The Song of Bhagavan by Daniel Clark.pdf

Song of Bhagavan

Daniel Clark

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my mothers and fathers: to my mothers, Helen Cooper Clark,

Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, the Earth, and Shrimati Radharani; to my fathers, Rodney

Upham Clark, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Sun, and

Shri Krishna.

Preface

The Song of Bhagavan was originally spoken ca. 3000 BC by Dhritarashtra, Sanjaya,

Duryodhana, Arjuna, and Krishna (Shri Bhagavan). Not long after that, Vyas compiled

it as part of the Mahabharata , which he dictated to Ganesh, who wrote it down.

Traditionally the scripture is known as the Bhagavad-gita , or sometimes, the

Gitopanishad . It has been recited, discussed, analyzed, praised, commented on, and

translated more than any other Sanskrit work.

In the 1960s, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada translated it

under the title Bhagavad-gita As It Is , adding his commentaries to the verses. He

remarked to his disciples that they could reword the verses. But, he said, "Do not

change my purports. They are my ecstasies." In attempting a new translation of the

verses alone, I of course have respected his wish. But his purports have guided me

throughout. Without being shown the way by the realization of a pure devotee of God, I

would be lost in a forest of speculation, making arbitrary choices about which path to

take.

In 1967, Swami Bhaktivedanta initiated me as one of his many students. I served him

until his passing away in 1977. Since then I've lived apart from the religious

organization he founded. But I still try to serve him. Talking with people about the Gita

is one way to do that. To be certain of my understanding, I've decided to study all the

words carefully and translate them as best I can in my own vernacular -- though the

Gita demands a degree of formality. The result depends mostly on my guru's Gita, but

also on the English versions of other scholars and poets. I've retained many of the

original Sanskrit terms. They've become customary to me -- part of my daily

terminology. There's a glossary at the end.

"Write according to your realization," Prabhupad once advised us. I pray to God and

Guru to give me the strength to serve them with self-awareness, and with devotion to

their purpose.

Song of Bhagavan

1.1

Dhritarashtra:

Sanjaya, my sons and the sons of my brother Pandu are intending to wage war

against each other! They and their allies have gathered on the Kuru dynasty

ceremonial field! What are they doing now?

1.2

Sanjaya:

Your son Duryodhana has been observing the ranks of your nephews' army. He's

going to his teacher Drona to talk with him.

1.3

Duryodhana:

My teacher, look at the mighty military force of the Pandavas. Your student, the son of

Drupada, has arranged their divisions so intelligently!

1.4

They have their heroes -- the powerful archers Bhima and Arjuna, and others, equal to

them in battle -- and stupendous warriors like Yuyudhana, Virata, and Drupada.

1.5

There are Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, Kashiraj, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Shaibya. The

people adore them for their immense strength.

1.6

Yudhamanyu, who's so powerful -- Uttamauja, so strong -- the sons of Subhadra and

the sons of Draupadi -- certainly, they're all great chariot fighters.

1.7

But, Best of the Brahmans, please be advised that the leaders of my soldiers are

especially well qualified. Allow me to tell you about them.

1.8

You, Bhishma, Karna, and Kripa are always victorious in battle. Ashvatthama, Vikarna,

and the son of Somadatta are too, definitely.

1.9

A multitude of other heroes are also prepared to risk their lives for my sake. They are

all well supplied with weaponry. All of them are expert in military science and tested in

battle.

1.10

Our strength has no limits! Bhishma protects us perfectly. But the others, though well

protected by Bhima, have only limited strength.

1.11

Now, all of you! From every point in the ranks! From every division in the phalanx! Give

your full support to Bhishma! Everyone!

1.12

Sanjaya:

Bhishma, the great valiant grandsire of the Kurus, increases Duryodhana's happiness

by blowing his conchshell loudly, until the vibration sounds like the roaring of a lion.

1.13

Following him, more conchshells, and bugles, and trumpets, are blowing -- drums are

beating -- all the instruments are combining together to make a tumultuous sound!

1.14

Following that, stationed on their magnificent chariot drawn by white horses, Madhava

and Pandava sound their divine conchshells.

1.15

Hrishikesh sounds Panchajanya. Dhananjaya sounds Devadatta. Bhima, the doer of

great deeds, the voracious eater, blows his huge conch Paundram.

1.16

King Yudhishtir, the son of Kunti, blows his conch Ananta-Vijay. Nakula and Sahadev

sound Sugosha and Manipushpaka.

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