Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 6 · Chapter 4

The Haṁsa-guhya Prayers Offered to the Lord by Prajāpati Dakṣa

6.4.1-2

श्रीराजोवाच देवासुरनृणां सर्गो नागानां मृगपक्षिणाम् । सामासिकस्त्वया प्रोक्तो यस्तु स्वायम्भुवेऽन्तरे ॥ १ ॥ तस्यैव व्यासमिच्छामि ज्ञातुं ते भगवन् यथा । अनुसर्गं यया शक्त्या ससर्ज भगवान् पर: ॥ २ ॥

sri-rajovaca devasura-nrnam sargo naganam mrga-paksinam samasikas tvaya prokto yas tu svayambhuve ’ntare tasyaiva vyasam icchami jnatum te bhagavan yatha anusargam yaya saktya sasarja bhagavan parah

The blessed King said to Sukadeva Gosvami: My dear lord, the demigods, demons, human beings, Nagas, beasts and birds were created during the reign of Svayambhuva Manu. You have spoken about this creation briefly [in the Third Canto]. Now I wish to know about it elaborately. I also wish to know about the potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by which He brought about the secondary creation.

6.4.3

श्रीसूत उवाच इति सम्प्रश्नमाकर्ण्य राजर्षेर्बादरायणि: । प्रतिनन्द्य महायोगी जगाद मुनिसत्तमा: ॥ ३ ॥

sri-suta uvaca iti samprasnam akarnya rajarser badarayanih pratinandya maha-yogi jagada muni-sattamah

Suta Gosvami said: O great sages (assembled at Naimisaranya), after the great yogi Sukadeva Gosvami heard King Pariksit’s inquiry, he praised it and thus replied.

6.4.4

श्रीशुक उवाच यदा प्रचेतस: पुत्रा दश प्राचीनबर्हिष: । अन्त:समुद्रादुन्मग्ना दद‍ृशुर्गां द्रुमैर्वृताम् ॥ ४ ॥

sri-suka uvaca yada pracetasah putra dasa pracinabarhisah antah-samudrad unmagna dadrsur gam drumair vrtam

Sukadeva Gosvami said: When the ten sons of Pracinabarhi emerged from the waters, in which they were performing austerities, they saw that the entire surface of the world was covered by trees.

6.4.5

द्रुमेभ्य: क्रुध्यमानास्ते तपोदीपितमन्यव: । मुखतो वायुमग्निं च ससृजुस्तद्दिधक्षया ॥ ५ ॥

drumebhyah krudhyamanas te tapo-dipita-manyavah mukhato vayum agnim ca sasrjus tad-didhaksaya

Because of having undergone long austerities in the water, the Pracetas were very angry at the trees. Desiring to burn them to ashes, they generated wind and fire from their mouths.

6.4.6

ताभ्यां निर्दह्यमानांस्तानुपलभ्य कुरूद्वह । राजोवाच महान् सोमो मन्युं प्रशमयन्निव ॥ ६ ॥

tabhyam nirdahyamanams tan upalabhya kurudvaha rajovaca mahan somo manyum prasamayann iva

My dear King Pariksit, when Soma, the king of the trees and predominating deity of the moon, saw the fire and wind burning all the trees to ashes, he felt great sympathy because he is the maintainer of all herbs and trees. To appease the anger of the Pracetas, Soma spoke as follows.

6.4.7

न द्रुमेभ्यो महाभागा दीनेभ्यो द्रोग्धुमर्हथ । विवर्धयिषवो यूयं प्रजानां पतय: स्मृता: ॥ ७ ॥

na drumebhyo maha-bhaga dinebhyo drogdhum arhatha vivardhayisavo yuyam prajanam patayah smrtah

O greatly fortunate ones, you should not kill these poor trees by burning them to ashes. Your duty is to wish the citizens (prajas) all prosperity and to act as their protectors.

6.4.8

अहो प्रजापतिपतिर्भगवान् हरिरव्यय: । वनस्पतीनोषधीश्च ससर्जोर्जमिषं विभु: ॥ ८ ॥

aho prajapati-patir bhagavan harir avyayah vanaspatin osadhis ca sasarjorjam isam vibhuh

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Hari, is the master of all living entities, including all the prajapatis, such as Lord Brahma. Because He is the all-pervading and indestructible master, He has created all these trees and vegetables as eatables for other living entities.

6.4.9

अन्नं चराणामचरा ह्यपद: पादचारिणाम् । अहस्ता हस्तयुक्तानां द्विपदां च चतुष्पद: ॥ ९ ॥

annam caranam acara hy apadah pada-carinam ahasta hasta-yuktanam dvi-padam ca catus-padah

By nature’s arrangement, fruits and flowers are considered the food of insects and birds; grass and other legless living entities are meant to be the food of four-legged animals like cows and buffalo; animals that cannot use their front legs as hands are meant to be the food of animals like tigers, which have claws; and four-legged animals like deer and goats, as well as food grains, are meant to be the food of human beings.

6.4.10

यूयं च पित्रान्वादिष्टा देवदेवेन चानघा: । प्रजासर्गाय हि कथं वृक्षान्निर्दग्धुमर्हथ ॥ १० ॥

yuyam ca pitranvadista deva-devena canaghah praja-sargaya hi katham vrksan nirdagdhum arhatha

O pure-hearted ones, your father, Pracinabarhi, and the Supreme Personality of Godhead have ordered you to generate population.

6.4.11

आतिष्ठत सतां मार्गं कोपं यच्छत दीपितम् । पित्रा पितामहेनापि जुष्टं व: प्रपितामहै: ॥ ११ ॥

atisthata satam margam kopam yacchata dipitam pitra pitamahenapi justam vah prapitamahaih

The path of goodness traversed by your father, grandfather and great-grandfathers is that of maintaining the subjects (prajas), including the men, animals and trees. That is the path you should follow. Unnecessary anger is contrary to your duty. Therefore I request you to control your anger.

6.4.12

तोकानां पितरौ बन्धू द‍ृश: पक्ष्म स्त्रिया: पति: । पति: प्रजानां भिक्षूणां गृह्यज्ञानां बुध: सुहृत् ॥ १२ ॥

tokanam pitarau bandhu drsah paksma striyah patih patih prajanam bhiksunam grhy ajnanam budhah suhrt

As the father and mother are the friends and maintainers of their children, as the eyelid is the protector of the eye, as the husband is the maintainer and protector of a woman, as the householder is the maintainer and protector of beggars, and as the learned is the friend of the ignorant, so the king is the protector and giver of life to all his subjects. The trees are also subjects of the king. Therefore they should be given protection.

6.4.13

अन्तर्देहेषु भूतानामात्मास्ते हरिरीश्वर: । सर्वं तद्धिष्ण्यमीक्षध्वमेवं वस्तोषितो ह्यसौ ॥ १३ ॥

antar dehesu bhutanam atmaste harir isvarah sarvam tad-dhisnyam iksadhvam evam vas tosito hy asau

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is situated as the Supersoul within the cores of the hearts of all living entities, whether moving or nonmoving, including men, birds, animals, trees and, indeed, all living entities. Therefore you should consider every body a residence or temple of the Lord. By such vision you will satisfy the Lord. You should not angrily kill these living entities in the forms of trees.

6.4.14

य: समुत्पतितं देह आकाशान्मन्युमुल्बणम् । आत्मजिज्ञासया यच्छेत्स गुणानतिवर्तते ॥ १४ ॥

yah samutpatitam deha akasan manyum ulbanam atma-jijnasaya yacchet sa gunan ativartate

One who inquires into self-realization and thus subdues his powerful anger—which awakens suddenly in the body as if falling from the sky—transcends the influence of the modes of material nature.

6.4.15

अलं दग्धैर्द्रुमैर्दीनै: खिलानां शिवमस्तु व: । वार्क्षी ह्येषा वरा कन्या पत्नीत्वे प्रतिगृह्यताम् ॥ १५ ॥

alam dagdhair drumair dinaih khilanam sivam astu vah varksi hy esa vara kanya patnitve pratigrhyatam

There is no need to burn these poor trees any longer. Let whatever trees still remain be happy. Indeed, you should also be happy. Now, here is a beautiful, well-qualified girl named Marisa, who was raised by the trees as their daughter. You may accept this beautiful girl as your wife.

6.4.16

इत्यामन्‍त्र्‍य वरारोहां कन्यामाप्सरसीं नृप । सोमो राजा ययौ दत्त्वा ते धर्मेणोपयेमिरे ॥ १६ ॥

ity amantrya vararoham kanyam apsarasim nrpa somo raja yayau dattva te dharmenopayemire

Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear King, after thus pacifying the Pracetas, Soma, the king of the moon, gave them the beautiful girl born of Pramloca Apsara. The Pracetas all received Pramloca’s daughter, who had high, very beautiful hips, and married her according to the religious system.

6.4.17

तेभ्यस्तस्यां समभवद् दक्ष: प्राचेतस: किल । यस्य प्रजाविसर्गेण लोका आपूरितास्त्रय: ॥ १७ ॥

tebhyas tasyam samabhavad daksah pracetasah kila yasya praja-visargena loka apuritas trayah

In the womb of that girl the Pracetas all begot a son named Daksa, who filled the three worlds with living entities.

6.4.18

यथा ससर्ज भूतानि दक्षो दुहितृवत्सल: । रेतसा मनसा चैव तन्ममावहित: श‍ृणु ॥ १८ ॥

yatha sasarja bhutani dakso duhitr-vatsalah retasa manasa caiva tan mamavahitah srnu

Sukadeva Gosvami continued: Please hear from me with great attention how Prajapati Daksa, who was very affectionate to his daughters, created different types of living entities through his semen and through his mind.

6.4.19

मनसैवासृजत्पूर्वं प्रजापतिरिमा: प्रजा: । देवासुरमनुष्यादीन्नभ:स्थलजलौकस: ॥ १९ ॥

manasaivasrjat purvam prajapatir imah prajah devasura-manusyadin nabhah-sthala-jalaukasah

With his mind, Prajapati Daksa first created all kinds of demigods, demons, human beings, birds, beasts, aquatics and so on.

6.4.20

तमबृंहितमालोक्य प्रजासर्गं प्रजापति: । विन्ध्यपादानुपव्रज्य सोऽचरद्‌दुष्करं तप: ॥ २० ॥

tam abrmhitam alokya praja-sargam prajapatih vindhya-padan upavrajya so ’carad duskaram tapah

But when Prajapati Daksa saw that he was not properly generating all kinds of living entities, he approached a mountain near the Vindhya mountain range, and there he executed very difficult austerities.

6.4.21

तत्राघमर्षणं नाम तीर्थं पापहरं परम् । उपस्पृश्यानुसवनं तपसातोषयद्धरिम् ॥ २१ ॥

tatraghamarsanam nama tirtham papa-haram param upasprsyanusavanam tapasatosayad dharim

Near that mountain was a very holy place named Aghamarsana. There Prajapati Daksa executed ritualistic ceremonies and satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, by engaging in great austerities to please Him.

6.4.22

अस्तौषीद्धंसगुह्येन भगवन्तमधोक्षजम् । तुभ्यं तदभिधास्यामि कस्यातुष्यद्यथा हरि: ॥ २२ ॥

astausid dhamsa-guhyena bhagavantam adhoksajam tubhyam tad abhidhasyami kasyatusyad yatha harih

My dear King, I shall fully explain to you the Hamsa-guhya prayers, which were offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead by Daksa, and I shall explain how the Lord was pleased with him for those prayers.

6.4.23

श्रीप्रजापतिरुवाच नम: परायावितथानुभूतये गुणत्रयाभासनिमित्तबन्धवे । अद‍ृष्टधाम्ने गुणतत्त्वबुद्धिभि- र्निवृत्तमानाय दधे स्वयम्भुवे ॥ २३ ॥

sri-prajapatir uvaca namah parayavitathanubhutaye guna-trayabhasa-nimitta-bandhave adrsta-dhamne guna-tattva-buddhibhir nivrtta-manaya dadhe svayambhuve

Prajapati Daksa said: The Supreme Personality of Godhead is transcendental to the illusory energy and the physical categories it produces. He possesses the potency for unfailing knowledge and supreme willpower, and He is the controller of the living entities and the illusory energy. The conditioned souls who have accepted this material manifestation as everything cannot see Him, for He is above the evidence of experimental knowledge. Self-evident and self-sufficient, He is not caused by any superior cause. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.

6.4.24

न यस्य सख्यं पुरुषोऽवैति सख्यु: सखा वसन् संवसत: पुरेऽस्मिन् । गुणो यथा गुणिनो व्यक्तद‍ृष्टे- स्तस्मै महेशाय नमस्करोमि ॥ २४ ॥

na yasya sakhyam puruso ’vaiti sakhyuh sakha vasan samvasatah pure ’smin guno yatha gunino vyakta-drstes tasmai mahesaya namaskaromi

As the sense objects (form, taste, touch, smell and sound) cannot understand how the senses perceive them, so the conditioned soul, although residing in his body along with the Supersoul, cannot understand how the supreme spiritual person, the master of the material creation, directs his senses. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto that Supreme Person, who is the supreme controller.

6.4.25

देहोऽसवोऽक्षा मनवो भूतमात्रा- मात्मानमन्यं च विदु: परं यत् । सर्वं पुमान् वेद गुणांश्च तज्ज्ञो न वेद सर्वज्ञमनन्तमीडे ॥ २५ ॥

deho ’savo ’ksa manavo bhuta-matram atmanam anyam ca viduh param yat sarvam puman veda gunams ca taj-jno na veda sarva-jnam anantam ide

Because they are only matter, the body, the life airs, the external and internal senses, the five gross elements and the subtle sense objects (form, taste, smell, sound and touch) cannot know their own nature, the nature of the other senses or the nature of their controllers. But the living being, because of his spiritual nature, can know his body, the life airs, the senses, the elements and the sense objects, and he can also know the three qualities that form their roots. Nevertheless, although the living being is completely aware of them, he is unable to see the Supreme Being, who is omniscient and unlimited. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.

6.4.26

यदोपरामो मनसो नामरूप- रूपस्य द‍ृष्टस्मृतिसम्प्रमोषात् । य ईयते केवलया स्वसंस्थया हंसाय तस्मै शुचिसद्मने नम: ॥ २६ ॥

yadoparamo manaso nama-rupa- rupasya drsta-smrti-sampramosat ya iyate kevalaya sva-samsthaya hamsaya tasmai suci-sadmane namah

When one’s consciousness is completely purified of the contamination of material existence, gross and subtle, without being agitated as in the working and dreaming states, and when the mind is not dissolved as in susupti, deep sleep, one comes to the platform of trance. Then one’s material vision and the memories of the mind, which manifests names and forms, are vanquished. Only in such a trance is the Supreme Personality of Godhead revealed. Thus let us offer our respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is seen in that uncontaminated, transcendental state.

6.4.27-28

मनीषिणोऽन्तर्हृदि सन्निवेशितं स्वशक्तिभिर्नवभिश्च त्रिवृद्भ‍ि: । वह्निं यथा दारुणि पाञ्चदश्यं मनीषया निष्कर्षन्ति गूढम् ॥ २७ ॥ स वै ममाशेषविशेषमाया निषेधनिर्वाणसुखानुभूति: । स सर्वनामा स च विश्वरूप: प्रसीदतामनिरुक्तात्मशक्ति: ॥ २८ ॥

manisino ’ntar-hrdi sannivesitam sva-saktibhir navabhis ca trivrdbhih vahnim yatha daruni pancadasyam manisaya niskarsanti gudham sa vai mamasesa-visesa-maya- nisedha-nirvana-sukhanubhutih sa sarva-nama sa ca visva-rupah prasidatam aniruktatma-saktih

Just as great learned brahmanas who are expert in performing ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices can extract the fire dormant within wooden fuel by chanting the fifteen Samidheni mantras, thus proving the efficacy of the Vedic mantras, so those who are actually advanced in consciousness — in other words, those who are Krsna conscious — can find the Supersoul, who by His own spiritual potency is situated within the heart. The heart is covered by the three modes of material nature and the nine material elements [material nature, the total material energy, the ego, the mind and the five objects of sense gratification], and also by the five material elements and the ten senses. These twenty-seven elements constitute the external energy of the Lord. Great yogis meditate upon the Lord, who is situated as the Supersoul, Paramatma, within the core of the heart. May that Supersoul be pleased with me. The Supersoul is realized when one is eager for liberation from the unlimited varieties of material life. One actually attains such liberation when he engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord and realizes the Lord because of his attitude of service. The Lord may be addressed by various spiritual names, which are inconceivable to the material senses. When will that Supreme Personality of Godhead be pleased with me?

6.4.29

यद्यन्निरुक्तं वचसा निरूपितं धियाक्षभिर्वा मनसोत यस्य । मा भूत्स्वरूपं गुणरूपं हि तत्तत् स वै गुणापायविसर्गलक्षण: ॥ २९ ॥

yad yan niruktam vacasa nirupitam dhiyaksabhir va manasota yasya ma bhut svarupam guna-rupam hi tat tat sa vai gunapaya-visarga-laksanah

Anything expressed by material vibrations, anything ascertained by material intelligence and anything experienced by the material senses or concocted within the material mind is but an effect of the modes of material nature and therefore has nothing to do with the real nature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Lord is beyond the creation of this material world, for He is the source of the material qualities and creation. As the cause of all causes, He exists before the creation and after the creation. I wish to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.

6.4.30

यस्मिन्यतो येन च यस्य यस्मै यद्यो यथा कुरुते कार्यते च । परावरेषां परमं प्राक् प्रसिद्धं तद् ब्रह्म तद्धेतुरनन्यदेकम् ॥ ३० ॥

yasmin yato yena ca yasya yasmai yad yo yatha kurute karyate ca paravaresam paramam prak prasiddham tad brahma tad dhetur ananyad ekam

The Supreme Brahman, Krsna, is the ultimate resting place and source of everything. Everything is done by Him, everything belongs to Him, and everything is offered to Him. He is the ultimate objective, and whether acting or causing others to act, He is the ultimate doer. There are many causes, high and low, but since He is the cause of all causes, He is well known as the Supreme Brahman who existed before all activities. He is one without a second and has no other cause. I therefore offer my respects unto Him.

6.4.31

यच्छक्तयो वदतां वादिनां वै विवादसंवादभुवो भवन्ति । कुर्वन्ति चैषां मुहुरात्ममोहं तस्मै नमोऽनन्तगुणाय भूम्ने ॥ ३१ ॥

yac-chaktayo vadatam vadinam vai vivada-samvada-bhuvo bhavanti kurvanti caisam muhur atma-moham tasmai namo ’nanta-gunaya bhumne

Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the all-pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead, who possesses unlimited transcendental qualities. Acting from within the cores of the hearts of all philosophers, who propagate various views, He causes them to forget their own souls while sometimes agreeing and sometimes disagreeing among themselves. Thus He creates within this material world a situation in which they are unable to come to a conclusion. I offer my obeisances unto Him.

6.4.32

अस्तीति नास्तीति च वस्तुनिष्ठयो- रेकस्थयोर्भिन्नविरुद्धधर्मणो: । अवेक्षितं किञ्चन योगसाङ्ख्ययो: समं परं ह्यनुकूलं बृहत्तत् ॥ ३२ ॥

astiti nastiti ca vastu-nisthayor eka-sthayor bhinna-viruddha-dharmanoh aveksitam kincana yoga-sankhyayoh samam param hy anukulam brhat tat

There are two parties—namely, the theists and the atheists. The theist, who accepts the Supersoul, finds the spiritual cause through mystic yoga. The Sankhyite, however, who merely analyzes the material elements, comes to a conclusion of impersonalism and does not accept a supreme cause—whether Bhagavan, Paramatma or even Brahman. Instead, he is preoccupied with the superfluous, external activities of material nature. Ultimately, however, both parties demonstrate the Absolute Truth because although they offer opposing statements, their object is the same ultimate cause. They are both approaching the same Supreme Brahman, to whom I offer my respectful obeisances.

6.4.33

योऽनुग्रहार्थं भजतां पादमूल- मनामरूपो भगवाननन्त: । नामानि रूपाणि च जन्मकर्मभि- र्भेजे स मह्यं परम: प्रसीदतु ॥ ३३ ॥

yo ’nugrahartham bhajatam pada-mulam anama-rupo bhagavan anantah namani rupani ca janma-karmabhir bheje sa mahyam paramah prasidatu

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is inconceivably opulent, who is devoid of all material names, forms and pastimes, and who is all-pervading, is especially merciful to the devotees who worship His lotus feet. Thus He exhibits transcendental forms and names with His different pastimes. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose form is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss, be merciful to me.

6.4.34

य: प्राकृतैर्ज्ञानपथैर्जनानां यथाशयं देहगतो विभाति । यथानिल: पार्थिवमाश्रितो गुणं स ईश्वरो मे कुरुतां मनोरथम् ॥ ३४ ॥

yah prakrtair jnana-pathair jananam yathasayam deha-gato vibhati yathanilah parthivam asrito gunam sa isvaro me kurutam manoratham

As the air carries various characteristics of the physical elements, like the aroma of a flower or colors resulting from a mixture of dust in the air, the Lord appears through lower systems of worship according to one’s desires, although He appears as the demigods and not in His original form. What is the use of these other forms? May the original Supreme Personality of Godhead please fulfill my desires.

6.4.35-39

श्रीशुक उवाच इति स्तुत: संस्तुवत: स तस्मिन्नघमर्षणे । प्रादुरासीत्कुरुश्रेष्ठ भगवान् भक्तवत्सल: ॥ ३५ ॥ कृतपाद: सुपर्णांसे प्रलम्बाष्टमहाभुज: । चक्रशङ्खासिचर्मेषुधनु:पाशगदाधर: ॥ ३६ ॥ पीतवासा घनश्याम: प्रसन्नवदनेक्षण: । वनमालानिवीताङ्गो लसच्छ्रीवत्सकौस्तुभ: ॥ ३७ ॥ महाकिरीटकटक: स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डल: । काञ्‍च्यङ्गुलीयवलयनूपुराङ्गदभूषित: ॥ ३८ ॥ त्रैलोक्यमोहनं रूपं बिभ्रत् त्रिभुवनेश्वर: । वृतो नारदनन्दाद्यै: पार्षदै: सुरयूथपै: । स्तूयमानोऽनुगायद्भ‍ि: सिद्धगन्धर्वचारणै: ॥ ३९ ॥

sri-suka uvaca iti stutah samstuvatah sa tasminn aghamarsane pradurasit kuru-srestha bhagavan bhakta-vatsalah krta-padah suparnamse pralambasta-maha-bhujah cakra-sankhasi-carmesu- dhanuh-pasa-gada-dharah pita-vasa ghana-syamah prasanna-vadaneksanah vana-mala-nivitango lasac-chrivatsa-kaustubhah maha-kirita-katakah sphuran-makara-kundalah kancy-anguliya-valaya- nupurangada-bhusitah trailokya-mohanam rupam bibhrat tribhuvanesvarah vrto narada-nandadyaih parsadaih sura-yuthapaih stuyamano ’nugayadbhih siddha-gandharva-caranaih

Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, who is extremely affectionate to His devotees, was very pleased by the prayers offered by Daksa, and thus He appeared at that holy place known as Aghamarsana. O Maharaja Pariksit, best of the Kuru dynasty, the Lord’s lotus feet rested on the shoulders of His carrier, Garuda, and He appeared with eight long, mighty, very beautiful arms. In His hands He held a disc, conchshell, sword, shield, arrow, bow, rope and club — in each hand a different weapon, all brilliantly shining. His garments were yellow and His bodily hue deep bluish. His eyes and face were very cheerful, and from His neck to His feet hung a long garland of flowers. His chest was decorated with the Kaustubha jewel and the mark of Srivatsa. On His head was a gorgeous round helmet, and His ears were decorated with earrings resembling sharks. All these ornaments were uncommonly beautiful. The Lord wore a golden belt on His waist, bracelets on His arms, rings on His fingers, and ankle bells on His feet. Thus decorated by various ornaments, Lord Hari, who is attractive to all the living entities of the three worlds, is known as Purusottama, the best personality. He was accompanied by great devotees like Narada, Nanda and all the principal demigods, led by the heavenly king, Indra, and the residents of various upper planetary systems such as Siddhaloka, Gandharvaloka and Caranaloka. Situated on both sides of the Lord and behind Him as well, these devotees offered Him prayers continuously.

6.4.40

रूपं तन्महदाश्चर्यं विचक्ष्यागतसाध्वस: । ननाम दण्डवद्भ‍ूमौ प्रहृष्टात्मा प्रजापति: ॥ ४० ॥

rupam tan mahad-ascaryam vicaksyagata-sadhvasah nanama dandavad bhumau prahrstatma prajapatih

Seeing that wonderful and effulgent form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Prajapati Daksa was first somewhat afraid, but then he was very pleased to see the Lord, and he fell to the ground like a stick (dandavat) to offer his respects to the Lord.

6.4.41

न किञ्चनोदीरयितुमशकत् तीव्रया मुदा । आपूरितमनोद्वारैर्ह्रदिन्य इव निर्झरै: ॥ ४१ ॥

na kincanodirayitum asakat tivraya muda apurita-manodvarair hradinya iva nirjharaih

As rivers are filled by water flowing from a mountain, all of Daksa’s senses were filled with pleasure. Because of his highly elevated happiness, Daksa could not say anything, but simply remained flat on the ground.

6.4.42

तं तथावनतं भक्तं प्रजाकामं प्रजापतिम् । चित्तज्ञ: सर्वभूतानामिदमाह जनार्दन: ॥ ४२ ॥

tam tathavanatam bhaktam praja-kamam prajapatim citta-jnah sarva-bhutanam idam aha janardanah

Although Prajapati Daksa could not say anything, when the Lord, who knows everyone’s heart, saw His devotee prostrate in that manner and desiring to increase the population, He addressed him as follows.

6.4.43

श्रीभगवानुवाच प्राचेतस महाभाग संसिद्धस्तपसा भवान् । यच्छ्रद्धया मत्परया मयि भावं परं गत: ॥ ४३ ॥

sri-bhagavan uvaca pracetasa maha-bhaga samsiddhas tapasa bhavan yac chraddhaya mat-paraya mayi bhavam param gatah

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O most fortunate Pracetasa, because of your great faith in Me, you have attained the supreme devotional ecstasy. Indeed, because of your austerities, combined with exalted devotion, your life is now successful. You have achieved complete perfection.

6.4.44

प्रीतोऽहं ते प्रजानाथ यत्तेऽस्योद्बृंहणं तप: । ममैष कामो भूतानां यद्भ‍ूयासुर्विभूतय: ॥ ४४ ॥

prito ’ham te praja-natha yat te ’syodbrmhanam tapah mamaisa kamo bhutanam yad bhuyasur vibhutayah

My dear Prajapati Daksa, you have performed extreme austerities for the welfare and growth of the world. My desire also is that everyone within this world be happy. I am therefore very pleased with you because you are endeavoring to fulfill My desire for the welfare of the entire world.

6.4.45

ब्रह्मा भवो भवन्तश्च मनवो विबुधेश्वरा: । विभूतयो मम ह्येता भूतानां भूतिहेतव: ॥ ४५ ॥

brahma bhavo bhavantas ca manavo vibudhesvarah vibhutayo mama hy eta bhutanam bhuti-hetavah

Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, the Manus, all the other demigods in the higher planeary systems, and you prajapatis, who are increasing the population, are working for the benefit of all living entities. Thus you expansions of My marginal energy are incarnations of My various qualities.

6.4.46

तपो मे हृदयं ब्रह्मंस्तनुर्विद्या क्रियाकृति: । अङ्गानि क्रतवो जाता धर्म आत्मासव: सुरा: ॥ ४६ ॥

tapo me hrdayam brahmams tanur vidya kriyakrtih angani kratavo jata dharma atmasavah surah

My dear brahmana, austerity in the form of meditation is My heart, Vedic knowledge in the form of hymns and mantras constitutes My body, and spiritual activities and ecstatic emotions are My actual form. The ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices, when properly conducted, are the various limbs of My body, the unseen good fortune proceeding from pious or spiritual activities constitutes My mind, and the demigods who execute My orders in various departments are My life and soul.

6.4.47

अहमेवासमेवाग्रे नान्यत् किञ्चान्तरं बहि: । संज्ञानमात्रमव्यक्तं प्रसुप्तमिव विश्वत: ॥ ४७ ॥

aham evasam evagre nanyat kincantaram bahih samjnana-matram avyaktam prasuptam iva visvatah

Before the creation of this cosmic manifestation, I alone existed with My specific spiritual potencies. Consciousness was then unmanifested, just as one’s consciousness is unmanifested during the time of sleep.

6.4.48

मय्यनन्तगुणेऽनन्ते गुणतो गुणविग्रह: । यदासीत्तत एवाद्य: स्वयम्भू: समभूदज: ॥ ४८ ॥

mayy ananta-gune ’nante gunato guna-vigrahah yadasit tata evadyah svayambhuh samabhud ajah

I am the reservoir of unlimited potency, and therefore I am known as unlimited or all-pervading. From My material energy the cosmic manifestation appeared within Me, and in this universal manifestation appeared the chief being, Lord Brahma, who is your source and is not born of a material mother.

6.4.49-50

स वै यदा महादेवो मम वीर्योपबृंहित: । मेने खिलमिवात्मानमुद्यत: स्वर्गकर्मणि ॥ ४९ ॥ अथ मेऽभिहितो देवस्तपोऽतप्यत दारुणम् । नव विश्वसृजो युष्मान् येनादावसृजद्विभु: ॥ ५० ॥

sa vai yada mahadevo mama viryopabrmhitah mene khilam ivatmanam udyatah svarga-karmani atha me ’bhihito devas tapo ’tapyata darunam nava visva-srjo yusman yenadav asrjad vibhuh

When the chief lord of the universe, Lord Brahma [Svayambhu], having been inspired by My energy, was attempting to create, he thought himself incapable. Therefore I gave him advice, and in accordance with My instructions he underwent extremely difficult austerities. Because of these austerities, the great Lord Brahma was able to create nine personalities, including you, to help him in the functions of creation.

6.4.51

एषा पञ्चजनस्याङ्ग दुहिता वै प्रजापते: । असिक्नी नाम पत्नीत्वे प्रजेश प्रतिगृह्यताम् ॥ ५१ ॥

esa pancajanasyanga duhita vai prajapateh asikni nama patnitve prajesa pratigrhyatam

O My dear son Daksa, Prajapati Pancajana has a daughter named Asikni, whom I offer to you so that you may accept her as your wife.

6.4.52

मिथुनव्यवायधर्मस्त्वं प्रजासर्गमिमं पुन: । मिथुनव्यवायधर्मिण्यां भूरिशो भावयिष्यसि ॥ ५२ ॥

mithuna-vyavaya-dharmas tvam praja-sargam imam punah mithuna-vyavaya-dharminyam bhuriso bhavayisyasi

Now unite in sexual life as man and woman, and in this way, by sexual intercourse, you will be able to beget hundreds of children in the womb of this girl to increase the population.

6.4.53

त्वत्तोऽधस्तात्प्रजा: सर्वा मिथुनीभूय मायया । मदीयया भविष्यन्ति हरिष्यन्ति च मे बलिम् ॥ ५३ ॥

tvatto ’dhastat prajah sarva mithuni-bhuya mayaya madiyaya bhavisyanti harisyanti ca me balim

After you give birth to many hundreds and thousands of children, they will also be captivated by My illusory energy and will engage, like You, in sexual intercourse. But because of My mercy to you and them, they will also be able to give Me presentations in devotion.

6.4.54

श्रीशुक उवाच इत्युक्त्वा मिषतस्तस्य भगवान् विश्वभावन: । स्वप्नोपलब्धार्थ इव तत्रैवान्तर्दधे हरि: ॥ ५४ ॥

sri-suka uvaca ity uktva misatas tasya bhagavan visva-bhavanah svapnopalabdhartha iva tatraivantardadhe harih

Sukadeva Gosvami continued: After the creator of the entire universe, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, had spoken in this way in the presence of Prajapati Daksa, He immediately disappeared as if He were an object experienced in a dream.