aśeṣa-saṅkleśa-śamaṁ vidhatte

aśeṣa-saṅkleśa-śamaṁ vidhatte

guṇānuvāda-śravaṇaṁ murāreḥ

kiṁ vā punas tac-caraṇāravinda-

parāga-sevā-ratir ātma-labdhā

Hearing and speaking about the qualities of the Lord in sādhana-bhakti produces destruction of unlimited suffering. How much more can be attained by great attraction for serving the pollen of the lotus feet of the Lord, appearing by its self-revealing nature, during the state of bhāva-bhakti!

Between jñāna and bhakti, which is better form producing destruction of ignorance? Bhakti is better. How much can be said (kiṁ vā) about great attachment (ratiḥ) to serving the lotus feet of the Lord, attained on its own accord or in itself (ātma-labdhā). This indicates that rati (bhāva) is self-revealing, and is not produced. Sādhana-bhakti destroys ignorance. How much more results its goal, rati or bhāva will produce! The chief result of rati is not destruction of ignorance, but rather bringing the Lord under control. That is indicated in this verse.

|| 3.7.15 ||

vidura uvāca

sañchinnaḥ saṁśayo mahyaṁ

tava sūktāsinā vibho

ubhayatrāpi bhagavan

mano me sampradhāvati

Vidura said: O Lord! All of my doubts have been cut by the sword of your skillful speech. My mind completely understands both the independent Lord and the dependent jīva.

By your skillfully words (su ukta) which are like a sword (asinā) to give enlightenment to me (mahyam), my doubts have been completely cut. My mind enters completely (sampradhāvati) into both the Lord and the jīva.

|| 3.7.16 ||

sādhv etad vyāhṛtaṁ vidvann

ātma-māyāyanaṁ hareḥ

ābhāty apārthaṁ nirmūlaṁ

viśva-mūlaṁ na yad bahiḥ

O learned Maitreya! You have accurately explained how the external energy, whose actions which are without purpose and without cause, is under the shelter of the Supreme Lord, and you have explained how the jīva’s bondage, which is without purpose and without cause, is under the shelter of the Lord’s māyā. Except for that māyā, there is no cause for the universe.

“What did you think of my explanation?” This verse answers. O brāhmaṇa! You explained it accurately (sādhu). What? You explained that the external energy (ātmā-māyā) is under the shelter of the Supreme Lord. Though the Lord is without guṇas, he possesses these guṇas through possessing māyā. By these guṇas the doership for material creation manifests (ābhāti). Because the Lord is self-satisfied, this act is said to be without goal (apārtham). It has no cause (nirmūlam) because there is no other instigator. This is inconceivable. You have explained this concerning the Lord.

 

The bondage of the jīva by ignorance, and the resulting misfortune of losing knowledge (ātma-māyāyanam), is under the shelter of māyā. This also is without goal and without cause. Thus you have explained the facts concerning the jīva. This is the esoteric meaning of Vidura’s words. There is no cause of the universe other than māyā (yad bahiḥ). This means that the existence of the Lord does not depend upon being the creator of the universe and having guṇas and material action.  

|| 3.7.17 ||