Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.45.38
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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mahā - rathau
—
the two great chariot warriors
Mahā-ratha = a warrior capable of fighting many at once. A standard kṣatriya rank. Bhagavān, having just received dhanur-veda (v.34), is named by His new technical status — the gurukula has done its work.
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duranta - vikramau
—
of limitless prowess
Duranta = endless; vikrama = prowess. Sāndīpani called Their matti ati-mānuṣī (v.37); now Their vikrama is duranta. The hiding is finally over.
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velām upavrajya
—
walking up to the shore
Velā = shore, tide-line; upavrajya = approaching. Same root as Vraja (verse 23). The chapter quietly returns the syllable vraja in geography: Vraja was left behind, but the verb of going-toward continues.
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niṣīdatuḥ kṣaṇam
—
they sat down for a moment
Bhagavān's sitting is a calling. A single kṣaṇa of His seated presence is enough; the deity of the ocean responds within that moment.
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sindhuḥ viditvā
—
the ocean, knowing
Sindhu = ocean (personified). Viditvā = having known. The ocean recognizes Bhagavān spontaneously — the cosmic backdrop is itself a knower. Gauḍīya cosmos is alive, never inert.
Western scholars sometimes think that references in ancient books of wisdom to the deity of the ocean, the deity of the sun and so on reveal a primitive, mythical way of thinking. They sometimes say that primitive men think that the ocean is a god or that the sun and moon are gods. In fact, references such as the word sindhu in this verse, meaning “the ocean,” indicate the person who governs that aspect of physical nature. We can give several modern examples. In the United Nations we may say, “The United States votes ‘Yes,’ the Soviet Union votes ‘No.’” We hardly mean that the physical countries or the buildings in them have voted. We mean that a particular person, representing that political and geographical entity, has voted. Yet the newspapers will simply say, “The United States voted, decided, etc.” and everyone knows what that means. Similarly, in business we may say, “A large conglomerate has swallowed up a smaller firm.” We hardly mean that the buildings, office equipment and the like have physically swallowed another building full of workers and office equipment. We mean that the empowered authorities have engaged in a particular act on behalf of their respective corporate entities. Unfortunately, modern scholars are eager to confirm their pet theories that ancient spiritual wisdom is primitive, mythic and largely supplanted by more modern ways of thinking, exemplified by their own eloquent remarks. However, much in modern scholarship must be rethought in the light of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
They accepted his request (tathā). Immediately (atha) they mounted the chariot. Mahārathau means they were the best of warriors equipped with all weapons. They could defeat unlimited enemies (duranta-vikramau). They arrived at the shore of the ocean. Another version has niṣedatuḥ. The ocean offered gifts such as valuable jewels.
- Where do you flatten ancient stories into 'myth' instead of taking their personae seriously?
- How does treating the elements as personalities change your relationship with nature?
The two great chariot-warriors say 'so be it' and arrive at Prabhāsa, sit on the shore, and the very ocean — recognizing them — rises with offerings. Bhagavān does not need to declare His identity; existence declares it back to Him every time He sits down.
My note
Source: vedabase.io