Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 4 · Chapter 30
विदुर उवाच ये त्वयाभिहिता ब्रह्मन् सुता: प्राचीनबर्हिष: । ते रुद्रगीतेन हरिं सिद्धिमापु: प्रतोष्य काम् ॥ १ ॥
vidura uvaca ye tvayabhihita brahman sutah pracinabarhisah te rudra-gitena harim siddhim apuh pratosya kam
Vidura inquired from Maitreya: O brahmana, you formerly spoke about the sons of Pracinabarhi and informed me that they satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead by chanting a song composed by Lord Siva. What did they achieve in this way?
किं बार्हस्पत्येह परत्र वाथ कैवल्यनाथप्रियपार्श्ववर्तिन: । आसाद्य देवं गिरिशं यदृच्छया प्रापु: परं नूनमथ प्रचेतस: ॥ २ ॥
kim barhaspatyeha paratra vatha kaivalya-natha-priya-parsva-vartinah asadya devam girisam yadrcchaya prapuh param nunam atha pracetasah
My dear Barhaspatya, what did the sons of King Barhisat, known as the Pracetas, obtain after meeting Lord Siva, who is very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the bestower of liberation? Certainly they were transferred to the spiritual world, but apart from that, what did they obtain within this material world, either in this life or in other lives?
मैत्रेय उवाच प्रचेतसोऽन्तरुदधौ पितुरादेशकारिण: । जपयज्ञेन तपसा पुरञ्जनमतोषयन् ॥ ३ ॥
maitreya uvaca pracetaso ’ntar udadhau pitur adesa-karinah japa-yajnena tapasa puranjanam atosayan
The great sage Maitreya said: The sons of King Pracinabarhi, known as the Pracetas, underwent severe austerities within the seawater to carry out the order of their father. By chanting and repeating the mantras given by Lord Siva, they were able to satisfy Lord Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
दशवर्षसहस्रान्ते पुरुषस्तु सनातन: । तेषामाविरभूत्कृच्छ्रं शान्तेन शमयन् रुचा ॥ ४ ॥
dasa-varsa-sahasrante purusas tu sanatanah tesam avirabhut krcchram santena samayan ruca
At the end of ten thousand years of severe austerities performed by the Pracetas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to reward their austerities, appeared before them in His very pleasing form. This appealed to the Pracetas and satisfied the labor of their austerities.
सुपर्णस्कन्धमारूढो मेरुशृङ्गमिवाम्बुद: । पीतवासा मणिग्रीव: कुर्वन्वितिमिरा दिश: ॥ ५ ॥
suparna-skandham arudho meru-srngam ivambudah pita-vasa mani-grivah kurvan vitimira disah
The Personality of Godhead, appearing on the shoulder of Garuda, seemed like a cloud resting on the summit of the mountain known as Meru. The transcendental body of the Personality of Godhead was covered by attractive yellow garments, and His neck was decorated with the jewel known as Kaustubha-mani. The bodily effulgence of the Lord dissipated all the darkness of the universe.
काशिष्णुना कनकवर्णविभूषणेन भ्राजत्कपोलवदनो विलसत्किरीट: । अष्टायुधैरनुचरैर्मुनिभि: सुरेन्द्रै- रासेवितो गरुडकिन्नरगीतकीर्ति: ॥ ६ ॥
kasisnuna kanaka-varna-vibhusanena bhrajat-kapola-vadano vilasat-kiritah astayudhair anucarair munibhih surendrair asevito garuda-kinnara-gita-kirtih
The Lord’s face was very beautiful, and His head was decorated with a shining helmet and golden ornaments. The helmet was dazzling and was very beautifully situated on His head. The Lord had eight arms, which each held a particular weapon. The Lord was surrounded by demigods, great sages and other associates. These were all engaged in His service. Garuda, the carrier of the Lord, glorified the Lord with Vedic hymns by flapping his wings. Garuda appeared to be an inhabitant of the plane known as Kinnaraloka.
पीनायताष्टभुजमण्डलमध्यलक्ष्म्या स्पर्धच्छ्रिया परिवृतो वनमालयाद्य: । बर्हिष्मत: पुरुष आह सुतान् प्रपन्नान् पर्जन्यनादरुतया सघृणावलोक: ॥ ७ ॥
pinayatasta-bhuja-mandala-madhya-laksmya spardhac-chriya parivrto vana-malayadyah barhismatah purusa aha sutan prapannan parjanya-nada-rutaya saghrnavalokah
Around the neck of the Personality of Godhead hung a flower garland that reached to His knees. His eight stout and elongated arms were decorated with that garland, which challenged the beauty of the goddess of fortune. With a merciful glance and a voice like thunder, the Lord addressed the sons of King Pracinabarhisat, who were very much surrendered unto Him.
श्रीभगवानुवाच वरं वृणीध्वं भद्रं वो यूयं मे नृपनन्दना: । सौहार्देनापृथग्धर्मास्तुष्टोऽहं सौहृदेन व: ॥ ८ ॥
sri-bhagavan uvaca varam vrnidhvam bhadram vo yuyam me nrpa-nandanah sauhardenaprthag-dharmas tusto ’ham sauhrdena vah
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear sons of the King, I am very much pleased by the friendly relationships among you. All of you are engaged in one occupation—devotional service. I am so pleased with your mutual friendship that I wish you all good fortune. Now you may ask a benediction of Me.
योऽनुस्मरति सन्ध्यायां युष्माननुदिनं नर: । तस्य भ्रातृष्वात्मसाम्यं तथा भूतेषु सौहृदम् ॥ ९ ॥
yo ’nusmarati sandhyayam yusman anudinam narah tasya bhratrsv atma-samyam tatha bhutesu sauhrdam
The Lord continued: Those who remember you every evening of every day will become friendly with their brothers and with all other living entities.
ये तु मां रुद्रगीतेन सायं प्रात: समाहिता: । स्तुवन्त्यहं कामवरान्दास्ये प्रज्ञां च शोभनाम् ॥ १० ॥
ye tu mam rudra-gitena sayam pratah samahitah stuvanty aham kama-varan dasye prajnam ca sobhanam
Those who will offer Me the prayers composed by Lord Siva, both in the morning and in the evening, will be given benedictions by Me. In this way they can both fulfill their desires and attain good intelligence.
यद्यूयं पितुरादेशमग्रहीष्ट मुदान्विता: । अथो व उशती कीर्तिर्लोकाननु भविष्यति ॥ ११ ॥
yad yuyam pitur adesam agrahista mudanvitah atho va usati kirtir lokan anu bhavisyati
Because you have with pleasure accepted within your hearts the orders of your father and have executed those orders very faithfully, your attractive qualities will be celebrated all over the world.
भविता विश्रुत: पुत्रोऽनवमो ब्रह्मणो गुणै: । य एतामात्मवीर्येण त्रिलोकीं पूरयिष्यति ॥ १२ ॥
bhavita visrutah putro ’navamo brahmano gunaih ya etam atma-viryena tri-lokim purayisyati
You will have a nice son, who will be in no way inferior to Lord Brahma. Consequently, he will be very famous all over the universe, and the sons and grandsons generated by him will fill the three worlds.
कण्डो: प्रम्लोचया लब्धा कन्या कमललोचना । तां चापविद्धां जगृहुर्भूरुहा नृपनन्दना: ॥ १३ ॥
kandoh pramlocaya labdha kanya kamala-locana tam capaviddham jagrhur bhuruha nrpa-nandanah
O sons of King Pracinabarhisat, the heavenly society girl named Pramloca kept the lotus-eyed daughter of Kandu in the care of the forest trees. Then she went back to the heavenly plane. This daughter was born by the coupling of the Apsara named Pramloca with the sage Kandu.
क्षुत्क्षामाया मुखे राजा सोम: पीयूषवर्षिणीम् । देशिनीं रोदमानाया निदधे स दयान्वित: ॥ १४ ॥
ksut-ksamaya mukhe raja somah piyusa-varsinim desinim rodamanaya nidadhe sa dayanvitah
Thereafter the child, who was left to the care of the trees, began to cry in hunger. At that time the king of the forest, namely the king of the moon plane, out of compassion placed his finger, which poured forth nectar, within the child’s mouth. Thus the child was raised by the mercy of the king of the moon.
प्रजाविसर्ग आदिष्टा: पित्रा मामनुवर्तता । तत्र कन्यां वरारोहां तामुद्वहत मा चिरम् ॥ १५ ॥
praja-visarga adistah pitra mam anuvartata tatra kanyam vararoham tam udvahata ma ciram
Since all of you are very much obedient to My orders, I ask you to immediately marry that girl, who is so well qualified with beauty and good qualities. According to the order of your father, create progeny through her.
अपृथग्धर्मशीलानां सर्वेषां व: सुमध्यमा । अपृथग्धर्मशीलेयं भूयात्पत्न्यर्पिताशया ॥ १६ ॥
aprthag-dharma-silanam sarvesam vah sumadhyama aprthag-dharma-sileyam bhuyat patny arpitasaya
You brothers are all of the same nature, being devotees and obedient sons of your father. Similarly, that girl is also of the same type and is dedicated to all of you. Thus both the girl and you, the sons of Pracinabarhisat, are on the same platform, being united on a common principle.
दिव्यवर्षसहस्राणां सहस्रमहतौजस: । भौमान् भोक्ष्यथ भोगान् वै दिव्यांश्चानुग्रहान्मम ॥ १७ ॥
divya-varsa-sahasranam sahasram ahataujasah bhauman bhoksyatha bhogan vai divyams canugrahan mama
The Lord then blessed all the Pracetas, saying: My dear princes, by My mercy, you can enjoy all the facilities of this world as well as the heavenly world. Indeed, you can enjoy all of them without hindrance and with full strength for one million celestial years.
अथ मय्यनपायिन्या भक्त्या पक्वगुणाशया: । उपयास्यथ मद्धाम निर्विद्य निरयादत: ॥ १८ ॥
atha mayy anapayinya bhaktya pakva-gunasayah upayasyatha mad-dhama nirvidya nirayad atah
Thereafter you will develop unadulterated devotional service unto Me and be freed from all material contamination. At that time, being completely unattached to material enjoyment in the so-called heavenly planes as well as in hellish planes, you will return home, back to Godhead.
गृहेष्वाविशतां चापि पुंसां कुशलकर्मणाम् । मद्वार्तायातयामानां न बन्धाय गृहा मता: ॥ १९ ॥
grhesv avisatam capi pumsam kusala-karmanam mad-varta-yata-yamanam na bandhaya grha matah
Those who are engaged in auspicious activities in devotional service certainly understand that the ultimate enjoyer or beneficiary of all activities is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus when one acts, he offers the results to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and passes life always engaged in the topics of the Lord. Even though such a person may be participating in family life, he is not affected by the results of his actions.
नव्यवद्धृदये यज्ज्ञो ब्रह्मैतद्ब्रह्मवादिभि: । न मुह्यन्ति न शोचन्ति न हृष्यन्ति यतो गता: ॥ २० ॥
navyavad dhrdaye yaj jno brahmaitad brahma-vadibhih na muhyanti na socanti na hrsyanti yato gatah
Always engaging in the activities of devotional service, devotees feel ever-increasingly fresh and new in all their activities. The all-knower, the Supersoul within the heart of the devotee, makes everything increasingly fresh. This is known as the Brahman position by the advocates of the Absolute Truth. In such a liberated stage (brahma-bhuta), one is never bewildered. Nor does one lament or become unnecessarily jubilant. This is due to the brahma-bhuta situation.
मैत्रेय उवाच एवं ब्रुवाणं पुरुषार्थभाजनं जनार्दनं प्राञ्जलय: प्रचेतस: । तद्दर्शनध्वस्ततमोरजोमला गिरागृणन् गद्गदया सुहृत्तमम् ॥ २१ ॥
maitreya uvaca evam bruvanam purusartha-bhajanam janardanam pranjalayah pracetasah tad-darsana-dhvasta-tamo-rajo-mala giragrnan gadgadaya suhrttamam
The great sage Maitreya said: After the Personality of Godhead spoke thus, the Pracetas began to offer Him prayers. The Lord is the bestower of all success in life and is the supreme benefactor. He is also the supreme friend who takes away all miserable conditions experienced by a devotee. In a faltering voice, due to ecstasy, the Pracetas began to offer prayers. They were purified by the presence of the Lord, who was before them face to face.
pracetasa ucuh namo namah klesa-vinasanaya nirupitodara-gunahvayaya mano-vaco-vega-puro-javaya sarvaksa-margair agatadhvane namah
The Pracetas spoke as follows: Dear Lord, You relieve all kinds of material distress. Your magnanimous transcendental qualities and holy name are all-auspicious. This conclusion is already settled. You can go faster than the speed of mind and words. You cannot be perceived by material senses. We therefore offer You respectful obeisances again and again.
शुद्धाय शान्ताय नम: स्वनिष्ठया मनस्यपार्थं विलसद्द्वयाय । नमो जगत्स्थानलयोदयेषु गृहीतमायागुणविग्रहाय ॥ २३ ॥
suddhaya santaya namah sva-nisthaya manasy apartham vilasad-dvayaya namo jagat-sthana-layodayesu grhita-maya-guna-vigrahaya
Dear Lord, we beg to offer our obeisances unto You. When the mind is fixed upon You, the world of duality, although a place for material enjoyment, appears meaningless. Your transcendental form is full of transcendental bliss. We therefore offer our respects unto You. Your appearances as Lord Brahma, Lord Visnu and Lord Siva are meant for the purpose of creating, maintaining and annihilating this cosmic manifestation.
नमो विशुद्धसत्त्वाय हरये हरिमेधसे । वासुदेवाय कृष्णाय प्रभवे सर्वसात्वताम् ॥ २४ ॥
namo visuddha-sattvaya haraye hari-medhase vasudevaya krsnaya prabhave sarva-satvatam
Dear Lord, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You because Your existence is completely independent of all material influences. Your Lordship always takes away the devotee’s miserable conditions, for Your brain plans how to do so. You live everywhere as Paramatma; therefore You are known as Vasudeva. You also accept Vasudeva as Your father, and You are celebrated by the name Krsna. You are so kind that You always increase the influence of all kinds of devotees.
नम: कमलनाभाय नम: कमलमालिने । नम: कमलपादाय नमस्ते कमलेक्षण ॥ २५ ॥
namah kamala-nabhaya namah kamala-maline namah kamala-padaya namas te kamaleksana
Dear Lord, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You because from Your abdomen sprouts the lotus flower, the origin of all living entities. You are always decorated with a lotus garland, and Your feet resemble the lotus flower with all its fragrance. Your eyes are also like the petals of a lotus flower. Therefore we always offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
नम: कमलकिञ्जल्कपिशङ्गामलवाससे । सर्वभूतनिवासाय नमोऽयुङ्क्ष्महि साक्षिणे ॥ २६ ॥
namah kamala-kinjalka- pisangamala-vasase sarva-bhuta-nivasaya namo ’yunksmahi saksine
Dear Lord, the garment You have put on is yellowish in color, like the saffron of a lotus flower, but it is not made of anything material. Since You live in everyone’s heart, You are the direct witness of all the activities of all living entities. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You again and again.
रूपं भगवता त्वेतदशेषक्लेशसङ्क्षयम् । आविष्कृतं न: क्लिष्टानां किमन्यदनुकम्पितम् ॥ २७ ॥
rupam bhagavata tv etad asesa-klesa-sanksayam aviskrtam nah klistanam kim anyad anukampitam
Dear Lord, we conditioned souls are always covered by ignorance in the bodily conception of life. We therefore always prefer the miserable conditions of material existence. To deliver us from these miserable conditions, You have advented Yourself in this transcendental form. This is evidence of Your unlimited causeless mercy upon those of us who are suffering in this way. What, then, to speak of the devotees to whom You are always so favorably disposed?
एतावत्त्वं हि विभुभिर्भाव्यं दीनेषु वत्सलै: । यदनुस्मर्यते काले स्वबुद्ध्याभद्ररन्धन ॥ २८ ॥
etavat tvam hi vibhubhir bhavyam dinesu vatsalaih yad anusmaryate kale sva-buddhyabhadra-randhana
Dear Lord, You are the killer of all inauspicious things. You are compassionate upon Your poor devotees through the expansion of Your arca-vigraha. You should certainly think of us as Your eternal servants.
येनोपशान्तिर्भूतानां क्षुल्लकानामपीहताम् । अन्तर्हितोऽन्तर्हृदये कस्मान्नो वेद नाशिष: ॥ २९ ॥
yenopasantir bhutanam ksullakanam apihatam antarhito ’ntar-hrdaye kasman no veda nasisah
When the Lord, out of His natural compassion, thinks of His devotee, by that process only are all desires of the neophyte devotee fulfilled. The Lord is situated in every living entity’s heart, although the living entity may be very insignificant. The Lord knows everything about the living entity, including all his desires. Although we are very insignificant, why should the Lord not know our desires?
असावेव वरोऽस्माकमीप्सितो जगत: पते । प्रसन्नो भगवान् येषामपवर्गगुरुर्गति: ॥ ३० ॥
asav eva varo ’smakam ipsito jagatah pate prasanno bhagavan yesam apavarga-gurur gatih
O Lord of the universe, You are the actual teacher of the science of devotional service. We are satisfied that Your Lordship is the ultimate goal of our lives, and we pray that You will be satisfied with us. That is our benediction. We do not desire anything other than Your full satisfaction.
वरं वृणीमहेऽथापि नाथ त्वत्परत: परात् । न ह्यन्तस्त्वद्विभूतीनां सोऽनन्त इति गीयसे ॥ ३१ ॥
varam vrnimahe ’thapi natha tvat paratah parat na hy antas tvad-vibhutinam so ’nanta iti giyase
Dear Lord, we shall therefore pray for Your benediction because You are the Supreme, beyond all transcendence, and because there is no end to Your opulences. Consequently, You are celebrated by the name Ananta.
पारिजातेऽञ्जसा लब्धे सारङ्गोऽन्यन्न सेवते । त्वदङ्घ्रिमूलमासाद्य साक्षात्किं किं वृणीमहि ॥ ३२ ॥
parijate ’njasa labdhe sarango ’nyan na sevate tvad-anghri-mulam asadya saksat kim kim vrnimahi
Dear Lord, when the bee approaches the celestial tree called the parijata, it certainly does not leave the tree, because there is no need for such action. Similarly, when we have approached Your lotus feet and taken shelter of them, what further benediction may we ask of You?
यावत्ते मायया स्पृष्टा भ्रमाम इह कर्मभि: । तावद्भवत्प्रसङ्गानां सङ्ग: स्यान्नो भवे भवे ॥ ३३ ॥
yavat te mayaya sprsta bhramama iha karmabhih tavad bhavat-prasanganam sangah syan no bhave bhave
Dear Lord, as long as we have to remain within this material world due to our material contamination and wander from one type of body to another and from one plane to another, we pray that we may associate with those who are engaged in discussing Your pastimes. We pray for this benediction life after life, in different bodily forms and on different planes.
तुलयाम लवेनापि न स्वर्गं नापुनर्भवम् । भगवत्सङ्गिसङ्गस्य मर्त्यानां किमुताशिष: ॥ ३४ ॥
tulayama lavenapi na svargam napunar-bhavam bhagavat-sangi-sangasya martyanam kim utasisah
Even a moment’s association with a pure devotee cannot be compared to being transferred to heavenly planes or even merging into the Brahman effulgence in complete liberation. For living entities who are destined to give up the body and die, association with pure devotees is the highest benediction.
यत्रेड्यन्ते कथा मृष्टास्तृष्णाया: प्रशमो यत: । निर्वैरं यत्र भूतेषु नोद्वेगो यत्र कश्चन ॥ ३५ ॥
yatredyante katha mrstas trsnayah prasamo yatah nirvairam yatra bhutesu nodvego yatra kascana
Whenever pure topics of the transcendental world are discussed, the members of the audience forget all kinds of material hankerings, at least for the time being. Not only that, but they are no longer envious of one another, nor do they suffer from anxiety or fear.
यत्र नारायण: साक्षाद्भगवान्न्यासिनां गति: । संस्तूयते सत्कथासु मुक्तसङ्गै: पुन: पुन: ॥ ३६ ॥
yatra narayanah saksad bhagavan nyasinam gatih samstuyate sat-kathasu mukta-sangaih punah punah
The Supreme Lord, Narayana, is present among devotees who are engaged in hearing and chanting the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Narayana is the ultimate goal of sannyasis, those in the renounced order of life, and Narayana is worshiped through this sankirtana movement by those who are liberated from material contamination. Indeed, they recite the holy name again and again.
तेषां विचरतां पद्भ्यां तीर्थानां पावनेच्छया । भीतस्य किं न रोचेत तावकानां समागम: ॥ ३७ ॥
tesam vicaratam padbhyam tirthanam pavanecchaya bhitasya kim na roceta tavakanam samagamah
Dear Lord, Your personal associates, devotees, wander all over the world to purify even the holy places of pilgrimage. Is not such activity pleasing to those who are actually afraid of material existence?
वयं तु साक्षाद्भगवन् भवस्य प्रियस्य सख्यु: क्षणसङ्गमेन । सुदुश्चिकित्स्यस्य भवस्य मृत्यो- र्भिषक्तमं त्वाद्य गतिं गता: स्म ॥ ३८ ॥
vayam tu saksad bhagavan bhavasya priyasya sakhyuh ksana-sangamena suduscikitsyasya bhavasya mrtyor bhisaktamam tvadya gatim gatah sma
Dear Lord, by virtue of a moment’s association with Lord Siva, who is very dear to You and who is Your most intimate friend, we were fortunate to attain You. You are the most expert physician, capable of treating the incurable disease of material existence. On account of our great fortune, we have been able to take shelter at Your lotus feet.
यन्न: स्वधीतं गुरव: प्रसादिता विप्राश्च वृद्धाश्च सदानुवृत्त्या । आर्या नता: सुहृदो भ्रातरश्च सर्वाणि भूतान्यनसूययैव ॥ ३९ ॥ यन्न: सुतप्तं तप एतदीश निरन्धसां कालमदभ्रमप्सु । सर्वं तदेतत्पुरुषस्य भूम्नो वृणीमहे ते परितोषणाय ॥ ४० ॥
yan nah svadhitam guravah prasadita vipras ca vrddhas ca sad-anuvrttya arya natah suhrdo bhrataras ca sarvani bhutany anasuyayaiva yan nah sutaptam tapa etad isa nirandhasam kalam adabhram apsu sarvam tad etat purusasya bhumno vrnimahe te paritosanaya
Dear Lord, we have studied the Vedas, accepted a spiritual master and offered respect to brahmanas, advanced devotees and aged personalities who are spiritually very advanced. We have offered our respects to them, and we have not been envious of any brother, friends or anyone else. We have also undergone severe austerities within the water and have not taken food for a long time. All these spiritual assets of ours are simply offered for Your satisfaction. We pray for this benediction only, and nothing more.
मनु: स्वयम्भूर्भगवान् भवश्च येऽन्ये तपोज्ञानविशुद्धसत्त्वा: । अदृष्टपारा अपि यन्महिम्न: स्तुवन्त्यथो त्वात्मसमं गृणीम: ॥ ४१ ॥
manuh svayambhur bhagavan bhavas ca ye ’nye tapo-jnana-visuddha-sattvah adrsta-para api yan-mahimnah stuvanty atho tvatma-samam grnimah
Dear Lord, even great yogis and mystics who are very much advanced by virtue of austerities and knowledge and who have completely situated themselves in pure existence, as well as great personalities like Manu, Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, cannot fully understand Your glories and potencies. Nonetheless they have offered their prayers according to their own capacities. In the same way, we, although much lower than these personalities, also offer our prayers according to our own capability.
नम: समाय शुद्धाय पुरुषाय पराय च । वासुदेवाय सत्त्वाय तुभ्यं भगवते नम: ॥ ४२ ॥
namah samaya suddhaya purusaya paraya ca vasudevaya sattvaya tubhyam bhagavate namah
Dear Lord, You have no enemies or friends. Therefore You are equal to everyone. You cannot be contaminated by sinful activities, and Your transcendental form is always beyond the material creation. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead because You remain everywhere within all existence. You are consequently known as Vasudeva. We offer You our respectful obeisances.
मैत्रेय उवाच इति प्रचेतोभिरभिष्टुतो हरि: प्रीतस्तथेत्याह शरण्यवत्सल: । अनिच्छतां यानमतृप्तचक्षुषां ययौ स्वधामानपवर्गवीर्य: ॥ ४३ ॥
maitreya uvaca iti pracetobhir abhistuto harih pritas tathety aha saranya-vatsalah anicchatam yanam atrpta-caksusam yayau sva-dhamanapavarga-viryah
The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the protector of surrendered souls, being thus addressed by the Pracetas and worshiped by them, replied, May whatever you have prayed for be fulfilled After saying this, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose prowess is never defeated, left. The Pracetas were unwilling to be separated from Him because they had not seen Him to their full satisfaction.
अथ निर्याय सलिलात्प्रचेतस उदन्वत: । वीक्ष्याकुप्यन्द्रुमैश्छन्नां गां गां रोद्धुमिवोच्छ्रितै: ॥ ४४ ॥
atha niryaya salilat pracetasa udanvatah viksyakupyan drumais channam gam gam roddhum ivocchritaih
Thereafter all the Pracetas emerged from the waters of the sea. They then saw that all the trees on land had grown very tall, as if to obstruct the path to the heavenly planes. These trees had covered the entire surface of the world. At this time the Pracetas became very angry.
ततोऽग्निमारुतौ राजन्नमुञ्चन्मुखतो रुषा । महीं निर्वीरुधं कर्तुं संवर्तक इवात्यये ॥ ४५ ॥
tato ’gni-marutau rajann amuncan mukhato rusa mahim nirvirudham kartum samvartaka ivatyaye
My dear King, at the time of devastation, Lord Siva emits fire and air from his mouth out of anger. To make the surface of the earth completely treeless, the Pracetas also emitted fire and air from their mouths.
भस्मसात्क्रियमाणांस्तान् द्रुमान्वीक्ष्य पितामह: । आगत: शमयामास पुत्रान् बर्हिष्मतो नयै: ॥ ४६ ॥
bhasmasat kriyamanams tan druman viksya pitamahah agatah samayam asa putran barhismato nayaih
After seeing that all the trees on the surface of the earth were being turned to ashes, Lord Brahma immediately came to the sons of King Barhisman and pacified them with words of logic.
तत्रावशिष्टा ये वृक्षा भीता दुहितरं तदा । उज्जह्रुस्ते प्रचेतोभ्य उपदिष्टा: स्वयम्भुवा ॥ ४७ ॥
tatravasista ye vrksa bhita duhitaram tada ujjahrus te pracetobhya upadistah svayambhuva
The remaining trees, being very much afraid of the Pracetas, immediately delivered their daughter at the advice of Lord Brahma.
ते च ब्रह्मण आदेशान्मारिषामुपयेमिरे । यस्यां महदवज्ञानादजन्यजनयोनिज: ॥ ४८ ॥
te ca brahmana adesan marisam upayemire yasyam mahad-avajnanad ajany ajana-yonijah
Following the order of Lord Brahma, all the Pracetas accepted the girl as their wife. From the womb of this girl, the son of Lord Brahma named Daksa took birth. Daksa had to take birth from the womb of Marisa due to his disobeying and disrespecting Lord Mahadeva (Siva). Consequently he had to give up his body twice.
चाक्षुषे त्वन्तरे प्राप्ते प्राक्सर्गे कालविद्रुते । य: ससर्ज प्रजा इष्टा: स दक्षो दैवचोदित: ॥ ४९ ॥
caksuse tv antare prapte prak-sarge kala-vidrute yah sasarja praja istah sa dakso daiva-coditah
His previous body had been destroyed, but he, the same Daksa, inspired by the supreme will, created all the desired living entities in the Caksusa manvantara.
यो जायमान: सर्वेषां तेजस्तेजस्विनां रुचा । स्वयोपादत्त दाक्ष्याच्च कर्मणां दक्षमब्रुवन् ॥ ५० ॥ तं प्रजासर्गरक्षायामनादिरभिषिच्य च । युयोज युयुजेऽन्यांश्च स वै सर्वप्रजापतीन् ॥ ५१ ॥
yo jayamanah sarvesam tejas tejasvinam ruca svayopadatta daksyac ca karmanam daksam abruvan tam praja-sarga-raksayam anadir abhisicya ca yuyoja yuyuje ’nyams ca sa vai sarva-prajapatin
After being born, Daksa, by the superexcellence of his bodily luster, covered all others’ bodily opulence. Because he was very expert in performing fruitive activity, he was called by the name Daksa, meaning “the very expert.” Lord Brahma therefore engaged Daksa in the work of generating living entities and maintaining them. In due course of time, Daksa also engaged other Prajapatis [progenitors] in the process of generation and maintenance.
