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-arjunaihkovidaras, 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

kumudakumuda; 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.

Next verse (SB4.6.26)