Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 59:23-34

Book 10: Fifty-nine Chapter (Latter Half)

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 59: Verses 23-34


Approaching Sri Krsna, Goddess Earth (the mother of Naraka) delivered (to Him) a pair of ear-rings (belonging to Aditi, mother of the gods), brilliant with jewels chased in purest gold, alongwith a garland of sylvan flowers accompanied by a Vaijayanti (a garland of valuable flowers interspersed with jewels), as well as the umbrella belonging to Varuna (the god of water and the guardian of the western quarter) and the crest of Mount Mandara, known by the name of Mahamani or Maniparvata (so-called because of its abounding in precious gems). Bending low (in humility) with joined palms, and with a mind full of devotion the goddess then glorified (as follows) Sri Krsna (the Lord of the universe), who is worshipped (even) by the foremost of gods, 0 king ! Earth prayed : Hail to You, 0 Ruler of the (very) gods of god, 0 Wielder of a conch, discus and mace ! 0 Inner Controller of the gods and other beings, my salutations be to You, who have assumed this form in deference to the wishes of Your devotees. Hail to You, who have a lotus sprung from Your navel ! Hail to You, who are adorned with a garland of lotuses !! Hail to You, the lotus-eyed One !!! Hail to You, who are possessed of lotus-like feet!!! Salutations to You, who are no other than Lord Visnu, though appearing as a son of Vasudeva ! Salutations to You, who are anterior[1] to all evolutes, the Cause (even) of Prakrti (the source of the entire creation), (the Embodiment of) perfect Knowledge.
Hail to You, the birthless Creator of this (objective) universe, the Absolute, possessed of endless potencies ! (My) salutation be to You, 0 Inner Controller of the great and the small, 0 Lord, who are one with the five (gross) elements, 0 Supreme Spirit ! When inclined to create, O Lord, it is You who assume vehement Rajoguna (and appear as Brahma); for the dissolution of the universe You assume gross Tamoguna (and appear in the form of Rudra, the god of destruction); and for the continuance of the world You assume abundant The Sruti says:- 'Sattvaguna, though remaining (ever) unobscured (by these Gunas), 0 Lord of the universe! (Nay,) You (alone) are the Time-Spirit, primordial Matter and Spirit (too) and (yet) distinct (from them). Myself (earth), water, fire and air, ether, the (five) objects of the senses (viz., sound, touch, colour, taste and smell), the gods (presiding over the Indriyas etc.), the mind, the (ten) Indriyas (the five senses and the five organs of action), the ego, the Mahat-tattva (the principle of cosmic intelligence), (nay,) the entire mobile and immobile creation-(all) this, 0 Lord, is a (mere) phantom (appearing) in You, who are (really) one without a second. This son (Bhagadatta) of Naraka, afraid as he is, has (accordingly) been brought (by me) to (the soles of) Your lotus feet, 0 Reliever of the distress of those fallen at Your feet ! Therefore, protect him and place on his head Your lotus palm, which destroys all sin. Sri Suka continued : Entreated in these words by Goddess Earth bent low with devotion, and vouchsafing security (to Naraka's son), Sri Krsna entered the palace of Naraka (son of Mother Earth), full of all (kinds of) riches (luxuries). There Sri Krsna saw sixteen thousand (and one hundred*[2] ) Ksatriya maidens snatched away by Naraka from (the gynaeceum of) kings (as well as of gods, Siddhas and demons) after showing valour. Fascinated to behold that hero among men, who had (now) entered the women's apartments, the damsels mentally chose Him for their beloved spouse ushered (into their presence) by (a benign) providence.

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References

  1. The sruti says:_

    पुर्वमेवाहमिहासमिति तत् पुरुषस्यपुरुषत्वम्

  2. " We read in the Visnu Purana as follows:_

     देवसिद्धसुरादीना नृपाणा च जनार्दन ।ह्र्त्वा तु सोडसुर:कन्या रुरूधे निजमन्दिरे॥ x x x x x x कन्यापुरे स कन्यानां षोडशातुल्यविक्रम: । शतधिकानि ददृशे सहस्त्राणि महामते

    (V.xxix. 9,31) who are supplicated by all men)! daughters of gods, Siddhas and Asuras as well as 'Having brought by force, 0 Krsna (Sri Krsna of incomparable of (human) kings (rulers of men), that demon (Naraka) detained them In his (own) palace. x x x prowess saw in his gynaeceum, 0 high-minded one, sixteen thousand and one hundred maidens.'