Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 5 · Chapter 1
राजोवाच प्रियव्रतो भागवत आत्माराम: कथं मुने । गृहेऽरमत यन्मूल: कर्मबन्ध: पराभव: ॥ १ ॥
rajovaca priyavrato bhagavata atmaramah katham mune grhe ’ramata yan-mulah karma-bandhah parabhavah
King Pariksit inquired from Sukadeva Gosvami: O great sage, why did King Priyavrata, who was a great, self-realized devotee of the Lord, remain in household life, which is the root cause of the bondage of karma (fruitive activities) and which defeats the mission of human life?
न नूनं मुक्तसङ्गानां तादृशानां द्विजर्षभ । गृहेष्वभिनिवेशोऽयं पुंसां भवितुमर्हति ॥ २ ॥
na nunam mukta-sanganam tadrsanam dvijarsabha grhesv abhiniveso ’yam pumsam bhavitum arhati
Devotees are certainly liberated persons. Therefore, O greatest of the brahmanas, they cannot possibly be absorbed in family affairs.
महतां खलु विप्रर्षे उत्तमश्लोकपादयो: । छायानिर्वृतचित्तानां न कुटुम्बे स्पृहामति: ॥ ३ ॥
mahatam khalu viprarse uttamasloka-padayoh chaya-nirvrta-cittanam na kutumbe sprha-matih
Elevated mahatmas who have taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are fully satiated by the shade of those lotus feet. Their consciousness cannot possibly become attached to family members.
संशयोऽयं महान् ब्रह्मन् दारागारसुतादिषु । सक्तस्य यत्सिद्धिरभूत्कृष्णे च मतिरच्युता ॥ ४ ॥
samsayo ’yam mahan brahman daragara-sutadisu saktasya yat siddhir abhut krsne ca matir acyuta
The King continued: O great brahmana, this is my great doubt. How was it possible for a person like King Priyavrata, who was so attached to wife, children and home, to achieve the topmost infallible perfection in Krsna consciousness?
श्रीशुक उवाच बाढमुक्तं भगवत उत्तमश्लोकस्य श्रीमच्चरणारविन्दमकरन्दरस आवेशितचेतसो भागवतपरमहंस दयितकथां किञ्चिदन्तरायविहतां स्वां शिवतमां पदवीं न प्रायेण हिन्वन्ति ॥ ५ ॥
sri-suka uvaca badham uktam bhagavata uttamaslokasya srimac-caranaravinda-makaranda-rasa avesita-cetaso bhagavata-paramahamsa-dayita-katham kincid antaraya-vihatam svam sivatamam padavim na prayena hinvanti.
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: What you have said is correct. The glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is praised in eloquent, transcendental verses by such exalted personalities as Brahma, are very pleasing to great devotees and liberated persons. One who is attached to the nectarean honey of the Lord’s lotus feet, and whose mind is always absorbed in His glories, may sometimes be checked by some impediment, but he still never gives up the exalted position he has acquired.
यर्हि वाव ह राजन् स राजपुत्र: प्रियव्रत: परमभागवतो नारदस्य चरणोपसेवयाञ्जसावगतपरमार्थसतत्त्वो ब्रह्मसत्रेण दीक्षिष्यमाण: अवनितलपरिपालनायाम्नातप्रवरगुणगणैकान्तभाजनतया स्वपित्रोपामन्त्रितो भगवति वासुदेव एवाव्यवधानसमाधियोगेन समावेशित-सकलकारकक्रियाकलापो नैवाभ्यनन्दद्यद्यपि तदप्रत्याम्नातव्यं तदधिकरण आत्मनोऽन्यस्माद सतोऽपि पराभवमन्वीक्षमाण: ॥ ६ ॥
yarhi vava ha rajan sa raja-putrah priyavratah parama-bhagavato naradasya caranopasevayanjasavagata-paramartha-satattvo brahma-satrena diksisyamano ’vani-tala-paripalanayamnata-pravara-guna-ganaikanta-bhajanataya sva-pitropamantrito bhagavati vasudeva evavyavadhana-samadhi-yogena samavesita-sakala-karaka-kriya-kalapo naivabhyanandad yadyapi tad apratyamnatavyam tad-adhikarana atmano ’nyasmad asato ’pi parabhavam anviksamanah.
Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear King, Prince Priyavrata was a great devotee because he sought the lotus feet of Narada, his spiritual master, and thus achieved the highest perfection in transcendental knowledge. With advanced knowledge, he always engaged in discussing spiritual subjects and did not divert his attention to anything else. The Prince’s father then asked him to take charge of ruling the world. He tried to convince Priyavrata that this was his duty as indicated in the revealed scriptures. Prince Priyavrata, however, was continuously practicing bhakti-yoga by constantly remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thus engaging all his senses in the service of the Lord. Therefore, although the order of his father could not be rejected, the Prince did not welcome it. Thus he very conscientiously raised the question of whether he might be diverted from devotional service by accepting the responsibility of ruling over the world.
अथ ह भगवानादिदेव एतस्य गुणविसर्गस्य परिबृंहणानुध्यानव्यवसित सकलजगदभिप्राय आत्मयोनिरखिलनिगमनिजगणपरिवेष्टित: स्वभवनादवततार ॥ ७ ॥
atha ha bhagavan adi-deva etasya guna-visargasya paribrmhananudhyana-vyavasita-sakala-jagad-abhipraya atma-yonir akhila-nigama-nija-gana-parivestitah sva-bhavanad avatatara.
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: The first created being and most powerful demigod in this universe is Lord Brahma, who is always responsible for developing universal affairs. Born directly from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he dedicates his activities to the welfare of the entire universe, for he knows the purpose of the universal creation. This supremely powerful Lord Brahma, accompanied by his associates and the personified Vedas, left his own abode in the highest planeary system and descended to the place of Prince Priyavrata’s meditation.
स तत्र तत्र गगनतल उडुपतिरिव विमानावलिभिरनुपथममरपरिवृढैरभिपूज्यमान: पथि पथि च वरूथश: सिद्धगन्धर्वसाध्यचारणमुनिगणैरुपगीयमानो गन्धमादनद्रोणीमवभासयन्नुपससर्प ॥ ८ ॥
sa tatra tatra gagana-tala udu-patir iva vimanavalibhir anupatham amara-parivrdhair abhipujyamanah pathi pathi ca varuthasah siddha-gandharva-sadhya-carana-muni-ganair upagiyamano gandha-madana-dronim avabhasayann upasasarpa.
As Lord Brahma descended on his carrier, the great swan, all the residents of the planes named Siddhaloka, Gandharvaloka, Sadhyaloka and Caranaloka, as well as great sages and demigods flying in their different airplanes, assembled within the canopy of the sky to receive Lord Brahma and worship him. As he received respect and adoration from the residents of the various planes, Lord Brahma appeared just like the full moon surrounded by illuminating stars. Lord Brahma’s great swan then arrived at the border of Gandhamadana Hill and approached Prince Priyavrata, who was sitting there.
तत्र ह वा एनं देवर्षिर्हंसयानेन पितरं भगवन्तं हिरण्यगर्भमुपलभमान: सहसैवोत्थायार्हणेन सह पितापुत्राभ्यामवहिताञ्जलिरुपतस्थे ॥ ९ ॥
tatra ha va enam devarsir hamsa-yanena pitaram bhagavantam hiranya-garbham upalabhamanah sahasaivotthayarhanena saha pita-putrabhyam avahitanjalir upatasthe.
Lord Brahma, the father of Narada Muni, is the supreme person within this universe. As soon as Narada saw the great swan, he could understand that Lord Brahma had arrived. Therefore he immediately stood up, along with Svayambhuva Manu and his son Priyavrata, whom Narada was instructing. Then they folded their hands and began to worship Lord Brahma with great respect.
भगवानपि भारत तदुपनीतार्हण: सूक्तवाकेनातितरामुदितगुणगणावतारसुजय: प्रियव्रतमादि पुरुषस्तं सदयहासावलोक इति होवाच ॥ १० ॥
bhagavan api bharata tad-upanitarhanah sukta-vakenatitaram udita-guna-ganavatara-sujayah priyavratam adi-purusas tam sadaya-hasavaloka iti hovaca.
My dear King Pariksit, because Lord Brahma had finally descended from Satyaloka to Bhuloka, Narada Muni, Prince Priyavrata and Svayambhuva Manu came forward to offer him objects of worship and to praise him in highly qualified language, according to Vedic etiquette. At that time, Lord Brahma, the original person of this universe, felt compassion for Priyavrata and, looking upon him with a smiling face, spoke to him as follows.
श्रीभगवानुवाच निबोध तातेदमृतं ब्रवीमि मासूयितुं देवमर्हस्यप्रमेयम् । वयं भवस्ते तत एष महर्षि- र्वहाम सर्वे विवशा यस्य दिष्टम् ॥ ११ ॥
sri-bhagavan uvaca nibodha tatedam rtam bravimi masuyitum devam arhasy aprameyam vayam bhavas te tata esa maharsir vahama sarve vivasa yasya distam
Lord Brahma, the supreme person within this universe, said: My dear Priyavrata, kindly hear attentively what I shall say to you. Do not be jealous of the Supreme Lord, who is beyond our experimental measurements. All of us, including Lord Siva, your father and the great sage Maharsi Narada, must carry out the order of the Supreme. We cannot deviate from His order.
न तस्य कश्चित्तपसा विद्यया वा न योगवीर्येण मनीषया वा । नैवार्थधर्मै: परत: स्वतो वा कृतं विहन्तुं तनुभृद्विभूयात् ॥ १२ ॥
na tasya kascit tapasa vidyaya va na yoga-viryena manisaya va naivartha-dharmaih paratah svato va krtam vihantum tanu-bhrd vibhuyat
One cannot avoid the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not by the strength of severe austerities, an exalted Vedic education, or the power of mystic yoga, physical prowess or intellectual activities. Nor can one use his power of religion, his material opulence or any other means, either by himself or with the help of others, to defy the orders of the Supreme Lord. That is not possible for any living being, from Brahma down to the ant.
भवाय नाशाय च कर्म कर्तुं शोकाय मोहाय सदा भयाय । सुखाय दु:खाय च देहयोग- मव्यक्तदिष्टं जनताङ्ग धत्ते ॥ १३ ॥
bhavaya nasaya ca karma kartum sokaya mohaya sada bhayaya sukhaya duhkhaya ca deha-yogam avyakta-distam janatanga dhatte
My dear Priyavrata, by the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all living entities accept different types of bodies for birth and death, activity, lamentation, illusion, fear of future dangers, and happiness and distress.
यद्वाचि तन्त्यां गुणकर्मदामभि: सुदुस्तरैर्वत्स वयं सुयोजिता: । सर्वे वहामो बलिमीश्वराय प्रोता नसीव द्विपदे चतुष्पद: ॥ १४ ॥
yad-vaci tantyam guna-karma-damabhih sudustarair vatsa vayam suyojitah sarve vahamo balim isvaraya prota nasiva dvi-pade catus-padah
My dear boy, all of us are bound by the Vedic injunctions to the divisions of varnasrama according to our qualities and work. These divisions are difficult to avoid because they are scientifically arranged. We must therefore carry out our duties of varnasrama-dharma, like bulls obliged to move according to the direction of a driver pulling on ropes knotted to their noses.
ईशाभिसृष्टं ह्यवरुन्ध्महेऽङ्ग दु:खं सुखं वा गुणकर्मसङ्गात् । आस्थाय तत्तद्यदयुङ्क्त नाथ- श्चक्षुष्मतान्धा इव नीयमाना: ॥ १५ ॥
isabhisrstam hy avarundhmahe ’nga duhkham sukham va guna-karma-sangat asthaya tat tad yad ayunkta nathas caksusmatandha iva niyamanah
My dear Priyavrata, according to our association with different modes of material nature, the Supreme Personality of Godhead gives us our specific bodies and the happiness and distress we achieve. One must therefore remain situated as he is and be conducted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, exactly as a blind man is led by a person who has eyes with which to see.
मुक्तोऽपि तावद्बिभृयात्स्वदेह- मारब्धमश्नन्नभिमानशून्य: । यथानुभूतं प्रतियातनिद्र: किं त्वन्यदेहाय गुणान्न वृङ्क्ते ॥ १६ ॥
mukto ’pi tavad bibhryat sva-deham arabdham asnann abhimana-sunyah yathanubhutam pratiyata-nidrah kim tv anya-dehaya gunan na vrnkte
Even if one is liberated, he nevertheless accepts the body he has received according to his past karma. Without misconceptions, however, he regards his enjoyment and suffering due to that karma the way an awakened person regards a dream he had while sleeping. He thus remains steadfast and never works to achieve another material body under the influence of the three modes of material nature.
भयं प्रमत्तस्य वनेष्वपि स्याद् यत: स आस्ते सहषट्सपत्न: । जितेन्द्रियस्यात्मरतेर्बुधस्य गृहाश्रम: किं नु करोत्यवद्यम् ॥ १७ ॥
bhayam pramattasya vanesv api syad yatah sa aste saha-sat-sapatnah jitendriyasyatma-rater budhasya grhasramah kim nu karoty avadyam
Even if he goes from forest to forest, one who is not self-controlled must always fear material bondage because he is living with six co-wives—the mind and knowledge-acquiring senses. Even householder life, however, cannot harm a self-satisfied, learned man who has conquered his senses.
य: षट् सपत्नान् विजिगीषमाणो गृहेषु निर्विश्य यतेत पूर्वम् । अत्येति दुर्गाश्रित ऊर्जितारीन् क्षीणेषु कामं विचरेद्विपश्चित् ॥ १८ ॥
yah sat sapatnan vijigisamano grhesu nirvisya yateta purvam atyeti durgasrita urjitarin ksinesu kamam vicared vipascit
One who is situated in household life and who systematically conquers his mind and five sense organs is like a king in his fortress who conquers his powerful enemies. After one has been trained in household life and his lusty desires have decreased, he can move anywhere without danger.
त्वं त्वब्जनाभाङ्घ्रिसरोजकोश- दुर्गाश्रितो निर्जितषट्सपत्न: । भुङ्क्ष्वेह भोगान् पुरुषातिदिष्टान् विमुक्तसङ्ग: प्रकृतिं भजस्व ॥ १९ ॥
tvam tv abja-nabhanghri-saroja-kosa- durgasrito nirjita-sat-sapatnah bhunksveha bhogan purusatidistan vimukta-sangah prakrtim bhajasva
Lord Brahma continued: My dear Priyavrata, seek shelter inside the opening in the lotus of the feet of the Lord, whose navel is also like a lotus. Thus conquer the six sense organs (the mind and knowledge-acquiring senses). Accept material enjoyment because the Lord, extraordinarily, has ordered you to do this. You will thus always be liberated from material association and be able to carry out the Lord’s orders in your constitutional position.
श्रीशुक उवाच इति समभिहितो महाभागवतो भगवतस्त्रिभुवनगुरोरनुशासनमात्मनो लघुतयावनतशिरोधरो बाढमिति सबहुमानमुवाह ॥ २० ॥
sri-suka uvaca iti samabhihito maha-bhagavato bhagavatas tri-bhuvana-guror anusasanam atmano laghutayavanata-sirodharo badham iti sabahu-manam uvaha.
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: After thus being fully instructed by Lord Brahma, who is the spiritual master of the three worlds, Priyavrata, his own position being inferior, offered obeisances, accepted the order and carried it out with great respect.
भगवानपि मनुना यथावदुपकल्पितापचिति: प्रियव्रतनारदयोरविषममभिसमीक्षमाणयोरात्मसमवस्थानमवाङ्मनसं क्षयमव्यवहृतं प्रवर्तयन्नगमत् ॥ २१ ॥
bhagavan api manuna yathavad upakalpitapacitih priyavrata-naradayor avisamam abhisamiksamanayor atmasam avasthanam avan-manasam ksayam avyavahrtam pravartayann agamat.
Lord Brahma was then worshiped by Manu, who respectfully satisfied him as well as he could. Priyavrata and Narada also looked upon Brahma with no tinges of resentment. Having engaged Priyavrata in accepting his father’s request, Lord Brahma returned to his abode, Satyaloka, which is indescribable by the endeavor of mundane mind or words.
मनुरपि परेणैवं प्रतिसन्धितमनोरथ: सुरर्षिवरानुमतेनात्मजमखिलधरामण्डलस्थितिगुप्तय आस्थाप्य स्वयमतिविषमविषयविषजलाशयाशाया उपरराम ॥ २२ ॥
manur api parenaivam pratisandhita-manorathah surarsi-varanumatenatmajam akhila-dhara-mandala-sthiti-guptaya asthapya svayam ati-visama-visaya-visa-jalasayasaya upararama.
Svayambhuva Manu, with the assistance of Lord Brahma, thus fulfilled his desires. With the permission of the great sage Narada, he delivered to his son the governmental responsibility for maintaining and protecting all the planes of the universe. He thus achieved relief from the most dangerous, poisonous ocean of material desires.
इति ह वाव स जगतीपतिरीश्वरेच्छयाधिनिवेशितकर्माधिकारोऽखिलजगद्बन्धध्वंसनपरानुभावस्य भगवत आदिपुरुषस्याङ्घ्रियुगलानवरतध्यानानुभावेन परिरन्धितकषायाशयोऽवदातोऽपि मानवर्धनो महतां महीतलमनुशशास ॥ २३ ॥
iti ha vava sa jagati-patir isvarecchayadhinivesita-karmadhikaro ’khila-jagad-bandha-dhvamsana-paranubhavasya bhagavata adi-purusasyanghri-yugalanavarata-dhyananubhavena parirandhita-kasayasayo ’vadato ’pi mana-vardhano mahatam mahitalam anusasasa.
Following the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Maharaja Priyavrata fully engaged in worldly affairs, yet he always thought of the lotus feet of the Lord, which are the cause of liberation from all material attachment. Although Priyavrata Maharaja was completely freed from all material contamination, he ruled the material world just to honor the orders of his superiors.
अथ च दुहितरं प्रजापतेर्विश्वकर्मण उपयेमे बर्हिष्मतीं नाम तस्यामु ह वाव आत्मजानात्मसमानशीलगुणकर्मरूपवीर्योदारान्दश भावयाम्बभूव कन्यां च यवीयसीमूर्जस्वतीं नाम ॥ २४ ॥
atha ca duhitaram prajapater visvakarmana upayeme barhismatim nama tasyam u ha vava atmajan atma-samana-sila-guna-karma-rupa-viryodaran dasa bhavayam babhuva kanyam ca yaviyasim urjasvatim nama.
Thereafter, Maharaja Priyavrata married Barhismati, the daughter of the prajapati named Visvakarma. In her he begot ten sons equal to him in beauty, character, magnanimity and other qualities. He also begot a daughter, the youngest of all, named Urjasvati.
आग्नीध्रेध्मजिह्वयज्ञबाहुमहावीरहिरण्यरेतोघृतपृष्ठसवनमेधातिथिवीतिहोत्रकवय इति सर्व एवाग्निनामान: ॥ २५ ॥
agnidhredhmajihva-yajnabahu-mahavira-hiranyareto-ghrtaprstha-savana-medhatithi-vitihotra-kavaya iti sarva evagni-namanah.
The ten sons of Maharaja Priyavrata were named Agnidhra, Idhmajihva, Yajnabahu, Mahavira, Hiranyareta, Ghrtaprstha, Savana, Medhatithi, Vitihotra and Kavi. These are also names of Agni, the fire-god.
एतेषां कविर्महावीर: सवन इति त्रय आसन्नूर्ध्वरेतसस्त आत्मविद्यायामर्भभावादारभ्य कृतपरिचया: पारमहंस्यमेवाश्रममभजन् ॥ २६ ॥
etesam kavir mahavirah savana iti traya asann urdhva-retasas ta atma-vidyayam arbha-bhavad arabhya krta-paricayah paramahamsyam evasramam abhajan.
Three among these ten—namely Kavi, Mahavira and Savana—lived in complete celibacy. Thus trained in brahmacari life from the beginning of childhood, they were very conversant with the highest perfection, known as the paramahamsa-asrama.
तस्मिन्नु ह वा उपशमशीला: परमर्षय: सकलजीवनिकायावासस्य भगवतो वासुदेवस्य भीतानां शरणभूतस्य श्रीमच्चरणारविन्दाविरतस्मरणाविगलितपरमभक्तियोगानुभावेन परिभावितान्तर्हृदयाधिगते भगवति सर्वेषां भूतानामात्मभूते प्रत्यगात्मन्येवा- त्मनस्तादात्म्यमविशेषेण समीयु: ॥ २७ ॥
tasminn u ha va upasama-silah paramarsayah sakala-jiva-nikayavasasya bhagavato vasudevasya bhitanam sarana-bhutasya srimac-caranaravindavirata-smaranavigalita-parama-bhakti-yoganu-bhavena paribhavitantar-hrdayadhigate bhagavati sarvesam bhutanam atma-bhute pratyag-atmany evatmanas tadatmyam avisesena samiyuh.
Thus situated in the renounced order from the beginning of their lives, all three of them completely controlled the activities of their senses and thus became great saints. They concentrated their minds always upon the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the resting place of the totality of living entities and who is therefore celebrated as Vasudeva. Lord Vasudeva is the only shelter of those who are actually afraid of material existence. By constantly thinking of His lotus feet, these three sons of Maharaja Priyavrata became advanced in pure devotional service. By the prowess of their devotional service, they could directly perceive the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul, and realize that there was qualitatively no difference between themselves and Him.
अन्यस्यामपि जायायां त्रय: पुत्रा आसन्नुत्तमस्तामसो रैवत इति मन्वन्तराधिपतय: ॥ २८ ॥
anyasyam api jayayam trayah putra asann uttamas tamaso raivata iti manvantaradhipatayah.
In his other wife, Maharaja Priyavrata begot three sons, named Uttama, Tamasa and Raivata. All of them later took charge of manvantara millenniums.
एवमुपशमायनेषु स्वतनयेष्वथ जगतीपतिर्जगतीमर्बुदान्येकादश परिवत्सराणामव्याहताखिलपुरुषकारसारसम्भृतदोर्दण्डयुगलापीडितमौर्वीगुणस्तनितविरमितधर्मप्रतिपक्षो बर्हिष्मत्याश्चानुदिनमेधमानप्रमोदप्रसरणयौषिण्यव्रीडाप्रमुषितहासावलोकरुचिरक्ष्वेल्यादिभि: पराभूयमानविवेक इवानवबुध्यमान इव महामना बुभुजे ॥ २९ ॥
evam upasamayanesu sva-tanayesv atha jagati-patir jagatim arbudany ekadasa parivatsaranam avyahatakhila-purusa-kara-sara-sambhrta-dor-danda-yugalapidita-maurvi-guna-stanita-viramita-dharma-pratipakso barhismatyas canudinam edhamana-pramoda-prasarana-yausinya-vrida-pramusita-hasavaloka-rucira-ksvely-adibhih parabhuyamana-viveka ivanavabudhyamana iva mahamana bubhuje.
After Kavi, Mahavira and Savana were completely trained in the paramahamsa stage of life, Maharaja Priyavrata ruled the universe for eleven arbudas of years. Whenever he was determined to fix his arrow upon his bowstring with his two powerful arms, all opponents of the regulative principles of religious life would flee from his presence in fear of the unparalleled prowess he displayed in ruling the universe. He greatly loved his wife Barhismati, and with the increase of days, their exchange of nuptial love also increased. By her feminine behavior as she dressed herself, walked, got up, smiled, laughed, and glanced about, Queen Barhismati increased his energy. Thus although he was a great soul, he appeared lost in the feminine conduct of his wife. He behaved with her just like an ordinary man, but actually he was a great soul.
यावदवभासयति सुरगिरिमनुपरिक्रामन् भगवानादित्यो वसुधातलमर्धेनैव प्रतपत्यर्धेनावच्छादयति तदा हि भगवदुपासनोपचितातिपुरुषप्रभावस्तदनभिनन्दन् समजवेन रथेन ज्योतिर्मयेन रजनीमपि दिनं करिष्यामीति सप्तकृत्वस्तरणिमनुपर्यक्रामद् द्वितीय इव पतङ्ग: ॥ ३० ॥
yavad avabhasayati sura-girim anuparikraman bhagavan adityo vasudha-talam ardhenaiva pratapaty ardhenavacchadayati tada hi bhagavad-upasanopacitati-purusa-prabhavas tad anabhinandan samajavena rathena jyotirmayena rajanim api dinam karisyamiti sapta-krt vastaranim anuparyakramad dvitiya iva patangah.
While so excellently ruling the universe, King Priyavrata once became dissatisfied with the circumambulation of the most powerful sun-god. Encircling Sumeru Hill on his chariot, the sun-god illuminates all the surrounding planeary systems. However, when the sun is on the northern side of the hill, the south receives less light, and when the sun is in the south, the north receives less. King Priyavrata disliked this situation and therefore decided to make daylight in the part of the universe where there was night. He followed the orbit of the sun-god on a brilliant chariot and thus fulfilled his desire. He could perform such wonderful activities because of the power he had achieved by worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
ये वा उ ह तद्रथचरणनेमिकृतपरिखातास्ते सप्त सिन्धव आसन् यत एव कृता: सप्त भुवो द्वीपा: ॥ ३१ ॥
ye va u ha tad-ratha-carana-nemi-krta-parikhatas te sapta sindhava asan yata eva krtah sapta bhuvo dvipah.
When Priyavrata drove his chariot behind the sun, the rims of his chariot wheels created impressions that later became seven oceans, dividing the planeary system known as Bhu-mandala into seven islands.
जम्बूप्लक्षशाल्मलिकुशक्रौञ्चशाकपुष्करसंज्ञास्तेषां परिमाणं पूर्वस्मात्पूर्वस्मादुत्तर उत्तरो यथासंख्यं द्विगुणमानेन बहि: समन्तत उपक्लृप्ता: ॥ ३२ ॥
jambu-plaksa-salmali-kusa-kraunca-saka-puskara-samjnas tesam parimanam purvasmat purvasmad uttara uttaro yatha-sankhyam dvi-guna-manena bahih samantata upaklptah.
The names of the islands are Jambu, Plaksa, Salmali, Kusa, Kraunca, Saka and Puskara. Each island is twice as large as the one preceding it, and each is surrounded by a liquid substance, beyond which is the next island.
क्षारोदेक्षुरसोदसुरोदघृतोदक्षीरोददधिमण्डोदशुद्धोदा: सप्त जलधय: सप्त द्वीपपरिखा इवाभ्यन्तरद्वीपसमाना एकैकश्येन यथानुपूर्वं सप्तस्वपि बहिर्द्वीपेषु पृथक्परित उपकल्पितास्तेषु जम्ब्वादिषु बर्हिष्मतीपतिरनुव्रतानात्मजानाग्नीध्रेध्मजिह्वयज्ञबाहुहिरण्यरेतोघृतपृष्ठमेधातिथिवीतिहोत्रसंज्ञान् यथा संख्येनैकैकस्मिन्नेकमेवाधिपतिं विदधे ॥ ३३ ॥
ksarodeksu-rasoda-suroda-ghrtoda-ksiroda-dadhi-mandoda-suddhodah sapta jaladhayah sapta dvipa-parikha ivabhyantara-dvipa-samana ekaikasyena yathanupurvam saptasv api bahir dvipesu prthak parita upakalpitas tesu jambv-adisu barhismati-patir anuvratanatmajan agnidhredhmajihva-yajnabahu-hiranyareto-ghrtaprstha-medhatithi-vitihotra-samjnan yatha-sankhyenaikaikasminn ekam evadhi-patim vidadhe.
The seven oceans respectively contain salt water, sugarcane juice, liquor, clarified butter, milk, emulsified yogurt, and sweet drinking water. All the islands are completely surrounded by these oceans, and each ocean is equal in breadth to the island it surrounds. Maharaja Priyavrata, the husband of Queen Barhismati, gave sovereignty over these islands to his respective sons, namely Agnidhra, Idhmajihva, Yajnabahu, Hiranyareta, Ghrtaprstha, Medhatithi and Vitihotra. Thus they all became kings by the order of their father.
दुहितरं चोर्जस्वतीं नामोशनसे प्रायच्छद्यस्यामासीद् देवयानी नाम काव्यसुता ॥ ३४ ॥
duhitaram corjasvatim namosanase prayacchad yasyam asid devayani nama kavya-suta.
King Priyavrata then gave his daughter, Urjasvati, in marriage to Sukracarya, who begot in her a daughter named Devayani.
नैवंविध: पुरुषकार उरुक्रमस्यपुंसां तदङ्घ्रिरजसा जितषड्गुणानाम् । चित्रं विदूरविगत: सकृदाददीतयन्नामधेयमधुना स जहाति बन्धम् ॥ ३५ ॥
naivam-vidhah purusa-kara urukramasya pumsam tad-anghri-rajasa jita-sad-gunanam citram vidura-vigatah sakrd adadita yan-namadheyam adhuna sa jahati bandham
My dear King, a devotee who has taken shelter of the dust from the lotus feet of the Lord can transcend the influence of the six material whips—namely hunger, thirst, lamentation, illusion, old age and death—and he can conquer the mind and five senses. However, this is not very wonderful for a pure devotee of the Lord because even a person beyond the jurisdiction of the four castes—in other words, an untouchable—is immediately relieved of bondage to material existence if he utters the holy name of the Lord even once.
स एवमपरिमितबलपराक्रम एकदा तु देवर्षिचरणानुशयनानुपतितगुणविसर्गसंसर्गेणानिर्वृतमिवात्मानं मन्यमान आत्मनिर्वेद इदमाह ॥ ३६ ॥
sa evam aparimita-bala-parakrama ekada tu devarsi-carananusayananu-patita-guna-visarga-samsargenanirvrtam ivatmanam manyamana atma-nirveda idam aha.
While enjoying his material opulences with full strength and influence, Maharaja Priyavrata once began to consider that although he had fully surrendered to the great saint Narada and was actually on the path of Krsna consciousness, he had somehow become again entangled in material activities. Thus his mind now became restless, and he began to speak in a spirit of renunciation.
अहो असाध्वनुष्ठितं यदभिनिवेशितोऽहमिन्द्रियैरविद्यारचितविषमविषयान्धकूपे तदलमलममुष्या वनिताया विनोदमृगं मां धिग्धिगिति गर्हयाञ्चकार ॥ ३७ ॥
aho asadhv anusthitam yad abhinivesito ’ham indriyair avidya-racita-visama-visayandha-kupe tad alam alam amusya vanitaya vinoda-mrgam mam dhig dhig iti garhayam cakara.
The King thus began criticizing himself: Alas, how condemned I have become because of my sense gratification! I have now fallen into material enjoyment, which is exactly like a covered well. I have had enough! I am not going to enjoy any more. Just see how I have become like a dancing monkey in the hands of my wife. Because of this, I am condemned.
परदेवताप्रसादाधिगतात्मप्रत्यवमर्शेनानुप्रवृत्तेभ्य: पुत्रेभ्य इमां यथादायं विभज्य भुक्तभोगां च महिषीं मृतकमिव सह महाविभूतिमपहाय स्वयं निहितनिर्वेदो हृदि गृहीतहरिविहारानुभावो भगवतो नारदस्य पदवीं पुनरेवानुससार ॥ ३८ ॥
para-devata-prasadadhigatatma-pratyavamarsenanupravrttebhyah putrebhya imam yatha-dayam vibhajya bhukta-bhogam ca mahisim mrtakam iva saha maha-vibhutim apahaya svayam nihita-nirvedo hrdi grhita-hari-viharanubhavo bhagavato naradasya padavim punar evanusasara.
By the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Maharaja Priyavrata reawakened to his senses. He divided all his earthly possessions among his obedient sons. He gave up everything, including his wife, with whom he had enjoyed so much sense gratification, and his great and opulent kingdom, and he completely renounced all attachment. His heart, having been cleansed, became a place of pastimes for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus he was able to return to the path of Krsna consciousness, spiritual life, and resume the position he had attained by the grace of the great saint Narada.
तस्य ह वा एते श्लोका:— प्रियव्रतकृतं कर्म को नु कुर्याद्विनेश्वरम् । यो नेमिनिम्नैरकरोच्छायां घ्नन् सप्त वारिधीन् ॥ ३९ ॥
tasya ha va ete slokah—— priyavrata-krtam karma ko nu kuryad vinesvaram yo nemi-nimnair akaroc chayam ghnan sapta varidhin
There are many famous verses regarding Maharaja Priyavrata’s activities: No one but the Supreme Personality of Godhead could do what Maharaja Priyavrata has done. Maharaja Priyavrata dissipated the darkness of night, and with the rims of his great chariot, he excavated seven oceans
भूसंस्थानं कृतं येन सरिद्गिरिवनादिभि: । सीमा च भूतनिर्वृत्यै द्वीपे द्वीपे विभागश: ॥ ४० ॥
bhu-samsthanam krtam yena sarid-giri-vanadibhih sima ca bhuta-nirvrtyai dvipe dvipe vibhagasah
To stop the quarreling among different peoples, Maharaja Priyavrata marked boundaries at rivers and at the edges of mountains and forests so that no one would trespass upon another’s property
भौमं दिव्यं मानुषं च महित्वं कर्मयोगजम् । यश्चक्रे निरयौपम्यं पुरुषानुजनप्रिय: ॥ ४१ ॥
bhaumam divyam manusam ca mahitvam karma-yogajam yas cakre nirayaupamyam purusanujana-priyah
As a great follower and devotee of the sage Narada, Maharaja Priyavrata considered hellish the opulences he had achieved by dint of fruitive activities and mystic power, whether in the lower or heavenly planeary systems or in human society
