The Austerities of Bhadra and Mitravinda for Union with the Lord

Verse 1 (garuda.2.69.1)

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । या पूर्वसर्गे नलसंज्ञस्य वीन्द्र पुत्री भूत्वा विष्णुपत्नी सकामा । प्रदक्षिणं भ्रमणं वै चकार गुणेन भद्रा भद्रसंज्ञा बभूव

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca yā pūrvasarge nalasaṁjñasya vīndra putrī bhūtvā viṣṇupatnī sakāmā pradakṣiṇaṁ bhramaṇaṁ vai cakāra guṇena bhadrā bhadrasaṁjñā babhūva

Shri Krishna said: O best of kings, she who, in an earlier creation, being the daughter of one named Nala, desiring to become Vishnu's wife, performed circumambulation — by that virtue she became known by the name Bhadra.

Verse 2 (garuda.2.69.2)

कन्याभावे संस्थितां भद्रसंज्ञां पिता नलस्त्वब्रवीत्तां स पश्यन् । भद्रे किमर्थं गात्रपीडां करोषि फलं हि तन्नन्दिनि मे वदस्व

kanyābhāve saṁsthitāṁ bhadrasaṁjñāṁ pitā nalastvabravīttāṁ sa paśyan bhadre kimarthaṁ gātrapīḍāṁ karoṣi phalaṁ hi tannandini me vadasva

Her father Nala, seeing Bhadra remaining unmarried, said to her: 'O Bhadra, why do you trouble your body so? Tell me, O daughter, what is the fruit of this?'

Verse 3 (garuda.2.69.3)

भद्रोवाच । शृणुत्वं मे तात नमस्क्रियादेः फलं वक्तुं का समर्था भवेच्च

bhadrovāca śṛṇutvaṁ me tāta namaskriyādeḥ phalaṁ vaktuṁ kā samarthā bhavecca

Bhadra said: 'Listen, father — who indeed could be capable of fully describing the fruit of prostration and the rest?'

Verse 4 (garuda.2.69.4)

तथाप्यहं तव वक्ष्यामि तात यथाशक्त्या शृणु सम्यग्घिताय । सदा हरिमर्म नाथो दयालुरहं हरेस्तव दासानुदासी । मां पाहि विष्णोस्तव वन्दे पदे इत्युक्त्वा प्रणामं चाकरोद्दण्डरूपम्

tathāpyahaṁ tava vakṣyāmi tāta yathāśaktyā śṛṇu samyagghitāya sadā harimarma nātho dayālurahaṁ harestava dāsānudāsī māṁ pāhi viṣṇostava vande pade ityuktvā praṇāmaṁ cākaroddaṇḍarūpam

'Still, father, I shall tell you as best I can — listen well, for your own benefit: O Lord, ever knowing Hari's inmost heart, compassionate one, I am the servant of your servant; protect me, I bow at your feet, O Vishnu' — having said this, she made full prostration, like a fallen staff.

Verse 5 (garuda.2.69.5)

हरेः प्रणामं त्विति कर्तव्यशून्यं व्यर्थं तमाहुर्ज्ञानिनस्तच्छृणु त्वम् । रमेश मध्वेश सरस्वतीशेत्येवं वदन्प्रणमेद्विष्णुदेवम्

hareḥ praṇāmaṁ tviti kartavyaśūnyaṁ vyarthaṁ tamāhurjñāninastacchṛṇu tvam rameśa madhveśa sarasvatīśetyevaṁ vadanpraṇamedviṣṇudevam

The wise say that a prostration to Hari performed without proper devotion is fruitless — hear this: one should bow to the god Vishnu while uttering, 'O Lord of Rama, O Lord of Madhu, O Lord of Sarasvati.'

Verse 6 (garuda.2.69.6)

यथा प्रसन्नो वन्दनाद्देवद्देव स्तथा न तुष्टः पूजनात्कर्मतश्च । यथा नामस्मरणाद्वन्दनाद्वा पापान्नियच्छेतु तथा न चान्यैः

yathā prasanno vandanāddevaddeva stathā na tuṣṭaḥ pūjanātkarmataśca yathā nāmasmaraṇādvandanādvā pāpānniyacchetu tathā na cānyaiḥ

Just as the God of gods is pleased by true veneration, he is not equally satisfied by mere outer worship and ritual action; just as one restrains sin through remembrance of his name or through veneration, one does not through other means.

Verse 7 (garuda.2.69.7)

देहं तु ये पोषयन्त्येव तात हरेः प्रणामैः शून्यभूतं च पुष्टम् । तदेवमाहुर्व्यर्थमेवेति तात तत्पोषकाणां नरके दुः खमाहुः

dehaṁ tu ye poṣayantyeva tāta hareḥ praṇāmaiḥ śūnyabhūtaṁ ca puṣṭam tadevamāhurvyarthameveti tāta tatpoṣakāṇāṁ narake duḥ khamāhuḥ

Those, father, who merely nourish the body — a body devoid of prostration to Hari, though outwardly well-fed — of them the wise say their effort is simply in vain; and for those who nourish only such a body, they declare suffering in hell.

Verse 8 (garuda.2.69.8)

यमोऽपि तं तत्र उलूखले तु निधाय पिष्टं सुखलैः करोति । यो वा परं न करोत्येव तात प्रदक्षिणं देवदेवस्य विष्णोः

yamo'pi taṁ tatra ulūkhale tu nidhāya piṣṭaṁ sukhalaiḥ karoti yo vā paraṁ na karotyeva tāta pradakṣiṇaṁ devadevasya viṣṇoḥ

Yama indeed places him in a mortar there and grinds him fine with pestles — him who never performs the supreme circumambulation of the God of gods, Vishnu, father.

Verse 9 (garuda.2.69.9)

तस्यैव पादौ तलयन्त्रे निधाय यमश्च नित्यं प्रकरोति पिष्टम् । एषां जिह्वा हरिकृष्णेति नाम न वक्ति नित्यं व्यर्थभूतां वदन्ति

tasyaiva pādau talayantre nidhāya yamaśca nityaṁ prakaroti piṣṭam eṣāṁ jihvā harikṛṣṇeti nāma na vakti nityaṁ vyarthabhūtāṁ vadanti

Yama places that one's very feet in an oil-press and continually grinds them; for their tongue, which never utters the name Hari-Krishna, they call it a tongue rendered useless.

Verse 10 (garuda.2.69.10)

तेषां जिह्वा यमलोके यमस्तु निष्कास्य पिष्टं प्रकरोति नित्यम् । काशीनिवासेन च किं प्रयोजनं किं वा प्रयागे मरणेन तात

teṣāṁ jihvā yamaloke yamastu niṣkāsya piṣṭaṁ prakaroti nityam kāśīnivāsena ca kiṁ prayojanaṁ kiṁ vā prayāge maraṇena tāta

In Yama's realm, Yama draws out their tongue and continually grinds it. What use, father, is dwelling in Kashi, or dying at Prayaga—

Verse 11 (garuda.2.69.11)

किं वारणाग्रे मरणेन सौख्यं किं वा मखादेः समनुष्ठितेन । समस्ततीर्थेष्वटनेन किं किमधीतशास्त्रेण सुतीक्ष्णबुद्ध्या

kiṁ vāraṇāgre maraṇena saukhyaṁ kiṁ vā makhādeḥ samanuṣṭhitena samastatīrtheṣvaṭanena kiṁ kimadhītaśāstreṇa sutīkṣṇabuddhyā

—what happiness is there in dying before Varanasi's elephant-gate, or in the performance of sacrifices, or in wandering through all the sacred fords, or in studying the scriptures with a keen intellect—

Verse 12 (garuda.2.69.12)

येषां जिह्वाग्रे हरिनामैव नास्ति येषां गात्रैर्नमनं नापि विष्णोः । येषां पद्भ्यां नास्ति हरेः प्रदक्षिणं तेषां सर्वं व्यर्थमाहुर्महान्तः

yeṣāṁ jihvāgre harināmaiva nāsti yeṣāṁ gātrairnamanaṁ nāpi viṣṇoḥ yeṣāṁ padbhyāṁ nāsti hareḥ pradakṣiṇaṁ teṣāṁ sarvaṁ vyarthamāhurmahāntaḥ

—for those upon whose tongue-tip there is no name of Hari, whose bodies never bow to Vishnu, whose feet never perform Hari's circumambulation — of them the great ones declare everything to be in vain.

Verse 13 (garuda.2.69.13)

हर्यर्पणाद्रिहितं नाम कस्मात्प्रदक्षिणं नमनं चाहुरर्घ्यम् । अतो विष्णोर्नमनं कार्यमेव हरेर्नामस्मरणं तात कार्यम्

haryarpaṇādrihitaṁ nāma kasmātpradakṣiṇaṁ namanaṁ cāhurarghyam ato viṣṇornamanaṁ kāryameva harernāmasmaraṇaṁ tāta kāryam

'Any rite devoid of offering to Hari — why should name, circumambulation, veneration, or offering be called worthy? Hence, bowing to Vishnu must indeed be done; remembrance of Hari's name, father, must indeed be done.'

Verse 14 (garuda.2.69.14)

जन्म ह्येतद्दुर्लभं नश्वरं तु यथा जलस्थं तत्तथैव । नो विस्वासं कुरु गात्रे त्वदीये जीवेष्वपि स्वः परश्चेति तात

janma hyetaddurlabhaṁ naśvaraṁ tu yathā jalasthaṁ tattathaiva no visvāsaṁ kuru gātre tvadīye jīveṣvapi svaḥ paraśceti tāta

'This birth is rare, yet perishable, exactly like a bubble resting on water; do not place trust in your own body, father, nor think, among living beings, this one is mine, that one another's.'

Verse 15 (garuda.2.69.15)

सद्यः कृतं नमनं न त्वदीयं सद्यः कृतं स्मरणं न त्वदीयम् । कदा प्राप्स्ये मरणं तन्न जाने न विश्वासं कुरु गात्रे महात्मन्

sadyaḥ kṛtaṁ namanaṁ na tvadīyaṁ sadyaḥ kṛtaṁ smaraṇaṁ na tvadīyam kadā prāpsye maraṇaṁ tanna jāne na viśvāsaṁ kuru gātre mahātman

'Prostration done at once alone is truly your own; remembrance done at once alone is truly your own — I know not when death shall come; do not place trust in the body, O great soul.'

Verse 16 (garuda.2.69.16)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा नलो वीन्द्र पुत्रीवाक्यं सुनिर्मलम् । नमस्कारं च कृतवान्यथाशक्त्या प्रदक्षिणम्

etacchrutvā nalo vīndra putrīvākyaṁ sunirmalam namaskāraṁ ca kṛtavānyathāśaktyā pradakṣiṇam

Hearing this most pure speech of his daughter, O best of kings, Nala too performed prostration and circumambulation as best he could.

Verse 17 (garuda.2.69.17)

सापि प्रदक्षिणं चक्रे नमस्कारं सदा हरेः । एवं बहुदिनं कृत्वा ध्यात्वा नारायणं परम्

sāpi pradakṣiṇaṁ cakre namaskāraṁ sadā hareḥ evaṁ bahudinaṁ kṛtvā dhyātvā nārāyaṇaṁ param

She too performed circumambulation and prostration to Hari continually; having done so for many days, meditating upon the Supreme Narayana—

Verse 18 (garuda.2.69.18)

कलेवरं च तत्याज मरणे हरिचिन्तया । मत्पितुर्वसुदेवस्य भगिन्या उदरे खग

kalevaraṁ ca tatyāja maraṇe haricintayā matpiturvasudevasya bhaginyā udare khaga

—she relinquished her body at death, with her mind fixed on Hari; and, O bird, she was reborn in the womb of my father Vasudeva's sister—

Verse 19 (garuda.2.69.19)

कैकेयीति च नाम्ना सा त्वभवद्भद्रसंज्ञका । यस्माद्भद्रगुणैर्युक्ता भद्रा सा भद्रनामिका

kaikeyīti ca nāmnā sā tvabhavadbhadrasaṁjñakā yasmādbhadraguṇairyuktā bhadrā sā bhadranāmikā

—by the name Kaikeyi, and she also became known by the name Bhadra; since she was endowed with auspicious qualities, she, Bhadra, bore the name Bhadra.

Verse 20 (garuda.2.69.20)

तस्यात्मजैश्च कैकेयैः पञ्चभिः खगसत्तम । प्रत्याहृतामिमां भद्रां प्राप्तवान् खगसत्तम

tasyātmajaiśca kaikeyaiḥ pañcabhiḥ khagasattama pratyāhṛtāmimāṁ bhadrāṁ prāptavān khagasattama

By her five Kaikeya sons, O best of birds, this Bhadra was escorted back, and I obtained her, O best of birds.

Verse 21 (garuda.2.69.21)

वक्ष्येहं मित्रविन्दायाः पाणिग्रहणकारणम् । सावधानमना भूत्वा शृणु पक्षीन्द्र सत्तम

vakṣyehaṁ mitravindāyāḥ pāṇigrahaṇakāraṇam sāvadhānamanā bhūtvā śṛṇu pakṣīndra sattama

I shall now tell the reason for taking Mitravinda's hand in marriage; being attentive of mind, listen, O best and foremost of birds.

Verse 22 (garuda.2.69.22)

मित्रविन्दोवाच । यान्पूर्वसर्गेप्यवृणोन्निकामतो ह्यग्नीषोमान्नामिका मित्रविन्दा । मित्रं हरिं प्राप्तुकामा सदैक तत्रोपायं चिन्तयामासदेवी

mitravindovāca yānpūrvasargepyavṛṇonnikāmato hyagnīṣomānnāmikā mitravindā mitraṁ hariṁ prāptukāmā sadaika tatropāyaṁ cintayāmāsadevī

Mitravinda said: In an earlier creation, she who was named Mitravinda, who once freely chose Agni and Soma, desiring ever to obtain Hari as her friend, that goddess pondered a means to that end.

Verse 23 (garuda.2.69.23)

हरिप्राप्तौ साधनाः संति तेषु मुख्यं कचिच्चिन्तयामास देवी । तेषां मध्ये श्रवणं श्रेष्ठमाहुः पुराणानां सात्त्विकानां सदापि

hariprāptau sādhanāḥ saṁti teṣu mukhyaṁ kaciccintayāmāsa devī teṣāṁ madhye śravaṇaṁ śreṣṭhamāhuḥ purāṇānāṁ sāttvikānāṁ sadāpi

Among the means to attain Hari, the goddess pondered which was foremost; among them, the hearing of the sattvic Puranas is ever declared the best.

Verse 24 (garuda.2.69.24)

विष्णोरुत्कर्षो वर्तते यत्र वायोस्तथोत्कर्षः सज्जनानां पुराणे । श्राद्धं सदा विष्णुबुद्ध्या सदैव नान्यच्छ्राव्यं साधनं तत्र चैव

viṣṇorutkarṣo vartate yatra vāyostathotkarṣaḥ sajjanānāṁ purāṇe śrāddhaṁ sadā viṣṇubuddhyā sadaiva nānyacchrāvyaṁ sādhanaṁ tatra caiva

In the Purana wherein Vishnu's supremacy is set forth, and likewise Vayu's and the virtuous ones' pre-eminence — therein the ancestral rite should ever be performed with the cognition of Vishnu; no other means of hearing equals it.

Verse 25 (garuda.2.69.25)

यस्मिन्दिने श्रवणं नास्ति विष्णोस्तेषां जन्म व्यर्थमाहुः कथायाम् । स्नान जपः पञ्चयज्ञं व्रतं च इष्टापूर्ते कृच्छ्रचान्द्रो च दत्तम्

yasmindine śravaṇaṁ nāsti viṣṇosteṣāṁ janma vyarthamāhuḥ kathāyām snāna japaḥ pañcayajñaṁ vrataṁ ca iṣṭāpūrte kṛcchracāndro ca dattam

On any day when there is no hearing of Vishnu's story, their birth is declared to be in vain; likewise vain are bathing, japa, the five daily sacrifices, vows, sacrificial and charitable acts, penances such as krichchhra and chandrayana, and gifts.

Verse 26 (garuda.2.69.26)

सर्वं व्यर्थं वैष्णवानां च दीक्षा कथां विना सम्यगनुष्ठितां वै । यैर्न श्रुतं भागवतं पुराणं ससंप्रदायैर्गुरुभिः संयुतैश्च

sarvaṁ vyarthaṁ vaiṣṇavānāṁ ca dīkṣā kathāṁ vinā samyaganuṣṭhitāṁ vai yairna śrutaṁ bhāgavataṁ purāṇaṁ sasaṁpradāyairgurubhiḥ saṁyutaiśca

—all is in vain, even Vaishnava initiation, without properly attending to the sacred narration; likewise in vain are those who have not heard the Bhagavata Purana, taught together with its tradition, from qualified gurus.

Verse 27 (garuda.2.69.27)

यैर्न श्रुतं भागवतं पुराणं यैर्न श्रुतं ब्रह्मकाण्डं पुराणम् । तेषां जन्म व्यर्थमाहुर्ममहान्तस्तस्माच्छ्राव्या हरिवार्ता सदैव

yairna śrutaṁ bhāgavataṁ purāṇaṁ yairna śrutaṁ brahmakāṇḍaṁ purāṇam teṣāṁ janma vyarthamāhurmamahāntastasmācchrāvyā harivārtā sadaiva

Those who have not heard the Bhagavata Purana, and those who have not heard the Brahmakanda Purana — of them the great ones declare their birth to be in vain; hence Hari's story is ever to be heard.

Verse 28 (garuda.2.69.28)

न यत्र गोविन्दकथामहानदी न यत्र नारायणपादसंश्रयः । न यत्र विष्णोः सततं वचोस्ति न संवसेत्तत्क्षणमात्रं कथञ्चित्

na yatra govindakathāmahānadī na yatra nārāyaṇapādasaṁśrayaḥ na yatra viṣṇoḥ satataṁ vacosti na saṁvasettatkṣaṇamātraṁ kathañcit

Where there is no great river of Govinda's story, where there is no refuge at Narayana's feet, where there is no constant speech of Vishnu — there one should not dwell even for a single moment.

Verse 29 (garuda.2.69.29)

यस्मिन् ग्रामे भागवतं न शास्त्रं न वर्तते भागवता रसज्ञाः । यस्मिन् गृहे नास्ति गीतार्थसारः यस्मिन् ग्रामे नाम सहस्रकं वा

yasmin grāme bhāgavataṁ na śāstraṁ na vartate bhāgavatā rasajñāḥ yasmin gṛhe nāsti gītārthasāraḥ yasmin grāme nāma sahasrakaṁ vā

In whatever village the Bhagavata scripture is absent, and no connoisseur Bhagavatas dwell; in whatever house the essence of the Gita's meaning is absent; in whatever village the thousand names are absent—

Verse 30 (garuda.2.69.30)

तयो रसज्ञा यत्र न सन्ति तत्र न संवसेत्क्षणमात्रं कथञ्चित् । यस्मिन् दिने दिव्यकथा च विष्णोर्न वास्ति जन्तोस्तस्य चायुर्वृथैव

tayo rasajñā yatra na santi tatra na saṁvasetkṣaṇamātraṁ kathañcit yasmin dine divyakathā ca viṣṇorna vāsti jantostasya cāyurvṛthaiva

—where connoisseurs of these are absent, one should not dwell there even a moment; on whatever day the divine story of Vishnu is absent for a being, that being's life on that day is utterly in vain.

Verse 31 (garuda.2.69.31)

गर्भे गते नात्र विचार्यमस्ति तन्मन्यते दुर्लभं मर्त्यलोके । कर्णं कल्पैर्भूषितं सुंदरं च न सुंदरं चाहुरार्या रसज्ञाः

garbhe gate nātra vicāryamasti tanmanyate durlabhaṁ martyaloke karṇaṁ kalpairbhūṣitaṁ suṁdaraṁ ca na suṁdaraṁ cāhurāryā rasajñāḥ

Once conception has occurred, there is no further question of choosing this path — it is instead simply to be considered rare in the mortal world. An ear adorned with ornaments, however beautiful, the wise connoisseurs do not call truly beautiful—

Verse 32 (garuda.2.69.32)

विष्णोः कथाख्याभरणैश्च युक्तं तदेव कर्णं सुंदरं चाहुरार्याः । तस्मात्सदा भागवतार्थसारं शृण्वन्ति ये सततं वाचयन्ति

viṣṇoḥ kathākhyābharaṇaiśca yuktaṁ tadeva karṇaṁ suṁdaraṁ cāhurāryāḥ tasmātsadā bhāgavatārthasāraṁ śṛṇvanti ye satataṁ vācayanti

—only that ear adorned with the ornament of Vishnu's story, the wise call truly beautiful. Hence those who ever hear, and who ever cause to be recited, the essence of the Bhagavata's meaning—

Verse 33 (garuda.2.69.33)

तेषां जन्म स्वस्थमाहुर्महान्तो महत्फलं चास्ति तथैव तेषाम् । सोष्णीषकञ्चुकयुताश्च हरेः कथां वै शृण्वन्ति येपि च पठन्ति सदैव मर्त्याः

teṣāṁ janma svasthamāhurmahānto mahatphalaṁ cāsti tathaiva teṣām soṣṇīṣakañcukayutāśca hareḥ kathāṁ vai śṛṇvanti yepi ca paṭhanti sadaiva martyāḥ

—of them the great ones declare their birth to be well-founded, and great is their fruit likewise. Those mortals who, though of quite ordinary station, ever hear and recite Hari's story—

Verse 34 (garuda.2.69.34)

सर्वेपि ते पूजनीया हि लोके न वै शिश्रे चोदरे चैव सक्ताः । ये दाक्षिण्यादर्थलोभाद्वदन्ति सदा पुराणं भगवत्तत्त्वसारम्

sarvepi te pūjanīyā hi loke na vai śiśre codare caiva saktāḥ ye dākṣiṇyādarthalobhādvadanti sadā purāṇaṁ bhagavattattvasāram

—all of them are indeed worthy of worship in this world, not those attached merely to comfort or self-interest. Those who, out of mere obligation or greed for money, recite the Purana, the essence of the Lord's truth—

Verse 35 (garuda.2.69.35)

प्रच्छादयन्ते तत्त्वगोप्यानि ये तु तेषां गतिः सूर्यसूनुः सदैव । ये धर्मकाण्डे कर्मकाण्डे सदैव उत्पादयन्ते सुरुचिं तत्र नित्यम्

pracchādayante tattvagopyāni ye tu teṣāṁ gatiḥ sūryasūnuḥ sadaiva ye dharmakāṇḍe karmakāṇḍe sadaiva utpādayante suruciṁ tatra nityam

—and who conceal its secret truths, their destiny is ever the son of the Sun; those who, always in the dharma-portion and karma-portion, ever generate only superficial interest for it—

Verse 36 (garuda.2.69.36)

मौल्येन ये कथयेयुः पुराणं तेषां गतिः सूर्य सुनः सदैव । मौल्येन ये भागवतं पुराणं शृण्वन्ति वै हरिशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वम्

maulyena ye kathayeyuḥ purāṇaṁ teṣāṁ gatiḥ sūrya sunaḥ sadaiva maulyena ye bhāgavataṁ purāṇaṁ śṛṇvanti vai hariśāstrārthatattvam

—those who narrate the Purana for payment, their destiny is ever the son of the Sun; those who, for payment, hear the Bhagavata Purana, the essential truth of Hari's teaching—

Verse 37 (garuda.2.69.37)

मौल्येन वेदाध्ययनं प्रकुर्वते तेषां गतिः सूर्यसूनुः सदैव । यदृच्छया प्राप्तधनेन ये तु संतुष्टास्ते ह्यत्र योग्याः सदैव

maulyena vedādhyayanaṁ prakurvate teṣāṁ gatiḥ sūryasūnuḥ sadaiva yadṛcchayā prāptadhanena ye tu saṁtuṣṭāste hyatra yogyāḥ sadaiva

—or who study the Vedas for payment, their destiny is ever the son of the Sun. But those who are content with wealth received unsought, they alone are truly worthy in this matter.

Verse 38 (garuda.2.69.38)

धनार्जने ये त्वतितृष्णाभियुक्तास्तेषां न वै भागवतेधिकारः । मत्वा लोके हरिरेवति नित्यमन्तर्यामी नास्ति तदन्य ईशः

dhanārjane ye tvatitṛṣṇābhiyuktāsteṣāṁ na vai bhāgavatedhikāraḥ matvā loke harirevati nityamantaryāmī nāsti tadanya īśaḥ

Those who are driven by excessive craving for wealth have no true qualification for the Bhagavata; knowing that in this world Hari alone is the eternal indweller, and that there is no other lord besides him—

Verse 39 (garuda.2.69.39)

एवं सदा ये प्रविचिन्तयन्ति योगक्षेमं बिभृयाद्विष्णुरेषाम् । सद्वैष्णवानामशुभं नास्ति नास्ति प्रदृश्यते संशयज्ञानरूपात्

evaṁ sadā ye pravicintayanti yogakṣemaṁ bibhṛyādviṣṇureṣām sadvaiṣṇavānāmaśubhaṁ nāsti nāsti pradṛśyate saṁśayajñānarūpāt

—those who thus constantly reflect, for them Vishnu himself sustains their well-being and security; for true Vaishnavas no misfortune exists at all, none is seen to arise from any doubtful state of knowledge.

Verse 40 (garuda.2.69.40)

कर्मानुसारेण हरिर्ददाति फलं शुभानामशुभस्य चैव । अतस्तदर्थं नैव यत्नं च कुर्याद्धनार्थं वै हरितत्त्वे च कुर्यात्

karmānusāreṇa harirdadāti phalaṁ śubhānāmaśubhasya caiva atastadarthaṁ naiva yatnaṁ ca kuryāddhanārthaṁ vai haritattve ca kuryāt

According to one's karma, Hari bestows the fruit, whether of good deeds or of bad; therefore one should make no independent effort merely for wealth's sake — rather, whatever effort one makes should be directed toward Hari's truth.

Verse 41 (garuda.2.69.41)

अतः स्नात्वा दिव्यमन्त्रं जपित्वा विसर्जयित्वा विष्णुनिर्माल्यगन्धम् । शुचिर्भूत्वा भागवतं पुराणं संश्रावयेत्सर्ववेत्तापि नित्यम्

ataḥ snātvā divyamantraṁ japitvā visarjayitvā viṣṇunirmālyagandham śucirbhūtvā bhāgavataṁ purāṇaṁ saṁśrāvayetsarvavettāpi nityam

Hence, having bathed, having recited the divine mantra, having offered Vishnu's floral fragrance, and having become pure, even one who knows everything should still constantly recite the Bhagavata Purana for others to hear.

Verse 42 (garuda.2.69.42)

कर्मानुसारेण धनार्जनं च वेदार्जनं शास्त्रसमार्जनं च । भविष्यति श्रवणं चापि विष्णोरत्यादराच्छ्रवणं दुर्घटं च

karmānusāreṇa dhanārjanaṁ ca vedārjanaṁ śāstrasamārjanaṁ ca bhaviṣyati śravaṇaṁ cāpi viṣṇoratyādarācchravaṇaṁ durghaṭaṁ ca

The acquisition of wealth, of Vedic learning, and of scriptural knowledge occurs according to one's karma; so too does the hearing of Vishnu's story — yet hearing it with the utmost reverence is difficult to attain.

Verse 43 (garuda.2.69.43)

अत्यादराद्भागवतस्य सारमास्वादयेद्दुर्घटं मर्त्यलोके । आस्वाद्य तद्भागवतं पुराणमानन्दबाष्पैर्युक्तता दुर्घटा च

atyādarādbhāgavatasya sāramāsvādayeddurghaṭaṁ martyaloke āsvādya tadbhāgavataṁ purāṇamānandabāṣpairyuktatā durghaṭā ca

To relish the essence of the Bhagavata with the utmost reverence is difficult to achieve in the mortal world; and having relished that Bhagavata Purana, to be overcome with tears of bliss is likewise difficult to attain.

Verse 44 (garuda.2.69.44)

श्रुत्वा तत्त्वा नां निर्णयं धारणं च सुदुर्घटं चाहुरार्याः समस्तम् । श्रुत्वा तत्त्वानां धारणानन्तरं च कामक्रुधोर्जारणं दुर्घटं च

śrutvā tattvā nāṁ nirṇayaṁ dhāraṇaṁ ca sudurghaṭaṁ cāhurāryāḥ samastam śrutvā tattvānāṁ dhāraṇānantaraṁ ca kāmakrudhorjāraṇaṁ durghaṭaṁ ca

Having heard it, to arrive at a firm determination of the truths and to retain them — the wise declare all of this to be most difficult to attain; and having heard and retained the truths, thereafter to dissolve away desire and anger is likewise difficult to attain.

Verse 45 (garuda.2.69.45)

श्रुत्वा तत्त्वानां धारणानं तरं त तथा योगे दुर्घटं संगतं च

śrutvā tattvānāṁ dhāraṇānaṁ taraṁ ta tathā yoge durghaṭaṁ saṁgataṁ ca

Having heard and retained the truths, thereafter to attain harmony even in one's spiritual practice (yoga) is likewise difficult.

Verse 46 (garuda.2.69.46)

श्रुत्वा तत्त्वानां धारणानन्तरं च कामक्रुधोर्जारणं दुर्घटं च । एते दोषा ज्ञानपूतानपीह कुर्वन्ति संदेहयुतान्सदैव

śrutvā tattvānāṁ dhāraṇānantaraṁ ca kāmakrudhorjāraṇaṁ durghaṭaṁ ca ete doṣā jñānapūtānapīha kurvanti saṁdehayutānsadaiva

Having heard and retained the truths, thereafter to dissolve away desire and anger is difficult to attain; these very faults ever render even those purified by knowledge full of doubt.

Verse 47 (garuda.2.69.47)

अतो ह्यहं श्रवणं सत्कथायाः सदा करिष्ये नात्र विचार्यमस्ति । तेनाप्यहं हरिनामाभिवाञ्छा निश्चित्य चित्तं श्रवणे वै चकार । आदेहमेवं श्रवणं च कृत्वा त्यक्त्वा देहं भूतले संप्रजाता

ato hyahaṁ śravaṇaṁ satkathāyāḥ sadā kariṣye nātra vicāryamasti tenāpyahaṁ harināmābhivāñchā niścitya cittaṁ śravaṇe vai cakāra ādehamevaṁ śravaṇaṁ ca kṛtvā tyaktvā dehaṁ bhūtale saṁprajātā

'Hence I shall ever hear the sacred narration — of this there is no question.' Resolved on this, with her heart set upon the wish for Hari's name, she fixed her mind upon hearing the scripture; having thus practiced hearing throughout her life, and relinquishing her body, she was born again upon the earth—

Verse 48 (garuda.2.69.48)

निवस्तुं वसुदेवस्य भगिन्या उदरे खग । सुमित्रा संज्ञकायां च जाता वै मित्रविन्दिका

nivastuṁ vasudevasya bhaginyā udare khaga sumitrā saṁjñakāyāṁ ca jātā vai mitravindikā

—to dwell, O bird, in the womb of Vasudeva's sister named Sumitra; there Mitravindika was born.

Verse 49 (garuda.2.69.49)

श्रवणेन हरिं मित्रं प्राप्ता सा मित्रविन्दिका । अतः सा मित्रविन्देति संज्ञया संबभूव ह

śravaṇena hariṁ mitraṁ prāptā sā mitravindikā ataḥ sā mitravindeti saṁjñayā saṁbabhūva ha

Through devoted hearing she obtained Hari as her friend — hence she, Mitravindika, came to bear the name Mitravinda.

Verse 50 (garuda.2.69.50)

स्वयंवरे मित्रविन्दा राज्ञां मध्ये तु भामिनी । ममांसे व्यसृजन्मालां तां गृहीत्वा खगेश्वर । विधूय नृपतीन्सर्वान्पुरीं प्राप्ताः खगेश्वर

svayaṁvare mitravindā rājñāṁ madhye tu bhāminī mamāṁse vyasṛjanmālāṁ tāṁ gṛhītvā khageśvara vidhūya nṛpatīnsarvānpurīṁ prāptāḥ khageśvara

At her svayamvara, the radiant Mitravinda, amid the assembled kings, cast the garland upon my shoulder; taking her, O lord of birds, having driven off all the rival kings, we reached the city, O lord of birds.