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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 5, 2023 4:08:51 GMT -6
No laurels to rest on so, patient reader, having completed the Bhakti Ratnavali, I feel it now incumbent to continue from where I left off on a pleasant digression, with the grand text of the Bhagavatam itself. Continuing then from SB.1.17.35
(Suta said) Admonished thus Kali was fraught with fear, When he Pariksit's stern decree did hear, And trembled at the sword raised o'er his head, Like him who wields the rod, and to him said. 35 (Kali said)
Dread sov'reign, as thou hast commanded me, To elsewhere dwell, even so let it be; But I shall be afraid where'er I go, At sight of thee with thy arrows and bow. 36
Therefore, upholder of virtue divine, Thou should'st for my dwelling a place assign; Some place where I may suitably remain, Under the government of your domain. 37
(Suta said) The king thus having been by him besought, Decided as occurred to him the thought; Where drinking, gaming, wenching and killing Are indulged, he assigned for his dwelling. 38
And yet again he begged another more, A fifth place over and above the four, The which was gold, the cause of falsity, Passion, pride, arrogance and enmity. 39
These five places then were assigned to him, Where Kali could exercise vice and sin, And thus Kali to these five places went, Whereto the son of Uttara him sent. 40
The virtuous, kings and nobility, And preceptors who live in sanctity, Who in their righteous duty are employed, Such places of iniquity avoid. 41
Restored were broken legs of the bull three, Which are penance, cleanliness and mercy, And Earth was restored to her wonted cheer, To flourish in content and without fear. 42
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 5, 2023 9:01:58 GMT -6
Thus governed he the ancient royal throne, Received from his grandfather as his own, And ruled the subjects for the gen'ral good, And thereafter retired to the wood. 43
And even now upon the legacy, Of great kings of the Kuru dynasty, Of Elephantopolis the renown, Upholders of the ruling royal crown, 44
Because of Abhimanyu's royal son, Our prolonged sacrifice may be begun, Whose great deeds and inestimable worth, Could justly govern and protect the Earth. 45
Thus ends Chapter XVII in Book One of the Srimad Bhagavatam Mahapurana.
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 5, 2023 10:49:24 GMT -6
Commencing Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto One, Ch.18. 1-7
(Suta said) The one struck by the dart of Drona's son, While he still lay within his mothers' womb, By Krishna's wondrous deed, the Lord most high, Though he was burnt to death, he did not die. 1
On likewise when he of his death had heard, Due to a brahman's rage, from a snake-bird, He was neither afraid nor overawed, Since he was one surrendered to the Lord. 2
Thence he all his attachments did resign, With knowledge of Lord Ajita divine, Which as Vaiyasa's pupil he did glean, Then gave his body to the Ganga stream. 3
Who relishes the sweets of the Lord's deeds, In fine verse, whether he listens or reads, Shall not at the time of death be appalled, As his lotus-feet are always recalled. 4
What though the proud influence of Kali, Hath entered in with all iniquity, So long as Abhimanyu's son prevails, Of its potent influence Kali fails. 5
Certainly even from that very day, When the Lord had departed on his way, From then contentious Kali entered in, With all unrighteousness and vice and sin. 6
The wise emperor the essence could see, Who imbibed deep essences as a bee, And did not hate Kali for well he knew, That good deeds in this age quickly accrue, But only evil deeds and not the thought, In Kali's age with consequence is fraught. 7
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 5, 2023 13:00:23 GMT -6
SB.1.18.8-16
When a tiger assails a flock of deer, They flee from dread in terror and in fear, 'Tis fools that Kali's influence beguiles, The self-controlled are conscious of his wiles. 8
According to your just inquiry, On Pariksit, I have framed my reply, Related to the topics and the deeds, Of Vasudeva, whence virtue proceeds. 9
Whatever wondrous acts, mighty and bold, The Lord hath done, are worthy to be told, And those who seek their welfare should resort To his service and praise his divine sport. 10
(The sages said) O Suta, we wish you long life and fame, O gentle one, you worthily proclaim; For discourses on Krishna such as this, To us mortals is like immortal bliss. 11
This rite we undertake, grace to invoke, Uncertain is, but involves us in smoke; Your speech affords pleasure like lotus-wine, Distilled from Govinda's soft feet divine. 12
Of devotees' association rare, Even for a moment cannot compare, With heavens' joy, no, nor salvations' bliss, For mortals what could be better than this! 13
Who is that worthy connoisseur aesthete, That satiated is with humours sweet? His exclusive and mighty power great, The lords of yoga could not estimate, Nor Bhava, nor the great god who doth sit Upon the lotus, can reach the limit. 14
Thou art a great and learned devotee, Singularly resigned to Lord Hari, Recite to us, who with eagerness long To hear his wondrous deeds in hallowed song. 15
And certes, Pariksit in high degree, Is counted as the foremost devotee, Who with his intellect unsullied fixed, His mind on supreme salvation unmixed; From the son of Vyasa wisdom attained, And worshipful meditation maintained, And focused his mind and understanding At his feet whose flag blazons the bird-king. 16
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 6, 2023 4:29:57 GMT -6
SB.1.18.18/19
To us, therefore, that hallowed theme recite, Of steadfast yoga, wonder and delight, Whence accounts of Ananta are conferred, That were by worthy king Pariksit heard, Which fondly please devotees of the Lord, The infinite being and One adored. 17
(Suta said) Though born of mean extraction, I attest, I am today, ah me! Most highly bless’d, For service to the elders and the wise, Discoursing with the great, soon purifies. 18
What then of those who always chant the name Of the Lord, whom great ones fondly acclaim? Who is with infinite potency dight, Whose divine qualities are infinite, And who is therefore as Ananta hight. 19
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 6, 2023 7:37:27 GMT -6
Well, as for that, but so much can be said, Of his inestimable great Godhead, Who is unexcelled and ineffable, Without a peer and inexpressible; That she, the Great Goddess, whom gods adore, And for her favours earnestly implore, Attends his lotus-feet with loving care, Though he did not desire this of her. 20
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 6, 2023 7:49:51 GMT -6
So thus is known the glory of the Lord, Whose foot-wash by Virinchi is adored, Which Isha bears upon his mighty crest, And deems himself as sanctified and bless'd; Who but Mukunda in the world could claim Of Illustrious Bhagavan the name? 21
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 6, 2023 8:21:59 GMT -6
Whoever thus to love of him betakes, His love for body and its needs forsakes, With self control and practice of restraint, He follows the way of the swan-like saint; Characterised by sober quiescence, Duty, dispassion and non-violence. 22
As far as I have learnt I shall requite, Your worthy questions, sun-like sages bright; Thus Vishnu's praises are sung by the wise, According as they know and realise; As even birds that wing the azure sky, Only as high as strength allows can fly. 23
Vrindavan Das has adapted this conceit in,
A bird upon the wing can only fly As high as by its strength the boundless sky;
So endless Chaitanya's deeds are express'd, As far as one is capable and bless'd (CB.1.17.148/149)
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 6, 2023 12:31:57 GMT -6
SB.1.18. 24-30
Upon a day the king with his bow went Into the woods, upon the chase intent; Wearied from hunting beasts that had dispersed, He was exhausted with hunger and thirst. 24
In search of water, to a hermitage, He came, and saw a meditating sage; He viewed him seated in silence reposed, In contemplation deep with his eyes closed. 25
His life air and his senses were restrained, His mind and intellect steady remained, Inactive and beyond the triple state, * With absolute Brahman incorporate. 26
His matted locks were scattered all around, Upon his body a deer skin was bound. Craving for water the king was oppressed, And in that condition made his request. 27
But he received nor word nor welcome there, Neither a straw mat nor reception fair; Deeming himself dishonoured by the sage, He was incensed and flew into a rage. 28
Such conduct was quite out of character, Now oppressed by extreme thirst and hunger; His high honour was injured by the slight, And entertained toward the brahman spite. 29
He thence prompted by his disdain and rage, Decided to insult the holy sage; A dead snake over his shoulder did lay, Picked up with his bow tip, and went his way. 30
*Waking, dreaming, sleeping.
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 7, 2023 6:35:49 GMT -6
SB.1.18.31-40
'I wonder if he really was reposed In silent meditation with eyes closed, Or was it just a pretence to disgrace, A martial prince of lowly ksatra race.' 31
He had a potent son, who when he heard, While playing with his friends, to rage was stirred, The wrong done his father by the king woke His temper and in resentment he spoke. 32
"How haughtiness in evil rulers grows! Who steal about the door like dogs and crows, Who like servants must on the master wait, That now presume to enter at the gate! 33
The lowly Ksatra's duty is defined, And as watchdog to guard the house consigned; How now does he to enter in presume, And from the masters' plate viands consume? 34
Since Almighty Krishna did hence depart, There is none now to curb the vile upstart; Therefore I shall myself curse him today; Observe my potency in what I say! 35
Thus he, his eyes with rage were copper-red, And then the child of the great Rishi said, First touching waters of the Kaushiki, And spoke with thunder and indignity. 36
Because he has transgressed the etiquette, In seven days from now will be beset, Taksak will bite this blot of all his clan, For slighting my father, a holy man! 37
Thereon the child his way home did betake, And on his father's body saw the snake, Fraught with distress at what he had espied, With pitiful lament he loudly cried. 38
When he who sprung from Angirasa heard, The lamentation of his son was stirred, O Brahman, opened his eyes by degrees, And round his neck the dead serpent he sees. 39
He threw it off and questioned then his son, 'Why do you weep my child, what ill is done?' When thus the sage of his son had inquired, The latter told him all as it transpired. 40
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 8, 2023 5:20:44 GMT -6
SB.1.18.41-50
When having heard of that imprecation, Denounced upon the king by his own son, Displeasure to the brahman it did bring, Who knew as underserving such the king. Ah me alas! what ill is done today! My boy, by childish rashness led astray, A capital punishment is decreed, For slight transgression and a venial deed. 41
The king is the vicegerent of the Lord, Pre-eminent, and as a god adored; Certes, it is but folly to equate, The ruler and the subjects of the state, Whose power guards and grants to them good cheer, Whereby they flourish and prosper sans fear. 42
What time is dissolved the monarch's command, Who bears the cartwheel sign upon his hand, The world of a protector is bereft, At once flourishes oppression and theft; As even the fleecy flocks go astray, When there is no shepherd to guide the way. 43
From this day we receive of sin the stain, Since into decay falls the royal reign; Plundered of wealth there will be much distress, And people will other people oppress; And robbers will appropriate by stealth, Another's wife, his chattels and his wealth. 44
Thereon righteousness falls into decay, Mankind from social order goes astray, Good manners and conduct are quite disdained, Neglected are codes in scripture ordained; But prompted by desire of sordid gain, And like shameless dogs and monkeys profane, With comingling of castes, the base and lewd, There springs an indistinguished multitude. 45
This king of righteousness is guardian, An emperor of great and worthy fame, He is also a great devotee dear, A mighty potentate and royal seer; Who on his holy preceptors advice, Has oft performed the great horse sacrifice; When he was stricken by hunger and thirst, He was not deserving of being cursed. 46
A sinless one has been cursed and reviled, Through unripe understanding of a child; May the Illustrious and Mighty One, The soul of all, forgive what has been done.' 47
He may be cursed, slandered, cheated, defamed, Ill treated and assaulted and arraigned; Though able to retaliate in kind, The devotee to act is disinclined. 48
The sage repented for what had been done, And the iniquity wrought by his son, But of the insult paid him by the king, Was unconcerned, and thought it was nothing. 49
Mostly the saints care not what others do, Bound as they are in dualistic view, He derives from the self felicity, Which self transcends, beyond the gunas three. 50
Thus ends Chapter Eighteen 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 Mar 8, 2023 13:52:59 GMT -6
Well, commencing the final chapter of SB Book One, Chapter 19, where, after much anticipation, the divine Suka arrives on the scene. SB.1.19. 1-11
(Suta said) The mighty lord of earth now in his turn, Could by his deliberation discern, 'I have a base and lowly action done, To the brahman, a grave and holy one. 1
It is certain, for my heinous offence, I soon shall reap the bitter consequence, Since I have thus slighted the Deity, And shall be assailed with calamity. Well, let me suffer now for my disdain, That I may not commit such sin again. 2
From this day let my royal reign expire, Let wealth and power be consumed by fire, Ignited by the noble brahman clan, For my dishonouring a holy man; And purge my mind in flames of repentance, That I never again make such offence. By slighting the twice-born, strict in their vows, I have insulted holy gods and cows.' 3
Deliberating thus, the monarch heard, That he must die bitten by the snake-bird, Occasioned by curse of the brahman's son, And took it as apposite and well done. Since detachment would soon from this arise, For worldly joys and things and properties. 4
He therefore abandoned as troublesome, Fond hopes in this and in the world to come, And resolved to absorb his mind complete, In worshipful service of Krishna's feet; He vowed to fast until the end extreme, And sat him by the deathless river stream. 5
That deathless stream with Tulsi pollen blent, Conveys of Krishna's lotus-feet the scent, Cleanses both the higher spheres and below, And over Isha's head doth glist'ning flow. Who would not serve that stream with pure intent, When death approaches nigh and imminent? 6
Thus he, the scion of the Pandu line, To abstention and fasting did resign; And taking by the holy stream his seat, That bears the foot wash of Lord Vishnu's feet, He gave himself with singular purpose, His mind in Mukunda's feet to repose; All fond attachments thence he did forsake, And did to vows of a hermit betake. 7
Thereupon a host of mighty seers, Along with their disciples there appears, Who on pretence of their ambulation, To sacred shrines bring purification. 8
Atri, Vashishtha and Chyavana named, Sharadvan and Arishtanemi famed, And Bhrigu, Angiras, Parasara, The son of Gadhi, Parasurama, And the great sage hight Indrapramada, As also him known as Idhmavaha; Medhatithi and Devala were there, Arshtisena, Bharadvaja austere, Gautama, Pippalada, Maitreya, Aurva, Kavasha, pot-born Agastya, Dvaipayana, Narada also came, All great sages and all well known to fame; 9/10
Great sages, god-like sages and sage kings, All gathered to observe the proceedings, Congregated by their preceptors led; Whereat the king bowed low to them his head. 11
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 9, 2023 11:37:24 GMT -6
SB.1.19.12-17
When all were seated there comfortably, Again the king bowed in humility, Then standing, palms together pressed, began To acquaint them with his intended plan. 12
(The king said) Ah me! we deem ourselves most bless'd today, As the great and virtuous grace convey; Since martial princes of the ksatra race, The brahmans view with disdain and disgrace. 13
Certes, the Lord himself this doom hath sent, And made the dvija's curse the instrument; Since else to household attachments confined, I am unable to withdraw my mind; To be thus into apprehension hurled, Is the root of detachment from the world. 14
Therefore, O Vipras, may you accept me, And may Ganga, the river Deity, Receive me as one who with heart and mind, Is steadfast in the Lord, to him resigned; And let the magic snake-bird do its worst, Invoked by the twice-born who me had cursed. Now, therefore, without further questioning, The sweet accounts in song of Vishnu sing! 15
And if I am to be born here again, May I refuge and company attain, Of those by whom is worshipped and adored, The infinite and illustrious Lord; May I have friendship for all beings, then To ye I bow, all holy twice-born men. 16
Thus he, the worthy king, and when he ceased, Laid out a mat with tips facing the east; On the south bank of the wife of the sea, And sat him down in that fair company; He faced the north while he awaited there; And had his son the royal burden bear. 17
Thus on the god-like king who sat steadfast, Determined to maintain till death his fast; The blessed gods from their station on high, Precipitated flowers from the sky, And as from above flowers to earth came, They beat their kettle-drums in loud acclaim. 18
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 10, 2023 14:37:22 GMT -6
Proceeding a bit further with SB.1.19.19-22
All those great sages in that gathering, Approved the resolution of the king, 'Tis well', said they,who are always inclined, Toward the peace and welfare of mankind; And would the divine qualities rehearse, Of him who is praised in exquisite verse. 19
(The sages said) This resolution and undertaking, Is not at all astonishing, O king! Descended as you are in direct line, From those excellent sage-like kings divine; At whose throne the subjected kings bowed down, And glistened with many a monarch's crown; And all of which they straightway did forsake, Their way to the Almighty Lord to take. 20
All of us shall wait here until the time, When the great king his body shall resign; When he shall the supreme region attain, And released from worldly taint, grief and pain; He is an exalted devotee great, And until then we shall all here await. 21
When having heard the sages' speech, most fit, Nectar dripping and grave, king Pariksit, Commended them with joy as well beseems, Eager to hear on Vishnu's deeds the themes. 22
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Post by madanmohandas on Mar 11, 2023 4:54:26 GMT -6
SB.1.19.23-29
Ye have from every side all gathered here, As Vedic texts above the triple sphere, In bodied forms eternally abide, And do not in this lower realm reside; But ye have here your gracious favour shown, Who have no selfish interest of your own, And seek for others' benefit alone. 23
So now let me raise this inquiry, O wise Vipras, known for fidelity, With due consideration, tell to me, For souls in general, what is duty? And in particular frame your reply, On right conduct for one about to die. 24
Suddenly on that very occasion, Appeared the illustrious Vyasa's son, Who wandered o'er the earth without a care, Nor did any badge of distinction bear; Satisfied in himself, void of desire, He wore an avadhuta's coarse attire, Immaculate in his pure soul refined, While a troop of children followed behind. 25
So charming and elegant he appears, Some eight and eight the number of his years, His feet, his legs, his hands, his thighs, beside, His arms were long, his shoulders broad and wide, Large eyed, a nose that prominent appears, With fair symmetrical and shapely ears; His handsome countenance with lustre glows, His well formed neck like a fine conch shell shows. 26
Under his broad bosom was scarcely shown, The sunken contours of his collarbone, His deeping navel and abdomen shines, With fine creases forming delicate lines; His raiment was the directions around, His scattered locks lay o'er his face unbound, His arms were long and beautiful to view, As the best of gods shone with a dark hue. 27
His dark complexion and attractive youth, And his smiles, charmed the damosels, forsooth; And though his innate glory was concealed, To sages who knew the signs was revealed; Of his ineffable greatness they knew, And rose up from their seats with honour due, 28
And he, the one protected by Vishnu, Bowed low his head in salutation too. The ignorant women and children there, Desisted and betook themselves elsewhere; And when due honours were paid and complete, He sat him on an elevated seat. 29
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