Sri Prithu-carite
BY: SUN STAFF
King Prithu and the Four Kumaras
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
Apr 04, 2013 — CANADA (SUN) — By HDG Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, translated by Sriman Kusakratha dasa.
Text 1
ganga-yamunayor nadyor
antara kshetram avasan
arabdhan eva bubhuje
bhogan punya jihasaya
In the account of King Prithu's activities it is said (4.21.11-12):
The great saintly sage Maitreya told Vidura: My dear Vidura, King Prithu lived in the tract of land between the two great rivers Ganges and Yamuna. Because he was very opulent, it appeared that he was enjoying his destined fortune in order to diminish the results of his past pious activities.
Text 2
sarvatraskhalitadesah
sapta-dvipaika-danda-dhrik
anyatra brahmana-kulad
anyatracyuta-gotratah
Maharaja Prithu was an unrivaled king and possessed the scepter for ruling all the seven islands of the globe. No one could disobey his irrevocable orders but the saintly persons, the brahmanas, and the descendants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead [the Vaishnavas].
Text 3
bhu-gola-varnane
tathaivalakananda dakshinena brahma-sadanad bahuni giri-kutany atikramya hemakutad dhaimakutany ati-rabhasatara- ramhasa luthayanti bharatam abhivarsham dakshinasyam disijaladhim abhipravisati yasyam snanartham cagacchatah pumsah pade pade 'svamedha-rajasuyadinam phalam na durlabham iti.
In the description of the earth it is said (5.17.9):
Similarly, the branch of the Ganges known as Alakananda flows from the southern side of Brahmapuri [Brahma-sadana]. Passing over the tops of mountains in various lands, it falls down with fierce force upon the peaks of the mountains Memakuta and Himakuta. After inundating the tops of those mountains, the Ganges falls down onto the tract of land known as Bharata-varsha, which she also inundates. Then the Ganges flows into the ocean of salt water in the south. Persons who come to bathe in this river are fortunate. It is not very difficult for them to achieve with every step the results of performing great sacrifices like the Rajasuya and Asvamedha yajnas.
Text 4
sri-vidura-tirtha-yatrayam
svayam dhanur dvari nidhaya mayam
bhratah puro marmasu tadito 'pi
sa ittham atyulbana-karna-banair
gata-vyatho 'yad urumanayanah
In the description of Sri Vidura's pilgrimages it is said (3.1.16,18,19):
Thus being pierced by arrows through his ears and afflicted to the core of his heart, Vidura placed his bow on the door and quit his brother's palace. He was not sorry. He left to go to Sri Mayapura.
Text 5
pureshu punyopavanadri-kunjesv
apanka-toyeshu sarit-sarahsu
ananta-lingaih samalankriteshu
cacara tirthayataneshv ananyah
He began to travel alone, thinking only of Krishna, through various holy places like Ayodhya, Dvaraka and Mathura. He traveled where the air, hill, orchard, river and lake are all pure and sinless and where the forms of the Unlimited decorate the temples. Thus he performed the pilgrim's progress.
Text 6
gam paryatan medhya-vivikta-vrttih
sadapluto 'dhah sayano'vadhutah
alakshitah svair avadhuta-veso
vratani cere hari-toshanani
While so traversing the earth, he simply performed duties to please the Supreme Lord Hari. His occupation was pure and independent. He was constantly sanctified by taking his bath in holy places, although he was in the dress of a mendicant and had no hair dressing nor a bed on which to lie. Thus he was always unseen by his various relatives.
Text 7
suddham sva-dhamny uparatakhila-buddhy-avastham
cin-matram ekam abhayam pratishidhya mayam
tishthams tayaiva purushatvam upetya tasyam
aste bhavan parisuddha ivatma-tantrah
O Lord, You manifest Your pure, spiritual, fearless form and appear in Your own abode of Sri Mayapura. You are independent and do as You like.
Text 8
yuga-yogyopasana-sambandhe
kasmin kale sa bhagavan
kim varnah kidriso nribhih
namna va kena vidhina
pujyate tad ihocyatam
The method of worship appropriate for this yuga is described in these words (11.5.31-34):
At what time will the Supreme Lord appear? What will be His color? What will He be like? What will be His name? How will He be worshiped by men? Please tell all this.
Text 9
iti dvapara urvisa
stu vanti jagad-isvaram
nana-tan tra-vidhanena
kalav api yatha srinu
O King, in this way people in Dvapara-yuga worshiped the Lord of the universe. In Kali-yuga they also worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead by the regulations of the revealed scriptures. Kindly now hear of that from me.
Text 10
krsna-varnam tvishakrishnam
sangopangastra-parshadam
yajnaih sankirtana-prayair
yajanti hi sumedhasah
In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the name of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.
Text 11
dhyeyam sada paribhava-ghnam abhishta-doham-
tirthaspadam siva-virinci-nutam saranyam
bhrtyarti-ham pranata-pala-bhavabdhi potam
vande maha-purusha te caranaravindam
We offer our respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Him, the Lord, upon whom one should always meditate. He destroys insults to His devotees. He removes the distresses of His devotees and satisfies their desires. He, the abode of all holy places and the shelter of all sages, is worshipable by Lord Siva and Lord Brahma. He is the boat of the demigods for crossing the ocean of birth and death.
Text 12
tyaktva sudustyaja-surepsita-rajya-lakshmim
dharmistha arya-vacasa yad agad aranyam
maya-mrigam dayitayepsitam an vadhavad
vande maha-purusa te caranaravindam
We offer our respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of the Lord, upon whom one should always meditate. He left His householder life, leaving aside His eternal consort, whom even the denizens of heaven adore. He went into the forest to deliver the fallen souls, who are put into illusion by material energy.
