Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 1 Chapter 18:16-27

Book 1: Chapter 18

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 1: Chapter 18: Verses 16-27 The youthful sage Srngi utters an imprecation against king Pariksit That great devotee of the Lord, king Pariksit of no mean understanding, attained to the feet of Lord Sri Krsna (whose banner bears the device of Garuda, the king of the birds), which are otherwise known by the name of final beatitude, through wisdom taught by the sage Suka (in the form of a story). Pray, narrate to us that most sacred story embodying the wisdom imparted to Pariksit (the story of Srimad Bhagavata), which lays bare the truth in unambiguous terms and firmly establishes one in the extremely wonderful Yoga (of Love), nay, which also contains an account of the doings of the Lord and delights His devotees. Suta continued : Though born of a mother whose caste is superior to the father's, my birth (which has been deprecated in the Sastras) has been fulfilled today through the service of elders. For association, even by way of conversation, with the noblest souls quickly drives away the heart's agony caused by such despicable birth. Such a consummation is all the more assured in the case of him who utters the Name of the Lord, the only and final resort of the noblest souls. For infinite is the Lord and infinite His Powers; nay, it is because He is possessed of endless virtues that they call Him Ananta. In order to show that He is unequalled and unsurpassed in virtues, suffice it to point out that, rejecting others who courted Her, Goddess Laksmi sought the dust of His feet, even though He did not seek Her hand. +Again, the water which was offered by the Creator (Brahma) to wash the feet of the Lord (when He assumed a cosmic Form at the sacrifice of the demon king Bali) and then flowed from the nails of His toes (in the form of the Ganga-vide verses 3 and 4 of Discourse XXI of Book VIII) sanctifies the whole universe along with Lord Siva (who bore it on His head in response to the prayer of king Bhagiratha-vide IX. ix. 9). Under such circumstances, who else than Lord Sri Krsna (the Bestower of liberation) could deserve the epithet 'Bhagavan' in this world ? The wise that have developed love for Him shake off in no time their deep-rooted attachment to their body etc., and enter that last stage of Paramahamsa's (recluses) in which the practice of non-violence and control of the senses become one's sacred duties. O sages that shine like the sun, what you have asked me in this assembly I shall tell you according to my own lights. Winged creatures soar (in the heavens) according to their own capacity; so do the learned recount the pastimes of the all-pervading Lord Visnu according to their own understanding. Taking up his bow, king Pariksit was hunting in the forest on a certain day. Running after the game, he got fatigued and felt extremely hungry and thirsty. Finding no reservoir of water (near at hand), he entered the well-known hermitage (of the sage Samika) and saw there a hermit who sat still with his eyes closed. Having held his senses and breath, mind and intellect in perfect control, he had withdrawn himself from the world; and having reached that immutable state which lies beyond the three states of consciousness (waking, dream and dreamless sleep), he had become one with Brahma. His body was covered with unloosed matted hair and the skin of a black deer. Finding him in this state, Pariksit asked him for water (to drink), his tongue being parched (with thirst).