S'rî
S'uka said: 'Seeing
Him coming out
[see 50:
57]
like
the moon rising, most beautiful to behold, with a dark
complexion, a yellow silk garment, the S'rîvatsa on His
chest, the brilliant Kaustubha gem decorating His neck, His
mighty, long four arms and eyes as pink as newly grown lotuses;
His always effulgent, clean, joyful smile to His beautiful
cheeks, His lotuslike face and the display of His shark-shaped
earrings, thought he
[Kâlayavana]:
'This person indeed must be Vâsudeva with the
S'rîvatsa, the four arms, the lotus-eyes, the wearing of
forest-flowers and with the great beauty. From the marks
Nârada mentioned can He be no one else, going there
without weapons on foot; I'll fight Him without weapons!' The
Yavana thus decided, in pursuit wanted to catch Him who had
turned His face away and fled, He, who is unattainable even to
the mystic yogis.
S'rî
S'uka said: 'Seeing Him coming out [see 50: 57] like
the moon rising, most beautiful to behold, with a dark
complexion, a yellow silk garment, the s'rîvatsa on
His chest, the brilliant kaustubha-gem decorating His neck,
His mighty, long four arms and eyes as pink as newly grown
lotuses; His always effulgent, clean, joyful smile to His
beautiful cheeks, His lotuslike face and the display of His
shark-shaped earrings, thought he
[Kâlayavana]: 'This person indeed must be
Vâsudeva with the s'rîvatsa, the four arms, the
lotus-eyes, the wearing of forest-flowers and with the great
beauty. From the marks Nârada mentioned can He be no
one else, going there without weapons on foot; I'll fight
Him without weapons!' The yavana thus decided, pursuing
wanted to catch Him, who had His face turned away and fled;
He, who is unattainable even to the mystic yogi's.
(Vedabase)
Text
7
With
every step He made seemed He to be within the reach of his
hands and after that way having covered a great distance placed
He the lord of the Yavanas before a mountain
cave.
With
every step He brought Himself almost within the reach of his
hands and thus going far confronted He that lord of the
yavanas with a mountain cave. (Vedabase)
Text
8
In his pursuit
insulting Him with words like 'Fleeing is for You being born in
the Yadu-dynasty improper!', could he, whose mischief had not
found its end [yet], not get hold of
Him.
In
his pursuit insulting Him with words like 'Fleeing is for
You being born in the Yadu-dynasty improper!', could he,
whose mischief had not found its end [yet], not
reach Him.
(Vedabase)
Text
9
Even
though He was insulted this way, entered the Supreme Lord the
mountain cave, but when the Yavana followed Him saw he lying
there another man.
Even
though He was thus abused, entered the Supreme Lord the
mountain cave and as he also entered saw he lying there
another man. (Vedabase)
Tex
10
'And
now, bringing me this long distance is He lying down here like
a saint!' and thus erroneously thinking him to be Acyuta,
struck he him full force with his foot.
'And
now, bringing me this long distance is He lying down here
like a saint!' and thus erroneously thinking him to be
Acyuta, struck he him full force with his foot.
(Vedabase)
Text
11
The
man, waking up after a long period of sleep, slowly opened his
eyes and, looking about in every direction, saw him standing
beside him.
He,
awaking after a long period of sleep, slowly opened his eyes
and, looking about in every direction, saw him standing at
his side. (Vedabase)
Text
12
O
descendant of Bharata he as such, was by the glance, the
angered man cast on him, in a moment burnt to ashes by a fire
that generated from within his own body
[*].'
O
descendant of Bharata he as such, was by the glance, the
angered man cast on him, in a moment burnt to ashes by a
fire that generated from within his own body [*].'
(Vedabase)
Text
13
The honorable
king [Parîkchit] said: 'Who precisely was that
person, o brahmin, of which family was he and of what powers;
why had he retreated into the cave to sleep and of whose seed
was he born that destroyer of the Yavana?'
The
honorable king [Parîkchit] said: 'Who in
particular was that person, o brahmin, of which family was
he and of what powers; why had he gone into the cave to
sleep and of whose seed was he born that destroyer of the
yavana?' (Vedabase)
Text
14
S'rî
S'uka said: 'He is known as Mucukunda. He was born in the
Ikshvâku dynasty as a son of Mândhâtâ
â [see 9.6:
38 and
9.7];
He is a great personality devoted to the brahminical and
someone true to his vow in battle.
S'rî
S'uka said: 'He is known as Mucukunda, born in the
Ikshvâku dynasty as a son of
Mândhâtâ [see 9.6: 38 and 9.7]; a
great personality devoted to the brahminical and true to his
vow in battle.
(Vedabase)
Text
15
He, on the
request of the godly headed by Indra who were terrified because
of the Asuras, was for a long time of service to assure them
their protection.
He,
on the request of the godly headed by Indra who were
terrified of the asuras, was for a long time of service to
assure them their protection.
(Vedabase)
Text
16
They,
obtaining Guha ['from the cave'; Skanda or
Kârttikeya] as their protector of heaven, then said
to Mucukunda: 'O King, please desist from the trouble your good
self has to protect us.
They,
obtaining Guha ['from the cave'; Skanda or
Kârttikeya] as their protector of heaven, then
said to Mucukunda: 'O King, please desist from the trouble
your good self has to protect us.
(Vedabase)
Text
17
You
forgetting all your personal desires have, with abandoning a
kingdom in the world of man, for our protection removed those
[asura] thorns, o hero.
You
forgetting all your personal desires have, with abandoning a
kingdom in the world of man, for our protection removed
those [asura] thorns, o hero.
(Vedabase)
.
Text
18
Your children,
your queens and your other relatives, ministers, advisors and
subjects are not alive now, are not of this time anymore; time
swept them away.
Your
children, your queens and your other relatives, ministers,
advisers and subjects are not alive now, are not of this
time anymore; time separates. (Vedabase)
Text
19
Time, more
powerful than the powerful, is the Supreme Inexhaustible Lord
in Control who, playing a game of herdsman and flock, sets the
mortal beings in motion.
Time,
more powerful than the powerful, is the Supreme
Inexhaustible Lord in Control who, playing a game of
herdsman and flock, sets the mortal beings in
motion.
(Vedabase)
Text
20
All good
fortune to you, choose today any benediction from us except for
the one of liberation, for only the Supreme Inexhaustible Lord
S'rî Vishnu is capable of that.'
All
good fortune to you, choose today any benediction from us
except for the one of liberation, as only the Supreme
Inexhaustible Lord S'rî Vishnu is capable of
that.'
(Vedabase)
Text
21
He, for his
great fame thus addressed by the demigods, respectfully saluted
them and laid himself down in a cave to enjoy the sleep the
gods had granted him [**].
He,
for his great fame thus addressed indeed by the demigods,
respectfully saluted them and laid himself down in a cave to
enjoy the sleep the gods had granted him [**].
(Vedabase)
Text
22
After the
barbarian was turned into ashes revealed the Supreme Lord, the
great hero of the Sâtvatas, Himself to the wise
Mucukunda.
After
the barbarian was turned into ashes revealed the Supreme
Lord, the great hero of the Sâtvatas, Himself to the
wise Mucukunda. (Vedabase)
Text
23-26
Looking at Him,
He who was as dark as a cloud, in a yellow, silken garment, the
S'rîvatsa on His chest, the brilliant Kaustubha gem
glowing, the four arms and the beautifying Vaijayantî
garland; His attractive, calm face and glittering shark-shaped
earrings, His affectionate smile appealing to all mankind, His
glance, His youthful handsome form, His noble gait and His fire
that was like that of a lion - was he, as highly intelligent as
he was, overwhelmed by His effulgence, which was a splendor
unassailable indeed, and posed he in doubt hesitantly a
question.
Looking
at Him - dark as a cloud, in a yellow silk garment, the
s'rîvatsa on His chest, the brilliant kaustubha gem
glowing, the four arms and the beautifying vaijayantî
garland; His attractive calm face and glittering
shark-shaped earrings, His affectionate smile appealing to
all mankind, His glance, His youthful handsome form, His
noble gait and fire like that of a lion - was he, so highly
intelligent, overwhelmed by His effulgence, which was a
splendor unassailable indeed, and posed he in doubt
hesitantly a question. (Vedabase)
Text
27
Sr'î
Mucukunda said: 'Who are You to join with me in the wilderness
in a mountain cave, with Your feet like the petals of a lotus
walking the thorny ground?
Sr'î
Mucukunda said: 'Who are You to join me in the forest in a
mountain cave, with Your feet like the petals of a lotus
walking the thorny ground. (Vedabase)
Text
28
Maybe
You're the Supreme Lord, the origin of all empowered beings, or
else the god of fire, the sungod, the moongod, the king of
heaven or perhaps a ruler from another planet.
Maybe
you're the Supreme Lord, the origin of all empowered beings,
or else the god of fire, the sungod, the moongod, the king
of heaven or perhaps a ruler from another planet?
(Vedabase)
Text
29
I
think You're the God of the three personalities of the
demigods, the Greatest, because You dispel the darkness of the
cave [the 'heart'] like a lamp with its
light.
I
think You're the God of the three personalities of the
demigods, the Greatest, because You dispel the darkness of
the cave [the 'heart'] like a lamp with its light.
(Vedabase)
Text
30
O Most Eminent
Among Man, if You like, if You can, veraciously describe for us
eager to hear, Your birth, activities and
lineage.
O
Most Eminent Among Man, if you like, if you can, veraciously
describe for us eager to hear, Your birth, activities and
lineage. (Vedabase)
Text
31
We from our
side, o tiger among men, are descendants of Ikshvâku, a
family of kshatriyas. And I, born from the son of
Yuvanâs'va, am called Mucukunda o Lord.
We
from our side, o tiger among men, are descendants of
Ikshvâku, a family of kshatriyas with me, born from
the son of Yuvanâs'va, called Mucukunda o
Lord.
(Vedabase)
Text
32
Because I
remained awake for a long time was I, fatigued in my senses and
overwhelmed by sleep, to my comfort lying in this solitary
place and have I now been awakened by someone.
Because
I remained awake for a long time was I, fatigued in my
senses and overwhelmed by sleep, to my comfort lying in this
solitary place and have I now been awakened by someone.
(Vedabase)
Text
33
That
person turned to ashes indeed out of his own sinful conduct
only, and Your good Self so glorious, o Chastiser of Enemies, I
saw following immediately thereafter.
That
person turned to ashes indeed out of his own sinful conduct
only, and Your good Self so glorious, o Chastiser of
Enemies, I saw following immediately thereafter.
(Vedabase)
Text
34
Because
of Your unbearable effulgence are we, diminished in our
faculties, not able to behold You, o most Gracious One; You are
to be honored by all embodied beings!'
Because
of Your unbearable effulgence are we, diminished in our
faculties, not able to behold You, o most Gracious One; You
are to be honored by all embodied
beings!'
(Vedabase)
Text
35
Thus
addressed by the king replied the Supreme Lord and Origin of
All Creation, smiling broadly, with words deep as the rumbling
of clouds.
Thus
addressed by the king replied the Supreme Lord and Origin of
All Creation, smiling broadly, with words deep as the
rumbling of clouds. (Vedabase)
Text
36
The
Supreme Lord said: 'My births, activities and names are there
by the thousands, My dearest, limitless as they are they cannot
even be enumerated by Me!
The
Supreme Lord said: 'My births, activities and names are
there by the thousands, My dearest, limitless as they are
they cannot even be enumerated by
Me!
(Vedabase)
Text
37
Some
time, after many lives, one might count the particles of dust
on earth, but never ever so My many qualities, activities,
names and births.
Some
time, after many lives, one might count the particles of
dust on earth, but never ever so My many qualities,
activities, names and births. (Vedabase)
Text
38
Not
even the greatest sages counting My births and activities
taking place to the three of time [past, present,
future], o King, can reach the end of them [compare
8.5:
6
and 8.23:
29].
Not
even the greatest sages counting My births and activities
taking place to the three of time [past, present,
future], o King, can reach the end of them [compare
8.5: 6 and 8.23: 29].
(Vedabase)
Text
39-40
Nonetheless, o
friend, just hear from Me about the current one, this Speaker.
In the past I was beseeched by Lord Brahmâ
[see
3.9 and also
10.14]
to secure the dharma and destroy the demons who are a burden to
the earth, and so I descended into the Yadu dynasty in the home
of Vasudeva and do the people as such call Me Vâsudeva,
the son of Vasudeva.
Nonetheless,
o friend, just hear from Me about the current one, this
Speaker. In the past I was beseeched by Lord Brahmâ
[see 3.9 and also 10.14] to secure the dharma and
destroy the demons who are a burden to the earth, and so I
descended into the Yadu-dynasty in the home of Vasudeva and
do the people indeed call Me Vâsudeva, the son of
Vasudeva. (Vedabase)
Text
41
Kâlanemi
I killed[see
10.8:
56], Kamsa
[10.44],
Pralamba [10.18]
and
others envious of the virtuous, and this Yavana, o King was
burned by your scorching glance.
Kâlanemi
I killed [see 10.8: 56], Kamsa [10.44],
Pralamba [10.18] and others envious of the virtuous,
and this yavana, o King was burned by your scorching glance.
(Vedabase)
Text
42
I,
that very same person caring for the devotees, approached this
cave for the sake of favoring you, because you in the past have
often prayed for it.
I,
that very same person caring for the devotees, approached
this cave for the sake of favoring you as you before have
often prayed for it.
(Vedabase)
Text
43
Tell
Me what you want Me to bless you with, o saintly King, I will
give you all that you desire; any person who has satisfied Me,
will never again need to lament.'
Just
choose your benedictions, o saintly King, I will give you
all that you desire; any person who has satisfied Me, never
again needs to lament.'
(Vedabase)
Text
44
S'rî
S'uka said: 'Thus being addressed bowing down to Him spoke
Mucukunda remembering the words of
Garga
[***],
being filled with joy knowing He was Nârâyana the
[original] Godhead.
S'rî
S'uka said: 'Thus being addressed bowing down to Him spoke
Mucukunda reminiscent of the words of Garga [***],
filled with joy knowing He was Nârâyana the
[original] Godhead. (Vedabase)
Text
45
The
person who somehow or other attaining to what is rarely
obtained in this world - a human form and not the paws, but not
being of worship doesn't try to go, o sinless one, for Your
lotuslike feet, has, impure in his mentality, like an animal
fallen in the blind well of his home.
S'rî
Mucukunda said: 'This person, not of worship for You, can,
bewildered by Your own mâyâ o Lord, not see his
own benefit when he, wishing for happiness, gets cheated as
a family man or woman entangled going for things that bring
misery. (Vedabase)
Text
46
The
person who somehow or other attaining to what is rarely
obtained in this world - a human form and not the paws, but not
being of worship doesn't try to go, o sinless one, for Your
lotuslike feet, has, impure in his mentality, like an animal
fallen in the blind well of his home.
The
person that somehow or other attaining to what is rarely
obtained in this world - a human form and not the paws, but
not worshiping not tries, o sinless one, for Your lotuslike
feet, has, impure in his mentality, like an animal fallen in
the blind well of his home. (Vedabase)
Text
47
O
Unconquerable One, wasting my time on this, I built a kingdom
and opulence that now are all gone; intoxicated as an earthly
ruler who mistakes the mortal frame for himself, suffered I
endless anxieties getting attached to children, wives, riches
and land.
O
Unconquerable One, wasting my time in this, I built a
kingdom and opulence now all gone; intoxicated as an earthly
ruler who mistakes the mortal frame for himself, suffered I
endless anxieties getting attached to children, wives,
riches and land. (Vedabase)
Text
48
Minding
this body, which is a confinement like a pot or a wall, I thus
thought myself to be a god among man, surrounded as I was by
chariots, elephants, horses, infantry and generals with whom I
traveled around on this earth without seriously regarding You
in my great pride.
Minding
this body, which is a confinement like a pot or a wall, I
thus thought myself to be a god among man, surrounded by
chariots, elephants, horses, infantry and generals traveling
the earth without seriously regarding You in my great pride.
(Vedabase)
Text
49
Forgetful
about what needs to be done, hankering for sense objects
endlessly ruminating with an ever growing greed, is one
suddenly confronted with You, the one who does mind; You are
like what death is to a mouse in front of a hungry snake that
licks its fangs.
Forgetful
about what needs to be done, hankering for sense objects
endlessly ruminating with an ever growing greed, is one
suddenly confronted with You, the one that does mind; the
death to a mouse in front of a hungry snake licking its
fangs.
(Vedabase)
Text
50
Previously
named 'the king' riding chariots furnished with gold or fierce
elephants is that same one unavoidably with the Time of Your
body called 'feces', 'worms' and 'ashes' [see also
16.4:
2-6].
Previously
named 'the king' riding chariots furnished with gold or
fierce elephants is that same one unavoidably with the Time
of Your body called 'feces', 'worms' and 'ashes' [see
also 16.4: 2-6]. (Vedabase)
Text
51
Full
circle having conquered the directions with no opposition to
fear and being seated on a throne and praised by kings alike is
the person in his home like a pet led about, sexually borrowing
his happiness from women, o Lord.
Full
circle Having conquered the directions with no opposition to
fear seated on a throne and praised by kings alike is the
person in his home like a pet led about, sexually borrowing
his happiness from women, o Lord.
(Vedabase)
Text
52
In
that enviously reaching for more, performs he with penance his
duties in strictly avoiding pleasures, but thinking of himself
as 'I the greater sovereign' can he, whose urges are so
pronounced, not attain happiness.
In
that with an odd eye reaching for more, one with penance
performs one's duties strictly avoiding pleasures, but
thinking of himself as 'I the greater sovereign' can he,
whose urges are so pronounced, not attain happiness.
(Vedabase)
Text
53
When
it happens that the wandering person reaches the end of his
material existence will at that time o Infallible One, the
association of the good and honest, the sat-sanga, be
found after which next the devotion is born for Him who for the
virtuous is the only goal as the Lord of the Higher
[cause] and Lower [effects].
When
it happens that the wandering person reaches the end of his
material existence will at that time o Infallible One, the
association of the good and honest [the sat-sanga]
be found after which next the devotion is born for Him who
for the virtuous is the only goal as the Lord of the Higher
[cause] and Lower [effects].
(Vedabase)
Text
54
I
think o Lord that, with the spontaneous removal of the
attachment to my kingdom, You've been merciful with me: it is
that for which the saintly rulers of endless stretches of land
pray when, wishing the solitude, they enter the
forest.
I
think o Lord that, with the spontaneous removal of the
attachment to my kingdom, you've been of mercy with me: for
that do the saintly rulers of endless stretches of land pray
when, wishing to be on themselves, they enter the forest.
(Vedabase)
Text
55
I
do not desire anything else but to be of service at Your feet
that to those not desiring a material life are the object of
desire, the boon sought, o Almighty one; what faithful man of
worship for You, the Bestower of the Path of Emancipation, o
Lord, would as a boon choose for that which causes his
bondage?
I
do not desire anything other but the service to Your feet
who to those not desiring a material life are the object of
desire, the boon sought, o Almighty one; what faithful man
of worship for You, the Bestower of the Path of
Emancipation, o Lord, would as a boon choose for that which
causes his bondage?
(Vedabase)
Text
56
Therefore
o Lord, entirely putting aside the worldly blessings from which
one is entangled in the modes of passion, ignorance and
goodness, am I approaching You, the Original Person of Pure
Knowledge free from mundane designations who is nondual and
supreme above the modes.
Therefore
o Lord, entirely putting aside the worldly blessings from
which one is entangled in the modes of passion, ignorance
and goodness, am I approaching You, the Original Person of
Pure Knowledge free from mundane designations Who is nondual
and supreme above the modes. (Vedabase)
Text
57
For
long was I full of remorse distressed in the world being
tormented by disturbances; with my six enemies [the senses
and the mind] never satisfied there was no way to find
peace o Bestower of the Shelter, please o Lord protect me who
facing these dangers, o Supreme Soul, approached Your lotus
feet, the truth free from sorrow that frees one from
fear.'
For
long was I full of remorse distressed in the world being
tormented by disturbances; with my six enemies [the
senses and the mind] never satiated there was no way to
find peace o Bestower of the Shelter, please o Lord protect
me who facing these dangers, o Supreme Soul, approached Your
lotusfeet, the truth free from sorrow ridding of fear.'
(Vedabase)
Text
58
The
Supreme Lord said: 'O great King, emperor of all, even though
being tempted to ask for benedictions were you, capable of
mind, impeccable in not being spoiled by
desires.
The
Supreme Lord said: 'O great King, emperor of all, even
though being tempted with benedictions were you capable of
mind spotless in not being spoiled by desires.
(Vedabase)
Text
59
Please
know that the fact that you were tempted with benedictions was
to prove your freedom from bewilderment; never is the
exclusive[-ly to Me devoted] intelligence of the
bhaktas diverted by material blessings.
Please
know that the fact that you were enticed with benedictions
was to prove your freedom from bewilderment; never is the
exclusive[-ly to Me devoted] intelligence of the
bhakta's diverted by material blessings.
(Vedabase)
Text
60
With those who
in not being devoted to Me are occupying themselves with
breathing exercises and such, is, since they did not eliminate
the traces of material desire [the
vâsanâs], o King, observed that again
their minds awaken [to
sense-gratification].
With
those who, not devoted to Me, occupy themselves with
breath-exercises and such, is, since they did not eliminate
the traces of material desire [the
vâsanâs], o King, observed that again their
minds awaken [to sense-gratification].
(Vedabase)
Text
61
Wander
this earth as you like and may, with your mind fixed on Me,
there for you thus always be the devotion for Me that does not
fail.
Wander
this earth as you like and may, with your mind fixed in Me,
there thus always be the devotion to Me for you that does
not fail.
(Vedabase)
Text
62
Following
the dharma of the ruling class you've killed living beings when
you were hunting and with other actions; that sin you should
uproot completely in fully being focussed in penances in which
you seek My shelter.
Following
the dharma of the ruling class you've killed living beings
as you were hunting and with other actions; that sin you
should eradicate fully concentrated in penances taking
shelter of Me. (Vedabase)
Text
63
In
your birth immediately hereafter o King, will you, becoming a
supreme well-wisher to all living beings, be a fine brahmin
going for Me only [see
also B.G.
5:29 ].'
In
the birth immediately hereafter o King, will you, becoming a
supreme well-wisher to all living beings, be a fine brahmin
and indeed will come to Me only [see also B.G. 5:
29].
(Vedabase)
*
Mucukunda, the man asleep, as stated hereafter fought for a
long time on behalf of the demigods and finally took as his
benediction the right to sleep undisturbed. The paramparâ
by S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî quotes the
Hari-vams'a that explains he secured the further benediction of
being able to destroy anyone who disturbed his sleep. He
further elucidates that Mucukunda made this rather morbid
request to scare Lord Indra, who, so Mucukunda thought, might
otherwise wake him up repeatedly to request his help in
fighting Indra's cosmic enemies. Indra's consent to Mucukunda's
request is described in the S'rî Vishnu Purâna as
follows: "The
demigods declared, 'Whoever awakens you from sleep will
suddenly be burnt to ashes by a fire generated from his own
body.' "
**
S'rîla Bhaktisiddhânta Sarasvatî
Thhâkura gives the following lines from an alternate
reading of this chapter. These lines are to be inserted between
the two halves of this verse:
nidrâm
eva tato vavre
sa râjâ s'rama-karshitah
yah kas'cin mama nidrâyâ
bhangam kuryâd surottamâh
sa hi bhasmî-bhaved âs'u
tathoktas' ca surais tadâ
svâpam yâtam yo madhye tu
bodhayet tvâm acetanah
sa tvayâ drishtha-mâtras tu
bhasmî-bhavatu tat-kshanât
"The
King, exhausted by his labor, then chose sleep as his
benediction. He further stated, 'O best of the demigods, may
whoever disturbs my sleep be immediately burned to ashes.' The
demigods replied, 'So be it,' and told him, 'That insensitive
person who wakes you in the middle of your sleep will
immediately turn to ashes simply by your seeing
him."
***
The paramparâ states: 'S'rîla S'rîdhara
Svâmî informs us that Mucukunda was aware of the
prediction of the ancient sage Garga that in the twenty-eighth
millennium the Supreme Lord would descend. According to
Âcârya Vis'vanâtha, Garga Muni further
informed Mucukunda that he would personally see the Lord. Now
it was all happening.'