The Gradation of Bliss and the Vow of Nila

Verse 1 (garuda.2.68.1)

गरुड उवाच । त्वयोक्तं कृष्ण गोविन्द रुद्राच्छतगुणादपि । ब्रह्माणी भारती चोभे अधिके देवसत्तम

garuḍa uvāca tvayoktaṁ kṛṣṇa govinda rudrācchataguṇādapi brahmāṇī bhāratī cobhe adhike devasattama

Garuda said: O Krishna Govinda, you said that both Brahmani and Bharati exceed even Rudra's hundredfold measure, O best of gods.

Verse 2 (garuda.2.68.2)

मया श्रुतं विरिञ्चेन उमापर्यन्तमेव च । अनन्तांशैर्विहीनत्वं विरिञ्चोक्तं सुराधिप

mayā śrutaṁ viriñcena umāparyantameva ca anantāṁśairvihīnatvaṁ viriñcoktaṁ surādhipa

I have heard from Brahma himself, up to the level of Uma, that there is a deficiency of portions relative to Ananta (Shesha) — so declared by Brahma himself, O lord of the gods.

Verse 3 (garuda.2.68.3)

सहस्रांशैर्विहीनत्वं त्वयोक्तं कृष्ण माधव । सर्वेषां चैव पूर्वेषामवेक्ष्यैव हरे विभो

sahasrāṁśairvihīnatvaṁ tvayoktaṁ kṛṣṇa mādhava sarveṣāṁ caiva pūrveṣāmavekṣyaiva hare vibho

You, O Krishna Madhava, have said there is a deficiency of a thousand portions, considering all these previous ones, O mighty Hari.

Verse 4 (garuda.2.68.4)

ज्ञानानन्दबलादीनां वायुपर्यन्तमेव च । सहस्रांशैर्विहीनत्वं ज्ञानादीनां महेश्वर

jñānānandabalādīnāṁ vāyuparyantameva ca sahasrāṁśairvihīnatvaṁ jñānādīnāṁ maheśvara

O great lord, regarding knowledge, bliss, strength and the rest, up to the level of Vayu, there is a deficiency of a thousand portions in these very qualities.

Verse 5 (garuda.2.68.5)

निर्णयं ब्रृहि गोविन्द सर्वज्ञोसि न संशयः । गरुडेनैवमुक्तस्तु वासुदेवोब्रवीद्ध्रुवम्

nirṇayaṁ brṛhi govinda sarvajñosi na saṁśayaḥ garuḍenaivamuktastu vāsudevobravīddhruvam

Tell me the true determination, O Govinda; you are omniscient, without doubt. Thus addressed by Garuda, Vasudeva spoke with certainty.

Verse 6 (garuda.2.68.6)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । आनन्दांशैर्विहीनत्वमपेक्ष्यैव खगाधिप । उत्तरेषामुत्तरेषां योगादेवमिति स्फुटम्

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca ānandāṁśairvihīnatvamapekṣyaiva khagādhipa uttareṣāmuttareṣāṁ yogādevamiti sphuṭam

Shri Krishna said: O lord of birds, this deficiency of portions of bliss is to be understood as reckoned between each successive tier and the one below it — this is clearly established.

Verse 7 (garuda.2.68.7)

परिमाणे शतगुणे आनन्दे स्फुटतावशात् । अनन्तगुणवत्त्वं च ब्रह्मणा समुदीरितम्

parimāṇe śataguṇe ānande sphuṭatāvaśāt anantaguṇavattvaṁ ca brahmaṇā samudīritam

In measure, when reckoned as a hundredfold bliss, Brahma, for clarity's sake, described it as endlessly multiplied for the higher tiers.

Verse 8 (garuda.2.68.8)

सहस्रगुणितत्वं च वायुना समुदीरितम् । यथानन्दे तथा ज्ञाने विष्णौ भक्तौ बलाधिके

sahasraguṇitatvaṁ ca vāyunā samudīritam yathānande tathā jñāne viṣṇau bhaktau balādhike

And Vayu described it as thousandfold multiplied; as with bliss, so with knowledge, with devotion to Vishnu, and with superior strength.

Verse 9 (garuda.2.68.9)

सर्वे गुणैः शतगुणाः क्रमेणोक्ता नु तेऽखिलाः । भारत्याश्च शतं ज्ञानं सुखं भक्तिबलाधिके

sarve guṇaiḥ śataguṇāḥ krameṇoktā nu te'khilāḥ bhāratyāśca śataṁ jñānaṁ sukhaṁ bhaktibalādhike

All these tiers are declared in due order to be a hundredfold greater in qualities than the one below; Bharati's knowledge, happiness, devotion, and strength are a hundredfold higher than what lies below her.

Verse 10 (garuda.2.68.10)

एवं ज्ञानं सुविज्ञेयं मारुतेस्तु बलादिकम् । एवं ज्ञानं शतं ज्ञेयं मारुते नात्र संशयः

evaṁ jñānaṁ suvijñeyaṁ mārutestu balādikam evaṁ jñānaṁ śataṁ jñeyaṁ mārute nātra saṁśayaḥ

Thus the knowledge, strength, and so forth of Maruta are to be well understood; his knowledge is to be known as a hundredfold greater — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 11 (garuda.2.68.11)

भारत्याश्च शतं ज्ञानं बलं च समुदाहृतम् । एवमेव च वायोश्च ज्ञानं चैवमिति स्फुटम्

bhāratyāśca śataṁ jñānaṁ balaṁ ca samudāhṛtam evameva ca vāyośca jñānaṁ caivamiti sphuṭam

Bharati's knowledge and strength are likewise declared to be a hundredfold; and Vayu's knowledge is clearly the same in kind.

Verse 12 (garuda.2.68.12)

यथा दीपाच्छतगुणा अग्निज्वाला न दीपवत् । स्फुटीभवेद्यथैवाग्निर्बहुलोपि न सूर्यवत्

yathā dīpācchataguṇā agnijvālā na dīpavat sphuṭībhavedyathaivāgnirbahulopi na sūryavat

Just as a flame of fire, though a hundred times a lamp's brightness, does not shine like a lamp; just as fire, though vast, is not like the sun—

Verse 13 (garuda.2.68.13)

यथैव सूर्याद्द्विगुणश्चन्द्रो नैव स्फुटीभवेत् । आनन्दतारतम्यं च यथोक्तं तु मया तव

yathaiva sūryāddviguṇaścandro naiva sphuṭībhavet ānandatāratamyaṁ ca yathoktaṁ tu mayā tava

—just as the moon, though twice some measure, never shines like the sun — so is the gradation of bliss as I have described it to you.

Verse 14 (garuda.2.68.14)

तथैव जानीहि खग नान्यथा तु कथञ्चन । अहं विजानामि मयि स्थितान् गुणान्सर्वैर्विशेषैश्च खगेन्द्र संयुतान्

tathaiva jānīhi khaga nānyathā tu kathañcana ahaṁ vijānāmi mayi sthitān guṇānsarvairviśeṣaiśca khagendra saṁyutān

Understand it exactly thus, O bird, and never otherwise. I myself know the qualities abiding in me, endowed with every particular distinction, O lord of birds—

Verse 15 (garuda.2.68.15)

सुसूक्ष्मरूपांश्च सदा खगेन्द्र मयाप्यदृष्टो नास्ति नास्त्येव कश्चित्

susūkṣmarūpāṁśca sadā khagendra mayāpyadṛṣṭo nāsti nāstyeva kaścit

—knowing them always in their most subtle forms, O lord of birds; there exists nothing whatsoever unseen even by me.

Verse 16 (garuda.2.68.16)

सर्वावतारेष्वपि विद्यमानं हरिं विजानाति रमापि देवी

sarvāvatāreṣvapi vidyamānaṁ hariṁ vijānāti ramāpi devī

Even the goddess Rama fully knows Hari as he exists present in all his incarnations.

Verse 17 (garuda.2.68.17)

हरेर्गुणान्सर्वविशेषसंयुतानखण्डरूपान्सा विजानाति देवी । सुसूक्ष्मरूपान्सा विजानाति देवी ब्रह्मादिभ्यो मत्प्रसादाधिकं च

harerguṇānsarvaviśeṣasaṁyutānakhaṇḍarūpānsā vijānāti devī susūkṣmarūpānsā vijānāti devī brahmādibhyo matprasādādhikaṁ ca

That goddess knows Hari's qualities, endowed with every particular, in their undivided form; by my own grace, she knows them in their most subtle forms even more than Brahma and the others.

Verse 18 (garuda.2.68.18)

स्वात्मस्वरूपं प्रविजानाति देवी सुसूक्ष्मरूपं सुविशेषैश्च युक्तम् । स्वान्यं प्रपञ्चं प्रविजानाति लक्ष्मीस्तथाप्यशेषैः सुविशेषैश्च युक्तम्

svātmasvarūpaṁ pravijānāti devī susūkṣmarūpaṁ suviśeṣaiśca yuktam svānyaṁ prapañcaṁ pravijānāti lakṣmīstathāpyaśeṣaiḥ suviśeṣaiśca yuktam

The goddess fully knows her own subtle nature, endowed with fine particulars; Lakshmi likewise fully knows the entire created world other than herself, complete with all its particulars.

Verse 19 (garuda.2.68.19)

ब्रह्मापि पश्येत्सर्वगं वासुदेवं वाय्वादिभ्यो ह्यधिकान्सद्गुणांश्च । श्रोत्रं न जानाति हरेर्गुणांश्च सुसूक्ष्मरूपांश्च विशेषसंयुतान्

brahmāpi paśyetsarvagaṁ vāsudevaṁ vāyvādibhyo hyadhikānsadguṇāṁśca śrotraṁ na jānāti harerguṇāṁśca susūkṣmarūpāṁśca viśeṣasaṁyutān

Even Brahma beholds all-pervading Vasudeva with qualities greater than Vayu and the rest; yet his hearing does not know Hari's qualities in their most subtle, particular forms.

Verse 20 (garuda.2.68.20)

स्पष्टस्वरूपेण यथा विदुः सुरा मुक्त्वा ब्रह्माणं न तथा तेप्यमुक्ताः । स्वात्मानमन्यच्च सदा विशेषर्युक्तं विजानाति विधिश्च मारुतः

spaṣṭasvarūpeṇa yathā viduḥ surā muktvā brahmāṇaṁ na tathā tepyamuktāḥ svātmānamanyacca sadā viśeṣaryuktaṁ vijānāti vidhiśca mārutaḥ

As the gods know Hari in his manifest form — excepting Brahma, being unliberated — Brahma and Maruta ever know both their own self and other things, complete with their respective particulars.

Verse 21 (garuda.2.68.21)

वाणी विजानाति हरेर्गुणांश्च स्वयंभुवो नैव तावद्विशेषान् । त्रैगुण्यरूपात्परतः सदैव पश्येद्विष्णुं कृष्णरूपं खगेन्द्र

vāṇī vijānāti harerguṇāṁśca svayaṁbhuvo naiva tāvadviśeṣān traiguṇyarūpātparataḥ sadaiva paśyedviṣṇuṁ kṛṣṇarūpaṁ khagendra

Vani knows Hari's qualities, but not all the particulars of the Self-Born; beyond the form composed of the three gunas she ever beholds Vishnu in his form as Krishna, O lord of birds.

Verse 22 (garuda.2.68.22)

शेषो रुद्रो वीन्द्र एतैश्च सर्वे तमो मात्रे प्रविजानन्ति संस्थम् । वाणीदृष्टान्सविशेषान् गुणांस्ते जानन्ति नो सत्यमेवोक्तमङ्ग

śeṣo rudro vīndra etaiśca sarve tamo mātre pravijānanti saṁstham vāṇīdṛṣṭānsaviśeṣān guṇāṁste jānanti no satyamevoktamaṅga

O best of kings, Shesha, Rudra, and all these others perceive Hari only insofar as present within the tamas-principle; they do not know the particular qualities that Vani perceives — this, dear one, is truly said.

Verse 23 (garuda.2.68.23)

उमा सुपर्णा वारुणी चेति तिस्रः सहैव तः प्रविजानन्ति सुस्थम् । हरेर्विशेषानरुद्र दृष्टान्खगेन्द्र जानन्ति नैताः क्वापि देशे च काले

umā suparṇā vāruṇī ceti tisraḥ sahaiva taḥ pravijānanti sustham harerviśeṣānarudra dṛṣṭānkhagendra jānanti naitāḥ kvāpi deśe ca kāle

Uma, Suparna, and Varuni, together, truly perceive Hari well-established; but they never, in any place or time, know Hari's particulars unseen even by Rudra, O lord of birds.

Verse 24 (garuda.2.68.24)

इन्द्रादयः प्रविजानन्ति वीन्द्र अहङ्कारे व्याप्तरूपं हरिं च । दक्षाद्या वै बुद्धितत्त्वे स्थितं तं जानन्ति ते सोमसूर्यादयश्च

indrādayaḥ pravijānanti vīndra ahaṅkāre vyāptarūpaṁ hariṁ ca dakṣādyā vai buddhitattve sthitaṁ taṁ jānanti te somasūryādayaśca

O best of kings, Indra and the others perceive Hari's form as pervading the Ahankara (ego) principle; Daksha and the others, along with the Moon, Sun, and the rest, know him as established in the Buddhi (intellect) principle.

Verse 25 (garuda.2.68.25)

विष्णुं हरिं भूततत्त्वे स्थितं च ये चान्ये च प्रविजानन्ति नित्यम् । अन्ये च पश्यन्ति यथा स्वयोग्यमण्डान्तरस्थं हरिरूपं खगेन्द्र

viṣṇuṁ hariṁ bhūtatattve sthitaṁ ca ye cānye ca pravijānanti nityam anye ca paśyanti yathā svayogyamaṇḍāntarasthaṁ harirūpaṁ khagendra

Others still constantly perceive Vishnu-Hari as established within the elemental principles; and yet others behold, each according to their own capacity, the form of Hari present within the cosmic egg, O lord of birds.

Verse 26 (garuda.2.68.26)

केचित्प्रपश्यन्ति हरेश्च रूपं त्वदीयहृत्स्थं हृदि केचित्सदैव । एवंप्रकारं प्रविजानीहि वीन्द्र ह्यथो शृणु त्वंमम भार्याः षडेताः

kecitprapaśyanti hareśca rūpaṁ tvadīyahṛtsthaṁ hṛdi kecitsadaiva evaṁprakāraṁ pravijānīhi vīndra hyatho śṛṇu tvaṁmama bhāryāḥ ṣaḍetāḥ

Some behold Hari's form as ever abiding within their own heart. Understand this manner of gradation thus, O best of kings; now hear of these six wives of mine.

Verse 27 (garuda.2.68.27)

रुक्मिण्याद्याः षण्महिष्यो ममश्रीर्नीला च या मम भार्या खगेन्द्र । सर्गे पूर्वस्मिन्हव्यवाहस्य पुत्री तास्ता भजे सद्य एवा विशेषात्

rukmiṇyādyāḥ ṣaṇmahiṣyo mamaśrīrnīlā ca yā mama bhāryā khagendra sarge pūrvasminhavyavāhasya putrī tāstā bhaje sadya evā viśeṣāt

Rukmini and the others are my six queens — my Shri, and Nila too, who is my wife, O lord of birds; in an earlier creation she was the daughter of Havyavaha, Agni. I take each of these to wife at once, for a particular reason.

Verse 28 (garuda.2.68.28)

कन्यैव सा कृष्णपत्नी च कामांस्तांस्तान् भजेन्मनसा चिन्तितांश्च । अतीव यत्नं कव्यवाहं खगेन्द्र पितृष्वेकः सर्वदा वै चकार

kanyaiva sā kṛṣṇapatnī ca kāmāṁstāṁstān bhajenmanasā cintitāṁśca atīva yatnaṁ kavyavāhaṁ khagendra pitṛṣvekaḥ sarvadā vai cakāra

That maiden, destined to be Krishna's wife, cherished in her mind those very desires. Kavyavaha (her father, Agni) alone, among the ancestors, made great effort always—

Verse 29 (garuda.2.68.29)

तथैव सा नैव भर्तारमाप यतस्तु सा कृष्णनिष्ठैकचित्ता

tathaiva sā naiva bhartāramāpa yatastu sā kṛṣṇaniṣṭhaikacittā

—yet even so she never obtained a husband, since her mind was fixed solely upon Krishna.

Verse 30 (garuda.2.68.30)

तदाब्रवीत्कव्यवाहश्च पुत्रीं पतिं किमर्थं नेच्छसि मूढबुद्धे । तदाब्रवीत्कव्यवाहं च पुत्त्री हरिं विना सर्वगुणोपपन्ने । जन्मन्यस्मिन् भर्तृता नास्ति देव यतो भर्ता हरिरेवैक एव

tadābravītkavyavāhaśca putrīṁ patiṁ kimarthaṁ necchasi mūḍhabuddhe tadābravītkavyavāhaṁ ca puttrī hariṁ vinā sarvaguṇopapanne janmanyasmin bhartṛtā nāsti deva yato bhartā harirevaika eva

Then Kavyavaha said to his daughter: 'Foolish girl, why do you not wish for a husband?' The daughter replied: 'O one endowed with every virtue, apart from Hari there is no true husbandhood for me in this birth, since Hari alone is the true husband.'

Verse 31 (garuda.2.68.31)

यतो लोके सुस्त्रियः सर्व एव संदा ज्ञेया विधवास्ते हि नित्यम् । अनादिनित्यं भुवनैकसारं सुसुंदरं मोक्षदं कामदं च

yato loke sustriyaḥ sarva eva saṁdā jñeyā vidhavāste hi nityam anādinityaṁ bhuvanaikasāraṁ susuṁdaraṁ mokṣadaṁ kāmadaṁ ca

'For in this world, all women, however virtuous, are ever to be known as truly widows unless wedded to him who is beginningless and eternal, the sole essence of the universe, most beautiful, the giver of liberation and of rightful desire.'

Verse 32 (garuda.2.68.32)

एतादृशं न विजानन्ति यास्तु सर्वास्ता वै विधवाः सर्वदैव । निमित्तभूतं भर्तृरूपं च जीवं दैवोपेतं हरिभक्त्या विहीनम्

etādṛśaṁ na vijānanti yāstu sarvāstā vai vidhavāḥ sarvadaiva nimittabhūtaṁ bhartṛrūpaṁ ca jīvaṁ daivopetaṁ haribhaktyā vihīnam

'Those women who do not know this are all, indeed, ever widows — even with a mere instrumental husband-form, a jiva touched by fate but devoid of devotion to Hari—'

Verse 33 (garuda.2.68.33)

सुकश्मलं नवरन्ध्रैः स्रवन्तं दुर्गन्धयुक्तं सर्वदा कुत्सितं च । एतादृशे भर्तृजीवे नु तात प्रयोजनं नास्ति कृष्णं विहाय

sukaśmalaṁ navarandhraiḥ sravantaṁ durgandhayuktaṁ sarvadā kutsitaṁ ca etādṛśe bhartṛjīve nu tāta prayojanaṁ nāsti kṛṣṇaṁ vihāya

'—thoroughly impure, oozing through nine apertures, ever foul-smelling and contemptible. In such a husband-jiva, father, there is no purpose whatsoever, apart from Krishna.'

Verse 34 (garuda.2.68.34)

देवस्त्रियो निजभर्तॄन्विहाय तत्र स्थितं प्रीणयन्त्येव नित्यम् । अतश्च ताः सधवाः सर्वदैव लोकैर्वन्द्या नात्र विचार्यमस्ति

devastriyo nijabhartṝnvihāya tatra sthitaṁ prīṇayantyeva nityam ataśca tāḥ sadhavāḥ sarvadaiva lokairvandyā nātra vicāryamasti

'The wives of the gods, setting aside their outer husbands, ever please only the one abiding within; hence they are truly ever wedded, and worthy of the world's veneration — of this there is no question.'

Verse 35 (garuda.2.68.35)

भर्तास्ते हरिभक्ता यदि स्युरासां स्त्रीणां जन्मसाफल्यमेव । अनेकजन्मार्जितपुण्यसंचयैस्तद्भर्तारो हरिभक्ता भवेयुः

bhartāste haribhaktā yadi syurāsāṁ strīṇāṁ janmasāphalyameva anekajanmārjitapuṇyasaṁcayaistadbhartāro haribhaktā bhaveyuḥ

'If their husbands are devotees of Hari, then the birth of these women bears fruit; through merit accumulated across many births their husbands may become devotees of Hari.'

Verse 36 (garuda.2.68.36)

यद्भर्तारो हरिभक्ता न संति ताभिस्त्याज्यं स्वीयगात्रं भृशं हि । स्वभर्तृतं कृष्णरूपं हरिं च स्मृत्वा सम्यग्यदि गात्रं त्यजेयुः

yadbhartāro haribhaktā na saṁti tābhistyājyaṁ svīyagātraṁ bhṛśaṁ hi svabhartṛtaṁ kṛṣṇarūpaṁ hariṁ ca smṛtvā samyagyadi gātraṁ tyajeyuḥ

'If their husbands are not devotees of Hari, they should altogether abandon their own body; if they abandon the body while properly remembering Hari, in his form as Krishna, as their true husband—'

Verse 37 (garuda.2.68.37)

तदा नैव ह्यात्महत्यादिदोषाः स्त्रीणामेवं निर्णयोयं हि शास्त्रे । यद्भर्तारो न विजानन्ति विष्णुं तासां संगो नैव कार्यः कदापि

tadā naiva hyātmahatyādidoṣāḥ strīṇāmevaṁ nirṇayoyaṁ hi śāstre yadbhartāro na vijānanti viṣṇuṁ tāsāṁ saṁgo naiva kāryaḥ kadāpi

'—then no fault of suicide whatsoever attaches to them; this is the scripture's determination for women. Where husbands do not know Vishnu, union with them should never be undertaken.'

Verse 38 (garuda.2.68.38)

अनेक जन्मार्जितपुण्यसंचयात्तद्भर्तारो विष्णुभक्ता भवेयुः । कलौ युगे दुर्लभा विष्णुभक्ता हरेभक्तिर्दुर्लभा सर्वदैव

aneka janmārjitapuṇyasaṁcayāttadbhartāro viṣṇubhaktā bhaveyuḥ kalau yuge durlabhā viṣṇubhaktā harebhaktirdurlabhā sarvadaiva

'Through merit accumulated across many births, husbands may become devotees of Vishnu — but in the Kali age, devotees of Vishnu are rare; devotion to Hari is ever rare.'

Verse 39 (garuda.2.68.39)

हरेः कथा दुर्लभा मर्त्यलोके हरेर्दीक्षा दुर्लभा दुर्लभा च । हरेस्तत्त्वे निर्णयो दुर्लभो हि हरेर्दासैः संगमो दुर्लभश्च

hareḥ kathā durlabhā martyaloke harerdīkṣā durlabhā durlabhā ca harestattve nirṇayo durlabho hi harerdāsaiḥ saṁgamo durlabhaśca

'Rare in the mortal world is Hari's story; rare, most rare, is initiation into Hari; rare is right determination of Hari's truth; and rare is fellowship with Hari's servants.'

Verse 40 (garuda.2.68.40)

प्रदक्षिणं दुर्लभं वै मुरारेर्नमस्कारो दुर्लभो वै कलौ च । तद्भक्तानां पालनं दुर्लभं च सद्वैष्णवानां दुर्लभं ह्यन्नदानम्

pradakṣiṇaṁ durlabhaṁ vai murārernamaskāro durlabho vai kalau ca tadbhaktānāṁ pālanaṁ durlabhaṁ ca sadvaiṣṇavānāṁ durlabhaṁ hyannadānam

'Rare is circumambulation of Murari; rare, in the Kali age, is prostration to him; rare is the sustaining of his devotees; and rare, indeed, is giving food to true Vaishnavas.'

Verse 41 (garuda.2.68.41)

तन्त्रोक्तपूजा दुर्लभा वै मुरारेर्नामग्रहो दुर्लभश्चव विष्णोः । सुवैष्णवानां पुजनं दुर्लभं हि सद्वैष्णवानां भाषणं दुर्लभं च

tantroktapūjā durlabhā vai murārernāmagraho durlabhaścava viṣṇoḥ suvaiṣṇavānāṁ pujanaṁ durlabhaṁ hi sadvaiṣṇavānāṁ bhāṣaṇaṁ durlabhaṁ ca

'Rare is Murari's worship as prescribed in the Tantras; rare too is the uttering of Vishnu's name; rare is the worship of good Vaishnavas; and rare is conversation with true Vaishnavas.'

Verse 42 (garuda.2.68.42)

शालग्रामस्पर्शनं दुर्लभं च सद्वैष्णवानां दर्शनं दुर्लभं हि । गोस्पर्शनं दुर्लभं मर्त्यलोके सद्गायनं दुर्लभं सद्गुरुञ्च

śālagrāmasparśanaṁ durlabhaṁ ca sadvaiṣṇavānāṁ darśanaṁ durlabhaṁ hi gosparśanaṁ durlabhaṁ martyaloke sadgāyanaṁ durlabhaṁ sadguruñca

'Rare is the touching of the Shalagrama-stone; rare is the sight of true Vaishnavas; rare, in the mortal world, is the touching of a cow; rare is proper devotional singing, and rare a true Guru.'

Verse 43 (garuda.2.68.43)

सद्भार्याः सत्पुत्रका दुर्लभा हि शेषाचलस्थस्य हरेश्च दर्शनम् । सुदुर्लभं रङ्गनाथस्य तीरे कावेर्या वै दर्शनं विष्णुपद्याः

sadbhāryāḥ satputrakā durlabhā hi śeṣācalasthasya hareśca darśanam sudurlabhaṁ raṅganāthasya tīre kāveryā vai darśanaṁ viṣṇupadyāḥ

'Rare are a virtuous wife and virtuous sons; rare is the sight of Hari abiding on Sheshachala; very rare is the sight of Ranganatha on the bank of the Kaveri, the very river of Vishnu's feet.'

Verse 44 (garuda.2.68.44)

काञ्चीक्षेत्रे वरदराजस्य सेवा सुदुर्लभा दर्शनं चैव लोके । सुदुर्लभं दर्शनं रामसेतोः सुदुर्लभा मध्वशास्त्रे च शक्तिः

kāñcīkṣetre varadarājasya sevā sudurlabhā darśanaṁ caiva loke sudurlabhaṁ darśanaṁ rāmasetoḥ sudurlabhā madhvaśāstre ca śaktiḥ

'Very rare is the service and sight of Varadaraja in the sacred field of Kanchi; very rare is the sight of Rama's Bridge; and very rare is the capacity to grasp Madhva's teaching.'

Verse 45 (garuda.2.68.45)

भीमातीरे संस्थितस्यापि विष्णोः सुदुर्लभं दर्शनं चाहुरार्याः । रेवातीरे संस्थितस्यापि विष्णोर्गयाक्षेत्रे विष्णुपादस्य चैव

bhīmātīre saṁsthitasyāpi viṣṇoḥ sudurlabhaṁ darśanaṁ cāhurāryāḥ revātīre saṁsthitasyāpi viṣṇorgayākṣetre viṣṇupādasya caiva

'The wise declare that very rare too is the sight of Vishnu abiding on the bank of the Bhima river; and of Vishnu on the bank of the Reva, and of Vishnu's footprint at Gaya.'

Verse 46 (garuda.2.68.46)

तथा बद्रौ संस्थित स्यापि विष्णोः सुदुर्लभं मर्त्यलोके स्थितानाम् । शेषाचले श्रीनिवासाश्रमे च तपस्विनो दुर्लभा मर्त्यलोके

tathā badrau saṁsthita syāpi viṣṇoḥ sudurlabhaṁ martyaloke sthitānām śeṣācale śrīnivāsāśrame ca tapasvino durlabhā martyaloke

'Likewise very rare, for those dwelling in the mortal world, is the sight of Vishnu abiding at Badari; and rare in the mortal world are true ascetics at Shrinivasa's hermitage on Sheshachala.'

Verse 47 (garuda.2.68.47)

प्रयागाख्ये माधवस्यापि नित्यं सुदर्शनं दुर्लभं वै नृणां हि

prayāgākhye mādhavasyāpi nityaṁ sudarśanaṁ durlabhaṁ vai nṛṇāṁ hi

'Rare indeed for men is the constant, true sight of Madhava at the place called Prayaga.'

Verse 48 (garuda.2.68.48)

अतो नेच्छामि भर्तारं कृष्णादन्यं कदाचन । एवमुक्त्वा सा पितरं ययौ शेषाचलं प्रति

ato necchāmi bhartāraṁ kṛṣṇādanyaṁ kadācana evamuktvā sā pitaraṁ yayau śeṣācalaṁ prati

'Hence I never wish for any husband other than Krishna.' Having said this to her father, she departed toward Sheshachala.

Verse 49 (garuda.2.68.49)

कपिलाख्यमहातीर्थे आरुरोह महागिरिम् । तत्रस्थं श्रीनिवासं च दृष्ट्वा नत्वा महासती

kapilākhyamahātīrthe āruroha mahāgirim tatrasthaṁ śrīnivāsaṁ ca dṛṣṭvā natvā mahāsatī

At the great sacred ford called Kapila, that great and virtuous woman ascended the great mountain, and having beheld and bowed to Shrinivasa dwelling there—

Verse 50 (garuda.2.68.50)

त्रिदिनं समुपोष्याथ गत्वा पापविनाशनम् । तत्रस्नात्वा विवाहार्थमेकान्तं प्रययावथ

tridinaṁ samupoṣyātha gatvā pāpavināśanam tatrasnātvā vivāhārthamekāntaṁ prayayāvatha

—having fasted for three days, and then gone and bathed at the ford called Papavinashana, she then went to a solitary place for the sake of her marriage.

Verse 51 (garuda.2.68.51)

तस्या उत्तरदिग्भागे क्रोशयुग्मे महातले । गर्तभूते च एकान्ते चचार तप उत्तमम्

tasyā uttaradigbhāge krośayugme mahātale gartabhūte ca ekānte cacāra tapa uttamam

In a hollow place, solitary, two krosha to the north, in a great cave, she performed the most excellent austerity.

Verse 52 (garuda.2.68.52)

ध्यात्वा नारायणं देवं तत्रासीच्च कुमारिका । दिव्यवर्षसहस्रान्ते स्तोतुं समुपचक्रमे

dhyātvā nārāyaṇaṁ devaṁ tatrāsīcca kumārikā divyavarṣasahasrānte stotuṁ samupacakrame

Meditating upon the god Narayana, the maiden remained seated there; at the end of a thousand divine years, she began to offer praise.

Verse 53 (garuda.2.68.53)

कुमार्युवाच । त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव भर्ता च सखात्वमेव । त्वमेव पुत्रश्च गुरुर्गरीयान्मित्रं स्वसा त्वं मम वल्लभश्च

kumāryuvāca tvameva mātā ca pitā tvameva bhartā ca sakhātvameva tvameva putraśca gururgarīyānmitraṁ svasā tvaṁ mama vallabhaśca

The maiden said: You alone are my mother and father, you alone my husband and my friend; you alone my son, my most venerable guru, my friend, my sister, and my beloved.

Verse 54 (garuda.2.68.54)

अनाद्यनन्तेष्वपि जन्मसु प्रभो विचार्यमाणा न विजानेप्यहं च । एतै हि सर्वे च निमित्तमात्रतः पित्रादयस्त्वं ह्यनिमित्तमात्रतः

anādyananteṣvapi janmasu prabho vicāryamāṇā na vijānepyahaṁ ca etai hi sarve ca nimittamātrataḥ pitrādayastvaṁ hyanimittamātrataḥ

O Lord, even reflecting across beginningless and endless births, I find none comparable to you; these — father and the rest — are but instrumental causes, while you alone are the uncaused cause.

Verse 55 (garuda.2.68.55)

अतो मुरारेश्च तवैव भार्या भूयासमित्येव तदा व्रतं मे । दुः संगमात्रादिसमागमं न संसिद्धिरित्येव वदान्यमूर्ते

ato murāreśca tavaiva bhāryā bhūyāsamityeva tadā vrataṁ me duḥ saṁgamātrādisamāgamaṁ na saṁsiddhirityeva vadānyamūrte

Hence, O Murari, my vow is only this: that I may become your very wife. O gracious form, union with unworthy company brings no true accomplishment.

Verse 56 (garuda.2.68.56)

त्वद्दूषकाणां तव दासवर्य विदूषकाणां दर्शनं छिन्धि देव । गुरुद्रुहां दर्शनं छिन्धि विष्णो भक्तद्रुहां मित्रतां छिन्धि कृष्ण

tvaddūṣakāṇāṁ tava dāsavarya vidūṣakāṇāṁ darśanaṁ chindhi deva gurudruhāṁ darśanaṁ chindhi viṣṇo bhaktadruhāṁ mitratāṁ chindhi kṛṣṇa

O God, O best among your own servants, sever me from the sight of those who revile you and mock you; O Vishnu, sever me from the sight of those who betray the Guru; O Krishna, sever me from friendship with those who betray your devotees.

Verse 57 (garuda.2.68.57)

तव ध्रुग्भिर्भाषणं छिन्धि देव त्वं संगमं देहि पदारविन्दे । श्रीशैलवासाय नमोनमस्ते नमोनमः श्रीनिवासाय तुभ्यम्

tava dhrugbhirbhāṣaṇaṁ chindhi deva tvaṁ saṁgamaṁ dehi padāravinde śrīśailavāsāya namonamaste namonamaḥ śrīnivāsāya tubhyam

O God, sever me from conversation with those hostile to you; grant me union at your lotus feet. Salutations again and again to you who dwell on the holy mountain; salutations again and again to you, Shrinivasa.

Verse 58 (garuda.2.68.58)

स्वामिन् परावर रमेश निदानमूर्ते कालो महानपि गतश्च निदर्शनन्ते । अनन्तजन्मार्जितसाधनैश्च त्वद्दर्शनं स्याच्च चतुर्भुजस्य

svāmin parāvara rameśa nidānamūrte kālo mahānapi gataśca nidarśanante anantajanmārjitasādhanaiśca tvaddarśanaṁ syācca caturbhujasya

O Lord, transcendent and immanent, Lord of Rama, the very foundation-form — a vast time has passed without a glimpse of you; may the sight of your four-armed form come at last, through the spiritual endeavor of endless births.

Verse 59 (garuda.2.68.59)

कथं मम स्यात्तव दर्शनं प्रभो सर्वैश्च दोषैश्च सुसंगतायाः । दास्यास्पदायास्तव दासदास्याः प्रसीद देवेश जगन्निवास

kathaṁ mama syāttava darśanaṁ prabho sarvaiśca doṣaiśca susaṁgatāyāḥ dāsyāspadāyāstava dāsadāsyāḥ prasīda deveśa jagannivāsa

How shall I, so thoroughly bound up with every fault, ever obtain your sight, O Lord — I who am but the servant of your servants? Be gracious, O Lord of gods, O abode of the universe.

Verse 60 (garuda.2.68.60)

एवं स्तुतस्तथा विष्णुः श्रीनिवासो दयानिधिः । प्रादुरासीद्वरदराट्भक्त्या तस्या जनार्दनः

evaṁ stutastathā viṣṇuḥ śrīnivāso dayānidhiḥ prādurāsīdvaradarāṭbhaktyā tasyā janārdanaḥ

Thus praised, Vishnu — Shrinivasa, the treasury of compassion, the great bestower of boons, Janardana — appeared before her, moved by her devotion.

Verse 61 (garuda.2.68.61)

वरं वरय भद्रं ते वरदोहमिहागतः । हरिणोदीरितं वाक्यं श्रुत्वा प्राह स्मितानना

varaṁ varaya bhadraṁ te varadohamihāgataḥ hariṇodīritaṁ vākyaṁ śrutvā prāha smitānanā

'Choose a boon; blessings upon you — I have come here as the giver of boons.' Hearing these words spoken by Hari, she, smiling, replied—

Verse 62 (garuda.2.68.62)

उवाच परया भक्त्या श्रीनिवासं जगत्प्रभुम् । अहं हि भार्या भूयासं तव माधव सुंदर

uvāca parayā bhaktyā śrīnivāsaṁ jagatprabhum ahaṁ hi bhāryā bhūyāsaṁ tava mādhava suṁdara

—with the utmost devotion, she said to Shrinivasa, Lord of the universe: 'May I indeed become your wife, O beautiful Madhava.'

Verse 63 (garuda.2.68.63)

इति तस्या वचः श्रुत्वा श्रीनिवासोऽब्रवीद्वचः । श्रीभगवानुवाच । अहं कुमारि सुभगे कृष्णजन्मनि भूतले

iti tasyā vacaḥ śrutvā śrīnivāso'bravīdvacaḥ śrībhagavānuvāca ahaṁ kumāri subhage kṛṣṇajanmani bhūtale

Hearing these words of hers, Shrinivasa spoke. Shri Bhagavan said: 'O maiden, O fortunate one, in the Krishna-birth upon the earth—'

Verse 64 (garuda.2.68.64)

भवामि तव भर्ताहं नात्र कार्या विचारणा । एवमुक्ता सुता कन्या पुरण्यराशिं हरिं परम्

bhavāmi tava bhartāhaṁ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā evamuktā sutā kanyā puraṇyarāśiṁ hariṁ param

'—I shall become your husband; of this there is no need for doubt.' Thus addressed, the maiden replied to the Supreme Hari—

Verse 65 (garuda.2.68.65)

उवाच परमप्रीता हर्षगद्गदया गिरा । कन्योवाच । कृष्णजन्मन्यहं पत्नी भूयासं प्रथमेहनि

uvāca paramaprītā harṣagadgadayā girā kanyovāca kṛṣṇajanmanyahaṁ patnī bhūyāsaṁ prathamehani

—utterly delighted, in a voice choked with joy. The maiden said: 'In the Krishna-birth, may I become your wife on the very first day—'

Verse 66 (garuda.2.68.66)

संस्कारात्प्रथमं चाहमं गनाभ्यः समावृणे । ओमित्युक्तः पुनर्वाक्यमुवाच मधुसूदनः

saṁskārātprathamaṁ cāhamaṁ ganābhyaḥ samāvṛṇe omityuktaḥ punarvākyamuvāca madhusūdanaḥ

'—before even the ritual consecration, before all other women, may I be chosen.' Having said 'Om' in acceptance, Madhusudana spoke once more.

Verse 67 (garuda.2.68.67)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । कुमार्या विधृतत्वाच्च मत्प्रदानाच्च भामिनि । तेषां मनोभीष्टसिद्धिर्भविष्यति न संशयः

śrībhagavānuvāca kumāryā vidhṛtatvācca matpradānācca bhāmini teṣāṁ manobhīṣṭasiddhirbhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

Shri Bhagavan said: 'O radiant one, because you have been maintained ever as a maiden, and by my own granting, the fulfillment of the heart's desire shall come — of this there is no doubt.'

Verse 68 (garuda.2.68.68)

इति तस्यै वरं दत्त्वा तत्रैवान्तरधीयत । देहं तत्रैव संत्यज्य कुमारी चैव पुत्रिका

iti tasyai varaṁ dattvā tatraivāntaradhīyata dehaṁ tatraiva saṁtyajya kumārī caiva putrikā

Having thus granted her the boon, he vanished there; and the maiden, relinquishing her body there—

Verse 69 (garuda.2.68.69)

कुम्भ कस्य गृहे जाता नीला नाम्ना तु सा स्मृता । कुंभकस्तु महाभाग नन्दशोभस्य शालकः

kumbha kasya gṛhe jātā nīlā nāmnā tu sā smṛtā kuṁbhakastu mahābhāga nandaśobhasya śālakaḥ

—was born in the house of Kumbhaka, and is remembered there by the name Nila. Kumbhaka, O greatly fortunate one, was the brother-in-law of Nandashobha.

Verse 70 (garuda.2.68.70)

कल्पवाहः स विज्ञेयः पितॄणां प्रथमः स्मृतः । तस्य गत्वा गृहमहं वृषभाचलवासिनः । शिवस्य वरतश्चैव त्वजेयः खगसत्तम

kalpavāhaḥ sa vijñeyaḥ pitṝṇāṁ prathamaḥ smṛtaḥ tasya gatvā gṛhamahaṁ vṛṣabhācalavāsinaḥ śivasya varataścaiva tvajeyaḥ khagasattama

He is to be known as Kalpavaha, remembered as foremost among the ancestral Pitris. 'Having gone to his house, I, by the boon of Shiva dwelling on Vrishabhachala, became unconquerable—'

Verse 71 (garuda.2.68.71)

दितिजान्विनिहत्यैव नीला प्राप्ता खगेश्वर । ततो नाग्निजितो राज्ञो गृहे जाता कुमारिका

ditijānvinihatyaiva nīlā prāptā khageśvara tato nāgnijito rājño gṛhe jātā kumārikā

'—having slain the sons of Diti, I obtained Nila, O lord of birds.' Thereafter she was born as a maiden in the house of King Nagnajit.

Verse 72 (garuda.2.68.72)

नाग्निजित्कव्यवाहोभूत्कन्या नीलाह्वयाभवत् । तस्याः स्वयंवरे चाहं गोवृषान्सप्तसंख्यकान्

nāgnijitkavyavāhobhūtkanyā nīlāhvayābhavat tasyāḥ svayaṁvare cāhaṁ govṛṣānsaptasaṁkhyakān

Nagnajit was identified with Kavyavaha, Agni; his daughter became known by the name Nila. At her svayamvara, I subdued seven bulls—

Verse 73 (garuda.2.68.73)

शिवस्य वरतश्चैवाप्यवध्यान्देवमानुषैः । बद्ध्वा वृषान्नृपाञ्जित्वा प्राप्ता नीला महाखग

śivasya varataścaivāpyavadhyāndevamānuṣaiḥ baddhvā vṛṣānnṛpāñjitvā prāptā nīlā mahākhaga

'—invincible even by gods and men through Shiva's boon; having subdued the bulls and defeated the kings, O great bird, I obtained Nila.'

Verse 74 (garuda.2.68.74)

कुंभकस्य सुता नीला देहस्थाः प्राविशन् भृशम् । एकावयवतो यस्मात्तस्मात्तत्रैव साविशत्

kuṁbhakasya sutā nīlā dehasthāḥ prāviśan bhṛśam ekāvayavato yasmāttasmāttatraiva sāviśat

Nila, daughter of Kumbhaka, and her earlier form merged fully into that one embodied being; since it was from a single prior portion, she entered there as one.

Verse 75 (garuda.2.68.75)

भूमौ द्विधा संप्रजाता कुमार्येव न संशयः । भद्राजन्म प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणु पक्षीन्द्रसत्तम

bhūmau dvidhā saṁprajātā kumāryeva na saṁśayaḥ bhadrājanma pravakṣyāmi śṛṇu pakṣīndrasattama

On earth she was thus born twice, yet remained the very same maiden in essence — of this there is no doubt. I shall now speak of Bhadra's birth; listen, O best and foremost of birds.