The Sages' Teachings at Kurukshetra

Verse 1 (bhagavata.10.84.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच श्रुत्वा पृथा सुबलपुत्र्यथ याज्ञसेनी माधव्यथ क्षितिपपत्न्य उत स्वगोप्यः । कृष्णेऽखिलात्मनि हरौ प्रणयानुबन्धं सर्वा विसिस्म्युरलमश्रुकलाकुलाक्ष्यः ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca śrutvā pṛthā subala-putry atha yājñasenī mādhavy atha kṣitipa-patnya uta sva-gopyaḥ kṛṣṇe ’khilātmani harau praṇayānubandhaṁ sarvā visismyur alam aśru-kalākulākṣyaḥ

Shukadeva said: Hearing this, Pritha (Kunti), Gandhari the daughter of Subala, Yajnaseni (Draupadi), Madhavi (Subhadra), the wives of the other kings, and the gopis themselves — all of them were struck with wonder at the queens' bond of love for Krishna, Hari, the Soul of all beings, and their eyes filled with tears.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.10.84.2)

इति सम्भाषमाणासु स्त्रीभिः स्त्रीषु नृभिर्नृषु । आययुर्मुनयस्तत्र कृष्णरामदिदृक्षया ॥ २ ॥

iti sambhāṣamāṇāsu strībhiḥ strīṣu nṛbhir nṛṣu āyayur munayas tatra kṛṣṇa-rāma-didṛkṣayā

While the women thus conversed among themselves and the men among themselves, a number of sages arrived there, eager for a sight of Krishna and Balarama.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.10.84.3)

द्वैपायनो नारदश्च च्यवनो देवलोऽसितः । विश्वामित्रः शतानन्दो भरद्वाजोऽथ गौतमः ॥ ३ ॥

dvaipāyano nāradaś ca cyavano devalo ’sitaḥ viśvāmitraḥ śatānando bharadvājo ’tha gautamaḥ

Dvaipayana (Vyasa), Narada, Chyavana, Devala, Asita, Vishvamitra, Shatananda, Bharadvaja, and Gautama —

Verse 4 (bhagavata.10.84.4)

रामः सशिष्यो भगवान् वसिष्ठो गालवो भृगुः । पुलस्त्यः कश्यपोऽत्रिश्च मार्कण्डेयो बृहस्पतिः ॥ ४ ॥

rāmaḥ sa-śiṣyo bhagavān vasiṣṭho gālavo bhṛguḥ pulastyaḥ kaśyapo ’triś ca mārkaṇḍeyo bṛhaspatiḥ

Bhagavan Parashurama with his disciples, Vasishtha, Galava, Bhrigu, Pulastya, Kashyapa, Atri, Markandeya, and Brihaspati —

Verse 5 (bhagavata.10.84.5)

द्वितस्त्रितश्चैकतश्च ब्रह्मपुत्रास्तथाङ्गिराः । अगस्त्यो याज्ञवल्क्यश्च वामदेवादयोऽपरे ॥ ५ ॥

dvitas tritaś caikataś ca brahma-putrās tathāṅgirāḥ agastyo yājñavalkyaś ca vāmadevādayo ’pare

Dvita, Trita, Ekata, the mind-born sons of Brahma (the four Kumaras), Angira, Agastya, Yajnavalkya, Vamadeva, and other sages —

Verse 6 (bhagavata.10.84.6)

तान् दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय प्रागासीना नृपादयः । पाण्डवाः कृष्णरामौ च प्रणेमुर्विश्ववन्दितान् ॥ ६ ॥

tān dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya prāg āsīnā nṛpādayaḥ pāṇḍavāḥ kṛṣṇa-rāmau ca praṇemur viśva-vanditān

As soon as they saw the sages, the kings and others who had been seated, together with the Pandavas and Krishna and Balarama, at once rose to their feet and bowed down to those sages who are honored throughout the universe.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.10.84.7)

तानानर्चुर्यथा सर्वे सहरामोऽच्युतोऽर्चयत् । स्वागतासनपाद्यार्घ्यमाल्यधूपानुलेपनैः ॥ ७ ॥

tān ānarcur yathā sarve saha-rāmo ’cyuto ’rcayat svāgatāsana-pādyārghya- mālya-dhūpānulepanaiḥ

Bhagavan Achyuta, together with Balarama, and all those present honored the sages with words of welcome, seats, water for washing their feet, arghya, garlands, incense, and sandalwood paste.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.10.84.8)

उवाच सुखमासीनान् भगवान् धर्मगुप्तनुः । सदसस्तस्य महतो यतवाचोऽनुशृण्वतः ॥ ८ ॥

uvāca sukham āsīnān bhagavān dharma-gup-tanuḥ sadasas tasya mahato yata-vāco ’nuśṛṇvataḥ

When the sages were comfortably seated, Bhagavan, whose very form protects dharma, began to speak before that great assembly, which listened in rapt silence.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.10.84.9)

श्रीभगवानुवाच अहो वयं जन्मभृतो लब्धं कार्त्स्न्येन तत्फलम् । देवानामपि दुष्प्रापं यद् योगेश्वरदर्शनम् ॥ ९ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca aho vayaṁ janma-bhṛto labdhaṁ kārtsnyena tat-phalam devānām api duṣprāpaṁ yad yogeśvara-darśanam

Bhagavan said: Ah, today our lives have become entirely fruitful, for we have obtained that vision of the great masters of yoga which is rare even for the gods.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.10.84.10)

किं स्वल्पतपसां नॄणामर्चायां देवचक्षुषाम् । दर्शनस्पर्शनप्रश्नप्रह्वपादार्चनादिकम् ॥ १० ॥

kiṁ svalpa-tapasāṁ nṝṇām arcāyāṁ deva-cakṣuṣām darśana-sparśana-praśna- prahva-pādārcanādikam

How is it possible for people of such little austerity, who perceive the Divine only in the form of an image, to attain the sight, touch, conversation, humble prostration, and worship of the feet of sages like yourselves?

Verse 11 (bhagavata.10.84.11)

न ह्यम्मयानि तीर्थानि न देवा मृच्छिलामयाः । ते पुनन्त्युरुकालेन दर्शनादेव साधवः ॥ ११ ॥

na hy am-mayāni tīrthāni na devā mṛc-chilā-mayāḥ te punanty uru-kālena darśanād eva sādhavaḥ

Places of pilgrimage made merely of water are not truly holy, nor are images made of earth and stone truly the gods. They purify only after a long time, whereas saintly persons purify at once, merely by being seen.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.10.84.12)

नाग्निर्न सूर्यो न च चन्द्रतारका न भूर्जलं खं श्वसनोऽथ वाङ्मनः । उपासिता भेदकृतो हरन्त्यघं विपश्चितो घ्नन्ति मुहूर्तसेवया ॥ १२ ॥

nāgnir na sūryo na ca candra-tārakā na bhūr jalaṁ khaṁ śvasano ’tha vāṅ manaḥ upāsitā bheda-kṛto haranty aghaṁ vipaścito ghnanti muhūrta-sevayā

Neither fire, the sun, the moon, nor the stars — neither earth, water, sky, air, speech, nor mind — actually destroy the sins of those who worship them while still seeing in terms of duality. But the wise, when served even for a single moment, destroy sin at once.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.10.84.13)

यस्यात्मबुद्धिः कुणपे त्रिधातुके स्वधीः कलत्रादिषु भौम इज्यधीः । यत्तीर्थबुद्धिः सलिले न कर्हिचि- ज्जनेष्वभिज्ञेषु स एव गोखरः ॥ १३ ॥

yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke sva-dhīḥ kalatrādiṣu bhauma ijya-dhīḥ yat-tīrtha-buddhiḥ salile na karhicij janeṣv abhijñeṣu sa eva go-kharaḥ

One who takes this body — made of the three bodily elements — to be his very self, who regards his wife and family as truly his own, who considers an earthen image or his native land alone worthy of worship, and who thinks of a sacred place as nothing more than its water, but who never regards those wise in the self in the same way — such a person is no better than a cow or a donkey.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.10.84.14)

श्रीशुक उवाच निशम्येत्थं भगवतः कृष्णस्याकुण्ठमेधसः । वचो दुरन्वयं विप्रास्तूष्णीमासन् भ्रमद्धियः ॥ १४ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca niśamyetthaṁ bhagavataḥ kṛṣṇasyākuṇtha-medhasaḥ vaco duranvayaṁ viprās tūṣṇīm āsan bhramad-dhiyaḥ

Shukadeva said: Hearing these words of Bhagavan Krishna, whose intelligence is unbounded — words so difficult to fathom — the brahmanas, their minds bewildered, fell silent.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.10.84.15)

चिरं विमृश्य मुनय ईश्वरस्येशितव्यताम् । जनसङ्ग्रह इत्यूचुः स्मयन्तस्तं जगद्गुरुम् ॥ १५ ॥

ciraṁ vimṛśya munaya īśvarasyeśitavyatām jana-saṅgraha ity ūcuḥ smayantas taṁ jagad-gurum

After reflecting for some time, the sages understood that the Supreme Lord's apparent subordination was meant only to instruct the people in general. Then, smiling, they addressed Him, the spiritual teacher of the universe.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.10.84.16)

श्रीमुनय ऊचुः यन्मायया तत्त्वविदुत्तमा वयं विमोहिता विश्वसृजामधीश्वराः । यदीशितव्यायति गूढ ईहया अहो विचित्रं भगवद्विचेष्टितम् ॥ १६ ॥

śrī-munaya ūcuḥ yan-māyayā tattva-vid-uttamā vayaṁ vimohitā viśva-sṛjām adhīśvarāḥ yad īśitavyāyati gūḍha īhayā aho vicitraṁ bhagavad-viceṣṭitam

The sages said: By that same power of Yours, even we — the foremost knowers of truth, the rulers over the creators of the universe — have been bewildered. Through Your hidden activity, You appear as though subject to another's control. Ah, how wondrous indeed is the play of the Supreme Lord!

Verse 17 (bhagavata.10.84.17)

अनीह एतद् बहुधैक आत्मना सृजत्यवत्यत्ति न बध्यते यथा । भौमैर्हि भूमिर्बहुनामरूपिणी अहो विभूम्नश्चरितं विडम्बनम् ॥ १७ ॥

anīha etad bahudhaika ātmanā sṛjaty avaty atti na badhyate yathā bhaumair hi bhūmir bahu-nāma-rūpiṇī aho vibhūmnaś caritaṁ viḍambanam

Though ever inactive, You alone, through Your own self, create, sustain, and withdraw this manifold universe, yet You are never bound — just as the earth takes on many names and forms through its transformations. Ah, this human-like behavior of the all-pervading Lord is but a playful imitation.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.10.84.18)

अथापि काले स्वजनाभिगुप्तये बिभर्षि सत्त्वं खलनिग्रहाय च । स्वलीलया वेदपथं सनातनं वर्णाश्रमात्मा पुरुषः परो भवान् ॥ १८ ॥

athāpi kāle sva-janābhiguptaye bibharṣi sattvaṁ khala-nigrahāya ca sva-līlayā veda-pathaṁ sanātanaṁ varṇāśramātmā puruṣaḥ paro bhavān

Nonetheless, from time to time You assume the mode of pure goodness for the protection of Your own people and the suppression of the wicked. O Supreme Person, the very soul of the varna and ashrama order, through Your own pastimes You uphold the eternal path of the Vedas.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.10.84.19)

ब्रह्म ते हृदयं शुक्लं तपःस्वाध्यायसंयमैः । यत्रोपलब्धं सद् व्यक्तमव्यक्तं च ततः परम् ॥ १९ ॥

brahma te hṛdayaṁ śuklaṁ tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ yatropalabdhaṁ sad vyaktam avyaktaṁ ca tataḥ param

The Vedas are Your pure, spotless heart, through which — by austerity, study, and self-restraint — one perceives the manifest, the unmanifest, and the eternal reality that lies beyond both.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.10.84.20)

तस्माद् ब्रह्मकुलं ब्रह्मन् शास्त्रयोनेस्त्वमात्मनः । सभाजयसि सद्धाम तद् ब्रह्मण्याग्रणीर्भवान् ॥ २० ॥

tasmād brahma-kulaṁ brahman śāstra-yones tvam ātmanaḥ sabhājayasi sad dhāma tad brahmaṇyāgraṇīr bhavān

O Supreme Brahman, that is why You so honor the brahmana community, the sacred abode from which the scriptures — the very source of knowing You — arise; for this reason, You are the foremost worshiper of the brahmanas.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.10.84.21)

अद्य नो जन्मसाफल्यं विद्यायास्तपसो दृशः । त्वया सङ्गम्य सद्गत्या यदन्तः श्रेयसां परः ॥ २१ ॥

adya no janma-sāphalyaṁ vidyāyās tapaso dṛśaḥ tvayā saṅgamya sad-gatyā yad antaḥ śreyasāṁ paraḥ

Today our birth, our learning, our austerity, and our very vision have found their fulfillment, for we have attained association with You, the supreme goal of the saintly — You who are the ultimate fruit of every blessing.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.10.84.22)

नमस्तस्मै भगवते कृष्णायाकुण्ठमेधसे । स्वयोगमाययाच्छन्नमहिम्ने परमात्मने ॥ २२ ॥

namas tasmai bhagavate kṛṣṇāyākuṇṭha-medhase sva-yogamāyayācchanna- mahimne paramātmane

We bow down to that Bhagavan Krishna, of unbounded intelligence, who has veiled His own glory behind His Yoga-maya — to Him, the Supreme Soul.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.10.84.23)

न यं विदन्त्यमी भूपा एकारामाश्च वृष्णयः । मायाजवनिकाच्छन्नमात्मानं कालमीश्वरम् ॥ २३ ॥

na yaṁ vidanty amī bhū-pā ekārāmāś ca vṛṣṇayaḥ māyā-javanikācchannam ātmānaṁ kālam īśvaram

These kings gathered here, and even the Vrishnis who constantly delight in Your company, do not recognize You as the Self of all, as Time itself, as the Supreme Controller — veiled as You are by the curtain of Maya.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.10.84.24)

यथा शयानः पुरुष आत्मानं गुणतत्त्वदृक् । नाममात्रेन्द्रियाभातं न वेद रहितं परम् ॥ २४ ॥

yathā śayānaḥ puruṣa ātmānaṁ guṇa-tattva-dṛk nāma-mātrendriyābhātaṁ na veda rahitaṁ param

Just as a dreaming man, seeing himself in terms of various qualities, forgets his true waking self while lost among mere names and forms, so too does the soul fail to know that truth beyond itself.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.10.84.25)

एवं त्वा नाममात्रेषु विषयेष्विन्द्रियेहया । मायया विभ्रमच्चित्तो न वेद स्मृत्युपप्लवात् ॥ २५ ॥

evaṁ tvā nāma-mātreṣu viṣayeṣv indriyehayā māyayā vibhramac-citto na veda smṛty-upaplavāt

So too the person whose mind is bewildered by Maya, absorbed through his senses in objects that are mere names, fails — because his memory is lost — to know You, who are beyond them all.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.10.84.26)

तस्याद्य ते ददृशिमाङ्घ्रिमघौघमर्ष- तीर्थास्पदं हृदि कृतं सुविपक्वयोगैः । उत्सिक्तभक्त्युपहताशयजीवकोशा आपुर्भवद्गतिमथानुगृहाण भक्तान् ॥ २६ ॥

tasyādya te dadṛśimāṅghrim aghaugha-marṣa- tīrthāspadaṁ hṛdi kṛtaṁ su-vipakva-yogaiḥ utsikta-bhakty-upahatāśaya jīva-kośā āpur bhavad-gatim athānugṛhāṇa bhaktān

Today we have seen with our own eyes Your feet, the very source of the Ganges that washes away every accumulation of sin, upon which perfected yogis meditate within their hearts. Yet it is only those in whom overflowing devotion has destroyed the covering of the embodied self who attain You as their final goal. Therefore, be gracious to Your devotees.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.10.84.27)

श्रीशुक उवाच इत्यनुज्ञाप्य दाशार्हं धृतराष्ट्रं युधिष्ठिरम् । राजर्षे स्वाश्रमान् गन्तुं मुनयो दधिरे मनः ॥ २७ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca ity anujñāpya dāśārhaṁ dhṛtarāṣṭraṁ yudhiṣṭhiram rājarṣe svāśramān gantuṁ munayo dadhire manaḥ

Shukadeva said: O royal sage, having spoken thus, the sages took leave of Dasharha (Krishna), Dhritarashtra, and Yudhishthira, and resolved to return to their respective hermitages.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.10.84.28)

तद् वीक्ष्य तानुपव्रज्य वसुदेवो महायशाः । प्रणम्य चोपसङ्गृह्य बभाषेदं सुयन्त्रितः ॥ २८ ॥

tad vīkṣya tān upavrajya vasudevo mahā-yaśāḥ praṇamya copasaṅgṛhya babhāṣedaṁ su-yantritaḥ

Seeing this, the highly renowned Vasudeva approached them, bowed down, took hold of their feet, and, with great composure, began to speak.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.10.84.29)

श्रीवसुदेव उवाच नमो वः सर्वदेवेभ्य ऋषयः श्रोतुमर्हथ । कर्मणा कर्मनिर्हारो यथा स्यान्नस्तदुच्यताम् ॥ २९ ॥

śrī-vasudeva uvāca namo vaḥ sarva-devebhya ṛṣayaḥ śrotum arhatha karmaṇā karma-nirhāro yathā syān nas tad ucyatām

Sri Vasudeva said: Obeisances to all of you, the very abode of all the gods. O sages, please hear me, and tell us how the reactions of one's own work may be counteracted by further work.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.10.84.30)

श्रीनारद उवाच नातिचित्रमिदं विप्रा वसुदेवो बुभुत्सया । कृष्णं मत्वार्भकं यन्नः पृच्छति श्रेय आत्मनः ॥ ३० ॥

śrī-nārada uvāca nāti-citram idaṁ viprā vasudevo bubhutsayā kṛṣṇaṁ matvārbhakaṁ yan naḥ pṛcchati śreya ātmanaḥ

Sri Narada said: O brahmanas, it is no great wonder that Vasudeva, regarding Krishna merely as his own child, and eager to gain knowledge, asks us about what is truly good for himself.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.10.84.31)

सन्निकर्षोऽत्र मर्त्यानामनादरणकारणम् । गाङ्गं हित्वा यथान्याम्भस्तत्रत्यो याति शुद्धये ॥ ३१ ॥

sannikarṣo ’tra martyānām anādaraṇa-kāraṇam gāṅgaṁ hitvā yathānyāmbhas tatratyo yāti śuddhaye

For mortal beings, mere closeness itself becomes a cause of disregard — just as one who lives on the banks of the Ganges may still go elsewhere, to some other water, seeking purification.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.10.84.32)

यस्यानुभूतिः कालेन लयोत्पत्त्यादिनास्य वै । स्वतोऽन्यस्माच्च गुणतो न कुतश्चन रिष्यति ॥ ३२ ॥

yasyānubhūtiḥ kālena layotpatty-ādināsya vai svato ’nyasmāc ca guṇato na kutaścana riṣyati

The awareness of that unique, Supreme Lord — never disturbed by time, by the cosmic dissolution and creation, nor by any change, whether in Himself or in external qualities — that very awareness is never obstructed by the flow of affliction, the ripening of karma, or the modes of nature.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.10.84.33)

तं क्लेशकर्मपरिपाकगुणप्रवाहै- रव्याहतानुभवमीश्वरमद्वितीयम् । प्राणादिभिः स्वविभवैरुपगूढमन्यो मन्येत सूर्यमिव मेघहिमोपरागैः ॥ ३३ ॥

taṁ kleśa-karma-paripāka-guṇa-pravāhair avyāhatānubhavam īśvaram advitīyam prāṇādibhiḥ sva-vibhavair upagūḍham anyo manyeta sūryam iva megha-himoparāgaiḥ

Yet the ignorant nonetheless imagine Him to be veiled by His own manifestations such as the life-airs, just as one might imagine the sun to be covered by cloud, snow, or an eclipse.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.10.84.34)

अथोचुर्मुनयो राजन्नाभाष्यानकदुन्दुभिम् । सर्वेषां शृण्वतां राज्ञां तथैवाच्युतरामयोः ॥ ३४ ॥

athocur munayo rājann ābhāṣyānaka-dundubhim sarveṣāṁ śṛṇvatāṁ rājñāṁ tathaivācyuta-rāmayoḥ

O King, the sages then spoke again, addressing Vasudeva, while all the kings, and Achyuta and Balarama themselves, listened.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.10.84.35)

कर्मणा कर्मनिर्हार एष साधु निरूपितः । यच्छ्रद्धया यजेद् विष्णुं सर्वयज्ञेश्वरं मखैः ॥ ३५ ॥

karmaṇā karma-nirhāra eṣa sādhu-nirūpitaḥ yac chraddhayā yajed viṣṇuṁ sarva-yajñeśvaraṁ makhaiḥ

It has been well established that the reaction of work is counteracted by further work — namely, by worshiping Bhagavan Vishnu, the Lord of all sacrifices, through sacrifices performed with sincere faith.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.10.84.36)

चित्तस्योपशमोऽयं वै कविभिः शास्त्रचक्षुषा । दर्शितः सुगमो योगो धर्मश्चात्ममुदावहः ॥ ३६ ॥

cittasyopaśamo ’yaṁ vai kavibhiḥ śāstra-cakṣuṣā darśitaḥ su-gamo yogo dharmaś cātma-mud-āvahaḥ

The wise, seeing through the eye of scripture, have shown this to be the easiest path to stilling the mind — a form of yoga, a dharma that brings joy to the soul.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.10.84.37)

अयं स्वस्त्ययनः पन्था द्विजातेर्गृहमेधिनः । यच्छ्रद्धयाप्तवित्तेन शुक्लेनेज्येत पूरुषः ॥ ३७ ॥

ayaṁ svasty-ayanaḥ panthā dvi-jāter gṛha-medhinaḥ yac chraddhayāpta-vittena śuklenejyeta pūruṣaḥ

For a householder of the twice-born classes, this is the most auspicious path — to worship the Supreme Person with sincere faith, using wealth honestly and righteously earned.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.10.84.38)

वित्तैषणां यज्ञदानैर्गृहैर्दारसुतैषणाम् । आत्मलोकैषणां देव कालेन विसृजेद्बुधः । ग्रामे त्यक्तैषणाः सर्वे ययुर्धीरास्तपोवनम् ॥ ३८ ॥

vittaiṣaṇāṁ yajña-dānair gṛhair dāra-sutaiṣaṇām ātma-lokaiṣaṇāṁ deva kālena visṛjed budhaḥ grāme tyaktaiṣaṇāḥ sarve yayur dhīrās tapo-vanam

O King, a wise person should, through sacrifice and charity, give up his desire for wealth; through household life, his desire for wife and children; and, in due course, even his desire for higher worlds. Having thus abandoned all worldly desires, the self-controlled proceed to the forest of austerity.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.10.84.39)

ऋणैस्त्रिभिर्द्विजो जातो देवर्षिपितॄणां प्रभो । यज्ञाध्ययनपुत्रैस्तान्यनिस्तीर्य त्यजन् पतेत् ॥ ३९ ॥

ṛṇais tribhir dvijo jāto devarṣi-pitṝṇāṁ prabho yajñādhyayana-putrais tāny anistīrya tyajan patet

O revered one, a twice-born person is born with three debts — to the gods, to the sages, and to the ancestors. If he gives up his body without discharging these debts through sacrifice, scriptural study, and begetting sons, he falls into a degraded state.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.10.84.40)

त्वं त्वद्य मुक्तो द्वाभ्यां वै ऋषिपित्रोर्महामते । यज्ञैर्देवर्णमुन्मुच्य निर्ऋणोऽशरणो भव ॥ ४० ॥

tvaṁ tv adya mukto dvābhyāṁ vai ṛṣi-pitror mahā-mate yajñair devarṇam unmucya nirṛṇo ’śaraṇo bhava

O great-minded one, you are already free from two debts — to the sages and to the ancestors. Now, by performing sacrifices, free yourself of the debt to the gods as well, and having become wholly free of debt, give up all worldly shelter.

Verse 41 (bhagavata.10.84.41)

वसुदेव भवान् नूनं भक्त्या परमया हरिम् । जगतामीश्वरं प्रार्चः स यद् वां पुत्रतां गतः ॥ ४१ ॥

vasudeva bhavān nūnaṁ bhaktyā paramayā harim jagatām īśvaraṁ prārcaḥ sa yad vāṁ putratāṁ gataḥ

O Vasudeva, surely you and your wife must, in an earlier time, have worshiped Hari, the Lord of the universe, with the highest devotion — for that is why He has come to you both as your very own son.

Verse 42 (bhagavata.10.84.42)

श्रीशुक उवाच इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वसुदेवो महामनाः । तानृषीनृत्विजो वव्रे मूर्ध्नानम्य प्रसाद्य च ॥ ४२ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca iti tad-vacanaṁ śrutvā vasudevo mahā-manāḥ tān ṛṣīn ṛtvijo vavre mūrdhnānamya prasādya ca

Shukadeva said: Hearing these words of the sages, magnanimous Vasudeva bowed his head, pleased them, and requested those sages to serve as the officiating priests of his sacrifice.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.10.84.43)

त एनमृषयो राजन् वृता धर्मेण धार्मिकम् । तस्मिन्नयाजयन् क्षेत्रे मखैरुत्तमकल्पकैः ॥ ४३ ॥

ta enam ṛṣayo rājan vṛtā dharmeṇa dhārmikam tasminn ayājayan kṣetre makhair uttama-kalpakaiḥ

O King, thus properly chosen, the sages had the righteous Vasudeva perform sacrifices at that sacred place, arranged with the most excellent ritual procedures.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.10.84.44)

तद्दीक्षायां प्रवृत्तायां वृष्णयः पुष्करस्रजः । स्नाताः सुवाससो राजन् राजानः सुष्ठ्वलङ्कृताः ॥ ४४ ॥

tad-dīkṣāyāṁ pravṛttāyāṁ vṛṣṇayaḥ puṣkara-srajaḥ snātāḥ su-vāsaso rājan rājānaḥ suṣṭhv-alaṅkṛtāḥ

O King, as Vasudeva's initiation began, the Vrishnis arrived having bathed, dressed in fine garments and garlands of lotuses. The other kings too came, elaborately adorned.

Verse 45 (bhagavata.10.84.45)

तन्महिष्यश्च मुदिता निष्ककण्ठ्यः सुवाससः । दीक्षाशालामुपाजग्मुरालिप्ता वस्तुपाणयः ॥ ४५ ॥

tan-mahiṣyaś ca muditā niṣka-kaṇṭhyaḥ su-vāsasaḥ dīkṣā-śālām upājagmur āliptā vastu-pāṇayaḥ

Their joyful queens, wearing golden lockets and fine clothes, anointed with sandal paste and carrying items for worship in their hands, arrived at the initiation hall.

Verse 46 (bhagavata.10.84.46)

नेदुर्मृदङ्गपटहशङ्खभेर्यानकादयः । ननृतुर्नटनर्तक्यस्तुष्टुवुः सूतमागधाः । जगुः सुकण्ठ्यो गन्धर्व्यः सङ्गीतं सहभर्तृकाः ॥ ४६ ॥

nedur mṛdaṅga-paṭaha- śaṅkha-bhery-ānakādayaḥ nanṛtur naṭa-nartakyas tuṣṭuvuḥ sūta-māgadhāḥ jaguḥ su-kaṇṭhyo gandharvyaḥ saṅgītaṁ saha-bhartṛkāḥ

Mridangas, pataha and anaka drums, conches and bheris resounded together. Male and female dancers danced, sutas and magadhas sang praises, and the sweet-voiced wives of the Gandharvas, together with their husbands, sang songs.

Verse 47 (bhagavata.10.84.47)

तमभ्यषिञ्चन् विधिवदक्तमभ्यक्तमृत्विजः । पत्नीभिरष्टादशभिः सोमराजमिवोडुभिः ॥ ४७ ॥

tam abhyaṣiñcan vidhi-vad aktam abhyaktam ṛtvijaḥ patnībhir aṣṭā-daśabhiḥ soma-rājam ivoḍubhiḥ

The priests, according to due rite, anointed Vasudeva — his eyes lined with collyrium, his body smeared with ghee — together with his eighteen wives, as though bathing the regal moon encircled by the stars.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.10.84.48)

ताभिर्दुकूलवलयैर्हारनूपुरकुण्डलैः । स्वलङ्कृताभिर्विबभौ दीक्षितोऽजिनसंवृतः ॥ ४८ ॥

tābhir dukūla-valayair hāra-nūpura-kuṇḍalaiḥ sv-alaṅkṛtābhir vibabhau dīkṣito ’jina-saṁvṛtaḥ

Adorned in silk garments, bangles, necklaces, anklets, and earrings, his wives beside him, and himself wrapped in a deerskin, the newly initiated Vasudeva shone with great splendor.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.10.84.49)

तस्यर्त्विजो महाराज रत्नकौशेयवाससः । ससदस्या विरेजुस्ते यथा वृत्रहणोऽध्वरे ॥ ४९ ॥

tasyartvijo mahā-rāja ratna-kauśeya-vāsasaḥ sa-sadasyā virejus te yathā vṛtra-haṇo ’dhvare

O great king, his priests and the assembled members, dressed in silk robes set with jewels, shone so brilliantly that they seemed to be present at the sacrifice of Indra, the slayer of Vritra.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.10.84.50)

तदा रामश्च कृष्णश्च स्वैः स्वैर्बन्धुभिरन्वितौ । रेजतुः स्वसुतैर्दारैर्जीवेशौ स्वविभूतिभिः ॥ ५० ॥

tadā rāmaś ca kṛṣṇaś ca svaiḥ svair bandhubhir anvitau rejatuḥ sva-sutair dārair jīveśau sva-vibhūtibhiḥ

At that time, Balarama and Krishna, the Lords of all living beings, shone forth magnificently, surrounded by their own relatives, sons, and wives — all of them their own personal opulences.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.10.84.51)

ईजेऽनुयज्ञं विधिना अग्निहोत्रादिलक्षणैः । प्राकृतैर्वैकृतैर्यज्ञैर्द्रव्यज्ञानक्रियेश्वरम् ॥ ५१ ॥

īje ’nu-yajñaṁ vidhinā agni-hotrādi-lakṣaṇaiḥ prākṛtair vaikṛtair yajñair dravya-jñāna-kriyeśvaram

According to proper procedure, Vasudeva worshiped the Lord of all sacrificial materials, knowledge, and ritual action, through the various sacrifices — the primary agnihotra rites as well as their subsidiary forms.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.10.84.52)

अथर्त्विग्भ्योऽददात् काले यथाम्नातं स दक्षिणाः । स्वलङ्कृतेभ्योऽलङ्कृत्य गोभूकन्या महाधनाः ॥ ५२ ॥

athartvigbhyo ’dadāt kāle yathāmnātaṁ sa dakṣiṇāḥ sv-alaṅkṛtebhyo ’laṅkṛtya go-bhū-kanyā mahā-dhanāḥ

Then, at the proper time, Vasudeva gave the priests — already finely adorned — even more ornaments, and, as prescribed by scripture, presented them with dakshina in the form of cows, land, and highly valuable maidens.

Verse 53 (bhagavata.10.84.53)

पत्नीसंयाजावभृथ्यैश्चरित्वा ते महर्षयः । सस्नू रामह्रदे विप्रा यजमानपुरःसराः ॥ ५३ ॥

patnī-saṁyājāvabhṛthyaiś caritvā te maharṣayaḥ sasnū rāma-hrade viprā yajamāna-puraḥ-sarāḥ

Having completed the patni-samyaja and avabhritha rites, those great sages, with Vasudeva the sponsor of the sacrifice leading the way, went and bathed in the lakes of Parashurama.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.10.84.54)

स्नातोऽलङ्कारवासांसि वन्दिभ्योऽदात्तथा स्त्रियः । ततः स्वलङ्कृतो वर्णानाश्वभ्योऽन्नेन पूजयत् ॥ ५४ ॥

snāto ’laṅkāra-vāsāṁsi vandibhyo ’dāt tathā striyaḥ tataḥ sv-alaṅkṛto varṇān ā-śvabhyo ’nnena pūjayat

After bathing, Vasudeva and his wives gave away the ornaments and garments they had worn to the panegyrists. Then, newly attired, Vasudeva honored people of every class — even down to the dogs — by feeding them all.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.10.84.55)

बन्धून् सदारान् ससुतान् पारिबर्हेण भूयसा । विदर्भकोशलकुरून् काशिकेकयसृञ्जयान् ॥ ५५ ॥

bandhūn sa-dārān sa-sutān pāribarheṇa bhūyasā vidarbha-kośala-kurūn kāśi-kekaya-sṛñjayān

Vasudeva honored his relatives, along with their wives and sons, and the kings of Vidarbha, Kosala, Kuru, Kashi, Kekaya, and Srinjaya, with lavish gifts.

Verse 56 (bhagavata.10.84.56)

सदस्यर्त्विक्सुरगणान् नृभूतपितृचारणान् । श्रीनिकेतमनुज्ञाप्य शंसन्तः प्रययुः क्रतुम् ॥ ५६ ॥

sadasyartvik-sura-gaṇān nṛ-bhūta-pitṛ-cāraṇān śrī-niketam anujñāpya śaṁsantaḥ prayayuḥ kratum

He likewise honored the assembly members, the priests, the assembled demigods, men, spirits, ancestors, and Charanas. Then, taking leave of Sri Krishna, the abode of the goddess of fortune, they all departed, praising that sacrifice.

Verse 57 (bhagavata.10.84.57)

धृतराष्ट्रोऽनुजः पार्था भीष्मो द्रोणः पृथा यमौ । नारदो भगवान् व्यासः सुहृत्सम्बन्धिबान्धवाः ॥ ५७ ॥

dhṛtarāṣṭro ’nujaḥ pārthā bhīṣmo droṇaḥ pṛthā yamau nārado bhagavān vyāsaḥ suhṛt-sambandhi-bāndhavāḥ

Dhritarashtra, his younger brother Vidura, Pritha's sons (the Pandavas), Bhishma, Drona, Pritha, the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, Narada, Bhagavan Vyasa, and other friends, relatives, and kinsmen —

Verse 58 (bhagavata.10.84.58)

बन्धून् परिष्वज्य यदून् सौहृदाक्लिन्नचेतसः । ययुर्विरहकृच्छ्रेण स्वदेशांश्चापरे जनाः ॥ ५८ ॥

bandhūn pariṣvajya yadūn sauhṛdāklinna-cetasaḥ yayur viraha-kṛcchreṇa sva-deśāṁś cāpare janāḥ

Their hearts melting with affection, they all embraced the Yadus, and, bearing the pain of separation, they and the other guests set off for their own lands.

Verse 59 (bhagavata.10.84.59)

नन्दस्तु सह गोपालैर्बृहत्या पूजयार्चितः । कृष्णरामोग्रसेनाद्यैर्न्यवात्सीद् बन्धुवत्सलः ॥ ५९ ॥

nandas tu saha gopālair bṛhatyā pūjayārcitaḥ kṛṣṇa-rāmograsenādyair nyavātsīd bandhu-vatsalaḥ

But Nanda, ever affectionate toward his kin, remained there with his cowherds, honored with grand worship by Krishna, Balarama, Ugrasena, and the others.

Verse 60 (bhagavata.10.84.60)

वसुदेवोऽञ्जसोत्तीर्य मनोरथमहार्णवम् । सुहृद् वृतः प्रीतमना नन्दमाह करे स्पृशन् ॥ ६० ॥

vasudevo ’ñjasottīrya manoratha-mahārṇavam suhṛd-vṛtaḥ prīta-manā nandam āha kare spṛśan

Having so easily crossed the vast ocean of his own long-cherished desire, Vasudeva, his heart full of joy and surrounded by his well-wishers, took Nanda's hand and spoke as follows.

Verse 61 (bhagavata.10.84.61)

श्रीवसुदेव उवाच भ्रातरीशकृतः पाशो नृणां यः स्नेहसंज्ञितः । तं दुस्त्यजमहं मन्ये शूराणामपि योगिनाम् ॥ ६१ ॥

śrī-vasudeva uvāca bhrātar īśa-kṛtaḥ pāśo nṛṇāṁ yaḥ sneha-saṁjñitaḥ taṁ dustyajam ahaṁ manye śūrāṇām api yoginām

Sri Vasudeva said: My dear brother, that bond fashioned by God Himself, which men call affection — I believe even great heroes and yogis find it exceedingly hard to renounce.

Verse 62 (bhagavata.10.84.62)

अस्मास्वप्रतिकल्पेयं यत् कृताज्ञेषु सत्तमैः । मैत्र्यर्पिताफला चापि न निवर्तेत कर्हिचित् ॥ ६२ ॥

asmāsv apratikalpeyaṁ yat kṛtājñeṣu sattamaiḥ maitry arpitāphalā cāpi na nivarteta karhicit

This incomparable friendship you, most noble of souls, have shown toward us — ingrates that we have been — has, though never once repaid, never ceased.

Verse 63 (bhagavata.10.84.63)

प्रागकल्पाच्च कुशलं भ्रातर्वो नाचराम हि । अधुना श्रीमदान्धाक्षा न पश्यामः पुरः सतः ॥ ६३ ॥

prāg akalpāc ca kuśalaṁ bhrātar vo nācarāma hi adhunā śrī-madāndhākṣā na paśyāmaḥ puraḥ sataḥ

My brother, in the past we did nothing for your welfare, being unable to; and even now, blinded by the intoxication of our own prosperity, we fail to see the saintly soul standing right before us.

Verse 64 (bhagavata.10.84.64)

मा राज्यश्रीरभूत् पुंसः श्रेयस्कामस्य मानद । स्वजनानुत बन्धून् वा न पश्यति ययान्धदृक् ॥ ६४ ॥

mā rājya-śrīr abhūt puṁsaḥ śreyas-kāmasya māna-da sva-janān uta bandhūn vā na paśyati yayāndha-dṛk

O giver of honor, may royal prosperity never come to a man who seeks his own true good — for it blinds his sight so that he cannot see even his own kin and friends.

Verse 65 (bhagavata.10.84.65)

श्रीशुक उवाच एवं सौहृदशैथिल्यचित्त आनकदुन्दुभिः । रुरोद तत्कृतां मैत्रीं स्मरन्नश्रुविलोचनः ॥ ६५ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca evaṁ sauhṛda-śaithilya- citta ānakadundubhiḥ ruroda tat-kṛtāṁ maitrīṁ smarann aśru-vilocanaḥ

Shukadeva said: Thus, his heart softened with affection, Vasudeva, remembering the friendship Nanda had shown him, wept, his eyes brimming with tears.

Verse 66 (bhagavata.10.84.66)

नन्दस्तु सख्युः प्रियकृत् प्रेम्णा गोविन्दरामयोः । अद्य श्व इति मासांस्त्रीन् यदुभिर्मानितोऽवसत् ॥ ६६ ॥

nandas tu sakhyuḥ priya-kṛt premṇā govinda-rāmayoḥ adya śva iti māsāṁs trīn yadubhir mānito ’vasat

And Nanda, out of affection for his friend Vasudeva and love for Govinda and Balarama, kept saying, I shall leave today, I shall leave tomorrow, and thus, honored by the Yadus, remained there for three whole months.

Verse 67 (bhagavata.10.84.67)

ततः कामैः पूर्यमाणः सव्रजः सहबान्धवः । परार्ध्याभरणक्षौमनानानर्घ्यपरिच्छदैः ॥ ६७ ॥

tataḥ kāmaiḥ pūryamāṇaḥ sa-vrajaḥ saha-bāndhavaḥ parārdhyābharaṇa-kṣauma- nānānarghya-paricchadaiḥ

Then, his every wish fulfilled by the priceless ornaments, fine silks, and countless invaluable gifts given by Vasudeva, Ugrasena, Krishna, Uddhava, Balarama and the others, Nanda, together with the people of Vraja and his relatives, took those gifts and set out to leave.

Verse 68 (bhagavata.10.84.68)

वसुदेवोग्रसेनाभ्यां कृष्णोद्धवबलादिभिः । दत्तमादाय पारिबर्हं यापितो यदुभिर्ययौ ॥ ६८ ॥

vasudevograsenābhyāṁ kṛṣṇoddhava-balādibhiḥ dattam ādāya pāribarhaṁ yāpito yadubhir yayau

Taking the gifts given by Vasudeva and Ugrasena, and by Krishna, Uddhava, Balarama and the others, and seen off by the Yadus, Nanda set out for home.

Verse 69 (bhagavata.10.84.69)

नन्दो गोपाश्च गोप्यश्च गोविन्दचरणाम्बुजे । मनः क्षिप्तं पुनर्हर्तुमनीशा मथुरां ययुः ॥ ६९ ॥

nando gopāś ca gopyaś ca govinda-caraṇāmbuje manaḥ kṣiptaṁ punar hartum anīśā mathurāṁ yayuḥ

Nanda, and the cowherd men and women, their minds already surrendered to Govinda's lotus feet and unable now to reclaim them, set out for Mathura in that very state.

Verse 70 (bhagavata.10.84.70)

बन्धुषु प्रतियातेषु वृष्णयः कृष्णदेवताः । वीक्ष्य प्रावृषमासन्नाद् ययुर्द्वारवतीं पुनः ॥ ७० ॥

bandhuṣu pratiyāteṣu vṛṣṇayaḥ kṛṣṇa-devatāḥ vīkṣya prāvṛṣam āsannād yayur dvāravatīṁ punaḥ

Their relatives having thus departed, and seeing that the rainy season was drawing near, the Vrishnis, who held Krishna alone as their worshipable Lord, returned once more to Dvaraka.

Verse 71 (bhagavata.10.84.71)

जनेभ्यः कथयां चक्रुर्यदुदेवमहोत्सवम् । यदासीत्तीर्थयात्रायां सुहृत्सन्दर्शनादिकम् ॥ ७१ ॥

janebhyaḥ kathayāṁ cakrur yadu-deva-mahotsavam yad āsīt tīrtha-yātrāyāṁ suhṛt-sandarśanādikam

They told the citizens of the great festive sacrifice performed by the lord of the Yadus, and recounted all that had happened on their pilgrimage, especially their reunion with their beloved friends and relatives.