Krishna and Arjuna Recover a Brahmana's Sons

Verse 1 (bhagavata.10.89.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच सरस्वत्यास्तटे राजन्नृषयः सत्रमासत । वितर्कः समभूत्तेषां त्रिष्वधीशेषु को महान् ॥ 89.1 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca sarasvatyās taṭe rājann ṛṣayaḥ satram āsata vitarkaḥ samabhūt teṣāṁ triṣv adhīśeṣu ko mahān

Shri Shukadeva said: Once, O King, sages were performing a sacrificial session on the bank of the river Sarasvati. Among them a dispute arose as to which of the three presiding deities is the greatest.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.10.89.2)

तस्य जिज्ञासया ते वै भृगुं ब्रह्मसुतं नृप । तज्ज्ञप्त्यै प्रेषयामासुः सोऽभ्यगाद् ब्रह्मणः सभाम् ॥ 89.2 ॥

tasya jijñāsayā te vai bhṛguṁ brahma-sutaṁ nṛpa taj-jñaptyai preṣayām āsuḥ so ’bhjagād brahmaṇaḥ sabhām

O King, wishing to have this question resolved, they sent Bhrigu, the son of Brahma, to determine the answer. He first went to the assembly of Brahma.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.10.89.3)

न तस्मै प्रह्वणं स्तोत्रं चक्रे सत्त्वपरीक्षया । तस्मै चुक्रोध भगवान् प्रज्वलन् स्वेन तेजसा ॥ 89.3 ॥

na tasmai prahvaṇaṁ stotraṁ cakre sattva-parīkṣayā tasmai cukrodha bhagavān prajvalan svena tejasā

To test his establishment in the mode of goodness, he offered Brahma neither a bow nor a hymn of praise. At this the lord blazed up with his own fire and grew angry.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.10.89.4)

स आत्मन्युत्थितं मन्युमात्मजायात्मना प्रभुः । अशीशमद् यथा वह्निं स्वयोन्या वारिणात्मभूः ॥ 89.4 ॥

sa ātmany utthitam manyum ātmajāyātmanā prabhuḥ aśīśamad yathā vahniṁ sva-yonyā vāriṇātma-bhūḥ

But the self-born Brahma calmed that anger rising within himself by his own understanding, just as fire is quenched by water, its own offspring.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.10.89.5)

ततः कैलासमगमत् स तं देवो महेश्वरः । परिरब्धुं समारेभ उत्थाय भ्रातरं मुदा ॥ 89.5 ॥

tataḥ kailāsam agamat sa taṁ devo maheśvaraḥ parirabdhuṁ samārebha utthāya bhrātaraṁ mudā

Thereafter he went to Mount Kailasa, where the great god Maheshvara rose and joyfully came forward to embrace his brother.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.10.89.6)

नैच्छत्त्वमस्युत्पथग इति देवश्चुकोप ह । शूलमुद्यम्य तं हन्तुमारेभे तिग्मलोचनः ॥ 89.6 ॥

naicchat tvam asy utpatha-ga iti devaś cukopa ha śūlam udyamya taṁ hantum ārebhe tigma-locanaḥ

Bhrigu refused his embrace, saying, "You are one who has strayed from the proper path." Hearing this, the god Shiva grew furious, and his eyes blazed with intensity.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.10.89.7)

पतित्वा पादयोर्देवी सान्त्वयामास तं गिरा । अथो जगाम वैकुण्ठं यत्र देवो जनार्दनः ॥ 89.7 ॥

patitvā pādayor devī sāntvayām āsa taṁ girā atho jagāma vaikuṇṭhaṁ yatra devo janārdanaḥ

He raised his trident, ready to kill him — but the Goddess fell at his feet and, with her words, pacified him. Bhrigu then departed from there and went to Vaikuntha, where Lord Janardana dwells.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.10.89.8)

शयानं श्रिय उत्सङ्गे पदा वक्षस्यताडयत् । तत उत्थाय भगवान् सह लक्ष्म्या सतां गतिः ॥ 89.8 ॥

śayānaṁ śriya utsaṅge padā vakṣasy atāḍayat tata utthāya bhagavān saha lakṣmyā satāṁ gatiḥ

Going there, he struck with his foot the chest of the Lord, who lay with His head resting in the lap of His consort Shri. At this, the Lord — the supreme goal of the saintly — rose at once, together with Lakshmi.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.10.89.9)

स्वतल्पादवरुह्याथ ननाम शिरसा मुनिम् । आह ते स्वागतं ब्रह्मन् निषीदात्रासने क्षणम् । अजानतामागतान् वः क्षन्तुमर्हथ नः प्रभो ॥ 89.9 ॥

sva-talpād avaruhyātha nanāma śirasā munim āha te svāgataṁ brahman niṣīdātrāsane kṣaṇam ajānatām āgatān vaḥ kṣantum arhatha naḥ prabho

Descending from His couch, He bowed His head to the sage and said, "Welcome, brahmana; please sit upon this seat and rest a moment. O master, forgive us for not knowing of your arrival."

Verse 10 (bhagavata.10.89.10)

पुनीहि सहलोकं मां लोकपालांश्च मद्गतान् । पादोदकेन भवतस्तीर्थानां तीर्थकारिणा ॥ 89.10 ॥

punīhi saha-lokaṁ māṁ loka-pālāṁś ca mad-gatān pādodakena bhavatas tīrthānāṁ tīrtha-kāriṇā

"Purify me with the water of your feet — me, this realm, and all the guardians of the worlds who are subject to me — for you are yourself the maker of holy places, whose very foot-water sanctifies all pilgrimage sites.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.10.89.11)

अद्याहं भगवँल्लक्ष्म्या आसमेकान्तभाजनम् । वत्स्यत्युरसि मे भूतिर्भवत्पादहतांहसः ॥ 89.11 ॥

adyāhaṁ bhagavaḻ lakṣmyā āsam ekānta-bhājanam vatsyaty urasi me bhūtir bhavat-pāda-hatāṁhasaḥ

O venerable one, today I have become the sole abode of Lakshmi, for my chest, cleansed of sin by the touch of your foot, will now be her dwelling place."

Verse 12 (bhagavata.10.89.12)

श्रीशुक उवाच एवं ब्रुवाणे वैकुण्ठे भृगुस्तन्मन्द्रया गिरा । निर्वृतस्तर्पितस्तूष्णीं भक्त्युत्कण्ठोऽश्रुलोचनः ॥ 89.12 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca evaṁ bruvāṇe vaikuṇṭhe bhṛgus tan-mandrayā girā nirvṛtas tarpitas tūṣṇīṁ bhakty-utkaṇṭho ’śru-locanaḥ

Shri Shukadeva said: Hearing these solemn words of the Lord of Vaikuntha, Bhrigu felt fully satisfied and content. Overcome with devotional feeling, his eyes brimming with tears, he remained silent.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.10.89.13)

पुनश्च सत्रमाव्रज्य मुनीनां ब्रह्मवादिनाम् । स्वानुभूतमशेषेण राजन् भृगुरवर्णयत् ॥ 89.13 ॥

punaś ca satram āvrajya munīnāṁ brahma-vādinām svānubhūtam aśeṣeṇa rājan bhṛgur avarṇayat

O King, Bhrigu then returned to that sacrificial hall where the sages devoted to Brahman were seated, and related to them his whole experience in full.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.10.89.14)

तन्निशम्याथ मुनयो विस्मिता मुक्तसंशयाः । भूयांसं श्रद्दधुर्विष्णुं यतः शान्तिर्यतोऽभयम् ॥ 89.14 ॥

tan niśamyātha munayo vismitā mukta-saṁśayāḥ bhūyāṁsaṁ śraddadhur viṣṇuṁ yataḥ śāntir yato ’bhayam

Hearing this, the sages were amazed and all their doubts were dispelled; with growing conviction they came to accept Vishnu as the greatest — for from Him alone come peace and fearlessness,

Verse 15 (bhagavata.10.89.15)

धर्मः साक्षाद् यतो ज्ञानं वैराग्यं च तदन्वितम् । ऐश्वर्यं चाष्टधा यस्माद् यशश्चात्ममलापहम् ॥ 89.15 ॥

dharmaḥ sākṣād yato jñānaṁ vairāgyaṁ ca tad-anvitam aiśvaryaṁ cāṣṭadhā yasmād yaśaś cātma-malāpaham

from Him come dharma itself, knowledge, and the detachment that accompanies it; from Him come the eightfold opulences and that glory which cleanses the very impurity of the soul.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.10.89.16)

मुनीनां न्यस्तदण्डानां शान्तानां समचेतसाम् । अकिञ्चनानां साधूनां यमाहुः परमां गतिम् ॥ 89.16 ॥

munīnāṁ nyasta-daṇḍānāṁ śāntānāṁ sama-cetasām akiñcanānāṁ sādhūnāṁ yam āhuḥ paramāṁ gatim

He alone is declared to be the supreme goal of those sages who have laid down all violence, who are peaceful, equanimous and possess nothing of their own;

Verse 17 (bhagavata.10.89.17)

सत्त्वं यस्य प्रिया मूर्तिर्ब्राह्मणास्त्विष्टदेवताः । भजन्त्यनाशिषः शान्ता यं वा निपुणबुद्धयः ॥ 89.17 ॥

sattvaṁ yasya priyā mūrtir brāhmaṇās tv iṣṭa-devatāḥ bhajanty anāśiṣaḥ śāntā yaṁ vā nipuṇa-buddhayaḥ

whose beloved form is pure goodness itself, and for whom the brahmanas are His chosen deities — Him alone do the peaceful and the subtle of intellect worship without desire for reward.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.10.89.18)

त्रिविधाकृतयस्तस्य राक्षसा असुराः सुराः । गुणिन्या मायया सृष्टाः सत्त्वं तत्तीर्थसाधनम् ॥ 89.18 ॥

tri-vidhākṛtayas tasya rākṣasā asurāḥ surāḥ guṇinyā māyayā sṛṣṭāḥ sattvaṁ tat tīrtha-sādhanam

From His own qualified maya arise these three kinds of forms — the Rakshasas, the demons and the gods; and among them, it is the mode of goodness that serves as the means to that supreme goal.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.10.89.19)

श्रीशुक उवाच इत्थं सारस्वता विप्रा नृणां संशयनुत्तये । पुरुषस्य पदाम्भोजसेवया तद्गतिं गताः ॥ 89.19 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca itthaṁ sārasvatā viprā nṛṇām saṁśaya-nuttaye puruṣasya padāmbhoja- sevayā tad-gatiṁ gatāḥ

Shri Shukadeva said: Thus, to dispel the doubts of mankind, the brahmanas of the Sarasvati arrived at this conclusion, and thereafter, by serving the lotus feet of the Supreme Person, they attained His own destination.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.10.89.20)

श्रीसूत उवाच इत्येतन्मुनितनयास्यपद्मगन्ध- पीयूषं भवभयभित् परस्य पुंसः । सुश्लोकं श्रवणपुटैः पिबत्यभीक्ष्णं पान्थोऽध्वभ्रमणपरिश्रमं जहाति ॥ 89.20 ॥

śrī-sūta uvāca ity etan muni-tanayāsya-padma-gandha pīyūṣaṁ bhava-bhaya-bhit parasya puṁsaḥ su-ślokaṁ śravaṇa-puṭaiḥ pibaty abhīkṣṇam pāntho ’dhva-bhramaṇa-pariśramaṁ jahāti

Shri Suta said: Thus flowed this fragrant nectar from the lotus mouth of Shri Shukadeva, son of the great sage Vyasa. This wondrous glorification of the Supreme Person destroys the fear of worldly existence. The traveler who drinks it again and again through the vessel of his ears forgets the weariness of wandering the paths of the world.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.10.89.21)

श्रीशुक उवाच एकदा द्वारवत्यां तु विप्रपत्न्याः कुमारकः । जातमात्रो भुवं स्पृष्ट्वा ममार किल भारत ॥ 89.21 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca ekadā dvāravatyāṁ tu vipra-patnyāḥ kumārakaḥ jāta-mātro bhuvaṁ spṛṣṭvā mamāra kila bhārata

Shri Shukadeva said: O descendant of Bharata, once in Dvaraka a brahmana's wife gave birth to a son, but the moment he was born and touched the ground, he died.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.10.89.22)

विप्रो गृहीत्वा मृतकं राजद्वार्युपधाय सः । इदं प्रोवाच विलपन्नातुरो दीनमानसः ॥ 89.22 ॥

vipro gṛhītvā mṛtakaṁ rāja-dvāry upadhāya saḥ idaṁ provāca vilapann āturo dīna-mānasaḥ

The brahmana took up the dead child, carried him to the king's gate and laid him there; then, lamenting, distressed and heart-broken, he spoke these words.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.10.89.23)

ब्रह्मद्विषः शठधियो लुब्धस्य विषयात्मनः । क्षत्रबन्धोः कर्मदोषात् पञ्चत्वं मे गतोऽर्भकः ॥ 89.23 ॥

brahma-dviṣaḥ śaṭha-dhiyo lubdhasya viṣayātmanaḥ kṣatra-bandhoḥ karma-doṣāt pañcatvaṁ me gato ’rbhakaḥ

[The brahmana said:] It is through the misgovernance of this deceitful, evil-minded, greedy, sense-absorbed pretender of a kshatriya, this enemy of brahmanas, that my child has met his death.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.10.89.24)

हिंसाविहारं नृपतिं दुःशीलमजितेन्द्रियम् । प्रजा भजन्त्यः सीदन्ति दरिद्रा नित्यदुःखिताः ॥ 89.24 ॥

hiṁsā-vihāraṁ nṛpatiṁ duḥśīlam ajitendriyam prajā bhajantyaḥ sīdanti daridrā nitya-duḥkhitāḥ

The subjects who serve a king given to violence, of evil conduct and uncontrolled senses, waste away in poverty, forever afflicted with misery.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.10.89.25)

एवं द्वितीयं विप्रर्षिस्तृतीयं त्वेवमेव च । विसृज्य स नृपद्वारि तां गाथां समगायत ॥ 89.25 ॥

evaṁ dvitīyaṁ viprarṣis tṛtīyaṁ tv evam eva ca visṛjya sa nṛpa-dvāri tāṁ gāthāṁ samagāyata

The same tragedy befell that learned brahmana with his second son, and again with his third. Each time, leaving the dead child at the king's gate, he would sing that same lament.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.10.89.26)

तामर्जुन उपश्रुत्य कर्हिचित् केशवान्तिके । परेते नवमे बाले ब्राह्मणं समभाषत ॥ 89.26 ॥

tām arjuna upaśrutya karhicit keśavāntike parete navame bāle brāhmaṇaṁ samabhāṣata

When his ninth child likewise died, Arjuna, who happened to be standing near Lord Keshava, overheard his lament, and spoke to the brahmana as follows.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.10.89.27)

किंस्विद् ब्रह्मंस्त्वन्निवासे इह नास्ति धनुर्धरः । राजन्यबन्धुरेते वै ब्राह्मणाः सत्रमासते ॥ 89.27 ॥

kiṁ svid brahmaṁs tvan-nivāse iha nāsti dhanur-dharaḥ rājanya-bandhur ete vai brāhmaṇāḥ satram āsate

"O brahmana, is there truly no wielder of the bow in this city where you dwell? These so-called kshatriyas seem to have become mere brahmanas idling at a sacrifice!

Verse 28 (bhagavata.10.89.28)

धनदारात्मजापृक्ता यत्र शोचन्ति ब्राह्मणाः । ते वै राजन्यवेषेण नटा जीवन्त्यसुम्भराः ॥ 89.28 ॥

dhana-dārātmajāpṛktā yatra śocanti brāhmaṇāḥ te vai rājanya-veṣeṇa naṭā jīvanty asum-bharāḥ

In a kingdom where brahmanas must lament the loss of their wealth, their wives and their children, the rulers are mere actors got up in the guise of kshatriyas, living only to fill their own bellies.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.10.89.29)

अहं प्रजाः वां भगवन् रक्षिष्ये दीनयोरिह । अनिस्तीर्णप्रतिज्ञोऽग्निं प्रवेक्ष्ये हतकल्मषः ॥ 89.29 ॥

ahaṁ prajāḥ vāṁ bhagavan rakṣiṣye dīnayor iha anistīrṇa-pratijño ’gniṁ pravekṣye hata-kalmaṣaḥ

O venerable one, I will protect the child of you and your grieving wife; and if I fail to keep this vow, I shall enter fire to atone for my sin."

Verse 30 (bhagavata.10.89.30)

श्रीब्राह्मण उवाच सङ्कर्षणो वासुदेवः प्रद्युम्नो धन्विनां वरः । अनिरुद्धोऽप्रतिरथो न त्रातुं शक्नुवन्ति यत् ॥ 89.30 ॥

śrī-brāhmaṇa uvāca saṅkarṣaṇo vāsudevaḥ pradyumno dhanvināṁ varaḥ aniruddho ’prati-ratho na trātuṁ śaknuvanti yat

Shri Brahmana said: When Sankarshana himself, Vasudeva, Pradyumna best of archers, and the unrivaled warrior Aniruddha could not save my sons,

Verse 31 (bhagavata.10.89.31)

तत् कथं नु भवान् कर्म दुष्करं जगदीश्वरैः । त्वं चिकीर्षसि बालिश्यात् तन्न श्रद्दध्महे वयम् ॥ 89.31 ॥

tat kathaṁ nu bhavān karma duṣkaraṁ jagad-īśvaraiḥ tvaṁ cikīrṣasi bāliśyāt tan na śraddadhmahe vayam

how then could you accomplish what even the very lords of the universe were unable to do? What you propose seems mere childish folly to us — we cannot believe it.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.10.89.32)

श्रीअर्जुन उवाच नाहं सङ्कर्षणो ब्रह्मन् न कृष्णः कार्ष्णिरेव च । अहं वा अर्जुनो नाम गाण्डीवं यस्य वै धनुः ॥ 89.32 ॥

śrī-arjuna uvāca nāhaṁ saṅkarṣaṇo brahman na kṛṣṇaḥ kārṣṇir eva ca ahaṁ vā arjuno nāma gāṇḍīvaṁ yasya vai dhanuḥ

Shri Arjuna said: O brahmana, I am neither Sankarshana, nor Krishna, nor even Krishna's son; I am simply he who is called Arjuna, the wielder of the Gandiva bow.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.10.89.33)

मावमंस्था मम ब्रह्मन् वीर्यं त्र्यम्बकतोषणम् । मृत्युं विजित्य प्रधने आनेष्ये ते प्रजाः प्रभो ॥ 89.33 ॥

māvamaṁsthā mama brahman vīryaṁ tryambaka-toṣaṇam mṛtyuṁ vijitya pradhane āneṣye te prajāḥ prabho

O brahmana, do not disdain my might, which was strong enough to satisfy Tryambaka himself. O master, I shall conquer even Death in battle and bring back your children.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.10.89.34)

एवं विश्रम्भितो विप्रः फाल्गुनेन परन्तप । जगाम स्वगृहं प्रीतः पार्थवीर्यं निशामयन् ॥ 89.34 ॥

evaṁ viśrambhito vipraḥ phālgunena parantapa jagāma sva-gṛhaṁ prītaḥ pārtha-vīryaṁ niśāmayan

O scorcher of foes, thus reassured by Arjuna, the brahmana, pondering the might of Partha, returned to his home with joy.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.10.89.35)

प्रसूतिकाल आसन्ने भार्याया द्विजसत्तमः । पाहि पाहि प्रजां मृत्योरित्याहार्जुनमातुरः ॥ 89.35 ॥

prasūti-kāla āsanne bhāryāyā dvija-sattamaḥ pāhi pāhi prajāṁ mṛtyor ity āhārjunam āturaḥ

When the time drew near for that foremost brahmana's wife to give birth, he went to Arjuna in great agitation and cried, "Save, save my child from death!"

Verse 36 (bhagavata.10.89.36)

स उपस्पृश्य शुच्यम्भो नमस्कृत्य महेश्वरम् । दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि संस्मृत्य सज्यं गाण्डीवमाददे ॥ 89.36 ॥

sa upaspṛśya śucy ambho namaskṛtya maheśvaram divyāny astrāṇi saṁsmṛtya sajyaṁ gāṇḍīvam ādade

Then, touching pure water, offering homage to Maheshvara, and calling to mind the mantras of his divine weapons, he strung the Gandiva bow.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.10.89.37)

न्यरुणत् सूतिकागारं शरैर्नानास्त्रयोजितैः । तिर्यगूर्ध्वमधः पार्थश्चकार शरपञ्जरम् ॥ 89.37 ॥

nyaruṇat sūtikāgāraṁ śarair nānāstra-yojitaiḥ tiryag ūrdhvam adhaḥ pārthaś cakāra śara-pañjaram

With arrows charged with various divine weapons he encircled the birthing chamber on every side; thus Partha constructed a protective cage of arrows above, below and all around it.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.10.89.38)

ततः कुमारः सञ्जातो विप्रपत्न्या रुदन्मुहुः । सद्योऽदर्शनमापेदे सशरीरो विहायसा ॥ 89.38 ॥

tataḥ kumāraḥ sañjāto vipra-patnyā rudan muhuḥ sadyo ’darśanam āpede sa-śarīro vihāyasā

Thereafter a son was born to the brahmana's wife, but that newborn child, after crying for only a short while, suddenly vanished into the sky, body and all.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.10.89.39)

तदाह विप्रो विजयं विनिन्दन् कृष्णसन्निधौ । मौढ्यं पश्यत मे योऽहं श्रद्दधे क्लीबकत्थनम् ॥ 89.39 ॥

tadāha vipro vijayaṁ vinindan kṛṣṇa-sannidhau mauḍhyaṁ paśyata me yo ’haṁ śraddadhe klība-katthanam

Then the brahmana, in Krishna's very presence, derided Arjuna, saying, "Just see my own foolishness — that I believed the boasting of this impotent man!

Verse 40 (bhagavata.10.89.40)

न प्रद्युम्नो नानिरुद्धो न रामो न च केशवः । यस्य शेकुः परित्रातुं कोऽन्यस्तदवितेश्वरः ॥ 89.40 ॥

na pradyumno nāniruddho na rāmo na ca keśavaḥ yasya śekuḥ paritrātuṁ ko ’nyas tad-aviteśvaraḥ

When neither Pradyumna, nor Aniruddha, nor Rama, nor even Keshava could save him, what other protector could possibly avert his fate?

Verse 41 (bhagavata.10.89.41)

धिगर्जुनं मृषावादं धिगात्मश्लाघिनो धनुः । दैवोपसृष्टं यो मौढ्यादानिनीषति दुर्मतिः ॥ 89.41 ॥

dhig arjunaṁ mṛṣā-vādaṁ dhig ātma-ślāghino dhanuḥ daivopasṛṣṭaṁ yo mauḍhyād āninīṣati durmatiḥ

Shame on this false-speaking Arjuna! Shame on his self-praising bow! Such is his folly that he claims, out of sheer stupidity, to bring back what fate itself has taken away."

Verse 42 (bhagavata.10.89.42)

एवं शपति विप्रर्षौ विद्यामास्थाय फाल्गुनः । ययौ संयमनीमाशु यत्रास्ते भगवान् यमः ॥ 89.42 ॥

evaṁ śapati viprarṣau vidyām āsthāya phālgunaḥ yayau saṁyamanīm āśu yatrāste bhagavān yamaḥ

As that brahmana-sage went on reviling him, Phalguna, resorting to a mystic power, swiftly set out for Samyamani, the city where the Lord Yamaraja dwells.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.10.89.43)

विप्रापत्यमचक्षाणस्तत ऐन्द्रीमगात् पुरीम् । आग्नेयीं नैऋर्तीं सौम्यां वायव्यां वारुणीमथ । रसातलं नाकपृष्ठं धिष्ण्यान्यन्यान्युदायुधः ॥ 89.43 ॥

viprāpatyam acakṣāṇas tata aindrīm agāt purīm āgneyīṁ nairṛtīṁ saumyāṁ vāyavyāṁ vāruṇīm atha rasātalaṁ nāka-pṛṣṭhaṁ dhiṣṇyāny anyāny udāyudhaḥ

Not finding the brahmana's son there, he went on to the cities of Indra, Agni, Nirriti, Soma, Vayu and Varuna,

Verse 44 (bhagavata.10.89.44)

ततोऽलब्धद्विजसुतो ह्यनिस्तीर्णप्रतिश्रुतः । अग्निं विविक्षुः कृष्णेन प्रत्युक्तः प्रतिषेधता ॥ 89.44 ॥

tato ’labdha-dvija-suto hy anistīrṇa-pratiśrutaḥ agniṁ vivikṣuḥ kṛṣṇena pratyuktaḥ pratiṣedhatā

and, weapons in hand, searched through the netherworld, the vault of heaven and every other realm as well. Still not finding the brahmana's son, and having failed to fulfill his vow, he made ready to enter fire — but Krishna stopped him and spoke thus.

Verse 45 (bhagavata.10.89.45)

दर्शये द्विजसूनूंस्ते मावज्ञात्मानमात्मना । ये ते नः कीर्तिं विमलां मनुष्याः स्थापयिष्यन्ति ॥ 89.45 ॥

darśaye dvija-sūnūṁs te māvajñātmānam ātmanā ye te naḥ kīrtiṁ vimalāṁ manuṣyāḥ sthāpayiṣyanti

[Lord Krishna said:] I shall show you the brahmana's sons, so do not think so poorly of yourself. These very men who now revile us will soon establish our spotless fame.

Verse 46 (bhagavata.10.89.46)

इति सम्भाष्य भगवानर्जुनेन सहेश्वरः । दिव्यं स्वरथमास्थाय प्रतीचीं दिशमाविशत् ॥ 89.46 ॥

iti sambhāṣya bhagavān arjunena saheśvaraḥ divyaṁ sva-ratham āsthāya pratīcīṁ diśam āviśat

Having said this, the Lord and Master, together with Arjuna, mounted His divine chariot and set off toward the western direction.

Verse 47 (bhagavata.10.89.47)

सप्त द्वीपान् ससिन्धूंश्च सप्तसप्तगिरीनथ । लोकालोकं तथातीत्य विवेश सुमहत्तमः ॥ 89.47 ॥

sapta dvīpān sa-sindhūṁś ca sapta sapta girīn atha lokālokaṁ tathātītya viveśa su-mahat tamaḥ

That chariot crossed over the seven island-continents with their oceans and their seven principal mountains each, and then, passing beyond the boundary of Lokaloka, entered that vast and profound darkness.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.10.89.48)

तत्राश्वाः शैब्यसुग्रीवमेघपुष्पबलाहकाः । तमसि भ्रष्टगतयो बभूवुर्भरतर्षभ ॥ 89.48 ॥

tatrāśvāḥ śaibya-sugrīva- meghapuṣpa-balāhakāḥ tamasi bhraṣṭa-gatayo babhūvur bharatarṣabha

O best of the Bharatas, in that darkness the horses named Shaibya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa and Balahaka lost their way and went astray.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.10.89.49)

तान् दृष्ट्वा भगवान् कृष्णो महायोगेश्वरेश्वरः । सहस्रादित्यसङ्काशं स्वचक्रं प्राहिणोत् पुरः ॥ 89.49 ॥

tān dṛṣṭvā bhagavān kṛṣṇo mahā-yogeśvareśvaraḥ sahasrāditya-saṅkāśaṁ sva-cakraṁ prāhiṇot puraḥ

Seeing them in that state, Lord Krishna, the Lord of even the masters of yoga, sent forth His Sudarshana disc, blazing like a thousand suns, before them.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.10.89.50)

तमः सुघोरं गहनं कृतं महद् विदारयद् भूरितरेण रोचिषा । मनोजवं निर्विविशे सुदर्शनं गुणच्युतो रामशरो यथा चमूः ॥ 89.50 ॥

tamaḥ su-ghoraṁ gahanaṁ kṛtaṁ mahad vidārayad bhūri-tareṇa rociṣā mano-javaṁ nirviviśe sudarśanaṁ guṇa-cyuto rāma-śaro yathā camūḥ

Tearing through that most fearsome, dense and immense darkness with its overwhelming radiance, the Sudarshana disc advanced with the speed of the mind — just as an arrow loosed from Lord Rama's bow cuts through an enemy army.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.10.89.51)

द्वारेण चक्रानुपथेन तत्तमः परं परं ज्योतिरनन्तपारम् । समश्नुवानं प्रसमीक्ष्य फाल्गुनः प्रताडिताक्षो पिदधेऽक्षिणी उभे ॥ 89.51 ॥

dvāreṇa cakrānupathena tat tamaḥ paraṁ paraṁ jyotir ananta-pāram samaśnuvānaṁ prasamīkṣya phālgunaḥ pratāḍitākṣo pidadhe ’kṣiṇī ubhe

Passing through the pathway opened by the disc, the chariot crossed that darkness and entered that supreme, endless, boundless realm of light, and beholding it, Phalguna's eyes were dazzled, so that he closed both of them.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.10.89.52)

ततः प्रविष्टः सलिलं नभस्वता बलीयसैजद् बृहदूर्मिभूषणम् । तत्राद्भुतं वै भवनं द्युमत्तमं भ्राजन्मणिस्तम्भसहस्रशोभितम् ॥ 89.52 ॥

tataḥ praviṣṭaḥ salilaṁ nabhasvatā balīyasaijad-bṛhad-ūrmi-bhūṣaṇam tatrādbhutaṁ vai bhavanaṁ dyumat-tamaṁ bhrājan-maṇi-stambha-sahasra-śobhitam

From there they entered a vast body of water, adorned with huge waves stirred by a mighty wind, and there they beheld a wondrous, most radiant palace, resplendent with thousands of shining, jewel-studded pillars.

Verse 53 (bhagavata.10.89.53)

तस्मिन् महाभोगमनन्तमद्भुतं सहस्रमूर्धन्यफणामणिद्युभिः । विभ्राजमानं द्विगुणेक्षणोल्बणं सिताचलाभं शितिकण्ठजिह्वम् ॥ 89.53 ॥

tasmin mahā-bhogam anantam adbhutaṁ sahasra-mūrdhanya-phaṇā-maṇi-dyubhiḥ vibhrājamānaṁ dvi-guṇekṣaṇolbaṇaṁ sitācalābhaṁ śiti-kaṇṭha-jihvam

In that palace lay the vast, wondrous, endless serpent-couch, radiant with the light of the jewels upon its thousand hoods, ablaze with twice as many fierce eyes, white as a mountain in hue, its necks and tongues dark blue.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.10.89.54)

ददर्श तद्भोगसुखासनं विभुं महानुभावं पुरुषोत्तमोत्तमम् । सान्द्राम्बुदाभं सुपिशङ्गवाससं प्रसन्नवक्त्रं रुचिरायतेक्षणम् ॥ 89.54 ॥

dadarśa tad-bhoga-sukhāsanaṁ vibhuṁ mahānubhāvaṁ puruṣottamottamam sāndrāmbudābhaṁ su-piśaṅga-vāsasaṁ prasanna-vaktraṁ rucirāyatekṣaṇam

Upon that serpent-couch, seated at ease, they beheld the all-pervading, most majestic Supreme Person — dark as a dense rain cloud in hue, clad in beautiful yellow garments, His countenance serene, His eyes large and captivating.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.10.89.55)

महामणिव्रातकिरीटकुण्डल- प्रभापरिक्षिप्तसहस्रकुन्तलम् । प्रलम्बचार्वष्टभुजं सकौस्तुभं श्रीवत्सलक्ष्मं वनमालया वृतम् ॥ 89.55 ॥

mahā-maṇi-vrāta-kirīṭa-kuṇḍala prabhā-parikṣipta-sahasra-kuntalam pralamba-cārv-aṣṭa-bhujaṁ sa-kaustubhaṁ śrīvatsa-lakṣmaṁ vana-mālayāvṛtam

His abundant locks were bathed all around in the radiance of His crown and earrings, set with great jewels; He was possessed of eight long, beautiful arms, and adorned with the Kaustubha gem, the mark of Shrivatsa, and a garland of forest flowers.

Verse 56 (bhagavata.10.89.56)

सुनन्दनन्दप्रमुखैः स्वपार्षदै- श्चक्रादिभिर्मूर्तिधरैर्निजायुधैः । पुष्ट्या श्रिया कीर्त्यजयाखिलर्धिभि- र्निषेव्यमानं परमेष्ठिनां पतिम् ॥ 89.56 ॥

sunanda-nanda-pramukhaiḥ sva-pārṣadaiś cakrādibhir mūrti-dharair nijāyudhaiḥ puṣṭyā śrīyā kīrty-ajayākhilardhibhir niṣevyamānaṁ parameṣṭhināṁ patim

They beheld Him, the Lord even of the highest gods, served by His personal attendants headed by Sunanda and Nanda, by His own weapons — the disc and the rest — present there in their own personified forms, and by Pushti, Shri, Kirti, Aja, and all His manifold opulences.

Verse 57 (bhagavata.10.89.57)

ववन्द आत्मानमनन्तमच्युतो जिष्णुश्च तद्दर्शनजातसाध्वसः । तावाह भूमा परमेष्ठिनां प्रभु- र्बद्धाञ्जली सस्मितमूर्जया गिरा ॥ 89.57 ॥

vavanda ātmānam anantam acyuto jiṣṇuś ca tad-darśana-jāta-sādhvasaḥ tāv āha bhūmā parameṣṭhināṁ prabhur beddhāñjalī sa-smitam ūrjayā girā

Achyuta Krishna bowed to this His own boundless form, and Jishnu (Arjuna), overwhelmed with awe at that sight, did likewise. Then, seeing the two of them standing with joined palms, the all-pervading Lord of even the highest gods spoke to them, smiling, in a voice of grave majesty.

Verse 58 (bhagavata.10.89.58)

द्विजात्मजा मे युवयोर्दिदृक्षुणा मयोपनीता भुवि धर्मगुप्तये । कलावतीर्णाववनेर्भरासुरान् हत्वेह भूयस्त्वरयेतमन्ति मे ॥ 89.58 ॥

dvijātmajā me yuvayor didṛkṣuṇā mayopanītā bhuvi dharma-guptaye kalāvatīrṇāv avaner bharāsurān hatveha bhūyas tvarayetam anti me

[Lord Maha-Vishnu said:] Wishing to see the two of you, My own expansions, who have descended to earth for the protection of dharma, I brought these brahmana-sons here. Once you have slain the demons burdening the earth, hasten back again to Me, to this My abode.

Verse 59 (bhagavata.10.89.59)

पूर्णकामावपि युवां नरनारायणावृषी । धर्ममाचरतां स्थित्यै ऋषभौ लोकसङ्ग्रहम् ॥ 89.59 ॥

pūrṇa-kāmāv api yuvāṁ nara-nārāyaṇāv ṛṣī dharmam ācaratāṁ sthityai ṛṣabhau loka-saṅgraham

Though you two, the sages Nara and Narayana, are already fully satisfied in every desire, still, O foremost among men, continue to practice dharma for the good of the world and the upholding of its order.

Verse 60 (bhagavata.10.89.60)

इत्यादिष्टौ भगवता तौ कृष्णौ परमेष्ठिना । ॐ इत्यानम्य भूमानमादाय द्विजदारकान् ॥ 89.60 ॥

ity ādiṣṭau bhagavatā tau kṛṣṇau parame-ṣṭhinā om ity ānamya bhūmānam ādāya dvija-dārakān

Thus instructed by that Supreme Person, both Krishna and Arjuna bowed, uttering "Om," and taking the brahmana's sons with them,

Verse 61 (bhagavata.10.89.61)

न्यवर्तेतां स्वकं धाम सम्प्रहृष्टौ यथागतम् । विप्राय ददतुः पुत्रान् यथारूपं यथावयः ॥ 89.61 ॥

nyavartetāṁ svakaṁ dhāma samprahṛṣṭau yathā-gatam viprāya dadatuḥ putrān yathā-rūpaṁ yathā-vayaḥ

they returned by the very path they had come, filled with joy, to their own abode; and they gave back to the brahmana his sons, in exactly the same form and age in which each had been lost.

Verse 62 (bhagavata.10.89.62)

निशाम्य वैष्णवं धाम पार्थः परमविस्मितः । यत्किञ्चित् पौरुषं पुंसां मेने कृष्णानुकम्पितम् ॥ 89.62 ॥

niśāmya vaiṣṇavaṁ dhāma pārthaḥ parama-vismitaḥ yat kiñcit pauruṣaṁ puṁsāṁ mene kṛṣṇānukampitam

Having beheld the abode of Lord Vishnu, Partha was utterly amazed. He concluded that whatever might of men there is, it is nothing but a manifestation of Krishna's own compassion.

Verse 63 (bhagavata.10.89.63)

इतीदृशान्यनेकानि वीर्याणीह प्रदर्शयन् । बुभुजे विषयान् ग्राम्यानीजे चात्युर्जितैर्मखैः ॥ 89.63 ॥

itīdṛśāny anekāni vīryāṇīha pradarśayan bubhuje viṣayān grāmyān īje cāty-urjitair makhaiḥ

In this way, displaying many such heroic pastimes in this world, the Lord also enjoyed ordinary human pleasures and performed sacrifices of great magnificence.

Verse 64 (bhagavata.10.89.64)

प्रववर्षाखिलान् कामान् प्रजासु ब्राह्मणादिषु । यथाकालं यथैवेन्द्रो भगवान् श्रैष्ठ्यमास्थितः ॥ 89.64 ॥

pravavarṣākhilān kāmān prajāsu brāhmaṇādiṣu yathā-kālaṁ yathaivendro bhagavān śraiṣṭhyam āsthitaḥ

Having thus established His supremacy, the Lord, like Indra, rained down every desirable thing upon the brahmanas and His other subjects, each in its proper season.

Verse 65 (bhagavata.10.89.65)

हत्वा नृपानधर्मिष्ठान् घातयित्वार्जुनादिभिः । अञ्जसा वर्तयामास धर्मं धर्मसुतादिभिः ॥ 89.65 ॥

hatvā nṛpān adharmiṣṭhān ghāṭayitvārjunādibhiḥ añjasā vartayām āsa dharmaṁ dharma-sutādibhiḥ

Having slain unrighteous kings Himself, and having had others slain through Arjuna and the rest, the Lord readily established dharma through such righteous rulers as the son of Dharma, Yudhishthira, and others.