his mystery took much delight, Remembered I his exploits of high worth, And thus care free I wandered o'er the earth. 26
In Krishna thus my mind I did maintain, Without attachments and devoid of stain; And when the destined season approached nigh, Death came sudden as lightning from the sky. 27
Invested with a god-like form and pure, Release from patent acts I did procure; The body formed of elemental clay, With its' five evolutes then dropped away. 28
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Post by madanmohandas on Jun 29, 2022 6:20:02 GMT -6
Concluding, SB.1.6.29-38
When thus the previous aeon ended, The Lord reposed on his watery bed, And with his inward breath he all withdrew, The demiurgic god and myself too. 29
After passage of a thousand aeons, Brahma emerged and generated sons, Marichi and the great seers revered, And from his person I also appeared. 30
Thereafter in the three worlds and without, Quite unrestricted I wander about; By grace of Almighty Vishnu divine, I am not impeded at any time. 31
And thus with this God-gifted Veena I In verses celebrate his glory high; And the sweet accounts of Hari declare, In song, as I roam about anywhere. 32
And when I sing his mighty deeds divine, Who joys to hear, whose feet are like a shrine; Straightway within my heart himself he shows, Like one invited, and his grace bestows. 33
Indeed, the minds of those fraught with desire, Whose faculties to sense-objects aspire, Can safely cross this existential sea On the boat of remembrance of Hari. 34
By yoga practices strictly maintained, Lust and greed are not easily restrained, As by satisfaction derived complete, In service to Mukunda's holy feet. 35
Thus all I have related to the full, As you have questioned me, O sinless soul! My birth and deeds and the great mystery, But for your pleasure and felicity. 36
(Suta said) Thus Narada, the illustrious one, Concluded his speech to Vasavi's son; And plucked on his Veena the warbling string, And continued his care free wandering. 37
Ah me! how blessed is the god-like seer! Who praises him who the horn-bow doth rear, Upon his Veena, in ecstasy hurled, And brings joy to this miserable world. 38
Thus ends Chapter Six 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 Jul 1, 2022 13:30:06 GMT -6
SB.1.7.1-12
(Saunaka said) Suta! when Badarayana had heard, Attentive to god-like Narada's word, And when the later his presence withdrew, What did the sage Badarayana do? 1
(Suta said) On the west bank of Saraswati's flood, A sacred and holy hermitage stood, Where great sages prolong each holy rite, A calm retreat as Samyaprasa hight. 2
In his own cottage Vyasa sate at ease, Beneath shady Badari berry trees; He touched water for purification, Then fixed his mind in deep meditation. 3
In loving communion he fixed his mind, In contemplation, taintless and refined, He then beheld the Perfect Being Great, And saw Maya in her dependent state, 4
Whose power of three attributes controls With deluded notions, the jiva souls; Who tho' transcendent think themselves to be Independent, and suffer misery. 5
The means direct this notion to assuage, Is in devotion-yoga to engage, Of this the ignorant are unaware, Thus he this holy text composed with care. 6
Indeed, who hear this text great welfare gain, And love for Krishna, the Great One, attain; Such devotion affords to them relief, From apprehension, delusion and grief. 7
When he a final and fair copy made, Of this Bhagavatam, he then conveyed The study of this text to his own son Suka, stablished in renunciation. 8
(Saunaka said) Fixed in renunciation, why did he, Tho' indifferent and everywhere free, Who in the self exclusive joy did take, The study of this vast text undertake? 9
(Suta said) Those wise sages who in the self take bliss, Who are beyond restrictions, practice this; Devotion to the Lord of Mighty Strides, Such quality in Sri Hari abides. 10
In Hari's divine qualities immersed, The son of Badarayana rehearsed This sacred text, delectable to hear, And always to Vishnu's devotees dear. 11
Now I will tell that royal sage's worth, The king Pariksit's noble deeds and birth; How Pandu's sons attained beatitude, Which to the accounts of Krishna allude. 12
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Post by madanmohandas on Jul 2, 2022 1:31:24 GMT -6
Well, the narrative begins from 'Now I will tell'....etc. in verse 12 above. Now SB.1.7.13-17
When all those heroes gathered in the strife, Had met an heroes end, resigning life; When there was hardly left a single man, Of Kauravas and the Srinjaya clan; When Vrikodara shattered the thigh bone, With his dread mace, of Dhritarastra's son; When Drona's son in vengeance did proceed To do his master's pleasure, a foul deed; He slew the sons of Krishnaa in their beds, And brought as prize their severed dripping heads, But e'en his master was not pleased to see This most despicable atrocity. 13/14
When of her sons' slaughter the mother heard, She was to grief and lamentation stirred, And from her eyes the tears came rolling down; Then Kiriti, who wears a radiant crown, Observing her distressed, disquieted, In words of consolation to her said. 15
Then only dear, will you be comforted, When I bring that degraded brahman's head; When I with my bow Gandiva assay To lop his head and the vile caitiff slay; You may upon his head make ablution, And of your sons perform the cremation; And then, good lady, only then I say, Will I your tears of lament wipe away. 16
Thus he with consolation sought to cheer His queen, then with his fiend and charioteer, Lord Acyuta, he clad him for the fray, Then on a mighty car they held their way, Whereon the emblem of the monkey shone, And hastened toward the preceptors' son. 17
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Post by madanmohandas on Jul 2, 2022 6:04:03 GMT -6
Continuing the theme, SB.1.7.18-30
When he beheld their impetuous course, And he was stung with the bitter remorse Of child slaughter, upon his car he sped, As Brahma once in fear of Rudra fled. 18
As the son of the brahman away flew, He at that time no other recourse knew, The Brahma-crest he invoked as he drave, Seeing no other means his life to save. 19
He touched water for purification, And chanting hymns invoked the dread weapon; He now made ready, as his danger saw, But he know not how the dart to withdraw. 20
Whereon flashed out a light with scorching rays, Involving every side in the fierce blaze; Tormenting creatures as around it spread, Then unto the Lord Vishnu, Jishnu said, 21
(Arjuna said) O Krishna, Krishna, of the mighty arms! Who save devotees from dread dire alarms, 'Tis you alone can save from burning pain Of existence, whence they salvation gain. 22
You are the Primal Purusha adored, Above Nature, Nature's ruler and Lord, You are as one who casts Maya aside, And in your pure self consciousness abide. 23
But in this world where dwell the jiva souls, Whom Maya by her enchantment controls, You undertake heroic enterprise, Which welfare and virtue characterise. 24
Thus by your descension you incarnate, The burthen of the earth to mitigate, And specially to please and favour those Devotees who in you their minds repose. 25
O what is this approaching fast I see, O God of gods, it is not known to me! It radiates increasing far and wide, And threatens destruction on every side! 26
(The Illustrious One said) Know this to be the dread Brahma-weapon, Invoked and launched rashly by Drona's son, He knows not how the weapon to retract; Afraid of death he has performed this act. 27
No other arm this arm can intercept, Yet you are in the art of arms adept; Therefore, with your own dart this dart pursue, And counteract its power and subdue! 28
(Suta said) Thus having heard the Lord, Phalguna rose, Who wreaks destruction on valiant foes, Touched water, and paced round him reverent, And raised his Brahma-dart to act intent. 29
Then with redoubled heat the darts collide, And scatter scorching fire on each side; The vault of heaven and the firmament, Blazed as when Arka rises radiant. 30
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Post by madanmohandas on Jul 3, 2022 1:46:03 GMT -6
Continuing the theme, SB.1.7.31-45
All beings in the three worlds were distressed At such a sight, and by the heat oppressed; The people thought that destruction was nigh, When Samvartaka billows fill the sky. 31
Observing consternation general, And devastation vast afflicting all, As Vasudeva advised him to act, Arjuna both those missiles did retract. 32
Then with expedience he forward pressed, Gautami's wicked son thence to arrest; In rage glowed his coppery eye balls, And bound him as one binds up animals. 33
And as back to the camp they held their course, Dragging the caitiff bound by rope with force, Touched with anger as on their way they sped, The Lotus-eyed One to Arjuna said. 34
O Pritha's son! you must not mercy show, And let this degenerate brahman go! For he has done a deed exceeding ill, Boys innocent asleep at night to kill. 35
The knowers of righteousness do not slay A fool, madman, sleeper nor one astray; Women, boys, one who has surrender made, One from his car dismounted and dismayed. 36
A cruel one who his own life maintains, Afflicting upon others grievous pains, To slay him would bring welfare upon him, Who otherwise must suffer for his sin. 37
And in promise to Panchli you said, That you would bring to her the severed head Of him who had her sleeping children killed, And this promise must surely be fulfilled. 38
This evil wight for his sin must be slain, Who brings upon the clan this blot and stain; For by his hand fond relatives have died, And e'en his master was dissatisfied. 39
(Suta said) So spoke he to Pritha's son to discern, And of his sense of righteousness to learn; But Arjuna considered it were ill, The son of the preceptor thus to kill. 40
Now when back in the camp he did appear, With Govinda, his friend and charioteer, To his beloved, much distressed in mind, The slayer of her children he consigned. 41
When Krishnaa had her sons' murderer viewed, Silent, and like a beast with ropes subdued, Who did the despicable act commit, She was with pity and compassion smit; In pious awe she made salutation, To him who was the preceptor's own son. 42
Seeing him bound like a beast to her brought, She was with pain insufferable fraught, And said, This is the teachers' son in woe, O unbind him, release, and let him go! 43
'Twas his father who taught you martial art, To discharge and retract to pointed dart; Who did upon you secret arms bestow, All which to his grace and teaching you owe! 44
Though Drona the illustrious is gone, He stands here represented by his son! His wife Kripi to live her life persists, Since in her hero son he still exists. 45
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Post by madanmohandas on Jul 3, 2022 6:36:55 GMT -6
Proceeding further with SB.1.7.46-52
Those who righteous conduct deliberate, O you who are blessed and fortunate! Should not dishonour those who honour claim, Nor occasion relatives woe and pain. 46 Do not cause his dear mother Gautami To weep for her dead son even as me! Though I bewail my sons, nevertheless, You should not bring upon her such distress! 47 If haughty princes in their proud excess, The society of brahmans oppress, Adversity will then upon them turn, And the whole family destroy and burn! 48 (Suta said) The son of Dharma, the king, was impressed, As justice blent with mercy she expressed, O twice-born ones, the queen had stated thus, According to the codes of righteousness. 49 Nakula, Sahadeva, all agree, Yuyudhan, and the son of Devaki, And Dhanajaya by her speech was moved, And all the ladies there also approved. 50 But Bhima urged his death and was appalled, And to them there the heinous crime recalled, That served neither his own nor masters' aim, By having helpless sleeping children slain. 51 Thus having heard Bhima and Draupadi, The Four-armed One was curious to see, And glancing upon his friends' face the while, He wisely spoke to him with a sweet smile. 52
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Post by madanmohandas on Jul 3, 2022 7:47:56 GMT -6
Concluding SB.1.7.53-58
(The Illustrious One said) A brahman relative should not be slain, An aggressor must be slain, texts ordain; Since both of these rulings are right and true, You must decide what would be best to do. The promise made to your beloved one, You must fulfil to her satisfaction; Consider Panchali and Bhima's wish, And mine, and the right duty accomplish. 53/54
Arjuna understood the deep intent Of Hari, and knew what it was he meant, He took his sword and cut his tuft of hair, And the gem confiscated that was there. 55
Thus released and expelled he left that place, Bearing guilt of child slaughter and disgrace, Deprived of his rare gem, fraught with remorse, He was expelled with much disdain and force. 56
The guilty brahman never must be slain, Some forms of punishment the texts ordain, Are such as he be banished from the state, His property and wealth expropriate. 57
The sons of Pandu and Krishnaa their wife, Lamented their sons' sorry loss of life, And with postmortem rites and sanctities, They did for the departed obsequies. 58
Thus ends Chapter seven 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 Jul 4, 2022 5:37:30 GMT -6
Proceeding now with SB.1.8.1-17
(Suta said) Now they along with Krishnaa their way pressed, With mourning ladies proceeding, distressed, To offer the departed as their right, By Ganga's bank, the obsequial rite. 1
When libations of pure water were done, They sometime indulged their lamentation; Then bathed themselves to make the rite complete, In that stream fraught with dust from Hari's feet. 2
There sat the Kuru's lord while all around, His younger brothers respectful surround; There Gandhari and Krishnaa were present, Who of their sons bereaved sorely lament; King Dhrtarastra also, fraught with care, And the Lord Madhava was present there. 3
Discoursing on how creatures are controlled By time, the mourners there were thus consoled; The Lord and the sages sought to relieve The bereaved and implied they should not grieve. 4
The deceitful usurper having slain, Ajatasatru o'er the realm did reign; The adverse party were deprived of life, For tugging the hair of his royal wife. 5
On the Lord's bidding he conducted thrice Performance of the grand horse-sacrifice, And spread his fame with glory and delights, As him who had performed an hundred rites. 6
With Sainya* and Uddhava he took leave Of Pandu's sons, and honour did receive From Dvaipayana and the holy men, And he in turn graciously honoured them. 7
(*Sainya-Satyaki, commander of the forces.)
Nor sooner had he mounted on his car, To take his way to Dvaraka afar, And thus prepared upon his way to ride, Saw Uttara haste t'ward him terrified. 8
(Uttara said) O save me, save me, O Great Yogin, save! World ruler, God of gods, your grace I crave! While others are engaged in mutual strife, I see sans thee none who can save my life! 9
O Almighty pervading Deity! This blazing iron dart rushes at me; I do not seek my danger to avoid, But do not let the fetus be destroyed! 10
(Suta said) When this the Illustrious One had heard, He was with his wonted affection stirred, And understood the son of Drona's hate, Who sought the Pandu name to extirpate. 11
O best of sages, in the same moment, Five darts were at the five Pandavas sent, And beholding those arrows as they blazed, To counteract them their own weapons raised. 12
Then to prevent of disaster the stroke, The Lord did his own great weapon invoke, The whirling discus Sudarshana hight, To save his devotees with potent might. 13
Hari within all creatures doth abide, And over yoga power doth preside, He entered by mystic power divine, And shielded the fetus of Kuru's line. 14
O scion of the Bhrgus, 'tis a fact, The Brahma-missile none can counteract; But when before the might of Vishnu tried, Its' power is utterly nullified. 15
But be not too surprised or wonder much, That wondrous Acyuta's exploits be such; Though unborn, by his power he evolves The creation, sustains it, and dissolves. 16
Then with her sons and their wife Krishnaa came, Freed from alarm, Pritha, the pious dame, And to Lord Krishna hastily she sped, And presenting herself to him she said. 17
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Post by madanmohandas on Jul 4, 2022 13:40:19 GMT -6
Continuing SB.1.8.18-23
(Kunti said) All hail to you, the Primal One adored! Beyond nature, the omnipotent Lord; Within all beings and without as well, Everywhere indeterminate you dwell. 18
Behind the curtain of obscurity The ignorant your person do not see, As even fools who cannot recognise, An actors' changing costume and disguise. 19
But still you bless the holy swan-like saints, And sages who are pure and void of taints, Who practice devout yoga constantly, But how, dear Lord, may we mere women see? 20
Hail Krishna, Vasudeva, holy One! And all hail to Devaki's noble son! Hail to the child of cowherd Nanda too! O Govinda, all hail, all hail to you! 21
Hail, all hail to the Lotus-naveled Lord! Hail to the Lotus-garlanded adored! Hail to the Lotus-eyed One, I entreat, Hail to the One with tender lotus-feet! 22
O Hrishikesh! even as you did free Your fond mother, the pious Devaki, Who long suffered under Kamsa's durance*, And bore his cruelty and insolence, Thus even so in many a dire alarm, Myself and my sons you have saved from harm. 23
* durance /ˈdjʊər(ə)ns/ nounARCHAIC imprisonment or confinement. "the actor's years of durance vile in soap operas"
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Post by madanmohandas on Jul 5, 2022 3:58:06 GMT -6
Continuing the theme. SB.1.8.24-26
You have often saved us from danger dire, From poison, man-eaters and deadly fire; From the concourse of rulers insolent, And in the trials of our banishment; You did from the great car warriors shield, In multitudes forgathered on the field; And even now such safety you impart, To save us from the son of Drona's dart. 24
(Srimad Bhagavatam. 1.8.24) Gloss Expressing her deep gratitude and wonder with the son of Abhimanyu's recent deliverance from death, Kunti begins the verse, 'You have often saved us..etc.' From what? 'From poison..' when in their youth the prince Duryodhana administered poison to Bhima; 'man-eaters', such raksasas as Hidimba, Baka etc. 'and deadly fire' the incendiary device laid in the palace of Varanavata with the secret purpose of burning the five Pandavas and Kunti in their sleep. 'From the concourse', gathering, assembly 'of rulers', princes and monarchs gathered for the gambling tourney, 'insolent' by their behaviour towards Draupadi etc. 'And in the trials of our banishment', as when the angry sage Durvasa arrived desiring to be fed etc. 'You did from great car warriors shield...' affording protection from such invincible heroes as Bhisma, Drona, Karna and others. 'In multitudes forgathered on the field', the field of Kuruksetra where eighteen Auksauhinis, military divisions of elephants, horse drawn cars, cavalry and foot amounting to millions (vide google for exact count). 'And even now'....etc., a short while ago, 'such safety you impart', as you are wont to do, 'To save us from the son of Drona's dart.' from the brahma missile launched by Asvatthama to destroy the fetus in Uttara's womb. Now a verse from Gopi Gita expresses a similar conceit.
O most accomplished Lord repeatedly, You have saved us from dire perplexity; From pestilential waters in the lake, From the monster appearing as a snake, From rain and Wind, from lightnings flashing fire, From Maya's son, and from Arishta's ire.
(Ibid. 10.31.3) 'You have saved us from dire perplexity.,' or 'perplexities', the singular indicates the plural here, and what are they? of what type? 'From pestilential waters in the lake' contaminated by the proud serpent Kaliya. 'From the monster appearing as a snake' The demon Aghasura. 'From rain' the unseasonable rain sent by Indra. 'and Wind', the whirlwind demon Trinavarta. 'From lightnings flashing fire', from the onslaught of Indra's bolt. 'From Aristhas's' , the bull demon's 'ire', anger, rage etc. 'From Maya's son,' Vyomasura the son of Maya the artist and architect of the demons.
As for that, back to the text,
Let us be into adversity hurled, Repeatedly, preceptor of the world! Since when we have the audience of thee, Birth in this world again we shall not see. 25
Those who in their high birth and wealth confide, Who by vain learning but augment their pride, They cannot devout faith to you address; They only know you who nothing possess. 26
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Post by madanmohandas on Jul 5, 2022 12:39:36 GMT -6
Continuing SB.1.8.27-30. Kunti continues.
All hail to you the worshipfullest One! The only wealth of those who nothing own; Transcendent, who in your own self regale, The tranquil Lord of salvation, all hail! 27
You are the ruler time, I apprehend, Beginningless, pervasive, without end; You look upon all beings equally, But they indulge mutual controversy. 28
No one, O Lord, can know your enterprise, Which you enact here in your human guise, Confounding with your mystery divine, As among them conspicuous you shine; None is more dear nor hateful unto you, Without respect of persons all you view; And people only imagine they see The slightest trace of partiality. 29
Your birth and deeds, O universal soul! Though birthless, without acts, immutable, As man or beast, a fish or holy seer, As confounding and wonderful appear. 30
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Post by madanmohandas on Jul 5, 2022 23:27:08 GMT -6
Greetings all, say Hari! Invoking the grace of Sri Hari, Guru and Vaishnavas, continuing today with SB.1.8.31. a delightsome verse with reference to the Vrindavan exploits.
Due to your mischief and your restlessness, With rope you were bound by the cowherdess; At that time you were seized with diverse fears, And from your frighted eyes rolled down the tears; And apprehending thus stern punishment, You hung your face, your tears with ointment blent; And when of this I entertain the thought, I am confused and with amazement fraught, How can one the deep mystery construe, Since Fear himself is terrified of you! 31
Expressing further wonder at Krishna's exploits, Kunti now makes reference to his childhood deeds, the first such reference in our text, with the verse beginning, 'Due to your mischief, etc' pilfering curds and cream, 'and your restlessness' breaking the pots and scattering the contents etc. 'With rope you were bound by the cowherdess,' the cowherd lady, mother Yashoda. etc. etc. In the first chapter here, Shaunaka made the observation,
Whoever calls his name e'en in distress, Or in a state of utter helplessness, Is certainly straightway from danger clear, For even Fear himself holds him in fear. (Ibid.1.1.14)
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Post by madanmohandas on Jul 6, 2022 2:16:10 GMT -6
Kunti continues, 1.8.32-40
Some say the Unborn to broadcast the name Of pious Yadu and augment his fame, Has taken birth midst Yadus of renown, As Malaya for sandal wood is known. 32
Others assert that you were manifest In answer to the fervent prayer addressed By Vasudeva and Devaki; still You assure welfare and the demons kill. 33
Some say that like a ship burdened with freight, The earth was sinking by the pond'rous weight, Then you did Brahma's petition receive, And took your birth earth's burden to relieve. 34
Some say that to effect deliverance, Of those prompted by hopes of ignorance, That thus to show yourself you incarnate, That they may worship, hear and meditate. 35
Those who to hear and sing their time employ And meditating on you take their joy, Soon cross the current of this worldly sea, And your lotus-feet unimpeded see. 36
Dear Lord! will you be leaving us today, Who have aside from you nor friend nor stay? We have occasioned much hostility From ruling princes, and I do not see A safe asylum or a calm retreat, Without the refuge of your lotus-feet. 37
Our name and form have no significance, As Yadus and Pandus in your absence, As body and senses their essence lose, Sans soul, O Hrishikesh, and serve no use. 38
This land will have no more splendour and grace, When you are gone, O wielder of the mace, Which presently with pleasing lustre shines, Bearing as it does of your feet the signs. 39
The densely populated regions round, With mellowed grain and ripe fruitage abound, The forests, mountains, rivers and the sea, Are rich in bounty glanced over by thee. 40
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