Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Shiva

Verse 1 (bhagavata.4.24.1)

मैत्रेय उवाच विजिताश्वोऽधिराजासीत्पृथुपुत्रः पृथुश्रवाः । यवीयोभ्योऽददात्काष्ठा भ्रातृभ्यो भ्रातृवत्सलः ॥ १ ॥

maitreya uvāca vijitāśvo ’dhirājāsīt pṛthu-putraḥ pṛthu-śravāḥ yavīyobhyo ’dadāt kāṣṭhā bhrātṛbhyo bhrātṛ-vatsalaḥ

Maitreya said: Vijitashva, son of Prithu, whose fame was far-reaching, became emperor; and, affectionate toward his brothers, he assigned the four directions of the world to his younger siblings.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.4.24.2)

हर्यक्षायादिशत्प्राचीं धूम्रकेशाय दक्षिणाम् । प्रतीचीं वृकसंज्ञाय तुर्यां द्रविणसे विभुः ॥ २ ॥

haryakṣāyādiśat prācīṁ dhūmrakeśāya dakṣiṇām pratīcīṁ vṛka-saṁjñāya turyāṁ draviṇase vibhuḥ

That mighty ruler assigned the east to Haryaksha, the south to Dhumrakesha, the west to the one named Vrika, and the fourth direction, the north, to Dravina.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.4.24.3)

अन्तर्धानगतिं शक्राल्लब्ध्वान्तर्धानसंज्ञितः । अपत्यत्रयमाधत्त शिखण्डिन्यां सुसम्मतम् ॥ ३ ॥

antardhāna-gatiṁ śakrāl labdhvāntardhāna-saṁjñitaḥ apatya-trayam ādhatta śikhaṇḍinyāṁ susammatam

Having received from Indra the power of vanishing from sight, he became known by the name Antardhana; through his wife Shikhandini, he begot three well-regarded sons.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.4.24.4)

पावकः पवमानश्च शुचिरित्यग्नयः पुरा । वसिष्ठशापादुत्पन्नाः पुनर्योगगतिं गताः ॥ ४ ॥

pāvakaḥ pavamānaś ca śucir ity agnayaḥ purā vasiṣṭha-śāpād utpannāḥ punar yoga-gatiṁ gatāḥ

Pavaka, Pavamana, and Shuchi — these were, long ago, the very gods of fire; born now through Vasishtha's curse, they attained once again, through yoga, their former destiny as fire-gods.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.4.24.5)

अन्तर्धानो नभस्वत्यां हविर्धानमविन्दत । य इन्द्रमश्वहर्तारं विद्वानपि न जघ्निवान् ॥ ५ ॥

antardhāno nabhasvatyāṁ havirdhānam avindata ya indram aśva-hartāraṁ vidvān api na jaghnivān

Antardhana, through his wife Nabhasvati, obtained a son named Havirdhana; he did not slay Indra, the stealer of the horse, even though he knew well who he was.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.4.24.6)

राज्ञां वृत्तिं करादानदण्डशुल्कादिदारुणाम् । मन्यमानो दीर्घसत्त्रव्याजेन विससर्ज ह ॥ ६ ॥

rājñāṁ vṛttiṁ karādāna- daṇḍa-śulkādi-dāruṇām manyamāno dīrgha-sattra- vyājena visasarja ha

Regarding the occupation of kings — the exacting of taxes, fines, and duties — as harsh, he gave it up altogether, under the pretext of a long sacrificial rite.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.4.24.7)

तत्रापि हंसं पुरुषं परमात्मानमात्मदृक् । यजंस्तल्लोकतामाप कुशलेन समाधिना ॥ ७ ॥

tatrāpi haṁsaṁ puruṣaṁ paramātmānam ātma-dṛk yajaṁs tal-lokatām āpa kuśalena samādhinā

There too, that seer of the self, worshiping the Supreme Person as the Swan, the very Supreme Soul, attained His world through skillful meditation.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.4.24.8)

हविर्धानाद्धविर्धानी विदुरासूत षट्सुतान् । बर्हिषदं गयं शुक्लं कृष्णं सत्यं जितव्रतम् ॥ ८ ॥

havirdhānād dhavirdhānī vidurāsūta ṣaṭ sutān barhiṣadaṁ gayaṁ śuklaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ satyaṁ jitavratam

O Vidura, through Havirdhana, his wife Havirdhani gave birth to six sons: Barhishad, Gaya, Shukla, Krishna, Satya, and Jitavrata.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.4.24.9)

बर्हिषत् सुमहाभागो हाविर्धानिः प्रजापतिः । क्रियाकाण्डेषु निष्णातो योगेषु च कुरूद्वह ॥ ९ ॥

barhiṣat sumahā-bhāgo hāvirdhāniḥ prajāpatiḥ kriyā-kāṇḍeṣu niṣṇāto yogeṣu ca kurūdvaha

O foremost of the Kurus, Barhishad, that most fortunate son of Havirdhana, became a Prajapati, thoroughly skilled both in the rites of sacrifice and in the practice of yoga.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.4.24.10)

यस्येदं देवयजनमनुयज्ञं वितन्वतः । प्राचीनाग्रैः कुशैरासीदास्तृतं वसुधातलम् ॥ १० ॥

yasyedaṁ deva-yajanam anuyajñaṁ vitanvataḥ prācīnāgraiḥ kuśair āsīd āstṛtaṁ vasudhā-talam

As he performed sacrifice upon sacrifice, the surface of the earth, at this ground of divine worship, became strewn with kusha grass, its tips all pointed toward the east.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.4.24.11)

सामुद्रीं देवदेवोक्तामुपयेमे शतद्रुतिम् । यां वीक्ष्य चारुसर्वाङ्गीं किशोरीं सुष्ठ्वलङ्कृताम् । परिक्रमन्तीमुद्वाहे चकमेऽग्निः शुकीमिव ॥ ११ ॥

sāmudrīṁ devadevoktām upayeme śatadrutim yāṁ vīkṣya cāru-sarvāṅgīṁ kiśorīṁ suṣṭhv-alaṅkṛtām parikramantīm udvāhe cakame ’gniḥ śukīm iva

On the instruction of the god of gods, he married Shatadruti, daughter of the ocean; and seeing that lovely, exquisitely adorned young girl, beautiful in every limb, circling the marriage rite, Agni desired her, just as he had once desired Shuki.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.4.24.12)

विबुधासुरगन्धर्वमुनिसिद्धनरोरगाः । विजिताः सूर्यया दिक्षु क्वणयन्त्यैव नूपुरैः ॥ १२ ॥

vibudhāsura-gandharva- muni-siddha-naroragāḥ vijitāḥ sūryayā dikṣu kvaṇayantyaiva nūpuraiḥ

The gods, demons, Gandharvas, sages, Siddhas, men, and Nagas were all, on every side, overcome by her radiance — simply by the tinkling sound of her anklets alone.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.4.24.13)

प्राचीनबर्हिषः पुत्राः शतद्रुत्यां दशाभवन् । तुल्यनामव्रताः सर्वे धर्मस्नाताः प्रचेतसः ॥ १३ ॥

prācīnabarhiṣaḥ putrāḥ śatadrutyāṁ daśābhavan tulya-nāma-vratāḥ sarve dharma-snātāḥ pracetasaḥ

Ten sons were born to Prachinabarhi through Shatadruti, all sharing the same name and vow, all bathed in dharma, and known together as the Prachetas.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.4.24.14)

पित्रादिष्टाः प्रजासर्गे तपसेऽर्णवमाविशन् । दशवर्षसहस्राणि तपसार्चंस्तपस्पतिम् ॥ १४ ॥

pitrādiṣṭāḥ prajā-sarge tapase ’rṇavam āviśan daśa-varṣa-sahasrāṇi tapasārcaṁs tapas-patim

Commanded by their father to beget offspring, they entered the ocean to practice austerity, and for ten thousand years worshiped, through their own penance, the very lord of all penance.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.4.24.15)

यदुक्तं पथि दृष्टेन गिरिशेन प्रसीदता । तद्ध्यायन्तो जपन्तश्च पूजयन्तश्च संयताः ॥ १५ ॥

yad uktaṁ pathi dṛṣṭena giriśena prasīdatā tad dhyāyanto japantaś ca pūjayantaś ca saṁyatāḥ

What had been spoken to them on the way by the gracious Girisha, Shiva, whom they had encountered there — that very teaching they, self-controlled, kept meditating on, reciting, and worshiping.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.4.24.16)

विदुर उवाच प्रचेतसां गिरित्रेण यथासीत्पथि सङ्गमः । यदुताह हरः प्रीतस्तन्नो ब्रह्मन् वदार्थवत् ॥ १६ ॥

vidura uvāca pracetasāṁ giritreṇa yathāsīt pathi saṅgamaḥ yad utāha haraḥ prītas tan no brahman vadārthavat

Vidura said: O brahmana, please tell us in full how the Prachetas came to meet Giritra, Shiva, along the way, and what the pleased Hara said to them.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.4.24.17)

सङ्गमः खलु विप्रर्षे शिवेनेह शरीरिणाम् । दुर्लभो मुनयो दध्युरसङ्गाद्यमभीप्सितम् ॥ १७ ॥

saṅgamaḥ khalu viprarṣe śiveneha śarīriṇām durlabho munayo dadhyur asaṅgād yam abhīpsitam

O sage among brahmanas, meeting with Shiva is indeed rare for embodied beings in this world — a meeting that even sages, through their very detachment, long for and meditate upon as their heart's desire.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.4.24.18)

आत्मारामोऽपि यस्त्वस्य लोककल्पस्य राधसे । शक्त्या युक्तो विचरति घोरया भगवान् भवः ॥ १८ ॥

ātmārāmo ’pi yas tv asya loka-kalpasya rādhase śaktyā yukto vicarati ghorayā bhagavān bhavaḥ

Although self-content, the illustrious Bhava, Shiva, wanders through this world, joined with his fearsome power, for the sake of its welfare and prosperity.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.4.24.19)

मैत्रेय उवाच प्रचेतसः पितुर्वाक्यं शिरसादाय साधवः । दिशं प्रतीचीं प्रययुस्तपस्यादृतचेतसः ॥ १९ ॥

maitreya uvāca pracetasaḥ pitur vākyaṁ śirasādāya sādhavaḥ diśaṁ pratīcīṁ prayayus tapasy ādṛta-cetasaḥ

Maitreya said: The virtuous Prachetas, accepting their father's word upon their heads, their minds intent on austerity, set out toward the western direction.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.4.24.20)

ससमुद्रमुप विस्तीर्णमपश्यन् सुमहत्सरः । महन्मन इव स्वच्छं प्रसन्नसलिलाशयम् ॥ २० ॥

sa-samudram upa vistīrṇam apaśyan sumahat saraḥ mahan-mana iva svacchaṁ prasanna-salilāśayam

Near the ocean they beheld a vast, wide-spreading lake, clear as the mind of a great soul, its waters calm and serene.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.4.24.21)

नीलरक्तोत्पलाम्भोजकह्लारेन्दीवराकरम् । हंससारसचक्राह्वकारण्डवनिकूजितम् ॥ २१ ॥

nīla-raktotpalāmbhoja- kahlārendīvarākaram haṁsa-sārasa-cakrāhva- kāraṇḍava-nikūjitam

A very mine of blue and red lotuses, of ambhoja, kahlara, and indivara blossoms, echoing with the calls of swans, cranes, chakravaka birds, and karandava ducks.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.4.24.22)

मत्तभ्रमरसौस्वर्यहृष्टरोमलताङ्घ्रिपम् । पद्मकोशरजो दिक्षु विक्षिपत्पवनोत्सवम् ॥ २२ ॥

matta-bhramara-sausvarya- hṛṣṭa-roma-latāṅghripam padma-kośa-rajo dikṣu vikṣipat-pavanotsavam

The trees and vines, thrilled with delight by the sweet humming of intoxicated bees, seemed to bristle with joy, while the wind, scattering the pollen of the lotus buds in every direction, made of it a very festival.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.4.24.23)

तत्र गान्धर्वमाकर्ण्य दिव्यमार्गमनोहरम् । विसिस्म्यू राजपुत्रास्ते मृदङ्गपणवाद्यनु ॥ २३ ॥

tatra gāndharvam ākarṇya divya-mārga-manoharam visismyū rāja-putrās te mṛdaṅga-paṇavādy anu

There, hearing celestial music, enchanting in its divine cadence and accompanied by the sound of mridangas and panava drums, those princes were struck with wonder.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.4.24.24)

तर्ह्येव सरसस्तस्मान्निष्क्रामन्तं सहानुगम् । उपगीयमानममरप्रवरं विबुधानुगैः ॥ २४ ॥

tarhy eva sarasas tasmān niṣkrāmantaṁ sahānugam upagīyamānam amara- pravaraṁ vibudhānugaiḥ

At that very moment, they saw him emerging from that lake, together with his attendants, that foremost of the immortals, praised in song by his own celestial retinue.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.4.24.25)

तप्तहेमनिकायाभं शितिकण्ठं त्रिलोचनम् । प्रसादसुमुखं वीक्ष्य प्रणेमुर्जातकौतुकाः ॥ २५ ॥

tapta-hema-nikāyābhaṁ śiti-kaṇṭhaṁ tri-locanam prasāda-sumukhaṁ vīkṣya praṇemur jāta-kautukāḥ

Seeing him — his body radiant as molten gold, his throat dark blue, three eyes, his face gracious and gentle — they, filled with wonder, bowed low before him.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.4.24.26)

स तान् प्रपन्नार्तिहरो भगवान्धर्मवत्सलः । धर्मज्ञान् शीलसम्पन्नान् प्रीतः प्रीतानुवाच ह ॥ २६ ॥

sa tān prapannārti-haro bhagavān dharma-vatsalaḥ dharma-jñān śīla-sampannān prītaḥ prītān uvāca ha

He, the illustrious remover of the sorrows of those who take refuge in him, tender toward dharma, was pleased with them — knowers of dharma, endowed with fine character — and, himself pleased, spoke to them.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.4.24.27)

श्रीरुद्र उवाच यूयं वेदिषदः पुत्रा विदितं वश्चिकीर्षितम् । अनुग्रहाय भद्रं व एवं मे दर्शनं कृतम् ॥ २७ ॥

śrī-rudra uvāca yūyaṁ vediṣadaḥ putrā viditaṁ vaś cikīrṣitam anugrahāya bhadraṁ va evaṁ me darśanaṁ kṛtam

Shri Rudra said: You are the sons of Vedishad, Prachinabarhi; I know well what you intend. May all be well with you; it is for the sake of grace alone that I have shown myself to you in this way.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.4.24.28)

यः परं रंहसः साक्षात्त्रिरगुणाज्जीवसंज्ञितात् । भगवन्तं वासुदेवं प्रपन्नः स प्रियो हि मे ॥ २८ ॥

yaḥ paraṁ raṁhasaḥ sākṣāt tri-guṇāj jīva-saṁjñitāt bhagavantaṁ vāsudevaṁ prapannaḥ sa priyo hi me

Whoever takes refuge in the illustrious Vasudeva, who stands directly beyond that swift power which, working through the three material qualities, gives rise to what is called the individual soul — that person is truly dear to me.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.4.24.29)

स्वधर्मनिष्ठः शतजन्मभिः पुमान् विरिञ्चतामेति ततः परं हि माम् । अव्याकृतं भागवतोऽथ वैष्णवं पदं यथाहं विबुधाः कलात्यये ॥ २९ ॥

sva-dharma-niṣṭhaḥ śata-janmabhiḥ pumān viriñcatām eti tataḥ paraṁ hi mām avyākṛtaṁ bhāgavato ’tha vaiṣṇavaṁ padaṁ yathāhaṁ vibudhāḥ kalātyaye

A man steadfast in his own duty attains, after a hundred births, the position of Brahma, and beyond that, in time, my own position; but the devotee of the Lord attains directly that unmanifest, transcendent abode of Vishnu — the very place that I and the other gods reach only at the dissolution of this age.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.4.24.30)

अथ भागवता यूयं प्रियाः स्थ भगवान् यथा । न मद्भागवतानां च प्रेयानन्योऽस्ति कर्हिचित् ॥ ३० ॥

atha bhāgavatā yūyaṁ priyāḥ stha bhagavān yathā na mad bhāgavatānāṁ ca preyān anyo ’sti karhicit

Since you are devotees of the Lord, you are as dear to me as the Lord Himself; and to me there is never anyone dearer than the Lord's own devotees.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.4.24.31)

इदं विविक्तं जप्तव्यं पवित्रं मङ्गलं परम् । निःश्रेयसकरं चापि श्रूयतां तद्वदामि वः ॥ ३१ ॥

idaṁ viviktaṁ japtavyaṁ pavitraṁ maṅgalaṁ param niḥśreyasa-karaṁ cāpi śrūyatāṁ tad vadāmi vaḥ

Here is a prayer, fit to be recited in solitude, pure, supremely auspicious, and productive of the highest good; listen — I shall now teach it to you.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.4.24.32)

मैत्रेय उवाच इत्यनुक्रोशहृदयो भगवानाह ताञ्छिवः । बद्धाञ्जलीन् राजपुत्रान्नारायणपरो वचः ॥ ३२ ॥

maitreya uvāca ity anukrośa-hṛdayo bhagavān āha tāñ chivaḥ baddhāñjalīn rāja-putrān nārāyaṇa-paro vacaḥ

Maitreya said: Thus, his heart filled with compassion, the illustrious Shiva, devoted wholly to Narayana, spoke these words to the princes, who stood there with joined palms.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.4.24.33)

श्रीरुद्र उवाच जितं त आत्मविद्वर्यस्वस्तये स्वस्तिरस्तु मे । भवताराधसा राद्धं सर्वस्मा आत्मने नमः ॥ ३३ ॥

śrī-rudra uvāca jitaṁ ta ātma-vid-varya- svastaye svastir astu me bhavatārādhasā rāddhaṁ sarvasmā ātmane namaḥ

Shri Rudra said: All glory to You — welfare itself for the finest among knowers of the self; may You grant welfare to me as well. Through worship of You, all things are accomplished; obeisance to You, the very Self of all.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.4.24.34)

नमः पङ्कजनाभाय भूतसूक्ष्मेन्द्रियात्मने । वासुदेवाय शान्ताय कूटस्थाय स्वरोचिषे ॥ ३४ ॥

namaḥ paṅkaja-nābhāya bhūta-sūkṣmendriyātmane vāsudevāya śāntāya kūṭa-sthāya sva-rociṣe

Obeisance to Him from whose navel the lotus springs, who is the very self of the elements, the subtle principles, and the senses; to the peaceful, unchanging, self-luminous Vasudeva.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.4.24.35)

सङ्कर्षणाय सूक्ष्माय दुरन्तायान्तकाय च । नमो विश्वप्रबोधाय प्रद्युम्नायान्तरात्मने ॥ ३५ ॥

saṅkarṣaṇāya sūkṣmāya durantāyāntakāya ca namo viśva-prabodhāya pradyumnāyāntar-ātmane

To Sankarshana, subtle, boundless, and the very destroyer at the end of all; obeisance to Pradyumna, the awakener of the universe, the inner self within all beings.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.4.24.36)

नमो नमोऽनिरुद्धाय हृषीकेशेन्द्रियात्मने । नमः परमहंसाय पूर्णाय निभृतात्मने ॥ ३६ ॥

namo namo ’niruddhāya hṛṣīkeśendriyātmane namaḥ paramahaṁsāya pūrṇāya nibhṛtātmane

Obeisance, again and again, to Aniruddha, lord of the senses, the very self of the senses; obeisance to the supreme swan, the complete one, ever tranquil in himself.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.4.24.37)

स्वर्गापवर्गद्वाराय नित्यं शुचिषदे नमः । नमो हिरण्यवीर्याय चातुर्होत्राय तन्तवे ॥ ३७ ॥

svargāpavarga-dvārāya nityaṁ śuci-ṣade namaḥ namo hiraṇya-vīryāya cātur-hotrāya tantave

Obeisance to Him who is the very door to both heaven and liberation, ever dwelling in purity; obeisance to Him of golden seed, the very fabric woven through the fourfold sacrifice.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.4.24.38)

नम ऊर्ज इषे त्रय्याः पतये यज्ञरेतसे । तृप्तिदाय च जीवानां नमः सर्वरसात्मने ॥ ३८ ॥

nama ūrja iṣe trayyāḥ pataye yajña-retase tṛpti-dāya ca jīvānāṁ namaḥ sarva-rasātmane

Obeisance to Him who is strength and sustenance, lord of the three Vedas, the very seed of sacrifice; and obeisance to Him who satisfies all living beings, the very self of every essence.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.4.24.39)

सर्वसत्त्वात्मदेहाय विशेषाय स्थवीयसे । नमस्त्रैलोक्यपालाय सह ओजोबलाय च ॥ ३९ ॥

sarva-sattvātma-dehāya viśeṣāya sthavīyase namas trailokya-pālāya saha ojo-balāya ca

Obeisance to Him whose body is the very self of all beings, He who is manifest in every particular form, and vastest of all; obeisance to the protector of the three worlds, together with all vigor and strength.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.4.24.40)

अर्थलिङ्गाय नभसे नमोऽन्तर्बहिरात्मने । नमः पुण्याय लोकाय अमुष्मै भूरिवर्चसे ॥ ४० ॥

artha-liṅgāya nabhase namo ’ntar-bahir-ātmane namaḥ puṇyāya lokāya amuṣmai bhūri-varcase

Obeisance to Him who is the sign of all meaning, who is the very sky itself, the self both within and without; obeisance to that auspicious world beyond, of boundless splendor.

Verse 41 (bhagavata.4.24.41)

प्रवृत्ताय निवृत्ताय पितृदेवाय कर्मणे । नमोऽधर्मविपाकाय मृत्यवे दुःखदाय च ॥ ४१ ॥

pravṛttāya nivṛttāya pitṛ-devāya karmaṇe namo ’dharma-vipākāya mṛtyave duḥkha-dāya ca

To Him who is action and to Him who is its withdrawal, the deity of the ancestors, to action itself, obeisance; obeisance also to Him who is the ripening of unrighteousness, to death, and to the giver of suffering.

Verse 42 (bhagavata.4.24.42)

नमस्त आशिषामीश मनवे कारणात्मने । नमो धर्माय बृहते कृष्णायाकुण्ठमेधसे । पुरुषाय पुराणाय साङ्ख्ययोगेश्वराय च ॥ ४२ ॥

namas ta āśiṣām īśa manave kāraṇātmane namo dharmāya bṛhate kṛṣṇāyākuṇṭha-medhase puruṣāya purāṇāya sāṅkhya-yogeśvarāya ca

Obeisance to You, O lord of every blessing, the mind, the self who is the very cause of all; obeisance to great dharma, to Krishna of unclouded intelligence, to the ancient Person, and to the Lord of Sankhya and Yoga alike.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.4.24.43)

शक्तित्रयसमेताय मीढुषेऽहङ्कृतात्मने । चेतआकूतिरूपाय नमो वाचो विभूतये ॥ ४३ ॥

śakti-traya-sametāya mīḍhuṣe ’haṅkṛtātmane ceta-ākūti-rūpāya namo vāco vibhūtaye

Obeisance to Him joined with the three powers, the bestower of all boons, the very self of the ego; to Him whose form is consciousness and will, and to Him who is the very majesty of speech.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.4.24.44)

दर्शनं नो दिदृक्षूणां देहि भागवतार्चितम् । रूपं प्रियतमं स्वानां सर्वेन्द्रियगुणाञ्जनम् ॥ ४४ ॥

darśanaṁ no didṛkṣūṇāṁ dehi bhāgavatārcitam rūpaṁ priyatamaṁ svānāṁ sarvendriya-guṇāñjanam

Grant us, who long to see You, that vision worshiped by Your own devotees — that form most dear to Your own people, the very ornament that delights every quality of every sense.

Verse 45 (bhagavata.4.24.45)

स्निग्धप्रावृड्घनश्यामं सर्वसौन्दर्यसङ्ग्रहम् । चार्वायतचतुर्बाहु सुजातरुचिराननम् ॥ ४५ ॥

snigdha-prāvṛḍ-ghana-śyāmaṁ sarva-saundarya-saṅgraham cārv-āyata-catur-bāhu sujāta-rucirānanam

Glossy and dark as a monsoon rain-cloud, the very sum and gathering of all beauty, His four arms lovely and long, His face finely formed and radiant.

Verse 46 (bhagavata.4.24.46)

पद्मकोशपलाशाक्षं सुन्दरभ्रु सुनासिकम् । सुद्विजं सुकपोलास्यं समकर्णविभूषणम् ॥ ४६ ॥

padma-kośa-palāśākṣaṁ sundara-bhru sunāsikam sudvijaṁ sukapolāsyaṁ sama-karṇa-vibhūṣaṇam

His eyes like the petals of a lotus bud, His eyebrows lovely, His nose shapely, His teeth fine, His cheeks and face beautiful, His ears evenly adorned.

Verse 47 (bhagavata.4.24.47)

प्रीतिप्रहसितापाङ्गमलकै रूपशोभितम् । लसत्पङ्कजकिञ्जल्कदुकूलं मृष्टकुण्डलम् ॥ ४७ ॥

prīti-prahasitāpāṅgam alakai rūpa-śobhitam lasat-paṅkaja-kiñjalka- dukūlaṁ mṛṣṭa-kuṇḍalam

His sidelong glance smiling with tenderness, His beauty set off by curling locks; His garment shining like the golden filaments of the lotus, His earrings brightly polished.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.4.24.48)

स्फुरत्किरीटवलयहारनूपुरमेखलम् । शङ्खचक्रगदापद्ममालामण्युत्तमर्द्धिमत् ॥ ४८ ॥

sphurat-kirīṭa-valaya- hāra-nūpura-mekhalam śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma- mālā-maṇy-uttamarddhimat

His crown, bracelets, necklace, anklets, and waist-belt all glittering; adorned with conch, discus, mace, and lotus, with garland and jewel, resplendent in the highest degree.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.4.24.49)

सिंहस्कन्धत्विषो बिभ्रत्सौभगग्रीवकौस्तुभम् । श्रियानपायिन्या क्षिप्तनिकषाश्मोरसोल्लसत् ॥ ४९ ॥

siṁha-skandha-tviṣo bibhrat saubhaga-grīva-kaustubham śriyānapāyinyā kṣipta- nikaṣāśmorasollasat

Bearing, on shoulders lustrous as a lion's, the Kaustubha jewel upon His graceful neck; His chest, touched by the ever-abiding goddess of fortune, shining like a touchstone.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.4.24.50)

पूररेचकसंविग्नवलिवल्गुदलोदरम् । प्रतिसङ्क्रामयद्विश्वं नाभ्यावर्तगभीरया ॥ ५० ॥

pūra-recaka-saṁvigna- vali-valgu-dalodaram pratisaṅkrāmayad viśvaṁ nābhyāvarta-gabhīrayā

His belly, folded in beautiful lines, stirring with the rhythm of His breath as it flows in and out; the whole universe seeming to pass again and again through the deep whirl of His navel.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.4.24.51)

श्यामश्रोण्यधिरोचिष्णुदुकूलस्वर्णमेखलम् । समचार्वङ्घ्रिजङ्घोरुनिम्नजानुसुदर्शनम् ॥ ५१ ॥

śyāma-śroṇy-adhi-rociṣṇu- dukūla-svarṇa-mekhalam sama-cārv-aṅghri-jaṅghoru- nimna-jānu-sudarśanam

His dark hips gleaming beneath a silken garment and a golden girdle; His feet, calves, thighs, and deep-set knees, all symmetrical and beautiful to behold.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.4.24.52)

पदा शरत्पद्मपलाशरोचिषा नखद्युभिर्नोऽन्तरघं विधुन्वता । प्रदर्शय स्वीयमपास्तसाध्वसं पदं गुरो मार्गगुरुस्तमोजुषाम् ॥ ५२ ॥

padā śarat-padma-palāśa-rociṣā nakha-dyubhir no ’ntar-aghaṁ vidhunvatā pradarśaya svīyam apāsta-sādhvasaṁ padaṁ guro mārga-gurus tamo-juṣām

O Guide, guide upon the path for those steeped in darkness, show us Your own feet, radiant as the petals of an autumn lotus, whose very nail-light shakes away every inner sin, and which banish all fear.

Verse 53 (bhagavata.4.24.53)

एतद्रूपमनुध्येयमात्मशुद्धिमभीप्सताम् । यद्भक्तियोगोऽभयदः स्वधर्ममनुतिष्ठताम् ॥ ५३ ॥

etad rūpam anudhyeyam ātma-śuddhim abhīpsatām yad-bhakti-yogo ’bhayadaḥ sva-dharmam anutiṣṭhatām

This is the very form to be meditated upon by those who desire purification of the self; that devotional service, which grants fearlessness, belongs to those who carry out their own appointed duty.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.4.24.54)

भवान् भक्तिमता लभ्यो दुर्लभः सर्वदेहिनाम् । स्वाराज्यस्याप्यभिमत एकान्तेनात्मविद्गतिः ॥ ५४ ॥

bhavān bhaktimatā labhyo durlabhaḥ sarva-dehinām svārājyasyāpy abhimata ekāntenātma-vid-gatiḥ

You are attained by the devotee, though You remain hard to attain for embodied beings in general; even one who has attained self-sovereignty desires You alone, the sole and exclusive goal of those who know the self.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.4.24.55)

तं दुराराध्यमाराध्य सतामपि दुरापया । एकान्तभक्त्या को वाञ्छेत्पादमूलं विना बहिः ॥ ५५ ॥

taṁ durārādhyam ārādhya satām api durāpayā ekānta-bhaktyā ko vāñchet pāda-mūlaṁ vinā bahiḥ

Having worshiped You — so hard to worship, and only through devotion so exclusive and rare, even for the virtuous — who would wish for anything else outside the very root of Your feet?

Verse 56 (bhagavata.4.24.56)

यत्र निर्विष्टमरणं कृतान्तो नाभिमन्यते । विश्वं विध्वंसयन् वीर्यशौर्यविस्फूर्जितभ्रुवा ॥ ५६ ॥

yatra nirviṣṭam araṇaṁ kṛtānto nābhimanyate viśvaṁ vidhvaṁsayan vīrya- śaurya-visphūrjita-bhruvā

There, where refuge has been taken at Your feet, even Death himself — who destroys the whole universe with the mere flash of his mighty, valorous brow — does not presume to intrude.

Verse 57 (bhagavata.4.24.57)

क्षणार्धेनापि तुलये न स्वर्गं नापुनर्भवम् । भगवत्सङ्गिसङ्गस्य मर्त्यानां किमुताशिषः ॥ ५७ ॥

kṣaṇārdhenāpi tulaye na svargaṁ nāpunar-bhavam bhagavat-saṅgi-saṅgasya martyānāṁ kim utāśiṣaḥ

I would not equate even heaven, nor freedom from rebirth, with half a moment spent in the company of one who keeps the company of the Lord — how much less, then, the ordinary wishes of mortal men?

Verse 58 (bhagavata.4.24.58)

अथानघाङ्घ्रेस्तव कीर्तितीर्थयो- रन्तर्बहिःस्नानविधूतपाप्मनाम् । भूतेष्वनुक्रोशसुसत्त्वशीलिनां स्यात्सङ्गमोऽनुग्रह एष नस्तव ॥ ५८ ॥

athānaghāṅghres tava kīrti-tīrthayor antar-bahiḥ-snāna-vidhūta-pāpmanām bhūteṣv anukrośa-susattva-śīlināṁ syāt saṅgamo ’nugraha eṣa nas tava

May this, then, be Your grace to us: the company of those whose sin has been washed away, within and without, through bathing in these two sacred waters — Your sinless feet and Your fame — those compassionate toward all beings, of pure and virtuous character.

Verse 59 (bhagavata.4.24.59)

न यस्य चित्तं बहिरर्थविभ्रमं तमोगुहायां च विशुद्धमाविशत् । यद्भक्तियोगानुगृहीतमञ्जसा मुनिर्विचष्टे ननु तत्र ते गतिम् ॥ ५९ ॥

na yasya cittaṁ bahir-artha-vibhramaṁ tamo-guhāyāṁ ca viśuddham āviśat yad-bhakti-yogānugṛhītam añjasā munir vicaṣṭe nanu tatra te gatim

The sage whose purified mind falls into no confusion over external objects, nor sinks into the cave of darkness, and whose mind is easily graced through devotional service — that sage truly perceives Your movements there.

Verse 60 (bhagavata.4.24.60)

यत्रेदं व्यज्यते विश्वं विश्वस्मिन्नवभाति यत् । तत् त्वं ब्रह्म परं ज्योतिराकाशमिव विस्तृतम् ॥ ६० ॥

yatredaṁ vyajyate viśvaṁ viśvasminn avabhāti yat tat tvaṁ brahma paraṁ jyotir ākāśam iva vistṛtam

That in which this whole universe is manifested, and that which shines forth within the universe itself — that You are, the supreme Brahman, the light, spread out and boundless as the sky.

Verse 61 (bhagavata.4.24.61)

यो माययेदं पुरुरूपयासृजद् बिभर्ति भूयः क्षपयत्यविक्रियः । यद्भेदबुद्धिः सदिवात्मदुःस्थया त्वमात्मतन्त्रं भगवन् प्रतीमहि ॥ ६१ ॥

yo māyayedaṁ puru-rūpayāsṛjad bibharti bhūyaḥ kṣapayaty avikriyaḥ yad-bheda-buddhiḥ sad ivātma-duḥsthayā tvam ātma-tantraṁ bhagavan pratīmahi

He who, through His illusory power taking on manifold forms, creates this universe, sustains it, and then dissolves it again — ever unchanging Himself — that sense of difference from Him arises only through the unsteady condition of the individual self, as though it were something real. O Lord, we recognize You as wholly self-dependent, subject to nothing but Yourself.

Verse 62 (bhagavata.4.24.62)

क्रियाकलापैरिदमेव योगिनः श्रद्धान्विताः साधु यजन्ति सिद्धये । भूतेन्द्रियान्तःकरणोपलक्षितं वेदे च तन्त्रे च त एव कोविदाः ॥ ६२ ॥

kriyā-kalāpair idam eva yoginaḥ śraddhānvitāḥ sādhu yajanti siddhaye bhūtendriyāntaḥ-karaṇopalakṣitaṁ vede ca tantre ca ta eva kovidāḥ

It is this very form of Yours — marked by the elements, the senses, and the inner faculties — that yogis, endowed with faith, duly worship through their various rites for the sake of perfection; and it is they alone who are truly learned, in both the Veda and the Tantra.

Verse 63 (bhagavata.4.24.63)

त्वमेक आद्यः पुरुषः सुप्तशक्ति- स्तया रजःसत्त्वतमो विभिद्यते । महानहं खं मरुदग्निवार्धराः सुरर्षयो भूतगणा इदं यतः ॥ ६३ ॥

tvam eka ādyaḥ puruṣaḥ supta-śaktis tayā rajaḥ-sattva-tamo vibhidyate mahān ahaṁ khaṁ marud agni-vār-dharāḥ surarṣayo bhūta-gaṇā idaṁ yataḥ

You alone are the primeval Person, whose power lies dormant within; through that very power, passion, goodness, and ignorance become differentiated — mahat, ego, ether, air, fire, water, earth, the gods, the sages, and the multitudes of beings — and from these this whole universe arises.

Verse 64 (bhagavata.4.24.64)

सृष्टं स्वशक्त्येदमनुप्रविष्ट- श्चचतुर्विधं पुरमात्मांशकेन । अथो विदुस्तं पुरुषं सन्तमन्त- र्भुङ्क्ते हृषीकैर्मधु सारघं यः ॥ ६४ ॥

sṛṣṭaṁ sva-śaktyedam anupraviṣṭaś catur-vidhaṁ puram ātmāṁśakena atho vidus taṁ puruṣaṁ santam antar bhuṅkte hṛṣīkair madhu sāra-ghaṁ yaḥ

Having created, by Your own power, this fourfold city of bodies, and having entered it with a portion of Yourself, they thus come to know that inner Person, who through the senses enjoys their honey, just as bees savor the essence gathered within the comb.

Verse 65 (bhagavata.4.24.65)

स एष लोकानतिचण्डवेगो विकर्षसि त्वं खलु कालयानः । भूतानि भूतैरनुमेयतत्त्वो घनावलीर्वायुरिवाविषह्यः ॥ ६५ ॥

sa eṣa lokān aticaṇḍa-vego vikarṣasi tvaṁ khalu kāla-yānaḥ bhūtāni bhūtair anumeya-tattvo ghanāvalīr vāyur ivāviṣahyaḥ

You, of unbearably fierce speed, moving on as Time itself, drag the worlds along in your wake; your true nature can only be inferred through the destruction of one being by another — irresistible, like the wind that scatters banks of cloud.

Verse 66 (bhagavata.4.24.66)

प्रमत्तमुच्चैरिति कृत्यचिन्तया प्रवृद्धलोभं विषयेषु लालसम् । त्वमप्रमत्तः सहसाभिपद्यसे क्षुल्लेलिहानोऽहिरिवाखुमन्तकः ॥ ६६ ॥

pramattam uccair iti kṛtya-cintayā pravṛddha-lobhaṁ viṣayeṣu lālasam tvam apramattaḥ sahasābhipadyase kṣul-lelihāno ’hir ivākhum antakaḥ

The person utterly heedless, forever absorbed in scheming what he must do next, his greed swollen, longing after sense-objects — You, who are never heedless, seize him suddenly, just as a hungry, flickering-tongued serpent seizes a mouse — for You are Death itself.

Verse 67 (bhagavata.4.24.67)

कस्त्वत्पदाब्जं विजहाति पण्डितो यस्तेऽवमानव्ययमानकेतनः । विशङ्कयास्मद्गुरुरर्चति स्म यद् विनोपपत्तिं मनवश्चतुर्दश ॥ ६७ ॥

kas tvat-padābjaṁ vijahāti paṇḍito yas te ’vamāna-vyayamāna-ketanaḥ viśaṅkayāsmad-gurur arcati sma yad vinopapattiṁ manavaś caturdaśa

What learned man, whose very dwelling wastes away through neglect of You, would abandon Your lotus feet? Without a doubt, our own guru, Brahma, worshiped them, needing no further proof, and so too did the fourteen Manus.

Verse 68 (bhagavata.4.24.68)

अथ त्वमसि नो ब्रह्मन् परमात्मन् विपश्चिताम् । विश्वं रुद्रभयध्वस्तमकुतश्चिद्भया गतिः ॥ ६८ ॥

atha tvam asi no brahman paramātman vipaścitām viśvaṁ rudra-bhaya-dhvastam akutaścid-bhayā gatiḥ

O Brahman, O Supreme Soul, though this whole universe is shattered by fear of Rudra, You alone remain, for us the wise, a refuge free from fear on every side.

Verse 69 (bhagavata.4.24.69)

इदं जपत भद्रं वो विशुद्धा नृपनन्दनाः । स्वधर्ममनुतिष्ठन्तो भगवत्यर्पिताशयाः ॥ ६९ ॥

idaṁ japata bhadraṁ vo viśuddhā nṛpa-nandanāḥ sva-dharmam anutiṣṭhanto bhagavaty arpitāśayāḥ

Recite this, O princes, pure of heart — and may all be well with you; carry out your own duty, your minds ever surrendered to the Lord.

Verse 70 (bhagavata.4.24.70)

तमेवात्मानमात्मस्थं सर्वभूतेष्ववस्थितम् । पूजयध्वं गृणन्तश्च ध्यायन्तश्चासकृद्धरिम् ॥ ७० ॥

tam evātmānam ātma-sthaṁ sarva-bhūteṣv avasthitam pūjayadhvaṁ gṛṇantaś ca dhyāyantaś cāsakṛd dharim

Worship that very Self, dwelling within the self, established in all beings — chant unceasingly of Hari, and meditate on Him without pause.

Verse 71 (bhagavata.4.24.71)

योगादेशमुपासाद्य धारयन्तो मुनिव्रताः । समाहितधियः सर्व एतदभ्यसतादृताः ॥ ७१ ॥

yogādeśam upāsādya dhārayanto muni-vratāḥ samāhita-dhiyaḥ sarva etad abhyasatādṛtāḥ

Having received this instruction in yoga, hold it firmly, observing the vows of sages; all of you, your minds composed, practice this with due reverence.

Verse 72 (bhagavata.4.24.72)

इदमाह पुरास्माकं भगवान् विश्वसृक्पतिः । भृग्वादीनामात्मजानां सिसृक्षुः संसिसृक्षताम् ॥ ७२ ॥

idam āha purāsmākaṁ bhagavān viśvasṛk-patiḥ bhṛgv-ādīnām ātmajānāṁ sisṛkṣuḥ saṁsisṛkṣatām

This is what the illustrious lord of all creators, Brahma, once spoke to us — to his sons headed by Bhrigu — who, wishing to bring forth creation, desired to create.

Verse 73 (bhagavata.4.24.73)

ते वयं नोदिताः सर्वे प्रजासर्गे प्रजेश्वराः । अनेन ध्वस्ततमसः सिसृक्ष्मो विविधाः प्रजाः ॥ ७३ ॥

te vayaṁ noditāḥ sarve prajā-sarge prajeśvarāḥ anena dhvasta-tamasaḥ sisṛkṣmo vividhāḥ prajāḥ

We, all the lords of creatures, thus commanded to bring forth offspring, our darkness dispelled by this very prayer, went on to create the manifold beings of this world.

Verse 74 (bhagavata.4.24.74)

अथेदं नित्यदा युक्तो जपन्नवहितः पुमान् । अचिराच्छ्रेय आप्नोति वासुदेवपरायणः ॥ ७४ ॥

athedaṁ nityadā yukto japann avahitaḥ pumān acirāc chreya āpnoti vāsudeva-parāyaṇaḥ

So a person who, ever disciplined and attentive, constantly recites this prayer, wholly devoted to Vasudeva, swiftly attains the highest good.

Verse 75 (bhagavata.4.24.75)

श्रेयसामिह सर्वेषां ज्ञानं निःश्रेयसं परम् । सुखं तरति दुष्पारं ज्ञाननौर्व्यसनार्णवम् ॥ ७५ ॥

śreyasām iha sarveṣāṁ jñānaṁ niḥśreyasaṁ param sukhaṁ tarati duṣpāraṁ jñāna-naur vyasanārṇavam

Among all forms of good in this world, knowledge alone is the supreme and unsurpassed good; the boat of knowledge crosses with ease this otherwise impassable ocean of calamity.

Verse 76 (bhagavata.4.24.76)

य इमं श्रद्धया युक्तो मद्गीतं भगवत्स्तवम् । अधीयानो दुराराध्यं हरिमाराधयत्यसौ ॥ ७६ ॥

ya imaṁ śraddhayā yukto mad-gītaṁ bhagavat-stavam adhīyāno durārādhyaṁ harim ārādhayaty asau

Whoever, with faith, studies this hymn to the Lord that I have sung, thereby worships Hari, who is otherwise so difficult to please.

Verse 77 (bhagavata.4.24.77)

विन्दते पुरुषोऽमुष्माद्यद्यदिच्छत्यसत्वरम् । मद्गीतगीतात्सुप्रीताच्छ्रेयसामेकवल्लभात् ॥ ७७ ॥

vindate puruṣo ’muṣmād yad yad icchaty asatvaram mad-gīta-gītāt suprītāc chreyasām eka-vallabhāt

Whatever a person desires, he obtains without delay from this hymn, sung by me, which so pleases the Lord — He who alone is the beloved source of every good.

Verse 78 (bhagavata.4.24.78)

इदं यः कल्य उत्थाय प्राञ्जलिः श्रद्धयान्वितः । शृणुयाच्छ्रावयेन्मर्त्यो मुच्यते कर्मबन्धनैः ॥ ७८ ॥

idaṁ yaḥ kalya utthāya prāñjaliḥ śraddhayānvitaḥ śṛṇuyāc chrāvayen martyo mucyate karma-bandhanaiḥ

A mortal who rises at dawn and, with folded hands and full of faith, either hears this or recites it for others to hear, is freed from the bonds of fruitive action.

Verse 79 (bhagavata.4.24.79)

गीतं मयेदं नरदेवनन्दनाः परस्य पुंसः परमात्मनः स्तवम् । जपन्त एकाग्रधियस्तपो महत् चरध्वमन्ते तत आप्स्यथेप्सितम् ॥ ७९ ॥

gītaṁ mayedaṁ naradeva-nandanāḥ parasya puṁsaḥ paramātmanaḥ stavam japanta ekāgra-dhiyas tapo mahat caradhvam ante tata āpsyathepsitam

O sons of the king, this hymn to the Supreme Person, the Supreme Soul, has now been sung by me; recite it with one-pointed minds, practice this great austerity, and in the end you shall attain what you desire.