2.3.1
Sourceश्री-गोप-कुमार उवाच— ब्रह्म-लोकाद् इमाꣳ पृथ्वीम् आगच्छन् दृष्टवान् अहम् । पूर्वꣳ यत्र यद् आसीत् तद्- गन्धो’प्य् अस्ति न कुत्रचित्
śrī-gopa-kumāra uvāca— brahma-lokād imāṁ pṛthvīm āgacchan dṛṣṭavān aham | pūrvaṁ yatra yad āsīt tad- gandho’py asti na kutracit
English translation
Translation
Çré Gopa-kumära said: O brähmaëa, when I returned to this earth from Brahmaloka, I observed there was no sign whatsoever, not even a scent, of what had been here before.
2.3.2
Sourceपरꣳ श्री-मथुरा तादृग् वनाद्रि-सरिद्-अन्विता । विराजते यथा-पूर्वꣳ तादृशैर् जङ्गमैर् वृता
paraṁ śrī-mathurā tādṛg vanādri-sarid-anvitā | virājate yathā-pūrvaṁ tādṛśair jaṅgamair vṛtā
English translation
Translation
However, only Çré Mathurä-maëòala, graced with its forests, mountains, rivers, and moving and non-moving living beings, was still present, looking as splendid as before.
2.3.3
Sourceआज्ञाꣳ भगवतः स्मृत्वा भ्रमन् वृन्दावनान्तरे । अन्विश्य कुञ्जे’त्रापश्यꣳ स्व-गुरुꣳ प्रेम-मूर्छितम्
ājñāṁ bhagavataḥ smṛtvā bhraman vṛndāvanāntare | anviśya kuñje’trāpaśyaṁ sva-guruṁ prema-mūrchitam
English translation
Translation
Remembering Çré Bhagavän’s order, I wandered here and there, throughout this Våndävana. Then, in a grove, I saw my gurudeva. He was in an unconscious state, overwhelmed with prema.
2.3.4
Sourceप्रयासैर् बहुभिः स्वास्थ्यꣳ नीतो’सौ वीक्ष्य माꣳ नतम् । परिरेभे’थ सर्वज्ञो बुबुधे मन्-मनोरथम्
prayāsair bahubhiḥ svāsthyaṁ nīto’sau vīkṣya māṁ natam | parirebhe’tha sarvajño bubudhe man-manoratham
English translation
Translation
Reviving him with great effort, I offered obeisances at his feet. Seeing me bowing down, he embraced me. Çré Gurudeva was omniscient, and so he understood the desire in my heart (to go to mukti-pada, the abode of liberation).
2.3.5
Sourceस्नात्वा स्व-दत्त-मन्त्रस्य ध्यानादि-विधिम् उद्दिशन् । किञ्चिन् मुखेन किञ्चिच् च सङ्केटेनाभ्यवेदयत्
snātvā sva-datta-mantrasya dhyānādi-vidhim uddiśan | kiñcin mukhena kiñcic ca saṅkeṭenābhyavedayat
English translation
Translation
After that, he bathed and then instructed me in the rules of meditation and the worship of the mantra he had given me. Some rules he spoke, and others he indicated by gesture.
2.3.6
Sourceजगाद च निजꣳ सर्वम् इदꣳ प्रेष्ठया ते’ददम् । सर्वम् एतत्-प्रभावेन स्वयꣳ ज्ञास्यसि लप्स्यसे
jagāda ca nijaṁ sarvam idaṁ preṣṭhayā te’dadam | sarvam etat-prabhāvena svayaṁ jñāsyasi lapsyase
English translation
Translation
After this, Çré Gurudeva told me, “O son, you are very dear to me, and therefore, I am giving you my entire wealth. By the power of chanting this mantra, all other secrets will automatically be revealed to you.”
2.3.7
Sourceहर्षेण महता तस्य पादयोः पतिते मयि । सो’न्तर्हित इवागच्छद् यत्र कुत्राप्य् अलक्षितम्
harṣeṇa mahatā tasya pādayoḥ patite mayi | so’ntarhita ivāgacchad yatra kutrāpy alakṣitam
English translation
Translation
Overjoyed, I fell at his lotus feet. However, suddenly, he disappeared. He went elsewhere, unnoticed.
2.3.8
Sourceअहꣳ च तद्-वियोगार्तꣳ मनो विष्टभ्य यत्नतः । यथादेशꣳ स्व-मन्त्रꣳ तꣳ प्रवृत्तो जाप्तुम् अदरात्
ahaṁ ca tad-viyogārtaṁ mano viṣṭabhya yatnataḥ | yathādeśaṁ sva-mantraṁ taṁ pravṛtto jāptum adarāt
English translation
Translation
Although, in my separation from Çré Gurudeva, my mind was distressed, I managed to compose myself with great effort. Then I began to respectfully chant my mantra just as instructed.
2.3.9
Sourceपञ्च-भौतिकतातीतꣳ स्व-देहꣳ कलयन् रवेः । निर्भिद्य मण्डलꣳ गच्छन्न् ऊर्ध्वꣳ लोकान् व्यलोकयम्
pañca-bhautikatātītaṁ sva-dehaṁ kalayan raveḥ | nirbhidya maṇḍalaṁ gacchann ūrdhvaṁ lokān vyalokayam
English translation
Translation
I saw. By the power of chanting, I felt my body transform into an unearthly body that was transcendental to the five material elements. Proceeding toward the upper planets, I crossed the sun globe and saw the fourteen worlds.
2.3.10
Sourceदुषितान् बहु-दोषेण सुखाभासेन भूषितान् । मयामयान् मनो-राज्य- स्वप्न-दृष्टार्थ-सम्मितान्
duṣitān bahu-doṣeṇa sukhābhāsena bhūṣitān | mayāmayān mano-rājya- svapna-dṛṣṭārtha-sammitān
English translation
Translation
I saw that all the planets, decorated with only shadows of real happiness, are riddled with all kinds of defects. They are simply creations of Mäyä and are unreal, like objects seen in a dream.
2.3.11
Sourceपूर्वꣳ ये बहु-कालेन सम्प्राप्ताः क्रमशो’धुना । सर्वे निमेषतः क्रन्ता युगपन् मनसेव ते
pūrvaṁ ye bahu-kālena samprāptāḥ kramaśo’dhunā | sarve nimeṣataḥ krantā yugapan manaseva te
English translation
Translation
Previously, it took me a long time to reach these planets, which I had crossed one after another. Now I passed them by all at once, in the blink of an eye, at the speed of mind.
2.3.12
Sourceब्रह्म-लोकात् सुखैः कोटि- गुणितैर् उत्तरोत्तरम् । वैभवैश् च महिष्ठानि प्राप्तो’स्म्य् आवरणान्य् अथ
brahma-lokāt sukhaiḥ koṭi- guṇitair uttarottaram | vaibhavaiś ca mahiṣṭhāni prāpto’smy āvaraṇāny atha
English translation
Translation
I then entered the excellent coverings of the universe. The happiness and the opulences there were progressively millions of times superior to those on the planet of Çré Brahmä.
2.3.13-14
Sourceकार्योपाधिम् अति-क्रन्तैः प्राप्त-व्यक्रम-मुक्तिकैः । लिङ्गाख्यꣳ कारणोपाधिम् अति-क्रमितुम् आत्मभिः प्रविश्य तत्-तद्-रूपेण भुज्यमनानि कामतः । तत्-तद्-उद्भव-निःशेष- सुख-सार-मयानि हि
kāryopādhim ati-krantaiḥ prāpta-vyakrama-muktikaiḥ | liṅgākhyaṁ kāraṇopādhim ati-kramitum ātmabhiḥ praviśya tat-tad-rūpeṇa bhujyamanāni kāmataḥ | tat-tad-udbhava-niḥśeṣa- sukha-sāra-mayāni hi
English translation
Translation
Those who attain gradual, systematic liberation first transcend the active, or gross, designation (the body made of five cosmic elements: earth, water, fire, air, and ether). Then they reach these coverings of the universe, where they transcend the subtle designations (mind, intelligence, and false ego). Entering each covering in succession, they obtain bodies suitable for that stratum, where they enjoy at will immense pleasures greater than those generated by the fundamental elements (tattvas), such as earth. Since cause (käraëa) is superior to effect, or action (kärya, gross material elements), it follows that happiness generated by the cause is vastly superior to happiness coming from its effect.
2.3.15-16
Sourceपृथिव्य्-आवरणꣳ तेषाꣳ प्रथमꣳ गतवान् अहम् । तद्-ऐश्वर्याधिकारिण्या धारिण्या पूजितꣳ प्रभुम् ब्रह्माण्ड-दुर्लभैर् द्रव्यैर् महा-सूकर-रूपिणम् । अपश्यꣳ प्रतिरोमान्त- भ्रमद्-ब्रह्माण्डा-वैभवम्
pṛthivy-āvaraṇaṁ teṣāṁ prathamaṁ gatavān aham | tad-aiśvaryādhikāriṇyā dhāriṇyā pūjitaṁ prabhum brahmāṇḍa-durlabhair dravyair mahā-sūkara-rūpiṇam | apaśyaṁ pratiromānta- bhramad-brahmāṇḍā-vaibhavam
English translation
Translation
First I entered the covering composed of earth, and there I saw the Lord in the form of the great boar (Çré Varäha-deva). The earth goddess, Dharaëé-devé, the proprietress of the opulence of that layer, was worshiping Him with rare, exotic items, while the opulences of many brahmäëòas (universes) were spinning in every pore of His body.
2.3.17
Sourceतस्याꣳ कारण-रूपायाꣳ कार्य-रूपम् इदꣳ जगत् । तद्-उपादनकꣳ सर्वꣳ स्फुरितꣳ च व्यलोकयम्
tasyāṁ kāraṇa-rūpāyāṁ kārya-rūpam idaṁ jagat | tad-upādanakaṁ sarvaṁ sphuritaṁ ca vyalokayam
English translation
Translation
Within the goddess earth, who embodies the causal principle (käraëa- rüpä), I saw the effective, or active, principle (kärya-rüpa) being manifest, or in other words, I saw all the ingredients of the universe being manifest.
2.3.18
Sourceविधाय भगवत्-पूजाꣳ तयातिथ्येन सत्-कृतः । दिनानि कतिचित् तत्र भोगार्थम् अहम् अर्थितः
vidhāya bhagavat-pūjāṁ tayātithyena sat-kṛtaḥ | dināni katicit tatra bhogārtham aham arthitaḥ
English translation
Translation
As soon as Dharaëé-devé finished her worship of Çré Bhagavän, she honored me as a welcome guest and requested me to stay for a few days and enjoy the pleasures there.
2.3.19
Sourceताम् अनुज्ञाप्य केनाप्य् आ- कृष्यमाण इवासु तत् । आतीत्यावरणꣳ प्राप्तः पराण्य् आवरणानि सत्
tām anujñāpya kenāpy ā- kṛṣyamāṇa ivāsu tat | ātītyāvaraṇaṁ prāptaḥ parāṇy āvaraṇāni sat
English translation
Translation
However, I requested permission from the earth goddess to depart. At that time, I felt as if I were being pulled away by the attraction of some unknown force, and I quickly crossed the other six layers.
2.3.20-21
Sourceमहा-रूप-धरैर् वारि- तेजो-वाय्व्-अम्बरैस् तथा । अहङ्कार-महद्भ्याꣳ च स्व-स्वावरणतो’र्चितम् क्रमेण मत्स्यꣳ सुर्यꣳ च प्रद्युम्नम् अनिरुद्धकम् । सङ्कर्षणꣳ वासुदेवꣳ भगवन्तम् अलोकयम्
mahā-rūpa-dharair vāri- tejo-vāyv-ambarais tathā | ahaṅkāra-mahadbhyāṁ ca sva-svāvaraṇato’rcitam krameṇa matsyaṁ suryaṁ ca pradyumnam aniruddhakam | saṅkarṣaṇaṁ vāsudevaṁ bhagavantam alokayam
English translation
Translation
In their respective layers, I saw that the presiding Deities of water, fire, air, ether, ego, and the total material energy (mahat-tattva) had assumed gigantic forms and were worshiping Bhagavän’s respective manifestations: Matsya, Sürya, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Saìkarñaëa, and Väsudeva.
2.3.22
Sourceस्व-कार्यात् पूर्व-पूर्वस्मात् कारणꣳ चोत्तरोत्तरम् । पूज्य-पूजक-भोग-श्री- महत्त्वेनाधिकाधिकम्
sva-kāryāt pūrva-pūrvasmāt kāraṇaṁ cottarottaram | pūjya-pūjaka-bhoga-śrī- mahattvenādhikādhikam
English translation
Translation
Every layer is the cause of the one before it. For instance, the layer of water is the cause (käraëa) of the earth layer, which represents the effect (kärya). Each successive layer possesses progressively more magnifi- cent objects of worship, worshipers, enjoyment, opulence, and glories.
2.3.23
Sourceपूर्ववत् तान्य् अतिक्रम्य प्रकृत्य्-आवरणꣳ गतः । महा-तमोमयꣳ सान्द्र- स्यामिकाक्षि-मनोहरम्
pūrvavat tāny atikramya prakṛty-āvaraṇaṁ gataḥ | mahā-tamomayaṁ sāndra- syāmikākṣi-manoharam
English translation
Translation
I successively crossed all the layers as before, and at last I entered the layer of great primordial ignorance, which was the embodiment of the material energy, prakåti. The dense, dark blue splendor of that place stole my eyes and mind.
2.3.24
Sourceतस्मान् निजेष्ट-देवस्य वर्ण-सादृश्यम् आतते । दृष्ट्वाहꣳ नितराꣳ हृष्टो नैच्छꣳ गन्तुꣳ ततो’ग्रतः
tasmān nijeṣṭa-devasya varṇa-sādṛśyam ātate | dṛṣṭvāhaṁ nitarāṁ hṛṣṭo naicchaṁ gantuṁ tato’grataḥ
English translation
Translation
Seeing that the hue of the prakåti layer was similar to that of my beloved Lord, I was overjoyed and did not wish to go any further.
2.3.25
Sourceश्री-मोहिनी-मूर्ति-धरस्य तत्र विभ्राजमान्स्य निजेश्वरस्य । पूजाꣳ समाप्य प्रकृतिः प्रकृष्ट- मूर्तिः सपद्य् एव समभ्ययन् माम्
śrī-mohinī-mūrti-dharasya tatra vibhrājamānsya nijeśvarasya | pūjāṁ samāpya prakṛtiḥ prakṛṣṭa- mūrtiḥ sapady eva samabhyayan mām
English translation
Translation
The goddess Çré Prakåti-devé, charmingly attired, appeared before me after she finished the worship of her Lord, who was personally present there as Çré Mohiné-mürti.
2.3.26
Sourceउपानयन् महा-सिद्धिर् अनिमाद्य ममाग्रतः । ययाचे च पृथिव्य्-आदि- वत् तत्र मद्-अवस्थितिम्
upānayan mahā-siddhir animādya mamāgrataḥ | yayāce ca pṛthivy-ādi- vat tatra mad-avasthitim
English translation
Translation
Just as Dharaëé-devé and the Deities of the other coverings had done, that goddess of the material energy respectfully placed before me a collection of gifts, such as aëimä and the other mystic perfections, and implored me to stay there for some time.
2.3.27
Sourceस-स्नेहꣳ च जगादेदꣳ यदि त्वꣳ मुक्तिम् इच्छसि । तदाप्य् अनुगृहाणेमाꣳ माꣳ तस्याः प्रतिहारिणीम्
sa-snehaṁ ca jagādedaṁ yadi tvaṁ muktim icchasi | tadāpy anugṛhāṇemāṁ māṁ tasyāḥ pratihāriṇīm
English translation
Translation
Then, Prakåti-devé affectionately told me, “If you desire to obtain liberation, then you must show me your favor, since I alone guard the door to liberation.
2.3.28
Sourceभक्तिम् इच्छसि वा विष्णोस् तथाप्य् एतस्य चेटिकाम् । भगिनीꣳ शक्ति-रूपꣳ माꣳ कृपया भज भक्तिदम्
bhaktim icchasi vā viṣṇos tathāpy etasya ceṭikām | bhaginīṁ śakti-rūpaṁ māṁ kṛpayā bhaja bhaktidam
English translation
Translation
“And if you want the loving service of Viñëu, still you should kindly serve me, the bestower of bhakti, for I am Çré Viñëu’s maidservant, His sister, and His energy.”
2.3.29
Sourceश्री-गोप-कुमार उवाच— तद् अशेषम् अनादृत्य विष्णु-शक्ति-धिया परम् । ताꣳ नत्वावरणꣳ रम्य- वर्णꣳ तद् द्रष्टुम् अभ्रमम्
śrī-gopa-kumāra uvāca— tad aśeṣam anādṛtya viṣṇu-śakti-dhiyā param | tāṁ natvāvaraṇaṁ ramya- varṇaṁ tad draṣṭum abhramam
English translation
Translation
Çré Gopa-kumära said: I accepted neither the mystic perfections such as aëimä presented by Prakåti-devé, nor her words, but I bowed before her, considering her only to be the energy of Viñëu. Then I began wandering around to see the beautiful luster of her layer.
2.3.30
Sourceप्राधानिकैर् जीव-सङ्घैर् भुज्यमानꣳ मनोरमम् । सर्वतः सर्व-माहात्म्या- धिक्येन विलसत् स्वयम्
prādhānikair jīva-saṅghair bhujyamānaṁ manoramam | sarvataḥ sarva-māhātmyā- dhikyena vilasat svayam
English translation
Translation
There, I saw enjoying in that enchanting layer innumerable living beings whose bodies were made of primordial, undifferentiated matter (the gross pradhäna) and who were devoid of material designations. That prakåti, the material layer, in addition to being delightful, was self- effulgent, manifesting varieties of opulences that were more magnificent than any cause or effect, subtle or gross.
2.3.31
Sourceबहु-रूपꣳ दुर्विभव्यꣳ महा-मोहन-वैभवम् । कार्य-कारण-सङ्घाटैः सेव्यमानꣳ जगन्-मयम्
bahu-rūpaṁ durvibhavyaṁ mahā-mohana-vaibhavam | kārya-kāraṇa-saṅghāṭaiḥ sevyamānaṁ jagan-mayam
English translation
Translation
That layer of prakåti had countless forms. It was indescribable and full of captivating opulences. The whole material creation, furnished by the combination of effect (kärya) and cause (käraëa) pervades this prakåti.
2.3.32
Sourceअथेश्वरेच्छयातीत्य दुरन्तꣳ तद् घनꣳ तमः । तेजः-पुञ्जम् अपश्यꣳ तꣳ दृन्-निमीलन-कारणम्
atheśvarecchayātītya durantaṁ tad ghanaṁ tamaḥ | tejaḥ-puñjam apaśyaṁ taṁ dṛn-nimīlana-kāraṇam
English translation
Translation
After that, by the Lord’s will, I passed through that dense darkness of primordial ignorance (which is incredibly arduous to cross). Then I saw a gigantic mass of effulgence so blinding that it made me tremble with fear and close my eyes.
2.3.33
Sourceभक्त्या परमया यत्नाद् अग्रे दृष्टीः प्रसारयन् । सूर्य-कोटि-प्रतीकासम् अपश्यꣳ परमेश्वरम्
bhaktyā paramayā yatnād agre dṛṣṭīḥ prasārayan | sūrya-koṭi-pratīkāsam apaśyaṁ parameśvaram
English translation
Translation
I crossed that layer with supreme devotion. As I struggled to look ahead, I saw the Supreme Lord, who was as effulgent as billions of suns.
2.3.34
Sourceमनो-दृग्-आनन्द-विवर्धनꣳ विभुꣳ विचित्र-माधुर्य-विभूषणाचितम् । समग्र-सत्-पूरुष-लक्षणान्वितꣳ स्फुरत्-पर-ब्रह्ममयꣳ महाद्भुतम्
mano-dṛg-ānanda-vivardhanaṁ vibhuṁ vicitra-mādhurya-vibhūṣaṇācitam | samagra-sat-pūruṣa-lakṣaṇānvitaṁ sphurat-para-brahmamayaṁ mahādbhutam
English translation
Translation
Although effulgent like billions of suns, the Supreme Lord increased the bliss of the mind and eyes. Decorated with varieties of beautiful ornaments and endowed with all saintly qualities, He revealed Himself in the most amazing form of Parabrahman, the Supreme Absolute Truth.
2.3.35
Sourceसदा-गुणातीतम् अशेष-सद्-गुणꣳ निराकृतिꣳ लोक-मनोरमाकृतिम् । प्रकृत्याधिष्ठतृतया विलासिनꣳ तदीय-सम्बन्ध-विहीनम् अच्युतम्
sadā-guṇātītam aśeṣa-sad-guṇaṁ nirākṛtiṁ loka-manoramākṛtim | prakṛtyādhiṣṭhatṛtayā vilāsinaṁ tadīya-sambandha-vihīnam acyutam
English translation
Translation
Although He is beyond material qualities, He is the abode of unlimited qualities, such as affection for His devotees (bhakta-vätsalya). Although He has no mundane form, He has a transcendental form that attracts the world. Being infallible, although He performs pastimes as the predominating Deity of material nature, He has no relationship with the material energy.
2.3.36
Sourceमहा-सम्भ्रम-सन्त्रास- प्रमोद-भाव-विह्वलः । तदा किꣳ करवानीति ज्ञातुꣳ नेशे कथञ्चन
mahā-sambhrama-santrāsa- pramoda-bhāva-vihvalaḥ | tadā kiṁ karavānīti jñātuṁ neśe kathañcana
English translation
Translation
Upon receiving darçana of the Supreme Lord, I was overwhelmed by awe, fear, and bliss, and simply could not figure out what to do.
2.3.37
Sourceयद्यपि स्व-प्रकाशो’साव् अतीतेन्द्रिय-वृत्तिकः । तत्-कारुण्य-प्रभावेन परꣳ साक्षात् समीक्ष्यते
yadyapi sva-prakāśo’sāv atītendriya-vṛttikaḥ | tat-kāruṇya-prabhāvena paraṁ sākṣāt samīkṣyate
English translation
Translation
Although He manifests only by His own wish, and He is beyond the function of the senses, still by the power of His mercy I was able to see Him directly.
2.3.38
Sourceनैतन् निश्चेतुम् ईशे’यꣳ दृग्भ्याꣳ चित्तेन वेक्ष्यते । किꣳ वातिक्रम्य तत्-सर्वम् आत्म-भावेन केनचित्
naitan niścetum īśe’yaṁ dṛgbhyāṁ cittena vekṣyate | kiṁ vātikramya tat-sarvam ātma-bhāvena kenacit
English translation
Translation
But was I seeing that Supreme Lord with my eyes or with my mind? I was unable to discern this. Or, surpassing the functions of both external and internal senses, was my very soul beholding Him?
2.3.39
Sourceक्षणान् निराकारम् इवावलोकयन् स्मरामि नीलाद्रि-पतेर् अनुग्रहम् । क्षणाच् च साकारम् उदीक्ष्य पूर्ववन् महा-महः-पुञ्जम् अमुꣳ लभे मुदम्
kṣaṇān nirākāram ivāvalokayan smarāmi nīlādri-pater anugraham | kṣaṇāc ca sākāram udīkṣya pūrvavan mahā-mahaḥ-puñjam amuṁ labhe mudam
English translation
Translation
After a moment, when I again observed that vast, intense effulgence as formless and impersonal, I was pained at heart. I thus remembered the mercy of Çré Jagannätha, the Lord of Nélädri, and the very next moment, I again saw the Lord in personal form. This brought me great joy.
2.3.40
Sourceकदापि तस्मिन्न् एवाहम् लीयमानो’नुकम्पया । रक्षेय निज-पादाब्ज- नखाꣳशु-स्पर्शतो’मुना
kadāpi tasminn evāham līyamāno’nukampayā | rakṣeya nija-pādābja- nakhāṁśu-sparśato’munā
English translation
Translation
Sometimes, the mercy of the Supreme Lord would save me as I would begin to merge into that effulgent mass. The radiance emanating from the jewel-like toenails of His lotus feet would touch me and protect me from that calamity.
2.3.41
Sourceभिन्नाभिन्नैर् महा-सिद्धैः सूक्ष्मैः सूर्यम् इवाꣳशुभिः । वृतꣳ भक्तैर् इवालोक्य कदापि प्रीयते मनः
bhinnābhinnair mahā-siddhaiḥ sūkṣmaiḥ sūryam ivāṁśubhiḥ | vṛtaṁ bhaktair ivālokya kadāpi prīyate manaḥ
English translation
Translation
Just as the sun is surrounded on all sides by the minute particles of its rays, similarly Parameçvara was also surrounded in all directions by different exalted, perfected souls appearing to be His devotees. Seeing this, I sometimes felt blissful at heart.
2.3.42
Sourceइत्थम् आनन्द-सन्दोहम् अनुविन्दन् निमग्न-धीः । आत्माराम इवाभुवꣳ पूर्ण-काम इवाथवा
ittham ānanda-sandoham anuvindan nimagna-dhīḥ | ātmārāma ivābhuvaṁ pūrṇa-kāma ivāthavā
English translation
Translation
In this way, my mind became submerged in an ocean of bliss. At that time, I also felt like one who is ätmäräma – satisfied in the self, or who is pürëa-käma – whose every desire has been fulfilled.
2.3.43
Sourceतर्कार्चित-विचारौघैर् इदम् एव परꣳ पदम् । पराꣳ कष्ठाꣳ गतꣳ चैतद् अमꣳसि परमꣳ फलम्
tarkārcita-vicāraughair idam eva paraṁ padam | parāṁ kaṣṭhāṁ gataṁ caitad amaṁsi paramaṁ phalam
English translation
Translation
At that time, with logic and reason, I deliberated within my mind and concluded that this alone is the supreme destination and the ultimate limit of supreme perfection.
2.3.44
Sourceपद-स्वभाविकानन्द- तरङ्ग-क्षोभ-विह्वले । चित्ते तद्-अन्य-स्व-प्राप्य- ज्ञानम् अन्तर्-दधाव् इव
pada-svabhāvikānanda- taraṅga-kṣobha-vihvale | citte tad-anya-sva-prāpya- jñānam antar-dadhāv iva
English translation
Translation
My heart became overwhelmed and was thus unsteady due to the waves of bliss that were natural to Mahäkäla-pura. Knowledge of all other things that I had previously acquired automatically almost disappeared, leaving only knowledge of Parameçvara.
2.3.45
Sourceश्रीमन्-महा-भगवतोपदेशतः सन्-मन्त्र-सेवा-बलतो न केवलम् । लीना कदाचिन् निज-पूज्य-देवता- पादाब्ज-साक्षाद्-अवलोक-लालसा
śrīman-mahā-bhagavatopadeśataḥ san-mantra-sevā-balato na kevalam | līnā kadācin nija-pūjya-devatā- pādābja-sākṣād-avaloka-lālasā
English translation
Translation
By the influence of the instructions of mahä-bhägavata Çré Gurudeva, and by the power of service to the mantra he gave me, my desire to directly see my worshipable Deity’s lotus feet never left me.
2.3.46
Sourceउतास्य तेजो-मय-पूरुषस्य विचार-लोकेन विवर्धितो’भूत् । निजेष्ट-सन्दर्शन-दीर्घ-लोभः स्मृतेः सृतिꣳ नीत इव प्रकर्षात्
utāsya tejo-maya-pūruṣasya vicāra-lokena vivardhito’bhūt | nijeṣṭa-sandarśana-dīrgha-lobhaḥ smṛteḥ sṛtiṁ nīta iva prakarṣāt
English translation
Translation
Rather, by seeing that effulgent Personality for a long time, my greed for direct darçana of my worshipable Deity Çré Madana-gopäla increased even more, and He seemed to be forcing Himself on the path of my memory.
2.3.47
Sourceतेन तꣳ प्रकटꣳ पश्यन्न् अपि प्रीये न पूर्ववत् । सीदाम्य् अथ लयꣳ स्वस्य सङ्कमनः स्वयम्-भवम्
tena taṁ prakaṭaṁ paśyann api prīye na pūrvavat | sīdāmy atha layaṁ svasya saṅkamanaḥ svayam-bhavam
English translation
Translation
Therefore, although I was seeing the Lord of the abode of liberation, Parameçvara, in His personal form, I could not be happy as before. Rather, I was always disturbed and frightened, thinking, “I might merge into Him.”
2.3.48
Sourceव्रजभूमाव् इहागत्य साधये’हꣳ स्व-वञ्छितम् । विमृशन्न् एवम् अश्रौषꣳ गीत-वाद्याद्भुत-ध्वनिम्
vrajabhūmāv ihāgatya sādhaye’haṁ sva-vañchitam | vimṛśann evam aśrauṣaṁ gīta-vādyādbhuta-dhvanim
English translation
Translation
Just as I was thinking, “When shall I go to Vraja-bhümi and perform the devotional practices I desire?” I heard the sound of extraordinary singing and instrumental music.
2.3.49
Sourceहृष्टो’हꣳ परितः पश्यन् वृषारूढꣳ व्यलोकयम् । कम् अप्य् ऊर्ध्व-पदात् तत्रा- यान्तꣳ सर्व-विलक्षणम्
hṛṣṭo’haṁ paritaḥ paśyan vṛṣārūḍhaṁ vyalokayam | kam apy ūrdhva-padāt tatrā- yāntaṁ sarva-vilakṣaṇam
English translation
Translation
Thrilled to hear that sound, I looked all around and saw a completely extraordinary person sitting on a bull and descending from a higher realm.
2.3.50
Sourceकर्पूर-गौरꣳ त्रिदृशꣳ दिग्-अम्बरꣳ चन्द्रार्ध-मौलिꣳ ललितꣳ त्रि-शूलिनम् । गङ्गा-जल-म्लान-जटावली-धरꣳ भस्माङ्ग-रागꣳ रुचिरास्थि-मालिनम्
karpūra-gauraṁ tridṛśaṁ dig-ambaraṁ candrārdha-mauliṁ lalitaṁ tri-śūlinam | gaṅgā-jala-mlāna-jaṭāvalī-dharaṁ bhasmāṅga-rāgaṁ rucirāsthi-mālinam
English translation
Translation
That three-eyed personality was as white as camphor and clad only in the directions. Charming, and adorned with a half-moon on his forehead, he looked beautiful, with matted locks washed by Gaìgä water. His body was coated with ashes, he sported an enchanting garland of bones, and he was carrying a trident in his hand.
2.3.51
Sourceगौर्या निजाङ्काश्रितयानुरञ्जितꣳ दिव्यातिदिव्यैः कलितꣳ परिच्छदैः । आत्मानुरूपैः परिवार-सञ्चयैः सꣳसेव्यमानꣳ रुचिराकृतीहितैः
gauryā nijāṅkāśritayānurañjitaṁ divyātidivyaiḥ kalitaṁ paricchadaiḥ | ātmānurūpaiḥ parivāra-sañcayaiḥ saṁsevyamānaṁ rucirākṛtīhitaiḥ
English translation
Translation
Sitting on his lap was a woman of golden complexion, who was satisfied with his affection. That great personality was surrounded by suitable attendants who were serving him with celestial umbrellas, cämaras, and other items that were even more divine than that of heaven. These servants, whose forms and actions were most enchanting, were perfectly suited to their master.
2.3.52
Sourceपरमꣳ विस्मयꣳ प्राप्तो हर्षꣳ चैतद् अचिन्तयम् । को’न्व् अयꣳ परिवाराढ्यो भाति मुक्ति-पदोपरि
paramaṁ vismayaṁ prāpto harṣaṁ caitad acintayam | ko’nv ayaṁ parivārāḍhyo bhāti mukti-padopari
English translation
Translation
Seeing him, I was astonished and elated, and I thought, “Who is this personality coming from above the abode of liberation and surrounded by such an entourage?”
2.3.53
Sourceजगद्-विलक्षणैश्वर्यो मुक्त-वर्गाधिको’पि सन् । लक्ष्यते’ति-सद्-आचारो महा-विषयवान् इव
jagad-vilakṣaṇaiśvaryo mukta-vargādhiko’pi san | lakṣyate’ti-sad-ācāro mahā-viṣayavān iva
English translation
Translation
His distinctive opulences far surpassed anything of this world. Although he is far superior to all liberated souls, at the same time, he gave the impression of being a great hedonist who transgresses virtuous conduct.
2.3.54
Sourceपरानन्द-भराक्रान्त- चेतस् तद्-दर्शनाद् अहम् । नमन् स-परिवारꣳ तꣳ कृपयालोकितो’मुना
parānanda-bharākrānta- cetas tad-darśanād aham | naman sa-parivāraṁ taṁ kṛpayālokito’munā
English translation
Translation
Seeing the husband of Gauré, my consciousness was overwhelmed with great bliss. I offered obeisances to him along with all his associates, and he cast his merciful glance upon me.
2.3.55
Sourceहर्ष-वेगाद् उपव्रज्य श्रीमन्-नन्दीश्वराह्वयम् । अपृच्छꣳ तद्-गणाध्यक्षꣳ तद्-वृत्तान्तꣳ विशेषतः
harṣa-vegād upavrajya śrīman-nandīśvarāhvayam | apṛcchaṁ tad-gaṇādhyakṣaṁ tad-vṛttāntaṁ viśeṣataḥ
English translation
Translation
Feeling supreme joy, I approached and specifically inquired about him from the leader of his associates, Çréman Nandéçvara.
2.3.56
Sourceस स-हासम् अवोचन् माꣳ गोपालोपासना-परा । गोप-बाल न जानीषे श्री-शिवꣳ जगद्-ईश्वरम्
sa sa-hāsam avocan māṁ gopālopāsanā-parā | gopa-bāla na jānīṣe śrī-śivaṁ jagad-īśvaram
English translation
Translation
He (Çré Nandé) laughed and told me, “O cowherd boy, you are devoted to the worship of Gopäla! You don’t know that this is Jagadéçvara Lord Çiva, the lord of the universe?
2.3.57
Sourceभुक्तेर् मुक्तेश् च दातायꣳ भगवद्-भक्ति-वर्धनः । मुक्तानाम् अपि सम्पूज्यो वैष्णवानाꣳ च वल्लभः
bhukter mukteś ca dātāyaṁ bhagavad-bhakti-vardhanaḥ | muktānām api sampūjyo vaiṣṇavānāṁ ca vallabhaḥ
English translation
Translation
“He is the giver of both material pleasure and liberation, and he increases the devotees’ love for Bhagavän. He is worshipable by all liberated souls and is very dear to the Vaiñëavas.
2.3.58-59
Sourceशिव-कृष्णापृथग्-दृष्टि- भक्ति-लभ्यात् स्व-लोकतः । स्वानुरूपात् कुवेरस्य सख्युर् भक्ति-वशी-कृताः कैलासाद्रिम् अलङ्कर्तुꣳ पार्वत्या प्रिययानया । समꣳ परिमितैर् याति प्रियैः परिवृतैर् वृतः
śiva-kṛṣṇāpṛthag-dṛṣṭi- bhakti-labhyāt sva-lokataḥ | svānurūpāt kuverasya sakhyur bhakti-vaśī-kṛtāḥ kailāsādrim alaṅkartuṁ pārvatyā priyayānayā | samaṁ parimitair yāti priyaiḥ parivṛtair vṛtaḥ
English translation
Translation
“When bhakti is performed with the perspective that Çré Çiva and Çré Kåñëa are nondifferent, one attains that abode, Çivaloka, which perfectly corresponds to Lord Çiva. Now, captivated by the devotion of his friend Kuvera for him, Lord Çiva has left this abode. With his beloved Pärvaté and some of his followers, he is traveling to Mount Kailäsa to increase its beauty with his presence.”
2.3.60
Sourceश्री-गोप-कुमार उवाच— तद् आकर्ण्या प्रहृष्टो’हम् ऐच्छꣳ तस्मान् महेश्वरात् । प्रसादꣳ कम् अपि प्राप्तुम् आत्मनो हृदयङ्गमम्
śrī-gopa-kumāra uvāca— tad ākarṇyā prahṛṣṭo’ham aicchaṁ tasmān maheśvarāt | prasādaṁ kam api prāptum ātmano hṛdayaṅgamam
English translation
Translation
Çré Gopa-kumära said: I was extremely pleased to hear Nandéçvara’s words. When I understood that Çiva and Kåñëa are nondifferent, I began to desire to obtain some special mercy from Maheçvara that I could perceive and experience.
2.3.61
Sourceज्ञात्वा भगवता तेन दृष्टादिष्टस्य नन्दिनः । उपदेशेन शुद्धेन स्वयꣳ मे स्फुरद् अञ्जसा
jñātvā bhagavatā tena dṛṣṭādiṣṭasya nandinaḥ | upadeśena śuddhena svayaṁ me sphurad añjasā
English translation
Translation
The omniscient bhagavän Çré Mahädeva understood my intention and ordered Çré Nandéçvara to instruct me. By Nandéçvara’s pure guidance, the truth of oneness easily manifested in my heart.
2.3.62
Sourceश्रीमन्-मदन-गोपालान् निज-प्राणेष्ट-दैवतात् । अभिन्नः श्री-महेशो’यम् उत तद्-भाव-वर्धनः
śrīman-madana-gopālān nija-prāṇeṣṭa-daivatāt | abhinnaḥ śrī-maheśo’yam uta tad-bhāva-vardhanaḥ
English translation
Translation
Then I could understand that this Çré Maheçvara is nondifferent from Çré Madana-gopäla, the worshipable Deity of my very life, and he alone causes all devotees to increase their devotion to the Lord.
2.3.63
Sourceसुखꣳ तद्-गण-मध्ये’हꣳ प्रविष्टः प्रीणतो’खिलैः । शैवैः श्री-नन्दिनो’श्रौष । वृत्तम् एतद् विलक्षणम्
sukhaṁ tad-gaṇa-madhye’haṁ praviṣṭaḥ prīṇato’khilaiḥ | śaivaiḥ śrī-nandino’śrauṣa | vṛttam etad vilakṣaṇam
English translation
Translation
I cheerfully joined Çré Çiva’s followers, who increased my pleasure even more. Then I heard an extraordinary account from the bull named Çré Nandé, Lord Çiva’s carrier.
2.3.64
Sourceसदैक-रूपो भगवान् शिवो’यꣳ वसन् स्व-लोके प्रकटः सदैव । विलोक्यते तत्र निवास-तुष्टैस् तद्-एक-निष्ठैः सततꣳ निजेष्टैः
sadaika-rūpo bhagavān śivo’yaṁ vasan sva-loke prakaṭaḥ sadaiva | vilokyate tatra nivāsa-tuṣṭais tad-eka-niṣṭhaiḥ satataṁ nijeṣṭaiḥ
English translation
Translation
This bhagavän Çré Çiva exists eternally in one form, and he is always manifest in his beloved Çivaloka, where his unalloyed devotees, who also reside there perpetually, see him with great happiness.
2.3.65
Sourceस्वाभिन्न-भगवद्-भक्ति- लाम्पट्यꣳ ग्राहयन्न् इव । सदा रमयति स्वीयान् नृत्य-गीतादि-कौतुकैः
svābhinna-bhagavad-bhakti- lāmpaṭyaṁ grāhayann iva | sadā ramayati svīyān nṛtya-gītādi-kautukaiḥ
English translation
Translation
Çré Çiva is always personally engaged in an ongoing festival of dancing, singing, and chanting the Lord’s names. With his instructions he makes his devotees happy, kindling their greed for devotional service to Çré Kåñëa, who is nondifferent from himself.
2.3.66
Sourceभगवन्तꣳ सहस्रास्यꣳ शेष-मूर्तिꣳ निज-प्रियम् । नित्यम् अर्चयति प्रेम्णा दास-वज् जगदीश्वरः
bhagavantaṁ sahasrāsyaṁ śeṣa-mūrtiṁ nija-priyam | nityam arcayati premṇā dāsa-vaj jagadīśvaraḥ
English translation
Translation
Although Çré Çiva is the lord of the world, like a servant, he always lovingly worships the thousand-hooded Çeña, his beloved form of Bhagavän.
2.3.67
Sourceज्ञात्वेमꣳ शिव-लोकस्य विशेषाꣳ सर्वतो’धिकम् । प्रमोदꣳ परमꣳ प्राप्तो’प्य् अपूर्णꣳ हृद् अलक्षयम्
jñātvemaṁ śiva-lokasya viśeṣāṁ sarvato’dhikam | pramodaṁ paramaṁ prāpto’py apūrṇaṁ hṛd alakṣayam
English translation
Translation
I became most happy to learn that Çivaloka is more special and more glorious than all other abodes. Still, I felt my heart was not full.
2.3.68
Sourceतन्-निदानम् अनासाद्य सद्यो’ज्ञासिषम् आमृशन् । श्रीमद्-गुरु-प्रसादाप्त- वस्तु-सेवा-प्रभावतः
tan-nidānam anāsādya sadyo’jñāsiṣam āmṛśan | śrīmad-guru-prasādāpta- vastu-sevā-prabhāvataḥ
English translation
Translation
At first I could not discern even a trace of the reason for my discontent, but as soon as I reflected on it, everything immediately became clear by the influence of my service to the mantra that Çré Gurudeva had mercifully given me.
2.3.69
Sourceश्रीमन्-मदन-गोपाल- देव-पाद-सरोजयोः । लीलाद्य्-अनुभवाभावो माम् अयꣳ बाधते किल
śrīman-madana-gopāla- deva-pāda-sarojayoḥ | līlādy-anubhavābhāvo mām ayaṁ bādhate kila
English translation
Translation
I was dissatisfied because I was not experiencing the glories and pastimes of the lotus feet of Çréman Madana-gopäla.
2.3.70
Sourceअबोधयꣳ मनो’नेन महेशेनैव स खलु । लीला-विशेष-वैचित्री कृता मूर्ति-विशेषतः
abodhayaṁ mano’nena maheśenaiva sa khalu | līlā-viśeṣa-vaicitrī kṛtā mūrti-viśeṣataḥ
English translation
Translation
Having determined this, I explained to my mind, “It is Çré Maheçvara himself who, having assumed some other form that is supremely attractive, is manifesting all those special varieties of pastimes.”
2.3.71-72
Sourceतथाप्य् अवस्थाम् आलक्ष्य स्व-चित्तम् इदम् अब्रुवम् । यद्य् अस्मिन्न् अनुभूयेत स तद्-रूपादि-माधुरी तथापि दीर्घ-वञ्छा ते’नुग्रहाद् अस्य सेत्स्यति । अचिराद् इति मन्यस्व स्व-प्रसाद-विशेषतः
tathāpy avasthām ālakṣya sva-cittam idam abruvam | yady asminn anubhūyeta sa tad-rūpādi-mādhurī tathāpi dīrgha-vañchā te’nugrahād asya setsyati | acirād iti manyasva sva-prasāda-viśeṣataḥ
English translation
Translation
Seeing that my mind remained dissatisfied despite my instructions, I told it, “O mind, although you are not able to experience the sweetness of the pastimes of Çré Madana-gopäla in His form as Çré Mahädeva, still, by the mercy of Çré Mahädeva, your long-cherished desire will soon be fulfilled. There is no doubt about this.”
2.3.73
Sourceएवꣳ तुष्ट-मनस् तस्य तत्र केनापि हेतुना । विश्रान्तस्य महेशस्य पार्श्वे’तिष्ठꣳ क्षणꣳ सुखम्
evaṁ tuṣṭa-manas tasya tatra kenāpi hetunā | viśrāntasya maheśasya pārśve’tiṣṭhaṁ kṣaṇaṁ sukham
English translation
Translation
For some reason, Çré Çiva rested in the abode of liberation for a few moments. I also stood there, near him, and pacified my mind with these words of wisdom.
2.3.74
Sourceतर्ह्य् एव भगवान् दूरे केषाम् अपि महात्मनाम् । सङ्गीत-ध्वनिर् अत्यन्त- मधुरः कश्चिद् उद्गतः
tarhy eva bhagavān dūre keṣām api mahātmanām | saṅgīta-dhvanir atyanta- madhuraḥ kaścid udgataḥ
English translation
Translation
O bhagavan, O greatly fortunate one! Just then I heard the very sweet singing of some exalted personalities in the distance.
2.3.75
Sourceतꣳ श्रूत्वा परमानन्द- सिन्धौ मग्नो महेश्वरः । महा-प्रेम-विकारात्तः प्रवृत्तो नर्तितुꣳ स्वयम्
taṁ śrūtvā paramānanda- sindhau magno maheśvaraḥ | mahā-prema-vikārāttaḥ pravṛtto nartituṁ svayam
English translation
Translation
Hearing the sound of that music, Maheçvara was plunged into an ocean of intense bliss. Maddened by the stirring of great love within himself, he spontaneously began to dance, alone.
2.3.76
Sourceपति-व्रतोत्तमा सा तु देवी नन्द्य्-आदिभिः सह । प्रभुम् उत्साहयाम् आस वाद्य-सङ्कीर्तनादिभिः
pati-vratottamā sā tu devī nandy-ādibhiḥ saha | prabhum utsāhayām āsa vādya-saṅkīrtanādibhiḥ
English translation
Translation
Çré Pärvaté-devé – the crest jewel of chaste wives – and Nandé, along with other associates, increased the enthusiasm of their lord by playing musical instruments, singing the names of the Lord, and so on.
2.3.77
Sourceसद्य एवागताꣳस् तत्रा- द्रक्षꣳ चारु-चतुर्भुजान् । श्रीमत्-कैशोर-सौन्दर्य- माधुर्य-विभवाचितान्
sadya evāgatāṁs tatrā- drakṣaṁ cāru-caturbhujān | śrīmat-kaiśora-saundarya- mādhurya-vibhavācitān
English translation
Translation
Then I saw that four attractive male persons had arrived there. They had four arms and they were enchanting, bearing the beauty and sweetness of blossoming youth.
2.3.78
Sourceभूषा-भूषन-गात्राꣳ- शु-च्छटाच्छादित-शैवकान् । निजेश्वर-महा-कीर्ति- गणानन्द-रसाप्लुतान्
bhūṣā-bhūṣana-gātrāṁ- śu-cchaṭācchādita-śaivakān | nijeśvara-mahā-kīrti- gaṇānanda-rasāplutān
English translation
Translation
Those Vaikuëöha associates were themselves the ornaments of their ornaments, and the effulgence of their limbs was so brilliant that the associates of Çiva were concealed by it. Singing the super-excellent glories of their Lord, they were submerged in the mellow of bliss.
2.3.79
Sourceअनिर्वाच्य-तमाꣳश् चेतो- हरि-सर्व-परिच्छदान् । सङ्गतान् पूर्व-दृष्टैस् तैस् चतुर्भिः सनकादिभिः
anirvācya-tamāṁś ceto- hari-sarva-paricchadān | saṅgatān pūrva-dṛṣṭais tais caturbhiḥ sanakādibhiḥ
English translation
Translation
They are beyond the power of words to describe. Their clothes and ornaments were so beautiful as to steal your mind. Accompanying them were the four brothers headed by Sanaka, whom I had previously seen in Tapoloka.
2.3.80
Sourceतद्-दर्शन-स्वभावोत्थ- प्रहर्षाकृष्ट-मानसः । नाज्ञाशिषꣳ किम् अप्य् अन्तर् बहिश् चान्यꣳ निज-प्रियम्
tad-darśana-svabhāvottha- praharṣākṛṣṭa-mānasaḥ | nājñāśiṣaṁ kim apy antar bahiś cānyaṁ nija-priyam
English translation
Translation
As a natural result of their darçana, prema welled within me and captured my mind so completely that everything I had held dear – internal or external – was thrust from my consciousness.
2.3.81
Sourceक्षणात् स्वस्थो’प्य् अहो तेषाꣳ दासत्वम् अपि चेतसा । नाशकꣳ याचितुꣳ भीत्या लज्जया च सुदुर्घटम्
kṣaṇāt svastho’py aho teṣāṁ dāsatvam api cetasā | nāśakaṁ yācituṁ bhītyā lajjayā ca sudurghaṭam
English translation
Translation
After some time, I regained my composure. However, fearful and embarrassed, I did not deem myself fit to beg them for the rare boon of serving them.
2.3.82
Sourceएषा हि लालसा नूनꣳ कृपनꣳ माम् अबाधत । सम्भाषेरन्न् इमे किꣳ माꣳ शिवस्य कृपया सकृत्
eṣā hi lālasā nūnaṁ kṛpanaṁ mām abādhata | sambhāṣerann ime kiṁ māṁ śivasya kṛpayā sakṛt
English translation
Translation
It is extremely difficult to fulfill the desire of being the servant of Bhagavän’s personal associates. Because I was unable to pray for that position even in my mind, feelings of great wretchedness and humility filled my heart. In addition, the longing to attain this servitorship began to grow and torment my heart even more. I thought, “If Çré Çiva gives me his mercy, maybe there is a chance that they will speak to me just once.”
2.3.83
Sourceकुत्रत्याः कतमे वैते कृपापङ्गेन पान्तु माम् । यान् आलिङ्ग्य भृशाꣳ रुद्रः प्रेम-मूर्च्छाम् अयꣳ व्रजेत्
kutratyāḥ katame vaite kṛpāpaṅgena pāntu mām | yān āliṅgya bhṛśāṁ rudraḥ prema-mūrcchām ayaṁ vrajet
English translation
Translation
Where do they reside? Who are they? Whoever they are, may they save me by their merciful sidelong glance. How astonishing! Upon embracing them, even Çré Rudra swooned in great love.
2.3.84
Sourceइत्य्-आदि-मन्-मनो-वृत्तꣳ ज्ञात्वा देव्योमयेरितः । शिव-चित्तानुवर्तिन्या गणेशो’कथयच् छनैः
ity-ādi-man-mano-vṛttaṁ jñātvā devyomayeritaḥ | śiva-cittānuvartinyā gaṇeśo’kathayac chanaiḥ
English translation
Translation
Knowing the disposition of my mind, Çré Umä-devé, who follows the heart of Çré Çiva, ordered Gaëeça to say something to me.
2.3.85
Sourceश्री-गणेश उवाच— एते वैकुण्ठ-नाथस्य श्री-कृष्णस्य महा-प्रभोः । पार्षदाः प्राप्त-सारूप्या वैकुण्ठाद् आगताः किल
śrī-gaṇeśa uvāca— ete vaikuṇṭha-nāthasya śrī-kṛṣṇasya mahā-prabhoḥ | pārṣadāḥ prāpta-sārūpyā vaikuṇṭhād āgatāḥ kila
English translation
Translation
Çré Gaëeça said: These are the personal associates of Mahäprabhu, the Supreme Lord, Çré Kåñëa, the Lord of Vaikuëöha. They have received forms like His and have come here from Vaikuëöha.
2.3.86-87
Sourceपश्येमे’प्य् अपरे यान्ति ब्रह्मणो’धिकृते’ल्पके । ब्रह्माण्डे चतुरास्यस्य तथामि दूरतः परे अमी चाष्टानुखस्यैतद् द्वि-गुणे यान्ति वेगतः । अमी तु षोडशस्यास्य ब्रह्माण्डे द्वि-गुणे तथा
paśyeme’py apare yānti brahmaṇo’dhikṛte’lpake | brahmāṇḍe caturāsyasya tathāmi dūrataḥ pare amī cāṣṭānukhasyaitad dvi-guṇe yānti vegataḥ | amī tu ṣoḍaśasyāsya brahmāṇḍe dvi-guṇe tathā
English translation
Translation
Look! Some of them are going to the small universe that is ruled by the four-headed Brahmä. Look over there. Others are going further and further away to the bigger universes, which are ruled by the Brahmäs who have many more heads. This eight-headed Brahmä is twice as big as the four-headed Brahmä, and his universe is also double in size. The sixteen-headed Brahmä is twice the size of the eight-headed Brahmä and his universe is also double the size.
2.3.88-89
Sourceइत्य् एवꣳ कोटि-कोटीनाꣳ ब्रह्मणाꣳ महताꣳ क्रमात् । कोटि-कोटि-मुखाब्जानाꣳ तादृग्-ब्रह्माण्ड-कोटिषु गच्छतो लीलाया तत्-तद्- अनुरूप-परिच्छदान् । गणेशो’दर्शयत् तान् माꣳ बहुशो दृङ्-मनो-हरान्
ity evaṁ koṭi-koṭīnāṁ brahmaṇāṁ mahatāṁ kramāt | koṭi-koṭi-mukhābjānāṁ tādṛg-brahmāṇḍa-koṭiṣu gacchato līlāyā tat-tad- anurūpa-paricchadān | gaṇeśo’darśayat tān māṁ bahuśo dṛṅ-mano-harān
English translation
Translation
In this way, there are Brahmäs who possess heads ranging from sixteen all the way up to billions upon billions, each Brahmä dwelling in his proportionately larger universe. Çré Gaëeça pointed out to me, “O highly fortunate one, just see these Vaikuëöha associates. Their beauty enchants the eyes. They are entering those universes, manifesting garments, ornaments, and opulences suitable to the vastness of each universe.”
2.3.90-91
Sourceएते हि मृत्यु-काले’पि जिह्वाग्रे श्रोत्र-वर्त्म वा । कथञ्चित् सकृद्-आप्तेन नामाभासेन च प्रभोः भक्तान् कृत्स्न-भयात् पान्तस् तान्वन्तो भक्तिम् उज्ज्वलाम् । सर्वत्र विचरन्त्य् आत्मे- च्छया भक्त्य्-एक-वल्लभाः
ete hi mṛtyu-kāle’pi jihvāgre śrotra-vartma vā | kathañcit sakṛd-āptena nāmābhāsena ca prabhoḥ bhaktān kṛtsna-bhayāt pāntas tānvanto bhaktim ujjvalām | sarvatra vicaranty ātme- cchayā bhakty-eka-vallabhāḥ
English translation
Translation
Çré Gaëeça continued: The Vaikuëöha associates of Çré Näräyaëa are ardent lovers of devotional service. Warding off dangers that impede devotion, they protect the devotees who, at the time of death, utter with their tongues or hear with their ears even a semblance of the holy name of Çré Näräyaëa, the Master of Vaikuëöha. Under the guise of protecting those devotees who on their deathbed chant or hear the Lord’s holy name, they wander everywhere at will to spread pure devotion to Çré Näräyaëa.
2.3.92-93
Sourceभक्तावतारास् तस्यैते चत्वारो नैष्टिकोत्तमाः । परिभ्रमन्ति लोकानाꣳ हितार्थꣳ पार्षदा इव वसन्ति च तपो-लोके प्रभुꣳ नारायणꣳ विना । अनाथानाम् इव क्षेमꣳ वहन्तस् तन्-निवासिनाम्
bhaktāvatārās tasyaite catvāro naiṣṭikottamāḥ | paribhramanti lokānāṁ hitārthaṁ pārṣadā iva vasanti ca tapo-loke prabhuṁ nārāyaṇaṁ vinā | anāthānām iva kṣemaṁ vahantas tan-nivāsinām
English translation
Translation
Like the Vaikuëöha associates, the four Kumäras headed by Sanaka, who are the best of life-long celibates (naiñöhika-brahmacärés) and who are devotee incarnations of Bhagavän, wander everywhere for the welfare of all. They also reside in Tapoloka, where they disseminate the pastimes of Bhagavän to nourish and protect the many brahmacärés there who appear orphaned, unable to see Çréman Näräyaëa.
2.3.94-95
Sourceगत्वा सम्प्रति वैकुण्ठे सर्वाकर्षक-सद्-गुणम् । भगवन्तꣳ तम् आलोक्य मोक्षानन्द-विडम्बिना निर्भरानन्द-पूरेण सम्योज्यात्मानम् आगताः । पिबन्तो भक्त-सङ्गत्या हरेर् भक्ति-महा-रसम्
gatvā samprati vaikuṇṭhe sarvākarṣaka-sad-guṇam | bhagavantaṁ tam ālokya mokṣānanda-viḍambinā nirbharānanda-pūreṇa samyojyātmānam āgatāḥ | pibanto bhakta-saṅgatyā harer bhakti-mahā-rasam
English translation
Translation
These four Kumäras are just coming from Vaikuëöha, where they saw the all-attractive Çré Bhagavän, who is adorned with transcendental qualities. With their hearts overflowing with streams of joy that taunt the bliss of liberation, they are traveling with Bhagavän’s personal associates. Now they are drinking the ambrosia of bhakti in the close association of devotees of Çré Hari.
2.3.96-97
Sourceनित्यापरिछिन्न-महा-सुखान्त्य- कष्ठावतस् तादृश-वैभवस्य । साक्षाद् रमा-नाथ-पदारविन्द- क्रीडा-भराजस्र-विभूषितस्य तत्-प्रेम-भक्तैः सुलभस्य वक्तुꣳ वैकुण्ठ-लोकस्य परꣳ किम् ईशे । अद्वैत-दुर्वासनया मुमुक्षा- विद्धात्मनाꣳ हृद्य् अपि दुर्लभस्य
nityāparichinna-mahā-sukhāntya- kaṣṭhāvatas tādṛśa-vaibhavasya | sākṣād ramā-nātha-padāravinda- krīḍā-bharājasra-vibhūṣitasya tat-prema-bhaktaiḥ sulabhasya vaktuṁ vaikuṇṭha-lokasya paraṁ kim īśe | advaita-durvāsanayā mumukṣā- viddhātmanāṁ hṛdy api durlabhasya
English translation
Translation
What more can I describe about Vaikuëöha? It is eternally endowed with the ultimate limit of unlimited happiness and is perfect with corresponding opulence. The entire Vaikuëöha is decorated with the various pastime places of the lotus feet of Çré Ramä-nätha, and it is easily attained by the Lord’s loving devotees. However, those whose hearts are pierced by the thorn of the desire for säyujya liberation, having been contaminated by an inclination towards monism, cannot imagine its glories even in their dreams.
2.3.98
Sourceयद्य् अस्य मत्-पितुः सम्याक् करुणा स्यात् तदा त्वया । श्रोष्यते महिमा तस्य गत्वा चानुभविष्यते
yady asya mat-pituḥ samyāk karuṇā syāt tadā tvayā | śroṣyate mahimā tasya gatvā cānubhaviṣyate
English translation
Translation
If you receive the full mercy of my father (Çré Çiva), you will also hear the glories of the realm of Vaikuëöha. Then you will directly experience them by going there.
2.3.99
Sourceश्री-गोप-कुमार उवाच— ब्रह्मꣳस् तत्-प्राप्तये जात- महा-लालसया भृशाम् । अहꣳ चिन्तार्णव-पार- भङ्ग-रङ्गे प्रनर्तितः
śrī-gopa-kumāra uvāca— brahmaṁs tat-prāptaye jāta- mahā-lālasayā bhṛśām | ahaṁ cintārṇava-pāra- bhaṅga-raṅge pranartitaḥ
English translation
Translation
Çré Gopa-kumära said: O brähmaëa, a great desire to go to Vaikuëöha arose in me and drove me to dance uncontrollably on a stage of the waves of a boundless ocean of anxiety.
2.3.100
Sourceविचार-जाततः स्वस्य सम्भव्य तद्-अयोग्यताम् । प्ररुदन् शोक-वेगेन मोहꣳ प्राप्यापतꣳ क्षणात्
vicāra-jātataḥ svasya sambhavya tad-ayogyatām | prarudan śoka-vegena mohaṁ prāpyāpataṁ kṣaṇāt
English translation
Translation
But thinking about it, I concluded I was unfit to reside in Vaikuëöha. Overwhelmed by severe grief, I fell to the ground unconscious.
2.3.101
Sourceमहा-दयालुनानेन पर-दुःखासहिष्णुना । वैष्णवैक-प्रियेणाहम् उत्थाप्याश्वास्य भाषितः
mahā-dayālunānena para-duḥkhāsahiṣṇunā | vaiṣṇavaika-priyeṇāham utthāpyāśvāsya bhāṣitaḥ
English translation
Translation
The extremely merciful Çré Mahädeva, who cannot bear the distress of others and who is especially affectionate to the Vaiñëavas, then lifted me from the ground and consoled me with the following words.
2.3.102
Sourceश्री-महादेव उवाच— हे श्री-वैष्णव पार्वत्या सहाहम् अपि कामये । तस्मिन् वैकुण्ठ-लोके तु सदा वासꣳ भवान् इव
śrī-mahādeva uvāca— he śrī-vaiṣṇava pārvatyā sahāham api kāmaye | tasmin vaikuṇṭha-loke tu sadā vāsaṁ bhavān iva
English translation
Translation
Çré Mahädeva said: O honorable Vaiñëava! Just like you, Pärvaté and I also desire to reside forever in Vaikuëöha-loka.
2.3.103
Sourceसो’तिव-दुर्लभो लोकः प्रार्थ्यो मुक्तैर् अपि ध्रुवम् । साध्यो ब्रह्म-सुतानाꣳ हि ब्रह्मणश् च ममापि सः
so’tiva-durlabho lokaḥ prārthyo muktair api dhruvam | sādhyo brahma-sutānāṁ hi brahmaṇaś ca mamāpi saḥ
English translation
Translation
That realm is rarely attained. Indeed, even liberated souls always pray to go there. Brahmä’s sons like Bhågu and other great sages, Brahmä himself, and even I, endeavor to attain it.
2.3.104-106
Sourceनिष्कामेषु विशुद्धेषु स्व-धर्मेषु हि यः पुमान् । पराꣳ निष्ठाꣳ गतस् तस्मिन् य कृपा श्री-हरेर् भवेत् तस्याः शत-गुण चेत् स्याद् ब्रह्मत्वꣳ लभते तदा । तस्याः शत-गुणायाꣳ च स्यान् मद्-भावꣳ र्च्छति श्रीमद्-भगवतस् तस्य मयि यावन् अनुग्रहः । तस्माच् छत-गुणोत्तने जाते वैकुण्ठम् एति तम्
niṣkāmeṣu viśuddheṣu sva-dharmeṣu hi yaḥ pumān | parāṁ niṣṭhāṁ gatas tasmin ya kṛpā śrī-harer bhavet tasyāḥ śata-guṇa cet syād brahmatvaṁ labhate tadā | tasyāḥ śata-guṇāyāṁ ca syān mad-bhāvaṁ rcchati śrīmad-bhagavatas tasya mayi yāvan anugrahaḥ | tasmāc chata-guṇottane jāte vaikuṇṭham eti tam
English translation
Translation
Those pure-hearted persons with no material desire, and who with great conviction adhere to varëäçrama-dharma, achieve Bhagavän’s mercy. When this mercy is multiplied a hundred times, one attains the position of Brahmä. When one receives a hundred times more mercy than that, he obtains my position, or Çiva-pada. And when one receives mercy that is again a hundred times greater, only then can he proceed to the abode of Vaikuëöha.
2.3.107
Sourceअथापि गोवर्धन-गोप-पुत्रस् तम् अर्हसि त्वꣳ मथुरेश-भक्तः । तद्-एक-भक्ति-प्रिय-विप्र-शिष्यस् तदीय-तन्-मन्त्र-परो’नुरक्तः
athāpi govardhana-gopa-putras tam arhasi tvaṁ mathureśa-bhaktaḥ | tad-eka-bhakti-priya-vipra-śiṣyas tadīya-tan-mantra-paro’nuraktaḥ
English translation
Translation
But you, O son of a cowherdsman from Govardhana, are qualified to go to Vaikuëöha because you are a devotee of the Lord of Mathurä, a disciple of a brähmaëa who cherishes unalloyed devotion to the Lord, and one who is deeply attached to chanting the Lord’s mantra.
2.3.108-111
Sourceचतुर्-विधेषु मोक्षेषु सायूज्यस्य पदꣳ त्व् इदꣳ । प्राप्यꣳ यतीनाम् अद्वैत- भावना-भावितात्मनाम् महा-सꣳसार-दुःखाग्नि- ज्वाल-सꣳसूष्क-चेतसाम् । असार-ग्रहिणाम् अन्तः- सारासाराविवेकिनाम् मयैव कृष्णस्यादेशात् पतितानाꣳ भ्रमार्णवे । निज-पादाम्बुज-प्रेम- भक्ति-सङ्गोपकस्य हि भगवद्-भजनानन्द- रसैकापेक्षकैर् जनैः । उपेक्षितम् इदꣳ विद्धि पदꣳ विघ्न-समꣳ त्यज
catur-vidheṣu mokṣeṣu sāyūjyasya padaṁ tv idaṁ | prāpyaṁ yatīnām advaita- bhāvanā-bhāvitātmanām mahā-saṁsāra-duḥkhāgni- jvāla-saṁsūṣka-cetasām | asāra-grahiṇām antaḥ- sārāsārāvivekinām mayaiva kṛṣṇasyādeśāt patitānāṁ bhramārṇave | nija-pādāmbuja-prema- bhakti-saṅgopakasya hi bhagavad-bhajanānanda- rasaikāpekṣakair janaiḥ | upekṣitam idaṁ viddhi padaṁ vighna-samaṁ tyaja
English translation
Translation
This is the realm of säyujya-mukti, one of the four kinds of liberation. Only those sannyäsés whose hearts are steeped in the monistic sentiment of oneness with the Absolute attain this place. Their hearts dried up by the fire of suffering in material existence, bereft of any ability to discriminate between what has value and what is worthless, they reach this abode of säyujya. Ordered by Çré Kåñëa to conceal the path of loving devotion to His lotus feet, I have cast those sannyäsés into an ocean of illusion and perplexity. Therefore, those eager to relish the bhakti-rasa of blissfully worshiping Çré Bhagavän avoid this abode. You should also abandon this place, seeing it as an obstacle to your path.
2.3.112
Sourceद्वारका-वासि-विप्रेण कृष्ण-भक्ति-रसार्थिना । इतो नीतः सुतास् तत्र स-चातुर्य-विशेषतः
dvārakā-vāsi-vipreṇa kṛṣṇa-bhakti-rasārthinā | ito nītaḥ sutās tatra sa-cāturya-viśeṣataḥ
English translation
Translation
A brähmaëa residing in Dvärakä, desirous of the nectar of devotion to Çré Kåñëa, devised a clever scheme to retrieve his sons from this realm of liberation and bring them back to Dvärakä.
2.3.113
Sourceअत्रापि भगवन्तꣳ यद् दृष्टवान् असि तादृशम् । सद्-गुरोः कृपया कृष्ण- दिदृक्षा-भर-कारितम्
atrāpi bhagavantaṁ yad dṛṣṭavān asi tādṛśam | sad-guroḥ kṛpayā kṛṣṇa- didṛkṣā-bhara-kāritam
English translation
Translation
Only by the mercy of a bona fide guru have you seen the indescribably beautiful form of Bhagavän here. Indeed, you should understand that the desire to see Çré Kåñëa that has blossomed in you is also the result of your guru’s mercy.
2.3.114
Sourceश्री-गोप-कुमार उवाच— तच् छङ्कर-प्रसादेन परानन्द-भरꣳ गतः । किञ्चिद् इच्छन्न् अपि ब्रह्मन् नाशकꣳ वदितुꣳ ह्रिया
śrī-gopa-kumāra uvāca— tac chaṅkara-prasādena parānanda-bharaṁ gataḥ | kiñcid icchann api brahman nāśakaṁ vadituṁ hriyā
English translation
Translation
Çré Gopa-kumära said: I was overjoyed to receive the mercy of Çré Çaìkara. At that point I desired to speak (to the Vaikuëöha associates), but out of shyness, I could not.
2.3.115
Sourceभगवत्-पार्षदाः श्रूत्वा तꣳ तꣳ वाचम् उमा-पतेः । प्रणम्य सादरꣳ प्रीत्या तम् ऊचुर् विनयान्विताः
bhagavat-pārṣadāḥ śrūtvā taṁ taṁ vācam umā-pateḥ | praṇamya sādaraṁ prītyā tam ūcur vinayānvitāḥ
English translation
Translation
Hearing the words of Lord Çiva, Çré Bhagavän’s eternal associates respectfully offered him obeisances and humbly began to speak.
2.3.116
Sourceश्री-भगवत्-पार्षदा ऊचुः— तेन वैकुण्ठ-नाथेन समꣳ को’पि न विद्यते । भगवन् भवतो भेदो गौर्याश् च रमया सह
śrī-bhagavat-pārṣadā ūcuḥ— tena vaikuṇṭha-nāthena samaṁ ko’pi na vidyate | bhagavan bhavato bhedo gauryāś ca ramayā saha
English translation
Translation
Çré Bhagavän’s personal associates said: O bhagavan, there is no difference between the Lord of Vaikuëöha and you, nor between Ramä and Gauré.
2.3.117
Sourceतल्-लोके भवतो वासो देव्याश् च किल युज्यते । ख्याताः प्रियतमास् तस्या- वताराश् च भवान् महान्
tal-loke bhavato vāso devyāś ca kila yujyate | khyātāḥ priyatamās tasyā- vatārāś ca bhavān mahān
English translation
Translation
You and Gauré are fit to live in Vaikuëöha because you are renowned as the most dear to the Lord of Vaikuëöha and are His exalted incarnation.
2.3.118
Sourceतथापि यद् इदꣳ किञ्चिद् भाषितꣳ भवताधुना । स्वभावो भगवत्-प्रेष्ठ- तमातौपयिको ह्य् अयम्
tathāpi yad idaṁ kiñcid bhāṣitaṁ bhavatādhunā | svabhāvo bhagavat-preṣṭha- tamātaupayiko hy ayam
English translation
Translation
Nevertheless, by describing yourself as a fallen soul as you just did is certainly natural for such an immensely beloved devotee of Bhagavän.
2.3.119
Sourceतद्-भक्ति-रस-कल्लोल- ग्राहको वैष्णवेडितः । अतः सर्वावतारेभ्यो भवतो महिमाधिकः
tad-bhakti-rasa-kallola- grāhako vaiṣṇaveḍitaḥ | ataḥ sarvāvatārebhyo bhavato mahimādhikaḥ
English translation
Translation
Because you are the perceiver and knower of the waves of çré-kåñëa- bhakti-rasa, the Vaiñëavas praise you. Therefore, your glories are superior to all other incarnations of Çré Bhagavän.
2.3.120
Sourceश्री-गोप-कुमार उवाच— निज-स्तुत्या तया तस्मिन् ह्रिया तूष्णीꣳ स्थिते प्रभौ । भगवत्-पार्षदास् ते माम् आश्लिष्योचुः सुहृद्-वराः
śrī-gopa-kumāra uvāca— nija-stutyā tayā tasmin hriyā tūṣṇīṁ sthite prabhau | bhagavat-pārṣadās te mām āśliṣyocuḥ suhṛd-varāḥ
English translation
Translation
Çré Gopa-kumära said: Embarrassed to hear himself praised, Çré Çiva remained silent. Then, Bhagavän’s associates, who are the crest jewels of well-wishers, embraced me and spoke.
2.3.121
Sourceश्री-भगवत्-पार्षदा ऊचुः— अस्माद्-ईश्वर-सन्-मन्त्रो- पासकोमा-पति-प्रिय । गोप-नन्दन भक्तेषु भवन्तꣳ गणयेम हि
śrī-bhagavat-pārṣadā ūcuḥ— asmād-īśvara-san-mantro- pāsakomā-pati-priya | gopa-nandana bhakteṣu bhavantaṁ gaṇayema hi
English translation
Translation
The personal associates of Çré Bhagavän said: O son of a gopa who is dear to Umäpati! You worship our Lord by the transcendental mantra, and therefore, we certainly count you as one of His devotees.
2.3.122
Sourceगौडे गङ्गा-तते जातो मथुरा-ब्राह्मणोत्तमः । जयन्त-नाम कृष्णस्यावतारस् ते महान् गुरुः
gauḍe gaṅgā-tate jāto mathurā-brāhmaṇottamaḥ | jayanta-nāma kṛṣṇasyāvatāras te mahān guruḥ
English translation
Translation
You have received as your exalted guru the incarnation of Çré Kåñëa named Jayanta. He is a high-class Mathurä brähmaëa born on the banks of the Gaìgä in Gauòadeça (Bengal).
2.3.123
Sourceसत्यꣳ प्रतीहि वयम् अत्र भवान् निमित्तम् एवागतः शृणु हितꣳ निज-कृत्यम् एतत् । वैकुण्ठम् इच्छसि यदि परिहाय सर्वꣳ स-प्रेम-भक्तिम् अनुतिष्ठ नव-प्रकारम्
satyaṁ pratīhi vayam atra bhavān nimittam evāgataḥ śṛṇu hitaṁ nija-kṛtyam etat | vaikuṇṭham icchasi yadi parihāya sarvaṁ sa-prema-bhaktim anutiṣṭha nava-prakāram
English translation
Translation
Know this truth: we have come here to the abode of liberation just for you. Now, if you want to go to Vaikuëöha, listen to what must be done. Renounce everything, and with deep love, execute the nine forms of bhakti.
2.3.124
Sourceतज्-ज्ञापकꣳ च भज भगवतादि-शास्त्रꣳ लीला-कथा भगवतः शृणु तत्र नित्यम् । त एव कर्ण-विवरꣳ प्रणयात् प्रविष्टाः सद्यः पदꣳ भगवतः प्रभवन्ति दातुम्
taj-jñāpakaṁ ca bhaja bhagavatādi-śāstraṁ līlā-kathā bhagavataḥ śṛṇu tatra nityam | ta eva karṇa-vivaraṁ praṇayāt praviṣṭāḥ sadyaḥ padaṁ bhagavataḥ prabhavanti dātum
English translation
Translation
Devote yourself to Çrémad-Bhägavatam and other scriptures that teach loving devotion to the Lord, and regularly listen to the narrations of Çré Bhagavän’s pastimes. When those descriptions enter the holes of your ears and you hear them with love, they will immediately bring you to the abode of Çré Bhagavän.
2.3.125
Sourceतेषाꣳ नव-प्रकाराणाम् एकेनैव सुसिध्यति । सर्व-साधन-वर्येण वैकुण्ठः साध्य-सत्तमः
teṣāṁ nava-prakārāṇām ekenaiva susidhyati | sarva-sādhana-varyeṇa vaikuṇṭhaḥ sādhya-sattamaḥ
English translation
Translation
Bhakti is the best of all means of spiritual attainment. Therefore, the abode of Vaikuëöha, which is the best of all the goals of human life, can be obtained by simply following any one of the nine processes of bhakti.
2.3.126
Sourceमहत्तमतया श्रूय- माना अपि परे’खिलाः । फल-व्रत-विचारेण तुच्छा महद्-अनादृताः
mahattamatayā śrūya- mānā api pare’khilāḥ | phala-vrata-vicāreṇa tucchā mahad-anādṛtāḥ
English translation
Translation
Without consideration, rasika devotees, who are expert in discriminating between what is of substance and what is worthless, regard as insignificant the entire corpus of great rewards that are described, except for the abode of Vaikuëöha.
2.3.127
Sourceतथापि तद्-रसज्ञैः सा भक्तिर् नव-विधाञ्जसा । सम्पद्यते विचित्रैतद्- रस-माधुर्य-लब्धये
tathāpi tad-rasajñaiḥ sā bhaktir nava-vidhāñjasā | sampadyate vicitraitad- rasa-mādhurya-labdhaye
English translation
Translation
However, rasika devotees happily execute the ninefold process of bhakti to taste the wonderful varieties of the sweetness of bhakti- rasa.
2.3.128
Sourceतेषाꣳ कस्मिꣳश् चिद् एकस्मिन् श्रद्धयानुष्ठिते सति । स्वयम् आविर्भवेत् प्रेमा श्रीमत्-कृष्ण-पदाब्जयोः
teṣāṁ kasmiṁś cid ekasmin śraddhayānuṣṭhite sati | svayam āvirbhavet premā śrīmat-kṛṣṇa-padābjayoḥ
English translation
Translation
Still, by the faithful execution of any one aspect of the ninefold process of bhakti, pure love for the lotus feet of Çré Kåñëa automatically manifests in the heart.
2.3.129
Sourceतथापि कार्या प्रेम्णैव परिहाराय हृद्-रुजः । फलान्तरेषु कामस्य वैकुण्ठाप्ति-विरोदिनः
tathāpi kāryā premṇaiva parihārāya hṛd-rujaḥ | phalāntareṣu kāmasya vaikuṇṭhāpti-virodinaḥ
English translation
Translation
Even so, because any extraneous desire poses a great obstacle to attaining Vaikuëöha, in order to remove the disease of material desires in the heart, it is necessary to perform that ninefold devotional process with a loving, devotional mood.
2.3.130
Sourceयद्यप्य् एतादृशी भक्तिर् यत्र यत्रोपपद्यते । तत्-तत्-स्थानꣳ हि वैकुण्ठस् तत्र तत्रैव स प्रभुः
yadyapy etādṛśī bhaktir yatra yatropapadyate | tat-tat-sthānaṁ hi vaikuṇṭhas tatra tatraiva sa prabhuḥ
English translation
Translation
Although this bhakti can be obtained anywhere, wherever it is achieved becomes Vaikuëöha, and the Lord is indeed present there,
2.3.131
Sourceतथापि सर्वदा साक्षाद् अन्यत्र भगवाꣳस् तथा । न दृश्येतेति वैकुण्ठो’वश्यꣳ भक्तैर् अपेक्ष्यते
tathāpi sarvadā sākṣād anyatra bhagavāṁs tathā | na dṛśyeteti vaikuṇṭho’vaśyaṁ bhaktair apekṣyate
English translation
Translation
However, Çré Bhagavän is not directly visible in all those places; therefore, devotees aspire for the abode of Vaikuëöha.
2.3.132
Sourceसर्व-प्रकारिका भक्तिस् तादृशी च सदान्यतः । न सम्पद्येत निर्विघ्ना तन्-निष्ठैर् बहुभिः सह
sarva-prakārikā bhaktis tādṛśī ca sadānyataḥ | na sampadyeta nirvighnā tan-niṣṭhair bahubhiḥ saha
English translation
Translation
Besides Vaikuëöha, no other place exhibits all the varieties of bhakti. There, countless staunch devotees are resolutely performing such bhakti unhindered by impediments like material time.
2.3.133
Sourceनिजेन्द्रिय-मनः-काय- चेष्ट-रूपꣳ न विधि तम् । नित्य-सत्य-घनानन्द- रूप स हि गुणातिगा
nijendriya-manaḥ-kāya- ceṣṭa-rūpaṁ na vidhi tam | nitya-satya-ghanānanda- rūpa sa hi guṇātigā
English translation
Translation
Specifically, do not think that bhakti is an endeavor of the dull senses, mind, and body. Being eternal reality and concentrated bliss, bhakti is beyond the modes of material nature and thus cannot be grasped by the material senses.
2.3.134
Sourceनिर्गुणे सच्-चिद्-आनन्दात्- मनि कृष्ण-प्रसादतः । स्फुरन्ति विलसत्य् आत्म- भक्तानाꣳ बहुधा मुदे
nirguṇe sac-cid-ānandāt- mani kṛṣṇa-prasādataḥ | sphuranti vilasaty ātma- bhaktānāṁ bahudhā mude
English translation
Translation
That bhakti is singular in nature, but by the mercy of Çré Kåñëa, it manifests in numerous forms such as çravaëa (hearing and kértana (singing) for the pleasure of the confidential devotees who are transcendental to the modes of nature.
2.3.135
Sourceविशुद्धे तु विवेकेन सत्यात्मनि हरेः पदम् । गते’प्य् अप्रकृतिꣳ भक्ति- विधयो विलसन्ति हि
viśuddhe tu vivekena satyātmani hareḥ padam | gate’py aprakṛtiṁ bhakti- vidhayo vilasanti hi
English translation
Translation
When the practitioner’s heart is completely cleansed by pure discrimination, the nine processes of bhakti sport within that completely purified soul. Only then does he obtain the abode of Çré Hari (Vaikuëöha-loka).
2.3.136
Sourceअन्यथेतर-कर्माणी- वैते’पि स्यूर् न सङ्गताः । कायेन्द्रियात्म-चेष्टातो ज्ञानेनात्मनि शोधिते
anyathetara-karmāṇī- vaite’pi syūr na saṅgatāḥ | kāyendriyātma-ceṣṭāto jñānenātmani śodhite
English translation
Translation
If bhakti to the Lord were also to be an activity of the senses like all other mundane activities, then it could not be the function of the soul. Alternatively, it may be said that if by knowledge, the soul were to be cleansed of the entanglement of activities with the body and senses, then the nine processes of bhakti, like material activities, could not be functions of the soul. This is because the process of bhakti, unlike material activities, is not rooted in the living being’s false ego of being the doer. Bhakti mercifully sports on her own accord in the soul that is purified of the false ego of being the doer.
2.3.137
Sourceअन्येभ्य इव कर्मेभ्यो भगवद्-भक्ति-कर्मतः । विविक्तः सन् कथꣳ यातु वैकुण्ठꣳ मुक्तिम् अर्हति
anyebhya iva karmebhyo bhagavad-bhakti-karmataḥ | viviktaḥ san kathaṁ yātu vaikuṇṭhaṁ muktim arhati
English translation
Translation
Devotional service to Bhagavän is not an activity of the body and senses, as are other activities. How can a soul go to Vaikuëöha if he is bereft of any activity of devotion to the Lord? Without bhakti, such a person is fit only for liberation.
2.3.138
Sourceन ह्य् अन्य-कर्म-वद् भक्तिर् अपि कर्मेति मन्यताम् । बहिर्-दृष्ट्यैव जल्प्येत भक्त-देहादि-वत् क्वचित्
na hy anya-karma-vad bhaktir api karmeti manyatām | bahir-dṛṣṭyaiva jalpyeta bhakta-dehādi-vat kvacit
English translation
Translation
Some people think that devotion to the Lord is also a karmic activity like performing one’s prescribed occupational duties, but this can never be so. This is an external conception, not based on the underlying truth of bhakti. Although the term deha is used to refer both to the bodies of devotees who reside in Vaikuëöha and to bodies made of five material elements, nevertheless the first usage is transcendental and the second is material. Similarly, although bhakti is independent of karma, nevertheless, due to an external perspective, it is sometimes regarded as karma.
2.3.139
Sourceभक्तानाꣳ सच्-चिद्-आनन्द- रूपेष्व् अङ्गेन्द्रियात्मसु । घटते स्वानुरूपेषु वैकुण्ठे’न्यत्र च स्वतः
bhaktānāṁ sac-cid-ānanda- rūpeṣv aṅgendriyātmasu | ghaṭate svānurūpeṣu vaikuṇṭhe’nyatra ca svataḥ
English translation
Translation
In Vaikuëöha or anywhere else a devotee may reside, a suitable body manifests of its own accord. This body and its senses are comprised of eternity, knowledge, and bliss.
2.3.140
Sourceवयम् अत्र प्रमाणꣳ स्मो’निशꣳ वैकुण्ठ-पार्षदाः । तान्वन्तो बहुधा भक्तिम् अस्पृष्टाः प्रकृतैर् गुणैः
vayam atra pramāṇaṁ smo’niśaṁ vaikuṇṭha-pārṣadāḥ | tānvanto bahudhā bhaktim aspṛṣṭāḥ prakṛtair guṇaiḥ
English translation
Translation
Loving service to the Lord and to the Lord’s devotees are both transcendental. Indeed, we eternal residents of Vaikuëöha are evidence of this. We wander everywhere freely to spread devotion in various ways, and we are never affected by material qualities or even touched by them.
2.3.141
Sourceनवीन-सेवकानाꣳ तु प्रीत्या सम्याक्-प्रवृत्तये । निजेन्द्रियादि-व्यापार- तयैव प्रतिभाति सा
navīna-sevakānāṁ tu prītyā samyāk-pravṛttaye | nijendriyādi-vyāpāra- tayaiva pratibhāti sā
English translation
Translation
To arrange that neophytes engage in bhakti with complete satisfaction, bhakti manifests simply as the activities of their own senses.
2.3.142
Sourceमहद्भिर् भक्ति-निष्ठैश् च न स्वाधीनेति मन्यते । महा-प्रसाद-रूपेयꣳ प्रभोर् इत्य् अनुभूयते
mahadbhir bhakti-niṣṭhaiś ca na svādhīneti manyate | mahā-prasāda-rūpeyaṁ prabhor ity anubhūyate
English translation
Translation
However, great devotees who are fixed in bhakti do not consider devotional service to be subservient to their own power. Rather, they experience it as the supreme mercy of the Lord.
2.3.143
Sourceत्वरा चेद् विद्यते श्रीमद्- वैकुण्ठालोकने तव । सर्वाभीष्ट-प्रद-श्रेष्ठꣳ तꣳ श्री-व्रज-भुवꣳ व्रज
tvarā ced vidyate śrīmad- vaikuṇṭhālokane tava | sarvābhīṣṭa-prada-śreṣṭhaṁ taṁ śrī-vraja-bhuvaṁ vraja
English translation
Translation
Therefore, O Çré Gopa-kumära! If you desire to reach Vaikuëöha quickly, then go to Çré Vraja-bhümi. That land of Vraja is excellent in fulfilling all desires.
2.3.144
Sourceपरꣳ श्रीमत्-पदाम्भोज- सदा-सङ्गत्य्-अपेक्षया । नाम-सङ्कीर्तन-प्रायꣳ विशुद्धाꣳ भक्तिम् आचर
paraṁ śrīmat-padāmbhoja- sadā-saṅgaty-apekṣayā | nāma-saṅkīrtana-prāyaṁ viśuddhāṁ bhaktim ācara
English translation
Translation
Upon reaching the land of Vraja, practice pure bhakti that is devoid of jïäna and karma with the hope of attaining the lotus feet of Çré Bhagavän. Do this, giving prominence to näma-saìkértana.
2.3.145
Sourceतयाशु तादृशी प्रेम- सम्पद् उत्पादयिष्यते । यया सुखꣳ ते भविता वैकुण्ठे कृष्ण-दर्शनम्
tayāśu tādṛśī prema- sampad utpādayiṣyate | yayā sukhaṁ te bhavitā vaikuṇṭhe kṛṣṇa-darśanam
English translation
Translation
Vaikuëöha; kåñëa-darçanam– the sight of Çré Kåñëa. Due to the influence of devotion in which näma-saìkértana is prominent, the wealth of prema will arise in your heart very quickly, and by that power you will easily be able see Çré Kåñëa right in Vaikuëöha.
2.3.146
Sourceप्रेम्णो’न्तरङ्गꣳ किल साधनोत्तमꣳ मन्येत कैश्चित् स्मरणꣳ न कीर्तनम् । एकेन्द्रिये वाचि विचेतने सुखꣳ भक्तिः स्फुरत्य् आशु हि कीर्तनात्मिका
premṇo’ntaraṅgaṁ kila sādhanottamaṁ manyeta kaiścit smaraṇaṁ na kīrtanam | ekendriye vāci vicetane sukhaṁ bhaktiḥ sphuraty āśu hi kīrtanātmikā
English translation
Translation
[Because previously, Çré Gopa-kumära had heard the following from the Yogendras of Tapoloka, the Vaikuëöha pärñadas speak as follows:] Some hold that of all the types of bhakti, smaraëa (remembering), rather than kértana (chanting), is the foremost, and it is the best of the most confidential means to attain pure love for the Lord. Their reasoning is that kértana manifests only as a function of speech in one of the inert senses. Further, it manifests very easily and quickly. Therefore, it can only give a slight result.
2.3.147
Sourceभक्तिः प्रकृष्टा स्मरणात्मिकास्मिन् सर्वेन्द्रियानाम् अधिपे विलोले । घोरे बलिष्ठे मनसि प्रयासैर् नीते वशꣳ भाति विशोधिते या
bhaktiḥ prakṛṣṭā smaraṇātmikāsmin sarvendriyānām adhipe vilole | ghore baliṣṭhe manasi prayāsair nīte vaśaṁ bhāti viśodhite yā
English translation
Translation
(The nine Yogendras said:) Smaraëa, on the other hand, is a function of the mind, which is the king of all the senses. The turbulent, volatile mind is not easily restrained or withdrawn from sense objects. Therefore, smaraëa-bhakti, which is accomplished by a mind that is purified only after tremendous endeavor and diligence, is superior to kértana. Particularly, that which is accomplished by subjugation of the mind must be the most excellent. Who can doubt this?
2.3.148
Sourceमन्यामहे कीर्तनम् एव सत्तमꣳ लोलात्मकैक-स्व-हृदि स्मरत् स्मृतेः । वाचि स्व-युक्ते मनसि श्रुतौ तथा दिव्यात् परान् अप्य् अपकुर्वद् आत्म्य-वत्
manyāmahe kīrtanam eva sattamaṁ lolātmakaika-sva-hṛdi smarat smṛteḥ | vāci sva-yukte manasi śrutau tathā divyāt parān apy apakurvad ātmya-vat
English translation
Translation
(Now the Vaikuëöha associates express their view.) However, in our opinion, kértana is superior to smaraëa, which manifests only in one’s own heart via the restless mind. Kértana, on the other hand, manifests on the tongue and automatically connects with the mind. The sound of kértana then satisfies both one’s own sense of hearing and that of other listeners.
2.3.149-150
Sourceबह्यान्तराशेष-हृषीक-चालकꣳ वाग्-इन्द्रियꣳ स्याद् यदि सम्यतꣳ सदा । चित्तꣳ स्थिरꣳ सद्-भगवत्-स्मृतौ तदा सम्यक् प्रवर्तेत ततः स्मृतिः फलम् एवꣳ प्रभोर् ध्यान-रतैर् मतꣳ चेद् बुद्ध्येदृशꣳ तत्र विवेचनीयम् । ध्यानꣳ परिस्फुर्ति-विशेष-निष्ठा सम्बन्ध-मात्रꣳ मनसा स्मृतिर् हि
bahyāntarāśeṣa-hṛṣīka-cālakaṁ vāg-indriyaṁ syād yadi samyataṁ sadā | cittaṁ sthiraṁ sad-bhagavat-smṛtau tadā samyak pravarteta tataḥ smṛtiḥ phalam evaṁ prabhor dhyāna-ratair mataṁ ced buddhyedṛśaṁ tatra vivecanīyam | dhyānaṁ parisphurti-viśeṣa-niṣṭhā sambandha-mātraṁ manasā smṛtir hi
English translation
Translation
When the faculty of speech, which drives the external and internal senses, is brought under control, only then does the mind become steady. And only when the mind is steady can one remember Bhagavän. Therefore, kértana is favorable to remembrance, and this remembrance is the fruit of the devotional service of kértana.
2.3.151
Sourceचेद् ध्यान-वेगात् खलु चित्त-वृत्त्याव् अन्तर्-भवन्तीन्द्रिय-वृत्तयस् ताः । सङ्कीर्तन-स्पर्शन-दर्शनाद्या ध्यानꣳ तदा कीर्तनतो’स्तु वर्यम्
ced dhyāna-vegāt khalu citta-vṛttyāv antar-bhavantīndriya-vṛttayas tāḥ | saṅkīrtana-sparśana-darśanādyā dhyānaṁ tadā kīrtanato’stu varyam
English translation
Translation
If the functions of the senses – saìkértana (glorification), sparçana (touching), darçana (seeing the Deity), and so on – permeate the mind due to the force of dhyäna, then certainly the superiority of meditation over kértana can be accepted.
2.3.152
Sourceप्रीतिर् यतो यस्य सुखꣳ च येन सम्यग् भवेत् तद्-रसिकस्य तस्य । तत्-साधनꣳ श्रेष्ठतमꣳ सुसेव्यꣳ सद्भिर् मतꣳ प्रत्य् उत साध्य-रूपम्
prītir yato yasya sukhaṁ ca yena samyag bhavet tad-rasikasya tasya | tat-sādhanaṁ śreṣṭhatamaṁ susevyaṁ sadbhir mataṁ praty uta sādhya-rūpam
English translation
Translation
That practice which a devotee absorbed in transcendental taste thoroughly loves and by which he derives his happiness is the topmost method for him. It is incumbent upon him to execute that practice with faith and respect, and such practice is his ultimate goal. Those who are saintly concur with this opinion.
2.3.153
Sourceसङ्कीर्तनाद् ध्यान-सुखꣳ विवर्धते ध्यानाच् च सङ्कीर्तन-माधुरी-सुखम् । अन्योन्य-सꣳवर्धकतानुभूयते ’स्माभिस् तयोस् तद् द्वयम् एकम् एव तत्
saṅkīrtanād dhyāna-sukhaṁ vivardhate dhyānāc ca saṅkīrtana-mādhurī-sukham | anyonya-saṁvardhakatānubhūyate ’smābhis tayos tad dvayam ekam eva tat
English translation
Translation
Saìkértana increases the bliss of dhyäna, which in turn increases the bliss of the sweetness of kértana. As they mutually nourish and amplify each other, we actually consider saìkértana and dhyäna to be one.
2.3.154
Sourceध्यानꣳ च सङ्कीर्तनवत् सुख-प्रदꣳ यद् वस्तुनो’भिष्टतरस्य कस्यचित् । चित्ते’नुभूत्यापि यथेच्छम् उद्भवेच् छान्तिस् तद् एकाप्ति-विषक्त-चेतसाम्
dhyānaṁ ca saṅkīrtanavat sukha-pradaṁ yad vastuno’bhiṣṭatarasya kasyacit | citte’nubhūtyāpi yatheccham udbhavec chāntis tad ekāpti-viṣakta-cetasām
English translation
Translation
Dhyäna is also pleasing like saìkértana, because one feels happiness in the experience of every single matter concerning one’s beloved, and because one becomes peaceful when the mind is truly absorbed in anything related to Him.
2.3.155
Sourceयथा ज्वार-रुज्-आर्तानाꣳ शीतलामृत-पाठसः । मनः पानाद् अपि त्रुट्येत् तृद्-वैलक्ष्यꣳ सुखꣳ भवेत्
yathā jvāra-ruj-ārtānāṁ śītalāmṛta-pāṭhasaḥ | manaḥ pānād api truṭyet tṛd-vailakṣyaṁ sukhaṁ bhavet
English translation
Translation
For instance, a person suffering from fever gets relief from his thirst and experiences happiness merely by imagining himself drinking cool, ambrosial water. Similarly, the performer of saìkértana also receives happiness and peace from glorifying his cherished object.
2.3.156
Sourceतत्-तत्-सङ्कीर्तनेनापि तथा स्याद् यदि शक्यते । सताम् अथ विविक्ते’पि लज्जा स्यात् स्वैर् अकीर्तने
tat-tat-saṅkīrtanenāpi tathā syād yadi śakyate | satām atha vivikte’pi lajjā syāt svair akīrtane
English translation
Translation
But although one can also attain happiness by performing kértana of one’s beloved object, still it is not possible to express all one’s sentiments through chanting out loud. Even if that were possible by endeavor, there are so many confidential moods that saintly devotees may feel shy to sing about, even in a secluded place.
2.3.157
Sourceएकाकीत्वेन तु ध्यानꣳ विविक्ते खलु सिध्यति । सङ्कीर्तनꣳ विविक्ते’पि बहूनाꣳ सङ्गतो’पि च
ekākītvena tu dhyānaṁ vivikte khalu sidhyati | saṅkīrtanaṁ vivikte’pi bahūnāṁ saṅgato’pi ca
English translation
Translation
Dhyäna can only be accomplished in seclusion, when one is alone. Saìkértana, however, can be performed successfully whether alone or in an assembly.
2.3.158
Sourceकृष्णस्य नाना-विध-कीर्तनेषु तन्-नाम-सङ्कीर्तनम् एव मुख्यम् । तत्-प्रेम-सम्पज्-जनने स्वयꣳ द्राक् शक्तꣳ ततः श्रेष्ठतमꣳ मतꣳ तत्
kṛṣṇasya nānā-vidha-kīrtaneṣu tan-nāma-saṅkīrtanam eva mukhyam | tat-prema-sampaj-janane svayaṁ drāk śaktaṁ tataḥ śreṣṭhatamaṁ mataṁ tat
English translation
Translation
Among different types of chanting or glorification, the saìkértana of the names of Çré Kåñëa is prominent because His näma-saìkértana is capable of generating the treasure of prema very quickly. Therefore, scholars have deemed näma-saìkértana the most excellent process of bhakti.
2.3.159
Sourceश्री-कृष्ण-नामामृतम् आत्म-हृद्यꣳ प्रेम्णा समास्वादन-भङ्गि-पूर्वम् । यत् सेव्यते जिह्विकयाविरामꣳ तस्यातुलꣳ जल्पतु को महत्त्वम्
śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmāmṛtam ātma-hṛdyaṁ premṇā samāsvādana-bhaṅgi-pūrvam | yat sevyate jihvikayāvirāmaṁ tasyātulaṁ jalpatu ko mahattvam
English translation
Translation
Who can describe the glories of the incomparable happiness that the tongue savors by constantly serving with heartfelt love the nectar of Çré Kåñëa’s beloved names?
2.3.160
Sourceसर्वेषाꣳ भगवन्-नाम्नाꣳ समानो महिमापि चेत् । तथापि स्व-प्रियेणाशु स्वार्थ-सिद्धिः सुखꣳ भवेत्
sarveṣāṁ bhagavan-nāmnāṁ samāno mahimāpi cet | tathāpi sva-priyeṇāśu svārtha-siddhiḥ sukhaṁ bhavet
English translation
Translation
Although all of Bhagavän’s names are equally glorious, the desired goal is obtained quickly and easily by chanting the names of the Lord that one cherishes the most.
2.3.161
Sourceविचित्र-रुचि-लोकानाꣳ क्रमात् सर्वेषु नामसु । प्रियता-सम्भवात् तानि सर्वाणि स्युः प्रियाणि हि
vicitra-ruci-lokānāṁ kramāt sarveṣu nāmasu | priyatā-sambhavāt tāni sarvāṇi syuḥ priyāṇi hi
English translation
Translation
People who are of different tastes first develop loving attachment for only one name among the many names of Bhagavän, but gradually they begin to cherish all His names.
2.3.162
Sourceएकस्मिन्न् इन्द्रिये प्रादुर्- भूतꣳ नामामृतꣳ रसैः । आप्लावयति सर्वाणीन्- द्रियाणि मधुरैर् निजैः
ekasminn indriye prādur- bhūtaṁ nāmāmṛtaṁ rasaiḥ | āplāvayati sarvāṇīn- driyāṇi madhurair nijaiḥ
English translation
Translation
By manifesting on one sense organ (the tongue), the nectarean mellow of Bhagavän’s name inundates all the senses with its sweetness.
2.3.163
Sourceमुख्यो वाग्-इन्द्रिये तस्यो- दयः स्व-पर-हर्षदः । तत् प्रभोर् ध्यानतो’पि स्यान् नाम-सङ्कीर्तनꣳ वरम्
mukhyo vāg-indriye tasyo- dayaḥ sva-para-harṣadaḥ | tat prabhor dhyānato’pi syān nāma-saṅkīrtanaṁ varam
English translation
Translation
The name primarily appears in the sense of speech (the tongue). When it is glorified aloud, both the chanter and others experience happiness. However, in dhyäna, only the meditator benefits and receives pleasure. Therefore, näma-saìkértana is certainly superior to meditation.
2.3.164
Sourceनाम-सङ्कीर्तनꣳ प्रोक्तꣳ कृष्णस्य प्रेम-सम्पदि । बलिष्ठꣳ साधनꣳ श्रेष्ठम् परमाकर्ष-मन्त्र-वत्
nāma-saṅkīrtanaṁ proktaṁ kṛṣṇasya prema-sampadi | baliṣṭhaṁ sādhanaṁ śreṣṭham paramākarṣa-mantra-vat
English translation
Translation
Näma-saìkértana is the best and most powerful method for obtaining the treasure of divine love for Çré Kåñëa because it is like a supremely magnetic mantra.
2.3.165
Sourceतद् एव मन्यते भक्तेः फलꣳ तद् रसिकैर् जनैः । भगवत्-प्रेम-सम्पत्तौ सदैवाव्यभिचारतः
tad eva manyate bhakteḥ phalaṁ tad rasikair janaiḥ | bhagavat-prema-sampattau sadaivāvyabhicārataḥ
English translation
Translation
Therefore, because näma-saìkértana never fails to bestow the treasure of prema, or love for Bhagavän, those who are expert in tasting the mellows of devotion (bhakti-rasika) regard it as the fruit of bhakti.
2.3.166
Sourceसल्-लक्षणꣳ प्रेम-भरस्य कृष्णे कैश्चिद् रसज्ञैर् उत कथ्यते तत् । प्रेम्णो भरेणैव निजेष्ट-नाम- सङ्कीर्तनꣳ हि स्फुरति स्फुटार्त्या
sal-lakṣaṇaṁ prema-bharasya kṛṣṇe kaiścid rasajñair uta kathyate tat | premṇo bhareṇaiva nijeṣṭa-nāma- saṅkīrtanaṁ hi sphurati sphuṭārtyā
English translation
Translation
Some knowers of rasa consider näma-saìkértana alone to be the embodiment and the most excellent symptom of çré-kåñëa-prema, because, while absorbed in chanting the name of one’s beloved Lord with an anxious, open heart, prema automatically manifests in that näma-saìkértana.
2.3.167
Sourceनाम्नाꣳ तु सङ्कीर्तनम् अर्ति-भारान् मेघꣳ विना प्रावृषि चातकानाम् । रात्रौ वियोगात् स्व-पते रथाङ्गि- वर्गस्य चाक्रोषण-वत् प्रतीहि
nāmnāṁ tu saṅkīrtanam arti-bhārān meghaṁ vinā prāvṛṣi cātakānām | rātrau viyogāt sva-pate rathāṅgi- vargasya cākroṣaṇa-vat pratīhi
English translation
Translation
Just as the cätaka bird calls out in grief in a cloudless rainy season, or the cakraväké (kuraré) bird cries piteously at night in separation from her husband, so devotees perform saìkértana of Çré Kåñëa’s names when they are agitated by the distress of separation in love.
2.3.168
Sourceविचित्र-लीला-रस-सागरस्य प्रभोर् विचित्रात् स्फुरितात् प्रसादात् । विचित्र-सङ्कीर्तन-माधुरी सा न तु स्व-यत्नाद् इति साधु सिध्येत्
vicitra-līlā-rasa-sāgarasya prabhor vicitrāt sphuritāt prasādāt | vicitra-saṅkīrtana-mādhurī sā na tu sva-yatnād iti sādhu sidhyet
English translation
Translation
Wonderful varieties of sweet saìkértana manifest happiness through the amazing grace of the Lord, who is an ocean of wonderful varieties of ambrosial pastimes. By one’s own endeavors one can never achieve this happiness.
2.3.169
Sourceइच्छा-वशात् पापम् उपासकानाꣳ क्षीयेत भोगोन्मुखम् अप्य् अमुस्मात् । प्रारब्ध-मात्रꣳ भवतीतरेषाꣳ कर्मावशिष्टꣳ तद्-अवश्य-भोग्यम्
icchā-vaśāt pāpam upāsakānāṁ kṣīyeta bhogonmukham apy amusmāt | prārabdha-mātraṁ bhavatītareṣāṁ karmāvaśiṣṭaṁ tad-avaśya-bhogyam
English translation
Translation
In accordance with the desire of those worshipers who are always attached to serving the names of Bhagavän, their sinful reactions that are imminent are destroyed. However, for non-worshipers who occasionally engage in näma-kértana, only the sinful reactions from which they are presently suffering ( prärabdha-karma) remain, and it is necessary that they experience them.
2.3.170
Sourceमहाशया ये हरि-नाम-सेवकाः सुगोप्य-तद्-भक्ति-महा-निधेः स्वयम् । प्रकाश-भीत्या व्यवहार-भङ्गिभिः स्व-दोष-दुःखान्य् अनुदर्शयन्ति ते
mahāśayā ye hari-nāma-sevakāḥ sugopya-tad-bhakti-mahā-nidheḥ svayam | prakāśa-bhītyā vyavahāra-bhaṅgibhiḥ sva-doṣa-duḥkhāny anudarśayanti te
English translation
Translation
The great souls, who render service to the name of Hari, are reluctant to reveal their vast, secret treasure of bhakti. Thus, in public they behave as if they are suffering due to their own fault.
2.3.171
Sourceतन्-नाम-सङ्कीर्तन-मात्रतो’खिला भक्ता हरेः स्यूर् हत-दुःख-दुषनाः । केचित् तथापि प्रभुवत् कृपाकुला लोकान् सद्-आचारम् इमꣳ प्रशासति
tan-nāma-saṅkīrtana-mātrato’khilā bhaktā hareḥ syūr hata-duḥkha-duṣanāḥ | kecit tathāpi prabhuvat kṛpākulā lokān sad-ācāram imaṁ praśāsati
English translation
Translation
Although merely by performance of saìkértana of the names of Çré Bhagavän, the sufferings and faults of all devotees are destroyed, still, some devotees who are merciful just like the Supreme Lord accept distress or exhibit flaws just to instruct ordinary people about proper conduct.
2.3.172
Sourceदुःसङ्ग-दोषꣳ भरतादयो यथा दुर्दूत-दोषꣳ च युधिष्ठिरादयाः । ब्रह्म-स्व-भीतिꣳ च नृगादयो’मलाः प्रदर्शयन् स्व-व्यवहारतो जनान्
duḥsaṅga-doṣaṁ bharatādayo yathā durdūta-doṣaṁ ca yudhiṣṭhirādayāḥ | brahma-sva-bhītiṁ ca nṛgādayo’malāḥ pradarśayan sva-vyavahārato janān
English translation
Translation
For example, even though devotees such as Mahäräja Bharata were thoroughly pure at heart, they demonstrated the fault of bad association. Çré Yudhiñöhira Mahäräja, being the embodiment of dharma (Dharmaräja), exhibited the mistake of gambling, and the sinless King Någa and others displayed the sin of stealing from a brähmaëa, all just to give instruction to the common people.
2.3.173
Sourceभक्ति-प्रभावेन विचार-जातैः सञ्जायमानेन सदेदृशैस् त्वम् । विघ्नाति-विघ्नान् किल जेष्यसीह सर्वत्र ते हन्त वयꣳ सहायाः
bhakti-prabhāvena vicāra-jātaiḥ sañjāyamānena sadedṛśais tvam | vighnāti-vighnān kila jeṣyasīha sarvatra te hanta vayaṁ sahāyāḥ
English translation
Translation
(O Gopa-kumära!) By the power of bhakti, which is obtained by continuously reflecting on these truths, you will always be victorious over the greatest of obstacles. Rest assured, we will also help you all along the way.
2.3.174
Sourceश्री-कृष्णचन्द्रस्य महानुकम्पा- स्माभिः स्थिरा त्वय्य् अवधारितास्ति । लीना न साक्षाद्-भगवद्-दिदृक्षा त्वत्तस् तपो-लोक-निवासि-वाक्यैः
śrī-kṛṣṇacandrasya mahānukampā- smābhiḥ sthirā tvayy avadhāritāsti | līnā na sākṣād-bhagavad-didṛkṣā tvattas tapo-loka-nivāsi-vākyaiḥ
English translation
Translation
We are firmly convinced that Çré Kåñëa’s full grace is always upon you, because even upon hearing the words of the residents of Tapoloka, you did not become bewildered and your desire to directly see Bhagavän was not shaken.
2.3.175
Sourceरूपꣳ सत्यꣳ खलु भगवतः सच्-चिद्-आनन्द-सान्द्रꣳ योग्यैर् ग्राह्यꣳ भवति करणैः सच्-चिद्-आनन्द-रूपम् । माꣳसाक्षिभ्याꣳ तद् अपि घटते तस्य कारुण्य-शक्त्या सद्यो लब्ध्या तद्-उचित-गतेर् दर्शनꣳ स्वेहया वा
rūpaṁ satyaṁ khalu bhagavataḥ sac-cid-ānanda-sāndraṁ yogyair grāhyaṁ bhavati karaṇaiḥ sac-cid-ānanda-rūpam | māṁsākṣibhyāṁ tad api ghaṭate tasya kāruṇya-śaktyā sadyo labdhyā tad-ucita-gater darśanaṁ svehayā vā
English translation
Translation
The form of Çré Bhagavän, the condensed essence of eternity, knowledge, and bliss, is the topmost Absolute Truth. To perceive this form, one must be endowed with senses that correspond to His senses that are also made of eternity, knowledge, and bliss. Therefore, having received the ability to see Bhagavän by the power of His mercy, one can directly see the Lord’s limitless, transcendental form even with material eyes.
2.3.176
Sourceतद्-दर्शने ज्ञान-दृशैव जाय- माने’पि पश्याम्य् अहम् एष दृग्भ्याम् । मनो भवेत् कृष्ण-कृपा-प्रभाव- विज्ञापको हर्ष-विशेष-वृद्ध्यै
tad-darśane jñāna-dṛśaiva jāya- māne’pi paśyāmy aham eṣa dṛgbhyām | mano bhavet kṛṣṇa-kṛpā-prabhāva- vijñāpako harṣa-viśeṣa-vṛddhyai
English translation
Translation
Although Çré Bhagavän is seen only with eyes of knowledge, sometimes, by the Lord’s potency of mercy, He becomes visible to the external eyes of the living being. Then, by dint of the Lord’s affection, the living being is able to entertain the conception that he has seen Çré Bhagavän with his eyes. At that time, through the joy that blossoms in his heart, he can perceive the influence of Çré Kåñëa’s mercy potency right in his own heart.
2.3.177
Sourceप्रभोः कृपा-पूर-बलेन भक्तेः प्रभावतो वा खलु दर्शनꣳ स्यात् । अतः परिच्छिन्न-दृशापि सिद्ध्येन् निरन्तरꣳ तन् मनसेव सम्याक्
prabhoḥ kṛpā-pūra-balena bhakteḥ prabhāvato vā khalu darśanaṁ syāt | ataḥ paricchinna-dṛśāpi siddhyen nirantaraṁ tan manaseva samyāk
English translation
Translation
By the power of the Lord’s abundant mercy or by the influence of bhakti, the Lord can be seen even with the limited material eyes. That vision is as constant and thorough as that held in vision of the mind.
2.3.178
Sourceन चेत् कथञ्चिन् न मनस्य् अपि स्यात् स्वयम्-प्रभस्येक्षणम् ईश्वरस्य । घनꣳ सुखꣳ सञ्जनयेत् कथञ्चिद् उपासितः सान्द्र-सुखात्मको’सौ
na cet kathañcin na manasy api syāt svayam-prabhasyekṣaṇam īśvarasya | ghanaṁ sukhaṁ sañjanayet kathañcid upāsitaḥ sāndra-sukhātmako’sau
English translation
Translation
If the Lord were not to show mercy, then no one would be able to see Him, even with the mind, what to speak of with any other sense. This is because He is Parameçvara, the Supreme Lord, self-manifest and imperceptible to the mind and eyes. He is completely independent and the controller of everything. Yet when He is worshiped in any meager way, He bestows unlimited joy.
2.3.179
Sourceदृग्भ्याꣳ प्रभोर् दर्शनतो हि सर्वतस् तत्-तत्-प्रसादावलि-लब्धिर् ईक्ष्यते । सर्वाधिकꣳ सान्द्र-सुखꣳ च जायते साध्यꣳ तद् एव श्रवणादि-भक्तितः
dṛgbhyāṁ prabhor darśanato hi sarvatas tat-tat-prasādāvali-labdhir īkṣyate | sarvādhikaṁ sāndra-sukhaṁ ca jāyate sādhyaṁ tad eva śravaṇādi-bhaktitaḥ
English translation
Translation
Darçana with one’s eyes affords all varieties of Bhagavän’s mercy, and the bliss derived from seeing the Lord with one’s eyes is much more intense than that of meditation. Indeed, darçana with one’s eyes is the fruit of çravaëa and the other processes of the ninefold path of bhakti.
2.3.180
Sourceसर्वेषाꣳ साधनानाꣳ तत्- साक्षात्-कारो हि सत्-फलम् । तदैवामूलतो माया नश्येत् प्रेमापि वर्धते
sarveṣāṁ sādhanānāṁ tat- sākṣāt-kāro hi sat-phalam | tadaivāmūlato māyā naśyet premāpi vardhate
English translation
Translation
The reason for this is that direct meeting with Çré Bhagavän is the consummate result of all processes of attainment, and by the power of seeing the Lord, all illusion is destroyed at the root, allowing prema to blossom.
2.3.181
Sourceकायाधवादेर् हृदि पश्यतो’पि प्रभुꣳ सदाक्ष्णा किल तद्-दिदृक्षा । तत्र प्रमाणꣳ हि तथावलोकाद् अनन्तरꣳ भव-विशेष-लाभः
kāyādhavāder hṛdi paśyato’pi prabhuṁ sadākṣṇā kila tad-didṛkṣā | tatra pramāṇaṁ hi tathāvalokād anantaraṁ bhava-viśeṣa-lābhaḥ
English translation
Translation
Although Çré Prahläda, the son of Kayädhu, saw the Lord within his heart, still, he always hankered to see the Lord externally with his eyes. The evidence of this is that when he directly saw the Lord on the shore of the ocean, he experienced an extraordinary state of love for Him.
2.3.182
Sourceकृष्णस्य साक्षाद् अपि जायते यत् केषाञ्चिद् अक्षि-द्वय-मीलनादि । ध्यानꣳ न तत् किन्तु मुदाꣳ भरेण कम्पादि-वत् प्रेम-विकार एषः
kṛṣṇasya sākṣād api jāyate yat keṣāñcid akṣi-dvaya-mīlanādi | dhyānaṁ na tat kintu mudāṁ bhareṇa kampādi-vat prema-vikāra eṣaḥ
English translation
Translation
If someone closes his eyes upon directly seeing Çré Kåñëa, it may seem like meditation, but actually, it is not. Rather, you should understand this closing of the eyes to be an ecstatic transformation of prema. Such transformations include trembling and so forth, and are experienced out of overflowing bliss.
2.3.183
Sourceध्यानꣳ परोक्षे युज्येत न तु साक्षान् महा-प्रभोः । अपरोक्षे परोक्षे’पि युक्तꣳ सङ्कीर्तनꣳ सदा
dhyānaṁ parokṣe yujyeta na tu sākṣān mahā-prabhoḥ | aparokṣe parokṣe’pi yuktaṁ saṅkīrtanaṁ sadā
English translation
Translation
It is appropriate to meditate on Bhagavän in His absence, not in His direct presence. Saìkértana, on the other hand, is always acceptable, whether the Lord is present personally or not.
2.3.184
Sourceश्रीमन् नाम प्रभोस् तस्य श्री-मूर्तेर् अप्य् अति-प्रियम् । जगद्-धितꣳ सुखोपास्यꣳ स-रसꣳ तत्-समꣳ न हि
śrīman nāma prabhos tasya śrī-mūrter apy ati-priyam | jagad-dhitaṁ sukhopāsyaṁ sa-rasaṁ tat-samaṁ na hi
English translation
Translation
Bhagavän’s holy name is even dearer to Him than His own divine form because it benefits the entire world, it is easily worshiped, and it is saturated with rasa. Indeed, nothing is comparable to that name.
2.3.185
Sourceतन् मानयन् शिवस्याज्ञाम् इतो निःसर सत्वरम् । कृष्ण-प्रियतमꣳ श्रीमन्- मथुराꣳ त्वꣳ नमाम ताम्
tan mānayan śivasyājñām ito niḥsara satvaram | kṛṣṇa-priyatamaṁ śrīman- mathurāṁ tvaṁ namāma tām
English translation
Translation
Therefore, now, as we have instructed and Çré Çiva has ordered, quickly leave this abode of liberation and go to Çré Mathurä- puré, which is most dear to Çré Kåñëa. We offer our praëäma to that Mathurä.
2.3.186
Sourceश्री-गोप-कुमार उवाच— निपीय तत्-कर्ण-रसायनꣳ तत् प्रमोद-भारेण भृतो नमꣳस् तान् । शिवौ च सद्यो व्रज-भूमिम् एतꣳ तैः प्रापितो’हꣳ बत मुग्ध-बुद्धिः
śrī-gopa-kumāra uvāca— nipīya tat-karṇa-rasāyanaṁ tat pramoda-bhāreṇa bhṛto namaṁs tān | śivau ca sadyo vraja-bhūmim etaṁ taiḥ prāpito’haṁ bata mugdha-buddhiḥ
English translation
Translation
Çré Gopa-kumära said: O brähmaëa, drinking the nectar of the Vaikuëöha associates’ instructions, which delight the ears and the heart, I joyfully offered obeisance to them and to Çré Çiva and Çré Pärvaté. By their mercy, at that very moment I found myself in Vraja- bhümi. I was stunned by how this happened.