The Glory of the Shrimad Bhagavata: The Remedy of the Kumaras

Verse 1 (padma.6.194.1)

सूत उवाच- एवं संप्रार्थितो विप्रास्तया भक्त्यातिदीनया। यतश्चाकथयं तद्वै तच्छृणुध्वं दयालवः

sūta uvāca- evaṁ saṁprārthito viprāstayā bhaktyātidīnayā yataścākathayaṁ tadvai tacchṛṇudhvaṁ dayālavaḥ

Suta said: Thus entreated, O brahmins, by that Bhakti in her extreme wretchedness — hear now, O compassionate ones, what I then told her.

Verse 2 (padma.6.194.2)

नारद उवाच- मा खिदस्त्वं वृथा बाले समाधाय मनो हृदि । श्रीकृष्णचरणांभोजं स्मर सौख्यं लभिष्यसि

nārada uvāca- mā khidastvaṁ vṛthā bāle samādhāya mano hṛdi śrīkṛṣṇacaraṇāṁbhojaṁ smara saukhyaṁ labhiṣyasi

Narada said: Do not grieve in vain, O young one; steady your mind within your heart. Remember the lotus-feet of Shri Krishna, and you shall obtain happiness.

Verse 3 (padma.6.194.3)

द्रौपदी च परित्राता येन कौरवकश्मलात् । पालिता गोपसुंदर्यः स कृष्णः क्वापि नो गतः

draupadī ca paritrātā yena kauravakaśmalāt pālitā gopasuṁdaryaḥ sa kṛṣṇaḥ kvāpi no gataḥ

He by whom Draupadi was rescued from the disgrace inflicted by the Kauravas, by whom the beautiful gopis were protected — that Krishna has gone nowhere at all.

Verse 4 (padma.6.194.4)

त्वं तु भक्तिः प्रिया तस्य सततं प्राणतोऽधिका । त्वयाहूतस्तु भगवान्याति नीचगृहेष्वपि

tvaṁ tu bhaktiḥ priyā tasya satataṁ prāṇato'dhikā tvayāhūtastu bhagavānyāti nīcagṛheṣvapi

You, Bhakti, are ever his beloved, dearer to him than his very life-breath; when called by you, the Lord goes even into the houses of the lowly.

Verse 5 (padma.6.194.5)

सत्यादि त्रियुगे बोधो विरागो मुक्तिसाधकौ । कलौ तु केवला भक्तिर्ब्रह्मसायुज्यकारिणी

satyādi triyuge bodho virāgo muktisādhakau kalau tu kevalā bhaktirbrahmasāyujyakāriṇī

In the three ages beginning with Satya, knowledge and dispassion were the means to liberation; but in the Kali age, devotion alone brings about union with Brahman.

Verse 6 (padma.6.194.6)

इति निश्चित्य विद्रूपी स्वकां गात्त्वां ससर्ज ह । परमानंदचिन्मूर्तिः स्वप्रियां प्रीतमानसः

iti niścitya vidrūpī svakāṁ gāttvāṁ sasarja ha paramānaṁdacinmūrtiḥ svapriyāṁ prītamānasaḥ

Determining this, that formless one, whose very form is supreme bliss and consciousness, with a joyful mind created you, his beloved, from his own body.

Verse 7 (padma.6.194.7)

बध्वांजलि त्वया पृष्टः किं करोमीति वै हरिः । त्वां तदाज्ञापयत्कृष्णो मद्भक्तान्पोषयेति च

badhvāṁjali tvayā pṛṣṭaḥ kiṁ karomīti vai hariḥ tvāṁ tadājñāpayatkṛṣṇo madbhaktānpoṣayeti ca

With folded hands you asked Hari, ‘What shall I do?’ — and Krishna then commanded you: ‘Nourish my devotees.’

Verse 8 (padma.6.194.8)

अंगीकृतं त्वया तद्वै प्रसन्नोऽभूद्धरिस्तदा । मुक्तिदासीं ददौ तुभ्यं ज्ञानवैराग्य आत्मजौ

aṁgīkṛtaṁ tvayā tadvai prasanno'bhūddharistadā muktidāsīṁ dadau tubhyaṁ jñānavairāgya ātmajau

You accepted this, and Hari, then pleased, gave you Mukti as your handmaid, and gave you Jnana and Vairagya as your own sons.

Verse 9 (padma.6.194.9)

भक्तानां पोषणं नित्यं वैकुंठस्था करोषि च । भूमौ च भक्तपोषाय छायारूपं समाश्रिता

bhaktānāṁ poṣaṇaṁ nityaṁ vaikuṁṭhasthā karoṣi ca bhūmau ca bhaktapoṣāya chāyārūpaṁ samāśritā

Dwelling in Vaikuntha, you constantly nourish devotees; and on earth too, for the nourishment of devotees, you have taken on a shadow-form.

Verse 10 (padma.6.194.10)

विमुक्ति ज्ञानवैराग्यैः सह चैवागतात्र हि । कृतादिद्वापरांते हि काले मुक्ति मुदास्थिता

vimukti jñānavairāgyaiḥ saha caivāgatātra hi kṛtādidvāparāṁte hi kāle mukti mudāsthitā

Along with Mukti, Jnana, and Vairagya, you came here; at the end of the Dvapara age following Krita and the others, Mukti dwelt here joyfully.

Verse 11 (padma.6.194.11)

कलौ तु संक्षयं प्राप्ता पाषंडामयपीडिता । त्वदाज्ञया गता शीघ्रं वैकुंठे पुनरेव सा । स्मृतमात्रा त्वयाद्यापि मुक्तिरायाति सत्वरम्

kalau tu saṁkṣayaṁ prāptā pāṣaṁḍāmayapīḍitā tvadājñayā gatā śīghraṁ vaikuṁṭhe punareva sā smṛtamātrā tvayādyāpi muktirāyāti satvaram

But in the Kali age she declined, afflicted by the disease of false doctrine; by your command she quickly went again to Vaikuntha. Even now, merely remembered by you, Mukti swiftly returns.

Verse 12 (padma.6.194.12)

पुत्रीकृत्य त्वयैमौ च स्वपार्श्वे परिरक्षितौ । उपेक्षातः कलौ मंदौ वृद्धौ जातौ सुतौ तव

putrīkṛtya tvayaimau ca svapārśve parirakṣitau upekṣātaḥ kalau maṁdau vṛddhau jātau sutau tava

You raised these two as your sons, keeping them protected at your side; but through neglect in the Kali age, these your sons have grown feeble and old.

Verse 13 (padma.6.194.13)

तथापि चिंतां मुंचत्वमुपायं चिंतयाम्यहम् । कलिना सदृशः कोऽपि युगो नास्ति वरानने

tathāpi ciṁtāṁ muṁcatvamupāyaṁ ciṁtayāmyaham kalinā sadṛśaḥ ko'pi yugo nāsti varānane

Even so, cast off your worry; I am thinking of a remedy. O fair-faced one, there is no age comparable to Kali—

Verse 14 (padma.6.194.14)

तस्मिंस्त्वां ख्यापयिष्यामि गेहे गेहे जने जने । अन्यधर्मांस्तिरस्कृत्य पुरस्कृत्य महोत्सवान्

tasmiṁstvāṁ khyāpayiṣyāmi gehe gehe jane jane anyadharmāṁstiraskṛtya puraskṛtya mahotsavān

—in it, I shall make you renowned in house after house, person after person, setting aside other observances and putting festivals of you foremost.

Verse 15 (padma.6.194.15)

यदि प्रवर्त्तये न त्वां तदा दासो हरेर्नहि । त्वदन्विताश्च ये जीवा भविष्यंति कलाविह

yadi pravarttaye na tvāṁ tadā dāso harernahi tvadanvitāśca ye jīvā bhaviṣyaṁti kalāviha

If I do not cause you to spread, then I am no true servant of Hari. Those souls who, in this Kali age, become united with you—

Verse 16 (padma.6.194.16)

पापिनोऽपि गमिष्यंति निर्भया हरिमंदिरम् । येषां चित्ते भवेद्भक्तिः सर्वदा प्रेमरूपिणी

pāpino'pi gamiṣyaṁti nirbhayā harimaṁdiram yeṣāṁ citte bhavedbhaktiḥ sarvadā premarūpiṇī

—even sinners among them shall go, fearless, to the temple of Hari. Those in whose hearts devotion, ever of the nature of love, dwells—

Verse 17 (padma.6.194.17)

न ते पश्यंति कीनाशं स्वप्नेऽप्यमलमूर्त्तयः । न प्रेतो न पिशाचो वा राक्षसो वासुरोपि च

na te paśyaṁti kīnāśaṁ svapne'pyamalamūrttayaḥ na preto na piśāco vā rākṣaso vāsuropi ca

—those pure-formed ones do not see even in dream the god of death; nor a ghost, nor a demon, nor a rakshasa, nor an asura—

Verse 18 (padma.6.194.18)

भक्तियुक्तमनस्कानां स्पर्शने दर्शने प्रभुः । न तपोभिर्न वेदैश्च न ज्ञानेनापि कर्मणा

bhaktiyuktamanaskānāṁ sparśane darśane prabhuḥ na tapobhirna vedaiśca na jñānenāpi karmaṇā

—can touch or harm by sight those whose minds are filled with devotion. The Lord is not attained by austerities, nor by the Vedas, nor even by knowledge or ritual action—

Verse 19 (padma.6.194.19)

हरिर्हि साध्यते भक्त्या प्रमाणं तत्र गोपिकाः । नृणां जन्मसहस्रेण भक्तिः सुकृतिनां भवेत्

harirhi sādhyate bhaktyā pramāṇaṁ tatra gopikāḥ nṛṇāṁ janmasahasreṇa bhaktiḥ sukṛtināṁ bhavet

—Hari is attained by devotion alone; the gopis are the very proof of this. For men, devotion arises, among the meritorious, only after a thousand births—

Verse 20 (padma.6.194.20)

कलौ भक्तिः कलौ भक्तिर्भक्त्याकृष्णः पुरः स्थितः । भक्तिद्रोहकरा ये च ते सीदंति जगत्त्रये

kalau bhaktiḥ kalau bhaktirbhaktyākṛṣṇaḥ puraḥ sthitaḥ bhaktidrohakarā ye ca te sīdaṁti jagattraye

—but in Kali, devotion! In Kali, devotion! By devotion alone Krishna stands right before one. Those who commit violence against devotion sink down in all three worlds.

Verse 21 (padma.6.194.21)

दुर्वासा दुःखमापन्नः पुरा भक्तिविनिंदकः । अलं वृत्तैरलंतीर्थैरलं योगैरलं मखैः

durvāsā duḥkhamāpannaḥ purā bhaktiviniṁdakaḥ alaṁ vṛttairalaṁtīrthairalaṁ yogairalaṁ makhaiḥ

Durvasa, formerly a reviler of devotion, met with sorrow. Enough of vows, enough of tirthas, enough of yoga, enough of sacrifices—

Verse 22 (padma.6.194.22)

अलं ज्ञानकथालापैर्भक्तिरेकैव मुक्तिदा । एवमुक्तं मया सा तु स्वमाहात्म्यं निशम्य वै

alaṁ jñānakathālāpairbhaktirekaiva muktidā evamuktaṁ mayā sā tu svamāhātmyaṁ niśamya vai

—enough of discourses on knowledge; devotion alone grants liberation. Having thus spoken by me, she, having heard of her own greatness—

Verse 23 (padma.6.194.23)

सर्वांगहर्षसंयुक्ता मां पुनर्वाक्यमब्रवीत् । अहो नारद धन्योऽसि प्रीतिस्ते मयि निश्चला

sarvāṁgaharṣasaṁyuktā māṁ punarvākyamabravīt aho nārada dhanyo'si prītiste mayi niścalā

—her whole body filled with joy, spoke to me again: ‘Ah, Narada, you are blessed; your love for me is unwavering.’

Verse 24 (padma.6.194.24)

न कदाचिन्विमुंचामि चित्तं ते मयि संगतम् । कृपालुना त्वया साधो मद्बाधा ध्वंसिता क्षणात्

na kadācinvimuṁcāmi cittaṁ te mayi saṁgatam kṛpālunā tvayā sādho madbādhā dhvaṁsitā kṣaṇāt

‘Never shall I let go of your mind, which is so united with me. By you, compassionate one, my affliction has been destroyed in an instant.’

Verse 25 (padma.6.194.25)

पुत्रयोश्चेतना नास्ति ममेमौ प्रतिबोधय । तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कारुण्येनान्वितो ह्यहम्

putrayoścetanā nāsti mamemau pratibodhaya tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā kāruṇyenānvito hyaham

‘My two sons have no consciousness — please awaken them.’ Hearing her words, filled with compassion, I—

Verse 26 (padma.6.194.26)

तयोः प्रबोधनं कर्तुं प्रवृत्तः पाणिना स्पृशन् । मुखं संसृज्य कर्णांते शब्दमुच्चैः समुच्चरन्

tayoḥ prabodhanaṁ kartuṁ pravṛttaḥ pāṇinā spṛśan mukhaṁ saṁsṛjya karṇāṁte śabdamuccaiḥ samuccaran

—set about waking them, touching them with my hand, bringing my mouth close to their ears, loudly uttering the words—

Verse 27 (padma.6.194.27)

ज्ञान प्रबुद्ध्य्तां शीघ्रं वैराग्यप्रतिबुध्यताम् । वेदवेदांतघोषैश्च गीता पाठैर्मुहुर्मुहुः

jñāna prabuddhytāṁ śīghraṁ vairāgyapratibudhyatām vedavedāṁtaghoṣaiśca gītā pāṭhairmuhurmuhuḥ

—‘O Jnana, awaken quickly! O Vairagya, awaken!’ — with the resounding of the Vedas and Vedanta, and with recitations of the Gita, again and again—

Verse 28 (padma.6.194.28)

बोध्यमानौ तदा तेन कथंचिद्बोधमागतौ । नेत्रैरनवलोकंतौ जृंभंतौ सालसावुभौ

bodhyamānau tadā tena kathaṁcidbodhamāgatau netrairanavalokaṁtau jṛṁbhaṁtau sālasāvubhau

—being thus roused, the two of them somehow came to a little wakefulness; not opening their eyes to look, both merely yawning, listless—

Verse 29 (padma.6.194.29)

बकवत्पलितौ प्रायः शुष्ककाष्ठसमांगकौ । क्षुत्क्षामौ तौ निरीक्ष्यैव पुनः स्वापमुपागतौ

bakavatpalitau prāyaḥ śuṣkakāṣṭhasamāṁgakau kṣutkṣāmau tau nirīkṣyaiva punaḥ svāpamupāgatau

—grey-haired like herons, their bodies nearly like dry wood, emaciated with hunger; the moment I looked at them, they fell back into sleep.

Verse 30 (padma.6.194.30)

तदा चिंतापरोऽभूवं किं विधेयं मयेति च । अहो निद्रा कथं याति वृद्धत्वं चानयोः परम्

tadā ciṁtāparo'bhūvaṁ kiṁ vidheyaṁ mayeti ca aho nidrā kathaṁ yāti vṛddhatvaṁ cānayoḥ param

Then I became anxious, thinking: ‘What am I to do? Ah, how shall this sleep depart, and their great old age as well?’

Verse 31 (padma.6.194.31)

चिंतयन्नित गोविंदं स्मरन्नासं द्विजोत्तमाः । व्योमवाणी तदैवाभून्मा ऋषे खिद्यतामिति

ciṁtayannita goviṁdaṁ smarannāsaṁ dvijottamāḥ vyomavāṇī tadaivābhūnmā ṛṣe khidyatāmiti

While pondering thus, O best of brahmins, I sat remembering Govinda; then a voice from the sky arose, saying: ‘Do not grieve, O sage—’

Verse 32 (padma.6.194.32)

उद्यमस्सफलस्ते तु भविष्यति न संशयः । एतदर्थं तु सत्कर्म सुरर्षे त्वं समाचर

udyamassaphalaste tu bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ etadarthaṁ tu satkarma surarṣe tvaṁ samācara

‘—your effort shall indeed bear fruit, without doubt. For this purpose, O divine sage, perform a good deed—’

Verse 33 (padma.6.194.33)

तत्कर्मतेऽभिधास्यंति साधवः साधुभूषणाः । सत्कर्मणि कृते तस्मिन्स्वपनं वृद्धतानयोः

tatkarmate'bhidhāsyaṁti sādhavaḥ sādhubhūṣaṇāḥ satkarmaṇi kṛte tasminsvapanaṁ vṛddhatānayoḥ

‘—that deed the saints, the very ornaments of the saintly, shall declare to you. When that good deed is performed, the sleep and old age of these two—’

Verse 34 (padma.6.194.34)

गमिष्यति क्षणाद्भक्तिः सर्वतः प्रसरिष्यति । इत्याकाशवचः स्पष्टं निशम्यापि मया द्विजाः

gamiṣyati kṣaṇādbhaktiḥ sarvataḥ prasariṣyati ityākāśavacaḥ spaṣṭaṁ niśamyāpi mayā dvijāḥ

‘—shall depart in an instant, and Bhakti shall spread everywhere.’ Having clearly heard these words from the sky, O brahmins—

Verse 35 (padma.6.194.35)

न ज्ञातं यन्नभोवाण्या गोप्यत्वेन निरूपितं । किं तत्कर्म च येनैतौ भवतो ज्ञानसंयुतौ

na jñātaṁ yannabhovāṇyā gopyatvena nirūpitaṁ kiṁ tatkarma ca yenaitau bhavato jñānasaṁyutau

—yet I did not know what that deed was, since the celestial voice had kept it hidden. What was that deed by which these two would become alert with knowledge?

Verse 36 (padma.6.194.36)

क्व भविष्यंति ते संतः कथं वक्ष्यंति कर्म सत् । मयात्र किं प्रकर्त्तव्यं यदुक्तं व्योमभाषया

kva bhaviṣyaṁti te saṁtaḥ kathaṁ vakṣyaṁti karma sat mayātra kiṁ prakarttavyaṁ yaduktaṁ vyomabhāṣayā

Where would those saints be found, and how would they declare that good deed? What was I to do here, regarding what had been spoken by the voice of the sky?

Verse 37 (padma.6.194.37)

अथ तौ तत्र संस्थाप्य निर्गतोऽहं बहिर्द्विजाः । वृंदारण्यादपृच्छं च यत्र तत्र द्विजोत्तमान्

atha tau tatra saṁsthāpya nirgato'haṁ bahirdvijāḥ vṛṁdāraṇyādapṛcchaṁ ca yatra tatra dvijottamān

Then, leaving the two of them there, I, O brahmins, went out, and, departing from Vrindaranya, questioned the best of brahmins wherever I went.

Verse 38 (padma.6.194.38)

वृत्तांतं सर्व एवाथ श्रुत्वा विस्मितमानसाः । नैवोत्तरं प्रयच्छंति ह्यनभिज्ञानभोगिरः

vṛttāṁtaṁ sarva evātha śrutvā vismitamānasāḥ naivottaraṁ prayacchaṁti hyanabhijñānabhogiraḥ

Hearing the whole account, they were all filled with astonishment in mind, but they gave no answer at all, being ignorant of that matter.

Verse 39 (padma.6.194.39)

असाध्यं केचन प्रोचुराविज्ञेयमथापरे । मूकी बभूवुरन्ये तु चिंतयानाः पुनः पुनः

asādhyaṁ kecana procurāvijñeyamathāpare mūkī babhūvuranye tu ciṁtayānāḥ punaḥ punaḥ

Some declared it impossible, others said it was unknowable; others became silent, pondering again and again.

Verse 40 (padma.6.194.40)

वेदवेदांतघोषैश्च गीतापाठैर्मुहुर्मुहुः । बोध्यमानं त्रिकं तत्तु नोदतिष्ठदहो विधिः

vedavedāṁtaghoṣaiśca gītāpāṭhairmuhurmuhuḥ bodhyamānaṁ trikaṁ tattu nodatiṣṭhadaho vidhiḥ

‘That trio, roused again and again with the resounding of the Vedas and Vedanta and with recitations of the Gita, did not arise — alas, what a strange fate this is!’

Verse 41 (padma.6.194.41)

योगिना नारदेनापि स्वयं न ज्ञायते तु यत् । तत्कथं शक्यते कर्तुमितरैरिह मानुषैः । ततश्चिंतातुरश्चाहं बदरीवनमागतः

yoginā nāradenāpi svayaṁ na jñāyate tu yat tatkathaṁ śakyate kartumitarairiha mānuṣaiḥ tataściṁtāturaścāhaṁ badarīvanamāgataḥ

‘What even the yogi Narada himself does not know — how can it be accomplished by other mere humans here?’ Then, tormented with anxiety, I came to Badarikashrama—

Verse 42 (padma.6.194.42)

तपश्चरामि चात्रैव तदर्थं कृतनिश्चयः । तावद्ददर्श पुरतः सनकाद्यान्मुनीश्वरान् । कोटिसूर्यसमाभासानुवाच मुनिसत्तमान्

tapaścarāmi cātraiva tadarthaṁ kṛtaniścayaḥ tāvaddadarśa purataḥ sanakādyānmunīśvarān koṭisūryasamābhāsānuvāca munisattamān

—resolved to perform austerity there for that very purpose. Just then, before me, I beheld the great sages beginning with Sanaka, radiant as ten million suns, and I addressed those excellent sages:

Verse 43 (padma.6.194.43)

इदानीं भूरिभागेन भवतां दर्शनं ह्यभूत् । तदुपायं महाभागा वदंतु प्रीतमानसाः

idānīṁ bhūribhāgena bhavatāṁ darśanaṁ hyabhūt tadupāyaṁ mahābhāgā vadaṁtu prītamānasāḥ

‘Now, by great good fortune, I have obtained the sight of you. O greatly blessed ones, tell me, with pleased minds, of that remedy.’

Verse 44 (padma.6.194.44)

भवंतो योगिनां श्रेष्ठा बुद्धिमंतो बहुश्रुताः । कुमारा एवपंचाब्दाः पूर्वेषामपिपूर्वजाः

bhavaṁto yogināṁ śreṣṭhā buddhimaṁto bahuśrutāḥ kumārā evapaṁcābdāḥ pūrveṣāmapipūrvajāḥ

‘You are the foremost among yogis, wise, greatly learned; though eternally five-year-old boys, you are the ancestors even of the ancients—’

Verse 45 (padma.6.194.45)

सदा वैकुंठनिलया हरिकीर्त्तनतत्पराः । लीलामृतकथोन्मत्ता हरिस्मरणतत्पराः

sadā vaikuṁṭhanilayā harikīrttanatatparāḥ līlāmṛtakathonmattā harismaraṇatatparāḥ

‘—ever dwelling in Vaikuntha, devoted to the kirtan of Hari, intoxicated with the nectar-stories of his divine play, devoted to the remembrance of Hari—’

Verse 46 (padma.6.194.46)

अतो हि कालदुहिता युष्मान्नैव प्रबाधते । येषां भ्रूभंगमात्रेण द्वारपालौ हरेः पुरा

ato hi kāladuhitā yuṣmānnaiva prabādhate yeṣāṁ bhrūbhaṁgamātreṇa dvārapālau hareḥ purā

‘—therefore the daughter of Time cannot afflict you at all. By the mere frown of whose brows the two gatekeepers of Hari—’

Verse 47 (padma.6.194.47)

दैत्यौ भूत्वा त्रिजन्मानि पुनस्तत्स्थानमास्थितौ । अशरीरगिरोक्तं यत्किंतत्साधनमुच्यताम्

daityau bhūtvā trijanmāni punastatsthānamāsthitau aśarīragiroktaṁ yatkiṁtatsādhanamucyatām

‘—became demons for three births and then returned again to their original station — please tell me what that means is, which was spoken by the bodiless voice.’

Verse 48 (padma.6.194.48)

अनुष्ठेयं यथा यत्र प्रब्रुवंतु कृपालवः । भक्तिज्ञानविरागाणांसुखमुत्पद्यतेयथा । ख्यातिर्वः सर्वलोकेषु तथा साधूच्यतां बुधाः

anuṣṭheyaṁ yathā yatra prabruvaṁtu kṛpālavaḥ bhaktijñānavirāgāṇāṁsukhamutpadyateyathā khyātirvaḥ sarvalokeṣu tathā sādhūcyatāṁ budhāḥ

‘O compassionate ones, tell me how and where it is to be performed. O wise ones, speak in such a way, virtuously, that happiness may arise for Bhakti, Jnana, and Vairagya, and that your fame may spread throughout all the worlds.’

Verse 49 (padma.6.194.49)

कुमारा ऊचुः- मा चिंतां कुरु देवर्षे स्वचित्ते हर्षमावह । उपायः सुखासाध्योऽत्र विद्यते विश्वसौख्यदः

kumārā ūcuḥ- mā ciṁtāṁ kuru devarṣe svacitte harṣamāvaha upāyaḥ sukhāsādhyo'tra vidyate viśvasaukhyadaḥ

The Kumaras said: ‘Do not worry, O divine sage; bring joy into your own heart. There exists here an easily accomplished remedy that gives happiness to the whole world.’

Verse 50 (padma.6.194.50)

अहो नारद धन्योऽसि विरक्तानां शिरोमणिः । श्रीकृष्णप्रेमपात्राणामग्रणीर्वदतां वरः

aho nārada dhanyo'si viraktānāṁ śiromaṇiḥ śrīkṛṣṇapremapātrāṇāmagraṇīrvadatāṁ varaḥ

‘Ah, Narada, you are blessed — the crest-jewel among the dispassionate, the foremost among those cherished with love for Shri Krishna, the best of speakers.’

Verse 51 (padma.6.194.51)

त्वयि चित्रं न देवर्षे भक्तिसाधनतत्परे । उचितं कृष्णदासानां भक्तेः संचारणं भुवि

tvayi citraṁ na devarṣe bhaktisādhanatatpare ucitaṁ kṛṣṇadāsānāṁ bhakteḥ saṁcāraṇaṁ bhuvi

‘There is no wonder in you, O divine sage, ever devoted to the practice of devotion; it is only fitting that the servants of Krishna should spread devotion upon the earth.’

Verse 52 (padma.6.194.52)

ऋषिभिर्बहुधा लोके उपायाः सिद्धये कृताः । श्रमसाध्याश्च ते सर्वे प्रायः स्वर्गफलप्रदाः

ṛṣibhirbahudhā loke upāyāḥ siddhaye kṛtāḥ śramasādhyāśca te sarve prāyaḥ svargaphalapradāḥ

‘The sages have devised many means in this world for attainment; but all of them require great effort and, for the most part, bestow only the fruit of heaven.’

Verse 53 (padma.6.194.53)

वैकुंठसाधकः पंथा गुप्तो लोकेषु वर्त्तते । तस्योपदेशकः साधुः प्रायो भाग्येन लभ्यते

vaikuṁṭhasādhakaḥ paṁthā gupto lokeṣu varttate tasyopadeśakaḥ sādhuḥ prāyo bhāgyena labhyate

‘The path that accomplishes Vaikuntha remains hidden in the worlds; a teacher of it, a saint, is generally obtained only by great fortune.’

Verse 54 (padma.6.194.54)

यत्ते सत्कर्म निर्दिष्टं व्योमवाचा मुनीश्वर । तज्ज्ञेयमिह सर्वज्ञैर्ज्ञानयज्ञः पुरातनैः

yatte satkarma nirdiṣṭaṁ vyomavācā munīśvara tajjñeyamiha sarvajñairjñānayajñaḥ purātanaiḥ

‘That good deed indicated to you by the voice from the sky, O lord of sages, is to be known here, by the all-knowing ancients, as the Jnana-yajna—’

Verse 55 (padma.6.194.55)

श्रीमद्भागवतालापो ज्ञानयज्ञः शुकोदितः । भक्तिज्ञानविरागाणां सुखदः प्रतिभाति नः

śrīmadbhāgavatālāpo jñānayajñaḥ śukoditaḥ bhaktijñānavirāgāṇāṁ sukhadaḥ pratibhāti naḥ

‘—discourse on the Shrimad Bhagavata, spoken by Shuka, is the Jnana-yajna; it seems to us to give happiness to Bhakti, Jnana, and Vairagya.’

Verse 56 (padma.6.194.56)

कलिदोषा इमे सर्वे श्रीमद्भागवत ध्वनेः । प्रभीताः प्रलयायंते सिंहशब्दाद्वृका इव

kalidoṣā ime sarve śrīmadbhāgavata dhvaneḥ prabhītāḥ pralayāyaṁte siṁhaśabdādvṛkā iva

‘All these faults of Kali, terrified by the very sound of the Shrimad Bhagavata, flee to their destruction, like wolves fleeing at the roar of a lion.’

Verse 57 (padma.6.194.57)

ज्ञानवैराग्यसंयुक्ता भक्तिः प्रेमरसावहा । प्रतिगेहं प्रतिजनं सुखक्रीडां करिष्यति

jñānavairāgyasaṁyuktā bhaktiḥ premarasāvahā pratigehaṁ pratijanaṁ sukhakrīḍāṁ kariṣyati

‘Devotion, joined with Knowledge and Dispassion, bringing the flow of the essence of love, shall then play joyfully in house after house, person after person.’

Verse 58 (padma.6.194.58)

सूत उवाच- कुमारोक्तं समाकर्ण्य नारदः प्रीतमानसः । पुनः प्रोवाच भगवांस्तदुत्कर्षं विभावयन्

sūta uvāca- kumāroktaṁ samākarṇya nāradaḥ prītamānasaḥ punaḥ provāca bhagavāṁstadutkarṣaṁ vibhāvayan

Suta said: Having heard the words of the Kumaras, Narada, his mind pleased, but still pondering the superiority of that former remedy, spoke again:

Verse 59 (padma.6.194.59)

नारद उवाच- वेदवेदांतघोषैश्च गीतापाठैः प्रबोधितम् । नोदतिष्ठत्त्रिकं तत्तु कलिदोषतिरस्कृतम्

nārada uvāca- vedavedāṁtaghoṣaiśca gītāpāṭhaiḥ prabodhitam nodatiṣṭhattrikaṁ tattu kalidoṣatiraskṛtam

Narada said: ‘That trio, roused with the resounding of the Vedas and Vedanta and with recitations of the Gita, did not arise, being overcome by the faults of Kali.’

Verse 60 (padma.6.194.60)

कथं भागवतालापात्तद्विबोधमिहैष्यति । छिंदंतु संशयं ह्येनं भवंतोऽमोघदर्शनाः

kathaṁ bhāgavatālāpāttadvibodhamihaiṣyati chiṁdaṁtu saṁśayaṁ hyenaṁ bhavaṁto'moghadarśanāḥ

‘—How then shall it attain wakefulness here merely through discourse on the Bhagavata? May you, whose insight never fails, cut away this doubt of mine.’

Verse 61 (padma.6.194.61)

विलंबो नात्र कर्त्तव्यः शरणागतवत्सलाः । ततस्ते सनकाद्यास्तु विरक्ता ह्यूर्द्ध्वरेतसः

vilaṁbo nātra karttavyaḥ śaraṇāgatavatsalāḥ tataste sanakādyāstu viraktā hyūrddhvaretasaḥ

‘No delay should be made here, O you who are affectionate toward those who take refuge in you.’ Then those sages, Sanaka and the others, dispassionate and of perpetual celibacy—

Verse 62 (padma.6.194.62)

सिद्धाः सनातना विप्रा नारदं प्रोचुरादरात्

siddhāḥ sanātanā viprā nāradaṁ procurādarāt

—perfected, eternal brahmins, addressed Narada with respect.

Verse 63 (padma.6.194.63)

कुमारा ऊचुः । वेदोपनिषदां साराज्जाता भागवती कथा । अत्युत्तमा ततो भाति पृथग्भूता फलोन्नतिः

kumārā ūcuḥ vedopaniṣadāṁ sārājjātā bhāgavatī kathā atyuttamā tato bhāti pṛthagbhūtā phalonnatiḥ

The Kumaras said: ‘The story of the Bhagavata was born from the very essence of the Vedas and Upanishads; therefore it shines forth supreme, distinct in the excellence of its fruit—’

Verse 64 (padma.6.194.64)

आमूलाग्रं रसोस्त्येव रसालस्य यथा फले । पृथग्भूतं तु पानेन यथा विश्वमनोहरः

āmūlāgraṁ rasostyeva rasālasya yathā phale pṛthagbhūtaṁ tu pānena yathā viśvamanoharaḥ

‘—just as in the fruit of the mango, juice exists throughout, from root to tip, yet when drawn out separately it enchants the whole world—’

Verse 65 (padma.6.194.65)

यथा दुग्धेस्थितं सर्पिर्न च स्वादूपकल्प्यते । पृथग्भूतं तु तद्दिव्यं देवानां प्रीतिवर्द्धनम्

yathā dugdhesthitaṁ sarpirna ca svādūpakalpyate pṛthagbhūtaṁ tu taddivyaṁ devānāṁ prītivarddhanam

‘—just as the ghee present in milk cannot be tasted as such, but once separated out, that divine substance increases the pleasure even of the gods—’

Verse 66 (padma.6.194.66)

इक्षुष्विवादिमध्यांतं शर्करा व्याप्य तिष्ठति । पृथग्भूता तु सा मिष्टा तथा भागवती कथा

ikṣuṣvivādimadhyāṁtaṁ śarkarā vyāpya tiṣṭhati pṛthagbhūtā tu sā miṣṭā tathā bhāgavatī kathā

‘—just as sugar pervades the sugarcane from beginning through middle to end, yet once separated out, it becomes sweet — so is the story of the Bhagavata.’

Verse 67 (padma.6.194.67)

श्रीमद्भागवतं नाम पुराणं रसमेव हि । भक्तिज्ञानविरागाणां सौख्यायैव प्रकाशितम्

śrīmadbhāgavataṁ nāma purāṇaṁ rasameva hi bhaktijñānavirāgāṇāṁ saukhyāyaiva prakāśitam

‘The Purana named Shrimad Bhagavata is verily that very essence, revealed solely for the happiness of Bhakti, Jnana, and Vairagya.’

Verse 68 (padma.6.194.68)

कृष्णेन ब्रह्मणे नाभिकंजस्थाय हृदैव हि । तच्चतुःश्लोकमखिलं ब्रह्मैव प्रतिभासते

kṛṣṇena brahmaṇe nābhikaṁjasthāya hṛdaiva hi taccatuḥślokamakhilaṁ brahmaiva pratibhāsate

‘It was given by Krishna, through the heart alone, to Brahma seated on the lotus of his navel; that entire teaching in four verses shines forth as Brahman itself.’

Verse 69 (padma.6.194.69)

तुभ्यं च ब्रह्मणा प्रोक्तं तच्चरित्रनिदर्शनम् । त्वयापि व्यासदेवाय प्रोक्तं तत्तापहानये

tubhyaṁ ca brahmaṇā proktaṁ taccaritranidarśanam tvayāpi vyāsadevāya proktaṁ tattāpahānaye

‘That very account of his deeds was told to you by Brahma; and by you it was told to Vyasadeva as well, for the removal of his affliction.’

Verse 70 (padma.6.194.70)

यदीयस्मरणात्सद्यो निर्विण्णो बादरायणः । चकार महदाख्यातुमात्माराम मनोहरम्

yadīyasmaraṇātsadyo nirviṇṇo bādarāyaṇaḥ cakāra mahadākhyātumātmārāma manoharam

‘By the mere remembrance of which, Badarayana, who had become weary, at once composed this great work — a work enchanting even to those who delight in the self alone.’

Verse 71 (padma.6.194.71)

अत्र ते विस्मयः केन येन पृच्छेः पुनः पुनः । श्रीमद्भागवतं शास्त्रं क्षमं कृष्णानुकर्षणे

atra te vismayaḥ kena yena pṛccheḥ punaḥ punaḥ śrīmadbhāgavataṁ śāstraṁ kṣamaṁ kṛṣṇānukarṣaṇe

‘Why then this astonishment of yours, that you should ask again and again? The scripture Shrimad Bhagavata is fully capable of drawing Krishna near.’

Verse 72 (padma.6.194.72)

सूत उवाच- एतन्निशम्य वचनं समुदाहृतं तु योगीश्वरैः सनकमुख्यतमैरभीष्टम् । भक्त्या विधृत्य चरणं च प्रणम्य मूर्ध्ना हृष्टो जगाद जगदाधिनिवर्त्तकांस्तान्

sūta uvāca- etanniśamya vacanaṁ samudāhṛtaṁ tu yogīśvaraiḥ sanakamukhyatamairabhīṣṭam bhaktyā vidhṛtya caraṇaṁ ca praṇamya mūrdhnā hṛṣṭo jagāda jagadādhinivarttakāṁstān

Suta said: Hearing this cherished statement declared by the lords of yoga, foremost among whom was Sanaka, Narada reverently clasped their feet with devotion, bowed his head before them, and, delighted, addressed those who turn back the world's afflictions:

Verse 73 (padma.6.194.73)

नारद उवाच-। संदर्शनं च भवतां विनिहंत्यघौघं श्रेयस्तनोति भवदुःखदवार्दितानाम् । निःशेषशेषमुखगीतकथैकपानात्प्रेमप्रकाशनकृते शरणं गतो वः

nārada uvāca- saṁdarśanaṁ ca bhavatāṁ vinihaṁtyaghaughaṁ śreyastanoti bhavaduḥkhadavārditānām niḥśeṣaśeṣamukhagītakathaikapānātpremaprakāśanakṛte śaraṇaṁ gato vaḥ

Narada said: ‘The very sight of you destroys the mass of sins and bestows welfare upon those afflicted by the wildfire of worldly suffering. For the sake of manifesting love — by drinking solely of the story sung even by the mouth of the thousand-headed Shesha — I have come to your refuge.’

Verse 74 (padma.6.194.74)

पुण्योदयेन बहुजन्मसमर्जितेन सत्संगमो यदि भवेत्कृतिनो जनस्य । अज्ञानहेतुकृतमोहमहांधकारो नश्येत्तदा ह्युदयमेति महान्विवेकः

puṇyodayena bahujanmasamarjitena satsaṁgamo yadi bhavetkṛtino janasya ajñānahetukṛtamohamahāṁdhakāro naśyettadā hyudayameti mahānvivekaḥ

‘If, through the rising of merit earned across many births, a meritorious person attains the company of the saintly, then the great darkness of delusion caused by ignorance is destroyed, and great discernment arises.’