Bhagavata Purana

सत्त्वसङ्गादृषीन्देवान्रजसासुरमानुषान्। तमसा भूततिर्यक्त्वं भ्रामितो याति कर्मभिः

Through association with sattva, one attains the gods; through rajas, the demons and humans; through tamas, the state of spirits and animals. Driven by actions, one wanders among these.

नृत्यतो गायतः पश्यन्यथैवानुकरोति तान्। एवं बुद्धिगुणान्पश्यन्ननीहोऽप्यनुकार्यते

Watching others dance and sing, one imitates them likewise. In this way, observing the qualities of intellect, even one who is inactive is compelled to imitate.

यथाम्भसा प्रचलता तरवोऽपि चला इव। चक्षुषा भ्राम्यमाणेन दृश्यते भ्रमतीव भूः

Just as trees appear to move when water flows, and the earth seems to spin when the eyes whirl, so too are perceptions distorted.

यथा मनोरथधियो विषयानुभवो मृषा। स्वप्नदृष्टाश्च दाशार्ह तथा संसार आत्मनः

Just as the experience of sense objects through the mind's imagination is false, and as visions in dreams are unreal, so too is worldly existence for the self, O descendant of Dasarha.

अर्थे ह्यविद्यमानेऽपि संसृतिर्न निवर्तते। ध्यायतो विषयानस्य स्वप्नेऽनर्थागमो यथा

Even when the object does not exist, the cycle of worldly existence does not cease; for one who meditates on sense objects, misfortune arises in dreams just as in waking life.

तस्मादुद्धव मा भुङ्क्ष्व विषयानसदिन्द्रियैः। आत्माग्रहणनिर्भातं पश्य वैकल्पिकं भ्रमम्

Therefore, Uddhava, do not indulge in sense objects with unreliable senses. See the confusion born from grasping the self, and recognize the illusory error.

क्षिप्तोऽवमानितोऽसद्भिः प्रलब्धोऽसूयितोऽथ वा। ताडितः सन्निरुद्धो वा वृत्त्या वा परिहापितः

Whether thrown out, insulted by the wicked, mocked, envied, beaten, restrained, or deprived of livelihood—

निष्ठ्युतो मूत्रितो वाज्ञैर्बहुधैवं प्रकम्पितः। श्रेयस्कामः कृच्छ्रगत आत्मनात्मानमुद्धरेत्

Spat upon, urinated upon by ignorant people, shaken in many ways—one who desires what is good, even in hardship, should uplift oneself by one's own self.

श्रीउद्धव उवाच। यथैवमनुबुध्येयं वद नो वदतां वर

Śrī Uddhava said: How may I understand this, O best of speakers? Please tell us.

सुदुःसहमिमं मन्य आत्मन्यसदतिक्रमम्। विदुषामपि विश्वात्मन्प्रकृतिर्हि बलीयसी। ऋते त्वद्धर्मनिरतान्शान्तास्ते चरणालयान्

This unbearable transgression against the self, I consider exceedingly difficult, O Soul of the Universe, even for the wise, for nature is powerful. Except for those devoted to your dharma, peaceful, and sheltered at your feet.

बृहस्पतिर्ब्रह्मवादे आत्मवत्त्वे स्वयं हरिः । भक्त्या गोगुरुविप्रेषु विष्वक्सेनानुवर्तिषु

Bṛhaspati, in the doctrine of Brahman, and Hari himself, in the state of self-realization, through devotion to cows, teachers, and Brahmins, follow Viṣvaksena.

कीर्त्योर्ध्वगीतया पुम्भिः त्रैलोक्ये तत्र तत्र ह । प्रविष्टः कर्णरन्ध्रेषु स्त्रीणां रामः सतामिव

By praise and song, men throughout the three worlds, here and there, enter through the ear-holes of women, just as Rāma does among the virtuous.

अन्नयाञ्चामिषेण यज्ञपत्‍नीषु अनुग्रहः - श्रीगोप ऊचुः - ( अनुष्टुप् ) राम राम महाबाहो कृष्ण दुष्टनिबर्हण । एषा वै बाधते क्षुत् नः तच्छान्तिं कर्तुमर्हथः

Through food and offerings, there is favor among the wives of the sacrificers. The cowherds said: O Rāma, O mighty-armed, O Kṛṣṇa, destroyer of the wicked, this hunger afflicts us; you ought to bring its relief.

श्रीशुक उवाच - इति विज्ञापितो गोपैः भगवान् देवकीसुतः । भक्ताया विप्रभार्यायाः प्रसीदन् इदमब्रवीत्

Śrī Śuka said: Thus addressed by the cowherds, the Lord, son of Devakī, kindly spoke these words for the devotee, the wife of the Brahmin.

प्रयात देवयजनं ब्राह्मणा ब्रह्मवादिनः । सत्रं आङ्‌गिरसं नाम ह्यासते स्वर्गकाम्यया

Go to the sacrificial altar where the Brahmins, versed in Brahman, are performing the Angirasa sacrifice, desiring heaven.

तत्र गत्वौदनं गोपा याचतास्मद् विसर्जिताः । कीर्तयन्तो भगवत आर्यस्य मम चाभिधाम्

Go there, cowherds, and ask for cooked rice, sent by us, mentioning the names of the Lord, the noble one, and myself.

इत्यादिष्टा भगवता गत्वा याचन्त ते तथा । कृताञ्जलिपुटा विप्रान् दण्डवत् पतिता भुवि

Thus instructed by the Lord, they went and asked as directed, with folded hands, bowing to the Brahmins, prostrating themselves on the ground.

हे भूमिदेवाः श्रृणुत कृष्णस्यादेशकारिणः । प्राप्ताञ्जानीत भद्रं वो गोपान् नो रामचोदितान्

O lords of the earth, listen! We have come as those who carry out Kṛṣṇa's command. Know that we are cowherds sent by Rāma; may good fortune be yours.

( मिश्र ) गाश्चारयतौ अविदूर ओदनं रामाच्युतौ वो लषतो बुभुक्षितौ । तयोर्द्विजा ओदनमर्थिनोर्यदि श्रद्धा च वो यच्छत धर्मवित्तमाः

O best knowers of dharma, Rama and Achyuta, tending the cows not far from here, are hungry and seeking food from you. If you have faith, give them the cooked rice they desire.

( अनुष्टुप् ) दीक्षायाः पशुसंस्थायाः सौत्रामण्याश्च सत्तमाः । अन्यत्र दीक्षितस्यापि नान्नमश्नन् हि दुष्यति

O excellent ones, except during the consecration for the animal sacrifice or the Sautramani rite, even for one who is consecrated, food is not spoiled by eating it.

इति ते भगवद् याच्ञां शृण्वन्तोऽपि न शुश्रुवुः । क्षुद्राशा भूरिकर्माणो बालिशा वृद्धमानिनः

Though they heard this request on behalf of the Lord, they did not listen—petty in their desires, busy with many rituals, childish, and proud of their age.

देशः कालः पृथग् द्रव्यं मंत्रतंत्रर्त्विजोऽग्नयः । देवता यजमानश्च क्रतुर्धर्मश्च यन्मयः

The place, time, separate materials, mantras, procedures, priests, fires, deities, sacrificer, the ritual, and dharma—all these are composed of Him.

तं ब्रह्म परमं साक्षाद् भगवन्तं अधोक्षजम् । मनुष्यदृष्ट्या दुष्प्रज्ञा मर्त्यात्मानो न मेनिरे

That Supreme Brahman, the Lord, Adhokshaja Himself, they, lacking discernment and seeing themselves as mortal, did not recognize, viewing Him as a mere human.

न ते यदोमिति प्रोचुः न नेति च परन्तप । गोपा निराशाः प्रत्येत्य तथोचुः कृष्णरामयोः

They did not say 'Give it to Yadus,' nor did they say 'Do not give,' O subduer of enemies. The cowherds, disappointed, returned and told Krishna and Rama what had happened.

तदुपाकर्ण्य भगवान् प्रहस्य जगदीश्वरः । व्याजहार पुनर्गोपान् दर्शयँलौकिकीं गतिम्

Hearing this, the Lord, the Master of the universe, laughed and again spoke to the cowherds, showing a worldly course of action.

मां ज्ञापयत पत्‍नीभ्यः ससङ्‌कर्षणमागतम् । दास्यन्ति काममन्नं वः स्निग्धा मय्युषिता धिया

Go and inform the wives, along with Sankarshana and myself having come. They, affectionate and devoted to me in thought, will gladly give you food.

गत्वाथ पत्‍नीशालायां दृष्ट्वासीनाः स्वलङ्‌कृताः । नत्वा द्विजसतीर्गोपाः प्रश्रिता इदमब्रुवन्

Then, going to the house of the wives, seeing them seated and adorned, the cowherds bowed to the noble brahmins' wives and respectfully spoke these words.

नमो वो विप्रपत्‍नीभ्यो निबोधत वचांसि नः । इतोऽविदूरे चरता कृष्णेनेहेषिता वयम्

Salutations to you, O brahmins' wives. Please listen to our words. Not far from here, we, sent by Krishna, are tending the cows.

गाश्चारयन् स गोपालैः सरामो दूरमागतः । बुभुक्षितस्य तस्यान्नं सानुगस्य प्रदीयताम्

He, tending the cows with the cowherds and with Rama, has come a long way. Please give food to him, who is hungry and accompanied by his companions.