Spiritual Embassy in this World

2016-12-23 Srimad Bhagavatam 10.88.17-26 - Spiritual Embassy in this World (download mp3) by Sridama Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty www.iskcondesiretree.com SB 10.88.17ity adistas tam asura upadhavat sva-gatratahkedara atma-kravyena juhvano gni-mukham haram Translation: [Sukadeva Gosvami continued:] Thus advised, the demon proceeded to worship Lord Siva at Kedaranatha by taking pieces of flesh from his own body and offering them as oblations into the sacred fire, which is Lord Siva’s mouth. SB 10.88.18-19devopalabdhim aprapya nirvedat saptame ’hanisiro ’vrscat sudhitina tat-tirtha-klinna-murdhajamtada maha-karuniko sa dhurjatir yatha vayam cagnir ivotthito ’nalatnigrhya dorbhyam bhujayor nyavarayat tat-sparsanad bhuya upaskrtakrtih Translation: Vrkasura became frustrated after failing to obtain a vision of the lord. Finally, on the seventh day, after dipping his hair into the holy waters at Kedaranatha and leaving it wet, he took up a hatchet and prepared to cut off his head. But at that very moment the supremely merciful Lord Siva rose up out of the sacrificial fire, looking like the god of fire himself, and grabbed both arms of the demon to stop him from killing himself, just as we would do. By Lord Siva’s touch, Vrkasura once again became whole. SB 10.88.20tam aha cangalam alam vrnisva me yathabhikamam vitarami te varampriyeya toyena nrnam prapadyatam aho tvayatma bhrsam ardyate vrtha Translation: Lord Siva said to him: My friend, please stop, stop! Ask from me whatever you want, and I will bestow that boon upon you. Alas, you have subjected your body to great torment for no reason, since I am pleased with a simple offering of water from those who approach me for shelter. SB 10.88.21devam sa vavre papiyan varam bhuta-bhayavahamyasya yasya karam sirsni dhasye sa mriyatam iti Translation: [Sukadeva Gosvami continued:] The benediction sinful Vrka chose from the lord would terrify all living beings. Vrka said, “May death come to whomever I touch upon the head with my hand.” SB 10.88.22tac chrutva bhagavan rudro durmana iva bharataom iti prahasams tasmai dade ’her amrtam yatha Translation: Upon hearing this, Lord Rudra seemed somewhat disturbed. Nonetheless, O descendant of Bharata, he vibrated om to signify his assent, granting Vrka the benediction with an ironic smile, as if giving milk to a poisonous snake. SB 10.88.23sa tad-vara-pariksartham sambhor murdhni kilasurahsva-hastam dhatum arebhe so ’bibhyat sva-krtac chivah Translation: To test Lord Sambhu’s benediction, the demon then tried to put his hand on the Lord’s head. Thus Siva was frightened because of what he himself had done. SB 10.88.24tenopasrstah santrastah paradhavan sa-vepathuhyavad antam divo bhumeh kasthanam udagad udak Translation: As the demon pursued him, Lord Siva fled swiftly from his abode in the north, shaking with terror. He ran as far as the limits of the earth, the sky and the corners of the universe. SB 10.88.25-26ajanantah prati-vidhim tusnim asan suresvarahtato vaikuntham agamad bhasvaram tamasah paramyatra narayanah saksan nyasinam paramo gatihsantanam nyasta-dandanam yato navartate gatah Translation: The great demigods could only remain silent, not knowing how to counteract the benediction. Then Lord Siva reached the luminous realm of Vaikuntha, beyond all darkness, where the Supreme Lord Narayana is manifest. That realm is the destination of renunciants who have attained peace and given up all violence against other creatures. Going there, one never returns. Purport: According to Srila Sridhara Svami, Lord Siva entered the planet of Svetadvipa, a special outpost of the spiritual world within the confines of the material universe. There, on a beautiful white island surrounded by the celestial Ocean of Milk, Lord Visnu rests on the serpent bed of Ananta Sesa, making Himself available to the demigods when they need His help.