Bhagvata 10

Bhagvata  10

Material substances get purified through of time, bath and washing, sacraments, asceticism, sacrificial performances, charitable gifts and contentment; while the soul is purified through self knowledge (alone). (5.4)

In the case (however) of those who, neglecting Devotion—the fountainhead of (all) blessings (in the shape of worldly prosperity and final beatitude)—to you, O almighty Lord, takes Pins to attain mere spiritual enlightenment, such enlightenment ultimately proves to be no more than source of exertion alone, as is the case with those who are engaged in pounding the (mere) coarse husk. (14.4)

He has his share ensured in the boon of final beatitude (although he has no use for it and never claims it), who lives on (in this world) eagerly looking forward to Your grace, (nay) simply enjoying the fruit of his own (virtuous) actions (in a detached manner) and bowing to You with his heart (mind) speech and body. (14.8)

Huge clouds endowed with (the eyes of) lightning (and perceiving the heat of the world) and tossed by tempestuous winds poured down water, which brings joy to this world (even as the compassionate, observing the miserable plight of the world and stirred with a feeling of commiseration for the afflicted , lay down their very life and thus bring delight to the world). (20.6)

Shrunk through the (summer) heat, the earth grew plump again when drenched by heaven, even as the body of a man engaged in austerities performed for attaining some selfish end, which is emaciated through such austerities, grow corpulent (again) on realizing the fruit of those austerities.  (20.7)

It is the fire-flies and not the planets that shine at the approach of night shrouded in darkness (occasioned by a thick coating of clouds obscuring the heavenly bodies), even as it is heresies and not the Vedas that flourish in the age of Kali contaminated with sin (born of ignorance that clouds one’s judgment). (20.8)

Frogs, that had been silently hibernating, began to utter their croaks hearing the roar of clouds, (even) as Brahmana pupils at the end of their (daily) routines (during which they observe complete silence and on hearing the call of their preceptor) would start their recitation (of the Vedas). (20.9)

Small streams that were gradually drying up (now) overflowed their channel (even) as the bodily resources and material riches of a man who has no self-control flow in a wrong channel. (20.10)

All the inhabitants of land water put on a winning form and appearance through the use of fresh (rain) water (even) as devotees attain an attractive 9divine) form through the worship of Sri Hari. (20.13)

United with rivers, the ocean, which was (already) rough with waves generated by winds, became (all the more) turbulent (even) as the mind of an immature Yogi, tinged (as it is) with desire, gets agitated when brought into contact with sense-objects. (20.14)

Beaten by volleys of rain, mountains did not feel the least agitated any more than those whose mind is fixed on Lord Vishnu when they are overwhelmed with calamities. (20.15)

Flashes of lightning did not bear constancy to the clouds, which are the friends of the people, any more than libidinous women are constant (even) to men possessed of virtues. (20.17)

Exulting over the appearance of clouds, with their hair standing on end, peacocks rejoiced as householders feeling agonized and disgusted with the world do on the advent of servants of Sri Krishna (immortal Lord). (20.20)

Sucking water through their roots trees, that had shrunk heretofore due to (the summer) heat, got regenerated into numerous forms (in the shape of fresh foliage, blossoms, fruits etc.), (even) as ascetics that are emaciated and fatigued before through austerities grow robust again through the enjoyment of pleasures. (20.21)

They who love one another (for mutual benefit), O friends, (really love their own self and none other; for) their endeavour indeed is solely actuated by self-interest. Neither goodwill nor virtue plays any part there; for such love has a (purely) selfish motive and not otherwise. (33.17)

They who actually love even those that do not love them (in return) are compassionate (and loving too) like one’s parents. There is blameless virtue as well as goodwill operating here, O charming girls ! (33.18)

Some indeed do not love even those that love them, much less those that do not love them. They are either sages reveling in their own self (and having no knowledge of the external world) or those who have realized their ambition (and are therefore free from all craving for enjoyment, though conscious of external objects) or dullards (who are incapable of appreciating a good turn done to them) or ungrateful people (who bear enmity to their own benefactors that are as good as their father, though conscious of their services). (33.19)

I, for my part, O friends, (do not come under any of these categories, being supremely compassionate and friendly, inasmuch as I) do not (visibly) reciprocate the love (nd remain out of sight for some time) of even those individuals who love Me, in order that they could ever think of Me in the same way as a penniless person would, on a treasure found by him being lost, remain engrossed in the thought of that wealth (alone) and would not be sensible to anything else. (33.20)