The Appearance of Sukadeva Gosvami

Verse 1 (bhagavata.1.19.1)

सूत उवाच महीपतिस्त्वथ तत्कर्म गर्ह्यं विचिन्तयन्नात्मकृतं सुदुर्मनाः । अहो मया नीचमनार्यवत्कृतं निरागसि ब्रह्मणि गूढतेजसि ॥ १ ॥

sūta uvāca mahī-patis tv atha tat-karma garhyaṁ vicintayann ātma-kṛtaṁ sudurmanāḥ aho mayā nīcam anārya-vat kṛtaṁ nirāgasi brahmaṇi gūḍha-tejasi

Suta said: Then the King, greatly troubled, reflecting upon that reprehensible deed he himself had done, thought: Alas, how heinous and uncivilized an act I have committed against a blameless brahmana of hidden power!

Verse 2 (bhagavata.1.19.2)

ध्रुवं ततो मे कृतदेवहेलनाद् दुरत्ययं व्यसनं नातिदीर्घात् । तदस्तु कामं ह्यघनिष्कृताय मे यथा न कुर्यां पुनरेवमद्धा ॥ २ ॥

dhruvaṁ tato me kṛta-deva-helanād duratyayaṁ vyasanaṁ nāti-dīrghāt tad astu kāmaṁ hy agha-niṣkṛtāya me yathā na kuryāṁ punar evam addhā

[King Parikshit thought:] Surely, because I have thus offended the Lord, an inescapable calamity, not far off, now certainly awaits me. So be it, gladly — let it come as atonement for my sin, that I may never again commit such an act.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.1.19.3)

अद्यैव राज्यं बलमृद्धकोशं प्रकोपितब्रह्मकुलानलो मे । दहत्वभद्रस्य पुनर्न मेऽभूत् पापीयसी धीर्द्विजदेवगोभ्यः ॥ ३ ॥

adyaiva rājyaṁ balam ṛddha-kośaṁ prakopita-brahma-kulānalo me dahatv abhadrasya punar na me ’bhūt pāpīyasī dhīr dvija-deva-gobhyaḥ

This very day, let the fire kindled by the enraged community of brahmanas burn away my kingdom, my strength and my overflowing treasury — so that never again may such a sinful intent toward brahmanas, the Lord, and cows arise in me.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.1.19.4)

स चिन्तयन्नित्थमथाशृणोद् यथा मुनेः सुतोक्तो निऋर्तिस्तक्षकाख्यः । स साधु मेने न चिरेण तक्षका- नलं प्रसक्तस्य विरक्तिकारणम् ॥ ४ ॥

sa cintayann ittham athāśṛṇod yathā muneḥ sutokto nirṛtis takṣakākhyaḥ sa sādhu mene na cireṇa takṣakā- nalaṁ prasaktasya virakti-kāraṇam

While he was thus reflecting, he heard how the sage's son had pronounced his death by Takshaka, the serpent-bird. The King welcomed this as truly good news, for it would soon become the cause of his detachment from all that bound him.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.1.19.5)

अथो विहायेमममुं च लोकं विमर्शितौ हेयतया पुरस्तात् । कृष्णाङ्घ्रिसेवामधिमन्यमान उपाविशत् प्रायममर्त्यनद्याम् ॥ ५ ॥

atho vihāyemam amuṁ ca lokaṁ vimarśitau heyatayā purastāt kṛṣṇāṅghri-sevām adhimanyamāna upāviśat prāyam amartya-nadyām

Then, having judged both this world and the next as inferior and worth relinquishing, and holding service to Krishna's feet as the greatest attainment, he sat down to fast unto death on the bank of that immortal river.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.1.19.6)

या वै लसच्छ्रीतुलसीविमिश्र- कृष्णाङ्घ्रिरेण्वभ्यधिकाम्बुनेत्री । पुनाति लोकानुभयत्र सेशान् कस्तां न सेवेत मरिष्यमाणः ॥ ६ ॥

yā vai lasac-chrī-tulasī-vimiśra- kṛṣṇāṅghri-reṇv-abhyadhikāmbu-netrī punāti lokān ubhayatra seśān kas tāṁ na seveta mariṣyamāṇaḥ

That river, whose waters carry the radiant dust of Krishna's feet mingled with tulasi leaves, purifies all worlds, both within and beyond, together with Lord Shiva himself — who then, facing death, would not take shelter of her?

Verse 7 (bhagavata.1.19.7)

इति व्यवच्छिद्य स पाण्डवेयः प्रायोपवेशं प्रति विष्णुपद्याम् । दधौ मुकुन्दाङ्घ्रिमनन्यभावो मुनिव्रतो मुक्तसमस्तसङ्गः ॥ ७ ॥

iti vyavacchidya sa pāṇḍaveyaḥ prāyopaveśaṁ prati viṣṇu-padyām dadhau mukundāṅghrim ananya-bhāvo muni-vrato mukta-samasta-saṅgaḥ

Thus resolving, that worthy descendant of the Pandavas, having renounced all attachment, undertook the vow of a sage and fixed his mind, without deviation, upon the feet of Mukunda, seated to fast until death on that bank sprung from Vishnu's feet.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.1.19.8)

तत्रोपजग्मुर्भुवनं पुनाना महानुभावा मुनयः सशिष्याः । प्रायेण तीर्थाभिगमापदेशैः स्वयं हि तीर्थानि पुनन्ति सन्तः ॥ ८ ॥

tatropajagmur bhuvanaṁ punānā mahānubhāvā munayaḥ sa-śiṣyāḥ prāyeṇa tīrthābhigamāpadeśaiḥ svayaṁ hi tīrthāni punanti santaḥ

There arrived great-souled sages, sanctifiers of the universe, together with their disciples, coming as if for a mere pilgrimage — though it is the saints themselves who, by their very presence, sanctify places of pilgrimage.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.1.19.9)

अत्रिर्वसिष्ठश्च्यवनः शरद्वा- नरिष्टनेमिर्भृगुरङ्गिराश्च । पराशरो गाधिसुतोऽथ राम उतथ्य इन्द्रप्रमदेध्मवाहौ ॥ ९ ॥

atrir vasiṣṭhaś cyavanaḥ śaradvān ariṣṭanemir bhṛgur aṅgirāś ca parāśaro gādhi-suto ’tha rāma utathya indrapramadedhmavāhau

Atri, Vasishtha, Chyavana, Sharadvan, Arishtanemi, Bhrigu and Angira; Parashara, the son of Gadhi [Vishvamitra], Parashurama, Utathya, Indrapramada and Idhmavaha —

Verse 10 (bhagavata.1.19.10)

मेधातिथिर्देवल आर्ष्टिषेणो भारद्वाजो गौतमः पिप्पलादः । मैत्रेय और्वः कवषः कुम्भयोनि- र्द्वैपायनो भगवान्नारदश्च ॥ १० ॥

medhātithir devala ārṣṭiṣeṇo bhāradvājo gautamaḥ pippalādaḥ maitreya aurvaḥ kavaṣaḥ kumbhayonir dvaipāyano bhagavān nāradaś ca

Medhatithi, Devala, Arshtishena, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Pippalada, Maitreya, Aurva, Kavasha, Kumbhayoni, Dvaipayana [Vyasa], and the great sage Narada —

Verse 11 (bhagavata.1.19.11)

अन्ये च देवर्षिब्रह्मर्षिवर्या राजर्षिवर्या अरुणादयश्च । नानार्षेयप्रवरान् समेता- नभ्यर्च्य राजा शिरसा ववन्दे ॥ ११ ॥

anye ca devarṣi-brahmarṣi-varyā rājarṣi-varyā aruṇādayaś ca nānārṣeya-pravarān sametān abhyarcya rājā śirasā vavande

— and many other foremost sages among the gods, among the brahmanas, and among kings, headed by Aruna and others of many lineages, all gathered there; and the King, worshiping them, bowed his head to each.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.1.19.12)

सुखोपविष्टेष्वथ तेषु भूयः कृतप्रणामः स्वचिकीर्षितं यत् । विज्ञापयामास विविक्तचेता उपस्थितोऽग्रेऽभिगृहीतपाणिः ॥ १२ ॥

sukhopaviṣṭeṣv atha teṣu bhūyaḥ kṛta-praṇāmaḥ sva-cikīrṣitaṁ yat vijñāpayām āsa vivikta-cetā upasthito ’gre ’bhigṛhīta-pāṇiḥ

Then, when they had all comfortably taken their seats, the King again offered his obeisances, and standing before them with folded hands, his mind free of worldly attachment, submitted to them his own resolve.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.1.19.13)

राजोवाच

rājovāca aho vayaṁ dhanyatamā nṛpāṇāṁ mahattamānugrahaṇīya-śīlāḥ rājñāṁ kulaṁ brāhmaṇa-pāda-śaucād dūrād visṛṣṭaṁ bata garhya-karma

The King said: Ah, most fortunate among kings are we, worthy to receive the favor of the greatest souls — for otherwise the line of kings is generally kept at a distance, cast off like refuse from the feet of brahmanas, on account of our disreputable conduct.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.1.19.14)

तस्यैव मेऽघस्य परावरेशो व्यासक्तचित्तस्य गृहेष्वभीक्ष्णम् । निर्वेदमूलो द्विजशापरूपो यत्र प्रसक्तो भयमाशु धत्ते ॥ १४ ॥

tasyaiva me ’ghasya parāvareśo vyāsakta-cittasya gṛheṣv abhīkṣṇam nirveda-mūlo dvija-śāpa-rūpo yatra prasakto bhayam āśu dhatte

It is that same sin of mine, arising from a mind ever too attached to household affairs, that the Lord of both the transcendent and the mundane has, in the very form of a brahmana's curse, mercifully used — for wherever one clings, fear swiftly takes root there and becomes the seed of true detachment.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.1.19.15)

तं मोपयातं प्रतियन्तु विप्रा गङ्गा च देवी धृतचित्तमीशे । द्विजोपसृष्टः कुहकस्तक्षको वा दशत्वलं गायत विष्णुगाथाः ॥ १५ ॥

taṁ mopayātaṁ pratiyantu viprā gaṅgā ca devī dhṛta-cittam īśe dvijopasṛṣṭaḥ kuhakas takṣako vā daśatv alaṁ gāyata viṣṇu-gāthāḥ

O brahmanas, accept me now as one who has come to you fully surrendered, and may mother Ganga too accept me thus, my heart fixed upon the Lord. Let Takshaka bite me, or whatever illusion the brahmana's curse has conjured — it matters not; only go on singing the deeds of Vishnu.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.1.19.16)

पुनश्च भूयाद्भगवत्यनन्ते रतिः प्रसङ्गश्च तदाश्रयेषु । महत्सु यां यामुपयामि सृष्टिं मैत्र्यस्तु सर्वत्र नमो द्विजेभ्यः ॥ १६ ॥

punaś ca bhūyād bhagavaty anante ratiḥ prasaṅgaś ca tad-āśrayeṣu mahatsu yāṁ yām upayāmi sṛṣṭiṁ maitry astu sarvatra namo dvijebhyaḥ

And may I, in whatever birth I again take within this creation, among the great, have unbroken attachment to the unlimited Personality of Godhead and the constant company of His devotees; may I hold friendship toward all beings everywhere. My obeisances to all the brahmanas.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.1.19.17)

इति स्म राजाध्यवसाययुक्तः प्राचीनमूलेषु कुशेषु धीरः । उदङ्मुखो दक्षिणकूल आस्ते समुद्रपत्न्याः स्वसुतन्यस्तभारः ॥ १७ ॥

iti sma rājādhyavasāya-yuktaḥ prācīna-mūleṣu kuśeṣu dhīraḥ udaṅ-mukho dakṣiṇa-kūla āste samudra-patnyāḥ sva-suta-nyasta-bhāraḥ

Thus resolved and self-controlled, the King sat upon a seat of kusha grass with its roots pointing east, on the southern bank of the ocean's consort [the Ganga], facing north, having already entrusted the burden of rule to his own son.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.1.19.18)

एवं च तस्मिन्नरदेवदेवे प्रायोपविष्टे दिवि देवसङ्घाः । प्रशस्य भूमौ व्यकिरन् प्रसूनै- र्मुदा मुहुर्दुन्दुभयश्च नेदुः ॥ १८ ॥

evaṁ ca tasmin nara-deva-deve prāyopaviṣṭe divi deva-saṅghāḥ praśasya bhūmau vyakiran prasūnair mudā muhur dundubhayaś ca neduḥ

And as that god among god-kings thus sat fasting unto death, the hosts of demigods in heaven, praising his act, showered flowers upon the earth again and again in joy, while celestial drums resounded.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.1.19.19)

महर्षयो वै समुपागता ये प्रशस्य साध्वित्यनुमोदमानाः । ऊचुः प्रजानुग्रहशीलसारा यदुत्तमश्लोकगुणाभिरूपम् ॥ १९ ॥

maharṣayo vai samupāgatā ye praśasya sādhv ity anumodamānāḥ ūcuḥ prajānugraha-śīla-sārā yad uttama-śloka-guṇābhirūpam

All the great sages who had gathered there, praising his decision and expressing their full approval, then spoke — for sages, being the very essence of compassion toward all beings, praised him whose beauty matched the very qualities for which the Lord is glorified in the finest verses.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.1.19.20)

न वा इदं राजर्षिवर्य चित्रं भवत्सु कृष्णं समनुव्रतेषु । येऽध्यासनं राजकिरीटजुष्टं सद्यो जहुर्भगवत्पार्श्वकामाः ॥ २० ॥

na vā idaṁ rājarṣi-varya citraṁ bhavatsu kṛṣṇaṁ samanuvrateṣu ye ’dhyāsanaṁ rāja-kirīṭa-juṣṭaṁ sadyo jahur bhagavat-pārśva-kāmāḥ

[The sages said:] O foremost among royal sages, this is truly no wonder in you, who are strict followers of Krishna — that you should at once abandon a throne adorned by the crowns of many kings, desiring only to attain the Lord's own company.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.1.19.21)

सर्वे वयं तावदिहास्महेऽथ कलेवरं यावदसौ विहाय । लोकं परं विरजस्कं विशोकं यास्यत्ययं भागवतप्रधानः ॥ २१ ॥

sarve vayaṁ tāvad ihāsmahe ’tha kalevaraṁ yāvad asau vihāya lokaṁ paraṁ virajaskaṁ viśokaṁ yāsyaty ayaṁ bhāgavata-pradhānaḥ

We shall all remain here as long as this foremost of devotees remains in his body, until he casts it off and departs for that supreme abode, utterly free of all worldly taint and all sorrow.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.1.19.22)

आश्रुत्य तदृषिगणवचः परीक्षित् समं मधुच्युद् गुरु चाव्यलीकम् । आभाषतैनानभिनन्द्य युक्तान् शुश्रूषमाणश्चरितानि विष्णोः ॥ २२ ॥

āśrutya tad ṛṣi-gaṇa-vacaḥ parīkṣit samaṁ madhu-cyud guru cāvyalīkam ābhāṣatainān abhinandya yuktān śuśrūṣamāṇaś caritāni viṣṇoḥ

Having heard those words of the assembled sages — impartial, sweet as honey, weighty, and entirely free of deceit — Parikshit, honoring them for their fitness, and eager to hear the deeds of Vishnu, addressed them thus.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.1.19.23)

समागताः सर्वत एव सर्वे वेदा यथा मूर्तिधरास्त्रिपृष्ठे । नेहाथ नामुत्र च कश्चनार्थ ऋते परानुग्रहमात्मशीलम् ॥ २३ ॥

samāgatāḥ sarvata eva sarve vedā yathā mūrti-dharās tri-pṛṣṭhe nehātha nāmutra ca kaścanārtha ṛte parānugraham ātma-śīlam

[The King said:] You have all gathered here from every direction, like the Vedas themselves embodied, present on the topmost of the three worlds; for you there is truly no interest, here or hereafter, save doing good to others — that alone is your very nature.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.1.19.24)

ततश्च वः पृच्छ्यमिमं विपृच्छे विश्रभ्य विप्रा इति कृत्यतायाम् । सर्वात्मना म्रियमाणैश्च कृत्यं शुद्धं च तत्रामृशताभियुक्ताः ॥ २४ ॥

tataś ca vaḥ pṛcchyam imaṁ vipṛcche viśrabhya viprā iti kṛtyatāyām sarvātmanā mriyamāṇaiś ca kṛtyaṁ śuddhaṁ ca tatrāmṛśatābhiyuktāḥ

Therefore, O trustworthy brahmanas, I now respectfully ask you this: kindly deliberate and tell me the pure duty incumbent upon everyone — and especially upon one, like myself, who is about to die with his whole being.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.1.19.25)

तत्राभवद्भगवान् व्यासपुत्रो यदृच्छया गामटमानोऽनपेक्षः । अलक्ष्यलिङ्गो निजलाभतुष्टो वृतश्च बालैरवधूतवेषः ॥ २५ ॥

tatrābhavad bhagavān vyāsa-putro yadṛcchayā gām aṭamāno ’napekṣaḥ alakṣya-liṅgo nija-lābha-tuṣṭo vṛtaś ca bālair avadhūta-veṣaḥ

Just then there appeared the powerful son of Vyasa, wandering the earth at will, indifferent to all, his true nature concealed, content in himself alone, surrounded by children, dressed as one whom the world takes no notice of.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.1.19.26)

तं द्व्यष्टवर्षं सुकुमारपाद- करोरुबाह्वंसकपोलगात्रम् । चार्वायताक्षोन्नसतुल्यकर्ण- सुभ्र्वाननं कम्बुसुजातकण्ठम् ॥ २६ ॥

taṁ dvyaṣṭa-varṣaṁ su-kumāra-pāda- karoru-bāhv-aṁsa-kapola-gātram cārv-āyatākṣonnasa-tulya-karṇa- subhrv-ānanaṁ kambu-sujāta-kaṇṭham

He was but sixteen years of age, his feet, hands, thighs, arms, shoulders and cheeks exquisitely formed; his face was beautiful, with wide eyes, a fine raised nose, well-matched ears and lovely brows, and his neck was as gracefully shaped as a conch shell.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.1.19.27)

निगूढजत्रुं पृथुतुङ्गवक्षस- मावर्तनाभिं वलिवल्गूदरं च । दिगम्बरं वक्त्रविकीर्णकेशं प्रलम्बबाहुं स्वमरोत्तमाभम् ॥ २७ ॥

nigūḍha-jatruṁ pṛthu-tuṅga-vakṣasam āvarta-nābhiṁ vali-valgūdaraṁ ca dig-ambaraṁ vaktra-vikīrṇa-keśaṁ pralamba-bāhuṁ svamarottamābham

His collarbones were smoothly hidden, his chest broad and full, his navel deep and whorled, his abdomen gracefully lined; unclothed, with hair scattered about his face, his arms hanging long, he shone with the very hue of the finest among the gods.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.1.19.28)

श्यामं सदापीव्यवयोऽङ्गलक्ष्म्या स्त्रीणां मनोज्ञं रुचिरस्मितेन । प्रत्युत्थितास्ते मुनयः स्वासनेभ्य- स्तल्लक्षणज्ञा अपि गूढवर्चसम् ॥ २८ ॥

śyāmaṁ sadāpīvya-vayo-’ṅga-lakṣmyā strīṇāṁ mano-jñaṁ rucira-smitena pratyutthitās te munayaḥ svāsanebhyas tal-lakṣaṇa-jñā api gūḍha-varcasam

Dark of hue, ever handsome in the bloom of youth, pleasing to women through his charming smile, though he sought to conceal his own glory, the sages present, being expert in the signs of greatness, at once rose from their seats to receive him.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.1.19.29)

स विष्णुरातोऽतिथय आगताय तस्मै सपर्यां शिरसाजहार । ततो निवृत्ता ह्यबुधाः स्त्रियोऽर्भका महासने सोपविवेश पूजितः ॥ २९ ॥

sa viṣṇu-rāto ’tithaya āgatāya tasmai saparyāṁ śirasājahāra tato nivṛttā hy abudhāḥ striyo ’rbhakā mahāsane sopaviveśa pūjitaḥ

Parikshit, protected of Vishnu, bowing his head, offered full honor to that guest who had thus arrived. Then the ignorant women and children who had been following him withdrew, and, duly honored, he took his seat upon the exalted throne.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.1.19.30)

स संवृतस्तत्र महान् महीयसां ब्रह्मर्षिराजर्षिदेवर्षिसङ्घैः । व्यरोचतालं भगवान् यथेन्दु- र्ग्रहर्क्षतारानिकरैः परीतः ॥ ३० ॥

sa saṁvṛtas tatra mahān mahīyasāṁ brahmarṣi-rājarṣi-devarṣi-saṅghaiḥ vyarocatālaṁ bhagavān yathendur graharkṣa-tārā-nikaraiḥ parītaḥ

There, surrounded by that assembly of the greatest — sages among brahmanas, sages among kings, and sages among the gods — he, the great one, shone forth resplendent, exactly as the moon shines when encircled by the planets, constellations and multitude of stars.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.1.19.31)

प्रशान्तमासीनमकुण्ठमेधसं मुनिं नृपो भागवतोऽभ्युपेत्य । प्रणम्य मूर्ध्नावहितः कृताञ्जलि- र्नत्वा गिरा सूनृतयान्वपृच्छत् ॥ ३१ ॥

praśāntam āsīnam akuṇṭha-medhasaṁ muniṁ nṛpo bhāgavato ’bhyupetya praṇamya mūrdhnāvahitaḥ kṛtāñjalir natvā girā sūnṛtayānvapṛcchat

Approaching that perfectly serene sage, seated there, his intelligence unclouded, the devoted King bowed his head respectfully, and with folded hands and gentle, sweet words, humbly inquired of him.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.1.19.32)

परीक्षिदुवाच अहो अद्य वयं ब्रह्मन् सत्सेव्याः क्षत्रबन्धवः । कृपयातिथिरूपेण भवद्भिस्तीर्थकाः कृताः ॥ ३२ ॥

parīkṣid uvāca aho adya vayaṁ brahman sat-sevyāḥ kṣatra-bandhavaḥ kṛpayātithi-rūpeṇa bhavadbhis tīrthakāḥ kṛtāḥ

Parikshit said: Ah, O brahmana, today we, mere friends of the ruling class, have indeed been made into a place of pilgrimage by your mercy — for you have graciously come to us in the very form of a guest.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.1.19.33)

येषां संस्मरणात्पुंसां सद्यः शुद्ध्यन्ति वै गृहाः । किं पुनर्दर्शनस्पर्शपादशौचासनादिभिः ॥ ३३ ॥

yeṣāṁ saṁsmaraṇāt puṁsāṁ sadyaḥ śuddhyanti vai gṛhāḥ kiṁ punar darśana-sparśa- pāda-śaucāsanādibhiḥ

Simply by remembering such persons as you, one's very home is instantly purified — what then to speak of actually seeing you, touching you, washing your feet, and offering you a seat?

Verse 34 (bhagavata.1.19.34)

सान्निध्यात्ते महायोगिन्पातकानि महान्त्यपि । सद्यो नश्यन्ति वै पुंसां विष्णोरिव सुरेतराः ॥ ३४ ॥

sānnidhyāt te mahā-yogin pātakāni mahānty api sadyo naśyanti vai puṁsāṁ viṣṇor iva suretarāḥ

O great mystic, by your very presence, even the gravest sins of a person vanish at once — just as demons, unlike the demigods, cannot bear to remain in the presence of Vishnu.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.1.19.35)

अपि मे भगवान् प्रीतः कृष्णः पाण्डुसुतप्रियः । पैतृष्वसेयप्रीत्यर्थं तद्गोत्रस्यात्तबान्धवः ॥ ३५ ॥

api me bhagavān prītaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ pāṇḍu-suta-priyaḥ paitṛ-ṣvaseya-prīty-arthaṁ tad-gotrasyātta-bāndhavaḥ

Is it, perhaps, that the Personality of Godhead Krishna, so dear to the sons of Pandu, favors me thus, having accepted me as a kinsman of that very lineage, for the sake of His paternal aunt's affection?

Verse 36 (bhagavata.1.19.36)

अन्यथा तेऽव्यक्तगतेर्दर्शनं नः कथं नृणाम् । नितरां म्रियमाणानां संसिद्धस्य वनीयसः ॥ ३६ ॥

anyathā te ’vyakta-gater darśanaṁ naḥ kathaṁ nṛṇām nitarāṁ mriyamāṇānāṁ saṁsiddhasya vanīyasaḥ

Otherwise, how could we, mere men on the verge of death, ever behold you — you whose movements remain unmanifest, you who are perfect and beyond all need, appearing here now of your own accord?

Verse 37 (bhagavata.1.19.37)

अतः पृच्छामि संसिद्धिं योगिनां परमं गुरुम् । पुरुषस्येह यत्कार्यं म्रियमाणस्य सर्वथा ॥ ३७ ॥

ataḥ pṛcchāmi saṁsiddhiṁ yogināṁ paramaṁ gurum puruṣasyeha yat kāryaṁ mriyamāṇasya sarvathā

Therefore I ask you, supreme guru of the yogis, about ultimate perfection — what indeed is the duty, in every respect, of a person in this world who is about to die.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.1.19.38)

यच्छ्रोतव्यमथो जप्यं यत्कर्तव्यं नृभिः प्रभो । स्मर्तव्यं भजनीयं वा ब्रूहि यद्वा विपर्ययम् ॥ ३८ ॥

yac chrotavyam atho japyaṁ yat kartavyaṁ nṛbhiḥ prabho smartavyaṁ bhajanīyaṁ vā brūhi yad vā viparyayam

O master, please tell me what a person ought to hear, what he ought to chant, what he ought to do, what he ought to remember, and what he ought to worship — and likewise, what he ought to avoid.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.1.19.39)

नूनं भगवतो ब्रह्मन् गृहेषु गृहमेधिनाम् । न लक्ष्यते ह्यवस्थानमपि गोदोहनं क्वचित् ॥ ३९ ॥

nūnaṁ bhagavato brahman gṛheṣu gṛha-medhinām na lakṣyate hy avasthānam api go-dohanaṁ kvacit

Surely, O brahmana, in the homes of householders, one such as you, so powerful, is rarely even seen to remain long enough for a single milking of a cow.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.1.19.40)

सूत उवाच एवमाभाषितः पृष्टः स राज्ञा श्लक्ष्णया गिरा । प्रत्यभाषत धर्मज्ञो भगवान् बादरायणिः ॥ ४० ॥

sūta uvāca evam ābhāṣitaḥ pṛṣṭaḥ sa rājñā ślakṣṇayā girā pratyabhāṣata dharma-jño bhagavān bādarāyaṇiḥ

Suta said: The King having thus spoken and questioned him in gentle words, the son of Badarayana, knower of religious principles, that powerful one, began his reply.