TEXT 1
TEXT
sri-suka uvaca
evam bruvanam maitreyam
dvaipayana-suto budhah
prinayann iva bharatya
vidurah pratyabhasata
SYNONYMS
sri-sukah uvaca–Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said; evam–thus; bruvanam–
speaking; maitreyam–unto the sage. Maitreya; dvaipayana-sutah–the son
of Dvaipayana; budhah–learned; prinayan–in a pleasing manner; iva–as
it was; bharatya–in the manner of a request; vidurah–Vidura;
pratyabhasata–expressed.
TRANSLATION
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: O King, while Maitreya, the great sage, was
thus speaking, Vidura, the learned son of Dvaipayana Vyasa, expressed a
request in a pleasing manner by asking this question.
TEXT 2
TEXT
vidura uvaca
brahman katham bhagavatas
cin-matrasyavikarinah
lilaya capi yujyeran
nirgunasya gunah kriyah
SYNONYMS
vidurah uvaca–Vidura said; brahman–O brahmana; katham–how;
bhagavatah–of the Personality of Godhead; cit-matrasya–of the complete
spiritual whole; avikarinah–of the unchangeable; lilaya–by His pastime;
ca–either; api–even though it is so; yujyeran–take place; nirgunasya–
who is without the modes of nature; gunah–modes of nature; kriyah–
activities.
TRANSLATION
Sri Vidura said: O great brahmana, since the Supreme Personality of
Godhead is the complete spiritual whole and is unchangeable, how is He
connected with the material modes of nature and their activities? If this
is His pastime, how do the activities of the unchangeable take place and
TEXT 3
TEXT
kridayam udyamo ‘rbhasya
kamas cikridisanyatah
svatas-trptasya ca katham
nivrttasya sadanyatah
SYNONYMS
kridayam–in the matter of playing; udyamah–enthusiasm; arbhasya–of
the boys; kamah–desire; cikridisa–willingness to play; anyatah–with
other boys; svatah-trptasya–for one who is self-satisfied; ca–also;
katham–what for; nivrttasya–one who is detached; sada–at all times;
anyatah–otherwise.
TRANSLATION
Boys are enthusiastic to play with other boys or with various
diversions because they are encouraged by desire. But there is no
possibility of such desire for the Lord because He is self-satisfied and
TEXT 4
TEXT
asraksid bhagavan visvam
guna-mayyatma-mayaya
taya samsthapayaty etad
bhuyah pratyapidhasyati
SYNONYMS
asraksit–caused to create; bhagavan–the Personality of Godhead;
visvam–the universe; guna-mayya–endowed with three modes of material
nature; atma–self; mayaya–by the potency; taya–by her; samsthapayati–
maintains; etat–all these; bhuyah–then again; praty-apidhasyati–
conversely dissolves also.
TRANSLATION
By His self-sheltered potency of the three modes of material nature,
the Lord has caused the creation of this universe. By her He maintains
TEXT 5
TEXT
desatah kalato yo ‘sav
avasthatah svato ‘nyatah
aviluptavabodhatma
sa yujyetajaya katham
SYNONYMS
desatah–circumstantial; kalatah–by the influence of time; yah–one
who; asau–the living entity; avasthatah–by situation; svatah–by dream;
anyatah–by others; avilupta–extinct; avabodha–consciousness; atma–
pure self; sah–he; yujyeta–engaged; ajaya–with nescience; katham–how
is it so.
TRANSLATION
The pure soul is pure consciousness and is never out of consciousness,
either due to circumstances, time, situations, dreams or other causes.
TEXT 6
TEXT
bhagavan eka evaisa
sarva-ksetresv avasthitah
amusya durbhagatvam va
kleso va karmabhih kutah
SYNONYMS
bhagavan–the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ekah–alone; eva esah–
all these; sarva–all; ksetresu–in the living entities; avasthitah–
situated; amusya–of the living entities; durbhagatvam–misfortune; va–
either; klesah–miseries; va–or; karmabhih–by activities; kutah–what
for.
TRANSLATION
The Lord, as the Supersoul, is situated in every living being’s heart.
Why then do the living entities’ activities result in misfortune and
TEXT 7
TEXT
etasmin me mano vidvan
khidyate ‘jnana-sankate
tan nah paranuda vibho
kasmalam manasam mahat
SYNONYMS
etasmin–in this; me–my; manah–mind; vidvan–O learned one;
khidyate–is troubling; ajnana–nescience; sankate–in distress; tat–
therefore; nah–my; paranuda–clear up; vibho–O great one; kasmalam–
illusion; manasam–relating to the mind; mahat–great.
TRANSLATION
O great and learned one, my mind is greatly illusioned by the distress
TEXT 8
TEXT
sri-suka uvaca
sa ittham coditah ksattra
tattva-jijnasuna munih
pratyaha bhagavac-cittah
smayann iva gata-smayah
SYNONYMS
sri-sukah uvaca–Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said; sah–he (Maitreya Muni);
ittham–in this way; coditah–being agitated; ksattra–by Vidura; tattvajijnasuna–
by one who was anxious to inquire to know the truth; munih–
the great sage; pratyaha–replied; bhagavat-cittah–God conscious;
smayan–wondering; iva–as if; gata-smayah–without hesitation.
TRANSLATION
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: O King, Maitreya, being thus agitated by
the inquisitive Vidura, at first seemed astonished, but then he replied
TEXT 9
TEXT
maitreya uvaca
seyam bhagavato maya
yan nayena virudhyate
isvarasya vimuktasya
karpanyam uta bandhanam
SYNONYMS
maitreyah uvaca–Maitreya said; sa iyam–such a statement; bhagavatah-
-of the Personality of Godhead; maya–illusion; yat–that which; nayena–
by logic; virudhyate–becomes contradictory; isvarasya–of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead; vimuktasya–of the ever liberated; karpanyam–
insufficiency; uta–as also, what to speak of; bandhanam–bondage.
TRANSLATION
Sri Maitreya said: Certain conditioned souls put forward the theory
that the Supreme Brahman, or the Personality of Godhead, is overcome by
illusion, or maya, and at the same time they maintain that He is
TEXT 10
TEXT
yad arthena vinamusya
pumsa atma-viparyayah
pratiyata upadrastuh
sva-siras chedanadikah
SYNONYMS
yat–thus; arthena–a purpose or meaning; vina–without; amusya–of
such a one; pumsah–of the living entity; atma-viparyayah–upset about
self-identification; pratiyate–so appear; upadrastuh–of the superficial
onlooker; sva-sirah–own head; chedana-adikah–cutting off.
TRANSLATION
The living entity is in distress regarding his self-identity. He has
no factual background, like a man who dreams that he sees his head cut
TEXT 11
TEXT
yatha jale candramasah
kampadis tat-krto gunah
drsyate ‘sann api drastur
atmano ‘natmano gunah
SYNONYMS
yatha–as; jale–in the water; candramasah–of the moon; kampa-adih–
quivering, etc.; tat-krtah–done by the water; gunah–quality; drsyate–
it is so seen; asan api–without existence; drastuh–of the seer;
atmanah–of the self; anatmanah–of other than the self; gunah–quality.
TRANSLATION
As the moon reflected on water appears to the seer to tremble due to
being associated with the quality of the water, so the self associated
TEXT 12
TEXT
sa vai nivrtti-dharmena
vasudevanukampaya
bhagavad-bhakti-yogena
tirodhatte sanair iha
SYNONYMS
sah–that; vai–also; nivrtti–detachment; dharmena–by engagement;
vasudeva–the Supreme Personality of Godhead; anukampaya–by the mercy
of; bhagavat–in relation with the Personality of Godhead; bhakti-yogena-
-by linking up; tirodhatte–diminishes; sanaih–gradually; iha–in this
existence.
TRANSLATION
But that misconception of self-identity can be diminished gradually by
the mercy of the Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva, through the process of
TEXT 13
TEXT
yadendriyoparamo ‘tha
drastratmani pare harau
viliyante tada klesah
samsuptasyeva krtsnasah
SYNONYMS
yada–when; indriya–senses; uparamah–satiated; atha–thus; drastratmani–
unto the seer, the Supersoul; pare–in the Transcendence; harau–
unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; viliyante–become merged in;
tada–at that time; klesah–miseries; samsuptasya–one who has enjoyed
sound sleep; iva–like; krtsnasah–completely.
TRANSLATION
When the senses are satisfied in the seer-Supersoul, the Personality
of Godhead, and merge in Him, all miseries are completely vanquished, as
TEXT 14
TEXT
asesa-sanklesa-samam vidhatte
gunanuvada-sravanam murareh
kim va punas tac-caranaravindaparaga-
seva-ratir atma-labdha
SYNONYMS
asesa–unlimited; sanklesa–miserable conditions; samam–cessation;
vidhatte–can perform; guna-anuvada–of the transcendental name, form,
qualities, pastimes, entourage and paraphernalia, etc.; sravanam–hearing
and chanting; murareh–of Murari (Sri Krsna), the Personality of Godhead;
kim va–what to speak of; punah–again; tat–His; carana-aravinda–lotus
feet; paraga-seva–to the service of the flavorful dust; ratih–
attraction; atma-labdha–those who have gained such self-achievement.
TRANSLATION
Simply by chanting and hearing of the transcendental name, form, etc.,
of the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna, one can achieve the cessation
of unlimited miserable conditions. Therefore what to speak of those who
have attained attraction for serving the flavor of the dust of the Lord’s
TEXT 15
TEXT
vidura uvaca
sanchinnah samsayo mahyam
tava suktasina vibho
ubhayatrapi bhagavan
mano me sampradhavati
SYNONYMS
vidurah uvaca–Vidura said; sanchinnah–cut off; samsayah–doubts;
mahyam–unto me; tava–your; sukta-asina–by the weapon of convincing
words; vibho–O my lord; ubhayatra api–both in God and in the living
entity; bhagavan–O powerful one; manah–mind; me–my; sampradhavati–
perfectly entering.
TRANSLATION
Vidura said: O powerful sage, my lord, all my doubts about the Supreme
Personality of Godhead and the living entities have now been removed by
TEXT 16
TEXT
sadhv etad vyahrtam vidvan
natma-mayayanam hareh
abhaty apartham nirmulam
visva-mulam na yad bahih
SYNONYMS
sadhu–as good as it should be; etat–all these explanations;
vyahrtam–thus spoken; vidvan–O learned one; na–not; atma–the self;
maya–energy; ayanam–movement; hareh–of the Personality of Godhead;
abhati–appears; apartham–without meaning; nirmulam–without basis;
visva-mulam–the origin is the Supreme; na–not; yat–which; bahih–
outside.
TRANSLATION
O learned sage, your explanations are very good, as they should be.
Disturbances to the conditioned soul have no other basis than the
TEXT 17
TEXT
yas ca mudhatamo loke
yas ca buddheh param gatah
tav ubhau sukham edhete
klisyaty antarito janah
SYNONYMS
yah–one who is; ca–also; mudha-tamah–the lowest of the fools; loke-
-in the world; yah ca–and one who is; buddheh–of intelligence; param–
transcendental; gatah–gone; tau–of them; ubhau–both; sukham–
happiness; edhete–enjoy; klisyati–suffer; antaritah–situated between;
janah–persons.
TRANSLATION
Both the lowest of fools and he who is transcendental to all
intelligence enjoy happiness, whereas persons between them suffer the
material pangs.TEXT 18
TEXT
arthabhavam viniscitya
pratitasyapi natmanah
tam capi yusmac-caranasevayaham
paranude
SYNONYMS
artha-abhavam–without substance; viniscitya–being ascertained;
pratitasya–of the apparent values; api–also; na–never; atmanah–of the
self; tam–that; ca–also; api–thus; yusmat–your; carana–feet; sevaya-
-by service; aham–myself; paranude–shall be able to give up.
TRANSLATION
But, my dear sir, I am obliged to you because now I can understand
that this material manifestation is without substance, although it
appears real. I am confident that by serving your feet it will be
possible for me to give up the false idea.TEXT 19
TEXT
yat-sevaya bhagavatah
kuta-sthasya madhu-dvisah
rati-raso bhavet tivrah
padayor vyasanardanah
SYNONYMS
yat–to whom; sevaya–by service; bhagavatah–of the Personality of
Godhead; kuta-sthasya–of the unchangeable; madhu-dvisah–the enemy of
the Madhu asura; rati-rasah–attachment in different relationships;
bhavet–develops; tivrah–highly ecstatic; padayoh–of the feet; vyasana-
-distresses; ardanah–vanquishing.
TRANSLATION
By serving the feet of the spiritual master, one is enabled to develop
transcendental ecstasy in the service of the Personality of Godhead, who
is the unchangeable enemy of the Madhu demon and whose service vanquishes
one’s material distresses.TEXT 20
TEXT
durapa hy alpa-tapasah
seva vaikuntha-vartmasu
yatropagiyate nityam
deva-devo janardanah
SYNONYMS
durapa–rarely obtainable; hi–certainly; alpa-tapasah–of one whose
austerity is meager; seva–service; vaikuntha–the transcendental kingdom
of God; vartmasu–on the path of; yatra–wherein; upagiyate–is
glorified; nityam–always; deva–of the demigods; devah–the Lord; janaardanah–
the controller of the living entities.
TRANSLATION
Persons whose austerity is meager can hardly obtain the service of the
pure devotees who are progressing on the path back to the kingdom of
Godhead, the Vaikunthas. Pure devotees engage one hundred percent in
glorifying the Supreme Lord, who is the Lord of the demigods and the
controller of all living entities.TEXT 21
TEXT
srstvagre mahad-adini
sa-vikarany anukramat
tebhyo virajam uddhrtya
tam anu pravisad vibhuh
SYNONYMS
srstva–after creating; agre–in the beginning; mahat-adini–the total
material energy; sa-vikarani–along with the sense organs; anukramat–by
a gradual process of differentiation; tebhyah–out of that; virajam–the
gigantic universal form; uddhrtya–manifesting; tam–unto that; anu–
later; pravisat–entered; vibhuh–the Supreme.
TRANSLATION
After creating the total material energy, the mahat-tattva, and
thereby manifesting the gigantic universal form with senses and sense
organs, the Supreme Lord entered within it.TEXT 22
TEXT
yam ahur adyam purusam
sahasranghry-uru-bahukam
yatra visva ime lokah
sa-vikasam ta asate
SYNONYMS
yam–who; ahuh–is called; adyam–original; purusam–incarnation for
cosmic manifestation; sahasra–thousand; anghri–legs; uru–thighs;
bahukam–hands; yatra–wherein; visvah–the universe; ime–all these;
lokah–planets; sa-vikasam–with respective developments; te–all of
them; asate–living.
TRANSLATION
The purusa incarnation lying on the Causal Ocean is called the
original purusa in the material creations, and in His virat form, in whom
all the planets and their inhabitants live, He has many thousands of legs
and hands.TEXT 23
TEXT
yasmin dasa-vidhah pranah
sendriyarthendriyas tri-vrt
tvayerito yato varnas
tad-vibhutir vadasva nah
SYNONYMS
yasmin–in which; dasa-vidhah–ten kinds of; pranah–air of life; sa–
with; indriya–senses; artha–interest; indriyah–of the senses; tri-vrt-
-three kinds of life vigor; tvaya–by you; iritah–explained; yatah–
wherefrom; varnah–four specific divisions; tat-vibhutih–prowess;
vadasva–please describe; nah–unto me.
TRANSLATION
O great brahmana, you have told me that the gigantic virat form and
His senses, sense objects and ten kinds of life air exist with three
kinds of life vigor. Now, if you will, kindly explain to me the different
powers of the specific divisions.
TEXT 24
TEXT
yatra putrais ca pautrais ca
naptrbhih saha gotrajaih
praja vicitrakrtaya
asan yabhir idam tatam
SYNONYMS
yatra–wherein; putraih–along with sons; ca–and; pautraih–along
with grandsons; ca–also; naptrbhih–with grandsons from daughters; saha-
-along with; gotra-jaih–of the same family; prajah–generations;
vicitra–of different kinds; akrtayah–so done; asan–exist; yabhih–by
whom; idam–all these planets; tatam–spread.
TRANSLATION
O my lord, I think that the process manifest in the forms of sons,
grandsons and family members has spread all over the universe in
different varieties and species.
TEXT 25
TEXT
prajapatinam sa patis
caklpe kan prajapatin
sargams caivanusargams ca
manun manvantaradhipan
SYNONYMS
praja-patinam–of the demigods like Brahma and others; sah–he; patih-
-leader; caklpe–decided; kan–whomsoever; prajapatin–fathers of the
living entities; sargan–generations; ca–also; eva–certainly;
anusargan–later generations; ca–and; manun–the Manus; manvantaraadhipan–
and the changes of such.
TRANSLATION
O learned brahmana, please describe how the leader of all the
demigods, namely Prajapati, Brahma, decided to establish the various
Manus, the heads of the ages. Please describe the Manus also, and please
describe the descendants of those Manus.TEXT 26
TEXT
upary adhas ca ye loka
bhumer mitratmajasate
tesam samstham pramanam ca
bhur-lokasya ca varnaya
SYNONYMS
upari–on the head; adhah–underneath; ca–also; ye–which; lokah–
planets; bhumeh–of the earth; mitra-atmaja–O son of Mitra (Maitreya
Muni); asate–do exist; tesam–their; samstham–situation; pramanam ca–
also their measurement; bhuh-lokasya–of the earthly planets; ca–also;
varnaya–please describe.
TRANSLATION
O son of Mitra, kindly describe how the planets are situated above the
earth as well as underneath it, and also please mention their measurement
as well as that of the earthly planets.TEXT 27
TEXT
tiryan-manusa-devanam
sarisrpa-patattrinam
vada nah sarga-samvyuham
garbha-sveda-dvijodbhidam
SYNONYMS
tiryak–subhuman; manusa–human beings; devanam–of the superhuman
beings, or demigods; sarisrpa–reptiles; patattrinam–of the birds; vada-
-kindly describe; nah–unto me; sarga–generation; samvyuham–specific
divisions; garbha–embryonic; sveda–perspiration; dvija–twice-born;
udbhidam–of the planets, etc.
TRANSLATION
Also please describe the living beings under different
classifications: subhumans, humans, those born of the embryo, those born
of perspiration, those who are twice-born [birds], and the plants and
vegetables. Kindly describe their generations and subdivisions also.
TEXT 28
TEXT
gunavatarair visvasya
sarga-sthity-apyayasrayam
srjatah srinivasasya
vyacaksvodara-vikramam
SYNONYMS
guna–modes of material nature; avataraih–of the incarnations;
visvasya–of the universe; sarga–creation; sthiti–maintenance; apyaya–
destruction; asrayam–and ultimate rest; srjatah–of the one who creates;
srinivasasya–of the Personality of Godhead; vyacaksva–kindly describe;
udara–magnanimous; vikramam–specific activities.
TRANSLATION
Please also describe the incarnations of the material modes of nature-
-Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara–and please describe the incarnation of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead and His magnanimous activities.TEXT 29
TEXT
varnasrama-vibhagams ca
rupa-sila-svabhavatah
rsinam janma-karmani
vedasya ca vikarsanam
SYNONYMS
varna-asrama–the four divisions of social statuses and orders of
spiritual culture; vibhagan–respective divisions; ca–also; rupa–
personal feature s; sila-svabhavatah–personal character; rsinam–of the
sages; janma–birth; karmani–activities; vedasya–of the Vedas; ca–and;
vikarsanam–categorical divisions.
TRANSLATION
O great sage, kindly describe the divisions and orders of human
society in terms of symptoms, behavior and the characteristics of mental
equilibrium and sense control. Also please describe the births of the
great sages and the categorical divisions of the Vedas.TEXT 30
TEXT
yajnasya ca vitanani
yogasya ca pathah prabho
naiskarmyasya ca sankhyasya
tantram va bhagavat-smrtam
SYNONYMS
yajnasya–of sacrifices; ca–also; vitanani–expansions; yogasya–of
the mystic powers; ca–also; pathah–ways; prabho–O my lord;
naiskarmyasya–of knowledge; ca–and; sankhyasya–of analytical studies;
tantram–the path of devotional service; va–as well as; bhagavat–in
relation with the Personality of Godhead; smrtam–regulative principles.
TRANSLATION
Please also describe the expansions of different sacrifices and the
paths of mystic powers, analytical study of knowledge, and devotional
service, all with their respective regulations.TEXT 31
TEXT
pasanda-patha-vaisamyam
pratiloma-nivesanam
jivasya gatayo yas ca
yavatir guna-karmajah
SYNONYMS
pasanda-patha–the path of the faithless; vaisamyam–imperfection by
contradiction; pratiloma–crossbreeding; nivesanam–situation; jivasya–
of the living entities; gatayah–movements; yah–as they are; ca–also;
yavatih–as many as; guna–modes of material nature; karma-jah–generated
by different work.
TRANSLATION
Please also describe the imperfections and contradictions of the
faithless atheists, the situation of crossbreeding, and the movements of
the living entities in various species of life according to their
particular modes of nature and work.TEXT 32
TEXT
dharmartha-kama-moksanam
nimittany avirodhatah
vartaya danda-nites ca
srutasya ca vidhim prthak
SYNONYMS
dharma–religiosity; artha–economic development; kama–sense
gratification; moksanam–salvation; nimittani–causes; avirodhatah–
without being contradictory; vartayah–on the principles of the means of
livelihood; danda-niteh–of law and order; ca–also; srutasya–of the
codes of scriptures; ca–also; vidhim–regulations; prthak–different.
TRANSLATION
You may also describe the noncontradictory causes of religiosity,
economic development, sense gratification and salvation and also the
different means of livelihood and different processes of law and order as
mentioned in the revealed scriptures.
TEXT 33
TEXT
sraddhasya ca vidhim brahman
pitrnam sargam eva ca
graha-naksatra-taranam
kalavayava-samsthitim
SYNONYMS
sraddhasya–of the periodical offerings of respects; ca–also; vidhim-
-regulations; brahman–O brahmana; pitrnam–of the forefathers; sargam–
creation; eva–as; ca–also; graha–planetary system; naksatra–the
stars; taranam–luminaries; kala–time; avayava–duration; samsthitim–
situations.
TRANSLATION
Please also explain the regulations for offering respects to the
forefathers, the creation of the Pitrloka, the time schedule in the
planets, stars and luminaries, and their respective situations.TEXT 34
TEXT
danasya tapaso vapi
yac cesta-purtayoh phalam
pravasa-sthasya yo dharmo
yas ca pumsa utapadi
SYNONYMS
danasya–of charity; tapasah–of penance; vapi–lake; yat–that which;
ca–and; ista–endeavor; purtayoh–of reservoirs of water; phalam–
fruitive result; pravasa-sthasya–one who is away from home; yah–that
which; dharmah–duty; yah ca–and which; pumsah–of man; uta–described;
apadi–in danger.
TRANSLATION
Please also describe the fruitive results of charity and penance and
of digging reservoirs of water. Please describe the situation of persons
who are away from home and also the duty of a man in an awkward position.TEXT 35
TEXT
yena va bhagavams tusyed
dharma-yonir janardanah
samprasidati va yesam
etad akhyahi me ‘nagha
SYNONYMS
yena–by which; va–either; bhagavan–the Personality of Godhead;
tusyet–is satisfied; dharma-yonih–the father of all religion;
janardanah–the controller of all living being; samprasidati–completely
satisfied; va–either, or; yesam–of those; etat–all these; akhyahi–
kindly describe; me–unto me; anagha–O sinless one.
TRANSLATION
O sinless one, because the Personality of Godhead, the controller of
all living entities, is the father of all religion and all those who are
candidates for religious activities, kindly describe how He can be
completely satisfied.TEXT 36
TEXT
anuvratanam sisyanam
putranam ca dvijottama
anaprstam api bruyur
guravo dina-vatsalah
SYNONYMS
anuvratanam–the followers; sisyanam–of the disciples; putranam–of
the sons; ca–also; dvija-uttama–O best amongst the brahmanas;
anaprstam–that which is not asked for; api–in spite of; bruyuh–please
describe; guravah–the spiritual masters; dina-vatsalah–who are kind to
the needy.
TRANSLATION
O best among the brahmanas, those who are spiritual masters are very
kind to the needy. They are always kind to their followers, disciples and
sons, and without being asked by them, the spiritual master describes all
that is knowledge.TEXT 37
TEXT
tattvanam bhagavams tesam
katidha pratisankramah
tatremam ka upasiran
ka u svid anuserate
SYNONYMS
tattvanam–of the elements of nature; bhagavan–O great sage; tesam–
of them; katidha–how many; pratisankramah–dissolutions; tatra–
thereupon; imam–unto the Supreme Lord; ke–who are they; upasiran–being
saved; ke–who are they; u–who; svit–may; anuserate–serve the Lord
while He sleeps.
TRANSLATION
Please describe how many dissolutions there are for the elements of
material nature and who survives after the dissolutions to serve the Lord
while He is asleep.TEXT 38
TEXT
purusasya ca samsthanam
svarupam va parasya ca
jnanam ca naigamam yat tad
guru-sisya-prayojanam
SYNONYMS
purusasya–of the living entity; ca–also; samsthanam–existence;
svarupam–identity; va–either, or; parasya–of the Supreme; ca–also;
jnanam–knowledge; ca–also; naigamam–in the matter of the Upanisads;
yat–that; tat–the same; guru–spiritual master; sisya–disciple;
prayojanam–necessity.
TRANSLATION
What are the truths regarding the living entities and the Supreme
Personality of Godhead? What are their identities ? What are the specific
values in the knowledge in the Vedas, and what are the necessities for
the spiritual master and his disciples?TEXT 39
TEXT
nimittani ca tasyeha
proktany anagha-suribhih
svato jnanam kutah pumsam
bhaktir vairagyam eva va
SYNONYMS
nimittani–the source of knowledge; ca–also; tasya–of such
knowledge; iha–in this world; proktani–mentioned; anagha–spotless;
suribhih–by devotees; svatah–self-sufficient; jnanam–knowledge; kutah-
-how; pumsam–of the living entity; bhaktih–devotional service;
vairagyam–detachment; eva–certainly; va–also.
TRANSLATION
Spotless devotees of the Lord have mentioned the source of such
knowledge. How could one have knowledge of devotional service and
detachment without the help of such devotees?TEXT 40
TEXT
etan me prcchatah prasnan
hareh karma-vivitsaya
bruhi me ‘jnasya mitratvad
ajaya nasta-caksusah
SYNONYMS
etan–all these; me–my; prcchatah–of one who inquires; prasnan–
questions; hareh–of the Supreme Lord; karma–pastimes; vivitsaya–
desiring to know; bruhi–kindly describe; me–unto me; ajnasya–of one
who is ignorant; mitratvat–because of friendship; ajaya–by the external
energy; nasta-caksusah–those who have lost their vision.
TRANSLATION
My dear sage, I have put all these questions before you with a view to
knowing the pastimes of Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You are
the friend of all, so kindly describe them for all those who have lost
their vision.TEXT 41
TEXT
sarve vedas ca yajnas ca
tapo danani canagha
jivabhaya-pradanasya
na kurviran kalam api
SYNONYMS
sarve–all kinds of; vedah–divisions of the Vedas; ca–also; yajnah–
sacrifices; ca–also; tapah–penances; danani–charities; ca–and;
anagha–O spotless one; jiva–the living entity; abhaya–immunity from
material pangs; pradanasya–of one who gives such assurance; na–not;
kurviran–can he equalized; kalam–even partially; api–certainly.
TRANSLATION
O spotless one, your answers to all these questions will grant
immunity from all material miseries. Such charity is greater than all
Vedic charities, sacrifices, penances, etc.TEXT 42
TEXT
sri-suka uvaca
sa ittham aprsta-purana-kalpah
kuru-pradhanena muni-pradhanah
pravrddha-harso bhagavat-kathayam
sancoditas tam prahasann ivaha
SYNONYMS
sri-sukah uvaca–Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said; sah–he; ittham–thus;
aprsta–being questioned; purana-kalpah–one who knows how to explain the
supplements of the Vedas (the Puranas); kuru-pradhanena–by the chief of
the Kurus; muni-pradhanah–the chief amongst the sages; pravrddha–
sufficiently enriched; harsah–satisfaction; bhagavat–the Personality of
Godhead; kathayam–in the topics of; sancoditah–being so infused; tam–
unto Vidura; prahasan–with smiles; iva–like that; aha–replied.
TRANSLATION
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: Thus the chief of the sages, who was always
enthusiastic about describing topics regarding the Personality of
Godhead, began to narrate the descriptive explanation of the Puranas,
being so infused by Vidura. He was very much enlivened by speaking on the
transcendental activities of the Lord.
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