विष्णुपुराणम् — पञ्चमांशे प्रथमोऽध्यायः | viṣṇupurāṇam

मैत्रेय उवाच

नृपाणां कथितःसर्वो भवता वंशविस्तरः ।
वंशानुचरितं चैव यथावदनुवर्णितम् ॥

Summary AI You have described the entire lineage of kings and recounted the history of their dynasties accurately.

अंशावतारो ब्रह्मर्षे यो ऽयं यदुकुलोद्भवः ।
विष्णोस्तं विस्तरेणाहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः ॥

Summary AI O Brahmarṣi, I desire to hear in truth and in detail about the partial incarnation of Viṣṇu born in the Yadu dynasty.

५.१.३

चकार यानि कर्माणि भगवान्पुरुषोत्तमः ।
अंशांशेनावतीर्योर्व्यां तत्र तानि मुने वद ॥

Summary AI O Sage, please describe the deeds performed by Lord Puruṣottama after He descended to Earth as a partial manifestation.

श्रीपारशर उवाच ।

५.१.४

मैत्रेय श्रूयतामेतद्यत्पृष्टो ऽहमिह त्वया ।
विष्णोरंशांशसंभूतिचरितं जगतो हितम् ॥

Summary AI Maitreya, listen to the account of the manifestation and deeds of Viṣṇu’s portion, which is beneficial for the world, as you have requested.

५.१.५

देवकस्य सुतां पूर्वं वसुदेवो महामुने ।
उपयेमे महाभागां देवकीं देवतोपमाम् ॥

Summary AI O great sage, long ago Vasudeva married the highly fortunate and goddess-like Devakī, the daughter of Devaka.

५.१.६

कंसस्तयोर्वररथं चोदयामास सारथिः ।
वसुदेवस्य देवक्या संयोगे भोजनन्दनः ॥

Summary AI Kaṃsa, the joy of the Bhoja dynasty, acted as the charioteer for Vasudeva and Devakī during their wedding procession.

५.१.७

आथान्तरिक्षे वागुच्चैः कंसमाभाष्य सादरम् ।
मेघगंभीरनिर्घोषं समाभाष्येदमब्रवीत् ॥

Summary AI Then, a voice from the sky, resounding with the deep rumble of clouds, addressed Kaṃsa loudly and spoke these words.

५.१.८

यामेतां वहसे मूढ सह भर्त्रा रथे स्थिताम् ।
अस्यास्तवाष्टमो गर्भः प्राणानपहरिष्यति ॥

Summary AI O fool, this woman whom you are carrying in the chariot along with her husband—her eighth child will take away your life.

श्रीपराशर उवाच ।

५.१.९

इत्याकर्ण्यं समुत्पाट्य खड्गं कंसो महाबलः ।
देवकीं हन्तुमारब्धो वसुदेवो ऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥

Summary AI Hearing this, the mighty Kaṃsa unsheathed his sword and prepared to kill Devakī. At that moment, Vasudeva spoke to him.

५.१.१०

न हन्तव्या महाभाग देवकी भवतानघ ।
समर्पयिष्ये सकलान्गर्भानस्योदरोद्भवान् ॥

Summary AI O sinless and noble one, you should not kill Devakī. I shall deliver to you all the children born from her womb.

श्रीपराशर उवाच ।

५.१.११

तथेत्याह ततः कंसो वसुदेवं द्विजोत्तम ।
न घातयामास च तां देवकींसत्यगौरवात् ॥

Summary AI O best of the twice-born, Kaṃsa then agreed to Vasudeva’s proposal and, honoring his word, did not kill Devakī.

५.१.१२

एतस्मिन्नेवकाले तु भूरिभारावपीडिता ।
जगाम धरणी मेरौ समाजं त्रिदिवौकसाम् ॥

Summary AI At that very time, the Earth, oppressed by an immense burden, went to Mount Meru to the assembly of the gods.

५.१.१३

स ब्रह्मकान्सुरान्सर्वान्प्रणिपत्याथ मेदिनि ।
कथयामास तत्सर्वं खेदात्करुणभाषिणी ॥

Summary AI Then, bowing to all the gods led by Brahmā, the Earth, speaking piteously out of distress, narrated her plight.

५.१.१४

भूमिरुवाच अग्निःसुवर्णस्य गुरुर्गवां सूर्यः परो गुरुः ।
ममाप्यखिललो कानां कुरुर्नारायणो गरुः ॥

Summary AI Earth said: Agni is the source of gold, and the Sun is the supreme lord of the cows. For me and all the worlds, Nārāyaṇa is the ultimate Guru.

५.१.१५

प्रजापतिपतिर्ब्रह्म पूर्वेषामपि पूर्वजः ।
कलाकाष्ठानिमेषात्मा कालश्चाव्यक्तमूर्तिमान् ॥

Summary AI He is Brahmā, the Lord of the Patriarchs and the oldest of ancestors. He is Time, composed of units like kalā, kāṣṭhā, and nimeṣa, possessing an unmanifest form.

५.१.१६

तदंशभूतःसर्वैषां ।
समूहो वःसुरोत्तमाः ॥

Summary AI O best of gods, the entire assembly of you all is but a portion of Him.

५.१.१७

आदित्या सरुतःसाध्या रुद्रा वस्वश्विवह्नयः ।
पितरो ये च लोकानां स्रष्टारो ऽत्रिपुरोगमाः ॥

Summary AI The deities include the Ādityas, Maruts, Sādhyas, Rudras, Vasus, Aśvins, Agnis, the Pitṛs, and the world-creators led by Atri.

५.१.१८

एते तस्याप्रमेयस्य ।
विष्णो रूपं महात्मनः ॥

Summary AI All these beings are manifestations of the great-souled and immeasurable Viṣṇu.

५.१.१९

यक्षराक्षसदैतेयपिशाचोरगदानवाः ।
गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैवरूपं विष्णोर्महात्मनः ॥

Summary AI Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Daiteyas, Piśācas, Uragas, Dānavas, Gandharvas, and Apsaras are also forms of the great-souled Viṣṇu.

५.१.२०

ग्रहर्क्षतारकाचित्रगगनाग्निजलानिलाः ।
अहं च विषयाश्चैव सर्व विष्णुमयं जगत् ॥

Summary AI The planets, stars, constellations, sky, fire, water, wind, myself, and the objects of the senses—the entire universe is pervaded by Viṣṇu.

५.१.२१

तथा चानेकरूपस्य यस्य रूपाण्य हर्निशम् ।
बाध्यबाधकतां यान्ति कल्लोला इव सागरे ॥

Summary AI Just as waves in the ocean constantly rise and submerge one another, the manifold forms of the infinite Lord are perpetually engaged in a state of mutual suppression and dominance.

५.१.२२

तत्सांप्रतममी दैत्याः कालनेमिपुरोगमाः ।
मर्त्यलोकं समाक्रम्य बाधन्ते ऽहर्निशं प्रजाः ॥

Summary AI Currently, these daityas, led by Kālanemi, have invaded the mortal realm and are incessantly tormenting the living beings there day and night.

५.१.२३

कालनेमिर्हतो यो ऽसौ विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना ।
उग्रसेनसुतः कंसःसंभूतःस महासुरः ॥

Summary AI That mighty demon Kālanemi, who was previously slain by the powerful Lord Viṣṇu, has now been reborn as Kaṃsa, the son of Ugrasena.

५.१.२४

आरिष्टो धेनुकः केशी प्रलंबो नरकस्तथा ।
सुंदो ऽसुरस्तथात्युग्रो बाणश्चापि बलेःसुतः ॥

Summary AI Other fierce demons such as Āriṣṭa, Dhenuka, Keśī, Pralamba, Naraka, Sunda, and the extremely formidable Bāṇa, the son of Bali, have also appeared.

५.१.२५

तथान्ये च महावीर्या नृपाणां भवनेषु ये ।
समुत्पन्ना दुरात्मानस्तान्न संख्यातुमुत्सहे ॥

Summary AI Furthermore, many other wicked and highly powerful beings have manifested in the palaces of kings; I am unable to even count them all.

५.१.२६

अक्षोहिण्योत्र बहुला दिव्यमूर्तिधराःसुराः ।
महाबलानां दृप्तानां दैत्येन्द्रणां ममोपरि ॥

Summary AI O gods, numerous akṣauhiṇīs belonging to these exceedingly strong and arrogant demon lords, who have assumed various forms, now press heavily upon me.

५.१.२७

तद्भूरिभार पीडार्ता न शक्नोम्यमरेश्वराः ।
बिभर्तुमात्मानमहमिति विज्ञापयामि वः ॥

Summary AI Therefore, distressed by the weight of this immense burden, I can no longer support myself, O lords of the immortals. This is the plea I place before you.

५.१.२८

क्रियतां तन्महाभागा मम भारावतारणम् ।
यथा रसातलं नाहं गच्छेयमतिविह्वला ॥

Summary AI O fortunate ones, please act to relieve my burden so that, in my extreme distress, I do not sink down into the netherworld of Rasātala.

५.१.२९

इत्याकर्ण्य धरावाक्यमशेषैस्त्रिदशेश्वरैः ।
भुवो भारावतारार्थं ब्रह्मा प्राह प्रचोदितः ॥

Summary AI Having heard the speech of the Earth, and being urged by all the lords of the gods to relieve her burden, Brahmā spoke.

५.१.३०

ब्रह्मोवाच यथाह वसुधा सर्वं सत्यमेव दिवौकसः ।
अहं भवो भवन्तश्च सर्वे नारायणात्मकाः ॥

Summary AI Brahmā said: O denizens of heaven, everything the Earth has said is indeed true. I, Śiva, and all of you are essentially manifestations of Nārāyaṇa.

५.१.३१

विभूतयश्च यास्तस्य तासामेव परस्परम् ।
आधिक्यन्यूक्षनताबाध्यबाधकत्वेन वर्तते ॥

Summary AI The various manifestations of the Lord interact with each other through varying degrees of intensity, resulting in states of superiority, inferiority, and mutual suppression.

५.१.३२

तदागच्छत गच्छामः क्षीराब्धेस्तटमुत्तमम् ।
तत्राराध्य हरिं तस्मै सर्वं विज्ञापयाम वै ॥

Summary AI Therefore, come, let us go to the excellent shore of the Milk Ocean. There, having worshipped Hari, we shall inform Him of everything.

५.१.३३

सर्वथैव जगत्यर्थे स सर्वात्मा जगन्मयः ।
सत्त्वांशेनावतीर्योर्व्यां धर्मस्य कुरुते स्थितिम् ॥

Summary AI That Soul of all, who comprises the entire universe, always descends to Earth through His sattva quality for the sake of the world to re-establish righteousness (dharma).

श्रीपराशर उवाच ।

५.१.३४

इत्युक्त्वा प्रययो तत्र सह देवैः पितामहः ।
समाहितमनाश्चैवं तुष्टाव गरुडध्वजम् ॥

Summary AI Having spoken thus, the Grandfather Brahmā proceeded there with the gods and, with a concentrated mind, offered praises to Lord Viṣṇu, the one whose banner bears Garuḍa.

५.१.३५

ब्रह्मोवाच द्वे विद्ये त्वमनाम्नायपरा चैवापरा तथा ।
त एव भवतो रूपे मूर्तामूर्तात्मिके प्रभो ॥

Summary AI Brahmā said: O Lord, You are the unmanifest knowledge, as well as the supreme (parā) and subordinate (aparā) knowledge. These represent Your gross and subtle forms.

५.१.३६

द्वे ब्रह्मणी त्वणीयोतिस्थूलात्मन्सर्व सर्ववित् ।
शब्दब्रह्मपरं चैव ब्रह्म ब्रह्ममयस्य यत् ॥

Summary AI O You who are both atomic and immense, the All and the All-knowing! You are the two aspects of Brahman: the Śabda-brahman and the Supreme Brahman.

५.१.३७

ऋग्वेदस्त्वं यजुर्वेदःसामवेदस्त्वथर्वणः ।
शिक्षाकल्पो निरुक्तं च च्छन्दो ज्योतिषमेव च ॥

Summary AI You are the Ṛg Veda, Yajur Veda, Sāma Veda, and Atharva Veda. You are also the auxiliary sciences: Phonetics, Rituals, Etymology, Prosody, and Astronomy.

५.१.३८

इतिहासपुराणे च तथा व्याकरणं प्रभो ।
मीमांसा न्यायशास्त्रं च धर्मशास्त्राण्यधोक्षज ॥

Summary AI O Lord, O Adhokṣaja, You are the Epics, the Purāṇas, Grammar, Mīmāṃsā philosophy, Logic (Nyāya), and the codes of law (Dharmaśāstras).

५.१.३९

आत्माऽत्मदेहगुणवद्विचाराचारि यद्वच ।
तदप्याद्यपते नान्यदध्यात्मात्मस्वरूपवत् ॥

Summary AI O Original Lord, even the speech that discusses the nature of the soul, the body, and their qualities is not distinct from Your own spiritual and essential nature.

५.१.४०

त्वमव्यक्तमनिर्देश्यमचिन्त्यानामवर्मवत् ।
अपाणिपादरूपं च शुद्धं नित्यं परात्परम् ॥

Summary AI You are unmanifest, indescribable, unthinkable, without form, and devoid of hands or feet; You are pure, eternal, and the Supreme beyond the supreme.

५.१.४१

शृणोष्यकर्णः परिपश्यसि त्व-
मचक्षुरूपो बहुरूपरूपः ।
अपादहस्तो जवनो ग्रहीता
त्वं वेत्सि सर्वं च सर्ववेद्यः ॥

Summary AI You hear without ears and see without eyes, assuming manifold forms. Though without hands or feet, You are swift and a seizer. You know all things, and You are the object of all knowledge.

५.१.४२

अणोरणीयां समसत्स्वरूपं
त्वां पश्यतो ज्ञाननिवृत्तिरग्र्या ।
धीरस्य धीरस्य बिभर्ति नान्य-
द्वरेण्यरूपात्परतः परात्मन् ॥

Summary AI O Supreme Soul, for the wise one who beholds You—subtler than the subtle and of the nature of existence and non-existence—there is the highest cessation of worldly knowledge. Nothing other than Your most excellent and transcendental form sustains the wise.

५.१.४३

त्वं विश्वनाभिर्भुवनस्य गोप्ता
सर्वाणि भूतानि तवान्तराणि ।
यद्भूतभव्यं यदणोरणीयः
पुमांस्त्वमेकः प्रकृतेः परस्तात् ॥

Summary AI You are the navel of the universe and the protector of the world; all beings reside within You. Whatever has been or will be, and whatever is subtler than the subtle, You are that one Supreme Person existing beyond primordial nature (prakṛti).

५.१.४४

एकश्चतुर्धा भगवान्हुताशो
वर्चोविभूतं जगतो ददासि ।
त्वं विश्वतश्चक्षुरनन्तमूर्ते
त्रेधा पदं त्वं निदधासि धातः ॥

Summary AI O Lord of infinite forms, being one, You manifest as the fourfold fire and bestow the splendor of the world. You are the all-seeing eye of the universe, and as the Creator, You place Your steps in three ways.

५.१.४५

यथाग्निरेको बहुधा समिध्यते
विकारभेदैरविकाररूपः तथा ।
भवान्सर्वगतैकरूपी रूपा-
ण्यशेषाण्यनुपुष्यतीश ॥

Summary AI Just as a single fire is kindled in many ways through various modifications yet remains unchanging in essence, so do You, O Lord, while being the omnipresent single reality, nourish all diverse forms.

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श्रीमद्भागवतम्

किरातार्जुनीयम् भारविः

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श्रीमद्भागवतम्

किरातार्जुनीयम् भारविः

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