Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 7 · Chapter 2
श्रीनारद उवाच भ्रातर्येवं विनिहते हरिणा क्रोडमूर्तिना । हिरण्यकशिपू राजन् पर्यतप्यद्रुषा शुचा ॥ १ ॥
sri-narada uvaca bhratary evam vinihate harina kroda-murtina hiranyakasipu rajan paryatapyad rusa suca
Sri Narada Muni said: My dear King Yudhisthira, when Lord Visnu, in the form of Varaha, the boar, killed Hiranyaksa, Hiranyaksa’s brother Hiranyakasipu was extremely angry and began to lament.
आह चेदं रुषा पूर्ण: सन्दष्टदशनच्छद: । कोपोज्ज्वलद्भ्यां चक्षुर्भ्यां निरीक्षन् धूम्रमम्बरम् ॥ २ ॥
aha cedam rusa purnah sandasta-dasana-cchadah kopojjvaladbhyam caksurbhyam niriksan dhumram ambaram
Filled with rage and biting his lips, Hiranyakasipu gazed at the sky with eyes that blazed in anger, making the whole sky smoky. Thus he began to speak.
करालदंष्ट्रोग्रदृष्टया दुष्प्रेक्ष्यभ्रुकुटीमुख: । शूलमुद्यम्य सदसि दानवानिदमब्रवीत् ॥ ३ ॥
karala-damstrogra-drstya duspreksya-bhrukuti-mukhah sulam udyamya sadasi danavan idam abravit
Exhibiting his terrible teeth, fierce glance and frowning eyebrows, terrible to see, he took up his weapon, a trident, and thus began speaking to his associates, the assembled demons.
भो भो दानवदैतेया द्विमूर्धंस्त्र्यक्ष शम्बर । शतबाहो हयग्रीव नमुचे पाक इल्वल ॥ ४ ॥ विप्रचित्ते मम वच: पुलोमन् शकुनादय: । शृणुतानन्तरं सर्वे क्रियतामाशु मा चिरम् ॥ ५ ॥
bho bho danava-daiteya dvimurdhams tryaksa sambara satabaho hayagriva namuce paka ilvala vipracitte mama vacah puloman sakunadayah srnutanantaram sarve kriyatam asu ma ciram
O Danavas and Daityas! O Dvimurdha, Tryaksa, Sambara and Satabahu! O Hayagriva, Namuci, Paka and Ilvala! O Vipracitti, Puloman, Sakuna and other demons! All of you, kindly hear me attentively and then act according to my words without delay.
सपत्नैर्घातित: क्षुद्रैर्भ्राता मे दयित: सुहृत् । पार्ष्णिग्राहेण हरिणा समेनाप्युपधावनै: ॥ ६ ॥
sapatnair ghatitah ksudrair bhrata me dayitah suhrt parsni-grahena harina samenapy upadhavanaih
My insignificant enemies the demigods have combined to kill my very dear and obedient well-wisher, my brother Hiranyaksa. Although the Supreme Lord, Visnu, is always equal to both of us—namely, the demigods and the demons—this time, being devoutly worshiped by the demigods, He has taken their side and helped them kill Hiranyaksa.
तस्य त्यक्तस्वभावस्य घृणेर्मायावनौकस: । भजन्तं भजमानस्य बालस्येवास्थिरात्मन: ॥ ७ ॥ मच्छूलभिन्नग्रीवस्य भूरिणा रुधिरेण वै । असृक्प्रियं तर्पयिष्ये भ्रातरं मे गतव्यथ: ॥ ८ ॥
tasya tyakta-svabhavasya ghrner maya-vanaukasah bhajantam bhajamanasya balasyevasthiratmanah mac-chula-bhinna-grivasya bhurina rudhirena vai asrk-priyam tarpayisye bhrataram me gata-vyathah
The Supreme Personality of Godhead has given up His natural tendency of equality toward the demons and demigods. Although He is the Supreme Person, now, influenced by maya, He has assumed the form of a boar to please His devotees, the demigods, just as a restless child leans toward someone. I shall therefore sever Lord Visnu’s head from His trunk by my trident, and with the profuse blood from His body I shall please my brother Hiranyaksa, who was so fond of sucking blood. Thus shall I too be peaceful.
तस्मिन् कूटेऽहिते नष्टे कृत्तमूले वनस्पतौ । विटपा इव शुष्यन्ति विष्णुप्राणा दिवौकस: ॥ ९ ॥
tasmin kute ’hite naste krtta-mule vanas-patau vitapa iva susyanti visnu-prana divaukasah
When the root of a tree is cut and the tree falls down, its branches and twigs automatically dry up. Similarly, when I have killed this diplomatic Visnu, the demigods, for whom Lord Visnu is the life and soul, will lose the source of their life and wither away.
तावद्यात भुवं यूयं ब्रह्मक्षत्रसमेधिताम् । सूदयध्वं तपोयज्ञस्वाध्यायव्रतदानिन: ॥ १० ॥
tavad yata bhuvam yuyam brahma-ksatra-samedhitam sudayadhvam tapo-yajna- svadhyaya-vrata-daninah
While I am engaged in the business of killing Lord Visnu, go down to the plane earth, which is flourishing due to brahminical culture and a ksatriya government. These people engage in austerity, sacrifice, Vedic study, regulative vows, and charity. Destroy all the people thus engaged!
विष्णुर्द्विजक्रियामूलो यज्ञो धर्ममय: पुमान् । देवर्षिपितृभूतानां धर्मस्य च परायणम् ॥ ११ ॥
visnur dvija-kriya-mulo yajno dharmamayah puman devarsi-pitr-bhutanam dharmasya ca parayanam
The basic principle of brahminical culture is to satisfy Lord Visnu, the personification of sacrificial and ritualistic ceremonies. Lord Visnu is the personified reservoir of all religious principles, and He is the shelter of all the demigods, the great pitas, and the people in general. When the brahmanas are killed, no one will exist to encourage the ksatriyas to perform yajnas, and thus the demigods, not being appeased by yajna, will automatically die.
यत्र यत्र द्विजा गावो वेदा वर्णाश्रमक्रिया: । तं तं जनपदं यात सन्दीपयत वृश्चत ॥ १२ ॥
yatra yatra dvija gavo veda varnasrama-kriyah tam tam janapadam yata sandipayata vrscata
Immediately go wherever there is good protection for the cows and brahmanas and wherever the Vedas are studied in terms of the varnasrama principles. Set fire to those places and cut from the roots the trees there, which are the source of life.
इति ते भर्तृनिर्देशमादाय शिरसादृता: । तथा प्रजानां कदनं विदधु: कदनप्रिया: ॥ १३ ॥
iti te bhartr-nirdesam adaya sirasadrtah tatha prajanam kadanam vidadhuh kadana-priyah
Thus the demons, being fond of disastrous activities, took Hiranyakasipu’s instructions on their heads with great respect and offered him obeisances. According to his directions, they engaged in envious activities directed against all living beings.
पुरग्रामव्रजोद्यानक्षेत्रारामाश्रमाकरान् । खेटखर्वटघोषांश्च ददहु: पत्तनानि च ॥ १४ ॥
pura-grama-vrajodyana- ksetraramasramakaran kheta-kharvata-ghosams ca dadahuh pattanani ca
The demons set fire to the cities, villages, pasturing grounds, cowpens, gardens, agricultural fields and natural forests. They burned the hermitages of the saintly persons, the important mines that produced valuable metals, the residential quarters of the agriculturalists, the mountain villages, and the villages of the cow protectors, the cowherd men. They also burned the government capitals.
केचित्खनित्रैर्बिभिदु: सेतुप्राकारगोपुरान् । आजीव्यांश्चिच्छिदुर्वृक्षान् केचित्परशुपाणय: । प्रादहन् शरणान्येके प्रजानां ज्वलितोल्मुकै: ॥ १५ ॥
kecit khanitrair bibhiduh setu-prakara-gopuran ajivyams cicchidur vrksan kecit parasu-panayah pradahan saranany eke prajanam jvalitolmukaih
Some of the demons took digging instruments and broke down the bridges, the protective walls and the gates (gopuras) of the cities. Some took axes and began cutting the important trees that produced mango, jackfruit and other sources of food. Some of the demons took firebrands and set fire to the residential quarters of the citizens.
एवं विप्रकृते लोके दैत्येन्द्रानुचरैर्मुहु: । दिवं देवा: परित्यज्य भुवि चेरुरलक्षिता: ॥ १६ ॥
evam viprakrte loke daityendranucarair muhuh divam devah parityajya bhuvi cerur alaksitah
Thus disturbed again and again by the unnatural occurrences caused by the followers of Hiranyakasipu, all the people had to cease the activities of Vedic culture. Not receiving the results of yajna, the demigods also became disturbed. They left their residential quarters in the heavenly planes and, unobserved by the demons, began wandering on the planet earth to see the disasters.
हिरण्यकशिपुर्भ्रातु: सम्परेतस्य दु:खित: । कृत्वा कटोदकादीनि भ्रातृपुत्रानसान्त्वयत् ॥ १७ ॥
hiranyakasipur bhratuh samparetasya duhkhitah krtva katodakadini bhratr-putran asantvayat
After performing the ritualistic observances for the death of his brother, Hiranyakasipu, being extremely unhappy, tried to pacify his nephews.
शकुनिं शम्बरं धृष्टिं भूतसन्तापनं वृकम् । कालनाभं महानाभं हरिश्मश्रुमथोत्कचम् ॥ १८ ॥ तन्मातरं रुषाभानुं दितिं च जननीं गिरा । श्लक्ष्णया देशकालज्ञ इदमाह जनेश्वर ॥ १९ ॥
sakunim sambaram dhrstim bhutasantapanam vrkam kalanabham mahanabham harismasrum athotkacam tan-mataram rusabhanum ditim ca jananim gira slaksnaya desa-kala-jna idam aha janesvara
O King, Hiranyakasipu was extremely angry, but since he was a great politician, he knew how to act according to the time and situation. With sweet words he began pacifying his nephews, whose names were Sakuni, Sambara, Dhrsti, Bhutasantapana, Vrka, Kalanabha, Mahanabha, Harismasru and Utkaca. He also consoled their mother, his sister-in-law, Rusabhanu, as well as his own mother, Diti. He spoke to them all as follows.
श्रीहिरण्यकशिपुरुवाच अम्बाम्ब हे वधू: पुत्रा वीरं मार्हथ शोचितुम् । रिपोरभिमुखे श्लाघ्य: शूराणां वध ईप्सित: ॥ २० ॥
sri-hiranyakasipur uvaca ambamba he vadhuh putra viram marhatha socitum ripor abhimukhe slaghyah suranam vadha ipsitah
Hiranyakasipu said: My dear mother, sister-in-law and nephews, you should not lament for the death of the great hero, for a hero’s death in front of his enemy is glorious and desirable.
भूतानामिह संवास: प्रपायामिव सुव्रते । दैवेनैकत्र नीतानामुन्नीतानां स्वकर्मभि: ॥ २१ ॥
bhutanam iha samvasah prapayam iva suvrate daivenaikatra nitanam unnitanam sva-karmabhih
My dear mother, in a restaurant or place for drinking cold water, many travelers are brought together, and after drinking water they continue to their respective destinations. Similarly, living entities join together in a family, and later, as a result of their own actions, they are led apart to their destinations.
नित्य आत्माव्यय: शुद्ध: सर्वग: सर्ववित्पर: । धत्तेऽसावात्मनो लिङ्गं मायया विसृजन्गुणान् ॥ २२ ॥
nitya atmavyayah suddhah sarvagah sarva-vit parah dhatte ’sav atmano lingam mayaya visrjan gunan
The spirit soul, the living entity, has no death, for he is eternal and inexhaustible. Being free from material contamination, he can go anywhere in the material or spiritual worlds. He is fully aware and completely different from the material body, but because of being misled by misuse of his slight independence, he is obliged to accept subtle and gross bodies created by the material energy and thus be subjected to so-called material happiness and distress. Therefore, no one should lament for the passing of the spirit soul from the body.
यथाम्भसा प्रचलता तरवोऽपि चला इव । चक्षुषा भ्राम्यमाणेन दृश्यते चलतीव भू: ॥ २३ ॥
yathambhasa pracalata taravo ’pi cala iva caksusa bhramyamanena drsyate calativa bhuh
Because of the movements of the water, the trees on the bank of a river, when reflected on the water, seem to move. Similarly, when the eyes move because of some mental derangement, the land appears to move also.
एवं गुणैर्भ्राम्यमाणे मनस्यविकल: पुमान् । याति तत्साम्यतां भद्रे ह्यलिङ्गो लिङ्गवानिव ॥ २४ ॥
evam gunair bhramyamane manasy avikalah puman yati tat-samyatam bhadre hy alingo lingavan iva
In the same way, O my gentle mother, when the mind is agitated by the movements of the modes of material nature, the living entity, although freed from all the different phases of the subtle and gross bodies, thinks that he has changed from one condition to another.
एष आत्मविपर्यासो ह्यलिङ्गे लिङ्गभावना । एष प्रियाप्रियैर्योगो वियोग: कर्मसंसृति: ॥ २५ ॥ सम्भवश्च विनाशश्च शोकश्च विविध: स्मृत: । अविवेकश्च चिन्ता च विवेकास्मृतिरेव च ॥ २६ ॥
esa atma-viparyaso hy alinge linga-bhavana esa priyapriyair yogo viyogah karma-samsrtih sambhavas ca vinasas ca sokas ca vividhah smrtah avivekas ca cinta ca vivekasmrtir eva ca
In his bewildered state, the living entity, accepting the body and mind to be the self, considers some people to be his kinsmen and others to be outsiders. Because of this misconception, he suffers. Indeed, the accumulation of such concocted material ideas is the cause of suffering and so-called happiness in the material world. The conditioned soul thus situated must take birth in different species and work in various types of consciousness, thus creating new bodies. This continued material life is called samsara. Birth, death, lamentation, foolishness and anxiety are due to such material considerations. Thus we sometimes come to a proper understanding and sometimes fall again to a wrong conception of life.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । यमस्य प्रेतबन्धूनां संवादं तं निबोधत ॥ २७ ॥
atrapy udaharantimam itihasam puratanam yamasya preta-bandhunam samvadam tam nibodhata
In this regard, an example is given from an old history. This involves a discourse between Yamaraja and the friends of a dead person. Please hear it attentively.
उशीनरेष्वभूद्राजा सुयज्ञ इति विश्रुत: । सपत्नैर्निहतो युद्धे ज्ञातयस्तमुपासत ॥ २८ ॥
usinaresv abhud raja suyajna iti visrutah sapatnair nihato yuddhe jnatayas tam upasata
In the state known as Usinara there was a celebrated King named Suyajna. When the King was killed in battle by his enemies, his kinsmen sat down around the dead body and began to lament the death of their friend.
विशीर्णरत्नकवचं विभ्रष्टाभरणस्रजम् । शरनिर्भिन्नहृदयं शयानमसृगाविलम् ॥ २९ ॥ प्रकीर्णकेशं ध्वस्ताक्षं रभसा दष्टदच्छदम् । रज:कुण्ठमुखाम्भोजं छिन्नायुधभुजं मृधे ॥ ३० ॥ उशीनरेन्द्रं विधिना तथा कृतं पतिं महिष्य: प्रसमीक्ष्य दु:खिता: । हता: स्म नाथेति करैरुरो भृशं घ्नन्त्यो मुहुस्तत्पदयोरुपापतन् ॥ ३१ ॥
visirna-ratna-kavacam vibhrastabharana-srajam sara-nirbhinna-hrdayam sayanam asrg-avilam prakirna-kesam dhvastaksam rabhasa dasta-dacchadam rajah-kuntha-mukhambhojam chinnayudha-bhujam mrdhe usinarendram vidhina tatha krtam patim mahisyah prasamiksya duhkhitah hatah sma natheti karair uro bhrsam ghnantyo muhus tat-padayor upapatan
His golden, bejeweled armor smashed, his ornaments and garlands fallen from their places, his hair scattered and his eyes lusterless, the slain King lay on the battlefield, his entire body smeared with blood, his heart pierced by the arrows of the enemy. When he died he had wanted to show his prowess, and thus he had bitten his lips, and his teeth remained in that position. His beautiful lotuslike face was now black and covered with dust from the battlefield. His arms, with his sword and other weapons, were cut and broken. When the queens of the King of Usinara saw their husband lying in that position, they began crying, “O lord, now that you have been killed, we also have been killed.” Repeating these words again and again, they fell down, pounding their breasts, at the feet of the dead King.
रुदत्य उच्चैर्दयिताङ्घ्रिपङ्कजं सिञ्चन्त्य अस्रै: कुचकुङ्कुमारुणै: । विस्रस्तकेशाभरणा: शुचं नृणां सृजन्त्य आक्रन्दनया विलेपिरे ॥ ३२ ॥
rudatya uccair dayitanghri-pankajam sincantya asraih kuca-kunkumarunaih visrasta-kesabharanah sucam nrnam srjantya akrandanaya vilepire
As the queens loudly cried, their tears glided down their breasts, becoming reddened by kunkuma powder, and fell upon the lotus feet of their husband. Their hair became disarrayed, their ornaments fell, and in a way that evoked sympathy from the hearts of others, the queens began lamenting their husband’s death.
अहो विधात्राकरुणेन न: प्रभो भवान् प्रणीतो दृगगोचरां दशाम् । उशीनराणामसि वृत्तिद: पुरा कृतोऽधुना येन शुचां विवर्धन: ॥ ३३ ॥
aho vidhatrakarunena nah prabho bhavan pranito drg-agocaram dasam usinaranam asi vrttidah pura krto ’dhuna yena sucam vivardhanah
O lord, you have now been removed by cruel providence to a state beyond our sight. You had previously sustained the livelihood of the inhabitants of Usinara, and thus they were happy, but your condition now is the cause of their unhappiness.
त्वया कृतज्ञेन वयं महीपते कथं विना स्याम सुहृत्तमेन ते । तत्रानुयानं तव वीर पादयो: शुश्रूषतीनां दिश यत्र यास्यसि ॥ ३४ ॥
tvaya krtajnena vayam mahi-pate katham vina syama suhrttamena te tatranuyanam tava vira padayoh susrusatinam disa yatra yasyasi
O King, O hero, you were a very grateful husband and the most sincere friend of all of us. How shall we exist without you? O hero, wherever you are going, please direct us there so that we may follow in your footsteps and engage again in your service. Let us go along with you!
एवं विलपतीनां वै परिगृह्य मृतं पतिम् । अनिच्छतीनां निर्हारमर्कोऽस्तं सन्न्यवर्तत ॥ ३५ ॥
evam vilapatinam vai parigrhya mrtam patim anicchatinam nirharam arko ’stam sannyavartata
The time was appropriate for the body to be burned, but the queens, not allowing it to be taken away, continued lamenting for the dead body, which they kept on their laps. In the meantime, the sun completed its movements for setting in the west.
तत्र ह प्रेतबन्धूनामाश्रुत्य परिदेवितम् । आह तान् बालको भूत्वा यम: स्वयमुपागत: ॥ ३६ ॥
tatra ha preta-bandhunam asrutya paridevitam aha tan balako bhutva yamah svayam upagatah
While the queens were lamenting for the dead body of the King, their loud cries were heard even from the abode of Yamaraja. Assuming the body of a boy, Yamaraja personally approached the relatives of the dead body and advised them as follows.
श्रीयम उवाच अहो अमीषां वयसाधिकानां विपश्यतां लोकविधिं विमोह: । यत्रागतस्तत्र गतं मनुष्यं स्वयं सधर्मा अपि शोचन्त्यपार्थम् ॥ ३७ ॥
sri-yama uvaca aho amisam vayasadhikanam vipasyatam loka-vidhim vimohah yatragatas tatra gatam manusyam svayam sadharma api socanty apartham
Sri Yamaraja said: Alas, how amazing it is! These persons, who are older than me, have full experience that hundreds and thousands of living entities have taken birth and died. Thus they should understand that they also are apt to die, yet still they are bewildered. The conditioned soul comes from an unknown place and returns after death to that same unknown place. There is no exception to this rule, which is conducted by material nature. Knowing this, why do they uselessly lament?
अहो वयं धन्यतमा यदत्र त्यक्ता: पितृभ्यां न विचिन्तयाम: । अभक्ष्यमाणा अबला वृकादिभि: स रक्षिता रक्षति यो हि गर्भे ॥ ३८ ॥
aho vayam dhanyatama yad atra tyaktah pitrbhyam na vicintayamah abhaksyamana abala vrkadibhih sa raksita raksati yo hi garbhe
It is wonderful that these elderly women do not have a higher sense of life than we do. Indeed, we are most fortunate, for although we are children and have been left to struggle in material life, unprotected by father and mother, and although we are very weak, we have not been vanquished or eaten by ferocious animals. Thus we have a firm belief that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has given us protection even in the womb of the mother, will protect us everywhere.
य इच्छयेश: सृजतीदमव्ययो य एव रक्षत्यवलुम्पते च य: । तस्याबला: क्रीडनमाहुरीशितु- श्चराचरं निग्रहसङ्ग्रहे प्रभु: ॥ ३९ ॥
ya icchayesah srjatidam avyayo ya eva raksaty avalumpate ca yah tasyabalah kridanam ahur isitus caracaram nigraha-sangrahe prabhuh
The boy addressed the women: O weak women! Only by the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is never diminished, is the entire world created, maintained and again annihilated. This is the verdict of the Vedic knowledge. This material creation, consisting of the moving and nonmoving, is exactly like His plaything. Being the Supreme Lord, He is completely competent to destroy and protect.
पथि च्युतं तिष्ठति दिष्टरक्षितं गृहे स्थितं तद्विहतं विनश्यति । जीवत्यनाथोऽपि तदीक्षितो वने गृहेऽभिगुप्तोऽस्य हतो न जीवति ॥ ४० ॥
pathi cyutam tisthati dista-raksitam grhe sthitam tad-vihatam vinasyati jivaty anatho ’pi tad-iksito vane grhe ’bhigupto ’sya hato na jivati
Sometimes one loses his money on a public street, where everyone can see it, and yet his money is protected by destiny and not seen by others. Thus the man who lost it gets it back. On the other hand, if the Lord does not give protection, even money maintained very securely at home is lost. If the Supreme Lord gives one protection, even though one has no protector and is in the jungle, one remains alive, whereas a person well protected at home by relatives and others sometimes dies, no one being able to protect him.
भूतानि तैस्तैर्निजयोनिकर्मभि- र्भवन्ति काले न भवन्ति सर्वश: । न तत्र हात्मा प्रकृतावपि स्थित- स्तस्या गुणैरन्यतमो हि बध्यते ॥ ४१ ॥
bhutani tais tair nija-yoni-karmabhir bhavanti kale na bhavanti sarvasah na tatra hatma prakrtav api sthitas tasya gunair anyatamo hi badhyate
Every conditioned soul receives a different type of body according to his work, and when the engagement is finished the body is finished. Although the spirit soul is situated in subtle and gross material bodies in different forms of life, he is not bound by them, for he is always understood to be completely different from the manifested body.
इदं शरीरं पुरुषस्य मोहजं यथा पृथग्भौतिकमीयते गृहम् । यथौदकै: पार्थिवतैजसैर्जन: कालेन जातो विकृतो विनश्यति ॥ ४२ ॥
idam sariram purusasya mohajam yatha prthag bhautikam iyate grham yathaudakaih parthiva-taijasair janah kalena jato vikrto vinasyati
Just as a householder, although different from the identity of his house, thinks his house to be identical with him, so the conditioned soul, due to ignorance, accepts the body to be himself, although the body is actually different from the soul. This body is obtained through a combination of portions of earth, water and fire, and when the earth, water and fire are transformed in the course of time, the body is vanquished. The soul has nothing to do with this creation and dissolution of the body.
यथानलो दारुषु भिन्न ईयते यथानिलो देहगत: पृथक् स्थित: । यथा नभ: सर्वगतं न सज्जते तथा पुमान् सर्वगुणाश्रय: पर: ॥ ४३ ॥
yathanalo darusu bhinna iyate yathanilo deha-gatah prthak sthitah yatha nabhah sarva-gatam na sajjate tatha puman sarva-gunasrayah parah
As fire, although situated in wood, is perceived to be different from the wood, as air, although situated within the mouth and nostrils, is perceived to be separate, and as the sky, although all-pervading, never mixes with anything, so the living entity, although now encaged within the material body, of which it is the source, is separate from it.
सुयज्ञो नन्वयं शेते मूढा यमनुशोचथ । य: श्रोता योऽनुवक्तेह स न दृश्येत कर्हिचित् ॥ ४४ ॥
suyajno nanv ayam sete mudha yam anusocatha yah srota yo ’nuvakteha sa na drsyeta karhicit
Yamaraja continued: O lamenters, you are all fools! The person named Suyajna, for whom you lament, is still lying before you and has not gone anywhere. Then what is the cause for your lamentation? Previously he heard you and replied to you, but now, not finding him, you are lamenting. This is contradictory behavior, for you have never actually seen the person within the body who heard you and replied. There is no need for your lamentation, for the body you have always seen is lying here.
न श्रोता नानुवक्तायं मुख्योऽप्यत्र महानसु: । यस्त्विहेन्द्रियवानात्मा स चान्य: प्राणदेहयो: ॥ ४५ ॥
na srota nanuvaktayam mukhyo ’py atra mahan asuh yas tv ihendriyavan atma sa canyah prana-dehayoh
In the body the most important substance is the life air, but that also is neither the listener nor the speaker. Beyond even the life air, the soul also can do nothing, for the Supersoul is actually the director, in cooperation with the individual soul. The Supersoul conducting the activities of the body is different from the body and living force.
भूतेन्द्रियमनोलिङ्गान् देहानुच्चावचान् विभु: । भजत्युत्सृजति ह्यन्यस्तच्चापि स्वेन तेजसा ॥ ४६ ॥
bhutendriya-mano-lingan dehan uccavacan vibhuh bhajaty utsrjati hy anyas tac capi svena tejasa
The five material elements, the ten senses and the mind all combine to form the various parts of the gross and subtle bodies. The living entity comes in contact with his material bodies, whether high or low, and later gives them up by his personal prowess. This strength can be perceived in a living entity’s personal power to possess different types of bodies.
यावल्लिङ्गान्वितो ह्यात्मा तावत्कर्मनिबन्धनम् । ततो विपर्यय: क्लेशो मायायोगोऽनुवर्तते ॥ ४७ ॥
yaval linganvito hy atma tavat karma-nibandhanam tato viparyayah kleso maya-yogo ’nuvartate
As long as the spirit soul is covered by the subtle body, consisting of the mind, intelligence and false ego, he is bound to the results of his fruitive activities. Because of this covering, the spirit soul is connected with the material energy and must accordingly suffer material conditions and reversals, continually, life after life.
वितथाभिनिवेशोऽयं यद्गुणेष्वर्थदृग्वच: । यथा मनोरथ: स्वप्न: सर्वमैन्द्रियकं मृषा ॥ ४८ ॥
vitathabhiniveso ’yam yad gunesv artha-drg-vacah yatha manorathah svapnah sarvam aindriyakam mrsa
It is fruitless to see and talk of the material modes of nature and their resultant so-called happiness and distress as if they were factual. When the mind wanders during the day and a man begins to think himself extremely important, or when he dreams at night and sees a beautiful woman enjoying with him, these are merely false dreams. Similarly, the happiness and distress caused by the material senses should be understood to be meaningless.
अथ नित्यमनित्यं वा नेह शोचन्ति तद्विद: । नान्यथा शक्यते कर्तुं स्वभाव: शोचतामिति ॥ ४९ ॥
atha nityam anityam va neha socanti tad-vidah nanyatha sakyate kartum sva-bhavah socatam iti
Those who have full knowledge of self-realization, who know very well that the spirit soul is eternal whereas the body is perishable, are not overwhelmed by lamentation. But persons who lack knowledge of self-realization certainly lament. Therefore it is difficult to educate a person in illusion.
लुब्धको विपिने कश्चित्पक्षिणां निर्मितोऽन्तक: । वितत्य जालं विदधे तत्र तत्र प्रलोभयन् ॥ ५० ॥
lubdhako vipine kascit paksinam nirmito ’ntakah vitatya jalam vidadhe tatra tatra pralobhayan
There was once a hunter who lured birds with food and captured them after spreading a net. He lived as if appointed by death personified as the killer of the birds.
कुलिङ्गमिथुनं तत्र विचरत्समदृश्यत । तयो: कुलिङ्गी सहसा लुब्धकेन प्रलोभिता ॥ ५१ ॥
kulinga-mithunam tatra vicarat samadrsyata tayoh kulingi sahasa lubdhakena pralobhita
While wandering in the forest, the hunter saw a pair of kulinga birds. Of the two, the female was captivated by the hunter’s lure.
सासज्जत सिचस्तन्त्र्यां महिष्य: कालयन्त्रिता । कुलिङ्गस्तां तथापन्नां निरीक्ष्य भृशदु:खित: । स्नेहादकल्प: कृपण: कृपणां पर्यदेवयत् ॥ ५२ ॥
sasajjata sicas tantryam mahisyah kala-yantrita kulingas tam tathapannam niriksya bhrsa-duhkhitah snehad akalpah krpanah krpanam paryadevayat
O queens of Suyajna, the male kulinga bird, seeing his wife put into the greatest danger in the grip of Providence, became very unhappy. Because of affection, the poor bird, being unable to release her, began to lament for his wife.
अहो अकरुणो देव: स्त्रियाकरुणया विभु: । कृपणं मामनुशोचन्त्या दीनया किं करिष्यति ॥ ५३ ॥
aho akaruno devah striyakarunaya vibhuh krpanam mam anusocantya dinaya kim karisyati
Alas, how merciless is Providence! My wife, unable to be helped by anyone, is in such an awkward position and lamenting for me.
कामं नयतु मां देव: किमर्धेनात्मनो हि मे । दीनेन जीवता दु:खमनेन विधुरायुषा ॥ ५४ ॥
kamam nayatu mam devah kim ardhenatmano hi me dinena jivata duhkham anena vidhurayusa
If unkind Providence takes away my wife, who is half my body, why should He not take me also? What is the use of my living with half of my body, bereaved by loss of my wife? What shall I gain in this way?
कथं त्वजातपक्षांस्तान् मातृहीनान् बिभर्म्यहम् । मन्दभाग्या: प्रतीक्षन्ते नीडे मे मातरं प्रजा: ॥ ५५ ॥
katham tv ajata-paksams tan matr-hinan bibharmy aham manda-bhagyah pratiksante nide me mataram prajah
The unfortunate baby birds, bereft of their mother, are waiting in the nest for her to feed them. They are still very small and have not yet grown their wings. How shall I be able to maintain them?
एवं कुलिङ्गं विलपन्तमारात् प्रियावियोगातुरमश्रुकण्ठम् । स एव तं शाकुनिक: शरेण विव्याध कालप्रहितो विलीन: ॥ ५६ ॥
evam kulingam vilapantam arat priya-viyogaturam asru-kantham sa eva tam sakunikah sarena vivyadha kala-prahito vilinah
Because of the loss of his wife, the kulinga bird lamented with tears in his eyes. Meanwhile, following the dictations of mature time, the hunter, who was very carefully hidden in the distance, released his arrow, which pierced the body of the kulinga bird and killed him.
एवं यूयमपश्यन्त्य आत्मापायमबुद्धय: । नैनं प्राप्स्यथ शोचन्त्य: पतिं वर्षशतैरपि ॥ ५७ ॥
evam yuyam apasyantya atmapayam abuddhayah nainam prapsyatha socantyah patim varsa-satair api
Thus Yamaraja, in the guise of a small boy, told all the queens: You are all so foolish that you lament but do not see your own death. Afflicted by a poor fund of knowledge, you do not know that even if you lament for your dead husband for hundreds of years, you will never get him back alive, and in the meantime your lives will be finished.
श्रीहिरण्यकशिपुरुवाच बाल एवं प्रवदति सर्वे विस्मितचेतस: । ज्ञातयो मेनिरे सर्वमनित्यमयथोत्थितम् ॥ ५८ ॥
sri-hiranyakasipur uvaca bala evam pravadati sarve vismita-cetasah jnatayo menire sarvam anityam ayathotthitam
Hiranyakasipu said: While Yamaraja, in the form of a small boy, was instructing all the relatives surrounding the dead body of Suyajna, everyone was struck with wonder by his philosophical words. They could understand that everything material is temporary, not continuing to exist.
यम एतदुपाख्याय तत्रैवान्तरधीयत । ज्ञातयोऽहि सुयज्ञस्य चक्रुर्यत्साम्परायिकम् ॥ ५९ ॥
yama etad upakhyaya tatraivantaradhiyata jnatayo hi suyajnasya cakrur yat samparayikam
After instructing all the foolish relatives of Suyajna, Yamaraja, in the form of a boy, disappeared from their vision. Then the relatives of King Suyajna performed the ritualistic funeral ceremonies.
अत: शोचत मा यूयं परं चात्मानमेव वा । क आत्मा क: परो वात्र स्वीय: पारक्य एव वा । स्वपराभिनिवेशेन विनाज्ञानेन देहिनाम् ॥ ६० ॥
atah socata ma yuyam param catmanam eva va ka atma kah paro vatra sviyah parakya eva va sva-parabhinivesena vinajnanena dehinam
Therefore none of you should be aggrieved for the loss of the body—whether your own or those of others. Only in ignorance does one make bodily distinctions, thinking Who am I? Who are the others? What is mine? What is for others
श्रीनारद उवाच इति दैत्यपतेर्वाक्यं दितिराकर्ण्य सस्नुषा । पुत्रशोकं क्षणात्त्यक्त्वा तत्त्वे चित्तमधारयत् ॥ ६१ ॥
sri-narada uvaca iti daitya-pater vakyam ditir akarnya sasnusa putra-sokam ksanat tyaktva tattve cittam adharayat
Sri Narada Muni continued: Diti, the mother of Hiranyakasipu and Hiranyaksa, heard the instructions of Hiranyakasipu along with her daughter-in-law, Rusabhanu, Hiranyaksa’s wife. She then forgot her grief over her son’s death and thus engaged her mind and attention in understanding the real philosophy of life.
