rule


 

Canto 7

Guru Puja

 
 

Chapter 10: About Prahlāda, the Best Among the Exalted Devotees and the Fall of Tripura

(1) Nārada Muni said: 'Prahlāda, even though he was but a small boy, considered every blessing that came with his bhakti-yoga an impediment on the path and this he with a smile told the Lord of the Senses.

(2)  S'rī Prahlāda said: 'Please do not allure me, for because of my Asura birth I am, by all those blessings, attached to material enjoyment. It was out of fear for such material association that I, desiring liberation, have taken to Your shelter for the sake of complete detachment. (3) Oh Lord, You send Your devoted servant into this world of desire to put his character to a test, for the lust to enjoy the senses, being the root cause of one's wandering around here, is found in the heart of everyone, oh Master. (4) Oh guru of the entire creation, because You are so kind to Your souls, it does not work otherwise with You [being their Well-wisher]. Anyone desiring material benefits from You [will obtain them, although he] is [then] not your servant but a merchant [see also  B.G. 17: 20]. (5) Someone who for himself expects material benefits from his spiritual master is not really a servant. Nor is the master really of service who - for his own prestige - wants to bestow material benefits upon his servant [see also 10.88: 8-10]. (6) There is, as far as I am concerned, in my full devotion unto You, no question whatsoever of any desire, nor do You, as a real master, foster any further motive for our sake, like a king does have with his subject. (7) And if You would like to fulfill a desire of mine, then I pray for Your benediction, oh Lord of All Blessings, that no desire for any form of material happiness will grow in my heart [see also S'rī S'rī S'ikshāshthaka verse four]. (8) From the moment they appear [the functions of] one's senses, mind, life air and body, one's religion, patience, intelligence, shyness, opulence, strength, memory and truthfulness are defeated by them. (9) Only when one gives up all the desires that one in one's human association finds in one's mind, one is fit for an opulence equal to Yours, oh Lotus-eyed Lord. (10) Oh Master of all Opulence, oh Original Personality, oh Lord in the form of Nrisimha, oh Supreme One, oh Absolute Truth, oh Great Soul and Soul of all souls, let me offer You my respectful obeisances.'

(11) The Supreme Lord said: 'Those persons who, like you, are exclusively devoted to Me, do not desire any benedictions from Me in this world nor in the next. Nevertheless you may, until the end of Manu's reign, enjoy all the opulences of the Daitya rule out here [see also 2.3: 10]. (12) Devote yourself to My pleasing stories, be absorbed in Me, who resides in your heart as the One present within all living beings. Worship, in [yoga] uniting your consciousness, the Lord who is the enjoyer of all sacrifices and give up your self-interested activities. (13) By relishing your merit being happy, by acting piously defeating sin, by the rapid progress of time forsaking your body and by spreading your reputation throughout even the worlds of the gods, you will, freed from all attachment, turn back to Me. (14) Anyone who chants these prayers you offered to Me, any human being who remembers both Me and you, will in due course of time be freed from the bondage of his karma [see B.G. 4: 9, 6: 7, 9: 27-28, 12: 3-4 and see also 11.14: 21].'

(15-17) S'rī Prahlāda said: 'I pray for the following benediction from You, oh Lord of Benedictions, oh Supreme Controller. My father, not knowing Your strength and supremacy, had, because of a heart polluted by anger, a false notion of You, oh master and guru of all worlds. He considered You the murderer of his brother and condemned You. Thus he was towards me, Your devotee, of the greatest sin. May my father be purified from that greatest and most difficult to overcome sin, even though he was immediately purified when You cast Your glance upon him, oh Father full of mercy for the materialists.'

(18) The Supreme Lord said: 'With the purification of your father, twenty-one of your forefathers have been purified, oh sinless one. Because you, oh saintly boy, took your birth from him in this dynasty, you in fact are the purifier of the dynasty. (19) Wherever and whenever there are My devotees who, full of peace and equipoise, with the best qualities, are equally graceful towards all, everyone will be purified, even when it concerns the worst of societies. (20) They will never, in whatever way, wrong any higher or lower living being, oh King of the Daityas, because they, in their love for Me, have forsaken all material aspirations. (21) Persons in this world following in your footsteps become My pure devotees. You are truly the best example of all My devotees [see also 6.3: 20-21]. (22) My child, you should now perform the funeral rites for your father, who in every respect was purified by the touch of My body and thus will be promoted to the worlds of the good people. (23) Assume the throne of your father, My dearest, fix your mind upon Me and do your duty for My transcendental cause the way it is prescribed in the Vedic tradition.'

(24) S'rī Nārada said:  'As was ordered by the Supreme Lord, Prahlāda performed all the rituals associated with his father's death, oh King [Yudhishthhira], and was crowned by the brahmins. (25) Brahmā, who had witnessed what had happened, with a face radiating because the Lord had been pleased, offered with transcendental words the purest prayers to Lord Nrisimha, addressing Him in the presence of all the other gods. (26) S'rī Brahmā said: 'Oh God of gods, oh proprietor of the entire universe, oh love of all creation, oh first among the living beings, because of Your resolve [to protect the devotees] the most sinful Asura, who was of so much trouble to everyone, has been killed. (27) I granted him the rare benediction that he would not be killed by any creature created by me and that he would not die because of any austerity, mystical or physical power. Thus being very proud he transgressed all injunctions. (28) His son, who despite his young age was a great saint and exalted devotee, has luckily been released from the clutches of death and enjoys now, as You wished, Your shelter. (29) For all those, who faced with an enemy meditate on this physical presence of You, the Supersoul, oh omnipresent, almighty Lord, You are the protector against all kinds of fear, including even the fear of death.'

(30) The Supreme Lord replied: 'Do not bestow blessings on demons, as you have done, oh you who were born from the lotus. To bless people of a cruel and pitiless nature is like giving milk to snakes.'

(31) S'rī Nārada said: 'This, oh King, is what the Supreme Lord said, and after Hari had been worshiped by the teacher of all teachers, He who cannot be seen by ordinary living beings disappeared from the spot. (32) Prahlāda thereupon bowed his head and offered his obeisances with prayers to Lord Brahmā, Lord S'iva, the founding fathers and the [other] demigods, who each are part of the Supreme Lord. (33) Next Lord Brahmā together with S'ukrācārya and other sages, appointed him ruler over all the Daityas and Dānavas. (34) Oh King, after Brahmā and the others were properly honored, all the godly souls congratulated him, wished him all the best and then returned to their abodes. (35) The two associates [the gatekeepers] of Vishnu who were born as the sons of Diti and who operated as His enemies, were thus killed by Him, the Lord residing in the core of the heart [see 7.1: 36-39]. (36) Being cursed by the brahmins, the two were born again as the demons Kumbhakarna and ten-head Rāvana and again both killed [by Him], thanks to the special powers of Lord Rāmacandra. (37) Slain lying on the battlefield with their hearts pierced by Rāma's arrows, they with their minds fixed on Him gave up their bodies, just as they did in their previous birth. (38) The two again appearing in this world with their births as S'is'upāla and Dantavakra, were the same way bound to the Lord in enmity and merged with Him [for the last time] in your presence. (39) All the kings inimical to S'ri Krishna were, upon their death reaching His Self, freed from the burden of the sins of their previous life, just like larvae that obtain a body identical to the one of the drone that guarded them. (40) Just as one by devotional service returns to the Supreme Personality, kings like S'is'upāla returned home and attained the same supreme nature of the Lord by contemplating Him [in their enmity, see also B.G. 4: 9]. (41) All of this I described to you in reply to your inquiry on how, even hating, the son of Damaghosha [S'is'upāla] and others could attain the same position of wholesomeness [see 7.1: 34-35]. (42) In this narration about the Supersoul and the Godhead of all brahmins, Krishna, I spoke about His incarnations in which He, among others, put an end to the Daityas. (43-44) This history describes the character of the devotion, spiritual knowledge and renunciation of that most exalted devotee Prahlāda. Try to understand each of these stories and thus discover what belongs to the Lord, the Master of maintenance, creation and destruction, what His qualities and activities are, the wisdom handed down [in disciplic succession] and how He, by the time factor, stands for the finality of all the higher and lower living beings and their cultures, however great they might be. (45) With the help of this narration, in which the transcendence is perfectly and fully described, one may get to know the Fortunate One and what the bhāgavata dharma [see 7.6: 28], the way of the devotees, entails.Shiva fights tripura (46) Anyone who, after hearing this pious narration describing the Supreme Power of Vishnu, repeats it or sings about it with faith, will be liberated from being entangled in self-interested actions. (47) He who with great attention reads and listens to this story about the activities of the best of all truthful souls, this Daitya son, and how the Original Personality, playing the part of the lion king, killed the king of the demons who was as strong as an elephant, will attain the spiritual world where one has nothing to fear. (48) Oh, you [Pāndavas] in your human world, are extremely fortunate, for the Supreme One of the Absolute Truth, He who is always sought by the great saints who purify all the worlds, resides in your house in a human form. (49) He is the Brahman of the Absolute Truth  sought by all the great souls. He, who is factually your nephew [the son of your maternal uncle], He, your most dear well-wisher, is the oneness of transcendental happiness and the source of all life. He who is there also as your guru of instruction concerning the regulative principles, is the One to be worshiped as the completeness of the [body, the universe and the] soul. (50) Lord S'iva, Lord Brahmā and others could not even by meditation directly see Him or describe Him in His real form. May He, this great master of all devotees, be pleased with the silence we observe, with our devotion, our calm and our worship. (51) Oh King, this very same Supreme Lord a long time ago restored the reputation of the demigod Lord S'iva, that was ruined by a demon called Maya Dānava who, because of great technical cunning, enjoyed an unparalleled power.'

(52) The king [Yudhishthhira] said: 'Please can you tell us for what reason and by what actions Lord S'iva, he who controls the entire universe, was surpassed by Maya Dānava and how he, with the help of Krishna, restored his reputation?'

(53) Nārada said: 'After all the Asuras were defeated in battle by the God-conscious souls with His support, they took shelter of the greatest and best of them all, Maya Dānava. (54-55) The demon constructed three big and mighty cities made of gold, silver and iron. Possessing the uncommon ability to move [hover] around in formation they were difficult to discern. Thus hidden from view the Asuras, mindful of their former enmity with the three worlds and their controllers, oh ruler of man, started to wreak havoc in the world. (56) Thereupon the rulers of all the worlds approached Lord S'iva, fell at his feet in surrender and said: 'Please save us, your followers, oh Godhead, for we have been devastated by the tripura [three-city] people.' (57) To show them his favor the All-powerful Lord said to the Suras: 'Do not fear', and fixed an arrow on his bow to launch his weapon at the cities. (58) After being released his arrows shone with a ring of light as bright as the sun, so that the cities no longer could be seen. (59) Under their attack the inhabitants of the cities fell lifeless to the ground. The great yogi Maya Dānava then dipped them one after the other in a well of [life giving] nectar [called mrita-sanjīvayitari]. (60) Touched by the divine nectar, they rose from death as strong as thunderbolts splitting the sky with flashes of light. (61) Seeing how disappointed and unhappy [S'iva,] the Emblem of the Lord was at the time, the Almighty Lord Vishnu considered what measures should be taken. (62) Lord Vishnu then personally assumed the form of a cow, while Lord Brahmā assumed the form of a calf, and together they entered in broad daylight Tripura to drink all the nectar of the well. (63) Even though the Asuras took notice of it, they could, in their bewilderment, not stop them. The great yogi Maya, aware of what happened, considered it a matter of divine ordinance and thus he addressed those who were guarding the well. Having been quite content with their illusion [of victory] they now were greatly dismayed. (64) 'Neither demigods, demons, human beings, nor anybody else can reverse what for oneself, for others or for everyone in this world is ordained by fate.' (65-66) He [Lord Vishnu] thereafter equipped Lord S'iva with all necessities, like a chariot and charioteer, a flag, horses and elephants, a bow with shield and arrows and such; all matters that derived their strength from His personal dharma, spiritual knowledge, detachment, opulence, penance, culture, actions and so on. S'iva, seated on his chariot, then fixed an arrow on his bow. (67) Oh ruler of man, with the arrows joined on his bow Lord S'iva thus, being the Master and Controller, at noon set the so difficult to pierce three cities afire. (68) All the gods and saints, the ancestors, the perfected souls and the great personalities, then from their celestial chariots in the sky, with the assistance of countless kettledrums, loudly vibrated 'Jaya, Jaya', while they showered a wealth of flowers on his head and danced and sang in great ecstacy together with the beauties of heaven. (69) Oh King, after the mighty Lord S'iva, who had burned Tripura to ashes, thus was glorified by Lord Brahmā and the others, he returned to his abode. (70) What more can I tell you about the Lord, the teacher of the universe, who with His transcendental potency appears in the world of the human beings, the world where He, in the form of a normal human being, performs heroic acts that are discussed by the saints and sages in narrations that purify all the worlds?'

 

next                             

 
 

Third revised edition, loaded March 3, 2019.

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

Nārada Muni said: 'Prahlāda, even though he was but a small boy, considered every blessing that came with his bhakti-yoga an impediment on the path and this he with a smile told the Lord of the Senses.
Nārada Muni said: 'Although small considered he [Prahlāda] each and every one of the blessings that came with his bhakti yoga as impediments on the path and made he sure to tell the Lord of the Senses that with a smile. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

S'rī Prahlāda said: 'Please do not allure me, for because of my Asura birth I am, by all those blessings, attached to material enjoyment. It was out of fear for such material association that I, desiring liberation, have taken to Your shelter for the sake of complete detachment.

S'rī Prahlāda said: 'Please do not allure me, because of my asura birth I have a propensity for lusting over all those material blessings. It was of being afraid of such material association that, desiring liberation, for the sake of complete detachment I have taken to the shelter of You. (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

Oh Lord, You send Your devoted servant into this world of desire to put his character to a test, for the lust to enjoy the senses, being the root cause of one's wandering around here, is found in the heart of everyone, oh Master.

So that I may behave as a pure devotee has Your lordship sent me into this world of lust, the lust that as the root cause of being present here is found in the heart of everyone o Master. (Vedabase)


Text 4

Oh guru of the entire creation, because You are so kind to Your souls, it does not work otherwise with You [being their Well-wisher]. Anyone desiring material benefits from You [will obtain them, although he] is [then] not your servant but a merchant [see also B.G. 17: 20].

Otherwise such a thing could not happen of You, o guru of all; anyone who from You, the soul of friendliness, desires any material benefits, would such a person indeed not be a merchant instead of a servitor [see also B.G. 17: 20]? (Vedabase)

  

Text 5

Someone who for himself expects material benefits from his spiritual master is not really a servant. Nor is the master really of service who - for his own prestige - wants to bestow material benefits upon his servant [see also 10.88: 8-10].

A person for himself desiring material benefits from his spiritual master is not really a servant nor is the master really of service who for his own prestige desires to bestow material profits upon his servant [see also 10.88: 8-10].  (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

There is, as far as I am concerned, in my full devotion unto You, no question whatsoever of any desire, nor do You, as a real master, foster any further motive for our sake, like a king does have with his subject.

As far as I am concerned is there, fully devoted to You, surely no question of any desire and also do You, in our relating, as the real master, have no further motives such as one finds with a king and his subject. (Vedabase)

 

Text 7

And if You would like to fulfill a desire of mine, then I pray for Your benediction, oh Lord of All Blessings, that no desire for any form of material happiness will grow in my heart [see also S'rī S'rī S'ikshāshthaka verse four].

If You want to give me anything to my desire for a blessing, then I pray for the benediction from You, o Lord of All Blessings, that no desire for any material happiness will grow in my heart [see also: S'rī S'rī S'ikshāshthaka verse four]. (Vedabase)

   

Text 8

From the moment they appear [the functions of] one's senses, mind, life air and body, one's religion, patience, intelligence, shyness, opulence, strength, memory and truthfulness are defeated by them.

From one's very birth on are the senses, the mind, the life-air, the body, the religion, one's patience, intelligence, shyness, opulence, strength, memory and truthfulness overrun by lusty desires. (Vedabase)

 

Text 9

Only when one gives up all the desires that one in one's human association finds in one's mind, one is fit for an opulence equal to Yours, oh Lotus-eyed Lord.

Only indeed when one gives up all the desires that one of human association finds in one's mind is one fit for an opulence equal to that of You, o Lotus-eyed Lord. (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

Oh Master of all Opulence, oh Original Personality, oh Lord in the form of Nrisimha, oh Supreme One, oh Absolute Truth, oh Great Soul and Soul of all souls, let me offer You my respectful obeisances.'

Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You, o Supreme Lord, o Original Personality; all my respects for You as the Great Soul, the Lord in the form of Nrisimha, the Brahman, the Supersoul.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 11

The Supreme Lord said: 'Those persons who, like you, are exclusively devoted to Me, do not desire any benedictions from Me in this world nor in the next. Nevertheless you may, until the end of Manu's reign, enjoy all the opulences of the Daitya rule out here [see also 2.3: 10].

The Supreme Lord said: 'Unalloyed from Me towards Me, not intent on any benedictions in this world nor in the next, is it all the devoted like you nevertheless till the end of Manu's reign given to enjoy all the material wealth of the daitya rule out here [see also 2.3: 10]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 12

Devote yourself to My pleasing stories, be absorbed in Me, who resides in your heart as the One present within all living beings. Worship, in [yoga] uniting your consciousness, the Lord who is the enjoyer of all sacrifices and give up your self-interested activities.

Always ponder over My stories; being absorbed in Me as existing within you as the One within all living beings, will give you the greatest pleasure; worship with bhakti yoga the Lord who is the enjoyer of all sacrifices and give up your fruitive activities. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13

By relishing your merit being happy, by acting piously defeating sin, by the rapid progress of time forsaking your body and by spreading your reputation throughout even the worlds of the gods, you will, freed from all attachment, turn back to Me.

With the wealth be pious, by such devoted action are all kinds of reactions overcome. Forced by the time giving up your vehicle of time will your reputation of transcendence spread all over the universe, be sung in the highest spheres and you will, freed from all bondage, return back to Me. (Vedabase)


Text 14

Anyone who chants these prayers you offered to Me, any human being who remembers both Me and you, will in due course of time be freed from the bondage of his karma [see B.G. 4: 9, 6: 7, 9: 27-28, 12: 3-4 and see also 11.14: 21].'

Anyone who chants these prayers offered to Me by you, any human being who remembers Me as well as you, will in due course of time become free from the bondage of his karma [see B.G. 4: 9, 6: 7, 9: 27-28, 12: 3-4 and see also 11.14: 21].' (Vedabase)

 

Text 15-17

S'rī Prahlāda said: 'I pray for the following benediction from You, oh Lord of Benedictions, oh Supreme Controller. My father, not knowing Your strength and supremacy, had, because of a heart polluted by anger, a false notion of You, oh master and guru of all worlds. He considered You the murderer of his brother and condemned You. Thus he was towards me, Your devotee, of the greatest sin. May my father be purified from that greatest and most difficult to overcome sin, even though he was immediately purified when You cast Your glance upon him, oh Father full of mercy for the materialists.'

S'rī Prahlāda said: 'I pray for this benediction from You, o Lord of Benedictions, o Supreme Controller; my father, not knowing Your strength and supremacy, had with a heart polluted by anger thus a false notion of You, o master and guru of all worlds, as being the killer of his brother and was so of the greatest sin towards me, Your devotee. May my father be purified from that greatest and most difficult to overcome sin, although he was already purified when You casted Your glance upon him, o Merciful Father to the Materialists.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 18

The Supreme Lord said: 'With the purification of your father, twenty-one of your forefathers have been purified, oh sinless one. Because you, oh saintly boy, took your birth from him in this dynasty, you in fact are the purifier of the dynasty.

The Supreme Lord said: 'With the purification of your father have all together twenty-one of your forefathers been purified, o sinless one, because, o saintly boy, the person of you took birth in the dynasty. You indeed are the dynasty its purifier. (Vedabase)
 
Text 19

Wherever and whenever there are My devotees who, full of peace and equipoise, with the best qualities, are equally graceful towards all, everyone will be purified, even when it concerns the worst of societies.

Wherever and whenever there are My devotees who full of peace and equipoise, with the best qualities are equally graceful towards all, is even the worst of societies purified. (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

They will never, in whatever way, wrong any higher or lower living being, oh King of the Daityas, because they, in their love for Me, have forsaken all material aspirations.

Never are they in any way of any violence towards all the beings higher or lower, o King of the Daityas, because they, out of their love for Me, have given up all material aspirations. (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

Persons in this world following in your footsteps become My pure devotees. You are truly the best example of all My devotees [see also 6.3: 20-21].

Persons in this world following in your footsteps become My pure devotees; of all devotees of Mine are you indeed the best example of all the different mellows [see also 6.3: 20-21]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 22

My child, you should now perform the funeral rites for your father, who in every respect was purified by the touch of My body and thus will be promoted to the worlds of the good people.

You should perform the obsequies for your father, who already in all respects was purified being in touch with My body, My child, so that he will be promoted to the worlds of better men. (Vedabase)

 

Text 23

Assume the throne of your father, My dearest, fix your mind upon Me and do your duty for My transcendental cause the way it is prescribed in the Vedic tradition.'

Also assume the throne of your father as prescribed by vedic injunction; be with your mind fully absorbed in Me, My dearest, and do your duty just for My supreme sake.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 24

S'rī Nārada said: 'As was ordered by the Supreme Lord, Prahlāda performed all the rituals associated with his father's death, oh King [Yudhishthhira], and was crowned by the brahmins.

S'rī Nārada said: 'Prahlāda performed, as was commissioned by the Supreme Lord, all the functions necessary to the occasion of his father's death, o King [Yudhishthhira], and was crowned by the brahmins present. (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

Brahmā, who had witnessed what had happened, with a face radiating because the Lord had been pleased, offered with transcendental words the purest prayers to Lord Nrisimha, addressing Him in the presence of all the other gods.

With his face shining because of the Lord His grace offered Lord Brahmā, who had witnessed what had happened, with transcendental words the purest of prayers unto Lord Nrisimha, addressing Him in the presence of all the godly. (Vedabase)

 

Text 26

S'rī Brahmā said: 'Oh God of gods, oh proprietor of the entire universe, oh love of all creation, oh first among the living beings, because of Your resolve  [to protect the devotees] the most sinful Asura, who was of so much trouble to everyone, has been killed.

S'rī Brahmā said: 'O God of gods, o proprietor of the whole universe, o love of all beings, o first among all the living, by your decision has the most sinful Asura, who was of so much trouble to everyone, been killed. (Vedabase)

 

Text 27

I granted him the rare benediction that he would not be killed by any creature created by me and that he would not die because of any austerity, mystical or physical power. Thus being very proud he transgressed all injunctions.

That one I have granted the rare benediction that he would not be killed by any creature created by me nor that he would die because of any austerity, mystical or physical power; thus very proud he transgressed all injunctions. (Vedabase)

 

Text 28

His son, who despite his young age was a great saint and exalted devotee, has luckily been released from the clutches of death and enjoys now, as You wished, Your shelter.

By Your decision has his son, who despite of his young age was a great saint and exalted devotee, been released from the clutches of death and enjoys he, the way You wanted it, now Your shelter. (Vedabase)

 

Text 29

For all those, who faced with an enemy meditate on this physical presence of You, the Supersoul, oh omnipresent, almighty Lord, You are the protector against all kinds of fear, including even the fear of death.'

For those who, confronted with an adversary, meditate upon this physical presence of Your Supersoul, o omnipresent Supreme Lord, are You the protector against all kinds of fear, including even the fear of death.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 30

The Supreme Lord replied: 'Do not bestow blessings on demons, as you have done, oh you who were born from the lotus. To bless people of a cruel and pitiless nature is like giving milk to snakes.'

The Supreme Lord replied: 'Do not, as you have done, bestow benedictions upon demons, o Meditator of the Lotus; to bless people of a cruel nature is like giving milk to snakes.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 31

S'rī Nārada said: 'This, oh King, is what the Supreme Lord said, and after Hari had been worshiped by the teacher of all teachers, He who cannot be seen by ordinary living beings disappeared from the spot.

S'rī Nārada said: 'This is what the Supreme Lord said, o King, and after Hari had been worshiped by the one from the beyond, disappeared He from before the eyes of all the ones alive. (Vedabase)

 

Text 32

Prahlāda thereupon bowed his head and offered his obeisances with prayers to Lord Brahmā, Lord S'iva, the founding fathers and the [other] demigods, who each are part of the Supreme Lord.

Prahlāda bowing his head was thereafter of worship with offering prayers, and so did the One in the beyond as also Lord S'iva, the leading fathers and the demigods, who each were part of the Supreme Lord. (Vedabase)


Text 33

Next Lord Brahmā together with S'ukrācārya and other sages, appointed him ruler over all the Daityas and Dānavas.

Next made S'ukrācārya and others, with all the sages and the One on the Lotus, him king of all the Daityas and Dānavas. (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

Oh King, after Brahmā and the others were properly honored, all the godly souls congratulated him, wished him all the best and then returned to their abodes.

O King, with Brahmā and all the rest properly honored, congratulated thereafter all the godly him, wishing him all the best and returned they to their respective abodes. (Vedabase)

 

Text 35

The two associates [the gatekeepers] of Vishnu who were born as the sons of Diti and who operated as His enemies, were thus killed by Him, the Lord residing in the core of the heart [see 7.1: 36-39].

In this way were the two associates of Vishnu, who born as the sons of Diti in their forgetfulness were thinking as enemies, both killed by the Lord residing in the core of the heart [see 7.1: 36-39]. (Vedabase)


Text 36

Being cursed by the brahmins, the two were born again as the demons Kumbhakarna and ten-head Rāvana and again both killed [by Him], thanks to the special powers of Lord Rāmacandra.

Again being cursed by the brahmins were the two devils reborn as Kumbhakarna and ten-head Rāvana and were they both killed by the special powers of Lord Rāmacandra. (Vedabase)

 

Text 37

Slain lying on the battlefield with their hearts pierced by Rāma's arrows, they with their minds fixed on Him gave up their bodies, just as they did in their previous birth.

Slain laying on the battlefield with their hearts pierced by Rāma's arrows, gave they up their bodies with their minds fixed on Him, just as they did in their previous birth. (Vedabase)

 

Text 38

The two again appearing in this world with their births as S'is'upāla and Dantavakra, were the same way bound to the Lord in enmity and merged with Him [for the last time] in your presence.

The two this way reappearing out here, again being bound to the Lord in enmity, took their births as S'is'upāla and Dantavakra and merged with Him in your presence. (Vedabase)
 

Text 39

All the kings inimical to S'ri Krishna were, upon their death reaching His Self, freed from the burden of the sins of their previous life, just like larvae that obtain a body identical to the one of the drone that guarded them.

All the kings who were inimical to S'ri Krishna were, upon their death, freed from what they were guilty of in their lives; they became as pure as He like larvae that obtain the same body as the drone that guarded them. (Vedabase)

 

Text 40

Just as one by devotional service returns to the Supreme Personality, kings like S'is'upāla returned home and attained the same supreme nature of the Lord by contemplating Him [in their enmity, see also B.G. 4: 9].

In their devotion undivided unto the Supreme One, turned kings like S'is'upāla back to Godhead with the same form as the Supreme Lord, because they had kept Him constantly in mind [see also B.G. 4: 9]. (Vedabase)


Text 41

All of this I described to you in reply to your inquiry on how, even hating, the son of Damaghosha [S'is'upāla] and others could attain the same position of wholesomeness [see 7.1: 34-35].

This all I described to you in reply to your inquiry on how, even hating, the son of Damaghosha [S'is'upāla] and others could be of the same kind of body [see 7.1: 34-35]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 42

In this narration about the Supersoul and the Godhead of all brahmins, Krishna, I spoke about His incarnations in which He, among others, put an end to the Daityas.

In this about the Supersoul and the God of all brahmins, Krishna, I related to you the stories about His incarnations of purification wherein He from the beginning defeated the Daityas. (Vedabase)

 

Text 43-44

This history describes the character of the devotion, spiritual knowledge and renunciation of that most exalted devotee Prahlāda. Try to understand each of these stories and thus discover what belongs to the Lord, the Master of maintenance, creation and destruction, what His qualities and activities are, the wisdom handed down [in disciplic succession] and how He, by the time factor, stands for the finality of all the higher and lower living beings and their cultures, however great they might be.

They describe of that most exalted devotee Prahlāda the characteristics of his devotion, his spiritual knowledge and his renunciation; try to understand each of them and by this indeed know what is of the Lord, the Master of maintenance, creation and destruction; what are His qualities and activities, handed down wisdom and how He, by Time, is the finality of all the higher and lower living beings and their cultures, however great they might be. (Vedabase)

 

Text 45

With the help of this narration, in which the transcendence is perfectly and fully described, one may get to know the Fortunate One and what the bhāgavata dharma [see 7.6: 28], the way of the devotees, entails.

From this narration, in which the transcendence without reservations is perfectly described, one may understand the bhāgavata dharma [see 7.6: 28] and Bhagavān Himself. (Vedabase)

  

Text 46

Anyone who, after hearing this pious narration describing the Supreme Power of Vishnu, repeats it or sings about it with faith, will be liberated from being entangled in self-interested actions.

Anyone who after hearing this pious narration describing the Supreme Power of Vishnu, with faith repeats it, will be liberated from the entanglement in fruitive labor. (Vedabase)

 

Text 47

He who with great attention reads and listens to this story about the activities of the best of all truthful souls, this Daitya son, and how the Original Personality, playing the part of the lion king, killed the king of the demons who was as strong as an elephant, will attain the spiritual world where one has nothing to fear.

Anyone who with great attention reads and hears this story about the activities of the best of all the truthful, this daitya son, and how the Original Personality playing the part of the lion king killed the king of the demons who was as strong as an elephant, will reach the spiritual world where there is never ever any fear. (Vedabase)

 

Text 48

Oh, you [Pāndavas] in your human world, are extremely fortunate, for the Supreme One of the Absolute Truth, He who is always sought by the great saints who purify all the worlds, resides in your house in a human form.

All you Pāndavas in your human world are extremely fortunate that in your house resides the human appearance of the Supreme One of the Absolute Truth who is able to purify all the worlds and is always sought by the great saints. (Vedabase)

 

Text 49

He is the Brahman of the Absolute Truth sought by all the great souls. He, who is factually your nephew [the son of your maternal uncle], He, your most dear well-wisher, is the oneness of transcendental happiness and the source of all life. He who is there also as your guru of instruction concerning the regulative principles, is the One to be worshiped as the completeness of the [body, the universe and the] soul.

The Impersonal Brahman for which all the great are searching is He. He, who in fact is the son of your maternal uncle, is your most dear well-wisher, is the oneness of transcendental happiness and the source of all life. He who is there as your guru leading in the principle, is the One who is worshipable in the complete of His body and soul. (Vedabase)

 

Text 50

Lord S'iva, Lord Brahmā and others could not even by meditation directly see Him or describe Him in His real form. May He, this great master of all devotees, be pleased with the silence we observe, with our devotion, our calm and our worship.

Not even by meditation could Lord S'iva, Lord Brahmā and others directly see Him or describe Him in his real form; may He, this great protector of all His devotees, be pleased with the silence we observe, with our devotion, our forsaking for the better and our worship. (Vedabase)

 

Text 51

Oh King, this very same Supreme Lord a long time ago restored the reputation of the demigod Lord S'iva, that was ruined by a demon called Maya Dānava who, because of great technical cunning, enjoyed an unparalleled power.'

He, this very same Supreme Lord, o King, long ago restored the reputation of the divinity of Lord S'iva that was compromised by a demon called Maya who, of great technical cunning, enjoyed an unparalleled power.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 52

The king [Yudhishthhira] said: 'Please can you tell us for what reason and by what actions Lord S'iva, he who controls the entire universe, was surpassed by Maya [Dānava] and how he, with the help of Krishna, restored his reputation?'

The king [Yudhishthhira] said: 'Please describe for what reason and by what actions Lord S'iva, he who controls the whole universe, was outdone by Maya Dānava and how he with Krishna regained his reputation.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 53

Nārada said: 'After all the Asuras were defeated in battle by the God-conscious souls with His support, they took shelter of the greatest and best of them all, Maya Dānava.

Nārada said: 'All the Asuras who by the godly by the power of the Lord were defeated in battle, took shelter of the greatest and best of them all, Maya Dānava. (Vedabase)

 

Text 54-55

The demon constructed three big and mighty cities made of gold, silver and iron. Possessing the uncommon ability to move [hover] around in formation they were difficult to discern. Thus hidden from view the Asuras, mindful of their former enmity with the three worlds and their controllers, oh ruler of man, started to wreak havoc in the world.

That demon constructed three big and mighty cities made of gold, silver and iron. Possessing the uncommon ability to change places were they difficult to discern. Thus hidden from view began the Asuras, remembering their former enmity with all the three worlds and their controllers, o ruler of man, to break up the order in the world. (Vedabase)

 

Text 56

Thereupon the rulers of all the worlds approached Lord S'iva, fell at his feet in surrender and said: 'Please save us, your followers, oh Godhead, for we have been devastated by the tripura [three-city] people.'

Thereupon approached all the worlds with their rulers Lord S'iva, falling at his feet in surrender saying: 'Please save us who are so close to you, for we are frightened, o Godhead, we are most affected by the tripura [three-city] people.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 57

To show them his favor the All-powerful Lord said to the Suras: 'Do not fear', and fixed an arrow on his bow to launch his weapon at the cities.

To show them his favor said the All-powerful Lord to the Suras: 'Do not fear', and fixed he an arrow on his bow to launch his weapons on the cities. (Vedabase)

 

Text 58

After being released his arrows shone with a ring of light as bright as the sun, so that the cities no longer could be seen.

The arrows after being released shone as bright as beams of sunlight from which the cities could no longer be seen. (Vedabase)

 

Text 59

Under their attack the inhabitants of the cities fell lifeless to the ground. The great yogi Maya Dānava then dipped them one after the other in a well of [life giving] nectar [called mrita-sanjīvayitari].

Because of that attack fell they who used to inhabit the houses of the cities, lifeless to the ground, but thanks to the great mystic powers of Maya were they all, one by one, dipped in a well of [life-giving] nectar [called mrita-sanjīvayitari]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 60

Touched by the divine nectar, they rose from death as strong as thunderbolts splitting the sky with flashes of light.

Thus touched by the all-potent nectar of the liquid, rose they from death as strong as thunderbolts splitting the sky with flashes of lightning. (Vedabase)

 

Text 61

Seeing how disappointed and unhappy [S'iva,] the Emblem of the Lord was at the time, the Almighty Lord Vishnu considered what measures should be taken.

Seeing how disappointed and unhappy the Emblem of the Lord [S'iva] was at the time, considered the Almighty Lord Vishnu the proper measures. (Vedabase)

 

Text 62

Lord Vishnu then personally assumed the form of a cow, while Lord Brahmā assumed the form of a calf, and together they entered in broad daylight Tripura to drink all the nectar of the well.

Thus assumed Lord Brahmā the form of a calf and with Lord Vishnu Himself as the cow entered they in broad daylight Tripura to drink all the nectar in the well. (Vedabase)

 

Text 63

Even though the Asuras took notice of it, they could, in their bewilderment, not stop them. The great yogi Maya, aware of what happened, considered it a matter of divine ordinance and thus he addressed those who were guarding the well. Having been quite content with their illusion [of victory] they now were greatly dismayed.

Even though the Asuras took notice of them could they, in their bewilderment, not stop them. And thus did the great mystic Maya who, fully aware of it, thought it was a thing of divine ordinance, address the ones on guard who, once quite content with their illusion, were now greatly dismayed: (Vedabase)

 

Text 64

'Neither demigods, demons, human beings, nor anybody else can reverse what for oneself, for others or for everyone in this world is ordained by fate.'

'Demigods, demons, human beings, nor anybody else can undo what by God would the fate ordained for oneself, for others or for everybody together.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 65-66

He [Lord Vishnu] thereafter equipped Lord S'iva with all necessities, like a chariot and charioteer, a flag, horses and elephants, a bow with shield and arrows and such; all matters that derived their strength from His personal dharma, spiritual knowledge, detachment, opulence, penance, culture, actions and so on. S'iva, seated on his chariot, then fixed an arrow on his bow.

From His personal potencies concerning all the ingredients of life constituted by the religion, the spiritual knowledge, the renunciation, the opulence, the austerity the education, the activities and all of that, equiped He [Lord Vishnu] thereafter Lord S'iva with everything required, like a chariot and charioteer, a flag, horses and elephants, a bow with shield and arrows and so on. Seated on his chariot he then fixed an arrow on his bow. (Vedabase)


Text 67

Oh ruler of man, with the arrows joined on his bow Lord S'iva thus, being the Master and Controller, at noon set the so difficult to pierce three cities afire.

O ruler of man, with the arrows joined on his bow set Lord S'iva as the Master and Controller thus by means of them, at noon, the so difficult to pierce three cities afire. (Vedabase)

 

Text 68

All the gods and saints, the ancestors, the perfected souls and the great personalities, then from their celestial chariots in the sky, with the assistance of countless kettledrums, loudly vibrated 'Jaya, Jaya', while they showered a wealth of flowers on his head and danced and sang in great ecstacy together with the beauties of heaven.

From their celestial chariots in the sky vibrated, with the help of countless kettledrums, the gods and saints, the ancestors, the perfected and the great, 'Jaya, Jaya', as they showered a wealth of flowers over his head and chanted and danced in great ecstacy with the beauties of heaven. (Vedabase)

 

Text 69

Oh King, after the mighty Lord S'iva, who had burned Tripura to ashes, thus was glorified by Lord Brahmā and the others, he returned to his abode.

O King, the mighty Lord S'iva who thus encouraged by Lord Brahmā and the others had burnt Tripura to ashes, then returned to his own abode. (Vedabase)

 

Text 70

What more can I tell you about the Lord, the teacher of the universe, who with His transcendental potency appears in the world of the human beings, the world where He, in the form of a normal human being, performs heroic acts that are discussed by the saints and sages in narrations that purify all the worlds?'

Thus it happens with all that the Lord is capable of: acting like an ordinary man within the human society are there of Him, the teacher of the universe, the narrations about His transcendental activities that, related by the saintly people, purify all the worlds; what more would you like me to talk about?' (Vedabase)


 

 

 

 

 

Creative Commons
                License
The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
The first picture of Prahlāda praying is a detail of a classical painting
with Nrisimha. Date around 1700.
Source.
The second picture is titled: "Album Cover with Shiva as the Destroyer
of the Three Cities of the Demons (Tripurantaka)",
© Creative Commons 2.0
, originally posted to Flickr by Redtigerxyz.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time.


  

 

Feed-back | Links | Downloads | MusicPictures | What's New | Search | Donations