Adhyaya 64

Verse 1

श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच एकदोपवनं राजन् जग्मुर्यदुकुमारका: । विहर्तुं साम्बप्रद्युम्नचारुभानुगदादय: ॥ १ ॥

Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: O King, one day the young princes of the Yadu dynasty—Sāmba, Pradyumna, Cāru, Bhānu, Gada and others—went to a small forest grove to sport and play.

Verse 2

क्रीडित्वा सुचिरं तत्र विचिन्वन्त: पिपासिता: । जलं निरुदके कूपे दद‍ृशु: सत्त्वमद्भ‍ुतम् ॥ २ ॥

After playing there for a long time, they became thirsty. Searching for water, they peered into a dry well and saw a wondrous, unusual creature.

Verse 3

कृकलासं गिरिनिभं वीक्ष्य विस्मितमानसा: । तस्य चोद्धरणे यत्नं चक्रुस्ते कृपयान्विता: ॥ ३ ॥

Seeing a lizard as huge as a hill, the boys were astonished. Moved by compassion, they tried to lift it out of the well.

Verse 4

चर्मजैस्तान्तवै: पाशैर्बद्ध्वा पतितमर्भका: । नाशक्नुरन् समुद्धर्तुं कृष्णायाचख्युरुत्सुका: ॥ ४ ॥

They bound the trapped lizard with leather straps and then with woven ropes, yet still could not lift it out. So, excited, they went to Lord Kṛṣṇa and told Him about it.

Verse 5

तत्रागत्यारविन्दाक्षो भगवान् विश्वभावन: । वीक्ष्योज्जहार वामेन तं करेण स लीलया ॥ ५ ॥

Then the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, sustainer of the universe, came there. Seeing the lizard, He effortlessly lifted it out with His left hand, as if in divine play.

Verse 6

स उत्तम:श्लोककराभिमृष्टो विहाय सद्य: कृकलासरूपम् । सन्तप्तचामीकरचारुवर्ण: स्वर्ग्यद्भ‍ुतालङ्करणाम्बरस्रक् ॥ ६ ॥

Touched by the hand of Uttamaḥ-śloka, the being at once cast off its lizard form and assumed the radiant form of a heavenly resident. His complexion shone like molten gold, and he was adorned with wondrous ornaments, garments, and garlands.

Verse 7

पप्रच्छ विद्वानपि तन्निदानं जनेषु विख्यापयितुं मुकुन्द: । कस्त्वं महाभाग वरेण्यरूपो देवोत्तमं त्वां गणयामि नूनम् ॥ ७ ॥

Mukunda, Lord Kṛṣṇa, though fully aware of the cause, asked to enlighten the people: “O greatly fortunate one, who are you? Seeing your excellent form, I surely deem you an exalted deva.”

Verse 8

सम्प्रापितोऽस्यतदर्ह: सुभद्र । आत्मानमाख्याहि विवित्सतां नो यन्मन्यसे न: क्षममत्र वक्तुम् ॥ ८ ॥

“By what past deed have you come to this condition? O noble soul, such a fate seems unfit for you. We long to know you; if you deem this the proper time and place, speak of yourself.”

Verse 9

श्रीशुक उवाच इति स्म राजा सम्पृष्ट: कृष्णेनानन्तमूर्तिना । माधवं प्रणिपत्याह किरीटेनार्कवर्चसा ॥ ९ ॥

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus questioned by Kṛṣṇa of unlimited forms, the king, his helmet radiant like the sun, bowed to Lord Mādhava and replied as follows.

Verse 10

नृग उवाच नृगो नाम नरेन्द्रोऽहमिक्ष्वाकुतनय: प्रभो । दानिष्वाख्यायमानेषु यदि ते कर्णमस्पृशम् ॥ १० ॥

King Nṛga said: “O Lord, I am the king named Nṛga, son of Ikṣvāku. Perhaps my name once reached Your ears when the rolls of charitable men were recited.”

Verse 11

किं नु तेऽविदितं नाथ सर्वभूतात्मसाक्षिण: । कालेनाव्याहतद‍ृशो वक्ष्येऽथापि तवाज्ञया ॥ ११ ॥

“O master, what could be unknown to You? You are the witness within the hearts of all beings, with vision unimpeded by time. Still, by Your command, I shall speak.”

Verse 12

यावत्य: सिकता भूमेर्यावत्यो दिवि तारका: । यावत्यो वर्षधाराश्च तावतीरददं स्म गा: ॥ १२ ॥

I gave in charity as many cows as there are grains of sand upon the earth, stars in the heavens, and drops in a rain shower.

Verse 13

पयस्विनीस्तरुणी: शीलरूप- गुणोपपन्ना: कपिला हेमश‍ृङ्गी: । न्यायार्जिता रूप्यखुरा: सवत्सा दुकूलमालाभरणा ददावहम् ॥ १३ ॥

I gave in charity young brown cows, brimming with milk—gentle in conduct, beautiful and rich in good qualities—honestly acquired, with gilded horns and silvered hooves, adorned with fine cloth, garlands and ornaments, and given along with their calves.

Verse 14

स्वलङ्कृतेभ्यो गुणशीलवद्‍भ्य: सीदत्कुटुम्बेभ्य ऋतव्रतेभ्य: । तप:श्रुतब्रह्मवदान्यसद्‍भ्य: प्रादां युवभ्यो द्विजपुङ्गवेभ्य: ॥ १४ ॥ गोभूहिरण्यायतनाश्वहस्तिन: कन्या: सदासीस्तिलरूप्यशय्या: । वासांसि रत्नानि परिच्छदान् रथा- निष्टं च यज्ञैश्चरितं च पूर्तम् ॥ १५ ॥

I first honored the brāhmaṇas who received my gifts by adorning them with fine ornaments. Those foremost twice-born were young, their families in need, yet rich in character and virtue—vowed to truth, famed for austerity, deeply learned in the Vedas, and saintly in conduct. I gave them cows, land, gold and houses, along with horses, elephants, marriageable girls with maidservants, and also sesame, silver, fine beds, clothing, jewels, furnishings and chariots. Moreover, I performed Vedic sacrifices and carried out various pious works for the welfare of all.

Verse 15

स्वलङ्कृतेभ्यो गुणशीलवद्‍भ्य: सीदत्कुटुम्बेभ्य ऋतव्रतेभ्य: । तप:श्रुतब्रह्मवदान्यसद्‍भ्य: प्रादां युवभ्यो द्विजपुङ्गवेभ्य: ॥ १४ ॥ गोभूहिरण्यायतनाश्वहस्तिन: कन्या: सदासीस्तिलरूप्यशय्या: । वासांसि रत्नानि परिच्छदान् रथा- निष्टं च यज्ञैश्चरितं च पूर्तम् ॥ १५ ॥

I first honored the brāhmaṇas who received my gifts by adorning them with fine ornaments. Those foremost twice-born were young, their families in need, yet rich in character and virtue—vowed to truth, famed for austerity, deeply learned in the Vedas, and saintly in conduct. I gave them cows, land, gold and houses, along with horses, elephants, marriageable girls with maidservants, and also sesame, silver, fine beds, clothing, jewels, furnishings and chariots. Moreover, I performed Vedic sacrifices and carried out various pious works for the welfare of all.

Verse 16

कस्यचिद् द्विजमुख्यस्य भ्रष्टा गौर्मम गोधने । सम्पृक्ताविदुषा सा च मया दत्ता द्विजातये ॥ १६ ॥

Once, a cow belonging to a certain first-class brāhmaṇa strayed and entered my herd. Unaware of this, I gave that cow in charity to a different brāhmaṇa.

Verse 17

तां नीयमानां तत्स्वामी द‍ृष्ट्वोवाच ममेति तम् । ममेति परिग्राह्याह नृगो मे दत्तवानिति ॥ १७ ॥

Seeing the cow being led away, her first owner cried, “She is mine!” But the second brāhmaṇa, who had accepted her as a gift, replied, “No—she is mine; Nṛga gave her to me.”

Verse 18

विप्रौ विवदमानौ मामूचतु: स्वार्थसाधकौ । भवान् दातापहर्तेति तच्छ्रुत्वा मेऽभवद् भ्रम: ॥ १८ ॥

As the two brāhmaṇas argued, each intent on his own claim, they came before me. One said, “You gave me this cow,” and the other said, “But you stole her from me.” Hearing this, I was bewildered.

Verse 19

अनुनीतावुभौ विप्रौ धर्मकृच्छ्रगतेन वै । गवां लक्षं प्रकृष्टानां दास्याम्येषा प्रदीयताम् ॥ १९ ॥ भवन्तावनुगृह्णीतां किङ्करस्याविजानत: । समुद्धरतं मां कृच्छ्रात् पतन्तं निरयेऽशुचौ ॥ २० ॥

Caught in a dreadful dilemma of dharma, I humbly entreated both brāhmaṇas: “In exchange for this one cow I will give one hundred thousand of the finest cows—please return her to me. Be merciful to your ignorant servant and lift me from this distress, lest I fall into a filthy hell.”

Verse 20

अनुनीतावुभौ विप्रौ धर्मकृच्छ्रगतेन वै । गवां लक्षं प्रकृष्टानां दास्याम्येषा प्रदीयताम् ॥ १९ ॥ भवन्तावनुगृह्णीतां किङ्करस्याविजानत: । समुद्धरतं मां कृच्छ्रात् पतन्तं निरयेऽशुचौ ॥ २० ॥

Caught in a dreadful dilemma of dharma, I humbly entreated both brāhmaṇas: “In exchange for this one cow I will give one hundred thousand of the finest cows—please return her to me. Be merciful to your ignorant servant and lift me from this distress, lest I fall into a filthy hell.”

Verse 21

नाहं प्रतीच्छे वै राजन्नित्युक्त्वा स्वाम्यपाक्रमत् । नान्यद् गवामप्ययुतमिच्छामीत्यपरो ययौ ॥ २१ ॥

O King, the cow’s present owner said, “I accept nothing in exchange,” and went away. The other brāhmaṇa declared, “I do not desire even ten thousand more cows,” and he too departed.

Verse 22

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे यामैर्दूतैर्नीतो यमक्षयम् । यमेन पृष्टस्तत्राहं देवदेव जगत्पते ॥ २२ ॥

In the meantime, Yamarāja’s messengers seized the chance and carried me to his abode. There Yamarāja himself questioned me: “O Lord of lords, O Master of the universe.”

Verse 23

पूर्वं त्वमशुभं भुङ्‍क्ष उताहो नृपते शुभम् । नान्तं दानस्य धर्मस्य पश्ये लोकस्य भास्वत: ॥ २३ ॥

[Yamarāja said:] My dear King, do you wish to taste first the fruits of your sins, or those of your piety? I see no end to the charity and dharma you have performed; thus your enjoyment in the radiant heavenly realms is also without limit.

Verse 24

पूर्वं देवाशुभं भुञ्ज इति प्राह पतेति स: । तावदद्राक्षमात्मानं कृकलासं पतन् प्रभो ॥ २४ ॥

I replied, “First, my lord, let me suffer the reactions of my sins,” and Yamarāja said, “Then fall!” At once I fell, and as I was falling I saw myself becoming a lizard, O Master.

Verse 25

ब्रह्मण्यस्य वदान्यस्य तव दासस्य केशव । स्मृतिर्नाद्यापि विध्वस्ता भवत्सन्दर्शनार्थिन: ॥ २५ ॥

O Keśava, as Your servant I was devoted to the brāhmaṇas and generous to them, and I always longed for Your darśana. Therefore, even now my memory of my past life has not been destroyed.

Verse 26

स त्वं कथं मम विभोऽक्षिपथ: परात्मा योगेश्वरै: श्रुतिद‍ृशामलहृद्विभाव्य: । साक्षादधोक्षज उरुव्यसनान्धबुद्धे: स्यान्मेऽनुद‍ृश्य इह यस्य भवापवर्ग: ॥ २६ ॥

O almighty one, Paramātmā, how is it that my eyes behold You here? You are Adhokṣaja, beyond the senses, whom even the greatest lords of mystic yoga can contemplate within their pure hearts only by the Vedic spiritual eye. Then how are You directly visible to me, whose intelligence has been blinded by the harsh tribulations of material life? In this world, only one freed from the entanglement of saṁsāra should be able to see You.

Verse 27

देवदेव जगन्नाथ गोविन्द पुरुषोत्तम । नारायण हृषीकेश पुण्यश्लोकाच्युताव्यय ॥ २७ ॥ अनुजानीहि मां कृष्ण यान्तं देवगतिं प्रभो । यत्र क्व‍ापि सतश्चेतो भूयान्मे त्वत्पदास्पदम् ॥ २८ ॥

O Devadeva, Jagannātha, Govinda, Puruṣottama, Nārāyaṇa, Hṛṣīkeśa, Puṇyaśloka, Acyuta, Avyaya!

Verse 28

देवदेव जगन्नाथ गोविन्द पुरुषोत्तम । नारायण हृषीकेश पुण्यश्लोकाच्युताव्यय ॥ २७ ॥ अनुजानीहि मां कृष्ण यान्तं देवगतिं प्रभो । यत्र क्व‍ापि सतश्चेतो भूयान्मे त्वत्पदास्पदम् ॥ २८ ॥

O Lord Kṛṣṇa, please permit me to depart for the realm of the demigods; wherever I may dwell, may my mind always take shelter of Your lotus feet.

Verse 29

नमस्ते सर्वभावाय ब्रह्मणेऽनन्तशक्तये । कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय योगानां पतये नम: ॥ २९ ॥

Again and again I bow to You—O source of all existence, the Supreme Brahman of limitless potencies; to Kṛṣṇa, son of Vasudeva, the Lord of all yogic paths, my obeisances.

Verse 30

इत्युक्त्वा तं परिक्रम्य पादौ स्पृष्ट्वा स्वमौलिना । अनुज्ञातो विमानाग्र्‍यमारुहत् पश्यतां नृणाम् ॥ ३० ॥

Having spoken thus, Mahārāja Nṛga circumambulated Lord Kṛṣṇa and touched his crown to the Lord’s feet. Granted permission to depart, as all looked on, he then boarded a splendid celestial airplane.

Verse 31

कृष्ण: परिजनं प्राह भगवान् देवकीसुत: । ब्रह्मण्यदेवो धर्मात्मा राजन्याननुशिक्षयन् ॥ ३१ ॥

Then Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī—especially devoted to the brāhmaṇas and the very essence of dharma—spoke to His close associates, thereby instructing the royal order in general.

Verse 32

दुर्जरं बत ब्रह्मस्वं भुक्तमग्नेर्मनागपि । तेजीयसोऽपि किमुत राज्ञां ईश्वरमानिनाम् ॥ ३२ ॥

A brāhmaṇa’s property is truly indigestible: even one more powerful than fire cannot bear to enjoy it, though only slightly. What then of kings who, thinking themselves lords, try to relish it?

Verse 33

नाहं हालाहलं मन्ये विषं यस्य प्रतिक्रिया । ब्रह्मस्वं हि विषं प्रोक्तं नास्य प्रतिविधिर्भुवि ॥ ३३ ॥

I do not deem hālāhala to be true poison, for it has an antidote. But a brāhmaṇa’s property, when stolen, is indeed poison, for in this world there is no remedy for it.

Verse 34

हिनस्ति विषमत्तारं वह्निरद्भ‍ि: प्रशाम्यति । कुलं समूलं दहति ब्रह्मस्वारणिपावक: ॥ ३४ ॥

Poison kills only the one who drinks it, and ordinary fire can be quenched with water. But the fire kindled from the fuel of a brāhmaṇa’s property burns the thief’s entire family down to the root.

Verse 35

ब्रह्मस्वं दुरनुज्ञातं भुक्तं हन्ति त्रिपूरुषम् । प्रसह्य तु बलाद् भुक्तं दश पूर्वान् दशापरान् ॥ ३५ ॥

If one enjoys a brāhmaṇa’s property without proper permission, it destroys three generations. But if it is seized by force or usurped with the help of royal power and then enjoyed, ten generations of ancestors and ten generations of descendants are all destroyed.

Verse 36

राजानो राजलक्ष्म्यान्धा नात्मपातं विचक्षते । निरयं येऽभिमन्यन्ते ब्रह्मस्वं साधु बालिशा: ॥ ३६ ॥

Kings, blinded by royal opulence, fail to foresee their own downfall. Childishly craving to enjoy a brāhmaṇa’s property, they are in fact craving hell.

Verse 37

गृह्णन्ति यावत: पांशून् क्रन्दतामश्रुबिन्दव: । विप्राणां हृतवृत्तीनां वदान्यानां कुटुम्बिनाम् ॥ ३७ ॥ राजानो राजकुल्याश्‍च तावतोऽब्दान्निरङ्कुशा: । कुम्भीपाकेषु पच्यन्ते ब्रह्मदायापहारिण: ॥ ३८ ॥

For as many years as there are grains of dust touched by the tears of generous brāhmaṇas—householders whose livelihood has been stolen—so many years do uncontrolled kings who usurp a brāhmaṇa’s property, together with their royal families, burn in the hell called Kumbhīpāka.

Verse 38

गृह्णन्ति यावत: पांशून् क्रन्दतामश्रुबिन्दव: । विप्राणां हृतवृत्तीनां वदान्यानां कुटुम्बिनाम् ॥ ३७ ॥ राजानो राजकुल्याश्‍च तावतोऽब्दान्निरङ्कुशा: । कुम्भीपाकेषु पच्यन्ते ब्रह्मदायापहारिण: ॥ ३८ ॥

For as many years as there are grains of dust touched by the tears of generous brāhmaṇas—householders whose livelihood has been stolen—so many years do uncontrolled kings who usurp a brāhmaṇa’s property, together with their royal families, burn in the hell called Kumbhīpāka.

Verse 39

स्वदत्तां परदत्तां वा ब्रह्मवृत्तिं हरेच्च य: । षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि विष्ठायां जायते कृमि: ॥ ३९ ॥

Whether it is his own gift or another’s, one who steals a brāhmaṇa’s livelihood and property is born as a worm in feces for sixty thousand years.

Verse 40

न मे ब्रह्मधनं भूयाद् यद् गृध्वाल्पायुषो नरा: । पराजिताश्‍च्युता राज्याद् भवन्त्युद्वेजिनोऽहय: ॥ ४० ॥

I do not desire the wealth of brāhmaṇas. Those who lust for it become short-lived, are defeated, fall from their kingdoms, and become snakes that trouble others.

Verse 41

विप्रं कृतागसमपि नैव द्रुह्यत मामका: । घ्नन्तं बहु शपन्तं वा नमस्कुरुत नित्यश: ॥ ४१ ॥

My dear followers, never act harshly toward a learned brāhmaṇa, even if he has sinned. Even if he strikes you or repeatedly curses you, always continue to offer him obeisances.

Verse 42

यथाहं प्रणमे विप्राननुकालं समाहित: । तथा नमत यूयं च योऽन्यथा मे स दण्डभाक् ॥ ४२ ॥

As I always, with a composed mind, bow down to the brāhmaṇas, so should all of you likewise bow to them. Whoever acts otherwise will incur My punishment.

Verse 43

ब्राह्मणार्थो ह्यपहृतो हर्तारं पातयत्यध: । अजानन्तमपि ह्येनं नृगं ब्राह्मणगौरिव ॥ ४३ ॥

When a brāhmaṇa’s property is taken away, even unknowingly, it surely brings the taker down, just as the brāhmaṇa’s cow brought down Nṛga.

Verse 44

एवं विश्राव्य भगवान् मुकुन्दो द्वारकौकस: । पावन: सर्वलोकानां विवेश निजमन्दिरम् ॥ ४४ ॥

Thus instructing the residents of Dvārakā, Lord Mukunda, purifier of all worlds, entered His own palace.