SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM: CANTO 1

Sûta said: "While going home the king thought that the act of what he had done was abominable and he was very depressed saying to himself: 'Alas, it was uncivilized and evil what I did to the faultless, grave and powerful brahmin.

S'rî Sûta Gosvâmî said: While returning home, the King [Mahârâja Parîkshit] felt that the act he had committed against the faultless and powerful brâhmana was heinous and uncivilized. Consequently he was distressed. (Vedabase)

Text 2

For sure is it because of going against the injunctions that very soon I will meet with a very troublesome calamity. I certainly hope that that will happen as soon as possible, so that I shall be relieved of my sins and never do something like that again.

[King Parîkshit thought:] Due to my neglecting the injunctions of the Supreme Lord I must certainly expect some difficulty to overcome me in the near future. I now desire without reservation that the calamity come now, for in this way I may be freed of the sinful action and not commit such an offense again. (Vedabase)

Text 3

May I, on this very day, burn with my kingdom, strength and wealth of riches in the fire ignited by the brahmin community, so that the inauspiciousness of sinning against the Lord, the culture and the cows may not return to me.'

I am uncivilized and sinful due to my neglect of brahminical culture, God consciousness and cow protection. Therefore I wish that my kingdom, strength and riches burn up immediately by the fire of the brâhmanas wrath so that in the future I may not be guided by such inauspicious attitudes. (Vedabase)

Text 4

Thus pondering reached him the message of the curse of death pronounced by the sage's son. That curse in the form of the fire of a snake bird he accepted as something auspicious because that expected happening would be the logical consequence of the indifference of an all too attached person.

While the King was thus repenting, he received news of his imminent death, which would be due to the bite of a snake-bird, occasioned by the curse spoken by the sage's son. The King accepted this as good news, for it would be the cause of his indifference toward worldly things. (Vedabase)

Text 5

He gave up on this and the next world, for he already had concluded that the both of them were inferior compared to a life of service at the feet of Krishna. Therefore he sat down at the bank of the transcendental river [the Ganges] in order to fast, that was to his opinion the best thing he could do.

Mahârâja Parîkshit sat down firmly on the banks of the Ganges to concentrate his mind in Krishna consciousness, rejecting all other practices of self-realization, because transcendental loving service to Krishna is the greatest achievement, superseding all other methods. (Vedabase)

Text 6

That river, always flowing mixed with tulasî leaves [a plant used in worship], consists of the auspicious water carrying the dust from the feet of Lord Krishna that sanctifies both the worlds inside and outside and even the Lord of Destruction [Lord S'iva]. What person destined to die would not turn to that river?

The river [Ganges, by which the King sat to fast] carries the most auspicious water, which is mixed with the dust of the lotus feet of the Lord and tulasî leaves. Therefore that water sanctifies the three worlds inside and outside and even sanctifies Lord S'iva and other demigods. Consequently everyone who is destined to die must take shelter of this river. (Vedabase)

Text 7

Thus having decided sat he, the worthy descendant of the Pândavas, down at the river flowing from the feet of Vishnu to surrender himself to the mercy of Mukunda till he died. Without deviating from the spirit of the vows of the sages would he complete his fasting, free from all kinds of material attachment.

Thus the King, the worthy descendant of the Pândavas, decided once and for all and sat on the Ganges' bank to fast until death and give himself up to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, who alone is able to award liberation. So, freeing himself from all kinds of associations and attachments, he accepted the vows of a sage. (Vedabase)

Text 8

At that place gathered on the plea of a pilgrimage all the great minds and thinkers who together with their pupils are capable of elevating the entire world. It is because of their personal presence that the holy places enjoy their status of sancticity.

At that time all the great minds and thinkers, accompanied by their disciples, and sages who could verily sanctify a place of pilgrimage just by their presence, arrived there on the plea of making a pilgrim's journey. (Vedabase)

Text 9-10:

Atri, Cyavana, S'aradvân, Arishthanemi, Bhrigu, Vasishthha, Parâs'ara, Vis'vâmitra, Angirâ, Paras'urâma, Uthathya, Indrapramada, Idhmavâhu, Medhâtithi, Devala, Ârshthisena, Bhâradvâja, Gautama, Pippalâda, Maitreya, Aurva, Kavasha, Kumbhayoni, Dvaipâyana and the great personality Nârada arrived there.

From different parts of the universe there arrived great sages like Atri, Cyavana, S'aradvân, Arishthanemi, Bhrigu, Vasishthha, Parâs'ara, Vis'vâmitra, Angirâ, Paras'urâma, Utathya, Indrapramada, Idhmavâhu, Medhâtithi, Devala, Ârshthisena, Bhâradvâja, Gautama, Pippalâda, Maitreya, Aurva, Kavasha, Kumbhayoni, Dvaipâyana and the great personality Nârada. (Vedabase)

Text 11

Also many other divine personalities, saintly brahmins, the best saintly advisors of the most prominent nobles and many other sages like Aruna appeared to the occasion. All the heads of the dynasties of sages assembling there were respectfully welcomed by the emperor bowing his head.

There were also many other saintly demigods, kings and special royal orders called arunâdayas [a special rank of râjarshis] from different dynasties of sages. When they all assembled together to meet the Emperor [Parîkshit], he received them properly and bowed his head to the ground. (Vedabase)

Text 12

With all sitting down comfortably and after again having offered them his obeisances, he thereupon humbly spoke about his decision to fast, with folded hands present before them as someone whose mind is detached from worldly affairs.

After all the rishis and others had seated themselves comfortably, the King, humbly standing before them with folded hands, told them of his decision to fast until death. (Vedabase)

Text 13

The king said: 'We indeed are grateful to be the most fortunate of all the kings who are trained to be receptive to the favors granted by the greatest of souls, for to the feet of the brahmins are the royal orders because of their reprehensible actions but refuse to be kept at a distance.

The fortunate King said: Indeed, we are the most grateful of all the kings who are trained to get favors from the great souls. Generally you [sages] consider royalty as refuse to be rejected and left in a distant place. (Vedabase)

Text 14

Because of my sins, pronounced the Controller of the transcendental and mundane worlds a curse against me via that brahmin, because I out of attachment always was thinking about family affairs. Assuming that form will He, inspiring with fear, very soon overtake my mundane attachment.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the controller of both the transcendental and mundane worlds, has graciously overtaken me in the form of a brâhmana's curse. Due to my being too much attached to family life, the Lord, in order to save me, has appeared before me in such a way that only out of fear I will detach myself from the world. (Vedabase)

Text 15

Therefore just accept me, o brahmins, as someone who in surrender has taken to the divine mother Ganges with the Lord in his heart. Let the snakebird, or whatever magical thing the twice-born called for, bite me forthwith; You please continue with reciting the deeds of Lord Vishnu.

O brâhmanas, just accept me as a completely surrendered soul, and let mother Ganges, the representative of the Lord, also accept me in that way, for I have already taken the lotus feet of the Lord into my heart. Let the snake-bird--or whatever magical thing the brâhmana created--bite me at once. I only desire that you all continue singing the deeds of Lord Vishnu. (Vedabase)

Text 16

And, again, let it be so that wherever that I in relation to the Supreme, Unlimited Lord and the association He attracts in the material world may take birth, I will find friendly relations everywhere in obeisance to the twice-born.'

Again, offering obeisances unto all you brâhmanas, I pray that if I should again take my birth in the material world I will have complete attachment to the unlimited Lord Krishna, association with His devotees and friendly relations with all living beings. (Vedabase)

Text 17

"And thus it so passed that the king, with the same perseverance as he had shown before, fully selfcontrolled sat himself down on kus'a-grass laid down to the east, facing the north from the southern bank of the wife of the sea [the Ganges]. The charge of his administration he had given over to His son.

In perfect self-control, Mahârâja Parîkshit sat down on a seat of straw, with straw-roots facing the east, placed on the southern bank of the Ganges, and he himself faced the north. Just previously he had given charge of his kingdom over to his son. (Vedabase)

Text 18

To that, from the sky seeing that the king would fast until his end, all the gods in praise scattered the earth with flowers, continually beating celestial drums in pleasure.

Thus the King, Mahârâja Parîkshit, sat to fast until death. All the demigods of the higher planets praised the King's actions and in pleasure continually scattered flowers over the earth and beat celestial drums. (Vedabase)

Text 19

All the great sages that had assembled there thus praised him for the wisdom he had shown and approvingly said, from the power of their goodness to the living beings, a goodness that in its quality is as beautifull as the divine praised in the scriptures:

All the great sages who were assembled there also praised the decision of Mahârâja Parîkshit and they expressed their approval by saying, "Very good." Naturally the sages are inclined to do good to common men, for they have all the qualitative powers of the Supreme Lord. Therefore they were very much pleased to see Mahârâja Parîkshit, a devotee of the Lord, and they spoke as follows. (Vedabase)

Text 20:

'It is not astonishing that this saintly king, the chief of all of us who are strict in following Krishna, being seated on the throne that is decorated with the helmets of kings, immediately gave up his life in his desire to achieve association with the Fortunate One.

[The sages said:] O chief of all the saintly kings of the Pându dynasty who are strictly in the line of Lord S'rî Krishna! It is not at all astonishing that you give up your throne, which is decorated with the helmets of many kings, to achieve eternal association with the Personality of Godhead. (Vedabase)

Text 21

We all will stay as long at this place as it takes the king to give up his body and return to the world of the Supreme, where this foremost devotee will be completely free from worldly concerns and lamentation

We shall all wait here until the foremost devotee of the Lord, Mahârâja Parîkshit, returns to the supreme planet, which is completely free from all mundane contamination and all kinds of lamentation. (Vedabase)

Text 22

After having heard the assembled sages speak thus impartially, sweet to hear, grave and perfectly true, complimented Parîkchit them all with their appropriate show of respect and said he, desirous to hear about the activities of Vishnu:

All that was spoken by the great sages was very sweet to hear, full of meaning and appropriately presented as perfectly true. So after hearing them, Mahârâja Parîkshit, desiring to hear of the activities of Lord S'rî Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, congratulated the great sages. (Vedabase)

Text 23

'You all have assembled here as the representatives of the One above the three worlds [Brahmâ], with no other intention in this world or a world hereafter but to act, according your innate nature, for the good of others.

The King said: O great sages, you have all very kindly assembled here, having come from all parts of the universe. You are all as good as supreme knowledge personified, who resides in the planet above the three worlds [Satyaloka]. Consequently you are naturally inclined to do good to others, and but for this you have no interest, either in this life or in the next. (Vedabase)

Text 24

Therefore I beg you, as trustworthy vedic men of learning, to tell me now, after due deliberation, what out of all the different duties of each and especially of those who are about to die, to your opinion would be the proper and befitting conduct.''

O trustworthy brâhmanas, I now ask you about my immediate duty. Please, after proper deliberation, tell me of the unalloyed duty of everyone in all circumstances, and specifically of those who are just about to die. (Vedabase)

Text 25

At that moment appeared, as if called for, the powerful son of Vyâsa, S'ukadeva Gosvâmî, who, satisfied in self-realization, freely traveled around in the company of children without any concern about material comfort or an identity and with the looks of a mendicant[, he was naked].

At that moment there appeared the powerful son of Vyâsadeva, who traveled over the earth disinterested and satisfied with himself. He did not manifest any symptoms of belonging to any social order or status of life. He was surrounded with women and children, and he dressed as if others had neglected him. (Vedabase)

Text 26

He, only sixteen years old, had delicate legs, hands, thighs, arms, shoulders, forehead and body. His eyes were beautifully wide and with a high nose and similar ears had he a face with nice brows and a neck as shapely as a conchshell.

This son of Vyâsadeva was only sixteen years old. His legs, hands, thighs, arms, shoulders, forehead and the other parts of his body were all delicately formed. His eyes were beautifully wide, and his nose and ears were highly raised. He had a very attractive face, and his neck was well formed and beautiful like a conchshell. (Vedabase)

Text 27

With a fleshy collarbone, a broad chest and a deep navel there were nice folds in his abdomen. Stark naked with curly, scattered hair and long arms had he the hue of the best among the gods [Krishna; a dark complexion].

His collarbone was fleshy, his chest broad and thick, his navel deep and his abdomen beautifully striped. His arms were long, and curly hair was strewn over his beautiful face. He was naked, and the hue of his body reflected that of Lord Krishna. (Vedabase)

Text 28

Even though he covered his nakedness, recognized the sages, who had a keen eye for physiognomy, the symptoms of the blackish skin, the beauty of his tender age and the attraction for the fair sex with his beautiful smiles - and so stood they all up from their seats.

He was blackish and very beautiful due to his youth. Because of the glamor of his body and his attractive smiles, he was pleasing to women. Though he tried to cover his natural glories, the great sages present there were all expert in the art of physiognomy, and so they honored him by rising from their seats. (Vedabase)

Text 29

To welcome the new guest, bowed he who is always protected by Vishnu [Parîkchit] before him offering his obeisances, whereupon his less educated following of boys and women withdrew the moment he in regard of the respect took his exalted seat.

Mahârâja Parîkshit, who is also known as Vishnurâta [one who is always protected by Vishnu], bowed his head to receive the chief guest, S'ukadeva Gosvâmî. At that time all the ignorant women and boys ceased following S'rîla S'ukadeva. Receiving respect from all, S'ukadeva Gosvâmî took his exalted seat. (Vedabase)

Text 30

S'ukadev, surrounded there by the greatest of the great saints among the brahmins, the kings and the godly ones, formed a supreme and able presence in which he shone as resplendent as the moon surrounded by the planets, heavenly bodies and stars.

S'ukadeva Gosvâmî was then surrounded by saintly sages and demigods just as the moon is surrounded by stars, planets and other heavenly bodies. His presence was gorgeous, and he was respected by all. (Vedabase)

Text 31

Calm, intelligent and self-assured sitting down was the sage approached by the great devotee, the king, who properly bowing down with folded hands asked him questions in a polite and friendly manner.

The sage S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî sat perfectly pacified, intelligent and ready to answer any question without hesitation. The great devotee, Mahârâja Parîkshit, approached him, offered his respects by bowing before him, and politely inquired with sweet words and folded hands. (Vedabase)

Text 32

Parîkchit said: 'O brahmin, today have we from the ruling class become eligible to serve the devotee as friends being united by your mercy, for by making your presence as a guest, does your good self bring about all the good qualities.

The fortunate King Parîkshit said: O brâhmana, by your mercy only, you have sanctified us, making us like unto places of pilgrimage, all by your presence here as my guest. By your mercy, we, who are but unworthy royalty, become eligible to serve the devotee. (Vedabase)

Text 33

When we think of your person purifies that immediately all the places we inhabit, not to mention what it means to see you, touch you, wash your feet and offer you a seat.

Simply by our remembering you, our houses become instantly sanctified. And what to speak of seeing you, touching you, washing your holy feet and offering you a seat in our home? (Vedabase)

Text 34

Through your presence, o great mystic, are our gravest sins immediately vanquished, even as nonbelievers are in the presence of Vishnu.

Just as the atheist cannot remain in the presence of the Personality of Godhead, so also the invulnerable sins of a man are immediately vanquished in your presence, O saint! O great mystic! (Vedabase)

Text 35:

Finally has Krishna, the Supreme Lord so dear to the sons of Pându, mercy with me and has He, for the satisfaction of His cousins and brothers, accepted me, their descendant, as one of theirs.

Lord Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, who is very dear to the sons of King Pându, has accepted me as one of those relatives just to please His great cousins and brothers. (Vedabase)

Text 36:

Otherwise, how could you, specially for someone in his last hours before death, out of your own free will appear here to meet us, while you normally, all-perfect as you are, cannot be found among the common people?

Otherwise [without being inspired by Lord Krishna] how is it that you have voluntarily appeared here, though you are moving incognito to the common man and are not visible to us who are on the verge of death? (Vedabase)

Text 37:

Therefore I beg you, as the supreme spiritual master of all ascetics, what for a person in this life would be the perfection, the final beatitude, and what all for someone about to die would be the duty.

You are the spiritual master of great saints and devotees. I am therefore begging you to show the way of perfection for all persons, and especially for one who is about to die. (Vedabase)

Text 38:

Please explain what the people in general, o master, should hear and chant about, what they should do, what they should remember and share, as also what would be against the principle.

Please let me know what a man should hear, chant, remember and worship, and also what he should not do. Please explain all this to me. (Vedabase)

Text 39:

This because, o supreme devotee, in the house of the householders one rarely sees you staying for longer than the exact time of milking a cow'."

O powerful brâhmana, it is said that you hardly stay in the houses of men long enough to milk a cow. (Vedabase)

Text 40:

Suta said: "Thus pleasantly being adressed and questioned by the king, began the supreme son of Vyâsadeva so well versed in the knowledge of the true duty, with his reply."

S'rî Sûta Gosvâmî said: The King thus spoke and questioned the sage, using sweet language. Then the great and powerful personality, the son of Vyâsadeva, who knew the principles of religion, began his reply. (Vedabase)