Bhagavatapurana 4.16: atha ṣoḍaśo'dhyāyaḥ

4.16.1

/0 maitreya uvāca
iti bruvāṇaṃ nṛpatiṃ gāyakā muni-coditāḥ /
tuṣṭuvus tuṣṭa-manasas tad-vāg-amṛta-sevayā //

1. Maitreya said.—When the king spoke thus, the celestial bards impelled by (hearing) his nectar-like speech, praised him with a joyous heart.

4.16.2

nālaṃ vayaṃ te mahimānuvarṇane yo deva-varyo 'vatatāra māyayā /
venāṅga-jātasya ca pauruṣāṇi te vācas-patīnām api babhramur dhiyaḥ //

2. “We are not competent to describe and extol your greatness, since you are the Supreme Lord (Deity) appearing as an Avatar by virtue of your Māyā; in respect of the glorious deeds of the son of Vena even the mind of the Masters of speech (Brahma and others) is deluded (perplexed).

4.16.3

athāpy udāra-śravasaḥ pṛthor hareḥ kalāvatārasya kathāmṛtādṛtāḥ /
yathopadeśaṃ munibhiḥ pracoditāḥ ślāghyāni karmāṇi vayaṃ vitanmahi //

3. “However, directed by the sages and according to their precepts we shall spread (widely make known) the admirable deeds of Prithu of great renown, who is an Avatar of Hari (as a special Amsa.)

4.16.4

eṣa dharma-bhṛtāṃ śreṣṭho lokaṃ dharme 'nuvartayan /
goptā ca dharma-setūnāṃ śāstā tat-paripanthinām //

4. He is foremost among those that practise Dharma, leading the world in the righteous way; and he is the protector of the defences and safeguards of Dharma and the punisher of those who are opposed to it.

4.16.5

eṣa vai loka-pālānāṃ bibharty ekas tanau tanūḥ /
kāle kāle yathā-bhāgaṃ lokayor ubhayor hitam //

5. One as he is, this prince from time to time bears in his own person the Amsas of the eight protectors of the world for the good of both the worlds, according to its requirements in due order (as protection, maintenance &c. of his people.)

4.16.6

vasu kāla upādatte kāle cāyaṃ vimuñcati /
samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu pratapan sūryavad vibhuḥ //

6. He levies tribute in time and he spends it in time (in times of scarcity); he is the same (impartial) ruler of all creatures like the sun shining upon them with the same irresistible power.

4.16.7

titikṣaty akramaṃ vainya upary ākramatām api /
bhūtānāṃ karuṇaḥ śaśvad ārtānāṃ kṣiti-vṛttimān //

7. Behaving (Patient) like the earth, the son of Vena, full of mercy, always patiently put up with the faults of the distressed beings though they might tread on him.

4.16.8

deve 'varṣaty asau devo naradeva-vapur hariḥ /
kṛcchra-prāṇāḥ prajā hy eṣa rakṣiṣyaty añjasendravat //

8. When the god of rain should withhold rain, the Lord Hari in the form of this king would like Indra well protect the afflicted subjects.

4.16.9

āpyāyayaty asau lokaṃ vadanāmṛta-mūrtinā /
sānurāgāvalokena viśada-smita-cāruṇā //

9. He comforted the world (his subjects) with his face which was like unto the Amṛtamūrti (the moon the embodiment of ambrosia), brightened with looks of affection and charming smiles.

4.16.10

avyakta-vartmaiṣa nigūḍha-kāryo gambhīra-vedhā upagupta-vittaḥ /
ananta-māhātmya-guṇaika-dhāmā pṛthuḥ pracetā iva saṃvṛtātmā //

10. His ways are not perceptible; the object aimed at by him is a mystery; he does everything with a deep intent; his wealth is strictly guarded; he is one abode of innumerable and glorious attributes; (and in short) Pṛthu like Varuṇa is one whose true nature is hidden (from the view of the world).

4.16.11

durāsado durviṣaha āsanno 'pi vidūravat /
naivābhibhavituṃ śakyo venāraṇy-utthito 'nalaḥ //

11. The fire that has been struck out of the sacred wood called Vena cannot be approached or resisted; though it is close by, it is like something distant and awe-inspiring; and so it cannot be slighted.

4.16.12

antar bahiś ca bhūtānāṃ paśyan karmāṇi cāraṇaiḥ /
udāsīna ivādhyakṣo vāyur ātmeva dehinām //

12. Through spies he sees the activities of (all) creatures both in and out; and at the same time he remains witnessing everything, indifferent like Vāyu and like the soul of embodied beings.

4.16.13

nādaṇḍyaṃ daṇḍayaty eṣa sutam ātma-dviṣām api /
daṇḍayaty ātmajam api daṇḍyaṃ dharma-pathe sthitaḥ //

13. He does not punish any one who does not deserve to be punished, though he be the son of his enemy; and firmly standing in the path of righteousness he punishes even his own son, if he deserves to be punished.

4.16.14

asyāpratihataṃ cakraṃ pṛthor āmānasācalāt /
vartate bhagavān arko yāvat tapati go-gaṇaiḥ //

14. Pṛthu's sway extended unquestioned (in every direction) from the mount Mānasa to where the sun reaches with his warm rays.

4.16.15

rañjayiṣyati yal lokam ayam ātma-viceṣṭitaiḥ /
athāmum āhū rājānaṃ mano-rañjanakaiḥ prajāḥ //

15. For the reason that he intended (tried) to delight the world by his deeds fascinating to every mind, people called him the Rājan.

4.16.16

dṛḍha-vrataḥ satya-sandho brahmaṇyo vṛddha-sevakaḥ /
śaraṇyaḥ sarva-bhūtānāṃ mānado dīna-vatsalaḥ //

16. He was firm in his vows, true to his promise, devoted to Brahmins and the aged, an asylum to all creatures, and respectful and tender to the afflicted.

4.16.17

mātṛ-bhaktiḥ para-strīṣu patnyām ardha ivātmanaḥ /
prajāsu pitṛvat snigdhaḥ kiṅkaro brahma-vādinām //

17. Towards other women he behaved as he would towards his mother, and to his wife he was as if she were half his body. To his subjects he bore a paternal affection and he was a servant of those that were versed in the Vedas.

4.16.18

dehinām ātmavat-preṣṭhaḥ suhṛdāṃ nandi-vardhanaḥ /
mukta-saṅga-prasaṅgo 'yaṃ daṇḍa-pāṇir asādhuṣu //

18. Of all creatures he was beloved like their own soul and he contributed (much) to increase the joys of his friends.

4.16.19

ayaṃ tu sākṣād bhagavāṃs try-adhīśaḥ kūṭa-stha ātmā kalayāvatīrṇaḥ /
yasminn avidyā-racitaṃ nirarthakaṃ paśyanti nānātvam api pratītam //

19. Indeed he is the glorious Lord of the three worlds, the unchanging Atman who has appeared by an Amsa on the earth.

4.16.20

ayaṃ bhuvo maṇḍalam odayādrer goptaika-vīro naradeva-nāthaḥ /
āsthāya jaitraṃ ratham ātta-cāpaḥ paryasyate dakṣiṇato yathārkaḥ //

20. The matchless hero, being king of kings and one protector of the whole earth as far as the Udaya mountains, drives in his triumphant chariot, with the bow in his hand, all round the world from right to left, even as the sun does.

4.16.21

asmai nṛ-pālāḥ kila tatra tatra baliṃ hariṣyanti saloka-pālāḥ /
maṃsyanta eṣāṃ striya ādi-rājaṃ cakrāyudhaṃ tad-yaśa uddharantyaḥ //

21. At every place kings and other rulers of the world will bear him presents (pay him tributes); and their women will look upon the first king as Vishnu (one whose weapon is chakra) and sing his glories.

4.16.22

ayaṃ mahīṃ gāṃ duduhe 'dhirājaḥ prajāpatir vṛtti-karaḥ prajānām /
yo līlayādrīn sva-śarāsa-koṭyā bhindan samāṃ gām akarod yathendraḥ //

22. This Overlord of kings, the beloved ruler of his subjects, intent upon providing them with the means of living, milked the cow called the earth; like Indra, he broke down the mountains with the ends of his bow without any effort and converted her into a level plain.

4.16.23

visphūrjayann āja-gavaṃ dhanuḥ svayaṃ yadācarat kṣmām aviṣahyam ājau /
tadā nililyur diśi diśy asanto lāṅgūlam udyamya yathā mṛgendraḥ //

23. When like the lion erecting his tail he traversed the earth during his wars with irresistible force, twanging his bow (Ajagava), wicked men ran away and hid themselves in different directions.

4.16.24

eṣo 'śvamedhāñ śatam ājahāra sarasvatī prādurabhāvi yatra /
ahārṣīd yasya hayaṃ purandaraḥ śata-kratuś carame vartamāne //

24. He performed one hundred Asvamedha sacrifices, where the Sarasvati made her appearance; and while the hundredth

Asvamedha was being performed there, Indra carried away the horse (the consecrated horse).

4.16.25

eṣa sva-sadmopavane sametya sanat-kumāraṃ bhagavantam ekam /
ārādhya bhaktyālabhatāmalaṃ taj jñānaṃ yato brahma paraṃ vidanti //

25. He met the venerable Sanatkumāra alone in the garden adjoining his palace, worshipped him and obtained (from him) that pure knowledge by which men realise Supreme Brahman.

4.16.26

tatra tatra giras tās tā iti viśruta-vikramaḥ /
śroṣyaty ātmāśritā gāthāḥ pṛthuḥ pṛthu-parākramaḥ //

26. At different places king Prithu of extensive prowess celebrated for his exploits, will hear similar and various observations and stories sung of Atman (of Vishnu).

4.16.27

diśo vijityāpratiruddha-cakraḥ sva-tejasotpāṭita-loka-śalyaḥ /
surāsurendrair upagīyamāna- mahānubhāvo bhavitā patir bhuvaḥ //

27. Having brought all the quarters under his unquestioned sway during the unchecked course of his army, and having by dint of his own power removed the thorns of the world, he will become the Lord of the earth, (while) his glories will be sung by the great gods and Asuras.