Devahūti’s Lamentation
VERSE 3.23.1
maitreya uvāca
pitṛbhyāṁ prasthite sādhvī
patim iṅgita-kovidā
nityaṁ paryacarat prītyā
bhavānīva bhavaṁ prabhum
SYNONYMS
maitreyaḥ uvāca — Maitreya said; pitṛbhyām — by the parents; prasthite — at the departure; sādhvī — the chaste woman; patim — her husband; iṅgita-kovidā — understanding the desires; nityam — constantly; paryacarat — she served; prītyā — with great love; bhavānī — the goddess Pārvatī; iva — like; bhavam — Lord Śiva; prabhum — her lord.
TRANSLATION
Maitreya continued: After the departure of her parents, the chaste woman Devahūti, who could understand the desires of her husband, served him constantly with great love, as Bhavānī, the wife of Lord Śiva, serves her husband.
VERSE 3.23.2
viśrambheṇātma-śaucena
gauraveṇa damena ca
śuśrūṣayā sauhṛdena
vācā madhurayā ca bhoḥ
SYNONYMS
viśrambheṇa — with intimacy; ātma-śaucena — with purity of mind and body; gauraveṇa — with great respect; damena — with control of the senses; ca — and; śuśrūṣayā — with service; sauhṛdena — with love; vācā — with words; madhurayā — sweet; ca — and; bhoḥ — O Vidura.
TRANSLATION
O Vidura, Devahūti served her husband with intimacy and great respect, with control of the senses, with love and with sweet words.
VERSE 3.23.3
visṛjya kāmaṁ dambhaṁ ca
dveṣaṁ lobham aghaṁ madam
apramattodyatā nityaṁ
tejīyāṁsam atoṣayat
SYNONYMS
visṛjya — giving up; kāmam — lust; dambham — pride; ca — and; dveṣam — envy; lobham — greed; agham — sinful activities; madam — vanity; apramattā — sane; udyatā — laboring diligently; nityam — always; tejīyāṁsam — her very powerful husband; atoṣayat — she pleased.
TRANSLATION
Working sanely and diligently, she pleased her very powerful husband, giving up all lust, pride, envy, greed, sinful activities and vanity.
VERSE 3.23.4-5
sa vai devarṣi-varyas tāṁ
mānavīṁ samanuvratām
daivād garīyasaḥ patyur
āśāsānāṁ mahāśiṣaḥ
kālena bhūyasā kṣāmāṁ
karśitāṁ vrata-caryayā
prema-gadgadayā vācā
pīḍitaḥ kṛpayābravīt
SYNONYMS
saḥ — he (Kardama); vai — certainly; deva-ṛṣi — of the celestial sages; varyaḥ — the foremost; tām — her; mānavīm — the daughter of Manu; samanuvratām — fully devoted; daivāt — than providence; garīyasaḥ — who was greater; patyuḥ — from her husband; āśāsānām — expecting; mahā-āśiṣaḥ — great blessings; kālena bhūyasā — for a long time; kṣāmām — weak; karśitām — emaciated; vrata-caryayā — by religious observances; prema — with love; gadgadayā — stammering; vācā — with a voice; pīḍitaḥ — overcome; kṛpayā — with compassion; abravīt — he said.
TRANSLATION
The daughter of Manu, who was fully devoted to her husband, looked upon him as greater even than providence. Thus she expected great blessings from him. Having served him for a long time, she grew weak and emaciated due to her religious observances. Seeing her condition, Kardama, the foremost of celestial sages, was overcome with compassion and spoke to her in a voice choked with great love.
VERSE 3.23.6
kardama uvāca
tuṣṭo ’ham adya tava mānavi mānadāyāḥ
śuśrūṣayā paramayā parayā ca bhaktyā
yo dehinām ayam atīva suhṛt sa deho
nāvekṣitaḥ samucitaḥ kṣapituṁ mad-arthe
SYNONYMS
kardamaḥ uvāca — the great sage Kardama said; tuṣṭaḥ — pleased; aham — I am; adya — today; tava — with you; mānavi — O daughter of Manu; māna-dāyāḥ — who are respectful; śuśrūṣayā — by the service; paramayā — most excellent; parayā — highest; ca — and; bhaktyā — by the devotion; yaḥ — that which; dehinām — to the embodied; ayam — this; atīva — extremely; suhṛt — dear; saḥ — that; dehaḥ — body; na — not; avekṣitaḥ — taken care of; samucitaḥ — properly; kṣapitum — to expend; mat-arthe — on my account.
TRANSLATION
Kardama Muni said: O respectful daughter of Svāyambhuva Manu, today I am very much pleased with you for your great devotion and most excellent loving service. Since the body is so dear to embodied beings, I am astonished that you have neglected your own body to use it on my behalf.
VERSE 3.23.7
ye me sva-dharma-niratasya tapaḥ-samādhi-
vidyātma-yoga-vijitā bhagavat-prasādāḥ
tān eva te mad-anusevanayāvaruddhān
dṛṣṭiṁ prapaśya vitarāmy abhayān aśokān
SYNONYMS
ye — those which; me — by me; sva-dharma — own religious life; niratasya — fully occupied with; tapaḥ — in austerity; samādhi — in meditation; vidyā — in Kṛṣṇa consciousness; ātma-yoga — by fixing the mind; vijitāḥ — achieved; bhagavat-prasādāḥ — the blessings of the Lord; tān — them; eva — even; te — by you; mat — to me; anusevanayā — by devoted service; avaruddhān — obtained; dṛṣṭim — transcendental vision; prapaśya — just see; vitarāmi — I am giving; abhayān — which are free from fear; aśokān — which are free from lamentation.
TRANSLATION
Kardama Muni continued: I have achieved the blessings of the Lord in discharging my own religious life of austerity, meditation and Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Although you have not yet experienced these achievements, which are free from fear and lamentation, I shall offer them all to you because you are engaged in my service. Now just look at them. I am giving you the transcendental vision to see how nice they are.
VERSE 3.23.8
anye punar bhagavato bhruva udvijṛmbha-
vibhraṁśitārtha-racanāḥ kim urukramasya
siddhāsi bhuṅkṣva vibhavān nija-dharma-dohān
divyān narair duradhigān nṛpa-vikriyābhiḥ
SYNONYMS
anye — others; punaḥ — again; bhagavataḥ — of the Lord; bhruvaḥ — of the eyebrows; udvijṛmbha — by the movement; vibhraṁśita — annihilated; artha-racanāḥ — material achievements; kim — what use; urukramasya — of Lord Viṣṇu (far-stepping); siddhā — successful; asi — you are; bhuṅkṣva — enjoy; vibhavān — the gifts; nija-dharma — by your own principles of devotion; dohān — gained; divyān — transcendental; naraiḥ — by persons; duradhigān — difficult to obtain; nṛpa-vikriyābhiḥ — proud of aristocracy.
TRANSLATION
Kardama Muni continued: What is the use of enjoyments other than the Lord’s grace? All material achievements are subject to be annihilated simply by a movement of the eyebrows of Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By your principles of devotion to your husband, you have achieved and can enjoy transcendental gifts very rarely obtained by persons proud of aristocracy and material possessions.
VERSE 3.23.9
evaṁ bruvāṇam abalākhila-yoga-māyā-
vidyā-vicakṣaṇam avekṣya gatādhir āsīt
sampraśraya-praṇaya-vihvalayā gireṣad-
vrīḍāvaloka-vilasad-dhasitānanāha
SYNONYMS
evam — thus; bruvāṇam — speaking; abalā — the woman; akhila — all; yoga-māyā — of transcendental science; vidyā-vicakṣaṇam — excelling in knowledge; avekṣya — after hearing; gata-ādhiḥ — satisfied; āsīt — she became; sampraśraya — with humility; praṇaya — and with love; vihvalayā — choked up; girā — with a voice; īṣat — slightly; vrīḍā — bashful; avaloka — with a glance; vilasat — shining; hasita — smiling; ānanā — her face; āha — she spoke.
TRANSLATION
Upon hearing the speaking of her husband, who excelled in knowledge of all kinds of transcendental science, innocent Devahūti was very satisfied. Her smiling face shining with a slightly bashful glance, she spoke in a choked voice because of great humility and love.
VERSE 3.23.10
devahūtir uvāca
rāddhaṁ bata dvija-vṛṣaitad amogha-yoga-
māyādhipe tvayi vibho tad avaimi bhartaḥ
yas te ’bhyadhāyi samayaḥ sakṛd aṅga-saṅgo
bhūyād garīyasi guṇaḥ prasavaḥ satīnām
SYNONYMS
devahūtiḥ uvāca — Devahūti said; rāddham — it has been achieved; bata — indeed; dvija-vṛṣa — O best of the brāhmaṇas; etat — this; amogha — infallible; yoga-māyā — of mystic powers; adhipe — the master; tvayi — in you; vibho — O great one; tat — that; avaimi — I know; bhartaḥ — O husband; yaḥ — that which; te — by you; abhyadhāyi — was given; samayaḥ — promise; sakṛt — once; aṅga-saṅgaḥ — bodily union; bhūyāt — may be; garīyasi — when very glorious; guṇaḥ — a great quality; prasavaḥ — progeny; satīnām — of chaste women.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Devahūti said: My dear husband, O best of brāhmaṇas, I know that you have achieved perfection and are the master of all the infallible mystic powers because you are under the protection of yoga-māyā, the transcendental nature. But you once made a promise that our bodily union should now fulfill, since children are a great quality for a chaste woman who has a glorious husband.
VERSE 3.23.11
tatreti-kṛtyam upaśikṣa yathopadeśaṁ
yenaiṣa me karśito ’tiriraṁsayātmā
siddhyeta te kṛta-manobhava-dharṣitāyā
dīnas tad īśa bhavanaṁ sadṛśaṁ vicakṣva
SYNONYMS
tatra — in that; iti-kṛtyam — what is necessary to be done; upaśikṣa — perform; yathā — according to; upadeśam — instruction in scripture; yena — by which; eṣaḥ — this; me — my; karśitaḥ — emaciated; atiriraṁ-sayā — due to intense passion not being satisfied; ātmā — body; siddhyeta — it may be rendered fit; te — for you; kṛta — excited; manaḥ-bhava — by emotion; dharṣitāyāḥ — who am struck; dīnaḥ — poor; tat — therefore; īśa — O my dear lord; bhavanam — house; sadṛśam — suitable; vicakṣva — please think of.
TRANSLATION
Devahūti continued: My dear lord, I am struck by excited emotion for you. Therefore kindly make what arrangements must be made according to the scriptures so that my skinny body, emaciated through unsatisfied passion, may be rendered fit for you. Also, my lord, please think of a suitable house for this purpose.
VERSE 3.23.12
maitreya uvāca
priyāyāḥ priyam anvicchan
kardamo yogam āsthitaḥ
vimānaṁ kāma-gaṁ kṣattas
tarhy evāviracīkarat
SYNONYMS
maitreyaḥ — the great sage Maitreya; uvāca — said; priyāyāḥ — of his beloved wife; priyam — the pleasure; anvicchan — seeking; kardamaḥ — the sage Kardama; yogam — yogic power; āsthitaḥ — exercised; vimānam — an airplane; kāma-gam — moving at will; kṣattaḥ — O Vidura; tarhi — instantly; eva — quite; āviracīkarat — he produced.
TRANSLATION
Maitreya continued: O Vidura, seeking to please his beloved wife, the sage Kardama exercised his yogic power and instantly produced an aerial mansion that could travel at his will.
VERSE 3.23.13
sarva-kāma-dughaṁ divyaṁ
sarva-ratna-samanvitam
sarvarddhy-upacayodarkaṁ
maṇi-stambhair upaskṛtam
SYNONYMS
sarva — all; kāma — desires; dugham — yielding; divyam — wonderful; sarva-ratna — all sorts of jewels; samanvitam — bedecked with; sarva — all; ṛddhi — of wealth; upacaya — increase; udarkam — gradual; maṇi — of precious stones; stambhaiḥ — with pillars; upaskṛtam — adorned.
TRANSLATION
It was a wonderful structure, bedecked with all sorts of jewels, adorned with pillars of precious stones, and capable of yielding whatever one desired. It was equipped with every form of furniture and wealth, which tended to increase in the course of time.
VERSE 3.23.14-15
divyopakaraṇopetaṁ
sarva-kāla-sukhāvaham
paṭṭikābhiḥ patākābhir
vicitrābhir alaṅkṛtam
sragbhir vicitra-mālyābhir
mañju-śiñjat-ṣaḍ-aṅghribhiḥ
dukūla-kṣauma-kauśeyair
nānā-vastrair virājitam
SYNONYMS
divya — wonderful; upakaraṇa — with paraphernalia; upetam — equipped; sarva-kāla — in all seasons; sukha-āvaham — bringing happiness; paṭṭikābhiḥ — with festoons; patākābhiḥ — with flags; vicitrābhiḥ — of various colors and fabrics; alaṅkṛtam — decorated; sragbhiḥ — with wreaths; vicitra-mālyābhiḥ — with charming flowers; mañju — sweet; śiñjat — humming; ṣaṭ-aṅghribhiḥ — with bees; dukūla — fine cloth; kṣauma — linen; kauśeyaiḥ — of silk cloth; nānā — various; vastraiḥ — with tapestries; virājitam — embellished.
TRANSLATION
The castle was fully equipped with all necessary paraphernalia, and it was pleasing in all seasons. It was decorated all around with flags, festoons and artistic work of variegated colors. It was further embellished with wreaths of charming flowers that attracted sweetly humming bees and with tapestries of linen, silk and various other fabrics.
VERSE 3.23.16
upary upari vinyasta-
nilayeṣu pṛthak pṛthak
kṣiptaiḥ kaśipubhiḥ kāntaṁ
paryaṅka-vyajanāsanaiḥ
SYNONYMS
upari upari — one upon another; vinyasta — placed; nilayeṣu — in stories; pṛthak pṛthak — separately; kṣiptaiḥ — arranged; kaśipubhiḥ — with beds; kāntam — charming; paryaṅka — couches; vyajana — fans; āsanaiḥ — with seats.
TRANSLATION
The palace looked charming, with beds, couches, fans and seats, all separately arranged in seven stories.
VERSE 3.23.17
tatra tatra vinikṣipta-
nānā-śilpopaśobhitam
mahā-marakata-sthalyā
juṣṭaṁ vidruma-vedibhiḥ
SYNONYMS
tatra tatra — here and there; vinikṣipta — placed; nānā — various; śilpa — by artistic engravings; upaśobhitam — extraordinarily beautiful; mahā-marakata — of great emeralds; sthalyā — with a floor; juṣṭam — furnished; vidruma — of coral; vedibhiḥ — with raised platforms (daises).
TRANSLATION
Its beauty was enhanced by artistic engravings here and there on the walls. The floor was of emerald, with coral daises.
VERSE 3.23.18
dvāḥsu vidruma-dehalyā
bhātaṁ vajra-kapāṭavat
śikhareṣv indranīleṣu
hema-kumbhair adhiśritam
SYNONYMS
dvāḥsu — in the entrances; vidruma — of coral; dehalyā — with a threshold; bhātam — beautiful; vajra — bedecked with diamonds; kapāṭa-vat — having doors; śikhareṣu — on the domes; indra-nīleṣu — of sapphires; hema-kumbhaiḥ — with gold pinnacles; adhiśritam — crowned.
TRANSLATION
The palace was very beautiful, with its coral thresholds at the entrances and its doors bedecked with diamonds. Gold pinnacles crowned its domes of sapphire.
VERSE 3.23.19
cakṣuṣmat padmarāgāgryair
vajra-bhittiṣu nirmitaiḥ
juṣṭaṁ vicitra-vaitānair
mahārhair hema-toraṇaiḥ
SYNONYMS
cakṣuḥ-mat — as if possessed of eyes; padma-rāga — with rubies; agryaiḥ — choicest; vajra — of diamond; bhittiṣu — on the walls; nirmitaiḥ — set; juṣṭam — furnished; vicitra — various; vaitānaiḥ — with canopies; mahā-arhaiḥ — greatly valuable; hema-toraṇaiḥ — with gates of gold.
TRANSLATION
With the choicest rubies set in its diamond walls, it appeared as though possessed of eyes. It was furnished with wonderful canopies and greatly valuable gates of gold.
VERSE 3.23.20
haṁsa-pārāvata-vrātais
tatra tatra nikūjitam
kṛtrimān manyamānaiḥ svān
adhiruhyādhiruhya ca
SYNONYMS
haṁsa — of swans; pārāvata — of pigeons; vrātaiḥ — with multitudes; tatra tatra — here and there; nikūjitam — vibrated; kṛtrimān — artificial; manyamānaiḥ — thinking; svān — belonging to their own kind; adhiruhya adhiruhya — rising repeatedly; ca — and.
TRANSLATION
Here and there in that palace were multitudes of live swans and pigeons, as well as artificial swans and pigeons so lifelike that the real swans rose above them again and again, thinking them live birds like themselves. Thus the palace vibrated with the sounds of these birds.
VERSE 3.23.21
vihāra-sthāna-viśrāma-
saṁveśa-prāṅgaṇājiraiḥ
yathopajoṣaṁ racitair
vismāpanam ivātmanaḥ
SYNONYMS
vihāra-sthāna — pleasure grounds; viśrāma — resting chambers; saṁveśa — bedrooms; prāṅgaṇa — inner yards; ajiraiḥ — with outer yards; yathā-upajoṣam — according to comfort; racitaiḥ — which were designed; vismāpanam — causing astonishment; iva — indeed; ātmanaḥ — to himself (Kardama).
TRANSLATION
The castle had pleasure grounds, resting chambers, bedrooms and inner and outer yards designed with an eye to comfort. All this caused astonishment to the sage himself.
VERSE 3.23.22
īdṛg gṛhaṁ tat paśyantīṁ
nātiprītena cetasā
sarva-bhūtāśayābhijñaḥ
prāvocat kardamaḥ svayam
SYNONYMS
īdṛk — such; gṛham — house; tat — that; paśyantīm — looking at; na atiprītena — not much pleased; cetasā — with a heart; sarva-bhūta — of everyone; āśaya-abhijñaḥ — understanding the heart; prāvocat — he addressed; kardamaḥ — Kardama; svayam — personally.
TRANSLATION
When he saw Devahūti looking at the gigantic opulent palace with a displeased heart, Kardama Muni could understand her feelings because he could study the heart of anyone. Thus he personally addressed his wife as follows.
VERSE 3.23.23
nimajjyāsmin hrade bhīru
vimānam idam āruha
idaṁ śukla-kṛtaṁ tīrtham
āśiṣāṁ yāpakaṁ nṛṇām
SYNONYMS
nimajjya — after bathing; asmin — in this; hrade — in the lake; bhīru — O fearful one; vimānam — airplane; idam — this; āruha — ascend; idam — this; śukla-kṛtam — created by Lord Viṣṇu; tīrtham — sacred lake; āśiṣām — the desires; yāpakam — bestowing; nṛṇām — of human beings.
TRANSLATION
My dear Devahūti, you look very much afraid. First bathe in Lake Bindu-sarovara, created by Lord Viṣṇu Himself, which can grant all the desires of a human being, and then mount this airplane.
VERSE 3.23.24
sā tad bhartuḥ samādāya
vacaḥ kuvalayekṣaṇā
sarajaṁ bibhratī vāso
veṇī-bhūtāṁś ca mūrdhajān
SYNONYMS
sā — she; tat — then; bhartuḥ — of her husband; samādāya — accepting; vacaḥ — the words; kuvalaya-īkṣaṇā — the lotus-eyed; sa-rajam — dirty; bibhratī — wearing; vāsaḥ — clothing; veṇī-bhūtān — matted; ca — and; mūrdha-jān — hair.
TRANSLATION
The lotus-eyed Devahūti accepted the order of her husband. Because of her dirty dress and the locks of matted hair on her head, she did not look very attractive.
VERSE 3.23.25
aṅgaṁ ca mala-paṅkena
sañchannaṁ śabala-stanam
āviveśa sarasvatyāḥ
saraḥ śiva-jalāśayam
SYNONYMS
aṅgam — body; ca — and; mala-paṅkena — with dirt; sañchannam — covered; śabala — discolored; stanam — breasts; āviveśa — she entered; sarasvatyāḥ — of the river Sarasvatī; saraḥ — the lake; śiva — sacred; jala — waters; āśayam — containing.
TRANSLATION
Her body was coated with a thick layer of dirt, and her breasts were discolored. She dove, however, into the lake, which contained the sacred waters of the Sarasvatī.
VERSE 3.23.26
sāntaḥ sarasi veśma-sthāḥ
śatāni daśa kanyakāḥ
sarvāḥ kiśora-vayaso
dadarśotpala-gandhayaḥ
SYNONYMS
sā — she; antaḥ — inside; sarasi — in the lake; veśma-sthāḥ — situated in a house; śatāni daśa — ten hundred; kanyakāḥ — girls; sarvāḥ — all; kiśora-vayasaḥ — in the prime of youth; dadarśa — she saw; utpala — like lotuses; gandhayaḥ — fragrant.
TRANSLATION
In a house inside the lake she saw one thousand girls, all in the prime of youth and fragrant like lotuses.
VERSE 3.23.27
tāṁ dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya
procuḥ prāñjalayaḥ striyaḥ
vayaṁ karma-karīs tubhyaṁ
śādhi naḥ karavāma kim
SYNONYMS
tām — her; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; sahasā — suddenly; utthāya — rising; procuḥ — they said; prāñjalayaḥ — with folded hands; striyaḥ — the damsels; vayam — we; karma-karīḥ — maidservants; tubhyam — for you; śādhi — please tell; naḥ — us; karavāma — we can do; kim — what.
TRANSLATION
Seeing her, the damsels suddenly rose and said with folded hands, “We are your maidservants. Tell us what we can do for you.”
VERSE 3.23.28
snānena tāṁ mahārheṇa
snāpayitvā manasvinīm
dukūle nirmale nūtne
dadur asyai ca mānadāḥ
SYNONYMS
snānena — with bathing oils; tām — her; mahā-arheṇa — very costly; snāpayitvā — after bathing; manasvinīm — the virtuous wife; dukūle — in fine cloth; nirmale — spotless; nūtne — new; daduḥ — they gave; asyai — to her; ca — and; māna-dāḥ — the respectful girls.
TRANSLATION
The girls, being very respectful to Devahūti, brought her forth, and after bathing her with valuable oils and ointments, they gave her fine, new, spotless cloth to cover her body.
VERSE 3.23.29
bhūṣaṇāni parārdhyāni
varīyāṁsi dyumanti ca
annaṁ sarva-guṇopetaṁ
pānaṁ caivāmṛtāsavam
SYNONYMS
bhūṣaṇāni — ornaments; para-ardhyāni — most valuable; varīyāṁsi — very excellent; dyumanti — splendid; ca — and; annam — food; sarva-guṇa — all good qualities; upetam — containing; pānam — beverages; ca — and; eva — also; amṛta — sweet; āsavam — intoxicating.
TRANSLATION
They then decorated her with very excellent and valuable jewels, which shone brightly. Next they offered her food containing all good qualities, and a sweet inebriating drink called āsavam.
VERSE 3.23.30
athādarśe svam ātmānaṁ
sragviṇaṁ virajāmbaram
virajaṁ kṛta-svastyayanaṁ
kanyābhir bahu-mānitam
SYNONYMS
atha — then; ādarśe — in a mirror; svam ātmānam — her own reflection; srak-viṇam — adorned with a garland; viraja — unsullied; ambaram — robes; virajam — freed from all bodily dirt; kṛta-svasti-ayanam — decorated with auspicious marks; kanyābhiḥ — by the maids; bahu-mānitam — very respectfully served.
TRANSLATION
Then in a mirror she beheld her own reflection. Her body was completely freed from all dirt, and she was adorned with a garland. Dressed in unsullied robes and decorated with auspicious marks of tilaka, she was served very respectfully by the maids.
VERSE 3.23.31
snātaṁ kṛta-śiraḥ-snānaṁ
sarvābharaṇa-bhūṣitam
niṣka-grīvaṁ valayinaṁ
kūjat-kāñcana-nūpuram
SYNONYMS
snātam — bathed; kṛta-śiraḥ — including the head; snānam — bathing; sarva — all over; ābharaṇa — with ornaments; bhūṣitam — decorated; niṣka — a gold necklace with a locket; grīvam — on the neck; valayinam — with bangles; kūjat — tinkling; kāñcana — made of gold; nūpuram — ankle bells.
TRANSLATION
Her entire body, including her head, was completely bathed, and she was decorated all over with ornaments. She wore a special necklace with a locket. There were bangles on her wrists and tinkling anklets of gold about her ankles.
VERSE 3.23.32
śroṇyor adhyastayā kāñcyā
kāñcanyā bahu-ratnayā
hāreṇa ca mahārheṇa
rucakena ca bhūṣitam
SYNONYMS
śroṇyoḥ — on the hips; adhyastayā — worn; kāñcyā — with a girdle; kāñcanyā — made of gold; bahu-ratnayā — decorated with numerous jewels; hāreṇa — with a pearl necklace; ca — and; mahā-arheṇa — precious; rucakena — with auspicious substances; ca — and; bhūṣitam — adorned.
TRANSLATION
About her hips she wore a girdle of gold, set with numerous jewels, and she was further adorned with a precious pearl necklace and auspicious substances.
VERSE 3.23.33
sudatā subhruvā ślakṣṇa-
snigdhāpāṅgena cakṣuṣā
padma-kośa-spṛdhā nīlair
alakaiś ca lasan-mukham
SYNONYMS
su-datā — with beautiful teeth; su-bhruvā — with charming eyebrows; ślakṣṇa — lovely; snigdha — moist; apāṅgena — corners of eyes; cakṣuṣā — with eyes; padma-kośa — lotus buds; spṛdhā — defeating; nīlaiḥ — bluish; alakaiḥ — with curling hair; ca — and; lasat — shining; mukham — countenance.
TRANSLATION
Her countenance shone, with beautiful teeth and charming eyebrows. Her eyes, distinguished by lovely moist corners, defeated the beauty of lotus buds. Her face was surrounded by dark curling tresses.
VERSE 3.23.34
yadā sasmāra ṛṣabham
ṛṣīṇāṁ dayitaṁ patim
tatra cāste saha strībhir
yatrāste sa prajāpatiḥ
SYNONYMS
yadā — when; sasmāra — she thought of; ṛṣabham — the foremost; ṛṣīṇām — among the ṛṣis; dayitam — dear; patim — husband; tatra — there; ca — and; āste — she was present; saha — along with; strībhiḥ — the maidservants; yatra — where; āste — was present; saḥ — he; prajāpatiḥ — the Prajāpati (Kardama).
TRANSLATION
When she thought of her great husband, the best of the sages, Kardama Muni, who was very dear to her, she, along with all the maidservants, at once appeared where he was.
VERSE 3.23.35
bhartuḥ purastād ātmānaṁ
strī-sahasra-vṛtaṁ tadā
niśāmya tad-yoga-gatiṁ
saṁśayaṁ pratyapadyata
SYNONYMS
bhartuḥ — of her husband; purastāt — in the presence; ātmānam — herself; strī-sahasra — by a thousand maids; vṛtam — surrounded; tadā — then; niśāmya — seeing; tat — his; yoga-gatim — yogic power; saṁśayam pratyapadyata — she was amazed.
TRANSLATION
She was amazed to find herself surrounded by a thousand maids in the presence of her husband and to witness his yogic power.
VERSE 3.23.36-37
sa tāṁ kṛta-mala-snānāṁ
vibhrājantīm apūrvavat
ātmano bibhratīṁ rūpaṁ
saṁvīta-rucira-stanīm
vidyādharī-sahasreṇa
sevyamānāṁ suvāsasam
jāta-bhāvo vimānaṁ tad
ārohayad amitra-han
SYNONYMS
saḥ — the sage; tām — her (Devahūti); kṛta-mala-snānām — bathed clean; vibhrājantīm — shining forth; apūrva-vat — unprecedentedly; ātmanaḥ — her own; bibhratīm — possessing; rūpam — beauty; saṁvīta — girded; rucira — charming; stanīm — with breasts; vidyādharī — of Gandharva girls; sahasreṇa — by a thousand; sevyamānām — being waited upon; su-vāsasam — dressed in excellent robes; jāta-bhāvaḥ — struck with fondness; vimānam — airplane like a mansion; tat — that; ārohayat — he put her on board; amitra-han — O destroyer of the enemy.
TRANSLATION
The sage could see that Devahūti had washed herself clean and was shining forth as though no longer his former wife. She had regained her own original beauty as the daughter of a prince. Dressed in excellent robes, her charming breasts duly girded, she was waited upon by a thousand Gandharva girls. O destroyer of the enemy, his fondness for her grew, and he placed her on the aerial mansion.
VERSE 3.23.38
tasminn alupta-mahimā priyayānurakto
vidyādharībhir upacīrṇa-vapur vimāne
babhrāja utkaca-kumud-gaṇavān apīcyas
tārābhir āvṛta ivoḍu-patir nabhaḥ-sthaḥ
SYNONYMS
tasmin — in that; alupta — not lost; mahimā — glory; priyayā — with his beloved consort; anuraktaḥ — attached; vidyādharībhiḥ — by the Gandharva girls; upacīrṇa — waited upon; vapuḥ — his person; vimāne — on the airplane; babhrāja — he shone; utkaca — open; kumut-gaṇavān — the moon, which is followed by rows of lilies; apīcyaḥ — very charming; tārābhiḥ — by stars; āvṛtaḥ — surrounded; iva — as; uḍu-patiḥ — the moon (the chief of the stars); nabhaḥ-sthaḥ — in the sky.
TRANSLATION
Though seemingly attached to his beloved consort while served by the Gandharva girls, the sage did not lose his glory, which was mastery over his self. In the aerial mansion, Kardama Muni with his consort shone as charmingly as the moon in the midst of the stars in the sky, which causes rows of lilies to open in ponds at night.
VERSE 3.23.39
tenāṣṭa-lokapa-vihāra-kulācalendra-
droṇīṣv anaṅga-sakha-māruta-saubhagāsu
siddhair nuto dyudhuni-pāta-śiva-svanāsu
reme ciraṁ dhanadaval-lalanā-varūthī
SYNONYMS
tena — by that airplane; aṣṭa-loka-pa — of the predominating deities of the eight heavenly planets; vihāra — the pleasure grounds; kula-acala-indra — of the king of the mountains (Meru); droṇīṣu — in the valleys; anaṅga — of passion; sakha — the companions; māruta — with breezes; saubhagāsu — beautiful; siddhaiḥ — by the Siddhas; nutaḥ — being praised; dyu-dhuni — of the Ganges; pāta — of the downfall; śiva-svanāsu — vibrating with auspicious sounds; reme — he enjoyed; ciram — for a long time; dhanada-vat — like Kuvera; lalanā — by damsels; varūthī — surrounded.
TRANSLATION
In that aerial mansion he traveled to the pleasure valleys of Mount Meru, which were rendered all the more beautiful by cool, gentle, fragrant breezes that stimulated passion. In these valleys, the treasurer of the gods, Kuvera, surrounded by beautiful women and praised by the Siddhas, generally enjoys pleasure. Kardama Muni also, surrounded by the beautiful damsels and his wife, went there and enjoyed for many, many years.
VERSE 3.23.40
vaiśrambhake surasane
nandane puṣpabhadrake
mānase caitrarathye ca
sa reme rāmayā rataḥ
SYNONYMS
vaiśrambhake — in the Vaiśrambhaka garden; surasane — in Surasana; nandane — in Nandana; puṣpabhadrake — in Puṣpabhadraka; mānase — by the Mānasa-sarovara Lake; caitrarathye — in Caitrarathya; ca — and; saḥ — he; reme — enjoyed; rāmayā — by his wife; rataḥ — satisfied.
TRANSLATION
Satisfied by his wife, he enjoyed in that aerial mansion not only on Mount Meru but in different gardens known as Vaiśrambhaka, Surasana, Nandana, Puṣpabhadraka and Caitrarathya, and by the Mānasa-sarovara Lake.
VERSE 3.23.41
bhrājiṣṇunā vimānena
kāma-gena mahīyasā
vaimānikān atyaśeta
caraḻ lokān yathānilaḥ
SYNONYMS
bhrājiṣṇunā — splendid; vimānena — with the airplane; kāma-gena — which flew according to his desire; mahīyasā — very great; vaimānikān — the demigods in their airplanes; atyaśeta — he surpassed; caran — traveling; lokān — through the planets; yathā — like; anilaḥ — the air.
TRANSLATION
He traveled in that way through the various planets, as the air passes uncontrolled in every direction. Coursing through the air in that great and splendid aerial mansion, which could fly at his will, he surpassed even the demigods.
VERSE 3.23.42
kiṁ durāpādanaṁ teṣāṁ
puṁsām uddāma-cetasām
yair āśritas tīrtha-padaś
caraṇo vyasanātyayaḥ
SYNONYMS
kim — what; durāpādanam — difficult to achieve; teṣām — for those; puṁsām — men; uddāma-cetasām — who are determined; yaiḥ — by whom; āśritaḥ — taken refuge; tīrtha-padaḥ — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; caraṇaḥ — feet; vyasana-atyayaḥ — which vanquish dangers.
TRANSLATION
What is difficult to achieve for determined men who have taken refuge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s lotus feet? His feet are the source of sacred rivers like the Ganges, which put an end to the dangers of mundane life.
VERSE 3.23.43
prekṣayitvā bhuvo golaṁ
patnyai yāvān sva-saṁsthayā
bahv-āścaryaṁ mahā-yogī
svāśramāya nyavartata
SYNONYMS
prekṣayitvā — after showing; bhuvaḥ — of the universe; golam — the globe; patnyai — to his wife; yāvān — as much; sva-saṁsthayā — with its arrangements; bahu-āścaryam — full of many wonders; mahā-yogī — the great yogī (Kardama); sva-āśramāya — to his own hermitage; nyavartata — returned.
TRANSLATION
After showing his wife the globe of the universe and its different arrangements, full of many wonders, the great yogī Kardama Muni returned to his own hermitage.
VERSE 3.23.44
vibhajya navadhātmānaṁ
mānavīṁ suratotsukām
rāmāṁ niramayan reme
varṣa-pūgān muhūrtavat
SYNONYMS
vibhajya — having divided; nava-dhā — into nine; ātmānam — himself; mānavīm — the daughter of Manu (Devahūti); surata — for sex life; utsukām — who was eager; rāmām — to his wife; niramayan — giving pleasure; reme — he enjoyed; varṣa-pūgān — for many years; muhūrtavat — like a moment.
TRANSLATION
After coming back to his hermitage, he divided himself into nine personalities just to give pleasure to Devahūti, the daughter of Manu, who was eager for sex life. In that way he enjoyed with her for many, many years, which passed just like a moment.
VERSE 3.23.45
tasmin vimāna utkṛṣṭāṁ
śayyāṁ rati-karīṁ śritā
na cābudhyata taṁ kālaṁ
patyāpīcyena saṅgatā
SYNONYMS
tasmin — in that; vimāne — airplane; utkṛṣṭām — excellent; śayyām — a bed; rati-karīm — increasing sexual desires; śritā — situated on; na — not; ca — and; abudhyata — she noticed; tam — that; kālam — time; patyā — with her husband; apīcyena — most handsome; saṅgatā — in company.
TRANSLATION
In that aerial mansion, Devahūti, in the company of her handsome husband, situated on an excellent bed that increased sexual desires, could not realize how much time was passing.
VERSE 3.23.46
evaṁ yogānubhāvena
dam-patyo ramamāṇayoḥ
śataṁ vyatīyuḥ śaradaḥ
kāma-lālasayor manāk
SYNONYMS
evam — thus; yoga-anubhāvena — by yogic powers; dam-patyoḥ — the couple; ramamāṇayoḥ — while enjoying themselves; śatam — a hundred; vyatīyuḥ — passed; śaradaḥ — autumns; kāma — sexual pleasure; lālasayoḥ — who were eagerly longing for; manāk — like a short time.
TRANSLATION
While the couple, who eagerly longed for sexual pleasure, were thus enjoying themselves by virtue of mystic powers, a hundred autumns passed like a brief span of time.
VERSE 3.23.47
tasyām ādhatta retas tāṁ
bhāvayann ātmanātma-vit
nodhā vidhāya rūpaṁ svaṁ
sarva-saṅkalpa-vid vibhuḥ
SYNONYMS
tasyām — in her; ādhatta — he deposited; retaḥ — semen; tām — her; bhāvayan — regarding; ātmanā — as half of himself; ātma-vit — a knower of spirit soul; nodhā — into nine; vidhāya — having divided; rūpam — body; svam — his own; sarva-saṅkalpa-vit — the knower of all desires; vibhuḥ — the powerful Kardama.
TRANSLATION
The powerful Kardama Muni was the knower of everyone’s heart, and he could grant whatever one desired. Knowing the spiritual soul, he regarded her as half of his body. Dividing himself into nine forms, he impregnated Devahūti with nine discharges of semen.
VERSE 3.23.48
ataḥ sā suṣuve sadyo
devahūtiḥ striyaḥ prajāḥ
sarvās tāś cāru-sarvāṅgyo
lohitotpala-gandhayaḥ
SYNONYMS
ataḥ — then; sā — she; suṣuve — gave birth; sadyaḥ — on the same day; devahūtiḥ — Devahūti; striyaḥ — females; prajāḥ — progeny; sarvāḥ — all; tāḥ — they; cāru-sarva-aṅgyaḥ — charming in every limb; lohita — red; utpala — like the lotus; gandhayaḥ — fragrant.
TRANSLATION
Immediately afterward, on the same day, Devahūti gave birth to nine female children, all charming in every limb and fragrant with the scent of the red lotus flower.
VERSE 3.23.49
patiṁ sā pravrajiṣyantaṁ
tadālakṣyośatī bahiḥ
smayamānā viklavena
hṛdayena vidūyatā
SYNONYMS
patim — her husband; sā — she; pravrajiṣyantam — going to leave home; tadā — then; ālakṣya — after seeing; uśatī — beautiful; bahiḥ — outwardly; smayamānā — smiling; viklavena — agitated; hṛdayena — with a heart; vidūyatā — being distressed.
TRANSLATION
When she saw her husband about to leave home, she smiled externally, but at heart she was agitated and distressed.
VERSE 3.23.50
likhanty adho-mukhī bhūmiṁ
padā nakha-maṇi-śriyā
uvāca lalitāṁ vācaṁ
nirudhyāśru-kalāṁ śanaiḥ
SYNONYMS
likhantī — scratching; adhaḥ-mukhī — her head bent down; bhūmim — the ground; padā — with her foot; nakha — nails; maṇi — gemlike; śriyā — with radiant; uvāca — she spoke; lalitām — charming; vācam — accents; nirudhya — suppressing; aśru-kalām — tears; śanaiḥ — slowly.
TRANSLATION
She stood and scratched the ground with her foot, which was radiant with the luster of her gemlike nails. Her head bent down, she spoke in slow yet charming accents, suppressing her tears.
VERSE 3.23.51
devahūtir uvāca
sarvaṁ tad bhagavān mahyam
upovāha pratiśrutam
athāpi me prapannāyā
abhayaṁ dātum arhasi
SYNONYMS
devahūtiḥ — Devahūti; uvāca — said; sarvam — all; tat — that; bhagavān — Your Lordship; mahyam — for me; upovāha — has been fulfilled; pratiśrutam — promised; atha api — yet; me — unto me; prapannāyai — unto one who has surrendered; abhayam — fearlessness; dātum — to give; arhasi — you deserve.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Devahūti said: My lord, you have fulfilled all the promises you gave me, yet because I am your surrendered soul, you should give me fearlessness too.
VERSE 3.23.52
brahman duhitṛbhis tubhyaṁ
vimṛgyāḥ patayaḥ samāḥ
kaścit syān me viśokāya
tvayi pravrajite vanam
SYNONYMS
brahman — my dear brāhmaṇa; duhitṛbhiḥ — by the daughters themselves; tubhyam — for you; vimṛgyāḥ — to be found out; patayaḥ — husbands; samāḥ — suitable; kaścit — someone; syāt — there should be; me — my; viśokāya — for solace; tvayi — when you; pravrajite — departed; vanam — to the forest.
TRANSLATION
My dear brāhmaṇa, as far as your daughters are concerned, they will find their own suitable husbands and go away to their respective homes. But who will give me solace after your departure as a sannyāsī?
VERSE 3.23.53
etāvatālaṁ kālena
vyatikrāntena me prabho
indriyārtha-prasaṅgena
parityakta-parātmanaḥ
SYNONYMS
etāvatā — so much; alam — for nothing; kālena — time; vyatikrāntena — passed by; me — my; prabho — O my lord; indriya-artha — sense gratification; prasaṅgena — in the matter of indulging; parityakta — disregarding; para-ātmanaḥ — knowledge of the Supreme Lord.
TRANSLATION
Until now we have simply wasted so much of our time in sense gratification, neglecting to cultivate knowledge of the Supreme Lord.
VERSE 3.23.54
indriyārtheṣu sajjantyā
prasaṅgas tvayi me kṛtaḥ
ajānantyā paraṁ bhāvaṁ
tathāpy astv abhayāya me
SYNONYMS
indriya-artheṣu — to sense gratification; sajjantyā — being attached; prasaṅgaḥ — affinity; tvayi — for you; me — by me; kṛtaḥ — was done; ajānantyā — not knowing; param bhāvam — your transcendent situation; tathā api — nonetheless; astu — let it be; abhayāya — for fearlessness; me — my.
TRANSLATION
Not knowing your transcendental situation, I have loved you while remaining attached to the objects of the senses. Nonetheless, let the affinity I have developed for you rid me of all fear.
VERSE 3.23.55
saṅgo yaḥ saṁsṛter hetur
asatsu vihito ’dhiyā
sa eva sādhuṣu kṛto
niḥsaṅgatvāya kalpate
SYNONYMS
saṅgaḥ — association; yaḥ — which; saṁsṛteḥ — of the cycle of birth and death; hetuḥ — the cause; asatsu — with those engaged in sense gratification; vihitaḥ — done; adhiyā — through ignorance; saḥ — the same thing; eva — certainly; sādhuṣu — with saintly persons; kṛtaḥ — performed; niḥsaṅgatvāya — to liberation; kalpate — leads.
TRANSLATION
Association for sense gratification is certainly the path of bondage. But the same type of association, performed with a saintly person, leads to the path of liberation, even if performed without knowledge.
VERSE 3.23.56
neha yat karma dharmāya
na virāgāya kalpate
na tīrtha-pada-sevāyai
jīvann api mṛto hi saḥ
SYNONYMS
na — not; iha — here; yat — which; karma — work; dharmāya — for perfection of religious life; na — not; virāgāya — for detachment; kalpate — leads; na — not; tīrtha-pada — of the Lord’s lotus feet; sevāyai — to devotional service; jīvan — living; api — although; mṛtaḥ — dead; hi — indeed; saḥ — he.
TRANSLATION
Anyone whose work is not meant to elevate him to religious life, anyone whose religious ritualistic performances do not raise him to renunciation, and anyone situated in renunciation that does not lead him to devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, must be considered dead, although he is breathing.
VERSE 3.23.57
sāhaṁ bhagavato nūnaṁ
vañcitā māyayā dṛḍham
yat tvāṁ vimuktidaṁ prāpya
na mumukṣeya bandhanāt
SYNONYMS
sā — that very person; aham — I am; bhagavataḥ — of the Lord; nūnam — surely; vañcitā — cheated; māyayā — by the illusory energy; dṛḍham — solidly; yat — because; tvām — you; vimukti-dam — who gives liberation; prāpya — having attained; na mumukṣeya — I have not sought liberation; bandhanāt — from material bondage.
TRANSLATION
My lord, surely I have been solidly cheated by the insurmountable illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for in spite of having obtained your association, which gives liberation from material bondage, I did not seek such liberation.