rule



   
 

Canto 3

Govinda jaya jaya

 



Chapter 4: Vidura Approaches Maitreya

(1) Uddhava said: 'After, with the permission of the brahmins, partaking of the offerings they [the Yadus] drank liquor that spoilt their minds, so that they hurt each other to the core with harsh words. (2) At sunset their minds were out of balance to such a degree that they, because of the faults made in that intoxicated state, had to face how their destruction took place the way a bamboo forest burns down [because of its own friction]. (3) The Supreme Lord, who from His internal potency foresaw the end, went to the river the Sarasvatī where He, after sipping water, sat down under a tree. (4) The Lord dispels the distress of the souls who surrender to Him and thus He who desired the destruction of His family told me: 'You have to go to Badarikās'rama.' (5) But because I could not tolerate it to be separated from the lotus feet of the Master, I followed Him, even though I knew what He wanted, oh subduer of the enemy [Vidura]. (6) Then I saw my Patron and Master, He who does not need to take shelter, lost in thoughts, alone sitting down at the riverbank, taking shelter of the goddess.

(7) Beautiful with His blackish color, of pure goodness and peaceful with His reddish eyes, He could be recognized as having four arms and yellow silken garments [Vishnu]. (8) Resting against a young banyan tree with His right foot on His thigh, He who had left His household comforts looked majestic.

(9) At that time [Maitreya,] a great devotee and follower of Krishna Dvaipāyana Vyāsa [Vyāsadeva], a well-wisher and friend traveling the three worlds, of his own accord [also] arrived at that place. (10) Attached to Him the sage bent over in a pleasing attitude and listened with rapt attention, while the Lord of Liberation with kind glances and smiles allowed me to rest and then addressed me. (11) The Supreme Lord said: 'I know from within what you in the past desired when the wealthy souls who built this world were performing their sacrifices. I grant you that what for others is so difficult to achieve, oh fortunate one: the association with Me you desire as the ultimate goal of life. (12) This life is of all your incarnations, oh honest soul, the fulfillment, for you have achieved My mercy now you have seen Me in this secluded position quitting the worlds of man. This is what you see when one is unflinching in one's devotion [:Vaikunthha, freedom from foolishness]. (13) Long ago, in the beginning of creation, I told Brahmā on the lotus that came out of My navel about the sublime knowledge of My transcendental glories: I explained that what the theists call the Bhāgavatam.

(14) With His favor of thus addressing me, I saw how because of my emotion my hairs stood on end in being the constant object of the mercy of the Supreme Personality. With my eyes hazy because of wiping my tears, I with folded hands said faltering: (15) 'Oh my Lord, for those who live in respect of Your feet that are so difficult to obtain, it is in this world all a matter of the four goals of life [dharma, artha, kāma and moksha; religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation], but I myself do not care about them that much, oh Great One, I am rather concerned with serving Your lotus feet. (16) Even though You have no desires You engage in all kinds of activities, even though You are unborn You still take birth, being the controller of eternal Time You nevertheless take shelter of the fortress out of fear for Your enemies and despite enjoying within Yourself, You lead a household life in the association of women; this bewilders the intelligence of the scholars in this world. (17) You are never divided and ever fresh, yet You, in Your eternal intelligence, oh Master, call upon me for consultation, as if You would be bewildered. But that is never the case. That boggles my mind, oh Lord. (18)  If You deem me fit to receive it, then please shed light on Your mystery my Lord. Tell me - so that I may overcome worldly misery - in detail about the complete of the supreme knowledge about Your Self, the way You told it the fortunate Brahmājī.

(19) Thus being prayed to by me from the core of my heart, He, the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord of the beyond, instructed me on His transcendental position. (20) After this way having learnt the knowledge of self-realization from the worshipable Master and having understood that path, I, upon having circumambulated Him in respect of His lotus feet, reached this place with sadness in my heart because of the separation. (21) My best one [Vidura], without the pleasure of seeing Him I am in pain. Therefore I will, as He instructed, go to Badarikās'rama [in the Himalayas] to enjoy His association. (22) In that place the Supreme Lord incarnated in the form of the sages Nārā and Nārāyana, and for a long time was of severe penance for the welfare of all living beings.'

(23) S'rī S'uka said: 'When he from Uddhava heard the unbearable [news] of the annihilation of his friends and relatives, the learned Vidura pacified his rising bereavement by means of transcendental knowledge. (24) As the great devotee of the Lord and best among the Kauravas was leaving, Vidura in confidence submitted the following to this leading personality of the devotional service unto Krishna. (25) Vidura said: 'The Lord of Yoga enlightened you on the mystery of the transcendental knowledge of the personal soul. Be so good to explain it to me now, so that we may honor Vishnu and His servants who wander around in the interest of others.' (26) Uddhava then said: 'Turn to the worshipable sage, the son of Kushāru [Maitreya] who stays nearby. He was directly instructed by the Supreme Lord when He left the mortal world.'

(27) S'S'uka said: 'Because of the overwhelming emotion with which he on the bank of the Sarasvatī river with Vidura discussed the nectar of the qualities of  the Lord of the Universe, the night passed in a moment. Thereafter the son of Aupagava went away.'

(28) The king [Parīkchit] asked: 'How was it possible that after the destruction that happened to the Vrishni and Bhoja dynasty, the great leader in command among them, the prominent Uddhava, was the only one to remain after the Lord had completed His pastimes as the Master over the three worlds?'

(29) S' S'uka said: 'After He by the power of Time had called for the end of His numerous family by means of the curse of the brahmins, He considered to give up His outer appearance and thought to Himself: (30) 'When I have left this world, the knowledge of Myself and My shelter will be in the right hands with Uddhava. He is at present the most important devotee. (31) Uddhava is not in the least inferior to Me because he is never affected by the material modes. Thus he rightfully may remain as the master in this world to disseminate the knowledge about Me.'

 
(32) After thus having been instructed by the spiritual master of the three worlds, the source of all Vedic knowledge,  he [Uddhava] reached the place of pilgrimage Badarikās'rama, where he found absorption in his devotion unto the Lord. (33) Vidura had heard from Uddhava how Krishna, the Supersoul, extraordinarily had assumed a form for His pastimes and most gloriously had engaged with it. (34) His entering a physical body is for both the persevering great sages and for common people a thing most difficult to understand. And for people with an animal attitude it is a completely mind-boggling affair. (35) With the notion that Krishna, the Fortunate One, also had thought of him as a devotee when He left this earth, oh best among the Kurus, Vidura was overwhelmed by love and burst into tears.

(36) Oh best of the Bharatas, after Vidura thus had passed a few days on the bank of the Yamunā [see 3.1: 24], he reached the holy waters of the Ganges where he met sage Maitreya [the son of Mitrā, his mother].'

 

next                          

 
  Third revised edition, loaded August 10, 2023.

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

Uddhava said: 'After, with the permission of the brahmins, partaking of the offerings they [the Yadus] drank liquor that spoilt their minds, so that they hurt each other to the core with harsh words.
Uddhava said: 'After, with the permission of the brahmins, partaking of the offerings they [the Yadus] drank liquor of which they spoilt their minds and touched each others hearts with harsh words. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

At sunset their minds were out of balance to such a degree that they, because of the faults made in that intoxicated state, had to face how their destruction took place the way a bamboo forest burns down [because of its own friction].

At sunset, they who lost their balance of mind because of the faults of that intoxication, saw the destruction of the bamboos [with which they started fighting oneother] take place. (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

The Supreme Lord, who from His internal potency foresaw the end, went to the river the Sarasvatī where He, after sipping water, sat down under a tree.

The Supreme Lord, who from His internal potency foresaw the end, went to the river the Sarasvatī and after sipping water He sat down underneath a tree. (Vedabase)

 

Text 4

The Lord dispels the distress of the souls who surrender to Him and thus He who desired the destruction of His family told me: 'You have to go to Badarikās'rama.'

I was told by the Lord of the Surrendered who vanquishes all distress, that indeed I should go to Badarikās'rama to see you about Him who desired to destroy His own family. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

But because I could not tolerate it to be separated from the lotus feet of the Master, I followed Him, even though I knew what He wanted, oh subduer of the enemy [Vidura].

Yet in spite of His wish did I, o subduer of the enemy [Vidura], follow the Master not able to bear the being separated from His lotus feet.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

Then I saw my Patron and Master, He who does not need to take shelter, lost in thoughts, alone sitting down at the riverbank, taking shelter of the goddess.

I saw Him, He who doesn't need to take shelter, my Patron and Master, sitting alone thinking deeply, taking shelter of the goddess at that riverbank. (Vedabase)

 

Text 7

Beautiful with His blackish color, of pure goodness and peaceful with His reddish eyes, He could be recognized as having four arms and yellow silken garments [Vishnu].

Beautiful with His blackish color, of pure goodness and peaceful with His reddish eyes, He could be recognized as having four arms and yellow silken garments [Vishnu]. (Vedabase)

  

Text 8

Resting against a young banyan tree with His right foot on His thigh, He who had left His household comforts looked majestic.

Resting with His right foot on His thigh against a young banyan tree He looked quite cheerful having left His household comforts.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 9

At that time [Maitreya,] a great devotee and follower of Krishna Dvaipāyana Vyāsa [Vyāsadeva], a well-wisher and friend traveling the three worlds, of his own accord [also] arrived at that place.

At that time [Maitreya,] a great devotee and follower of Krishna-dvaipāyana Vyāsa [Vyāsadeva], a well-wisher and friend traveling the three worlds, on his own accord [also] arrived at that place. (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

Attached to Him the sage bent over in a pleasing attitude and listened with rapt attention, while the Lord of Liberation with kind glances and smiles allowed me to rest and then addressed me.

As the sage, attached to Him bent over in a pleasing attitude, with rapt attention was listening, allowed He, with kind glances and smiles, me to rest and spoke He to me.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 11

The Supreme Lord said: 'I know from within what you in the past desired when the wealthy souls who built this world were performing their sacrifices. I grant you that what for others is so difficult to achieve, oh fortunate one: the association with Me you desire as the ultimate goal of life.

The Supreme Lord said: 'I know from within what you desired in the days of yore when the wealthy ones who built this world were sacrificing. I give you that which by others is so difficult to achieve, o wealthy one: the association with Me you desire as the ultimate goal of life. (Vedabase)

Text 12

This life is of all your incarnations, oh honest soul, the fulfillment, for you have achieved My mercy now you have seen Me in this secluded position quitting the worlds of man. This is what you see when one is unflinching in one's devotion [:Vaikunthha, freedom from foolishness].

This life now is of all your incarnations, o honest one, the ultimate one because you achieved My mercy; as it is because of Me that, in the seclusion of quitting the worlds of man, you came to see what you saw in your unflinching devotion [viz. Vaikunthha]. (Vedabase)

Text 13

Long ago, in the beginning of creation, I told Brahmā on the lotus that came out of My navel about the sublime knowledge of My transcendental glories: I explained that what the theists call the Bhāgavatam.

Long ago, in the beginning of creation, I told Brahmā on the lotus that came out of My navel of the knowledge of the supreme of My transcendental glories, clarifying that which the theists call the Bhāgavatam.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 14

With His favor of thus addressing me, I saw how because of my emotion my hairs stood on end in being the constant object of the mercy of the Supreme Personality. With my eyes hazy because of wiping my tears, I with folded hands said faltering:

Thus being favored by His addressing me, I at each instant being the object of the Supreme Personality His mercy, out of my own affection saw my hairs standing on end and with my eyes hazy of smearing my tears, I with folded hands said: (Vedabase)

 

Text 15

'Oh my Lord, for those who live in respect of Your feet that are so difficult to obtain, it is in this world all a matter of the four goals of life [dharma, artha, kāma and moksha; religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation], but I myself do not care about them that much, oh Great One, I am rather concerned with serving Your lotus feet.

'O my Lord, for those who live to Your feet, which are so difficult to obtain, it is in this world all a matter of the four goals of life [dharma, artha, kāma, moksha; religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation], but yet I have no preference for them, o Great One, as I am anxious to serve Your lotus feet only. (Vedabase)

 

Text 16

Even though You have no desires You engage in all kinds of activities, even though You are unborn You still take birth, being the controller of eternal Time You nevertheless take shelter of the fortress out of fear for Your enemies and despite enjoying within Yourself, You lead a household life in the association of women; this bewilders the intelligence of the scholars in this world.

Although without desires You engage in all kinds of activities, although unborn You still take birth, although the controller of eternal Time, You take shelter of the fortress out of fear for Your enemies and although You enjoy in Yourself, You lead a household life in the association of women; this bewilders the intelligence of the learned in this world. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17

You are never divided and ever fresh, yet You, in Your eternal intelligence, oh Master, call upon me for consultation, as if You would be bewildered. But that is never the case. That boggles my mind, oh Lord.

You are never divided under the influence of time, yet do You, in Your eternal intelligence o Master, call me in for consultation, as if You are bewildered while that is never so; that is boggling my mind, o Lord. (Vedabase)

 

Text 18

If You deem me fit to receive it, then please shed light on Your mystery my Lord. Tell me - so that I may overcome worldly misery - in detail about the complete of the supreme knowledge about Your Self, the way You told it the fortunate Brahmājī.

If You deem me sufficiently competent, then please, my Lord, tell me in detail about the sum total of the knowledge, the mystery and supreme enlightening of Your own Self, the way You told it Brahmājī, as the Supreme Lord for crossing over the ocean of miseries.'  (Vedabase)

 

Text 19

Thus being prayed to by me from the core of my heart, He, the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord of the beyond, instructed me on His transcendental position.

Thus being prayed to by me from the core of my heart, He, the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord of the beyond, instructed me on His transcendental situation. (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

After this way having learnt the knowledge of self-realization from the worshipable Master and having understood that path, I, upon having circumambulated Him in respect of His lotus feet, reached this place with sadness in my heart because of the separation.

So have I thus, under the instruction of the Master, worshiped and studied the reality of the soul, understanding the path by respecting His lotus feet and did I, after circumambulating Him, reach this place with sadness in my heart due to being separated. (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

My best one [Vidura], without the pleasure of seeing Him I am in pain. Therefore I will, as He instructed, go to Badarikās'rama [in the Himalayas] to enjoy His association.

Thus, my best one [Vidura], I am now in pain without the pleasure of seeing Him and will go, as instructed by Him, to Badarikās'rama [in the Himalayas] for association. (Vedabase)

 

Text 22

In that place the Supreme Lord incarnated in the form of the sages Nārā and Nārāyana, and for a long time was of severe penance for the welfare of all living beings.'

There did Nārāyana, in the incarnation of His humanity and Supreme Lordship [Nara and Nārāyana], as a sage amiable to everyone severe penance for a long time for the welfare of all living beings.' (Vedabase)


Text 23

S'rī S'uka said: 'When he from Uddhava heard the unbearable [news] of the annihilation of his friends and relatives, the learned Vidura pacified his rising bereavement by means of transcendental knowledge.

S'rī S'uka said: 'Hearing from Uddhava about the unbearable of the annihilation of his friends and relatives, the learned Vidura pacified, by means of transcendental knowledge, his rising bereavement. (Vedabase)

 

Text 24

As the great devotee of the Lord and best among the Kauravas was leaving, Vidura in confidence submitted the following to this leading personality of the devotional service unto Krishna.

As the great devotee of the Lord and best among the Kauravas was leaving, submitted Vidura in confidence the following to the chief in the devotional service of Krishna. (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

Vidura said: 'The Lord of Yoga enlightened you on the mystery of the transcendental knowledge of the personal soul. Be so good to explain it to me now, so that we may honor Vishnu and His servants who wander around in the interest of others.'

Vidura said: 'The Lord of Yoga enlightened you on the mystery of the transcendental knowledge of one's own soul - now of your own good self please tell it to me for the reason of being worth of Vishnu and the servants who wander for the interest of others.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 26

Uddhava then said: 'Turn to the worshipable sage, the son of Kushāru [Maitreya] who stays nearby. He was directly instructed by the Supreme Lord when He left the mortal world.'

Uddhava then said: 'Turn yourself to the worshipable sage, the son of Kushāru [Maitreya] who stays nearby and who was directly instructed by the Supreme Lord while quitting the mortal world. (Vedabase)

 

Text 27

S'rī S'uka said: 'Because of the overwhelming emotion with which he on the bank of the Sarasvatī river with Vidura discussed the nectar of the qualities of the Lord of the Universe, the night passed in a moment. Thereafter the son of Aupagava went away.'

S'rī S'uka said: 'Thus discussing with Vidura the nectar of the Universal Person His qualities, he was greatly overwhelmed thereof at the bank of the Sarasvatī river and after passing the night that way as in a moment, the son of Aupagava went away.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 28

The king [Parīkchit] asked: 'How was it possible that after the destruction that happened to the Vrishni and Bhoja dynasty, the great leader in command among them, the prominent Uddhava, was the only one to remain after the Lord had completed His pastimes as the Master over the three worlds?'

The king [Parīkchit] asked: 'How could it be that after the destruction that came over the Vrishni and Bhoja dynasty, the great leader in command among them, the prominent Uddhava was the only one to remain after the Lord completed His pastimes as the Master over the three worlds? (Vedabase)

 

Text 29

S'rī S'uka said: 'After He by the power of Time had called for the end of His numerous family by means of the curse of the brahmins, He considered to give up His outer appearance and thought to Himself: 

S'rī S'uka said: 'The cursing of the brahmins [of the Yadu-dynasty] was only a plea, factually it was the [Lord His] unfailing desire to end the excess of His own family after which He gave up His universal appearance and thought to Himself: (Vedabase)

Text 30

'When I have left this world, the knowledge of Myself and My shelter will be in the right hands with Uddhava. He is at present the most important devotee.

'Having disappeared from this world the knowledge of Myself and My shelter will certainly befall Uddhava directly, who is at present the foremost of the devotees. (Vedabase)

 

Text 31

Uddhava is not in the least inferior to Me because he is never affected by the material modes. Thus he rightfully may remain as the master in this world to disseminate the knowledge about Me.'

Uddhava is not in the least inferior to Me as he is never affected by the material modes and therefore, as the master of the knowledge of Me, may remain to disseminate it in this world'. (Vedabase)

 

Text 32

After thus having been instructed by the spiritual master of the three worlds, the source of all Vedic knowledge, he [Uddhava] reached the place of pilgrimage Badarikās'rama, where he found absorption in his devotion unto the Lord.

Thus being perfectly taught by the spiritual master and source of all vedic knowledge of the three worlds he [Uddhava] reached Badarikās'rama and was he happy in being absorbed in the Lord. (Vedabase)

 

Text 33

Vidura had heard from Uddhava how Krishna, the Supersoul, extraordinarily had assumed a form for His pastimes and most gloriously had engaged with it.

Vidura also heard from Uddhava about how Krishna, the Supersoul, extraordinarily assumed a form for the ways of the world and also most gloriously worked Himself above it. (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

His entering a physical body is for both the persevering great sages and for common people a thing most difficult to understand. And for people with an animal attitude it is a completely mind-boggling affair.
His entering the body is for as well the persevering great sages as for others very difficult to understand and for the beastly ones simply a mental disturbance. (Vedabase)

 

Text 35

With the notion that Krishna, the Fortunate One, also had thought of him as a devotee when He left this earth, oh best among the Kurus, Vidura was overwhelmed by love and burst into tears.

This was also true for himself, o best amongst the Kurus, when he thought of how Krishna had remembered him, and with the Fortunate One having left, cried he out loud overwhelmed by the joy of ecstasy. (Vedabase)

 

Text 36

Oh best of the Bharatas, after Vidura thus had passed a few days on the bank of the Yamunā [see 3.1: 24], he reached the holy waters of the Ganges where he met sage Maitreya [the son of Mitrā, his mother].'

O best of the Bharatas, Vidura thus having passed his days on the bank of the Yamunā [see 3:1.24], thereafter reached the holy waters of the Ganges where he, the son of Mitra [in the sense of being the incarnation of Yamarāja as the son of a s'ūdra, see 1.13:15], met the sage Maitreya.  (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 picture is a Hindu vintage image of Lord Vishnu.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time.
 

  

 

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