Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 3 · Chapter 21
विदुर उवाच स्वायम्भुवस्य च मनोर्वंश: परमसम्मत: । कथ्यतां भगवन् यत्र मैथुनेनैधिरे प्रजा: ॥ १ ॥
vidura uvaca svayambhuvasya ca manor vamsah parama-sammatah kathyatam bhagavan yatra maithunenaidhire prajah
Vidura said: The line of Svayambhuva Manu was most esteemed. O worshipful sage, I beg you—give me an account of this race, whose progeny multiplied through sexual intercourse.
प्रियव्रतोत्तानपादौ सुतौ स्वायम्भुवस्य वै । यथाधर्मं जुगुपतु: सप्तद्वीपवतीं महीम् ॥ २ ॥
priyavratottanapadau sutau svayambhuvasya vai yatha-dharmam jugupatuh sapta-dvipavatim mahim
The two great sons of Svayambhuva Manu—Priyavrata and Uttanapada—ruled the world, consisting of seven islands, just according to religious principles.
तस्य वै दुहिता ब्रह्मन्देवहूतीति विश्रुता । पत्नी प्रजापतेरुक्ता कर्दमस्य त्वयानघ ॥ ३ ॥
tasya vai duhita brahman devahutiti visruta patni prajapater ukta kardamasya tvayanagha
O holy brahmana, O sinless one, you have spoken of his daughter, known by the name Devahuti, as the wife of the sage Kardama, the lord of created beings.
तस्यां स वै महायोगी युक्तायां योगलक्षणै: । ससर्ज कतिधा वीर्यं तन्मे शुश्रूषवे वद ॥ ४ ॥
tasyam sa vai maha-yogi yuktayam yoga-laksanaih sasarja katidha viryam tan me susrusave vada
How many offspring did that great yogi beget through the princess, who was endowed with eightfold perfection in the yoga principles? Oh, pray tell me this, for I am eager to hear it.
रुचिर्यो भगवान् ब्रह्मन्दक्षो वा ब्रह्मण: सुत: । यथा ससर्ज भूतानि लब्ध्वा भार्यां च मानवीम् ॥ ५ ॥
rucir yo bhagavan brahman dakso va brahmanah sutah yatha sasarja bhutani labdhva bharyam ca manavim
O holy sage, tell me how the worshipful Ruci and Daksa, the son of Brahma, generated children after securing as their wives the other two daughters of Svayambhuva Manu.
मैत्रेय उवाच प्रजा: सृजेति भगवान् कर्दमो ब्रह्मणोदित: । सरस्वत्यां तपस्तेपे सहस्राणां समा दश ॥ ६ ॥
maitreya uvaca prajah srjeti bhagavan kardamo brahmanoditah sarasvatyam tapas tepe sahasranam sama dasa
The great sage Maitreya replied: Commanded by Lord Brahma to beget children in the worlds, the worshipful Kardama Muni practiced penance on the bank of the River Sarasvati for a period of ten thousand years.
तत: समाधियुक्तेन क्रियायोगेन कर्दम: । सम्प्रपेदे हरिं भक्त्या प्रपन्नवरदाशुषम् ॥ ७ ॥
tatah samadhi-yuktena kriya-yogena kardamah samprapede harim bhaktya prapanna-varadasusam
During that period of penance, the sage Kardama, by worship through devotional service in trance, propitiated the Personality of Godhead, who is the quick bestower of all blessings upon those who flee to Him for protection.
तावत्प्रसन्नो भगवान् पुष्कराक्ष: कृते युगे । दर्शयामास तं क्षत्त: शाब्दं ब्रह्म दधद्वपु: ॥ ८ ॥
tavat prasanno bhagavan puskaraksah krte yuge darsayam asa tam ksattah sabdam brahma dadhad vapuh
Then, in the Satya-yuga, the lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead, being pleased, showed Himself to that Kardama Muni and displayed His transcendental form, which can be understood only through the Vedas.
स तं विरजमर्काभं सितपद्मोत्पलस्रजम् । स्निग्धनीलालकव्रातवक्त्राब्जं विरजोऽम्बरम् ॥ ९ ॥
sa tam virajam arkabham sita-padmotpala-srajam snigdha-nilalaka-vrata- vaktrabjam virajo ’mbaram
Kardama Muni saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is free from material contamination, in His eternal form, effulgent like the sun, wearing a garland of white lotuses and water lilies. The Lord was clad in spotless yellow silk, and His lotus face was fringed with slick dark locks of curly hair.
किरीटिनं कुण्डलिनं शङ्खचक्रगदाधरम् । श्वेतोत्पलक्रीडनकं मन:स्पर्शस्मितेक्षणम् ॥ १० ॥
kiritinam kundalinam sankha-cakra-gada-dharam svetotpala-kridanakam manah-sparsa-smiteksanam
Adorned with a crown and earrings, He held His characteristic conch, disc and mace in three of His hands and a white lily in the fourth. He glanced about in a happy, smiling mood whose sight captivates the hearts of all devotees.
विन्यस्तचरणाम्भोजमंसदेशे गरुत्मत: । दृष्ट्वा खेऽवस्थितं वक्ष:श्रियं कौस्तुभकन्धरम् ॥ ११ ॥
vinyasta-caranambhojam amsa-dese garutmatah drstva khe ’vasthitam vaksah- sriyam kaustubha-kandharam
A golden streak on His chest, the famous Kaustubha gem suspended from His neck, He stood in the air with His lotus feet placed on the shoulders of Garuda.
जातहर्षोऽपतन्मूर्ध्ना क्षितौ लब्धमनोरथ: । गीर्भिस्त्वभ्यगृणात्प्रीतिस्वभावात्मा कृताञ्जलि: ॥ १२ ॥
jata-harso ’patan murdhna ksitau labdha-manorathah girbhis tv abhyagrnat priti- svabhavatma krtanjalih
When Kardama Muni actually realized the Supreme Personality of Godhead in person, he was greatly satisfied because his transcendental desire was fulfilled. He fell on the ground with his head bowed to offer obeisances unto the lotus feet of the Lord. His heart naturally full of love of God, with folded hands he satisfied the Lord with prayers.
ऋषिरुवाच जुष्टं बताद्याखिलसत्त्वराशे: सांसिद्ध्यमक्ष्णोस्तव दर्शनान्न: । यद्दर्शनं जन्मभिरीड्य सद्भि- राशासते योगिनो रूढयोगा: ॥ १३ ॥
rsir uvaca justam batadyakhila-sattva-raseh samsiddhyam aksnos tava darsanan nah yad-darsanam janmabhir idya sadbhir asasate yogino rudha-yogah
The great sage Kardama said: O supreme worshipful Lord, my power of sight is now fulfilled, having attained the greatest perfection of the sight of You, who are the reservoir of all existences. Through many successive births of deep meditation, advanced yogis aspire to see Your transcendental form.
ये मायया ते हतमेधसस्त्वत्- पादारविन्दं भवसिन्धुपोतम् । उपासते कामलवाय तेषां रासीश कामान्निरयेऽपि ये स्यु: ॥ १४ ॥
ye mayaya te hata-medhasas tvat- padaravindam bhava-sindhu-potam upasate kama-lavaya tesam rasisa kaman niraye ’pi ye syuh
Your lotus feet are the true vessel to take one across the ocean of mundane nescience. Only persons deprived of their intelligence by the spell of the deluding energy will worship those feet with a view to attain the trivial and momentary pleasures of the senses, which even persons rotting in hell can attain. However, O my Lord, You are so kind that You bestow mercy even upon them.
तथा स चाहं परिवोढुकाम: समानशीलां गृहमेधधेनुम् । उपेयिवान्मूलमशेषमूलं दुराशय: कामदुघाङ्घ्रिपस्य ॥ १५ ॥
tatha sa caham parivodhu-kamah samana-silam grhamedha-dhenum upeyivan mulam asesa-mulam durasayah kama-dughanghripasya
Therefore, desiring to marry a girl of like disposition who may prove to be a veritable cow of plenty in my married life, to satisfy my lustful desire I too have sought the shelter of Your lotus feet, which are the source of everything, for You are like a desire tree.
प्रजापतेस्ते वचसाधीश तन्त्या लोक: किलायं कामहतोऽनुबद्ध: । अहं च लोकानुगतो वहामि बलिं च शुक्लानिमिषाय तुभ्यम् ॥ १६ ॥
prajapates te vacasadhisa tantya lokah kilayam kama-hato ’nubaddhah aham ca lokanugato vahami balim ca suklanimisaya tubhyam
O my Lord, You are the master and leader of all living entities. Under Your direction, all conditioned souls, as if bound by rope, are constantly engaged in satisfying their desires. Following them, O embodiment of religion, I also bear oblations for You, who are eternal time.
लोकांश्च लोकानुगतान् पशूंश्च हित्वा श्रितास्ते चरणातपत्रम् । परस्परं त्वद्गुणवादसीधु- पीयूषनिर्यापितदेहधर्मा: ॥ १७ ॥
lokams ca lokanugatan pasums ca hitva sritas te caranatapatram parasparam tvad-guna-vada-sidhu- piyusa-niryapita-deha-dharmah
However, persons who have given up stereotyped worldly affairs and the beastly followers of these affairs, and who have taken shelter of the umbrella of Your lotus feet by drinking the intoxicating nectar of Your qualities and activities in discussions with one another, can be freed from the primary necessities of the material body.
न तेऽजराक्षभ्रमिरायुरेषां त्रयोदशारं त्रिशतं षष्टिपर्व । षण्नेम्यनन्तच्छदि यत्त्रिणाभि करालस्रोतो जगदाच्छिद्य धावत् ॥ १८ ॥
na te ’jaraksa-bhramir ayur esam trayodasaram tri-satam sasti-parva san-nemy ananta-cchadi yat tri-nabhi karala-sroto jagad acchidya dhavat
Your wheel, which has three naves, rotates around the axis of the imperishable Brahman. It has thirteen spokes, 360 joints, six rims and numberless leaves carved upon it. Though its revolution cuts short the life-span of the entire creation, this wheel of tremendous velocity cannot touch the life-span of the devotees of the Lord.
एक: स्वयं सञ्जगत: सिसृक्षया- द्वितीययात्मन्नधियोगमायया । सृजस्यद: पासि पुनर्ग्रसिष्यसे यथोर्णनाभिर्भगवन् स्वशक्तिभि: ॥ १९ ॥
ekah svayam san jagatah sisrksaya- dvitiyayatmann adhi-yogamayaya srjasy adah pasi punar grasisyase yathorna-nabhir bhagavan sva-saktibhih
My dear Lord, You alone create the universes. O Personality of Godhead, desiring to create these universes, You create them, maintain them and again wind them up by Your own energies, which are under the control of Your second energy, called yogamaya, just as a spider creates a cobweb by its own energy and again winds it up.
नैतद्बताधीश पदं तवेप्सितं यन्मायया नस्तनुषे भूतसूक्ष्मम् । अनुग्रहायास्त्वपि यर्ही मायया लसत्तुलस्या भगवान् विलक्षित: ॥ २० ॥
naitad batadhisa padam tavepsitam yan mayaya nas tanuse bhuta-suksmam anugrahayastv api yarhi mayaya lasat-tulasya bhagavan vilaksitah
My dear Lord, although it is not Your desire, You manifest this creation of gross and subtle elements just for our sensual satisfaction. Let Your causeless mercy be upon us, for You have appeared before us in Your eternal form, adorned with a splendid wreath of tulasi leaves.
तं त्वानुभूत्योपरतक्रियार्थं स्वमायया वर्तितलोकतन्त्रम् । नमाम्यभीक्ष्णं नमनीयपाद- सरोजमल्पीयसि कामवर्षम् ॥ २१ ॥
tam tvanubhutyoparata-kriyartham sva-mayaya vartita-loka-tantram namamy abhiksnam namaniya-pada- sarojam alpiyasi kama-varsam
I continuously offer my respectful obeisances unto Your lotus feet, of which it is worthy to take shelter, because You shower all benedictions on the insignificant. To give all living entities detachment from fruitive activity by realizing You, You have expanded these material worlds by Your own energy.
ऋषिरुवाच इत्यव्यलीकं प्रणुतोऽब्जनाभ- स्तमाबभाषे वचसामृतेन । सुपर्णपक्षोपरि रोचमान: प्रेमस्मितोद्वीक्षणविभ्रमद्भ्रू: ॥ २२ ॥
rsir uvaca ity avyalikam pranuto ’bja-nabhas tam ababhase vacasamrtena suparna-paksopari rocamanah prema-smitodviksana-vibhramad-bhruh
Maitreya resumed: Sincerely extolled in these words, Lord Visnu, shining very beautifully on the shoulders of Garuda, replied with words as sweet as nectar. His eyebrows moved gracefully as He looked at the sage with a smile full of affection.
श्रीभगवानुवाच विदित्वा तव चैत्यं मे पुरैव समयोजि तत् । यदर्थमात्मनियमैस्त्वयैवाहं समर्चित: ॥ २३ ॥
sri-bhagavan uvaca viditva tava caityam me puraiva samayoji tat yad-artham atma-niyamais tvayaivaham samarcitah
The Supreme Lord said: Having come to know what was in your mind, I have already arranged for that for which you have worshiped Me well through your mental and sensory discipline.
न वै जातु मृषैव स्यात्प्रजाध्यक्ष मदर्हणम् । भवद्विधेष्वतितरां मयि संगृभितात्मनाम् ॥ २४ ॥
na vai jatu mrsaiva syat prajadhyaksa mad-arhanam bhavad-vidhesv atitaram mayi sangrbhitatmanam
The Lord continued: My dear rsi, O leader of the living entities, for those who serve Me in devotion by worshiping Me, especially persons like you who have given up everything unto Me, there is never any question of frustration.
प्रजापतिसुत: सम्राण्मनुर्विख्यातमङ्गल: । ब्रह्मावर्तं योऽधिवसन् शास्ति सप्तार्णवां महीम् ॥ २५ ॥
prajapati-sutah samran manur vikhyata-mangalah brahmavartam yo ’dhivasan sasti saptarnavam mahim
The Emperor Svayambhuva Manu, the son of Lord Brahma, who is well known for his righteous acts, has his seat in Brahmavarta and rules over the earth with its seven oceans.
स चेह विप्र राजर्षिर्महिष्या शतरूपया । आयास्यति दिदृक्षुस्त्वां परश्वो धर्मकोविद: ॥ २६ ॥
sa ceha vipra rajarsir mahisya satarupaya ayasyati didrksus tvam parasvo dharma-kovidah
The day after tomorrow, O brahmana, that celebrated emperor, who is expert in religious activities, will come here with his queen, Satarupa, wishing to see you.
आत्मजामसितापाङ्गीं वय:शीलगुणान्विताम् । मृगयन्तीं पतिं दास्यत्यनुरूपाय ते प्रभो ॥ २७ ॥
atmajam asitapangim vayah-sila-gunanvitam mrgayantim patim dasyaty anurupaya te prabho
He has a grown-up daughter whose eyes are black. She is ready for marriage, and she has good character and all good qualities. She is also searching for a good husband. My dear sir, her parents will come to see you, who are exactly suitable for her, just to deliver their daughter as your wife.
समाहितं ते हृदयं यत्रेमान् परिवत्सरान् । सा त्वां ब्रह्मन्नृपवधू: काममाशु भजिष्यति ॥ २८ ॥
samahitam te hrdayam yatreman parivatsaran sa tvam brahman nrpa-vadhuh kamam asu bhajisyati
That princess, O holy sage, will be just the type you have been thinking of in your heart for all these long years. She will soon be yours and will serve you to your heart’s content.
या त आत्मभृतं वीर्यं नवधा प्रसविष्यति । वीर्ये त्वदीये ऋषय आधास्यन्त्यञ्जसात्मन: ॥ २९ ॥
ya ta atma-bhrtam viryam navadha prasavisyati virye tvadiye rsaya adhasyanty anjasatmanah
She will bring forth nine daughters from the seed sown in her by you, and through the daughters you beget, the sages will duly beget children.
त्वं च सम्यगनुष्ठाय निदेशं म उशत्तम: । मयि तीर्थीकृताशेषक्रियार्थो मां प्रपत्स्यसे ॥ ३० ॥
tvam ca samyag anusthaya nidesam ma usattamah mayi tirthi-krtasesa- kriyartho mam prapatsyase
With your heart cleansed by properly carrying out My command, resigning to Me the fruits of all your acts, you will finally attain to Me.
कृत्वा दयां च जीवेषु दत्त्वा चाभयमात्मवान् । मय्यात्मानं सह जगद् द्रक्ष्यस्यात्मनि चापि माम् ॥ ३१ ॥
krtva dayam ca jivesu dattva cabhayam atmavan mayy atmanam saha jagad draksyasy atmani capi mam
Showing compassion to all living entities, you will attain self-realization. Giving assurance of safety to all, you will perceive your own self as well as all the universes in Me, and Myself in you.
सहाहं स्वांशकलया त्वद्वीर्येण महामुने । तव क्षेत्रे देवहूत्यां प्रणेष्ये तत्त्वसंहिताम् ॥ ३२ ॥
sahaham svamsa-kalaya tvad-viryena maha-mune tava ksetre devahutyam pranesye tattva-samhitam
O great sage, I shall manifest My own plenary portion through your wife, Devahuti, along with your nine daughters, and I shall instruct her in the system of philosophy that deals with the ultimate principles or categories.
मैत्रेय उवाच एवं तमनुभाष्याथ भगवान् प्रत्यगक्षज: । जगाम बिन्दुसरस: सरस्वत्या परिश्रितात् ॥ ३३ ॥
maitreya uvaca evam tam anubhasyatha bhagavan pratyag-aksajah jagama bindusarasah sarasvatya parisritat
Maitreya went on: Thus having spoken to Kardama Muni, the Lord, who reveals Himself only when the senses are in Krsna consciousness, departed from that lake called Bindu-sarovara, which was encircled by the River Sarasvati.
निरीक्षतस्तस्य ययावशेष- सिद्धेश्वराभिष्टुतसिद्धमार्ग: । आकर्णयन् पत्ररथेन्द्रपक्षै- रुच्चारितं स्तोममुदीर्णसाम ॥ ३४ ॥
niriksatas tasya yayav asesa- siddhesvarabhistuta-siddha-margah akarnayan patra-rathendra-paksair uccaritam stomam udirna-sama
While the sage stood looking on, the Lord left by the pathway leading to Vaikuntha, a path extolled by all great liberated souls. The sage stood listening as the hymns forming the basis of the Sama Veda were vibrated by the flapping wings of the Lord’s carrier, Garuda.
अथ सम्प्रस्थिते शुक्ले कर्दमो भगवानृषि: । आस्ते स्म बिन्दुसरसि तं कालं प्रतिपालयन् ॥ ३५ ॥
atha samprasthite sukle kardamo bhagavan rsih aste sma bindusarasi tam kalam pratipalayan
Then, after the departure of the Lord, the worshipful sage Kardama stayed on the bank of Bindu-sarovara, awaiting the time of which the Lord had spoken.
मनु: स्यन्दनमास्थाय शातकौम्भपरिच्छदम् । आरोप्य स्वां दुहितरं सभार्य: पर्यटन्महीम् ॥ ३६ ॥
manuh syandanam asthaya satakaumbha-paricchadam aropya svam duhitaram sa-bharyah paryatan mahim
Svayambhuva Manu, with his wife, mounted his chariot, which was decorated with golden ornaments. Placing his daughter on it with them, he began traveling all over the earth.
तस्मिन् सुधन्वन्नहनि भगवान् यत्समादिशत् । उपायादाश्रमपदं मुने: शान्तव्रतस्य तत् ॥ ३७ ॥
tasmin sudhanvann ahani bhagavan yat samadisat upayad asrama-padam muneh santa-vratasya tat
O Vidura, they reached the hermitage of the sage, who had just completed his vows of austerity on the very day foretold by the Lord.
यस्मिन् भगवतो नेत्रान्न्यपतन्नश्रुबिन्दव: । कृपया सम्परीतस्य प्रपन्नेऽर्पितया भृशम् ॥ ३८ ॥ तद्वै बिन्दुसरो नाम सरस्वत्या परिप्लुतम् । पुण्यं शिवामृतजलं महर्षिगणसेवितम् ॥ ३९ ॥
yasmin bhagavato netran nyapatann asru-bindavah krpaya samparitasya prapanne ’rpitaya bhrsam tad vai bindusaro nama sarasvatya pariplutam punyam sivamrta-jalam maharsi-gana-sevitam
The holy Lake Bindu-sarovara, flooded by the waters of the river Sarasvati, was resorted to by hosts of eminent sages. Its holy water was not only auspicious but as sweet as nectar. It was called Bindu-sarovara because drops of tears had fallen there from the eyes of the Lord, who was overwhelmed by extreme compassion for the sage who had sought His protection.
पुण्यद्रुमलताजालै: कूजत्पुण्यमृगद्विजै: । सर्वर्तुफलपुष्पाढ्यं वनराजिश्रियान्वितम् ॥ ४० ॥
punya-druma-lata-jalaih kujat-punya-mrga-dvijaih sarvartu-phala-puspadhyam vana-raji-sriyanvitam
The shore of the lake was surrounded by clusters of pious trees and creepers, rich in fruits and flowers of all seasons, that afforded shelter to pious animals and birds, which uttered various cries. It was adorned by the beauty of groves of forest trees.
मत्तद्विजगणैर्घुष्टं मत्तभ्रमरविभ्रमम् । मत्तबर्हिनटाटोपमाह्वयन्मत्तकोकिलम् ॥ ४१ ॥
matta-dvija-ganair ghustam matta-bhramara-vibhramam matta-barhi-natatopam ahvayan-matta-kokilam
The area resounded with the notes of overjoyed birds. Intoxicated bees wandered there, intoxicated peacocks proudly danced, and merry cuckoos called one another.
कदम्बचम्पकाशोककरञ्जबकुलासनै: । कुन्दमन्दारकुटजैश्चूतपोतैरलङ्कृतम् ॥ ४२ ॥ कारण्डवै: प्लवैर्हंसै: कुररैर्जलकुक्कुटै: । सारसैश्चक्रवाकैश्च चकोरैर्वल्गु कूजितम् ॥ ४३ ॥
kadamba-campakasoka- karanja-bakulasanaih kunda-mandara-kutajais cuta-potair alankrtam karandavaih plavair hamsaih kurarair jala-kukkutaih sarasais cakravakais ca cakorair valgu kujitam
Lake Bindu-sarovara was adorned by flowering trees such as kadamba, campaka, asoka, karanja, bakula, asana, kunda, mandara, kutaja and young mango trees. The air was filled with the pleasing notes of karandava ducks, plavas, swans, ospreys, waterfowl, cranes, cakravakas and cakoras.
तथैव हरिणै: क्रोडै: श्वाविद्गवयकुञ्जरै: । गोपुच्छैर्हरिभिर्मर्कैर्नकुलैर्नाभिभिर्वृतम् ॥ ४४ ॥
tathaiva harinaih krodaih svavid-gavaya-kunjaraih gopucchair haribhir markair nakulair nabhibhir vrtam
Its shores abounded with deer, boars, porcupines, gavayas, elephants, baboons, lions, monkeys, mongooses and musk deer.
प्रविश्य तत्तीर्थवरमादिराज: सहात्मज: । ददर्श मुनिमासीनं तस्मिन् हुतहुताशनम् ॥ ४५ ॥ विद्योतमानं वपुषा तपस्युग्रयुजा चिरम् । नातिक्षामं भगवत: स्निग्धापाङ्गावलोकनात् । त द्वयहृतामृतकलापीयूषश्रवणेन च ॥ ४६ ॥ प्रांशुं पद्मपलाशाक्षं जटिलं चीरवाससम् । उपसंश्रित्य मलिनं यथार्हणमसंस्कृतम् ॥ ४७ ॥
pravisya tat tirtha-varam adi-rajah sahatmajah dadarsa munim asinam tasmin huta-hutasanam vidyotamanam vapusa tapasy ugra-yuja ciram natiksamam bhagavatah snigdhapangavalokanat tad-vyahrtamrta-kala- piyusa-sravanena ca pramsum padma-palasaksam jatilam cira-vasasam upasamsritya malinam yatharhanam asamskrtam
Entering that most sacred spot with his daughter and going near the sage, the first monarch, Svayambhuva Manu, saw the sage sitting in his hermitage, having just propitiated the sacred fire by pouring oblations into it. His body shone most brilliantly; though he had engaged in austere penance for a long time, he was not emaciated, for the Lord had cast His affectionate sidelong glance upon him and he had also heard the nectar flowing from the moonlike words of the Lord. The sage was tall, his eyes were large, like the petals of a lotus, and he had matted locks on his head. He was clad in rags. Svayambhuva Manu approached and saw him to be somewhat soiled, like an unpolished gem.
अथोटजमुपायातं नृदेवं प्रणतं पुर: । सपर्यया पर्यगृह्णात्प्रतिनन्द्यानुरूपया ॥ ४८ ॥
athotajam upayatam nrdevam pranatam purah saparyaya paryagrhnat pratinandyanurupaya
Seeing that the monarch had come to his hermitage and was bowing before him, the sage greeted him with benediction and received him with due honor.
गृहीतार्हणमासीनं संयतं प्रीणयन्मुनि: । स्मरन् भगवदादेशमित्याह श्लक्ष्णया गिरा ॥ ४९ ॥
grhitarhanam asinam samyatam prinayan munih smaran bhagavad-adesam ity aha slaksnaya gira
After receiving the sage’s attention, the King sat down and was silent. Recalling the instructions of the Lord, Kardama then spoke to the King as follows, delighting him with his sweet accents.
नूनं चङ्क्रमणं देव सतां संरक्षणाय ते । वधाय चासतां यस्त्वं हरे: शक्तिर्हि पालिनी ॥ ५० ॥
nunam cankramanam deva satam samraksanaya te vadhaya casatam yas tvam hareh saktir hi palini
The tour you have undertaken, O lord, is surely intended to protect the virtuous and kill the demons, since you embody the protecting energy of Sri Hari.
योऽर्केन्द्वग्नीन्द्रवायूनां यमधर्मप्रचेतसाम् । रूपाणि स्थान आधत्से तस्मै शुक्लाय ते नम: ॥ ५१ ॥
yo ’rkendv-agnindra-vayunam yama-dharma-pracetasam rupani sthana adhatse tasmai suklaya te namah
You assume, when necessary, the part of the sun-god; the moon-god; Agni, the god of fire; Indra, the lord of paradise; Vayu, the wind-god; Yama, the god of punishment; Dharma, the god of piety; and Varuna, the god presiding over the waters. All obeisances to you, who are none other than Lord Visnu!
न यदा रथमास्थाय जैत्रं मणिगणार्पितम् । विस्फूर्जच्चण्डकोदण्डो रथेन त्रासयन्नघान् ॥ ५२ ॥ स्वसैन्यचरणक्षुण्णं वेपयन्मण्डलं भुव: । विकर्षन् बृहतीं सेनां पर्यटस्यंशुमानिव ॥ ५३ ॥ तदैव सेतव: सर्वे वर्णाश्रमनिबन्धना: । भगवद्रचिता राजन् भिद्येरन् बत दस्युभि: ॥ ५४ ॥
na yada ratham asthaya jaitram mani-ganarpitam visphurjac-canda-kodando rathena trasayann aghan sva-sainya-carana-ksunnam vepayan mandalam bhuvah vikarsan brhatim senam paryatasy amsuman iva tadaiva setavah sarve varnasrama-nibandhanah bhagavad-racita rajan bhidyeran bata dasyubhih
If you did not mount your victorious jeweled chariot, whose mere presence threatens culprits, if you did not produce fierce sounds by the twanging of your bow, and if you did not roam about the world like the brilliant sun, leading a huge army whose trampling feet cause the globe of the earth to tremble, then all the moral laws governing the varnas and asramas created by the Lord Himself would be broken by the rogues and rascals.
अधर्मश्च समेधेत लोलुपैर्व्यङ्कुशैर्नृभि: । शयाने त्वयि लोकोऽयं दस्युग्रस्तो विनङ्क्ष्यति ॥ ५५ ॥
adharmas ca samedheta lolupair vyankusair nrbhih sayane tvayi loko ’yam dasyu-grasto vinanksyati
If you gave up all thought of the world’s situation, unrighteousness would flourish, for men who hanker only after money would be unopposed. Such miscreants would attack, and the world would perish.
अथापि पृच्छे त्वां वीर यदर्थं त्वमिहागत: । तद्वयं निर्व्यलीकेन प्रतिपद्यामहे हृदा ॥ ५६ ॥
athapi prcche tvam vira yad-artham tvam ihagatah tad vayam nirvyalikena pratipadyamahe hrda
In spite of all this, I ask you, O valiant King, the purpose for which you have come here. Whatever it may be, we shall carry it out without reservation.
