Ambarisha Maharaja Offended by Durvasa Muni

Verse 1 (bhagavata.9.4.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच नाभागो नभगापत्यं यं ततं भ्रातरः कविम् । यविष्ठं व्यभजन् दायं ब्रह्मचारिणमागतम् ॥ 4.1 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca nābhāgo nabhagāpatyaṁ yaṁ tataṁ bhrātaraḥ kavim yaviṣṭhaṁ vyabhajan dāyaṁ brahmacāriṇam āgatam

Nabhaga, son of Nabhaga, remained long as a celibate student at his guru's house. His brothers, thinking he would not return, divided their father's estate among themselves; and to that youngest brother, on his return, they allotted their father himself as his share.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.9.4.2)

भ्रातरोऽभाङ्क्त किं मह्यं भजाम पितरं तव । त्वां ममार्यास्तताभाङ्क्षुर्मा पुत्रक तदादृथाः ॥ 4.2 ॥

bhrātaro ’bhāṅkta kiṁ mahyaṁ bhajāma pitaraṁ tava tvāṁ mamāryās tatābhāṅkṣur mā putraka tad ādṛthāḥ

Nabhaga asked: "Brothers, what share have you given me?" They replied: "We have allotted you our father as your share." When Nabhaga came to his father and repeated this, the father said: "My son, do not heed their deceitful words — I am not your property."

Verse 3 (bhagavata.9.4.3)

इमे अङ्गिरसः सत्रमासतेऽद्य सुमेधसः । षष्ठं षष्ठमुपेत्याहः कवे मुह्यन्ति कर्मणि ॥ 4.3 ॥

ime aṅgirasaḥ satram āsate ’dya sumedhasaḥ ṣaṣṭhaṁ ṣaṣṭham upetyāhaḥ kave muhyanti karmaṇi

The father said: "O Kavi, these descendants of Angira, wise though they are, are now engaged in a sacrificial session in which, every sixth day, they grow confused in performing their rite."

Verse 4 (bhagavata.9.4.4)

तांस्त्वं शंसय सूक्ते द्वे वैश्वदेवे महात्मनः । ते स्वर्यन्तो धनं सत्रपरिशेषितमात्मनः ॥ 4.4 ॥

tāṁstvaṁ śaṁsaya sūkte dve vaiśvadeve mahātmanaḥ te svaryanto dhanaṁ satrapariśeṣitamātmanaḥ

"Go recite to those great souls the two Vaishvadeva hymns. When they depart for heaven, they will give you the wealth remaining from their sacrifice."

Verse 5 (bhagavata.9.4.5)

दास्यन्ति तेऽथ तानर्च्छ तथा स कृतवान् यथा । तस्मै दत्त्वा ययुः स्वर्गं ते सत्रपरिशेषणम् ॥ 4.5 ॥

dāsyanti te ’tha tānarccha tathā sa kṛtavān yathā tasmai dattvā yayuḥ svargaṁ te satrapariśeṣaṇam

"They will surely give it to you — go to them, as I say." Nabhaga did exactly as his father directed, and the sages, having given him the wealth remaining from the sacrifice, departed for heaven.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.9.4.6)

तं कश्चित् स्वीकरिष्यन्तं पुरुषः कृष्णदर्शनः । उवाचोत्तरतोऽभ्येत्य ममेदं वास्तुकं वसु ॥ 4.6 ॥

taṁ kaścit svīkariṣyantaṁ puruṣaḥ kṛṣṇa-darśanaḥ uvācottarato ’bhyetya mamedaṁ vāstukaṁ vasu

As Nabhaga was about to take up that wealth, a dark-complexioned figure came from the north and said, "All this wealth belonging to this sacrificial ground is mine."

Verse 7 (bhagavata.9.4.7)

ममेदमृषिभिर्दत्तमिति तर्हि स्म मानवः । स्यान्नौ ते पितरि प्रश्नः पृष्टवान् पितरं यथा ॥ 4.7 ॥

mamedam ṛṣibhir dattam iti tarhi sma mānavaḥ syān nau te pitari praśnaḥ pṛṣṭavān pitaraṁ yathā

Nabhaga said: "This is mine — the sages themselves gave it to me." The figure replied: "Then let this question be settled by your father." And Nabhaga went and asked his father accordingly.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.9.4.8)

यज्ञवास्तुगतं सर्वमुच्छिष्टमृषयः क्वचित् । चक्रुर्हि भागं रुद्राय स देवः सर्वमर्हति ॥ 4.8 ॥

yajña-vāstu-gataṁ sarvam ucchiṣṭam ṛṣayaḥ kvacit cakrur hi bhāgaṁ rudrāya sa devaḥ sarvam arhati

The father said: "Whatever remains in the sacrificial ground, the sages long ago set apart as Rudra's own share. So all of it rightfully belongs to that god."

Verse 9 (bhagavata.9.4.9)

नाभागस्तं प्रणम्याह तवेश किल वास्तुकम् । इत्याह मे पिता ब्रह्मञ्छिरसा त्वां प्रसादये ॥ 4.9 ॥

nābhāgas taṁ praṇamyāha taveśa kila vāstukam ity āha me pitā brahmañ chirasā tvāṁ prasādaye

Nabhaga bowed to him and said: "O lord, this wealth of the sacrificial ground is truly yours — so my father has told me. O great one, I bow my head and seek your grace."

Verse 10 (bhagavata.9.4.10)

यत् ते पितावदद् धर्मं त्वं च सत्यं प्रभाषसे । ददामि ते मन्त्रदृशो ज्ञानं ब्रह्म सनातनम् ॥ 4.10 ॥

yat te pitāvadad dharmaṁ tvaṁ ca satyaṁ prabhāṣase dadāmi te mantra-dṛśo jñānaṁ brahma sanātanam

Rudra said: "What your father has spoken as dharma is true, and you too speak truly. Therefore I grant you the eternal knowledge of the Absolute, seen by the seers of the mantras."

Verse 11 (bhagavata.9.4.11)

गृहाण द्रविणं दत्तं मत्सत्रपरिशेषितम् । इत्युक्त्वान्तर्हितो रुद्रो भगवान् धर्मवत्सलः ॥ 4.11 ॥

gṛhāṇa draviṇaṁ dattaṁ mat-satra-pariśeṣitam ity uktvāntarhito rudro bhagavān dharma-vatsalaḥ

"Now take this wealth left over from my sacrifice — I give it to you." So saying, the god Rudra, ever devoted to dharma, vanished from that place.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.9.4.12)

य एतत् संस्मरेत् प्रातः सायं च सुसमाहितः । कविर्भवति मन्त्रज्ञो गतिं चैव तथात्मनः ॥ 4.12 ॥

ya etat saṁsmaret prātaḥ sāyaṁ ca susamāhitaḥ kavir bhavati mantra-jño gatiṁ caiva tathātmanaḥ

Whoever, with focused mind, recalls this account morning and evening becomes wise, versed in the sacred mantras, and attains the highest goal of the self as well.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.9.4.13)

नाभागादम्बरीषोऽभून्महाभागवतः कृती । नास्पृशद् ब्रह्मशापोऽपि यं न प्रतिहतः क्वचित् ॥ 4.13 ॥

nābhāgād ambarīṣo ’bhūn mahā-bhāgavataḥ kṛtī nāspṛśad brahma-śāpo ’pi yaṁ na pratihataḥ kvacit

From Nabhaga was born Ambarisha, a great devotee of the Lord and a man of accomplished deeds. Even a brahmana's curse, which elsewhere never fails, could not touch him.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.9.4.14)

श्रीराजोवाच भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि राजर्षेस्तस्य धीमतः । न प्राभूद् यत्र निर्मुक्तो ब्रह्मदण्डो दुरत्ययः ॥ 4.14 ॥

śrī-rājovāca bhagavañ chrotum icchāmi rājarṣes tasya dhīmataḥ na prābhūd yatra nirmukto brahma-daṇḍo duratyayaḥ

King Parikshit said: O lord, I wish to hear of that wise royal sage on whom the invoked, otherwise irresistible curse of a brahmana had no power.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.9.4.15)

श्रीशुक उवाच अम्बरीषो महाभागः सप्तद्वीपवतीं महीम् । अव्ययां च श्रियं लब्ध्वा विभवं चातुलं भुवि ॥ 4.15 ॥

śrīśuka uvāca ambarīṣo mahābhāgaḥ saptadvīpavatīṁ mahīm avyayāṁ ca śriyaṁ labdhvā vibhavaṁ cātulaṁ bhuvi

Shukadeva said: The most fortunate Ambarisha obtained dominion over the whole earth of seven islands, imperishable prosperity, and matchless wealth in this world,

Verse 16 (bhagavata.9.4.16)

मेनेऽतिदुर्लभं पुंसां सर्वं तत् स्वप्नसंस्तुतम् । विद्वान् विभवनिर्वाणं तमो विशति यत् पुमान् ॥ 4.16 ॥

mene ’tidurlabhaṁ puṁsāṁ sarvaṁ tat svapnasaṁstutam vidvān vibhavanirvāṇaṁ tamo viśati yat pumān

yet, wise as he was, he regarded all this — rare as it is for men to attain — as no more than a dream's fleeting boast, knowing that when such opulence ends, a man sinks into darkness.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.9.4.17)

वासुदेवे भगवति तद्भक्तेषु च साधुषु । प्राप्तो भावं परं विश्वं येनेदं लोष्ट्रवत् स्मृतम् ॥ 4.17 ॥

vāsudeve bhagavati tad-bhakteṣu ca sādhuṣu prāpto bhāvaṁ paraṁ viśvaṁ yenedaṁ loṣṭravat smṛtam

He had attained supreme devotion to Lord Vasudeva and to His saintly devotees, by which this whole universe seemed to him no more than a clod of earth.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.9.4.18)

स वै मनः कृष्णपदारविन्दयो- र्वचांसि वैकुण्ठगुणानुवर्णने । करौ हरेर्मन्दिरमार्जनादिषु श्रुतिं चकाराच्युतसत्कथोदये ॥ 4.18 ॥

sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇapadāravindayo- rvacāṁsi vaikuṇṭhaguṇānuvarṇane karau harermandiramārjanādiṣu śrutiṁ cakārācyutasatkathodaye

He fixed his mind upon Krishna's lotus feet, his speech upon describing the qualities of Vaikuntha, his hands upon cleaning the temple of Hari, and his ears upon the rising of Achyuta's sacred stories.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.9.4.19)

मुकुन्दलिङ्गालयदर्शने दृशौ तद्भृत्यगात्रस्पर्शेऽङ्गसङ्गमम् । घ्राणं च तत्पादसरोजसौरभे श्रीमत्तुलस्या रसनां तदर्पिते ॥ 4.19 ॥

mukundaliṅgālayadarśane dṛśau tadbhṛtyagātrasparśe ’ṅgasaṅgamam ghrāṇaṁ ca tatpādasarojasaurabhe śrīmattulasyā rasanāṁ tadarpite

He fixed his eyes upon the sight of Mukunda's Deity and temples, his sense of touch upon contact with the bodies of the Lord's servants, his sense of smell upon the fragrance of tulasi at His lotus feet, and his tongue upon the taste of what was offered to Him.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.9.4.20)

पादौ हरेः क्षेत्रपदानुसर्पणे शिरो हृषीकेशपदाभिवन्दने । कामं च दास्ये न तु कामकाम्यया यथोत्तमश्लोकजनाश्रया रतिः ॥ 4.20 ॥

pādau hareḥ kṣetrapadānusarpaṇe śiro hṛṣīkeśapadābhivandane kāmaṁ ca dāsye na tu kāmakāmyayā yathottamaślokajanāśrayā ratiḥ

He set his feet to walking toward Hari's holy places, his head to bowing at the feet of Hrishikesha, and all his desiring to His service alone — not for the sake of desire's own fulfillment, but with the same love that is natural among those devoted to the Lord of glorious renown.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.9.4.21)

एवं सदा कर्मकलापमात्मनः परेऽधियज्ञे भगवत्यधोक्षजे । सर्वात्मभावं विदधन्महीमिमां तन्निष्ठविप्राभिहितः शशास ह ॥ 4.21 ॥

evaṁ sadā karma-kalāpam ātmanaḥ pare ’dhiyajñe bhagavaty adhokṣaje sarvātma-bhāvaṁ vidadhan mahīm imāṁ tan-niṣṭha-viprābhihitaḥ śaśāsa ha

Thus offering all the fruits of his royal duties, always, to the Supreme Person, the Lord beyond the senses who receives every sacrifice, and guided by brahmanas devoted to Him, he ruled this whole earth.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.9.4.22)

ईजेऽश्वमेधैरधियज्ञमीश्वरं महाविभूत्योपचिताङ्गदक्षिणैः । ततैर्वसिष्ठासितगौतमादिभि- र्धन्वन्यभिस्रोतमसौ सरस्वतीम् ॥ 4.22 ॥

īje ’śvamedhair adhiyajñam īśvaraṁ mahā-vibhūtyopacitāṅga-dakṣiṇaiḥ tatair vasiṣṭhāsita-gautamādibhir dhanvany abhisrotam asau sarasvatīm

With ashvamedha sacrifices of great splendor and abundant sacrificial gifts, conducted by Vasishtha, Asita, Gautama and other great sages, he worshipped the Lord of all sacrifice, there in the desert land where the river Sarasvati flows.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.9.4.23)

यस्य क्रतुषु गीर्वाणैः सदस्या ऋत्विजो जनाः । तुल्यरूपाश्चानिमिषा व्यदृश्यन्त सुवाससः ॥ 4.23 ॥

yasya kratuṣu gīrvāṇaiḥ sadasyā ṛtvijo janāḥ tulya-rūpāś cānimiṣā vyadṛśyanta suvāsasaḥ

In his sacrifices the assembly-members and officiating priests appeared radiant as gods themselves — alike in form, unblinking of eye, and finely robed.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.9.4.24)

स्वर्गो न प्रार्थितो यस्य मनुजैरमरप्रियः । शृण्वद्भिरुपगायद्भिरुत्तमश्लोकचेष्टितम् ॥ 4.24 ॥

svargo na prārthito yasya manujair amara-priyaḥ śṛṇvadbhir upagāyadbhir uttamaśloka-ceṣṭitam

His subjects, ever hearing and singing of the deeds of the Lord of glorious renown, did not even desire heaven — dear as that realm is even to the gods.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.9.4.25)

संवर्धयन्ति यत् कामाः स्वाराज्यपरिभाविताः । दुर्लभा नापि सिद्धानां मुकुन्दं हृदि पश्यतः ॥ 4.25 ॥

saṁvardhayanti yat kāmāḥ svārājya-paribhāvitāḥ durlabhā nāpi siddhānāṁ mukundaṁ hṛdi paśyataḥ

Even those mystic perfections, nurtured by the sense of self-mastery and hard even for the perfected to attain, hold no want for one who beholds Mukunda ever within his heart.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.9.4.26)

स इत्थं भक्तियोगेन तपोयुक्तेन पार्थिवः । स्वधर्मेण हरिं प्रीणन् सर्वान् कामान्शनैर्जहौ ॥ 4.26 ॥

sa itthaṁ bhakti-yogena tapo-yuktena pārthivaḥ sva-dharmeṇa hariṁ prīṇan sarvān kāmān śanair jahau

Thus, through devotional service joined with austerity, pleasing Hari by his own prescribed duty, that king gradually let go of every desire.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.9.4.27)

गृहेषु दारेषु सुतेषु बन्धुषु द्विपोत्तमस्यन्दनवाजिवस्तुषु । अक्षय्यरत्नाभरणाम्बरादि- ष्वनन्तकोशेष्वकरोदसन्मतिम् ॥ 4.27 ॥

gṛheṣu dāreṣu suteṣu bandhuṣu dvipottama-syandana-vāji-vastuṣu akṣayya-ratnābharaṇāmbarādiṣv ananta-kośeṣv akarod asan-matim

Toward home, wives, sons, kinsmen, the finest elephants, chariots and horses, imperishable jewels, ornaments, garments and his boundless treasury, he grew a mind free of attachment.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.9.4.28)

तस्मा अदाद्धरिश्चक्रं प्रत्यनीकभयावहम् । एकान्तभक्तिभावेन प्रीतो भक्ताभिरक्षणम् ॥ 4.28 ॥

tasmā adād dhariś cakraṁ pratyanīka-bhayāvaham ekānta-bhakti-bhāvena prīto bhaktābhirakṣaṇam

Pleased by his single-minded devotion, Lord Hari gave him His own discus — terrible to enemies, ever the guardian of His devotees.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.9.4.29)

आरिराधयिषुः कृष्णं महिष्या तुल्यशीलया । युक्तः सांवत्सरं वीरो दधार द्वादशीव्रतम् ॥ 4.29 ॥

ārirādhayiṣuḥ kṛṣṇaṁ mahiṣyā tulya-śīlayā yuktaḥ sāṁvatsaraṁ vīro dadhāra dvādaśī-vratam

Desiring to worship Lord Krishna, that heroic king, together with his queen of like character, kept the vow of Dvadashi for a full year.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.9.4.30)

व्रतान्ते कार्तिके मासि त्रिरात्रं समुपोषितः । स्नातः कदाचित् कालिन्द्यां हरिं मधुवनेऽर्चयत् ॥ 4.30 ॥

vratānte kārtike māsi tri-rātraṁ samupoṣitaḥ snātaḥ kadācit kālindyāṁ hariṁ madhuvane ’rcayat

At the vow's close, in the month of Kartika, after a three-night fast, he bathed once in the Yamuna and worshipped Lord Hari in Madhuvana.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.9.4.31)

महाभिषेकविधिना सर्वोपस्करसम्पदा । अभिषिच्याम्बराकल्पैर्गन्धमाल्यार्हणादिभिः ॥ 4.31 ॥

mahābhiṣekavidhinā sarvopaskarasampadā abhiṣicyāmbarākalpairgandhamālyārhaṇādibhiḥ

With the full rite of great ablution, furnished with every requisite, he bathed the Deity and adorned Him with garments, ornaments, fragrant paste, garlands and other offerings,

Verse 32 (bhagavata.9.4.32)

तद्गतान्तरभावेन पूजयामास केशवम् । ब्राह्मणांश्च महाभागान् सिद्धार्थानपि भक्तितः ॥ 4.32 ॥

tadgatāntarabhāvena pūjayāmāsa keśavam brāhmaṇāṁśca mahābhāgān siddhārthānapi bhaktitaḥ

worshipping Keshava with his heart wholly absorbed in Him, and with devotion honored those great and blessed brahmanas as well, who were free of every worldly desire.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.9.4.33)

गवां रुक्मविषाणीनां रूप्याङ्घ्रीणां सुवाससाम् । पयःशीलवयोरूपवत्सोपस्करसम्पदाम् ॥ 4.33 ॥

gavāṁ rukmaviṣāṇīnāṁ rūpyāṅghrīṇāṁ suvāsasām payaḥśīlavayorūpavatsopaskarasampadām

He gave in charity cows with horns sheathed in gold and hooves in silver, richly caparisoned, full of milk, gentle, young and beautiful, each together with her calf,

Verse 34 (bhagavata.9.4.34)

प्राहिणोत् साधुविप्रेभ्यो गृहेषु न्यर्बुदानि षट् । भोजयित्वा द्विजानग्रे स्वाद्वन्नं गुणवत्तमम् ॥ 4.34 ॥

prāhiṇot sādhuviprebhyo gṛheṣu nyarbudāni ṣaṭ bhojayitvā dvijānagre svādvannaṁ guṇavattamam

He sent sixty million such cows to the homes of the saintly brahmanas, and first of all fed the twice-born the finest and most savory food.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.9.4.35)

लब्धकामैरनुज्ञातः पारणायोपचक्रमे । तस्य तर्ह्यतिथिः साक्षाद् दुर्वासा भगवानभूत् ॥ 4.35 ॥

labdhakāmairanujñātaḥ pāraṇāyopacakrame tasya tarhyatithiḥ sākṣād durvāsā bhagavānabhūt

When those satisfied brahmanas had given their leave, the King was about to break his fast, when at that very moment the sage Durvasa himself arrived there as his guest.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.9.4.36)

तमानर्चातिथिं भूपः प्रत्युत्थानासनार्हणैः । ययाचेऽभ्यवहाराय पादमूलमुपागतः ॥ 4.36 ॥

tam ānarcātithiṁ bhūpaḥ pratyutthānāsanārhaṇaiḥ yayāce ’bhyavahārāya pāda-mūlam upāgataḥ

The King rose and honored his guest with a seat and ceremonial offerings; then, coming to his feet, he begged him to accept food.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.9.4.37)

प्रतिनन्द्य स तां याञ्चां कर्तुमावश्यकं गतः । निममज्ज बृहद् ध्यायन् कालिन्दीसलिले शुभे ॥ 4.37 ॥

pratinandya sa tāṁ yācñāṁ kartum āvaśyakaṁ gataḥ nimamajja bṛhad dhyāyan kālindī-salile śubhe

Durvasa gladly accepted the invitation, but went off to perform his obligatory rites, and, plunging into the sacred waters of the Yamuna, fell to meditating upon the Supreme Absolute.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.9.4.38)

मुहूर्तार्धावशिष्टायां द्वादश्यां पारणं प्रति । चिन्तयामास धर्मज्ञो द्विजैस्तद्धर्मसङ्कटे ॥ 4.38 ॥

muhūrtārdhāvaśiṣṭāyāṁ dvādaśyāṁ pāraṇaṁ prati cintayām āsa dharma-jño dvijais tad-dharma-saṅkaṭe

With only half a muhurta of Dvadashi remaining and the fast still unbroken, the King, versed in dharma, took counsel with the brahmanas in that dilemma of duty.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.9.4.39)

ब्राह्मणातिक्रमे दोषो द्वादश्यां यदपारणे । यत् कृत्वा साधु मे भूयादधर्मो वा न मां स्पृशेत् ॥ 4.39 ॥

brāhmaṇātikrame doṣo dvādaśyāṁ yadapāraṇe yat kṛtvā sādhu me bhūyādadharmo vā na māṁ spṛśet

The King said: "It is a fault to slight a brahmana, and equally a fault not to break the fast within Dvadashi. Tell me what course would be good for me, that no sin might touch me."

Verse 40 (bhagavata.9.4.40)

अम्भसा केवलेनाथ करिष्ये व्रतपारणम् । आहुरब्भक्षणं विप्रा ह्यशितं नाशितं च तत् ॥ 4.40 ॥

ambhasā kevalenātha kariṣye vratapāraṇam āhurabbhakṣaṇaṁ viprā hyaśitaṁ nāśitaṁ ca tat

"I shall break my fast with water alone — for the learned brahmanas say that drinking water is both eating and not eating."

Verse 41 (bhagavata.9.4.41)

इत्यपः प्राश्य राजर्षिश्चिन्तयन् मनसाच्युतम् । प्रत्यचष्ट कुरुश्रेष्ठ द्विजागमनमेव सः ॥ 4.41 ॥

ity apaḥ prāśya rājarṣiś cintayan manasācyutam pratyacaṣṭa kuru-śreṣṭha dvijāgamanam eva saḥ

O best of the Kurus, so saying, the royal sage drank only water, and, meditating in his mind on Achyuta, awaited that brahmana's return.

Verse 42 (bhagavata.9.4.42)

दुर्वासा यमुनाकूलात् कृतावश्यक आगतः । राज्ञाभिनन्दितस्तस्य बुबुधे चेष्टितं धिया ॥ 4.42 ॥

durvāsā yamunā-kūlāt kṛtāvaśyaka āgataḥ rājñābhinanditas tasya bubudhe ceṣṭitaṁ dhiyā

Having completed his rites on the Yamuna's bank, Durvasa returned. The King greeted him warmly, but the sage, by his insight, at once perceived what the King had done.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.9.4.43)

मन्युना प्रचलद्गात्रो भ्रुकुटीकुटिलाननः । बुभुक्षितश्च सुतरां कृताञ्जलिमभाषत ॥ 4.43 ॥

manyunā pracalad-gātro bhru-kuṭī-kuṭilānanaḥ bubhukṣitaś ca sutarāṁ kṛtāñjalim abhāṣata

His body shaking with fury, his brow twisted into a scowl, and now sharply hungry besides, he spoke thus to the King who stood before him with joined palms.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.9.4.44)

अहो अस्य नृशंसस्य श्रियोन्मत्तस्य पश्यत । धर्मव्यतिक्रमं विष्णोरभक्तस्येशमानिनः ॥ 4.44 ॥

aho asya nṛ-śaṁsasya śriyonmattasya paśyata dharma-vyatikramaṁ viṣṇor abhaktasyeśa-māninaḥ

"Behold this cruel man, drunk with his own opulence — no devotee of Vishnu, yet fancying himself the master — behold how he has transgressed dharma!"

Verse 45 (bhagavata.9.4.45)

यो मामतिथिमायातमातिथ्येन निमन्त्र्य च । अदत्त्वा भुक्तवांस्तस्य सद्यस्ते दर्शये फलम् ॥ 4.45 ॥

yo mām atithim āyātam ātithyena nimantrya ca adattvā bhuktavāṁs tasya sadyas te darśaye phalam

"You invited me as your guest to eat, yet without giving me anything you have eaten yourself — now I shall show you at once the fruit of that act."

Verse 46 (bhagavata.9.4.46)

एवं ब्रुवाण उत्कृत्य जटां रोषप्रदीपितः । तया स निर्ममे तस्मै कृत्यां कालानलोपमाम् ॥ 4.46 ॥

evaṁ bruvāṇa utkṛtya jaṭāṁ roṣa-pradīpitaḥ tayā sa nirmame tasmai kṛtyāṁ kālānalopamām

So saying, blazing with rage, he tore a lock from his matted hair, and from it fashioned a fiend terrible as the fire of universal destruction.

Verse 47 (bhagavata.9.4.47)

तामापतन्तीं ज्वलतीमसिहस्तां पदा भुवम् । वेपयन्तीं समुद्वीक्ष्य न चचाल पदान्नृपः ॥ 4.47 ॥

tām āpatantīṁ jvalatīm asi-hastāṁ padā bhuvam vepayantīṁ samudvīkṣya na cacāla padān nṛpaḥ

Seeing that blazing fiend rushing upon him, sword in hand, her tread making the earth tremble, the King did not so much as stir a step from where he stood.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.9.4.48)

प्राग्दिष्टं भृत्यरक्षायां पुरुषेण महात्मना । ददाह कृत्यां तां चक्रं क्रुद्धाहिमिव पावकः ॥ 4.48 ॥

prāg diṣṭaṁ bhṛtya-rakṣāyāṁ puruṣeṇa mahātmanā dadāha kṛtyāṁ tāṁ cakraṁ kruddhāhim iva pāvakaḥ

The discus, long before commanded by the great Lord to guard His servant, burnt that fiend to ashes in an instant, as fire consumes an angry serpent.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.9.4.49)

तदभिद्रवदुद्वीक्ष्य स्वप्रयासं च निष्फलम् । दुर्वासा दुद्रुवे भीतो दिक्षु प्राणपरीप्सया ॥ 4.49 ॥

tad-abhidravad udvīkṣya sva-prayāsaṁ ca niṣphalam durvāsā dudruve bhīto dikṣu prāṇa-parīpsayā

Seeing his own effort come to nothing and that discus now rushing toward him, Durvasa, terrified, fled in every direction to save his life.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.9.4.50)

तमन्वधावद् भगवद्रथाङ्गं दावाग्निरुद्धूतशिखो यथाहिम् । तथानुषक्तं मुनिरीक्षमाणो गुहां विविक्षुः प्रससार मेरोः ॥ 4.50 ॥

tam anvadhāvad bhagavad-rathāṅgaṁ dāvāgnir uddhūta-śikho yathāhim tathānuṣaktaṁ munir īkṣamāṇo guhāṁ vivikṣuḥ prasasāra meroḥ

As the leaping flames of a forest fire pursue a serpent, so the Lord's discus pursued him. Seeing it fastened close behind him, the sage ran on, seeking to enter some cave of Mount Meru.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.9.4.51)

दिशो नभः क्ष्मां विवरान्समुद्रान् लोकान् सपालांस्त्रिदिवं गतः सः । यतो यतो धावति तत्र तत्र सुदर्शनं दुष्प्रसहं ददर्श ॥ 4.51 ॥

diśo nabhaḥ kṣmāṁ vivarān samudrān lokān sapālāṁs tridivaṁ gataḥ saḥ yato yato dhāvati tatra tatra sudarśanaṁ duṣprasahaṁ dadarśa

He fled through every quarter, through the sky, over the earth, into caverns, across the oceans, through the worlds with their guardian lords, up to heaven itself — yet wherever he ran, there he saw that unbearable Sudarshana still before him.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.9.4.52)

अलब्धनाथः स सदा कुतश्चित् सन्त्रस्तचित्तोऽरणमेषमाणः । देवं विरिञ्चं समगाद्विधात- स्त्राह्यात्मयोनेऽजिततेजसो माम् ॥ 4.52 ॥

alabdha-nāthaḥ sa sadā kutaścit santrasta-citto ’raṇam eṣamāṇaḥ devaṁ viriñcaṁ samagād vidhātas trāhy ātma-yone ’jita-tejaso mām

Finding no protector anywhere, his mind ever terror-stricken as he searched for refuge, he came at last to the god Brahma and cried: "O self-born Ordainer, save me from the fiery power of the unconquered Lord!"

Verse 53 (bhagavata.9.4.53)

श्रीब्रह्मोवाच स्थानं मदीयं सहविश्वमेतत् क्रीडावसाने द्विपरार्धसंज्ञे । भ्रूभङ्गमात्रेण हि सन्दिधक्षोः कालात्मनो यस्य तिरोभविष्यति ॥ 4.53 ॥

śrībrahmovāca sthānaṁ madīyaṁ sahaviśvametat krīḍāvasāne dviparārdhasaṁjñe bhrūbhaṅgamātreṇa hi sandidhakṣoḥ kālātmano yasya tirobhaviṣyati

Shri Brahma said: At the end of that span of time called the dvi-parardha, when the Lord, who is Time itself, wills to consume all with but a movement of His brow, this abode of mine, together with the whole universe, shall vanish —

Verse 54 (bhagavata.9.4.54)

अहं भवो दक्षभृगुप्रधानाः प्रजेशभूतेशसुरेशमुख्याः । सर्वे वयं यन्नियमं प्रपन्ना मूर्ध्न्यार्पितं लोकहितं वहामः ॥ 4.54 ॥

ahaṁ bhavo dakṣabhṛgupradhānāḥ prajeśabhūteśasureśamukhyāḥ sarve vayaṁ yanniyamaṁ prapannā mūrdhnyārpitaṁ lokahitaṁ vahāmaḥ

I, Shiva, and the foremost Prajapatis headed by Daksha and Bhrigu, together with the lords of beings and of the gods — all of us live under His governance, bearing His command upon our heads for the good of all worlds.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.9.4.55)

प्रत्याख्यातो विरिञ्चेन विष्णुचक्रोपतापितः । दुर्वासाः शरणं यातः शर्वं कैलासवासिनम् ॥ 4.55 ॥

pratyākhyāto viriñcena viṣṇu-cakropatāpitaḥ durvāsāḥ śaraṇaṁ yātaḥ śarvaṁ kailāsa-vāsinam

Refused by Brahma, and still scorched by the discus of Vishnu, Durvasa turned for refuge to Lord Shiva, dweller upon Kailasa.

Verse 56 (bhagavata.9.4.56)

श्रीशङ्कर उवाच वयं न तात प्रभवाम भूम्नि यस्मिन् परेऽन्येऽप्यजजीवकोशाः । भवन्ति काले न भवन्ति हीदृशाः सहस्रशो यत्र वयं भ्रमामः ॥ 4.56 ॥

śrī-śaṅkara uvāca vayaṁ na tāta prabhavāma bhūmni yasmin pare ’nye ’py aja-jīva-kośāḥ bhavanti kāle na bhavanti hīdṛśāḥ sahasraśo yatra vayaṁ bhramāmaḥ

Shri Shankara said: My son, we have no power before that Supreme in whom countless other universes, with their gods and living beings, come into being and pass away with time — the same Supreme within whom we ourselves wander, by the thousand.

Verse 57 (bhagavata.9.4.57)

अहं सनत्कुमारश्च नारदो भगवानजः । कपिलोऽपान्तरतमो देवलो धर्म आसुरिः ॥ 4.57 ॥

ahaṁ sanatkumāraśca nārado bhagavānajaḥ kapilo ’pāntaratamo devalo dharma āsuriḥ

I myself, Sanatkumara, Narada, the lord Brahma, Kapila, Apantaratama (Vyasa), Devala, Dharma and Asuri —

Verse 58 (bhagavata.9.4.58)

मरीचिप्रमुखाश्चान्ये सिद्धेशाः पारदर्शनाः । विदाम न वयं सर्वे यन्मायां माययावृताः ॥ 4.58 ॥

marīcipramukhāścānye siddheśāḥ pāradarśanāḥ vidāma na vayaṁ sarve yanmāyāṁ māyayāvṛtāḥ

and Marichi and the other masters of perfection, seers of the ultimate truth — even we, all of us, being ourselves covered by His illusory power, cannot fully know that power.

Verse 59 (bhagavata.9.4.59)

तस्य विश्वेश्वरस्येदं शस्त्रं दुर्विषहं हि नः । तमेवं शरणं याहि हरिस्ते शं विधास्यति ॥ 4.59 ॥

tasya viśveśvarasyedaṁ śastraṁ durviṣahaṁ hi naḥ tamevaṁ śaraṇaṁ yāhi hariste śaṁ vidhāsyati

This weapon of that Lord of the universe is unbearable even to us. Go, then, and take refuge in Him alone — Lord Hari will grant you peace.

Verse 60 (bhagavata.9.4.60)

ततो निराशो दुर्वासाः पदं भगवतो ययौ । वैकुण्ठाख्यं यदध्यास्ते श्रीनिवासः श्रिया सह ॥ 4.60 ॥

tato nirāśo durvāsāḥ padaṁ bhagavato yayau vaikuṇṭhākhyaṁ yad adhyāste śrīnivāsaḥ śriyā saha

Thereupon, despairing, Durvasa went to the Lord's own abode called Vaikuntha, where Shrinivasa dwells together with Shri.

Verse 61 (bhagavata.9.4.61)

सन्दह्यमानोऽजितशस्त्रवह्निना तत्पादमूले पतितः सवेपथुः । आहाच्युतानन्त सदीप्सित प्रभो कृतागसं माव हि विश्वभावन ॥ 4.61 ॥

sandahyamāno ’jita-śastra-vahninā tat-pāda-mūle patitaḥ savepathuḥ āhācyutānanta sad-īpsita prabho kṛtāgasaṁ māvahi viśva-bhāvana

Scorched by the fire of the unconquered Lord's weapon, trembling, he fell at His feet and cried: "O Achyuta, O Ananta, O Lord ever to be sought, O sustainer of the universe! Protect this offender — protect me!"

Verse 62 (bhagavata.9.4.62)

अजानता ते परमानुभावं कृतं मयाघं भवतः प्रियाणाम् । विधेहि तस्यापचितिं विधात- र्मुच्येत यन्नाम्न्युदिते नारकोऽपि ॥ 4.62 ॥

ajānatā te paramānubhāvaṁ kṛtaṁ mayāghaṁ bhavataḥ priyāṇām vidhehi tasyāpacitiṁ vidhātar mucyeta yan-nāmny udite nārako ’pi

"Not knowing Your supreme majesty, I have committed this offense against Your beloved devotee. O Ordainer, grant its atonement — for at the mere rising of Your name even a denizen of hell wins release."

Verse 63 (bhagavata.9.4.63)

श्रीभगवानुवाच अहं भक्तपराधीनो ह्यस्वतन्त्र इव द्विज । साधुभिर्ग्रस्तहृदयो भक्तैर्भक्तजनप्रियः ॥ 4.63 ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca ahaṁ bhakta-parādhīno hy asvatantra iva dvija sādhubhir grasta-hṛdayo bhaktair bhakta-jana-priyaḥ

The Lord said: O brahmana, I am subject to My devotees — as though I had no will of My own. My heart is held captive by My saintly devotees, and even those devoted to My devotees are dear to Me.

Verse 64 (bhagavata.9.4.64)

नाहमात्मानमाशासे मद्भक्तैः साधुभिर्विना । श्रियं चात्यन्तिकीं ब्रह्मन् येषां गतिरहं परा ॥ 4.64 ॥

nāham ātmānam āśāse mad-bhaktaiḥ sādhubhir vinā śriyaṁ cātyantikīṁ brahman yeṣāṁ gatir ahaṁ parā

O brahmana, without My saintly devotees, for whom I alone am the highest goal, I desire neither My own self nor even My own supreme opulence.

Verse 65 (bhagavata.9.4.65)

ये दारागारपुत्राप्तप्राणान् वित्तमिमं परम् । हित्वा मां शरणं याताः कथं तांस्त्यक्तुमुत्सहे ॥ 4.65 ॥

ye dārāgāra-putrāpta- prāṇān vittam imaṁ param hitvā māṁ śaraṇaṁ yātāḥ kathaṁ tāṁs tyaktum utsahe

Those who have given up wife, home, children, dear ones, their very lives and this world's utmost wealth to take refuge in Me alone — how could I ever forsake them?

Verse 66 (bhagavata.9.4.66)

मयि निर्बद्धहृदयाः साधवः समदर्शनाः । वशेकुर्वन्ति मां भक्त्या सत्स्त्रियः सत्पतिं यथा ॥ 4.66 ॥

mayi nirbaddha-hṛdayāḥ sādhavaḥ sama-darśanāḥ vaśe kurvanti māṁ bhaktyā sat-striyaḥ sat-patiṁ yathā

As chaste women bring their gentle husbands under their sway, so My saintly devotees, their hearts bound fast to Me, seeing all things equally, bring Me under their sway through devotion.

Verse 67 (bhagavata.9.4.67)

मत्सेवया प्रतीतं ते सालोक्यादिचतुष्टयम् । नेच्छन्ति सेवया पूर्णाः कुतोऽन्यत् कालविप्लुतम् ॥ 4.67 ॥

mat-sevayā pratītaṁ te sālokyādi-catuṣṭayam necchanti sevayā pūrṇāḥ kuto ’nyat kāla-viplutam

Even the fourfold liberation — salokya and the rest — which comes unsought through service to Me, they do not desire, so full are they in that service alone; what then of any lesser happiness, doomed to perish with time?

Verse 68 (bhagavata.9.4.68)

साधवो हृदयं मह्यं साधूनां हृदयं त्वहम् । मदन्यत् ते न जानन्ति नाहं तेभ्यो मनागपि ॥ 4.68 ॥

sādhavo hṛdayaṁ mahyaṁ sādhūnāṁ hṛdayaṁ tv aham mad-anyat te na jānanti nāhaṁ tebhyo manāg api

The saintly are My own heart, and I am the heart of the saintly. They know nothing but Me, and I know nothing apart from them, even in the least.

Verse 69 (bhagavata.9.4.69)

उपायं कथयिष्यामि तव विप्र शृणुष्व तत् । अयं ह्यात्माभिचारस्ते यतस्तं याहि मा चिरम् । साधुषु प्रहितं तेजः प्रहर्तुः कुरुतेऽशिवम् ॥ 4.69 ॥

upāyaṁ kathayiṣyāmi tava vipra śṛṇuṣva tat ayaṁ hy ātmābhicāras te yatas taṁ yāhi mā ciram sādhuṣu prahitaṁ tejaḥ prahartuḥ kurute ’śivam

O brahmana, I shall now tell you the remedy — listen. This was in truth sorcery turned against your own self; go to him without delay. Power directed against the saintly brings ill only upon the one who wields it.

Verse 70 (bhagavata.9.4.70)

तपो विद्या च विप्राणां निःश्रेयसकरे उभे । ते एव दुर्विनीतस्य कल्पेते कर्तुरन्यथा ॥ 4.70 ॥

tapo vidyā ca viprāṇāṁ niḥśreyasa-kare ubhe te eva durvinītasya kalpete kartur anyathā

For a brahmana, both austerity and learning bring the highest good; but for one lacking humility, those very same things turn to his own undoing.

Verse 71 (bhagavata.9.4.71)

ब्रह्मंस्तद् गच्छ भद्रं ते नाभागतनयं नृपम् । क्षमापय महाभागं ततः शान्तिर्भविष्यति ॥ 4.71 ॥

brahmaṁs tad gaccha bhadraṁ te nābhāga-tanayaṁ nṛpam kṣamāpaya mahā-bhāgaṁ tataḥ śāntir bhaviṣyati

O brahmana, may all be well with you — go now to that most fortunate king, the son of Nabhaga, and beg his forgiveness; only then will you find peace.