FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.9.15

ददर्श तत्राखिलसात्वतां पतिं श्रिय: पतिं यज्ञपतिं जगत्पतिम् । सुनन्दनन्दप्रबलार्हणादिभि: स्वपार्षदाग्रै: परिसेवितं विभुम् ॥ १५ ॥
dadarśa tatrākhila-sātvatāṁ patiṁ
[dadarsha tatraakhila-saatvataam patim]
śriyaḥ patiṁ yajña-patiṁ jagat-patim
[shriyah patim yajna-patim jagat-patim]
sunanda-nanda-prabalārhaṇādibhiḥ
[sunanda-nanda-prabalaarhanaadibhih]
sva-pārṣadāgraiḥ parisevitaṁ vibhum
[sva-paarshadaagraih parisevitam vibhum]
dadarśa — Brahmā saw tatra — there (in Vaikuṇṭhaloka) akhila — entire sātvatām — of the great devotees patim — the Lord śriyaḥ — of the goddess of fortune patim — the Lord yajña — of sacrifice patim — the Lord jagat — of the universe patim — the Lord sunanda — Sunanda nanda — Nanda prabala — Prabala arhaṇa — Arhaṇa ādibhiḥ — by them sva-pārṣada — own associates agraiḥ — by the foremost parisevitam — being served in transcendental love vibhum — the great Almighty.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
dadarśa tatrākhila-sātvatāṁ patiṁ
dadarśa
Brahmā saw
tatra
there (in Vaikuṇṭhaloka)
akhila
entire
sātvatām
of the great devotees
patim
the Lord
śriyaḥ patiṁ yajña-patiṁ jagat-patim
śriyaḥ
of the goddess of fortune
patim
the Lord
yajña
of sacrifice
patim
the Lord
jagat
of the universe
patim
the Lord
sunanda-nanda-prabalārhaṇādibhiḥ
sunanda
Sunanda
nanda
Nanda
prabala
Prabala
arhaṇa
Arhaṇa
ādibhiḥ
by them
sva-pārṣadāgraiḥ parisevitaṁ vibhum
sva-pārṣada
own associates
agraiḥ
by the foremost
parisevitam
being served in transcendental love
vibhum
the great Almighty.
Lord Brahmā saw in the Vaikuṇṭha planets the Personality of Godhead, who is the Lord of the entire devotee community, the Lord of the goddess of fortune, the Lord of all sacrifices, and the Lord of the universe, and who is served by the foremost servitors like Nanda, Sunanda, Prabala and Arhaṇa, His immediate associates.

When we speak of a king it is naturally understood that the king is accompanied by his confidential associates, like his secretary, private secretary, aide-de-camp, ministers and advisers. So also when we see the Lord we see Him with His different energies, associates, confidential servitors, etc. So the Supreme Lord, who is the leader of all living entities, the Lord of all devotee sects, the Lord of all opulences, the Lord of sacrifices and the enjoyer of everything in His entire creation, is not only the Supreme Person, but also is always surrounded by His immediate associates, all engaged in their loving transcendental service to Him.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Brahmā saw the Lord, the Lord of all the devotees in Vaikuṇṭha, the Lord of Lakṣmī, the Lord of sacrifice and the Lord of the universe, served by his chief followers such as Sunanda, Nanda, Prabala and Arhaṇa.
Commentary

Having described Lakṣmī, Śukadeva now describes the Lord.

Brahmā saw the Lord — master of devotees, of Lakṣmī, of sacrifices, of all worlds — surrounded by His confidential associates Nanda, Sunanda, Prabala, Arhaṇa. The Lord is never alone; He comes with His entourage of love.
Reflection Questions
  • Do I picture meeting God as solitary, or as joining a living community of associates?
  • Whom would I want as my companions in the Lord's audience hall?
📝 My note

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