Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 4 · Chapter 7
मैत्रेय उवाच इत्यजेनानुनीतेन भवेन परितुष्यता । अभ्यधायि महाबाहो प्रहस्य श्रूयतामिति ॥ १ ॥
maitreya uvaca ity ajenanunitena bhavena paritusyata abhyadhayi maha-baho prahasya sruyatam iti
The sage Maitreya said: O mighty-armed Vidura, Lord Siva, being thus pacified by the words of Lord Brahma, spoke as follows in answer to Lord Brahma’s request.
महादेव उवाच नाघं प्रजेश बालानां वर्णये नानुचिन्तये । देवमायाभिभूतानां दण्डस्तत्र धृतो मया ॥ २ ॥
mahadeva uvaca nagham prajesa balanam varnaye nanucintaye deva-mayabhibhutanam dandas tatra dhrto maya
Lord Siva said: My dear father, Brahma, I do not mind the offenses created by the demigods. Because these demigods are childish and less intelligent, I do not take a serious view of their offenses, and I have punished them only in order to right them.
प्रजापतेर्दग्धशीर्ष्णो भवत्वजमुखं शिर: । मित्रस्य चक्षुषेक्षेत भागं स्वं बर्हिषो भग: ॥ ३ ॥
prajapater dagdha-sirsno bhavatv aja-mukham sirah mitrasya caksusekseta bhagam svam barhiso bhagah
Lord Siva continued: Since the head of Daksa has already been burned to ashes, he will have the head of a goat. The demigod known as Bhaga will be able to see his share of sacrifice through the eyes of Mitra.
पूषा तु यजमानस्य दद्भिर्जक्षतु पिष्टभुक् । देवा: प्रकृतसर्वाङ्गा ये म उच्छेषणं ददु: ॥ ४ ॥
pusa tu yajamanasya dadbhir jaksatu pista-bhuk devah prakrta-sarvanga ye ma ucchesanam daduh
The demigod Pusa will be able to chew only through the teeth of his disciples, and if alone, he will have to satisfy himself by eating dough made from chickpea flour. But the demigods who have agreed to give me my share of the sacrifice will recover from all their injuries.
बाहुभ्यामश्विनो: पूष्णो हस्ताभ्यां कृतबाहव: । भवन्त्वध्वर्यवश्चान्ये बस्तश्मश्रुर्भृगुर्भवेत् ॥ ५ ॥
bahubhyam asvinoh pusno hastabhyam krta-bahavah bhavantv adhvaryavas canye basta-smasrur bhrgur bhavet
Those who have had their arms cut off will have to work with the arms of Asvini-kumara, and those whose hands were cut off will have to do their work with the hands of Pusa. The priests will also have to act in that manner. As for Bhrgu, he will have the beard from the goat’s head.
मैत्रेय उवाच तदा सर्वाणि भूतानि श्रुत्वा मीढुष्टमोदितम् । परितुष्टात्मभिस्तात साधु साध्वित्यथाब्रुवन् ॥ ६ ॥
maitreya uvaca tada sarvani bhutani srutva midhustamoditam paritustatmabhis tata sadhu sadhv ity athabruvan
The great sage Maitreya said: My dear Vidura, all the personalities present were very much satisfied in heart and soul upon hearing the words of Lord Siva, who is the best among the benedictors.
ततो मीढ्वांसमामन्त्र्य शुनासीरा: सहर्षिभि: । भूयस्तद्देवयजनं समीढ्वद्वेधसो ययु: ॥ ७ ॥
tato midhvamsam amantrya sunasirah saharsibhih bhuyas tad deva-yajanam sa-midhvad-vedhaso yayuh
Thereafter, Bhrgu, the chief of the great sages, invited Lord Siva to come to the sacrificial arena. Thus the demigods, accompanied by the sages, Lord Siva, and Lord Brahma, all went to the place where the great sacrifice was being performed.
विधाय कार्त्स्न्येन च तद्यदाह भगवान् भव: । सन्दधु: कस्य कायेन सवनीयपशो: शिर: ॥ ८ ॥
vidhaya kartsnyena ca tad yad aha bhagavan bhavah sandadhuh kasya kayena savaniya-pasoh sirah
After everything was executed exactly as directed by Lord Siva, Daksa’s body was joined to the head of the animal meant to be killed in the sacrifice.
सन्धीयमाने शिरसि दक्षो रुद्राभिवीक्षित: । सद्य: सुप्त इवोत्तस्थौ ददृशे चाग्रतो मृडम् ॥ ९ ॥
sandhiyamane sirasi dakso rudrabhiviksitah sadyah supta ivottasthau dadrse cagrato mrdam
When the animal’s head was fixed on the body of King Daksa, Daksa was immediately brought to consciousness, and as he awakened from sleep, the King saw Lord Siva standing before him.
तदा वृषध्वजद्वेषकलिलात्मा प्रजापति: । शिवावलोकादभवच्छरद्ध्रद इवामल: ॥ १० ॥
tada vrsadhvaja-dvesa- kalilatma prajapatih sivavalokad abhavac charad-dhrada ivamalah
At that time, when Daksa saw Lord Siva, who rides upon a bull, his heart, which was polluted by envy of Lord Siva, was immediately cleansed, just as the water in a lake is cleansed by autumn rains.
भवस्तवाय कृतधीर्नाशक्नोदनुरागत: । औत्कण्ठ्याद्बाष्पकलया सम्परेतां सुतां स्मरन् ॥ ११ ॥
bhava-stavaya krta-dhir nasaknod anuragatah autkanthyad baspa-kalaya samparetam sutam smaran
King Daksa wanted to offer prayers to Lord Siva, but as he remembered the ill-fated death of his daughter Sati, his eyes filled with tears, and in bereavement his voice choked up, and he could not say anything.
कृच्छ्रात्संस्तभ्य च मन: प्रेमविह्वलित: सुधी: । शशंस निर्व्यलीकेन भावेनेशं प्रजापति: ॥ १२ ॥
krcchrat samstabhya ca manah prema-vihvalitah sudhih sasamsa nirvyalikena bhavenesam prajapatih
At this time, King Daksa, afflicted by love and affection, was very much awakened to his real senses. With great endeavor, he pacified his mind, checked his feelings, and with pure consciousness began to offer prayers to Lord Siva.
दक्ष उवाच भूयाननुग्रह अहो भवता कृतो मे दण्डस्त्वया मयि भृतो यदपि प्रलब्ध: । न ब्रह्मबन्धुषु च वां भगवन्नवज्ञा तुभ्यं हरेश्च कुत एव धृतव्रतेषु ॥ १३ ॥
daksa uvaca bhuyan anugraha aho bhavata krto me dandas tvaya mayi bhrto yad api pralabdhah na brahma-bandhusu ca vam bhagavann avajna tubhyam hares ca kuta eva dhrta-vratesu
King Daksa said: My dear Lord Siva, I committed a great offense against you, but you are so kind that instead of withdrawing your mercy, you have done me a great favor by punishing me. You and Lord Visnu never neglect even useless, unqualified brahmanas. Why, then, should you neglect me, who am engaged in performing sacrifices?
विद्यातपोव्रतधरान् मुखत: स्म विप्रान् ब्रह्मात्मतत्त्वमवितुं प्रथमं त्वमस्राक् । तद्ब्राह्मणान् परम सर्वविपत्सु पासि पाल: पशूनिव विभो प्रगृहीतदण्ड: ॥ १४ ॥
vidya-tapo-vrata-dharan mukhatah sma vipran brahmatma-tattvam avitum prathamam tvam asrak tad brahmanan parama sarva-vipatsu pasi palah pasun iva vibho pragrhita-dandah
My dear great and powerful Lord Siva, you were created first from the mouth of Lord Brahma in order to protect the brahmanas in pursuing education, austerities, vows and self-realization. As protector of the brahmanas, you always protect the regulative principles they follow, just as a cowherd boy keeps a stick in his hand to give protection to the cows.
योऽसौ मयाविदिततत्त्वदृशा सभायां क्षिप्तो दुरुक्तिविशिखैर्विगणय्य तन्माम् । अर्वाक् पतन्तमर्हत्तमनिन्दयापाद् दृष्टयार्द्रया स भगवान्स्वकृतेन तुष्येत् ॥ १५ ॥
yo ’sau mayavidita-tattva-drsa sabhayam ksipto durukti-visikhair viganayya tan mam arvak patantam arhattama-nindayapad drstyardraya sa bhagavan sva-krtena tusyet
I did not know your full glories. For this reason, I threw arrows of sharp words at you in the open assembly, although you did not take them into account. I was going down to hell because of my disobedience to you, who are the most respectable personality, but you took compassion upon me and saved me by awarding punishment. I request that you be pleased by your own mercy, since I cannot satisfy you by my words.
मैत्रेय उवाच क्षमाप्यैवं स मीढ्वांसं ब्रह्मणा चानुमन्त्रित: । कर्म सन्तानयामास सोपाध्यायर्त्विगादिभि: ॥ १६ ॥
maitreya uvaca ksamapyaivam sa midhvamsam brahmana canumantritah karma santanayam asa sopadhyayartvig-adibhih
The great sage Maitreya said: Thus being pardoned by Lord Siva, King Daksa, with the permission of Lord Brahma, again began the performance of the yajna, along with the great learned sages, the priests and others.
वैष्णवं यज्ञसन्तत्यै त्रिकपालं द्विजोत्तमा: । पुरोडाशं निरवपन् वीरसंसर्गशुद्धये ॥ १७ ॥
vaisnavam yajna-santatyai tri-kapalam dvijottamah purodasam niravapan vira-samsarga-suddhaye
Thereafter, in order to resume the activities of sacrifice, the brahmanas first arranged to purify the sacrificial arena of the contamination caused by the touch of Virabhadra and the other ghostly followers of Lord Siva. Then they arranged to offer into the fire the oblations known as purodasa.
अध्वर्युणात्तहविषा यजमानो विशाम्पते । धिया विशुद्धया दध्यौ तथा प्रादुरभूद्धरि: ॥ १८ ॥
adhvaryunatta-havisa yajamano visampate dhiya visuddhaya dadhyau tatha pradurabhud dharih
The great sage Maitreya said to Vidura: My dear Vidura, as soon as King Daksa offered the clarified butter with Yajur Veda mantras in sanctified meditation, Lord Visnu appeared there in His original form as Narayana.
तदा स्वप्रभया तेषां द्योतयन्त्या दिशो दश । मुष्णंस्तेज उपानीतस्तार्क्ष्येण स्तोत्रवाजिना ॥ १९ ॥
tada sva-prabhaya tesam dyotayantya diso dasa musnams teja upanitas tarksyena stotra-vajina
Lord Narayana was seated on the shoulder of Stotra, or Garuda, who had big wings. As soon as the Lord appeared, all directions were illuminated, diminishing the luster of Brahma and the others present.
श्यामो हिरण्यरशनोऽर्ककिरीटजुष्टो नीलालकभ्रमरमण्डितकुण्डलास्य: । शङ्खाब्जचक्रशरचापगदासिचर्म- व्यग्रैर्हिरण्मयभुजैरिव कर्णिकार: ॥ २० ॥
syamo hiranya-rasano ’rka-kirita-justo nilalaka-bhramara-mandita-kundalasyah sankhabja-cakra-sara-capa-gadasi-carma- vyagrair hiranmaya-bhujair iva karnikarah
His complexion was blackish, His garment yellow like gold, and His helmet as dazzling as the sun. His hair was bluish, the color of black bees, and His face was decorated with earrings. His eight hands held a conchshell, wheel, club, lotus flower, arrow, bow, shield and sword, and they were decorated with golden ornaments such as bangles and bracelets. His whole body resembled a blossoming tree beautifully decorated with various kinds of flowers.
वक्षस्यधिश्रितवधूर्वनमाल्युदार हासावलोककलया रमयंश्च विश्वम् । पार्श्वभ्रमद्वयजनचामरराजहंस: श्वेतातपत्रशशिनोपरि रज्यमान: ॥ २१ ॥
vaksasy adhisrita-vadhur vana-maly udara- hasavaloka-kalaya ramayams ca visvam parsva-bhramad-vyajana-camara-raja-hamsah svetatapatra-sasinopari rajyamanah
Lord Visnu looked extraordinarily beautiful because the goddess of fortune and a garland were situated on His chest. His face was beautifully decorated with a smiling attitude which can captivate the entire world, especially the devotees. Fans of white hair appeared on both sides of the Lord like white swans, and the white canopy overhead looked like the moon.
तमुपागतमालक्ष्य सर्वे सुरगणादय: । प्रणेमु: सहसोत्थाय ब्रह्मेन्द्रत्र्यक्षनायका: ॥ २२ ॥
tam upagatam alaksya sarve sura-ganadayah pranemuh sahasotthaya brahmendra-tryaksa-nayakah
As soon as Lord Visnu was visible, all the demigods—Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, the Gandharvas and all present there—immediately offered their respectful obeisances by falling down straight before Him.
तत्तेजसा हतरुच: सन्नजिह्वा: ससाध्वसा: । मूर्ध्ना धृताञ्जलिपुटा उपतस्थुरधोक्षजम् ॥ २३ ॥
tat-tejasa hata-rucah sanna-jihvah sa-sadhvasah murdhna dhrtanjali-puta upatasthur adhoksajam
In the presence of the glaring effulgence of the bodily luster of Narayana, everyone else’s luster faded away, and everyone stopped speaking. Fearful with awe and veneration, all present touched their hands to their heads and prepared to offer their prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Adhoksaja.
अप्यर्वाग्वृत्तयो यस्य महि त्वात्मभुवादय: । यथामति गृणन्ति स्म कृतानुग्रहविग्रहम् ॥ २४ ॥
apy arvag-vrttayo yasya mahi tv atmabhuv-adayah yatha-mati grnanti sma krtanugraha-vigraham
Although the mental scope of even demigods like Brahma was unable to comprehend the unlimited glories of the Supreme Lord, they were all able to perceive the transcendental form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by His grace. Only by such grace could they offer their respectful prayers according to their different capacities.
दक्षो गृहीतार्हणसादनोत्तमं यज्ञेश्वरं विश्वसृजां परं गुरुम् । सुनन्दनन्दाद्यनुगैर्वृतं मुदा गृणन् प्रपेदे प्रयत: कृताञ्जलि: ॥ २५ ॥
dakso grhitarhana-sadanottamam yajnesvaram visva-srjam param gurum sunanda-nandady-anugair vrtam muda grnan prapede prayatah krtanjalih
When Lord Visnu accepted the oblations offered in the sacrifice, Daksa, the Prajapati, began with great pleasure to offer respectful prayers unto Him. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is actually the master of all sacrifices and preceptor of all the Prajapatis, and He is served even by such personalities as Nanda and Sunanda.
दक्ष उवाच शुद्धं स्वधाम्न्युपरताखिलबुद्ध्यवस्थं चिन्मात्रमेकमभयं प्रतिषिध्य मायाम् । तिष्ठंस्तयैव पुरुषत्वमुपेत्य तस्या- मास्ते भवानपरिशुद्ध इवात्मतन्त्र: ॥ २६ ॥
daksa uvaca suddham sva-dhamny uparatakhila-buddhy-avastham cin-matram ekam abhayam pratisidhya mayam tisthams tayaiva purusatvam upetya tasyam aste bhavan aparisuddha ivatma-tantrah
Daksa addressed the Supreme Personality of Godhead: My dear Lord, You are transcendental to all speculative positions. You are completely spiritual, devoid of all fear, and You are always in control of the material energy. Even though You appear in the material energy, You are situated transcendentally. You are always free from material contamination because You are completely self-sufficient.
ऋत्विज ऊचु: तत्त्वं न ते वयमनञ्जन रुद्रशापात् कर्मण्यवग्रहधियो भगवन्विदाम: । धर्मोपलक्षणमिदं त्रिवृदध्वराख्यं ज्ञातं यदर्थमधिदैवमदो व्यवस्था: ॥ २७ ॥
rtvija ucuh tattvam na te vayam ananjana rudra-sapat karmany avagraha-dhiyo bhagavan vidamah dharmopalaksanam idam trivrd adhvarakhyam jnatam yad-artham adhidaivam ado vyavasthah
The priests addressed the Lord, saying: O Lord, transcendental to material contamination, by the curse offered by Lord Siva’s men we have become attached to fruitive activities, and thus we are now fallen and therefore do not know anything about You. On the contrary, we are now involved in the injunctions of the three departments of the Vedic knowledge under the plea of executing rituals in the name of yajna. We know that You have made arrangements for distributing the respective shares of the demigods.
सदस्या ऊचु: उत्पत्त्यध्वन्यशरण उरुक्लेशदुर्गेऽन्तकोग्र व्यालान्विष्टे विषयमृगतृष्यात्मगेहोरुभार: । द्वन्द्वश्वभ्रे खलमृगभये शोकदावेऽज्ञसार्थ: पादौकस्ते शरणद कदा याति कामोपसृष्ट: ॥ २८ ॥
sadasya ucuh utpatty-adhvany asarana uru-klesa-durge ’ntakogra- vyalanviste visaya-mrga-trsy atma-gehoru-bharah dvandva-svabhre khala-mrga-bhaye soka-dave ’jna-sarthah padaukas te saranada kada yati kamopasrstah
The members of the assembly addressed the Lord: O exclusive shelter for all who are situated in troubled life, in this formidable fort of conditional existence the time element, like a snake, is always looking for an opportunity to strike. This world is full of ditches of so-called distress and happiness, and there are many ferocious animals always ready to attack. The fire of lamentation is always blazing, and the mirage of false happiness is always alluring, but one has no shelter from them. Thus foolish persons live in the cycle of birth and death, always overburdened in discharging their so-called duties, and we do not know when they will accept the shelter of Your lotus feet.
रुद्र उवाच तव वरद वराङ्घ्रावाशिषेहाखिलार्थे ह्यपि मुनिभिरसक्तैरादरेणार्हणीये । यदि रचितधियं माविद्यलोकोऽपविद्धं जपति न गणये तत्त्वत्परानुग्रहेण ॥ २९ ॥
rudra uvaca tava varada varanghrav asisehakhilarthe hy api munibhir asaktair adarenarhaniye yadi racita-dhiyam mavidya-loko ’paviddham japati na ganaye tat tvat-paranugrahena
Lord Siva said: My dear Lord, my mind and consciousness are always fixed on Your lotus feet, which, as the source of all benediction and the fulfillment of all desires, are worshiped by all liberated great sages because Your lotus feet are worthy of worship. With my mind fixed on Your lotus feet, I am no longer disturbed by persons who blaspheme me, claiming that my activities are not purified. I do not mind their accusations, and I excuse them out of compassion, just as You exhibit compassion toward all living entities.
भृगुरुवाच यन्मायया गहनयापहृतात्मबोधा ब्रह्मादयस्तनुभृतस्तमसि स्वपन्त: । नात्मन् श्रितं तव विदन्त्यधुनापि तत्त्वं सोऽयं प्रसीदतु भवान्प्रणतात्मबन्धु: ॥ ३० ॥
bhrgur uvaca yan mayaya gahanayapahrtatma-bodha brahmadayas tanu-bhrtas tamasi svapantah natman-sritam tava vidanty adhunapi tattvam so ’yam prasidatu bhavan pranatatma-bandhuh
Sri Bhrgu said: My dear Lord, all living entities, beginning from the highest, namely Lord Brahma, down to the ordinary ant, are under the influence of the insurmountable spell of illusory energy, and thus they are ignorant of their constitutional position. Everyone believes in the concept of the body, and all are thus submerged in the darkness of illusion. They are actually unable to understand how You live in every living entity as the Supersoul, nor can they understand Your absolute position. But You are the eternal friend and protector of all surrendered souls. Therefore, please be kind toward us and forgive all our offenses.
ब्रह्मोवाच नैतत्स्वरूपं भवतोऽसौ पदार्थ भेदग्रहै: पुरुषो यावदीक्षेत् । ज्ञानस्य चार्थस्य गुणस्य चाश्रयो मायामयाद्वयतिरिक्तो मतस्त्वम् ॥ ३१ ॥
brahmovaca naitat svarupam bhavato ’sau padartha- bheda-grahaih puruso yavad ikset jnanasya carthasya gunasya casrayo mayamayad vyatirikto matas tvam
Lord Brahma said: My dear Lord, Your personality and eternal form cannot be understood by any person who is trying to know You through the different processes of acquiring knowledge. Your position is always transcendental to the material creation, whereas the empiric attempt to understand You is material, as are its objectives and instruments.
इन्द्र उवाच इदमप्यच्युत विश्वभावनं वपुरानन्दकरं मनोदृशाम् । सुरविद्विट्क्षपणैरुदायुधै र्भुजदण्डैरुपपन्नमष्टभि: ॥ ३२ ॥
indra uvaca idam apy acyuta visva-bhavanam vapur ananda-karam mano-drsam sura-vidvit-ksapanair udayudhair bhuja-dandair upapannam astabhih
King Indra said: My dear Lord, Your transcendental form with eight hands and weapons in each of them appears for the welfare of the entire universe, and it is very pleasing to the mind and eyes. In such a form, Your Lordship is always prepared to punish the demons, who are envious of Your devotees.
पत्न्य ऊचु: यज्ञोऽयं तव यजनाय केन सृष्टो विध्वस्त: पशुपतिनाद्य दक्षकोपात् । तं नस्त्वं शवशयनाभशान्तमेधं यज्ञात्मन्नलिनरुचा दृशा पुनीहि ॥ ३३ ॥
patnya ucuh yajno ’yam tava yajanaya kena srsto vidhvastah pasupatinadya daksa-kopat tam nas tvam sava-sayanabha-santa-medham yajnatman nalina-ruca drsa punihi
The wives of the performers of the sacrifice said: My dear Lord, this sacrifice was arranged under the instruction of Brahma, but unfortunately Lord Siva, being angry at Daksa, devastated the entire scene, and because of his anger the animals meant for sacrifice are lying dead. Therefore the preparations of the yajna have been lost. Now, by the glance of Your lotus eyes, the sanctity of this sacrificial arena may be again invoked.
ऋषय ऊचु: अनन्वितं ते भगवन् विचेष्टितं यदात्मना चरसि हि कर्म नाज्यसे । विभूतये यत उपसेदुरीश्वरीं न मन्यते स्वयमनुवर्ततीं भवान् ॥ ३४ ॥
rsaya ucuh ananvitam te bhagavan vicestitam yad atmana carasi hi karma najyase vibhutaye yata upasedur isvarim na manyate svayam anuvartatim bhavan
The sages prayed: Dear Lord, Your activities are most wonderful, and although You do everything by Your different potencies, You are not at all attached to such activities. You are not even attached to the goddess of fortune, who is worshiped by the great demigods like Brahma, who pray to achieve her mercy.
सिद्धा ऊचु: अयं त्वत्कथामृष्टपीयूषनद्यां मनोवारण: क्लेशदावाग्निदग्ध: । तृषार्तोऽवगाढो न सस्मार दावं न निष्क्रामति ब्रह्मसम्पन्नवन्न: ॥ ३५ ॥
siddha ucuh ayam tvat-katha-mrsta-piyusa-nadyam mano-varanah klesa-davagni-dagdhah trsarto ’vagadho na sasmara davam na niskramati brahma-sampannavan nah
The Siddhas prayed: Like an elephant that has suffered in a forest fire but can forget all its troubles by entering a river, our minds, O Lord, always merge in the nectarean river of Your transcendental pastimes, and they desire never to leave such transcendental bliss, which is as good as the pleasure of merging in the Absolute.
यजमान्युवाच स्वागतं ते प्रसीदेश तुभ्यं नम: श्रीनिवास श्रिया कान्तया त्राहि न: । त्वामृतेऽधीश नाङ्गैर्मख: शोभते शीर्षहीन: कबन्धो यथा पुरुष: ॥ ३६ ॥
yajamany uvaca svagatam te prasidesa tubhyam namah srinivasa sriya kantaya trahi nah tvam rte ’dhisa nangair makhah sobhate sirsa-hinah ka-bandho yatha purusah
The wife of Daksa prayed as follows: My dear Lord, it is very fortunate that You have appeared in this arena of sacrifice. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, and I request that You be pleased on this occasion. The sacrificial arena is not beautiful without You, just as a body is not beautiful without the head.
लोकपाला ऊचु: दृष्ट: किं नो दृग्भिरसद्ग्रहैस्त्वं प्रत्यग्द्रष्टा दृश्यते येन विश्वम् । माया ह्येषा भवदीया हि भूमन् यस्त्वं षष्ठ: पञ्चभिर्भासि भूतै: ॥ ३७ ॥
lokapala ucuh drstah kim no drgbhir asad-grahais tvam pratyag-drasta drsyate yena visvam maya hy esa bhavadiya hi bhuman yas tvam sasthah pancabhir bhasi bhutaih
The governors of various planes spoke as follows: Dear Lord, we believe only in our direct perception, but under the circumstances we do not know whether we have actually seen You with our material senses. By our material senses we can simply perceive the cosmic manifestation, but You are beyond the five elements. You are the sixth. We see You, therefore, as a creation of the material world.
योगेश्वरा ऊचु प्रेयान्न तेऽन्योऽस्त्यमुतस्त्वयि प्रभो विश्वात्मनीक्षेन्न पृथग्य आत्मन: । अथापि भक्त्येश तयोपधावता- मनन्यवृत्त्यानुगृहाण वत्सल ॥ ३८ ॥
yogesvara ucuh preyan na te ’nyo ’sty amutas tvayi prabho visvatmaniksen na prthag ya atmanah athapi bhaktyesa tayopadhavatam ananya-vrttyanugrhana vatsala
The great mystics said: Dear Lord, persons who see You as nondifferent from themselves, knowing that You are the Supersoul of all living entities, are certainly very, very dear to You. You are very favorable toward those who engage in devotional service, accepting You as the Lord and themselves as the servants. By Your mercy, You are always inclined in their favor.
जगदुद्भवस्थितिलयेषु दैवतो बहुभिद्यमानगुणयात्ममायया । रचितात्मभेदमतये स्वसंस्थया विनिवर्तितभ्रमगुणात्मने नम: ॥ ३९ ॥
jagad-udbhava-sthiti-layesu daivato bahu-bhidyamana-gunayatma-mayaya racitatma-bheda-mataye sva-samsthaya vinivartita-bhrama-gunatmane namah
We offer our respectful obeisances unto the Supreme, who has created varieties of manifestations and put them under the spell of the three qualities of the material world in order to create, maintain and annihilate them. He Himself is not under the control of the external energy; in His personal feature He is completely devoid of the variegated manifestation of material qualities, and He is under no illusion of false identification.
ब्रह्मोवाच नमस्ते श्रितसत्त्वाय धर्मादीनां च सूतये । निर्गुणाय च यत्काष्ठां नाहं वेदापरेऽपि च ॥ ४० ॥
brahmovaca namas te srita-sattvaya dharmadinam ca sutaye nirgunaya ca yat-kastham naham vedapare ’pi ca
The personified Vedas said: We offer our respectful obeisances unto You, the Lord, the shelter of the quality of goodness and therefore the source of all religion, austerity and penance, for You are transcendental to all material qualities and no one knows You or Your actual situation.
अग्निरुवाच यत्तेजसाहं सुसमिद्धतेजा हव्यं वहे स्वध्वर आज्यसिक्तम् । तं यज्ञियं पञ्चविधं च पञ्चभि: स्विष्टं यजुर्भि: प्रणतोऽस्मि यज्ञम् ॥ ४१ ॥
agnir uvaca yat-tejasaham susamiddha-teja havyam vahe svadhvara ajya-siktam tam yajniyam panca-vidham ca pancabhih svistam yajurbhih pranato ’smi yajnam
The fire-god said: My dear Lord, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You because by Your favor I am as luminous as blazing fire and I accept the offerings mixed with butter and offered in sacrifice. The five kinds of offerings according to the Yajur Veda are all Your different energies, and You are worshiped by five kinds of Vedic hymns. Sacrifice means Your Supreme Personality of Godhead.
देवा ऊचु: पुरा कल्पापाये स्वकृतमुदरीकृत्य विकृतं त्वमेवाद्यस्तस्मिन् सलिल उरगेन्द्राधिशयने । पुमान्शेषे सिद्धैर्हृदि विमृशिताध्यात्मपदवि: स एवाद्याक्ष्णोर्य: पथि चरसि भृत्यानवसि न: ॥ ४२ ॥
deva ucuh pura kalpapaye sva-krtam udari-krtya vikrtam tvam evadyas tasmin salila uragendradhisayane puman sese siddhair hrdi vimrsitadhyatma-padavih sa evadyaksnor yah pathi carasi bhrtyan avasi nah
The demigods said: Dear Lord, formerly, when there was a devastation, You conserved all the different energies of material manifestation. At that time, all the inhabitants of the higher planes, represented by such liberated souls as Sanaka, were meditating on You by philosophical speculation. You are therefore the original person, and You rest in the water of devastation on the bed of the Sesa snake. Now, today, You are visible to us, who are all Your servants. Please give us protection.
गन्धर्वा ऊचु: अंशांशास्ते देव मरीच्यादय एते ब्रह्मेन्द्राद्या देवगणा रुद्रपुरोगा: । क्रीडाभाण्डं विश्वमिदं यस्य विभूमन् तस्मै नित्यं नाथ नमस्ते करवाम ॥ ४३ ॥
gandharva ucuh amsamsas te deva maricy-adaya ete brahmendradya deva-gana rudra-purogah krida-bhandam visvam idam yasya vibhuman tasmai nityam natha namas te karavama
The Gandharvas said: Dear Lord, all the demigods, including Lord Siva, Lord Brahma, Indra and Marici and the great sages, are all only differentiated parts and parcels of Your body. You are the Supreme Almighty Great; the whole creation is just like a plaything for You. We always accept You as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and we offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
विद्याधरा ऊचु: त्वन्माययार्थमभिपद्य कलेवरेऽस्मिन् कृत्वा ममाहमिति दुर्मतिरुत्पथै: स्वै: । क्षिप्तोऽप्यसद्विषयलालस आत्ममोहं युष्मत्कथामृतनिषेवक उद्वयुदस्येत् ॥ ४४ ॥
vidyadhara ucuh tvan-mayayartham abhipadya kalevare ’smin krtva mamaham iti durmatir utpathaih svaih ksipto ’py asad-visaya-lalasa atma-moham yusmat-kathamrta-nisevaka udvyudasyet
The Vidyadharas said: Dear Lord, this human form of body is meant for attaining the highest perfectional objective, but, impelled by Your external energy, the living entity misidentifies himself with his body and with the material energy, and therefore, influenced by maya, he wants to become happy by material enjoyment. He is misled and always attracted by temporary, illusory happiness. But Your transcendental activities are so powerful that if one engages in the hearing and chanting of such topics, he can be delivered from illusion.
ब्राह्मणा ऊचु: त्वं क्रतुस्त्वं हविस्त्वं हुताश: स्वयंत्वं हि मन्त्र: समिद्दर्भपात्राणि च । त्वं सदस्यर्त्विजो दम्पती देवताअग्निहोत्रं स्वधा सोम आज्यं पशु: ॥ ४५ ॥
brahmana ucuh tvam kratus tvam havis tvam hutasah svayam tvam hi mantrah samid-darbha-patrani ca tvam sadasyartvijo dampati devata agnihotram svadha soma ajyam pasuh
The brahmanas said: Dear Lord, You are sacrifice personified. You are the offering of clarified butter, You are the fire, You are the chanting of Vedic hymns by which the sacrifice is conducted, You are the fuel, You are the flame, You are the kusa grass, and You are the sacrificial pots. You are the priests who perform the yajna, You are the demigods headed by Indra, and You are the sacrificial animal. Everything that is sacrificed is You or Your energy.
त्वं पुरा गां रसाया महासूकरो दंष्ट्रया पद्मिनीं वारणेन्द्रो यथा । स्तूयमानो नदल्लीलया योगिभि- र्व्युज्जहर्थ त्रयीगात्र यज्ञक्रतु: ॥ ४६ ॥
tvam pura gam rasaya maha-sukaro damstraya padminim varanendro yatha stuyamano nadal lilaya yogibhir vyujjahartha trayi-gatra yajna-kratuh
Dear Lord, O personified Vedic knowledge, in the past millennium, long, long ago, when You appeared as the great boar incarnation, You picked up the world from the water, as an elephant picks up a lotus flower from a lake. When You vibrated transcendental sound in that gigantic form of a boar, the sound was accepted as a sacrificial hymn, and great sages like Sanaka meditated upon it and offered prayers for Your glorification.
स प्रसीद त्वमस्माकमाकाङ्क्षतां दर्शनं ते परिभ्रष्टसत्कर्मणाम् । कीर्त्यमाने नृभिर्नाम्नि यज्ञेश ते यज्ञविघ्ना: क्षयं यान्ति तस्मै नम: ॥ ४७ ॥
sa prasida tvam asmakam akanksatam darsanam te paribhrasta-sat-karmanam kirtyamane nrbhir namni yajnesa te yajna-vighnah ksayam yanti tasmai namah
Dear Lord, we were awaiting Your audience because we have been unable to perform the yajnas according to the Vedic rituals. We pray unto You, therefore, to be pleased with us. Simply by chanting Your holy name, one can surpass all obstacles. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You in Your presence.
मैत्रेय उवाच इति दक्ष: कविर्यज्ञं भद्र रुद्राभिमर्शितम् । कीर्त्यमाने हृषीकेशे सन्निन्ये यज्ञभावने ॥ ४८ ॥
maitreya uvaca iti daksah kavir yajnam bhadra rudrabhimarsitam kirtyamane hrsikese sanninye yajna-bhavane
Sri Maitreya said: After Lord Visnu was glorified by all present, Daksa, his consciousness purified, arranged to begin again the yajna which had been devastated by the followers of Lord Siva.
भगवान् स्वेन भागेन सर्वात्मा सर्वभागभुक् । दक्षं बभाष आभाष्य प्रीयमाण इवानघ ॥ ४९ ॥
bhagavan svena bhagena sarvatma sarva-bhaga-bhuk daksam babhasa abhasya priyamana ivanagha
Maitreya continued: My dear sinless Vidura, Lord Visnu is actually the enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices. Yet because of His being the Supersoul of all living entities, He was satisfied simply with His share of the sacrificial offerings. He therefore addressed Daksa in a pleasing attitude.
श्रीभगवानुवाच अहं ब्रह्मा च शर्वश्च जगत: कारणं परम् । आत्मेश्वर उपद्रष्टा स्वयंदृगविशेषण: ॥ ५० ॥
sri-bhagavan uvaca aham brahma ca sarvas ca jagatah karanam param atmesvara upadrasta svayan-drg avisesanah
Lord Visnu replied: Brahma, Lord Siva and I are the supreme cause of the material manifestation. I am the Supersoul, the self sufficient witness. But impersonally there is no difference between Brahma, Lord Siva and Me.
आत्ममायां समाविश्य सोऽहं गुणमयीं द्विज । सृजन् रक्षन् हरन् विश्वं दध्रे संज्ञां क्रियोचिताम् ॥ ५१ ॥
atma-mayam samavisya so ’ham gunamayim dvija srjan raksan haran visvam dadhre samjnam kriyocitam
The Lord continued: My dear Daksa Dvija, I am the original Personality of Godhead, but in order to create, maintain and annihilate this cosmic manifestation, I act through My material energy, and according to the different grades of activity, My representations are differently named.
तस्मिन् ब्रह्मण्यद्वितीये केवले परमात्मनि । ब्रह्मरुद्रौ च भूतानि भेदेनाज्ञोऽनुपश्यति ॥ ५२ ॥
tasmin brahmany advitiye kevale paramatmani brahma-rudrau ca bhutani bhedenajno ’nupasyati
The Lord continued: One who is not in proper knowledge thinks that demigods like Brahma and Siva are independent, or he even thinks that the living entities are independent.
यथा पुमान्न स्वाङ्गेषु शिर:पाण्यादिषु क्वचित् । पारक्यबुद्धिं कुरुते एवं भूतेषु मत्पर: ॥ ५३ ॥
yatha puman na svangesu sirah-pany-adisu kvacit parakya-buddhim kurute evam bhutesu mat-parah
A person with average intelligence does not think the head and other parts of the body to be separate. Similarly, My devotee does not differentiate Visnu, the all-pervading Personality of Godhead, from any thing or any living entity.
त्रयाणामेकभावानां यो न पश्यति वै भिदाम् । सर्वभूतात्मनां ब्रह्मन् स शान्तिमधिगच्छति ॥ ५४ ॥
trayanam eka-bhavanam yo na pasyati vai bhidam sarva-bhutatmanam brahman sa santim adhigacchati
The Lord continued: One who does not consider Brahma, Visnu, Siva or the living entities in general to be separate from the Supreme, and who knows Brahman, actually realizes peace; others do not.
मैत्रेय उवाच एवं भगवतादिष्ट: प्रजापतिपतिर्हरिम् । अर्चित्वा क्रतुना स्वेन देवानुभयतोऽयजत् ॥ ५५ ॥
maitreya uvaca evam bhagavatadistah prajapati-patir harim arcitva kratuna svena devan ubhayato ’yajat
The sage Maitreya said: Thus Daksa, the head of all Prajapatis, having been nicely instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, worshiped Lord Visnu. After worshiping Him by performing the prescribed sacrificial ceremonies, Daksa separately worshiped Lord Brahma and Lord Siva.
रुद्रं च स्वेन भागेन ह्युपाधावत्समाहित: । कर्मणोदवसानेन सोमपानितरानपि । उदवस्य सहर्त्विग्भि: सस्नाववभृथं तत: ॥ ५६ ॥
rudram ca svena bhagena hy upadhavat samahitah karmanodavasanena somapan itaran api udavasya sahartvigbhih sasnav avabhrtham tatah
With all respect, Daksa worshiped Lord Siva with his share of the remnants of the yajna. After finishing the ritualistic sacrificial activities, he satisfied all the other demigods and the other people assembled there. Then, after finishing all these duties with the priests, he took a bath and was fully satisfied.
तस्मा अप्यनुभावेन स्वेनैवावाप्तराधसे । धर्म एव मतिं दत्त्वा त्रिदशास्ते दिवं ययु: ॥ ५७ ॥
tasma apy anubhavena svenaivavapta-radhase dharma eva matim dattva tridasas te divam yayuh
Thus worshiping the Supreme Lord Visnu by the ritualistic performance of sacrifice, Daksa was completely situated on the religious path. Moreover, all the demigods who had assembled at the sacrifice blessed him that he might increase his piety, and then they left.
एवं दाक्षायणी हित्वा सती पूर्वकलेवरम् । जज्ञे हिमवत: क्षेत्रे मेनायामिति शुश्रुम ॥ ५८ ॥
evam daksayani hitva sati purva-kalevaram jajne himavatah ksetre menayam iti susruma
Maitreya said: I have heard that after giving up the body she had received from Daksa, Daksayani (his daughter) took her birth in the kingdom of the Himalayas. She was born as the daughter of Mena. I heard this from authoritative sources.
तमेव दयितं भूय आवृङ्क्ते पतिमम्बिका । अनन्यभावैकगतिं शक्ति: सुप्तेव पूरुषम् ॥ ५९ ॥
tam eva dayitam bhuya avrnkte patim ambika ananya-bhavaika-gatim saktih supteva purusam
Ambika (goddess Durga), who was known as Daksayini (Sati), again accepted Lord Siva as her husband, just as different energies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead act during the course of a new creation.
एतद्भगवत: शम्भो: कर्म दक्षाध्वरद्रुह: । श्रुतं भागवताच्छिष्यादुद्धवान्मे बृहस्पते: ॥ ६० ॥
etad bhagavatah sambhoh karma daksadhvara-druhah srutam bhagavatac chisyad uddhavan me brhaspateh
Maitreya said: My dear Vidura, I heard this story of the Daksa yajna, which was devastated by Lord Siva, from Uddhava, a great devotee and a disciple of Brhaspati.
इदं पवित्रं परमीशचेष्टितं यशस्यमायुष्यमघौघमर्षणम् । यो नित्यदाकर्ण्य नरोऽनुकीर्तयेद् धुनोत्यघं कौरव भक्तिभावत: ॥ ६१ ॥
idam pavitram param isa-cestitam yasasyam ayusyam aghaugha-marsanam yo nityadakarnya naro ’nukirtayed dhunoty agham kaurava bhakti-bhavatah
The great sage Maitreya concluded: If one hears and again narrates, with faith and devotion, this story of the Daksa yajna as it was conducted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, then certainly one is cleared of all contamination of material existence, O son of Kuru.
