2.1.1
Sourceश्री-जनमेजय उवाच— सत्यꣳ सच्-छास्त्र-वर्गार्थ- सारः सङ्गृह्य दुर्लभः । गूढः स्व-मात्रे पित्रा मे कृष्ण-प्रेम्णा प्रकाशितः
śrī-janamejaya uvāca— satyaṁ sac-chāstra-vargārtha- sāraḥ saṅgṛhya durlabhaḥ | gūḍhaḥ sva-mātre pitrā me kṛṣṇa-premṇā prakāśitaḥ
English translation
Translation
Çré Janamejaya said: O Gurudeva, truly, my father Çré Parékñit, who was overwhelmed with love for Kåñëa, gathered the confidential and rare essence of Çrémad-Bhägavatam and all other scriptures that propound devotional service to Bhagavän. He narrated this to his mother, Çré Uttarä-devé. The Bhävänuväda of Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé’s Dig-darçiné Commentary (henceforth known as
2.1.2
Sourceश्रीमद्-भागवताम्भोधि- पीयूषम् इदम् अपिबन् । न तृप्यामि मुनि-श्रेष्ठ त्वन्-मुखाम्भोज-वासितम्
śrīmad-bhāgavatāmbhodhi- pīyūṣam idam apiban | na tṛpyāmi muni-śreṣṭha tvan-mukhāmbhoja-vāsitam
English translation
Translation
O topmost sage, despite heartily drinking the nectar of this great ocean of Çrémad-Bhägavatam, which is scented with the fragrance of your lotus mouth, I am still not satiated.
2.1.3
Sourceतन्-माता-पुत्रयोर् विद्वन् सꣳवादः कथ्यताꣳ तयोः । सुधा-सारमयो’न्यो’पि कृष्ण-पादाब्ज-लुब्धयोः
tan-mātā-putrayor vidvan saṁvādaḥ kathyatāṁ tayoḥ | sudhā-sāramayo’nyo’pi kṛṣṇa-pādābja-lubdhayoḥ
English translation
Translation
Therefore, O best of sages, please narrate more of the nectarean conversation of both mother and son, who were greedy for the honey of Çré Kåñëa’s lotus feet.
2.1.4
Sourceश्री-जैमिनिर् उवाच— नैतत् स्व-शक्तितो राजन् वक्तुꣳ ज्ञतुꣳ च शक्यते । सर्व-ज्ञानꣳ च दुर्ज्ञेयꣳ ब्रह्मानुभाविनाम् अपि
śrī-jaiminir uvāca— naitat sva-śaktito rājan vaktuṁ jñatuṁ ca śakyate | sarva-jñānaṁ ca durjñeyaṁ brahmānubhāvinām api
English translation
Translation
Çré Jaimini said: O King, it is not possible to describe or understand that conversation by one’s own power. Even the crest jewels of omniscient personalities and even those who have realized Brahman find it hard to comprehend.
2.1.5
Sourceकृष्ण-भक्ति-रसाम्भोधेः प्रसादाद् बदरायणेः । परीक्षिद्-उत्तरा-पार्श्वे निविष्टो’श्रौषम् अञ्जसा
kṛṣṇa-bhakti-rasāmbhodheḥ prasādād badarāyaṇeḥ | parīkṣid-uttarā-pārśve niviṣṭo’śrauṣam añjasā
English translation
Translation
By the mercy of Çré Çukadeva, who is an ocean of the nectar of devotion for Çré Kåñëa, I sat near Çré Uttarä-devé and Çré Parékñit and listened to their conversation with one-pointed attention.
2.1.6
Sourceपरꣳ गोप्यम् अपि स्निग्धे शिश्ये वाच्यम् इति श्रुतिः । तच् छ्रूयताꣳ महा-भाग गोलोक-महिमाधुना
paraṁ gopyam api snigdhe śiśye vācyam iti śrutiḥ | tac chrūyatāṁ mahā-bhāga goloka-mahimādhunā
English translation
Translation
O most fortunate one, it is the conclusion of the Vedas that the spiritual master can describe to an affectionate disciple even the most confidential truth. Therefore, now you also should hear the glories of this Goloka.
2.1.7
Sourceश्री-कृष्ण-करुणा-सार- पात्र-निर्धार-सत्-कथाम् । श्रूत्वाभूत् परमानन्द- पूर्णा तव पितामही
śrī-kṛṣṇa-karuṇā-sāra- pātra-nirdhāra-sat-kathām | śrūtvābhūt paramānanda- pūrṇā tava pitāmahī
English translation
Translation
When your grandmother, Çré Uttarä-devé, heard the excellent story about the quest to ascertain the topmost recipients of the essence of Çré Kåñëa’s mercy, she experienced supreme pleasure.
2.1.8-9
Sourceतादृग्-भक्ति-विशेषस्य गोपी-कान्त-पदाब्जयोः । श्रोतुꣳ फल-विशेषꣳ तद्- भोग-स्थानꣳ च सत्तमम् वैकुण्ठाद् अपि मन्वाना विमृशन्ती हृदि स्वयम् । तच् चानाकलयन्ती सा पप्रच्छ श्री-परीक्षितम्
tādṛg-bhakti-viśeṣasya gopī-kānta-padābjayoḥ | śrotuṁ phala-viśeṣaṁ tad- bhoga-sthānaṁ ca sattamam vaikuṇṭhād api manvānā vimṛśantī hṛdi svayam | tac cānākalayantī sā papraccha śrī-parīkṣitam
English translation
Translation
Çré Uttarä-devé had heard that the gopés’ uncommon and indescribable devotion for the lotus feet of Çré Gopékänta, the Lord who is their beloved, yields a distinctly special fruit: an abode of enjoyment even superior to Vaikuëöha. Although she tried to analyze this by her intelligence, she could not ascertain why this abode is the best of all. She thus inquired from her son, Çré Parékñit.
2.1.10-11
Sourceश्रीमद्-उत्तरोवाच— कामिनाꣳ पुण्य-कर्तृणाꣳ त्रैलोक्यꣳ गृहिनाꣳ पदम् । अगृहाणꣳ च तस्योर्ध्वꣳ स्थितꣳ लोक-चतुष्टयम् भोगान्ते मुहुर् आवृत्तिम् एते सर्वे प्रयान्ति हि । महर्-आदि-गतꣳ केचिन् मुच्यन्ते ब्रह्मणा सह
śrīmad-uttarovāca— kāmināṁ puṇya-kartṛṇāṁ trailokyaṁ gṛhināṁ padam | agṛhāṇaṁ ca tasyordhvaṁ sthitaṁ loka-catuṣṭayam bhogānte muhur āvṛttim ete sarve prayānti hi | mahar-ādi-gataṁ kecin mucyante brahmaṇā saha
English translation
Translation
Çré Uttarä-devé said: The three planetary systems: Bhü, Bhuvar, and Svar, are the abodes of enjoyment of householders who engage in pious activities with a desire to enjoy material results. Above these realms are the four planetary systems: Mahar, Janas, Tapas, and Satya, which are the abodes obtained by non-householders, namely brahmacärés, or celibate students; vänaprasthis, or those who have left household life for spiritual advancement; and yatis, or renunciants.
2.1.12
Sourceकेचित् क्रमेण मुच्यन्ते भोगान् भुक्त्वार्चिर्-आदिषु । लभन्ते यतयः सद्यो मुक्तिꣳ ज्ञान-परा हि ये
kecit krameṇa mucyante bhogān bhuktvārcir-ādiṣu | labhante yatayaḥ sadyo muktiṁ jñāna-parā hi ye
English translation
Translation
Those yogés who adhere to specific disciplines mentioned in the Vedas, are guided to pathways such as arcir-märga, the line of the sun, by the presiding demigods of those paths. After enjoying all the pleasures of those places, they progressively become liberated. Fully renounced ascetics, devoted to the pursuit of spiritual knowledge, attain liberation instantaneously at the time of death.
2.1.13
Sourceभक्ता भगवतो ये तु स-कामाः स्वेच्छयाखिलान् । भुञ्जानाः सुख-भोगाꣳस् ते विशुद्धा यान्ति तत्-पदम्
bhaktā bhagavato ye tu sa-kāmāḥ svecchayākhilān | bhuñjānāḥ sukha-bhogāṁs te viśuddhā yānti tat-padam
English translation
Translation
Sakäma devotees, or those who desire the fruit of their action, worship the Lord with varieties of desires. Although they enjoy all the pleasures of those desires, they are purified by the power of bhakti and, even during this period of material enjoyment, they are not controlled by their activities. At the end of this enjoyment, they enter the abode of Bhagavän.
2.1.14
Sourceवैकुण्ठꣳ दुर्लभꣳ मुक्तैः सान्द्रानन्द-चिद्-आत्मकम् । निष्कामा ये तु तद्-भक्ता लभन्ते सद्य एव तत्
vaikuṇṭhaṁ durlabhaṁ muktaiḥ sāndrānanda-cid-ātmakam | niṣkāmā ye tu tad-bhaktā labhante sadya eva tat
English translation
Translation
Devotees who worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, giving up all material desires, are called niñkäma-bhaktas. They are promoted to Vaikuëöha immediately after death. This abode, which is made of the concentrated essence of happiness and of the nature of consciousness, is rarely achieved even by liberated souls.
2.1.15
Sourceतत्र श्री-कृष्ण-पादाब्ज- साक्षात्-सेवा-सुखꣳ सदा । बहुधानुभवन्तस् ते रमन्ते धिक्-कृतामृतम्
tatra śrī-kṛṣṇa-pādābja- sākṣāt-sevā-sukhaṁ sadā | bahudhānubhavantas te ramante dhik-kṛtāmṛtam
English translation
Translation
Those devotees in Vaikuëöha always experience the happiness of directly serving Çré Kåñëa’s lotus feet in many ways, and they are forever absorbed in participating in His variegated pastimes. In comparison to this happiness derived from service, the happiness of liberation is insignificant.
2.1.16
Sourceज्ञान-भक्तास् तु तेष्व् एके शुद्ध-भक्ताः परे’परे । प्रेम-भक्ताः परे प्रेम- पराः प्रेमातुराः परे
jñāna-bhaktās tu teṣv eke śuddha-bhaktāḥ pare’pare | prema-bhaktāḥ pare prema- parāḥ premāturāḥ pare
English translation
Translation
Among these devotees, some (jïäna-bhaktas) know the Lord’s supreme position, some (çuddha-bhaktas) are actuated by a pure devotional aptitude, some (premé-bhaktas) are imbued with full loving devotion, some (prema-para bhaktas) are absorbed in pure love, and some (premätura bhaktas) are impelled by overwhelming love.
2.1.17
Sourceतारतम्यवताम् एषाꣳ फले सम्यꣳ न युज्यते । तारतम्यꣳ तु वैकुण्ठे कथञ्चिद् घटते न हि
tāratamyavatām eṣāṁ phale samyaṁ na yujyate | tāratamyaṁ tu vaikuṇṭhe kathañcid ghaṭate na hi
English translation
Translation
In spite of all these devotees being equal in their pure loving devotion, gradation is seen in their spiritual sentiments. It would be inappropriate, therefore, if they were all to receive the same results; there must be gradation in the results they achieve. However, the abode of Vaikuëöha is the realm of equality, and so it is not possible that a hierarchy of results can exist there.
2.1.18
Sourceपर्यवस्यति सारूप्य- सामीप्यादौ च तुल्यता । न श्रूयते परꣳ प्राप्यꣳ वैकुण्ठाद् अधिकꣳ कियत्
paryavasyati sārūpya- sāmīpyādau ca tulyatā | na śrūyate paraṁ prāpyaṁ vaikuṇṭhād adhikaṁ kiyat
English translation
Translation
The different types of liberation, such as having the same form as the Lord, or särüpya, and living in the Lord’s proximity, or sämépya, are all on an equal platform. Moreover, it is unheard of that a destination more exalted than Vaikuëöha can be attained.
2.1.19
Sourceतत्-प्रदेश-विशेषेषु स्व-स्व-भाव-विशेषतः । स्व-स्व-प्रिय-विशेषाप्त्या सर्वेषाम् अस्तु वा सुखम्
tat-pradeśa-viśeṣeṣu sva-sva-bhāva-viśeṣataḥ | sva-sva-priya-viśeṣāptyā sarveṣām astu vā sukham
English translation
Translation
In each specific section within Vaikuëöha, the five types of perfected devotees, in accordance with their individual moods, experience happiness that is specific to their respective worshipable objects. If this is the case, then let it be so.
2.1.20
Sourceपराꣳ कष्ठाꣳ गतꣳ तत्-तद्- रस-जातीयतोचितम् । अथापि रास-कृत्-तादृग्- भक्तानाम् अस्तु का गतिः
parāṁ kaṣṭhāṁ gataṁ tat-tad- rasa-jātīyatocitam | athāpi rāsa-kṛt-tādṛg- bhaktānām astu kā gatiḥ
English translation
Translation
There, every devotee’s bhäva (transcendental sentiment) or rasa (transcendental relationship) reaches its ultimate limit and makes him experience the zenith of happiness. However, what is the destination of Räsa-bihäré Çré Kåñëa’s extraordinary rasika devotees, who are expert in tasting transcendental loving exchanges?
2.1.21-22
Sourceये सर्व-नैरपेक्ष्येन राधा-दास्येच्छवः परम् । सङ्कीर्तयन्ति तन्-नाम तादृश-प्रियतामयाः अन्येषाम् इव तेषाꣳ च प्राप्यꣳ चेद् हृन् न तृप्यति । अहो नन्द-यशोदादेर् न सहे तादृशीꣳ गतिम्
ye sarva-nairapekṣyena rādhā-dāsyecchavaḥ param | saṅkīrtayanti tan-nāma tādṛśa-priyatāmayāḥ anyeṣām iva teṣāṁ ca prāpyaṁ ced hṛn na tṛpyati | aho nanda-yaśodāder na sahe tādṛśīṁ gatim
English translation
Translation
These devotees, being indifferent to all other spiritual practices and goals, aspire to become servants of Çré Rädhikä (rädhä-däsya) only. To attain this service, they constantly sing Her holy names, immersed in divine love. If these devotees, like other general devotees, obtain a special place in the same Vaikuëöha, our hearts will not be satisfied. Alas! I cannot tolerate the idea that Nanda and the other cowherdsmen and Yaçodä and the cowherd women would have the same destination as ordinary devotees.
2.1.23
Sourceविविधानाꣳ महिम्नाꣳ हि यत्र कष्ठाः पराः पराः । कोटीनाꣳ पर्यवस्यन्ति समुद्रे सरितो यथा
vividhānāṁ mahimnāṁ hi yatra kaṣṭhāḥ parāḥ parāḥ | koṭīnāṁ paryavasyanti samudre sarito yathā
English translation
Translation
As rivers flow into and merge with the ocean, so, countless, variegated glories, extended to their ultimate limit of excellence, culminate in the divine gopas and gopés.
2.1.24
Sourceतद्-अर्थम् उचितꣳ स्थानम् एकꣳ वैकुण्ठतः परम् । अपेक्षितम् अवश्यꣳ स्यात् तत्-प्रकाश्योद्धरस्व माम्
tad-artham ucitaṁ sthānam ekaṁ vaikuṇṭhataḥ param | apekṣitam avaśyaṁ syāt tat-prakāśyoddharasva mām
English translation
Translation
For Çré Nanda, Yaçodä, and the other Vrajaväsés, there must surely be an abode far superior to Vaikuëöha. That place certainly exists. Therefore, kindly reveal that abode and save me from an ocean of sorrow.
2.1.25
Sourceश्री-जैमिनिर् उवाच— मातुर् एवꣳ महा-रम्य- प्रश्नेनानन्दितः सुतः । ताꣳ नत्वा साश्रु-रोमञ्चꣳ आरेभे प्रतिभाषितुम्
śrī-jaiminir uvāca— mātur evaṁ mahā-ramya- praśnenānanditaḥ sutaḥ | tāṁ natvā sāśru-romañcaṁ ārebhe pratibhāṣitum
English translation
Translation
Çré Jaiminé said: King Parékñit, delighted by his mother Çré Uttarä’s most beautiful and pleasing inquiry, first offered obeisances to his worshipful Lord and then prepared to reply. His bodily hair was standing on end and his eyes were brimming with tears.
2.1.26
Sourceश्री-परीक्षिद् उवाच— श्री-कृष्ण-जीविते मातस् तदीय-विरहासहे । तवैव योग्यः प्रश्नो’यꣳ न कृतो यश् च कैश्चन
śrī-parīkṣid uvāca— śrī-kṛṣṇa-jīvite mātas tadīya-virahāsahe | tavaiva yogyaḥ praśno’yaṁ na kṛto yaś ca kaiścana
English translation
Translation
Çré Parékñit said: O Mother, Çré Kåñëa is your very life and soul and you are unable to tolerate the pangs of separation from Him. Thus, you alone are qualified to ask this question. No one has ever asked such a question before.
2.1.27
Sourceनिज-प्रिय-सखस्यात्र श्री-सुभद्रा-पतेर् अहम् । येन पौत्रतया गर्भे तव सज्-जन्म लम्भितः
nija-priya-sakhasyātra śrī-subhadrā-pater aham | yena pautratayā garbhe tava saj-janma lambhitaḥ
English translation
Translation
By my being born from your womb, He (Çré Kåñëa) granted me the exalted human form as the grandson of Çré Arjuna, who is Çré Kåñëa’s dear friend and Subhadrä’s husband.
2.1.28
Sourceगर्भान्तरे च धृत-चक्र-गदेन येन ब्रह्मास्त्रतो’हम् अवितः सहितो भवत्या । बाल्ये नरेषु निज-रूप-परीक्षणꣳ च नीतो मुहुः परम-भागवतोचितꣳ यत्
garbhāntare ca dhṛta-cakra-gadena yena brahmāstrato’ham avitaḥ sahito bhavatyā | bālye nareṣu nija-rūpa-parīkṣaṇaṁ ca nīto muhuḥ parama-bhāgavatocitaṁ yat
English translation
Translation
When I was in your womb, Çré Kåñëa, who was holding a club and disc in His hands, protected both you and me from the brahmästra weapon. Throughout my childhood, Çré Kåñëa, who manifested a human-like form, made me search for Him again and again. In truth, this form of the Lord is obtainable only by great devotees.
2.1.29
Sourceयेनानुवर्ति महताꣳ गुनैः कृतो विख्यापितो’हꣳ कलि-निग्रहेन । सम्पद्य राज्य-श्रियम् अद्भुतꣳ ततो निर्वेदितो भूसुर-शाप-दापनात्
yenānuvarti mahatāṁ gunaiḥ kṛto vikhyāpito’haṁ kali-nigrahena | sampadya rājya-śriyam adbhutaṁ tato nirvedito bhūsura-śāpa-dāpanāt
English translation
Translation
Çré Kåñëa endowed me with sterling qualities and made me the follower of great saints. He made me world famous by choosing me to curb the personality of Kali-yuga, the Iron Age of quarrel and hypocrisy. He bestowed upon me royal opulence, and finally, on the pretext of a brähmaëa’s curse, He made me detached from that opulence.
2.1.30
Sourceतच्-छिष्य-रूपेन च मत्-प्रियꣳ तꣳ सम्श्राव्य शापꣳ निलयान्ध-कूपात् । श्री-वासुदेवेन विकृष्य नीतः प्रायोपवेशाय मतिꣳ द्यु-नद्याम्
tac-chiṣya-rūpena ca mat-priyaṁ taṁ samśrāvya śāpaṁ nilayāndha-kūpāt | śrī-vāsudevena vikṛṣya nītaḥ prāyopaveśāya matiṁ dyu-nadyām
English translation
Translation
It was Çré Väsudeva who, in the form of a disciple of the brähmaëa Çaméka, made me hear that curse, which was so dear to me. By this, He pulled me out of the dark well of household life and granted me the intelligence to perform präyopaveçana on the bank of the Gaìgä. (This means to sit, abstaining from food and water until death.)
2.1.31
Sourceमुनीन्द्र-गोष्ठ्याम् उपदेश्य तत्त्वꣳ शुकात्मना येन भयꣳ निरस्य । प्रमोद्य च स्व-प्रिय-सङ्ग-दानात् कथामृतꣳ सम्प्रति च प्रापय्ये
munīndra-goṣṭhyām upadeśya tattvaṁ śukātmanā yena bhayaṁ nirasya | pramodya ca sva-priya-saṅga-dānāt kathāmṛtaṁ samprati ca prāpayye
English translation
Translation
Previously, that same Çré Kåñëa appeared as Çré Çukadeva Gosvämé in that august assembly of exalted sages and instructed me on spiritual truth. He thereby dissipated my fears and immersed me in bliss. And now, by granting me the association of His beloved devotees like you, He is making me drink the nectar of the narrations of His pastimes.
2.1.32
Sourceकृष्णꣳ प्रणम्य निरुपाधि-कृपाकरꣳ तꣳ सꣳवर्ध्य विप्र-वचनाद् अरतो गृहीतम् । स्वस्यान्त-कालम् इदम् एक-मना ब्रुवे ते प्रश्नोत्तरꣳ सकल-वैष्णव-शास्त्र-सारम्
kṛṣṇaṁ praṇamya nirupādhi-kṛpākaraṁ taṁ saṁvardhya vipra-vacanād arato gṛhītam | svasyānta-kālam idam eka-manā bruve te praśnottaraṁ sakala-vaiṣṇava-śāstra-sāram
English translation
Translation
I bow down to Çré Kåñëa, who is the source of unconditional mercy. Since I honored the brähmaëa’s words, my final day will certainly be very much prolongued. Therefore, I will respond to your question with one-pointed focus, and you should understand that my reply will incorporate the essence of all Vaiñëava scriptures.
2.1.33-34
Sourceश्रुति-स्मृतीनाꣳ वाच्यानि साक्षात्-तात्पर्यतो’प्य् अहम् । व्याख्याया बोधयित्वैतत् त्वाꣳ सन्तोषयितुꣳ क्षमः तथापि स्व-गुरोः प्राप्तꣳ प्रसादात् सꣳशय-च्छिदम् । अत्रेतिहासम् आदौ ते व्यक्तार्थꣳ कथयाम्य् अमुम्
śruti-smṛtīnāṁ vācyāni sākṣāt-tātparyato’py aham | vyākhyāyā bodhayitvaitat tvāṁ santoṣayituṁ kṣamaḥ tathāpi sva-guroḥ prāptaṁ prasādāt saṁśaya-cchidam | atretihāsam ādau te vyaktārthaṁ kathayāmy amum
English translation
Translation
In replying to your questions, I can delight you by explaining the essence of Çruti and Småti scriptures, and by citing their direct meanings (mukhya-våtti) and purports and annotations (tätparya- våtti). First, however, I want to describe a very famous history that I came to know through the mercy of my guru, Çré Çukadeva, for it destroys all doubts and is unequivocal in meaning. After that, I will quote from the Çruti and Småti.
2.1.35-37
Sourceविप्रो निष्किञ्चनः कश्चित् पुरा प्राग्ज्योतिषे पुरे । वसन्न् अज्ञात-शास्त्रार्थो बहु-द्राविण-काम्यया तात्रत्य-देवीꣳ कामाख्याꣳ श्रद्धयानुदिनꣳ भजन् । तस्याः सकाशात् तुष्टायाः स्वप्ने मन्त्रꣳ दशाक्षरम् लेभे मदन-गोपाल- चरणाम्भोज-दैवतम् । तद्-ध्यानादि-विधानाढ्यꣳ साक्षाद् इव महा-निधिम्
vipro niṣkiñcanaḥ kaścit purā prāgjyotiṣe pure | vasann ajñāta-śāstrārtho bahu-drāviṇa-kāmyayā tātratya-devīṁ kāmākhyāṁ śraddhayānudinaṁ bhajan | tasyāḥ sakāśāt tuṣṭāyāḥ svapne mantraṁ daśākṣaram lebhe madana-gopāla- caraṇāmbhoja-daivatam | tad-dhyānādi-vidhānāḍhyaṁ sākṣād iva mahā-nidhim
English translation
Translation
In ancient times, a poor brähmaëa who lacked any scriptural knowledge lived in Prägjyotiña-pura (near present-day Gauhäté, in the State of Assam). The goddess Kämäkhyä-devé (Durgä-devé) is present there, and every day, the brähmaëa faithfully worshiped her with a desire for great wealth and opulence. Pleased with his worship, the goddess appeared in his dream and gave him a mantra – the ten-syllable gopäla-mantra, whose Deity is Çré Madana- gopäla. This mantra embodies immense potency. When conferring this mantra on the brähmaëa, the goddess instructed him about the process of mantra meditation, and also about nyäsa and other rituals and worship. She told him that by the power of this mantra alone, he would achieve the service of the lotus feet of Çré Madana-gopäla.
2.1.38
Sourceदेव्य्-आदेशेन तꣳ मन्त्रꣳ विविक्ते सततꣳ जपन् । धनेच्छया निवृत्तो’भूल् लेभे च हृदि निर्वृतिम्
devy-ādeśena taṁ mantraṁ vivikte satataṁ japan | dhanecchayā nivṛtto’bhūl lebhe ca hṛdi nirvṛtim
English translation
Translation
On Devé’s instruction, the brähmaëa became absorbed in recitation of the mantra. As he constantly chanted this mantra in a solitary place, his desire for wealth vanished and he became peaceful within.
2.1.39
Sourceवस्तु-तत्त्वानभिज्ञो’न्यत् स किञ्चित् पर-लौकिकम् । साधनꣳ किल साध्यꣳ च वर्तमानम् अमन्यत
vastu-tattvānabhijño’nyat sa kiñcit para-laukikam | sādhanaṁ kila sādhyaṁ ca vartamānam amanyata
English translation
Translation
The brähmaëa was ignorant of the fundamental principles of the Absolute Truth, and so he began to think, “In addition to the chanting of the mantra, there must be some other transcendental goal and some other process to achieve it.”
2.1.40
Sourceगृहादिकꣳ परित्यज्य भ्रमꣳस् तीर्थेषु भिक्षया । गतो निर्वाहयन् देहꣳ गङ्गा-सागर-सङ्गमम्
gṛhādikaṁ parityajya bhramaṁs tīrtheṣu bhikṣayā | gato nirvāhayan dehaṁ gaṅgā-sāgara-saṅgamam
English translation
Translation
Some days later, the brähmaëa renounced his home life. Begging just enough to maintain his bodily existence, he wandered to the different holy places of pilgrimage and finally reached Gaìgä-sägara, the confluence of the river Gaìgä and the ocean.
2.1.41
Sourceविप्रान् गङ्गा-तटे’पश्यत् सर्व-विद्या-विशारदान् । स्व-धर्माचार-निरतान् प्रायशो गृहिणो बहून्
viprān gaṅgā-taṭe’paśyat sarva-vidyā-viśāradān | sva-dharmācāra-niratān prāyaśo gṛhiṇo bahūn
English translation
Translation
There on the banks of the Gaìgä, he met many brähmaëas, mostly householders, who were expert in various branches of knowledge and engaged in executing their religious duties.
2.1.42
Sourceतैर् वर्ण्यमानम् आचारꣳ नित्य-नैमित्तिकादिकम् । अवश्यकꣳ तथा काम्यꣳ स्वर्गꣳ सुश्राव तत्-फलम्
tair varṇyamānam ācāraṁ nitya-naimittikādikam | avaśyakaṁ tathā kāmyaṁ svargaṁ suśrāva tat-phalam
English translation
Translation
He heard from those brähmaëas about the necessity of daily obligatory rites and of circumstantial rituals. He also heard about ritualistic activities to fulfill material desires and how one obtains heavenly pleasures as a result of these activities.
2.1.43
Sourceनाना-सङ्कल्प-वाक्यैश् च तद्-अनुस्थान-निष्ठताम् । दृष्ट्वा तत्रोदित-श्रद्धः प्रवृत्तः शिक्षितः स तैः
nānā-saṅkalpa-vākyaiś ca tad-anusthāna-niṣṭhatām | dṛṣṭvā tatrodita-śraddhaḥ pravṛttaḥ śikṣitaḥ sa taiḥ
English translation
Translation
Observing the brähmaëas’ strong faith in their rituals, which they expressed in solemn vows, he also developed faith in those rituals. And after receiving instructions from them, he also began to perform the same rituals.
2.1.44
Sourceदेव्य्-आज्ञाद् आरतो मन्त्रम् अपि नित्यꣳ रहो जपन् । तत्-प्रभावान् न लेभे’न्तः- सन्तोषꣳ तेषु कर्मसु
devy-ājñād ārato mantram api nityaṁ raho japan | tat-prabhāvān na lebhe’ntaḥ- santoṣaṁ teṣu karmasu
English translation
Translation
Honoring the goddess’s order, the brähmaëa continued to chant his gopäla-mantra daily, in a solitary place. Although he continued to engage in those ritualistic activities, nevertheless, due to the power of the mantra, his heart was not satisfied.
2.1.45
Sourceस निर्विद्य गतः काशीꣳ ददर्श बहु-देश-जान् । यति-प्रायान् जनाꣳस् तत्रा- द्वैत-व्याख्या-विवादिनः
sa nirvidya gataḥ kāśīṁ dadarśa bahu-deśa-jān | yati-prāyān janāṁs tatrā- dvaita-vyākhyā-vivādinaḥ
English translation
Translation
Finally, becoming disinterested in those ritualistic activities, the brähmaëa went to the sacred abode of Käçé. There, he met many sannyäsés who had come from different countries. These sannyäsés were engaged in debating the various explanations of advaita-väda, the theory of monism.
2.1.46
Sourceविश्वेश्वरꣳ प्रणम्यादौ गत्वा प्रति-मठꣳ यतीन् । नत्वा सम्भाष्य विश्रामꣳ तेषाꣳ पार्श्वे चकार सः
viśveśvaraṁ praṇamyādau gatvā prati-maṭhaṁ yatīn | natvā sambhāṣya viśrāmaṁ teṣāṁ pārśve cakāra saḥ
English translation
Translation
First, he offered respectful obeisances to Çré Viçveçvara (Çré Viçvanätha Mahädeva). Then, he visited every maöha, where he bowed down to the sannyäsés there, talked with them, and rested in their company.
2.1.47
Sourceवदेषु शुद्ध-बुद्धीनाꣳ तेषाꣳ पाणि-तल-स्थ-वत् । मोक्षꣳ बोधयताꣳ वाक्यैः सारꣳ मेने स तन्-मतम्
vadeṣu śuddha-buddhīnāṁ teṣāṁ pāṇi-tala-stha-vat | mokṣaṁ bodhayatāṁ vākyaiḥ sāraṁ mene sa tan-matam
English translation
Translation
The intelligence of all those sannyäsés was expertly applied purely in debate. Their statements on liberation from material existence were presented logically, as if liberation were a common gooseberry (ämalaké) in the palm of their hands. Therefore, listening to their discussions, the brähmaëa began to think that their views were quintessential and supreme.
2.1.48-49
Sourceशृण्वन्न् अविरतꣳ न्यास- मोक्षोत्कर्ष-पराणि सः । तेभ्यो वेदान्त-वाक्यानि मणि-कर्ण्यꣳ समाचरन् स्नानꣳ विश्वेश्वरꣳ पश्यꣳस् तेषाꣳ सङ्गे’प्रयासतः । मिष्टेष्ट-भोगान् भुञ्जानः सन्न्यासꣳ कर्तुम् इष्टवान्
śṛṇvann avirataṁ nyāsa- mokṣotkarṣa-parāṇi saḥ | tebhyo vedānta-vākyāni maṇi-karṇyaṁ samācaran snānaṁ viśveśvaraṁ paśyaṁs teṣāṁ saṅge’prayāsataḥ | miṣṭeṣṭa-bhogān bhuñjānaḥ sannyāsaṁ kartum iṣṭavān
English translation
Translation
The brähmaëa regularly heard those sannyäsés cite verses from Vedänta declaring the superiority of the renounced order of life (sannyäsa) and of impersonal liberation. Daily, after bathing in the Gaìgä at Maëikarëikä-ghäöa, he took darçana of Çré Viçvanätha. Without having to work, he ate delectable meals to his heart’s content with those sannyäsés. Thus, he developed an urge to accept sannyäsa.
2.1.50
Sourceस्व-जप्यꣳ गौरवाद् देव्यास् तथान्तः-सुख-लाभतः । अत्यजन्न् एकदा स्वप्ने’पश्यत् तन्-मन्त्र-देवताम्
sva-japyaṁ gauravād devyās tathāntaḥ-sukha-lābhataḥ | atyajann ekadā svapne’paśyat tan-mantra-devatām
English translation
Translation
Due to the brähmaëa’s reverence for Kämäkhyä-devé and his experience of internal happiness, he did not give up chanting his mantra. Some days passed, and then one night, in a dream he had a vision of his mantra’s presiding Deity.
2.1.51
Sourceतन्-महा-रम्यताकृष्टः परमानन्द-गोचरः । तज्-जपान्य-प्रवृत्तौ हि न लेभे स मनो-बलम्
tan-mahā-ramyatākṛṣṭaḥ paramānanda-gocaraḥ | taj-japānya-pravṛttau hi na lebhe sa mano-balam
English translation
Translation
When the mantra’s presiding Deity appeared to him in the dream, the Deity’s extreme beauty captured the brähmaëa’s heart and filled him with supreme bliss. From then on, except for his chanting of the mantra, all other activities felt distasteful.
2.1.52
Sourceइति कर्तव्यता-मूढो दीनः सन् स्वप्नम् आगतः । तया देव्या सहागत्य तत्रादिष्टः शिवेन सः
iti kartavyatā-mūḍho dīnaḥ san svapnam āgataḥ | tayā devyā sahāgatya tatrādiṣṭaḥ śivena saḥ
English translation
Translation
The brähmaëa then became confused about his duties. In a state of despair, he fell asleep. Çré Mahädeva, along with Devé, appeared in his dream and ordered him as follows.
2.1.53
Sourceमा मूर्ख कुरु सन्न्यासꣳ द्रुतꣳ श्री-मथुराꣳ व्रज । तत्र वृन्दावने’वश्यꣳ पूर्णार्थस् त्वꣳ भविष्यसि
mā mūrkha kuru sannyāsaṁ drutaṁ śrī-mathurāṁ vraja | tatra vṛndāvane’vaśyaṁ pūrṇārthas tvaṁ bhaviṣyasi
English translation
Translation
O fool! You must not accept sannyäsa. Quickly go to the district of Çré Mathurä. There in Çré Våndävana, your desire will certainly be fulfilled.
2.1.54
Sourceसोत्कण्ठो मथुराꣳ गन्तुꣳ मुहुस् ताꣳ कीर्तयꣳस् ततः । स तद्-देश-दिशꣳ गच्छन् प्रयागꣳ प्राप वर्त्मनि
sotkaṇṭho mathurāṁ gantuṁ muhus tāṁ kīrtayaṁs tataḥ | sa tad-deśa-diśaṁ gacchan prayāgaṁ prāpa vartmani
English translation
Translation
Hearing this, the brähmaëa became very eager to go to Mathurä. Repeatedly singing “Mathurä, Mathurä,” he walked in that direction. On the way, he came to Prayäga.
2.1.55
Sourceतस्मिल् लसन्-माधव-पाद-पद्मे गङ्गाश्रित-श्री-यमुना-मनोज्ञे । स्नानाय माघोषसि तीर्थ-राजे प्राप्तान् स साधून् सतशो ददर्श
tasmil lasan-mādhava-pāda-padme gaṅgāśrita-śrī-yamunā-manojñe | snānāya māghoṣasi tīrtha-rāje prāptān sa sādhūn sataśo dadarśa
English translation
Translation
Prayäga, the king of all pilgrimage places, is decorated with the lotus feet of Çré Mädhava. It is very attractive because there, the river Yamunä takes shelter of the river Gaìgä. Thousands of sädhus had congregated there for the early morning ritual of bathing during the month of Mägha. Reaching Prayäga-räja, the brähmaëa witnessed this huge gathering of saintly persons.
2.1.56
Sourceतेषाꣳ सदा गीत-नति-स्तवादिभिः श्री-विष्णु-पूजोत्सवम् ऐक्षताभितः । तन्-नाम-सङ्कीर्तन-वाद्य-नर्तनैः प्रेम्णार्त-नादैर् उदितैश् च शोभितम्
teṣāṁ sadā gīta-nati-stavādibhiḥ śrī-viṣṇu-pūjotsavam aikṣatābhitaḥ | tan-nāma-saṅkīrtana-vādya-nartanaiḥ premṇārta-nādair uditaiś ca śobhitam
English translation
Translation
A multitude of sages and holy men were assembled there. They were engaged in devotional activities like constantly singing, offering obeisances, uttering glorifications, singing the names of God, playing on instruments, and dancing. Some were crying out ecstatically in divine love and some were weeping. Arriving there, the brähmaëa witnessed this enormous celebration dedicated to worshiping the Supreme Lord Viñëu.
2.1.57-59
Sourceसो’बुधो विस्मयꣳ प्राप्तो वैष्णवान् पृच्छति स्म तान् । हे गायका वन्दिनो रे दण्डवत्-पतिनो भुवि भो वादका नर्तका रे राम-कृष्णेति-वादिनः । रोदका रम्य-तिलकास् चारु-माला-धरा नराः भवतैकꣳ क्षणꣳ स्वस्था न कोलाहलम् अर्हथा । वदतेदꣳ विधद्धे किꣳ कꣳ वार्चयथा सादरम्
so’budho vismayaṁ prāpto vaiṣṇavān pṛcchati sma tān | he gāyakā vandino re daṇḍavat-patino bhuvi bho vādakā nartakā re rāma-kṛṣṇeti-vādinaḥ | rodakā ramya-tilakās cāru-mālā-dharā narāḥ bhavataikaṁ kṣaṇaṁ svasthā na kolāhalam arhathā | vadatedaṁ vidhaddhe kiṁ kaṁ vārcayathā sādaram
English translation
Translation
Wonderstruck by this scene, the innocent and ignorant brähmaëa addressed the saintly Vaiñëavas, saying, “O singers, O reciters of prayers, O people offering obeisances on the ground! O musicians, O dancers, O people calling out the names of Räma and Kåñëa! O people who are weeping, O you who are adorned with beautiful tilaka and wearing beautiful garlands! Why don’t you stop this tumultuous din for a moment? Quiet down and tell me what you are doing. Whom do you worship so reverentially?”
2.1.60
Sourceतच् छ्रूत्वोपहसन्ति स्म केचित् तꣳ केचिद् अब्रुवन् । रे मूढ तुष्णीꣳ तिष्ठेति के’प्य् ऊचुर् दीन-वत्सलाः
tac chrūtvopahasanti sma kecit taṁ kecid abruvan | re mūḍha tuṣṇīṁ tiṣṭheti ke’py ūcur dīna-vatsalāḥ
English translation
Translation
Hearing the brähmaëa’s words, some of them laughed at him. Others began to ridicule him, saying, “O fool, be quiet!” In contrast, some saintly Vaiñëavas, who were affectionately disposed toward the fallen and wretched, began to speak as follows.
2.1.61
Sourceश्री-वैष्णवा ऊचुः— अये विप्र-ज जानासि न किञ्चिद् बत मूढ-धीः । विष्णु-भक्तान् पुनर् मैवꣳ सम्बोधय न जल्प च
śrī-vaiṣṇavā ūcuḥ— aye vipra-ja jānāsi na kiñcid bata mūḍha-dhīḥ | viṣṇu-bhaktān punar maivaṁ sambodhaya na jalpa ca
English translation
Translation
Çré Vaiñëavas said: O son of a brähmaëa, it seems that your intelligence is very dull. Do you not know anything? These are all devotees of Çré Viñëu, and you should never again address them like this or speak to them in this way.
2.1.62
Sourceभगवन्तम् इमे विष्णुꣳ नित्यꣳ वयम् उपास्महे । गुरोर् गृहीत-दीक्षका यथा-मन्त्रꣳ यथा-विधि
bhagavantam ime viṣṇuṁ nityaṁ vayam upāsmahe | guror gṛhīta-dīkṣakā yathā-mantraṁ yathā-vidhi
English translation
Translation
O brähmaëa, we have all accepted spiritual initiation, or dékñä, from our guru. Thus accordingly to our respective mantras, we all worship Çré Viñëu appropriately.
2.1.63
Sourceश्री-नृसिꣳह-तनुꣳ केचिद् रघुनाथꣳ तथापरे । एके गोपालम् इत्य् एवꣳ नाना-रूपꣳ द्विजोत्तम
śrī-nṛsiṁha-tanuṁ kecid raghunāthaṁ tathāpare | eke gopālam ity evaṁ nānā-rūpaṁ dvijottama
English translation
Translation
O best of the twice-born! Some of us are worshiping the Lord as Çré Nåsiàha-deva, others as Çré Raghunäthajé Räma, and others as Çré Gopäla-deva. In this way, we worship various manifestations of Çré Viñëu.
2.1.64
Sourceश्री-परीक्षिद् उवाच— ततो’सौ लज्जितो विप्रो’पृच्छत् स-प्रश्रयम् मुदा । कुतो वसति कीदृक् स कꣳ वार्थꣳ दातुम् ईश्वरः
śrī-parīkṣid uvāca— tato’sau lajjito vipro’pṛcchat sa-praśrayam mudā | kuto vasati kīdṛk sa kaṁ vārthaṁ dātum īśvaraḥ
English translation
Translation
Çré Parékñit said : O mother, hearing this, the brähmaëa became embarrassed. In a humble manner and in delight, he enquired, “Where does Parameçvara, your worshipful Lord, live? What is His form like? What benefit can He bestow?”
2.1.65
Sourceश्री-वैष्णवा ऊचुः— सदा सर्वत्र वसति बहिश् चान्तश् च स प्रभुः । कश्चिन् न सादृशस् तेन कथञ्चिद् विद्यते क्वचित्
śrī-vaiṣṇavā ūcuḥ— sadā sarvatra vasati bahiś cāntaś ca sa prabhuḥ | kaścin na sādṛśas tena kathañcid vidyate kvacit
English translation
Translation
Çré Vaiñëavas said: Our Lord is unconstrained by place, time, and matter. He always exists everywhere, residing inside and outside of everything. His equal is not to be found anywhere.
2.1.66
Sourceसर्वान्तरात्मा जगद्-ईश्वरेश्वरो यः सच्-चिद्-आनन्द-घनो मनोरमः । वैकुण्ठ-लोके प्रकटः सदा वसेद् यः सेवकेभ्यः स्वम् अपि प्रयच्छति
sarvāntarātmā jagad-īśvareśvaro yaḥ sac-cid-ānanda-ghano manoramaḥ | vaikuṇṭha-loke prakaṭaḥ sadā vased yaḥ sevakebhyaḥ svam api prayacchati
English translation
Translation
He is the Supersoul within all living beings and is even the controller of Brahmä and the other controllers of the universe. By nature, He is the absolute embodiment of eternity, knowledge, and bliss. With His qualities, His beauty, and so on, He attracts everyone’s mind. He eternally resides in Vaikuëöha, the transcendental realm, and fully gives of Himself – even His own soul – to all His surrendered devotees.
2.1.67
Sourceश्रुति-स्मृति-स्तुयमानः केनास्य महिमोच्यताम् । तद् अत्र वच्यमानानि पुराणानि मुहुः शृणु
śruti-smṛti-stuyamānaḥ kenāsya mahimocyatām | tad atra vacyamānāni purāṇāni muhuḥ śṛṇu
English translation
Translation
Who can narrate the glories of the Lord, who is extolled in the Çrutis and the Småtis? Therefore, just stay here and regularly hear the explanations of the Puräëas and other scriptures from the Vaiñëavas.
2.1.68
Sourceमाधवꣳ नाम चालोक्य प्रति-रूपꣳ जगत्-प्रभोः । ततो’चिराद् इदꣳ सर्वꣳ परꣳ च ज्ञास्यसि स्वयम्
mādhavaṁ nāma cālokya prati-rūpaṁ jagat-prabhoḥ | tato’cirād idaṁ sarvaṁ paraṁ ca jñāsyasi svayam
English translation
Translation
Moreover, you should behold Mädhava-deva, who is the exact form of the Lord of the entire universe, Jagat-prabhu, and offer Him obeisances. If you do this continually, you will quickly come to understand all these topics.
2.1.69
Sourceश्री-परीक्षिद् उवाच— ततः श्री-माधवꣳ वीक्ष्य नमꣳस् तस्मिन् व्यचष्ट सः । सरूप्यꣳ स्वजपे चिन्त्य- मान-देवस्य किञ्चन
śrī-parīkṣid uvāca— tataḥ śrī-mādhavaṁ vīkṣya namaṁs tasmin vyacaṣṭa saḥ | sarūpyaṁ svajape cintya- māna-devasya kiñcana
English translation
Translation
Çré Parékñit said: Thereafter, according to the instructions of the Vaiñëavas, the brähmaëa took darçana of Çré Mädhava and bowed down to Him. He observed that the Deity Çré Mädhava was similar in appearance to his Çré Madana-gopäla-deva, whom he saw at the time of chanting his mantra.
2.1.70
Sourceतत्र किञ्चित् पुराणꣳ स शृणोति सह वैष्णवैः । तैर् अर्च्यमाना विविधा विष्णु-मूर्तीश् च पश्यति
tatra kiñcit purāṇaṁ sa śṛṇoti saha vaiṣṇavaiḥ | tair arcyamānā vividhā viṣṇu-mūrtīś ca paśyati
English translation
Translation
In this way, the brähmaëa heard portions of the Puräëas in the association of those Vaiñëavas. In addition, he also took darçana of the many Viñëu Deities they were worshiping.
2.1.71
Sourceतथापि प्रत्यभिज्ञेयꣳ तस्य न स्याद् अचेतसः । मद्-देवो जगद्-ईशो’यꣳ माधवो’पि सताꣳ प्रभुः
tathāpi pratyabhijñeyaṁ tasya na syād acetasaḥ | mad-devo jagad-īśo’yaṁ mādhavo’pi satāṁ prabhuḥ
English translation
Translation
Nevertheless, due to ignorance, the brähmaëa did not develop complete knowledge. In other words, he was unable to fully comprehend the idea that “My worshipable Lord is in truth nondifferent from Jagadéçvara, Supreme Lord of the universe; from Çré Mädhava; and from the Deities worshiped by these Vaiñëavas.”
2.1.72
Sourceइदꣳ स विमृशत्य् एषाम् उपास्यो जगद्-ईश्वरः । स एव माधवश् चायꣳ मयान्यः को’प्य् उपास्यते
idaṁ sa vimṛśaty eṣām upāsyo jagad-īśvaraḥ | sa eva mādhavaś cāyaṁ mayānyaḥ ko’py upāsyate
English translation
Translation
Rather, he always thought, “The worshipable Lord of these sädhus is indeed the Supreme Lord of the universe, who is also Çré Mädhava. However, the personality I worship is someone else.
2.1.73
Sourceशङ्ख-चक्र-गदा-पद्म- विभूषित-चतुर्-भुजः । न मद्-देवस् ततः कस्मात् प्रतीयेत स माधवः
śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma- vibhūṣita-catur-bhujaḥ | na mad-devas tataḥ kasmāt pratīyeta sa mādhavaḥ
English translation
Translation
“The Deity of Lord Çré Mädhava’s four arms are decorated with a conchshell, disc, club, and lotus. However, my worshipable Lord is not like Him. Therefore, how can my Lord be Çré Mädhava? How I can repose my faith for my worshipable Deity in Çré Mädhava?
2.1.74
Sourceनायꣳ नरार्ध-सिꣳहार्ध- रूप-धारी च मत्-प्रभुः । न वामनो’प्य् असौ मीन- कूर्म-कोलादि-रूपवान्
nāyaṁ narārdha-siṁhārdha- rūpa-dhārī ca mat-prabhuḥ | na vāmano’py asau mīna- kūrma-kolādi-rūpavān
English translation
Translation
(Then he began to reflect,) “My Lord does not possess the half-man– half-lion form, nor does He possess the forms of Vämana, Ména, Kürma, or Varäha.
2.1.75
Sourceनापि कोदण्ड-पाणिः स्याद् राघवो राज-लक्षणः । केषाञ्चिद् एषाꣳ पूज्येन गोपालेनास्तु वा सदृक्
nāpi kodaṇḍa-pāṇiḥ syād rāghavo rāja-lakṣaṇaḥ | keṣāñcid eṣāṁ pūjyena gopālenāstu vā sadṛk
English translation
Translation
“My worshipable Deity is also not Çré Räghava, who is endowed with signs of royalty and who carries a bow in His hand. However, my Lord certainly resembles Gopäla-deva, who is worshiped by some of these Vaiñëava saints.
2.1.76
Sourceमन्ये’थापि मदीयो’यꣳ न भवेज् जगद्-ईश्वरः । नास्ति तल्-लक्षणꣳ माघ- माहात्म्यादौ श्रुतꣳ हि यत्
manye’thāpi madīyo’yaṁ na bhavej jagad-īśvaraḥ | nāsti tal-lakṣaṇaṁ māgha- māhātmyādau śrutaṁ hi yat
English translation
Translation
“However, my worshipable Lord does not look like Jagadéçvara. From the narration in Mägha-mähätmya and other scriptures, I have heard about the characteristics of the Lord of the universe, and my Lord does not possesses them.
2.1.77
Sourceगोपार्भ-वर्गैः सखिभिर् वने स गाः वꣳशी-मुखो रक्षति वन्य-भूशाणः । गोपाङ्गना-वर्ग-विलास-लम्पटो धर्मꣳ सताꣳ लङ्घयति-तरो यथा
gopārbha-vargaiḥ sakhibhir vane sa gāḥ vaṁśī-mukho rakṣati vanya-bhūśāṇaḥ | gopāṅganā-varga-vilāsa-lampaṭo dharmaṁ satāṁ laṅghayati-taro yathā
English translation
Translation
“Decorated with forest flowers and playing on His flute, my worshipable Deity takes the cows for grazing, going from forest to forest along with the cowherd boys. Because He is a playful philanderer, greedy to enjoy amorous pastimes, He forever roams about with the gopés, the cowherd damsels, and like an ordinary person, He transgresses religious principles.
2.1.78
Sourceदेव्याः प्रभावाद् आनन्दम् अस्याप्य् आराधने लभे । तान् न जह्यꣳ कदाप्य् एनम् एतन्-मन्त्र-जपꣳ न च
devyāḥ prabhāvād ānandam asyāpy ārādhane labhe | tān na jahyaṁ kadāpy enam etan-mantra-japaṁ na ca
English translation
Translation
“Although the qualities of being the Supreme Lord of the universe are not fully manifest in my Lord, still, by the potency of the goddess, I derive happiness from worshiping Him. Therefore, I shall never abandon Him or the chanting of His mantra.”
2.1.79
Sourceएवꣳ स पूर्व-वन्-मन्त्रꣳ तꣳ जपन् निर्जने निजम् । देवꣳ साक्षाद् इवेक्षेत सताꣳ सङ्ग-प्रभावतः
evaṁ sa pūrva-van-mantraṁ taṁ japan nirjane nijam | devaṁ sākṣād ivekṣeta satāṁ saṅga-prabhāvataḥ
English translation
Translation
Thus the brähmaëa made up his mind and began to chant his mantra as before, sitting in a secluded place. By the influence of saintly association, he was now able to chant the mantra with a pure heart, and while chanting he began to behold the Deity of the mantra as if He were personally present.
2.1.80
Sourceवस्तु-स्व-भावाद् आनन्द- मूर्छाम् आप्नोति कर्हिचित् । व्युत्थाय जप-कालाप- गमम् आलक्ष्य शोचति
vastu-sva-bhāvād ānanda- mūrchām āpnoti karhicit | vyutthāya japa-kālāpa- gamam ālakṣya śocati
English translation
Translation
By the influence of the nature of that object (in other words, by the influence of chanting the mantra) the brähmaëa sometimes fell unconscious in ecstatic bliss. Upon coming out of his unconscious state, he would lament that the proper time for chanting his mantra had elapsed.
2.1.81
Sourceउपद्रवो’यꣳ को मे’नु- जातो विघ्नो महान् किल । न समाप्तो जपो मे’द्य- तनो रात्रीयम् आगत
upadravo’yaṁ ko me’nu- jāto vighno mahān kila | na samāpto japo me’dya- tano rātrīyam āgata
English translation
Translation
“Why did this disturbance occur during my chanting time? This is a huge impediment. It has become night and my chanting is still not finished.
2.1.82
Sourceकिꣳ निद्राभिभवो’यꣳ मे किꣳ भूताभिभवो’थवा । अहो मद्-दुः-स्वभावो यच्- छोक-स्थाने’पि हृत्-सुखम्
kiṁ nidrābhibhavo’yaṁ me kiṁ bhūtābhibhavo’thavā | aho mad-duḥ-svabhāvo yac- choka-sthāne’pi hṛt-sukham
English translation
Translation
“Is this impediment due to my excessive sleep, or is it because I am haunted by a ghost? Alas! What a wicked nature I possess that, even while being despondent, I experience happiness in my heart.”
2.1.83
Sourceएकदा तु तथैवासौ शोचन्न् अकृत-भोजनः । निद्राणो माधवेनेदꣳ समादिष्टः स-सन्त्वनम्
ekadā tu tathaivāsau śocann akṛta-bhojanaḥ | nidrāṇo mādhavenedaṁ samādiṣṭaḥ sa-santvanam
English translation
Translation
Lamenting in this way, one day, the brähmaëa fell asleep without having eaten anything. In his dream, the Supreme Lord Çré Mädhava appeared and consoled him and instructed him as follows.
2.1.84
Sourceविप्र विश्वेश्वरस्यानु- स्मर वाक्यम् उमा-पतेः । यमुना-तीर-मार्गेण तच् छ्री-वृन्दावनꣳ व्रज
vipra viśveśvarasyānu- smara vākyam umā-pateḥ | yamunā-tīra-mārgeṇa tac chrī-vṛndāvanaṁ vraja
English translation
Translation
“O brähmaëa! Remember the words of Viçveçvara, the husband of Umä. Following the banks of the Yamunä River, proceed to Våndävana.
2.1.85
Sourceतत्रासाधरणꣳ हर्षꣳ लम्प्यसे मत्-प्रसादतः । विलम्बꣳ पथि कुत्रापि मा कुरुस्व कथञ्चन
tatrāsādharaṇaṁ harṣaṁ lampyase mat-prasādataḥ | vilambaṁ pathi kutrāpi mā kurusva kathañcana
English translation
Translation
“There in Våndävana, by My mercy, you shall attain extraordinary joy, so do not stop or delay anywhere along the way.”
2.1.86
Sourceततः स प्रातर् उत्थाय हृष्टः सन् प्रस्थितः क्रमात् । श्रीमन्-मधु-पुरीꣳ प्राप्तः स्नातो विश्रान्त-तीर्थके
tataḥ sa prātar utthāya hṛṣṭaḥ san prasthitaḥ kramāt | śrīman-madhu-purīṁ prāptaḥ snāto viśrānta-tīrthake
English translation
Translation
Getting up early the next morning, the brähmaëa began walking towards Våndävana in a jubilant mood. Gradually, he arrived in Çré Madhupuré (Mathurä), where he bathed at Viçräma-ghäöa.
2.1.87
Sourceगतो वृन्दावनꣳ तत्र ध्यायमानꣳ निजे जपे । तꣳ तꣳ परिकरꣳ प्रायो वीक्ष्याभिक्ष्णꣳ ननन्द सः
gato vṛndāvanaṁ tatra dhyāyamānaṁ nije jape | taṁ taṁ parikaraṁ prāyo vīkṣyābhikṣṇaṁ nananda saḥ
English translation
Translation
He then proceeded to Våndävana. There, he began to almost always have sphürtis (internal momentary revelations) in which he would see the entire entourage of Vraja – the cows, cowherd boys, and so on – practically everything he used to picture in his meditation during the chanting of his mantra. This vision of those associates of Vraja filled the brähmaëa with continuous, incomparable joy.
2.1.88
Sourceतस्मिन् गो-भूषिते’पश्यन् कम् अपीतस् ततो भ्रमन् । केशि-तीर्थस्य पूर्वास्याꣳ दिशि सुश्राव रोदनम्
tasmin go-bhūṣite’paśyan kam apītas tato bhraman | keśi-tīrthasya pūrvāsyāṁ diśi suśrāva rodanam
English translation
Translation
Not seeing any people in that solitary land of Våndävana, which was decorated with the presence of cows, he began to roam hither and thither. Then, east of Keçé-tértha, he heard the sound of someone weeping.
2.1.89
Sourceतद्-दिग्-भगꣳ गतः प्रेम्णा नाम-सङ्कीर्तनैर् युतम् । तद् आकर्ण्य मुहुस् तत्र तꣳ मनुष्यम् अमार्गयत्
tad-dig-bhagaṁ gataḥ premṇā nāma-saṅkīrtanair yutam | tad ākarṇya muhus tatra taṁ manuṣyam amārgayat
English translation
Translation
He followed the direction of the sound of crying. Sensing that someone was crying in pure love of God while chanting the holy name of the Lord, he began to search here and there for that person.
2.1.90
Sourceघनान्धकारार्ण्यान्तः सो’पश्यन् कञ्चिद् उन्मुखः । निर्धार्य तद्-ध्वनि-स्थानꣳ यमुना-तीरम् अव्रजत्
ghanāndhakārārṇyāntaḥ so’paśyan kañcid unmukhaḥ | nirdhārya tad-dhvani-sthānaṁ yamunā-tīram avrajat
English translation
Translation
When he did not see anyone in that dense, dark forest, he ascertained where the weeping sound was coming from. Heading in that direction, he reached the bank of Çré Yamunä.
2.1.91
Sourceतत्र नीप-निकुञ्जान्तर् गोप-वेश-परिच्छदम् । किशोरꣳ सुकुमाराङ्गꣳ सुन्दरꣳ तम् उदैक्षत
tatra nīpa-nikuñjāntar gopa-veśa-paricchadam | kiśoraṁ sukumārāṅgaṁ sundaraṁ tam udaikṣata
English translation
Translation
In a secluded grove of kadamba trees on the bank of the Yamunä, the brähmaëa saw a handsome, delicate youth dressed as a cowherd boy.
2.1.92
Sourceनिजेष्ट-देवता-भ्रान्त्या गोपालेति महा-मुदा । समाह्वायन् प्रणामाय पपात भुवि दण्डवत्
nijeṣṭa-devatā-bhrāntyā gopāleti mahā-mudā | samāhvāyan praṇāmāya papāta bhuvi daṇḍavat
English translation
Translation
Upon seeing that cowherd boy, the brähmaëa mistook him for the worshipable Lord of his heart. Crying out in great joy, “O Gopäla, O Gopäla!” he offered him prostrated obeisance, falling to the ground like a stick.
2.1.93-94
Sourceततो जात-बहिर्-दृष्टिः स सर्वज्ञ-शिरोमणिः । ज्ञत्वा तꣳ माथुरꣳ विप्रम् कामाख्यादेश-वासिनम् श्रीमन्-मदन-गोपालो- पासकꣳ च समागतम् । निःसृत्य कुञ्जाद् उत्थाप्य नत्वालिङ्ग्य न्यवेशयत्
tato jāta-bahir-dṛṣṭiḥ sa sarvajña-śiromaṇiḥ | jñatvā taṁ māthuraṁ vipram kāmākhyādeśa-vāsinam śrīman-madana-gopālo- pāsakaṁ ca samāgatam | niḥsṛtya kuñjād utthāpya natvāliṅgya nyaveśayat
English translation
Translation
The cowherd boy was the crest jewel of omniscient personalities. He could understand by his external consciousness that the brähmaëa’s birthplace was Mathurä, that he was a resident of the country of Kämäkhyä-devé, and that he was a worshiper of Çré Madana-gopäla. That cowherd boy, Çré Gopa-kumära, then came out of the grove. Lifting the brähmaëa from the ground, he bowed down to him, embraced him, and sat him by his side.
2.1.95
Sourceअथातिथ्येन सन्तोष्य विश्वासोत्पादनाय सः । किञ्चित् तेनानुभूतꣳ यद् व्यञ्जयाम् आस स-स्मितम्
athātithyena santoṣya viśvāsotpādanāya saḥ | kiñcit tenānubhūtaṁ yad vyañjayām āsa sa-smitam
English translation
Translation
First, Gopa-kumära satisfied the brähmaëa by extending appropriate hospitality to him. Then, to gain the brähmaëa’s confidence, Gopa- kumära, smiling, narrated some of the brähmaëa’s experiences to him.
2.1.96
Sourceबुद्ध्वा गोप-कुमारꣳ तꣳ लब्ध्वेवात्म-प्रियꣳ मुदा । विश्वस्तो’कथयत् तस्मिन् स्व-वृत्तꣳ ब्राह्मणो’खिलम्
buddhvā gopa-kumāraṁ taṁ labdhvevātma-priyaṁ mudā | viśvasto’kathayat tasmin sva-vṛttaṁ brāhmaṇo’khilam
English translation
Translation
Understanding Çré Gopa-kumära to be his friend, the brähmaëa experienced great joy, and with full trust, narrated his entire life story to the cowherd boy.
2.1.97
Sourceस-कर्पण्यम् इदꣳ चासौ प्राश्रितः पुनर् अब्रवीत् । तꣳ सर्वज्ञ-वरꣳ मत्वा सत्तमꣳ गोप-नन्दनम्
sa-karpaṇyam idaṁ cāsau prāśritaḥ punar abravīt | taṁ sarvajña-varaṁ matvā sattamaṁ gopa-nandanam
English translation
Translation
Then, realizing that Çré Gopa-kumära was a highly elevated saint and the wisest of wise men, the brähmaëa became humble and began to speak modestly as follows.
2.1.98
Sourceश्री-ब्राह्मण उवाच— श्रूत्वा बहु-विधꣳ साध्यꣳ साधनꣳ च ततस् ततः । प्राप्यꣳ कृत्यꣳ च निर्णेतुꣳ न किञ्चिच् छक्यते मया
śrī-brāhmaṇa uvāca— śrūtvā bahu-vidhaṁ sādhyaṁ sādhanaṁ ca tatas tataḥ | prāpyaṁ kṛtyaṁ ca nirṇetuṁ na kiñcic chakyate mayā
English translation
Translation
The brähmaëa said, “On the banks of the Gaìgä in Käçé and in other places, I have heard about many goals of life and many practices to achieve them. Nevertheless, I am unable to determine what is my spiritual goal and what means I should adopt to achieve it.
2.1.99
Sourceयच् च देव्य्-अज्ञया किञ्चिद् अनुतिष्ठामि नित्यशः । तस्यापि किꣳ फलꣳ तच् च कतमत् कर्म वेद्मि न
yac ca devy-ajñayā kiñcid anutiṣṭhāmi nityaśaḥ | tasyāpi kiṁ phalaṁ tac ca katamat karma vedmi na
English translation
Translation
“What is the nature of the religious practice that I engage in everyday as ordered by the goddess? What is its result? I do not even know the answers to these questions.
2.1.100
Sourceतेनेदꣳ विफलꣳ जन्म मन्वानः कामये मृतिम् । परꣳ जीवामि कृपया शिवयोर् माधवस्य च
tenedaṁ viphalaṁ janma manvānaḥ kāmaye mṛtim | paraṁ jīvāmi kṛpayā śivayor mādhavasya ca
English translation
Translation
“For this reason, I consider my birth useless and would like to die. The only reason I am still alive is the mercy of Çré Viçvanätha and Bhagavän Çré Mädhava.
2.1.101
Sourceतयैवात्राद्य सर्वज्ञꣳ दयालुꣳ त्वꣳ स्वदेववत् । प्राप्य हृष्टः प्रपन्नो’स्मि कृपणꣳ माꣳ समुद्धर
tayaivātrādya sarvajñaṁ dayāluṁ tvaṁ svadevavat | prāpya hṛṣṭaḥ prapanno’smi kṛpaṇaṁ māṁ samuddhara
English translation
Translation
“By their (Çré Viçveçvara and Çré Kämäkhyä-devé’s) mercy alone I have met you. I am supremely happy because you resemble my worshipable Lord. Kindly deliver me, as you are omniscient and compassionate, and I am extremely wretched and insignificant.”
2.1.102
Sourceश्री-परीक्षिद् उवाच— निशम्य सादरꣳ तस्य वचनꣳ स व्यचिन्तयत् । एतस्य कृत-कृत्यस्य जाता पूर्णार्थता किल
śrī-parīkṣid uvāca— niśamya sādaraṁ tasya vacanaṁ sa vyacintayat | etasya kṛta-kṛtyasya jātā pūrṇārthatā kila
English translation
Translation
Çré Parékñit said: O mother, after respectfully hearing the brähmaëa’s words, Gopa-kumära thought, “This brähmaëa has attained success and the fulfillment of his desire as well.”
2.1.103
Sourceकेवलꣳ तत्-पदाम्भोज- साक्षाद्-ईक्षावशिष्यते । तज्-जपे’र्हति नासक्तिꣳ किन्तु तन्-नाम-कीर्तने
kevalaṁ tat-padāmbhoja- sākṣād-īkṣāvaśiṣyate | taj-jape’rhati nāsaktiṁ kintu tan-nāma-kīrtane
English translation
Translation
“Now, the brähmaëa’s only remaining need is to directly see Çré Madana-gopäla-deva’s lotus feet. Therefore, it is not necessary that he keep his attachment to the quiet, solitary chanting of his mantra. Rather, he should develop exclusive attachment to çré-näma- saìkértana, the singing and glorification of the names of the Lord.
2.1.104
Sourceश्रीमन्-मदन-गोपाल- पादाब्जोपासनात् परम् । नाम-सङ्कीर्तन-प्रायाद् वञ्छातीत-फल-प्रदात्
śrīman-madana-gopāla- pādābjopāsanāt param | nāma-saṅkīrtana-prāyād vañchātīta-phala-pradāt
English translation
Translation
He awards. “The best and highest form of worship of Çré Madana-gopäla’s lotus feet is that which is predominated by näma-saìkértana. When the chanting of the holy names of the Lord is executed with loving dedication, it grants a result beyond all expectations.
2.1.105
Sourceतल्-लीला-स्थल-पालीनाꣳ श्रद्धा-सन्दर्शनादरैः । सम्पाद्यमानान् नितराꣳ किञ्चिन् नास्त्य् एव साधनम्
tal-līlā-sthala-pālīnāṁ śraddhā-sandarśanādaraiḥ | sampādyamānān nitarāṁ kiñcin nāsty eva sādhanam
English translation
Translation
“If spiritual practices such as faithful worship of the pastime places of Çré Madana-gopäla and taking their darçana are performed with reverence and zeal in connection with çré-näma-saìkértana, only then is it possible to achieve such a goal. Therefore, no other means of perfection is superior to this type of worship.
2.1.106
Sourceसञ्जात-प्रेमकाच् चास्माच् चतुर्-वर्ग-विदम्बकात् । तत्-पादाब्ज-वशी-काराद् अन्यत् साध्यꣳ न किञ्चन
sañjāta-premakāc cāsmāc catur-varga-vidambakāt | tat-pādābja-vaśī-kārād anyat sādhyaṁ na kiñcana
English translation
Translation
“This form of worship, which causes the four Vedic goals – religiosity, economic development, sense gratification, and liberation – to appear worthless, is capable of awakening love of God in the heart. Indeed, Çré Madana-gopäla can be brought under control only by such worship, and therefore it is the best art of subjugation. Thus, there is no goal superior to this worship.
2.1.107
Sourceइति बोधयितुꣳ चास्य सर्व-सꣳशयनोदनम् । स्व-वृत्तम् एव निखिलꣳ नूनꣳ प्राक् प्रतिपादये
iti bodhayituṁ cāsya sarva-saṁśayanodanam | sva-vṛttam eva nikhilaṁ nūnaṁ prāk pratipādaye
English translation
Translation
“To enlighten the brähmaëa about this truth, I shall first narrate to him my entire life story, by which all his doubts will be eradicated.
2.1.108
Sourceस्वयम् एव स्व-माहात्म्यꣳ कथ्यते यन् न तत् सताम् । सम्मतꣳ स्यात् तथाप्य् अस्य नान्याख्यानाद् धितꣳ भवेत्
svayam eva sva-māhātmyaṁ kathyate yan na tat satām | sammataṁ syāt tathāpy asya nānyākhyānād dhitaṁ bhavet
English translation
Translation
“It is true that sädhus are not accustomed to glorifying themselves. Nevertheless, I shall describe my glorious experience to this brähmaëa because there is no other narration that will benefit him.”
2.1.109
Sourceएवꣳ विनिश्चित्य महानुभावो गोपात्मजो’साव् अवधाप्य विप्रम् । आत्मानुभूतꣳ गदितुꣳ प्रवृत्तः पौरणिको यद्वद् ऋषि-पुराणम्
evaṁ viniścitya mahānubhāvo gopātmajo’sāv avadhāpya vipram | ātmānubhūtaṁ gadituṁ pravṛttaḥ pauraṇiko yadvad ṛṣi-purāṇam
English translation
Translation
Coming to this conclusion, the noble Gopa-kumära drew the brähmaëa’s attention and began narrating his personal experience, just as sages, or åñis, the teachers of the Puräëas, speak those scriptures.
2.1.110
Sourceश्री-गोप-कुमार उवाच— अत्रेतिहासा बहवो विद्यन्ते’थापि कथ्यते । स्व-वृत्तम् एवानुस्मृत्य मोहादाव् अपि सङ्गतम्
śrī-gopa-kumāra uvāca— atretihāsā bahavo vidyante’thāpi kathyate | sva-vṛttam evānusmṛtya mohādāv api saṅgatam
English translation
Translation
Çré Gopa-kumära said: There are many historical accounts on this subject, but I will relate only my personal experience. I shall certainly recount all those experiences that I realized in my natural condition. In regard to those that took place during my states of ecstasy, I will first remember them, and then relate them to you as well.
2.1.111-112
Sourceगोपाल-वृत्तैर् वैश्यस्य गोवर्धन-विलासिनः । पुत्रो’हम् इदृशो बालः पुरः गाश् चारयन् निजाः तस्मिन् गोवर्धने कृष्णा- तीरे वृन्दावने’त्र च । माथुरे मण्डले बालैः समꣳ विप्र-वर स्थितः
gopāla-vṛttair vaiśyasya govardhana-vilāsinaḥ | putro’ham idṛśo bālaḥ puraḥ gāś cārayan nijāḥ tasmin govardhane kṛṣṇā- tīre vṛndāvane’tra ca | māthure maṇḍale bālaiḥ samaṁ vipra-vara sthitaḥ
English translation
Translation
O best of the brähmaëas! I am a resident of Govardhana and my father, a cowherder, belonged to the mercantile community that is occupied in tending cows. Just as I am a child now, similarly, even in my childhood in the past, I used to graze the cows with other boys the same age. We took them pasturing within the Mathurä area: on the banks of Çré Yamunä at Çré Govardhana and also here in Çré Våndävana.
2.1.113-116
Sourceवन-मध्ये च पश्यामो नित्यम् एकꣳ द्विजोत्तमम् । दिव्य-मूर्तिꣳ विरक्ताढ्यꣳ पर्यातन्तम् इतस् ततः कीर्तयन्तꣳ मुहुः कृष्णꣳ जप-ध्यान-रतꣳ क्वचित् । नृत्यन्तꣳ क्वापि गायन्तꣳ क्वापि हास-परꣳ क्वचित् विक्रोशन्तꣳ क्वचिद् भूमौ स्खलन्तꣳ क्वापि मत्तवत् । लुण्ठन्तꣳ भुवि कुत्रापि रुदन्तꣳ क्वचिद् उच्चकैः विसꣳज्ञꣳ पतितꣳ क्वापि श्लेष-लालाश्रु-धारया । पङ्कयन्तꣳ गवाꣳ वर्त्म- रजाꣳसि मृतवत् क्वचित्
vana-madhye ca paśyāmo nityam ekaṁ dvijottamam | divya-mūrtiṁ viraktāḍhyaṁ paryātantam itas tataḥ kīrtayantaṁ muhuḥ kṛṣṇaṁ japa-dhyāna-rataṁ kvacit | nṛtyantaṁ kvāpi gāyantaṁ kvāpi hāsa-paraṁ kvacit vikrośantaṁ kvacid bhūmau skhalantaṁ kvāpi mattavat | luṇṭhantaṁ bhuvi kutrāpi rudantaṁ kvacid uccakaiḥ visaṁjñaṁ patitaṁ kvāpi śleṣa-lālāśru-dhārayā | paṅkayantaṁ gavāṁ vartma- rajāṁsi mṛtavat kvacit
English translation
Translation
While tending the cows everyday in the forest, we would observe an exalted brähmaëa of divine appearance and great renunciation, who would wander here and there singing Çré Kåñëa’s holy names. At times, he would be absorbed in chanting or in meditation, and at other times, like a madman, he would dance, sing, laugh, and even roar. Or else, he would fall to the ground and roll, wailing loudly. Sometimes, he would fall as if he were unconscious. The saliva drooling from his mouth, the mucous dripping from his nose, and the tears streaming from his eyes would make the cows’ trail wet and muddy. Sometimes, in an unconscious state, he would lie still as if dead.
2.1.117
Sourceकौतुकेन वयꣳ बाला यामो’मुꣳ वीक्षितुꣳ सदा । स तु गोप-कुमारान् नो लब्ध्वा नमति भक्तितः
kautukena vayaṁ bālā yāmo’muṁ vīkṣituṁ sadā | sa tu gopa-kumārān no labdhvā namati bhaktitaḥ
English translation
Translation
Being children, we were naturally curious and would always go to watch him. However, knowing we were cowherd boys, he would bow down to us with great devotion.
2.1.118
Sourceगाढम् आश्लिष्यति प्रेम्णा सर्वाङ्गेषु स-चुम्बनम् । परित्यक्तुꣳ न शक्नोति मादृशान् प्रिय-बन्धुवत्
gāḍham āśliṣyati premṇā sarvāṅgeṣu sa-cumbanam | parityaktuṁ na śaknoti mādṛśān priya-bandhuvat
English translation
Translation
Sometimes, he would tightly embrace us and lovingly kiss us all over. Considering us like his beloved friends, it would become difficult for him to easily give up our company.
2.1.119
Sourceमया गो-रस-दानादि- सेवयासौ प्रसादितः । एकदा यमुना-तीरे प्राप्यालिङ्ग्य जगाद माम्
mayā go-rasa-dānādi- sevayāsau prasāditaḥ | ekadā yamunā-tīre prāpyāliṅgya jagāda mām
English translation
Translation
I rendered service to him by offering him milk, which is the nectar of the cows, and other such things. One day, he spotted me alone on the bank of the Yamunä and, being pleased with me, he embraced me and spoke as follows.
2.1.120
Sourceवत्स त्वꣳ सकलाभिष्ट- सिद्धिम् इच्छसि चेद् इमम् । प्रसादꣳ जगद्-ईशस्य स्नत्वा केश्याꣳ गृहाण मत्
vatsa tvaṁ sakalābhiṣṭa- siddhim icchasi ced imam | prasādaṁ jagad-īśasya snatvā keśyāṁ gṛhāṇa mat
English translation
Translation
“My dear child, if you want the fulfillment of all desires, then bathe here in Keçé-ghäöa and accept from me this mercy of Çré Jagadéça, the Supreme Lord.”
2.1.121
Sourceएवम् एतꣳ भवन्-मन्त्रꣳ स्नातायोपादिदेश मे । पूर्ण-कामो’नपेक्ष्यो’पि स दयालु-शिरोमणिः
evam etaṁ bhavan-mantraṁ snātāyopādideśa me | pūrṇa-kāmo’napekṣyo’pi sa dayālu-śiromaṇiḥ
English translation
Translation
Every desire of that brähmaëa was already fulfilled and he did not yearn for any sense object. However, he was the crest jewel of the kind-hearted, and therefore, after my bath, he instructed me in the same mantra you have also received.
2.1.122
Sourceपूजा-विधिꣳ शिक्षयितुꣳ ध्येयम् उच्चारयन् जपे । प्रेमाकुलो गतो मोहꣳ रुदन् विरहिनीव सः
pūjā-vidhiṁ śikṣayituṁ dhyeyam uccārayan jape | premākulo gato mohaṁ rudan virahinīva saḥ
English translation
Translation
However, while instructing me in the process of worshiping the mantra, as soon as he mentioned the object of one’s meditation while chanting this mantra, he began to weep piteously in divine love, like an aggrieved woman separated from her husband. Then he fell unconscious.
2.1.123
Sourceसꣳज्ञाꣳ प्राप्तो’थ किञ्चिन् न प्रष्टुꣳ शक्तो मया भिया । उत्थाय विमनस्को’गात् क्वापि प्राप्तः पुनर् न सः
saṁjñāṁ prāpto’tha kiñcin na praṣṭuṁ śakto mayā bhiyā | utthāya vimanasko’gāt kvāpi prāptaḥ punar na saḥ
English translation
Translation
When he regained consciousness, out of fear I was unable to question him any further. Also, he then arose and left in a distressed mood. After this, I did not see him again.
2.1.124
Sourceमया तु किम् इदꣳ लब्धꣳ किम् अस्य फलम् एव वा । मन्त्रः कथꣳ साधनीय इति ज्ञातꣳ न किञ्चन
mayā tu kim idaṁ labdhaṁ kim asya phalam eva vā | mantraḥ kathaṁ sādhanīya iti jñātaṁ na kiñcana
English translation
Translation
I began to deeply ponder, “What have I received? Is this a song or a mantra? What result can it bestow? If this is a mantra, how should it be practiced? I could not understand anything regarding these subject matters.”
2.1.125
Sourceतद्-वाक्य-गौरवेणैव मन्त्रꣳ तꣳ केवलꣳ मुखे । केनाप्य् अलक्षितो’जस्रꣳ जपेयꣳ कौतुकाद् इव
tad-vākya-gauraveṇaiva mantraṁ taṁ kevalaṁ mukhe | kenāpy alakṣito’jasraṁ japeyaṁ kautukād iva
English translation
Translation
Just as one performs an act simply out of curiosity, out of respect for the brähmaëa’s words, I went to a solitary place and began to continuously chant only that mantra.
2.1.126
Sourceतन् महा-पुरुषस्यैव प्रभावात् तदृशेन च । जपेन चित्त-शुद्धिर् मे तत्र श्रद्धाप्य् अजायत
tan mahā-puruṣasyaiva prabhāvāt tadṛśena ca | japena citta-śuddhir me tatra śraddhāpy ajāyata
English translation
Translation
By the influence of that exalted personality, as soon as I began chanting in this way, my heart became purified and I developed faith in this mantra.
2.1.127
Sourceतद्-वाक्यꣳ चानुसन्धाय जगद्-ईश्वर-साधकम् । तꣳ मन्त्रꣳ मन्यमानो’हꣳ तुष्यन् जप-परो’भवम्
tad-vākyaṁ cānusandhāya jagad-īśvara-sādhakam | taṁ mantraṁ manyamāno’haṁ tuṣyan japa-paro’bhavam
English translation
Translation
Thereupon, remembering the brähmaëa’s words, I concluded that by means of this mantra, I would attain Çré Jagadéçvara, the Supreme Lord of the universe. I was thus satisfied and began to chant it constantly.
2.1.128
Sourceकीदृशो जगद्-ईशो’सौ कदा वा दृश्यताꣳ मया । तद्-एक-लालसो हित्वा गृहादीन् जाह्नवीम् अगम्
kīdṛśo jagad-īśo’sau kadā vā dṛśyatāṁ mayā | tad-eka-lālaso hitvā gṛhādīn jāhnavīm agam
English translation
Translation
I went. “What is the nature of the Supreme Lord of the universe? When will I see Him?” Possessed by the desire to know this, one day I renounced my home and went to the bank of the river Jähnavé (Gaìgä).
2.1.129
Sourceदूराच् छङ्ख-ध्वनिꣳ श्रुत्वा तत्-पदꣳ पुलिनꣳ गतः । विप्रꣳ वीक्ष्यानमꣳ तत्र शालग्राम-शिलार्चकम्
dūrāc chaṅkha-dhvaniṁ śrutvā tat-padaṁ pulinaṁ gataḥ | vipraṁ vīkṣyānamaṁ tatra śālagrāma-śilārcakam
English translation
Translation
Hearing the distant sound of a conchshell, I followed it to its source on the bank of the Gaìgä. There I saw a brähmaëa worshiping Çré Çälagräma-çilä, and I bowed down to him.
2.1.130
Sourceकम् इमꣳ यजसि स्वामिन्न् इति पृष्टो मया हसन् । सो’वदत् किꣳ न जानासि बालायꣳ जगद्-ईश्वरः
kam imaṁ yajasi svāminn iti pṛṣṭo mayā hasan | so’vadat kiṁ na jānāsi bālāyaṁ jagad-īśvaraḥ
English translation
Translation
I humbly asked him, “O master, who are you worshiping?” Hearing my words, he smiled and replied, “O child, this is Jagadéçvara, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Do you not know this?”
2.1.131
Sourceतच् छ्रूत्वाहꣳ सुसम्प्राप्तो निधिꣳ लब्ध्वेव निर्धनः । नष्टꣳ वा बन्धवो बन्धुꣳ परमꣳ मुदम् आप्तवन्
tac chrūtvāhaṁ susamprāpto nidhiṁ labdhveva nirdhanaḥ | naṣṭaṁ vā bandhavo bandhuṁ paramaṁ mudam āptavan
English translation
Translation
When I heard this, I experienced the same joy a poor man feels upon suddenly attaining immense wealth, or the same happiness a person feels upon meeting a long-lost friend.
2.1.132
Sourceजगद्-ईशꣳ मुहुः पश्यन् दण्डवच् छ्रद्धयानमम् । पादोदकꣳ स-निर्माल्यꣳ विप्रस्य कृपयाप्नुवम्
jagad-īśaṁ muhuḥ paśyan daṇḍavac chraddhayānamam | pādodakaṁ sa-nirmālyaṁ viprasya kṛpayāpnuvam
English translation
Translation
I gazed with faith upon Jagadéçvara and then I repeatedly prostrated before Him. The brähmaëa mercifully gave me the Lord’s sacred flower garland and caraëämåta, the holy water that had been used to bathe the Lord.
2.1.133
Sourceउद्यतेन गृहꣳ गन्तुꣳ करण्डे तेन शायितम् । जगद्-ईशꣳ विलोक्यार्तो व्यलपꣳ सास्रम् ईदृशम्
udyatena gṛhaṁ gantuṁ karaṇḍe tena śāyitam | jagad-īśaṁ vilokyārto vyalapaṁ sāsram īdṛśam
English translation
Translation
After finishing the rituals of his worship, when the brähmaëa was ready to go home, he lay the Lord of the universe to rest in a small box. Seeing this I became very upset. Weeping, I began to lament.
2.1.134
Sourceहा हा धृतः करण्डान्तर् अस्थाने परमेश्वरः । किम् अप्य् असौ न चाभुङ्क्ते निद्रा तु क्षुदया कथम्
hā hā dhṛtaḥ karaṇḍāntar asthāne parameśvaraḥ | kim apy asau na cābhuṅkte nidrā tu kṣudayā katham
English translation
Translation
“Alas! Alas! He has shut my Lord Jagadéçvara in a wooden box. The Lord has not eaten anything. How will He sleep if He is hungry?”
2.1.135
Sourceप्रकृत्यैव न जानामि मथुरा-ब्राह्मणोत्तम । अस्माद् विलक्षणः कश्चित् क्वाप्य् अस्ति जगद्-ईश्वरः
prakṛtyaiva na jānāmi mathurā-brāhmaṇottama | asmād vilakṣaṇaḥ kaścit kvāpy asti jagad-īśvaraḥ
English translation
Translation
O exalted brähmaëa of Mathurä, I really did not know if, apart from this çälagräma manifestation of the Supreme Lord, whether any other manifestation of the Lord was also present somewhere else.
2.1.136
Sourceइत्य् अकृत्रिम-सन्तापꣳ विलापातुरम् अब्रवीत् । ब्राह्मणः सान्तयित्वा माꣳ ह्रीणवद् विनयान्वितः
ity akṛtrima-santāpaṁ vilāpāturam abravīt | brāhmaṇaḥ sāntayitvā māṁ hrīṇavad vinayānvitaḥ
English translation
Translation
Seeing my distress and helpless weeping, the revered brähmaëa consoled me. Full of humility and feeling ashamed, he spoke.
2.1.137
Sourceनव-वैष्णव किꣳ कर्तुꣳ दरिद्रः शक्नुयꣳ परम् । अर्पयामि स्व-भोग्यꣳ हि जगद्-ईशाय केवलम्
nava-vaiṣṇava kiṁ kartuṁ daridraḥ śaknuyaṁ param | arpayāmi sva-bhogyaṁ hi jagad-īśāya kevalam
English translation
Translation
“O young Vaiñëava! I am a poor man. What more can I do than this? The only food I can offer to Jagadéçvara are the meals I prepare for myself.
2.1.138-140
Sourceयदि पूजोत्सवꣳ तस्य वैभवꣳ च दिदृक्षसे । तदैतद् देश-राजस्य विष्णु-पूजानुरागिनः महा-साधोः पुरीꣳ याहि वर्तमानम् अदूरतः । तत्र साक्षात् समीक्षस्व दुर्दर्शꣳ जगद्-ईश्वरम् हृत्-पूरकꣳ महानन्दꣳ सर्वथानुभविष्यसि । इदानीम् एत्य मद्-गेहे भुङ्क्ष्व विष्णु-विनोदितम्
yadi pūjotsavaṁ tasya vaibhavaṁ ca didṛkṣase | tadaitad deśa-rājasya viṣṇu-pūjānurāginaḥ mahā-sādhoḥ purīṁ yāhi vartamānam adūrataḥ | tatra sākṣāt samīkṣasva durdarśaṁ jagad-īśvaram hṛt-pūrakaṁ mahānandaṁ sarvathānubhaviṣyasi | idānīm etya mad-gehe bhuṅkṣva viṣṇu-vinoditam
English translation
Translation
“If you are eager to see Çré Jagadéçvara worshiped with opulence and great festivals, then go to the capital of this kingdom, which is located nearby. The king is an esteemed saint and is very fond of worshiping the Supreme Lord Viñëu. There, directly behold the Supreme Lord whose darçana is very rarely attained. You will experience all varieties of joy, and your heart will be filled with immense happiness. But now, come to my house and accept some prasäda offered to Çré Viñëu.”
2.1.141
Sourceतद्-वाचानन्दितो’गत्वा क्षुदितो’पि तद्-अलयम् । तꣳ प्रणम्य तद्-उद्दिष्ट- वर्त्मना ताꣳ पुरीम् अगाम्
tad-vācānandito’gatvā kṣudito’pi tad-alayam | taṁ praṇamya tad-uddiṣṭa- vartmanā tāṁ purīm agām
English translation
Translation
I became overjoyed to hear the brähmaëa’s words, and although I was hungry, I did not go to his house. I offered obeisances to the brähmaëa and, following the path he had pointed out, finally reached that capital city.
2.1.142
Sourceअन्तः-पुरे देव-कुले जगद्-ईशार्चन-ध्वनिम् । अपूर्वꣳ तुमुलꣳ दूराच् छ्रूत्वापृच्छम् अमुꣳ जनान्
antaḥ-pure deva-kule jagad-īśārcana-dhvanim | apūrvaṁ tumulaṁ dūrāc chrūtvāpṛccham amuṁ janān
English translation
Translation
In the heart of the city, the tumultuous sound of Çré Jagadéçvara’s ceremonial worship was emanating from the Lord’s temple. Hearing that magnificent sound from afar, I inquired from the local people about its source.
2.1.143
Sourceविज्ञाय तत्र जगद्-ईश्वरम् ईक्षितुꣳ तꣳ केनाप्य् अवरित-गतिः स-जवꣳ प्रविश्य । सङ्खारि-पङ्कज-गदा-विलसत्-कराब्जꣳ श्रीमच्-चतुर्भुजम् अपश्यम् अहꣳ ।समक्षम्
vijñāya tatra jagad-īśvaram īkṣituṁ taṁ kenāpy avarita-gatiḥ sa-javaṁ praviśya | saṅkhāri-paṅkaja-gadā-vilasat-karābjaṁ śrīmac-caturbhujam apaśyam ahaṁ |samakṣam
English translation
Translation
Inquiring from the people, I came to know it indeed was the sound of the Supreme Lord’s worship. I then hurried to take darçana of Bhagavän Jagadéçvara. Since no one stopped me or questioned me at the gate, I swiftly entered the temple. There I beheld the four-armed Lord of the universe holding conchshell, disc, club, and lotus.
2.1.144
Sourceसर्वाङ्ग-सुन्दरतरꣳ नव-मेघ-कान्तिꣳ कौषेय-पीत-वसनꣳ वन-मालयाढ्यम् । सौवर्ण-भूषणम् अवर्ण्य-किशोर-मूर्तिꣳ पूर्णेन्दु-वक्त्रम् अमृत-स्मितम् अब्ज-नेत्रम्
sarvāṅga-sundarataraṁ nava-megha-kāntiṁ kauṣeya-pīta-vasanaṁ vana-mālayāḍhyam | sauvarṇa-bhūṣaṇam avarṇya-kiśora-mūrtiṁ pūrṇendu-vaktram amṛta-smitam abja-netram
English translation
Translation
All His limbs were exquisitely beautiful, His complexion was like a fresh raincloud, and He was wearing yellow silk cloth. His splendid, youthful form was decorated with a garland of forest flowers and golden ornaments. His face was radiant like the full moon, with a gentle smile that showered the nectar of immortality, eyes that were like lotus petals, and fascinating eyebrows that were raised playfully.
2.1.145
Sourceसम्पूजित-विविध-दुर्लभ-वस्तु-वर्गैः सेवानुसक्त-परिचारक-वृन्दा-जुष्टम् । नृत्यादिकꣳ च पुरतो’नुभवन्तम् आरात् तिष्ठन्तम् आसन-वरे सुपरिच्छदौघम्
sampūjita-vividha-durlabha-vastu-vargaiḥ sevānusakta-paricāraka-vṛndā-juṣṭam | nṛtyādikaṁ ca purato’nubhavantam ārāt tiṣṭhantam āsana-vare suparicchadaugham
English translation
Translation
Çré Jagadéçvara was being worshiped with a variety of rare paraphernalia by many servitors who were eagerly and devotedly serving Him. Adorned in various gorgeous garments, He was splendidly ensconced on a magnificent throne. A grand festival of dancing and singing was being performed before Him, and the Lord was watching the festivities with unblinking eyes.
2.1.146
Sourceपरमानन्द-पूर्णो’हꣳ प्रणमन् दण्डवन् मुहुः । व्यचिन्तयम् इदꣳ स्वास्या- पश्यम् अद्य दिदृक्षितम्
paramānanda-pūrṇo’haṁ praṇaman daṇḍavan muhuḥ | vyacintayam idaṁ svāsyā- paśyam adya didṛkṣitam
English translation
Translation
Seeing the Lord, I became overwhelmed with great joy and prostrated before Him repeatedly. I thought, “Today, my long-standing desire to see the Lord has finally been fulfilled.”
2.1.147
Sourceसम्प्राप्तो जन्म-साफल्यꣳ न गमिष्याम्य् अतः क्वचित् । वैष्णवानाꣳ च कृपया तत्रैव न्यवसꣳ सुखम्
samprāpto janma-sāphalyaṁ na gamiṣyāmy ataḥ kvacit | vaiṣṇavānāṁ ca kṛpayā tatraiva nyavasaṁ sukham
English translation
Translation
At that time, I considered my life successful and decided that I would never leave that place to go elsewhere. Then, by the mercy of the Vaiñëavas, I happily took up residence there.
2.1.148
Sourceभुञ्जानो विष्णु-नैवेद्यꣳ पश्यन् पूजा-महोत्सवम् । शृण्वन् पूजादि-माहात्म्यꣳ यत्नान् मन्त्रꣳ रहो जपन्
bhuñjāno viṣṇu-naivedyaṁ paśyan pūjā-mahotsavam | śṛṇvan pūjādi-māhātmyaṁ yatnān mantraṁ raho japan
English translation
Translation
There, I daily accepted Bhagavän Viñëu’s mahä-prasäda, viewed the great festival of His ceremonial worship, and listened to the glories of worshiping Him, all the while continuing to diligently chant the mantra of my worshipable Deity while sitting in private.
2.1.149
Sourceअस्यास् तु व्रज-भूमेः श्रीर् गोप-क्रीडा-सुखꣳ च तत् । कदाचिद् अपि मे ब्रह्मन् हृदयान् नापसृपति
asyās tu vraja-bhūmeḥ śrīr gopa-krīḍā-sukhaṁ ca tat | kadācid api me brahman hṛdayān nāpasṛpati
English translation
Translation
Despite all this, O brähmaëa, the beauty of the land of Vraja and the happiness of playing with the cowherd boys did not leave my heart. Rather, those memories always remained awake within me.
2.1.150
Sourceएवꣳ दिनानि कतिचित् सानन्दꣳ तत्र तिष्ठतः । तादृक्-पूजा-विधाने मे परमा ललसाजनि
evaṁ dināni katicit sānandaṁ tatra tiṣṭhataḥ | tādṛk-pūjā-vidhāne me paramā lalasājani
English translation
Translation
Passing some days there in great happiness, witnessing the worship of Jagadéçvara, I also developed great eagerness to perform that method of worship.
2.1.151
Sourceअथापुत्रः स राजा माꣳ वैदेशिकम् अपि प्रियात् । सुशीलꣳ वीक्ष्य पुत्रत्वे परिकल्प्याचिरान् मृतः
athāputraḥ sa rājā māṁ vaideśikam api priyāt | suśīlaṁ vīkṣya putratve parikalpyācirān mṛtaḥ
English translation
Translation
The king of that land had no son, and although I was a foreigner, having come from another land, because he saw my amiable disposition and other good qualities, he loved me. He adopted me as his son, but soon after, he passed away from this world.
2.1.152
Sourceमया च लब्ध्वा तद्-राज्यꣳ विष्णु-पूजा-मुदाधिका । प्रवर्तिता तद्-अन्नैश् च भोज्यन्ते साधवो’न्व्-अहम्
mayā ca labdhvā tad-rājyaṁ viṣṇu-pūjā-mudādhikā | pravartitā tad-annaiś ca bhojyante sādhavo’nv-aham
English translation
Translation
Thus I effortlessly inherited the kingdom. I joyfully commenced worship of Çré Viñëu with even greater pomp and grandeur than before. In addition, every day I fed many saintly persons with Çré Viñëu’s mahä-prasäda.
2.1.153
Sourceस्वयꣳ च क्वचिद् आसक्तिम् अकृत्वा पूर्ववद् वसन् । जपꣳ निर्वहयन् भुञ्जे प्रसादान्नꣳ प्रभोः परम्
svayaṁ ca kvacid āsaktim akṛtvā pūrvavad vasan | japaṁ nirvahayan bhuñje prasādānnaṁ prabhoḥ param
English translation
Translation
Although engaged in this way, I did not develop attachment to anything and remained as renounced as before. Daily, I would complete chanting my mantra in a solitary place and then accept only the Lord’s prasäda as food.
2.1.154
Sourceराज्ञो’स्य परिवारेभ्यः प्रदꣳ राज्यꣳ विभज्य तत् । तथापि राज्य-सम्बन्धाद् दुःखꣳ मे बहुधोद्भवत्
rājño’sya parivārebhyaḥ pradaṁ rājyaṁ vibhajya tat | tathāpi rājya-sambandhād duḥkhaṁ me bahudhodbhavat
English translation
Translation
Although I had divided the kingdom appropriately among the king’s family members, relatives, and friends, nonetheless, due to my connection with the kingdom, I suffered distress in so many ways.
2.1.155
Sourceकदापि पर-राष्ट्राद् भीः कदाचिच् चक्र-वर्तिनः । विविधादेश-सन्दोह- पालनेनास्वतन्त्रता
kadāpi para-rāṣṭrād bhīḥ kadācic cakra-vartinaḥ | vividhādeśa-sandoha- pālanenāsvatantratā
English translation
Translation
Sometimes I was fearful of other kingdoms (and their kings). Other times, obliged as I was as a subordinate king to comply with the sovereign emperor’s many edicts, I suffered the distress of being dependent on others.
2.1.156
Sourceजगद्-ईश्वर-नैवेद्यꣳ स्पृष्टम् अन्येन केनचित् । नीतꣳ बहिर् वा सन्दिग्धो न भुङ्क्ते को’पि सज्-जनः
jagad-īśvara-naivedyaṁ spṛṣṭam anyena kenacit | nītaṁ bahir vā sandigdho na bhuṅkte ko’pi saj-janaḥ
English translation
Translation
Overseeing the temple services, I would become distraught when I would notice that if anyone touched the food offered to the Supreme Lord or took it outside the temple, then some respectable people, questioning its purity, would refuse to accept it.
2.1.157
Sourceमर्म-शाल्येन चैतेन निर्वेदो मे महानुभूत् । नेशे दिदृक्षितꣳ साक्षात्- प्राप्तꣳ त्यक्तुꣳ च तत्-प्रभुम्
marma-śālyena caitena nirvedo me mahānubhūt | neśe didṛkṣitaṁ sākṣāt- prāptaṁ tyaktuṁ ca tat-prabhum
English translation
Translation
Observing people’s skepticism towards prasäda caused me excru- ciating pain, as if a dagger had pierced my heart. Many such reasons made me strongly apathetic towards the kingdom, but still, the opportunity to see the Supreme Lord, whose direct darçana I had so long desired, made me unable to leave.
2.1.158
Sourceएतस्मिन् एव समये तत्र दक्षिण-देशतः । समागतैः साधु-वरैः कथितꣳ तैर्थिकैर् इदम्
etasmin eva samaye tatra dakṣiṇa-deśataḥ | samāgataiḥ sādhu-varaiḥ kathitaṁ tairthikair idam
English translation
Translation
At this time, some saintly Vaiñëavas from the south who were touring the holy places came there and spoke to me as follows.
2.1.159
Sourceदारु-ब्रह्म जगन्नाथो भगवान् पुरुषोत्तमे । क्षेत्रे नीलाचले क्षरर्- नव-तीरे विराजते
dāru-brahma jagannātho bhagavān puruṣottame | kṣetre nīlācale kṣarar- nava-tīre virājate
English translation
Translation
“In Çré Puruñottama-kñetra, on the blue mountain known as Néläcala, on the shore of the salt ocean, the Supreme Lord of the universe Çré Jagannätha is radiantly present as däru-brahma, the Absolute Truth in the form of wood.
2.1.160
Sourceमहा-विभूतिमान् राज्यꣳ औत्कलꣳ पालयन् स्वयम् । व्यञ्जयन् निज-माहात्म्यꣳ सदा सेवक-वत्सलः
mahā-vibhūtimān rājyaṁ autkalaṁ pālayan svayam | vyañjayan nija-māhātmyaṁ sadā sevaka-vatsalaḥ
English translation
Translation
“Exceptionally opulent and powerful, Çré Jagannätha-deva personally protects the kingdom of Utkala. Personally revealing His glories and showing mercy to His servitors, He is their affectionate guardian.
2.1.161
Sourceतस्यान्नꣳ पाचितꣳ लक्ष्म्या स्वयꣳ भुक्त्वा दयालुना । दत्तꣳ तेन स्व-भक्तेभ्यो लभ्यते देव-दुर्लभम्
tasyānnaṁ pācitaṁ lakṣmyā svayaṁ bhuktvā dayālunā | dattaṁ tena sva-bhaktebhyo labhyate deva-durlabham
English translation
Translation
“There, Lakñmé-devé personally makes arrangements and cooks for Him. The most merciful Lord Himself relishes those preparations and then grants His remnants to the devotees. Obtaining those remnants is extremely rare, even for the demigods.
2.1.162
Sourceमहा-प्रसाद-सꣳज्ञꣳ च तत् स्पृष्टꣳ येन केनचित् । यत्र कुत्रापि वा नीतम् अविचारेण भुज्यते
mahā-prasāda-saṁjñaṁ ca tat spṛṣṭaṁ yena kenacit | yatra kutrāpi vā nītam avicāreṇa bhujyate
English translation
Translation
“These remnants of the Lord are known as mahä-prasäda. Mahä- prasäda is beyond consideration of whether anyone has touched it or not touched it. Even though touched by any person or taken anywhere, anyone can honor it without question.”
2.1.163
Sourceअहो तत् क्षेत्र-माहात्म्यꣳ गर्दभो’पि चतुर्-भुजः । यत्र प्रवेश-मात्रेण न कस्यापि पुनर् भवः
aho tat kṣetra-māhātmyaṁ gardabho’pi catur-bhujaḥ | yatra praveśa-mātreṇa na kasyāpi punar bhavaḥ
English translation
Translation
(Those sädhus continued) “Ah! How can we possibly describe the glories of Puruñottama-kñetra? Even a donkey entering that abode attains a four-armed form, and anyone who enters that region never has to take birth again.”
2.1.164
Sourceप्रफुल्ल-पुण्डरीकाक्षे तस्मिन् एवेक्षिते जनेः । फलꣳ स्याद् एवम् आश्रौषम् आश्चर्यꣳ पूर्वम् अश्रुतम्
praphulla-puṇḍarīkākṣe tasmin evekṣite janeḥ | phalaṁ syād evam āśrauṣam āścaryaṁ pūrvam aśrutam
English translation
Translation
Here is another wonder that I had never heard before: “The lives of all people become crowned with success simply by seeing Çré Jagannätha-deva, whose eyes resemble full-blown lotuses.”
2.1.165
Sourceतद्-दिदृक्षाभिभूतो’हꣳ सर्वꣳ सन्त्यज्य तत्-क्षणे । सङ्कीर्तयन् जगन्नाथम् औढ्र-देश-दिशꣳ श्रितः
tad-didṛkṣābhibhūto’haṁ sarvaṁ santyajya tat-kṣaṇe | saṅkīrtayan jagannātham auḍhra-deśa-diśaṁ śritaḥ
English translation
Translation
Hearing these glories of Çré Jagannätha-deva, I became restless with desire to see him. That very moment, I renounced everything and left for the province of Utkala, performing näma-saìkértana.
2.1.166
Sourceतत्-क्षेत्रम् अचिरात् प्राप्तस् तत्रत्यान् दण्डवन् नमन् । अन्तः-पुरꣳ प्रविष्टो’हꣳ तेषाꣳ करुणया सताम्
tat-kṣetram acirāt prāptas tatratyān daṇḍavan naman | antaḥ-puraṁ praviṣṭo’haṁ teṣāṁ karuṇayā satām
English translation
Translation
Shortly, I reached Çré Puruñottama-kñetra, where I prostrated before all the residents of that holy abode. Then, by the mercy of the saintly persons, I entered the interior of the temple.
2.1.167
Sourceदूराद् अदर्शि पुरुषोत्तम-वक्त्र-चन्द्रो भ्राजद्-विशाल-नयनो मणि-पुण्ड्र-भालः । स्निग्धाभ्र-कान्तिर् अरुणाधर-दीप्ति-रम्यो’ शेष-प्रसाद-विकसत्-स्मित-चन्द्रिकाढ्यः
dūrād adarśi puruṣottama-vaktra-candro bhrājad-viśāla-nayano maṇi-puṇḍra-bhālaḥ | snigdhābhra-kāntir aruṇādhara-dīpti-ramyo’ śeṣa-prasāda-vikasat-smita-candrikāḍhyaḥ
English translation
Translation
Then, from a distance, I saw Puruñottama-deva, who bestows joy upon everyone. His moon-like face was beautified by wide lotus eyes, and a tilaka made of jewels shone on His forehead, His complexion resembled a resplendent raincloud, and His reddish lips were luminescent. His gentle smile, radiant like moonshine, enhanced the exquisiteness of His countenance and showered unlimited mercy on everyone.
2.1.168
Sourceअत्राग्रतो गन्तु-मनाश् च नेशे प्रेम्णा ततो वेपथुभिर् निरुद्धः । रोमञ्च-भिन्नो’श्रु-विलुप्त-दृष्टिः स्तम्भꣳ सुपर्णस्य कथञ्चिद् आप्तः
atrāgrato gantu-manāś ca neśe premṇā tato vepathubhir niruddhaḥ | romañca-bhinno’śru-vilupta-dṛṣṭiḥ stambhaṁ suparṇasya kathañcid āptaḥ
English translation
Translation
I was eager to go near Çré Jagannätha but was unable to walk forward. My mind had become helplessly deprived of will and, due to ecstatic love, all my limbs were trembling. My hairs stood erect and I lost control of my body as tears blocked my vision. With great difficulty, I somehow caught hold of the Garuòa pillar and stood there.
2.1.169
Sourceदिव्याम्बरालङ्करण-स्रग्-आवली- व्यप्तꣳ मनो-लोचन-हर्ष-वर्धनम् । सिꣳहासनस्योपरि लीलया स्थितꣳ भुक्त्वा महा-भोग-गणान् मनोहरान्
divyāmbarālaṅkaraṇa-srag-āvalī- vyaptaṁ mano-locana-harṣa-vardhanam | siṁhāsanasyopari līlayā sthitaṁ bhuktvā mahā-bhoga-gaṇān manoharān
English translation
Translation
From that very spot I saw the Lord. His bluish form, smeared with sandalwood pulp, was bedecked with divine clothes, ornaments, and garlands. Sitting playfully on a throne, He was accepting huge amounts of delectable foodstuffs. Thus, He was increasing the joy in the minds and eyes of those who were seeing Him.
2.1.170
Sourceप्रणाम-नृत्य-स्तुति-वाद्य-गीत- पराꣳस् तु स-प्रेम विलोकयन्तम् । महा-महिम्नाꣳ पदम् ईक्षमाणो ‘अतꣳ जगन्नाथम् अहꣳ विमुह्य
praṇāma-nṛtya-stuti-vādya-gīta- parāṁs tu sa-prema vilokayantam | mahā-mahimnāṁ padam īkṣamāṇo ‘ataṁ jagannātham ahaṁ vimuhya
English translation
Translation
He was lovingly glancing at the people singing, playing musical instruments, dancing, offering prayers, bowing down, and so on before Him. When I saw the wonderful opulence of Çré Jagannätha- deva, the refuge of infinite glories, I fell unconscious to the ground.
2.1.171
Sourceसꣳज्ञाꣳ लब्ध्वा समुन्मील्य लोचने लोकयन् पुनः । उन्मत्त इव तꣳ धर्तुꣳ स-वेगो’धरम् अग्रतः
saṁjñāṁ labdhvā samunmīlya locane lokayan punaḥ | unmatta iva taṁ dhartuṁ sa-vego’dharam agrataḥ
English translation
Translation
After some time, I regained consciousness and opened my eyes. Beholding the Lord, I became maddened and rushed to embrace Him.
2.1.172
Sourceचिराद् दिद्र्क्षितो दृष्टो जीवितꣳ जीवितꣳ मया । प्राप्तो’द्य जगद्-इशो’यꣳ निज-प्रभुर् इति ब्रुवन्
cirād didrkṣito dṛṣṭo jīvitaṁ jīvitaṁ mayā | prāpto’dya jagad-iśo’yaṁ nija-prabhur iti bruvan
English translation
Translation
Running ahead, I cried out, “Today my life has been crowned with success! I have finally come before that Supreme Person whom I have so long desired to see. Today I have obtained my Lord, Çré Jagadéçvara, the Lord of the universe.”
2.1.173
Sourceस-वेत्र-घाटꣳ प्रतिहारिभिस् तदा निवारितो जात-विचार-लज्जितः । प्रभोः कृपाꣳ ताम् अनुमान्य निर्गतो महा-प्रसादान्नम् अथाप्नवꣳ बहिः
sa-vetra-ghāṭaṁ pratihāribhis tadā nivārito jāta-vicāra-lajjitaḥ | prabhoḥ kṛpāṁ tām anumānya nirgato mahā-prasādānnam athāpnavaṁ bahiḥ
English translation
Translation
As soon as I moved forward to embrace the Lord, the doorkeepers beat me with canes, barring me from entering inside. Realizing what I had done, I felt ashamed, but I considered being stopped in this manner to actually be the mercy of the Lord. When I went outside, I received mahä-prasäda without even asking for it.
2.1.174-175
Sourceतद् भुक्त्वा सत्वरꣳ ब्रह्मन् भगवन्-मन्दिरꣳ पुनः । प्रविश्याश्चर्य-जातꣳ यन् मया दृष्टꣳ मुदꣳ पदम् हृदि कर्तुꣳ न शक्यते तत् कथꣳ क्रियते मुखे । एवꣳ तत्र दिवा पूर्णꣳ स्थित्वानन्दो’नुभूयते
tad bhuktvā satvaraṁ brahman bhagavan-mandiraṁ punaḥ | praviśyāścarya-jātaṁ yan mayā dṛṣṭaṁ mudaṁ padam hṛdi kartuṁ na śakyate tat kathaṁ kriyate mukhe | evaṁ tatra divā pūrṇaṁ sthitvānando’nubhūyate
English translation
Translation
I quickly ate the mahä-prasäda and re-entered the Supreme Lord’s temple. O brähmaëa! The bliss and wonder at what I saw that time could not be contained in my heart, so how can I possibly describe it in words? In this way, I would spend the whole day in the temple and would experience complete ecstasy.
2.1.176
Sourceरात्रौ महोत्सवे वृत्ते बृहच्-छृङ्गार-सम्भवे । निर्गम्यते तु निर्वृत्ते पुस्पाञ्जलि-महोत्सवे
rātrau mahotsave vṛtte bṛhac-chṛṅgāra-sambhave | nirgamyate tu nirvṛtte puspāñjali-mahotsave
English translation
Translation
Only at night would I leave the temple, after the the grand festive ritual of gorgeously decorating the Deities was completed, and puñpäïjali, the offering of palmfuls of flowers, was performed.
2.1.177
Sourceनेत्थꣳ ज्ञातः सताꣳ सङ्गे कालो नव-नवोत्सवैः । तदैवास्य व्रज-भुवः शोको मे निरगाद् इव
netthaṁ jñātaḥ satāṁ saṅge kālo nava-navotsavaiḥ | tadaivāsya vraja-bhuvaḥ śoko me niragād iva
English translation
Translation
In this way, in the association of saintly Vaiñëavas, I witnessed ever- new festivals and did not realize how much time had passed. I almost forgot my pain of separation from the land of Vraja.
2.1.178
Sourceश्री-जगन्नाथदेवस्य सेवकेषु कृपोत्तमा । विविधाज्ञा च सर्वत्र श्रूयते’प्य् अनुभूयते
śrī-jagannāthadevasya sevakeṣu kṛpottamā | vividhājñā ca sarvatra śrūyate’py anubhūyate
English translation
Translation
I often heard from others how Çré Jagannätha-deva is especially merciful towards His servitors. I also personally perceived this.
2.1.179
Sourceनान्यत् किम् अपि रोचेत जगन्नाथस्य दर्शनात् । पुराणतो’स्य माहात्म्य- शुश्रुषापि निवर्तते
nānyat kim api roceta jagannāthasya darśanāt | purāṇato’sya māhātmya- śuśruṣāpi nivartate
English translation
Translation
I never acquired a taste for anything other than gazing upon Çré Jagannätha-deva. Even when the paëòitas sang the glories of the Lord from the Puräëas, I felt no desire to hear them.
2.1.180
Sourceशरीरꣳ मानसꣳ वा स्यात् किञ्चिद् दुःखꣳ कदाचन । तच् च श्री-पुण्डरीकाक्षे दृष्टे सद्यो विनश्यति
śarīraṁ mānasaṁ vā syāt kiñcid duḥkhaṁ kadācana | tac ca śrī-puṇḍarīkākṣe dṛṣṭe sadyo vinaśyati
English translation
Translation
If I experienced any physical or mental distress it would disappear immediately upon seeing the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord.
2.1.181
Sourceफलꣳ लब्धꣳ जपस्येति मत्वोदसे स्म तत्र च । एवꣳ चिर-दिनꣳ तत्र न्यवसꣳ परमैः सुखैः
phalaṁ labdhaṁ japasyeti matvodase sma tatra ca | evaṁ cira-dinaṁ tatra nyavasaṁ paramaiḥ sukhaiḥ
English translation
Translation
Considering that I had already received the ultimate fruit of chanting my mantra, I gradually became indifferent even towards chanting it. In this way, I happily resided there for a long time.
2.1.182
Sourceअथ तस्यान्तरीणायाꣳ सेवायाꣳ कर्हिचित् प्रभोः । जाता रुचिर् मे ततो’पि तस्या अघटनान् महान्
atha tasyāntarīṇāyāṁ sevāyāṁ karhicit prabhoḥ | jātā rucir me tato’pi tasyā aghaṭanān mahān
English translation
Translation
Thereafter, I began to yearn to perform some intimate service to the Lord. I also began to experience deep anguish in my heart when this desire was not fulfilled.
2.1.183-184
Sourceयश् चक्रवार्ती तत्रत्यः सः प्रभोर् मुख्य-सेवकः । श्री-मुखꣳ वीक्षितुꣳ क्षेत्रे यदा यातो महोत्सवे सज्-जनोपद्रववोद्यान- भङ्गादौ वरितो’प्य् अथ । मादृशो’किञ्चनः स्वैरꣳ प्रभुꣳ द्रष्टुꣳ न शक्नुयुः
yaś cakravārtī tatratyaḥ saḥ prabhor mukhya-sevakaḥ | śrī-mukhaṁ vīkṣituṁ kṣetre yadā yāto mahotsave saj-janopadravavodyāna- bhaṅgādau varito’py atha | mādṛśo’kiñcanaḥ svairaṁ prabhuṁ draṣṭuṁ na śaknuyuḥ
English translation
Translation
The king of that country was Çré Jagannätha’s chief servitor. On occasions of grand festivals, when he arrived there for darçana of Çré Bhagavän, elaborate arrangements were made to protect the saintly persons from disturbances and the gardens from damage. Due to this, the poor, common folk like me would not be able to view the Lord freely.
2.1.185
Sourceएवम् उद्भूत-हृद्-रोगो’द्रक्षꣳ स्व-गुरुम् एकदा । श्री-जगन्नाथ-देवाग्रे परम-प्रेम-विह्वलम्
evam udbhūta-hṛd-rogo’drakṣaṁ sva-gurum ekadā | śrī-jagannātha-devāgre parama-prema-vihvalam
English translation
Translation
Due to such concerns, I started to become despondent. However one day, quite unexpectedly, I saw my gurudeva in front of Çré Jagannätha- deva, overwhelmed in the highest ecstatic state of love of God.
2.1.186
Sourceन स सम्भाषितुꣳ शक्तो मया तर्हि गतः क्वचित् । अलक्षितो जगन्नाथ- श्री-मुखाकृष्ट-चेतसा
na sa sambhāṣituṁ śakto mayā tarhi gataḥ kvacit | alakṣito jagannātha- śrī-mukhākṛṣṭa-cetasā
English translation
Translation
Therefore, at that time I could not speak with him. Furthermore, my mind was also so absorbed in seeing the divine face of Çré Jagannätha- deva that I did not notice that my gurudeva left and went somewhere.
2.1.187
Sourceइतस् ततो’मृग्यतासौ दिने’न्यस्मिꣳस् तते’म्बुधेः । नाम-सङ्कीर्तनानन्दैर् नृत्यल् लब्धो मयैकलः
itas tato’mṛgyatāsau dine’nyasmiṁs tate’mbudheḥ | nāma-saṅkīrtanānandair nṛtyal labdho mayaikalaḥ
English translation
Translation
After that, I tenaciously searched for him everywhere. All of a sudden, one day, I found him dancing alone by the shore of the ocean, steeped in the bliss of singing the holy names of the Lord.
2.1.188
Sourceदण्डवत् प्रणमन्तꣳ माꣳ दृष्ट्वाशीर्वाद-पूर्वकम् । आश्लिष्याज्ञापयाम् आस सर्वज्ञो’नुग्रहाद् इदम्
daṇḍavat praṇamantaṁ māṁ dṛṣṭvāśīrvāda-pūrvakam | āśliṣyājñāpayām āsa sarvajño’nugrahād idam
English translation
Translation
I approached him and prostrated myself before him. Seeing me, my omniscient gurudeva benedicted me and embraced me. He under- stood my heart’s concern and mercifully instructed me as follows.
2.1.189
Sourceयद् यत् सङ्कल्प्य भो वत्से निजꣳ मन्त्रꣳ जपिष्यसि । तत्-प्रभावेन तत् सर्वꣳ वञ्छातीतꣳ च सेत्स्यति
yad yat saṅkalpya bho vatse nijaṁ mantraṁ japiṣyasi | tat-prabhāvena tat sarvaṁ vañchātītaṁ ca setsyati
English translation
Translation
“O child, with whatever resolve you chant this mantra, by its power, not only will those desires be fulfilled, but your desires in excess of that aspiration will also be fulfilled.
2.1.190
Sourceश्री-जगन्नाथ-देवस्य सेवा-रूपꣳ च विद्धि तम् । एवꣳ मत्वा च विश्व्स्य न कदाचिज् जपꣳ त्यजेः
śrī-jagannātha-devasya sevā-rūpaṁ ca viddhi tam | evaṁ matvā ca viśvsya na kadācij japaṁ tyajeḥ
English translation
Translation
“Know that chanting this mantra is also service to Çré Jagannätha- deva. Thus have faith in my words and never give up the chanting of this mantra.
2.1.191
Sourceत्वम् एतस्य प्रभावेन चिर-जीवि भवान्व्-अहम् । ईदृग् गोपार्भ-रूपश् च तत्-फलाप्त्य्-अर्ह-मानसः
tvam etasya prabhāvena cira-jīvi bhavānv-aham | īdṛg gopārbha-rūpaś ca tat-phalāpty-arha-mānasaḥ
English translation
Translation
“May you live long by the power of chanting this mantra. May you always remain in this form of a cowherd boy. May your mind become fit to experience the result of chanting the mantra, or in other words, fit to directly see Çré Madana-gopäla-deva and experience all His playful pastimes.
2.1.192
Sourceमाꣳ द्रक्ष्यसि कदाप्य् अत्र वृन्दारण्ये कदाचन । एवꣳ स माम् अनुज्ञाप्य कुत्रापि सहसागमत्
māṁ drakṣyasi kadāpy atra vṛndāraṇye kadācana | evaṁ sa mām anujñāpya kutrāpi sahasāgamat
English translation
Translation
“Sometimes you will see me here, and sometimes in Çré Våndävana.” In this way, Çré Gurudeva instructed me and then suddenly went elsewhere.
2.1.193
Sourceतद्-वियोगेन दीनः सन् श्री-जगन्नाथम् ईक्षितुम् । गतः शक्तिम् अहꣳ प्राप्तो यत्नꣳ चाकरवꣳ जपे
tad-viyogena dīnaḥ san śrī-jagannātham īkṣitum | gataḥ śaktim ahaṁ prāpto yatnaṁ cākaravaṁ jape
English translation
Translation
Feeling the pain of separation from Çré Gurudeva, I became very distraught and entered the temple to see Çré Jagannätha-deva. I then became peaceful and began to diligently absorb myself in chanting the mantra.
2.1.194-195
Sourceयदास्य दर्शनोत्कण्ठा व्रज-भूमेर् अभूत् तरम् । तदा तु श्री-जगन्नाथ- महिम्ना स्फुरति स्म मे तत्-क्षेत्रोपवन-श्रेनि- वृन्दारण्यतयार्णवः । यमुनात्वेन नीलाद्रि- भोगो गोवर्धनात्मना
yadāsya darśanotkaṇṭhā vraja-bhūmer abhūt taram | tadā tu śrī-jagannātha- mahimnā sphurati sma me tat-kṣetropavana-śreni- vṛndāraṇyatayārṇavaḥ | yamunātvena nīlādri- bhogo govardhanātmanā
English translation
Translation
Govardhana. Whenever I felt a great eagerness to see the land of Vraja, then by Çré Jagannätha’s glorious grace, the gardens of Jagannätha-puré would appear to my vision as Våndävana, the ocean as Çré Yamunä, and the slopes of Nélädri (Caöaka-parvata and other places) as those of Govardhana.
2.1.196
Sourceएवꣳ वसन् सुखꣳ तत्र भगवद्-दर्शनाद् अनु । गुरु-पादाज्ञया नित्यꣳ जपामि स्वेष्ट-सिद्धये
evaṁ vasan sukhaṁ tatra bhagavad-darśanād anu | guru-pādājñayā nityaṁ japāmi sveṣṭa-siddhaye
English translation
Translation
In this manner, I started to live happily in Puruñottama-kñetra. And in accordance with Çré Gurudeva’s order, every day, after darçana of Çré Jagannätha-deva, I chanted my mantra to achieve my desired perfection.
2.1.197
Sourceअथ तस्मिन् महाराजे कालꣳ प्राप्ते’स्य सूनुना । ज्येष्ठेनातिविरक्तेन राज्यम् अङ्गी-कृतꣳ न तत्
atha tasmin mahārāje kālaṁ prāpte’sya sūnunā | jyeṣṭhenātiviraktena rājyam aṅgī-kṛtaṁ na tat
English translation
Translation
Shortly thereafter, the king of Puré passed away. His eldest son, being very detached from worldly affairs, did not accept the kingdom.
2.1.198
Sourceतत्राभिषिक्तः पृष्टस्या- नुज्ञया जगद्-ईशितुः । सम्परीक्ष्य महा-राज- चिह्नानि सचिवैर् अहम्
tatrābhiṣiktaḥ pṛṣṭasyā- nujñayā jagad-īśituḥ | samparīkṣya mahā-rāja- cihnāni sacivair aham
English translation
Translation
The ministers of the kingdom then prayed to Çré Jagannätha-deva, “Who should be crowned as the next king?” Hearing their prayer, Çré Jagannätha-deva instructed them in a dream that only the person whose body bears signs of royalty should be installed on the throne. Thereafter, the ministers, observing marks of royalty on my person, anointed me as their king.
2.1.199
Sourceविविधा वर्धितास् तस्य मया पूजा-महोत्सवाः । विशेषतो महा-यात्रा द्वादशात्रापि गुण्डिचा
vividhā vardhitās tasya mayā pūjā-mahotsavāḥ | viśeṣato mahā-yātrā dvādaśātrāpi guṇḍicā
English translation
Translation
After becoming king, I improved the standard of Çré Jagannätha- deva’s various festivals. Year round, twelve grand monthly festivals such as dolä-yäträ are celebrated. Among those, I especially expanded the great festival known as Guëòicä Mahä-yäträ (Ratha-yäträ) to a much greater extent.
2.1.200
Sourceपृथिव्याः साधवः सर्वे मिलिता यत्र वर्गशः । प्रेम्णोन्मत्ता इवेक्ष्यन्ते नृत्य-गीतादि-तत्-पराः
pṛthivyāḥ sādhavaḥ sarve militā yatra vargaśaḥ | premṇonmattā ivekṣyante nṛtya-gītādi-tat-parāḥ
English translation
Translation
At the time of that festival (Guëòicä-yäträ), almost all the saintly persons and Vaiñëavas from all over the world assembled in Puruñottama-kñetra. According to rules of their own spiritual lineage, they danced and sang in front of the Lord, either in groups or individually. They could then be seen becoming maddened in divine love.
2.1.201
Sourceराज्यꣳ राजोपभोग्यꣳ च जगन्नाथ-पदाब्जयोः । समार्प्याकिञ्चनत्वेन सेवाꣳ कुर्वे निजेच्छया
rājyaṁ rājopabhogyaṁ ca jagannātha-padābjayoḥ | samārpyākiñcanatvena sevāṁ kurve nijecchayā
English translation
Translation
I offered the kingdom and all royal opulences at Çré Jagannätha- deva’s lotus feet. Now being without material possessions, I began to serve Him as I desired.
2.1.202
Sourceनिजैः प्रियतमैर् नित्य- सेवकैः सह सः प्रभुः । नर्म-गोष्ठीꣳ वितनुते प्रेम-क्रीडाꣳ च कर्हिचित्
nijaiḥ priyatamair nitya- sevakaiḥ saha saḥ prabhuḥ | narma-goṣṭhīṁ vitanute prema-krīḍāṁ ca karhicit
English translation
Translation
Çré Jagannätha-deva would sometimes engage in jolly talks – smiling and joking – with His beloved regular servitors and would perform various loving pastimes with them.
2.1.203
Sourceयदा वा लीलया स्थानु- भावꣳ भजति कौतुकी । प्रीणन्त्य् अथापि साश्चर्यस् ते तल्-लीलानुसारिणः
yadā vā līlayā sthānu- bhāvaṁ bhajati kautukī | prīṇanty athāpi sāścaryas te tal-līlānusāriṇaḥ
English translation
Translation
Thus engaged in this loving play, the frolicsome Lord would sometimes become perfectly motionless. His servitors, becoming astonished at this wonder, would follow in the mood of those pastimes and thus attain supreme bliss.
2.1.204
Sourceममापि तत्र तत्राशा स्याद् अथागन्तुको’स्म्य् अहम् । तद्-एक-निष्ठो नापि स्याꣳ कथꣳ तत्-तत्-प्रसाद-भाक्
mamāpi tatra tatrāśā syād athāgantuko’smy aham | tad-eka-niṣṭho nāpi syāṁ kathaṁ tat-tat-prasāda-bhāk
English translation
Translation
Sometimes, I also would want to participate in those pastimes of laughing and joking with the Lord, but I would think, “Ah! I am just a newcomer, and besides, I am not exclusively devoted to Him. How then can I become the recipient of His special mercy?”
2.1.205
Sourceतथाप्य् उत्कल-भक्तानाꣳ तत्-तत्-सौभग्य-भावनैः । सञ्जन्यमानया तत्-तद्- आशयाधीः किलोद्भवेत्
tathāpy utkala-bhaktānāṁ tat-tat-saubhagya-bhāvanaiḥ | sañjanyamānayā tat-tad- āśayādhīḥ kilodbhavet
English translation
Translation
When I thought about the good fortune of the Utkala devotees, in my heart, I hankered to also receive it. However, this desire also caused distress to my mind.
2.1.206
Sourceनाम-सङ्कीर्तन-स्तोत्र- गीतानि भगवत्-पुरः । श्रूयमानानि दुन्वन्ति मथुरा-स्मरकाणि माम्
nāma-saṅkīrtana-stotra- gītāni bhagavat-puraḥ | śrūyamānāni dunvanti mathurā-smarakāṇi mām
English translation
Translation
Whenever I heard näma-saìkértana, recitation of stotras and devotional songs performed before Bhagavän Çré Jagannätha-deva, memories of Mathurä would flood my mind, making me restless with yearning.
2.1.207
Sourceसाधु-सङ्ग-बलाद् गत्वा दृष्टे राजीव-लोचने । सर्वः शोको विलीयेत न स्याज् जिगमिषा क्वचित्
sādhu-saṅga-balād gatvā dṛṣṭe rājīva-locane | sarvaḥ śoko vilīyeta na syāj jigamiṣā kvacit
English translation
Translation
However, by the influence of saintly association and by seeing lotus- eyed Çré Jagannätha, all my grief and desire to go anywhere else would vanish.
2.1.208
Sourceतथापि मम सम्राज्य- सम्पर्केण हृदि स्वतः । भगवद्-दर्शनानन्दः साम्यान् नोदेति पूर्ववत्
tathāpi mama samrājya- samparkeṇa hṛdi svataḥ | bhagavad-darśanānandaḥ sāmyān nodeti pūrvavat
English translation
Translation
However, due to my connection with the affairs of the kingdom, in my heart, I would not experience the complete joy of darçana of Bhagavän that I used to experience naturally in the past.
2.1.209
Sourceयात्रा-महोत्सवाꣳश् चाहम् आवृतो राज-मण्डलैः । सुखꣳ कलयितुꣳ नेशे स्वेच्छया बहुधा भजन्
yātrā-mahotsavāṁś cāham āvṛto rāja-maṇḍalaiḥ | sukhaṁ kalayituṁ neśe svecchayā bahudhā bhajan
English translation
Translation
Always surrounded by royal entourage and unable to do as I pleased, I could not fully enjoy the yäträs and other such grand festivals. Moreover, in spite of engaging in devotional service in so many ways, I did not experience complete happiness.
2.1.210
Sourceराज्ञो’पत्येष्व् अमात्येषु बन्धुष्व् अपि समर्प्य तम् । राजाभारꣳ स्वयꣳ प्राग्वद् उदासीनतया स्थितः
rājño’patyeṣv amātyeṣu bandhuṣv api samarpya tam | rājābhāraṁ svayaṁ prāgvad udāsīnatayā sthitaḥ
English translation
Translation
So, I placed the burden of the kingdom on the sons, relatives, and ministers of the previous king, and I became as uninvolved and indifferent as before.
2.1.211
Sourceसुखꣳ रहो जपꣳ कुर्वन् जगन्नाथ-पदाब्जयोः । समीपे स्वेच्छया सेवाम् आचरन्न् अवसꣳ ततः
sukhaṁ raho japaṁ kurvan jagannātha-padābjayoḥ | samīpe svecchayā sevām ācarann avasaṁ tataḥ
English translation
Translation
Because I was chanting my mantra in a solitary place, my mind remained peaceful, and I began to live there, serving Çré Jagannätha’s lotus feet as I desired.
2.1.212
Sourceतथापि लोक-सम्मानाद् अरतस् तादृशꣳ सुखम् । न लभये विनिर्विण्ण- मनास् तत्राभवꣳ स्थितौ
tathāpi loka-sammānād aratas tādṛśaṁ sukham | na labhaye vinirviṇṇa- manās tatrābhavaṁ sthitau
English translation
Translation
However, because the citizens continued to respect and honor me, I did not feel the happiness I felt before, and therefore I began to feel indifferent to living there.
2.1.213
Sourceगन्तुꣳ वृन्दावनꣳ प्रातर् आज्ञार्थꣳ पुरतः प्रभोः । गतः श्रीमन्-मुखꣳ पश्यन् सर्वꣳ तद् विस्मराम्य् अहो
gantuṁ vṛndāvanaṁ prātar ājñārthaṁ purataḥ prabhoḥ | gataḥ śrīman-mukhaṁ paśyan sarvaṁ tad vismarāmy aho
English translation
Translation
Early one morning, I came before Çré Jagannätha-deva, intending to take His permission to go to Çré Våndävana. Ah! As soon as I saw His lotus face, I forgot everything.
2.1.214
Sourceएवꣳ सꣳवत्सरे जाते मया तत्रैकदा श्रुतम् । मथुरायाः प्रयातेभ्यो’त्रत्य-वृत्तꣳ विशेषतः
evaṁ saṁvatsare jāte mayā tatraikadā śrutam | mathurāyāḥ prayātebhyo’tratya-vṛttaṁ viśeṣataḥ
English translation
Translation
In this way, one year went by. Then, one day, I heard news of Mathurä from some people who had come from there.
2.1.215
Sourceशोक-दुःखातुरꣳ रात्रौ शयानꣳ माꣳ महा-प्रभुः । इदम् आज्ञापयाम् आस पर-दुःखेन कातरः
śoka-duḥkhāturaṁ rātrau śayānaṁ māṁ mahā-prabhuḥ | idam ājñāpayām āsa para-duḥkhena kātaraḥ
English translation
Translation
After hearing those descriptions, I was tormented by distress and grief, and fell asleep that night. As I was sleeping, Çré Jagannätha- deva, who is pained by the suffering of others, gave me the following order.
2.1.216
Sourceभो गोप-नन्दन क्षेत्रम् इदꣳ मम यथा प्रियम् । तथा श्री-मथुराथासौ जन्म-भूमिर् विशेषतः
bho gopa-nandana kṣetram idaṁ mama yathā priyam | tathā śrī-mathurāthāsau janma-bhūmir viśeṣataḥ
English translation
Translation
“O Gopa-nandana, O cowherd boy, just as this holy abode is dear to Me, so is Çré Mathurä. But since Çré Mathurä is My birthplace, it is even more dear to me.
2.1.217
Sourceबाल्य-लीला-स्थलीभिश् च ताभिस् ताभिर् अलङ्कृता । निवसामि यथात्राहꣳ तथा तत्रापि विभ्रमन्
bālya-līlā-sthalībhiś ca tābhis tābhir alaṅkṛtā | nivasāmi yathātrāhaṁ tathā tatrāpi vibhraman
English translation
Translation
“Mathurä is adorned with the places of My childhood pastimes. Just as I reside here, I also reside there.
2.1.218
Sourceयदा दोलायमानात्मा कथꣳ तद् अनुतप्यसे । तत्रैव गच्छ काले माꣳ तद्-रूपꣳ द्रक्ष्यसि ध्रुवम्
yadā dolāyamānātmā kathaṁ tad anutapyase | tatraiva gaccha kāle māṁ tad-rūpaṁ drakṣyasi dhruvam
English translation
Translation
“Why are you always lamenting and your mind always wavering? Go to Mathurä, and when the time is right, you will surely see My form as a cowherd boy.”
2.1.219
Sourceआज्ञा-मालाꣳ प्रातर् आदाय पूजा- विप्रैर् वासे मे समागत्य दत्तम् । कण्ठे बद्ध्वा प्रस्थितो वीक्ष्य चक्रꣳ नत्वाथाप्तो माथुरꣳ देशम् एतम्
ājñā-mālāṁ prātar ādāya pūjā- viprair vāse me samāgatya dattam | kaṇṭhe baddhvā prasthito vīkṣya cakraṁ natvāthāpto māthuraṁ deśam etam
English translation
Translation
The next morning, Çré Jagannätha-deva’s pujäré came to my residence and gave me the Lord’s flower garland, which indicated the Lord’s order to go to Mathurä. Wearing that garland around my neck, I took darçana of Sudarçana cakra on top of the Lord’s temple. Prostrating before it, I departed from Çré Puruñottama-kñetra and came to Mathurä.