The Fate of Those Opposed to Devotion; Worship in the Four Yugas

Verse 1 (bhagavata.11.5.1)

श्रीराजोवाच भगवन्तं हरिं प्रायो न भजन्त्यात्मवित्तमाः । तेषामशान्तकामानां क निष्ठाविजितात्मनाम् ॥ 5.1 ॥

śrī-rājovāca bhagavantaṁ hariṁ prāyo na bhajanty ātma-vittamāḥ teṣām aśānta-kāmānāṁ kā niṣṭhāvijitātmanām

The King said: For the most part, people do not worship the Lord Hari — you who are most accomplished in self-knowledge, tell me, what is the final state of those whose desires remain unquenched and who have not mastered themselves?

Verse 2 (bhagavata.11.5.2)

श्रीचमस उवाच मुखबाहूरुपादेभ्यः पुरुषस्याश्रमैः सह । चत्वारो जज्ञिरे वर्णा गुणैर्विप्रादयः पृथक् ॥ 5.2 ॥

śrī-camasa uvāca mukha-bāhūru-pādebhyaḥ puruṣasyāśramaiḥ saha catvāro jajñire varṇā guṇair viprādayaḥ pṛthak

Shri Camasa said: From the mouth, arms, thighs, and feet of the cosmic Person, together with the orders of life, were born the four varnas, distinguished by their qualities, headed by the brahmanas.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.11.5.3)

य एषां पुरुषं साक्षादात्मप्रभवमीश्वरम् । न भजन्त्यवजानन्ति स्थानाद् भ्रष्टाः पतन्त्यधः ॥ 5.3 ॥

ya eṣāṁ puruṣaṁ sākṣād ātma-prabhavam īśvaram na bhajanty avajānanti sthānād bhraṣṭāḥ patanty adhaḥ

Whoever among these fails to worship, or disdains, the Lord who is directly the source of their own origin, falls from his position and sinks downward.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.11.5.4)

दूरे हरिकथाः केचिद् दूरे चाच्युतकीर्तनाः । स्त्रियः शूद्रादयश्चैव तेऽनुकम्प्या भवादृशाम् ॥ 5.4 ॥

dūre hari-kathāḥ kecid dūre cācyuta-kīrtanāḥ striyaḥ śūdrādayaś caiva te ’nukampyā bhavādṛśām

Some are far removed from the discourse of Hari and far from chanting the infallible One's glory — women, shudras, and the like — they above all deserve the compassion of ones like you.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.11.5.5)

विप्रो राजन्यवैश्यौ वा हरेः प्राप्ताः पदान्तिकम् । श्रौतेन जन्मनाथापि मुह्यन्त्याम्नायवादिनः ॥ 5.5 ॥

vipro rājanya-vaiśyau vā hareḥ prāptāḥ padāntikam śrautena janmanāthāpi muhyanty āmnāya-vādinaḥ

Yet brahmanas, kshatriyas, or vaishyas, even after drawing near the feet of Hari through the second birth of Vedic initiation, may still fall into confusion, propounding their own interpretations of scripture.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.11.5.6)

कर्मण्यकोविदाः स्तब्धा मूर्खाः पण्डितमानिनः । वदन्ति चाटुकान् मूढा यया माध्व्या गिरोत्सुकाः ॥ 5.6 ॥

karmaṇy akovidāḥ stabdhā mūrkhāḥ paṇḍita-māninaḥ vadanti cāṭukān mūḍhā yayā mādhvyā girotsukāḥ

Ignorant of the true meaning of ritual works, arrogant, foolish, thinking themselves learned, and enthralled by scripture's sweet words, such deluded men speak only flattering entreaties.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.11.5.7)

रजसा घोरसङ्कल्पाः कामुका अहिमन्यवः । दाम्भिका मानिनः पापा विहसन्त्यच्युतप्रियान् ॥ 5.7 ॥

rajasā ghora-saṅkalpāḥ kāmukā ahi-manyavaḥ dāmbhikā māninaḥ pāpā vihasanty acyuta-priyān

Driven by passion into terrible resolves, lustful, their anger like a serpent's, hypocritical, arrogant, sinful — such men mock those dear to the infallible Lord.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.11.5.8)

वदन्ति तेऽन्योन्यमुपासितस्त्रियो गृहेषु मैथुन्यपरेषु चाशिषः । यजन्त्यसृष्टान्नविधानदक्षिणं वृत्त्यै परं घ्नन्ति पशूनतद्विदः ॥ 5.8 ॥

vadanti te ’nyonyam upāsita-striyo gṛheṣu maithunya-pareṣu cāśiṣaḥ yajanty asṛṣṭānna-vidhāna-dakṣiṇaṁ vṛttyai paraṁ ghnanti paśūn atad-vidaḥ

In homes given over only to sensual union, worshiping their wives instead, they exchange blessings with one another; they perform sacrifice without distributing food or offering the priests their due, and, not knowing better, kill animals only for their own livelihood.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.11.5.9)

श्रिया विभूत्याभिजनेन विद्यया त्यागेन रूपेण बलेन कर्मणा । जातस्मयेनान्धधियः सहेश्वरान् सतोऽवमन्यन्ति हरिप्रियान् खलाः ॥ 5.9 ॥

śriyā vibhūtyābhijanena vidyayā tyāgena rūpeṇa balena karmaṇā jāta-smayenāndha-dhiyaḥ saheśvarān sato ’vamanyanti hari-priyān khalāḥ

Blinded in intellect by the pride born of wealth, power, high birth, learning, renunciation, beauty, strength, or ritual accomplishment, such malicious men disrespect the saintly devotees dear to Hari — and the Lord Himself along with them.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.11.5.10)

सर्वेषु शश्वत्तनुभृत्स्ववस्थितं यथा खमात्मानमभीष्टमीश्वरम् । वेदोपगीतं च न शृण्वतेऽबुधा मनोरथानां प्रवदन्ति वार्तया ॥ 5.10 ॥

sarveṣu śaśvat tanu-bhṛtsv avasthitaṁ yathā kham ātmānam abhīṣṭam īśvaram vedopagītaṁ ca na śṛṇvate ’budhā mano-rathānāṁ pravadanti vārtayā

Eternally present within all embodied beings, yet as untouched as the sky, the Self, that most desirable Lord glorified by the Vedas — the unwise do not care to hear of Him, but speak only of the fancies of their own minds.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.11.5.11)

लोके व्यवायामिषमद्यसेवा नित्या हि जन्तोर्न हि तत्र चोदना । व्यवस्थितिस्तेषु विवाहयज्ञ- सुराग्रहैरासु निवृत्तिरिष्टा ॥ 5.11 ॥

loke vyavāyāmiṣa-madya-sevā nityā hi jantor na hi tatra codanā vyavasthitis teṣu vivāha-yajña surā-grahair āsu nivṛttir iṣṭā

In this world sex, meat, and intoxicants are always sought by the living being — no scripture commands these; where regulation is given, in marriage, in sacrifice, in the ritual cup, its true aim is one's eventual withdrawal from them.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.11.5.12)

धनं च धर्मैकफलं यतो वै ज्ञानं सविज्ञानमनुप्रशान्ति । गृहेषु युञ्जन्ति कलेवरस्य मृत्युं न पश्यन्ति दुरन्तवीर्यम् ॥ 5.12 ॥

dhanaṁ ca dharmaika-phalaṁ yato vai jñānaṁ sa-vijñānam anupraśānti gṛheṣu yuñjanti kalevarasya mṛtyuṁ na paśyanti duranta-vīryam

Wealth's one true fruit is dharma, from which come knowledge, direct realization, and finally peace; but men spend it only upon their households, never seeing the insuperable power of death that awaits the body.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.11.5.13)

यद् घ्राणभक्षो विहितः सुराया- स्तथा पशोरालभनं न हिंसा । एवं व्यवायः प्रजया न रत्या इमं विशुद्धं न विदुः स्वधर्मम् ॥ 5.13 ॥

yad ghrāṇa-bhakṣo vihitaḥ surāyās tathā paśor ālabhanaṁ na hiṁsā evaṁ vyavāyaḥ prajayā na ratyā imaṁ viśuddhaṁ na viduḥ sva-dharmam

Just as the wine offered in sacrifice was meant only to be smelled, and the killing of the sacrificial animal was never meant as violence, so too union was ordained for offspring, not for pleasure — this pure meaning of their own duty, people fail to understand.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.11.5.14)

ये त्वनेवंविदोऽसन्तः स्तब्धाः सदभिमानिनः । पशून् द्रुह्यन्ति विश्रब्धाः प्रेत्य खादन्ति ते च तान् ॥ 5.14 ॥

ye tv anevaṁ-vido ’santaḥ stabdhāḥ sad-abhimāninaḥ paśūn druhyanti viśrabdhāḥ pretya khādanti te ca tān

But those impious, arrogant men who, not knowing this, consider themselves virtuous, do violence to trusting animals — they in turn will be devoured by those same creatures after death.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.11.5.15)

द्विषन्तः परकायेषु स्वात्मानं हरिमीश्वरम् । मृतके सानुबन्धेऽस्मिन् बद्धस्नेहाः पतन्त्यधः ॥ 5.15 ॥

dviṣantaḥ para-kāyeṣu svātmānaṁ harim īśvaram mṛtake sānubandhe ’smin baddha-snehāḥ patanty adhaḥ

Hating their own true Self, the Lord Hari, as He dwells within the bodies of others, and binding their affection to this corpse-like body and its attachments, they fall downward.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.11.5.16)

ये कैवल्यमसम्प्राप्ता ये चातीताश्च मूढताम् । त्रैवर्गिका ह्यक्षणिका आत्मानं घातयन्ति ते ॥ 5.16 ॥

ye kaivalyam asamprāptā ye cātītāś ca mūḍhatām trai-vargikā hy akṣaṇikā ātmānaṁ ghātayanti te

Those who have neither attained liberating knowledge nor remain in utter ignorance, pursuing only the threefold goal of dharma, artha and kama, without a moment to spare — such people are the murderers of their own soul.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.11.5.17)

एत आत्महनोऽशान्ता अज्ञाने ज्ञानमानिनः । सीदन्त्यकृतकृत्या वै कालध्वस्तमनोरथाः ॥ 5.17 ॥

eta ātma-hano ’śāntā ajñāne jñāna-māninaḥ sīdanty akṛta-kṛtyā vai kāla-dhvasta-manorathāḥ

These killers of the self, never at peace, mistaking ignorance for knowledge, suffer, their true duty left undone, their fond hopes ever ruined by time.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.11.5.18)

हित्वात्ममायारचिता गृहापत्यसुहृत्स्त्रियः । तमो विशन्त्यनिच्छन्तो वासुदेवपराङ्मुखाः ॥ 5.18 ॥

hitvātma-māyā-racitā gṛhāpatya-suhṛt-striyaḥ tamo viśanty anicchanto vāsudeva-parāṅ-mukhāḥ

Those turned away from Vasudeva, giving up, against their will, the home, children, friends, and wife fashioned by His own illusive power, enter into darkness.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.11.5.19)

श्री राजोवाच कस्मिन् काले स भगवान् किं वर्णः कीदृशो नृभिः । नाम्ना वा केन विधिना पूज्यते तदिहोच्यताम् ॥ 5.19 ॥

śrī-rājovāca kasmin kāle sa bhagavān kiṁ varṇaḥ kīdṛśo nṛbhiḥ nāmnā vā kena vidhinā pūjyate tad ihocyatām

The King said: In each age, of what color and form does the Lord appear, and by what names and by what rites is He worshiped by men? Please tell us this.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.11.5.20)

श्रीकरभाजन उवाच कृतं त्रेता द्वापरं च कलिरित्येषु केशवः । नानावर्णाभिधाकारो नानैव विधिनेज्यते ॥ 5.20 ॥

śrī-karabhājana uvāca kṛtaṁ tretā dvāparaṁ ca kalir ity eṣu keśavaḥ nānā-varṇābhidhākāro nānaiva vidhinejyate

Shri Karabhajana said: In the ages Krita, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali, Keshava assumes various colors, names, and forms, and is worshiped, correspondingly, by various rites.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.11.5.21)

कृते शुक्लश्चतुर्बाहुर्जटिलो वल्कलाम्बरः । कृष्णाजिनोपवीताक्षान् बिभ्रद् दण्डकमण्डलू ॥ 5.21 ॥

kṛte śuklaś catur-bāhur jaṭilo valkalāmbaraḥ kṛṣṇājinopavītākṣān bibhrad daṇḍa-kamaṇḍalū

In Krita-yuga He is white, four-armed, wearing matted locks and a garment of bark, bearing a black deerskin, sacred thread, prayer-beads, staff, and water-pot.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.11.5.22)

मनुष्यास्तु तदा शान्ता निर्वैराः सुहृदः समाः । यजन्ति तपसा देवं शमेन च दमेन च ॥ 5.22 ॥

manuṣyās tu tadā śāntā nirvairāḥ suhṛdaḥ samāḥ yajanti tapasā devaṁ śamena ca damena ca

Then men are peaceful, free of enmity, friendly and even-minded; they worship the Lord through austerity, and through control of mind and senses.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.11.5.23)

हंसः सुपर्णो वैकुण्ठो धर्मो योगेश्वरोऽमलः । ईश्वरः पुरुषोऽव्यक्तः परमात्मेति गीयते ॥ 5.23 ॥

haṁsaḥ suparṇo vaikuṇṭho dharmo yogeśvaro ’malaḥ īśvaraḥ puruṣo ’vyaktaḥ paramātmeti gīyate

He is sung as Hamsa, Suparna, Vaikuntha, Dharma, Yogeshvara, the stainless one, Ishvara, Purusha, the unmanifest, the Supreme Self.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.11.5.24)

त्रेतायां रक्तवर्णोऽसौ चतुर्बाहुस्त्रिमेखलः । हिरण्यकेशस्त्रय्यात्मा स्रुक्स्रुवाद्युपलक्षणः ॥ 5.24 ॥

tretāyāṁ rakta-varṇo ’sau catur-bāhus tri-mekhalaḥ hiraṇya-keśas trayy-ātmā sruk-sruvādy-upalakṣaṇaḥ

In Treta-yuga He is red, four-armed, wearing three girdles, His hair golden, embodying the three Vedas, marked by the sacrificial ladle and spoon.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.11.5.25)

तं तदा मनुजा देवं सर्वदेवमयं हरिम् । यजन्ति विद्यया त्रय्या धर्मिष्ठा ब्रह्मवादिनः ॥ 5.25 ॥

taṁ tadā manujā devaṁ sarva-deva-mayaṁ harim yajanti vidyayā trayyā dharmiṣṭhā brahma-vādinaḥ

Then, men established in dharma, seekers of the Absolute, worship that Lord Hari, who contains within Himself all the gods, through the knowledge of the three Vedas.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.11.5.26)

विष्णुर्यज्ञः पृश्निगर्भः सर्वदेव उरुक्रमः । वृषाकपिर्जयन्तश्च उरुगाय इतीर्यते ॥ 5.26 ॥

viṣṇur yajñaḥ pṛśnigarbhaḥ sarvadeva urukramaḥ vṛṣākapir jayantaś ca urugāya itīryate

He is called Vishnu, Yajna, Prishnigarbha, Sarvadeva, Urukrama, Vrishakapi, Jayanta, and Urugaya.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.11.5.27)

द्वापरे भगवाञ्श्यामः पीतवासा निजायुधः । श्रीवत्सादिभिरङ्कैश्च लक्षणैरुपलक्षितः ॥ 5.27 ॥

dvāpare bhagavāñ śyāmaḥ pīta-vāsā nijāyudhaḥ śrīvatsādibhir aṅkaiś ca lakṣaṇair upalakṣitaḥ

In Dvapara-yuga the Lord is dark-hued, clad in yellow, bearing His own weapons, marked by the Shrivatsa and other distinguishing signs.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.11.5.28)

तं तदा पुरुषं मर्त्या महाराजोपलक्षणम् । यजन्ति वेदतन्त्राभ्यां परं जिज्ञासवो नृप ॥ 5.28 ॥

taṁ tadā puruṣaṁ martyā mahā-rājopalakṣaṇam yajanti veda-tantrābhyāṁ paraṁ jijñāsavo nṛpa

O King, then mortals who long to know the Supreme, worship that Person, honoring Him as a great king, according to both the Vedas and the tantras.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.11.5.29)

नमस्ते वासुदेवाय नमः सङ्कर्षणाय च । प्रद्युम्नायानिरुद्धाय तुभ्यं भगवते नमः ॥ 5.29 ॥

namas te vāsudevāya namaḥ saṅkarṣaṇāya ca pradyumnāyāniruddhāya tubhyaṁ bhagavate namaḥ

"Obeisance to You, O Vasudeva; obeisance to Sankarshana; to Pradyumna and Aniruddha; obeisance to You, O Lord.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.11.5.30)

नारायणाय ऋषये पुरुषाय महात्मने । विश्वेश्वराय विश्वाय सर्वभूतात्मने नमः ॥ 5.30 ॥

nārāyaṇāya ṛṣaye puruṣāya mahātmane viśveśvarāya viśvāya sarva-bhūtātmane namaḥ

Obeisance to Narayana Rishi, to the cosmic Person, the great Soul, the Lord of the universe, the universe itself, the Self of all beings."

Verse 31 (bhagavata.11.5.31)

इति द्वापर उर्वीश स्तुवन्ति जगदीश्वरम् । नानातन्त्रविधानेन कलावपि तथा शृणु ॥ 5.31 ॥

iti dvāpara urv-īśa stuvanti jagad-īśvaram nānā-tantra-vidhānena kalāv api tathā śṛṇu

Thus, O great King, in Dvapara-yuga they praise the Lord of the universe, according to the various rites of the tantras; hear now how it is likewise in Kali-yuga.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.11.5.32)

कृष्णवर्णं त्विषाकृष्णं साङ्गोपाङ्गास्त्रपार्षदम् । यज्ञैः सङ्कीर्तनप्रायैर्यजन्ति हि सुमेधसः ॥ 5.32 ॥

kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ

The wise worship, through sacrifices consisting mainly of congregational chanting, Him who constantly utters the syllables "Krishna" though His own hue is not dark, together with His limbs, attendants, weapons, and companions.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.11.5.33)

ध्येयं सदा परिभवघ्नमभीष्टदोहं तीर्थास्पदं शिवविरिञ्चिनुतं शरण्यम् । भृत्यार्तिहं प्रणतपाल भवाब्धिपोतं वन्दे महापुरुष ते चरणारविन्दम् ॥ 5.33 ॥

dhyeyaṁ sadā paribhava-ghnam abhīṣṭa-dohaṁ tīrthāspadaṁ śiva-viriñci-nutaṁ śaraṇyam bhṛtyārti-haṁ praṇata-pāla bhavābdhi-potaṁ vande mahā-puruṣa te caraṇāravindam

O Great Person, I bow to Your lotus feet — ever worthy of contemplation, destroyer of every humiliation, granter of the heart's true desire, the abode of all holy places, praised by Shiva and Brahma, worthy of refuge, remover of Your servants' distress, O protector of the surrendered, the very boat that crosses the ocean of birth and death.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.11.5.34)

त्यक्त्वा सुदुस्त्यजसुरेप्सितराज्यलक्ष्मीं धर्मिष्ठ आर्यवचसा यदगादरण्यम् । मायामृगं दयितयेप्सितमन्वधावद् वन्दे महापुरुष ते चरणारविन्दम् ॥ 5.34 ॥

tyaktvā su-dustyaja-surepsita-rājya-lakṣmīṁ dharmiṣṭha ārya-vacasā yad agād araṇyam māyā-mṛgaṁ dayitayepsitam anvadhāvad vande mahā-puruṣa te caraṇāravindam

I bow to Your lotus feet, O Great Person — You who, most steadfast in dharma, abandoned that royal fortune so hard to renounce and coveted even by the gods, and went to the forest at a brahmana's word, out of sheer mercy chasing the illusion-deer that the conditioned soul so desires.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.11.5.35)

एवं युगानुरूपाभ्यां भगवान् युगवर्तिभिः । मनुजैरिज्यते राजन् श्रेयसामीश्वरोहरिः ॥ 5.35 ॥

evaṁ yugānurūpābhyāṁ bhagavān yuga-vartibhiḥ manujair ijyate rājan śreyasām īśvaro hariḥ

Thus, O King, the Lord Hari, the giver of all good, is worshiped by men of each age according to the names and forms suited to that age.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.11.5.36)

कलिं सभाजयन्त्यार्या गुणज्ञाः सारभागिनः । यत्र सङ्कीर्तनेनैव सर्वस्वार्थोऽभिलभ्यते ॥ 5.36 ॥

kaliṁ sabhājayanty āryā guṇa jñāḥ sāra-bhāginaḥ yatra saṅkīrtanenaiva sarva-svārtho ’bhilabhyate

The wise, who know the true worth of things and can grasp what is essential, praise the Age of Kali itself; for in it, by sankirtana alone, every true goal of life is attained.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.11.5.37)

न ह्यतः परमो लाभो देहिनां भ्राम्यतामिह । यतो विन्देत परमां शान्तिं नश्यति संसृतिः ॥ 5.37 ॥

na hy ataḥ paramo lābho dehināṁ bhrāmyatām iha yato vindeta paramāṁ śāntiṁ naśyati saṁsṛtiḥ

There is indeed no greater gain, for embodied souls wandering in this world, than that by which one attains supreme peace and the cycle of birth and death is destroyed.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.11.5.38)

कृतादिषु प्रजा राजन् कलाविच्छन्ति सम्भवम् । कलौ खलु भविष्यन्ति नारायणपरायणाः । क्वचित् क्वचिन्महाराज द्रविडेषु च भूरिशः ॥ 5.38 ॥

kṛtādiṣu prajā rājan kalāv icchanti sambhavam kalau khalu bhaviṣyanti nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇāḥ kvacit kvacin mahā-rāja draviḍeṣu ca bhūriśaḥ

O King, the people of the earlier ages long to be born in Kali-yuga, for in Kali-yuga there will indeed be devotees wholly devoted to Narayana — here and there, O great King, and in great numbers in the Dravida lands.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.11.5.39)

ताम्रपर्णी नदी यत्र कृतमाला पयस्विनी । कावेरी च महापुण्या प्रतीची च महानदी ॥ 5.39 ॥

tāmraparṇī nadī yatra kṛtamālā payasvinī kāverī ca mahā-puṇyā pratīcī ca mahā-nadī

There, where flow the rivers Tamraparni, Kritamala, Payasvini, the most sacred Kaveri, and the westward-flowing Mahanadi —

Verse 40 (bhagavata.11.5.40)

ये पिबन्ति जलं तासां मनुजा मनुजेश्वर । प्रायो भक्ता भगवति वासुदेवेऽमलाशयाः ॥ 5.40 ॥

ye pibanti jalaṁ tāsāṁ manujā manujeśvara prāyo bhaktā bhagavati vāsudeve ’malāśayāḥ

O lord of men, those who drink the waters of these rivers become, for the most part, pure-hearted devotees of Lord Vasudeva.

Verse 41 (bhagavata.11.5.41)

देवर्षिभूताप्तनृणां पितृणां न किङ्करो नायमृणी च राजन् । सर्वात्मना यः शरणं शरण्यं गतो मुकुन्दं परिहृत्य कर्तम् ॥ 5.41 ॥

devarṣi-bhūtāpta-nṛṇāṁ pitṝṇāṁ na kiṅkaro nāyam ṛṇī ca rājan sarvātmanā yaḥ śaraṇaṁ śaraṇyaṁ gato mukundaṁ parihṛtya kartam

O King, one who, abandoning all other duties, has taken shelter with his whole being in Mukunda, the shelter of all, is servant to none — not to gods, sages, beings, kinsfolk, men, or ancestors — nor is he indebted to any of them.

Verse 42 (bhagavata.11.5.42)

स्वपादमूलं भजतः प्रियस्य त्यक्तान्यभावस्य हरिः परेशः । विकर्म यच्चोत्पतितं कथञ्चिद् धुनोति सर्वं हृदि सन्निविष्टः ॥ 5.42 ॥

sva-pāda-mūlam bhajataḥ priyasya tyaktānya-bhāvasya hariḥ pareśaḥ vikarma yac cotpatitaṁ kathañcid dhunoti sarvaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭaḥ

For one who worships His feet alone, having given up every other disposition and thus become dear to Him, the Supreme Lord Hari, dwelling within the heart, washes away entirely whatever forbidden act may somehow have arisen.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.11.5.43)

श्रीनारद उवाच धर्मान् भागवतानित्थं श्रुत्वाथ मिथिलेश्वरः । जायन्तेयान् मुनीन् प्रीतः सोपाध्यायो ह्यपूजयत् ॥ 5.43 ॥

śrī-nārada uvāca dharmān bhāgavatān itthaṁ śrutvātha mithileśvaraḥ jāyanteyān munīn prītaḥ sopādhyāyo hy apūjayat

Shri Narada said: Having thus heard the duties toward the Lord, the King of Mithila, pleased, along with his priests, worshiped the sage-sons of Jayanti.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.11.5.44)

ततोऽन्तर्दधिरे सिद्धाः सर्वलोकस्य पश्यतः । राजा धर्मानुपातिष्ठन्नवाप परमां गतिम् ॥ 5.44 ॥

tato ’ntardadhire siddhāḥ sarva-lokasya paśyataḥ rājā dharmān upātiṣṭhann avāpa paramāṁ gatim

Then, as everyone watched, the perfected sages vanished; the King, faithfully following those duties, attained the supreme destination.

Verse 45 (bhagavata.11.5.45)

त्वमप्येतान् महाभाग धर्मान् भागवतान् श्रुतान् । आस्थितः श्रद्धया युक्तो निःसङ्गो यास्यसे परम् ॥ 5.45 ॥

tvam apy etān mahā-bhāga dharmān bhāgavatān śrutān āsthitaḥ śraddhayā yukto niḥsaṅgo yāsyase param

O most fortunate one, you too, established with faith in these duties toward the Lord which you have heard, free of attachment, shall go to the Supreme.

Verse 46 (bhagavata.11.5.46)

युवयोः खलु दम्पत्योर्यशसा पूरितं जगत् । पुत्रतामगमद् यद् वां भगवानीश्वरोहरिः ॥ 5.46 ॥

yuvayoḥ khalu dampatyor yaśasā pūritaṁ jagat putratām agamad yad vāṁ bhagavān īśvaro hariḥ

Indeed the whole world is filled with the glory of you two, husband and wife, since the Supreme Lord Hari has taken the position of your son.

Verse 47 (bhagavata.11.5.47)

दर्शनालिङ्गनालापैः शयनासनभोजनैः । आत्मा वां पावितः कृष्णे पुत्रस्नेहं प्रकुर्वतोः ॥ 5.47 ॥

darśanāliṅganālāpaiḥ śayanāsana-bhojanaiḥ ātmā vāṁ pāvitaḥ kṛṣṇe putra-snehaṁ prakurvatoḥ

By seeing, embracing, and conversing with Him, by resting, sitting, and eating with Him, your hearts have been purified — you who bear a father's and mother's love for Krishna.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.11.5.48)

वैरेण यं नृपतयः शिशुपालपौण्ड्र- शाल्वादयो गतिविलासविलोकनाद्यैः । ध्यायन्त आकृतधियः शयनासनादौ तत्साम्यमापुरनुरक्तधियां पुनः किम् ॥ 5.48 ॥

vaireṇa yaṁ nṛpatayaḥ śiśupāla-pauṇḍra- śālvādayo gati-vilāsa-vilokanādyaiḥ dhyāyanta ākṛta-dhiyaḥ śayanāsanādau tat-sāmyam āpur anurakta-dhiyāṁ punaḥ kim

Even the kings who hated Him — Shishupala, Paundraka, Shalva and others — meditating out of enmity, their minds fixed even while lying down or sitting, upon His movements, His sportive glances, and the rest, attained oneness with Him; how much more, then, for those whose minds are lovingly attached?

Verse 49 (bhagavata.11.5.49)

मापत्यबुद्धिमकृथाः कृष्णे सर्वात्मनीश्वरे । मायामनुष्यभावेन गूढैश्वर्ये परेऽव्यये ॥ 5.49 ॥

māpatya-buddhim akṛthāḥ kṛṣṇe sarvātmanīśvare māyā-manuṣya-bhāvena gūḍhaiśvarye pare ’vyaye

Do not think of Krishna as merely your son — He is the Supreme Lord, the Self of all, imperishable, His majesty concealed beneath the human form He has assumed by His own power.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.11.5.50)

भूभारासुरराजन्यहन्तवे गुप्तये सताम् । अवतीर्णस्य निर्वृत्यै यशो लोके वितन्यते ॥ 5.50 ॥

bhū-bhārāsura-rājanya- hantave guptaye satām avatīrṇasya nirvṛtyai yaśo loke vitanyate

His fame has spread throughout the world — He who has descended to slay the demon-kings who burden the earth, to protect the saintly, and to bestow liberation.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.11.5.51)

श्रीशुक उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वा महाभागो वसुदेवोऽतिविस्मितः । देवकी च महाभागा जहतुर्मोहमात्मनः ॥ 5.51 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca etac chrutvā mahā-bhāgo vasudevo ’ti-vismitaḥ devakī ca mahā-bhāgā jahatur moham ātmanaḥ

Shri Shuka said: Hearing this, the greatly fortunate Vasudeva was struck with wonder, and he, together with the blessed Devaki, gave up the delusion in their hearts.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.11.5.52)

इतिहासमिमं पुण्यं धारयेद् यः समाहितः । स विधूयेह शमलं ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ॥ 5.52 ॥

itihāsam imaṁ puṇyaṁ dhārayed yaḥ samāhitaḥ sa vidhūyeha śamalaṁ brahma-bhūyāya kalpate

Whoever holds this sacred narrative in mind with focused attention washes away all impurity in this very life and becomes fit for oneness with Brahman.