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Dialogue Between Parīk It and Uddhava (Chapter 3) - 1659867620624
Dialogue Between Parīk It and Uddhava (Chapter 3) - 1659867620624
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This page describes Dialogue between Parikshit and Uddhava which is chapter 3 of the English translation of the Skanda Purana, the largest of the
eighteen Mahapuranas, preserving the ancient Indian society and Hindu traditions in an encyclopedic format, detailling on topics such as dharma (virtous
lifestyle), cosmogony (creation of the universe), mythology (itihasa), genealogy (vamsha) etc. This is the third chapter of the Bhagavata-mahatmya of the
Vaishnava-khanda of the Skanda Purana.
Uddhava said:
2. O king, you are full of devotion solely to Kṛṣṇa. You are continuously engrossed in the festival of the glorification of
Śrīkṛṣṇa. Indeed you are blessed!
3. O dear one, the power of your limbs was granted to you by Kṛṣṇa (Kṛṣṇa resuscitated your life). Hence this is befitting
unto you. Fortunately you have evinced your affection for the wives of Kṛṣṇa and also for Vajra.
4. Among all those residents of Dvārakā, blessed are all those who were asked to migrate to Vraja by the Lord by
instructing Pārtha (to settle them there).
5. Like the moon, the mind of Śrīkṛṣṇa, accompanied by the refulgence of the face of Rādhā, always shines, beautifying
that forest of sports by means of its rays.
6. Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Moon, is always full. His sixteen digits are non-different from the refulgence of thousands of Cits (Gopīs
or Kṛṣṇa’s queens). Here his form and likeness exist.
7. Thus, O eminent king, Vajra is the dispeller of the fear of those who resort to him. His place is at the right foot of
Śrīkṛṣṇa. (This suggests the Vajra mark on Kṛṣṇa’s sole.).
8. In this incarnation, the Yogic Māyā was very much displayed by Kṛṣṇa. O n account of its power all these are
undoubtedly languishing with self-oblivion (forgetting their own nature).
9. Without the light of Kṛṣṇa no one shall have self-enlightenment. That light is always hidden by Māyā in the case of the
individual souls.
10. Towards the end of the twenty-eighth Dvāpara, when Hari himself would remove his own Māyā, that light could be
manifested.
11. That time has passed off. Therefore, listen to this other suggestion. On other occasions, that light can issue forth from
[1]
Śrīmadbhāgavata.
12. Certainly Śrīkṛṣṇa is present at that place and time where! and when the scripture Śrīmadbhāgavata is expounded and
listened to by Bhāgavatas (devotees, followers of the Lord).
13. Lord Kṛṣṇa graces that place also along with the cowherd lasses—the place where a verse of Śrīmadbhāgavata or half
of it is present.
14. If, after being born as human beings in Bhārata, people have not heard about Bhāgavata, self-murder has been
committed by them.
15. The lines of families of their father, mother and wife have been redeemed by the people who have continuously
resorted to the (study, recitation of or listening to) the scripture Śrīmadbhāgavata.
16. From Śrīmadbhāgavata Brāhmaṇas will derive the enlightenment of learning, kings victory over their enemies,
Vaiśyas plenty of wealth and Śūdras good health.
17. Women and other people shall obtain the realization of their desires. So which fortunate man will not continuously
resort to Bhāgavata?
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18. It iṣ only after fruition of the merits of many births that a person can obtain Śrīmadbhāgavata. Enlightenment and
devotion to God result herefrom.
19. Formerly Śrīmadbhāgavata was obtained by Bṛhaspati through the grace of Sāṃkhyāyana. Bṛhaspati imparted it to
me. Therefore, I am a lover of Kṛṣṇa.
20. O Viṣṇurāta, know the anecdote told by him. In it the traditional (mode) of listening to Bhāgavata (is also obtained).
Brahmā said:
23b-24. O Nārāyaṇa, O Primordial Being, O Supreme Ātman, I offer obeisance to you. I have been engaged in the work of
creation by you. Take pity on me lest the evil Rajas Guṇa should obstruct me while remembering you.
28. Viṣṇu too requested the Puruṣa for the accomplishment of his purpose, since the work of protecting the subjects had
been allotted to him by the Puruṣa.
In course of time, whenever there is decline of Dharma, I shall reestablish it by means of incarnations (such as Divine
Fish, Tortoise). I shall certainly grant the benefit of Yajñas to those who seek worldly pleasures. To those who are devoid of
attachment and who seek salvation, I shall accord salvation of five types, viz. (1) stay in the same region, (2) similarity of
power, (3) vicinity to God, (4) similarity of form, (5) identity with God. But, how shall I protect those people who do not
desire salvation too? How shall I protect myself and Śrī (goddess Lakṣmī)? Tell me.
33. The primordial Being imparted Śrīmadbhāgavata to him too and said: “Read this for the sake of realizing all your
objectives.”
34-35. Thereupon, Viṣṇu became delighted in his mind. Remembering Bhāgavata every month (i.e. reading fully once)
along with Śrī, he became capable of protecting (the subjects) genuinely.
When Viṣṇu himself is the expounder and Lakṣmī is engaged in listening, the duration of the process is one month.
36. When Lakṣmī herself expounds and Viṣṇu is engaged in listening, the duration of enjoying its contents is two months.
37. Viṣṇu is officially engaged in his duty; but Lakṣmī is mentally carefree. Hence her exposition of Bhāgavata is better.
38. Rudra too who was formerly engaged in the duty of annihilation, requested that Lord Puruṣa for the sake of enhancing
his ability.
42. The story of Bhāgavata was resorted to (read) by him for a period of one year. Thereby Sadāśiva obtained the power
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Uddhava said:
43-44. On hearing this narrative in regard to the greatness of Śrīmadbhāgavata from my preceptor (from Bṛhaspati) and
on getting the Bhāgavata text, I rejoiced much and I bowed down to him. Therefore, I adopted the procedure of the
Vaiṣṇavas and for full one month Śrīmadbhāgavata was ardently resorted to by me.
45-46. By that alone I became the beloved companion of Kṛṣṇa. Then I was sent with an errand to Vraja to the group of his
beloved ones.
The Lord continued to be perpetually sporting even while the cowherd lasses were in agony due to the separation. The
message of Śrīmadbhāgavata was sent over to them through me.
47. After receiving it in accordance with their intellectual capacity, they became free from the pangs of separation. I could
not know the secret thereof. But the miracle was seen.
48. After requesting Kṛṣṇa for his stay in heaven, Brahmā and others went away. Then Śrīkṛṣṇa himself gave me that
secret in Bhāgavata.
49. In front of the root of Aśvattha (Pippla tree) he made it firmly fixed in me. Therefore, having gone to Badarī I stay here
in the creepers of Vraja.
50. So I stay always as I please in the Nārada Kuṇḍa here. Devotees will get the knowledge of Kṛṣṇa from
Śrīmadbhāgavata.
51. Therefore, for the sake of these, I shall expound Śrīmadbhāgavata. In this matter you should assist me.
Uddhava said:
54-56. When the earth is left behind by Śrīkṛṣṇa, the powerful Kali will create great obstacles whenever any good work is
started. Hence proceed on a campaign of conquest of the quarters. Restrain and subdue Kali. I shall adopt the procedure
of the Vaiṣṇavas and in the course of a month spread the gospel of Śrīmadbhāgavata with your assistance. Thereby, I shall
enable these to attain the permanent abode of the Slayer of Madhu.
Uddhava said:
60. O king, no anxiety or worry need to entertained by you at all, since the most important person authorized in the
scripture of the Lord is you yourself.
61. Till this time men devoted to Karma have not even news whatsoever of the holy text of Bhāgavata.
62. With your favour in the region of Bhārata many men will attain permanent happiness after the acquisition of
(hearing) Śrīmadbhāgavata.
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63. The great holy sage Śrīśuka who is in the form of Lord Kṛṣṇa himself will undoubtedly recount to you
[3]
Śrīmadbhāgavata.
64. Thereby, O king, you will attain the eternal abode of the Lord of Vraja. Thereafter, Śrīmadbhāgavata will begin to
spread on the earth.
66. Vajra made Pratibāhu the lord of his own kingdom. Hoping to secure Bhāgavata, he remained there itself along with
the mothers.
67. Then in Vṛndāvana near Govardhana the joyful exposition of Śrīmadbhāgavata lasting for a month was inaugurated
by Uddhava.
68-71. While the gospel (of Bhāgavata) was being enjoyed, Hari’s Līlā (sport) in the form of existence, knowledge and bliss
manifested everywhere. So also Kṛṣṇa. All people saw themselves stationed within him. On seeing himself in the lotus-like
right foot of Kṛṣṇa, Vajra was rid of the pangs of separation from Kṛṣṇa. He shone on that ground. The mothers were
amazed on seeing themselves as refulgence of the digits in Kṛṣṇa, the moon shining on the night of Rāsa dance. Liberated
from the ailment of separation from their dearest beloved, they went over to their own region.
72-73. Others too who were there entered the eternal Līlā (graceful sports). Immediately they became invisible to the
ordinary world of everyday life.
They rejoice continuously with Kṛṣṇa in the bowers of Govardhana, in the (middle of the) cows, in Vṛndāvana etc. They
are seen by persons who love and who are devoted to them.
(2) God Viṣṇu—work protection—period of Bhāgavata recitation 30 days—when Viṣṇu is the expounder.
[3]: The historical fact of Śuka’s recitation of Bhāgavata to Parīkṣit is expressed in a prophetic vein.
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