śrī-śaunakaḥ uvāca — Śrī Śaunaka said; atha — now; imam — this; artham — matter; pṛcchāmaḥ — we are inquiring about; bhavantam — from you; bahu-vit-tamam — the possessor of the broadest knowledge; samasta — of all; tantra — the scriptures prescribing practical methods of worship; rāddha-ante — in the definitive conclusions; bhavān — you; bhāgavata — O great devotee of the Supreme Lord; tattva-vit — the knower of the essential facts.

tāntrikāḥ — the followers of the methods of the tantric literatures; paricaryāyām — in regulated worship; kevalasya — who is pure spirit; śriyaḥ — of the goddess of fortune; pateḥ — of the master; aṅga — His limbs, such as His feet; upāṅga — His secondary limbs, such as associates like Garuḍa; āyudha — His weapons, such as the Sudarśana disc; ākalpam — and His ornaments, such as the Kaustubha gem; kalpayanti — they conceive of; yathā — how; ca — and; yaiḥ — by which (material representations); tat — that; naḥ — to us; varṇaya — please describe; bhadram — all-auspiciousness; te — unto you; kriyā-yogam — the practical method of cultivation; bubhutsatām — who are eager to learn; yena — by which; kriyā — in the systematic practice; naipuṇena — expertise; martyaḥ — a mortal being; yāyāt — may attain; amartyatām — immortality.

sūtaḥ uvāca — Sūta Gosvāmī said; namaskṛtya — offering obeisances; gurūn — to the spiritual masters; vakṣye — I shall speak; vibhūtīḥ — the opulences; vaiṣṇavīḥ — belonging to Lord Viṣṇu; api — indeed; yāḥ — which; proktāḥ — are described; veda-tantrābhyām — by the Vedas and the tantras; ācāryaiḥ — by standard authorities; padmaja-ādibhiḥ — beginning with Lord Brahmā.

māyā-ādyaiḥ — beginning with the unmanifest stage of nature; navabhiḥ — with the nine; tattvaiḥ — elements; saḥ — that; vikāra-mayaḥ — also comprising the transformations (of the eleven senses and the five gross elements); virāṭ — the universal form of the Lord; nirmitaḥ — constructed; dṛśyate — are seen; yatra — in which; sa-citke — being conscious; bhuvana-trayam — the three planetary systems.

etat — this; vai — indeed; pauruṣam — of the Virāṭ-puruṣa; rūpam — the form; bhūḥ — the earth; pādau — His feet; dyauḥ — heaven; śiraḥ — His head; nabhaḥ — the sky; nābhiḥ — His navel; sūryaḥ — the sun; akṣiṇī — His eyes; nāse — His nostrils; vāyuḥ — the air; karṇau — His ears; diśaḥ — the directions; prabhoḥ — of the Supreme Lord; prajā-patiḥ — the demigod of procreation; prajananam — His genitals; apānaḥ — His anus; mṛtyuḥ — death; īśituḥ — of the absolute controller; tat-bāhavaḥ — His many arms; loka-pālāḥ — the presiding demigods of the various planets; manaḥ — His mind; candraḥ — the moon; bhruvau — His eyebrows; yamaḥ — the god of death; lajjā — shame; uttaraḥ — His upper lip; adharaḥ — His lower lip; lobhaḥ — greed; dantāḥ — His teeth; jyotsnā — the light of the moon; smayaḥ — His smile; bhramaḥ — delusion; romāṇi — the hairs of the body; bhū-ruhāḥ — the trees; bhūmnaḥ — of the almighty Lord; meghāḥ — the clouds; puruṣa — of the Virāṭ-puruṣa; mūrdha-jāḥ — the hairs upon the head.

yāvān — to which extent; ayam — this; vai — indeed; puruṣaḥ — ordinary individual person; yāvatyā — extending to which dimensions; saṁsthayā — by the position of his limbs; mitaḥ — measured; tāvān — to that extent; asau — He; api — also; mahā-puruṣaḥ — the transcendental personality; loka-saṁsthayā — according to the positions of the planetary systems.

kaustubha-vyapadeśena — represented by the Kaustubha gem; sva-ātma — of the pure jīva soul; jyotiḥ — the spiritual light; bibharti — carries; ajaḥ — the unborn Lord; tat-prabhā — the effulgence of this (Kaustubha); vyāpinī — expansive; sākṣāt — directly; śrīvatsam — of the Śrīvatsa mark; urasā — upon His chest; vibhuḥ — the almighty.

sva-māyām — His own material energy; vana-mālā-ākhyām — represented as His flower garland; nānā-guṇa — various combinations of the modes of nature; mayīm — composed of; dadhat — wearing; vāsaḥ — His garment; chandaḥ-mayam — consisting of the Vedic meters; pītam — yellow; brahma-sūtram — His sacred thread; tri-vṛt — threefold; svaram — the sacred sound oṁkāra; bibharti — He carries; sāṅkhyam — the process of Sāṅkhya; yogam — the process of yoga; ca — and; devaḥ — the Lord; makara-kuṇḍale — His shark-shaped earrings; maulim — His crown; padam — the position; pārameṣṭhyam — supreme (of Lord Brahmā); sarva-loka — to all the worlds; abhayam — fearlessness; karam — which gives.

avyākṛtam — the unmanifest phase of material creation; ananta-ākhyam — known as Lord Ananta; āsanam — His personal seat; yat-adhiṣṭhitaḥ — upon which He is sitting; dharma-jñāna-ādibhiḥ — together with religion, knowledge and so on; yuktam — conjoined; sattvam — in the mode of goodness; padmam — His lotus; iha — thereupon; ucyate — is said.

ojaḥ-sahaḥ-bala — with the power of the senses, the power of the mind and the power of the body; yutam — conjoined; mukhya-tattvam — the principle element, air, which is the vital force within the material body; gadām — His club; dadhat — carrying; apām — of water; tattvam — the element; dara — His conchshell; varam — excellent; tejaḥ-tattvam — the element fire; sudarśanam — His Sudarśana disc; nabhaḥ-nibham — just like the sky; nabhaḥ-tattvam — the element ether; asim — His sword; carma — His shield; tamaḥ-mayam — composed of the mode of ignorance; kāla-rūpam — appearing as time; dhanuḥ — His bow; śārṅgam — named Śārṅga; tathā — and; karma-maya — representing the active senses; iṣu-dhim — the quiver holding His arrows.

indriyāṇi — the senses; śarān — His arrows; āhuḥ — they say; ākūtīḥ — (the mind with its) active functions; asya — of Him; syandanam — the chariot; tat-mātrāṇi — the objects of perception; asya — His; abhivyaktim — external appearance; mudrayā — by the gestures of His hands (symbolizing the giving of benedictions, the offering of fearlessness, and so on); artha-kriyā-ātmatām — the essence of purposeful activity.

maṇḍalam — the sun globe; deva-yajanam — the place where the Supreme Lord is worshiped; dīkṣā — spiritual initiation; saṁskāraḥ — the process of purification; ātmanaḥ — for the spirit soul; paricaryā — devotional service; bhagavataḥ — of the Personality of Godhead; ātmanaḥ — for the jīva soul; durita — of sinful reactions; kṣayaḥ — the destruction.

bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; bhaga-śabda — of the word bhaga; artham — the meaning (namely, “opulence”); līlā-kamalam — His pastime lotus; udvahan — carrying; dharmam — religion; yaśaḥ — fame; ca — and; bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; cāmara-vyajane — the pair of yak-tail fans; abhajat — has accepted.

ātapatram — His umbrella; tu — and; vaikuṇṭham — His spiritual abode, Vaikuṇṭha; dvijāḥ — O brāhmaṇas; dhāma — His personal abode, the spiritual world; akutaḥ-bhayam — free from fear; tri-vṛt — threefold; vedaḥ — the Veda; suparṇa-ākhyaḥ — named Suparṇa, or Garuḍa; yajñam — sacrifice personified; vahati — carried; pūruṣam — the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

anapāyinī — inseparable; bhagavatī — the goddess of fortune; śrīḥ — Śrī; sākṣāt — directly; ātmanaḥ — of the internal nature; hareḥ — of Lord Hari; viṣvaksenaḥ — Viṣvaksena; tantra-mūrtiḥ — as the personification of the tantra scriptures; viditaḥ — is known; pārṣada-adhipaḥ — the chief of His personal associates; nanda-ādayaḥ — Nanda and the others; aṣṭau — the eight; dvāḥ-sthāḥ — doorkeepers; ca — and; te — they; aṇimā-ādyāḥ — aṇimā and the other mystic perfections; hareḥ — of the Supreme Lord; guṇāḥ — the qualities.

vāsudevaḥ saṅkarṣaṇaḥ pradyumnaḥ — Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa and Pradyumna; puruṣaḥ — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; svayam — Himself; aniruddhaḥ — Aniruddha; iti — thus; brahman — O brāhmaṇa, Śaunaka; mūrti-vyūhaḥ — the expansion of personal forms; abhidhīyate — is designated.

saḥ — He; viśvaḥ taijasaḥ prājñaḥ — the manifestations of waking consciousness, sleep and deep sleep; turīyaḥ — the fourth, transcendental stage; iti — thus termed; vṛttibhiḥ — by the functions; artha — by the external objects of perception; indriya — the mind; āśaya — covered consciousness; jñānaiḥ — and spiritual knowledge; bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; paribhāvyate — is conceived of.

aṅga — with His major limbs; upāṅga — minor limbs; āyudha — weapons; ākalpaiḥ — and ornaments; bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; tat catuṣṭayam — these four manifestations (of viśva, taijasa, prājña and turīya); bibharti — maintains; sma — indeed; catuḥ-mūrtiḥ — in His four personal features (Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha); bhagavān — the Lord; hariḥ — Hari; īśvaraḥ — the supreme controller.

dvija-ṛṣabha — O best of the brāhmaṇas; saḥ eṣaḥ — He alone; brahma-yoniḥ — the source of the Vedas; svayam-dṛk — who is self-illuminating; sva-mahima — in His own glory; paripūrṇaḥ — perfectly complete; māyayā — by the material energy; ca — and; svayā — His own; etat — this universe; sṛjati — He creates; harati — He withdraws; pāti — He maintains; iti ākhyayā — conceived of as such; anāvṛta — uncovered; akṣaḥ — His transcendental awareness; vivṛtaḥ — materially divided; iva — as if; niruktaḥ — described; tat-paraiḥ — by those who are devoted to Him; ātma — as their very Soul; labhyaḥ — realizable.

śrī-kṛṣṇa — O Śrī Kṛṣṇa; kṛṣṇa-sakha — O friend of Arjuna; vṛṣṇi — of the descendants of Vṛṣṇi; ṛṣabha — O chief; avani — on the earth; dhruk — rebellious; rājanya-vaṁśa — of the dynasties of kings; dahana — O annihilator; anapavarga — without deterioration; vīrya — whose prowess; govinda — O proprietor of Goloka-dhāma; gopa — of the cowherd men; vanitā — and the cowherd women; vraja — by the multitude; bhṛtya — and by their servants; gīta — sung; tīrtha — pious, as the most holy place of pilgrimage; śravaḥ — whose glories; śravaṇa — just to hear about whom; maṅgala — auspicious; pāhi — please protect; bhṛtyān — Your servants.

yaḥ — anyone who; idam — this; kalye — at dawn; utthāya — rising; mahā-puruṣa-lakṣaṇam — the characteristics of the Supreme Personality in His universal form; tat-cittaḥ — with mind absorbed in Him; prayataḥ — purified; japtvā — chanting to oneself; brahma — the Absolute Truth; veda — he comes to know; guhā-śayam — situated within the heart.

śrī-śaunakaḥ uvāca — Śrī Śaunaka said; śukaḥ — Śukadeva Gosvāmī; yat — which; āha — described; bhagavān — the great sage; viṣṇu-rātāya — to King Parīkṣit; śṛṇvate — who was listening; sauraḥ — of the sun-god; gaṇaḥ — the associates; māsi māsi — in each month; nānā — various; vasati — who reside; saptakaḥ — the group of seven; teṣām — of them; nāmāni — the names; karmāṇi — the activities; niyuktānām — who are engaged; adhīśvaraiḥ — by the various features of the sun-god, who are their controllers; brūhi — please speak; naḥ — to us; śraddadhānānām — who are faithful; vyūham — the personal expansions; sūrya-ātmanaḥ — in His personal expansion as the sun-god; hareḥ — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Hari.

sūtaḥ uvāca — Sūta Gosvāmī said; anādi — beginningless; avidyayā — by the illusory energy; viṣṇoḥ — of Lord Viṣṇu; ātmanaḥ — who is the Supreme Soul; sarva-dehinām — of all embodied living beings; nirmitaḥ — produced; loka-tantraḥ — the regulator of the planets; ayam — this; lokeṣu — among the planets; parivartate — travels.

ekaḥ — one; eva — only; hi — indeed; lokānām — of the worlds; sūryaḥ — the sun; ātmā — their soul; ādi-kṛt — the original creator; hariḥ — the Personality of Godhead, Hari; sarva-veda — in all the Vedas; kriyā — of the ritualistic activities; mūlam — the basis; ṛṣibhiḥ — by the sages; bahudhā — variously; uditaḥ — designated.

kālaḥ — time; deśaḥ — place; kriyā — endeavor; kartā — performer; karaṇam — instrument; kāryam — specific ritual; āgamaḥ — scripture; dravyam — paraphernalia; phalam — result; iti — thus; brahman — O brāhmaṇa, Śaunaka; navadhā — in nine phases; uktaḥ — described; ajayā — in terms of the material energy; hariḥ — Lord Hari.

madhu-ādiṣu — beginning with Madhu; dvādaśasu — in the twelve (months); bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; kāla-rūpa — the form of time; dhṛk — assuming; loka-tantrāya — to regulate planetary motion; carati — travels; pṛthak — separately; dvādaśabhiḥ — with twelve; gaṇaiḥ — sets of associates.

dhātā kṛtasthalī hetiḥ — Dhātā, Kṛtasthalī and Heti; vāsukiḥ rathakṛt — Vāsuki and Rathakṛt; mune — O sage; pulastyaḥ tumburuḥ — Pulastya and Tumburu; iti — thus; madhu-māsam — the month of Madhu (Caitra, at the time of the spring equinox); nayanti — lead forth; amī — these.

aryamā pulahaḥ athaujāḥ — Aryamā, Pulaha and Athaujā; prahetiḥ puñjikasthalī — Praheti and Puñjikasthalī; nāradaḥ kacchanīraḥ — Nārada and Kacchanīra; ca — also; nayanti — rule; ete — these; sma — indeed; mādhavam — the month of Mādhava (Vaiśākha).

mitraḥ atriḥ pauruṣeyaḥ — Mitra, Atri and Pauruṣeya; atha — as well; takṣakaḥ menakā hahāḥ — Takṣaka, Menakā and Hāhā; rathasvanaḥ — Rathasvana; iti — thus; hi — indeed; ete — these; śukra-māsam — the month of Śukra (Jyaiṣṭha); nayanti — rule; amī — these.

vasiṣṭhaḥ varuṇaḥ rambhā — Vasiṣṭha, Varuṇa and Rambhā; sahajanyaḥ — Sahajanya; tathā — also; huhūḥ — Hūhū; śukraḥ citrasvanaḥ — Śukra and Citrasvana; ca eva — as well; śuci-māsam — the month of Śuci (Āṣāḍha); nayanti — rule; amī — these.

indraḥ viśvāvasuḥ śrotāḥ — Indra, Viśvāvasu and Śrotā; elāpatraḥ — Elāpatra; tathā — and; aṅgirāḥ — Aṅgirā; pramlocā — Pramlocā; rākṣasaḥ varyaḥ — the Rākṣasa named Varya; nabhaḥ-māsam — the month of Nabhas (Śrāvaṇa); nayanti — rule; amī — these.

vivasvān ugrasenaḥ — Vivasvān and Ugrasena; ca — also; vyāghraḥ āsāraṇaḥ bhṛguḥ — Vyāghra, Āsāraṇa and Bhṛgu; anumlocā śaṅkhapālaḥ — Anumlocā and Śaṅkhapāla; nabhasya-ākhyam — the month named Nabhasya (Bhādra); nayanti — rule; amī — these.

pūṣā dhanañjayaḥ vātaḥ — Pūṣā, Dhanañjaya and Vāta; suṣeṇaḥ suruciḥ — Suṣeṇa and Suruci; tathā — also; ghṛtācī gautamaḥ — Ghṛtācī and Gautama; ca — as well; iti — thus; tapaḥ-māsam — the month of Tapas (Māgha); nayanti — rule; amī — these.

ṛtuḥ varcā bharadvājaḥ — Ṛtu, Varcā and Bharadvāja; parjanyaḥ senajit — Parjanya and Senajit; tathā — also; viśvaḥ airāvataḥ — Viśva and Airāvata; ca eva — also; tapasya-ākhyam — the month known as Tapasya (Phālguna); nayanti — rule; amī — these.

atha — then; aṁśuḥ kaśyapaḥ tārkṣyaḥ — Aṁśu, Kaśyapa and Tārkṣya; ṛtasenaḥ — Ṛtasena; tathā — and; urvaśī — Urvaśī; vidyucchatruḥ mahāśaṅkhaḥ — Vidyucchatru and Mahāśaṅkha; sahaḥ-māsam — the month of Sahas (Mārgaśīrṣa); nayanti — rule; amī — these.

bhagaḥ sphūrjaḥ ariṣṭanemiḥ — Bhaga, Sphūrja and Ariṣṭanemi; ūrṇaḥ — Ūrṇa; āyuḥ — Āyur; ca — and; pañcamaḥ — the fifth associate; karkoṭakaḥ pūrvacittiḥ — Karkoṭaka and Pūrvacitti; puṣya-māsam — the month of Puṣya; nayanti — rule; amī — these.

tvaṣṭā — Tvaṣṭā; ṛcīka-tanayaḥ — the son of Ṛcīka (Jamadagni); kambalaḥ — Kambala; ca — and; tilottamā — Tilottamā; brahmāpetaḥ — Brahmāpeta; atha — and; śatajit — Śatajit; dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ — Dhṛtarāṣṭra; iṣam-bharāḥ — the maintainers of the month Iṣa (Āśvina).

viṣṇuḥ aśvataraḥ rambhā — Viṣṇu, Aśvatara and Rambhā; sūryavarcāḥ — Sūryavarcā; ca — and; satyajit — Satyajit; viśvāmitraḥ makhāpetaḥ — Viśvāmitra and Makhāpeta; ūrja-māsam — the month of Ūrja (Kārttika); nayanti — rule; amī — these.

etāḥ — these; bhagavataḥ — of the Personality of Godhead; viṣṇoḥ — Lord Viṣṇu; ādityasya — of the sun-god; vibhūtayaḥ — the opulences; smaratām — for those who remember; sandhyayoḥ — at the junctures of the day; nṝṇām — for such men; haranti — they take away; aṁhaḥ — sinful reactions; dine dine — day after day.

dvādaśasu — in each of the twelve; api — indeed; māseṣu — months; devaḥ — the lord; asau — this; ṣaḍbhiḥ — with his six types of associates; asya — for the population of this universe; vai — certainly; caran — traveling; samantāt — in all directions; tanute — spreads; paratra — in the next life; iha — in this life; ca — and; sat-matim — pure consciousness.

sāma-ṛk-yajurbhiḥ — with the hymns of the Sāma, Ṛg and Yajur Vedas; tat-liṅgaiḥ — which reveal the sun; ṛṣayaḥ — the sages; saṁstuvanti — glorify; amum — him; gandharvāḥ — the Gandharvas; tam — about him; pragāyanti — sing loudly; nṛtyanti — dance; apsarasaḥ — the Apsarās; agrataḥ — in front; unnahyanti — bind up; ratham — the chariot; nāgāḥ — the Nāgas; grāmaṇyaḥ — the Yakṣas; ratha-yojakāḥ — those who harness the horses to the chariot; codayanti — drive; ratham — the chariot; pṛṣṭhe — from the rear; nairṛtāḥ — the Rākṣasas; bala-śālinaḥ — strong.

vālakhilyāḥ — the Vālakhilyas; sahasrāṇi — thousands; ṣaṣṭiḥ — sixty; brahma-ṛṣayaḥ — great sages among the brāhmaṇas; amalāḥ — pure; purataḥ — in front; abhimukham — facing the chariot; yānti — they go; stuvanti — they offer praise; stutibhiḥ — with Vedic prayers; vibhum — to the almighty lord.

evam — thus; hi — indeed; anādi — without beginning; nidhanaḥ — or end; bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; hariḥ — Lord Hari; īśvaraḥ — the supreme controller; kalpe kalpe — in each day of Brahmā; svam ātmānam — Himself; vyūhya — expanding into various forms; lokān — the worlds; avati — protects; ajaḥ — the unborn Lord.