SB 1.1.4 (1962)
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT No. 4
Naimishe nimisakshetre risayah shounakadayah Satram swargaya lokaya sahasra samamasta.
ENGLISH SYNONYMS
Naimishe—in the forest known as Naimisharanya, Animishakshetre—the spot which is specially favourite of Vishnu (who does not close his eyelids), Risayah—sages, Shounakadayah—headed by the sage Shounaka, Satram—sacrifice, Swargaya—the Lord who is glorified in heaven, Lokaya—and for the devotees who are always in touch with the lord, Sahasra—one thousand, Samam—years, Asata—performed.
TRANSLATION
Once upon a time the great sages headed by the sage Shounaka assembled at the specific holy place in the forest of Naimasharanya to perform a great sacrificial ceremony to be finished in one thousand of years and that for the satisfaction of Vishnu the Lord and His devotees.
PURPORT
The prelude of the Srimad Bhagwatam having been spoken in the previous three slokas the main topic of the great literature is now being attempted for presentation. Srimad Bhagwatam after first recitation by Srila Sukdeva Goswami, was repeated for the second time at Naimisharanya and the same incidence is narrated here.
In the vayaviya Tantra, it is said that Brahma the engineering deity of this particular universe, contemplated within his mind a great wheel which may be turned round for the space of the universe and thus the hub of the great circle is fixed at a particular place which is known as Naimisharanya. Similarly there is another reference of the forest of Naimisharanya in the Baraha Puranam where it is stated that by performance of sacrifices at this place the strength of demoniac people is curbed down. And thus people who are situated in the Brahminical culture do like this place of Naimisharanya for such performances.
The word animisha means without any twinkling of the eyelids and this is a special prerogative of Vishnu the Personality of Godhead. Therefore, it indicates the Lord Vishnu who is always offered all kinds of sacrifices just to please Him and thereby to please all His devotees. The devotees are always attached in the service of the Lord and others who are not attached in that way are fallen souls serving the penalties in the material existence. In the Bhagwat Geeta it is said that anything done within the material world without any reference for the pleasure of the Lord Vishnu, is the cause of further bondage for the performer. It is enjoined, therefore, that all our acts must be performed in the sacrificial way for the satisfaction of Vishnu and His devotees and that will bring in peace and prosperity for all the people of the world.
The great sages and thinkers are always anxious to do good to the people in general and as such the sages headed by Shounaka and others assembled at this holy place of Naimisharanya with a programme of performing a great and continuous chain of sacrificial ceremony with the same object in view. Forgetful men do not know the right path of peace and prosperity. The sages know it well and, therefore, for the good of all men they are always anxious to think and perform acts which may bring about peace in the world as much as the eldest members of a family are always anxious to bring about peace and prosperity in the family specially and for the well being of all other living beings generally. They are sincere friends to all living entities and at the risk of all personal inconvenience they are always engaged in the service of the Lord for the good of all people. Lord Vishnu is just like a great tree and all others namely all kinds of living entities including the demigods, men, sidhwas, charanas, vidyadharas and all kinds of living beings are like the branches, twigs and leaves of the tree. As such by pouring water at the root of the tree all the parts and parcels of the tree are automatically nourished. Only the detached branches and leaves cannot be satisfied by such watering endeavour. The detached branches and leaves of the tree dry up gradually inspite of all sorts of watering plan on them. Similarly human being or the human society when it is detached from the relation of the personality of Godhead are like the detached branches and leaves and watering on such disintegrated parts of the whole tree is simply waste of energy and resources.
The modern materialistic society is detached from the relation of the Supreme Lord and all the plans that are being made by the atheistic leaders are sure to be baffled in the long run. They are experiencing the same defect in every step still they are not alert in the matter.
In this age the sacrifice by holding congregational chanting of the holy Name of the Lord is the prescribed method. The ways and means are most scientifically presented by Lord Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and intelligent persons may take advantage of the teachings of Lord Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in order to bring about real peace and prosperity of the people.
Srimad Bhagwatam is presented for the same purpose of guiding the actions of the modern men and gradually the matter will be explained more clearly in the text of the great literature.