FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.21.38-39

यस्मिन् भगवतो नेत्रान्न्यपतन्नश्रुबिन्दव: । कृपया सम्परीतस्य प्रपन्नेऽर्पितया भृशम् ॥ ३८ ॥ तद्वै बिन्दुसरो नाम सरस्वत्या परिप्लुतम् । पुण्यं शिवामृतजलं महर्षिगणसेवितम् ॥ ३९ ॥
yasmin bhagavato netrān
[yasmin bhagavato netraan]
nyapatann aśru-bindavaḥ
[nyapatann ashru-bindavah]
kṛpayā samparītasya
[kripayaa sampareetasya]
prapanne ’rpitayā bhṛśam
[prapanne ’rpitayaa bhrisham]
tad vai bindusaro nāma
[tad vai bindusaro naama]
sarasvatyā pariplutam
[sarasvatyaa pariplutam]
puṇyaṁ śivāmṛta-jalaṁ
[punyam shivaamrita-jalam]
maharṣi-gaṇa-sevitam
[maharshi-gana-sevitam]
yasmin — in which bhagavataḥ — of the Lord netrāt — from the eye nyapatan — fell down aśru-bindavaḥ — teardrops kṛpayā — by compassion samparītasya — who was overwhelmed prapanne — on the surrendered soul (Kardama) arpitayā — placed upon bhṛśam — extremely tat — that vai — indeed bindu-saraḥ — lake of tears nāma — called sarasvatyā — by the river Sarasvatī pariplutam — overflowed puṇyam — holy śiva — auspicious amṛta — nectar jalam — water mahā-ṛṣi — of great sages gaṇa — by hosts sevitam — served.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yasmin bhagavato netrān
yasmin
in which
bhagavataḥ
of the Lord
netrāt
from the eye
nyapatann aśru-bindavaḥ
nyapatan
fell down
aśru-bindavaḥ
teardrops
kṛpayā samparītasya
kṛpayā
by compassion
samparītasya
who was overwhelmed
prapanne ’rpitayā bhṛśam
prapanne
on the surrendered soul (Kardama)
tad vai bindusaro nāma
arpitayā
placed upon
bhṛśam
extremely
sarasvatyā pariplutam
tat
that
puṇyaṁ śivāmṛta-jalaṁ
vai
indeed
bindu-saraḥ
lake of tears
maharṣi-gaṇa-sevitam
nāma
called
sarasvatyā
by the river Sarasvatī
pariplutam
overflowed
puṇyam
holy
śiva
auspicious
amṛta
nectar
jalam
water
mahā-ṛṣi
of great sages
gaṇa
by hosts
sevitam
served.
The holy Lake Bindu-sarovara, flooded by the waters of the river Sarasvatī, was resorted to by hosts of eminent sages. Its holy water was not only auspicious but as sweet as nectar. It was called Bindu-sarovara because drops of tears had fallen there from the eyes of the Lord, who was overwhelmed by extreme compassion for the sage who had sought His protection.

Kardama underwent austerities to gain the causeless mercy of the Lord, and when the Lord arrived there He was so compassionate that in pleasure He shed tears, which became Bindu-sarovara. Bindu-sarovara is therefore worshiped by great sages and learned scholars because, according to the philosophy of the Absolute Truth, the Lord and the tears from His eyes are not different. Just as drops of perspiration which fell from the toe of the Lord became the sacred Ganges, so teardrops from the transcendental eyes of the Lord became Bindu-sarovara. Both are transcendental entities and are worshiped by great sages and scholars. The water of Bindu-sarovara is described here as śivāmṛta jala. Śiva means “curing.” Anyone who drinks the water of Bindu-sarovara is cured of all material diseases; similarly, anyone who takes his bath in the Ganges also is relieved of all material diseases. These claims are accepted by great scholars and authorities and are still being acted upon even in this fallen Age of Kali.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Tears from the eyes of the Lord, overcome with compassion for the surrendered soul Kardama, fell in that lake. Seven verses describe the hermitage. The surrendered soul (prapanne) was Kardama.
The Lord's representatives are described as actively seeking out the fallen. The verse asks the reader whether their own concern for others has any feet under it.
Reflection Questions
  • When did you last bring someone a spiritual benefit they would not have asked for?
  • Whom could you carry, even one step, toward devotional service this week?
📝 My note

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