rule


 

 

Canto 11

Râdhâ Madhava 1

 

Chapter 9: Detachment from All that is Material

(1) The honorable brahmin said: 'Attachment to whatever of the possessions held so very dear by man [house, wife, car etc.], sure leads to misery; whoever knows that will, when he frees himself from such attachment, thereupon achieve unlimited happiness.

(2) Having meat a large hawk [the osprey] was attacked by others who were very strong and without prey; at that time giving up the meat he achieved happiness.

(3) I myself, who like a child enjoys in the soul only, wander about out here. In me one finds no honor or dishonor. Living with the true self I do not know the anxiety of the one who has a home and children. (4) Of the ones free from anxiety there are two types: the one retarded who ignorant as a child has merged in great happiness and the one who has achieved the One Supreme above the Modes of Nature.

(5) At the house of a young girl who wished she was a wife and of whom all the relatives were gone to another place, once arrived a couple of men whom she received with great hospitality. (6) Being alone she beated the rice so that her guests could eat, and doing so made the conchshell bracelets on her forearms a lot of noise. (7) In her shyness ashamed about that [servant-] noise, broke she, intelligent as she was, one by one the shell bracelets from her arms, leaving but two on each wrist. (8) Still there was of the two, as she was husking the rice, the noise of course. But after she removed one from each of the two remained only one and could no sound be heard anymore. (9) O subduer of the enemy, I, wandering around in all regions searching for the truth about the world, personally witnessed the lesson taught by this girl. (10) In a place where many people are quarrels will rise, even among two people who converse alone. Therefore one should live like the young girl's bracelet. (11) The mind should be steadied by detachment and a regulated practice [vairâgya and abhyâsa] in which one conquers one's breathing in sitting postures and carefully concentrates on one point [the true self, see also B.G. 6: 10-15 and 6: 46-47]. (12) Having obtained permanence in that position one achieves with that very mind, step by step having given up the contamination of karma, nirvâna because one grew strong in sattva no longer fueling rajas and tamas [see also B.G. 6: 26 and 14: 6-8].

(13) When one thus is anchored to the soul is one unconcerned about whatever outside or inside oneself, just as when the arrowmaker being absorbed in the arrow didn't notice the king passing nearby [see B.G. 7: 27-28].

(14) Moving alone without a fixed residence [or temple] and exercising restraint not being recognized in his actions a sage, being without companions, will speak only little. (15) Building a home but failing to accomplish [a spiritual life, see B.G. 4: 18] is a miserable thing; just think of the snake that lives happily occupying a hole that was built by others.

(16) The one Self, the one Supreme Controller without a second, who became the Foundation and Reservoir of All, is Nârâyana, the Godhead who in the beginning by His own potency created the universe and by His potency of Time at the end of the kalpa withdraws His creation within Himself. (17-18) When by His potency of the time factor the material powers of sattva and so on have been balanced, exists the Original Personality, the purusha of the primary nature [pradhâna], who is the worshipable Controller of the gods and normal souls, in the purest experience of revelation that one describes as kaivalya [beatitude], the fulness of the blissful state free from material association [see also B.G. 7: 5 and *]. (19) By means of the pure potency of His Self, His own energy composed of the three modes, manifests He the plan of matter [constitutes He the sûtra, the thread, provides He the rule or direction of the mahat-tattva]. He achieves that [in the form of Time] by agitation at the onset of creation [see also 3.26: 19]. (20) To that [thread] that turns out to be the cause of the three modes that create the different categories of the manifestation, so one says, is this universe, by which the living being undergoes its existence, strung and bound [see also B.G. 7: 7]. (21) Just as the spider, expanding the thread from within himself, by his mouth with that thread enjoys [his meal] and eventually swallows that thread, the Supreme Controller operates the same way.

(22) On whatever the conditioned soul fixes his mind out of love, hate or fear, that particular state he will, because of the full concentration of his intelligence, reach thus [see B.G. 8: 6]. (23) O King, a wasp larva meditating on the fully grown wasp that has put him in the hive, keeping to its own body, reaches the same state of being fully grown.

(24) This is what I know from taking instruction from all these gurus. Now please o King, hear from me what I have to say about the knowledge I acquired learning from my own body. (25) With one's body one always has to suffer because of the inevitable burden of its maintenance and future destruction. I contemplate the truths of the world with it and thus is the body, even though it is there for the service of others, to me a teacher of renunciation and discrimination who convinces me to wander about in detachment. (26) The body is bound to the mission of pleasing all the categories of the wife, the children, the animals, the servants, the home and the relatives. Before it has to die it has expanded by begetting a likewise body and for that purpose it went at lengths to achieve a favorable financial position. In that sense the body is like a tree that before it dies produces its see ds. (27) From one side the tongue distracts thirsty the cherished body at times, from the other side the genitals do so, the sense of touch acts thus, the belly demands attention, the ears lead elsewhere, the smell goes or the fickle eyes are leading elsewhere; and so all parts of the body like co-wives pull the head of the household in many directions. (28) After the Supreme Lord had created the trees, venomous insects, mammals, birds, snakes and all other sorts of material bodies by means of His bewildering potency, created the Lord, not satisfied with it, the human being He endowed with an intelligence fit for envisioning the Absolute Truth and achieved He thus happiness. (29) After many births having attained this human form that is so difficult to attain and which, even though it is not eternal, awards great value, should a sober person as long as he, subject to death, has not fallen [in his grave], without delay in this world endeavor for the ultimate liberation that is always within reach in all conditions of sense-gratification.

(30) Thus [from all these twenty-four plus one masters] see ing it in the Soul I wander, fully having developed renunciation and wisdom, the earth being freed from attachment and false ego. (31) Assuredly can the knowledge of a single teacher not be very solid or complete [see 11.3: 21]; the Absolute Truth without a second is by the sages thus defended from many perspectives.'

(32) The Supreme Lord said: 'The so very wise brahmin [who in fact was Lord Dattâtreya, see 2.7: 4 and **] after he thus had spoken to king Yadu and properly was honored by the king offering his obeisances, bid farewell and went away, just as contented as he had come. (33) Having heard the words of the avadhûta found Yadu, the forefather of our ancestors, liberation in a consciousness equal to all.'

 

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Second edition, loaded April 6 2009

 

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

 

Text 1

The honorable brahmin said: 'Attachment to whatever of the possessions held so very dear by man [house, wife, car etc.], sure leads to misery; whoever knows that will, when he frees himself from such attachment, thereupon achieve unlimited happiness.

The honorable brahmin said: 'Attachment to whatever of the possessions held so very dear by man [house, wife, car etc.], sure leads to misery; whoever knows that will, being free from such attachment, thereupon achieve unlimited happiness. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

Having meat a large hawk [the osprey] was attacked by others who were very strong and without prey; at that time giving up the meat he achieved happiness.

Having meat a large hawk [the osprey] was attacked by others very strong who were without prey; at that time giving up the meat he achieved happiness. (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

I myself, who like a child enjoys in the soul only, wander about out here. In me one finds no honor or dishonor. Living with the true self I do not know the anxiety of the one who has a home and children.

I, like a child enjoying in the soul only, do wander out here; in me no honor or dishonor is found; sporting by the self is there not the anxiety of the one with a home and children. (Vedabase)

 

Text 4

Of the ones free from anxiety there are two types: the one retarded who ignorant as a child has merged in great happiness and the one who has achieved the One Supreme above the Modes of Nature.

Freed from anxiety there so are two types: the one retarded who ignorant as a child is merged in great happiness and the one who has achieved the One Supreme above the Modes of Nature. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

At the house of a young girl who wished she was a wife and of whom all the relatives were gone to another place, once arrived a couple of men whom she received with great hospitality.

Once arrived at the house of a young girl that wished herself to be a wife and of whom all the relatives were gone to another place, a couple of men that she received with great hospitality. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

Being alone she beated the rice so that her guests could eat, and doing so made the conchshell bracelets on her forearms a lot of noise.

Being alone did she, for her guests to eat, beat rice so that the conchshell bracelets on her forearms made a lot of noise. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 7

In her shyness ashamed about that [servant-] noise, broke she, intelligent as she was, one by one the shell bracelets from her arms, leaving but two on each wrist.

She being shy ashamed of that [servant-] noise, thinking intelligently broke one by one the shell bracelets from her arms, leaving but two on each wrist. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

Still there was of the two, as she was husking the rice, the noise of course. But after she removed one from each of the two remained only one and could no sound be heard anymore.

Still was there of those two, with her husking the rice, the noise of course, so that, as she separated one from each of the two leaving one only, not a sound was heard. (Vedabase)

 

Text 9

O subduer of the enemy, I, wandering around in all regions searching for the truth about the world, personally witnessed the lesson taught by this girl.

Me wandering the places in search of the truth of the world, o subduer of the enemies, with my own eyes witnessed this girls' lesson. (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

In a place where many people are quarrels will rise, even among two people who converse alone. Therefore one should live like the young girl's bracelet.

In a place with many people will quarrels rise, even with two people alone conversing; for sure one should therefore live like the young girls' bracelet. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 11

The mind should be steadied by detachment and a regulated practice [vairâgya and abhyâsa] in which one conquers one's breathing in sitting postures and carefully concentrates on one point [the true self, see also B.G. 6: 10-15 and 6: 46-47].

By detachment and a regulated practice [vairâgya and abhyâsa] should the mind be steadied, with care being fixed by having conquered one's breathing in sitting postures [see also B.G. 6: 10-15 and 6: 46-47]. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 12  

Having obtained permanence in that position one achieves with that very mind, step by step having given up the contamination of karma, nirvâna because one grew strong in sattva no longer fueling rajas and tamas [see also B.G. 6: 26 and 14: 6-8].

Having obtained permanence in that position, step by step giving up the contamination of karma, achieves that very mind nirvâna by the having grown strong in sattva forsaking of the fuel of rajas and tamas [to the fire of material existence, see also B.G. 6: 26 and 14: 6-8]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13

When one thus is anchored to the soul is one unconcerned about whatever outside or inside oneself, just as when the arrowmaker being absorbed in the arrow didn't notice the king passing nearby [see B.G. 7: 27-28].

At that time thus being fixed in the soul does one not know anything [to be] outside or inside, just as the arrowmaker being absorbed in the arrow didn't notice the king passing right next to him [see B.G. 7: 27-28]. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 14

Moving alone without a fixed residence [or temple] and exercising restraint not being recognized in his actions a sage, being without companions, will speak only little.

Moving alone without a fixed residence [also: temple] and being secretive not recognized in his actions does, being without companions, a sage speak very little (Vedabase)

 

 Text 15  

Building a home but failing to accomplish [a spiritual life, see B.G. 4: 18] is a miserable thing; just think of the snake that lives happily occupying a hole that was built by others.

Building a home leads, being idle [see B.G. 4: 18], to misery; also the snake having entered a home built by others prospers happily. (Vedabase)

 

Text 16

The one Self, the one Supreme Controller without a second, who became the Foundation and Reservoir of All, is Nârâyana, the Godhead who in the beginning by His own potency created the universe and by His potency of Time at the end of the kalpa withdraws His creation within Himself.

The one Self, the one Supreme Controller without a second, who became the Foundation and Reservoir of All indeed, is Nârâyana, the God that in the beginning by His own potency created and by the portion of time at the end of the kalpa withdraws this universe within Himself. (Vedabase)

 

Text 17-18

When by His potency of the time factor the material powers of sattva and so on have been balanced, exists the Original Personality, the purusha of the primary nature [pradhâna], who is the worshipable Controller of the gods and normal souls, in the purest experience of revelation that one describes as kaivalya [or beatitude], the fulness of the blissful state that is free from material association [see also B.G. 7: 5 and *].

When by His potency of the time factor the material powers of sattva and so on are being brought to equilibrium, exists the Original Personality, the purusha of the primary nature [pradhâna], who is the worshipable Controller of the gods and normal souls, in the purest experience of revelation denoted as kaivalya [beautitude], the full of bliss devoid of material relations [see also B.G. 7: 5]. (Vedabase)

  

Text 19

By means of the pure potency of His Self, His own energy composed of the three modes, manifests He the plan of matter [constitutes He the sûtra, the thread, provides He the rule or direction of the mahat-tattva]. He achieves that [in the form of Time] by agitation at the onset of creation [see also 3.26: 19]

By the pure potency of His Self, His own energy composed of the three modes, manifests He, agitating with it [the Time] at the onset of creation, the plan of matter [the sûtra, the thread, the rule or direction of the mahat-tattva, see also 3.26: 19]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

To that [thread] that turns out to be the cause of the three modes that create the different categories of the manifestation, so one says, is this universe, by which the living being undergoes its existence, strung and bound [see also B.G. 7: 7].

To that [thread] manifesting as the cause of the three modes that create the different categories of the manifestation, so they say, is this universe, by which the living being undergoes his existence, strung and bound [see also B.G 7: 7]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

Just as the spider, expanding the thread from within himself, by his mouth with that thread enjoys [his meal] and eventually swallows that thread, the Supreme Controller operates the same way.

Just as the spider, expanding the thread from within himself, by his mouth with that thread enjoys [his meal] and eventually swallows that thread, does the same way the Supreme Controller operate. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 22

On whatever the conditioned soul fixes his mind out of love, hate or fear, that particular state he will, because of the full concentration of his intelligence, reach thus [see B.G. 8: 6].

On whatever the conditioned soul fixes his mind, that particular state will, because of the full concentration of his intelligence, with the emotional impact of his envy or fear be reached. [see B.G. 8: 6]. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 23

O King, a wasp larva meditating on the fully grown wasp that has put him in the hive, keeping to its own body, reaches the same state of being fully grown.

O king, a larva [or insect caught] meditating a wasp engaging nearby in its hive will, keeping to its own body, reach the same state of existence of that wasp. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 24

This is what I know from taking instruction from all these gurus. Now please o King, hear from me what I have to say about the knowledge I acquired learning from my own body.

This is the knowledge in taking instruction from all these gurus, please hear from me what I have to say about the knowledge acquired in learning from one's own body, o King. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 25

With one's body one always has to suffer because of the inevitable burden of its maintenance and future destruction. I contemplate the truths of the world with it and thus is the body, even though it is there for the service of others, to me a teacher of renunciation and discrimination who convinces me to wander about in detachment.

The body as my spiritual master of detachment and discrimination does - with it always suffering to the cause of the inevitable maintaining and the future destruction of its existence - even though I contemplate the truths of the world with it, belong to others any way; thus convinced I wander about without attachment. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 26

The body is bound to the mission of pleasing all the categories of the wife, the children, the animals, the servants, the home and the relatives. Before it has to die it has expanded by begetting a likewise body and for that purpose it went at lengths to achieve a favorable financial position. In that sense the body is like a tree that before it dies produces its see ds.

The body nourishing all the categories of the wife, the children, the animals, the servants, the home and the relatives it tries to please, has, following the nature of the tree that drops its seed, falls and dies, at the time of its death expanded in having created this [other child] body of it, having accumulated wealth [for it] with great effort. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 27

From one side the tongue distracts thirsty the cherished body at times, from the other side the genitals do so, the sense of touch acts thus, the belly demands attention, the ears lead elsewhere, the smell goes or the fickle eyes are leading elsewhere; and so all parts of the body like co-wives pull the head of the household in many directions.

At the one side does the tongue at times thirsty distract the cherished body, at the other side do the genitals that, does the sense of touch that, does the belly that, do the ears lead elsewhere, does the smell go or are the eyes otherwise fickle going elsewhere; and so do the limbs like co-wives pull the head of the household in many directions. (Vedabase)

  

 Text 28

After the Supreme Lord had created the trees, venomous insects, mammals, birds, snakes and all other sorts of material bodies by means of His bewildering potency, created the Lord, not satisfied with it, the human being He endowed with an intelligence fit for envisioning the Absolute Truth and achieved He thus happiness.

With trees, venomous insects, mammals, birds, snakes and all these sorts having created material bodies in many varieties through the mâyâ of His own potency, did the Lord unsatisfied in His heart, create the human being with an intelligence suited to envision the Absolute Truth and achieved He happiness. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 29

After many births having attained this human form that is so difficult to attain and which, even though it is not eternal, awards great value, should a sober person as long as he, subject to death, has not fallen [in his grave], without delay in this world endeavor for the ultimate liberation that is always within reach in all conditions of sense-gratification.

After many births having attained this human form so difficult to attain which, although not eternal, awards great value, should a sober person as long as he, subject to death, has not fallen [in his grave], without delay in this world endeavor for the ultimate liberation always possible in all conditions of sense-gratification. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 30

Thus [with all these twenty-four masters] carrying the vision of the Soul I wander, fully having developed renunciation and wisdom, the earth being freed from attachment and false ego.

Thus [from all these twenty-four plus one masters] seeing it in the Soul do I, fully having developed detachment and wisdom, wander this earth freed from attachment and egotism. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 31

Assuredly can the knowledge of a single teacher not be very solid or complete [see 11.3: 21]; the Absolute Truth without a second is by the sages thus defended from many perspectives.'

For sure can the knowledge from one [such] teacher not be very solid or complete [therefore: 11.3: 21]; the Absolute Truth one without a second is by the sages no doubt glorified in many ways. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 32

The Supreme Lord said: 'The so very wise brahmin [who in fact was Lord Dattâtreya, see 2.7: 4 and **] after he thus had spoken to king Yadu and properly was honored by the king offering his obeisances, bid farewell and went away, just as contented as he had come.

The Supreme Lord said: 'The brahmin of profound intelligence [in fact Lord Dattâtreya, see 2.7: 4 and **] thus having spoken to king Yadu, being properly honored by the king offering his obeisances, bid farewell and went away just as contented as he had come. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 33

Having heard the words of the avadhûta found Yadu, the forefather of our ancestors, liberation in a consciousness equal to all.'

Having heard the words of the avadhûta became Yadu, the forefather of our ancestors, freed with a then equal consciousness. (Vedabase)

 

*: Considering verse 3.25: 34 stating that devotees do see k company to associate for Krishna, do the âcâryas after this verse say that that single mindedness for the Lord, not speculating as jnânis, is the same as being alone not to land in quarrels [see pp. 11.9: 10].

**: The paramparâ [pp. 11.9: 32] confirms: 'This verse [2.7: 4] mentions that Yadu was purified by contact with the lotus feet of Dattâtreya, and similarly the present verse states, vandito sv-arcito râjñâ - King Yadu worshiped the lotus feet of the brâhmana. Thus, according to S'rîla S'rîdhara Svâmî, the avadhûta brâhmana is the Personality of Godhead Himself, and this is confirmed by S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî Thhâkura.'

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this original translation was used the Vedabase of the BBT offering the work
that Svâmi Prabhupâda's pupils did to complete his translation of the Bhâgavatam.
See the
S'rîmad Bhâgavatam links-page
for this and more books of Prabhupâda.
The painting on this page is by
Raja Ravi Varma.
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