Synonyms na—not; yat—that; vacaḥ—words; citra-padam—decorated with artistic expressions; hareḥ—of the Lord; yaśaḥ—glories; jagat—the world; pavitram—sanctifying; pragṛṇīta—do not speak; karhicit—at any time; tat—that; vāyasam—crows; tīrtham—place of pilgrimage; uśanti—think; mānasāḥ—those who are pure; na—never; yatra—where; haṁsāḥ—the swans; niramanti—do not take pleasure; uśik-kṣayāḥ—those who are residents of the transcendental abode.

Translation Those words which do not describe the glories of the Lord, who alone can sanctify the atmosphere of the whole universe, are considered by saintly persons to be like unto a place of pilgrimage for crows. Since the all-perfect persons are inhabitants of the transcendental abode, they do not derive any pleasure there.

Synonyms tat—that; vāk—words; visargaḥ—creation; janatā—of the people in general; agha—sins; viplavaḥ—revolutionary; yasmin—in which; prati-ślokam—even though each stanza; abaddhavati—not properly composed; api—even; nāmāni—the holy names; anantasya—of the unlimited Lord; hata-trapaḥ—without shame; paṭhan—by reciting; guhyāni—mysterious; bhadrāṇi—all benedictions; kṛtāni—activities; smaranti—constantly remember.

Translation On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord—a literature so full of potency—even though imperfectly composed, is heard, sung and accepted by discerning persons who are without envy.

Synonyms naiskarmyam—nonfruitive; api—even; acyuta-bhāva—without devotion to the infallible Lord; varjitam—devoid of; na—not; śobhate—beautiful; jñānam—knowledge; alam—less important; nirañjanam—without material contamination; kutaḥ—what then; punaḥ—again; te—those; dharmanām—occupations; tu—but; aninditām—pious and sinless; kutaḥ—what then; punaḥ—again; te—those; dharmanām—occupations; tv aninditām—pious and sinless.

Translation Knowledge of self-realization, even though freed from all material affinity, does not look well if devoid of a conception of the Infallible [God]. What, then, is the use of fruitive activities, which are naturally painful from the very beginning and transient by nature, if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord?

Synonyms turīyam—the fourth; te—your; mahā-rāja—O great king; vṛttam—occupation; ātma-samāhitam—self-realized; pāramahaṁsyam—transcendental; guru-kulam—service of the spiritual master; bhajamānam—engaged in; śṛṇuṣva—just hear from; me—me.

Translation O great sage, your transcendental activities are praiseworthy. Please describe to me some of the imperishable pastimes of the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, which are worth hearing, for you are a great devotee of the Lord.

Synonyms tvam—you; api—also; adabhra—vast; śruta—heard; vikramaḥ—prowess; svayam—personally; bhakti—devotional service; śraddhā—faith; bhāvitaḥ—developed; bhagavān—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhagavat-tattva—science of God; vijñānam—knowledge; ātma-vat—as the self; sarva-bhūteṣu—in all living entities.

Translation O Vyāsa, you are a great sage and have heard all the scriptures. You are the most learned in the science of God. Therefore please describe to me the science of Godhead, which is present in all living entities as the Supersoul.

Synonyms idam—this; hi—all; viśvam—cosmos; bhagavān—the Supreme Lord; iva—almost the same; itaraḥ—different from; yat—which; artham—purpose; ātmānam—own self; ananta-śaktiḥ—possessor of unlimited potency; ātmānam—own self; anveṣṭum—to search out; iva—like; artha-labdhaḥ—having attained the goal; tathā hi—so; nānā—various; prakṛtim—energies; ca—also; paśyati—sees.

Translation The Supreme Lord Personality of Godhead is Himself this cosmos, and still He is aloof from it. From Him only has this cosmic manifestation emanated, and He is all energy. Therefore, although He is the creator of the material world, He is still detached from it.

Synonyms ataḥ—therefore; vai—certainly; kavayaḥ—all transcendentalists; nityam—regularly; bhaktim—devotional service; paramayā—supreme; mudā—with great happiness; vāsudeve—unto Kṛṣṇa; bhagavati—the Personality of Godhead; kurvanti—do execute; ātma—self; prasādanīm—that which gives full satisfaction.

Translation Therefore all transcendentalists are engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, because this process gives full satisfaction to the self.

Synonyms saḥ aham—myself; tat—that; vāk-visargam—creation of words; bhagavān—most powerful; bhagavān—the Supreme Lord; api—even; vṛkṣam—tree; ca—also; tatra—there; kālena—in due course of time; bhagavān—the Personality of Godhead; bhagavān—the Personality of Godhead; api—even.

Translation I myself have written this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is the literary incarnation of the Lord. Therefore this book is nondifferent from the Supreme Personality of Godhead.