Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 1 · Chapter 19
सूत उवाच महीपतिस्त्वथ तत्कर्म गर्ह्यं विचिन्तयन्नात्मकृतं सुदुर्मना: । अहो मया नीचमनार्यवत्कृतं निरागसि ब्रह्मणि गूढतेजसि ॥ १ ॥
suta uvaca mahi-patis tv atha tat-karma garhyam vicintayann atma-krtam sudurmanah aho maya nicam anarya-vat krtam niragasi brahmani gudha-tejasi
Sri Suta Gosvami said: While returning home, the King (Maharaja Pariksit) felt that the act he had committed against the faultless and powerful brahmana was heinous and uncivilized. Consequently he was distressed.
ध्रुवं ततो मे कृतदेवहेलनाद् दुरत्ययं व्यसनं नातिदीर्घात् । तदस्तु कामं ह्यघनिष्कृताय मे यथा न कुर्यां पुनरेवमद्धा ॥ २ ॥
dhruvam tato me krta-deva-helanad duratyayam vyasanam nati-dirghat tad astu kamam hy agha-niskrtaya me yatha na kuryam punar evam addha
(King Pariksit thought: ) Due to my neglecting the injunctions of the Supreme Lord I must certainly expect some difficulty to overcome me in the near future. I now desire without reservation that the calamity come now, for in this way I may be freed of the sinful action and not commit such an offense again.
अद्यैव राज्यं बलमृद्धकोशं प्रकोपितब्रह्मकुलानलो मे । दहत्वभद्रस्य पुनर्न मेऽभूत् पापीयसी धीर्द्विजदेवगोभ्य: ॥ ३ ॥
adyaiva rajyam balam rddha-kosam prakopita-brahma-kulanalo me dahatv abhadrasya punar na me ’bhut papiyasi dhir dvija-deva-gobhyah
I am uncivilized and sinful due to my neglect of brahminical culture, God consciousness and cow protection. Therefore I wish that my kingdom, strength and riches burn up immediately by the fire of the brahmana’s wrath so that in the future I may not be guided by such inauspicious attitudes.
स चिन्तयन्नित्थमथाशृणोद् यथा मुने: सुतोक्तो निऋर्तिस्तक्षकाख्य: । स साधु मेने न चिरेण तक्षका- नलं प्रसक्तस्य विरक्तिकारणम् ॥ ४ ॥
sa cintayann ittham athasrnod yatha muneh sutokto nirrtis taksakakhyah sa sadhu mene na cirena taksaka- nalam prasaktasya virakti-karanam
While the King was thus repenting, he received news of his imminent death, which would be due to the bite of a snake-bird, occasioned by the curse spoken by the sage’s son. The King accepted this as good news, for it would be the cause of his indifference toward worldly things.
अथो विहायेमममुं च लोकं विमर्शितौ हेयतया पुरस्तात् । कृष्णाङ्घ्रिसेवामधिमन्यमान उपाविशत् प्रायममर्त्यनद्याम् ॥ ५ ॥
atho vihayemam amum ca lokam vimarsitau heyataya purastat krsnanghri-sevam adhimanyamana upavisat prayam amartya-nadyam
Maharaja Pariksit sat down firmly on the banks of the Ganges to concentrate his mind in Krsna consciousness, rejecting all other practices of self-realization, because transcendental loving service to Krsna is the greatest achievement, superseding all other methods.
या वै लसच्छ्रीतुलसीविमिश्र- कृष्णाङ्घ्रिरेण्वभ्यधिकाम्बुनेत्री । पुनाति लोकानुभयत्र सेशान् कस्तां न सेवेत मरिष्यमाण: ॥ ६ ॥
ya vai lasac-chri-tulasi-vimisra- krsnanghri-renv-abhyadhikambu-netri punati lokan ubhayatra sesan kas tam na seveta marisyamanah
The river (Ganges, by which the King sat to fast) carries the most auspicious water, which is mixed with the dust of the lotus feet of the Lord and tulasi leaves. Therefore that water sanctifies the three worlds inside and outside and even sanctifies Lord Siva and other demigods. Consequently everyone who is destined to die must take shelter of this river.
इति व्यवच्छिद्य स पाण्डवेय: प्रायोपवेशं प्रति विष्णुपद्याम् । दधौ मुकुन्दाङ्घ्रिमनन्यभावो मुनिव्रतो मुक्तसमस्तसङ्ग: ॥ ७ ॥
iti vyavacchidya sa pandaveyah prayopavesam prati visnu-padyam dadhau mukundanghrim ananya-bhavo muni-vrato mukta-samasta-sangah
Thus the King, the worthy descendant of the Pandavas, decided once and for all and sat on the Ganges’ bank to fast until death and give himself up to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, who alone is able to award liberation. So, freeing himself from all kinds of associations and attachments, he accepted the vows of a sage.
तत्रोपजग्मुर्भुवनं पुनाना महानुभावा मुनय: सशिष्या: । प्रायेण तीर्थाभिगमापदेशै: स्वयं हि तीर्थानि पुनन्ति सन्त: ॥ ८ ॥
tatropajagmur bhuvanam punana mahanubhava munayah sa-sisyah prayena tirthabhigamapadesaih svayam hi tirthani punanti santah
At that time all the great minds and thinkers, accompanied by their disciples, and sages who could verily sanctify a place of pilgrimage just by their presence, arrived there on the plea of making a pilgrim’s journey.
अत्रिर्वसिष्ठश्च्यवन: शरद्वा- नरिष्टनेमिर्भृगुरङ्गिराश्च । पराशरो गाधिसुतोऽथ राम उतथ्य इन्द्रप्रमदेध्मवाहौ ॥ ९ ॥ मेधातिथिर्देवल आर्ष्टिषेणो भारद्वाजो गौतम: पिप्पलाद: । मैत्रेय और्व: कवष: कुम्भयोनि- र्द्वैपायनो भगवान्नारदश्च ॥ १० ॥
atrir vasisthas cyavanah saradvan aristanemir bhrgur angiras ca parasaro gadhi-suto ’tha rama utathya indrapramadedhmavahau medhatithir devala arstiseno bharadvajo gautamah pippaladah maitreya aurvah kavasah kumbhayonir dvaipayano bhagavan naradas ca
From different parts of the universe there arrived great sages like Atri, Cyavana, Saradvan, Aristanemi, Bhrgu, Vasistha, Parasara, Visvamitra, Angira, Parasurama, Utathya, Indrapramada, Idhmavahu, Medhatithi, Devala, Arstisena, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Pippalada, Maitreya, Aurva, Kavasa, Kumbhayoni, Dvaipayana and the great personality Narada.
अन्ये च देवर्षिब्रह्मर्षिवर्या राजर्षिवर्या अरुणादयश्च । नानार्षेयप्रवरान् समेता- नभ्यर्च्य राजा शिरसा ववन्दे ॥ ११ ॥
anye ca devarsi-brahmarsi-varya rajarsi-varya arunadayas ca nanarseya-pravaran sametan abhyarcya raja sirasa vavande
There were also many other saintly demigods, kings and special royal orders called arunadayas (a special rank of rajarsis) from different dynasties of sages. When they all assembled together to meet the Emperor (Pariksit), he received them properly and bowed his head to the ground.
सुखोपविष्टेष्वथ तेषु भूय: कृतप्रणाम: स्वचिकीर्षितं यत् । विज्ञापयामास विविक्तचेता उपस्थितोऽग्रेऽभिगृहीतपाणि: ॥ १२ ॥
sukhopavistesv atha tesu bhuyah krta-pranamah sva-cikirsitam yat vijnapayam asa vivikta-ceta upasthito ’gre ’bhigrhita-panih
After all the rsis and others had seated themselves comfortably, the King, humbly standing before them with folded hands, told them of his decision to fast until death.
राजोवाच
rajovaca aho vayam dhanyatama nrpanam mahattamanugrahaniya-silah rajnam kulam brahmana-pada-saucad durad visrstam bata garhya-karma
The fortunate King said: Indeed, we are the most grateful of all the kings who are trained to get favors from the great souls. Generally you (sages) consider royalty as refuse to be rejected and left in a distant place.
तस्यैव मेऽघस्य परावरेशो व्यासक्तचित्तस्य गृहेष्वभीक्ष्णम् । निर्वेदमूलो द्विजशापरूपो यत्र प्रसक्तो भयमाशु धत्ते ॥ १४ ॥
tasyaiva me ’ghasya paravareso vyasakta-cittasya grhesv abhiksnam nirveda-mulo dvija-sapa-rupo yatra prasakto bhayam asu dhatte
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the controller of both the transcendental and mundane worlds, has graciously overtaken me in the form of a brahmana’s curse. Due to my being too much attached to family life, the Lord, in order to save me, has appeared before me in such a way that only out of fear I will detach myself from the world.
तं मोपयातं प्रतियन्तु विप्रा गङ्गा च देवी धृतचित्तमीशे । द्विजोपसृष्ट: कुहकस्तक्षको वा दशत्वलं गायत विष्णुगाथा: ॥ १५ ॥
tam mopayatam pratiyantu vipra ganga ca devi dhrta-cittam ise dvijopasrstah kuhakas taksako va dasatv alam gayata visnu-gathah
O brahmanas, just accept me as a completely surrendered soul, and let mother Ganges, the representative of the Lord, also accept me in that way, for I have already taken the lotus feet of the Lord into my heart. Let the snake-bird—or whatever magical thing the brahmana created—bite me at once. I only desire that you all continue singing the deeds of Lord Visnu.
पुनश्च भूयाद्भगवत्यनन्ते रति: प्रसङ्गश्च तदाश्रयेषु । महत्सु यां यामुपयामि सृष्टिं मैत्र्यस्तु सर्वत्र नमो द्विजेभ्य: ॥ १६ ॥
punas ca bhuyad bhagavaty anante ratih prasangas ca tad-asrayesu mahatsu yam yam upayami srstim maitry astu sarvatra namo dvijebhyah
Again, offering obeisances unto all you brahmanas, I pray that if I should again take my birth in the material world I will have complete attachment to the unlimited Lord Krsna, association with His devotees and friendly relations with all living beings.
इति स्म राजाध्यवसाययुक्त: प्राचीनमूलेषु कुशेषु धीर: । उदङ्मुखो दक्षिणकूल आस्ते समुद्रपत्न्या: स्वसुतन्यस्तभार: ॥ १७ ॥
iti sma rajadhyavasaya-yuktah pracina-mulesu kusesu dhirah udan-mukho daksina-kula aste samudra-patnyah sva-suta-nyasta-bharah
In perfect self-control, Maharaja Pariksit sat down on a seat of straw, with straw-roots facing the east, placed on the southern bank of the Ganges, and he himself faced the north. Just previously he had given charge of his kingdom over to his son.
एवं च तस्मिन्नरदेवदेवे प्रायोपविष्टे दिवि देवसङ्घा: । प्रशस्य भूमौ व्यकिरन् प्रसूनै- र्मुदा मुहुर्दुन्दुभयश्च नेदु: ॥ १८ ॥
evam ca tasmin nara-deva-deve prayopaviste divi deva-sanghah prasasya bhumau vyakiran prasunair muda muhur dundubhayas ca neduh
Thus the King, Maharaja Pariksit, sat to fast until death. All the demigods of the higher planes praised the King’s actions and in pleasure continually scattered flowers over the earth and beat celestial drums.
महर्षयो वै समुपागता ये प्रशस्य साध्वित्यनुमोदमाना: । ऊचु: प्रजानुग्रहशीलसारा यदुत्तमश्लोकगुणाभिरूपम् ॥ १९ ॥
maharsayo vai samupagata ye prasasya sadhv ity anumodamanah ucuh prajanugraha-sila-sara yad uttama-sloka-gunabhirupam
All the great sages who were assembled there also praised the decision of Maharaja Pariksit and they expressed their approval by saying, Very good Naturally the sages are inclined to do good to common men, for they have all the qualitative powers of the Supreme Lord. Therefore they were very much pleased to see Maharaja Pariksit, a devotee of the Lord, and they spoke as follows.
न वा इदं राजर्षिवर्य चित्रं भवत्सु कृष्णं समनुव्रतेषु । येऽध्यासनं राजकिरीटजुष्टं सद्यो जहुर्भगवत्पार्श्वकामा: ॥ २० ॥
na va idam rajarsi-varya citram bhavatsu krsnam samanuvratesu ye ’dhyasanam raja-kirita-justam sadyo jahur bhagavat-parsva-kamah
(The sages said: ) O chief of all the saintly kings of the Pandu dynasty who are strictly in the line of Lord Sri Krsna! It is not at all astonishing that you give up your throne, which is decorated with the helmets of many kings, to achieve eternal association with the Personality of Godhead.
सर्वे वयं तावदिहास्महेऽथ कलेवरं यावदसौ विहाय । लोकं परं विरजस्कं विशोकं यास्यत्ययं भागवतप्रधान: ॥ २१ ॥
sarve vayam tavad ihasmahe ’tha kalevaram yavad asau vihaya lokam param virajaskam visokam yasyaty ayam bhagavata-pradhanah
We shall all wait here until the foremost devotee of the Lord, Maharaja Pariksit, returns to the supreme plane, which is completely free from all mundane contamination and all kinds of lamentation.
आश्रुत्य तदृषिगणवच: परीक्षित् समं मधुच्युद् गुरु चाव्यलीकम् । आभाषतैनानभिनन्द्य युक्तान् शुश्रूषमाणश्चरितानि विष्णो: ॥ २२ ॥
asrutya tad rsi-gana-vacah pariksit samam madhu-cyud guru cavyalikam abhasatainan abhinandya yuktan susrusamanas caritani visnoh
All that was spoken by the great sages was very sweet to hear, full of meaning and appropriately presented as perfectly true. So after hearing them, Maharaja Pariksit, desiring to hear of the activities of Lord Sri Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, congratulated the great sages.
समागता: सर्वत एव सर्वे वेदा यथा मूर्तिधरास्त्रिपृष्ठे । नेहाथ नामुत्र च कश्चनार्थ ऋते परानुग्रहमात्मशीलम् ॥ २३ ॥
samagatah sarvata eva sarve veda yatha murti-dharas tri-prsthe nehatha namutra ca kascanartha rte paranugraham atma-silam
The King said: O great sages, you have all very kindly assembled here, having come from all parts of the universe. You are all as good as supreme knowledge personified, who resides in the plane above the three worlds (Satyaloka). Consequently you are naturally inclined to do good to others, and but for this you have no interest, either in this life or in the next.
ततश्च व: पृच्छ्यमिमं विपृच्छे विश्रभ्य विप्रा इति कृत्यतायाम् । सर्वात्मना म्रियमाणैश्च कृत्यं शुद्धं च तत्रामृशताभियुक्ता: ॥ २४ ॥
tatas ca vah prcchyam imam viprcche visrabhya vipra iti krtyatayam sarvatmana mriyamanais ca krtyam suddham ca tatramrsatabhiyuktah
O trustworthy brahmanas, I now ask you about my immediate duty. Please, after proper deliberation, tell me of the unalloyed duty of everyone in all circumstances, and specifically of those who are just about to die.
तत्राभवद्भगवान् व्यासपुत्रो यदृच्छया गामटमानोऽनपेक्ष: । अलक्ष्यलिङ्गो निजलाभतुष्टो वृतश्च बालैरवधूतवेष: ॥ २५ ॥
tatrabhavad bhagavan vyasa-putro yadrcchaya gam atamano ’napeksah alaksya-lingo nija-labha-tusto vrtas ca balair avadhuta-vesah
At that moment there appeared the powerful son of Vyasadeva, who traveled over the earth disinterested and satisfied with himself. He did not manifest any symptoms of belonging to any social order or status of life. He was surrounded with women and children, and he dressed as if others had neglected him.
तं द्व्यष्टवर्षं सुकुमारपाद- करोरुबाह्वंसकपोलगात्रम् । चार्वायताक्षोन्नसतुल्यकर्ण- सुभ्र्वाननं कम्बुसुजातकण्ठम् ॥ २६ ॥
tam dvyasta-varsam su-kumara-pada- karoru-bahv-amsa-kapola-gatram carv-ayataksonnasa-tulya-karna- subhrv-ananam kambu-sujata-kantham
This son of Vyasadeva was only sixteen years old. His legs, hands, thighs, arms, shoulders, forehead and the other parts of his body were all delicately formed. His eyes were beautifully wide, and his nose and ears were highly raised. He had a very attractive face, and his neck was well formed and beautiful like a conchshell.
निगूढजत्रुं पृथुतुङ्गवक्षस- मावर्तनाभिं वलिवल्गूदरं च । दिगम्बरं वक्त्रविकीर्णकेशं प्रलम्बबाहुं स्वमरोत्तमाभम् ॥ २७ ॥
nigudha-jatrum prthu-tunga-vaksasam avarta-nabhim vali-valgudaram ca dig-ambaram vaktra-vikirna-kesam pralamba-bahum svamarottamabham
His collarbone was fleshy, his chest broad and thick, his navel deep and his abdomen beautifully striped. His arms were long, and curly hair was strewn over his beautiful face. He was naked, and the hue of his body reflected that of Lord Krsna.
श्यामं सदापीव्यवयोऽङ्गलक्ष्म्या स्त्रीणां मनोज्ञं रुचिरस्मितेन । प्रत्युत्थितास्ते मुनय: स्वासनेभ्य- स्तल्लक्षणज्ञा अपि गूढवर्चसम् ॥ २८ ॥
syamam sadapivya-vayo-’nga-laksmya strinam mano-jnam rucira-smitena pratyutthitas te munayah svasanebhyas tal-laksana-jna api gudha-varcasam
He was blackish and very beautiful due to his youth. Because of the glamor of his body and his attractive smiles, he was pleasing to women. Though he tried to cover his natural glories, the great sages present there were all expert in the art of physiognomy, and so they honored him by rising from their seats.
स विष्णुरातोऽतिथय आगताय तस्मै सपर्यां शिरसाजहार । ततो निवृत्ता ह्यबुधा: स्त्रियोऽर्भका महासने सोपविवेश पूजित: ॥ २९ ॥
sa visnu-rato ’tithaya agataya tasmai saparyam sirasajahara tato nivrtta hy abudhah striyo ’rbhaka mahasane sopavivesa pujitah
Maharaja Pariksit, who is also known as Visnurata (one who is always protected by Visnu), bowed his head to receive the chief guest, Sukadeva Gosvami. At that time all the ignorant women and boys ceased following Srila Sukadeva. Receiving respect from all, Sukadeva Gosvami took his exalted seat.
स संवृतस्तत्र महान् महीयसां ब्रह्मर्षिराजर्षिदेवर्षिसङ्घै: । व्यरोचतालं भगवान् यथेन्दु- र्ग्रहर्क्षतारानिकरै: परीत: ॥ ३० ॥
sa samvrtas tatra mahan mahiyasam brahmarsi-rajarsi-devarsi-sanghaih vyarocatalam bhagavan yathendur graharksa-tara-nikaraih paritah
Sukadeva Gosvami was then surrounded by saintly sages and demigods just as the moon is surrounded by stars, planes and other heavenly bodies. His presence was gorgeous, and he was respected by all.
प्रशान्तमासीनमकुण्ठमेधसं मुनिं नृपो भागवतोऽभ्युपेत्य । प्रणम्य मूर्ध्नावहित: कृताञ्जलि- र्नत्वा गिरा सूनृतयान्वपृच्छत् ॥ ३१ ॥
prasantam asinam akuntha-medhasam munim nrpo bhagavato ’bhyupetya pranamya murdhnavahitah krtanjalir natva gira sunrtayanvaprcchat
The sage Sri Sukadeva Gosvami sat perfectly pacified, intelligent and ready to answer any question without hesitation. The great devotee, Maharaja Pariksit, approached him, offered his respects by bowing before him, and politely inquired with sweet words and folded hands.
परीक्षिदुवाच अहो अद्य वयं ब्रह्मन् सत्सेव्या: क्षत्रबन्धव: । कृपयातिथिरूपेण भवद्भिस्तीर्थका: कृता: ॥ ३२ ॥
pariksid uvaca aho adya vayam brahman sat-sevyah ksatra-bandhavah krpayatithi-rupena bhavadbhis tirthakah krtah
The fortunate King Pariksit said: O brahmana, by your mercy only, you have sanctified us, making us like unto places of pilgrimage, all by your presence here as my guest. By your mercy, we, who are but unworthy royalty, become eligible to serve the devotee.
येषां संस्मरणात्पुंसां सद्य: शुद्ध्यन्ति वै गृहा: । किं पुनर्दर्शनस्पर्शपादशौचासनादिभि: ॥ ३३ ॥
yesam samsmaranat pumsam sadyah suddhyanti vai grhah kim punar darsana-sparsa- pada-saucasanadibhih
Simply by our remembering you, our houses become instantly sanctified. And what to speak of seeing you, touching you, washing your holy feet and offering you a seat in our home?
सान्निध्यात्ते महायोगिन्पातकानि महान्त्यपि । सद्यो नश्यन्ति वै पुंसां विष्णोरिव सुरेतरा: ॥ ३४ ॥
sannidhyat te maha-yogin patakani mahanty api sadyo nasyanti vai pumsam visnor iva suretarah
Just as the atheist cannot remain in the presence of the Personality of Godhead, so also the invulnerable sins of a man are immediately vanquished in your presence, O saint! O great mystic!
अपि मे भगवान् प्रीत: कृष्ण: पाण्डुसुतप्रिय: । पैतृष्वसेयप्रीत्यर्थं तद्गोत्रस्यात्तबान्धव: ॥ ३५ ॥
api me bhagavan pritah krsnah pandu-suta-priyah paitr-svaseya-prity-artham tad-gotrasyatta-bandhavah
Lord Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, who is very dear to the sons of King Pandu, has accepted me as one of those relatives just to please His great cousins and brothers.
अन्यथा तेऽव्यक्तगतेर्दर्शनं न: कथं नृणाम् । नितरां म्रियमाणानां संसिद्धस्य वनीयस: ॥ ३६ ॥
anyatha te ’vyakta-gater darsanam nah katham nrnam nitaram mriyamananam samsiddhasya vaniyasah
Otherwise (without being inspired by Lord Krsna) how is it that you have voluntarily appeared here, though you are moving incognito to the common man and are not visible to us who are on the verge of death?
अत: पृच्छामि संसिद्धिं योगिनां परमं गुरुम् । पुरुषस्येह यत्कार्यं म्रियमाणस्य सर्वथा ॥ ३७ ॥
atah prcchami samsiddhim yoginam paramam gurum purusasyeha yat karyam mriyamanasya sarvatha
You are the spiritual master of great saints and devotees. I am therefore begging you to show the way of perfection for all persons, and especially for one who is about to die.
यच्छ्रोतव्यमथो जप्यं यत्कर्तव्यं नृभि: प्रभो । स्मर्तव्यं भजनीयं वा ब्रूहि यद्वा विपर्ययम् ॥ ३८ ॥
yac chrotavyam atho japyam yat kartavyam nrbhih prabho smartavyam bhajaniyam va bruhi yad va viparyayam
Please let me know what a man should hear, chant, remember and worship, and also what he should not do. Please explain all this to me.
नूनं भगवतो ब्रह्मन् गृहेषु गृहमेधिनाम् । न लक्ष्यते ह्यवस्थानमपि गोदोहनं क्वचित् ॥ ३९ ॥
nunam bhagavato brahman grhesu grha-medhinam na laksyate hy avasthanam api go-dohanam kvacit
O powerful brahmana, it is said that you hardly stay in the houses of men long enough to milk a cow.
सूत उवाच एवमाभाषित: पृष्ट: स राज्ञा श्लक्ष्णया गिरा । प्रत्यभाषत धर्मज्ञो भगवान् बादरायणि: ॥ ४० ॥
suta uvaca evam abhasitah prstah sa rajna slaksnaya gira pratyabhasata dharma-jno bhagavan badarayanih
Sri Suta Gosvami said: The King thus spoke and questioned the sage, using sweet language. Then the great and powerful personality, the son of Vyasadeva, who knew the principles of religion, began his reply. END OF THE FIRST CANTO
