Uttara-khaṇḍa · Chapter 193
Sourceपार्वत्युवाच- देवदेव महादेव सर्वज्ञ सकलार्थद । कृपां मयि परां कृत्वा यत्पृच्छे तद्वदस्व मे १। श्रुतं च गीतामाहात्म्यं बह्वाश्चर्यकथायुतम् । तेन मे भक्तिरुत्पन्ना श्रोतुं कृष्णकथां पराम् २। पुराणेषु तु सर्वेषु श्रीमद्भागवतं परम् । यत्र प्रतिपदं कृष्णो गीयते बहुधर्षिभिः । तन्माहात्म्यं यथातत्वं सेतिहासं वदाधुना ३। ईश्वर उवाच-। नैमिषे सूतमासीनमभिवाद्य महामतिम् । कथामृतरसास्वादकुशलः शौनकोऽब्रवीत् ४। शौनक उवाच । अज्ञानध्वांतविध्वंसि कोटिजन्माघनाशनम् ५। श्रीमद्भागवताख्यानं सूताख्याहि रसायनम् । भक्तिज्ञानविरागाढ्यो विवेको वर्द्धते कथम् ६। माहामोहनिरासश्च वैष्णवैः क्रियते कथम् । इह घोरे कलौप्रायो जीवश्चासुरतां गतः ७। क्लेशाक्रांतस्य तस्याथ शोधने किं रसायनम् । श्रेयसां यद्भवेच्छ्रेयः पावनानां च पावनम् ८। कृष्णप्रीतिकरं यच्च साधनं तद्वदाधुना। चिंतामणिं लोकसुखं सुरेंद्रास्पदसंपदम् ९। प्रयच्छति गुरुः प्रीतो वैकुंठं चातिदुर्लभम् १०। सूत उवाच-। प्रीतोऽहं ते द्विजश्रेष्ठाः कथयिष्ये यथाश्रुतम् । सारात्सारतरं यच्च संसारभयनाशनम् ११। भक्तिप्रवर्द्धकं यच्च कृष्णसंतुष्टिहेतुकम् । तन्मे कथयतः साधो सावधानतया शृणु १२। कालव्यालमुखालीढ जगत्त्राणविधायकम् । श्रीमद्भागवतं शास्त्रं कलौ कृष्णेन भाषितम् १३। एतस्मादपरं किंचिन्मनः शुद्धिकरं नहि । जन्मांतरकृतैः पुण्यैर्लभ्यते साधुभिस्तु तत् १४। राज्ञः परीक्षितो मोक्षं ज्ञात्वा कमलसंभवः । तोलयामास शास्त्राणि पुराणानि महांति च १५। श्रीमद्भागवतं तत्र गरीयो भुवि संगतम् । श्रीमद्भागवती वार्ता सुराणामपि दुर्लभा १६। इति संचित्य बहुशो मुनयः साधवोऽमलाः । मेनिरे भगवद्रूपं श्रीमद्भागवतं क्षितौ १७। पठनाच्छ्रवणाद्यस्य नरो याति हरेः पदम् । वर्षेण श्रवणं तस्य बहुसौख्यप्रदायकम् १८। मासेन भक्तिराभास्यं लभते द्विजसत्तम । सप्ताहेन श्रुतं चैतत्सर्वथा मुक्तिदायकम् १९। किं बहूक्तेन वै साधो श्रीमद्भागवताऽमृतम् । नित्यं सद्भिः प्रपातव्यं कृष्णलीलाप्रकाशकम् २०। सनकाद्यैः पुरा प्रोक्तं नारदाय दयापरैः । ब्रह्मणः श्रुतपूर्वाय सप्ताहश्रवणे विधिः २१। शौनक उवाच-। पितुर्लब्ध्वा वरं ज्ञानं श्रीमद्भागवताभिधम् । नारदो लोकतत्वज्ञः सर्वदा ह्यटते महीम् २२। कुत्र तैः संगमो जातो नारदस्य महात्मभिः । श्रुतो देवर्षिणा यत्र सप्ताहश्रवणे विधिः २३। सूत उवाच-। अत्र ते वर्णयिष्यामि भक्तियुक्तं कथानकम् । यत्पुरा ब्रह्मरातेन मह्यं प्रोक्तं दयालुना २४। एकदा तु विशालायामुपविष्टमधोमुखम् । नारदं सनकाद्यास्ते ददृशुर्दीनमानसम् २५। तं दृष्ट्वा चिंतयानं तु देवर्षिर्भ्रातरं स्वकम् । पप्रच्छुर्विस्मयाविष्टा मुनयस्तत्वचिंतकाः २६। कुमारा ऊचुः-। किं त्वं चिंतयसे ब्रह्मन्नतिदीन इवातुरः । तवेत्थं मुक्तिसंगस्य नोचितं वद कारणम् २७। नारद उवाच-। अहं पृथ्व्यां समायातो ज्ञात्वा सर्वोत्तमोत्तमाम् । तीर्थैर्नानाविधैर्युक्तां पुण्यदैः पुण्यरूपिणीम् २८। पुष्करे च प्रयागे च काश्यां गोदावरीतटे । हरिक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे श्रीरंगे सेतुबंधने २९। एतेष्वन्येषु तीर्थेषु भ्रममाण इतस्ततः । नापश्यं कुत्रचिच्छर्म मनः संतोषकारकम् ३०। कलिना धर्ममित्रेण धरेयं बाधिताऽधुना । सत्यं शौचं दया दानं नास्ति कुत्रापि भूतले ३१। उदरंभरिणो लोका वराकाः कूटसाक्षिणः । मंदाः सुमंदमतयो महापाखंडसंश्रयाः ३२। स्त्रीप्रधानगृहस्थाश्च वर्णिनो व्रतवर्जिताः । वानप्रस्थाः पुरावासा न्यासिनो भोगतत्परा ३३। कन्याविक्रयिणो लोभात्कृषिकर्मपरायणाः । भ्रष्टाचारा दंभिनश्च स्वेच्छाचारनिदर्शिनः ३४। आश्रमा यवनै रुद्धास्तीर्थानि सरितो ह्रदाः । देवतायतनान्यत्र दुष्टैरुच्छेदितानि च ३५। योगी सिद्धोऽथवा ज्ञानी सत्क्रियोऽत्र न दृश्यते । कलिदावानलेनाद्य साधनं भस्मतां गतम् ३६। अट्टशूला जनपदाः शिवशूला द्विजातयः । कामिन्यः केशशूलिन्यो दृश्यंते भुवि सर्वतः ३७। एकदाहमनुप्राप्तो यमुनायास्तटं शुभम् । दृष्टं वृंदावनं तत्र यत्र लीला हरेरभूत् ३८। तत्र यच्चाद्भुतं दृष्टं श्रूयतां तन्मुनीश्वराः । एका तु तरुणी तत्र निषण्णाखिन्नमानसा ३९। द्वौ वृद्धौ पतितौ पार्श्वे निःश्वसंतावचेतनौ । शुश्रूषंती प्रबोधंती रुदती च तयोः पुरः ४०। दृष्टा दिशो निरीक्षंती रक्षितारमिवात्मनः । वीज्यमाना बहुस्त्रीभिर्बोध्यमाना मुहुर्महुः ४१। दृष्ट्वा दूराद्गतश्चाऽहं कौतुकेन तदंतिकम् । मां दृष्ट्वोत्थाय सा बाला वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ४२। बालोवाच-। भो साधोऽत्र क्षणं तिष्ठ मम चिंतामपाकुरु । पुंसां च दर्शनं भद्र सर्वाघौघनिवारणम् । पुण्येन प्राक्तनेनैव दर्शनं तव जायते ४३। अतो मे मानसं दुःखं च्छेत्तुमर्हसि मानद । नारद उवाच । एवमुक्तस्तया चाहं कृपया स्निग्धमानसः । अपृच्छंतां वरारोहां कौतुकेन समाकुलः ४४। का त्वमेतौ च कौ भद्रे काश्चेमाः पद्मलोचनाः । आख्याहि मत्पुरः सर्वं तव दुःखस्य कारणम् ४५। इति पृष्टा मया सा तु बाला दुःखितमानसा । प्रोवाच निखिलं दुःखमात्मनो दुःखकारणम् ४६। बालोवाच-। अहं भक्तिरिति ख्याता एतौ मे तनयौ वरौ । ज्ञानवैराग्यनामानौ कालयोगेन जर्जरौ ४७। गंगाद्याः सरितश्चेमा मम सेवार्थमागताः । एताभिः सेविता नित्यं सत्कारेणापि नारद ४८। न च श्रेयो लभे किंचित्क्षीणाऽहं सर्वतो मुने । ममपूर्वं तु वृत्तातं शृणु ब्राह्मणसत्तम ४९। येनाऽहं दुःखिता जाता न लभे शर्म कुत्रचित् । उत्पन्ना द्रविडे चाहं कर्णाटे वृद्धिमागता 6.193.५०। स्थिता किंचिन्महाराष्ट्रे गुर्जरे जीर्णतां गता । तत्र घोरकलेर्योगात्पाखंडैः खंडितांगका ५१। दुर्बलाहं चिरं जाता पुत्राभ्यां सह मंदताम् ५२। वृंदावनमिदं प्राप्ता दैवयोगेन नारद । जाता हं तु पुनर्बाला नवीनेव सुरूपिणी ५३। इमौ तु शयितावत्र सुतौ मे क्लिष्टमानसौ । अतिवृद्धौ परित्यज्य गंतुं नाहं क्षमाधुना ५४। अहं बाला कथं जाता सुतौ मे जरठौ कुतः । त्रयाणामेकभावानां वैपरीत्यं कुतोऽभवत् ५५। घटते जरठा माता बालकौ तनयाविति । अतः शोचामि चात्मानं विस्मयाविष्टमानसा ५६। यदि त्वं वेत्सि धर्मज्ञ कृपालो दीनपालक । वद सर्वं यथातत्वं कारणं चात्र यद्भवेत् ५७। एवं पृष्टस्तया चाहं क्षणं चैव विमृश्य तु । अवोचं भक्तिमाभाष्य क्लिष्टां कालेन भूयसा ५८। ज्ञानेनाहं प्रपश्यामि वृत्तं सर्वं तवानघे । मा विषादं कुरु प्राज्ञे हरिः शं ते करिष्यति ५९। सर्वसत्वहरो बाले युगोऽयं दारुणः कलि । लुप्तोऽनेन सदाऽचारो योगमार्गस्तपांसि च ६०। जनाश्चाघा (द्या) सुरायंते शाठ्यदुष्कृतकारिणः । संतो ह्यस्मिन्सुदुःखार्ता असंतो हृष्टमानसाः ६१। दृश्यते धीरचित्तस्तु पंडितोऽपि न कोऽपि च । अस्पृश्य नवलोक्येयं दुष्टभाराकुलाधरा ६२। अन्वब्दं क्रमतो जातो मंगलं हीयतेऽन्वहम् । न त्वां तव सुतौ चेमौ कोऽपि पश्यति भामिनि ६३। यूयं तु रागबहुलैस्त्यक्ता जर्जरतां गताः । वृंदावनस्य संयोगाद्बालात्वमभवः पुनः ६४। धन्यं वृंदावनं चेदं भक्तिर्यत्राभवन्नवा । अत्रेमौ ग्राहकाभावान्नवीनत्वं न चागतौ ६५। किंचिदात्मसुखेनेह प्रसुप्ताविति लक्ष्यते । भक्तिरुवाच-। कथं परिक्षिता राज्ञा स्थापितोद्य शुचिः कलि । दयापरेण हरिणा ह्यधर्मः किमुपेक्षितः ६६। एनं मे संशयं छिंधि त्वद्वाचा सुखितास्म्यहम् । तस्या वचः समाकर्ण्य भूयोऽहमवदं द्विजाः ६७। यदि पृष्टस्त्वया बाले प्रेमतः श्रवणं कुरु । यदा मुकुंदो भगवान्क्ष्मां त्यक्त्वा स्वपदं गतः ६८। कलिस्तद्दिनमारभ्य प्रवृत्तः सत्यबाधकः । दृष्टो दिग्विजये राज्ञा दीनवच्छरणं गतः ६९। न हतोऽस्य गुणद्रष्टा सर्वसाधारणं त्विदम् । यत्फलं तपसा नैति न योगे न समाधिना ७०। तत्फलं लभते धीमान्कलौ केशवकीर्तनात् । एतादृशं कलिं दृष्ट्वा सारात्सारफलप्रदम् ७१। विष्णुरातः स्थापितवान्कलिजानां हिताय च । कुकर्माचरणात्सारः सर्वतो निर्गतोऽधुना ७२। पदार्थाः संस्थिता भूमौ बीजहीनास्तुषा यथा । विप्रैर्भागवतीवार्त्ता गेहे गेहे जने जने ७३। कारिता धनलोभेन कथासारस्ततो गतः । अत्युग्रभूरिकर्माणो नास्तिका दांभिका जनाः ७४। तिष्ठंति सर्वतीर्थेषु तीर्थसारस्ततो गतः । कामक्रोधमहालोभतृष्णाव्याकुलचेतसः ७५। समारभंते कर्माणि कर्मसारस्ततो गतः । मनसश्चाजयाल्लोभाद्दंभात्पाखंडसंश्रयात् ७६। शास्त्रानभ्यसनाच्चैव ध्यानयोगफलं गतम् । पंडितास्ते कलत्रेषु रमंते महिषा इव ७७। पुत्रोत्पादनदक्षाश्च न दक्षा मुक्तिसाधने । न हि वैष्णवता कुत्र संप्रदायपुरःसराः ७८। देवनिंदापराः सर्वे साधुनिंदापरायणाः । अयं तु युगधर्मोऽस्ति दीयते कस्य दूषणम् ७९। अतस्त्वं पुंडरीकाक्षं स्मृत्वा सौख्यमवाप्स्यसि ८०। एवं मयोक्तं वचनं श्रुत्वा सा विस्मयं गता । उवाच वचनं भूयो मां प्रशस्य द्विजोत्तमाः ८१। भक्तिरुवाच-। देवर्षे त्वं तु धन्योऽसि मद्भाग्येन समागतः । साधूनां दर्शनं लोके सर्वसिद्धिप्रदायकम् ८२। सुखोपायो यथा मे स्यात्तथादिश मुनेऽधुना । सर्वज्ञस्य तव ब्रह्मन्न साध्यं किमपीह वै ८३। अजयदजितमायां यस्य कायाधवस्ते वचनरचनमेकं केवलं चाकलय्य । ध्रुवपदमुपयातो यत्कृपातो ध्रुवो वै तमहमरणभूतं ब्रह्मपुत्रं नतास्मि ८४। इति श्रीपाद्मे महापुराणे पंचपंचाशत्सहस्रसंहितायामुत्तरखंडे भागवतमाहात्म्ये त्रिनवत्यधिकशततमोऽध्यायः १९३ ।
pārvatyuvāca- devadeva mahādeva sarvajña sakalārthada | kṛpāṃ mayi parāṃ kṛtvā yatpṛcche tadvadasva me 1| śrutaṃ ca gītāmāhātmyaṃ bahvāścaryakathāyutam | tena me bhaktirutpannā śrotuṃ kṛṣṇakathāṃ parām 2| purāṇeṣu tu sarveṣu śrīmadbhāgavataṃ param | yatra pratipadaṃ kṛṣṇo gīyate bahudharṣibhiḥ | tanmāhātmyaṃ yathātatvaṃ setihāsaṃ vadādhunā 3| īśvara uvāca-| naimiṣe sūtamāsīnamabhivādya mahāmatim | kathāmṛtarasāsvādakuśalaḥ śaunako'bravīt 4| śaunaka uvāca | ajñānadhvāṃtavidhvaṃsi koṭijanmāghanāśanam 5| śrīmadbhāgavatākhyānaṃ sūtākhyāhi rasāyanam | bhaktijñānavirāgāḍhyo viveko varddhate katham 6| māhāmohanirāsaśca vaiṣṇavaiḥ kriyate katham | iha ghore kalauprāyo jīvaścāsuratāṃ gataḥ 7| kleśākrāṃtasya tasyātha śodhane kiṃ rasāyanam | śreyasāṃ yadbhavecchreyaḥ pāvanānāṃ ca pāvanam 8| kṛṣṇaprītikaraṃ yacca sādhanaṃ tadvadādhunā| ciṃtāmaṇiṃ lokasukhaṃ sureṃdrāspadasaṃpadam 9| prayacchati guruḥ prīto vaikuṃṭhaṃ cātidurlabham 10| sūta uvāca-| prīto'haṃ te dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ kathayiṣye yathāśrutam | sārātsārataraṃ yacca saṃsārabhayanāśanam 11| bhaktipravarddhakaṃ yacca kṛṣṇasaṃtuṣṭihetukam | tanme kathayataḥ sādho sāvadhānatayā śṛṇu 12| kālavyālamukhālīḍha jagattrāṇavidhāyakam | śrīmadbhāgavataṃ śāstraṃ kalau kṛṣṇena bhāṣitam 13| etasmādaparaṃ kiṃcinmanaḥ śuddhikaraṃ nahi | janmāṃtarakṛtaiḥ puṇyairlabhyate sādhubhistu tat 14| rājñaḥ parīkṣito mokṣaṃ jñātvā kamalasaṃbhavaḥ | tolayāmāsa śāstrāṇi purāṇāni mahāṃti ca 15| śrīmadbhāgavataṃ tatra garīyo bhuvi saṃgatam | śrīmadbhāgavatī vārtā surāṇāmapi durlabhā 16| iti saṃcitya bahuśo munayaḥ sādhavo'malāḥ | menire bhagavadrūpaṃ śrīmadbhāgavataṃ kṣitau 17| paṭhanācchravaṇādyasya naro yāti hareḥ padam | varṣeṇa śravaṇaṃ tasya bahusaukhyapradāyakam 18| māsena bhaktirābhāsyaṃ labhate dvijasattama | saptāhena śrutaṃ caitatsarvathā muktidāyakam 19| kiṃ bahūktena vai sādho śrīmadbhāgavatā'mṛtam | nityaṃ sadbhiḥ prapātavyaṃ kṛṣṇalīlāprakāśakam 20| sanakādyaiḥ purā proktaṃ nāradāya dayāparaiḥ | brahmaṇaḥ śrutapūrvāya saptāhaśravaṇe vidhiḥ 21| śaunaka uvāca-| piturlabdhvā varaṃ jñānaṃ śrīmadbhāgavatābhidham | nārado lokatatvajñaḥ sarvadā hyaṭate mahīm 22| kutra taiḥ saṃgamo jāto nāradasya mahātmabhiḥ | śruto devarṣiṇā yatra saptāhaśravaṇe vidhiḥ 23| sūta uvāca-| atra te varṇayiṣyāmi bhaktiyuktaṃ kathānakam | yatpurā brahmarātena mahyaṃ proktaṃ dayālunā 24| ekadā tu viśālāyāmupaviṣṭamadhomukham | nāradaṃ sanakādyāste dadṛśurdīnamānasam 25| taṃ dṛṣṭvā ciṃtayānaṃ tu devarṣirbhrātaraṃ svakam | papracchurvismayāviṣṭā munayastatvaciṃtakāḥ 26| kumārā ūcuḥ-| kiṃ tvaṃ ciṃtayase brahmannatidīna ivāturaḥ | tavetthaṃ muktisaṃgasya nocitaṃ vada kāraṇam 27| nārada uvāca-| ahaṃ pṛthvyāṃ samāyāto jñātvā sarvottamottamām | tīrthairnānāvidhairyuktāṃ puṇyadaiḥ puṇyarūpiṇīm 28| puṣkare ca prayāge ca kāśyāṃ godāvarītaṭe | harikṣetre kurukṣetre śrīraṃge setubaṃdhane 29| eteṣvanyeṣu tīrtheṣu bhramamāṇa itastataḥ | nāpaśyaṃ kutraciccharma manaḥ saṃtoṣakārakam 30| kalinā dharmamitreṇa dhareyaṃ bādhitā'dhunā | satyaṃ śaucaṃ dayā dānaṃ nāsti kutrāpi bhūtale 31| udaraṃbhariṇo lokā varākāḥ kūṭasākṣiṇaḥ | maṃdāḥ sumaṃdamatayo mahāpākhaṃḍasaṃśrayāḥ 32| strīpradhānagṛhasthāśca varṇino vratavarjitāḥ | vānaprasthāḥ purāvāsā nyāsino bhogatatparā 33| kanyāvikrayiṇo lobhātkṛṣikarmaparāyaṇāḥ | bhraṣṭācārā daṃbhinaśca svecchācāranidarśinaḥ 34| āśramā yavanai ruddhāstīrthāni sarito hradāḥ | devatāyatanānyatra duṣṭairuccheditāni ca 35| yogī siddho'thavā jñānī satkriyo'tra na dṛśyate | kalidāvānalenādya sādhanaṃ bhasmatāṃ gatam 36| aṭṭaśūlā janapadāḥ śivaśūlā dvijātayaḥ | kāminyaḥ keśaśūlinyo dṛśyaṃte bhuvi sarvataḥ 37| ekadāhamanuprāpto yamunāyāstaṭaṃ śubham | dṛṣṭaṃ vṛṃdāvanaṃ tatra yatra līlā harerabhūt 38| tatra yaccādbhutaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ śrūyatāṃ tanmunīśvarāḥ | ekā tu taruṇī tatra niṣaṇṇākhinnamānasā 39| dvau vṛddhau patitau pārśve niḥśvasaṃtāvacetanau | śuśrūṣaṃtī prabodhaṃtī rudatī ca tayoḥ puraḥ 40| dṛṣṭā diśo nirīkṣaṃtī rakṣitāramivātmanaḥ | vījyamānā bahustrībhirbodhyamānā muhurmahuḥ 41| dṛṣṭvā dūrādgataścā'haṃ kautukena tadaṃtikam | māṃ dṛṣṭvotthāya sā bālā vacanaṃ cedamabravīt 42| bālovāca-| bho sādho'tra kṣaṇaṃ tiṣṭha mama ciṃtāmapākuru | puṃsāṃ ca darśanaṃ bhadra sarvāghaughanivāraṇam | puṇyena prāktanenaiva darśanaṃ tava jāyate 43| ato me mānasaṃ duḥkhaṃ cchettumarhasi mānada | nārada uvāca | evamuktastayā cāhaṃ kṛpayā snigdhamānasaḥ | apṛcchaṃtāṃ varārohāṃ kautukena samākulaḥ 44| kā tvametau ca kau bhadre kāścemāḥ padmalocanāḥ | ākhyāhi matpuraḥ sarvaṃ tava duḥkhasya kāraṇam 45| iti pṛṣṭā mayā sā tu bālā duḥkhitamānasā | provāca nikhilaṃ duḥkhamātmano duḥkhakāraṇam 46| bālovāca-| ahaṃ bhaktiriti khyātā etau me tanayau varau | jñānavairāgyanāmānau kālayogena jarjarau 47| gaṃgādyāḥ saritaścemā mama sevārthamāgatāḥ | etābhiḥ sevitā nityaṃ satkāreṇāpi nārada 48| na ca śreyo labhe kiṃcitkṣīṇā'haṃ sarvato mune | mamapūrvaṃ tu vṛttātaṃ śṛṇu brāhmaṇasattama 49| yenā'haṃ duḥkhitā jātā na labhe śarma kutracit | utpannā draviḍe cāhaṃ karṇāṭe vṛddhimāgatā 6.193.50| sthitā kiṃcinmahārāṣṭre gurjare jīrṇatāṃ gatā | tatra ghorakaleryogātpākhaṃḍaiḥ khaṃḍitāṃgakā 51| durbalāhaṃ ciraṃ jātā putrābhyāṃ saha maṃdatām 52| vṛṃdāvanamidaṃ prāptā daivayogena nārada | jātā haṃ tu punarbālā navīneva surūpiṇī 53| imau tu śayitāvatra sutau me kliṣṭamānasau | ativṛddhau parityajya gaṃtuṃ nāhaṃ kṣamādhunā 54| ahaṃ bālā kathaṃ jātā sutau me jaraṭhau kutaḥ | trayāṇāmekabhāvānāṃ vaiparītyaṃ kuto'bhavat 55| ghaṭate jaraṭhā mātā bālakau tanayāviti | ataḥ śocāmi cātmānaṃ vismayāviṣṭamānasā 56| yadi tvaṃ vetsi dharmajña kṛpālo dīnapālaka | vada sarvaṃ yathātatvaṃ kāraṇaṃ cātra yadbhavet 57| evaṃ pṛṣṭastayā cāhaṃ kṣaṇaṃ caiva vimṛśya tu | avocaṃ bhaktimābhāṣya kliṣṭāṃ kālena bhūyasā 58| jñānenāhaṃ prapaśyāmi vṛttaṃ sarvaṃ tavānaghe | mā viṣādaṃ kuru prājñe hariḥ śaṃ te kariṣyati 59| sarvasatvaharo bāle yugo'yaṃ dāruṇaḥ kali | lupto'nena sadā'cāro yogamārgastapāṃsi ca 60| janāścāghā (dyā) surāyaṃte śāṭhyaduṣkṛtakāriṇaḥ | saṃto hyasminsuduḥkhārtā asaṃto hṛṣṭamānasāḥ 61| dṛśyate dhīracittastu paṃḍito'pi na ko'pi ca | aspṛśya navalokyeyaṃ duṣṭabhārākulādharā 62| anvabdaṃ kramato jāto maṃgalaṃ hīyate'nvaham | na tvāṃ tava sutau cemau ko'pi paśyati bhāmini 63| yūyaṃ tu rāgabahulaistyaktā jarjaratāṃ gatāḥ | vṛṃdāvanasya saṃyogādbālātvamabhavaḥ punaḥ 64| dhanyaṃ vṛṃdāvanaṃ cedaṃ bhaktiryatrābhavannavā | atremau grāhakābhāvānnavīnatvaṃ na cāgatau 65| kiṃcidātmasukheneha prasuptāviti lakṣyate | bhaktiruvāca-| kathaṃ parikṣitā rājñā sthāpitodya śuciḥ kali | dayāpareṇa hariṇā hyadharmaḥ kimupekṣitaḥ 66| enaṃ me saṃśayaṃ chiṃdhi tvadvācā sukhitāsmyaham | tasyā vacaḥ samākarṇya bhūyo'hamavadaṃ dvijāḥ 67| yadi pṛṣṭastvayā bāle premataḥ śravaṇaṃ kuru | yadā mukuṃdo bhagavānkṣmāṃ tyaktvā svapadaṃ gataḥ 68| kalistaddinamārabhya pravṛttaḥ satyabādhakaḥ | dṛṣṭo digvijaye rājñā dīnavaccharaṇaṃ gataḥ 69| na hato'sya guṇadraṣṭā sarvasādhāraṇaṃ tvidam | yatphalaṃ tapasā naiti na yoge na samādhinā 70| tatphalaṃ labhate dhīmānkalau keśavakīrtanāt | etādṛśaṃ kaliṃ dṛṣṭvā sārātsāraphalapradam 71| viṣṇurātaḥ sthāpitavānkalijānāṃ hitāya ca | kukarmācaraṇātsāraḥ sarvato nirgato'dhunā 72| padārthāḥ saṃsthitā bhūmau bījahīnāstuṣā yathā | viprairbhāgavatīvārttā gehe gehe jane jane 73| kāritā dhanalobhena kathāsārastato gataḥ | atyugrabhūrikarmāṇo nāstikā dāṃbhikā janāḥ 74| tiṣṭhaṃti sarvatīrtheṣu tīrthasārastato gataḥ | kāmakrodhamahālobhatṛṣṇāvyākulacetasaḥ 75| samārabhaṃte karmāṇi karmasārastato gataḥ | manasaścājayāllobhāddaṃbhātpākhaṃḍasaṃśrayāt 76| śāstrānabhyasanāccaiva dhyānayogaphalaṃ gatam | paṃḍitāste kalatreṣu ramaṃte mahiṣā iva 77| putrotpādanadakṣāśca na dakṣā muktisādhane | na hi vaiṣṇavatā kutra saṃpradāyapuraḥsarāḥ 78| devaniṃdāparāḥ sarve sādhuniṃdāparāyaṇāḥ | ayaṃ tu yugadharmo'sti dīyate kasya dūṣaṇam 79| atastvaṃ puṃḍarīkākṣaṃ smṛtvā saukhyamavāpsyasi 80| evaṃ mayoktaṃ vacanaṃ śrutvā sā vismayaṃ gatā | uvāca vacanaṃ bhūyo māṃ praśasya dvijottamāḥ 81| bhaktiruvāca-| devarṣe tvaṃ tu dhanyo'si madbhāgyena samāgataḥ | sādhūnāṃ darśanaṃ loke sarvasiddhipradāyakam 82| sukhopāyo yathā me syāttathādiśa mune'dhunā | sarvajñasya tava brahmanna sādhyaṃ kimapīha vai 83| ajayadajitamāyāṃ yasya kāyādhavaste vacanaracanamekaṃ kevalaṃ cākalayya | dhruvapadamupayāto yatkṛpāto dhruvo vai tamahamaraṇabhūtaṃ brahmaputraṃ natāsmi 84| iti śrīpādme mahāpurāṇe paṃcapaṃcāśatsahasrasaṃhitāyāmuttarakhaṃḍe bhāgavatamāhātmye trinavatyadhikaśatatamo'dhyāyaḥ 193 |
English translation
Pārvatī said :
1-3. O Mahādeva , O god of gods, O omniscient one, O you giving all (kinds of) wealth, showing great compassion for me, tell me what I ask you. I heard the greatness of the Gītā , containing many wonderful tales. Therefore, an eagerness to listen to the great account of Kṛṣṇa has arisen in me. Among all the Purāṇas , Bhāgavata is the best, in what by every word Kṛṣṇa is sung in various ways by the sages. Now tell me its greatness properly and along with the historical accounts.
The lord said :
4. Śaunaka , adept in tasting the sweetness of the nectar of a story, said to the highly intelligent Sūta seated in the Naimiṣa (forest), after having saluted him:
Śaunaka said :
5-10: Narrate (to us) the account of Śrīmad Bhāgavata which is an elixir, which destroys the darkness of ignorance and the sins of a crore of (past) existences,. O Sūta. How does discrimination rich with devotion, knowledge and detachment grow? How do Viṣṇu ’s devotees remove illusion and delusion? Here in this Kali -age a being has almost attained demonhood. What is the elixir to purify him who is overcome with affliction? Now tell (us) that which is the (highest) felicity of (all) felicities, which is the most purifying of (all) purifying objects, and which is the means to please Kṛṣṇa. A preceptor who is pleased gives (to his disciple) the desire-yielding gem, happiness in the world, the wealth of the position of the lord of gods, and also Vaikuṇṭha , which is extremely difficult to obtain.
Sūta said :
11-21. O best brāhmaṇas , I am pleased with you. (Therefore) I shall tell you that as I have heard it which is better than the best, which destroys the fear of the mundane existence, which increases devotion, which is the cause of pleasing Kṛṣṇa. Listen attentively when I am telling it. In the Kali-age Kṛṣṇa has told the holy text of Śrīmad Bhāgavata, which brings about the protection of the world which is held in the mouth of the tiger of Death. There is nothing superior to this that would purify the mind. It is obtained by good men by means of religious merit earned in many (previous) existences. Knowing the salvation of king Parīkṣit , the lotus-born one compared the holy texts and the great Purāṇas. Among them Śrimad Bhāgavata came to be greater on the earth. The talk of Bhāgavata is difficult to be had even by gods. Thinking like this many good, pure sages looked upon Śrīmad Bhāgavata as a form of lord (Viṣṇu). By reciting and listening to it a man goes to Viṣṇu’s position. Listening to it for a year gives great happiness. O best brāhmaṇa , devotion to it for a month earns splendour. Listening to it for a week gives salvation at all times. O good one, what is the use of talking too much? The good men should everyday drink the nectar of Śrimad Bhāgavata which records the sports of Kṛṣṇa. Sanaka and others, full of compassion, formerly told it to Nārada who had (already) heard it from Brahmā . The manner of listening to it for a week (was also told).
Śaunaka said :
22-23. Having obtained excellent knowledge called Śrīmad Bhāgavata from his father, Nārada who knows the facts about the worlds, always roams over the earth. Where did Nārada meet those noble ones from whom the divine sage heard the manner of listening to it for a week?
Sūta said :
24-26. About this I shall tell you an account full of devotion. which formerly kind Śukra told me. Once the sages Sanaka and others saw at (the bank of) Viśālā , Nārada with his mind dejected. The sages, given to thinking about the Supreme Spirit and full of amazement, seeing their brother, the divine sage, thinking (like that) asked him.
Kumāras said :
27. O brāhmaṇa, what are you, very much helpless and afflicted, thinking about? This is not proper for you who are associated with bliss. Tell (us) its cause.
Nārada said :
28-42. Knowing the earth to be the best of all the best, having various kinds of holy places, of an auspicious nature due to these auspicious places, I wandered here and there, at these holy places like Puṣkara , Prayāga , Kāśī , the bank of Godāvarī , Harikṣetra, Kurukṣetra , Śrīraṅga , Setubandhana, (but) nowhere did I find happiness, giving delight to my mind. Now the earth is afflicted by Kali, the friend of unrighteousness. On the earth truth, purity, pity, charity exist nowhere. People are selfish, miserable and are false witnesses. They are lethargic, dull-witted, and resort to highly heretical men. Householders attach importance to women; religious students are without (i.e. do not observe) vows. Anchorites are living in cities; those who have renounced the worldly ties are given to enjoyment. Through greed they sell their daughters; they are engaged in agriculture; they have fallen from (good) behaviour; they are hypocrites; they show wanton (behaviour). The hermitages, holy places, rivers, pools are besieged by Yavanas . The temples at other places are destroyed by the wicked. A meditating saint, a siddha or a wise man doing good deeds is not seen. Today fulfilment (of vows) is reduced to ash due to the wild fire in the form of Kali. Communities are everywhere seen to sell food; brāhmaṇas to use an auspicious object as a commodity; and beautiful ladies to use their hair as commodities. Once I reached the auspicious bank of Yamunā . There I saw Vṛndāvana where Viṣṇu had sported. O best sages, listen to the wonder that I saw there. A young lady, with her mind dejected, was seated there. Two old men, breathing and senseless, lay by her side. Weeping before the two, she was nursing and waking them up. I saw her looking into the directions, as it were, looking for her protector. Repeatedly she was fanned and advised by many women. Seeing her from a distance, I approached her through curiosity. Seeing me, the young lady got up and spoke these words:
The young lady said :
43-44a. O good man, stay here for a moment; remove my anxiety. O good one, the sight of (good) men completely destroys streams of sins. I have had your sight due to my deeds in former existences. Therefore, O you who respect others, please remove my mental agony.
Nārada said :
44b-46. Thus addressed by her, I with my heart affectionate through pity, and full of curiosity, asked the beautiful lady: “O good one, who are you? Who are these two? Who are these lotus-eyed ones? Tell me the entire cause of your grief.” Thus asked by me, that young lady, with her mind afflicted, told me her entire agony (and) the cause of the agony.
The young lady said :
47-52. I am known as ‘ Bhakti ’ (Devotion). These two are my excellent sons named ‘ Jñāna ’ (Knowledge) and ‘ Vairāgya ’ (Detachment). They are hurt due to contact with destiny. These rivers like Gaṅgā have come (here) to serve me. O Nārada, by these I am everyday served with respect. I am not getting any felicity; I am emaciated all round, O sage. O best brāhmaṇa, listen to my former account, due to which I became unhappy and am getting happiness nowhere. I was born in the Draviḍa country and brought up in Karṇāṭa . For a little (time) I lived in Mahārāṣṭra , and became old in Gurjara. There due to contact with heretics, I got my limbs cut. For a long time I have become weak, and become dull along with my sons.
53-66a. O Nārada, through luck I have reached this Vṛndāvana: I have, as it were, again become a beautiful young girl. Here these two sons have their minds greatly afflicted. Now I am unable to go leaving them who are very old. How have I become a young girl? Why have my sons become old? Due to what is this difference among us who were of the same condition? The old mother exerts herself when the sons are young. So I, with my mind full of wonder, am worried. O you who know religious practices, O kind one, O protector of the helpless, tell me truly the cause that might be there.
Thus asked by her, I, having thought for a moment, again spoke to Bhakti who was emaciated for a long time: “O sinless one, through my wisdom I see all your account. Do not be sad, O wise one; Viṣṇu will make you happy. O child, this is Kali age, fearful and destroying all goodness. Due to it good conduct, the path of Yoga and penance are violated. Sinful men, doing dishonest and bad acts, become deities in this (age), and the good are much afflicted with grief, and the bad are delighted at heart. No strong-minded, or wise man is seen. This earth having the burden of the groups of the wicked is not fit to be touched or seen. This is the order every year; everyday auspiciousness is given up. O beautiful lady, no one will either see you or these your sons. Men, full of great attachment, have abandoned you; (therefore) you have become infirm. Due to your contact with Vṛndāvana you have again become young. This Vṛndā-vana where Bhakti has become young, is blessed. These two, for want of receivers, have not become young. It appears that they are asleep here due to a little joy to them.”
Bhakti said :
66b-81. How did king Parikṣit install this impure Kali? Why did Viṣṇu, given to kindness, ignore impiety? Remove this doubt of me. I am happy with your words. O brāhamaṇa, having heard her words, I spoke again. “O girl, if you have asked affectionately, then listen. Since the day Viṣṇu, leaving the earth, went to his own place, Kali, obstructor of the truth, has proceeded. A king saw him in his conquest of the world, and he yielded like a helpless person. The seer of His virtues is not killed. This is common to all. In the Kali age an intelligent man gets that fruit by narrating the account of Viṣṇu, which he does not by means of penance, abstract meditation or concentration. Seeing Kali like this, giving substantial fruit from the unsubstantial, Viṣṇu established this for the good of those born in the Kali age. Due to bad actions, now all excellence has gone away from every place. Objects lie on the ground like husk without seeds. The brāhmaṇas have told the Bhāgavata story in every house out of greed for wealth. Therefore, the excellence has gone. Men doing very cruel deeds, atheists, and hypocrites stay at all holy places. So the excellence has gone. With their minds overtaken by passion, anger, great greed, desire they commence (religious) acts. Therefore, the excellence of the acts has gone. The fruit of abstract meditation has gone because of non-restraint of mind, greed, hypocrisy, resorting to heretics, want of the study of holy texts. The wise dally with their wives like he-buffaloes. They are expert in producing sons and not in accomplishing salvation. Devotion to Viṣṇu is (found) nowhere. All are led by tradition. All are given to censuring gods; all are fond of condemning the good. This is the practice of the age. Who should be blamed? Therefore, remembering the lotus-eyed (Viṣṇu) you will get happiness.” Hearing these words uttered by me, she was amazed. O best brāhmaṇas, having praised me, she spoke again:
Bhakti said :
82-84. O divine sage, you are blessed. Due to my (good) luck you have come (here). The sight of the good gives all prosperity in the world. Now advise me in such a way that I will have a means for my happiness. O brāhmaṇa, in this world there is nothing to be accomplished by you. I salute Brahma ’s son, having heard whose one sentence ( Prahlāda ) the son of Kayādhū (wife of Hiraṇyakaśipu ) subdued the Māyā of (Viṣṇu) the unborn one, and due to whose grace Dhruva attained to an undecaying eternal position.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 24815, revision 333678 (2022-03-15T05:08:36Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365777.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.