Prayers from Bhagavat Puran by Sarvasakshi Das

Inspiring prayers from

Bhägavata Puräëa

grantha-dvara vaisnava-janer krpa pai vaisnava-krpay krsna-labha hoy bhai “If all the devotees thus appreciate this book, then I will receive the causeless mercy that they will shower upon me. Oh brothers! And by the mercy of all these Vaisnavas, I will attain devotion to the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna.” (From Sri Sri Kalyana Kalpa-taru by Çréla Saccidänanda Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura)

Çré Guru Gauräìga Jayate

PR A Y E R S E R I E S V O L U m E 1

Inspiring prayers from

Bhägavata Puräëa C o m p I le d b y

Sarvasakshi Das Back to ulture

Compiled and Published Sarvasakshi Dasa

ISKCON, Sri Sri Radha Govind Mandir, Gita Bhawan, Ashoka Enclave-II, Sec-37, Faridabad Mobile: +91-9311197714 sarvasakshi.gkg@gmail.com First Printing: 2016 contact us Golden Age Media Nandgopäl Jivan Däsa Mobile: +91-8506805060 E-mail: ngjd.gkg@gmail.com Web: www.goldenagemedia.org Copyright ©2016 by Golden Age Media All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, by any means, including mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Breach of this condition will result in appropriate legal action. Golden Age Media expresses its gratitude to the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (B.B.T), for the use of the verses, quotes, purports, pictures and letters from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's works. All such verses, quotes, purports and letters are ©The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.

Dedication

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedänta Swämi Prabhupäda Founder-Äcärya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

& MY DEAR SPIRITUAL MASTER

Srila Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja

Contents Introduction.............................................................................. 18

Canto One 1. Maìgaläcaraëa.......................................................................26 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.1.1-3)

2. Praëäms to Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé & Others ...................28

(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.2.2-4)

3. Prayers by Arjuna to Lord Kåñëa .........................................30 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.7.22-26) 4. Prayers by Uttarä ................................................................. 32 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.8.9-10) 5. Prayers by Queen Kunté ...................................................... 33 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.8.18-43) 6. Prayers by Bhéñmadeva..........................................................40 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.9.32-42) 7. Glorification of Kåñëa by the Womens of Hastinäpura ........44 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.10.21-30) 8. Prayers by the Citizens of Dvärakä ..................................... 47 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.11.6-10)

Canto Two

1. Prayers by Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé .....................................50 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 2.4.12-24)

Canto Three 1. Prayers by Demigods.............................................................56 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.5.39-51)

2. Prayers by Lord Brahmä to Çré Garbhodakaçäyé Viñëu.........60 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.9.1-25) 3. Prayers to Lord Varäha by Åñis.............................................68 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.13.34-45) 4. Prayers to Lord Viñëu by Sanakädi Åñis at the Gate of Vaikuëöhaloka .................................................. 72 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.15.46-50) 5. Prayers by Sanakädi Åñis...................................................... 74 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.16.16-25) 6. Prayers to Lord Varaha by Demigods.................................... 77 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.19.30) 7. Prayers by Kardama Muni to Lord Viñëu ............................ 78 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.21.13-21) 8. Prayers by Kardama Muni to Lord Kapila in Child form .... 81 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.24.27-34) 9. Prayers by a Jéva in the womb ..............................................84 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.31.12-21) 10. Prayers by Mother Devahüti ...............................................88 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.33.2-8)

Canto Four 1. Prayers by Atri Åñi to the Three Lords ................................92 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.1.26-28) 2. Prayers by Demigods to Nara-Näräyaëa Åñi ........................93 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.1.56-57) 3. Prayers by Brahmä to Lord Çiva ..........................................94 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 24.6.42-53) 4. Prayers by Dakña & others in Dakña-yajïa to Lord Hari ....98 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 04.07.26-47)

5. Prayers by Dhruva to Lord Påçnigarbha ............................. 106 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.9.6-17) 6. Prayers by Dharä ............................................................... 111 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.17.29-36) 7. Prayers by King Påthu .........................................................114 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.20.23-31) 8. Rudra-gétä ........................................................................... 117 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.24.33-79) 9. Prayers by Pracetäs ............................................................ 130 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 04.30.22-42)

Canto Five 1. Prayers by Åtvija to the Lord Who Appears in King Näbhi’s Yajïa ............................................................ 138 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.3.4-15) 2. Prayers Offered by Lord Çiva to Lord Saìkarñaëa in Ilävåta-varña........................................ 142 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.17.17-24) 3. Prayers by Bhadraçravä to Lord Hayaçérña in Bhadräçva-varña.................................................................. 145 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.18.2-6) 4. Prayers by Prahläda Mahäräja to Lord Nåsiàhadeva in Hari-varña ........................................147 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.18.8-14) 5. Prayers by Lakñmédevé to Lord Kämadeva (Pradyumna) in Ketumäla-varña .............. 150 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.18.18-23) 6. Prayers by Manu to Matsya in Ramyaka-varña ................................................................... 153 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.18.25-28)

7. Prayers by Aryamä to Lord Kürma in Hiraëmaya-varña..... 155 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.18.30-33) 8. Prayers by Bhümi Devé to Lord Varäha in Jambüdvépa ......157 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.18.35-39) 9. Prayers by Hanumän and others in Kimpuruña-varña ........ 159 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.19.2-8) 10. Prayers by Çré Närada to Nara-Näräyaëa Åñi in Bhärata-varña ................................................................ 162 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.19.11-15) 11. Demigods Glorification of Birth in Bhärata-varña ............. 164 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.19.21-27)

Canto Six 1. Haàsa-guhya Prayers by Prajäpati Dakña .......................... 168 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.4.23-34) 2. Prayers by Demigods to the Supreme Lord .........................173 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.9.21-27) 3. Prayers by Demigods to the Supreme Lord after His Appearance...........................................................176 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.9.31-45) 4. Prayers by Närada Muni .................................................... 183 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.16.18-25) 5. Citraketu Stotra ................................................................. 186 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.16.34-48)

Canto Seven 1. Prayers by Demigods to Lord Nåsiàha ............................... 192 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.8.40-56) 2. Prayers Offered by Prahläda Mahäräja to Pacify Lord Nåsiàha ......................................................... 199 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.10.8-50)

3. Prayers by Prahläda Mahäräja ............................................ 214 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.10.2-10)

Canto Eight 1. Prayers by Sväyambhuva Manu to the Supreme Lord ........ 218 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.1.9-16) 2. Prayers by Gajendra............................................................ 221 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.3.2-29) 3. Prayers by Lord Brahmä to Kñérodakaçäyé Viñëu ...............230 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.5.26-50) 4. Prayers by Lord Brahmä to the Supreme Lord when He Appears ..............................................................238 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.6.8-15) 5. Prayers by Prajäpatis to Lord Çiva ...................................... 241 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.7.21-35) 6. Prayers by Lord Çiva to Lord Viñëu ...................................246 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.12.4-13) 7. Prayers by Aditi to the Supreme Personality of Godhead ...250 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.17.8-10) 8. Prayers by Brahmä to the Lord in the Womb of Aditi ....... 252 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.17.25-28) 9. Prayers by Bali Mahäräja to Lord Vämana ........................254 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.22.2-11) 10. Prayers by Vindhyävali to Lord Vämana .......................... 257 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.22.20) 11. Prayers by Lord Brahmä to Lord Vämana ........................258 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.22.21-23) 12. Prayers by Prahläda to Lord Vämana ...............................259 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.23.6-8)

13. Prayers by King Satyavrata to Lord Matsya (1) ............... 261 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.24.27-30) 14. Prayers by King Satyavrata to Lord Matsya (2) ................263 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.24.46-53)

Canto Nine 1. Prayer by Mahäräja Ambaréña to Sudarçana .......................268 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 9.5.3-11) 2. Prayers by Aàçumän to Lord Kapiladeva........................... 271 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 9.8.21-26) 3. Prayers by Brähmaëas to Lord Rämacandra ...................... 273 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 9.11.6-7)

Canto Ten 1. Prayers by the Demigods to Kåñëa in the Womb of Mother Devaké.............................................. 276 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.2.26-41) 2. Prayers by Vasudeva to Kåñëa after His Appearance .........282 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.3.13-22) 3. Prayers by Devaké to Kåñëa after His appearance .............286 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.3.24-31) 4. Prayers by Nalaküvara and Maëigréva ...............................289 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.10.29-38) 5. Prayers by Lord Brahmä to Lord Kåñëa .............................292 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.14.1-40) 6. Prayers by Näga-patnés ......................................................304 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.16.33-53) 7. Prayers by Käliya Näga ...................................................... 310 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.16.56-59)

8. Prayers by Cowherd Boys to Kåñëa..................................... 312 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.19.9-10) 9. Venu Geet........................................................................... 313 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.21.7-19) 10. Prayers of Wives of Brähmaëas to Kåñëa ..........................317 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.23.29-30) 11. Prayers by Bramhanas to Krsna......................................... 318 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.23.50) 12. Prayers by King Indra to Kåñëa ....................................... 319 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10. 27.4-13) 13. Prayers by Surabhi Cow to Kåñëa .................................... 322 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.27.19-21) 14. Prayers by Varuëa to Lord Kåñëa ..................................... 323 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.28.5-8) 15. Gopés Words at Räsa-sthalé ...............................................324 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.29.31-41) 16. Gopé-géta ...........................................................................328 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.31.1-19) 17. Gopés singing the pastimes of Kåñëa �� 332 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.35.2-25) 18. Prayers by Närada Muni .................................................. 339 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.37.10-23) 19. Gopis Crying for Krsna..................................................... 343 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.39.19-30) 20. Prayers by Akrura............................................................ 347 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.40.1-30) 21. Bhramara-gétä .................................................................. 355 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.47.12-21) 22. Glorification of Gopés by Uddhava ................................... 358 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.47.58-63)

23. Prayers by Akrura to Kåñëa & Balaräma in Mathurä .....360 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.48.17-27) 24. Prayers by King Mucukunda ...........................................363 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.51.45-57) 25. Letter by Rukmiëé Devé ................................................... 367 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.52.37-43)

26. Prayers by Bhümi Devé..................................................... 370

(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10. 59. 25-31)

27. Rukmiëé Kåta-stava .......................................................... 372 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10. 60.34-46) 28. Prayers by Çiva-jvara ........................................................ 376 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.63.25-28) 29. Prayers by Lord Çiva to Kåñëa .......................................... 378 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.63.34-45) 30. Prayers by King Någa ....................................................... 381 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.64.26-29) 31. Prayer by Yamunä Devé to Lord Balaräma .......................383 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.65.28-29) 32. Prayers by Närada Muni ..................................................384 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10. 69.17-18 & 10.69.38-39)

33. Prayers by Jailed Kings to Kåñëa ......................................386

34. Prayers by Kings after their Release ................................388

25. Prayers by Yudhiñöhira Mahäräja to Kåñëa ....................... 391

36. Glorification of Kåñëa by Sages at Kurukñetra ................. 393

37. Glorification of Kåñëa and Balaräma by Vasudeva ...........396

(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10. 70.25-30) (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.73.8-16) (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.74.2-5)

(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.84.16-26) (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.85.3-20)

38. Prayers of Devaké to Kåñëa and Balaräma ....................... 401

39. Prayers by King Bali ........................................................403

40. Prayers by King Bahuläçva ............................................. 406

41. Prayers by Çrutadeva ....................................................... 408

42. Prayers of Personified Vedas............................................. 410

43. Glorification of Kåñëa & Arjuna by Mahä-viñëu .............420

(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.89.58-59)

44. Summarization of the Glories of Lord Kåñëa by Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé ............................................. 421 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.90.47-50)

(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.85.29-33)

(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.85.39-46) (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.86.31-36)

(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.86.44-49) (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.87.14-41)

Canto Eleven

1. Demigods offer Prayers to Nara-Näräyaëa Åñi ...................424

(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 11.4.10-11)

2. Brahmä & Other Demigods offer Prayers to the Supreme Lord .......................................................... 425 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 11.6.7-19)

3. Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé offers Prayers to Kåñëa ...............430

4. Prayer by Darukä to Lord Kåñëa ....................................... 431

(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 11.29.49) (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 11.30.43)

Canto Twelve

1. Prayers by Märkaëòeya Åñi to Nara-Näräyaëa Åñi ............434

(Çrémad-Bhägavatam 12.8.40-49)

2. Prayers by Märkaëòeya Åñi ................................................438 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 12.10.2) 3. Prayers by Märkaëòeya Åñi to Lord Çiva ...........................439 (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 12.10.16-17 & 12.10.28-34)

Introduction B

hägavata Puräëa also called Çrémad-Bhägavatam or simply Bhägavatam, is the famous treatise in Vedic literature. Written by Çréla Kåñëa-dvaipäyana Vyäsadeva in the most mature stage of his life, this scripture is considered to be the literary incarnation of The Lord. Although it was originally written in Sanskrit but it has been translated in many Indian regional languages. This is a great philosophical and literary treatise and is the foremost among all the Vedic literatures. As compared to other scriptures, Bhägavata leaves a much greater impact on the readers. Bhägavata Puräëa is a wonderful conversation between Mahäräja Parékñit and Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé, which is available to everyone. Mahäräja Parékñit was cursed by a brähmaëa boy to die within seven days. On hearing this, Mahäräja Parékñit renounced his royal responsibilities and decided to search the ultimate goal of life. While he was preparing for his imminent death he met the most revered Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé and from him he heard Çrémad-Bhägavatam, which is full of the nectar of Kåñëa’s glories. This sublime conversation between the two great personalities lasted for seven days. During this period Mahäräja Parékñit abstained from drinking, eating and even sleeping because the actual goal of human life is to realize Absolute Truth which is none other than the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Çré Kåñëa.

Çrémad-Bhägavatam covers many issues which are under consideration of the scientist’s contemplation and research in the modern time. Bhägavata is the essence of the entire Vedic knowledge and philosophy;

in fact, it is the source of all Vedic and Gauòéya literatures. It presents the Vedic knowledge in absolute totality in a most certified and bonafide way and includes everything from self-realization to the origin of universe and encompasses all branches of knowledge. It is described in the simplified form of stories. At the same time, it is also poetic, attractive and magnificent. Bhägavata Puräëa is decorated with comprehensively covered details of pastimes of the various incarnations of God and His loving devotees. The prayers offered at the lotus feet of God, with love and devotion, are the crux of these pastimes. Through selective words and verses (çlokas) devotees glorify the greatness of The Lord. By reading these one’s heart is attracted to Kåñëa. Lord Kåñëa is also known by the name ‘Uttama-çloka’ because glories and prayers are offered to Him to seek His mercy. Çréla Prabhupäda mentions in his lecture “There are so many prayers in the çästras. So therefore His name is Uttamaçloka. These prayers are not composed by some ordinary rascal poet. They are composed by stalwart, great personalities like Lord Brahmä, Lord Çiva and others like Süta Gosvämé, Çukadeva Gosvämé and Vyäsadeva. Therefore, they are called uttama-çloka, selected and ultimately composed poetry. Hence, Bhagavän’s another name is Uttama-çloka. He is offered prayers by the great personalities with selected composition of poetry and prayers. So bhagavaty uttama-çloke.” (Çréla Prabhupäda lecture on Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.2.18 September 26, 1974, Calcutta)

In Vedic scriptures, you shall find numerous prayers and verses, which glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead and demigods who are helping in managing this universe. Most of the spiritual knowledge is provided in the form of these prayers. You can pick prayers from any of the Vedic scriptures; these prayers fulfill many objectives. The glorification of magnificence of God means to offer honor and fame to Him. Fame means “prestige, honor, praise and worship”. We know that the glorification of the greatness of God means accepting His position

with utmost reverence. Hence glorification of God is a primary and essential attribute of one’s life. Through the medium of Prayers, we can know His supreme wish and empower ourselves by His mercy, only then can we attempt to serve him. Without prayers, it is virtually impossible to attain the desired position for spiritual advancement. When we think that I am independent and there is no need of God in my life and no need of prayers, then we are under the greatest illusion. Sometimes this illusion is shattered by the unbearable suffering of life or the knowledge of the truth attained through association with pure devotees. When this happens, we realize that I am an insignificant, fallen and helpless living entity who is toiling for livelihood. We all are very attached to material life and are far from understanding and realizing our fallen state. Our prayers are usually inspired by the grief and distress of life. According to Bhagavad-gétä, even these types of prayers which focus on our happiness and joy rather than on the glorification of The Lord are also accepted by Him. In Bhägavata, we have an example of Dhruva Mahäräja, who worshipped God to take revenge from his step mother asking for a prosperous and rich kingdom. After very severe meditation, Dhruva Mahäräja had the auspicious darçana of The Lord. Then Kåñëa asked “What do you want?” Dhruva answered, “Now that I have had Your darçana, I am fully satisfied and now I don’t want anything.” This should be the aim of all prayers that we can attain the devotional service of Godhead and there should not be any other desire. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu has also endorsed this na dhanaà na janaà na sundaréà kavitäà vä jagadéça kämaye mama janmani janmanéçvare bhavatäd bhaktir ahaituké tvayi

(Çré Çré Çikñäñöakam 4)

“O Almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor to enjoy beautiful women. Nor do I want any number of followers. What I want

only is the causeless mercy of Your devotional service in my life, birth after birth”

In Çrémad-Bhägavatam (4.24.76) at the end of a great prayer offered by Lord Çiva to Lord Kåñëa, it is mentioned that “Although it is extremely difficult to serve and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead but mere recitation of these prayers makes one eligible to obtain Lord’s mercy easily.” In the purport of this verse Çréla Prabhupäda writes “A devotee of Kåñëa can achieve all the perfections merely by offering prayers to Him.” A devotee who recites and meditates upon these prayers is sure to go back home back to Godhead. To substantiate this line Çréla Prabhupäda says“Impersonalists cannot be purified, for they do not offer personal prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Even though they sometimes offer prayers, the prayers are not directed toward the Supreme Person. Impersonalists sometimes show their incomplete knowledge by addressing the Lord as being nameless. They always offer prayers indirectly, saying, “You are this, You are that,” but they do not know to whom they are praying. A devotee, however, always offers personal prayers. A devotee says, govindam ädi-puruñaà tam ahaà bhajämi: “I offer my respectful obeisances unto Govinda, unto Kṛñṇa.” That is the way to offer prayers. If one continues to offer such personal prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is eligible to become a pure devotee and return home, back to Godhead. (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.9.47 Purport)

Offering prayers to the Lord and glorifying the Lord are the most integral part of devotion. Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé, in his book, Bhakti-rasämåtasindhu stresses upon the importance of these prayers and glorification of The Lord. He says, “According to great learned scholars, the whole Bhagavad-gétä contains many authorized prayers, especially in the Eleventh Chapter, where Arjuna prays to the universal form of the Lord. Similarly, in the Gautaméya-tantra all the verses are called prayers. Again, in Çrémad-Bhägavatam there are

hundreds of prayers to the Lord. So a devotee should select some of these prayers for his recitation. In Skanda Puräëa the glories of these prayers are stated as follows: “Devotees whose tongues are decorated always with prayers to Lord Kåñëa are always given respect even by the great saintly persons and sages, and such devotees are actually worshipable by the demigods.” Those who are less intelligent want to worship different demigods for some material gain rather than worship Kåñëa. But here it is stated that a devotee who is always engaged in offering prayers to the Lord is worshipable even by the demigods themselves. The pure devotees have nothing to ask from any demigod; rather, the demigods are anxious to offer prayers to the pure devotees. In the Nåsiàha Puräëa it is stated, “Any person who comes before the Deity of Lord Kåñëa and begins to chant different prayers is immediately relieved from all the reactions of sinful activities and becomes eligible, without any doubt, to enter into the Vaikuëöhaloka.”

The prayers are special reflections of our unmatched relationship with The Supreme Personality of Godhead. Without proper emotions these prayers do not have any meaning. The beauty of prayer lies in faith and its truthfulness. The pretence-less prayer is not a mechanical monotonous reading or pronunciation rather it is a true, honest-hearted real cry. One should regularly recite the great prayers given in the Vedic scriptures and call out to The Lord. Our prayer reaches Kåñëa only when we are totally surrendered to Him. When we realize our helpless state in this troublesome world, only then we pray to The Lord with surrender and humility. Our prayers should be pure. The prayers by Caitanya Mahäprabhu and Gauòéya äcäryas represent the appropriate emotions for all the trained devotees. Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu via His Çikñäñöaka prayers teaches us to only cry for Kåñëa and offer our prayers to Him. ayi nanda-tanüja kiìkaraà patitaà mäà viñame bhavämbudhau kåpayä tava päda-paìkajasthita-dhülé-sadåçaà vicintaya

(Çré Çré Çikñäñöakam 5)

“O son of Mahäräja Nanda (Kåñëa), I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.”

Çréla Prabhupäda’s life is an epitome of this surrender and humility, an integral part of Kåñëa consciousness. When the steamship Jaladuta arrived at Boston harbour Çréla Prabhupäda wrote a prayer addressing Lord Çré Kåñëa where he writes, “My dear Lord Kåñëa, You are so kind upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me. Lord, I am just like a puppet in Your hands. So if You have brought me here to dance, then make me dance, make me dance. O Lord, make me dance as You like. I have no devotion, nor do I have any knowledge, but I have strong faith in the holy name of Kåñëa. I have been designated as Bhaktivedanta, and now, if You like, You can fulfil the real purport of Bhaktivedanta.”

Çréla Prabhupäda has provided a series of explanations of the prayers offered by Queen Kunté in Bhägavatam. The prayers mentioned in Bhägavatam reflect the mood of complete submission towards The Lord, a deep sense of gratitude towards Him for His mercy; while at the same time requesting the Lord for protection, His superior guidance and knowledge. These prayers of Bhägavatam provide in-depth information of spiritual world and spiritual form. They are an insight into the loving exchanges between The Lord and His devotees; and are the utmost and simplest mode to institute the transcendental form of The Lord on the canvas of our heart. These are recommended by and for Vaiñëavas. Chanting of these prayers with sincerity pleases The Lord immensely. It is via the disciplic succession that Lord Kåñëa accepts our prayers and services. If a person is under the guidance of his spiritual master and that spiritual master is under the guidance of his spiritual master then such offerings are, undoubtedly and automatically, accepted by

The Lord. Just like the Lord’s mercy is descending through the medium of disciplic succession, similarly a devotee’s service ascends to the Lord through that same process. Çréla Prabhupäda addressing one of his disciples writes: If your prayers are sincere then Krishna will accept them and if Krishna accepts them then automatically I accept them, and if I accept them then automatically Krishna accepts them. So like this Krishna is everywhere. He is even between the atoms. So therefore wherever you are He will accept your prayers, and therefore I automatically accept. But the most important part again, the prayer must be sincere. (Letter to: Kirtika — Sydney 19 February, 1973 73-02-19 Buffalo)

This treatise includes prayers from Çrémad-Bhägavatam. These prayers describe the transcendental and sublime qualities, forms and pastimes of The Lord. Stories can elaborate the form which was prevalent at that time. But in the prayers, whatever forms Kåñëa had at the time of conception of universe, in Goloka, Vaikuëöha and Çvetadvépa etc. are described clearly. The philosophical principles are also available in these prayers or glorifications. These describe the qualities and pastimes of the Lord in the most sublime manner and awaken pure devotion and cleanse the heart. In order to help the devotees who, want to read these prayers regularly, we have made a humble effort to incorporate all the prayers and glorifications in one book. We have given the translations to the verses provided by Çréla Prabhupäda and for elaborate study readers have to read the 18 Volumes of Çrémad-Bhägavatam published by Bhaktivedanta Book trust. These prayers are streamed with abundant nectar of spiritual juice. These are not only ordinary prayers, which one seeks in a traditional prayer book, instead these prayers are full of spiritual attitude towards Kåñëa and its importance for us. In a few of these prayers, there is a summary of Vedic ideas and spiritual knowledge.

Many devotees have made significant contributions in the publication of this book. First and foremost, I am thankful to my dear friend Hayagréva Däsa, who has rendered invaluable help in this compilation by providing answers to many questions. Also I would like to thank Anuttam Hari Däsa for spending hours and hours working with me on the layout. I shall always be thankful to Sitärani Devi Däsi and Sammohini Rupa Devi Däsi for their editorial services. Special thanks to Naveen Sippy, who contributed by designing the cover page of this book. I sincerely beg forgiveness from the readers for any mistakes in the printing and compilation of this book and request them to pray at the lotus feet of the Lord so that my heart may be purified and submerged in the nectarean Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Sarvasäkñé Däsa Çré Jagannätha Ratha-yäträ Jagannätha Puré, Orissa, 6th July 2016 India.

Canto One

Maìgaläcaraëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.1.1-3)

oà namo bhagavate väsudeväya janmädy asya yato ‘nvayäd itarataç cärtheñv abhijïaù svaräö tene brahma hådä ya ädi-kavaye muhyanti yat sürayaù tejo-väri-mådäà yathä vinimayo yatra tri-sargo ‘måñä dhämnä svena sadä nirasta-kuhakaà satyaà paraà dhémahi O my Lord, Çré Kåñëa, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. I meditate upon Lord Çré Kåñëa because He is the Absolute Truth and the primeval cause of all causes of the creation, sustenance and destruction of the manifested universes. He is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations, and He is independent because there is no other cause beyond Him. It is He only who first imparted the Vedic knowledge unto the heart of Brahmäjé, the original living being. By Him even the great sages and demigods are placed into illusion, as one is bewildered by the illusory representations of water seen in fire, or land seen on water. Only because of Him do the material universes, temporarily manifested by the reactions of the three modes of nature, appear factual, although they are unreal. I therefore meditate upon Him, Lord Çré Kåñëa, who is eternally existent in the transcendental abode, which is forever free from the illusory representations of the material world. I meditate upon Him, for He is the Absolute Truth. dharmaù projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra paramo nirmatsaräëäà satäà vedyaà västavam atra vastu çivadaà täpa-trayonmülanam çrémad-bhägavate mahä-muni-kåte kià vä parair éçvaraù sadyo hådy avarudhyate ‘tra kåtibhiù çuçrüñubhis tat-kñaëät Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhägavata Puräëa propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart. The highest 26

Maìgaläcaraëa

truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhägavatam, compiled by the great sage Vyäsadeva [in his maturity], is sufficient in itself for God realization. What is the need of any other scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhägavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart. nigama-kalpa-taror galitaà phalaà çuka-mukhäd amåta-drava-saàyutam pibata bhägavataà rasam älayaà muhur aho rasikä bhuvi bhävukäù O expert and thoughtful men, relish Çrémad-Bhägavatam, the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures. It emanated from the lips of Çré Çukadeva Gosvämé. Therefore this fruit has become even more tasteful, although its nectarean juice was already relishable for all, including liberated souls.

Praëäms to Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé & Others (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.2.2-4)

süta uväca yaà pravrajantam anupetam apeta-kåtyaà dvaipäyano viraha-kätara äjuhäva putreti tan-mayatayä taravo ‘bhinedus taà sarva-bhüta-hådayaà munim änato ‘smi Çréla Süta Gosvämé said: Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto that great sage [Çukadeva Gosvämé] who can enter the hearts of all. When he went away to take up the renounced order of life [sannyäsa], leaving home without undergoing reformation by the sacred thread or the ceremonies observed by the higher castes, his father, Vyäsadeva, fearing separation from him, cried out, “O my son!” Indeed, only the trees, which were absorbed in the same feelings of separation, echoed in response to the begrieved father. yaù svänubhävam akhila-çruti-säram ekam adhyätma-dépam atititérñatäà tamo ‘ndham saàsäriëäà karuëayäha puräëa-guhyaà taà vyäsa-sünum upayämi guruà munénäm Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto him [Çuka], the spiritual master of all sages, the son of Vyäsadeva, who, out of his great compassion for those gross materialists who struggle to cross over the darkest regions of material existence, spoke this most confidential supplement to the cream of Vedic knowledge, after having personally assimilated it by experience. näräyaëaà namaskåtya naraà caiva narottamam devéà sarasvatéà vyäsaà tato jayam udérayet

Praëäms to Çr éla Çuk adeva Gosvämé & Others

Before reciting this Çrémad-Bhägavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, Näräyaëa, unto Nara-näräyaëa Åñi, the supermost human being, unto mother Sarasvaté, the goddess of learning, and unto Çréla Vyäsadeva, the author.

Prayers by Arjuna to Lord Kåñëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.7.22-26)

arjuna uväca kåñëa kåñëa mahä-bäho bhaktänäm abhayaìkara tvam eko dahyamänänäm apavargo ‘si saàsåteù Arjuna said: O my Lord Çré Kåñëa, You are the almighty Personality of Godhead. There is no limit to Your different energies. Therefore only You are competent to instill fearlessness in the hearts of Your devotees. Everyone in the flames of material miseries can find the path of liberation in You only. tvam ädyaù puruñaù säkñäd éçvaraù prakåteù paraù mäyäà vyudasya cic-chaktyä kaivalye sthita ätmani You are the original Personality of Godhead who expands Himself all over the creations and is transcendental to material energy. You have cast away the effects of the material energy by dint of Your spiritual potency. You are always situated in eternal bliss and transcendental knowledge. sa eva jéva-lokasya mäyä-mohita-cetasaù vidhatse svena véryeëa çreyo dharmädi-lakñaëam And yet, though You are beyond the purview of the material energy, You execute the four principles of liberation characterized by religion and so on for the ultimate good of the conditioned souls.

Prayers by Ar jun a to Lord Kåñë a

tathäyaà cävatäras te bhuvo bhära-jihérñayä svänäà cänanya-bhävänäm anudhyänäya cäsakåt Thus You descend as an incarnation to remove the burden of the world and to benefit Your friends, especially those who are Your exclusive devotees and are rapt in meditation upon You. kim idaà svit kuto veti deva-deva na vedmy aham sarvato mukham äyäti tejaù parama-däruëam O Lord of lords, how is it that this dangerous effulgence is spreading all around? Where does it come from? I do not understand it.

Prayers by Uttarä (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.8.9-10)

uttaroväca pähi pähi mahä-yogin deva-deva jagat-pate nänyaà tvad abhayaà paçye yatra måtyuù parasparam Uttarä said: O Lord of lords, Lord of the universe! You are the greatest of mystics. Please protect me, for there is no one else who can save me from the clutches of death in this world of duality. abhidravati mäm éça çaras taptäyaso vibho kämaà dahatu mäà nätha mä me garbho nipätyatäm O my Lord, You are all-powerful. A fiery iron arrow is coming towards me fast. My Lord, let it burn me personally, if You so desire, but please do not let it burn and abort my embryo. Please do me this favor, my Lord.

Prayers by Queen Kunté (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.8.18-43)

kunty uväca namasye puruñaà tvädyam éçvaraà prakåteù param alakñyaà sarva-bhütänäm antar bahir avasthitam Çrématé Kunté said: O Kåñëa, I offer my obeisances unto You because You are the original personality and are unaffected by the qualities of the material world. You are existing both within and without everything, yet You are invisible to all. mäyä-javanikäcchannam ajïädhokñajam avyayam na lakñyase müòha-dåçä naöo näöyadharo yathä Being beyond the range of limited sense perception, You are the eternally irreproachable factor covered by the curtain of deluding energy. You are invisible to the foolish observer, exactly as an actor dressed as a player is not recognized. tathä paramahaàsänäà munénäm amalätmanäm bhakti-yoga-vidhänärthaà kathaà paçyema hi striyaù You Yourself descend to propagate the transcendental science of devotional service unto the hearts of the advanced transcendentalists and mental speculators, who are purified by being able to discriminate between matter and spirit. How, then, can we women know You perfectly? kåñëäya väsudeväya devaké-nandanäya ca

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

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nanda-gopa-kumäräya govindäya namo namaù Let me therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto the Lord, who has become the son of Vasudeva, the pleasure of Devaké, the boy of Nanda and the other cowherd men of Våndävana, and the enlivener of the cows and the senses. namaù paìkaja-näbhäya namaù paìkaja-mäline namaù paìkaja-neträya namas te paìkajäìghraye My respectful obeisances are unto You, O Lord, whose abdomen is marked with a depression like a lotus flower, who are always decorated with garlands of lotus flowers, whose glance is as cool as the lotus and whose feet are engraved with lotuses. yathä håñékeça khalena devaké kaàsena ruddhäticiraà çucärpitä vimocitähaà ca sahätmajä vibho tvayaiva näthena muhur vipad-gaëät O Håñékeça, master of the senses and Lord of lords, You have released Your mother, Devaké, who was long imprisoned and distressed by the envious King Kaàsa, and me and my children from a series of constant dangers. viñän mahägneù puruñäda-darçanäd asat-sabhäyä vana-väsa-kåcchrataù mådhe mådhe ‘neka-mahärathästrato drauëy-astrataç cäsma hare ‘bhirakñitäù My dear Kåñëa, Your Lordship has protected us from a poisoned cake, from a great fire, from cannibals, from the vicious assembly, from sufferings during our exile in the forest and from the battle where great generals fought. And now You have saved us from the weapon of Açvatthämä. vipadaù santu täù çaçvat tatra tatra jagad-guro

P r a y e r s b y Q u e e n Ku n t é

bhavato darçanaà yat syäd apunar bhava-darçanam I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths. janmaiçvarya-çruta-çrébhir edhamäna-madaù pumän naivärhaty abhidhätuà vai tväm akiïcana-gocaram My Lord, Your Lordship can easily be approached, but only by those who are materially exhausted. One who is on the path of [material] progress, trying to improve himself with respectable parentage, great opulence, high education and bodily beauty, cannot approach You with sincere feeling. namo ‘kiïcana-vittäya nivåtta-guëa-våttaye ätmärämäya çäntäya kaivalya-pataye namaù My obeisances are unto You, who are the property of the materially impoverished. You have nothing to do with the actions and reactions of the material modes of nature. You are self-satisfied, and therefore You are the most gentle and are master of the monists. manye tväà kälam éçänam anädi-nidhanaà vibhum samaà carantaà sarvatra bhütänäà yan mithaù kaliù My Lord, I consider Your Lordship to be eternal time, the supreme controller, without beginning and end, the all-pervasive one. In distributing Your mercy, You are equal to everyone. The dissensions between living beings are due to social intercourse. na veda kaçcid bhagavaàç cikérñitaà tavehamänasya nåëäà viòambanam

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

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na yasya kaçcid dayito ‘sti karhicid dveñyaç ca yasmin viñamä matir nåëäm O Lord, no one can understand Your transcendental pastimes, which appear to be human and are so misleading. You have no specific object of favor, nor do You have any object of envy. People only imagine that You are partial. janma karma ca viçvätmann ajasyäkartur ätmanaù tiryaì-nèñiñu yädaùsu tad atyanta-viòambanam Of course it is bewildering, O soul of the universe, that You work, though You are inactive, and that You take birth, though You are the vital force and the unborn. You Yourself descend amongst animals, men, sages and aquatics. Verily, this is bewildering. gopy ädade tvayi kåtägasi däma tävad yä te daçäçru-kaliläïjana-sambhramäkñam vaktraà ninéya bhaya-bhävanayä sthitasya sä mäà vimohayati bhér api yad bibheti My dear Kåñëa, Yaçodä took up a rope to bind You when You committed an offense, and Your perturbed eyes overflooded with tears, which washed the mascara from Your eyes. And You were afraid, though fear personified is afraid of You. This sight is bewildering to me. kecid ähur ajaà jätaà puëya-çlokasya kértaye yadoù priyasyänvaväye malayasyeva candanam Some say that the Unborn is born for the glorification of pious kings, and others say that He is born to please King Yadu, one of Your dearest devotees. You appear in his family as sandalwood appears in the Malaya hills. apare vasudevasya devakyäà yäcito ‘bhyagät

P r a y e r s b y Q u e e n Ku n t é

ajas tvam asya kñemäya vadhäya ca sura-dviñäm Others say that since both Vasudeva and Devaké prayed for You, You have taken Your birth as their son. Undoubtedly You are unborn, yet You take Your birth for their welfare and to kill those who are envious of the demigods. bhärävatäraëäyänye bhuvo näva ivodadhau sédantyä bhüri-bhäreëa jäto hy ätma-bhuvärthitaù Others say that the world, being overburdened like a boat at sea, is much aggrieved, and that Brahmä, who is Your son, prayed for You, and so You have appeared to diminish the trouble. bhave ‘smin kliçyamänänäm avidyä-käma-karmabhiù çravaëa-smaraëärhäëi kariñyann iti kecana And yet others say that You appeared to rejuvenate the devotional service of hearing, remembering, worshiping and so on in order that the conditioned souls suffering from material pangs might take advantage and gain liberation. çåëvanti gäyanti gåëanty abhékñëaçaù smaranti nandanti tavehitaà janäù ta eva paçyanty acireëa tävakaà bhava-pravähoparamaà padämbujam O Kåñëa, those who continuously hear, chant and repeat Your transcendental activities, or take pleasure in others’ doing so, certainly see Your lotus feet, which alone can stop the repetition of birth and death. apy adya nas tvaà sva-kåtehita prabho jihäsasi svit suhådo ‘nujévinaù yeñäà na cänyad bhavataù padämbujät paräyaëaà räjasu yojitäàhasäm

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

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O my Lord, You have executed all duties Yourself. Are you leaving us today, though we are completely dependent on Your mercy and have no one else to protect us, now when all kings are at enmity with us? ke vayaà näma-rüpäbhyäà yadubhiù saha päëòaväù bhavato ‘darçanaà yarhi håñékäëäm iveçituù As the name and fame of a particular body is finished with the disappearance of the living spirit, similarly if You do not look upon us, all our fame and activities, along with the Päëòavas and Yadus, will end at once. neyaà çobhiñyate tatra yathedänéà gadädhara tvat-padair aìkitä bhäti sva-lakñaëa-vilakñitaiù O Gadädhara [Kåñëa], our kingdom is now being marked by the impressions of Your feet, and therefore it appears beautiful. But when You leave, it will no longer be so. ime jana-padäù svåddhäù supakvauñadhi-vérudhaù vanädri-nady-udanvanto hy edhante tava vékñitaiù All these cities and villages are flourishing in all respects because the herbs and grains are in abundance, the trees are full of fruits, the rivers are flowing, the hills are full of minerals and the oceans full of wealth. And this is all due to Your glancing over them. atha viçveça viçvätman viçva-mürte svakeñu me sneha-päçam imaà chindhi dåòhaà päëòuñu våñëiñu O Lord of the universe, soul of the universe, O personality of the form of the universe, please, therefore, sever my tie of affection for my kinsmen, the Päëòavas and the Våñëis.

P r a y e r s b y Q u e e n Ku n t é

tvayi me ‘nanya-viñayä matir madhu-pate ‘sakåt ratim udvahatäd addhä gaìgevaugham udanvati O Lord of Madhu, as the Ganges forever flows to the sea without hindrance, let my attraction be constantly drawn unto You without being diverted to anyone else. çré-kåñëa kåñëa-sakha våñëy-åñabhävani-dhrugräjanya-vaàça-dahanänapavarga-vérya govinda go-dvija-surärti-harävatära yogeçvaräkhila-guro bhagavan namas te O Kåñëa, O friend of Arjuna, O chief amongst the descendants of Våñëi, You are the destroyer of those political parties which are disturbing elements on this earth. Your prowess never deteriorates. You are the proprietor of the transcendental abode, and You descend to relieve the distresses of the cows, the brähmaëas and the devotees. You possess all mystic powers, and You are the preceptor of the entire universe. You are the almighty God, and I offer You my respectful obeisances.

Prayers by Bhéñmadeva (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.9.32-42)

çré-bhéñma uväca iti matir upakalpitä vitåñëä bhagavati sätvata-puìgave vibhümni sva-sukham upagate kvacid vihartuà prakåtim upeyuñi yad-bhava-pravähaù Bhéñmadeva said: Let me now invest my thinking, feeling and willing, which were so long engaged in different subjects and occupational duties, in the all-powerful Lord Çré Kåñëa. He is always self-satisfied, but sometimes, being the leader of the devotees, He enjoys transcendental pleasure by descending on the material world, although from Him only the material world is created. tri-bhuvana-kamanaà tamäla-varëaà ravi-kara-gaura-varämbaraà dadhäne vapur alaka-kulävåtänanäbjaà vijaya-sakhe ratir astu me ‘navadyä Çré Kåñëa is the intimate friend of Arjuna. He has appeared on this earth in His transcendental body, which resembles the bluish color of the tamäla tree. His body attracts everyone in the three planetary systems [upper, middle and lower]. May His glittering yellow dress and His lotus face, covered with paintings of sandalwood pulp, be the object of my attraction, and may I not desire fruitive results. yudhi turaga-rajo-vidhümra-viñvakkaca-lulita-çramaväry-alaìkåtäsye mama niçita-çarair vibhidyamänatvaci vilasat-kavace ‘stu kåñëa ätmä On the battlefield [where Çré Kåñëa attended Arjuna out of friendship], the flowing hair of Lord Kåñëa turned ashen due to the dust raised

Prayers by Bhéñmadeva

by the hoofs of the horses. And because of His labor, beads of sweat wetted His face. All these decorations, intensified by the wounds dealt by my sharp arrows, were enjoyed by Him. Let my mind thus go unto Çré Kåñëa. sapadi sakhi-vaco niçamya madhye nija-parayor balayo rathaà niveçya sthitavati para-sainikäyur akñëä håtavati pärtha-sakhe ratir mamästu In obedience to the command of His friend, Lord Çré Kåñëa entered the arena of the Battlefield of Kurukñetra between the soldiers of Arjuna and Duryodhana, and while there He shortened the life spans of the opposite party by His merciful glance. This was done simply by His looking at the enemy. Let my mind be fixed upon that Kåñëa. vyavahita-påtanä-mukhaà nirékñya sva-jana-vadhäd vimukhasya doña-buddhyä kumatim aharad ätma-vidyayä yaç caraëa-ratiù paramasya tasya me ‘stu When Arjuna was seemingly polluted by ignorance upon observing the soldiers and commanders before him on the battlefield, the Lord eradicated his ignorance by delivering transcendental knowledge. May His lotus feet always remain the object of my attraction. sva-nigamam apahäya mat-pratijïäm åtam adhikartum avapluto rathasthaù dhåta-ratha-caraëo ‘bhyayäc caladgur harir iva hantum ibhaà gatottaréyaù Fulfilling my desire and sacrificing His own promise, He got down from the chariot, took up its wheel, and ran towards me hurriedly, just as a lion goes to kill an elephant. He even dropped His outer garment on the way. çita-viçikha-hato viçérëa-daàçaù kñataja-paripluta ätatäyino me prasabham abhisasära mad-vadhärthaà sa bhavatu me bhagavän gatir mukundaù

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

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May He, Lord Çré Kåñëa, the Personality of Godhead, who awards salvation, be my ultimate destination. On the battlefield He charged me, as if angry because of the wounds dealt by my sharp arrows. His shield was scattered, and His body was smeared with blood due to the wounds. vijaya-ratha-kuöumba ätta-totre dhåta-haya-raçmini tac-chriyekñaëéye bhagavati ratir astu me mumürñor yam iha nirékñya hatä gatäù sva-rüpam At the moment of death, let my ultimate attraction be to Çré Kåñëa, the Personality of Godhead. I concentrate my mind upon the chariot driver of Arjuna who stood with a whip in His right hand and a bridle rope in His left, who was very careful to give protection to Arjuna’s chariot by all means. Those who saw Him on the Battlefield of Kurukñetra attained their original forms after death. lalita-gati-viläsa-valguhäsapraëaya-nirékñaëa-kalpitorumänäù kåta-manu-kåta-vatya unmadändhäù prakåtim agan kila yasya gopa-vadhvaù Let my mind be fixed upon Lord Çré Kåñëa, whose motions and smiles of love attracted the damsels of Vrajadhäma [the gopés]. The damsels imitated the characteristic movements of the Lord [after His disappearance from the räsa dance]. muni-gaëa-nåpa-varya-saìkule ‘ntaùsadasi yudhiñöhira-räjasüya eñäm arhaëam upapeda ékñaëéyo mama dåçi-gocara eña ävir ätmä At the Räjasüya-yajïa [sacrifice] performed by Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, there was the greatest assembly of all the elite men of the world, the royal and learned orders, and in that great assembly Lord Çré Kåñëa was worshiped by one and all as the most exalted Personality of Godhead. This happened during my presence, and I remembered the incident in order to keep my mind upon the Lord.

Prayers by Bhéñmadeva

tam imam aham ajaà çaréra-bhäjäà hådi hådi dhiñöhitam ätma-kalpitänäm pratidåçam iva naikadhärkam ekaà samadhi-gato ‘smi vidhüta-bheda-mohaù Now I can meditate with full concentration upon that one Lord, Çré Kåñëa, now present before me because now I have transcended the misconceptions of duality in regard to His presence in everyone’s heart, even in the hearts of the mental speculators. He is in everyone’s heart. The sun may be perceived differently, but the sun is one.

Glorification of Kåñëa by the Womens of Hastinäpura (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.10.21-30)

sa vai kiläyaà puruñaù purätano ya eka äséd aviçeña ätmani agre guëebhyo jagad-ätmanéçvare nimélitätman niçi supta-çaktiñu They said: Here He is, the original Personality of Godhead as we definitely remember Him. He alone existed before the manifested creation of the modes of nature, and in Him only, because He is the Supreme Lord, all living beings merge, as if sleeping at night, their energy suspended. sa eva bhüyo nija-vérya-coditäà sva-jéva-mäyäà prakåtià sisåkñatém anäma-rüpätmani rüpa-nämané vidhitsamäno ‘nusasära çästra-kåt The Personality of Godhead, again desiring to give names and forms to His parts and parcels, the living entities, placed them under the guidance of material nature. By His own potency, material nature is empowered to re-create. sa vä ayaà yat padam atra sürayo jitendriyä nirjita-mätariçvanaù paçyanti bhakty-utkalitämalätmanä nanv eña sattvaà parimärñöum arhati Here is the same Supreme Personality of Godhead whose transcendental form is experienced by the great devotees who are completely cleansed of material consciousness by dint of rigid devotional service and full control of life and the senses. And that is the only way to purify existence. sa vä ayaà sakhy anugéta-sat-katho vedeñu guhyeñu ca guhya-vädibhiù 44

Gl o r i f i c a t i o n o f K å ñ ë a b y t h e Wo m e n s o f H a s t i n ä p u r a

ya eka éço jagad-ätma-lélayä såjaty avaty atti na tatra sajjate O dear friends, here is that very Personality of Godhead whose attractive and confidential pastimes are described in the confidential parts of Vedic literature by His great devotees. It is He only who creates, maintains and annihilates the material world and yet remains unaffected. yadä hy adharmeëa tamo-dhiyo nåpä jévanti tatraiña hi sattvataù kila dhatte bhagaà satyam åtaà dayäà yaço bhaväya rüpäëi dadhad yuge yuge Whenever there are kings and administrators living like animals in the lowest modes of existence, the Lord in His transcendental form manifests His supreme power, the Truth Positive, shows special mercy to the faithful, performs wonderful activities and manifests various transcendental forms as is necessary in different periods and ages. aho alaà çläghyatamaà yadoù kulam aho alaà puëyatamaà madhor vanam yad eña puàsäm åñabhaù çriyaù patiù sva-janmanä caìkramaëena cäïcati Oh, how supremely glorified is the dynasty of King Yadu, and how virtuous is the land of Mathurä, where the supreme leader of all living beings, the husband of the goddess of fortune, has taken His birth and wandered in His childhood. aho bata svar-yaçasas tiraskaré kuçasthalé puëya-yaçaskaré bhuvaù paçyanti nityaà yad anugraheñitaà smitävalokaà sva-patià sma yat-prajäù Undoubtedly it is wonderful that Dvärakä has defeated the glories of the heavenly planets and has enhanced the celebrity of the earth. The inhabitants of Dvärakä are always seeing the soul of all living beings [Kåñëa] in His loving feature. He glances at them and favors them with sweet smiles.

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

C a n t o 01

nünaà vrata-snäna-hutädineçvaraù samarcito hy asya gåhéta-päëibhiù pibanti yäù sakhy adharämåtaà muhur vraja-striyaù sammumuhur yad-äçayäù O friends, just think of His wives, whose hands He has accepted. How they must have undergone vows, baths, fire sacrifices and perfect worship of the Lord of the universe to constantly relish now the nectar from His lips [by kissing]. The damsels of Vrajabhümi would often faint just by expecting such favors. yä vérya-çulkena håtäù svayaàvare pramathya caidya-pramukhän hi çuñmiëaù pradyumna-sämbämba-sutädayo ‘parä yäç cähåtä bhauma-vadhe sahasraçaù The children of these ladies are Pradyumna, Sämba, Amba, etc: Ladies like Rukmiëé, Satyabhämä and Jämbavaté were forcibly taken away by Him from their svayaàvara ceremonies after He defeated many powerful kings, headed by Çiçupäla. And other ladies were also forcibly taken away by Him after He killed Bhaumäsura and thousands of his assistants. All of these ladies are glorious. etäù paraà strétvam apästapeçalaà nirasta-çaucaà bata sädhu kurvate yäsäà gåhät puñkara-locanaù patir na jätv apaity ähåtibhir hådi spåçan All these women auspiciously glorified their lives despite their being without individuality and without purity. Their husband, the lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead, never left them alone at home. He always pleased their hearts by making valuable presentations.

Prayers by the Citizens of Dvärakä (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.11.6-10)

natäù sma te nätha sadäìghri-paìkajaà viriïca-vairiïcya-surendra-vanditam paräyaëaà kñemam ihecchatäà paraà na yatra kälaù prabhavet paraù prabhuù The citizens said: O Lord, You are worshiped by all demigods like Brahmä, the four Sanas and even the King of heaven. You are the ultimate rest for those who are really aspiring to achieve the highest benefit of life. You are the supreme transcendental Lord, and inevitable time cannot exert its influence upon You. bhaväya nas tvaà bhava viçva-bhävana tvam eva mätätha suhåt-patiù pitä tvaà sad-gurur naù paramaà ca daivataà yasyänuvåttyä kåtino babhüvima O creator of the universe, You are our mother, well-wisher, Lord, father, spiritual master and worshipable Deity. By following in Your footsteps we have become successful in every respect. We pray, therefore, that You continue to bless us with Your mercy. aho sanäthä bhavatä sma yad vayaà traiviñöapänäm api düra-darçanam prema-smita-snigdha-nirékñaëänanaà paçyema rüpaà tava sarva-saubhagam Oh, it is our good luck that we have come again today under Your protection by Your presence, for Your Lordship rarely visits even the denizens of heaven. Now it is possible for us to look into Your smiling face, which is full of affectionate glances. We can now see Your transcendental form, full of all auspiciousness.

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

C a n t o 01

yarhy ambujäkñäpasasära bho bhavän kurün madhün vätha suhåd-didåkñayä taträbda-koöi-pratimaù kñaëo bhaved ravià vinäkñëor iva nas taväcyuta O lotus-eyed Lord, whenever You go away to Mathurä, Våndävana or Hastinäpura to meet Your friends and relatives, every moment of Your absence seems like a million years. O infallible one, at that time our eyes become useless, as if bereft of sun. kathaà vayaà nätha ciroñite tvayi prasanna-dåñöyäkhila-täpa-çoñaëam jévema te sundara-häsa-çobhitam apaçyamänä vadanaà manoharam iti codéritä väcaù prajänäà bhakta-vatsalaù çåëväno ‘nugrahaà dåñöyä vitanvan präviçat puram O master, if You live abroad all the time, then we cannot look at Your attractive face, whose smiles vanquish all our sufferings. How can we exist without Your presence?Upon hearing their speeches, the Lord, who is very kind to the citizens and the devotees, entered the city of Dvärakä and acknowledged all their greetings by casting His transcendental glance over them.

Canto Two

Prayers by Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 2.4.12-24)

çré-çuka uväca namaù parasmai puruñäya bhüyase sad-udbhava-sthäna-nirodha-lélayä gåhéta-çakti-tritayäya dehinäm antarbhaväyänupalakñya-vartmane Çukadeva Gosvämé said: Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead who, for the creation of the material world, accepts the three modes of nature. He is the complete whole residing within the body of everyone, and His ways are inconceivable. bhüyo namaù sad-våjina-cchide ‘satäm asambhaväyäkhila-sattva-mürtaye puàsäà punaù päramahaàsya äçrame vyavasthitänäm anumågya-däçuñe I again offer my respectful obeisances unto the form of complete existence and transcendence, who is the liberator of the pious devotees from all distresses and the destroyer of the further advances in atheistic temperament of the nondevotee-demons. For the transcendentalists who are situated in the topmost spiritual perfection, He grants their specific destinations. namo namas te ‘stv åñabhäya sätvatäà vidüra-käñöhäya muhuù kuyoginäm nirasta-sämyätiçayena rädhasä sva-dhämani brahmaëi raàsyate namaù Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Him who is the associate of the members of the Yadu dynasty and who is always a problem for the nondevotees. He is the supreme enjoyer of both the material and spiritual worlds, yet He enjoys His own abode in the spiritual sky. There is no one equal to Him because His transcendental opulence is immeasurable. 50

Prayers by Çr éla Çukadeva Gosvämé

yat-kértanaà yat-smaraëaà yad-ékñaëaà yad-vandanaà yac-chravaëaà yad-arhaëam lokasya sadyo vidhunoti kalmañaà tasmai subhadra-çravase namo namaù Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the all-auspicious Lord Çré Kåñëa, about whom glorification, remembrances, audience, prayers, hearing and worship can at once cleanse the effects of all sins of the performer. vicakñaëä yac-caraëopasädanät saìgaà vyudasyobhayato ‘ntar-ätmanaù vindanti hi brahma-gatià gata-klamäs tasmai subhadra-çravase namo namaù Let me offer my respectful obeisances again and again unto the allauspicious Lord Çré Kåñëa. The highly intellectual, simply by surrendering unto His lotus feet, are relieved of all attachments to present and future existences and without difficulty progress toward spiritual existence. tapasvino däna-parä yaçasvino manasvino mantra-vidaù sumaìgaläù kñemaà na vindanti vinä yad-arpaëaà tasmai subhadra-çravase namo namaù Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the all-auspicious Lord Çré Kåñëa again and again because the great learned sages, the great performers of charity, the great workers of distinction, the great philosophers and mystics, the great chanters of the Vedic hymns and the great followers of Vedic principles cannot achieve any fruitful result without dedication of such great qualities to the service of the Lord. kiräta-hüëändhra-pulinda-pulkaçä äbhéra-çumbhä yavanäù khasädayaù ye ‘nye ca päpä yad-apäçrayäçrayäù çudhyanti tasmai prabhaviñëave namaù Kiräta, Hüëa, Ändhra, Pulinda, Pulkaça, Äbhéra, Çumbha, Yavana, members of the Khasa races and even others addicted to sinful acts can be purified by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord, due to His being the supreme power. I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him. 51

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

C a n t o 02

sa eña ätmätmavatäm adhéçvaras trayémayo dharmamayas tapomayaù gata-vyalékair aja-çaìkarädibhir vitarkya-liìgo bhagavän prasédatäm He is the Supersoul and the Supreme Lord of all self-realized souls. He is the personification of the Vedas, religious scriptures and austerities. He is worshiped by Lord Brahmä and Çiva and all those who are transcendental to all pretensions. Being so revered with awe and veneration, may that Supreme Absolute be pleased with me. çriyaù patir yajïa-patiù prajä-patir dhiyäà patir loka-patir dharä-patiù patir gatiç cändhaka-våñëi-sätvatäà prasédatäà me bhagavän satäà patiù May Lord Çré Kåñëa, who is the worshipable Lord of all devotees, the protector and glory of all the kings like Andhaka and Våñëi of the Yadu dynasty, the husband of all goddesses of fortune, the director of all sacrifices and therefore the leader of all living entities, the controller of all intelligence, the proprietor of all planets, spiritual and material, and the supreme incarnation on the earth (the supreme all in all), be merciful upon me. yad-aìghry-abhidhyäna-samädhi-dhautayä dhiyänupaçyanti hi tattvam ätmanaù vadanti caitat kavayo yathä-rucaà sa me mukundo bhagavän prasédatäm It is the Personality of Godhead Çré Kåñëa who gives liberation. By thinking of His lotus feet at every second, following in the footsteps of authorities, the devotee in trance can see the Absolute Truth. The learned mental speculators, however, think of Him according to their whims. May the Lord be pleased with me. pracoditä yena purä sarasvaté vitanvatäjasya satéà småtià hådi sva-lakñaëä prädurabhüt kiläsyataù sa me åñéëäm åñabhaù prasédatäm

Prayers by Çr éla Çukadeva Gosvämé

May the Lord, who in the beginning of the creation amplified the potent knowledge of Brahmä from within his heart and inspired him with full knowledge of creation and of His own Self, and who appeared to be generated from the mouth of Brahmä, be pleased with me. bhütair mahadbhir ya imäù puro vibhur nirmäya çete yad amüñu püruñaù bhuìkte guëän ñoòaça ñoòaçätmakaù so ‘laìkåñéñöa bhagavän vacäàsi me May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who enlivens the materially created bodies of the elements by lying down within the universe, and who in His puruña incarnation causes the living being to be subjected to the sixteen divisions of material modes which are his generator, be pleased to decorate my statements. namas tasmai bhagavate väsudeväya vedhase papur jïänam ayaà saumyä yan-mukhämburuhäsavam I offer my respectful obeisances unto Çréla Vyäsadeva, the incarnation of Väsudeva who compiled the Vedic scriptures. The pure devotees drink up the nectarean transcendental knowledge dropping from the lotuslike mouth of the Lord.

Canto Three

Prayers by Demigods (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.5.39-51)

devä ücuù namäma te deva padäravindaà prapanna-täpopaçamätapatram yan-müla-ketä yatayo ‘ïjasorusaàsära-duùkhaà bahir utkñipanti The demigods said: O Lord, Your lotus feet are like an umbrella for the surrendered souls, protecting them from all the miseries of material existence. All the sages under that shelter throw off all material miseries. We therefore offer our respectful obeisances unto Your lotus feet. dhätar yad asmin bhava éça jéväs täpa-trayeëäbhihatä na çarma ätman labhante bhagavaàs taväìghricchäyäà sa-vidyäm ata äçrayema O Father, O Lord, O Personality of Godhead, the living entities in the material world can never have any happiness because they are overwhelmed by the three kinds of miseries. Therefore they take shelter of the shade of Your lotus feet, which are full of knowledge, and we also thus take shelter of them. märganti yat te mukha-padma-néòaiç chandaù-suparëair åñayo vivikte yasyägha-marñoda-sarid-varäyäù padaà padaà tértha-padaù prapannäù The lotus feet of the Lord are by themselves the shelter of all places of pilgrimage. The great clear-minded sages, carried by the wings of the Vedas, always search after the nest of Your lotuslike face. Some of them surrender to Your lotus feet at every step by taking shelter of the best of rivers [the Ganges], which can deliver one from all sinful reactions.

P r a y e r s b y D e m i go d s

yac chraddhayä çrutavatyä ca bhaktyä sammåjyamäne hådaye ‘vadhäya jïänena vairägya-balena dhérä vrajema tat te ‘ìghri-saroja-péöham Simply by hearing about Your lotus feet with eagerness and devotion and by meditating upon them within the heart, one at once becomes enlightened with knowledge, and on the strength of detachment one becomes pacified. We must therefore take shelter of the sanctuary of Your lotus feet. viçvasya janma-sthiti-saàyamärthe kåtävatärasya padämbujaà te vrajema sarve çaraëaà yad éça småtaà prayacchaty abhayaà sva-puàsäm O Lord, You assume incarnations for the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic manifestation, and therefore we all take shelter of Your lotus feet because they always award remembrance and courage to Your devotees. yat sänubandhe ‘sati deha-gehe mamäham ity üòha-durägrahäëäm puàsäà sudüraà vasato ‘pi puryäà bhajema tat te bhagavan padäbjam O Lord, persons who are entangled by undesirable eagerness for the temporary body and kinsmen, and who are bound by thoughts of “mine” and “I,” are unable to see Your lotus feet, although Your lotus feet are situated within their own bodies. But let us take shelter of Your lotus feet. tän vai hy asad-våttibhir akñibhir ye parähåtäntar-manasaù pareça atho na paçyanty urugäya nünaà ye te padanyäsa-viläsa-lakñyäù O great Supreme Lord, offensive persons whose internal vision has been too affected by external materialistic activities cannot see Your lotus feet, but they are seen by Your pure devotees, whose one and only aim is to transcendentally enjoy Your activities.

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 03

pänena te deva kathä-sudhäyäù pravåddha-bhaktyä viçadäçayä ye vairägya-säraà pratilabhya bodhaà yathäïjasänvéyur akuëöha-dhiñëyam O Lord, persons who, because of their serious attitude, attain the stage of enlightened devotional service achieve the complete meaning of renunciation and knowledge and attain the Vaikuëöhaloka in the spiritual sky simply by drinking the nectar of Your topics. tathäpare cätma-samädhi-yogabalena jitvä prakåtià baliñöhäm tväm eva dhéräù puruñaà viçanti teñäà çramaù syän na tu sevayä te Others, who are pacified by means of transcendental self-realization and have conquered over the modes of nature by dint of strong power and knowledge, also enter into You, but for them there is much pain, whereas the devotee simply discharges devotional service and thus feels no such pain. tat te vayaà loka-sisåkñayädya tvayänusåñöäs tribhir ätmabhiù sma sarve viyuktäù sva-vihära-tantraà na çaknumas tat pratihartave te O Original Person, we are therefore but Yours only. Although we are Your creatures, we are born one after another under the influence of the three modes of nature, and for this reason we are separated in action. Therefore, after the creation we could not act concertedly for Your transcendental pleasure. yävad balià te ‘ja haräma käle yathä vayaà cännam adäma yatra yathobhayeñäà ta ime hi lokä balià haranto ‘nnam adanty anühäù O unborn one, please enlighten us regarding the ways and means by which we can offer You all enjoyable grains and commodities so that both we and all other living entities in this world can maintain ourselves without 58

P r a y e r s b y D e m i go d s

disturbance and can easily accumulate the necessities of life both for You and for ourselves. tvaà naù suräëäm asi sänvayänäà küöa-stha ädyaù puruñaù puräëaù tvaà deva çaktyäà guëa-karma-yonau retas tv ajäyäà kavim ädadhe ‘jaù You are the original personal founder of all the demigods and the orders of different gradations, yet You are the oldest and are unchanged. O Lord, You have no source or superior. You have impregnated the external energy with the semen of the total living entities, yet You are unborn. tato vayaà mat-pramukhä yad-arthe babhüvimätman karaväma kià te tvaà naù sva-cakñuù paridehi çaktyä deva kriyärthe yad-anugrahäëäm O Supreme Self, please give us, who are created in the beginning from the mahat-tattva, the total cosmic energy, Your kind directions on how we shall act. Kindly award us Your perfect knowledge and potency so that we can render You service in the different departments of subsequent creation.

Prayers by Lord Brahmä to Çré Garbhodakaçäyé Viñëu (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.9.1-25)

brahmoväca jïäto ‘si me ‘dya sucirän nanu deha-bhäjäà na jïäyate bhagavato gatir ity avadyam nänyat tvad asti bhagavann api tan na çuddhaà mäyä-guëa-vyatikaräd yad urur vibhäsi Lord Brahmä said: O my Lord, today, after many, many years of penance, I have come to know about You. Oh, how unfortunate the embodied living entities are that they are unable to know Your personality! My Lord, You are the only knowable object because there is nothing supreme beyond You. If there is anything supposedly superior to You, it is not the Absolute. You exist as the Supreme by exhibiting the creative energy of matter. rüpaà yad etad avabodha-rasodayena çaçvan-nivåtta-tamasaù sad-anugrahäya ädau gåhétam avatära-çataika-béjaà yan-näbhi-padma-bhavanäd aham äviräsam The form which I see is eternally freed from material contamination and has advented to show mercy to the devotees as a manifestation of internal potency. This incarnation is the origin of many other incarnations, and I am born from the lotus flower grown from Your navel home. nätaù paraà parama yad bhavataù svarüpam änanda-mätram avikalpam aviddha-varcaù paçyämi viçva-såjam ekam aviçvam ätman bhütendriyätmaka-madas ta upäçrito ‘smi O my Lord, I do not see a form superior to Your present form of eternal bliss and knowledge. In Your impersonal Brahman effulgence in the spiritual sky, there is no occasional change and no deterioration of internal 60

Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to Çr é Garbhod ak a çäy é Vi ñëu

potency. I surrender unto You because whereas I am proud of my material body and senses, Your Lordship is the cause of the cosmic manifestation and yet You are untouched by matter. tad vä idaà bhuvana-maìgala maìgaläya dhyäne sma no darçitaà ta upäsakänäm tasmai namo bhagavate ‘nuvidhema tubhyaà yo ‘nädåto naraka-bhägbhir asat-prasaìgaiù This present form, or any transcendental form expanded by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Çré Kåñëa, is equally auspicious for all the universes. Since You have manifested this eternal personal form upon whom Your devotees meditate, I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You. Those who are destined to be dispatched to the path of hell neglect Your personal form because of speculating on material topics. ye tu tvadéya-caraëämbuja-koça-gandhaà jighranti karëa-vivaraiù çruti-väta-nétam bhaktyä gåhéta-caraëaù parayä ca teñäà näpaiñi nätha hådayämburuhät sva-puàsäm O my Lord, persons who smell the aroma of Your lotus feet, carried by the air of Vedic sound through the holes of the ears, accept Your devotional service. For them You are never separated from the lotus of their hearts. tävad bhayaà draviëa-deha-suhån-nimittaà çokaù spåhä paribhavo vipulaç ca lobhaù tävan mamety asad-avagraha ärti-mülaà yävan na te ‘ìghrim abhayaà pravåëéta lokaù O my Lord, the people of the world are embarrassed by all material anxieties—they are always afraid. They always try to protect wealth, body and friends, they are filled with lamentation and unlawful desires and paraphernalia, and they avariciously base their undertakings on the perishable conceptions of “my” and “mine.” As long as they do not take shelter of Your safe lotus feet, they are full of such anxieties. daivena te hata-dhiyo bhavataù prasaìgät sarväçubhopaçamanäd vimukhendriyä ye

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 03

kurvanti käma-sukha-leça-laväya dénä lobhäbhibhüta-manaso ‘kuçaläni çaçvat O my Lord, persons who are bereft of the all-auspicious performance of chanting and hearing about Your transcendental activities are certainly unfortunate and are also bereft of good sense. They engage in inauspicious activities, enjoying sense gratification for a very little while. kñut-tåö-tridhätubhir imä muhur ardyamänäù çétoñëa-väta-varañair itaretaräc ca kämägninäcyuta-ruñä ca sudurbhareëa sampaçyato mana urukrama sédate me O great actor, my Lord, all these poor creatures are constantly perplexed by hunger, thirst, severe cold, secretion and bile, attacked by coughing winter, blasting summer, rains and many other disturbing elements, and overwhelmed by strong sex urges and indefatigable anger. I take pity on them, and I am very much aggrieved for them. yävat påthaktvam idam ätmana indriyärthamäyä-balaà bhagavato jana éça paçyet tävan na saàsåtir asau pratisaìkrameta vyarthäpi duùkha-nivahaà vahaté kriyärthä O my Lord, the material miseries are without factual existence for the soul. Yet as long as the conditioned soul sees the body as meant for sense enjoyment, he cannot get out of the entanglement of material miseries, being influenced by Your external energy. ahny äpåtärta-karaëä niçi niùçayänä nänä-manoratha-dhiyä kñaëa-bhagna-nidräù daivähatärtha-racanä åñayo ‘pi deva yuñmat-prasaìga-vimukhä iha saàsaranti Such nondevotees engage their senses in very troublesome and extensive work, and they suffer insomnia at night because their intelligence constantly breaks their sleep with various mental speculations. They are frustrated in all their various plans by supernatural power. Even great sages, if they are against Your transcendental topics, must rotate in this material world. 62

Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to Çr é Garbhod ak a çäy é Vi ñëu

tvaà bhakti-yoga-paribhävita-håt-saroja ässe çrutekñita-patho nanu nätha puàsäm yad-yad-dhiyä ta urugäya vibhävayanti tat-tad-vapuù praëayase sad-anugrahäya O my Lord, Your devotees can see You through the ears by the process of bona fide hearing, and thus their hearts become cleansed, and You take Your seat there. You are so merciful to Your devotees that You manifest Yourself in the particular eternal form of transcendence in which they always think of You. nätiprasédati tathopacitopacärair ärädhitaù sura-gaëair hådi baddha-kämaiù yat sarva-bhüta-dayayäsad-alabhyayaiko nänä-janeñv avahitaù suhåd antar-ätmä My Lord, You are not very much satisfied by the worship of the demigods, who arrange for Your worship very pompously, with various paraphernalia, but who are full of material hankerings. You are situated in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul just to show Your causeless mercy, and You are the eternal well-wisher, but You are unavailable for the nondevotee. puàsäm ato vividha-karmabhir adhvarädyair dänena cogra-tapasä paricaryayä ca ärädhanaà bhagavatas tava sat-kriyärtho dharmo ‘rpitaù karhicid mriyate na yatra But the pious activities of the people, such as performance of Vedic rituals, charity, austere penances, and transcendental service, performed with a view to worship You and satisfy You by offering You the fruitive results, are also beneficial. Such acts of religion never go in vain. çaçvat svarüpa-mahasaiva nipéta-bhedamohäya bodha-dhiñaëäya namaù parasmai viçvodbhava-sthiti-layeñu nimitta-léläräsäya te nama idaà cakåmeçvaräya Let me offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Transcendence, who is eternally distinguished by His internal potency. His indistinguishable impersonal feature is realized by intelligence for self-realization. I offer 63

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 03

my obeisances unto Him who by His pastimes enjoys the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic manifestation. yasyävatära-guëa-karma-viòambanäni nämäni ye ‘su-vigame vivaçä gåëanti te ‘naika-janma-çamalaà sahasaiva hitvä saàyänty apävåtämåtaà tam ajaà prapadye Let me take shelter of the lotus feet of Him whose incarnations, qualities and activities are mysterious imitations of worldly affairs. One who invokes His transcendental names, even unconsciously, at the time he quits this life, is certainly washed immediately of the sins of many, many births and attains Him without fail. yo vä ahaà ca giriçaç ca vibhuù svayaà ca sthity-udbhava-pralaya-hetava ätma-mülam bhittvä tri-päd vavådha eka uru-prarohas tasmai namo bhagavate bhuvana-drumäya Your Lordship is the prime root of the tree of the planetary systems. This tree has grown by first penetrating the material nature in three trunks—as me, Çiva and You, the Almighty—for creation, maintenance and dissolution, and we three have grown with many branches. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto You, the tree of the cosmic manifestation. loko vikarma-nirataù kuçale pramattaù karmaëy ayaà tvad-udite bhavad-arcane sve yas tävad asya balavän iha jévitäçäà sadyaç chinatty animiñäya namo ‘stu tasmai People in general all engage in foolish acts, not in the really beneficial activities enunciated directly by You for their guidance. As long as their tendency for foolish work remains powerful, all their plans in the struggle for existence will be cut to pieces. I therefore offer my obeisances unto Him who acts as eternal time. yasmäd bibhemy aham api dviparärdha-dhiñëyam adhyäsitaù sakala-loka-namaskåtaà yat tepe tapo bahu-savo ‘varurutsamänas tasmai namo bhagavate ‘dhimakhäya tubhyam 64

Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to Çr é Garbhod ak a çäy é Vi ñëu

Your Lordship, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You who are indefatigable time and the enjoyer of all sacrifices. Although I am situated in an abode which will continue to exist for a time duration of two parärdhas, although I am the leader of all other planets in the universe, and although I have undergone many, many years of penance for selfrealization, still I offer my respects unto You. tiryaì-manuñya-vibudhädiñu jéva-yoniñv ätmecchayätma-kåta-setu-parépsayä yaù reme nirasta-viñayo ‘py avaruddha-dehas tasmai namo bhagavate puruñottamäya O my Lord, by Your own will You appear in the various species of living entities, among animals lower than human beings as well as among the demigods, to perform Your transcendental pastimes. You are not affected by material contamination. You come just to fulfill the obligations of Your own principles of religion, and therefore, O Supreme Personality, I offer my obeisances unto You for manifesting such different forms. yo ‘vidyayänupahato ‘pi daçärdha-våttyä nidräm uväha jaöharé-kåta-loka-yätraù antar-jale ‘hi-kaçipu-sparçänuküläà bhémormi-mälini janasya sukhaà vivåëvan My Lord, You accept the pleasure of sleeping in the water of devastation, where there are violent waves, and You enjoy pleasure on the bed of snakes, showing the happiness of Your sleep to intelligent persons. At that time, all the universal planets are stationed within Your abdomen. yan-näbhi-padma-bhavanäd aham äsam éòya loka-trayopakaraëo yad-anugraheëa tasmai namas ta udara-stha-bhaväya yoganidrävasäna-vikasan-nalinekñaëäya O object of my worship, I am born from the house of Your lotus navel for the purpose of creating the universe by Your mercy. All these planets of the universe were stationed within Your transcendental abdomen while You were enjoying sleep. Now, Your sleep having ended, Your eyes are open like blossoming lotuses in the morning. 65

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 03

so ‘yaà samasta-jagatäà suhåd eka ätmä sattvena yan måòayate bhagavän bhagena tenaiva me dåçam anuspåçatäd yathähaà srakñyämi pürvavad idaà praëata-priyo ‘sau Let the Supreme Lord be merciful towards me. He is the one friend and soul of all living entities in the world, and He maintains all, for their ultimate happiness, by His six transcendental opulences. May He be merciful towards me so that I, as before, may be empowered with the introspection to create, for I am also one of the surrendered souls who are dear to the Lord. eña prapanna-varado ramayätma-çaktyä yad yat kariñyati gåhéta-guëävatäraù tasmin sva-vikramam idaà såjato ‘pi ceto yuïjéta karma-çamalaà ca yathä vijahyäm The Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, is always the benefactor of the surrendered souls. His activities are always enacted through His internal potency, Ramä, or the goddess of fortune. I pray only to engage in His service in the creation of the material world, and I pray that I not be materially affected by my works, for thus I may be able to give up the false prestige of being the creator. näbhi-hradäd iha sato ‘mbhasi yasya puàso vijïäna-çaktir aham äsam ananta-çakteù rüpaà vicitram idam asya vivåëvato me mä rériñéñöa nigamasya giräà visargaù The Lord’s potencies are innumerable. As He lies down in the water of devastation, I am born as the total universal energy from the navel lake in which the lotus sprouts. I am now engaged in manifesting His diverse energies in the form of the cosmic manifestation. I therefore pray that in the course of my material activities I may not be deviated from the vibration of the Vedic hymns. so ‘säv adabhra-karuëo bhagavän vivåddhaprema-smitena nayanämburuhaà vijåmbhan

Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to Çr é Garbhod ak a çäy é Vi ñëu

utthäya viçva-vijayäya ca no viñädaà mädhvyä giräpanayatät puruñaù puräëaù The Lord, who is supreme and is the oldest of all, is unlimitedly merciful. I wish that He may smilingly bestow His benediction upon me by opening His lotus eyes. He can uplift the entire cosmic creation and remove our dejection by kindly speaking His directions.

Prayers to Lord Varäha by Åñis (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.13.34-45)

jitaà jitaà te ‘jita yajïa-bhävana trayéà tanuà sväà paridhunvate namaù yad-roma-garteñu nililyur addhayas tasmai namaù käraëa-sükaräya te All the sages uttered with great respect: O unconquerable enjoyer of all sacrifices, all glories and all victories unto You! You are moving in Your form of the personified Vedas, and in the hair holes of Your body the oceans are submerged. For certain reasons [to uplift the earth] You have now assumed the form of a boar. rüpaà tavaitan nanu duñkåtätmanäà durdarçanaà deva yad adhvarätmakam chandäàsi yasya tvaci barhi-romasv äjyaà dåçi tv aìghriñu cätur-hotram O Lord, Your form is worshipable by performances of sacrifice, but souls who are simply miscreants are unable to see it. All the Vedic hymns, Gäyatré and others, are in the touch of Your skin. In Your bodily hairs is the kuça grass, in Your eyes is the clarified butter, and in Your four legs are the four kinds of fruitive activities. srak tuëòa äsét sruva éça näsayor iòodare camasäù karëa-randhre präçitram äsye grasane grahäs tu te yac carvaëaà te bhagavann agni-hotram O Lord, Your tongue is a plate of sacrifice, Your nostril is another plate of sacrifice, in Your belly is the eating plate of sacrifice, and another plate of sacrifice is the holes of Your ears. In Your mouth is the Brahmä plate of

P r a y e r s t o L o r d Va r ä h a b y Å ñ i s

sacrifice, Your throat is the plate of sacrifice known as soma, and whatever You chew is known as agni-hotra. dékñänujanmopasadaù çirodharaà tvaà präyaëéyodayanéya-daàñöraù jihvä pravargyas tava çérñakaà kratoù satyävasathyaà citayo ‘savo hi te Moreover, O Lord, the repetition of Your appearance is the desire for all kinds of initiation. Your neck is the place for three desires, and Your tusks are the result of initiation and the end of all desires. Your tongue is the prior activities of initiation, Your head is the fire without sacrifice as well as the fire of worship, and Your living forces are the aggregate of all desires. somas tu retaù savanäny avasthitiù saàsthä-vibhedäs tava deva dhätavaù saträëi sarväëi çaréra-sandhis tvaà sarva-yajïa-kratur iñöi-bandhanaù O Lord, Your semen is the sacrifice called soma-yajïa. Your growth is the ritualistic performances of the morning. Your skin and touch sensations are the seven elements of the agniñöoma sacrifice. Your bodily joints are symbols of various other sacrifices performed in twelve days. Therefore You are the object of all sacrifices called soma and asoma, and You are bound by yajïas only. namo namas te ‘khila-mantra-devatädravyäya sarva-kratave kriyätmane vairägya-bhaktyätmajayänubhävitajïänäya vidyä-gurave namo namaù O Lord, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead and are worshipable by universal prayers, Vedic hymns and sacrificial ingredients. We offer our obeisances unto You. You can be realized by the pure mind freed from all visible and invisible material contamination. We offer our respectful obeisances to You as the supreme spiritual master of knowledge in devotional service.

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 03

daàñörägra-koöyä bhagavaàs tvayä dhåtä viräjate bhüdhara bhüù sa-bhüdharä yathä vanän niùsarato datä dhåtä mataì-gajendrasya sa-patra-padminé O lifter of the earth, the earth with its mountains, which You have lifted with Your tusks, is situated as beautifully as a lotus flower with leaves sustained by an infuriated elephant just coming out of the water. trayémayaà rüpam idaà ca saukaraà bhü-maëòalenätha datä dhåtena te cakästi çåìgoòha-ghanena bhüyasä kuläcalendrasya yathaiva vibhramaù O Lord, as the peaks of great mountains become beautiful when decorated with clouds, Your transcendental body has become beautiful because of Your lifting the earth on the edge of Your tusks. saàsthäpayainäà jagatäà sa-tasthuñäà lokäya patném asi mätaraà pitä vidhema cäsyai namasä saha tvayä yasyäà sva-tejo ‘gnim iväraëäv adhäù O Lord, for the residential purposes of all inhabitants, both moving and nonmoving, this earth is Your wife, and You are the supreme father. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You, along with mother earth, in whom You have invested Your own potency, just as an expert sacrificer puts fire in the araëi wood. kaù çraddadhétänyatamas tava prabho rasäà gatäyä bhuva udvibarhaëam na vismayo ‘sau tvayi viçva-vismaye yo mäyayedaà sasåje ‘tivismayam Who else but You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, could deliver the earth from within the water? It is not very wonderful for You, however, because You acted most wonderfully in the creation of the universe. By Your energy You have created this wonderful cosmic manifestation. vidhunvatä vedamayaà nijaà vapur janas-tapaù-satya-niväsino vayam 70

P r a y e r s t o L o r d Va r ä h a b y Å ñ i s

saöä-çikhoddhüta-çivämbu-bindubhir vimåjyamänä bhåçam éça pävitäù O Supreme Lord, undoubtedly we are inhabitants of the most pious planets—the Jana, Tapas and Satya lokas—but still we have been purified by the drops of water sprinkled from Your shoulder hairs by the shaking of Your body. sa vai bata bhrañöa-matis tavaiñate yaù karmaëäà päram apära-karmaëaù yad-yogamäyä-guëa-yoga-mohitaà viçvaà samastaà bhagavan vidhehi çam O Lord, there is no limit to Your wonderful activities. Anyone who desires to know the limit of Your activities is certainly nonsensical. Everyone in this world is conditioned by the powerful mystic potencies. Please bestow Your causeless mercy upon these conditioned souls.

Prayers to Lord Viñëu by Sanakädi Åñis at the Gate of Vaikuëöhaloka (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.15.46-50)

kumärä ücuù yo ‘ntarhito hådi gato ‘pi durätmanäà tvaà so ‘dyaiva no nayana-mülam ananta räddhaù yarhy eva karëa-vivareëa guhäà gato naù pitränuvarëita-rahä bhavad-udbhavena The Kumäras said: Our dear Lord, You are not manifested to rascals, even though You are seated within the heart of everyone. But as far as we are concerned, we see You face to face, although You are unlimited. The statements we have heard about You from our father, Brahmä, through the ears have now been actually realized by Your kind appearance. taà tväà vidäma bhagavan param ätma-tattvaà sattvena samprati ratià racayantam eñäm yat te ‘nutäpa-viditair dåòha-bhakti-yogair udgranthayo hådi vidur munayo virägäù We know that You are the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, who manifests His transcendental form in the uncontaminated mode of pure goodness. This transcendental, eternal form of Your personality can be understood only by Your mercy, through unflinching devotional service, by great sages whose hearts have been purified in the devotional way. nätyantikaà vigaëayanty api te prasädaà kimv anyad arpita-bhayaà bhruva unnayais te ye ‘ìga tvad-aìghri-çaraëä bhavataù kathäyäù kértanya-tértha-yaçasaù kuçalä rasa-jïäù

P r a y e r s t o L o r d V i ñ ë u b y S a n a k ä d i Å ñ i s a t t h e G a t e o f Va i k u ë ö h a l o k a

Persons who are very expert and most intelligent in understanding things as they are engage in hearing narrations of the auspicious activities and pastimes of the Lord, which are worth chanting and worth hearing. Such persons do not care even for the highest material benediction, namely liberation, to say nothing of other less important benedictions like the material happiness of the heavenly kingdom. kämaà bhavaù sva-våjinair nirayeñu naù stäc ceto ‘livad yadi nu te padayo rameta väcaç ca nas tulasivad yadi te ‘ìghri-çobhäù püryeta te guëa-gaëair yadi karëa-randhraù O Lord, we pray that You let us be born in any hellish condition of life, just as long as our hearts and minds are always engaged in the service of Your lotus feet, our words are made beautiful [by speaking of Your activities] just as tulasé leaves are beautified when offered unto Your lotus feet, and as long as our ears are always filled with the chanting of Your transcendental qualities. präduçcakartha yad idaà puruhüta rüpaà teneça nirvåtim aväpur alaà dåço naù tasmä idaà bhagavate nama id vidhema yo ‘nätmanäà durudayo bhagavän pratétaù O Lord, we therefore offer our respectful obeisances unto Your eternal form as the Personality of Godhead, which You have so kindly manifested before us. Your supreme, eternal form cannot be seen by unfortunate, less intelligent persons, but we are so much satisfied in our mind and vision to see it.

Prayers by Sanakädi Åñis (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.16.16-25)

åñaya ücuù na vayaà bhagavan vidmas tava deva cikérñitam kåto me ‘nugrahaç ceti yad adhyakñaù prabhäñase The sages said: O Supreme Personality of Godhead, we are unable to know what You intend for us to do, for even though You are the supreme ruler of all, You speak in our favor as if we had done something good for You. brahmaëyasya paraà daivaà brähmaëäù kila te prabho vipräëäà deva-devänäà bhagavän ätma-daivatam O Lord, You are the supreme director of the brahminical culture. Your considering the brähmaëas to be in the highest position is Your example for teaching others. Actually You are the supreme worshipable Deity, not only for the gods but for the brähmaëas also. tvattaù sanätano dharmo rakñyate tanubhis tava dharmasya paramo guhyo nirvikäro bhavän mataù You are the source of the eternal occupation of all living entities, and by Your multimanifestations of Personalities of Godhead, You have always protected religion. You are the supreme objective of religious principles, and in our opinion You are inexhaustible and unchangeable eternally. taranti hy aïjasä måtyuà nivåttä yad-anugrahät

Prayers by Sanakädi Å ñis

yoginaù sa bhavän kià svid anugåhyeta yat paraiù Mystics and transcendentalists, by the mercy of the Lord, cross beyond nescience by ceasing all material desires. It is not possible, therefore, that the Supreme Lord can be favored by others. yaà vai vibhütir upayäty anuvelam anyair arthärthibhiù sva-çirasä dhåta-päda-reëuù dhanyärpitäìghri-tulasé-nava-däma-dhämno lokaà madhuvrata-pater iva käma-yänä The goddess of fortune, Lakñmé, the dust of whose feet is worn on the head by others, waits upon You, as appointed, for she is anxious to secure a place in the abode of the king of bees, who hovers on the fresh wreath of tulasé leaves offered at Your feet by some blessed devotee. yas täà vivikta-caritair anuvartamänäà nätyädriyat parama-bhägavata-prasaìgaù sa tvaà dvijänupatha-puëya-rajaù-punétaù çrévatsa-lakñma kim agä bhaga-bhäjanas tvam O Lord, You are exceedingly attached to the activities of Your pure devotees, yet You are never attached to the goddesses of fortune who constantly engage in Your transcendental loving service. How can You be purified, therefore, by the dust of the path traversed by the brähmaëas, and how can You be glorified or made fortunate by the marks of Çrévatsa on Your chest? dharmasya te bhagavatas tri-yuga tribhiù svaiù padbhiç caräcaram idaà dvija-devatärtham nünaà bhåtaà tad-abhighäti rajas tamaç ca sattvena no varadayä tanuvä nirasya O Lord, You are the personification of all religion. Therefore You manifest Yourself in three millenniums, and thus You protect this universe, which consists of animate and inanimate beings. By Your grace, which is of pure goodness and is the bestower of all blessings, kindly drive away the elements of rajas and tamas for the sake of the demigods and twice-born.

na tvaà dvijottama-kulaà yadi hätma-gopaà goptä våñaù svarhaëena sa-sünåtena tarhy eva naìkñyati çivas tava deva panthä loko ‘grahéñyad åñabhasya hi tat pramäëam O Lord, You are the protector of the highest of the twice-born. If You do not protect them by offering worship and mild words, then certainly the auspicious path of worship will be rejected by people in general, who act on the strength and authority of Your Lordship. tat te ‘nabhéñöam iva sattva-nidher vidhitsoù kñemaà janäya nija-çaktibhir uddhåtäreù naitävatä try-adhipater bata viçva-bhartus tejaù kñataà tv avanatasya sa te vinodaù Dear Lord, You never want the auspicious path to be destroyed, for You are the reservoir of all goodness. Just to benefit people in general, You destroy the evil element by Your mighty potency. You are the proprietor of the three creations and the maintainer of the entire universe. Therefore Your potency is not reduced by Your submissive behavior. Rather, by submission You exhibit Your transcendental pastimes. yaà vänayor damam adhéça bhavän vidhatte våttià nu vä tad anumanmahi nirvyalékam asmäsu vä ya ucito dhriyatäà sa daëòo ye ‘nägasau vayam ayuìkñmahi kilbiñeëa O Lord, whatever punishment You wish to award to these two innocent persons or also to us we shall accept without duplicity. We understand that we have cursed two faultless persons.

Prayers to Lord Varaha by Demigods (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.19.30)

devä ücuù namo namas te ‘khila-yajïa-tantave sthitau gåhétämala-sattva-mürtaye diñöyä hato ‘yaà jagatäm aruntudas tvat-päda-bhaktyä vayam éça nirvåtäù The demigods addressed the Lord: All obeisances unto You! You are the enjoyer of all sacrifices, and You have assumed the form of a boar, in pure goodness, for the purpose of maintaining the world. Fortunately for us, this demon, who was a torment to the worlds, has been slain by You, and we too, O Lord, are now at ease, in devotion to Your lotus feet.

Prayers by Kardama Muni to Lord Viñëu (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.21.13-21)

åñir uväca juñöaà batädyäkhila-sattva-räçeù säàsiddhyam akñëos tava darçanän naù yad-darçanaà janmabhir éòya sadbhir äçäsate yogino rüòha-yogäù The great sage Kardama said: O supreme worshipful Lord, my power of sight is now fulfilled, having attained the greatest perfection of the sight of You, who are the reservoir of all existences. Through many successive births of deep meditation, advanced yogés aspire to see Your transcendental form. ye mäyayä te hata-medhasas tvatpädäravindaà bhava-sindhu-potam upäsate käma-laväya teñäà räséça kämän niraye ‘pi ye syuù Your lotus feet are the true vessel to take one across the ocean of mundane nescience. Only persons deprived of their intelligence by the spell of the deluding energy will worship those feet with a view to attain the trivial and momentary pleasures of the senses, which even persons rotting in hell can attain. However, O my Lord, You are so kind that You bestow mercy even upon them. tathä sa cähaà parivoòhu-kämaù samäna-çéläà gåhamedha-dhenum upeyivän mülam açeña-mülaà duräçayaù käma-dughäìghripasya Therefore, desiring to marry a girl of like disposition who may prove to be a veritable cow of plenty in my married life, to satisfy my lustful desire 78

P r a y e r s b y K a r d a m a Mu n i t o L o r d V i ñ ë u

I too have sought the shelter of Your lotus feet, which are the source of everything, for You are like a desire tree. prajäpates te vacasädhéça tantyä lokaù kiläyaà käma-hato ‘nubaddhaù ahaà ca lokänugato vahämi balià ca çuklänimiñäya tubhyam O my Lord, You are the master and leader of all living entities. Under Your direction, all conditioned souls, as if bound by rope, are constantly engaged in satisfying their desires. Following them, O embodiment of religion, I also bear oblations for You, who are eternal time. lokäàç ca lokänugatän paçüàç ca hitvä çritäs te caraëätapatram parasparaà tvad-guëa-väda-sédhupéyüña-niryäpita-deha-dharmäù However, persons who have given up stereotyped worldly affairs and the beastly followers of these affairs, and who have taken shelter of the umbrella of Your lotus feet by drinking the intoxicating nectar of Your qualities and activities in discussions with one another, can be freed from the primary necessities of the material body. na te ‘jaräkña-bhramir äyur eñäà trayodaçäraà tri-çataà ñañöi-parva ñaë-nemy ananta-cchadi yat tri-ëäbhi karäla-sroto jagad äcchidya dhävat Your wheel, which has three naves, rotates around the axis of the imperishable Brahman. It has thirteen spokes, 360 joints, six rims and numberless leaves carved upon it. Though its revolution cuts short the life-span of the entire creation, this wheel of tremendous velocity cannot touch the life-span of the devotees of the Lord. ekaù svayaà saï jagataù sisåkñayädvitéyayätmann adhi-yogamäyayä såjasy adaù päsi punar grasiñyase yathorëa-näbhir bhagavan sva-çaktibhiù

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 03

My dear Lord, You alone create the universes. O Personality of Godhead, desiring to create these universes, You create them, maintain them and again wind them up by Your own energies, which are under the control of Your second energy, called yogamäyä, just as a spider creates a cobweb by its own energy and again winds it up. naitad batädhéça padaà tavepsitaà yan mäyayä nas tanuñe bhüta-sükñmam anugrahäyästv api yarhi mäyayä lasat-tulasyä bhagavän vilakñitaù My dear Lord, although it is not Your desire, You manifest this creation of gross and subtle elements just for our sensual satisfaction. Let Your causeless mercy be upon us, for You have appeared before us in Your eternal form, adorned with a splendid wreath of tulasé leaves. taà tvänubhütyoparata-kriyärthaà sva-mäyayä vartita-loka-tantram namämy abhékñëaà namanéya-pädasarojam alpéyasi käma-varñam I continuously offer my respectful obeisances unto Your lotus feet, of which it is worthy to take shelter, because You shower all benedictions on the insignificant. To give all living entities detachment from fruitive activity by realizing You, You have expanded these material worlds by Your own energy.

Prayers by Kardama Muni to Lord Kapila in Child form (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.24.27-34)

aho päpacyamänänäà niraye svair amaìgalaiù kälena bhüyasä nünaà prasédantéha devatäù Kardama Muni said: Oh, after a long time the demigods of this universe have become pleased with the suffering souls who are in material entanglement because of their own misdeeds. bahu-janma-vipakvena samyag-yoga-samädhinä drañöuà yatante yatayaù çünyägäreñu yat-padam After many births, mature yogés, by complete trance in yoga, endeavor in secluded places to see the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. sa eva bhagavän adya helanaà na gaëayya naù gåheñu jäto grämyäëäà yaù svänäà pakña-poñaëaù Not considering the negligence of ordinary householders like us, that very same Supreme Personality of Godhead appears in our homes just to support His devotees. svéyaà väkyam åtaà kartum avatérëo ‘si me gåhe cikérñur bhagavän jïänaà bhaktänäà mäna-vardhanaù

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 03

Kardama Muni said: You, my dear Lord, who are always increasing the honor of Your devotees, have descended in my home just to fulfill Your word and disseminate the process of real knowledge. täny eva te ‘bhirüpäëi rüpäëi bhagavaàs tava yäni yäni ca rocante sva-janänäm arüpiëaù My dear Lord, although You have no material form, You have Your own innumerable forms. They truly are Your transcendental forms, which are pleasing to Your devotees. tväà süribhis tattva-bubhutsayäddhä sadäbhivädärhaëa-päda-péöham aiçvarya-vairägya-yaço-’vabodhavérya-çriyä pürtam ahaà prapadye My dear Lord, Your lotus feet are the reservoir that always deserves to receive worshipful homage from all great sages eager to understand the Absolute Truth. You are full in opulence, renunciation, transcendental fame, knowledge, strength and beauty, and therefore I surrender myself unto Your lotus feet. paraà pradhänaà puruñaà mahäntaà kälaà kavià tri-våtaà loka-pälam ätmänubhütyänugata-prapaïcaà svacchanda-çaktià kapilaà prapadye I surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, descended in the form of Kapila, who is independently powerful and transcendental, who is the Supreme Person and the Lord of the sum total of matter and the element of time, who is the fully cognizant maintainer of all the universes under the three modes of material nature, and who absorbs the material manifestations after their dissolution. ä smäbhipåcche ‘dya patià prajänäà tvayävatérëarëa utäpta-kämaù parivrajat-padavém ästhito ‘haà cariñye tväà hådi yuïjan viçokaù 82

P r a y e r s b y K a r d a m a Mu n i t o L o r d K a p i l a i n C h i l d fo r m

Today I have something to ask from You, who are the Lord of all living entities. Since I have now been liberated by You from my debts to my father, and since all my desires are fulfilled, I wish to accept the order of an itinerant mendicant. Renouncing this family life, I wish to wander about, free from lamentation, thinking always of You in my heart.

Prayers by a Jéva in the womb (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.31.12-21)

jantur uväca tasyopasannam avituà jagad icchayättanänä-tanor bhuvi calac-caraëäravindam so ‘haà vrajämi çaraëaà hy akuto-bhayaà me yenedåçé gatir adarçy asato’nurüpä The human soul says: I take shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who appears in His various eternal forms and walks on the surface of the world. I take shelter of Him only, because He can give me relief from all fear and from Him I have received this condition of life, which is just befitting my impious activities. yas tv atra baddha iva karmabhir ävåtätmä bhütendriyäçayamayém avalambya mäyäm äste viçuddham avikäram akhaëòa-bodham ätapyamäna-hådaye ‘vasitaà namämi I, the pure soul, appearing now bound by my activities, am lying in the womb of my mother by the arrangement of mäyä. I offer my respectful obeisances unto Him who is also here with me but who is unaffected and changeless. He is unlimited, but He is perceived in the repentant heart. To Him I offer my respectful obeisances. yaù païca-bhüta-racite rahitaù çarére cchanno ‘yathendriya-guëärtha-cid-ätmako ‘ham tenävikuëöha-mahimänam åñià tam enaà vande paraà prakåti-püruñayoù pumäàsam I am separated from the Supreme Lord because of my being in this material body, which is made of five elements, and therefore my qualities and senses are being misused, although I am essentially spiritual. Because 84

Prayers by a Jéva in t he womb

the Supreme Personality of Godhead is transcendental to material nature and the living entities, because He is devoid of such a material body, and because He is always glorious in His spiritual qualities, I offer my obeisances unto Him. yan-mäyayoru-guëa-karma-nibandhane ‘smin säàsärike pathi caraàs tad-abhiçrameëa nañöa-småtiù punar ayaà pravåëéta lokaà yuktyä kayä mahad-anugraham antareëa The human soul further prays: The living entity is put under the influence of material nature and continues a hard struggle for existence on the path of repeated birth and death. This conditional life is due to his forgetfulness of his relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, without the Lord’s mercy, how can he again engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord? jïänaà yad etad adadhät katamaù sa devas trai-kälikaà sthira-careñv anuvartitäàçaù taà jéva-karma-padavém anuvartamänäs täpa-trayopaçamanäya vayaà bhajema No one other than the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as the localized Paramätmä, the partial representation of the Lord, is directing all inanimate and animate objects. He is present in the three phases of timepast, present and future. Therefore, the conditioned soul is engaged in different activities by His direction, and in order to get free from the threefold miseries of this conditional life, we have to surrender unto Him only. dehy anya-deha-vivare jaöharägninäsågvië-mütra-küpa-patito bhåça-tapta-dehaù icchann ito vivasituà gaëayan sva-mäsän nirväsyate kåpaëa-dhér bhagavan kadä nu Fallen into a pool of blood, stool and urine within the abdomen of his mother, his own body scorched by the mother’s gastric fire, the embodied soul, anxious to get out, counts his months and prays, “O my Lord, when shall I, a wretched soul, be released from this confinement?” 85

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 03

yenedåçéà gatim asau daça-mäsya éça saìgrähitaù puru-dayena bhavädåçena svenaiva tuñyatu kåtena sa déna-näthaù ko näma tat-prati vinäïjalim asya kuryät My dear Lord, by Your causeless mercy I am awakened to consciousness, although I am only ten months old. For this causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the friend of all fallen souls, there is no way to express my gratitude but to pray with folded hands. paçyaty ayaà dhiñaëayä nanu sapta-vadhriù çärérake dama-çaréry aparaù sva-dehe yat-såñöayäsaà tam ahaà puruñaà puräëaà paçye bahir hådi ca caityam iva pratétam The living entity in another type of body sees only by instinct; he knows only the agreeable and disagreeable sense perceptions of that particular body. But I have a body in which I can control my senses and can understand my destination; therefore, I offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whom I have been blessed with this body and by whose grace I can see Him within and without. so ‘haà vasann api vibho bahu-duùkha-väsaà garbhän na nirjigamiñe bahir andha-küpe yatropayätam upasarpati deva-mäyä mithyä matir yad-anu saàsåti-cakram etat Therefore, my Lord, although I am living in a terrible condition, I do not wish to depart from my mother’s abdomen to fall again into the blind well of materialistic life. Your external energy, called deva-mäyä, at once captures the newly born child, and immediately false identification, which is the beginning of the cycle of continual birth and death, begins. tasmäd ahaà vigata-viklava uddhariñya ätmänam äçu tamasaù suhådätmanaiva bhüyo yathä vyasanam etad aneka-randhraà mä me bhaviñyad upasädita-viñëu-pädaù Therefore, without being agitated any more, I shall deliver myself from the darkness of nescience with the help of my friend, clear consciousness. 86

Prayers by a Jéva in t he womb

Simply by keeping the lotus feet of Lord Viñëu in my mind, I shall be saved from entering into the wombs of many mothers for repeated birth and death.

Prayers by Mother Devahüti (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.33.2-8)

devahütir uväca athäpy ajo ‘ntaù-salile çayänaà bhütendriyärthätma-mayaà vapus te guëa-pravähaà sad-açeña-béjaà dadhyau svayaà yaj-jaöharäbja-jätaù Devahüti said: Brahmä is said to be unborn because he takes birth from the lotus flower which grows from Your abdomen while You lie in the ocean at the bottom of the universe. But even Brahmä simply meditated upon You, whose body is the source of unlimited universes. sa eva viçvasya bhavän vidhatte guëa-praväheëa vibhakta-véryaù sargädy aného ‘vitathäbhisandhir ätmeçvaro ‘tarkya-sahasra-çaktiù My dear Lord, although personally You have nothing to do, You have distributed Your energies in the interactions of the material modes of nature, and for that reason the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic manifestation take place. My dear Lord, You are self-determined and are the Supreme Personality of Godhead for all living entities. For them You created this material manifestation, and although You are one, Your diverse energies can act multifariously. This is inconceivable to us. sa tvaà bhåto me jaöhareëa nätha kathaà nu yasyodara etad äsét viçvaà yugänte vaöa-patra ekaù çete sma mäyä-çiçur aìghri-pänaù As the Supreme Personality of Godhead, You have taken birth from my abdomen. O my Lord, how is that possible for the supreme one, who has in His belly all the cosmic manifestation? The answer is that it is possible,

P r a y e r s b y M o t h e r D e v a h üt i

for at the end of the millennium You lie down on a leaf of a banyan tree, and just like a small baby, You lick the toe of Your lotus foot. tvaà deha-tantraù praçamäya päpmanäà nideça-bhäjäà ca vibho vibhütaye yathävatäräs tava sükarädayas tathäyam apy ätma-pathopalabdhaye My dear Lord, You have assumed this body in order to diminish the sinful activities of the fallen and to enrich their knowledge in devotion and liberation. Since these sinful people are dependent on Your direction, by Your own will You assume incarnations as a boar and as other forms. Similarly, You have appeared in order to distribute transcendental knowledge to Your dependents. yan-nämadheya-çravaëänukértanäd yat-prahvaëäd yat-smaraëäd api kvacit çvädo ‘pi sadyaù savanäya kalpate kutaù punas te bhagavan nu darçanät To say nothing of the spiritual advancement of persons who see the Supreme Person face to face, even a person born in a family of dog-eaters immediately becomes eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices if he once utters the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or chants about Him, hears about His pastimes, offers Him obeisances or even remembers Him. aho bata çva-paco ‘to garéyän yaj-jihvägre vartate näma tubhyam tepus tapas te juhuvuù sasnur äryä brahmänücur näma gåëanti ye te Oh, how glorious are they whose tongues are chanting Your holy name! Even if born in the families of dog-eaters, such persons are worshipable. Persons who chant the holy name of Your Lordship must have executed all kinds of austerities and fire sacrifices and achieved all the good manners of the Äryans. To be chanting the holy name of Your Lordship, they must have bathed at holy places of pilgrimage, studied the Vedas and fulfilled everything required.

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 03

taà tväm ahaà brahma paraà pumäàsaà pratyak-srotasy ätmani saàvibhävyam sva-tejasä dhvasta-guëa-pravähaà vande viñëuà kapilaà veda-garbham I believe, my Lord, that You are Lord Viñëu Himself under the name of Kapila, and You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supreme Brahman! The saints and sages, being freed from all the disturbances of the senses and mind, meditate upon You, for by Your mercy only can one become free from the clutches of the three modes of material nature. At the time of dissolution, all the Vedas are sustained in You only.

Canto Four

Prayers by Atri Åñi to the Three Lords (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.1.26-28)

cetas tat-pravaëaà yuïjann astävét saàhatäïjaliù çlakñëayä süktayä väcä sarva-loka-garéyasaù atrir uväca viçvodbhava-sthiti-layeñu vibhajyamänair mäyä-guëair anuyugaà vigåhéta-dehäù te brahma-viñëu-giriçäù praëato ‘smy ahaà vas tebhyaù ka eva bhavatäà ma ihopahütaù But since his heart was already attracted by the deities, somehow or other he gathered his senses, and with folded hands and sweet words he began to offer prayers to the predominating deities of the universe. The great sage Atri said: O Lord Brahmä, Lord Viñëu and Lord Çiva, you have divided yourself into three bodies by accepting the three modes of material nature, as you do in every millennium for the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic manifestation. I offer my respectful obeisances unto all of you and beg to inquire whom of you three I have called by my prayer. eko mayeha bhagavän vividha-pradhänaiç citté-kåtaù prajananäya kathaà nu yüyam aträgatäs tanu-bhåtäà manaso ‘pi düräd brüta prasédata mahän iha vismayo me I called for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, desiring a son like Him, and I thought of Him only. But although He is far beyond the mental speculation of man, all three of you have come here. Kindly let me know how you have come, for I am greatly bewildered about this. 92

Prayers by Demigods to Nara-Näräyaëa Åñi (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.1.56-57)

devä ücuù yo mäyayä viracitaà nijayätmanédaà khe rüpa-bhedam iva tat-praticakñaëäya etena dharma-sadane åñi-mürtinädya präduçcakära puruñäya namaù parasmai The demigods said: Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto the transcendental Personality of Godhead, who created as His external energy this cosmic manifestation, which is situated in Him as the air and clouds are situated in space, and who has now appeared in the form of Nara-Näräyaëa Åñi in the house of Dharma. so ‘yaà sthiti-vyatikaropaçamäya såñöän sattvena naù sura-gaëän anumeya-tattvaù dåçyäd adabhra-karuëena vilokanena yac chré-niketam amalaà kñipatäravindam Let that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is understood by truly authorized Vedic literature and who has created peace and prosperity to destroy all calamities of the created world, be kind enough to bestow His glance upon the demigods. His merciful glance can supersede the beauty of the spotless lotus flower which is the home of the goddess of fortune.

Prayers by Brahmä to Lord Çiva (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 24.6.42-53)

brahmoväca jäne tväm éçaà viçvasya jagato yoni-béjayoù çakteù çivasya ca paraà yat tad brahma nirantaram Lord Brahmä said: My dear Lord Çiva, I know that you are the controller of the entire material manifestation, the combination father and mother of the cosmic manifestation, and the Supreme Brahman beyond the cosmic manifestation as well. I know you in that way. tvam eva bhagavann etac chiva-çaktyoù svarüpayoù viçvaà såjasi päsy atsi kréòann ürëa-paöo yathä My dear lord, you create this cosmic manifestation, maintain it, and annihilate it by expansion of your personality, exactly as a spider creates, maintains and winds up its web. tvam eva dharmärtha-dughäbhipattaye dakñeëa sütreëa sasarjithädhvaram tvayaiva loke ‘vasitäç ca setavo yän brähmaëäù çraddadhate dhåta-vratäù My dear lord, Your Lordship has introduced the system of sacrifices through the agency of Dakña, and thus one may derive the benefits of religious activities and economic development. Under your regulative principles, the institution of the four varëas and äçramas is respected. The brähmaëas therefore vow to follow this system strictly.

Prayers by Brahm ä to Lord Çiva

tvaà karmaëäà maìgala maìgalänäà kartuù sva-lokaà tanuñe svaù paraà vä amaìgalänäà ca tamisram ulbaëaà viparyayaù kena tad eva kasyacit O most auspicious lord, you have ordained the heavenly planets, the spiritual Vaikuëöha planets and the impersonal Brahman sphere as the respective destinations of the performers of auspicious activities. Similarly, for others, who are miscreants, you have destined different kinds of hells which are horrible and ghastly. Yet sometimes it is found that their destinations are just the opposite. It is very difficult to ascertain the cause of this. na vai satäà tvac-caraëärpitätmanäà bhüteñu sarveñv abhipaçyatäà tava bhütäni cätmany apåthag-didåkñatäà präyeëa roño ‘bhibhaved yathä paçum My dear Lord, devotees who have fully dedicated their lives unto your lotus feet certainly observe your presence as Paramätmä in each and every being, and as such they do not differentiate between one living being and another. Such persons treat all living entities equally. They never become overwhelmed by anger like animals, who can see nothing without differentiation. påthag-dhiyaù karma-dåço duräçayäù parodayenärpita-håd-rujo ‘niçam parän duruktair vitudanty aruntudäs tän mävadhéd daiva-vadhän bhavad-vidhaù Persons who observe everything with differentiation, who are simply attached to fruitive activities, who are mean minded, who are always pained to see the flourishing condition of others and who thus give distress to them by uttering harsh and piercing words have already been killed by providence. Thus there is no need for them to be killed again by an exalted personality like you. yasmin yadä puñkara-näbha-mäyayä durantayä spåñöa-dhiyaù påthag-dåçaù 95

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 04

kurvanti tatra hy anukampayä kåpäà na sädhavo daiva-balät kåte kramam My dear lord, if in some places materialists, who are already bewildered by the insurmountable illusory energy of the Supreme Godhead, sometimes commit offenses, a saintly person, with compassion, does not take this seriously. Knowing that they commit offenses because they are overpowered by the illusory energy, he does not show his prowess to counteract them. bhaväàs tu puàsaù paramasya mäyayä durantayäspåñöa-matiù samasta-dåk tayä hatätmasv anukarma-cetaùsv anugrahaà kartum ihärhasi prabho My dear lord, you are never bewildered by the formidable influence of the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore you are omniscient and should be merciful and compassionate toward those who are bewildered by the same illusory energy and are very much attached to fruitive activities. kurv adhvarasyoddharaëaà hatasya bhoù tvayäsamäptasya mano prajäpateù na yatra bhägaà tava bhägino daduù kuyäjino yena makho ninéyate My dear Lord Çiva, you are a shareholder of a portion of the sacrifice, and you are the giver of the result. The bad priests did not deliver your share, and therefore you destroyed everything, and the sacrifice remains unfinished. Now you can do the needful and take your rightful share. devänäà bhagna-gäträëäm åtvijäà cäyudhäçmabhiù bhavatänugåhétänäm äçu manyo ‘stv anäturam O Lord Çiva, may the demigods and the priests whose limbs have been broken by your soldiers recover from the injuries by your grace.

Prayers by Brahm ä to Lord Çiva

eña te rudra bhägo ‘stu yad-ucchiñöo ‘dhvarasya vai yajïas te rudra bhägena kalpatäm adya yajïa-han O destroyer of the sacrifice, please take your portion of the sacrifice and let the sacrifice be completed by your grace.

Prayers by Dakña & others in Dakña-yajïa to Lord Hari (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 04.07.26-47)

dakña uväca çuddhaà sva-dhämny uparatäkhila-buddhy-avasthaà cin-mätram ekam abhayaà pratiñidhya mäyäm tiñöhaàs tayaiva puruñatvam upetya tasyäm äste bhavän apariçuddha ivätma-tantraù Dakña addressed the Supreme Personality of Godhead: My dear Lord, You are transcendental to all speculative positions. You are completely spiritual, devoid of all fear, and You are always in control of the material energy. Even though You appear in the material energy, You are situated transcendentally. You are always free from material contamination because You are completely self-sufficient. åtvija ücuù tattvaà na te vayam anaïjana rudra-çäpät karmaëy avagraha-dhiyo bhagavan vidämaù dharmopalakñaëam idaà trivåd adhvaräkhyaà jïätaà yad-artham adhidaivam ado vyavasthäù The priests addressed the Lord, saying: O Lord, transcendental to material contamination, by the curse offered by Lord Çiva’s men we have become attached to fruitive activities, and thus we are now fallen and therefore do not know anything about You. On the contrary, we are now involved in the injunctions of the three departments of the Vedic knowledge under the plea of executing rituals in the name of yajïa. We know that You have made arrangements for distributing the respective shares of the demigods. sadasyä ücuù utpatty-adhvany açaraëa uru-kleça-durge ‘ntakogravyälänviñöe viñaya-måga-tåñy ätma-gehoru-bhäraù 98

P r a y e r s b y D a k ñ a & o t h e r s i n D a k ñ a - y aj ï a t o L o r d H a r i

dvandva-çvabhre khala-måga-bhaye çoka-däve ‘jïa-särthaù pädaukas te çaraëada kadä yäti kämopasåñöaù The members of the assembly addressed the Lord: O exclusive shelter for all who are situated in troubled life, in this formidable fort of conditional existence the time element, like a snake, is always looking for an opportunity to strike. This world is full of ditches of so-called distress and happiness, and there are many ferocious animals always ready to attack. The fire of lamentation is always blazing, and the mirage of false happiness is always alluring, but one has no shelter from them. Thus foolish persons live in the cycle of birth and death, always overburdened in discharging their so-called duties, and we do not know when they will accept the shelter of Your lotus feet. rudra uväca tava varada varäìghräv äçiñehäkhilärthe hy api munibhir asaktair ädareëärhaëéye yadi racita-dhiyaà mävidya-loko ‘paviddhaà japati na gaëaye tat tvat-paränugraheëa Lord Çiva said: My dear Lord, my mind and consciousness are always fixed on Your lotus feet, which, as the source of all benediction and the fulfillment of all desires, are worshiped by all liberated great sages because Your lotus feet are worthy of worship. With my mind fixed on Your lotus feet, I am no longer disturbed by persons who blaspheme me, claiming that my activities are not purified. I do not mind their accusations, and I excuse them out of compassion, just as You exhibit compassion toward all living entities. bhågur uväca yan mäyayä gahanayäpahåtätma-bodhä brahmädayas tanu-bhåtas tamasi svapantaù nätman-çritaà tava vidanty adhunäpi tattvaà so ‘yaà prasédatu bhavän praëatätma-bandhuù Çré Bhågu said: My dear Lord, all living entities, beginning from the highest, namely Lord Brahmä, down to the ordinary ant, are under the influence of the insurmountable spell of illusory energy, and thus they are 99

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 04

ignorant of their constitutional position. Everyone believes in the concept of the body, and all are thus submerged in the darkness of illusion. They are actually unable to understand how You live in every living entity as the Supersoul, nor can they understand Your absolute position. But You are the eternal friend and protector of all surrendered souls. Therefore, please be kind toward us and forgive all our offenses. brahmoväca naitat svarüpaà bhavato ‘sau padärthabheda-grahaiù puruño yävad ékñet jïänasya cärthasya guëasya cäçrayo mäyämayäd vyatirikto matas tvam Lord Brahmä said: My dear Lord, Your personality and eternal form cannot be understood by any person who is trying to know You through the different processes of acquiring knowledge. Your position is always transcendental to the material creation, whereas the empiric attempt to understand You is material, as are its objectives and instruments. indra uväca idam apy acyuta viçva-bhävanaà vapur änanda-karaà mano-dåçäm sura-vidviö-kñapaëair udäyudhair bhuja-daëòair upapannam añöabhiù King Indra said: My dear Lord, Your transcendental form with eight hands and weapons in each of them appears for the welfare of the entire universe, and it is very pleasing to the mind and eyes. In such a form, Your Lordship is always prepared to punish the demons, who are envious of Your devotees. patnya ücuù yajïo ‘yaà tava yajanäya kena såñöo vidhvastaù paçupatinädya dakña-kopät taà nas tvaà çava-çayanäbha-çänta-medhaà yajïätman nalina-rucä dåçä punéhi

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The wives of the performers of the sacrifice said: My dear Lord, this sacrifice was arranged under the instruction of Brahmä, but unfortunately Lord Çiva, being angry at Dakña, devastated the entire scene, and because of his anger the animals meant for sacrifice are lying dead. Therefore the preparations of the yajïa have been lost. Now, by the glance of Your lotus eyes, the sanctity of this sacrificial arena may be again invoked. åñaya ücuù ananvitaà te bhagavan viceñöitaà yad ätmanä carasi hi karma näjyase vibhütaye yata upasedur éçvaréà na manyate svayam anuvartatéà bhavän The sages prayed: Dear Lord, Your activities are most wonderful, and although You do everything by Your different potencies, You are not at all attached to such activities. You are not even attached to the goddess of fortune, who is worshiped by the great demigods like Brahmä, who pray to achieve her mercy. siddhä ücuù ayaà tvat-kathä-måñöa-péyüña-nadyäà mano-väraëaù kleça-dävägni-dagdhaù tåñärto ‘vagäòho na sasmära dävaà na niñkrämati brahma-sampannavan naù The Siddhas prayed: Like an elephant that has suffered in a forest fire but can forget all its troubles by entering a river, our minds, O Lord, always merge in the nectarean river of Your transcendental pastimes, and they desire never to leave such transcendental bliss, which is as good as the pleasure of merging in the Absolute. yajamäny uväca svägataà te prasédeça tubhyaà namaù çréniväsa çriyä käntayä trähi naù tväm åte ‘dhéça näìgair makhaù çobhate çérña-hénaù ka-bandho yathä puruñaù The wife of Dakña prayed as follows: My dear Lord, it is very fortunate that You have appeared in this arena of sacrifice. I offer my respectful

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obeisances unto You, and I request that You be pleased on this occasion. The sacrificial arena is not beautiful without You, just as a body is not beautiful without the head. lokapälä ücuù dåñöaù kià no dågbhir asad-grahais tvaà pratyag-drañöä dåçyate yena viçvam mäyä hy eñä bhavadéyä hi bhüman yas tvaà ñañöhaù païcabhir bhäsi bhütaiù The governors of various planets spoke as follows: Dear Lord, we believe only in our direct perception, but under the circumstances we do not know whether we have actually seen You with our material senses. By our material senses we can simply perceive the cosmic manifestation, but You are beyond the five elements. You are the sixth. We see You, therefore, as a creation of the material world. yogeçvarä ücuù preyän na te ‘nyo ‘sty amutas tvayi prabho viçvätmanékñen na påthag ya ätmanaù athäpi bhaktyeça tayopadhävatäm ananya-våttyänugåhäëa vatsala The great mystics said: Dear Lord, persons who see You as nondifferent from themselves, knowing that You are the Supersoul of all living entities, are certainly very, very dear to You. You are very favorable toward those who engage in devotional service, accepting You as the Lord and themselves as the servants. By Your mercy, You are always inclined in their favor. jagad-udbhava-sthiti-layeñu daivato bahu-bhidyamäna-guëayätma-mäyayä racitätma-bheda-mataye sva-saàsthayä vinivartita-bhrama-guëätmane namaù We offer our respectful obeisances unto the Supreme, who has created varieties of manifestations and put them under the spell of the three qualities of the material world in order to create, maintain and annihilate them. He Himself is not under the control of the external energy; in His 102

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personal feature He is completely devoid of the variegated manifestation of material qualities, and He is under no illusion of false identification. brahmoväca namas te çrita-sattväya dharmädénäà ca sütaye nirguëäya ca yat-käñöhäà nähaà vedäpare ‘pi ca The personified Vedas said: We offer our respectful obeisances unto You, the Lord, the shelter of the quality of goodness and therefore the source of all religion, austerity and penance, for You are transcendental to all material qualities and no one knows You or Your actual situation. agnir uväca yat-tejasähaà susamiddha-tejä havyaà vahe svadhvara äjya-siktam taà yajïiyaà païca-vidhaà ca païcabhiù sviñöaà yajurbhiù praëato ‘smi yajïam The fire-god said: My dear Lord, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You because by Your favor I am as luminous as blazing fire and I accept the offerings mixed with butter and offered in sacrifice. The five kinds of offerings according to the Yajur Veda are all Your different energies, and You are worshiped by five kinds of Vedic hymns. Sacrifice means Your Supreme Personality of Godhead. devä ücuù purä kalpäpäye sva-kåtam udaré-kåtya vikåtaà tvam evädyas tasmin salila uragendrädhiçayane pumän çeñe siddhair hådi vimåçitädhyätma-padaviù sa evädyäkñëor yaù pathi carasi bhåtyän avasi naù The demigods said: Dear Lord, formerly, when there was a devastation, You conserved all the different energies of material manifestation. At that time, all the inhabitants of the higher planets, represented by such liberated souls as Sanaka, were meditating on You by philosophical speculation. You are therefore the original person, and You rest in the water of devastation on the bed of the Çeña snake. Now,

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today, You are visible to us, who are all Your servants. Please give us protection. gandharvä ücuù aàçäàçäs te deva marécy-ädaya ete brahmendrädyä deva-gaëä rudra-purogäù kréòä-bhäëòaà viçvam idaà yasya vibhüman tasmai nityaà nätha namas te karaväma The Gandharvas said: Dear Lord, all the demigods, including Lord Çiva, Lord Brahmä, Indra and Maréci and the great sages, are all only differentiated parts and parcels of Your body. You are the Supreme Almighty Great; the whole creation is just like a plaything for You. We always accept You as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and we offer our respectful obeisances unto You. vidyädharä ücuù tvan-mäyayärtham abhipadya kalevare ‘smin kåtvä mamäham iti durmatir utpathaiù svaiù kñipto ‘py asad-viñaya-lälasa ätma-mohaà yuñmat-kathämåta-niñevaka udvyudasyet The Vidyädharas said: Dear Lord, this human form of body is meant for attaining the highest perfectional objective, but, impelled by Your external energy, the living entity misidentifies himself with his body and with the material energy, and therefore, influenced by mäyä, he wants to become happy by material enjoyment. He is misled and always attracted by temporary, illusory happiness. But Your transcendental activities are so powerful that if one engages in the hearing and chanting of such topics, he can be delivered from illusion. brähmaëä ücuù tvaà kratus tvaà havis tvaà hutäçaù svayaà tvaà hi mantraù samid-darbha-päträëi ca tvaà sadasyartvijo dampaté devatä agnihotraà svadhä soma äjyaà paçuù The brähmaëas said: Dear Lord, You are sacrifice personified. You are the offering of clarified butter, You are the fire, You are the chanting of

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Vedic hymns by which the sacrifice is conducted, You are the fuel, You are the flame, You are the kuça grass, and You are the sacrificial pots. You are the priests who perform the yajïa, You are the demigods headed by Indra, and You are the sacrificial animal. Everything that is sacrificed is You or Your energy. tvaà purä gäà rasäyä mahä-sükaro daàñörayä padminéà väraëendro yathä stüyamäno nadal lélayä yogibhir vyujjahartha trayé-gätra yajïa-kratuù Dear Lord, O personified Vedic knowledge, in the past millennium, long, long ago, when You appeared as the great boar incarnation, You picked up the world from the water, as an elephant picks up a lotus flower from a lake. When You vibrated transcendental sound in that gigantic form of a boar, the sound was accepted as a sacrificial hymn, and great sages like Sanaka meditated upon it and offered prayers for Your glorification. sa praséda tvam asmäkam äkäìkñatäà darçanaà te paribhrañöa-sat-karmaëäm kértyamäne nåbhir nämni yajïeça te yajïa-vighnäù kñayaà yänti tasmai namaù Dear Lord, we were awaiting Your audience because we have been unable to perform the yajïas according to the Vedic rituals. We pray unto You, therefore, to be pleased with us. Simply by chanting Your holy name, one can surpass all obstacles. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You in Your presence.

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Prayers by Dhruva to Lord Påçnigarbha (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.9.6-17)

dhruva uväca yo ‘ntaù praviçya mama väcam imäà prasuptäà saïjévayaty akhila-çakti-dharaù sva-dhämnä anyäàç ca hasta-caraëa-çravaëa-tvag-ädén präëän namo bhagavate puruñäya tubhyam Dhruva Mahäräja said: My dear Lord, You are all-powerful. After entering within me, You have enlivened all my sleeping senses—my hands, legs, ears, touch sensation, life force and especially my power of speech. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You. ekas tvam eva bhagavann idam ätma-çaktyä mäyäkhyayoru-guëayä mahad-ädy-açeñam såñövänuviçya puruñas tad-asad-guëeñu näneva däruñu vibhävasuvad vibhäsi My Lord, You are the supreme one, but by Your different energies You appear differently in the spiritual and material worlds. You create the total energy of the material world by Your external potency, and after creation You enter within the material world as the Supersoul. You are the Supreme Person, and through the temporary modes of material nature You create varieties of manifestation, just as fire, entering into wood of different shapes, burns brilliantly in different varieties. tvad-dattayä vayunayedam acañöa viçvaà supta-prabuddha iva nätha bhavat-prapannaù tasyäpavargya-çaraëaà tava päda-mülaà vismaryate kåta-vidä katham ärta-bandho

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P r a y e r s b y Dh r u v a t o L o r d P å ç n i g a r b h a

O my master, Lord Brahmä is fully surrendered unto You. In the beginning You gave him knowledge, and thus he could see and understand the entire universe, just as a person awakens from sleep and visualizes his immediate duties. You are the only shelter of all persons who desire liberation, and You are the friend of all who are distressed. How, therefore, can a learned person who has perfect knowledge ever forget You? nünaà vimuñöa-matayas tava mäyayä te ye tväà bhaväpyaya-vimokñaëam anya-hetoù arcanti kalpaka-taruà kuëapopabhogyam icchanti yat sparçajaà niraye ‘pi nèëäm Persons who worship You simply for the sense gratification of this bag of skin are certainly influenced by Your illusory energy. In spite of having You, who are like a desire tree and are the cause of liberation from birth and death, foolish persons, such as me, desire benedictions from You for sense gratification, which is available even for those who live in hellish conditions. yä nirvåtis tanu-bhåtäà tava päda-padmadhyänäd bhavaj-jana-kathä-çravaëena vä syät sä brahmaëi sva-mahimany api nätha mä bhüt kià tv antakäsi-lulität patatäà vimänät My Lord, the transcendental bliss derived from meditating upon Your lotus feet or hearing about Your glories from pure devotees is so unlimited that it is far beyond the stage of brahmänanda, wherein one thinks himself merged in the impersonal Brahman as one with the Supreme. Since brahmänanda is also defeated by the transcendental bliss derived from devotional service, then what to speak of the temporary blissfulness of elevating oneself to the heavenly planets, which is ended by the separating sword of time? Although one may be elevated to the heavenly planets, he falls down in due course of time. bhaktià muhuù pravahatäà tvayi me prasaìgo bhüyäd ananta mahatäm amaläçayänäm yenäïjasolbaëam uru-vyasanaà bhaväbdhià neñye bhavad-guëa-kathämåta-päna-mattaù 107

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Dhruva Mahäräja continued: O unlimited Lord, kindly bless me so that I may associate with great devotees who engage in Your transcendental loving service constantly, as the waves of a river constantly flow. Such transcendental devotees are completely situated in an uncontaminated state of life. By the process of devotional service I shall surely be able to cross the nescient ocean of material existence, which is filled with the waves of blazing, firelike dangers. It will be very easy for me, for I am becoming mad to hear about Your transcendental qualities and pastimes, which are eternally existent. te na smaranty atitaräà priyam éça martyaà ye cänv adaù suta-suhåd-gåha-vitta-däräù ye tv abja-näbha bhavadéya-padäravindasaugandhya-lubdha-hådayeñu kåta-prasaìgäù O Lord who have a lotus navel, if a person happens to associate with a devotee whose heart always hankers after Your lotus feet, seeking always their fragrance, he is never attached to the material body or, in a bodily relationship, to offspring, friends, home, wealth and wife, which are very, very dear to materialistic persons. Indeed, he does not care for them. tiryaì-naga-dvija-sarésåpa-deva-daityamartyädibhiù paricitaà sad-asad-viçeñam rüpaà sthaviñöham aja te mahad-ädy-anekaà nätaù paraà parama vedmi na yatra vädaù My dear Lord, O Supreme Unborn, I know that the different varieties of living entities, such as animals, trees, birds, reptiles, demigods and human beings, are spread throughout the universe, which is caused by the total material energy, and I know that they are sometimes manifest and sometimes unmanifest; but I have never experienced the supreme form I behold as I see You now. Now all kinds of methods of theorizing have come to an end. kalpänta etad akhilaà jaöhareëa gåhëan çete pumän sva-dåg ananta-sakhas tad-aìke yan-näbhi-sindhu-ruha-käïcana-loka-padmagarbhe dyumän bhagavate praëato ‘smi tasmai

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My dear Lord, at the end of each millennium the Supreme Personality of Godhead Garbhodakaçäyé Viñëu dissolves everything manifested within the universe into His belly. He lies down on the lap of Çeña Näga, from His navel sprouts a golden lotus flower on a stem, and on that lotus Lord Brahmä is created. I can understand that You are the same Supreme Godhead. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You. tvaà nitya-mukta-pariçuddha-vibuddha ätmä küöa-stha ädi-puruño bhagaväàs try-adhéçaù yad-buddhy-avasthitim akhaëòitayä sva-dåñöyä drañöä sthitäv adhimakho vyatirikta ässe My Lord, by Your unbroken transcendental glance You are the supreme witness of all stages of intellectual activities. You are eternally liberated, Your existence is situated in pure goodness, and You are existent in the Supersoul without change. You are the original Personality of Godhead, full with six opulences, and You are eternally the master of the three modes of material nature. Thus, You are always different from the ordinary living entities. As Lord Viñëu, You maintain all the affairs of the entire universe, and yet You stand aloof and are the enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices. yasmin viruddha-gatayo hy aniçaà patanti vidyädayo vividha-çaktaya änupürvyät tad brahma viçva-bhavam ekam anantam ädyam änanda-mätram avikäram ahaà prapadye My dear Lord, in Your impersonal manifestation of Brahman there are always two opposing elements—knowledge and ignorance. Your multienergies are continually manifest, but the impersonal Brahman, which is undivided, original, changeless, unlimited and blissful, is the cause of the material manifestation. Because You are the same impersonal Brahman, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. satyäçiño hi bhagavaàs tava päda-padmam äçés tathänubhajataù puruñärtha-mürteù apy evam arya bhagavän paripäti dénän väçreva vatsakam anugraha-kätaro ‘smän 109

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My Lord, O Supreme Lord, You are the supreme personified form of all benediction. Therefore, for one who abides in Your devotional service with no other desire, worshiping Your lotus feet is better than becoming king and lording it over a kingdom. That is the benediction of worshiping Your lotus feet. To ignorant devotees like me, You are the causelessly merciful maintainer, just like a cow, who takes care of the newly born calf by supplying milk and giving it protection from attack.

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Prayers by Dharä (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.17.29-36)

dharoväca namaù parasmai puruñäya mäyayä vinyasta-nänä-tanave guëätmane namaù svarüpänubhavena nirdhutadravya-kriyä-käraka-vibhramormaye The planet earth spoke: My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, You are transcendental in Your position, and by Your material energy You have expanded Yourself in various forms and species of life through the interaction of the three modes of material nature. Unlike some other masters, You always remain in Your transcendental position and are not affected by the material creation, which is subject to different material interactions. Consequently You are not bewildered by material activities. yenäham ätmäyatanaà vinirmitä dhäträ yato ‘yaà guëa-sarga-saìgrahaù sa eva mäà hantum udäyudhaù svaräò upasthito ‘nyaà çaraëaà kam äçraye The planet earth continued: My dear Lord, You are the complete conductor of the material creation. You have created this cosmic manifestation and the three material qualities, and therefore You have created me, the planet earth, the resting place of all living entities. Yet You are always fully independent, my Lord. Now that You are present before me and ready to kill me with Your weapons, let me know where I should go to take shelter, and tell me who can give me protection. ya etad ädäv asåjac caräcaraà sva-mäyayätmäçrayayävitarkyayä tayaiva so ‘yaà kila goptum udyataù kathaà nu mäà dharma-paro jighäàsati

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In the beginning of creation You created all these moving and nonmoving living entities by Your inconceivable energy. Through this very same energy You are now prepared to protect the living entities. Indeed, You are the supreme protector of religious principles. Why are You so anxious to kill me, even though I am in the form of a cow? nünaà bateçasya saméhitaà janais tan-mäyayä durjayayäkåtätmabhiù na lakñyate yas tv akarod akärayad yo ‘neka ekaù parataç ca éçvaraù My dear Lord, although You are one, by Your inconceivable potencies You have expanded Yourself in many forms. Through the agency of Brahmä, You have created this universe. You are therefore directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those who are not sufficiently experienced cannot understand Your transcendental activities because these persons are covered by Your illusory energy. sargädi yo ‘syänuruëaddhi çaktibhir dravya-kriyä-käraka-cetanätmabhiù tasmai samunnaddha-niruddha-çaktaye namaù parasmai puruñäya vedhase My dear Lord, by Your own potencies You are the original cause of the material elements, as well as the performing instruments (the senses), the workers of the senses (the controlling demigods), the intelligence and the ego, as well as everything else. By Your energy You manifest this entire cosmic creation, maintain it and dissolve it. Through Your energy alone everything is sometimes manifest and sometimes not manifest. You are therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. sa vai bhavän ätma-vinirmitaà jagad bhütendriyäntaù-karaëätmakaà vibho saàsthäpayiñyann aja mäà rasätaläd abhyujjahärämbhasa ädi-sükaraù My dear Lord, You are always unborn. Once, in the form of the original boar, You rescued me from the waters in the bottom of the universe. 112

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Through Your own energy You created all the physical elements, the senses and the heart, for the maintenance of the world. apäm upasthe mayi nävy avasthitäù prajä bhavän adya rirakñiñuù kila sa véra-mürtiù samabhüd dharä-dharo yo mäà payasy ugra-çaro jighäàsasi My dear Lord, in this way You once protected me by rescuing me from the water, and consequently Your name has been famous as Dharädhara— He who holds the planet earth. Yet at the present moment, in the form of a great hero, You are about to kill me with sharpened arrows. I am, however, just like a boat on the water, keeping everything afloat. nünaà janair éhitam éçvaräëäm asmad-vidhais tad-guëa-sarga-mäyayä na jïäyate mohita-citta-vartmabhis tebhyo namo véra-yaças-karebhyaù My dear Lord, I am also the creation of one of Your energies, composed of the three modes of material nature. Consequently I am bewildered by Your activities. Even the activities of Your devotees cannot be understood, and what to speak of Your pastimes. Thus everything appears to us to be contradictory and wonderful.

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Prayers by King Påthu (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.20.23-31)

påthur uväca varän vibho tvad varadeçvaräd budhaù kathaà våëéte guëa-vikriyätmanäm ye närakäëäm api santi dehinäà tän éça kaivalya-pate våëe na ca My dear Lord, You are the best of the demigods who can offer benedictions. Why, therefore, should any learned person ask You for benedictions meant for living entities bewildered by the modes of nature? Such benedictions are available automatically, even in the lives of living entities suffering in hellish conditions. My dear Lord, You can certainly bestow merging into Your existence, but I do not wish to have such a benediction. na kämaye nätha tad apy ahaà kvacin na yatra yuñmac-caraëämbujäsavaù mahattamäntar-hådayän mukha-cyuto vidhatsva karëäyutam eña me varaù My dear Lord, I therefore do not wish to have the benediction of merging into Your existence, a benediction in which there is no existence of the nectarean beverage of Your lotus feet. I want the benediction of at least one million ears, for thus I may be able to hear about the glories of Your lotus feet from the mouths of Your pure devotees. sa uttamaçloka mahan-mukha-cyuto bhavat-padämbhoja-sudhä kaëänilaù småtià punar vismåta-tattva-vartmanäà kuyoginäà no vitaraty alaà varaiù My dear Lord, You are glorified by the selected verses uttered by great personalities. Such glorification of Your lotus feet is just like saffron particles. When the transcendental vibration from the mouths of great devotees carries the aroma of the saffron dust of Your lotus feet, the 114

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forgetful living entity gradually remembers his eternal relationship with You. Devotees thus gradually come to the right conclusion about the value of life. My dear Lord, I therefore do not need any other benediction but the opportunity to hear from the mouth of Your pure devotee. yaçaù çivaà suçrava ärya-saìgame yadåcchayä copaçåëoti te sakåt kathaà guëa-jïo viramed vinä paçuà çrér yat pravavre guëa-saìgrahecchayä My dear highly glorified Lord, if one, in the association of pure devotees, hears even once the glories of Your activities, he does not, unless he is nothing but an animal, give up the association of devotees, for no intelligent person would be so careless as to leave their association. The perfection of chanting and hearing about Your glories was accepted even by the goddess of fortune, who desired to hear of Your unlimited activities and transcendental glories. athäbhaje tväkhila-püruñottamaà guëälayaà padma-kareva lälasaù apy ävayor eka-pati-spådhoù kalir na syät kåta-tvac-caraëaika-tänayoù Now I wish to engage in the service of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and to serve just like the goddess of fortune, who carries a lotus flower in her hand, because His Lordship, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the reservoir of all transcendental qualities. I am afraid that the goddess of fortune and I would quarrel because both of us would be attentively engaged in the same service. jagaj-jananyäà jagad-éça vaiçasaà syäd eva yat-karmaëi naù saméhitam karoñi phalgv apy uru déna-vatsalaù sva eva dhiñëye ‘bhiratasya kià tayä My dear Lord of the universe, the goddess of fortune, Lakñmé, is the mother of the universe, and yet I think that she may be angry with me because of my intruding upon her service and acting on that very platform to which she is so much attached. Yet I am hopeful that even though there is some 115

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misunderstanding, You will take my part, for You are very much inclined to the poor and You always magnify even insignificant service unto You. Therefore even though she becomes angry, I think that there is no harm for You, because You are so self-sufficient that You can do without her. bhajanty atha tväm ata eva sädhavo vyudasta-mäyä-guëa-vibhramodayam bhavat-padänusmaraëäd åte satäà nimittam anyad bhagavan na vidmahe Great saintly persons who are always liberated take to Your devotional service because only by devotional service can one be relieved from the illusions of material existence. O my Lord, there is no reason for the liberated souls to take shelter at Your lotus feet except that such souls are constantly thinking of Your feet. manye giraà te jagatäà vimohinéà varaà våëéñveti bhajantam ättha yat väcä nu tantyä yadi te jano ‘sitaù kathaà punaù karma karoti mohitaù My dear Lord, what You have said to Your unalloyed devotee is certainly very much bewildering. The allurements You offer in the Vedas are certainly not suitable for pure devotees. People in general, bound by the sweet words of the Vedas, engage themselves again and again in fruitive activities, enamored by the results of their actions. tvan-mäyayäddhä jana éça khaëòito yad anyad äçästa åtätmano ‘budhaù yathä cared bäla-hitaà pitä svayaà tathä tvam evärhasi naù saméhitum My Lord, due to Your illusory energy, all living beings in this material world have forgotten their real constitutional position, and out of ignorance they are always desirous of material happiness in the form of society, friendship and love. Therefore, please do not ask me to take some material benefits from You, but as a father, not waiting for the son’s demand, does everything for the benefit of the son, please bestow upon me whatever You think best for me. 116

Rudra-gétä (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.24.33-79)

çré-rudra uväca jitaà ta ätma-vid-varyasvastaye svastir astu me bhavatärädhasä räddhaà sarvasmä ätmane namaù Lord Çiva addressed the Supreme Personality of Godhead with the following prayer: O Supreme Personality of Godhead, all glories unto You. You are the most exalted of all self-realized souls. Since You are always auspicious for the self-realized, I wish that You be auspicious for me. You are worshipable by virtue of the all-perfect instructions You give. You are the Supersoul; therefore I offer my obeisances unto You as the supreme living being. namaù paìkaja-näbhäya bhüta-sükñmendriyätmane väsudeväya çäntäya küöa-sthäya sva-rociñe My Lord, You are the origin of the creation by virtue of the lotus flower which sprouts from Your navel. You are the supreme controller of the senses and the sense objects, and You are also the all-pervading Väsudeva. You are most peaceful, and because of Your self-illuminated existence, You are not disturbed by the six kinds of transformations. saìkarñaëäya sükñmäya durantäyäntakäya ca namo viçva-prabodhäya pradyumnäyäntar-ätmane My dear Lord, You are the origin of the subtle material ingredients, the master of all integration as well as the master of all disintegration, the predominating Deity named Saìkarñaëa, and the master of all intelligence, 117

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known as the predominating Deity Pradyumna. Therefore, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. namo namo ‘niruddhäya håñékeçendriyätmane namaù paramahaàsäya pürëäya nibhåtätmane My Lord, as the supreme directing Deity known as Aniruddha, You are the master of the senses and the mind. I therefore offer my obeisances unto You again and again. You are known as Ananta as well as Saìkarñaëa because of Your ability to destroy the whole creation by the blazing fire from Your mouth. svargäpavarga-dväräya nityaà çuci-ñade namaù namo hiraëya-véryäya cätur-hoträya tantave My Lord, O Aniruddha, You are the authority by which the doors of the higher planetary systems and liberation are opened. You are always within the pure heart of the living entity. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto You. You are the possessor of semen which is like gold, and thus, in the form of fire, You help the Vedic sacrifices, beginning with cätur-hotra. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto You. nama ürja iñe trayyäù pataye yajïa-retase tåpti-däya ca jévänäà namaù sarva-rasätmane My Lord, You are the provider of the Pitålokas as well as all the demigods. You are the predominating deity of the moon and the master of all three Vedas. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You because You are the original source of satisfaction for all living entities. sarva-sattvätma-dehäya viçeñäya sthavéyase namas trailokya-päläya saha ojo-baläya ca 118

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My dear Lord, You are the gigantic universal form which contains all the individual bodies of the living entities. You are the maintainer of the three worlds, and as such You maintain the mind, senses, body, and air of life within them. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You. artha-liìgäya nabhase namo ‘ntar-bahir-ätmane namaù puëyäya lokäya amuñmai bhüri-varcase My dear Lord, by expanding Your transcendental vibrations, You reveal the actual meaning of everything. You are the all-pervading sky within and without, and You are the ultimate goal of pious activities executed both within this material world and beyond it. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances again and again unto You. pravåttäya nivåttäya pitå-deväya karmaëe namo ‘dharma-vipäkäya måtyave duùkha-däya ca My dear Lord, You are the viewer of the results of pious activities. You are inclination, disinclination and their resultant activities. You are the cause of the miserable conditions of life caused by irreligion, and therefore You are death. I offer You my respectful obeisances. namas ta äçiñäm éça manave käraëätmane namo dharmäya båhate kåñëäyäkuëöha-medhase puruñäya puräëäya säìkhya-yogeçvaräya ca My dear Lord, You are the topmost of all bestowers of all benediction, the oldest and supreme enjoyer amongst all enjoyers. You are the master of all the worlds’ metaphysical philosophy, for You are the supreme cause of all causes, Lord Kåñëa. You are the greatest of all religious principles, the supreme mind, and You have a brain which is never checked by any condition. Therefore I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto You. 119

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çakti-traya-sametäya méòhuñe ‘haìkåtätmane ceta-äküti-rüpäya namo väco vibhütaye My dear Lord, You are the supreme controller of the worker, sense activities and results of sense activities [karma]. Therefore You are the controller of the body, mind and senses. You are also the supreme controller of egotism, known as Rudra. You are the source of knowledge and the activities of the Vedic injunctions. darçanaà no didåkñüëäà dehi bhägavatärcitam rüpaà priyatamaà svänäà sarvendriya-guëäïjanam My dear Lord, I wish to see You exactly in the form that Your very dear devotees worship. You have many other forms, but I wish to see Your form that is especially liked by the devotees. Please be merciful upon me and show me that form, for only that form worshiped by the devotees can perfectly satisfy all the demands of the senses. snigdha-prävåò-ghana-çyämaà sarva-saundarya-saìgraham cärv-äyata-catur-bähu sujäta-ruciränanam padma-koça-paläçäkñaà sundara-bhru sunäsikam sudvijaà sukapoläsyaà sama-karëa-vibhüñaëam The Lord’s beauty resembles a dark cloud during the rainy season. As the rainfall glistens, His bodily features also glisten. Indeed, He is the sum total of all beauty. The Lord has four arms and an exquisitely beautiful face with eyes like lotus petals, a beautiful highly raised nose, a mindattracting smile, a beautiful forehead and equally beautiful and fully decorated ears.

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préti-prahasitäpäìgam alakai rüpa-çobhitam lasat-paìkaja-kiïjalkadukülaà måñöa-kuëòalam sphurat-kiréöa-valayahära-nüpura-mekhalam çaìkha-cakra-gadä-padmamälä-maëy-uttamarddhimat The Lord is superexcellently beautiful on account of His open and merciful smile and Mis sidelong glance upon His devotees. His black hair is curly, and His garments, waving in the wind, appear like flying saffron pollen from lotus flowers. His glittering earrings, shining helmet, bangles, garland, ankle bells, waist belt and various other bodily ornaments combine with conchshell, disc, club and lotus flower to increase the natural beauty of the Kaustubha pearl on His chest. siàha-skandha-tviño bibhrat saubhaga-gréva-kaustubham çriyänapäyinyä kñiptanikañäçmorasollasat The Lord has shoulders just like a lion’s. Upon these shoulders are garlands, necklaces and epaulets, and all of these are always glittering. Besides these, there is the beauty of the Kaustubha-maëi pearl, and on the dark chest of the Lord there are streaks named Çrévatsa, which are signs of the goddess of fortune. The glittering of these streaks excels the beauty of the golden streaks on a gold-testing stone. Indeed, such beauty defeats a gold-testing stone. püra-recaka-saàvignavali-valgu-dalodaram pratisaìkrämayad viçvaà näbhyävarta-gabhérayä The Lord’s abdomen is beautiful due to three ripples in the flesh. Being so round, His abdomen resembles the leaf of a banyan tree, and when

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He exhales and inhales, the movement of the ripples appears very, very beautiful. The coils within the navel of the Lord are so deep that it appears that the entire universe sprouted out of it and yet again wishes to go back. çyäma-çroëy-adhi-rociñëuduküla-svarëa-mekhalam sama-cärv-aìghri-jaìghorunimna-jänu-sudarçanam padä çarat-padma-paläça-rociñä nakha-dyubhir no ‘ntar-aghaà vidhunvatä pradarçaya svéyam apästa-sädhvasaà padaà guro märga-gurus tamo-juñäm My dear Lord, Your two lotus feet are so beautiful that they appear like two blossoming petals of the lotus flower which grows during the autumn season. Indeed, the nails of Your lotus feet emanate such a great effulgence that they immediately dissipate all the darkness in the heart of a conditioned soul. My dear Lord, kindly show me that form of Yours which always dissipates all kinds of darkness in the heart of a devotee. My dear Lord, You are the supreme spiritual master of everyone; therefore all conditioned souls covered with the darkness of ignorance can be enlightened by You as the spiritual master. etad rüpam anudhyeyam ätma-çuddhim abhépsatäm yad-bhakti-yogo ‘bhayadaù sva-dharmam anutiñöhatäm My dear Lord, those who desire to purify their existence must always engage in meditation upon Your lotus feet, as described above. Those who are serious about executing their occupational duties and who want freedom from fear must take to this process of bhakti-yoga. bhavän bhaktimatä labhyo durlabhaù sarva-dehinäm sväräjyasyäpy abhimata ekäntenätma-vid-gatiù

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My dear Lord, the king in charge of the heavenly kingdom is also desirous of obtaining the ultimate goal of life-devotional service. Similarly, You are the ultimate destination of those who identify themselves with You [ahaà brahmäsmi]. However, it is very difficult for them to attain You, whereas a devotee can very easily attain Your Lordship. taà durärädhyam ärädhya satäm api duräpayä ekänta-bhaktyä ko väïchet päda-mülaà vinä bahiù My dear Lord, pure devotional service is even difficult for liberated persons to discharge, but devotional service alone can satisfy You. Who will take to other processes of self-realization if he is actually serious about the perfection of life? yatra nirviñöam araëaà kåtänto näbhimanyate viçvaà vidhvaàsayan véryaçaurya-visphürjita-bhruvä Simply by expansion of His eyebrows, invincible time personified can immediately vanquish the entire universe. However, formidable time does not approach the devotee who has taken complete shelter at Your lotus feet. kñaëärdhenäpi tulaye na svargaà näpunar-bhavam bhagavat-saìgi-saìgasya martyänäà kim utäçiñaù If one by chance associates with a devotee, even for a fraction of a moment, he no longer is subject to attraction by the results of karma or jïäna. What interest then can he have in the benedictions of the demigods, who are subject to the laws of birth and death? athänaghäìghres tava kérti-térthayor antar-bahiù-snäna-vidhüta-päpmanäm bhüteñv anukroça-susattva-çélinäà syät saìgamo ‘nugraha eña nas tava 123

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My dear Lord, Your lotus feet are the cause of all auspicious things and the destroyer of all the contamination of sin. I therefore beg Your Lordship to bless me by the association of Your devotees, who are completely purified by worshiping Your lotus feet and who are so merciful upon the conditioned souls. I think that Your real benediction will be to allow me to associate with such devotees. na yasya cittaà bahir-artha-vibhramaà tamo-guhäyäà ca viçuddham äviçat yad-bhakti-yogänugåhétam aïjasä munir vicañöe nanu tatra te gatim The devotee whose heart has been completely cleansed by the process of devotional service and who is favored by Bhaktidevé does not become bewildered by the external energy, which is just like a dark well. Being completely cleansed of all material contamination in this way, a devotee is able to understand very happily Your name, fame, form, activities, etc. yatredaà vyajyate viçvaà viçvasminn avabhäti yat tat tvaà brahma paraà jyotir äkäçam iva viståtam My dear Lord, the impersonal Brahman spreads everywhere, like the sunshine or the sky. And that impersonal Brahman, which spreads throughout the universe and in which the entire universe is manifested, is You. yo mäyayedaà puru-rüpayäsåjad bibharti bhüyaù kñapayaty avikriyaù yad-bheda-buddhiù sad ivätma-duùsthayä tvam ätma-tantraà bhagavan pratémahi My dear Lord, You have manifold energies, and these energies are manifested in manifold forms. With such energies You have also created this cosmic manifestation, and although You maintain it as if it were permanent, You ultimately annihilate it. Although You are never disturbed by such changes and alterations, the living entities are disturbed by them, and therefore they find the cosmic manifestation to be different 124

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or separated from You. My Lord, You are always independent, and I can clearly see this fact. kriyä-kaläpair idam eva yoginaù çraddhänvitäù sädhu yajanti siddhaye bhütendriyäntaù-karaëopalakñitaà vede ca tantre ca ta eva kovidäù My dear Lord, Your universal form consists of all five elements, the senses, mind, intelligence, false ego (which is material) and the Paramätmä, Your partial expansion, who is the director of everything. Yogis other than the devotees—namely the karma-yogé and jïäna-yogé—worship You by their respective actions in their respective positions. It is stated both in the Vedas and in the çästras that are corollaries of the Vedas, and indeed everywhere, that it is only You who are to be worshiped. That is the expert version of all the Vedas. tvam eka ädyaù puruñaù supta-çaktis tayä rajaù-sattva-tamo vibhidyate mahän ahaà khaà marud agni-vär-dharäù surarñayo bhüta-gaëä idaà yataù My dear Lord, You are the only Supreme Person, the cause of all causes. Before the creation of this material world, Your material energy remains in a dormant condition. When Your material energy is agitated, the three qualities—namely goodness, passion and ignorance—act, and as a result the total material energy—egotism, ether, air, fire, water, earth and all the various demigods and saintly persons—becomes manifest. Thus the material world is created. såñöaà sva-çaktyedam anupraviñöaç catur-vidhaà puram ätmäàçakena atho vidus taà puruñaà santam antar bhuìkte håñékair madhu sära-ghaà yaù My dear Lord, after creating by Your own potencies, You enter within the creation in four kinds of forms. Being within the hearts of the living entities, You know them and know how they are enjoying their senses. The so-called happiness of this material creation is exactly 125

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like the bees’ enjoyment of honey after it has been collected in the honeycomb. sa eña lokän aticaëòa-vego vikarñasi tvaà khalu käla-yänaù bhütäni bhütair anumeya-tattvo ghanävalér väyur iväviñahyaù My dear Lord, Your absolute authority cannot be directly experienced, but one can guess by seeing the activities of the world that everything is being destroyed in due course of time. The force of time is very strong, and everything is being destroyed by something else—just as one animal is being eaten by another animal. Time scatters everything, exactly as the wind scatters clouds in the sky. pramattam uccair iti kåtya-cintayä pravåddha-lobhaà viñayeñu lälasam tvam apramattaù sahasäbhipadyase kñul-lelihäno ‘hir iväkhum antakaù My dear Lord, all living entities within this material world are mad after planning for things, and they are always busy with a desire to do this or that. This is due to uncontrollable greed. The greed for material enjoyment is always existing in the living entity, but Your Lordship is always alert, and in due course of time You strike him, just as a snake seizes a mouse and very easily swallows him. kas tvat-padäbjaà vijahäti paëòito yas te ‘vamäna-vyayamäna-ketanaù viçaìkayäsmad-gurur arcati sma yad vinopapattià manavaç caturdaça My dear Lord, any learned person knows that unless he worships You, his entire life is spoiled. Knowing this, how could he give up worshiping Your lotus feet? Even our father and spiritual master, Lord Brahmä, unhesitatingly worshiped You, and the fourteen Manus followed in his footsteps. atha tvam asi no brahman paramätman vipaçcitäm 126

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viçvaà rudra-bhaya-dhvastam akutaçcid-bhayä gatiù My dear Lord, all actually learned persons know You as the Supreme Brahman and the Supersoul. Although the entire universe is afraid of Lord Rudra, who ultimately annihilates everything, for the learned devotees You are the fearless destination of all. idaà japata bhadraà vo viçuddhä nåpa-nandanäù sva-dharmam anutiñöhanto bhagavaty arpitäçayäù My dear sons of the King, just execute your occupational duty as kings with a pure heart. Just chant this prayer fixing your mind on the lotus feet of the Lord. That will bring you all good fortune, for the Lord will be very much pleased with you. tam evätmänam ätma-sthaà sarva-bhüteñv avasthitam püjayadhvaà gåëantaç ca dhyäyantaç cäsakåd dharim Therefore, O sons of the King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, is situated in everyone’s heart. He is also within your hearts. Therefore chant the glories of the Lord and always meditate upon Him continuously. yogädeçam upäsädya dhärayanto muni-vratäù samähita-dhiyaù sarva etad abhyasatädåtäù My dear princes, in the form of a prayer I have delineated the yoga system of chanting the holy name. All of you should take this important stotra within your minds and promise to keep it in order to become great sages. By acting silently like a great sage and by giving attention and reverence, you should practice this method. idam äha puräsmäkaà bhagavän viçvasåk-patiù

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bhågv-ädénäm ätmajänäà sisåkñuù saàsisåkñatäm This prayer was first spoken to us by Lord Brahmä, the master of all creators. The creators, headed by Bhågu, were instructed in these prayers because they wanted to create. te vayaà noditäù sarve prajä-sarge prajeçvaräù anena dhvasta-tamasaù sisåkñmo vividhäù prajäù When all the Prajäpatis were ordered to create by Lord Brahmä, we chanted these prayers in praise of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and became completely free from all ignorance. Thus we were able to create different types of living entities. athedaà nityadä yukto japann avahitaù pumän aciräc chreya äpnoti väsudeva-paräyaëaù A devotee of Lord Kåñëa whose mind is always absorbed in Him, who with great attention and reverence chants this stotra [prayer], will achieve the greatest perfection of life without delay. çreyasäm iha sarveñäà jïänaà niùçreyasaà param sukhaà tarati duñpäraà jïäna-naur vyasanärëavam In this material world there are different types of achievement, but of all of them the achievement of knowledge is considered to be the highest because one can cross the ocean of nescience only on the boat of knowledge. Otherwise the ocean is impassable. ya imaà çraddhayä yukto mad-gétaà bhagavat-stavam adhéyäno durärädhyaà harim ärädhayaty asau

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Although rendering devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and worshiping Him are very difficult, if one vibrates or simply reads this stotra [prayer] composed and sung by me, he will very easily be able to invoke the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. vindate puruño ‘muñmäd yad yad icchaty asatvaram mad-géta-gétät suprétäc chreyasäm eka-vallabhät The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the dearmost objective of all auspicious benedictions. A human being who sings this song sung by me can please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such a devotee, being fixed in the Lord’s devotional service, can acquire whatever he wants from the Supreme Lord. idaà yaù kalya utthäya präïjaliù çraddhayänvitaù çåëuyäc chrävayen martyo mucyate karma-bandhanaiù A devotee who rises early in the morning and with folded hands chants these prayers sung by Lord Çiva and gives facility to others to hear them certainly becomes free from all bondage to fruitive activities. gétaà mayedaà naradeva-nandanäù parasya puàsaù paramätmanaù stavam japanta ekägra-dhiyas tapo mahat caradhvam ante tata äpsyathepsitam My dear sons of the King, the prayers I have recited to you are meant for pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul. I advise you to recite these prayers, which are as effective as great austerities. In this way, when you are mature, your life will be successful, and you will certainly achieve all your desired objectives without fail.

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Prayers by Pracetäs (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 04.30.22-42)

pracetasa ücuù namo namaù kleça-vinäçanäya nirüpitodära-guëähvayäya mano-vaco-vega-puro-javäya sarväkña-märgair agatädhvane namaù The Pracetäs spoke as follows: Dear Lord, You relieve all kinds of material distress. Your magnanimous transcendental qualities and holy name are all-auspicious. This conclusion is already settled. You can go faster than the speed of mind and words. You cannot be perceived by material senses. We therefore offer You respectful obeisances again and again. çuddhäya çäntäya namaù sva-niñöhayä manasy apärthaà vilasad-dvayäya namo jagat-sthäna-layodayeñu gåhéta-mäyä-guëa-vigrahäya Dear Lord, we beg to offer our obeisances unto You. When the mind is fixed upon You, the world of duality, although a place for material enjoyment, appears meaningless. Your transcendental form is full of transcendental bliss. We therefore offer our respects unto You. Your appearances as Lord Brahmä, Lord Viñëu and Lord Çiva are meant for the purpose of creating, maintaining and annihilating this cosmic manifestation. namo viçuddha-sattväya haraye hari-medhase väsudeväya kåñëäya prabhave sarva-sätvatäm Dear Lord, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You because Your existence is completely independent of all material influences. Your Lordship always takes away the devotee’s miserable conditions, for Your brain plans how to do so. You live everywhere as Paramätmä; therefore 130

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You are known as Väsudeva. You also accept Vasudeva as Your father, and You are celebrated by the name Kåñëa. You are so kind that You always increase the influence of all kinds of devotees. namaù kamala-näbhäya namaù kamala-mäline namaù kamala-pädäya namas te kamalekñaëa Dear Lord, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You because from Your abdomen sprouts the lotus flower, the origin of all living entities. You are always decorated with a lotus garland, and Your feet resemble the lotus flower with all its fragrance. Your eyes are also like the petals of a lotus flower. Therefore we always offer our respectful obeisances unto You. namaù kamala-kiïjalkapiçaìgämala-väsase sarva-bhüta-niväsäya namo ‘yuìkñmahi säkñiëe Dear Lord, the garment You have put on is yellowish in color, like the saffron of a lotus flower, but it is not made of anything material. Since You live in everyone’s heart, You are the direct witness of all the activities of all living entities. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You again and again. rüpaà bhagavatä tv etad açeña-kleça-saìkñayam äviñkåtaà naù kliñöänäà kim anyad anukampitam Dear Lord, we conditioned souls are always covered by ignorance in the bodily conception of life. We therefore always prefer the miserable conditions of material existence. To deliver us from these miserable conditions, You have advented Yourself in this transcendental form. This is evidence of Your unlimited causeless mercy upon those of us who are suffering in this way. What, then, to speak of the devotees to whom You are always so favorably disposed?

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etävat tvaà hi vibhubhir bhävyaà déneñu vatsalaiù yad anusmaryate käle sva-buddhyäbhadra-randhana Dear Lord, You are the killer of all inauspicious things. You are compassionate upon Your poor devotees through the expansion of Your arcä-vigraha. You should certainly think of us as Your eternal servants. yenopaçäntir bhütänäà kñullakänäm apéhatäm antarhito ‘ntar-hådaye kasmän no veda näçiñaù When the Lord, out of His natural compassion, thinks of His devotee, by that process only are all desires of the neophyte devotee fulfilled. The Lord is situated in every living entity’s heart, although the living entity may be very insignificant. The Lord knows everything about the living entity, including all his desires. Although we are very insignificant, why should the Lord not know our desires? asäv eva varo ‘smäkam épsito jagataù pate prasanno bhagavän yeñäm apavarga-gurur gatiù O Lord of the universe, You are the actual teacher of the science of devotional service. We are satisfied that Your Lordship is the ultimate goal of our lives, and we pray that You will be satisfied with us. That is our benediction. We do not desire anything other than Your full satisfaction. varaà våëémahe ‘thäpi nätha tvat parataù parät na hy antas tvad-vibhüténäà so ‘nanta iti géyase Dear Lord, we shall therefore pray for Your benediction because You are the Supreme, beyond all transcendence, and because there is no end to Your opulences. Consequently, You are celebrated by the name Ananta.

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pärijäte ‘ïjasä labdhe säraìgo ‘nyan na sevate tvad-aìghri-mülam äsädya säkñät kià kià våëémahi Dear Lord, when the bee approaches the celestial tree called the pärijäta, it certainly does not leave the tree, because there is no need for such action. Similarly, when we have approached Your lotus feet and taken shelter of them, what further benediction may we ask of You? yävat te mäyayä spåñöä bhramäma iha karmabhiù tävad bhavat-prasaìgänäà saìgaù syän no bhave bhave Dear Lord, as long as we have to remain within this material world due to our material contamination and wander from one type of body to another and from one planet to another, we pray that we may associate with those who are engaged in discussing Your pastimes. We pray for this benediction life after life, in different bodily forms and on different planets. tulayäma lavenäpi na svargaà näpunar-bhavam bhagavat-saìgi-saìgasya martyänäà kim utäçiñaù Even a moment’s association with a pure devotee cannot be compared to being transferred to heavenly planets or even merging into the Brahman effulgence in complete liberation. For living entities who are destined to give up the body and die, association with pure devotees is the highest benediction. yatreòyante kathä måñöäs tåñëäyäù praçamo yataù nirvairaà yatra bhüteñu nodvego yatra kaçcana Whenever pure topics of the transcendental world are discussed, the members of the audience forget all kinds of material hankerings, at least

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for the time being. Not only that, but they are no longer envious of one another, nor do they suffer from anxiety or fear. yatra näräyaëaù säkñäd bhagavän nyäsinäà gatiù saàstüyate sat-kathäsu mukta-saìgaiù punaù punaù The Supreme Lord, Näräyaëa, is present among devotees who are engaged in hearing and chanting the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Näräyaëa is the ultimate goal of sannyäsés, those in the renounced order of life, and Näräyaëa is worshiped through this saìkértana movement by those who are liberated from material contamination. Indeed, they recite the holy name again and again. teñäà vicaratäà padbhyäà térthänäà pävanecchayä bhétasya kià na roceta tävakänäà samägamaù Dear Lord, Your personal associates, devotees, wander all over the world to purify even the holy places of pilgrimage. Is not such activity pleasing to those who are actually afraid of material existence? vayaà tu säkñäd bhagavan bhavasya priyasya sakhyuù kñaëa-saìgamena suduçcikitsyasya bhavasya måtyor bhiñaktamaà tvädya gatià gatäù sma Dear Lord, by virtue of a moment’s association with Lord Çiva, who is very dear to You and who is Your most intimate friend, we were fortunate to attain You. You are the most expert physician, capable of treating the incurable disease of material existence. On account of our great fortune, we have been able to take shelter at Your lotus feet. yan naù svadhétaà guravaù prasäditä vipräç ca våddhäç ca sad-änuvåttyä äryä natäù suhådo bhrätaraç ca sarväëi bhütäny anasüyayaiva

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Prayers by Pracet äs

yan naù sutaptaà tapa etad éça nirandhasäà kälam adabhram apsu sarvaà tad etat puruñasya bhümno våëémahe te paritoñaëäya Dear Lord, we have studied the Vedas, accepted a spiritual master and offered respect to brähmaëas, advanced devotees and aged personalities who are spiritually very advanced. We have offered our respects to them, and we have not been envious of any brother, friends or anyone else. We have also undergone severe austerities within the water and have not taken food for a long time. All these spiritual assets of ours are simply offered for Your satisfaction. We pray for this benediction only, and nothing more. manuù svayambhür bhagavän bhavaç ca ye ‘nye tapo-jïäna-viçuddha-sattväù adåñöa-pärä api yan-mahimnaù stuvanty atho tvätma-samaà gåëémaù Dear Lord, even great yogés and mystics who are very much advanced by virtue of austerities and knowledge and who have completely situated themselves in pure existence, as well as great personalities like Manu, Lord Brahmä and Lord Çiva, cannot fully understand Your glories and potencies. Nonetheless they have offered their prayers according to their own capacities. In the same way, we, although much lower than these personalities, also offer our prayers according to our own capability. namaù samäya çuddhäya puruñäya paräya ca väsudeväya sattväya tubhyaà bhagavate namaù Dear Lord, You have no enemies or friends. Therefore You are equal to everyone. You cannot be contaminated by sinful activities, and Your transcendental form is always beyond the material creation. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead because You remain everywhere within all existence. You are consequently known as Väsudeva. We offer You our respectful obeisances.

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Canto Five 137

Prayers by Åtvija to the Lord Who Appears in King Näbhi’s Yajïa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.3.4-15)

åtvija ücuù arhasi muhur arhattamärhaëam asmäkam anupathänäà namo nama ity etävat sad-upaçikñitaà ko ‘rhati pumän prakåti-guëa-vyatikara-matir anéça éçvarasya parasya prakåti-puruñayor arväktanäbhir näma-rüpäkåtibhé rüpanirüpaëam; sakala-jana-nikäya-våjina-nirasana-çivatama-pravara-guëagaëaika-deça-kathanäd åte. The priests began to offer prayers to the Lord, saying: O most worshipable one, we are simply Your servants. Although You are full in Yourself, please, out of Your causeless mercy, accept a little service from us, Your eternal servants. We are not actually aware of Your transcendental form, but we can simply offer our respectful obeisances again and again, as instructed by the Vedic literatures and authorized äcäryas. Materialistic living entities are very much attracted to the modes of material nature, and therefore they are never perfect, but You are above the jurisdiction of all material conceptions. Your name, form and qualities are all transcendental and beyond the conception of experimental knowledge. Indeed, who can conceive of You? In the material world we can perceive only material names and qualities. We have no other power than to offer our respectful obeisances and prayers unto You, the transcendental person. The chanting of Your auspicious transcendental qualities will wipe out the sins of all mankind. That is the most auspicious activity for us, and we can thus partially understand Your supernatural position. parijanänuräga-viracita-çabala-saàçabda-salila-sita-kisalaya-tulasikädürväìkurair api sambhåtayä saparyayä kila parama parituñyasi. O Supreme Lord, You are full in every respect. You are certainly very satisfied when Your devotees offer You prayers with faltering voices and in

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ecstasy bring You tulasé leaves, water, twigs bearing new leaves, and newly grown grass. This surely makes You satisfied. athänayäpi na bhavata ijyayoru-bhära-bharayä samucitam artham ihopalabhämahe. We have engaged in Your worship with many things and have offered sacrifices unto You, but we think that there is no need for so many arrangements to please Your Lordship. ätmana evänusavanam aïjasävyatirekeëa bobhüyamänäçeña-puruñärthasvarüpasya kintu näthäçiña äçäsänänäm etad abhisaàrädhana-mätraà bhavitum arhati. All of life’s goals and opulences are directly, self-sufficiently, unceasingly and unlimitedly increasing in You at every moment. Indeed, You are unlimited enjoyment and blissful existence itself. As far as we are concerned, O Lord, we are always after material enjoyment. You do not need all these sacrificial arrangements, but they are meant for us so that we may be benedicted by Your Lordship. All these sacrifices are performed for our fruitive results, and they are not actually needed by You. tad yathä bäliçänäà svayam ätmanaù çreyaù param aviduñäà paramaparama-puruña prakarña-karuëayä sva-mahimänaà cäpavargäkhyam upakalpayiñyan svayaà näpacita evetaravad ihopalakñitaù. O Lord of lords, we are completely ignorant of the execution of dharma, artha, käma and mokña, the process of liberation, because we do not actually know the goal of life. You have appeared personally before us like a person soliciting worship, but actually You are present here just so we can see You. You have come out of Your abundant and causeless mercy in order to serve our purpose, our interest, and give us the benefit of Your personal glory called apavarga, liberation. You have come, although You are not properly worshiped by us due to our ignorance. athäyam eva varo hy arhattama yarhi barhiñi räjarñer varadarñabho bhavän nija-puruñekñaëa-viñaya äsét. 139

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O most worshipable of all, You are the best of all benefactors, and Your appearance at saintly King Näbhi’s sacrificial arena is meant for our benediction. Because You have been seen by us, You have bestowed upon us the most valuable benediction. asaìga-niçita-jïänänala-vidhütäçeña-malänäà bhavat-svabhävänäm ätmärämäëäà munénäm anavarata-pariguëita-guëa-gaëa paramamaìgaläyana-guëa-gaëa-kathano ‘si. Dear Lord, all the great sages who are thoughtful and saintly persons incessantly recount Your spiritual qualities. These sages have already burned up all the unlimited dirty things and, by the fire of knowledge, strengthened their detachment from the material world. Thus they have attained Your qualities and are self-satisfied. Yet even for those who feel spiritual bliss in chanting Your attributes, Your personal presence is very rare. atha kathaïcit skhalana-kñut-patana-jåmbhaëa-duravasthänädiñu vivaçänäà naù smaraëäya jvara-maraëa-daçäyäm api sakala-kaçmalanirasanäni tava guëa-kåta-nämadheyäni vacana-gocaräëi bhavantu. Dear Lord, we may not be able to remember Your name, form and qualities due to stumbling, hunger, falling down, yawning or being in a miserable diseased condition at the time of death when there is a high fever. We therefore pray unto You, O Lord, for You are very affectionate to Your devotees. Please help us remember You and utter Your holy names, attributes and activities, which can dispel all the reactions of our sinful lives. kiïcäyaà räjarñir apatya-kämaù prajäà bhavädåçém äçäsäna éçvaram äçiñäà svargäpavargayor api bhavantam upadhävati prajäyäm arthapratyayo dhanadam ivädhanaù phalékaraëam. Dear Lord, here is the great King Näbhi, whose ultimate goal in life is to have a son like You. Your Lordship, his position is like that of a person approaching a very rich man and begging for a little grain. Mahäräja Näbhi is so desirous of having a son that he is worshiping You for a son, although You can offer him any exalted position, including elevation to the heavenly planets or liberation back to Godhead.

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ko vä iha te ‘paräjito ‘paräjitayä mäyayänavasita-padavyänävåta-matir viñaya-viña-rayänävåta-prakåtir anupäsita-mahac-caraëaù. Dear Lord, unless one worships the lotus feet of great devotees, one will be conquered by the illusory energy, and his intelligence will be bewildered. Indeed, who has not been carried away by the waves of material enjoyment, which are like poison? Your illusory energy is unconquerable. No one can see the path of this material energy or tell how it is working. yad u ha väva tava punar adabhra-kartar iha samähütas taträrtha-dhiyäà mandänäà nas tad yad deva-helanaà deva-devärhasi sämyena sarvän prativoòhum aviduñäm. O Lord, You perform many wonderful activities. Our only aim was to acquire a son by performing this great sacrifice; therefore our intelligence is not very sharp. We are not experienced in ascertaining life’s goal. By inviting You to this negligible sacrifice for some material motive, we have certainly committed a great offense at Your lotus feet. Therefore, O Lord of lords, please excuse our offense because of Your causeless mercy and equal mind.

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Prayers Offered by Lord Çiva to Lord Saìkarñaëa in Ilävåta-varña (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.17.17-24)

çré-bhagavän uväca oà namo bhagavate mahä-puruñäya sarva-guëasaìkhyänäyänantäyävyaktäya nama iti. The most powerful Lord Çiva says: O Supreme Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You in Your expansion as Lord Saìkarñaëa. You are the reservoir of all transcendental qualities. Although You are unlimited, You remain unmanifest to the nondevotees. bhaje bhajanyäraëa-päda-paìkajaà bhagasya kåtsnasya paraà paräyaëam bhakteñv alaà bhävita-bhüta-bhävanaà bhaväpahaà tvä bhava-bhävam éçvaram O my Lord, You are the only worshipable person, for You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the reservoir of all opulences. Your secure lotus feet are the only source of protection for all Your devotees, whom You satisfy by manifesting Yourself in various forms. O my Lord, You deliver Your devotees from the clutches of material existence. Nondevotees, however, remain entangled in material existence by Your will. Kindly accept me as Your eternal servant. na yasya mäyä-guëa-citta-våttibhir nirékñato hy aëv api dåñöir ajyate éçe yathä no ‘jita-manyu-raàhasäà kas taà na manyeta jigéñur ätmanaù We cannot control the force of our anger. Therefore when we look at material things, we cannot avoid feeling attraction or repulsion for them. But the Supreme Lord is never affected in this way. Although He glances over the material world for the purpose of creating, maintaining and 142

Prayers Offered by Lord Çiva to Lord Saìk arñaëa in Iläv åt a-varña

destroying it, He is not affected, even to the slightest degree. Therefore, one who desires to conquer the force of the senses must take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. Then he will be victorious. asad-dåço yaù pratibhäti mäyayä kñébeva madhv-äsava-tämra-locanaù na näga-vadhvo ‘rhaëa éçire hriyä yat-pädayoù sparçana-dharñitendriyäù For persons with impure vision, the Supreme Lord’s eyes appear like those of someone who indiscriminately drinks intoxicating beverages. Thus bewildered, such unintelligent persons become angry at the Supreme Lord, and due to their angry mood the Lord Himself appears angry and very fearful. However, this is an illusion. When the wives of the serpent demon were agitated by the touch of the Lord’s lotus feet, due to shyness they could proceed no further in their worship of Him. Yet the Lord remained unagitated by their touch, for He is equipoised in all circumstances. Therefore who will not worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead ? yam ähur asya sthiti-janma-saàyamaà tribhir vihénaà yam anantam èñayaù na veda siddhärtham iva kvacit sthitaà bhü-maëòalaà mürdha-sahasra-dhämasu Lord Çiva continued: All the great sages accept the Lord as the source of creation, maintenance and destruction, although He actually has nothing to do with these activities. Therefore the Lord is called unlimited. Although the Lord in His incarnation as Çeña holds all the universes on His hoods, each universe feels no heavier than a mustard seed to Him. Therefore, what person desiring perfection will not worship the Lord? yasyädya äséd guëa-vigraho mahän vijïäna-dhiñëyo bhagavän ajaù kila yat-sambhavo ‘haà tri-våtä sva-tejasä vaikärikaà tämasam aindriyaà såje ete vayaà yasya vaçe mahätmanaù sthitäù çakuntä iva sütra-yantritäù 143

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mahän ahaà vaikåta-tämasendriyäù såjäma sarve yad-anugrahäd idam From that Supreme Personality of Godhead appears Lord Brahmä, whose body is made from the total material energy, the reservoir of intelligence predominated by the passionate mode of material nature. From Lord Brahmä, I myself am born as a representation of false ego known as Rudra. By my own power I create all the other demigods, the five elements and the senses. Therefore, I worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is greater than any of us and under whose control are situated all the demigods, material elements and senses, and even Lord Brahmä and I myself, like birds bound by a rope. Only by the Lord’s grace can we create, maintain and annihilate the material world. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Being. yan-nirmitäà karhy api karma-parvaëéà mäyäà jano ‘yaà guëa-sarga-mohitaù na veda nistäraëa-yogam aïjasä tasmai namas te vilayodayätmane The illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead binds all of us conditioned souls to this material world. Therefore, without being favored by Him, persons like us cannot understand how to get out of that illusory energy. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Lord, who is the cause of creation and annihilation.

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Prayers by Bhadraçravä to Lord Hayaçérña in Bhadräçva-varña (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.18.2-6)

bhadraçravasa ücuù oà namo bhagavate dharmäyätma-viçodhanäya nama iti. The ruler Bhadraçravä and his intimate associates utter the following prayer: We offer our respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the reservoir of all religious principles, who cleanses the heart of the conditioned soul in this material world. Again and again we offer our respectful obeisances unto Him. aho vicitraà bhagavad-viceñöitaà ghnantaà jano ‘yaà hi miñan na paçyati dhyäyann asad yarhi vikarma sevituà nirhåtya putraà pitaraà jijéviñati Alas! How wonderful it is that the foolish materialist does not heed the great danger of impending death! He knows that death will surely come, yet he is nevertheless callous and neglectful. If his father dies, he wants to enjoy his father’s property, and if his son dies, he wants to enjoy his son’s possessions as well. In either case, he heedlessly tries to enjoy material happiness with the acquired money. vadanti viçvaà kavayaù sma naçvaraà paçyanti cädhyätmavido vipaçcitaù tathäpi muhyanti taväja mäyayä suvismitaà kåtyam ajaà nato ‘smi tam O unborn one, learned Vedic scholars who are advanced in spiritual knowledge certainly know that this material world is perishable, as do other logicians and philosophers. In trance they realize the factual position of

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this world, and they preach the truth as well. Yet even they are sometimes bewildered by Your illusory energy. This is Your own wonderful pastime. Therefore, I can understand that Your illusory energy is very wonderful, and I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. viçvodbhava-sthäna-nirodha-karma te hy akartur aìgékåtam apy apävåtaù yuktaà na citraà tvayi kärya-käraëe sarvätmani vyatirikte ca vastutaù O Lord, although You are completely detached from the creation, maintenance and annihilation of this material world and are not directly affected by these activities, they are all attributed to You. We do not wonder at this, for Your inconceivable energies perfectly qualify You to be the cause of all causes. You are the active principle in everything, although You are separate from everything. Thus we can realize that everything is happening because of Your inconceivable energy. vedän yugänte tamasä tiraskåtän rasätaläd yo nå-turaìga-vigrahaù pratyädade vai kavaye ‘bhiyäcate tasmai namas te ‘vitathehitäya iti At the end of the millennium, ignorance personified assumed the form of a demon, stole all the Vedas and took them down to the planet of Rasätala. The Supreme Lord, however, in His form of Hayagréva retrieved the Vedas and returned them to Lord Brahmä when he begged for them. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, whose determination never fails.

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Prayers by Prahläda Mahäräja to Lord Nåsiàhadeva in Hari-varña (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.18.8-14)

oà namo bhagavate narasiàhäya namas tejas-tejase ävir-ävirbhava vajranakha vajra-daàñöra karmäçayän randhaya randhaya tamo grasa grasa oà svähä; abhayam abhayam ätmani bhüyiñöhä oà kñraum. I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Nåsiàhadeva, the source of all power. O my Lord who possesses nails and teeth just like thunderbolts, kindly vanquish our demonlike desires for fruitive activity in this material world. Please appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so that by Your mercy we may become fearless in the struggle for existence in this material world. svasty astu viçvasya khalaù prasédatäà dhyäyantu bhütäni çivaà mitho dhiyä manaç ca bhadraà bhajatäd adhokñaje äveçyatäà no matir apy ahaituké May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities become calm by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting devotional service they will think of each other’s welfare. Therefore let us all engage in the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord Çré Kåñëa, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him. mägära-därätmaja-vitta-bandhuñu saìgo yadi syäd bhagavat-priyeñu naù yaù präëa-våttyä parituñöa ätmavän siddhyaty adürän na tathendriya-priyaù My dear Lord, we pray that we may never feel attraction for the prison of family life, consisting of home, wife, children, friends, bank balance, relatives and so on. If we do have some attachment, let it be for devotees, 147

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whose only dear friend is Kåñëa. A person who is actually self-realized and who has controlled his mind is perfectly satisfied with the bare necessities of life. He does not try to gratify his senses. Such a person quickly advances in Kåñëa consciousness, whereas others, who are too attached to material things, find advancement very difficult. yat-saìga-labdhaà nija-vérya-vaibhavaà térthaà muhuù saàspåçatäà hi mänasam haraty ajo ‘ntaù çrutibhir gato ‘ìgajaà ko vai na seveta mukunda-vikramam By associating with persons for whom the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mukunda, is the all in all, one can hear of His powerful activities and soon come to understand them. The activities of Mukunda are so potent that simply by hearing of them one immediately associates with the Lord. For a person who constantly and very eagerly hears narrations of the Lord’s powerful activities, the Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead in the form of sound vibrations, enters within his heart and cleanses it of all contamination. On the other hand, although bathing in the Ganges diminishes bodily contaminations and infections, this process and the process of visiting holy places can cleanse the heart only after a long time. Therefore who is the sane man who will not associate with devotees to quickly perfect his life? yasyästi bhaktir bhagavaty akiïcanä sarvair guëais tatra samäsate suräù haräv abhaktasya kuto mahad-guëä manorathenäsati dhävato bahiù All the demigods and their exalted qualities, such as religion, knowledge and renunciation, become manifest in the body of one who has developed unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Väsudeva. On the other hand, a person devoid of devotional service and engaged in material activities has no good qualities. Even if he is adept at the practice of mystic yoga or the honest endeavor of maintaining his family and relatives, he must be driven by his own mental speculations and must

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P r ayer s by P r a h l äd a Ma h ä r äja to L ord Nå si à h adeva i n H a r i-va r ñ a

engage in the service of the Lord’s external energy. How can there be any good qualities in such a man? harir hi säkñäd bhagavän çarériëäm ätmä jhañäëäm iva toyam épsitam hitvä mahäàs taà yadi sajjate gåhe tadä mahattvaà vayasä dampaténäm Just as aquatics always desire to remain in the vast mass of water, all conditioned living entities naturally desire to remain in the vast existence of the Supreme Lord. Therefore if someone very great by material calculations fails to take shelter of the Supreme Soul but instead becomes attached to material household life, his greatness is like that of a young, low-class couple. One who is too attached to material life loses all good spiritual qualities. tasmäd rajo-räga-viñäda-manyumäna-spåhä-bhayadainyädhimülam hitvä gåhaà saàsåti-cakravälaà nåsiàha-pädaà bhajatäkutobhayam iti Therefore, O demons, give up the so-called happiness of family life and simply take shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Nåsiàhadeva, which are the actual shelter of fearlessness. Entanglement in family life is the root cause of material attachment, indefatigable desires, moroseness, anger, despair, fear and the desire for false prestige, all of which result in the repetition of birth and death.

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Prayers by Lakñmédevé to Lord Kämadeva (Pradyumna) in Ketumäla-varña (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.18.18-23)

oà hräà hréà hrüà oà namo bhagavate håñékeçäya sarva-guëa-viçeñair vilakñitätmane äküténäà citténäà cetasäà viçeñäëäà cädhipataye ñoòaçakaläya cchando-mayäyänna-mayäyämåta-mayäya sarva-mayäya sahase ojase baläya käntäya kämäya namas te ubhayatra bhüyät. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Håñékeça, the controller of all my senses and the origin of everything. As the supreme master of all bodily, mental and intellectual activities, He is the only enjoyer of their results. The five sense objects and eleven senses, including the mind, are His partial manifestations. He supplies all the necessities of life, which are His energy and thus nondifferent from Him, and He is the cause of everyone’s bodily and mental prowess, which is also nondifferent from Him. Indeed, He is the husband and provider of necessities for all living entities. The purpose of all the Vedas is to worship Him. Therefore let us all offer Him our respectful obeisances. May He always be favorable toward us in this life and the next. striyo vratais tvä håñékeçvaraà svato hy ärädhya loke patim äçäsate ‘nyam täsäà na te vai paripänty apatyaà priyaà dhanäyüàñi yato ‘sva-tanträù My dear Lord, You are certainly the fully independent master of all the senses. Therefore all women who worship You by strictly observing vows because they wish to acquire a husband to satisfy their senses are surely under illusion. They do not know that such a husband cannot actually give protection to them or their children. Nor can he protect their wealth 150

P r a y e r s b y L a k ñ m é d e v é t o L o r d K ä m a d e v a ( P r a d y u m n a) i n K e t u m ä l a - v a r ñ a

or duration of life, for he himself is dependent on time, fruitive results and the modes of nature, which are all subordinate to You. sa vai patiù syäd akutobhayaù svayaà samantataù päti bhayäturaà janam sa eka evetarathä mitho bhayaà naivätmaläbhäd adhi manyate param He alone who is never afraid but who, on the contrary, gives complete shelter to all fearful persons can actually become a husband and protector. Therefore, my Lord, you are the only husband, and no one else can claim this position. If you were not the only husband, You would be afraid of others. Therefore persons learned in all Vedic literature accept only Your Lordship as everyone’s master, and they think no one else a better husband and protector than You. yä tasya te päda-saroruhärhaëaà nikämayet säkhila-käma-lampaöä tad eva räsépsitam épsito ‘rcito yad-bhagna-yäcïä bhagavan pratapyate My dear Lord, You automatically fulfill all the desires of a woman who worships Your lotus feet in pure love. However, if a woman worships Your lotus feet for a particular purpose, You also quickly fulfill her desires, but in the end she becomes broken-hearted and laments. Therefore one need not worship Your lotus feet for some material benefit. mat-präptaye ‘jeça-suräsurädayas tapyanta ugraà tapa aindriye dhiyaù åte bhavat-päda-paräyaëän na mäà vindanty ahaà tvad-dhådayä yato ‘jita O supreme unconquerable Lord, when they become absorbed in thoughts of material enjoyment, Lord Brahmä and Lord Çiva, as well as other demigods and demons, undergo severe penances and austerities to receive my benedictions. But I do not favor anyone, however great he may be; unless he is always engaged in the service of Your lotus feet. Because I always keep You within my heart, I cannot favor anyone but a devotee. 151

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

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sa tvaà mamäpy acyuta çérñëi vanditaà karämbujaà yat tvad-adhäyi sätvatäm bibharñi mäà lakñma vareëya mäyayä ka éçvarasyehitam ühituà vibhur iti O infallible one, Your lotus palm is the source of all benediction. Therefore Your pure devotees worship it, and You very mercifully place Your hand on their heads. I wish that You may also place Your hand on My head, for although You already bear my insignia of golden streaks on Your chest, I regard this honor as merely a kind of false prestige for me. You show Your real mercy to Your devotees, not to me. Of course, You are the supreme absolute controller, and no one can understand Your motives.

152

Prayers by Manu to Matsya in Ramyaka-varña (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.18.25-28)

oà namo bhagavate mukhyatamäya namaù sattväya präëäyaujase sahase baläya mahä-matsyäya nama iti. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is pure transcendence. He is the origin of all life, bodily strength, mental power and sensory ability. Known as Matsyävatära, the gigantic fish incarnation, He appears first among all the incarnations. Again I offer my obeisances unto Him. antar bahiç cäkhila-loka-pälakair adåñöa-rüpo vicarasy uru-svanaù sa éçvaras tvaà ya idaà vaçe ‘nayan nämnä yathä därumayéà naraù striyam My dear Lord, just as a puppeteer controls his dancing dolls and a husband controls his wife, Your Lordship controls all the living entities in the universe, such as the brähmaëas, kñatriyas, vaiçyas and çüdras. Although You are in everyone’s heart as the supreme witness and commander and are outside everyone as well, the so-called leaders of societies, communities and countries cannot realize You. Only those who hear the vibration of the Vedic mantras can appreciate You. yaà loka-päläù kila matsara-jvarä hitvä yatanto ‘pi påthak sametya ca pätuà na çekur dvi-padaç catuñ-padaù sarésåpaà sthäëu yad atra dåçyate My Lord, from the great leaders of the universe, such as Lord Brahmä and other demigods, down to the political leaders of this world, all are envious of Your authority. Without Your help, however, they could neither

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separately nor concertedly maintain the innumerable living entities within the universe. You are actually the only maintainer of all human beings, of animals like cows and asses, and of plants, reptiles, birds, mountains and whatever else is visible within this material world. bhavän yugäntärëava ürmi-mälini kñoëém imäm oñadhi-vérudhäà nidhim mayä sahoru kramate ‘ja ojasä tasmai jagat-präëa-gaëätmane nama iti O almighty Lord, at the end of the millennium this planet earth, which is the source of all kinds of herbs, drugs and trees, was inundated by water and drowned beneath the devastating waves. At that time, You protected me along with the earth and roamed the sea with great speed. O unborn one, You are the actual maintainer of the entire universal creation, and therefore You are the cause of all living entities. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

154

Prayers by Aryamä to Lord Kürma in Hiraëmaya-varña (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.18.30-33)

oà namo bhagavate aküpäräya sarva-sattva-guëa-viçeñaëäyänu-palakñitasthänäya namo varñmaëe namo bhümne namo namo ‘vasthänäya namas te. O my Lord, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who have assumed the form of a tortoise. You are the reservoir of all transcendental qualities, and being entirely untinged by matter, You are perfectly situated in pure goodness. You move here and there in the water, but no one can discern Your position. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. Because of Your transcendental position, You are not limited by past, present and future. You are present everywhere as the shelter of all things, and therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You again and again. yad-rüpam etan nija-mäyayärpitam artha-svarüpaà bahu-rüpa-rüpitam saìkhyä na yasyästy ayathopalambhanät tasmai namas te ‘vyapadeça-rüpiëe My dear Lord, this visible cosmic manifestation is a demonstration of Your own creative energy. Since the countless varieties of forms within this cosmic manifestation are simply a display of Your external energy, this viräö-rüpa [universal body] is not Your real form. Except for a devotee in transcendental consciousness, no one can perceive Your actual form. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. jaräyujaà svedajam aëòajodbhidaà caräcaraà devarñi-pitå-bhütam aindriyam dyauù khaà kñitiù çaila-sarit-samudradvépa-graharkñety abhidheya ekaù

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My dear Lord, You manifest Your different energies in countless forms: as living entities born from wombs, from eggs and from perspiration; as plants and trees that grow out of the earth; as all living entities, both moving and standing, including the demigods, the learned sages and the pitäs; as outer space, as the higher planetary system containing the heavenly planets, and as the planet earth with its hills, rivers, seas, oceans and islands. Indeed, all the stars and planets are simply manifestations of Your different energies, but originally You are one without a second. Therefore there is nothing beyond You. This entire cosmic manifestation is therefore not false but is simply a temporary manifestation of Your inconceivable energy. yasminn asaìkhyeya-viçeña-nämarüpäkåtau kavibhiù kalpiteyam saìkhyä yayä tattva-dåçäpanéyate tasmai namaù säìkhya-nidarçanäya te iti O my Lord, Your name, form and bodily features are expanded in countless forms. No one can determine exactly how many forms exist, yet You Yourself, in Your incarnation as the learned scholar Kapiladeva, have analyzed the cosmic manifestation as containing twenty-four elements. Therefore if one is interested in Säìkhya philosophy, by which one can enumerate the different truths, he must hear it from You. Unfortunately, nondevotees simply count the different elements and remain ignorant of Your actual form. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

156

Prayers by Bhümi Devé to Lord Varäha in Jambüdvépa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.18.35-39)

oà namo bhagavate mantra-tattva-liìgäya yajïa-kratave mahä-dhvarävayaväya mahä-puruñäya namaù karma-çukläya tri-yugäya namas te. O Lord, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You as the gigantic person. Simply by chanting mantras, we shall be able to understand You fully. You are yajïa [sacrifice], and You are the kratu [ritual]. Therefore all the ritualistic ceremonies of sacrifice are part of Your transcendental body, and You are the only enjoyer of all sacrifices. Your form is composed of transcendental goodness. You are known as tri-yuga because in Kaliyuga You appeared as a concealed incarnation and because You always fully possess the three pairs of opulences. yasya svarüpaà kavayo vipaçcito guëeñu däruñv iva jäta-vedasam mathnanti mathnä manasä didåkñavo güòhaà kriyärthair nama éritätmane By manipulating a fire-generating stick, great saints and sages can bring forth the fire lying dormant within wood. In the same way, O Lord, those expert in understanding the Absolute Truth try to see You in everything— even in their own bodies. Yet you remain concealed. You are not to be understood by indirect processes involving mental or physical activities. Because You are self-manifested, only when You see that a person is wholeheartedly engaged in searching for You do You reveal Yourself. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. dravya-kriyä-hetv-ayaneça-kartåbhir mäyä-guëair vastu-nirékñitätmane

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In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 05

anvékñayäìgätiçayätma-buddhibhir nirasta-mäyäkåtaye namo namaù The objects of material enjoyment [sound, form, taste, touch and smell], the activities of the senses, the controllers of sensory activities [the demigods], the body, eternal time and egotism are all creations of Your material energy. Those whose intelligence has become fixed by perfect execution of mystic yoga can see that all these elements result from the actions of Your external energy. They can also see Your transcendental form as Supersoul in the background of everything. Therefore I repeatedly offer my respectful obeisances unto You. karoti viçva-sthiti-saàyamodayaà yasyepsitaà nepsitam ékñitur guëaiù mäyä yathäyo bhramate tad-äçrayaà grävëo namas te guëa-karma-säkñiëe O Lord, You do not desire the creation, maintenance or annihilation of this material world, but You perform these activities for the conditioned souls by Your creative energy. Exactly as a piece of iron moves under the influence of a lodestone, inert matter moves when You glance over the total material energy. pramathya daityaà prativäraëaà mådhe yo mäà rasäyä jagad-ädi-sükaraù kåtvägra-daàñöre niragäd udanvataù kréòann ivebhaù praëatäsmi taà vibhum iti My Lord, as the original boar within this universe, You fought and killed the great demon Hiraëyakña. Then You lifted me [the earth] from the Garbhodaka Ocean on the end of Your tusk, exactly as a sporting elephant plucks a lotus flower from the water. I bow down before You.

158

Prayers by Hanumän and others in Kimpuruña-varña (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.19.2-8)

ärñöiñeëena saha gandharvair anugéyamänäà parama-kalyäëéà bhartåbhagavat-kathäà samupaçåëoti svayaà cedaà gäyati. A host of Gandharvas is always engaged in chanting the glories of Lord Rämacandra. That chanting is always extremely auspicious. Hanumänjé and Arñöiñeëa, the chief person in Kimpuruña-varña, constantly hear those glories with complete attention. Hanumän chants the following mantras. oà namo bhagavate uttamaçlokäya nama ärya-lakñaëa-çéla-vratäya nama upaçikñitätmana upäsita-lokäya namaù sädhu-väda-nikañaëäya namo brahmaëya-deväya mahä-puruñäya mahä-räjäya nama iti. Let me please Your Lordship by chanting the béja-mantra oàkära. I wish to offer my respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, who is the best among the most highly elevated personalities. Your Lordship is the reservoir of all the good qualities of Äryans, people who are advanced. Your character and behavior are always consistent, and You always control Your senses and mind. Acting just like an ordinary human being, You exhibit exemplary character to teach others how to behave. There is a touchstone that can be used to examine the quality of gold, but You are like a touchstone that can verify all good qualities. You are worshiped by brähmaëas who are the foremost of all devotees. You, the Supreme Person, are the King of kings, and therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. yat tad viçuddhänubhava-mätram ekaà sva-tejasä dhvasta-guëa-vyavastham pratyak praçäntaà sudhiyopalambhanaà hy anäma-rüpaà nirahaà prapadye

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In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

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The Lord, whose pure form [sac-cid-änanda-vigraha [Bs. 5.1]] is uncontaminated by the modes of material nature, can be perceived by pure consciousness. In the Vedänta He is described as being one without a second. Because of His spiritual potency, He is untouched by the contamination of material nature, and because He is not subjected to material vision, He is known as transcendental. He has no material activities, nor has He a material form or name. Only in pure consciousness, Kåñëa consciousness, can one perceive the transcendental form of the Lord. Let us be firmly fixed at the lotus feet of Lord Rämacandra, and let us offer our respectful obeisances unto those transcendental lotus feet. martyävatäras tv iha martya-çikñaëaà rakño-vadhäyaiva na kevalaà vibhoù kuto ‘nyathä syäd ramataù sva ätmanaù sétä-kåtäni vyasanänéçvarasya It was ordained that Rävaëa, chief of the Räkñasas, could not be killed by anyone but a man, and for this reason Lord Rämacandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appeared in the form of a human being. Lord Rämacandra’s mission, however, was not only to kill Rävaëa but also to teach mortal beings that material happiness centered around sex life or centered around one’s wife is the cause of many miseries. He is the selfsufficient Supreme Personality of Godhead, and nothing is lamentable for Him. Therefore why else could He be subjected to tribulations by the kidnapping of mother Sétä? na vai sa ätmätmavatäà suhåttamaù saktas tri-lokyäà bhagavän väsudevaù na stré-kåtaà kaçmalam açnuvéta na lakñmaëaà cäpi vihätum arhati Since Lord Çré Rämacandra is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Väsudeva, He is not attached to anything in this material world. He is the most beloved Supersoul of all self-realized souls, and He is their very intimate friend. He is full of all opulences. Therefore He could not possibly have suffered because of separation from His wife, nor could He 160

Prayers by H anum än and ot hers in K impur uña-varña

have given up His wife and Lakñmaëa, His younger brother. To give up either would have been absolutely impossible. na janma nünaà mahato na saubhagaà na väì na buddhir näkåtis toña-hetuù tair yad visåñöän api no vanaukasaç cakära sakhye bata lakñmaëägrajaù One cannot establish a friendship with the Supreme Lord Rämacandra on the basis of material qualities such as one’s birth in an aristocratic family, one’s personal beauty, one’s eloquence, one’s sharp intelligence or one’s superior race or nation. None of these qualifications is actually a prerequisite for friendship with Lord Çré Rämacandra. Otherwise how is it possible that although we uncivilized inhabitants of the forest have not taken noble births, although we have no physical beauty and although we cannot speak like gentlemen, Lord Rämacandra has nevertheless accepted us as friends? suro ‘suro väpy atha vänaro naraù sarvätmanä yaù sukåtajïam uttamam bhajeta rämaà manujäkåtià harià ya uttarän anayat kosalän divam iti Therefore, whether one is a demigod or a demon, a man or a creature other than man, such as a beast or bird, everyone should worship Lord Rämacandra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who appears on this earth just like a human being. There is no need of great austerities or penances to worship the Lord, for Me accepts even a small service offered by His devotee. Thus He is satisfied, and as soon as He is satisfied, the devotee is successful. Indeed, Lord Çré Rämacandra brought all the devotees of Ayodhyä back home, back to Godhead [Vaikuëöha].

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Prayers by Çré Närada to Nara-Näräyaëa Åñi in Bhärata-varña (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.19.11-15)

oà namo bhagavate upaçama-çéläyoparatänätmyäya namo ‘kiïcanavittäya åñi-åñabhäya nara-näräyaëäya paramahaàsa-parama-gurave ätmärämädhipataye namo nama iti. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Nara-Näräyaëa, the best of all saintly persons, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the most self-controlled and self-realized, He is free from false prestige, and He is the asset of persons who have no material possessions. He is the spiritual master of all paramahaàsas, who are the most exalted human beings, and He is the master of the self-realized. Let me offer my repeated obeisances at His lotus feet. gäyati cedam— kartäsya sargädiñu yo na badhyate na hanyate deha-gato ‘pi daihikaiù drañöur na dåg yasya guëair vidüñyate tasmai namo ‘sakta-vivikta-säkñiëe Närada, the most powerful saintly sage, also worships Nara-Näräyaëa by chanting the following mantra: The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the master of the creation, maintenance and annihilation of this visible cosmic manifestation, yet He is completely free from false prestige. Although to the foolish He appears to have accepted a material body like us, He is unaffected by bodily tribulations like hunger, thirst and fatigue. Although He is the witness who sees everything, His senses are unpolluted by the objects He sees. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto that unattached, pure witness of the world, the Supreme Soul, the Personality of Godhead.

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Prayers by Çr é Närad a to Nara-Näräyaë a Å ñi in Bh ärat a-varña

idaà hi yogeçvara yoga-naipuëaà hiraëyagarbho bhagaväï jagäda yat yad anta-käle tvayi nirguëe mano bhaktyä dadhétojjhita-duñkalevaraù O my Lord, master of all mystic yoga, this is the explanation of the yogic process spoken of by Lord Brahmä [Hiraëyagarbha], who is selfrealized. At the time of death, all yogés give up the material body with full detachment simply by placing their minds at Your lotus feet. That is the perfection of yoga. yathaihikämuñmika-käma-lampaöaù suteñu däreñu dhaneñu cintayan çaìketa vidvän kukalevarätyayäd yas tasya yatnaù çrama eva kevalam Materialists are generally very attached to their present bodily comforts and to the bodily comforts they expect in the future. Therefore they are always absorbed in thoughts of their wives, children and wealth and are afraid of giving up their bodies, which are full of stool and urine. If a person engaged in Kåñëa consciousness, however, is also afraid of giving up his body, what is the use of his having labored to study the çästras? It was simply a waste of time. tan naù prabho tvaà kukalevarärpitäà tvan-mäyayähaà-mamatäm adhokñaja bhindyäma yenäçu vayaà sudurbhidäà vidhehi yogaà tvayi naù svabhävam iti Therefore, O Lord, O Transcendence, kindly help us by giving us the power to execute bhakti-yoga so that we can control our restless minds and fix them upon You. We are all infected by Your illusory energy; therefore we are very attached to the body, which is full of stool and urine, and to anything related with the body. Except for devotional service, there is no way to give up this attachment. Therefore kindly bestow upon us this benediction.

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Demigods Glorification of Birth in Bhärata-varña (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.19.21-27)

etad eva hi devä gäyanti— aho améñäà kim akäri çobhanaà prasanna eñäà svid uta svayaà hariù yair janma labdhaà nåñu bhäratäjire mukunda-sevaupayikaà spåhä hi naù Since the human form of life is the sublime position for spiritual realization, all the demigods in heaven speak in this way: How wonderful it is for these human beings to have been born in the land of Bhäratavarña. They must have executed pious acts of austerity in the past, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself must have been pleased with them. Otherwise, how could they engage in devotional service in so many ways? We demigods can only aspire to achieve human births in Bhäratavarña to execute devotional service, but these human beings are already engaged there. kià duñkarair naù kratubhis tapo-vratair dänädibhir vä dyujayena phalgunä na yatra näräyaëa-päda-paìkajasmåtiù pramuñöätiçayendriyotsavät The demigods continue: After performing the very difficult tasks of executing Vedic ritualistic sacrifices, undergoing austerities, observing vows and giving charity, we have achieved this position as inhabitants of the heavenly planets. But what is the value of this achievement? Here we are certainly very engaged in material sense gratification, and therefore we can hardly remember the lotus feet of Lord Näräyaëa. Indeed, because of our excessive sense gratification, we have almost forgotten His lotus feet.

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D e m i go d s Gl o r i f i c a t i o n o f B i r t h i n B h ä r a t a - v a r ñ a

kalpäyuñäà sthänajayät punar-bhavät kñaëäyuñäà bhärata-bhüjayo varam kñaëena martyena kåtaà manasvinaù sannyasya saàyänty abhayaà padaà hareù A short life in the land of Bharata-varña is preferable to a life achieved in Brahmaloka for millions and billions of years because even if one is elevated to Brahmaloka, he must return to repeated birth and death. Although life in Bhärata-varña, in a lower planetary system, is very short, one who lives there can elevate himself to full Kåñëa consciousness and achieve the highest perfection, even in this short life, by fully surrendering unto the lotus feet of the Lord. Thus one attains Vaikuëöhaloka, where there is neither anxiety nor repeated birth in a material body. na yatra vaikuëöha-kathä-sudhäpagä na sädhavo bhägavatäs tadäçrayäù na yatra yajïeça-makhä mahotsaväù sureça-loko ‘pi na vai sa sevyatäm An intelligent person does not take interest in a place, even in the topmost planetary system, if the pure Ganges of topics concerning the Supreme Lord’s activities does not flow there, if there are not devotees engaged in service on the banks of such a river of piety, or if there are no festivals of saìkértana-yajïa to satisfy the Lord [especially since saìkértana-yajïa is recommended in this age]. präptä nå-jätià tv iha ye ca jantavo jïäna-kriyä-dravya-kaläpa-sambhåtäm na vai yaterann apunar-bhaväya te bhüyo vanaukä iva yänti bandhanam Bhärata-varña offers the proper land and circumstances in which to execute devotional service, which can free one from the results of jïäna and karma. If one obtains a human body in the land of Bhärata-varña, with clear sensory organs with which to execute the saìkértana-yajïa, but in spite of this opportunity he does not take to devotional service, he is certainly like liberated forest animals and birds that are careless and are therefore again bound by a hunter. 165

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 05

yaiù çraddhayä barhiñi bhägaço havir niruptam iñöaà vidhi-mantra-vastutaù ekaù påthaì-nämabhir ähuto mudä gåhëäti pürëaù svayam äçiñäà prabhuù In India [Bhärata-varña], there are many worshipers of the demigods, the various officials appointed by the Supreme Lord, such as Indra, Candra and Sürya, all of whom are worshiped differently. The worshipers offer the demigods their oblations, considering the demigods part and parcel of the whole, the Supreme Lord. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepts these offerings and gradually raises the worshipers to the real standard of devotional service by fulfilling their desires and aspirations. Because the Lord is complete, He offers the worshipers the benedictions they desire even if they worship only part of His transcendental body. satyaà diçaty arthitam arthito nåëäà naivärthado yat punar arthitä yataù svayaà vidhatte bhajatäm anicchatäm icchäpidhänaà nija-päda-pallavam The Supreme Personality of Godhead fulfills the material desires of a devotee who approaches Him with such motives, but He does not bestow benedictions upon the devotee that will cause him to demand more benedictions again. However, the Lord willingly gives the devotee shelter at His own lotus feet, even though such a person does not aspire for it, and that shelter satisfies all his desires. That is the Supreme Personality’s special mercy.

166

Maìgaläcaraëa

Canto Six

167

Haàsa-guhya Prayers by Prajäpati Dakña (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.4.23-34)

çré-prajäpatir uväca namaù paräyävitathänubhütaye guëa-trayäbhäsa-nimitta-bandhave adåñöa-dhämne guëa-tattva-buddhibhir nivåtta-mänäya dadhe svayambhuve Prajäpati Dakña said: The Supreme Personality of Godhead is transcendental to the illusory energy and the physical categories it produces. He possesses the potency for unfailing knowledge and supreme willpower, and He is the controller of the living entities and the illusory energy. The conditioned souls who have accepted this material manifestation as everything cannot see Him, for He is above the evidence of experimental knowledge. Selfevident and self-sufficient, He is not caused by any superior cause. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Him. na yasya sakhyaà puruño ‘vaiti sakhyuù sakhä vasan saàvasataù pure ‘smin guëo yathä guëino vyakta-dåñöes tasmai maheçäya namaskaromi As the sense objects [form, taste, touch, smell and sound] cannot understand how the senses perceive them, so the conditioned soul, although residing in his body along with the Supersoul, cannot understand how the supreme spiritual person, the master of the material creation, directs his senses. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto that Supreme Person, who is the supreme controller. deho ‘savo ‘kñä manavo bhüta-mäträm ätmänam anyaà ca viduù paraà yat

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sarvaà pumän veda guëäàç ca taj-jïo na veda sarva-jïam anantam éòe Because they are only matter, the body, the life airs, the external and internal senses, the five gross elements and the subtle sense objects [form, taste, smell, sound and touch] cannot know their own nature, the nature of the other senses or the nature of their controllers. But the living being, because of his spiritual nature, can know his body, the life airs, the senses, the elements and the sense objects, and he can also know the three qualities that form their roots. Nevertheless, although the living being is completely aware of them, he is unable to see the Supreme Being, who is omniscient and unlimited. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto Him. yadoparämo manaso näma-rüparüpasya dåñöa-småti-sampramoñät ya éyate kevalayä sva-saàsthayä haàsäya tasmai çuci-sadmane namaù When one’s consciousness is completely purified of the contamination of material existence, gross and subtle, without being agitated as in the working and dreaming states, and when the mind is not dissolved as in suñupti, deep sleep, one comes to the platform of trance. Then one’s material vision and the memories of the mind, which manifests names and forms, are vanquished. Only in such a trance is the Supreme Personality of Godhead revealed. Thus let us offer our respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is seen in that uncontaminated, transcendental state. manéñiëo ‘ntar-hådi sanniveçitaà sva-çaktibhir navabhiç ca trivådbhiù vahnià yathä däruëi päïcadaçyaà manéñayä niñkarñanti güòham sa vai mamäçeña-viçeña-mäyäniñedha-nirväëa-sukhänubhütiù sa sarva-nämä sa ca viçva-rüpaù prasédatäm aniruktätma-çaktiù 169

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Just as great learned brähmaëas who are expert in performing ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices can extract the fire dormant within wooden fuel by chanting the fifteen Sämidhené mantras, thus proving the efficacy of the Vedic mantras, so those who are actually advanced in consciousness— in other words, those who are Kåñëa conscious—can find the Supersoul, who by His own spiritual potency is situated within the heart. The heart is covered by the three modes of material nature and the nine material elements [material nature, the total material energy, the ego, the mind and the five objects of sense gratification], and also by the five material elements and the ten senses. These twenty-seven elements constitute the external energy of the Lord. Great yogés meditate upon the Lord, who is situated as the Supersoul, Paramätmä, within the core of the heart. May that Supersoul be pleased with me. The Supersoul is realized when one is eager for liberation from the unlimited varieties of material life. One actually attains such liberation when he engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord and realizes the Lord because of his attitude of service. The Lord may be addressed by various spiritual names, which are inconceivable to the material senses. When will that Supreme Personality of Godhead be pleased with me? yad yan niruktaà vacasä nirüpitaà dhiyäkñabhir vä manasota yasya mä bhüt svarüpaà guëa-rüpaà hi tat tat sa vai guëäpäya-visarga-lakñaëaù Anything expressed by material vibrations, anything ascertained by material intelligence and anything experienced by the material senses or concocted within the material mind is but an effect of the modes of material nature and therefore has nothing to do with the real nature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Lord is beyond the creation of this material world, for He is the source of the material qualities and creation. As the cause of all causes, He exists before the creation and after the creation. I wish to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him. yasmin yato yena ca yasya yasmai yad yo yathä kurute käryate ca 170

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parävareñäà paramaà präk prasiddhaà tad brahma tad dhetur ananyad ekam The Supreme Brahman, Kåñëa, is the ultimate resting place and source of everything. Everything is done by Him, everything belongs to Him, and everything is offered to Him. He is the ultimate objective, and whether acting or causing others to act, He is the ultimate doer. There are many causes, high and low, but since He is the cause of all causes, He is well known as the Supreme Brahman who existed before all activities. He is one without a second and has no other cause. I therefore offer my respects unto Him. yac-chaktayo vadatäà vädinäà vai viväda-saàväda-bhuvo bhavanti kurvanti caiñäà muhur ätma-mohaà tasmai namo ‘nanta-guëäya bhümne Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the all-pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead, who possesses unlimited transcendental qualities. Acting from within the cores of the hearts of all philosophers, who propagate various views, He causes them to forget their own souls while sometimes agreeing and sometimes disagreeing among themselves. Thus He creates within this material world a situation in which they are unable to come to a conclusion. I offer my obeisances unto Him. astéti nästéti ca vastu-niñöhayor eka-sthayor bhinna-viruddha-dharmaëoù avekñitaà kiïcana yoga-säìkhyayoù samaà paraà hy anukülaà båhat tat There are two parties—namely, the theists and the atheists. The theist, who accepts the Supersoul, finds the spiritual cause through mystic yoga. The Säìkhyite, however, who merely analyzes the material elements, comes to a conclusion of impersonalism and does not accept a supreme cause—whether Bhagavän, Paramätmä or even Brahman. Instead, he is preoccupied with the superfluous, external activities of material nature. Ultimately, however, both parties demonstrate the Absolute Truth because although they offer opposing statements, their object is the same 171

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ultimate cause. They are both approaching the same Supreme Brahman, to whom I offer my respectful obeisances. yo ‘nugrahärthaà bhajatäà päda-mülam anäma-rüpo bhagavän anantaù nämäni rüpäëi ca janma-karmabhir bheje sa mahyaà paramaù prasédatu The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is inconceivably opulent, who is devoid of all material names, forms and pastimes, and who is allpervading, is especially merciful to the devotees who worship His lotus feet. Thus He exhibits transcendental forms and names with His different pastimes. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose form is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss, be merciful to me. yaù präkåtair jïäna-pathair janänäà yathäçayaà deha-gato vibhäti yathänilaù pärthivam äçrito guëaà sa éçvaro me kurutäà manoratham As the air carries various characteristics of the physical elements, like the aroma of a flower or colors resulting from a mixture of dust in the air, the Lord appears through lower systems of worship according to one’s desires, although He appears as the demigods and not in His original form. What is the use of these other forms? May the original Supreme Personality of Godhead please fulfill my desires.

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Prayers by Demigods to the Supreme Lord (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.9.21-27)

çré-devä ücuù väyv-ambarägny-ap-kñitayas tri-lokä brahmädayo ye vayam udvijantaù haräma yasmai balim antako ‘sau bibheti yasmäd araëaà tato naù The demigods said: The three worlds are created by the five elements— namely ether, air, fire, water and earth—which are controlled by various demigods, beginning from Lord Brahmä. Being very much afraid that the time factor will end our existence, we offer presentations unto time by performing our work as time dictates. The time factor himself, however, is afraid of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore let us now worship that Supreme Lord, who alone can give us full protection. avismitaà taà paripürëa-kämaà svenaiva läbhena samaà praçäntam vinopasarpaty aparaà hi bäliçaù çva-läìgulenätititarti sindhum Free from all material conceptions of existence and never wonder-struck by anything, the Lord is always jubilant and fully satisfied by His own spiritual perfection. He has no material designations, and therefore He is steady and unattached. That Supreme Personality of Godhead is the only shelter of everyone. Anyone desiring to be protected by others is certainly a great fool who desires to cross the sea by holding the tail of a dog. yasyoru-çåìge jagatéà sva-nävaà manur yathäbadhya tatära durgam sa eva nas tväñöra-bhayäd durantät trätäçritän väricaro ‘pi nünam

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The Manu named King Satyavrata formerly saved himself by tying the small boat of the entire world to the horn of the Matsya avatära, the fish incarnation. By the grace of the Matsya avatära, Manu saved himself from the great danger of the flood. May that same fish incarnation save us from the great and fearful danger caused by the son of Tvañöä. purä svayambhür api saàyamämbhasy udérëa-vätormi-ravaiù karäle eko ‘ravindät patitas tatära tasmäd bhayäd yena sa no ‘stu päraù In the beginning of creation, a tremendous wind caused fierce waves of inundating water. The great waves made such a horrible sound that Lord Brahmä almost fell from his seat on the lotus into the water of devastation, but he was saved with the help of the Lord. Thus we also expect the Lord to protect us from this dangerous condition. ya eka éço nija-mäyayä naù sasarja yenänusåjäma viçvam vayaà na yasyäpi puraù saméhataù paçyäma liìgaà påthag éça-mäninaù The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who created us by His external potency and by whose mercy we expand the creation of the universe, is always situated before us as the Supersoul, but we cannot see His form. We are unable to see Him because all of us think that we are separate and independent gods. yo naù sapatnair bhåçam ardyamänän devarñi-tiryaì-nåñu nitya eva kåtävatäras tanubhiù sva-mäyayä kåtvätmasät päti yuge yuge ca tam eva devaà vayam ätma-daivataà paraà pradhänaà puruñaà viçvam anyam vrajäma sarve çaraëaà çaraëyaà svänäà sa no dhäsyati çaà mahätmä By His inconceivable internal potency, the Supreme Personality of Godhead expands into various transcendental bodies as Vämanadeva, the 174

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incarnation of strength among the demigods; Paraçuräma, the incarnation among saints; Nåsiàhadeva and Varäha, incarnations among animals; and Matsya and Kürma, incarnations among aquatics. He accepts various transcendental bodies among all types of living entities, and among human beings He especially appears as Lord Kåñëa and Lord Räma. By His causeless mercy, He protects the demigods, who are always harassed by the demons. He is the supreme worshipable Deity of all living entities. He is the supreme cause, represented as the male and female creative energies. Although different from this universe, He exists in His universal form [viräö-rüpa]. In our fearful condition, let us take shelter of Him, for we are sure that the Supreme Lord, the Supreme Soul, will give us His protection.

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Prayers by Demigods to the Supreme Lord after His Appearance (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.9.31-45)

çré-devä ücuù namas te yajïa-véryäya vayase uta te namaù namas te hy asta-cakräya namaù supuru-hütaye The demigods said: O Supreme Personality of Godhead, You are competent to give the results of sacrifice, and You are also the time factor that destroys all such results in due course. You are the one who releases the cakra to kill the demons. O Lord, who possess many varieties of names, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You. yat te gaténäà tisåëäm éçituù paramaà padam närväcéno visargasya dhätar veditum arhati O supreme controller, You control the three destinations [promotion to the heavenly planets, birth as a human being, and condemnation in hell], yet Your supreme abode is Vaikuëöha-dhäma. Since we appeared after You created this cosmic manifestation, Your activities are impossible for us to understand. We therefore have nothing to offer You but our humble obeisances. oà namas te ‘stu bhagavan näräyaëa väsudevädi-puruña mahä-puruña mahänubhäva parama-maìgala parama-kalyäëa parama-käruëika kevala jagad-ädhära lokaika-nätha sarveçvara lakñmé-nätha paramahaàsaparivräjakaiù parameëätma-yoga-samädhinä paribhävita-parisphuöapäramahaàsya-dharmeëodghäöita-tamaù-kapäöa-dväre citte ‘pävåta ätmaloke svayam upalabdha-nija-sukhänubhavo bhavän.

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O Supreme Personality of Godhead, O Näräyaëa, O Väsudeva, original person! O most exalted person, supreme experience, welfare personified! O supreme benediction, supremely merciful and changeless! O support of the cosmic manifestation, sole proprietor of all planetary systems, master of everything and husband of the goddess of fortune! Your Lordship is realized by the topmost sannyäsés, who wander about the world to preach Kåñëa consciousness, fully absorbed in samädhi through bhakti-yoga. Because their minds are concentrated upon You, they can receive the conception of Your personality in their fully purified hearts. When the darkness in their hearts is completely eradicated and You are revealed to them, the transcendental bliss they enjoy is the transcendental form of Your Lordship. No one but such persons can realize You. Therefore we simply offer You our respectful obeisances. duravabodha iva taväyaà vihära-yogo yad açaraëo ‘çaréra idam anavekñitäsmat-samaväya ätmanaivävikriyamäëena saguëam aguëaù såjasi päsi harasi. O Lord, You need no support, and although You have no material body, You do not need cooperation from us. Since You are the cause of the cosmic manifestation and You supply its material ingredients without being transformed, You create, maintain and annihilate this cosmic manifestation by Yourself. Nevertheless, although You appear engaged in material activity, You are transcendental to all material qualities. Consequently these transcendental activities of Yours are extremely difficult to understand. atha tatra bhavän kià devadattavad iha guëa-visarga-patitaù päratantryeëa sva-kåta-kuçaläkuçalaà phalam upädadäty ähosvid ätmäräma upaçama-çélaù samaïjasa-darçana udästa iti ha väva na vidämaù. These are our inquiries. The ordinary conditioned soul is subject to the material laws, and he thus receives the fruits of his actions. Does Your Lordship, like an ordinary human being, exist within this material world in a body produced by the material modes? Do You enjoy or suffer the good or bad results of actions under the influence of time, past work 177

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and so forth? Or, on the contrary, are You present here only as a neutral witness who is self-sufficient, free from all material desires, and always full of spiritual potency? We certainly cannot understand Your actual position. na hi virodha ubhayaà bhagavaty aparimita-guëa-gaëa éçvare ‘navagähyamähätmye ‘rväcéna-vikalpa-vitarka-vicära-pramäëäbhäsa-kutarka-çästrakaliläntaùkaraëäçraya-duravagraha-vädinäà vivädänavasara uparatasamasta-mäyämaye kevala evätma-mäyäm antardhäya ko nv artho durghaöa iva bhavati svarüpa-dvayäbhävät. O Supreme Personality of Godhead, all contradictions can be reconciled in You. O Lord, since You are the Supreme Person, the reservoir of unlimited spiritual qualities, the supreme controller, Your unlimited glories are inconceivable to the conditioned souls. Many modern theologians argue about right and wrong without knowing what is actually right. Their arguments are always false and their judgments inconclusive because they have no authorized evidence with which to gain knowledge of You. Because their minds are agitated by scriptures containing false conclusions, they are unable to understand the truth concerning You. Furthermore, because of polluted eagerness to arrive at the right conclusion, their theories are incapable of revealing You, who are transcendental to their material conceptions. You are one without a second, and therefore in You contradictions like doing and not doing, happiness and distress, are not contradictory. Your potency is so great that it can do and undo anything as You like. With the help of that potency, what is impossible for You? Since there is no duality in Your constitutional position, You can do everything by the influence of Your energy. sama-viñama-maténäà matam anusarasi yathä rajju-khaëòaù sarpädi-dhiyäm. A rope causes fear for a bewildered person who considers it a snake, but not for a person with proper intelligence who knows it to be only a rope. Similarly, You, as the Supersoul in everyone’s heart, inspire fear or fearlessness according to one’s intelligence, but in You there is no duality.

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sa eva hi punaù sarva-vastuni vastu-svarüpaù sarveçvaraù sakala-jagat-käraëa-käraëa-bhütaù sarva-pratyagätmatvät sarva-guëäbhäsopalakñita eka eva paryavaçeñitaù. With deliberation, one will see that the Supreme Soul, although manifested in different ways, is actually the basic principle of everything. The total material energy is the cause of the material manifestation, but the material energy is caused by Him. Therefore He is the cause of all causes, the manifester of intelligence and the senses. He is perceived as the Supersoul of everything. Without Him, everything would be dead. You, as that Supersoul, the supreme controller, are the only one remaining. atha ha väva tava mahimämåta-rasa-samudra-vipruñä sakåd avaléòhayä sva-manasi niñyandamänänavarata-sukhena vismärita-dåñöa-çruta-viñayasukha-leçäbhäsäù parama-bhägavatä ekäntino bhagavati sarva-bhütapriya-suhådi sarvätmani nitaräà nirantaraà nirvåta-manasaù katham u ha vä ete madhumathana punaù svärtha-kuçalä hy ätma-priya-suhådaù sädhavas tvac-caraëämbujänuseväà visåjanti na yatra punar ayaà saàsära-paryävartaù. Therefore, O killer of the Madhu demon, incessant transcendental bliss flows in the minds of those who have even once tasted but a drop of the nectar from the ocean of Your glories. Such exalted devotees forget the tiny reflection of so-called material happiness produced from the material senses of sight and sound. Free from all desires, such devotees are the real friends of all living entities. Offering their minds unto You and enjoying transcendental bliss, they are expert in achieving the real goal of life. O Lord, You are the soul and dear friend of such devotees, who never need return to this material world. How could they give up engagement in Your devotional service? tri-bhuvanätma-bhavana trivikrama tri-nayana tri-lokamanoharänubhäva tavaiva vibhütayo ditija-danujädayaç cäpi teñäm upakrama-samayo ‘yam iti svätma-mäyayä sura-nara-måga-miçritajalacaräkåtibhir yathäparädhaà daëòaà daëòa-dhara dadhartha evam enam api bhagavaï jahi tväñöram uta yadi manyase.

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O Lord, O personified three worlds, father of the three worlds! O strength of the three worlds, in the form of the Vämana incarnation! O three-eyed form of Nåsiàhadeva! O most beautiful person within the three worlds! Everything and everyone, including human beings and even the Daitya demons and the Dänavas, is but an expansion of Your energy. O supremely powerful one, You have always appeared in Your forms as the various incarnations to punish the demons as soon as they become very powerful. You appear as Lord Vämanadeva, Lord Räma and Lord Kåñëa. You appear sometimes as an animal like Lord Boar, sometimes a mixed incarnation like Lord Nåsiàhadeva and Lord Hayagréva, and sometimes an aquatic like Lord Fish and Lord Tortoise. Assuming such various forms, You have always punished the demons and Dänavas. We therefore pray that Your Lordship appear today as another incarnation, if You so desire, to kill the great demon Våträsura. asmäkaà tävakänäà tatatata natänäà hare tava caraëa-nalina-yugaladhyänänubaddha-hådaya-nigaòänäà sva-liìga-vivaraëenätmasät-kåtänäm anukampänuraïjita-viçada-rucira-çiçira-smitävalokena vigalita-madhuramukha-rasämåta-kalayä cäntas täpam anaghärhasi çamayitum. O supreme protector, O grandfather, O supreme pure, O Lord! We are all surrendered souls at Your lotus feet. Indeed, our minds are bound to Your lotus feet in meditation by chains of love. Now please manifest Your incarnation. Accepting us as Your own eternal servants and devotees, be pleased with us and sympathetic toward us. By Your lovefilled glance, with its cool and pleasing smile of sympathy, and by the sweet, nectarean words emanating from Your beautiful face, free us from the anxiety caused by this Våträsura, who always pains the cores of our hearts. atha bhagavaàs taväsmäbhir akhila-jagad-utpatti-sthiti-layanimittäyamäna-divya-mäyä-vinodasya sakala-jéva-nikäyänäm antar-hådayeñu bahir api ca brahma-pratyag-ätma-svarüpeëa pradhäna-rüpeëa ca yathä-deça-käla-dehävasthäna-viçeñaà tadupädänopalambhakatayänubhavataù sarva-pratyaya-säkñiëa äkäçaçarérasya säkñät para-brahmaëaù paramätmanaù kiyän iha värtha-viçeño vijïäpanéyaù syäd visphuliìgädibhir iva hiraëya-retasaù. 180

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O Lord, as the small sparks of a fire cannot possibly perform the actions of the whole fire, we sparks of Your Lordship cannot inform You of the necessities of our lives. You are the complete whole. Therefore, of what do we need to inform You? You know everything because You are the original cause of the cosmic manifestation, the maintainer and the annihilator of the entire universal creation. You always engage in Your pastimes with Your spiritual and material energies, for You are the controller of all these varied energies. You exist within all living entities, within the cosmic manifestation, and also beyond them. You exist internally as Parabrahman and externally as the ingredients of the material creation. Therefore, although manifested in various stages, at different times and places, and in various bodies, You, the Personality of Godhead, are the original cause of all causes. Indeed, You are the original element. You are the witness of all activities, but because You are as great as the sky, You are never touched by any of them. You are the witness of everything as Parabrahman and Paramätmä. O Supreme Personality of Godhead, nothing is unknown to You. ata eva svayaà tad upakalpayäsmäkaà bhagavataù parama-guros tava caraëa-çata-paläçac-chäyäà vividha-våjina-saàsära-pariçramopaçamaném upasåtänäà vayaà yat-kämenopasäditäù. Dear Lord, You are omniscient, and therefore You know very well why we have taken shelter at Your lotus feet, which provide shade that gives relief from all material disturbances. Since You are the supreme spiritual master and You know everything, we have sought shelter of Your lotus feet for instruction. Please give us relief by counteracting our present distress. Your lotus feet are the only shelter for a fully surrendered devotee and are the only means for subduing all the tribulations of this material world. atho éça jahi tväñöraà grasantaà bhuvana-trayam grastäni yena naù kåñëa tejäàsy asträyudhäni ca Therefore, O Lord, O supreme controller, O Lord Kåñëa, please annihilate this dangerous demon Våträsura, Tvañöä’s son, who has already swallowed 181

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all our weapons, our paraphernalia for fighting, and our strength and influence. haàsäya dahra-nilayäya nirékñakäya kåñëäya måñöa-yaçase nirupakramäya sat-saìgrahäya bhava-päntha-nijäçramäptäv ante paréñöa-gataye haraye namas te O Lord, O supreme pure, You live within the core of everyone’s heart and observe all the desires and activities of the conditioned souls. O Supreme Personality of Godhead known as Lord Kåñëa, Your reputation is bright and illuminating. You have no beginning, for You are the beginning of everything. This is understood by pure devotees because You are easily accessible to the pure and truthful. When the conditioned souls are liberated and sheltered at Your lotus feet after roving throughout the material world for many millions of years, they attain the highest success of life. Therefore, O Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, we offer our respectful obeisances at Your lotus feet.

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Prayers by Närada Muni (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.16.18-25)

oà namas tubhyaà bhagavate väsudeväya dhémahi pradyumnäyäniruddhäya namaù saìkarñaëäya ca namo vijïäna-mäträya paramänanda-mürtaye ätmärämäya çäntäya nivåtta-dvaita-dåñöaye [Närada gave Citraketu the following mantra.] O Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, who are addressed by the oàkära [praëava], I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. O Lord Väsudeva, I meditate upon You. O Lord Pradyumna, Lord Aniruddha and Lord Saìkarñaëa, I offer You my respectful obeisances. O reservoir of spiritual potency, O supreme bliss, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are self-sufficient and most peaceful. O ultimate truth, one without a second, You are realized as Brahman, Paramätmä and Bhagavän and are therefore the reservoir of all knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. ätmänandänubhütyaiva nyasta-çakty-ürmaye namaù håñékeçäya mahate namas te ‘nanta-mürtaye Perceiving Your personal bliss, You are always transcendental to the waves of material nature. Therefore, my Lord, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. You are the supreme controller of the senses, and Your expansions of form are unlimited. You are the greatest, and therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

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vacasy uparate ‘präpya ya eko manasä saha anäma-rüpaç cin-mätraù so ‘vyän naù sad-asat-paraù The words and mind of the conditioned soul cannot approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for material names and forms are not applicable to the Lord, who is entirely spiritual, beyond the conception of gross and subtle forms. The impersonal Brahman is another of His forms. May He, by His pleasure, protect us. yasminn idaà yataç cedaà tiñöhaty apyeti jäyate måëmayeñv iva måj-jätis tasmai te brahmaëe namaù As pots made completely of earth are situated on earth after being created and are transformed into earth again when broken, this cosmic manifestation is caused by the Supreme Brahman, situated in the Supreme Brahman, and annihilated in the same Supreme Brahman. Therefore, since the Supreme Lord is the cause of Brahman, let us offer Him our respectful obeisances. yan na spåçanti na vidur mano-buddhéndriyäsavaù antar bahiç ca vitataà vyomavat tan nato ‘smy aham The Supreme Brahman emanates from the Supreme Personality of Godhead and expands like the sky. Although untouched by anything material, it exists within and without. Nonetheless, the mind, intelligence, senses and living force can neither touch Him nor know Him. I offer unto Him my respectful obeisances. dehendriya-präëa-mano-dhiyo ‘mé yad-aàça-viddhäù pracaranti karmasu naivänyadä lauham iväprataptaà sthäneñu tad drañörapadeçam eti

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As iron has the power to burn when made red-hot in the association of fire, so the body, senses, living force, mind and intelligence, although merely lumps of matter, can function in their activities when infused with a particle of consciousness by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As iron cannot burn unless heated by fire, the bodily senses cannot act unless favored by the Supreme Brahman. oà namo bhagavate mahä-puruñäya mahänubhäväya mahä-vibhütipataye sakala-sätvata-parivåòha-nikara-kara-kamala-kuòmalopalälitacaraëäravinda-yugala parama-parameñöhin namas te. O transcendental Lord, who are situated in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Your two lotus feet are always massaged by a multitude of the best devotees with their lotus-bud hands. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, complete in six opulences. You are the supreme person mentioned in the Puruña-sükta prayers. You are the most perfect, self-realized master of all mystic power. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

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Citraketu Stotra (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.16.34-48)

citraketur uväca ajita jitaù sama-matibhiù sädhubhir bhavän jitätmabhir bhavatä vijitäs te ‘pi ca bhajatäm akämätmanäà ya ätmado ‘ti-karuëaù Citraketu said: O unconquerable Lord, although You cannot be conquered by anyone, You are certainly conquered by devotees who have control of the mind and senses. They can keep You under their control because You are causelessly merciful to devotees who desire no material profit from You. Indeed, You give Yourself to them, and because of this You also have full control over Your devotees. tava vibhavaù khalu bhagavan jagad-udaya-sthiti-layädéni viçva-såjas te ‘àçäàçäs tatra måñä spardhanti påthag abhimatyä My dear Lord, this cosmic manifestation and its creation, maintenance and annihilation are all but Your opulences. Since Lord Brahmä and the other creators are nothing but small portions of a portion of You, their partial power to create does not make them God [éçvara]. Their consciousness of themselves as separate Lords is therefore merely false prestige. It is not valid. paramäëu-parama-mahatos tvam ädy-antäntara-varté traya-vidhuraù ädäv ante ‘pi ca sattvänäà yad dhruvaà tad eväntaräle ‘pi You exist in the beginning, middle and end of everything, from the most minute particle of the cosmic manifestation—the atom—to the gigantic universes and total material energy. Nonetheless, You are eternal, having 186

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no beginning, end or middle. You are perceived to exist in these three phases, and thus You are permanent. When the cosmic manifestation does not exist, You exist as the original potency. kñity-ädibhir eña kilävåtaù saptabhir daça-guëottarair aëòa-koçaù yatra pataty aëu-kalpaù sahäëòa-koöi-koöibhis tad anantaù Every universe is covered by seven layers—earth, water, fire, air, sky, the total energy and false ego—each ten times greater than the previous one. There are innumerable universes besides this one, and although they are unlimitedly large, they move about like atoms in You. Therefore You are called unlimited [ananta]. viñaya-tåño nara-paçavo ya upäsate vibhütér na paraà tväm teñäm äçiña éça tad anu vinaçyanti yathä räja-kulam O Lord, O Supreme, unintelligent persons who thirst for sense enjoyment and who worship various demigods are no better than animals in the human form of life. Because of their animalistic propensities, they fail to worship Your Lordship, and instead they worship the insignificant demigods, who are but small sparks of Your glory. With the destruction of the entire universe, including the demigods, the benedictions received from the demigods also vanish, just like the nobility when a king is no longer in power. käma-dhiyas tvayi racitä na parama rohanti yathä karambha-béjäni jïänätmany aguëamaye guëa-gaëato ‘sya dvandva-jäläni O Supreme Lord, if persons obsessed with material desires for sense gratification through material opulence worship You, who are the source of all knowledge and are transcendental to material qualities, they are not subject to material rebirth, just as sterilized or fried seeds do not produce plants. Living entities are subjected to the repetition of birth and 187

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death because they are conditioned by material nature, but since You are transcendental, one who is inclined to associate with You in transcendence escapes the conditions of material nature. jitam ajita tadä bhavatä yadäha bhägavataà dharmam anavadyam niñkiïcanä ye munaya ätmärämä yam upäsate ‘pavargäya O unconquerable one, when You spoke about bhägavata-dharma, which is the uncontaminated religious system for achieving the shelter of Your lotus feet, that was Your victory. Persons who have no material desires, like the Kumäras, who are self-satisfied sages, worship You to be liberated from material contamination. In other words, they accept the process of bhägavata-dharma to achieve shelter at Your lotus feet. viñama-matir na yatra nåëäà tvam aham iti mama taveti ca yad anyatra viñama-dhiyä racito yaù sa hy aviçuddhaù kñayiñëur adharma-bahulaù Being full of contradictions, all forms of religion but bhägavata-dharma work under conceptions of fruitive results and distinctions of “you and I” and “yours and mine.” The followers of Çrémad-Bhägavatam have no such consciousness. They are all Kåñëa conscious, thinking that they are Kåñëa’s and Kåñëa is theirs. There are other, low-class religious systems, which are contemplated for the killing of enemies or the gain of mystic power, but such religious systems, being full of passion and envy, are impure and temporary. Because they are full of envy, they are full of irreligion. kaù kñemo nija-parayoù kiyän värthaù sva-para-druhä dharmeëa sva-drohät tava kopaù para-sampéòayä ca tathädharmaù How can a religious system that produces envy of one’s self and of others be beneficial for oneself and for them? What is auspicious about following such a system? What is actually to be gained? By causing pain to one’s 188

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own self due to self-envy and by causing pain to others, one arouses Your anger and practices irreligion. na vyabhicarati tavekñä yayä hy abhihito bhägavato dharmaù sthira-cara-sattva-kadambeñv apåthag-dhiyo yam upäsate tv äryäù My dear Lord, one’s occupational duty is instructed in Çrémad-Bhägavatam and Bhagavad-gétä according to Your point of view, which never deviates from the highest goal of life. Those who follow their occupational duties under Your supervision, being equal to all living entities, moving and nonmoving, and not considering high and low, are called Äryans. Such Äryans worship You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. na hi bhagavann aghaöitam idaà tvad-darçanän nåëäm akhila-päpa-kñayaù yan-näma sakåc chravaëät pukkaço ‘pi vimucyate saàsärät My Lord, it is not impossible for one to be immediately freed from all material contamination by seeing You. Not to speak of seeing You personally, merely by hearing the holy name of Your Lordship only once, even caëòälas, men of the lowest class, are freed from all material contamination. Under the circumstances, who will not be freed from material contamination simply by seeing You? atha bhagavan vayam adhunä tvad-avaloka-parimåñöäçaya-maläù sura-åñiëä yat kathitaà tävakena katham anyathä bhavati Therefore, my dear Lord, simply seeing You has now wiped away all the contamination of sinful activities and their results of material attachment and lusty desires, which always filled my mind and the core of my heart. Whatever is predicted by the great sage Närada Muni cannot be otherwise. In other words, I have obtained Your audience as a result of being trained by Närada Muni.

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viditam ananta samastaà tava jagad-ätmano janair ihäcaritam vijïäpyaà parama-guroù kiyad iva savitur iva khadyotaiù O unlimited Supreme Personality of Godhead, whatever a living entity does in this material world is well known to You because You are the Supersoul. In the presence of the sun there is nothing to be revealed by the light of a glowworm. Similarly, because You know everything, in Your presence there is nothing for me to make known. namas tubhyaà bhagavate sakala-jagat-sthiti-layodayeçäya duravasitätma-gataye kuyoginäà bhidä paramahaàsäya My dear Lord, You are the creator, maintainer and annihilator of this cosmic manifestation, but persons who are too materialistic and who always see separateness do not have eyes with which to see You. They cannot understand Your real position, and therefore they conclude that the cosmic manifestation is independent of Your opulence. My Lord, You are the supreme pure, and You are full in all six opulences. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. yaà vai çvasantam anu viçva-såjaù çvasanti yaà cekitänam anu cittaya uccakanti bhü-maëòalaà sarñapäyati yasya mürdhni tasmai namo bhagavate ‘stu sahasra-mürdhne My dear Lord, it is after You endeavor that Lord Brahmä, Indra and the other directors of the cosmic manifestation become occupied with their activities. It is after You perceive the material energy, My Lord, that the senses begin to perceive. The Supreme Personality of Godhead holds all the universes on His heads like seeds of mustard. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, that Supreme Personality, who has thousands of hoods.

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Prayers by Demigods to Lord Nåsiàha (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.8.40-56)

çré-brahmoväca nato ‘smy anantäya duranta-çaktaye vicitra-véryäya pavitra-karmaëe viçvasya sarga-sthiti-saàyamän guëaiù sva-lélayä sandadhate ‘vyayätmane Lord Brahmä prayed: My Lord, You are unlimited, and You possess unending potencies. No one can estimate or calculate Your prowess and wonderful influence, for Your actions are never polluted by the material energy. Through the material qualities, You very easily create the universe, maintain it and again annihilate it, yet You remain the same, without deterioration. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You. çré-rudra uväca kopa-kälo yugäntas te hato ‘yam asuro ‘lpakaù tat-sutaà pähy upasåtaà bhaktaà te bhakta-vatsala Lord Çiva said: The end of the millennium is the time for Your anger. Now that this insignificant demon Hiraëyakaçipu has been killed, O my Lord, who are naturally affectionate to Your devotee, kindly protect his son Prahläda Mahäräja, who is standing nearby as Your fully surrendered devotee. çré-indra uväca pratyänétäù parama bhavatä träyatä naù sva-bhägä daityäkräntaà hådaya-kamalaà tad-gåhaà pratyabodhi käla-grastaà kiyad idam aho nätha çuçrüñatäà te muktis teñäà na hi bahumatä närasiàhäparaiù kim 192

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King Indra said: O Supreme Lord, You are our deliverer and protector. Our shares of sacrifices, which are actually Yours, have been recovered from the demon by You. Because the demoniac king Hiraëyakaçipu was most fearsome, our hearts, which are Your permanent abode, were all overtaken by him. Now, by Your presence, the gloom and darkness in our hearts have been dissipated. O Lord, for those who always engage in Your service, which is more exalted than liberation, all material opulence is insignificant. They do not even care for liberation, not to speak of the benefits of käma, artha and dharma. çré-åñaya ücuù tvaà nas tapaù paramam ättha yad ätma-tejo yenedam ädi-puruñätma-gataà sasarktha tad vipraluptam amunädya çaraëya-päla rakñä-gåhéta-vapuñä punar anvamaàsthäù All the saintly persons present offered their prayers in this way: O Lord, O supreme maintainer of those sheltered at Your lotus feet, O original Personality of Godhead, the process of austerity and penance, in which You instructed us before, is the spiritual power of Your very self. It is by austerity that You create the material world, which lies dormant within You. This austerity was almost stopped by the activities of this demon, but now, by Yourself appearing in the form of Nåsiàhadeva, which is meant just to give us protection, and by killing this demon, You have again approved the process of austerity. çré-pitara ücuù çräddhäni no ‘dhibubhuje prasabhaà tanüjair dattäni tértha-samaye ‘py apibat tilämbu tasyodarän nakha-vidérëa-vapäd ya ärcchat tasmai namo nåharaye ‘khila-dharma-goptre The inhabitants of Pitåloka prayed: Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto Lord Nåsiàhadeva, the maintainer of the religious principles of the universe. He has killed Hiraëyakaçipu, the demon who by force enjoyed all the offerings of the çräddha ceremonies performed by our sons and grandsons on the anniversaries of our death and who drank the water with

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sesame seeds offered in holy places of pilgrimage. By killing this demon, O Lord, You have taken back all this stolen property from his abdomen by piercing it with Your nails. We therefore wish to offer our respectful obeisances unto You. çré-siddhä ücuù yo no gatià yoga-siddhäm asädhur ahärñéd yoga-tapo-balena nänä darpaà taà nakhair vidadära tasmai tubhyaà praëatäù smo nåsiàha The inhabitants of Siddhaloka prayed: O Lord Nåsiàhadeva, because we belong to Siddhaloka, we automatically achieve perfection in all eight kinds of mystic power. Yet Hiraëyakaçipu was so dishonest that by the strength of his power and austerity, he took away our powers. Thus he became very proud of his mystic strength. Now, because this rogue has been killed by Your nails, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You. çré-vidyädharä ücuù vidyäà påthag dhäraëayänuräddhäà nyañedhad ajïo bala-vérya-dåptaù sa yena saìkhye paçuvad dhatas taà mäyä-nåsiàhaà praëatäù sma nityam The inhabitants of Vidyädhara-loka prayed: Our acquired power to appear and disappear in various ways according to varieties of meditation was banned by that foolish Hiraëyakaçipu because of his pride in his superior bodily strength and his ability to conquer others. Now the Supreme Personality of Godhead has killed him just as if the demon were an animal. Unto that supreme pastime form of Lord Nåsiàhadeva, we eternally offer our respectful obeisances. çré-nägä ücuù yena päpena ratnäni stré-ratnäni håtäni naù tad-vakñaù-päöanenäsäà dattänanda namo ‘stu te

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The inhabitants of Nägaloka said: The most sinful Hiraëyakaçipu took away all the jewels on our hoods and all our beautiful wives. Now, since his chest has been pierced by Your nails, You are the source of all pleasure to our wives. Thus we together offer our respectful obeisances unto You. çré-manava ücuù manavo vayaà tava nideça-käriëo ditijena deva paribhüta-setavaù bhavatä khalaù sa upasaàhåtaù prabho karaväma te kim anuçädhi kiìkarän All the Manus offered their prayers as follows: As Your order carriers, O Lord, we, the Manus, are the law-givers for human society, but because of the temporary supremacy of this great demon, Hiraëyakaçipu, our laws for maintaining varëäçrama-dharma were destroyed. O Lord, now that You have killed this great demon, we are in our normal condition. Kindly order us, Your eternal servants, what to do now. çré-prajäpataya ücuù prajeçä vayaà te pareçäbhisåñöä na yena prajä vai såjämo niñiddhäù sa eña tvayä bhinna-vakñä nu çete jagan-maìgalaà sattva-mürte ‘vatäraù The prajäpatis offered their prayers as follows: O Supreme Lord, Lord of even Brahmä and Çiva, we, the prajäpatis, were created by You to execute Your orders, but we were forbidden by Hiraëyakaçipu to create any more good progeny. Now the demon is lying dead before us, his chest pierced by You. Let us therefore offer our respectful obeisances unto You, whose incarnation in this form of pure goodness is meant for the welfare of the entire universe. çré-gandharvä ücuù vayaà vibho te naöa-näöya-gäyakä yenätmasäd vérya-balaujasä kåtäù sa eña néto bhavatä daçäm imäà kim utpathasthaù kuçaläya kalpate

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The inhabitants of Gandharvaloka prayed: Your Lordship, we ever engage in Your service by dancing and singing in dramatic performances, but this Hiraëyakaçipu, by the influence of his bodily strength and valor, brought us under his subjugation. Now he has been brought to this low condition by Your Lordship. What benefit can result from the activities of such an upstart as Hiraëyakaçipu? çré-cäraëä ücuù hare taväìghri-paìkajaà bhaväpavargam äçritäù yad eña sädhu-håc-chayas tvayäsuraù samäpitaù The inhabitants of the Cäraëa planet said: O Lord, because You have destroyed the demon Hiraëyakaçipu, who was always a stake in the hearts of all honest men, we are now relieved, and we eternally take shelter of Your lotus feet, which award the conditioned soul liberation from materialistic contamination. çré-yakñä ücuù vayam anucara-mukhyäù karmabhis te mano-jïais ta iha diti-sutena präpitä vähakatvam sa tu jana-paritäpaà tat-kåtaà jänatä te narahara upanétaù païcatäà païca-viàça The inhabitants of Yakñaloka prayed: O controller of the twenty-four elements, we are considered the best servants of Your Lordship because of rendering services pleasing to You, yet we engaged as palanquin carriers by the order of Hiraëyakaçipu, the son of Diti. O Lord in the form of Nåsiàhadeva, You know how this demon gave trouble to everyone, but now You have killed him, and his body is mixing with the five material elements. çré-kimpuruñä ücuù vayaà kimpuruñäs tvaà tu mahä-puruña éçvaraù ayaà kupuruño nañöo dhik-kåtaù sädhubhir yadä

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The inhabitants of Kimpuruña-loka said: We are insignificant living entities, and You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller. Therefore how can we offer suitable prayers unto You? When this demon was condemned by devotees because they were disgusted with him, he was then killed by You. çré-vaitälikä ücuù sabhäsu satreñu tavämalaà yaço gétvä saparyäà mahatéà labhämahe yas täm anaiñéd vaçam eña durjano dviñöyä hatas te bhagavan yathämayaù The inhabitants of Vaitälika-loka said: Dear Lord, because of chanting Your spotless glories in great assemblies and arenas of sacrifice, we were accustomed to great respect from everyone. This demon, however, usurped that position. Now, to our great fortune, You have killed this great demon, exactly as one cures a chronic disease. çré-kinnarä ücuù vayam éça kinnara-gaëäs tavänugä ditijena viñöim amunänukäritäù bhavatä hare sa våjino ‘vasädito narasiàha nätha vibhaväya no bhava The Kinnaras said: O supreme controller, we are ever-existing servants of Your Lordship, but instead of rendering service to You, we were engaged by this demon in his service, constantly and without remuneration. This sinful man has now been killed by You. Therefore, O Lord Nåsiàhadeva, our master, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You. Please continue to be our patron. çré-viñëu-pärñadä ücuù adyaitad dhari-nara-rüpam adbhutaà te dåñöaà naù çaraëada sarva-loka-çarma so ‘yaà te vidhikara éça vipra-çaptas tasyedaà nidhanam anugrahäya vidmaù The associates of Lord Viñëu in Vaikuëöha offered this prayer: O Lord, our supreme giver of shelter, today we have seen Your wonderful form as

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Lord Nåsiàhadeva, meant for the good fortune of all the world. O Lord, we can understand that Hiraëyakaçipu was the same Jaya who engaged in Your service but was cursed by brähmaëas and who thus received the body of a demon. We understand that his having now been killed is Your special mercy upon him.

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Prayers Offered by Prahläda Mahäräja to Pacify Lord Nåsiàha (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.10.8-50)

çré-prahräda uväca brahmädayaù sura-gaëä munayo ‘tha siddhäù sattvaikatäna-gatayo vacasäà pravähaiù närädhituà puru-guëair adhunäpi pipruù kià toñöum arhati sa me harir ugra-jäteù Prahläda Mahäräja prayed: How is it possible for me, who have been born in a family of asuras, to offer suitable prayers to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead? Even until now, all the demigods, headed by Lord Brahmä, and all the saintly persons could not satisfy the Lord by streams of excellent words, although such persons are very qualified, being in the mode of goodness. Then what is to be said of me? I am not at all qualified. manye dhanäbhijana-rüpa-tapaù-çrutaujastejaù-prabhäva-bala-pauruña-buddhi-yogäù närädhanäya hi bhavanti parasya puàso bhaktyä tutoña bhagavän gaja-yütha-päya Prahläda Mahäräja continued: One may possess wealth, an aristocratic family, beauty, austerity, education, sensory expertise, luster, influence, physical strength, diligence, intelligence and mystic yogic power, but I think that even by all these qualifications one cannot satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, one can satisfy the Lord simply by devotional service. Gajendra did this, and thus the Lord was satisfied with him. vipräd dvi-ñaò-guëa-yutäd aravinda-näbhapädäravinda-vimukhät çvapacaà variñöham manye tad-arpita-mano-vacanehitärthapräëaà punäti sa kulaà na tu bhürimänaù

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If a brähmaëa has all twelve of the brahminical qualifications [as they are stated in the book called Sanat-sujäta] but is not a devotee and is averse to the lotus feet of the Lord, he is certainly lower than a devotee who is a dog-eater but who has dedicated everything—mind, words, activities, wealth and life—to the Supreme Lord. Such a devotee is better than such a brähmaëa because the devotee can purify his whole family, whereas the so-called brähmaëa in a position of false prestige cannot purify even himself. naivätmanaù prabhur ayaà nija-läbha-pürëo mänaà janäd aviduñaù karuëo våëéte yad yaj jano bhagavate vidadhéta mänaà tac cätmane prati-mukhasya yathä mukha-çréù The Supreme Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is always fully satisfied in Himself. Therefore when something is offered to Him, the offering, by the Lord’s mercy, is for the benefit of the devotee, for the Lord does not need service from anyone. To give an example, if one’s face is decorated, the reflection of one’s face in a mirror is also seen to be decorated. tasmäd ahaà vigata-viklava éçvarasya sarvätmanä mahi gåëämi yathä manéñam néco ‘jayä guëa-visargam anupraviñöaù püyeta yena hi pumän anuvarëitena Therefore, although I was born in a demoniac family, I may without a doubt offer prayers to the Lord with full endeavor, as far as my intelligence allows. Anyone who has been forced by ignorance to enter the material world may be purified of material life if he offers prayers to the Lord and hears the Lord’s glories. sarve hy amé vidhi-karäs tava sattva-dhämno brahmädayo vayam iveça na codvijantaù kñemäya bhütaya utätma-sukhäya cäsya vikréòitaà bhagavato rucirävatäraiù O my Lord, all the demigods, headed by Lord Brahmä, are sincere servants of Your Lordship, who are situated in a transcendental position. Therefore 200

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they are not like us [Prahläda and his father, the demon Hiraëyakaçipu]. Your appearance in this fearsome form is Your pastime for Your own pleasure. Such an incarnation is always meant for the protection and improvement of the universe. tad yaccha manyum asuraç ca hatas tvayädya modeta sädhur api våçcika-sarpa-hatyä lokäç ca nirvåtim itäù pratiyanti sarve rüpaà nåsiàha vibhayäya janäù smaranti My Lord Nåsiàhadeva, please, therefore, cease Your anger now that my father, the great demon Hiraëyakaçipu, has been killed. Since even saintly persons take pleasure in the killing of a scorpion or a snake, all the worlds have achieved great satisfaction because of the death of this demon. Now they are confident of their happiness, and they will always remember Your auspicious incarnation in order to be free from fear. nähaà bibhemy ajita te ‘tibhayänakäsyajihvärka-netra-bhrukuöé-rabhasogra-daàñörät äntra-srajaù-kñataja-keçara-çaìku-karëän nirhräda-bhéta-digibhäd ari-bhin-nakhägrät My Lord, who are never conquered by anyone, I am certainly not afraid of Your ferocious mouth and tongue, Your eyes bright like the sun or Your frowning eyebrows. I do not fear Your sharp, pinching teeth, Your garland of intestines, Your mane soaked with blood, or Your high, wedgelike ears. Nor do I fear Your tumultuous roaring, which makes elephants flee to distant places, or Your nails, which are meant to kill Your enemies. trasto ‘smy ahaà kåpaëa-vatsala duùsahograsaàsära-cakra-kadanäd grasatäà praëétaù baddhaù sva-karmabhir uçattama te ‘ìghri-mülaà préto ‘pavarga-çaraëaà hvayase kadä nu O most powerful, insurmountable Lord, who are kind to the fallen souls, I have been put into the association of demons as a result of my activities, and therefore I am very much afraid of my condition of life within this material world. When will that moment come when You will call me to the shelter of Your lotus feet, which are the ultimate goal for liberation 201

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from conditional life? yasmät priyäpriya-viyoga-saàyoga-janmaçokägninä sakala-yoniñu dahyamänaù duùkhauñadhaà tad api duùkham atad-dhiyähaà bhüman bhramämi vada me tava däsya-yogam O great one, O Supreme Lord, because of combination with pleasing and displeasing circumstances and because of separation from them, one is placed in a most regrettable position, within heavenly or hellish planets, as if burning in a fire of lamentation. Although there are many remedies by which to get out of miserable life, any such remedies in the material world are more miserable than the miseries themselves. Therefore I think that the only remedy is to engage in Your service. Kindly instruct me in such service. so ‘haà priyasya suhådaù paradevatäyä lélä-kathäs tava nåsiàha viriïca-gétäù aïjas titarmy anugåëan guëa-vipramukto durgäëi te pada-yugälaya-haàsa-saìgaù O my Lord Nåsiàhadeva, by engaging in Your transcendental loving service in the association of devotees who are liberated souls [haàsas], I shall become completely uncontaminated by the association of the three modes of material nature and be able to chant the glories of Your Lordship, who are so dear to me. I shall chant Your glories, following exactly in the footsteps of Lord Brahmä and his disciplic succession. In this way I shall undoubtedly be able to cross the ocean of nescience. bälasya neha çaraëaà pitarau nåsiàha närtasya cägadam udanvati majjato nauù taptasya tat-pratividhir ya ihäïjaseñöas tävad vibho tanu-bhåtäà tvad-upekñitänäm My Lord Nåsiàhadeva, O Supreme, because of a bodily conception of life, embodied souls neglected and not cared for by You cannot do anything for their betterment. Whatever remedies they accept, although perhaps temporarily beneficial, are certainly impermanent. For example, a father and mother cannot protect their child, a physician and medicine cannot 202

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relieve a suffering patient, and a boat on the ocean cannot protect a drowning man. yasmin yato yarhi yena ca yasya yasmäd yasmai yathä yad uta yas tv aparaù paro vä bhävaù karoti vikaroti påthak svabhävaù saïcoditas tad akhilaà bhavataù svarüpam My dear Lord, everyone in this material world is under the modes of material nature, being influenced by goodness, passion and ignorance. Everyone—from the greatest personality, Lord Brahmä, down to the small ant—works under the influence of these modes. Therefore everyone in this material world is influenced by Your energy. The cause for which they work, the place where they work, the time when they work, the matter due to which they work, the goal of life they have considered final, and the process for obtaining this goal—all are nothing but manifestations of Your energy. Indeed, since the energy and energetic are identical, all of them are but manifestations of You. mäyä manaù såjati karmamayaà baléyaù kälena codita-guëänumatena puàsaù chandomayaà yad ajayärpita-ñoòaçäraà saàsära-cakram aja ko ‘titaret tvad-anyaù O Lord, O supreme eternal, by expanding Your plenary portion You have created the subtle bodies of the living entities through the agency of Your external energy, which is agitated by time. Thus the mind entraps the living entity in unlimited varieties of desires to be fulfilled by the Vedic directions of karma-käëòa [fruitive activity] and the sixteen elements. Who can get free from this entanglement unless he takes shelter at Your lotus feet? sa tvaà hi nitya-vijitätma-guëaù sva-dhämnä kälo vaçé-kåta-visåjya-visarga-çaktiù cakre visåñöam ajayeçvara ñoòaçäre niñpéòyamänam upakarña vibho prapannam My dear Lord, O supreme great, You have created this material world of sixteen constituents, but You are transcendental to their material qualities. 203

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In other words, these material qualities are under Your full control, and You are never conquered by them. Therefore the time element is Your representation. My Lord, O Supreme, no one can conquer You. As for me, however, I am being crushed by the wheel of time, and therefore I surrender fully unto You. Now kindly take me under the protection of Your lotus feet. dåñöä mayä divi vibho ‘khila-dhiñëya-pänäm äyuù çriyo vibhava icchati yäï jano ‘yam ye ‘smat pituù kupita-häsa-vijåmbhita-bhrüvisphürjitena lulitäù sa tu te nirastaù My dear Lord, people in general want to be elevated to the higher planetary systems for a long duration of life, opulence and enjoyment, but I have seen all of these through the activities of my father. When my father was angry and he laughed sarcastically at the demigods, they were immediately vanquished simply by seeing the movements of his eyebrows. Yet my father, who was so powerful, has now been vanquished by You within a moment. tasmäd amüs tanu-bhåtäm aham äçiño ‘jïa äyuù çriyaà vibhavam aindriyam äviriïcyät necchämi te vilulitän uruvikrameëa kälätmanopanaya mäà nija-bhåtya-pärçvam My dear Lord, now I have complete experience concerning the worldly opulence, mystic power, longevity and other material pleasures enjoyed by all living entities, from Lord Brahmä down to the ant. As powerful time, You destroy them all. Therefore, because of my experience, I do not wish to possess them. My dear Lord, I request You to place me in touch with Your pure devotee and let me serve him as a sincere servant. kuträçiñaù çruti-sukhä mågatåñëi-rüpäù kvedaà kalevaram açeña-rujäà virohaù nirvidyate na tu jano yad apéti vidvän kämänalaà madhu-lavaiù çamayan duräpaiù In this material world, every living entity desires some future happiness, which is exactly like a mirage in the desert. Where is water in the desert, 204

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or, in other words, where is happiness in this material world? As for this body, what is its value? It is merely a source of various diseases. The so-called philosophers, scientists and politicians know this very well, but nonetheless they aspire for temporary happiness. Happiness is very difficult to obtain, but because they are unable to control their senses, they run after the so-called happiness of the material world and never come to the right conclusion. kvähaà rajaù-prabhava éça tamo ‘dhike ‘smin jätaù suretara-kule kva tavänukampä na brahmaëo na tu bhavasya na vai ramäyä yan me ‘rpitaù çirasi padma-karaù prasädaù O my Lord, O Supreme, because I was born in a family full of the hellish material qualities of passion and ignorance, what is my position? And what is to be said of Your causeless mercy, which was never offered even to Lord Brahmä, Lord Çiva or the goddess of fortune, Lakñmé? You never put Your lotus hand upon their heads, but You have put it upon mine. naiñä parävara-matir bhavato nanu syäj jantor yathätma-suhådo jagatas tathäpi saàsevayä surataror iva te prasädaù sevänurüpam udayo na parävaratvam Unlike an ordinary living entity, my Lord, You do not discriminate between friends and enemies, the favorable and the unfavorable, because for You there is no conception of higher and lower. Nonetheless, You offer Your benedictions according to the level of one’s service, exactly as a desire tree delivers fruits according to one’s desires and makes no distinction between the lower and the higher. evaà janaà nipatitaà prabhavähi-küpe kämäbhikämam anu yaù prapatan prasaìgät kåtvätmasät surarñiëä bhagavan gåhétaù so ‘haà kathaà nu visåje tava bhåtya-seväm My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, because of my association with material desires, one after another, I was gradually falling 205

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into a blind well full of snakes, following the general populace. But Your servant Närada Muni kindly accepted me as his disciple and instructed me how to achieve this transcendental position. Therefore, my first duty is to serve him. How could I leave his service? mat-präëa-rakñaëam ananta pitur vadhaç ca manye sva-bhåtya-åñi-väkyam åtaà vidhätum khaògaà pragåhya yad avocad asad-vidhitsus tväm éçvaro mad-aparo ‘vatu kaà harämi My Lord, O unlimited reservoir of transcendental qualities, You have killed my father, Hiraëyakaçipu, and saved me from his sword. He had said very angrily, “If there is any supreme controller other than me, let Him save you. I shall now sever your head from your body.” Therefore I think that both in saving me and in killing him, You have acted just to prove true the words of Your devotee. There is no other cause. ekas tvam eva jagad etam amuñya yat tvam ädy-antayoù påthag avasyasi madhyataç ca såñövä guëa-vyatikaraà nija-mäyayedaà näneva tair avasitas tad anupraviñöaù My dear Lord, You alone manifest Yourself as the entire cosmic manifestation, for You existed before the creation, You exist after the annihilation, and You are the maintainer between the beginning and the end. All this is done by Your external energy through actions and reactions of the three modes of material nature. Therefore whatever exists—externally and internally—is You alone. tvaà vä idaà sad-asad éça bhaväàs tato ‘nyo mäyä yad ätma-para-buddhir iyaà hy apärthä yad yasya janma nidhanaà sthitir ékñaëaà ca tad vaitad eva vasukälavad añöi-tarvoù My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, the entire cosmic creation is caused by You, and the cosmic manifestation is an effect of Your energy. Although the entire cosmos is but You alone, You keep Yourself aloof from it. The conception of “mine and yours,” is certainly a type of illusion [mäyä] because everything is an emanation from You 206

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and is therefore not different from You. Indeed, the cosmic manifestation is nondifferent from You, and the annihilation is also caused by You. This relationship between Your Lordship and the cosmos is illustrated by the example of the seed and the tree, or the subtle cause and the gross manifestation. nyasyedam ätmani jagad vilayämbu-madhye çeñetmanä nija-sukhänubhavo niréhaù yogena mélita-dåg-ätma-nipéta-nidras turye sthito na tu tamo na guëäàç ca yuìkñe O my Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, after the annihilation the creative energy is kept in You, who appear to sleep with half-closed eyes. Actually, however, You do not sleep like an ordinary human being, for You are always in a transcendental stage, beyond the creation of the material world, and You always feel transcendental bliss. As Käraëodakaçäyé Viñëu, You thus remain in Your transcendental status, not touching material objects. Although You appear to sleep, this sleeping is distinct from sleeping in ignorance. tasyaiva te vapur idaà nija-käla-çaktyä saïcodita-prakåti-dharmaëa ätma-güòham ambhasy ananta-çayanäd viramat-samädher näbher abhüt sva-kaëikä-vaöavan-mahäbjam This cosmic manifestation, the material world, is also Your body. This total lump of matter is agitated by Your potent energy known as käla-çakti, and thus the three modes of material nature are manifested. You awaken from the bed of Çeña, Ananta, and from Your navel a small transcendental seed is generated. It is from this seed that the lotus flower of the gigantic universe is manifested, exactly as a banyan tree grows from a small seed. tat-sambhavaù kavir ato ‘nyad apaçyamänas tväà béjam ätmani tataà sa bahir vicintya nävindad abda-çatam apsu nimajjamäno jäte ‘ìkure katham uhopalabheta béjam From that great lotus flower, Brahmä was generated, but Brahmä certainly could see nothing but the lotus. Therefore, thinking You to be outside, 207

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Lord Brahmä dove into the water and attempted to find the source of the lotus for one hundred years. He could find no trace of You, however, for when a seed fructifies, the original seed cannot be seen. sa tv ätma-yonir ativismita äçrito ‘bjaà kälena tévra-tapasä pariçuddha-bhävaù tväm ätmanéça bhuvi gandham ivätisükñmaà bhütendriyäçayamaye vitataà dadarça Lord Brahmä, who is celebrated as ätma-yoni, having been born without a mother, was struck with wonder. Thus he took shelter of the lotus flower, and when he had been purified after undergoing severe austerities for many hundreds of years, he could see that the cause of all causes, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was spread throughout his own body and senses, just as aroma, although very subtle, is perceived in the earth. evaà sahasra-vadanäìghri-çiraù-karorunäsädya-karëa-nayanäbharaëäyudhäòhyam mäyämayaà sad-upalakñita-sanniveçaà dåñövä mahä-puruñam äpa mudaà viriïcaù Lord Brahmä could then see You possessing thousands and thousands of faces, feet, heads, hands, thighs, noses, ears and eyes. You were very nicely dressed, being decorated and bedecked with varieties of ornaments and weapons. Seeing You in the form of Lord Viñëu, Your symptoms and form being transcendental, Your legs extending from the lower planets, Lord Brahmä achieved transcendental bliss. tasmai bhavän haya-çiras tanuvaà hi bibhrad veda-druhäv atibalau madhu-kaiöabhäkhyau hatvänayac chruti-gaëäàç ca rajas tamaç ca sattvaà tava priyatamäà tanum ämananti My dear Lord, when You appeared as Hayagréva, with the head of a horse, You killed two demons known as Madhu and Kaiöabha, who were full of the modes of passion and ignorance. Then You delivered the Vedic knowledge to Lord Brahmä. For this reason, all the great saints accept Your forms as transcendental, untinged by material qualities. 208

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itthaà nå-tiryag-åñi-deva-jhañävatärair lokän vibhävayasi haàsi jagat pratépän dharmaà mahä-puruña päsi yugänuvåttaà channaù kalau yad abhavas tri-yugo ‘tha sa tvam In this way, my Lord, You appear in various incarnations as a human being, an animal, a great saint, a demigod, a fish or a tortoise, thus maintaining the entire creation in different planetary systems and killing the demoniac principles. According to the age, O my Lord, You protect the principles of religion. In the age of Kali, however, You do not assert Yourself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore You are known as Triyuga, or the Lord who appears in three yugas. naitan manas tava kathäsu vikuëöha-nätha sampréyate durita-duñöam asädhu tévram kämäturaà harña-çoka-bhayaiñaëärtaà tasmin kathaà tava gatià vimåçämi dénaù My dear Lord of the Vaikuëöha planets, where there is no anxiety, my mind is extremely sinful and lusty, being sometimes so-called happy and sometimes so-called distressed. My mind is full of lamentation and fear, and it always seeks more and more money. Thus it has become most polluted and is never satisfied in topics concerning You. I am therefore most fallen and poor. In such a status of life, how shall I be able to discuss Your activities? jihvaikato ‘cyuta vikarñati mävitåptä çiçno ‘nyatas tvag-udaraà çravaëaà kutaçcit ghräëo ‘nyataç capala-dåk kva ca karma-çaktir bahvyaù sapatnya iva geha-patià lunanti My dear Lord, O infallible one, my position is like that of a person who has many wives, all trying to attract him in their own way. For example, the tongue is attracted to palatable dishes, the genitals to sex with an attractive woman, and the sense of touch to contact with soft things. The belly, although filled, still wants to eat more, and the ear, not attempting to hear about You, is generally attracted to cinema songs. The sense of smell is attracted to yet another side, the restless eyes are attracted to 209

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scenes of sense gratification, and the active senses are attracted elsewhere. In this way I am certainly embarrassed. evaà sva-karma-patitaà bhava-vaitaraëyäm anyonya-janma-maraëäçana-bhéta-bhétam paçyaï janaà sva-para-vigraha-vaira-maitraà hanteti päracara pépåhi müòham adya My dear Lord, You are always transcendentally situated on the other side of the river of death, but because of the reactions of our own activities, we are suffering on this side. Indeed, we have fallen into this river and are repeatedly suffering the pains of birth and death and eating horrible things. Now kindly look upon us—not only upon me but also upon all others who are suffering—and by Your causeless mercy and compassion, deliver us and maintain us. ko nv atra te ‘khila-guro bhagavan prayäsa uttäraëe ‘sya bhava-sambhava-lopa-hetoù müòheñu vai mahad-anugraha ärta-bandho kià tena te priya-janän anusevatäà naù O my Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, original spiritual master of the entire world, what is the difficulty for You, who manage the affairs of the universe, in delivering the fallen souls engaged in Your devotional service? You are the friend of all suffering humanity, and for great personalities it is necessary to show mercy to the foolish. Therefore I think that You will show Your causeless mercy to persons like us, who engage in Your service. naivodvije para duratyaya-vaitaraëyäs tvad-vérya-gäyana-mahämåta-magna-cittaù çoce tato vimukha-cetasa indriyärthamäyä-sukhäya bharam udvahato vimüòhän O best of the great personalities, I am not at all afraid of material existence, for wherever I stay I am fully absorbed in thoughts of Your glories and activities. My concern is only for the fools and rascals who are making elaborate plans for material happiness and maintaining their families, societies and countries. I am simply concerned with love for them. 210

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präyeëa deva munayaù sva-vimukti-kämä maunaà caranti vijane na parärtha-niñöhäù naitän vihäya kåpaëän vimumukña eko nänyaà tvad asya çaraëaà bhramato ‘nupaçye My dear Lord Nåsiàhadeva, I see that there are many saintly persons indeed, but they are interested only in their own deliverance. Not caring for the big cities and towns, they go to the Himalayas or the forest to meditate with vows of silence [mauna-vrata]. They are not interested in delivering others. As for me, however, I do not wish to be liberated alone, leaving aside all these poor fools and rascals. I know that without Kåñëa consciousness, without taking shelter of Your lotus feet, one cannot be happy. Therefore I wish to bring them back to shelter at Your lotus feet. yan maithunädi-gåhamedhi-sukhaà hi tucchaà kaëòüyanena karayor iva duùkha-duùkham tåpyanti neha kåpaëä bahu-duùkha-bhäjaù kaëòütivan manasijaà viñaheta dhéraù Sex life is compared to the rubbing of two hands to relieve an itch. Gåhamedhis, so-called gåhasthas who have no spiritual knowledge, think that this itching is the greatest platform of happiness, although actually it is a source of distress. The kåpaëas, the fools who are just the opposite of brähmaëas, are not satisfied by repeated sensuous enjoyment. Those who are dhéra, however, who are sober and who tolerate this itching, are not subjected to the sufferings of fools and rascals. mauna-vrata-çruta-tapo-’dhyayana-sva-dharmavyäkhyä-raho-japa-samädhaya äpavargyäù präyaù paraà puruña te tv ajitendriyäëäà värtä bhavanty uta na vätra tu dämbhikänäm O Supreme Personality of Godhead, there are ten prescribed methods on the path to liberation—to remain silent, not to speak to anyone, to observe vows, to amass all kinds of Vedic knowledge, to undergo austerities, to study the Vedas and other Vedic literatures, to execute the duties of varëäçrama-dharma, to explain the çästras, to stay in a solitary place, to chant mantras silently, and to be absorbed in trance. These different 211

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methods for liberation are generally only a professional practice and means of livelihood for those who have not conquered their senses. Because such persons are falsely proud, these procedures may not be successful. rüpe ime sad-asaté tava veda-såñöe béjäìkuräv iva na cänyad arüpakasya yuktäù samakñam ubhayatra vicakñante tväà yogena vahnim iva däruñu nänyataù syät By authorized Vedic knowledge one can see that the forms of cause and effect in the cosmic manifestation belong to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for the cosmic manifestation is His energy. Both cause and effect are nothing but energies of the Lord. Therefore, O my Lord, just as a wise man, by considering cause and effect, can see how fire pervades wood, those engaged in devotional service understand how You are both the cause and effect. tvaà väyur agnir avanir viyad ambu mäträù präëendriyäëi hådayaà cid anugrahaç ca sarvaà tvam eva saguëo viguëaç ca bhüman nänyat tvad asty api mano-vacasä niruktam O Supreme Lord, You are actually the air, the earth, fire, sky and water. You are the objects of sense perception, the life airs, the five senses, the mind, consciousness and false ego. Indeed, You are everything, subtle and gross. The material elements and anything expressed, either by the words or by the mind, are nothing but You. naite guëä na guëino mahad-ädayo ye sarve manaù prabhåtayaù sahadeva-martyäù ädy-antavanta urugäya vidanti hi tväm evaà vimåçya sudhiyo viramanti çabdät Neither the three modes of material nature [sattva-guëa, rajo-guëa and tamo-guëa], nor the predominating deities controlling these three modes, nor the five gross elements, nor the mind, nor the demigods nor the human beings can understand Your Lordship, for they are all subjected to birth and annihilation. Considering this, the spiritually advanced have taken

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to devotional service. Such wise men hardly bother with Vedic study. Instead, they engage themselves in practical devotional service. tat te ‘rhattama namaù stuti-karma-püjäù karma småtiç caraëayoù çravaëaà kathäyäm saàsevayä tvayi vineti ñaò-aìgayä kià bhaktià janaù paramahaàsa-gatau labheta Therefore, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, the best of all persons to whom prayers are offered, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You because without rendering six kinds of devotional service unto You— offering prayers, dedicating all the results of activities, worshiping You, working on Your behalf, always remembering Your lotus feet and hearing about Your glories—who can achieve that which is meant for the paramahaàsas?

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Prayers by Prahläda Mahäräja (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.10.2-10)

çré-prahräda uväca mä mäà pralobhayotpattyä saktaàkämeñu tair varaiù tat-saìga-bhéto nirviëëo mumukñus tväm upäçritaù Prahläda Mahäräja said: My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, because I was born in an atheistic family I am naturally attached to material enjoyment. Therefore, kindly do not tempt me with these illusions. I am very much afraid of material conditions, and I desire to be liberated from materialistic life. It is for this reason that I have taken shelter of Your lotus feet. bhåtya-lakñaëa-jijïäsur bhaktaà kämeñv acodayat bhavän saàsära-béjeñu hådaya-granthiñu prabho O my worshipable Lord, because the seed of lusty desires, which is the root cause of material existence, is within the core of everyone’s heart, You have sent me to this material world to exhibit the symptoms of a pure devotee. nänyathä te ‘khila-guro ghaöeta karuëätmanaù yas ta äçiña äçäste na sa bhåtyaù sa vai vaëik Otherwise, O my Lord, O supreme instructor of the entire world, You are so kind to Your devotee that You could not induce him to do something unbeneficial for him. On the other hand, one who desires some material benefit in exchange for devotional service cannot be Your pure devotee. Indeed, he is no better than a merchant who wants profit in exchange for service.

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äçäsäno na vai bhåtyaù sväminy äçiña ätmanaù na svämé bhåtyataù svämyam icchan yo räti cäçiñaù A servant who desires material profits from his master is certainly not a qualified servant or pure devotee. Similarly, a master who bestows benedictions upon his servant because of a desire to maintain a prestigious position as master is also not a pure master. ahaà tv akämas tvad-bhaktas tvaà ca svämy anapäçrayaù nänyathehävayor artho räja-sevakayor iva O my Lord, I am Your unmotivated servant, and You are my eternal master. There is no need of our being anything other than master and servant. You are naturally my master, and I am naturally Your servant. We have no other relationship. yadi däsyasi me kämän varäàs tvaà varadarñabha kämänäà hådy asaàrohaà bhavatas tu våëe varam O my Lord, best of the givers of benediction, if You at all want to bestow a desirable benediction upon me, then I pray from Your Lordship that within the core of my heart there be no material desires. indriyäëi manaù präëa ätmä dharmo dhåtir matiù hréù çrés tejaù småtiù satyaà yasya naçyanti janmanä O my Lord, because of lusty desires from the very beginning of one’s birth, the functions of one’s senses, mind, life, body, religion, patience, intelligence, shyness, opulence, strength, memory and truthfulness are vanquished. vimuïcati yadä kämän mänavo manasi sthitän 215

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tarhy eva puëòarékäkña bhagavattväya kalpate O my Lord, when a human being is able to give up all the material desires in his mind, he becomes eligible to possess wealth and opulence like Yours. oà namo bhagavate tubhyaà puruñäya mahätmane haraye ‘dbhuta-siàhäya brahmaëe paramätmane O my Lord, full of six opulences, O Supreme Person! O Supreme Soul, killer of all miseries! O Supreme Person in the form of a wonderful lion and man, let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

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Prayers by Sväyambhuva Manu to the Supreme Lord (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.1.9-16)

çré-manur uväca yena cetayate viçvaà viçvaà cetayate na yam yo jägarti çayäne ‘smin näyaà taà veda veda saù Lord Manu said: The supreme living being has created this material world of animation; it is not that He was created by this material world. When everything is silent, the Supreme Being stays awake as a witness. The living entity does not know Him, but He knows everything. ätmäväsyam idaà viçvaà yat kiïcij jagatyäà jagat tena tyaktena bhuïjéthä mä gådhaù kasya svid dhanam Within this universe, the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His Supersoul feature is present everywhere, wherever there are animate or inanimate beings. Therefore, one should accept only that which is allotted to him; one should not desire to infringe upon the property of others. yaà paçyati na paçyantaà cakñur yasya na riñyati taà bhüta-nilayaà devaà suparëam upadhävata Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead constantly watches the activities of the world, no one sees Him. However, one should not think that because no one sees Him, He does not see, for His power to see is never diminished. Therefore, everyone should worship the Supersoul, who always stays with the individual soul as a friend. 218

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na yasyädy-antau madhyaà ca svaù paro näntaraà bahiù viçvasyämüni yad yasmäd viçvaà ca tad åtaà mahat The Supreme Personality of Godhead has no beginning, no end and no middle. Nor does He belong to a particular person or nation. He has no inside or outside. The dualities found within this material world, such as beginning and end, mine and theirs, are all absent from the personality of the Supreme Lord. The universe, which emanates from Him, is another feature of the Lord. Therefore the Supreme Lord is the ultimate truth, and He is complete in greatness. sa viçva-käyaù puru-hüta-éçaù satyaù svayaà-jyotir ajaù puräëaù dhatte ‘sya janmädy-ajayätma-çaktyä täà vidyayodasya niréha äste The entire cosmic manifestation is the body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth, who has millions of names and unlimited potencies. He is self-effulgent, unborn and changeless. He is the beginning of everything, but He has no beginning. Because He has created this cosmic manifestation by His external energy, the universe appears to be created, maintained and annihilated by Him. Nonetheless, He remains inactive in His spiritual energy and is untouched by the activities of the material energy. athägre åñayaù karmäëéhante ‘karma-hetave éhamäno hi puruñaù präyo ‘néhäà prapadyate Therefore, to enable people to reach the stage of activities that are not tinged by fruitive results, great saints first engage people in fruitive activities, for unless one begins by performing activities as recommended in the çästras, one cannot reach the stage of liberation, or activities that produce no reactions.

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éhate bhagavän éço na hi tatra visajjate ätma-läbhena pürëärtho nävasédanti ye ‘nu tam The Supreme Personality of Godhead is full in opulence by His own gain, yet He acts as the creator, maintainer and annihilator of this material world. In spite of acting in that way, He is never entangled. Hence devotees who follow in His footsteps are also never entangled. tam éhamänaà nirahaìkåtaà budhaà niräçiñaà pürëam ananya-coditam nèï çikñayantaà nija-vartma-saàsthitaà prabhuà prapadye ‘khila-dharma-bhävanam The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, works just like an ordinary human being, yet He does not desire to enjoy the fruits of work. He is full in knowledge, free from material desires and diversions, and completely independent. As the supreme teacher of human society, He teaches His own way of activities, and thus He inaugurates the real path of religion. I request everyone to follow Him.

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Prayers by Gajendra (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.3.2-29)

çré-gajendra uväca oà namo bhagavate tasmai yata etac cid-ätmakam puruñäyädi-béjäya pareçäyäbhidhémahi The King of the elephants, Gajendra, said: I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Person, Väsudeva [oà namo bhagavate väsudeväya]. Because of Him this material body acts due to the presence of spirit, and He is therefore the root cause of everyone. He is worshipable for such exalted persons as Brahmä and Çiva, and He has entered the heart of every living being. Let me meditate upon Him. yasminn idaà yataç cedaà yenedaà ya idaà svayam yo ‘smät parasmäc ca paras taà prapadye svayambhuvam The Supreme Godhead is the supreme platform on which everything rests, the ingredient by which everything has been produced, and the person who has created and is the only cause of this cosmic manifestation. Nonetheless, He is different from the cause and the result. I surrender unto Him, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is self-sufficient in everything. yaù svätmanédaà nija-mäyayärpitaà kvacid vibhätaà kva ca tat tirohitam aviddha-dåk säkñy ubhayaà tad ékñate sa ätma-mülo ‘vatu mäà parät-paraù The Supreme Personality of Godhead, by expanding His own energy, keeps this cosmic manifestation visible and again sometimes renders it invisible. He is both the supreme cause and the supreme result, the observer and the 221

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witness, in all circumstances. Thus He is transcendental to everything. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead give me protection. kälena païcatvam iteñu kåtsnaço lokeñu päleñu ca sarva-hetuñu tamas tadäséd gahanaà gabhéraà yas tasya päre ‘bhiviräjate vibhuù In due course of time, when all the causative and effective manifestations of the universe, including the planets and their directors and maintainers, are annihilated, there is a situation of dense darkness. Above this darkness, however, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I take shelter of His lotus feet. na yasya devä åñayaù padaà vidur jantuù punaù ko ‘rhati gantum éritum yathä naöasyäkåtibhir viceñöato duratyayänukramaëaù sa mävatu An artist onstage, being covered by attractive dresses and dancing with different movements, is not understood by his audience; similarly, the activities and features of the supreme artist cannot be understood even by the demigods or great sages, and certainly not by those who are unintelligent like animals. Neither the demigods and sages nor the unintelligent can understand the features of the Lord, nor can they express in words His actual position. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead give me protection. didåkñavo yasya padaà sumaìgalaà vimukta-saìgä munayaù susädhavaù caranty aloka-vratam avraëaà vane bhütätma-bhütäù suhådaù sa me gatiù Renunciants and great sages who see all living beings equally, who are friendly to everyone and who flawlessly practice in the forest the vows of brahmacarya, vänaprastha and sannyäsa desire to see the all-auspicious lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. May that same Supreme Personality of Godhead be my destination.

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na vidyate yasya ca janma karma vä na näma-rüpe guëa-doña eva vä tathäpi lokäpyaya-sambhaväya yaù sva-mäyayä täny anukälam åcchati tasmai namaù pareçäya brahmaëe ‘nanta-çaktaye arüpäyoru-rüpäya nama äçcarya-karmaëe The Supreme Personality of Godhead has no material birth, activities, name, form, qualities or faults. To fulfill the purpose for which this material world is created and destroyed, He comes in the form of a human being like Lord Räma or Lord Kåñëa by His original internal potency. He has immense potency, and in various forms, all free from material contamination, He acts wonderfully. He is therefore the Supreme Brahman. I offer my respects to Him. nama ätma-pradépäya säkñiëe paramätmane namo giräà vidüräya manasaç cetasäm api I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the self-effulgent Supersoul, who is the witness in everyone’s heart, who enlightens the individual soul and who cannot be reached by exercises of the mind, words or consciousness. sattvena pratilabhyäya naiñkarmyeëa vipaçcitä namaù kaivalya-näthäya nirväëa-sukha-saàvide The Supreme Personality of Godhead is realized by pure devotees who act in the transcendental existence of bhakti-yoga. He is the bestower of uncontaminated happiness and is the master of the transcendental world. Therefore I offer my respect unto Him. namaù çäntäya ghoräya müòhäya guëa-dharmiëe 223

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nirviçeñäya sämyäya namo jïäna-ghanäya ca I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Väsudeva, who is all-pervading, to the Lord’s fierce form as Lord Nåsiàhadeva, to the Lord’s form as an animal [Lord Varähadeva], to Lord Dattätreya, who preached impersonalism, to Lord Buddha, and to all the other incarnations. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Lord, who has no material qualities but who accepts the three qualities goodness, passion and ignorance within this material world. I also offer my respectful obeisances unto the impersonal Brahman effulgence. kñetra-jïäya namas tubhyaà sarvädhyakñäya säkñiëe puruñäyätma-müläya müla-prakåtaye namaù I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are the Supersoul, the superintendent of everything, and the witness of all that occurs. You are the Supreme Person, the origin of material nature and of the total material energy. You are also the owner of the material body. Therefore, You are the supreme complete. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. sarvendriya-guëa-drañöre sarva-pratyaya-hetave asatä cchäyayoktäya sad-äbhäsäya te namaù My Lord, You are the observer of all the objectives of the senses. Without Your mercy, there is no possibility of solving the problem of doubts. The material world is just like a shadow resembling You. Indeed, one accepts this material world as real because it gives a glimpse of Your existence. namo namas te ‘khila-käraëäya niñkäraëäyädbhuta-käraëäya sarvägamämnäya-mahärëaväya namo ‘pavargäya paräyaëäya My Lord, You are the cause of all causes, but You Yourself have no cause. Therefore You are the wonderful cause of everything. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are the shelter of the Vedic knowledge 224

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contained in the çästras like the Païcarätras and Vedänta-sütra, which are Your representations, and who are the source of the paramparä system. Because it is You who can give liberation, You are the only shelter for all transcendentalists. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You. guëäraëi-cchanna-cid-uñmapäya tat-kñobha-visphürjita-mänasäya naiñkarmya-bhävena vivarjitägamasvayaà-prakäçäya namas karomi My Lord, as the fire in araëi wood is covered, You and Your unlimited knowledge are covered by the material modes of nature. Your mind, however, is not attentive to the activities of the modes of nature. Those who are advanced in spiritual knowledge are not subject to the regulative principles directed in the Vedic literatures. Because such advanced souls are transcendental, You personally appear in their pure minds. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. mädåk prapanna-paçu-päça-vimokñaëäya muktäya bhüri-karuëäya namo ‘layäya sväàçena sarva-tanu-bhån-manasi pratétapratyag-dåçe bhagavate båhate namas te Since an animal such as me has surrendered unto You, who are supremely liberated, certainly You will release me from this dangerous position. Indeed, being extremely merciful, You incessantly try to deliver me. By your partial feature as Paramätmä, You are situated in the hearts of all embodied beings. You are celebrated as direct transcendental knowledge, and You are unlimited. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. ätmätma-jäpta-gåha-vitta-janeñu saktair duñpräpaëäya guëa-saìga-vivarjitäya muktätmabhiù sva-hådaye paribhävitäya jïänätmane bhagavate nama éçvaräya My Lord, those who are completely freed from material contamination always meditate upon You within the cores of their hearts. You are extremely difficult to attain for those like me who are too attached 225

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to mental concoction, home, relatives, friends, money, servants and assistants. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, uncontaminated by the modes of nature. You are the reservoir of all enlightenment, the supreme controller. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You. yaà dharma-kämärtha-vimukti-kämä bhajanta iñöäà gatim äpnuvanti kià cäçiño räty api deham avyayaà karotu me ‘dabhra-dayo vimokñaëam After worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, those who are interested in the four principles of religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation obtain from Him what they desire. What then is to be said of other benedictions? Indeed, sometimes the Lord gives a spiritual body to such ambitious worshipers. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is unlimitedly merciful, bestow upon me the benediction of liberation from this present danger and from the materialistic way of life. ekäntino yasya na kaïcanärthaà väïchanti ye vai bhagavat-prapannäù aty-adbhutaà tac-caritaà sumaìgalaà gäyanta änanda-samudra-magnäù tam akñaraà brahma paraà pareçam avyaktam ädhyätmika-yoga-gamyam aténdriyaà sükñmam ivätidüram anantam ädyaà paripürëam éòe Unalloyed devotees, who have no desire other than to serve the Lord, worship Him in full surrender and always hear and chant about His activities, which are most wonderful and auspicious. Thus they always merge in an ocean of transcendental bliss. Such devotees never ask the Lord for any benediction. I, however, am in danger. Thus I pray to that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is eternally existing, who is invisible, who is the Lord of all great personalities, such as Brahmä, and who is available only by transcendental bhakti-yoga. Being extremely subtle, He is beyond the reach of my senses and transcendental to 226

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all external realization. He is unlimited, He is the original cause, and He is completely full in everything. I offer my obeisances unto Him. yasya brahmädayo devä vedä lokäç caräcaräù näma-rüpa-vibhedena phalgvyä ca kalayä kåtäù yathärciño ‘gneù savitur gabhastayo niryänti saàyänty asakåt sva-rociñaù tathä yato ‘yaà guëa-sampraväho buddhir manaù khäni çaréra-sargäù sa vai na deväsura-martya-tiryaì na stré na ñaëòho na pumän na jantuù näyaà guëaù karma na san na cäsan niñedha-çeño jayatäd açeñaù The Supreme Personality of Godhead creates His minor parts and parcels, the jéva-tattva, beginning with Lord Brahmä, the demigods and the expansions of Vedic knowledge [Säma, Åg, Yajur and Atharva] and including all other living entities, moving and nonmoving, with their different names and characteristics. As the sparks of a fire or the shining rays of the sun emanate from their source and merge into it again and again, the mind, the intelligence, the senses, the gross and subtle material bodies, and the continuous transformations of the different modes of nature all emanate from the Lord and again merge into Him. He is neither demigod nor demon, neither human nor bird or beast. He is not woman, man, or neuter, nor is He an animal. He is not a material quality, a fruitive activity, a manifestation or nonmanifestation. He is the last word in the discrimination of “not this, not this,” and He is unlimited. All glories to the Supreme Personality of Godhead! jijéviñe näham ihämuyä kim antar bahiç cävåtayebha-yonyä icchämi kälena na yasya viplavas tasyätma-lokävaraëasya mokñam 227

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I do not wish to live anymore after I am released from the attack of the crocodile. What is the use of an elephant’s body covered externally and internally by ignorance? I simply desire eternal liberation from the covering of ignorance. That covering is not destroyed by the influence of time. so ‘haà viçva-såjaà viçvam aviçvaà viçva-vedasam viçvätmänam ajaà brahma praëato ‘smi paraà padam Now, fully desiring release from material life, I offer my respectful obeisances unto that Supreme Person who is the creator of the universe, who is Himself the form of the universe and who is nonetheless transcendental to this cosmic manifestation. He is the supreme knower of everything in this world, the Supersoul of the universe. He is the unborn, supremely situated Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto Him. yoga-randhita-karmäëo hådi yoga-vibhävite yogino yaà prapaçyanti yogeçaà taà nato ‘smy aham I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme, the Supersoul, the master of all mystic yoga, who is seen in the core of the heart by perfect mystics when they are completely purified and freed from the reactions of fruitive activity by practicing bhakti-yoga. namo namas tubhyam asahya-vegaçakti-trayäyäkhila-dhé-guëäya prapanna-päläya duranta-çaktaye kad-indriyäëäm anaväpya-vartmane My Lord, You are the controller of formidable strength in three kinds of energy. You appear as the reservoir of all sense pleasure and the protector of the surrendered souls. You possess unlimited energy, but You are unapproachable by those who are unable to control their senses. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You again and again.

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näyaà veda svam ätmänaà yac-chaktyähaà-dhiyä hatam taà duratyaya-mähätmyaà bhagavantam ito ‘smy aham I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whose illusory energy the jéva, who is part and parcel of God, forgets his real identity because of the bodily concept of life. I take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose glories are difficult to understand.

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Prayers by Lord Brahmä to Kñérodakaçäyé Viñëu (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.5.26-50)

çré-brahmoväca avikriyaà satyam anantam ädyaà guhä-çayaà niñkalam apratarkyam mano-’grayänaà vacasäniruktaà namämahe deva-varaà vareëyam Lord Brahmä said: O Supreme Lord, O changeless, unlimited supreme truth. You are the origin of everything. Being all-pervading, You are in everyone’s heart and also in the atom. You have no material qualities. Indeed, You are inconceivable. The mind cannot catch You by speculation, and words fail to describe You. You are the supreme master of everyone, and therefore You are worshipable for everyone. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You. vipaçcitaà präëa-mano-dhiyätmanäm arthendriyäbhäsam anidram avraëam chäyätapau yatra na gådhra-pakñau tam akñaraà khaà tri-yugaà vrajämahe The Supreme Personality of Godhead directly and indirectly knows how everything, including the living force, mind and intelligence, is working under His control. He is the illuminator of everything and has no ignorance. He does not have a material body subject to the reactions of previous activities, and He is free from the ignorance of partiality and materialistic education. I therefore take shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, who is eternal, all-pervading and as great as the sky and who appears with six opulences in three yugas [Satya, Tretä and Dväpara].

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Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to K ñérod ak a çäy é Vi ñëu

ajasya cakraà tv ajayeryamäëaà manomayaà païcadaçäram äçu tri-näbhi vidyuc-calam añöa-nemi yad-akñam ähus tam åtaà prapadye In the cycle of material activities, the material body resembles the wheel of a mental chariot. The ten senses [five for working and five for gathering knowledge] and the five life airs within the body form the fifteen spokes of the chariot’s wheel. The three modes of nature [goodness, passion and ignorance] are its center of activities, and the eight ingredients of nature [earth, water, fire, air, sky, mind, intelligence and false ego] comprise the rim of the wheel. The external, material energy moves this wheel like electrical energy. Thus the wheel revolves very quickly around its hub or central support, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the Supersoul and the ultimate truth. We offer our respectful obeisances unto Him. ya eka-varëaà tamasaù paraà tad alokam avyaktam ananta-päram äsäà cakäropasuparëam enam upäsate yoga-rathena dhéräù The Supreme Personality of Godhead is situated in pure goodness [çuddha-sattva], and therefore He is eka-varëa—the oàkära [praëava]. Because the Lord is beyond the cosmic manifestation, which is considered to be darkness, He is not visible to material eyes. Nonetheless, He is not separated from us by time or space, but is present everywhere. Seated on His carrier, Garuòa, He is worshiped by means of mystical yogic power by those who have achieved freedom from agitation. Let us all offer our respectful obeisances unto Him. na yasya kaçcätititarti mäyäà yayä jano muhyati veda närtham taà nirjitätmätma-guëaà pareçaà namäma bhüteñu samaà carantam No one can overcome the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s illusory energy [mäyä], which is so strong that it bewilders everyone, making one 231

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lose the sense to understand the aim of life. That same mäyä, however, is subdued by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who rules everyone and who is equally disposed toward all living entities. Let us offer our obeisances unto Him. ime vayaà yat-priyayaiva tanvä sattvena såñöä bahir-antar-äviù gatià na sükñmäm åñayaç ca vidmahe kuto ‘surädyä itara-pradhänäù Since our bodies are made of sattva-guëa, we, the demigods, are internally and externally situated in goodness. All the great saints are also situated in that way. Therefore, if even we cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, what is to be said of those who are most insignificant in their bodily constitutions, being situated in the modes of passion and ignorance? How can they understand the Lord? Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto Him. pädau mahéyaà sva-kåtaiva yasya catur-vidho yatra hi bhüta-sargaù sa vai mahä-püruña ätma-tantraù prasédatäà brahma mahä-vibhütiù On this earth there are four kinds of living entities, who are all created by Him. The material creation rests on His lotus feet. He is the great Supreme Person, full of opulence and power. May He be pleased with us. ambhas tu yad-reta udära-véryaà sidhyanti jévanty uta vardhamänäù lokä yato ‘thäkhila-loka-päläù prasédatäà naù sa mahä-vibhütiù The entire cosmic manifestation has emerged from water, and it is because of water that all living entities endure, live and develop. This water is nothing but the semen of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, may the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has such great potency, be pleased with us. somaà mano yasya samämananti divaukasäà yo balam andha äyuù 232

Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to K ñérod ak a çäy é Vi ñëu

éço nagänäà prajanaù prajänäà prasédatäà naù sa mahä-vibhütiù Soma, the moon, is the source of food grains, strength and longevity for all the demigods. He is also the master of all vegetation and the source of generation for all living entities. As stated by learned scholars, the moon is the mind of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of all opulences, be pleased with us. agnir mukhaà yasya tu jäta-vedä jätaù kriyä-käëòa-nimitta-janmä antaù-samudre ‘nupacan sva-dhätün prasédatäà naù sa mahä-vibhütiù Fire, which is born for the sake of accepting oblations in ritualistic ceremonies, is the mouth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Fire exists within the depths of the ocean to produce wealth, and fire is also present in the abdomen to digest food and produce various secretions for the maintenance of the body. May that supremely powerful Personality of Godhead be pleased with us. yac-cakñur äsét taraëir deva-yänaà trayémayo brahmaëa eña dhiñëyam dväraà ca mukter amåtaà ca måtyuù prasédatäà naù sa mahä-vibhütiù The sun-god marks the path of liberation, which is called arcirädivartma. He is the chief source for understanding of the Vedas, he is the abode where the Absolute Truth can be worshiped, He is the gateway to liberation, and he is the source of eternal life as well as the cause of death. The sun-god is the eye of the Lord. May that Supreme Lord, who is supremely opulent, be pleased with us. präëäd abhüd yasya caräcaräëäà präëaù saho balam ojaç ca väyuù anväsma samräjam ivänugä vayaà prasédatäà naù sa mahä-vibhütiù All living entities, moving and nonmoving, receive their vital force, their bodily strength and their very lives from the air. All of us follow the air 233

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for our vital force, exactly as servants follow an emperor. The vital force of air is generated from the original vital force of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. May that Supreme Lord be pleased with us. çroträd diço yasya hådaç ca khäni prajajïire khaà puruñasya näbhyäù präëendriyätmäsu-çaréra-ketaù prasédatäà naù sa mahä-vibhütiù May the supremely powerful Personality of Godhead be pleased with us. The different directions are generated from His ears, the holes of the body come from His heart, and the vital force, the senses, the mind, the air within the body, and the ether, which is the shelter of the body, come from His navel. balän mahendras tri-daçäù prasädän manyor giréço dhiñaëäd viriïcaù khebhyas tu chandäàsy åñayo meòhrataù kaù prasédatäà naù sa mahä-vibhütiù Mahendra, the King of Heaven, was generated from the prowess of the Lord, the demigods were generated from the mercy of the Lord, Lord Çiva was generated from the anger of the Lord, and Lord Brahmä from His sober intelligence. The Vedic mantras were generated from the bodily holes of the Lord, and the great saints and prajäpatis were generated from His genitals. May that supremely powerful Lord be pleased with us. çrér vakñasaù pitaraç chäyayäsan dharmaù stanäd itaraù påñöhato ‘bhüt dyaur yasya çérñëo ‘psaraso vihärät prasédatäà naù sa mahä-vibhütiù The goddess of fortune was generated from His chest, the inhabitants of Pitåloka from His shadow, religion from His bosom, and irreligion [the opposite of religion] from His back. The heavenly planets were generated from the top of His head, and the Apsaräs from His sense enjoyment. May that supremely powerful Personality of Godhead be pleased with us.

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Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to K ñérod ak a çäy é Vi ñëu

vipro mukhäd brahma ca yasya guhyaà räjanya äséd bhujayor balaà ca ürvor viò ojo ‘ìghrir aveda-çüdrau prasédatäà naù sa mahä-vibhütiù The brähmaëas and Vedic knowledge come from the mouth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the kñatriyas and bodily strength come from His arms, the vaiçyas and their expert knowledge in productivity and wealth come from His thighs, and the çüdras, who are outside of Vedic knowledge, come from His feet. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is full in prowess, be pleased with us. lobho ‘dharät prétir upary abhüd dyutir nastaù paçavyaù sparçena kämaù bhruvor yamaù pakñma-bhavas tu kälaù prasédatäà naù sa mahä-vibhütiù Greed is generated from His lower lip, affection from His upper lip, bodily luster from His nose, animalistic lusty desires from His sense of touch, Yamaräja from His eyebrows, and eternal time from His eyelashes. May that Supreme Lord be pleased with us. dravyaà vayaù karma guëän viçeñaà yad-yogamäyä-vihitän vadanti yad durvibhävyaà prabudhäpabädhaà prasédatäà naù sa mahä-vibhütiù All learned men say that the five elements, eternal time, fruitive activity, the three modes of material nature, and the varieties produced by these modes are all creations of yogamäyä. This material world is therefore extremely difficult to understand, but those who are highly learned have rejected it. May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the controller of everything, be pleased with us. namo ‘stu tasmä upaçänta-çaktaye sväräjya-läbha-pratipüritätmane guëeñu mäyä-raciteñu våttibhir na sajjamänäya nabhasvad-ütaye

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Canto 08

Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is completely silent, free from endeavor, and completely satisfied by His own achievements. He is not attached to the activities of the material world through His senses. Indeed, in performing His pastimes in this material world, He is just like the unattached air. sa tvaà no darçayätmänam asmat-karaëa-gocaram prapannänäà didåkñüëäà sasmitaà te mukhämbujam O Supreme Personality of Godhead, we are surrendered unto You, yet we wish to see You. Please make Your original form and smiling lotus face visible to our eyes and appreciable to our other senses. tais taiù svecchä-bhütai rüpaiù käle käle svayaà vibho karma durviñahaà yan no bhagaväàs tat karoti hi O Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, by Your sweet will You appear in various incarnations, millennium after millennium, and act wonderfully, performing uncommon activities that would be impossible for us. kleça-bhüry-alpa-säräëi karmäëi viphaläni vä dehinäà viñayärtänäà na tathaivärpitaà tvayi Karmés are always anxious to accumulate wealth for their sense gratification, but for that purpose they must work very hard. Yet even though they work hard, the results are not satisfying. Indeed, sometimes their work results only in frustration. But devotees who have dedicated their lives to the service of the Lord can achieve substantial results without working very hard. These results exceed the devotee’s expectations. nävamaù karma-kalpo ‘pi viphaläyeçvarärpitaù

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Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to K ñérod ak a çäy é Vi ñëu

kalpate puruñasyaiva sa hy ätmä dayito hitaù Activities dedicated to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, even if performed in small measure, never go in vain. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, being the supreme father, is naturally very dear and always ready to act for the good of the living entities. yathä hi skandha-çäkhänäà taror mülävasecanam evam ärädhanaà viñëoù sarveñäm ätmanaç ca hi When one pours water on the root of a tree, the trunk and branches of the tree are automatically pleased. Similarly, when one becomes a devotee of Lord Viñëu, everyone is served, for the Lord is the Supersoul of everyone. namas tubhyam anantäya durvitarkyätma-karmaëe nirguëäya guëeçäya sattva-sthäya ca sämpratam My Lord, all obeisances unto You, who are eternal, beyond time’s limits of past, present and future. You are inconceivable in Your activities, You are the master of the three modes of material nature, and, being transcendental to all material qualities, You are free from material contamination. You are the controller of all three of the modes of nature, but at the present You are in favor of the quality of goodness. Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto You.

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Prayers by Lord Brahmä to the Supreme Lord when He Appears (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.6.8-15)

çré-brahmoväca ajäta-janma-sthiti-saàyamäyäguëäya nirväëa-sukhärëaväya aëor aëimne ‘parigaëya-dhämne mahänubhäväya namo namas te Lord Brahmä said: Although You are never born, Your appearance and disappearance as an incarnation never cease. You are always free from the material qualities, and You are the shelter of transcendental bliss resembling an ocean. Eternally existing in Your transcendental form, You are the supreme subtle of the most extremely subtle. We therefore offer our respectful obeisances unto You, the Supreme, whose existence is inconceivable. rüpaà tavaitat puruñarñabhejyaà çreyo ‘rthibhir vaidika-täntrikeëa yogena dhätaù saha nas tri-lokän paçyämy amuñminn u ha viçva-mürtau O best of persons, O supreme director, those who actually aspire for supreme good fortune worship this form of Your Lordship according to the Vedic Tantras. My Lord, we can see all the three worlds in You. tvayy agra äsét tvayi madhya äsét tvayy anta äséd idam ätma-tantre tvam ädir anto jagato ‘sya madhyaà ghaöasya måtsneva paraù parasmät My dear Lord, who are always fully independent, this entire cosmic manifestation arises from You, rests upon You and ends in You. Your Lordship is the beginning, sustenance and end of everything, like the 238

Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to t he Supreme Lord when He Appe ars

earth, which is the cause of an earthen pot, which supports the pot, and to which the pot, when broken, finally returns. tvaà mäyayätmäçrayayä svayedaà nirmäya viçvaà tad-anupraviñöaù paçyanti yuktä manasä manéñiëo guëa-vyaväye ‘py aguëaà vipaçcitaù O Supreme, You are independent in Your self and do not take help from others. Through Your own potency, You create this cosmic manifestation and enter into it. Those who are advanced in Kåñëa consciousness, who are fully in knowledge of the authoritative çästra, and who, through the practice of bhakti-yoga, are cleansed of all material contamination, can see with clear minds that although You exist within the transformations of the material qualities, Your presence is untouched by these qualities. yathägnim edhasy amåtaà ca goñu bhuvy annam ambüdyamane ca våttim yogair manuñyä adhiyanti hi tväà guëeñu buddhyä kavayo vadanti As one can derive fire from wood, milk from the milk bag of the cow, food grains and water from the land, and prosperity in one’s livelihood from industrial enterprises, so, by the practice of bhakti-yoga, even within this material world, one can achieve Your favor or intelligently approach You. Those who are pious all affirm this. taà tväà vayaà nätha samujjihänaà saroja-näbhäticirepsitärtham dåñövä gatä nirvåtam adya sarve gajä davärtä iva gäìgam ambhaù Elephants afflicted by a forest fire become very happy when they get water from the Ganges. Similarly, O my Lord, from whose navel grows a lotus flower, since You have now appeared before us, we have become transcendentally happy. By seeing Your Lordship, whom we have desired to see for a very long time, we have achieved our ultimate goal in life. sa tvaà vidhatsväkhila-loka-pälä vayaà yad arthäs tava päda-mülam 239

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

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samägatäs te bahir-antar-ätman kià vänya-vijïäpyam açeña-säkñiëaù My Lord, we, the various demigods, the directors of this universe, have come to Your lotus feet. Please fulfill the purpose for which we have come. You are the witness of everything, from within and without. Nothing is unknown to You, and therefore it is unnecessary to inform You again of anything. ahaà giritraç ca surädayo ye dakñädayo ‘gner iva ketavas te kià vä vidämeça påthag-vibhätä vidhatsva çaà no dvija-deva-mantram I [Lord Brahmä], Lord Çiva and all the demigods, accompanied by the prajäpatis like Dakña, are nothing but sparks illuminated by You, who are the original fire. Since we are particles of You, what can we understand about our welfare? O Supreme Lord, please give us the means of deliverance that is suitable for the brähmaëas and demigods.

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Prayers by Prajäpatis to Lord Çiva (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.7.21-35)

çré-prajäpataya ücuù deva-deva mahä-deva bhütätman bhüta-bhävana trähi naù çaraëäpannäàs trailokya-dahanäd viñät The prajäpatis said: O greatest of all demigods, Mahädeva, Supersoul of all living entities and cause of their happiness and prosperity, we have come to the shelter of your lotus feet. Now please save us from this fiery poison, which is spreading all over the three worlds. tvam ekaù sarva-jagata éçvaro bandha-mokñayoù taà tväm arcanti kuçaläù prapannärti-haraà gurum O lord, you are the cause of bondage and liberation of the entire universe because you are its ruler. Those who are advanced in spiritual consciousness surrender unto you, and therefore you are the cause of mitigating their distresses, and you are also the cause of their liberation. We therefore worship Your Lordship. guëa-mayyä sva-çaktyäsya sarga-sthity-apyayän vibho dhatse yadä sva-dåg bhüman brahma-viñëu-çiväbhidhäm O lord, you are self-effulgent and supreme. You create this material world by your personal energy, and you assume the names Brahmä, Viñëu and Maheçvara when you act in creation, maintenance and annihilation.

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tvaà brahma paramaà guhyaà sad-asad-bhäva-bhävanam nänä-çaktibhir äbhätas tvam ätmä jagad-éçvaraù You are the cause of all causes, the self-effulgent, inconceivable, impersonal Brahman, which is originally Parabrahman. You manifest various potencies in this cosmic manifestation. tvaà çabda-yonir jagad-ädir ätmä präëendriya-dravya-guëaù svabhävaù kälaù kratuù satyam åtaà ca dharmas tvayy akñaraà yat tri-våd-ämananti O lord, you are the original source of Vedic literature. You are the original cause of material creation, the life force, the senses, the five elements, the three modes and the mahat-tattva. You are eternal time, determination and the two religious systems called truth [satya] and truthfulness [åta]. You are the shelter of the syllable oà, which consists of three letters a-u-m. agnir mukhaà te ‘khila-devatätmä kñitià vidur loka-bhaväìghri-paìkajam kälaà gatià te ‘khila-devatätmano diçaç ca karëau rasanaà jaleçam O father of all planets, learned scholars know that fire is your mouth, the surface of the globe is your lotus feet, eternal time is your movement, all the directions are your ears, and Varuëa, master of the waters, is your tongue. näbhir nabhas te çvasanaà nabhasvän süryaç ca cakñüàñi jalaà sma retaù parävarätmäçrayaëaà tavätmä somo mano dyaur bhagavan çiras te O lord, the sky is your navel, the air is your breathing, the sun is your eyes, and the water is your semen. You are the shelter of all kinds of living entities, high and low. The god of the moon is your mind, and the upper planetary system is your head. 242

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kukñiù samudrä girayo ‘sthi-saìghä romäëi sarvauñadhi-vérudhas te chandäàsi säkñät tava sapta dhätavas trayé-mayätman hådayaà sarva-dharmaù O lord, you are the three Vedas personified. The seven seas are your abdomen, and the mountains are your bones. All drugs, creepers and vegetables are the hairs on your body, the Vedic mantras like Gäyatré are the seven layers of your body, and the Vedic religious system is the core of your heart. mukhäni païcopaniñadas taveça yais triàçad-añöottara-mantra-vargaù yat tac chiväkhyaà paramätma-tattvaà deva svayaà-jyotir avasthitis te O lord, the five important Vedic mantras are represented by your five faces, from which the thirty-eight most celebrated Vedic mantras have been generated. Your Lordship, being celebrated as Lord Çiva, is selfilluminated. You are directly situated as the supreme truth, known as Paramätmä. chäyä tv adharmormiñu yair visargo netra-trayaà sattva-rajas-tamäàsi säìkhyätmanaù çästra-kåtas tavekñä chandomayo deva åñiù puräëaù O lord, your shadow is seen in irreligion, which brings about varieties of irreligious creations. The three modes of nature—goodness, passion and ignorance—are your three eyes. All the Vedic literatures, which are full of verses, are emanations from you because their compilers wrote the various scriptures after receiving your glance. na te giri-träkhila-loka-pälaviriïca-vaikuëöha-surendra-gamyam jyotiù paraà yatra rajas tamaç ca sattvaà na yad brahma nirasta-bhedam O Lord Giréça, since the impersonal Brahman effulgence is transcendental to the material modes of goodness, passion and ignorance, the various 243

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directors of this material world certainly cannot appreciate it or even know where it is. It is not understandable even to Lord Brahmä, Lord Viñëu or the King of heaven, Mahendra. kämädhvara-tripura-kälagarädy-anekabhüta-druhaù kñapayataù stutaye na tat te yas tv anta-käla idam ätma-kåtaà sva-netravahni-sphuliìga-çikhayä bhasitaà na veda When annihilation is performed by the flames and sparks emanating from your eyes, the entire creation is burned to ashes. Nonetheless, you do not know how this happens. What then is to be said of your destroying the Dakña-yajïa, Tripuräsura and the kälaküöa poison? Such activities cannot be subject matters for prayers offered to you. ye tv ätma-räma-gurubhir hådi cintitäìghridvandvaà carantam umayä tapasäbhitaptam katthanta ugra-paruñaà nirataà çmaçäne te nünam ütim avidaàs tava häta-lajjäù Exalted, self-satisfied persons who preach to the entire world think of your lotus feet constantly within their hearts. However, when persons who do not know your austerity see you moving with Umä, they misunderstand you to be lusty, or when they see you wandering in the crematorium they mistakenly think that you are ferocious and envious. Certainly they are shameless. They cannot understand your activities. tat tasya te sad-asatoù parataù parasya näïjaù svarüpa-gamane prabhavanti bhümnaù brahmädayaù kim uta saàstavane vayaà tu tat-sarga-sarga-viñayä api çakti-mätram Even personalities like Lord Brahmä and other demigods cannot understand your position, for you are beyond the moving and nonmoving creation. Since no one can understand you in truth, how can one offer you prayers? It is impossible. As far as we are concerned, we are creatures of Lord Brahmä’s creation. Under the circumstances, therefore, we cannot offer you adequate prayers, but as far as our ability allows, we have expressed our feelings. 244

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etat paraà prapaçyämo na paraà te maheçvara måòanäya hi lokasya vyaktis te ‘vyakta-karmaëaù O greatest of all rulers, your actual identity is impossible for us to understand. As far as we can see, your presence brings flourishing happiness to everyone. Beyond this, no one can appreciate your activities. We can see this much, and nothing more.

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Prayers by Lord Çiva to Lord Viñëu (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.12.4-13)

çré-mahädeva uväca deva-deva jagad-vyäpiï jagad-éça jagan-maya sarveñäm api bhävänäà tvam ätmä hetur éçvaraù Lord Mahädeva said: O chief demigod among the demigods, O all-pervading Lord, master of the universe, by Your energy You are transformed into the creation. You are the root and efficient cause of everything. You are not material. Indeed, You are the Supersoul or supreme living force of everything. Therefore, You are Parameçvara, the supreme controller of all controllers. ädy-antäv asya yan madhyam idam anyad ahaà bahiù yato ‘vyayasya naitäni tat satyaà brahma cid bhavän The manifest, the unmanifest, false ego and the beginning, maintenance and annihilation of this cosmic manifestation all come from You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. But because You are the Absolute Truth, the supreme absolute spirit soul, the Supreme Brahman, such changes as birth, death and sustenance do not exist in You. tavaiva caraëämbhojaà çreyas-kämä niräçiñaù visåjyobhayataù saìgaà munayaù samupäsate Pure devotees or great saintly persons who desire to achieve the highest goal in life and who are completely free from all material desires for sense 246

Prayers by Lord Çiva to Lord Vi ñëu

gratification engage constantly in the transcendental service of Your lotus feet. tvaà brahma pürëam amåtaà viguëaà viçokam änanda-mätram avikäram ananyad anyat viçvasya hetur udaya-sthiti-saàyamänäm ätmeçvaraç ca tad-apekñatayänapekñaù My Lord, You are the Supreme Brahman, complete in everything. Being completely spiritual, You are eternal, free from the material modes of nature, and full of transcendental bliss. Indeed, for You there is no question of lamentation. Since You are the supreme cause, the cause of all causes, nothing can exist without You. Yet we are different from You in a relationship of cause and effect, for in one sense the cause and effect are different. You are the original cause of creation, manifestation and annihilation, and You bestow benedictions upon all living entities. Everyone depends upon You for the results of his activities, but You are always independent. ekas tvam eva sad asad dvayam advayaà ca svarëaà kåtäkåtam iveha na vastu-bhedaù ajïänatas tvayi janair vihito vikalpo yasmäd guëa-vyatikaro nirupädhikasya My dear Lord, Your Lordship alone is the cause and the effect. Therefore, although You appear to be two, You are the absolute one. As there is no difference between the gold of a golden ornament and the gold in a mine, there is no difference between cause and effect; both of them are the same. Only because of ignorance do people concoct differences and dualities. You are free from material contamination, and since the entire cosmos is caused by You and cannot exist without You, it is an effect of Your transcendental qualities. Thus the conception that Brahman is true and the world false cannot be maintained. tväà brahma kecid avayanty uta dharmam eke eke paraà sad-asatoù puruñaà pareçam anye ‘vayanti nava-çakti-yutaà paraà tväà kecin mahä-puruñam avyayam ätma-tantram 247

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

Canto 08

Those who are known as the impersonalist Vedäntists regard You as the impersonal Brahman. Others, known as the Mémäàsaka philosophers, regard You as religion. The Säìkhya philosophers regard You as the transcendental person who is beyond prakåti and puruña and who is the controller of even the demigods. The followers of the codes of devotional service known as the Païcarätras regard You as being endowed with nine different potencies. And the Pataïjala philosophers, the followers of Pataïjali Muni, regard You as the supreme independent Personality of Godhead, who has no equal or superior. nähaà paräyur åñayo na maréci-mukhyä jänanti yad-viracitaà khalu sattva-sargäù yan-mäyayä muñita-cetasa éça daityamartyädayaù kim uta çaçvad-abhadra-våttäù O my Lord, I, who am considered to be the best of the demigods, and Lord Brahmä and the great åñis, headed by Maréci, are born of the mode of goodness. Nonetheless, we are bewildered by Your illusory energy and cannot understand what this creation is. Aside from us, what is to be said of others, like the demons and human beings, who are in the base modes of material nature [rajo-guëa and tamo-guëa]? How will they know You? sa tvaà saméhitam adaù sthiti-janma-näçaà bhütehitaà ca jagato bhava-bandha-mokñau väyur yathä viçati khaà ca caräcaräkhyaà sarvaà tad-ätmakatayävagamo ‘varuntse My Lord, You are the supreme knowledge personified. You know everything about this creation and its beginning, maintenance and annihilation, and You know all the endeavors made by the living entities, by which they are either implicated in this material world or liberated from it. As the air enters the vast sky and also enters the bodies of all moving and nonmoving entities, You are present everywhere, and therefore You are the knower of all. avatärä mayä dåñöä ramamäëasya te guëaiù

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Prayers by Lord Çiva to Lord Vi ñëu

so ‘haà tad drañöum icchämi yat te yoñid-vapur dhåtam My Lord, I have seen all kinds of incarnations You have exhibited by Your transcendental qualities, and now that You have appeared as a beautiful young woman, I wish to see that form of Your Lordship. yena sammohitä daityäù päyitäç cämåtaà suräù tad didåkñava äyätäù paraà kautühalaà hi naù My Lord, we have come here desiring to see that form of Your Lordship which You showed to the demons to captivate them completely and in this way enable the demigods to drink nectar. I am very eager to see that form.

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Prayers by Aditi to the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.17.8-10)

çré-aditir uväca yajïeça yajïa-puruñäcyuta tértha-päda tértha-çravaù çravaëa-maìgala-nämadheya äpanna-loka-våjinopaçamodayädya çaà naù kådhéça bhagavann asi déna-näthaù The goddess Aditi said: O master and enjoyer of all sacrificial ceremonies, O infallible and most famous person, whose name, when chanted, spreads all good fortune! O original Supreme Personality of Godhead, supreme controller, shelter of all holy places, You are the shelter of all poor, suffering living entities, and You have appeared to diminish their suffering. Please be kind to us and spread our good fortune. viçväya viçva-bhavana-sthiti-saàyamäya svairaà gåhéta-puru-çakti-guëäya bhümne sva-sthäya çaçvad-upabåàhita-pürëa-bodhavyäpäditätma-tamase haraye namas te My Lord, You are the all-pervading universal form, the fully independent creator, maintainer and destroyer of this universe. Although You engage Your energy in matter, You are always situated in Your original form and never fall from that position, for Your knowledge is infallible and always suitable to any situation. You are never bewildered by illusion. O my Lord, let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You. äyuù paraà vapur abhéñöam atulya-lakñmér dyo-bhü-rasäù sakala-yoga-guëäs tri-vargaù jïänaà ca kevalam ananta bhavanti tuñöät tvatto nåëäà kim u sapatna-jayädir äçéù

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P r a y e r s b y A d i t i t o t h e S u p r e m e Pe r s o n a l i t y o f G o d h e a d

O unlimited one, if Your Lordship is satisfied, one can very easily obtain a lifetime as long as that of Lord BrahmĂ¤, a body either in the upper, lower or middle planetary systems, unlimited material opulence, religion, economic development and satisfaction of the senses, full transcendental knowledge, and the eight yogic perfections, what to speak of such petty achievements as conquering oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rivals.

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Prayers by Brahmä to the Lord in the Womb of Aditi (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.17.25-28)

çré-brahmoväca jayorugäya bhagavann urukrama namo ‘stu te namo brahmaëya-deväya tri-guëäya namo namaù Lord Brahmä said: O Supreme Personality of Godhead, all glories unto You, who are glorified by all and whose activities are all uncommon. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, O Lord of the transcendentalists, controller of the three modes of nature. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You again and again. namas te påçni-garbhäya veda-garbhäya vedhase tri-näbhäya tri-påñöhäya çipi-viñöäya viñëave I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, the all-pervading Lord Viñëu, who have entered the cores of the hearts of all living entities. All the three worlds reside within Your navel, yet You are above the three worlds. Formerly You appeared as the son of Påçni. To You, the supreme creator, who are understood only through Vedic knowledge, I offer my respectful obeisances. tvam ädir anto bhuvanasya madhyam ananta-çaktià puruñaà yam ähuù kälo bhavän äkñipatéça viçvaà sroto yathäntaù patitaà gabhéram O my Lord, You are the beginning, the manifestation and the ultimate dissolution of the three worlds, and You are celebrated in the Vedas as 252

P r a y e r s b y B r a h m ä t o t h e L o r d i n t h e Wo m b o f A d i t i

the reservoir of unlimited potencies, the Supreme Person. O my Lord, as waves attract branches and leaves that have fallen into deep water, You, the supreme eternal time factor, attract everything in this universe. tvaà vai prajänäà sthira-jaìgamänäà prajäpaténäm asi sambhaviñëuù divaukasäà deva divaç cyutänäà paräyaëaà naur iva majjato ‘psu My Lord, You are the original generator of all living entities, stationary or moving, and You are also the generator of the Prajäpatis. O my Lord, as a boat is the only hope for a person drowning in the water, You are the only shelter for the demigods, who are now bereft of their heavenly position.

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Prayers by Bali Mahäräja to Lord Vämana (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.22.2-11)

çré-balir uväca yady uttamaçloka bhavän mameritaà vaco vyalékaà sura-varya manyate karomy åtaà tan na bhavet pralambhanaà padaà tåtéyaà kuru çérñëi me nijam Bali Mahäräja said: O best Personality of Godhead, most worshipable for all the demigods, if You think that my promise has become false, I shall certainly rectify matters to make it truthful. I cannot allow my promise to be false. Please, therefore, place Your third lotus footstep on my head. bibhemi nähaà nirayät pada-cyuto na päça-bandhäd vyasanäd duratyayät naivärtha-kåcchräd bhavato vinigrahäd asädhu-vädäd bhåçam udvije yathä I do not fear being deprived of all my possessions, living in hellish life, being arrested for poverty by the ropes of Varuëa or being punished by You as much as I fear defamation. puàsäà çläghyatamaà manye daëòam arhattamärpitam yaà na mätä pitä bhrätä suhådaç cädiçanti hi Although a father, mother, brother or friend may sometimes punish one as a well-wisher, they never punish their subordinate like this. But because You are the most worshipable Lord, I regard the punishment You have given me as most exalted.

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P r a y e r s b y B a l i M a h ä r äj a t o L o r d Vä m a n a

tvaà nünam asuräëäà naù parokñaù paramo guruù yo no ‘neka-madändhänäà vibhraàçaà cakñur ädiçat Since Your Lordship is indirectly the greatest well-wisher of us demons, You act for our best welfare by posing as if our enemy. Because demons like us always aspire for a position of false prestige, by chastising us You give us the eyes by which to see the right path. yasmin vairänubandhena vyüòhena vibudhetaräù bahavo lebhire siddhià yäm u haikänta-yoginaù tenähaà nigåhéto ‘smi bhavatä bhüri-karmaëä baddhaç ca väruëaiù päçair nätivréòe na ca vyathe Many demons who were continuously inimical toward You finally achieved the perfection of great mystic yogés. Your Lordship can perform one work to serve many purposes, and consequently, although You have punished me in many ways, I do not feel ashamed of having been arrested by the ropes of Varuëa, nor do I feel aggrieved. pitämaho me bhavadéya-sammataù prahräda äviñkåta-sädhu-vädaù bhavad-vipakñeëa vicitra-vaiçasaà sampräpitas tvaà paramaù sva-piträ My grandfather Prahläda Mahäräja is famous, being recognized by all Your devotees. Although harassed in many ways by his father, Hiraëyakaçipu, he still remained faithful, taking shelter at Your lotus feet. kim ätmanänena jahäti yo ‘ntataù kià riktha-häraiù svajanäkhya-dasyubhiù kià jäyayä saàsåti-hetu-bhütayä martyasya gehaiù kim ihäyuño vyayaù

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What is the use of the material body, which automatically leaves its owner at the end of life? And what is the use of all one’s family members, who are actually plunderers taking away money that is useful for the service of the Lord in spiritual opulence? What is the use of a wife? She is only the source of increasing material conditions. And what is the use of family, home, country and community? Attachment for them merely wastes the valuable energy of one’s lifetime. itthaà sa niçcitya pitämaho mahän agädha-bodho bhavataù päda-padmam dhruvaà prapede hy akutobhayaà janäd bhétaù svapakña-kñapaëasya sattama My grandfather, the best of all men, who achieved unlimited knowledge and was worshipable for everyone, was afraid of the common men in this world. Being fully convinced of the substantiality afforded by shelter at Your lotus feet, He took shelter of Your lotus feet, against the will of his father and demoniac friends, who were killed by Your own self. athäham apy ätma-ripos taväntikaà daivena nétaù prasabhaà tyäjita-çréù idaà kåtäntäntika-varti jévitaà yayädhruvaà stabdha-matir na budhyate Only by providence have I been forcibly brought under Your lotus feet and deprived of all my opulence. Because of the illusion created by temporary opulence, people in general, who live under material conditions, facing accidental death at every moment, do not understand that this life is temporary. Only by providence have I been saved from that condition.

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Prayers by Vindhyävali to Lord Vämana (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.22.20)

çré-vindhyävalir uväca kréòärtham ätmana idaà tri-jagat kåtaà te svämyaà tu tatra kudhiyo ‘para éça kuryuù kartuù prabhos tava kim asyata ävahanti tyakta-hriyas tvad-avaropita-kartå-vädäù Çrématé Vindhyävali said: O my Lord, You have created the entire universe for the enjoyment of Your personal pastimes, but foolish, unintelligent men have claimed proprietorship for material enjoyment. Certainly they are shameless agnostics. Falsely claiming proprietorship, they think they can give charity and enjoy. In such a condition, what good can they do for You, who are the independent creator, maintainer and annihilator of this universe?

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Prayers by Lord Brahmä to Lord Vämana (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.22.21-23)

çré-brahmoväca bhüta-bhävana bhüteça deva-deva jaganmaya muïcainaà håta-sarvasvaà näyam arhati nigraham Lord Brahmä said: O well-wisher and master of all living entities, O worshipable Deity of all the demigods, O all-pervading Personality of Godhead, now this man has been sufficiently punished, for You have taken everything. Now You can release him. He does not deserve to be punished more. kåtsnä te ‘nena dattä bhür lokäù karmärjitäç ca ye niveditaà ca sarvasvam ätmäviklavayä dhiyä Bali Mahäräja had already offered everything to Your Lordship. Without hesitation, he has offered his land, the planets and whatever else he earned by his pious activities, including even his own body. yat-pädayor açaöha-dhéù salilaà pradäya dürväìkurair api vidhäya satéà saparyäm apy uttamäà gatim asau bhajate tri-lokéà däçvän aviklava-manäù katham ärtim åcchet By offering even water, newly grown grass, or flower buds at Your lotus feet, those who maintain no mental duplicity can achieve the most exalted position within the spiritual world. This Bali Mahäräja, without duplicity, has now offered everything in the three worlds. How then can he deserve to suffer from arrest? 258

Prayers by Prahläda to Lord Vämana (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.23.6-8)

çré-prahräda uväca nemaà viriïco labhate prasädaà na çrér na çarvaù kim utäpare ‘nye yan no ‘suräëäm asi durga-pälo viçväbhivandyair abhivanditäìghriù Prahläda Mahäräja said: O Supreme Personality of Godhead, You are universally worshiped; even Lord Brahmä and Lord Çiva worship Your lotus feet. Yet although You are such a great personality, You have kindly promised to protect us, the demons. I think that such kindness has never been achieved even by Lord Brahmä, Lord Çiva or the goddess of fortune, Lakñmé, what to speak of other demigods or common people. yat-päda-padma-makaranda-niñevaëena brahmädayaù çaraëadäçnuvate vibhütéù kasmäd vayaà kusåtayaù khala-yonayas te däkñiëya-dåñöi-padavéà bhavataù praëétäù O supreme shelter of everyone, great personalities like Brahmä enjoy their perfection simply by tasting the honey of rendering service at Your lotus feet. But as for us, who are all rogues and debauchees born of an envious family of demons, how have we received Your mercy? It has been possible only because Your mercy is causeless. citraà tavehitam aho ‘mita-yogamäyälélä-visåñöa-bhuvanasya viçäradasya sarvätmanaù samadåço ‘viñamaù svabhävo bhakta-priyo yad asi kalpataru-svabhävaù O my Lord, Your pastimes are all wonderfully performed by Your inconceivable spiritual energy; and by her perverted reflection, the 259

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material energy, You have created all the universes. As the Supersoul of all living entities, You are aware of everything, and therefore You are certainly equal toward everyone. Nonetheless, You favor Your devotees. This is not partiality, however, for Your characteristic is just like that of a desire tree, which yields everything according to one’s desire.

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Prayers by King Satyavrata to Lord Matsya (1) (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.24.27-30)

nünaà tvaà bhagavän säkñäd dharir näräyaëo ‘vyayaù anugrahäya bhütänäà dhatse rüpaà jalaukasäm My Lord, You are certainly the inexhaustible Supreme Personality of Godhead, Näräyaëa, Çré Hari. It is to show Your mercy to the living entities that You have now assumed the form of an aquatic. namas te puruña-çreñöha sthity-utpatty-apyayeçvara bhaktänäà naù prapannänäà mukhyo hy ätma-gatir vibho O my Lord, master of creation, maintenance and annihilation, O best of enjoyers, Lord Viñëu, You are the leader and destination of surrendered devotees like us. Therefore let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You. sarve lélävatäräs te bhütänäà bhüti-hetavaù jïätum icchämy ado rüpaà yad-arthaà bhavatä dhåtam All Your pastimes and incarnations certainly appear for the welfare of all living entities. Therefore, my Lord, I wish to know the purpose for which You have assumed this form of a fish. na te ‘ravindäkña padopasarpaëaà måñä bhavet sarva-suhåt-priyätmanaù

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yathetareñäà påthag-ätmanäà satäm adédåço yad vapur adbhutaà hi naù O my Lord, possessing eyes like the petals of a lotus, the worship of the demigods, who are in the bodily concept of life, is fruitless in all respects. But because You are the supreme friend and dearmost Supersoul of everyone, worship of Your lotus feet is never useless. You have therefore manifested Your form as a fish.

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Prayers by King Satyavrata to Lord Matsya (2) (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 8.24.46-53)

çré-räjoväca anädy-avidyopahatätma-saàvidas tan-müla-saàsära-pariçramäturäù yadåcchayopasåtä yam äpnuyur vimuktido naù paramo gurur bhavän The King said: By the grace of the Lord, those who have lost their selfknowledge since time immemorial, and who because of this ignorance are involved in a material, conditional life full of miseries, obtain the chance to meet the Lord’s devotee. I accept that Supreme Personality of Godhead as the supreme spiritual master. jano ‘budho ‘yaà nija-karma-bandhanaù sukhecchayä karma saméhate ‘sukham yat-sevayä täà vidhunoty asan-matià granthià sa bhindyäd dhådayaà sa no guruù In hopes of becoming happy in this material world, the foolish conditioned soul performs fruitive activities that result only in suffering. But by rendering service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one becomes free from such false desires for happiness. May my supreme spiritual master cut the knot of false desires from the core of my heart. yat-sevayägner iva rudra-rodanaà pumän vijahyän malam ätmanas tamaù bhajeta varëaà nijam eña so ‘vyayo bhüyät sa éçaù paramo guror guruù One who wants to be free of material entanglement should take to the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and give up the contamination of ignorance, involving pious and impious activities. Thus 263

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one regains his original identity, just as a block of gold or silver sheds all dirt and becomes purified when treated with fire. May that inexhaustible Supreme Personality of Godhead become our spiritual master, for He is the original spiritual master of all other spiritual masters. na yat-prasädäyuta-bhäga-leçam anye ca devä guravo janäù svayam kartuà sametäù prabhavanti puàsas tam éçvaraà tväà çaraëaà prapadye Neither all the demigods, nor the so-called gurus nor all other people, either independently or together, can offer mercy that equals even one ten-thousandth of Yours. Therefore I wish to take shelter of Your lotus feet. acakñur andhasya yathägraëéù kåtas tathä janasyäviduño ‘budho guruù tvam arka-dåk sarva-dåçäà samékñaëo våto gurur naù sva-gatià bubhutsatäm As a blind man, being unable to see, accepts another blind man as his leader, people who do not know the goal of life accept someone as a guru who is a rascal and a fool. But we are interested in self-realization. Therefore we accept You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as our spiritual master, for You are able to see in all directions and are omniscient like the sun. jano janasyädiçate ‘satéà gatià yayä prapadyeta duratyayaà tamaù tvaà tv avyayaà jïänam amogham aïjasä prapadyate yena jano nijaà padam A materialistic so-called guru instructs his materialistic disciples about economic development and sense gratification, and because of such instructions the foolish disciples continue in the materialistic existence of ignorance. But Your Lordship gives knowledge that is eternal, and the intelligent person receiving such knowledge is quickly situated in his original constitutional position. tvaà sarva-lokasya suhåt priyeçvaro hy ätmä gurur jïänam abhéñöa-siddhiù 264

Prayers by King Sat yav rat a to Lord Mat sya - 2

tathäpi loko na bhavantam andha-dhér jänäti santaà hådi baddha-kämaù My Lord, You are the supreme well-wishing friend of everyone, the dearmost friend, the controller, the Supersoul, the supreme instructor and the giver of supreme knowledge and the fulfillment of all desires. But although You are within the heart, the foolish, because of lusty desires in the heart, cannot understand You. tvaà tväm ahaà deva-varaà vareëyaà prapadya éçaà pratibodhanäya chindhy artha-dépair bhagavan vacobhir granthén hådayyän vivåëu svam okaù O Supreme Lord, for self-realization I surrender unto You, who are worshiped by the demigods as the supreme controller of everything. By Your instructions, exposing life’s purpose, kindly cut the knot from the core of my heart and let me know the destination of my life.

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Prayer by Mahäräja Ambaréña to Sudarçana (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 9.5.3-11)

ambaréña uväca tvam agnir bhagavän süryas tvaà somo jyotiñäà patiù tvam äpas tvaà kñitir vyoma väyur mätrendriyäëi ca Mahäräja Ambaréña said: O Sudarçana cakra, you are fire, you are the most powerful sun, and you are the moon, the master of all luminaries. You are water, earth and sky, you are the air, you are the five sense objects [sound, touch, form, taste and smell], and you are the senses also. sudarçana namas tubhyaà sahasräräcyuta-priya sarvästra-ghätin vipräya svasti bhüyä iòaspate O most favorite of Acyuta, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you have thousands of spokes. O master of the material world, destroyer of all weapons, original vision of the Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto you. Kindly give shelter and be auspicious to this brähmaëa. tvaà dharmas tvam åtaà satyaà tvaà yajïo ‘khila-yajïa-bhuk tvaà loka-pälaù sarvätmä tvaà tejaù pauruñaà param O Sudarçana wheel, you are religion, you are truth, you are encouraging statements, you are sacrifice, and you are the enjoyer of the fruits of sacrifice. You are the maintainer of the entire universe, and you are the supreme transcendental prowess in the hands of the Supreme Personality 268

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of Godhead. You are the original vision of the Lord, and therefore you are known as Sudarçana. Everything has been created by your activities, and therefore you are all-pervading. namaù sunäbhäkhila-dharma-setave hy adharma-çéläsura-dhüma-ketave trailokya-gopäya viçuddha-varcase mano-javäyädbhuta-karmaëe gåëe O Sudarçana, you have a very auspicious hub, and therefore you are the upholder of all religion. You are just like an inauspicious comet for the irreligious demons. Indeed, you are the maintainer of the three worlds, you are full of transcendental effulgence, you are as quick as the mind, and you are able to work wonders. I can simply utter the word namaù, offering all obeisances unto you. tvat-tejasä dharma-mayena saàhåtaà tamaù prakäçaç ca dåço mahätmanäm duratyayas te mahimä giräà pate tvad-rüpam etat sad-asat parävaram O master of speech, by your effulgence, full of religious principles, the darkness of the world is dissipated, and the knowledge of learned persons or great souls is manifested. Indeed, no one can surpass your effulgence, for all things, manifested and unmanifested, gross and subtle, superior and inferior, are but various forms of you that are manifested by your effulgence. yadä visåñöas tvam anaïjanena vai balaà praviñöo ‘jita daitya-dänavam bähüdarorv-aìghri-çirodharäëi våçcann ajasraà pradhane viräjase O indefatigable one, when you are sent by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to enter among the soldiers of the Daityas and the Dänavas, you stay on the battlefield and unendingly separate their arms, bellies, thighs, legs and heads. sa tvaà jagat-träëa khala-prahäëaye nirüpitaù sarva-saho gadä-bhåtä 269

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viprasya cäsmat-kula-daiva-hetave vidhehi bhadraà tad anugraho hi naù O protector of the universe, you are engaged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead as His all-powerful weapon in killing the envious enemies. For the benefit of our entire dynasty, kindly favor this poor brähmaëa. This will certainly be a favor for all of us. yady asti dattam iñöaà vä sva-dharmo vä svanuñöhitaù kulaà no vipra-daivaà ced dvijo bhavatu vijvaraù If our family has given charity to the proper persons, if we have performed ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices, if we have properly carried out our occupational duties, and if we have been guided by learned brähmaëas, I wish, in exchange, that this brähmaëa be freed from the burning caused by the Sudarçana cakra. yadi no bhagavän préta ekaù sarva-guëäçrayaù sarva-bhütätma-bhävena dvijo bhavatu vijvaraù If the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is one without a second, who is the reservoir of all transcendental qualities, and who is the life and soul of all living entities, is pleased with us, we wish that this brähmaëa, Durväsä Muni, be freed from the pain of being burned.

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Prayers by Aàçumän to Lord Kapiladeva (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 9.8.21-26)

ye deha-bhäjas tri-guëa-pradhänä guëän vipaçyanty uta vä tamaç ca yan-mäyayä mohita-cetasas tväà viduù sva-saàsthaà na bahiù-prakäçäù My Lord, You are fully situated in everyone’s heart, but the living entities, covered by the material body, cannot see You, for they are influenced by the external energy, conducted by the three modes of material nature. Their intelligence being covered by sattva-guëa, rajo-guëa and tamoguëa, they can see only the actions and reactions of these three modes of material nature. Because of the actions and reactions of the mode of ignorance, whether the living entities are awake or sleeping, they can see only the workings of material nature; they cannot see Your Lordship. taà tväà ahaà jïäna-ghanaà svabhävapradhvasta-mäyä-guëa-bheda-mohaiù sanandanädyair munibhir vibhävyaà kathaà vimüòhaù paribhävayämi O my Lord, sages freed from the influence of the three modes of material nature—sages such as the four Kumäras [Sanat, Sanaka, Sanandana and Sanätana]—are able to think of You, who are concentrated knowledge. But how can an ignorant person like me think of You? praçänta mäyä-guëa-karma-liìgam anäma-rüpaà sad-asad-vimuktam jïänopadeçäya gåhéta-dehaà namämahe tväà puruñaà puräëam O completely peaceful Lord, although material nature, fruitive activities and their consequent material names and forms are Your creation, You 271

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are unaffected by them. Therefore, Your transcendental name is different from material names, and Your form is different from material forms. You assume a form resembling a material body just to give us instructions like those of Bhagavad-gétä, but actually You are the supreme original person. I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You. tvan-mäyä-racite loke vastu-buddhyä gåhädiñu bhramanti käma-lobherñyämoha-vibhränta-cetasaù O my Lord, those whose hearts are bewildered by the influence of lust, greed, envy and illusion are interested only in false hearth and home in this world created by Your mäyä. Attached to home, wife and children, they wander in this material world perpetually. adya naù sarva-bhütätman käma-karmendriyäçayaù moha-päço dåòhaç chinno bhagavaàs tava darçanät O Supersoul of all living entities, O Personality of Godhead, simply by seeing You I have now been freed from all lusty desires, which are the root cause of insurmountable illusion and bondage in the material world.

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Prayers by Brähmaëas to Lord Rämacandra (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 9.11.6-7

aprattaà nas tvayä kià nu bhagavan bhuvaneçvara yan no ‘ntar-hådayaà viçya tamo haàsi sva-rociñä O Lord, You are the master of the entire universe. What have You not given to us? You have entered the core of our hearts and dissipated the darkness of our ignorance by Your effulgence. This is the supreme gift. We do not need a material donation. namo brahmaëya-deväya rämäyäkuëöha-medhase uttamaçloka-dhuryäya nyasta-daëòärpitäìghraye O Lord, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who have accepted the brähmaëas as Your worshipable deity. Your knowledge and memory are never disturbed by anxiety. You are the chief of all famous persons within this world, and Your lotus feet are worshiped by sages who are beyond the jurisdiction of punishment. O Lord Rämacandra, let us offer our respectful obeisances unto You.

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Maìgaläcaraëa

Canto Ten

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Prayers by the Demigods to Kåñëa in the Womb of Mother Devaké (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.2.26-41)

satya-vrataà satya-paraà tri-satyaà satyasya yonià nihitaà ca satye satyasya satyam åta-satya-netraà satyätmakaà tväà çaraëaà prapannäù The demigods prayed: O Lord, You never deviate from Your vow, which is always perfect because whatever You decide is perfectly correct and cannot be stopped by anyone. Being present in the three phases of cosmic manifestation-creation, maintenance and annihilation—You are the Supreme Truth. Indeed, unless one is completely truthful, one cannot achieve Your favor, which therefore cannot be achieved by hypocrites. You are the active principle, the real truth, in all the ingredients of creation, and therefore you are known as antaryämé, the inner force. You are equal to everyone, and Your instructions apply for everyone, for all time. You are the beginning of all truth. Therefore, offering our obeisances, we surrender unto You. Kindly give us protection. ekäyano ‘sau dvi-phalas tri-mülaç catü-rasaù païca-vidhaù ñaò-ätmä sapta-tvag añöa-viöapo naväkño daça-cchadé dvi-khago hy ädi-våkñaù The body [the total body and the individual body are of the same composition] may figuratively be called “the original tree.” From this tree, which fully depends on the ground of material nature, come two kinds of fruit—the enjoyment of happiness and the suffering of distress. The cause of the tree, forming its three roots, is association with the three modes of material nature—goodness, passion and ignorance. The fruits

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of bodily happiness have four tastes—religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation—which are experienced through five senses for acquiring knowledge in the midst of six circumstances: lamentation, illusion, old age, death, hunger and thirst. The seven layers of bark covering the tree are skin, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow and semen, and the eight branches of the tree are the five gross and three subtle elements—earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego. The tree of the body has nine hollows—the eyes, the ears, the nostrils, the mouth, the rectum and the genitals—and ten leaves, the ten airs passing through the body. In this tree of the body there are two birds: one is the individual soul, and the other is the Supersoul. tvam eka eväsya sataù prasütis tvaà sannidhänaà tvam anugrahaç ca tvan-mäyayä saàvåta-cetasas tväà paçyanti nänä na vipaçcito ye The efficient cause of this material world, manifested with its many varieties as the original tree, is You, O Lord. You are also the maintainer of this material world, and after annihilation You are the one in whom everything is conserved. Those who are covered by Your external energy cannot see You behind this manifestation, but theirs is not the vision of learned devotees. bibharñi rüpäëy avabodha ätmä kñemäya lokasya caräcarasya sattvopapannäni sukhävahäni satäm abhadräëi muhuù khalänäm O Lord, You are always in full knowledge, and to bring all good fortune to all living entities, You appear in different incarnations, all of them transcendental to the material creation. When You appear in these incarnations, You are pleasing to the pious and religious devotees, but for nondevotees You are the annihilator. tvayy ambujäkñäkhila-sattva-dhämni samädhinäveçita-cetasaike

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tvat-päda-potena mahat-kåtena kurvanti govatsa-padaà bhaväbdhim O lotus-eyed Lord, by concentrating one’s meditation on Your lotus feet, which are the reservoir of all existence, and by accepting those lotus feet as the boat by which to cross the ocean of nescience, one follows in the footsteps of mahäjanas [great saints, sages and devotees]. By this simple process, one can cross the ocean of nescience as easily as one steps over the hoofprint of a calf. svayaà samuttérya sudustaraà dyuman bhavärëavaà bhémam adabhra-sauhådäù bhavat-padämbhoruha-nävam atra te nidhäya yätäù sad-anugraho bhavän O Lord, who resemble the shining sun, You are always ready to fulfill the desire of Your devotee, and therefore You are known as a desire tree [väïchä-kalpataru]. When äcäryas completely take shelter under Your lotus feet in order to cross the fierce ocean of nescience, they leave behind on earth the method by which they cross, and because You are very merciful to Your other devotees, You accept this method to help them. ye ‘nye ‘ravindäkña vimukta-mäninas tvayy asta-bhäväd aviçuddha-buddhayaù äruhya kåcchreëa paraà padaà tataù patanty adho ‘nädåta-yuñmad-aìghrayaù [Someone may say that aside from devotees, who always seek shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet, there are those who are not devotees but who have accepted different processes for attaining salvation. What happens to them? In answer to this question, Lord Brahmä and the other demigods said:] O lotus-eyed Lord, although nondevotees who accept severe austerities and penances to achieve the highest position may think themselves liberated, their intelligence is impure. They fall down from their position of imagined superiority because they have no regard for Your lotus feet. tathä na te mädhava tävakäù kvacid bhraçyanti märgät tvayi baddha-sauhådäù 278

P r a y e r s b y t h e D e m i g o d s t o K å ñ ë a i n t h e Wo m b o f M o t h e r D e v a k é

tvayäbhiguptä vicaranti nirbhayä vinäyakänékapa-mürdhasu prabho O Mädhava, Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord of the goddess of fortune, if devotees completely in love with You sometimes fall from the path of devotion, they do not fall like nondevotees, for You still protect them. Thus they fearlessly traverse the heads of their opponents and continue to progress in devotional service. sattvaà viçuddhaà çrayate bhavän sthitau çarériëäà çreya-upäyanaà vapuù veda-kriyä-yoga-tapaù-samädhibhis tavärhaëaà yena janaù saméhate O Lord, during the time of maintenance You manifest several incarnations, all with transcendental bodies, beyond the material modes of nature. When You appear in this way, You bestow all good fortune upon the living entities by teaching them to perform Vedic activities such as ritualistic ceremonies, mystic yoga, austerities, penances, and ultimately samädhi, ecstatic absorption in thoughts of You. Thus You are worshiped by the Vedic principles. sattvaà na ced dhätar idaà nijaà bhaved vijïänam ajïäna-bhidäpamärjanam guëa-prakäçair anuméyate bhavän prakäçate yasya ca yena vä guëaù O Lord, cause of all causes, if Your transcendental body were not beyond the modes of material nature, one could not understand the difference between matter and transcendence. Only by Your presence can one understand the transcendental nature of Your Lordship, who are the controller of material nature. Your transcendental nature is very difficult to understand unless one is influenced by the presence of Your transcendental form. na näma-rüpe guëa-janma-karmabhir nirüpitavye tava tasya säkñiëaù mano-vacobhyäm anumeya-vartmano deva kriyäyäà pratiyanty athäpi hi 279

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O Lord, Your transcendental name and form are not ascertained by those who merely speculate on the path of imagination. Your name, form and attributes can be ascertained only through devotional service. çåëvan gåëan saàsmarayaàç ca cintayan nämäni rüpäëi ca maìgaläni te kriyäsu yas tvac-caraëäravindayor äviñöa-cetä na bhaväya kalpate Even while engaged in various activities, devotees whose minds are completely absorbed at Your lotus feet, and who constantly hear, chant, contemplate and cause others to remember Your transcendental names and forms, are always on the transcendental platform, and thus they can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. diñöyä hare ‘syä bhavataù pado bhuvo bhäro ‘panétas tava janmaneçituù diñöyäìkitäà tvat-padakaiù suçobhanair drakñyäma gäà dyäà ca tavänukampitäm O Lord, we are fortunate because the heavy burden of the demons upon this earth is immediately removed by Your appearance. Indeed, we are certainly fortunate, for we shall be able to see upon this earth and in the heavenly planets the marks of lotus, conchshell, club and disc that adorn Your lotus feet. na te ‘bhavasyeça bhavasya käraëaà vinä vinodaà bata tarkayämahe bhavo nirodhaù sthitir apy avidyayä kåtä yatas tvayy abhayäçrayätmani O Supreme Lord, You are not an ordinary living entity appearing in this material world as a result of fruitive activities. Therefore Your appearance or birth in this world has no other cause than Your pleasure potency. Similarly, the living entities, who are part of You, have no cause for miseries like birth, death and old age, except when these living entities are conducted by Your external energy. matsyäçva-kacchapa-nåsiàha-varäha-haàsaräjanya-vipra-vibudheñu kåtävatäraù 280

P r a y e r s b y t h e D e m i g o d s t o K å ñ ë a i n t h e Wo m b o f M o t h e r D e v a k é

tvaà päsi nas tri-bhuvanaà ca yathädhuneça bhäraà bhuvo hara yadüttama vandanaà te O supreme controller, Your Lordship previously accepted incarnations as a fish, a horse, a tortoise, Narasiàhadeva, a boar, a swan, Lord Rämacandra, Paraçuräma and, among the demigods, Vämanadeva, to protect the entire world by Your mercy. Now please protect us again by Your mercy by diminishing the disturbances in this world. O Kåñëa, best of the Yadus, we respectfully offer our obeisances unto You. diñöyämba te kukñi-gataù paraù pumän aàçena säkñäd bhagavän bhaväya naù mäbhüd bhayaà bhoja-pater mumürñor goptä yadünäà bhavitä tavätmajaù O mother Devaké, by your good fortune and ours, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, with all His plenary portions, such as Baladeva, is now within your womb. Therefore you need not fear Kaàsa, who has decided to be killed by the Lord. Your eternal son, Kåñëa, will be the protector of the entire Yadu dynasty.

281

Prayers by Vasudeva to Kåñëa after His Appearance (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.3.13-22)

çré-vasudeva uväca vidito ‘si bhavän säkñät puruñaù prakåteù paraù kevalänubhavänandasvarüpaù sarva-buddhi-dåk Vasudeva said: My Lord, You are the Supreme Person, beyond material existence, and You are the Supersoul. Your form can be perceived by transcendental knowledge, by which You can be understood as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I now understand Your position perfectly. sa eva svaprakåtyedaà såñövägre tri-guëätmakam tad anu tvaà hy apraviñöaù praviñöa iva bhävyase My Lord, You are the same person who in the beginning created this material world by His personal external energy. After the creation of this world of three guëas [sattva, rajas and tamas], You appear to have entered it, although in fact You have not. yatheme ‘vikåtä bhäväs tathä te vikåtaiù saha nänä-véryäù påthag-bhütä viräjaà janayanti hi sannipatya samutpädya dåçyante ‘nugatä iva präg eva vidyamänatvän na teñäm iha sambhavaù

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P r a y e r s b y Va s u d e v a t o K å ñ ë a a f t e r H i s A p p e a r a n c e

evaà bhavän buddhy-anumeya-lakñaëair grähyair guëaiù sann api tad-guëägrahaù anävåtatväd bahir antaraà na te sarvasya sarvätmana ätma-vastunaù The mahat-tattva, the total material energy, is undivided, but because of the material modes of nature, it appears to separate into earth, water, fire, air and ether. Because of the living energy [jéva-bhüta], these separated energies combine to make the cosmic manifestation visible, but in fact, before the creation of the cosmos, the total energy is already present. Therefore, the total material energy never actually enters the creation. Similarly, although You are perceived by our senses because of Your presence, You cannot be perceived by the senses, nor experienced by the mind or words [aväì-mänasa-gocara]. With our senses we can perceive some things, but not everything; for example, we can use our eyes to see, but not to taste. Consequently, You are beyond perception by the senses. Although in touch with the modes of material nature, You are unaffected by them. You are the prime factor in everything, the all-pervading, undivided Supersoul. For You, therefore, there is no external or internal. You never entered the womb of Devaké; rather, You existed there already. ya ätmano dåçya-guëeñu sann iti vyavasyate sva-vyatirekato ‘budhaù vinänuvädaà na ca tan manéñitaà samyag yatas tyaktam upädadat pumän One who considers his visible body, which is a product of the three modes of nature, to be independent of the soul is unaware of the basis of existence, and therefore he is a rascal. Those who are learned have rejected his conclusion because one can understand through full discussion that with no basis in soul, the visible body and senses would be insubstantial. Nonetheless, although his conclusion has been rejected, a foolish person considers it a reality. tvatto ‘sya janma-sthiti-saàyamän vibho vadanty anéhäd aguëäd avikriyät 283

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

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tvayéçvare brahmaëi no virudhyate tvad-äçrayatväd upacaryate guëaiù O my Lord, learned Vedic scholars conclude that the creation, maintenance and annihilation of the entire cosmic manifestation are performed by You, who are free from endeavor, unaffected by the modes of material nature, and changeless in Your spiritual situation. There are no contradictions in You, who are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Parabrahman. Because the three modes of material nature-sattva, rajas and tamas—are under Your control, everything takes place automatically. sa tvaà tri-loka-sthitaye sva-mäyayä bibharñi çuklaà khalu varëam ätmanaù sargäya raktaà rajasopabåàhitaà kåñëaà ca varëaà tamasä janätyaye My Lord, Your form is transcendental to the three material modes, yet for the maintenance of the three worlds, You assume the white color of Viñëu in goodness; for creation, which is surrounded by the quality of passion, You appear reddish; and at the end, when there is a need for annihilation, which is surrounded by ignorance, You appear blackish. tvam asya lokasya vibho rirakñiñur gåhe ‘vatérëo ‘si mamäkhileçvara räjanya-saàjïäsura-koöi-yüthapair nirvyühyamänä nihaniñyase camüù O my Lord, proprietor of all creation, You have now appeared in my house, desiring to protect this world. I am sure that You will kill all the armies that are moving all over the world under the leadership of politicians who are dressed as kñatriya rulers but who are factually demons. They must be killed by You for the protection of the innocent public. ayaà tv asabhyas tava janma nau gåhe çrutvägrajäàs te nyavadhét sureçvara sa te ‘vatäraà puruñaiù samarpitaà çrutvädhunaiväbhisaraty udäyudhaù

284

P r a y e r s b y Va s u d e v a t o K å ñ ë a a f t e r H i s A p p e a r a n c e

O my Lord, Lord of the demigods, after hearing the prophecy that You would take birth in our home and kill him, this uncivilized Kaàsa killed so many of Your elder brothers. As soon as he hears from his lieutenants that You have appeared, he will immediately come with weapons to kill You.

285

Prayers by Devaké to Kåñëa after His appearance (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.3.24-31)

çré-devaky uväca rüpaà yat tat prähur avyaktam ädyaà brahma jyotir nirguëaà nirvikäram sattä-mätraà nirviçeñaà niréhaà sa tvaà säkñäd viñëur adhyätma-dépaù Çré Devaké said: My dear Lord, there are different Vedas, some of which describe You as unperceivable through words and the mind. Yet You are the origin of the entire cosmic manifestation. You are Brahman, the greatest of everything, full of effulgence like the sun. You have no material cause, You are free from change and deviation, and You have no material desires. Thus the Vedas say that You are the substance. Therefore, my Lord, You are directly the origin of all Vedic statements, and by understanding You, one gradually understands everything. You are different from the light of Brahman and Paramätmä, yet You are not different from them. Everything emanates from You. Indeed, You are the cause of all causes, Lord Viñëu, the light of all transcendental knowledge. nañöe loke dvi-parärdhävasäne mahä-bhüteñv ädi-bhütaà gateñu vyakte ‘vyaktaà käla-vegena yäte bhavän ekaù çiñyate ‘çeña-saàjïaù After millions of years, at the time of cosmic annihilation, when everything, manifested and unmanifested, is annihilated by the force of time, the five gross elements enter into the subtle conception, and the manifested categories enter into the unmanifested substance. At that time, You alone remain, and You are known as Ananta Çeña-näga.

286

Prayers by Devaké to Kåñëa after His appearance

yo ‘yaà kälas tasya te ‘vyakta-bandho ceñöäm ähuç ceñöate yena viçvam nimeñädir vatsaränto mahéyäàs taà tveçänaà kñema-dhäma prapadye O inaugurator of the material energy, this wonderful creation works under the control of powerful time, which is divided into seconds, minutes, hours and years. This element of time, which extends for many millions of years, is but another form of Lord Viñëu. For Your pastimes, You act as the controller of time, but You are the reservoir of all good fortune. Let me offer my full surrender unto Your Lordship. martyo måtyu-vyäla-bhétaù paläyan lokän sarvän nirbhayaà nädhyagacchat tvat pädäbjaà präpya yadåcchayädya susthaù çete måtyur asmäd apaiti No one in this material world has become free from the four principles birth, death, old age and disease, even by fleeing to various planets. But now that You have appeared, My Lord, death is fleeing in fear of You, and the living entities, having obtained shelter at Your lotus feet by Your mercy, are sleeping in full mental peace. sa tvaà ghoräd ugrasenätmajän nas trähi trastän bhåtya-viträsa-häsi rüpaà cedaà pauruñaà dhyäna-dhiñëyaà mä pratyakñaà mäàsa-dåçäà kåñéñöhäù My Lord, because You dispel all the fear of Your devotees, I request You to save us and give us protection from the terrible fear of Kaàsa. Your form as Viñëu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is appreciated by yogés in meditation. Please make this form invisible to those who see with material eyes. janma te mayy asau päpo mä vidyän madhusüdana samudvije bhavad-dhetoù kaàsäd aham adhéra-dhéù

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In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

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O Madhusüdana, because of Your appearance, I am becoming more and more anxious in fear of Kaàsa. Therefore, please arrange for that sinful Kaàsa to be unable to understand that You have taken birth from my womb. upasaàhara viçvätmann ado rüpam alaukikam çaìkha-cakra-gadä-padmaçriyä juñöaà catur-bhujam O my Lord, You are the all-pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Your transcendental four-armed form, holding conchshell, disc, club and lotus, is unnatural for this world. Please withdraw this form [and become just like a natural human child so that I may try to hide You somewhere]. viçvaà yad etat sva-tanau niçänte yathävakäçaà puruñaù paro bhavän bibharti so ‘yaà mama garbhago ‘bhüd aho nå-lokasya viòambanaà hi tat At the time of devastation, the entire cosmos, containing all created moving and nonmoving entities, enters Your transcendental body and is held there without difficulty. But now this transcendental form has taken birth from my womb. People will not be able to believe this, and I shall become an object of ridicule.

288

Prayers by Nalaküvara and Maëigréva (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.10.29-38)

kåñëa kåñëa mahä-yogiàs tvam ädyaù puruñaù paraù vyaktävyaktam idaà viçvaà rüpaà te brähmaëä viduù O Lord Kåñëa, Lord Kåñëa, Your opulent mysticism is inconceivable. You are the supreme, original person, the cause of all causes, immediate and remote, and You are beyond this material creation. Learned brähmaëas know [on the basis of the Vedic statement sarvaà khalv idaà brahma] that You are everything and that this cosmic manifestation, in its gross and subtle aspects, is Your form. tvam ekaù sarva-bhütänäà dehäsv-ätmendriyeçvaraù tvam eva kälo bhagavän viñëur avyaya éçvaraù tvaà mahän prakåtiù sükñmä rajaù-sattva-tamomayé tvam eva puruño ‘dhyakñaù sarva-kñetra-vikära-vit You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the controller of everything. The body, life, ego and senses of every living entity are Your own self. You are the Supreme Person, Viñëu, the imperishable controller. You are the time factor, the immediate cause, and You are material nature, consisting of the three modes passion, goodness and ignorance. You are the original cause of this material manifestation. You are the Supersoul, and therefore You know everything within the core of the heart of every living entity. 289

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gåhyamäëais tvam agrähyo vikäraiù präkåtair guëaiù ko nv ihärhati vijïätuà präk siddhaà guëa-saàvåtaù O Lord, You exist before the creation. Therefore, who, trapped by a body of material qualities in this material world, can understand You? tasmai tubhyaà bhagavate väsudeväya vedhase ätma-dyota-guëaiç channamahimne brahmaëe namaù O Lord, whose glories are covered by Your own energy, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You are Saìkarñaëa, the origin of creation, and You are Väsudeva, the origin of the caturvyüha. Because You are everything and are therefore the Supreme Brahman, we simply offer our respectful obeisances unto You. yasyävatärä jïäyante çaréreñv açarériëaù tais tair atulyätiçayair véryair dehiñv asaìgataiù sa bhavän sarva-lokasya bhaväya vibhaväya ca avatérëo ‘àça-bhägena sämprataà patir äçiñäm Appearing in bodies like those of an ordinary fish, tortoise and hog, You exhibit activities impossible for such creatures to perform— extraordinary, incomparable, transcendental activities of unlimited power and strength. These bodies of Yours, therefore, are not made of material elements, but are incarnations of Your Supreme Personality. You are the same Supreme Personality of Godhead, who have now appeared, with full potency, for the benefit of all living entities within this material world. namaù parama-kalyäëa namaù parama-maìgala 290

Prayers by Nalaküvara and Maëigr éva

väsudeväya çäntäya yadünäà pataye namaù O supremely auspicious, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You, who are the supreme good. O most famous descendant and controller of the Yadu dynasty, O son of Vasudeva, O most peaceful, let us offer our obeisances unto Your lotus feet. anujänéhi nau bhümaàs tavänucara-kiìkarau darçanaà nau bhagavata åñer äséd anugrahät O supreme form, we are always servants of Your servants, especially of Närada Muni. Now give us permission to leave for our home. It is by the grace and mercy of Närada Muni that we have been able to see You face to face. väëé guëänukathane çravaëau kathäyäà hastau ca karmasu manas tava pädayor naù småtyäà çiras tava niväsa-jagat-praëäme dåñöiù satäà darçane ‘stu bhavat-tanünäm Henceforward, may all our words describe Your pastimes, may our ears engage in aural reception of Your glories, may our hands, legs and other senses engage in actions pleasing to You, and may our minds always think of Your lotus feet. May our heads offer our obeisances to everything within this world, because all things are also Your different forms, and may our eyes see the forms of Vaiñëavas, who are nondifferent from You.

291

Prayers by Lord Brahmä to Lord Kåñëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.14.1-40)

çré-brahmoväca nauméòya te ‘bhra-vapuñe taòid-ambaräya guïjävataàsa-paripiccha-lasan-mukhäya vanya-sraje kavala-vetra-viñäëa-veëulakñma-çriye mådu-pade paçupäìgajäya Lord Brahmä said: My dear Lord, You are the only worshipable Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore I offer my humble obeisances and prayers just to please You. O son of the king of the cowherds, Your transcendental body is dark blue like a new cloud, Your garment is brilliant like lightning, and the beauty of Your face is enhanced by Your guïjä earrings and the peacock feather on Your head. Wearing garlands of various forest flowers and leaves, and equipped with a herding stick, a buffalo horn and a flute, You stand beautifully with a morsel of food in Your hand. asyäpi deva vapuño mad-anugrahasya svecchä-mayasya na tu bhüta-mayasya ko ‘pi neçe mahi tv avasituà manasäntareëa säkñät tavaiva kim utätma-sukhänubhüteù My dear Lord, neither I nor anyone else can estimate the potency of this transcendental body of Yours, which has shown such mercy to me and which appears just to fulfill the desires of Your pure devotees. Although my mind is completely withdrawn from material affairs, I cannot understand Your personal form. How, then, could I possibly understand the happiness You experience within Yourself? jïäne prayäsam udapäsya namanta eva jévanti san-mukharitäà bhavadéya-värtäm

292

Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to Lord Kåñë a

sthäne sthitäù çruti-gatäà tanu-väì-manobhir ye präyaço ‘jita jito ‘py asi tais tri-lokyäm Those who, even while remaining situated in their established social positions, throw away the process of speculative knowledge and with their body, words and mind offer all respects to descriptions of Your personality and activities, dedicating their lives to these narrations, which are vibrated by You personally and by Your pure devotees, certainly conquer Your Lordship, although You are otherwise unconquerable by anyone within the three worlds. çreyaù-såtià bhaktim udasya te vibho kliçyanti ye kevala-bodha-labdhaye teñäm asau kleçala eva çiñyate nänyad yathä sthüla-tuñävaghätinäm My dear Lord, devotional service unto You is the best path for selfrealization. If someone gives up that path and engages in the cultivation of speculative knowledge, he will simply undergo a troublesome process and will not achieve his desired result. As a person who beats an empty husk of wheat cannot get grain, one who simply speculates cannot achieve self-realization. His only gain is trouble. pureha bhüman bahavo ‘pi yoginas tvad-arpitehä nija-karma-labdhayä vibudhya bhaktyaiva kathopanétayä prapedire ‘ïjo ‘cyuta te gatià paräm O almighty Lord, in the past many yogés in this world achieved the platform of devotional service by offering all their endeavors unto You and faithfully carrying out their prescribed duties. Through such devotional service, perfected by the processes of hearing and chanting about You, they came to understand You, O infallible one, and could easily surrender to You and achieve Your supreme abode. tathäpi bhüman mahimäguëasya te viboddhum arhaty amaläntar-ätmabhiù avikriyät svänubhaväd arüpato hy ananya-bodhyätmatayä na cänyathä 293

In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

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Nondevotees, however, cannot realize You in Your full personal feature. Nevertheless, it may be possible for them to realize Your expansion as the impersonal Supreme by cultivating direct perception of the Self within the heart. But they can do this only by purifying their mind and senses of all conceptions of material distinctions and all attachment to material sense objects. Only in this way will Your impersonal feature manifest itself to them. guëätmanas te ‘pi guëän vimätuà hitävatéånasya ka éçire ‘sya kälena yair vä vimitäù su-kalpair bhü-päàçavaù khe mihikä dyu-bhäsaù In time, learned philosophers or scientists might be able to count all the atoms of the earth, the particles of snow, or perhaps even the shining molecules radiating from the sun, the stars and other luminaries. But among these learned men, who could possibly count the unlimited transcendental qualities possessed by You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who have descended onto the surface of the earth for the benefit of all living entities? tat te ‘nukampäà su-samékñamäëo bhuïjäna evätma-kåtaà vipäkam håd-väg-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te jéveta yo mukti-pade sa däya-bhäk My dear Lord, one who earnestly waits for You to bestow Your causeless mercy upon him, all the while patiently suffering the reactions of his past misdeeds and offering You respectful obeisances with his heart, words and body, is surely eligible for liberation, for it has become his rightful claim. paçyeça me ‘näryam ananta ädye parätmani tvayy api mäyi-mäyini mäyäà vitatyekñitum ätma-vaibhavaà hy ahaà kiyän aiccham ivärcir agnau My Lord, just see my uncivilized impudence! To test Your power I tried to extend my illusory potency to cover You, the unlimited and primeval Supersoul, who bewilder even the masters of illusion. What 294

Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to Lord Kåñë a

am I compared to You? I am just like a small spark in the presence of a great fire. ataù kñamasväcyuta me rajo-bhuvo hy ajänatas tvat-påthag-éça-mäninaù ajävalepändha-tamo-’ndha-cakñuña eño ‘nukampyo mayi näthavän iti Therefore, O infallible Lord, kindly excuse my offenses. I have taken birth in the mode of passion and am therefore simply foolish, presuming myself a controller independent of Your Lordship. My eyes are blinded by the darkness of ignorance, which causes me to think of myself as the unborn creator of the universe. But please consider that I am Your servant and therefore worthy of Your compassion. kvähaà tamo-mahad-ahaà-kha-carägni-vär-bhüsaàveñöitäëòa-ghaöa-sapta-vitasti-käyaù kvedåg-vidhävigaëitäëòa-paräëu-caryävätädhva-roma-vivarasya ca te mahitvam What am I, a small creature measuring seven spans of my own hand? I am enclosed in a potlike universe composed of material nature, the total material energy, false ego, ether, air, water and earth. And what is Your glory? Unlimited universes pass through the pores of Your body just as particles of dust pass through the openings of a screened window. utkñepaëaà garbha-gatasya pädayoù kià kalpate mätur adhokñajägase kim asti-nästi-vyapadeça-bhüñitaà tavästi kukñeù kiyad apy anantaù O Lord Adhokñaja, does a mother take offense when the child within her womb kicks with his legs? And is there anything in existence—whether designated by various philosophers as real or as unreal—that is actually outside Your abdomen? jagat-trayäntodadhi-samplavode näräyaëasyodara-näbhi-nälät vinirgato ‘jas tv iti väì na vai måñä kintv éçvara tvan na vinirgato ‘smi 295

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My dear Lord, it is said that when the three planetary systems are merged into the water at the time of dissolution, Your plenary portion, Näräyaëa, lies down on the water, gradually a lotus flower grows from His navel, and Brahmä takes birth upon that lotus flower. Certainly, these words are not false. Thus am I not born from You? näräyaëas tvaà na hi sarva-dehinäm ätmäsy adhéçäkhila-loka-säkñé näräyaëo ‘ìgaà nara-bhü-jaläyanät tac cäpi satyaà na tavaiva mäyä Are You not the original Näräyaëa, O supreme controller, since You are the Soul of every embodied being and the eternal witness of all created realms? Indeed, Lord Näräyaëa is Your expansion, and He is called Näräyaëa because He is the generating source of the primeval water of the universe. He is real, not a product of Your illusory Mäyä. tac cej jala-sthaà tava saj jagad-vapuù kià me na dåñöaà bhagavaàs tadaiva kià vä su-dåñöaà hådi me tadaiva kià no sapady eva punar vyadarçi My dear Lord, if Your transcendental body, which shelters the entire universe, is actually lying upon the water, then why were You not seen by me when I searched for You? And why, though I could not envision You properly within my heart, did You then suddenly reveal Yourself? atraiva mäyä-dhamanävatäre hy asya prapaïcasya bahiù sphuöasya kåtsnasya cäntar jaöhare jananyä mäyätvam eva prakaöé-kåtaà te My dear Lord, in this incarnation You have proved that You are the supreme controller of Mäyä. Although You are now within this universe, the whole universal creation is within Your transcendental body—a fact You demonstrated by exhibiting the universe within Your abdomen before Your mother, Yaçodä. yasya kukñäv idaà sarvaà sätmaà bhäti yathä tathä 296

Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to Lord Kåñë a

tat tvayy apéha tat sarvaà kim idaà mäyayä vinä Just as this entire universe, including You, was exhibited within Your abdomen, so it is now manifested here externally in the same exact form. How could such things happen unless arranged by Your inconceivable energy? adyaiva tvad åte ‘sya kià mama na te mäyätvam ädarçitam eko ‘si prathamaà tato vraja-suhåd-vatsäù samastä api tävanto ‘si catur-bhujäs tad akhilaiù säkaà mayopäsitäs tävanty eva jaganty abhüs tad amitaà brahmädvayaà çiñyate Have You not shown me today that both You Yourself and everything within this creation are manifestations of Your inconceivable potency? First You appeared alone, and then You manifested Yourself as all of Våndävana’s calves and cowherd boys, Your friends. Next You appeared as an equal number of four-handed Viñëu forms, who were worshiped by all living beings, including me, and after that You appeared as an equal number of complete universes. Finally, You have now returned to Your unlimited form as the Supreme Absolute Truth, one without a second. ajänatäà tvat-padavém anätmany ätmätmanä bhäsi vitatya mäyäm såñöäv ivähaà jagato vidhäna iva tvam eño ‘nta iva trinetraù To persons ignorant of Your actual transcendental position, You appear as part of the material world, manifesting Yourself by the expansion of Your inconceivable energy. Thus for the creation of the universe You appear as me [Brahmä], for its maintenance You appear as Yourself [Viñëu], and for its annihilation You appear as Lord Trinetra [Çiva]. sureñv åñiñv éça tathaiva nåñv api tiryakñu yädaùsv api te ‘janasya janmäsatäà durmada-nigrahäya prabho vidhätaù sad-anugrahäya ca O Lord, O supreme creator and master, You have no material birth, yet to defeat the false pride of the faithless demons and show mercy to Your 297

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saintly devotees, You take birth among the demigods, sages, human beings, animals and even the aquatics. ko vetti bhüman bhagavan parätman yogeçvarotér bhavatas tri-lokyäm kva vä kathaà vä kati vä kadeti vistärayan kréòasi yoga-mäyäm O supreme great one! O Supreme Personality of Godhead! O Supersoul, master of all mystic power! Your pastimes are taking place continuously in these three worlds, but who can estimate where, how and when You are employing Your spiritual energy and performing these innumerable pastimes? No one can understand the mystery of how Your spiritual energy acts. tasmäd idaà jagad açeñam asat-svarüpaà svapnäbham asta-dhiñaëaà puru-duùkha-duùkham tvayy eva nitya-sukha-bodha-tanäv anante mäyäta udyad api yat sad ivävabhäti Therefore this entire universe, which like a dream is by nature unreal, nevertheless appears real, and thus it covers one’s consciousness and assails one with repeated miseries. This universe appears real because it is manifested by the potency of illusion emanating from You, whose unlimited transcendental forms are full of eternal happiness and knowledge. ekas tvam ätmä puruñaù puräëaù satyaù svayaà-jyotir ananta ädyaù nityo ‘kñaro ‘jasra-sukho niraïjanaù pürëädvayo mukta upädhito ‘måtaù You are the one Supreme Soul, the primeval Supreme Personality, the Absolute Truth—self-manifested, endless and beginningless. You are eternal and infallible, perfect and complete, without any rival and free from all material designations. Your happiness can never be obstructed, nor have You any connection with material contamination. Indeed, You are the indestructible nectar of immortality. evaà-vidhaà tväà sakalätmanäm api svätmänam ätmätmatayä vicakñate 298

Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to Lord Kåñë a

gurv-arka-labdhopaniñat-sucakñuñä ye te tarantéva bhavänåtämbudhim Those who have received the clear vision of knowledge from the sunlike spiritual master can see You in this way, as the very Soul of all souls, the Supersoul of everyone’s own self. Thus understanding Your original personality, they are able to cross over the ocean of illusory material existence. ätmänam evätmatayävijänatäà tenaiva jätaà nikhilaà prapaïcitam jïänena bhüyo ‘pi ca tat praléyate rajjväm aher bhoga-bhaväbhavau yathä A person who mistakes a rope for a snake becomes fearful, but he then gives up his fear upon realizing that the so-called snake does not exist. Similarly, for those who fail to recognize You as the Supreme Soul of all souls, the expansive illusory material existence arises, but knowledge of You at once causes it to subside. ajïäna-saàjïau bhava-bandha-mokñau dvau näma nänyau sta åta-jïa-bhävät ajasra-city ätmani kevale pare vicäryamäëe taraëäv ivähané The conception of material bondage and the conception of liberation are both manifestations of ignorance. Being outside the scope of true knowledge, they cease to exist when one correctly understands that the pure spirit soul is distinct from matter and always fully conscious. At that time bondage and liberation no longer have any significance, just as day and night have no significance from the perspective of the sun. tväm ätmänaà paraà matvä param ätmänam eva ca ätmä punar bahir mågya aho ‘jïa-janatäjïatä Just see the foolishness of those ignorant persons who consider You to be some separated manifestation of illusion and who consider the self, which is actually You, to be something else, the material body. Such fools 299

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conclude that the supreme soul is to be searched for somewhere outside Your supreme personality. antar-bhave ‘nanta bhavantam eva hy atat tyajanto mågayanti santaù asantam apy anty ahim antareëa santaà guëaà taà kim u yanti santaù O unlimited Lord, the saintly devotees seek You out within their own bodies by rejecting everything separate from You. Indeed, how can discriminating persons appreciate the real nature of a rope lying before them until they refute the illusion that it is a snake? athäpi te deva padämbuja-dvayaprasäda-leçänugåhéta eva hi jänäti tattvaà bhagavan-mahimno na cänya eko ‘pi ciraà vicinvan My Lord, if one is favored by even a slight trace of the mercy of Your lotus feet, he can understand the greatness of Your personality. But those who speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are unable to know You, even though they continue to study the Vedas for many years. tad astu me nätha sa bhüri-bhägo bhave ‘tra vänyatra tu vä tiraçcäm yenäham eko ‘pi bhavaj-janänäà bhütvä niñeve tava päda-pallavam My dear Lord, I therefore pray to be so fortunate that in this life as Lord Brahmä or in another life, wherever I take my birth, I may be counted as one of Your devotees. I pray that wherever I may be, even among the animal species, I can engage in devotional service to Your lotus feet. aho ‘ti-dhanyä vraja-go-ramaëyaù stanyämåtaà pétam atéva te mudä yäsäà vibho vatsatarätmajätmanä yat-tåptaye ‘dyäpi na cälam adhvaräù

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Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to Lord Kåñë a

O almighty Lord, how greatly fortunate are the cows and ladies of Våndävana, the nectar of whose breast-milk You have happily drunk to Your full satisfaction, taking the form of their calves and children! All the Vedic sacrifices performed from time immemorial up to the present day have not given You as much satisfaction. aho bhägyam aho bhägyaà nanda-gopa-vrajaukasäm yan-mitraà paramänandaà pürëaà brahma sanätanam How greatly fortunate are Nanda Mahäräja, the cowherd men and all the other inhabitants of Vrajabhümi! There is no limit to their good fortune, because the Absolute Truth, the source of transcendental bliss, the eternal Supreme Brahman, has become their friend. eñäà tu bhägya-mahimäcyuta tävad ästäm ekädaçaiva hi vayaà bata bhüri-bhägäù etad-dhåñéka-cañakair asakåt pibämaù çarvädayo ‘ìghry-udaja-madhv-amåtäsavaà te Yet even though the extent of the good fortune of these residents of Våndävana is inconceivable, we eleven presiding deities of the various senses, headed by Lord Çiva, are also most fortunate, because the senses of these devotees of Våndävana are the cups through which we repeatedly drink the nectarean, intoxicating beverage of the honey of Your lotus feet. tad bhüri-bhägyam iha janma kim apy aöavyäà yad gokule ‘pi katamäìghri-rajo-’bhiñekam yaj-jévitaà tu nikhilaà bhagavän mukundas tv adyäpi yat-pada-rajaù çruti-mågyam eva My greatest possible good fortune would be to take any birth whatever in this forest of Gokula and have my head bathed by the dust falling from the lotus feet of any of its residents. Their entire life and soul is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mukunda, the dust of whose lotus feet is still being searched for in the Vedic mantras. eñäà ghoña-niväsinäm uta bhavän kià deva räteti naç ceto viçva-phalät phalaà tvad-aparaà kuträpy ayan muhyati 301

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sad-veñäd iva pütanäpi sa-kulä tväm eva deväpitä yad-dhämärtha-suhåt-priyätma-tanaya-präëäçayäs tvat-kåte My mind becomes bewildered just trying to think of what reward other than You could be found anywhere. You are the embodiment of all benedictions, which You bestow upon these residents of the cowherd community of Våndävana. You have already arranged to give Yourself to Pütanä and her family members in exchange for her disguising herself as a devotee. So what is left for You to give these devotees of Våndävana, whose homes, wealth, friends, dear relations, bodies, children and very lives and hearts are all dedicated only to You? tävad rägädayaù stenäs tävat kärä-gåhaà gåham tävan moho ‘ìghri-nigaòo yävat kåñëa na te janäù My dear Lord Kåñëa, until people become Your devotees, their material attachments and desires remain thieves, their homes remain prisons, and their affectionate feelings for their family members remain foot-shackles. prapaïcaà niñprapaïco ‘pi viòambayasi bhü-tale prapanna-janatänandasandohaà prathituà prabho My dear master, although You have nothing to do with material existence, You come to this earth and imitate material life just to expand the varieties of ecstatic enjoyment for Your surrendered devotees. jänanta eva jänantu kià bahüktyä na me prabho manaso vapuño väco vaibhavaà tava go-caraù There are people who say, “I know everything about Kåñëa.” Let them think that way. As far as I am concerned, I do not wish to speak very much about this matter. O my Lord, let me say this much: As far as Your opulences are concerned, they are all beyond the reach of my mind, body and words. 302

Prayers by Lord Brahm ä to Lord Kåñë a

anujänéhi mäà kåñëa sarvaà tvaà vetsi sarva-dåk tvam eva jagatäà nätho jagad etat tavärpitam My dear Kåñëa, I now humbly request permission to leave. Actually, You are the knower and seer of all things. Indeed, You are the Lord of all the universes, and yet I offer this one universe unto You. çré-kåñëa våñëi-kula-puñkara-joña-däyin kñmä-nirjara-dvija-paçüdadhi-våddhi-kärin uddharma-çärvara-hara kñiti-räkñasa-dhrug ä-kalpam ärkam arhan bhagavan namas te My dear Çré Kåñëa, You bestow happiness upon the lotuslike Våñëi dynasty and expand the great oceans consisting of the earth, the demigods, the brähmaëas and the cows. You dispel the dense darkness of irreligion and oppose the demons who have appeared on this earth. O Supreme Personality of Godhead, as long as this universe exists and as long as the sun shines, I will offer my obeisances unto You.

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Prayers by Näga-patnés (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.16.33-53)

näga-patnya ücuù nyäyyo hi daëòaù kåta-kilbiñe ‘smiàs tavävatäraù khala-nigrahäya ripoù sutänäm api tulya-dåñöir dhatse damaà phalam evänuçaàsan The wives of the Käliya serpent said: The punishment this offender has been subjected to is certainly just. After all, You have incarnated within this world to curb down envious and cruel persons. You are so impartial that You look equally upon Your enemies and Your own sons, for when You impose a punishment on a living being You know it to be for his ultimate benefit. anugraho ‘yaà bhavataù kåto hi no daëòo ‘satäà te khalu kalmañäpahaù yad dandaçükatvam amuñya dehinaù krodho ‘pi te ‘nugraha eva sammataù What You have done here is actually mercy for us, since the punishment You give to the wicked certainly drives away all their contamination. Indeed, because this conditioned soul, our husband, is so sinful that he has assumed the body of a serpent, Your anger toward him is obviously to be understood as Your mercy. tapaù sutaptaà kim anena pürvaà nirasta-mänena ca mäna-dena dharmo ‘tha vä sarva-janänukampayä yato bhaväàs tuñyati sarva-jévaù Did our husband carefully perform austerities in a previous life, with his mind free of pride and full of respect for others? Is that why You are pleased with him? Or did he in some previous existence carefully execute

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Prayers by Näga-pat né s

religious duties with compassion for all living beings, and is that why You, the life of all living beings, are now satisfied with Him? kasyänubhävo ‘sya na deva vidmahe taväìghri-reëu-sparaçädhikäraù yad-väïchayä çrér lalanäcarat tapo vihäya kämän su-ciraà dhåta-vratä O Lord, we do not know how the serpent Käliya has attained this great opportunity of being touched by the dust of Your lotus feet. For this end, the goddess of fortune performed austerities for centuries, giving up all other desires and taking austere vows. na näka-påñöhaà na ca särva-bhaumaà na pärameñöhyaà na rasädhipatyam na yoga-siddhér apunar-bhavaà vä väïchanti yat-päda-rajaù-prapannäù Those who have attained the dust of Your lotus feet never hanker for the kingship of heaven, limitless sovereignty, the position of Brahmä or rulership over the earth. They are not interested even in the perfections of yoga or in liberation itself. tad eña näthäpa duräpam anyais tamo-janiù krodha-vaço ‘py ahéçaù saàsära-cakre bhramataù çarériëo yad-icchataù syäd vibhavaù samakñaù O Lord, although this Käliya, the king of the serpents, has taken birth in the mode of ignorance and is controlled by anger, he has achieved that which is difficult for others to achieve. Embodied souls, who are full of desires and are thus wandering in the cycle of birth and death, can have all benedictions manifested before their eyes simply by receiving the dust of Your lotus feet. namas tubhyaà bhagavate puruñäya mahätmane bhütäväsäya bhütäya paräya paramätmane

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We offer our obeisances unto You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although present in the hearts of all living beings as the Supersoul, You are all-pervasive. Although the original shelter of all created material elements, You exist prior to their creation. And although the cause of everything, You are transcendental to all material cause and effect, being the Supreme Soul. jïäna-vijïäna-nédhaye brahmaëe ‘nanta-çaktaye aguëäyävikäräya namas te präkåtäya ca Obeisances unto You, the Absolute Truth, who are the reservoir of all transcendental consciousness and potency and the possessor of unlimited energies. Although completely free of material qualities and transformations, You are the prime mover of material nature. käläya käla-näbhäya kälävayava-säkñiëe viçväya tad-upadrañöre tat-kartre viçva-hetave Obeisances unto You, who are time itself, the shelter of time and the witness of time in all its phases. You are the universe, and also its separate observer. You are its creator, and also the totality of all its causes. bhüta-mätrendriya-präëamano-buddhy-äçayätmane tri-guëenäbhimänena güòha-svätmänubhütaye namo ‘nantäya sükñmäya küöa-sthäya vipaçcite nänä-vädänurodhäya väcya-väcaka-çaktaye Obeisances unto You, who are the ultimate soul of the physical elements, of the subtle basis of perception, of the senses, of the vital air of life, and of the mind, intelligence and consciousness. By Your arrangement the infinitesimal spirit souls falsely identify with the three modes of 306

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material nature, and their perception of their own true self thus becomes clouded. We offer our obeisances unto You, the unlimited Supreme Lord, the supremely subtle one, the omniscient Personality of Godhead, who are always fixed in unchanging transcendence, who sanction the opposing views of different philosophies, and who are the power upholding expressed ideas and the words that express them. namaù pramäëa-müläya kavaye çästra-yonaye pravåttäya nivåttäya nigamäya namo namaù We offer our obeisances again and again to You, who are the basis of all authoritative evidence, who are the author and ultimate source of the revealed scriptures, and who have manifested Yourself in those Vedic literatures encouraging sense gratification as well as in those encouraging renunciation of the material world. namaù kåñëäya rämäya vasudeva-sutäya ca pradyumnäyäniruddhäya sätvatäà pataye namaù We offer our obeisances to Lord Kåñëa and Lord Räma, the sons of Vasudeva, and to Lord Pradyumna and Lord Aniruddha. We offer our respectful obeisances unto the master of all the saintly devotees of Viñëu. namo guëa-pradépäya guëätma-cchädanäya ca guëa-våtty-upalakñyäya guëa-drañöre sva-saàvide Obeisances to You, O Lord, who manifest varieties of material and spiritual qualities. You disguise Yourself with the material qualities, and yet the functioning of those same material qualities ultimately reveals Your existence. You stand apart from the material qualities as a witness and can be fully known only by Your devotees.

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avyäkåta-vihäräya sarva-vyäkåta-siddhaye håñékeça namas te ‘stu munaye mauna-çéline O Lord Håñékeça, master of the senses, please let us offer our obeisances unto You, whose pastimes are inconceivably glorious. Your existence can be inferred from the necessity for a creator and revealer of all cosmic manifestations. But although Your devotees can understand You in this way, to the nondevotees You remain silent, absorbed in self-satisfaction. parävara-gati-jïäya sarvädhyakñäya te namaù aviçväya ca viçväya tad-drañöre ‘sya ca hetave Obeisances unto You, who know the destination of all things, superior and inferior, and who are the presiding regulator of all that be. You are distinct from the universal creation, and yet You are the basis upon which the illusion of material creation evolves, and also the witness of this illusion. Indeed, You are the root cause of the entire world. tvaà hy asya janma-sthiti-saàyamän vibho guëair aného ‘kåta-käla-çakti-dhåk tat-tat-svabhävän pratibodhayan sataù samékñayämogha-vihära éhase O almighty Lord, although You have no reason to become involved in material activity, still You act through Your eternal potency of time to arrange for the creation, maintenance and destruction of this universe. You do this by awakening the distinct functions of each of the modes of nature, which before the creation lie dormant. Simply by Your glance You perfectly execute all these activities of cosmic control in a sporting mood. tasyaiva te ‘müs tanavas tri-lokyäà çäntä açäntä uta müòha-yonayaù çäntäù priyäs te hy adhunävituà satäà sthätuç ca te dharma-parépsayehataù

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Therefore all material bodies throughout the three worlds—those that are peaceful, in the mode of goodness; those that are agitated, in the mode of passion; and those that are foolish, in the mode of ignorance—all are Your creations. Still, those living entities whose bodies are in the mode of goodness are especially dear to You, and it is to maintain them and protect their religious principles that You are now present on the earth. aparädhaù sakåd bharträ soòhavyaù sva-prajä-kåtaù kñantum arhasi çäntätman müòhasya tväm ajänataù At least once, a master should tolerate an offense committed by his child or subject. O supreme peaceful Soul, You should therefore forgive our foolish husband, who did not understand who You are. anugåhëéñva bhagavan präëäàs tyajati pannagaù stréëäà naù sädhu-çocyänäà patiù präëaù pradéyatäm O Supreme Lord, please be merciful. It is proper for the saintly to feel compassion for women like us. This serpent is about to give up his life. Please give us back our husband, who is our life and soul. vidhehi te kiìkaréëäm anuñöheyaà taväjïayä yac-chraddhayänutiñöhan vai mucyate sarvato bhayät Now please tell us, Your maidservants, what we should do. Certainly anyone who faithfully executes Your order is automatically freed from all fear.

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Prayers by Käliya Näga (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.16.56-59)

käliya uväca vayaà khaläù sahotpattyä tamasä dérgha-manyavaù svabhävo dustyajo nätha lokänäà yad asad-grahaù The serpent Käliya said: Our very birth as a snake has made us envious, ignorant and constantly angry. O my Lord, it is so difficult for people to give up their conditioned nature, by which they identify with that which is unreal. tvayä såñöam idaà viçvaà dhätar guëa-visarjanam nänä-svabhäva-véryaujoyoni-béjäçayäkåti O supreme creator, it is You who generate this universe, composed of the variegated arrangement of the material modes, and in the process You manifest various kinds of personalities and species, varieties of sensory and physical strength, and varieties of mothers and fathers with variegated mentalities and forms. vayaà ca tatra bhagavan sarpä jäty-uru-manyavaù kathaà tyajämas tvan-mäyäà dustyajäà mohitäù svayam O Supreme Personality of Godhead, among all the species within Your material creation, we serpents are by nature always enraged. Being thus deluded by Your illusory energy, which is very difficult to give up, how can we possibly give it up on our own?

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Prayers by Käliya Näga

bhavän hi käraëaà tatra sarva-jïo jagad-éçvaraù anugrahaà nigrahaà vä manyase tad vidhehi naù O Lord, since You are the omniscient Lord of the universe, You are the actual cause of freedom from illusion. Please arrange for us whatever You consider proper, whether it be mercy or punishment.

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Prayers by Cowherd Boys to Kåñëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.19.9-10)

kåñëa kåñëa mahä-véra he rämämogha vikrama dävägninä dahyamänän prapannäàs trätum arhathaù [The cowherd boys said:] O Kåñëa ! Kåñëa! Most powerful one ! O Räma! You whose prowess never fails! Please save Your devotees, who are about to be burned by this forest fire and have come to take shelter of You! nünaà tvad-bändhaväù kåñëa na cärhanty avasäditum vayaà hi sarva-dharma-jïa tvan-näthäs tvat-paräyaëäù Kåñëa! Certainly Your own friends shouldn’t be destroyed. O knower of the nature of all things, we have accepted You as our Lord, and we are souls surrendered unto You!

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Venu Geet (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.21.7-19)

çré-gopya ücuù akñaëvatäà phalam idaà na paraà vidämaù sakhyaù paçün anuviveçayator vayasyaiù vaktraà vrajeça-sutayor anaveëu-juñöaà yair vä nipétam anurakta-kaöäkña-mokñam The cowherd girls said: O friends, those eyes that see the beautiful faces of the sons of Mahäräja Nanda are certainly fortunate. As these two sons enter the forest, surrounded by Their friends, driving the cows before Them, They hold Their flutes to Their mouths and glance lovingly upon the residents of Våndävana. For those who have eyes, we think there is no greater object of vision. cüta-praväla-barha-stabakotpaläbja mälänupåkta-paridhäna-vicitra-veçau madhye virejatur alaà paçu-päla-goñöhyäà raìge yathä naöa-varau kvaca gäyamänau Dressed in a charming variety of garments, upon which Their garlands rest, and decorating Themselves with peacock feathers, lotuses, lilies, newly grown mango sprouts and clusters of flower buds, Kåñëa and Balaräma shine forth magnificently among the assembly of cowherd boys. They look just like the best of dancers appearing on a dramatic stage, and sometimes They sing. gopyaù kim äcarad ayaà kuçalaà sma veëur dämodarädhara-sudhäm api gopikänäm bhuìkte svayaà yad avaçiñöa-rasaà hradinyo håñyat-tvaco ‘çru mumucus taravo yathäryaù My dear gopés, what auspicious activities must the flute have performed to enjoy the nectar of Kåñëa’s lips independently and leave only a taste for us

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gopés, for whom that nectar is actually meant! The forefathers of the flute, the bamboo trees, shed tears of pleasure. His mother, the river on whose bank the bamboo was born, feels jubilation, and therefore her blooming lotus flowers are standing like hair on her body. våndävanaà sakhi bhuvo vitanoti kéåtià yad devaké-suta-padämbuja-labdha-lakñmi govinda-veëum anu matta-mayüra-nåtyaà prekñyädri-sänv-avaratänyasamasta-sattvam O friend, Våndävana is spreading the glory of the earth, having obtained the treasure of the lotus feet of Kåñëa, the son of Devaké. The peacocks dance madly when they hear Govinda’s flute, and when other creatures see them from the hilltops, they all become stunned. dhanyäù sma müòha-gatayo ‘pi hariëya etä yä nanda-nandanam upätta-vicitra-veçam äkarëya veëu-raëitaà saha-kåñëa-säräù püjäà dadhur viracitäà praëayävalokaiù Blessed are all these foolish deer because they have approached Mahäräja Nanda’s son, who is gorgeously dressed and is playing on His flute. Indeed, both the doe and the bucks worship the Lord with looks of love and affection. kåñëaà nirékñya vanitotsava-rüpa-çélaà çrutvä ca tat-kvaëita-veëu-vivikta-gétam devyo vimäna-gatayaù smara-nunna-särä bhraçyat-prasüna-kabarä mumuhur vinévyaù Kåñëa’s beauty and character create a festival for all women. Indeed, when the demigods’ wives flying in airplanes with their husbands catch sight of Him and hear His resonant flute-song, their hearts are shaken by Cupid, and they become so bewildered that the flowers fall out of their hair and their belts loosen. gävaç ca kåñëa-mukha-nirgata-veëu-géta péyüñam uttabhita-karëa-puöaiù pibantyaù çäväù snuta-stana-payaù-kavaläù sma tasthur govindam ätmani dåçäçru-kaläù spåçantyaù 314

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Using their upraised ears as vessels, the cows are drinking the nectar of the flute-song flowing out of Kåñëa’s mouth. The calves, their mouths full of milk from their mothers’ moist nipples, stand still as they take Govinda within themselves through their tear-filled eyes and embrace Him within their hearts. präyo batämba vihagä munayo vane ‘smin kåñëekñitaà tad-uditaà kala-veëu-gétam äruhya ye druma-bhujän rucira-pravälän çåëvanti mélita-dåço vigatänya-väcaù O mother, in this forest all the birds have risen onto the beautiful branches of the trees to see Kåñëa. With closed eyes they are simply listening in silence to the sweet vibrations of His flute, and they are not attracted by any other sound. Surely these birds are on the same level as great sages. nadyas tadä tad upadhärya mukunda-gétam ävarta-lakñita-manobhava-bhagna-vegäù äliìgana-sthagitam ürmi-bhujair murärer gåhëanti päda-yugalaà kamalopahäräù When the rivers hear the flute-song of Kåñëa, their minds begin to desire Him, and thus the flow of their currents is broken and their waters are agitated, moving around in whirlpools. Then with the arms of their waves the rivers embrace Muräri’s lotus feet and, holding on to them, present offerings of lotus flowers. dåñövätape vraja-paçün saha räma-gopaiù saïcärayantam anu veëum udérayantam prema-pravåddha uditaù kusumävalébhiù sakhyur vyadhät sva-vapuñämbuda ätapatram In the company of Balaräma and the cowherd boys, Lord Kåñëa is continually vibrating His flute as He herds all the animals of Vraja, even under the full heat of the summer sun. Seeing this, the cloud in the sky has expanded himself out of love. He is rising high and constructing out of his own body, with its multitude of flower-like droplets of water, an umbrella for the sake of his friend.

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pürëäù pulindya urugäya-padäbja-räga çré-kuìkumena dayitä-stana-maëòitena tad-darçana-smara-rujas tåëa-rüñitena limpantya änana-kuceñu jahus tad-ädhim The aborigine women of the Våndävana area become disturbed by lust when they see the grass marked with reddish kuìkuma powder. Endowed with the color of Kåñëa’s lotus feet, this powder originally decorated the breasts of His beloveds, and when the aborigine women smear it on their faces and breasts, they feel fully satisfied and give up all their anxiety. hantäyam adrir abalä hari-däsa-varyo yad räma-kåñëa-caraëa-sparaça-pramodaù mänaà tanoti saha-go-gaëayos tayor yat pänéya-süyavasa-kandara-kandamülaiù Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Kåñëa and Balaräma, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities—water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Kåñëa and Balaräma, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant. gä gopakair anu-vanaà nayator udära veëu-svanaiù kala-padais tanu-bhåtsu sakhyaù aspandanaà gati-matäà pulakas taruëäà niryoga-päça-kåta-lakñaëayor vicitram My dear friends, as Kåñëa and Balaräma pass through the forest with Their cowherd friends, leading Their cows, They carry ropes to bind the cows’ rear legs at the time of milking. When Lord Kåñëa plays on His flute, the sweet music causes the moving living entities to become stunned and the nonmoving trees to tremble with ecstasy. These things are certainly very wonderful.

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Prayers of Wives of Brähmaëas to Kåñëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.23.29-30)

çré-patnya ücuù maivaà vibho ‘rhati bhavän gadituà nr-çaàsaà satyaà kuruñva nigamaà tava pada-mülam präptä vayaà tulasi-däma padävasåñöaà keçair nivoòhum atilaìghya samasta-bandhün The wives of the brähmaëas replied: O almighty one, please do not speak such cruel words. Rather, You should fulfill Your promise that You always reciprocate with Your devotees in kind. Now that we have attained Your lotus feet, we simply wish to remain here in the forest so we may carry upon our heads the garlands of tulasé leaves You may neglectfully kick away with Your lotus feet. We are ready to give up all material relationships. gåhëanti no na patayaù pitarau sutä vä na bhrätå-bandhu-suhådaù kuta eva cänye tasmäd bhavat-prapadayoù patitätmanäà no nänyä bhaved gatir arindama tad vidhehi Our husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, other relatives and friends will no longer take us back, and how could anyone else be willing to give us shelter? Therefore, since we have thrown ourselves at Your lotus feet and have no other destination, please, O chastiser of enemies, grant our desire.

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Prayers by Bramhanas to Krsna (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.23.50)

tasmai namo bhagavate kåñëäyäkuëöha-medhase yan-mäyä-mohita-dhiyo bhramämaù karma-vartmasu Let us offer our obeisances unto Lord Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His intelligence is never bewildered, whereas we, confused by His power of illusion, are simply wandering about on the paths of fruitive work.

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Prayers by King Indra to Kåñëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10. 27.4-13)

indra uväca viçuddha-sattvaà tava dhäma çäntaà tapo-mayaà dhvasta-rajas-tamaskam mäyä-mayo ‘yaà guëa-sampraväho na vidyate te grahaëänubandhaù King Indra said: Your transcendental form, a manifestation of pure goodness, is undisturbed by change, shining with knowledge and devoid of passion and ignorance. In You does not exist the mighty flow of the modes of material nature, which is based on illusion and ignorance. kuto nu tad-dhetava éça tat-kåtä lobhädayo ye ‘budha-linga-bhäväù tathäpi daëòaà bhagavän bibharti dharmasya guptyai khala-nigrahäya How, then, could there exist in You the symptoms of an ignorant person— such as greed, lust, anger and envy—which are produced by one’s previous involvement in material existence and which cause one to become further entangled in material existence? And yet as the Supreme Lord You impose punishment to protect religious principles and curb down the wicked. pitä gurus tvaà jagatäm adhéço duratyayaù käla upätta-daëòaù hitäya cecchä-tanubhiù saméhase mänaà vidhunvan jagad-éça-mäninäm You are the father and spiritual master of this entire universe, and also its supreme controller. You are insurmountable time, imposing punishment upon the sinful for their own benefit. Indeed, in Your various incarnations, selected by Your own free will, You act decisively to 319

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remove the false pride of those who presume themselves masters of this world. ye mad-vidhäjïä jagad-éça-mäninas tväà vékñya käle ‘bhayam äçu tan-madam hitvärya-märgaà prabhajanty apasmayä éhä khalänäm api te ‘nuçäsanam Even fools like me, who proudly think themselves universal lords, quickly give up their conceit and directly take to the path of the spiritually progressive when they see You are fearless even in the face of time. Thus You punish the mischievous only to instruct them. sa tvaà mamaiçvarya-mada-plutasya kåtägasas te ‘viduñaù prabhävam kñantuà prabho ‘thärhasi müòha-cetaso maivaà punar bhün matir éça me ‘saté Engrossed in pride over my ruling power, ignorant of Your majesty, I offended You. O Lord, may You forgive me. My intelligence was bewildered, but let my consciousness never again be so impure. tavävatäro ‘yam adhokñajeha bhuvo bharäëäm uru-bhära-janmanäm camü-paténäm abhaväya deva bhaväya yuñmac-caraëänuvartinäm You descend into this world, O transcendent Lord, to destroy the warlords who burden the earth and create many terrible disturbances. O Lord, you simultaneously act for the welfare of those who faithfully serve Your lotus feet. namas tubhyaà bhagavate puruñäya mahätmane väsudeväya kåñëäya sätvatäà pataye namaù Obeisances unto You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the great Soul, who are all-pervading and who reside in the hearts of all. My obeisances unto You, Kåñëa, the chief of the Yadu dynasty.

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Prayers by King Indra to Kåñëa

svacchandopätta-dehäya viçuddha-jïäna-mürtaye sarvasmai sarva-béjäya sarva-bhütätmane namaù Unto Him who assumes transcendental bodies according to the desires of His devotees, unto Him whose form is itself pure consciousness, unto Him who is everything, who is the seed of everything and who is the Soul of all creatures, I offer my obeisances. mayedaà bhagavan goñöhanäçäyäsära-väyubhiù ceñöitaà vihate yajïe mäninä tévra-manyunä My dear Lord, when my sacrifice was disrupted I became fiercely angry because of false pride. Thus I tried to destroy Your cowherd community with severe rain and wind. tvayeçänugåhéto ‘smi dhvasta-stambho våthodyamaù éçvaraà gurum ätmänaà tväm ahaà çaraëaà gataù O Lord, You have shown mercy to me by shattering my false pride and defeating my attempt [to punish Våndävana]. To You, the Supreme Lord, spiritual master and Supreme Soul, I have now come for shelter.

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Prayers by Surabhi Cow to Kåñëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.27.19-21)

surabhir uväca kåñëa kåñëa mahä-yogin viçvätman viçva-sambhava bhavatä loka-näthena sa-näthä vayam acyuta Mother Surabhi said: O Kåñëa, Kåñëa, greatest of mystics! O Soul and origin of the universe! You are the master of the world, and by Your grace, O infallible Lord, we have You as our master. tvaà naù paramakaà daivaà tvaà na indro jagat-pate bhaväya bhava go-vipra devänäà ye ca sädhavaù You are our worshipable Deity. Therefore, O Lord of the universe, for the benefit of the cows, the brähmaëas, the demigods and all other saintly persons, please become our Indra. indraà nas tväbhiñekñyämo brahmaëä coditä vayam avatérëo ‘si viçvätman bhümer bhäräpanuttaye As ordered by Lord Brahmä, we shall perform Your bathing ceremony to coronate You as Indra. O Soul of the universe, You descend to this world to relieve the burden of the earth.

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Prayers by Varuëa to Lord Kåñëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.28.5-8)

çré-varuëa uväca adya me nibhåto deho ‘dyaivärtho ‘dhigataù prabho tvat-päda-bhäjo bhagavann aväpuù päram adhvanaù Çré Varuëa said: Now my body has fulfilled its function. Indeed, now the goal of my life is achieved, O Lord. Those who accept Your lotus feet, O Personality of Godhead, can transcend the path of material existence. namas tubhyaà bhagavate brahmaëe paramätmane na yatra çrüyate mäyä loka-såñöi-vikalpanä My obeisances unto You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Soul, within whom there is no trace of the illusory energy, which orchestrates the creation of this world. ajänatä mämakena müòhenäkärya-vedinä änéto ‘yaà tava pitä tad bhavän kñantum arhati Your father, who is sitting here, was brought to me by a foolish, ignorant servant of mine who did not understand his proper duty. Therefore, please forgive us. mamäpy anugrahaà kåñëa kartum arhasy açeña-dåk govinda néyatäm eña pitä te pitå-vatsala O Kåñëa, O seer of everything, please give Your mercy even to me. O Govinda, You are most affectionate to Your father. Please take him home. 323

Gopés Words at Räsa-sthalé (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.29.31-41)

çré-gopya ücuù maivaà vibho ‘rhati bhavän gadituà nå-çaàsaà santyajya sarva-viñayäàs tava päda-mülam bhaktä bhajasva duravagraha mä tyajäsmän devo yathädi-puruño bhajate mumukñün The beautiful gopés said: O all-powerful one, You should not speak in this cruel way. Do not reject us, who have renounced all material enjoyment to render devotional service to Your lotus feet. Reciprocate with us, O stubborn one, just as the primeval Lord, Çré Näräyaëa, reciprocates with His devotees in their endeavors for liberation. yat paty-apatya-suhådäm anuvåttir aìga stréëäà sva-dharma iti dharma-vidä tvayoktam astv evam etad upadeça-pade tvayéçe preñöho bhaväàs tanu-bhåtäà kila bandhur ätmä Our dear Kåñëa, as an expert in religion You have advised us that the proper religious duty for women is to faithfully serve their husbands, children and other relatives. We agree that this principle is valid, but actually this service should be rendered to You. After all, O Lord, You are the dearmost friend of all embodied souls. You are their most intimate relative and indeed their very Self. kurvanti hi tvayi ratià kuçaläù sva ätman nitya-priye pati-sutädibhir ärti-daiù kim tan naù praséda parameçvara mä sma chindyä äçäà dhåtäà tvayi ciräd aravinda-netra Expert transcendentalists always direct their affection toward You because they recognize You as their true Self and eternal beloved. What use do we have for these husbands, children and relatives of ours, who simply

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give us trouble? Therefore, O supreme controller grant us Your mercy. O lotus-eyed one, please do not cut down our long-cherished hope to have Your association. cittaà sukhena bhavatäpahåtaà gåheñu yan nirviçaty uta karäv api gåhya-kåtye pädau padaà na calatas tava päda-müläd yämaù kathaà vrajam atho karaväma kià vä Until today our minds were absorbed in household affairs, but You easily stole both our minds and our hands away from our housework. Now our feet won’t move one step from Your lotus feet. How can we go back to Vraja? What would we do there? siïcäìga nas tvad-adharämåta-pürakeëa häsävaloka-kala-géta-ja-håc-chayägnim no ced vayaà virahajägny-upayukta-dehä dhyänena yäma padayoù padavéà sakhe te Dear Kåñëa, please pour the nectar of Your lips upon the fire within our hearts—a fire You ignited with Your smiling glances and the sweet song of Your flute. If You do not, we will consign our bodies to the fire of separation from You, O friend, and thus like yogés attain to the abode of Your lotus feet by meditation. yarhy ambujäkña tava päda-talaà ramäyä datta-kñaëaà kvacid araëya-jana-priyasya aspräkñma tat-prabhåti nänya-samakñam aïjaù sthätuàs tvayäbhiramitä bata pärayämaù O lotus-eyed one, the goddess of fortune considers it a festive occasion whenever she touches the soles of Your lotus feet. You are very dear to the residents of the forest, and therefore we will also touch those lotus feet. From that time on we will be unable even to stand in the presence of any other man, for we will have been fully satisfied by You. çrér yat padämbuja-rajaç cakame tulasyä labdhväpi vakñasi padaà kila bhåtya-juñöam yasyäù sva-vékñaëa utänya-sura-prayäsas tadvad vayaà ca tava päda-rajaù prapannäù 325

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Goddess Lakñmé, whose glance is sought after by the demigods with great endeavor, has achieved the unique position of always remaining on the chest of her Lord, Näräyaëa. Still, she desires the dust of His lotus feet, even though she has to share that dust with Tulasé-devé and indeed with the Lord’s many other servants. Similarly, we have approached the dust of Your lotus feet for shelter. tan naù praséda våjinärdana te ‘nghri-mülaà präptä visåjya vasatés tvad-upäsanäçäù tvat-sundara-smita-nirékñaëa-tévra-käma taptätmanäà puruña-bhüñaëa dehi däsyam Therefore, O vanquisher of all distress, please show us mercy. To approach Your lotus feet we abandoned our families and homes, and we have no desire other than to serve You. Our hearts are burning with intense desires generated by Your beautiful smiling glances. O jewel among men, please make us Your maidservants. vékñyälakävåta-mukhaà tava kuëdala-çré gaëòa-sthalädhara-sudhaà hasitävalokam dattäbhayaà ca bhuja-daëòa-yugaà vilokya vakñaù çriyaika-ramaëaà ca bhaväma däsyaù Seeing Your face encircled by curling locks of hair, Your cheeks beautified by earrings, Your lips full of nectar, and Your smiling glance, and also seeing Your two imposing arms, which take away our fear, and Your chest, which is the only source of pleasure for the goddess of fortune, we must become Your maidservants. kä stry aìga te kala-padäyata-veëu-gétasammohitärya-caritän na calet tri-lokyäm trailokya-saubhagam idaà ca nirékñya rüpaà yad go-dvija-druma-mågäù pulakäny abibhran Dear Kåñëa, what woman in all the three worlds wouldn’t deviate from religious behavior when bewildered by the sweet, drawn-out melody of Your flute? Your beauty makes all three worlds auspicious. Indeed, even the cows, birds, trees and deer manifest the ecstatic symptom of bodily hair standing on end when they see Your beautiful form. 326

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vyaktaà bhavän vraja-bhayärti-haro ‘bhijäto devo yathädi-puruñaù sura-loka-goptä tan no nidhehi kara-paìkajam ärta-bandho tapta-staneñu ca çiraùsu ca kiìkaréëäm Clearly You have taken birth in this world to relieve the fear and distress of the people of Vraja, just as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the primeval Lord, protects the domain of the demigods. Therefore, O friend of the distressed, kindly place Your lotus hand on Your maidservants’ heads and burning breasts.

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Gopé-géta (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.31.1-19)

gopya ücuù jayati te ‘dhikaà janmanä vrajaù çrayata indirä çaçvad atra hi dayita dåçyatäà dikñu tävakäs tvayi dhåtäsavas tväà vicinvate The gopés said: O beloved, Your birth in the land of Vraja has made it exceedingly glorious, and thus Indirä, the goddess of fortune, always resides here. It is only for Your sake that we, Your devoted servants, maintain our lives. We have been searching everywhere for You, so please show Yourself to us. çarad-udäçaye sädhu-jäta-satsarasijodara-çré-muñä dåçä surata-nätha te ‘çulka-däsikä vara-da nighnato neha kià vadhaù O Lord of love, in beauty Your glance excels the whorl of the finest, most perfectly formed lotus within the autumn pond. O bestower of benedictions, You are killing the maidservants who have given themselves to You freely, without any price. Isn’t this murder? viña-jaläpyayäd vyäla-räkñasäd varña-märutäd vaidyutänalät våña-mayätmajäd viçvato bhayäd åñabha te vayaà rakñitä muhuù O greatest of personalities, You have repeatedly saved us from all kinds of danger—from poisoned water, from the terrible man-eater Agha, from the great rains, from the wind demon, from the fiery thunderbolt of Indra, from the bull demon and from the son of Maya Dänava.

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na khalu gopékä-nandano bhavän akhila-dehinäm antarätma-dåk vikhanasärthito viçva-guptaye sakha udeyivän sätvatäà kule You are not actually the son of the gopé Yaçodä, O friend, but rather the indwelling witness in the hearts of all embodied souls. Because Lord Brahmä prayed for You to come and protect the universe, You have now appeared in the Sätvata dynasty. viracitäbhayaà våñëi-dhürya te caraëam éyuñäà saàsåter bhayät kara-saroruhaà känta käma-daà çirasi dhehi naù çré-kara-graham O best of the Våñëis, Your lotuslike hand, which holds the hand of the goddess of fortune, grants fearlessness to those who approach Your feet out of fear of material existence. O lover, please place that wish-fulfilling lotus hand on our heads. vraja-janärti-han véra yoñitäà nija-jana-smaya-dhvaàsana-smita bhaja sakhe bhavat-kiìkaréù sma no jalaruhänanaà cäru darçaya O You who destroy the suffering of Vraja’s people, O hero of all women, Your smile shatters the false pride of Your devotees. Please, dear friend, accept us as Your maidservants and show us Your beautiful lotus face. praëata-dehinäà päpa-karñaëaà tåëa-caränugaà çré-niketanam phaëi-phaëärpitaà te padämbujaà kåëu kuceñu naù kåndhi håc-chayam Your lotus feet destroy the past sins of all embodied souls who surrender to them. Those feet follow after the cows in the pastures and are the eternal abode of the goddess of fortune. Since You once put those feet on the hoods of the great serpent Käliya, please place them upon our breasts and tear away the lust in our hearts.

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madhurayä girä valgu-väkyayä budha-manojïayä puñkarekñaëa vidhi-karér imä véra muhyatér adhara-sédhunäpyäyayasva naù O lotus-eyed one, Your sweet voice and charming words, which attract the minds of the intelligent, are bewildering us more and more. Our dear hero, please revive Your maidservants with the nectar of Your lips. tava kathämåtaà tapta-jévanaà kavibhir éòitaà kalmañäpaham çravaëa-maìgalaà çrémad ätataà bhuvi gåëanti ye bhüri-dä janäù The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your activities are the life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations, transmitted by learned sages, eradicate one’s sinful reactions and bestow good fortune upon whoever hears them. These narrations are broadcast all over the world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly those who spread the message of Godhead are most munificent. prahasitaà priya-prema-vékñaëaà viharaëaà ca te dhyäna-maìgalam rahasi saàvido yä hådi spåçaù kuhaka no manaù kñobhayanti hi Your smiles, Your sweet, loving glances, the intimate pastimes and confidential talks we enjoyed with You—all these are auspicious to meditate upon, and they touch our hearts. But at the same time, O deceiver, they very much agitate our minds. calasi yad vrajäc cärayan paçün nalina-sundaraà nätha te padam çila-tåëäìkuraiù sédatéti naù kalilatäà manaù känta gacchati Dear master, dear lover, when You leave the cowherd village to herd the cows, our minds are disturbed with the thought that Your feet, more beautiful than a lotus, will be pricked by the spiked husks of grain and the rough grass and plants. 330

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dina-parikñaye néla-kuntalair vanaruhänanaà bibhrad ävåtam ghana-rajasvalaà darçayan muhur manasi naù smaraà véra yacchasi At the end of the day You repeatedly show us Your lotus face, covered with dark blue locks of hair and thickly powdered with dust. Thus, O hero, You arouse lusty desires in our minds. praëata-käma-daà padmajärcitaà dharaëi-maëòanaà dhyeyam äpadi caraëa-paìkajaà çantamaà ca te ramaëa naù staneñv arpayädhi-han Your lotus feet, which are worshiped by Lord Brahmä, fulfill the desires of all who bow down to them. They are the ornament of the earth, they give the highest satisfaction, and in times of danger they are the appropriate object of meditation. O lover, O destroyer of anxiety, please put those lotus feet upon our breasts. surata-vardhanaà çoka-näçanaà svarita-veëunä suñöhu cumbitam itara-räga-vismäraëaà nåëäà vitara véra nas te ‘dharämåtam O hero, kindly distribute to us the nectar of Your lips, which enhances conjugal pleasure and vanquishes grief. That nectar is thoroughly relished by Your vibrating flute and makes people forget any other attachment. aöati yad bhavän ahni känanaà truöi yugäyate tväm apaçyatäm kuöila-kuntalaà çré-mukhaà ca te jaòa udékñatäà pakñma-kåd dåçäm When You go off to the forest during the day, a tiny fraction of a second becomes like a millennium for us because we cannot see You. And even when we can eagerly look upon Your beautiful face, so lovely with its adornment of curly locks, our pleasure is hindered by our eyelids, which were fashioned by the foolish creator. 331

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pati-sutänvaya-bhrätå-bändhavän ativilaìghya te ‘nty acyutägatäù gati-vidas tavodgéta-mohitäù kitava yoñitaù kas tyajen niçi Dear Acyuta, You know very well why we have come here. Who but a cheater like You would abandon young women who come to see Him in the middle of the night, enchanted by the loud song of His flute? Just to see You, we have completely rejected our husbands, children, ancestors, brothers and other relatives. rahasi saàvidaà håc-chayodayaà prahasitänanaà prema-vékñaëam båhad-uraù çriyo vékñya dhäma te muhur ati-spåhä muhyate manaù Our minds are repeatedly bewildered as we think of the intimate conversations we had with You in secret, feel the rise of lust in our hearts and remember Your smiling face, Your loving glances and Your broad chest, the resting place of the goddess of fortune. Thus we experience the most severe hankering for You. vraja-vanaukasäà vyaktir aìga te våjina-hantry alaà viçva-maìgalam tyaja manäk ca nas tvat-spåhätmanäà sva-jana-håd-rujäà yan niñüdanam O beloved, Your all-auspicious appearance vanquishes the distress of those living in Vraja’s forests. Our minds long for Your association. Please give to us just a bit of that medicine, which counteracts the disease in Your devotees’ hearts. yat te sujäta-caraëämburuhaà staneñu bhétäù çanaiù priya dadhémahi karkaçeñu tenäöavém aöasi tad vyathate na kià svit kürpädibhir bhramati dhér bhavad-äyuñäà naù O dearly beloved! Your lotus feet are so soft that we place them gently on our breasts, fearing that Your feet will be hurt. Our life rests only in You. Our minds, therefore, are filled with anxiety that Your tender feet might be wounded by pebbles as You roam about on the forest path. 332

Gopés singing the pastimes of Kåñëa (Yugma Sloki Gopé-géta ) (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.35.2-25)

çré-gopya ücuù väma-bähu-kåta-väma-kapolo valgita-bhrur adharärpita-veëum komaläìgulibhir äçrita-märgaà gopya érayati yatra mukundaù vyoma-yäna-vanitäù saha siddhair vismitäs tad upadhärya sa-lajjäù käma-märgaëa-samarpita-cittäù kaçmalaà yayur apasmåta-névyaù The gopés said: When Mukunda vibrates the flute He has placed to His lips, stopping its holes with His tender fingers, He rests His left cheek on His left arm and makes His eyebrows dance. At that time the demigoddesses traveling in the sky with their husbands, the Siddhas, become amazed. As those ladies listen, they are embarrassed to find their minds yielding to the pursuit of lusty desires, and in their distress they are unaware that the belts of their garments are loosening. hanta citram abaläù çåëutedaà hära-häsa urasi sthira-vidyut nanda-sünur ayam ärta-janänäà narma-do yarhi küjita-veëuù våndaço vraja-våñä måga-gävo veëu-vädya-håta-cetasa ärät danta-dañöa-kavalä dhåta-karëä nidritä likhita-citram iväsan O girls! This son of Nanda, who gives joy to the distressed, bears steady lightning on His chest and has a smile like a jeweled necklace. Now please hear something wonderful. When He vibrates His flute, Vraja’s bulls, 333

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deer and cows, standing in groups at a great distance, are all captivated by the sound, and they stop chewing the food in their mouths and cock their ears. Stunned, they appear as if asleep, or like figures in a painting. barhiëa-stabaka-dhätu-paläçair baddha-malla-paribarha-viòambaù karhicit sa-bala äli sa gopair gäù samähvayati yatra mukundaù tarhi bhagna-gatayaù sarito vai tat-padämbuja-rajo ‘nila-nétam spåhayatér vayam iväbahu-puëyäù prema-vepita-bhujäù stimitäpaù My dear gopé, sometimes Mukunda imitates the appearance of a wrestler by decorating Himself with leaves, peacock feathers and colored minerals. Then, in the company of Balaräma and the cowherd boys, He plays His flute to call the cows. At that time the rivers stop flowing, their water stunned by the ecstasy they feel as they eagerly wait for the wind to bring them the dust of His lotus feet. But like us, the rivers are not very pious, and thus they merely wait with their arms trembling out of love. anucaraiù samanuvarëita-vérya ädi-püruña iväcala-bhütiù vana-caro giri-taöeñu carantér veëunähvayati gäù sa yadä hi vana-latäs tarava ätmani viñëuà vyaïjayantya iva puñpa-phaläòhyäù praëata-bhära-viöapä madhu-dhäräù prema-håñöa-tanavo vavåñuù sma darçanéya-tilako vana-mälädivya-gandha-tulasé-madhu-mattaiù ali-kulair alaghu gétäm abhéñöam ädriyan yarhi sandhita-veëuù sarasi särasa-haàsa-vihaìgäç cäru-gétä-håta-cetasa etya harim upäsata te yata-cittä hanta mélita-dåço dhåta-maunäù 334

Gopé s sing ing t he pa st ime s of Kåñë a

Kåñëa moves about the forest in the company of His friends, who vividly chant the glories of His magnificent deeds. He thus appears just like the Supreme Personality of Godhead exhibiting His inexhaustible opulences. When the cows wander onto the mountainsides and Kåñëa calls out to them with the sound of His flute, the trees and creepers in the forest respond by becoming so luxuriant with fruits and flowers that they seem to be manifesting Lord Viñëu within their hearts. As their branches bend low with the weight, the filaments on their trunks and vines stand erect out of the ecstasy of love of God, and both the trees and the creepers pour down a rain of sweet sap. Maddened by the divine, honeylike aroma of the tulasé flowers on the garland Kåñëa wears, swarms of bees sing loudly for Him, and that most beautiful of all persons thankfully acknowledges and acclaims their song by taking His flute to His lips and playing it. The charming flute song then steals away the minds of the cranes, swans and other lake-dwelling birds. Indeed they approach Kåñëa, close their eyes and, maintaining strict silence, worship Him by fixing their consciousness upon Him in deep meditation. saha-balaù srag-avataàsa-viläsaù sänuñu kñiti-bhåto vraja-devyaù harñayan yarhi veëu-raveëa jäta-harña uparambhati viçvam mahad-atikramaëa-çaìkita-cetä manda-mandam anugarjati meghaù suhådam abhyavarñat sumanobhiç chäyayä ca vidadhat pratapatram O goddesses of Vraja, when Kåñëa is enjoying Himself with Balaräma on the mountain slopes, playfully wearing a flower garland on the top of His head, He engladdens all with the resonant vibrations of His flute. Thus He delights the entire world. At that time the nearby cloud, afraid of offending a great personality, thunders very gently in accompaniment.

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The cloud showers flowers onto his dear friend Kåñëa and shades Him from the sun like an umbrella. vividha-gopa-caraëeñu vidagdho veëu-vädya urudhä nija-çikñäù tava sutaù sati yadädhara-bimbe datta-veëur anayat svara-jätéù savanaças tad upadhärya sureçäù çakra-çarva-parameñöhi-purogäù kavaya änata-kandhara-cittäù kaçmalaà yayur aniçcita-tattväù O pious mother Yaçodä, your son, who is expert in all the arts of herding cows, has invented many new styles of flute-playing. When He takes His flute to His bimba-red lips and sends forth the tones of the harmonic scale in variegated melodies, Brahmä, Çiva, Indra and other chief demigods become confused upon hearing the sound. Although they are the most learned authorities, they cannot ascertain the essence of that music, and thus they bow down their heads and hearts. nija-padäbja-dalair dhvaja-vajra nérajäìkuça-vicitra-lalämaiù vraja-bhuvaù çamayan khura-todaà varñma-dhurya-gatir éòita-veëuù vrajati tena vayaà sa-viläsa vékñaëärpita-manobhava-vegäù kuja-gatià gamitä na vidämaù kaçmalena kavaraà vasanaà vä As Kåñëa strolls through Vraja with His lotus-petal-like feet, marking the ground with the distinctive emblems of flag, thunderbolt, lotus and elephant goad, He relieves the distress the ground feels from the cows’ hooves. As He plays His renowned flute, His body moves with the grace of an elephant. Thus we gopés, who become agitated by Cupid when Kåñëa playfully glances at us, stand as still as trees, unaware that our hair and garments are slackening.

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Gopé s sing ing t he pa st ime s of Kåñë a

maëi-dharaù kvacid ägaëayan gä mälayä dayita-gandha-tulasyäù praëayino ‘nucarasya kadäàse prakñipan bhujam agäyata yatra kvaëita-veëu-rava-vaïcita-cittäù kåñëam anvasata kåñëa-gåhiëyaù guëa-gaëärëam anugatya hariëyo gopikä iva vimukta-gåhäçäù Now Kåñëa is standing somewhere counting His cows on a string of gems. He wears a garland of tulasé flowers that bear the fragrance of His beloved, and He has thrown His arm over the shoulder of an affectionate cowherd boyfriend. As Kåñëa plays His flute and sings, the music attracts the black deer’s wives, who approach that ocean of transcendental qualities and sit down beside Him. Just like us cowherd girls, they have given up all hope for happiness in family life. kunda-däma-kåta-kautuka-veño gopa-godhana-våto yamunäyäm nanda-sünur anaghe tava vatso narma-daù praëayiëäà vijahära manda-väyur upaväty anukülaà mänayan malayaja-sparçena vandinas tam upadeva-gaëä ye vädya-géta-balibhiù parivavruù O sinless Yaçodä, your darling child, the son of Mahäräja Nanda, has festively enhanced His attire with a jasmine garland, and He is now playing along the Yamunä in the company of the cows and cowherd boys, amusing His dear companions. The gentle breeze honors Him with its soothing fragrance of sandalwood, while the various Upadevas, standing on all sides like panegyrists, offer their music, singing and gifts of tribute. vatsalo vraja-gaväà yad aga-dhro vandyamäna-caraëaù pathi våddhaiù kåtsna-go-dhanam upohya dinänte géta-veëur anugeòita-kértiù

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utsavaà çrama-rucäpi dåçénäm unnayan khura-rajaç-churita-srak ditsayaiti suhåd-äsiña eña devaké-jaöhara-bhür uòu-räjaù Out of great affection for the cows of Vraja, Kåñëa became the lifter of Govardhana Hill. At the end of the day, having rounded up all His own cows, He plays a song on His flute, while exalted demigods standing along the path worship His lotus feet and the cowherd boys accompanying Him chant His glories. His garland is powdered by the dust raised by the cows’ hooves, and His beauty, enhanced by His fatigue, creates an ecstatic festival for everyone’s eyes. Eager to fulfill His friends’ desires, Kåñëa is the moon arisen from the womb of mother Yaçodä. mada-vighürëita-locana éñat mäna-daù sva-suhådäà vana-mälé badara-päëòu-vadano mådu-gaëòaà maëòayan kanaka-kuëòala-lakñmyä yadu-patir dvirada-räja-vihäro yäminé-patir ivaiña dinänte mudita-vaktra upayäti durantaà mocayan vraja-gaväà dina-täpam As Kåñëa respectfully greets His well-wishing friends, His eyes roll slightly as if from intoxication. He wears a flower garland, and the beauty of His soft cheeks is accentuated by the brilliance of His golden earrings and the whiteness of His face, which has the color of a badara berry. With His cheerful face resembling the moon, lord of the night, the Lord of the Yadus moves with the grace of a regal elephant. Thus He returns in the evening, delivering the cows of Vraja from the heat of the day.

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Prayers by Närada Muni (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.37.10-23)

kåñëa kåñëäprameyätman yogeça jagad-éçvara väsudeväkhiläväsa sätvatäà pravara prabho tvam ätmä sarva-bhütänäm eko jyotir ivaidhasäm güòho guhä-çayaù säkñé mahä-puruña éçvaraù [Närada Muni said:] O Kåñëa, Kåñëa, unlimited Lord, source of all mystic power, Lord of the universe! O Väsudeva, shelter of all beings and best of the Yadus ! O master, You are the Supreme Soul of all created beings, sitting unseen within the cave of the heart like the fire dormant within kindling wood. You are the witness within everyone, the Supreme Personality and the ultimate controlling Deity. ätmanätmäçrayaù pürvaà mäyayä sasåje guëän tair idaà satya-saìkalpaù såjasy atsy avaséçvaraù You are the shelter of all souls, and being the supreme controller, You fulfill Your desires simply by Your will. By Your personal creative potency You manifested in the beginning the primal modes of material nature, and through their agency You create, maintain and then destroy this universe. sa tvaà bhüdhara-bhütänäà daitya-pramatha-rakñasäm avatérëo vinäçäya sädhunäà rakñaëäya ca

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You, that very same creator, have now descended on the earth to annihilate the Daitya, Pramatha and Räkñasa demons who are posing as kings, and also to protect the godly. diñöyä te nihato daityo lélayäyaà hayäkåtiù yasya heñita-santrastäs tyajanty animiñä divam The horse demon was so terrifying that his neighing frightened the demigods into leaving their heavenly kingdom. But by our good fortune You have enjoyed the sport of killing him. cäëüraà muñöikaà caiva mallän anyäàç ca hastinam kaàsaà ca nihataà drakñye paraçvo ‘hani te vibho tasyänu çaìkha-yavanamuräëäà narakasya ca pärijätäpaharaëam indrasya ca paräjayam udvähaà véra-kanyänäà vérya-çulkädi-lakñaëam någasya mokñaëaà çäpäd dvärakäyäà jagat-pate syamantakasya ca maëer ädänaà saha bhäryayä måta-putra-pradänaà ca brähmaëasya sva-dhämataù pauëòrakasya vadhaà paçcät käçi-puryäç ca dépanam dantavakrasya nidhanaà caidyasya ca mahä-kratau yäni cänyäni véryäëi dvärakäm ävasan bhavän

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P r a y e r s b y N ä r a d a Mu n i

kartä drakñyämy ahaà täni geyäni kavibhir bhuvi In just two days, O almighty Lord, I will see the deaths of Cäëüra, Muñöika and other wrestlers, along with those of the elephant Kuvalayäpéòa and King Kaàsa—all by Your hand. Then I will see You kill Kälayavana, Mura, Naraka and the conch demon, and I will also see You steal the pärijäta flower and defeat Indra. I will then see You marry many daughters of heroic kings after paying for them with Your valor. Then, O Lord of the universe, in Dvärakä You will deliver King Någa from a curse and take for Yourself the Syamantaka jewel, together with another wife. You will bring back a brähmaëa’s dead son from the abode of Your servant Yamaräja, and thereafter You will kill Pauëòraka, burn down the city of Käçé and annihilate Dantavakra and the King of Cedi during the great Räjasüya sacrifice. I shall see all these heroic pastimes, along with many others You will perform during Your residence in Dvärakä. These pastimes are glorified on this earth in the songs of transcendental poets. atha te käla-rüpasya kñapayiñëor amuñya vai akñauhiëénäà nidhanaà drakñyämy arjuna-säratheù Subsequently I will see You appear as time personified, serving as Arjuna’s chariot driver and destroying entire armies of soldiers to rid the earth of her burden. viçuddha-vijïäna-ghanaà sva-saàsthayä samäpta-sarvärtham amogha-väïchitam sva-tejasä nitya-nivåtta-mäyäguëa-pravähaà bhagavantam émahi Let us approach You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for shelter. You are full of perfectly pure spiritual awareness and are always situated in Your original identity. Since Your will is never thwarted, You have already achieved all possible desirable things, and by the power of Your spiritual energy You remain eternally aloof from the flow of the qualities of illusion. 341

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tväm éçvaraà sväçrayam ätma-mäyayä vinirmitäçeña-viçeña-kalpanam kréòärtham adyätta-manuñya-vigrahaà nato ‘smi dhuryaà yadu-våñëi-sätvatäm I bow down to You, the supreme controller, who are dependent only on Yourself. By Your potency You have constructed the unlimited particular arrangements of this universe. Now you have appeared as the greatest hero among the Yadus, Våñëis and Sätvatas and have chosen to participate in human warfare.

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Gopis Crying for Krsna (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.39.19-30)

çré-gopya ücuù aho vidhätas tava na kvacid dayä saàyojya maitryä praëayena dehinaù täàç cäkåtärthän viyunaìkñy apärthakaà vikréòitaà te ‘rbhaka-ceñöitaà yathä The gopés said: O Providence, you have no mercy! You bring embodied creatures together in friendship and love and then senselessly separate them before they fulfill their desires. This whimsical play of yours is like a child’s game. yas tvaà pradarçyäsita-kuntalävåtaà mukunda-vaktraà su-kapolam un-nasam çokäpanoda-smita-leça-sundaraà karoñi pärokñyam asädhu te kåtam Having shown us Mukunda’s face, framed by dark locks and beautified by His fine cheeks, raised nose and gentle smiles, which eradicate all misery, you are now making that face invisible. This behavior of yours is not at all good. krüras tvam akrüra-samäkhyayä sma naç cakñur hi dattaà harase batäjïa-vat yenaika-deçe ‘khila-sarga-sauñöhavaà tvadéyam adräkñma vayaà madhu-dviñaù O Providence, though you come here with the name Akrüra, you are indeed cruel, for like a fool you are taking away what you once gave us—those eyes with which we have seen, even in one feature of Lord Madhudviña’s form, the perfection of your entire creation. na nanda-sünuù kñaëa-bhaìga-sauhådaù samékñate naù sva-kåtäturä bata

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vihäya gehän sva-janän sutän patéàs tad-däsyam addhopagatä nava-priyaù Alas, Nanda’s son, who breaks loving friendships in a second, will not even look directly at us. Forcibly brought under His control, we abandoned our homes, relatives, children and husbands just to serve Him, but He is always looking for new lovers. sukhaà prabhätä rajanéyam äçiñaù satyä babhüvuù pura-yoñitäà dhruvam yäù saàpraviñöasya mukhaà vrajas-pateù päsyanty apäìgotkalita-smitäsavam The dawn following this night will certainly be auspicious for the women of Mathurä. All their hopes will now be fulfilled, for as the Lord of Vraja enters their city, they will be able to drink from His face the nectar of the smile emanating from the corners of His eyes. täsäà mukundo madhu-maïju-bhäñitair gåhéta-cittaù para-vän manasvy api kathaà punar naù pratiyäsyate ‘balä grämyäù salajja-smita-vibhramair bhraman O gopés, although our Mukunda is intelligent and very obedient to His parents, once He has fallen under the spell of the honey—sweet words of the women of Mathurä and been enchanted by their alluring, shy smiles, how will He ever return to us unsophisticated village girls? adya dhruvaà tatra dåço bhaviñyate däçärha-bhojändhaka-våñëi-sätvatäm mahotsavaù çré-ramaëaà guëäspadaà drakñyanti ye cädhvani devaké-sutam When the Däçärhas, Bhojas, Andhakas, Våñëis and Sätvatas see the son of Devaké in Mathurä, they will certainly enjoy a great festival for their eyes, as will all those who see Him traveling along the road to the city. After all, He is the darling of the goddess of fortune and the reservoir of all transcendental qualities.

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G o p i s C r y i n g fo r K r s n a

maitad-vidhasyäkaruëasya näma bhüd akrüra ity etad atéva däruëaù yo ‘säv anäçväsya su-duùkhitam janaà priyät priyaà neñyati päram adhvanaù He who is doing this merciless deed should not be called Akrüra. He is so extremely cruel that without even trying to console the sorrowful residents of Vraja, he is taking away Kåñëa, who is more dear to us than life itself. anärdra-dhér eña samästhito rathaà tam anv amé ca tvarayanti durmadäù gopä anobhiù sthavirair upekñitaà daivaà ca no ‘dya pratikülam éhate Hard-hearted Kåñëa has already mounted the chariot, and now the foolish cowherds are hurrying after Him in their bullock carts. Even the elders are saying nothing to stop Him. Today fate is working against us. nivärayämaù samupetya mädhavaà kià no ‘kariñyan kula-våddha-bändhaväù mukunda-saìgän nimiñärdha-dustyajäd daivena vidhvaàsita-déna-cetasäm Let us directly approach Mädhava and stop Him from going. What can our family elders and other relatives do to us? Now that fate is separating us from Mukunda, our hearts are already wretched, for we cannot bear to give up His association even for a fraction of a second. yasyänuräga-lalita-smita-valgu-mantra lélävaloka-parirambhaëa-räsa-goñöhäm nétäù sma naù kñaëam iva kñaëadä vinä taà gopyaù kathaà nv atitarema tamo durantam When He brought us to the assembly of the räsa dance, where we enjoyed His affectionate and charming smiles, His delightful secret talks, His playful glances and His embraces, we passed many nights as if they were a single moment. O gopés, how can we possibly cross over the insurmountable darkness of His absence?

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yo ‘hnaù kñaye vrajam ananta-sakhaù paréto gopair viçan khura-rajaç-churitälaka-srak veëuà kvaëan smita-katäkña-nirékñaëena cittaà kñiëoty amum åte nu kathaà bhavema How can we exist without Ananta’s friend Kåñëa, who in the evening would return to Vraja in the company of the cowherd boys, His hair and garland powdered with the dust raised by the cows’ hooves? As He played His flute, He would captivate our minds with His smiling sidelong glances.

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Prayers by Akrura (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.40.1-30)

çré-akrüra uväca nato ‘smy ahaà tväkhila-hetu-hetuà näräyaëaà püruñam ädyam avyayam yan-näbhi-jätäd aravinda-koñäd brahmäviräséd yata eña lokaù Çré Akrüra said: I bow down to You, the cause of all causes, the original and inexhaustible Supreme Person, Näräyaëa. From the whorl of the lotus born from Your navel, Brahmä appeared, and by his agency this universe has come into being. bhüs toyam agniù pavanaà kham ädir mahän ajädir mana indriyäëi sarvendriyärthä vibudhäç ca sarve ye hetavas te jagato ‘ìga-bhütäù Earth; water; fire; air; ether and its source, false ego; the mahat-tattva, the total material nature and her source, the Supreme Lord’s puruña expansion; the mind; the senses; the sense objects; and the senses’ presiding deities—all these causes of the cosmic manifestation are born from Your transcendental body. naite svarüpaà vidur ätmanas te hy ajädayo ‘nätmatayä gåhétaù ajo ‘nubaddhaù sa guëair ajäyä guëät paraà veda na te svarüpam The total material nature and these other elements of creation certainly cannot know You as You are, for they are manifested in the realm of dull matter. Since You are beyond the modes of nature, even Lord Brahma, who is bound up in these modes, does not know Your true identity. tväà yogino yajanty addhä

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mahä-puruñam éçvaram sädhyätmaà sädhibhütaà ca sädhidaivaà ca sädhavaù Pure yogés worship You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by conceiving of You in the threefold form comprising the living entities, the material elements that constitute the living entities’ bodies, and the controlling deities of those elements. trayyä ca vidyayä kecit tväà vai vaitänikä dvijäù yajante vitatair yajïair nänä-rüpämaräkhyayä Brähmaëas who follow the regulations concerning the three sacred fires worship You by chanting mantras from the three Vedas and performing elaborate fire sacrifices for the various demigods, who have many forms and names. eke tväkhila-karmäëi sannyasyopaçamaà gatäù jïänino jïäna-yajïena yajanti jïäna-vigraham In pursuit of spiritual knowledge, some persons renounce all material activities and, having thus become peaceful, perform the sacrifice of philosophic investigation to worship You, the original form of all knowledge. anye ca saàskåtätmäno vidhinäbhihitena te yajanti tvan-mayäs tväà vai bahu-mürty-eka-mürtikam And yet others—those whose intelligence is pure—follow the injunctions of Vaiñëava scriptures promulgated by You. Absorbing their minds in thought of You, they worship You as the one Supreme Lord manifesting in multiple forms. tväm evänye çivoktena märgeëa çiva-rüpiëam 348

Prayers by Akr ura

bahv-äcärya-vibhedena bhagavantarn upäsate There are still others, who worship You, the Supreme Lord, in the form of Lord Çiva. They follow the path described by him and interpreted in various ways by many teachers. sarva eva yajanti tväà sarva-deva-mayeçvaram ye ‘py anya-devatä-bhaktä yady apy anya-dhiyaù prabho But all these people, my Lord, even those who have turned their attention away from You and are worshiping other deities, are actually worshiping You alone, O embodiment of all the demigods. yathädri-prabhavä nadyaù parjanyäpüritäù prabho viçanti sarvataù sindhuà tadvat tväà gatayo ‘ntataù As rivers born from the mountains and filled by the rain flow from all sides into the sea, so do all these paths in the end reach You, O master. sattvaà rajas tama iti bhavataù prakåter guëäù teñu hi präkåtäù protä ä-brahma-sthävarädayaù Goodness, passion and ignorance, the qualities of Your material nature, entangle all conditioned living beings, from Brahmä down to the nonmoving creatures. tubhyaà namas te tv aviñakta-dåñöaye sarvätmane sarva-dhiyäà ca säkñiëe guëa-praväho ‘yam avidyayä kåtaù pravartate deva-nå-tiryag-ätmasu I offer My obeisances to You, who as the Supreme Soul of all beings witness everyone’s consciousness with unbiased vision. The current of Your material modes, produced by the force of ignorance, flows strongly

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among the living beings who assume identities as demigods, humans and animals. agnir mukhaà te ‘vanir aìghrir ékñaëaà süryo nabho näbhir atho diçaù çrutiù dyauù kaà surendräs tava bähavo ‘rëaväù kukñir marut präëa-balaà prakalpitam romäëi våkñauñadhayaù çiroruhä meghäù parasyästhi-nakhäni te ‘drayaù nimeñaëaà rätry-ahané prajäpatir meòhras tu våñöis tava véryam iñyate Fire is said to be Your face, the earth Your feet, the sun Your eye, and the sky Your navel. The directions are Your sense of hearing, the chief demigods Your arms, and the oceans Your abdomen. Heaven is thought to be Your head, and the wind Your vital air and physical strength. The trees and plants are the hairs on Your body, the clouds the hair on Your head, and the mountains the bones and nails of You, the Supreme. The passage of day and night is the blinking of Your eyes, the progenitor of mankind Your genitals, and the rain Your semen. tvayy avyayätman puruñe prakalpitä lokäù sa-pälä bahu-jéva-saìkuläù yathä jale saïjihate jalaukaso ‘py udumbare vä maçakä mano-maye All the worlds, with their presiding demigods and teeming populations, originate in You, the inexhaustible Supreme Personality of Godhead. These worlds travel within You, the basis of the mind and senses, just as aquatics swim in the sea or tiny insects burrow within an udumbara fruit. yäni yänéha rüpäëi kréòanärthaà bibharñi hi tair ämåñöa-çuco lokä mudä gäyanti te yaçaù To enjoy Your pastimes You manifest Yourself in various forms in this material world, and these incarnations cleanse away all the unhappiness of those who joyfully chant Your glories.

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Prayers by Akr ura

namaù käraëa-matsyäya pralayäbdhi-caräya ca hayaçérñëe namas tubhyaà madhu-kaiöabha-måtyave aküpäräya båhate namo mandara-dhäriëe kñity-uddhära-vihäräya namaù çükara-mürtaye I offer my obeisances to You, the cause of the creation, Lord Matsya, who swam about in the ocean of dissolution, to Lord Hayagréva, the killer of Madhu and Kaiöabha, to the immense tortoise [Lord Kürma], who supported Mandara Mountain, and to the boar incarnation [Lord Varäha], who enjoyed lifting the earth. namas te ‘dbhuta-siàhäya sädhu-loka-bhayäpaha vämanäya namas tubhyaà kränta-tribhuvanäya ca Obeisances to You, the amazing lion [Lord Nåsiàha], who remove Your saintly devotees’ fear, and to the dwarf Vämana, who stepped over the three worlds. namo bhåguëäà pataye dåpta-kñatra-vana-cchide namas te raghu-varyäya rävaëänta-karäya ca Obeisances to You, Lord of the Bhågus, who cut down the forest of the conceited royal order, and to Lord Räma, the best of the Raghu dynasty, who put an end to the demon Rävaëa. namas te väsudeväya namaù saìkarñaëäya ca pradyumnäyaniruddhäya sätvatäà pataye namaù

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Obeisances to You, Lord of the Sätvatas, and to Your forms of Väsudeva, Saìkarñaëa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. namo buddhäya çuddhäya daitya-dänava-mohine mleccha-präya-kñatra-hantre namas te kalki-rüpiëe Obeisances to Your form as the faultless Lord Buddha, who will bewilder the Daityas and Dänavas, and to Lord Kalki, the annihilator of the meateaters posing as kings. bhagavan jéva-loko ‘yaà mohitas tava mäyayä ahaà mamety asad-gräho bhrämyate karma-vartmasu O Supreme Lord, the living entities in this world are bewildered by Your illusory energy. Becoming involved in the false concepts of “I” and “my,” they are forced to wander along the paths of fruitive work. ahaà cätmätmajägäradärärtha-svajanädiñu bhramämi svapna-kalpeñu müòhaù satya-dhiyä vibho I too am deluded in this way, O almighty Lord, foolishly thinking my body, children, home, wife, money and followers to be real, though they are actually as unreal as a dream. anityänätma-duùkheñu viparyaya-matir hy aham dvandvärämas tamo-viñöo na jäne tvätmanaù priyam Thus mistaking the temporary for the eternal, my body for my self, and sources of misery for sources of happiness, I have tried to take pleasure in material dualities. Covered in this way by ignorance, I could not recognize You as the real object of my love.

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yathäbudho jalaà hitvä praticchannaà tad-udbhavaiù abhyeti måga-tåñëäà vai tadvat tvähaà paräì-mukhaù Just as a fool overlooks a body of water covered by the vegetation growing in it and chases a mirage, so I have turned away from You. notsahe ‘haà kåpaëa-dhéù käma-karma-hataà manaù roddhuà pramäthibhiç cäkñair hriyamäëam itas tataù My intelligence is so crippled that I cannot find the strength to curb my mind, which is disturbed by material desires and activities and constantly dragged here and there by my obstinate senses. so ‘haà taväìghry-upagato ‘smy asatäà duräpaà tac cäpy ahaà bhavad-anugraha éça manye puàso bhaved yarhi saàsaraëäpavargas tvayy abja-näbha sad-upäsanayä matiù syät Being thus fallen, I am approaching Your feet for shelter, O Lord, because although the impure can never attain Your feet, I think it is nevertheless possible by Your mercy. Only when one’s material life has ceased, O lotusnaveled Lord, can one develop consciousness of You by serving Your pure devotees. namo vijïäna-mäträya sarva-pratyaya-hetave puruñeça-pradhänäya brahmaëe ‘nanta-çaktaye Obeisances to the Supreme Absolute Truth, the possessor of unlimited energies. He is the embodiment of pure, transcendental knowledge, the source of all kinds of awareness, and the predominator of the forces of nature that rule over the living being. namas te väsudeväya sarva-bhüta-kñayäya ca

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håñékeça namas tubhyaà prapannaà pähi mäà prabho O son of Vasudeva, obeisances to You, within whom all living beings reside. O Lord of the mind and senses, again I offer You my obeisances. O master, please protect me, who am surrendered unto You.

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Bhramara-gétä (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.47.12-21)

gopy uväca madhupa kitava-bandho mä spåçaìghrià sapatnyäù kuca-vilulita-mälä-kuìkuma-çmaçrubhir naù vahatu madhu-patis tan-mäninénäà prasädaà yadu-sadasi viòambyaà yasya dütas tvam édåk The gopé said: O honeybee, O friend of a cheater, don’t touch My feet with your whiskers, which are smeared with the kuìkuma that rubbed onto Kåñëa’s garland when it was crushed by the breasts of a rival lover! Let Kåñëa satisfy the women of Mathurä. One who sends a messenger like you will certainly be ridiculed in the Yadus’ assembly. sakåd adhara-sudhäà sväà mohinéà päyayitvä sumanasa iva sadyas tatyaje ‘smän bhavädåk paricarati kathaà tat-päda-padmaà nu padmä hy api bata håta-cetä hy uttamaù-çloka-jalpaiù After making us drink the enchanting nectar of His lips only once, Kåñëa suddenly abandoned us, just as you might quickly abandon some flowers. How is it, then, that Goddess Padmä willingly serves His lotus feet? Alas! The answer must certainly be that her mind has been stolen away by His deceitful words. kim iha bahu ñaò-aìghre gäyasi tvaà yadünäm adhipatim agåhäëäm agrato naù puräëam vijaya-sakha-sakhénäà géyatäà tat-prasaìgaù kñapita-kuca-rujas te kalpayantéñöam iñöäù O bee, why do you sing here so much about the Lord of the Yadus, in front of us homeless people? These topics are old news to us. Better you sing about that friend of Arjuna in front of His new girlfriends, the burning desire in whose breasts He has now relieved. Those ladies will surely give you the charity you are begging. 355

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divi bhuvi ca rasäyäà käù striyas tad-duräpäù kapaöa-rucira-häsa-bhrü-vijåmbhasya yäù syuù caraëa-raja upäste yasya bhütir vayaà kä api ca kåpaëa-pakñe hy uttamaù-çloka-çabdaù In heaven, on earth or in the subterranean sphere, what women are unavailable to Him? He simply arches His eyebrows and smiles with deceptive charm, and they all become His. The supreme goddess herself worships the dust of His feet, so what is our position in comparison? But at least those who are wretched can chant His name, Uttamaùçloka. visåja çirasi pädaà vedmy ahaà cätu-kärair anunaya-viduñas te ‘bhyetya dautyair mukundät sva-kåta iha viñåñöäpatya-paty-anya-lokä vyasåjad akåta-cetäù kià nu sandheyam asmin Keep your head off My feet! I know what you’re doing. You expertly learned diplomacy from Mukunda, and now you come as His messenger with flattering words. But He abandoned those who for His sake alone gave up their children, husbands and all other relations. He’s simply ungrateful. Why should I make up with Him now? mågayur iva kapéndraà vivyadhe lubdha-dharmä striyam akåta virüpäà stré-jitaù käma-yänäm balim api balim attväveñöayad dhväìkña-vad yas tad alam asita-sakhyair dustyajas tat-kathärthaù Like a hunter, He cruelly shot the king of the monkeys with arrows. Because He was conquered by a woman, He disfigured another woman who came to Him with lusty desires. And even after consuming the gifts of Bali Mahäräja, He bound him up with ropes as if he were a crow. So let us give up all friendship with this dark-complexioned boy, even if we can’t give up talking about Him. yad-anucarita-lélä-karëa-péyüña-vipruösakåd-adana-vidhüta-dvandva-dharmä vinañöäù sapadi gåha-kuöumbaà dénam utsåjya dénä bahava iha vihaìgä bhikñu-caryäà caranti

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To hear about the pastimes that Kåñëa regularly performs is nectar for the ears. For those who relish just a single drop of that nectar, even once, their dedication to material duality is ruined. Many such persons have suddenly given up their wretched homes and families and, themselves becoming wretched, traveled here to Våndävana to wander about like birds, begging for their living. vayam åtam iva jihma-vyähåtaà çraddadhänäù kulika-rutam iväjïäù kåñëa-vadhvo hariëyaù dadåçur asakåd etat tan-nakha-sparça-tévra smara-ruja upamantrin bhaëyatäm anya-värtä Faithfully taking His deceitful words as true, we became just like the black deer’s foolish wives, who trust the cruel hunter’s song. Thus we repeatedly felt the sharp pain of lust caused by the touch of His nails. O messenger, please talk about something besides Kåñëa. priya-sakha punar ägäù preyasä preñitaù kià varaya kim anurundhe mänanéyo ‘si me ‘ìga nayasi katham ihäsmän dustyaja-dvandva-pärçvaà satatam urasi saumya çrér vadhüù säkam äste O friend of My dear one, has My beloved sent you here again? I should honor you, friend, so please choose whatever boon you wish. But why have you come back here to take us to Him, whose conjugal love is so difficult to give up? After all, gentle bee, His consort is the goddess Çré, and she is always with Him, staying upon His chest. api bata madhu-puryäm ärya-putro ‘dhunäste smarati sa pitå-gehän saumya bandhüàç ca gopän kvacid api sa kathä naù kiìkaréëäà gåëéte bhujam aguru-sugandhaà mürdhny adhäsyat kadä nu O Uddhava! It is indeed regrettable that Kåñëa resides in Mathurä. Does He remember His father’s household affairs and His friends, the cowherd boys? O great soul! Does He ever talk about us, His maidservants? When will He lay on our heads His aguru-scented hand?

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Glorification of Gopés by Uddhava (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.47.58-63)

etäù paraà tanu-bhåto bhuvi gopa-vadhvo govinda eva nikhilätmani rüòha-bhäväù väïchanti yad bhava-bhiyo munayo vayaà ca kià brahma-janmabhir ananta-kathä-rasasya [Uddhava sang:] Among all persons on earth, these cowherd women alone have actually perfected their embodied lives, for they have achieved the perfection of unalloyed love for Lord Govinda. Their pure love is hankered after by those who fear material existence, by great sages, and by ourselves as well. For one who has tasted the narrations of the infinite Lord, what is the use of taking birth as a high-class brähmaëa, or even as Lord Brahmä himself? kvemäù striyo vana-carér vyabhicära-duñöäù kåñëe kva caiña paramätmani rüòha-bhävaù nanv éçvaro ‘nubhajato ‘viduño ‘pi säkñäc chreyas tanoty agada-räja ivopayuktaù How amazing it is that these simple women who wander about the forest, seemingly spoiled by improper behavior, have achieved the perfection of unalloyed love for Kåñëa, the Supreme Soul! Still, it is true that the Supreme Lord Himself awards His blessings even to an ignorant worshiper, just as the best medicine works even when taken by a person ignorant of its ingredients. näyaà çriyo ‘ìga u nitänta-rateù prasädaù svar-yoñitäà nalina-gandha-rucäà kuto ‘nyäù räsotsave ‘sya bhuja-daëòa-gåhéta-kaëöhalabdhäçiñäà ya udagäd vraja-vallabhénäm When Lord Çré Kåñëa was dancing with the gopés in the räsa-lélä, the gopés were embraced by the arms of the Lord. This transcendental favor was never bestowed upon the goddess of fortune or other consorts in the 358

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spiritual world. Indeed, never was such a thing even imagined by the most beautiful girls in the heavenly planets, whose bodily luster and aroma resemble the lotus flower. And what to speak of worldly women who are very beautiful according to material estimation? äsäm aho caraëa-reëu-juñäm ahaà syäà våndävane kim api gulma-latauñadhénäm yä dustyajaà sva-janam ärya-pathaà ca hitvä bhejur mukunda-padavéà çrutibhir vimågyäm The gopés of Våndävana have given up the association of their husbands, sons and other family members, who are very difficult to give up, and they have forsaken the path of chastity to take shelter of the lotus feet of Mukunda, Kåñëa, which one should search for by Vedic knowledge. Oh, let me be fortunate enough to be one of the bushes, creepers or herbs in Våndävana, because the gopés trample them and bless them with the dust of their lotus feet. yä vai çriyärcitam ajädibhir äpta-kämair yogeçvarair api yad ätmani räsa-goñöhyäm kåñëasya tad bhagavataù caraëäravindaà nyastaà staneñu vijahuù parirabhya täpam The goddess of fortune herself, along with Lord Brahmä and all the other demigods, who are masters of yogic perfection, can worship the lotus feet of Kåñëa only within her mind. But during the räsa dance Lord Kåñëa placed His feet upon these gopés’ breasts, and by embracing those feet the gopés gave up all distress. vande nanda-vraja-stréëäà päda-reëum abhékñëaçaù yäsäà hari-kathodgétaà punäti bhuvana-trayam I repeatedly offer my respects to the dust from the feet of the women of Nanda Mahäräja’s cowherd village. When these gopés loudly chant the glories of Çré Kåñëa, the vibration purifies the three worlds.

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Prayers by Akrura to Kåñëa & Balaräma in Mathurä (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.48.17-27)

diñöyä päpo hataù kaàsaù sänugo väm idaà kulam bhavadbhyäm uddhåtaà kåcchräd durantäc ca samedhitam [Akrüra said:] It is our good fortune that You two Lords have killed the evil Kaàsa and his followers, thus delivering Your dynasty from endless suffering and causing it to flourish. yuväà pradhäna-puruñau jagad-dhetü jagan-mayau bhavadbhyäà na vinä kiïcit param asti na cäparam You both are the original Supreme Person, the cause of the universe and its very substance. Not the slightest subtle cause or manifest product of creation exists apart from You. ätma-såñöam idaà viçvam anväviçya sva-çaktibhiù éyate bahudhä brahman çru ta-pratyakña-gocaram O Supreme Absolute Truth, with Your personal energies You create this universe and then enter into it. Thus one can perceive You in many different forms by hearing from authorities and by direct experience. yathä hi bhüteñu caräcareñu mahy-ädayo yoniñu bhänti nänä evaà bhavän kevala ätma-yoniñv ätmätma-tantro bahudhä vibhäti

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Prayers by Ak r ura to K åñë a & Bal aräm a in Mat hurä

Just as the primary elements—earth and so on—manifest themselves in abundant variety among all the species of mobile and immobile life, so You, the one independent Supreme Soul, appear to be manifold among the variegated objects of Your creation. såjasy atho lumpasi päsi viçvaà rajas-tamaù-sattva-guëaiù sva-çaktibhiù na badhyase tad-guëa-karmabhir vä jïänätmanas te kva ca bandha-hetuù You create, destroy and also maintain this universe with Your personal energies—the modes of passion, ignorance and goodness—yet You are never entangled by these modes or the activities they generate. Since You are the original source of all knowledge, what could ever cause You to be bound by illusion? dehädy-upädher anirüpitatväd bhavo na säkñän na bhidätmanaù syät ato na bandhas tava naiva mokñaù syätäm nikämas tvayi no ‘vivekaù Since it has never been demonstrated that You are covered by material, bodily designations, it must be concluded that for You there is neither birth in a literal sense nor any duality. Therefore You never undergo bondage or liberation, and if You appear to, it is only because of Your desire that we see You in that way, or simply because of our lack of discrimination. tvayodito ‘yaà jagato hitäya yadä yadä veda-pathaù puräëaù bädhyeta päñaëòa-pathair asadbhis tadä bhavän sattva-guëaà bibharti You originally enunciated the ancient religious path of the Vedas for the benefit of the whole universe. Whenever that path becomes obstructed by wicked persons following the path of atheism, You assume one of Your incarnations, which are all in the transcendental mode of goodness. sa tvam prabho ‘dya vasudeva-gåhe ‘vatérëaù sväàçena bhäram apanetum ihäsi bhümeù 361

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akñauhiëé-çata-vadhena suretaräàçaräjïäm amuñya ca kulasya yaço vitanvan You are that very same Supreme Person, my Lord, and You have now appeared in the home of Vasudeva with Your plenary portion. You have done this to relieve the earth’s burden by killing hundreds of armies led by kings who are expansions of the demigods’ enemies, and also to spread the fame of our dynasty. adyeça no vasatayaù khalu bhüri-bhägä yaù sarva-deva-pitå-bhüta-nå-deva-mürtiù yat-päda-çauca-salilaà tri-jagat punäti sa tvaà jagad-gurur adhokñaja yäù praviñöaù Today, O Lord, my home has become most fortunate because You have entered it. As the Supreme Truth, You embody the forefathers, ordinary creatures, human beings and demigods, and the water that has washed Your feet purifies the three worlds. Indeed, O transcendent one, You are the spiritual master of the universe. kaù paëòitas tvad aparaà çaraëaà saméyäd bhakta-priyäd åta-giraù suhådaù kåta-jïät sarvän dadäti suhådo bhajato ‘bhikämän ätmänam apy upacayäpacayau na yasya What learned person would approach anyone but You for shelter, when You are the affectionate, grateful and truthful well-wisher of Your devotees? To those who worship You in sincere friendship You reward everything they desire, even Your own self, yet You never increase or diminish. diñöyä janärdana bhavän iha naù pratéto yogeçvarair api duräpa-gatiù sureçaiù chindhy äçu naù suta-kalatra-dhanäpta-gehadehädi-moha-raçanäà bhavadéya-mäyäm It is by our great fortune, Janärdana, that You are now visible to us, for even the masters of yoga and the foremost demigods can achieve this goal only with great difficulty. Please quickly cut the ropes of our illusory attachment for children, wife, wealth, influential friends, home and body. All such attachment is simply the effect of Your illusory material energy. 362

Prayers by King Mucukunda (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.51.45-57)

çré-mucukunda uväca vimohito ‘yaà jana éça mäyayä tvadéyayä tväà na bhajaty anartha-dåk sukhäya duùkha-prabhaveñu sajjate gåheñu yoñit puruñaç ca vaïcitaù Çré Mucukunda said: O Lord, the people of this world, both men and women, are bewildered by Your illusory energy. Unaware of their real benefit, they do not worship You but instead seek happiness by entangling themselves in family affairs, which are actually sources of misery. labdhvä jano durlabham atra mänuñaà kathaïcid avyaìgam ayatnato ‘nagha pädäravindaà na bhajaty asan-matir gåhändha-küpe patito yathä paçuù That person has an impure mind who, despite having somehow or other automatically obtained the rare and highly evolved human form of life, does not worship Your lotus feet. Like an animal that has fallen into a blind well, such a person has fallen into the darkness of a material home. mamaiña kälo ‘jita niñphalo gato räjya-çriyonnaddha-madasya bhü-pateù martyätma-buddheù suta-dära-koça-bhüñv äsajjamänasya duranta-cintayä I have wasted all this time, O unconquerable one, becoming more and more intoxicated by my domain and opulence as an earthly king. Misidentifying the mortal body as the self, becoming attached to children, wives, treasury and land, I suffered endless anxiety. kalevare ‘smin ghaöa-kuòya-sannibhe nirüòha-mäno nara-deva ity aham

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In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

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våto rathebhäçva-padäty-anékapair gäà paryaöaàs tvägaëayan su-durmadaù With deep arrogance I took myself to be the body, which is a material object like a pot or a wall. Thinking myself a god among men, I traveled the earth surrounded by my charioteers, elephants, cavalry, foot soldiers and generals, disregarding You in my deluding pride. pramattam uccair itikåtya-cintayä pravåddha-lobhaà viñayeñu lälasam tvam apramattaù sahasäbhipadyase kñul-lelihäno ‘hir iväkhum antakaù A man obsessed with thoughts of what he thinks needs to be done, intensely greedy, and delighting in sense enjoyment is suddenly confronted by You, who are ever alert. Like a hungry snake licking its fangs before a mouse, You appear before him as death. purä rathair hema-pariñkåtaiç caran mataà-gajair vä nara-deva-saàjïitaù sa eva kälena duratyayena te kalevaro viö-kåmi-bhasma-saàjïitaù The body that at first rides high on fierce elephants or chariots adorned with gold and is known by the name “king” is later, by Your invincible power of time, called “feces,” “worms,” or “ashes.” nirjitya dik-cakram abhüta-vigraho varäsana-sthaù sama-räja-vanditaù gåheñu maithunya-sukheñu yoñitäà kréòä-mågaù püruña éça néyate Having conquered the entire circle of directions and being thus free of conflict, a man sits on a splendid throne, receiving praise from leaders who were once his equals. But when he enters the women’s chambers, where sex pleasure is found, he is led about like a pet animal, O Lord. karoti karmäëi tapaù-suniñöhito nivåtta-bhogas tad-apekñayädadat punaç ca bhüyäsam ahaà sva-räò iti pravåddha-tarño na sukhäya kalpate 364

P r a y e r s b y K i n g Mu c u k u n d a

A king who desires even greater power than he already has strictly performs his duties, carefully practicing austerity and forgoing sense enjoyment. But he whose urges are so rampant, thinking “I am independent and supreme,” cannot attain happiness. bhaväpavargo bhramato yadä bhavej janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samägamaù sat-saìgamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau parävareçe tvayi jäyate matiù When the material life of a wandering soul has ceased, O Acyuta, he may attain the association of Your devotees. And when he associates with them, there awakens in him devotion unto You, who are the goal of the devotees and the Lord of all causes and their effects. manye mamänugraha éça te kåto räjyänubandhäpagamo yadåcchayä yaù prärthyate sädhubhir eka-caryayä vanaà vivikñadbhir akhaëòa-bhümi-paiù My Lord, I think You have shown me mercy, since my attachment to my kingdom has spontaneously ceased. Such freedom is prayed for by saintly rulers of vast empires who desire to enter the forest for a life of solitude. na kämaye ‘nyaà tava päda-sevanäd akiïcana-prärthyatamäd varaà vibho ärädhya kas tväà hy apavarga-daà hare våëéta äryo varam ätma-bandhanam O all-powerful one, I desire no boon other than service to Your lotus feet, the boon most eagerly sought by those free of material desire. O Hari, what enlightened person who worships You, the giver of liberation, would choose a boon that causes his own bondage? tasmäd visåjyäçiña éça sarvato rajas-tamaù-sattva-guëänubandhanäù niraïjanaà nirguëam advayaà paraà tväà jïäpti-mätraà puruñaà vrajämy aham

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In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

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Therefore, O Lord, having put aside all objects of material desire, which are bound to the modes of passion, ignorance and goodness, I am approaching You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for shelter. You are not covered by mundane designations; rather, You are the Supreme Absolute Truth, full in pure knowledge and transcendental to the material modes. ciram iha våjinärtas tapyamäno ‘nutäpair avitåña-ñaò-amitro ‘labdha-çäntiù kathaïcit çaraëa-da samupetas tvat-padäbjaà parätman abhayam åtam açokaà pähi mäpannam éça For so long I have been pained by troubles in this world and have been burning with lamentation. My six enemies are never satiated, and I can find no peace. Therefore, O giver of shelter, O Supreme Soul, please protect me. O Lord, in the midst of danger I have by good fortune approached Your lotus feet, which are the truth and which thus make one fearless and free of sorrow.

366

Letter by Rukmiëé Devé (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.52.37-43)

çré-rukmiëy uväca çrutvä guëän bhuvana-sundara çåëvatäà te nirviçya karëa-vivarair harato ‘ìga-täpam rüpaà dåçäà dåçimatäm akhilärtha-läbhaà tvayy acyutäviçati cittam apatrapaà me Çré Rukmiëé said [in her letter, as read by the brähmaëa]: O beauty of the worlds, having heard of Your qualities, which enter the ears of those who hear and remove their bodily distress, and having also heard of Your beauty, which fulfills all the visual desires of those who see, I have fixed my shameless mind upon You, O Kåñëa. kä tvä mukunda mahaté kula-çéla-rüpavidyä-vayo-draviëa-dhämabhir ätma-tulyam dhérä patià kulavaté na våëéta kanyä käle nå-siàha nara-loka-mano-’bhirämam O Mukunda, You are equal only to Yourself in lineage, character, beauty, knowledge, youthfulness, wealth and influence. O lion among men, You delight the minds of all mankind. What aristocratic, sober-minded and marriageable girl of a good family would not choose You as her husband when the proper time has come? tan me bhavän khalu våtaù patir aìga jäyäm ätmärpitaç ca bhavato ‘tra vibho vidhehi mä véra-bhägam abhimarçatu caidya äräd gomäyu-van måga-pater balim ambujäkña Therefore, my dear Lord, I have chosen You as my husband, and I surrender myself to You. Please come swiftly, O almighty one, and make me Your wife. My dear lotus-eyed Lord, let Çiçupäla never touch the hero’s portion like a jackal stealing the property of a lion.

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In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

C a n t o 10

pürteñöa-datta-niyama-vrata-deva-vipra gurv-arcanädibhir alaà bhagavän pareçaù ärädhito yadi gadägraja etya päëià gåhëätu me na damaghoña-sutädayo ‘nye If I have sufficiently worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead by pious works, sacrifices, charity, rituals and vows, and also by worshiping the demigods, brähmaëas and gurus, then may Gadägraja come and take my hand, and not Damaghoña’s son or anyone else. çvo bhävini tvam ajitodvahane vidarbhän guptaù sametya påtanä-patibhiù parétaù nirmathya caidya-magadhendra-balaà prasahya mäà räkñasena vidhinodvaha vérya-çulkäm O unconquerable one, tomorrow when my marriage ceremony is about to begin, You should arrive unseen in Vidarbha and surround Yourself with the leaders of Your army. Then crush the forces of Caidya and Magadhendra and marry me in the Räkñasa style, winning me with Your valor. antaù-puräntara-carém anihatya bandhün tväm udvahe katham iti pravadämy upäyam pürve-dyur asti mahaté kula-deva-yäträ yasyäà bahir nava-vadhür girijäm upeyät Since I will be staying within the inner chambers of the palace, You may wonder, “How can I carry you away without killing some of your relatives?” But I shall tell You a way: On the day before the marriage there is a grand procession to honor the royal family’s deity, and in this procession the new bride goes outside the city to visit Goddess Girijä. yasyäìghri-paìkaja-rajaù-snapanaà mahänto väïchanty umä-patir ivätma-tamo-’pahatyai yarhy ambujäkña na labheya bhavat-prasädaà jahyäm asün vrata-kåçän çata-janmabhiù syät O lotus-eyed one, great souls like Lord Çiva hanker to bathe in the dust of Your lotus feet and thereby destroy their ignorance. If I cannot obtain

368

Letter by Rukmiëé Dev é

Your mercy, I shall simply give up my vital force, which will have become weak from the severe penances I will perform. Then, after hundreds of lifetimes of endeavor, I may obtain Your mercy.

369

Prayers by Bhümi Devé (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10. 59. 25-31)

bhümir uväca namas te deva-deveça çaìkha-cakra-gadä-dhara bhaktecchopätta-rüpäya paramätman namo ‘stu te Goddess Bhümi said: Obeisances unto You, O Lord of the chief demigods, O holder of the conchshell, disc and club. O Supreme Soul within the heart, You assume Your various forms to fulfill Your devotees’ desires. Obeisances unto You. namaù paìkaja-näbhäya namaù paìkaja-mäline namaù paìkaja-neträya namas tepaìkajäìghraye My respectful obeisances are unto You, O Lord, whose abdomen is marked with a depression like a lotus flower, who are always decorated with garlands of lotus flowers, whose glance is as cool as the lotus and whose feet are engraved with lotuses. namo bhagavate tubhyaà väsudeväya viñëave puruñäyädi-béjäya pürëa-bodhäya te namaù Obeisances unto You, the Supreme Lord Väsudeva, Viñëu, the primeval person, the original seed. Obeisances unto You, the omniscient one. ajäya janayitre ‘sya brahmaëe ‘nanta-çaktaye parävarätman bhütätman paramätman namo ‘stu te

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Prayers by Bhümi Dev é

Obeisances unto You of unlimited energies, the unborn progenitor of this universe, the Absolute. O Soul of the high and the low, O Soul of the created elements, O all-pervading Supreme Soul, obeisances unto You. tvaà vai sisåkñur aja utkaöaà prabho tamo nirodhäya bibharñy asaàvåtaù sthänäya sattvaà jagato jagat-pate kälaù pradhänaà puruño bhavän paraù Desiring to create, O unborn master, You increase and then assume the mode of passion. You do likewise with the mode of ignorance when You wish to annihilate the universe and with goodness when You wish to maintain it. Nonetheless, You remain uncovered by these modes. You are time, the pradhäna, and the puruña, O Lord of the universe, yet still You are separate and distinct. ahaà payo jyotir athänilo nabho mäträëi devä mana indriyäëi kartä mahän ity akhilaà caräcaraà tvayy advitéye bhagavan ayaà bhramaù This is illusion: that earth, water, fire, air, ether, sense objects, demigods, mind, the senses, false ego and the total material energy exist independent of You. In fact, they are all within You, my Lord, who are one without a second. tasyätmajo ‘yaà tava päda-paìkajaà bhétaù prapannärti-haropasäditaù tat pälayainaà kuru hasta-paìkajaà çirasy amuñyäkhila-kalmañäpaham Here is the son of Bhaumäsura. Frightened, he is approaching Your lotus feet, since You remove the distress of all who seek refuge in You. Please protect him. Place Your lotus hand, which dispels all sins, upon his head.

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Rukmiëé Kåta-stava (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10. 60.34-46)

çré-rukmiëy uväca nanv evam etad aravinda-vilocanäha yad vai bhavän bhagavato ‘sadåçé vibhümnaù kva sve mahimny abhirato bhagaväàs try-adhéçaù kvähaà guëa-prakåtir ajïa-gåhéta-pädä Çré Rukmiëé said: Actually, what You have said is true, O lotus-eyed one. I am indeed unsuitable for the almighty Personality of Godhead. What comparison is there between that Supreme Lord, who is master of the three primal deities and who delights in His own glory, and myself, a woman of mundane qualities whose feet are grasped by fools? satyaà bhayäd iva guëebhya urukramäntaù çete samudra upalambhana-mätra ätmä nityaà kad-indriya-gaëaiù kåta-vigrahas tvaà tvat-sevakair nåpa-padaà vidhutaà tamo ‘ndham Yes, my Lord Urukrama, You lay down within the ocean as if afraid of the material modes, and thus in pure consciousness You appear within the heart as the Supersoul. You are always battling against the foolish material senses, and indeed even Your servants reject the privilege of royal dominion, which leads to the blindness of ignorance. tvat-päda-padma-makaranda-juñäà munénäà vartmäsphuöaà nr-paçubhir nanu durvibhävyam yasmäd alaukikam ivehitam éçvarasya bhümaàs tavehitam atho anu ye bhavantam Your movements, inscrutable even for sages who relish the honey of Your lotus feet, are certainly incomprehensible for human beings who behave like animals. And just as Your activities are transcendental, O all-powerful Lord, so too are those of Your followers. 372

Rukmiëé Kåt a-st ava

niñkiïcano nanu bhavän na yato ‘sti kiïcid yasmai balià bali-bhujo ‘pi haranty ajädyäù na tvä vidanty asu-tåpo ‘ntakam äòhyatändhäù preñöho bhavän bali-bhujäm api te ‘pi tubhyam You possess nothing because there is nothing beyond You. Even the great enjoyers of tribute—Brahmä and other demigods—pay tribute to You. Those who are blinded by their wealth and absorbed in gratifying their senses do not recognize You in the form of death. But to the gods, the enjoyers of tribute, You are the most dear, as they are to You. tvaà vai samasta-puruñärtha-mayaù phalätmä yad-väïchayä su-matayo visåjanti kåtsnam teñäà vibho samucito bhavataù samäjaù puàsaù striyäç ca ratayoù sukha-duùkhinor na You are the embodiment of all human goals and are Yourself the final aim of life. Desiring to attain You, O all-powerful Lord, intelligent persons abandon everything else. It is they who are worthy of Your association, not men and women absorbed in the pleasure and grief resulting from their mutual lust. tvaà nyasta-daëòa-munibhir gaditänubhäva ätmätma-daç ca jagatäm iti me våto ‘si hitvä bhavad-bhruva udérita-käla-vegadhvastäçiño ‘bja-bhava-näka-patén kuto ‘nye Knowing that great sages who have renounced the sannyäsé’s daëòa proclaim Your glories, that You are the Supreme Soul of all the worlds, and that You are so gracious that You give away even Your own self, I chose You as my husband, rejecting Lord Brahmä, Lord Çiva and the rulers of heaven, whose aspirations are all frustrated by the force of time, which is born from Your eyebrows. What interest, then, could I have in any other suitors? jäòyaà vacas tava gadägraja yas tu bhüpän vidrävya çärìga-ninadena jahartha mäà tvam siàho yathä sva-balim éça paçün sva-bhägaà tebhyo bhayäd yad udadhià çaraëaà prapannaù

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In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

C a n t o 10

My Lord, as a lion drives away lesser animals to claim his proper tribute, You drove off the assembled kings with the resounding twang of Your Çärìga bow and then claimed me, Your fair share. Thus it is sheer foolishness, my dear Gadägraja, for You to say You took shelter in the ocean out of fear of those kings. yad-väïchayä nåpa-çikhämaëayo ‘nga-vainyajäyanta-nähuña-gayädaya aikya-patyam räjyaà visåjya viviçur vanam ambujäkña sédanti te ‘nupadavéà ta ihästhitäù kim Wanting Your association, the best of kings—Aìga, Vainya, Jäyanta, Nähuña, Gaya and others—abandoned their absolute sovereignty and entered the forest to seek You out. How could those kings suffer frustration in this world, O lotus-eyed one? känyaà çrayeta tava päda-saroja-gandham äghräya san-mukharitaà janatäpavargam lakñmy-älayaà tv avigaëayya guëälayasya martyä sadoru-bhayam artha-viviita-dåñöiù The aroma of Your lotus feet, which is glorified by great saints, awards people liberation and is the abode of Goddess Lakñmé. What woman would take shelter of any other man after savoring that aroma? Since You are the abode of transcendental qualities, what mortal woman with the insight to distinguish her own true interest would disregard that fragrance and depend instead on someone who is always subject to terrible fear? taà tvänurüpam abhajaà jagatäm adhéçam ätmänam atra ca paratra ca käma-püram syän me taväìghrir araëaà såtibhir bhramantyä yo vai bhajantam upayäty anåtäpavargaù Because You are suitable for me, I have chosen You, the master and Supreme Soul of all the worlds, who fulfill our desires in this life and the next. May Your feet, which give freedom from illusion by approaching their worshiper, give shelter to me, who have been wandering from one material situation to another.

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Rukmiëé Kåt a-st ava

tasyäù syur acyuta nåpä bhavatopadiñöäù stréëäà gåheñu khara-go-çva-viòäla-bhåtyäù yat-karëa-mülam an-karñaëa nopayäyäd yuñmat-kathä måòa-viriïca-sabhäsu gétä O infallible Kåñëa, let each of the kings You named become the husband of a woman whose ears have never heard Your glories, which are sung in the assemblies of Çiva and Brahmä. After all, in the households of such women these kings live like asses, oxen, dogs, cats and slaves. tvak-çmaçru-roma-nakha-keça-pinaddham antar mäàsästhi-rakta-kåmi-viö-kapha-pitta-vätam jévac-chavaà bhajati känta-matir vimüòhä yä te padäbja-makarandam ajighraté stré A woman who fails to relish the fragrance of the honey of Your lotus feet becomes totally befooled, and thus she accepts as her husband or lover a living corpse covered with skin, whiskers, nails, head-hair and body-hair and filled with flesh, bones, blood, parasites, feces, mucus, bile and air. astv ambujäkña mama te caraëänuräga ätman ratasya mayi cänatirikta-dåñöeù yarhy asya våddhaya upätta-rajo-’ti-mätro mäm ékñase tad u ha naù paramänukampä O lotus-eyed one, though You are satisfied within Yourself and thus rarely turn Your attention toward me, please bless me with steady love for Your feet. It is when You assume a predominance of passion in order to manifest the universe that You glance upon me, showing me what is indeed Your greatest mercy.

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Prayers by Çiva-jvara (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.63.25-28)

jvara uväca namämi tvänanta-çaktià pareçam sarvätmänaà kevalaà jïapti-mätram viçvotpatti-sthäna-saàrodha-hetuà yat tad brahma brahma-liìgam praçäntam The Çiva-jvara said: I bow down to You of unlimited potencies, the Supreme Lord, the Supersoul of all beings. You possess pure and complete consciousness and are the cause of cosmic creation, maintenance and dissolution. Perfectly peaceful, You are the Absolute Truth to whom the Vedas indirectly refer. kälo daivaà karma jévaù svabhävo dravyaà kñetraà präëa ätmä vikäraù tat-saìghäto béja-roha-pravähas tvan-mäyaiñä tan-niñedhaà prapadye Time; fate; karma; the jéva and his propensities; the subtle material elements; the material body; the life air; false ego; the various senses; and the totality of these as reflected in the living being’s subtle body—all this constitutes your material illusory energy, mäyä, an endless cycle like that of seed and plant. I take shelter of You, the negation of this mäyä. nänä-bhävair lélayaivopapannair devän sädhün loka-setün bibharñi haàsy unmärgän hiàsayä vartamänän janmaitat te bhära-häräya bhümeù With various intentions, You perform pastimes to maintain the demigods, the saintly persons and the codes of religion for this world. By these pastimes You also kill those who stray from the right path and live by violence. Indeed, your present incarnation is meant to relieve the earth’s burden. 376

Prayers by Çiva-jvara

tapto ‘ham te tejasä duùsahena çäntogreëäty-ulbaëena jvareëa tävat täpo dehinäà te ‘nghri-mülaà no severan yävad äçänubaddhäù I am tortured by the fierce power of Your terrible fever weapon, which is cold yet burning. All embodied souls must suffer as long as they remain bound to material ambitions and thus averse to serving Your feet.

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Prayers by Lord Çiva to Kåñëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.63.34-45)

çré-rudra uväca tvaà hi brahma paraà jyotir güòhaà brahmaëi väì-maye yaà paçyanty amalätmäna äkäçam iva kevalam Çré Rudra said: You alone are the Absolute Truth, the supreme light, the mystery hidden within the verbal manifestation of the Absolute. Those whose hearts are spotless can see You, for You are uncontaminated, like the sky. näbhir nabho ‘gnir mukham ambu reto dyauù çérñam äçäù çrutir aìghrir urvé candro mano yasya dåg arka ätmä ahaà samudro jaöharaà bhujendraù romäëi yasyauñadhayo ‘mbu-vähäù keçä viriïco dhiñaëä visargaù prajä-patir hådayaà yasya dharmaù sa vai bhavän puruño loka-kalpaù The sky is Your navel, fire Your face, water Your semen, and heaven Your head. The cardinal directions are Your sense of hearing, herbal plants the hairs on Your body, and water-bearing clouds the hair on Your head. The earth is Your foot, the moon Your mind, and the sun Your vision, while I am Your ego. The ocean is Your abdomen, Indra Your arm, Lord Brahmä Your intelligence, the progenitor of mankind Your genitals, and religion Your heart. You are indeed the original puruña, creator of the worlds. tavävatäro ‘yam akuëöha-dhäman dharmasya guptyai jagato hitäya vayaà ca sarve bhavatänubhävitä vibhävayämo bhuvanäni sapta 378

Prayers by Lord Çiva to Kåñë a

Your current descent into the material realm, O Lord of unrestricted power, is meant for upholding the principles of justice and benefiting the entire universe. We demigods, each depending on Your grace and authority, develop the seven planetary systems. tvam eka ädyaù puruño ‘dvitéyas turyaù sva-dåg dhetur ahetur éçaù pratéyase ‘thäpi yathä-vikäraà sva-mäyayä sarva-guëa-prasiddhyai You are the original person, one without a second, transcendental and selfmanifesting. Uncaused, you are the cause of all, and You are the ultimate controller. You are nonetheless perceived in terms of the transformations of matter effected by Your illusory energy—transformations You sanction so that the various material qualities can fully manifest. yathaiva süryaù pihitaç chäyayä svayä chäyäà ca rüpäëi ca saïcakästi evaà guëenäpihito guëäàs tvam ätma-pradépo guëinaç ca bhüman O almighty one, just as the sun, though hidden by a cloud, illuminates the cloud and all other visible forms as well, so You, although hidden by the material qualities, remain self-luminous and thus reveal all those qualities, along with the living entities who possess them. yan-mäyä-mohita-dhiyaù putra-dära-gåhädiñu unmajjanti nimajjanti prasaktä våjinärëave Their intelligence bewildered by Your mäyä, fully attached to children, wife, home and so on, persons immersed in the ocean of material misery sometimes rise to the surface and sometimes sink down. deva-dattam imaà labdhvä nå-lokam ajitendriyaù yo nädriyeta tvat-pädau sa çocyo hy ätma-vaïcakaù

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In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

C a n t o 10

One who has attained this human form of life as a gift from God, yet who fails to control his senses and honor Your feet, is surely to be pitied, for he is only cheating himself. yas tväà visåjate martya ätmänaà priyam éçvaram viparyayendriyärthärthaà viñam atty amåtaà tyajan That mortal who rejects You—his true Self, dearmost friend, and Lord— for the sake of sense objects, whose nature is just the opposite, refuses nectar and instead consumes poison. ahaà brahmätha vibudhä munayaç cämaläçayäù sarvätmanä prapannäs tväm ätmänaà preñöham éçvaram I, Lord Brahmä, the other demigods and the pure-minded sages have all surrendered wholeheartedly unto You, our dearmost Self and Lord. taà tvä jagat-sthity-udayänta-hetuà samaà prasäntaà suhåd-ätma-daivam ananyam ekaà jagad-ätma-ketaà bhaväpavargäya bhajäma devam Let us worship You, the Supreme Lord, to be freed from material life. You are the maintainer of the universe and the cause of its creation and demise. Equipoised and perfectly at peace, You are the true friend, Self and worshipable Lord. You are one without a second, the shelter of all the worlds and all souls. ayaà mameñöo dayito ‘nuvarté mayäbhayaà dattam amuñya deva sampädyatäà tad bhavataù prasädo yathä hi te daitya-patau prasädaù This Bäëäsura is my dear and faithful follower, and I have awarded him freedom from fear. Therefore, my Lord, please grant him Your mercy, just as You showed mercy to Prahläda, the lord of the demons.

380

Prayers by King Någa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.64.26-29)

sa tvaà kathaà mama vibho ‘kñi-pathaù parätmä yogeçvaraù çruti-dåçämala-håd-vibhävyaù säkñäd adhokñaja uru-vyasanändha-buddheù syän me ‘nudåçya iha yasya bhaväpavargaù O almighty one, how is it that my eyes see You here before me? You are the Supreme Soul, whom the greatest masters of mystic yoga can meditate upon within their pure hearts only by employing the spiritual eye of the Vedas. Then how, O transcendental Lord, are You directly visible to me, since my intelligence has been blinded by the severe tribulations of material life? Only one who has finished his material entanglement in this world should be able to see You. deva-deva jagan-nätha govinda puruñottama näräyaëa håñékeça puëya-çlokäcyutävyaya anujänéhi mäà kåñëa yäntaà deva-gatià prabho yatra kväpi sataç ceto bhüyän me tvat-padäspadam O Devadeva, Jagannätha, Govinda, Puruñottama, Näräyaëa, Håñékeça, Puëyaçloka, Acyuta, Avyaya! O Kåñëa, please permit me to depart for the world of the demigods. Wherever I live, O master, may my mind always take shelter of Your feet. namas te sarva-bhäväya brahmaëe ‘nanta-çaktaye kåñëäya väsudeväya yogänäà pataye namaù

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In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

C a n t o 10

I offer my repeated obeisances unto You, Kåñëa, the son of Vasudeva. You are the source of all beings, the Supreme Absolute Truth, the possessor of unlimited potencies, the master of all spiritual disciplines.

382

Prayer by Yamunä Devé to Lord Balaräma (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.65.28-29)

räma räma mahä-bäho na jäne tava vikramam yasyaikäàçena vidhåtä jagaté jagataù pate [Goddess Yamunä said:] Räma, Räma, O mighty-armed one! I know nothing of Your prowess. With a single portion of Yourself You hold up the earth, O Lord of the universe. paraà bhävaà bhagavato bhagavan mäm ajänatém moktum arhasi viçvätman prapannäà bhakta-vatsala My Lord, please release me. O soul of the universe, I didn’t understand Your position as the Supreme Godhead, but now I have surrendered unto You, and You are always kind to Your devotees.

383

Prayers by Närada Muni (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10. 69.17-18 & 10.69.38-39)

çré-närada uväca naivädbhutaà tvayi vibho ‘khila-loka-näthe maitré janeñu sakaleñu damaù khalänäm niùçreyasäya hi jagat-sthiti-rakñaëäbhyäà svairävatära urugäya vidäma suñöhu Çré Närada said: O almighty Lord, it is no surprise that You, the ruler of all worlds, show friendship for all people and yet subdue the envious. As we well know, You descend by Your sweet will in order to bestow the highest good on this universe by maintaining and protecting it. Thus Your glories are widely sung. dåñöaà taväìghri-yugalaà janatäpavargaà brahmädibhir hådi vicintyam agädha-bodhaiù saàsära-küpapatitottaraëävalambaà dhyäyaàç carämy anugåhäëa yathä småtiù syät Now I have seen Your feet, which grant liberation to Your devotees, which even Lord Brahmä and other great personalities of unfathomable intelligence can only meditate upon within their hearts, and which those who have fallen into the well of material existence resort to for deliverance. Please favor me so that I may constantly think of You as I travel about. Please grant Me the power to remember You. vidäma yoga-mäyäs te durdarçä api mäyinäm yogeçvarätman nirbhätä bhavat-päda-niñevayä [Närada said:] Now we understand Your mystic potencies, which are difficult to comprehend, even for great mystics, O Supreme Soul, master

384

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of all mystic power. Only by serving Your feet have I been able to perceive Your powers. anujänéhi mäà deva lokäàs te yaçasäplutän paryaöämi tavodgäyan lélä bhuvana-pävanéù O Lord, please give me Your leave. I will wander about the worlds, which are flooded with Your fame, loudly singing about Your pastimes, which purify the universe.

385

Prayers by Jailed Kings to Kåñëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10. 70.25-30)

räjäna ücuù kåñëa kåñëäprameyätman prapanna-bhaya-bhaïjana vayaà tväà çaraëaà yämo bhava-bhétäù påthag-dhiyaù The kings said [as related through their messenger]: O Kåñëa, Kåñëa, O immeasurable Soul, destroyer of fear for those surrendered to You ! Despite our separatist attitude, we have come to You for shelter out of fear of material existence. loko vikarma-nirataù kuçale pramattaù karmaëy ayaà tvad-udite bhavad-arcane sve yas tävad asya balavän iha jévitäçäà sadyaç chinatty animiñäya namo ‘stu tasmai People in this world are always engaged in sinful activities and are thus bewildered about their real duty, which is to worship You according to Your commandments. This activity would truly bring them good fortune. Let us offer our obeisances unto the all-powerful Lord, who appears as time and suddenly cuts down one’s stubborn hope for a long life in this world. loke bhaväï jagad-inaù kalayävatérëaù sad-rakñaëäya khala-nigrahaëäya cänyaù kaçcit tvadéyam atiyäti nideçam éça kià vä janaù sva-kåtam åcchati tan na vidmaù You are the predominating Lord of the universe and have descended into this world with Your personal power to protect the saintly and suppress the wicked. We cannot understand, O Lord, how anyone can transgress 386

Prayers by Jailed Kings to Kåñëa

Your law and still continue to enjoy the fruits of his work. svapnäyitaà nåpa-sukhaà para-tantram éça çaçvad-bhayena måtakena dhuraà vahämaù hitvä tad ätmani sukhaà tvad-anéha-labhyaà kliçyämahe ‘ti-kåpaëäs tava mäyayeha O Lord, with this corpselike body, always full of fear, we bear the burden of the relative happiness of kings, which is just like a dream. Thus we have rejected the real happiness of the soul, which comes by rendering selfless service to You. Being so very wretched, we simply suffer in this life under the spell of Your illusory energy. tan no bhavän praëata-çoka-haräìghri-yugmo baddhän viyuìkñva magadhähvaya-karma-päçät yo bhü-bhujo ‘yuta-mataìgaja-véryam eko bibhrad rurodha bhavane måga-räò ivävéù Therefore, since Your feet relieve the sorrow of those who surrender to them, please release us prisoners from the shackles of karma, manifest as the King of Magadha. Wielding alone the prowess of ten thousand maddened elephants, he has locked us up in his house just as a lion captures sheep. yo vai tvayä dvi-nava-kåtva udätta-cakra bhagno mådhe khalu bhavantam ananta-véryam jitvä nå-loka-nirataà sakåd üòha-darpo yuñmat-prajä rujati no ‘jita tad vidhehi O wielder of the disc! Your strength is unlimited, and thus seventeen times You crushed Jaräsandha in battle. But then, absorbed in human affairs, You allowed him to defeat You once. Now he is so filled with pride that he dares to torment us, Your subjects. O unconquerable one, please rectify this situation.

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Prayers by Kings after their Release (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.73.8-16)

räjäna ücuù namas te deva-deveça prapannärti-harävyaya prapannän pähi naù kåñëa nirviëëän ghora-saàsåteù The kings said: Obeisances to You, O Lord of the ruling demigods, O destroyer of Your surrendered devotees’ distress. Since we have surrendered to You, O inexhaustible Kåñëa, please save us from this terrible material life, which has made us so despondent. nainaà näthänusüyämo mägadhaà madhusüdana anugraho yad bhavato räjïäà räjya-cyutir vibho O master, Madhusüdana, we do not blame this King of Magadha, since it is actually by Your mercy that kings fall from their royal position, O almighty Lord. räjyaiçvarya-madonnaddho na çreyo vindate nåpaù tvan-mäyä-mohito ‘nityä manyate sampado ‘caläù Infatuated with his opulence and ruling power, a king loses all selfrestraint and cannot obtain his true welfare. Thus bewildered by Your illusory energy, he imagines his temporary assets to be permanent. måga-tåñëäà yathä bälä manyanta udakäçayam evaà vaikärikéà mäyäm ayuktä vastu cakñate 388

Prayers by Kings after t heir Release

Just as men of childish intelligence consider a mirage in the desert to be a pond of water, so those who are irrational look upon the illusory transformations of Mäyä as substantial. vayaà purä çré-mada-nañöa-dåñöayo jigéñayäsyä itaretara-spådhaù ghnantaù prajäù svä ati-nirghåëäù prabho måtyuà puras tvävigaëayya durmadäù ta eva kåñëädya gabhéra-raàhasä durante-véryeëa vicälitäù çriyaù kälena tanvä bhavato ‘nukampayä vinañöa-darpäç caraëau smaräma te Previously, blinded by the intoxication of riches, we wanted to conquer this earth, and thus we fought one another to achieve victory, mercilessly harassing our own subjects. We arrogantly disregarded You, O Lord, who stood before us as death. But now, O Kåñëa, that powerful form of Yours called time, moving mysteriously and irresistibly, has deprived us of our opulences. Now that You have mercifully destroyed our pride, we beg simply to remember Your lotus feet. atho na räjyam måga-tåñëi-rüpitaà dehena çaçvat patatä rujäà bhuvä upäsitavyaà spåhayämahe vibho kriyä-phalaà pretya ca karëa-rocanam Never again will we hanker for a miragelike kingdom—a kingdom that must be slavishly served by this mortal body, which is simply a source of disease and suffering and which is declining at every moment. Nor, O almighty Lord, will we hanker to enjoy the heavenly fruits of pious work in the next life, since the promise of such rewards is simply an empty enticement for the ears. taà naù samädiçopäyaà yena te caraëäbjayoù småtir yathä na viramed api saàsaratäm iha

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Please tell us how we may constantly remember Your lotus feet, though we continue in the cycle of birth and death in this world. kåñëäya väsudeväya haraye paramätmane praëata-kleça-näçäya govindäya namo namaù Again and again we offer our obeisances unto Lord Krishna, Hari, the son of Vasudeva. That Supreme Soul, Govinda, vanquishes the suffering of all who surrender to Him.

390

Prayers by Yudhiñöhira Mahäräja to Kåñëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.74.2-5)

çré-yudhiñöhira uväca ye syus trai-lokya-guravaù sarve lokä maheçvaräù vahanti durlabhaà labdvä çirasaivänuçäsanam Çré Yudhiñöhira said: All the exalted spiritual masters of the three worlds, together with the inhabitants and rulers of the various planets, carry on their heads Your command, which is rarely obtained. sa bhavän aravindäkño dénänäm éça-mäninäm dhatte ‘nuçäsanaà bhümaàs tad atyanta-viòambanam That You, the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, accept the orders of wretched fools who presume themselves rulers is a great pretense on Your part, O all-pervading one. na hy ekasyädvitéyasya brahmaëaù paramätmanaù karmabhir vardhate tejo hrasate ca yathä raveù But of course the power of the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Soul, the primeval one without a second, is neither increased nor diminished by His activities, any more than the sun’s power is by its movements. na vai te ‘jita bhaktänäà mamäham iti mädhava

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tvaà taveti ca nänä-dhéù paçünäm iva vaikåté O unconquerable Mädhava, even Your devotees make no distinctions of “I” and “mine,” “you” and “yours,” for this is the perverted mentality of animals.

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Glorification of Kåñëa by Sages at Kurukñetra (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.84.16-26)

çré-munaya ücuù yan-mäyayä tattva-vid-uttamä vayaà vimohitä viçva-såjäm adhéçvaräù yad éçitavyäyati güòha éhayä aho vicitram bhagavad-viceñöitam The great sages said: Your power of illusion has totally bewildered us, the most exalted knowers of the truth and leaders among the universal creators. Ah, how amazing is the behavior of the Supreme Lord! He covers Himself with His humanlike activities and pretends to be subject to superior control. anéha etad bahudhaika ätmanä såjaty avaty atti na badhyate yathä bhaumair hi bhümir bahu-näma-rüpiëé aho vibhümnaç caritaà viòambanam Indeed, the humanlike pastimes of the Almighty are simply a pretense! Effortlessly, He alone sends forth from His Self this variegated creation, maintains it and then swallows it up again, all without becoming entangled, just as the element earth takes on many names and forms in its various transformations. athäpi käle sva-janäbhiguptaye bibharñi sattvaà khala-nigrahäya ca sva-lélayä veda-pathaà sanätanaà varëäçramätmä puruñaù paro bhavän Nonetheless, at suitable times You assume the pure mode of goodness to protect Your devotees and punish the wicked. Thus You, the Soul of the varëäçrama social order, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, 393

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maintain the eternal path of the Vedas by enjoying Your pleasure pastimes. brahma te hådayaà çuklaà tapaù-svädhyäya-saàyamaiù yatropalabdhaà sad vyaktam avyaktaà ca tataù param The Vedas are Your spotless heart, and through them one can perceive—by means of austerity, study and self-control—the manifest, the unmanifest and the pure existence transcendental to both. tasmäd brahma-kulaà brahman çästra-yones tvam ätmanaù sabhäjayasi sad dhäma tad brahmaëyägraëér bhavän Therefore, O Supreme Brahman, You honor the members of the brahminical community, for they are the perfect agents by which one can realize You through the evidence of the Vedas. For that very reason You are the foremost worshiper of the brähmaëas. adya no janma-säphalyaà vidyäyäs tapaso dåçaù tvayä saìgamya sad-gatyä yad antaù çreyasäà paraù Today our birth, education, austerity and vision have all become perfect because we have been able to associate with You, the goal of all saintly persons. Indeed, You Yourself are the ultimate, supreme blessing. namas tasmai bhagavate kåñëäyäkuëöha-medhase sva-yogamäyayäcchannamahimne paramätmane Let us offer obeisances unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kåñëa, the infinitely intelligent Supersoul, who has disguised His greatness through His mystic Yogamäyä.

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Gl o r i f i c a t i o n o f K å ñ ë a b y S a ge s a t Ku r u k ñ e t r a

na yaà vidanty amé bhü-pä ekärämäç ca våñëayaù mäyä-javanikäcchannam ätmänaà kälam éçvaram Neither these kings nor even the Våñëis, who enjoy Your intimate association, know You as the Soul of all existence, the force of time and the supreme controller. For them You are covered by the curtain of Mäyä. yathä çayänaù puruña ätmänaà guëa-tattva-dåk näma-mätrendriyäbhätaà na veda rahitaà param evaà tvä näma-mätreñu viñayeñv indriyehayä mäyayä vibhramac-citto na veda småty-upaplavät A sleeping person imagines an alternative reality for himself and, seeing himself as having various names and forms, forgets his waking identity, which is distinct from the dream. Similarly, the senses of one whose consciousness is bewildered by illusion perceive only the names and forms of material objects. Thus such a person loses his memory and cannot know You. tasyädya te dadåçimäìghrim aghaugha-marñatérthäspadaà hådi kåtaà su-vipakva-yogaiù utsikta-bhakty-upahatäçaya jéva-koçä äpur bhavad-gatim athänugåhäna bhaktän Today we have directly seen Your feet, the source of the holy Ganges, which washes away volumes of sins. Perfected yogés can at best meditate upon Your feet within their hearts. But only those who render You wholehearted devotional service and in this way vanquish the soul’s covering—the material mind—attain You as their final destination. Therefore kindly show mercy to us, Your devotees.

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Glorification of Kåñëa and Balaräma by Vasudeva (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.85.3-20)

kåñëa kåñëa mahä-yogin saìkarñaëa sanätana jäne väm asya yat säkñät pradhäna-puruñau parau [Vasudeva said:] O Kåñëa, Kåñëa, best of yogés, O eternal Saìkarñaëa! I know that You two are personally the source of universal creation and the ingredients of creation as well. yatra yena yato yasya yasmai yad yad yathä yadä syäd idaà bhagavän säkñät pradhäna-puruñeçvaraù You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who manifest as the Lord of both nature and the creator of nature [Mahä-Viñëu]. Everything that comes into existence, however and whenever it does so, is created within You, by You, from You, for You and in relation to You. etan nänä-vidhaà viçvam ätma-såñöam adhokñaja ätmanänupraviçyätman präëo jévo bibharñy aja O transcendental Lord, from Yourself You created this entire variegated universe, and then You entered within it in Your personal form as the Supersoul. In this way, O unborn Supreme Soul, as the life force and consciousness of everyone, You maintain the creation. präëädénäà viçva-såjäà çaktayo yäù parasya täù

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Gl o r i f i c a t i o n o f K å ñ ë a a n d B a l a r ä m a b y Va s u d e v a

päratantryäd vaisädåñyäd dvayoç ceñöaiva ceñöatäm Whatever potencies the life air and other elements of universal creation exhibit are actually all personal energies of the Supreme Lord, for both life and matter are subordinate to Him and dependent on Him, and also different from one another. Thus everything active in the material world is set into motion by the Supreme Lord. käntis tejaù prabhä sattä candrägny-arkarkña-vidyutäm yat sthairyaà bhü-bhåtäà bhümer våttir gandho ‘rthato bhavän The glow of the moon, the brilliance of fire, the radiance of the sun, the twinkling of the stars, the flash of lightning, the permanence of mountains and the aroma and sustaining power of the earth—all these are actually You. tarpaëaà präëanam apäà deva tvaà täç ca tad-rasaù ojaù saho balaà ceñöä gatir väyos taveçvara My Lord, You are water, and also its taste and and its capacities to quench thirst and sustain life. You exhibit Your potencies through the manifestations of the air as bodily warmth, vitality, mental power, physical strength, endeavor and movement. diçäà tvam avakäço ‘si diçaù khaà sphoöa äçrayaù nädo varëas tvam oà-kära äkåténäà påthak-kåtiù You are the directions and their accommodating capacity, the all-pervading ether and the elemental sound residing within it. You are the primeval, unmanifested form of sound; the first syllable, oà; and audible speech, by which sound, as words, acquires particular references. indriyaà tv indriyäëäà tvaà deväç ca tad-anugrahaù

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avabodho bhavän buddher jévasyänusmåtiù saté You are the power of the senses to reveal their objects, the senses’ presiding demigods, and the sanction these demigods give for sensory activity. You are the capacity of the intelligence for decision-making, and the living being’s ability to remember things accurately. bhütänäm asi bhütädir indriyäëäà ca taijasaù vaikäriko vikalpänäà pradhänam anuçäyinam You are false ego in the mode of ignorance, which is the source of the physical elements; false ego in the mode of passion, which is the source of the bodily senses; false ego in the mode of goodness, which is the source of the demigods; and the unmanifest, total material energy, which underlies everything. naçvareñv iha bhäveñu tad asi tvam anaçvaram yathä dravya-vikäreñu dravya-mätraà nirüpitam You are the one indestructible entity among all the destructible things of this world, like the underlying substance that is seen to remain unchanged while the things made from it undergo transformations. sattvam rajas tama iti guëäs tad-våttayaç ca yäù tvayy addhä brahmaëi pare kalpitä yoga-mäyayä The modes of material nature—namely goodness, passion and ignorance— together with all their functions, become directly manifest within You, the Supreme Absolute Truth, by the arrangement of Your Yogamäyä. tasmän na santy amé bhävä yarhi tvayi vikalpitäù tvaà cäméñu vikäreñu hy anyadävyävahärikaù 398

Gl o r i f i c a t i o n o f K å ñ ë a a n d B a l a r ä m a b y Va s u d e v a

Thus these created entities, transformations of material nature, do not exist except when material nature manifests them within You, at which time You also manifest within them. But aside from such periods of creation, You stand alone as the transcendental reality. guëa-praväha etasminn abudhäs tv akhilätmanaù gatià sükñmäm abodhena saàsarantéha karmabhiù They are truly ignorant who, while imprisoned within the ceaseless flow of this world’s material qualities, fail to know You, the Supreme Soul of all that be, as their ultimate, sublime destination. Because of their ignorance, the entanglement of material work forces such souls to wander in the cycle of birth and death. yadåcchayä nåtäà präpya su-kalpäm iha durlabhäm svärthe pramattasya vayo gataà tvan-mäyayeçvara By good fortune a soul may obtain a healthy human life—an opportunity rarely achieved. But if he is nonetheless deluded about what is best for him, O Lord, Your illusory Mäyä will cause him to waste his entire life. asäv aham mamaivaite dehe cäsyänvayädiñu sneha-päçair nibadhnäti bhavän sarvam idaà jagat You keep this whole world bound up by the ropes of affection, and thus when people consider their material bodies, they think, “This is me,” and when they consider their progeny and other relations, they think, “These are mine.” yuväà na naù sutau säkñät pradhäna-puruñeçvarau bhü-bhära-kñatra-kñapaëa avatérëau tathättha ha 399

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You are not our sons but the very Lords of both material nature and its creator [Mahä-Viñëu]. As You Yourself have told us, You have descended to rid the earth of the rulers who are a heavy burden upon her. tat te gato ‘smy araëam adya padäravindam äpanna-saàsåti-bhayäpaham ärta-bandho etävatälam alam indriya-lälasena martyätma-dåk tvayi pare yad apatya-buddhiù Therefore, O friend of the distressed, I now approach Your lotus feet for shelter—the same lotus feet that dispel all fear of worldly existence for those who have surrendered to them. Enough! Enough with hankering for sense enjoyment, which makes me identify with this mortal body and think of You, the Supreme, as my child. süté-gåhe nanu jagäda bhavän ajo nau saïjajïa ity anu-yugaà nija-dharma-guptyai nänä-tanür gagana-vad vidadhaj jahäsi ko veda bhümna uru-gäya vibhüti-mäyäm Indeed, while still in the maternity room You told us that You, the unborn Lord, had already been born several times as our son in previous ages. After manifesting each of these transcendental bodies to protect Your own principles of religion, You then made them unmanifest, thus appearing and disappearing like a cloud. O supremely glorified, all-pervading Lord, who can understand the mystic, deluding potency of Your opulent expansions?

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Prayers of Devaké to Kåñëa and Balaräma (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.85.29-33)

çré-devaky uväca räma rämäprameyätman kåñëa yogeçvareçvara vedähaà väà viçva-såjäm éçvaräv ädi-püruñau Çré Devaké said: O Räma, Räma, immeasurable Supreme Soul! O Kåñëa, Lord of all masters of yoga! I know that You are the ultimate rulers of all universal creators, the primeval Personalities of Godhead. kala-vidhvasta-sattvänäà räjïäm ucchästra-vartinäm bhümer bhäräyamäëänäm avatérëau kilädya me Taking birth from me, You have now descended to this world in order to kill those kings whose good qualities have been destroyed by the present age, and who thus defy the authority of revealed scriptures and burden the earth. yasyäàçäàçäàça-bhägena viçvotpatti-layodayäù bhavanti kila viçvätmaàs taà tvädyähaà gatià gatä O Soul of all that be, the creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe are all carried out by a fraction of an expansion of an expansion of Your expansion. Today I have come to take shelter of You, the Supreme Lord. cirän måta-sutädäne guruëä kila coditau 401

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äninyathuù pitå-sthänäd gurave guru-dakñiëäm tathä me kurutaà kämaà yuväà yogeçvareçvarau bhoja-räja-hatän puträn kämaye drañöum ähåtän It is said that when Your spiritual master ordered You to retrieve his longdead son, You brought him back from the forefathers’ abode as a token of remuneration for Your guru’s mercy. Please fulfill my desire in the same way, O supreme masters of all yoga masters. Please bring back my sons who were killed by the King of Bhoja, so that I may see them once again.

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Prayers by King Bali (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.85.39-46)

balir uväca namo ‘nantäya båhate namaù kåñëäya vedhase säìkhya-yoga-vitänäya brahmaëe paramätmane King Bali said: Obeisances to the unlimited Lord, Ananta, the greatest of all beings. And obeisances to Lord Kåñëa, the creator of the universe, who appears as the impersonal Absolute and the Supersoul in order to disseminate the principles of säìkhya and yoga. darçanaà väà hi bhütänäà duñpräpaà cäpy adurlabham rajas-tamaù-svabhävänäà yan naù präptau yadåcchayä Seeing You Lords is a rare achievement for most living beings. But even persons like us, situated in the modes of passion and ignorance, can easily see You when You reveal Yourself by Your own sweet will. daitya-dänava-gandharväù siddha-vidyädhra-cäraëäù yakña-rakñaù-piçäcäç ca bhüta-pramatha-näyakäù viçuddha-sattva-dhämny addhä tvayi çästra-çarériëi nityaà nibaddha-vairäs te vayaà cänye ca tädåçäù kecanodbaddha-vaireëa bhaktyä kecana kämataù

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na tathä sattva-saàrabdhäù sannikåñöäù surädayaù Many who had been constantly absorbed in enmity toward You ultimately became attracted to You, who are the direct embodiment of transcendental goodness and whose divine form comprises the revealed scriptures. These reformed enemies include Daityas, Dänavas, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Vidyädharas, Cäraëas, Yakñas, Räkñasas, Piçäcas, Bhütas, Pramathas and Näyakas, and also ourselves and many others like us. Some of us have become attracted to You because of exceptional hatred, while others have become attracted because of their mood of devotion based on lust. But the demigods and others infatuated by material goodness feel no such attraction for You. idam ittham iti präyas tava yogeçvareçvara na vidanty api yogeçä yoga-mäyäà kuto vayam What to speak of ourselves, O Lord of all perfect yogés, even the greatest mystics do not know what Your spiritual power of delusion is or how it acts. tan naù praséda nirapekña-vimågya-yuñmat pädäravinda-dhiñaëänya-gåhändha-küpät niñkramya viçva-çaraëäìghry-upalabdha-våttiù çänto yathaika uta sarva-sakhaiç carämi Please be merciful to me so I may get out of the blind well of family life—my false home—and find the true shelter of Your lotus feet, which selfless sages always seek. Then, either alone or in the company of great saints, who are the friends of everyone, I may wander freely, finding life’s necessities at the feet of the universally charitable trees. çädhy asmän éçitavyeça niñpäpän kuru naù prabho pumän yac chraddhayätiñöhaàç codanäyä vimucyate

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Prayers by King Bali

O Lord of all subordinate creatures, please tell us what to do and thus free us of all sin. One who faithfully executes Your command, O master, is no longer obliged to follow the ordinary Vedic rites.

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Prayers by King Bahuläçva (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.86.31-36)

çré-bahuläçva uväca bhavän hi sarva-bhütänäm ätmä säkñé sva-dåg vibho atha nas tvat-padämbhojaà smaratäà darçanaà gataù Çré Bahuläçva said: O almighty Lord, You are the Soul of all created beings, their self-illumined witness, and now You are giving Your audience to us, who constantly meditate on Your lotus feet. sva-vacas tad åtaà kartum asmad-dåg-gocaro bhavän yad ätthaikänta-bhaktän me nänantaù çrér ajaù priyaù You have said, “Neither Ananta, Goddess Çré nor unborn Brahmä is dearer to Me than My unalloyed devotee.” To prove Your own words true, You have now revealed Yourself to our eyes. ko nu tvac-caraëämbhojam evaà-vid visåjet pumän niñkiïcanänäà çäntänäà munénäà yas tvam ätma-daù What person who knows this truth would ever abandon Your lotus feet, when You are ready to give Your very self to peaceful sages who call nothing their own? yo ‘vatérya yador vaàçe nåëäà saàsaratäm iha yaço vitene tac-chäntyai trai-lokya-våjinäpaham

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Prayers by K ing Bahul ä çva

Appearing in the Yadu dynasty, You have spread Your glories, which can remove all the sins of the three worlds, just to deliver those entrapped in the cycle of birth and death. namas tubhyaà bhagavate kåñëäyäkuëöha-medhase näräyaëäya åñaye su-çäntaà tapa éyuñe Obeisances to You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kåñëa, whose intelligence is ever unrestricted. Obeisances to the sage NaraNäräyaëa, who always undergoes austerities in perfect peace. dinäni katicid bhüman gåhän no nivasa dvijaiù sametaù päda-rajasä punéhédaà nimeù kulam Please stay a few days in our house, along with these brähmaëas, O allpervading one, and with the dust of Your feet sanctify this dynasty of Nimi.

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Prayers by Çrutadeva (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.86.44-49)

çrutadeva uväca nädya no darçanaà präptaù paraà parama-püruñaù yarhédaà çaktibhiù såñövä praviñöo hy ätma-sattayä Çrutadeva said: It is not that we have attained the audience of the Supreme Person only today, for we have in fact been associating with Him ever since He created this universe with His energies and then entered it in His transcendental form. yathä çayänaù puruño manasaivätma-mäyayä såñövä lokaà paraà sväpnam anuviçyävabhäsate The Lord is like a sleeping person who creates a separate world in his imagination and then enters his own dream and sees himself within it. çåëvatäà gadatäà çaçvad arcatäà tväbhivandatäm ëåëäà saàvadatäm antar hådi bhäsy amalätmanäm You reveal Yourself within the hearts of those persons of pure consciousness who constantly hear about You, chant about You, worship You, glorify You and converse with one another about You. hådi-stho ‘py ati-düra-sthaù karma-vikñipta-cetasäm ätma-çaktibhir agrähyo ‘py anty upeta-guëätmanäm

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But although You reside within the heart, You are very far away from those whose minds are disturbed by their entanglement in material work. Indeed, no one can grasp You by his material powers, for You reveal Yourself only in the hearts of those who have learned to appreciate Your transcendental qualities. namo ‘stu te ‘dhyätma-vidäà parätmane anätmane svätma-vibhakta-måtyave sa-käraëäkäraëa-liìgam éyuñe sva-mäyayäsaàvåta-ruddha-dåñöaye Let me offer my obeisances unto You. You are realized as the Supreme Soul by those who know the Absolute Truth, whereas in Your form of time You impose death upon the forgetful souls. You appear both in Your causeless spiritual form and in the created form of this universe, thus simultaneously uncovering the eyes of Your devotees and obstructing the vision of the nondevotees. sa tvaà çädhi sva-bhåtyän naù kià deva karaväma he etad-anto nåëäà kleço yad bhavän akñi-gocaraù O Lord, You are that Supreme Soul, and we are Your servants. How shall we serve You? My Lord, simply seeing You puts an end to all the troubles of human life.

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Prayers of Personified Vedas (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.87.14-41)

çré-çrutaya ücuù jaya jaya jahy ajäm ajita doña-gåbhéta-guëäà tvam asi yad ätmanä samavaruddha-samasta-bhagaù aga-jagad-okasäm akhila-çakty-avabodhaka te kvacid ajayätmanä ca carato ‘nucaren nigamaù The çrutis said: Victory, victory to You, O unconquerable one! By Your very nature You are perfectly full in all opulences; therefore please defeat the eternal power of illusion, who assumes control over the modes of nature to create difficulties for conditioned souls. O You who awaken all the energies of the moving and nonmoving embodied beings, sometimes the Vedas can recognize You as You sport with Your material and spiritual potencies. båhad upalabdham etad avayanty avaçeñatayä yata udayästam-ayau vikåter mådi vävikåtät ata åñayo dadhus tvayi mano-vacanäcaritaà katham ayathä bhavanti bhuvi datta-padäni nåëäm This perceivable world is identified with the Supreme because the Supreme Brahman is the ultimate foundation of all existence, remaining unchanged as all created things are generated from it and at last dissolved into it, just as clay remains unchanged by the products made from it and again merged with it. Thus it is toward You alone that the Vedic sages direct all their thoughts, words and acts. After all, how can the footsteps of men fail to touch the earth on which they live? iti tava sürayas try-adhipate ‘khila-loka-malakñapaëa-kathämåtäbdhim avagähya tapäàsi jahuù kim uta punaù sva-dhäma-vidhutäçaya-käla-guëäù parama bhajanti ye padam ajasra-sukhänubhavam

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Therefore, O master of the three worlds, the wise get rid of all misery by diving deep into the nectarean ocean of topics about You, which washes away all the contamination of the universe. Then what to speak of those who, having by spiritual strength rid their minds of bad habits and freed themselves from time, are able to worship Your true nature, O supreme one, finding within it uninterrupted bliss? dåtaya iva çvasanty asu-bhåto yadi te ‘nuvidhä mahad-aham-ädayo ‘ëòam asåjan yad-anugrahataù puruña-vidho ‘nvayo ‘tra caramo ‘nna-mayädiñu yaù sad-asataù paraà tvam atha yad eñv avaçeñam åtam Only if they become Your faithful followers are those who breathe actually alive, otherwise their breathing is like that of a bellows. It is by Your mercy alone that the elements, beginning with the mahat-tattva and false ego, created the egg of this universe. Among the manifestations known as anna-maya and so forth, You are the ultimate one, entering within the material coverings along with the living entity and assuming the same forms as those he takes. Distinct from the gross and subtle material manifestations, You are the reality underlying them all. udaram upäsate ya åñi-vartmasu kürpa-dåçaù parisara-paddhatià hådayam äruëayo daharam tata udagäd ananta tava dhäma çiraù paramaà punar iha yat sametya na patanti kåtänta-mukhe Among the followers of the methods set forth by great sages, those with less refined vision worship the Supreme as present in the region of the abdomen, while the Äruëis worship Him as present in the heart, in the subtle center from which all the präëic channels emanate. From there, O unlimited Lord, these worshipers raise their consciousness upward to the top of the head, where they can perceive You directly. Then, passing through the top of the head toward the supreme destination, they reach that place from which they will never again fall to this world, into the mouth of death. sva-kåta-vicitra-yoniñu viçann iva hetutayä taratamataç cakässy anala-vat sva-kåtänukåtiù 411

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atha vitathäsv amüñv avitathäà tava dhäma samaà viraja-dhiyo ‘nuyanty abhivipaëyava eka-rasam Apparently entering among the variegated species of living beings You have created, You inspire them to act, manifesting Yourself according to their higher and lower positions, just as fire manifests differently according to the shape of what it burns. Therefore those of spotless intelligence, who are altogether free from material attachments, realize Your undifferentiated, unchanging Self to be the permanent reality among all these impermanent life forms. sva-kåta-pureñv améñv abahir-antara-saàvaraëaà tava puruñaà vadanty akhila-çakti-dhåto ‘àça-kåtam iti nå-gatià vivicya kavayo nigamävapanaà bhavata upäsate ‘ìghrim abhavam bhuvi viçvasitäù The individual living entity, while inhabiting the material bodies he has created for himself by his karma, actually remains uncovered by either gross or subtle matter. This is so because, as the Vedas describe, he is part and parcel of You, the possessor of all potencies. Having determined this to be the status of the living entity, learned sages become imbued with faith and worship Your lotus feet, to which all Vedic sacrifices in this world are offered, and which are the source of liberation. duravagamätma-tattva-nigamäya tavätta-tanoç carita-mahämåtäbdhiparivarta-pariçramaëäù na parilañanti kecid apavargam apéçvara te caraëa-saroja-haàsa-kulasaìga-visåñöa-gåhäù My Lord, some fortunate souls have gotten relief from the fatigue of material life by diving into the vast nectar ocean of Your pastimes, which You enact when You manifest Your personal forms to propagate the unfathomable science of the self. These rare souls, indifferent even to liberation, renounce the happiness of home and family because of their association with devotees who are like flocks of swans enjoying at the lotus of Your feet. tvad-anupathaà kuläyam idam ätma-suhåt-priya-vac carati tathonmukhe tvayi hite priya ätmani ca 412

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na bata ramanty aho asad-upäsanayätma-hano yad-anuçayä bhramanty uru-bhaye ku-çaréra-bhåtaù When this human body is used for Your devotional service, it acts as one’s self, friend and beloved. But unfortunately, although You always show mercy to the conditioned souls and affectionately help them in every way, and although You are their true Self, people in general fail to delight in You. Instead they commit spiritual suicide by worshiping illusion. Alas, because they persistently hope for success in their devotion to the unreal, they continue to wander about this greatly fearful world, assuming various degraded bodies. nibhåta-marun-mano-’kña-dåòha-yoga-yujo hådi yan munaya upäsate tad arayo ‘pi yayuù smaraëät striya uragendra-bhoga-bhuja-daëòa-viñakta-dhiyo vayam api te samäù sama-dåço ‘ìghri-saroja-sudhäù Simply by constantly thinking of Him, the enemies of the Lord attained the same Supreme Truth whom sages fixed in yoga worship by controlling their breath, mind and senses. Similarly, we çrutis, who generally see You as all-pervading, will achieve the same nectar from Your lotus feet that Your consorts are able to relish because of their loving attraction to Your mighty, serpentine arms, for You look upon us and Your consorts in the same way. ka iha nu veda batävara-janma-layo ‘gra-saraà yata udagäd åñir yam anu deva-gaëä ubhaye tarhi na san na cäsad ubhayaà na ca käla-javaù kim api na tatra çästram avakåñya çayéta yadä Everyone in this world has recently been born and will soon die. So how can anyone here know Him who existed prior to everything else and who gave rise to the first learned sage, Brahmä, and all subsequent demigods, both lesser and greater? When He lies down and withdraws everything within Himself, nothing else remains—no gross or subtle matter or bodies composed of these, no force of time or revealed scripture. janim asataù sato måtim utätmani ye ca bhidäà vipaëam åtaà smaranty upadiçanti ta ärupitaiù 413

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tri-guëa-mayaù pumän iti bhidä yad abodha-kåtä tvayi na tataù paratra sa bhaved avabodha-rase Supposed authorities who declare that matter is the origin of existence, that the permanent qualities of the soul can be destroyed, that the self is compounded of separate aspects of spirit and matter, or that material transactions constitute reality—all such authorities base their teachings on mistaken ideas that hide the truth. The dualistic conception that the living entity is produced from the three modes of nature is simply a product of ignorance. Such a conception has no real basis in You, for You are transcendental to all illusion and always enjoy perfect, total awareness. sad iva manas tri-våt tvayi vibhäty asad ä-manujät sad abhimåçanty açeñam idam ätmatayätma-vidaù na hi vikåtià tyajanti kanakasya tad-ätmatayä sva-kåtam anupraviñöam idam ätmatayävasitam The three modes of material nature comprise everything in this world— from the simplest phenomena to the complex human body. Although these phenomena appear real, they are only a false reflection of the spiritual reality, being a superimposition of the mind upon You. Still, those who know the Supreme Self consider the entire material creation to be real inasmuch as it is nondifferent from the Self. Just as things made of gold are indeed not to be rejected, since their substance is actual gold, so this world is undoubtedly nondifferent from the Lord who created it and then entered within it. tava pari ye caranty akhila-sattva-niketatayä ta uta padäkramanty avigaëayya çiro niråteù parivayase paçün iva girä vibudhän api täàs tvayi kåta-sauhådäù khalu punanti na ye vimukhäù The devotees who worship You as the shelter of all beings disregard Death and place their feet on his head. But with the words of the Vedas You bind the nondevotees like animals, though they be vastly learned scholars. It is Your affectionate devotees who can purify themselves and others, not those who are inimical to You.

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tvam akaraëaù sva-räò akhila-käraka-çakti-dharas tava balim udvahanti samadanty ajayänimiñäù varña-bhujo ‘khila-kñiti-pater iva viçva-såjo vidadhati yatra ye tv adhikåtä bhavataç cakitäù Though You have no material senses, You are the self-effulgent sustainer of everyone’s sensory powers. The demigods and material nature herself offer You tribute, while also enjoying the tribute offered them by their worshipers, just as subordinate rulers of various districts in a kingdom offer tribute to their lord, the ultimate proprietor of the land, while also enjoying the tribute paid them by their own subjects. In this way the universal creators faithfully execute their assigned services out of fear of You. sthira-cara-jätayaù syur ajayottha-nimitta-yujo vihara udékñayä yadi parasya vimukta tataù na hi paramasya kaçcid aparo na paraç ca bhaved viyata iväpadasya tava çünya-tuläà dadhataù O eternally liberated, transcendental Lord, Your material energy causes the various moving and nonmoving species of life to appear by activating their material desires, but only when and if You sport with her by briefly glancing at her. You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, see no one as an intimate friend and no one as a stranger, just as the ethereal sky has no connection with perceptible qualities. In this sense You resemble a void. aparimitä dhruväs tanu-bhåto yadi sarva-gatäs tarhi na çäsyateti niyamo dhruva netarathä ajani ca yan-mayaà tad avimucya niyantå bhavet samam anujänatäà yad amataà mata-duñöatayä If the countless living entities were all-pervading and possessed forms that never changed, You could not possibly be their absolute ruler, O immutable one. But since they are Your localized expansions and their forms are subject to change, You do control them. Indeed, that which supplies the ingredients for the generation of something is necessarily its controller because a product never exists apart from its ingredient cause.

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It is simply illusion for someone to think that he knows the Supreme Lord, who is equally present in each of His expansions, since whatever knowledge one gains by material means must be imperfect. na ghaöata udbhavaù prakåti-püruñayor ajayor ubhaya-yujä bhavanty asu-bhåto jala-budbuda-vat tvayi ta ime tato vividha-näma-guëaiù parame sarita ivärëave madhuni lilyur açeña-rasäù Neither material nature nor the soul who tries to enjoy her are ever born, yet living bodies come into being when these two combine, just as bubbles form where water meets the air. And just as rivers merge into the ocean or the nectar from many different flowers blends into honey, so all these conditioned beings eventually merge back into You, the Supreme, along with their various names and qualities. nåñu tava mayayä bhramam améñv avagatya bhåçaà tvayi su-dhiyo ‘bhave dadhati bhävam anuprabhavam katham anuvartatäà bhava-bhayaà tava yad bhru-kuöiù såjati muhus tri-nemir abhavac-charaëeñu bhayam The wise souls who understand how Your Mäyä deludes all human beings render potent loving service to You, who are the source of liberation from birth and death. How, indeed, can fear of material life affect Your faithful servants? On the other hand, Your furrowing eyebrows—the triple-rimmed wheel of time—repeatedly terrify those who refuse to take shelter of You. vijita-håñéka-väyubhir adänta-manas tura-gaà ya iha yatanti yantum ati-lolam upäya-khidaù vyasana-çatänvitäù samavahäya guroç caraëaà vaëija iväja santy akåta-karëa-dharä jaladhau The mind is like an impetuous horse that even persons who have regulated their senses and breath cannot control. Those in this world who try to tame the uncontrolled mind, but who abandon the feet of their spiritual master, encounter hundreds of obstacles in their cultivation of various distressful practices. O unborn Lord, they are like merchants on a boat in the ocean who have failed to employ a helmsman. 416

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svajana-sutätma-dära-dhana-dhäma-dharäsu-rathais tvayi sati kià nåëäm çrayata ätmani sarva-rase iti sad ajänatäà mithunato rataye caratäà sukhayati ko nv iha sva-vihate sva-nirasta-bhage To those persons who take shelter of You, You reveal Yourself as the Supersoul, the embodiment of all transcendental pleasure. What further use have such devotees for their servants, children or bodies, their wives, money or houses, their land, good health or conveyances? And for those who fail to appreciate the truth about You and go on pursuing the pleasures of sex, what could there be in this entire world—a place inherently doomed to destruction and devoid of significance—that could give them real happiness? bhuvi puru-puëya-tértha-sadanäny åñayo vimadäs ta uta bhavat-padämbuja-hådo ‘gha-bhid-aìghri-jaläù dadhati sakån manas tvayi ya ätmani nitya-sukhe na punar upäsate puruña-sära-harävasathän Sages free from false pride live on this earth by frequenting the sacred pilgrimage sites and those places where the Supreme Lord displayed His pastimes. Because such devotees keep Your lotus feet within their hearts, the water that washes their feet destroys all sins. Anyone who even once turns his mind toward You, the ever-blissful Soul of all existence, no longer dedicates himself to serving family life at home, which simply robs a man of his good qualities. sata idaà utthitaà sad iti cen nanu tarka-hataà vyabhicarati kva ca kva ca måñä na tathobhaya-yuk vyavahåtaye vikalpa iñito ‘ndha-paramparayä bhramayati bhäraté ta uru-våttibhir uktha-jaòän It may be proposed that this world is permanently real because it is generated from the permanent reality, but such an argument is subject to logical refutation. Sometimes, indeed, the apparent nondifference of a cause and its effect fails to prove true, and at other times the product of something real is illusory. Furthermore, this world cannot be permanently real, for it partakes of the natures of not only the absolute reality but also 417

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the illusion disguising that reality. Actually, the visible forms of this world are just an imaginary arrangement resorted to by a succession of ignorant persons in order to facilitate their material affairs. With their various meanings and implications, the learned words of Your Vedas bewilder all persons whose minds have been dulled by hearing the incantations of sacrificial rituals. na yad idam agra äsa na bhaviñyad ato nidhanäd anu mitam antarä tvayi vibhäti måñaika-rase ata upaméyate draviëa-jäti-vikalpa-pathair vitatha-mano-viläsam åtam ity avayanty abudhäù Since this universe did not exist prior to its creation and will no longer exist after its annihilation, we conclude that in the interim it is nothing more than a manifestation imagined to be visible within You, whose spiritual enjoyment never changes. We liken this universe to the transformation of various material substances into diverse forms. Certainly those who believe that this figment of the imagination is substantially real are less intelligent. sa yad ajayä tv ajäm anuçayéta guëäàç ca juñan bhajati sarüpatäà tad anu måtyum apeta-bhagaù tvam uta jahäsi täm ahir iva tvacam ätta-bhago mahasi mahéyase ‘ñöa-guëite ‘parimeya-bhagaù The illusory material nature attracts the minute living entity to embrace her, and as a result he assumes forms composed of her qualities. Subsequently, he loses all his spiritual qualities and must undergo repeated deaths. You, however, avoid the material energy in the same way that a snake abandons its old skin. Glorious in Your possession of eight mystic perfections, You enjoy unlimited opulences. yadi na samuddharanti yatayo hådi käma-jaöä duradhigamo ‘satäà hådi gato ‘småta-kaëöha-maëiù asu-tåpa-yoginäm ubhayato ‘py asukhaà bhagavann anapagatäntakäd anadhirüòha-padäd bhavataù Members of the renounced order who fail to uproot the last traces of material desire in their hearts remain impure, and thus You do not allow 418

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them to understand You. Although You are present within their hearts, for them You are like a jewel worn around the neck of a man who has totally forgotten it is there. O Lord, those who pratice yoga only for sense gratification must suffer punishment both in this life and the next: from death, who will not release them, and from You, whose kingdom they cannot reach. tvad avagamé na vetti bhavad-uttha-çubhäçubhayor guëa-viguëänvayäàs tarhi deha-bhåtäà ca giraù anu-yugam anv-ahaà sa-guëa géta-paramparayä çravaëa-bhåto yatas tvam apavarga-gatir manu-jaiù When a person realizes You, he no longer cares about his good and bad fortune arising from past pious and sinful acts, since it is You alone who control this good and bad fortune. Such a realized devotee also disregards what ordinary living beings say about him. Every day he fills his ears with Your glories, which are recited in each age by the unbroken succession of Manu’s descendants, and thus You become his ultimate salvation. dyu-pataya eva te na yayur antam anantatayä tvam api yad-antaräëòa-nicayä nanu sävaraëäù kha iva rajäàsi vänti vayasä saha yac chrutayas tvayi hi phalanty atan-nirasanena bhavan-nidhanäù Because You are unlimited, neither the lords of heaven nor even You Yourself can ever reach the end of Your glories. The countless universes, each enveloped in its shell, are compelled by the wheel of time to wander within You, like particles of dust blowing about in the sky. The çrutis, following their method of eliminating everything separate from the Supreme, become successful by revealing You as their final conclusion.

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Glorification of Kåñëa & Arjuna by Mahä-viñëu (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.89.58-59)

dvijätmajä me yuvayor didåkñuëä mayopanétä bhuvi dharma-guptaye kalävatérëäv avaner bharäsurän hatveha bhüyas tvarayetam anti me [Lord Mahä-Viñëu said:] I brought the brähmaëa’s sons here because I wanted to see the two of you, My expansions, who have descended to the earth to save the principles of religion. As soon as you finish killing the demons who burden the earth, quickly come back here to Me. pürëa-kämäv api yuväà nara-näräyaëäv åñé dharmam äcaratäà sthityai åñabhau loka-saìgraham Although all your desires are completely fulfilled, O best of exalted personalities, for the benefit of the people in general you should continue to exemplify religious behavior as the sages Nara and Näräyaëa.

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Summarization of the Glories of Lord Kåñëa by Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.90.47-50)

térthaà cakre nåponaà yad ajani yaduñu svaù-sarit päda-çaucaà vidviö-snigdhäù svarüpaà yayur ajita-para çrér yad-arthe ‘nya-yatnaù yan-nämämaìgala-ghnaà çrutam atha gaditaà yat-kåto gotra-dharmaù kåñëasyaitan na citraà kñiti-bhara-haraëaà käla-cakräyudhasya The heavenly Ganges is a holy place of pilgrimage because her waters wash Lord Kåñëa’s feet. But when the Lord descended among the Yadus, His glories eclipsed the Ganges as a holy place. Both those who hated Kåñëa and those who loved Him attained eternal forms like His in the spiritual world. The unattainable and supremely self-satisfied goddess of fortune, for the sake of whose favor everyone else struggles, belongs to Him alone. His name destroys all inauspiciousness when heard or chanted. He alone has set forth the principles of the various disciplic successions of sages. What wonder is it that He, whose personal weapon is the wheel of time, relieved the burden of the earth? jayati jana-niväso devaké-janma-vädo yadu-vara-pariñat svair dorbhir asyann adharmam sthira-cara-våjina-ghnaù su-smita-çré-mukhena vraja-pura-vanitänäà vardhayan käma-devam Lord Çré Kåñëa is He who is known as jana-niväsa, the ultimate resort of all living entities, and who is also known as Devakénandana or Yaçodänandana, the son of Devaké and Yaçodä. He is the guide of the Yadu dynasty, and with His mighty arms He kills everything inauspicious, as well as every man who is impious. By His presence He destroys all things inauspicious for all living entities, moving and inert. His blissful smiling face always increases the lusty desires of the gopés of Våndävana. May He be all glorious and happy! 421

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C a n t o 10

itthaà parasya nija-vartma-rirakñayättalélä-tanos tad-anurüpa-viòambanäni karmäëi karma-kañaëäni yadüttamasya çrüyäd amuñya padayor anuvåttim icchan To protect the principles of devotional service to Himself, Lord Kåñëa, the best of the Yadus, accepts the pastime forms that have been glorified here in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam. One who desires to faithfully serve His lotus feet should hear of the activities He performs in each of these incarnations—activities that suitably imitate those of the forms He assumes. Hearing narrations of these pastimes destroys the reactions to fruitive work. martyas tayänusavam edhitayä mukunda çrémat-kathä-çravaëa-kértana-cintayaiti tad dhäma dustara-kåtänta-javäpavargaà grämäd vanaà kñiti-bhujo ‘pi yayur yad-arthäù By regularly hearing, chanting and meditating on the beautiful topics of Lord Mukunda with ever-increasing sincerity, a mortal being will attain the divine kingdom of the Lord, where the inviolable power of death holds no sway. For this purpose, many persons, including great kings, abandoned their mundane homes and took to the forest.

422

Maìgaläcaraëa

Canto Eleven

423

Demigods offer Prayers to Nara-Näräyaëa Åñi (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 11.4.10-11)

tväà sevatäà sura-kåtä bahavo ‘ntaräyäù svauko vilaìghya paramaà vrajatäà padaà te nänyasya barhiñi balén dadataù sva-bhägän dhatte padaà tvam avitä yadi vighna-mürdhni The demigods place many obstacles on the path of those who worship You to transcend the temporary abodes of the demigods and reach Your supreme abode. Those who offer the demigods their assigned shares in sacrificial performances encounter no such obstacles. But because You are the direct protector of Your devotee, he is able to step over the head of whatever obstacle the demigods place before him. kñut-tåö-tri-käla-guëa-märuta-jaihva-çaiñëän asmän apära-jaladhén atitérya kecit krodhasya yänti viphalasya vaçaà pade gor majjanti duçcara-tapaç ca våthotsåjanti Some men practice severe penances to cross beyond our influence, which is like an immeasurable ocean with endless waves of hunger, thirst, heat, cold and the other conditions brought about by the passing of time, such as the sensuous wind and the urges of the tongue and sex organs. Nevertheless, although crossing this ocean of sense gratification through severe penances, such persons foolishly drown in a cow’s hoofprint when conquered by useless anger. Thus they exhaust the benefit of their difficult austerities in vain.

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Brahmä & Other Demigods offer Prayers to the Supreme Lord (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 11.6.7-19)

çré-devä ücuù natäù sma te nätha padäravindaà buddhéndriya-präëa-mano-vacobhiù yac cintyate ‘ntar hådi bhäva-yuktair mumukñubhiù karma-mayoru-päçät The demigods began to speak: Our dear Lord, advanced mystic yogis, striving for liberation from the severe bondage of material work, meditate with great devotion upon Your lotus feet within their hearts. Dedicating our intelligence, senses, vital air, mind and power of speech to Your Lordship, we demigods bow down at Your lotus feet. tvaà mäyayä tri-guëayätmani durvibhävyaà vyaktaà såjasy avasi lumpasi tad-guëa-sthaù naitair bhavän ajita karmabhir ajyate vai yat sve sukhe ‘vyavahite ‘bhirato ‘navadyaù O unconquerable Lord, You engage Your illusory energy, composed of three modes, to unleash, maintain and devastate the inconceivable manifest cosmos, all within Your own self. As the supreme superintendent of mäyä, You appear to be situated in the interaction of the modes of nature; however, You are never affected by material activities. In fact, You are directly engaged in Your own eternal, spiritual bliss, and thus You cannot be accused of any material infection. çuddhir nåëäà na tu tatheòya duräçayänäà vidyä-çrutädhyayana-däna-tapaù-kriyäbhiù sattvätmanäm åñabha te yaçasi pravåddhasac-chraddhayä çravaëa-sambhåtayä yathä syät

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In spir ing Prayers from Bh ägavat a Puräë a

C a n t o 11

O greatest of all, those whose consciousness is polluted by illusion cannot purify themselves merely by ordinary worship, study of the Vedas, charity, austerity and ritual activities. Our Lord, those pure souls who have developed a powerful transcendental faith in Your glories achieve a purified state of existence that can never be attained by those lacking such faith. syän nas taväìghrir açubhäçaya-dhümaketuù kñemäya yo munibhir ärdra-hådohyamänaù yaù sätvataiù sama-vibhütaya ätmavadbhir vyühe ‘rcitaù savanaçaù svar-atikramäya Great sages, desiring the highest benefit in life, always cherish Your lotus feet within their hearts, which are melted by love for You. Similarly, Your self-controlled devotees, desiring to cross beyond the material kingdom of heaven to achieve opulence equal to Yours, worship Your lotus feet in the morning, at noon and in the evening. Thus, they meditate upon Your Lordship in Your quadruple expansion. Your lotus feet are just like a blazing fire that burns to ashes all the inauspicious desires for material sense gratification. yas cintyate prayata-päëibhir adhvarägnau trayyä nirukta-vidhineça havir gåhétvä adhyätma-yoga uta yogibhir ätma-mäyäà jijïäsubhiù parama-bhägavataiù paréñöaù Those about to offer oblations into the fire of sacrifice in accordance with the Åg, Yajur and Säma Vedas meditate on Your lotus feet. Similarly, the practitioners of transcendental yoga meditate upon Your lotus feet, hoping for knowledge about Your divine mystic potency, and the most elevated pure devotees perfectly worship Your lotus feet, desiring to cross beyond Your illusory potency. paryuñöayä tava vibho vana-mälayeyaà saàspärdhiné bhagavaté pratipatné-vac chréù yaù su-praëétam amuyärhaëam ädadan no bhüyät sadäìghrir açubhäçaya-dhümaketuù

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B r a h m ä & O t h e r D e m i go d s o f f e r P r a y e r s t o t h e S u p r e m e L o r d

O almighty Lord, You are so kind to Your servants that You have accepted the withered flower garland that we have placed on Your chest. Since the goddess of fortune makes her abode on Your transcendental chest, she will undoubtedly become agitated, like a jealous co-wife, upon seeing our offering also dwelling there. Yet You are so merciful that You neglect Your eternal consort Lakñmé and accept our offering as most excellent worship. O merciful Lord, may Your lotus feet always act as a blazing fire to consume the inauspicious desires within our hearts. ketus tri-vikrama-yutas tri-patat-patäko yas te bhayäbhaya-karo ‘sura-deva-camvoù svargäya sädhuñu khaleñv itaräya bhüman padaù punätu bhagavan bhajatäm aghaà naù O omnipotent Lord, in Your incarnation as Trivikrama, You raised Your leg like a flagpole to break the shell of the universe, allowing the holy Ganges to flow down, like a banner of victory, in three branches throughout the three planetary systems. By three mighty steps of Your lotus feet, Your Lordship captured Bali Mahäräja, along with his universal kingdom. Your lotus feet inspire fear in the demons by driving them down to hell and fearlessness among Your devotees by elevating them to the perfection of heavenly life. We are sincerely trying to worship You, our Lord; therefore may Your lotus feet kindly free us from all of our sinful reactions. nasy ota-gäva iva yasya vaçe bhavanti brahmädayas tanu-bhåto mithur ardyamänäù kälasya te prakåti-püruñayoù parasya çaà nas tanotu caraëaù puruñottamasya You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the transcendental entity who is superior to both material nature and the enjoyer of nature. May Your lotus feet bestow transcendental pleasure upon us. All of the great demigods, beginning with Brahmä, are embodied living entities. Struggling painfully with one another under the strict control of Your time factor, they are just like bulls dragged by ropes tied through their pierced noses. asyäsi hetur udaya-sthiti-saàyamänäm avyakta-jéva-mahatäm api kälam ähuù 427

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C a n t o 11

so ‘yaà tri-ëäbhir akhiläpacaye pravåttaù kälo gabhéra-raya uttama-püruñas tvam You are the cause of the creation, maintenance and destruction of this universe. As time, You regulate the subtle and manifest states of material nature and control every living being. As the threefold wheel of time You diminish all things by Your imperceptible actions, and thus You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead. tvattaù pumän samadhigamya yayäsya véryaà dhatte mahäntam iva garbham amogha-véryaù so ‘yaà tayänugata ätmana äëòa-koçaà haimaà sasarja bahir ävaraëair upetam My dear Lord, the original puruña-avatära, Mahä-Viñëu, acquires His creative potency from You. Thus with infallible energy He impregnates material nature, producing the mahat-tattva. Then the mahat-tattva, the amalgamated material energy, endowed with the potency of the Lord, produces from itself the primeval golden egg of the universe, which is covered by various layers of material elements. tat tasthüñaç ca jagataç ca bhavän adhéço yan mäyayottha-guëa-vikriyayopanétän arthäï juñann api håñéka-pate na lipto ye ‘nye svataù parihåtäd api bibhyati sma O Lord, You are the supreme creator of this universe and the ultimate controller of all moving and nonmoving living entities. You are Håñékeça, the supreme controller of all sensory activity, and thus You never become contaminated or entangled in the course of Your supervision of the infinite sensory activities within the material creation. On the other hand, other living entities, even yogés and philosophers, are disturbed and frightened simply by remembering the material objects that they have supposedly renounced in their pursuit of enlightenment. smäyävaloka-lava-darçita-bhäva-häribhrü-maëòala-prahita-saurata-mantra-çauëòaiù patnyas tu ñoòaça-sahasram anaìga-bäëair yasyendriyaà vimathituà karaëair na vibhvyaù 428

B r a h m ä & O t h e r D e m i go d s o f f e r P r a y e r s t o t h e S u p r e m e L o r d

My Lord, You are living with sixteen thousand exquisitely beautiful, aristocratic wives. By their irresistible coy and smiling glances and by their lovely arching eyebrows, they send You messages of eager conjugal love. But they are completely unable to disturb the mind and senses of Your Lordship. vibhvyas tavämåta-kathoda-vahäs tri-lokyäù pädävane-ja-saritaù çamaläni hantum änuçravaà çrutibhir aìghri-jam aìga-saìgais tértha-dvayaà çuci-ñadas ta upaspåçanti The nectar-bearing rivers of discussions about You, and also the holy rivers generated from the bathing of Your lotus feet, are able to destroy all contamination within the three worlds. Those who are striving for purification associate with the holy narrations of Your glories by hearing them with their ears, and they associate with the holy rivers flowing from Your lotus feet by physically bathing in them.

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Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé offers Prayers to Kåñëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 11.29.49)

bhava-bhayam apahantuà jïäna-vijïäna-säraà nigama-kåd upajahre bhåìga-vad veda-säram amåtam udadhitaç cäpäyayad bhåtya-vargän puruñam åñabham ädyaà kåñëa-saàjïaà nato ‘smi I offer my obeisances to that Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original and greatest of all beings, Lord Çré Kåñëa. He is the author of the Vedas, and just to destroy His devotees’ fear of material existence, like a bee He has collected this nectarean essence of all knowledge and self-realization. Thus He has awarded to His many devotees this nectar from the ocean of bliss, and by His mercy they have drunk it.

430

Prayer by Darukä to Lord Kåñëa (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 11.30.43)

apaçyatas tvac-caraëämbujaà prabho dåñöiù praëañöä tamasi praviñöä diço na jäne na labhe ca çäntià yathä niçäyäm uòupe praëañöe Däruka said: Just as on a moonless night people are merged into darkness and cannot find their way, now that I have lost sight of Your lotus feet, my Lord, I have lost my vision and am wandering blindly in darkness. I cannot tell my direction, nor can I find any peace.

431

Maìgaläcaraëa

Canto Twelve

433

Prayers by Märkaëòeya Åñi to Nara-Näräyaëa Åñi (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 12.8.40-49)

çré-märkaëòeya uväca kià varëaye tava vibho yad-udérito ‘suù saàspandate tam anu väì-mana-indriyäëi spandanti vai tanu-bhåtäm aja-çarvayoç ca svasyäpy athäpi bhajatäm asi bhäva-bandhuù Çré Märkaëòeya said: O Almighty Lord, how can I possibly describe You? You awaken the vital air, which then impels the mind, senses and power of speech to act. This is true for all ordinary conditioned souls and even for great demigods like Brahmä and Çiva. So it is certainly true for me. Nevertheless, You become the intimate friend of those who worship You. mürté ime bhagavato bhagavaàs tri-lokyäù kñemäya täpa-viramäya ca måtyu-jityai nänä bibharñy avitum anya-tanür yathedaà såñövä punar grasasi sarvam ivorëanäbhiù O Supreme Personality of Godhead, these two personal forms of Yours have appeared to bestow the ultimate benefit for the three worlds—the cessation of material misery and the conquest of death. My Lord, although You create this universe and then assume many transcendental forms to protect it, You also swallow it up, just like a spider who spins and later withdraws its web. tasyävituù sthira-careçitur aìghri-mülaà yat-sthaà na karma-guëa-käla-rajaù spåçanti yad vai stuvanti ninamanti yajanty abhékñëaà dhyäyanti veda-hådayä munayas tad-äptyai Because You are the protector and the supreme controller of all moving and nonmoving beings, anyone who takes shelter of Your lotus feet can never 434

Prayers by Märk aëòeya Å ñi to Nara-Näräyaëa Å ñi

be touched by the contamination of material work, material qualities or time. Great sages who have assimilated the essential meaning of the Vedañ offer their prayers to You. To gain Your association, they bow down to You at every opportunity and constantly worship You and meditate upon You. nänyaà taväìghry-upanayäd apavarga-mürteù kñemaà janasya parito-bhiya éça vidmaù brahmä bibhety alam ato dvi-parärdha-dhiñëyaù kälasya te kim uta tat-kåta-bhautikänäm My dear Lord, even Lord Brahmä, who enjoys his exalted position for the entire duration of the universe, fears the passage of time. Then what to speak of those whom Brahmä creates, the conditioned souls. They encounter fearful dangers at every step of their lives. I do not know of any relief from this fear except shelter at Your lotus feet, which are the very form of liberation. tad vai bhajämy åta-dhiyas tava päda-mülaà hitvedam ätma-cchadi cätma-guroù parasya dehädy apärtham asad antyam abhijïa-mätraà vindeta te tarhi sarva-manéñitärtham Therefore I worship Your lotus feet, having renounced my identification with the material body and everything else that covers my true self. These useless, insubstantial and temporary coverings are merely presumed to be separate from You, whose intelligence encompasses all truth. By attaining You—the Supreme Godhead and the master of the soul—one attains everything desirable. sattvaà rajas tama itéça tavätma-bandho mäyä-mayäù sthiti-layodaya-hetavo ‘sya lélä dhåtä yad api sattva-mayé praçäntyai nänye nåëäà vyasana-moha-bhiyaç ca yäbhyäm O my Lord, O supreme friend of the conditioned soul, although for the creation, maintenance and annihilation of this world You accept the modes of goodness, passion and ignorance, which constitute Your illusory potency, You specifically employ the mode of goodness to liberate the 435

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conditioned souls. The other two modes simply bring them suffering, illusion and fear. tasmät taveha bhagavann atha tävakänäà çukläà tanuà sva-dayitäà kuçalä bhajanti yat sätvatäù puruña-rüpam uçanti sattvaà loko yato ‘bhayam utätma-sukhaà na cänyat O Lord, because fearlessness, spiritual happiness and the kingdom of God are all achieved through the mode of pure goodness, Your devotees consider this mode, but never passion and ignorance, to be a direct manifestation of You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Intelligent persons thus worship Your beloved transcendental form, composed of pure goodness, along with the spiritual forms of Your pure devotees. tasmai namo bhagavate puruñäya bhümne viçväya viçva-gurave para-daivatäya näräyaëäya åñaye ca narottamäya haàsäya saàyata-gire nigameçvaräya I offer my humble obeisances to Him, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the all-pervading and all-inclusive form of the universe, as well as its spiritual master. I bow down to Lord Näräyaëa, the supremely worshipable Deity appearing as a sage, and also to the saintly Nara, the best of human beings, who is fixed in perfect goodness, fully in control of his speech, and the propagator of the Vedic literatures. yaà vai na veda vitathäkña-pathair bhramad-dhéù santaà svakeñv asuñu hådy api dåk-patheñu tan-mäyayävåta-matiù sa u eva säkñäd ädyas taväkhila-guror upasädya vedam A materialist, his intelligence perverted by the action of his deceptive senses, cannot recognize You at all, although You are always present within his own senses and heart and also among the objects of his perception. Yet even though one’s understanding has been covered by Your illusory potency, if one obtains Vedic knowledge from You, the supreme spiritual master of all, he can directly understand You.

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Prayers by Märk aëòeya Å ñi to Nara-Näräyaëa Å ñi

yad-darçanaà nigama ätma-rahaù-prakäçaà muhyanti yatra kavayo ‘ja-parä yatantaù taà sarva-väda-viñaya-pratirüpa-çélaà vande mahä-puruñam ätma-nigüòha-bodham My dear Lord, the Vedic literatures alone reveal confidential knowledge of Your supreme personality, and thus even such great scholars as Lord Brahmä himself are bewildered in their attempt to understand You through empirical methods. Each philosopher understands You according to his particular speculative conclusions. I worship that Supreme Person, knowledge of whom is hidden by the bodily designations covering the conditioned soul’s spiritual identity.

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Prayers by Märkaëòeya Åñi (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 12.10.2)

çré-märkaëòeya uväca prapanno ‘smy aìghri-mülaà te prapannäbhaya-daà hare yan-mäyayäpi vibudhä muhyanti jïäna-käçayä Çré Märkaëòeya said: O Lord Hari, I take shelter of the soles of Your lotus feet, which bestow fearlessness upon all who surrender to them. Even the great demigods are bewildered by Your illusory energy, which appears to them in the guise of knowledge.

438

Prayers by Märkaëòeya Åñi to Lord Çiva (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 12.10.16-17 & 12.10.28-34)

äha tv ätmänubhävena pürëa-kämasya te vibho karaväma kim éçäna yenedaà nirvåtaà jagat Märkaëòeya said: O mighty lord, what can I possibly do for you, who are fully satisfied by your own ecstasy? Indeed, by your mercy you satisfy this entire world. namaù çiväya çäntäya sattväya pramåòäya ca rajo-juñe ‘tha ghoräya namas tubhyaà tamo-juñe Again and again I offer my obeisances unto you, O all-auspicious transcendental personality. As the lord of goodness you give pleasure, in contact with the mode of passion you appear most fearful, and you also associate with the mode of ignorance.

& çré-märkaëòeya uväca aho éçvara-léleyaà durvibhävyä çarériëäm yan namantéçitavyäni stuvanti jagad-éçvaräù Çré Märkaëòeya said: It is indeed most difficult for embodied souls to understand the pastimes of the universal controllers, for such lords bow 439

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down to and offer praise to the very living beings they rule. dharmaà grähayituà präyaù pravaktäraç ca dehinäm äcaranty anumodante kriyamäëaà stuvanti ca Generally it is to induce embodied souls to accept religious principles that the authorized teachers of religion exhibit ideal behavior while encouraging and praising the proper behavior of others. naitävatä bhagavataù sva-mäyä-maya-våttibhiù na duñyetänubhävas tair mäyinaù kuhakaà yathä This apparent humility is simply a show of mercy. Such behavior of the Supreme Lord and His personal associates, which the Lord effects by His own bewildering potency, does not spoil His power any more than a magician’s powers are diminished by his exhibition of tricks. såñövedaà manasä viçvam ätmanänupraviçya yaù guëaiù kurvadbhir äbhäti karteva svapna-dåg yathä tasmai namo bhagavate tri-guëäya guëätmane kevaläyädvitéyäya gurave brahma-mürtaye I offer my obeisances to that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has created this entire universe simply by His desire and then entered into it as the Supersoul. By making the modes of nature act, He seems to be the direct creator of this world, just as a dreamer seems to be acting within his dream. He is the owner and ultimate controller of the three modes of nature, yet He remains alone and pure, without any equal. He is the supreme spiritual master of all, the original personal form of the Absolute Truth.

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Prayers by Märk aëòeya Å ñi to Lord Çiva

kaà våëe nu paraà bhüman varaà tvad vara-darçanät yad-darçanät pürëa-kämaù satya-kämaù pumän bhavet O all-pervading lord, since I have received the benediction of seeing you, what other benediction can I ask for? Simply by seeing you, a person fulfills all his desires and can achieve anything imaginable. varam ekaà våëe ‘thäpi pürëät kämäbhivarñaëät bhagavaty acyutäà bhaktià tat-pareñu tathä tvayi But I do request one benediction from you, who are full of all perfection and able to shower down the fulfillment of all desires. I ask to have unfailing devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead and for His dedicated devotees, especially you.

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