Suvratcfs Devotion' to Vishnu

1. Once that resplendent Vyasa, being extremely amazed, asked Brahma, the lord of the world, (about) the entire account of Savrata.

2. O soul of the worlds, O you in whom the worlds are deposited, O god of gods, O great lord, I now desire to hear the life-account of Suvrata.

3. O you noble Parasarya (i.e. son of Parasara), listen to the meritorious, excellent account, full of practice of penance, of the brahmana Suvrata.

4-8. The intelligent Suvrata reflected upon Narayana (i.e. Vishnu), even from his childhood, (since) he had seen (that) god Purushottama Narayana while (still) in the womb (of his mother). Due to his having performed (good) deeds (in the) former (birth), he always meditated upon Hari (i.e. Vishnu). He meditated and reflected upon that god Padmanabha, holding a conch and a disc and giving great merit, in (i.e. while he sang) songs, (did) study and recitations. Thus the best brahmana, the excellent boy, always reflecting upon Hari (i.e. Vishnu) only, always played with children. The intelligent, pious one, loving merit, named the sons of him, the magnanimous one (i.e. his own sons), after Hari. The very intelligent one called his friend by Hari's name:

9-16. 'O Kesava, come, come along; O Madhava come; O Cakradhrk (i.e. the disc-holder i.e. Vishnu) come; O Purushottama, play with me only. O Madhusudana, we shall go together only.' In this way the brahmana called (others) by the names of Hari, while playing, reciting, laughing, lying, singing or viewing (something), or in a vehicle, on a seat, while meditating, (reciting) sacred hymns, or comprehending or (doing) good acts. He saw Janardana (i.e. Vishnu) the lord of the world only; he talked to him only. He the very wise one, meditated upon (i.e. saw) that great lord, the ruler of the world viz. Kesava, Govinda, having lotus-like eyes, in grass, in wood, in a dry or wet (object), and also in the sky, on the ground, on mountains, in forests, in water, on dry land, in a stone or in beings. (Thus) Sumana's son, that brahmana Suvrata, that religious-minded one, saw Nrsimha (i.e. Vishnu) everywhere. Resorting to a child's sports he thus played everyday; and sang about Krishna with songs with good musical modes, couched in sweet words, having beating times,1 or laya (i.e. times in music), with charming notes of the gamut and melodies.

1. Raga, tala, laya etc. are terms used in music. Laya — Time in music. It is of three kinds: druta, madhya and vilambita. Mflrcchana — The rising of sounds, an intonation, a duly regulated rise and fall of sounds, conducting the air and the harmony through the keys in a pleasing manner, changing the key or passing from one key to another.

17-24a. Those who know the Vedas always meditate upon him, who is the enemy of demons, in whose body (remains) the entire universe, who is the lord of reflective meditation, and who destroys all sins. I shall seek the shelter of (that) Madhusudana (i.e. Vishnu), who occupies all the worlds, and in whom all the worlds abide. I salute that highest lord free from all faults and I always salute his pair of feet. Those whose minds are purified by the (study of) Vedanta everyday recite (the hymns about) Narayana, the treasure of virtues, and of unlimited power. I seek his shelter in order to cross the entire ocean of the worldly existence which is endless, fathomless and difficult to cross. O enemy of demons, protect this poor one viz. me (who am devoted to) the pure and large pair of the feet of him who is the royal swan in the Manasa lake (i.e. the minds) of the best reflecting sages, who is pure and whose entire prowess always (continues). I meditate upon the god, the lord of the entire world, who is the moon (that has come) here only to destroy the darkness in the form of grief, who has led Dharma (i.e. piousness) for the protection of the world, who is endowed with truth, who, the lord of the worlds, is the chief of all the worlds. With charming songs and measuring the beatings of time I constantly medidtate upon Shriranga (i.e. Vishnu), the lord of the world, destroyer of ignorance, comparable to the sun only, the root of joy, and full of all prowess. I sing with unique joy (the praise of) him who alone is full treasure of the portion of nectar, who is endowed with his senses of deep meditation and who has the true perspective. He always observes the mobile and immobile universe. The very sinful people do not at all see him to be here.

25. Beating the time with (the clappings of) the hands he sang songs (about) Krishna and rejoiced with (other) children.

26. Thus, being a child, Suvrata, Sumana's son, intent on meditating upon Vishnu, was engaged in sports.

27. His mother said to Suvrata of fine characteristics, (and) playing: "O my boy, have your meal; hunger might oppress you."

28. The wise Suvrata again said to his mother: "I am satisfied with the great nectar viz. the delight (derived) from the meditation upon Hari."

29-34a. When he got (i.e. sat) upon the seat (used while taking) meal he saw sweet food. (He reflected:) "This food is Vishnu (himself); the soul has resorted to this food. May that Vishnu who is (present here) in the form of the soul be gratified with this water in which he dwells due to his remaining in the milky ocean. May Kesava, satisfied with his own form be gratifiedjWith tambula, sandal, fragrant substances and these charming flowers." When the religious-minded one went to bed, he would reflect upon Krishna: "I have sought the refuge of that Krishna who is endowed with the Yoganidra (i.e. his sleep at the end of a yuga)." The brahmana (Suvrata) would reflect upon that Vasudeva, while taking meal, while covering himself, on a seat or bed, and would prepare everything for him.

34b-37. When the religious-minded one attained youth, he gave up enjoyment of pleasures and was engaged in meditating upon Kesava on the excellent Vaidiirya mountain, where there is the symbol of Vishnu called Siddhesvara and destroyer of sins. He, reflecting upon the great lord called Mahesvara glorified by Brahma (and situated) on the right bank of Narmada, and having resorted to Siddhesvara, thought of (practising) penance.

1-3. O noble one, I shall put one question to you. Now speak (i.e. answer) it; you yourself had formerly said that Suvrata meditated upon lord Narayana Anamaya, due to former practice. In which caste was Suvrata born in his former birth? Now tell that to me (and also) how Hari was propitiated by him. O lord of gods, who is he that is full of merit?

4-13. In the auspicious city (called) Vaidisa, full of all prosperity, (lived) a very lustrous, powerful king, the son of Rtadhavaja. His very intelligent son was well-known as Rukmabhusana. His loyal wife was the glorious Sandhyavati. The king's son (i.e. Rukmabhusana) having produced a son on her like himself, named him Dharmangada. This (Dharmahgada), the most fortunate son of Rukmangada, was endowed with all auspicious marks and was intensely devoted to his father; and he, for the happiness of his father, even gave his own head to Mohini. Hrsikesa (i.e. Vishnu) was pleased by his Vishnuite way of life and devotion to his father; and took him physically to Vishnu's position. He, who knew all codes of conduct, who was a devotee of Vishnu, who was best of the Satvatas, he — Dharmangada, who was very wise, who was well-versed in judgement and knowledge, who was an ornament of piety, living there only gladly enjoyed all divine pleasures according to his desire. When a full thousand yugas were over, he who was piety (himself) and an ornament of piety, dropped from that position, and due to the favour of Vishnu, was bom as the eldest and most fortunate and intelligent son of Somasharman, increasing the delight of Sumana, and named Suvrata. The intelligent one practised penance and was intent upon meditation on Vishnu.

14-18a. The best brahmana, having abandoned blemishes like desire and anger, having controlled the group of senses, continuously practised penance by concentrating his mind and uniting it with Vishnu, near Siddhesvara on the best mountain Vaidurya. The lord of the world, holdings conch, a disc and a mace was well-pleased with the meditation of the noble one, who thus had remained in it for a hundred years. That Kesava, with Lakshmi, granted him another boon: "O you pious Suvrata, O you best among the wise sages, well-being to you; choose a boon, I am Krishna that have come to you."

18b-19. Having heard these excellent words of Vishnu, the intelligent one was full of great joy, and seeing god Janardana (i.e. Vishnu), he joining the palms of his hands, saluted him. Suvrata said:

20. The ocean of mundane existence is full of the waves of very great (i.e. poignant) griefs, and of the ripples of the heaps of follies. Through my vices and virtues I have reached it. O Janardana, from it quickly take up me who am helpless.

21-28. When the great cloud of my deeds is thundering, it is raining, lightning is flashing; due to the heaps of my sins and coverings of the darkness of delusion, I do not have (i.e. I have lost my) sight. (So) O Madhusiidana, give your hand to me, who am helpless. This dense forest of the worldly existence is resorted to by (i.e. has) many trees of great grief, and by many lions of the form of follies. It is blazing with the lustre of the great fire of compassion. O Krishna, protect me who am constantly being burnt. The tree of the worldly existence is extremely old and also high. It has the bulbous root of illusion and many branches of pity and many afflictions; it has the leaves of union with one's wife etc. It has borne fruit. O lord Murari, protect me who climbed it and fell from it. O Krishna, I am constantly burnt by the fires of griefs, with profuse (columns of) smoke in the form of various delusions, and with distresses like separation resembling death. Give me salvation. Always sprinkle me with water of knowledge, me — who have fallen in the great ditch covered with fearful darkness and called Sarhsara (i.e. the worldly existence). 0 Krishna, you show a great favour to me who am distressed and suffering from fear. Being disgusted with it, I have sought your refuge. Those, who with controlled minds and full of devotion, meditate upon you with their minds (full of) knowledge, obtain the (highest) position; since saluting the very auspicious pair of your feet the groups of Kinnaras and gods think of you (only).

I do not talk to anyone else, I do not worship anyone else, I do not think about anyone else. I (just) continuously salute the pair of your lotus-like feet. O Krishna, today satisfy my desire. Let the heap of my sins go far away. I am your slave, I am your servant in existence after existence. I constantly remember the pair of your lotus-like feet.

29-30a. If, O Krishna, you are pleased, then grant me a good boon: O great god, with me take (also) my parents physically to your abode. There should be no hesitation about it. ShriKrishna said:

31-35. Hrslkesa was pleased with him and was very much delighted by his devotion. Free from tormentation and destruction the two viz. Sumana. and Somasharman, went, along with Suvrata to Vishnu's heaven. O you very intelligent one, till a couple of yugas came (i.e. was over) the brahmana Suvrata enjoyed repeatedly divine worlds. And by the words (i.e. order) of that disc-holder (i.e. Vishnu) the very intelligent one again came down to (i.e. was born in) the house of Kasyapa for the mission of gods; and enjoys Indra's position due to Vishnu's favour. Well-known as Vasudatta, and saluted by all gods, he enjoys the position of Indra at present.

36. Thus I have told you the entire cause of the propriety of creation. I shall (even), tell (i.e. explain to) you anything else that you ask. Vyasa said:

37. The powerful and very intelligent Dharmangada, the son of Rukmangada, was Indra at the time of creation in the first Krtayuga.

38-39a. Then, O lord of gods, how is it that there is another Dharmangada on the earth, and also another king (named) Rukmangada, and how is it that this one is also the lord of gods (i.e. Indra)? This doubt has arisen (in my mind); please explain (i.e. remove) it. Brahma said:

39b-40a. Oh, I shall tell you that which will remove your doubt. O best brahmana, the sport of the god is for the creation.

40b-42. As days, fortnights, months, seasons, years and Manus pass (i.e. come and go) in the same way the yugas again and again pass. Then arrives the Kalpa; then, O very intelligent one, I myself go to Janardana (i.e. Vishnu) and the mobile and the immobile go to (i.e. merge into) me. (Then) he, whose nature is contemplation, again creates the universe as before.

43-44a. Again, I, the Vedas, the deities and brahmanas, as well as all kings with their dispositions are born, O noble one. A wise man is not confused by this.

44b-47. As in the former Kalpa the magnanimous king Rukmangada was bom, in the same way this well-known

988 Padma Purana brahmana Dharmangada is born (now). The very intelligent ones like Rama, Yayati, Nahusa,1 and also the magnanimous Manu and others are born and die. Kings devoted to piety enjoy the position of Indra, as the hero Dharmangada is now enjoying (that) great position. In the same way Vedas, gods, Puranas, preceded by Smrtis (come and go)

48-49. O best brahman, I have thus narrated to you Suvrata's entire account which is meritorious and which leads to good position. O noble one, I shall explain to you the invisible (one).

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