Text 70] —_ Instructions for Civilized Human Beings 281
TRANSLATION

Long, long ago, in another maha-kalpa [millennium of Brahma],
I existed as the Gandharva known as Upabarhana. I was very re-
spected by the other Gandharvas.

PURPORT

Srila Narada Muni is giving a practical example from his past life. For-
merly, during the previous lifetime of Lord Brahma, Narada Muni was
one of the denizens of Gandharvaloka, but unfortunately, as will be ex-
plained, he fell from his exalted position in Gandharvaloka, where the
inhabitants are extremely beautiful and expert in singing, to become a
Sidra. Nonetheless, because of his association with devotees, he became
more fortunate than he was in Gandharvaloka. Even though cursed by
the prajdpatis to become a Sidra, in his next life he became the son of
Lord Brahma. ;

The word maha-kalpe is described by Srila Madhvacarya as atita-
brahma-kalpe. Brahma dies at the end of a life of many millions of years.
The day of Brahma is described in Bhagavad-gita (8.17):

sahasra-yuga-paryantam
ahar yad brahmano viduh
ratrim yuga-sahasrantam
te *ho-ratra-vido janah
“By human calculation, a thousand ages taken together is the duration of
Brahma’s one day. And such also is the duration of his night.” Bhagavan
Sri Krsna can remember incidents from millions of years ago. Similarly,
His pure devotee like Narada Muni can also remember incidents from a
past life millions and millions of years ago.
TEXT 70
STIS TIT
ret frre Fret TA: ATTA: IIvell
ripa-pesala-mddhurya-
saugandhya-priya-darsanah
