Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 4 · Chapter 31

Nārada Instructs the Pracetās

4.31.1

मैत्रेय उवाच तत उत्पन्नविज्ञाना आश्वधोक्षजभाषितम् । स्मरन्त आत्मजे भार्यां विसृज्य प्राव्रजन् गृहात् ॥ १ ॥

maitreya uvaca tata utpanna-vijnana asv adhoksaja-bhasitam smaranta atmaje bharyam visrjya pravrajan grhat

The great saint Maitreya continued: After that, the Pracetas lived at home for thousands of years and developed perfect knowledge in spiritual consciousness. At last they remembered the blessings of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and left home, putting their wife in charge of a perfect son.

4.31.2

दीक्षिता ब्रह्मसत्रेण सर्वभूतात्ममेधसा । प्रतीच्यां दिशि वेलायां सिद्धोऽभूद्यत्र जाजलि: ॥ २ ॥

diksita brahma-satrena sarva-bhutatma-medhasa praticyam disi velayam siddho ’bhud yatra jajalih

The Pracetas went to the seashore in the west where the great liberated sage Jajali was residing. After perfecting the spiritual knowledge by which one becomes equal toward all living entities, the Pracetas became perfect in Krsna consciousness.

4.31.3

तान्निर्जितप्राणमनोवचोद‍ृशो जितासनान् शान्तसमानविग्रहान् । परेऽमले ब्रह्मणि योजितात्मन: सुरासुरेड्यो दद‍ृशे स्म नारद: ॥ ३ ॥

tan nirjita-prana-mano-vaco-drso jitasanan santa-samana-vigrahan pare ’male brahmani yojitatmanah surasuredyo dadrse sma naradah

After practicing the yogasana for mystic yoga, the Pracetas managed to control their life air, mind, words and external vision. Thus by the pranayama process they were completely relieved of material attachment. By remaining perpendicular, they could concentrate their minds on the uppermost Brahman. While they were practicing this pranayama, the great sage Narada, who is worshiped both by demons and by demigods, came to see them.

4.31.4

तमागतं त उत्थाय प्रणिपत्याभिनन्द्य च । पूजयित्वा यथादेशं सुखासीनमथाब्रुवन् ॥ ४ ॥

tam agatam ta utthaya pranipatyabhinandya ca pujayitva yathadesam sukhasinam athabruvan

As soon as the Pracetas saw that the great sage Narada had appeared, they immediately got up even from their asanas. As required, they immediately offered obeisances and worshiped him, and when they saw that Narada Muni was properly seated, they began to ask him questions.

4.31.5

प्रचेतस ऊचु: स्वागतं ते सुरर्षेऽद्य दिष्ट्या नो दर्शनं गत: । तव चङ्‌क्रमणं ब्रह्मन्नभयाय यथा रवे: ॥ ५ ॥

pracetasa ucuh svagatam te surarse ’dya distya no darsanam gatah tava cankramanam brahmann abhayaya yatha raveh

All the Pracetas began to address the great sage Narada: O great sage, O brahmana, we hope you met with no disturbances while coming here. It is due to our great fortune that we are now able to see you. By the traveling of the sun, people are relieved from the fear of the darkness of night—a fear brought about by thieves and rogues. Similarly, your traveling is like the sun’s, for you drive away all kinds of fear.

4.31.6

यदादिष्टं भगवता शिवेनाधोक्षजेन च । तद् गृहेषु प्रसक्तानां प्रायश: क्षपितं प्रभो ॥ ६ ॥

yad adistam bhagavata sivenadhoksajena ca tad grhesu prasaktanam prayasah ksapitam prabho

O master, may we inform you that because of our being overly attached to family affairs, we almost forgot the instructions we received from Lord Siva and Lord Visnu.

4.31.7

तन्न: प्रद्योतयाध्यात्मज्ञानं तत्त्वार्थदर्शनम् । येनाञ्जसा तरिष्यामो दुस्तरं भवसागरम् ॥ ७ ॥

tan nah pradyotayadhyatma- jnanam tattvartha-darsanam yenanjasa tarisyamo dustaram bhava-sagaram

Dear master, kindly enlighten us in transcendental knowledge, which may act as a torchlight by which we may cross the dark nescience of material existence.

4.31.8

मैत्रेय उवाच इति प्रचेतसां पृष्टो भगवान्नारदो मुनि: । भगवत्युत्तमश्लोक आविष्टात्माब्रवीन्नृपान् ॥ ८ ॥

maitreya uvaca iti pracetasam prsto bhagavan narado munih bhagavaty uttama-sloka avistatmabravin nrpan

The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, being thus petitioned by the Pracetas, the supreme devotee Narada, who is always absorbed in thoughts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, began to reply.

4.31.9

नारद उवाच तज्जन्म तानि कर्माणि तदायुस्तन्मनो वच: । नृणां येन हि विश्वात्मा सेव्यते हरिरीश्वर: ॥ ९ ॥

narada uvaca taj janma tani karmani tad ayus tan mano vacah nrnam yena hi visvatma sevyate harir isvarah

The great sage Narada said: When a living entity is born to engage in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the supreme controller, his birth, all his fruitive activities, his life-span, his mind and his words are all factually perfect.

4.31.10

किं जन्मभिस्त्रिभिर्वेह शौक्रसावित्रयाज्ञिकै: । कर्मभिर्वा त्रयीप्रोक्तै: पुंसोऽपि विबुधायुषा ॥ १० ॥

kim janmabhis tribhir veha saukra-savitra-yajnikaih karmabhir va trayi-proktaih pumso ’pi vibudhayusa

A civilized human being has three kinds of births. The first birth is by a pure father and mother, and this birth is called birth by semen. The next birth takes place when one is initiated by the spiritual master, and this birth is called savitra. The third birth, called yajnika, takes place when one is given the opportunity to worship Lord Visnu. Despite the opportunities for attaining such births, even if one gets the life-span of a demigod, if one does not actually engage in the service of the Lord, everything is useless. Similarly, one’s activities may be mundane or spiritual, but they are useless if they are not meant for satisfying the Lord.

4.31.11

श्रुतेन तपसा वा किं वचोभिश्चित्तवृत्तिभि: । बुद्ध्या वा किं निपुणया बलेनेन्द्रियराधसा ॥ ११ ॥

srutena tapasa va kim vacobhis citta-vrttibhih buddhya va kim nipunaya balenendriya-radhasa

Without devotional service, what is the meaning of severe austerities, the process of hearing, the power of speech, the power of mental speculation, elevated intelligence, strength, and the power of the senses?

4.31.12

किं वा योगेन साङ्ख्येन न्यासस्वाध्याययोरपि । किं वा श्रेयोभिरन्यैश्च न यत्रात्मप्रदो हरि: ॥ १२ ॥

kim va yogena sankhyena nyasa-svadhyayayor api kim va sreyobhir anyais ca na yatratma-prado harih

Transcendental practices that do not ultimately help one realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead are useless, be they mystic yoga practices, the analytical study of matter, severe austerity, the acceptance of sannyasa, or the study of Vedic literature. All these may be very important aspects of spiritual advancement, but unless one understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, all these processes are useless.

4.31.13

श्रेयसामपि सर्वेषामात्मा ह्यवधिरर्थत: । सर्वेषामपि भूतानां हरिरात्मात्मद: प्रिय: ॥ १३ ॥

sreyasam api sarvesam atma hy avadhir arthatah sarvesam api bhutanam harir atmatmadah priyah

Factually the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original source of all self-realization. Consequently, the goal of all auspicious activities—karma, jnana, yoga and bhakti—is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

4.31.14

यथा तरोर्मूलनिषेचनेन तृप्यन्ति तत्स्कन्धभुजोपशाखा: । प्राणोपहाराच्च यथेन्द्रियाणां तथैव सर्वार्हणमच्युतेज्या ॥ १४ ॥

yatha taror mula-nisecanena trpyanti tat-skandha-bhujopasakhah pranopaharac ca yathendriyanam tathaiva sarvarhanam acyutejya

As pouring water on the root of a tree energizes the trunk, branches, twigs and everything else, and as supplying food to the stomach enlivens the senses and limbs of the body, simply worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead through devotional service automatically satisfies the demigods, who are parts of that Supreme Personality.

4.31.15

यथैव सूर्यात्प्रभवन्ति वार: पुनश्च तस्मिन्प्रविशन्ति काले । भूतानि भूमौ स्थिरजङ्गमानि तथा हरावेव गुणप्रवाह: ॥ १५ ॥

yathaiva suryat prabhavanti varah punas ca tasmin pravisanti kale bhutani bhumau sthira-jangamani tatha harav eva guna-pravahah

During the rainy season, water is generated from the sun, and in due course of time, during the summer season, the very same water is again absorbed by the sun. Similarly, all living entities, moving and inert, are generated from the earth, and again, after some time, they all return to the earth as dust. Similarly, everything emanates from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and in due course of time everything enters into Him again.

4.31.16

एतत्पदं तज्जगदात्मन: परं सकृद्विभातं सवितुर्यथा प्रभा । यथासवो जाग्रति सुप्तशक्तयो द्रव्यक्रियाज्ञानभिदाभ्रमात्यय: ॥ १६ ॥

etat padam taj jagad-atmanah param sakrd vibhatam savitur yatha prabha yathasavo jagrati supta-saktayo dravya-kriya-jnana-bhida-bhramatyayah

Just as the sunshine is nondifferent from the sun, the cosmic manifestation is also nondifferent from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Personality is therefore all-pervasive within this material creation. When the senses are active, they appear to be part and parcel of the body, but when the body is asleep, their activities are unmanifest. Similarly, the whole cosmic creation appears different and yet nondifferent from the Supreme Person.

4.31.17

यथा नभस्यभ्रतम:प्रकाशा भवन्ति भूपा न भवन्त्यनुक्रमात् । एवं परे ब्रह्मणि शक्तयस्त्वमू रजस्तम:सत्त्वमिति प्रवाह: ॥ १७ ॥

yatha nabhasy abhra-tamah-prakasa bhavanti bhupa na bhavanty anukramat evam pare brahmani saktayas tv amu rajas tamah sattvam iti pravahah

My dear Kings, sometimes in the sky there are clouds, sometimes there is darkness, and sometimes there is illumination. The appearance of all these takes place consecutively. Similarly, in the Supreme Absolute, the modes of passion, darkness and goodness appear as consecutive energies. Sometimes they appear, and sometimes they disappear.

4.31.18

तेनैकमात्मानमशेषदेहिनां कालं प्रधानं पुरुषं परेशम् । स्वतेजसा ध्वस्तगुणप्रवाह- मात्मैकभावेन भजध्वमद्धा ॥ १८ ॥

tenaikam atmanam asesa-dehinam kalam pradhanam purusam paresam sva-tejasa dhvasta-guna-pravaham atmaika-bhavena bhajadhvam addha

Because the Supreme Lord is the cause of all causes, He is the Supersoul of all individual living entities, and He exists as both the remote and immediate cause. Since He is aloof from the material emanations, He is free from their interactions and is Lord of material nature. You should therefore engage in His devotional service, thinking yourself qualitatively one with Him.

4.31.19

दयया सर्वभूतेषु सन्तुष्ट्या येन केन वा । सर्वेन्द्रियोपशान्त्या च तुष्यत्याशु जनार्दन: ॥ १९ ॥

dayaya sarva-bhutesu santustya yena kena va sarvendriyopasantya ca tusyaty asu janardanah

By showing mercy to all living entities, being satisfied somehow or other and controlling the senses from sense enjoyment, one can very quickly satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Janardana.

4.31.20

अपहतसकलैषणामलात्म- न्यविरतमेधितभावनोपहूत: । निजजनवशगत्वमात्मनोऽय- न्न सरति छिद्रवदक्षर: सतां हि ॥ २० ॥

apahata-sakalaisanamalatmany aviratam edhita-bhavanopahutah nija-jana-vasa-gatvam atmano ’yan na sarati chidravad aksarah satam hi

Being completely cleansed of all material desires, the devotees are freed from all mental contamination. Thus they can always think of the Lord constantly and address Him very feelingly. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, knowing Himself to be controlled by His devotees, does not leave them for a second, just as the sky overhead never becomes invisible.

4.31.21

न भजति कुमनीषिणां स इज्यां हरिरधनात्मधनप्रियो रसज्ञ: । श्रुतधनकुलकर्मणां मदैर्ये विदधति पापमकिञ्चनेषु सत्सु ॥ २१ ॥

na bhajati kumanisinam sa ijyam harir adhanatma-dhana-priyo rasa-jnah sruta-dhana-kula-karmanam madair ye vidadhati papam akincanesu satsu

The Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes very dear to those devotees who have no material possessions but are fully happy in possessing the devotional service of the Lord. Indeed, the Lord relishes the devotional activities of such devotees. Those who are puffed up with material education, wealth, aristocracy and fruitive activity are very proud of possessing material things, and they often deride the devotees. Even if such people offer the Lord worship, the Lord never accepts them.

4.31.22

श्रियमनुचरतीं तदर्थिनश्च द्विपदपतीन् विबुधांश्च यत्स्वपूर्ण: । न भजति निजभृत्यवर्गतन्त्र: कथममुमुद्विसृजेत्पुमान् कृतज्ञ: ॥ २२ ॥

sriyam anucaratim tad-arthinas ca dvipada-patin vibudhams ca yat sva-purnah na bhajati nija-bhrtya-varga-tantrah katham amum udvisrjet puman krta-jnah

Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead is self-sufficient, He becomes dependent on His devotees. He does not care for the goddess of fortune, nor for the kings and demigods who are after the favors of the goddess of fortune. Where is that person who is actually grateful and will not worship the Personality of Godhead?

4.31.23

मैत्रेय उवाच इति प्रचेतसो राजन्नन्याश्च भगवत्कथा: । श्रावयित्वा ब्रह्मलोकं ययौ स्वायम्भुवो मुनि: ॥ २३ ॥

maitreya uvaca iti pracetaso rajann anyas ca bhagavat-kathah sravayitva brahma-lokam yayau svayambhuvo munih

The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear King Vidura, Sri Narada Muni, the son of Lord Brahma, thus described all these relationships with the Supreme Personality of Godhead to the Pracetas. Afterward, he returned to Brahmaloka.

4.31.24

तेऽपि तन्मुखनिर्यातं यशो लोकमलापहम् । हरेर्निशम्य तत्पादं ध्यायन्तस्तद्गतिं ययु: ॥ २४ ॥

te ’pi tan-mukha-niryatam yaso loka-malapaham harer nisamya tat-padam dhyayantas tad-gatim yayuh

Hearing from Narada’s mouth the glories of the Lord, which vanquish all the ill fortune of the world, the Pracetas also became attached to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Meditating on His lotus feet, they advanced to the ultimate destination.

4.31.25

एतत्तेऽभिहितं क्षत्तर्यन्मां त्वं परिपृष्टवान् । प्रचेतसां नारदस्य संवादं हरिकीर्तनम् ॥ २५ ॥

etat te ’bhihitam ksattar yan mam tvam pariprstavan pracetasam naradasya samvadam hari-kirtanam

My dear Vidura, I have told you everything you wanted to know about the conversation between Narada and the Pracetas, the conversation describing the glories of the Lord. I have related this as far as possible.

4.31.26

श्रीशुक उवाच य एष उत्तानपदो मानवस्यानुवर्णित: । वंश: प्रियव्रतस्यापि निबोध नृपसत्तम ॥ २६ ॥

sri-suka uvaca ya esa uttanapado manavasyanuvarnitah vamsah priyavratasyapi nibodha nrpa-sattama

Sukadeva Gosvami continued: O best of kings (King Pariksit), I have now finished telling about the descendants of the first son of Svayambhuva Manu, Uttanapada. I shall now try to relate the activities of the descendants of Priyavrata, the second son of Svayambhuva Manu. Please hear them attentively.

4.31.27

यो नारदादात्मविद्यामधिगम्य पुनर्महीम् । भुक्त्वा विभज्य पुत्रेभ्य ऐश्वरं समगात्पदम् ॥ २७ ॥

yo naradad atma-vidyam adhigamya punar mahim bhuktva vibhajya putrebhya aisvaram samagat padam

Although Maharaja Priyavrata received instructions from the great sage Narada, he still engaged in ruling the earth. After fully enjoying material possessions, he divided his property among his sons. He then attained a position by which he could return home, back to Godhead.

4.31.28

इमां तु कौषारविणोपवर्णितां क्षत्ता निशम्याजितवादसत्कथाम् । प्रवृद्धभावोऽश्रुकलाकुलो मुने- र्दधार मूर्ध्ना चरणं हृदा हरे: ॥ २८ ॥

imam tu kausaravinopavarnitam ksatta nisamyajita-vada-sat-katham pravrddha-bhavo ’sru-kalakulo muner dadhara murdhna caranam hrda hareh

My dear King, in this way, after hearing the transcendental messages of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotees from the great sage Maitreya, Vidura was overwhelmed with ecstasy. With tears in his eyes, he immediately fell down at the lotus feet of his guru, his spiritual master. He then fixed the Supreme Personality of Godhead within the core of his heart.

4.31.29

विदुर उवाच सोऽयमद्य महायोगिन् भवता करुणात्मना । दर्शितस्तमस: पारो यत्राकिञ्चनगो हरि: ॥ २९ ॥

vidura uvaca so ’yam adya maha-yogin bhavata karunatmana darsitas tamasah paro yatrakincana-go harih

Sri Vidura said: O great mystic, O greatest of all devotees, by your causeless mercy I have been shown the path of liberation from this world of darkness. By following this path, a person liberated from the material world can return home, back to Godhead.

4.31.30

श्रीशुक उवाच इत्यानम्य तमामन्‍त्र्य विदुरो गजसाह्वयम् । स्वानां दिद‍ृक्षु: प्रययौ ज्ञातीनां निर्वृताशय: ॥ ३० ॥

sri-suka uvaca ity anamya tam amantrya viduro gajasahvayam svanam didrksuh prayayau jnatinam nirvrtasayah

Sukadeva Gosvami continued: Vidura thus offered obeisances unto the great sage Maitreya and, taking his permission, started for the city of Hastinapura to see his own kinsmen, although he had no material desires.

4.31.31

एतद्य: श‍ृणुयाद्राजन् राज्ञां हर्यर्पितात्मनाम् । आयुर्धनं यश: स्वस्ति गतिमैश्वर्यमाप्नुयात् ॥ ३१ ॥ ऋषभ उवाच नायं देहो देहभाजां नृलोके कष्टान् कामानर्हते विड्भुजां ये । तपो दिव्यं पुत्रका येन सत्त्वं शुद्ध्येद्यस्माद् ब्रह्मसौख्यं त्वनन्तम् ॥ १ ॥

etad yah srnuyad rajan rajnam hary-arpitatmanam ayur dhanam yasah svasti gatim aisvaryam apnuyat

O King, those who hear these topics about kings who are completely surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead obtain without difficulty a long life, wealth, good reputation, good fortune and, ultimately, the opportunity to return home, back to Godhead. END OF THE FOURTH CANTO