Canto
8
Chapter 23: The Demigods Regain the Heavenly Places
(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'After the great and exalted soul [of Bali], who carried the approval of all the saints, thus was addressed by the Original, Oldest Person, spoke he full of devotion with folded hands, with tears in his eyes and a faltering voice. (2) S'rî Bali said: 'How wonderful it is that, in just attempting to offer my respect to the regulative principles as observed by pure devotees, it for a fallen Asura like me, endowed with Your causeless mercy, has become possible what before today could not be achieved by the godly or the leaders of the world!'
(3) S'rî S'uka said: 'Having said this to the Lord offered he Him, Lord Brahmâ and Lord S'iva his obeisances and entered Bali released and that way satisfied with his associates next Sutala. (4) And so did the Supreme Lord who, fulfilling Aditi's desire, had given back to king Indra his supremacy over the heavenly worlds, [see 8.16: 11-17] rule the entire Universe. (5) Prahlâda who in his ecstatic devotion had overheard how his descendant, his grandson Bali, had achieved His mercy and was released from the bondage, then addressed as follows [the Supreme Personality]. (6) S'rî Prahlâda said: 'With this benediction, which could not be achieved by Lord Brahmâ, by the Goddess of Fortune or by Lord S'iva - not to mention others -, have You for us Asuras become the Protector Against All Misery, the One whose feet are worshiped by those who are revered throughout the universe! (7) Lord Brahmâ and others, o Shelter of All, enjoy Your grace by the taste of the honey of serving the lotus of Your feet; how could we, guilty escapists born from envy, achieve the position that is granted by the merciful glance of Your Lordship? (8) O how wonderful are all the activities of Your unlimited spiritual potency: in Your pastimes are You, expanding in service, the One who created all the worlds, o Lord pervading all and equal to all; to be undivided is the nature of Your love for the devotees as You are by nature the desire tree [see B.G. 9: 29].'
(9) The Supreme Lord said: 'My son Prahlâda, all good to you, please go and enjoy the place Sutala and rejoice there in happiness with your grandson, relatives and friends! (10) Situated there will you have the constant vision of Me holding the club and seeing Me thus will the bondage of fruitive action by the great delight be vanquished.'
(11-12) S'rî S'uka said: 'Prahlâda, clear of intelligence, accepted with folded hands in consent the order of the Supreme Lord, o King, and after he, the Master of all the leading Asuras, had circumambulated the Original Person and offered his obeisances, entered he together with Bali with His permission the great place Sutala. (13) The Lord thereafter said to S'ukrâcârya who in the assembly of brahmin followers sat close to Him, Nârâyana, in a group of priests [brahma, hotâ, udgâtâ and adhvaryu]: (14) 'O brahmin, please describe the karmic flaws of your disciple Bali who performs the sacrifices, for those karmic troubles [see 8.20: 15] will be neutralized under the supervison of the brahmins.'
(15) S'rî S'ukra said: 'What would be the wrong of him who in all respects was of worship unto Your Lordship who art the master of all fruitive action; You are the Controller and Enjoyer of all sacrifices [see also 4.31: 14, 1.2: 13 and B.G. 5: 25]. (16) To the time and place, the recipient and the paraphernalia there can be weaknesses with the mantras and following the principles, but it is all made faultless by regularly with one another repeating [in song and lecture] the glories of Your Lordship [*]. (17) O Supreme One, because You ordered him was Bali without faults though and must I follow to Your order as it is the most auspicious and supreme for each person to fold one's hands to Your regular order.'
(18) S'rî S'uka said: 'Thus to the order of the Lord offering his obeisances set Usanâ [S'ukrâcârya, see 4.1: 45] the mightiest himself together with the best of the brahmins to the task of compensating for the limp sacrifice that Bali made to the Lord. (19) O King, this way from Bali having begged the land delivered the Lord as Vâmana to His godbrother the great Indra the places of the gods that had been taken by the others. (20-21) The master of the founding fathers Lord Brahmâ, together with the godly, the saints, the forefathers, each and all of his sons ['Lord S'iva and Kârttikeya'], the Manus and all the great leaders like Daksha, Bhrigu and Angirâ, accepted for the pleasure of Kas'yapa and Aditi [as the parents of Vâmana] and for the good of all living beings and worlds, Lord Vâmana as the supreme leader of all local authorities. (22-23) Of the Veda, of all gods, of all religion, of all fame, of all opulence, of all auspiciousness, of all vows being the ones most expert in elevating to the higher life paved they in that time the way for Upendra as the master for all purposes and that made all living beings extremely happy, o ruler of man. (24) Indra thereafter with all the local leaders putting no one but Lord Vâmana in front to travel the high path of the divine ['the heavenly vehicle'] thus took, approved by Lord Brahmâ, with Him to the heavenly world. (25) Upon regaining the three worlds enjoyed Indra thus under the protection of Vâmanadeva the opulence and supremacy he was used to and had he nothing to fear from the Asuras. (26-27) Brahmâ, each and all of his sons, Bhrigu and the others, the munis, o King and the forefathers, all living beings, the perfected and the angels ['who travel the sky'] and such, glorified all together the uncommon and wonderful, praiseworthy deeds of Lord Vishnu and Aditi as well and then left for each their own world.
(28) Hearing, o pleasure of the dynasty, of all these activities of Lord Urukrama [the Lord 'of the great steps'] that I described to you, wipes away all consequences of sin. (29) To the measure of the glories of Him so great in His steps may a person try to count all the atoms of the planet earth; no mortal bound to be born again, nor a mortal of rebirth, is capable of that so stated the great saint [Vasishthha Muni] it in his mantras concerning the Original Person [here Lord Râma, see also B.G. 10: 42 and **]? (30) Anyone who hears about and keeps listening to the stories about this God worshiped by the gods, this Lord Hari whose works throughout all His incarnations are equally wonderful, will attain the supreme destination. (31) Anyone who does this should, in his engagement of service to the gods, the forefathers or else the contentment of human togetherness, know that wherever and whenever these descriptions are met, that will bring all happiness one can find in the world.'
Second edition, loaded November 8 2007
Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:
S'rî S'uka said: 'After the great and exalted soul [of Bali], who carried the approval of all the saints, thus was addressed by the Original, Oldest Person, spoke he full of devotion with folded hands, with tears in his eyes and a faltering voice.S'rî S'uka said: 'After the great and exalted soul [of Bali], who carried the approval of all the saints, thus was addressed by the Original, Oldest Person, spoke he full of devotion with folded hands, with tears in his eyes and a faltering voice. (Vedabase)
S'rî Bali said: 'How wonderful it is that, in just attempting to offer my respect to the regulative principles as observed by pure devotees, it for a fallen Asura like me, endowed with Your causeless mercy, has become possible what before today could not be achieved by the godly or the leaders of the world!'
S'rî Bali said: 'How wonderful it is that, in just attempting to offer my respect to the regulative principles as observed by pure devotees, for a fallen asura like me, endowed with Your causeless mercy, has become possible what before here could not be achieved by the godly or the leaders of the world! (Vedabase)
S'rî S'uka said: 'Having said this to the Lord offered he Him, Lord Brahmâ and Lord S'iva his obeisances and entered Bali released and that way satisfied with his associates next Sutala.
S'rî S'uka said: 'Saying this to the Lord offered he Him, Lord Brahmâ and Lord S'iva his obeisances and entered Bali released thus satisfied with his associates next Sutala. (Vedabase)
And so did the Supreme Lord who, fulfilling Aditi's desire, had given back to king Indra his supremacy over the heavenly worlds, [see 8.16: 11-17] rule the entire Universe.
And so did the Supreme Lord, having returned to king Indra his supremacy over the heavenly worlds in fulfilling Aditi's desire [see 8.16: 11-17] rule the entire Universe. (Vedabase)
Prahlâda who in his ecstatic devotion had overheard how his descendant, his grandson Bali, had achieved His mercy and was released from the bondage, then addressed as follows [the Supreme Personality].
Prahlâda who in his ecstatic devotion had overheard how his descendant, his grandson Bali, had achieved His mercy and was released from the bondage, then spoke as follows. (Vedabase)
S'rî Prahlâda said: 'With this benediction, which could not be achieved by Lord Brahmâ, by the Goddess of Fortune or by Lord S'iva - not to mention others -, have You for us Asuras become the Protector Against All Misery, the One whose feet are worshiped by those who are revered throughout the universe!
S'rî Prahlâda said: 'With this benediction, which could not be achieved by Lord Brahmâ, by the Goddess of Fortune or by Lord S'iva - not to mention others -, have You for us asuras become the Protector Against All Misery, the One whose feet are worshiped by those who are revered throughout the universe! (Vedabase)
Lord Brahmâ and others, o Shelter of All, enjoy Your grace by the taste of the honey of serving the lotus of Your feet; how could we, guilty escapists born from envy, achieve the position that is granted by the merciful glance of Your Lordship?
Lord Brahmâ and others, o Shelter of All, enjoy Your grace by the taste of the honey of service to the lotus of Your feet; how could we, guilty escapists born from envy, achieve the position that is granted by the merciful glance of Your Lordship? (Vedabase)
O how wonderful are all the activities of Your unlimited spiritual potency: in Your pastimes are You, expanding in service, the One who created all the worlds, o Lord pervading all and equal to all; to be undivided is the nature of Your love for the devotees as You are by nature the desire tree [see B.G. 9: 29].'
O how wonderful are all the activities of Your unlimited spiritual potency: in the pastimes are You, expanding in service, the One that created all the worlds, o Lord pervading all and equal to all; to be undivided is the nature of Your love for the devotees as You are by nature the desire tree [see B.G. 9.29].' (Vedabase)
The Supreme Lord said: 'My son Prahlâda, all good to you, please go and enjoy the place Sutala and rejoice there in happiness with your grandson, relatives and friends!
The Supreme Lord said: 'My son Prahlâda, all good to you, please go and enjoy the place Sutala rejoicing in happiness with your grandson, relatives and friends! (Vedabase)
Situated there will you have the constant vision of Me holding the club and seeing Me thus will the bondage of fruitive action by the great delight be vanquished.'
Situated there shall you unto Me be of the constant vision of Me holding the club and seeing Me thus will the bondage of fruitive action by the great delight be vanquished.' (Vedabase)
S'rî S'uka said: 'Prahlâda, clear of intelligence, accepted with folded hands in consent the order of the Supreme Lord, o King, and after he, the Master of all the leading Asuras, had circumambulated the Original Person and offered his obeisances, entered he together with Bali with His permission the great place Sutala.
S'rî S'uka said: 'Prahlâda and Bali, clear of intelligence, accepted with folded hands in consent the order of the Supreme Lord, o King, and after circumambulating the Original Person and Master of all the leading asuras, offered they, by Him permitted to enter the great place of Sutala, their obeisances. (Vedabase)
The Lord thereafter said to S'ukrâcârya who in the assembly of brahmin followers sat close to Him, Nârâyana, in a group of priests [brahma, hotâ, udgâtâ and adhvaryu]:
The Lord thereafter said to S'ukrâcârya who sat nearby Him, Nârâyana, in a group of priests [brahma, hotâ, udgâtâ and adhvaryu] in the assembly of brahmin followers: (Vedabase)
'O brahmin, please describe the karmic flaws of your disciple Bali who performs the sacrifices, for those karmic troubles [see 8.20: 15] will be neutralized under the supervison of the brahmins.'
'O brahmin, please describe the karmic flaws of your disciple performing the sacrifices as those karmic troubles [see 8.20: 15] will be neutralized when overseen by the brahmins.' (Vedabase)
S'rî S'ukra said: 'What would be the wrong of him who in all respects was of worship unto Your Lordship who art the master of all fruitive action; You are the Controller and Enjoyer of all sacrifices [see also 4.31: 14, 1.2: 13 and B.G. 5: 25].
S'rî S'ukra said: 'What would be the wrong of him who in all respects was of worship unto Your Lordship who art the master of all fruitive action; You are the Controller and Enjoyer of all sacrifices [see also 4.31: 14, 1.2: 13 and B.G. 5: 25]. (Vedabase)
To the time and place, the recipient and the paraphernalia there can be weaknesses with the mantras and following the principles, but it is all made faultless by regularly with one another repeating [in song and lecture] the glories of Your Lordship [*].
To the time and place, the recipient and the paraphernalia there can be weaknesses with the mantras and following the principles, but it is all made faultless by regularly with one another repeating [in song and lecture] the glories of Your Lordship [*]. (Vedabase)
O Supreme One, because You ordered him was Bali without faults though and must I follow to Your order as it is the most auspicious and supreme for each person to fold one's hands to Your regular order.'
O Supreme One, because You ordered him was Bali without faults though and must I follow to Your order as it is the most auspicious and supreme for each person to fold one's hands to Your regular order.' (Vedabase)
S'rî S'uka said: 'Thus to the order of the Lord offering his obeisances set Usanâ [S'ukrâcârya, see 4.1: 45] the mightiest himself together with the best of the brahmins to the task of compensating for the limp sacrifice that Bali made to the Lord.
S'rî S'uka said: 'Thus to the order of the Lord offering his obeisances set Usanâ [S'ukrâcârya, see 4.1: 45] the mightiest himself together with the best of the brahmins to the task of compensating for the limp sacrifice that Bali made to the Lord. (Vedabase)
O King, this way from Bali having begged the land delivered the Lord as Vâmana to His godbrother the great Indra the places of the gods that had been taken by the others.
O King, this way from Bali having begged the land delivered the Lord as Vâmana to His godbrother the great Indra the places of the gods that had been taken by the others. (Vedabase)
The master of the founding fathers Lord Brahmâ, together with the godly, the saints, the forefathers, each and all of his sons ['Lord S'iva and Kârttikeya'], the Manus and all the great leaders like Daksha, Bhrigu and Angirâ, accepted for the pleasure of Kas'yapa and Aditi [as the parents of Vâmana] and for the good of all living beings and worlds, Lord Vâmana as the supreme leader of all local authorities.
The master of the founding fathers Lord Brahmâ, together with the godly, the saints, the forefathers, each and all of his sons ['Lord S'iva and Kârttikeya'], the Manus and all the great leaders like Daksha, Brighu and Angirâ, accepted for the pleasure of Kas'yapa and Aditi [as the parents of Vâmana] and for the good of all living beings and worlds, Lord Vâmana as the supreme leader of all local authorities. (Vedabase)
Of the Veda, of all gods, of all religion, of all fame, of all opulence, of all auspiciousness, of all vows being the ones most expert in elevating to the higher life paved they in that time the way for Upendra as the master for all purposes and that made all living beings extremely happy, o ruler of man.
Of the Veda, of all gods, of all religion, of all fame, of all opulence, of all auspiciousness, of all vows the most expert of elevating to the higher life planned they at the time for Upendra as the master for all purposes and that made all living beings extremely happy, o ruler of man. (Vedabase)
Indra thereafter with all the local leaders putting no one but Lord Vâmana in front to travel the high path of the divine ['the heavenly vehicle'] thus took, approved by Lord Brahmâ, with Him to the heavenly world.
Indra thereafter keeping but Lord Vâmana before him on the high path of the divine ['the heavenly vehicle'] thus took with the approval of Lord Brahmâ all the local leaders to the heavenly world. (Vedabase)
Upon regaining the three worlds enjoyed Indra thus under the protection of Vâmanadeva the opulence and supremacy he was used to and had he nothing to fear from the Asuras.
Upon regaining the three worlds enjoyed Indra thus under the protection of Vâmanadeva the opulence and supremacy he was used to and had he nothing to fear from the asuras. (Vedabase)
Brahmâ, each and all of his sons, Bhrigu and the others, the munis, o King and the forefathers, all living beings, the perfected and the angels ['who travel the sky'] and such, glorified all together the uncommon and wonderful, praiseworthy deeds of Lord Vishnu and Aditi as well and then left for each their own world.
Brahmâ, each and all of his sons, Brighu and the others, the munis, o King and the forefathers, all living beings, the perfected and the angels ['who travel the sky'] and such, glorified all the uncommon and wonderful, praiseworthy deeds together of Lord Vishnu and Aditi as well and departed then to each their own world. (Vedabase)
Hearing, o pleasure of the dynasty, of all these activities of Lord Urukrama [the Lord 'of the great steps'] that I described to you, wipes away all consequences of sin.
Hearing, o pleasure of the dynasty, of all these activities of Lord Urukrama ['of the great steps'] I described to you, does wipe away all results of sin. (Vedabase)
To the measure of the glories of Him so great in His steps may a person try to count all the atoms of the planet earth; no mortal bound to be born again, nor a mortal of rebirth, is capable of that so stated the great saint [Vasishthha Muni] it in his mantras concerning the Original Person [here Lord Râma, see also B.G. 10: 42 and **]?
To the measure of the glories of Him so great in His steps may a person go and count all the atoms of the planet earth; what can a mortal bound to be born again or a mortal of rebirth either say to that which the great saint [knowing Vasishthha Muni] could foresee in the mantras he knew of the Original Person [here Lord Râma, see also B.G. 10: 42 and **]? (Vedabase)
Anyone who hears about and keeps listening to the stories about this God worshiped by the gods, this Lord Hari whose works throughout all His incarnations are equally wonderful, will attain the supreme destination.
Anyone who hears and keeps on hearing about this God worshiped by the gods, this Lord Hari whose works throughout all His incarnations are equally wonderful, will attain the supreme destination. (Vedabase)
Anyone who does this should, in his engagement of service to the gods, the forefathers or else the contentment of human togetherness, know that wherever and whenever these descriptions are met, that will bring all happiness one can find in the world.'
Each should know in doing this performing for the gods, the forefathers or either for the pleasure of human association, that wherever and whenever it is described, that will bring one all happiness. (Vedabase)
* Often quoted in this context is what S'rî Caitanya Mahâprabhu has recommended:
harer nâma harer nâma
harer nâmaiva kevalam
kalau nâsty eva nâsty eva
nâsty eva gatir anyathâ"In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way." (Brihan-nâradîya Purâna 38.126)
Also is often quoted here a part of verse 11.5:32: 'In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krishna.'
** Vasishthha Muni has given a mantra about Lord Vishnu: 'na te vishnor jâyamâno na jâto mahimnah pâram anantam âpa': 'no one can estimate the extent of the uncommonly glorious activities of Lord Vishnu'.
For
this original translation a one-volume printed copy
has been used with an extensive commentary.
ISBN: o-91277-27-7
See the
S'rîmad Bhâgavatam
links-page.
The picture is of a contemporary painting titled:
"Radha Krishna Bless Chaitanya and Nityananda Mahaprabhu".
Source: Exoticindia.com.
Used with permission.
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