CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The Followers of Kali Are Defeated. The Killing of Koka And Vikoka.
Text 1
Suta GosvamT said: As the fighting raged, Dharma and Satya-yuga personified very angrily confronted Kali.
Text 2
Being injured and afflicted by showers of arrows, Kali got down from his donkey carrier and returned to his capital.
Text3
Kali’s chariot, which was adorned with a flag having the symbol of an owl, was shattered. His entire body was soaked with blood, the smell of a decaying mouse emanated from his body, and his face appeared fraught with fear. In this condition, He entered his residence.
Text 4
Meanwhile, Dambha, who was a disgrace to his family and a man of hollow character, being seriously wounded by the onslaught of sharp arrows, lost all enthusiasm to fight and returned home.
Text5
Lobha was soundly defeated by Prasada, who smashed his adversary’s head with his club Lobha’s chariot, the flag of which bore the emblem of a dog, was pulverized, and so he ran away from the battlefield while vomiting blood.
Text6
Abhaya defeated Krodha after a hectic fight. Krodha’s eyes became blood-red, and his foul-smelling chariot, the flag of which bore the emblem of a mouse, was smashed to pieces so that he had no option but to return to his city, Visasana.
Text7
Sukha slapped Bhaya so forcefully that he immediately gave up his life. Niraya also fell down dead onto the battlefield after being pummeled by Priti.
Text 8
Satya-yuga personified fought so heroically while showering his arrows that Adhi and Vyadhi dismounted their carriers and fearfully ran to safety.
Text 9
After the enemy had been routed,Dharmaand Satya-yuga personified entered Kali’s capital, Visasana, and set the whole city ablaze by releasing fiery arrows. Indeed, Kali was also burnt in the conflagration, but he managed to survive.
Text 10
Because his sons and wives were killed in the fire, Kali felt he had no alternative but to renounce his kingdom He left the city alone and traveled to another country, while continually shedding tears out of distress.
Text 11
Meanwhile, many mlecchas, including the Sakas and Kambojas, were vanquished by the celestial weapons of King Maru King Devapi vanquished the Savaras, Colas, and Varvaras, with verv little effort.
Text 12
The greatly powerful Kmg Visakhayupa invoked celestial weapons to defeat the Pulmdas and Pulkasas.
Text 13
The pure devotee. King Visakhavupa, continued to slay his enemies with his sharp sword and torrents of arrows. Within a short while, most of the enemy soldiers lay dead upon the battlefield.
Text 14
Lord Kalki, who was especially accomplished in the art of fighting with a club, caused a great tear to enter the hearts of the enemy as He oppressed Koka and Vikoka.
Text 15
Кока and Vikoka’s father was Vrkasura, and Sakuni was their grandfather. Just as Lord Hari had previously fought with the demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, Lord Kalki now fought with these two brothers.
Text 16
The two brothers then managed to land a terrible blow of the club upon the body of Lord Kalki, so that He appeared injured. Indeed, the Lord’s club fell from His Hands, and upon seeing this, the spectators became astonished.
Text 17
The Lord, the conqueror of the three worlds and master of the universe, remained unperturbed, however, and in a fit of rage, He retaliated by severing Vikoka’s head with His lance.
Text 18
Although Vikoka appeared to be dead and gone, when his brother simply gazed upon him, he was at once revived. Upon seeing this, the demigods, and also Lord Kalki, the destroyer of His enemies, were amazed.
Text 19
In retaliation for Koka’s bringing his brother back to life, Lord Kalki immediately severed his head. Once again, however, simply by Vikoka’s glance, Koka’s head was replaced and he continued fighting as if nothing had happened.
Text 20
The two powerful and deceitful demon brothers felt renewed enthusiasm as they continued to attack Lord Kalki, appearing like fate and death personified.
Texts 21-22
With swords and shields in their Hands, Koka and Vikoka struck the Lord, again and again. Lord Kalki became further enraged and at last, He simultaneously cut off both their heads. And yet, much to His surprise, both heads miraculously rejoined their trunks as everyone looked on in astonishment. Lord Kalki anxiously contemplated the matter for a moment, and then the two brothers resumed their attack At this time, Lord Kalki’s horse began to very forcefully kick the two brothers.
Text 23
This made the two invincible demons mad with rage, so that their eyes became red. Turning their attention away from the Lord, they pierced His horse with their sharp arrows.
Text 24 tayorbhujantaram so’svah
The infuriated horse then bit Koka and Vikoka’s arms, breaking their bones and causing their bangles and amulets to fall to the ground. In retaliation, the two demons caught the horse by its tails, just as a boy sometimes grabs the tail of a calf.
Text 25
The enraged horse then kicked both demons in the chest with its hind legs, and the blows felt just like thunderbolts.
Text 26
Although the two heroes fell unconscious onto the ground, they quickly regained their senses and stood up, challenging Lord Kalki to continue fighting.
Text 27
Meanwhile, Lord Brahma, who had been watching the battle from the sky, approached Lord Kalki and spoke with folded Hands. My dear Lord, You will not be able to kill these two demom with weapons.
Text 28
You will have to kill them simultaneously with the use of Your bare Hands. As long as one ot them remains alive, he can instantly bring back the life of his brother.
Text 29
After hearing the words ot Brahma, who was born from the universal lotus flower, Loid Kalki abandoned His horse and weapons. Being inflamed with rage, the Lord suddenly landed two powerful punches that were just like thunderbolts, simultaneously smashing the two brothers’ heads.
Text 30
In this way, the two demons, who were a great cause of fear even for the demigods, and so what to speak of others, fell onto the ground like two great mountains,their heads smashed.
Text 31
Being overjoyed, the Gandharvas began to sing, the Apsaras danced in ecstasy, and the sages offered prayers while the demigods, Siddhas, and Caranas showered flowers from the sky upon Lord Kalki.
Text 32
Lord Kalki felt great satisfaction after finally attaining victory over Koka and Vikoka. By invoking celestial weapons, the Lord proceeded to killed ten thousand enemy warriors while smashing their chariots and slaying their horses.
Text 33
The formidable Prajna killed one hundred thousand enemy soldiers and Sumantu killed twenty-five thousand.
Text 34
Other powerful warriors, filled with a terrible rage, including Gargya, Bhargya, and Visala, also joined the pray, killing innumerable mlecctxas and Nisadas.
Text 35
After defeating all His enemies, Lord Kalki and His associates proceeded towards the city of Bhallatanagara, which was inhabited by Sayyakarnas.
Text 36
While going, Lord Kalki and the kings accompanying Him were glorified by everyone and music filled the air. The Lord was fanned by cdmaras as His entourage, which consisted of countless soldieis bearing celestial weapons, proceeded in a joyful mood, riding upon their chariots, horses, and elephants.
Thus ends the translation of the twenty-first chapter of Sri Kalki Purana
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Lord Kalki Travels To Bhallatanagara Ruled By Sasidhvaja. A Great Battle Takes Place.
Text 1
Suta Gosvami said: After a short while, Lord Kalki, sword in Hand and riding upon His horse, arrived at the city of Bhallata, accompanied by His vast army.
Text 2
The king of Bhallata was a great mystic yogi who was aware that Kalki was an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Hari. Still, he came out of his city, along with his army, to fight with the Lord.
Text 3
This king, named Sasidhvaja, was actually a devotee of Lord Krsna, and he was constantly merged in transcendental ecstasy He was very intelligent, Handsome, wealthy, and very powerful.
Texts 4-5
His chaste and devoted wife, Susanta, observed many religious vows in relation to Lord Hari. When she saw that her husband was about to right with Lord Kalki, she said: My dear husband, Kalki is the Supreme Lord and Supersoul of all living entities. How can you dare to strike and injure His body?
Text 6
King Sasidhvaja said- О goddess Susanta, in battle, there is no tault in injuring the body of an elderly person, or even one’s disciple. This principle has been ordamed by Brahma himself.
Text 7
If one comes out victorious in battle, he can enjoy his kingdom without any hindrance, and if he dies on the battlefield, he goes to enjoy celestial happiness in heaven. Therefore, for a kshatriya, both victory and defeat are auspicious.
Texts 8-9
Susanta said: The enjoyment of a kingdom without hindrance, and the attainment of the heavenly planets may be accepted as the goal of life by those who are intoxicated by thoughts of sense gratification, but they are most insignificant for those who render service at the lotus feet of Lord Hari О lord, you are a servant and Lord Kalki is the master You have no desires for material enjoyment, and He is the bestower of the fruits of action. Considering this, how is it possible for you to fight with Him?
Text 10
King Sasidhvaja said: My dear goddess, both the Supreme Lord and His servants are transcendental to the dualities of material existence, such as happiness and distress. Material designations are mistakenly attributed to the Lord and His devotees because they appear in bodies resembling those of the material world. Therefore, fighting is simply another of our pastimes.
Text 11
Because the Supieme Lord appears in a human-like form, He displays anger, ambition, and other human qualities Therefore, why should He not display the desire for enjoyment?
Text 12
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is eternal, and full of knowledge and bliss. When He incarnates within this world, He remains as He is, even though He assumes a body similar to that of a human being. He and His servant’s birth, activities, and disappearance are transcendental, although to materialists they appear mundane.
Text 13
The object of service, the servant, and the service are creations of the Lord’s internal potency. A devotee’s realization that the living entities are simultaneously one with and different from the Supreme Lord awards him the three objectives of life.
Text 14
О goddess, it is for this reason that I am eager to fight with Lord Kalki. You should now worship the Lord of Laksmi with great attention.
Text 15
Susanta said: О lord, I am very glad that you have such a wonderful service attitude toward Lord Hari. There is no other objective in this world or the next to Hari Lord Visnu.
Text 16
Upon hearing Susanta speak in this way, and seeing her offer obeisances to the Lord, King Sasidhvaia remembered Lord Hari as tears came to his eyes. Indeed, he felt proud to be a devotee of Lord Visnu.
Text 17
Thereafter, the king joyfully embraced his wife and then entered the battlefield while remembering Lord Hari and chariting His holy names, along with countless Vaisnava warriors.
Text 18
After entering the battlefield, King Sasidhvaja created great destruction in the ranks of the army of Lord Kalki. At this time, the powerful Sannadhas and Sayyakarnas picked up their weapons and fought along with their king.
Text 19
Sasidhvaja’s son, Sriman Suryakeru, was a great warrior and master bowman, and a devotee of Lord Hari He fought with kmg Maru of the Surra dvnasty.
Text 20
Suryaketu’s younger brother was named Brhatketu He wa< very Handsome, he had a voice like a cuckoo,and he was very expert at fighting with a club He fought with King Devapi.
Text 21
King Visakhayupa, surrounded by many elephant warriors and brandishing celestial weapons, confronted King Sasidhvaja.
Text 22
In the midst of the dust raised by the hooves of the horses, the greatly powerful Gargya, a master bowman whose arms moved like the wind and who rode upon a red horse, engaged in fighting with the very expert bowman, Santa.
Text 23
The battle became very intense as all these powerful warriors fought with their tridents, clubs, arrows, anchors, spears, swords, maces, and axes.
Text 24
The battlefield became a collage of flags, poles, emblems, clubs, umbrellas, camaras, and dust raised by the hoofs of the horses.
Text 25
The demigods observed this fierce battle from their positions behind the clouds The Gandharvas hovered over the battlefield, singing in sweet voices.
Texts 26-28
Indeed, a huge crowd gathered to witness the battle. Because of the deafening noise created by the blowing of conch shells, beating of drums, challenges of the warriors, cries of the elephants, neighing of horses, and clash of weapons, no one could hear what their companions were saying Everyone engaged in fighting with their equals. Soon, the battle came to resemble a great fight between the demigods and demons, thus giving Yamaraja many candidates for punishment.
Text 29
Numerous soldiers belonging to the armies of both Lord Kalki and Sasidhvaja lost their arms, legs, and heads in that great battle.
Text 30
Some injured soldiers ran here and there, screaming with pain, others made grotesque sounds, while still others lay soaked with blood. Some wounded soldiers fell onto other warriors, and others were crushed under the legs of horses and elephants, and the wheels of chariots.
Text 31
In that great battle, may tens of millions of great warriors lost their lives, so that the battlefield became a river of blood Although certainly a ghastly sight, ghosts, hobgoblins, jackals, demons, and foxes were very happy to see that river.
Text 32
The crowns floating in that river of blood appeared like swans, the slain elephants looked like its banks, the chariots were boats, the severed Hands and legs were fish, and the innumerable swords looked like so much golden sand on the shore.
Text 33
In this way, the entire battlefield wore the appearance of a mightv river.
Text 34
The strongly-built Suryaketu, who looked like a second YamarSja, covered King Maru with showers of arrows. In retaliation, Maru released ten wonderful arrows that injured Suryaketu.
Texts 35-36
Being pierced by Maru’s arrows, Suryaketu became enraged and countered by killing the king’s horses, one by one. He then broke King Maru’s chariot to pieces, smashing it with his club. Due to being struck by one of the blows, King Maru lost his balance and fell to the ground unconscious.
Text 37
King Maru’s loyal charioteer quickly came and placed him on another chariot. Meanwhile, the powerful Brhatketu dazed Devapi with his incessant stream of arrows.
Text 38
As thick fog covers the sun, Devapi, who had been greatly afflicted by Brhatketu’s arrows, picked up his bow and countered his adversary’s arrows with his own.
Text 39
King Devapi then employed his wonderful golden arrows to break Brhatketu’s tridents and other weapons into pieces. Brhatketu, who had also became inflamed with rage, picked up his bow and showered more arrows upon his adversary.
Text 40
Brhatketu then released golden arrows having iron tips and vultures’ feathers, piercing Devapi all over his body.
Text 41
Devapi countered with his sharp arrows and managed to break Brhatketu’s celebrated bow. Finding no other means, Brhatketu unsheathed his sword and charged at Devapi in a final attempt to kill him.
Texts 42-43
That great warrior, Brhatketu, was able to kill Devapi’s horses and chariot driver as the fierce battle continued. Devapi then threw down his bow and gave his enemy a powerful blow wirh his fist. Brhatketu was stunned and so Devapi grabbed him and began squeezing his neck as it was held between his arm and chest. As a result of this, the twenty-four-year- old Brhatketu fell down unconscious onto the battlefield, as if dead.
Text 44
Upon seeing his brother as if bereft of life, Suryaketu brought his fist down onto Devapi’s head. As a result of that terrible blow, which appeared like the striking of a thunderbolt, Devapi also fell down unconscious. At this, Suryaketu mercilessly attacked Devapi’s soldiers, causing them to scatter.
Text 45
At about that time, King Sasidhvaja happened to see Lord Kalki roaming the battlefield The Lord’s eyes were like lotus petals, His complexion was very dark, and His effulgence was as bright as the sun He appeared to be the shelter of the universe. He was dressed in yellow garments and His arms extended to His knees. On His head was placed a transcendental crown.
Text 46
Lord Kalki’s body appeared even more brilliant due to the reflections of His jeweled ornaments. The Lord presented a very pleasing sight for everyone. Indeed, His darsana destroyed the contamination within everyone’s heart. All the kings, headed by Visakhayupa, surrounded the Lord, and Dharma and Satya-yuga personified were seen worshiping Him.
Thus ends the translation of the twenty-second chapter of Sri Kalki Purana.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
King Sasidhvaja Brings the Unconscious Lord Kalki to His Palace
Text 1
Suta GosvamI said: As King Sasidhvaja gazed upon the enchanting form of Lord Kalki, the incarnation of Lord Hari, and thus the only real object of meditation, who was seated on His celestial horse, holding a sword, he spoke as follows.
Text2
Loid Kalki, the master of the universe, is decorated with transcendental ornaments and equipped with a bow and arrows, so that it appears as if He is about to destroy all the suffering and sins of this material world.
T ext3
His mind surcharged with feelings of ecstasy, King Sasidhvaja said- О lotus-eyed Lord, please come and strike my chest.
Texts 4-5
О Supersoul, situated within the hearts of all living entities, out of fear of my arrows, please hide within my heart, which is filled with darkness Although You are without material qualities, You possess unlimited transcendental qualities. Although You are one without a second, You are prepared to attack Your enemies. Although You are without material desires, You have accepted the support of an army for achieving victory I would like to fight with the Supersoul of all living entities while everyone else stands aside as spectators.
Text 6
You are the almighty Lord. I will strike You hard, and while doing so, if I forget that You are the Supreme Lord, then I hope to achieve that inferior destination which is attained by those who discriminate between Lord Siva and Lord Hari.
Text 7
Upon hearing these words of King Sasidhvaja, the slayer of his enemies who possessed all kinds of weapons, Lord Kalki displayed some symptoms of anger, although by nature He is always peaceful, and thus began to release His arrows.
Text 8
However, King Sasidhvaja did not take this onslaught of arrows very seriously. As a mountain remains undisturbed by the cloud that showers rain upon it, King Sasidhvaja remained steady as he counteracted the Lord’s arrows with his own.
Text 9
King Sasidhvaja’s attack appeared to injure Lord Kalki and this made the fire of His rage burn brightly Thereafter, a fierce battle ensued wherein both combatants discharged celestial weapons.
Text 10
Both neutralized the effects of each other’s brahmastra by invoking another brahmastra, parvatiastra by employing another parvatiastra, vayu-astra by discharging another vayu-astra, parjanydstra by invoking an agni- astra,and garuddstraby employing apannagastra.
Text 11
In this way, Lord Kalki and King Sasidhvaja fought furiously while discharging their entire arsenal of weapons As they witnessed this contest, all the spectators, including the rulers of the universe, became frightened, thinking that the time of annihilation had arrived.
Texts 12ЛЗ
As the demigods watched the battle from their vantage point in the sky, when they saw a fiery weapon being discharged, their hearts became overwhelmed with fear. After awhile, Lord Kalki and King Sasidhvaja put aside their bows and arrows and began wrestling—kicking, punching, and slapping each other with all their strength.
Texts 14*15
Both Lord Kalki and King Sasidhvaja were very powerful warriors and expert in the art of fighting. Both became pleased to witness each other’s skill. When Lord Kalki slapped King Sasidhvaja, causing him to lose consciousness, the sound produced by that blow reminded everyone of the sound made by Lord Varaha as He delivered the earth from the nether regions at the beginning of creation. Within a moment, King Sasidhvaja regained his senses and stood up. In a fit of rage, the king smashed his fist upon the body of Lord Kalki making Him fall unconscious onto the ground.
Text 16
dharmah krtanca tarn drstva murcchitarh jagadisvaram
samdgatau tamdneturh kakse taujagrhenrpah
Upon seeing this, Dharma and Satya-yuga personified rushed to where Lord Kali, the master of the universe, was lying. However, before they could reach Him, King Sasidhvaja restrained them, holding them tightly in his arms.
Text 17
The king then embraced Lord Kalki to his chest and brought Him to his palace, considering himself to be very fortunate. He thought that no king of the earth would now be able to defeat his two sons.
Text 18
Thus, King Sasidhvaja returned home in a jubilant mood after defeating Lord Kalki, the Lord of the demigods, carrying Him on his chest, and Dharma and Satya-yuga personified in his armpits. Upon returning h met the kings wife Susanta, sitting in the temple of LordHari.
Text 19
Many other female devotees surrounded the queen, glorifying Lord Hari The king looked at Susanta’s lotus-like face and said: He who has taken birth in the village of Sambhala by the request of the demigods is this personality I am holding to my chest. He received an education, was married, and then vanquished many atheists and mlecchas.
Text 20
О goddess, Lord Kalki, the Lord of the heart, has now come to our house on the pretext of being unconscious. Dharma and Satya-yuga are also our guests and so you can worship them.
Text 21
Susanta offered her obeisances to Lord Kalki, Dharma, Satya-yuga, and her husband. Then, along with her companions, she began to dance while singing the glories of Lord Hari without inhibition.
Thus ends the translation of the twenty-third chapter of Sri Kalki Purana.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
The Prayers of Susanta
Lord Kalki Marries King Sasidhvaja’s Daughter.
Text 1
Susanta said: О Lord Hari, all glories unto You. Please give up Your illusory pastime of being unconscious. О most intelligent one, kindly show me Your lotus feet, which are faithfully served by saintly persons and demigods.
Text2
Your body is fully spiritual and thus it is the most valuable object within the universe. This form of Yours is present within the hearts of the devotees. Your beautiful form bewilders even the mind of Cupid. Now, please do whatever You consider to be beneficial for me.
Text3
The world of lamentation goes far away if Your transcendental glories enter someone’s ears. The shower of nectar in the form of the sweet words emanating from your moon-like mouth pleases everyone Your face is adorned with a sweet smile Please speak something with Your lotus mouth that will benefit all classes of men.
Text 4
My husband is a person who irritates everyone. If he has caused You any pain, kindly give up Your anger and display some compassion. Otherwise, how will people believe that You are all-merciful?
Text5
The material body has been created with the five gross material elements as its ingredients, as well as the three subtle elements, all of which are manifestations of Your external energy. In the beginning, You glanced over material nature for the sake of Your pastimes, and then You enacted the creation, maintenance, and annihilation of the universe by Your three qualitative incarnations.
Text 6
My dear Lord, please bestow Your mercy upon us, who aspire for engagement in Your devotional service, even though we possess material bodies and senses that act under the direction of Your illusory energy, maya, which consists of three modes.
Text 7
Those who always chant Your holy names, which destroy the contamination of Kali, removes the fear of material existence, and enables one to develop transcendental qualities, even though undergoing material miseries at present, will never again have to accept a material body.
Text 8
Because of Your appearance within this world, the prestige of the devotees has been reinstated, the brahmanas once again engage in their ritualistic performances, the demigods feel secure, Satya-yuga will soon commence, religious principles are being obeyed, and the influence of Kali has slackened. May I also receive the benefit of Your incarnation.
Text 9
I have a husband, sons, grandsons, elephants, horses, flags, chariots, cdmaras, wealth, jeweled asanas, and countless other possessions but without the presence of Your lotus feet, all these things appear to be of very little value.
Text 10
О Lord of the universe, if Your encHariting smiling face, from which captivating and meaningful words emanate, does not cast its soothing glance upon me, then let me die without delay.
Text 11
As You traverse the surface of the earth, riding upon Your horse, Your presence removes all fear. You are the shelter of Brahma and Siva. You vanquish even the most powerful warriors with Your sharp arrows. You give protection to those who seek Your shelter after being defeated by You in battle. Your lotus face is as soothing as a hundred moons.
Text 12
Being greatly satisfied by Susanta’s prayers, Lord Kalki awakened from His state of unconsciousness and once again assumed the role of an invincible warrior.
Texts 13-14
Seeing Susanta in front of Him, as well as Satya-yuga personified to His left, Dharma to His right, and King Sasidhvaja behind Him, Lord Kalki spoke as if embarrassed: О lotus-eyed one, who are you? Why are you serving Me? Why is the great hero, Sasidhvaja, standing behind Me?
Text 15
0 Dharma! О Satyayuga! Instead of remaining on the battlefield, why have I been brought to the palace of the enemy?
Text 16
1 am the enemy of these women. Why are they serving Me in great happiness? I fell unconscious. Why did the great hero, Sasidhvaja, not kill Me?
Text 17
Susanta said: Who is there in Patalaloka, Svargaloka, or Bhuloka, whether he is a human being, serpent, demon, or demigod, that would not serve Lord Kalki, the incarnation of Lord Hari?
Text 18
All the people of the world are Your servants. It is the duty of everyone to adopt a friendly attitude toward You. My dear Lord, simply by seeing You, one’s animosity is vanquished. Who would dare to exhibit his enviousness bv fighting with You, Hand to Hand?
Text 19
Had my husband not fought with You in the mood of an enemy, would he have been able to bring You to his house?
Text 20
Myhusband is Your eternal servant and I am Your eternal maid servant. О mighty-armed Lord, You have come here simply to benefit us.
Text21
Dharma said: О vanquisher of Kali, I am very impressed to see how this couple renders devotional service unto You. They chant Your holy names and they take great pleasure in glorifying You.
Text22
Satya-yuga said: My dear Lord, I consider myself to be very fortunate to have witnessed the activities of these great devotees. By the influence of Your devoted servants, Your worship spreads throughout the universe.
Text 23
King Sasidhvaja said: My dear Lord, I had pierced Your body with many arrows while fighting with Y ou. Therefore, I am a great offender and so please punish me.You are our life and soul and yet, under the influence of uncontrollable lust and anger,I treated You as an enemy.
T ext 2 4
After hearing the king speak with such humility, Lord Kalki said: The simple fact of the matter is that you defeated Me in the battle.
Text25
Thereafter, King Sasidhvaja summoned his sons from the battle field and as desired by his wife, Handedover hisdaughter, Rama, toLord Kalki in marriage.
Texts 26-27
At that time,the kings Maru,Devapi,VisakhayQpa, Sayyakarna,and Rudhirasva arrived at Bhallata, at theinvitation of Sasidhvaja. Thus, the city became very crowded with thesoldiers of these rulers ofmen.
Text 28
The marriage ceremony of Lord Kalki and Rama was performed with great pomp with manv elephants, horses, chariots, soldiers present, so that a great tumult was created.
Texts 29-30
Everyone arrived on their various vehicles and carriers in a mood of joyful anticipation, eager to witness the wedding. The festive mood was enriched by the auspicious and delightful sounds ot drums, conch shells, and mrdangas, as well as the smging, dancing, and clapping of the ladies.
Texts 31-32
All the kings were provided with an incredible variety of sumptuous food and drnk. The brahmanas, ksatnyas, vaisayas,budras,and outcastes were also very nicely fed and given charity when they came to see Lord Kalki. All the while, the lotus-eyed Lord remained seated in the assembly.
Text 33
Just as the moon looks very beautiful in the midst of innumerable stars, so Lord Kalki, the king of kings, appeared glorious in the midst of that assembly.
Text 34
King Sasidhvaja slowly approached the lotus-eved Lord Kalki, the husband of Rama, and sat beside Him in a mood of awe and reverence, although he considered Him to be his son-in law.
Thus ends the translation of the twenty-fourth chapter of Sri Kalki Purana.
CHAPTER TWENTYFIVE
The Devotion of Sasidhvaja And His Previous History
Texts 1-2
Suta Gosvami said: The kings then began to speak to the exalted King Sasidhavaja and his wife, Susanta, in that assembly which included Dharma and Satya-yuga personified.
Texts 3-4
The kings said: You are now the in-laws of Lord Kalki, who is non- different from the Personality of Godhead, Narayana. We are very impressed by the devotional attitude of both of you, and so are the assembled sages, brahmanas, and others. We would like to know how vou became so advanced on the path of devotional service to the Supreme Lord.
Texts 5-6
My dear king, did someone give you instruction regarding the devotional service of the Lord, or is your devotion spontaneous? We simply would like to know how you became such an advanced devotee of the Lord. We know that by hearing this narration, the inhabitants of the three worlds will be purified, because such talks uproot the root cause of material existence.
Text7
King Sasidhvaja said: О kings, please listen attentively as I narrate to you the story of my previous life, and how I came to be a king who is devoted to the Lord.
Text 8
Thousands of years ago, I was born as a meat-eating vulture. My wife, Susanta, was a female vulture living in a nest at the top of a tree in the forest.
Text 9
She would travel from forest to forest and tree to tree, according to her desire. We sustained our lives by eating the rotting, stinking flesh of dead bodies.
Texts 10-11
One day, a cruel hunter saw us and so desired to capture us. For this purpose, he brought his tame vulture. At that time, we were famished and so when we saw the tame vulture, we approached it in the hopes of getting some flesh in charity.
Text 12
However, the result was that we fell into the trap of the hunter. As soon as he saw us ensnared within his net, the hunter joyfully came running and grabbed me by the neck. We tried our best to defend ourselves with our beaks.
Text 13
Wanting our flesh, the hunter took us to the banks of the Gandaki River, which is as good as the Ganges, and killed us by smashing our heads against a salagrama-sila.
Texts 14-15
Because we had given up our lives while touching a salagrama-sila on the shore of the holy Gandaki River, we were instantly awarded four- armed forms and ascended to Vainkuntha in an effulgent celestial chariot. We resided there for one hundred yuga cycles and then were transferred to Brahmaloka.
Text 16
In Brahmaloka, we resided for five hundred yuga cycles and then descended to Svargaloka, where we resided for four hundred yuga cycles.
Text 17
After residing in the heavenly planets, we were born in this mortal world. I can clearly remember how everything was made possible simply by the mercy of the suldgrdma-sila and Lord Hari.
Text 18
It is astonishing to think how one can remember his past lives after giving up his life on the banks of the River Gandaki. Simply by touching the water of that river, one can feel something extraordinary.
Text 19
When such a wonderful result is obtained by giving up one’s life while touching a salagrama-sila, then what can be said of the result obtained by those who serve Lord Hari with devotion?
Text 20
Thinking in this way, we remained absorbed in the worship of the Supreme Lord, sometimes dancing in ecstasy, sometimes singing the glories of Lord Hari, and sometimes rolling on the ground with a heart overwhelmed by feelings of love of God. In this way, we passed our lives.
Text 21
I had already heard from Brahma that Lord Hari would incarnate as Lord Kalki, to destroy the influence of Kali. I am thus well-aware of His unexcelled prowess.
Text 22-24
Thus, King Sas’idhvaja narrated his history in that assembly. He considered himself and his family members to be supremely fortunate as he gave Lord Kalki, the husband of Rama, ten thousand elephants, one hundred thousand horses, six thousands chariots, one hundred young maid servants, and countless valuable jewels.
Text 25
After hearing this description of the king’s previous life, all the members of the assembly were astonished and began to regard him even more highly.
Text 26
Everyone in that assembly began to glorify the Supreme Lord and meditate upon His transcendental form. After some time, they inquired from King Sasidhvaja about the characteristics of pure devotional service.
Text 27
The kings said: What are the characteristics of devotional service to the Lord? Who is a genuine devotee, and what are the prescribed rules and regulations? What does a devotee do, what does he eat, where does he live, and what does he speak about?
Texts 28-29
О king, you aie the knower of everything and so please describe whatever was requested by us.
The king was very happy to hear these questions, which were all in relation to Lord Hari, and so he tHariked them. Then, with a desire to purity the world with the sound of the holy names of Lord Krsna, the king, having the power to remember his previous lives, began to repeat whatever he had previously heard from Lord Brahma.
Text 30
King Sas’idhvaja said Once,long ago, in the assembly of LordBrahma, there were many great sages present At that time, the sage Sanaka asked Narada Muni the very questions that you have put before me.
Text 31
I was also present in that assembly of gieat sages and by their mercy, I heard everything that was spoken by them. О you who are capable of removing the sms of the conditioned souls, please listen attentively as I repeat whatever I had heard.
Text 32
Sanaka said- О sage among the demigods, what kind of devotional service to Lord Hari has the power to free one from the cycle of repeated birth and death? What method of devotional service is most praiseworthy? Please speak on this subject, for we are very eager to hear.
Text 33
Narada Muni said, One who desues to engage in the devotional service of the Lord should learn the codes of good conduct after fully surrendering himself at the lotus feet of the spiritual master and carefully controlling his mind and five knowledge-acquiring senses with the help of good intelligence.
Texts 34-36
If the spiritual master is pleased, then it is to be understood that Lord Hari is pleased. By the order of the spiritual master, one should cHarit the mantra, orn namo svahd. The disciple should worship the lotus feet of Lord Vasudeva by offering Him padya, arghya, acamanlya, snanlya, vasana, and ornaments. All the while, he should meditate on the encHariting form of Lord Vasudeva as it is situated within his heart.
Text 37
A sincere and intelligent devotee should surrender his speech, mind, intelligence, senses, and indeed, his very self at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord.
Text 38
All of the demigods are considered to be Lord Hari’s bodily limbs. He possesses unlimited transcendental forms having corresponding transcendental names.
Text 39
Lord Krsna is the actual object of service for all living entities. The constitutional position of the spirit souls is that they are the Lord’s eternal servants, being part and parcel of Him. This is the conclusion of those who know the truth, but due to the dense darkness of ignorance, people in general forget this.
Text 40
The relationship between the Lord and His devotees is one of master and servant. Actually, there is nothing that can exist independently of Lord Krsna.
Text 41
The devotees always think of Lord Hari, sing His holy names, and engage in menial service for His satisfaction. By engaging in devotional service in this way, the devotees feel transcendental pleasure.
Text 42
The devotees dance in ecstasy, cry, laugh, and roll on the ground, and while doing so, they completely forget themselves. Pure devotees never discriminate, but rather see everyone equally on the spiritual platform.
Text 43
Such unadulterated devotional service to the Supreme Lord quickly purifies everyone—demigods, demons, and human beings.
Text 44
Bhakti-devI is the Lord’s eternal spiritual potency and she is described in all Vedic literature. She is the embodiment of Brahma, Visnu, and Siva.
Text 45
Persons in the mode of goodness are called devotees, persons in the mode of passion are mad after sense gratification, and persons in the mode of ignorance engage in all kinds of abominable activities.
Text 46
People who cultivate the mode of goodness can raise themselves to the transcendental platform. Those who cultivate the mode of passion become filled with material desires, and those who cultivate the mode of ignorance go to hell.
Text 47
Food that is pure, juicy, and nutritious, and that has been offered to Lord Visnu, is considered to be in the mode of goodness.
Text 48
Food that is prepared with only the satisfaction of the senses in mind, and which is intended to increase one’s blood and semen, and thus enHarice one’s duration of life, is considered to be in the mode of passion.
Text 49
Food that is bitter, spicy, hot, sour, stale, burnt, dry, or rotten is considered to be in the mode of ignorance. Only people deeply imbedded in the mode of ignorance will relish such food.
Text 50
People in the mode of goodness like to reside in the forest, people in the mode of passion like to reside in a city or village, and people in the mode of ignorance like gambling casinos and brothels.
Text 51
Lord Hari does not award His devotee material comforts, nor does a pure devotee ask anything from the Lord, and yet there are excHariges of love between them at every moment. The dealings of the Lord and His devotees are not like those of materialistic people in this miserable world.
Text 52
After hearing these talks in relation to Lord Hari, the master of everyone, the pure-hearted sage, Sanaka, returned to his abode after sufficiently glorifying Narada Muni.
Thus ends the translation of the twenty- fifth chapter of Sri Kalki Purana.
