2009-08-18Srimad Bhagavatam 08.02.09-19 - Different Gradations Of Happiness (download mp3)
by Sri Caitanya Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net
SB 8.2.9-13
tasya dronyam bhagavato
varunasya mahatmanah
udyanam rtuman nama
akridam sura-yositam
sarvato 'lankrtam divyair
nitya-puspa-phala-drumaih
mandaraih parijatais ca
patalasoka-campakaih
cutaih piyalaih panasair
amrair amratakair api
kramukair narikelais ca
kharjurair bijapurakaih
madhukaih sala-talais ca
tamalair asanarjunaih
aristodumbara-plaksair
vataih kimsuka-candanaih
picumardaih kovidaraih
saralaih sura-darubhih
drakseksu-rambha-jambubhir
badary-aksabhayamalaih
Translation:
In a valley of Trikuta Mountain there was a garden called Rtumat. This garden belonged to the great devotee Varuna and was a sporting place for the damsels of the demigods. Flowers and fruits grew there in all seasons. Among them were mandaras, parijatas, patalas, asokas, campakas, cutas, piyalas, panasas, mangoes, amratakas, kramukas, coconut trees, date trees and pomegranates. There were madhukas, palm trees, tamalas, asanas, arjunas, aristas, udumbaras, plaksas, banyan trees, kimsukas and sandalwood trees. There were also picumardas, kovidaras, saralas, sura-darus, grapes, sugarcane, bananas, jambu, badaris, aksas, abhayas and amalakis.
SB 8.2.14-19
bilvaih kapitthair jambirair
vrto bhallatakadibhih
tasmin sarah suvipulam
lasat-kañcana-pankajam
kumudotpala-kahlara-
satapatra-sriyorjitam
matta-sat-pada-nirghustam
sakuntais ca kala-svanaih
hamsa-karandavakirnam
cakrahvaih sarasair api
jalakukkuta-koyasti-
datyuha-kula-kujitam
matsya-kacchapa-sañcara-
calat-padma-rajah-payah
kadamba-vetasa-nala-
nipa-vañjulakair vrtam
kundaih kurubakasokaih
sirisaih kutajengudaih
kubjakaih svarna-yuthibhir
naga-punnaga-jatibhih
mallika-satapatrais ca
madhavi-jalakadibhih
sobhitam tira-jais canyair
nityartubhir alam drumaih
Translation:
In that garden there was a very large lake filled with shining golden lotus flowers and the flowers known as kumuda, kahlara, utpala and satapatra, which added excellent beauty to the mountain. There were also bilva, kapittha, jambira and bhallataka trees. Intoxicated bumblebees drank honey and hummed with the chirping of the birds, whose songs were very melodious. The lake was crowded with swans, karandavas, cakravakas, cranes, and flocks of water chickens, datyuhas, koyastis and other murmuring birds. Because of the agitating movements of the fish and tortoises, the water was decorated with pollen that had fallen from the lotus flowers. The lake was surrounded by kadamba flowers, vetasa flowers, nalas, nipas, vañjulakas, kundas, kurubakas, asokas, sirisas, kutajas, ingudas, kubjakas, svarna-yuthis, nagas, punnagas, jatis, mallikas, satapatras, jalakas and madhavi-latas. The banks were also abundantly adorned with varieties of trees that yielded flowers and fruits in all seasons. Thus the entire mountain stood gloriously decorated.
Judging from the exhaustive description of the lakes and rivers on Trikuta Mountain, on earth there is no comparison to their super-excellence. On other planets, however, there are many such wonders. For instance, we understand that there are two million different types of trees, and not all of them are exhibited on earth. Srimad-Bhagavatam presents the total knowledge of the affairs of the universe. It not only describes this universe, but also takes into account the spiritual world beyond the universe. No one can challenge the Srimad-Bhagavatam's descriptions of the material and spiritual worlds. The attempts to go from the earth to the moon have failed, but the people of earth can understand what exists on other planets. There is no need of imagination; one may take actual knowledge from Srimad-Bhagavatam and be satisfied.
