Sri Satvata Tantra

Patala One

Avatara-nimitta-kathana

Description of the Sequence of Causes that Precede the Lord's Incarnation

1 Sri Suta Gosvami said: I surrender to Sri Krsna, whose form is full of bliss, and who at the beginning of the material creation expanded to become many.

2 Concerned for the welfare of all living beings, Narada Muni asked a question of auspicious Lord Siva, who was seated on the summit of Mount Kailasa.

3 Sri Narada said: O Lord, I wish to hear about the wonderful pastimes of Sri Krsna, the unlimited Supreme Personality of Godhead, who expands in many forms and enjoys many transcendental pastimes.

4 Please tell me when, why, and in what forms the Lord appeared (in His many incarnations).

5 O best of the wise, please elaborately explain the reason the Lord appears in the forms of His incarnations.

6 Sri Siva said: O fortunate one, O best of the devotees, You have asked well, for you inspire me to describe the powers and glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

7 O noble-hearted one, even after many hundreds of years I will not be able to see the farther shore of the descriptions of Lord Visnu's incarnations and His universal form.

8 Still, I will extract the essence of those descriptions and tell them to you, O Narada, as the merciful Lord Himself told them to me.

9 Glories to Him! Obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose form is that of a cowherd boy! Now I will speak (the scripture) named Satvata Tantra, which nourishes devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

10 What the impersonalist philosophers think is the unmanifested, eternal, omniscient, unchanging Brahman, the devotees know is the supremely opulent Personality of Godhead.

11 (When the material universe was first manifested) the all-powerful Lord, considering that nothing yet had become visible, manifested Himself in two ways: 1. as existence, and 2. as truth.

12 Then by His spiritual potency He manifested the material energy. Then He Himself appeared as the great purusa-avatara, the only resting place of all the worlds. Because he acted in this way, the Vedas call Him Bhagavan (the supremely opulent Personality of Godhead).

13 Then the Lord's material energy assumed the forms of material causes and effects and divided itself into the three modes.

14 Some say that is was from the Lord's own invincible act in the form of time. Because of time the material energy became agitated and from that agitation the three modes were manifested.

15 From the unmanifested form of the Supreme was manifested the mahat-tattva, and from the mahat-tattva was manifested karma, which gives pure and impure results to the conditioned souls.

16 From that was manifested the constant flux of the material nature. The knowers of the Vedas call the subtle aspect of this constant flux "svabhava".

17 The previously described purusa-avatara is the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Time, karma and svabhava rest within Him. He causes the material energy to act.

18 The purusa-avatara manifested the goddess of material energy, who rules over the modes of nature. From her was manifested the mahat-tattva, which manifested material knowledge and actions.

19 The wise know that from the mahat-tattva the Lord manifested false-ego, which is situated in goodness, passion and ignorance.

20 From false-ego in the mode of goodness were manifested the mind, and the demigods that control knowledge and action. Vayu, Varuna, the deities of the directions, and the Asvini-kumaras, were manifested with knowledge as the catalyst.

21 Agni, Indra, Mitra and Upendra were manifested with karma as the catalyst.

22 From false-ego in the mode of passion were manifested the senses of knowledge and action, such as the skin, tongue, ears, eyes, nose, intelligence, and what is related to them.

23 Also were manifested the working senses, such as the voice, hands, anus, genitals and feet. From false-ego in the mode of ignorance were manifested the five material elements and the tan-matras (objects of the senses).

24 From false-ego in the mode of ignorance, sound was manifested first. Then from sound space was manifested. From space, which was a form of sound, touch was manifested. From touch, air was manifested, and then from air, fire was manifested. From fire form was manifested.

25 From form pure water was manifested. From water fragrance was manifested and from fragrance earth was manifested.

26 The mahat-tattva, false-ego, sound, touch, form, taste, and fragrance are all considered transformations of the material energy.

27 The wise know that from the material energy sound was manifested. They know that from sound various material transformations were manifested.

28 In sky sound is present. In air sound and touch are present. In fire sound, touch and form are present. In water sound, touch, form and taste are present. In earth they are all present.

29 This is the sequence of causes and effects. More causes and effects are also seen after these.

30 Visnu has three forms called purusas. The first, Maha-Visnu, is the creator of the total material energy (mahat), the second is Garbhodasayi, who is situated within each universe, and the third is Ksirodasyi, who lives in the heart of every living being."*

31 O best of the brahmanas, please know that the mahat-tattva and the other tattvas are manifested from the purusa-avatara.

32 Then, by the desire of the purusa-avatara, all these tattvas came together and manifested the universal form, the soul of the creation.

33 Within the universal form is an open space of five hundred million miles. That open space is surrounded by seven coverings, each one ten times greater than the one before it.

34 They say that space is the home of the purusa-avatara. The purusa-avatara entered it and was all-pervading within it, but still the universal form remained unconscious.

35 The tattvas manifested from the purusa-avatara are called nara. Because these naras are His home (ayana), the Lord is called Narayana.

36 Because He resides (usa) in the home (pur) of the universal form's body, the Supreme Lord is called purusa.

37 When the Supreme Lord, who is the root of the material energy, entered as Lord Narayana into the body of the universal form, the universal from attained consciousness and stood up.

39 In the universal form were born Lord Hari's incarnation Brahma as well as the moving and unmoving living entities. The wise know that the universal form encompasses all the planets of the universe.

40 Filled with false-ego the individual living entities think they are the universal form, and for this reason they are also called "purusa". Then Lord Narayana entered within them and became the Supersoul in their hearts.

41 (The wise) say that the Supersoul is the resting place of all living entities and the eternal seed from which thousands of divine incarnations have come.

42 From a part of the Supersoul the demigod Brahma, who is situated in the mode of passion, was born in the creation. Lord Visnu, the controller of the mode of goodness, placed the universe in his charge.

43 Siva, who is situated in the mode of ignorance, effects the dissolution of the material universe. These are Lord Visnu's incarnations that act within the three modes of nature.

44 In this way I have described these partial incarnations of the Lord. From Brahma were manifested Marici, Atri, Angira,...

45 ...Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Daksa, Bhrgu, Vasistha, Atharva, and the prajapatis headed by Kardama.

46 They had many sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons who, given special powers by the Lord, were diligently engaged in he work of creation.

47 From a part of Lord Visnu were born Dharma, Yajna, Brhat, Trivrt, and the Manus, headed by Svayambhuva, who are famous in the worlds.

48 From them were born the demigods headed by Indra, who are parts of Lord Visnu, and who protect the planets. In this way I have described them.

49 From a part of Siva were born hundreds of Rudras and hundreds of great serpents. These beings were all violent by nature.

50 Siva's partial expansions are situated in the mode of ignorance. They are horrible and ugly. They destroy the worlds.

51 Now I will describe to You Lord Hari's pastime incarnations, who are situated in the mode of pure goodness, who are peaceful, and who are loved by the people.

52 I offer my respectful obeisances to Lord Krsna, the limitless Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose form is spiritual, who is the Lord of sacrifices, and who to protect the universe appeared in many different forms.

Patala Two

Lilavatara-kathana

Description of the Pastime Incarnations

1 To protect the Vedas the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appeared as Hayagriva at the yuga's beginning. He killed the great demons Madhu and Kaitabha and from His nose He manifested the Vedas sought by the scriptures personified.

2 Wishing to give renunciation to the people, the Lord appeared in the beginning as the four Kumaras. He taught the pure yoga system to those who had pure hearts and He Himself was renounced from material enjoyment.

3 Then the Lord appeared in the form of Narada and brought the pure yoga of acting without karmic results, which is described in the Pancaratra. To some of His disciples the Lord taught the highest form of renunciation.

4 During the period under Svayambhuva Manu's protection, Lord Narayana, the master of all, appeared from Brahma in the form of a great boar. He lifted the earth to protect it and, attacking with His tusk, He killed Diti's son.

5 The Lord appeared as Sesa, who decorates the universe beneath all the planets. All the planets are like a small artistic picture painted on His hoods. The sages and great serpents serve His feet.

6 Below Lord Sesa is Lord Kurma, whose great transcendental body fills the entire universe. Sesa is like a small line (on His shell). Aryama, the leader of the Pitas, worships Him.

7 Although only five years old, Dhruva left his mother and performed austerities in Madhuvana. The merciful Supreme Lord appeared before him and gave him his own planet. The great sages and sannyasis worship him.

8 Seeing Kardama Muni's austerities aimed at attaining mystic powers, the Lord appeared as Sukla in a pure and splendid transcendental form. After giving him the benediction that He would appear as his son, with a tear of bliss the Lord created a holy lake.

9 Born as the son of Ruci and Akuti, the Lord was famous by the name of Yajna. To protect the three worlds He performed a yajna where the arani sticks were the demons.

10 The Lord became Devahuti's son, named Kapila, who was the leader of the siddhas. He gave to her His own transcendental potency and He taught her the pure sankhya-yoga system, which enables one to distinguish between spirit and matter. He explained that pure yoga system to many great devotees also.

11 The limitless Lord became Atri's son, who was named Datta, and who was the great master of yoga. To Prahlada, Haihaya, Yadu and many other devoted disciples, He taught the science of seeing everything with equal vision, which He had learned from many gurus.

12 The Lord became Nara and Narayana Rsis, the two sons of Dharma and his wife Murti, who was Daksa's daughter. To attain peacefulness, generosity, mercifulness, and purity of heart and body, the two Lords performed severe austerities that brought pain to the king of the demigods.

13 The Lord was born from King Nabhi and was name Rsabha. Attaining complete mastery over the yoga system, and His desires always fulfilled, He taught the science of yoga to His many sons. He Himself acted as the great yogis do, remaining free of karma.

14 When the four Kumaras preached to Lord Brahma the idea that the Supreme has no qualities, the Lord appeared as a swan and, His heart melting with compassion, explained to the sages that the Supreme both has and does not have qualities.

15 When King Vena was killed by the brahmanas, his arms were massaged, the Lord appeared in the form of King Prthu. He made the unhappy people peaceful and milked all opulences from the earth.

16 When Siva destroyed Daksa's yajna, the Lord appeared in a eight-armed form to please Siva and accept the ghee offered by Bhrgu. The demigods, humans, and many others offered prayers to the Lord.

17 Born as Gaya in King Priyavrata's dynasty, the Lord became very famous by the actions of His body, mind, and words. Yajna personified, which had the form of Indra, passionately competed with Him.

18 Wishing to enjoy the glances and other pastimes that Prajapati Samvatsara's son enjoyed with the Yamini's, the Lord descended in the form of Kamadeva and enjoyed amorous pastimes with the goddess of fortune.

19 Seeing they were engaged in severe austerities, the merciful and unlimited Lord appeared before King Pracinabarhi's sons in a very peaceful form. He gave them the worship of His feet and He instructed them to stay at home with the trees' daughter.

20 In the Svarocisa-manvantara the Lord was born as Vibhu, the son of the brahmana Vedasirsa and Tusita-devi. He was the best of they who follow all the principles of religion. As the teacher of the world He carefully followed the vow of celibacy taught by the sages.

21 In the third manvantara the Lord was born as Satyasena, the son of Dharma and the friend of King Indra. To protect the three worlds He killed many demonic Yaksas and Raksasas.

22 In the fourth manvantara Lord Hari rescued the king of the elephants, who called out, "O Narayana!" as he was being dragged into a lake by a very powerful crocodile. In the same way the Lord, who is the king of the demigods, rescues (His devotees) from the ocean of repeated birth and death.

23 During the fifth manvantara the Lord appeared as Vaikuntha, the best of brahmanas. Requested by her, the unlimited Lord revealed the spiritual world to the goddess of fortune.

24 In the sixth manvantara the Lord appeared as Ajita, the son of the brahmana Vairaja. Seeing the demigods broken by a brahmana's curse, the Lord became unhappy. Assisted by the demigods and demons, He at once churned the ocean of milk.

25 The demigods and demons were disappointed when the great mountain fell from their hands as they churned the ocean. His heart melting with compassion, the Lord assumed the form of a wonderful tortoise. The Lord considered that the mountain moving on His body pleasantly scratched the itching He felt.

26 Wishing to cure the great distress born from churning the milk ocean, the Lord became Dhanvantari, the enjoyer of sacrifices. He carried a great cup of nectar that was the Ayur Veda.

27 When the demons stole the nectar, the demigods took shelter of Lord Dhanvantari. The Lord then became Mohini, whose desires are always fulfilled. He bewildered the demons and ended the demigods' sufferings.

28 Because He received from him a gift of water, the Lord appeared before Satyavrata as a great fish. As He enjoyed pastimes on the ocean of devastation, the infallible Lord pulled a boat the size of the earth and taught the science of spiritual life to the brahmanas.

29 In order to rip apart the sufferings of the three worlds, the Lord appeared as Nrsimha. To protect His devotee, the Lord grabbed the king of the demons and with His claw ripped open the demon's chest.

30 When Bali with his armies conquered the three worlds, the Lord appeared as Vamana. Asking for charity, He took three steps and in this way gave the heavenly planets to Aditi's sons.

31 The Lord said, "I am the follower of My devotee", and to prove His words He entered the lower worlds, became the guard named Gadadhara, protected Bali's home, and expelled the demon Ravana.

32 The Lord appeared as Rama in the family of Bhrgu Muni. When His father was killed, the Lord took a great sharp axe and made it so the earth had no more ksatriyas upon it. Then He gave the earth to the brahmanas and went to live on Mount Mahendra.

33 His lotus feet served by the demigods, the Lord appeared as Lord Rama, who was a moon born from the ocean of the sun-god's dynasty. Led by Visvamitra, in order to destroy the demigods' enemies the Lord broke Siva's great bow.

34 The Lord showed His prowess to Parsurama, married beautiful and fair Sita, and, hearing of His father's words when He returned home, went to live in the forest with His new bride.

35 The Lord crossed the Ganga, was followed by His younger brother, left Mount Citrakuta, killed the demon Viradha, and chased with His bow killed the cruel demon Marica, who had assumed the form of a stag. The Lord attained a terrible state when Sita was kidnapped by the king of Lanka.

36 Thinking the moon a blazing sun, a gentle breeze a howling wind, a garland of malati and mallika flowers a string of crescent moons, and singing a collection of sparks, He laughed and looked about as a man deeply in love with a woman and now filled with anxiety for His beloved. As He was enjoying pastimes with Jambavan, Kamadeva had stolen His mind.

37 The Lord killed the monkey-king Vali, built a bridge with His great friend, crossed the ocean, and with many great monkeys killed an army of hundred thousand yaksas and raksasas. With a blazing arrow He killed Lanka's king and He also killed the king's sons and younger brothers. In this way the Lord recovered splendid Sita and returned to His own city.

38 Protecting also the sun and the other planets, the Lord ruled the earth. He protected all the principles of religion and the service of the cows, brahmanas, and the wise. He led His devotees, who were all filled with love for Him, from the city and the forest to His own peaceful abode.

39 By Lord Rama's order His younger brother Bharata stayed in His own home. The Lord abandoned His opulences and accepted the vow of vanaprastha. The Lord also defeated many millions of Gandharvas.

40 His younger brother Sri Laksmana went to the forest and with many great austerities served Rama and Sita. On Lord Rama's order, Laksmana, who was a fire that burned the armies of His enemies, left His body and went to His own transcendental abode.

41 Very powerful and pure intelligent Satrughna, was very kind to the poor and wretched. With His chivalrous power He broke the pride of His enemies. He served the devotees and killed the demon Lavana. He was very handsome. He treated equally His own associates and strangers.

42 To show Markandeya Muni that all the planets in the world of maya rest in His abdomen, the Lord assumed the form of a small child reclining on a banyan leaf and intently sucking His toe.

43 To protect they who were defeated in battle by the horrible and ugly demon Vrtra, the Lord assumed the form of the best of the demigods. Praised by Garuda and the kinnaras, the Lord removed everyone's sufferings, fears and griefs.

44 Out of compassion the Lord saved the Valikhilyas, the best of the brahmanas, who, the size of a thumb, were the object of Indra's laughter. When, as they were carrying firewood in their hands to serve their spiritual master, they fell in a cow's hoof print puddle and were drowning, they appealed to the Lord and He rescued them.

45 When the seed of King Dusyanta was placed in Sakuntala, the Supreme Lord, who is never born, took birth. When the limitless Lord performed many yajnas and gave great wealth in charity, the kings that had performed many asvamedha-yajnas became filled with wonder.

46 Seeing that the people in Kali-yuga will have neither intelligence nor spiritual strength, the Lord will appear as the son of Parasara Muni and Vasu's daughter. He will collect and arrange the Vedas.

47 In the Vrsni dynasty the Lord will appear as Lord Baladeva. With His great strength He will break apart the strength of the demigods' enemies. As if He were plowing the fields He will drag the Kuru's capitol with His plow, making everyone there tremble with fear.

48 Bearing the name Sri Krsna, the unborn Lord, who is full of all transcendental potencies, will take birth to expand His glories. He will give happiness to the earth, King Vrsni, and the devotees that take shelter of His feet.

49 In His original form the Lord was born in Vasudeva's home. He went to Gokula and, appearing as a child, with many pastimes and with charming childish words and laughter delighted the cows, gopas, and gopis.

50 To protect Vraja He will kill many great demons sent by Kamsa. Holding a great mountain in His left hand for seven days, He will crush Indra's pride.

51 When Brahma steals the calves and gopa boys, Balarama will be at first bewildered. The limitless Lord will assume the forms of the many gopa boys, remove Balarama's bewilderment, and also deliver Brahma from a host of illusions.

52 By playfully playing the flute the Lord will fill the gopis with amorous desires and made them run to Vrndavana forest. With them He will enjoy transcendental amorous pastimes that fill the demigods with wonder.

53 He and Balarama brought by Akrura to Kamsa's festival, the Lord will quickly break Siva's bow and then kill the elephant Kuvalayapida, the wrestler Canura and Kamsa himself.

54 Wishing to offer guru-daksina, the Lord will give Sandipani Muni his dead son (returned to life). The Lord will kill Jarasandha and Yavanasura. He will marry many hundreds of wives headed by Rukmini and He will father ten sons in each of them.

55 The Lord will kill Narakasura and his associates, and, going to the heavenly realm he will return the jewel earrings to the mother of the demigods. To please His beloved He will take away the king of Indra's trees. Then He will defeat the demigods in battle.

56 The Lord will defeat Banasura in battle. When He eclipses my own powers He will establish Himself as the best of the immortal demigods. When Yudhisthira defeats the kings in battle and performs a yajna, the Lord will kill Sisupala, His old rival for Rukmini's hand. In this way the Lord will remove a great burden from the earth.

57 He will show the world the importance of honouring the brahmanas. He will bestow limitless mercy on His servants. He will protect King Pariksit from being burdened by a brahmastra weapon. While acting for a brahmana's sake He will show Arjuna the Bhuma-purusa.

58 For one who directly worship His transcendental form, the supremely pure Lord removes from his heart the lust, affections, fears, and attachments that come with household life. To him the Lord reveals His own transcendental form. What more can I say than this?

59 For they who are devoted to the pollen of the Lord's lotus feet and who are thus plunged in a great ocean of bliss the pseudo-happiness of impersonal liberation does not appear, what to speak of the fears created by lust and attachment.

60 The Lord will show His transcendental glories which are greater than visiting the Ganga and other holy places, performing austerities and sacrifices, following vows, and performing many other pious deeds. On the pretext of a brahmana's curse He will kill His own exalted family. In His own transcendental body He will return to His pure and transcendental abode.

61 From the Lord will be born a son named Pradyumna, whose virtues will be like the Lord's, and who will bring great happiness to the people. With His smiling face and handsome limbs he will make them happy as if he were giving them sweet nectar to drink.

62 From the Lord will also be born unborn Aniruddha, the original Deity of the mind and the original creator of words. When Aniruddha kidnaps usa, Banasura will loose the great power of His many arms and will become a peaceful follower of Siva.

63 From the arani wood of Vyasadeva will be born Bhagavan Sukadeva, a great yogi who will speak to the people a beautiful, pure and peaceful book that is the essence of all the Vedas, a book that brings one to the Lord. By having faith in this book the people in Kali-yuga will attain peace.

64 In Kali-yuga the Lord will appear as Buddha, the son of a jina. He will write seductive heretical scriptures that bewilder the demons.

65 When the path of devotion to the Lord is destroyed by a host of heretical scriptures and the brahmanas have gone astray, the Lord will appear as the brilliant sun that is the Kalki incarnation. Attacking the blinding darkness that is a host of demon-kings, He will protect the principles of religion.

66 During the eight manvantara the Lord will appear as Sri Sarvabhauma, the son of Sarasvati-devi and the great brahmana Dharmagupta. Understanding Bali's glories, He will take the opulence of Indra and give it to Bali Maharaja.

67 During the ninth manvantara the peerless Lord will become Rsabha, the son of Ambudhara and Ayuskara, and the friend of the Indra named Adbhuta. He will come to kill the enemies of the demigods, protect the worlds, and teach the principles of morality to the people.

68 During the tenth manvantara the Lord will appear in Visuci's home as Visvaksena. He will be the close friend of the Indra named Sambhu. He will protect the demigods, conquer the worlds, and, with a great army kill the demigods' enemies.

69 In the eleventh manvantara the Lord will appear as Dharmasetu, the grandson of Arthaka. He will protect the demigods, kill the demons, and give the realm of the demigods to Vidhrti's son.

70 In the twelfth manvantara the Lord will appear as Svadhama, the son of Sunrta-devi and the brahmana satyasaha. He will protect the yuga and bring great happiness to the universe.

71 In the thirteenth manvantara the Lord will appear as Yogesvara, the son of Devahotra and Brhati. He will befriend the Indra Divaspati in the heavenly worlds and by His mystic power He will manifest a limitless form.

72 After that the Lord will appear in Satrayana's home as the son of Devavanita-devi. Concerned for the welfare of the world, He will teach the science of kriya-yoga.

73 O brahmana, thus I have described the many pure incarnations of the Lord, who have descended for the welfare of the universe. Some incarnations are complete manifestations of the Lord, some partial, and some are parts of His parts. Following the paths of knowledge, pious deeds, or meditative trance, one should remember these forms of the Lord.

74-76 The eighteen great faults are said to be: 1. illusion, 2. laziness, 3. bewilderment, 4. cruelty, 5. overpowering lust, 6. fickleness, 7. madness, 8. envy, 9. violence, 10. lamentation, 11. exhaustion, 12. dishonesty, 13. anger, 14. longing, 15, fear, 16. wandering aimlessly in the material worlds, 17. coarseness, and 18. dependence on others. The Lord's transcendental form is full of all powers and opulences. It is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss.

77 I take shelter of Lord Krsna, the master of the universes. His pastime incarnations again and again protect the worlds that are home to the moving and unmoving creatures.

Patala Three

Avatara-bheda-kathana

Description of Different Kinds of Incarnations

1 Sri Narada said: O Lord, you have described the many incarnations of Lord Visnu. Now please describe His sampurna (complete), amsa (partial), and kala (parts of a part) forms.

2 What is the nature of the partial and sub-partial incarnations of Lord Krsna, Brahman, and Paramatma? O Lord, please tell this to us.

3 Sri Siva said: O brahmana, you have spoken the truth. All the incarnations of Lord Krsna and His Paramatma expansion are divided into amsa (parts) and kala (parts of a part).

4 Because it is eternal, undivided and always changeless, the wise philosophers devoted to the Lord never describe any incarnations of Brahman.

5 They say that the forms of the Lord of the universes are considered full (purna), partial (amsa), or sub-partial (kala) according to the knowledge, power and other opulences the Lord manifests.

6 Although the Lord always manifests His knowledge, power and other opulences, His incarnations, because of the nature of Their mission, do not manifest them in full.

7 The form of the Lord that manifests in full the opulences of mystic power, knowledge, piety, renunciation, wealth and fame are called the full (purna) manifestation of the Lord by the wise.

8 As the Lord's incarnations manifest less and less of these opulences they are considered partial (amsa) and sub-partial (kala) incarnations.

9 Partial (amsa) incarnations manifest one fourth of the Lord's opulence, sub-partial (kala) incarnations manifest one sixteenth, and potency (vibhuti) incarnations manifest one hundredth of the Lord's opulence.

10 O best of brahmanas, now please hear from me the nature of the opulences of mystic power, knowledge, piety, renunciation, wealth and fame.

11 O pious one, transcendental knowledge is of six kinds, knowledge of: 1. the creation of the material universes, 2. the destruction of the material universes, 3. ignorance, 4. knowledge, 5. going (to the material world) and 6. returning (to the spiritual world).

12 Piety has four aspects: 1. honesty, 2. purity, 3. mercy and 4. silence (from materialistic talking).

13 O noble one, the four kinds of renunciation are: 1. humility, 2. giving honour to others, 3. renunciation of material sense-happiness, and 4. self-control.

14 The eight mystic powers are: 1. becoming very small (amina), 2. becoming very light and thus able to fly here and there (laghima), 3. becoming very large (mahima), 4. having one's desires always fulfilled (prakamya), 5. being able to get anything (prapti), 6. becoming very powerful (asita), 7. bringing others under one's control (vasita), and 8. being able to contradict the laws of material nature and thus do any impossible thing (kamavasayita).

15 Wealth is said to be the possession of servants, counsellors, friends, relatives, children, grandchildren, wives, garments, ornaments, treasuries filled with valuables, armies consisting of four divisions (elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry), land, many kinds of weapons, fortresses, and many other things.

16 A person is famous because of his deeds or his virtues.

17 The Lord's deeds are of four kinds: 1. creation of the material universes, 2. maintenance of the material universes, 3. destruction of the material universes, and 4. the very wonderful activities of His pastime incarnations.

18 The wise say that the Lord's virtues cannot be counted. Still, I will describe 62 of them to you.

19 The Lord's virtues are: 1. love for the brahmanas (brahmanya), 2. being the shelter of the surrendered souls (saranya), 3. love for the devotees (bhakta-vatsalya), 4. generosity (datrtva), 5. truthfulness (satya-sandhatva), 6. great strength (vikrantatva), 7. self-control (niyamyata)...

20 ...8. invincibility (durjayatva), 9. being free from becoming hurt (duhsaratva), 10, being the proper object of service (nisevyatva), 11. tolerance (sahisnuta), 12. peacefulness (aksobhyatva), 13. independence (svatantratva), 14. being aloof from material things (nairapeksya), 15. being the best (sva-sausthava)...

21 ...16. heroism (saurya), 17. nobility (audaryam), 18. religiousness (astikya), 19. steadiness (sthairya), 20. peacefulness (dhairya), 21. cheerfulness (prasannata), 22. profundity (gambhirya), 23. humility (prasraya), 24. good character (sila), 25, boldness (pragalbhya), 26. honesty (rta), 27. auspiciousness (mangala)...

22 ...28. control of the mind (sama), 29 control of the senses (dama), 30. power (bala), 31. expertise (daksya), 32. bringing happiness (ksema), 33. joyfulness (harsa), 34, freedom from false ego (anahankrti), 35. satisfaction (santosa), 36. righteousness (arjava), 37. being equal to all (samya), 38. being cheerful at heart (mano-bhagya), 39. scholarship (sruta), 40. happiness (sukha)...

23 ...41. renunciation (tyaga), 42. fearlessness (abhaya), 43. purifying others (pavana), 44. glory (tejah), 45. cleverness (kausala), 46, being a shelter for others (asraya), 47 resolution (dhrti), 48. forgiveness (ksama), 49 memory (smrti), 50 shyness (lajja), 51. faithfulness (sraddha), 52. friendliness (maitri), 53. compassion (daya), 54. dignity (unnati), ...

24 ...55. tranquillity (santi), 56. prosperity (pusti), 57. eloquence (suvak), 58. purity (suddhhi), 59, intelligence (buddhi), 60. knowledge (vidya), 61. wisdom (vidya), and 62. protection (sva-raksata). These are some of the Lord's opulences. Now I have described them to you.

25 The form of the Lord that manifests all these qualities in full is called the Lord's full (purna) manifestation. An incarnation that manifests these qualities in part is considered a partial (amsa) incarnation, and an incarnation that manifests these qualities in a lesser part is considered a sub-partial (kala) incarnation.

26 An incarnation that manifests these qualities in still lesser part is considered a potency (vibhuti) incarnation. Sri Krsna is not an incarnation or a partial expansion of the Supreme, for He is the original, eternal, pure, spiritual, sole Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.

27 Because in the course of performing His activities He displayed all these opulences one after another as it was appropriate, Lord Krsna is the full and complete (purna) form of the Lord.

28 The incarnations beginning with Lord Hayagriva manifest these opulences to a lesser degree than Lord Krsna does, and therefore they are called partial (amsa) incarnations.

29 These incarnations are Rama, Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Nrsimha, Hayagriva, the manvantara incarnations headed by Yajna...

30 ...the incarnations headed by Sukla, Rsabha, Nara-Narayana Rsis, Dattatreya, and, in Kali-yuga, Buddha and Kalki.

31 These incarnations are said to have displayed only a part of Lord Visnu's knowledge, pastimes, powers, and other opulences. Nara Rsi entered Arjuna, and therefore Arjuna is an avesa incarnation of Nara Rsi. Lord Krsna, however, is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.

32 The Kumaras, Narada, Vyasa, Sukadeva, and others are sub-partial (kala) incarnations. They display a part of the Lord's transcendental knowledge.

33 Gaya, Prthu, and Bharata are sub-partial (kala) incarnations endowed with specific potencies (sakti). The incarnations of the modes of nature are headed by Brahma. The parts of these incarnations are the potency (vibhuti) incarnations.

34 O king of the brahmanas, in this way I have described to You the Lord's full (purna) manifestation, and His partial (amsa) and sub-partial (kala) incarnations, which are considered according to the degree the Lord's transcendental activities and opulences are displayed.

35 O brahmana, O gentle one, O best of the devotees, these divisions do not apply to the impersonal Brahman. Neither do they apply to Lord Krsna, who is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead and the source from which the many incarnations have come.

36 O Siva, please describe to me the nature of the original source of the incarnations. Is that source the impersonal Brahman or the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

37 Are Lord Krsna and Lord Narayana, the master of Vaikuntha, the same person, or are they different?

38 Sri Siva said: O son of Brahma, O brahmana, O best of the devotees, please hear as I tell you the great secret of the original source of the incarnations.

39 The source of the incarnations is one, although He is variously called Sri Krsna, Brahman, and the purusa incarnation or Supersoul.

40 As the circle of the sun has many features, so the Supreme appears as Sri Krsna, Brahman, and the purusa incarnation (Supersoul).

41-42 The great souls that understand the Satvata Tantra and have faith in devotional service say that supremely blissful and glorious Sri Krsna, who is eternal, whose form is of pure goodness, and who resides in the spiritual world served by His devotees, is the highest.

43 The students of Vedanta, who have faith in the process of philosophical speculation, and who follow the scriptures of philosophical speculation, say that the highest is the eternal impersonal Brahman...

44 ...which has no hands, feet, eyes, ears, sense of touch, nose or form, which is brilliant light, has all powers, is beyond the words and the mind...

45 ...is full of bliss and knowledge, and is the cause of everything.

46 The students of the three Vedas who become worshippers of the Supersoul say that blissful and eternal Lord Narayana, who never suffers and who is the universal form with a thousand faces, is the highest.

47-48 They who are intent on performing pious deeds say that the purusa incarnation, who is beyond the material worlds, who creates, maintains, and destroys the material worlds, who grants transcendental bliss, who is peaceful, and who delivers the devotees from the ocean of repeated birth and death is the highest.

49 O brahmana, because He is all-pervading, and because He has created everything, Lord Krsna is the highest. Therefore the wise say there is no difference between Lord Krsna, the Supersoul, and the impersonal Brahman.

50 He appears in different ways before the different senses of different viewers. In this way the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krsna, is said to be manifested in different ways.

51 Therefore all the great sages agree that Sri Krsna, who entered Devaki's womb and enjoyed pastimes like those of a human being, is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead.

52 Therefore Lord Krsna, who displays many different activities beginning with the creation of the material worlds, is said to be the origin of all incarnations.

53 He is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, who should be worshipped by all people. To give to the people many gifts beginning with liberation, He descended to the human world and appeared to be a human being.

54 Therefore, by performing the various activities of devotional service without material desire the people should always worship Him, the master of all and the controller of liberation.

55 O brahmana, now I have described to you the many incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You are the best of the devotees. What shall I describe to you next?

Patala Four

Bhakti-bheda

Varieties of Devotional Service

1 Sri Narada said: As I hear your nectar words my thirst to hear more and more remains unsatiated. The glory of the description of Lord Hari's avataras is the supreme auspiciousness.

2 Now that I have heard all this, I yearn to hear about the different kinds of devotional service the living entities render to the Supreme Lord.

3 O Lord Sadasiva, please describe to me the different kinds of devotional service to Lord Visnu. O Lord, by understanding the truth of devotional service, a person attains the same transcendental position as Lord Visnu.

4 Sri Siva said: O saintly one, it is good that you ask about this. This is a great secret I will not reveal to any but a devotee of the Lord.

5 Once, pleased at heart by my activities of meditation, all-powerful Lord Krsna spoke to me. At that time the merciful Lord forbade me to describe (devotional service) to the non devotees.

6 Then I bowed down before the Lord, placing my head at His feet. The Lord said: You should tell these things only to the

devotees.

7 Then, pleased at heart, the Lord who is the goal of the saintly devotees said to me: O Siva, auspiciousness to you! Listen. I will tell this only to the saintly devotees.

8 O Mahadeva, know that they who intently meditate on Me, who consider Me their very life, who are eager to hear of My glories, and who are respectful to all living entities, are My devotees.

9 Pleased with them I describe the different kinds of devotional service along with the ways to attain them, O Siva, in this way the devotional service you perform will become perfect.

10 O Sadasiva, pleased at heart, I will describe these different kinds of devotional service, along with the ways to attain them, to anyone who has faith in your words.

11 Now I will describe to you the different kinds of devotional service, along with the ways to attain them. A person who is fond of glorifying the Lord is the best of devotees.

12 The love of the gopis is famous as "kama". Because it is unbroken, full of bliss and beyond the material modes, unalloyed devotional service is called "priti" by the wise.

13 Devotional service is of three kinds: 1. jnana, 2. kriya, 3. lila. O brahmana, now please hear of these from me.

14 1. Jnana Devotional Service

Jnana devotional service consists of unbroken meditation on Lord Hari, the Supersoul in everyone's heart. Untouched by the modes of material nature, jnana devotional service is better than impersonal liberation.

15 Kriya Devotional Service

Kriya devotional service consists of making the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, the goal of all sense activities by offering (the fruits) one's work to Him. Kriya devotional service mocks impersonal liberation.

16 Lila Devotional Service

Lila devotional service is manifested when by hearing Lord Hari's pastimes in the association of devotees one develops love for Him. The devotees should always perform this kind of devotional service. No other service is better than this.

17 O best of the devotees, now please hear the ways by which, step by step, one attains devotional service to Lord Hari.

18-21 By performing the duties of varnasrama prescribed according to one's own nature, by not harming others, by hearing about, seeing, touching , worshipping, offering prayers to, and offering obeisances to the Lord's Deity form and His other forms, by being detached from the objects of sense gratification, by serving one's spiritual master, by hearing scriptures that encourage renunciation, by being submissive to great souls, by being friendly to one's equals, by being kind to the poor and lowly, by meditating on the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by hearing and chanting His glories, and by seeing Him present as the Supersoul in all living entities, one attains devotional service that is not touched by the modes of material nature (nirguna-bhakti).

22 When one attains devotional service that is beyond the modes of material nature, he does not think impersonal liberation very valuable. For him liberation is love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

23 The first stage of this love is called bhava. When ecstatic symptoms, such as tears and hairs of the body standing erect, are even slightly manifested, it is called sattvika-bhava.

24 O best of the saintly devotees, please hear what a wise person should with all earnestness do to attain devotional service to the Lord.

25 Following his spiritual master's instructions, with his senses a person should earnestly serve the Supreme Lord's lotus feet.

26 With one's voice one should chant the holy names of Lord Hari. With one's ears one should hear of Lord Hari's activities. With one's hands one should serve the Deity and other forms of Lord Hari.

27 With one's tongue one should happily taste the foods offered to the Lord. With one's nose one should smell the fragrances offered to Lord Krsna's lotus feet.

28 When the scent of flowers offered to the Lord enters the nose, the prison cage of one's past sins suddenly breaks open.

29 One should place to one's head the flowers offered to the Lord's body. With one's eyes one should respectfully gaze on the Vaisnavas.

30 With one's mind one should meditate on the Lord's form. With one's head, chest, arms, feet, and other parts of one's body one should offer dandavat obeisances to the Lord. One should always use one's wealth and possessions to advance the Lord's purpose.

31 By regularly performing these activities of sadhana, one should serve the Lord's feet. In this way devotion to Lord Krsna (bhagavati bhakti), the eternal Supreme Personality of Godhead, will quickly become manifest.

32 When all the senses are engaged in (serving) Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it is considered that one has attained spontaneous love for the Lord.

33 O brahmana, a person ardently engaged in devotional service does not think the four goals of life (material piety, economic development, sense gratification, and impersonal liberation) are very valuable. For him all happiness is in devotional service.

34 Impersonal liberation is easily attained by the philosophical speculation. Sense gratification is easily attained by performing yajnas and other pious deeds. Devotion to Lord Hari is not attained by thousands of such activities.

35 Very wonderful mystic powers, sense gratification, eternal liberation, and eternal transcendental bliss come from devotional service to Lord Govinda.

36 O best of brahmana, please hear how with steady intelligence one attains the faith that brings loving devotional service.

37 By the instruction of a bona fide spiritual master one attains the association of devotees. Then one respectfully hears from them the four kinds of Lord Visnu's transcendental activities.

38 Then one glorifies the Lord and remembers him in one's heart. Then with one's voice one praises the great devotees of the Lord.

39 If one does not have the ability to glorify the Lord or always remember him, then one should always chant the Lord's holy names.

40 Only with great endeavour do human beings attain success in remembering Lord Krsna. However, merely by moving their lips they can attain success in chanting the Lord's holy name.

41 O Narada, the holy names of Lord Hari always stay only in the mouth of one who in hundreds of previous births worshipped Lord Vasudeva.

42 One who with unwavering love acts in this way day after day quickly attains devotion to Lord Krsna. He is honoured by the devotees.

43 In this way he attains love for the Lord. He becomes free from the cycle of repeated birth and death and he attains the peace that brings great transcendental bliss.

44 The devotees attain forms, noble character, virtues, and actions that are like the Lord's. Without devotion to Lord Krsna, the deliverer from evils, one cannot attain these things.

45 Here someone may protest: If by performing activities other than these one tirelessly engages in some other kind of devotional service there is no fault, for that person is engaged in service to Lord Hari.

46 That protest is answered with these words: A person attains devotional service according to his faith in devotional service. The results of performing devotional service may thus be different according to one's faith, but the activities (sadhana) of devotional service are not different.

47 One by one I have explained the different kinds of devotional service and the ways (sadhana) to attain them. Devotional service performed without material desires brings eternal results beginning with the happy state of liberation from the world.

48 O brahmana, devotional service performed with material desires and according to the modes of material nature has already been elaborately described by the great sages. What more shall I describe. Tell me, O best of the brahmanas.

49 Sri Narada said: O best of the demigods, you have described to me all that should be done. What are the forbidden activities, which hinder devotional service?

50 O Mahadeva, to me, who have faith in devotional service, please describe both the obstacles on the path of devotional service and the most important activities (sadhana) by which one attains devotional service.

51 Sri Siva said: So-called activities of devotional service (sadhana) to the Supreme Personality of Godhead that are different (from what I have described) are forbidden.

52 O best of the brahmanas, for a person who has faith in devotional service the sense gratification of the material body is the greatest obstacle to devotional service.

53 In this way I have summarised for you what are the obstacles and what is prohibited. Now please hear how humankind should completely avoid those things that destroy devotional service.

54 In nirguna bhakti (devotional service beyond the modes of material nature) it is doing harm to other living entities. In bhagavati bhakti (devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead) it is false ego. In premamayi bhakti (devotional service performed out of love) it is hostility to the great devotees. These are the things that destroy devotional service.

55 A person who out of hatred disrespects the words of his spiritual master breaks all the rules of devotional service. Even though engaged in devotional service, he goes to hell.

56 One who see fault in his spiritual master commits an offense. He will suffer the result of that offense. One who sees his spiritual master as an ordinary man has all his endeavours become like the bathing of an elephant.

Note: After bathing an elephant's first act is to sprinkle its body with dust, thus negating the effect of its bath.

57 Of all the activities of sadhana the most important is service to the spiritual master. By that service, devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is quickly, easily, and happily attained.

58 Therefore one should very carefully respect the spiritual master's words. They should all be followed. They increase one's devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

59 One should always reject the words of they who have no devotion for their spiritual master, for sacred mantras, for Lord Visnu, or for the all-pervading Supersoul.

60 They whose faith is situated in nirguna bhakti (devotional service beyond the modes of material nature) should always be kind to other living entities. They whose faith is situated in bhagavati bhakti (devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead) should always engage their mind, body and words in the Lord's service.

61 They whose faith is situated in premamayi bhakti (devotional service performed with love) should with love hear the glories of the Lord. o best of the brahmanas, thus I have described to you the most important activities (sadhana) by which one attains devotional service.

62 Taking shelter of Lord Krsna's feet is the root from which all the activities of devotional service (grow). Trying to perform devotional service without it is like trying to drink water from an unbaked earthen pot.

63 Sri Narada said: O wise one, please describe to me the activity of taking shelter of Lord Krsna's lotus feet, without which a person performs devotional service in vain.

64 Sri Siva said: With one's body, words and mind to take shelter of Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is called surrender.

65 O best of brahmanas, they who know the Vedas say that surrender to the Lord is of three kinds: 1. the initial stage, 2. the intermediate stage, and 3. the highest state. O sage, now please hear of these, one by one.

66 The conviction that following religious principles, going on pilgrimages, and surrender to the Lord will protect me from (the reactions of past) sins is considered the initial stage of surrender to Lord Krsna.

67 The conviction that I shall give to Lord Krsna my wife, children, friends, wealth, cows and other things that are my property, is considered the intermediate stage of surrender to Lord Krsna.

68 The conviction that I shall place at Lord Krsna's lotus feet my self, my body and everything that is mine, is called the highest stage of surrender to Lord Krsna.

69 Saying with one's voice, "I am Yours", thinking that one's mind, and with one's body taking shelter of the Lord's holy place, a person who surrenders to the Lord becomes happy.

70 Aside from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, (the devotees) who surrender to Him, and His path of religion (devotional service), such a person sees nothing else of which he can take shelter.

71 Such a person, who surrenders to the Lord, who is filled with devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and who carries the infallible Lord in his heart, purifies all the worlds.

72 Only such a devotee is dear to Lord Visnu. Nothing else is dear to Him. What are the Lord's blissful potencies and opulences in comparison to that devotee?

73 O king of brahmanas, please hear some other symptoms of surrender. The six divisions of surrender are the acceptance of things favourable for devotional service, the rejection of unfavourable things, the conviction that Krsna will give protection, the acceptance of the Lord as one's guardian or master, full self-surrender, and humility.*

74 Sri Narada said: O best of the demigods, please describe to me the characteristics of the devotees so I can understand them and show my affection for them.

75 Sri Siva said: O sage, ordinary men cannot understand the devotees. Only other devotees can understand them, as only another snake can understand how a snake walks.

76 Still, O best of the sages, because you yourself are a devotee of Lord Visnu, I will tell you the essence of the extraordinary nature of the devotees.

77 The devotees are pure in heart, free of false ego, free of material possessiveness, followers of the scriptures, peaceful, and friends of all embodied souls.

78 They do not harm anyone, even if others try to harm them. These are the symptoms of liberated souls who are beyond the modes of material nature and are devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

79 Only service to Lord Hari is dear to them. Nothing else is dear to their heart. They have dedicated their body, home, and senses to the service of Lord Vasudeva.

80 They are free from attachment, aversion and other material feelings. They are indifferent to honour and dishonour. They are always satisfied at heart. Such persons are considered devotees of the Lord.

81 They are affectionate to the devotees, full of faith in the Vedas' descriptions of the Lord's glories, and averse to associating with they who love to talk of the three goals (of economic development, material piety and sense gratification).

82 They are truthful, their hearts yearn to hear Lord Krsna's glories, and they are full of love for Lord Hari. Such persons are devotees of the Lord. All the worlds bow down to offer respects to them.

83 In this way (I have) summarily described the nature of the devotees. Now hear of the three kinds of spiritual awareness.

84 A person who knows that Lord Hari is present in the hearts of all, who is devoted to the Lord's service, and who loves everyone equally and hates no one, has the best spiritual knowledge.

85 A person who knows that Lord Visnu is present everywhere and who loves in different degrees they who are exalted, middle, or lowly, is in the intermediate stage of spiritual knowledge.

86 A person who loves only the Deity and other like forms of Lord Hari, but not the all-pervading Supersoul, and who at least refrains from hurting others, is a materialistic devotee.

87 A person filled with spontaneous love for Lord Hari and engaged in serving Him with all his senses, is called a great devotee (maha-bhagavata), and the highest devotee (uttama).

88 A person who loves Lord Visnu and serves Him with his senses is called a middle devotee (madhyama).

89 A person who without love serves Lord Krsna with his senses and at least remains free from illicit sense gratification is a materialistic (prakrta) devotee.

90 A person who with love always hears the recitation of Lord Hari's pastimes is a great devotee (maha-bhagavata), the highest devotee (uttama). He purifies the worlds.

91 A person who with love hears and chants the glories of Lord Visnu regularly day after day is a middle devotee (madhyama).

92 A person who with love from time to time hears and chants the glories of Lord Hari for perhaps a single yama, and who does not hate the other devotees of Lord Visnu, is called a materialistic (prakrta) devotee.

93 O best of the devotees, many great saints have described many other symptoms of the different kinds of devotees. Still, you can understand the status of the devotees by seeing the degree of their faith.

94 O best of brahmanas, love for the Lord is caused by association with faithful devotees.

95 Love for the devotees who are beyond the modes of material nature feel for the Lord is a great good fortune that is very difficult to attain. Now I will describe that love.

96 You should always love they who are devoted to hearing Lord Hari's pastimes. In that way your devotion to Lord Hari will never perish.

97 O brahmana in this way I have described the natures of the different kinds of devotees. By loving the devotees the people in general become liberated (from the world of birth and death).

98 O child, I have thus described the different kinds of devotional service and the ways (sadhana) they are attained. Devotional service purifies all the varnas and rescues all the asramas from the hard labour (of material life).

99 Devotional service should always be performed. It is eternal. It brings perfection to the people of all countries. In each of the four yugas it makes one dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Patala Five

Yuga-dharma-kathanam

Description of Religion for the Different Yugas