The
son of Vyâsa said: 'One day [in their youth], o
King, went the Yadu boys Sâmba, Pradyumna, Câru,
Bhânu,
Gada and others to a park to play.
The
son of Vyâsa said: 'One day [in their youth],
o King, went the yadu-boys Sâmba, Pradyumna,
Câru, Bhânu, Gada and others to a park to play.
(Vedabase)
Text
2
Playing
for a long time there looked they, being thirsty, for water and
discovered they in a dry well an amazing
creature.
Playing
for a long time there looked they thirsty for water and
discovered they in a dry well an amazing creature.
(Vedabase)
Text
3
There
they saw a chameleon as big as a mountain and with a mind
filled with wonder about it tried they, moved by compassion, to
lift it up.
There
they saw a chameleon as big as a mountain and with a mind
filled with wonder about it made they, moved by compassion,
the effort to lift it up.
(Vedabase)
Text
4
Attaching
straps of leather and twisted ropes failed the boys to lift the
creature out of the well and so reported they it excitedly to
Krishna.
Attaching
straps of leather and twisted ropes were the boys not able
to lift out the creature and so reported they it excitedly
to Krishna. (Vedabase)
Text
5
The Lotus-eyed
Supreme Lord, the Maintainer of the Universe, taking a look saw
it and picked it with His left hand easily up.
The
Lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, the Maintainer of the Universe,
going there saw it and picked it with His left hand easily
up. (Vedabase)
Text
6
Being touched
by the hand of Uttamas'loka,
was immediately the chameleon form given up for the one of a
heavenly being that was beautiful with a complexion of molten
gold and wonderful ornaments, clothes and
garlands.
Being
touched by the hand of Uttamas'loka, was immediately the
chameleon form given up for the one of a heavenly being
beautiful with a complexion of molten gold and wonderful
ornaments, clothes and garlands.
(Vedabase)
Text
7
Even
though He was very well aware of what had led to this situation
asked Mukunda,
so that the people in general might know: 'Who are you, o
fortunate one, from your excellent appearance I dare say you're
an exalted demigod!'
Though
well aware of the cause of this asked Mukunda, so that the
people in general might know: 'Who are You, o fortunate one,
from your excellent appearance I dare say you're an exalted
demigod! (Vedabase)
Text
8
What
action brought you, o good soul, to this condition that you
certainly did not deserve; please tell Us, eager to know, all
about yourself - that is, if you think it's the right time to
speak about it here.'
What
action brought you to this condition, which you certainly
didn't deserve, o good soul; please tell Us, eager to know,
all about yourself - that is, if you think it's the right
time to speak about it here.'
(Vedabase)
Text
9
S'rî
S'uka said: 'The king who thus was
questioned by
Krishna whose forms are unlimited, with his helmet as brilliant
as the sun bowed down to Mâdhava
and
spoke to Him.
S'rî
S'uka said: 'The king thus as such questioned by Krishna
whose forms are unlimited, with his helmet as brilliant as
the sun bowed down to Mâdhava and spoke to Him.
(Vedabase)
Text
10
Nriga
said: 'I, the ruler of man named
Nriga [see
9.1:
11-12,
9.2:
17],
am
a son of [S'râddhadeva Manu and a younger brother
of] Ikshvâku, o Master, maybe You've heard that I am
counted among the men of charity.
Nriga
said: 'I, the ruler of man named Nriga [see 9.1: 11-12,
9.2: 17], am a son of [S'raddha next to the elder
brother] Ikshvâku, o master, maybe Your ear caught
that I am counted among the men of charity.
(Vedabase)
Text
11
What
indeed would be unknown to You o Master, Witness of the Mind of
all Beings, Whose vision is undisturbed by time; nevertheless
I'll speak as You wish.
What
indeed would be unknown to You o Master, Witness of the Mind
of all Beings, Whose vision is undisturbed by time; yet I
'll speak as You order.
(Vedabase)
Text
12
As
many grains of sand there are on earth, as many stars there are
in the sky or as many raindrops there are in a shower of rain,
that many cows have I donated.
As
many grains of sand there are on earth, as many stars there
are in the sky or as many raindrops there are to a shower of
rain, that many cows have I
donated.
(Vedabase)
Text
13
I
gave cows complete with milk, being young, sweet, of beauty and
endowed with other qualities; brown and fair, together with
their calves, adorned with gold on their horns, silver on their
hooves, fine cloth and garlands.
I
gave cows complete with milk, being young , sweet, of beauty
and endowed with other qualities; brown and fair, together
with their calves, adorned with gold on their horns, silver
on their hooves, fine cloth and
garlands.
(Vedabase)
Text
14-15
I,
of pious works and performing worship with fire sacrifices, was
of charity to the by me nicely decorated saintly, young,
exceptional brahmins, dedicated to the truth, who are
well-known for their austerity and vast knowledge of the Vedas
and who with their families in need were of good qualities and
character: I gave them cows, land, gold, houses, horses and
elephants; marriageable girls with maidservants, sesame seeds,
silver, bedding and clothing; jewels, furniture and
chariots.
I,
of pious works and performing worship with fire sacrifices,
did adorn nicely and gave in charity to the saintly, young,
exceptional brahmins, dedicated to the truth, well-known for
their austerity and vast learning in the Vedas, who with
their families in need were of good qualities and character:
cows, land, gold, houses, horses and elephants; marriageable
girls with maidservants, sesame seeds, silver, bedding and
clothing; jewels, furniture and chariots.
(Vedabase)
Text
16
I
unknowingly, gave of a certain first class dvija [a
brahmin not accepting gifts anymore, see 7.11]
away to another twice-born soul a cow, which having wandered
off had mingled with my herd.
I
unknowingly, gave of a certain first class dvija [a
brahmin not accepting gifts anymore, see 7.11] away to
another twice-born soul a cow, which being lost had mingled
with my herd. (Vedabase)
Text
17
As
the cow was led away was she spotted by her master who said:
'She's mine'. But he who had accepted the gift said thereupon:
'Nriga gave this one to me!'
She
being led away was spotted by her master who said: 'She's
mine', whereas he who had accepted the gift said: 'Nriga
gave this one to me!' (Vedabase)
Text
18
The two learned
ones arguing in defense of their own interest said to me: 'You
sir, as a giver have been a thief!' When I heard this I fell in
perplexity.
The
two learned ones arguing in defense of their own interest
said to me: 'You sir, as a giver were a thief!' to the
hearing of which I fell in perplexity.
(Vedabase)
Text
19-20
Embarrassed
indeed in my religious duty I supplicated with both the men of
learning in saying: 'Please give me this one cow, I'll give you
in return a hundred thousand of the best quality! You both,
please be of mercy with your servant who was unaware; save me
from the danger of falling down into a dirty
hell!'
Embarrassed
indeed in my religious duty I supplicated with both the men
of learning with 'Please give me this one cow, I'll give you
a hundred thousand of best quality! You both, please be of
mercy with your servant who was unaware; save me from the
danger of falling down into a dirty hell!'
(Vedabase)
Text
21
'I'm
not in want at all o King!' thus spoke the owner and went
away.
'I'm
not interested in all those other cows', said the other one and
left.
'I'm
not in want at all o King!' thus spoke the owner and went
away.
'Not even
the additional countless cows I want', said the other one
and left.
(Vedabase)
Text
22
After this had
happened was I by the messengers of Yamarâja taken to his
abode and there questioned by the Lord of Death and Retribution
[as follows], o God of Gods, o Master of the Universe
[see also 5.26:
6,
6.1:
31 and
6.3].
To
this occasion was I by the messengers of Yamarâja
taken to his abode and there by the Lord of Death and
Retribution [as follows], o God of Gods, o Master of
the Universe [see also 5.26: 6, 6.1: 31 and 6.3]
asked the question: (Vedabase)
Text
23
'Do you first
want to face the consequences of your bad deeds, o King, or
rather enjoy the merit of your good deeds? As for your good
deeds I can see that the shining world as a consequence of what
you religiously gave in charity is limitless.'
'Do
you first want to experience your bad deeds, o King, or
rather your good deeds; as I see no end to the shining world
of what you religiously gave in charity.'
(Vedabase)
Text
24
I
thus said: 'I'll first face the load of my bad deeds o
Godhead', and so said he: 'Then fall!' and as I was falling, o
Master, saw I myself changed into a chameleon!
I
thus said: 'I'll first take my bad deeds o Godhead', and so
said he: 'Then fall!' and as I was falling, o Master, saw I
myself as a chameleon! (Vedabase)
Text
25
Being
Your servant generous towards the
brahmins, o
Kes'ava,
has not even today left the memory of the audience of You that
I lost and hanker for [see also 5.8:
28].
Being
Your servant generous towards the brahmins, o Kes'ava, has
me not even today left the memory of the audience of You
that I lost and hanker for [see also 5.8: 28].
(Vedabase)
Text
26
How, o Almighty
One, can You in person be visible to me; You, the Supreme Soul
who meditated by the masters of yoga are visible to the eye of
a spotless heart - how, o Adhoks'aja,
can I, whose intelligence was blinded by severe troubles,
obtain the permission to perceive what is reserved for those
whose material life out here is completed?
How,
o Almighty One, can You in person be visible to me; You, the
Supreme Soul who meditated by the masters of yoga are
visible to the eye of a spotless heart - how, o Adhoks'aja,
can I, whose intelligence was blinded by severe troubles, be
allowed to perceive what is for those whose material life
out here is completed? (Vedabase)
Text
27-28
O, God of Gods,
Master of the Universe, Lord of the Cows, Supreme Personality;
o Path Laid out for Man, Master of the Senses, Grace of the
Verses, Infallible and Undiminishing One, please permit me to
leave, o Krishna, for the world of the gods, o Master; may
wherever I reside my consciousness be of the shelter of Your
feet!
O,
God of Gods, Master of the Universe, Lord of the Cows,
Supreme Personality; o Path Laid out for Man, Master of the
Senses, Grace of the Verses, Infallible and Undiminishing
One, please permit me to leave, o Krishna, for the world of
the gods, o Master; may wherever I reside my consciousness
be of the shelter of Your feet!
(Vedabase)
Text
29
My obeisances
unto You the Source of All Beings, the Absolute of the Truth
and the Possessor of Unlimited Potencies; I offer the Spiritual
Pleasure of His Attraction, Krishna [*],
the son of Vasudeva, the Lord of All forms of yoga [all
forms of uniting in the consciousness], my
respects.'
My
obeisances unto You the Source of All Beings, the Absolute
of the Truth and the Possessor of Unlimited Potencies; I
offer to the Spiritual Pleasure of His Attraction, Krishna
[*], the son of Vasudeva, the Lord of All forms of
yoga [all forms of uniting in the consciousness], my
respects.' (Vedabase)
Text
30
Thus
having spoken and having circumambulated Him got he, after
touching His feet with his crown, permission to leave and
boarded he, before all humans to see, a most excellent
celestial chariot.
Thus
having spoken and circumambulating Him got he, touching His
feet with his crown, permission to leave and boarded he,
before all humans to see, a most excellent celestial
chariot. (Vedabase)
Text
31
Krishna,
the Supreme Lord, the son of Devakî, the God and Soul of
Dharma devoted to the brahmins, addressed His personal
associates and was thus of instruction to the royalty in
general:
Krishna,
the Supreme Lord, the son of Devakî, the God and Soul
of Dharma devoted to the brahmins, addressed His personal
associates and was thus of instruction to the royalty in
general. (Vedabase)
Text
32
'If
even for someone of a greater potency than fire but the little
property consumed [stolen or denied] of a brahmin
indeed is indigestible, what then to say of kings who imagine
themselves to be the Lord?
If
even for one more potent than fire but the little property
consumed [stolen or denied] of a brahmin indeed is
indigestible; what then to say of kings who imagine
themselves to be controllers? (Vedabase)
Text
33
The
hâlâhala [that was churned with
Mandâra] I do not consider poison because there is an
antidote for it [namely S'iva, see 8.7];
what belongs to a brahmin [though] I call real poison
[in being misappropriated] because for such a thing
there is no counteraction in the world.
The
hâlâhala [that was churned with
Mandâra] I do not consider poison as it knows a
counteraction [namely S'iva, see 8.7]; what belongs
to a brahmin [though] I call poison indeed [once
being misappropriated] as for that there is no antidote
in the world. (Vedabase)
Text
34
Poison destroys
the one who ingests it and fire is extinguished with water, but
the fire that burns with the kindling wood of the belongings of
a brahmin burns one's community down to the
ground.
Poison
destroys the one who ingests it; fire is extinguished with
water, but the fire that burns with the kindling wood of the
belongings of brahmin burns one's community down to the
root. (Vedabase)
Text
35
A
brahmin's property enjoyed without permission destroys three
generations [in a family line see **],
but enjoyed with violence it are [like with governemental
action or with corporate interests] ten previous and ten
subsequent generations [whose honor will be contaminated,
see also
9.8].
A
brahmins property enjoyed without permission destroys three
persons [in line see **] but by force [like by
governance or corporate interests] enjoyed [is that
true for the honor of] ten previous and ten subsequent
generations [see also 9.8].
(Vedabase)
Text
36
Members
of the royalty, blinded by royal opulence
[see also
B.G.
1: 44]
do not
foresee their own downfall in hell childishly hankering for the
property of a good natured brahmin.
Members
of the royalty, blinded by royal opulence [see also B.G.
1: 44] do not foresee their own fall in hell childishly
hankering for the property of a good natured brahmin.
(Vedabase)
Text
37-38
As
many particles of dust were touched by the teardrops of
generous brahmins who for the sake of their beloved cry over
the means of support that were stolen from them, that many
years will the kings and the other members of the royal family,
who as usurpers of the brahmin's share failed to control, be
cooked in the hell called Kumbhîpâka
[5.26:
13].
As
many particles of dust touched by the teardrops of generous
brahmins who for their association do cry over their means
of support being stolen, that many years will the kings and
the other members of the royal family as usurpers of the
brahmin's share missing the control be cooked in the hell
called Kumbhîpâka [5.26: 13].
(Vedabase)
Text
39
He
then who steals what a brahmin owns, whether it was given by
oneself or someone else, is for sixty thousand years born as a
worm in feces.
He
then who steals what a brahmin owns, whether it was given by
oneself or someone else, is for sixty thousand years born as
a worm in feces.
(Vedabase)
Text
40
Do
not deliver Me the wealth belonging to a brahmin; the desire
for it makes people short-lived, brings them defeat and
deprives them of the kingdom; it turns them into snakes giving
trouble to others.
Let
the wealth of a brahmin not come my way; the desire for that
makes people short-lived, defeats them and deprives them of
the kingdom, turning them into snakes that trouble others.
(Vedabase)
Text
41
Dear
followers, do not be inimical towards a man of learning, not
even when he has sinned; even striking you physically time and
again or cursing you, should you always offer him your
obeisances.
Dear
followers, do not be inimical towards a man of learning, not
even when he has sinned; even striking you physically time
and again or cursing you, should you always offer him your
obeisances.
(Vedabase)
Text
42
The
way I take care to bow down always to the ones of learning,
should also all of you be of that respect; he who does
otherwise qualifies for being punished by Me.
As
I carefully bow down to the learned ones all the time,
should also all of you; he who does otherwise is a candidate
for being punished by Me. (Vedabase)
Text
43
The
property indeed taken away from a brahmin leads to the downfall
of the taker, even done unknowingly as, as we saw, happened to
the person of Nriga with the cow of the brahmin.
The
property indeed taken away from a brahmin leads to the
fall-down of the taker, even done unknowingly as, as we saw,
happened to the person of Nriga with the cow of the
brahmin.'
(Vedabase)
Text
44
After
thus having educated the residents of Dvârakâ,
entered the Supreme Lord Mukunda, the Purifier of All
Worlds,His palace.
The
property indeed taken away from a brahmin leads to the
fall-down of the taker, even done unknowingly as, as we saw,
happened to the person of Nriga with the cow of the
brahmin.'
(Vedabase)
*
In the Mahâbhârata (Udyoga-parva 71.4), is stated
to the name of Krishna:
"The word
krish is the attractive feature of the Lord's existence,
and na means 'spiritual pleasure.' When the verb
krish is added to na, it becomes krishna,
which indicates the Absolute Truth."
**
According to S'rîla S'rîdhara Svâmî,
does tri-pûrusha, the Sanskrit term used here,
refer to oneself, one's sons and one's
grandsons.