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Canto 10

Rādhā Mādhava 2

 

 

Chapter 84: Vasudeva of Sacrifice to the Sages at Kurukshetra Explaining the Path of Success

(1) S'rī S'uka said: 'When Prithā, the daughter of the king of Subala [Gāndhārī], Draupadī, Subhadrā and the wives of the kings, as also His gopīs, heard of the loving attachment [of the wives] to Krishna, Lord Hari, the Soul of All, they were all greatly amazed with tears filling their eyes. (2-5) As the women thus were conversing with the women and the men with the men, sages arrived at the place eager to see Krishna and Rāma: Dvaipāyana, Nārada, Cyavana, Devala and Asita; Vis'vāmitra, S'atānanda, Bharadvāja and Gautama; Lord Paras'urāma and his disciples, Vasishthha, Gālava, Bhrigu, Pulastya and Kas'yapa; Atri, Mārkandeya and Brihaspati; Dvita, Trita, Ekata and the sons of Brahmā [the four Kumāras], as also Angirā, Agastya, Yājńavalkya, sages like Vāmadeva and others. (6) Seeing them, the Pāndavas, Krishna, Balarāma, the kings and others who sat down, immediately stood up to bow down to the souls who are honored throughout the universe. (7) They all, including Balarāma and Acyuta, honored them befittingly with words of welcome, sitting places, water to wash their feet and water to drink, flower garlands, incense and sandalwood paste. (8) With the sages sitting down comfortably the Supreme Lord, who in His embodiment defends the dharma, addressed the with rapt attention listening assembly of great souls. (9) The Supreme Lord said: 'We who achieved this birth have now all obtained its fruit: the audience of the masters of yoga which even by the demigods is rarely won. (10) How is it possible that human beings, who are not very renounced and see God in the form of the temple deity, now may enjoy your company and may touch you, ask you questions, bow down, and be of worship at your feet and such? (11) By just seeing you, the saints, one is instantly purified, while that is not so with the holy places consisting of water or with the deities made of clay and stone, which only after a long time make that happen [1.13: 10]. (12) Neither the fire, the sun, the moon nor the firmament, neither the earth, the water, the ether, the breath, the speech nor the mind, take away, when they are worshiped, the sins of someone entangled in material opposites. But they are wiped away by just a few moments of service to men of [brahminical] learning. (13) With the idea of himself, as being the body which can be so smelly with its three elements [of mucus, bile and air], with the notion of a wife and all of  that as being his property, with the view of clay as being something worshipable, with the thought of water as being a place of pilgrimage, he [the common man going for appearances] is not of [respect for] men of wisdom. As such he is [not much better than] a cow or an ass.'

(14) S'rī S'uka said: 'Hearing this being said by Krishna, the Supreme Lord of  Unlimited Wisdom, the scholars were silent, confounded by the words that were hard to digest. (15) The sages pondered for some time over the Lord and the subordinate position [He had assumed], and concluded that what He had said was meant to enlighten the people. Thus they addressed Him, the Spiritual Master of the Universe, with a smile on their faces. (16) The honorable sages said: 'Just see how we, the best knowers of the truth and chief creators of the universe, are bewildered by the power of the material illusion created by the activities of the Supreme Lord, who so amazingly covert in His operations pretends to be the one controlled. (17) Effortlessly He creates, all by Himself, the variety of this universe and maintains and destroys it without getting entangled Himself. He is in His actions just like the earth element with the many names and forms of its transformations. What an actor [imitator] the Almighty One is in His activities [see also 8.6: 10]! (18) Your good Self, the Original Personality of the Soul, nonetheless at times assume the mode of goodness in order to protect Your people and to chastise the wicked; thus You maintain the eternal Vedic path of the varnās'rama divisions [of status/vocational orientations] by means of Your pastimes [see also sanātana dharma]. (19) The Spirit of the Absolute [as known by the Vedas] is Your pure heart, wherein the manifest, the unmanifest and the timeless transcendental position is realized by means of austerities, study and turning inward in concentrated meditation [see also B.G. 7: 5]. (20) Oh Absolute Truth, You show Your respect for the community of the brahmins because one, through those perfect representatives, can understand the revealed scriptures. Consequently You are the leader of all souls of respect for the brahminical culture. (21) Today we achieve the fulfillment of our birth, education, austerities and vision, for it is the goal of the saintly souls to find association with You, the Ultimate of all Welfare. (22) We offer [You,] Krishna our obeisances, You, the Supreme Lord whose wisdom is always fresh, the Supersoul who covers His greatness with His yogamāyā. (23) None of these kings who enjoy Your company, nor the Vrishnis, know You, hiding behind the curtain of māyā, as the Supreme Soul, the Time and the Lord [B.G. 6: 26]. (24-25) The way a sleeping person envisions an alternate reality with the names and forms he pictures in his mind, and therewith has no knowledge of a separate reality beyond it, one with You, similarly having names and forms, has no clue, because of the discontinuity of one's memory created by the activity of the senses which bewilder one's consciousness with Your māyā [compare B.G. 4: 5 and 4.29: 1, 10.1: 41 and 7.7: 25]. (26) Today You granted us the vision of Your feet forming the source of the Ganges which washes away an abundance of sins. When one [with them] well installed in the heart has ripened in one's yoga practice and fully has matured in devotional service, the material mentality covering the individual souls is destroyed and Your destination is attained - so please, show Your devotees Your mercy.'

(27) S' S'uka said: 'The sages having said this took leave of Das'ārha [Krishna], Dhritarāshthra and Yudhishthhira, oh sage among kings, and prepared to return to their hermitages. (28) Seeing this the greatly renown Vasudeva [the father of Krishna] approached them bowing down, and took hold of their feet while expressing the following, carefully chosen words. (29) S'rī Vasudeva said: 'My obeisances to you who [represent] all the gods [*]. Oh seers, please listen, tell us this: how can we be freed from our karma by doing work?'

(30) S' Nārada said: 'Oh scholars, this question, asked by Vasudeva in his eagerness to learn about his ultimate benefit, is not that surprising at all considering the fact that he thinks of Krishna as being a child [of his, his son]. (31) When people are close in this world, it is easily a cause of disregard, just as it is e.g. with someone living at the Ganges who leaves to seek purification elsewhere. (32-33) The quality of [the Lord] His awareness is never disturbed by time-dependent matters like the creation, destruction and so on of this universe, not by its own activity nor by another agency [see B.G. 4: 14 and 10: 30]. The consciousness of Him, the One Controller without a Second, is not affected by hindrances, material actions and their consequences, and the basic qualities of nature with their flow of changes [kles'a, karma and guna]. Others [though] may consider Him as being covered by His own expansions of prāna and other elements of nature, just like the sun is hidden by clouds, snow or eclipses.'

(34) Then, before all the kings, as also before Acyuta and Rāma listening, oh King, the sages addressed Vasudeva saying: (35) 'It has been ascertained as being correct that karma is counteracted by this [type of] work: to honor with faith and with festive sacrifices Vishnu, the Lord of All Sacrifices. (36) Scholars demonstrated from the viewpoint of the S'āstras that this religiousness of being connected [in yoga] is the easiest way to pacify the mind; it brings joy to the heart. (37) For the twice-born soul at home to go for the Personality of Godhead by performing sacrifices faithfully with spotlessly [justly] acquired possessions, constitutes the path that brings success [**]. (38) An intelligent person should renounce the desire for wealth by means of sacrifices and charity. He should give up the desire for a wife and kids by engaging in temple affairs. With the help of [the cakra order of] Time [the Time that is also the destroyer of all worlds, see also 9.5 and B.G. 3: 16] he should forget the desire for a world for himself, oh Vasudeva. All sages renounced their [three types of] desires for [the wealth, the family and one's own command of] a household life and went into the forest for doing penances [see also B.G. 2: 13]. (39) Prabhu, a twice-born soul is born with three debts: a debt to the gods, a debt to the sages and a debt to the forefathers. Not liquidating them by [respectively] sacrifice, studying the scriptures and by begetting children [or by pupils and brainchildren like books, see ***] he, upon leaving the body, will fall down [back into the material world]. (40) But you [Vasudeva] are presently free from two of the debts, the debt to the sages and the debt to the forefathers, oh magnanimous soul. Be now free from your debt to the gods and renounce your homestead. (41) Oh Vasudeva, [in a previous life] your good self must have been of much worship with devotion for the Supreme Lord of the Universe, for He assumed the role of your son [see also 1o.3: 32-45 and 11.5: 41].'

(42) S'rī S'uka said: 'Vasudeva having heard the words they spoke, chose for the sages as his priests and propitiated them by bowing his head. (43) The rishis being asked, oh King, then engaged the pious soul in fire sacrifices that strictly to the principles with excellent arrangements were performed at the holy field [of Kurukshetra]. (44-45) When he was about to be initiated the Vrishnis came joyfully to the sacrificial pavilion, bathed and well-dressed, wearing garlands and being elaborately ornamented. They came together with their queens who, carrying the items of worship in their hands, were clad in the finest clothes, wore golden lockets around their necks and who were smeared with sandalwood paste, oh King. (46) Clay tom-toms and tabors, kettle drums and drums, conch shells and other musical instruments sounded, male and female dancers danced, and bards and panegyrists sweet voiced sang together with the female singers of heaven and their husbands. (47) According to the rules by the priests being sprinkled with sacred water [for his initiation], Vasudeva, with his eyes decorated with collyrium and with his body anointed, together with his eighteen wives [see 9.24: 21-23 & 45] looked like the moon king surrounded by the stars. (48) With them, all finely decorated, wearing silk sārīs and bangles, necklaces, ankle bells and earrings, he, being initiated and clad in deerskin, shone brilliantly. (49) Oh great King, his officials and priests radiated, with their jewels and garments of silk, as if they were standing in the sacrificial arena of the killer of Vritra [Indra, see 6.11]. (50) At that time the two Lords Rāma and Krishna also stepped forward. With each of Them being accompanied by His own wives, sons and family members as expansions of Their glory, They shone just as splendidly. (51) Vasudeva exercised, in accordance with the rules, respect for the Lord of Rituals, Mantras and Paraphernalia, by performing [both the types of] fire sacrifices, and such, that are differently characterized as 'original' [or primary, different prototypes as described in the s'ruti] and 'changed' [or secondary, offerings following adapted procedures, see *4]. (52) Next he as prescribed compensated at the designated time the priests, who were already richly decorated, with gifts of gratitude that made them look even more beautiful, as also with marriageable girls, cows and land of great value. (53) After the great sages had executed the ritual with oblations by the sponsor and his wife [patni-samyāja], as also the concluding ritual [avabhrithya], the  brahmins, with [Vasudeva] the chief of the yajńa in front, bathed in the lake of Lord Paras'urāma [9.16: 18-19]. (54) Having bathed, he together with the women gave their jewelry and clothing away to the bards and next, in his finest apparel, honored all the classes of people, and even the dogs, with food. (55-56) His relatives, their wives and children, the leaders of the Vidarbhas, Kos'alas, Kurus, Kās'īs, Kekayas and Srińjayas, the officials, the priests, the different types of enlightened souls, the ordinary humans, the paranormal souls [the 'ghostly'], the forefathers and the venerable personalities, he gave opulent gifts. Then they took leave from Krishna, the Abode of S'rī, and departed, full of praise for the sacrifice that was performed. (57-58) The immediate family members Dhritarāshthra and his younger brother [Vidura], Prithā and her sons [Arjuna, Bhīma and Yudhishthhira], Bhīshma, Drona, the twins [Nakula and Sahadeva], Nārada, Bhagavān Vyāsadeva and others, embraced their friends and relatives, the Yadus, and then, with hearts melting of affection upon the separation, with difficulty returned to their respective places, as also did the rest of the guests. (59) Nanda out of affection for his relatives stayed together with the cowherds [a little longer]. They were by Krishna, Balarāma, Ugrasena and the rest honored with extra opulent worship. (60) Vasudeva, who with ease had crossed over the ocean of his great ambition [see also 10.3: 11-12], felt most satisfied. Surrounded by his well-wishers he took Nanda's hand and spoke to him.

(61) S'rī Vasudeva said: 'The by God forged bond of men called affection is, I think, even for heroes and yogis difficult to give up. (62) Even though the friendship you offered so very saintly has not been reciprocated by us being so forgetful of what you did, it will never cease, for it is beyond compare. (63) Formerly [sitting in Kamsa's prison] we could not act on your behalf, and now, well-to-do, oh brother, we even with you standing in front of us fail to see you, because our eyes are blinded being intoxicated by our opulence. (64) May someone who is after the real benefit of life never find the fortune of kings, oh you so full of respect, for with his vision thus being clouded he is blind to even the needs of his own family and friends [compare 10.10: 8].'

(65) S'rī S'uka said: 'Thus with tears filling his eyes remembering what he [Nanda] all had done in his friendship, Ānakadundubhi, with his heart softened by the intimacy, had to weep. (66) Out of love for his friend who showed his affection and for Krishna and Rāma, Nanda then said: 'I will go later, I will go tomorrow', but stayed three months longer with the Yadus who honored him. (67-68) Being satisfied with desirables, like the most valuable ornaments, finest linen and various priceless pieces of furniture, he accepted the gifts offered by Vasudeva, Ugrasena, Krishna, Uddhava and others. Seen off by the Yadus, he departed together with the inhabitants of Vraja and his family. (69) As they went to Mathurā, Nanda, the gopas and the gopīs could not put Govinda's lotus feet out of their minds and consequently looked back [many a time]. (70) With their relatives having departed, the Vrishnis, who had Krishna as their deity, saw that the rainy season was about to begin and therefore turned back to Dvārakā. (71) To the people [at home] they gave an account of the great festivity and of what had taken place in relation to the lord of the Yadus [Vasudeva] and all the well-wishers they had seen during the pilgrimage [see 10.82].'

 

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Third revised edition, loaded December 8, 2021.

 

 

   

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

S'rī S'uka said: 'When Prithā, the daughter of the king of Subala [Gāndhārī], Draupadī, Subhadrā and the wives of the kings, as also His gopīs, heard of the loving attachment [of the wives] to Krishna, Lord Hari, the Soul of All, they were all greatly amazed with tears filling their eyes.
S'rī S'uka said: 'Prithā, the daughter of the king of Subala [Gāndhārī] and Draupadī, Subhadrā and the wives of the kings as well as His gopīs, hearing of the loving attachment [of the wives] to Krishna, Lord Hari, the Soul of All, fell all, with tears filling their eyes, in great amazement. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2-5

As the women thus were conversing with the women and the men with the men, sages arrived at the place eager to see Krishna and Rāma: Dvaipāyana, Nārada, Cyavana, Devala and Asita; Vis'vāmitra, S'atānanda, Bharadvāja and Gautama; Lord Paras'urāma and his disciples, Vasishthha, Gālava, Bhrigu, Pulastya and Kas'yapa; Atri, Mārkandeya and Brihaspati; Dvita, Trita, Ekata and the sons of Brahmā [the four Kumāras], as also Angirā, Agastya, Yājńavalkya, sages like Vāmadeva and others.

As the women were thus conversing with the women and the men with the men, arrived, eager to see Krishna and Rāma at the place, the sages Dvaipāyana, Nārada, Cyavana, Devala and Asita; Vis'vāmitra, S'atānanda, Bharadvāja and Gautama; Lord Paras'urāma and his disciples, Vasishthha, Gālava, Bhrigu, Pulastya and Kas'yapa; Atri, Mārkandeya and Brihaspati; Dvita, Trita, Ekata and the sons of Brahmā [the four Kumāras] as also Angirā, Āgastya, Yājńavalkya and others headed by Vāmadeva. (Vedabase)

  

Text 6

Seeing them, the Pāndavas, Krishna, Balarāma, the kings and others who sat down, immediately stood up to bow down to the souls who are honored throughout the universe.

Seeing them stood the Pāndavas, Krishna, Rāma, the kings and others till then seated, immediately up to bow down to those honored throughout the universe. (Vedabase)

 

Text 7

They all, including Balarāma and Acyuta, honored them befittingly with words of welcome, sitting places, water to wash their feet and water to drink, flower garlands, incense and sandalwood paste.

They all, including Rāma and Acyuta, properly worshiped them with greetings, sitting places, water to wash their feet and to drink, flower garlands, incense and sandalwood paste. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

With the sages sitting down comfortably the Supreme Lord, who in His embodiment defends the dharma, addressed the with rapt attention listening assembly of great souls.

The Supreme Lord in the flesh defending the dharma, addressed in the with rapt attention listening assembly the great souls being comfortably seated. (Vedabase)

      

Text 9

The Supreme Lord said: 'We who achieved this birth have now all obtained its fruit: the audience of the masters of yoga which even by the demigods is rarely won.

The Supreme Lord said: 'We altogether who got born now obtained the fruit of it: the sight of the masters of yoga rarely won even by the demigods. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 10

How is it possible that human beings, who are not very renounced and see God in the form of the temple deity, now may enjoy your company and may touch you, ask you questions, bow down, and be of worship at your feet and such?

How is it that human beings with eyes for God as the temple-deity, now in audience may touch, ask questions, bow down and be of worship at the feet and such? (Vedabase)

    

 Text 11

By just seeing you, the saints, one is instantly purified, while that is not so with the holy places consisting of water or with the deities made of clay and stone, which only after a long time make that happen [1.13: 10].

Purified by just seeing you, the saints, are it not the holy places consisting of water nor the deities made of clay that take so long for it to happen [1.13: 10]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 12

Neither the fire, the sun, the moon nor the firmament, neither the earth, the water, the ether, the breath, the speech nor the mind, take away, when they are worshiped, the sins of someone entangled in material opposites. But they are wiped away by just a few moments of service to men of [brahminical] learning.

Not the fire, nor the sun, the moon nor the firmament, not the earth, the water, the ether, the breath, the speech nor the mind take, being worshiped, away the sins of the one setting things apart; they are wiped out by a few moments of service to the men of [brahminical] learning. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13

With the idea of himself, as being the body which can be so smelly with its three elements [of mucus, bile and air], with the notion of a wife and all of that as being his property, with the view of clay as being something worshipable, with the thought of water as being a place of pilgrimage, he [the common man going for appearances] is not of [respect for] men of wisdom. As such he is [not much better than] a cow or an ass.'

He with the idea of himself as being the body stinking with its three elements [of mucus, bile and air], with the notion of a wife and that all as being his property, with the view of clay as being something worshipable, with the thought of water as being a place of pilgrimage, is, [going for appearances but] never to the wise in men, indeed like a cow or an ass.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 14

S'rī S'uka said: 'Hearing this being said by Krishna, the Supreme Lord of  Unlimited Wisdom, the scholars were silent, confounded by the words that were hard to digest.

S'rī S'uka said: 'Hearing this being said by the Supreme Lord Krishna Unlimited of Wisdom, were the learned silent, confounded by the words hard to follow. (Vedabase)

 

Text 15

The sages pondered for some time over the Lord and the subordinate position [He had assumed], and concluded that what He had said was meant to enlighten the people. Thus they addressed Him, the Spiritual Master of the Universe, with a smile on their faces.

The sages for some time pondering over the Supreme Controller and [His assuming] the position of being controlled, concluding that it was meant to enlighten the people, smiling addressed Him, the Spiritual Master of the Universe. (Vedabase)

 

Text 16

The honorable sages said: 'Just see how we, the best knowers of the truth and chief creators of the universe, are bewildered by the power of the material illusion created by the activities of the Supreme Lord, who so amazingly covert in His operations pretends to be the one controlled.

The honorable sages said: 'Ah, we the best knowers of the truth and chief creators of the universe, are bewildered by the power of the material illusion of the activities of the Supreme Lord, who so amazingly covert in His operations pretends to be the one controlled. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

Effortlessly He creates, all by Himself, the variety of this universe and maintains and destroys it without getting entangled Himself. He is in His actions just like the earth element with the many names and forms of its transformations. What an actor [imitator] the Almighty One is in His activities [see also 8.6: 10]!

Effortless He creates, all by Himself, the manifold of this universe and maintains and destroys without getting entangled, indeed just like the earth does not in its transformations having many forms and names; ah, what a pretense the activities of the Almighty [see also 8.6: 10]! (Vedabase)

   

Text 18

Your good Self, the Original Personality of the Soul, nonetheless at times assume the mode of goodness in order to protect Your people and to chastise the wicked; thus You maintain the eternal Vedic path of the varnās'rama divisions [of status/vocational orientations] by means of Your pastimes [see also sanātana dharma].

Nonetheless does Your good Self, the Original Personality of the Soul, at times, to protect Your people and to chastise the wicked, assume the mode of goodness, by Your pastimes maintaining the eternal vedic path of the varnās'rama statusoriėntations [see also sanātana dharma]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 19

The Spirit of the Absolute [as known by the Vedas] is Your pure heart, wherein the manifest, the unmanifest and the timeless transcendental position is realized by means of austerities, study and turning inward in concentrated meditation [see also B.G. 7: 5].

The spiritual [the 'brahma'] is Your pure heart in which by austerities, study and turning inward in concentrated meditation the eternal manifest and unmanifest is realized as also the transcendental to that [see also: B.G. 7: 5]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 20

Oh Absolute Truth, You show Your respect for the community of the brahmins because one, through those perfect representatives, can understand the revealed scriptures. Consequently You are the leader of all souls of respect for the brahminical culture.

For that reason do You, o Absolute of the Truth, prove Your respect for the community of the brahmins, through the perfect of whom the revealed scriptures are realized, and so are You the leader of those in respect of the brahminical. (Vedabase)


 Text 21

Today we achieve the fulfillment of our birth, education, austerities and vision, for it is the goal of the saintly souls to find association with You, the Ultimate of all Welfare.

Today there is [indeed] the fruition of our birth, education, austerities and vision; with You to obtain association is the goal of the saintly since You are the Limit, the Ultimate of all Welfare. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 22

We offer [You,] Krishna our obeisances, You, the Supreme Lord whose wisdom is always fresh, the Supersoul who covers His greatness with His yogamāyā.

Our obeisances to Him, the Supreme Lord ever fresh in His wisdom, [You] Krishna, the Supersoul who by His yoga-māyā covered His own greatness. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 23

None of these kings who enjoy Your company, nor the Vrishnis, know You, hiding behind the curtain of māyā, as the Supreme Soul, the Time and the Lord [B.G. 6: 26].

None of these kings enjoying with You, nor the Vrishnis know You, cloaked by the curtain of māyā, as the Supreme Soul, the Time and the Controller [B.G. 6: 26]. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 24-25

The way a sleeping person envisions an alternate reality with the names and forms he pictures in his mind, and therewith has no knowledge of a separate reality beyond it, one with You, similarly having names and forms, has no clue, because of the discontinuity of one's memory created by the activity of the senses which bewilder one's consciousness with Your māyā [compare B.G. 4: 5 and 4.29: 1, 10.1: 41 and 7.7: 25].

The way a sleeping person envisioning himself an alternate reality with names and forms with what he manifests through his mind does not know of a separate reality beyond it, does one with You similarly having names and forms, by the activity of the senses of Your māyā getting bewildered in one's consciousness, have no clue because of the discontinuity of one's memory [compare B.G. 4.5 and 4.29:1b, 10.1: 41 and 7.7: 25]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 26

Today You granted us the vision of Your feet forming the source of the Ganges which washes away an abundance of sins. When one [with them] well installed in the heart has ripened in one's yoga practice and fully has matured in devotional service, the material mentality covering the individual souls is destroyed and Your destination is attained - so please, show Your devotees Your mercy.'

That of You, the feet, the source of the Ganges, washing away floods of sins, have we seen today; [with them] well installed in the heart is by those whose yoga practice matured and the devotional service fully developed, the material mentality, the covering of their individual souls, destroyed and the destination of You attained - so please, show Your devotees Your mercy.' (Vedabase)

 

 Text 27

S'ri S'uka said: 'The sages having said this took leave of Das'ārha [Krishna], Dhritarāshthra and Yudhishthhira, oh sage among kings, and prepared to return to their hermitages.

S'uka said: 'With this taking permission to leave Dās'ārha [Krishna], Dhritarāshthra and Yudhishthhira, o sage among kings, contemplated the sages their return to their hermitages. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 28

Seeing this the greatly renown Vasudeva [the father of Krishna] approached them bowing down, and took hold of their feet while expressing the following, carefully chosen words.

Seeing this approached the greatly renown Vasudeva them and took he bowing down hold of their feet expressing the following careful choice of words. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 29

S'rī Vasudeva said: 'My obeisances to you who [represent] all the gods [*]. Oh seers, please listen, tell us this: how can we be freed from our karma by doing work?'

S'rī Vasudeva said: 'My obeisances to you representing all the gods [*], o seers, please listen, tell us this: how can we be purged of karma by doing work?' (Vedabase)

 

 Text 30

S'rī Nārada said: 'Oh scholars, this question, asked by Vasudeva in his eagerness to learn about his ultimate benefit, is not that surprising at all considering the fact that he thinks of Krishna as being a child [of his, his son].

S'rī Nārada said: 'O learned ones, this with the desire to learn asking of Vasudeva about the highest good for himself, is not so surprising, given the fact that he thinks of Krishna as being a child [of his, his son]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 31

When people are close in this world, it is easily a cause of disregard, just as it is e.g. with someone living at the Ganges who leaves to seek purification elsewhere.

For mortals to be close out here is a cause of disregard as e.g. with someone living at the Ganges leaving to purify elsewhere. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 32-33

The quality of [the Lord] His awareness is never disturbed by time-dependent matters like the creation, destruction and so on of this universe, not by its own activity nor by another agency [see B.G. 4: 14 and 10: 30]. The consciousness of Him, the One Controller without a Second, is not affected by hindrances, material actions and their consequences, and the basic qualities of nature with their flow of changes [kles'a, karma and guna]. Others [though] may consider Him as being covered by His own expansions of prāna and other elements of nature, just like the sun is hidden by clouds, snow or eclipses.'

[The Lord] His awareness is for no reason, nor on its own nor due to some other agency, in its qualities ever disrupted by the destructive and creative that is caused by the time of this [universe, see B.G. 4.14 and 10.30]; He, the Controller without a Second, whose consciousness is unaffected by hindrances, material activities and their consequences and the modes and their flow of changes [kles'a, karma and guna], is by someone else [ignorantly] considered as being covered by His own expansions of prāna and other elements, just like the sun is being covered by clouds, snow or eclipses.' (Vedabase)


 Text 34

Then, before all the kings, as also before Acyuta and Rāma listening, oh King, the sages addressed Vasudeva saying:

Then, o King, said the sages, addressing Vasudeva with all the kings as also Acyuta and Rāma listening: (Vedabase)

 

 Text 35

'It has been ascertained as being correct that karma is counteracted by this [type of] work: to honor with faith and with festive sacrifices Vishnu, the Lord of All Sacrifices.

'As correct has been ascertained that the karma is counteracted by this work: that one with faith with sacrifices [sprightly, as in a kirtan] worships Vishnu, the Lord of all Sacrifices. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 36

Scholars demonstrated from the viewpoint of the S'āstras that this religiousness of being connected [in yoga] is the easiest way to pacify the mind; it brings joy to the heart.

This indeed is what the scholars through the eye of the s'āstras demonstrated as the easiest way to pacify the mind; it is the yoga-dharma which brings pleasure to the heart. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 37

For the twice-born soul at home to go for the Personality of Godhead by performing sacrifices faithfully with spotlessly [justly] acquired possessions, constitutes the path that brings success [**].

The one twice-born performing sacrifices at home should pure and selfless with the entrusted possessions be of worship for the Personality of Godhead; this is the path that brings success [**]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 38

An intelligent person should renounce the desire for wealth by means of sacrifices and charity. He should give up the desire for a wife and kids by engaging in temple affairs. With the help of [the cakra order of] Time [the Time that is also the destroyer of all worlds, see also 9.5 and B.G. 3: 16] he should forget the desire for a world for himself, oh Vasudeva. All sages renounced their [three types of] desires for [the wealth, the family and one's own command of] a household life and went into the forest for doing penances [see also B.G. 2: 13].

One who is intelligent should renounce the desire for wealth by sacrifices and charity, the desire for a wife and kids by engaging in household affairs and the desire for a world for himself [or an other life], o Vasudeva, by means of the Time [in studying its effects, see also 9.5 and B.G. 3: 16]; all the ones sober renounced their desires for a household life and went for penance into the forest [see also B.G. 2: 13]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 39

Prabhu, a twice-born soul is born with three debts: a debt to the gods, a debt to the sages and a debt to the forefathers. Not liquidating them by [respectively] sacrifice, studying the scriptures and by begetting children [or by pupils and brainchildren like books, see ***] he, upon leaving the body, will fall down [back into the material world].

Prabhu, someone twiceborn is born with three debts: the debt to the gods, the sages and the forefathers; not liquidating them by [respectively] sacrifice [celibacy e.g.], studying the scriptures and with byproducts [children, pupils or books see ***] will he, leaving the body, fall down [again into the material world]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 40

But you [Vasudeva] are presently free from two of the debts, the debt to the sages and the debt to the forefathers, oh magnanimous soul. Be now free from your debt to the gods and renounce your homestead.

But with you verily freed from the two of them to the sages and the forefathers, o magnanimous one, may you now, to be without debt, relieve yourself by sacrificing to the gods and renounce your homestead. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 41

Oh Vasudeva, [in a previous life] your good self must have been of much worship with devotion for the Supreme Lord of the Universe, for He assumed the role of your son [see also 1o.3: 32-45 and 11.5: 41].'

O Vasudeva since He took the role of your son must your good self [in a previous life] indeed with devotion thoroughly have been of worship for the Supreme Lord and Controller of All Worlds [see also 1o.3: 32-45 and 11.5: 41].' (Vedabase)


 Text 42

S'rī S'uka said: 'Vasudeva having heard the words they spoke, chose for the sages as his priests and propitiated them by bowing his head.

S'rī S'uka said: 'Having heard their words thus spoken, chose Vasudeva the sages as his priests, propitiating them by bowing his head. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 43

The rishis being asked, oh King, then engaged the pious soul in fire sacrifices that strictly to the principles with excellent arrangements were performed at the holy field [of Kurukshetra].

The rishis, o King, being chosen by him so religiously to the principles with that, engaged him in fire rituals at the holy field [of Kurukshetra] with superfine ritual arrangements. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 44-45

When he was about to be initiated the Vrishnis came joyfully to the sacrificial pavilion, bathed and well-dressed, wearing garlands and being elaborately ornamented. They came together with their queens who, carrying the items of worship in their hands, were clad in the finest clothes, wore golden lockets around their necks and who were smeared with sandalwood paste, oh King.

When the initiation of him was about to begin, came joyfully the Vrishnis, bathed and well-dressed, wearing garlands and being elaborately ornamented, together with their queens with lockets around their necks, in the finest clothes and smeared with sandalwood paste to the sacrificial pavilion, o King, with items of worship in their hands. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 46

Clay tom-toms and tabors, kettle drums and drums, conch shells and other musical instruments sounded, male and female dancers danced, and bards and panegyrists sweet voiced sang together with the female singers of heaven and their husbands.

Clay tom-toms and tabors, kettle drums and drums, conchshells and other musical instruments sounded, male and female dancers danced and bards and panegyrists sang sweet voiced along with the female singers of heaven and their husbands. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 47

According to the rules by the priests being sprinkled with sacred water [for his initiation], Vasudeva, with his eyes decorated with collyrium and with his body anointed, together with his eighteen wives [see 9.24: 21-23 & 45] looked like the moon king surrounded by the stars.

According the scriptures by the priests sprinkled with sacred water [for his initiation], looked he with his eyes decorated black and his body smeared with fresh butter, with his eighteen wives [see 9.24: 21-23 & 45] as if [he was the moon] surrounded by the stars. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 48

With them, all finely decorated, wearing silk sārīs and bangles, necklaces, ankle bells and earrings, he, being initiated and clad in deerskin, shone brilliantly.

With them all finely decorated wearing silk sārīs and bangles, necklaces, ankle bells and earrings shone he, initiated being wrapped in deerskin, brilliantly. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 49

Oh great King, his officials and priests radiated, with their jewels and garments of silk, as if they were standing in the sacrificial arena of the killer of Vritra [Indra, see 6.11].

O great King, his supervisors and priests radiated with their jewels and garments of silk as if they were standing in the sacrificial arena of the killer of Vritra [Indra, see 6.11]. (Vedabase)

 

  Text 50

At that time the two Lords Rāma and Krishna also stepped forward. With each of Them being accompanied by His own wives, sons and family members as expansions of Their glory, They shone just as splendidly.

At that time did also the two Lords Rāma and Krishna appear as splendid, each accompanied by Their own might of wives, sons and family members as expansions of Themselves. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 51

Vasudeva exercised, in accordance with the rules, respect for the Lord of Rituals, Mantras and Paraphernalia, by performing [both the types of] fire sacrifices, and such, that are differently characterized as 'original' [or primary, different prototypes as described in the s'ruti] and 'changed' [or secondary, offerings following adapted procedures, see *4].

He to the rules worshiped with each kind of sacrifice characterized as primary [to the s'ruti] and secondary [modified to other sources, see *4], with offerings in the fire and so on the Lord of the Paraphernalia, the Mantras and the Rituals. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 52

Next he as prescribed compensated at the designated time the priests, who were already richly decorated, with gifts of gratitude that made them look even more beautiful, as also with marriageable girls, cows and land of great value.

Next gave he, at the designated time, to the priests already richly decorated, gifts of gratitude decorating them even more, as also marriageable girls, cows and land of great value. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 53

After the great sages had executed the ritual with oblations by the sponsor and his wife [patni-samyāja], as also the concluding ritual [avabhrithya], the  brahmins, with [Vasudeva] the chief of the yajńa in front, bathed in the lake of Lord Paras'urāma [9.16: 18-19].

Having executed the ritual performed by the sponsor [patni-samyāja] and the concluding ritual [avabhrithya] bathed the great sages, placing the learned and the sponsor of the yajna in front, in the lake of Lord Paras'urāma [9.16: 18-19]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 54

Having bathed, he together with the women gave their jewelry and clothing away to the bards and next, in his finest apparel, honored all the classes of people, and even the dogs, with food.

Having bathed gave he jewelry and clothing to the bards and the women and honored he next in his finest apparel all the classes of people and even the dogs with food. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 55-56

His relatives, their wives and children, the leaders of the Vidarbhas, Kos'alas, Kurus, Kās'īs, Kekayas and Srińjayas, the officials, the priests, the different types of enlightened souls, the ordinary humans, the paranormal souls [the 'ghostly'], the forefathers and the venerable personalities, he gave opulent gifts. Then they took leave from Krishna, the Abode of S'rī, and departed, full of praise for the sacrifice that was performed.

With the wealth of gifts did his relatives and their wives and children, the leaders of the Vidarbhas, Kos'alas, Kurus, Kās'īs, Kekayas and Srińjayas; the supervisors, the priests, the different types of enlightened souls, the ordinary humans, the paranormal ['the ghostly'], the forefathers and the venerable ones, all take leave from the Abode of S'rī to depart filled with praise for the sacrifice performed. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 57-58

The immediate family members Dhritarāshthra and his younger brother [Vidura], Prithā and her sons [Arjuna, Bhīma and Yudhishthhira], Bhīshma, Drona, the twins [Nakula and Sahadeva], Nārada, Bhagavān Vyāsadeva and others, embraced their friends and relatives, the Yadus, and then, with hearts melting of affection upon the separation, with difficulty returned to their respective places, as also did the rest of the guests.

The immediate family members Dhritarāshthra and his younger brother [Vidura], Prithā and her sons [Arjuna, Bhīma and Yudhishthhira], Bhīshma, Drona, the twins [Nakula and Sahadeva], Nārada, and Bhagavān Vyāsadeva and other relatives embracing their friends and relatives, the Yadus, then, with hearts melting of affection on the separation, with difficulty returned to their respective places as did also the rest of the guests. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 59

Nanda out of affection for his relatives stayed together with the cowherds [a little longer]. They were by Krishna, Balarāma, Ugrasena and the rest honored with extra opulent worship.

Nanda together with the cowherds out of affection for his relatives stayed and was by Krishna, Rāma, Ugrasena and the rest in worship honored most generously. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 60

Vasudeva, who with ease had crossed over the ocean of his great ambition [see also 10.3: 11-12], felt most satisfied. Surrounded by his well-wishers he took Nanda's hand and spoke to him.

Vasudeva with ease having crossed over the ocean of his great ambition [see also 10.3: 11-12], felt most pleased and addressed, surrounded by his well-wishers, Nanda, touching his hand as he spoke. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 61

S'rī Vasudeva said: 'The by God forged bond of men called affection is, I think, even for heroes and yogis difficult to give up.

S'rī Vasudeva said: 'The by God forged bond of men which is named affection is, I think, for warriors as difficult to relinquish as for yogīs. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 62

Even though the friendship you offered so very saintly has not been reciprocated by us being so forgetful of what you did, it will never cease, for it is beyond compare.

Even though the friendship offered by you so very saintly is not reciprocated by us so forgetful of what you did, does it never cease as it is beyond compare. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 63

Formerly [sitting in Kamsa's prison] we could not act on your behalf, and now, well-to-do, oh brother, we even with you standing in front of us fail to see you, because our eyes are blinded being intoxicated by our opulence.

Formerly [sitting in Kamsa's prison] were we incapable to act on your behalf and now well-to-do, o brother, do we with you right in front of us fail to see you with our eyes blind intoxicated of the opulence. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 64

May someone who is after the real benefit of life never find the fortune of kings, oh you so full of respect, for with his vision thus being clouded he is blind to even the needs of his own family and friends [compare 10.10: 8].'

Let there for a person after the real benefit of life never arise the fortune of kings, o respectful one, as he with his vision clouded by that doesn't even see his own kinsmen or friends [compare 10.10: 8].' (Vedabase)

 

 Text 65

S'rī S'uka said: 'Thus with tears filling his eyes remembering what he [Nanda] all had done in his friendship, Ānakadundubhi, with his heart softened by the intimacy, had to weep.

S'rī S'uka said: 'Thus with tears filling his eyes remembering what he all had done in friendship, had Ānakadundubhi, with his heart softened by the intimacy, to weep. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 66

Out of love for his friend who showed his affection and for Krishna and Rāma, Nanda then said: 'I will go later, I will go tomorrow', but stayed three months longer with the Yadus who honored him.

Nanda then to his overtly affectionate friend, out of love for Govinda and Rāma thus saying 'I'll go later, I'll go tomorrow', remained, honored by the Yadus, for three months. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 67-68

Being satisfied with desirables, like the most valuable ornaments, finest linen and various priceless pieces of furniture, he accepted the gifts offered by Vasudeva, Ugrasena, Krishna, Uddhava and others. Seen off by the Yadus, he departed together with the inhabitants of Vraja and his family.

Satiated with desirables like the most valuable ornaments, finest linen and various priceless pieces of furniture, he thereafter, seen off by the Yadus, departed together with the people of Vraja and his family, taking with him the gifts given by Krishna, Uddhava and others. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 69

As they went to Mathurā, Nanda, the gopas and the gopīs could not put Govinda's lotus feet out of their minds and consequently looked back [many a time].

Nanda, the gopas and the gopīs being unable to put Govinda's lotus feet out of their minds, accordingly [many a time] looking back, returned to Mathurā. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 70

With their relatives having departed, the Vrishnis, who had Krishna as their deity, saw that the rainy season was about to begin and therefore turned back to Dvārakā.

With their relatives departed went the Vrishnis who had Krishna as their Godhead, seeing that the rainy season was about to begin, back to Dvārakā. (Vedabase)

 

Text 71

To the people [at home] they gave an account of the great festivity and of what had taken place in relation to the lord of the Yadus [Vasudeva] and all the well-wishers they had seen during the pilgrimage [see 10.82].'

To the people [there] they gave an account of the great festivity and all that of the lord of the Yadus [Vasudeva] had taken place and of all the well-wishers they had seen during the pilgrimage [see 10.82]. (Vedabase)

 

*: This statement, so reminds the paramparā, is confirmed in the authoritative s'ruti-mantras, that declare 'yāvatīr vai devatās tāh sarvā veda-vidi brāhmane vasanti': "Whatever demigods exist, all reside in a brāhmana who knows the Veda."

**: The paramparā adds: 'Both S'rīdhara Svāmī and S'rī Jīva Gosvāmī here agree that the ritual karma of Vedic sacrifices is particularly meant for attached householders. Those who are already renounced in Krishna consciousness, like Vasudeva himself, need only cultivate their faith in the Lord's devotees, His Deity form, His name, the remnants of His food and His teachings, as given in Bhagavad Gītā and S'rīmad Bhāgavatam.'

***: The word putra used here usually refers to a child, but also means doll or any other artificial thing to care for like a home, or works of art, a book or another byproduct as Prabhupāda and his pupils called it as e.g. in 3.28: 38 and 11.20: 27-28. It literally means 'preserving from the hell called Put', the place where the childless ones reside.

*4: The paramparā explains: 'The Brāhmana portion of the Vedic s'ruti specifies the complete step-by-step procedure of only a few prototype sacrifices, such as the Jyotishthoma and Dars'a-pūrnamāsa. These are called the prākrita, or original, yajńas; the details of other yajńas must be extrapolated from the patterns of these prākrita injunctions according to the strict rules of the Mīmāmsā-s'āstra. Since other yajńas are thus known by derivation from the prototype sacrifices, they are called vaikrita, or "changed".'

 

 

 

 

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