Srimad-Bhagavatam: Canto 4: “The Creation of the Fourth Order”
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Chapter Six
Brahma Satisfies Lord Siva
SB4.6.1-2
TEXTS 1–2
maitreya uvaca
atha deva-ganah sarve
rudranikaih parajitah
sula-pattisa-nistrimsa-
gada-parigha-mudgaraih
sanchinna-bhinna-sarvangah
sartvik-sabhya bhayakulah
svayambhuve namaskrtya
kartsnyenaitan nyavedayan
SYNONYMS
maitreyah uvaca—Maitreya said; atha—after this; deva-ganah—the demigods; sarve—all; rudra-anikaih—by the soldiers of Lord Siva; parajitah—having been defeated; sula—trident; pattisa—a sharp-edged spear; nistrimsa—a sword; gada—mace; parigha—an iron bludgeon; mudgaraih—a hammerlike weapon; sanchinna-bhinna-sarva-angah—all the limbs wounded; sa-rtvik-sabhyah—with all the priests and members of the sacrificial assembly; bhaya-akulah—with great fear; svayambhuve—unto Lord Brahma; namaskrtya—after offering obeisances; kartsnyena—in detail; etat—the events of Daksa’s sacrifice; nyavedayan—reported.
TRANSLATION
All the priests and other members of the sacrificial assembly and all the demigods, having been defeated by the soldiers of Lord Siva and injured by weapons like tridents and swords, approached Lord Brahma with great fear. After offering him obeisances, they began to speak in detail of all the events which had taken place.
SB4.6.3
TEXT 3
upalabhya puraivaitad
bhagavan abja-sambhavah
narayanas ca visvatma
na kasyadhvaram iyatuh
SYNONYMS
upalabhya—knowing; pura—beforehand; eva—certainly; etat—all these events of Daksa’s sacrifice; bhagavan—the possessor of all opulences; abja-sambhavah—born from a lotus flower (Lord Brahma); narayanah—Narayana; ca—and; visva-atma—the Supersoul of the entire universe; na—not; kasya—of Daksa; adhvaram—to the sacrifice; iyatuh—did go.
TRANSLATION
Both Lord Brahma and Visnu had already known that such events would occur in the sacrificial arena of Daksa, and knowing beforehand, they did not go to the sacrifice.
PURPORT
As stated in Bhagavad-gita (7.26), vedaham samatitani vartamanani carjuna. The Lord says, “I know everything that has happened in the past and is going to happen in the future.” Lord Visnu is omniscient, and He therefore knew what would happen at Daksa’s sacrificial arena. For this reason neither Narayana nor Lord Brahma attended the great sacrifice performed by Daksa. SB4.6.4 TEXT 4 tad akarnya vibhuh praha tejiyasi krtagasi ksemaya tatra sa bhuyan na prayena bubhusatam SYNONYMS tat—the events related by the demigods and the others; akarnya—after hearing; vibhuh—Lord Brahma; praha—replied; tejiyasi—a great personality; krta-agasi—has been offended; ksemaya—for your happiness; tatra—in that way; sa—that; bhuyat na—is not conducive; prayena—generally; bubhusatam—desire to exist. TRANSLATION When Lord Brahma heard everything from the demigods and the members who had attended the sacrifice, he replied: You cannot be happy in executing a sacrifice if you blaspheme a great personality and thereby offend his lotus feet. You cannot have happiness in that way. PURPORT Lord Brahma explained to the demigods that although Daksa wanted to enjoy the results of fruitive sacrificial activities, it is not possible to enjoy when one offends a great personality like Lord Siva. It was good for Daksa to have died in the fight because if he had lived he would have committed such offenses at the lotus feet of great personalities again and again. According to Manu’s law, when a person commits murder, punishment is beneficial for him because if he is not killed he might commit more and more murders and therefore be entangled in his future lives for having killed so many persons. Therefore the king’s punishment of a murderer is appropriate. lf those who are extremely offensive are killed by the grace of the Lord, that is good for them. ln other words, Lord Brahma explained to the demigods that it was good for Daksa to have been killed. SB4.6.5 TEXT 5 athapi yuyam krta-kilbisa bhavam ye barhiso bhaga-bhajam paraduh prasadayadhvam parisuddha-cetasa ksipra-prasadam pragrhitanghri-padmam SYNONYMS atha api—still; yuyam—all of you; krta-kilbisah—having committed offenses; bhavam—Lord Siva; ye—all of you; barhisah—of the sacrifice; bhaga-bhajam—entitled to a share; paraduh—have excluded; prasadayadhvam—all of you should satisfy; parisuddha-cetasa—without mental reservations; ksipra-prasadam—quick mercy; pragrhita-anghri-padmam—his lotus feet having been taken shelter of. TRANSLATION You have excluded Lord Siva from taking part in the sacrificial results, and therefore you are all offenders at his lotus feet. Still, if you go without mental reservations and surrender unto him and fall down at his lotus feet, he will be very pleased. PURPORT Lord Siva is also called Asutosa. Asu means “very soon,” and tosa means “to become satisfied.” The demigods were advised to go to Lord Siva and beg his pardon, and because he is very easily pleased, it was certain that their purpose would be served. Lord Brahma knew the mind of Lord Siva very well, and he was confident that the demigods, who were offenders at his lotus feet, could mitigate their offenses by going to him and surrendering without reservation. SB4.6.6 TEXT 6 asasana jivitam adhvarasya lokah sa-palah kupite na yasmin tam asu devam priyaya vihinam ksamapayadhvam hrdi viddham duruktaih SYNONYMS asasanah—wishing to ask; jivitam—for the duration; adhvarasya—of the sacrifice; lokah—all the planets; sa-palah—with their controllers; kupite—when angered; na—not; yasmin—whom; tam—that; asu—at once; devam—Lord Siva; priyaya—of his dear wife; vihinam—having been deprived; ksamapayadhvam—beg his pardon; hrdi—in his heart; viddham—very much afflicted; duruktaih—by unkind words. TRANSLATION Lord Brahma also advised them that Lord Siva is so powerful that by his anger all the planets and their chief controllers can be destroyed immediately. Also, he said that Lord Siva was especially sorry because he had recently lost his dear wife and was also very much afflicted by the unkind words of Daksa. Under the circumstances, Lord Brahma suggested, it would behoove them to go at once and beg his pardon. SB4.6.7 TEXT 7 naham na yajno na ca yuyam anye ye deha-bhajo munayas ca tattvam viduh pramanam bala-viryayor va yasyatma-tantrasya ka upayam vidhitset SYNONYMS na—not; aham—I; na—nor; yajnah—Indra; na—nor; ca—and; yuyam—all of you; anye—others; ye—who; deha-bhajah—of those who bear material bodies; munayah—the sages; ca—and; tattvam—the truth; viduh—know; pramanam—the extent; bala-viryayoh—of the strength and power; va—or; yasya—of Lord Siva; atma-tantrasya—of Lord Siva, who is self-dependent; kah—what; upayam—means; vidhitset—should wish to devise. TRANSLATION Lord Brahma said that no one, not even himself, Indra, all the members assembled in the sacrificial arena, or all the sages, could know how powerful Lord Siva is. Under the circumstances, who would dare to commit an offense at his lotus feet?. PURPORT After Lord Brahma advised the demigods to go to Lord Siva and beg his pardon, it was suggested how he should be satisfied and how the matter should be placed before him. Brahma also asserted that none of the conditioned souls, including himself and all the demigods, could know how to satisfy Lord Siva. But he said, “It is known that he is very easily satisfied, so let us try to satisfy him by falling at his lotus feet.” Actually the position of the subordinate is always to surrender to the Supreme. That is the instruction of Bhagavad-gita. The Lord asks everyone to give up all kinds of concocted occupations and simply surrender unto Him. That will protect the conditioned souls from all sinful reactions. Similarly, in this case Brahma also suggested that they go and surrender unto the lotus feet of Lord Siva, for since he is very kind and easily satisfied, this action would prove effective. SB4.6.8 TEXT 8 sa ittham adisya suran ajas tu taih samanvitah pitrbhih sa-prajesaih yayau sva-dhisnyan nilayam pura-dvisah kailasam adri-pravaram priyam prabhoh SYNONYMS sah—he (Brahma); ittham—thus; adisya—after instructing; suran—the demigods; ajah—Lord Brahma; tu—then; taih—those; samanvitah—followed; pitrbhih—by the Pitas; sa-prajesaih—along with the lords of the living entities; yayau—went; sva-dhisnyat—from his own place; nilayam—the abode; pura-dvisah—of Lord Siva; kailasam—Kailasa; adri-pravaram—the best among mountains; priyam—dear; prabhoh—of the lord (Siva). TRANSLATION After thus instructing all the demigods, the Pitas and the lords of the living entities, Lord Brahma took them with him and left for the abode of Lord Siva, known as the Kailasa Hill. PURPORT The abode of Lord Siva, which is known as Kailasa, is described in the fourteen verses which follow. SB4.6.9 TEXT 9 janmausadhi-tapo-mantra- yoga-siddhair naretaraih justam kinnara-gandharvair apsarobhir vrtam sada SYNONYMS janma—birth; ausadhi—herbs; tapah—austerity; mantra—Vedic hymns; yoga—mystic yoga practices; siddhaih—with perfected beings; nara-itaraih—by demigods; justam—enjoyed; kinnara-gandharvaih—by Kinnaras and Gandharvas; apsarobhih—by Apsaras; vrtam—full of; sada—always. TRANSLATION The abode known as Kailasa is full of different herbs and vegetables, and it is sanctified by Vedic hymns and mystic yoga practice. Thus the residents of that abode are demigods by birth and have all mystic powers. Besides them there are other human beings, who are known as Kinnaras and Gandharvas and are accompanied by their beautiful wives, who are known as Apsaras, or angels. SB4.6.10 TEXT 10 nana-manimayaih srngair nana-dhatu-vicitritaih nana-druma-lata-gulmair nana-mrga-ganavrtaih SYNONYMS nana—different kinds; mani—jewels; mayaih—made of; srngaih—with the peaks; nana-dhatu-vicitritaih—decorated with various minerals; nana—various; druma—trees; lata—creepers; gulmaih—plants; nana—various; mrga-gana—by groups of deer; avrtaih—inhabited by. TRANSLATION Kailasa is full of mountains filled with all kinds of valuable jewels and minerals and surrounded by all varieties of valuable trees and plants. The top of the hill is nicely decorated by various types of deer. SB4.6.11 TEXT 11 nanamala-prasravanair nana-kandara-sanubhih ramanam viharantinam ramanaih siddha-yositam SYNONYMS nana—various; amala—transparent; prasravanaih—with waterfalls; nana—various; kandara—caves; sanubhih—with summits; ramanam—giving pleasure; viharantinam—sporting; ramanaih—with their lovers; siddha-yositam—of the damsels of the mystics. TRANSLATION There are many waterfalls, and in the mountains there are many beautiful caves in which the very beautiful wives of the mystics are found. SB4.6.12 TEXT 12 mayura-kekabhirutam madandhali-vimurcchitam plavitai rakta-kanthanam kujitais ca patattrinam SYNONYMS mayura—peacocks; keka—with the cries; abhirutam—resounding; mada—by intoxication; andha—blinded; ali—by the bees; vimurcchitam—resounded; plavitaih—with the singing; rakta-kanthanam—of the cuckoos; kujitaih—with the whispering; ca—and; patattrinam—of other birds. TRANSLATION On Kailasa Hill there is always the rhythmical sound of the peacocks’ sweet vibrations and the bees’ humming. Cuckoos are always singing, and other birds whisper amongst themselves. SB4.6.13 TEXT 13 ahvayantam ivoddhastair dvijan kama-dughair drumaih vrajantam iva matangair grnantam iva nirjharaih SYNONYMS ahvayantam—calling; iva—as if; ut-hastaih—with upraised hands (branches); dvijan—the birds; kama-dughaih—yielding desires; drumaih—with trees; vrajantam—moving; iva—as if; matangaih—by elephants; grnantam—resounding; iva—as if; nirjharaih—by the waterfalls. TRANSLATION There are tall trees with straight branches that appear to call the sweet birds, and when herds of elephants pass through the hills, it appears that the Kailasa Hill moves with them. When the waterfalls resound, it appears that Kailasa Hill does also. SB4.6.14-15 TEXTS 14–15 mandaraih parijatais ca saralais copasobhitam tamalaih sala-talais ca kovidarasanarjunaih cutaih kadambair nipais ca naga-punnaga-campakaih patalasoka-bakulaih kundaih kurabakair api SYNONYMS mandaraih—with mandaras; parijataih—with parijatas; ca—and; saralaih—with saralas; ca—and; upasobhitam—decorated; tamalaih—with tamala trees; sala-talaih—with salas and talas; ca—and; kovidara-asana-arjunaih—kovidaras, asanas (vijaya-saras) and arjuna trees (kancanarakas); cutaih—with cutas (a species of mango); kadambaih—with kadambas; nipaih—with nipas (dhuli-kadambas); ca—and; naga-punnaga-campakaih—with nagas, punnagas and campakas; patala-asoka-bakulaih—with patalas, asokas and bakulas; kundaih—with kundas; kurabakaih—with kurabakas; api—also. TRANSLATION The whole of Kailasa Hill is decorated with various kinds of trees, of which the following names may be mentioned: mandara, parijata, sarala, tamala, tala, kovidara, asana, arjuna, amra-jati (mango), kadamba, dhuli-kadamba, naga, punnaga, campaka, patala, asoka, bakula, kunda and kurabaka. The entire hill is decorated with such trees, which produce flowers with fragrant aromas. SB4.6.16 TEXT 16 svarnarna-sata-patrais ca vara-renuka-jatibhih kubjakair mallikabhis ca madhavibhis ca manditam SYNONYMS svarnarna—golden colored; sata-patraih—with lotuses; ca—and; vara-renuka-jatibhih—with varas, renukas and malatis; kubjakaih—with kubjakas; mallikabhih—with mallikas; ca—and; madhavibhih—with madhavis; ca—and; manditam—decorated. TRANSLATION There are other trees also which decorate the hill, such as the golden lotus flower, the cinnamon tree, malati, kubja, mallika and madhavi. SB4.6.17 TEXT 17 panasodumbarasvattha- plaksa-nyagrodha-hingubhih bhurjair osadhibhih pugai rajapugais ca jambubhih SYNONYMS panasa-udumbara-asvattha-plaksa-nyagrodha-hingubhih—with panasas (jackfruit trees), udumbaras, asvatthas, plaksas, nyagrodhas and trees producing asafoetida; bhurjaih—with bhurjas; osadhibhih—with betel nut trees; pugaih—with pugas; rajapugaih—with rajapugas; ca—and; jambubhih—with jambus. TRANSLATION Kailasa Hill is also decorated with such trees as kata, jackfruit, julara, banyan trees, plaksas, nyagrodhas and trees producing asafoetida. Also there are trees of betel nuts and bhurja-patra, as well as rajapuga, blackberries and similar other trees. SB4.6.18 TEXT 18 kharjuramratakamradyaih priyala-madhukengudaih druma-jatibhir anyais ca rajitam venu-kicakaih SYNONYMS kharjura-amrataka-amra-adyaih—with kharjuras, amratakas, amras and others; priyala-madhuka-ingudaih—with priyalas, madhukas and ingudas; druma-jatibhih—with varieties of trees; anyaih—other; ca—and; rajitam—decorated; venu-kicakaih—with venus (bamboos) and kicakas (hollow bamboos). TRANSLATION There are mango trees, priyala, madhuka and inguda. Besides these there are other trees, like thin bamboos, kicaka and varieties of other bamboo trees, all decorating the tract of Kailasa Hill. SB4.6.19-20 TEXTS 19–20 kumudotpala-kahlara- satapatra-vanarddhibhih nalinisu kalam kujat- khaga-vrndopasobhitam mrgaih sakhamrgaih krodair mrgendrair rksa-salyakaih gavayaih sarabhair vyaghrai rurubhir mahisadibhih SYNONYMS kumuda—kumuda; utpala—utpala; kahlara—kahlara; satapatra—lotuses; vana—forest; rddhibhih—being covered with; nalinisu—in the lakes; kalam—very sweetly; kujat—whispering; khaga—of birds; vrnda—groups; upasobhitam—decorated with; mrgaih—with deer; sakha-mrgaih—with monkeys; krodaih—with boars; mrga-indraih—with lions; rksa-salyakaih—with rksas and salyakas; gavayaih—with forest cows; sarabhaih—with forest asses; vyaghraih—with tigers; rurubhih—with small deer; mahisa-adibhih—with buffalo, etc. TRANSLATION There are different kinds of lotus flowers, such as kumuda, utpala and satapatra. The forest appears to be a decorated garden, and the small lakes are full of various kinds of birds who whisper very sweetly. There are many kinds of other animals also, like deer, monkeys, boars, lions, rksas, salyakas, forest cows, forest asses, tigers, small deer, buffalo and many other animals, who are fully enjoying their lives. SB4.6.21 TEXT 21 karnantraikapadasvasyair nirjustam vrka-nabhibhih kadali-khanda-samruddha- nalini-pulina-sriyam SYNONYMS karnantra—by the karnantra; ekapada—the ekapada; asvasyaih—by the asvasya; nirjustam—fully enjoyed; vrka-nabhibhih—by the vrka and nabhi, or kasturi deer; kadali—of banana trees; khanda—with groups; samruddha—covered; nalini—of small lakes filled with lotus flowers; pulina—with the sandy banks; sriyam—very beautiful. TRANSLATION There are varieties of deer, such as karnantra, ekapada, asvasya, vrka and kasturi, the deer which bears musk. Besides the deer there are many banana trees which decorate the small hillside lakes very nicely. SB4.6.22 TEXT 22 paryastam nandaya satyah snana-punyatarodaya vilokya bhutesa-girim vibudha vismayam yayuh SYNONYMS paryastam—surrounded; nandaya—by the Nanda; satyah—of Sati; snana—by the bathing; punya-tara—especially flavored; udaya—with water; vilokya—after seeing; bhuta-isa—of Bhutesa (the lord of the ghosts, Lord Siva); girim—the mountain; vibudhah—the demigods; vismayam—wonder; yayuh—obtained. TRANSLATION There is a small lake named Alakananda in which Sati used to take her bath, and that lake is especially auspicious. All the demigods, after seeing the specific beauty of Kailasa Hill, were struck with wonder at the great opulence to be found there. PURPORT According to the commentary called Sri-Bhagavata-candra-candrika, the water in which Sati used to bathe was Ganges water. In other words, the Ganges flowed through the Kailasa-parvata. There is every possibility of accepting such a statement because Ganges water also flows from the hair of Lord Siva. Since Ganges water rests on the head of Lord Siva and then flows to the other parts of the universe, it is quite possible that the water in which Sati bathed, which was certainly very nicely scented, was Ganges water. SB4.6.23 TEXT 23 dadrsus tatra te ramyam alakam nama vai purim vanam saugandhikam capi yatra tan-nama pankajam SYNONYMS dadrsuh—saw; tatra—there (in Kailasa); te—they (the demigods); ramyam—very attractive; alakam—Alaka; nama—known as; vai—indeed; purim—abode; vanam—forest; saugandhikam—Saugandhika; ca—and; api—even; yatra—in which place; tat-nama—known by that name; pankajam—species of lotus flowers. TRANSLATION Thus the demigods saw the wonderfully beautiful region known as Alaka in the forest known as Saugandhika, which means “full of fragrance.” The forest is known as Saugandhika because of its abundance of lotus flowers. PURPORT Sometimes Alaka is known as Alaka-puri, which is also the name of the abode of Kuvera. Kuvera’s abode, however, cannot be seen from Kailasa. Therefore the region of Alaka referred to here is different from the Alaka-puri of Kuvera. According to Viraraghava Acarya, alaka means “uncommonly beautiful.” In the region of Alaka the demigods saw, there is a type of lotus flower known as Saugandhika that distributes an especially fragrant scent. SB4.6.24 TEXT 24 nanda calakananda ca saritau bahyatah purah tirthapada-padambhoja- rajasativa pavane SYNONYMS nanda—the Nanda; ca—and; alakananda—the Alakananda; ca—and; saritau—two rivers; bahyatah—outside; purah—from the city; tirtha-pada—of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; pada-ambhoja—of the lotus feet; rajasa—by the dust; ativa—exceedingly; pavane—sanctified. TRANSLATION They also saw the two rivers named Nanda and Alakananda. These two rivers are sanctified by the dust of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda. SB4.6.25 TEXT 25 yayoh sura-striyah ksattar avaruhya sva-dhisnyatah kridanti pumsah sincantyo vigahya rati-karsitah SYNONYMS yayoh—in both of which (rivers); sura-striyah—the celestial damsels along with their husbands; ksattah—O Vidura; avaruhya—descending; sva-dhisnyatah—from their own airplanes; kridanti—they play; pumsah—their husbands; sincantyah—sprinkling with water; vigahya—after entering (the water); rati-karsitah—whose enjoyment has become diminished. TRANSLATION My dear Ksatta, Vidura, the celestial damsels come down to those rivers in their airplanes with their husbands, and after sexual enjoyment, they enter the water and enjoy sprinkling their husbands with water. PURPORT It is understood that even the damsels of the heavenly planets are polluted by thoughts of sex enjoyment, and therefore they come in airplanes to bathe in the rivers Nanda and Alakananda. It is significant that these rivers, Nanda and Alakananda, are sanctified by the dust of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In other words, just as the Ganges is sacred because its water emanates from the toes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, so whenever water or anything is in touch with devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it is purified and spiritualized. The rules and regulations of devotional service are based on this principle: anything in touch with the lotus feet of the Lord is immediately freed from all material contamination. The damsels of the heavenly planets, polluted by thoughts of sex life, come down to bathe in the sanctified rivers and enjoy sprinkling water on their husbands. Two words are very significant in this connection. Rati-karsitah means that the damsels become morose after sex enjoyment. Although they accept sex enjoyment as a bodily demand, afterwards they are not happy. Another significant point is that Lord Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is described here as Tirthapada. Tirtha means “sanctified place,” and pada means “the lotus feet of the Lord.” People go to a sanctified place to free themselves from all sinful reactions. In other words, those who are devoted to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, automatically become sanctified. The Lord’s lotus feet are called tirtha-pada because under their protection there are hundreds and thousands of saintly persons who sanctify the sacred places of pilgrimage. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, a great acarya of the Gaudiya Vaisnava-sampradaya, advises us not to travel to different places of pilgrimage. Undoubtedly it is troublesome to go from one place to another, but one who is intelligent can take shelter of the lotus feet of Govinda and thereby be automatically sanctified as the result of his pilgrimage. Anyone who is fixed in the service of the lotus feet of Govinda is called tirtha-pada; he does not need to travel on various pilgrimages, for he can enjoy all the benefits of such travel simply by engaging in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord. Such a pure devotee, who has implicit faith in the lotus feet of the Lord, can create sacred places in any part of the world where he decides to remain. Tirthi-kurvanti tirthani (Bhag. 1.13.10). The places are sanctified due to the presence of pure devotees; any place automatically becomes a place of pilgrimage if either the Lord or His pure devotee remains or resides there. In other words, such a pure devotee, who is engaged one hundred percent in the service of the Lord, can remain anywhere in the universe, and that part of the universe immediately becomes a sacred place where he can peacefully render service to the Lord as the Lord desires.