Third Sarga
Nārada Muni Pleads for the Lord's Descent
1
"During this period of time joining the age of quarrel with the previous age, the earth, although the abode of treasure, is perishing due to being covered by ignorant materialistic people, However there is a medicine, Śrī Kṛṣṇa-nāma, which is the abode of all rasa. It is the cure for all these people afflicted by wicked propensities.
2-3
Śrī Nāma can save every one of them, except that person who hates the holy Vaiṣṇava. Sages say that dull-witted and conceited persons, who blaspheme Śrī Kṛṣṇa-nāma as well as the arca-vigraha forms of the Lord saying that they are temporary, have hell as their certain destination.
4
"O! How can this situation be remedied?" Then Nārada whose merciful heart is as broad as an ocean and who possesses clear intelligence, travelled to the transcendental realm of the Lord, known as Vaikuṇṭha.
5
He perceived that spotless eternal abode of the Lord, which is free from all care, all dust and all impurity, whose glories are sung by the three Vedas. Upon entering that world, the sage transcended the ten directions and the three material modes of goodness, passion and ignorance.
6
The shining fame of Śrī Hari was loudly hummed by multitudes of bees amongst clusters of lotuses, within pleasurable jewel-bordered ponds, surrounded by flowering creepers exuding sublime fragrances.
7
The abode was embellished by ruby-studded houses with turrets, nicely ornamented by strands of elephant-pearls. Amidst pathways made of moonstones, the trees blossomed forth the flowers of all seasons, and in them birds warbled melodiously.
8
There the unborn, primeval Lord was rendered service by the goddess of fortune. His majestic glittering crown illumined His curling locks. His eyes defeated the beauty of blossoming lotuses and His radiant face was worshipped by the moon.
9
His cheeks were beautified on either side by great sparkling earrings. His smooth, well-formed neck with three lines resembled a conch, and He wore a tunic of brilliant gold. With His four mighty club-like arms, He appeared like a peak of a blue mountain surrounded by celestial desire-trees.
10
He appeared splendid, with His arms encircled by golden bangles and strings of pearls mounted on fine golden chains swinging from His neck, A net of tiny tinkling bells was bound upon the brilliant cloth around His hips. His lotus feet were most precious.
11
By smelling the enthralling fragrance of the Lord's lotus feet, tears of jubilation appeared in the eyes of Śrī Nārada. His hairs stood erect out of rapture and instantly He fainted, falling like a rod before Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
12
Out of concern the Lord at once spread His open hand with its bejewelled fingers and effulgent nails and caressed the head of the muni. As a gentle smile illuminated His face, He uttered the following charming words:
13
"Arise, magnanimous sage, son of Brahmā. Whatever you now ask of me, I grant you, for today, after many millennia, the time has arisen of its own accord for Me to show the way of virtue for godly men."
14-15
The heart of Lord Śrī Hari is devoted exclusively to those great souls who without any motivation take complete shelter of His feet. Thus clasping Nārada's hand, He raised him up, and quickly showed him to a seat. And when on Śrī Hari's insistence the sage accepted the seat, the Lord inquired from him, "O sage, what is your reason for coming here? Please speak your desire. Whatever it may be, it is My duty to award you complete satisfaction, for saints such as yourself always strive for the ultimate welfare of others."
16
Spoken by the Lord with a brightly smiling glance, these ambrosial words, had a deep resonance like the rumblings of a water-laden cloud, a cloud drawn from the ocean of undying compassion that is Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Nārada replied, "O Lord, I bow as a particle of dust at Your feet. Kindly award protection to Your people who are presently rendered wretched.
17
"Today the earth is much disturbed and polluted because of she maintains a populace engaged in a great variety of iniquitous acts. Everyone is infected by the vices of Kali. They are solely attached to sinful life and have abandoned the association of Your Lordship and Your dear servitors.
18
"O Lord, kindly protect Your people. Other than Yourself, no one can save the absolute goal of life from the scourges of demonic life. O Lord of all worlds, kindly consider the situation and do the needful. You are indeed the absolute goal of our lives. O Lord, there is no other existence beyond You."
19
Hearing the sage's words, Śrī Hari, although in full knowledge, asked, "What I should do? How can we bring peace to their hearts?" The son of the self-born Brahmā replied:
20
"Descending in a pure dynasty of brāhmaṇas, the radiance of Your form more soothing than hundreds of moons, You shall attain wide-spread renown as the son of Jagannātha Miśra. O my Lord! bring peace to the earth.
21
"O Bhagavān, Your other avatāras such as Rāma and others accomplished Their missions by subduing and slaying the wicked rākṣasas and demons. At present there is no such necessity. The only need is to purify the corrupted minds of humanity.
22
"Indeed, if You were to slay all those who have been seduced by the demonic path of life, would there remain anyone still living anywhere on the earth? Therefore through Your own wisdom, kindly come to a decision. Proclaim Your fame far and wide and let the people again become happy and peaceful.
23
"In this avatāra of Yours, the heroes among the sages together with Rudradeva shall also descend to give You assistance." "So be it," Śrī Hari replied to the sage amongst the gods. Then swiftly the sage jubilantly bowed before the Lord and departed.
Thus ends the Third Sarga entitled "Nārada Muni Pleads for the Lord's Descent," in the First Prakrama of the great poem Śrī Caitanya Carita.