Srimad Bhagavata Purana · Chapter 10
Skandha 10 — Summum Bonum
दशमस्कन्धः
The whole of Krishna's life: Vrindavan, Mathura, Dwaraka, the Rasa Lila.
3305 verses
राजोवाच । कथितो वंशविस्तारो भवता सोमसूर्ययोः । राज्ञां चोभयवंश्यानां चरितं परमाद्भुतम्
rājovāca | kathito vaṃśavistāro bhavatā somasūryayoḥ | rājñāṃ cobhayavaṃśyānāṃ caritaṃ paramādbhutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit said: My dear lord, you have elaborately described the dynasties of both the moon-god and the sun-god, with the exalted and wonderful character of their kings.
यदोश्च धर्मशीलस्य नितरां मुनिसत्तम । तत्रांशेनावतीर्णस्य विष्णोर्वीर्याणि शंस नः
yadośca dharmaśīlasya nitarāṃ munisattama | tatrāṃśenāvatīrṇasya viṣṇorvīryāṇi śaṃsa naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of munis, you have also described the descendants of Yadu, who were very pious and strictly adherent to religious principles. Now, if you will, kindly describe the wonderful, glorious activities of Lord Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa, who appeared in that Yadu dynasty with Baladeva, His plenary expansion.
अवतीर्य यदोर्वंशे भगवान् भूतभावनः । कृतवान् यानि विश्वात्मा तानि नो वद विस्तरात्
avatīrya yadorvaṃśe bhagavān bhūtabhāvanaḥ | kṛtavān yāni viśvātmā tāni no vada vistarāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supersoul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the cause of the cosmic manifestation, appeared in the dynasty of Yadu. Please tell me elaborately about His glorious activities and character, from the beginning to the end of His life.
निवृत्ततर्षैरुपगीयमाना- द्भवौषधाच्छ्रोत्रमनोभिरामात् । क उत्तमश्लोकगुणानुवादा- त्पुमान् विरज्येत विना पशुघ्नात्
nivṛttatarṣairupagīyamānā- dbhavauṣadhācchrotramanobhirāmāt | ka uttamaślokaguṇānuvādā- tpumān virajyeta vinā paśughnāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is performed in the paramparā system, that is, it is conveyed from the spiritual master to disciple. Such glorification is relished by those no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of this cosmic manifestation. Descriptions of the Lord are the right medicine for the conditioned soul undergoing repeated birth and death. Therefore, who will cease hearing such glorification of the Lord except a butcher or one who is killing his own self?
रोहिण्यास्तनयः प्रोक्तो रामः सङ्कर्षणस्त्वया । देवक्या गर्भसम्बन्धः कुतो देहान्तरं विना
rohiṇyāstanayaḥ prokto rāmaḥ saṅkarṣaṇastvayā | devakyā garbhasambandhaḥ kuto dehāntaraṃ vinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Śukadeva Gosvāmī, you have already explained that Saṅkarṣaṇa, who belongs to the second quadruple, appeared as the son of Rohiṇī named Balarāma. If Balarāma was not transferred from one body to another, how is it possible that He was first in the womb of Devakī and then in the womb of Rohiṇī? Kindly explain this to me.
कस्मान्मुकुन्दो भगवान् पितुर्गेहाद्व्रजं गतः । क्व वासं ज्ञातिभिः सार्धं कृतवान् सात्वताम्पतिः
kasmānmukundo bhagavān piturgehādvrajaṃ gataḥ | kva vāsaṃ jñātibhiḥ sārdhaṃ kṛtavān sātvatāmpatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Why did Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, leave the house of His father, Vasudeva, and transfer Himself to the house of Nanda in Vṛndāvana? Where did the Lord, the master of the Yadu dynasty, live with His relatives in Vṛndāvana?
व्रजे वसन् किमकरोन्मधुपुर्यां च केशवः । भ्रातरं चावधीत्कंसं मातुरद्धातदर्हणम्
vraje vasan kimakaronmadhupuryāṃ ca keśavaḥ | bhrātaraṃ cāvadhītkaṃsaṃ māturaddhātadarhaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa lived both in Vṛndāvana and in Mathurā. What did He do there? Why did He kill Kaṁsa, His mother’s brother? Such killing is not at all sanctioned in the śāstras.
देहं मानुषमाश्रित्य कति वर्षाणि वृष्णिभिः । यदुपुर्यां सहावात्सीत्पत्न्यः कत्यभवन् प्रभोः
dehaṃ mānuṣamāśritya kati varṣāṇi vṛṣṇibhiḥ | yadupuryāṃ sahāvātsītpatnyaḥ katyabhavan prabhoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has no material body, yet He appears as a human being. For how many years did He live with the descendants of Vṛṣṇi? How many wives did He marry, and for how many years did He live in Dvārakā?
एतदन्यच्च सर्वं मे मुने कृष्णविचेष्टितम् । वक्तुमर्हसि सर्वज्ञ श्रद्दधानाय विस्तृतम्
etadanyacca sarvaṃ me mune kṛṣṇaviceṣṭitam | vaktumarhasi sarvajña śraddadhānāya vistṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great sage, who know everything about Kṛṣṇa, please describe in detail all the activities of which I have inquired and also those of which I have not, for I have full faith and am very eager to hear of them.
नैषातिदुःसहा क्षुन्मां त्यक्तोदमपि बाधते । पिबन्तं त्वन्मुखाम्भोजच्युतं हरिकथामृतम्
naiṣātiduḥsahā kṣunmāṃ tyaktodamapi bādhate | pibantaṃ tvanmukhāmbhojacyutaṃ harikathāmṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of my vow on the verge of death, I have given up even drinking water, yet because I am drinking the nectar of topics about Kṛṣṇa, which is flowing from the lotus mouth of your Lordship, my hunger and thirst, which are extremely difficult to bear, cannot hinder me.
सूत उवाच । एवं निशम्य भृगुनन्दन साधुवादं वैयासकिः स भगवानथ विष्णुरातम् । प्रत्यर्च्य कृष्णचरितं कलिकल्मषघ्नं व्याहर्तुमारभत भागवतप्रधानः
sūta uvāca | evaṃ niśamya bhṛgunandana sādhuvādaṃ vaiyāsakiḥ sa bhagavānatha viṣṇurātam | pratyarcya kṛṣṇacaritaṃ kalikalmaṣaghnaṃ vyāhartumārabhata bhāgavatapradhānaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: O son of Bhṛgu, after Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the most respectable devotee, the son of Vyāsadeva, heard the pious questions of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, he thanked the King with great respect. Then he began to discourse on topics concerning Kṛṣṇa, which are the remedy for all sufferings in this Age of Kali.
श्रीशुक उवाच । सम्यग्व्यवसिता बुद्धिस्तव राजर्षिसत्तम । वासुदेवकथायां ते यज्जाता नैष्ठिकी रतिः
śrīśuka uvāca | samyagvyavasitā buddhistava rājarṣisattama | vāsudevakathāyāṃ te yajjātā naiṣṭhikī ratiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O Your Majesty, best of all saintly kings, because you are greatly attracted to topics of Vāsudeva, it is certain that your intelligence is firmly fixed in spiritual understanding, which is the only true goal for humanity. Because that attraction is unceasing, it is certainly sublime.
वासुदेवकथाप्रश्नः पुरुषांस्त्रीन् पुनाति हि । वक्तारं पृच्छकं श्रोतॄंस्तत्पादसलिलं यथा
vāsudevakathāpraśnaḥ puruṣāṃstrīn punāti hi | vaktāraṃ pṛcchakaṃ śrotṝṃstatpādasalilaṃ yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Ganges, emanating from the toe of Lord Viṣṇu, purifies the three worlds, the upper, middle and lower planetary systems. Similarly, when one asks questions about the pastimes and characteristics of Lord Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa, three varieties of men are purified: the speaker or preacher, he who inquires, and the people in general who listen.
भूमिर्दृप्तनृपव्याजदैत्यानीकशतायुतैः । आक्रान्ता भूरिभारेण ब्रह्माणं शरणं ययौ
bhūmirdṛptanṛpavyājadaityānīkaśatāyutaiḥ | ākrāntā bhūribhāreṇa brahmāṇaṃ śaraṇaṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once when mother earth was overburdened by hundreds of thousands of military phalanxes of various conceited demons dressed like kings, she approached Lord Brahmā for relief.
गौर्भूत्वाश्रुमुखी खिन्ना क्रन्दन्ती करुणं विभोः । उपस्थितान्तिके तस्मै व्यसनं स्वमवोचत
gaurbhūtvāśrumukhī khinnā krandantī karuṇaṃ vibhoḥ | upasthitāntike tasmai vyasanaṃ svamavocata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother earth assumed the form of a cow. Very much distressed, with tears in her eyes, she appeared before Lord Brahmā and told him about her misfortune.
ब्रह्मा तदुपधार्याथ सह देवैस्तया सह । जगाम सत्रिनयनस्तीरं क्षीरपयोनिधेः
brahmā tadupadhāryātha saha devaistayā saha | jagāma satrinayanastīraṃ kṣīrapayonidheḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, having heard of the distress of mother earth, Lord Brahmā, with mother earth, Lord Śiva and all the other demigods, approached the shore of the Ocean of Milk.
तत्र गत्वा जगन्नाथं देवदेवं वृषाकपिम् । पुरुषं पुरुषसूक्तेन उपतस्थे समाहितः
tatra gatvā jagannāthaṃ devadevaṃ vṛṣākapim | puruṣaṃ puruṣasūktena upatasthe samāhitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After reaching the shore of the Ocean of Milk, the demigods worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, the master of the whole universe, the supreme God of all gods, who provides for everyone and diminishes everyone’s suffering. With great attention, they worshiped Lord Viṣṇu, who lies on the Ocean of Milk, by reciting the Vedic mantras known as the Puruṣa-sūkta.
गिरं समाधौ गगने समीरितां निशम्य वेधास्त्रिदशानुवाच ह । गां पौरुषीं मे शृणुतामराः पुन- र्विधीयतामाशु तथैव मा चिरम्
giraṃ samādhau gagane samīritāṃ niśamya vedhāstridaśānuvāca ha | gāṃ pauruṣīṃ me śṛṇutāmarāḥ puna- rvidhīyatāmāśu tathaiva mā ciram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While in trance, Lord Brahmā heard the words of Lord Viṣṇu vibrating in the sky. Thus he told the demigods: O demigods, hear from me the order of Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, the Supreme Person, and execute it attentively without delay.
पुरैव पुंसावधृतो धराज्वरो भवद्भिरंशैर्यदुषूपजन्यताम् । स यावदुर्व्या भरमीश्वरेश्वरः स्वकालशक्त्या क्षपयंश्चरेद्भुवि
puraiva puṃsāvadhṛto dharājvaro bhavadbhiraṃśairyaduṣūpajanyatām | sa yāvadurvyā bharamīśvareśvaraḥ svakālaśaktyā kṣapayaṃścaredbhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā informed the demigods: Before we submitted our petition to the Lord, He was already aware of the distress on earth. Consequently, for as long as the Lord moves on earth to diminish its burden by His own potency in the form of time, all of you demigods should appear through plenary portions as sons and grandsons in the family of the Yadus.
वसुदेवगृहे साक्षाद्भगवान् पुरुषः परः । जनिष्यते तत्प्रियार्थं सम्भवन्तु सुरस्त्रियः
vasudevagṛhe sākṣādbhagavān puruṣaḥ paraḥ | janiṣyate tatpriyārthaṃ sambhavantu surastriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who has full potency, will personally appear as the son of Vasudeva. Therefore all the wives of the demigods should also appear in order to satisfy Him.
वासुदेवकलानन्तः सहस्रवदनः स्वराट् । अग्रतो भविता देवो हरेः प्रियचिकीर्षया
vāsudevakalānantaḥ sahasravadanaḥ svarāṭ | agrato bhavitā devo hareḥ priyacikīrṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The foremost manifestation of Kṛṣṇa is Saṅkarṣaṇa, who is known as Ananta. He is the origin of all incarnations within this material world. Previous to the appearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa, this original Saṅkarṣaṇa will appear as Baladeva, just to please the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa in His transcendental pastimes.
विष्णोर्माया भगवती यया सम्मोहितं जगत् । आदिष्टा प्रभुणांशेन कार्यार्थे सम्भविष्यति
viṣṇormāyā bhagavatī yayā sammohitaṃ jagat | ādiṣṭā prabhuṇāṃśena kāryārthe sambhaviṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The potency of the Lord, known as viṣṇu-māyā, who is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will also appear with Lord Kṛṣṇa. This potency, acting in different capacities, captivates all the worlds, both material and spiritual. At the request of her master, she will appear with her different potencies in order to execute the work of the Lord.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्यादिश्यामरगणान् प्रजापतिपतिर्विभुः । आश्वास्य च महीं गीर्भिः स्वधाम परमं ययौ
śrīśuka uvāca | ityādiśyāmaragaṇān prajāpatipatirvibhuḥ | āśvāsya ca mahīṃ gīrbhiḥ svadhāma paramaṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: After thus advising the demigods and pacifying mother earth, the very powerful Lord Brahmā, who is the master of all other Prajāpatis and is therefore known as Prajāpati-pati, returned to his own abode, Brahmaloka.
शूरसेनो यदुपतिर्मथुरामावसन् पुरीम् । माथुराञ्छूरसेनांश्च विषयान् बुभुजे पुरा
śūraseno yadupatirmathurāmāvasan purīm | māthurāñchūrasenāṃśca viṣayān bubhuje purā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Formerly, Śūrasena, the chief of the Yadu dynasty, had gone to live in the city of Mathurā. There he enjoyed the places known as Māthura and Śūrasena.
राजधानी ततः साभूत्सर्वयादवभूभुजाम् । मथुरा भगवान् यत्र नित्यं सन्निहितो हरिः
rājadhānī tataḥ sābhūtsarvayādavabhūbhujām | mathurā bhagavān yatra nityaṃ sannihito hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since that time, the city of Mathurā had been the capital of all the kings of the Yadu dynasty. The city and district of Mathurā are very intimately connected with Kṛṣṇa, for Lord Kṛṣṇa lives there eternally.
तस्यां तु कर्हिचिच्छौरिर्वसुदेवः कृतोद्वहः । देवक्या सूर्यया सार्धं प्रयाणे रथमारुहत्
tasyāṃ tu karhicicchaurirvasudevaḥ kṛtodvahaḥ | devakyā sūryayā sārdhaṃ prayāṇe rathamāruhat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some time ago, Vasudeva, who belonged to the demigod family [or to the Śūra dynasty], married Devakī. After the marriage, he mounted his chariot to return home with his newly married wife.
उग्रसेनसुतः कंसः स्वसुः प्रियचिकीर्षया । रश्मीन् हयानां जग्राह रौक्मै रथशतैर्वृतः
ugrasenasutaḥ kaṃsaḥ svasuḥ priyacikīrṣayā | raśmīn hayānāṃ jagrāha raukmai rathaśatairvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaṁsa, the son of King Ugrasena, in order to please his sister Devakī on the occasion of her marriage, took charge of the reins of the horses and became the chariot driver. He was surrounded by hundreds of golden chariots.
शङ्खतूर्यमृदङ्गाश्च नेदुर्दुन्दुभयः समम् । प्रयाणप्रक्रमे तावद्वरवध्वोः सुमङ्गलम्
śaṅkhatūryamṛdaṅgāśca nedurdundubhayaḥ samam | prayāṇaprakrame tāvadvaravadhvoḥ sumaṅgalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O beloved son, Mahārāja Parīkṣit, when the bride and bridegroom were ready to start, conchshells, bugles, drums and kettledrums all vibrated in concert for their auspicious departure.
पथि प्रग्रहिणं कंसमाभाष्याहाशरीरवाक् । अस्यास्त्वामष्टमो गर्भो हन्ता यां वहसेऽबुध
pathi pragrahiṇaṃ kaṃsamābhāṣyāhāśarīravāk | asyāstvāmaṣṭamo garbho hantā yāṃ vahase'budha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Kaṁsa, controlling the reins of the horses, was driving the chariot along the way, an unembodied voice addressed him, “You foolish rascal, the eighth child of the woman you are carrying will kill you!”
इत्युक्तः स खलः पापो भोजानां कुलपांसनः । भगिनीं हन्तुमारब्धः खड्गपाणिः कचेऽग्रहीत्
ityuktaḥ sa khalaḥ pāpo bhojānāṃ kulapāṃsanaḥ | bhaginīṃ hantumārabdhaḥ khaḍgapāṇiḥ kace'grahīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaṁsa was a condemned personality in the Bhoja dynasty because he was envious and sinful. Therefore, upon hearing this omen from the sky, he caught hold of his sister’s hair with his left hand and took up his sword with his right hand to sever her head from her body.
तं जुगुप्सितकर्माणं नृशंसं निरपत्रपम् । वसुदेवो महाभाग उवाच परिसान्त्वयन्
taṃ jugupsitakarmāṇaṃ nṛśaṃsaṃ nirapatrapam | vasudevo mahābhāga uvāca parisāntvayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Wanting to pacify Kaṁsa, who was so cruel and envious that he was shamelessly ready to kill his sister, the great soul Vasudeva, who was to be the father of Kṛṣṇa, spoke to him in the following words.
वसुदेव उवाच । श्लाघनीयगुणः शूरैर्भवान् भोजयशस्करः । स कथं भगिनीं हन्यात्स्त्रियमुद्वाहपर्वणि
vasudeva uvāca | ślāghanīyaguṇaḥ śūrairbhavān bhojayaśaskaraḥ | sa kathaṃ bhaginīṃ hanyātstriyamudvāhaparvaṇi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vasudeva said: My dear brother-in-law Kaṁsa, you are the pride of your family, the Bhoja dynasty, and great heroes praise your qualities. How could such a qualified person as you kill a woman, your own sister, especially on the occasion of her marriage?
मृत्युर्जन्मवतां वीर देहेन सह जायते । अद्य वाब्दशतान्ते वा मृत्युर्वै प्राणिनां ध्रुवः
mṛtyurjanmavatāṃ vīra dehena saha jāyate | adya vābdaśatānte vā mṛtyurvai prāṇināṃ dhruvaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great hero, one who takes birth is sure to die, for death is born with the body. One may die today or after hundreds of years, but death is sure for every living entity.
देहे पञ्चत्वमापन्ने देही कर्मानुगोऽवशः । देहान्तरमनुप्राप्य प्राक्तनं त्यजते वपुः
dehe pañcatvamāpanne dehī karmānugo'vaśaḥ | dehāntaramanuprāpya prāktanaṃ tyajate vapuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the present body turns to dust and is again reduced to five elements — earth, water, fire, air and ether — the proprietor of the body, the living being, automatically receives another body of material elements according to his fruitive activities. When the next body is obtained, he gives up the present body.
व्रजंस्तिष्ठन् पदैकेन यथैवैकेन गच्छति । यथा तृणजलूकैवं देही कर्मगतिं गतः
vrajaṃstiṣṭhan padaikena yathaivaikena gacchati | yathā tṛṇajalūkaivaṃ dehī karmagatiṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as a person traveling on the road rests one foot on the ground and then lifts the other, or as a worm on a vegetable transfers itself to one leaf and then gives up the previous one, the conditioned soul takes shelter of another body and then gives up the one he had before.
स्वप्ने यथा पश्यति देहमीदृशं मनोरथेनाभिनिविष्टचेतनः । दृष्टश्रुताभ्यां मनसानुचिन्तयन् प्रपद्यते तत्किमपि ह्यपस्मृतिः
svapne yathā paśyati dehamīdṛśaṃ manorathenābhiniviṣṭacetanaḥ | dṛṣṭaśrutābhyāṃ manasānucintayan prapadyate tatkimapi hyapasmṛtiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having experienced a situation by seeing or hearing about it, one contemplates and speculates about that situation, and thus one surrenders to it, not considering his present body. Similarly, by mental adjustments one dreams at night of living under different circumstances, in different bodies, and forgets his actual position. Under this same process, one gives up his present body and accepts another [tathā dehāntara-prāptiḥ].
यतो यतो धावति दैवचोदितं मनो विकारात्मकमाप पञ्चसु । गुणेषु मायारचितेषु देह्यसौ प्रपद्यमानः सह तेन जायते
yato yato dhāvati daivacoditaṃ mano vikārātmakamāpa pañcasu | guṇeṣu māyāraciteṣu dehyasau prapadyamānaḥ saha tena jāyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the time of death, according to the thinking, feeling and willing of the mind, which is involved in fruitive activities, one receives a particular body. In other words, the body develops according to the activities of the mind. Changes of body are due to the flickering of the mind, for otherwise the soul could remain in its original, spiritual body.
ज्योतिर्यथैवोदकपार्थिवेष्वदः समीरवेगानुगतं विभाव्यते । एवं स्वमायारचितेष्वसौ पुमान् गुणेषु रागानुगतो विमुह्यति
jyotiryathaivodakapārthiveṣvadaḥ samīravegānugataṃ vibhāvyate | evaṃ svamāyāraciteṣvasau pumān guṇeṣu rāgānugato vimuhyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the luminaries in the sky, such as the moon, the sun and the stars, are reflected in liquids like oil or water, they appear to be of different shapes — sometimes round, sometimes long, and so on — because of the movements of the wind. Similarly, when the living entity, the soul, is absorbed in materialistic thoughts, he accepts various manifestations as his own identity because of ignorance. In other words, one is bewildered by mental concoctions because of agitation from the material modes of nature.
तस्मान्न कस्यचिद्द्रोहमाचरेत्स तथाविधः । आत्मनः क्षेममन्विच्छन् द्रोग्धुर्वै परतो भयम्
tasmānna kasyaciddrohamācaretsa tathāvidhaḥ | ātmanaḥ kṣemamanvicchan drogdhurvai parato bhayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, since envious, impious activities cause a body in which one suffers in the next life, why should one act impiously? Considering one’s welfare, one should not envy anyone, for an envious person must always fear harm from his enemies, either in this life or in the next.
एषा तवानुजा बाला कृपणा पुत्रिकोपमा । हन्तुं नार्हसि कल्याणीमिमां त्वं दीनवत्सलः
eṣā tavānujā bālā kṛpaṇā putrikopamā | hantuṃ nārhasi kalyāṇīmimāṃ tvaṃ dīnavatsalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As your younger sister, this poor girl Devakī is like your own daughter and deserves to be affectionately maintained. You are merciful, and therefore you should not kill her. Indeed, she deserves your affection.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं स सामभिर्भेदैर्बोध्यमानोऽपि दारुणः । न न्यवर्तत कौरव्य पुरुषादाननुव्रतः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ sa sāmabhirbhedairbodhyamāno'pi dāruṇaḥ | na nyavartata kauravya puruṣādānanuvrataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O best of the Kuru dynasty, Kaṁsa was fiercely cruel and was actually a follower of the Rākṣasas. Therefore he could be neither pacified nor terrified by the good instructions given by Vasudeva. He did not care about the results of sinful activities, either in this life or in the next.
निर्बन्धं तस्य तं ज्ञात्वा विचिन्त्यानकदुन्दुभिः । प्राप्तं कालं प्रतिव्योढुमिदं तत्रान्वपद्यत
nirbandhaṃ tasya taṃ jñātvā vicintyānakadundubhiḥ | prāptaṃ kālaṃ prativyoḍhumidaṃ tatrānvapadyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Vasudeva saw that Kaṁsa was determined to kill his sister Devakī, he thought to himself very deeply. Considering the imminent danger of death, he thought of another plan to stop Kaṁsa.
मृत्युर्बुद्धिमतापोह्यो यावद्बुद्धिबलोदयम् । यद्यसौ न निवर्तेत नापराधोऽस्ति देहिनः
mṛtyurbuddhimatāpohyo yāvadbuddhibalodayam | yadyasau na nivarteta nāparādho'sti dehinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As long as he has intelligence and bodily strength, an intelligent person must try to avoid death. This is the duty of every embodied person. But if death cannot be avoided in spite of one’s endeavors, a person facing death commits no offense.
अग्नेर्यथा दारुवियोगयोगयो- रदृष्टतोऽन्यन्न निमित्तमस्ति । एवं हि जन्तोरपि दुर्विभाव्यः शरीरसंयोगवियोगहेतुः
agneryathā dāruviyogayogayo- radṛṣṭato'nyanna nimittamasti | evaṃ hi jantorapi durvibhāvyaḥ śarīrasaṃyogaviyogahetuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When a fire, for some unseen reason, leaps over one piece of wood and sets fire to the next, the reason is destiny. Similarly, when a living being accepts one kind of body and leaves aside another, there is no other reason than unseen destiny.
एवं विमृश्य तं पापं यावदात्मनिदर्शनम् । पूजयामास वै शौरिर्बहुमानपुरःसरम्
evaṃ vimṛśya taṃ pāpaṃ yāvadātmanidarśanam | pūjayāmāsa vai śaurirbahumānapuraḥsaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After thus considering the matter as far as his knowledge would allow, Vasudeva submitted his proposal to the sinful Kaṁsa with great respect.
प्रसन्नवदनाम्भोजो नृशंसं निरपत्रपम् । मनसा दूयमानेन विहसन्निदमब्रवीत्
prasannavadanāmbhojo nṛśaṃsaṃ nirapatrapam | manasā dūyamānena vihasannidamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vasudeva’s mind was full of anxiety because his wife was facing danger, but in order to please the cruel, shameless and sinful Kaṁsa, he externally smiled and spoke to him as follows.
वसुदेव उवाच । न ह्यस्यास्ते भयं सौम्य यद्वागाहाशरीरिणी । पुत्रान् समर्पयिष्येऽस्या यतस्ते भयमुत्थितम्
vasudeva uvāca | na hyasyāste bhayaṃ saumya yadvāgāhāśarīriṇī | putrān samarpayiṣye'syā yataste bhayamutthitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vasudeva said: O best of the sober, you have nothing to fear from your sister Devakī because of what you have heard from the unseen omen. The cause of death will be her sons. Therefore I promise that when she gives birth to the sons from whom your fear has arisen, I shall deliver them all unto your hands.
श्रीशुक उवाच । स्वसुर्वधान्निववृते कंसस्तद्वाक्यसारवित् । वसुदेवोऽपि तं प्रीतः प्रशस्य प्राविशद्गृहम्
śrīśuka uvāca | svasurvadhānnivavṛte kaṃsastadvākyasāravit | vasudevo'pi taṃ prītaḥ praśasya prāviśadgṛham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Kaṁsa agreed to the logical arguments of Vasudeva, and, having full faith in Vasudeva’s words, he refrained from killing his sister. Vasudeva, being pleased with Kaṁsa, pacified him further and entered his own house.
अथ काल उपावृत्ते देवकी सर्वदेवता । पुत्रान् प्रसुषुवे चाष्टौ कन्यां चैवानुवत्सरम्
atha kāla upāvṛtte devakī sarvadevatā | putrān prasuṣuve cāṣṭau kanyāṃ caivānuvatsaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Each year thereafter, in due course of time, Devakī, the mother of God and all the demigods, gave birth to a child. Thus she bore eight sons, one after another, and a daughter named Subhadrā.
कीर्तिमन्तं प्रथमजं कंसायानकदुन्दुभिः । अर्पयामास कृच्छ्रेण सोऽनृतादतिविह्वलः
kīrtimantaṃ prathamajaṃ kaṃsāyānakadundubhiḥ | arpayāmāsa kṛcchreṇa so'nṛtādativihvalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vasudeva was very much disturbed by fear of becoming a liar by breaking his promise. Thus with great pain he delivered his first-born son, named Kīrtimān, into the hands of Kaṁsa.
किं दुःसहं नु साधूनां विदुषां किमपेक्षितम् । किमकार्यं कदर्याणां दुस्त्यजं किं धृतात्मनाम्
kiṃ duḥsahaṃ nu sādhūnāṃ viduṣāṃ kimapekṣitam | kimakāryaṃ kadaryāṇāṃ dustyajaṃ kiṃ dhṛtātmanām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What is painful for saintly persons who strictly adhere to the truth? How could there not be independence for pure devotees who know the Supreme Lord as the substance? What deeds are forbidden for persons of the lowest character? And what cannot be given up for the sake of Lord Kṛṣṇa by those who have fully surrendered at His lotus feet?
दृष्ट्वा समत्वं तच्छौरेः सत्ये चैव व्यवस्थितिम् । कंसस्तुष्टमना राजन् प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत्
dṛṣṭvā samatvaṃ tacchaureḥ satye caiva vyavasthitim | kaṃsastuṣṭamanā rājan prahasannidamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Parīkṣit, when Kaṁsa saw that Vasudeva, being situated in truthfulness, was completely equipoised in giving him the child, he was very happy. Therefore, with a smiling face, he spoke as follows.
प्रतियातु कुमारोऽयं न ह्यस्मादस्ति मे भयम् । अष्टमाद्युवयोर्गर्भान्मृत्युर्मे विहितः किल
pratiyātu kumāro'yaṃ na hyasmādasti me bhayam | aṣṭamādyuvayorgarbhānmṛtyurme vihitaḥ kila
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Vasudeva, you may take back your child and go home. I have no fear of your first child. It is the eighth child of you and Devakī I am concerned with because that is the child by whom I am destined to be killed.
तथेति सुतमादाय ययावानकदुन्दुभिः । नाभ्यनन्दत तद्वाक्यमसतोऽविजितात्मनः
tatheti sutamādāya yayāvānakadundubhiḥ | nābhyanandata tadvākyamasato'vijitātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vasudeva agreed and took his child back home, but because Kaṁsa had no character and no self-control, Vasudeva knew that he could not rely on Kaṁsa’s word.
एतत्कंसाय भगवाञ्छशंसाभ्येत्य नारदः । भूमेर्भारायमाणानां दैत्यानां च वधोद्यमम्
etatkaṃsāya bhagavāñchaśaṃsābhyetya nāradaḥ | bhūmerbhārāyamāṇānāṃ daityānāṃ ca vadhodyamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once the great saint Nārada approached Kaṁsa and informed him of how the demoniac persons who were a great burden on the earth were going to be killed. Thus Kaṁsa was placed into great fear and doubt.
मातरं पितरं भ्रातॄन् सर्वांश्च सुहृदस्तथा । घ्नन्ति ह्यसुतृपो लुब्धा राजानः प्रायशो भुवि
mātaraṃ pitaraṃ bhrātṝn sarvāṃśca suhṛdastathā | ghnanti hyasutṛpo lubdhā rājānaḥ prāyaśo bhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kings greedy for sense gratification on this earth almost always kill their enemies indiscriminately. To satisfy their own whims, they may kill anyone, even their mothers, fathers, brothers or friends.
आत्मानमिह सञ्जातं जानन् प्राग्विष्णुना हतम् । महासुरं कालनेमिं यदुभिः स व्यरुध्यत
ātmānamiha sañjātaṃ jānan prāgviṣṇunā hatam | mahāsuraṃ kālanemiṃ yadubhiḥ sa vyarudhyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In his previous birth, Kaṁsa had been a great demon named Kālanemi and been killed by Viṣṇu. Upon learning this information from Nārada, Kaṁsa became envious of everyone connected with the Yadu dynasty.
उग्रसेनं च पितरं यदुभोजान्धकाधिपम् । स्वयं निगृह्य बुभुजे शूरसेनान्महाबलः
ugrasenaṃ ca pitaraṃ yadubhojāndhakādhipam | svayaṃ nigṛhya bubhuje śūrasenānmahābalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaṁsa, the most powerful son of Ugrasena, even imprisoned his own father, the King of the Yadu, Bhoja and Andhaka dynasties, and personally ruled the states known as Śūrasena.
ते पीडिता निविविशुः कुरुपञ्चालकेकयान् । शाल्वान् विदर्भान्निषधान् विदेहान् कोसलानपि
te pīḍitā niviviśuḥ kurupañcālakekayān | śālvān vidarbhānniṣadhān videhān kosalānapi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Persecuted by the demoniac kings, the Yādavas left their own kingdom and entered various others, like those of the Kurus, Pañcālas, Kekayas, Śālvas, Vidarbhas, Niṣadhas, Videhas and Kośalas.
भगवानपि विश्वात्मा विदित्वा कंसजं भयम् । यदूनां निजनाथानां योगमायां समादिशत्
bhagavānapi viśvātmā viditvā kaṃsajaṃ bhayam | yadūnāṃ nijanāthānāṃ yogamāyāṃ samādiśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To protect the Yadus, His personal devotees, from Kaṁsa’s attack, the Personality of Godhead, Viśvātmā, the Supreme Soul of everyone, ordered Yoga-māyā as follows.
गच्छ देवि व्रजं भद्रे गोपगोभिरलङ्कृतम् । रोहिणी वसुदेवस्य भार्याऽऽस्ते नन्दगोकुले । अन्याश्च कंससंविग्ना विवरेषु वसन्ति हि
gaccha devi vrajaṃ bhadre gopagobhiralaṅkṛtam | rohiṇī vasudevasya bhāryā''ste nandagokule | anyāśca kaṃsasaṃvignā vivareṣu vasanti hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord ordered Yoga-māyā: O My potency, who are worshipable for the entire world and whose nature is to bestow good fortune upon all living entities, go to Vraja, where there live many cowherd men and their wives. In that very beautiful land, where many cows reside, Rohiṇī, the wife of Vasudeva, is living at the home of Nanda Mahārāja. Other wives of Vasudeva are also living there incognito because of fear of Kaṁsa. Please go there.
देवक्या जठरे गर्भं शेषाख्यं धाम मामकम् । तत्सन्निकृष्य रोहिण्या उदरे सन्निवेशय
devakyā jaṭhare garbhaṃ śeṣākhyaṃ dhāma māmakam | tatsannikṛṣya rohiṇyā udare sanniveśaya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Within the womb of Devakī is My partial plenary expansion known as Saṅkarṣaṇa or Śeṣa. Without difficulty, transfer Him into the womb of Rohiṇī.
अथाहमंशभागेन देवक्याः पुत्रतां शुभे । प्राप्स्यामि त्वं यशोदायां नन्दपत्न्यां भविष्यसि
athāhamaṃśabhāgena devakyāḥ putratāṃ śubhe | prāpsyāmi tvaṃ yaśodāyāṃ nandapatnyāṃ bhaviṣyasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O all-auspicious Yoga-māyā, I shall then appear with My full six opulences as the son of Devakī, and you will appear as the daughter of mother Yaśodā, the queen of Mahārāja Nanda.
अर्चिष्यन्ति मनुष्यास्त्वां सर्वकामवरेश्वरीम् । धूपोपहारबलिभिः सर्वकामवरप्रदाम्
arciṣyanti manuṣyāstvāṃ sarvakāmavareśvarīm | dhūpopahārabalibhiḥ sarvakāmavarapradām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By sacrifices of animals, ordinary human beings will worship you gorgeously, with various paraphernalia, because you are supreme in fulfilling the material desires of everyone.
गर्भसङ्कर्षणात्तं वै प्राहुः सङ्कर्षणं भुवि । रामेति लोकरमणाद्बलं बलवदुच्छ्रयात्
garbhasaṅkarṣaṇāttaṃ vai prāhuḥ saṅkarṣaṇaṃ bhuvi | rāmeti lokaramaṇādbalaṃ balavaducchrayāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The son of Rohiṇī will also be celebrated as Saṅkarṣaṇa because of being sent from the womb of Devakī to the womb of Rohiṇī. He will be called Rāma because of His ability to please all the inhabitants of Gokula, and He will be known as Balabhadra because of His extensive physical strength.
सन्दिष्टैवं भगवता तथेत्योमिति तद्वचः । प्रतिगृह्य परिक्रम्य गां गता तत्तथाकरोत्
sandiṣṭaivaṃ bhagavatā tathetyomiti tadvacaḥ | pratigṛhya parikramya gāṃ gatā tattathākarot
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Yoga-māyā immediately agreed. With the Vedic mantra om, she confirmed that she would do what He asked. Thus having accepted the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, she circumambulated Him and started for the place on earth known as Nanda-gokula. There she did everything just as she had been told.
गर्भे प्रणीते देवक्या रोहिणीं योगनिद्रया । अहो विस्रंसितो गर्भ इति पौरा विचुक्रुशुः
garbhe praṇīte devakyā rohiṇīṃ yoganidrayā | aho visraṃsito garbha iti paurā vicukruśuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the child of Devakī was attracted and transferred into the womb of Rohiṇī by Yoga-māyā, Devakī seemed to have a miscarriage. Thus all the inhabitants of the palace loudly lamented, “Alas, Devakī has lost her child!”
भगवानपि विश्वात्मा भक्तानामभयङ्करः । आविवेशांशभागेन मन आनकदुन्दुभेः
bhagavānapi viśvātmā bhaktānāmabhayaṅkaraḥ | āviveśāṃśabhāgena mana ānakadundubheḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the Supersoul of all living entities and who vanquishes all the fear of His devotees, entered the mind of Vasudeva in full opulence.
स बिभ्रत्पौरुषं धाम भ्राजमानो यथा रविः । दुरासदोऽतिदुर्धर्षो भूतानां सम्बभूव ह
sa bibhratpauruṣaṃ dhāma bhrājamāno yathā raviḥ | durāsado'tidurdharṣo bhūtānāṃ sambabhūva ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While carrying the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead within the core of his heart, Vasudeva bore the Lord’s transcendentally illuminating effulgence, and thus he became as bright as the sun. He was therefore very difficult to see or approach through sensory perception. Indeed, he was unapproachable and unperceivable even for such formidable men as Kaṁsa, and not only for Kaṁsa but for all living entities.
ततो जगन्मङ्गलमच्युतांशं समाहितं शूरसुतेन देवी । दधार सर्वात्मकमात्मभूतं काष्ठा यथाऽऽनन्दकरं मनस्तः
tato jaganmaṅgalamacyutāṃśaṃ samāhitaṃ śūrasutena devī | dadhāra sarvātmakamātmabhūtaṃ kāṣṭhā yathā''nandakaraṃ manastaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, accompanied by plenary expansions, the fully opulent Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is all-auspicious for the entire universe, was transferred from the mind of Vasudeva to the mind of Devakī. Devakī, having thus been initiated by Vasudeva, became beautiful by carrying Lord Kṛṣṇa, the original consciousness for everyone, the cause of all causes, within the core of her heart, just as the east becomes beautiful by carrying the rising moon.
सा देवकी सर्वजगन्निवास- निवासभूता नितरां न रेजे । भोजेन्द्रगेहेऽग्निशिखेव रुद्धा सरस्वती ज्ञानखले यथा सती
sā devakī sarvajagannivāsa- nivāsabhūtā nitarāṃ na reje | bhojendragehe'gniśikheva ruddhā sarasvatī jñānakhale yathā satī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Devakī then kept within herself the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, the foundation of the entire cosmos, but because she was under arrest in the house of Kaṁsa, she was like the flames of a fire covered by the walls of a pot, or like a person who has knowledge but cannot distribute it to the world for the benefit of human society.
तां वीक्ष्य कंसः प्रभयाजितान्तरां विरोचयन्तीं भवनं शुचिस्मिताम् । आहैष मे प्राणहरो हरिर्गुहां ध्रुवं श्रितो यन्न पुरेयमीदृशी
tāṃ vīkṣya kaṃsaḥ prabhayājitāntarāṃ virocayantīṃ bhavanaṃ śucismitām | āhaiṣa me prāṇaharo harirguhāṃ dhruvaṃ śrito yanna pureyamīdṛśī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because the Supreme Personality of Godhead was within her womb, Devakī illuminated the entire atmosphere in the place where she was confined. Seeing her jubilant, pure and smiling, Kaṁsa thought, “The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, who is now within her, will kill me. Devakī has never before looked so brilliant and jubilant.”
किमद्य तस्मिन् करणीयमाशु मे यदर्थतन्त्रो न विहन्ति विक्रमम् । स्त्रियाः स्वसुर्गुरुमत्या वधोऽयं यशः श्रियं हन्त्यनुकालमायुः
kimadya tasmin karaṇīyamāśu me yadarthatantro na vihanti vikramam | striyāḥ svasurgurumatyā vadho'yaṃ yaśaḥ śriyaṃ hantyanukālamāyuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaṁsa thought: What is my duty now? The Supreme Lord, who knows His purpose will not give up His prowess. Devakī is a woman, she is my sister, and moreover she is now pregnant. If I kill her, my reputation, opulence and duration of life will certainly be vanquished.
स एष जीवन् खलु सम्परेतो वर्तेत योऽत्यन्तनृशंसितेन । देहे मृते तं मनुजाः शपन्ति गन्ता तमोऽन्धं तनुमानिनो ध्रुवम्
sa eṣa jīvan khalu sampareto varteta yo'tyantanṛśaṃsitena | dehe mṛte taṃ manujāḥ śapanti gantā tamo'ndhaṃ tanumānino dhruvam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A person who is very cruel is regarded as dead even while living, for while he is living or after his death, everyone condemns him. And after the death of a person in the bodily concept of life, he is undoubtedly transferred to the hell known as Andhatama.
इति घोरतमाद्भावात्सन्निवृत्तः स्वयं प्रभुः । आस्ते प्रतीक्षंस्तज्जन्म हरेर्वैरानुबन्धकृत्
iti ghoratamādbhāvātsannivṛttaḥ svayaṃ prabhuḥ | āste pratīkṣaṃstajjanma harervairānubandhakṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Deliberating in this way, Kaṁsa, although determined to continue in enmity toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead, refrained from the vicious killing of his sister. He decided to wait until the Lord was born and then do what was needed.
आसीनः संविशंस्तिष्ठन् भुञ्जानः पर्यटन्महीम् । चिन्तयानो हृषीकेशमपश्यत्तन्मयं जगत्
āsīnaḥ saṃviśaṃstiṣṭhan bhuñjānaḥ paryaṭanmahīm | cintayāno hṛṣīkeśamapaśyattanmayaṃ jagat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While sitting on his throne or in his sitting room, while lying on his bed, or, indeed, while situated anywhere, and while eating, sleeping or walking, Kaṁsa saw only his enemy, the Supreme Lord, Hṛṣīkeśa. In other words, by thinking of his all-pervading enemy, Kaṁsa became unfavorably Kṛṣṇa conscious.
ब्रह्मा भवश्च तत्रैत्य मुनिभिर्नारदादिभिः । देवैः सानुचरैः साकं गीर्भिर्वृषणमैडयन्
brahmā bhavaśca tatraitya munibhirnāradādibhiḥ | devaiḥ sānucaraiḥ sākaṃ gīrbhirvṛṣaṇamaiḍayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, accompanied by great sages like Nārada, Devala and Vyāsa and by other demigods like Indra, Candra and Varuṇa, invisibly approached the room of Devakī, where they all joined in offering their respectful obeisances and prayers to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can bestow blessings upon everyone.
सत्यव्रतं सत्यपरं त्रिसत्यं सत्यस्य योनिं निहितं च सत्ये । सत्यस्य सत्यमतसत्यनेत्रं सत्यात्मकं त्वां शरणं प्रपन्नाः
satyavrataṃ satyaparaṃ trisatyaṃ satyasya yoniṃ nihitaṃ ca satye | satyasya satyamatasatyanetraṃ satyātmakaṃ tvāṃ śaraṇaṃ prapannāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods prayed: O Lord, You never deviate from Your vow, which is always perfect because whatever You decide is perfectly correct and cannot be stopped by anyone. Being present in the three phases of cosmic manifestation — creation, maintenance and annihilation — You are the Supreme Truth. Indeed, unless one is completely truthful, one cannot achieve Your favor, which therefore cannot be achieved by hypocrites. You are the active principle, the real truth, in all the ingredients of creation, and therefore You are known as antaryāmī, the inner force. You are equal to everyone, and Your instructions apply for everyone, for all time. You are the beginning of all truth. Therefore, offering our obeisances, we surrender unto You. Kindly give us protection.
एकायनोऽसौ द्विफलस्त्रिमूल- श्चतूरसः पञ्चविधः षडात्मा । सप्तत्वगष्टविटपो नवाक्षो दशच्छदी द्विखगो ह्यादिवृक्षः
ekāyano'sau dviphalastrimūla- ścatūrasaḥ pañcavidhaḥ ṣaḍātmā | saptatvagaṣṭaviṭapo navākṣo daśacchadī dvikhago hyādivṛkṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The body [the total body and the individual body are of the same composition] may figuratively be called “the original tree.” From this tree, which fully depends on the ground of material nature, come two kinds of fruit — the enjoyment of happiness and the suffering of distress. The cause of the tree, forming its three roots, is association with the three modes of material nature — goodness, passion and ignorance. The fruits of bodily happiness have four tastes — religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation — which are experienced through five senses for acquiring knowledge in the midst of six circumstances: lamentation, illusion, old age, death, hunger and thirst. The seven layers of bark covering the tree are skin, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow and semen, and the eight branches of the tree are the five gross and three subtle elements — earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego. The tree of the body has nine hollows — the eyes, the ears, the nostrils, the mouth, the rectum and the genitals — and ten leaves, the ten airs passing through the body. In this tree of the body there are two birds: one is the individual soul, and the other is the Supersoul.
त्वमेक एवास्य सतः प्रसूति- स्त्वं सन्निधानं त्वमनुग्रहश्च । त्वन्मायया संवृतचेतसस्त्वां पश्यन्ति नाना न विपश्चितो ये
tvameka evāsya sataḥ prasūti- stvaṃ sannidhānaṃ tvamanugrahaśca | tvanmāyayā saṃvṛtacetasastvāṃ paśyanti nānā na vipaścito ye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The efficient cause of this material world, manifested with its many varieties as the original tree, is You, O Lord. You are also the maintainer of this material world, and after annihilation You are the one in whom everything is conserved. Those who are covered by Your external energy cannot see You behind this manifestation, but theirs is not the vision of learned devotees.
बिभर्षि रूपाण्यवबोध आत्मा क्षेमाय लोकस्य चराचरस्य । सत्त्वोपपन्नानि सुखावहानि सतामभद्राणि मुहुः खलानाम्
bibharṣi rūpāṇyavabodha ātmā kṣemāya lokasya carācarasya | sattvopapannāni sukhāvahāni satāmabhadrāṇi muhuḥ khalānām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, You are always in full knowledge, and to bring all good fortune to all living entities, You appear in different incarnations, all of them transcendental to the material creation. When You appear in these incarnations, You are pleasing to the pious and religious devotees, but for nondevotees You are the annihilator.
त्वय्यम्बुजाक्षाखिलसत्त्वधाम्नि समाधिनाऽऽवेशितचेतसैके । त्वत्पादपोतेन महत्कृतेन कुर्वन्ति गोवत्सपदं भवाब्धिम्
tvayyambujākṣākhilasattvadhāmni samādhinā''veśitacetasaike | tvatpādapotena mahatkṛtena kurvanti govatsapadaṃ bhavābdhim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O lotus-eyed Lord, by concentrating one’s meditation on Your lotus feet, which are the reservoir of all existence, and by accepting those lotus feet as the boat by which to cross the ocean of nescience, one follows in the footsteps of mahājanas [great saints, sages and devotees]. By this simple process, one can cross the ocean of nescience as easily as one steps over the hoofprint of a calf.
स्वयं समुत्तीर्य सुदुस्तरं द्युमन् भवार्णवं भीममदभ्रसौहृदाः । भवत्पदाम्भोरुहनावमत्र ते निधाय याताः सदनुग्रहो भवान्
svayaṃ samuttīrya sudustaraṃ dyuman bhavārṇavaṃ bhīmamadabhrasauhṛdāḥ | bhavatpadāmbhoruhanāvamatra te nidhāya yātāḥ sadanugraho bhavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, who resemble the shining sun, You are always ready to fulfill the desire of Your devotee, and therefore You are known as a desire tree [vāñchā-kalpataru]. When ācāryas completely take shelter under Your lotus feet in order to cross the fierce ocean of nescience, they leave behind on earth the method by which they cross, and because You are very merciful to Your other devotees, You accept this method to help them.
येऽन्येऽरविन्दाक्ष विमुक्तमानिन- स्त्वय्यस्तभावादविशुद्धबुद्धयः । आरुह्य कृच्छ्रेण परं पदं ततः पतन्त्यधोऽनादृतयुष्मदङ्घ्रयः
ye'nye'ravindākṣa vimuktamānina- stvayyastabhāvādaviśuddhabuddhayaḥ | āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṃ padaṃ tataḥ patantyadho'nādṛtayuṣmadaṅghrayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Someone may say that aside from devotees, who always seek shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet, there are those who are not devotees but who have accepted different processes for attaining salvation. What happens to them? In answer to this question, Lord Brahmā and the other demigods said:] O lotus-eyed Lord, although nondevotees who accept severe austerities and penances to achieve the highest position may think themselves liberated, their intelligence is impure. They fall down from their position of imagined superiority because they have no regard for Your lotus feet.
तथा न ते माधव तावकाः क्वचि- द्भ्रश्यन्ति मार्गात्त्वयि बद्धसौहृदाः । त्वयाभिगुप्ता विचरन्ति निर्भया विनायकानीकपमूर्धसु प्रभो
tathā na te mādhava tāvakāḥ kvaci- dbhraśyanti mārgāttvayi baddhasauhṛdāḥ | tvayābhiguptā vicaranti nirbhayā vināyakānīkapamūrdhasu prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mādhava, Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord of the goddess of fortune, if devotees completely in love with You sometimes fall from the path of devotion, they do not fall like nondevotees, for You still protect them. Thus they fearlessly traverse the heads of their opponents and continue to progress in devotional service.
सत्त्वं विशुद्धं श्रयते भवान् स्थितौ शरीरिणां श्रेय उपायनं वपुः । वेदक्रियायोगतपःसमाधिभि- स्तवार्हणं येन जनः समीहते
sattvaṃ viśuddhaṃ śrayate bhavān sthitau śarīriṇāṃ śreya upāyanaṃ vapuḥ | vedakriyāyogatapaḥsamādhibhi- stavārhaṇaṃ yena janaḥ samīhate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, during the time of maintenance You manifest several incarnations, all with transcendental bodies, beyond the material modes of nature. When You appear in this way, You bestow all good fortune upon the living entities by teaching them to perform Vedic activities such as ritualistic ceremonies, mystic yoga, austerities, penances, and ultimately samādhi, ecstatic absorption in thoughts of You. Thus You are worshiped by the Vedic principles.
सत्त्वं न चेद्धातरिदं निजं भवे- द्विज्ञानमज्ञानभिदापमार्जनम् । गुणप्रकाशैरनुमीयते भवान् प्रकाशते यस्य च येन वा गुणः
sattvaṃ na ceddhātaridaṃ nijaṃ bhave- dvijñānamajñānabhidāpamārjanam | guṇaprakāśairanumīyate bhavān prakāśate yasya ca yena vā guṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, cause of all causes, if Your transcendental body were not beyond the modes of material nature, one could not understand the difference between matter and transcendence. Only by Your presence can one understand the transcendental nature of Your Lordship, who are the controller of material nature. Your transcendental nature is very difficult to understand unless one is influenced by the presence of Your transcendental form.
न नामरूपे गुणजन्मकर्मभि- र्निरूपितव्ये तव तस्य साक्षिणः । मनो वचोभ्यामनुमेयवर्त्मनो देव क्रियायां प्रतियन्त्यथापि हि
na nāmarūpe guṇajanmakarmabhi- rnirūpitavye tava tasya sākṣiṇaḥ | mano vacobhyāmanumeyavartmano deva kriyāyāṃ pratiyantyathāpi hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, Your transcendental name and form are not ascertained by those who merely speculate on the path of imagination. Your name, form and attributes can be ascertained only through devotional service.
शृण्वन् गृणन् संस्मरयंश्च चिन्तय- न्नामानि रूपाणि च मङ्गलानि ते । क्रियासु यस्त्वच्चरणारविन्दयो- राविष्टचेता न भवाय कल्पते
śṛṇvan gṛṇan saṃsmarayaṃśca cintaya- nnāmāni rūpāṇi ca maṅgalāni te | kriyāsu yastvaccaraṇāravindayo- rāviṣṭacetā na bhavāya kalpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even while engaged in various activities, devotees whose minds are completely absorbed at Your lotus feet, and who constantly hear, chant, contemplate and cause others to remember Your transcendental names and forms, are always on the transcendental platform, and thus they can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
दिष्ट्या हरेऽस्या भवतः पदो भुवो भारोऽपनीतस्तव जन्मनेशितुः । दिष्ट्याङ्कितां त्वत्पदकैः सुशोभनै- र्द्रक्ष्याम गां द्यां च तवानुकम्पिताम्
diṣṭyā hare'syā bhavataḥ pado bhuvo bhāro'panītastava janmaneśituḥ | diṣṭyāṅkitāṃ tvatpadakaiḥ suśobhanai- rdrakṣyāma gāṃ dyāṃ ca tavānukampitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, we are fortunate because the heavy burden of the demons upon this earth is immediately removed by Your appearance. Indeed, we are certainly fortunate, for we shall be able to see upon this earth and in the heavenly planets the marks of lotus, conchshell, club and disc that adorn Your lotus feet.
न तेऽभवस्येश भवस्य कारणं विना विनोदं बत तर्कयामहे । भवो निरोधः स्थितिरप्यविद्यया कृता यतस्त्वय्यभयाश्रयात्मनि
na te'bhavasyeśa bhavasya kāraṇaṃ vinā vinodaṃ bata tarkayāmahe | bhavo nirodhaḥ sthitirapyavidyayā kṛtā yatastvayyabhayāśrayātmani
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Supreme Lord, You are not an ordinary living entity appearing in this material world as a result of fruitive activities. Therefore Your appearance or birth in this world has no other cause than Your pleasure potency. Similarly, the living entities, who are part of You, have no cause for miseries like birth, death and old age, except when these living entities are conducted by Your external energy.
मत्स्याश्वकच्छपनृसिंहवराहहंस- राजन्यविप्रविबुधेषु कृतावतारः । त्वं पासि नस्त्रिभुवनं च यथाधुनेश भारं भुवो हर यदूत्तम वन्दनं ते
matsyāśvakacchapanṛsiṃhavarāhahaṃsa- rājanyavipravibudheṣu kṛtāvatāraḥ | tvaṃ pāsi nastribhuvanaṃ ca yathādhuneśa bhāraṃ bhuvo hara yadūttama vandanaṃ te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O supreme controller, Your Lordship previously accepted incarnations as a fish, a horse, a tortoise, Narasiṁhadeva, a boar, a swan, Lord Rāmacandra, Paraśurāma and, among the demigods, Vāmanadeva, to protect the entire world by Your mercy. Now please protect us again by Your mercy by diminishing the disturbances in this world. O Kṛṣṇa, best of the Yadus, we respectfully offer our obeisances unto You.
दिष्ट्याम्ब ते कुक्षिगतः परः पुमा- नंशेन साक्षाद्भगवान् भवाय नः । माभूद्भयं भोजपतेर्मुमूर्षो- र्गोप्ता यदूनां भविता तवात्मजः
diṣṭyāmba te kukṣigataḥ paraḥ pumā- naṃśena sākṣādbhagavān bhavāya naḥ | mābhūdbhayaṃ bhojapatermumūrṣo- rgoptā yadūnāṃ bhavitā tavātmajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O mother Devakī, by your good fortune and ours, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, with all His plenary portions, such as Baladeva, is now within your womb. Therefore you need not fear Kaṁsa, who has decided to be killed by the Lord. Your eternal son, Kṛṣṇa, will be the protector of the entire Yadu dynasty.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्यभिष्टूय पुरुषं यद्रूपमनिदं यथा । ब्रह्मेशानौ पुरोधाय देवाः प्रतिययुर्दिवम्
śrīśuka uvāca | ityabhiṣṭūya puruṣaṃ yadrūpamanidaṃ yathā | brahmeśānau purodhāya devāḥ pratiyayurdivam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After thus offering prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, the Transcendence, all the demigods, with Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva before them, returned to their homes in the heavenly planets.
जगुः किन्नरगन्धर्वास्तुष्टुवुः सिद्धचारणाः । विद्याधर्यश्च ननृतुरप्सरोभिः समं तदा
jaguḥ kinnaragandharvāstuṣṭuvuḥ siddhacāraṇāḥ | vidyādharyaśca nanṛturapsarobhiḥ samaṃ tadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Kinnaras and Gandharvas began to sing auspicious songs, the Siddhas and Cāraṇas offered auspicious prayers, and the Vidyādharīs, along with the Apsarās, began to dance in jubilation.
स विस्मयोत्फुल्लविलोचनो हरिं सुतं विलोक्यानकदुन्दुभिस्तदा । कृष्णावतारोत्सवसम्भ्रमोऽस्पृश- न्मुदा द्विजेभ्योऽयुतमाप्लुतो गवाम्
sa vismayotphullavilocano hariṃ sutaṃ vilokyānakadundubhistadā | kṛṣṇāvatārotsavasambhramo'spṛśa- nmudā dvijebhyo'yutamāpluto gavām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Vasudeva saw his extraordinary son, his eyes were struck with wonder. In transcendental jubilation, he mentally collected ten thousand cows and distributed them among the brāhmaṇas as a transcendental festival.
अथैनमस्तौदवधार्य पूरुषं परं नताङ्गः कृतधीः कृताञ्जलिः । स्वरोचिषा भारत सूतिकागृहं विरोचयन्तं गतभीः प्रभाववित्
athainamastaudavadhārya pūruṣaṃ paraṃ natāṅgaḥ kṛtadhīḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ | svarociṣā bhārata sūtikāgṛhaṃ virocayantaṃ gatabhīḥ prabhāvavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, descendant of King Bharata, Vasudeva could understand that this child was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa. Having concluded this without a doubt, he became fearless. Bowing down with folded hands and concentrating his attention, he began to offer prayers to the child, who illuminated His birthplace by His natural influence.
वसुदेव उवाच । विदितोऽसि भवान् साक्षात्पुरुषः प्रकृतेः परः । केवलानुभवानन्दस्वरूपः सर्वबुद्धिदृक्
vasudeva uvāca | vidito'si bhavān sākṣātpuruṣaḥ prakṛteḥ paraḥ | kevalānubhavānandasvarūpaḥ sarvabuddhidṛk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vasudeva said: My Lord, You are the Supreme Person, beyond material existence, and You are the Supersoul. Your form can be perceived by transcendental knowledge, by which You can be understood as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I now understand Your position perfectly.
स एव स्वप्रकृत्येदं सृष्ट्वाग्रे त्रिगुणात्मकम् । तदनु त्वं ह्यप्रविष्टः प्रविष्ट इव भाव्यसे
sa eva svaprakṛtyedaṃ sṛṣṭvāgre triguṇātmakam | tadanu tvaṃ hyapraviṣṭaḥ praviṣṭa iva bhāvyase
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, You are the same person who in the beginning created this material world by His personal external energy. After the creation of this world of three guṇas [sattva, rajas and tamas], You appear to have entered it, although in fact You have not.
य आत्मनो दृश्यगुणेषु सन्निति व्यवस्यते स्वव्यतिरेकतोऽबुधः । विनानुवादं न च तन्मनीषितं सम्यग्यतस्त्यक्तमुपाददत्पुमान्
ya ātmano dṛśyaguṇeṣu sanniti vyavasyate svavyatirekato'budhaḥ | vinānuvādaṃ na ca tanmanīṣitaṃ samyagyatastyaktamupādadatpumān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who considers his visible body, which is a product of the three modes of nature, to be independent of the soul is unaware of the basis of existence, and therefore he is a rascal. Those who are learned have rejected this conclusion because one can understand through full discussion that with no basis in soul, the visible body and senses would be insubstantial. Nonetheless, although his conclusion has been rejected, a foolish person considers it a reality.
त्वत्तोऽस्य जन्मस्थितिसंयमान् विभो वदन्त्यनीहादगुणादविक्रियात् । त्वयीश्वरे ब्रह्मणि नो विरुध्यते त्वदाश्रयत्वादुपचर्यते गुणैः
tvatto'sya janmasthitisaṃyamān vibho vadantyanīhādaguṇādavikriyāt | tvayīśvare brahmaṇi no virudhyate tvadāśrayatvādupacaryate guṇaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my Lord, learned Vedic scholars conclude that the creation, maintenance and annihilation of the entire cosmic manifestation are performed by You, who are free from endeavor, unaffected by the modes of material nature, and changeless in Your spiritual situation. There are no contradictions in You, who are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Parabrahman. Because the three modes of material nature — sattva, rajas and tamas — are under Your control, everything takes place automatically.
स त्वं त्रिलोकस्थितये स्वमायया बिभर्षि शुक्लं खलु वर्णमात्मनः । सर्गाय रक्तं रजसोपबृंहितं कृष्णं च वर्णं तमसा जनात्यये
sa tvaṃ trilokasthitaye svamāyayā bibharṣi śuklaṃ khalu varṇamātmanaḥ | sargāya raktaṃ rajasopabṛṃhitaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ ca varṇaṃ tamasā janātyaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, Your form is transcendental to the three material modes, yet for the maintenance of the three worlds, You assume the white color of Viṣṇu in goodness; for creation, which is surrounded by the quality of passion, You appear reddish; and at the end, when there is a need for annihilation, which is surrounded by ignorance, You appear blackish.
त्वमस्य लोकस्य विभो रिरक्षिषु- र्गृहेऽवतीर्णोऽसि ममाखिलेश्वर । राजन्यसंज्ञासुरकोटियूथपै- र्निर्व्यूह्यमाना निहनिष्यसे चमूः
tvamasya lokasya vibho rirakṣiṣu- rgṛhe'vatīrṇo'si mamākhileśvara | rājanyasaṃjñāsurakoṭiyūthapai- rnirvyūhyamānā nihaniṣyase camūḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my Lord, proprietor of all creation, You have now appeared in my house, desiring to protect this world. I am sure that You will kill all the armies that are moving all over the world under the leadership of politicians who are dressed as kṣatriya rulers but who are factually demons. They must be killed by You for the protection of the innocent public.
अयं त्वसभ्यस्तव जन्म नौ गृहे श्रुत्वाग्रजांस्ते न्यवधीत्सुरेश्वर । स तेऽवतारं पुरुषैः समर्पितं श्रुत्वाधुनैवाभिसरत्युदायुधः
ayaṃ tvasabhyastava janma nau gṛhe śrutvāgrajāṃste nyavadhītsureśvara | sa te'vatāraṃ puruṣaiḥ samarpitaṃ śrutvādhunaivābhisaratyudāyudhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my Lord, Lord of the demigods, after hearing the prophecy that You would take birth in our home and kill him, this uncivilized Kaṁsa killed so many of Your elder brothers. As soon as he hears from his lieutenants that You have appeared, he will immediately come with weapons to kill You.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथैनमात्मजं वीक्ष्य महापुरुषलक्षणम् । देवकी तमुपाधावत्कंसाद्भीता शुचिस्मिता
śrīśuka uvāca | athainamātmajaṃ vīkṣya mahāpuruṣalakṣaṇam | devakī tamupādhāvatkaṃsādbhītā śucismitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thereafter, having seen that her child had all the symptoms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Devakī, who was very much afraid of Kaṁsa and unusually astonished, began to offer prayers to the Lord.
देवक्युवाच । रूपं यत्तत्प्राहुरव्यक्तमाद्यं ब्रह्म ज्योतिर्निर्गुणं निर्विकारम् । सत्तामात्रं निर्विशेषं निरीहं स त्वं साक्षाद्विष्णुरध्यात्मदीपः
devakyuvāca | rūpaṃ yattatprāhuravyaktamādyaṃ brahma jyotirnirguṇaṃ nirvikāram | sattāmātraṃ nirviśeṣaṃ nirīhaṃ sa tvaṃ sākṣādviṣṇuradhyātmadīpaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Devakī said: My dear Lord, there are different Vedas, some of which describe You as unperceivable through words and the mind. Yet You are the origin of the entire cosmic manifestation. You are Brahman, the greatest of everything, full of effulgence like the sun. You have no material cause, You are free from change and deviation, and You have no material desires. Thus the Vedas say that You are the substance. Therefore, my Lord, You are directly the origin of all Vedic statements, and by understanding You, one gradually understands everything. You are different from the light of Brahman and Paramātmā, yet You are not different from them. Everything emanates from You. Indeed, You are the cause of all causes, Lord Viṣṇu, the light of all transcendental knowledge.
नष्टे लोके द्विपरार्धावसाने महाभूतेष्वादिभूतं गतेषु । व्यक्तेऽव्यक्तं कालवेगेन याते भवानेकः शिष्यते शेषसंज्ञः
naṣṭe loke dviparārdhāvasāne mahābhūteṣvādibhūtaṃ gateṣu | vyakte'vyaktaṃ kālavegena yāte bhavānekaḥ śiṣyate śeṣasaṃjñaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After millions of years, at the time of cosmic annihilation, when everything, manifested and unmanifested, is annihilated by the force of time, the five gross elements enter into the subtle conception, and the manifested categories enter into the unmanifested substance. At that time, You alone remain, and You are known as Ananta Śeṣa-nāga.
योऽयं कालस्तस्य तेऽव्यक्तबन्धो चेष्टामाहुश्चेष्टते येन विश्वम् । निमेषादिर्वत्सरान्तो महीयां- स्तं त्वेशानं क्षेमधाम प्रपद्ये
yo'yaṃ kālastasya te'vyaktabandho ceṣṭāmāhuśceṣṭate yena viśvam | nimeṣādirvatsarānto mahīyāṃ- staṃ tveśānaṃ kṣemadhāma prapadye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O inaugurator of the material energy, this wonderful creation works under the control of powerful time, which is divided into seconds, minutes, hours and years. This element of time, which extends for many millions of years, is but another form of Lord Viṣṇu. For Your pastimes, You act as the controller of time, but You are the reservoir of all good fortune. Let me offer my full surrender unto Your Lordship.
मर्त्यो मृत्युव्यालभीतः पलायन् लोकान् सर्वान्निर्भयं नाध्यगच्छत् । त्वत्पादाब्जं प्राप्य यदृच्छयाद्य स्वस्थः शेते मृत्युरस्मादपैति
martyo mṛtyuvyālabhītaḥ palāyan lokān sarvānnirbhayaṃ nādhyagacchat | tvatpādābjaṃ prāpya yadṛcchayādya svasthaḥ śete mṛtyurasmādapaiti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
No one in this material world has become free from the four principles birth, death, old age and disease, even by fleeing to various planets. But now that You have appeared, My Lord, death is fleeing in fear of You, and the living entities, having obtained shelter at Your lotus feet by Your mercy, are sleeping in full mental peace.
स त्वं घोरादुग्रसेनात्मजान्न- स्त्राहि त्रस्तान् भृत्यवित्रासहासि । रूपं चेदं पौरुषं ध्यानधिष्ण्यं मा प्रत्यक्षं मांसदृशां कृषीष्ठाः
sa tvaṃ ghorādugrasenātmajānna- strāhi trastān bhṛtyavitrāsahāsi | rūpaṃ cedaṃ pauruṣaṃ dhyānadhiṣṇyaṃ mā pratyakṣaṃ māṃsadṛśāṃ kṛṣīṣṭhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, because You dispel all the fear of Your devotees, I request You to save us and give us protection from the terrible fear of Kaṁsa. Your form as Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is appreciated by yogīs in meditation. Please make this form invisible to those who see with material eyes.
जन्म ते मय्यसौ पापो मा विद्यान्मधुसूदन । समुद्विजे भवद्धेतोः कंसादहमधीरधीः
janma te mayyasau pāpo mā vidyānmadhusūdana | samudvije bhavaddhetoḥ kaṃsādahamadhīradhīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Madhusūdana, because of Your appearance, I am becoming more and more anxious in fear of Kaṁsa. Therefore, please arrange for that sinful Kaṁsa to be unable to understand that You have taken birth from my womb.
उपसंहर विश्वात्मन्नदो रूपमलौकिकम् । शङ्खचक्रगदापद्मश्रिया जुष्टं चतुर्भुजम्
upasaṃhara viśvātmannado rūpamalaukikam | śaṅkhacakragadāpadmaśriyā juṣṭaṃ caturbhujam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my Lord, You are the all-pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Your transcendental four-armed form, holding conchshell, disc, club and lotus, is unnatural for this world. Please withdraw this form [and become just like a natural human child so that I may try to hide You somewhere].
विश्वं यदेतत्स्वतनौ निशान्ते यथावकाशं पुरुषः परो भवान् । बिभर्ति सोऽयं मम गर्भगोऽभू- दहो नृलोकस्य विडम्बनं हि तत्
viśvaṃ yadetatsvatanau niśānte yathāvakāśaṃ puruṣaḥ paro bhavān | bibharti so'yaṃ mama garbhago'bhū- daho nṛlokasya viḍambanaṃ hi tat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the time of devastation, the entire cosmos, containing all created moving and nonmoving entities, enters Your transcendental body and is held there without difficulty. But now this transcendental form has taken birth from my womb. People will not be able to believe this, and I shall become an object of ridicule.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । त्वमेव पूर्वसर्गेऽभूः पृश्निः स्वायम्भुवे सति । तदायं सुतपा नाम प्रजापतिरकल्मषः
śrībhagavānuvāca | tvameva pūrvasarge'bhūḥ pṛśniḥ svāyambhuve sati | tadāyaṃ sutapā nāma prajāpatirakalmaṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead replied: My dear mother, best of the chaste, in your previous birth, in the Svāyambhuva millennium, you were known as Pṛśni, and Vasudeva, who was the most pious Prajāpati, was named Sutapā.
युवां वै ब्रह्मणाऽऽदिष्टौ प्रजासर्गे यदा ततः । सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं तेपाथे परमं तपः
yuvāṃ vai brahmaṇā''diṣṭau prajāsarge yadā tataḥ | sanniyamyendriyagrāmaṃ tepāthe paramaṃ tapaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When both of you were ordered by Lord Brahmā to create progeny, you first underwent severe austerities by controlling your senses.
एवं वां तप्यतोस्तीव्रं तपः परमदुष्करम् । दिव्यवर्षसहस्राणि द्वादशेयुर्मदात्मनोः
evaṃ vāṃ tapyatostīvraṃ tapaḥ paramaduṣkaram | divyavarṣasahasrāṇi dvādaśeyurmadātmanoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus you spent twelve thousand celestial years performing difficult activities of tapasya in consciousness of Me [Kṛṣṇa consciousness].
अजुष्टग्राम्यविषयावनपत्यौ च दम्पती । न वव्राथेऽपवर्गं मे मोहितौ मम मायया
ajuṣṭagrāmyaviṣayāvanapatyau ca dampatī | na vavrāthe'pavargaṃ me mohitau mama māyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being husband and wife but always sonless, you were attracted by sexual desires, for by the influence of devamāyā, transcendental love, you wanted to have Me as your son. Therefore you never desired to be liberated from this material world.
गते मयि युवां लब्ध्वा वरं मत्सदृशं सुतम् । ग्राम्यान् भोगानभुञ्जाथां युवां प्राप्तमनोरथौ
gate mayi yuvāṃ labdhvā varaṃ matsadṛśaṃ sutam | grāmyān bhogānabhuñjāthāṃ yuvāṃ prāptamanorathau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After you received that benediction and I disappeared, you engaged yourselves in sex to have a son like Me, and I fulfilled your desire.
अदृष्ट्वान्यतमं लोके शीलौदार्यगुणैः समम् । अहं सुतो वामभवं पृश्निगर्भ इति श्रुतः
adṛṣṭvānyatamaṃ loke śīlaudāryaguṇaiḥ samam | ahaṃ suto vāmabhavaṃ pṛśnigarbha iti śrutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since I found no one else as highly elevated as you in simplicity and other qualities of good character, I appeared in this world as Pṛśnigarbha, or one who is celebrated as having taken birth from Pṛśni.
तयोर्वां पुनरेवाहमदित्यामास कश्यपात् । उपेन्द्र इति विख्यातो वामनत्वाच्च वामनः
tayorvāṃ punarevāhamadityāmāsa kaśyapāt | upendra iti vikhyāto vāmanatvācca vāmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the next millennium, I again appeared from the two of you, who appeared as My mother, Aditi, and My father, Kaśyapa. I was known as Upendra, and because of being a dwarf, I was also known as Vāmana.
तृतीयेऽस्मिन् भवेऽहं वै तेनैव वपुषाथ वाम् । जातो भूयस्तयोरेव सत्यं मे व्याहृतं सति
tṛtīye'smin bhave'haṃ vai tenaiva vapuṣātha vām | jāto bhūyastayoreva satyaṃ me vyāhṛtaṃ sati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O supremely chaste mother, I, the same personality, have now appeared of you both as your son for the third time. Take My words as the truth.
एतद्वां दर्शितं रूपं प्राग्जन्मस्मरणाय मे । नान्यथा मद्भवं ज्ञानं मर्त्यलिङ्गेन जायते
etadvāṃ darśitaṃ rūpaṃ prāgjanmasmaraṇāya me | nānyathā madbhavaṃ jñānaṃ martyaliṅgena jāyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I have shown you this form of Viṣṇu just to remind you of My previous births. Otherwise, if I appeared like an ordinary human child, you would not believe that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, has indeed appeared.
युवां मां पुत्रभावेन ब्रह्मभावेन चासकृत् । चिन्तयन्तौ कृतस्नेहौ यास्येथे मद्गतिं पराम्
yuvāṃ māṃ putrabhāvena brahmabhāvena cāsakṛt | cintayantau kṛtasnehau yāsyethe madgatiṃ parām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Both of you, husband and wife, constantly think of Me as your son, but always know that I am the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By thus thinking of Me constantly with love and affection, you will achieve the highest perfection: returning home, back to Godhead.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्युक्त्वाऽऽसीद्धरिस्तूष्णीं भगवानात्ममायया । पित्रोः सम्पश्यतोः सद्यो बभूव प्राकृतः शिशुः
śrīśuka uvāca | ityuktvā''sīddharistūṣṇīṃ bhagavānātmamāyayā | pitroḥ sampaśyatoḥ sadyo babhūva prākṛtaḥ śiśuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After thus instructing His father and mother, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, remained silent. In their presence, by His internal energy, He then transformed Himself into a small human child. [In other words, He transformed Himself into His original form: kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam.]
ततश्च शौरिर्भगवत्प्रचोदितः सुतं समादाय स सूतिका गृहात् । यदा बहिर्गन्तुमियेष तर्ह्यजा या योगमायाजनि नन्दजायया
tataśca śaurirbhagavatpracoditaḥ sutaṃ samādāya sa sūtikā gṛhāt | yadā bahirgantumiyeṣa tarhyajā yā yogamāyājani nandajāyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, exactly when Vasudeva, being inspired by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was about to take the newborn child from the delivery room, Yoga-māyā, the Lord’s spiritual energy, took birth as the daughter of the wife of Mahārāja Nanda.
मघोनि वर्षत्यसकृद्यमानुजा गम्भीरतोयौघजवोर्मिफेनिला । भयानकावर्तशताकुला नदी मार्गं ददौ सिन्धुरिव श्रियः पतेः
maghoni varṣatyasakṛdyamānujā gambhīratoyaughajavormiphenilā | bhayānakāvartaśatākulā nadī mārgaṃ dadau sindhuriva śriyaḥ pateḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of constant rain sent by the demigod Indra, the river Yamunā was filled with deep water, foaming about with fiercely whirling waves. But as the great Indian Ocean had formerly given way to Lord Rāmacandra by allowing Him to construct a bridge, the river Yamunā gave way to Vasudeva and allowed him to cross.
नन्दव्रजं शौरिरुपेत्य तत्र तान् गोपान् प्रसुप्तानुपलभ्य निद्रया । सुतं यशोदाशयने निधाय तत् सुतामुपादाय पुनर्गृहानगात्
nandavrajaṃ śaurirupetya tatra tān gopān prasuptānupalabhya nidrayā | sutaṃ yaśodāśayane nidhāya tat sutāmupādāya punargṛhānagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Vasudeva reached the house of Nanda Mahārāja, he saw that all the cowherd men were fast asleep. Thus he placed his own son on the bed of Yaśodā, picked up her daughter, an expansion of Yoga-māyā, and then returned to his residence, the prison house of Kaṁsa.
देवक्याः शयने न्यस्य वसुदेवोऽथ दारिकाम् । प्रतिमुच्य पदोर्लोहमास्ते पूर्ववदावृतः
devakyāḥ śayane nyasya vasudevo'tha dārikām | pratimucya padorlohamāste pūrvavadāvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vasudeva placed the female child on the bed of Devakī, bound his legs with the iron shackles, and thus remained there as before.
यशोदा नन्दपत्नी च जातं परमबुध्यत । न तल्लिङ्गं परिश्रान्ता निद्रयापगतस्मृतिः
yaśodā nandapatnī ca jātaṃ paramabudhyata | na talliṅgaṃ pariśrāntā nidrayāpagatasmṛtiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Exhausted by the labor of childbirth, Yaśodā was overwhelmed with sleep and unable to understand what kind of child had been born to her.
श्रीशुक उवाच । बहिरन्तःपुरद्वारः सर्वाः पूर्ववदावृताः । ततो बालध्वनिं श्रुत्वा गृहपालाः समुत्थिताः
śrīśuka uvāca | bahirantaḥpuradvāraḥ sarvāḥ pūrvavadāvṛtāḥ | tato bāladhvaniṃ śrutvā gṛhapālāḥ samutthitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King Parīkṣit, the doors inside and outside the house closed as before. Thereafter, the inhabitants of the house, especially the watchmen, heard the crying of the newborn child and thus awakened from their beds.
ते तु तूर्णमुपव्रज्य देवक्या गर्भजन्म तत् । आचख्युर्भोजराजाय यदुद्विग्नः प्रतीक्षते
te tu tūrṇamupavrajya devakyā garbhajanma tat | ācakhyurbhojarājāya yadudvignaḥ pratīkṣate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, all the watchmen very quickly approached King Kaṁsa, the ruler of the Bhoja dynasty, and submitted the news of the birth of Devakī’s child. Kaṁsa, who had awaited this news very anxiously, immediately took action.
स तल्पात्तूर्णमुत्थाय कालोऽयमिति विह्वलः । सूतीगृहमगात्तूर्णं प्रस्खलन् मुक्तमूर्धजः
sa talpāttūrṇamutthāya kālo'yamiti vihvalaḥ | sūtīgṛhamagāttūrṇaṃ praskhalan muktamūrdhajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaṁsa immediately got up from bed, thinking, “Here is Kāla, the supreme time factor, which has taken birth to kill me!” Thus overwhelmed, Kaṁsa, his hair scattered on his head, at once approached the place where the child had been born.
तमाह भ्रातरं देवी कृपणा करुणं सती । स्नुषेयं तव कल्याण स्त्रियं मा हन्तुमर्हसि
tamāha bhrātaraṃ devī kṛpaṇā karuṇaṃ satī | snuṣeyaṃ tava kalyāṇa striyaṃ mā hantumarhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Devakī helplessly, piteously appealed to Kaṁsa: My dear brother, all good fortune unto you. Don’t kill this girl. She will be your daughter-in-law. Indeed, it is unworthy of you to kill a woman.
बहवो हिंसिता भ्रातः शिशवः पावकोपमाः । त्वया दैवनिसृष्टेन पुत्रिकैका प्रदीयताम्
bahavo hiṃsitā bhrātaḥ śiśavaḥ pāvakopamāḥ | tvayā daivanisṛṣṭena putrikaikā pradīyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear brother, by the influence of destiny you have already killed many babies, each of them as bright and beautiful as fire. But kindly spare this daughter. Give her to me as your gift.
नन्वहं ते ह्यवरजा दीना हतसुता प्रभो । दातुमर्हसि मन्दाया अङ्गेमां चरमां प्रजाम्
nanvahaṃ te hyavarajā dīnā hatasutā prabho | dātumarhasi mandāyā aṅgemāṃ caramāṃ prajām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My lord, my brother, I am very poor, being bereft of all my children, but still I am your younger sister, and therefore it would be worthy of you to give me this last child as a gift.
श्रीशुक उवाच । उपगुह्यात्मजामेवं रुदत्या दीनदीनवत् । याचितस्तां विनिर्भर्त्स्य हस्तादाचिच्छिदे खलः
śrīśuka uvāca | upaguhyātmajāmevaṃ rudatyā dīnadīnavat | yācitastāṃ vinirbhartsya hastādācicchide khalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Piteously embracing her daughter and crying, Devakī begged Kaṁsa for the child, but he was so cruel that he chastised her and forcibly snatched the child from her hands.
तां गृहीत्वा चरणयोर्जातमात्रां स्वसुः सुताम् । अपोथयच्छिलापृष्ठे स्वार्थोन्मूलितसौहृदः
tāṃ gṛhītvā caraṇayorjātamātrāṃ svasuḥ sutām | apothayacchilāpṛṣṭhe svārthonmūlitasauhṛdaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having uprooted all relationships with his sister because of intense selfishness, Kaṁsa, who was sitting on his knees, grasped the newborn child by the legs and tried to dash her against the surface of a stone.
सा तद्धस्तात्समुत्पत्य सद्यो देव्यम्बरं गता । अदृश्यतानुजा विष्णोः सायुधाष्टमहाभुजा
sā taddhastātsamutpatya sadyo devyambaraṃ gatā | adṛśyatānujā viṣṇoḥ sāyudhāṣṭamahābhujā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The child, Yoga-māyā-devī, the younger sister of Lord Viṣṇu, slipped upward from Kaṁsa’s hands and appeared in the sky as Devī, the goddess Durgā, with eight arms, completely equipped with weapons.
किं मया हतया मन्द जातः खलु तवान्तकृत् । यत्र क्व वा पूर्वशत्रुर्मा हिंसीः कृपणान् वृथा
kiṃ mayā hatayā manda jātaḥ khalu tavāntakṛt | yatra kva vā pūrvaśatrurmā hiṃsīḥ kṛpaṇān vṛthā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Kaṁsa, you fool, what will be the use of killing me? The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has been your enemy from the very beginning and who will certainly kill you, has already taken His birth somewhere else. Therefore, do not unnecessarily kill other children.
इति प्रभाष्य तं देवी माया भगवती भुवि । बहुनामनिकेतेषु बहुनामा बभूव ह
iti prabhāṣya taṃ devī māyā bhagavatī bhuvi | bahunāmaniketeṣu bahunāmā babhūva ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After speaking to Kaṁsa in this way, the goddess Durgā, Yoga-māyā, appeared in different places, such as Vārāṇasī, and became celebrated by different names, such as Annapūrṇā, Durgā, Kālī and Bhadrā.
तयाभिहितमाकर्ण्य कंसः परमविस्मितः । देवकीं वसुदेवं च विमुच्य प्रश्रितोऽब्रवीत्
tayābhihitamākarṇya kaṃsaḥ paramavismitaḥ | devakīṃ vasudevaṃ ca vimucya praśrito'bravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After hearing the words of the goddess Durgā, Kaṁsa was struck with wonder. Thus he approached his sister Devakī and brother-in-law Vasudeva, released them immediately from their shackles, and very humbly spoke as follows.
अहो भगिन्यहो भाम मया वां बत पाप्मना । पुरुषाद इवापत्यं बहवो हिंसिताः सुताः
aho bhaginyaho bhāma mayā vāṃ bata pāpmanā | puruṣāda ivāpatyaṃ bahavo hiṃsitāḥ sutāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Alas, my sister! Alas, my brother-in-law! I am indeed so sinful that exactly like a man-eater [Rākṣasa] who eats his own child, I have killed so many sons born of you.
स त्वहं त्यक्तकारुण्यस्त्यक्तज्ञातिसुहृत्खलः । कान् लोकान् वै गमिष्यामि ब्रह्महेव मृतः श्वसन्
sa tvahaṃ tyaktakāruṇyastyaktajñātisuhṛtkhalaḥ | kān lokān vai gamiṣyāmi brahmaheva mṛtaḥ śvasan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being merciless and cruel, I have forsaken all my relatives and friends. Therefore, like a person who has killed a brāhmaṇa, I do not know to which planet I shall go, either after death or while breathing.
दैवमप्यनृतं वक्ति न मर्त्या एव केवलम् । यद्विश्रम्भादहं पापः स्वसुर्निहतवाञ्छिशून्
daivamapyanṛtaṃ vakti na martyā eva kevalam | yadviśrambhādahaṃ pāpaḥ svasurnihatavāñchiśūn
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Alas, not only human beings but sometimes even providence lies. And I am so sinful that I believed the omen of providence and killed so many of my sister’s children.
मा शोचतं महाभागावात्मजान् स्वकृतम्भुजः । जन्तवो न सदैकत्र दैवाधीनास्तदासते
mā śocataṃ mahābhāgāvātmajān svakṛtambhujaḥ | jantavo na sadaikatra daivādhīnāstadāsate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great souls, your children have suffered their own misfortune. Therefore, please do not lament for them. All living entities are under the control of the Supreme, and they cannot always live together.
भुवि भौमानि भूतानि यथा यान्त्यपयान्ति च । नायमात्मा तथैतेषु विपर्येति यथैव भूः
bhuvi bhaumāni bhūtāni yathā yāntyapayānti ca | nāyamātmā tathaiteṣu viparyeti yathaiva bhūḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this world, we can see that pots, dolls and other products of the earth appear, break and then disappear, mixing with the earth. Similarly, the bodies of all conditioned living entities are annihilated, but the living entities, like the earth itself, are unchanging and never annihilated [na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre].
यथानेवंविदो भेदो यत आत्मविपर्ययः । देहयोगवियोगौ च संसृतिर्न निवर्तते
yathānevaṃvido bhedo yata ātmaviparyayaḥ | dehayogaviyogau ca saṃsṛtirna nivartate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who does not understand the constitutional position of the body and the soul [ātmā] becomes too attached to the bodily concept of life. Consequently, because of attachment to the body and its by-products, he feels affected by union with and separation from his family, society and nation. As long as this continues, one continues his material life. [Otherwise, one is liberated.]
तस्माद्भद्रे स्वतनयान् मया व्यापादितानपि । मानुशोच यतः सर्वः स्वकृतं विन्दतेऽवशः
tasmādbhadre svatanayān mayā vyāpāditānapi | mānuśoca yataḥ sarvaḥ svakṛtaṃ vindate'vaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear sister Devakī, all good fortune unto you. Everyone suffers and enjoys the results of his own work under the control of providence. Therefore, although your sons have unfortunately been killed by me, please do not lament for them.
यावद्धतोऽस्मि हन्तास्मीत्यात्मानं मन्यते स्वदृक् । तावत्तदभिमान्यज्ञो बाध्यबाधकतामियात्
yāvaddhato'smi hantāsmītyātmānaṃ manyate svadṛk | tāvattadabhimānyajño bādhyabādhakatāmiyāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the bodily conception of life, one remains in darkness, without self-realization, thinking, “I am being killed” or “I have killed my enemies.” As long as a foolish person thus considers the self to be the killer or the killed, he continues to be responsible for material obligations, and consequently he suffers the reactions of happiness and distress.
क्षमध्वं मम दौरात्म्यं साधवो दीनवत्सलाः । इत्युक्त्वाश्रुमुखः पादौ श्यालः स्वस्रोरथाग्रहीत्
kṣamadhvaṃ mama daurātmyaṃ sādhavo dīnavatsalāḥ | ityuktvāśrumukhaḥ pādau śyālaḥ svasrorathāgrahīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaṁsa begged, “My dear sister and brother-in-law, please be merciful to such a poor-hearted person as me, since both of you are saintly persons. Please excuse my atrocities.” Having said this, Kaṁsa fell at the feet of Vasudeva and Devakī, his eyes full of tears of regret.
मोचयामास निगडाद्विश्रब्धः कन्यकागिरा । देवकीं वसुदेवं च दर्शयन्नात्मसौहृदम्
mocayāmāsa nigaḍādviśrabdhaḥ kanyakāgirā | devakīṃ vasudevaṃ ca darśayannātmasauhṛdam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Fully believing in the words of the goddess Durgā, Kaṁsa exhibited his familial affection for Devakī and Vasudeva by immediately releasing them from their iron shackles.
भ्रातुः समनुतप्तस्य क्षान्त्वा रोषं च देवकी । व्यसृजद्वसुदेवश्च प्रहस्य तमुवाच ह
bhrātuḥ samanutaptasya kṣāntvā roṣaṃ ca devakī | vyasṛjadvasudevaśca prahasya tamuvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Devakī saw her brother actually repentant while explaining ordained events, she was relieved of all anger. Similarly, Vasudeva was also free from anger. Smiling, he spoke to Kaṁsa as follows.
एवमेतन्महाभाग यथा वदसि देहिनाम् । अज्ञानप्रभवाहन्धीः स्वपरेति भिदा यतः
evametanmahābhāga yathā vadasi dehinām | ajñānaprabhavāhandhīḥ svapareti bhidā yataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great personality Kaṁsa, only by the influence of ignorance does one accept the material body and bodily ego. What you have said about this philosophy is correct. Persons in the bodily concept of life, lacking self-realization, differentiate in terms of “This is mine” and “This belongs to another.”
शोकहर्षभयद्वेषलोभमोहमदान्विताः । मिथो घ्नन्तं न पश्यन्ति भावैर्भावं पृथग्दृशः
śokaharṣabhayadveṣalobhamohamadānvitāḥ | mitho ghnantaṃ na paśyanti bhāvairbhāvaṃ pṛthagdṛśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Persons with the vision of differentiation are imbued with the material qualities lamentation, jubilation, fear, envy, greed, illusion and madness. They are influenced by the immediate cause, which they are busy counteracting, because they have no knowledge of the remote, supreme cause, the Personality of Godhead.
श्रीशुक उवाच । कंस एवं प्रसन्नाभ्यां विशुद्धं प्रतिभाषितः । देवकीवसुदेवाभ्यामनुज्ञातोऽविशद्गृहम्
śrīśuka uvāca | kaṃsa evaṃ prasannābhyāṃ viśuddhaṃ pratibhāṣitaḥ | devakīvasudevābhyāmanujñāto'viśadgṛham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thus having been addressed in purity by Devakī and Vasudeva, who were very much appeased, Kaṁsa felt pleased, and with their permission he entered his home.
तस्यां रात्र्यां व्यतीतायां कंस आहूय मन्त्रिणः । तेभ्य आचष्ट तत्सर्वं यदुक्तं योगनिद्रया
tasyāṃ rātryāṃ vyatītāyāṃ kaṃsa āhūya mantriṇaḥ | tebhya ācaṣṭa tatsarvaṃ yaduktaṃ yoganidrayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After that night passed, Kaṁsa summoned his ministers and informed them of all that had been spoken by Yoga-māyā [who had revealed that He who was to slay Kaṁsa had already been born somewhere else].
आकर्ण्य भर्तुर्गदितं तमूचुर्देवशत्रवः । देवान् प्रति कृतामर्षा दैतेया नातिकोविदाः
ākarṇya bharturgaditaṃ tamūcurdevaśatravaḥ | devān prati kṛtāmarṣā daiteyā nātikovidāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After hearing their master’s statement, the envious asuras, who were enemies of the demigods and were not very expert in their dealings, advised Kaṁsa as follows.
एवं चेत्तर्हि भोजेन्द्र पुरग्रामव्रजादिषु । अनिर्दशान् निर्दशांश्च हनिष्यामोऽद्य वै शिशून्
evaṃ cettarhi bhojendra puragrāmavrajādiṣu | anirdaśān nirdaśāṃśca haniṣyāmo'dya vai śiśūn
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If this is so, O King of the Bhoja dynasty, beginning today we shall kill all the children born in all the villages, towns and pasturing grounds within the past ten days or slightly more.
किमुद्यमैः करिष्यन्ति देवाः समरभीरवः । नित्यमुद्विग्नमनसो ज्याघोषैर्धनुषस्तव
kimudyamaiḥ kariṣyanti devāḥ samarabhīravaḥ | nityamudvignamanaso jyāghoṣairdhanuṣastava
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods always fear the sound of your bowstring. They are constantly in anxiety, afraid of fighting. Therefore, what can they do by their endeavors to harm you?
अस्यतस्ते शरव्रातैर्हन्यमानाः समन्ततः । जिजीविषव उत्सृज्य पलायनपरा ययुः
asyataste śaravrātairhanyamānāḥ samantataḥ | jijīviṣava utsṛjya palāyanaparā yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While being pierced by your arrows, which you discharged on all sides, some of them, who were injured by the multitude of arrows but who desired to live, fled the battlefield, intent on escaping.
केचित्प्राञ्जलयो दीना न्यस्तशस्त्रा दिवौकसः । मुक्तकच्छशिखाः केचिद्भीताः स्म इति वादिनः
kecitprāñjalayo dīnā nyastaśastrā divaukasaḥ | muktakacchaśikhāḥ kecidbhītāḥ sma iti vādinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Defeated and bereft of all weapons, some of the demigods gave up fighting and praised you with folded hands, and some of them, appearing before you with loosened garments and hair, said, “O lord, we are very much afraid of you.”
न त्वं विस्मृतशस्त्रास्त्रान् विरथान् भयसंवृतान् । हंस्यन्यासक्तविमुखान् भग्नचापानयुध्यतः
na tvaṃ vismṛtaśastrāstrān virathān bhayasaṃvṛtān | haṃsyanyāsaktavimukhān bhagnacāpānayudhyataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the demigods are bereft of their chariots, when they forget how to use weapons, when they are fearful or attached to something other than fighting, or when their bows are broken and they have thus lost the ability to fight, Your Majesty does not kill them.
किं क्षेमशूरैर्विबुधैरसंयुगविकत्थनैः । रहोजुषा किं हरिणा शम्भुना वा वनौकसा । किमिन्द्रेणाल्पवीर्येण ब्रह्मणा वा तपस्यता
kiṃ kṣemaśūrairvibudhairasaṃyugavikatthanaiḥ | rahojuṣā kiṃ hariṇā śambhunā vā vanaukasā | kimindreṇālpavīryeṇa brahmaṇā vā tapasyatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods boast uselessly while away from the battlefield. Only where there is no fighting can they show their prowess. Therefore, from such demigods we have nothing to fear. As for Lord Viṣṇu, He is in seclusion in the core of the hearts of the yogīs. As for Lord Śiva, he has gone to the forest. And as for Lord Brahmā, he is always engaged in austerities and meditation. The other demigods, headed by Indra, are devoid of prowess. Therefore you have nothing to fear.
तथापि देवाः सापत्न्यान्नोपेक्ष्या इति मन्महे । ततस्तन्मूलखनने नियुङ्क्ष्वास्माननुव्रतान्
tathāpi devāḥ sāpatnyānnopekṣyā iti manmahe | tatastanmūlakhanane niyuṅkṣvāsmānanuvratān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nonetheless, because of their enmity, our opinion is that the demigods should not be neglected. Therefore, to uproot them completely, engage us in fighting with them, for we are ready to follow you.
यथाऽऽमयोऽङ्गे समुपेक्षितो नृभि- र्नशक्यते रूढपदश्चिकित्सितुम् । यथेन्द्रियग्राम उपेक्षितस्तथा रिपुर्महान् बद्धबलो न चाल्यते
yathā''mayo'ṅge samupekṣito nṛbhi- rnaśakyate rūḍhapadaścikitsitum | yathendriyagrāma upekṣitastathā ripurmahān baddhabalo na cālyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a disease, if initially neglected, becomes acute and impossible to cure, or as the senses, if not controlled at first, are impossible to control later, an enemy, if neglected in the beginning, later becomes insurmountable.
मूलं हि विष्णुर्देवानां यत्र धर्मः सनातनः । तस्य च ब्रह्मगोविप्रास्तपो यज्ञाः सदक्षिणाः
mūlaṃ hi viṣṇurdevānāṃ yatra dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ | tasya ca brahmagoviprāstapo yajñāḥ sadakṣiṇāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The foundation of all the demigods is Lord Viṣṇu, who lives and is worshiped wherever there are religious principles, traditional culture, the Vedas, cows, brāhmaṇas, austerities, and sacrifices with proper remuneration.
तस्मात्सर्वात्मना राजन् ब्राह्मणान् ब्रह्मवादिनः । तपस्विनो यज्ञशीलान् गाश्च हन्मो हविर्दुघाः
tasmātsarvātmanā rājan brāhmaṇān brahmavādinaḥ | tapasvino yajñaśīlān gāśca hanmo havirdughāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, we, who are your adherents in all respects, shall therefore kill the Vedic brāhmaṇas, the persons engaged in offering sacrifices and austerities, and the cows that supply milk, from which clarified butter is obtained for the ingredients of sacrifice.
विप्रा गावश्च वेदाश्च तपः सत्यं दमः शमः । श्रद्धा दया तितिक्षा च क्रतवश्च हरेस्तनूः
viprā gāvaśca vedāśca tapaḥ satyaṃ damaḥ śamaḥ | śraddhā dayā titikṣā ca kratavaśca harestanūḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇas, the cows, Vedic knowledge, austerity, truthfulness, control of the mind and senses, faith, mercy, tolerance and sacrifice are the different parts of the body of Lord Viṣṇu, and they are the paraphernalia for a godly civilization.
स हि सर्वसुराध्यक्षो ह्यसुरद्विड्गुहाशयः । तन्मूला देवताः सर्वाः सेश्वराः सचतुर्मुखाः । अयं वै तद्वधोपायो यदृषीणां विहिंसनम्
sa hi sarvasurādhyakṣo hyasuradviḍguhāśayaḥ | tanmūlā devatāḥ sarvāḥ seśvarāḥ sacaturmukhāḥ | ayaṃ vai tadvadhopāyo yadṛṣīṇāṃ vihiṃsanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Viṣṇu, the Supersoul within the core of everyone’s heart, is the ultimate enemy of the asuras and is therefore known as asura-dviṭ. He is the leader of all the demigods because all the demigods, including Lord Śiva and Lord Brahmā, exist under His protection. The great saintly persons, sages and Vaiṣṇavas also depend upon Him. To persecute the Vaiṣṇavas, therefore, is the only way to kill Viṣṇu.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं दुर्मन्त्रिभिः कंसः सह सम्मन्त्र्य दुर्मतिः । ब्रह्महिंसां हितं मेने कालपाशावृतोऽसुरः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ durmantribhiḥ kaṃsaḥ saha sammantrya durmatiḥ | brahmahiṃsāṃ hitaṃ mene kālapāśāvṛto'suraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thus, having considered the instructions of his bad ministers, Kaṁsa, who was bound by the laws of Yamarāja and devoid of good intelligence because he was a demon, decided to persecute the saintly persons, the brāhmaṇas, as the only way to achieve his own good fortune.
सन्दिश्य साधुलोकस्य कदने कदनप्रियान् । कामरूपधरान् दिक्षु दानवान् गृहमाविशत्
sandiśya sādhulokasya kadane kadanapriyān | kāmarūpadharān dikṣu dānavān gṛhamāviśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These demons, the followers of Kaṁsa, were expert at persecuting others, especially the Vaiṣṇavas, and could assume any form they desired. After giving these demons permission to go everywhere and persecute the saintly persons, Kaṁsa entered his palace.
ते वै रजःप्रकृतयस्तमसा मूढचेतसः । सतां विद्वेषमाचेरुरारादागतमृत्यवः
te vai rajaḥprakṛtayastamasā mūḍhacetasaḥ | satāṃ vidveṣamācerurārādāgatamṛtyavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Surcharged with passion and ignorance and not knowing what was good or bad for them, the asuras, for whom impending death was waiting, began the persecution of the saintly persons.
आयुः श्रियं यशो धर्मं लोकानाशिष एव च । हन्ति श्रेयांसि सर्वाणि पुंसो महदतिक्रमः
āyuḥ śriyaṃ yaśo dharmaṃ lokānāśiṣa eva ca | hanti śreyāṃsi sarvāṇi puṃso mahadatikramaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, when a man persecutes great souls, all his benedictions of longevity, beauty, fame, religion, blessings and promotion to higher planets will be destroyed.
धेनूनां नियुते प्रादाद्विप्रेभ्यः समलङ्कृते । तिलाद्रीन् सप्त रत्नौघशातकौम्भाम्बरावृतान्
dhenūnāṃ niyute prādādviprebhyaḥ samalaṅkṛte | tilādrīn sapta ratnaughaśātakaumbhāmbarāvṛtān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja gave two million cows, completely decorated with cloth and jewels, in charity to the brāhmaṇas. He also gave them seven hills of grain, covered with jewels and with cloth decorated with golden embroidery.
कालेन स्नानशौचाभ्यां संस्कारैस्तपसेज्यया । शुध्यन्ति दानैः सन्तुष्ट्या द्रव्याण्यात्माऽऽत्मविद्यया
kālena snānaśaucābhyāṃ saṃskāraistapasejyayā | śudhyanti dānaiḥ santuṣṭyā dravyāṇyātmā''tmavidyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, by the passing of time, land and other material possessions are purified; by bathing, the body is purified; and by being cleansed, unclean things are purified. By purificatory ceremonies, birth is purified; by austerity, the senses are purified; and by worship and charity offered to the brāhmaṇas, material possessions are purified. By satisfaction, the mind is purified; and by self-realization, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the soul is purified.
सौमङ्गल्यगिरो विप्राः सूतमागधवन्दिनः । गायकाश्च जगुर्नेदुर्भेर्यो दुन्दुभयो मुहुः
saumaṅgalyagiro viprāḥ sūtamāgadhavandinaḥ | gāyakāśca jagurnedurbheryo dundubhayo muhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇas recited auspicious Vedic hymns, which purified the environment by their vibration. The experts in reciting old histories like the Purāṇas, the experts in reciting the histories of royal families, and general reciters all chanted, while singers sang and many kinds of musical instruments, like bherīs and dundubhis, played in accompaniment.
व्रजः सम्मृष्टसंसिक्तद्वाराजिरगृहान्तरः । चित्रध्वजपताकास्रक् चैलपल्लवतोरणैः
vrajaḥ sammṛṣṭasaṃsiktadvārājiragṛhāntaraḥ | citradhvajapatākāsrak cailapallavatoraṇaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vrajapura, the residence of Nanda Mahārāja, was fully decorated with varieties of festoons and flags, and in different places, gates were made with varieties of flower garlands, pieces of cloth, and mango leaves. The courtyards, the gates near the roads, and everything within the rooms of the houses were perfectly swept and washed with water.
गावो वृषा वत्सतरा हरिद्रातैलरूषिताः । विचित्रधातुबर्हस्रग्वस्त्रकाञ्चनमालिनः
gāvo vṛṣā vatsatarā haridrātailarūṣitāḥ | vicitradhātubarhasragvastrakāñcanamālinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cows, the bulls and the calves were thoroughly smeared with a mixture of turmeric and oil, mixed with varieties of minerals. Their heads were bedecked with peacock feathers, and they were garlanded and covered with cloth and golden ornaments.
महार्हवस्त्राभरणकञ्चुकोष्णीषभूषिताः । गोपाः समाययू राजन् नानोपायनपाणयः
mahārhavastrābharaṇakañcukoṣṇīṣabhūṣitāḥ | gopāḥ samāyayū rājan nānopāyanapāṇayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, the cowherd men dressed very opulently with valuable ornaments and garments such as coats and turbans. Decorated in this way and carrying various presentations in their hands, they approached the house of Nanda Mahārāja.
गोप्यश्चाकर्ण्य मुदिता यशोदायाः सुतोद्भवम् । आत्मानं भूषयाञ्चक्रुर्वस्त्राकल्पाञ्जनादिभिः
gopyaścākarṇya muditā yaśodāyāḥ sutodbhavam | ātmānaṃ bhūṣayāñcakrurvastrākalpāñjanādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopī wives of the cowherd men were very pleased to hear that mother Yaśodā had given birth to a son, and they began to decorate themselves very nicely with proper dresses, ornaments, black ointment for the eyes, and so on.
नवकुङ्कुमकिञ्जल्कमुखपङ्कजभूतयः । बलिभिस्त्वरितं जग्मुः पृथुश्रोण्यश्चलत्कुचाः
navakuṅkumakiñjalkamukhapaṅkajabhūtayaḥ | balibhistvaritaṃ jagmuḥ pṛthuśroṇyaścalatkucāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their lotuslike faces extraordinarily beautiful, being decorated with saffron and newly grown kuṅkuma, the wives of the cowherd men hurried to the house of mother Yaśodā with presentations in their hands. Because of natural beauty, the wives had full hips and full breasts, which moved as they hurried along.
गोप्यः सुमृष्टमणिकुण्डलनिष्ककण्ठ्य- श्चित्राम्बराः पथि शिखाच्युतमाल्यवर्षाः । नन्दालयं सवलया व्रजतीर्विरेजु- र्व्यालोलकुण्डलपयोधरहारशोभाः
gopyaḥ sumṛṣṭamaṇikuṇḍalaniṣkakaṇṭhya- ścitrāmbarāḥ pathi śikhācyutamālyavarṣāḥ | nandālayaṃ savalayā vrajatīrvireju- rvyālolakuṇḍalapayodharahāraśobhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the ears of the gopīs were brilliantly polished jeweled earrings, and from their necks hung metal lockets. Their hands were decorated with bangles, their dresses were of varied colors, and from their hair, flowers fell onto the street like showers. Thus while going to the house of Mahārāja Nanda, the gopīs, their earrings, breasts and garlands moving, were brilliantly beautiful.
ता आशिषः प्रयुञ्जानाश्चिरं पाहीति बालके । हरिद्राचूर्णतैलाद्भिः सिञ्चन्त्योऽजनमुज्जगुः
tā āśiṣaḥ prayuñjānāściraṃ pāhīti bālake | haridrācūrṇatailādbhiḥ siñcantyo'janamujjaguḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Offering blessings to the newborn child, Kṛṣṇa, the wives and daughters of the cowherd men said, “May You become the King of Vraja and long maintain all its inhabitants.” They sprinkled a mixture of turmeric powder, oil and water upon the birthless Supreme Lord and offered their prayers.
अवाद्यन्त विचित्राणि वादित्राणि महोत्सवे । कृष्णे विश्वेश्वरेऽनन्ते नन्दस्य व्रजमागते
avādyanta vicitrāṇi vāditrāṇi mahotsave | kṛṣṇe viśveśvare'nante nandasya vrajamāgate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now that the all-pervading, unlimited Lord Kṛṣṇa, the master of the cosmic manifestation, had arrived within the estate of Mahārāja Nanda, various types of musical instruments resounded to celebrate the great festival.
गोपाः परस्परं हृष्टा दधिक्षीरघृताम्बुभिः । आसिञ्चन्तो विलिम्पन्तो नवनीतैश्च चिक्षिपुः
gopāḥ parasparaṃ hṛṣṭā dadhikṣīraghṛtāmbubhiḥ | āsiñcanto vilimpanto navanītaiśca cikṣipuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In gladness, the cowherd men enjoyed the great festival by splashing one another’s bodies with a mixture of curd, condensed milk, butter and water. They threw butter on one another and smeared it on one another’s bodies.
रोहिणी च महाभागा नन्दगोपाभिनन्दिता । व्यचरद्दिव्यवासस्रक्कण्ठाभरणभूषिता
rohiṇī ca mahābhāgā nandagopābhinanditā | vyacaraddivyavāsasrakkaṇṭhābharaṇabhūṣitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The most fortunate Rohiṇī, the mother of Baladeva, was honored by Nanda Mahārāja and Yaśodā, and thus she also dressed gorgeously and decorated herself with a necklace, a garland and other ornaments. She was busy wandering here and there to receive the women who were guests at the festival.
तत आरभ्य नन्दस्य व्रजः सर्वसमृद्धिमान् । हरेर्निवासात्मगुणै रमाक्रीडमभून्नृप
tata ārabhya nandasya vrajaḥ sarvasamṛddhimān | harernivāsātmaguṇai ramākrīḍamabhūnnṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the home of Nanda Mahārāja is eternally the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His transcendental qualities and is therefore always naturally endowed with the opulence of all wealth. Yet beginning from Lord Kṛṣṇa’s appearance there, it became the place for the pastimes of the goddess of fortune.
गोपान् गोकुलरक्षायां निरूप्य मथुरां गतः । नन्दः कंसस्य वार्षिक्यं करं दातुं कुरूद्वह
gopān gokularakṣāyāṃ nirūpya mathurāṃ gataḥ | nandaḥ kaṃsasya vārṣikyaṃ karaṃ dātuṃ kurūdvaha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thereafter, my dear King Parīkṣit, O best protector of the Kuru dynasty, Nanda Mahārāja appointed the local cowherd men to protect Gokula and then went to Mathurā to pay the yearly taxes to King Kaṁsa.
वसुदेव उपश्रुत्य भ्रातरं नन्दमागतम् । ज्ञात्वा दत्तकरं राज्ञे ययौ तदवमोचनम्
vasudeva upaśrutya bhrātaraṃ nandamāgatam | jñātvā dattakaraṃ rājñe yayau tadavamocanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Vasudeva heard that Nanda Mahārāja, his very dear friend and brother, had come to Mathurā and already paid the taxes to Kaṁsa, he went to Nanda Mahārāja’s residence.
तं दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय देहः प्राणमिवागतम् । प्रीतः प्रियतमं दोर्भ्यां सस्वजे प्रेमविह्वलः
taṃ dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya dehaḥ prāṇamivāgatam | prītaḥ priyatamaṃ dorbhyāṃ sasvaje premavihvalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Nanda Mahārāja heard that Vasudeva had come, he was overwhelmed with love and affection, being as pleased as if his body had regained its life. Seeing Vasudeva suddenly present, he got up and embraced him with both arms.
पूजितः सुखमासीनः पृष्ट्वानामयमादृतः । प्रसक्तधीः स्वात्मजयोरिदमाह विशाम्पते
pūjitaḥ sukhamāsīnaḥ pṛṣṭvānāmayamādṛtaḥ | prasaktadhīḥ svātmajayoridamāha viśāmpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, having thus been received and welcomed by Nanda Mahārāja with honor, Vasudeva sat down very peacefully and inquired about his own two sons because of intense love for them.
दिष्ट्या भ्रातः प्रवयस इदानीमप्रजस्य ते । प्रजाशाया निवृत्तस्य प्रजा यत्समपद्यत
diṣṭyā bhrātaḥ pravayasa idānīmaprajasya te | prajāśāyā nivṛttasya prajā yatsamapadyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear brother Nanda Mahārāja, at an advanced age you had no son at all and were hopeless of having one. Therefore, that you now have a son is a sign of great fortune.
दिष्ट्या संसारचक्रेऽस्मिन् वर्तमानः पुनर्भवः । उपलब्धो भवानद्य दुर्लभं प्रियदर्शनम्
diṣṭyā saṃsāracakre'smin vartamānaḥ punarbhavaḥ | upalabdho bhavānadya durlabhaṃ priyadarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is also by good fortune that I am seeing you. Having obtained this opportunity, I feel as if I have taken birth again. Even though one is present in this world, to meet with intimate friends and dear relatives in this material world is extremely difficult.
नैकत्र प्रियसंवासः सुहृदां चित्रकर्मणाम् । ओघेन व्यूह्यमानानां प्लवानां स्रोतसो यथा
naikatra priyasaṃvāsaḥ suhṛdāṃ citrakarmaṇām | oghena vyūhyamānānāṃ plavānāṃ srotaso yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Many planks and sticks, unable to stay together, are carried away by the force of a river’s waves. Similarly, although we are intimately related with friends and family members, we are unable to stay together because of our varied past deeds and the waves of time.
कच्चित्पशव्यं निरुजं भूर्यम्बुतृणवीरुधम् । बृहद्वनं तदधुना यत्रास्से त्वं सुहृद्वृतः
kaccitpaśavyaṃ nirujaṃ bhūryambutṛṇavīrudham | bṛhadvanaṃ tadadhunā yatrāsse tvaṃ suhṛdvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear friend Nanda Mahārāja, in the place where you are living with your friends, is the forest favorable for the animals, the cows? I hope there is no disease or inconvenience. The place must be full of water, grass and other plants.
भ्रातर्मम सुतः कच्चिन्मात्रा सह भवद्व्रजे । तातं भवन्तं मन्वानो भवद्भ्यामुपलालितः
bhrātarmama sutaḥ kaccinmātrā saha bhavadvraje | tātaṃ bhavantaṃ manvāno bhavadbhyāmupalālitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My son Baladeva, being raised by you and your wife, Yaśodādevī, considers you His father and mother. Is He living very peacefully in your home with His real mother, Rohiṇī?
पुंसस्त्रिवर्गो विहितः सुहृदो ह्यनुभावितः । न तेषु क्लिश्यमानेषु त्रिवर्गोऽर्थाय कल्पते
puṃsastrivargo vihitaḥ suhṛdo hyanubhāvitaḥ | na teṣu kliśyamāneṣu trivargo'rthāya kalpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When one’s friends and relatives are properly situated, one’s religion, economic development and sense gratification, as described in the Vedic literatures, are beneficial. Otherwise, if one’s friends and relatives are in distress, these three cannot offer any happiness.
नन्द उवाच । अहो ते देवकीपुत्राः कंसेन बहवो हताः । एकावशिष्टावरजा कन्या सापि दिवं गता
nanda uvāca | aho te devakīputrāḥ kaṃsena bahavo hatāḥ | ekāvaśiṣṭāvarajā kanyā sāpi divaṃ gatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja said: Alas, King Kaṁsa killed so many of your children, born of Devakī. And your one daughter, the youngest child of all, entered the heavenly planets.
नूनं ह्यदृष्टनिष्ठोऽयमदृष्टपरमो जनः । अदृष्टमात्मनस्तत्त्वं यो वेद न स मुह्यति
nūnaṃ hyadṛṣṭaniṣṭho'yamadṛṣṭaparamo janaḥ | adṛṣṭamātmanastattvaṃ yo veda na sa muhyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Every man is certainly controlled by destiny, which determines the results of one’s fruitive activities. In other words, one has a son or daughter because of unseen destiny, and when the son or daughter is no longer present, this also is due to unseen destiny. Destiny is the ultimate controller of everyone. One who knows this is never bewildered.
वसुदेव उवाच । करो वै वार्षिको दत्तो राज्ञे दृष्टा वयं च वः । नेह स्थेयं बहुतिथं सन्त्युत्पाताश्च गोकुले
vasudeva uvāca | karo vai vārṣiko datto rājñe dṛṣṭā vayaṃ ca vaḥ | neha stheyaṃ bahutithaṃ santyutpātāśca gokule
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vasudeva said to Nanda Mahārāja: Now, my dear brother, since you have paid the annual taxes to Kaṁsa and have also seen me, do not stay in this place for many days. It is better to return to Gokula, since I know that there may be some disturbances there.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति नन्दादयो गोपाः प्रोक्तास्ते शौरिणा ययुः । अनोभिरनडुद्युक्तैस्तमनुज्ञाप्य गोकुलम्
śrīśuka uvāca | iti nandādayo gopāḥ proktāste śauriṇā yayuḥ | anobhiranaḍudyuktaistamanujñāpya gokulam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After Vasudeva advised Nanda Mahārāja in this way, Nanda Mahārāja and his associates, the cowherd men, took permission from Vasudeva, yoked their bulls to the bullock carts, and started riding for Gokula.
श्रीशुक उवाच । नन्दः पथि वचः शौरेर्न मृषेति विचिन्तयन् । हरिं जगाम शरणमुत्पातागमशङ्कितः
śrīśuka uvāca | nandaḥ pathi vacaḥ śaurerna mṛṣeti vicintayan | hariṃ jagāma śaraṇamutpātāgamaśaṅkitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, while Nanda Mahārāja was on the way home, he considered that what Vasudeva had said could not be false or useless. There must have been some danger of disturbances in Gokula. As Nanda Mahārāja thought about the danger for his beautiful son, Kṛṣṇa, he was afraid, and he took shelter at the lotus feet of the supreme controller.
कंसेन प्रहिता घोरा पूतना बालघातिनी । शिशूंश्चचार निघ्नन्ती पुरग्रामव्रजादिषु
kaṃsena prahitā ghorā pūtanā bālaghātinī | śiśūṃścacāra nighnantī puragrāmavrajādiṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Nanda Mahārāja was returning to Gokula, the same fierce Pūtanā whom Kaṁsa had previously engaged to kill babies was wandering about in the towns, cities and villages, doing her nefarious duty.
न यत्र श्रवणादीनि रक्षोघ्नानि स्वकर्मसु । कुर्वन्ति सात्वतां भर्तुर्यातुधान्यश्च तत्र हि
na yatra śravaṇādīni rakṣoghnāni svakarmasu | kurvanti sātvatāṃ bharturyātudhānyaśca tatra hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, wherever people in any position perform their occupational duties of devotional service by chanting and hearing [śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ], there cannot be any danger from bad elements. Therefore there was no need for anxiety about Gokula while the Supreme Personality of Godhead was personally present.
सा खेचर्येकदोपेत्य पूतना नन्दगोकुलम् । योषित्वा माययाऽऽत्मानं प्राविशत्कामचारिणी
sā khecaryekadopetya pūtanā nandagokulam | yoṣitvā māyayā''tmānaṃ prāviśatkāmacāriṇī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once upon a time, Pūtanā Rākṣasī, who could move according to her desire and was wandering in outer space, converted herself by mystic power into a very beautiful woman and thus entered Gokula, the abode of Nanda Mahārāja.
बालग्रहस्तत्र विचिन्वती शिशून् यदृच्छया नन्दगृहेऽसदन्तकम् । बालं प्रतिच्छन्ननिजोरुतेजसं ददर्श तल्पेऽग्निमिवाहितं भसि
bālagrahastatra vicinvatī śiśūn yadṛcchayā nandagṛhe'sadantakam | bālaṃ praticchannanijorutejasaṃ dadarśa talpe'gnimivāhitaṃ bhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While searching for small children, Pūtanā, whose business was to kill them, entered the house of Nanda Mahārāja unobstructed, having been sent by the superior potency of the Lord. Without asking anyone’s permission, she entered Nanda Mahārāja’s room, where she saw the child sleeping in bed, His unlimited power covered like a powerful fire covered by ashes. She could understand that this child was not ordinary, but was meant to kill all demons.
विबुध्य तां बालकमारिकाग्रहं चराचरात्मा स निमीलितेक्षणः । अनन्तमारोपयदङ्कमन्तकं यथोरगं सुप्तमबुद्धिरज्जुधीः
vibudhya tāṃ bālakamārikāgrahaṃ carācarātmā sa nimīlitekṣaṇaḥ | anantamāropayadaṅkamantakaṃ yathoragaṃ suptamabuddhirajjudhīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the all-pervading Supersoul, lying on the bed, understood that Pūtanā, a witch who was expert in killing small children, had come to kill Him. Therefore, as if afraid of her, Kṛṣṇa closed His eyes. Thus Pūtanā took upon her lap Him who was to be her own annihilation, just as an unintelligent person places a sleeping snake on his lap, thinking the snake to be a rope.
तां तीक्ष्णचित्तामतिवामचेष्टितां वीक्ष्यान्तरा कोशपरिच्छदासिवत् । वरस्त्रियं तत्प्रभया च धर्षिते निरीक्षमाणे जननी ह्यतिष्ठताम्
tāṃ tīkṣṇacittāmativāmaceṣṭitāṃ vīkṣyāntarā kośaparicchadāsivat | varastriyaṃ tatprabhayā ca dharṣite nirīkṣamāṇe jananī hyatiṣṭhatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pūtanā Rākṣasī’s heart was fierce and cruel, but she looked like a very affectionate mother. Thus she resembled a sharp sword in a soft sheath. Although seeing her within the room, Yaśodā and Rohiṇī, overwhelmed by her beauty, did not stop her, but remained silent because she treated the child like a mother.
तस्मिन् स्तनं दुर्जरवीर्यमुल्बणं घोराङ्कमादाय शिशोर्ददावथ । गाढं कराभ्यां भगवान् प्रपीड्य तत् प्राणैः समं रोषसमन्वितोऽपिबत्
tasmin stanaṃ durjaravīryamulbaṇaṃ ghorāṅkamādāya śiśordadāvatha | gāḍhaṃ karābhyāṃ bhagavān prapīḍya tat prāṇaiḥ samaṃ roṣasamanvito'pibat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On that very spot, the fiercely dangerous Rākṣasī took Kṛṣṇa on her lap and pushed her breast into His mouth. The nipple of her breast was smeared with a dangerous, immediately effective poison, but the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, becoming very angry at her, took hold of her breast, squeezed it very hard with both hands, and sucked out both the poison and her life.
सा मुञ्च मुञ्चालमिति प्रभाषिणी निष्पीड्यमानाखिलजीवमर्मणि । विवृत्य नेत्रे चरणौ भुजौ मुहुः प्रस्विन्नगात्रा क्षिपती रुरोद ह
sā muñca muñcālamiti prabhāṣiṇī niṣpīḍyamānākhilajīvamarmaṇi | vivṛtya netre caraṇau bhujau muhuḥ prasvinnagātrā kṣipatī ruroda ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Unbearably pressed in every vital point, the demon Pūtanā began to cry, “Please leave me, leave me! Suck my breast no longer!” Perspiring, her eyes wide open and her arms and legs flailing, she cried very loudly again and again.
तस्याः स्वनेनातिगभीररंहसा साद्रिर्मही द्यौश्च चचाल सग्रहा । रसा दिशश्च प्रतिनेदिरे जनाः पेतुः क्षितौ वज्रनिपातशङ्कया
tasyāḥ svanenātigabhīraraṃhasā sādrirmahī dyauśca cacāla sagrahā | rasā diśaśca pratinedire janāḥ petuḥ kṣitau vajranipātaśaṅkayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Pūtanā screamed loudly and forcefully, the earth with its mountains, and outer space with its planets, trembled. The lower planets and all directions vibrated, and people fell down, fearing that thunderbolts were falling upon them.
निशाचरीत्थं व्यथितस्तना व्यसु- र्व्यादाय केशांश्चरणौ भुजावपि । प्रसार्य गोष्ठे निजरूपमास्थिता वज्राहतो वृत्र इवापतन्नृप
niśācarītthaṃ vyathitastanā vyasu- rvyādāya keśāṃścaraṇau bhujāvapi | prasārya goṣṭhe nijarūpamāsthitā vajrāhato vṛtra ivāpatannṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way the demon Pūtanā, very much aggrieved because her breast was being attacked by Kṛṣṇa, lost her life. O King Parīkṣit, opening her mouth wide and spreading her arms, legs and hair, she fell down in the pasturing ground in her original form as a Rākṣasī, as Vṛtrāsura had fallen when killed by the thunderbolt of Indra.
पतमानोऽपि तद्देहस्त्रिगव्यूत्यन्तरद्रुमान् । चूर्णयामास राजेन्द्र महदासीत्तदद्भुतम्
patamāno'pi taddehastrigavyūtyantaradrumān | cūrṇayāmāsa rājendra mahadāsīttadadbhutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, when the gigantic body of Pūtanā fell to the ground, it smashed all the trees within a limit of twelve miles. Appearing in a gigantic body, she was certainly extraordinary.
बालं च तस्या उरसि क्रीडन्तमकुतोभयम् । गोप्यस्तूर्णं समभ्येत्य जगृहुर्जातसम्भ्रमाः
bālaṃ ca tasyā urasi krīḍantamakutobhayam | gopyastūrṇaṃ samabhyetya jagṛhurjātasambhramāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Without fear, the child Kṛṣṇa was playing on the upper portion of Pūtanā Rākṣasī’s breast, and when the gopīs saw the child’s wonderful activities, they immediately came forward with great jubilation and picked Him up.
यशोदारोहिणीभ्यां ताः समं बालस्य सर्वतः । रक्षां विदधिरे सम्यग्गोपुच्छभ्रमणादिभिः
yaśodārohiṇībhyāṃ tāḥ samaṃ bālasya sarvataḥ | rakṣāṃ vidadhire samyaggopucchabhramaṇādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, mother Yaśodā and Rohiṇī, along with the other elderly gopīs, waved about the switch of a cow to give full protection to the child Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
गोमूत्रेण स्नापयित्वा पुनर्गोरजसार्भकम् । रक्षां चक्रुश्च शकृता द्वादशाङ्गेषु नामभिः
gomūtreṇa snāpayitvā punargorajasārbhakam | rakṣāṃ cakruśca śakṛtā dvādaśāṅgeṣu nāmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The child was thoroughly washed with cow urine and then smeared with the dust raised by the movements of the cows. Then different names of the Lord were applied with cow dung on twelve different parts of His body, beginning with the forehead, as done in applying tilaka. In this way, the child was given protection.
गोप्यः संस्पृष्टसलिला अङ्गेषु करयोः पृथक् । न्यस्यात्मन्यथ बालस्य बीजन्यासमकुर्वत
gopyaḥ saṃspṛṣṭasalilā aṅgeṣu karayoḥ pṛthak | nyasyātmanyatha bālasya bījanyāsamakurvata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs first executed the process of ācamana, drinking a sip of water from the right hand. They purified their bodies and hands with the nyāsa-mantra and then applied the same mantra upon the body of the child.
इन्द्रियाणि हृषीकेशः प्राणान् नारायणोऽवतु । श्वेतद्वीपपतिश्चित्तं मनो योगेश्वरोऽवतु
indriyāṇi hṛṣīkeśaḥ prāṇān nārāyaṇo'vatu | śvetadvīpapatiścittaṃ mano yogeśvaro'vatu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May Hṛṣīkeśa protect Your senses, and Nārāyaṇa Your life air. May the master of Śvetadvīpa protect the core of Your heart, and may Lord Yogeśvara protect Your mind.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति प्रणयबद्धाभिर्गोपीभिः कृतरक्षणम् । पाययित्वा स्तनं माता सन्न्यवेशयदात्मजम्
śrīśuka uvāca | iti praṇayabaddhābhirgopībhiḥ kṛtarakṣaṇam | pāyayitvā stanaṃ mātā sannyaveśayadātmajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: All the gopīs, headed by mother Yaśodā, were bound by maternal affection. After they thus chanted mantras to protect the child, mother Yaśodā gave the child the nipple of her breast to suck and then got Him to lie down on His bed.
तावन्नन्दादयो गोपा मथुराया व्रजं गताः । विलोक्य पूतनादेहं बभूवुरतिविस्मिताः
tāvannandādayo gopā mathurāyā vrajaṃ gatāḥ | vilokya pūtanādehaṃ babhūvurativismitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Meanwhile, all the cowherd men, headed by Nanda Mahārāja, returned from Mathurā, and when they saw on the way the gigantic body of Pūtanā lying dead, they were struck with great wonder.
नूनं बतर्षिः सञ्जातो योगेशो वा समास सः । स एव दृष्टो ह्युत्पातो यदाहानकदुन्दुभिः
nūnaṃ batarṣiḥ sañjāto yogeśo vā samāsa saḥ | sa eva dṛṣṭo hyutpāto yadāhānakadundubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja and the other gopas exclaimed: My dear friends, you must know that Ānakadundubhi, Vasudeva, has become a great saint or a master of mystic power. Otherwise how could he have foreseen this calamity and predicted it to us?
कलेवरं परशुभिश्छित्त्वा तत्ते व्रजौकसः । दूरे क्षिप्त्वावयवशो न्यदहन् काष्ठधिष्टितम्
kalevaraṃ paraśubhiśchittvā tatte vrajaukasaḥ | dūre kṣiptvāvayavaśo nyadahan kāṣṭhadhiṣṭitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The inhabitants of Vraja cut the gigantic body of Pūtanā into pieces with the help of axes. Then they threw the pieces far away, covered them with wood and burned them to ashes.
दह्यमानस्य देहस्य धूमश्चागुरुसौरभः । उत्थितः कृष्णनिर्भुक्तसपद्याहतपाप्मनः
dahyamānasya dehasya dhūmaścāgurusaurabhaḥ | utthitaḥ kṛṣṇanirbhuktasapadyāhatapāpmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of Kṛṣṇa’s having sucked the breast of the Rākṣasī Pūtanā, when Kṛṣṇa killed her she was immediately freed of all material contamination. Her sinful reactions automatically vanished, and therefore when her gigantic body was being burnt, the smoke emanating from her body was fragrant like aguru incense.
कटधूमस्य सौरभ्यमवघ्राय व्रजौकसः । किमिदं कुत एवेति वदन्तो व्रजमाययुः
kaṭadhūmasya saurabhyamavaghrāya vrajaukasaḥ | kimidaṃ kuta eveti vadanto vrajamāyayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon smelling the fragrance of the smoke emanating from Pūtanā’s burning body, many inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi in distant places were astonished. “Where is this fragrance coming from?” they asked. Thus they went to the spot where Pūtanā’s body was being burnt.
ते तत्र वर्णितं गोपैः पूतनाऽऽगमनादिकम् । श्रुत्वा तन्निधनं स्वस्ति शिशोश्चासन् सुविस्मिताः
te tatra varṇitaṃ gopaiḥ pūtanā''gamanādikam | śrutvā tannidhanaṃ svasti śiśoścāsan suvismitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the inhabitants of Vraja who had come from distant places heard the whole story of how Pūtanā had come and then been killed by Kṛṣṇa, they were certainly astonished, and they offered their blessings to the child for His wonderful deed of killing Pūtanā. Nanda Mahārāja, of course, was very much obliged to Vasudeva, who had foreseen the incident, and simply thanked him, thinking how wonderful Vasudeva was.
नन्दः स्वपुत्रमादाय प्रेत्यागतमुदारधीः । मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय परमां मुदं लेभे कुरूद्वह
nandaḥ svaputramādāya pretyāgatamudāradhīḥ | mūrdhnyupāghrāya paramāṃ mudaṃ lebhe kurūdvaha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, best of the Kurus, Nanda Mahārāja was very liberal and simple. He immediately took his son Kṛṣṇa on his lap as if Kṛṣṇa had returned from death, and by formally smelling his son’s head, Nanda Mahārāja undoubtedly enjoyed transcendental bliss.
य एतत्पूतनामोक्षं कृष्णस्यार्भकमद्भुतम् । शृणुयाच्छ्रद्धया मर्त्यो गोविन्दे लभते रतिम्
ya etatpūtanāmokṣaṃ kṛṣṇasyārbhakamadbhutam | śṛṇuyācchraddhayā martyo govinde labhate ratim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Any person who hears with faith and devotion about how Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, killed Pūtanā, and who thus invests his hearing in such childhood pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, certainly attains attachment for Govinda, the supreme, original person.
अथान्यदपि कृष्णस्य तोकाचरितमद्भुतम् । मानुषं लोकमासाद्य तज्जातिमनुरुन्धतः
athānyadapi kṛṣṇasya tokācaritamadbhutam | mānuṣaṃ lokamāsādya tajjātimanurundhataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please describe other pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality, who appeared on this planet earth, imitating a human child and performing wonderful activities like killing Pūtanā.
श्रीशुक उवाच । कदाचिदौत्थानिककौतुकाप्लवे जन्मर्क्षयोगे समवेतयोषिताम् । वादित्रगीतद्विजमन्त्रवाचकै- श्चकार सूनोरभिषेचनं सती
śrīśuka uvāca | kadācidautthānikakautukāplave janmarkṣayoge samavetayoṣitām | vāditragītadvijamantravācakai- ścakāra sūnorabhiṣecanaṃ satī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When mother Yaśodā’s baby was slanting His body to attempt to rise and turn around, this attempt was observed by a Vedic ceremony. In such a ceremony, called utthāna, which is performed when a child is due to leave the house for the first time, the child is properly bathed. Just after Kṛṣṇa turned three months old, mother Yaśodā celebrated this ceremony with other women of the neighborhood. On that day, there was a conjunction of the moon with the constellation Rohiṇī. As the brāhmaṇas joined by chanting Vedic hymns and professional musicians also took part, this great ceremony was observed by mother Yaśodā.
नन्दस्य पत्नी कृतमज्जनादिकं विप्रैः कृतस्वस्त्ययनं सुपूजितैः । अन्नाद्यवासःस्रगभीष्टधेनुभिः सञ्जातनिद्राक्षमशीशयच्छनैः
nandasya patnī kṛtamajjanādikaṃ vipraiḥ kṛtasvastyayanaṃ supūjitaiḥ | annādyavāsaḥsragabhīṣṭadhenubhiḥ sañjātanidrākṣamaśīśayacchanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After completing the bathing ceremony for the child, mother Yaśodā received the brāhmaṇas by worshiping them with proper respect and giving them ample food grains and other eatables, clothing, desirable cows, and garlands. The brāhmaṇas properly chanted Vedic hymns to observe the auspicious ceremony, and when they finished and mother Yaśodā saw that the child felt sleepy, she lay down on the bed with the child until He was peacefully asleep.
औत्थानिकौत्सुक्यमना मनस्विनी समागतान् पूजयती व्रजौकसः । नैवाशृणोद्वै रुदितं सुतस्य सा रुदन् स्तनार्थी चरणावुदक्षिपत्
autthānikautsukyamanā manasvinī samāgatān pūjayatī vrajaukasaḥ | naivāśṛṇodvai ruditaṃ sutasya sā rudan stanārthī caraṇāvudakṣipat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The liberal mother Yaśodā, absorbed in celebrating the utthāna ceremony, was busy receiving guests, worshiping them with all respect and offering them clothing, cows, garlands and grains. Thus she could not hear the child crying for His mother. At that time, the child Kṛṣṇa, demanding to drink the milk of His mother’s breast, angrily threw His legs upward.
अधः शयानस्य शिशोरनोऽल्पक- प्रवालमृद्वङ्घ्रिहतं व्यवर्तत । विध्वस्तनानारसकुप्यभाजनं व्यत्यस्तचक्राक्षविभिन्नकूबरम्
adhaḥ śayānasya śiśorano'lpaka- pravālamṛdvaṅghrihataṃ vyavartata | vidhvastanānārasakupyabhājanaṃ vyatyastacakrākṣavibhinnakūbaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa was lying down underneath the handcart in one corner of the courtyard, and although His little legs were as soft as leaves, when He struck the cart with His legs, it turned over violently and collapsed. The wheels separated from the axle, the hubs and spokes fell apart, and the pole of the handcart broke. On the cart there were many little utensils made of various metals, and all of them scattered hither and thither.
दृष्ट्वा यशोदाप्रमुखा व्रजस्त्रिय औत्थानिके कर्मणि याः समागताः । नन्दादयश्चाद्भुतदर्शनाकुलाः कथं स्वयं वै शकटं विपर्यगात्
dṛṣṭvā yaśodāpramukhā vrajastriya autthānike karmaṇi yāḥ samāgatāḥ | nandādayaścādbhutadarśanākulāḥ kathaṃ svayaṃ vai śakaṭaṃ viparyagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When mother Yaśodā and the other ladies who had assembled for the utthāna festival, and all the men, headed by Nanda Mahārāja, saw the wonderful situation, they began to wonder how the handcart had collapsed by itself. They began to wander here and there, trying to find the cause, but were unable to do so.
ऊचुरव्यवसितमतीन् गोपान् गोपीश्च बालकाः । रुदतानेन पादेन क्षिप्तमेतन्न संशयः
ūcuravyavasitamatīn gopān gopīśca bālakāḥ | rudatānena pādena kṣiptametanna saṃśayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The assembled cowherd men and ladies began to contemplate how this thing had happened. “Is it the work of some demon or evil planet?” they asked. At that time, the small children present asserted that the cart had been kicked apart by the baby Kṛṣṇa. As soon as the crying baby had kicked the cart’s wheel, the cart had collapsed. There was no doubt about it.
न ते श्रद्दधिरे गोपा बालभाषितमित्युत । अप्रमेयं बलं तस्य बालकस्य न ते विदुः
na te śraddadhire gopā bālabhāṣitamityuta | aprameyaṃ balaṃ tasya bālakasya na te viduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The assembled gopīs and gopas, unaware that Kṛṣṇa is always unlimited, could not believe that baby Kṛṣṇa had such inconceivable power. They could not believe the statements of the children, and therefore they neglected these statements as being childish talk.
रुदन्तं सुतमादाय यशोदा ग्रहशङ्किता । कृतस्वस्त्ययनं विप्रैः सूक्तैः स्तनमपाययत्
rudantaṃ sutamādāya yaśodā grahaśaṅkitā | kṛtasvastyayanaṃ vipraiḥ sūktaiḥ stanamapāyayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thinking that some bad planet had attacked Kṛṣṇa, mother Yaśodā picked up the crying child and allowed Him to suck her breast. Then she called for experienced brāhmaṇas to chant Vedic hymns and perform an auspicious ritualistic ceremony.
पूर्ववत्स्थापितं गोपैर्बलिभिः सपरिच्छदम् । विप्रा हुत्वार्चयाञ्चक्रुर्दध्यक्षतकुशाम्बुभिः
pūrvavatsthāpitaṃ gopairbalibhiḥ saparicchadam | viprā hutvārcayāñcakrurdadhyakṣatakuśāmbubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the strong, stout cowherd men assembled the pots and paraphernalia on the handcart and set it up as before, the brāhmaṇas performed a ritualistic ceremony with a fire sacrifice to appease the bad planet, and then, with rice grains, kuśa, water and curd, they worshiped the Supreme Lord.
गावः सर्वगुणोपेता वासःस्रग्रुक्ममालिनीः । आत्मजाभ्युदयार्थाय प्रादात्ते चान्वयुञ्जत
gāvaḥ sarvaguṇopetā vāsaḥsragrukmamālinīḥ | ātmajābhyudayārthāya prādātte cānvayuñjata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja, for the sake of the affluence of his own son Kṛṣṇa, gave the brāhmaṇas cows fully decorated with garments, flower garlands and gold necklaces. These cows, fully qualified to give ample milk, were given to the brāhmaṇas in charity, and the brāhmaṇas accepted them and bestowed blessings upon the whole family, and especially upon Kṛṣṇa.
विप्रा मन्त्रविदो युक्तास्तैर्याः प्रोक्तास्तथाऽऽशिषः । ता निष्फला भविष्यन्ति न कदाचिदपि स्फुटम्
viprā mantravido yuktāstairyāḥ proktāstathā''śiṣaḥ | tā niṣphalā bhaviṣyanti na kadācidapi sphuṭam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇas, who were completely expert in chanting the Vedic hymns, were all yogīs fully equipped with mystic powers. Whatever blessings they spoke were certainly never fruitless.
एकदाऽऽरोहमारूढं लालयन्ती सुतं सती । गरिमाणं शिशोर्वोढुं न सेहे गिरिकूटवत्
ekadā''rohamārūḍhaṃ lālayantī sutaṃ satī | garimāṇaṃ śiśorvoḍhuṃ na sehe girikūṭavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One day, a year after Kṛṣṇa’s appearance, mother Yaśodā was patting her son on her lap. But suddenly she felt the child to be heavier than a mountain peak, and she could no longer bear His weight.
भूमौ निधाय तं गोपी विस्मिता भारपीडिता । महापुरुषमादध्यौ जगतामास कर्मसु
bhūmau nidhāya taṃ gopī vismitā bhārapīḍitā | mahāpuruṣamādadhyau jagatāmāsa karmasu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Feeling the child to be as heavy as the entire universe and therefore being anxious, thinking that perhaps the child was being attacked by some other ghost or demon, the astonished mother Yaśodā put the child down on the ground and began to think of Nārāyaṇa. Foreseeing disturbances, she called for the brāhmaṇas to counteract this heaviness, and then she engaged in her other household affairs. She had no alternative than to remember the lotus feet of Nārāyaṇa, for she could not understand that Kṛṣṇa was the original source of everything.
दैत्यो नाम्ना तृणावर्तः कंसभृत्यः प्रणोदितः । चक्रवातस्वरूपेण जहारासीनमर्भकम्
daityo nāmnā tṛṇāvartaḥ kaṃsabhṛtyaḥ praṇoditaḥ | cakravātasvarūpeṇa jahārāsīnamarbhakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the child was sitting on the ground, a demon named Tṛṇāvarta, who was a servant of Kaṁsa’s, came there as a whirlwind, at Kaṁsa’s instigation, and very easily carried the child away into the air.
गोकुलं सर्वमावृण्वन् मुष्णंश्चक्षूंषि रेणुभिः । ईरयन् सुमहाघोरशब्देन प्रदिशो दिशः
gokulaṃ sarvamāvṛṇvan muṣṇaṃścakṣūṃṣi reṇubhiḥ | īrayan sumahāghoraśabdena pradiśo diśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Covering the whole land of Gokula with particles of dust, that demon, acting as a strong whirlwind, covered everyone’s vision and began vibrating everywhere with a greatly fearful sound.
मुहूर्तमभवद्गोष्ठं रजसा तमसाऽऽवृतम् । सुतं यशोदा नापश्यत्तस्मिन् न्यस्तवती यतः
muhūrtamabhavadgoṣṭhaṃ rajasā tamasā''vṛtam | sutaṃ yaśodā nāpaśyattasmin nyastavatī yataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For a moment, the whole pasturing ground was overcast with dense darkness from the dust storm, and mother Yaśodā was unable to find her son where she had placed Him.
नापश्यत्कश्चनात्मानं परं चापि विमोहितः । तृणावर्तनिसृष्टाभिः शर्कराभिरुपद्रुतः
nāpaśyatkaścanātmānaṃ paraṃ cāpi vimohitaḥ | tṛṇāvartanisṛṣṭābhiḥ śarkarābhirupadrutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of the bits of sand thrown about by Tṛṇāvarta, people could not see themselves or anyone else, and thus they were illusioned and disturbed.
इति खरपवनचक्रपांसुवर्षे सुतपदवीमबलाविलक्ष्य माता । अतिकरुणमनुस्मरन्त्यशोच- द्भुवि पतिता मृतवत्सका यथा गौः
iti kharapavanacakrapāṃsuvarṣe sutapadavīmabalāvilakṣya mātā | atikaruṇamanusmarantyaśoca- dbhuvi patitā mṛtavatsakā yathā gauḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of the dust storm stirred up by the strong whirlwind, mother Yaśodā could find no trace of her son, nor could she understand why. Thus she fell down on the ground like a cow who has lost her calf and began to lament very pitifully.
रुदितमनुनिशम्य तत्र गोप्यो भृशमनुतप्तधियोऽश्रुपूर्णमुख्यः । रुरुदुरनुपलभ्य नन्दसूनुं पवन उपारत पांसुवर्षवेगे
ruditamanuniśamya tatra gopyo bhṛśamanutaptadhiyo'śrupūrṇamukhyaḥ | ruruduranupalabhya nandasūnuṃ pavana upārata pāṃsuvarṣavege
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the force of the dust storm and the winds subsided, Yaśodā’s friends, the other gopīs, approached mother Yaśodā, hearing her pitiful crying. Not seeing Kṛṣṇa present, they too felt very much aggrieved and joined mother Yaśodā in crying, their eyes full of tears.
तृणावर्तः शान्तरयो वात्यारूपधरो हरन् । कृष्णं नभो गतो गन्तुं नाशक्नोद्भूरिभारभृत्
tṛṇāvartaḥ śāntarayo vātyārūpadharo haran | kṛṣṇaṃ nabho gato gantuṃ nāśaknodbhūribhārabhṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having assumed the form of a forceful whirlwind, the demon Tṛṇāvarta took Kṛṣṇa very high in the sky, but when Kṛṣṇa became heavier than the demon, the demon had to stop his force and could go no further.
तमश्मानं मन्यमान आत्मनो गुरुमत्तया । गले गृहीत उत्स्रष्टुं नाशक्नोदद्भुतार्भकम्
tamaśmānaṃ manyamāna ātmano gurumattayā | gale gṛhīta utsraṣṭuṃ nāśaknodadbhutārbhakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of Kṛṣṇa’s weight, Tṛṇāvarta considered Him to be like a great mountain or a hunk of iron. But because Kṛṣṇa had caught the demon’s neck, the demon was unable to throw Him off. He therefore thought of the child as wonderful, since he could neither bear the child nor cast aside the burden.
गलग्रहणनिश्चेष्टो दैत्यो निर्गतलोचनः । अव्यक्तरावो न्यपतत्सह बालो व्यसुर्व्रजे
galagrahaṇaniśceṣṭo daityo nirgatalocanaḥ | avyaktarāvo nyapatatsaha bālo vyasurvraje
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With Kṛṣṇa grasping him by the throat, Tṛṇāvarta choked, unable to make even a sound or even to move his hands and legs. His eyes popping out, the demon lost his life and fell, along with the little boy, down to the ground of Vraja.
तमन्तरिक्षात्पतितं शिलायां विशीर्णसर्वावयवं करालम् । पुरं यथा रुद्रशरेण विद्धं स्त्रियो रुदत्यो ददृशुः समेताः
tamantarikṣātpatitaṃ śilāyāṃ viśīrṇasarvāvayavaṃ karālam | puraṃ yathā rudraśareṇa viddhaṃ striyo rudatyo dadṛśuḥ sametāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the gopīs who had gathered were crying for Kṛṣṇa, the demon fell from the sky onto a big slab of stone, his limbs dislocated, as if he had been pierced by the arrow of Lord Śiva like Tripurāsura.
प्रादाय मात्रे प्रतिहृत्य विस्मिताः कृष्णं च तस्योरसि लम्बमानम् । तं स्वस्तिमन्तं पुरुषादनीतं विहायसा मृत्युमुखात्प्रमुक्तम् । गोप्यश्च गोपाः किल नन्दमुख्या लब्ध्वा पुनः प्रापुरतीव मोदम्
prādāya mātre pratihṛtya vismitāḥ kṛṣṇaṃ ca tasyorasi lambamānam | taṃ svastimantaṃ puruṣādanītaṃ vihāyasā mṛtyumukhātpramuktam | gopyaśca gopāḥ kila nandamukhyā labdhvā punaḥ prāpuratīva modam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs immediately picked Kṛṣṇa up from the chest of the demon and delivered Him, free from all inauspiciousness, to mother Yaśodā. Because the child, although taken into the sky by the demon, was unhurt and now free from all danger and misfortune, the gopīs and cowherd men, headed by Nanda Mahārāja, were extremely happy.
अहो बतात्यद्भुतमेष रक्षसा बालो निवृत्तिं गमितोऽभ्यगात्पुनः । हिंस्रः स्वपापेन विहिंसितः खलः साधुः समत्वेन भयाद्विमुच्यते
aho batātyadbhutameṣa rakṣasā bālo nivṛttiṃ gamito'bhyagātpunaḥ | hiṃsraḥ svapāpena vihiṃsitaḥ khalaḥ sādhuḥ samatvena bhayādvimucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is most astonishing that although this innocent child was taken away by the Rākṣasa to be eaten, He has returned without having been killed or even injured. Because this demon was envious, cruel and sinful, he has been killed for his own sinful activities. This is the law of nature. An innocent devotee is always protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and a sinful person is always vanquished for his sinful life.
किं नस्तपश्चीर्णमधोक्षजार्चनं पूर्तेष्टदत्तमुत भूतसौहृदम् । यत्सम्परेतः पुनरेव बालको दिष्ट्या स्वबन्धून् प्रणयन्नुपस्थितः
kiṃ nastapaścīrṇamadhokṣajārcanaṃ pūrteṣṭadattamuta bhūtasauhṛdam | yatsamparetaḥ punareva bālako diṣṭyā svabandhūn praṇayannupasthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja and the others said: We must previously have performed austerities for a very long time, worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead, performed pious activities for public life, constructing public roads and wells, and also given charity, as a result of which this boy, although faced with death, has returned to give happiness to His relatives.
दृष्ट्वाद्भुतानि बहुशो नन्दगोपो बृहद्वने । वसुदेववचो भूयो मानयामास विस्मितः
dṛṣṭvādbhutāni bahuśo nandagopo bṛhadvane | vasudevavaco bhūyo mānayāmāsa vismitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having seen all these incidents in Bṛhadvana, Nanda Mahārāja became more and more astonished, and he remembered the words spoken to him by Vasudeva in Mathurā.
एकदार्भकमादाय स्वाङ्कमारोप्य भामिनी । प्रस्नुतं पाययामास स्तनं स्नेहपरिप्लुता
ekadārbhakamādāya svāṅkamāropya bhāminī | prasnutaṃ pāyayāmāsa stanaṃ snehapariplutā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One day mother Yaśodā, having taken Kṛṣṇa up and placed Him on her lap, was feeding Him milk from her breast with maternal affection. The milk was flowing from her breast, and the child was drinking it.
सा वीक्ष्य विश्वं सहसा राजन् सञ्जातवेपथुः । सम्मील्य मृगशावाक्षी नेत्रे आसीत्सुविस्मिता
sā vīkṣya viśvaṃ sahasā rājan sañjātavepathuḥ | sammīlya mṛgaśāvākṣī netre āsītsuvismitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When mother Yaśodā saw the whole universe within the mouth of her child, her heart began to throb, and in astonishment she wanted to close her restless eyes.
श्रीशुक उवाच । गर्गः पुरोहितो राजन् यदूनां सुमहातपाः । व्रजं जगाम नन्दस्य वसुदेवप्रचोदितः
śrīśuka uvāca | gargaḥ purohito rājan yadūnāṃ sumahātapāḥ | vrajaṃ jagāma nandasya vasudevapracoditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the priest of the Yadu dynasty, namely Garga Muni, who was highly elevated in austerity and penance, was then inspired by Vasudeva to go see Nanda Mahārāja at his home.
तं दृष्ट्वा परमप्रीतः प्रत्युत्थाय कृताञ्जलिः । आनर्चाधोक्षजधिया प्रणिपातपुरःसरम्
taṃ dṛṣṭvā paramaprītaḥ pratyutthāya kṛtāñjaliḥ | ānarcādhokṣajadhiyā praṇipātapuraḥsaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Nanda Mahārāja saw Garga Muni present at his home, Nanda was so pleased that he stood up to receive him with folded hands. Although seeing Garga Muni with his eyes, Nanda Mahārāja could appreciate that Garga Muni was adhokṣaja; that is, he was not an ordinary person seen by material senses.
सूपविष्टं कृतातिथ्यं गिरा सूनृतया मुनिम् । नन्दयित्वाब्रवीद्ब्रह्मन् पूर्णस्य करवाम किम्
sūpaviṣṭaṃ kṛtātithyaṃ girā sūnṛtayā munim | nandayitvābravīdbrahman pūrṇasya karavāma kim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Garga Muni had been properly received as a guest and was very comfortably seated, Nanda Mahārāja submitted with gentle and submissive words: Dear sir, because you are a devotee, you are full in everything. Yet my duty is to serve you. Kindly order me. What can I do for you?
महद्विचलनं नॄणां गृहिणां दीनचेतसाम् । निःश्रेयसाय भगवन् कल्पते नान्यथा क्वचित्
mahadvicalanaṃ nṝṇāṃ gṛhiṇāṃ dīnacetasām | niḥśreyasāya bhagavan kalpate nānyathā kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my lord, O great devotee, persons like you move from one place to another not for their own interests but for the sake of poor-hearted gṛhasthas [householders]. Otherwise they have no interest in going from one place to another.
ज्योतिषामयनं साक्षाद्यत्तज्ज्ञानमतीन्द्रियम् । प्रणीतं भवता येन पुमान् वेद परावरम्
jyotiṣāmayanaṃ sākṣādyattajjñānamatīndriyam | praṇītaṃ bhavatā yena pumān veda parāvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great saintly person, you have compiled the astrological knowledge by which one can understand past and present unseen things. By the strength of this knowledge, any human being can understand what he has done in his past life and how it affects his present life. This is known to you.
त्वं हि ब्रह्मविदां श्रेष्ठः संस्कारान् कर्तुमर्हसि । बालयोरनयोर्नॄणां जन्मना ब्राह्मणो गुरुः
tvaṃ hi brahmavidāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ saṃskārān kartumarhasi | bālayoranayornṝṇāṃ janmanā brāhmaṇo guruḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My lord, you are the best of the brāhmaṇas, especially because you are fully aware of the jyotiḥ-śāstra, the astrological science. Therefore you are naturally the spiritual master of every human being. This being so, since you have kindly come to my house, kindly execute the reformatory activities for my two sons.
गर्ग उवाच । यदूनामहमाचार्यः ख्यातश्च भुवि सर्वतः । सुतं मया संस्कृतं ते मन्यते देवकीसुतम्
garga uvāca | yadūnāmahamācāryaḥ khyātaśca bhuvi sarvataḥ | sutaṃ mayā saṃskṛtaṃ te manyate devakīsutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Garga Muni said: My dear Nanda Mahārāja, I am the priestly guide of the Yadu dynasty. This is known everywhere. Therefore, if I perform the purificatory process for your sons, Kaṁsa will consider Them the sons of Devakī.
नन्द उवाच । अलक्षितोऽस्मिन् रहसि मामकैरपि गोव्रजे । कुरु द्विजातिसंस्कारं स्वस्तिवाचनपूर्वकम्
nanda uvāca | alakṣito'smin rahasi māmakairapi govraje | kuru dvijātisaṃskāraṃ svastivācanapūrvakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja said: My dear great sage, if you think that your performing this process of purification will make Kaṁsa suspicious, then secretly chant the Vedic hymns and perform the purifying process of second birth here in the cow shed of my house, without the knowledge of anyone else, even my relatives, for this process of purification is essential.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं सम्प्रार्थितो विप्रः स्वचिकीर्षितमेव तत् । चकार नामकरणं गूढो रहसि बालयोः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ samprārthito vipraḥ svacikīrṣitameva tat | cakāra nāmakaraṇaṃ gūḍho rahasi bālayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Having thus been especially requested by Nanda Mahārāja to do that which he already desired to do, Garga Muni performed the name-giving ceremony for Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma in a solitary place.
गर्ग उवाच । अयं हि रोहिणीपुत्रो रमयन् सुहृदो गुणैः । आख्यास्यते राम इति बलाधिक्याद्बलं विदुः । यदूनामपृथग्भावात्सङ्कर्षणमुशन्त्युत
garga uvāca | ayaṃ hi rohiṇīputro ramayan suhṛdo guṇaiḥ | ākhyāsyate rāma iti balādhikyādbalaṃ viduḥ | yadūnāmapṛthagbhāvātsaṅkarṣaṇamuśantyuta
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Garga Muni said: This child, the son of Rohiṇī, will give all happiness to His relatives and friends by His transcendental qualities. Therefore He will be known as Rāma. And because He will manifest extraordinary bodily strength, He will also be known as Bala. Moreover, because He unites two families — Vasudeva’s family and the family of Nanda Mahārāja — He will be known as Saṅkarṣaṇa.
आसन् वर्णास्त्रयो ह्यस्य गृह्णतोऽनुयुगं तनूः । शुक्लो रक्तस्तथा पीत इदानीं कृष्णतां गतः
āsan varṇāstrayo hyasya gṛhṇato'nuyugaṃ tanūḥ | śuklo raktastathā pīta idānīṃ kṛṣṇatāṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your son Kṛṣṇa appears as an incarnation in every millennium. In the past, He assumed three different colors — white, red and yellow — and now He has appeared in a blackish color. [In another Dvāpara-yuga, He appeared (as Lord Rāmacandra) in the color of śuka, a parrot. All such incarnations have now assembled in Kṛṣṇa.]
प्रागयं वसुदेवस्य क्वचिज्जातस्तवात्मजः । वासुदेव इति श्रीमानभिज्ञाः सम्प्रचक्षते
prāgayaṃ vasudevasya kvacijjātastavātmajaḥ | vāsudeva iti śrīmānabhijñāḥ sampracakṣate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For many reasons, this beautiful son of yours sometimes appeared previously as the son of Vasudeva. Therefore, those who are learned sometimes call this child Vāsudeva.
बहूनि सन्ति नामानि रूपाणि च सुतस्य ते । गुणकर्मानुरूपाणि तान्यहं वेद नो जनाः
bahūni santi nāmāni rūpāṇi ca sutasya te | guṇakarmānurūpāṇi tānyahaṃ veda no janāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For this son of yours there are many forms and names according to His transcendental qualities and activities. These are known to me, but people in general do not understand them.
एष वः श्रेय आधास्यद्गोपगोकुलनन्दनः । अनेन सर्वदुर्गाणि यूयमञ्जस्तरिष्यथ
eṣa vaḥ śreya ādhāsyadgopagokulanandanaḥ | anena sarvadurgāṇi yūyamañjastariṣyatha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To increase the transcendental bliss of the cowherd men of Gokula, this child will always act auspiciously for you. And by His grace only, you will surpass all difficulties.
पुरानेन व्रजपते साधवो दस्युपीडिताः । अराजके रक्ष्यमाणा जिग्युर्दस्यून् समेधिताः
purānena vrajapate sādhavo dasyupīḍitāḥ | arājake rakṣyamāṇā jigyurdasyūn samedhitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Nanda Mahārāja, as recorded in history, when there was an irregular, incapable government, Indra having been dethroned, and people were being harassed and disturbed by thieves, this child appeared in order to protect the people and enable them to flourish, and He curbed the rogues and thieves.
य एतस्मिन् महाभागाः प्रीतिं कुर्वन्ति मानवाः । नारयोऽभिभवन्त्येतान् विष्णुपक्षानिवासुराः
ya etasmin mahābhāgāḥ prītiṃ kurvanti mānavāḥ | nārayo'bhibhavantyetān viṣṇupakṣānivāsurāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Demons [asuras] cannot harm the demigods, who always have Lord Viṣṇu on their side. Similarly, any person or group attached to Kṛṣṇa is extremely fortunate. Because such persons are very much affectionate toward Kṛṣṇa, they cannot be defeated by demons like the associates of Kaṁsa [or by the internal enemies, the senses].
तस्मान्नन्दात्मजोऽयं ते नारायणसमो गुणैः । श्रिया कीर्त्यानुभावेन गोपायस्व समाहितः
tasmānnandātmajo'yaṃ te nārāyaṇasamo guṇaiḥ | śriyā kīrtyānubhāvena gopāyasva samāhitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In conclusion, therefore, O Nanda Mahārāja, this child of yours is as good as Nārāyaṇa. In His transcendental qualities, opulence, name, fame and influence, He is exactly like Nārāyaṇa. You should all raise this child very carefully and cautiously.
इत्यात्मानं समादिश्य गर्गे च स्वगृहं गते । नन्दः प्रमुदितो मेने आत्मानं पूर्णमाशिषाम्
ityātmānaṃ samādiśya garge ca svagṛhaṃ gate | nandaḥ pramudito mene ātmānaṃ pūrṇamāśiṣām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: After Garga Muni, having instructed Nanda Mahārāja about Kṛṣṇa, departed for his own home, Nanda Mahārāja was very pleased and considered himself full of all good fortune.
कालेन व्रजताल्पेन गोकुले रामकेशवौ । जानुभ्यां सह पाणिभ्यां रिङ्गमाणौ विजह्रतुः
kālena vrajatālpena gokule rāmakeśavau | jānubhyāṃ saha pāṇibhyāṃ riṅgamāṇau vijahratuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After a short time passed, both brothers, Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, began to crawl on the ground of Vraja with the strength of Their hands and knees and thus enjoy Their childhood play.
तावङ्घ्रियुग्ममनुकृष्य सरीसृपन्तौ घोषप्रघोषरुचिरं व्रजकर्दमेषु । तन्नादहृष्टमनसावनुसृत्य लोकं मुग्धप्रभीतवदुपेयतुरन्ति मात्रोः
tāvaṅghriyugmamanukṛṣya sarīsṛpantau ghoṣapraghoṣaruciraṃ vrajakardameṣu | tannādahṛṣṭamanasāvanusṛtya lokaṃ mugdhaprabhītavadupeyaturanti mātroḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, with the strength of Their legs, crawled in the muddy places created in Vraja by cow dung and cow urine, Their crawling resembled the crawling of serpents, and the sound of Their ankle bells was very charming. Very much pleased by the sound of other people’s ankle bells, They used to follow these people as if going to Their mothers, but when They saw that these were other people, They became afraid and returned to Their real mothers, Yaśodā and Rohiṇī.
तन्मातरौ निजसुतौ घृणया स्नुवन्त्यौ पङ्काङ्गरागरुचिरावुपगुह्य दोर्भ्याम् । दत्त्वा स्तनं प्रपिबतोः स्म मुखं निरीक्ष्य मुग्धस्मिताल्पदशनं ययतुः प्रमोदम्
tanmātarau nijasutau ghṛṇayā snuvantyau paṅkāṅgarāgarucirāvupaguhya dorbhyām | dattvā stanaṃ prapibatoḥ sma mukhaṃ nirīkṣya mugdhasmitālpadaśanaṃ yayatuḥ pramodam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dressed with muddy earth mixed with cow dung and cow urine, the babies looked very beautiful, and when They went to Their mothers, both Yaśodā and Rohiṇī picked Them up with great affection, embraced Them and allowed Them to suck the milk flowing from their breasts. While sucking the breast, the babies smiled, and Their small teeth were visible. Their mothers, upon seeing those beautiful teeth, enjoyed great transcendental bliss.
यर्ह्यङ्गना दर्शनीयकुमारलीला- वन्तर्व्रजेतदबलाः प्रगृहीतपुच्छैः । वत्सैरितस्तत उभावनुकृष्यमाणौ प्रेक्षन्त्य उज्झितगृहा जहृषुर्हसन्त्यः
yarhyaṅganā darśanīyakumāralīlā- vantarvrajetadabalāḥ pragṛhītapucchaiḥ | vatsairitastata ubhāvanukṛṣyamāṇau prekṣantya ujjhitagṛhā jahṛṣurhasantyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Within the house of Nanda Mahārāja, the cowherd ladies would enjoy seeing the pastimes of the babies Rāma and Kṛṣṇa. The babies would catch the ends of the calves’ tails, and the calves would drag Them here and there. When the ladies saw these pastimes, they certainly stopped their household activities and laughed and enjoyed the incidents.
शृङ्ग्यग्निदंष्ट्र्यसिजलद्विजकण्टकेभ्यः क्रीडापरावतिचलौ स्वसुतौ निषेद्धुम् । गृह्याणि कर्तुमपि यत्र न तज्जनन्यौ शेकात आपतुरलं मनसोऽनवस्थाम्
śṛṅgyagnidaṃṣṭryasijaladvijakaṇṭakebhyaḥ krīḍāparāvaticalau svasutau niṣeddhum | gṛhyāṇi kartumapi yatra na tajjananyau śekāta āpaturalaṃ manaso'navasthām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When mother Yaśodā and Rohiṇī were unable to protect the babies from calamities threatened by horned cows, by fire, by animals with claws and teeth such as monkeys, dogs and cats, and by thorns, swords and other weapons on the ground, they were always in anxiety, and their household engagements were disturbed. At that time, they were fully equipoised in the transcendental ecstasy known as the distress of material affection, for this was aroused within their minds.
कालेनाल्पेन राजर्षे रामः कृष्णश्च गोकुले । अघृष्टजानुभिः पद्भिर्विचक्रमतुरञ्जसा
kālenālpena rājarṣe rāmaḥ kṛṣṇaśca gokule | aghṛṣṭajānubhiḥ padbhirvicakramaturañjasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, within a very short time both Rāma and Kṛṣṇa began to walk very easily in Gokula on Their legs, by Their own strength, without the need to crawl.
ततस्तु भगवान् कृष्णो वयस्यैर्व्रजबालकैः । सह रामो व्रजस्त्रीणां चिक्रीडे जनयन् मुदम्
tatastu bhagavān kṛṣṇo vayasyairvrajabālakaiḥ | saha rāmo vrajastrīṇāṃ cikrīḍe janayan mudam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, Lord Kṛṣṇa, along with Balarāma, began to play with the other children of the cowherd men, thus awakening the transcendental bliss of the cowherd women.
कृष्णस्य गोप्यो रुचिरं वीक्ष्य कौमारचापलम् । शृण्वन्त्याः किल तन्मातुरिति होचुः समागताः
kṛṣṇasya gopyo ruciraṃ vīkṣya kaumāracāpalam | śṛṇvantyāḥ kila tanmāturiti hocuḥ samāgatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Observing the very attractive childish restlessness of Kṛṣṇa, all the gopīs in the neighborhood, to hear about Kṛṣṇa’s activities again and again, would approach mother Yaśodā and speak to her as follows.
वत्सान् मुञ्चन् क्वचिदसमये क्रोशसञ्जातहासः स्तेयं स्वाद्वत्त्यथ दधि पयः कल्पितैः स्तेययोगैः । मर्कान् भोक्ष्यन् विभजति स चेन्नात्ति भाण्डं भिन्नत्ति द्रव्यालाभे स गृहकुपितो यात्युपक्रोश्य तोकान्
vatsān muñcan kvacidasamaye krośasañjātahāsaḥ steyaṃ svādvattyatha dadhi payaḥ kalpitaiḥ steyayogaiḥ | markān bhokṣyan vibhajati sa cennātti bhāṇḍaṃ bhinnatti dravyālābhe sa gṛhakupito yātyupakrośya tokān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Our dear friend Yaśodā, your son sometimes comes to our houses before the milking of the cows and releases the calves, and when the master of the house becomes angry, your son merely smiles. Sometimes He devises some process by which He steals palatable curd, butter and milk, which He then eats and drinks. When the monkeys assemble, He divides it with them, and when the monkeys have their bellies so full that they won’t take more, He breaks the pots. Sometimes, if He gets no opportunity to steal butter or milk from a house, He will be angry at the householders, and for His revenge He will agitate the small children by pinching them. Then, when the children begin crying, Kṛṣṇa will go away.
हस्ताग्राह्ये रचयति विधिं पीठकोलूखलाद्यैः छिद्रं ह्यन्तर्निहितवयुनः शिक्यभाण्डेषु तद्वित् । ध्वान्तागारे धृतमणिगणं स्वाङ्गमर्थप्रदीपं काले गोप्यो यर्हि गृहकृत्येषु सुव्यग्रचित्ताः
hastāgrāhye racayati vidhiṃ pīṭhakolūkhalādyaiḥ chidraṃ hyantarnihitavayunaḥ śikyabhāṇḍeṣu tadvit | dhvāntāgāre dhṛtamaṇigaṇaṃ svāṅgamarthapradīpaṃ kāle gopyo yarhi gṛhakṛtyeṣu suvyagracittāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“When the milk and curd are kept high on a swing hanging from the ceiling and Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma cannot reach it, They arrange to reach it by piling up various planks and turning upside down the mortar for grinding spices. Being quite aware of the contents of a pot, They poke holes in it. While the elderly gopīs go about their household affairs, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma sometimes go into a dark room, brightening the place with the valuable jewels and ornaments on Their bodies and taking advantage of this light by stealing.
एवं धार्ष्ट्यान्युशति कुरुते मेहनादीनि वास्तौ स्तेयोपायैर्विरचितकृतिः सुप्रतीको यथाऽऽस्ते । इत्थं स्त्रीभिः सभयनयनश्रीमुखालोकिनीभिः व्याख्यातार्था प्रहसितमुखी न ह्युपालब्धुमैच्छत्
evaṃ dhārṣṭyānyuśati kurute mehanādīni vāstau steyopāyairviracitakṛtiḥ supratīko yathā''ste | itthaṃ strībhiḥ sabhayanayanaśrīmukhālokinībhiḥ vyākhyātārthā prahasitamukhī na hyupālabdhumaicchat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“When Kṛṣṇa is caught in His naughty activities, the master of the house will say to Him, ‘Oh, You are a thief,’ and artificially express anger at Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa will then reply, ‘I am not a thief. You are a thief.’ Sometimes, being angry, Kṛṣṇa passes urine and stool in a neat, clean place in our houses. But now, our dear friend Yaśodā, this expert thief is sitting before you like a very good boy.” Sometimes all the gopīs would look at Kṛṣṇa sitting there, His eyes fearful so that His mother would not chastise Him, and when they saw Kṛṣṇa’s beautiful face, instead of chastising Him they would simply look upon His face and enjoy transcendental bliss. Mother Yaśodā would mildly smile at all this fun, and she would not want to chastise her blessed transcendental child.
एकदा क्रीडमानास्ते रामाद्या गोपदारकाः । कृष्णो मृदं भक्षितवानिति मात्रे न्यवेदयन्
ekadā krīḍamānāste rāmādyā gopadārakāḥ | kṛṣṇo mṛdaṃ bhakṣitavāniti mātre nyavedayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One day while Kṛṣṇa was playing with His small playmates, including Balarāma and other sons of the gopas, all His friends came together and lodged a complaint to mother Yaśodā. “Mother,” they submitted, “Kṛṣṇa has eaten earth.”
सा गृहीत्वा करे कृष्णमुपालभ्य हितैषिणी । यशोदा भयसम्भ्रान्तप्रेक्षणाक्षमभाषत
sā gṛhītvā kare kṛṣṇamupālabhya hitaiṣiṇī | yaśodā bhayasambhrāntaprekṣaṇākṣamabhāṣata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon hearing this from Kṛṣṇa’s playmates, mother Yaśodā, who was always full of anxiety over Kṛṣṇa’s welfare, picked Kṛṣṇa up with her hands to look into His mouth and chastise Him. Her eyes fearful, she spoke to her son as follows.
कस्मान्मृदमदान्तात्मन् भवान् भक्षितवान् रहः । वदन्ति तावका ह्येते कुमारास्तेऽग्रजोऽप्ययम्
kasmānmṛdamadāntātman bhavān bhakṣitavān rahaḥ | vadanti tāvakā hyete kumārāste'grajo'pyayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Kṛṣṇa, why are You so restless that You have eaten dirt in a solitary place? This complaint has been lodged against You by all Your playmates, including Your elder brother, Balarāma. How is this?
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । नाहं भक्षितवानम्ब सर्वे मिथ्याभिशंसिनः । यदि सत्यगिरस्तर्हि समक्षं पश्य मे मुखम्
śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca | nāhaṃ bhakṣitavānamba sarve mithyābhiśaṃsinaḥ | yadi satyagirastarhi samakṣaṃ paśya me mukham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa replied: My dear mother, I have never eaten dirt. All My friends complaining against Me are liars. If you think they are being truthful, you can directly look into My mouth and examine it.
यद्येवं तर्हि व्यादेहीत्युक्तः स भगवान् हरिः । व्यादत्ताव्याहतैश्वर्यः क्रीडामनुजबालकः
yadyevaṃ tarhi vyādehītyuktaḥ sa bhagavān hariḥ | vyādattāvyāhataiśvaryaḥ krīḍāmanujabālakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother Yaśodā challenged Kṛṣṇa, “If You have not eaten earth, then open Your mouth wide.” When challenged by His mother in this way, Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda Mahārāja and Yaśodā, to exhibit pastimes like a human child, opened His mouth. Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, who is full of all opulences, did not disturb His mother’s parental affection, His opulence was automatically displayed, for Kṛṣṇa’s opulence is never lost at any stage, but is manifest at the proper time.
किं स्वप्न एतदुत देवमाया किं वा मदीयो बत बुद्धिमोहः । अथो अमुष्यैव ममार्भकस्य यः कश्चनौत्पत्तिक आत्मयोगः
kiṃ svapna etaduta devamāyā kiṃ vā madīyo bata buddhimohaḥ | atho amuṣyaiva mamārbhakasya yaḥ kaścanautpattika ātmayogaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Mother Yaśodā began to argue within herself:] Is this a dream, or is it an illusory creation by the external energy? Has this been manifested by my own intelligence, or is it some mystic power of my child?
अथो यथावन्न वितर्कगोचरं चेतो मनःकर्मवचोभिरञ्जसा । यदाश्रयं येन यतः प्रतीयते सुदुर्विभाव्यं प्रणतास्मि तत्पदम्
atho yathāvanna vitarkagocaraṃ ceto manaḥkarmavacobhirañjasā | yadāśrayaṃ yena yataḥ pratīyate sudurvibhāvyaṃ praṇatāsmi tatpadam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore let me surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead and offer my obeisances unto Him, who is beyond the conception of human speculation, the mind, activities, words and arguments, who is the original cause of this cosmic manifestation, by whom the entire cosmos is maintained, and by whom we can conceive of its existence. Let me simply offer my obeisances, for He is beyond my contemplation, speculation and meditation. He is beyond all of my material activities.
अहं ममासौ पतिरेष मे सुतो व्रजेश्वरस्याखिलवित्तपा सती । गोप्यश्च गोपाः सह गोधनाश्च मे यन्माययेत्थं कुमतिः स मे गतिः
ahaṃ mamāsau patireṣa me suto vrajeśvarasyākhilavittapā satī | gopyaśca gopāḥ saha godhanāśca me yanmāyayetthaṃ kumatiḥ sa me gatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is by the influence of the Supreme Lord’s māyā that I am wrongly thinking that Nanda Mahārāja is my husband, that Kṛṣṇa is my son, and that because I am the queen of Nanda Mahārāja, all the wealth of cows and calves are my possessions and all the cowherd men and their wives are my subjects. Actually, I also am eternally subordinate to the Supreme Lord. He is my ultimate shelter.
इत्थं विदिततत्त्वायां गोपिकायां स ईश्वरः । वैष्णवीं व्यतनोन्मायां पुत्रस्नेहमयीं विभुः
itthaṃ viditatattvāyāṃ gopikāyāṃ sa īśvaraḥ | vaiṣṇavīṃ vyatanonmāyāṃ putrasnehamayīṃ vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother Yaśodā, by the grace of the Lord, could understand the real truth. But then again, the supreme master, by the influence of the internal potency, Yoga-māyā, inspired her to become absorbed in intense maternal affection for her son.
सद्योनष्टस्मृतिर्गोपी साऽऽरोप्यारोहमात्मजम् । प्रवृद्धस्नेहकलिलहृदयाऽऽसीद्यथा पुरा
sadyonaṣṭasmṛtirgopī sā''ropyārohamātmajam | pravṛddhasnehakalilahṛdayā''sīdyathā purā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Immediately forgetting Yoga-māyā’s illusion that Kṛṣṇa had shown the universal form within His mouth, mother Yaśodā took her son on her lap as before, feeling increased affection in her heart for her transcendental child.
त्रय्या चोपनिषद्भिश्च साङ्ख्ययोगैश्च सात्वतैः । उपगीयमानमाहात्म्यं हरिं सामन्यतात्मजम्
trayyā copaniṣadbhiśca sāṅkhyayogaiśca sātvataiḥ | upagīyamānamāhātmyaṃ hariṃ sāmanyatātmajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are studied through the three Vedas, the Upaniṣads, the literature of Sāṅkhya-yoga, and other Vaiṣṇava literature, yet mother Yaśodā considered that Supreme Person her ordinary child.
राजोवाच । नन्दः किमकरोद्ब्रह्मन् श्रेय एवं महोदयम् । यशोदा च महाभागा पपौ यस्याः स्तनं हरिः
rājovāca | nandaḥ kimakarodbrahman śreya evaṃ mahodayam | yaśodā ca mahābhāgā papau yasyāḥ stanaṃ hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having heard of the great fortune of mother Yaśodā, Parīkṣit Mahārāja inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: O learned brāhmaṇa, mother Yaśodā’s breast milk was sucked by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. What past auspicious activities did she and Nanda Mahārāja perform to achieve such perfection in ecstatic love?
पितरौ नान्वविन्देतां कृष्णोदारार्भकेहितम् । गायन्त्यद्यापि कवयो यल्लोकशमलापहम्
pitarau nānvavindetāṃ kṛṣṇodārārbhakehitam | gāyantyadyāpi kavayo yallokaśamalāpaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although Kṛṣṇa was so pleased with Vasudeva and Devakī that He descended as their son, they could not enjoy Kṛṣṇa’s magnanimous childhood pastimes, which are so great that simply chanting about them vanquishes the contamination of the material world. Nanda Mahārāja and Yaśodā, however, enjoyed these pastimes fully, and therefore their position is always better than that of Vasudeva and Devakī.
श्रीशुक उवाच । द्रोणो वसूनां प्रवरो धरया सह भार्यया । करिष्यमाण आदेशान् ब्रह्मणस्तमुवाच ह
śrīśuka uvāca | droṇo vasūnāṃ pravaro dharayā saha bhāryayā | kariṣyamāṇa ādeśān brahmaṇastamuvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: To follow the orders of Lord Brahmā, Droṇa, the best of the Vasus, along with his wife, Dharā, spoke to Lord Brahmā in this way.
जातयोर्नौ महादेवे भुवि विश्वेश्वरे हरौ । भक्तिः स्यात्परमा लोके ययाञ्जो दुर्गतिं तरेत्
jātayornau mahādeve bhuvi viśveśvare harau | bhaktiḥ syātparamā loke yayāñjo durgatiṃ taret
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Droṇa and Dharā said: Please permit us to be born on the planet earth so that after our appearance, the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller and master of all planets, will also appear and spread devotional service, the ultimate goal of life, so that those born in this material world may very easily be delivered from the miserable condition of materialistic life by accepting this devotional service.
अस्त्वित्युक्तः स भगवान् व्रजे द्रोणो महायशाः । जज्ञे नन्द इति ख्यातो यशोदा सा धराभवत्
astvityuktaḥ sa bhagavān vraje droṇo mahāyaśāḥ | jajñe nanda iti khyāto yaśodā sā dharābhavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Brahmā said, “Yes, let it be so,” the most fortune Droṇa, who was equal to Bhagavān, appeared in Vrajapura, Vṛndāvana, as the most famous Nanda Mahārāja, and his wife, Dharā, appeared as mother Yaśodā.
ततो भक्तिर्भगवति पुत्रीभूते जनार्दने । दम्पत्योर्नितरामासीद्गोपगोपीषु भारत
tato bhaktirbhagavati putrībhūte janārdane | dampatyornitarāmāsīdgopagopīṣu bhārata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, best of the Bhāratas, when the Supreme Personality of Godhead became the son of Nanda Mahārāja and Yaśodā, they maintained continuous, unswerving devotional love in parental affection. And in their association, all the other inhabitants of Vṛndāvana, the gopas and gopīs, developed the culture of kṛṣṇa-bhakti.
कृष्णो ब्रह्मण आदेशं सत्यं कर्तुं व्रजे विभुः । सह रामो वसंश्चक्रे तेषां प्रीतिं स्वलीलया
kṛṣṇo brahmaṇa ādeśaṃ satyaṃ kartuṃ vraje vibhuḥ | saha rāmo vasaṃścakre teṣāṃ prītiṃ svalīlayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the Supreme Personality, Kṛṣṇa, along with Balarāma, lived in Vrajabhūmi, Vṛndāvana, just to substantiate the benediction of Brahmā. By exhibiting different pastimes in His childhood, He increased the transcendental pleasure of Nanda and the other inhabitants of Vṛndāvana.
क्षौमं वासः पृथुकटितटे बिभ्रती सूत्रनद्धं पुत्रस्नेहस्नुतकुचयुगं जातकम्पं च सुभ्रूः । रज्ज्वाकर्षश्रमभुजचलत्कङ्कणौ कुण्डले च स्विन्नं वक्त्रं कबरविगलन्मालती निर्ममन्थ
kṣaumaṃ vāsaḥ pṛthukaṭitaṭe bibhratī sūtranaddhaṃ putrasnehasnutakucayugaṃ jātakampaṃ ca subhrūḥ | rajjvākarṣaśramabhujacalatkaṅkaṇau kuṇḍale ca svinnaṃ vaktraṃ kabaravigalanmālatī nirmamantha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dressed in a saffron-yellow sari, with a belt tied about her full hips, mother Yaśodā pulled on the churning rope, laboring considerably, her bangles and earrings moving and vibrating and her whole body shaking. Because of her intense love for her child, her breasts were wet with milk. Her face, with its very beautiful eyebrows, was wet with perspiration, and mālatī flowers were falling from her hair.
तां स्तन्यकाम आसाद्य मथ्नन्तीं जननीं हरिः । गृहीत्वा दधिमन्थानं न्यषेधत्प्रीतिमावहन्
tāṃ stanyakāma āsādya mathnantīṃ jananīṃ hariḥ | gṛhītvā dadhimanthānaṃ nyaṣedhatprītimāvahan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While mother Yaśodā was churning butter, Lord Kṛṣṇa, desiring to drink the milk of her breast, appeared before her, and in order to increase her transcendental pleasure, He caught hold of the churning rod and began to prevent her from churning.
तमङ्कमारूढमपाययत्स्तनं स्नेहस्नुतं सस्मितमीक्षती मुखम् । अतृप्तमुत्सृज्य जवेन सा यया- वुत्सिच्यमाने पयसि त्वधिश्रिते
tamaṅkamārūḍhamapāyayatstanaṃ snehasnutaṃ sasmitamīkṣatī mukham | atṛptamutsṛjya javena sā yayā- vutsicyamāne payasi tvadhiśrite
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother Yaśodā then embraced Kṛṣṇa, allowed Him to sit down on her lap, and began to look upon the face of the Lord with great love and affection. Because of her intense affection, milk was flowing from her breast. But when she saw that the milk pan on the oven was boiling over, she immediately left her son to take care of the overflowing milk, although the child was not yet fully satisfied with drinking the milk of His mother’s breast.
सञ्जातकोपः स्फुरितारुणाधरं सन्दश्य दद्भिर्दधिमन्थभाजनम् । भित्त्वा मृषाश्रुर्दृषदश्मना रहो जघास हैयङ्गवमन्तरं गतः
sañjātakopaḥ sphuritāruṇādharaṃ sandaśya dadbhirdadhimanthabhājanam | bhittvā mṛṣāśrurdṛṣadaśmanā raho jaghāsa haiyaṅgavamantaraṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being very angry and biting His reddish lips with His teeth, Kṛṣṇa, with false tears in His eyes, broke the container of yogurt with a piece of stone. Then He entered a room and began to eat the freshly churned butter in a solitary place.
उत्तार्य गोपी सुशृतं पयः पुनः प्रविश्य सन्दृश्य च दध्यमत्रकम् । भग्नं विलोक्य स्वसुतस्य कर्म त- ज्जहास तं चापि न तत्र पश्यती
uttārya gopī suśṛtaṃ payaḥ punaḥ praviśya sandṛśya ca dadhyamatrakam | bhagnaṃ vilokya svasutasya karma ta- jjahāsa taṃ cāpi na tatra paśyatī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother Yaśodā, after taking down the hot milk from the oven, returned to the churning spot, and when she saw that the container of yogurt was broken and that Kṛṣṇa was not present, she concluded that the breaking of the pot was the work of Kṛṣṇa.
उलूखलाङ्घ्रेरुपरि व्यवस्थितं मर्काय कामं ददतं शिचि स्थितम् । हैयङ्गवं चौर्यविशङ्कितेक्षणं निरीक्ष्य पश्चात्सुतमागमच्छनैः
ulūkhalāṅghrerupari vyavasthitaṃ markāya kāmaṃ dadataṃ śici sthitam | haiyaṅgavaṃ cauryaviśaṅkitekṣaṇaṃ nirīkṣya paścātsutamāgamacchanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa, at that time, was sitting on an upside-down wooden mortar for grinding spices and was distributing milk preparations such as yogurt and butter to the monkeys as He liked. Because of having stolen, He was looking all around with great anxiety, suspecting that He might be chastised by His mother. Mother Yaśodā, upon seeing Him, very cautiously approached Him from behind.
तामात्तयष्टिं प्रसमीक्ष्य सत्वर- स्ततोऽवरुध्यापससार भीतवत् । गोप्यन्वधावन्न यमाप योगिनां क्षमं प्रवेष्टुं तपसेरितं मनः
tāmāttayaṣṭiṃ prasamīkṣya satvara- stato'varudhyāpasasāra bhītavat | gopyanvadhāvanna yamāpa yogināṃ kṣamaṃ praveṣṭuṃ tapaseritaṃ manaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa saw His mother, stick in hand, He very quickly got down from the top of the mortar and began to flee as if very much afraid. Although yogīs try to capture Him as Paramātmā by meditation, desiring to enter into the effulgence of the Lord with great austerities and penances, they fail to reach Him. But mother Yaśodā, thinking that same Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, to be her son, began following Kṛṣṇa to catch Him.
अन्वञ्चमाना जननी बृहच्चल- च्छ्रोणीभराक्रान्तगतिः सुमध्यमा । जवेन विस्रंसितकेशबन्धन- च्युतप्रसूनानुगतिः परामृशत्
anvañcamānā jananī bṛhaccala- cchroṇībharākrāntagatiḥ sumadhyamā | javena visraṃsitakeśabandhana- cyutaprasūnānugatiḥ parāmṛśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While following Kṛṣṇa, mother Yaśodā, her thin waist overburdened by her heavy breasts, naturally had to reduce her speed. Because of following Kṛṣṇa very swiftly, her hair became loose, and the flowers in her hair were falling after her. Yet she did not fail to capture her son, Kṛṣṇa.
कृतागसं तं प्ररुदन्तमक्षिणी कषन्तमञ्जन्मषिणी स्वपाणिना । उद्वीक्षमाणं भयविह्वलेक्षणं हस्ते गृहीत्वा भिषयन्त्यवागुरत्
kṛtāgasaṃ taṃ prarudantamakṣiṇī kaṣantamañjanmaṣiṇī svapāṇinā | udvīkṣamāṇaṃ bhayavihvalekṣaṇaṃ haste gṛhītvā bhiṣayantyavāgurat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When caught by mother Yaśodā, Kṛṣṇa became more and more afraid and admitted to being an offender. As she looked upon Him, she saw that He was crying, His tears mixing with the black ointment around His eyes, and as He rubbed His eyes with His hands, He smeared the ointment all over His face. Mother Yaśodā, catching her beautiful son by the hand, mildly began to chastise Him.
त्यक्त्वा यष्टिं सुतं भीतं विज्ञायार्भकवत्सला । इयेष किल तं बद्धुं दाम्नातद्वीर्यकोविदा
tyaktvā yaṣṭiṃ sutaṃ bhītaṃ vijñāyārbhakavatsalā | iyeṣa kila taṃ baddhuṃ dāmnātadvīryakovidā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother Yaśodā was always overwhelmed by intense love for Kṛṣṇa, not knowing who Kṛṣṇa was or how powerful He was. Because of maternal affection for Kṛṣṇa, she never even cared to know who He was. Therefore, when she saw that her son had become excessively afraid, she threw the stick away and desired to bind Him so that He would not commit any further naughty activities.
तद्दाम बध्यमानस्य स्वार्भकस्य कृतागसः । द्व्यङ्गुलोनमभूत्तेन सन्दधेऽन्यच्च गोपिका
taddāma badhyamānasya svārbhakasya kṛtāgasaḥ | dvyaṅgulonamabhūttena sandadhe'nyacca gopikā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When mother Yaśodā was trying to bind the offending child, she saw that the binding rope was short by a distance the width of two fingers. Thus she brought another rope to join to it.
यदासीत्तदपि न्यूनं तेनान्यदपि सन्दधे । तदपि द्व्यङ्गुलं न्यूनं यद्यदादत्त बन्धनम्
yadāsīttadapi nyūnaṃ tenānyadapi sandadhe | tadapi dvyaṅgulaṃ nyūnaṃ yadyadādatta bandhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This new rope also was short by a measurement of two fingers, and when another rope was joined to it, it was still two fingers too short. As many ropes as she joined, all of them failed; their shortness could not be overcome.
एवं स्वगेहदामानि यशोदा सन्दधत्यपि । गोपीनां सुस्मयन्तीनां स्मयन्ती विस्मिताभवत्
evaṃ svagehadāmāni yaśodā sandadhatyapi | gopīnāṃ susmayantīnāṃ smayantī vismitābhavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus mother Yaśodā joined whatever ropes were available in the household, but still she failed in her attempt to bind Kṛṣṇa. Mother Yaśodā’s friends, the elderly gopīs in the neighborhood, were smiling and enjoying the fun. Similarly, mother Yaśodā, although laboring in that way, was also smiling. All of them were struck with wonder.
स्वमातुः स्विन्नगात्राया विस्रस्तकबरस्रजः । दृष्ट्वा परिश्रमं कृष्णः कृपयाऽऽसीत्स्वबन्धने
svamātuḥ svinnagātrāyā visrastakabarasrajaḥ | dṛṣṭvā pariśramaṃ kṛṣṇaḥ kṛpayā''sītsvabandhane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of mother Yaśodā’s hard labor, her whole body became covered with perspiration, and the flowers and comb were falling from her hair. When child Kṛṣṇa saw His mother thus fatigued, He became merciful to her and agreed to be bound.
एवं सन्दर्शिता ह्यङ्ग हरिणा भृत्यवश्यता । स्ववशेनापि कृष्णेन यस्येदं सेश्वरं वशे
evaṃ sandarśitā hyaṅga hariṇā bhṛtyavaśyatā | svavaśenāpi kṛṣṇena yasyedaṃ seśvaraṃ vaśe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, this entire universe, with its great, exalted demigods like Lord Śiva, Lord Brahmā and Lord Indra, is under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yet the Supreme Lord has one transcendental attribute: He comes under the control of His devotees. This was now exhibited by Kṛṣṇa in this pastime.
नेमं विरिञ्चो न भवो न श्रीरप्यङ्ग संश्रया । प्रसादं लेभिरे गोपी यत्तत्प्राप विमुक्तिदात्
nemaṃ viriñco na bhavo na śrīrapyaṅga saṃśrayā | prasādaṃ lebhire gopī yattatprāpa vimuktidāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Neither Lord Brahmā, nor Lord Śiva, nor even the goddess of fortune, who is always the better half of the Supreme Lord, can obtain from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the deliverer from this material world, such mercy as received by mother Yaśodā.
नायं सुखापो भगवान् देहिनां गोपिकासुतः । ज्ञानिनां चात्मभूतानां यथा भक्तिमतामिह
nāyaṃ sukhāpo bhagavān dehināṃ gopikāsutaḥ | jñānināṃ cātmabhūtānāṃ yathā bhaktimatāmiha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, the son of mother Yaśodā, is accessible to devotees engaged in spontaneous loving service, but He is not as easily accessible to mental speculators, to those striving for self-realization by severe austerities and penances, or to those who consider the body the same as the self.
कृष्णस्तु गृहकृत्येषु व्यग्रायां मातरि प्रभुः । अद्राक्षीदर्जुनौ पूर्वं गुह्यकौ धनदात्मजौ
kṛṣṇastu gṛhakṛtyeṣu vyagrāyāṃ mātari prabhuḥ | adrākṣīdarjunau pūrvaṃ guhyakau dhanadātmajau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While mother Yaśodā was very busy with household affairs, the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, observed twin trees known as yamala-arjuna, which in a former millennium had been the demigod sons of Kuvera.
पुरा नारदशापेन वृक्षतां प्रापितौ मदात् । नलकूबरमणिग्रीवाविति ख्यातौ श्रियान्वितौ
purā nāradaśāpena vṛkṣatāṃ prāpitau madāt | nalakūbaramaṇigrīvāviti khyātau śriyānvitau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In their former birth, these two sons, known as Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva, were extremely opulent and fortunate. But because of pride and false prestige, they did not care about anyone, and thus Nārada Muni cursed them to become trees.
राजोवाच । कथ्यतां भगवन्नेतत्तयोः शापस्य कारणम् । यत्तद्विगर्हितं कर्म येन वा देवर्षेस्तमः
rājovāca | kathyatāṃ bhagavannetattayoḥ śāpasya kāraṇam | yattadvigarhitaṃ karma yena vā devarṣestamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: O great and powerful saint, what was the cause of Nalakūvara’s and Maṇigrīva’s having been cursed by Nārada Muni? What did they do that was so abominable that even Nārada, the great sage, became angry at them? Kindly describe this to me.
अन्तः प्रविश्य गङ्गायामम्भोजवनराजिनि । चिक्रीडतुर्युवतिभिर्गजाविव करेणुभिः
antaḥ praviśya gaṅgāyāmambhojavanarājini | cikrīḍaturyuvatibhirgajāviva kareṇubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Within the waters of the Mandākinī Ganges, which were crowded with gardens of lotus flowers, the two sons of Kuvera would enjoy young girls, just like two male elephants enjoying in the water with female elephants.
यदृच्छया च देवर्षिर्भगवांस्तत्र कौरव । अपश्यन्नारदो देवौ क्षीबाणौ समबुध्यत
yadṛcchayā ca devarṣirbhagavāṃstatra kaurava | apaśyannārado devau kṣībāṇau samabudhyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, by some auspicious opportunity for the two boys, the great saint Devarṣi Nārada once appeared there by chance. Seeing them intoxicated, with rolling eyes, he could understand their situation.
तं दृष्ट्वा व्रीडिता देव्यो विवस्त्राः शापशङ्किताः । वासांसि पर्यधुः शीघ्रं विवस्त्रौ नैव गुह्यकौ
taṃ dṛṣṭvā vrīḍitā devyo vivastrāḥ śāpaśaṅkitāḥ | vāsāṃsi paryadhuḥ śīghraṃ vivastrau naiva guhyakau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon seeing Nārada, the naked young girls of the demigods were very much ashamed. Afraid of being cursed, they covered their bodies with their garments. But the two sons of Kuvera did not do so; instead, not caring about Nārada, they remained naked.
तौ दृष्ट्वा मदिरामत्तौ श्रीमदान्धौ सुरात्मजौ । तयोरनुग्रहार्थाय शापं दास्यन्निदं जगौ
tau dṛṣṭvā madirāmattau śrīmadāndhau surātmajau | tayoranugrahārthāya śāpaṃ dāsyannidaṃ jagau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing the two sons of the demigods naked and intoxicated by opulence and false prestige, Devarṣi Nārada, in order to show them special mercy, desired to give them a special curse. Thus he spoke as follows.
नारद उवाच । न ह्यन्यो जुषतो जोष्यान् बुद्धिभ्रंशो रजोगुणः । श्रीमदादाभिजात्यादिर्यत्र स्त्रीद्यूतमासवः
nārada uvāca | na hyanyo juṣato joṣyān buddhibhraṃśo rajoguṇaḥ | śrīmadādābhijātyādiryatra strīdyūtamāsavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada Muni said: Among all the attractions of material enjoyment, the attraction of riches bewilders one’s intelligence more than having beautiful bodily features, taking birth in an aristocratic family, and being learned. When one is uneducated but falsely puffed up by wealth, the result is that one engages his wealth in enjoying wine, women and gambling.
हन्यन्ते पशवो यत्र निर्दयैरजितात्मभिः । मन्यमानैरिमं देहमजरामृत्यु नश्वरम्
hanyante paśavo yatra nirdayairajitātmabhiḥ | manyamānairimaṃ dehamajarāmṛtyu naśvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Unable to control their senses, rascals who are falsely proud of their riches or their birth in aristocratic families are so cruel that to maintain their perishable bodies, which they think will never grow old or die, they kill poor animals without mercy. Sometimes they kill animals merely to enjoy an excursion.
देवसंज्ञितमप्यन्ते कृमिविड्भस्मसञ्ज्ञितम् । भूतध्रुक् तत्कृते स्वार्थं किं वेद निरयो यतः
devasaṃjñitamapyante kṛmiviḍbhasmasañjñitam | bhūtadhruk tatkṛte svārthaṃ kiṃ veda nirayo yataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While living one may be proud of one’s body, thinking oneself a very big man, minister, president or even demigod, but whatever one may be, after death this body will turn either into worms, into stool or into ashes. If one kills poor animals to satisfy the temporary whims of this body, one does not know that he will suffer in his next birth, for such a sinful miscreant must go to hell and suffer the results of his actions.
देहः किमन्नदातुः स्वं निषेक्तुर्मातुरेव च । मातुः पितुर्वा बलिनः क्रेतुरग्नेः शुनोऽपि वा
dehaḥ kimannadātuḥ svaṃ niṣekturmātureva ca | mātuḥ piturvā balinaḥ kreturagneḥ śuno'pi vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While alive, does this body belong to its employer, to the self, to the father, the mother, or the mother’s father? Does it belong to the person who takes it away by force, to the slave master who purchases it, or to the sons who burn it in the fire? Or, if the body is not burned, does it belong to the dogs that eat it? Among the many possible claimants, who is the rightful claimant? Not to ascertain this but instead to maintain the body by sinful activities is not good.
एवं साधारणं देहमव्यक्तप्रभवाप्ययम् । को विद्वानात्मसात्कृत्वा हन्ति जन्तून् ऋतेऽसतः
evaṃ sādhāraṇaṃ dehamavyaktaprabhavāpyayam | ko vidvānātmasātkṛtvā hanti jantūn ṛte'sataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This body, after all, is produced by the unmanifested nature and again annihilated and merged in the natural elements. Therefore, it is the common property of everyone. Under the circumstances, who but a rascal claims this property as his own and while maintaining it commits such sinful activities as killing animals just to satisfy his whims? Unless one is a rascal, one cannot commit such sinful activities.
असतः श्रीमदान्धस्य दारिद्र्यं परमञ्जनम् । आत्मौपम्येन भूतानि दरिद्रः परमीक्षते
asataḥ śrīmadāndhasya dāridryaṃ paramañjanam | ātmaupamyena bhūtāni daridraḥ paramīkṣate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Atheistic fools and rascals who are very much proud of wealth fail to see things as they are. Therefore, returning them to poverty is the proper ointment for their eyes so they may see things as they are. At least a poverty-stricken man can realize how painful poverty is, and therefore he will not want others to be in a painful condition like his own.
यथा कण्टकविद्धाङ्गो जन्तोर्नेच्छति तां व्यथाम् । जीवसाम्यं गतो लिङ्गैर्न तथाऽऽविद्धकण्टकः
yathā kaṇṭakaviddhāṅgo jantornecchati tāṃ vyathām | jīvasāmyaṃ gato liṅgairna tathā''viddhakaṇṭakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By seeing their faces, one whose body has been pricked by pins can understand the pain of others who are pinpricked. Realizing that this pain is the same for everyone, he does not want others to suffer in this way. But one who has never been pricked by pins cannot understand this pain.
दरिद्रो निरहंस्तम्भो मुक्तः सर्वमदैरिह । कृच्छ्रं यदृच्छयाऽऽप्नोति तद्धि तस्य परं तपः
daridro nirahaṃstambho muktaḥ sarvamadairiha | kṛcchraṃ yadṛcchayā''pnoti taddhi tasya paraṃ tapaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A poverty-stricken man must automatically undergo austerities and penances because he does not have the wealth to possess anything. Thus his false prestige is vanquished. Always in need of food, shelter and clothing, he must be satisfied with what is obtained by the mercy of providence. Undergoing such compulsory austerities is good for him because this purifies him and completely frees him from false ego.
नित्यं क्षुत्क्षामदेहस्य दरिद्रस्यान्नकाङ्क्षिणः । इन्द्रियाण्यनुशुष्यन्ति हिंसापि विनिवर्तते
nityaṃ kṣutkṣāmadehasya daridrasyānnakāṅkṣiṇaḥ | indriyāṇyanuśuṣyanti hiṃsāpi vinivartate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Always hungry, longing for sufficient food, a poverty-stricken man gradually becomes weaker and weaker. Having no extra potency, his senses are automatically pacified. A poverty-stricken man, therefore, is unable to perform harmful, envious activities. In other words, such a man automatically gains the results of the austerities and penances adopted voluntarily by saintly persons.
दरिद्रस्यैव युज्यन्ते साधवः समदर्शिनः । सद्भिः क्षिणोति तं तर्षं तत आराद्विशुद्ध्यति
daridrasyaiva yujyante sādhavaḥ samadarśinaḥ | sadbhiḥ kṣiṇoti taṃ tarṣaṃ tata ārādviśuddhyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Saintly persons may freely associate with those who are poverty-stricken, but not with those who are rich. A poverty-stricken man, by association with saintly persons, very soon becomes uninterested in material desires, and the dirty things within the core of his heart are cleansed away.
साधूनां समचित्तानां मुकुन्दचरणैषिणाम् । उपेक्ष्यैः किं धनस्तम्भैरसद्भिरसदाश्रयैः
sādhūnāṃ samacittānāṃ mukundacaraṇaiṣiṇām | upekṣyaiḥ kiṃ dhanastambhairasadbhirasadāśrayaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Saintly persons [sādhus] think of Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours a day. They have no other interest. Why should people neglect the association of such exalted spiritual personalities and try to associate with materialists, taking shelter of nondevotees, most of whom are proud and rich?
तदहं मत्तयोर्माध्व्या वारुण्या श्रीमदान्धयोः । तमो मदं हरिष्यामि स्त्रैणयोरजितात्मनोः
tadahaṃ mattayormādhvyā vāruṇyā śrīmadāndhayoḥ | tamo madaṃ hariṣyāmi straiṇayorajitātmanoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, since these two persons, drunk with the liquor named Vāruṇī, or Mādhvī, and unable to control their senses, have been blinded by the pride of celestial opulence and have become attached to women, I shall relieve them of their false prestige.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवमुक्त्वा स देवर्षिर्गतो नारायणाश्रमम् । नलकूवरमणिग्रीवावासतुर्यमलार्जुनौ
śrīśuka uvāca | evamuktvā sa devarṣirgato nārāyaṇāśramam | nalakūvaramaṇigrīvāvāsaturyamalārjunau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Having thus spoken, the great saint Devarṣi Nārada returned to his āśrama, known as Nārāyaṇa-āśrama, and Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva became twin arjuna trees.
ऋषेर्भागवतमुख्यस्य सत्यं कर्तुं वचो हरिः । जगाम शनकैस्तत्र यत्रास्तां यमलार्जुनौ
ṛṣerbhāgavatamukhyasya satyaṃ kartuṃ vaco hariḥ | jagāma śanakaistatra yatrāstāṃ yamalārjunau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, to fulfill the truthfulness of the words of the greatest devotee, Nārada, slowly went to that spot where the twin arjuna trees were standing.
देवर्षिर्मे प्रियतमो यदिमौ धनदात्मजौ । तत्तथा साधयिष्यामि यद्गीतं तन्महात्मना
devarṣirme priyatamo yadimau dhanadātmajau | tattathā sādhayiṣyāmi yadgītaṃ tanmahātmanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Although these two young men are the sons of the very rich Kuvera and I have nothing to do with them, Devarṣi Nārada is My very dear and affectionate devotee, and therefore because he wanted Me to come face to face with them, I must do so for their deliverance.”
इत्यन्तरेणार्जुनयोः कृष्णस्तु यमयोर्ययौ । आत्मनिर्वेशमात्रेण तिर्यग्गतमुलूखलम्
ityantareṇārjunayoḥ kṛṣṇastu yamayoryayau | ātmanirveśamātreṇa tiryaggatamulūkhalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus spoken, Kṛṣṇa soon entered between the two arjuna trees, and thus the big mortar to which He was bound turned crosswise and stuck between them.
बालेन निष्कर्षयतान्वगुलूखलं त- द्दामोदरेण तरसोत्कलिताङ्घ्रिबन्धौ निष्पेततुः परमविक्रमितातिवेप- स्कन्धप्रवालविटपौ कृतचण्डशब्दौ
bālena niṣkarṣayatānvagulūkhalaṃ ta- ddāmodareṇa tarasotkalitāṅghribandhau niṣpetatuḥ paramavikramitātivepa- skandhapravālaviṭapau kṛtacaṇḍaśabdau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By dragging behind Him with great force the wooden mortar tied to His belly, the boy Kṛṣṇa uprooted the two trees. By the great strength of the Supreme Person, the two trees, with their trunks, leaves and branches, trembled severely and fell to the ground with a great crash.
तत्र श्रिया परमया ककुभः स्फुरन्तौ सिद्धावुपेत्य कुजयोरिव जात वेदाः कृष्णं प्रणम्य शिरसाखिललोकनाथं द्धाञ्जली विरजसाविदमूचतुः स्म
tatra śriyā paramayā kakubhaḥ sphurantau siddhāvupetya kujayoriva jāta vedāḥ kṛṣṇaṃ praṇamya śirasākhilalokanāthaṃ ddhāñjalī virajasāvidamūcatuḥ sma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, in that very place where the two arjuna trees had fallen, two great, perfect personalities, who appeared like fire personified, came out of the two trees. The effulgence of their beauty illuminating all directions, with bowed heads they offered obeisances to Kṛṣṇa, and with hands folded they spoke the following words.
कृष्ण कृष्ण महायोगिंस्त्वमाद्यः पुरुषः परः । व्यक्ताव्यक्तमिदं विश्वं रूपं ते ब्राह्मणा विदुः
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahāyogiṃstvamādyaḥ puruṣaḥ paraḥ | vyaktāvyaktamidaṃ viśvaṃ rūpaṃ te brāhmaṇā viduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord Kṛṣṇa, Lord Kṛṣṇa, Your opulent mysticism is inconceivable. You are the supreme, original person, the cause of all causes, immediate and remote, and You are beyond this material creation. Learned brāhmaṇas know [on the basis of the Vedic statement sarvaṁ khalv idaṁ brahma] that You are everything and that this cosmic manifestation, in its gross and subtle aspects, is Your form.
गृह्यमाणैस्त्वमग्राह्यो विकारैः प्राकृतैर्गुणैः । को न्विहार्हति विज्ञातुं प्राक्सिद्धं गुणसंवृतः
gṛhyamāṇaistvamagrāhyo vikāraiḥ prākṛtairguṇaiḥ | ko nvihārhati vijñātuṃ prāksiddhaṃ guṇasaṃvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, You exist before the creation. Therefore, who, trapped by a body of material qualities in this material world, can understand You?
तस्मै तुभ्यं भगवते वासुदेवाय वेधसे । आत्मद्योतगुणैश्छन्नमहिम्ने ब्रह्मणे नमः
tasmai tubhyaṃ bhagavate vāsudevāya vedhase | ātmadyotaguṇaiśchannamahimne brahmaṇe namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, whose glories are covered by Your own energy, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You are Saṅkarṣaṇa, the origin of creation, and You are Vāsudeva, the origin of the caturvyūha. Because You are everything and are therefore the Supreme Brahman, we simply offer our respectful obeisances unto You.
नमः परमकल्याण नमः परममङ्गल । वासुदेवाय शान्ताय यदूनां पतये नमः
namaḥ paramakalyāṇa namaḥ paramamaṅgala | vāsudevāya śāntāya yadūnāṃ pataye namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O supremely auspicious, we offer our respectful obeisances unto You, who are the supreme good. O most famous descendant and controller of the Yadu dynasty, O son of Vasudeva, O most peaceful, let us offer our obeisances unto Your lotus feet.
अनुजानीहि नौ भूमंस्तवानुचरकिङ्करौ । दर्शनं नौ भगवत ऋषेरासीदनुग्रहात्
anujānīhi nau bhūmaṃstavānucarakiṅkarau | darśanaṃ nau bhagavata ṛṣerāsīdanugrahāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O supreme form, we are always servants of Your servants, especially of Nārada Muni. Now give us permission to leave for our home. It is by the grace and mercy of Nārada Muni that we have been able to see You face to face.
वाणी गुणानुकथने श्रवणौ कथायां हस्तौ च कर्मसु मनस्तव पादयोर्नः । स्मृत्यां शिरस्तव निवासजगत्प्रणामे दृष्टिः सतां दर्शनेऽस्तु भवत्तनूनाम्
vāṇī guṇānukathane śravaṇau kathāyāṃ hastau ca karmasu manastava pādayornaḥ | smṛtyāṃ śirastava nivāsajagatpraṇāme dṛṣṭiḥ satāṃ darśane'stu bhavattanūnām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Henceforward, may all our words describe Your pastimes, may our ears engage in aural reception of Your glories, may our hands, legs and other senses engage in actions pleasing to You, and may our minds always think of Your lotus feet. May our heads offer our obeisances to everything within this world, because all things are also Your different forms, and may our eyes see the forms of Vaiṣṇavas, who are nondifferent from You.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्थं सङ्कीर्तितस्ताभ्यां भगवान् गोकुलेश्वरः । दाम्ना चोलूखले बद्धः प्रहसन्नाह गुह्यकौ
śrīśuka uvāca | itthaṃ saṅkīrtitastābhyāṃ bhagavān gokuleśvaraḥ | dāmnā colūkhale baddhaḥ prahasannāha guhyakau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: The two young demigods thus offered prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Godhead, is the master of all and was certainly Gokuleśvara, the master of Gokula, He was bound to the wooden mortar by the ropes of the gopīs, and therefore, smiling widely, He spoke to the sons of Kuvera the following words.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । ज्ञातं मम पुरैवैतदृषिणा करुणात्मना । यच्छ्रीमदान्धयोर्वाग्भिर्विभ्रंशोऽनुग्रहः कृतः
śrībhagavānuvāca | jñātaṃ mama puraivaitadṛṣiṇā karuṇātmanā | yacchrīmadāndhayorvāgbhirvibhraṃśo'nugrahaḥ kṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: The great saint Nārada Muni is very merciful. By his curse, he showed the greatest favor to both of you, who were mad after material opulence and who had thus become blind. Although you fell from the higher planet Svargaloka and became trees, you were most favored by him. I knew of all these incidents from the very beginning.
साधूनां समचित्तानां सुतरां मत्कृतात्मनाम् । दर्शनान्नो भवेद्बन्धः पुंसोऽक्ष्णोः सवितुर्यथा
sādhūnāṃ samacittānāṃ sutarāṃ matkṛtātmanām | darśanānno bhavedbandhaḥ puṃso'kṣṇoḥ savituryathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When one is face to face with the sun, there is no longer darkness for one’s eyes. Similarly, when one is face to face with a sādhu, a devotee, who is fully determined and surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one will no longer be subject to material bondage.
तद्गच्छतं मत्परमौ नलकूबर सादनम् । सञ्जातो मयि भावो वामीप्सितः परमोऽभवः
tadgacchataṃ matparamau nalakūbara sādanam | sañjāto mayi bhāvo vāmīpsitaḥ paramo'bhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva, now you may both return home. Since you desire to be always absorbed in My devotional service, your desire to develop love and affection for Me will be fulfilled, and now you will never fall from that platform.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्युक्तौ तौ परिक्रम्य प्रणम्य च पुनः पुनः । बद्धोलूखलमामन्त्र्य जग्मतुर्दिशमुत्तराम्
śrīśuka uvāca | ityuktau tau parikramya praṇamya ca punaḥ punaḥ | baddholūkhalamāmantrya jagmaturdiśamuttarām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The Supreme Personality of Godhead having spoken to the two demigods in this way, they circumambulated the Lord, who was bound to the wooden mortar, and offered obeisances to Him. After taking the permission of Lord Kṛṣṇa, they returned to their respective homes.
SB 10.11.1
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, when the yamala-arjuna trees fell, all the cowherd men in the neighborhood, hearing the fierce sound and fearing thunderbolts, went to the spot.
SB 10.11.2
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There they saw the fallen yamala-arjuna trees on the ground, but they were bewildered because even though they could directly perceive that the trees had fallen, they could not trace out the cause for their having done so.
SB 10.11.3
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa was bound by the rope to the ulūkhala, the mortar, which He was dragging. But how could He have pulled down the trees? Who had actually done it? Where was the source for this incident? Considering all these astounding things, the cowherd men were doubtful and bewildered.
SB 10.11.4
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then all the cowherd boys said: It is Kṛṣṇa who has done this. When He was in between the two trees, the mortar fell crosswise. Kṛṣṇa dragged the mortar, and the two trees fell down. After that, two beautiful men came out of the trees. We have seen this with our own eyes.
SB 10.11.5
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of intense paternal affection, the cowherd men, headed by Nanda, could not believe that Kṛṣṇa could have uprooted the trees in such a wonderful way. Therefore they could not put their faith in the words of the boys. Some of the men, however, were in doubt. “Since Kṛṣṇa was predicted to equal Nārāyaṇa,” they thought, “it might be that He could have done it.”
SB 10.11.6
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Nanda Mahārāja saw his own son bound with ropes to the wooden mortar and dragging it, he smiled and released Kṛṣṇa from His bonds.
SB 10.11.7
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs would say, “If You dance, my dear Kṛṣṇa, then I shall give You half a sweetmeat.” By saying these words or by clapping their hands, all the gopīs encouraged Kṛṣṇa in different ways. At such times, although He was the supremely powerful Personality of Godhead, He would smile and dance according to their desire, as if He were a wooden doll in their hands. Sometimes He would sing very loudly, at their bidding. In this way, Kṛṣṇa came completely under the control of the gopīs.
SB 10.11.8
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sometimes mother Yaśodā and her gopī friends would tell Kṛṣṇa, “Bring this article” or “Bring that article.” Sometimes they would order Him to bring a wooden plank, wooden shoes or a wooden measuring pot, and Kṛṣṇa, when thus ordered by the mothers, would try to bring them. Sometimes, however, as if unable to raise these things, He would touch them and stand there. Just to invite the pleasure of His relatives, He would strike His body with His arms to show that He had sufficient strength.
SB 10.11.9
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To pure devotees throughout the world who could understand His activities, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, exhibited how much He can be subdued by His devotees, His servants. In this way He increased the pleasure of the Vrajavāsīs by His childhood activities.
SB 10.11.10
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once a woman selling fruit was calling, “O inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi, if you want to purchase some fruits, come here!” Upon hearing this, Kṛṣṇa immediately took some grains and went to barter as if He needed some fruits.
SB 10.11.11
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Kṛṣṇa was going to the fruit vendor very hastily, most of the grains He was holding fell. Nonetheless, the fruit vendor filled Kṛṣṇa’s hands with fruits, and her fruit basket was immediately filled with jewels and gold.
SB 10.11.12
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once, after the uprooting of the yamala-arjuna trees, Rohiṇīdevī went to call Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, who had both gone to the riverside and were playing with the other boys with deep attention.
SB 10.11.13
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of being too attached to playing with the other boys, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma did not return upon being called by Rohiṇī. Therefore Rohiṇī sent mother Yaśodā to call Them back, because mother Yaśodā was more affectionate to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.
SB 10.11.14
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, being attached to Their play, were playing with the other boys although it was very late. Therefore mother Yaśodā called Them back for lunch. Because of her ecstatic love and affection for Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, milk flowed from her breasts.
SB 10.11.15
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother Yaśodā said: My dear son Kṛṣṇa, lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, come here and drink the milk of my breast. My dear darling, You must be very tired because of hunger and the fatigue of playing so long. There is no need to play any more.
SB 10.11.16
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Baladeva, best of our family, please come immediately with Your younger brother, Kṛṣṇa. You both ate in the morning, and now You ought to eat something more.
SB 10.11.17
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja, the King of Vraja, is now waiting to eat. O my dear son Balarāma, he is waiting for You. Therefore, come back to please us. All the boys playing with You and Kṛṣṇa should now go to their homes.
SB 10.11.18
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother Yaśodā further told Kṛṣṇa: My dear son, because of playing all day, Your body has become covered with dust and sand. Therefore, come back, take Your bath and cleanse Yourself. Today the moon is conjoined with the auspicious star of Your birth. Therefore, be pure and give cows in charity to the brāhmaṇas.
SB 10.11.19
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just see how all Your playmates of Your own age have been cleansed and decorated with beautiful ornaments by their mothers. You should come here, and after You have taken Your bath, eaten Your lunch and been decorated with ornaments, You may play with Your friends again.
SB 10.11.20
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Mahārāja Parīkṣit, because of intense love and affection, mother Yaśodā, Kṛṣṇa’s mother, considered Kṛṣṇa, who was at the peak of all opulences, to be her own son. Thus she took Kṛṣṇa by the hand, along with Balarāma, and brought Them home, where she performed her duties by fully bathing Them, dressing Them and feeding Them.
SB 10.11.21
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Then one time, having seen the great disturbances in Bṛhadvana, all the elderly persons among the cowherd men, headed by Nanda Mahārāja, assembled and began to consider what to do to stop the continuous disturbing situations in Vraja.
SB 10.11.22
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At this meeting of all the inhabitants of Gokula, a cowherd man named Upananda, who was the most mature in age and knowledge and was very experienced according to time, circumstances and country, made this suggestion for the benefit of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa.
SB 10.11.23
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He said: My dear friends the cowherd men, in order to do good to this place, Gokula, we should leave it, because so many disturbances are always occurring here, just for the purpose of killing Rāma and Kṛṣṇa.
SB 10.11.24
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The child Kṛṣṇa, simply by the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was somehow or other rescued from the hands of the Rākṣasī Pūtanā, who was determined to kill Him. Then, again by the mercy of the Supreme Godhead, the handcart missed falling upon the child.
SB 10.11.25
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then again, the demon Tṛṇāvarta, in the form of a whirlwind, took the child away into the dangerous sky to kill Him, but the demon fell down onto a slab of stone. In that case also, by the mercy of Lord Viṣṇu or His associates, the child was saved.
SB 10.11.26
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even the other day, neither Kṛṣṇa nor any of His playmates died from the falling of the two trees, although the children were near the trees or even between them. This also is to be considered the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
SB 10.11.27
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All these incidents are being caused by some unknown demon. Before he comes here to create another disturbance, it is our duty to go somewhere else with the boys until there are no more disturbances.
SB 10.11.28
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Between Nandeśvara and Mahāvana is a place named Vṛndāvana. This place is very suitable because it is lush with grass, plants and creepers for the cows and other animals. It has nice gardens and tall mountains and is full of facilities for the happiness of all the gopas and gopīs and our animals.
SB 10.11.29
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, let us immediately go today. There is no need to wait any further. If you agree to my proposal, let us prepare all the bullock carts and put the cows in front of us, and let us go there.
SB 10.11.30
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon hearing this advice from Upananda, the cowherd men unanimously agreed. “Very nice,” they said. “Very nice.” Thus they sorted out their household affairs, placed their clothing and other paraphernalia on the carts, and immediately started for Vṛndāvana.
SB 10.11.33
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd women, riding on the bullock carts, were dressed very nicely with excellent garments, and their bodies, especially their breasts, were decorated with fresh kuṅkuma powder. As they rode, they began to chant with great pleasure the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa.
SB 10.11.34
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus hearing about the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma with great pleasure, mother Yaśodā and Rohiṇīdevī, so as not to be separated from Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma for even a moment, got up with Them on one bullock cart. In this situation, they all looked very beautiful.
SB 10.11.35
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way they entered Vṛndāvana, where it is always pleasing to live in all seasons. They made a temporary place to inhabit by placing their bullock carts around them in the shape of a half moon.
SB 10.11.36
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, when Rāma and Kṛṣṇa saw Vṛndāvana, Govardhana and the banks of the river Yamunā, They both enjoyed great pleasure.
SB 10.11.37
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, acting like small boys and talking in half-broken language, gave transcendental pleasure to all the inhabitants of Vraja. In due course of time, They became old enough to take care of the calves.
SB 10.11.38
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Not far away from Their residential quarters, both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, equipped with all kinds of playthings, played with other cowherd boys and began to tend the small calves.
SB 10.11.41
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One day while Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, along with Their playmates, were tending the calves on the bank of the river Yamunā, another demon arrived there, desiring to kill Them.
SB 10.11.42
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Supreme Personality of Godhead saw that the demon had assumed the form of a calf and entered among the groups of other calves, He pointed out to Baladeva, “Here is another demon.” Then He very slowly approached the demon, as if He did not understand the demon’s intentions.
SB 10.11.43
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, Śrī Kṛṣṇa caught the demon by the hind legs and tail, twirled the demon’s whole body very strongly until the demon was dead, and threw him into the top of a kapittha tree, which then fell down, along with the body of the demon, who had assumed a great form.
SB 10.11.44
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon seeing the dead body of the demon, all the cowherd boys exclaimed, “Well done, Kṛṣṇa! Very good, very good! Thank You.” In the upper planetary system, all the demigods were pleased, and therefore they showered flowers on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
SB 10.11.45
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the killing of the demon, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma finished Their breakfast in the morning, and while continuing to take care of the calves, They wandered here and there. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, the Supreme Personalities of Godhead, who maintain the entire creation, now took charge of the calves as if cowherd boys.
SB 10.11.46
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One day all the boys, including Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, each boy taking his own group of calves, brought the calves to a reservoir of water, desiring to allow them to drink. After the animals drank water, the boys drank water there also.
SB 10.11.47
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Right by the reservoir, the boys saw a gigantic body resembling a mountain peak broken and struck down by a thunderbolt. They were afraid even to see such a huge living being.
SB 10.11.48
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That great-bodied demon was named Bakāsura. He had assumed the body of a duck with a very sharp beak. Having come there, he immediately swallowed Kṛṣṇa.
SB 10.11.49
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Balarāma and the other boys saw that Kṛṣṇa had been devoured by the gigantic duck, they became almost unconscious, like senses without life.
SB 10.11.50
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa, who was the father of Lord Brahmā but who was acting as the son of a cowherd man, became like fire, burning the root of the demon’s throat, and the demon Bakāsura immediately disgorged Him. When the demon saw that Kṛṣṇa, although having been swallowed, was unharmed, he immediately attacked Kṛṣṇa again with his sharp beak.
SB 10.11.51
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Kṛṣṇa, the leader of the Vaiṣṇavas, saw that the demon Bakāsura, the friend of Kaṁsa, was endeavoring to attack Him, with His arms He captured the demon by the two halves of the beak, and in the presence of all the cowherd boys Kṛṣṇa very easily bifurcated him, as a child splits a blade of vīraṇa grass. By thus killing the demon, Kṛṣṇa very much pleased the denizens of heaven.
SB 10.11.52
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time, the celestial denizens of the higher planetary system showered mallikā-puṣpa, flowers grown in Nandana-kānana, upon Kṛṣṇa, the enemy of Bakāsura. They also congratulated Him by sounding celestial kettledrums and conchshells and by offering prayers. Seeing this, the cowherd boys were struck with wonder.
SB 10.11.53
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as the senses are pacified when consciousness and life return, so when Kṛṣṇa was freed from this danger, all the boys, including Balarāma, thought that their life had been restored. They embraced Kṛṣṇa in good consciousness, and then they collected their own calves and returned to Vrajabhūmi, where they declared the incident loudly.
SB 10.11.54
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the cowherd men and women heard about the killing of Bakāsura in the forest, they were very much astonished. Upon seeing Kṛṣṇa and hearing the story, they received Kṛṣṇa very eagerly, thinking that Kṛṣṇa and the other boys had returned from the mouth of death. Thus they looked upon Kṛṣṇa and the boys with silent eyes, not wanting to turn their eyes aside now that the boys were safe.
SB 10.11.55
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd men, headed by Nanda Mahārāja, began to contemplate: It is very astonishing that although this boy Kṛṣṇa has many times faced many varied causes of death, by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead it was these causes of fear that were killed, instead of Him.
SB 10.11.56
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the causes of death, the daityas, were very fierce, they could not kill this boy Kṛṣṇa. Rather, because they came to kill innocent boys, as soon as they approached they themselves were killed, exactly like flies attacking a fire.
SB 10.11.57
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The words of persons in full knowledge of Brahman never become untrue. It is very wonderful that whatever Garga Muni predicted we are now actually experiencing in all detail.
SB 10.11.58
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way all the cowherd men, headed by Nanda Mahārāja, enjoyed topics about the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma with great transcendental pleasure, and they could not even perceive material tribulations.
SB 10.11.59
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma passed Their childhood age in Vrajabhūmi by engaging in activities of childish play, such as playing hide-and-seek, constructing a make-believe bridge on the ocean, and jumping here and there like monkeys.
श्रीशुक उवाच । क्वचिद्वनाशाय मनो दधद्व्रजा- त्प्रातःसमुत्थाय वयस्यवत्सपान् । प्रबोधयञ्छृङ्गरवेण चारुणा विनिर्गतो वत्सपुरःसरो हरिः
śrīśuka uvāca | kvacidvanāśāya mano dadhadvrajā- tprātaḥsamutthāya vayasyavatsapān | prabodhayañchṛṅgaraveṇa cāruṇā vinirgato vatsapuraḥsaro hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O King, one day Kṛṣṇa decided to take His breakfast as a picnic in the forest. Having risen early in the morning, He blew His bugle made of horn and woke all the cowherd boys and calves with its beautiful sound. Then Kṛṣṇa and the boys, keeping their respective groups of calves before them, proceeded from Vrajabhūmi to the forest.
तेनैव साकं पृथुकाः सहस्रशः स्निग्धाः सुशिग्वेत्रविषाणवेणवः । स्वान्स्वान्सहस्रोपरि सङ्ख्ययान्वितान् वत्सान् पुरस्कृत्य विनिर्ययुर्मुदा
tenaiva sākaṃ pṛthukāḥ sahasraśaḥ snigdhāḥ suśigvetraviṣāṇaveṇavaḥ | svānsvānsahasropari saṅkhyayānvitān vatsān puraskṛtya viniryayurmudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time, hundreds and thousands of cowherd boys came out of their respective homes in Vrajabhūmi and joined Kṛṣṇa, keeping before them their hundreds and thousands of groups of calves. The boys were very beautiful, and they were equipped with lunch bags, bugles, flutes, and sticks for controlling the calves.
कृष्णवत्सैरसङ्ख्यातैर्यूथीकृत्य स्ववत्सकान् । चारयन्तोऽर्भलीलाभिर्विजह्रुस्तत्र तत्र ह
kṛṣṇavatsairasaṅkhyātairyūthīkṛtya svavatsakān | cārayanto'rbhalīlābhirvijahrustatra tatra ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Along with the cowherd boys and their own groups of calves, Kṛṣṇa came out with an unlimited number of calves assembled. Then all the boys began to sport in the forest in a greatly playful spirit.
फलप्रवालस्तबकसुमनःपिच्छधातुभिः । काचगुञ्जामणिस्वर्णभूषिता अप्यभूषयन्
phalapravālastabakasumanaḥpicchadhātubhiḥ | kācaguñjāmaṇisvarṇabhūṣitā apyabhūṣayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although all these boys were already decorated by their mothers with ornaments of kāca, guñjā, pearls and gold, when they went into the forest they further decorated themselves with fruits, green leaves, bunches of flowers, peacock feathers and soft minerals.
मुष्णन्तोऽन्योन्यशिक्यादीन् ज्ञातानाराच्च चिक्षिपुः । तत्रत्याश्च पुनर्दूराद्धसन्तश्च पुनर्ददुः
muṣṇanto'nyonyaśikyādīn jñātānārācca cikṣipuḥ | tatratyāśca punardūrāddhasantaśca punardaduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the cowherd boys used to steal one another’s lunch bags. When a boy came to understand that his bag had been taken away, the other boys would throw it farther away, to a more distant place, and those standing there would throw it still farther. When the proprietor of the bag became disappointed, the other boys would laugh, the proprietor would cry, and then the bag would be returned.
यदि दूरं गतः कृष्णो वनशोभेक्षणाय तम् । अहं पूर्वमहं पूर्वमिति संस्पृश्य रेमिरे
yadi dūraṃ gataḥ kṛṣṇo vanaśobhekṣaṇāya tam | ahaṃ pūrvamahaṃ pūrvamiti saṃspṛśya remire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sometimes Kṛṣṇa would go to a somewhat distant place to see the beauty of the forest. Then all the other boys would run to accompany Him, each one saying, “I shall be the first to run and touch Kṛṣṇa! I shall touch Kṛṣṇa first!” In this way they enjoyed life by repeatedly touching Kṛṣṇa.
यत्पादपांसुर्बहुजन्मकृच्छ्रतो धृतात्मभिर्योगिभिरप्यलभ्यः । स एव यद्दृग्विषयः स्वयं स्थितः किं वर्ण्यते दिष्टमतो व्रजौकसाम्
yatpādapāṃsurbahujanmakṛcchrato dhṛtātmabhiryogibhirapyalabhyaḥ | sa eva yaddṛgviṣayaḥ svayaṃ sthitaḥ kiṃ varṇyate diṣṭamato vrajaukasām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Yogīs may undergo severe austerities and penances for many births by practicing yama, niyama, āsana and prāṇāyāma, none of which are easily performed. Yet in due course of time, when these yogīs attain the perfection of controlling the mind, they will still be unable to taste even a particle of dust from the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. What then can we describe about the great fortune of the inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi, Vṛndāvana, with whom the Supreme Personality of Godhead personally lived and who saw the Lord face to face?
अथाघनामाभ्यपतन्महासुर- स्तेषां सुखक्रीडनवीक्षणाक्षमः । नित्यं यदन्तर्निजजीवितेप्सुभिः पीतामृतैरप्यमरैः प्रतीक्ष्यते
athāghanāmābhyapatanmahāsura- steṣāṃ sukhakrīḍanavīkṣaṇākṣamaḥ | nityaṃ yadantarnijajīvitepsubhiḥ pītāmṛtairapyamaraiḥ pratīkṣyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Parīkṣit, thereafter there appeared a great demon named Aghāsura, whose death was being awaited even by the demigods. The demigods drank nectar every day, but still they feared this great demon and awaited his death. This demon could not tolerate the transcendental pleasure being enjoyed in the forest by the cowherd boys.
दृष्ट्वार्भकान् कृष्णमुखानघासुरः कंसानुशिष्टः स बकीबकानुजः । अयं तु मे सोदरनाशकृत्तयो- र्द्वयोर्ममैनं सबलं हनिष्ये
dṛṣṭvārbhakān kṛṣṇamukhānaghāsuraḥ kaṃsānuśiṣṭaḥ sa bakībakānujaḥ | ayaṃ tu me sodaranāśakṛttayo- rdvayormamainaṃ sabalaṃ haniṣye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Aghāsura, who had been sent by Kaṁsa, was the younger brother of Pūtanā and Bakāsura. Therefore when he came and saw Kṛṣṇa at the head of all the cowherd boys, he thought, “This Kṛṣṇa has killed my sister and brother, Pūtanā and Bakāsura. Therefore, in order to please them both, I shall kill this Kṛṣṇa, along with His assistants, the other cowherd boys.”
एते यदा मत्सुहृदोस्तिलापाः कृतास्तदा नष्टसमा व्रजौकसः । प्राणे गते वर्ष्मसु का नु चिन्ता प्रजासवः प्राणभृतो हि ये ते
ete yadā matsuhṛdostilāpāḥ kṛtāstadā naṣṭasamā vrajaukasaḥ | prāṇe gate varṣmasu kā nu cintā prajāsavaḥ prāṇabhṛto hi ye te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Aghāsura thought: If somehow or other I can make Kṛṣṇa and His associates serve as the last offering of sesame and water for the departed souls of my brother and sister, then the inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi, for whom these boys are the life and soul, will automatically die. If there is no life, there is no need for the body; consequently, when their sons are dead, naturally all the inhabitants of Vraja will die.
इति व्यवस्याजगरं बृहद्वपुः स योजनायाममहाद्रिपीवरम् । धृत्वाद्भुतं व्यात्तगुहाननं तदा पथि व्यशेत ग्रसनाशया खलः
iti vyavasyājagaraṃ bṛhadvapuḥ sa yojanāyāmamahādripīvaram | dhṛtvādbhutaṃ vyāttaguhānanaṃ tadā pathi vyaśeta grasanāśayā khalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After thus deciding, that crooked Aghāsura assumed the form of a huge python, as thick as a big mountain and as long as eight miles. Having assumed this wonderful python’s body, he spread his mouth like a big cave in the mountains and lay down on the road, expecting to swallow Kṛṣṇa and His associates the cowherd boys.
धराधरोष्ठो जलदोत्तरोष्ठो दर्याननान्तो गिरिशृङ्गदंष्ट्रः । ध्वान्तान्तरास्यो वितताध्वजिह्वः परुषानिलश्वासदवेक्षणोष्णः
dharādharoṣṭho jaladottaroṣṭho daryānanānto giriśṛṅgadaṃṣṭraḥ | dhvāntāntarāsyo vitatādhvajihvaḥ paruṣānilaśvāsadavekṣaṇoṣṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His lower lip rested on the surface of the earth, and his upper lip was touching the clouds in the sky. The borders of his mouth resembled the sides of a big cave in a mountain, and the middle of his mouth was as dark as possible. His tongue resembled a broad traffic-way, his breath was like a warm wind, and his eyes blazed like fire.
दृष्ट्वा तं तादृशं सर्वे मत्वा वृन्दावनश्रियम् । व्यात्ताजगरतुण्डेन ह्युत्प्रेक्षन्ते स्म लीलया
dṛṣṭvā taṃ tādṛśaṃ sarve matvā vṛndāvanaśriyam | vyāttājagaratuṇḍena hyutprekṣante sma līlayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon seeing this demon’s wonderful form, which resembled a great python, the boys thought that it must be a beautiful scenic spot of Vṛndāvana. Thereafter, they imagined it to be similar to the mouth of a great python. In other words, the boys, unafraid, thought that it was a statue made in the shape of a great python for the enjoyment of their pastimes.
अहो मित्राणि गदत सत्त्वकूटं पुरःस्थितम् । अस्मत्सङ्ग्रसनव्यात्तव्यालतुण्डायते न वा
aho mitrāṇi gadata sattvakūṭaṃ puraḥsthitam | asmatsaṅgrasanavyāttavyālatuṇḍāyate na vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The boys said: Dear friends, is this creature dead, or is it actually a living python with its mouth spread wide just to swallow us all? Kindly clear up this doubt.
सत्यमर्ककरारक्तमुत्तराहनुवद्घनम् । अधराहनुवद्रोधस्तत्प्रतिच्छाययारुणम्
satyamarkakarāraktamuttarāhanuvadghanam | adharāhanuvadrodhastatpraticchāyayāruṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter they decided: Dear friends, this is certainly an animal sitting here to swallow us all. Its upper lip resembles a cloud reddened by the sunshine, and its lower lip resembles the reddish shadows of a cloud.
प्रतिस्पर्धेते सृक्किभ्यां सव्यासव्ये नगोदरे । तुङ्गशृङ्गालयोऽप्येतास्तद्दंष्ट्राभिश्च पश्यत
pratispardhete sṛkkibhyāṃ savyāsavye nagodare | tuṅgaśṛṅgālayo'pyetāstaddaṃṣṭrābhiśca paśyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the left and right, the two depressions resembling mountain caves are the corners of its mouth, and the high mountain peaks are its teeth.
आस्तृतायाममार्गोऽयं रसनां प्रतिगर्जति । एषामन्तर्गतं ध्वान्तमेतदप्यन्तराननम्
āstṛtāyāmamārgo'yaṃ rasanāṃ pratigarjati | eṣāmantargataṃ dhvāntametadapyantarānanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In length and breadth the animal’s tongue resembles a broad traffic-way, and the inside of its mouth is very, very dark, like a cave in a mountain.
दावोष्णखरवातोऽयं श्वासवद्भाति पश्यत । तद्दग्धसत्त्वदुर्गन्धोऽप्यन्तरामिषगन्धवत्
dāvoṣṇakharavāto'yaṃ śvāsavadbhāti paśyata | taddagdhasattvadurgandho'pyantarāmiṣagandhavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The hot fiery wind is the breath coming out of his mouth, which is giving off the bad smell of burning flesh because of all the dead bodies he has eaten.
अस्मान् किमत्र ग्रसिता निविष्टा- नयं तथा चेद्बकवद्विनङ्क्ष्यति । क्षणादनेनेति बकार्युशन्मुखं वीक्ष्योद्धसन्तः करताडनैर्ययुः
asmān kimatra grasitā niviṣṭā- nayaṃ tathā cedbakavadvinaṅkṣyati | kṣaṇādaneneti bakāryuśanmukhaṃ vīkṣyoddhasantaḥ karatāḍanairyayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the boys said, “Has this living creature come to swallow us? If he does so, he will immediately be killed like Bakāsura, without delay.” Thus they looked at the beautiful face of Kṛṣṇa, the enemy of Bakāsura, and, laughing loudly and clapping their hands, they entered the mouth of the python.
त्थं मिथोऽतथ्यमतज्ज्ञभाषितं श्रुत्वा विचिन्त्येत्यमृषा मृषायते । रक्षो विदित्वाखिलभूतहृत्स्थितः स्वानां निरोद्धुं भगवान् मनो दधे
tthaṃ mitho'tathyamatajjñabhāṣitaṃ śrutvā vicintyetyamṛṣā mṛṣāyate | rakṣo viditvākhilabhūtahṛtsthitaḥ svānāṃ niroddhuṃ bhagavān mano dadhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is situated as antaryāmī, the Supersoul, in the core of everyone’s heart, heard the boys talking among themselves about the artificial python. Unknown to them, it was actually Aghāsura, a demon who had appeared as a python. Kṛṣṇa, knowing this, wanted to forbid His associates to enter the demon’s mouth.
तावत्प्रविष्टास्त्वसुरोदरान्तरं परं न गीर्णाः शिशवः सवत्साः । प्रतीक्षमाणेन बकारिवेशनं हतस्वकान्तस्मरणेन रक्षसा
tāvatpraviṣṭāstvasurodarāntaraṃ paraṃ na gīrṇāḥ śiśavaḥ savatsāḥ | pratīkṣamāṇena bakāriveśanaṃ hatasvakāntasmaraṇena rakṣasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the meantime, while Kṛṣṇa was considering how to stop them, all the cowherd boys entered the mouth of the demon. The demon, however, did not swallow them, for he was thinking of his own relatives who had been killed by Kṛṣṇa and was just waiting for Kṛṣṇa to enter his mouth.
तान् वीक्ष्य कृष्णः सकलाभयप्रदो ह्यनन्यनाथान् स्वकरादवच्युतान् । दीनांश्च मृत्योर्जठराग्निघासान् घृणार्दितो दिष्टकृतेन विस्मितः
tān vīkṣya kṛṣṇaḥ sakalābhayaprado hyananyanāthān svakarādavacyutān | dīnāṃśca mṛtyorjaṭharāgnighāsān ghṛṇārdito diṣṭakṛtena vismitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa saw that all the cowherd boys, who did not know anyone but Him as their Lord, had now gone out of His hand and were helpless, having entered like straws into the fire of the abdomen of Aghāsura, who was death personified. It was intolerable for Kṛṣṇa to be separated from His friends the cowherd boys. Therefore, as if seeing that this had been arranged by His internal potency, Kṛṣṇa was momentarily struck with wonder and unsure of what to do.
कृत्यं किमत्रास्य खलस्य जीवनं न वा अमीषां च सतां विहिंसनम् । द्वयं कथं स्यादिति संविचिन्त्य तत् ज्ञात्वाविशत्तुण्डमशेषदृग्घरिः
kṛtyaṃ kimatrāsya khalasya jīvanaṃ na vā amīṣāṃ ca satāṃ vihiṃsanam | dvayaṃ kathaṃ syāditi saṃvicintya tat jñātvāviśattuṇḍamaśeṣadṛgghariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now, what was to be done? How could both the killing of this demon and the saving of the devotees be performed simultaneously? Kṛṣṇa, being unlimitedly potent, decided to wait for an intelligent means by which He could simultaneously save the boys and kill the demon. Then He entered the mouth of Aghāsura.
तदा घनच्छदा देवा भयाद्धा हेति चुक्रुशुः । जहृषुर्ये च कंसाद्याः कौणपास्त्वघबान्धवाः
tadā ghanacchadā devā bhayāddhā heti cukruśuḥ | jahṛṣurye ca kaṃsādyāḥ kauṇapāstvaghabāndhavāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Kṛṣṇa entered the mouth of Aghāsura, the demigods hidden behind the clouds exclaimed, “Alas! Alas!” But the friends of Aghāsura, like Kaṁsa and other demons, were jubilant.
तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान् कृष्णस्त्वव्ययः सार्भवत्सकम् । चूर्णीचिकीर्षोरात्मानं तरसा ववृधे गले
tacchrutvā bhagavān kṛṣṇastvavyayaḥ sārbhavatsakam | cūrṇīcikīrṣorātmānaṃ tarasā vavṛdhe gale
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the invincible Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, heard the demigods crying “Alas! Alas!” from behind the clouds, He immediately enlarged Himself within the demon’s throat, just to save Himself and the cowherd boys, His own associates, from the demon who wished to smash them.
ततोऽतिकायस्य निरुद्धमार्गिणो ह्युद्गीर्णदृष्टेर्भ्रमतस्त्वितस्ततः । पूर्णोऽन्तरङ्गे पवनो निरुद्धो मूर्धन् विनिष्पाट्य विनिर्गतो बहिः
tato'tikāyasya niruddhamārgiṇo hyudgīrṇadṛṣṭerbhramatastvitastataḥ | pūrṇo'ntaraṅge pavano niruddho mūrdhan viniṣpāṭya vinirgato bahiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, because Kṛṣṇa had increased the size of His body, the demon extended his own body to a very large size. Nonetheless, his breathing stopped, he suffocated, and his eyes rolled here and there and popped out. The demon’s life air, however, could not pass through any outlet, and therefore it finally burst out through a hole in the top of the demon’s head.
तेनैव सर्वेषु बहिर्गतेषु प्राणेषु वत्सान् सुहृदः परेतान् । दृष्ट्या स्वयोत्थाप्य तदन्वितः पुन- र्वक्त्रान्मुकुन्दो भगवान् विनिर्ययौ
tenaiva sarveṣu bahirgateṣu prāṇeṣu vatsān suhṛdaḥ paretān | dṛṣṭyā svayotthāpya tadanvitaḥ puna- rvaktrānmukundo bhagavān viniryayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When all the demon’s life air had passed away through that hole in the top of his head, Kṛṣṇa glanced over the dead calves and cowherd boys and brought them back to life. Then Mukunda, who can give one liberation, came out from the demon’s mouth with His friends and the calves.
पीनाहिभोगोत्थितमद्भुतं मह- ज्ज्योतिः स्वधाम्ना ज्वलयद्दिशो दश । प्रतीक्ष्य खेऽवस्थितमीश निर्गमं विवेश तस्मिन् मिषतां दिवौकसाम्
pīnāhibhogotthitamadbhutaṃ maha- jjyotiḥ svadhāmnā jvalayaddiśo daśa | pratīkṣya khe'vasthitamīśa nirgamaṃ viveśa tasmin miṣatāṃ divaukasām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From the body of the gigantic python, a glaring effulgence came out, illuminating all directions, and stayed individually in the sky until Kṛṣṇa came out from the corpse’s mouth. Then, as all the demigods looked on, this effulgence entered into Kṛṣṇa’s body.
ततोऽतिहृष्टाः स्वकृतोऽकृतार्हणं पुष्पैः सुरा अप्सरसश्च नर्तनैः । गीतैः सुगा वाद्यधराश्च वाद्यकैः स्तवैश्च विप्रा जयनिःस्वनैर्गणाः
tato'tihṛṣṭāḥ svakṛto'kṛtārhaṇaṃ puṣpaiḥ surā apsarasaśca nartanaiḥ | gītaiḥ sugā vādyadharāśca vādyakaiḥ stavaiśca viprā jayaniḥsvanairgaṇāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, everyone being pleased, the demigods began to shower flowers from Nandana-kānana, the celestial dancing girls began to dance, and the Gandharvas, who are famous for singing, offered songs of prayer. The drummers began to beat their kettledrums, and the brāhmaṇas offered Vedic hymns. In this way, both in the heavens and on earth, everyone began to perform his own duties, glorifying the Lord.
तदद्भुतस्तोत्रसुवाद्यगीतिका- जयादिनैकोत्सवमङ्गलस्वनान् । श्रुत्वा स्वधाम्नोऽन्त्यज आगतोऽचिरात् दृष्ट्वा महीशस्य जगाम विस्मयम्
tadadbhutastotrasuvādyagītikā- jayādinaikotsavamaṅgalasvanān | śrutvā svadhāmno'ntyaja āgato'cirāt dṛṣṭvā mahīśasya jagāma vismayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Brahmā heard the wonderful ceremony going on near his planet, accompanied by music and songs and sounds of “Jaya! Jaya!” he immediately came down to see the function. Upon seeing so much glorification of Lord Kṛṣṇa, he was completely astonished.
राजन्नाजगरं चर्म शुष्कं वृन्दावनेऽद्भुतम् । व्रजौकसां बहुतिथं बभूवाक्रीडगह्वरम्
rājannājagaraṃ carma śuṣkaṃ vṛndāvane'dbhutam | vrajaukasāṃ bahutithaṃ babhūvākrīḍagahvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, when the python-shaped body of Aghāsura dried up into merely a big skin, it became a wonderful place for the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana to visit, and it remained so for a long, long time.
एतत्कौमारजं कर्म हरेरात्माहिमोक्षणम् । मृत्योः पौगण्डके बाला दृष्ट्वोचुर्विस्मिता व्रजे
etatkaumārajaṃ karma harerātmāhimokṣaṇam | mṛtyoḥ paugaṇḍake bālā dṛṣṭvocurvismitā vraje
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This incident of Kṛṣṇa’s saving Himself and His associates from death and of giving deliverance to Aghāsura, who had assumed the form of a python, took place when Kṛṣṇa was five years old. It was disclosed in Vrajabhūmi after one year, as if it had taken place on that very day.
नैतद्विचित्रं मनुजार्भमायिनः परावराणां परमस्य वेधसः । अघोऽपि यत्स्पर्शनधौतपातकः प्रापात्मसाम्यं त्वसतां सुदुर्लभम्
naitadvicitraṃ manujārbhamāyinaḥ parāvarāṇāṃ paramasya vedhasaḥ | agho'pi yatsparśanadhautapātakaḥ prāpātmasāmyaṃ tvasatāṃ sudurlabham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa is the cause of all causes. The causes and effects of the material world, both higher and lower, are all created by the Supreme Lord, the original controller. When Kṛṣṇa appeared as the son of Nanda Mahārāja and Yaśodā, He did so by His causeless mercy. Consequently, for Him to exhibit His unlimited opulence was not at all wonderful. Indeed, He showed such great mercy that even Aghāsura, the most sinful miscreant, was elevated to being one of His associates and achieving sārūpya-mukti, which is actually impossible for materially contaminated persons to attain.
सकृद्यदङ्गप्रतिमान्तराहिता मनोमयी भागवतीं ददौ गतिम् । स एव नित्यात्मसुखानुभूत्यभि- व्युदस्तमायोऽन्तर्गतो हि किं पुनः
sakṛdyadaṅgapratimāntarāhitā manomayī bhāgavatīṃ dadau gatim | sa eva nityātmasukhānubhūtyabhi- vyudastamāyo'ntargato hi kiṃ punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If even only once or even by force one brings the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead into one’s mind, one can attain the supreme salvation by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, as did Aghāsura. What then is to be said of those whose hearts the Supreme Personality of Godhead enters when He appears as an incarnation, or those who always think of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the source of transcendental bliss for all living entities and by whom all illusion is completely removed?
सूत उवाच । इत्थं द्विजा यादवदेवदत्तः श्रुत्वा स्वरातुश्चरितं विचित्रम् । पप्रच्छ भूयोऽपि तदेव पुण्यं वैयासकिं यन्निगृहीतचेताः
sūta uvāca | itthaṃ dvijā yādavadevadattaḥ śrutvā svarātuścaritaṃ vicitram | papraccha bhūyo'pi tadeva puṇyaṃ vaiyāsakiṃ yannigṛhītacetāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: O learned saints, the childhood pastimes of Śrī Kṛṣṇa are very wonderful. Mahārāja Parīkṣit, after hearing about those pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, who had saved him in the womb of his mother, became steady in his mind and again inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī to hear about those pious activities.
राजोवाच । ब्रह्मन् कालान्तरकृतं तत्कालीनं कथं भवेत् । यत्कौमारे हरिकृतं जगुः पौगण्डकेऽर्भकाः
rājovāca | brahman kālāntarakṛtaṃ tatkālīnaṃ kathaṃ bhavet | yatkaumāre harikṛtaṃ jaguḥ paugaṇḍake'rbhakāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit inquired: O great sage, how could things done in the past have been described as being done at the present? Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa performed this pastime of killing Aghāsura during His kaumāra age. How then, during His paugaṇḍa age, could the boys have described this incident as having happened recently?
तद्ब्रूहि मे महायोगिन् परं कौतूहलं गुरो । नूनमेतद्धरेरेव माया भवति नान्यथा
tadbrūhi me mahāyogin paraṃ kautūhalaṃ guro | nūnametaddharereva māyā bhavati nānyathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O greatest yogī, my spiritual master, kindly describe why this happened. I am very much curious to know about it. I think that it was nothing but another illusion due to Kṛṣṇa.
वयं धन्यतमा लोके गुरोऽपि क्षत्रबन्धवः । यत्पिबामो मुहुस्त्वत्तः पुण्यं कृष्णकथामृतम्
vayaṃ dhanyatamā loke guro'pi kṣatrabandhavaḥ | yatpibāmo muhustvattaḥ puṇyaṃ kṛṣṇakathāmṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O my lord, my spiritual master, although we are the lowest of kṣatriyas, we are glorified and benefited because we have the opportunity of always hearing from you the nectar of the pious activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
सूत उवाच । इत्थं स्म पृष्टः स तु बादरायणि- स्तत्स्मारितानन्तहृताखिलेन्द्रियः । कृच्छ्रात्पुनर्लब्धबहिर्दृशिः शनैः प्रत्याह तं भागवतोत्तमोत्तम
sūta uvāca | itthaṃ sma pṛṣṭaḥ sa tu bādarāyaṇi- statsmāritānantahṛtākhilendriyaḥ | kṛcchrātpunarlabdhabahirdṛśiḥ śanaiḥ pratyāha taṃ bhāgavatottamottama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: O Śaunaka, greatest of saints and devotees, when Mahārāja Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī in this way, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, immediately remembering subject matters about Kṛṣṇa within the core of his heart, externally lost contact with the actions of his senses. Thereafter, with great difficulty, he revived his external sensory perception and began to speak to Mahārāja Parīkṣit about kṛṣṇa-kathā.
श्रीशुक उवाच । साधु पृष्टं महाभाग त्वया भागवतोत्तम । यन्नूतनयसीशस्य शृण्वन्नपि कथां मुहुः
śrīśuka uvāca | sādhu pṛṣṭaṃ mahābhāga tvayā bhāgavatottama | yannūtanayasīśasya śṛṇvannapi kathāṃ muhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O best of devotees, most fortunate Parīkṣit, you have inquired very nicely, for although constantly hearing the pastimes of the Lord, you are perceiving His activities to be newer and newer.
सतामयं सारभृतां निसर्गो यदर्थवाणीश्रुतिचेतसामपि । प्रतिक्षणं नव्यवदच्युतस्य यत् स्त्रिया विटानामिव साधुवार्ता
satāmayaṃ sārabhṛtāṃ nisargo yadarthavāṇīśruticetasāmapi | pratikṣaṇaṃ navyavadacyutasya yat striyā viṭānāmiva sādhuvārtā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Paramahaṁsas, devotees who have accepted the essence of life, are attached to Kṛṣṇa in the core of their hearts, and He is the aim of their lives. It is their nature to talk only of Kṛṣṇa at every moment, as if such topics were newer and newer. They are attached to such topics, just as materialists are attached to topics of women and sex.
शृणुष्वावहितो राजन्नपि गुह्यं वदामि ते । ब्रूयुः स्निग्धस्य शिष्यस्य गुरवो गुह्यमप्युत
śṛṇuṣvāvahito rājannapi guhyaṃ vadāmi te | brūyuḥ snigdhasya śiṣyasya guravo guhyamapyuta
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, kindly hear me with great attention. Although the activities of the Supreme Lord are very confidential, no ordinary man being able to understand them, I shall speak about them to you, for spiritual masters explain to a submissive disciple even subject matters that are very confidential and difficult to understand.
तथाघवदनान्मृत्यो रक्षित्वा वत्सपालकान् । सरित्पुलिनमानीय भगवानिदमब्रवीत्
tathāghavadanānmṛtyo rakṣitvā vatsapālakān | saritpulinamānīya bhagavānidamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, after saving the boys and calves from the mouth of Aghāsura, who was death personified, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, brought them all to the bank of the river and spoke the following words.
अहोऽतिरम्यं पुलिनं वयस्याः स्वकेलिसम्पन्मृदुलाच्छवालुकम् । स्फुटत्सरोगन्धहृतालिपत्रिक- ध्वनिप्रतिध्वानलसद्द्रुमाकुलम्
aho'tiramyaṃ pulinaṃ vayasyāḥ svakelisampanmṛdulācchavālukam | sphuṭatsarogandhahṛtālipatrika- dhvanipratidhvānalasaddrumākulam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear friends, just see how this riverbank is extremely beautiful because of its pleasing atmosphere. And just see how the blooming lotuses are attracting bees and birds by their aroma. The humming and chirping of the bees and birds is echoing throughout the beautiful trees in the forest. Also, here the sands are clean and soft. Therefore, this must be considered the best place for our sporting and pastimes.
अत्र भोक्तव्यमस्माभिर्दिवा रूढं क्षुधार्दिताः । वत्साः समीपेऽपः पीत्वा चरन्तु शनकैस्तृणम्
atra bhoktavyamasmābhirdivā rūḍhaṃ kṣudhārditāḥ | vatsāḥ samīpe'paḥ pītvā carantu śanakaistṛṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I think we should take our lunch here, since we are already hungry because the time is very late. Here the calves may drink water and go slowly here and there and eat the grass.
तथेति पाययित्वार्भा वत्सानारुध्य शाद्वले । मुक्त्वा शिक्यानि बुभुजुः समं भगवता मुदा
tatheti pāyayitvārbhā vatsānārudhya śādvale | muktvā śikyāni bubhujuḥ samaṃ bhagavatā mudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Accepting Lord Kṛṣṇa’s proposal, the cowherd boys allowed the calves to drink water from the river and then tied them to trees where there was green, tender grass. Then the boys opened their baskets of food and began eating with Kṛṣṇa in great transcendental pleasure.
कृष्णस्य विष्वक्पुरुराजिमण्डलै- रभ्याननाः फुल्लदृशो व्रजार्भकाः । सहोपविष्टा विपिने विरेजु- श्छदा यथाम्भोरुहकर्णिकायाः
kṛṣṇasya viṣvakpururājimaṇḍalai- rabhyānanāḥ phulladṛśo vrajārbhakāḥ | sahopaviṣṭā vipine vireju- śchadā yathāmbhoruhakarṇikāyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Like the whorl of a lotus flower surrounded by its petals and leaves, Kṛṣṇa sat in the center, encircled by lines of His friends, who all looked very beautiful. Every one of them was trying to look forward toward Kṛṣṇa, thinking that Kṛṣṇa might look toward him. In this way they all enjoyed their lunch in the forest.
केचित्पुष्पैर्दलैः केचित्पल्लवैरङ्कुरैः फलैः । शिग्भिस्त्वग्भिर्दृषद्भिश्च बुभुजुः कृतभाजनाः
kecitpuṣpairdalaiḥ kecitpallavairaṅkuraiḥ phalaiḥ | śigbhistvagbhirdṛṣadbhiśca bubhujuḥ kṛtabhājanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Among the cowherd boys, some placed their lunch on flowers, some on leaves, fruits, or bunches of leaves, some actually in their baskets, some on the bark of trees and some on rocks. This is what the children imagined to be their plates as they ate their lunch.
सर्वे मिथो दर्शयन्तः स्वस्वभोज्यरुचिं पृथक् । हसन्तो हासयन्तश्चाभ्यवजह्रुः सहेश्वराः
sarve mitho darśayantaḥ svasvabhojyaruciṃ pṛthak | hasanto hāsayantaścābhyavajahruḥ saheśvarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the cowherd boys enjoyed their lunch with Kṛṣṇa, showing one another the different tastes of the different varieties of preparations they had brought from home. Tasting one another’s preparations, they began to laugh and make one another laugh.
बिभ्रद्वेणुं जठरपटयोः शृङ्गवेत्रे च कक्षे वामे पाणौ मसृणकवलं तत्फलान्यङ्गुलीषु । तिष्ठन्मध्ये स्वपरिसुहृदो हासयन् नर्मभिः स्वैः स्वर्गे लोके मिषति बुभुजे यज्ञभुग्बालकेलिः
bibhradveṇuṃ jaṭharapaṭayoḥ śṛṅgavetre ca kakṣe vāme pāṇau masṛṇakavalaṃ tatphalānyaṅgulīṣu | tiṣṭhanmadhye svaparisuhṛdo hāsayan narmabhiḥ svaiḥ svarge loke miṣati bubhuje yajñabhugbālakeliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa is yajña-bhuk — that is, He eats only offerings of yajña — but to exhibit His childhood pastimes, He now sat with His flute tucked between His waist and His tight cloth on His right side and with His horn bugle and cow-driving stick on His left. Holding in His hand a very nice preparation of yogurt and rice, with pieces of suitable fruit between His fingers, He sat like the whorl of a lotus flower, looking forward toward all His friends, personally joking with them and creating jubilant laughter among them as He ate. At that time, the denizens of heaven were watching, struck with wonder at how the Personality of Godhead, who eats only in yajña, was now eating with His friends in the forest.
भारतैवं वत्सपेषु भुञ्जानेष्वच्युतात्मसु । वत्सास्त्वन्तर्वने दूरं विविशुस्तृणलोभिताः
bhārataivaṃ vatsapeṣu bhuñjāneṣvacyutātmasu | vatsāstvantarvane dūraṃ viviśustṛṇalobhitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, while the cowherd boys, who knew nothing within the core of their hearts but Kṛṣṇa, were thus engaged in eating their lunch in the forest, the calves went far away, deep into the forest, being allured by green grass.
तान् दृष्ट्वा भयसन्त्रस्तानूचे कृष्णोऽस्य भीभयम् । मित्राण्याशान्मा विरमतेहानेष्ये वत्सकानहम्
tān dṛṣṭvā bhayasantrastānūce kṛṣṇo'sya bhībhayam | mitrāṇyāśānmā viramatehāneṣye vatsakānaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Kṛṣṇa saw that His friends the cowherd boys were frightened, He, the fierce controller even of fear itself, said, just to mitigate their fear, “My dear friends, do not stop eating. I shall bring your calves back to this spot by personally going after them Myself.”
इत्युक्त्वाद्रिदरीकुञ्जगह्वरेष्वात्मवत्सकान् । विचिन्वन् भगवान् कृष्णः सपाणिकवलो ययौ
ityuktvādridarīkuñjagahvareṣvātmavatsakān | vicinvan bhagavān kṛṣṇaḥ sapāṇikavalo yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Let Me go and search for the calves,” Kṛṣṇa said. “Don’t disturb your enjoyment.” Then, carrying His yogurt and rice in His hand, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, immediately went out to search for the calves of His friends. To please His friends, He began searching in all the mountains, mountain caves, bushes and narrow passages.
अम्भोजन्मजनिस्तदन्तरगतो मायार्भकस्येशितुः द्रष्टुं मञ्जु महित्वमन्यदपि तद्वत्सानितो वत्सपान् । नीत्वान्यत्र कुरूद्वहान्तरदधात्खेऽवस्थितो यः पुरा दृष्ट्वाघासुरमोक्षणं प्रभवतः प्राप्तः परं विस्मयम्
ambhojanmajanistadantaragato māyārbhakasyeśituḥ draṣṭuṃ mañju mahitvamanyadapi tadvatsānito vatsapān | nītvānyatra kurūdvahāntaradadhātkhe'vasthito yaḥ purā dṛṣṭvāghāsuramokṣaṇaṃ prabhavataḥ prāptaḥ paraṃ vismayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, Brahmā, who resides in the higher planetary system in the sky, had observed the activities of the most powerful Kṛṣṇa in killing and delivering Aghāsura, and he was astonished. Now that same Brahmā wanted to show some of his own power and see the power of Kṛṣṇa, who was engaged in His childhood pastimes, playing as if with ordinary cowherd boys. Therefore, in Kṛṣṇa’s absence, Brahmā took all the boys and calves to another place. Thus he became entangled, for in the very near future he would see how powerful Kṛṣṇa was.
ततो वत्सानदृष्ट्वैत्य पुलिनेऽपि च वत्सपान् । उभावपि वने कृष्णो विचिकाय समन्ततः
tato vatsānadṛṣṭvaitya puline'pi ca vatsapān | ubhāvapi vane kṛṣṇo vicikāya samantataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, when Kṛṣṇa was unable to find the calves, He returned to the bank of the river, but there He was also unable to see the cowherd boys. Thus He began to search for both the calves and the boys, as if He could not understand what had happened.
क्वाप्यदृष्ट्वान्तर्विपिने वत्सान् पालांश्च विश्ववित् । सर्वं विधिकृतं कृष्णः सहसावजगाम ह
kvāpyadṛṣṭvāntarvipine vatsān pālāṃśca viśvavit | sarvaṃ vidhikṛtaṃ kṛṣṇaḥ sahasāvajagāma ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Kṛṣṇa was unable to find the calves and their caretakers, the cowherd boys, anywhere in the forest, He could suddenly understand that this was the work of Lord Brahmā.
ततः कृष्णो मुदं कर्तुं तन्मातॄणां च कस्य च । उभयायितमात्मानं चक्रे विश्वकृदीश्वरः
tataḥ kṛṣṇo mudaṃ kartuṃ tanmātṝṇāṃ ca kasya ca | ubhayāyitamātmānaṃ cakre viśvakṛdīśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, just to create pleasure both for Brahmā and for the mothers of the calves and cowherd boys, Kṛṣṇa, the creator of the entire cosmic manifestation, expanded Himself as calves and boys.
यावद्वत्सपवत्सकाल्पकवपुर्यावत्कराङ्घ्र्यादिकं यावद्यष्टिविषाणवेणुदलशिग्यावद्विभूषाम्बरम् । यावच्छीलगुणाभिधाकृतिवयो यावद्विहारादिकं सर्वं विष्णुमयं गिरोऽङ्गवदजः सर्वस्वरूपो बभौ
yāvadvatsapavatsakālpakavapuryāvatkarāṅghryādikaṃ yāvadyaṣṭiviṣāṇaveṇudalaśigyāvadvibhūṣāmbaram | yāvacchīlaguṇābhidhākṛtivayo yāvadvihārādikaṃ sarvaṃ viṣṇumayaṃ giro'ṅgavadajaḥ sarvasvarūpo babhau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By His Vāsudeva feature, Kṛṣṇa simultaneously expanded Himself into the exact number of missing cowherd boys and calves, with their exact bodily features, their particular types of hands, legs and other limbs, their sticks, bugles and flutes, their lunch bags, their particular types of dress and ornaments placed in various ways, their names, ages and forms, and their special activities and characteristics. By expanding Himself in this way, beautiful Kṛṣṇa proved the statement samagra-jagad viṣṇumayam: “Lord Viṣṇu is all-pervading.”
स्वयमात्माऽऽत्मगोवत्सान् प्रतिवार्यात्मवत्सपैः । क्रीडन्नात्मविहारैश्च सर्वात्मा प्राविशद्व्रजम्
svayamātmā''tmagovatsān prativāryātmavatsapaiḥ | krīḍannātmavihāraiśca sarvātmā prāviśadvrajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now expanding Himself so as to appear as all the calves and cowherd boys, all of them as they were, and at the same time appear as their leader, Kṛṣṇa entered Vrajabhūmi, the land of His father, Nanda Mahārāja, just as He usually did while enjoying their company.
तत्तद्वत्सान् पृथङ्नीत्वा तत्तद्गोष्ठे निवेश्य सः । तत्तदात्माभवद्राजंस्तत्तत्सद्म प्रविष्टवान्
tattadvatsān pṛthaṅnītvā tattadgoṣṭhe niveśya saḥ | tattadātmābhavadrājaṃstattatsadma praviṣṭavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, Kṛṣṇa, who had divided Himself as different calves and also as different cowherd boys, entered different cow sheds as the calves and then different homes as different boys.
तन्मातरो वेणुरवत्वरोत्थिता उत्थाप्य दोर्भिः परिरभ्य निर्भरम् । स्नेहस्नुतस्तन्यपयःसुधासवं मत्वा परं ब्रह्म सुतानपाययन्
tanmātaro veṇuravatvarotthitā utthāpya dorbhiḥ parirabhya nirbharam | snehasnutastanyapayaḥsudhāsavaṃ matvā paraṃ brahma sutānapāyayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The mothers of the boys, upon hearing the sounds of the flutes and bugles being played by their sons, immediately rose from their household tasks, lifted their boys onto their laps, embraced them with both arms and began to feed them with their breast milk, which flowed forth because of extreme love specifically for Kṛṣṇa. Actually Kṛṣṇa is everything, but at that time, expressing extreme love and affection, they took special pleasure in feeding Kṛṣṇa, the Parabrahman, and Kṛṣṇa drank the milk from His respective mothers as if it were a nectarean beverage.
ततो नृपोन्मर्दनमज्जलेपना- लङ्काररक्षातिलकाशनादिभिः । संलालितः स्वाचरितैः प्रहर्षयन् सायं गतो यामयमेन माधवः
tato nṛponmardanamajjalepanā- laṅkārarakṣātilakāśanādibhiḥ | saṃlālitaḥ svācaritaiḥ praharṣayan sāyaṃ gato yāmayamena mādhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, as required according to the scheduled round of His pastimes, Kṛṣṇa returned in the evening, entered the house of each of the cowherd boys, and engaged exactly like the former boys, thus enlivening their mothers with transcendental pleasure. The mothers took care of the boys by massaging them with oil, bathing them, smearing their bodies with sandalwood pulp, decorating them with ornaments, chanting protective mantras, decorating their bodies with tilaka and giving them food. In this way, the mothers served Kṛṣṇa personally.
गावस्ततो गोष्ठमुपेत्य सत्वरं हुङ्कारघोषैः परिहूतसङ्गतान् । स्वकान्स्वकान्वत्सतरानपायय- न्मुहुर्लिहन्त्यः स्रवदौधसं पयः
gāvastato goṣṭhamupetya satvaraṃ huṅkāraghoṣaiḥ parihūtasaṅgatān | svakānsvakānvatsatarānapāyaya- nmuhurlihantyaḥ sravadaudhasaṃ payaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, all the cows entered their different sheds and began mooing loudly, calling for their respective calves. When the calves arrived, the mothers began licking the calves’ bodies again and again and profusely feeding them with the milk flowing from their milk bags.
गोगोपीनां मातृतास्मिन् सर्वा स्नेहर्धिकां विना । पुरोवदास्वपि हरेस्तोकता मायया विना
gogopīnāṃ mātṛtāsmin sarvā snehardhikāṃ vinā | purovadāsvapi harestokatā māyayā vinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Previously, from the very beginning, the gopīs had motherly affection for Kṛṣṇa. Indeed, their affection for Kṛṣṇa exceeded even their affection for their own sons. In displaying their affection, they had thus distinguished between Kṛṣṇa and their sons, but now that distinction disappeared.
व्रजौकसां स्वतोकेषु स्नेहवल्ल्याब्दमन्वहम् । शनैर्निःसीम ववृधे यथा कृष्णे त्वपूर्ववत्
vrajaukasāṃ svatokeṣu snehavallyābdamanvaham | śanairniḥsīma vavṛdhe yathā kṛṣṇe tvapūrvavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi, the cowherd men and cowherd women, previously had more affection for Kṛṣṇa than for their own children, now, for one year, their affection for their own sons continuously increased, for Kṛṣṇa had now become their sons. There was no limit to the increment of their affection for their sons, who were now Kṛṣṇa. Every day they found new inspiration for loving their children as much as they loved Kṛṣṇa.
इत्थमात्माऽऽत्मनाऽऽत्मानं वत्सपालमिषेण सः । पालयन् वत्सपो वर्षं चिक्रीडे वनगोष्ठयोः
itthamātmā''tmanā''tmānaṃ vatsapālamiṣeṇa saḥ | pālayan vatsapo varṣaṃ cikrīḍe vanagoṣṭhayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, having Himself become the cowherd boys and groups of calves, maintained Himself by Himself. Thus He continued His pastimes, both in Vṛndāvana and in the forest, for one year.
एकदा चारयन् वत्सान् सरामो वनमाविशत् । पञ्चषासु त्रियामासु हायनापूरणीष्वजः
ekadā cārayan vatsān sarāmo vanamāviśat | pañcaṣāsu triyāmāsu hāyanāpūraṇīṣvajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One day, five or six nights before the completion of the year, Kṛṣṇa, tending the calves, entered the forest along with Balarāma.
ततो विदूराच्चरतो गावो वत्सानुपव्रजम् । गोवर्धनाद्रिशिरसि चरन्त्यो ददृशुस्तृणम्
tato vidūrāccarato gāvo vatsānupavrajam | govardhanādriśirasi carantyo dadṛśustṛṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, while pasturing atop Govardhana Hill, the cows looked down to find some green grass and saw their calves pasturing near Vṛndāvana, not very far away.
दृष्ट्वाथ तत्स्नेहवशोऽस्मृतात्मा स गोव्रजोऽत्यात्मपदुर्गमार्गः । द्विपात्ककुद्ग्रीव उदास्यपुच्छो- ऽगाद्धुङ्कृतैरास्रुपया जवेन
dṛṣṭvātha tatsnehavaśo'smṛtātmā sa govrajo'tyātmapadurgamārgaḥ | dvipātkakudgrīva udāsyapuccho- 'gāddhuṅkṛtairāsrupayā javena
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the cows saw their own calves from the top of Govardhana Hill, they forgot themselves and their caretakers because of increased affection, and although the path was very rough, they ran toward their calves with great anxiety, each running as if with one pair of legs. Their milk bags full and flowing with milk, their heads and tails raised, and their humps moving with their necks, they ran forcefully until they reached their calves to feed them.
समेत्य गावोऽधो वत्सान् वत्सवत्योऽप्यपाययन् । गिलन्त्य इव चाङ्गानि लिहन्त्यः स्वौधसं पयः
sametya gāvo'dho vatsān vatsavatyo'pyapāyayan | gilantya iva cāṅgāni lihantyaḥ svaudhasaṃ payaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cows had given birth to new calves, but while coming down from Govardhana Hill, the cows, because of increased affection for the older calves, allowed the older calves to drink milk from their milk bags and then began licking the calves’ bodies in anxiety, as if wanting to swallow them.
गोपास्तद्रोधनायासमौघ्यलज्जोरुमन्युना । दुर्गाध्वकृच्छ्रतोऽभ्येत्य गोवत्सैर्ददृशुः सुतान्
gopāstadrodhanāyāsamaughyalajjorumanyunā | durgādhvakṛcchrato'bhyetya govatsairdadṛśuḥ sutān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd men, having been unable to check the cows from going to their calves, felt simultaneously ashamed and angry. They crossed the rough road with great difficulty, but when they came down and saw their own sons, they were overwhelmed by great affection.
तदीक्षणोत्प्रेमरसाप्लुताशया जातानुरागा गतमन्यवोऽर्भकान् । उदुह्य दोर्भिः परिरभ्य मूर्धनि घ्राणैरवापुः परमां मुदं ते
tadīkṣaṇotpremarasāplutāśayā jātānurāgā gatamanyavo'rbhakān | uduhya dorbhiḥ parirabhya mūrdhani ghrāṇairavāpuḥ paramāṃ mudaṃ te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time, all the thoughts of the cowherd men merged in the mellow of paternal love, which was aroused by the sight of their sons. Experiencing a great attraction, their anger completely disappearing, they lifted their sons, embraced them in their arms and enjoyed the highest pleasure by smelling their sons’ heads.
ततः प्रवयसो गोपास्तोकाश्लेषसुनिर्वृताः । कृच्छ्राच्छनैरपगतास्तदनुस्मृत्युदश्रवः
tataḥ pravayaso gopāstokāśleṣasunirvṛtāḥ | kṛcchrācchanairapagatāstadanusmṛtyudaśravaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter the elderly cowherd men, having obtained great feeling from embracing their sons, gradually and with great difficulty and reluctance ceased embracing them and returned to the forest. But as the men remembered their sons, tears began to roll down from their eyes.
व्रजस्य रामः प्रेमर्धेर्वीक्ष्यौत्कण्ठ्यमनुक्षणम् । मुक्तस्तनेष्वपत्येष्वप्यहेतुविदचिन्तयत्
vrajasya rāmaḥ premardhervīkṣyautkaṇṭhyamanukṣaṇam | muktastaneṣvapatyeṣvapyahetuvidacintayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of an increase of affection, the cows had constant attachment even to those calves that were grown up and had stopped sucking milk from their mothers. When Baladeva saw this attachment, He was unable to understand the reason for it, and thus He began to consider as follows.
किमेतदद्भुतमिव वासुदेवेऽखिलात्मनि । व्रजस्य सात्मनस्तोकेष्वपूर्वं प्रेम वर्धते
kimetadadbhutamiva vāsudeve'khilātmani | vrajasya sātmanastokeṣvapūrvaṃ prema vardhate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What is this wonderful phenomenon? The affection of all the inhabitants of Vraja, including Me, toward these boys and calves is increasing as never before, just like our affection for Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supersoul of all living entities.
केयं वा कुत आयाता दैवी वा नार्युतासुरी । प्रायो मायास्तु मे भर्तुर्नान्या मेऽपि विमोहिनी
keyaṃ vā kuta āyātā daivī vā nāryutāsurī | prāyo māyāstu me bharturnānyā me'pi vimohinī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Who is this mystic power, and where has she come from? Is she a demigod or a demoness? She must be the illusory energy of My master, Lord Kṛṣṇa, for who else can bewilder Me?
इति सञ्चिन्त्य दाशार्हो वत्सान् सवयसानपि । सर्वानाचष्ट वैकुण्ठं चक्षुषा वयुनेन सः
iti sañcintya dāśārho vatsān savayasānapi | sarvānācaṣṭa vaikuṇṭhaṃ cakṣuṣā vayunena saḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thinking in this way, Lord Balarāma was able to see, with the eye of transcendental knowledge, that all these calves and Kṛṣṇa’s friends were expansions of the form of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
नैते सुरेशा ऋषयो न चैते त्वमेव भासीश भिदाश्रयेऽपि । सर्वं पृथक्त्वं निगमात्कथं वदे- त्युक्तेन वृत्तं प्रभुणा बलोऽवैत्
naite sureśā ṛṣayo na caite tvameva bhāsīśa bhidāśraye'pi | sarvaṃ pṛthaktvaṃ nigamātkathaṃ vade- tyuktena vṛttaṃ prabhuṇā balo'vait
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Baladeva said, “O supreme controller! These boys are not great demigods, as I previously thought. Nor are these calves great sages like Nārada. Now I can see that You alone are manifesting Yourself in all varieties of difference. Although one, You are existing in the different forms of the calves and boys. Please briefly explain this to Me.” Having thus been requested by Lord Baladeva, Kṛṣṇa explained the whole situation, and Baladeva understood it.
तावदेत्यात्मभूरात्ममानेन त्रुट्यनेहसा । पुरोवदब्दं क्रीडन्तं ददृशे सकलं हरिम्
tāvadetyātmabhūrātmamānena truṭyanehasā | purovadabdaṃ krīḍantaṃ dadṛśe sakalaṃ harim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Brahmā returned after a moment of time had passed (according to his own measurement), he saw that although by human measurement a complete year had passed, Lord Kṛṣṇa, after all that time, was engaged just as before in playing with the boys and calves, who were His expansions.
यावन्तो गोकुले बालाः सवत्साः सर्व एव हि । मायाशये शयाना मे नाद्यापि पुनरुत्थिताः
yāvanto gokule bālāḥ savatsāḥ sarva eva hi | māyāśaye śayānā me nādyāpi punarutthitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā thought: Whatever boys and calves there were in Gokula, I have kept them sleeping on the bed of my mystic potency, and to this very day they have not yet risen again.
इत एतेऽत्र कुत्रत्या मन्मायामोहितेतरे । तावन्त एव तत्राब्दं क्रीडन्तो विष्णुना समम्
ita ete'tra kutratyā manmāyāmohitetare | tāvanta eva tatrābdaṃ krīḍanto viṣṇunā samam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A similar number of boys and calves have been playing with Kṛṣṇa for one whole year, yet they are different from the ones illusioned by my mystic potency. Who are they? Where did they come from?
एवमेतेषु भेदेषु चिरं ध्यात्वा स आत्मभूः । सत्याः के कतरे नेति ज्ञातुं नेष्टे कथञ्चन
evameteṣu bhedeṣu ciraṃ dhyātvā sa ātmabhūḥ | satyāḥ ke katare neti jñātuṃ neṣṭe kathañcana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus Lord Brahmā, thinking and thinking for a long time, tried to distinguish between those two sets of boys, who were each separately existing. He tried to understand who was real and who was not real, but he couldn’t understand at all.
एवं सम्मोहयन् विष्णुं विमोहं विश्वमोहनम् । स्वयैव माययाजोऽपि स्वयमेव विमोहितः
evaṃ sammohayan viṣṇuṃ vimohaṃ viśvamohanam | svayaiva māyayājo'pi svayameva vimohitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus because Lord Brahmā wanted to mystify the all-pervading Lord Kṛṣṇa, who can never be mystified, but who, on the contrary, mystifies the entire universe, he himself was put into bewilderment by his own mystic power.
तम्यां तमोवन्नैहारं खद्योतार्चिरिवाहनि । महतीतरमायैश्यं निहन्त्यात्मनि युञ्जतः
tamyāṃ tamovannaihāraṃ khadyotārcirivāhani | mahatītaramāyaiśyaṃ nihantyātmani yuñjataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the darkness of snow on a dark night and the light of a glowworm in the light of day have no value, the mystic power of an inferior person who tries to use it against a person of great power is unable to accomplish anything; instead, the power of that inferior person is diminished.
तावत्सर्वे वत्सपालाः पश्यतोऽजस्य तत्क्षणात् । व्यदृश्यन्त घनश्यामाः पीतकौशेयवाससः
tāvatsarve vatsapālāḥ paśyato'jasya tatkṣaṇāt | vyadṛśyanta ghanaśyāmāḥ pītakauśeyavāsasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, while Lord Brahmā looked on, all the calves and the boys tending them immediately appeared to have complexions the color of bluish rainclouds and to be dressed in yellow silken garments.
आङ्घ्रिमस्तकमापूर्णास्तुलसीनवदामभिः । कोमलैः सर्वगात्रेषु भूरि पुण्यवदर्पितैः
āṅghrimastakamāpūrṇāstulasīnavadāmabhiḥ | komalaiḥ sarvagātreṣu bhūri puṇyavadarpitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Every part of Their bodies, from Their feet to the top of Their heads, was fully decorated with fresh, tender garlands of tulasī leaves offered by devotees engaged in worshiping the Lord by the greatest pious activities, namely hearing and chanting.
चन्द्रिकाविशदस्मेरैः सारुणापाङ्गवीक्षितैः । स्वकार्थानामिव रजःसत्त्वाभ्यां स्रष्टृपालकाः
candrikāviśadasmeraiḥ sāruṇāpāṅgavīkṣitaiḥ | svakārthānāmiva rajaḥsattvābhyāṃ sraṣṭṛpālakāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those Viṣṇu forms, by Their pure smiling, which resembled the increasing light of the moon, and by the sidelong glances of Their reddish eyes, created and protected the desires of Their own devotees, as if by the modes of passion and goodness.
आत्मादिस्तम्बपर्यन्तैर्मूर्तिमद्भिश्चराचरैः । नृत्यगीताद्यनेकार्हैः पृथक्पृथगुपासिताः
ātmādistambaparyantairmūrtimadbhiścarācaraiḥ | nṛtyagītādyanekārhaiḥ pṛthakpṛthagupāsitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All beings, both moving and nonmoving, from the four-headed Lord Brahmā down to the most insignificant living entity, had taken forms and were differently worshiping those viṣṇu-mūrtis, according to their respective capacities, with various means of worship, such as dancing and singing.
अणिमाद्यैर्महिमभिरजाद्याभिर्विभूतिभिः । चतुर्विंशतिभिस्तत्त्वैः परीता महदादिभिः
aṇimādyairmahimabhirajādyābhirvibhūtibhiḥ | caturviṃśatibhistattvaiḥ parītā mahadādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the viṣṇu-mūrtis were surrounded by the opulences, headed by aṇimā-siddhi; by the mystic potencies, headed by Ajā; and by the twenty-four elements for the creation of the material world, headed by the mahat-tattva.
कालस्वभावसंस्कारकामकर्मगुणादिभिः । स्वमहिध्वस्तमहिभिर्मूर्तिमद्भिरुपासिताः
kālasvabhāvasaṃskārakāmakarmaguṇādibhiḥ | svamahidhvastamahibhirmūrtimadbhirupāsitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Lord Brahmā saw that kāla (the time factor), svabhāva (one’s own nature by association), saṁskāra (reformation), kāma (desire), karma (fruitive activity) and the guṇas (the three modes of material nature), their own independence being completely subordinate to the potency of the Lord, had all taken forms and were also worshiping those viṣṇu-mūrtis.
सत्यज्ञानानन्तानन्दमात्रैकरसमूर्तयः । अस्पृष्टभूरिमाहात्म्या अपि ह्युपनिषद्दृशाम्
satyajñānānantānandamātraikarasamūrtayaḥ | aspṛṣṭabhūrimāhātmyā api hyupaniṣaddṛśām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The viṣṇu-mūrtis all had eternal, unlimited forms, full of knowledge and bliss and existing beyond the influence of time. Their great glory was not even to be touched by the jñānīs engaged in studying the Upaniṣads.
एवं सकृद्ददर्शाजः परब्रह्मात्मनोऽखिलान् । यस्य भासा सर्वमिदं विभाति सचराचरम्
evaṃ sakṛddadarśājaḥ parabrahmātmano'khilān | yasya bhāsā sarvamidaṃ vibhāti sacarācaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus Lord Brahmā saw the Supreme Brahman, by whose energy this entire universe, with its moving and nonmoving living beings, is manifested. He also saw at the same time all the calves and boys as the Lord’s expansions.
ततोऽतिकुतुकोद्वृत्तस्तिमितैकादशेन्द्रियः । तद्धाम्नाभूदजस्तूष्णीं पूर्देव्यन्तीव पुत्रिका
tato'tikutukodvṛttastimitaikādaśendriyaḥ | taddhāmnābhūdajastūṣṇīṃ pūrdevyantīva putrikā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, by the power of the effulgence of those viṣṇu-mūrtis, Lord Brahmā, his eleven senses jolted by astonishment and stunned by transcendental bliss, became silent, just like a child’s clay doll in the presence of the village deity.
इतीरेशेऽतर्क्ये निजमहिमनि स्वप्रमितिके परत्राजातोऽतन्निरसनमुखब्रह्मकमितौ । अनीशेऽपि द्रष्टुं किमिदमिति वा मुह्यति सति चच्छादाजो ज्ञात्वा सपदि परमोऽजाजवनिकाम्
itīreśe'tarkye nijamahimani svapramitike paratrājāto'tannirasanamukhabrahmakamitau | anīśe'pi draṣṭuṃ kimidamiti vā muhyati sati cacchādājo jñātvā sapadi paramo'jājavanikām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Brahman is beyond mental speculation, He is self-manifest, existing in His own bliss, and He is beyond the material energy. He is known by the crest jewels of the Vedas by refutation of irrelevant knowledge. Thus in relation to that Supreme Brahman, the Personality of Godhead, whose glory had been shown by the manifestation of all the four-armed forms of Viṣṇu, Lord Brahmā, the lord of Sarasvatī, was mystified. “What is this?” he thought, and then he was not even able to see. Lord Kṛṣṇa, understanding Brahmā’s position, then at once removed the curtain of His yoga-māyā.
ततोऽर्वाक्प्रतिलब्धाक्षः कः परेतवदुत्थितः । कृच्छ्रादुन्मील्य वै दृष्टीराचष्टेदं सहात्मना
tato'rvākpratilabdhākṣaḥ kaḥ paretavadutthitaḥ | kṛcchrādunmīlya vai dṛṣṭīrācaṣṭedaṃ sahātmanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā’s external consciousness then revived, and he stood up, just like a dead man coming back to life. Opening his eyes with great difficulty, he saw the universe, along with himself.
सपद्येवाभितः पश्यन् दिशोऽपश्यत्पुरः स्थितम् । वृन्दावनं जनाजीव्यद्रुमाकीर्णं समाप्रियम्
sapadyevābhitaḥ paśyan diśo'paśyatpuraḥ sthitam | vṛndāvanaṃ janājīvyadrumākīrṇaṃ samāpriyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, looking in all directions, Lord Brahmā immediately saw Vṛndāvana before him, filled with trees, which were the means of livelihood for the inhabitants and which were equally pleasing in all seasons.
यत्र नैसर्गदुर्वैराः सहासन् नृमृगादयः । मित्राणीवाजितावासद्रुतरुट्तर्षकादिकम्
yatra naisargadurvairāḥ sahāsan nṛmṛgādayaḥ | mitrāṇīvājitāvāsadrutaruṭtarṣakādikam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vṛndāvana is the transcendental abode of the Lord, where there is no hunger, anger or thirst. Though naturally inimical, both human beings and fierce animals live there together in transcendental friendship.
तत्रोद्वहत्पशुपवंशशिशुत्वनाट्यं ब्रह्माद्वयं परमनन्तमगाधबोधम् । वत्सान् सखीनिव पुरा परितो विचिन्व- देकं सपाणिकवलं परमेष्ठ्यचष्ट
tatrodvahatpaśupavaṃśaśiśutvanāṭyaṃ brahmādvayaṃ paramanantamagādhabodham | vatsān sakhīniva purā parito vicinva- dekaṃ sapāṇikavalaṃ parameṣṭhyacaṣṭa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Lord Brahmā saw the Absolute Truth — who is one without a second, who possesses full knowledge and who is unlimited — assuming the role of a child in a family of cowherd men and standing all alone, just as before, with a morsel of food in His hand, searching everywhere for the calves and His cowherd friends.
दृष्ट्वा त्वरेण निजधोरणतोऽवतीर्य पृथ्व्यां वपुः कनकदण्डमिवाभिपात्य । स्पृष्ट्वा चतुर्मुकुटकोटिभिरङ्घ्रियुग्मं नत्वा मुदश्रुसुजलैरकृताभिषेकम्
dṛṣṭvā tvareṇa nijadhoraṇato'vatīrya pṛthvyāṃ vapuḥ kanakadaṇḍamivābhipātya | spṛṣṭvā caturmukuṭakoṭibhiraṅghriyugmaṃ natvā mudaśrusujalairakṛtābhiṣekam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After seeing this, Lord Brahmā hastily got down from his swan carrier, fell down like a golden rod and touched the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa with the tips of the four crowns on his heads. Offering his obeisances, he bathed the feet of Kṛṣṇa with the water of his tears of joy.
उत्थायोत्थाय कृष्णस्य चिरस्य पादयोः पतन् । आस्ते महित्वं प्राग्दृष्टं स्मृत्वा स्मृत्वा पुनः पुनः
utthāyotthāya kṛṣṇasya cirasya pādayoḥ patan | āste mahitvaṃ prāgdṛṣṭaṃ smṛtvā smṛtvā punaḥ punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Rising and falling again and again at the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa for a long time, Lord Brahmā remembered over and over the Lord’s greatness he had just seen.
शनैरथोत्थाय विमृज्य लोचने मुकुन्दमुद्वीक्ष्य विनम्रकन्धरः । कृताञ्जलिः प्रश्रयवान् समाहितः सवेपथुर्गद्गदयैलतेलया
śanairathotthāya vimṛjya locane mukundamudvīkṣya vinamrakandharaḥ | kṛtāñjaliḥ praśrayavān samāhitaḥ savepathurgadgadayailatelayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, rising very gradually and wiping his two eyes, Lord Brahmā looked up at Mukunda. Lord Brahmā, his head bent low, his mind concentrated and his body trembling, very humbly began, with faltering words, to offer praises to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
ब्रह्मोवाच । नौमीड्य तेऽभ्रवपुषे तडिदम्बराय गुञ्जावतंसपरिपिच्छलसन्मुखाय । वन्यस्रजे कवलवेत्रविषाणवेणु- लक्ष्मश्रिये मृदुपदे पशुपाङ्गजाय
brahmovāca | naumīḍya te'bhravapuṣe taḍidambarāya guñjāvataṃsaparipicchalasanmukhāya | vanyasraje kavalavetraviṣāṇaveṇu- lakṣmaśriye mṛdupade paśupāṅgajāya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Brahmā said: My dear Lord, You are the only worshipable Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore I offer my humble obeisances and prayers just to please You. O son of the king of the cowherds, Your transcendental body is dark blue like a new cloud, Your garment is brilliant like lightning, and the beauty of Your face is enhanced by Your guñjā earrings and the peacock feather on Your head. Wearing garlands of various forest flowers and leaves, and equipped with a herding stick, a buffalo horn and a flute, You stand beautifully with a morsel of food in Your hand.
अस्यापि देव वपुषो मदनुग्रहस्य स्वेच्छामयस्य न तु भूतमयस्य कोऽपि । नेशे महि त्ववसितुं मनसाऽऽन्तरेण साक्षात्तवैव किमुतात्मसुखानुभूतेः
asyāpi deva vapuṣo madanugrahasya svecchāmayasya na tu bhūtamayasya ko'pi | neśe mahi tvavasituṃ manasā''ntareṇa sākṣāttavaiva kimutātmasukhānubhūteḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, neither I nor anyone else can estimate the potency of this transcendental body of Yours, which has shown such mercy to me and which appears just to fulfill the desires of Your pure devotees. Although my mind is completely withdrawn from material affairs, I cannot understand Your personal form. How, then, could I possibly understand the happiness You experience within Yourself?
ज्ञाने प्रयासमुदपास्य नमन्त एव जीवन्ति सन्मुखरितां भवदीयवार्ताम् । स्थाने स्थिताः श्रुतिगतां तनुवाङ्मनोभिः ये प्रायशोऽजित जितोऽप्यसि तैस्त्रिलोक्याम्
jñāne prayāsamudapāsya namanta eva jīvanti sanmukharitāṃ bhavadīyavārtām | sthāne sthitāḥ śrutigatāṃ tanuvāṅmanobhiḥ ye prāyaśo'jita jito'pyasi taistrilokyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who, even while remaining situated in their established social positions, throw away the process of speculative knowledge and with their body, words and mind offer all respects to descriptions of Your personality and activities, dedicating their lives to these narrations, which are vibrated by You personally and by Your pure devotees, certainly conquer Your Lordship, although You are otherwise unconquerable by anyone within the three worlds.
श्रेयःसृतिं/स्रुतिं भक्तिमुदस्य ते विभो क्लिश्यन्ति ये केवलबोधलब्धये । तेषामसौ क्लेशल एव शिष्यते नान्यद्यथा स्थूलतुषावघातिनाम्
śreyaḥsṛtiṃ/srutiṃ bhaktimudasya te vibho kliśyanti ye kevalabodhalabdhaye | teṣāmasau kleśala eva śiṣyate nānyadyathā sthūlatuṣāvaghātinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, devotional service unto You is the best path for self-realization. If someone gives up that path and engages in the cultivation of speculative knowledge, he will simply undergo a troublesome process and will not achieve his desired result. As a person who beats an empty husk of wheat cannot get grain, one who simply speculates cannot achieve self-realization. His only gain is trouble.
पुरेह भूमन् बहवोऽपि योगिन- स्त्वदर्पितेहा निजकर्मलब्धया । विबुध्य भक्त्यैव कथोपनीतया प्रपेदिरेऽञ्जोऽच्युत ते गतिं पराम्
pureha bhūman bahavo'pi yogina- stvadarpitehā nijakarmalabdhayā | vibudhya bhaktyaiva kathopanītayā prapedire'ñjo'cyuta te gatiṃ parām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O almighty Lord, in the past many yogīs in this world achieved the platform of devotional service by offering all their endeavors unto You and faithfully carrying out their prescribed duties. Through such devotional service, perfected by the processes of hearing and chanting about You, they came to understand You, O infallible one, and could easily surrender to You and achieve Your supreme abode.
तथापि भूमन् महिमागुणस्य ते विबोद्धुमर्हत्यमलान्तरात्मभिः । अविक्रियात्स्वानुभवादरूपतो ह्यनन्यबोध्यात्मतया न चान्यथा
tathāpi bhūman mahimāguṇasya te viboddhumarhatyamalāntarātmabhiḥ | avikriyātsvānubhavādarūpato hyananyabodhyātmatayā na cānyathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nondevotees, however, cannot realize You in Your full personal feature. Nevertheless, it may be possible for them to realize Your expansion as the impersonal Supreme by cultivating direct perception of the Self within the heart. But they can do this only by purifying their mind and senses of all conceptions of material distinctions and all attachment to material sense objects. Only in this way will Your impersonal feature manifest itself to them.
गुणात्मनस्तेऽपि गुणान् विमातुं हितावतीर्णस्य क ईशिरेऽस्य । कालेन यैर्वा विमिताः सुकल्पै- र्भूपांसवः खे मिहिका द्युभासाः
guṇātmanaste'pi guṇān vimātuṃ hitāvatīrṇasya ka īśire'sya | kālena yairvā vimitāḥ sukalpai- rbhūpāṃsavaḥ khe mihikā dyubhāsāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In time, learned philosophers or scientists might be able to count all the atoms of the earth, the particles of snow, or perhaps even the shining molecules radiating from the sun, the stars and other luminaries. But among these learned men, who could possibly count the unlimited transcendental qualities possessed by You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who have descended onto the surface of the earth for the benefit of all living entities?
तत्तेऽनुकम्पां सुसमीक्षमाणो भुञ्जान एवात्मकृतं विपाकम्। हृद्वाग्वपुर्भिर्विदधन्नमस्ते जीवेत यो मुक्तिपदे स दायभाक्॥
tat te 'nukampāṁ susamīkṣamāṇo bhuñjāna evātma-kṛtaṁ vipākam hṛd-vāg-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te jīveta yo mukti-pade sa dāya-bhāk
Meaning (English)
One who, perceiving Your compassion, patiently endures the results of his own past deeds, offering You obeisance with heart, words, and body — such a person is the rightful heir of liberation.
पश्येश मेऽनार्यमनन्त आद्ये परात्मनि त्वय्यपि मायिमायिनि । मायां वितत्येक्षितुमात्मवैभवं ह्यहं कियानैच्छमिवार्चिरग्नौ
paśyeśa me'nāryamananta ādye parātmani tvayyapi māyimāyini | māyāṃ vitatyekṣitumātmavaibhavaṃ hyahaṃ kiyānaicchamivārciragnau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, just see my uncivilized impudence! To test Your power I tried to extend my illusory potency to cover You, the unlimited and primeval Supersoul, who bewilder even the masters of illusion. What am I compared to You? I am just like a small spark in the presence of a great fire.
अतः क्षमस्वाच्युत मे रजोभुवो ह्यजानतस्त्वत्पृथगीशमानिनः । अजावलेपान्धतमोऽन्धचक्षुष एषोऽनुकम्प्यो मयि नाथवानिति
ataḥ kṣamasvācyuta me rajobhuvo hyajānatastvatpṛthagīśamāninaḥ | ajāvalepāndhatamo'ndhacakṣuṣa eṣo'nukampyo mayi nāthavāniti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O infallible Lord, kindly excuse my offenses. I have taken birth in the mode of passion and am therefore simply foolish, presuming myself a controller independent of Your Lordship. My eyes are blinded by the darkness of ignorance, which causes me to think of myself as the unborn creator of the universe. But please consider that I am Your servant and therefore worthy of Your compassion.
क्वाहं तमोमहदहङ्खचराग्निवार्भू- संवेष्टिताण्डघटसप्तवितस्तिकायाः । क्वेदृग्विधाविगणिताण्डपराणुचर्या- वाताध्वरोमविवरस्य च ते महित्वम्
kvāhaṃ tamomahadahaṅkhacarāgnivārbhū- saṃveṣṭitāṇḍaghaṭasaptavitastikāyāḥ | kvedṛgvidhāvigaṇitāṇḍaparāṇucaryā- vātādhvaromavivarasya ca te mahitvam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What am I, a small creature measuring seven spans of my own hand? I am enclosed in a potlike universe composed of material nature, the total material energy, false ego, ether, air, water and earth. And what is Your glory? Unlimited universes pass through the pores of Your body just as particles of dust pass through the openings of a screened window.
उत्क्षेपणं गर्भगतस्य पादयोः किं कल्पते मातुरधोक्षजागसे । किमस्तिनास्तिव्यपदेशभूषितं तवास्ति कुक्षेः कियदप्यनन्तः
utkṣepaṇaṃ garbhagatasya pādayoḥ kiṃ kalpate māturadhokṣajāgase | kimastināstivyapadeśabhūṣitaṃ tavāsti kukṣeḥ kiyadapyanantaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord Adhokṣaja, does a mother take offense when the child within her womb kicks with his legs? And is there anything in existence — whether designated by various philosophers as real or as unreal — that is actually outside Your abdomen?
जगत्त्रयान्तोदधिसम्प्लवोदे नारायणस्योदरनाभिनालात् । विनिर्गतोऽजस्त्विति वाङ्न वै मृषा किन्त्वीश्वर त्वन्न विनिर्गतोऽस्मि
jagattrayāntodadhisamplavode nārāyaṇasyodaranābhinālāt | vinirgato'jastviti vāṅna vai mṛṣā kintvīśvara tvanna vinirgato'smi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, it is said that when the three planetary systems are merged into the water at the time of dissolution, Your plenary portion, Nārāyaṇa, lies down on the water, gradually a lotus flower grows from His navel, and Brahmā takes birth upon that lotus flower. Certainly, these words are not false. Thus am I not born from You?
नारायणस्त्वं न हि सर्वदेहिना- मात्मास्यधीशाखिललोकसाक्षी । नारायणोऽङ्गं नरभूजलायनात् तच्चापि सत्यं न तवैव माया
nārāyaṇastvaṃ na hi sarvadehinā- mātmāsyadhīśākhilalokasākṣī | nārāyaṇo'ṅgaṃ narabhūjalāyanāt taccāpi satyaṃ na tavaiva māyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Are You not the original Nārāyaṇa, O supreme controller, since You are the Soul of every embodied being and the eternal witness of all created realms? Indeed, Lord Nārāyaṇa is Your expansion, and He is called Nārāyaṇa because He is the generating source of the primeval water of the universe. He is real, not a product of Your illusory Māyā.
तच्चेज्जलस्थं तव सज्जगद्वपुः किं मे न दृष्टं भगवंस्तदैव । किं वा सुदृष्टं हृदि मे तदैव किं नो सपद्येव पुनर्व्यदर्शि
taccejjalasthaṃ tava sajjagadvapuḥ kiṃ me na dṛṣṭaṃ bhagavaṃstadaiva | kiṃ vā sudṛṣṭaṃ hṛdi me tadaiva kiṃ no sapadyeva punarvyadarśi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, if Your transcendental body, which shelters the entire universe, is actually lying upon the water, then why were You not seen by me when I searched for You? And why, though I could not envision You properly within my heart, did You then suddenly reveal Yourself?
अत्रैव मायाधमनावतारे ह्यस्य प्रपञ्चस्य बहिः स्फुटस्य । कृत्स्नस्य चान्तर्जठरे जनन्या मायात्वमेव प्रकटीकृतं ते
atraiva māyādhamanāvatāre hyasya prapañcasya bahiḥ sphuṭasya | kṛtsnasya cāntarjaṭhare jananyā māyātvameva prakaṭīkṛtaṃ te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, in this incarnation You have proved that You are the supreme controller of Māyā. Although You are now within this universe, the whole universal creation is within Your transcendental body — a fact You demonstrated by exhibiting the universe within Your abdomen before Your mother, Yaśodā.
यस्य कुक्षाविदं सर्वं सात्मं भाति यथा तथा । तत्त्वय्यपीह तत्सर्वं किमिदं मायया विना
yasya kukṣāvidaṃ sarvaṃ sātmaṃ bhāti yathā tathā | tattvayyapīha tatsarvaṃ kimidaṃ māyayā vinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as this entire universe, including You, was exhibited within Your abdomen, so it is now manifested here externally in the same exact form. How could such things happen unless arranged by Your inconceivable energy?
अद्यैव त्वदृतेऽस्य किं मम न ते मायात्वमादर्शित- मेकोऽसि प्रथमं ततो व्रजसुहृद्वत्साः समस्ता अपि । तावन्तोऽसि चतुर्भुजास्तदखिलैः साकं मयोपासिता- स्तावन्त्येव जगन्त्यभूस्तदमितं ब्रह्माद्वयं शिष्यते
adyaiva tvadṛte'sya kiṃ mama na te māyātvamādarśita- meko'si prathamaṃ tato vrajasuhṛdvatsāḥ samastā api | tāvanto'si caturbhujāstadakhilaiḥ sākaṃ mayopāsitā- stāvantyeva jagantyabhūstadamitaṃ brahmādvayaṃ śiṣyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Have You not shown me today that both You Yourself and everything within this creation are manifestations of Your inconceivable potency? First You appeared alone, and then You manifested Yourself as all of Vṛndāvana’s calves and cowherd boys, Your friends. Next You appeared as an equal number of four-handed Viṣṇu forms, who were worshiped by all living beings, including me, and after that You appeared as an equal number of complete universes. Finally, You have now returned to Your unlimited form as the Supreme Absolute Truth, one without a second.
अजानतां त्वत्पदवीमनात्म- न्यात्माऽऽत्मना भासि वितत्य मायाम् । सृष्टाविवाहं जगतो विधान इव त्वमेषोऽन्त इव त्रिनेत्रः
ajānatāṃ tvatpadavīmanātma- nyātmā''tmanā bhāsi vitatya māyām | sṛṣṭāvivāhaṃ jagato vidhāna iva tvameṣo'nta iva trinetraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To persons ignorant of Your actual transcendental position, You appear as part of the material world, manifesting Yourself by the expansion of Your inconceivable energy. Thus for the creation of the universe You appear as me [Brahmā], for its maintenance You appear as Yourself [Viṣṇu], and for its annihilation You appear as Lord Trinetra [Śiva].
सुरेष्वृषिष्वीश तथैव नृष्वपि तिर्यक्षु यादःस्वपि तेऽजनस्य । जन्मासतां दुर्मदनिग्रहाय प्रभो विधातः सदनुग्रहाय च
sureṣvṛṣiṣvīśa tathaiva nṛṣvapi tiryakṣu yādaḥsvapi te'janasya | janmāsatāṃ durmadanigrahāya prabho vidhātaḥ sadanugrahāya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, O supreme creator and master, You have no material birth, yet to defeat the false pride of the faithless demons and show mercy to Your saintly devotees, You take birth among the demigods, sages, human beings, animals and even the aquatics.
को वेत्ति भूमन् भगवन् परात्मन् योगेश्वरोतीर्भवतस्त्रिलोक्याम् । क्व वा कथं वा कति वा कदेति विस्तारयन् क्रीडसि योगमायाम्
ko vetti bhūman bhagavan parātman yogeśvarotīrbhavatastrilokyām | kva vā kathaṃ vā kati vā kadeti vistārayan krīḍasi yogamāyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O supreme great one! O Supreme Personality of Godhead! O Supersoul, master of all mystic power! Your pastimes are taking place continuously in these three worlds, but who can estimate where, how and when You are employing Your spiritual energy and performing these innumerable pastimes? No one can understand the mystery of how Your spiritual energy acts.
तस्मादिदं जगदशेषमसत्स्वरूपं स्वप्नाभमस्तधिषणं पुरुदुःखदुःखम् । त्वय्येव नित्यसुखबोधतनावनन्ते मायात उद्यदपि यत्सदिवावभाति
tasmādidaṃ jagadaśeṣamasatsvarūpaṃ svapnābhamastadhiṣaṇaṃ puruduḥkhaduḥkham | tvayyeva nityasukhabodhatanāvanante māyāta udyadapi yatsadivāvabhāti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore this entire universe, which like a dream is by nature unreal, nevertheless appears real, and thus it covers one’s consciousness and assails one with repeated miseries. This universe appears real because it is manifested by the potency of illusion emanating from You, whose unlimited transcendental forms are full of eternal happiness and knowledge.
एकस्त्वमात्मा पुरुषः पुराणः सत्यः स्वयञ्ज्योतिरनन्त आद्यः । नित्योऽक्षरोऽजस्रसुखो निरञ्जनः पूर्णोऽद्वयो मुक्त उपाधितोऽमृतः
ekastvamātmā puruṣaḥ purāṇaḥ satyaḥ svayañjyotirananta ādyaḥ | nityo'kṣaro'jasrasukho nirañjanaḥ pūrṇo'dvayo mukta upādhito'mṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the one Supreme Soul, the primeval Supreme Personality, the Absolute Truth — self-manifested, endless and beginningless. You are eternal and infallible, perfect and complete, without any rival and free from all material designations. Your happiness can never be obstructed, nor have You any connection with material contamination. Indeed, You are the indestructible nectar of immortality.
एवं विधं त्वां सकलात्मनामपि स्वात्मानमात्माऽऽत्मतया विचक्षते । गुर्वर्कलब्धोपनिषत्सुचक्षुषा ये ते तरन्तीव भवानृताम्बुधिम्
evaṃ vidhaṃ tvāṃ sakalātmanāmapi svātmānamātmā''tmatayā vicakṣate | gurvarkalabdhopaniṣatsucakṣuṣā ye te tarantīva bhavānṛtāmbudhim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who have received the clear vision of knowledge from the sunlike spiritual master can see You in this way, as the very Soul of all souls, the Supersoul of everyone’s own self. Thus understanding Your original personality, they are able to cross over the ocean of illusory material existence.
आत्मानमेवात्मतयाविजानतां तेनैव जातं निखिलं प्रपञ्चितम् । ज्ञानेन भूयोऽपि च तत्प्रलीयते रज्ज्वामहेर्भोगभवाभवौ यथा
ātmānamevātmatayāvijānatāṃ tenaiva jātaṃ nikhilaṃ prapañcitam | jñānena bhūyo'pi ca tatpralīyate rajjvāmaherbhogabhavābhavau yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A person who mistakes a rope for a snake becomes fearful, but he then gives up his fear upon realizing that the so-called snake does not exist. Similarly, for those who fail to recognize You as the Supreme Soul of all souls, the expansive illusory material existence arises, but knowledge of You at once causes it to subside.
अज्ञानसंज्ञौ भवबन्धमोक्षौ द्वौ नाम नान्यौ स्त ऋतज्ञभावात् । अजस्रचित्याऽऽत्मनि केवले परे विचार्यमाणे तरणाविवाहनी
ajñānasaṃjñau bhavabandhamokṣau dvau nāma nānyau sta ṛtajñabhāvāt | ajasracityā''tmani kevale pare vicāryamāṇe taraṇāvivāhanī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The conception of material bondage and the conception of liberation are both manifestations of ignorance. Being outside the scope of true knowledge, they cease to exist when one correctly understands that the pure spirit soul is distinct from matter and always fully conscious. At that time bondage and liberation no longer have any significance, just as day and night have no significance from the perspective of the sun.
त्वामात्मानं परं मत्वा परमात्मानमेव च । आत्मा पुनर्बहिर्मृग्य अहोऽज्ञजनताज्ञता
tvāmātmānaṃ paraṃ matvā paramātmānameva ca | ātmā punarbahirmṛgya aho'jñajanatājñatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just see the foolishness of those ignorant persons who consider You to be some separated manifestation of illusion and who consider the self, which is actually You, to be something else, the material body. Such fools conclude that the supreme soul is to be searched for somewhere outside Your supreme personality.
अन्तर्भवेऽनन्त भवन्तमेव ह्यतत्त्यजन्तो मृगयन्ति सन्तः । असन्तमप्यन्त्यहिमन्तरेण सन्तं गुणं तं किमु यन्ति सन्तः
antarbhave'nanta bhavantameva hyatattyajanto mṛgayanti santaḥ | asantamapyantyahimantareṇa santaṃ guṇaṃ taṃ kimu yanti santaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O unlimited Lord, the saintly devotees seek You out within their own bodies by rejecting everything separate from You. Indeed, how can discriminating persons appreciate the real nature of a rope lying before them until they refute the illusion that it is a snake?
अथापि ते देव पदाम्बुजद्वय- प्रसादलेशानुगृहीत एव हि । जानाति तत्त्वं भगवन् महिम्नो- न चान्य एकोऽपि चिरं विचिन्वन्
athāpi te deva padāmbujadvaya- prasādaleśānugṛhīta eva hi | jānāti tattvaṃ bhagavan mahimno- na cānya eko'pi ciraṃ vicinvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, if one is favored by even a slight trace of the mercy of Your lotus feet, he can understand the greatness of Your personality. But those who speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are unable to know You, even though they continue to study the Vedas for many years.
तदस्तु मे नाथ स भूरिभागो भवेऽत्र वान्यत्र तु वा तिरश्चाम् । येनाहमेकोऽपि भवज्जनानां भूत्वा निषेवे तव पादपल्लवम्
tadastu me nātha sa bhūribhāgo bhave'tra vānyatra tu vā tiraścām | yenāhameko'pi bhavajjanānāṃ bhūtvā niṣeve tava pādapallavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, I therefore pray to be so fortunate that in this life as Lord Brahmā or in another life, wherever I take my birth, I may be counted as one of Your devotees. I pray that wherever I may be, even among the animal species, I can engage in devotional service to Your lotus feet.
अहोऽतिधन्या व्रजगोरमण्यः स्तन्यामृतं पीतमतीव ते मुदा । यासां विभो वत्सतरात्मजात्मना यत्तृप्तयेऽद्यापि न चालमध्वराः
aho'tidhanyā vrajagoramaṇyaḥ stanyāmṛtaṃ pītamatīva te mudā | yāsāṃ vibho vatsatarātmajātmanā yattṛptaye'dyāpi na cālamadhvarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O almighty Lord, how greatly fortunate are the cows and ladies of Vṛndāvana, the nectar of whose breast milk You have happily drunk to Your full satisfaction, taking the form of their calves and children! All the Vedic sacrifices performed from time immemorial up to the present day have not given You as much satisfaction.
अहोभाग्यमहोभाग्यं नन्दगोपव्रजौकसाम् । यन्मित्रं परमानन्दं पूर्णं ब्रह्म सनातनम्
ahobhāgyamahobhāgyaṃ nandagopavrajaukasām | yanmitraṃ paramānandaṃ pūrṇaṃ brahma sanātanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How greatly fortunate are Nanda Mahārāja, the cowherd men and all the other inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi! There is no limit to their good fortune, because the Absolute Truth, the source of transcendental bliss, the eternal Supreme Brahman, has become their friend.
एषां तु भाग्यमहिमाच्युत तावदास्ता- मेकादशैव हि वयं बत भूरिभागाः । एतद्धृषीकचषकैरसकृत्पिबामः शर्वादयोऽङ्घ्र्युदजमध्वमृतासवं ते
eṣāṃ tu bhāgyamahimācyuta tāvadāstā- mekādaśaiva hi vayaṃ bata bhūribhāgāḥ | etaddhṛṣīkacaṣakairasakṛtpibāmaḥ śarvādayo'ṅghryudajamadhvamṛtāsavaṃ te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Yet even though the extent of the good fortune of these residents of Vṛndāvana is inconceivable, we eleven presiding deities of the various senses, headed by Lord Śiva, are also most fortunate, because the senses of these devotees of Vṛndāvana are the cups through which we repeatedly drink the nectarean, intoxicating beverage of the honey of Your lotus feet.
तद्भूरिभाग्यमिह जन्म किमप्यटव्यां यद्गोकुलेऽपि कतमाङ्घ्रिरजोऽभिषेकम् । यज्जीवितं तु निखिलं भगवान् मुकुन्दः त्वद्यापि यत्पदरजः श्रुतिमृग्यमेव
tadbhūribhāgyamiha janma kimapyaṭavyāṃ yadgokule'pi katamāṅghrirajo'bhiṣekam | yajjīvitaṃ tu nikhilaṃ bhagavān mukundaḥ tvadyāpi yatpadarajaḥ śrutimṛgyameva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My greatest possible good fortune would be to take any birth whatever in this forest of Gokula and have my head bathed by the dust falling from the lotus feet of any of its residents. Their entire life and soul is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mukunda, the dust of whose lotus feet is still being searched for in the Vedic mantras.
एषां घोषनिवासिनामुत भवान् किं देव रातेति नः चेतो विश्वफलात्फलं त्वदपरं कुत्राप्ययन् मुह्यति । सद्वेषादिव पूतनापि सकुला त्वामेव देवापिता यद्धामार्थसुहृत्प्रियात्मतनयप्राणाशयास्त्वत्कृते
eṣāṃ ghoṣanivāsināmuta bhavān kiṃ deva rāteti naḥ ceto viśvaphalātphalaṃ tvadaparaṃ kutrāpyayan muhyati | sadveṣādiva pūtanāpi sakulā tvāmeva devāpitā yaddhāmārthasuhṛtpriyātmatanayaprāṇāśayāstvatkṛte
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My mind becomes bewildered just trying to think of what reward other than You could be found anywhere. You are the embodiment of all benedictions, which You bestow upon these residents of the cowherd community of Vṛndāvana. You have already arranged to give Yourself to Pūtanā and her family members in exchange for her disguising herself as a devotee. So what is left for You to give these devotees of Vṛndāvana, whose homes, wealth, friends, dear relations, bodies, children and very lives and hearts are all dedicated only to You?
तावद्रागादयः स्तेनास्तावत्कारागृहं गृहम् । तावन्मोहोऽङ्घ्रिनिगडो यावत्कृष्ण न ते जनाः
tāvadrāgādayaḥ stenāstāvatkārāgṛhaṃ gṛham | tāvanmoho'ṅghrinigaḍo yāvatkṛṣṇa na te janāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord Kṛṣṇa, until people become Your devotees, their material attachments and desires remain thieves, their homes remain prisons, and their affectionate feelings for their family members remain foot-shackles.
प्रपञ्चं निष्प्रपञ्चोऽपि विडम्बयसि भूतले । प्रपन्नजनतानन्दसन्दोहं प्रथितुं प्रभो
prapañcaṃ niṣprapañco'pi viḍambayasi bhūtale | prapannajanatānandasandohaṃ prathituṃ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear master, although You have nothing to do with material existence, You come to this earth and imitate material life just to expand the varieties of ecstatic enjoyment for Your surrendered devotees.
जानन्त एव जानन्तु किं बहूक्त्या न मे प्रभो । मनसो वपुषो वाचो वैभवं तव गोचरः
jānanta eva jānantu kiṃ bahūktyā na me prabho | manaso vapuṣo vāco vaibhavaṃ tava gocaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There are people who say, “I know everything about Kṛṣṇa.” Let them think that way. As far as I am concerned, I do not wish to speak very much about this matter. O my Lord, let me say this much: As far as Your opulences are concerned, they are all beyond the reach of my mind, body and words.
अनुजानीहि मां कृष्ण सर्वं त्वं वेत्सि सर्वदृक् । त्वमेव जगतां नाथो जगदेतत्तवार्पितम्
anujānīhi māṃ kṛṣṇa sarvaṃ tvaṃ vetsi sarvadṛk | tvameva jagatāṃ nātho jagadetattavārpitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Kṛṣṇa, I now humbly request permission to leave. Actually, You are the knower and seer of all things. Indeed, You are the Lord of all the universes, and yet I offer this one universe unto You.
श्रीकृष्ण वृष्णिकुलपुष्करजोषदायिन् क्ष्मानिर्जरद्विजपशूदधिवृद्धिकारिन् । उद्धर्मशार्वरहर क्षितिराक्षसध्रु- गाकल्पमार्कमर्हन् भगवन् नमस्ते
śrīkṛṣṇa vṛṣṇikulapuṣkarajoṣadāyin kṣmānirjaradvijapaśūdadhivṛddhikārin | uddharmaśārvarahara kṣitirākṣasadhru- gākalpamārkamarhan bhagavan namaste
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Śrī Kṛṣṇa, You bestow happiness upon the lotuslike Vṛṣṇi dynasty and expand the great oceans consisting of the earth, the demigods, the brāhmaṇas and the cows. You dispel the dense darkness of irreligion and oppose the demons who have appeared on this earth. O Supreme Personality of Godhead, as long as this universe exists and as long as the sun shines, I will offer my obeisances unto You.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्यभिष्टूय भूमानं त्रिः परिक्रम्य पादयोः । नत्वाभीष्टं जगद्धाता स्वधाम प्रत्यपद्यत
śrīśuka uvāca | ityabhiṣṭūya bhūmānaṃ triḥ parikramya pādayoḥ | natvābhīṣṭaṃ jagaddhātā svadhāma pratyapadyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus offered his prayers, Brahmā circumambulated his worshipable Lord, the unlimited Personality of Godhead, three times and then bowed down at His lotus feet. The appointed creator of the universe then returned to his own residence.
ततोऽनुज्ञाप्य भगवान् स्वभुवं प्रागवस्थितान् । वत्सान् पुलिनमानिन्ये यथापूर्वसखं स्वकम्
tato'nujñāpya bhagavān svabhuvaṃ prāgavasthitān | vatsān pulinamāninye yathāpūrvasakhaṃ svakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After granting His son Brahmā permission to leave, the Supreme Personality of Godhead took the calves, who were still where they had been a year earlier, and brought them to the riverbank, where He had been taking His meal and where His cowherd boyfriends remained just as before.
एकस्मिन्नपि यातेऽब्दे प्राणेशं चान्तरात्मनः । कृष्णमायाहता राजन् क्षणार्धं मेनिरेऽर्भकाः
ekasminnapi yāte'bde prāṇeśaṃ cāntarātmanaḥ | kṛṣṇamāyāhatā rājan kṣaṇārdhaṃ menire'rbhakāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, although the boys had passed an entire year apart from the Lord of their very lives, they had been covered by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s illusory potency and thus considered that year merely half a moment.
किं किं न विस्मरन्तीह मायामोहितचेतसः । यन्मोहितं जगत्सर्वमभीक्ष्णं विस्मृतात्मकम्
kiṃ kiṃ na vismarantīha māyāmohitacetasaḥ | yanmohitaṃ jagatsarvamabhīkṣṇaṃ vismṛtātmakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What indeed is not forgotten by those whose minds are bewildered by the Lord’s illusory potency? By that power of Māyā, this entire universe remains in perpetual bewilderment, and in this atmosphere of forgetfulness no one can understand his own identity.
ऊचुश्च सुहृदः कृष्णं स्वागतं तेऽतिरंहसा । नैकोऽप्यभोजि कवल एहीतः साधु भुज्यताम्
ūcuśca suhṛdaḥ kṛṣṇaṃ svāgataṃ te'tiraṃhasā | naiko'pyabhoji kavala ehītaḥ sādhu bhujyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd boyfriends said to Lord Kṛṣṇa: You have returned so quickly! We have not eaten even one morsel in Your absence. Please come here and take Your meal without distraction.
ततो हसन् हृषीकेशोऽभ्यवहृत्य सहार्भकैः । दर्शयंश्चर्माजगरं न्यवर्तत वनाद्व्रजम्
tato hasan hṛṣīkeśo'bhyavahṛtya sahārbhakaiḥ | darśayaṃścarmājagaraṃ nyavartata vanādvrajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Lord Hṛṣīkeśa, smiling, finished His lunch in the company of His cowherd friends. While they were returning from the forest to their homes in Vraja, Lord Kṛṣṇa showed the cowherd boys the skin of the dead serpent Aghāsura.
बर्हप्रसूननवधातुविचित्रिताङ्गः प्रोद्दामवेणुदलशृङ्गरवोत्सवाढ्यः । वत्सान् गृणन्ननुगगीतपवित्रकीर्ति- र्गोपीदृगुत्सवदृशिः प्रविवेश गोष्ठम्
barhaprasūnanavadhātuvicitritāṅgaḥ proddāmaveṇudalaśṛṅgaravotsavāḍhyaḥ | vatsān gṛṇannanugagītapavitrakīrti- rgopīdṛgutsavadṛśiḥ praviveśa goṣṭham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental body was decorated with peacock feathers and flowers and painted with forest minerals, and His bamboo flute loudly and festively resounded. As He called out to His calves by name, His cowherd boyfriends purified the whole world by chanting His glories. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa entered the cow pasture of His father, Nanda Mahārāja, and the sight of His beauty at once produced a great festival for the eyes of all the cowherd women.
अद्यानेन महाव्यालो यशोदानन्दसूनुना । हतोऽविता वयं चास्मादिति बाला व्रजे जगुः
adyānena mahāvyālo yaśodānandasūnunā | hato'vitā vayaṃ cāsmāditi bālā vraje jaguḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the cowherd boys reached the village of Vraja, they sang, “Today Kṛṣṇa saved us by killing a great serpent!” Some of the boys described Kṛṣṇa as the son of Yaśodā, and others as the son of Nanda Mahārāja.
राजोवाच । ब्रह्मन् परोद्भवे कृष्णे इयान् प्रेमा कथं भवेत् । योऽभूतपूर्वस्तोकेषु स्वोद्भवेष्वपि कथ्यताम्
rājovāca | brahman parodbhave kṛṣṇe iyān premā kathaṃ bhavet | yo'bhūtapūrvastokeṣu svodbhaveṣvapi kathyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit said: O brāhmaṇa, how could the cowherd women have developed for Kṛṣṇa, someone else’s son, such unprecedented pure love — love they never felt even for their own children? Please explain this.
श्रीशुक उवाच । सर्वेषामपि भूतानां नृप स्वात्मैव वल्लभः । इतरेऽपत्यवित्ताद्यास्तद्वल्लभतयैव हि
śrīśuka uvāca | sarveṣāmapi bhūtānāṃ nṛpa svātmaiva vallabhaḥ | itare'patyavittādyāstadvallabhatayaiva hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, for every created being the dearmost thing is certainly his own self. The dearness of everything else — children, wealth and so on — is due only to the dearness of the self.
तद्राजेन्द्र यथा स्नेहः स्वस्वकात्मनि देहिनाम् । न तथा ममतालम्बिपुत्रवित्तगृहादिषु
tadrājendra yathā snehaḥ svasvakātmani dehinām | na tathā mamatālambiputravittagṛhādiṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For this reason, O best of kings, the embodied soul is self-centered: he is more attached to his own body and self than to his so-called possessions like children, wealth and home.
देहात्मवादिनां पुंसामपि राजन्यसत्तम । यथा देहः प्रियतमस्तथा न ह्यनु ये च तम्
dehātmavādināṃ puṃsāmapi rājanyasattama | yathā dehaḥ priyatamastathā na hyanu ye ca tam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indeed, for persons who think the body is the self, O best of kings, those things whose importance lies only in their relationship to the body are never as dear as the body itself.
देहोऽपि ममताभाक्चेत्तर्ह्यसौ नात्मवत्प्रियः । यज्जीर्यत्यपि देहेऽस्मिन् जीविताशा बलीयसी
deho'pi mamatābhākcettarhyasau nātmavatpriyaḥ | yajjīryatyapi dehe'smin jīvitāśā balīyasī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If a person comes to the stage of considering the body “mine” instead of “me,” he will certainly not consider the body as dear as his own self. After all, even as the body is growing old and useless, one’s desire to continue living remains strong.
तस्मात्प्रियतमः स्वात्मा सर्वेषामपि देहिनाम् । तदर्थमेव सकलं जगदेतच्चराचरम्
tasmātpriyatamaḥ svātmā sarveṣāmapi dehinām | tadarthameva sakalaṃ jagadetaccarācaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore it is his own self that is most dear to every embodied living being, and it is simply for the satisfaction of this self that the whole material creation of moving and nonmoving entities exists.
कृष्णमेनमवेहि त्वमात्मानमखिलात्मनाम् । जगद्धिताय सोऽप्यत्र देहीवाभाति मायया
kṛṣṇamenamavehi tvamātmānamakhilātmanām | jagaddhitāya so'pyatra dehīvābhāti māyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You should know Kṛṣṇa to be the original Soul of all living entities. For the benefit of the whole universe, He has, out of His causeless mercy, appeared as an ordinary human being. He has done this by the strength of His internal potency.
वस्तुतो जानतामत्र कृष्णं स्थास्नु चरिष्णु च । भगवद्रूपमखिलं नान्यद्वस्त्विह किञ्चन
vastuto jānatāmatra kṛṣṇaṃ sthāsnu cariṣṇu ca | bhagavadrūpamakhilaṃ nānyadvastviha kiñcana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those in this world who understand Lord Kṛṣṇa as He is see all things, whether stationary or moving, as manifest forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such enlightened persons recognize no reality apart from the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa.
सर्वेषामपि वस्तूनां भावार्थो भवति स्थितः । तस्यापि भगवान् कृष्णः किमतद्वस्तु रूप्यताम्
sarveṣāmapi vastūnāṃ bhāvārtho bhavati sthitaḥ | tasyāpi bhagavān kṛṣṇaḥ kimatadvastu rūpyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The original, unmanifested form of material nature is the source of all material things, and the source of even that subtle material nature is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. What, then, could one ascertain to be separate from Him?
समाश्रिता ये पदपल्लवप्लवं महत्पदं पुण्ययशो मुरारेः । भवाम्बुधिर्वत्सपदं परं पदं पदं पदं यद्विपदां न तेषाम्
samāśritā ye padapallavaplavaṃ mahatpadaṃ puṇyayaśo murāreḥ | bhavāmbudhirvatsapadaṃ paraṃ padaṃ padaṃ padaṃ yadvipadāṃ na teṣām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murāri, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is paraṁ padam, Vaikuṇṭha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step.
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यत्पृष्टोऽहमिह त्वया । यत्कौमारे हरिकृतं पौगण्डे परिकीर्तितम्
etatte sarvamākhyātaṃ yatpṛṣṭo'hamiha tvayā | yatkaumāre harikṛtaṃ paugaṇḍe parikīrtitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since you inquired from me, I have fully described to you those activities of Lord Hari that were performed in His fifth year but not celebrated until His sixth.
एतत्सुहृद्भिश्चरितं मुरारे- रघार्दनं शाद्वलजेमनं च । व्यक्तेतरद्रूपमजोर्वभिष्टवं शृण्वन् गृणन्नेति नरोऽखिलार्थान्
etatsuhṛdbhiścaritaṃ murāre- raghārdanaṃ śādvalajemanaṃ ca | vyaktetaradrūpamajorvabhiṣṭavaṃ śṛṇvan gṛṇanneti naro'khilārthān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Any person who hears or chants these pastimes Lord Murāri performed with His cowherd friends — the killing of Aghāsura, the taking of lunch on the forest grass, the Lord’s manifestation of transcendental forms, and the wonderful prayers offered by Lord Brahmā — is sure to achieve all his spiritual desires.
एवं विहारैः कौमारैः कौमारं जहतुर्व्रजे । निलायनैः सेतुबन्धैर्मर्कटोत्प्लवनादिभिः
evaṃ vihāraiḥ kaumāraiḥ kaumāraṃ jahaturvraje | nilāyanaiḥ setubandhairmarkaṭotplavanādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way the boys spent their childhood in the land of Vṛndāvana playing hide-and-go-seek, building play bridges, jumping about like monkeys and engaging in many other such games.
श्रीशुक उवाच । ततश्च पौगण्डवयः श्रितौ व्रजे बभूवतुस्तौ पशुपालसम्मतौ । गाश्चारयन्तौ सखिभिः समं पदैः वृन्दावनं पुण्यमतीव चक्रतुः
śrīśuka uvāca | tataśca paugaṇḍavayaḥ śritau vraje babhūvatustau paśupālasammatau | gāścārayantau sakhibhiḥ samaṃ padaiḥ vṛndāvanaṃ puṇyamatīva cakratuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When Lord Rāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa attained the age of paugaṇḍa [six to ten] while living in Vṛndāvana, the cowherd men allowed Them to take up the task of tending the cows. Engaging thus in the company of Their friends, the two boys rendered the land of Vṛndāvana most auspicious by imprinting upon it the marks of Their lotus feet.
तन्माधवो वेणुमुदीरयन् वृतो गोपैर्गृणद्भिः स्वयशो बलान्वितः । पशून् पुरस्कृत्य पशव्यमाविश- द्विहर्तुकामः कुसुमाकरं वनम्
tanmādhavo veṇumudīrayan vṛto gopairgṛṇadbhiḥ svayaśo balānvitaḥ | paśūn puraskṛtya paśavyamāviśa- dvihartukāmaḥ kusumākaraṃ vanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus desiring to enjoy pastimes, Lord Mādhava, sounding His flute, surrounded by cowherd boys who were chanting His glories, and accompanied by Lord Baladeva, kept the cows before Him and entered the Vṛndāvana forest, which was full of flowers and rich with nourishment for the animals.
तन्मञ्जुघोषालिमृगद्विजाकुलं महन्मनःप्रख्यपयःसरस्वता । वातेन जुष्टं शतपत्रगन्धिना निरीक्ष्य रन्तुं भगवान् मनो दधे
tanmañjughoṣālimṛgadvijākulaṃ mahanmanaḥprakhyapayaḥsarasvatā | vātena juṣṭaṃ śatapatragandhinā nirīkṣya rantuṃ bhagavān mano dadhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead looked over that forest, which resounded with the charming sounds of bees, animals and birds, and which was enhanced by a lake whose clear water resembled the minds of great souls and by a breeze carrying the fragrance of hundred-petaled lotuses. Seeing all this, Lord Kṛṣṇa decided to enjoy the auspicious atmosphere.
स तत्र तत्रारुणपल्लवश्रिया फलप्रसूनोरुभरेण पादयोः । स्पृशच्छिखान् वीक्ष्य वनस्पतीन् मुदा स्मयन्निवाहाग्रजमादिपूरुषः
sa tatra tatrāruṇapallavaśriyā phalaprasūnorubhareṇa pādayoḥ | spṛśacchikhān vīkṣya vanaspatīn mudā smayannivāhāgrajamādipūruṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The primeval Lord saw that the stately trees, with their beautiful reddish buds and their heavy burden of fruits and flowers, were bending down to touch His feet with the tips of their branches. Thus He smiled gently and addressed His elder brother.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । अहो अमी देव वरामरार्चितं पादाम्बुजं ते सुमनःफलार्हणम् । नमन्त्युपादाय शिखाभिरात्मन- स्तमोऽपहत्यै तरुजन्म यत्कृतम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | aho amī deva varāmarārcitaṃ pādāmbujaṃ te sumanaḥphalārhaṇam | namantyupādāya śikhābhirātmana- stamo'pahatyai tarujanma yatkṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O greatest of Lords, just see how these trees are bowing their heads at Your lotus feet, which are worshipable by the immortal demigods. The trees are offering You their fruits and flowers to eradicate the dark ignorance that has caused their birth as trees.
एतेऽलिनस्तव यशोऽखिललोकतीर्थं गायन्त आदिपुरुषानुपदं भजन्ते । प्रायो अमी मुनिगणा भवदीयमुख्या गूढं वनेऽपि न जहत्यनघात्मदैवम्
ete'linastava yaśo'khilalokatīrthaṃ gāyanta ādipuruṣānupadaṃ bhajante | prāyo amī munigaṇā bhavadīyamukhyā gūḍhaṃ vane'pi na jahatyanaghātmadaivam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Original Personality, these bees must all be great sages and most elevated devotees of Yours, for they are worshiping You by following You along the path and chanting Your glories, which are themselves a holy place for the entire world. Though You have disguised Yourself within this forest, O sinless one, they refuse to abandon You, their worshipable Lord.
नृत्यन्त्यमी शिखिन ईड्य मुदा हरिण्यः कुर्वन्ति गोप्य इव ते प्रियमीक्षणेन । सूक्तैश्च कोकिलगणा गृहमागताय धन्या वनौकस इयान् हि सतां निसर्गः
nṛtyantyamī śikhina īḍya mudā hariṇyaḥ kurvanti gopya iva te priyamīkṣaṇena | sūktaiśca kokilagaṇā gṛhamāgatāya dhanyā vanaukasa iyān hi satāṃ nisargaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O worshipable one, these peacocks are dancing before You out of joy, these doe are pleasing You with affectionate glances, just as the gopīs do, and these cuckoos are honoring You with Vedic prayers. All these residents of the forest are most fortunate, and their behavior toward You certainly befits great souls receiving another great soul at home.
धन्येयमद्य धरणी तृणवीरुधस्त्वत्- पादस्पृशो द्रुमलताः करजाभिमृष्टाः । नद्योऽद्रयः खगमृगाः सदयावलोकै- र्गोप्योऽन्तरेण भुजयोरपि यत्स्पृहा श्रीः
dhanyeyamadya dharaṇī tṛṇavīrudhastvat- pādaspṛśo drumalatāḥ karajābhimṛṣṭāḥ | nadyo'drayaḥ khagamṛgāḥ sadayāvalokai- rgopyo'ntareṇa bhujayorapi yatspṛhā śrīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This earth has now become most fortunate, because You have touched her grass and bushes with Your feet and her trees and creepers with Your fingernails, and because You have graced her rivers, mountains, birds and animals with Your merciful glances. But above all, You have embraced the young cowherd women between Your two arms — a favor hankered after by the goddess of fortune herself.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं वृन्दावनं श्रीमत्कृष्णः प्रीतमनाः पशून् । रेमे सञ्चारयन्नद्रेः सरिद्रोधःसु सानुगः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ vṛndāvanaṃ śrīmatkṛṣṇaḥ prītamanāḥ paśūn | reme sañcārayannadreḥ saridrodhaḥsu sānugaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus expressing His satisfaction with the beautiful forest of Vṛndāvana and its inhabitants, Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoyed tending the cows and other animals with His friends on the banks of the river Yamunā below Govardhana Hill.
चकोरक्रौञ्चचक्राह्वभारद्वाजांश्च बर्हिणः । अनुरौति स्म सत्त्वानां भीतवद्व्याघ्रसिंहयोः
cakorakrauñcacakrāhvabhāradvājāṃśca barhiṇaḥ | anurauti sma sattvānāṃ bhītavadvyāghrasiṃhayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sometimes He would cry out in imitation of birds such as the cakoras, krauñcas, cakrāhvas, bhāradvājas and peacocks, and sometimes He would run away with the smaller animals in mock fear of lions and tigers.
क्वचित्क्रीडापरिश्रान्तं गोपोत्सङ्गोपबर्हणम् । स्वयं विश्रमयत्यार्यं पादसंवाहनादिभिः
kvacitkrīḍāpariśrāntaṃ gopotsaṅgopabarhaṇam | svayaṃ viśramayatyāryaṃ pādasaṃvāhanādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When His elder brother, fatigued from playing, would lie down with His head upon the lap of a cowherd boy, Lord Kṛṣṇa would help Him relax by personally massaging His feet and offering other services.
नृत्यतो गायतः क्वापि वल्गतो युध्यतो मिथः । गृहीतहस्तौ गोपालान् हसन्तौ प्रशशंसतुः
nṛtyato gāyataḥ kvāpi valgato yudhyato mithaḥ | gṛhītahastau gopālān hasantau praśaśaṃsatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sometimes, as the cowherd boys danced, sang, moved about and playfully fought with each other, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, standing nearby hand in hand, would glorify Their friends’ activities and laugh.
क्वचित्पल्लवतल्पेषु नियुद्धश्रमकर्शितः । वृक्षमूलाश्रयः शेते गोपोत्सङ्गोपबर्हणः
kvacitpallavatalpeṣu niyuddhaśramakarśitaḥ | vṛkṣamūlāśrayaḥ śete gopotsaṅgopabarhaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sometimes Lord Kṛṣṇa grew tired from fighting and lay down at the base of a tree, resting upon a bed made of soft twigs and buds and using the lap of a cowherd friend as His pillow.
पादसंवाहनं चक्रुः केचित्तस्य महात्मनः । अपरे हतपाप्मानो व्यजनैः समवीजयन्
pādasaṃvāhanaṃ cakruḥ kecittasya mahātmanaḥ | apare hatapāpmāno vyajanaiḥ samavījayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some of the cowherd boys, who were all great souls, would then massage His lotus feet, and others, qualified by being free of all sin, would expertly fan the Supreme Lord.
अन्ये तदनुरूपाणि मनोज्ञानि महात्मनः । गायन्ति स्म महाराज स्नेहक्लिन्नधियः शनैः
anye tadanurūpāṇi manojñāni mahātmanaḥ | gāyanti sma mahārāja snehaklinnadhiyaḥ śanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, other boys would sing enchanting songs appropriate to the occasion, and their hearts would melt out of love for the Lord.
एवं निगूढात्मगतिः स्वमायया गोपात्मजत्वं चरितैर्विडम्बयन् । रेमे रमालालितपादपल्लवो ग्राम्यैः समं ग्राम्यवदीशचेष्टितः
evaṃ nigūḍhātmagatiḥ svamāyayā gopātmajatvaṃ caritairviḍambayan | reme ramālālitapādapallavo grāmyaiḥ samaṃ grāmyavadīśaceṣṭitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way the Supreme Lord, whose soft lotus feet are personally attended by the goddess of fortune, concealed His transcendental opulences by His internal potency and acted like the son of a cowherd. Yet even while enjoying like a village boy in the company of other village residents, He often exhibited feats only God could perform.
श्रीदामा नाम गोपालो रामकेशवयोः सखा । सुबलस्तोककृष्णाद्या गोपाः प्रेम्णेदमब्रुवन्
śrīdāmā nāma gopālo rāmakeśavayoḥ sakhā | subalastokakṛṣṇādyā gopāḥ premṇedamabruvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once, some of the cowherd boys — Śrīdāmā, the very close friend of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, along with Subala, Stokakṛṣṇa and others — lovingly spoke the following words.
राम राम महाबाहो कृष्ण दुष्टनिबर्हण । इतोऽविदूरे सुमहद्वनं तालालिसङ्कुलम्
rāma rāma mahābāho kṛṣṇa duṣṭanibarhaṇa | ito'vidūre sumahadvanaṃ tālālisaṅkulam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The cowherd boys said:] O Rāma, Rāma, mighty-armed one! O Kṛṣṇa, destroyer of the miscreants! Not far from here is a very great forest filled with rows of palm trees.
फलानि तत्र भूरीणि पतन्ति पतितानि च । सन्ति किन्त्ववरुद्धानि धेनुकेन दुरात्मना
phalāni tatra bhūrīṇi patanti patitāni ca | santi kintvavaruddhāni dhenukena durātmanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that Tālavana forest many fruits are falling from the trees, and many are already lying on the ground. But all the fruits are being guarded by the evil Dhenuka.
सोऽतिवीर्योऽसुरो राम हे कृष्ण खररूपधृक् । आत्मतुल्यबलैरन्यैर्ज्ञातिभिर्बहुभिरावृतः
so'tivīryo'suro rāma he kṛṣṇa khararūpadhṛk | ātmatulyabalairanyairjñātibhirbahubhirāvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Rāma, O Kṛṣṇa! Dhenuka is a most powerful demon and has assumed the form of an ass. He is surrounded by many friends who have assumed a similar shape and who are just as powerful as he.
तस्मात्कृतनराहाराद्भीतैर्नृभिरमित्रहन् । न सेव्यते पशुगणैः पक्षिसङ्घैर्विवर्जितम्
tasmātkṛtanarāhārādbhītairnṛbhiramitrahan | na sevyate paśugaṇaiḥ pakṣisaṅghairvivarjitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demon Dhenuka has eaten men alive, and therefore all people and animals are terrified of going to the Tāla forest. O killer of the enemy, even the birds are afraid to fly there.
विद्यन्तेऽभुक्तपूर्वाणि फलानि सुरभीणि च । एष वै सुरभिर्गन्धो विषूचीनोऽवगृह्यते
vidyante'bhuktapūrvāṇi phalāni surabhīṇi ca | eṣa vai surabhirgandho viṣūcīno'vagṛhyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the Tāla forest are sweet-smelling fruits no one has ever tasted. Indeed, even now we can smell the fragrance of the tāla fruits spreading all about.
प्रयच्छ तानि नः कृष्ण गन्धलोभितचेतसाम् । वाञ्छास्ति महती राम गम्यतां यदि रोचते
prayaccha tāni naḥ kṛṣṇa gandhalobhitacetasām | vāñchāsti mahatī rāma gamyatāṃ yadi rocate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Kṛṣṇa! Please get those fruits for us. Our minds are so attracted by their aroma! Dear Balarāma, our desire to have those fruits is very great. If You think it’s a good idea, let’s go to that Tāla forest.
एवं सुहृद्वचः श्रुत्वा सुहृत्प्रियचिकीर्षया । प्रहस्य जग्मतुर्गोपैर्वृतौ तालवनं प्रभू
evaṃ suhṛdvacaḥ śrutvā suhṛtpriyacikīrṣayā | prahasya jagmaturgopairvṛtau tālavanaṃ prabhū
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing the words of Their dear companions, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma laughed and, desiring to please them, set off for the Tālavana surrounded by Their cowherd boyfriends.
बलः प्रविश्य बाहुभ्यां तालान् सम्परिकम्पयन् । फलानि पातयामास मतङ्गज इवौजसा
balaḥ praviśya bāhubhyāṃ tālān samparikampayan | phalāni pātayāmāsa mataṅgaja ivaujasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma entered the Tāla forest first. Then with His two arms He began forcefully shaking the trees with the power of a maddened elephant, causing the tāla fruits to fall to the ground.
फलानां पततां शब्दं निशम्यासुररासभः । अभ्यधावत्क्षितितलं सनगं परिकम्पयन्
phalānāṃ patatāṃ śabdaṃ niśamyāsurarāsabhaḥ | abhyadhāvatkṣititalaṃ sanagaṃ parikampayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing the sound of the falling fruits, the ass demon Dhenuka ran forward to attack, making the earth and trees tremble.
समेत्य तरसा प्रत्यग्द्वाभ्यां पद्भ्यां बलं बली । निहत्योरसि का शब्दं मुञ्चन् पर्यसरत्खलः
sametya tarasā pratyagdvābhyāṃ padbhyāṃ balaṃ balī | nihatyorasi kā śabdaṃ muñcan paryasaratkhalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The powerful demon rushed up to Lord Baladeva and sharply struck the Lord’s chest with the hooves of his hind legs. Then Dhenuka began to run about, braying loudly.
पुनरासाद्य संरब्ध उपक्रोष्टा पराक्स्थितः । चरणावपरौ राजन् बलाय प्राक्षिपद्रुषा
punarāsādya saṃrabdha upakroṣṭā parāksthitaḥ | caraṇāvaparau rājan balāya prākṣipadruṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Moving again toward Lord Balarāma, O King, the furious ass situated himself with his back toward the Lord. Then, screaming in rage, the demon hurled his two hind legs at Him.
स तं गृहीत्वा प्रपदोर्भ्रामयित्वैकपाणिना । चिक्षेप तृणराजाग्रे भ्रामणत्यक्तजीवितम्
sa taṃ gṛhītvā prapadorbhrāmayitvaikapāṇinā | cikṣepa tṛṇarājāgre bhrāmaṇatyaktajīvitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma seized Dhenuka by his hooves, whirled him about with one hand and threw him into the top of a palm tree. The violent wheeling motion killed the demon.
तेनाहतो महातालो वेपमानो बृहच्छिराः । पार्श्वस्थं कम्पयन् भग्नः स चान्यं सोऽपि चापरम्
tenāhato mahātālo vepamāno bṛhacchirāḥ | pārśvasthaṃ kampayan bhagnaḥ sa cānyaṃ so'pi cāparam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma threw the dead body of Dhenukāsura into the tallest palm tree in the forest, and when the dead demon landed in the treetop, the tree began shaking. The great palm tree, causing a tree by its side also to shake, broke under the weight of the demon. The neighboring tree caused yet another tree to shake, and this one struck yet another tree, which also began shaking. In this way many trees in the forest shook and broke.
बलस्य लीलयोत्सृष्टखरदेहहताहताः । तालाश्चकम्पिरे सर्वे महावातेरिता इव
balasya līlayotsṛṣṭakharadehahatāhatāḥ | tālāścakampire sarve mahāvāteritā iva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because of Lord Balarāma’s pastime of throwing the body of the ass demon into the top of the tallest palm tree, all the trees began shaking and striking against one another as if blown about by powerful winds.
नैतच्चित्रं भगवति ह्यनन्ते जगदीश्वरे । ओतप्रोतमिदं यस्मिंस्तन्तुष्वङ्ग यथा पटः
naitaccitraṃ bhagavati hyanante jagadīśvare | otaprotamidaṃ yasmiṃstantuṣvaṅga yathā paṭaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Parīkṣit, that Lord Balarāma killed Dhenukāsura is not such a wonderful thing, considering that He is the unlimited Personality of Godhead, the controller of the entire universe. Indeed, the entire cosmos rests upon Him just as a woven cloth rests upon its own horizontal and vertical threads.
ततः कृष्णं च रामं च ज्ञातयो धेनुकस्य ये । क्रोष्टारोऽभ्यद्रवन् सर्वे संरब्धा हतबान्धवाः
tataḥ kṛṣṇaṃ ca rāmaṃ ca jñātayo dhenukasya ye | kroṣṭāro'bhyadravan sarve saṃrabdhā hatabāndhavāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The other ass demons, close friends of Dhenukāsura, were enraged upon seeing his death, and thus they all immediately ran to attack Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.
तांस्तानापततः कृष्णो रामश्च नृप लीलया । गृहीतपश्चाच्चरणान् प्राहिणोत्तृणराजसु
tāṃstānāpatataḥ kṛṣṇo rāmaśca nṛpa līlayā | gṛhītapaścāccaraṇān prāhiṇottṛṇarājasu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, as the demons attacked, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma easily seized them one after another by their hind legs and threw them all into the tops of the palm trees.
फलप्रकरसङ्कीर्णं दैत्यदेहैर्गतासुभिः । रराज भूः सतालाग्रैर्घनैरिव नभस्तलम्
phalaprakarasaṅkīrṇaṃ daityadehairgatāsubhiḥ | rarāja bhūḥ satālāgrairghanairiva nabhastalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The earth then appeared beautifully covered with heaps of fruits and with the dead bodies of the demons, which were entangled in the broken tops of the palm trees. Indeed, the earth shone like the sky decorated with clouds.
तयोस्तत्सुमहत्कर्म निशाम्य विबुधादयः । मुमुचुः पुष्पवर्षाणि चक्रुर्वाद्यानि तुष्टुवुः
tayostatsumahatkarma niśāmya vibudhādayaḥ | mumucuḥ puṣpavarṣāṇi cakrurvādyāni tuṣṭuvuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing of this magnificent feat of the two brothers, the demigods and other elevated living beings rained down flowers and offered music and prayers in glorification.
अथ तालफलान्यादन् मनुष्या गतसाध्वसाः । तृणं च पशवश्चेरुर्हतधेनुककानने
atha tālaphalānyādan manuṣyā gatasādhvasāḥ | tṛṇaṃ ca paśavaścerurhatadhenukakānane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
People now felt free to return to the forest where Dhenuka had been killed, and without fear they ate the fruits of the palm trees. Also, the cows could now graze freely upon the grass there.
कृष्णः कमलपत्राक्षः पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तनः । स्तूयमानोऽनुगैर्गोपैः साग्रजो व्रजमाव्रजत्
kṛṣṇaḥ kamalapatrākṣaḥ puṇyaśravaṇakīrtanaḥ | stūyamāno'nugairgopaiḥ sāgrajo vrajamāvrajat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then lotus-eyed Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whose glories are most pious to hear and chant, returned home to Vraja with His elder brother, Balarāma. Along the way, the cowherd boys, His faithful followers, chanted His glories.
तं गोरजश्छुरितकुन्तलबद्धबर्ह- वन्यप्रसूनरुचिरेक्षणचारुहासम् । वेणुं क्वणन्तमनुगैरुपगीतकीर्तिं गोप्यो दिदृक्षितदृशोऽभ्यगमन् समेताः
taṃ gorajaśchuritakuntalabaddhabarha- vanyaprasūnarucirekṣaṇacāruhāsam | veṇuṃ kvaṇantamanugairupagītakīrtiṃ gopyo didṛkṣitadṛśo'bhyagaman sametāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s hair, powdered with the dust raised by the cows, was decorated with a peacock feather and forest flowers. The Lord glanced charmingly and smiled beautifully, playing upon His flute while His companions chanted His glories. The gopīs, all together, came forward to meet Him, their eyes very eager to see Him.
पीत्वा मुकुन्दमुखसारघमक्षिभृङ्गै- स्तापं जहुर्विरहजं व्रजयोषितोऽह्नि । तत्सत्कृतिं समधिगम्य विवेश गोष्ठं सव्रीडहासविनयं यदपाङ्गमोक्षम्
pītvā mukundamukhasāraghamakṣibhṛṅgai- stāpaṃ jahurvirahajaṃ vrajayoṣito'hni | tatsatkṛtiṃ samadhigamya viveśa goṣṭhaṃ savrīḍahāsavinayaṃ yadapāṅgamokṣam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With their beelike eyes, the women of Vṛndāvana drank the honey of the beautiful face of Lord Mukunda, and thus they gave up the distress they had felt during the day because of separation from Him. The young Vṛndāvana ladies cast sidelong glances at the Lord — glances filled with bashfulness, laughter and submission — and Śrī Kṛṣṇa, completely accepting these glances as a proper offering of respect, entered the cowherd village.
तयोर्यशोदारोहिण्यौ पुत्रयोः पुत्रवत्सले । यथाकामं यथाकालं व्यधत्तां परमाशिषः
tayoryaśodārohiṇyau putrayoḥ putravatsale | yathākāmaṃ yathākālaṃ vyadhattāṃ paramāśiṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother Yaśodā and mother Rohiṇī, acting most affectionately toward their two sons, offered all the best things to Them in response to Their every desire and at the various appropriate times.
गताध्वानश्रमौ तत्र मज्जनोन्मर्दनादिभिः । नीवीं वसित्वा रुचिरां दिव्यस्रग्गन्धमण्डितौ
gatādhvānaśramau tatra majjanonmardanādibhiḥ | nīvīṃ vasitvā rucirāṃ divyasraggandhamaṇḍitau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By being bathed and massaged, the two young Lords were relieved of the weariness caused by walking on the country roads. Then They were dressed in attractive robes and decorated with transcendental garlands and fragrances.
जनन्युपहृतं प्राश्य स्वाद्वन्नमुपलालितौ । संविश्य वरशय्यायां सुखं सुषुपतुर्व्रजे
jananyupahṛtaṃ prāśya svādvannamupalālitau | saṃviśya varaśayyāyāṃ sukhaṃ suṣupaturvraje
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After dining sumptuously on the delicious food given Them by Their mothers and being pampered in various ways, the two brothers lay down upon Their excellent beds and happily went to sleep in the village of Vraja.
एवं स भगवान् कृष्णो वृन्दावनचरः क्वचित् । ययौ राममृते राजन् कालिन्दीं सखिभिर्वृतः
evaṃ sa bhagavān kṛṣṇo vṛndāvanacaraḥ kvacit | yayau rāmamṛte rājan kālindīṃ sakhibhirvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa thus wandered about the Vṛndāvana area, performing His pastimes. Once, surrounded by His boyfriends, He went without Balarāma to the Yamunā River.
अथ गावश्च गोपाश्च निदाघातपपीडिताः । दुष्टं जलं पपुस्तस्यास्तृषार्ता विषदूषितम्
atha gāvaśca gopāśca nidāghātapapīḍitāḥ | duṣṭaṃ jalaṃ papustasyāstṛṣārtā viṣadūṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time the cows and cowherd boys were feeling acute distress from the glaring summer sun. Afflicted by thirst, they drank the water of the Yamunā River. But it had been contaminated with poison.
ते सम्प्रतीतस्मृतयः समुत्थाय जलान्तिकात् । आसन् सुविस्मिताः सर्वे वीक्षमाणाः परस्परम्
te sampratītasmṛtayaḥ samutthāya jalāntikāt | āsan suvismitāḥ sarve vīkṣamāṇāḥ parasparam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Regaining their full consciousness, the cows and boys stood up out of the water and began to look at one another in great astonishment.
अन्वमंसत तद्राजन् गोविन्दानुग्रहेक्षितम् । पीत्वा विषं परेतस्य पुनरुत्थानमात्मनः
anvamaṃsata tadrājan govindānugrahekṣitam | pītvā viṣaṃ paretasya punarutthānamātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, the cowherd boys then considered that although they had drunk poison and in fact had died, simply by the merciful glance of Govinda they had regained their lives and stood up by their own strength.
SB 10.16.1
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, seeing that the Yamunā River had been contaminated by the black snake Kāliya, desired to purify the river, and thus the Lord banished him from it.
SB 10.16.2
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit inquired: O learned sage, please explain how the Supreme Personality of Godhead chastised the serpent Kāliya within the unfathomable waters of the Yamunā, and how it was that Kāliya had been living there for so many ages.
SB 10.16.3
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O brāhmaṇa, the unlimited Supreme Personality of Godhead freely acts according to His own desires. Who could be satiated when hearing the nectar of the magnanimous pastimes He performed as a cowherd boy in Vṛndāvana?
SB 10.16.4
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Within the river Kālindī [Yamunā] was a lake inhabited by the serpent Kāliya, whose fiery poison constantly heated and boiled its waters. Indeed, the vapors thus created were so poisonous that birds flying over the contaminated lake would fall down into it.
SB 10.16.5
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wind blowing over that deadly lake carried droplets of water to the shore. Simply by coming in contact with that poisonous breeze, all vegetation and creatures on the shore died.
SB 10.16.6
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa saw how the Kāliya serpent had polluted the Yamunā River with his terribly powerful poison. Since Kṛṣṇa had descended from the spiritual world specifically to subdue envious demons, the Lord immediately climbed to the top of a very high kadamba tree and prepared Himself for battle. He tightened His belt, slapped His arms and then jumped into the poisonous water.
SB 10.16.7
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Supreme Personality of Godhead landed in the serpent’s lake, the snakes there became extremely agitated and began breathing heavily, further polluting it with volumes of poison. The force of the Lord’s entrance into the lake caused it to overflow on all sides, and poisonous, fearsome waves flooded the surrounding lands up to a distance of one hundred bow-lengths. This is not at all amazing, however, for the Supreme Lord possesses infinite strength.
SB 10.16.8
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa began sporting in Kāliya’s lake like a lordly elephant — swirling His mighty arms and making the water resound in various ways. When Kāliya heard these sounds, he understood that someone was trespassing in his lake. The serpent could not tolerate this and immediately came forward.
SB 10.16.9
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kāliya saw that Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who wore yellow silken garments, was very delicate, His attractive body shining like a glowing white cloud, His chest bearing the mark of Śrīvatsa, His face smiling beautifully and His feet resembling the whorl of a lotus flower. The Lord was playing fearlessly in the water. Despite His wonderful appearance, the envious Kāliya furiously bit Him on the chest and then completely enwrapped Him in his coils.
SB 10.16.10
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the members of the cowherd community, who had accepted Kṛṣṇa as their dearmost friend, saw Him enveloped in the snake’s coils, motionless, they were greatly disturbed. They had offered Kṛṣṇa everything — their very selves, their families, their wealth, wives and all pleasures. At the sight of the Lord in the clutches of the Kāliya snake, their intelligence became deranged by grief, lamentation and fear, and thus they fell to the ground.
SB 10.16.11
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cows, bulls and female calves, in great distress, called out piteously to Kṛṣṇa. Fixing their eyes on Him, they stood still in fear, as if ready to cry but too shocked to shed tears.
SB 10.16.12
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the Vṛndāvana area there then arose all three types of fearful omens — those on the earth, those in the sky and those in the bodies of living creatures — which announced imminent danger.
SB 10.16.16
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord Balarāma, the master of all transcendental knowledge, smiled and said nothing when He saw the residents of Vṛndāvana in such distress, since He understood the extraordinary power of His younger brother.
SB 10.16.17
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The residents hurried toward the banks of the Yamunā in search of their dearmost Kṛṣṇa, following the path marked by His footprints, which bore the unique signs of the Personality of Godhead.
SB 10.16.18
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The footprints of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the master of the entire cowherd community, were marked with the lotus flower, barleycorn, elephant goad, thunderbolt and flag. My dear King Parīkṣit, seeing His footprints on the path among the cows’ hoofprints, the residents of Vṛndāvana rushed along in great haste.
SB 10.16.19
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As they hurried along the path to the bank of the Yamunā River, they saw from a distance that Kṛṣṇa was in the lake, motionless within the coils of the black serpent. They further saw that the cowherd boys had fallen unconscious and that the animals were standing on all sides, crying out for Kṛṣṇa. Seeing all this, the residents of Vṛndāvana were overwhelmed with anguish and confusion.
SB 10.16.20
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the young gopīs, whose minds were constantly attached to Kṛṣṇa, the unlimited Supreme Lord, saw that He was now within the grips of the serpent, they remembered His loving friendship, His smiling glances and His talks with them. Burning with great sorrow, they saw the entire universe as void.
SB 10.16.21
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the elder gopīs were feeling just as much distress as she and were pouring forth a flood of sorrowful tears, they had to forcibly hold back Kṛṣṇa’s mother, whose consciousness was totally absorbed in her son. Standing like corpses, with their eyes fixed upon His face, these gopīs each took turns recounting the pastimes of the darling of Vraja.
SB 10.16.22
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma then saw that Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherd men, who had dedicated their very lives to Kṛṣṇa, were beginning to enter the serpent’s lake. As the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Balarāma fully knew Lord Kṛṣṇa’s actual power, and therefore He restrained them.
SB 10.16.23
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord remained for some time within the coils of the serpent, imitating the behavior of an ordinary mortal. But when He understood that the women, children and other residents of His village of Gokula were in acute distress because of their love for Him, their only shelter and goal in life, He immediately rose up from the bonds of the Kāliya serpent.
SB 10.16.24
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His coils tormented by the expanding body of the Lord, Kāliya released Him. In great anger the serpent then raised his hoods high and stood still, breathing heavily. His nostrils appeared like vessels for cooking poison, and the staring eyes in his face like firebrands. Thus the serpent looked at the Lord.
SB 10.16.25
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Again and again Kāliya licked his lips with his bifurcated tongues as He stared at Kṛṣṇa with a glance full of terrible, poisonous fire. But Kṛṣṇa playfully circled around him, just as Garuḍa would play with a snake. In response, Kāliya also moved about, looking for an opportunity to bite the Lord.
SB 10.16.26
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having severely depleted the serpent’s strength with His relentless circling, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the origin of everything, pushed down Kāliya’s raised shoulders and mounted his broad serpentine heads. Thus Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the original master of all fine arts, began to dance, His lotus feet deeply reddened by the touch of the numerous jewels upon the serpent’s heads.
SB 10.16.27
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing the Lord dancing, His servants in the heavenly planets — the Gandharvas, Siddhas, sages, Cāraṇas and wives of the demigods — immediately arrived there. With great pleasure they began accompanying the Lord’s dancing by playing drums such as mṛdaṅgas, paṇavas and ānakas. They also made offerings of songs, flowers and prayers.
SB 10.16.28
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, Kāliya had 101 prominent heads, and when one of them would not bow down, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who inflicts punishment on cruel wrong-doers, would smash that stubborn head by striking it with His feet. Then, as Kāliya entered his death throes, he began wheeling his heads around and vomiting ghastly blood from his mouths and nostrils. The serpent thus experienced extreme pain and misery.
SB 10.16.29
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Exuding poisonous waste from his eyes, Kāliya, would occasionally dare to raise up one of his heads, which would breathe heavily with anger. Then the Lord would dance on it and subdue it, forcing it to bow down with His foot. The demigods took each of these exhibitions as an opportunity to worship Him, the primeval Personality of Godhead, with showers of flowers.
SB 10.16.30
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Parīkṣit, Lord Kṛṣṇa’s wonderful, powerful dancing trampled and broke all of Kāliya’s one thousand hoods. Then the serpent, profusely vomiting blood from his mouths, finally recognized Śrī Kṛṣṇa to be the eternal Personality of Godhead, the supreme master of all moving and nonmoving beings, Śrī Nārāyaṇa. Thus within his mind Kāliya took shelter of the Lord.
SB 10.16.31
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Kāliya’s wives saw how the serpent had become so fatigued from the excessive weight of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who carries the entire universe in His abdomen, and how Kāliya’s umbrellalike hoods had been shattered by the striking of Kṛṣṇa’s heels, they felt great distress. With their clothing, ornaments and hair scattered in disarray, they then approached the eternal Personality of Godhead.
SB 10.16.32
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their minds very much disturbed, those saintly ladies placed their children before them and then bowed down to the Lord of all creatures, laying their bodies flat upon the ground. They desired the liberation of their sinful husband and the shelter of the Supreme Lord, the giver of ultimate shelter, and thus they folded their hands in supplication and approached Him.
SB 10.16.33
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wives of the Kāliya serpent said: The punishment this offender has been subjected to is certainly just. After all, You have incarnated within this world to curb down envious and cruel persons. You are so impartial that You look equally upon Your enemies and Your own sons, for when You impose a punishment on a living being You know it to be for his ultimate benefit.
SB 10.16.34
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What You have done here is actually mercy for us, since the punishment You give to the wicked certainly drives away all their contamination. Indeed, because this conditioned soul, our husband, is so sinful that he has assumed the body of a serpent, Your anger toward him is obviously to be understood as Your mercy.
SB 10.16.35
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Did our husband carefully perform austerities in a previous life, with his mind free of pride and full of respect for others? Is that why You are pleased with him? Or did he in some previous existence carefully execute religious duties with compassion for all living beings, and is that why You, the life of all living beings, are now satisfied with him?
SB 10.16.36
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, we do not know how the serpent Kāliya has attained this great opportunity of being touched by the dust of Your lotus feet. For this end, the goddess of fortune performed austerities for centuries, giving up all other desires and observing austere vows.
SB 10.16.37
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who have attained the dust of Your lotus feet never hanker for the kingship of heaven, limitless sovereignty, the position of Brahmā or rulership over the earth. They are not interested even in the perfections of yoga or in liberation itself.
SB 10.16.38
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, although this Kāliya, the king of the serpents, has taken birth in the mode of ignorance and is controlled by anger, he has achieved that which is difficult for others to achieve. Embodied souls, who are full of desires and are thus wandering in the cycle of birth and death, can have all benedictions manifested before their eyes simply by receiving the dust of Your lotus feet.
SB 10.16.39
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We offer our obeisances unto You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although present in the hearts of all living beings as the Supersoul, You are all-pervasive. Although the original shelter of all created material elements, You exist prior to their creation. And although the cause of everything, You are transcendental to all material cause and effect, being the Supreme Soul.
SB 10.16.40
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances unto You, the Absolute Truth, who are the reservoir of all transcendental consciousness and potency and the possessor of unlimited energies. Although completely free of material qualities and transformations, You are the prime mover of material nature.
SB 10.16.41
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances unto You, who are time itself, the shelter of time and the witness of time in all its phases. You are the universe, and also its separate observer. You are its creator, and also the totality of all its causes.
SB 10.16.44
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We offer our obeisances again and again to You, who are the basis of all authoritative evidence, who are the author and ultimate source of the revealed scriptures, and who have manifested Yourself in those Vedic literatures encouraging sense gratification as well as in those encouraging renunciation of the material world.
SB 10.16.45
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We offer our obeisances to Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Rāma, the sons of Vasudeva, and to Lord Pradyumna and Lord Aniruddha. We offer our respectful obeisances unto the master of all the saintly devotees of Viṣṇu.
SB 10.16.46
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances to You, O Lord, who manifest varieties of material and spiritual qualities. You disguise Yourself with the material qualities, and yet the functioning of those same material qualities ultimately reveals Your existence. You stand apart from the material qualities as a witness and can be fully known only by Your devotees.
SB 10.16.47
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord Hṛṣīkeśa, master of the senses, please let us offer our obeisances unto You, whose pastimes are inconceivably glorious. Your existence can be inferred from the necessity for a creator and revealer of all cosmic manifestations. But although Your devotees can understand You in this way, to the nondevotees You remain silent, absorbed in self-satisfaction.
SB 10.16.48
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances unto You, who know the destination of all things, superior and inferior, and who are the presiding regulator of all that be. You are distinct from the universal creation, and yet You are the basis upon which the illusion of material creation evolves, and also the witness of this illusion. Indeed, You are the root cause of the entire world.
SB 10.16.49
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O almighty Lord, although You have no reason to become involved in material activity, still You act through Your eternal potency of time to arrange for the creation, maintenance and destruction of this universe. You do this by awakening the distinct functions of each of the modes of nature, which before the creation lie dormant. Simply by Your glance You perfectly execute all these activities of cosmic control in a sporting mood.
SB 10.16.50
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore all material bodies throughout the three worlds — those that are peaceful, in the mode of goodness; those that are agitated, in the mode of passion; and those that are foolish, in the mode of ignorance — all are Your creations. Still, those living entities whose bodies are in the mode of goodness are especially dear to You, and it is to maintain them and protect their religious principles that You are now present on the earth.
SB 10.16.51
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At least once, a master should tolerate an offense committed by his child or subject. O supreme peaceful Soul, You should therefore forgive our foolish husband, who did not understand who You are.
SB 10.16.52
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Supreme Lord, please be merciful. It is proper for the saintly to feel compassion for women like us. This serpent is about to give up his life. Please give us back our husband, who is our life and soul.
SB 10.16.53
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now please tell us, Your maidservants, what we should do. Certainly anyone who faithfully executes Your order is automatically freed from all fear.
SB 10.16.54
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus praised by the Nāgapatnīs, the Supreme Personality of Godhead released the serpent Kāliya, who had fallen unconscious, his heads battered by the striking of the Lord’s lotus feet.
SB 10.16.55
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kāliya slowly regained his vital force and sensory functions. Then, breathing loudly and painfully, the poor serpent addressed Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in humble submission.
SB 10.16.56
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The serpent Kāliya said: Our very birth as a snake has made us envious, ignorant and constantly angry. O my Lord, it is so difficult for people to give up their conditioned nature, by which they identify with that which is unreal.
SB 10.16.57
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O supreme creator, it is You who generate this universe, composed of the variegated arrangement of the material modes, and in the process You manifest various kinds of personalities and species, varieties of sensory and physical strength, and varieties of mothers and fathers with variegated mentalities and forms.
SB 10.16.58
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Supreme Personality of Godhead, among all the species within Your material creation, we serpents are by nature always enraged. Being thus deluded by Your illusory energy, which is very difficult to give up, how can we possibly give it up on our own?
SB 10.16.59
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, since You are the omniscient Lord of the universe, You are the actual cause of freedom from illusion. Please arrange for us whatever You consider proper, whether it be mercy or punishment.
SB 10.16.60
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After hearing Kāliya’s words, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who was acting the role of a human being, replied: O serpent, you may not remain here any longer. Go back to the ocean immediately, accompanied by your retinue of children, wives, other relatives and friends. Let this river be enjoyed by the cows and humans.
SB 10.16.61
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If a mortal being attentively remembers My command to you — to leave Vṛndāvana and go to the ocean — and narrates this account at sunrise and sunset, he will never be afraid of you.
SB 10.16.62
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If one bathes in this place of My pastimes and offers the water of this lake to the demigods and other worshipable personalities, or if one observes a fast and duly worships and remembers Me, he is sure to become free from all sinful reactions.
SB 10.16.63
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Out of fear of Garuḍa, you left Ramaṇaka Island and came to take shelter of this lake. But because you are now marked with My footprints, Garuḍa will no longer try to eat you.
SB 10.16.64
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, having been released by Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose activities are wonderful, Kāliya joined his wives in worshiping Him with great joy and reverence.
राजोवाच । नागालयं रमणकं कस्मात्तत्याज कालियः । कृतं किं वा सुपर्णस्य तेनैकेनासमञ्जसम्
rājovāca | nāgālayaṃ ramaṇakaṃ kasmāttatyāja kāliyaḥ | kṛtaṃ kiṃ vā suparṇasya tenaikenāsamañjasam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Having thus heard how Lord Kṛṣṇa chastised Kāliya,] King Parīkṣit inquired: Why did Kāliya leave Ramaṇaka Island, the abode of the serpents, and why did Garuḍa become so antagonistic toward him alone?
विषवीर्यमदाविष्टः काद्रवेयस्तु कालियः । कदर्थीकृत्य गरुडं स्वयं तं बुभुजे बलिम्
viṣavīryamadāviṣṭaḥ kādraveyastu kāliyaḥ | kadarthīkṛtya garuḍaṃ svayaṃ taṃ bubhuje balim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although all the other serpents were dutifully making offerings to Garuḍa, one serpent — the arrogant Kāliya, son of Kadru — would eat all these offerings before Garuḍa could claim them. Thus Kāliya directly defied the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu.
तच्छ्रुत्वा कुपितो राजन् भगवान् भगवत्प्रियः । विजिघांसुर्महावेगः कालियं समुपाद्रवत्
tacchrutvā kupito rājan bhagavān bhagavatpriyaḥ | vijighāṃsurmahāvegaḥ kāliyaṃ samupādravat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, the greatly powerful Garuḍa, who is very dear to the Supreme Lord, became angry when he heard of this. Desiring to kill Kāliya, he rushed toward the serpent with tremendous speed.
तमापतन्तं तरसा विषायुधः प्रत्यभ्ययादुच्छ्रितनैकमस्तकः । दद्भिः सुपर्णं व्यदशद्ददायुधः करालजिह्वोच्छ्वसितोग्रलोचनः
tamāpatantaṃ tarasā viṣāyudhaḥ pratyabhyayāducchritanaikamastakaḥ | dadbhiḥ suparṇaṃ vyadaśaddadāyudhaḥ karālajihvocchvasitogralocanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Garuḍa swiftly fell upon him, Kāliya, who had the weapon of poison, raised his numerous heads to counterattack. Showing his ferocious tongues and expanding his horrible eyes, Kāliya then bit Garuḍa with the weapons of his fangs.
तं तार्क्ष्यपुत्रः स निरस्य मन्युमान् प्रचण्डवेगो मधुसूदनासनः । पक्षेण सव्येन हिरण्यरोचिषा जघान कद्रूसुतमुग्रविक्रमः
taṃ tārkṣyaputraḥ sa nirasya manyumān pracaṇḍavego madhusūdanāsanaḥ | pakṣeṇa savyena hiraṇyarociṣā jaghāna kadrūsutamugravikramaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The angry son of Tārkṣya moved with overwhelming speed in repelling Kāliya’s attack. That terribly powerful carrier of Lord Madhusūdana struck the son of Kadru with his left wing, which shone like gold.
सुपर्णपक्षाभिहतः कालियोऽतीव विह्वलः । ह्रदं विवेश कालिन्द्यास्तदगम्यं दुरासदम्
suparṇapakṣābhihataḥ kāliyo'tīva vihvalaḥ | hradaṃ viveśa kālindyāstadagamyaṃ durāsadam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Beaten by Garuḍa’s wing, Kāliya was extremely distraught, and thus he took shelter of a lake adjoining the river Yamunā. Garuḍa could not enter this lake. Indeed, he could not even approach it.
तत्रैकदा जलचरं गरुडो भक्ष्यमीप्सितम् । निवारितः सौभरिणा प्रसह्य क्षुधितोऽहरत्
tatraikadā jalacaraṃ garuḍo bhakṣyamīpsitam | nivāritaḥ saubhariṇā prasahya kṣudhito'harat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that very lake Garuḍa had once desired to eat a fish — fish being, after all, his normal food. Although forbidden by the sage Saubhari, who was meditating there within the water, Garuḍa took courage and, feeling hungry, seized the fish.
मीनान् सुदुःखितान् दृष्ट्वा दीनान् मीनपतौ हते । कृपया सौभरिः प्राह तत्रत्यक्षेममाचरन्
mīnān suduḥkhitān dṛṣṭvā dīnān mīnapatau hate | kṛpayā saubhariḥ prāha tatratyakṣemamācaran
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing how the unfortunate fish in that lake had become most unhappy at the death of their leader, Saubhari uttered the following curse under the impression that he was mercifully acting for the benefit of the lake’s residents.
अत्र प्रविश्य गरुडो यदि मत्स्यान् स खादति । सद्यः प्राणैर्वियुज्येत सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीम्यहम्
atra praviśya garuḍo yadi matsyān sa khādati | sadyaḥ prāṇairviyujyeta satyametadbravīmyaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If Garuḍa ever again enters this lake and eats the fish here, he will immediately lose his life. What I am saying is the truth.
तं कालियः परं वेद नान्यः कश्चन लेलिहः । अवात्सीद्गरुडाद्भीतः कृष्णेन च विवासितः
taṃ kāliyaḥ paraṃ veda nānyaḥ kaścana lelihaḥ | avātsīdgaruḍādbhītaḥ kṛṣṇena ca vivāsitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Of all the serpents, only Kāliya came to know of this affair, and in fear of Garuḍa he took up residence in that Yamunā lake. Later Lord Kṛṣṇa drove him out.
यशोदा रोहिणी नन्दो गोप्यो गोपाश्च कौरव । कृष्णं समेत्य लब्धेहा आसन् लब्धमनोरथाः
yaśodā rohiṇī nando gopyo gopāśca kaurava | kṛṣṇaṃ sametya labdhehā āsan labdhamanorathāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having regained their vital functions, Yaśodā, Rohiṇī, Nanda and all the other cowherd women and men went up to Kṛṣṇa. O descendant of Kuru, even the dried-up trees came back to life.
रामश्चाच्युतमालिङ्ग्य जहासास्यानुभाववित् । (प्रेम्णा तमङ्कमारोप्य पुनः पुनरुदैक्षत ।) नगा गावो वृषा वत्सा लेभिरे परमां मुदम्
rāmaścācyutamāliṅgya jahāsāsyānubhāvavit | (premṇā tamaṅkamāropya punaḥ punarudaikṣata |) nagā gāvo vṛṣā vatsā lebhire paramāṃ mudam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma embraced His infallible brother and laughed, knowing well the extent of Kṛṣṇa’s potency. Out of great feelings of love, Balarāma lifted Kṛṣṇa up on His lap and repeatedly looked at Him. The cows, bulls and young female calves also achieved the highest pleasure.
नन्दं विप्राः समागत्य गुरवः सकलत्रकाः । ऊचुस्ते कालियग्रस्तो दिष्ट्या मुक्तस्तवात्मजः
nandaṃ viprāḥ samāgatya guravaḥ sakalatrakāḥ | ūcuste kāliyagrasto diṣṭyā muktastavātmajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the respectable brāhmaṇas, together with their wives, came forward to greet Nanda Mahārāja. They said to him, “Your son was in the grips of Kāliya, but by the grace of Providence He is now free.”
देहि दानं द्विजातीनां कृष्णनिर्मुक्तिहेतवे । नन्दः प्रीतमना राजन् गाः सुवर्णं तदाऽऽदिशत्
dehi dānaṃ dvijātīnāṃ kṛṣṇanirmuktihetave | nandaḥ prītamanā rājan gāḥ suvarṇaṃ tadā''diśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇas then advised Nanda Mahārāja, “To assure that your son Kṛṣṇa will always be free from danger, you should give charity to the brāhmaṇas.” With a satisfied mind, O King, Nanda Mahārāja then very gladly gave them gifts of cows and gold.
यशोदापि महाभागा नष्टलब्धप्रजा सती । परिष्वज्याङ्कमारोप्य मुमोचाश्रुकलां मुहुः
yaśodāpi mahābhāgā naṣṭalabdhaprajā satī | pariṣvajyāṅkamāropya mumocāśrukalāṃ muhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The greatly fortunate mother Yaśodā, having lost her son and then regained Him, placed Him on her lap. That chaste lady cried constant torrents of tears as she repeatedly embraced Him.
तां रात्रिं तत्र राजेन्द्र क्षुत्तृड्भ्यां श्रमकर्शिताः । ऊषुर्व्रजौकसो गावः कालिन्द्या उपकूलतः
tāṃ rātriṃ tatra rājendra kṣuttṛḍbhyāṃ śramakarśitāḥ | ūṣurvrajaukaso gāvaḥ kālindyā upakūlataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of kings [Parīkṣit], because the residents of Vṛndāvana were feeling very weak from hunger, thirst and fatigue, they and the cows spent the night where they were, lying down near the bank of the Kālindī.
तदा शुचिवनोद्भूतो दावाग्निः सर्वतो व्रजम् । सुप्तं निशीथ आवृत्य प्रदग्धुमुपचक्रमे
tadā śucivanodbhūto dāvāgniḥ sarvato vrajam | suptaṃ niśītha āvṛtya pradagdhumupacakrame
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
During the night, while all the people of Vṛndāvana were asleep, a great fire blazed up within the dry summer forest. The fire surrounded the inhabitants of Vraja on all sides and began to scorch them.
तत उत्थाय सम्भ्रान्ता दह्यमाना व्रजौकसः । कृष्णं ययुस्ते शरणं मायामनुजमीश्वरम्
tata utthāya sambhrāntā dahyamānā vrajaukasaḥ | kṛṣṇaṃ yayuste śaraṇaṃ māyāmanujamīśvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the residents of Vṛndāvana woke up, extremely disturbed by the great fire threatening to burn them. Thus they took shelter of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, who by His spiritual potency appeared like an ordinary human being.
कृष्ण कृष्ण महाभाग हे रामामितविक्रम । एष घोरतमो वह्निस्तावकान् ग्रसते हि नः
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahābhāga he rāmāmitavikrama | eṣa ghoratamo vahnistāvakān grasate hi naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Vṛndāvana’s residents said:] Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, O Lord of all opulence! O Rāma, possessor of unlimited power! This most terrible fire is about to devour us, Your devotees!
सुदुस्तरान्नः स्वान् पाहि कालाग्नेः सुहृदः प्रभो । न शक्नुमस्त्वच्चरणं सन्त्यक्तुमकुतोभयम्
sudustarānnaḥ svān pāhi kālāgneḥ suhṛdaḥ prabho | na śaknumastvaccaraṇaṃ santyaktumakutobhayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, we are Your true friends and devotees. Please protect us from this insurmountable fire of death. We can never give up Your lotus feet, which drive away all fear.
इत्थं स्वजनवैक्लव्यं निरीक्ष्य जगदीश्वरः । तमग्निमपिबत्तीव्रमनन्तोऽनन्तशक्तिधृक्
itthaṃ svajanavaiklavyaṃ nirīkṣya jagadīśvaraḥ | tamagnimapibattīvramananto'nantaśaktidhṛk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing His devotees so disturbed, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the infinite Lord of the universe and possessor of infinite power, then swallowed the terrible forest fire.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथ कृष्णः परिवृतो ज्ञातिभिर्मुदितात्मभिः । अनुगीयमानो न्यविशद्व्रजं गोकुलमण्डितम्
śrīśuka uvāca | atha kṛṣṇaḥ parivṛto jñātibhirmuditātmabhiḥ | anugīyamāno nyaviśadvrajaṃ gokulamaṇḍitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Surrounded by His blissful companions, who constantly chanted His glories, Śrī Kṛṣṇa then entered the village of Vraja, which was decorated with herds of cows.
व्रजे विक्रीडतोरेवं गोपालच्छद्ममायया । ग्रीष्मो नामर्तुरभवन्नातिप्रेयाञ्छरीरिणाम्
vraje vikrīḍatorevaṃ gopālacchadmamāyayā | grīṣmo nāmarturabhavannātipreyāñcharīriṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were thus enjoying life in Vṛndāvana in the guise of ordinary cowherd boys, the summer season gradually appeared. This season is not very pleasing to embodied souls.
स च वृन्दावनगुणैर्वसन्त इव लक्षितः । यत्रास्ते भगवान् साक्षाद्रामेण सह केशवः
sa ca vṛndāvanaguṇairvasanta iva lakṣitaḥ | yatrāste bhagavān sākṣādrāmeṇa saha keśavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nevertheless, because the Supreme Personality of Godhead was personally staying in Vṛndāvana along with Balarāma, summer manifested the qualities of spring. Such are the features of the land of Vṛndāvana.
यत्र निर्झरनिर्ह्रादनिवृत्तस्वनझिल्लिकम् । शश्वत्तच्छीकरर्जीषद्रुममण्डलमण्डितम्
yatra nirjharanirhrādanivṛttasvanajhillikam | śaśvattacchīkararjīṣadrumamaṇḍalamaṇḍitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In Vṛndāvana, the loud sound of waterfalls covered the crickets’ noise, and clusters of trees constantly moistened by spray from those waterfalls beautified the entire area.
सरित्सरःप्रस्रवणोर्मिवायुना कह्लारकञ्जोत्पलरेणुहारिणा । न विद्यते यत्र वनौकसां दवो निदाघवह्न्यर्कभवोऽतिशाद्वले
saritsaraḥprasravaṇormivāyunā kahlārakañjotpalareṇuhāriṇā | na vidyate yatra vanaukasāṃ davo nidāghavahnyarkabhavo'tiśādvale
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wind wafting over the waves of the lakes and flowing rivers carried away the pollen of many varieties of lotuses and water lilies and then cooled the entire Vṛndāvana area. Thus the residents there did not suffer from the heat generated by the blazing summer sun and seasonal forest fires. Indeed, Vṛndāvana was abundant with fresh green grass.
अगाधतोयह्रदिनी तटोर्मिभि- र्द्रवत्पुरीष्याः पुलिनैः समन्ततः । न यत्र चण्डांशुकरा विषोल्बणा भुवो रसं शाद्वलितं च गृह्णते
agādhatoyahradinī taṭormibhi- rdravatpurīṣyāḥ pulinaiḥ samantataḥ | na yatra caṇḍāṃśukarā viṣolbaṇā bhuvo rasaṃ śādvalitaṃ ca gṛhṇate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With their flowing waves the deep rivers drenched their banks, making them damp and muddy. Thus the rays of the sun, which were as fierce as poison, could not evaporate the earth’s sap or parch its green grass.
वनं कुसुमितं श्रीमन्नदच्चित्रमृगद्विजम् । गायन्मयूरभ्रमरं कूजत्कोकिलसारसम्
vanaṃ kusumitaṃ śrīmannadaccitramṛgadvijam | gāyanmayūrabhramaraṃ kūjatkokilasārasam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Flowers beautifully decorated the forest of Vṛndāvana, and many varieties of animals and birds filled it with sound. The peacocks and bees sang, and the cuckoos and cranes cooed.
क्रीडिष्यमाणस्तत्कृष्णो भगवान् बलसंयुतः । वेणुं विरणयन् गोपैर्गोधनैः संवृतोऽविशत्
krīḍiṣyamāṇastatkṛṣṇo bhagavān balasaṃyutaḥ | veṇuṃ viraṇayan gopairgodhanaiḥ saṃvṛto'viśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Intending to engage in pastimes, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, accompanied by Lord Balarāma and surrounded by the cowherd boys and the cows, entered the forest of Vṛndāvana as He played His flute.
प्रवालबर्हस्तबकस्रग्धातुकृतभूषणाः । रामकृष्णादयो गोपा ननृतुर्युयुधुर्जगुः
pravālabarhastabakasragdhātukṛtabhūṣaṇāḥ | rāmakṛṣṇādayo gopā nanṛturyuyudhurjaguḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Decorating themselves with newly grown leaves, along with peacock feathers, garlands, clusters of flower buds, and colored minerals, Balarāma, Kṛṣṇa and Their cowherd friends danced, wrestled and sang.
कृष्णस्य नृत्यतः केचिज्जगुः केचिदवादयन् । वेणुपाणितलैः शृङ्गैः प्रशशंसुरथापरे
kṛṣṇasya nṛtyataḥ kecijjaguḥ kecidavādayan | veṇupāṇitalaiḥ śṛṅgaiḥ praśaśaṃsurathāpare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Kṛṣṇa danced, some of the boys accompanied Him by singing, and others by playing flutes, hand cymbals and buffalo horns, while still others praised His dancing.
गोपजातिप्रतिच्छन्ना देवा गोपालरूपिणौ । ईडिरे कृष्णरामौ च नटा इव नटं नृप
gopajātipraticchannā devā gopālarūpiṇau | īḍire kṛṣṇarāmau ca naṭā iva naṭaṃ nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, demigods disguised themselves as members of the cowherd community and, just as dramatic dancers praise another dancer, worshiped Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, who were also appearing as cowherd boys.
भ्रामणैर्लङ्घनैः क्षेपैरास्फोटनविकर्षणैः । चिक्रीडतुर्नियुद्धेन काकपक्षधरौ क्वचित्
bhrāmaṇairlaṅghanaiḥ kṣepairāsphoṭanavikarṣaṇaiḥ | cikrīḍaturniyuddhena kākapakṣadharau kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma played with their cowherd boyfriends by whirling about, leaping, hurling, slapping and fighting. Sometimes Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma would pull the hair on the boys’ heads.
क्वचिन्नृत्यत्सु चान्येषु गायकौ वादकौ स्वयम् । शशंसतुर्महाराज साधु साध्विति वादिनौ
kvacinnṛtyatsu cānyeṣu gāyakau vādakau svayam | śaśaṃsaturmahārāja sādhu sādhviti vādinau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the other boys were dancing, O King, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma would sometimes accompany them with song and instrumental music, and sometimes the two Lords would praise the boys, saying, “Very good! Very good!”
क्वचिद्बिल्वैः क्वचित्कुम्भैः क्व चामलकमुष्टिभिः । अस्पृश्यनेत्रबन्धाद्यैः क्वचिन्मृगखगेहया
kvacidbilvaiḥ kvacitkumbhaiḥ kva cāmalakamuṣṭibhiḥ | aspṛśyanetrabandhādyaiḥ kvacinmṛgakhagehayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sometimes the cowherd boys would play with bilva or kumbha fruits, and sometimes with handfuls of āmalaka fruits. At other times they would play the games of trying to touch one another or of trying to identify somebody while one is blindfolded, and sometimes they would imitate animals and birds.
क्वचिच्च दर्दुरप्लावैर्विविधैरुपहासकैः । कदाचित्स्पन्दोलिकया कर्हिचिन्नृपचेष्टया
kvacicca darduraplāvairvividhairupahāsakaiḥ | kadācitspandolikayā karhicinnṛpaceṣṭayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They would sometimes jump around like frogs, sometimes play various jokes, sometimes ride in swings and sometimes imitate monarchs.
एवं तौ लोकसिद्धाभिः क्रीडाभिश्चेरतुर्वने । नद्यद्रिद्रोणिकुञ्जेषु काननेषु सरःसु च
evaṃ tau lokasiddhābhiḥ krīḍābhiśceraturvane | nadyadridroṇikuñjeṣu kānaneṣu saraḥsu ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma played all sorts of well-known games as They wandered among the rivers, hills, valleys, bushes, trees and lakes of Vṛndāvana.
पशूंश्चारयतोर्गोपैस्तद्वने रामकृष्णयोः । गोपरूपी प्रलम्बोऽगादसुरस्तज्जिहीर्षया
paśūṃścārayatorgopaistadvane rāmakṛṣṇayoḥ | goparūpī pralambo'gādasurastajjihīrṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Rāma, Kṛṣṇa and Their cowherd friends were thus tending the cows in that Vṛndāvana forest, the demon Pralamba entered their midst. He had assumed the form of a cowherd boy with the intention of kidnapping Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.
तं विद्वानपि दाशार्हो भगवान् सर्वदर्शनः । अन्वमोदत तत्सख्यं वधं तस्य विचिन्तयन्
taṃ vidvānapi dāśārho bhagavān sarvadarśanaḥ | anvamodata tatsakhyaṃ vadhaṃ tasya vicintayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, who had appeared in the Daśārha dynasty, sees everything, He understood who the demon was. Still, the Lord pretended to accept the demon as a friend, while at the same time seriously considering how to kill him.
तत्रोपाहूय गोपालान् कृष्णः प्राह विहारवित् । हे गोपा विहरिष्यामो द्वन्द्वीभूय यथायथम्
tatropāhūya gopālān kṛṣṇaḥ prāha vihāravit | he gopā vihariṣyāmo dvandvībhūya yathāyatham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa, who knows all sports and games, then called together the cowherd boys and spoke as follows: “Hey cowherd boys! Let’s play now! We’ll divide ourselves into two even teams.”
तत्र चक्रुः परिवृढौ गोपा रामजनार्दनौ । कृष्णसङ्घट्टिनः केचिदासन् रामस्य चापरे
tatra cakruḥ parivṛḍhau gopā rāmajanārdanau | kṛṣṇasaṅghaṭṭinaḥ kecidāsan rāmasya cāpare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd boys chose Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma as the leaders of the two parties. Some of the boys were on Kṛṣṇa’s side, and others joined Balarāma.
आचेरुर्विविधाः क्रीडा वाह्यवाहकलक्षणाः । यत्रारोहन्ति जेतारो वहन्ति च पराजिताः
ācerurvividhāḥ krīḍā vāhyavāhakalakṣaṇāḥ | yatrārohanti jetāro vahanti ca parājitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The boys played various games involving carriers and passengers. In these games the winners would climb up on the backs of the losers, who would have to carry them.
वहन्तो वाह्यमानाश्च चारयन्तश्च गोधनम् । भाण्डीरकं नाम वटं जग्मुः कृष्णपुरोगमाः
vahanto vāhyamānāśca cārayantaśca godhanam | bhāṇḍīrakaṃ nāma vaṭaṃ jagmuḥ kṛṣṇapurogamāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus carrying and being carried by one another, and at the same time tending the cows, the boys followed Kṛṣṇa to a banyan tree known as Bhāṇḍīraka.
रामसङ्घट्टिनो यर्हि श्रीदामवृषभादयः । क्रीडायां जयिनस्तांस्तानूहुः कृष्णादयो नृप
rāmasaṅghaṭṭino yarhi śrīdāmavṛṣabhādayaḥ | krīḍāyāṃ jayinastāṃstānūhuḥ kṛṣṇādayo nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King Parīkṣit, when Śrīdāmā, Vṛṣabha and the other members of Lord Balarāma’s party were victorious in these games, Kṛṣṇa and His followers had to carry them.
उवाह कृष्णो भगवान् श्रीदामानं पराजितः । वृषभं भद्रसेनस्तु प्रलम्बो रोहिणीसुतम्
uvāha kṛṣṇo bhagavān śrīdāmānaṃ parājitaḥ | vṛṣabhaṃ bhadrasenastu pralambo rohiṇīsutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Defeated, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa carried Śrīdāmā. Bhadrasena carried Vṛṣabha, and Pralamba carried Balarāma, the son of Rohiṇī.
अविषह्यं मन्यमानः कृष्णं दानवपुङ्गवः । वहन्द्रुततरं प्रागादवरोहणतः परम्
aviṣahyaṃ manyamānaḥ kṛṣṇaṃ dānavapuṅgavaḥ | vahandrutataraṃ prāgādavarohaṇataḥ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Considering Lord Kṛṣṇa invincible, that foremost demon [Pralamba] quickly carried Balarāma far beyond the spot where he was supposed to put his passenger down.
तमुद्वहन् धरणिधरेन्द्रगौरवं महासुरो विगतरयो निजं वपुः । स आस्थितः पुरटपरिच्छदो बभौ तडिद्द्युमानुडुपतिवाडिवाम्बुदः
tamudvahan dharaṇidharendragauravaṃ mahāsuro vigatarayo nijaṃ vapuḥ | sa āsthitaḥ puraṭaparicchado babhau taḍiddyumānuḍupativāḍivāmbudaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the great demon carried Balarāma, the Lord became as heavy as massive Mount Sumeru, and Pralamba had to slow down. He then resumed his actual form — an effulgent body that was covered with golden ornaments and that resembled a cloud flashing with lightning and carrying the moon.
निरीक्ष्य तद्वपुरलमम्बरे चर- त्प्रदीप्तदृग्भ्रुकुटितटोग्रदंष्ट्रकम् । ज्वलच्छिखं कटककिरीटकुण्डल- त्विषाद्भुतं हलधर ईषदत्रसत्
nirīkṣya tadvapuralamambare cara- tpradīptadṛgbhrukuṭitaṭogradaṃṣṭrakam | jvalacchikhaṃ kaṭakakirīṭakuṇḍala- tviṣādbhutaṃ haladhara īṣadatrasat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Balarāma, who carries the plow weapon, saw the gigantic body of the demon as he moved swiftly in the sky — with his blazing eyes, fiery hair, terrible teeth reaching toward his scowling brows, and an amazing effulgence generated by his armlets, crown and earrings — the Lord seemed to become a little frightened.
अथागतस्मृतिरभयो रिपुं बलो विहायसार्थमिव हरन्तमात्मनः । रुषाहनच्छिरसि दृढेन मुष्टिना सुराधिपो गिरिमिव वज्ररंहसा
athāgatasmṛtirabhayo ripuṃ balo vihāyasārthamiva harantamātmanaḥ | ruṣāhanacchirasi dṛḍhena muṣṭinā surādhipo girimiva vajraraṃhasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Remembering the actual situation, the fearless Balarāma understood that the demon was tṛying to kidnap Him and take Him away from His companions. The Lord then became furious and struck the demon’s head with His hard fist, just as Indra, the king of the demigods, strikes a mountain with his thunderbolt weapon.
स आहतः सपदि विशीर्णमस्तको मुखाद्वमन् रुधिरमपस्मृतोऽसुरः । महारवं व्यसुरपतत्समीरयन् गिरिर्यथा मघवत आयुधाहतः
sa āhataḥ sapadi viśīrṇamastako mukhādvaman rudhiramapasmṛto'suraḥ | mahāravaṃ vyasurapatatsamīrayan giriryathā maghavata āyudhāhataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus smashed by Balarāma’s fist, Pralamba’s head immediately cracked open. The demon vomited blood from his mouth and lost all consciousness, and then with a great noise he fell lifeless on the ground, like a mountain devastated by Indra.
दृष्ट्वा प्रलम्बं निहतं बलेन बलशालिना । गोपाः सुविस्मिता आसन् साधु साध्विति वादिनः
dṛṣṭvā pralambaṃ nihataṃ balena balaśālinā | gopāḥ suvismitā āsan sādhu sādhviti vādinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd boys were most astonished to see how the powerful Balarāma had killed the demon Pralamba, and they exclaimed, “Excellent! Excellent!”
आशिषोऽभिगृणन्तस्तं प्रशशंसुस्तदर्हणम् । प्रेत्यागतमिवालिङ्ग्य प्रेमविह्वलचेतसः
āśiṣo'bhigṛṇantastaṃ praśaśaṃsustadarhaṇam | pretyāgatamivāliṅgya premavihvalacetasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They offered Balarāma profuse benedictions and then glorified Him, who deserves all glorification. Their minds overwhelmed with ecstatic love, they embraced Him as if He had come back from the dead.
पापे प्रलम्बे निहते देवाः परमनिर्वृताः । अभ्यवर्षन् बलं माल्यैः शशंसुः साधु साध्विति
pāpe pralambe nihate devāḥ paramanirvṛtāḥ | abhyavarṣan balaṃ mālyaiḥ śaśaṃsuḥ sādhu sādhviti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sinful Pralamba having been killed, the demigods felt extremely happy, and they showered flower garlands upon Lord Balarāma and praised the excellence of His deed.
श्रीशुक उवाच । क्रीडासक्तेषु गोपेषु तद्गावो दूरचारिणीः । स्वैरं चरन्त्यो विविशुस्तृणलोभेन गह्वरम्
śrīśuka uvāca | krīḍāsakteṣu gopeṣu tadgāvo dūracāriṇīḥ | svairaṃ carantyo viviśustṛṇalobhena gahvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: While the cowherd boys were completely absorbed in playing, their cows wandered far away. They hungered for more grass, and with no one to watch them they entered a dense forest.
अजा गावो महिष्यश्च निर्विशन्त्यो वनाद्वनम् । इषीकाटवीं निर्विविशुः क्रन्दन्त्यो दावतर्षिताः
ajā gāvo mahiṣyaśca nirviśantyo vanādvanam | iṣīkāṭavīṃ nirviviśuḥ krandantyo dāvatarṣitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Passing from one part of the great forest to another, the goats, cows and buffalo eventually entered an area overgrown with sharp canes. The heat of a nearby forest fire made them thirsty, and they cried out in distress.
तेऽपश्यन्तः पशून् गोपाः कृष्णरामादयस्तदा । जातानुतापा न विदुर्विचिन्वन्तो गवां गतिम्
te'paśyantaḥ paśūn gopāḥ kṛṣṇarāmādayastadā | jātānutāpā na vidurvicinvanto gavāṃ gatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Not seeing the cows before them, Kṛṣṇa, Rāma and Their cowherd friends suddenly felt repentant for having neglected them. The boys searched all around, but could not discover where they had gone.
तृणैस्तत्खुरदच्छिन्नैर्गोष्पदैरङ्कितैर्गवाम् । मार्गमन्वगमन् सर्वे नष्टाजीव्या विचेतसः
tṛṇaistatkhuradacchinnairgoṣpadairaṅkitairgavām | mārgamanvagaman sarve naṣṭājīvyā vicetasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the boys began tracing out the cows’ path by noting their hoofprints and the blades of grass the cows had broken with their hooves and teeth. All the cowherd boys were in great anxiety because they had lost their source of livelihood.
मुञ्जाटव्यां भ्रष्टमार्गं क्रन्दमानं स्वगोधनम् । सम्प्राप्य तृषिताः श्रान्तास्ततस्ते सन्न्यवर्तयन्
muñjāṭavyāṃ bhraṣṭamārgaṃ krandamānaṃ svagodhanam | samprāpya tṛṣitāḥ śrāntāstataste sannyavartayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Within the Muñjā forest the cowherd boys finally found their valuable cows, who had lost their way and were crying. Then the boys, thirsty and tired, herded the cows onto the path back home.
ता आहूता भगवता मेघगम्भीरया गिरा । स्वनाम्नां निनदं श्रुत्वा प्रतिनेदुः प्रहर्षिताः
tā āhūtā bhagavatā meghagambhīrayā girā | svanāmnāṃ ninadaṃ śrutvā pratineduḥ praharṣitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead called out to the animals in a voice that resounded like a rumbling cloud. Hearing the sound of their own names, the cows were overjoyed and called out to the Lord in reply.
ततः समन्ताद्वनधूमकेतु- र्यदृच्छयाभूत्क्षयकृद्वनौकसाम् । समीरितः सारथिनोल्बणोल्मुकै- र्विलेलिहानः स्थिरजङ्गमान् महान्
tataḥ samantādvanadhūmaketu- ryadṛcchayābhūtkṣayakṛdvanaukasām | samīritaḥ sārathinolbaṇolmukai- rvilelihānaḥ sthirajaṅgamān mahān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Suddenly a great forest fire appeared on all sides, threatening to destroy all the forest creatures. Like a chariot driver, the wind swept the fire onward, and terrible sparks shot in all directions. Indeed, the great fire extended its tongues of flame toward all moving and nonmoving creatures.
तमापतन्तं परितो दवाग्निं गोपाश्च गावः प्रसमीक्ष्य भीताः । ऊचुश्च कृष्णं सबलं प्रपन्ना यथा हरिं मृत्युभयार्दिता जनाः
tamāpatantaṃ parito davāgniṃ gopāśca gāvaḥ prasamīkṣya bhītāḥ | ūcuśca kṛṣṇaṃ sabalaṃ prapannā yathā hariṃ mṛtyubhayārditā janāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the cows and cowherd boys stared at the forest fire attacking them on all sides, they became fearful. The boys then approached Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma for shelter, just as those who are disturbed by fear of death approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The boys addressed Them as follows.
कृष्ण कृष्ण महावीर हे रामामितविक्रम । दावाग्निना दह्यमानान् प्रपन्नांस्त्रातुमर्हथः
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahāvīra he rāmāmitavikrama | dāvāgninā dahyamānān prapannāṃstrātumarhathaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The cowherd boys said:] O Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Most powerful one! O Rāma! You whose prowess never fails! Please save Your devotees, who are about to be burned by this forest fire and have come to take shelter of You!
नूनं त्वद्बान्धवाः कृष्ण न चार्हन्त्यवसादितुम् । वयं हि सर्वधर्मज्ञ त्वन्नाथास्त्वत्परायणाः
nūnaṃ tvadbāndhavāḥ kṛṣṇa na cārhantyavasāditum | vayaṃ hi sarvadharmajña tvannāthāstvatparāyaṇāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa! Certainly Your own friends shouldn’t be destroyed. O knower of the nature of all things, we have accepted You as our Lord, and we are souls surrendered unto You!
श्रीशुक उवाच । वचो निशम्य कृपणं बन्धूनां भगवान् हरिः । निमीलयत मा भैष्ट लोचनानीत्यभाषत
śrīśuka uvāca | vaco niśamya kṛpaṇaṃ bandhūnāṃ bhagavān hariḥ | nimīlayata mā bhaiṣṭa locanānītyabhāṣata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing these pitiful words from His friends, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa told them, “Just close your eyes and do not be afraid.”
तथेति मीलिताक्षेषु भगवानग्निमुल्बणम् । पीत्वा मुखेन तान् कृच्छ्राद्योगाधीशो व्यमोचयत्
tatheti mīlitākṣeṣu bhagavānagnimulbaṇam | pītvā mukhena tān kṛcchrādyogādhīśo vyamocayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“All right,” the boys replied, and immediately closed their eyes. Then the Supreme Lord, the master of all mystic power, opened His mouth and swallowed the terrible fire, saving His friends from danger.
ततश्च तेऽक्षीण्युन्मील्य पुनर्भाण्डीरमापिताः । निशाम्य विस्मिता आसन्नात्मानं गाश्च मोचिताः
tataśca te'kṣīṇyunmīlya punarbhāṇḍīramāpitāḥ | niśāmya vismitā āsannātmānaṃ gāśca mocitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd boys opened their eyes and were amazed to find not only that they and the cows had been saved from the terrible fire but that they had all been brought back to the Bhāṇḍīra tree.
कृष्णस्य योगवीर्यं तद्योगमायानुभावितम् । दावाग्नेरात्मनः क्षेमं वीक्ष्य ते मेनिरेऽमरम्
kṛṣṇasya yogavīryaṃ tadyogamāyānubhāvitam | dāvāgnerātmanaḥ kṣemaṃ vīkṣya te menire'maram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the cowherd boys saw that they had been saved from the forest fire by the Lord’s mystic power, which is manifested by His internal potency, they began to think that Kṛṣṇa must be a demigod.
गाः सन्निवर्त्य सायाह्ने सह रामो जनार्दनः । वेणुं विरणयन् गोष्ठमगाद्गोपैरभिष्टुतः
gāḥ sannivartya sāyāhne saha rāmo janārdanaḥ | veṇuṃ viraṇayan goṣṭhamagādgopairabhiṣṭutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was now late in the afternoon, and Lord Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by Balarāma, turned the cows back toward home. Playing His flute in a special way, Kṛṣṇa returned to the cowherd village in the company of His cowherd friends, who chanted His glories.
गोपीनां परमानन्द आसीद्गोविन्ददर्शने । क्षणं युगशतमिव यासां येन विनाभवत्
gopīnāṃ paramānanda āsīdgovindadarśane | kṣaṇaṃ yugaśatamiva yāsāṃ yena vinābhavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The young gopīs took the greatest pleasure in seeing Govinda come home, since for them even a moment without His association seemed like a hundred ages.
श्रीशुक उवाच । तयोस्तदद्भुतं कर्म दावाग्नेर्मोक्षमात्मनः । गोपाः स्त्रीभ्यः समाचख्युः प्रलम्बवधमेव च
śrīśuka uvāca | tayostadadbhutaṃ karma dāvāgnermokṣamātmanaḥ | gopāḥ strībhyaḥ samācakhyuḥ pralambavadhameva ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said:To the ladies of Vṛndāvana, the cowherd boys then related in full detail Kṛṣṇa’s and Balarāma’s wonderful activities of delivering them from the forest fire and killing the demon Pralamba.
गोपवृद्धाश्च गोप्यश्च तदुपाकर्ण्य विस्मिताः । मेनिरे देवप्रवरौ कृष्णरामौ व्रजं गतौ
gopavṛddhāśca gopyaśca tadupākarṇya vismitāḥ | menire devapravarau kṛṣṇarāmau vrajaṃ gatau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The elder cowherd men and ladies were amazed to hear this account, and they concluded that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma must be exalted demigods who had appeared in Vṛndāvana.
ततः प्रावर्तत प्रावृट् सर्वसत्त्वसमुद्भवा । विद्योतमानपरिधिर्विस्फूर्जितनभस्तला
tataḥ prāvartata prāvṛṭ sarvasattvasamudbhavā | vidyotamānaparidhirvisphūrjitanabhastalā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the rainy season began, giving life and sustenance to all living beings. The sky began to rumble with thunder, and lightning flashed on the horizon.
सान्द्रनीलाम्बुदैर्व्योम सविद्युत्स्तनयित्नुभिः । अस्पष्टज्योतिराच्छन्नं ब्रह्मेव सगुणं बभौ
sāndranīlāmbudairvyoma savidyutstanayitnubhiḥ | aspaṣṭajyotirācchannaṃ brahmeva saguṇaṃ babhau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sky was then covered by dense blue clouds accompanied by lightning and thunder. Thus the sky and its natural illumination were covered in the same way that the spirit soul is covered by the three modes of material nature.
अष्टौ मासान् निपीतं यद्भूम्याश्चोदमयं वसु । स्वगोभिर्मोक्तुमारेभे पर्जन्यः काल आगते
aṣṭau māsān nipītaṃ yadbhūmyāścodamayaṃ vasu | svagobhirmoktumārebhe parjanyaḥ kāla āgate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With its rays, the sun had for eight months drunk up the earth’s wealth in the form of water. Now that the proper time had arrived, the sun began releasing this accumulated wealth.
तडित्वन्तो महामेघाश्चण्डश्वसनवेपिताः । प्रीणनं जीवनं ह्यस्य मुमुचुः करुणा इव
taḍitvanto mahāmeghāścaṇḍaśvasanavepitāḥ | prīṇanaṃ jīvanaṃ hyasya mumucuḥ karuṇā iva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Flashing with lightning, great clouds were shaken and swept about by fierce winds. Just like merciful persons, the clouds gave their lives for the pleasure of this world.
तपःकृशा देवमीढा आसीद्वर्षीयसी मही । यथैव काम्यतपसस्तनुः सम्प्राप्य तत्फलम्
tapaḥkṛśā devamīḍhā āsīdvarṣīyasī mahī | yathaiva kāmyatapasastanuḥ samprāpya tatphalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The earth had been emaciated by the summer heat, but she became fully nourished again when moistened by the god of rain. Thus the earth was like a person whose body has been emaciated by austerities undergone for a material purpose, but who again becomes fully nourished when he achieves the fruit of those austerities.
निशामुखेषु खद्योतास्तमसा भान्ति न ग्रहाः । यथा पापेन पाखण्डा न हि वेदाः कलौ युगे
niśāmukheṣu khadyotāstamasā bhānti na grahāḥ | yathā pāpena pākhaṇḍā na hi vedāḥ kalau yuge
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the evening twilight during the rainy season, the darkness allowed the glowworms but not the stars to shine forth, just as in the Age of Kali the predominance of sinful activities allows atheistic doctrines to overshadow the true knowledge of the Vedas.
श्रुत्वा पर्जन्यनिनदं मण्डुकाः व्यसृजन् गिरः । तूष्णीं शयानाः प्राग्यद्वद्ब्राह्मणा नियमात्यये
śrutvā parjanyaninadaṃ maṇḍukāḥ vyasṛjan giraḥ | tūṣṇīṃ śayānāḥ prāgyadvadbrāhmaṇā niyamātyaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The frogs, who had all along been lying silent, suddenly began croaking when they heard the rumbling of the rain clouds, in the same way that brāhmaṇa students, who perform their morning duties in silence begin reciting their lessons when called by their teacher.
आसन्नुत्पथगामिन्यः क्षुद्रनद्योऽनुशुष्यतीः । पुंसो यथास्वतन्त्रस्य देहद्रविणसम्पदः
āsannutpathagāminyaḥ kṣudranadyo'nuśuṣyatīḥ | puṃso yathāsvatantrasya dehadraviṇasampadaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With the advent of the rainy season, the insignificant streams, which had become dry, began to swell and then strayed from their proper courses, like the body, property and money of a man controlled by the urges of his senses.
हरिता हरिभिः शष्पैरिन्द्रगोपैश्च लोहिता । उच्छिलीन्ध्रकृतच्छाया नृणां श्रीरिव भूरभूत्
haritā haribhiḥ śaṣpairindragopaiśca lohitā | ucchilīndhrakṛtacchāyā nṛṇāṃ śrīriva bhūrabhūt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The newly grown grass made the earth emerald green, the indragopa insects added a reddish hue, and white mushrooms added further color and circles of shade. Thus the earth appeared like a person who has suddenly become rich.
क्षेत्राणि सस्यसम्पद्भिः कर्षकाणां मुदं ददुः । धनिनामुपतापं च दैवाधीनमजानताम्
kṣetrāṇi sasyasampadbhiḥ karṣakāṇāṃ mudaṃ daduḥ | dhanināmupatāpaṃ ca daivādhīnamajānatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With their wealth of grains, the fields gave joy to the farmers. But those fields created remorse in the hearts of those who were too proud to engage in farming and who failed to understand how everything is under the control of the Supreme.
जलस्थलौकसः सर्वे नववारिनिषेवया । अबिभ्रद्रुचिरं रूपं यथा हरिनिषेवया
jalasthalaukasaḥ sarve navavāriniṣevayā | abibhradruciraṃ rūpaṃ yathā hariniṣevayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As all creatures of the land and water took advantage of the newly fallen rainwater, their forms became attractive and pleasing, just as a devotee becomes beautiful by engaging in the service of the Supreme Lord.
सरिद्भिः सङ्गतः सिन्धुश्चुक्षुभे श्वसनोर्मिमान् । अपक्वयोगिनश्चित्तं कामाक्तं गुणयुग्यथा
saridbhiḥ saṅgataḥ sindhuścukṣubhe śvasanormimān | apakvayoginaścittaṃ kāmāktaṃ guṇayugyathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Where the rivers joined the ocean it became agitated, its waves blown about by the wind, just as the mind of an immature yogī becomes agitated because he is still tainted by lust and attached to the objects of sense gratification.
गिरयो वर्षधाराभिर्हन्यमाना न विव्यथुः । अभिभूयमाना व्यसनैर्यथाधोक्षजचेतसः
girayo varṣadhārābhirhanyamānā na vivyathuḥ | abhibhūyamānā vyasanairyathādhokṣajacetasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as devotees whose minds are absorbed in the Personality of Godhead remain peaceful even when attacked by all sorts of dangers, the mountains in the rainy season were not at all disturbed by the repeated striking of the rain-bearing clouds.
मार्गा बभूवुः सन्दिग्धास्तृणैश्छन्ना ह्यसंस्कृताः । नाभ्यस्यमानाः श्रुतयो द्विजैः कालाहता इव
mārgā babhūvuḥ sandigdhāstṛṇaiśchannā hyasaṃskṛtāḥ | nābhyasyamānāḥ śrutayo dvijaiḥ kālāhatā iva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
During the rainy season the roads, not being cleansed, became covered with grass and debris and were thus difficult to make out. These roads were like religious scriptures that brāhmaṇas no longer study and that thus become corrupted and covered over with the passage of time.
लोकबन्धुषु मेघेषु विद्युतश्चलसौहृदाः । स्थैर्यं न चक्रुः कामिन्यः पुरुषेषु गुणिष्विव
lokabandhuṣu megheṣu vidyutaścalasauhṛdāḥ | sthairyaṃ na cakruḥ kāminyaḥ puruṣeṣu guṇiṣviva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Though the clouds are the well-wishing friends of all living beings, the lightning, fickle in its affinities, moved from one group of clouds to another, like lusty women unfaithful even to virtuous men.
धनुर्वियति माहेन्द्रं निर्गुणं च गुणिन्यभात् । व्यक्ते गुणव्यतिकरेऽगुणवान् पुरुषो यथा
dhanurviyati māhendraṃ nirguṇaṃ ca guṇinyabhāt | vyakte guṇavyatikare'guṇavān puruṣo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the curved bow of Indra [the rainbow] appeared in the sky, which had the quality of thundering sound, it was unlike ordinary bows because it did not rest upon a string. Similarly, when the Supreme Lord appears in this world, which is the interaction of the material qualities, He is unlike ordinary persons because He remains free from all material qualities and independent of all material conditions.
न रराजोडुपश्छन्नः स्वज्योत्स्ना राजितैर्घनैः । अहं मत्या भासितया स्वभासा पुरुषो यथा
na rarājoḍupaśchannaḥ svajyotsnā rājitairghanaiḥ | ahaṃ matyā bhāsitayā svabhāsā puruṣo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
During the rainy season the moon was prevented from appearing directly by the covering of the clouds, which were themselves illumined by the moon’s rays. Similarly, the living being in material existence is prevented from appearing directly by the covering of the false ego, which is itself illumined by the consciousness of the pure soul.
मेघागमोत्सवा हृष्टाः प्रत्यनन्दञ्छिखण्डिनः । गृहेषु तप्ता निर्विण्णा यथाच्युतजनागमे
meghāgamotsavā hṛṣṭāḥ pratyanandañchikhaṇḍinaḥ | gṛheṣu taptā nirviṇṇā yathācyutajanāgame
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The peacocks became festive and cried out a joyful greeting when they saw the clouds arrive, just as people distressed in household life feel pleasure when the pure devotees of the infallible Supreme Lord visit them.
पीत्वापः पादपाः पद्भिरासन् नानाऽऽत्ममूर्तयः । प्राक्क्षामास्तपसा श्रान्ता यथा कामानुसेवया
pītvāpaḥ pādapāḥ padbhirāsan nānā''tmamūrtayaḥ | prākkṣāmāstapasā śrāntā yathā kāmānusevayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The trees had grown thin and dry, but after they drank the newly fallen rainwater through their feet, their various bodily features blossomed. Similarly, one whose body has grown thin and weak from austerity again exhibits his healthy bodily features upon enjoying the material objects gained through that austerity.
सरःस्वशान्तरोधःसु न्यूषुरङ्गापि सारसाः । गृहेष्वशान्तकृत्येषु ग्राम्या इव दुराशयाः
saraḥsvaśāntarodhaḥsu nyūṣuraṅgāpi sārasāḥ | gṛheṣvaśāntakṛtyeṣu grāmyā iva durāśayāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cranes continued dwelling on the shores of the lakes, although the shores were agitated during the rainy season, just as materialistic persons with contaminated minds always remain at home, despite the many disturbances there.
जलौघैर्निरभिद्यन्त सेतवो वर्षतीश्वरे । पाखण्डिनामसद्वादैर्वेदमार्गाः कलौ यथा
jalaughairnirabhidyanta setavo varṣatīśvare | pākhaṇḍināmasadvādairvedamārgāḥ kalau yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Indra sent forth his rains, the floodwaters broke through the irrigation dikes in the agricultural fields, just as in the Kali-yuga the atheists’ false theories break down the boundaries of Vedic injunctions.
व्यमुञ्चन् वायुभिर्नुन्ना भूतेभ्योऽथामृतं घनाः । यथाऽऽशिषो विश्पतयः काले काले द्विजेरिताः
vyamuñcan vāyubhirnunnā bhūtebhyo'thāmṛtaṃ ghanāḥ | yathā''śiṣo viśpatayaḥ kāle kāle dvijeritāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The clouds, impelled by the winds, released their nectarean water for the benefit of all living beings, just as kings, instructed by their brāhmaṇa priests, dispense charity to the citizens.
एवं वनं तद्वर्षिष्ठं पक्वखर्जुरजम्बुमत् । गोगोपालैर्वृतो रन्तुं सबलः प्राविशद्धरिः
evaṃ vanaṃ tadvarṣiṣṭhaṃ pakvakharjurajambumat | gogopālairvṛto rantuṃ sabalaḥ prāviśaddhariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Vṛndāvana forest had thus become resplendent, filled with ripe dates and jambu fruits, Lord Kṛṣṇa, surrounded by His cows and cowherd boyfriends and accompanied by Śrī Balarāma, entered that forest to enjoy.
धेनवो मन्दगामिन्य ऊधोभारेण भूयसा । ययुर्भगवताऽऽहूता द्रुतं प्रीत्या स्नुतस्तनीः
dhenavo mandagāminya ūdhobhāreṇa bhūyasā | yayurbhagavatā''hūtā drutaṃ prītyā snutastanīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cows had to move slowly because of their weighty milk bags, but they quickly ran to the Supreme Personality of Godhead as soon as He called them, their affection for Him causing their udders to become wet.
वनौकसः प्रमुदिता वनराजीर्मधुच्युतः । जलधारा गिरेर्नादादासन्ना ददृशे गुहाः
vanaukasaḥ pramuditā vanarājīrmadhucyutaḥ | jaladhārā girernādādāsannā dadṛśe guhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord saw the joyful aborigine girls of the forest, the trees dripping sweet sap, and the mountain waterfalls, whose resounding indicated that there were caves nearby.
क्वचिद्वनस्पतिक्रोडे गुहायां चाभिवर्षति । निर्विश्य भगवान् रेमे कन्दमूलफलाशनः
kvacidvanaspatikroḍe guhāyāṃ cābhivarṣati | nirviśya bhagavān reme kandamūlaphalāśanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When it rained, the Lord would sometimes enter a cave or the hollow of a tree to play and to eat roots and fruits.
दध्योदनं समानीतं शिलायां सलिलान्तिके । सम्भोजनीयैर्बुभुजे गोपैः सङ्कर्षणान्वितः
dadhyodanaṃ samānītaṃ śilāyāṃ salilāntike | sambhojanīyairbubhuje gopaiḥ saṅkarṣaṇānvitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa would take His meal of boiled rice and yogurt, sent from home, in the company of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa and the cowherd boys who regularly ate with Him. They would all sit down to eat on a large stone near the water.
एवं निवसतोस्तस्मिन् रामकेशवयोर्व्रजे । शरत्समभवद्व्यभ्रा स्वच्छाम्ब्वपरुषानिला
evaṃ nivasatostasmin rāmakeśavayorvraje | śaratsamabhavadvyabhrā svacchāmbvaparuṣānilā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Lord Rāma and Lord Keśava were thus dwelling in Vṛndāvana, the fall season arrived, when the sky is cloudless, the water clear and the wind gentle.
शरदा नीरजोत्पत्त्या नीराणि प्रकृतिं ययुः । भ्रष्टानामिव चेतांसि पुनर्योगनिषेवया
śaradā nīrajotpattyā nīrāṇi prakṛtiṃ yayuḥ | bhraṣṭānāmiva cetāṃsi punaryoganiṣevayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The autumn season, which regenerated the lotus flowers, also restored the various bodies of water to their original purity, just as the process of devotional service purifies the minds of the fallen yogīs when they return to it.
व्योम्नोऽब्दं भूतशाबल्यं भुवः पङ्कमपां मलम् । शरज्जहाराश्रमिणां कृष्णे भक्तिर्यथाशुभम्
vyomno'bdaṃ bhūtaśābalyaṃ bhuvaḥ paṅkamapāṃ malam | śarajjahārāśramiṇāṃ kṛṣṇe bhaktiryathāśubham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Autumn cleared the sky of clouds, let the animals get out of their crowded living conditions, cleaned the earth of its covering of mud, and purified the water of contamination, in the same way that loving service rendered to Lord Kṛṣṇa frees the members of the four spiritual orders from their respective troubles.
सर्वस्वं जलदा हित्वा विरेजुः शुभ्रवर्चसः । यथा त्यक्तैषणाः शान्ता मुनयो मुक्तकिल्बिषाः
sarvasvaṃ jaladā hitvā virejuḥ śubhravarcasaḥ | yathā tyaktaiṣaṇāḥ śāntā munayo muktakilbiṣāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The clouds, having given up all they possessed, shone forth with purified effulgence, just like peaceful sages who have given up all material desires and are thus free of all sinful propensities.
गिरयो मुमुचुस्तोयं क्वचिन्न मुमुचुः शिवम् । यथा ज्ञानामृतं काले ज्ञानिनो ददते न वा
girayo mumucustoyaṃ kvacinna mumucuḥ śivam | yathā jñānāmṛtaṃ kāle jñānino dadate na vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
During this season the mountains sometimes released their pure water and sometimes did not, just as experts in transcendental science sometimes give the nectar of transcendental knowledge and sometimes do not.
नैवाविदन् क्षीयमाणं जलं गाधजलेचराः । यथायुरन्वहं क्षय्यं नरा मूढाः कुटुम्बिनः
naivāvidan kṣīyamāṇaṃ jalaṃ gādhajalecarāḥ | yathāyuranvahaṃ kṣayyaṃ narā mūḍhāḥ kuṭumbinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The fish swimming in the increasingly shallow water did not at all understand that the water was diminishing, just as foolish family men cannot see how the time they have left to live is diminishing with every passing day.
गाधवारिचरास्तापमविन्दञ्छरदर्कजम् । यथा दरिद्रः कृपणः कुटुम्ब्यविजितेन्द्रियः
gādhavāricarāstāpamavindañcharadarkajam | yathā daridraḥ kṛpaṇaḥ kuṭumbyavijitendriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as a miserly, poverty-stricken person overly absorbed in family life suffers because he cannot control his senses, the fish swimming in the shallow water had to suffer the heat of the autumn sun.
शनैः शनैर्जहुः पङ्कं स्थलान्यामं च वीरुधः । यथाहम्ममतां धीराः शरीरादिष्वनात्मसु
śanaiḥ śanairjahuḥ paṅkaṃ sthalānyāmaṃ ca vīrudhaḥ | yathāhammamatāṃ dhīrāḥ śarīrādiṣvanātmasu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Gradually the different areas of land gave up their muddy condition and the plants grew past their unripe stage, in the same way that sober sages give up egotism and possessiveness. These are based on things different from the real self, namely, the material body and its by-products.
निश्चलाम्बुरभूत्तूष्णीं समुद्रः शरदागमे । आत्मन्युपरते सम्यङ्मुनिर्व्युपरतागमः
niścalāmburabhūttūṣṇīṃ samudraḥ śaradāgame | ātmanyuparate samyaṅmunirvyuparatāgamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With the arrival of autumn, the ocean and the lakes became silent, their water still, just like a sage who has desisted from all material activities and given up his recitation of Vedic mantras.
केदारेभ्यस्त्वपोऽगृह्णन् कर्षका दृढसेतुभिः । यथा प्राणैः स्रवज्ज्ञानं तन्निरोधेन योगिनः
kedārebhyastvapo'gṛhṇan karṣakā dṛḍhasetubhiḥ | yathā prāṇaiḥ sravajjñānaṃ tannirodhena yoginaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the same way that the practitioners of yoga bring their senses under strict control to check their consciousness from flowing out through the agitated senses, the farmers erected strong mud banks to keep the water within their rice fields from draining out.
शरदर्कांशुजांस्तापान् भूतानामुडुपोऽहरत् । देहाभिमानजं बोधो मुकुन्दो व्रजयोषिताम्
śaradarkāṃśujāṃstāpān bhūtānāmuḍupo'harat | dehābhimānajaṃ bodho mukundo vrajayoṣitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The autumn moon relieved all creatures of the suffering caused by the sun’s rays, just as wisdom relieves a person of the misery caused by his identifying with his material body and as Lord Mukunda relieves Vṛndāvana’s ladies of the distress caused by their separation from Him.
खमशोभत निर्मेघं शरद्विमलतारकम् । सत्त्वयुक्तं यथा चित्तं शब्दब्रह्मार्थदर्शनम्
khamaśobhata nirmeghaṃ śaradvimalatārakam | sattvayuktaṃ yathā cittaṃ śabdabrahmārthadarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Free of clouds and filled with clearly visible stars, the autumn sky shone brilliantly, just like the spiritual consciousness of one who has directly experienced the purport of the Vedic scriptures.
अखण्डमण्डलो व्योम्नि रराजोडुगणैः शशी । यथा यदुपतिः कृष्णो वृष्णिचक्रावृतो भुवि
akhaṇḍamaṇḍalo vyomni rarājoḍugaṇaiḥ śaśī | yathā yadupatiḥ kṛṣṇo vṛṣṇicakrāvṛto bhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The full moon shone in the sky, surrounded by stars, just as Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of the Yadu dynasty, shone brilliantly on the earth, surrounded by all the Vṛṣṇis.
आश्लिष्य समशीतोष्णं प्रसूनवनमारुतम् । जनास्तापं जहुर्गोप्यो न कृष्णहृतचेतसः
āśliṣya samaśītoṣṇaṃ prasūnavanamārutam | janāstāpaṃ jahurgopyo na kṛṣṇahṛtacetasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Except for the gopīs, whose hearts had been stolen by Kṛṣṇa, the people could forget their suffering by embracing the wind coming from the flower-filled forest. This wind was neither hot nor cold.
गावो मृगाः खगा नार्यः पुष्पिण्यः शरदाभवन् । अन्वीयमानाः स्ववृषैः फलैरीशक्रिया इव
gāvo mṛgāḥ khagā nāryaḥ puṣpiṇyaḥ śaradābhavan | anvīyamānāḥ svavṛṣaiḥ phalairīśakriyā iva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By the influence of the autumn season, all the cows, doe, women and female birds became fertile and were followed by their respective mates in search of sexual enjoyment, just as activities performed for the service of the Supreme Lord are automatically followed by all beneficial results.
उदहृष्यन् वारिजानि सूर्योत्थाने कुमुद्विना । राज्ञा तु निर्भया लोका यथा दस्यून् विना नृप
udahṛṣyan vārijāni sūryotthāne kumudvinā | rājñā tu nirbhayā lokā yathā dasyūn vinā nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King Parīkṣit, when the autumn sun rose, all the lotus flowers blossomed happily, except the night-blooming kumut, just as in the presence of a strong ruler everyone becomes fearless, except the thieves.
पुरग्रामेष्वाग्रयणैरिन्द्रियैश्च महोत्सवैः । बभौ भूः पक्वसस्याढ्या कलाभ्यां नितरां हरेः
puragrāmeṣvāgrayaṇairindriyaiśca mahotsavaiḥ | babhau bhūḥ pakvasasyāḍhyā kalābhyāṃ nitarāṃ hareḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In all the towns and villages people held great festivals, performing the Vedic fire sacrifice for honoring and tasting the first grains of the new harvest, along with similar celebrations that followed local custom and tradition. Thus the earth, rich with newly grown grain and especially beautified by the presence of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, shone beautifully as an expansion of the Supreme Lord.
वणिङ्मुनिनृपस्नाता निर्गम्यार्थान् प्रपेदिरे । वर्षरुद्धा यथा सिद्धाः स्वपिण्डान् काल आगते
vaṇiṅmuninṛpasnātā nirgamyārthān prapedire | varṣaruddhā yathā siddhāḥ svapiṇḍān kāla āgate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The merchants, sages, kings and brahmacārī students, kept in by the rain, were at last free to go out and attain their desired objects, just as those who achieve perfection in this life can, when the proper time comes, leave the material body and attain their respective forms.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्थं शरत्स्वच्छजलं पद्माकरसुगन्धिना । न्यविशद्वायुना वातं सगोगोपालकोऽच्युतः
śrīśuka uvāca | itthaṃ śaratsvacchajalaṃ padmākarasugandhinā | nyaviśadvāyunā vātaṃ sagogopālako'cyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus the Vṛndāvana forest was filled with transparent autumnal waters and cooled by breezes perfumed with the fragrance of lotus flowers growing in the clear lakes. The infallible Lord, accompanied by His cows and cowherd boyfriends, entered that Vṛndāvana forest.
कुसुमितवनराजिशुष्मिभृङ्ग- द्विजकुलघुष्टसरःसरिन्महीध्रम् । मधुपतिरवगाह्य चारयन् गाः सह पशुपालबलश्चुकूज वेणुम्
kusumitavanarājiśuṣmibhṛṅga- dvijakulaghuṣṭasaraḥsarinmahīdhram | madhupatiravagāhya cārayan gāḥ saha paśupālabalaścukūja veṇum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The lakes, rivers and hills of Vṛndāvana resounded with the sounds of maddened bees and flocks of birds moving about the flowering trees. In the company of the cowherd boys and Balarāma, Madhupati [Śrī Kṛṣṇa] entered that forest, and while herding the cows He began to vibrate His flute.
तद्व्रजस्त्रिय आश्रुत्य वेणुगीतं स्मरोदयम् । काश्चित्परोक्षं कृष्णस्य स्वसखीभ्योन्ववर्णयन्
tadvrajastriya āśrutya veṇugītaṃ smarodayam | kāścitparokṣaṃ kṛṣṇasya svasakhībhyonvavarṇayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the young ladies in the cowherd village of Vraja heard the song of Kṛṣṇa’s flute, which arouses the influence of Cupid, some of them privately began describing Kṛṣṇa’s qualities to their intimate friends.
तद्वर्णयितुमारब्धाः स्मरन्त्यः कृष्णचेष्टितम् । नाशकन् स्मरवेगेन विक्षिप्तमनसो नृप
tadvarṇayitumārabdhāḥ smarantyaḥ kṛṣṇaceṣṭitam | nāśakan smaravegena vikṣiptamanaso nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd girls began to speak about Kṛṣṇa, but when they remembered His activities, O King, the power of Cupid disturbed their minds, and thus they could not speak.
बर्हापीडं नटवरवपुः कर्णयोः कर्णिकारं बिभ्रद्वासः कनककपिशं वैजयन्तीं च मालाम् । रन्ध्रान् वेणोरधरसुधया पूरयन् गोपवृन्दै- र्वृन्दारण्यं स्वपदरमणं प्राविशद्गीतकीर्तिः
barhāpīḍaṃ naṭavaravapuḥ karṇayoḥ karṇikāraṃ bibhradvāsaḥ kanakakapiśaṃ vaijayantīṃ ca mālām | randhrān veṇoradharasudhayā pūrayan gopavṛndai- rvṛndāraṇyaṃ svapadaramaṇaṃ prāviśadgītakīrtiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Wearing a peacock-feather ornament upon His head, blue karṇikāra flowers on His ears, a yellow garment as brilliant as gold, and the Vaijayantī garland, Lord Kṛṣṇa exhibited His transcendental form as the greatest of dancers as He entered the forest of Vṛndāvana, beautifying it with the marks of His footprints. He filled the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips, and the cowherd boys sang His glories.
इति वेणुरवं राजन् सर्वभूतमनोहरम् । श्रुत्वा व्रजस्त्रियः सर्वा वर्णयन्त्योऽभिरेभिरे
iti veṇuravaṃ rājan sarvabhūtamanoharam | śrutvā vrajastriyaḥ sarvā varṇayantyo'bhirebhire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, when the young ladies in Vraja heard the sound of Kṛṣṇa’s flute, which captivates the minds of all living beings, they all embraced one another and began describing it.
गोप्य ऊचुः । अक्षण्वतां फलमिदं न परं विदामः सख्यः पशूननु विवेशयतोर्वयस्यैः । वक्त्रं व्रजेशसुतयोरनुवेणुजुष्टं यैर्वा निपीतमनुरक्तकटाक्षमोक्षम्
gopya ūcuḥ | akṣaṇvatāṃ phalamidaṃ na paraṃ vidāmaḥ sakhyaḥ paśūnanu viveśayatorvayasyaiḥ | vaktraṃ vrajeśasutayoranuveṇujuṣṭaṃ yairvā nipītamanuraktakaṭākṣamokṣam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd girls said: O friends, those eyes that see the beautiful faces of the sons of Mahārāja Nanda are certainly fortunate. As these two sons enter the forest, surrounded by Their friends, driving the cows before Them, They hold Their flutes to Their mouths and glance lovingly upon the residents of Vṛndāvana. For those who have eyes, we think there is no greater object of vision.
चूतप्रवालबर्हस्तबकोत्पलाब्ज- मालानुपृक्तपरिधानविचित्रवेषौ । मध्ये विरेजतुरलं पशुपालगोष्ठ्यां रङ्गे यथा नटवरौ क्व च गायमानौ
cūtapravālabarhastabakotpalābja- mālānupṛktaparidhānavicitraveṣau | madhye virejaturalaṃ paśupālagoṣṭhyāṃ raṅge yathā naṭavarau kva ca gāyamānau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dressed in a charming variety of garments, upon which Their garlands rest, and decorating Themselves with peacock feathers, lotuses, lilies, newly grown mango sprouts and clusters of flower buds, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma shine forth magnificently among the assembly of cowherd boys. They look just like the best of dancers appearing on a dramatic stage, and sometimes They sing.
गोप्यः किमाचरदयं कुशलं स्म वेणु- र्दामोदराधरसुधामपि गोपिकानाम् । भुङ्क्ते स्वयं यदवशिष्टरसं ह्रदिन्यो हृष्यत्त्वचोऽश्रु मुमुचुस्तरवो यथाऽऽर्यः
gopyaḥ kimācaradayaṃ kuśalaṃ sma veṇu- rdāmodarādharasudhāmapi gopikānām | bhuṅkte svayaṃ yadavaśiṣṭarasaṃ hradinyo hṛṣyattvaco'śru mumucustaravo yathā''ryaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear gopīs, what auspicious activities must the flute have performed to enjoy the nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s lips independently and leave only a taste for us gopīs, for whom that nectar is actually meant! The forefathers of the flute, the bamboo trees, shed tears of pleasure. His mother, the river on whose bank the bamboo was born, feels jubilation, and therefore her blooming lotus flowers are standing like hair on her body.
वृन्दावनं सखि भुवो वितनोति कीर्तिं यद्देवकीसुतपदाम्बुजलब्धलक्ष्मि । गोविन्दवेणुमनु मत्तमयूरनृत्यं प्रेक्ष्याद्रिसान्वपरतान्यसमस्तसत्त्वम्
vṛndāvanaṃ sakhi bhuvo vitanoti kīrtiṃ yaddevakīsutapadāmbujalabdhalakṣmi | govindaveṇumanu mattamayūranṛtyaṃ prekṣyādrisānvaparatānyasamastasattvam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O friend, Vṛndāvana is spreading the glory of the earth, having obtained the treasure of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī. The peacocks dance madly when they hear Govinda’s flute, and when other creatures see them from the hilltops, they all become stunned.
धन्याः स्म मूढगतयोऽपि हरिण्य एता या नन्दनन्दनमुपात्तविचित्रवेषम् । आकर्ण्य वेणुरणितं सहकृष्णसाराः पूजां दधुर्विरचितां प्रणयावलोकैः
dhanyāḥ sma mūḍhagatayo'pi hariṇya etā yā nandanandanamupāttavicitraveṣam | ākarṇya veṇuraṇitaṃ sahakṛṣṇasārāḥ pūjāṃ dadhurviracitāṃ praṇayāvalokaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Blessed are all these foolish deer because they have approached Mahārāja Nanda’s son, who is gorgeously dressed and is playing on His flute. Indeed, both the doe and the bucks worship the Lord with looks of love and affection.
कृष्णं निरीक्ष्य वनितोत्सवरूपशीलं श्रुत्वा च तत्क्वणितवेणुविचित्रगीतम् । देव्यो विमानगतयः स्मरनुन्नसारा भ्रश्यत्प्रसूनकबरा मुमुहुर्विनीव्यः
kṛṣṇaṃ nirīkṣya vanitotsavarūpaśīlaṃ śrutvā ca tatkvaṇitaveṇuvicitragītam | devyo vimānagatayaḥ smaranunnasārā bhraśyatprasūnakabarā mumuhurvinīvyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa’s beauty and character create a festival for all women. Indeed, when the demigods’ wives flying in airplanes with their husbands catch sight of Him and hear His resonant flute-song, their hearts are shaken by Cupid, and they become so bewildered that the flowers fall out of their hair and their belts loosen.
गावश्च कृष्णमुखनिर्गतवेणुगीत- पीयूषमुत्तभितकर्णपुटैः पिबन्त्यः । शावाः स्नुतस्तनपयःकवलाः स्म तस्थु- र्गोविन्दमात्मनि दृशाश्रुकलाः स्पृशन्त्यः
gāvaśca kṛṣṇamukhanirgataveṇugīta- pīyūṣamuttabhitakarṇapuṭaiḥ pibantyaḥ | śāvāḥ snutastanapayaḥkavalāḥ sma tasthu- rgovindamātmani dṛśāśrukalāḥ spṛśantyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Using their upraised ears as vessels, the cows are drinking the nectar of the flute-song flowing out of Kṛṣṇa’s mouth. The calves, their mouths full of milk from their mothers’ moist nipples, stand still as they take Govinda within themselves through their tear-filled eyes and embrace Him within their hearts.
प्रायो बताम्ब विहगा मुनयो वनेऽस्मिन् कृष्णेक्षितं तदुदितं कलवेणुगीतम् । आरुह्य ये द्रुमभुजान् रुचिरप्रवालान् शृण्वन्त्यमीलितदृशो विगतान्यवाचः
prāyo batāmba vihagā munayo vane'smin kṛṣṇekṣitaṃ taduditaṃ kalaveṇugītam | āruhya ye drumabhujān rucirapravālān śṛṇvantyamīlitadṛśo vigatānyavācaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O mother, in this forest all the birds have risen onto the beautiful branches of the trees to see Kṛṣṇa. With closed eyes they are simply listening in silence to the sweet vibrations of His flute, and they are not attracted by any other sound. Surely these birds are on the same level as great sages.
नद्यस्तदा तदुपधार्य मुकुन्दगीत- मावर्तलक्षितमनोभवभग्नवेगाः । आलिङ्गनस्थगितमूर्मिभुजैर्मुरारेः गृह्णन्ति पादयुगलं कमलोपहाराः
nadyastadā tadupadhārya mukundagīta- māvartalakṣitamanobhavabhagnavegāḥ | āliṅganasthagitamūrmibhujairmurāreḥ gṛhṇanti pādayugalaṃ kamalopahārāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the rivers hear the flute-song of Kṛṣṇa, their minds begin to desire Him, and thus the flow of their currents is broken and their waters are agitated, moving around in whirlpools. Then with the arms of their waves the rivers embrace Murāri’s lotus feet and, holding on to them, present offerings of lotus flowers.
दृष्ट्वाऽऽतपे व्रजपशून् सह रामगोपैः सञ्चारयन्तमनु वेणुमुदीरयन्तम् । प्रेमप्रवृद्ध उदितः कुसुमावलीभिः सख्युर्व्यधात्स्ववपुषाम्बुद आतपत्रम्
dṛṣṭvā''tape vrajapaśūn saha rāmagopaiḥ sañcārayantamanu veṇumudīrayantam | premapravṛddha uditaḥ kusumāvalībhiḥ sakhyurvyadhātsvavapuṣāmbuda ātapatram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the company of Balarāma and the cowherd boys, Lord Kṛṣṇa is continually vibrating His flute as He herds all the animals of Vraja, even under the full heat of the summer sun. Seeing this, the cloud in the sky has expanded himself out of love. He is rising high and constructing out of his own body, with its multitude of flower-like droplets of water, an umbrella for the sake of his friend.
पूर्णाः पुलिन्द्य उरुगायपदाब्जराग- श्रीकुङ्कुमेन दयितास्तनमण्डितेन । तद्दर्शनस्मररुजस्तृणरूषितेन लिम्पन्त्य आननकुचेषु जहुस्तदाधिम्
pūrṇāḥ pulindya urugāyapadābjarāga- śrīkuṅkumena dayitāstanamaṇḍitena | taddarśanasmararujastṛṇarūṣitena limpantya ānanakuceṣu jahustadādhim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The aborigine women of the Vṛndāvana area become disturbed by lust when they see the grass marked with reddish kuṅkuma powder. Endowed with the color of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, this powder originally decorated the breasts of His beloveds, and when the aborigine women smear it on their faces and breasts, they feel fully satisfied and give up all their anxiety.
हन्तायमद्रिरबला हरिदासवर्यो यद्रामकृष्णचरणस्पर्शप्रमोदः । मानं तनोति सह गोगणयोस्तयोर्यत् पानीयसूयवसकन्दरकन्दमूलैः
hantāyamadrirabalā haridāsavaryo yadrāmakṛṣṇacaraṇasparśapramodaḥ | mānaṃ tanoti saha gogaṇayostayoryat pānīyasūyavasakandarakandamūlaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities — water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant.
गा गोपकैरनुवनं नयतोरुदार- वेणुस्वनैः कलपदैस्तनुभृत्सु सख्यः । अस्पन्दनं गतिमतां पुलकस्तरूणां निर्योगपाशकृतलक्षणयोर्विचित्रम्
gā gopakairanuvanaṃ nayatorudāra- veṇusvanaiḥ kalapadaistanubhṛtsu sakhyaḥ | aspandanaṃ gatimatāṃ pulakastarūṇāṃ niryogapāśakṛtalakṣaṇayorvicitram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear friends, as Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma pass through the forest with Their cowherd friends, leading Their cows, They carry ropes to bind the cows’ rear legs at the time of milking. When Lord Kṛṣṇa plays on His flute, the sweet music causes the moving living entities to become stunned and the nonmoving trees to tremble with ecstasy. These things are certainly very wonderful.
एवं विधा भगवतो या वृन्दावनचारिणः । वर्णयन्त्यो मिथो गोप्यः क्रीडास्तन्मयतां ययुः
evaṃ vidhā bhagavato yā vṛndāvanacāriṇaḥ | varṇayantyo mitho gopyaḥ krīḍāstanmayatāṃ yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus narrating to one another the playful pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He wandered about in the Vṛndāvana forest, the gopīs became fully absorbed in thoughts of Him.
श्रीशुक उवाच । हेमन्ते प्रथमे मासि नन्दव्रजकुमारिकाः । चेरुर्हविष्यं भुञ्जानाः कात्यायन्यर्चनव्रतम्
śrīśuka uvāca | hemante prathame māsi nandavrajakumārikāḥ | cerurhaviṣyaṃ bhuñjānāḥ kātyāyanyarcanavratam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: During the first month of the winter season, the young unmarried girls of Gokula observed the vow of worshiping goddess Kātyāyanī. For the entire month they ate only unspiced khichrī.
कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि । नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नमः । इति मन्त्रं जपन्त्यस्ताः पूजां चक्रुः कमारिकाः
kātyāyani mahāmāye mahāyoginyadhīśvari | nandagopasutaṃ devi patiṃ me kuru te namaḥ | iti mantraṃ japantyastāḥ pūjāṃ cakruḥ kamārikāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Each of the young unmarried girls performed her worship while chanting the following mantra. “O goddess Kātyāyanī, O great potency of the Lord, O possessor of great mystic power and mighty controller of all, please make the son of Nanda Mahārāja my husband. I offer my obeisances unto you.”
एवं मासं व्रतं चेरुः कुमार्यः कृष्णचेतसः । भद्रकालीं समानर्चुर्भूयान्नन्दसुतः पतिः
evaṃ māsaṃ vrataṃ ceruḥ kumāryaḥ kṛṣṇacetasaḥ | bhadrakālīṃ samānarcurbhūyānnandasutaḥ patiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus for an entire month the girls carried out their vow and properly worshiped the goddess Bhadrakālī, fully absorbing their minds in Kṛṣṇa and meditating upon the following thought: “May the son of King Nanda become my husband.”
उषस्युत्थाय गोत्रैः स्वैरन्योन्याबद्धबाहवः । कृष्णमुच्चैर्जगुर्यान्त्यः कालिन्द्यां स्नातुमन्वहम्
uṣasyutthāya gotraiḥ svairanyonyābaddhabāhavaḥ | kṛṣṇamuccairjaguryāntyaḥ kālindyāṃ snātumanvaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Each day they rose at dawn. Calling out to one another by name, they all held hands and loudly sang the glories of Kṛṣṇa while going to the Kālindī to take their bath.
नद्यां कदाचिदागत्य तीरे निक्षिप्य पूर्ववत् । वासांसि कृष्णं गायन्त्यो विजह्रुः सलिले मुदा
nadyāṃ kadācidāgatya tīre nikṣipya pūrvavat | vāsāṃsi kṛṣṇaṃ gāyantyo vijahruḥ salile mudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One day they came to the riverbank and, putting aside their clothing as they had done before, happily played in the water while singing the glories of Kṛṣṇa.
भगवांस्तदभिप्रेत्य कृष्णो योगेश्वरेश्वरः । वयस्यैरावृतस्तत्र गतस्तत्कर्मसिद्धये
bhagavāṃstadabhipretya kṛṣṇo yogeśvareśvaraḥ | vayasyairāvṛtastatra gatastatkarmasiddhaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and master of all masters of mystic yoga, was aware of what the gopīs were doing, and thus He went there surrounded by His young companions to award the gopīs the perfection of their endeavor.
तासां वासांस्युपादाय नीपमारुह्य सत्वरः । हसद्भिः प्रहसन् बालैः परिहासमुवाच ह
tāsāṃ vāsāṃsyupādāya nīpamāruhya satvaraḥ | hasadbhiḥ prahasan bālaiḥ parihāsamuvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Taking the girls’ garments, He quickly climbed to the top of a kadamba tree. Then, as He laughed loudly and His companions also laughed, He addressed the girls jokingly.
अत्रागत्याबलाः कामं स्वं स्वं वासः प्रगृह्यताम् । सत्यं ब्रवाणि नो नर्म यद्यूयं व्रतकर्शिताः
atrāgatyābalāḥ kāmaṃ svaṃ svaṃ vāsaḥ pragṛhyatām | satyaṃ bravāṇi no narma yadyūyaṃ vratakarśitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] My dear girls, you may each come here as you wish and take back your garments. I’m telling you the truth and am not joking with you, since I see you’re fatigued from executing austere vows.
न मयोदितपूर्वं वा अनृतं तदिमे विदुः । एकैकशः प्रतीच्छध्वं सहैवोत सुमध्यमाः
na mayoditapūrvaṃ vā anṛtaṃ tadime viduḥ | ekaikaśaḥ pratīcchadhvaṃ sahaivota sumadhyamāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I have never before spoken a lie, and these boys know it. Therefore, O slender-waisted girls, please come forward, either one by one or all together, and pick out your clothes.
तस्य तत्क्ष्वेलितं दृष्ट्वा गोप्यः प्रेमपरिप्लुताः । व्रीडिताः प्रेक्ष्य चान्योन्यं जातहासा न निर्ययुः
tasya tatkṣvelitaṃ dṛṣṭvā gopyaḥ premapariplutāḥ | vrīḍitāḥ prekṣya cānyonyaṃ jātahāsā na niryayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing how Kṛṣṇa was joking with them, the gopīs became fully immersed in love for Him, and as they glanced at each other they began to laugh and joke among themselves, even in their embarrassment. But still they did not come out of the water.
एवं ब्रुवति गोविन्दे नर्मणाऽऽक्षिप्तचेतसः । आकण्ठमग्नाः शीतोदे वेपमानास्तमब्रुवन्
evaṃ bruvati govinde narmaṇā''kṣiptacetasaḥ | ākaṇṭhamagnāḥ śītode vepamānāstamabruvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Śrī Govinda spoke to the gopīs in this way, His joking words completely captivated their minds. Submerged up to their necks in the cold water, they began to shiver. Thus they addressed Him as follows.
मानयं भोः कृथास्त्वां तु नन्दगोपसुतं प्रियम् । जानीमोऽङ्ग व्रजश्लाघ्यं देहि वासांसि वेपिताः
mānayaṃ bhoḥ kṛthāstvāṃ tu nandagopasutaṃ priyam | jānīmo'ṅga vrajaślāghyaṃ dehi vāsāṃsi vepitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The gopīs said:] Dear Kṛṣṇa, don’t be unfair! We know that You are the respectable son of Nanda and that You are honored by everyone in Vraja. You are also very dear to us. Please give us back our clothes. We are shivering in the cold water.
श्यामसुन्दर ते दास्यः करवाम तवोदितम् । देहि वासांसि धर्मज्ञ नो चेद्राज्ञे ब्रुवामहे
śyāmasundara te dāsyaḥ karavāma tavoditam | dehi vāsāṃsi dharmajña no cedrājñe bruvāmahe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Śyāmasundara, we are Your maidservants and must do whatever You say. But give us back our clothing. You know what the religious principles are, and if You don’t give us our clothes we will have to tell the king. Please!
श्रीभगवानुवाच । भवत्यो यदि मे दास्यो मयोक्तं वा करिष्यथ । अत्रागत्य स्ववासांसि प्रतीच्छत शुचिस्मिताः । (नो चेन्नाहं प्रदास्ये किं क्रुद्धो राजा करिष्यति)
śrībhagavānuvāca | bhavatyo yadi me dāsyo mayoktaṃ vā kariṣyatha | atrāgatya svavāsāṃsi pratīcchata śucismitāḥ | (no cennāhaṃ pradāsye kiṃ kruddho rājā kariṣyati)
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: If you girls are actually My maidservants, and if you will really do what I say, then come here with your innocent smiles and let each girl pick out her clothes. If you don’t do what I say, I won’t give them back to you. And even if the king becomes angry, what can he do?
ततो जलाशयात्सर्वा दारिकाः शीतवेपिताः । पाणिभ्यां योनिमाच्छाद्य प्रोत्तेरुः शीतकर्शिताः
tato jalāśayātsarvā dārikāḥ śītavepitāḥ | pāṇibhyāṃ yonimācchādya protteruḥ śītakarśitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, shivering from the painful cold, all the young girls rose up out of the water, covering their pubic area with their hands.
भगवानाह ता वीक्ष्य शुद्धभावप्रसादितः । स्कन्धे निधाय वासांसि प्रीतः प्रोवाच सस्मितम्
bhagavānāha tā vīkṣya śuddhabhāvaprasāditaḥ | skandhe nidhāya vāsāṃsi prītaḥ provāca sasmitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Supreme Lord saw how the gopīs were struck with embarrassment, He was satisfied by their pure loving affection. Putting their clothes on His shoulder, the Lord smiled and spoke to them with affection.
यूयं विवस्त्रा यदपो धृतव्रता व्यगाहतैतत्तदु देवहेलनम् । बद्ध्वाञ्जलिं मूर्ध्न्यपनुत्तयेंऽहसः कृत्वा नमोऽधो वसनं प्रगृह्यताम्
yūyaṃ vivastrā yadapo dhṛtavratā vyagāhataitattadu devahelanam | baddhvāñjaliṃ mūrdhnyapanuttayeṃ'hasaḥ kṛtvā namo'dho vasanaṃ pragṛhyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] You girls bathed naked while executing your vow, and that is certainly an offense against the demigods. To counteract your sin you should offer obeisances while placing your joined palms above your heads. Then you should take back your lower garments.
इत्यच्युतेनाभिहिता व्रजाबला मत्वा विवस्त्राप्लवनं व्रतच्युतिम् । तत्पूर्तिकामास्तदशेषकर्मणां साक्षात्कृतं नेमुरवद्यमृग्यतः
ityacyutenābhihitā vrajābalā matvā vivastrāplavanaṃ vratacyutim | tatpūrtikāmāstadaśeṣakarmaṇāṃ sākṣātkṛtaṃ nemuravadyamṛgyataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the young girls of Vṛndāvana, considering what Lord Acyuta had told them, accepted that they had suffered a falldown from their vow by bathing naked in the river. But they still desired to successfully complete their vow, and since Lord Kṛṣṇa is Himself the ultimate result of all pious activities, they offered their obeisances to Him to cleanse away all their sins.
तास्तथावनता दृष्ट्वा भगवान् देवकीसुतः । वासांसि ताभ्यः प्रायच्छत्करुणस्तेन तोषितः
tāstathāvanatā dṛṣṭvā bhagavān devakīsutaḥ | vāsāṃsi tābhyaḥ prāyacchatkaruṇastena toṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing them bow down like that, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the son of Devakī, gave them back their garments, feeling compassionate toward them and satisfied by their act.
दृढं प्रलब्धास्त्रपया च हापिताः प्रस्तोभिताः क्रीडनवच्च कारिताः । वस्त्राणि चैवापहृतान्यथाप्यमुं ता नाभ्यसूयन् प्रियसङ्गनिर्वृताः
dṛḍhaṃ pralabdhāstrapayā ca hāpitāḥ prastobhitāḥ krīḍanavacca kāritāḥ | vastrāṇi caivāpahṛtānyathāpyamuṃ tā nābhyasūyan priyasaṅganirvṛtāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the gopīs had been thoroughly cheated, deprived of their modesty, ridiculed and made to act just like toy dolls, and although their clothing had been stolen, they did not feel at all inimical toward Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Rather, they were simply joyful to have this opportunity to associate with their beloved.
परिधाय स्ववासांसि प्रेष्ठसङ्गमसज्जिताः । गृहीतचित्ता नो चेलुस्तस्मिन् लज्जायितेक्षणाः
paridhāya svavāsāṃsi preṣṭhasaṅgamasajjitāḥ | gṛhītacittā no celustasmin lajjāyitekṣaṇāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs were addicted to associating with their beloved Kṛṣṇa, and thus they became captivated by Him. Thus, even after putting their clothes on they did not move. They simply remained where they were, shyly glancing at Him.
तासां विज्ञाय भगवान् स्वपादस्पर्शकाम्यया । धृतव्रतानां सङ्कल्पमाह दामोदरोऽबलाः
tāsāṃ vijñāya bhagavān svapādasparśakāmyayā | dhṛtavratānāṃ saṅkalpamāha dāmodaro'balāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord understood the determination of the gopīs in executing their strict vow. The Lord also knew that the girls desired to touch His lotus feet, and thus Lord Dāmodara, Kṛṣṇa, spoke to them as follows.
सङ्कल्पो विदितः साध्व्यो भवतीनां मदर्चनम् । मयानुमोदितः सोऽसौ सत्यो भवितुमर्हति
saṅkalpo viditaḥ sādhvyo bhavatīnāṃ madarcanam | mayānumoditaḥ so'sau satyo bhavitumarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] O saintly girls, I understand that your real motive in this austerity has been to worship Me. That intent of yours is approved of by Me, and indeed it must come to pass.
न मय्यावेशितधियां कामः कामाय कल्पते । भर्जिता क्वथिता धानाः प्रायो बीजाय नेष्यते
na mayyāveśitadhiyāṃ kāmaḥ kāmāya kalpate | bharjitā kvathitā dhānāḥ prāyo bījāya neṣyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The desire of those who fix their minds on Me does not lead to material desire for sense gratification, just as barleycorns burned by the sun and then cooked can no longer grow into new sprouts.
याताबला व्रजं सिद्धा मयेमा रंस्यथा क्षपाः । यदुद्दिश्य व्रतमिदं चेरुरार्यार्चनं सतीः
yātābalā vrajaṃ siddhā mayemā raṃsyathā kṣapāḥ | yaduddiśya vratamidaṃ cerurāryārcanaṃ satīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Go now, girls, and return to Vraja. Your desire is fulfilled, for in My company you will enjoy the coming nights. After all, this was the purpose of your vow to worship goddess Kātyāyanī, O pure-hearted ones.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्यादिष्टा भगवता लब्धकामाः कुमारिकाः । ध्यायन्त्यस्तत्पदाम्भोजं कृच्छ्रान्निर्विविशुर्व्रजम्
śrīśuka uvāca | ityādiṣṭā bhagavatā labdhakāmāḥ kumārikāḥ | dhyāyantyastatpadāmbhojaṃ kṛcchrānnirviviśurvrajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the young girls, their desire now fulfilled, could bring themselves only with great difficulty to return to the village of Vraja, meditating all the while upon His lotus feet.
अथ गोपैः परिवृतो भगवान् देवकीसुतः । वृन्दावनाद्गतो दूरं चारयन् गाः सहाग्रजः
atha gopaiḥ parivṛto bhagavān devakīsutaḥ | vṛndāvanādgato dūraṃ cārayan gāḥ sahāgrajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some time later Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, surrounded by His cowherd friends and accompanied by His elder brother, Balarāma, went a good distance away from Vṛndāvana, herding the cows.
निदाघार्कातपे तिग्मे छायाभिः स्वाभिरात्मनः । आतपत्रायितान् वीक्ष्य द्रुमानाह व्रजौकसः
nidāghārkātape tigme chāyābhiḥ svābhirātmanaḥ | ātapatrāyitān vīkṣya drumānāha vrajaukasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the sun’s heat became intense, Lord Kṛṣṇa saw that the trees were acting as umbrellas by shading Him, and thus He spoke as follows to His boyfriends.
अहो एषां वरं जन्म सर्वप्राण्युपजीवनम् । सुजनस्येव येषां वै विमुखा यान्ति नार्थिनः
aho eṣāṃ varaṃ janma sarvaprāṇyupajīvanam | sujanasyeva yeṣāṃ vai vimukhā yānti nārthinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just see how these trees are maintaining every living entity! Their birth is successful. Their behavior is just like that of great personalities, for anyone who asks anything from a tree never goes away disappointed.
पत्रपुष्पफलच्छाया मूलवल्कलदारुभिः । गन्धनिर्यासभस्मास्थितोक्मैः कामान् वितन्वते
patrapuṣpaphalacchāyā mūlavalkaladārubhiḥ | gandhaniryāsabhasmāsthitokmaiḥ kāmān vitanvate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These trees fulfill one’s desires with their leaves, flowers and fruits, their shade, roots, bark and wood, and also with their fragrance, sap, ashes, pulp and shoots.
एतावज्जन्मसाफल्यं देहिनामिह देहिषु । प्राणैरर्थैर्धिया वाचा श्रेय एवाचरेत्सदा
etāvajjanmasāphalyaṃ dehināmiha dehiṣu | prāṇairarthairdhiyā vācā śreya evācaretsadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words.
इति प्रवालस्तबकफलपुष्पदलोत्करैः । तरूणां नम्रशाखानां मध्येन यमुनां गतः
iti pravālastabakaphalapuṣpadalotkaraiḥ | tarūṇāṃ namraśākhānāṃ madhyena yamunāṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus moving among the trees, whose branches were bent low by their abundance of twigs, fruits, flowers and leaves, Lord Kṛṣṇa came to the Yamunā River.
तत्र गाः पाययित्वापः सुमृष्टाः शीतलाः शिवाः । ततो नृप स्वयं गोपाः कामं स्वादु पपुर्जलम्
tatra gāḥ pāyayitvāpaḥ sumṛṣṭāḥ śītalāḥ śivāḥ | tato nṛpa svayaṃ gopāḥ kāmaṃ svādu papurjalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd boys let the cows drink the clear, cool and wholesome water of the Yamunā. O King Parīkṣit, the cowherd boys themselves also drank that sweet water to their full satisfaction.
तस्या उपवने कामं चारयन्तः पशून् नृप । कृष्णरामावुपागम्य क्षुधार्ता इदमब्रुवन्
tasyā upavane kāmaṃ cārayantaḥ paśūn nṛpa | kṛṣṇarāmāvupāgamya kṣudhārtā idamabruvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, O King, the cowherd boys began herding the animals in a leisurely way within a small forest along the Yamunā. But soon they became afflicted by hunger and, approaching Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, spoke as follows.
गोपा ऊचुः । राम राम महावीर्य कृष्ण दुष्टनिबर्हण । एषा वै बाधते क्षुन्नस्तच्छान्तिं कर्तुमर्हथः
gopā ūcuḥ | rāma rāma mahāvīrya kṛṣṇa duṣṭanibarhaṇa | eṣā vai bādhate kṣunnastacchāntiṃ kartumarhathaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd boys said: O Rāma, Rāma, mighty-armed one! O Kṛṣṇa, chastiser of the wicked! We are being harassed by hunger, and You should do something about it.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति विज्ञापितो गोपैर्भगवान् देवकीसुतः । भक्ताया विप्रभार्यायाः प्रसीदन्निदमब्रवीत्
śrīśuka uvāca | iti vijñāpito gopairbhagavān devakīsutaḥ | bhaktāyā viprabhāryāyāḥ prasīdannidamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus entreated by the cowherd boys, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the son of Devakī, replied as follows, desiring to please certain of His devotees who were brāhmaṇas’ wives.
प्रयात देवयजनं ब्राह्मणा ब्रह्मवादिनः । सत्रमाङ्गिरसं नाम ह्यासते स्वर्गकाम्यया
prayāta devayajanaṃ brāhmaṇā brahmavādinaḥ | satramāṅgirasaṃ nāma hyāsate svargakāmyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Please go to the sacrificial arena where a group of brāhmaṇas, learned in the Vedic injunctions, are now performing the Āṅgirasa sacrifice to gain promotion to heaven.
तत्र गत्वौदनं गोपा याचतास्मद्विसर्जिताः । कीर्तयन्तो भगवत आर्यस्य मम चाभिधाम्
tatra gatvaudanaṃ gopā yācatāsmadvisarjitāḥ | kīrtayanto bhagavata āryasya mama cābhidhām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When you go there, My dear cowherd boys, simply request some food. Declare to them the name of My elder brother, the Supreme Lord Balarāma, and also My name, and explain that you have been sent by Us.
इत्यादिष्टा भगवता गत्वायाचन्त ते तथा । कृताञ्जलिपुटा विप्रान् दण्डवत्पतिता भुवि
ityādiṣṭā bhagavatā gatvāyācanta te tathā | kṛtāñjalipuṭā viprān daṇḍavatpatitā bhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cowherd boys went there and submitted their request. They stood before the brāhmaṇas with palms joined in supplication and then fell flat on the ground to offer respect.
हे भूमिदेवाः शृणुत कृष्णस्यादेशकारिणः । प्राप्ताञ्जानीत भद्रं वो गोपान्नो रामचोदितान्
he bhūmidevāḥ śṛṇuta kṛṣṇasyādeśakāriṇaḥ | prāptāñjānīta bhadraṃ vo gopānno rāmacoditān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The cowherd boys said:] O earthly gods, please hear us. We cowherd boys are executing the orders of Kṛṣṇa, and we have been sent here by Balarāma. We wish all good for you. Please acknowledge our arrival.
गाश्चारयन्तावविदूर ओदनं रामाच्युतौ वो लषतो बुभुक्षितौ । तयोर्द्विजा ओदनमर्थिनोर्यदि श्रद्धा च वो यच्छत धर्मवित्तमाः
gāścārayantāvavidūra odanaṃ rāmācyutau vo laṣato bubhukṣitau | tayordvijā odanamarthinoryadi śraddhā ca vo yacchata dharmavittamāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Rāma and Lord Acyuta are tending Their cows not far from here. They are hungry and want you to give Them some of your food. Therefore, O brāhmaṇas, O best of the knowers of religion, if you have faith please give some food to Them.
दीक्षायाः पशुसंस्थायाः सौत्रामण्याश्च सत्तमाः । अन्यत्र दीक्षितस्यापि नान्नमश्नन् हि दुष्यति
dīkṣāyāḥ paśusaṃsthāyāḥ sautrāmaṇyāśca sattamāḥ | anyatra dīkṣitasyāpi nānnamaśnan hi duṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Except during the interval between the initiation of the performer of a sacrifice and the actual sacrifice of the animal, O most pure brāhmaṇas, it is not contaminating for even the initiated to partake of food, at least in sacrifices other than the Sautrāmaṇi.
इति ते भगवद्याच्ञां शृण्वन्तोऽपि न शुश्रुवुः । क्षुद्राशा भूरिकर्माणो बालिशा वृद्धमानिनः
iti te bhagavadyācñāṃ śṛṇvanto'pi na śuśruvuḥ | kṣudrāśā bhūrikarmāṇo bāliśā vṛddhamāninaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇas heard this supplication from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, yet they refused to pay heed. Indeed, they were full of petty desires and entangled in elaborate rituals. Though presuming themselves advanced in Vedic learning, they were actually inexperienced fools.
न ते यदोमिति प्रोचुर्न नेति च परन्तप । गोपा निराशाः प्रत्येत्य तथोचुः कृष्णरामयोः
na te yadomiti procurna neti ca parantapa | gopā nirāśāḥ pratyetya tathocuḥ kṛṣṇarāmayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the brāhmaṇas failed to reply even with a simple yes or no, O chastiser of the enemy [Parīkṣit], the cowherd boys returned disappointed to Kṛṣṇa and Rāma and reported this to Them.
तदुपाकर्ण्य भगवान् प्रहस्य जगदीश्वरः । व्याजहार पुनर्गोपान् दर्शयन् लौकिकीं गतिम्
tadupākarṇya bhagavān prahasya jagadīśvaraḥ | vyājahāra punargopān darśayan laukikīṃ gatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing what had happened, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord of the universe, simply laughed. Then He again addressed the cowherd boys, showing them the way men act in this world.
मां ज्ञापयत पत्नीभ्यः ससङ्कर्षणमागतम् । दास्यन्ति काममन्नं वः स्निग्धा मय्युषिता धिया
māṃ jñāpayata patnībhyaḥ sasaṅkarṣaṇamāgatam | dāsyanti kāmamannaṃ vaḥ snigdhā mayyuṣitā dhiyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Tell the wives of the brāhmaṇas that I have come here with Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa. They will certainly give you all the food you want, for they are most affectionate toward Me and, indeed, with their intelligence reside in Me alone.
गत्वाथ पत्नीशालायां दृष्ट्वासीनाः स्वलङ्कृताः । नत्वा द्विजसतीर्गोपाः प्रश्रिता इदमब्रुवन्
gatvātha patnīśālāyāṃ dṛṣṭvāsīnāḥ svalaṅkṛtāḥ | natvā dvijasatīrgopāḥ praśritā idamabruvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd boys then went to the house where the brāhmaṇas’ wives were staying. There the boys saw those chaste ladies sitting, nicely decorated with fine ornaments. Bowing down to the brāhmaṇa ladies, the boys addressed them in all humility.
नमो वो विप्रपत्नीभ्यो निबोधत वचांसि नः । इतोऽविदूरे चरता कृष्णेनेहेषिता वयम्
namo vo viprapatnībhyo nibodhata vacāṃsi naḥ | ito'vidūre caratā kṛṣṇeneheṣitā vayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The cowherd boys said:] Obeisances unto you, O wives of the learned brāhmaṇas. Kindly hear our words. We have been sent here by Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is passing by not far from here.
गाश्चारयन् स गोपालैः सरामो दूरमागतः । बुभुक्षितस्य तस्यान्नं सानुगस्य प्रदीयताम्
gāścārayan sa gopālaiḥ sarāmo dūramāgataḥ | bubhukṣitasya tasyānnaṃ sānugasya pradīyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He has come a long way with the cowherd boys and Lord Balarāma, tending the cows. Now He is hungry, so some food should be given for Him and His companions.
श्रुत्वाच्युतमुपायातं नित्यं तद्दर्शनोत्सुकाः । तत्कथाक्षिप्तमनसो बभूवुर्जातसम्भ्रमाः
śrutvācyutamupāyātaṃ nityaṃ taddarśanotsukāḥ | tatkathākṣiptamanaso babhūvurjātasambhramāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wives of the brāhmaṇas were always eager to see Kṛṣṇa, for their minds had been enchanted by descriptions of Him. Thus as soon as they heard that He had come, they became very excited.
चतुर्विधं बहुगुणमन्नमादाय भाजनैः । अभिसस्रुः प्रियं सर्वाः समुद्रमिव निम्नगाः
caturvidhaṃ bahuguṇamannamādāya bhājanaiḥ | abhisasruḥ priyaṃ sarvāḥ samudramiva nimnagāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Taking along in large vessels the four kinds of foods, full of fine tastes and aromas, all the ladies went forth to meet their beloved, just as rivers flow toward the sea.
श्यामं हिरण्यपरिधिं वनमाल्यबर्ह- धातुप्रवालनटवेषमनुव्रतांसे । विन्यस्तहस्तमितरेण धुनानमब्जं कर्णोत्पलालककपोलमुखाब्जहासम्
śyāmaṃ hiraṇyaparidhiṃ vanamālyabarha- dhātupravālanaṭaveṣamanuvratāṃse | vinyastahastamitareṇa dhunānamabjaṃ karṇotpalālakakapolamukhābjahāsam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His complexion was dark blue and His garment golden. Wearing a peacock feather, colored minerals, sprigs of flower buds, and a garland of forest flowers and leaves, He was dressed just like a dramatic dancer. He rested one hand upon the shoulder of a friend and with the other twirled a lotus. Lilies graced His ears, His hair hung down over His cheeks, and His lotuslike face was smiling.
प्रायः श्रुतप्रियतमोदयकर्णपूरै- र्यस्मिन्निमग्नमनसस्तमथाक्षिरन्ध्रैः । अन्तः प्रवेश्य सुचिरं परिरभ्य तापं प्राज्ञं यथाभिमतयो विजहुर्नरेन्द्र
prāyaḥ śrutapriyatamodayakarṇapūrai- ryasminnimagnamanasastamathākṣirandhraiḥ | antaḥ praveśya suciraṃ parirabhya tāpaṃ prājñaṃ yathābhimatayo vijahurnarendra
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O ruler of men, for a long time those brāhmaṇa ladies had heard about Kṛṣṇa, their beloved, and His glories had become the constant ornaments of their ears. Indeed, their minds were always absorbed in Him. Through the apertures of their eyes they now forced Him to enter within their hearts, and then they embraced Him within for a long time. In this way they finally gave up the pain of separation from Him, just as sages give up the anxiety of false ego by embracing their innermost consciousness.
तास्तथा त्यक्तसर्वाशाः प्राप्ता आत्मदिदृक्षया । विज्ञायाखिलदृग्द्रष्टा प्राह प्रहसिताननः
tāstathā tyaktasarvāśāḥ prāptā ātmadidṛkṣayā | vijñāyākhiladṛgdraṣṭā prāha prahasitānanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa, who witnesses the thoughts of all creatures, understood how those ladies had abandoned all worldly hopes and come there simply to see Him. Thus He addressed them as follows with a smile upon His face.
स्वागतं वो महाभागा आस्यतां करवाम किम् । यन्नो दिदृक्षया प्राप्ता उपपन्नमिदं हि वः
svāgataṃ vo mahābhāgā āsyatāṃ karavāma kim | yanno didṛkṣayā prāptā upapannamidaṃ hi vaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Welcome, O most fortunate ladies. Please sit down and make yourselves comfortable. What can I do for you? That you have come here to see Me is most appropriate.
नन्वद्धा मयि कुर्वन्ति कुशलाः स्वार्थदर्शिनः । अहैतुक्यव्यवहितां भक्तिमात्मप्रिये यथा
nanvaddhā mayi kurvanti kuśalāḥ svārthadarśinaḥ | ahaitukyavyavahitāṃ bhaktimātmapriye yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Certainly expert personalities, who can see their own true interest, render unmotivated and uninterrupted devotional service directly unto Me, for I am most dear to the soul.
प्राणबुद्धिमनःस्वात्मदारापत्यधनादयः । यत्सम्पर्कात्प्रिया आसंस्ततः को न्वपरः प्रियः
prāṇabuddhimanaḥsvātmadārāpatyadhanādayaḥ | yatsamparkātpriyā āsaṃstataḥ ko nvaparaḥ priyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is only by contact with the self that one’s vital breath, intelligence, mind, friends, body, wife, children, wealth and so on are dear. Therefore what object can possibly be more dear than one’s own self?
तद्यात देवयजनं पतयो वो द्विजातयः । स्वसत्रं पारयिष्यन्ति युष्माभिर्गृहमेधिनः
tadyāta devayajanaṃ patayo vo dvijātayaḥ | svasatraṃ pārayiṣyanti yuṣmābhirgṛhamedhinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You should thus return to the sacrificial arena, because your husbands, the learned brāhmaṇas, are householders and need your assistance to finish their respective sacrifices.
पत्न्य ऊचुः । मैवं विभोऽर्हति भवान् गदितुं नृशंसं सत्यं कुरुष्व निगमं तव पादमूलम् । प्राप्ता वयं तुलसिदामपदावसृष्टं केशैर्निवोढुमतिलङ्घ्य समस्तबन्धून्
patnya ūcuḥ | maivaṃ vibho'rhati bhavān gadituṃ nṛśaṃsaṃ satyaṃ kuruṣva nigamaṃ tava pādamūlam | prāptā vayaṃ tulasidāmapadāvasṛṣṭaṃ keśairnivoḍhumatilaṅghya samastabandhūn
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wives of the brāhmaṇas replied: O almighty one, please do not speak such cruel words. Rather, You should fulfill Your promise that You always reciprocate with Your devotees in kind. Now that we have attained Your lotus feet, we simply wish to remain here in the forest so we may carry upon our heads the garlands of tulasī leaves that fall from Your lotus feet. We are ready to give up all material relationships.
गृह्णन्ति नो न पतयः पितरौ सुता वा न भ्रातृबन्धुसुहृदः कुत एव चान्ये । तस्माद्भवत्प्रपदयोः पतितात्मनां नो नान्या भवेद्गतिररिन्दम तद्विधेहि
gṛhṇanti no na patayaḥ pitarau sutā vā na bhrātṛbandhusuhṛdaḥ kuta eva cānye | tasmādbhavatprapadayoḥ patitātmanāṃ no nānyā bhavedgatirarindama tadvidhehi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Our husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, other relatives and friends will no longer take us back, and how could anyone else be willing to give us shelter? Therefore, since we have thrown ourselves at Your lotus feet and have no other destination, please, O chastiser of enemies, grant our desire.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । पतयो नाभ्यसूयेरन् पितृभ्रातृसुतादयः । लोकाश्च वो मयोपेता देवा अप्यनुमन्वते
śrībhagavānuvāca | patayo nābhyasūyeran pitṛbhrātṛsutādayaḥ | lokāśca vo mayopetā devā apyanumanvate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead replied: Rest assured that your husbands will not be inimical toward you, nor will your fathers, brothers, sons, other relatives or the general populace. I will personally advise them of the situation. Indeed, even the demigods will express their approval.
न प्रीतयेऽनुरागाय ह्यङ्गसङ्गो नृणामिह । तन्मनो मयि युञ्जाना अचिरान्मामवाप्स्यथ
na prītaye'nurāgāya hyaṅgasaṅgo nṛṇāmiha | tanmano mayi yuñjānā acirānmāmavāpsyatha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For you to remain in My bodily association would certainly not please people in this world, nor would it be the best way for you to increase your love for Me. Rather, you should fix your minds on Me, and very soon you will achieve Me.
(श्रवणाद्दर्शनाद्ध्यानान्मयि भावोऽनुकीर्तनात् । न तथा सन्निकर्षेण प्रतियात ततो गृहान् ॥) श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्युक्ता द्विजपत्न्यस्ता यज्ञवाटं पुनर्गताः । ते चानसूयवः स्वाभिः स्त्रीभिः सत्रमपारयन्
(śravaṇāddarśanāddhyānānmayi bhāvo'nukīrtanāt | na tathā sannikarṣeṇa pratiyāta tato gṛhān ||) śrīśuka uvāca | ityuktā dvijapatnyastā yajñavāṭaṃ punargatāḥ | te cānasūyavaḥ svābhiḥ strībhiḥ satramapārayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is by hearing about Me, seeing My Deity form, meditating upon Me and chanting My names and glories that love for Me develops, not by physical proximity. Therefore please go back to your homes.
तत्रैका विधृता भर्त्रा भगवन्तं यथाश्रुतम् । हृदोपगुह्य विजहौ देहं कर्मानुबन्धनम्
tatraikā vidhṛtā bhartrā bhagavantaṃ yathāśrutam | hṛdopaguhya vijahau dehaṃ karmānubandhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus instructed, the wives of the brāhmaṇas returned to the place of sacrifice. The brāhmaṇas did not find any fault with their wives, and together with them they finished the sacrifice.
भगवानपि गोविन्दस्तेनैवान्नेन गोपकान् । चतुर्विधेनाशयित्वा स्वयं च बुभुजे प्रभुः
bhagavānapi govindastenaivānnena gopakān | caturvidhenāśayitvā svayaṃ ca bubhuje prabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One of the ladies had been forcibly kept back by her husband. When she heard the others describe the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, she embraced Him within her heart and gave up her material body, the basis of bondage to material activity.
एवं लीलानरवपुर्नृलोकमनुशीलयन् । रेमे गोगोपगोपीनां रमयन् रूपवाक्कृतैः
evaṃ līlānaravapurnṛlokamanuśīlayan | reme gogopagopīnāṃ ramayan rūpavākkṛtaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, fed the cowherd boys with that food of four varieties. Then the all-powerful Lord Himself partook of the preparations.
अथानुस्मृत्य विप्रास्ते अन्वतप्यन् कृतागसः । यद्विश्वेश्वरयोर्याच्ञामहन्म नृविडम्बयोः
athānusmṛtya viprāste anvatapyan kṛtāgasaḥ | yadviśveśvarayoryācñāmahanma nṛviḍambayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the Supreme Lord, appearing like a human being to perform His pastimes, imitated the ways of human society. He enjoyed pleasing His cows, cowherd boyfriends and cowherd girlfriends with His beauty, words and actions.
दृष्ट्वा स्त्रीणां भगवति कृष्णे भक्तिमलौकिकीम् । आत्मानं च तया हीनमनुतप्ता व्यगर्हयन्
dṛṣṭvā strīṇāṃ bhagavati kṛṣṇe bhaktimalaukikīm | ātmānaṃ ca tayā hīnamanutaptā vyagarhayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇas then came to their senses and began to feel great remorse. They thought, “We have sinned, for we have denied the request of the two Lords of the universe, who deceptively appeared as ordinary human beings.”
धिग्जन्म नस्त्रिवृद्विद्यां धिग्व्रतं धिग्बहुज्ञताम् । धिक्कुलं धिक्क्रियादाक्ष्यं विमुखा ये त्वधोक्षजे
dhigjanma nastrivṛdvidyāṃ dhigvrataṃ dhigbahujñatām | dhikkulaṃ dhikkriyādākṣyaṃ vimukhā ye tvadhokṣaje
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Taking note of their wives’ pure, transcendental devotion for Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and seeing their own lack of devotion, the brāhmaṇas felt most sorrowful and began to condemn themselves.
नूनं भगवतो माया योगिनामपि मोहिनी । यद्वयं गुरवो नृणां स्वार्थे मुह्यामहे द्विजाः
nūnaṃ bhagavato māyā yogināmapi mohinī | yadvayaṃ guravo nṛṇāṃ svārthe muhyāmahe dvijāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The brāhmaṇas said:] To hell with our threefold birth, our vow of celibacy and our extensive learning! To hell with our aristocratic background and our expertise in the rituals of sacrifice! These are all condemned because we were inimical to the transcendental Personality of Godhead.
अहो पश्यत नारीणामपि कृष्णे जगद्गुरौ । दुरन्तभावं योऽविध्यन् मृत्युपाशान् गृहाभिधान्
aho paśyata nārīṇāmapi kṛṣṇe jagadgurau | durantabhāvaṃ yo'vidhyan mṛtyupāśān gṛhābhidhān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The illusory potency of the Supreme Lord certainly bewilders even the great mystics, what to speak of us. As brāhmaṇas we are supposed to be the spiritual masters of all classes of men, yet we have been bewildered about our own real interest.
नासां द्विजातिसंस्कारो न निवासो गुरावपि । न तपो नात्ममीमांसा न शौचं न क्रियाः शुभाः
nāsāṃ dvijātisaṃskāro na nivāso gurāvapi | na tapo nātmamīmāṃsā na śaucaṃ na kriyāḥ śubhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just see the unlimited love these women have developed for Lord Kṛṣṇa, the spiritual master of the entire universe! This love has broken for them the very bonds of death — their attachment to family life.
अन्यथा पूर्णकामस्य कैवल्याद्याशिषां पतेः । ईशितव्यैः किमस्माभिरीशस्यैतद्विडम्बनम्
anyathā pūrṇakāmasya kaivalyādyāśiṣāṃ pateḥ | īśitavyaiḥ kimasmābhirīśasyaitadviḍambanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indeed, infatuated as we are with our household affairs, we have deviated completely from the real aim of our life. But now just see how the Lord, through the words of these simple cowherd boys, has reminded us of the ultimate destination of all true transcendentalists.
हित्वान्यान् भजते यं श्रीः पादस्पर्शाशया सकृत् । आत्मदोषापवर्गेण तद्याच्ञा जनमोहिनी
hitvānyān bhajate yaṃ śrīḥ pādasparśāśayā sakṛt | ātmadoṣāpavargeṇa tadyācñā janamohinī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Otherwise, why would the supreme controller — whose every desire is already fulfilled and who is the master of liberation and all other transcendental benedictions — enact this pretense with us, who are always to be controlled by Him?
देशः कालः पृथग्द्रव्यं मन्त्रतन्त्रर्त्विजोऽग्नयः । देवता यजमानश्च क्रतुर्धर्मश्च यन्मयः
deśaḥ kālaḥ pṛthagdravyaṃ mantratantrartvijo'gnayaḥ | devatā yajamānaśca kraturdharmaśca yanmayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hoping for the touch of His lotus feet, the goddess of fortune perpetually worships Him alone, leaving aside all others and renouncing her pride and fickleness. That He begs is certainly astonishing to everyone.
नमस्तुभ्यं भगवते कृष्णायाकुण्ठमेधसे । यन्मायामोहितधियो भ्रमामः कर्मवर्त्मसु
namastubhyaṃ bhagavate kṛṣṇāyākuṇṭhamedhase | yanmāyāmohitadhiyo bhramāmaḥ karmavartmasu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let us offer our obeisances unto Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His intelligence is never bewildered, whereas we, confused by His power of illusion, are simply wandering about on the paths of fruitive work.
स वै न आद्यः पुरुषः स्वमायामोहितात्मनाम् । अविज्ञतानुभावानां क्षन्तुमर्हत्यतिक्रमम्
sa vai na ādyaḥ puruṣaḥ svamāyāmohitātmanām | avijñatānubhāvānāṃ kṣantumarhatyatikramam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We were bewildered by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s illusory potency and thus could not understand His influence as the original Personality of Godhead. Now we hope He will kindly forgive our offense.
इति स्वाघमनुस्मृत्य कृष्णे ते कृतहेलनाः । दिदृक्षवोऽप्यच्युतयोः कंसाद्भीता न चाचलन्
iti svāghamanusmṛtya kṛṣṇe te kṛtahelanāḥ | didṛkṣavo'pyacyutayoḥ kaṃsādbhītā na cācalan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus reflecting on the sin they had committed by neglecting Lord Kṛṣṇa, they became very eager to see Him. But being afraid of King Kaṁsa, they did not dare go to Vraja.
श्रीशुक उवाच । भगवानपि तत्रैव बलदेवेन संयुतः । अपश्यन्निवसन् गोपानिन्द्रयागकृतोद्यमान्
śrīśuka uvāca | bhagavānapi tatraiva baladevena saṃyutaḥ | apaśyannivasan gopānindrayāgakṛtodyamān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: While staying in that very place with His brother Baladeva, Lord Kṛṣṇa happened to see the cowherd men busily arranging for a sacrifice to Indra.
तदभिज्ञोऽपि भगवान् सर्वात्मा सर्वदर्शनः । प्रश्रयावनतोऽपृच्छद्वृद्धान् नन्दपुरोगमान्
tadabhijño'pi bhagavān sarvātmā sarvadarśanaḥ | praśrayāvanato'pṛcchadvṛddhān nandapurogamān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being the omniscient Supersoul, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa already understood the situation, yet He still humbly inquired from the elders, headed by His father, Nanda Mahārāja.
कथ्यतां मे पितः कोऽयं सम्भ्रमो व उपागतः । किं फलं कस्य चोद्देशः केन वा साध्यते मखः
kathyatāṃ me pitaḥ ko'yaṃ sambhramo va upāgataḥ | kiṃ phalaṃ kasya coddeśaḥ kena vā sādhyate makhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] My dear father, kindly explain to Me what this great endeavor of yours is all about. What is it meant to accomplish? If this is a ritual sacrifice, then for whose satisfaction is it intended and by what means is it going to be executed?
एतद्ब्रूहि महान् कामो मह्यं शुश्रूषवे पितः । न हि गोप्यं हि साधूनां कृत्यं सर्वात्मनामिह
etadbrūhi mahān kāmo mahyaṃ śuśrūṣave pitaḥ | na hi gopyaṃ hi sādhūnāṃ kṛtyaṃ sarvātmanāmiha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please tell Me about it, O father. I have a great desire to know and am ready to hear in good faith. Certainly, no secrets are to be kept by saintly personalities, who see all others as equal to themselves, who have no conception of “mine” or “another’s” and who do not consider who is a friend, who is an enemy and who is neutral.
अस्त्यस्वपरदृष्टीनाममित्रोदास्तविद्विषाम् । उदासीनोऽरिवद्वर्ज्य आत्मवत्सुहृदुच्यते
astyasvaparadṛṣṭīnāmamitrodāstavidviṣām | udāsīno'rivadvarjya ātmavatsuhṛducyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who is neutral may be avoided like an enemy, but a friend should be considered like one’s own self.
ज्ञात्वाज्ञात्वा च कर्माणि जनोऽयमनुतिष्ठति । विदुषः कर्मसिद्धिः स्यात्तथा नाविदुषो भवेत्
jñātvājñātvā ca karmāṇi jano'yamanutiṣṭhati | viduṣaḥ karmasiddhiḥ syāttathā nāviduṣo bhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When people in this world perform activities, sometimes they understand what they are doing and sometimes they don’t. Those who know what they are doing achieve success in their work, whereas ignorant people do not.
तत्र तावत्क्रियायोगो भवतां किं विचारितः । अथ वा लौकिकस्तन्मे पृच्छतः साधु भण्यताम्
tatra tāvatkriyāyogo bhavatāṃ kiṃ vicāritaḥ | atha vā laukikastanme pṛcchataḥ sādhu bhaṇyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Such being the case, this ritualistic endeavor of yours should be clearly explained to Me. Is it a ceremony based on scriptural injunction, or simply a custom of ordinary society?
नन्द उवाच । पर्जन्यो भगवानिन्द्रो मेघास्तस्यात्ममूर्तयः । तेऽभिवर्षन्ति भूतानां प्रीणनं जीवनं पयः
nanda uvāca | parjanyo bhagavānindro meghāstasyātmamūrtayaḥ | te'bhivarṣanti bhūtānāṃ prīṇanaṃ jīvanaṃ payaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja replied: The great Lord Indra is the controller of the rain. The clouds are his personal representatives, and they directly provide rainwater, which gives happiness and sustenance to all creatures.
तं तात वयमन्ये च वार्मुचां पतिमीश्वरम् । द्रव्यैस्तद्रेतसा सिद्धैर्यजन्ते क्रतुभिर्नराः
taṃ tāta vayamanye ca vārmucāṃ patimīśvaram | dravyaistadretasā siddhairyajante kratubhirnarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Not only we, my dear son, but also many other men worship him, the lord and master of the rain-giving clouds. We offer him grain and other paraphernalia of worship produced through his own discharge in the form of rain.
तच्छेषेणोपजीवन्ति त्रिवर्गफलहेतवे । पुंसां पुरुषकाराणां पर्जन्यः फलभावनः
taccheṣeṇopajīvanti trivargaphalahetave | puṃsāṃ puruṣakārāṇāṃ parjanyaḥ phalabhāvanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By accepting the remnants of sacrifices performed to Indra, people sustain their lives and accomplish the threefold aims of religiosity, economic development and sense gratification. Thus Lord Indra is the agent responsible for the fruitive success of industrious people.
य एवं विसृजेद्धर्मं पारम्पर्यागतं नरः । कामाल्लोभाद्भयाद्द्वेषात्स वै नाप्नोति शोभनम्
ya evaṃ visṛjeddharmaṃ pāramparyāgataṃ naraḥ | kāmāllobhādbhayāddveṣātsa vai nāpnoti śobhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This religious principle is based on sound tradition. Anyone who rejects it out of lust, enmity, fear or greed will certainly fail to achieve good fortune.
श्रीशुक उवाच । वचो निशम्य नन्दस्य तथान्येषां व्रजौकसाम् । इन्द्राय मन्युं जनयन् पितरं प्राह केशवः
śrīśuka uvāca | vaco niśamya nandasya tathānyeṣāṃ vrajaukasām | indrāya manyuṃ janayan pitaraṃ prāha keśavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When Lord Keśava [Kṛṣṇa] heard the statements of His father, Nanda, and other senior residents of Vraja, He addressed His father as follows, to arouse anger in Lord Indra.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । कर्मणा जायते जन्तुः कर्मणैव विलीयते । सुखं दुःखं भयं क्षेमं कर्मणैवाभिपद्यते
śrībhagavānuvāca | karmaṇā jāyate jantuḥ karmaṇaiva vilīyate | sukhaṃ duḥkhaṃ bhayaṃ kṣemaṃ karmaṇaivābhipadyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa said: It is by the force of karma that a living entity takes birth, and it is by karma alone that he meets his destruction. His happiness, distress, fear and sense of security all arise as the effects of karma.
अस्ति चेदीश्वरः कश्चित्फलरूप्यन्यकर्मणाम् । कर्तारं भजते सोऽपि न ह्यकर्तुः प्रभुर्हि सः
asti cedīśvaraḥ kaścitphalarūpyanyakarmaṇām | kartāraṃ bhajate so'pi na hyakartuḥ prabhurhi saḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even if there is some supreme controller who awards all others the results of their activities, He must also depend upon a performer’s engaging in activity. After all, there is no question of being the bestower of fruitive results unless fruitive activities have actually been performed.
किमिन्द्रेणेह भूतानां स्वस्वकर्मानुवर्तिनाम् । अनीशेनान्यथा कर्तुं स्वभावविहितं नृणाम्
kimindreṇeha bhūtānāṃ svasvakarmānuvartinām | anīśenānyathā kartuṃ svabhāvavihitaṃ nṛṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Living beings in this world are forced to experience the consequences of their own particular previous work. Since Lord Indra cannot in any way change the destiny of human beings, which is born of their own nature, why should people worship him?
स्वभावतन्त्रो हि जनः स्वभावमनुवर्तते । स्वभावस्थमिदं सर्वं सदेवासुरमानुषम्
svabhāvatantro hi janaḥ svabhāvamanuvartate | svabhāvasthamidaṃ sarvaṃ sadevāsuramānuṣam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Every individual is under the control of his own conditioned nature, and thus he must follow that nature. This entire universe, with all its demigods, demons and human beings, is based on the conditioned nature of the living entities.
देहानुच्चावचाञ्जन्तुः प्राप्योत्सृजति कर्मणा । शत्रुर्मित्रमुदासीनः कर्मैव गुरुरीश्वरः
dehānuccāvacāñjantuḥ prāpyotsṛjati karmaṇā | śatrurmitramudāsīnaḥ karmaiva gururīśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because it is karma that causes the conditioned living entity to accept and then give up different high- and low-grade material bodies, this karma is his enemy, friend and neutral witness, his spiritual master and controlling lord.
तस्मात्सम्पूजयेत्कर्म स्वभावस्थः स्वकर्मकृत् । अञ्जसा येन वर्तेत तदेवास्य हि दैवतम्
tasmātsampūjayetkarma svabhāvasthaḥ svakarmakṛt | añjasā yena varteta tadevāsya hi daivatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore one should seriously worship work itself. A person should remain in the position corresponding to his nature and should perform his own duty. Indeed, that by which we may live nicely is really our worshipable deity.
आजीव्यैकतरं भावं यस्त्वन्यमुपजीवति । न तस्माद्विन्दते क्षेमं जारं नार्यसती यथा
ājīvyaikataraṃ bhāvaṃ yastvanyamupajīvati | na tasmādvindate kṣemaṃ jāraṃ nāryasatī yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If one thing is actually sustaining our life but we take shelter of something else, how can we achieve any real benefit? We would be like an unfaithful woman, who can never achieve any actual benefit by consorting with her paramour.
वर्तेत ब्रह्मणा विप्रो राजन्यो रक्षया भुवः । वैश्यस्तु वार्तया जीवेच्छूद्रस्तु द्विजसेवया
varteta brahmaṇā vipro rājanyo rakṣayā bhuvaḥ | vaiśyastu vārtayā jīvecchūdrastu dvijasevayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇa maintains his life by studying and teaching the Vedas, the member of the royal order by protecting the earth, the vaiśya by trade, and the śūdra by serving the higher, twice-born classes.
कृषिवाणिज्यगोरक्षा कुसीदं तुर्यमुच्यते । वार्ता चतुर्विधा तत्र वयं गोवृत्तयोऽनिशम्
kṛṣivāṇijyagorakṣā kusīdaṃ turyamucyate | vārtā caturvidhā tatra vayaṃ govṛttayo'niśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The occupational duties of the vaiśya are conceived in four divisions: farming, commerce, cow protection and moneylending. Out of these, we as a community are always engaged in cow protection.
सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति स्थित्युत्पत्त्यन्तहेतवः । रजसोत्पद्यते विश्वमन्योन्यं विविधं जगत्
sattvaṃ rajastama iti sthityutpattyantahetavaḥ | rajasotpadyate viśvamanyonyaṃ vividhaṃ jagat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The causes of creation, maintenance and destruction are the three modes of nature — namely goodness, passion and ignorance. In particular, the mode of passion creates this universe and through sexual combination causes it to become full of variety.
रजसा चोदिता मेघा वर्षन्त्यम्बूनि सर्वतः । प्रजास्तैरेव सिध्यन्ति महेन्द्रः किं करिष्यति
rajasā coditā meghā varṣantyambūni sarvataḥ | prajāstaireva sidhyanti mahendraḥ kiṃ kariṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Impelled by the material mode of passion, the clouds pour down their rain everywhere, and by this rain all creatures gain their sustenance. What has the great Indra to do with this arrangement?
न नः पुरो जनपदा न ग्रामा न गृहा वयम् । नित्यं वनौकसस्तात वनशैलनिवासिनः
na naḥ puro janapadā na grāmā na gṛhā vayam | nityaṃ vanaukasastāta vanaśailanivāsinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear father, our home is not in the cities or towns or villages. Being forest dwellers, we always live in the forest and on the hills.
तस्माद्गवां ब्राह्मणानामद्रेश्चारभ्यतां मखः । य इन्द्रयागसम्भारास्तैरयं साध्यतां मखः
tasmādgavāṃ brāhmaṇānāmadreścārabhyatāṃ makhaḥ | ya indrayāgasambhārāstairayaṃ sādhyatāṃ makhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore may a sacrifice for the pleasure of the cows, the brāhmaṇas and Govardhana Hill begin! With all the paraphernalia collected for worshiping Indra, let this sacrifice be performed instead.
पच्यन्तां विविधाः पाकाः सूपान्ताः पायसादयः । संयावापूपशष्कुल्यः सर्वदोहश्च गृह्यताम्
pacyantāṃ vividhāḥ pākāḥ sūpāntāḥ pāyasādayaḥ | saṃyāvāpūpaśaṣkulyaḥ sarvadohaśca gṛhyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let many different kinds of food be cooked, from sweet rice to vegetable soups! Many kinds of fancy cakes, both baked and fried, should be prepared. And all the available milk products should be taken for this sacrifice.
हूयन्तामग्नयः सम्यग्ब्राह्मणैर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः । अन्नं बहुविधं तेभ्यो देयं वो धेनुदक्षिणाः
hūyantāmagnayaḥ samyagbrāhmaṇairbrahmavādibhiḥ | annaṃ bahuvidhaṃ tebhyo deyaṃ vo dhenudakṣiṇāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇas who are learned in the Vedic mantras must properly invoke the sacrificial fires. Then you should feed the priests with nicely prepared food and reward them with cows and other gifts.
अन्येभ्यश्चाश्वचाण्डालपतितेभ्यो यथार्हतः । यवसं च गवां दत्त्वा गिरये दीयतां बलिः
anyebhyaścāśvacāṇḍālapatitebhyo yathārhataḥ | yavasaṃ ca gavāṃ dattvā giraye dīyatāṃ baliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After giving the appropriate food to everyone else, including such fallen souls as dogs and dog-eaters, you should give grass to the cows and then present your respectful offerings to Govardhana Hill.
स्वलङ्कृता भुक्तवन्तः स्वनुलिप्ताः सुवाससः । प्रदक्षिणां च कुरुत गोविप्रानलपर्वतान्
svalaṅkṛtā bhuktavantaḥ svanuliptāḥ suvāsasaḥ | pradakṣiṇāṃ ca kuruta goviprānalaparvatān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After everyone has eaten to his satisfaction, you should all dress and decorate yourselves handsomely, smear your bodies with sandalwood paste and then circumambulate the cows, the brāhmaṇas, the sacrificial fires and Govardhana Hill.
एतन्मम मतं तात क्रियतां यदि रोचते । अयं गोब्राह्मणाद्रीणां मह्यं च दयितो मखः
etanmama mataṃ tāta kriyatāṃ yadi rocate | ayaṃ gobrāhmaṇādrīṇāṃ mahyaṃ ca dayito makhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This is My idea, O father, and you may carry it out if it appeals to you. Such a sacrifice will be very dear to the cows, the brāhmaṇas and Govardhana Hill, and also to Me.
श्रीशुक उवाच । कालात्मना भगवता शक्रदर्पं जिघांसता । प्रोक्तं निशम्य नन्दाद्याः साध्वगृह्णन्त तद्वचः
śrīśuka uvāca | kālātmanā bhagavatā śakradarpaṃ jighāṃsatā | proktaṃ niśamya nandādyāḥ sādhvagṛhṇanta tadvacaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is Himself powerful time, desired to destroy the false pride of Lord Indra. When Nanda and the other senior men of Vṛndāvana heard Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s statement, they accepted His words as proper.
अनांस्यनडुद्युक्तानि ते चारुह्य स्वलङ्कृताः । गोप्यश्च कृष्णवीर्याणि गायन्त्यः सद्विजाशिषः
anāṃsyanaḍudyuktāni te cāruhya svalaṅkṛtāḥ | gopyaśca kṛṣṇavīryāṇi gāyantyaḥ sadvijāśiṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the beautifully ornamented cowherd ladies followed along, riding on wagons drawn by oxen, they sang the glories of Lord Kṛṣṇa, and their songs mingled with the brāhmaṇas’ chanting of benedictions.
कृष्णस्त्वन्यतमं रूपं गोपविश्रम्भणं गतः । शैलोऽस्मीति ब्रुवन् भूरि बलिमादद्बृहद्वपुः
kṛṣṇastvanyatamaṃ rūpaṃ gopaviśrambhaṇaṃ gataḥ | śailo'smīti bruvan bhūri balimādadbṛhadvapuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa then assumed an unprecedented, huge form to instill faith in the cowherd men. Declaring “I am Govardhana Mountain!” He ate the abundant offerings.
तस्मै नमो व्रजजनैः सह चक्रे आत्मनाऽऽत्मने । अहो पश्यत शैलोऽसौ रूपी नोऽनुग्रहं व्यधात्
tasmai namo vrajajanaiḥ saha cakre ātmanā''tmane | aho paśyata śailo'sau rūpī no'nugrahaṃ vyadhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Together with the people of Vraja, the Lord bowed down to this form of Govardhana Hill, thus in effect offering obeisances to Himself. Then He said, “Just see how this hill has appeared in person and bestowed mercy upon us!
एषोऽवजानतो मर्त्यान् कामरूपी वनौकसः । हन्ति ह्यस्मै नमस्यामः शर्मणे आत्मनो गवाम्
eṣo'vajānato martyān kāmarūpī vanaukasaḥ | hanti hyasmai namasyāmaḥ śarmaṇe ātmano gavām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“This Govardhana Hill, assuming any form he wishes, will kill any residents of the forest who neglect him. Therefore let us pay our obeisances to him for the safety of ourselves and our cows.”
इत्यद्रिगोद्विजमखं वासुदेवप्रणोदिताः । यथा विधाय ते गोपा सह कृष्णा व्रजं ययुः
ityadrigodvijamakhaṃ vāsudevapraṇoditāḥ | yathā vidhāya te gopā saha kṛṣṇā vrajaṃ yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The members of the cowherd community, having thus been inspired by Lord Vāsudeva to properly execute the sacrifice to Govardhana Hill, the cows and the brāhmaṇas, returned with Lord Kṛṣṇa to their village, Vraja.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इन्द्रस्तदात्मनः पूजां विज्ञाय विहतां नृप । गोपेभ्यः कृष्णनाथेभ्यो नन्दादिभ्यश्चुकोप सः
śrīśuka uvāca | indrastadātmanaḥ pūjāṃ vijñāya vihatāṃ nṛpa | gopebhyaḥ kṛṣṇanāthebhyo nandādibhyaścukopa saḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King Parīkṣit, when Indra understood that his sacrifice had been put aside, he became furious with Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherd men, who were accepting Kṛṣṇa as their Lord.
गणं सांवर्तकं नाम मेघानां चान्तकारिणाम् । इन्द्रः प्राचोदयत्क्रुद्धो वाक्यं चाहेशमान्युत
gaṇaṃ sāṃvartakaṃ nāma meghānāṃ cāntakāriṇām | indraḥ prācodayatkruddho vākyaṃ cāheśamānyuta
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Angry Indra sent forth the clouds of universal destruction, known as Sāṁvartaka. Imagining himself the supreme controller, he spoke as follows.
अहो श्रीमदमाहात्म्यं गोपानां काननौकसाम् । कृष्णं मर्त्यमुपाश्रित्य ये चक्रुर्देवहेलनम्
aho śrīmadamāhātmyaṃ gopānāṃ kānanaukasām | kṛṣṇaṃ martyamupāśritya ye cakrurdevahelanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Indra said:] Just see how these cowherd men living in the forest have become so greatly intoxicated by their prosperity! They have surrendered to an ordinary human being, Kṛṣṇa, and thus they have offended the gods.
यथादृढैः कर्ममयैः क्रतुभिर्नामनौनिभैः । विद्यामान्वीक्षिकीं हित्वा तितीर्षन्ति भवार्णवम्
yathādṛḍhaiḥ karmamayaiḥ kratubhirnāmanaunibhaiḥ | vidyāmānvīkṣikīṃ hitvā titīrṣanti bhavārṇavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa is just like the foolish attempt of men who abandon transcendental knowledge of the self and instead try to cross over the great ocean of material existence in the false boats of fruitive, ritual sacrifices.
वाचालं बालिशं स्तब्धमज्ञं पण्डितमानिनम् । कृष्णं मर्त्यमुपाश्रित्य गोपा मे चक्रुरप्रियम्
vācālaṃ bāliśaṃ stabdhamajñaṃ paṇḍitamāninam | kṛṣṇaṃ martyamupāśritya gopā me cakrurapriyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These cowherd men have acted inimically toward me by taking shelter of this ordinary human being, Kṛṣṇa, who thinks Himself very wise but who is simply a foolish, arrogant, overtalkative child.
एषां श्रियावलिप्तानां कृष्णेनाध्मायितात्मनाम् । धुनुत श्रीमदस्तम्भं पशून् नयत सङ्क्षयम्
eṣāṃ śriyāvaliptānāṃ kṛṣṇenādhmāyitātmanām | dhunuta śrīmadastambhaṃ paśūn nayata saṅkṣayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[To the clouds of destruction King Indra said:] The prosperity of these people has made them mad with pride, and their arrogance is backed up by Kṛṣṇa. Now go and remove their pride and bring their animals to destruction.
अहं चैरावतं नागमारुह्यानुव्रजे व्रजम् । मरुद्गणैर्महावीर्यैर्नन्दगोष्ठजिघांसया
ahaṃ cairāvataṃ nāgamāruhyānuvraje vrajam | marudgaṇairmahāvīryairnandagoṣṭhajighāṃsayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I will follow you to Vraja, riding on my elephant Airāvata and taking with me the swift and powerful wind-gods to decimate the cowherd village of Nanda Mahārāja.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्थं मघवताऽऽज्ञप्ता मेघा निर्मुक्तबन्धनाः । नन्दगोकुलमासारैः पीडयामासुरोजसा
śrīśuka uvāca | itthaṃ maghavatā''jñaptā meghā nirmuktabandhanāḥ | nandagokulamāsāraiḥ pīḍayāmāsurojasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: On Indra’s order the clouds of universal destruction, released untimely from their bonds, went to the cowherd pastures of Nanda Mahārāja. There they began to torment the inhabitants by powerfully pouring down torrents of rain upon them.
विद्योतमाना विद्युद्भिः स्तनन्तः स्तनयित्नुभिः । तीव्रैर्मरुद्गणैर्नुन्ना ववृषुर्जलशर्कराः
vidyotamānā vidyudbhiḥ stanantaḥ stanayitnubhiḥ | tīvrairmarudgaṇairnunnā vavṛṣurjalaśarkarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Propelled by the fearsome wind-gods, the clouds blazed with lightning bolts and roared with thunder as they hurled down hailstones.
स्थूणास्थूला वर्षधारा मुञ्चत्स्वभ्रेष्वभीक्ष्णशः । जलौघैः प्लाव्यमाना भूर्नादृश्यत नतोन्नतम्
sthūṇāsthūlā varṣadhārā muñcatsvabhreṣvabhīkṣṇaśaḥ | jalaughaiḥ plāvyamānā bhūrnādṛśyata natonnatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the clouds released torrents of rain as thick as massive columns, the earth was submerged in the flood, and high ground could no longer be distinguished from low.
अत्यासारातिवातेन पशवो जातवेपनाः । गोपा गोप्यश्च शीतार्ता गोविन्दं शरणं ययुः
atyāsārātivātena paśavo jātavepanāḥ | gopā gopyaśca śītārtā govindaṃ śaraṇaṃ yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cows and other animals, shivering from the excessive rain and wind, and the cowherd men and ladies, pained by the cold, all approached Lord Govinda for shelter.
शिरः सुतांश्च कायेन प्रच्छाद्यासारपीडिताः । वेपमाना भगवतः पादमूलमुपाययुः
śiraḥ sutāṃśca kāyena pracchādyāsārapīḍitāḥ | vepamānā bhagavataḥ pādamūlamupāyayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Trembling from the distress brought about by the severe rainfall, and trying to cover their heads and calves with their own bodies, the cows approached the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
कृष्ण कृष्ण महाभाग त्वन्नाथं गोकुलं प्रभो । त्रातुमर्हसि देवान्नः कुपिताद्भक्तवत्सल
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahābhāga tvannāthaṃ gokulaṃ prabho | trātumarhasi devānnaḥ kupitādbhaktavatsala
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The cowherd men and women addressed the Lord:] Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, O most fortunate one, please deliver the cows from the wrath of Indra! O Lord, You are so affectionate to Your devotees. Please save us also.
शिलावर्षनिपातेन हन्यमानमचेतनम् । निरीक्ष्य भगवान्मेने कुपितेन्द्रकृतं हरिः
śilāvarṣanipātena hanyamānamacetanam | nirīkṣya bhagavānmene kupitendrakṛtaṃ hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing the inhabitants of His Gokula rendered practically unconscious by the onslaught of hail and blasting wind, the Supreme Lord Hari understood that this was the work of angry Indra.
अपर्त्वत्युल्बणं वर्षमतिवातं शिलामयम् । स्वयागे विहतेऽस्माभिरिन्द्रो नाशाय वर्षति
apartvatyulbaṇaṃ varṣamativātaṃ śilāmayam | svayāge vihate'smābhirindro nāśāya varṣati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śrī Kṛṣṇa said to Himself:] Because We have stopped his sacrifice, Indra has caused this unusually fierce, unseasonable rain, together with terrible winds and hail.
तत्र प्रतिविधिं सम्यगात्मयोगेन साधये । लोकेशमानिनां मौढ्याद्धरिष्ये श्रीमदं तमः
tatra pratividhiṃ samyagātmayogena sādhaye | lokeśamānināṃ mauḍhyāddhariṣye śrīmadaṃ tamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By My mystic power I will completely counteract this disturbance caused by Indra. Demigods like Indra are proud of their opulence, and out of foolishness they falsely consider themselves the Lord of the universe. I will now destroy such ignorance.
न हि सद्भावयुक्तानां सुराणामीशविस्मयः । मत्तोऽसतां मानभङ्गः प्रशमायोपकल्पते
na hi sadbhāvayuktānāṃ surāṇāmīśavismayaḥ | matto'satāṃ mānabhaṅgaḥ praśamāyopakalpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since the demigods are endowed with the mode of goodness, the false pride of considering oneself the Lord should certainly not affect them. When I break the false prestige of those bereft of goodness, My purpose is to bring them relief.
तस्मान्मच्छरणं गोष्ठं मन्नाथं मत्परिग्रहम् । गोपाये स्वात्मयोगेन सोऽयं मे व्रत आहितः
tasmānmaccharaṇaṃ goṣṭhaṃ mannāthaṃ matparigraham | gopāye svātmayogena so'yaṃ me vrata āhitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I must therefore protect the cowherd community by My transcendental potency, for I am their shelter, I am their master, and indeed they are My own family. After all, I have taken a vow to protect My devotees.
इत्युक्त्वैकेन हस्तेन कृत्वा गोवर्धनाचलम् । दधार लीलया कृष्णश्छत्राकमिव बालकः
ityuktvaikena hastena kṛtvā govardhanācalam | dadhāra līlayā kṛṣṇaśchatrākamiva bālakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having said this, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is Viṣṇu Himself, picked up Govardhana Hill with one hand and held it aloft just as easily as a child holds up a mushroom.
अथाह भगवान् गोपान् हेऽम्ब तात व्रजौकसः । यथोपजोषं विशत गिरिगर्तं सगोधनाः
athāha bhagavān gopān he'mba tāta vrajaukasaḥ | yathopajoṣaṃ viśata girigartaṃ sagodhanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord then addressed the cowherd community: O Mother, O Father, O residents of Vraja, if you wish you may now come under this hill with your cows.
न त्रास इह वः कार्यो मद्धस्ताद्रिनिपातने । वातवर्षभयेनालं तत्त्राणं विहितं हि वः
na trāsa iha vaḥ kāryo maddhastādrinipātane | vātavarṣabhayenālaṃ tattrāṇaṃ vihitaṃ hi vaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You should have no fear that this mountain will fall from My hand. And don’t be afraid of the wind and rain, for your deliverance from these afflictions has already been arranged.
तथा निर्विविशुर्गर्तं कृष्णाश्वासितमानसाः । यथावकाशं सधनाः सव्रजाः सोपजीविनः
tathā nirviviśurgartaṃ kṛṣṇāśvāsitamānasāḥ | yathāvakāśaṃ sadhanāḥ savrajāḥ sopajīvinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their minds thus pacified by Lord Kṛṣṇa, they all entered beneath the hill, where they found ample room for themselves and all their cows, wagons, servants and priests, and for all other members of the community as well.
क्षुत्तृड्व्यथां सुखापेक्षां हित्वा तैर्व्रजवासिभिः । वीक्ष्यमाणो दधावद्रिं सप्ताहं नाचलत्पदात्
kṣuttṛḍvyathāṃ sukhāpekṣāṃ hitvā tairvrajavāsibhiḥ | vīkṣyamāṇo dadhāvadriṃ saptāhaṃ nācalatpadāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa, forgetting hunger and thirst and putting aside all considerations of personal pleasure, stood there holding up the hill for seven days as the people of Vraja gazed upon Him.
कृष्णयोगानुभावं तं निशाम्येन्द्रोऽतिविस्मितः । निःस्तम्भो भ्रष्टसङ्कल्पः स्वान्मेघान् सन्न्यवारयत्
kṛṣṇayogānubhāvaṃ taṃ niśāmyendro'tivismitaḥ | niḥstambho bhraṣṭasaṅkalpaḥ svānmeghān sannyavārayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Indra observed this exhibition of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s mystic power, he became most astonished. Pulled down from his platform of false pride, and his intentions thwarted, he ordered his clouds to desist.
खं व्यभ्रमुदितादित्यं वातवर्षं च दारुणम् । निशाम्योपरतं गोपान् गोवर्धनधरोऽब्रवीत्
khaṃ vyabhramuditādityaṃ vātavarṣaṃ ca dāruṇam | niśāmyoparataṃ gopān govardhanadharo'bravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing that the fierce wind and rain had now ceased, the sky had become clear of rainclouds, and the sun had risen, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the lifter of Govardhana Hill, spoke to the cowherd community as follows.
निर्यात त्यजत त्रासं गोपाः सस्त्रीधनार्भकाः । उपारतं वातवर्षं व्युदप्रायाश्च निम्नगाः
niryāta tyajata trāsaṃ gopāḥ sastrīdhanārbhakāḥ | upārataṃ vātavarṣaṃ vyudaprāyāśca nimnagāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] My dear cowherd men, please go out with your wives, children and possessions. Give up your fear. The wind and rain have stopped, and the rivers’ high waters have subsided.
ततस्ते निर्ययुर्गोपाः स्वं स्वमादाय गोधनम् । शकटोढोपकरणं स्त्रीबालस्थविराः शनैः
tataste niryayurgopāḥ svaṃ svamādāya godhanam | śakaṭoḍhopakaraṇaṃ strībālasthavirāḥ śanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After collecting their respective cows and loading their paraphernalia into their wagons, the cowherd men went out. The women, children and elderly persons gradually followed them.
भगवानपि तं शैलं स्वस्थाने पूर्ववत्प्रभुः । पश्यतां सर्वभूतानां स्थापयामास लीलया
bhagavānapi taṃ śailaṃ svasthāne pūrvavatprabhuḥ | paśyatāṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ sthāpayāmāsa līlayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While all living creatures looked on, the Supreme Personality of Godhead put down the hill in its original place, just as it had stood before.
तं प्रेमवेगान्निभृता व्रजौकसो यथा समीयुः परिरम्भणादिभिः । गोप्यश्च सस्नेहमपूजयन्मुदा दध्यक्षताद्भिर्युयुजुः सदाशिषः
taṃ premavegānnibhṛtā vrajaukaso yathā samīyuḥ parirambhaṇādibhiḥ | gopyaśca sasnehamapūjayanmudā dadhyakṣatādbhiryuyujuḥ sadāśiṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the residents of Vṛndāvana were overwhelmed with ecstatic love, and they came forward and greeted Śrī Kṛṣṇa according to their individual relationships with Him — some embracing Him, others bowing down to Him, and so forth. The cowherd women presented water mixed with yogurt and unbroken barleycorns as a token of honor, and they showered auspicious benedictions upon Him.
यशोदा रोहिणी नन्दो रामश्च बलिनां वरः । कृष्णमालिङ्ग्य युयुजुराशिषः स्नेहकातराः
yaśodā rohiṇī nando rāmaśca balināṃ varaḥ | kṛṣṇamāliṅgya yuyujurāśiṣaḥ snehakātarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother Yaśodā, mother Rohiṇī, Nanda Mahārāja and Balarāma, the greatest of the strong, all embraced Kṛṣṇa. Overwhelmed with affection, they offered Him their blessings.
दिवि देवगणाः साध्याः सिद्धगन्धर्वचारणाः । तुष्टुवुर्मुमुचुस्तुष्टाः पुष्पवर्षाणि पार्थिव
divi devagaṇāḥ sādhyāḥ siddhagandharvacāraṇāḥ | tuṣṭuvurmumucustuṣṭāḥ puṣpavarṣāṇi pārthiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the heavens, O King, all the demigods, including the Siddhas, Sādhyas, Gandharvas and Cāraṇas, sang the praises of Lord Kṛṣṇa and showered down flowers in great satisfaction.
शङ्खदुन्दुभयो नेदुर्दिवि देवप्रणोदिताः । जगुर्गन्धर्वपतयस्तुम्बुरुप्रमुखा नृप
śaṅkhadundubhayo nedurdivi devapraṇoditāḥ | jagurgandharvapatayastumburupramukhā nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Parīkṣit, the demigods in heaven resoundingly played their conchshells and kettledrums, and the best of the Gandharvas, led by Tumburu, began to sing.
ततोऽनुरक्तैः पशुपैः परिश्रितो राजन् स गोष्ठं सबलोऽव्रजद्धरिः । तथाविधान्यस्य कृतानि गोपिकाः गायन्त्य ईयुर्मुदिता हृदिस्पृशः
tato'nuraktaiḥ paśupaiḥ pariśrito rājan sa goṣṭhaṃ sabalo'vrajaddhariḥ | tathāvidhānyasya kṛtāni gopikāḥ gāyantya īyurmuditā hṛdispṛśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Surrounded by His loving cowherd boyfriends and Lord Balarāma, Kṛṣṇa then went off to the place where He had been tending His cows. The cowherd girls returned to their homes, singing joyfully about the lifting of Govardhana Hill and other glorious deeds performed by Lord Kṛṣṇa, who had so deeply touched their hearts.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं विधानि कर्माणि गोपाः कृष्णस्य वीक्ष्य ते । अतद्वीर्यविदः प्रोचुः समभ्येत्य सुविस्मिताः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ vidhāni karmāṇi gopāḥ kṛṣṇasya vīkṣya te | atadvīryavidaḥ procuḥ samabhyetya suvismitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The cowherd men were astonished when they saw Kṛṣṇa’s activities, such as lifting Govardhana Hill. Unable to understand His transcendental potency, they approached Nanda Mahārāja and spoke as follows.
बालकस्य यदेतानि कर्माण्यत्यद्भुतानि वै । कथमर्हत्यसौ जन्म ग्राम्येष्वात्मजुगुप्सितम्
bālakasya yadetāni karmāṇyatyadbhutāni vai | kathamarhatyasau janma grāmyeṣvātmajugupsitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The cowherd men said:] Since this boy performs such extraordinary activities, how could He warrant a birth among worldly men like us — a birth that for Him would seem contemptible?
यः सप्तहायनो बालः करेणैकेन लीलया । कथं बिभ्रद्गिरिवरं पुष्करं गजराडिव
yaḥ saptahāyano bālaḥ kareṇaikena līlayā | kathaṃ bibhradgirivaraṃ puṣkaraṃ gajarāḍiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How could this seven-year-old boy playfully hold up the great hill Govardhana with one hand, just as a mighty elephant holds up a lotus flower?
तोकेनामीलिताक्षेण पूतनाया महौजसः । पीतः स्तनः सह प्राणैः कालेनेव वयस्तनोः
tokenāmīlitākṣeṇa pūtanāyā mahaujasaḥ | pītaḥ stanaḥ saha prāṇaiḥ kāleneva vayastanoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a mere infant who had hardly yet opened His eyes, He drank the breast milk of the powerful demoness Pūtanā and then sucked out her very life air as well, just as the force of time sucks out the youth of one’s body.
हिन्वतोऽधःशयानस्य मास्यस्य चरणावुदक् । अनोऽपतद्विपर्यस्तं रुदतः प्रपदाहतम्
hinvato'dhaḥśayānasya māsyasya caraṇāvudak | ano'patadviparyastaṃ rudataḥ prapadāhatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once, when only three months old, little Kṛṣṇa was crying and kicking up His feet as He lay beneath a huge cart. Then the cart fell and turned upside-down simply because it was struck by the tip of His toe.
एकहायन आसीनो ह्रियमाणो विहायसा । दैत्येन यस्तृणावर्तमहन् कण्ठग्रहातुरम्
ekahāyana āsīno hriyamāṇo vihāyasā | daityena yastṛṇāvartamahan kaṇṭhagrahāturam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the age of one, while sitting peacefully He was taken up into the sky by the demon Tṛṇāvarta. But baby Kṛṣṇa grabbed the demon’s neck, causing him great pain, and thus killed him.
क्वचिद्धैयङ्गवस्तैन्ये मात्रा बद्ध उदूखले । गच्छन्नर्जुनयोर्मध्ये बाहुभ्यां तावपातयत्
kvaciddhaiyaṅgavastainye mātrā baddha udūkhale | gacchannarjunayormadhye bāhubhyāṃ tāvapātayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once, His mother tied Him with ropes to a mortar because she had caught Him stealing butter. Then, crawling on His hands, He dragged the mortar between a pair of arjuna trees and pulled them down.
वने सञ्चारयन् वत्सान् सरामो बालकैर्वृतः । हन्तुकामं बकं दोर्भ्यां मुखतोऽरिमपाटयत्
vane sañcārayan vatsān sarāmo bālakairvṛtaḥ | hantukāmaṃ bakaṃ dorbhyāṃ mukhato'rimapāṭayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Another time, when Kṛṣṇa was tending the calves in the forest together with Balarāma and the cowherd boys, the demon Bakāsura came with the intention of killing Kṛṣṇa. But Kṛṣṇa seized this inimical demon by the mouth and tore him apart.
वत्सेषु वत्सरूपेण प्रविशन्तं जिघांसया । हत्वा न्यपातयत्तेन कपित्थानि च लीलया
vatseṣu vatsarūpeṇa praviśantaṃ jighāṃsayā | hatvā nyapātayattena kapitthāni ca līlayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Desiring to kill Kṛṣṇa, the demon Vatsa disguised himself as a calf and entered among Kṛṣṇa’s calves. But Kṛṣṇa killed the demon and, using his body, enjoyed the sport of knocking kapittha fruits down from the trees.
हत्वा रासभदैतेयं तद्बन्धूंश्च बलान्वितः । चक्रे तालवनं क्षेमं परिपक्वफलान्वितम्
hatvā rāsabhadaiteyaṃ tadbandhūṃśca balānvitaḥ | cakre tālavanaṃ kṣemaṃ paripakvaphalānvitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Together with Lord Balarāma, Kṛṣṇa killed the jackass demon and all his friends, thereby securing the safety of the Tālavana forest, which abounded with fully ripened palm fruits.
प्रलम्बं घातयित्वोग्रं बलेन बलशालिना । अमोचयद्व्रजपशून् गोपांश्चारण्यवह्नितः
pralambaṃ ghātayitvograṃ balena balaśālinā | amocayadvrajapaśūn gopāṃścāraṇyavahnitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After arranging for the mighty Lord Balarāma to kill the terrible demon Pralamba, Kṛṣṇa saved Vraja’s cowherd boys and their animals from a forest fire.
आशीविषतमाहीन्द्रं दमित्वा विमदं ह्रदात् । प्रसह्योद्वास्य यमुनां चक्रेऽसौ निर्विषोदकाम्
āśīviṣatamāhīndraṃ damitvā vimadaṃ hradāt | prasahyodvāsya yamunāṃ cakre'sau nirviṣodakām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa chastised the most poisonous serpent, Kāliya, and after humbling him He drove him forcibly from the lake of the Yamunā. In this way the Lord made the water of that river free of the snake’s powerful poison.
दुस्त्यजश्चानुरागोऽस्मिन् सर्वेषां नो व्रजौकसाम् । नन्द ते तनयेऽस्मासु तस्याप्यौत्पत्तिकः कथम्
dustyajaścānurāgo'smin sarveṣāṃ no vrajaukasām | nanda te tanaye'smāsu tasyāpyautpattikaḥ katham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Nanda, how is it that we and all the other residents of Vraja cannot give up our constant affection for your son? And how is it that He is so spontaneously attracted to us?
क्व सप्तहायनो बालः क्व महाद्रिविधारणम् । ततो नो जायते शङ्का व्रजनाथ तवात्मजे
kva saptahāyano bālaḥ kva mahādrividhāraṇam | tato no jāyate śaṅkā vrajanātha tavātmaje
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the one hand this boy is only seven years old, and on the other we see that He has lifted the great hill Govardhana. Therefore, O King of Vraja, a doubt about your son arises within us.
नन्द उवाच । श्रूयतां मे वचो गोपा व्येतु शङ्का च वोऽर्भके । एनं कुमारमुद्दिश्य गर्गो मे यदुवाच ह
nanda uvāca | śrūyatāṃ me vaco gopā vyetu śaṅkā ca vo'rbhake | enaṃ kumāramuddiśya gargo me yaduvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja replied: O cowherd men, just hear my words and let all your doubts concerning my son be gone. Some time ago Garga Muni spoke to me as follows about this boy.
वर्णास्त्रयः किलास्यासन् गृह्णतोऽनुयुगं तनूः । शुक्लो रक्तस्तथा पीत इदानीं कृष्णतां गतः
varṇāstrayaḥ kilāsyāsan gṛhṇato'nuyugaṃ tanūḥ | śuklo raktastathā pīta idānīṃ kṛṣṇatāṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Garga Muni had said:] Your son Kṛṣṇa appears as an incarnation in every millennium. In the past He assumed three different colors — white, red and yellow — and now He has appeared in a blackish color.
प्रागयं वसुदेवस्य क्वचिज्जातस्तवात्मजः । वासुदेव इति श्रीमानभिज्ञाः सम्प्रचक्षते
prāgayaṃ vasudevasya kvacijjātastavātmajaḥ | vāsudeva iti śrīmānabhijñāḥ sampracakṣate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For many reasons, this beautiful son of yours sometimes appeared previously as the son of Vasudeva. Therefore, those who are learned sometimes call this child Vāsudeva.
बहूनि सन्ति नामानि रूपाणि च सुतस्य ते । गुणकर्मानुरूपाणि तान्यहं वेद नो जनाः
bahūni santi nāmāni rūpāṇi ca sutasya te | guṇakarmānurūpāṇi tānyahaṃ veda no janāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For this son of yours there are many forms and names according to His transcendental qualities and activities. These are known to me, but people in general do not understand them.
एष वः श्रेय आधास्यद्गोपगोकुलनन्दनः । अनेन सर्वदुर्गाणि यूयमञ्जस्तरिष्यथ
eṣa vaḥ śreya ādhāsyadgopagokulanandanaḥ | anena sarvadurgāṇi yūyamañjastariṣyatha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To increase the transcendental bliss of the cowherd men of Gokula, this child will always act auspiciously for you. And by His grace only, you will surpass all difficulties.
पुरानेन व्रजपते साधवो दस्युपीडिताः । अराजके रक्ष्यमाणा जिग्युर्दस्यून् समेधिताः
purānena vrajapate sādhavo dasyupīḍitāḥ | arājake rakṣyamāṇā jigyurdasyūn samedhitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Nanda Mahārāja, as recorded in history, when there was an irregular, incapable government, Indra having been dethroned, and when honest people were being harassed and disturbed by thieves, this child appeared in order to curb the rogues and to protect the people and enable them to flourish.
य एतस्मिन् महाभागाः प्रीतिं कुर्वन्ति मानवाः । नारयोऽभिभवन्त्येतान् विष्णुपक्षानिवासुराः
ya etasmin mahābhāgāḥ prītiṃ kurvanti mānavāḥ | nārayo'bhibhavantyetān viṣṇupakṣānivāsurāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Demons cannot harm the demigods, who always have Lord Viṣṇu on their side. Similarly, any person or group attached to all-auspicious Kṛṣṇa cannot be defeated by enemies.
तस्मान्नन्द कुमारोऽयं नारायणसमो गुणैः । श्रिया कीर्त्यानुभावेन तत्कर्मसु न विस्मयः
tasmānnanda kumāro'yaṃ nārāyaṇasamo guṇaiḥ | śriyā kīrtyānubhāvena tatkarmasu na vismayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O Nanda Mahārāja, this child of yours is as good as Nārāyaṇa. In His transcendental qualities, opulence, name, fame and influence, He is exactly like Nārāyaṇa. Thus you should not be astonished by His activities.
इत्यद्धा मां समादिश्य गर्गे च स्वगृहं गते । मन्ये नारायणस्यांशं कृष्णमक्लिष्टकारिणम्
ityaddhā māṃ samādiśya garge ca svagṛhaṃ gate | manye nārāyaṇasyāṃśaṃ kṛṣṇamakliṣṭakāriṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nanda Mahārāja continued:] After Garga Ṛṣi spoke these words to me and returned home, I began to consider that Kṛṣṇa, who keeps us free from trouble, is actually an expansion of Lord Nārāyaṇa.
इति नन्दवचः श्रुत्वा गर्गगीतं व्रजौकसः । दृष्टश्रुतानुभावास्ते कृष्णस्यामिततेजसः । मुदिता नन्दमानर्चुः कृष्णं च गतविस्मयाः
iti nandavacaḥ śrutvā gargagītaṃ vrajaukasaḥ | dṛṣṭaśrutānubhāvāste kṛṣṇasyāmitatejasaḥ | muditā nandamānarcuḥ kṛṣṇaṃ ca gatavismayāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Having heard Nanda Mahārāja relate the statements of Garga Muni, the residents of Vṛndāvana became enlivened. Their perplexity was gone, and they worshiped Nanda and Lord Kṛṣṇa with great respect.
देवे वर्षति यज्ञविप्लवरुषा वज्राश्मपर्षानिलैः सीदत्पालपशुस्त्रि आत्मशरणं दृष्ट्वानुकम्प्युत्स्मयन् । उत्पाट्यैककरेण शैलमबलो लीलोच्छिलीन्ध्रं यथा बिभ्रद्गोष्ठमपान्महेन्द्रमदभित्प्रीयान्न इन्द्रो गवाम्
deve varṣati yajñaviplavaruṣā vajrāśmaparṣānilaiḥ sīdatpālapaśustri ātmaśaraṇaṃ dṛṣṭvānukampyutsmayan | utpāṭyaikakareṇa śailamabalo līlocchilīndhraṃ yathā bibhradgoṣṭhamapānmahendramadabhitprīyānna indro gavām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indra became angry when his sacrifice was disrupted, and thus he caused rain and hail to fall on Gokula, accompanied by lightning and powerful winds, all of which brought great suffering to the cowherds, animals and women there. When Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is by nature always compassionate, saw the condition of those who had only Him as their shelter, He smiled broadly and lifted Govardhana Hill with one hand, just as a small child picks up a mushroom to play with it. Holding up the hill, He protected the cowherd community. May He, Govinda, the Lord of the cows and the destroyer of Indra’s false pride, be pleased with us.
श्रीशुक उवाच । गोवर्धने धृते शैले आसाराद्रक्षिते व्रजे । गोलोकादाव्रजत्कृष्णं सुरभिः शक्र एव च
śrīśuka uvāca | govardhane dhṛte śaile āsārādrakṣite vraje | golokādāvrajatkṛṣṇaṃ surabhiḥ śakra eva ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After Kṛṣṇa had lifted Govardhana Hill and thus protected the inhabitants of Vraja from the terrible rainfall, Surabhi, the mother of the cows, came from her planet to see Kṛṣṇa. She was accompanied by Indra.
विविक्त उपसङ्गम्य व्रीडीतः कृतहेलनः । पस्पर्श पादयोरेनं किरीटेनार्कवर्चसा
vivikta upasaṅgamya vrīḍītaḥ kṛtahelanaḥ | pasparśa pādayorenaṃ kirīṭenārkavarcasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indra was very ashamed of having offended the Lord. Approaching Him in a solitary place, Indra fell down and lay his helmet, whose effulgence was as brilliant as the sun, upon the Lord’s lotus feet.
दृष्टश्रुतानुभावोऽस्य कृष्णस्यामिततेजसः । नष्टत्रिलोकेशमद इन्द्र आह कृताञ्जलिः
dṛṣṭaśrutānubhāvo'sya kṛṣṇasyāmitatejasaḥ | naṣṭatrilokeśamada indra āha kṛtāñjaliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indra had now heard of and seen the transcendental power of omnipotent Kṛṣṇa, and his false pride in being the lord of the three worlds was thus defeated. Holding his hands together in supplication, he addressed the Lord as follows.
इन्द्र उवाच । विशुद्धसत्त्वं तव धाम शान्तं तपोमयं ध्वस्तरजस्तमस्कम् । मायामयोऽयं गुणसम्प्रवाहो न विद्यते तेऽग्रहणानुबन्धः
indra uvāca | viśuddhasattvaṃ tava dhāma śāntaṃ tapomayaṃ dhvastarajastamaskam | māyāmayo'yaṃ guṇasampravāho na vidyate te'grahaṇānubandhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Indra said: Your transcendental form, a manifestation of pure goodness, is undisturbed by change, shining with knowledge and devoid of passion and ignorance. In You does not exist the mighty flow of the modes of material nature, which is based on illusion and ignorance.
कुतो नु तद्धेतव ईश तत्कृता लोभादयो येऽबुधलिङ्गभावाः । तथापि दण्डं भगवान् बिभर्ति धर्मस्य गुप्त्यै खलनिग्रहाय
kuto nu taddhetava īśa tatkṛtā lobhādayo ye'budhaliṅgabhāvāḥ | tathāpi daṇḍaṃ bhagavān bibharti dharmasya guptyai khalanigrahāya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How, then, could there exist in You the symptoms of an ignorant person — such as greed, lust, anger and envy — which are produced by one’s previous involvement in material existence and which cause one to become further entangled in material existence? And yet as the Supreme Lord You impose punishment to protect religious principles and curb down the wicked.
पिता गुरुस्त्वं जगतामधीशो दुरत्ययः काल उपात्तदण्डः । हिताय चेच्छातनुभिः समीहसे मानं विधुन्वन् जगदीशमानिनाम्
pitā gurustvaṃ jagatāmadhīśo duratyayaḥ kāla upāttadaṇḍaḥ | hitāya cecchātanubhiḥ samīhase mānaṃ vidhunvan jagadīśamāninām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the father and spiritual master of this entire universe, and also its supreme controller. You are insurmountable time, imposing punishment upon the sinful for their own benefit. Indeed, in Your various incarnations, selected by Your own free will, You act decisively to remove the false pride of those who presume themselves masters of this world.
ये मद्विधाज्ञा जगदीश मानिन- स्त्वां वीक्ष्य कालेऽभयमाशु तन्मदम् । हित्वाऽऽर्यमार्गं प्रभजन्त्यपस्मया ईहा खलानामपि तेऽनुशासनम्
ye madvidhājñā jagadīśa mānina- stvāṃ vīkṣya kāle'bhayamāśu tanmadam | hitvā''ryamārgaṃ prabhajantyapasmayā īhā khalānāmapi te'nuśāsanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even fools like me, who proudly think themselves universal lords, quickly give up their conceit and directly take to the path of the spiritually progressive when they see You are fearless even in the face of time. Thus You punish the mischievous only to instruct them.
स त्वं ममैश्वर्यमदप्लुतस्य कृतागसस्तेऽविदुषः प्रभावम् । क्षन्तुं प्रभोऽथार्हसि मूढचेतसो मैवं पुनर्भून्मतिरीश मेऽसती
sa tvaṃ mamaiśvaryamadaplutasya kṛtāgasaste'viduṣaḥ prabhāvam | kṣantuṃ prabho'thārhasi mūḍhacetaso maivaṃ punarbhūnmatirīśa me'satī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Engrossed in pride over my ruling power, ignorant of Your majesty, I offended You. O Lord, may You forgive me. My intelligence was bewildered, but let my consciousness never again be so impure.
तवावतारोऽयमधोक्षजेह स्वयम्भराणामुरुभारजन्मनाम् । चमूपतीनामभवाय देव भवाय युष्मच्चरणानुवर्तिनाम्
tavāvatāro'yamadhokṣajeha svayambharāṇāmurubhārajanmanām | camūpatīnāmabhavāya deva bhavāya yuṣmaccaraṇānuvartinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You descend into this world, O transcendent Lord, to destroy the warlords who burden the earth and create many terrible disturbances. O Lord, you simultaneously act for the welfare of those who faithfully serve Your lotus feet.
नमस्तुभ्यं भगवते पुरुषाय महात्मने । वासुदेवाय कृष्णाय सात्वतां पतये नमः
namastubhyaṃ bhagavate puruṣāya mahātmane | vāsudevāya kṛṣṇāya sātvatāṃ pataye namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances unto You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the great Soul, who are all-pervading and who reside in the hearts of all. My obeisances unto You, Kṛṣṇa, the chief of the Yadu dynasty.
स्वच्छन्दोपात्तदेहाय विशुद्धज्ञानमूर्तये । सर्वस्मै सर्वबीजाय सर्वभूतात्मने नमः
svacchandopāttadehāya viśuddhajñānamūrtaye | sarvasmai sarvabījāya sarvabhūtātmane namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Unto Him who assumes transcendental bodies according to the desires of His devotees, unto Him whose form is itself pure consciousness, unto Him who is everything, who is the seed of everything and who is the Soul of all creatures, I offer my obeisances.
मयेदं भगवन् गोष्ठनाशायासारवायुभिः । चेष्टितं विहते यज्ञे मानिना तीव्रमन्युना
mayedaṃ bhagavan goṣṭhanāśāyāsāravāyubhiḥ | ceṣṭitaṃ vihate yajñe māninā tīvramanyunā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, when my sacrifice was disrupted I became fiercely angry because of false pride. Thus I tried to destroy Your cowherd community with severe rain and wind.
त्वयेशानुगृहीतोऽस्मि ध्वस्तस्तम्भो वृथोद्यमः । ईश्वरं गुरुमात्मानं त्वामहं शरणं गतः
tvayeśānugṛhīto'smi dhvastastambho vṛthodyamaḥ | īśvaraṃ gurumātmānaṃ tvāmahaṃ śaraṇaṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, You have shown mercy to me by shattering my false pride and defeating my attempt [to punish Vṛndāvana]. To You, the Supreme Lord, spiritual master and Supreme Soul, I have now come for shelter.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं सङ्कीर्तितः कृष्णो मघोना भगवानमुम् । मेघगम्भीरया वाचा प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत्
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ saṅkīrtitaḥ kṛṣṇo maghonā bhagavānamum | meghagambhīrayā vācā prahasannidamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus glorified by Indra, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, smiled and then spoke to him as follows in a voice resonant like the clouds.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । मया तेऽकारि मघवन् मखभङ्गोऽनुगृह्णता । मदनुस्मृतये नित्यं मत्तस्येन्द्रश्रिया भृशम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | mayā te'kāri maghavan makhabhaṅgo'nugṛhṇatā | madanusmṛtaye nityaṃ mattasyendraśriyā bhṛśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Indra, it was out of mercy that I stopped the sacrifice meant for you. You were greatly intoxicated by your opulence as King of heaven, and I wanted you to always remember Me.
मामैश्वर्यश्रीमदान्धो दण्डपाणिं न पश्यति । तं भ्रंशयामि सम्पद्भ्यो यस्य चेच्छाम्यनुग्रहम्
māmaiśvaryaśrīmadāndho daṇḍapāṇiṃ na paśyati | taṃ bhraṃśayāmi sampadbhyo yasya cecchāmyanugraham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A man blinded by intoxication with his power and opulence cannot see Me nearby with the rod of punishment in My hand. If I desire his real welfare, I drag him down from his materially fortunate position.
गम्यतां शक्र भद्रं वः क्रियतां मेऽनुशासनम् । स्थीयतां स्वाधिकारेषु युक्तैर्वः स्तम्भवर्जितैः
gamyatāṃ śakra bhadraṃ vaḥ kriyatāṃ me'nuśāsanam | sthīyatāṃ svādhikāreṣu yuktairvaḥ stambhavarjitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indra, you may now go. Execute My order and remain in your appointed position as King of heaven. But be sober, without false pride.
अथाह सुरभिः कृष्णमभिवन्द्य मनस्विनी । स्वसन्तानैरुपामन्त्र्य गोपरूपिणमीश्वरम्
athāha surabhiḥ kṛṣṇamabhivandya manasvinī | svasantānairupāmantrya goparūpiṇamīśvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother Surabhi, along with her progeny, the cows, then offered her obeisances to Lord Kṛṣṇa. Respectfully requesting His attention, the gentle lady addressed the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who was present before her as a cowherd boy.
सुरभिरुवाच । कृष्ण कृष्ण महायोगिन् विश्वात्मन् विश्वसम्भव । भवता लोकनाथेन सनाथा वयमच्युत
surabhiruvāca | kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahāyogin viśvātman viśvasambhava | bhavatā lokanāthena sanāthā vayamacyuta
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mother Surabhi said: O Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, greatest of mystics! O Soul and origin of the universe! You are the master of the world, and by Your grace, O infallible Lord, we have You as our master.
त्वं नः परमकं दैवं त्वं न इन्द्रो जगत्पते । भवाय भव गोविप्रदेवानां ये च साधवः
tvaṃ naḥ paramakaṃ daivaṃ tvaṃ na indro jagatpate | bhavāya bhava govipradevānāṃ ye ca sādhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are our worshipable Deity. Therefore, O Lord of the universe, for the benefit of the cows, the brāhmaṇas, the demigods and all other saintly persons, please become our Indra.
इन्द्रं नस्त्वाभिषेक्ष्यामो ब्रह्मणा नोदिता वयम् । अवतीर्णोऽसि विश्वात्मन् भूमेर्भारापनुत्तये
indraṃ nastvābhiṣekṣyāmo brahmaṇā noditā vayam | avatīrṇo'si viśvātman bhūmerbhārāpanuttaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As ordered by Lord Brahmā, we shall perform Your bathing ceremony to coronate You as Indra. O Soul of the universe, You descend to this world to relieve the burden of the earth.
तत्रागतास्तुम्बुरुनारदादयो गन्धर्वविद्याधरसिद्धचारणाः । जगुर्यशो लोकमलापहं हरेः सुराङ्गनाः सन्ननृतुर्मुदान्विताः
tatrāgatāstumburunāradādayo gandharvavidyādharasiddhacāraṇāḥ | jaguryaśo lokamalāpahaṃ hareḥ surāṅganāḥ sannanṛturmudānvitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Tumburu, Nārada and other Gandharvas, along with the Vidyādharas, Siddhas and Cāraṇas, came there to sing the glories of Lord Hari, which purify the entire world. And the wives of the demigods, filled with joy, danced together in the Lord’s honor.
तं तुष्टुवुर्देवनिकायकेतवो ह्यवाकिरंश्चाद्भुतपुष्पवृष्टिभिः । लोकाः परां निर्वृतिमाप्नुवंस्त्रयो गावस्तदा गामनयन् पयोद्रुताम्
taṃ tuṣṭuvurdevanikāyaketavo hyavākiraṃścādbhutapuṣpavṛṣṭibhiḥ | lokāḥ parāṃ nirvṛtimāpnuvaṃstrayo gāvastadā gāmanayan payodrutām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The most eminent demigods chanted the praises of the Lord and scattered wonderful showers of flowers all around Him. All three worlds felt supreme satisfaction, and the cows drenched the surface of the earth with their milk.
नानारसौघाः सरितो वृक्षा आसन् मधुस्रवाः । अकृष्टपच्यौषधयो गिरयोऽबिभ्रदुन्मणीन्
nānārasaughāḥ sarito vṛkṣā āsan madhusravāḥ | akṛṣṭapacyauṣadhayo girayo'bibhradunmaṇīn
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Rivers flowed with various kinds of tasty liquids, trees exuded honey, edible plants came to maturity without cultivation, and hills gave forth jewels formerly hidden in their interiors.
कृष्णेऽभिषिक्त एतानि सत्त्वानि कुरुनन्दन । निर्वैराण्यभवंस्तात क्रूराण्यपि निसर्गतः
kṛṣṇe'bhiṣikta etāni sattvāni kurunandana | nirvairāṇyabhavaṃstāta krūrāṇyapi nisargataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Parīkṣit, beloved of the Kuru dynasty, upon the ceremonial bathing of Lord Kṛṣṇa, all living creatures, even those cruel by nature, became entirely free of enmity.
इति गोगोकुलपतिं गोविन्दमभिषिच्य सः । अनुज्ञातो ययौ शक्रो वृतो देवादिभिर्दिवम्
iti gogokulapatiṃ govindamabhiṣicya saḥ | anujñāto yayau śakro vṛto devādibhirdivam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After he had ceremonially bathed Lord Govinda, who is the master of the cows and the cowherd community, King Indra took the Lord’s permission and, surrounded by the demigods and other higher beings, returned to his heavenly abode.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एकादश्यां निराहारः समभ्यर्च्य जनार्दनम् । स्नातुं नन्दस्तु कालिन्द्या द्वादश्यां जलमाविशत्
śrīśuka uvāca | ekādaśyāṃ nirāhāraḥ samabhyarcya janārdanam | snātuṃ nandastu kālindyā dvādaśyāṃ jalamāviśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: Having worshiped Lord Janārdana and fasted on the Ekādaśī day, Nanda Mahārāja entered the water of the Kālindī on the Dvādaśī to take his bath.
तं गृहीत्वानयद्भृत्यो वरुणस्यासुरोऽन्तिकम् । अविज्ञायासुरीं वेलां प्रविष्टमुदकं निशि
taṃ gṛhītvānayadbhṛtyo varuṇasyāsuro'ntikam | avijñāyāsurīṃ velāṃ praviṣṭamudakaṃ niśi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because Nanda Mahārāja entered the water in the dark of night, disregarding that the time was inauspicious, a demoniac servant of Varuṇa seized him and brought him to his master.
चुक्रुशुस्तमपश्यन्तः कृष्ण रामेति गोपकाः । भगवांस्तदुपश्रुत्य पितरं वरुणाहृतम् । तदन्तिकं गतो राजन् स्वानामभयदो विभुः
cukruśustamapaśyantaḥ kṛṣṇa rāmeti gopakāḥ | bhagavāṃstadupaśrutya pitaraṃ varuṇāhṛtam | tadantikaṃ gato rājan svānāmabhayado vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, not seeing Nanda Mahārāja, the cowherd men loudly cried out, “O Kṛṣṇa! O Rāma!” Lord Kṛṣṇa heard their cries and understood that His father had been captured by Varuṇa. Therefore the almighty Lord, who makes His devotees fearless, went to the court of Varuṇadeva.
प्राप्तं वीक्ष्य हृषीकेशं लोकपालः सपर्यया । महत्या पूजयित्वाऽऽह तद्दर्शनमहोत्सवः
prāptaṃ vīkṣya hṛṣīkeśaṃ lokapālaḥ saparyayā | mahatyā pūjayitvā''ha taddarśanamahotsavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing that the Lord, Hṛṣīkeśa, had arrived, the demigod Varuṇa worshiped Him with elaborate offerings. Varuṇa was in a state of great jubilation upon seeing the Lord, and he spoke as follows.
वरुण उवाच । अद्य मे निभृतो देहोऽद्यैवार्थोऽधिगतः प्रभो । त्वत्पादभाजो भगवन्नवापुः पारमध्वनः
varuṇa uvāca | adya me nibhṛto deho'dyaivārtho'dhigataḥ prabho | tvatpādabhājo bhagavannavāpuḥ pāramadhvanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Varuṇa said: Now my body has fulfilled its function. Indeed, now the goal of my life is achieved, O Lord. Those who accept Your lotus feet, O Personality of Godhead, can transcend the path of material existence.
नमस्तुभ्यं भगवते ब्रह्मणे परमात्मने । न यत्र श्रूयते माया लोकसृष्टिविकल्पना
namastubhyaṃ bhagavate brahmaṇe paramātmane | na yatra śrūyate māyā lokasṛṣṭivikalpanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My obeisances unto You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Soul, within whom there is no trace of the illusory energy, which orchestrates the creation of this world.
अजानता मामकेन मूढेनाकार्यवेदिना । आनीतोऽयं तव पिता तद्भवान् क्षन्तुमर्हति
ajānatā māmakena mūḍhenākāryavedinā | ānīto'yaṃ tava pitā tadbhavān kṣantumarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your father, who is sitting here, was brought to me by a foolish, ignorant servant of mine who did not understand his proper duty. Therefore, please forgive us.
ममाप्यनुग्रहं कृष्ण कर्तुमर्हस्यशेषदृक् । गोविन्द नीयतामेष पिता ते पितृवत्सल
mamāpyanugrahaṃ kṛṣṇa kartumarhasyaśeṣadṛk | govinda nīyatāmeṣa pitā te pitṛvatsala
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Kṛṣṇa, O seer of everything, please give Your mercy even to me. O Govinda, You are most affectionate to Your father. Please take him home.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं प्रसादितः कृष्णो भगवानीश्वरेश्वरः । आदायागात्स्वपितरं बन्धूनां चावहन् मुदम्
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ prasāditaḥ kṛṣṇo bhagavānīśvareśvaraḥ | ādāyāgātsvapitaraṃ bandhūnāṃ cāvahan mudam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus satisfied by Lord Varuṇa, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord of lords, took His father and returned home, where their relatives were overjoyed to see them.
नन्दस्त्वतीन्द्रियं दृष्ट्वा लोकपालमहोदयम् । कृष्णे च सन्नतिं तेषां ज्ञातिभ्यो विस्मितोऽब्रवीत्
nandastvatīndriyaṃ dṛṣṭvā lokapālamahodayam | kṛṣṇe ca sannatiṃ teṣāṃ jñātibhyo vismito'bravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja had been astonished to see for the first time the great opulence of Varuṇa, the ruler of the ocean planet, and also to see how Varuṇa and his servants had offered such humble respect to Kṛṣṇa. Nanda described all this to his fellow cowherd men.
ते त्वौत्सुक्यधियो राजन् मत्वा गोपास्तमीश्वरम् । अपि नः स्वगतिं सूक्ष्मामुपाधास्यदधीश्वरः
te tvautsukyadhiyo rājan matvā gopāstamīśvaram | api naḥ svagatiṃ sūkṣmāmupādhāsyadadhīśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Hearing about Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes with Varuṇa,] the cowherd men considered that Kṛṣṇa must be the Supreme Lord, and their minds, O King, were filled with eagerness. They thought, “Will the Supreme Lord bestow upon us His transcendental abode?”
इति स्वानां स भगवान् विज्ञायाखिलदृक् स्वयम् । सङ्कल्पसिद्धये तेषां कृपयैतदचिन्तयत्
iti svānāṃ sa bhagavān vijñāyākhiladṛk svayam | saṅkalpasiddhaye teṣāṃ kṛpayaitadacintayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because He sees everything, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, automatically understood what the cowherd men were conjecturing. Wanting to show His compassion to them by fulfilling their desires, the Lord thought as follows.
जनो वै लोक एतस्मिन्नविद्याकामकर्मभिः । उच्चावचासु गतिषु न वेद स्वां गतिं भ्रमन्
jano vai loka etasminnavidyākāmakarmabhiḥ | uccāvacāsu gatiṣu na veda svāṃ gatiṃ bhraman
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa thought:] Certainly people in this world are wandering among higher and lower destinations, which they achieve through activities performed according to their desires and without full knowledge. Thus people do not know their real destination.
इति सञ्चिन्त्य भगवान् महाकारुणिको हरिः । दर्शयामास लोकं स्वं गोपानां तमसः परम्
iti sañcintya bhagavān mahākāruṇiko hariḥ | darśayāmāsa lokaṃ svaṃ gopānāṃ tamasaḥ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus deeply considering the situation, the all-merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari revealed to the cowherd men His abode, which is beyond material darkness.
सत्यं ज्ञानमनन्तं यद्ब्रह्म ज्योतिः सनातनम् । यद्धि पश्यन्ति मुनयो गुणापाये समाहिताः
satyaṃ jñānamanantaṃ yadbrahma jyotiḥ sanātanam | yaddhi paśyanti munayo guṇāpāye samāhitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa revealed the indestructible spiritual effulgence, which is unlimited, conscious and eternal. Sages see that spiritual existence in trance, when their consciousness is free of the modes of material nature.
ते तु ब्रह्मह्रदं नीता मग्नाः कृष्णेन चोद्धृताः । ददृशुर्ब्रह्मणो लोकं यत्राक्रूरोऽध्यगात्पुरा
te tu brahmahradaṃ nītā magnāḥ kṛṣṇena coddhṛtāḥ | dadṛśurbrahmaṇo lokaṃ yatrākrūro'dhyagātpurā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd men were brought by Lord Kṛṣṇa to the Brahma-hrada, made to submerge in the water, and then lifted up. From the same vantage point that Akrūra saw the spiritual world, the cowherd men saw the planet of the Absolute Truth.
नन्दादयस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा परमानन्दनिर्वृताः । कृष्णं च तत्र छन्दोभिः स्तूयमानं सुविस्मिताः
nandādayastu taṃ dṛṣṭvā paramānandanirvṛtāḥ | kṛṣṇaṃ ca tatra chandobhiḥ stūyamānaṃ suvismitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherd men felt the greatest happiness when they saw that transcendental abode. They were especially amazed to see Kṛṣṇa Himself there, surrounded by the personified Vedas, who were offering Him prayers.
श्रीशुक उवाच । भगवानपि ता रात्रीः शरदोत्फुल्लमल्लिकाः । वीक्ष्य रन्तुं मनश्चक्रे योगमायामुपाश्रितः
śrīśuka uvāca | bhagavānapi tā rātrīḥ śaradotphullamallikāḥ | vīkṣya rantuṃ manaścakre yogamāyāmupāśritaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, full in all opulences, yet upon seeing those autumn nights scented with blossoming jasmine flowers, He turned His mind toward loving affairs. To fulfill His purposes He employed His internal potency.
तदोडुराजः ककुभः करैर्मुखं प्राच्या विलिम्पन्नरुणेन शन्तमैः । स चर्षणीनामुदगाच्छुचो मृजन् प्रियः प्रियाया इव दीर्घदर्शनः
tadoḍurājaḥ kakubhaḥ karairmukhaṃ prācyā vilimpannaruṇena śantamaiḥ | sa carṣaṇīnāmudagācchuco mṛjan priyaḥ priyāyā iva dīrghadarśanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The moon then rose, anointing the face of the eastern horizon with the reddish hue of his comforting rays, and thus dispelling the pain of all who watched him rise. The moon was like a beloved husband who returns after a long absence and adorns the face of his beloved wife with red kuṅkuma.
दृष्ट्वा कुमुद्वन्तमखण्डमण्डलं रमाननाभं नवकुङ्कुमारुणं वनं च तत्कोमलगोभिरञ्जितं जगौ कलं वामदृशां मनोहरम्
dṛṣṭvā kumudvantamakhaṇḍamaṇḍalaṃ ramānanābhaṃ navakuṅkumāruṇaṃ vanaṃ ca tatkomalagobhirañjitaṃ jagau kalaṃ vāmadṛśāṃ manoharam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa saw the unbroken disk of the full moon glowing with the red effulgence of newly applied vermilion, as if it were the face of the goddess of fortune. He also saw the kumuda lotuses opening in response to the moon’s presence and the forest gently illumined by its rays. Thus the Lord began to play sweetly on His flute, attracting the minds of the beautiful-eyed gopīs.
निशम्य गीतं तदनङ्गवर्धनं व्रजस्त्रियः कृष्णगृहीतमानसाः । आजग्मुरन्योन्यमलक्षितोद्यमाः स यत्र कान्तो जवलोलकुण्डलाः
niśamya gītaṃ tadanaṅgavardhanaṃ vrajastriyaḥ kṛṣṇagṛhītamānasāḥ | ājagmuranyonyamalakṣitodyamāḥ sa yatra kānto javalolakuṇḍalāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the young women of Vṛndāvana heard Kṛṣṇa’s flute-song, which arouses romantic feelings, their minds were captivated by the Lord. They went to where their lover waited, each unknown to the others, moving so quickly that their earrings swung back and forth.
दुहन्त्योऽभिययुः काश्चिद्दोहं हित्वा समुत्सुकाः । पयोऽधिश्रित्य संयावमनुद्वास्यापरा ययुः
duhantyo'bhiyayuḥ kāściddohaṃ hitvā samutsukāḥ | payo'dhiśritya saṃyāvamanudvāsyāparā yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some of the gopīs were milking cows when they heard Kṛṣṇa’s flute. They stopped milking and went off to meet Him. Some left milk curdling on the stove, and others left cakes burning in the oven.
ता वार्यमाणाः पतिभिः पितृभिर्भ्रातृबन्धुभिः । गोविन्दापहृतात्मानो न न्यवर्तन्त मोहिताः
tā vāryamāṇāḥ patibhiḥ pitṛbhirbhrātṛbandhubhiḥ | govindāpahṛtātmāno na nyavartanta mohitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their husbands, fathers, brothers and other relatives tried to stop them, but Kṛṣṇa had already stolen their hearts. Enchanted by the sound of His flute, they refused to turn back.
अन्तर्गृहगताः काश्चिद्गोप्योऽलब्धविनिर्गमाः । कृष्णं तद्भावनायुक्ता दध्युर्मीलितलोचनाः
antargṛhagatāḥ kāścidgopyo'labdhavinirgamāḥ | kṛṣṇaṃ tadbhāvanāyuktā dadhyurmīlitalocanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some of the gopīs, however, could not manage to get out of their houses, and instead they remained home with eyes closed, meditating upon Him in pure love.
राजोवाच । कृष्णं विदुः परं कान्तं न तु ब्रह्मतया मुने । गुणप्रवाहोपरमस्तासां गुणधियां कथम्
rājovāca | kṛṣṇaṃ viduḥ paraṃ kāntaṃ na tu brahmatayā mune | guṇapravāhoparamastāsāṃ guṇadhiyāṃ katham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Parīkṣit Mahārāja said: O sage, the gopīs knew Kṛṣṇa only as their lover, not as the Supreme Absolute Truth. So how could these girls, their minds caught up in the waves of the modes of nature, free themselves from material attachment?
श्रीशुक उवाच । उक्तं पुरस्तादेतत्ते चैद्यः सिद्धिं यथा गतः । द्विषन्नपि हृषीकेशं किमुताधोक्षजप्रियाः
śrīśuka uvāca | uktaṃ purastādetatte caidyaḥ siddhiṃ yathā gataḥ | dviṣannapi hṛṣīkeśaṃ kimutādhokṣajapriyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: This point was explained to you previously. Since even Śiśupāla, who hated Kṛṣṇa, achieved perfection, then what to speak of the Lord’s dear devotees.
नृणां निःश्रेयसार्थाय व्यक्तिर्भगवतो नृप । अव्ययस्याप्रमेयस्य निर्गुणस्य गुणात्मनः
nṛṇāṃ niḥśreyasārthāya vyaktirbhagavato nṛpa | avyayasyāprameyasya nirguṇasya guṇātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, the Supreme Lord is inexhaustible and immeasurable, and He is untouched by the material modes because He is their controller. His personal appearance in this world is meant for bestowing the highest benefit on humanity.
कामं क्रोधं भयं स्नेहमैक्यं सौहृदमेव च । नित्यं हरौ विदधतो यान्ति तन्मयतां हि ते
kāmaṃ krodhaṃ bhayaṃ snehamaikyaṃ sauhṛdameva ca | nityaṃ harau vidadhato yānti tanmayatāṃ hi te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Persons who constantly direct their lust, anger, fear, protective affection, feeling of impersonal oneness or friendship toward Lord Hari are sure to become absorbed in thought of Him.
न चैवं विस्मयः कार्यो भवता भगवत्यजे । योगेश्वरेश्वरे कृष्णे यत एतद्विमुच्यते
na caivaṃ vismayaḥ kāryo bhavatā bhagavatyaje | yogeśvareśvare kṛṣṇe yata etadvimucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You should not be so astonished by Kṛṣṇa, the unborn master of all masters of mystic power, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. After all, it is the Lord who liberates this world.
ता दृष्ट्वान्तिकमायाता भगवान् व्रजयोषितः । अवदद्वदतां श्रेष्ठो वाचः पेशैर्विमोहयन्
tā dṛṣṭvāntikamāyātā bhagavān vrajayoṣitaḥ | avadadvadatāṃ śreṣṭho vācaḥ peśairvimohayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing that the girls of Vraja had arrived, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the best of speakers, greeted them with charming words that bewildered their minds.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । स्वागतं वो महाभागाः प्रियं किं करवाणि वः । व्रजस्यानामयं कच्चिद्ब्रूतागमनकारणम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | svāgataṃ vo mahābhāgāḥ priyaṃ kiṃ karavāṇi vaḥ | vrajasyānāmayaṃ kaccidbrūtāgamanakāraṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa said: O most fortunate ladies, welcome. What may I do to please you? Is everything well in Vraja? Please tell Me the reason for your coming here.
रजन्येषा घोररूपा घोरसत्त्वनिषेविता । प्रतियात व्रजं नेह स्थेयं स्त्रीभिः सुमध्यमाः
rajanyeṣā ghorarūpā ghorasattvaniṣevitā | pratiyāta vrajaṃ neha stheyaṃ strībhiḥ sumadhyamāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This night is quite frightening, and frightening creatures are lurking about. Return to Vraja, slender-waisted girls. This is not a proper place for women.
मातरः पितरः पुत्रा भ्रातरः पतयश्च वः । विचिन्वन्ति ह्यपश्यन्तो मा कृढ्वं बन्धुसाध्वसम्
mātaraḥ pitaraḥ putrā bhrātaraḥ patayaśca vaḥ | vicinvanti hyapaśyanto mā kṛḍhvaṃ bandhusādhvasam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Not finding you at home, your mothers, fathers, sons, brothers and husbands are certainly searching for you. Don’t cause anxiety for your family members.
अथ वा मदभिस्नेहाद्भवत्यो यन्त्रिताशयाः । आगता ह्युपपन्नं वः प्रीयन्ते मयि जन्तवः
atha vā madabhisnehādbhavatyo yantritāśayāḥ | āgatā hyupapannaṃ vaḥ prīyante mayi jantavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the other hand, perhaps you have come here out of your great love for Me, which has taken control of your hearts. This is of course quite commendable on your part, since all living entities possess natural affection for Me.
भर्तुः शुश्रूषणं स्त्रीणां परो धर्मो ह्यमायया । तद्बन्धूनां च कल्याण्यः प्रजानां चानुपोषणम्
bhartuḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṃ strīṇāṃ paro dharmo hyamāyayā | tadbandhūnāṃ ca kalyāṇyaḥ prajānāṃ cānupoṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The highest religious duty for a woman is to sincerely serve her husband, behave well toward her husband’s family and take good care of her children.
दुःशीलो दुर्भगो वृद्धो जडो रोग्यधनोऽपि वा । पतिः स्त्रीभिर्न हातव्यो लोकेप्सुभिरपातकी
duḥśīlo durbhago vṛddho jaḍo rogyadhano'pi vā | patiḥ strībhirna hātavyo lokepsubhirapātakī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Women who desire a good destination in the next life should never abandon a husband who has not fallen from his religious standards, even if he is obnoxious, unfortunate, old, unintelligent, sickly or poor.
अस्वर्ग्यमयशस्यं च फल्गु कृच्छ्रं भयावहम् । जुगुप्सितं च सर्वत्र औपपत्यं कुलस्त्रियाः
asvargyamayaśasyaṃ ca phalgu kṛcchraṃ bhayāvaham | jugupsitaṃ ca sarvatra aupapatyaṃ kulastriyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For a woman from a respectable family, petty adulterous affairs are always condemned. They bar her from heaven, ruin her reputation and bring her difficulty and fear.
श्रवणाद्दर्शनाद्ध्यानान्मयि भावोऽनुकीर्तनात् । न तथा सन्निकर्षेण प्रतियात ततो गृहान्
śravaṇāddarśanāddhyānānmayi bhāvo'nukīrtanāt | na tathā sannikarṣeṇa pratiyāta tato gṛhān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Transcendental love for Me arises by the devotional processes of hearing about Me, seeing My Deity form, meditating on Me and faithfully chanting My glories. The same result is not achieved by mere physical proximity. So please go back to your homes.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति विप्रियमाकर्ण्य गोप्यो गोविन्दभाषितम् । विषण्णा भग्नसङ्कल्पाश्चिन्तामापुर्दुरत्ययाम्
śrīśuka uvāca | iti vipriyamākarṇya gopyo govindabhāṣitam | viṣaṇṇā bhagnasaṅkalpāścintāmāpurduratyayām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing these unpleasant words spoken by Govinda, the gopīs became morose. Their great hopes were frustrated and they felt insurmountable anxiety.
कृत्वा मुखान्यव शुचः श्वसनेन शुष्य- द्बिम्बाधराणि चरणेन भुवं लिखन्त्यः । अस्रैरुपात्तमषिभिः कुचकुङ्कुमानि तस्थुर्मृजन्त्य उरुदुःखभराः स्म तूष्णीम्
kṛtvā mukhānyava śucaḥ śvasanena śuṣya- dbimbādharāṇi caraṇena bhuvaṃ likhantyaḥ | asrairupāttamaṣibhiḥ kucakuṅkumāni tasthurmṛjantya uruduḥkhabharāḥ sma tūṣṇīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their heads hanging down and their heavy, sorrowful breathing drying up their reddened lips, the gopīs scratched the ground with their toes. Tears flowed from their eyes, carrying their kajjala and washing away the vermilion smeared on their breasts. Thus they stood, silently bearing the burden of their unhappiness.
प्रेष्ठं प्रियेतरमिव प्रतिभाषमाणं कृष्णं तदर्थविनिवर्तितसर्वकामाः । नेत्रे विमृज्य रुदितोपहते स्म किञ्चित् संरम्भगद्गदगिरोऽब्रुवतानुरक्ताः
preṣṭhaṃ priyetaramiva pratibhāṣamāṇaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ tadarthavinivartitasarvakāmāḥ | netre vimṛjya ruditopahate sma kiñcit saṃrambhagadgadagiro'bruvatānuraktāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although Kṛṣṇa was their beloved, and although they had abandoned all other objects of desire for His sake, He had been speaking to them unfavorably. Nonetheless, they remained unflinching in their attachment to Him. Stopping their crying, they wiped their eyes and began to speak, their voices stammering with agitation.
गोप्य ऊचुः । मैवं विभोऽर्हति भवान् गदितुं नृशंसं सन्त्यज्य सर्वविषयांस्तवपादमूलम् । भक्ता भजस्व दुरवग्रह मा त्यजास्मान् देवो यथाऽऽदिपुरुषो भजते मुमुक्षून्
gopya ūcuḥ | maivaṃ vibho'rhati bhavān gadituṃ nṛśaṃsaṃ santyajya sarvaviṣayāṃstavapādamūlam | bhaktā bhajasva duravagraha mā tyajāsmān devo yathā''dipuruṣo bhajate mumukṣūn
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The beautiful gopīs said: O all-powerful one, You should not speak in this cruel way. Do not reject us, who have renounced all material enjoyment to render devotional service to Your lotus feet. Reciprocate with us, O stubborn one, just as the primeval Lord, Śrī Nārāyaṇa, reciprocates with His devotees in their endeavors for liberation.
यत्पत्यपत्यसुहृदामनुवृत्तिरङ्ग स्त्रीणां स्वधर्म इति धर्मविदा त्वयोक्तम् । अस्त्वेवमेतदुपदेशपदे त्वयीशे प्रेष्ठो भवांस्तनुभृतां किल बन्धुरात्मा
yatpatyapatyasuhṛdāmanuvṛttiraṅga strīṇāṃ svadharma iti dharmavidā tvayoktam | astvevametadupadeśapade tvayīśe preṣṭho bhavāṃstanubhṛtāṃ kila bandhurātmā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Our dear Kṛṣṇa, as an expert in religion You have advised us that the proper religious duty for women is to faithfully serve their husbands, children and other relatives. We agree that this principle is valid, but actually this service should be rendered to You. After all, O Lord, You are the dearmost friend of all embodied souls. You are their most intimate relative and indeed their very Self.
कुर्वन्ति हि त्वयि रतिं कुशलाः स्व आत्मन् नित्यप्रिये पतिसुतादिभिरार्तिदैः किम् । तन्नः प्रसीद परमेश्वर मा स्म छिन्द्या आशां धृतां त्वयि चिरादरविन्दनेत्र
kurvanti hi tvayi ratiṃ kuśalāḥ sva ātman nityapriye patisutādibhirārtidaiḥ kim | tannaḥ prasīda parameśvara mā sma chindyā āśāṃ dhṛtāṃ tvayi cirādaravindanetra
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Expert transcendentalists always direct their affection toward You because they recognize You as their true Self and eternal beloved. What use do we have for these husbands, children and relatives of ours, who simply give us trouble? Therefore, O supreme controller, grant us Your mercy. O lotus-eyed one, please do not cut down our long-cherished hope to have Your association.
चित्तं सुखेन भवतापहृतं गृहेषु यन्निर्विशत्युत करावपि गृह्यकृत्ये । पादौ पदं न चलतस्तव पादमूला- द्यामः कथं व्रजमथो करवाम किं वा
cittaṃ sukhena bhavatāpahṛtaṃ gṛheṣu yannirviśatyuta karāvapi gṛhyakṛtye | pādau padaṃ na calatastava pādamūlā- dyāmaḥ kathaṃ vrajamatho karavāma kiṃ vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Until today our minds were absorbed in household affairs, but You easily stole both our minds and our hands away from our housework. Now our feet won’t move one step from Your lotus feet. How can we go back to Vraja? What would we do there?
सिञ्चाङ्ग नस्त्वदधरामृतपूरकेण हासावलोककलगीतजहृच्छयाग्निम् । नो चेद्वयं विरहजाग्न्युपयुक्तदेहा ध्यानेन याम पदयोः पदवीं सखे ते
siñcāṅga nastvadadharāmṛtapūrakeṇa hāsāvalokakalagītajahṛcchayāgnim | no cedvayaṃ virahajāgnyupayuktadehā dhyānena yāma padayoḥ padavīṃ sakhe te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Kṛṣṇa, please pour the nectar of Your lips upon the fire within our hearts — a fire You ignited with Your smiling glances and the sweet song of Your flute. If You do not, we will consign our bodies to the fire of separation from You, O friend, and thus like yogīs attain to the abode of Your lotus feet by meditation.
यर्ह्यम्बुजाक्ष तव पादतलं रमाया दत्तक्षणं क्वचिदरण्यजनप्रियस्य । अस्प्राक्ष्म तत्प्रभृति नान्यसमक्षमङ्ग स्थातुं त्वयाभिरमिता बत पारयामः
yarhyambujākṣa tava pādatalaṃ ramāyā dattakṣaṇaṃ kvacidaraṇyajanapriyasya | asprākṣma tatprabhṛti nānyasamakṣamaṅga sthātuṃ tvayābhiramitā bata pārayāmaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O lotus-eyed one, the goddess of fortune considers it a festive occasion whenever she touches the soles of Your lotus feet. You are very dear to the residents of the forest, and therefore we will also touch those lotus feet. From that time on we will be unable even to stand in the presence of any other man, for we will have been fully satisfied by You.
श्रीर्यत्पदाम्बुजरजश्चकमे तुलस्या लब्ध्वापि वक्षसि पदं किल भृत्यजुष्टम् । यस्याः स्ववीक्षणकृतेऽन्यसुरप्रयासः तद्वद्वयं च तव पादरजः प्रपन्नाः
śrīryatpadāmbujarajaścakame tulasyā labdhvāpi vakṣasi padaṃ kila bhṛtyajuṣṭam | yasyāḥ svavīkṣaṇakṛte'nyasuraprayāsaḥ tadvadvayaṃ ca tava pādarajaḥ prapannāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Goddess Lakṣmī, whose glance is sought after by the demigods with great endeavor, has achieved the unique position of always remaining on the chest of her Lord, Nārāyaṇa. Still, she desires the dust of His lotus feet, even though she has to share that dust with Tulasī-devī and indeed with the Lord’s many other servants. Similarly, we have approached the dust of Your lotus feet for shelter.
तन्नः प्रसीद वृजिनार्दन तेऽङ्घ्रिमूलं प्राप्ता विसृज्य वसतीस्त्वदुपासनाशाः । त्वत्सुन्दरस्मितनिरीक्षणतीव्रकाम- तप्तात्मनां पुरुषभूषण देहि दास्यम्
tannaḥ prasīda vṛjinārdana te'ṅghrimūlaṃ prāptā visṛjya vasatīstvadupāsanāśāḥ | tvatsundarasmitanirīkṣaṇatīvrakāma- taptātmanāṃ puruṣabhūṣaṇa dehi dāsyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O vanquisher of all distress, please show us mercy. To approach Your lotus feet we abandoned our families and homes, and we have no desire other than to serve You. Our hearts are burning with intense desires generated by Your beautiful smiling glances. O jewel among men, please make us Your maidservants.
वीक्ष्यालकावृतमुखं तव कुण्डलश्री- गण्डस्थलाधरसुधं हसितावलोकम् । दत्ताभयं च भुजदण्डयुगं विलोक्य वक्षःश्रियैकरमणं च भवाम दास्यः
vīkṣyālakāvṛtamukhaṃ tava kuṇḍalaśrī- gaṇḍasthalādharasudhaṃ hasitāvalokam | dattābhayaṃ ca bhujadaṇḍayugaṃ vilokya vakṣaḥśriyaikaramaṇaṃ ca bhavāma dāsyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing Your face encircled by curling locks of hair, Your cheeks beautified by earrings, Your lips full of nectar, and Your smiling glance, and also seeing Your two imposing arms, which take away our fear, and Your chest, which is the only source of pleasure for the goddess of fortune, we must become Your maidservants.
का स्त्र्यङ्ग ते कलपदायतमूर्च्छितेन सम्मोहिताऽऽर्यचरितान्न चलेत्त्रिलोक्याम् । त्रैलोक्यसौभगमिदं च निरीक्ष्य रूपं यद्गोद्विजद्रुममृगाः पुलकान्यबिभ्रन्
kā stryaṅga te kalapadāyatamūrcchitena sammohitā''ryacaritānna calettrilokyām | trailokyasaubhagamidaṃ ca nirīkṣya rūpaṃ yadgodvijadrumamṛgāḥ pulakānyabibhran
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Kṛṣṇa, what woman in all the three worlds wouldn’t deviate from religious behavior when bewildered by the sweet, drawn-out melody of Your flute? Your beauty makes all three worlds auspicious. Indeed, even the cows, birds, trees and deer manifest the ecstatic symptom of bodily hair standing on end when they see Your beautiful form.
व्यक्तं भवान् व्रजभयार्तिहरोऽभिजातो देवो यथाऽऽदिपुरुषः सुरलोकगोप्ता । तन्नो निधेहि करपङ्कजमार्तबन्धो तप्तस्तनेषु च शिरःसु च किङ्करीणाम्
vyaktaṃ bhavān vrajabhayārtiharo'bhijāto devo yathā''dipuruṣaḥ suralokagoptā | tanno nidhehi karapaṅkajamārtabandho taptastaneṣu ca śiraḥsu ca kiṅkarīṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Clearly You have taken birth in this world to relieve the fear and distress of the people of Vraja, just as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the primeval Lord, protects the domain of the demigods. Therefore, O friend of the distressed, kindly place Your lotus hand on Your maidservants’ heads and burning breasts.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति विक्लवितं तासां श्रुत्वा योगेश्वरेश्वरः । प्रहस्य सदयं गोपीरात्मारामोऽप्यरीरमत्
śrīśuka uvāca | iti viklavitaṃ tāsāṃ śrutvā yogeśvareśvaraḥ | prahasya sadayaṃ gopīrātmārāmo'pyarīramat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Smiling upon hearing these despondent words from the gopīs, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the supreme master of all masters of mystic yoga, mercifully enjoyed with them, although He is self-satisfied.
ताभिः समेताभिरुदारचेष्टितः प्रियेक्षणोत्फुल्लमुखीभिरच्युतः । उदारहासद्विजकुन्ददीधति- र्व्यरोचतैणाङ्क इवोडुभिर्वृतः
tābhiḥ sametābhirudāraceṣṭitaḥ priyekṣaṇotphullamukhībhiracyutaḥ | udārahāsadvijakundadīdhati- rvyarocataiṇāṅka ivoḍubhirvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Among the assembled gopīs, the infallible Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared just like the moon surrounded by stars. He whose activities are so magnanimous made their faces blossom with His affectionate glances, and His broad smiles revealed the effulgence of His jasmine-bud-like teeth.
उपगीयमान उद्गायन् वनिताशतयूथपः । मालां बिभ्रद्वैजयन्तीं व्यचरन्मण्डयन् वनम्
upagīyamāna udgāyan vanitāśatayūthapaḥ | mālāṃ bibhradvaijayantīṃ vyacaranmaṇḍayan vanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the gopīs sang His praises, that leader of hundreds of women sang loudly in reply. He moved among them, wearing His Vaijayantī garland, beautifying the Vṛndāvana forest.
एवं भगवतः कृष्णाल्लब्धमाना महात्मनः । आत्मानं मेनिरे स्त्रीणां मानिन्योऽभ्यधिकं भुवि
evaṃ bhagavataḥ kṛṣṇāllabdhamānā mahātmanaḥ | ātmānaṃ menire strīṇāṃ māninyo'bhyadhikaṃ bhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs became proud of themselves for having received such special attention from Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and each of them thought herself the best woman on earth.
तासां तत्सौभगमदं वीक्ष्य मानं च केशवः । प्रशमाय प्रसादाय तत्रैवान्तरधीयत
tāsāṃ tatsaubhagamadaṃ vīkṣya mānaṃ ca keśavaḥ | praśamāya prasādāya tatraivāntaradhīyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Keśava, seeing the gopīs too proud of their good fortune, wanted to relieve them of this pride and show them further mercy. Thus He immediately disappeared.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अन्तर्हिते भगवति सहसैव व्रजाङ्गनाः । अतप्यंस्तमचक्षाणाः करिण्य इव यूथपम्
śrīśuka uvāca | antarhite bhagavati sahasaiva vrajāṅganāḥ | atapyaṃstamacakṣāṇāḥ kariṇya iva yūthapam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When Lord Kṛṣṇa disappeared so suddenly, the gopīs felt great sorrow at losing sight of Him, like a group of female elephants who have lost their mate.
गत्यानुरागस्मितविभ्रमेक्षितै- र्मनोरमालापविहारविभ्रमैः । आक्षिप्तचित्ताः प्रमदा रमापते- स्तास्ता विचेष्टा जगृहुस्तदात्मिकाः
gatyānurāgasmitavibhramekṣitai- rmanoramālāpavihāravibhramaiḥ | ākṣiptacittāḥ pramadā ramāpate- stāstā viceṣṭā jagṛhustadātmikāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the cowherd women remembered Lord Kṛṣṇa, their hearts were overwhelmed by His movements and loving smiles, His playful glances and enchanting talks, and by the many other pastimes He would enjoy with them. Thus absorbed in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of Ramā, the gopīs began acting out His various transcendental pastimes.
गतिस्मितप्रेक्षणभाषणादिषु प्रियाः प्रियस्य प्रतिरूढमूर्तयः । असावहं त्वित्यबलास्तदात्मिका न्यवेदिषुः कृष्णविहारविभ्रमाः
gatismitaprekṣaṇabhāṣaṇādiṣu priyāḥ priyasya pratirūḍhamūrtayaḥ | asāvahaṃ tvityabalāstadātmikā nyavediṣuḥ kṛṣṇavihāravibhramāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because the beloved gopīs were absorbed in thoughts of their beloved Kṛṣṇa, their bodies imitated His way of moving and smiling, His way of beholding them, His speech and His other distinctive features. Deeply immersed in thinking of Him and maddened by remembering His pastimes, they declared to one another, “I am Kṛṣṇa!”
गायन्त्य उच्चैरमुमेव संहता विचिक्युरुन्मत्तकवद्वनाद्वनम् । पप्रच्छुराकाशवदन्तरं बहि- र्भूतेषु सन्तं पुरुषं वनस्पतीन्
gāyantya uccairamumeva saṃhatā vicikyurunmattakavadvanādvanam | papracchurākāśavadantaraṃ bahi- rbhūteṣu santaṃ puruṣaṃ vanaspatīn
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Singing loudly of Kṛṣṇa, they searched for Him throughout the Vṛndāvana forest like a band of madwomen. They even asked the trees about Him, who as the Supersoul is present inside and outside of all created things, just like the sky.
दृष्टो वः कच्चिदश्वत्थ प्लक्ष न्यग्रोध नो मनः । नन्दसूनुर्गतो हृत्वा प्रेमहासावलोकनैः
dṛṣṭo vaḥ kaccidaśvattha plakṣa nyagrodha no manaḥ | nandasūnurgato hṛtvā premahāsāvalokanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The gopīs said:] O aśvattha tree, O plakṣa, O nyagrodha, have you seen Kṛṣṇa? That son of Nanda Mahārāja has gone away after stealing our minds with His loving smiles and glances.
कच्चित्कुरबकाशोकनागपुन्नागचम्पकाः । रामानुजो मानिनीनामितो दर्पहरस्मितः
kaccitkurabakāśokanāgapunnāgacampakāḥ | rāmānujo māninīnāmito darpaharasmitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O kurabaka tree, O aśoka, O nāga, punnāga and campaka, has Balarāma’s younger brother, whose smile removes the audacity of all proud women, passed this way?
कच्चित्तुलसि कल्याणि गोविन्दचरणप्रिये । सह त्वालिकुलैर्बिभ्रद्दृष्टस्तेऽतिप्रियोऽच्युतः
kaccittulasi kalyāṇi govindacaraṇapriye | saha tvālikulairbibhraddṛṣṭaste'tipriyo'cyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O most kind tulasī, to whom the feet of Govinda are so dear, have you seen that infallible one walk by, wearing you and encircled by swarms of bees?
मालत्यदर्शि वः कच्चिन्मल्लिके जाति यूथिके । प्रीतिं वो जनयन् यातः करस्पर्शेन माधवः
mālatyadarśi vaḥ kaccinmallike jāti yūthike | prītiṃ vo janayan yātaḥ karasparśena mādhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O mālati, O mallikā, O jāti and yūthikā, has Mādhava gone by here, giving you pleasure with the touch of His hand?
चूतप्रियालपनसासनकोविदार- जम्ब्वर्कबिल्वबकुलाम्रकदम्बनीपाः । येऽन्ये परार्थभवका यमुनोपकूलाः शंसन्तु कृष्णपदवीं रहितात्मनां नः
cūtapriyālapanasāsanakovidāra- jambvarkabilvabakulāmrakadambanīpāḥ | ye'nye parārthabhavakā yamunopakūlāḥ śaṃsantu kṛṣṇapadavīṃ rahitātmanāṃ naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O cūta, O priyāla, O panasa, āsana and kovidāra, O jambu, O arka, O bilva, bakula and āmra, O kadamba and nīpa and all you other plants and trees living by the banks of the Yamunā who have dedicated your very existence to the welfare of others, we gopīs have lost our minds, so please tell us where Kṛṣṇa has gone.
किं ते कृतं क्षिति तपो बत केशवाङ्घ्रि- स्पर्शोत्सवोत्पुलकिताङ्गरुहैर्विभासि । अप्यङ्घ्रिसम्भव उरुक्रमविक्रमाद्वा आहो वराहवपुषः परिरम्भणेन
kiṃ te kṛtaṃ kṣiti tapo bata keśavāṅghri- sparśotsavotpulakitāṅgaruhairvibhāsi | apyaṅghrisambhava urukramavikramādvā āho varāhavapuṣaḥ parirambhaṇena
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O mother earth, what austerity did you perform to attain the touch of Lord Keśava’s lotus feet, which has brought you such great joy that your bodily hairs are standing on end? You appear very beautiful in this condition. Was it during the Lord’s current appearance that you acquired this ecstatic symptom, or was it perhaps much earlier, when He stepped upon you in His form of the dwarf Vāmanadeva, or even earlier, when He embraced you in His form of the boar Varāhadeva?
अप्येणपत्न्युपगतः प्रिययेह गात्रै- स्तन्वन् दृशां सखि सुनिर्वृतिमच्युतो वः । कान्ताङ्गसङ्गकुचकुङ्कुमरञ्जितायाः कुन्दस्रजः कुलपतेरिह वाति गन्धः
apyeṇapatnyupagataḥ priyayeha gātrai- stanvan dṛśāṃ sakhi sunirvṛtimacyuto vaḥ | kāntāṅgasaṅgakucakuṅkumarañjitāyāḥ kundasrajaḥ kulapateriha vāti gandhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O friend, wife of the deer, has Lord Acyuta been here with His beloved, bringing great joy to your eyes? Indeed, blowing this way is the fragrance of His garland of kunda flowers, which was smeared with the kuṅkuma from the breasts of His girlfriend when He embraced Her.
बाहुं प्रियांस उपधाय गृहीतपद्मो रामानुजस्तुलसिकालिकुलैर्मदान्धैः । अन्वीयमान इह वस्तरवः प्रणामं किं वाभिनन्दति चरन् प्रणयावलोकैः
bāhuṃ priyāṃsa upadhāya gṛhītapadmo rāmānujastulasikālikulairmadāndhaiḥ | anvīyamāna iha vastaravaḥ praṇāmaṃ kiṃ vābhinandati caran praṇayāvalokaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O trees, we see that you are bowing down. When the younger brother of Rāma walked by here, followed by intoxicated bees swarming around the tulasī mañjarīs decorating His garland, did He acknowledge your obeisances with His affectionate glances? He must have been resting His arm on the shoulder of His beloved and carrying a lotus flower in His free hand.
पृच्छतेमा लता बाहूनप्याश्लिष्टा वनस्पतेः । नूनं तत्करजस्पृष्टा बिभ्रत्युत्पुलकान्यहो
pṛcchatemā latā bāhūnapyāśliṣṭā vanaspateḥ | nūnaṃ tatkarajaspṛṣṭā bibhratyutpulakānyaho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let us ask these creepers about Kṛṣṇa. Even though they are embracing the arms of their husband, this tree, they certainly must have been touched by Kṛṣṇa’s fingernails, since out of joy they are manifesting eruptions on their skin.
इत्युन्मत्तवचो गोप्यः कृष्णान्वेषणकातराः । लीला भगवतस्तास्ता ह्यनुचक्रुस्तदात्मिकाः
ityunmattavaco gopyaḥ kṛṣṇānveṣaṇakātarāḥ | līlā bhagavatastāstā hyanucakrustadātmikāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having spoken these words, the gopīs, distraught from searching for Kṛṣṇa, began to act out His various pastimes, fully absorbed in thoughts of Him.
कस्याश्चित्पूतनायन्त्याः कृष्णायन्त्यपिबत्स्तनम् । तोकायित्वा रुदत्यन्या पदाहन् शकटायतीम्
kasyāścitpūtanāyantyāḥ kṛṣṇāyantyapibatstanam | tokāyitvā rudatyanyā padāhan śakaṭāyatīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One gopī imitated Pūtanā, while another acted like infant Kṛṣṇa and pretended to suck her breast. Another gopī, crying in imitation of infant Kṛṣṇa, kicked a gopī who was taking the role of the cart demon, Śakaṭāsura.
दैत्यायित्वा जहारान्यामेका कृष्णार्भभावनाम् । रिङ्गयामास काप्यङ्घ्री कर्षन्ती घोषनिःस्वनैः
daityāyitvā jahārānyāmekā kṛṣṇārbhabhāvanām | riṅgayāmāsa kāpyaṅghrī karṣantī ghoṣaniḥsvanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One gopī took the role of Tṛṇāvarta and carried away another, who was acting like infant Kṛṣṇa, while yet another gopī crawled about, her ankle bells tinkling as she pulled her feet.
कृष्णरामायिते द्वे तु गोपायन्त्यश्च काश्चन । वत्सायतीं हन्ति चान्या तत्रैका तु बकायतीम्
kṛṣṇarāmāyite dve tu gopāyantyaśca kāścana | vatsāyatīṃ hanti cānyā tatraikā tu bakāyatīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Two gopīs acted like Rāma and Kṛṣṇa in the midst of several others, who took the role of cowherd boys. One gopī enacted Kṛṣṇa’s killing of the demon Vatsāsura, represented by another gopī, and a pair of gopīs acted out the killing of Bakāsura.
आहूय दूरगा यद्वत्कृष्णस्तमनुकुर्वतीम् । वेणुं क्वणन्तीं क्रीडन्तीमन्याः शंसन्ति साध्विति
āhūya dūragā yadvatkṛṣṇastamanukurvatīm | veṇuṃ kvaṇantīṃ krīḍantīmanyāḥ śaṃsanti sādhviti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When one gopī perfectly imitated how Kṛṣṇa would call the cows who had wandered far away, how He would play His flute and how He would engage in various sports, the others congratulated her with exclamations of “Well done! Well done!”
कस्याञ्चित्स्वभुजं न्यस्य चलन्त्याहापरा ननु । कृष्णोऽहं पश्यत गतिं ललितामिति तन्मनाः
kasyāñcitsvabhujaṃ nyasya calantyāhāparā nanu | kṛṣṇo'haṃ paśyata gatiṃ lalitāmiti tanmanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Another gopī, her mind fixed on Kṛṣṇa, walked about with her arm resting on the shoulder of a friend and declared, “I am Kṛṣṇa! Just see how gracefully I move!”
मा भैष्ट वातवर्षाभ्यां तत्त्राणं विहितं मया । इत्युक्त्वैकेन हस्तेन यतन्त्युन्निदधेऽम्बरम्
mā bhaiṣṭa vātavarṣābhyāṃ tattrāṇaṃ vihitaṃ mayā | ityuktvaikena hastena yatantyunnidadhe'mbaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Don’t be afraid of the wind and rain,” said one gopī. “I will save you.” And with that she lifted her shawl above her head.
आरुह्यैका पदाऽऽक्रम्य शिरस्याहापरां नृप । दुष्टाहे गच्छ जातोऽहं खलानां ननु दण्डधृक्
āruhyaikā padā''kramya śirasyāhāparāṃ nṛpa | duṣṭāhe gaccha jāto'haṃ khalānāṃ nanu daṇḍadhṛk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] O King, one gopī climbed on another’s shoulders and, putting her foot on the other’s head, said, “Go away from here, O wicked snake! You should know that I have taken birth in this world just to punish the envious.”
तत्रैकोवाच हे गोपा दावाग्निं पश्यतोल्बणम् । चक्षूंष्याश्वपिदध्वं वो विधास्ये क्षेममञ्जसा
tatraikovāca he gopā dāvāgniṃ paśyatolbaṇam | cakṣūṃṣyāśvapidadhvaṃ vo vidhāsye kṣemamañjasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then another gopī spoke up: My dear cowherd boys, look at this raging forest fire! Quickly close your eyes and I will easily protect you.
(बद्धान्यया स्रजा काचित्तन्वी तत्र उलूखले ।) बध्नामि भाण्डभेत्तारं हैयङ्गवमुषं त्विति । भीता सुदृक् पिधायास्यं भेजे भीतिविडम्बनम्
(baddhānyayā srajā kācittanvī tatra ulūkhale |) badhnāmi bhāṇḍabhettāraṃ haiyaṅgavamuṣaṃ tviti | bhītā sudṛk pidhāyāsyaṃ bheje bhītiviḍambanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One gopī tied up her slender companion with a flower garland and said, “Now I will bind this boy who has broken the butter pots and stolen the butter.” The second gopī then covered her face and beautiful eyes, pretending to be afraid.
एवं कृष्णं पृच्छमाना वृन्दावनलतास्तरून् । व्यचक्षत वनोद्देशे पदानि परमात्मनः
evaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ pṛcchamānā vṛndāvanalatāstarūn | vyacakṣata vanoddeśe padāni paramātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the gopīs were thus imitating Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes and asking Vṛndāvana’s creepers and trees where Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul, might be, they happened to see His footprints in a corner of the forest.
पदानि व्यक्तमेतानि नन्दसूनोर्महात्मनः । लक्ष्यन्ते हि ध्वजाम्भोजवज्राङ्कुशयवादिभिः
padāni vyaktametāni nandasūnormahātmanaḥ | lakṣyante hi dhvajāmbhojavajrāṅkuśayavādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The gopīs said:] The marks of a flag, lotus, thunderbolt, elephant goad, barleycorn and so forth on these footprints clearly distinguish them as belonging to that great soul, the son of Nanda Mahārāja.
तैस्तैः पदैस्तत्पदवीमन्विच्छन्त्योऽग्रतोऽबलाः । वध्वाः पदैः सुपृक्तानि विलोक्यार्ताः समब्रुवन्
taistaiḥ padaistatpadavīmanvicchantyo'grato'balāḥ | vadhvāḥ padaiḥ supṛktāni vilokyārtāḥ samabruvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs began following Kṛṣṇa’s path, as shown by His many footprints, but when they saw that these prints were thoroughly intermixed with those of His dearmost consort, they became perturbed and spoke as follows.
कस्याः पदानि चैतानि याताया नन्दसूनुना । अंसन्यस्तप्रकोष्ठायाः करेणोः करिणा यथा
kasyāḥ padāni caitāni yātāyā nandasūnunā | aṃsanyastaprakoṣṭhāyāḥ kareṇoḥ kariṇā yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The gopīs said:] Here we see the footprints of some gopī who must have been walking along with the son of Nanda Mahārāja. He must have put His arm on Her shoulder, just as an elephant rests His trunk on the shoulder of an accompanying she-elephant.
अनयाऽऽराधितो नूनं भगवान् हरिरीश्वरः । यन्नो विहाय गोविन्दः प्रीतो यामनयद्रहः
anayā''rādhito nūnaṃ bhagavān harirīśvaraḥ | yanno vihāya govindaḥ prīto yāmanayadrahaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Certainly this particular gopī has perfectly worshiped the all-powerful Personality of Godhead, Govinda, since He was so pleased with Her that He abandoned the rest of us and brought Her to a secluded place.
धन्या अहो अमी आल्यो गोविन्दाङ्घ्र्यब्जरेणवः । यान् ब्रह्मेशौ रमादेवी दधुर्मूर्ध्न्यघनुत्तये
dhanyā aho amī ālyo govindāṅghryabjareṇavaḥ | yān brahmeśau ramādevī dadhurmūrdhnyaghanuttaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O girls! The dust of Govinda’s lotus feet is so sacred that even Brahmā, Śiva and the goddess Ramā take that dust upon their heads to dispel sinful reactions.
तस्या अमूनि नः क्षोभं कुर्वन्त्युच्चैः पदानि यत् । यैकापहृत्य गोपीनां रहो भुङ्क्तेऽच्युताधरम्
tasyā amūni naḥ kṣobhaṃ kurvantyuccaiḥ padāni yat | yaikāpahṛtya gopīnāṃ raho bhuṅkte'cyutādharam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These footprints of that special gopī greatly disturb us. Of all the gopīs, She alone was taken away to a secluded place, where She is enjoying the lips of Kṛṣṇa. Look, we can’t see Her footprints over here! It’s obvious that the grass and sprouts were hurting the tender soles of Her feet, and so the lover lifted up His beloved.
न लक्ष्यन्ते पदान्यत्र तस्या नूनं तृणाङ्कुरैः । खिद्यत्सुजाताङ्घ्रितलामुन्निन्ये प्रेयसीं प्रियः
na lakṣyante padānyatra tasyā nūnaṃ tṛṇāṅkuraiḥ | khidyatsujātāṅghritalāmunninye preyasīṃ priyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please observe, my dear gopīs, how in this place lusty Kṛṣṇa’s footprints are pressed more deeply into the ground. Carrying the weight of His beloved must have been difficult for Him. And over here that intelligent boy must have put Her down to gather some flowers.
इमान्यधिकमग्नानि पदानि वहतो वधूम् । गोप्यः पश्यत कृष्णस्य भाराक्रान्तस्य कामिनः
imānyadhikamagnāni padāni vahato vadhūm | gopyaḥ paśyata kṛṣṇasya bhārākrāntasya kāminaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just see how in this place dear Kṛṣṇa collected flowers for His beloved. Here He has left the impression of only the front part of His feet because He was standing on His toes to reach the flowers.
अत्रावरोपिता कान्ता पुष्पहेतोर्महात्मना । अत्र प्रसूनावचयः प्रियार्थे प्रेयसा कृतः । प्रपदाक्रमणे एते पश्यतासकले पदे
atrāvaropitā kāntā puṣpahetormahātmanā | atra prasūnāvacayaḥ priyārthe preyasā kṛtaḥ | prapadākramaṇe ete paśyatāsakale pade
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Certainly Kṛṣṇa sat down here with His girlfriend to arrange Her hair. The lusty boy must have made a crown for that lusty girl out of the flowers He had collected.
केशप्रसाधनं त्वत्र कामिन्याः कामिना कृतम् । तानि चूडयता कान्तामुपविष्टमिह ध्रुवम्
keśaprasādhanaṃ tvatra kāminyāḥ kāminā kṛtam | tāni cūḍayatā kāntāmupaviṣṭamiha dhruvam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoyed with that gopī, although He enjoys only within, being self-satisfied and complete in Himself. Thus by contrast He showed the wretchedness of ordinary lusty men and hardhearted women.
सा च मेने तदाऽऽत्मानं वरिष्ठं सर्वयोषिताम् । हित्वा गोपीः कामयाना मामसौ भजते प्रियः
sā ca mene tadā''tmānaṃ variṣṭhaṃ sarvayoṣitām | hitvā gopīḥ kāmayānā māmasau bhajate priyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the two lovers passed through one part of the Vṛndāvana forest, the special gopī began feeling proud of Herself. She told Lord Keśava, “I cannot walk any further. Please carry Me wherever You want to go.”
ततो गत्वा वनोद्देशं दृप्ता केशवमब्रवीत् । न पारयेऽहं चलितुं नय मां यत्र ते मनः
tato gatvā vanoddeśaṃ dṛptā keśavamabravīt | na pāraye'haṃ calituṃ naya māṃ yatra te manaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus addressed, Lord Kṛṣṇa replied, “Just climb on My shoulder.” But as soon as He said this, He disappeared. His beloved consort then immediately felt great remorse.
एवमुक्तः प्रियामाह स्कन्ध आरुह्यतामिति । ततश्चान्तर्दधे कृष्णः सा वधूरन्वतप्यत
evamuktaḥ priyāmāha skandha āruhyatāmiti | tataścāntardadhe kṛṣṇaḥ sā vadhūranvatapyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
She cried out: O master! My lover! O dearmost, where are You? Where are You? Please, O mighty-armed one, O friend, show Yourself to Me, Your poor servant!
हा नाथ रमण प्रेष्ठ क्वासि क्वासि महाभुज । दास्यास्ते कृपणाया मे सखे दर्शय सन्निधिम्
hā nātha ramaṇa preṣṭha kvāsi kvāsi mahābhuja | dāsyāste kṛpaṇāyā me sakhe darśaya sannidhim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: While continuing to search out Kṛṣṇa’s path, the gopīs discovered their unhappy friend close by. She was bewildered by separation from Her lover.
अन्विच्छन्त्यो भगवतो मार्गं गोप्योऽविदूरितः । ददृशुः प्रियविश्लेषमोहितां दुःखितां सखीम्
anvicchantyo bhagavato mārgaṃ gopyo'vidūritaḥ | dadṛśuḥ priyaviśleṣamohitāṃ duḥkhitāṃ sakhīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
She told them how Mādhava had given Her much respect, but how She then suffered dishonor because of Her misbehavior. The gopīs were extremely amazed to hear this.
तया कथितमाकर्ण्य मानप्राप्तिं च माधवात् । अवमानं च दौरात्म्याद्विस्मयं परमं ययुः
tayā kathitamākarṇya mānaprāptiṃ ca mādhavāt | avamānaṃ ca daurātmyādvismayaṃ paramaṃ yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In search of Kṛṣṇa, the gopīs then entered the depths of the forest as far as the light of the moon shone. But when they found themselves engulfed in darkness, they decided to turn back.
ततोऽविशन् वनं चन्द्रज्योत्स्ना यावद्विभाव्यते । तमः प्रविष्टमालक्ष्य ततो निववृतुः स्त्रियः
tato'viśan vanaṃ candrajyotsnā yāvadvibhāvyate | tamaḥ praviṣṭamālakṣya tato nivavṛtuḥ striyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their minds absorbed in thoughts of Him, they conversed about Him, acted out His pastimes and felt themselves filled with His presence. They completely forgot about their homes as they loudly sang the glories of Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental qualities.
तन्मनस्कास्तदालापास्तद्विचेष्टास्तदात्मिकाः । तद्गुणानेव गायन्त्यो नात्मागाराणि सस्मरुः
tanmanaskāstadālāpāstadviceṣṭāstadātmikāḥ | tadguṇāneva gāyantyo nātmāgārāṇi sasmaruḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs again came to the bank of the Kālindī. Meditating on Kṛṣṇa and eagerly hoping He would come, they sat down together to sing of Him.
गोप्य ऊचुः । जयति तेऽधिकं जन्मना व्रजः श्रयत इन्दिरा शश्वदत्र हि । दयित दृश्यतां दिक्षु तावका- स्त्वयि धृतासवस्त्वां विचिन्वते
gopya ūcuḥ | jayati te'dhikaṃ janmanā vrajaḥ śrayata indirā śaśvadatra hi | dayita dṛśyatāṃ dikṣu tāvakā- stvayi dhṛtāsavastvāṃ vicinvate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs said: O beloved, Your birth in the land of Vraja has made it exceedingly glorious, and thus Indirā, the goddess of fortune, always resides here. It is only for Your sake that we, Your devoted servants, maintain our lives. We have been searching everywhere for You, so please show Yourself to us.
शरदुदाशये साधुजातस- त्सरसिजोदर श्रीमुषा दृशा । सुरतनाथ तेऽशुल्कदासिका वरद निघ्नतो नेह किं वधः
śaradudāśaye sādhujātasa- tsarasijodara śrīmuṣā dṛśā | suratanātha te'śulkadāsikā varada nighnato neha kiṃ vadhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord of love, in beauty Your glance excels the whorl of the finest, most perfectly formed lotus within the autumn pond. O bestower of benedictions, You are killing the maidservants who have given themselves to You freely, without any price. Isn’t this murder?
विषजलाप्ययाद्व्यालराक्षसा- द्वर्षमारुताद्वैद्युतानलात् । वृषमयात्मजाद्विश्वतोभया- दृषभ ते वयं रक्षिता मुहुः
viṣajalāpyayādvyālarākṣasā- dvarṣamārutādvaidyutānalāt | vṛṣamayātmajādviśvatobhayā- dṛṣabha te vayaṃ rakṣitā muhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O greatest of personalities, You have repeatedly saved us from all kinds of danger — from poisoned water, from the terrible man-eater Agha, from the great rains, from the wind demon, from the fiery thunderbolt of Indra, from the bull demon and from the son of Maya Dānava.
न खलु गोपिकानन्दनो भवा- नखिलदेहिनामन्तरात्मदृक् । विखनसार्थितो विश्वगुप्तये सख उदेयिवान् सात्वतां कुले
na khalu gopikānandano bhavā- nakhiladehināmantarātmadṛk | vikhanasārthito viśvaguptaye sakha udeyivān sātvatāṃ kule
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are not actually the son of the gopī Yaśodā, O friend, but rather the indwelling witness in the hearts of all embodied souls. Because Lord Brahmā prayed for You to come and protect the universe, You have now appeared in the Sātvata dynasty.
विरचिताभयं वृष्णिधुर्य ते चरणमीयुषां संसृतेर्भयात् । करसरोरुहं कान्त कामदं शिरसि धेहि नः श्रीकरग्रहम्
viracitābhayaṃ vṛṣṇidhurya te caraṇamīyuṣāṃ saṃsṛterbhayāt | karasaroruhaṃ kānta kāmadaṃ śirasi dhehi naḥ śrīkaragraham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of the Vṛṣṇis, Your lotuslike hand, which holds the hand of the goddess of fortune, grants fearlessness to those who approach Your feet out of fear of material existence. O lover, please place that wish-fulfilling lotus hand on our heads.
व्रजजनार्तिहन् वीरयोषितां निजजनस्मयध्वंसनस्मित । भज सखे भवत्किङ्करीः स्म नो जलरुहाननं चारु दर्शय
vrajajanārtihan vīrayoṣitāṃ nijajanasmayadhvaṃsanasmita | bhaja sakhe bhavatkiṅkarīḥ sma no jalaruhānanaṃ cāru darśaya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O You who destroy the suffering of Vraja’s people, O hero of all women, Your smile shatters the false pride of Your devotees. Please, dear friend, accept us as Your maidservants and show us Your beautiful lotus face.
प्रणतदेहिनां पापकर्शनं तृणचरानुगं श्रीनिकेतनम् । फणिफणार्पितं ते पदाम्बुजं कृणु कुचेषु नः कृन्धि हृच्छयम्
praṇatadehināṃ pāpakarśanaṃ tṛṇacarānugaṃ śrīniketanam | phaṇiphaṇārpitaṃ te padāmbujaṃ kṛṇu kuceṣu naḥ kṛndhi hṛcchayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your lotus feet destroy the past sins of all embodied souls who surrender to them. Those feet follow after the cows in the pastures and are the eternal abode of the goddess of fortune. Since You once put those feet on the hoods of the great serpent Kāliya, please place them upon our breasts and tear away the lust in our hearts.
मधुरया गिरा वल्गुवाक्यया बुधमनोज्ञया पुष्करेक्षण । विधिकरीरिमा वीर मुह्यती- रधरसीधुनाऽऽप्याययस्व नः
madhurayā girā valguvākyayā budhamanojñayā puṣkarekṣaṇa | vidhikarīrimā vīra muhyatī- radharasīdhunā''pyāyayasva naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O lotus-eyed one, Your sweet voice and charming words, which attract the minds of the intelligent, are bewildering us more and more. Our dear hero, please revive Your maidservants with the nectar of Your lips.
तव कथामृतं तप्तजीवनं कविभिरीडितं कल्मषापहम् । श्रवणमङ्गलं श्रीमदाततं भुविगृणन्ति ते भूरिदा जनाः
tava kathāmṛtaṃ taptajīvanaṃ kavibhirīḍitaṃ kalmaṣāpaham | śravaṇamaṅgalaṃ śrīmadātataṃ bhuvigṛṇanti te bhūridā janāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The nectar of Your words and the descriptions of Your activities are the life and soul of those suffering in this material world. These narrations, transmitted by learned sages, eradicate one’s sinful reactions and bestow good fortune upon whoever hears them. These narrations are broadcast all over the world and are filled with spiritual power. Certainly those who spread the message of Godhead are most munificent.
प्रहसितं प्रियप्रेमवीक्षणं विहरणं च ते ध्यानमङ्गलम् । रहसि संविदो या हृदिस्पृशः कुहक नो मनः क्षोभयन्ति हि
prahasitaṃ priyapremavīkṣaṇaṃ viharaṇaṃ ca te dhyānamaṅgalam | rahasi saṃvido yā hṛdispṛśaḥ kuhaka no manaḥ kṣobhayanti hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your smiles, Your sweet, loving glances, the intimate pastimes and confidential talks we enjoyed with You — all these are auspicious to meditate upon, and they touch our hearts. But at the same time, O deceiver, they very much agitate our minds.
चलसि यद्व्रजाच्चारयन् पशून् नलिनसुन्दरं नाथ ते पदम् । शिलतृणाङ्कुरैः सीदतीति नः कलिलतां मनः कान्त गच्छति
calasi yadvrajāccārayan paśūn nalinasundaraṃ nātha te padam | śilatṛṇāṅkuraiḥ sīdatīti naḥ kalilatāṃ manaḥ kānta gacchati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear master, dear lover, when You leave the cowherd village to herd the cows, our minds are disturbed with the thought that Your feet, more beautiful than a lotus, will be pricked by the spiked husks of grain and the rough grass and plants.
दिनपरिक्षये नीलकुन्तलै- र्वनरुहाननं बिभ्रदावृतम् । घनरजस्वलं दर्शयन् मुहु- र्मनसि नः स्मरं वीर यच्छसि
dinaparikṣaye nīlakuntalai- rvanaruhānanaṃ bibhradāvṛtam | ghanarajasvalaṃ darśayan muhu- rmanasi naḥ smaraṃ vīra yacchasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the end of the day You repeatedly show us Your lotus face, covered with dark blue locks of hair and thickly powdered with dust. Thus, O hero, You arouse lusty desires in our minds.
प्रणतकामदं पद्मजार्चितं धरणिमण्डनं ध्येयमापदि । चरणपङ्कजं शन्तमं च ते रमण नः स्तनेष्वर्पयाधिहन्
praṇatakāmadaṃ padmajārcitaṃ dharaṇimaṇḍanaṃ dhyeyamāpadi | caraṇapaṅkajaṃ śantamaṃ ca te ramaṇa naḥ staneṣvarpayādhihan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your lotus feet, which are worshiped by Lord Brahmā, fulfill the desires of all who bow down to them. They are the ornament of the earth, they give the highest satisfaction, and in times of danger they are the appropriate object of meditation. O lover, O destroyer of anxiety, please put those lotus feet upon our breasts.
सुरतवर्धनं शोकनाशनं स्वरितवेणुना सुष्ठु चुम्बितम् । इतरराग-विस्मारणं नृणां वितर वीर नस्तेऽधरामृतम्
suratavardhanaṃ śokanāśanaṃ svaritaveṇunā suṣṭhu cumbitam | itararāga-vismāraṇaṃ nṛṇāṃ vitara vīra naste'dharāmṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O hero, kindly distribute to us the nectar of Your lips, which enhances conjugal pleasure and vanquishes grief. That nectar is thoroughly relished by Your vibrating flute and makes people forget any other attachment.
अटति यद्भवानह्नि काननं त्रुटिर्युगायते त्वामपश्यताम् । कुटिलकुन्तलं श्रीमुखं च ते जड उदीक्षतां पक्ष्मकृद्दृशाम्
aṭati yadbhavānahni kānanaṃ truṭiryugāyate tvāmapaśyatām | kuṭilakuntalaṃ śrīmukhaṃ ca te jaḍa udīkṣatāṃ pakṣmakṛddṛśām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When You go off to the forest during the day, a tiny fraction of a second becomes like a millennium for us because we cannot see You. And even when we can eagerly look upon Your beautiful face, so lovely with its adornment of curly locks, our pleasure is hindered by our eyelids, which were fashioned by the foolish creator.
पतिसुतान्वयभ्रातृबान्धवा- नतिविलङ्घ्य तेऽन्त्यच्युतागताः । गतिविदस्तवोद्गीतमोहिताः कितव योषितः कस्त्यजेन्निशि
patisutānvayabhrātṛbāndhavā- nativilaṅghya te'ntyacyutāgatāḥ | gatividastavodgītamohitāḥ kitava yoṣitaḥ kastyajenniśi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Acyuta, You know very well why we have come here. Who but a cheater like You would abandon young women who come to see Him in the middle of the night, enchanted by the loud song of His flute? Just to see You, we have completely rejected our husbands, children, ancestors, brothers and other relatives.
रहसि संविदं हृच्छयोदयं प्रहसिताननं प्रेमवीक्षणम् । बृहदुरः श्रियो वीक्ष्य धाम ते मुहुरति स्पृहा मुह्यते मनः
rahasi saṃvidaṃ hṛcchayodayaṃ prahasitānanaṃ premavīkṣaṇam | bṛhaduraḥ śriyo vīkṣya dhāma te muhurati spṛhā muhyate manaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Our minds are repeatedly bewildered as we think of the intimate conversations we had with You in secret, feel the rise of lust in our hearts and remember Your smiling face, Your loving glances and Your broad chest, the resting place of the goddess of fortune. Thus we experience the most severe hankering for You.
व्रजवनौकसां व्यक्तिरङ्ग ते वृजिनहन्त्र्यलं विश्वमङ्गलम् । त्यज मनाक् च नस्त्वत्स्पृहात्मनां स्वजनहृद्रुजां यन्निषूदनम्
vrajavanaukasāṃ vyaktiraṅga te vṛjinahantryalaṃ viśvamaṅgalam | tyaja manāk ca nastvatspṛhātmanāṃ svajanahṛdrujāṃ yanniṣūdanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O beloved, Your all-auspicious appearance vanquishes the distress of those living in Vraja’s forests. Our minds long for Your association. Please give to us just a bit of that medicine, which counteracts the disease in Your devotees’ hearts.
यत्ते सुजात चरणाम्बुरुहं स्तनेषु भीताः शनैः प्रिय दधीमहि कर्कशेषु । तेनाटवीमटसि तद्व्यथते न किंस्वित् कूर्पादिभिर्भ्रमति धीर्भवदायुषां नः
yatte sujāta caraṇāmburuhaṃ staneṣu bhītāḥ śanaiḥ priya dadhīmahi karkaśeṣu | tenāṭavīmaṭasi tadvyathate na kiṃsvit kūrpādibhirbhramati dhīrbhavadāyuṣāṃ naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O dearly beloved! Your lotus feet are so soft that we place them gently on our breasts, fearing that Your feet will be hurt. Our life rests only in You. Our minds, therefore, are filled with anxiety that Your tender feet might be wounded by pebbles as You roam about on the forest path.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति गोप्यः प्रगायन्त्यः प्रलपन्त्यश्च चित्रधा । रुरुदुः सुस्वरं राजन् कृष्णदर्शनलालसाः
śrīśuka uvāca | iti gopyaḥ pragāyantyaḥ pralapantyaśca citradhā | ruruduḥ susvaraṃ rājan kṛṣṇadarśanalālasāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, having thus sung and spoken their hearts out in various charming ways, the gopīs began to weep loudly. They were very eager to see Lord Kṛṣṇa.
तासामाविरभूच्छौरिः स्मयमानमुखाम्बुजः । पीताम्बरधरः स्रग्वी साक्षान्मन्मथमन्मथः
tāsāmāvirabhūcchauriḥ smayamānamukhāmbujaḥ | pītāmbaradharaḥ sragvī sākṣānmanmathamanmathaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Lord Kṛṣṇa, a smile on His lotus face, appeared before the gopīs. Wearing a garland and a yellow garment, He directly appeared as one who can bewilder the mind of Cupid, who himself bewilders the minds of ordinary people.
तं विलोक्यागतं प्रेष्ठं प्रीत्युत्फुल्लदृशोऽबलाः । उत्तस्थुर्युगपत्सर्वास्तन्वः प्राणमिवागतम्
taṃ vilokyāgataṃ preṣṭhaṃ prītyutphulladṛśo'balāḥ | uttasthuryugapatsarvāstanvaḥ prāṇamivāgatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the gopīs saw that their dearmost Kṛṣṇa had returned to them, they all stood up at once, and out of their affection for Him their eyes bloomed wide. It was as if the air of life had reentered their bodies.
काचित्कराम्बुजं शौरेर्जगृहेऽञ्जलिना मुदा । काचिद्दधार तद्बाहुमंसे चन्दनरूषितम्
kācitkarāmbujaṃ śaurerjagṛhe'ñjalinā mudā | kāciddadhāra tadbāhumaṃse candanarūṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One gopī joyfully took Kṛṣṇa’s hand between her folded palms, and another placed His arm, anointed with sandalwood paste, on her shoulder.
काचिदञ्जलिनागृह्णात्तन्वी ताम्बूलचर्वितम् । एका तदङ्घ्रिकमलं सन्तप्ता स्तनयोरधात्
kācidañjalināgṛhṇāttanvī tāmbūlacarvitam | ekā tadaṅghrikamalaṃ santaptā stanayoradhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A slender gopī respectfully took in her joined hands the betel nut He had chewed, and another gopī, burning with desire, put His lotus feet on her breasts.
एका भ्रुकुटिमाबध्य प्रेमसंरम्भविह्वला । घ्नन्तीवैक्षत्कटाक्षेपैः सन्दष्टदशनच्छदा
ekā bhrukuṭimābadhya premasaṃrambhavihvalā | ghnantīvaikṣatkaṭākṣepaiḥ sandaṣṭadaśanacchadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One gopī, beside herself with loving anger, bit her lips and stared at Him with frowning eyebrows, as if to wound Him with her harsh glances.
अपरानिमिषद्दृग्भ्यां जुषाणा तन्मुखाम्बुजम् । आपीतमपि नातृप्यत्सन्तस्तच्चरणं यथा
aparānimiṣaddṛgbhyāṃ juṣāṇā tanmukhāmbujam | āpītamapi nātṛpyatsantastaccaraṇaṃ yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Another gopī looked with unblinking eyes upon His lotus face, but even after deeply relishing its sweetness She did not feel satiated, just as mystic saints are never satiated when meditating upon the Lord’s feet.
तं काचिन्नेत्ररन्ध्रेण हृदिकृत्य निमील्य च । पुलकाङ्ग्युपगुह्यास्ते योगीवानन्दसम्प्लुता
taṃ kācinnetrarandhreṇa hṛdikṛtya nimīlya ca | pulakāṅgyupaguhyāste yogīvānandasamplutā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One gopī took the Lord through the aperture of her eyes and placed Him within her heart. Then, with her eyes closed and her bodily hairs standing on end, she continuously embraced Him within. Thus immersed in transcendental ecstasy, she resembled a yogī meditating upon the Lord.
सर्वास्ताः केशवालोकपरमोत्सवनिर्वृताः । जहुर्विरहजं तापं प्राज्ञं प्राप्य यथा जनाः
sarvāstāḥ keśavālokaparamotsavanirvṛtāḥ | jahurvirahajaṃ tāpaṃ prājñaṃ prāpya yathā janāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the gopīs enjoyed the greatest festivity when they saw their beloved Keśava again. They gave up the distress of separation, just as people in general forget their misery when they gain the association of a spiritually enlightened person.
ताभिर्विधूतशोकाभिर्भगवानच्युतो वृतः । व्यरोचताधिकं तात पुरुषः शक्तिभिर्यथा
tābhirvidhūtaśokābhirbhagavānacyuto vṛtaḥ | vyarocatādhikaṃ tāta puruṣaḥ śaktibhiryathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Encircled by the gopīs, who were now relieved of all distress, Lord Acyuta, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, shone forth splendidly. My dear King, Kṛṣṇa thus appeared like the Supersoul encircled by His spiritual potencies.
तद्दर्शनाह्लादविधूतहृद्रुजो मनोरथान्तं श्रुतयो यथा ययुः । स्वैरुत्तरीयैः कुचकुङ्कुमाङ्कितै- रचीकॢपन्नासनमात्मबन्धवे
taddarśanāhlādavidhūtahṛdrujo manorathāntaṃ śrutayo yathā yayuḥ | svairuttarīyaiḥ kucakuṅkumāṅkitai- racīkḷpannāsanamātmabandhave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their heartache vanquished by the ecstasy of seeing Kṛṣṇa, the gopīs, like the personified Vedas before them, felt their desires completely fulfilled. For their dear friend Kṛṣṇa they arranged a seat with their shawls which were smeared with the kuṅkuma powder from their breasts.
तत्रोपविष्टो भगवान् स ईश्वरो योगेश्वरान्तर्हृदि कल्पितासनः । चकास गोपीपरिषद्गतोऽर्चित- स्त्रैलोक्यलक्ष्म्येकपदं वपुर्दधत्
tatropaviṣṭo bhagavān sa īśvaro yogeśvarāntarhṛdi kalpitāsanaḥ | cakāsa gopīpariṣadgato'rcita- strailokyalakṣmyekapadaṃ vapurdadhat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for whom the great masters of mystic meditation arrange a seat within their hearts, took His seat in the assembly of gopīs. His transcendental body, the exclusive abode of beauty and opulence within the three worlds, shone brilliantly as the gopīs worshiped Him.
सभाजयित्वा तमनङ्गदीपनं सहासलीलेक्षणविभ्रमभ्रुवा । संस्पर्शनेनाङ्ककृताङ्घ्रिहस्तयोः संस्तुत्य ईषत्कुपिता बभाषिरे
sabhājayitvā tamanaṅgadīpanaṃ sahāsalīlekṣaṇavibhramabhruvā | saṃsparśanenāṅkakṛtāṅghrihastayoḥ saṃstutya īṣatkupitā babhāṣire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Kṛṣṇa had awakened romantic desires within the gopīs, and they honored Him by glancing at Him with playful smiles, gesturing amorously with their eyebrows, and massaging His hands and feet as they held them in their laps. Even while worshiping Him, however, they felt somewhat angry, and thus they addressed Him as follows.
गोप्य ऊचुः । भजतोऽनुभजन्त्येक एक एतद्विपर्ययम् । नोभयांश्च भजन्त्येक एतन्नो ब्रूहि साधु भोः
gopya ūcuḥ | bhajato'nubhajantyeka eka etadviparyayam | nobhayāṃśca bhajantyeka etanno brūhi sādhu bhoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs said: Some people reciprocate the affection only of those who are affectionate toward them, while others show affection even to those who are indifferent or inimical. And yet others will not show affection toward anyone. Dear Kṛṣṇa, please properly explain this matter to us.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । मिथो भजन्ति ये सख्यः स्वार्थैकान्तोद्यमा हि ते । न तत्र सौहृदं धर्मः स्वार्थार्थं तद्धि नान्यथा
śrībhagavānuvāca | mitho bhajanti ye sakhyaḥ svārthaikāntodyamā hi te | na tatra sauhṛdaṃ dharmaḥ svārthārthaṃ taddhi nānyathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: So-called friends who show affection for each other only to benefit themselves are actually selfish. They have no true friendship, nor are they following the true principles of religion. Indeed, if they did not expect benefit for themselves, they would not reciprocate.
SB 10.32.18
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear slender-waisted gopīs, some people are genuinely merciful or, like parents, naturally affectionate. Such persons, who devotedly serve even those who fail to reciprocate with them, are following the true, faultless path of religion, and they are true well-wishers.
भजतोऽपि न वै केचिद्भजन्त्यभजतः कुतः । आत्मारामा ह्याप्तकामा अकृतज्ञा गुरुद्रुहः
bhajato'pi na vai kecidbhajantyabhajataḥ kutaḥ | ātmārāmā hyāptakāmā akṛtajñā gurudruhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then there are those individuals who are spiritually self-satisfied, materially fulfilled or by nature ungrateful or simply envious of superiors. Such persons will not love even those who love them, what to speak of those who are inimical.
नाहं तु सख्यो भजतोऽपि जन्तून् भजाम्यमीषामनुवृत्तिवृत्तये । यथाधनो लब्धधने विनष्टे तच्चिन्तयान्यन्निभृतो न वेद
nāhaṃ tu sakhyo bhajato'pi jantūn bhajāmyamīṣāmanuvṛttivṛttaye | yathādhano labdhadhane vinaṣṭe taccintayānyannibhṛto na veda
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But the reason I do not immediately reciprocate the affection of living beings even when they worship Me, O gopīs, is that I want to intensify their loving devotion. They then become like a poor man who has gained some wealth and then lost it, and who thus becomes so anxious about it that he can think of nothing else.
एवं मदर्थोज्झितलोकवेद- स्वानां हि वो मय्यनुवृत्तयेऽबलाः । मया परोक्षं भजता तिरोहितं मासूयितुं मार्हथ तत्प्रियं प्रियाः
evaṃ madarthojjhitalokaveda- svānāṃ hi vo mayyanuvṛttaye'balāḥ | mayā parokṣaṃ bhajatā tirohitaṃ māsūyituṃ mārhatha tatpriyaṃ priyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear girls, understanding that simply for My sake you had rejected the authority of worldly opinion, of the Vedas and of your relatives, I acted as I did only to increase your attachment to Me. Even when I removed Myself from your sight by suddenly disappearing, I never stopped loving you. Therefore, My beloved gopīs, please do not harbor any bad feelings toward Me, your beloved.
न पारयेऽहं निरवद्यसंयुजां स्वसाधुकृत्यं विबुधायुषापि वः । या माभजन् दुर्जरगेहशृङ्खलाः संवृश्च्य तद्वः प्रतियातु साधुना
na pāraye'haṃ niravadyasaṃyujāṃ svasādhukṛtyaṃ vibudhāyuṣāpi vaḥ | yā mābhajan durjaragehaśṛṅkhalāḥ saṃvṛścya tadvaḥ pratiyātu sādhunā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am not able to repay My debt for your spotless service, even within a lifetime of Brahmā. Your connection with Me is beyond reproach. You have worshiped Me, cutting off all domestic ties, which are difficult to break. Therefore please let your own glorious deeds be your compensation.
SB 10.33.1
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When the cowherd girls heard the Supreme Personality of Godhead speak these most charming words, they forgot their distress caused by separation from Him. Touching His transcendental limbs, they felt all their desires fulfilled.
SB 10.33.2
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There on the Yamunā’s banks Lord Govinda then began the pastime of the rāsa dance in the company of those jewels among women, the faithful gopīs, who joyfully linked their arms together.
SB 10.33.3
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The festive rāsa dance commenced, with the gopīs arrayed in a circle. Lord Kṛṣṇa expanded Himself and entered between each pair of gopīs, and as that master of mystic power placed His arms around their necks, each girl thought He was standing next to her alone. The demigods and their wives were overwhelmed with eagerness to witness the rāsa dance, and they soon crowded the sky with their hundreds of celestial airplanes.
SB 10.33.4
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kettledrums then resounded in the sky while flowers rained down and the chief Gandharvas and their wives sang Lord Kṛṣṇa’s spotless glories.
SB 10.33.5
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A tumultuous sound arose from the armlets, ankle bells and waist bells of the gopīs as they sported with their beloved Kṛṣṇa in the circle of the rāsa dance.
SB 10.33.6
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the midst of the dancing gopīs, Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared most brilliant, like an exquisite sapphire in the midst of golden ornaments.
SB 10.33.7
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the gopīs sang in praise of Kṛṣṇa, their feet danced, their hands gestured, and their eyebrows moved with playful smiles. With their braids and belts tied tight, their waists bending, their faces perspiring, the garments on their breasts moving this way and that, and their earrings swinging on their cheeks, Lord Kṛṣṇa’s young consorts shone like streaks of lightning in a mass of clouds.
SB 10.33.8
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Eager to enjoy conjugal love, their throats colored with various pigments, the gopīs sang loudly and danced. They were overjoyed by Kṛṣṇa’s touch, and they sang songs that filled the entire universe.
SB 10.33.9
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One gopī, joining Lord Mukunda in His singing, sang pure melodious tones that rose harmoniously above His. Kṛṣṇa was pleased and showed great appreciation for her performance, saying “Excellent! Excellent!” Then another gopī repeated the same melody, but in a special metrical pattern, and Kṛṣṇa praised her also.
SB 10.33.10
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When one gopī grew tired from the rāsa dance, She turned to Kṛṣṇa, standing at Her side holding a baton, and grasped His shoulder with Her arm. The dancing had loosened Her bracelets and the flowers in Her hair.
SB 10.33.11
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon the shoulder of one gopī Kṛṣṇa placed His arm, whose natural blue-lotus fragrance was mixed with that of the sandalwood pulp anointing it. As the gopī relished that fragrance, her bodily hair stood on end in jubilation, and she kissed His arm.
SB 10.33.12
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Next to Kṛṣṇa’s cheek one gopī put her own, beautified by the effulgence of her earrings, which glittered as she danced. Kṛṣṇa then carefully gave her the betel nut He was chewing.
SB 10.33.13
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Another gopī became fatigued as she danced and sang, the bells on her ankles and waist tinkling. So she placed upon her breasts the comforting lotus hand of Lord Acyuta, who was standing by her side.
SB 10.33.14
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having attained as their intimate lover Lord Acyuta, the exclusive consort of the goddess of fortune, the gopīs enjoyed great pleasure. They sang His glories as He held their necks with His arms.
SB 10.33.15
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Enhancing the beauty of the gopīs ’ faces were the lotus flowers behind their ears, the locks of hair decorating their cheeks, and drops of perspiration. The reverberation of their armlets and ankle bells made a loud musical sound, and their chaplets scattered. Thus the gopīs danced with the Supreme Lord in the arena of the rāsa dance as swarms of bees sang in accompaniment.
SB 10.33.16
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way Lord Kṛṣṇa, the original Lord Nārāyaṇa, master of the goddess of fortune, took pleasure in the company of the young women of Vraja by embracing them, caressing them and glancing lovingly at them as He smiled His broad, playful smiles. It was just as if a child were playing with his own reflection.
SB 10.33.17
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their senses overwhelmed by the joy of having His physical association, the gopīs could not prevent their hair, their dresses and the cloths covering their breasts from becoming disheveled. Their garlands and ornaments scattered, O hero of the Kuru dynasty.
SB 10.33.18
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wives of the demigods, observing Kṛṣṇa’s playful activities from their airplanes, were entranced and became agitated with lust. Indeed, even the moon and his entourage, the stars, became astonished.
SB 10.33.19
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Expanding Himself as many times as there were cowherd women to associate with, the Supreme Lord, though self-satisfied, playfully enjoyed their company.
SB 10.33.20
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing that the gopīs were fatigued from conjugal enjoyment, my dear King, merciful Kṛṣṇa lovingly wiped their faces with His comforting hand.
SB 10.33.21
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs honored their hero with smiling glances sweetened by the beauty of their cheeks and the effulgence of their curly locks and glittering golden earrings. Overjoyed from the touch of His fingernails, they chanted the glories of His all-auspicious transcendental pastimes.
SB 10.33.22
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s garland had been crushed during His conjugal dalliance with the gopīs and colored vermilion by the kuṅkuma powder on their breasts. To dispel the fatigue of the gopīs, Kṛṣṇa entered the water of the Yamunā, followed swiftly by bees who were singing like the best of the Gandharvas. He appeared like a lordly elephant entering the water to relax in the company of his consorts. Indeed, the Lord had transgressed all worldly and Vedic morality just as a powerful elephant might break the dikes in a paddy field.
SB 10.33.23
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, in the water Kṛṣṇa found Himself being splashed on all sides by the laughing gopīs, who looked at Him with love. As the demigods worshiped Him by showering flowers from their airplanes, the self-satisfied Lord took pleasure in playing like the king of the elephants.
SB 10.33.24
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the Lord strolled through a small forest on the bank of the Yamunā. This forest was filled to its limits with breezes carrying the fragrances of all the flowers growing on the land and in the water. Followed by His entourage of bees and beautiful women, Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared like an intoxicated elephant with his she-elephants.
SB 10.33.25
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the gopīs were firmly attached to Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose desires are always fulfilled, the Lord was not internally affected by any mundane sex desire. Still, to perform His pastimes the Lord took advantage of all those moonlit autumn nights, which inspire poetic descriptions of transcendental affairs.
SB 10.33.28
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O faithful upholder of vows, please destroy our doubt by explaining to us what purpose the self-satisfied Lord of the Yadus had in mind when He behaved so contemptibly.
SB 10.33.29
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The status of powerful controllers is not harmed by any apparently audacious transgression of morality we may see in them, for they are just like fire, which devours everything fed into it and remains unpolluted.
SB 10.33.30
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who is not a great controller should never imitate the behavior of ruling personalities, even mentally. If out of foolishness an ordinary person does imitate such behavior, he will simply destroy himself, just as a person who is not Rudra would destroy himself if he tried to drink an ocean of poison.
SB 10.33.31
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The statements of the Lord’s empowered servants are always true, and the acts they perform are exemplary when consistent with those statements. Therefore one who is intelligent should carry out their instructions.
SB 10.33.32
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Prabhu, when these great persons who are free from false ego act piously in this world, they have no selfish motives to fulfill, and even when they act in apparent contradiction to the laws of piety, they are not subject to sinful reactions.
SB 10.33.33
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How, then, could the Lord of all created beings — animals, men and demigods — have any connection with the piety and impiety that affect His subject creatures?
SB 10.33.34
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Material activities never entangle the devotees of the Supreme Lord, who are fully satisfied by serving the dust of His lotus feet. Nor do material activities entangle those intelligent sages who have freed themselves from the bondage of all fruitive reactions by the power of yoga. So how could there be any question of bondage for the Lord Himself, who assumes His transcendental forms according to His own sweet will?
SB 10.33.35
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He who lives as the overseeing witness within the gopīs and their husbands, and indeed within all embodied living beings, assumes forms in this world to enjoy transcendental pastimes.
SB 10.33.36
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Lord assumes a humanlike body to show mercy to His devotees, He engages in such pastimes as will attract those who hear about them to become dedicated to Him.
SB 10.33.37
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd men, bewildered by Kṛṣṇa’s illusory potency, thought their wives had remained home at their sides. Thus they did not harbor any jealous feelings against Him.
SB 10.33.38
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After an entire night of Brahmā had passed, Lord Kṛṣṇa advised the gopīs to return to their homes. Although they did not wish to do so, the Lord’s beloved consorts complied with His command.
SB 10.33.39
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Anyone who faithfully hears or describes the Lord’s playful affairs with the young gopīs of Vṛndāvana will attain the Lord’s pure devotional service. Thus he will quickly become sober and conquer lust, the disease of the heart.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एकदा देवयात्रायां गोपाला जातकौतुकाः । अनोभिरनडुद्युक्तैः प्रययुस्तेऽम्बिकावनम्
śrīśuka uvāca | ekadā devayātrāyāṃ gopālā jātakautukāḥ | anobhiranaḍudyuktaiḥ prayayuste'mbikāvanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: One day the cowherd men, eager to take a trip to worship Lord Śiva, traveled by bullock carts to the Ambikā forest.
तत्र स्नात्वा सरस्वत्यां देवं पशुपतिं विभुम् । आनर्चुरर्हणैर्भक्त्या देवीं च नृपतेऽम्बिकाम्
tatra snātvā sarasvatyāṃ devaṃ paśupatiṃ vibhum | ānarcurarhaṇairbhaktyā devīṃ ca nṛpate'mbikām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, after arriving there, they bathed in the Sarasvatī and then devotedly worshiped with various paraphernalia the powerful Lord Paśupati and his consort, goddess Ambikā.
गावो हिरण्यं वासांसि मधु मध्वन्नमादृताः । ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददुः सर्वे देवो नः प्रीयतामिति
gāvo hiraṇyaṃ vāsāṃsi madhu madhvannamādṛtāḥ | brāhmaṇebhyo daduḥ sarve devo naḥ prīyatāmiti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The cowherd men gave the brāhmaṇas gifts of cows, gold, clothing and cooked grains mixed with honey. Then the cowherds prayed, “May the lord be pleased with us.”
ऊषुः सरस्वतीतीरे जलं प्राश्य धृतव्रताः । रजनीं तां महाभागा नन्दसुनन्दकादयः
ūṣuḥ sarasvatītīre jalaṃ prāśya dhṛtavratāḥ | rajanīṃ tāṃ mahābhāgā nandasunandakādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda, Sunanda and the other greatly fortunate cowherds spent that night on the bank of the Sarasvatī, strictly observing their vows. They fasted, taking only water.
कश्चिन्महानहिस्तस्मिन् विपिनेऽतिबुभुक्षितः । यदृच्छयाऽऽगतो नन्दं शयानमुरगोऽग्रसीत्
kaścinmahānahistasmin vipine'tibubhukṣitaḥ | yadṛcchayā''gato nandaṃ śayānamurago'grasīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
During the night a huge and extremely hungry snake appeared in that thicket. Slithering on his belly up to the sleeping Nanda Mahārāja, the snake began swallowing him.
स चुक्रोशाहिना ग्रस्तः कृष्ण कृष्ण महानयम् । सर्पो मां ग्रसते तात प्रपन्नं परिमोचय
sa cukrośāhinā grastaḥ kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahānayam | sarpo māṃ grasate tāta prapannaṃ parimocaya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the clutches of the snake, Nanda Mahārāja cried out, “Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, my dear boy! This huge serpent is swallowing me! Please save me, who am surrendered to You!”
तस्य चाक्रन्दितं श्रुत्वा गोपालाः सहसोत्थिताः । ग्रस्तं च दृष्ट्वा विभ्रान्ताः सर्पं विव्यधुरुल्मुकैः
tasya cākranditaṃ śrutvā gopālāḥ sahasotthitāḥ | grastaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā vibhrāntāḥ sarpaṃ vivyadhurulmukaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the cowherd men heard the cries of Nanda, they immediately rose up and saw that he was being swallowed. Distraught, they beat the serpent with blazing torches.
अलातैर्दह्यमानोऽपि नामुञ्चत्तमुरङ्गमः । तमस्पृशत्पदाभ्येत्य भगवान् सात्वतां पतिः
alātairdahyamāno'pi nāmuñcattamuraṅgamaḥ | tamaspṛśatpadābhyetya bhagavān sātvatāṃ patiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But even though the firebrands were burning him, the serpent would not release Nanda Mahārāja. Then the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, master of His devotees, came to the spot and touched the snake with His foot.
स वै भगवतः श्रीमत्पादस्पर्शहताशुभः । भेजे सर्पवपुर्हित्वा रूपं विद्याधरार्चितम्
sa vai bhagavataḥ śrīmatpādasparśahatāśubhaḥ | bheje sarpavapurhitvā rūpaṃ vidyādharārcitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The snake had all his sinful reactions destroyed by the touch of the Supreme Lord’s divine foot, and thus he gave up his serpent body and appeared in the form of a worshipable Vidyādhara.
तमपृच्छद्धृषीकेशः प्रणतं समुपस्थितम् । दीप्यमानेन वपुषा पुरुषं हेममालिनम्
tamapṛcchaddhṛṣīkeśaḥ praṇataṃ samupasthitam | dīpyamānena vapuṣā puruṣaṃ hemamālinam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord Hṛṣīkeśa then questioned this personality, who was standing before Him with his head bowed, his brilliantly effulgent body bedecked with golden necklaces.
को भवान् परया लक्ष्म्या रोचतेऽद्भुतदर्शनः । कथं जुगुप्सितामेतां गतिं वा प्रापितोऽवशः
ko bhavān parayā lakṣmyā rocate'dbhutadarśanaḥ | kathaṃ jugupsitāmetāṃ gatiṃ vā prāpito'vaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] My dear sir, you appear so wonderful, glowing with such great beauty. Who are you? And who forced you to assume this terrible body of a snake?
शापो मेऽनुग्रहायैव कृतस्तैः करुणात्मभिः । यदहं लोकगुरुणा पदा स्पृष्टो हताशुभः
śāpo me'nugrahāyaiva kṛtastaiḥ karuṇātmabhiḥ | yadahaṃ lokaguruṇā padā spṛṣṭo hatāśubhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was actually for my benefit that those merciful sages cursed me, since now I have been touched by the foot of the supreme spiritual master of all the worlds and have thus been relieved of all inauspiciousness.
तं त्वाहं भवभीतानां प्रपन्नानां भयापहम् । आपृच्छे शापनिर्मुक्तः पादस्पर्शादमीवहन्
taṃ tvāhaṃ bhavabhītānāṃ prapannānāṃ bhayāpaham | āpṛcche śāpanirmuktaḥ pādasparśādamīvahan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, You destroy all fear for those who, fearing this material world, take shelter of You. By the touch of Your feet I am now freed from the curse of the sages. O destroyer of distress, please let me return to my planet.
प्रपन्नोऽस्मि महायोगिन् महापुरुष सत्पते । अनुजानीहि मां देव सर्वलोकेश्वरेश्वर
prapanno'smi mahāyogin mahāpuruṣa satpate | anujānīhi māṃ deva sarvalokeśvareśvara
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O master of mystic power, O great personality, O Lord of the devotees, I surrender to You. Please command me as You will, O supreme God, Lord of all lords of the universe.
ब्रह्मदण्डाद्विमुक्तोऽहं सद्यस्तेऽच्युत दर्शनात् । यन्नाम गृह्णन्नखिलान् श्रोतॄनात्मानमेव च । सद्यः पुनाति किं भूयस्तस्य स्पृष्टः पदा हि ते
brahmadaṇḍādvimukto'haṃ sadyaste'cyuta darśanāt | yannāma gṛhṇannakhilān śrotṝnātmānameva ca | sadyaḥ punāti kiṃ bhūyastasya spṛṣṭaḥ padā hi te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O infallible one, I was immediately freed from the brāhmaṇas’ punishment simply by seeing You. Anyone who chants Your name purifies all who hear his chanting, as well as himself. How much more beneficial, then, is the touch of Your lotus feet?
इत्यनुज्ञाप्य दाशार्हं परिक्रम्याभिवन्द्य च । सुदर्शनो दिवं यातः कृच्छ्रान्नन्दश्च मोचितः
ityanujñāpya dāśārhaṃ parikramyābhivandya ca | sudarśano divaṃ yātaḥ kṛcchrānnandaśca mocitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus receiving the permission of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the demigod Sudarśana circumambulated Him, bowed down to offer Him homage and then returned to his heavenly planet. Nanda Mahārāja was thus delivered from peril.
निशाम्य कृष्णस्य तदात्मवैभवं व्रजौकसो विस्मितचेतसस्ततः । समाप्य तस्मिन्नियमं पुनर्व्रजं नृपाययुस्तत्कथयन्त आदृताः
niśāmya kṛṣṇasya tadātmavaibhavaṃ vrajaukaso vismitacetasastataḥ | samāpya tasminniyamaṃ punarvrajaṃ nṛpāyayustatkathayanta ādṛtāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The inhabitants of Vraja were astonished to see the mighty power of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Dear King, they then completed their worship of Lord Śiva and returned to Vraja, along the way respectfully describing Kṛṣṇa’s powerful acts.
कदाचिदथ गोविन्दो रामश्चाद्भुतविक्रमः । विजह्रतुर्वने रात्र्यां मध्यगौ व्रजयोषिताम्
kadācidatha govindo rāmaścādbhutavikramaḥ | vijahraturvane rātryāṃ madhyagau vrajayoṣitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once Lord Govinda and Lord Rāma, the performers of wonderful feats, were playing in the forest at night with the young girls of Vraja.
उपगीयमानौ ललितं स्त्रीजनैर्बद्धसौहृदैः । स्वलङ्कृतानुलिप्ताङ्गौ स्रग्विणौ विरजोऽम्बरौ
upagīyamānau lalitaṃ strījanairbaddhasauhṛdaiḥ | svalaṅkṛtānuliptāṅgau sragviṇau virajo'mbarau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma wore flower garlands and spotless garments, and Their limbs were beautifully decorated and anointed. The women sang Their glories in a charming way, bound to Them by affection.
निशामुखं मानयन्तावुदितोडुपतारकम् । मल्लिकागन्धमत्तालिजुष्टं कुमुदवायुना
niśāmukhaṃ mānayantāvuditoḍupatārakam | mallikāgandhamattālijuṣṭaṃ kumudavāyunā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The two Lords praised the nightfall, signaled by the rising of the moon and the appearance of stars, a lotus-scented breeze and bees intoxicated by the fragrance of jasmine flowers.
जगतुः सर्वभूतानां मनःश्रवणमङ्गलम् । तौ कल्पयन्तौ युगपत्स्वरमण्डलमूर्च्छितम्
jagatuḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ manaḥśravaṇamaṅgalam | tau kalpayantau yugapatsvaramaṇḍalamūrcchitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma sang, producing the entire range of musical sounds simultaneously. Their singing brought happiness to the ears and minds of all living beings.
गोप्यस्तद्गीतमाकर्ण्य मूर्च्छिता नाविदन् नृप । स्रंसद्दुकूलमात्मानं स्रस्तकेशस्रजं ततः
gopyastadgītamākarṇya mūrcchitā nāvidan nṛpa | sraṃsaddukūlamātmānaṃ srastakeśasrajaṃ tataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs became stunned when they heard that song. Forgetting themselves, O King, they did not notice that their fine garments were becoming loose and their hair and garlands disheveled.
एवं विक्रीडतोः स्वैरं गायतोः सम्प्रमत्तवत् । शङ्खचूड इति ख्यातो धनदानुचरोऽभ्यगात्
evaṃ vikrīḍatoḥ svairaṃ gāyatoḥ sampramattavat | śaṅkhacūḍa iti khyāto dhanadānucaro'bhyagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma thus played according to Their own sweet will and sang to the point of apparent intoxication, a servant of Kuvera named Śaṅkhacūḍa came upon the scene.
तयोर्निरीक्षतो राजंस्तन्नाथं प्रमदाजनम् । क्रोशन्तं कालयामास दिश्युदीच्यामशङ्कितः
tayornirīkṣato rājaṃstannāthaṃ pramadājanam | krośantaṃ kālayāmāsa diśyudīcyāmaśaṅkitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, even as the two Lords looked on, Śaṅkhacūḍa brazenly began driving the women off toward the north. The women, who had accepted Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma as their Lords, began to cry out to Them.
क्रोशन्तं कृष्ण रामेति विलोक्य स्वपरिग्रहम् । यथा गा दस्युना ग्रस्ता भ्रातरावन्वधावताम्
krośantaṃ kṛṣṇa rāmeti vilokya svaparigraham | yathā gā dasyunā grastā bhrātarāvanvadhāvatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing Their devotees crying out “Kṛṣṇa! Rāma!” and seeing that they were just like cows being stolen by a thief, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma began to run after the demon.
मा भैष्टेत्यभयारावौ शालहस्तौ तरस्विनौ । आसेदतुस्तं तरसा त्वरितं गुह्यकाधमम्
mā bhaiṣṭetyabhayārāvau śālahastau tarasvinau | āsedatustaṃ tarasā tvaritaṃ guhyakādhamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lords called out in reply, “Do not fear!” Then They picked up logs of the śala tree and quickly pursued that lowest of Guhyakas, who swiftly ran away.
स वीक्ष्य तावनुप्राप्तौ कालमृत्यू इवोद्विजन् । विसृज्य स्त्रीजनं मूढः प्राद्रवज्जीवितेच्छया
sa vīkṣya tāvanuprāptau kālamṛtyū ivodvijan | visṛjya strījanaṃ mūḍhaḥ prādravajjīvitecchayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Śaṅkhacūḍa saw the two of Them coming toward him like the personified forces of Time and Death, he was filled with anxiety. Confused, he abandoned the women and fled for his life.
तमन्वधावद्गोविन्दो यत्र यत्र स धावति । जिहीर्षुस्तच्छिरोरत्नं तस्थौ रक्षन् स्त्रियो बलः
tamanvadhāvadgovindo yatra yatra sa dhāvati | jihīrṣustacchiroratnaṃ tasthau rakṣan striyo balaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Govinda chased the demon wherever he ran, eager to take his crest jewel. Meanwhile Lord Balarāma stayed with the women to protect them.
अविदूर इवाभ्येत्य शिरस्तस्य दुरात्मनः । जहार मुष्टिनैवाङ्ग सहचूडामणिं विभुः
avidūra ivābhyetya śirastasya durātmanaḥ | jahāra muṣṭinaivāṅga sahacūḍāmaṇiṃ vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The mighty Lord overtook Śaṅkhacūḍa from a great distance as if from nearby, my dear King, and then with His fist the Lord removed the wicked demon’s head, together with his crest jewel.
शङ्खचूडं निहत्यैवं मणिमादाय भास्वरम् । अग्रजायाददात्प्रीत्या पश्यन्तीनां च योषिताम्
śaṅkhacūḍaṃ nihatyaivaṃ maṇimādāya bhāsvaram | agrajāyādadātprītyā paśyantīnāṃ ca yoṣitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus killed the demon Śaṅkhacūḍa and taken away his shining jewel, Lord Kṛṣṇa gave it to His elder brother with great satisfaction as the gopīs watched.
श्रीशुक उवाच । गोप्यः कृष्णे वनं याते तमनुद्रुतचेतसः । कृष्णलीलाः प्रगायन्त्यो निन्युर्दुःखेन वासरान्
śrīśuka uvāca | gopyaḥ kṛṣṇe vanaṃ yāte tamanudrutacetasaḥ | kṛṣṇalīlāḥ pragāyantyo ninyurduḥkhena vāsarān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Whenever Kṛṣṇa went to the forest, the minds of the gopīs would run after Him, and thus the young girls sadly spent their days singing of His pastimes.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं व्रजस्त्रियो राजन् कृष्णलीला नु गायतीः । रेमिरेऽहःसु तच्चित्तास्तन्मनस्का महोदयाः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ vrajastriyo rājan kṛṣṇalīlā nu gāyatīḥ | remire'haḥsu taccittāstanmanaskā mahodayāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, thus during the daytime the women of Vṛndāvana took pleasure in continuously singing about the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, and those ladies’ minds and hearts, absorbed in Him, were filled with great festivity.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथ तर्ह्यागतो गोष्ठमरिष्टो वृषभासुरः । महीं महाककुत्कायः कम्पयन् खुरविक्षताम्
śrīśuka uvāca | atha tarhyāgato goṣṭhamariṣṭo vṛṣabhāsuraḥ | mahīṃ mahākakutkāyaḥ kampayan khuravikṣatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Goswāmī said: The demon Ariṣṭa then came to the cowherd village. Appearing in the form of a bull with a large hump, he made the earth tremble as he tore it apart with his hooves.
रम्भमाणः खरतरं पदा च विलिखन् महीम् । उद्यम्य पुच्छं वप्राणि विषाणाग्रेण चोद्धरन्
rambhamāṇaḥ kharataraṃ padā ca vilikhan mahīm | udyamya pucchaṃ vaprāṇi viṣāṇāgreṇa coddharan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ariṣṭāsura bellowed very harshly and pawed the ground. With his tail raised and his eyes glaring, he began to tear up the embankments with the tips of his horns, every now and then passing a little stool and urine.
तं तीक्ष्णशृङ्गमुद्वीक्ष्य गोप्यो गोपाश्च तत्रसुः । पशवो दुद्रुवुर्भीता राजन् सन्त्यज्य गोकुलम्
taṃ tīkṣṇaśṛṅgamudvīkṣya gopyo gopāśca tatrasuḥ | paśavo dudruvurbhītā rājan santyajya gokulam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The domestic animals fled the pasture in fear, O King, and all the inhabitants rushed to Lord Govinda for shelter, crying, “Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa!”
कृष्ण कृष्णेति ते सर्वे गोविन्दं शरणं ययुः । भगवानपि तद्वीक्ष्य गोकुलं भयविद्रुतम्
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇeti te sarve govindaṃ śaraṇaṃ yayuḥ | bhagavānapi tadvīkṣya gokulaṃ bhayavidrutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Supreme Lord saw the cowherd community distraught and fleeing in fear, He calmed them, saying, “Don’t be afraid.” Then He called out to the bull demon as follows.
मा भैष्टेति गिराऽऽश्वास्य वृषासुरमुपाह्वयत् । गोपालैः पशुभिर्मन्द त्रासितैः किमसत्तम
mā bhaiṣṭeti girā''śvāsya vṛṣāsuramupāhvayat | gopālaiḥ paśubhirmanda trāsitaiḥ kimasattama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You fool! What do you think you’re doing, you wicked rascal, frightening the cowherd community and their animals when I am here just to punish corrupt miscreants like you!
बलदर्पहा दुष्टानां त्वद्विधानां दुरात्मनाम् । इत्यास्फोट्याच्युतोऽरिष्टं तलशब्देन कोपयन्
baladarpahā duṣṭānāṃ tvadvidhānāṃ durātmanām | ityāsphoṭyācyuto'riṣṭaṃ talaśabdena kopayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having spoken these words, the infallible Lord Hari slapped His arms with His palms, further angering Ariṣṭa with the loud sound. The Lord then casually threw His mighty, serpentine arm over the shoulder of a friend and stood facing the demon.
सख्युरंसे भुजाभोगं प्रसार्यावस्थितो हरिः । सोऽप्येवं कोपितोऽरिष्टः खुरेणावनिमुल्लिखन् । उद्यत्पुच्छभ्रमन्मेघः क्रुद्धः कृष्णमुपाद्रवत्
sakhyuraṃse bhujābhogaṃ prasāryāvasthito hariḥ | so'pyevaṃ kopito'riṣṭaḥ khureṇāvanimullikhan | udyatpucchabhramanmeghaḥ kruddhaḥ kṛṣṇamupādravat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus provoked, Ariṣṭa pawed the ground with one of his hooves and then, with the clouds hovering around his upraised tail, furiously charged Kṛṣṇa.
अग्रन्यस्तविषाणाग्रः स्तब्धासृग्लोचनोऽच्युतम् । कटाक्षिप्याद्रवत्तूर्णमिन्द्रमुक्तोऽशनिर्यथा
agranyastaviṣāṇāgraḥ stabdhāsṛglocano'cyutam | kaṭākṣipyādravattūrṇamindramukto'śaniryathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pointing the tips of his horns straight ahead and glaring menacingly at Lord Kṛṣṇa from the corners of his bloodshot eyes, Ariṣṭa rushed toward Him at full speed, like a thunderbolt hurled by Indra.
गृहीत्वा शृङ्गयोस्तं वा अष्टादश पदानि सः । प्रत्यपोवाह भगवान् गजः प्रतिगजं यथा
gṛhītvā śṛṅgayostaṃ vā aṣṭādaśa padāni saḥ | pratyapovāha bhagavān gajaḥ pratigajaṃ yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa seized Ariṣṭāsura by the horns and threw him back eighteen steps, just as an elephant might do when fighting a rival elephant.
सोऽपविद्धो भगवता पुनरुत्थाय सत्वरः । आपतत्स्विन्नसर्वाङ्गो निःश्वसन् क्रोधमूर्च्छितः
so'paviddho bhagavatā punarutthāya satvaraḥ | āpatatsvinnasarvāṅgo niḥśvasan krodhamūrcchitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus repulsed by the Supreme Lord, the bull demon got up and, breathing hard and sweating all over his body, again charged Him in a mindless rage.
तमापतन्तं स निगृह्य शृङ्गयोः पदा समाक्रम्य निपात्य भूतले । निष्पीडयामास यथाऽऽर्द्रमम्बरं कृत्वा विषाणेन जघान सोऽपतत्
tamāpatantaṃ sa nigṛhya śṛṅgayoḥ padā samākramya nipātya bhūtale | niṣpīḍayāmāsa yathā''rdramambaraṃ kṛtvā viṣāṇena jaghāna so'patat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Ariṣṭa attacked, Lord Kṛṣṇa seized him by the horns and knocked him to the ground with His foot. The Lord then thrashed him as if he were a wet cloth, and finally He yanked out one of the demon’s horns and struck him with it until he lay prostrate.
असृग्वमन् मूत्रशकृत्समुत्सृजन् क्षिपंश्च पादाननवस्थितेक्षणः । जगाम कृच्छ्रं निरृतेरथ क्षयं पुष्पैः किरन्तो हरिमीडिरे सुराः
asṛgvaman mūtraśakṛtsamutsṛjan kṣipaṃśca pādānanavasthitekṣaṇaḥ | jagāma kṛcchraṃ nirṛteratha kṣayaṃ puṣpaiḥ kiranto harimīḍire surāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vomiting blood and profusely excreting stool and urine, kicking his legs and rolling his eyes about, Ariṣṭāsura thus went painfully to the abode of Death. The demigods honored Lord Kṛṣṇa by scattering flowers upon Him.
एवं कुकुद्मिनं हत्वा स्तूयमानः स्वजातिभिः । विवेश गोष्ठं सबलो गोपीनां नयनोत्सवः
evaṃ kukudminaṃ hatvā stūyamānaḥ svajātibhiḥ | viveśa goṣṭhaṃ sabalo gopīnāṃ nayanotsavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus killed the bull demon Ariṣṭa, He who is a festival for the gopīs’ eyes entered the cowherd village with Balarāma.
अरिष्टे निहते दैत्ये कृष्णेनाद्भुतकर्मणा । कंसायाथाह भगवान् नारदो देवदर्शनः
ariṣṭe nihate daitye kṛṣṇenādbhutakarmaṇā | kaṃsāyāthāha bhagavān nārado devadarśanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Ariṣṭāsura had been killed by Kṛṣṇa, who acts wonderfully, Nārada Muni went to speak to King Kaṁsa. That powerful sage of godly vision addressed the King as follows.
यशोदायाः सुतां कन्यां देवक्याः कृष्णमेव च । रामं च रोहिणीपुत्रं वसुदेवेन बिभ्यता
yaśodāyāḥ sutāṃ kanyāṃ devakyāḥ kṛṣṇameva ca | rāmaṃ ca rohiṇīputraṃ vasudevena bibhyatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nārada told Kaṁsa:] Yaśodā’s child was actually a daughter, and Kṛṣṇa is the son of Devakī. Also, Rāma is the son of Rohiṇī. Out of fear, Vasudeva entrusted Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to his friend Nanda Mahārāja, and it is these two boys who have killed your men.
न्यस्तौ स्वमित्रे नन्दे वै याभ्यां ते पुरुषा हताः । निशम्य तद्भोजपतिः कोपात्प्रचलितेन्द्रियः
nyastau svamitre nande vai yābhyāṃ te puruṣā hatāḥ | niśamya tadbhojapatiḥ kopātpracalitendriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon hearing this, the master of the Bhojas became furious and lost control of his senses. He picked up a sharp sword to kill Vasudeva.
निशातमसिमादत्त वसुदेवजिघांसया । निवारितो नारदेन तत्सुतौ मृत्युमात्मनः
niśātamasimādatta vasudevajighāṃsayā | nivārito nāradena tatsutau mṛtyumātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But Nārada restrained Kaṁsa by reminding him that it was the two sons of Vasudeva who would cause his death. Kaṁsa then had Vasudeva and his wife shackled in iron chains.
ज्ञात्वा लोहमयैः पाशैर्बबन्ध सहभार्यया । प्रतियाते तु देवर्षौ कंस आभाष्य केशिनम्
jñātvā lohamayaiḥ pāśairbabandha sahabhāryayā | pratiyāte tu devarṣau kaṃsa ābhāṣya keśinam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Nārada left, King Kaṁsa summoned Keśī and ordered him, “Go kill Rāma and Kṛṣṇa.”
प्रेषयामास हन्येतां भवता रामकेशवौ । ततो मुष्टिकचाणूरशलतोशलकादिकान्
preṣayāmāsa hanyetāṃ bhavatā rāmakeśavau | tato muṣṭikacāṇūraśalatośalakādikān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King of the Bhojas next called for his ministers, headed by Muṣṭika, Cāṇūra, Śala and Tośala, and also for his elephant-keepers. The King addressed them as follows.
भवद्भ्यामिह सम्प्राप्तौ हन्येतां मल्ललीलया । मञ्चाः क्रियन्तां विविधा मल्लरङ्गपरिश्रिताः । पौरा जानपदाः सर्वे पश्यन्तु स्वैरसंयुगम्
bhavadbhyāmiha samprāptau hanyetāṃ mallalīlayā | mañcāḥ kriyantāṃ vividhā mallaraṅgapariśritāḥ | paurā jānapadāḥ sarve paśyantu svairasaṃyugam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Erect a wrestling ring with many surrounding viewing stands, and bring all the residents of the city and the outlying districts to see the open competition.
महामात्र त्वया भद्र रङ्गद्वार्युपनीयताम् । द्विपः कुवलयापीडो जहि तेन ममाहितौ
mahāmātra tvayā bhadra raṅgadvāryupanīyatām | dvipaḥ kuvalayāpīḍo jahi tena mamāhitau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You, elephant-keeper, my good man, should position the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa at the entrance to the wrestling arena and have him kill my two enemies.
आरभ्यतां धनुर्यागश्चतुर्दश्यां यथाविधि । विशसन्तु पशून् मेध्यान् भूतराजाय मीढुषे
ārabhyatāṃ dhanuryāgaścaturdaśyāṃ yathāvidhi | viśasantu paśūn medhyān bhūtarājāya mīḍhuṣe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Commence the bow sacrifice on the Caturdaśī day in accordance with the relevant Vedic injunctions. In ritual slaughter offer the appropriate kinds of animals to the magnanimous Lord Śiva.
इत्याज्ञाप्यार्थतन्त्रज्ञ आहूय यदुपुङ्गवम् । गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणिं ततोऽक्रूरमुवाच ह
ityājñāpyārthatantrajña āhūya yadupuṅgavam | gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇiṃ tato'krūramuvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus commanded his ministers, Kaṁsa next called for Akrūra, the most eminent of the Yadus. Kaṁsa knew the art of securing personal advantage, and thus he took Akrūra’s hand in his own and spoke to him as follows.
भो भो दानपते मह्यं क्रियतां मैत्रमादृतः । नान्यस्त्वत्तो हिततमो विद्यते भोजवृष्णिषु
bho bho dānapate mahyaṃ kriyatāṃ maitramādṛtaḥ | nānyastvatto hitatamo vidyate bhojavṛṣṇiṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Akrūra, most charitable one, please do me a friendly favor out of respect. Among the Bhojas and Vṛṣṇis, there is no one else as kind to us as you.
अतस्त्वामाश्रितः सौम्य कार्यगौरवसाधनम् । यथेन्द्रो विष्णुमाश्रित्य स्वार्थमध्यगमद्विभुः
atastvāmāśritaḥ saumya kāryagauravasādhanam | yathendro viṣṇumāśritya svārthamadhyagamadvibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Gentle Akrūra, you always carry out your duties soberly, and therefore I am depending on you, just as powerful Indra took shelter of Lord Viṣṇu to achieve his goals.
गच्छ नन्दव्रजं तत्र सुतावानकदुन्दुभेः । आसाते ताविहानेन रथेनानय मा चिरम्
gaccha nandavrajaṃ tatra sutāvānakadundubheḥ | āsāte tāvihānena rathenānaya mā ciram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please go to Nanda’s village, where the two sons of Ānakadundubhi are living, and without delay bring Them here on this chariot.
निसृष्टः किल मे मृत्युर्देवैर्वैकुण्ठसंश्रयैः । तावानय समं गोपैर्नन्दाद्यैः साभ्युपायनैः
nisṛṣṭaḥ kila me mṛtyurdevairvaikuṇṭhasaṃśrayaiḥ | tāvānaya samaṃ gopairnandādyaiḥ sābhyupāyanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods, who are under the protection of Viṣṇu, have sent these two boys as my death. Bring Them here, and also have Nanda and the other cowherd men come with gifts of tribute.
घातयिष्य इहानीतौ कालकल्पेन हस्तिना । यदि मुक्तौ ततो मल्लैर्घातये वैद्युतोपमैः
ghātayiṣya ihānītau kālakalpena hastinā | yadi muktau tato mallairghātaye vaidyutopamaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After you bring Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, I will have Them killed by my elephant, who is as powerful as death itself. And if by chance They escape from him, I will have Them killed by my wrestlers, who are as strong as lightning.
तयोर्निहतयोस्तप्तान् वसुदेवपुरोगमान् । तद्बन्धून्निहनिष्यामि वृष्णिभोजदशार्हकान्
tayornihatayostaptān vasudevapurogamān | tadbandhūnnihaniṣyāmi vṛṣṇibhojadaśārhakān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When these two have been killed, I will kill Vasudeva and all Their lamenting relatives — the Vṛṣṇis, Bhojas and Daśārhas.
उग्रसेनं च पितरं स्थविरं राज्यकामुकम् । तद्भ्रातरं देवकं च ये चान्ये विद्विषो मम
ugrasenaṃ ca pitaraṃ sthaviraṃ rājyakāmukam | tadbhrātaraṃ devakaṃ ca ye cānye vidviṣo mama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I will also kill my old father, Ugrasena, who is greedy for my kingdom, and I will kill his brother Devaka and all my other enemies as well.
ततश्चैषा मही मित्र भवित्री नष्टकण्टका । जरासन्धो मम गुरुर्द्विविदो दयितः सखा
tataścaiṣā mahī mitra bhavitrī naṣṭakaṇṭakā | jarāsandho mama gururdvivido dayitaḥ sakhā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, my friend, this earth will be free of thorns.
शम्बरो नरको बाणो मय्येव कृतसौहृदाः । तैरहं सुरपक्षीयान् हत्वा भोक्ष्ये महीं नृपान्
śambaro narako bāṇo mayyeva kṛtasauhṛdāḥ | tairahaṃ surapakṣīyān hatvā bhokṣye mahīṃ nṛpān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My elder relative Jarāsandha and my dear friend Dvivida are solid well-wishers of mine, as are Śambara, Naraka and Bāṇa. I will use them all to kill off those kings who are allied with the demigods, and then I will rule the earth.
एतज्ज्ञात्वाऽऽनय क्षिप्रं रामकृष्णाविहार्भकौ । धनुर्मखनिरीक्षार्थं द्रष्टुं यदुपुरश्रियम्
etajjñātvā''naya kṣipraṃ rāmakṛṣṇāvihārbhakau | dhanurmakhanirīkṣārthaṃ draṣṭuṃ yadupuraśriyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now that you understand my intentions, please go at once and bring Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to watch the bow sacrifice and see the opulence of the Yadus’ capital.
अक्रूर उवाच । राजन् मनीषितं सध्र्यक् तव स्वावद्यमार्जनम् । सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समं कुर्याद्दैवं हि फलसाधनम्
akrūra uvāca | rājan manīṣitaṃ sadhryak tava svāvadyamārjanam | siddhyasiddhyoḥ samaṃ kuryāddaivaṃ hi phalasādhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Akrūra said: O King, you have expertly devised a process to free yourself of misfortune. Still, one should be equal in success and failure, since it is certainly destiny that produces the results of one’s work.
मनोरथान् करोत्युच्चैर्जनो दैवहतानपि । युज्यते हर्षशोकाभ्यां तथाप्याज्ञां करोमि ते
manorathān karotyuccairjano daivahatānapi | yujyate harṣaśokābhyāṃ tathāpyājñāṃ karomi te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
An ordinary person is determined to act on his desires even when fate prevents their fulfillment. Therefore he encounters both happiness and distress. Yet even though such is the case, I will execute your order.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवमादिश्य चाक्रूरं मन्त्रिणश्च विसृज्य सः । प्रविवेश गृहं कंसस्तथाक्रूरः स्वमालयम्
śrīśuka uvāca | evamādiśya cākrūraṃ mantriṇaśca visṛjya saḥ | praviveśa gṛhaṃ kaṃsastathākrūraḥ svamālayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus instructed Akrūra, King Kaṁsa dismissed his ministers and retired to his quarters, and Akrūra returned home.
तं त्रासयन्तं भगवान् स्वगोकुलं तद्धेषितैर्वालविघूर्णिताम्बुदम् । आत्मानमाजौ मृगयन्तमग्रणी- रुपाह्वयत्स व्यनदन्मृगेन्द्रवत्
taṃ trāsayantaṃ bhagavān svagokulaṃ taddheṣitairvālavighūrṇitāmbudam | ātmānamājau mṛgayantamagraṇī- rupāhvayatsa vyanadanmṛgendravat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing the Lord standing before him, Keśī ran toward Him in extreme rage, his mouth gaping as if to swallow up the sky. Rushing with furious speed, the unconquerable and unapproachable horse demon tried to strike the lotus-eyed Lord with his two front legs.
स तं निशाम्याभिमुखो मुखेन खं पिबन्निवाभ्यद्रवदत्यमर्षणः । जघान पद्भ्यामरविन्दलोचनं दुरासदश्चण्डजवो दुरत्ययः
sa taṃ niśāmyābhimukho mukhena khaṃ pibannivābhyadravadatyamarṣaṇaḥ | jaghāna padbhyāmaravindalocanaṃ durāsadaścaṇḍajavo duratyayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But the transcendental Lord dodged Keśī’s blow and then with His arms angrily seized the demon by the legs, whirled him around in the air and contemptuously threw him the distance of one hundred bow-lengths, just as Garuḍa might throw a snake. Lord Kṛṣṇa then stood there.
तद्वञ्चयित्वा तमधोक्षजो रुषा प्रगृह्य दोर्भ्यां परिविध्य पादयोः । सावज्ञमुत्सृज्य धनुः शतान्तरे यथोरगं तार्क्ष्यसुतो व्यवस्थितः
tadvañcayitvā tamadhokṣajo ruṣā pragṛhya dorbhyāṃ parividhya pādayoḥ | sāvajñamutsṛjya dhanuḥ śatāntare yathoragaṃ tārkṣyasuto vyavasthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon regaining consciousness Keśī angrily got up, opened his mouth wide and again rushed to attack Lord Kṛṣṇa. But the Lord just smiled and thrust His left arm into the horse’s mouth as easily as one would make a snake enter a hole in the ground.
स लब्धसंज्ञः पुनरुत्थितो रुषा व्यादाय केशी तरसाऽऽपतद्धरिम् । सोऽप्यस्य वक्त्रे भुजमुत्तरं स्मयन् प्रवेशयामास यथोरगं बिले
sa labdhasaṃjñaḥ punarutthito ruṣā vyādāya keśī tarasā''pataddharim | so'pyasya vaktre bhujamuttaraṃ smayan praveśayāmāsa yathoragaṃ bile
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Keśī’s teeth immediately fell out when they touched the Supreme Lord’s arm, which to the demon felt as hot as molten iron. Within Keśī’s body the Supreme Personality’s arm then expanded greatly, like a diseased stomach swelling because of neglect.
दन्ता निपेतुर्भगवद्भुजस्पृश- स्ते केशिनस्तप्तमयःस्पृशो यथा । बाहुश्च तद्देहगतो महात्मनो यथाऽऽमयः संववृधे उपेक्षितः
dantā nipeturbhagavadbhujaspṛśa- ste keśinastaptamayaḥspṛśo yathā | bāhuśca taddehagato mahātmano yathā''mayaḥ saṃvavṛdhe upekṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Lord Kṛṣṇa’s expanding arm completely blocked Keśī’s breathing, his legs kicked convulsively, his body became covered with sweat, and his eyes rolled around. The demon then passed stool and fell on the ground, dead.
समेधमानेन स कृष्णबाहुना निरुद्धवायुश्चरणांश्च विक्षिपन् । प्रस्विन्नगात्रः परिवृत्तलोचनः पपात लेण्डं विसृजन् क्षितौ व्यसुः
samedhamānena sa kṛṣṇabāhunā niruddhavāyuścaraṇāṃśca vikṣipan | prasvinnagātraḥ parivṛttalocanaḥ papāta leṇḍaṃ visṛjan kṣitau vyasuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa withdrew His arm from Keśī’s body, which now appeared like a long karkaṭikā fruit. Without the least display of pride at having so effortlessly killed His enemy, the Lord accepted the demigods’ worship in the form of flowers rained down from above.
तद्देहतः कर्कटिकाफलोपमाद्- व्यसोरपाकृष्य भुजं महाभुजः । अविस्मितोऽयत्नहतारिरुत्स्मयैः प्रसूनवर्षैर्दिविषद्भिरीडितः
taddehataḥ karkaṭikāphalopamād- vyasorapākṛṣya bhujaṃ mahābhujaḥ | avismito'yatnahatārirutsmayaiḥ prasūnavarṣairdiviṣadbhirīḍitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, thereafter Lord Kṛṣṇa was approached in a solitary place by the great sage among the demigods, Nārada Muni. That most exalted devotee spoke as follows to the Lord, who effortlessly performs His pastimes.
त्वमात्मा सर्वभूतानामेको ज्योतिरिवैधसाम् । गूढो गुहाशयः साक्षी महापुरुष ईश्वरः
tvamātmā sarvabhūtānāmeko jyotirivaidhasām | gūḍho guhāśayaḥ sākṣī mahāpuruṣa īśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the shelter of all souls, and being the supreme controller, You fulfill Your desires simply by Your will. By Your personal creative potency You manifested in the beginning the primal modes of material nature, and through their agency You create, maintain and then destroy this universe.
आत्मनाऽऽत्माऽऽश्रयः पूर्वं मायया ससृजे गुणान् । तैरिदं सत्यसङ्कल्पः सृजस्यत्स्यवसीश्वरः
ātmanā''tmā''śrayaḥ pūrvaṃ māyayā sasṛje guṇān | tairidaṃ satyasaṅkalpaḥ sṛjasyatsyavasīśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You, that very same creator, have now descended to the earth to annihilate the Daitya, Pramatha and Rākṣasa demons who are posing as kings, and also to protect the godly.
स त्वं भूधरभूतानां दैत्यप्रमथरक्षसाम् । अवतीर्णो विनाशाय सेतूनां रक्षणाय च
sa tvaṃ bhūdharabhūtānāṃ daityapramatharakṣasām | avatīrṇo vināśāya setūnāṃ rakṣaṇāya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The horse demon was so terrifying that his neighing frightened the demigods into leaving their heavenly kingdom. But by our good fortune You have enjoyed the sport of killing him.
यानि चान्यानि वीर्याणि द्वारकामावसन् भवान् । कर्ता द्रक्ष्याम्यहं तानि गेयानि कविभिर्भुवि
yāni cānyāni vīryāṇi dvārakāmāvasan bhavān | kartā drakṣyāmyahaṃ tāni geyāni kavibhirbhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Subsequently I will see You appear as time personified, serving as Arjuna’s chariot driver and destroying entire armies of soldiers to rid the earth of her burden.
अथ ते कालरूपस्य क्षपयिष्णोरमुष्य वै । अक्षौहिणीनां निधनं द्रक्ष्याम्यर्जुनसारथेः
atha te kālarūpasya kṣapayiṣṇoramuṣya vai | akṣauhiṇīnāṃ nidhanaṃ drakṣyāmyarjunasāratheḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let us approach You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for shelter. You are full of perfectly pure spiritual awareness and are always situated in Your original identity. Since Your will is never thwarted, You have already achieved all possible desirable things, and by the power of Your spiritual energy You remain eternally aloof from the flow of the qualities of illusion.
विशुद्धविज्ञानघनं स्वसंस्थया समाप्तसर्वार्थममोघवाञ्छितम् । स्वतेजसा नित्यनिवृत्तमाया- गुणप्रवाहं भगवन्तमीमहि
viśuddhavijñānaghanaṃ svasaṃsthayā samāptasarvārthamamoghavāñchitam | svatejasā nityanivṛttamāyā- guṇapravāhaṃ bhagavantamīmahi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I bow down to You, the supreme controller, who are dependent only on Yourself. By Your potency You have constructed the unlimited particular arrangements of this universe. Now you have appeared as the greatest hero among the Yadus, Vṛṣṇis and Sātvatas and have chosen to participate in human warfare.
त्वामीश्वरं स्वाश्रयमात्ममायया विनिर्मिताशेषविशेषकल्पनम् । क्रीडार्थमद्यात्तमनुष्यविग्रहं नतोऽस्मि धुर्यं यदुवृष्णिसात्वताम्
tvāmīśvaraṃ svāśrayamātmamāyayā vinirmitāśeṣaviśeṣakalpanam | krīḍārthamadyāttamanuṣyavigrahaṃ nato'smi dhuryaṃ yaduvṛṣṇisātvatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus addressed Lord Kṛṣṇa, the chief of the Yadu dynasty, Nārada bowed down and offered Him obeisances. Then that great sage and most eminent devotee took his leave from the Lord and went away, feeling great joy at having directly seen Him.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं यदुपतिं कृष्णं भागवतप्रवरो मुनिः । प्रणिपत्याभ्यनुज्ञातो ययौ तद्दर्शनोत्सवः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ yadupatiṃ kṛṣṇaṃ bhāgavatapravaro muniḥ | praṇipatyābhyanujñāto yayau taddarśanotsavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After killing the demon Keśī in battle, the Supreme Personality of Godhead continued to tend the cows and other animals in the company of His joyful cowherd boyfriends. Thus He brought happiness to all the residents of Vṛndāvana.
भगवानपि गोविन्दो हत्वा केशिनमाहवे । पशूनपालयत्पालैः प्रीतैर्व्रजसुखावहः
bhagavānapi govindo hatvā keśinamāhave | paśūnapālayatpālaiḥ prītairvrajasukhāvahaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One day the cowherd boys, while grazing their animals on the mountain slopes, played the game of stealing and hiding, acting out the roles of rival thieves and herders.
एकदा ते पशून् पालाश्चारयन्तोऽद्रिसानुषु । चक्रुर्निलायनक्रीडाश्चोरपालापदेशतः
ekadā te paśūn pālāścārayanto'drisānuṣu | cakrurnilāyanakrīḍāścorapālāpadeśataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that game, O King, some acted as thieves, others as shepherds and others as sheep. They played their game happily, without fear of danger.
तत्रासन् कतिचिच्चोराः पालाश्च कतिचिन्नृप । मेषायिताश्च तत्रैके विजह्रुरकुतोभयाः
tatrāsan katiciccorāḥ pālāśca katicinnṛpa | meṣāyitāśca tatraike vijahrurakutobhayāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A powerful magician named Vyoma, son of the demon Maya, then appeared on the scene in the guise of a cowherd boy. Pretending to join the game as a thief, he proceeded to steal most of the cowherd boys who were acting as sheep.
मयपुत्रो महामायो व्योमो गोपालवेषधृक् । मेषायितानपोवाह प्रायश्चोरायितो बहून्
mayaputro mahāmāyo vyomo gopālaveṣadhṛk | meṣāyitānapovāha prāyaścorāyito bahūn
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Gradually the great demon abducted more and more of the cowherd boys and cast them into a mountain cave, which he sealed shut with a boulder. Finally only four or five boys acting as sheep remained in the game.
गिरिदर्यां विनिक्षिप्य नीतं नीतं महासुरः । शिलया पिदधे द्वारं चतुःपञ्चावशेषिताः
giridaryāṃ vinikṣipya nītaṃ nītaṃ mahāsuraḥ | śilayā pidadhe dvāraṃ catuḥpañcāvaśeṣitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa, who shelters all saintly devotees, understood perfectly well what Vyomāsura was doing. Just as a lion grabs a wolf, Kṛṣṇa forcefully seized the demon as he was taking away more cowherd boys.
तस्य तत्कर्म विज्ञाय कृष्णः शरणदः सताम् । गोपान् नयन्तं जग्राह वृकं हरिरिवौजसा
tasya tatkarma vijñāya kṛṣṇaḥ śaraṇadaḥ satām | gopān nayantaṃ jagrāha vṛkaṃ haririvaujasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demon changed into his original form, as big and powerful as a great mountain. But try as he might to free himself, he could not do so, having lost his strength from being held in the Lord’s tight grip.
स निजं रूपमास्थाय गिरीन्द्रसदृशं बली । इच्छन् विमोक्तुमात्मानं नाशक्नोद्ग्रहणातुरः
sa nijaṃ rūpamāsthāya girīndrasadṛśaṃ balī | icchan vimoktumātmānaṃ nāśaknodgrahaṇāturaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Acyuta clutched Vyomāsura between His arms and threw him to the ground. Then, while the demigods in heaven looked on, Kṛṣṇa killed him in the same way that one kills a sacrificial animal.
तं निगृह्याच्युतो दोर्भ्यां पातयित्वा महीतले । पश्यतां दिवि देवानां पशुमारममारयत्
taṃ nigṛhyācyuto dorbhyāṃ pātayitvā mahītale | paśyatāṃ divi devānāṃ paśumāramamārayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa then smashed the boulder blocking the cave’s entrance and led the trapped cowherd boys to safety. Thereafter, as the demigods and cowherd boys sang His glories, He returned to His cowherd village, Gokula.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अक्रूरोऽपि च तां रात्रिं मधुपुर्यां महामतिः । उषित्वा रथमास्थाय प्रययौ नन्दगोकुलम्
śrīśuka uvāca | akrūro'pi ca tāṃ rātriṃ madhupuryāṃ mahāmatiḥ | uṣitvā rathamāsthāya prayayau nandagokulam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After passing the night in the city of Mathurā, the high-minded Akrūra mounted his chariot and set off for the cowherd village of Nanda Mahārāja.
गच्छन् पथि महाभागो भगवत्यम्बुजेक्षणे । भक्तिं परामुपगत एवमेतदचिन्तयत्
gacchan pathi mahābhāgo bhagavatyambujekṣaṇe | bhaktiṃ parāmupagata evametadacintayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As he traveled on the road, the great soul Akrūra felt tremendous devotion for the lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead, and thus he began to consider as follows.
किं मयाऽऽचरितं भद्रं किं तप्तं परमं तपः । किं वाथाप्यर्हते दत्तं यद्द्रक्ष्याम्यद्य केशवम्
kiṃ mayā''caritaṃ bhadraṃ kiṃ taptaṃ paramaṃ tapaḥ | kiṃ vāthāpyarhate dattaṃ yaddrakṣyāmyadya keśavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śrī Akrūra thought:] What pious deeds have I done, what severe austerities undergone, what worship performed or charity given so that today I will see Lord Keśava?
ममैतद्दुर्लभं मन्य उत्तमश्लोकदर्शनम् । विषयात्मनो यथा ब्रह्मकीर्तनं शूद्रजन्मनः
mamaitaddurlabhaṃ manya uttamaślokadarśanam | viṣayātmano yathā brahmakīrtanaṃ śūdrajanmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since I am a materialistic person absorbed simply in sense gratification, I think it is as difficult for me to have gotten this opportunity to see Lord Uttamaḥśloka as it would be for one born a śūdra to be allowed to recite the Vedic mantras.
मैवं ममाधमस्यापि स्यादेवाच्युतदर्शनम् । ह्रियमाणः कालनद्या क्वचित्तरति कश्चन
maivaṃ mamādhamasyāpi syādevācyutadarśanam | hriyamāṇaḥ kālanadyā kvacittarati kaścana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But enough of such thoughts! After all, even a fallen soul like me can have the chance to behold the infallible Supreme Lord, for one of the conditioned souls being swept along in the river of time may sometimes reach the shore.
ममाद्यामङ्गलं नष्टं फलवांश्चैव मे भवः । यन्नमस्ये भगवतो योगिध्येयाङ्घ्रिपङ्कजम्
mamādyāmaṅgalaṃ naṣṭaṃ phalavāṃścaiva me bhavaḥ | yannamasye bhagavato yogidhyeyāṅghripaṅkajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Today all my sinful reactions have been eradicated and my birth has become worthwhile, since I will offer my obeisances to the Supreme Lord’s lotus feet, which mystic yogīs meditate upon.
कंसो बताद्याकृत मेऽत्यनुग्रहं द्रक्ष्येऽङ्घ्रिपद्मं प्रहितोऽमुना हरेः । कृतावतारस्य दुरत्ययं तमः पूर्वेऽतरन् यन्नखमण्डलत्विषा
kaṃso batādyākṛta me'tyanugrahaṃ drakṣye'ṅghripadmaṃ prahito'munā hareḥ | kṛtāvatārasya duratyayaṃ tamaḥ pūrve'taran yannakhamaṇḍalatviṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indeed, today King Kaṁsa has shown me extreme mercy by sending me to see the lotus feet of Lord Hari, who has now appeared in this world. Simply by the effulgence of His toenails, many souls in the past have transcended the insurmountable darkness of material existence and achieved liberation.
यदर्चितं ब्रह्मभवादिभिः सुरैः श्रिया च देव्या मुनिभिस्ससात्वतैः । गोचारणायानुचरैश्चरद्वने यद्गोपिकानां कुचकुङ्कुमाङ्कितम्
yadarcitaṃ brahmabhavādibhiḥ suraiḥ śriyā ca devyā munibhissasātvataiḥ | gocāraṇāyānucaraiścaradvane yadgopikānāṃ kucakuṅkumāṅkitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those lotus feet are worshiped by Brahmā, Śiva and all the other demigods, by the goddess of fortune, and also by the great sages and Vaiṣṇavas. Upon those lotus feet the Lord walks about the forest while herding the cows with His companions, and those feet are smeared with the kuṅkuma from the gopīs’ breasts.
द्रक्ष्यामि नूनं सुकपोलनासिकं स्मितावलोकारुणकञ्जलोचनम् । मुखं मुकुन्दस्य गुडालकावृतं प्रदक्षिणं मे प्रचरन्ति वै मृगाः
drakṣyāmi nūnaṃ sukapolanāsikaṃ smitāvalokāruṇakañjalocanam | mukhaṃ mukundasya guḍālakāvṛtaṃ pradakṣiṇaṃ me pracaranti vai mṛgāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Surely I shall see the face of Lord Mukunda, since the deer are now walking past me on my right. That face, framed by His curly hair, is beautified by His attractive cheeks and nose, His smiling glances and His reddish lotus eyes.
अप्यद्य विष्णोर्मनुजत्वमीयुषो भारावताराय भुवो निजेच्छया । लावण्यधाम्नो भवितोपलम्भनं मह्यं न न स्यात्फलमञ्जसा दृशः
apyadya viṣṇormanujatvamīyuṣo bhārāvatārāya bhuvo nijecchayā | lāvaṇyadhāmno bhavitopalambhanaṃ mahyaṃ na na syātphalamañjasā dṛśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am going to see the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu, the reservoir of all beauty, who by His own sweet will has now assumed a humanlike form to relieve the earth of her burden. Thus there is no denying that my eyes will achieve the perfection of their existence.
य ईक्षिताहंरहितोऽप्यसत्सतोः स्वतेजसापास्ततमोभिदाभ्रमः । स्वमाययाऽऽत्मन् रचितैस्तदीक्षया प्राणाक्षधीभिः सदनेष्वभीयते
ya īkṣitāhaṃrahito'pyasatsatoḥ svatejasāpāstatamobhidābhramaḥ | svamāyayā''tman racitaistadīkṣayā prāṇākṣadhībhiḥ sadaneṣvabhīyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He is the witness of material cause and effect, yet He is always free from false identification with them. By His internal potency He dispels the darkness of separation and confusion. The individual souls in this world, who are manifested here when He glances upon His material creative energy, indirectly perceive Him in the activities of their life airs, senses and intelligence.
यस्याखिलामीवहभिः सुमङ्गलै- र्वाचो विमिश्रा गुणकर्मजन्मभिः । प्राणन्ति शुम्भन्ति पुनन्ति वै जग- द्यास्तद्विरक्ताः शवशोभना मताः
yasyākhilāmīvahabhiḥ sumaṅgalai- rvāco vimiśrā guṇakarmajanmabhiḥ | prāṇanti śumbhanti punanti vai jaga- dyāstadviraktāḥ śavaśobhanā matāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All sins are destroyed and all good fortune is created by the Supreme Lord’s qualities, activities and appearances, and words that describe these three things animate, beautify and purify the world. On the other hand, words bereft of His glories are like the decorations on a corpse.
स चावतीर्णः किल सात्वतान्वये स्वसेतुपालामरवर्यशर्मकृत् । यशो वितन्वन् व्रज आस्त ईश्वरो गायन्ति देवा यदशेषमङ्गलम्
sa cāvatīrṇaḥ kila sātvatānvaye svasetupālāmaravaryaśarmakṛt | yaśo vitanvan vraja āsta īśvaro gāyanti devā yadaśeṣamaṅgalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That same Supreme Lord has descended into the dynasty of the Sātvatas to delight the exalted demigods, who maintain the principles of religion He has created. Residing in Vṛndāvana, He spreads His fame, which the demigods glorify in song and which brings auspiciousness to all.
तं त्वद्य नूनं महतां गतिं गुरुं त्रैलोक्यकान्तं दृशिमन्महोत्सवम् । रूपं दधानं श्रिय ईप्सितास्पदं द्रक्ष्ये ममासन्नुषसः सुदर्शनाः
taṃ tvadya nūnaṃ mahatāṃ gatiṃ guruṃ trailokyakāntaṃ dṛśimanmahotsavam | rūpaṃ dadhānaṃ śriya īpsitāspadaṃ drakṣye mamāsannuṣasaḥ sudarśanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Today I shall certainly see Him, the goal and spiritual master of the great souls. Seeing Him brings jubilation to all who have eyes, for He is the true beauty of the universe. Indeed, His personal form is the shelter desired by the goddess of fortune. Now all the dawns of my life have become auspicious.
अथावरूढः सपदीशयो रथात् प्रधानपुंसोश्चरणं स्वलब्धये । धिया धृतं योगिभिरप्यहं ध्रुवं नमस्य आभ्यां च सखीन् वनौकसः
athāvarūḍhaḥ sapadīśayo rathāt pradhānapuṃsoścaraṇaṃ svalabdhaye | dhiyā dhṛtaṃ yogibhirapyahaṃ dhruvaṃ namasya ābhyāṃ ca sakhīn vanaukasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then I will at once alight from my chariot and bow down to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, the Supreme Personalities of Godhead. Theirs are the same feet that great mystic yogīs striving for self-realization bear within their minds. I will also offer my obeisances to the Lords’ cowherd boyfriends and to all the other residents of Vṛndāvana.
अप्यङ्घ्रिमूले पतितस्य मे विभुः शिरस्यधास्यन्निजहस्तपङ्कजम् । दत्ताभयं कालभुजङ्गरंहसा प्रोद्वेजितानां शरणैषिणां नृणाम्
apyaṅghrimūle patitasya me vibhuḥ śirasyadhāsyannijahastapaṅkajam | dattābhayaṃ kālabhujaṅgaraṃhasā prodvejitānāṃ śaraṇaiṣiṇāṃ nṛṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And when I have fallen at His feet, the almighty Lord will place His lotus hand upon my head. For those who seek shelter in Him because they are greatly disturbed by the powerful serpent of time, that hand removes all fear.
समर्हणं यत्र निधाय कौशिक- स्तथा बलिश्चाप जगत्त्रयेन्द्रताम् । यद्वा विहारे व्रजयोषितां श्रमं स्पर्शेन सौगन्धिकगन्ध्यपानुदत्
samarhaṇaṃ yatra nidhāya kauśika- stathā baliścāpa jagattrayendratām | yadvā vihāre vrajayoṣitāṃ śramaṃ sparśena saugandhikagandhyapānudat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By offering charity to that lotus hand, Purandara and Bali earned the status of Indra, King of heaven, and during the pleasure pastimes of the rāsa dance, when the Lord wiped away the gopīs’ perspiration and removed their fatigue, the touch of their faces made that hand as fragrant as a sweet flower.
न मय्युपैष्यत्यरिबुद्धिमच्युतः कंसस्य दूतः प्रहितोऽपि विश्वदृक् । योऽन्तर्बहिश्चेतस एतदीहितं क्षेत्रज्ञ ईक्षत्यमलेन चक्षुषा
na mayyupaiṣyatyaribuddhimacyutaḥ kaṃsasya dūtaḥ prahito'pi viśvadṛk | yo'ntarbahiścetasa etadīhitaṃ kṣetrajña īkṣatyamalena cakṣuṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The infallible Lord will not consider me an enemy, even though Kaṁsa has sent me here as his messenger. After all, the omniscient Lord is the actual knower of the field of this material body, and with His perfect vision He witnesses, both externally and internally, all the endeavors of the conditioned soul’s heart.
अप्यङ्घ्रिमूलेऽवहितं कृताञ्जलिं मामीक्षिता सस्मितमार्द्रया दृशा । सपद्यपध्वस्तसमस्तकिल्बिषो वोढा मुदं वीतविशङ्क ऊर्जिताम्
apyaṅghrimūle'vahitaṃ kṛtāñjaliṃ māmīkṣitā sasmitamārdrayā dṛśā | sapadyapadhvastasamastakilbiṣo voḍhā mudaṃ vītaviśaṅka ūrjitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus He will cast His smiling, affectionate glance upon me as I remain fixed with joined palms, fallen in obeisances at His feet. Then all my contamination will at once be dispelled, and I will give up all doubts and feel the most intense bliss.
सुहृत्तमं ज्ञातिमनन्यदैवतं दोर्भ्यां बृहद्भ्यां परिरप्स्यतेऽथ माम् । आत्मा हि तीर्थीक्रियते तदैव मे बन्धश्च कर्मात्मक उच्छ्वसित्यतः
suhṛttamaṃ jñātimananyadaivataṃ dorbhyāṃ bṛhadbhyāṃ parirapsyate'tha mām | ātmā hi tīrthīkriyate tadaiva me bandhaśca karmātmaka ucchvasityataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Recognizing me as an intimate friend and relative, Kṛṣṇa will embrace me with His mighty arms, instantly sanctifying my body and diminishing to nil all my material bondage, which is due to fruitive activities.
लब्ध्वाङ्गसङ्गं प्रणतं कृताञ्जलिं मां वक्ष्यतेऽक्रूर ततेत्युरुश्रवाः । तदा वयं जन्मभृतो महीयसा नैवादृतो यो धिगमुष्य जन्म तत्
labdhvāṅgasaṅgaṃ praṇataṃ kṛtāñjaliṃ māṃ vakṣyate'krūra tatetyuruśravāḥ | tadā vayaṃ janmabhṛto mahīyasā naivādṛto yo dhigamuṣya janma tat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having been embraced by the all-famous Lord Kṛṣṇa, I will humbly stand before Him with bowed head and joined palms, and He will address me, “My dear Akrūra.” At that very moment my life’s purpose will be fulfilled. Indeed, the life of anyone whom the Supreme Personality fails to recognize is simply pitiable.
न तस्य कश्चिद्दयितः सुहृत्तमो न चाप्रियो द्वेष्य उपेक्ष्य एव वा । तथापि भक्तान् भजते यथा तथा सुरद्रुमो यद्वदुपाश्रितोऽर्थदः
na tasya kaściddayitaḥ suhṛttamo na cāpriyo dveṣya upekṣya eva vā | tathāpi bhaktān bhajate yathā tathā suradrumo yadvadupāśrito'rthadaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord has no favorite and no dearmost friend, nor does He consider anyone undesirable, despicable or fit to be neglected. All the same, He lovingly reciprocates with His devotees in whatever manner they worship Him, just as the trees of heaven fulfill the desires of whoever approaches them.
किं चाग्रजो मावनतं यदूत्तमः स्मयन् परिष्वज्य गृहीतमञ्जलौ । गृहं प्रवेश्याप्तसमस्तसत्कृतं सम्प्रक्ष्यते कंसकृतं स्वबन्धुषु
kiṃ cāgrajo māvanataṃ yadūttamaḥ smayan pariṣvajya gṛhītamañjalau | gṛhaṃ praveśyāptasamastasatkṛtaṃ samprakṣyate kaṃsakṛtaṃ svabandhuṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And then Lord Kṛṣṇa’s elder brother, the foremost of the Yadus, will grasp my joined hands while I am still standing with my head bowed, and after embracing me He will take me to His house. There He will honor me with all items of ritual welcome and inquire from me about how Kaṁsa has been treating His family members.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति सञ्चिन्तयन् कृष्णं श्वफल्कतनयोऽध्वनि । रथेन गोकुलं प्राप्तः सूर्यश्चास्तगिरिं नृप
śrīśuka uvāca | iti sañcintayan kṛṣṇaṃ śvaphalkatanayo'dhvani | rathena gokulaṃ prāptaḥ sūryaścāstagiriṃ nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, while the son of Śvaphalka, traveling on the road, thus meditated deeply on Śrī Kṛṣṇa, he reached Gokula as the sun was beginning to set.
पदानि तस्याखिललोकपाल- किरीटजुष्टामलपादरेणोः । ददर्श गोष्ठे क्षितिकौतुकानि विलक्षितान्यब्जयवाङ्कुशाद्यैः
padāni tasyākhilalokapāla- kirīṭajuṣṭāmalapādareṇoḥ | dadarśa goṣṭhe kṣitikautukāni vilakṣitānyabjayavāṅkuśādyaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the cowherd pasture Akrūra saw the footprints of those feet whose pure dust the rulers of all the planets in the universe hold on their crowns. Those footprints of the Lord, distinguished by such marks as the lotus, barleycorn and elephant goad, made the ground wonderfully beautiful.
तद्दर्शनाह्लादविवृद्धसम्भ्रमः प्रेम्णोर्ध्वरोमाश्रुकलाकुलेक्षणः । रथादवस्कन्द्य स तेष्वचेष्टत प्रभोरमून्यङ्घ्रिरजांस्यहो इति
taddarśanāhlādavivṛddhasambhramaḥ premṇordhvaromāśrukalākulekṣaṇaḥ | rathādavaskandya sa teṣvaceṣṭata prabhoramūnyaṅghrirajāṃsyaho iti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Increasingly agitated by ecstasy at seeing the Lord’s footprints, his bodily hairs standing on end because of his pure love, and his eyes filled with tears, Akrūra jumped down from his chariot and began rolling about among those footprints, exclaiming, “Ah, this is the dust from my master’s feet!”
देहम्भृतामियानर्थो हित्वा दम्भं भियं शुचम् । सन्देशाद्यो हरेर्लिङ्गदर्शनश्रवणादिभिः
dehambhṛtāmiyānartho hitvā dambhaṃ bhiyaṃ śucam | sandeśādyo harerliṅgadarśanaśravaṇādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The very goal of life for all embodied beings is this ecstasy, which Akrūra experienced when, upon receiving Kaṁsa’s order, he put aside all pride, fear and lamentation and absorbed himself in seeing, hearing and describing the things that reminded him of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
रथात्तूर्णमवप्लुत्य सोऽक्रूरः स्नेहविह्वलः । पपात चरणोपान्ते दण्डवद्रामकृष्णयोः
rathāttūrṇamavaplutya so'krūraḥ snehavihvalaḥ | papāta caraṇopānte daṇḍavadrāmakṛṣṇayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Akrūra, overwhelmed with affection, quickly jumped down from his chariot and fell at the feet of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma like a rod.
भगवद्दर्शनाह्लादबाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणः । पुलकाचिताङ्ग औत्कण्ठ्यात्स्वाख्याने नाशकन्नृप
bhagavaddarśanāhlādabāṣpaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ | pulakācitāṅga autkaṇṭhyātsvākhyāne nāśakannṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The joy of seeing the Supreme Lord flooded Akrūra’s eyes with tears and decorated his limbs with eruptions of ecstasy. He felt such eagerness that he could not speak to present himself, O King.
भगवांस्तमभिप्रेत्य रथाङ्गाङ्कितपाणिना । परिरेभेऽभ्युपाकृष्य प्रीतः प्रणतवत्सलः
bhagavāṃstamabhipretya rathāṅgāṅkitapāṇinā | parirebhe'bhyupākṛṣya prītaḥ praṇatavatsalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Recognizing Akrūra, Lord Kṛṣṇa drew him close with His hand, which bears the sign of the chariot wheel, and then embraced him. Kṛṣṇa felt pleased, for He is always benignly disposed toward His surrendered devotees.
निवेद्य गां चातिथये संवाह्य श्रान्तमादृतः । अन्नं बहुगुणं मेध्यं श्रद्धयोपाहरद्विभुः
nivedya gāṃ cātithaye saṃvāhya śrāntamādṛtaḥ | annaṃ bahuguṇaṃ medhyaṃ śraddhayopāharadvibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The almighty Lord Balarāma presented Akrūra with the gift of a cow, massaged his feet to relieve him of fatigue and then with great respect and faith fed him suitably prepared food of various fine tastes.
तस्मै भुक्तवते प्रीत्या रामः परमधर्मवित् । मुखवासैर्गन्धमाल्यैः परां प्रीतिं व्यधात्पुनः
tasmai bhuktavate prītyā rāmaḥ paramadharmavit | mukhavāsairgandhamālyaiḥ parāṃ prītiṃ vyadhātpunaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Akrūra had eaten to his satisfaction, Lord Balarāma, the supreme knower of religious duties, offered him aromatic herbs for sweetening his mouth, along with fragrances and flower garlands. Thus Akrūra once again enjoyed the highest pleasure.
पप्रच्छ सत्कृतं नन्दः कथं स्थ निरनुग्रहे । कंसे जीवति दाशार्ह सौनपाला इवावयः
papraccha satkṛtaṃ nandaḥ kathaṃ stha niranugrahe | kaṃse jīvati dāśārha saunapālā ivāvayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja asked Akrūra: O descendant of Daśārha, how are all of you maintaining yourselves while that merciless Kaṁsa remains alive? You are just like sheep under the care of a butcher.
योऽवधीत्स्वस्वसुस्तोकान् क्रोशन्त्या असुतृप् खलः । किं नु स्वित्तत्प्रजानां वः कुशलं विमृशामहे
yo'vadhītsvasvasustokān krośantyā asutṛp khalaḥ | kiṃ nu svittatprajānāṃ vaḥ kuśalaṃ vimṛśāmahe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That cruel, self-serving Kaṁsa murdered the infants of his own sister in her presence, even as she cried in anguish. So why should we even ask about the well-being of you, his subjects?
इत्थं सूनृतया वाचा नन्देन सुसभाजितः । अक्रूरः परिपृष्टेन जहावध्वपरिश्रमम्
itthaṃ sūnṛtayā vācā nandena susabhājitaḥ | akrūraḥ paripṛṣṭena jahāvadhvapariśramam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Honored by Nanda Mahārāja with these true and pleasing words of inquiry, Akrūra forgot the fatigue of his journey.
श्रीशुक उवाच । सुखोपविष्टः पर्यङ्के रामकृष्णोरुमानितः । लेभे मनोरथान् सर्वान् पथि यान् स चकार ह
śrīśuka uvāca | sukhopaviṣṭaḥ paryaṅke rāmakṛṣṇorumānitaḥ | lebhe manorathān sarvān pathi yān sa cakāra ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having been honored so much by Lord Balarāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa, Akrūra, seated comfortably on a couch, felt that all the desires he had contemplated on the road were now fulfilled.
किमलभ्यं भगवति प्रसन्ने श्रीनिकेतने । तथापि तत्परा राजन्न हि वाञ्छन्ति किञ्चन
kimalabhyaṃ bhagavati prasanne śrīniketane | tathāpi tatparā rājanna hi vāñchanti kiñcana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, what is unattainable for one who has satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the shelter of the goddess of fortune? Even so, those who are dedicated to His devotional service never want anything from Him.
सायन्तनाशनं कृत्वा भगवान् देवकीसुतः । सुहृत्सु वृत्तं कंसस्य पप्रच्छान्यच्चिकीर्षितम्
sāyantanāśanaṃ kṛtvā bhagavān devakīsutaḥ | suhṛtsu vṛttaṃ kaṃsasya papracchānyaccikīrṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the evening meal, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, asked Akrūra how Kaṁsa was treating their dear relatives and friends and what the King was planning to do.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । तात सौम्यागतः कच्चित्स्वागतं भद्रमस्तु वः । अपि स्वज्ञातिबन्धूनामनमीवमनामयम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | tāta saumyāgataḥ kaccitsvāgataṃ bhadramastu vaḥ | api svajñātibandhūnāmanamīvamanāmayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: My dear, gentle Uncle Akrūra, was your trip here comfortable? May all good fortune be yours. Are our well-wishing friends and our relatives, both close and distant, happy and in good health?
किं नु नः कुशलं पृच्छे एधमाने कुलामये । कंसे मातुलनाम्न्यङ्ग स्वानां नस्तत्प्रजासु च
kiṃ nu naḥ kuśalaṃ pṛcche edhamāne kulāmaye | kaṃse mātulanāmnyaṅga svānāṃ nastatprajāsu ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But, my dear Akrūra, as long as King Kaṁsa — that disease of our family who goes by the name “maternal uncle” — is still prospering, why should I even bother to ask about the well-being of our family members and his other subjects?
अहो अस्मदभूद्भूरि पित्रोर्वृजिनमार्ययोः । यद्धेतोः पुत्रमरणं यद्धेतोर्बन्धनं तयोः
aho asmadabhūdbhūri pitrorvṛjinamāryayoḥ | yaddhetoḥ putramaraṇaṃ yaddhetorbandhanaṃ tayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just see how much suffering I have caused My offenseless parents! Because of Me their sons were killed and they themselves imprisoned.
दिष्ट्याद्य दर्शनं स्वानां मह्यं वः सौम्य काङ्क्षितम् । सञ्जातं वर्ण्यतां तात तवागमनकारणम्
diṣṭyādya darśanaṃ svānāṃ mahyaṃ vaḥ saumya kāṅkṣitam | sañjātaṃ varṇyatāṃ tāta tavāgamanakāraṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By good fortune We have today fulfilled Our desire to see you, Our dear relative. O gentle uncle, please tell Us why you have come.
श्रीशुक उवाच । पृष्टो भगवता सर्वं वर्णयामास माधवः । वैरानुबन्धं यदुषु वसुदेववधोद्यमम्
śrīśuka uvāca | pṛṣṭo bhagavatā sarvaṃ varṇayāmāsa mādhavaḥ | vairānubandhaṃ yaduṣu vasudevavadhodyamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: In response to the Supreme Lord’s request, Akrūra, the descendant of Madhu, described the whole situation, including King Kaṁsa’s enmity toward the Yadus and his attempt to murder Vasudeva.
यत्सन्देशो यदर्थं वा दूतः सम्प्रेषितः स्वयम् । यदुक्तं नारदेनास्य स्वजन्मानकदुन्दुभेः
yatsandeśo yadarthaṃ vā dūtaḥ sampreṣitaḥ svayam | yaduktaṃ nāradenāsya svajanmānakadundubheḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Akrūra relayed the message he had been sent to deliver. He also described Kaṁsa’s real intentions and how Nārada had informed Kaṁsa that Kṛṣṇa had been born as the son of Vasudeva.
श्रुत्वाक्रूरवचः कृष्णो बलश्च परवीरहा । प्रहस्य नन्दं पितरं राज्ञाऽऽदिष्टं विजज्ञतुः
śrutvākrūravacaḥ kṛṣṇo balaśca paravīrahā | prahasya nandaṃ pitaraṃ rājñā''diṣṭaṃ vijajñatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma, the vanquisher of heroic opponents, laughed when They heard Akrūra’s words. The Lords then informed Their father, Nanda Mahārāja, of King Kaṁsa’s orders.
गोप्यस्तास्तदुपश्रुत्य बभूवुर्व्यथिता भृशम् । रामकृष्णौ पुरीं नेतुमक्रूरं व्रजमागतम्
gopyastāstadupaśrutya babhūvurvyathitā bhṛśam | rāmakṛṣṇau purīṃ netumakrūraṃ vrajamāgatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the young gopīs heard that Akrūra had come to Vraja to take Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to the city, they became extremely distressed.
काश्चित्तत्कृतहृत्तापश्वासम्लानमुखश्रियः । स्रंसद्दुकूलवलयकेशग्रन्थ्यश्च काश्चन
kāścittatkṛtahṛttāpaśvāsamlānamukhaśriyaḥ | sraṃsaddukūlavalayakeśagranthyaśca kāścana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some gopīs felt so pained at heart that their faces turned pale from their heavy breathing. Others were so anguished that their dresses, bracelets and braids became loose.
अन्याश्च तदनुध्याननिवृत्ताशेषवृत्तयः । नाभ्यजानन्निमं लोकमात्मलोकं गता इव
anyāśca tadanudhyānanivṛttāśeṣavṛttayaḥ | nābhyajānannimaṃ lokamātmalokaṃ gatā iva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Other gopīs entirely stopped their sensory activities and became fixed in meditation on Kṛṣṇa. They lost all awareness of the external world, just like those who attain the platform of self-realization.
स्मरन्त्यश्चापराः शौरेरनुरागस्मितेरिताः । हृदिस्पृशश्चित्रपदा गिरः सम्मुमुहुः स्त्रियः
smarantyaścāparāḥ śaureranurāgasmiteritāḥ | hṛdispṛśaścitrapadā giraḥ sammumuhuḥ striyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And still other young women fainted simply by remembering the words of Lord Śauri [Kṛṣṇa]. These words, decorated with wonderful phrases and expressed with affectionate smiles, would deeply touch the young girls’ hearts.
गोप्य ऊचुः । अहो विधातस्तव न क्वचिद्दया संयोज्य मैत्र्या प्रणयेन देहिनः । तांश्चाकृतार्थान् वियुनङ्क्ष्यपार्थकं विक्रीडितं तेऽर्भकचेष्टितं यथा
gopya ūcuḥ | aho vidhātastava na kvaciddayā saṃyojya maitryā praṇayena dehinaḥ | tāṃścākṛtārthān viyunaṅkṣyapārthakaṃ vikrīḍitaṃ te'rbhakaceṣṭitaṃ yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs said: O Providence, you have no mercy! You bring embodied creatures together in friendship and love and then senselessly separate them before they fulfill their desires. This whimsical play of yours is like a child’s game.
यस्त्वं प्रदर्श्यासितकुन्तलावृतं मुकुन्दवक्त्रं सुकपोलमुन्नसम् । शोकापनोदस्मितलेशसुन्दरं करोषि पारोक्ष्यमसाधु ते कृतम्
yastvaṃ pradarśyāsitakuntalāvṛtaṃ mukundavaktraṃ sukapolamunnasam | śokāpanodasmitaleśasundaraṃ karoṣi pārokṣyamasādhu te kṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having shown us Mukunda’s face, framed by dark locks and beautified by His fine cheeks, raised nose and gentle smiles, which eradicate all misery, you are now making that face invisible. This behavior of yours is not at all good.
क्रूरस्त्वमक्रूर समाख्यया स्म न- श्चक्षुर्हि दत्तं हरसे बताज्ञवत् । येनैकदेशेऽखिलसर्गसौष्ठवं त्वदीयमद्राक्ष्म वयं मधुद्विषः
krūrastvamakrūra samākhyayā sma na- ścakṣurhi dattaṃ harase batājñavat | yenaikadeśe'khilasargasauṣṭhavaṃ tvadīyamadrākṣma vayaṃ madhudviṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Providence, though you come here with the name Akrūra, you are indeed cruel, for like a fool you are taking away what you once gave us — those eyes with which we have seen, even in one feature of Lord Madhudviṣa’s form, the perfection of your entire creation.
न नन्दसूनुः क्षणभङ्गसौहृदः समीक्षते नः स्वकृतातुरा बत । विहाय गेहान् स्वजनान् सुतान् पतीं- स्तद्दास्यमद्धोपगता नवप्रियः
na nandasūnuḥ kṣaṇabhaṅgasauhṛdaḥ samīkṣate naḥ svakṛtāturā bata | vihāya gehān svajanān sutān patīṃ- staddāsyamaddhopagatā navapriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Alas, Nanda’s son, who breaks loving friendships in a second, will not even look directly at us. Forcibly brought under His control, we abandoned our homes, relatives, children and husbands just to serve Him, but He is always looking for new lovers.
सुखं प्रभाता रजनीयमाशिषः सत्या बभूवुः पुरयोषितां ध्रुवम् । याः सम्प्रविष्टस्य मुखं व्रजस्पतेः पास्यन्त्यपाङ्गोत्कलितस्मितासवम्
sukhaṃ prabhātā rajanīyamāśiṣaḥ satyā babhūvuḥ purayoṣitāṃ dhruvam | yāḥ sampraviṣṭasya mukhaṃ vrajaspateḥ pāsyantyapāṅgotkalitasmitāsavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The dawn following this night will certainly be auspicious for the women of Mathurā. All their hopes will now be fulfilled, for as the Lord of Vraja enters their city, they will be able to drink from His face the nectar of the smile emanating from the corners of His eyes.
तासां मुकुन्दो मधुमञ्जुभाषितै- र्गृहीतचित्तः परवान् मनस्व्यपि । कथं पुनर्नः प्रतियास्यतेऽबला ग्राम्याः सलज्जस्मितविभ्रमैर्भ्रमन्
tāsāṃ mukundo madhumañjubhāṣitai- rgṛhītacittaḥ paravān manasvyapi | kathaṃ punarnaḥ pratiyāsyate'balā grāmyāḥ salajjasmitavibhramairbhraman
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O gopīs, although our Mukunda is intelligent and very obedient to His parents, once He has fallen under the spell of the honey-sweet words of the women of Mathurā and been enchanted by their alluring, shy smiles, how will He ever return to us unsophisticated village girls?
अद्य ध्रुवं तत्र दृशो भविष्यते दाशार्हभोजान्धकवृष्णिसात्वताम् । महोत्सवः श्रीरमणं गुणास्पदं द्रक्ष्यन्ति ये चाध्वनि देवकीसुतम्
adya dhruvaṃ tatra dṛśo bhaviṣyate dāśārhabhojāndhakavṛṣṇisātvatām | mahotsavaḥ śrīramaṇaṃ guṇāspadaṃ drakṣyanti ye cādhvani devakīsutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Dāśārhas, Bhojas, Andhakas, Vṛṣṇis and Sātvatas see the son of Devakī in Mathurā, they will certainly enjoy a great festival for their eyes, as will all those who see Him traveling along the road to the city. After all, He is the darling of the goddess of fortune and the reservoir of all transcendental qualities.
मैतद्विधस्याकरुणस्य नाम भू- दक्रूरैत्येतदतीव दारुणः । योऽसावनाश्वास्य सुदुःखितं जनं प्रियात्प्रियं नेष्यति पारमध्वनः
maitadvidhasyākaruṇasya nāma bhū- dakrūraityetadatīva dāruṇaḥ | yo'sāvanāśvāsya suduḥkhitaṃ janaṃ priyātpriyaṃ neṣyati pāramadhvanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He who is doing this merciless deed should not be called Akrūra. He is so extremely cruel that without even trying to console the sorrowful residents of Vraja, he is taking away Kṛṣṇa, who is more dear to us than life itself.
अनार्द्रधीरेष समास्थितो रथं तमन्वमी च त्वरयन्ति दुर्मदाः । गोपा अनोभिः स्थविरैरुपेक्षितं दैवं च नोऽद्य प्रतिकूलमीहते
anārdradhīreṣa samāsthito rathaṃ tamanvamī ca tvarayanti durmadāḥ | gopā anobhiḥ sthavirairupekṣitaṃ daivaṃ ca no'dya pratikūlamīhate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hard-hearted Kṛṣṇa has already mounted the chariot, and now the foolish cowherds are hurrying after Him in their bullock carts. Even the elders are saying nothing to stop Him. Today fate is working against us.
निवारयामः समुपेत्य माधवं किं नोऽकरिष्यन् कुलवृद्धबान्धवाः । मुकुन्दसङ्गान्निमिषार्धदुस्त्यजा- द्दैवेन विध्वंसितदीनचेतसाम्
nivārayāmaḥ samupetya mādhavaṃ kiṃ no'kariṣyan kulavṛddhabāndhavāḥ | mukundasaṅgānnimiṣārdhadustyajā- ddaivena vidhvaṃsitadīnacetasām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let us directly approach Mādhava and stop Him from going. What can our family elders and other relatives do to us? Now that fate is separating us from Mukunda, our hearts are already wretched, for we cannot bear to give up His association even for a fraction of a second.
यस्यानुरागललितस्मितवल्गुमन्त्र- लीलावलोकपरिरम्भणरासगोष्ठ्याम् । नीताः स्म नः क्षणमिव क्षणदा विना तं गोप्यः कथं न्वतितरेम तमो दुरन्तम्
yasyānurāgalalitasmitavalgumantra- līlāvalokaparirambhaṇarāsagoṣṭhyām | nītāḥ sma naḥ kṣaṇamiva kṣaṇadā vinā taṃ gopyaḥ kathaṃ nvatitarema tamo durantam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When He brought us to the assembly of the rāsa dance, where we enjoyed His affectionate and charming smiles, His delightful secret talks, His playful glances and His embraces, we passed many nights as if they were a single moment. O gopīs, how can we possibly cross over the insurmountable darkness of His absence?
योऽह्नःक्षये व्रजमनन्तसखः परीतो गोपैर्विशन्खुररजश्छुरितालकस्रक् । वेणुं क्वणन् स्मितकटाक्षनिरीक्षणेन चित्तं क्षिणोत्यमुमृते नु कथं भवेम
yo'hnaḥkṣaye vrajamanantasakhaḥ parīto gopairviśankhurarajaśchuritālakasrak | veṇuṃ kvaṇan smitakaṭākṣanirīkṣaṇena cittaṃ kṣiṇotyamumṛte nu kathaṃ bhavema
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How can we exist without Ananta’s friend Kṛṣṇa, who in the evening would return to Vraja in the company of the cowherd boys, His hair and garland powdered with the dust raised by the cows’ hooves? As He played His flute, He would captivate our minds with His smiling sidelong glances.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं ब्रुवाणा विरहातुरा भृशं व्रजस्त्रियः कृष्णविषक्तमानसाः । विसृज्य लज्जां रुरुदुः स्म सुस्वरं गोविन्द दामोदर माधवेति
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ bruvāṇā virahāturā bhṛśaṃ vrajastriyaḥ kṛṣṇaviṣaktamānasāḥ | visṛjya lajjāṃ ruruduḥ sma susvaraṃ govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After speaking these words, the ladies of Vraja, who were so attached to Kṛṣṇa, felt extremely agitated by their imminent separation from Him. They forgot all shame and loudly cried out, “O Govinda! O Dāmodara! O Mādhava!”
स्त्रीणामेवं रुदन्तीनामुदिते सवितर्यथ । अक्रूरश्चोदयामास कृतमैत्रादिको रथम्
strīṇāmevaṃ rudantīnāmudite savitaryatha | akrūraścodayāmāsa kṛtamaitrādiko ratham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But even as the gopīs cried out in this way, Akrūra, having at sunrise performed His morning worship and other duties, began to drive the chariot.
गोपास्तमन्वसज्जन्त नन्दाद्याः शकटैस्ततः । आदायोपायनं भूरि कुम्भान् गोरससम्भृतान्
gopāstamanvasajjanta nandādyāḥ śakaṭaistataḥ | ādāyopāyanaṃ bhūri kumbhān gorasasambhṛtān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Led by Nanda Mahārāja, the cowherd men followed behind Lord Kṛṣṇa in their wagons. The men brought along many offerings for the King, including clay pots filled with ghee and other milk products.
गोप्यश्च दयितं कृष्णमनुव्रज्यानुरञ्जिताः । प्रत्यादेशं भगवतः काङ्क्षन्त्यश्चावतस्थिरे
gopyaśca dayitaṃ kṛṣṇamanuvrajyānurañjitāḥ | pratyādeśaṃ bhagavataḥ kāṅkṣantyaścāvatasthire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[With His glances] Lord Kṛṣṇa somewhat pacified the gopīs, and they also followed behind for some time. Then, hoping He would give them some instruction, they stood still.
तास्तथा तप्यतीर्वीक्ष्य स्वप्रस्थाने यदूत्तमः । सान्त्वयामस सप्रेमैरायास्य इति दौत्यकैः
tāstathā tapyatīrvīkṣya svaprasthāne yadūttamaḥ | sāntvayāmasa sapremairāyāsya iti dautyakaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As He departed, that best of the Yadus saw how the gopīs were lamenting, and thus He consoled them by sending a messenger with this loving promise: “I will return.”
यावदालक्ष्यते केतुर्यावद्रेणू रथस्य च । अनुप्रस्थापितात्मानो लेख्यानीवोपलक्षिताः
yāvadālakṣyate keturyāvadreṇū rathasya ca | anuprasthāpitātmāno lekhyānīvopalakṣitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sending their minds after Kṛṣṇa, the gopīs stood as motionless as figures in a painting. They remained there as long as the flag atop the chariot was visible, and even until they could no longer see the dust raised by the chariot wheels.
ता निराशा निववृतुर्गोविन्दविनिवर्तने । विशोका अहनी निन्युर्गायन्त्यः प्रियचेष्टितम्
tā nirāśā nivavṛturgovindavinivartane | viśokā ahanī ninyurgāyantyaḥ priyaceṣṭitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs then turned back, without hope that Govinda would ever return to them. Full of sorrow, they began to spend their days and nights chanting about the pastimes of their beloved.
भगवानपि सम्प्राप्तो रामाक्रूरयुतो नृप । रथेन वायुवेगेन कालिन्दीमघनाशिनीम्
bhagavānapi samprāpto rāmākrūrayuto nṛpa | rathena vāyuvegena kālindīmaghanāśinīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, traveling as swiftly as the wind in that chariot with Lord Balarāma and Akrūra, arrived at the river Kālindī, which destroys all sins.
तत्रोपस्पृश्य पानीयं पीत्वा मृष्टं मणिप्रभम् । वृक्षषण्डमुपव्रज्य सरामो रथमाविशत्
tatropaspṛśya pānīyaṃ pītvā mṛṣṭaṃ maṇiprabham | vṛkṣaṣaṇḍamupavrajya sarāmo rathamāviśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The river’s sweet water was more effulgent than brilliant jewels. After Lord Kṛṣṇa had touched it for purification, He drank some from His hand. Then He had the chariot moved near a grove of trees and climbed back on, along with Balarāma.
अक्रूरस्तावुपामन्त्र्य निवेश्य च रथोपरि । कालिन्द्या ह्रदमागत्य स्नानं विधिवदाचरत्
akrūrastāvupāmantrya niveśya ca rathopari | kālindyā hradamāgatya snānaṃ vidhivadācarat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Akrūra asked the two Lords to take Their seats on the chariot. Then, taking Their permission, he went to a pool in the Yamunā and took his bath as enjoined in the scriptures.
निमज्ज्य तस्मिन् सलिले जपन् ब्रह्म सनातनम् । तावेव ददृशेऽक्रूरो रामकृष्णौ समन्वितौ
nimajjya tasmin salile japan brahma sanātanam | tāveva dadṛśe'krūro rāmakṛṣṇau samanvitau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While immersing himself in the water and reciting eternal mantras from the Vedas, Akrūra suddenly saw Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa before him.
SB 10.40.1
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Akrūra said: I bow down to You, the cause of all causes, the original and inexhaustible Supreme Person, Nārāyaṇa. From the whorl of the lotus born from Your navel, Brahmā appeared, and by his agency this universe has come into being.
SB 10.40.2
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Earth; water; fire; air; ether and its source, false ego; the mahat-tattva; the total material nature and her source, the Supreme Lord’s puruṣa expansion; the mind; the senses; the sense objects; and the senses’ presiding deities — all these causes of the cosmic manifestation are born from Your transcendental body.
SB 10.40.3
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The total material nature and these other elements of creation certainly cannot know You as You are, for they are manifested in the realm of dull matter. Since You are beyond the modes of nature, even Lord Brahmā, who is bound up in these modes, does not know Your true identity.
SB 10.40.4
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pure yogīs worship You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by conceiving of You in the threefold form comprising the living entities, the material elements that constitute the living entities’ bodies, and the controlling deities of those elements.
SB 10.40.5
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Brāhmaṇas who follow the regulations concerning the three sacred fires worship You by chanting mantras from the three Vedas and performing elaborate fire sacrifices for the various demigods, who have many forms and names.
SB 10.40.6
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In pursuit of spiritual knowledge, some persons renounce all material activities and, having thus become peaceful, perform the sacrifice of philosophic investigation to worship You, the original form of all knowledge.
SB 10.40.7
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And yet others — those whose intelligence is pure — follow the injunctions of Vaiṣṇava scriptures promulgated by You. Absorbing their minds in thought of You, they worship You as the one Supreme Lord manifesting in multiple forms.
SB 10.40.8
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There are still others, who worship You, the Supreme Lord, in the form of Lord Śiva. They follow the path described by him and interpreted in various ways by many teachers.
SB 10.40.9
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But all these people, my Lord, even those who have turned their attention away from You and are worshiping other deities, are actually worshiping You alone, O embodiment of all the demigods.
SB 10.40.10
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As rivers born from the mountains and filled by the rain flow from all sides into the sea, so do all these paths in the end reach You, O master.
SB 10.40.11
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Goodness, passion and ignorance, the qualities of Your material nature, entangle all conditioned living beings, from Brahmā down to the nonmoving creatures.
SB 10.40.12
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I offer My obeisances to You, who as the Supreme Soul of all beings witness everyone’s consciousness with unbiased vision. The current of Your material modes, produced by the force of ignorance, flows strongly among the living beings who assume identities as demigods, humans and animals.
SB 10.40.15
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the worlds, with their presiding demigods and teeming populations, originate in You, the inexhaustible Supreme Personality of Godhead. These worlds travel within You, the basis of the mind and senses, just as aquatics swim in the sea or tiny insects burrow within an udumbara fruit.
SB 10.40.16
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To enjoy Your pastimes You manifest Yourself in various forms in this material world, and these incarnations cleanse away all the unhappiness of those who joyfully chant Your glories.
SB 10.40.19
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances to You, the amazing lion [Lord Nṛsiṁha], who remove Your saintly devotees’ fear, and to the dwarf Vāmana, who stepped over the three worlds.
SB 10.40.20
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances to You, Lord of the Bhṛgus, who cut down the forest of the conceited royal order, and to Lord Rāma, the best of the Raghu dynasty, who put an end to the demon Rāvaṇa.
SB 10.40.21
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances to You, Lord of the Sātvatas, and to Your forms of Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha.
SB 10.40.22
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances to Your form as the faultless Lord Buddha, who will bewilder the Daityas and Dānavas, and to Lord Kalki, the annihilator of the meat-eaters posing as kings.
SB 10.40.23
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Supreme Lord, the living entities in this world are bewildered by Your illusory energy. Becoming involved in the false concepts of “I” and “my,” they are forced to wander along the paths of fruitive work.
SB 10.40.24
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I too am deluded in this way, O almighty Lord, foolishly thinking my body, children, home, wife, money and followers to be real, though they are actually as unreal as a dream.
SB 10.40.25
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus mistaking the temporary for the eternal, my body for my self, and sources of misery for sources of happiness, I have tried to take pleasure in material dualities. Covered in this way by ignorance, I could not recognize You as the real object of my love.
SB 10.40.26
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as a fool overlooks a body of water covered by the vegetation growing in it and chases a mirage, so I have turned away from You.
SB 10.40.27
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My intelligence is so crippled that I cannot find the strength to curb my mind, which is disturbed by material desires and activities and constantly dragged here and there by my obstinate senses.
SB 10.40.28
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being thus fallen, I am approaching Your feet for shelter, O Lord, because although the impure can never attain Your feet, I think it is nevertheless possible by Your mercy. Only when one’s material life has ceased, O lotus-naveled Lord, can one develop consciousness of You by serving Your pure devotees.
SB 10.40.29
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances to the Supreme Absolute Truth, the possessor of unlimited energies. He is the embodiment of pure, transcendental knowledge, the source of all kinds of awareness, and the predominator of the forces of nature that rule over the living being.
SB 10.40.30
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O son of Vasudeva, obeisances to You, within whom all living beings reside. O Lord of the mind and senses, again I offer You my obeisances. O master, please protect me, who am surrendered unto You.
श्रीशुक उवाच । स्तुवतस्तस्य भगवान् दर्शयित्वा जले वपुः । भूयः समाहरत्कृष्णो नटो नाट्यमिवात्मनः
śrīśuka uvāca | stuvatastasya bhagavān darśayitvā jale vapuḥ | bhūyaḥ samāharatkṛṣṇo naṭo nāṭyamivātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: While Akrūra was still offering prayers, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa withdrew His form that He had revealed in the water, just as an actor winds up his performance.
सोऽपि चान्तर्हितं वीक्ष्य जलादुन्मज्य सत्वरः । कृत्वा चावश्यकं सर्वं विस्मितो रथमागमत्
so'pi cāntarhitaṃ vīkṣya jalādunmajya satvaraḥ | kṛtvā cāvaśyakaṃ sarvaṃ vismito rathamāgamat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Akrūra saw the vision disappear, he came out of the water and quickly finished his various ritual duties. He then returned to the chariot, astonished.
तमपृच्छद्धृषीकेशः किं ते दृष्टमिवाद्भुतम् । भूमौ वियति तोये वा तथा त्वां लक्षयामहे
tamapṛcchaddhṛṣīkeśaḥ kiṃ te dṛṣṭamivādbhutam | bhūmau viyati toye vā tathā tvāṃ lakṣayāmahe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa asked Akrūra: Have you seen something wonderful on the earth, in the sky or in the water? From your appearance, We think you have.
अक्रूर उवाच । अद्भुतानीह यावन्ति भूमौ वियति वा जले । त्वयि विश्वात्मके तानि किं मेऽदृष्टं विपश्यतः
akrūra uvāca | adbhutānīha yāvanti bhūmau viyati vā jale | tvayi viśvātmake tāni kiṃ me'dṛṣṭaṃ vipaśyataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Akrūra said: Whatever wonderful things the earth, sky or water contain, all exist in You. Since You encompass everything, when I am seeing You, what have I not seen?
यत्राद्भुतानि सर्वाणि भूमौ वियति वा जले । तं त्वानुपश्यतो ब्रह्मन् किं मे दृष्टमिहाद्भुतम्
yatrādbhutāni sarvāṇi bhūmau viyati vā jale | taṃ tvānupaśyato brahman kiṃ me dṛṣṭamihādbhutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And now that I am seeing You, O Supreme Absolute Truth, in whom reside all amazing things on the earth, in the sky and in the water, what amazing things could I see in this world?
इत्युक्त्वा चोदयामास स्यन्दनं गान्दिनीसुतः । मथुरामनयद्रामं कृष्णं चैव दिनात्यये
ityuktvā codayāmāsa syandanaṃ gāndinīsutaḥ | mathurāmanayadrāmaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ caiva dinātyaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With these words, Akrūra, the son of Gāndinī, began driving the chariot onward. At the end of the day he arrived in Mathurā with Lord Balarāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa.
मार्गे ग्रामजना राजंस्तत्र तत्रोपसङ्गताः । वसुदेवसुतौ वीक्ष्य प्रीता दृष्टिं न चाददुः
mārge grāmajanā rājaṃstatra tatropasaṅgatāḥ | vasudevasutau vīkṣya prītā dṛṣṭiṃ na cādaduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Wherever they passed along the road, O King, the village people came forward and looked upon the two sons of Vasudeva with great pleasure. In fact, the villagers could not withdraw their eyes from Them.
तावद्व्रजौकसस्तत्र नन्दगोपादयोऽग्रतः । पुरोपवनमासाद्य प्रतीक्षन्तोऽवतस्थिरे
tāvadvrajaukasastatra nandagopādayo'grataḥ | puropavanamāsādya pratīkṣanto'vatasthire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja and the other residents of Vṛndāvana, having reached Mathurā ahead of the chariot, had stopped at a garden on the outskirts of the city to wait for Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.
तान् समेत्याह भगवानक्रूरं जगदीश्वरः । गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणिं प्रश्रितं प्रहसन्निव
tān sametyāha bhagavānakrūraṃ jagadīśvaraḥ | gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇiṃ praśritaṃ prahasanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After joining Nanda and the others, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, the controller of the universe, took humble Akrūra’s hand in His own and, smiling, spoke as follows.
भवान् प्रविशतामग्रे सह यानः पुरीं गृहम् । वयं त्विहावमुच्याथ ततो द्रक्ष्यामहे पुरीम्
bhavān praviśatāmagre saha yānaḥ purīṃ gṛham | vayaṃ tvihāvamucyātha tato drakṣyāmahe purīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Take the chariot and enter the city ahead of us. Then go home. After resting here a while, we will go to see the city.
अक्रूर उवाच । नाहं भवद्भ्यां रहितः प्रवेक्ष्ये मथुरां प्रभो । त्यक्तुं नार्हसि मां नाथ भक्तं ते भक्तवत्सल
akrūra uvāca | nāhaṃ bhavadbhyāṃ rahitaḥ pravekṣye mathurāṃ prabho | tyaktuṃ nārhasi māṃ nātha bhaktaṃ te bhaktavatsala
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Akrūra said: O master, without the two of You I shall not enter Mathurā. I am Your devotee, O Lord, so it is not fair for You to abandon me, since You are always affectionate to Your devotees.
आगच्छ याम गेहान्नः सनाथान् कुर्वधोक्षज । सहाग्रजः सगोपालैः सुहृद्भिश्च सुहृत्तम
āgaccha yāma gehānnaḥ sanāthān kurvadhokṣaja | sahāgrajaḥ sagopālaiḥ suhṛdbhiśca suhṛttama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Come, let us go to my house with Your elder brother, the cowherd men and Your companions. O best of friends, O transcendental Lord, in this way please grace my house with its master.
पुनीहि पादरजसा गृहान्नो गृहमेधिनाम् । यच्छौचेनानुतृप्यन्ति पितरः साग्नयः सुराः
punīhi pādarajasā gṛhānno gṛhamedhinām | yacchaucenānutṛpyanti pitaraḥ sāgnayaḥ surāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am simply an ordinary householder attached to ritual sacrifices, so please purify my home with the dust of Your lotus feet. By that act of purification, my forefathers, the sacrificial fires and the demigods will all become satisfied.
अवनिज्याङ्घ्रियुगलमासीच्छ्लोक्यो बलिर्महान् । ऐश्वर्यमतुलं लेभे गतिं चैकान्तिनां तु या
avanijyāṅghriyugalamāsīcchlokyo balirmahān | aiśvaryamatulaṃ lebhe gatiṃ caikāntināṃ tu yā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By bathing Your feet, the exalted Bali Mahārāja attained not only glorious fame and unequaled power but also the final destination of pure devotees.
आपस्तेऽङ्घ्र्यवनेजन्यस्त्रींल्लोकान् शुचयोऽपुनन् । शिरसाधत्त याः शर्वः स्वर्याताः सगरात्मजाः
āpaste'ṅghryavanejanyastrīṃllokān śucayo'punan | śirasādhatta yāḥ śarvaḥ svaryātāḥ sagarātmajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The water of the river Ganges has purified the three worlds, having become transcendental by bathing Your feet. Lord Śiva accepted that water on his head, and by that water’s grace the sons of King Sagara attained to heaven.
देव देव जगन्नाथ पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तन । यदूत्तमोत्तमश्लोक नारायण नमोऽस्तु ते
deva deva jagannātha puṇyaśravaṇakīrtana | yadūttamottamaśloka nārāyaṇa namo'stu te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord of lords, master of the universe, O You whose glories it is most pious to hear and chant! O best of the Yadus, O You whose fame is recounted in excellent poetry! O Supreme Lord Nārāyaṇa, I offer You my obeisances.
श्रीभगवनुवाच । आयास्ये भवतो गेहमहमार्यसमन्वितः । यदुचक्रद्रुहं हत्वा वितरिष्ये सुहृत्प्रियम्
śrībhagavanuvāca | āyāsye bhavato gehamahamāryasamanvitaḥ | yaducakradruhaṃ hatvā vitariṣye suhṛtpriyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: I will come to Your house with My elder brother, but first I must satisfy My friends and well-wishers by killing the enemy of the Yadu clan.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवमुक्तो भगवता सोऽक्रूरो विमना इव । पुरीं प्रविष्टः कंसाय कर्मावेद्य गृहं ययौ
śrīśuka uvāca | evamukto bhagavatā so'krūro vimanā iva | purīṃ praviṣṭaḥ kaṃsāya karmāvedya gṛhaṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus addressed by the Lord, Akrūra entered the city with a heavy heart. He informed King Kaṁsa of the success of his mission and then went home.
अथापराह्ने भगवान् कृष्णः सङ्कर्षणान्वितः । मथुरां प्राविशद्गोपैर्दिदृक्षुः परिवारितः
athāparāhne bhagavān kṛṣṇaḥ saṅkarṣaṇānvitaḥ | mathurāṃ prāviśadgopairdidṛkṣuḥ parivāritaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa desired to see Mathurā, so toward evening He took Lord Balarāma and the cowherd boys with Him and entered the city.
तां सम्प्रविष्टौ वसुदेवनन्दनौ वृतौ वयस्यैर्नरदेववर्त्मना । द्रष्टुं समीयुस्त्वरिताः पुरस्त्रियो हर्म्याणि चैवारुरुहुर्नृपोत्सुकाः
tāṃ sampraviṣṭau vasudevanandanau vṛtau vayasyairnaradevavartmanā | draṣṭuṃ samīyustvaritāḥ purastriyo harmyāṇi caivāruruhurnṛpotsukāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The women of Mathurā hurriedly assembled and went forth to see the two sons of Vasudeva as They entered the city on the King’s road, surrounded by Their cowherd boyfriends. Some of the women, my dear King, eagerly climbed to the roofs of their houses to see Them.
काश्चिद्विपर्यग्धृतवस्त्रभूषणा विस्मृत्य चैकं युगलेष्वथापराः । कृतैकपत्रश्रवणैकनूपुरा नाङ्क्त्वा द्वितीयं त्वपराश्च लोचनम्
kāścidviparyagdhṛtavastrabhūṣaṇā vismṛtya caikaṃ yugaleṣvathāparāḥ | kṛtaikapatraśravaṇaikanūpurā nāṅktvā dvitīyaṃ tvaparāśca locanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some of the ladies put their clothes and ornaments on backwards, others forgot one of their earrings or ankle bells, and others applied makeup to one eye but not the other.
अश्नन्त्य एकास्तदपास्य सोत्सवा अभ्यज्यमाना अकृतोपमज्जनाः । स्वपन्त्य उत्थाय निशम्य निःस्वनं प्रपाययन्त्योऽर्भमपोह्य मातरः
aśnantya ekāstadapāsya sotsavā abhyajyamānā akṛtopamajjanāḥ | svapantya utthāya niśamya niḥsvanaṃ prapāyayantyo'rbhamapohya mātaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who were taking their meals abandoned them, others went out without finishing their baths or massages, women who were sleeping at once rose when they heard the commotion, and mothers breast-feeding their infants simply put them aside.
मनांसि तासामरविन्दलोचनः प्रगल्भलीलाहसितावलोकैः । जहार मत्तद्विरदेन्द्रविक्रमो दृशां ददच्छ्रीरमणात्मनोत्सवम्
manāṃsi tāsāmaravindalocanaḥ pragalbhalīlāhasitāvalokaiḥ | jahāra mattadviradendravikramo dṛśāṃ dadacchrīramaṇātmanotsavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The lotus-eyed Lord, smiling as He recalled His bold pastimes, captivated those ladies’ minds with His glances. He walked with the gait of a lordly elephant in rut, creating a festival for their eyes with His transcendental body, which is the source of pleasure for the divine goddess of fortune.
दृष्ट्वा मुहुः श्रुतमनुद्रुतचेतसस्तं तत्प्रेक्षणोत्स्मितसुधोक्षणलब्धमानाः । आनन्दमूर्तिमुपगुह्य दृशाऽऽत्मलब्धं हृष्यत्त्वचो जहुरनन्तमरिन्दमाधिम्
dṛṣṭvā muhuḥ śrutamanudrutacetasastaṃ tatprekṣaṇotsmitasudhokṣaṇalabdhamānāḥ | ānandamūrtimupaguhya dṛśā''tmalabdhaṃ hṛṣyattvaco jahuranantamarindamādhim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The ladies of Mathurā had repeatedly heard about Kṛṣṇa, and thus as soon as they saw Him their hearts melted. They felt honored that He was sprinkling upon them the nectar of His glances and broad smiles. Taking Him into their hearts through their eyes, they embraced Him, the embodiment of all ecstasy, and as their bodily hairs stood on end, O subduer of enemies, they forgot the unlimited distress caused by His absence.
प्रासादशिखरारूढाः प्रीत्युत्फुल्लमुखाम्बुजाः । अभ्यवर्षन् सौमनस्यैः प्रमदा बलकेशवौ
prāsādaśikharārūḍhāḥ prītyutphullamukhāmbujāḥ | abhyavarṣan saumanasyaiḥ pramadā balakeśavau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their lotus faces blooming with affection, the ladies who had climbed to the roofs of the mansions rained down showers of flowers upon Lord Balarāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa.
दध्यक्षतैः सोदपात्रैः स्रग्गन्धैरभ्युपायनैः । तावानर्चुः प्रमुदितास्तत्र तत्र द्विजातयः
dadhyakṣataiḥ sodapātraiḥ sraggandhairabhyupāyanaiḥ | tāvānarcuḥ pramuditāstatra tatra dvijātayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Brāhmaṇas standing along the way honored the two Lords with presentations of yogurt, unbroken barleycorns, pots full of water, garlands, fragrant substances such as sandalwood paste, and other items of worship.
ऊचुः पौरा अहो गोप्यस्तपः किमचरन् महत् । या ह्येतावनुपश्यन्ति नरलोकमहोत्सवौ
ūcuḥ paurā aho gopyastapaḥ kimacaran mahat | yā hyetāvanupaśyanti naralokamahotsavau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The women of Mathurā exclaimed: Oh, what severe austerities the gopīs must have performed to be able to regularly see Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, who are the greatest source of pleasure for all mankind!
रजकं कञ्चिदायान्तं रङ्गकारं गदाग्रजः । दृष्ट्वायाचत वासांसि धौतान्यत्युत्तमानि च
rajakaṃ kañcidāyāntaṃ raṅgakāraṃ gadāgrajaḥ | dṛṣṭvāyācata vāsāṃsi dhautānyatyuttamāni ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing a washerman approaching who had been dyeing some clothes, Kṛṣṇa asked him for the finest laundered garments he had.
देह्यावयोः समुचितान्यङ्ग वासांसि चार्हतोः । भविष्यति परं श्रेयो दातुस्ते नात्र संशयः
dehyāvayoḥ samucitānyaṅga vāsāṃsi cārhatoḥ | bhaviṣyati paraṃ śreyo dātuste nātra saṃśayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Please give suitable garments to the two of Us, who certainly deserve them. If you grant this charity, you will undoubtedly receive the greatest benefit.
स याचितो भगवता परिपूर्णेन सर्वतः । साक्षेपं रुषितः प्राह भृत्यो राज्ञः सुदुर्मदः
sa yācito bhagavatā paripūrṇena sarvataḥ | sākṣepaṃ ruṣitaḥ prāha bhṛtyo rājñaḥ sudurmadaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus requested by the Supreme Lord, who is perfectly complete in all respects, that arrogant servant of the King became angry and replied insultingly.
ईदृशान्येव वासांसी नित्यं गिरिवनेचराः । परिधत्त किमुद्वृत्ता राजद्रव्याण्यभीप्सथ
īdṛśānyeva vāsāṃsī nityaṃ girivanecarāḥ | paridhatta kimudvṛttā rājadravyāṇyabhīpsatha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The washerman said:] You impudent boys! You’re accustomed to roaming the mountains and forests, and yet You would dare put on such clothes as these! These are the King’s possessions You’re asking for!
याताशु बालिशा मैवं प्रार्थ्यं यदि जिजीविषा । बध्नन्ति घ्नन्ति लुम्पन्ति दृप्तं राजकुलानि वै
yātāśu bāliśā maivaṃ prārthyaṃ yadi jijīviṣā | badhnanti ghnanti lumpanti dṛptaṃ rājakulāni vai
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Fools, get out of here quickly! Don’t beg like this if You want to stay alive. When someone is too bold, the King’s men arrest him and kill him and take all his property.
एवं विकत्थमानस्य कुपितो देवकीसुतः । रजकस्य कराग्रेण शिरः कायादपातयत्
evaṃ vikatthamānasya kupito devakīsutaḥ | rajakasya karāgreṇa śiraḥ kāyādapātayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the washerman thus spoke brazenly, the son of Devakī became angry, and then merely with His fingertips He separated the man’s head from his body.
तस्यानुजीविनः सर्वे वासः कोशान् विसृज्य वै । दुद्रुवुः सर्वतो मार्गं वासांसि जगृहेऽच्युतः
tasyānujīvinaḥ sarve vāsaḥ kośān visṛjya vai | dudruvuḥ sarvato mārgaṃ vāsāṃsi jagṛhe'cyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The washerman’s assistants all dropped their bundles of clothes and fled down the road, scattering in all directions. Lord Kṛṣṇa then took the clothes.
वसित्वाऽऽत्मप्रिये वस्त्रे कृष्णः सङ्कर्षणस्तथा । शेषाण्यादत्त गोपेभ्यो विसृज्य भुवि कानिचित्
vasitvā''tmapriye vastre kṛṣṇaḥ saṅkarṣaṇastathā | śeṣāṇyādatta gopebhyo visṛjya bhuvi kānicit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma put on pairs of garments that especially pleased Them, and then Kṛṣṇa distributed the remaining clothes among the cowherd boys, leaving some scattered on the ground.
ततस्तु वायकः प्रीतस्तयोर्वेषमकल्पयत् । विचित्रवर्णैश्चैलेयैराकल्पैरनुरूपतः
tatastu vāyakaḥ prītastayorveṣamakalpayat | vicitravarṇaiścaileyairākalpairanurūpataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereupon a weaver came forward and, feeling affection for the Lords, nicely adorned Their attire with cloth ornaments of various colors.
नानालक्षणवेषाभ्यां कृष्णरामौ विरेजतुः । स्वलङ्कृतौ बालगजौ पर्वणीव सितेतरौ
nānālakṣaṇaveṣābhyāṃ kṛṣṇarāmau virejatuḥ | svalaṅkṛtau bālagajau parvaṇīva sitetarau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma looked resplendent, each in His own unique, wonderfully ornamented outfit. They resembled a pair of young elephants, one white and the other black, decorated for a festive occasion.
तस्य प्रसन्नो भगवान् प्रादात्सारूप्यमात्मनः । श्रियं च परमां लोके बलैश्वर्यस्मृतीन्द्रियम्
tasya prasanno bhagavān prādātsārūpyamātmanaḥ | śriyaṃ ca paramāṃ loke balaiśvaryasmṛtīndriyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pleased with the weaver, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa blessed him that after death he would achieve the liberation of attaining a form like the Lord’s, and that while in this world he would enjoy supreme opulence, physical strength, influence, memory and sensory vigor.
ततः सुदाम्नो भवनं मालाकारस्य जग्मतुः । तौ दृष्ट्वा स समुत्थाय ननाम शिरसा भुवि
tataḥ sudāmno bhavanaṃ mālākārasya jagmatuḥ | tau dṛṣṭvā sa samutthāya nanāma śirasā bhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The two Lords then went to the house of the garland-maker Sudāmā. When Sudāmā saw Them he at once stood up and then bowed down, placing his head on the ground.
तयोरासनमानीय पाद्यं चार्घ्यार्हणादिभिः । पूजां सानुगयोश्चक्रे स्रक्ताम्बूलानुलेपनैः
tayorāsanamānīya pādyaṃ cārghyārhaṇādibhiḥ | pūjāṃ sānugayoścakre sraktāmbūlānulepanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After offering Them seats and bathing Their feet, Sudāmā worshiped Them and Their companions with arghya, garlands, pān, sandalwood paste and other presentations.
प्राह नः सार्थकं जन्म पावितं च कुलं प्रभो । पितृदेवर्षयो मह्यं तुष्टा ह्यागमनेन वाम्
prāha naḥ sārthakaṃ janma pāvitaṃ ca kulaṃ prabho | pitṛdevarṣayo mahyaṃ tuṣṭā hyāgamanena vām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Sudāmā said:] O Lord, my birth is now sanctified and my family free of contamination. Now that You both have come here, my forefathers, the demigods and the great sages are certainly all satisfied with me.
भवन्तौ किल विश्वस्य जगतः कारणं परम् । अवतीर्णाविहांशेन क्षेमाय च भवाय च
bhavantau kila viśvasya jagataḥ kāraṇaṃ param | avatīrṇāvihāṃśena kṣemāya ca bhavāya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You two Lords are the ultimate cause of this entire universe. To bestow sustenance and prosperity upon this realm, You have descended with Your plenary expansions.
न हि वां विषमा दृष्टिः सुहृदोर्जगदात्मनोः । समयोः सर्वभूतेषु भजन्तं भजतोरपि
na hi vāṃ viṣamā dṛṣṭiḥ suhṛdorjagadātmanoḥ | samayoḥ sarvabhūteṣu bhajantaṃ bhajatorapi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because You are the well-wishing friends and Supreme Soul of the whole universe, You regard all with unbiased vision. Therefore, although You reciprocate Your devotees’ loving worship, You always remain equally disposed toward all living beings.
तावाज्ञापयतं भृत्यं किमहं करवाणि वाम् । पुंसोऽत्यनुग्रहो ह्येष भवद्भिर्यन्नियुज्यते
tāvājñāpayataṃ bhṛtyaṃ kimahaṃ karavāṇi vām | puṃso'tyanugraho hyeṣa bhavadbhiryanniyujyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please order me, Your servant, to do whatever You wish. To be engaged by You in some service is certainly a great blessing for anyone.
इत्यभिप्रेत्य राजेन्द्र सुदामा प्रीतमानसः । शस्तैः सुगन्धैः कुसुमैर्माला विरचिता ददौ
ityabhipretya rājendra sudāmā prītamānasaḥ | śastaiḥ sugandhaiḥ kusumairmālā viracitā dadau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] O best of kings, having spoken these words, Sudāmā could understand what Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma wanted. Thus with great pleasure he presented Them with garlands of fresh, fragrant flowers.
ताभिः स्वलङ्कृतौ प्रीतौ कृष्णरामौ सहानुगौ । प्रणताय प्रपन्नाय ददतुर्वरदौ वरान्
tābhiḥ svalaṅkṛtau prītau kṛṣṇarāmau sahānugau | praṇatāya prapannāya dadaturvaradau varān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Beautifully adorned with these garlands, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were delighted, and so were Their companions. The two Lords then offered the surrendered Sudāmā, who was bowing down before Them, whatever benedictions he desired.
सोऽपि वव्रेऽचलां भक्तिं तस्मिन्नेवाखिलात्मनि । तद्भक्तेषु च सौहार्दं भूतेषु च दयां पराम्
so'pi vavre'calāṃ bhaktiṃ tasminnevākhilātmani | tadbhakteṣu ca sauhārdaṃ bhūteṣu ca dayāṃ parām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sudāmā chose unshakable devotion for Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul of all existence; friendship with His devotees; and transcendental compassion for all living beings.
इति तस्मै वरं दत्त्वा श्रियं चान्वयवर्धिनीम् । बलमायुर्यशःकान्तिं निर्जगाम सहाग्रजः
iti tasmai varaṃ dattvā śriyaṃ cānvayavardhinīm | balamāyuryaśaḥkāntiṃ nirjagāma sahāgrajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Not only did Lord Kṛṣṇa grant Sudāmā these benedictions, but He also awarded him strength, long life, fame, beauty and ever-increasing prosperity for his family. Then Kṛṣṇa and His elder brother took Their leave.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथ व्रजन् राजपथेन माधवः स्त्रियं गृहीताङ्गविलेपभाजनाम् । विलोक्य कुब्जां युवतीं वराननां पप्रच्छ यान्तीं प्रहसन् रसप्रदः
śrīśuka uvāca | atha vrajan rājapathena mādhavaḥ striyaṃ gṛhītāṅgavilepabhājanām | vilokya kubjāṃ yuvatīṃ varānanāṃ papraccha yāntīṃ prahasan rasapradaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: As He walked down the King’s road, Lord Mādhava then saw a young hunchback woman with an attractive face, who carried a tray of fragrant ointments as she walked along. The bestower of the ecstasy of love smiled and inquired from her as follows.
का त्वं वरोर्वेतदु हानुलेपनं कस्याङ्गने वा कथयस्व साधु नः । देह्यावयोरङ्गविलेपमुत्तमं श्रेयस्ततस्ते न चिराद्भविष्यति
kā tvaṃ varorvetadu hānulepanaṃ kasyāṅgane vā kathayasva sādhu naḥ | dehyāvayoraṅgavilepamuttamaṃ śreyastataste na cirādbhaviṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Who are you, O beautiful-thighed one? Ah, ointment! Who is it for, my dear lady? Please tell Us truthfully. Give Us both some of your finest ointment and you will soon gain a great boon.
सैरन्ध्र्युवाच । दास्यस्म्यहं सुन्दर कंससम्मता त्रिवक्रनामा ह्यनुलेपकर्मणि । मद्भावितं भोजपतेरतिप्रियं विना युवां कोऽन्यतमस्तदर्हति
sairandhryuvāca | dāsyasmyahaṃ sundara kaṃsasammatā trivakranāmā hyanulepakarmaṇi | madbhāvitaṃ bhojapateratipriyaṃ vinā yuvāṃ ko'nyatamastadarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The maidservant replied: O handsome one, I am a servant of King Kaṁsa, who highly regards me for the ointments I make. My name is Trivakrā. Who else but You two deserve my ointments, which the lord of the Bhojas likes so much?
रूपपेशलमाधुर्यहसितालापवीक्षितैः । धर्षितात्मा ददौ सान्द्रमुभयोरनुलेपनम्
rūpapeśalamādhuryahasitālāpavīkṣitaiḥ | dharṣitātmā dadau sāndramubhayoranulepanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Her mind overwhelmed by Kṛṣṇa’s beauty, charm, sweetness, smiles, words and glances, Trivakrā gave both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma generous amounts of ointment.
ततस्तावङ्गरागेण स्ववर्णेतरशोभिना । सम्प्राप्तपरभागेन शुशुभातेऽनुरञ्जितौ
tatastāvaṅgarāgeṇa svavarṇetaraśobhinā | samprāptaparabhāgena śuśubhāte'nurañjitau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Anointed with these most excellent cosmetics, which adorned Them with hues that contrasted with Their complexions, the two Lords appeared extremely beautiful.
प्रसन्नो भगवान् कुब्जां त्रिवक्रां रुचिराननाम् । ऋज्वीं कर्तुं मनश्चक्रे दर्शयन् दर्शने फलम्
prasanno bhagavān kubjāṃ trivakrāṃ rucirānanām | ṛjvīṃ kartuṃ manaścakre darśayan darśane phalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa was pleased with Trivakrā, so He decided to straighten that hunchbacked girl with the lovely face just to demonstrate the result of seeing Him.
पद्भ्यामाक्रम्य प्रपदे द्व्यङ्गुल्युत्तानपाणिना । प्रगृह्य चिबुकेऽध्यात्ममुदनीनमदच्युतः
padbhyāmākramya prapade dvyaṅgulyuttānapāṇinā | pragṛhya cibuke'dhyātmamudanīnamadacyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pressing down on her toes with both His feet, Lord Acyuta placed one upward-pointing finger of each hand under her chin and straightened up her body.
सा तदर्जुसमानाङ्गी बृहच्छ्रोणिपयोधरा । मुकुन्दस्पर्शनात्सद्यो बभूव प्रमदोत्तमा
sā tadarjusamānāṅgī bṛhacchroṇipayodharā | mukundasparśanātsadyo babhūva pramadottamā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Simply by Lord Mukunda’s touch, Trivakrā was suddenly transformed into an exquisitely beautiful woman with straight, evenly proportioned limbs and large hips and breasts.
ततो रूपगुणौदार्यसम्पन्ना प्राह केशवम् । उत्तरीयान्तमाकृष्य स्मयन्ती जातहृच्छया
tato rūpaguṇaudāryasampannā prāha keśavam | uttarīyāntamākṛṣya smayantī jātahṛcchayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now endowed with beauty, character and generosity, Trivakrā began to feel lusty desires for Lord Keśava. Taking hold of the end of His upper cloth, she smiled and addressed Him as follows.
एहि वीर गृहं यामो न त्वां त्यक्तुमिहोत्सहे । त्वयोन्मथितचित्तायाः प्रसीद पुरुषर्षभ
ehi vīra gṛhaṃ yāmo na tvāṃ tyaktumihotsahe | tvayonmathitacittāyāḥ prasīda puruṣarṣabha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Trivakrā said:] Come, O hero, let us go to my house. I cannot bear to leave You here. O best of males, please take pity on me, since You have agitated my mind.
एवं स्त्रिया याच्यमानः कृष्णो रामस्य पश्यतः । मुखं वीक्ष्यानुगानां च प्रहसंस्तामुवाच ह
evaṃ striyā yācyamānaḥ kṛṣṇo rāmasya paśyataḥ | mukhaṃ vīkṣyānugānāṃ ca prahasaṃstāmuvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus entreated by the woman, Lord Kṛṣṇa first glanced at the face of Balarāma, who was watching the incident, and then at the faces of the cowherd boys. Then with a laugh Kṛṣṇa replied to her as follows.
एष्यामि ते गृहं सुभ्रूः पुंसामाधिविकर्शनम् । साधितार्थोऽगृहाणां नः पान्थानां त्वं परायणम्
eṣyāmi te gṛhaṃ subhrūḥ puṃsāmādhivikarśanam | sādhitārtho'gṛhāṇāṃ naḥ pānthānāṃ tvaṃ parāyaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] O lady with beautiful eyebrows, as soon as I fulfill My purpose I will certainly visit your house, where men can relieve their anxiety. Indeed, you are the best refuge for Us homeless travelers.
विसृज्य माध्व्या वाण्या तां व्रजन् मार्गे वणिक्पथैः । नानोपायनताम्बूलस्रग्गन्धैः साग्रजोऽर्चितः
visṛjya mādhvyā vāṇyā tāṃ vrajan mārge vaṇikpathaiḥ | nānopāyanatāmbūlasraggandhaiḥ sāgrajo'rcitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Leaving her with these sweet words, Lord Kṛṣṇa walked further down the road. The merchants along the way worshiped Him and His elder brother by presenting Them with various respectful offerings, including pān, garlands and fragrant substances.
तद्दर्शनस्मरक्षोभादात्मानं नाविदन् स्त्रियः । विस्रस्तवासःकबरवलयालेख्यमूर्तयः
taddarśanasmarakṣobhādātmānaṃ nāvidan striyaḥ | visrastavāsaḥkabaravalayālekhyamūrtayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sight of Kṛṣṇa aroused Cupid in the hearts of the city women. Thus agitated, they forgot themselves. Their clothes, braids and bangles became disheveled, and they stood as still as figures in a painting.
ततः पौरान् पृच्छमानो धनुषः स्थानमच्युतः । तस्मिन् प्रविष्टो ददृशे धनुरैन्द्रमिवाद्भुतम्
tataḥ paurān pṛcchamāno dhanuṣaḥ sthānamacyutaḥ | tasmin praviṣṭo dadṛśe dhanuraindramivādbhutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa then asked the local people where the arena was in which the bow sacrifice would take place. When He went there He saw the amazing bow, which resembled Lord Indra’s.
पुरुषैर्बहुभिर्गुप्तमर्चितं परमर्द्धिमत् । वार्यमाणो नृभिः कृष्णः प्रसह्य धनुराददे
puruṣairbahubhirguptamarcitaṃ paramarddhimat | vāryamāṇo nṛbhiḥ kṛṣṇaḥ prasahya dhanurādade
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That most opulent bow was guarded by a large company of men, who were respectfully worshiping it. Kṛṣṇa pushed His way forward and, despite the guards’ attempts to stop Him, picked it up.
करेण वामेन सलीलमुद्धृतं सज्यं च कृत्वा निमिषेण पश्यताम् । नृणां विकृष्य प्रबभञ्ज मध्यतो यथेक्षुदण्डं मदकर्युरुक्रमः
kareṇa vāmena salīlamuddhṛtaṃ sajyaṃ ca kṛtvā nimiṣeṇa paśyatām | nṛṇāṃ vikṛṣya prababhañja madhyato yathekṣudaṇḍaṃ madakaryurukramaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Easily lifting the bow with His left hand, Lord Urukrama strung it in a fraction of a second as the King’s guards looked on. He then powerfully pulled the string and snapped the bow in half, just as an excited elephant might break a stalk of sugar cane.
धनुषो भज्यमानस्य शब्दः खं रोदसी दिशः । पूरयामास यं श्रुत्वा कंसस्त्रासमुपागमत्
dhanuṣo bhajyamānasya śabdaḥ khaṃ rodasī diśaḥ | pūrayāmāsa yaṃ śrutvā kaṃsastrāsamupāgamat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sound of the bow’s breaking filled the earth and sky in all directions. Upon hearing it, Kaṁsa was struck with terror.
तद्रक्षिणः सानुचराः कुपिता आततायिनः । ग्रहीतुकामा आवव्रुर्गृह्यतां वध्यतामिति
tadrakṣiṇaḥ sānucarāḥ kupitā ātatāyinaḥ | grahītukāmā āvavrurgṛhyatāṃ vadhyatāmiti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The enraged guards then took up their weapons and, wanting to seize Kṛṣṇa and His companions, surrounded them and shouted, “Grab Him! Kill Him!”
अथ तान् दुरभिप्रायान् विलोक्य बलकेशवौ । क्रुद्धौ धन्वन आदाय शकले तांश्च जघ्नतुः
atha tān durabhiprāyān vilokya balakeśavau | kruddhau dhanvana ādāya śakale tāṃśca jaghnatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing the guards coming upon Them with evil intent, Balarāma and Keśava took up the two halves of the bow and began striking them down.
बलं च कंसप्रहितं हत्वा शालामुखात्ततः । निष्क्रम्य चेरतुर्हृष्टौ निरीक्ष्य पुरसम्पदः
balaṃ ca kaṃsaprahitaṃ hatvā śālāmukhāttataḥ | niṣkramya ceraturhṛṣṭau nirīkṣya purasampadaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After also killing a contingent of soldiers sent by Kaṁsa, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma left the sacrificial arena by its main gate and continued Their walk about the city, happily looking at the opulent sights.
तयोस्तदद्भुतं वीर्यं निशाम्य पुरवासिनः । तेजः प्रागल्भ्यं रूपं च मेनिरे विबुधोत्तमौ
tayostadadbhutaṃ vīryaṃ niśāmya puravāsinaḥ | tejaḥ prāgalbhyaṃ rūpaṃ ca menire vibudhottamau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having witnessed the amazing deed Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had performed, and seeing Their strength, boldness and beauty, the people of the city thought They must be two prominent demigods.
तयोर्विचरतोः स्वैरमादित्योऽस्तमुपेयिवान् । कृष्णरामौ वृतौ गोपैः पुराच्छकटमीयतुः
tayorvicaratoḥ svairamādityo'stamupeyivān | kṛṣṇarāmau vṛtau gopaiḥ purācchakaṭamīyatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As They strolled about at will, the sun began to set, so They left the city with the cowherd boys and returned to the cowherds’ wagon encampment.
गोप्यो मुकुन्दविगमे विरहातुरा याः आशासताशिष ऋता मधुपुर्यभूवन् । सम्पश्यतां पुरुषभूषणगात्रलक्ष्मीं हित्वेतरान् नु भजतश्चकमेऽयनं श्रीः
gopyo mukundavigame virahāturā yāḥ āśāsatāśiṣa ṛtā madhupuryabhūvan | sampaśyatāṃ puruṣabhūṣaṇagātralakṣmīṃ hitvetarān nu bhajataścakame'yanaṃ śrīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the time of Mukunda’s [Kṛṣṇa’s] departure from Vṛndāvana, the gopīs had foretold that the residents of Mathurā would enjoy many benedictions, and now the gopīs’ predictions were coming true, for those residents were gazing upon the beauty of Kṛṣṇa, the jewel among men. Indeed, the goddess of fortune desired the shelter of that beauty so much that she abandoned many other men, although they worshiped her.
अवनिक्ताङ्घ्रियुगलौ भुक्त्वा क्षीरोपसेचनम् । ऊषतुस्तां सुखं रात्रिं ज्ञात्वा कंसचिकीर्षितम्
avaniktāṅghriyugalau bhuktvā kṣīropasecanam | ūṣatustāṃ sukhaṃ rātriṃ jñātvā kaṃsacikīrṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Kṛṣṇa’s and Balarāma’s feet were bathed, the two Lords ate rice with milk. Then, although knowing what Kaṁsa intended to do, They spent the night there comfortably.
व्युष्टायां निशि कौरव्य सूर्ये चाद्भ्यः समुत्थिते । कारयामास वै कंसो मल्लक्रीडामहोत्सवम्
vyuṣṭāyāṃ niśi kauravya sūrye cādbhyaḥ samutthite | kārayāmāsa vai kaṃso mallakrīḍāmahotsavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the night had finally passed and the sun rose up again from the water, Kaṁsa set about arranging for the grand wrestling festival.
आनर्चुः पुरुषा रङ्गं तूर्यभेर्यश्च जघ्निरे । मञ्चाश्चालङ्कृताः स्रग्भिः पताकाचैलतोरणैः
ānarcuḥ puruṣā raṅgaṃ tūryabheryaśca jaghnire | mañcāścālaṅkṛtāḥ sragbhiḥ patākācailatoraṇaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King’s men performed the ritual worship of the wrestling arena, sounded their drums and other instruments and decorated the viewing galleries with garlands, flags, ribbons and arches.
तेषु पौरा जानपदा ब्रह्मक्षत्रपुरोगमाः । यथोपजोषं विविशू राजानश्च कृतासनाः
teṣu paurā jānapadā brahmakṣatrapurogamāḥ | yathopajoṣaṃ viviśū rājānaśca kṛtāsanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The city-dwellers and residents of the outlying districts, led by brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas, came and sat down comfortably in the galleries. The royal guests received special seats.
कंसः परिवृतोऽमात्यै राजमञ्च उपाविशत् । मण्डलेश्वरमध्यस्थो हृदयेन विदूयता
kaṃsaḥ parivṛto'mātyai rājamañca upāviśat | maṇḍaleśvaramadhyastho hṛdayena vidūyatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Surrounded by his ministers, Kaṁsa took his seat on the imperial dais. But even as he sat amidst his various provincial rulers, his heart trembled.
वाद्यमानेषु तूर्येषु मल्लतालोत्तरेषु च । मल्लाः स्वलङ्कृता दृप्ताः सोपाध्यायाः समाविशन्
vādyamāneṣu tūryeṣu mallatālottareṣu ca | mallāḥ svalaṅkṛtā dṛptāḥ sopādhyāyāḥ samāviśan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the musical instruments loudly played in the rhythmic meters appropriate for wrestling matches, the lavishly ornamented wrestlers proudly entered the arena with their coaches and sat down.
चाणूरो मुष्टिकः कूटः शलस्तोशल एव च । त आसेदुरुपस्थानं वल्गुवाद्यप्रहर्षिताः
cāṇūro muṣṭikaḥ kūṭaḥ śalastośala eva ca | ta āsedurupasthānaṃ valguvādyapraharṣitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Enthused by the pleasing music, Canura, Muṣṭika, Kūṭa, Śala and Tośala sat down on the wrestling mat.
नन्दगोपादयो गोपा भोजराजसमाहुताः । निवेदितोपायनास्त एकस्मिन् मञ्च आविशन्
nandagopādayo gopā bhojarājasamāhutāḥ | niveditopāyanāsta ekasmin mañca āviśan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherds, summoned by the King of the Bhojas, presented him with their offerings and then took their seats in one of the galleries.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथ कृष्णश्च रामश्च कृतशौचौ परन्तप । मल्लदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषं श्रुत्वा द्रष्टुमुपेयतुः
śrīśuka uvāca | atha kṛṣṇaśca rāmaśca kṛtaśaucau parantapa | malladundubhinirghoṣaṃ śrutvā draṣṭumupeyatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O chastiser of enemies, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, having executed all necessary purification, then heard the kettledrums resounding at the wrestling arena, and They went there to see what was happening.
रङ्गद्वारं समासाद्य तस्मिन् नागमवस्थितम् । अपश्यत्कुवलयापीडं कृष्णोऽम्बष्ठप्रचोदितम्
raṅgadvāraṃ samāsādya tasmin nāgamavasthitam | apaśyatkuvalayāpīḍaṃ kṛṣṇo'mbaṣṭhapracoditam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Kṛṣṇa reached the entrance to the arena, He saw the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa blocking His way at the urging of his keeper.
बद्ध्वा परिकरं शौरिः समुह्य कुटिलालकान् । उवाच हस्तिपं वाचा मेघनादगभीरया
baddhvā parikaraṃ śauriḥ samuhya kuṭilālakān | uvāca hastipaṃ vācā meghanādagabhīrayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Securely binding up His clothes and tying back His curly locks, Lord Kṛṣṇa addressed the elephant-keeper with words as grave as the rumbling of a cloud.
अम्बष्ठाम्बष्ठ मार्गं नौ देह्यपक्रम मा चिरम् । नो चेत्सकुञ्जरं त्वाद्य नयामि यमसादनम्
ambaṣṭhāmbaṣṭha mārgaṃ nau dehyapakrama mā ciram | no cetsakuñjaraṃ tvādya nayāmi yamasādanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] O driver, driver, move aside at once and let Us pass! If you don’t, this very day I will send both you and your elephant to the abode of Yamarāja!
एवं निर्भर्त्सितोऽम्बष्ठः कुपितः कोपितं गजम् । चोदयामास कृष्णाय कालान्तकयमोपमम्
evaṃ nirbhartsito'mbaṣṭhaḥ kupitaḥ kopitaṃ gajam | codayāmāsa kṛṣṇāya kālāntakayamopamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus threatened, the elephant-keeper became angry. He goaded his furious elephant, who appeared equal to time, death and Yamarāja, into attacking Lord Kṛṣṇa.
करीन्द्रस्तमभिद्रुत्य करेण तरसाग्रहीत् । कराद्विगलितः सोऽमुं निहत्याङ्घ्रिष्वलीयत
karīndrastamabhidrutya kareṇa tarasāgrahīt | karādvigalitaḥ so'muṃ nihatyāṅghriṣvalīyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The lord of the elephants charged Kṛṣṇa and violently seized Him with his trunk. But Kṛṣṇa slipped away, struck him a blow and disappeared from his view among his legs.
सङ्क्रुद्धस्तमचक्षाणो घ्राणदृष्टिः स केशवम् । परामृशत्पुष्करेण स प्रसह्य विनिर्गतः
saṅkruddhastamacakṣāṇo ghrāṇadṛṣṭiḥ sa keśavam | parāmṛśatpuṣkareṇa sa prasahya vinirgataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Infuriated at being unable to see Lord Keśava, the elephant sought Him out with his sense of smell. Once again Kuvalayāpīḍa seized the Lord with the end of his trunk, only to have the Lord forcefully free Himself.
पुच्छे प्रगृह्यातिबलं धनुषः पञ्चविंशतिम् । विचकर्ष यथा नागं सुपर्ण इव लीलया
pucche pragṛhyātibalaṃ dhanuṣaḥ pañcaviṃśatim | vicakarṣa yathā nāgaṃ suparṇa iva līlayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa then grabbed the powerful Kuvalayāpīḍa by the tail and playfully dragged him twenty-five bow-lengths as easily as Garuḍa might drag a snake.
स पर्यावर्तमानेन सव्यदक्षिणतोऽच्युतः । बभ्राम भ्राम्यमाणेन गोवत्सेनेव बालकः
sa paryāvartamānena savyadakṣiṇato'cyutaḥ | babhrāma bhrāmyamāṇena govatseneva bālakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Lord Acyuta held on to the elephant’s tail, the animal tried to twist away to the left and to the right, making the Lord swerve in the opposite direction, as a young boy would swerve when pulling a calf by the tail.
ततोऽभिमुखमभ्येत्य पाणिनाऽऽहत्य वारणम् । प्राद्रवन् पातयामास स्पृश्यमानः पदे पदे
tato'bhimukhamabhyetya pāṇinā''hatya vāraṇam | prādravan pātayāmāsa spṛśyamānaḥ pade pade
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa then came face to face with the elephant and slapped him and ran away. Kuvalayāpīḍa pursued the Lord, managing to touch Him again and again with each step, but Kṛṣṇa outmaneuvered the elephant and made him trip and fall.
स धावन् क्रीडया भूमौ पतित्वा सहसोत्थितः । तं मत्वा पतितं क्रुद्धो दन्ताभ्यां सोऽहनत्क्षितिम्
sa dhāvan krīḍayā bhūmau patitvā sahasotthitaḥ | taṃ matvā patitaṃ kruddho dantābhyāṃ so'hanatkṣitim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Kṛṣṇa dodged about, He playfully fell on the ground and quickly got up again. The raging elephant, thinking Kṛṣṇa was down, tried to gore Him with his tusks but struck the earth instead.
स्वविक्रमे प्रतिहते कुञ्जरेन्द्रोऽत्यमर्षितः । चोद्यमानो महामात्रैः कृष्णमभ्यद्रवद्रुषा
svavikrame pratihate kuñjarendro'tyamarṣitaḥ | codyamāno mahāmātraiḥ kṛṣṇamabhyadravadruṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His prowess foiled, the lordly elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa went into a frenzied rage out of frustration. But the elephant-keepers goaded him on, and he furiously charged Kṛṣṇa once again.
तमापतन्तमासाद्य भगवान्मधुसूदनः । निगृह्य पाणिना हस्तं पातयामास भूतले
tamāpatantamāsādya bhagavānmadhusūdanaḥ | nigṛhya pāṇinā hastaṃ pātayāmāsa bhūtale
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord, killer of the demon Madhu, confronted the elephant as he attacked. Seizing his trunk with one hand, Kṛṣṇa threw him to the ground.
पतितस्य पदाऽऽक्रम्य मृगेन्द्र इव लीलया । दन्तमुत्पाट्य तेनेभं हस्तिपांश्चाहनद्धरिः
patitasya padā''kramya mṛgendra iva līlayā | dantamutpāṭya tenebhaṃ hastipāṃścāhanaddhariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Hari then climbed onto the elephant with the ease of a mighty lion, pulled out a tusk, and with it killed the beast and his keepers.
मृतकं द्विपमुत्सृज्य दन्तपाणिः समाविशत् । अंसन्यस्तविषाणोऽसृङ्मदबिन्दुभिरङ्कितः । विरूढस्वेदकणिकावदनाम्बुरुहो बभौ
mṛtakaṃ dvipamutsṛjya dantapāṇiḥ samāviśat | aṃsanyastaviṣāṇo'sṛṅmadabindubhiraṅkitaḥ | virūḍhasvedakaṇikāvadanāmburuho babhau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Leaving the dead elephant aside, Lord Kṛṣṇa held on to the tusk and entered the wrestling arena. With the tusk resting on His shoulder, drops of the elephant’s blood and sweat sprinkled all over Him, and His lotus face covered with fine drops of His own perspiration, the Lord shone with great beauty.
वृतौ गोपैः कतिपयैर्बलदेवजनार्दनौ । रङ्गं विविशतू राजन् गजदन्तवरायुधौ
vṛtau gopaiḥ katipayairbaladevajanārdanau | raṅgaṃ viviśatū rājan gajadantavarāyudhau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, Lord Baladeva and Lord Janārdana, each carrying one of the elephant’s tusks as His chosen weapon, entered the arena with several cowherd boys.
मल्लानामशनिर्नृणां नरवरः स्त्रीणां स्मरो मूर्तिमान् गोपानां स्वजनोऽसतां क्षितिभुजां शास्ता स्वपित्रोः शिशुः । मृत्युर्भोजपतेर्विराडविदुषां तत्त्वं परं योगिनां वृष्णीनां परदेवतेति विदितो रङ्गं गतः साग्रजः
mallānāmaśanirnṛṇāṃ naravaraḥ strīṇāṃ smaro mūrtimān gopānāṃ svajano'satāṃ kṣitibhujāṃ śāstā svapitroḥ śiśuḥ | mṛtyurbhojapatervirāḍaviduṣāṃ tattvaṃ paraṃ yogināṃ vṛṣṇīnāṃ paradevateti vidito raṅgaṃ gataḥ sāgrajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The various groups of people in the arena regarded Kṛṣṇa in different ways when He entered it with His elder brother. The wrestlers saw Kṛṣṇa as a lightning bolt, the men of Mathurā as the best of males, the women as Cupid in person, the cowherd men as their relative, the impious rulers as a chastiser, His parents as their child, the King of the Bhojas as death, the unintelligent as the Supreme Lord’s universal form, the yogīs as the Absolute Truth and the Vṛṣṇis as their supreme worshipable Deity.
हतं कुवलयापीडं दृष्ट्वा तावपि दुर्जयौ । कंसो मनस्व्यपि तदा भृशमुद्विविजे नृप
hataṃ kuvalayāpīḍaṃ dṛṣṭvā tāvapi durjayau | kaṃso manasvyapi tadā bhṛśamudvivije nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Kaṁsa saw that Kuvalayāpīḍa was dead and the two brothers were invincible, he was overwhelmed with anxiety, O King.
तौ रेजतू रङ्गगतौ महाभुजौ विचित्रवेषाभरणस्रगम्बरौ । यथा नटावुत्तमवेषधारिणौ मनः क्षिपन्तौ प्रभया निरीक्षताम्
tau rejatū raṅgagatau mahābhujau vicitraveṣābharaṇasragambarau | yathā naṭāvuttamaveṣadhāriṇau manaḥ kṣipantau prabhayā nirīkṣatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Arrayed with variegated ornaments, garlands and garments, just like a pair of excellently costumed actors, the two mighty-armed Lords shone splendidly in the arena. Indeed, They overpowered the minds of all onlookers with Their effulgences.
निरीक्ष्य तावुत्तमपूरुषौ जना मञ्चस्थिता नागरराष्ट्रका नृप । प्रहर्षवेगोत्कलितेक्षणाननाः पपुर्न तृप्ता नयनैस्तदाननम्
nirīkṣya tāvuttamapūruṣau janā mañcasthitā nāgararāṣṭrakā nṛpa | praharṣavegotkalitekṣaṇānanāḥ papurna tṛptā nayanaistadānanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, as the citizens of the city and the people from outlying districts gazed upon those two Supreme Personalities from their seats in the galleries, the force of the people’s happiness caused their eyes to open wide and their faces to blossom. They drank in the vision of the Lords’ faces without becoming satiated.
एतौ भगवतः साक्षाद्धरेर्नारायणस्य हि । अवतीर्णाविहांशेन वसुदेवस्य वेश्मनि
etau bhagavataḥ sākṣāddharernārāyaṇasya hi | avatīrṇāvihāṃśena vasudevasya veśmani
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The people said:] These two boys are certainly expansions of the Supreme Lord Nārāyaṇa who have descended to this world in the home of Vasudeva.
एष वै किल देवक्यां जातो नीतश्च गोकुलम् । कालमेतं वसन् गूढो ववृधे नन्दवेश्मनि
eṣa vai kila devakyāṃ jāto nītaśca gokulam | kālametaṃ vasan gūḍho vavṛdhe nandaveśmani
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This one [Kṛṣṇa] took birth from mother Devakī and was brought to Gokula, where He has remained concealed all this time, growing up in the house of King Nanda.
पूतनानेन नीतान्तं चक्रवातश्च दानवः । अर्जुनौ गुह्यकः केशी धेनुकोऽन्ये च तद्विधाः
pūtanānena nītāntaṃ cakravātaśca dānavaḥ | arjunau guhyakaḥ keśī dhenuko'nye ca tadvidhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He made Pūtanā and the whirlwind demon meet with death, pulled down the twin Arjuna trees, and killed Śaṅkhacūḍa, Keśī, Dhenuka and similar demons.
गोप्योऽस्य नित्यमुदितहसितप्रेक्षणं मुखम् । पश्यन्त्यो विविधांस्तापांस्तरन्ति स्माश्रमं मुदा
gopyo'sya nityamuditahasitaprekṣaṇaṃ mukham | paśyantyo vividhāṃstāpāṃstaranti smāśramaṃ mudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs overcame all kinds of distress and experienced great happiness by seeing His face, which is always cheerful with smiling glances and ever free of fatigue.
वदन्त्यनेन वंशोऽयं यदोः सुबहुविश्रुतः । श्रियं यशो महत्वं च लप्स्यते परिरक्षितः
vadantyanena vaṃśo'yaṃ yadoḥ subahuviśrutaḥ | śriyaṃ yaśo mahatvaṃ ca lapsyate parirakṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is said that under His full protection the Yadu dynasty will become extremely famous and attain wealth, glory and power.
अयं चास्याग्रजः श्रीमान् रामः कमललोचनः । प्रलम्बो निहतो येन वत्सको ये बकादयः
ayaṃ cāsyāgrajaḥ śrīmān rāmaḥ kamalalocanaḥ | pralambo nihato yena vatsako ye bakādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This lotus-eyed elder brother of His, Lord Balarāma, is the proprietor of all transcendental opulences. He has killed Pralamba, Vatsaka, Baka and other demons.
जनेष्वेवं ब्रुवाणेषु तूर्येषु निनदत्सु च । कृष्णरामौ समाभाष्य चाणूरो वाक्यमब्रवीत्
janeṣvevaṃ bruvāṇeṣu tūryeṣu ninadatsu ca | kṛṣṇarāmau samābhāṣya cāṇūro vākyamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the people talked in this way and the musical instruments resounded, the wrestler Cāṇūra addressed Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma with the following words.
हे नन्दसूनो हे राम भवन्तौ वीरसम्मतौ । नियुद्धकुशलौ श्रुत्वा राज्ञाऽऽहूतौ दिदृक्षुणा
he nandasūno he rāma bhavantau vīrasammatau | niyuddhakuśalau śrutvā rājñā''hūtau didṛkṣuṇā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Cāṇūra said:] O son of Nanda, O Rāma, You two are well respected by courageous men and are both skillful at wrestling. Having heard of Your prowess, the King has called You here, wanting to see for himself.
प्रियं राज्ञः प्रकुर्वन्त्यः श्रेयो विन्दन्ति वै प्रजाः । मनसा कर्मणा वाचा विपरीतमतोऽन्यथा
priyaṃ rājñaḥ prakurvantyaḥ śreyo vindanti vai prajāḥ | manasā karmaṇā vācā viparītamato'nyathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Subjects of the King who try to please him with their thoughts, acts and words are sure to achieve good fortune, but those who fail to do so will suffer the opposite fate.
नित्यं प्रमुदिता गोपा वत्सपाला यथा स्फुटम् । वनेषु मल्लयुद्धेन क्रीडन्तश्चारयन्ति गाः
nityaṃ pramuditā gopā vatsapālā yathā sphuṭam | vaneṣu mallayuddhena krīḍantaścārayanti gāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is well known that cowherd boys are always joyful as they tend their calves, and that the boys playfully wrestle with each other while grazing their animals in the various forests.
तस्माद्राज्ञः प्रियं यूयं वयं च करवाम हे । भूतानि नः प्रसीदन्ति सर्वभूतमयो नृपः
tasmādrājñaḥ priyaṃ yūyaṃ vayaṃ ca karavāma he | bhūtāni naḥ prasīdanti sarvabhūtamayo nṛpaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore let’s do what the King wants. Everyone will be pleased with us, for the king embodies all living beings.
तन्निशम्याब्रवीत्कृष्णो देशकालोचितं वचः । नियुद्धमात्मनोऽभीष्टं मन्यमानोऽभिनन्द्य च
tanniśamyābravītkṛṣṇo deśakālocitaṃ vacaḥ | niyuddhamātmano'bhīṣṭaṃ manyamāno'bhinandya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing this, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who liked to wrestle and welcomed the challenge, replied with words appropriate to the time and place.
प्रजा भोजपतेरस्य वयं चापि वनेचराः । करवाम प्रियं नित्यं तन्नः परमनुग्रहः
prajā bhojapaterasya vayaṃ cāpi vanecarāḥ | karavāma priyaṃ nityaṃ tannaḥ paramanugrahaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Although forest-dwellers, We are also subjects of the Bhoja king. We must gratify his desires, for such behavior will confer upon Us the greatest benefit.
बाला वयं तुल्यबलैः क्रीडिष्यामो यथोचितम् । भवेन्नियुद्धं माधर्मः स्पृशेन्मल्लसभासदः
bālā vayaṃ tulyabalaiḥ krīḍiṣyāmo yathocitam | bhavenniyuddhaṃ mādharmaḥ spṛśenmallasabhāsadaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We are just young boys and should play with those of equal strength. The wrestling match must go on properly so that irreligion does not taint the respectable members of the audience.
चाणूर उवाच । न बालो न किशोरस्त्वं बलश्च बलिनां वरः । लीलयेभो हतो येन सहस्रद्विपसत्त्वभृत्
cāṇūra uvāca | na bālo na kiśorastvaṃ balaśca balināṃ varaḥ | līlayebho hato yena sahasradvipasattvabhṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Cāṇūra said: You aren’t really a child or even a young man, and neither is Balarāma, the strongest of the strong. After all, You playfully killed an elephant who had the strength of a thousand other elephants.
तस्माद्भवद्भ्यां बलिभिर्योद्धव्यं नानयोऽत्र वै । मयि विक्रम वार्ष्णेय बलेन सह मुष्टिकः
tasmādbhavadbhyāṃ balibhiryoddhavyaṃ nānayo'tra vai | mayi vikrama vārṣṇeya balena saha muṣṭikaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore You two should fight powerful wrestlers. There’s certainly nothing unfair about that. You, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, can show Your prowess against me, and Balarāma can fight with Muṣṭika.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं चर्चितसङ्कल्पो भगवान्मधुसूदनः । आससादाथ चाणूरं मुष्टिकं रोहिणीसुतः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ carcitasaṅkalpo bhagavānmadhusūdanaḥ | āsasādātha cāṇūraṃ muṣṭikaṃ rohiṇīsutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus addressed, Lord Kṛṣṇa made up His mind to accept the challenge. He paired off with Cāṇūra, and Lord Balarāma with Muṣṭika.
हस्ताभ्यां हस्तयोर्बद्ध्वा पद्भ्यामेव च पादयोः । विचकर्षतुरन्योन्यं प्रसह्य विजिगीषया
hastābhyāṃ hastayorbaddhvā padbhyāmeva ca pādayoḥ | vicakarṣaturanyonyaṃ prasahya vijigīṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seizing each other’s hands and locking legs with each other, the opponents struggled powerfully, eager for victory.
अरत्नी द्वे अरत्निभ्यां जानुभ्यां चैव जानुनी । शिरः शीर्ष्णोरसोरस्तावन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः
aratnī dve aratnibhyāṃ jānubhyāṃ caiva jānunī | śiraḥ śīrṣṇorasorastāvanyonyamabhijaghnatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They each struck fists against fists, knees against knees, head against head and chest against chest.
परिभ्रामणविक्षेपपरिरम्भावपातनैः । उत्सर्पणापसर्पणैश्चान्योन्यं प्रत्यरुन्धताम्
paribhrāmaṇavikṣepaparirambhāvapātanaiḥ | utsarpaṇāpasarpaṇaiścānyonyaṃ pratyarundhatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Each fighter contended with his opponent by dragging him about in circles, shoving and crushing him, throwing him down and running before and behind him.
उत्थापनैरुन्नयनैश्चालनैः स्थापनैरपि । परस्परं जिगीषन्तावपचक्रतुरात्मनः
utthāpanairunnayanaiścālanaiḥ sthāpanairapi | parasparaṃ jigīṣantāvapacakraturātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Forcefully lifting and carrying each other, pushing each other away and holding each other down, the fighters hurt even their own bodies in their great eagerness for victory.
तद्बलाबलवद्युद्धं समेताः सर्वयोषितः । ऊचुः परस्परं राजन् सानुकम्पा वरूथशः
tadbalābalavadyuddhaṃ sametāḥ sarvayoṣitaḥ | ūcuḥ parasparaṃ rājan sānukampā varūthaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, all the women present, considering the match an unfair fight between the strong and the weak, felt extreme anxiety due to compassion. They assembled in groups around the arena and spoke to one another as follows.
महानयं बताधर्म एषां राजसभासदाम् । ये बलाबलवद्युद्धं राज्ञोऽन्विच्छन्ति पश्यतः
mahānayaṃ batādharma eṣāṃ rājasabhāsadām | ye balābalavadyuddhaṃ rājño'nvicchanti paśyataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The women said:] Alas, what a greatly irreligious act the members of this royal assembly are committing! As the King watches this fight between the strong and the weak, they also want to see it.
क्व वज्रसारसर्वाङ्गौ मल्लौ शैलेन्द्रसन्निभौ । क्व चातिसुकुमाराङ्गौ किशोरौ नाप्तयौवनौ
kva vajrasārasarvāṅgau mallau śailendrasannibhau | kva cātisukumārāṅgau kiśorau nāptayauvanau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What comparison can there be between these two professional wrestlers, with limbs as strong as lightning bolts and bodies resembling mighty mountains, and these two young, immature boys with exceedingly tender limbs?
धर्मव्यतिक्रमो ह्यस्य समाजस्य ध्रुवं भवेत् । यत्राधर्मः समुत्तिष्ठेन्न स्थेयं तत्र कर्हिचित्
dharmavyatikramo hyasya samājasya dhruvaṃ bhavet | yatrādharmaḥ samuttiṣṭhenna stheyaṃ tatra karhicit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Religious principles have certainly been violated in this assembly. One should not remain for even a moment in a place where irreligion is flourishing.
न सभां प्रविशेत्प्राज्ञः सभ्यदोषाननुस्मरन् । अब्रुवन् विब्रुवन्नज्ञो नरः किल्बिषमश्नुते
na sabhāṃ praviśetprājñaḥ sabhyadoṣānanusmaran | abruvan vibruvannajño naraḥ kilbiṣamaśnute
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A wise person should not enter an assembly if he knows the participants there are committing acts of impropriety. And if, having entered such an assembly, he fails to speak the truth, speaks falsely or pleads ignorance, he will certainly incur sin.
वल्गतः शत्रुमभितः कृष्णस्य वदनाम्बुजम् । वीक्ष्यतां श्रमवार्युप्तं पद्मकोशमिवाम्बुभिः
valgataḥ śatrumabhitaḥ kṛṣṇasya vadanāmbujam | vīkṣyatāṃ śramavāryuptaṃ padmakośamivāmbubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just see the lotus face of Kṛṣṇa as He darts around His foe! That face, covered with drops of perspiration brought on by the strenuous fight, resembles a lotus covered with dew.
किं न पश्यत रामस्य मुखमाताम्रलोचनम् । मुष्टिकं प्रति सामर्षं हाससंरम्भशोभितम्
kiṃ na paśyata rāmasya mukhamātāmralocanam | muṣṭikaṃ prati sāmarṣaṃ hāsasaṃrambhaśobhitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Don’t you see the face of Lord Balarāma, with its eyes copper-red from His anger toward Muṣṭika and its beauty enhanced by His laughter and His absorption in the fight?
पुण्या बत व्रजभुवो यदयं नृलिङ्ग- गूढःपुराणपुरुषो वनचित्रमाल्यः । गाः पालयन् सहबलः क्वणयंश्च वेणुं विक्रीडयाञ्चति गिरित्ररमार्चिताङ्घ्रिः
puṇyā bata vrajabhuvo yadayaṃ nṛliṅga- gūḍhaḥpurāṇapuruṣo vanacitramālyaḥ | gāḥ pālayan sahabalaḥ kvaṇayaṃśca veṇuṃ vikrīḍayāñcati giritraramārcitāṅghriḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How pious are the tracts of land in Vraja, for there the primeval Personality of Godhead, disguising Himself with human traits, wanders about, enacting His many pastimes! Adorned with wonderfully variegated forest garlands, He whose feet are worshiped by Lord Śiva and goddess Ramā vibrates His flute as He tends the cows in the company of Balarāma.
गोप्यस्तपः किमचरन् यदमुष्य रूपं लावण्यसारमसमोर्ध्वमनन्यसिद्धम् । दृग्भिः पिबन्त्यनुसवाभिनवं दुराप- मेकान्तधाम यशसः श्रीय ऐश्वरस्य
gopyastapaḥ kimacaran yadamuṣya rūpaṃ lāvaṇyasāramasamordhvamananyasiddham | dṛgbhiḥ pibantyanusavābhinavaṃ durāpa- mekāntadhāma yaśasaḥ śrīya aiśvarasya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What austerities must the gopīs have performed! With their eyes they always drink the nectar of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s form, which is the essence of loveliness and is not to be equaled or surpassed. That form is the only abode of beauty, fame and opulence. It is self-perfect, ever fresh and extremely rare.
या दोहनेऽवहनने मथनोपलेप- प्रेङ्खेङ्खनार्भरुदितोक्षणमार्जनादौ । गायन्ति चैनमनुरक्तधियोऽश्रुकण्ठ्यो धन्या व्रजस्त्रिय उरुक्रमचित्तयानाः
yā dohane'vahanane mathanopalepa- preṅkheṅkhanārbharuditokṣaṇamārjanādau | gāyanti cainamanuraktadhiyo'śrukaṇṭhyo dhanyā vrajastriya urukramacittayānāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The ladies of Vraja are the most fortunate of women because, with their minds fully attached to Kṛṣṇa and their throats always choked up with tears, they constantly sing about Him while milking the cows, winnowing grain, churning butter, gathering cow dung for fuel, riding on swings, taking care of their crying babies, sprinkling the ground with water, cleaning their houses, and so on. By their exalted Kṛṣṇa consciousness they automatically acquire all desirable things.
प्रातर्व्रजाद्व्रजत आविशतश्च सायं गोभिः समं क्वणयतोऽस्य निशम्य वेणुम् । निर्गम्य तूर्णमबलाः पथि भूरिपुण्याः पश्यन्ति सस्मितमुखं सदयावलोकम्
prātarvrajādvrajata āviśataśca sāyaṃ gobhiḥ samaṃ kvaṇayato'sya niśamya veṇum | nirgamya tūrṇamabalāḥ pathi bhūripuṇyāḥ paśyanti sasmitamukhaṃ sadayāvalokam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the gopīs hear Kṛṣṇa playing His flute as He leaves Vraja in the morning with His cows or returns with them at sunset, the young girls quickly come out of their houses to see Him. They must have performed many pious activities to be able to see Him as He walks on the road, His smiling face mercifully glancing upon them.
एवं प्रभाषमाणासु स्त्रीषु योगेश्वरो हरिः । शत्रुं हन्तुं मनश्चक्रे भगवान् भरतर्षभ
evaṃ prabhāṣamāṇāsu strīṣu yogeśvaro hariḥ | śatruṃ hantuṃ manaścakre bhagavān bharatarṣabha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] As the women spoke thus, O hero of the Bhāratas, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the master of all mystic power, made up His mind to kill His opponent.
सभयाः स्त्रीगिरः श्रुत्वा पुत्रस्नेहशुचाऽऽतुरौ । पितरावन्वतप्येतां पुत्रयोरबुधौ बलम्
sabhayāḥ strīgiraḥ śrutvā putrasnehaśucā''turau | pitarāvanvatapyetāṃ putrayorabudhau balam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Out of affection for the two Lords, Their parents [Devakī and Vasudeva] became overwhelmed with sorrow when they heard the women’s fearful statements. They grieved, not knowing their sons’ strength.
तैस्तैर्नियुद्धविधिभिर्विविधैरच्युतेतरौ । युयुधाते यथान्योन्यं तथैव बलमुष्टिकौ
taistairniyuddhavidhibhirvividhairacyutetarau | yuyudhāte yathānyonyaṃ tathaiva balamuṣṭikau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma and Muṣṭika, expertly displaying numerous wrestling techniques, battled each other in the same way that Lord Kṛṣṇa and His opponent did.
भगवद्गात्रनिष्पातैर्वज्रनिष्पेषनिष्ठुरैः । चाणूरो भज्यमानाङ्गो मुहुर्ग्लानिमवाप ह
bhagavadgātraniṣpātairvajraniṣpeṣaniṣṭhuraiḥ | cāṇūro bhajyamānāṅgo muhurglānimavāpa ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The harsh blows from the Supreme Lord’s limbs fell like crushing lightning bolts upon Cāṇūra, breaking every part of his body and causing him more and more pain and fatigue.
स श्येनवेग उत्पत्य मुष्टीकृत्य करावुभौ । भगवन्तं वासुदेवं क्रुद्धो वक्षस्यबाधत
sa śyenavega utpatya muṣṭīkṛtya karāvubhau | bhagavantaṃ vāsudevaṃ kruddho vakṣasyabādhata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Furious, Cāṇūra attacked Lord Vāsudeva with the speed of a hawk and struck His chest with both fists.
ततः कूटमनुप्राप्तं रामः प्रहरतां वरः । अवधील्लीलया राजन् सावज्ञं वाममुष्टिना
tataḥ kūṭamanuprāptaṃ rāmaḥ praharatāṃ varaḥ | avadhīllīlayā rājan sāvajñaṃ vāmamuṣṭinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Confronted next by the wrestler Kūṭa, Lord Balarāma, the best of fighters, playfully and nonchalantly killed him with His left fist, O King.
तर्ह्येव हि शलः कृष्णपदापहतशीर्षकः । द्विधा विशीर्णस्तोशलक उभावपि निपेततुः
tarhyeva hi śalaḥ kṛṣṇapadāpahataśīrṣakaḥ | dvidhā viśīrṇastośalaka ubhāvapi nipetatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Kṛṣṇa kicked in Śala’s head and tore Tośala in half, and both wrestlers fell down dead.
चाणूरे मुष्टिके कूटे शले तोशलके हते । शेषाः प्रदुद्रुवुर्मल्लाः सर्वे प्राणपरीप्सवः
cāṇūre muṣṭike kūṭe śale tośalake hate | śeṣāḥ pradudruvurmallāḥ sarve prāṇaparīpsavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, Kūṭa, Śala and Tośala having been killed, the remaining wrestlers all fled for their lives.
गोपान् वयस्यानाकृष्य तैः संसृज्य विजह्रतुः । वाद्यमानेषु तूर्येषु वल्गन्तौ रुतनूपुरौ
gopān vayasyānākṛṣya taiḥ saṃsṛjya vijahratuḥ | vādyamāneṣu tūryeṣu valgantau rutanūpurau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma then called Their young cowherd boyfriends to join Them, and in their company the Lords danced about and sported, Their ankle bells resounding as musical instruments played.
जनाः प्रजहृषुः सर्वे कर्मणा रामकृष्णयोः । ऋते कंसं विप्रमुख्याः साधवः साधु साध्विति
janāḥ prajahṛṣuḥ sarve karmaṇā rāmakṛṣṇayoḥ | ṛte kaṃsaṃ vipramukhyāḥ sādhavaḥ sādhu sādhviti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Everyone except Kaṁsa rejoiced at the wonderful feat Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had performed. The exalted brāhmaṇas and great saints exclaimed, “Excellent! Excellent!”
हतेषु मल्लवर्येषु विद्रुतेषु च भोजराट् । न्यवारयत्स्वतूर्याणि वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह
hateṣu mallavaryeṣu vidruteṣu ca bhojarāṭ | nyavārayatsvatūryāṇi vākyaṃ cedamuvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Bhoja king, seeing that his best wrestlers had all been killed or had fled, stopped the musical performance originally meant for his pleasure and spoke the following words.
निःसारयत दुर्वृत्तौ वसुदेवात्मजौ पुरात् । धनं हरत गोपानां नन्दं बध्नीत दुर्मतिम्
niḥsārayata durvṛttau vasudevātmajau purāt | dhanaṃ harata gopānāṃ nandaṃ badhnīta durmatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Kaṁsa said:] Drive the two wicked sons of Vasudeva out of the city! Confiscate the cowherds’ property and arrest that fool Nanda!
वसुदेवस्तु दुर्मेधा हन्यतामाश्वसत्तमः । उग्रसेनः पिता चापि सानुगः परपक्षगः
vasudevastu durmedhā hanyatāmāśvasattamaḥ | ugrasenaḥ pitā cāpi sānugaḥ parapakṣagaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kill that most evil fool Vasudeva! And also kill my father, Ugrasena, along with his followers, who have all sided with our enemies!
एवं विकत्थमाने वै कंसे प्रकुपितोऽव्ययः । लघिम्नोत्पत्य तरसा मञ्चमुत्तुङ्गमारुहत्
evaṃ vikatthamāne vai kaṃse prakupito'vyayaḥ | laghimnotpatya tarasā mañcamuttuṅgamāruhat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Kaṁsa thus raved so audaciously, the infallible Lord Kṛṣṇa, intensely angry, quickly and easily jumped up onto the high royal dais.
तमाविशन्तमालोक्य मृत्युमात्मन आसनात् । मनस्वी सहसोत्थाय जगृहे सोऽसिचर्मणी
tamāviśantamālokya mṛtyumātmana āsanāt | manasvī sahasotthāya jagṛhe so'sicarmaṇī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing Lord Kṛṣṇa approaching like death personified, the quick-witted Kaṁsa instantly rose from his seat and took up his sword and shield.
तं खड्गपाणिं विचरन्तमाशु श्येनं यथा दक्षिणसव्यमम्बरे । समग्रहीद्दुर्विषहोग्रतेजा यथोरगं तार्क्ष्यसुतः प्रसह्य
taṃ khaḍgapāṇiṃ vicarantamāśu śyenaṃ yathā dakṣiṇasavyamambare | samagrahīddurviṣahogratejā yathoragaṃ tārkṣyasutaḥ prasahya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sword in hand, Kaṁsa moved quickly from side to side like a hawk in the sky. But Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose fearsome strength is irresistible, powerfully seized the demon just as the son of Tārkṣya might capture a snake.
प्रगृह्य केशेषु चलत्किरीटं निपात्य रङ्गोपरि तुङ्गमञ्चात् । तस्योपरिष्टात्स्वयमब्जनाभः पपात विश्वाश्रय आत्मतन्त्रः
pragṛhya keśeṣu calatkirīṭaṃ nipātya raṅgopari tuṅgamañcāt | tasyopariṣṭātsvayamabjanābhaḥ papāta viśvāśraya ātmatantraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Grabbing Kaṁsa by the hair and knocking off his crown, the lotus-naveled Lord threw him off the elevated dais onto the wrestling mat. Then the independent Lord, the support of the entire universe, threw Himself upon the King.
तं सम्परेतं विचकर्ष भूमौ हरिर्यथेभं जगतो विपश्यतः । हा हेति शब्दः सुमहांस्तदाभू- दुदीरितः सर्वजनैर्नरेन्द्र
taṃ samparetaṃ vicakarṣa bhūmau hariryathebhaṃ jagato vipaśyataḥ | hā heti śabdaḥ sumahāṃstadābhū- dudīritaḥ sarvajanairnarendra
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a lion drags a dead elephant, the Lord then dragged Kaṁsa’s dead body along the ground in full view of everyone present. O King, all the people in the arena tumultuously cried out, “Oh! Oh!”
स नित्यदोद्विग्नधिया तमीश्वरं पिबन् वदन् वा विचरन् स्वपन् श्वसन् । ददर्श चक्रायुधमग्रतो यत- स्तदेव रूपं दुरवापमाप
sa nityadodvignadhiyā tamīśvaraṃ piban vadan vā vicaran svapan śvasan | dadarśa cakrāyudhamagrato yata- stadeva rūpaṃ duravāpamāpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaṁsa had always been disturbed by the thought that the Supreme Lord was to kill him. Therefore when drinking, eating, moving about, sleeping or simply breathing, the King had always seen the Lord before him with the disc weapon in His hand. Thus Kaṁsa achieved the rare boon of attaining a form like the Lord’s.
तस्यानुजा भ्रातरोऽष्टौ कङ्कन्यग्रोधकादयः । अभ्यधावन्नतिक्रुद्धा भ्रातुर्निर्वेशकारिणः
tasyānujā bhrātaro'ṣṭau kaṅkanyagrodhakādayaḥ | abhyadhāvannatikruddhā bhrāturnirveśakāriṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kaṁsa’s eight younger brothers, led by Kaṅka and Nyagrodhaka, then attacked the Lords in a rage, seeking to avenge their brother’s death.
तथातिरभसांस्तांस्तु संयत्तान् रोहिणीसुतः । अहन् परिघमुद्यम्य पशूनिव मृगाधिपः
tathātirabhasāṃstāṃstu saṃyattān rohiṇīsutaḥ | ahan parighamudyamya paśūniva mṛgādhipaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As they ran swiftly toward the two Lords, ready to strike, the son of Rohiṇī slew them with His club just as a lion easily kills other animals.
नेदुर्दुन्दुभयो व्योम्नि ब्रह्मेशाद्या विभूतयः । पुष्पैः किरन्तस्तं प्रीताः शशंसुर्ननृतुः स्त्रियः
nedurdundubhayo vyomni brahmeśādyā vibhūtayaḥ | puṣpaiḥ kirantastaṃ prītāḥ śaśaṃsurnanṛtuḥ striyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kettledrums resounded in the sky as Brahmā, Śiva and other demigods, the Lord’s expansions, rained down flowers upon Him with pleasure. They chanted His praises, and their wives danced.
तेषां स्त्रियो महाराज सुहृन्मरणदुःखिताः । तत्राभीयुर्विनिघ्नन्त्यः शीर्षाण्यश्रुविलोचनाः
teṣāṃ striyo mahārāja suhṛnmaraṇaduḥkhitāḥ | tatrābhīyurvinighnantyaḥ śīrṣāṇyaśruvilocanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, the wives of Kaṁsa and his brothers, aggrieved by the death of their well-wishing husbands, came forward with tearful eyes, beating their heads.
शयानान् वीरशय्यायां पतीनालिङ्ग्य शोचतीः । विलेपुः सुस्वरं नार्यो विसृजन्त्यो मुहुः शुचः
śayānān vīraśayyāyāṃ patīnāliṅgya śocatīḥ | vilepuḥ susvaraṃ nāryo visṛjantyo muhuḥ śucaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Embracing their husbands, who lay on a hero’s final bed, the sorrowful women loudly lamented while shedding constant tears.
हा नाथ प्रिय धर्मज्ञ करुणानाथवत्सल । त्वया हतेन निहता वयं ते सगृहप्रजाः
hā nātha priya dharmajña karuṇānāthavatsala | tvayā hatena nihatā vayaṃ te sagṛhaprajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The women cried out:] Alas, O master, O dear one, O knower of religious principles! O kind and compassionate protector of the shelterless! By your being slain we have also been slain, together with your household and offspring.
त्वया विरहिता पत्या पुरीयं पुरुषर्षभ । न शोभते वयमिव निवृत्तोत्सवमङ्गला
tvayā virahitā patyā purīyaṃ puruṣarṣabha | na śobhate vayamiva nivṛttotsavamaṅgalā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O great hero among men, bereft of you, its master, this city has lost its beauty, just as we have, and all festivity and good fortune within it have come to an end.
अनागसां त्वं भूतानां कृतवान् द्रोहमुल्बणम् । तेनेमां भो दशां नीतो भूतध्रुक् को लभेत शम्
anāgasāṃ tvaṃ bhūtānāṃ kṛtavān drohamulbaṇam | tenemāṃ bho daśāṃ nīto bhūtadhruk ko labheta śam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O dear one, you have been brought to this state because of the terrible violence you committed against innocent creatures. How can one who harms others attain happiness?
सर्वेषामिह भूतानामेष हि प्रभवाप्ययः । गोप्ता च तदवध्यायी न क्वचित्सुखमेधते
sarveṣāmiha bhūtānāmeṣa hi prabhavāpyayaḥ | goptā ca tadavadhyāyī na kvacitsukhamedhate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa causes the appearance and disappearance of all beings in this world, and He is their maintainer as well. One who disrespects Him can never prosper happily.
श्रीशुक उवाच । राजयोषित आश्वास्य भगवांल्लोकभावनः । यामाहुर्लौकिकीं संस्थां हतानां समकारयत्
śrīśuka uvāca | rājayoṣita āśvāsya bhagavāṃllokabhāvanaḥ | yāmāhurlaukikīṃ saṃsthāṃ hatānāṃ samakārayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After consoling the royal ladies, Lord Kṛṣṇa, sustainer of all the worlds, arranged for the prescribed funeral rites to be performed.
मातरं पितरं चैव मोचयित्वाथ बन्धनात् । कृष्णरामौ ववन्दाते शिरसाऽऽस्पृश्य पादयोः
mātaraṃ pitaraṃ caiva mocayitvātha bandhanāt | kṛṣṇarāmau vavandāte śirasā''spṛśya pādayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma released Their mother and father from bondage and offered obeisances to them, touching their feet with Their heads.
देवकी वसुदेवश्च विज्ञाय जगदीश्वरौ । कृतसंवन्दनौ पुत्रौ सस्वजाते न शङ्कितौ
devakī vasudevaśca vijñāya jagadīśvarau | kṛtasaṃvandanau putrau sasvajāte na śaṅkitau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Devakī and Vasudeva, now knowing Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to be the Lords of the universe, simply stood with joined palms. Being apprehensive, they did not embrace their sons.
श्रीशुक उवाच । पितरावुपलब्धार्थौ विदित्वा पुरुषोत्तमः । मा भूदिति निजां मायां ततान जनमोहिनीम्
śrīśuka uvāca | pitarāvupalabdhārthau viditvā puruṣottamaḥ | mā bhūditi nijāṃ māyāṃ tatāna janamohinīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Understanding that His parents were becoming aware of His transcendental opulences, the Supreme Personality of Godhead thought that this should not be allowed to happen. Thus He expanded His Yoga-māyā, which bewilders His devotees.
उवाच पितरावेत्य साग्रजः सात्वतर्षभः । प्रश्रयावनतः प्रीणन्नम्ब तातेति सादरम्
uvāca pitarāvetya sāgrajaḥ sātvatarṣabhaḥ | praśrayāvanataḥ prīṇannamba tāteti sādaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa, the greatest of the Sātvatas, approached His parents with His elder brother. Humbly bowing His head and gratifying them by respectfully addressing them as “My dear mother” and “My dear father,” Kṛṣṇa spoke as follows.
नास्मत्तो युवयोस्तात नित्योत्कण्ठितयोरपि । बाल्यपौगण्डकैशोराः पुत्राभ्यामभवन् क्वचित्
nāsmatto yuvayostāta nityotkaṇṭhitayorapi | bālyapaugaṇḍakaiśorāḥ putrābhyāmabhavan kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Dear Father, because of Us, your two sons, you and mother Devakī always remained in anxiety and could never enjoy Our childhood, boyhood or youth.
न लब्धो दैवहतयोर्वासो नौ भवदन्तिके । यां बालाः पितृगेहस्था विन्दन्ते लालिता मुदम्
na labdho daivahatayorvāso nau bhavadantike | yāṃ bālāḥ pitṛgehasthā vindante lālitā mudam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Deprived by fate, We could not live with you and enjoy the pampered happiness most children enjoy in their parents’ home.
सर्वार्थसम्भवो देहो जनितः पोषितो यतः । न तयोर्याति निर्वेशं पित्रोर्मर्त्यः शतायुषा
sarvārthasambhavo deho janitaḥ poṣito yataḥ | na tayoryāti nirveśaṃ pitrormartyaḥ śatāyuṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With one’s body one can acquire all goals of life, and it is one’s parents who give the body birth and sustenance. Therefore no mortal man can repay his debt to his parents, even if he serves them for a full lifetime of a hundred years.
यस्तयोरात्मजः कल्प आत्मना च धनेन च । वृत्तिं न दद्यात्तं प्रेत्य स्वमांसं खादयन्ति हि
yastayorātmajaḥ kalpa ātmanā ca dhanena ca | vṛttiṃ na dadyāttaṃ pretya svamāṃsaṃ khādayanti hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A son who, though able to do so, fails to provide for his parents with his physical resources and wealth is forced after his death to eat his own flesh.
मातरं पितरं वृद्धं भार्यां साध्वीं सुतं शिशुम् । गुरुं विप्रं प्रपन्नं च कल्पोऽबिभ्रच्छ्वसन् मृतः
mātaraṃ pitaraṃ vṛddhaṃ bhāryāṃ sādhvīṃ sutaṃ śiśum | guruṃ vipraṃ prapannaṃ ca kalpo'bibhracchvasan mṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A man who, though able to do so, fails to support his elderly parents, chaste wife, young child or spiritual master, or who neglects a brāhmaṇa or anyone who comes to him for shelter, is considered dead, though breathing.
तन्नावकल्पयोः कंसान्नित्यमुद्विग्नचेतसोः । मोघमेते व्यतिक्रान्ता दिवसा वामनर्चतोः
tannāvakalpayoḥ kaṃsānnityamudvignacetasoḥ | moghamete vyatikrāntā divasā vāmanarcatoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus We have wasted all these days, unable as We were to properly honor you because Our minds were always disturbed by fear of Kaṁsa.
तत्क्षन्तुमर्हथस्तात मातर्नौ परतन्त्रयोः । अकुर्वतोर्वां शुश्रूषां क्लिष्टयोर्दुर्हृदा भृशम्
tatkṣantumarhathastāta mātarnau paratantrayoḥ | akurvatorvāṃ śuśrūṣāṃ kliṣṭayordurhṛdā bhṛśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Father and Mother, please forgive Us for not serving you. We are not independent and have been greatly frustrated by cruel Kaṁsa.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति मायामनुष्यस्य हरेर्विश्वात्मनो गिरा । मोहितावङ्कमारोप्य परिष्वज्यापतुर्मुदम्
śrīśuka uvāca | iti māyāmanuṣyasya harerviśvātmano girā | mohitāvaṅkamāropya pariṣvajyāpaturmudam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus beguiled by the words of Lord Hari, the Supreme Soul of the universe, who by His internal illusory potency appeared to be a human, His parents joyfully raised Him up on their laps and embraced Him.
सिञ्चन्तावश्रुधाराभिः स्नेहपाशेन चावृतौ । न किञ्चिदूचतू राजन् बाष्पकण्ठौ विमोहितौ
siñcantāvaśrudhārābhiḥ snehapāśena cāvṛtau | na kiñcidūcatū rājan bāṣpakaṇṭhau vimohitau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pouring out a shower of tears upon the Lord, His parents, who were bound up by the rope of affection, could not speak. They were overwhelmed, O King, and their throats choked up with tears.
एवमाश्वास्य पितरौ भगवान् देवकीसुतः । मातामहं तूग्रसेनं यदूनामकरोन्नृपम्
evamāśvāsya pitarau bhagavān devakīsutaḥ | mātāmahaṃ tūgrasenaṃ yadūnāmakaronnṛpam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus having comforted His mother and father, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing as the son of Devakī, installed His maternal grandfather, Ugrasena, as King of the Yadus.
आह चास्मान् महाराज प्रजाश्चाज्ञप्तुमर्हसि । ययातिशापाद्यदुभिर्नासितव्यं नृपासने
āha cāsmān mahārāja prajāścājñaptumarhasi | yayātiśāpādyadubhirnāsitavyaṃ nṛpāsane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord told him: O mighty King, We are your subjects, so please command Us. Indeed, because of the curse of Yayāti, no Yadu may sit on the royal throne.
मयि भृत्य उपासीने भवतो विबुधादयः । बलिं हरन्त्यवनताः किमुतान्ये नराधिपाः
mayi bhṛtya upāsīne bhavato vibudhādayaḥ | baliṃ harantyavanatāḥ kimutānye narādhipāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since I am present in your entourage as your personal attendant, all the demigods and other exalted personalities will come with heads bowed to offer you tribute. What, then, to speak of the rulers of men?
तत्र प्रवयसोऽप्यासन् युवानोऽतिबलौजसः । पिबन्तोऽक्षैर्मुकुन्दस्य मुखाम्बुजसुधां मुहुः
tatra pravayaso'pyāsan yuvāno'tibalaujasaḥ | pibanto'kṣairmukundasya mukhāmbujasudhāṃ muhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even the most elderly inhabitants of the city appeared youthful, full of strength and vitality, for with their eyes they constantly drank the elixir of Lord Mukunda’s lotus face.
अथ नन्दं समासाद्य भगवान् देवकीसुतः । सङ्कर्षणश्च राजेन्द्र परिष्वज्येदमूचतुः
atha nandaṃ samāsādya bhagavān devakīsutaḥ | saṅkarṣaṇaśca rājendra pariṣvajyedamūcatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, O exalted Parīkṣit, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, along with Lord Balarāma, approached Nanda Mahārāja. The two Lords embraced him and then addressed him as follows.
पितर्युवाभ्यां स्निग्धाभ्यां पोषितौ लालितौ भृशम् । पित्रोरभ्यधिका प्रीतिरात्मजेष्वात्मनोऽपि हि
pitaryuvābhyāṃ snigdhābhyāṃ poṣitau lālitau bhṛśam | pitrorabhyadhikā prītirātmajeṣvātmano'pi hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma said:] O Father, you and mother Yaśodā have affectionately maintained Us and cared for Us so much! Indeed, parents love their children more than their own lives.
स पिता सा च जननी यौ पुष्णीतां स्वपुत्रवत् । शिशून् बन्धुभिरुत्सृष्टानकल्पैः पोषरक्षणे
sa pitā sā ca jananī yau puṣṇītāṃ svaputravat | śiśūn bandhubhirutsṛṣṭānakalpaiḥ poṣarakṣaṇe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They are the real father and mother who care for, as they would their own sons, children abandoned by relatives unable to maintain and protect them.
यात यूयं व्रजं तात वयं च स्नेहदुःखितान् । ज्ञातीन् वो द्रष्टुमेष्यामो विधाय सुहृदां सुखम्
yāta yūyaṃ vrajaṃ tāta vayaṃ ca snehaduḥkhitān | jñātīn vo draṣṭumeṣyāmo vidhāya suhṛdāṃ sukham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now you should all return to Vraja, dear Father. We shall come to see you, Our dear relatives who suffer in separation from Us, as soon as We have given some happiness to your well-wishing friends.
एवं सान्त्वय्य भगवान् नन्दं सव्रजमच्युतः । वासोऽलङ्कारकुप्याद्यैरर्हयामास सादरम्
evaṃ sāntvayya bhagavān nandaṃ savrajamacyutaḥ | vāso'laṅkārakupyādyairarhayāmāsa sādaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus consoling Nanda Mahārāja and the other men of Vraja, the infallible Supreme Lord respectfully honored them with gifts of clothing, jewelry, household utensils and so on.
इत्युक्तस्तौ परिष्वज्य नन्दः प्रणयविह्वलः । पूरयन्नश्रुभिर्नेत्रे सह गोपैर्व्रजं ययौ
ityuktastau pariṣvajya nandaḥ praṇayavihvalaḥ | pūrayannaśrubhirnetre saha gopairvrajaṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja was overwhelmed with affection upon hearing Kṛṣṇa’s words, and his eyes brimmed with tears as he embraced the two Lords. Then he went back to Vraja with the cowherd men.
अथ शूरसुतो राजन् पुत्रयोः समकारयत् । पुरोधसा ब्राह्मणैश्च यथावद्द्विजसंस्कृतिम्
atha śūrasuto rājan putrayoḥ samakārayat | purodhasā brāhmaṇaiśca yathāvaddvijasaṃskṛtim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, then Vasudeva, the son of Śūrasena, arranged for a priest and other brāhmaṇas to perform his two sons’ second-birth initiation.
तेभ्योऽदाद्दक्षिणा गावो रुक्ममालाः स्वलङ्कृताः । स्वलङ्कृतेभ्यः सम्पूज्य सवत्साः क्षौममालिनीः
tebhyo'dāddakṣiṇā gāvo rukmamālāḥ svalaṅkṛtāḥ | svalaṅkṛtebhyaḥ sampūjya savatsāḥ kṣaumamālinīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vasudeva honored these brāhmaṇas by worshiping them and giving them fine ornaments and well-ornamented cows with their calves. All these cows wore gold necklaces and linen wreaths.
याः कृष्णरामजन्मर्क्षे मनोदत्ता महामतिः । ताश्चाददादनुस्मृत्य कंसेनाधर्मतो हृताः
yāḥ kṛṣṇarāmajanmarkṣe manodattā mahāmatiḥ | tāścādadādanusmṛtya kaṃsenādharmato hṛtāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The magnanimous Vasudeva then remembered the cows he had mentally given away on the occasion of Kṛṣṇa’s and Balarāma’s birth. Kaṁsa had stolen those cows, and Vasudeva now recovered them and gave them away in charity also.
ततश्च लब्धसंस्कारौ द्विजत्वं प्राप्य सुव्रतौ । गर्गाद्यदुकुलाचार्याद्गायत्रं व्रतमास्थितौ
tataśca labdhasaṃskārau dvijatvaṃ prāpya suvratau | gargādyadukulācāryādgāyatraṃ vratamāsthitau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After attaining twice-born status through initiation, the Lords, sincere in Their vows, took the further vow of celibacy from Garga Muni, the spiritual master of the Yadus.
यथोपसाद्य तौ दान्तौ गुरौ वृत्तिमनिन्दिताम् । ग्राहयन्तावुपेतौ स्म भक्त्या देवमिवादृतौ
yathopasādya tau dāntau gurau vṛttimaninditām | grāhayantāvupetau sma bhaktyā devamivādṛtau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sāndīpani thought very highly of these two self-controlled disciples, whom he had obtained so fortuitously. By serving him as devotedly as one would serve the Supreme Lord Himself, They showed others an irreproachable example of how to worship the spiritual master.
तयोर्द्विजवरस्तुष्टः शुद्धभावानुवृत्तिभिः । प्रोवाच वेदानखिलान् साङ्गोपनिषदो गुरुः
tayordvijavarastuṣṭaḥ śuddhabhāvānuvṛttibhiḥ | provāca vedānakhilān sāṅgopaniṣado guruḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That best of brāhmaṇas, the spiritual master Sāndīpani, was satisfied with Their submissive behavior, and thus he taught Them the entire Vedas, together with their six corollaries and the Upaniṣads.
सरहस्यं धनुर्वेदं धर्मान् न्यायपथांस्तथा । तथा चान्वीक्षिकीं विद्यां राजनीतिं च षड्विधाम्
sarahasyaṃ dhanurvedaṃ dharmān nyāyapathāṃstathā | tathā cānvīkṣikīṃ vidyāṃ rājanītiṃ ca ṣaḍvidhām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He also taught Them the Dhanur-veda, with its most confidential secrets; the standard books of law; the methods of logical reasoning and philosophical debate; and the sixfold science of politics.
द्विजस्तयोस्तं महिमानमद्भुतं संलक्ष्य राजन्नतिमानुषीं मतिम् । सम्मन्त्र्य पत्न्या स महार्णवे मृतं बालं प्रभासे वरयाम्बभूव ह
dvijastayostaṃ mahimānamadbhutaṃ saṃlakṣya rājannatimānuṣīṃ matim | sammantrya patnyā sa mahārṇave mṛtaṃ bālaṃ prabhāse varayāmbabhūva ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, the learned brāhmaṇa Sāndīpani carefully considered the two Lords’ glorious and amazing qualities and Their superhuman intelligence. Then, after consulting with his wife, he chose as his remuneration the return of his young son, who had died in the ocean at Prabhāsa.
तथेत्यथारुह्य महारथौ रथं प्रभासमासाद्य दुरन्तविक्रमौ । वेलामुपव्रज्य निषीदतुः क्षणं सिन्धुर्विदित्वार्हणमाहरत्तयोः
tathetyathāruhya mahārathau rathaṃ prabhāsamāsādya durantavikramau | velāmupavrajya niṣīdatuḥ kṣaṇaṃ sindhurviditvārhaṇamāharattayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“So be it,” replied those two great chariot warriors of limitless might, and They at once mounted Their chariot and set off for Prabhāsa. When They reached that place, They walked up to the shore and sat down. In a moment the deity of the ocean, recognizing Them to be the Supreme Lords, approached Them with offerings of tribute.
तमाह भगवानाशु गुरुपुत्रः प्रदीयताम् । योऽसाविह त्वया ग्रस्तो बालको महतोर्मिणा
tamāha bhagavānāśu guruputraḥ pradīyatām | yo'sāviha tvayā grasto bālako mahatormiṇā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa addressed the lord of the ocean: Let the son of My guru be presented at once — the one you seized here with your mighty waves.
समुद्र उवाच । नैवाहार्षमहं देव दैत्यः पञ्चजनो महान् । अन्तर्जलचरः कृष्ण शङ्खरूपधरोऽसुरः
samudra uvāca | naivāhārṣamahaṃ deva daityaḥ pañcajano mahān | antarjalacaraḥ kṛṣṇa śaṅkharūpadharo'suraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The ocean replied: O Lord Kṛṣṇa, it was not I who abducted him, but a demonic descendant of Diti named Pañcajana, who travels in the water in the form of a conch.
आस्ते तेनाहृतो नूनं तच्छ्रुत्वा सत्वरं प्रभुः । जलमाविश्य तं हत्वा नापश्यदुदरेऽर्भकम्
āste tenāhṛto nūnaṃ tacchrutvā satvaraṃ prabhuḥ | jalamāviśya taṃ hatvā nāpaśyadudare'rbhakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Indeed,” the ocean said, “that demon has taken him away.” Hearing this, Lord Kṛṣṇa entered the ocean, found Pañcajana and killed him. But the Lord did not find the boy within the demon’s belly.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । गुरुपुत्रमिहानीतं निजकर्मनिबन्धनम् । आनयस्व महाराज मच्छासनपुरस्कृतः
śrībhagavānuvāca | guruputramihānītaṃ nijakarmanibandhanam | ānayasva mahārāja macchāsanapuraskṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Suffering the bondage of his past activity, My spiritual master’s son was brought here to you. O great King, obey My command and bring this boy to Me without delay.
तथेति तेनोपानीतं गुरुपुत्रं यदूत्तमौ । दत्त्वा स्वगुरवे भूयो वृणीष्वेति तमूचतुः
tatheti tenopānītaṃ guruputraṃ yadūttamau | dattvā svagurave bhūyo vṛṇīṣveti tamūcatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Yamarāja said, “So be it,” and brought forth the guru’s son. Then those two most exalted Yadus presented the boy to Their spiritual master and said to him, “Please select another boon.”
गुरुरुवाच । सम्यक्सम्पादितो वत्स भवद्भ्यां गुरुनिष्क्रयः । को नु युष्मद्विधगुरोः कामानामवशिष्यते
gururuvāca | samyaksampādito vatsa bhavadbhyāṃ guruniṣkrayaḥ | ko nu yuṣmadvidhaguroḥ kāmānāmavaśiṣyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The spiritual master said: My dear boys, You two have completely fulfilled the disciple’s obligation to reward his spiritual master. Indeed, with disciples like You, what further desires could a guru have?
गच्छतं स्वगृहं वीरौ कीर्तिर्वामस्तु पावनी । छन्दांस्ययातयामानि भवन्त्विह परत्र च
gacchataṃ svagṛhaṃ vīrau kīrtirvāmastu pāvanī | chandāṃsyayātayāmāni bhavantviha paratra ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O heroes, now please return home. May Your fame sanctify the world, and may the Vedic hymns be ever fresh in Your minds, both in this life and the next.
गुरुणैवमनुज्ञातौ रथेनानिलरंहसा । आयातौ स्वपुरं तात पर्जन्यनिनदेन वै
guruṇaivamanujñātau rathenānilaraṃhasā | āyātau svapuraṃ tāta parjanyaninadena vai
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus receiving Their guru’s permission to leave, the two Lords returned to Their city on Their chariot, which moved as swiftly as the wind and resounded like a cloud.
समनन्दन् प्रजाः सर्वा दृष्ट्वा रामजनार्दनौ । अपश्यन्त्यो बह्वहानि नष्टलब्धधना इव
samanandan prajāḥ sarvā dṛṣṭvā rāmajanārdanau | apaśyantyo bahvahāni naṣṭalabdhadhanā iva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the citizens rejoiced upon seeing Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, whom they had not seen for many days. The people felt just like those who have lost their wealth and then regained it.
श्रीशुक उवाच । वृष्णीनां प्रवरो मन्त्री कृष्णस्य दयितः सखा । शिष्यो बृहस्पतेः साक्षादुद्धवो बुद्धिसत्तमः
śrīśuka uvāca | vṛṣṇīnāṃ pravaro mantrī kṛṣṇasya dayitaḥ sakhā | śiṣyo bṛhaspateḥ sākṣāduddhavo buddhisattamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The supremely intelligent Uddhava was the best counselor of the Vṛṣṇi dynasty, a beloved friend of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and a direct disciple of Bṛhaspati.
तमाह भगवान् प्रेष्ठं भक्तमेकान्तिनं क्वचित् । गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणिं प्रपन्नार्तिहरो हरिः
tamāha bhagavān preṣṭhaṃ bhaktamekāntinaṃ kvacit | gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇiṃ prapannārtiharo hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord Hari, who relieves the distress of all who surrender to Him, once took the hand of His fully devoted, dearmost friend Uddhava and addressed him as follows.
गच्छोद्धव व्रजं सौम्य पित्रोर्नौ प्रीतिमावह । गोपीनां मद्वियोगाधिं मत्सन्देशैर्विमोचय
gacchoddhava vrajaṃ saumya pitrornau prītimāvaha | gopīnāṃ madviyogādhiṃ matsandeśairvimocaya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Dear gentle Uddhava, go to Vraja and give pleasure to Our parents. And also relieve the gopīs, suffering in separation from Me, by giving them My message.
ता मन्मनस्का मत्प्राणा मदर्थे त्यक्तदैहिकाः । मामेव दयितं प्रेष्ठमात्मानं मनसा गताः । ये त्यक्तलोकधर्माश्च मदर्थे तान् बिभर्म्यहम्
tā manmanaskā matprāṇā madarthe tyaktadaihikāḥ | māmeva dayitaṃ preṣṭhamātmānaṃ manasā gatāḥ | ye tyaktalokadharmāśca madarthe tān bibharmyaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The minds of those gopīs are always absorbed in Me, and their very lives are ever devoted to Me. For My sake they have abandoned everything related to their bodies, renouncing ordinary happiness in this life, as well as religious duties necessary for such happiness in the next life. I alone am their dearmost beloved and, indeed, their very Self. I personally sustain such devotees, who for My sake give up all worldly duties.
मयि ताः प्रेयसां प्रेष्ठे दूरस्थे गोकुलस्त्रियः । स्मरन्त्योऽङ्ग विमुह्यन्ति विरहौत्कण्ठ्यविह्वलाः
mayi tāḥ preyasāṃ preṣṭhe dūrasthe gokulastriyaḥ | smarantyo'ṅga vimuhyanti virahautkaṇṭhyavihvalāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Uddhava, for those women of Gokula I am the most cherished object of love. Thus when they remember Me, who am so far away, they are overwhelmed by the anxiety of separation.
धारयन्त्यतिकृच्छ्रेण प्रायः प्राणान् कथञ्चन । प्रत्यागमनसन्देशैर्वल्लव्यो मे मदात्मिकाः
dhārayantyatikṛcchreṇa prāyaḥ prāṇān kathañcana | pratyāgamanasandeśairvallavyo me madātmikāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Simply because I have promised to return to them, My fully devoted cowherd girlfriends struggle to maintain their lives somehow or other.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्युक्त उद्धवो राजन् सन्देशं भर्तुरादृतः । आदाय रथमारुह्य प्रययौ नन्दगोकुलम्
śrīśuka uvāca | ityukta uddhavo rājan sandeśaṃ bharturādṛtaḥ | ādāya rathamāruhya prayayau nandagokulam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus addressed, O King, Uddhava respectfully accepted his master’s message, mounted his chariot and set off for Nanda-gokula.
प्राप्तो नन्दव्रजं श्रीमान् निम्लोचति विभावसौ । छन्नयानः प्रविशतां पशूनां खुररेणुभिः
prāpto nandavrajaṃ śrīmān nimlocati vibhāvasau | channayānaḥ praviśatāṃ paśūnāṃ khurareṇubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The fortunate Uddhava reached Nanda Mahārāja’s pastures just as the sun was setting, and since the returning cows and other animals were raising dust with their hooves, his chariot passed unnoticed.
तमागतं समागम्य कृष्णस्यानुचरं प्रियम् । नन्दः प्रीतः परिष्वज्य वासुदेवधियार्चयत्
tamāgataṃ samāgamya kṛṣṇasyānucaraṃ priyam | nandaḥ prītaḥ pariṣvajya vāsudevadhiyārcayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as Uddhava arrived at Nanda Mahārāja’s home, Nanda came forward to meet him. The cowherd King embraced him in great happiness and worshiped him as nondifferent from Lord Vāsudeva.
भोजितं परमान्नेन संविष्टं कशिपौ सुखम् । गतश्रमं पर्यपृच्छत्पादसंवाहनादिभिः
bhojitaṃ paramānnena saṃviṣṭaṃ kaśipau sukham | gataśramaṃ paryapṛcchatpādasaṃvāhanādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Uddhava had eaten first-class food, been seated comfortably on a bed and been relieved of his fatigue by a foot massage and other means, Nanda inquired from him as follows.
कच्चिदङ्ग महाभाग सखा नः शूरनन्दनः । आस्ते कुशल्यपत्याद्यैर्युक्तो मुक्तः सुहृद्वृतः
kaccidaṅga mahābhāga sakhā naḥ śūranandanaḥ | āste kuśalyapatyādyairyukto muktaḥ suhṛdvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nanda Mahārāja said:] My dear most fortunate one, does the son of Śūra fare well, now that he is free and has rejoined his children and other relatives?
दिष्ट्या कंसो हतः पापः सानुगः स्वेन पाप्मना । साधूनां धर्मशीलानां यदूनां द्वेष्टि यः सदा
diṣṭyā kaṃso hataḥ pāpaḥ sānugaḥ svena pāpmanā | sādhūnāṃ dharmaśīlānāṃ yadūnāṃ dveṣṭi yaḥ sadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Fortunately, because of his own sins, the sinful Kaṁsa has been killed, along with all his brothers. He always hated the saintly and righteous Yadus.
अपि स्मरति नः कृष्णो मातरं सुहृदः सखीन् । गोपान् व्रजं चात्मनाथं गावो वृन्दावनं गिरिम्
api smarati naḥ kṛṣṇo mātaraṃ suhṛdaḥ sakhīn | gopān vrajaṃ cātmanāthaṃ gāvo vṛndāvanaṃ girim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Does Kṛṣṇa remember us? Does He remember His mother and His friends and well-wishers? Does He remember the cowherds and their village of Vraja, of which He is the master? Does He remember the cows, Vṛndāvana forest and Govardhana Hill?
अप्यायास्यति गोविन्दः स्वजनान् सकृदीक्षितुम् । तर्हि द्रक्ष्याम तद्वक्त्रं सुनसं सुस्मितेक्षणम्
apyāyāsyati govindaḥ svajanān sakṛdīkṣitum | tarhi drakṣyāma tadvaktraṃ sunasaṃ susmitekṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Will Govinda return even once to see His family? If He ever does, we may then glance upon His beautiful face, with its beautiful eyes, nose and smile.
दावाग्नेर्वातवर्षाच्च वृषसर्पाच्च रक्षिताः । दुरत्ययेभ्यो मृत्युभ्यः कृष्णेन सुमहात्मना
dāvāgnervātavarṣācca vṛṣasarpācca rakṣitāḥ | duratyayebhyo mṛtyubhyaḥ kṛṣṇena sumahātmanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We were saved from the forest fire, the wind and rain, the bull and serpent demons — from all such insurmountable, deadly dangers — by that very great soul, Kṛṣṇa.
स्मरतां कृष्णवीर्याणि लीलापाङ्गनिरीक्षितम् । हसितं भाषितं चाङ्ग सर्वा नः शिथिलाः क्रियाः
smaratāṃ kṛṣṇavīryāṇi līlāpāṅganirīkṣitam | hasitaṃ bhāṣitaṃ cāṅga sarvā naḥ śithilāḥ kriyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As we remember the wonderful deeds Kṛṣṇa performed, His playful sidelong glances, His smiles and His words, O Uddhava, we forget all our material engagements.
सरिच्छैलवनोद्देशान् मुकुन्दपदभूषितान् । आक्रीडानीक्षमाणानां मनो याति तदात्मताम्
saricchailavanoddeśān mukundapadabhūṣitān | ākrīḍānīkṣamāṇānāṃ mano yāti tadātmatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When we see the places where Mukunda enjoyed His sporting pastimes — the rivers, hills and forests He decorated with His feet — our minds become totally absorbed in Him.
मन्ये कृष्णं च रामं च प्राप्ताविह सुरोत्तमौ । सुराणां महदर्थाय गर्गस्य वचनं यथा
manye kṛṣṇaṃ ca rāmaṃ ca prāptāviha surottamau | surāṇāṃ mahadarthāya gargasya vacanaṃ yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In my opinion, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma must be two exalted demigods who have come to this planet to fulfill some great mission of the demigods. Such was foretold by Garga Ṛṣi.
कंसं नागायुतप्राणं मल्लौ गजपतिं तथा । अवधिष्टां लीलयैव पशूनिव मृगाधिपः
kaṃsaṃ nāgāyutaprāṇaṃ mallau gajapatiṃ tathā | avadhiṣṭāṃ līlayaiva paśūniva mṛgādhipaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After all, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma killed Kaṁsa, who was as strong as ten thousand elephants, as well as the wrestlers Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika and the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa. They killed them all sportingly, as easily as a lion disposes of small animals.
तालत्रयं महासारं धनुर्यष्टिमिवेभराट् । बभञ्जैकेन हस्तेन सप्ताहमदधाद्गिरिम्
tālatrayaṃ mahāsāraṃ dhanuryaṣṭimivebharāṭ | babhañjaikena hastena saptāhamadadhādgirim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With the ease of a royal elephant breaking a stick, Kṛṣṇa broke a powerful, giant bow three tālas long. He also held a mountain aloft for seven days with just one hand.
प्रलम्बो धेनुकोऽरिष्टस्तृणावर्तो बकादयः । दैत्याः सुरासुरजितो हता येनेह लीलया
pralambo dhenuko'riṣṭastṛṇāvarto bakādayaḥ | daityāḥ surāsurajito hatā yeneha līlayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Here in Vṛndāvana, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma easily destroyed demons like Pralamba, Dhenuka, Arista, Tṛṇāvarta and Baka, who had themselves defeated both demigods and other demons.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य नन्दः कृष्णानुरक्तधीः । अत्युत्कण्ठोऽभवत्तूष्णीं प्रेमप्रसरविह्वलः
śrīśuka uvāca | iti saṃsmṛtya saṃsmṛtya nandaḥ kṛṣṇānuraktadhīḥ | atyutkaṇṭho'bhavattūṣṇīṃ premaprasaravihvalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus intensely remembering Kṛṣṇa again and again, Nanda Mahārāja, his mind completely attached to the Lord, felt extreme anxiety and fell silent, overcome by the strength of his love.
यशोदा वर्ण्यमानानि पुत्रस्य चरितानि च । शृण्वन्त्यश्रूण्यवास्राक्षीत्स्नेहस्नुतपयोधरा
yaśodā varṇyamānāni putrasya caritāni ca | śṛṇvantyaśrūṇyavāsrākṣītsnehasnutapayodharā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As mother Yaśodā heard the descriptions of her son’s activities, she poured out her tears, and milk flowed from her breasts out of love.
तयोरित्थं भगवति कृष्णे नन्दयशोदयोः । वीक्ष्यानुरागं परमं नन्दमाहोद्धवो मुदा
tayoritthaṃ bhagavati kṛṣṇe nandayaśodayoḥ | vīkṣyānurāgaṃ paramaṃ nandamāhoddhavo mudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Uddhava then joyfully addressed Nanda Mahārāja, having clearly seen the supreme loving attraction he and Yaśodā felt for Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead .
उद्धव उवाच । युवां श्लाघ्यतमौ नूनं देहिनामिह मानद । नारायणेऽखिलगुरौ यत्कृता मतिरीदृशी
uddhava uvāca | yuvāṃ ślāghyatamau nūnaṃ dehināmiha mānada | nārāyaṇe'khilagurau yatkṛtā matirīdṛśī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Uddhava said: O respectful Nanda, certainly you and mother Yaśodā are the most praiseworthy persons in the entire world, since you have developed such a loving attitude toward Lord Nārāyaṇa, the spiritual master of all living beings.
एतौ हि विश्वस्य च बीजयोनी रामो मुकुन्दः पुरुषः प्रधानम् । अन्वीय भूतेषु विलक्षणस्य ज्ञानस्य चेशात इमौ पुराणौ
etau hi viśvasya ca bījayonī rāmo mukundaḥ puruṣaḥ pradhānam | anvīya bhūteṣu vilakṣaṇasya jñānasya ceśāta imau purāṇau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These two Lords, Mukunda and Balarāma, are each the seed and womb of the universe, the creator and His creative potency. They enter the hearts of living beings and control their conditioned awareness. They are the primeval Supreme.
आगमिष्यत्यदीर्घेण कालेन व्रजमच्युतः । प्रियं विधास्यते पित्रोर्भगवान् सात्वतां पतिः
āgamiṣyatyadīrgheṇa kālena vrajamacyutaḥ | priyaṃ vidhāsyate pitrorbhagavān sātvatāṃ patiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Infallible Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of the devotees, will soon return to Vraja to satisfy His parents.
हत्वा कंसं रङ्गमध्ये प्रतीपं सर्वसात्वताम् । यदाह वः समागत्य कृष्णः सत्यं करोति तत्
hatvā kaṃsaṃ raṅgamadhye pratīpaṃ sarvasātvatām | yadāha vaḥ samāgatya kṛṣṇaḥ satyaṃ karoti tat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having killed Kaṁsa, the enemy of all the Yadus, in the wrestling arena, Kṛṣṇa will now surely fulfill His promise to you by coming back.
मा खिद्यतं महाभागौ द्रक्ष्यथः कृष्णमन्तिके । अन्तर्हृदि स भूतानामास्ते ज्योतिरिवैधसि
mā khidyataṃ mahābhāgau drakṣyathaḥ kṛṣṇamantike | antarhṛdi sa bhūtānāmāste jyotirivaidhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O most fortunate ones, do not lament. You will see Kṛṣṇa again very soon. He is present in the hearts of all living beings, just as fire lies dormant in wood.
न ह्यस्यास्ति प्रियः कश्चिन्नाप्रियो वास्त्यमानिनः । नोत्तमो नाधमो नापि समानस्यासमोऽपि वा
na hyasyāsti priyaḥ kaścinnāpriyo vāstyamāninaḥ | nottamo nādhamo nāpi samānasyāsamo'pi vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For Him no one is especially dear or despicable, superior or inferior, and yet He is not indifferent to anyone. He is free from all desire for respect and yet gives respect to all others.
न माता न पिता तस्य न भार्या न सुतादयः । नात्मीयो न परश्चापि न देहो जन्म एव च
na mātā na pitā tasya na bhāryā na sutādayaḥ | nātmīyo na paraścāpi na deho janma eva ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He has no mother, no father, no wife, children or other relatives. No one is related to Him, and yet no one is a stranger to Him. He has no material body and no birth.
न चास्य कर्म वा लोके सदसन्मिश्रयोनिषु । क्रीडार्थः सोऽपि साधूनां परित्राणाय कल्पते
na cāsya karma vā loke sadasanmiśrayoniṣu | krīḍārthaḥ so'pi sādhūnāṃ paritrāṇāya kalpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He has no work to do in this world that would oblige Him to take birth in pure, impure or mixed species of life. Yet to enjoy His pastimes and deliver His saintly devotees, He manifests Himself.
सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति भजते निर्गुणो गुणान् । क्रीडन्नतीतोऽत्र गुणैः सृजत्यवति हन्त्यजः
sattvaṃ rajastama iti bhajate nirguṇo guṇān | krīḍannatīto'tra guṇaiḥ sṛjatyavati hantyajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although beyond the three modes of material nature — goodness, passion and ignorance — the transcendental Lord accepts association with them as His play. Thus the unborn Supreme Lord utilizes the material modes to create, maintain and destroy.
यथा भ्रमरिका दृष्ट्या भ्राम्यतीव महीयते । चित्ते कर्तरि तत्रात्मा कर्तेवाहन्धिया स्मृतः
yathā bhramarikā dṛṣṭyā bhrāmyatīva mahīyate | citte kartari tatrātmā kartevāhandhiyā smṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as a person who is whirling around perceives the ground to be turning, one who is affected by false ego thinks himself the doer, when actually only his mind is acting.
युवयोरेव नैवायमात्मजो भगवान् हरिः । सर्वेषामात्मजो ह्यात्मा पिता माता स ईश्वरः
yuvayoreva naivāyamātmajo bhagavān hariḥ | sarveṣāmātmajo hyātmā pitā mātā sa īśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord Hari is certainly not your son alone. Rather, being the Lord, He is the son, Soul, father and mother of everyone.
दृष्टं श्रुतं भूतभवद्भविष्य- त्स्थास्नुश्चरिष्णुर्महदल्पकं च । विनाच्युताद्वस्तु तरां न वाच्यं स एव सर्वं परमात्मभूतः
dṛṣṭaṃ śrutaṃ bhūtabhavadbhaviṣya- tsthāsnuścariṣṇurmahadalpakaṃ ca | vinācyutādvastu tarāṃ na vācyaṃ sa eva sarvaṃ paramātmabhūtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nothing can be said to exist independent of Lord Acyuta — nothing heard or seen, nothing in the past, present or future, nothing moving or unmoving, great or small. He indeed is everything, for He is the Supreme Soul.
एवं निशा सा ब्रुवतोर्व्यतीता नन्दस्य कृष्णानुचरस्य राजन् । गोप्यः समुत्थाय निरूप्य दीपा- न्वास्तून्समभ्यर्च्य दधीन्यमन्थन्
evaṃ niśā sā bruvatorvyatītā nandasya kṛṣṇānucarasya rājan | gopyaḥ samutthāya nirūpya dīpā- nvāstūnsamabhyarcya dadhīnyamanthan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Kṛṣṇa’s messenger continued speaking with Nanda, the night ended, O King. The women of the cowherd village rose from bed and, lighting lamps, worshiped their household deities. Then they began churning the yogurt into butter.
ता दीपदीप्तैर्मणिभिर्विरेजू रज्जूर्विकर्षद्भुजकङ्कणस्रजः । चलन्नितम्बस्तनहारकुण्डल- त्विषत्कपोलारुणकुङ्कुमाननाः
tā dīpadīptairmaṇibhirvirejū rajjūrvikarṣadbhujakaṅkaṇasrajaḥ | calannitambastanahārakuṇḍala- tviṣatkapolāruṇakuṅkumānanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As they pulled on the churning ropes with their bangled arms, the women of Vraja shone with the splendor of their jewels, which reflected the lamps’ light. Their hips, breasts and necklaces moved about, and their faces, anointed with reddish kuṅkuma, glowed radiantly with the luster of their earrings reflecting from their cheeks.
इति श्रीमद्भागवाते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां संहितायां दशमस्कन्धे पूर्वार्धे नन्दशोकापनयनं नाम षट्चत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः
iti śrīmadbhāgavāte mahāpurāṇe pāramahaṃsyāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ daśamaskandhe pūrvārdhe nandaśokāpanayanaṃ nāma ṣaṭcatvāriṃśo'dhyāyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the ladies of Vraja loudly sang the glories of lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, their songs blended with the sound of their churning, ascended to the sky and dissipated all inauspiciousness in every direction.
भगवत्युदिते सूर्ये नन्दद्वारि व्रजौकसः । दृष्ट्वा रथं शातकौम्भं कस्यायमिति चाब्रुवन्
bhagavatyudite sūrye nandadvāri vrajaukasaḥ | dṛṣṭvā rathaṃ śātakaumbhaṃ kasyāyamiti cābruvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the godly sun had risen, the people of Vraja noticed the golden chariot in front of Nanda Mahārāja’s doorway. “Who does this belong to?” they asked.
अक्रूर आगतः किं वा यः कंसस्यार्थसाधकः । येन नीतो मधुपुरीं कृष्णः कमललोचनः
akrūra āgataḥ kiṃ vā yaḥ kaṃsasyārthasādhakaḥ | yena nīto madhupurīṃ kṛṣṇaḥ kamalalocanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Perhaps Akrūra has returned — he who fulfilled Kaṁsa’s desire by taking lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa to Mathurā.
किं साधयिष्यत्यस्माभिर्भर्तुः प्रेतस्य निष्कृतिम् । इति स्त्रीणां वदन्तीनामुद्धवोऽगात्कृताह्निकः
kiṃ sādhayiṣyatyasmābhirbhartuḥ pretasya niṣkṛtim | iti strīṇāṃ vadantīnāmuddhavo'gātkṛtāhnikaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Is he going to use our flesh to offer funeral oblations for his master, who was so satisfied with his service?” As the women were speaking in this way, Uddhava appeared, having finished his early-morning duties.
तं प्रश्रयेणावनताः सुसत्कृतं सव्रीडहासेक्षणसूनृतादिभिः । रहस्यपृच्छन्नुपविष्टमासने विज्ञाय सन्देशहरं रमापतेः
taṃ praśrayeṇāvanatāḥ susatkṛtaṃ savrīḍahāsekṣaṇasūnṛtādibhiḥ | rahasyapṛcchannupaviṣṭamāsane vijñāya sandeśaharaṃ ramāpateḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bowing their heads in humility, the gopīs duly honored Uddhava with their shy, smiling glances and pleasing words. They took him to a quiet place, seated him comfortably and began to question him, for they recognized him to be a messenger from Kṛṣṇa, the master of the goddess of fortune.
जानीमस्त्वां यदुपतेः पार्षदं समुपागतम् । भर्त्रेह प्रेषितः पित्रोर्भवान् प्रियचिकीर्षया
jānīmastvāṃ yadupateḥ pārṣadaṃ samupāgatam | bhartreha preṣitaḥ pitrorbhavān priyacikīrṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The gopīs said:] We know that you are the personal servant of Kṛṣṇa, the chief of the Yadus, and that you have come here on the order of your good master, who desires to give pleasure to His parents.
अन्यथा गोव्रजे तस्य स्मरणीयं न चक्ष्महे । स्नेहानुबन्धो बन्धूनां मुनेरपि सुदुस्त्यजः
anyathā govraje tasya smaraṇīyaṃ na cakṣmahe | snehānubandho bandhūnāṃ munerapi sudustyajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We see nothing else He might consider worth remembering in these cow pastures of Vraja. Indeed, the bonds of affection for one’s family members are difficult to break, even for a sage.
अन्येष्वर्थकृता मैत्री यावदर्थविडम्बनम् । पुम्भिः स्त्रीषु कृता यद्वत्सुमनःस्विव षट्पदैः
anyeṣvarthakṛtā maitrī yāvadarthaviḍambanam | pumbhiḥ strīṣu kṛtā yadvatsumanaḥsviva ṣaṭpadaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The friendship shown toward others — those who are not family members — is motivated by personal interest, and thus it is a pretense that lasts only until one’s purpose is fulfilled. Such friendship is just like the interest men take in women, or bees in flowers.
निःस्वं त्यजन्ति गणिका अकल्पं नृपतिं प्रजाः । अधीतविद्या आचार्यं ऋत्विजो दत्तदक्षिणम्
niḥsvaṃ tyajanti gaṇikā akalpaṃ nṛpatiṃ prajāḥ | adhītavidyā ācāryaṃ ṛtvijo dattadakṣiṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Prostitutes abandon a penniless man, subjects an incompetent king, students their teacher once they have finished their education, and priests a man who has remunerated them for a sacrifice.
खगा वीतफलं वृक्षं भुक्त्वा चातिथयो गृहम् । दग्धं मृगास्तथारण्यं जारो भुक्त्वा रतां स्त्रियम्
khagā vītaphalaṃ vṛkṣaṃ bhuktvā cātithayo gṛham | dagdhaṃ mṛgāstathāraṇyaṃ jāro bhuktvā ratāṃ striyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Birds abandon a tree when its fruits are gone, guests a house after they have eaten, animals a forest that has burnt down, and a lover the woman he has enjoyed, even though she remains attached to him.
काचिन्मधुकरं दृष्ट्वा ध्यायन्ती कृष्णसङ्गमम् । प्रियप्रस्थापितं दूतं कल्पयित्वेदमब्रवीत्
kācinmadhukaraṃ dṛṣṭvā dhyāyantī kṛṣṇasaṅgamam | priyaprasthāpitaṃ dūtaṃ kalpayitvedamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One of the gopīs, while meditating on Her previous association with Kṛṣṇa, saw a honeybee before Her and imagined it to be a messenger sent by Her beloved. Thus She spoke as follows.
गोप्युवाच । मधुप कितवबन्धो मा स्पृशाङ्घ्रिं सपत्न्याः कुचविलुलितमालाकुङ्कुमश्मश्रुभिर्नः । वहतु मधुपतिस्तन्मानिनीनां प्रसादं यदुसदसि विडम्ब्यं यस्य दूतस्त्वमीदृक्
gopyuvāca | madhupa kitavabandho mā spṛśāṅghriṃ sapatnyāḥ kucavilulitamālākuṅkumaśmaśrubhirnaḥ | vahatu madhupatistanmāninīnāṃ prasādaṃ yadusadasi viḍambyaṃ yasya dūtastvamīdṛk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopī said: O honeybee, O friend of a cheater, don’t touch My feet with your whiskers, which are smeared with the kuṅkuma that rubbed onto Kṛṣṇa’s garland when it was crushed by the breasts of a rival lover! Let Kṛṣṇa satisfy the women of Mathurā. One who sends a messenger like you will certainly be ridiculed in the Yadus’ assembly.
सकृदधरसुधां स्वां मोहिनीं पाययित्वा सुमनस इव सद्यस्तत्यजेऽस्मान् भवादृक् । परिचरति कथं तत्पादपद्मं तु पद्मा ह्यपि बत हृतचेता ह्युत्तमश्लोकजल्पैः
sakṛdadharasudhāṃ svāṃ mohinīṃ pāyayitvā sumanasa iva sadyastatyaje'smān bhavādṛk | paricarati kathaṃ tatpādapadmaṃ tu padmā hyapi bata hṛtacetā hyuttamaślokajalpaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After making us drink the enchanting nectar of His lips only once, Kṛṣṇa suddenly abandoned us, just as you might quickly abandon some flowers. How is it, then, that Goddess Padmā willingly serves His lotus feet? Alas! The answer must certainly be that her mind has been stolen away by His deceitful words.
किमिह बहु षडङ्घ्रे गायसि त्वं यदूना- मधिपतिमगृहाणामग्रतो नः पुराणम् । विजयसखसखीनां गीयतां तत्प्रसङ्गः क्षपितकुचरुजस्ते कल्पयन्तीष्टमिष्टाः
kimiha bahu ṣaḍaṅghre gāyasi tvaṃ yadūnā- madhipatimagṛhāṇāmagrato naḥ purāṇam | vijayasakhasakhīnāṃ gīyatāṃ tatprasaṅgaḥ kṣapitakucarujaste kalpayantīṣṭamiṣṭāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O bee, why do you sing here so much about the Lord of the Yadus, in front of us homeless people? These topics are old news to us. Better you sing about that friend of Arjuna in front of His new girlfriends, the burning desire in whose breasts He has now relieved. Those ladies will surely give you the charity you are begging.
दिवि भुवि च रसायां काः स्त्रियस्तद्दुरापाः कपटरुचिरहासभ्रूविजृम्भस्य याः स्युः । चरणरज उपास्ते यस्य भूतिर्वयं काः अपि च कृपणपक्षे ह्युत्तमश्लोकशब्दः
divi bhuvi ca rasāyāṃ kāḥ striyastaddurāpāḥ kapaṭarucirahāsabhrūvijṛmbhasya yāḥ syuḥ | caraṇaraja upāste yasya bhūtirvayaṃ kāḥ api ca kṛpaṇapakṣe hyuttamaślokaśabdaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In heaven, on earth or in the subterranean sphere, what women are unavailable to Him? He simply arches His eyebrows and smiles with deceptive charm, and they all become His. The supreme goddess herself worships the dust of His feet, so what is our position in comparison? But at least those who are wretched can chant His name, Uttamaḥśloka.
विसृज शिरसि पादं वेद्म्यहं चाटुकारै- रनुनयविदुषस्तेऽभ्येत्य दौत्यैर्मुकुन्दात् । स्वकृत इह विसृष्टापत्यपत्यन्यलोकाः व्यसृजदकृतचेताः किं नु सन्धेयमस्मिन्
visṛja śirasi pādaṃ vedmyahaṃ cāṭukārai- ranunayaviduṣaste'bhyetya dautyairmukundāt | svakṛta iha visṛṣṭāpatyapatyanyalokāḥ vyasṛjadakṛtacetāḥ kiṃ nu sandheyamasmin
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Keep your head off My feet! I know what you’re doing. You expertly learned diplomacy from Mukunda, and now you come as His messenger with flattering words. But He abandoned those who for His sake alone gave up their children, husbands and all other relations. He’s simply ungrateful. Why should I make up with Him now?
मृगयुरिव कपीन्द्रं विव्यधे लुब्धधर्मा स्त्रियमकृत विरूपां स्त्रीजितः कामयानाम् । बलिमपि बलिमत्त्वावेष्टयद्ध्वाङ्क्षवद्यः तदलमसितसख्यैर्दुस्त्यजस्तत्कथार्थः
mṛgayuriva kapīndraṃ vivyadhe lubdhadharmā striyamakṛta virūpāṃ strījitaḥ kāmayānām | balimapi balimattvāveṣṭayaddhvāṅkṣavadyaḥ tadalamasitasakhyairdustyajastatkathārthaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Like a hunter, He cruelly shot the king of the monkeys with arrows. Because He was conquered by a woman, He disfigured another woman who came to Him with lusty desires. And even after consuming the gifts of Bali Mahārāja, He bound him up with ropes as if he were a crow. So let us give up all friendship with this dark-complexioned boy, even if we can’t give up talking about Him.
यदनुचरितलीलाकर्णपीयूषविप्रुट् सकृददनविधूतद्वन्द्वधर्मा विनष्टाः । सपदि गृहकुटुम्बं दीनमुत्सृज्य दीना बहव इह विहङ्गा भिक्षुचर्यां चरन्ति
yadanucaritalīlākarṇapīyūṣavipruṭ sakṛdadanavidhūtadvandvadharmā vinaṣṭāḥ | sapadi gṛhakuṭumbaṃ dīnamutsṛjya dīnā bahava iha vihaṅgā bhikṣucaryāṃ caranti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To hear about the pastimes that Kṛṣṇa regularly performs is nectar for the ears. For those who relish just a single drop of that nectar, even once, their dedication to material duality is ruined. Many such persons have suddenly given up their wretched homes and families and, themselves becoming wretched, traveled here to Vṛndāvana to wander about like birds, begging for their living.
वयमृतमिव जिह्मव्याहृतं श्रद्दधानाः कुलिकरुतमिवाज्ञाः कृष्णवध्वो हरिण्यः । ददृशुरसकृदेतत्तन्नखस्पर्शतीव्र- स्मररुज उपमन्त्रिन् भण्यतामन्यवार्ता
vayamṛtamiva jihmavyāhṛtaṃ śraddadhānāḥ kulikarutamivājñāḥ kṛṣṇavadhvo hariṇyaḥ | dadṛśurasakṛdetattannakhasparśatīvra- smararuja upamantrin bhaṇyatāmanyavārtā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Faithfully taking His deceitful words as true, we became just like the black deer’s foolish wives, who trust the cruel hunter’s song. Thus we repeatedly felt the sharp pain of lust caused by the touch of His nails. O messenger, please talk about something besides Kṛṣṇa.
प्रियसख पुनरागाः प्रेयसा प्रेषितः किं वरय किमनुरुन्धे माननीयोऽसि मेऽङ्ग । नयसि कथमिहास्मान् दुस्त्यजद्वन्द्वपार्श्वं सततमुरसि सौम्य श्रीर्वधूः साकमास्ते
priyasakha punarāgāḥ preyasā preṣitaḥ kiṃ varaya kimanurundhe mānanīyo'si me'ṅga | nayasi kathamihāsmān dustyajadvandvapārśvaṃ satatamurasi saumya śrīrvadhūḥ sākamāste
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O friend of My dear one, has My beloved sent you here again? I should honor you, friend, so please choose whatever boon you wish. But why have you come back here to take us to Him, whose conjugal love is so difficult to give up? After all, gentle bee, His consort is the goddess Śrī, and she is always with Him, staying upon His chest.
अपि बत मधुपुर्यामार्यपुत्रोऽधुनाऽऽस्ते स्मरति स पितृगेहान् सौम्य बन्धूंश्च गोपान् । क्वचिदपि स कथा नः किङ्करीणां गृणीते भुजमगुरुसुगन्धं मूर्ध्न्यधास्यत्कदा नु
api bata madhupuryāmāryaputro'dhunā''ste smarati sa pitṛgehān saumya bandhūṃśca gopān | kvacidapi sa kathā naḥ kiṅkarīṇāṃ gṛṇīte bhujamagurusugandhaṃ mūrdhnyadhāsyatkadā nu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Uddhava! It is indeed regrettable that Kṛṣṇa resides in Mathurā. Does He remember His father’s household affairs and His friends, the cowherd boys? O great soul! Does He ever talk about us, His maidservants? When will He lay on our heads His aguru-scented hand?
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथोद्धवो निशम्यैवं कृष्णदर्शनलालसाः । सान्त्वयन् प्रियसन्देशैर्गोपीरिदमभाषत
śrīśuka uvāca | athoddhavo niśamyaivaṃ kṛṣṇadarśanalālasāḥ | sāntvayan priyasandeśairgopīridamabhāṣata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having heard this, Uddhava then tried to pacify the gopīs, who were most eager to see Lord Kṛṣṇa. He thus began relating to them the message of their beloved.
उद्धव उवाच । अहो यूयं स्म पूर्णार्था भवत्यो लोकपूजिताः । वासुदेवे भगवति यासामित्यर्पितं मनः
uddhava uvāca | aho yūyaṃ sma pūrṇārthā bhavatyo lokapūjitāḥ | vāsudeve bhagavati yāsāmityarpitaṃ manaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Uddhava said: Certainly you gopīs are all-successful and are universally worshiped because you have dedicated your minds in this way to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva.
दानव्रततपोहोमजपस्वाध्यायसंयमैः । श्रेयोभिर्विविधैश्चान्यैः कृष्णे भक्तिर्हि साध्यते
dānavratatapohomajapasvādhyāyasaṃyamaiḥ | śreyobhirvividhaiścānyaiḥ kṛṣṇe bhaktirhi sādhyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Devotional service unto Lord Kṛṣṇa is attained by charity, strict vows, austerities and fire sacrifices, by japa, study of Vedic texts, observance of regulative principles and, indeed, by the performance of many other auspicious practices.
भगवत्युत्तमश्लोके भवतीभिरनुत्तमा । भक्तिः प्रवर्तिता दिष्ट्या मुनीनामपि दुर्लभा
bhagavatyuttamaśloke bhavatībhiranuttamā | bhaktiḥ pravartitā diṣṭyā munīnāmapi durlabhā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By your great fortune you have established an unexcelled standard of pure devotion for the Lord, Uttamaḥśloka — a standard even the sages can hardly attain.
दिष्ट्या पुत्रान् पतीन् देहान् स्वजनान् भवनानि च । हित्वावृणीत यूयं यत्कृष्णाख्यं पुरुषं परम्
diṣṭyā putrān patīn dehān svajanān bhavanāni ca | hitvāvṛṇīta yūyaṃ yatkṛṣṇākhyaṃ puruṣaṃ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By your great fortune you have left your sons, husbands, bodily comforts, relatives and homes in favor of the supreme male, who is known as Kṛṣṇa.
सर्वात्मभावोऽधिकृतो भवतीनामधोक्षजे । विरहेण महाभागा महान् मेऽनुग्रहः कृतः
sarvātmabhāvo'dhikṛto bhavatīnāmadhokṣaje | viraheṇa mahābhāgā mahān me'nugrahaḥ kṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You have rightfully claimed the privilege of unalloyed love for the transcendental Lord, O most glorious gopīs. Indeed, by exhibiting your love for Kṛṣṇa in separation from Him, you have shown me great mercy.
श्रूयतां प्रियसन्देशो भवतीनां सुखावहः । यमादायागतो भद्रा अहं भर्तू रहस्करः
śrūyatāṃ priyasandeśo bhavatīnāṃ sukhāvahaḥ | yamādāyāgato bhadrā ahaṃ bhartū rahaskaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My good ladies, now please hear your beloved’s message, which I, the confidential servant of my master, have come here to bring you.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । भवतीनां वियोगो मे न हि सर्वात्मना क्वचित् । यथा भूतानि भूतेषु खं वाय्वग्निर्जलं मही । तथाहं च मनः प्राणभूतेन्द्रियगुणाश्रयः
śrībhagavānuvāca | bhavatīnāṃ viyogo me na hi sarvātmanā kvacit | yathā bhūtāni bhūteṣu khaṃ vāyvagnirjalaṃ mahī | tathāhaṃ ca manaḥ prāṇabhūtendriyaguṇāśrayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: You are never actually separated from Me, for I am the Soul of all creation. Just as the elements of nature — ether, air, fire, water and earth — are present in every created thing, so I am present within everyone’s mind, life air and senses, and also within the physical elements and the modes of material nature.
आत्मन्येवात्मनाऽऽत्मानं सृजे हन्म्यनुपालये । आत्ममायानुभावेन भूतेन्द्रियगुणात्मना
ātmanyevātmanā''tmānaṃ sṛje hanmyanupālaye | ātmamāyānubhāvena bhūtendriyaguṇātmanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By Myself I create, sustain and withdraw Myself within Myself by the power of My personal energy, which comprises the material elements, the senses and the modes of nature.
आत्मा ज्ञानमयः शुद्धो व्यतिरिक्तोऽगुणान्वयः । सुषुप्तिस्वप्नजाग्रद्भिर्मायावृत्तिभिरीयते
ātmā jñānamayaḥ śuddho vyatirikto'guṇānvayaḥ | suṣuptisvapnajāgradbhirmāyāvṛttibhirīyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being composed of pure consciousness, or knowledge, the soul is distinct from everything material and is uninvolved in the entanglements of the modes of nature. We can perceive the soul through the three functions of material nature known as wakefulness, sleep and deep sleep.
येनेन्द्रियार्थान् ध्यायेत मृषा स्वप्नवदुत्थितः । तन्निरुन्ध्यादिन्द्रियाणि विनिद्रः प्रत्यपद्यत
yenendriyārthān dhyāyeta mṛṣā svapnavadutthitaḥ | tannirundhyādindriyāṇi vinidraḥ pratyapadyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a person just arisen from sleep may continue to meditate on a dream even though it is illusory, so by the agency of the mind one meditates on the sense objects, which the senses can then obtain. Therefore one should become fully alert and bring the mind under control.
एतदन्तः समाम्नायो योगः साङ्ख्यं मनीषिणाम् । त्यागस्तपो दमः सत्यं समुद्रान्ता इवापगाः
etadantaḥ samāmnāyo yogaḥ sāṅkhyaṃ manīṣiṇām | tyāgastapo damaḥ satyaṃ samudrāntā ivāpagāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
According to intelligent authorities, this is the ultimate conclusion of all the Vedas, as well as all practice of yoga, Sāṅkhya, renunciation, austerity, sense control and truthfulness, just as the sea is the ultimate destination of all rivers.
यत्त्वहं भवतीनां वै दूरे वर्ते प्रियो दृशाम् । मनसः सन्निकर्षार्थं मदनुध्यानकाम्यया
yattvahaṃ bhavatīnāṃ vai dūre varte priyo dṛśām | manasaḥ sannikarṣārthaṃ madanudhyānakāmyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But the actual reason why I, the beloved object of your sight, have stayed far away from you is that I wanted to intensify your meditation upon Me and thus draw your minds closer to Me.
यथा दूरचरे प्रेष्ठे मन आविश्य वर्तते । स्त्रीणां च न तथा चेतः सन्निकृष्टेऽक्षिगोचरे
yathā dūracare preṣṭhe mana āviśya vartate | strīṇāṃ ca na tathā cetaḥ sannikṛṣṭe'kṣigocare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When her lover is far away, a woman thinks of him more than when he is present before her.
मय्यावेश्य मनः कृत्स्नं विमुक्ताशेषवृत्ति यत् । अनुस्मरन्त्यो मां नित्यमचिरान्मामुपैष्यथ
mayyāveśya manaḥ kṛtsnaṃ vimuktāśeṣavṛtti yat | anusmarantyo māṃ nityamacirānmāmupaiṣyatha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because your minds are totally absorbed in Me and free from all other engagement, you remember Me always, and so you will very soon have Me again in your presence.
या मया क्रीडता रात्र्यां वनेऽस्मिन् व्रज आस्थिताः । अलब्धरासाः कल्याण्यो माऽऽपुर्मद्वीर्यचिन्तया
yā mayā krīḍatā rātryāṃ vane'smin vraja āsthitāḥ | alabdharāsāḥ kalyāṇyo mā''purmadvīryacintayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although some gopīs had to remain in the cowherd village and so could not join the rāsa dance to sport with Me at night in the forest, they were nonetheless fortunate. Indeed, they attained Me by thinking of My potent pastimes.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं प्रियतमादिष्टमाकर्ण्य व्रजयोषितः । ता ऊचुरुद्धवं प्रीतास्तत्सन्देशागतस्मृतीः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ priyatamādiṣṭamākarṇya vrajayoṣitaḥ | tā ūcuruddhavaṃ prītāstatsandeśāgatasmṛtīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The women of Vraja were pleased to hear this message from their dearmost Kṛṣṇa. His words having revived their memory, they addressed Uddhava as follows.
गोप्य ऊचुः । दिष्ट्याहितो हतः कंसो यदूनां सानुगोऽघकृत् । दिष्ट्याऽऽप्तैर्लब्धसर्वार्थैः कुशल्यास्तेऽच्युतोऽधुना
gopya ūcuḥ | diṣṭyāhito hataḥ kaṃso yadūnāṃ sānugo'ghakṛt | diṣṭyā''ptairlabdhasarvārthaiḥ kuśalyāste'cyuto'dhunā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs said: It is very good that Kaṁsa, the enemy and persecutor of the Yadus, has now been killed, along with his followers. And it is also very good that Lord Acyuta is living happily in the company of His well-wishing friends and relatives, whose every desire is now fulfilled.
कच्चिद्गदाग्रजः सौम्य करोति पुरयोषिताम् । प्रीतिं नः स्निग्धसव्रीडहासोदारेक्षणार्चितः
kaccidgadāgrajaḥ saumya karoti purayoṣitām | prītiṃ naḥ snigdhasavrīḍahāsodārekṣaṇārcitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Gentle Uddhava, is the elder brother of Gada now bestowing on the city women the pleasure that actually belongs to us? We suppose those ladies worship Him with generous glances full of affectionate, shy smiles.
कथं रतिविशेषज्ञः प्रियश्च वरयोषिताम् । नानुबध्येत तद्वाक्यैर्विभ्रमैश्चानुभाजितः
kathaṃ rativiśeṣajñaḥ priyaśca varayoṣitām | nānubadhyeta tadvākyairvibhramaiścānubhājitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Kṛṣṇa is expert in all kinds of conjugal affairs and is the darling of the city women. How can He not become entangled, now that He’s constantly adored by their enchanting words and gestures?
अपि स्मरति नः साधो गोविन्दः प्रस्तुते क्वचित् । गोष्ठीमध्ये पुरस्त्रीणां ग्राम्याः स्वैरकथान्तरे
api smarati naḥ sādho govindaḥ prastute kvacit | goṣṭhīmadhye purastrīṇāṃ grāmyāḥ svairakathāntare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O saintly one, does Govinda ever remember us during His conversations with the city women? Does He ever mention us village girls as He freely talks with them?
ताः किं निशाः स्मरति यासु तदा प्रियाभि- र्वृन्दावने कुमुदकुन्दशशाङ्करम्ये । रेमे क्वणच्चरणनूपुररासगोष्ठ्या- मस्माभिरीडितमनोज्ञकथः कदाचित्
tāḥ kiṃ niśāḥ smarati yāsu tadā priyābhi- rvṛndāvane kumudakundaśaśāṅkaramye | reme kvaṇaccaraṇanūpurarāsagoṣṭhyā- masmābhirīḍitamanojñakathaḥ kadācit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Does He recall those nights in the Vṛndāvana forest, lovely with lotus, jasmine and the bright moon? As we glorified His charming pastimes, He enjoyed with us, His beloved girlfriends, in the circle of the rāsa dance, which resounded with the music of ankle bells.
अप्येष्यतीह दाशार्हस्तप्ताः स्वकृतया शुचा । सञ्जीवयन् नु नो गात्रैर्यथेन्द्रो वनमम्बुदैः
apyeṣyatīha dāśārhastaptāḥ svakṛtayā śucā | sañjīvayan nu no gātrairyathendro vanamambudaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Will that descendant of Daśārha return here and by the touch of His limbs bring back to life those who are now burning with the grief He Himself has caused? Will He save us in that way, just as Lord Indra brings a forest back to life with his water-bearing clouds?
कस्मात्कृष्ण इहायाति प्राप्तराज्यो हताहितः । नरेन्द्रकन्या उद्वाह्य प्रीतः सर्वसुहृद्वृतः
kasmātkṛṣṇa ihāyāti prāptarājyo hatāhitaḥ | narendrakanyā udvāhya prītaḥ sarvasuhṛdvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But why should Kṛṣṇa come here after winning a kingdom, killing His enemies and marrying the daughters of kings? He’s satisfied there, surrounded by all His friends and well-wishers.
किमस्माभिर्वनौकोभिरन्याभिर्वा महात्मनः । श्रीपतेराप्तकामस्य क्रियेतार्थः कृतात्मनः
kimasmābhirvanaukobhiranyābhirvā mahātmanaḥ | śrīpaterāptakāmasya kriyetārthaḥ kṛtātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great soul Kṛṣṇa is the Lord of the goddess of fortune, and He automatically achieves whatever He desires. How can we forest-dwellers or any other women fulfill His purposes when He is already fulfilled within Himself?
परं सौख्यं हि नैराश्यं स्वैरिण्यप्याह पिङ्गला । तज्जानतीनां नः कृष्णे तथाप्याशा दुरत्यया
paraṃ saukhyaṃ hi nairāśyaṃ svairiṇyapyāha piṅgalā | tajjānatīnāṃ naḥ kṛṣṇe tathāpyāśā duratyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indeed, the greatest happiness is to renounce all desires, as even the prostitute Piṅgalā has declared. Yet even though we know this, we cannot give up our hopes of attaining Kṛṣṇa.
क उत्सहेत सन्त्यक्तुमुत्तमश्लोकसंविदम् । अनिच्छतोऽपि यस्य श्रीरङ्गान्न च्यवते क्वचित्
ka utsaheta santyaktumuttamaślokasaṃvidam | anicchato'pi yasya śrīraṅgānna cyavate kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Who can bear to give up intimate talks with Lord Uttamaḥśloka? Although He shows no interest in her, Goddess Śrī never moves from her place on His chest.
सरिच्छैलवनोद्देशा गावो वेणुरवा इमे । सङ्कर्षणसहायेन कृष्णेनाचरिताः प्रभो
saricchailavanoddeśā gāvo veṇuravā ime | saṅkarṣaṇasahāyena kṛṣṇenācaritāḥ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Uddhava Prabhu, when Kṛṣṇa was here in the company of Saṅkarṣaṇa, He enjoyed all these rivers, hills, forests, cows and flute sounds.
पुनः पुनः स्मारयन्ति नन्दगोपसुतं बत । श्रीनिकेतैस्तत्पदकैर्विस्मर्तुं नैव शक्नुमः
punaḥ punaḥ smārayanti nandagopasutaṃ bata | śrīniketaistatpadakairvismartuṃ naiva śaknumaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All these remind us constantly of Nanda’s son. Indeed, because we see Kṛṣṇa’s footprints, which are marked with divine symbols, we can never forget Him.
गत्या ललितयोदारहासलीलावलोकनैः । माध्व्या गिरा हृतधियः कथं तं विस्मरामहे
gatyā lalitayodārahāsalīlāvalokanaiḥ | mādhvyā girā hṛtadhiyaḥ kathaṃ taṃ vismarāmahe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Uddhava, how can we forget Him when our hearts have been stolen away by the charming way He walks, His generous smile and playful glances, and His honeylike words?
हे नाथ हे रमानाथ व्रजनाथार्तिनाशन । मग्नमुद्धर गोविन्द गोकुलं वृजिनार्णवात्
he nātha he ramānātha vrajanāthārtināśana | magnamuddhara govinda gokulaṃ vṛjinārṇavāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O master, O master of the goddess of fortune, O master of Vraja! O destroyer of all suffering, Govinda, please lift Your Gokula out of the ocean of distress in which it is drowning!
श्रीशुक उवाच । ततस्ताः कृष्णसन्देशैर्व्यपेतविरहज्वराः । उद्धवं पूजयाञ्चक्रुर्ज्ञात्वाऽऽत्मानमधोक्षजम्
śrīśuka uvāca | tatastāḥ kṛṣṇasandeśairvyapetavirahajvarāḥ | uddhavaṃ pūjayāñcakrurjñātvā''tmānamadhokṣajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s messages having relieved their fever of separation, the gopīs then worshiped Uddhava, recognizing him as nondifferent from their Lord, Kṛṣṇa.
उवास कतिचिन्मासान् गोपीनां विनुदन् शुचः । कृष्णलीलाकथां गायन् रमयामास गोकुलम्
uvāsa katicinmāsān gopīnāṃ vinudan śucaḥ | kṛṣṇalīlākathāṃ gāyan ramayāmāsa gokulam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Uddhava remained there for several months, dispelling the gopīs’ sorrow by chanting the topics of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes. Thus he brought joy to all the people of Gokula.
यावन्त्यहानि नन्दस्य व्रजेऽवात्सीत्स उद्धवः । व्रजौकसां क्षणप्रायाण्यासन् कृष्णस्य वार्तया
yāvantyahāni nandasya vraje'vātsītsa uddhavaḥ | vrajaukasāṃ kṣaṇaprāyāṇyāsan kṛṣṇasya vārtayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the days that Uddhava dwelled in Nanda’s cowherd village seemed like a single moment to the residents of Vraja, for Uddhava was always discussing Kṛṣṇa.
सरिद्वनगिरिद्रोणीर्वीक्षन् कुसुमितान् द्रुमान् । कृष्णं संस्मारयन् रेमे हरिदासो व्रजौकसाम्
saridvanagiridroṇīrvīkṣan kusumitān drumān | kṛṣṇaṃ saṃsmārayan reme haridāso vrajaukasām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That servant of Lord Hari, seeing the rivers, forests, mountains, valleys and flowering trees of Vraja, enjoyed inspiring the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana by reminding them of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
दृष्ट्वैवमादि गोपीनां कृष्णावेशात्मविक्लवम् । उद्धवः परमप्रीतस्ता नमस्यन्निदं जगौ
dṛṣṭvaivamādi gopīnāṃ kṛṣṇāveśātmaviklavam | uddhavaḥ paramaprītastā namasyannidaṃ jagau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus seeing how the gopīs were always disturbed because of their total absorption in Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava was supremely pleased. Desiring to offer them all respect, he sang as follows.
एताः परं तनुभृतो भुवि गोपवध्वो गोविन्द एव निखिलात्मनि रूढभावाः । वाञ्छन्ति यद्भवभियो मुनयो वयं च किं ब्रह्मजन्मभिरनन्तकथारसस्य
etāḥ paraṃ tanubhṛto bhuvi gopavadhvo govinda eva nikhilātmani rūḍhabhāvāḥ | vāñchanti yadbhavabhiyo munayo vayaṃ ca kiṃ brahmajanmabhiranantakathārasasya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Uddhava sang:] Among all persons on earth, these cowherd women alone have actually perfected their embodied lives, for they have achieved the perfection of unalloyed love for Lord Govinda. Their pure love is hankered after by those who fear material existence, by great sages, and by ourselves as well. For one who has tasted the narrations of the infinite Lord, what is the use of taking birth as a high-class brāhmaṇa, or even as Lord Brahmā himself?
क्वेमाः स्त्रियो वनचरीर्व्यभिचारदुष्टाः कृष्णे क्व चैष परमात्मनि रूढभावः । नन्वीश्वरोऽनुभजतोऽविदुषोऽपि साक्षा- च्छ्रेयस्तनोत्यगदराज इवोपयुक्तः
kvemāḥ striyo vanacarīrvyabhicāraduṣṭāḥ kṛṣṇe kva caiṣa paramātmani rūḍhabhāvaḥ | nanvīśvaro'nubhajato'viduṣo'pi sākṣā- cchreyastanotyagadarāja ivopayuktaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How amazing it is that these simple women who wander about the forest, seemingly spoiled by improper behavior, have achieved the perfection of unalloyed love for Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul! Still, it is true that the Supreme Lord Himself awards His blessings even to an ignorant worshiper, just as the best medicine works even when taken by a person ignorant of its ingredients.
नायं श्रियोऽङ्ग उ नितान्तरतेः प्रसादः स्वर्योषितां नलिनगन्धरुचां कुतोऽन्याः । रासोत्सवेऽस्य भुजदण्डगृहीतकण्ठ- लब्धाशिषां य उदगाद्व्रजवल्लवीनाम्
nāyaṃ śriyo'ṅga u nitāntarateḥ prasādaḥ svaryoṣitāṃ nalinagandharucāṃ kuto'nyāḥ | rāsotsave'sya bhujadaṇḍagṛhītakaṇṭha- labdhāśiṣāṃ ya udagādvrajavallavīnām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa was dancing with the gopīs in the rāsa-līlā, the gopīs were embraced by the arms of the Lord. This transcendental favor was never bestowed upon the goddess of fortune or other consorts in the spiritual world. Indeed, never was such a thing even imagined by the most beautiful girls in the heavenly planets, whose bodily luster and aroma resemble the lotus flower. And what to speak of worldly women who are very beautiful according to material estimation?
आसामहो चरणरेणुजुषामहं स्यां वृन्दावने किमपि गुल्मलतौषधीनाम् । या दुस्त्यजं स्वजनमार्यपथं च हित्वा भेजुर्मुकुन्दपदवीं श्रुतिभिर्विमृग्याम्
āsāmaho caraṇareṇujuṣāmahaṃ syāṃ vṛndāvane kimapi gulmalatauṣadhīnām | yā dustyajaṃ svajanamāryapathaṃ ca hitvā bhejurmukundapadavīṃ śrutibhirvimṛgyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs of Vṛndāvana have given up the association of their husbands, sons and other family members, who are very difficult to give up, and they have forsaken the path of chastity to take shelter of the lotus feet of Mukunda, Kṛṣṇa, which one should search for by Vedic knowledge. Oh, let me be fortunate enough to be one of the bushes, creepers or herbs in Vṛndāvana, because the gopīs trample them and bless them with the dust of their lotus feet.
या वै श्रियार्चितमजादिभिराप्तकामै- र्योगेश्वरैरपि यदात्मनि रासगोष्ठ्याम् । कृष्णस्य तद्भगवतश्चरणारविन्दं न्यस्तं स्तनेषु विजहुः परिरभ्य तापम्
yā vai śriyārcitamajādibhirāptakāmai- ryogeśvarairapi yadātmani rāsagoṣṭhyām | kṛṣṇasya tadbhagavataścaraṇāravindaṃ nyastaṃ staneṣu vijahuḥ parirabhya tāpam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The goddess of fortune herself, along with Lord Brahmā and all the other demigods, who are masters of yogic perfection, can worship the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa only within her mind. But during the rāsa dance Lord Kṛṣṇa placed His feet upon these gopīs’ breasts, and by embracing those feet the gopīs gave up all distress.
वन्दे नन्दव्रजस्त्रीणां पादरेणुमभीक्ष्णशः । यासां हरिकथोद्गीतं पुनाति भुवनत्रयम्
vande nandavrajastrīṇāṃ pādareṇumabhīkṣṇaśaḥ | yāsāṃ harikathodgītaṃ punāti bhuvanatrayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I repeatedly offer my respects to the dust from the feet of the women of Nanda Mahārāja’s cowherd village. When these gopīs loudly chant the glories of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the vibration purifies the three worlds.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथ गोपीरनुज्ञाप्य यशोदां नन्दमेव च । गोपानामन्त्र्य दाशार्हो यास्यन्नारुरुहे रथम्
śrīśuka uvāca | atha gopīranujñāpya yaśodāṃ nandameva ca | gopānāmantrya dāśārho yāsyannāruruhe ratham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Uddhava, the descendant of Daśārha, then took permission to leave from the gopīs and from mother Yaśodā and Nanda Mahārāja. He bade farewell to all the cowherd men and, about to depart, mounted his chariot.
तं निर्गतं समासाद्य नानोपायनपाणयः । नन्दादयोऽनुरागेण प्रावोचन्नश्रुलोचनाः
taṃ nirgataṃ samāsādya nānopāyanapāṇayaḥ | nandādayo'nurāgeṇa prāvocannaśrulocanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Uddhava was about to leave, Nanda and the others approached him bearing various items of worship. With tears in their eyes they addressed him as follows.
मनसो वृत्तयो नः स्युः कृष्णपादाम्बुजाश्रयाः । वाचोऽभिधायिनीर्नाम्नां कायस्तत्प्रह्वणादिषु
manaso vṛttayo naḥ syuḥ kṛṣṇapādāmbujāśrayāḥ | vāco'bhidhāyinīrnāmnāṃ kāyastatprahvaṇādiṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nanda and the other cowherds said:] May our mental functions always take shelter of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, may our words always chant His names, and may our bodies always bow down to Him and serve Him.
कर्मभिर्भ्राम्यमाणानां यत्र क्वापीश्वरेच्छया । मङ्गलाचरितैर्दानै रतिर्नः कृष्ण ईश्वरे
karmabhirbhrāmyamāṇānāṃ yatra kvāpīśvarecchayā | maṅgalācaritairdānai ratirnaḥ kṛṣṇa īśvare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Wherever we are made to wander about this world by the Supreme Lord’s will, in accordance with the reactions to our fruitive work, may our good works and charity always grant Us love for Lord Kṛṣṇa.
एवं सभाजितो गोपैः कृष्णभक्त्या नराधिप । उद्धवः पुनरागच्छन्मथुरां कृष्णपालिताम्
evaṃ sabhājito gopaiḥ kṛṣṇabhaktyā narādhipa | uddhavaḥ punarāgacchanmathurāṃ kṛṣṇapālitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] O ruler of men, thus honored by the cowherd men with expressions of devotion for Lord Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava went back to the city of Mathurā, which was under Kṛṣṇa’s protection.
कृष्णाय प्रणिपत्याह भक्त्युद्रेकं व्रजौकसाम् । वसुदेवाय रामाय राज्ञे चोपायनान्यदात्
kṛṣṇāya praṇipatyāha bhaktyudrekaṃ vrajaukasām | vasudevāya rāmāya rājñe copāyanānyadāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After falling down to pay his homage, Uddhava described to Lord Kṛṣṇa the immense devotion of the residents of Vraja. Uddhava also described it to Vasudeva, Lord Balarāma and King Ugrasena and presented to them the gifts of tribute he had brought with him.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथ विज्ञाय भगवान् सर्वात्मा सर्वदर्शनः । सैरन्ध्र्याः कामतप्तायाः प्रियमिच्छन् गृहं ययौ
śrīśuka uvāca | atha vijñāya bhagavān sarvātmā sarvadarśanaḥ | sairandhryāḥ kāmataptāyāḥ priyamicchan gṛhaṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Next, after assimilating Uddhava’s report, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the omniscient Soul of all that be, desired to satisfy the serving girl Trivakrā, who was troubled by lust. Thus He went to her house.
महार्होपस्करैराढ्यं कामोपायोपबृंहितम् । मुक्तादामपताकाभिर्वितानशयनासनैः । धूपैः सुरभिभिर्दीपैः स्रग्गन्धैरपि मण्डितम्
mahārhopaskarairāḍhyaṃ kāmopāyopabṛṃhitam | muktādāmapatākābhirvitānaśayanāsanaiḥ | dhūpaiḥ surabhibhirdīpaiḥ sraggandhairapi maṇḍitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Trivakrā’s home was opulently appointed with expensive furnishings and replete with sensual accoutrements meant to inspire sexual desire. There were banners, rows of strung pearls, canopies, fine beds and sitting places, and also fragrant incense, oil lamps, flower garlands and aromatic sandalwood paste.
गृहं तमायान्तमवेक्ष्य साऽऽसनात् सद्यःसमुत्थाय हि जातसम्भ्रमा । यथोपसङ्गम्य सखीभिरच्युतं सभाजयामास सदासनादिभिः
gṛhaṃ tamāyāntamavekṣya sā''sanāt sadyaḥsamutthāya hi jātasambhramā | yathopasaṅgamya sakhībhiracyutaṃ sabhājayāmāsa sadāsanādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Trivakrā saw Him arriving at her house, she at once rose from her seat in a flurry. Coming forward graciously with her girlfriends, she respectfully greeted Lord Acyuta by offering Him an excellent seat and other articles of worship.
तथोद्धवः साधुतयाभिपूजितो न्यषीददुर्व्यामभिमृश्य चासनम् । कृष्णोऽपि तूर्णं शयनं महाधनं विवेश लोकाचरितान्यनुव्रतः
tathoddhavaḥ sādhutayābhipūjito nyaṣīdadurvyāmabhimṛśya cāsanam | kṛṣṇo'pi tūrṇaṃ śayanaṃ mahādhanaṃ viveśa lokācaritānyanuvrataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Uddhava also received a seat of honor, since he was a saintly person, but he simply touched it and sat on the floor. Then Lord Kṛṣṇa, imitating the manners of human society, quickly made Himself comfortable on an opulent bed.
सा मज्जनालेपदुकूलभूषण- स्रग्गन्धताम्बूलसुधासवादिभिः । प्रसाधितात्मोपससार माधवं सव्रीडलीलोत्स्मितविभ्रमेक्षितैः
sā majjanālepadukūlabhūṣaṇa- sraggandhatāmbūlasudhāsavādibhiḥ | prasādhitātmopasasāra mādhavaṃ savrīḍalīlotsmitavibhramekṣitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Trivakrā prepared herself by bathing, anointing her body, and dressing in fine garments, by putting on jewelry, garlands and perfume, and also by chewing betel nut, drinking fragrant liquor, and so on. She then approached Lord Mādhava with shy, playful smiles and coquettish glances.
आहूय कान्तां नवसङ्गमह्रिया विशङ्कितां कङ्कणभूषिते करे । प्रगृह्य शय्यामधिवेश्य रामया रेमेऽनुलेपार्पणपुण्यलेशया
āhūya kāntāṃ navasaṅgamahriyā viśaṅkitāṃ kaṅkaṇabhūṣite kare | pragṛhya śayyāmadhiveśya rāmayā reme'nulepārpaṇapuṇyaleśayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Calling forward His beloved, who was anxious and shy at the prospect of this new contact, the Lord pulled her by her bangled hands onto the bed. Thus He enjoyed with that beautiful girl, whose only trace of piety was her having offered ointment to the Lord.
सानङ्गतप्तकुचयोरुरसस्तथाक्ष्णो- र्जिघ्रन्त्यनन्तचरणेन रुजो मृजन्ती । दोर्भ्यां स्तनान्तरगतं परिरभ्य कान्त- मानन्दमूर्तिमजहादतिदीर्घतापम्
sānaṅgataptakucayorurasastathākṣṇo- rjighrantyanantacaraṇena rujo mṛjantī | dorbhyāṃ stanāntaragataṃ parirabhya kānta- mānandamūrtimajahādatidīrghatāpam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Simply by smelling the fragrance of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, Trivakrā cleansed away the burning lust Cupid had aroused in her breasts, chest and eyes. With her two arms she embraced between her breasts her lover, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the personification of bliss, and thus she gave up her long-standing distress.
सैवं कैवल्यनाथं तं प्राप्य दुष्प्रापमीश्वरम् । अङ्गरागार्पणेनाहो दुर्भगेदमयाचत
saivaṃ kaivalyanāthaṃ taṃ prāpya duṣprāpamīśvaram | aṅgarāgārpaṇenāho durbhagedamayācata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus gotten the hard-to-get Supreme Lord by the simple act of offering Him body ointment, unfortunate Trivakrā submitted to that Lord of freedom the following request.
आहोष्यतामिह प्रेष्ठ दिनानि कतिचिन्मया । रमस्व नोत्सहे त्यक्तुं सङ्गं तेऽम्बुरुहेक्षण
āhoṣyatāmiha preṣṭha dināni katicinmayā | ramasva notsahe tyaktuṃ saṅgaṃ te'mburuhekṣaṇa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Trivakrā said:] O beloved, please stay here with me for a few days more and enjoy. I cannot bear to give up Your association, O lotus-eyed one!
तस्यै कामवरं दत्त्वा मानयित्वा च मानदः । सहोद्धवेन सर्वेशः स्वधामागमदर्चितम्
tasyai kāmavaraṃ dattvā mānayitvā ca mānadaḥ | sahoddhavena sarveśaḥ svadhāmāgamadarcitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Promising her the fulfillment of this lusty desire, considerate Kṛṣṇa, Lord of all beings, paid Trivakrā His respects and then returned with Uddhava to His own supremely opulent residence.
दुरारार्ध्यं समाराध्य विष्णुं सर्वेश्वरेश्वरम् । यो वृणीते मनोग्राह्यमसत्त्वात्कुमनीष्यसौ
durārārdhyaṃ samārādhya viṣṇuṃ sarveśvareśvaram | yo vṛṇīte manogrāhyamasattvātkumanīṣyasau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Lord of all lords, is ordinarily difficult to approach. One who has properly worshiped Him and then chooses the benediction of mundane sense gratification is certainly of poor intelligence, for he is satisfied with an insignificant result.
अक्रूरभवनं कृष्णः सहरामोद्धवः प्रभुः । किञ्चिच्चिकीर्षयन् प्रागादक्रूरप्रियकाम्यया
akrūrabhavanaṃ kṛṣṇaḥ saharāmoddhavaḥ prabhuḥ | kiñciccikīrṣayan prāgādakrūrapriyakāmyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Lord Kṛṣṇa, wanting to have some things done, went to Akrūra’s house with Balarāma and Uddhava. The Lord also desired to please Akrūra.
दिष्ट्या पापो हतः कंसः सानुगो वामिदं कुलम् । भवद्भ्यामुद्धृतं कृच्छ्राद्दुरन्ताच्च समेधितम्
diṣṭyā pāpo hataḥ kaṃsaḥ sānugo vāmidaṃ kulam | bhavadbhyāmuddhṛtaṃ kṛcchrāddurantācca samedhitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Akrūra said:] It is our good fortune that You two Lords have killed the evil Kaṁsa and his followers, thus delivering Your dynasty from endless suffering and causing it to flourish.
युवां प्रधानपुरुषौ जगद्धेतू जगन्मयौ । भवद्भ्यां न विना किञ्चित्परमस्ति न चापरम्
yuvāṃ pradhānapuruṣau jagaddhetū jaganmayau | bhavadbhyāṃ na vinā kiñcitparamasti na cāparam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You both are the original Supreme Person, the cause of the universe and its very substance. Not the slightest subtle cause or manifest product of creation exists apart from You.
आत्मसृष्टमिदं विश्वमन्वाविश्य स्वशक्तिभिः । ईयते बहुधा ब्रह्मन् श्रुतप्रत्यक्षगोचरम्
ātmasṛṣṭamidaṃ viśvamanvāviśya svaśaktibhiḥ | īyate bahudhā brahman śrutapratyakṣagocaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Supreme Absolute Truth, with Your personal energies You create this universe and then enter into it. Thus one can perceive You in many different forms by hearing from authorities and by direct experience.
यथा हि भूतेषु चराचरेषु मह्यादयो योनिषु भान्ति नाना । एवं भवान् केवल आत्मयोनि- ष्वात्माऽऽत्मतन्त्रो बहुधा विभाति
yathā hi bhūteṣu carācareṣu mahyādayo yoniṣu bhānti nānā | evaṃ bhavān kevala ātmayoni- ṣvātmā''tmatantro bahudhā vibhāti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as the primary elements — earth and so on — manifest themselves in abundant variety among all the species of mobile and immobile life, so You, the one independent Supreme Soul, appear to be manifold among the variegated objects of Your creation.
सृजस्यथो लुम्पसि पासि विश्वं रजस्तमःसत्त्वगुणैः स्वशक्तिभिः । न बध्यसे तद्गुणकर्मभिर्वा ज्ञानात्मनस्ते क्व च बन्धहेतुः
sṛjasyatho lumpasi pāsi viśvaṃ rajastamaḥsattvaguṇaiḥ svaśaktibhiḥ | na badhyase tadguṇakarmabhirvā jñānātmanaste kva ca bandhahetuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You create, destroy and also maintain this universe with Your personal energies — the modes of passion, ignorance and goodness — yet You are never entangled by these modes or the activities they generate. Since You are the original source of all knowledge, what could ever cause You to be bound by illusion?
देहाद्युपाधेरनिरूपितत्वा- द्भवो न साक्षान्न भिदाऽऽत्मनः स्यात् । अतो न बन्धस्तव नैव मोक्षः स्यातां निकामस्त्वयि नोऽविवेकः
dehādyupādheranirūpitatvā- dbhavo na sākṣānna bhidā''tmanaḥ syāt | ato na bandhastava naiva mokṣaḥ syātāṃ nikāmastvayi no'vivekaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since it has never been demonstrated that You are covered by material, bodily designations, it must be concluded that for You there is neither birth in a literal sense nor any duality. Therefore You never undergo bondage or liberation, and if You appear to, it is only because of Your desire that we see You in that way, or simply because of our lack of discrimination.
त्वयोदितोऽयं जगतो हिताय यदा यदा वेदपथः पुराणः । बाध्येत पाखण्डपथैरसद्भि- स्तदा भवान् सत्त्वगुणं बिभर्ति
tvayodito'yaṃ jagato hitāya yadā yadā vedapathaḥ purāṇaḥ | bādhyeta pākhaṇḍapathairasadbhi- stadā bhavān sattvaguṇaṃ bibharti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You originally enunciated the ancient religious path of the Vedas for the benefit of the whole universe. Whenever that path becomes obstructed by wicked persons following the path of atheism, You assume one of Your incarnations, which are all in the transcendental mode of goodness.
स त्वं प्रभोऽद्य वसुदेवगृहेऽवतीर्णः स्वांशेन भारमपनेतुमिहासि भूमेः । अक्षौहिणीशतवधेन सुरेतरांश- राज्ञाममुष्य च कुलस्य यशो वितन्वन्
sa tvaṃ prabho'dya vasudevagṛhe'vatīrṇaḥ svāṃśena bhāramapanetumihāsi bhūmeḥ | akṣauhiṇīśatavadhena suretarāṃśa- rājñāmamuṣya ca kulasya yaśo vitanvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are that very same Supreme Person, my Lord, and You have now appeared in the home of Vasudeva with Your plenary portion. You have done this to relieve the earth’s burden by killing hundreds of armies led by kings who are expansions of the demigods’ enemies, and also to spread the fame of our dynasty.
अद्येश नो वसतयः खलु भूरिभागा यः सर्वदेवपितृभूतनृदेवमूर्तिः । यत्पादशौचसलिलं त्रिजगत्पुनाति स त्वं जगद्गुरुरधोक्षज याः प्रविष्टः
adyeśa no vasatayaḥ khalu bhūribhāgā yaḥ sarvadevapitṛbhūtanṛdevamūrtiḥ | yatpādaśaucasalilaṃ trijagatpunāti sa tvaṃ jagadgururadhokṣaja yāḥ praviṣṭaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Today, O Lord, my home has become most fortunate because You have entered it. As the Supreme Truth, You embody the forefathers, ordinary creatures, human beings and demigods, and the water that has washed Your feet purifies the three worlds. Indeed, O transcendent one, You are the spiritual master of the universe.
कः पण्डितस्त्वदपरं शरणं समीयात् भक्तप्रियादृतगिरः सुहृदः कृतज्ञात् । सर्वान् ददाति सुहृदो भजतोऽभिकामा- नात्मानमप्युपचयापचयौ न यस्य
kaḥ paṇḍitastvadaparaṃ śaraṇaṃ samīyāt bhaktapriyādṛtagiraḥ suhṛdaḥ kṛtajñāt | sarvān dadāti suhṛdo bhajato'bhikāmā- nātmānamapyupacayāpacayau na yasya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What learned person would approach anyone but You for shelter, when You are the affectionate, grateful and truthful well-wisher of Your devotees? To those who worship You in sincere friendship You reward everything they desire, even Your own self, yet You never increase or diminish.
दिष्ट्या जनार्दन भवानिह नः प्रतीतो योगेश्वरैरपि दुरापगतिः सुरेशैः । छिन्ध्याशु नः सुतकलत्रधनाप्तगेह- देहादिमोहरशनां भवदीयमायाम्
diṣṭyā janārdana bhavāniha naḥ pratīto yogeśvarairapi durāpagatiḥ sureśaiḥ | chindhyāśu naḥ sutakalatradhanāptageha- dehādimoharaśanāṃ bhavadīyamāyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is by our great fortune, Janārdana, that You are now visible to us, for even the masters of yoga and the foremost demigods can achieve this goal only with great difficulty. Please quickly cut the ropes of our illusory attachment for children, wife, wealth, influential friends, home and body. All such attachment is simply the effect of Your illusory material energy.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्यर्चितः संस्तुतश्च भक्तेन भगवान् हरिः । अक्रूरं सस्मितं प्राह गीर्भिः सम्मोहयन्निव
śrīśuka uvāca | ityarcitaḥ saṃstutaśca bhaktena bhagavān hariḥ | akrūraṃ sasmitaṃ prāha gīrbhiḥ sammohayanniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus worshiped and fully glorified by His devotee, the Supreme Lord Hari smilingly addressed Akrūra, completely charming him with His words.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । त्वं नो गुरुः पितृव्यश्च श्लाघ्यो बन्धुश्च नित्यदा । वयं तु रक्ष्याः पोष्याश्च अनुकम्प्याः प्रजा हि वः
śrībhagavānuvāca | tvaṃ no guruḥ pitṛvyaśca ślāghyo bandhuśca nityadā | vayaṃ tu rakṣyāḥ poṣyāśca anukampyāḥ prajā hi vaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: You are Our spiritual master, paternal uncle and praiseworthy friend, and We are like your sons, always dependent on your protection, sustenance and compassion.
भवद्विधा महाभागा निषेव्या अर्हसत्तमाः । श्रेयस्कामैर्नृभिर्नित्यं देवाः स्वार्था न साधवः
bhavadvidhā mahābhāgā niṣevyā arhasattamāḥ | śreyaskāmairnṛbhirnityaṃ devāḥ svārthā na sādhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Exalted souls like you are the true objects of service and the most worshipable authorities for those who desire the highest good in life. Demigods are generally concerned with their own interests, but saintly devotees never are.
न ह्यम्मयानि तीर्थानि न देवा मृच्छिलामयाः । ते पुनन्त्युरुकालेन दर्शनादेव साधवः
na hyammayāni tīrthāni na devā mṛcchilāmayāḥ | te punantyurukālena darśanādeva sādhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
No one can deny that there are holy places with sacred rivers, or that the demigods appear in deity forms made of earth and stone. But these purify the soul only after a long time, whereas saintly persons purify just by being seen.
स भवान् सुहृदां वै नः श्रेयान् श्रेयश्चिकीर्षया । जिज्ञासार्थं पाण्डवानां गच्छस्व त्वं गजाह्वयम्
sa bhavān suhṛdāṃ vai naḥ śreyān śreyaścikīrṣayā | jijñāsārthaṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ gacchasva tvaṃ gajāhvayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are indeed the best of Our friends, so please go to Hastināpura and, as the well-wisher of the Pāṇḍavas, find out how they are doing.
पितर्युपरते बालाः सह मात्रा सुदुःखिताः । आनीताः स्वपुरं राज्ञा वसन्त इति शुश्रुम
pitaryuparate bālāḥ saha mātrā suduḥkhitāḥ | ānītāḥ svapuraṃ rājñā vasanta iti śuśruma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We have heard that when their father passed away, the young Pāṇḍavas were brought with their anguished mother to the capital city by King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and that they are now living there.
तेषु राजाम्बिकापुत्रो भ्रातृपुत्रेषु दीनधीः । समो न वर्तते नूनं दुष्पुत्रवशगोऽन्धदृक्
teṣu rājāmbikāputro bhrātṛputreṣu dīnadhīḥ | samo na vartate nūnaṃ duṣputravaśago'ndhadṛk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indeed, weak-minded Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the son of Ambikā, has come under the control of his wicked sons, and therefore that blind King is not treating his brother’s sons fairly.
गच्छ जानीहि तद्वृत्तमधुना साध्वसाधु वा । विज्ञाय तद्विधास्यामो यथा शं सुहृदां भवेत्
gaccha jānīhi tadvṛttamadhunā sādhvasādhu vā | vijñāya tadvidhāsyāmo yathā śaṃ suhṛdāṃ bhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Go and see whether Dhṛtarāṣṭra is acting properly or not. When We find out, We will make the necessary arrangements to help Our dear friends.
इत्यक्रूरं समादिश्य भगवान् हरिरीश्वरः । सङ्कर्षणोद्धवाभ्यां वै ततः स्वभवनं ययौ
ityakrūraṃ samādiśya bhagavān harirīśvaraḥ | saṅkarṣaṇoddhavābhyāṃ vai tataḥ svabhavanaṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus fully instructing Akrūra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari then returned to His residence, accompanied by Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa and Uddhava.
यथावदुपसङ्गम्य बन्धुभिर्गान्दिनीसुतः । सम्पृष्टस्तैः सुहृद्वार्तां स्वयं चापृच्छदव्ययम्
yathāvadupasaṅgamya bandhubhirgāndinīsutaḥ | sampṛṣṭastaiḥ suhṛdvārtāṃ svayaṃ cāpṛcchadavyayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Akrūra, the son of Gāndinī, had appropriately greeted all his relatives and friends, they asked him for news of their family members, and he in turn asked about their welfare.
उवास कतिचिन्मासान् राज्ञो वृत्तविवित्सया । दुष्प्रजस्याल्पसारस्य खलच्छन्दानुवर्तिनः
uvāsa katicinmāsān rājño vṛttavivitsayā | duṣprajasyālpasārasya khalacchandānuvartinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He remained in Hastināpura for several months to scrutinize the conduct of the weak-willed King, who had bad sons and who was inclined to give in to the whims of mischievous advisers.
पृथा तु भ्रातरं प्राप्तमक्रूरमुपसृत्य तम् । उवाच जन्मनिलयं स्मरन्त्यश्रुकलेक्षणा
pṛthā tu bhrātaraṃ prāptamakrūramupasṛtya tam | uvāca janmanilayaṃ smarantyaśrukalekṣaṇā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kuntīdevī, taking advantage of her brother Akrūra’s visit, approached him confidentially. While remembering her birthplace, she spoke with tears in her eyes.
अपि स्मरन्ति नः सौम्य पितरौ भ्रातरश्च मे । भगिन्यौ भ्रातृपुत्राश्च जामयः सख्य एव च
api smaranti naḥ saumya pitarau bhrātaraśca me | bhaginyau bhrātṛputrāśca jāmayaḥ sakhya eva ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Queen Kuntī said:] O gentle one, do my parents, brothers, sisters, nephews, family women and girlhood friends still remember us?
भ्रात्रेयो भगवान् कृष्णः शरण्यो भक्तवत्सलः । पैतृष्वसेयान् स्मरति रामश्चाम्बुरुहेक्षणः
bhrātreyo bhagavān kṛṣṇaḥ śaraṇyo bhaktavatsalaḥ | paitṛṣvaseyān smarati rāmaścāmburuhekṣaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Does my nephew Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality and the compassionate shelter of His devotees, still remember His aunt’s sons? And does lotus-eyed Rāma remember them also?
सापत्नमध्ये शोचन्तीं वृकानां हरिणीमिव । सान्त्वयिष्यति मां वाक्यैः पितृहीनांश्च बालकान्
sāpatnamadhye śocantīṃ vṛkānāṃ hariṇīmiva | sāntvayiṣyati māṃ vākyaiḥ pitṛhīnāṃśca bālakān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now that I am suffering in the midst of my enemies like a doe in the midst of wolves, will Kṛṣṇa come to console me and my fatherless sons with His words?
कृष्ण कृष्ण महायोगिन् विश्वात्मन् विश्वभावन । प्रपन्नां पाहि गोविन्द शिशुभिश्चावसीदतीम्
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahāyogin viśvātman viśvabhāvana | prapannāṃ pāhi govinda śiśubhiścāvasīdatīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa! O great yogi! O Supreme Soul and protector of the universe! O Govinda! Please protect me, who have surrendered to You. I and my sons are being overwhelmed by trouble.
नान्यत्तव पदाम्भोजात्पश्यामि शरणं नृणाम् । बिभ्यतां मृत्युसंसारादीश्वरस्यापवर्गिकात्
nānyattava padāmbhojātpaśyāmi śaraṇaṃ nṛṇām | bibhyatāṃ mṛtyusaṃsārādīśvarasyāpavargikāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For persons fearful of death and rebirth, I see no shelter other than Your liberating lotus feet, for You are the Supreme Lord.
नमः कृष्णाय शुद्धाय ब्रह्मणे परमात्मने । योगेश्वराय योगाय त्वामहं शरणं गता
namaḥ kṛṣṇāya śuddhāya brahmaṇe paramātmane | yogeśvarāya yogāya tvāmahaṃ śaraṇaṃ gatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I offer my obeisances unto You, Kṛṣṇa, the supreme pure, the Absolute Truth and the Supersoul, the Lord of pure devotional service and the source of all knowledge. I have come to You for shelter.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्यनुस्मृत्य स्वजनं कृष्णं च जगदीश्वरम् । प्रारुदद्दुःखिता राजन् भवतां प्रपितामही
śrīśuka uvāca | ityanusmṛtya svajanaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ ca jagadīśvaram | prārudadduḥkhitā rājan bhavatāṃ prapitāmahī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus meditating on her family members and also on Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of the universe, your great-grandmother Kuntīdevī began to cry out in grief, O King.
समदुःखसुखोऽक्रूरो विदुरश्च महायशाः । सान्त्वयामासतुः कुन्तीं तत्पुत्रोत्पत्तिहेतुभिः
samaduḥkhasukho'krūro viduraśca mahāyaśāḥ | sāntvayāmāsatuḥ kuntīṃ tatputrotpattihetubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Both Akrūra, who shared Queen Kuntī’s distress and happiness, and the illustrious Vidura consoled the Queen by reminding her of the extraordinary way her sons had taken birth.
यास्यन् राजानमभ्येत्य विषमं पुत्रलालसम् । अवदत्सुहृदां मध्ये बन्धुभिः सौहृदोदितम्
yāsyan rājānamabhyetya viṣamaṃ putralālasam | avadatsuhṛdāṃ madhye bandhubhiḥ sauhṛdoditam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The ardent affection King Dhṛtarāṣṭra felt for his sons had made him act unjustly toward the Pāṇḍavas. Just before leaving, Akrūra approached the King, who was seated among his friends and supporters, and related to him the message that his relatives — Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma — had sent out of friendship.
अक्रूर उवाच । भो भो वैचित्रवीर्य त्वं कुरूणां कीर्तिवर्धन । भ्रातर्युपरते पाण्डावधुनाऽऽसनमास्थितः
akrūra uvāca | bho bho vaicitravīrya tvaṃ kurūṇāṃ kīrtivardhana | bhrātaryuparate pāṇḍāvadhunā''sanamāsthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Akrūra said: O my dear son of Vicitravīrya, O enhancer of the Kurus’ glory, your brother Pāṇḍu having passed away, you have now assumed the royal throne.
धर्मेण पालयन्नुर्वीं प्रजाः शीलेन रञ्जयन् । वर्तमानः समः स्वेषु श्रेयः कीर्तिमवाप्स्यसि
dharmeṇa pālayannurvīṃ prajāḥ śīlena rañjayan | vartamānaḥ samaḥ sveṣu śreyaḥ kīrtimavāpsyasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By religiously protecting the earth, delighting your subjects with your noble character, and treating all your relatives equally, you will surely achieve success and glory.
अन्यथा त्वाचरंल्लोके गर्हितो यास्यसे तमः । तस्मात्समत्वे वर्तस्व पाण्डवेष्वात्मजेषु च
anyathā tvācaraṃlloke garhito yāsyase tamaḥ | tasmātsamatve vartasva pāṇḍaveṣvātmajeṣu ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If you act otherwise, however, people will condemn you in this world, and in the next life you will enter the darkness of hell. Remain equally disposed, therefore, toward Pāṇḍu’s sons and your own.
नेह चात्यन्तसंवासः कस्यचित्केनचित्सह । राजन् स्वेनापि देहेन किमु जायात्मजादिभिः
neha cātyantasaṃvāsaḥ kasyacitkenacitsaha | rājan svenāpi dehena kimu jāyātmajādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this world no one has any permanent relationship with anyone else, O King. We cannot stay forever even with our own body, what to speak of our wife, children and the rest.
एकः प्रसूयते जन्तुरेक एव प्रलीयते । एकोऽनुभुङ्क्ते सुकृतमेक एव च दुष्कृतम्
ekaḥ prasūyate jantureka eva pralīyate | eko'nubhuṅkte sukṛtameka eva ca duṣkṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Every creature is born alone and dies alone, and alone one experiences the just rewards of his good and evil deeds.
अधर्मोपचितं वित्तं हरन्त्यन्येऽल्पमेधसः । सम्भोजनीयापदेशैर्जलानीव जलौकसः
adharmopacitaṃ vittaṃ harantyanye'lpamedhasaḥ | sambhojanīyāpadeśairjalānīva jalaukasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the guise of dear dependents, strangers steal the sinfully acquired wealth of a foolish man, just as the offspring of a fish drink up the water that sustains the fish.
पुष्णाति यानधर्मेण स्वबुद्ध्या तमपण्डितम् । तेऽकृतार्थं प्रहिण्वन्ति प्राणा रायः सुतादयः
puṣṇāti yānadharmeṇa svabuddhyā tamapaṇḍitam | te'kṛtārthaṃ prahiṇvanti prāṇā rāyaḥ sutādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A fool indulges in sin to maintain his life, wealth and children and other relatives, for he thinks, “These things are mine.” In the end, however, these very things all abandon him, leaving him frustrated.
स्वयं किल्बिषमादाय तैस्त्यक्तो नार्थकोविदः । असिद्धार्थो विशत्यन्धं स्वधर्मविमुखस्तमः
svayaṃ kilbiṣamādāya taistyakto nārthakovidaḥ | asiddhārtho viśatyandhaṃ svadharmavimukhastamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Abandoned by his so-called dependents, ignorant of the actual goal of life, indifferent to his real duty, and having failed to fulfill his purposes, the foolish soul enters the blindness of hell, taking his sinful reactions with him.
तस्माल्लोकमिमं राजन् स्वप्नमायामनोरथम् । वीक्ष्यायम्यात्मनाऽऽत्मानं समः शान्तो भव प्रभो
tasmāllokamimaṃ rājan svapnamāyāmanoratham | vīkṣyāyamyātmanā''tmānaṃ samaḥ śānto bhava prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O King, looking upon this world as a dream, a magician’s illusion or a flight of fancy, please control your mind with intelligence and become equipoised and peaceful, my lord.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच । यथा वदति कल्याणीं वाचं दानपते भवान् । तथानया न तृप्यामि मर्त्यः प्राप्य यथामृतम्
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | yathā vadati kalyāṇīṃ vācaṃ dānapate bhavān | tathānayā na tṛpyāmi martyaḥ prāpya yathāmṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: O master of charity, I can never be satiated while hearing your auspicious words. Indeed, I am like a mortal who has obtained the nectar of the gods.
तथापि सूनृता सौम्य हृदि न स्थीयते चले । पुत्रानुरागविषमे विद्युत्सौदामनी यथा
tathāpi sūnṛtā saumya hṛdi na sthīyate cale | putrānurāgaviṣame vidyutsaudāmanī yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even so, gentle Akrūra, because my unsteady heart is prejudiced by affection for my sons, these pleasing words of yours cannot remain fixed there, just as lightning cannot remain fixed in a cloud.
ईश्वरस्य विधिं को नु विधुनोत्यन्यथा पुमान् । भूमेर्भारावताराय योऽवतीर्णो यदोःकुले
īśvarasya vidhiṃ ko nu vidhunotyanyathā pumān | bhūmerbhārāvatārāya yo'vatīrṇo yadoḥkule
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Who can defy the injunctions of the Supreme Lord, who has now descended in the Yadu dynasty to diminish the earth’s burden?
यो दुर्विमर्शपथया निजमाययेदं सृष्ट्वा गुणान् विभजते तदनुप्रविष्टः । तस्मै नमो दुरवबोधविहारतन्त्र- संसारचक्रगतये परमेश्वराय
yo durvimarśapathayā nijamāyayedaṃ sṛṣṭvā guṇān vibhajate tadanupraviṣṭaḥ | tasmai namo duravabodhavihāratantra- saṃsāracakragataye parameśvarāya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I offer my obeisances to Him, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who creates this universe by the inconceivable activity of His material energy and then distributes the various modes of nature by entering within the creation. From Him, the meaning of whose pastimes is unfathomable, come both the entangling cycle of birth and death and the process of deliverance from it.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्यभिप्रेत्य नृपतेरभिप्रायं स यादवः । सुहृद्भिः समनुज्ञातः पुनर्यदुपुरीमगात्
śrīśuka uvāca | ityabhipretya nṛpaterabhiprāyaṃ sa yādavaḥ | suhṛdbhiḥ samanujñātaḥ punaryadupurīmagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus apprised himself of the King’s attitude, Akrūra, the descendant of Yadu, took permission from his well-wishing relatives and friends and returned to the capital of the Yādavas.
शशंस रामकृष्णाभ्यां धृतराष्ट्रविचेष्टितम् । पाण्डवान् प्रति कौरव्य यदर्थं प्रेषितः स्वयम्
śaśaṃsa rāmakṛṣṇābhyāṃ dhṛtarāṣṭraviceṣṭitam | pāṇḍavān prati kauravya yadarthaṃ preṣitaḥ svayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Akrūra reported to Lord Balarāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa how Dhṛtarāṣṭra was behaving toward the Pāṇḍavas. Thus, O descendant of the Kurus, he fulfilled the purpose for which he had been sent.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अस्तिः प्राप्तिश्च कंसस्य महिष्यौ भरतर्षभ । मृते भर्तरि दुःखार्ते ईयतुः स्म पितुर्गृहान्
śrīśuka uvāca | astiḥ prāptiśca kaṃsasya mahiṣyau bharatarṣabha | mṛte bhartari duḥkhārte īyatuḥ sma piturgṛhān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When Kaṁsa was killed, O heroic descendant of Bharata, his two queens, Asti and Prāpti, went to their father’s house in great distress.
पित्रे मगधराजाय जरासन्धाय दुःखिते । वेदयाञ्चक्रतुः सर्वमात्मवैधव्यकारणम्
pitre magadharājāya jarāsandhāya duḥkhite | vedayāñcakratuḥ sarvamātmavaidhavyakāraṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sorrowful queens told their father, King Jarāsandha of Magadha, all about how they had become widows.
स तदप्रियमाकर्ण्य शोकामर्षयुतो नृप । अयादवीं महीं कर्तुं चक्रे परममुद्यमम्
sa tadapriyamākarṇya śokāmarṣayuto nṛpa | ayādavīṃ mahīṃ kartuṃ cakre paramamudyamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing this odious news, O King, Jarāsandha was filled with sorrow and anger, and he began the greatest possible endeavor to rid the earth of the Yādavas.
अक्षौहिणीभिर्विंशत्या तिसृभिश्चापि संवृतः । यदुराजधानीं मथुरां न्यरुणत्सर्वतोदिशम्
akṣauhiṇībhirviṃśatyā tisṛbhiścāpi saṃvṛtaḥ | yadurājadhānīṃ mathurāṃ nyaruṇatsarvatodiśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With a force of twenty-three akṣauhiṇī divisions, he laid siege to the Yadu capital, Mathurā, on all sides.
एतदर्थोऽवतारोऽयं भूभारहरणाय मे । संरक्षणाय साधूनां कृतोऽन्येषां वधाय च
etadartho'vatāro'yaṃ bhūbhāraharaṇāya me | saṃrakṣaṇāya sādhūnāṃ kṛto'nyeṣāṃ vadhāya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This is the purpose of My present incarnation — to relieve the earth of its burden, protect the pious and kill the impious.
अन्योऽपि धर्मरक्षायै देहः सम्भ्रियते मया । विरामायाप्यधर्मस्य काले प्रभवतः क्वचित्
anyo'pi dharmarakṣāyai dehaḥ sambhriyate mayā | virāmāyāpyadharmasya kāle prabhavataḥ kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I also assume other bodies to protect religion and to end irreligion whenever it flourishes in the course of time.
एवं ध्यायति गोविन्द आकाशात्सूर्यवर्चसौ । रथावुपस्थितौ सद्यः ससूतौ सपरिच्छदौ
evaṃ dhyāyati govinda ākāśātsūryavarcasau | rathāvupasthitau sadyaḥ sasūtau saparicchadau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] As Lord Govinda was thinking in this way, two chariots as effulgent as the sun suddenly descended from the sky. They were complete with drivers and equipment.
आयुधानि च दिव्यानि पुराणानि यदृच्छया । दृष्ट्वा तानि हृषीकेशः सङ्कर्षणमथाब्रवीत्
āyudhāni ca divyāni purāṇāni yadṛcchayā | dṛṣṭvā tāni hṛṣīkeśaḥ saṅkarṣaṇamathābravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord’s eternal divine weapons also appeared before Him spontaneously. Seeing these, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Lord of the senses, addressed Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa.
त्रयोविंशत्यनीकाख्यं भूमेर्भारमपाकुरु । एवं सम्मन्त्र्य दाशार्हौ दंशितौ रथिनौ पुरात्
trayoviṃśatyanīkākhyaṃ bhūmerbhāramapākuru | evaṃ sammantrya dāśārhau daṃśitau rathinau purāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Lord Kṛṣṇa had thus invited His brother, the two Dāśārhas, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, wearing armor and displaying Their resplendent weapons, drove out of the city in Their chariots. Only a very small contingent of soldiers accompanied Them.
निर्जग्मतुः स्वायुधाढ्यौ बलेनाल्पीयसाऽऽवृतौ । शङ्खं दध्मौ विनिर्गत्य हरिर्दारुकसारथिः
nirjagmatuḥ svāyudhāḍhyau balenālpīyasā''vṛtau | śaṅkhaṃ dadhmau vinirgatya harirdārukasārathiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Lord Kṛṣṇa came out of the city with Dāruka at the reins of His chariot, He blew His conchshell, and the enemy soldiers’ hearts began to tremble with fear.
ततोऽभूत्परसैन्यानां हृदि वित्रासवेपथुः । तावाह मागधो वीक्ष्य हे कृष्ण पुरुषाधम
tato'bhūtparasainyānāṃ hṛdi vitrāsavepathuḥ | tāvāha māgadho vīkṣya he kṛṣṇa puruṣādhama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Jarāsandha looked at the two of Them and said: O Kṛṣṇa, lowest of men! I do not wish to fight alone with You, since it would be a shame to fight with a mere boy. You fool who keep Yourself hidden, O murderer of Your relatives, go away! I will not fight with You.
न त्वया योद्धुमिच्छामि बालेनैकेन लज्जया । गुप्तेन हि त्वया मन्द न योत्स्ये याहि बन्धुहन्
na tvayā yoddhumicchāmi bālenaikena lajjayā | guptena hi tvayā manda na yotsye yāhi bandhuhan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You, Rāma, should gather Your courage and fight with me, if You think You can do it. You may either give up Your body when it is cut to pieces by my arrows, and thus attain to heaven, or else kill me.
तव राम यदि श्रद्धा युध्यस्व धैर्यमुद्वह । हित्वा वा मच्छरैश्छिन्नं देहं स्वर्याहि मां जहि
tava rāma yadi śraddhā yudhyasva dhairyamudvaha | hitvā vā maccharaiśchinnaṃ dehaṃ svaryāhi māṃ jahi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: Real heroes do not simply boast but rather show their prowess in action. We cannot take seriously the words of one who is full of anxiety and who wants to die.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । न वै शूरा विकत्थन्ते दर्शयन्त्येव पौरुषम् । न गृह्णीमो वचो राजन्नातुरस्य मुमूर्षतः
śrībhagavānuvāca | na vai śūrā vikatthante darśayantyeva pauruṣam | na gṛhṇīmo vaco rājannāturasya mumūrṣataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Just as the wind covers the sun with clouds or a fire with dust, the son of Jarā marched toward the two descendants of Madhu and with his huge assemblage of armies surrounded Them and Their soldiers, chariots, flags, horses and charioteers.
श्रीशुक उवाच । जरासुतस्तावभिसृत्य माधवौ महाबलौघेन बलीयसाऽऽवृणोत् । ससैन्ययानध्वजवाजिसारथी सूर्यानलौ वायुरिवाभ्ररेणुभिः
śrīśuka uvāca | jarāsutastāvabhisṛtya mādhavau mahābalaughena balīyasā''vṛṇot | sasainyayānadhvajavājisārathī sūryānalau vāyurivābhrareṇubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The women stood in the watchtowers, palaces and high gates of the city. When they could no longer see Kṛṣṇa’s and Balarāma’s chariots, identified by banners marked with the emblems of Garuḍa and a palm tree, they were struck with grief and fainted.
सुपर्णतालध्वजचिह्नितौ रथा- वलक्षयन्त्यो हरिरामयोर्मृधे । स्त्रियः पुराट्टालकहर्म्यगोपुरं समाश्रिताः सम्मुमुहुः शुचार्दिताः
suparṇatāladhvajacihnitau rathā- valakṣayantyo harirāmayormṛdhe | striyaḥ purāṭṭālakaharmyagopuraṃ samāśritāḥ sammumuhuḥ śucārditāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing His army tormented by the relentless and savage rain of arrows from the massive opposing forces gathered like clouds about Him, Lord Hari twanged His excellent bow, Śārṅga, which both gods and demons worship.
हरिः परानीकपयोमुचां मुहुः शिलीमुखात्युल्बणवर्षपीडितम् । स्वसैन्यमालोक्य सुरासुरार्चितं व्यस्फूर्जयच्छार्ङ्गशरासनोत्तमम्
hariḥ parānīkapayomucāṃ muhuḥ śilīmukhātyulbaṇavarṣapīḍitam | svasainyamālokya surāsurārcitaṃ vyasphūrjayacchārṅgaśarāsanottamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa took arrows from His quiver, fixed them on the bowstring, pulled back, and released endless torrents of sharp shafts, which struck the enemy’s chariots, elephants, horses and infantrymen. The Lord shooting His arrows resembled a blazing circle of fire.
गृह्णन् निषङ्गादथ सन्दधच्छरान् विकृष्य मुञ्चन् शितबाणपूगान् । निघ्नन् रथान् कुञ्जरवाजिपत्तीन् निरन्तरं यद्वदलातचक्रम्
gṛhṇan niṣaṅgādatha sandadhaccharān vikṛṣya muñcan śitabāṇapūgān | nighnan rathān kuñjaravājipattīn nirantaraṃ yadvadalātacakram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Elephants fell to the ground, their foreheads split open, cavalry horses fell with severed necks, chariots fell with their horses, flags, drivers and masters all shattered, and foot soldiers collapsed with severed arms, thighs and shoulders.
बलं तदङ्गार्णवदुर्गभैरवं दुरन्तपारं मगधेन्द्रपालितम् । क्षयं प्रणीतं वसुदेवपुत्रयो- र्विक्रीडितं तज्जगदीशयोः परम्
balaṃ tadaṅgārṇavadurgabhairavaṃ durantapāraṃ magadhendrapālitam | kṣayaṃ praṇītaṃ vasudevaputrayo- rvikrīḍitaṃ tajjagadīśayoḥ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For Him who orchestrates the creation, maintenance and destruction of the three worlds and who possesses unlimited spiritual qualities, it is hardly amazing that He subdues an opposing party. Still, when the Lord does so, imitating human behavior, sages glorify His acts.
स्थित्युद्भवान्तं भुवनत्रयस्य यः समीहतेऽनन्तगुणः स्वलीलया । न तस्य चित्रं परपक्षनिग्रह- स्तथापि मर्त्यानुविधस्य वर्ण्यते
sthityudbhavāntaṃ bhuvanatrayasya yaḥ samīhate'nantaguṇaḥ svalīlayā | na tasya citraṃ parapakṣanigraha- stathāpi martyānuvidhasya varṇyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Jarāsandha, with his chariot lost and all his soldiers dead, was left with only his breath. At that point Lord Balarāma forcibly seized the powerful warrior, just as one lion takes hold of another.
जग्राह विरथं रामो जरासन्धं महाबलम् । हतानीकावशिष्टासुं सिंहः सिंहमिवौजसा
jagrāha virathaṃ rāmo jarāsandhaṃ mahābalam | hatānīkāvaśiṣṭāsuṃ siṃhaḥ siṃhamivaujasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With the divine noose of Varuṇa and other, mortal ropes, Balarāma began tying up Jarāsandha, who had killed so many foes. But Lord Govinda still had a purpose to fulfill through Jarāsandha, and thus He asked Balarāma to stop.
वाक्यैः पवित्रार्थपदैर्नयनैः प्राकृतैरपि । स्वकर्मबन्धप्राप्तोऽयं यदुभिस्ते पराभवः
vākyaiḥ pavitrārthapadairnayanaiḥ prākṛtairapi | svakarmabandhaprāpto'yaṃ yadubhiste parābhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All of his armies having been killed, and himself neglected by the Personality of Godhead, King Jarāsandha, son of Bṛhadratha, then sadly returned to the kingdom of the Magadhas.
सिक्तमार्गां हृष्टजनां पताकाभिरलङ्कृताम् । निर्घुष्टां ब्रह्मघोषेण कौतुकाबद्धतोरणाम्
siktamārgāṃ hṛṣṭajanāṃ patākābhiralaṅkṛtām | nirghuṣṭāṃ brahmaghoṣeṇa kautukābaddhatoraṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the women of the city affectionately looked at the Lord, their eyes wide open with love, they scattered flower garlands, yogurt, parched rice and newly grown sprouts upon Him.
निचीयमानो नारीभिर्माल्यदध्यक्षताङ्कुरैः । निरीक्ष्यमाणः सस्नेहं प्रीत्युत्कलितलोचनैः
nicīyamāno nārībhirmālyadadhyakṣatāṅkuraiḥ | nirīkṣyamāṇaḥ sasnehaṃ prītyutkalitalocanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa then presented to the Yadu king all the wealth that had fallen on the battlefield — namely, the countless ornaments of the dead warriors.
आयोधनगतं वित्तमनन्तं वीरभूषणम् । यदुराजाय तत्सर्वमाहृतं प्रादिशत्प्रभुः
āyodhanagataṃ vittamanantaṃ vīrabhūṣaṇam | yadurājāya tatsarvamāhṛtaṃ prādiśatprabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seventeen times the King of Magadha met defeat in this very way. And yet throughout these defeats he fought on with his akṣauhiṇī divisions against the forces of the Yadu dynasty who were protected by Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
एवं सप्तदशकृत्वस्तावत्यक्षौहिणीबलः । युयुधे मागधो राजा यदुभिः कृष्णपालितैः
evaṃ saptadaśakṛtvastāvatyakṣauhiṇībalaḥ | yuyudhe māgadho rājā yadubhiḥ kṛṣṇapālitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By the power of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Vṛṣṇis would invariably annihilate all of Jarāsandha’s forces, and when all his soldiers had been killed, the King, released by his enemies, would again go away.
अक्षिण्वंस्तद्बलं सर्वं वृष्णयः कृष्णतेजसा । हतेषु स्वेष्वनीकेषु त्यक्तोऽयादरिभिर्नृपः
akṣiṇvaṃstadbalaṃ sarvaṃ vṛṣṇayaḥ kṛṣṇatejasā | hateṣu sveṣvanīkeṣu tyakto'yādaribhirnṛpaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as the eighteenth battle was about to take place, a barbarian warrior named Kālayavana, sent by Nārada, appeared on the battlefield.
अष्टादशमसङ्ग्रामे आगामिनि तदन्तरा । नारदप्रेषितो वीरो यवनः प्रत्यदृश्यत
aṣṭādaśamasaṅgrāme āgāmini tadantarā | nāradapreṣito vīro yavanaḥ pratyadṛśyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Arriving at Mathurā, this Yavana laid siege to the city with thirty million barbarian soldiers. He had never found a human rival worth fighting, but he had heard that the Vṛṣṇis were his equals.
रुरोध मथुरामेत्य तिसृभिर्म्लेच्छकोटिभिः । नृलोके चाप्रतिद्वन्द्वो वृष्णीन् श्रुत्वाऽऽत्मसम्मितान्
rurodha mathurāmetya tisṛbhirmlecchakoṭibhiḥ | nṛloke cāpratidvandvo vṛṣṇīn śrutvā''tmasammitān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa saw Kālayavana, Kṛṣṇa thought about the situation and said, “Ah, a great danger now threatens the Yadus from two sides.
तं दृष्ट्वाचिन्तयत्कृष्णः सङ्कर्षणसहायवान् । अहो यदूनां वृजिनं प्राप्तं ह्युभयतो महत्
taṃ dṛṣṭvācintayatkṛṣṇaḥ saṅkarṣaṇasahāyavān | aho yadūnāṃ vṛjinaṃ prāptaṃ hyubhayato mahat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“This Yavana is besieging us already, and the mighty King of Magadha will soon arrive here, if not today then tomorrow or the next day.
यवनोऽयं निरुन्धेऽस्मानद्य तावन्महाबलः । मागधोऽप्यद्य वा श्वो वा परश्वो वाऽऽगमिष्यति
yavano'yaṃ nirundhe'smānadya tāvanmahābalaḥ | māgadho'pyadya vā śvo vā paraśvo vā''gamiṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“If powerful Jarāsandha comes while We two are busy fighting Kālayavana, Jarāsandha may kill Our relatives or else take them away to his capital.
आवयोर्युध्यतोरस्य यद्यागन्ता जरासुतः । बन्धून् वधिष्यत्यथ वा नेष्यते स्वपुरं बली
āvayoryudhyatorasya yadyāgantā jarāsutaḥ | bandhūn vadhiṣyatyatha vā neṣyate svapuraṃ balī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Therefore We will immediately construct a fortress that no human force can penetrate. Let Us settle our family members there and then kill the barbarian king.”
तस्मादद्य विधास्यामो दुर्गं द्विपददुर्गमम् । तत्र ज्ञातीन् समाधाय यवनं घातयामहे
tasmādadya vidhāsyāmo durgaṃ dvipadadurgamam | tatra jñātīn samādhāya yavanaṃ ghātayāmahe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After thus discussing the matter with Balarāma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead had a fortress twelve yojanas in circumference built within the sea. Inside that fort He had a city built containing all kinds of wonderful things.
वास्तोष्पतीनां च गृहैर्वलभीभिश्च निर्मितम् । चातुर्वर्ण्यजनाकीर्णं यदुदेवगृहोल्लसत्
vāstoṣpatīnāṃ ca gṛhairvalabhībhiśca nirmitam | cāturvarṇyajanākīrṇaṃ yadudevagṛhollasat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Indra brought Śrī Kṛṣṇa the Sudharmā assembly hall, standing within which a mortal man is not subject to the laws of mortality. Indra also gave the pārijāta tree.
सुधर्मां पारिजातं च महेन्द्रः प्राहिणोद्धरेः । यत्र चावस्थितो मर्त्यो मर्त्यधर्मैर्न युज्यते
sudharmāṃ pārijātaṃ ca mahendraḥ prāhiṇoddhareḥ | yatra cāvasthito martyo martyadharmairna yujyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Varuṇa offered horses as swift as the mind, some of which were pure dark-blue, others white. The treasurer of the demigods, Kuvera, gave his eight mystic treasures, and the rulers of various planets each presented their own opulences.
श्यामैककर्णान् वरुणो हयान् शुक्लान् मनोजवान् । अष्टौ निधिपतिः कोशान् लोकपालो निजोदयान्
śyāmaikakarṇān varuṇo hayān śuklān manojavān | aṣṭau nidhipatiḥ kośān lokapālo nijodayān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord having come to the earth, O King, these demigods now offered Him whatever powers of control He had previously delegated to them for the exercise of their particular authority.
यद्यद्भगवता दत्तमाधिपत्यं स्वसिद्धये । सर्वं प्रत्यर्पयामासुर्हरौ भूमिगते नृप
yadyadbhagavatā dattamādhipatyaṃ svasiddhaye | sarvaṃ pratyarpayāmāsurharau bhūmigate nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After transporting all His subjects to the new city by the power of His mystic Yoga-māyā, Lord Kṛṣṇa consulted with Lord Balarāma, who had remained in Mathurā to protect it. Then, wearing a garland of lotuses but bearing no weapons, Lord Kṛṣṇa went out of Mathurā by its main gate.
हस्तप्राप्तमिवात्मानं हरिणा स पदे पदे । नीतो दर्शयता दूरं यवनेशोऽद्रिकन्दरम्
hastaprāptamivātmānaṃ hariṇā sa pade pade | nīto darśayatā dūraṃ yavaneśo'drikandaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Appearing virtually within reach of Kālayavana’s hands at every moment, Lord Hari led the King of the Yavanas far away to a mountain cave.
पलायनं यदुकुले जातस्य तव नोचितम् । इति क्षिपन्ननुगतो नैनं प्रापाहताशुभः
palāyanaṃ yadukule jātasya tava nocitam | iti kṣipannanugato nainaṃ prāpāhatāśubhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While chasing the Lord, the Yavana cast insults at Him, saying “You took birth in the Yadu dynasty. It’s not proper for You to run away!” But still Kālayavana could not reach Lord Kṛṣṇa, because his sinful reactions had not been cleansed away.
एवं क्षिप्तोऽपि भगवान् प्राविशद्गिरिकन्दरम् । सोऽपि प्रविष्टस्तत्रान्यं शयानं ददृशे नरम्
evaṃ kṣipto'pi bhagavān prāviśadgirikandaram | so'pi praviṣṭastatrānyaṃ śayānaṃ dadṛśe naram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although insulted in this way, the Supreme Lord entered the mountain cave. Kālayavana also entered, and there he saw another man lying asleep.
नन्वसौ दूरमानीय शेते मामिह साधुवत् । इति मत्वाच्युतं मूढस्तं पदा समताडयत्
nanvasau dūramānīya śete māmiha sādhuvat | iti matvācyutaṃ mūḍhastaṃ padā samatāḍayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“So, after leading me such a long distance, now He is lying here like some saint!” Thus thinking the sleeping man to be Lord Kṛṣṇa, the deluded fool kicked him with all his strength.
स उत्थाय चिरं सुप्तः शनैरुन्मील्य लोचने । दिशो विलोकयन् पार्श्वे तमद्राक्षीदवस्थितम्
sa utthāya ciraṃ suptaḥ śanairunmīlya locane | diśo vilokayan pārśve tamadrākṣīdavasthitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The man awoke after a long sleep and slowly opened his eyes. Looking all about, he saw Kālayavana standing beside him.
स तावत्तस्य रुष्टस्य दृष्टिपातेन भारत । देहजेनाग्निना दग्धो भस्मसादभवत्क्षणात्
sa tāvattasya ruṣṭasya dṛṣṭipātena bhārata | dehajenāgninā dagdho bhasmasādabhavatkṣaṇāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The awakened man was angry and cast his glance at Kālayavana, whose body burst into flames. In a single moment, O King Parīkṣit, Kālayavana was burnt to ashes.
राजोवाच । को नाम स पुमान् ब्रह्मन् कस्य किंवीर्य एव च । कस्माद्गुहां गतः शिश्ये किन्तेजो यवनार्दनः
rājovāca | ko nāma sa pumān brahman kasya kiṃvīrya eva ca | kasmādguhāṃ gataḥ śiśye kintejo yavanārdanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit said: Who was that person, O brāhmaṇa? To which family did he belong, and what were his powers? Why did that destroyer of the barbarian lie down to sleep in the cave, and whose son was he?
श्रीशुकौवाच । स इक्ष्वाकुकुले जातो मान्धातृतनयो महान् । मुचुकुन्द इति ख्यातो ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यसङ्गरः
śrīśukauvāca | sa ikṣvākukule jāto māndhātṛtanayo mahān | mucukunda iti khyāto brahmaṇyaḥ satyasaṅgaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Mucukunda was the name of this great personality, who was born in the Ikṣvāku dynasty as the son of Māndhātā. He was devoted to brahminical culture and always true to his vow in battle.
स याचितः सुरगणैरिन्द्राद्यैरात्मरक्षणे । असुरेभ्यः परित्रस्तैस्तद्रक्षां सोऽकरोच्चिरम्
sa yācitaḥ suragaṇairindrādyairātmarakṣaṇe | asurebhyaḥ paritrastaistadrakṣāṃ so'karocciram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Begged by Indra and the other demigods to help protect them when they were terrorized by the demons, Mucukunda defended them for a long time.
लब्ध्वा गुहं ते स्वःपालं मुचुकुन्दमथाब्रुवन् । राजन् विरमतां कृच्छ्राद्भवान्नः परिपालनात्
labdhvā guhaṃ te svaḥpālaṃ mucukundamathābruvan | rājan viramatāṃ kṛcchrādbhavānnaḥ paripālanāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the demigods obtained Kārttikeya as their general, they told Mucukunda, “O King, you may now give up your troublesome duty of guarding us.
नरलोके परित्यज्य राज्यं निहतकण्टकम् । अस्मान् पालयतो वीर कामास्ते सर्व उज्झिताः
naraloke parityajya rājyaṃ nihatakaṇṭakam | asmān pālayato vīra kāmāste sarva ujjhitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Abandoning an unopposed kingdom in the world of men, O valiant one, you neglected all your personal desires while engaged in protecting us.
सुता महिष्यो भवतो ज्ञातयोऽमात्यमन्त्रिणः । प्रजाश्च तुल्यकालीया नाधुना सन्ति कालिताः
sutā mahiṣyo bhavato jñātayo'mātyamantriṇaḥ | prajāśca tulyakālīyā nādhunā santi kālitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“The children, queens, relatives, ministers, advisers and subjects who were your contemporaries are no longer alive. They have all been swept away by time.
कालो बलीयान् बलिनां भगवानीश्वरोऽव्ययः । प्रजाः कालयते क्रीडन् पशुपालो यथा पशून्
kālo balīyān balināṃ bhagavānīśvaro'vyayaḥ | prajāḥ kālayate krīḍan paśupālo yathā paśūn
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Inexhaustible time, stronger than the strong, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. Like a herdsman moving his animals along, He moves mortal creatures as His pastime.
वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते ऋते कैवल्यमद्य नः । एक एवेश्वरस्तस्य भगवान् विष्णुरव्ययः
varaṃ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṃ te ṛte kaivalyamadya naḥ | eka eveśvarastasya bhagavān viṣṇuravyayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“All good fortune to you! Now please choose a benediction from us — anything but liberation, since only the infallible Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu, can bestow that.”
एवमुक्तः स वै देवानभिवन्द्य महायशाः । अशयिष्ट गुहाविष्टो निद्रया देवदत्तया
evamuktaḥ sa vai devānabhivandya mahāyaśāḥ | aśayiṣṭa guhāviṣṭo nidrayā devadattayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Addressed thus, King Mucukunda took his respectful leave of the demigods and went to a cave, where he lay down to enjoy the sleep they had granted him.
स्वापं यातं यस्तु मध्ये बोधयेत्त्वात्मचेतनः । स त्वया दृष्टमात्रस्तु भस्मीभवतु तत्क्ष्णात्
svāpaṃ yātaṃ yastu madhye bodhayettvātmacetanaḥ | sa tvayā dṛṣṭamātrastu bhasmībhavatu tatkṣṇāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the Yavana was burnt to ashes, the Supreme Lord, chief of the Sātvatas, revealed Himself to the wise Mucukunda.
पर्यपृच्छन्महाबुद्धिस्तेजसा तस्य धर्षितः । शङ्कितः शनकै राजा दुर्धर्षमिव तेजसा
paryapṛcchanmahābuddhistejasā tasya dharṣitaḥ | śaṅkitaḥ śanakai rājā durdharṣamiva tejasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Mucukunda said: Who are You who have come to this mountain cave in the forest, having walked on the thorny ground with feet as soft as lotus petals?
मुचुकुन्दौवाच । को भवानिह सम्प्राप्तो विपिने गिरिगह्वरे । पद्भ्यां पद्मपलाशाभ्यां विचरस्युरुकण्टके
mucukundauvāca | ko bhavāniha samprāpto vipine girigahvare | padbhyāṃ padmapalāśābhyāṃ vicarasyurukaṇṭake
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Perhaps You are the potency of all potent beings. Or maybe You are the powerful god of fire, or the sun-god, the moon-god, the King of heaven or the ruling demigod of some other planet.
किंस्वित्तेजस्विनां तेजो भगवान् वा विभावसुः । सूर्यः सोमो महेन्द्रो वा लोकपालोऽपरोऽपि वा
kiṃsvittejasvināṃ tejo bhagavān vā vibhāvasuḥ | sūryaḥ somo mahendro vā lokapālo'paro'pi vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I think You are the Supreme Personality among the three chief gods, since You drive away the darkness of this cave as a lamp dispels darkness with its light.
मन्ये त्वां देवदेवानां त्रयाणां पुरुषर्षभम् । यद्बाधसे गुहाध्वान्तं प्रदीपः प्रभया यथा
manye tvāṃ devadevānāṃ trayāṇāṃ puruṣarṣabham | yadbādhase guhādhvāntaṃ pradīpaḥ prabhayā yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best among men, if You like, please truly describe Your birth, activities and lineage to us, who are eager to hear.
शुश्रूषतामव्यलीकमस्माकं नरपुङ्गव । स्वजन्म कर्म गोत्रं वा कथ्यतां यदि रोचते
śuśrūṣatāmavyalīkamasmākaṃ narapuṅgava | svajanma karma gotraṃ vā kathyatāṃ yadi rocate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As for ourselves, O tiger among men, we belong to a family of fallen kṣatriyas, descendants of King Ikṣvāku. My name is Mucukunda, my Lord, and I am the son of Yauvanāśva.
वयं तु पुरुषव्याघ्र ऐक्ष्वाकाः क्षत्रबन्धवः । मुचुकुन्द इति प्रोक्तो यौवनाश्वात्मजः प्रभो
vayaṃ tu puruṣavyāghra aikṣvākāḥ kṣatrabandhavaḥ | mucukunda iti prokto yauvanāśvātmajaḥ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I was fatigued after remaining awake for a long time, and my senses were overwhelmed by sleep. Thus I slept comfortably here in this solitary place until, just now, someone woke me.
चिरप्रजागरश्रान्तो निद्रयोपहतेन्द्रियः । शयेऽस्मिन् विजने कामं केनाप्युत्थापितोऽधुना
ciraprajāgaraśrānto nidrayopahatendriyaḥ | śaye'smin vijane kāmaṃ kenāpyutthāpito'dhunā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The man who woke me was burned to ashes by the reaction of his sins. Just then I saw You, possessing a glorious appearance and the power to chastise Your enemies.
सोऽपि भस्मीकृतो नूनमात्मीयेनैव पाप्मना । अनन्तरं भवान् श्रीमांल्लक्षितोऽमित्रशातनः
so'pi bhasmīkṛto nūnamātmīyenaiva pāpmanā | anantaraṃ bhavān śrīmāṃllakṣito'mitraśātanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your unbearably brilliant effulgence overwhelms our strength, and thus we cannot fix our gaze upon You. O exalted one, You are to be honored by all embodied beings.
तेजसा तेऽविषह्येण भूरि द्रष्टुं न शक्नुमः । हतौजसो महाभाग माननीयोऽसि देहिनाम्
tejasā te'viṣahyeṇa bhūri draṣṭuṃ na śaknumaḥ | hataujaso mahābhāga mānanīyo'si dehinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus addressed by the King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, origin of all creation, smiled and then replied to him in a voice as deep as the rumbling of clouds.
एवं सम्भाषितो राज्ञा भगवान् भूतभावनः । प्रत्याह प्रहसन् वाण्या मेघनादगभीरया
evaṃ sambhāṣito rājñā bhagavān bhūtabhāvanaḥ | pratyāha prahasan vāṇyā meghanādagabhīrayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: My dear friend, I have taken thousands of births, lived thousands of lives and accepted thousands of names. In fact My births, activities and names are limitless, and thus even I cannot count them.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । जन्मकर्माभिधानानि सन्ति मेऽङ्ग सहस्रशः । न शक्यन्तेऽनुसङ्ख्यातुमनन्तत्वान्मयापि हि
śrībhagavānuvāca | janmakarmābhidhānāni santi me'ṅga sahasraśaḥ | na śakyante'nusaṅkhyātumanantatvānmayāpi hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After many lifetimes someone might count the dust particles on the earth, but no one can ever finish counting My qualities, activities, names and births.
क्वचिद्रजांसि विममे पार्थिवान्युरुजन्मभिः । गुणकर्माभिधानानि न मे जन्मानि कर्हिचित्
kvacidrajāṃsi vimame pārthivānyurujanmabhiḥ | guṇakarmābhidhānāni na me janmāni karhicit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, the greatest sages enumerate My births and activities, which take place throughout the three phases of time, but never do they reach the end of them.
अवतीर्णो यदुकुले गृह आनकदुन्दुभेः । वदन्ति वासुदेवेति वसुदेवसुतं हि माम्
avatīrṇo yadukule gṛha ānakadundubheḥ | vadanti vāsudeveti vasudevasutaṃ hi mām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I have killed Kālanemi, reborn as Kaṁsa, as well as Pralamba and other enemies of the pious. And now, O King, this barbarian has been burnt to ashes by your piercing glance.
कालनेमिर्हतः कंसः प्रलम्बाद्याश्च सद्द्विषः । अयं च यवनो दग्धो राजंस्ते तिग्मचक्षुषा
kālanemirhataḥ kaṃsaḥ pralambādyāśca saddviṣaḥ | ayaṃ ca yavano dagdho rājaṃste tigmacakṣuṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since in the past you repeatedly prayed to Me, I have personally come to this cave to show you mercy, for I am affectionately inclined to My devotees.
सोऽहं तवानुग्रहार्थं गुहामेतामुपागतः । प्रार्थितः प्रचुरं पूर्वं त्वयाहं भक्तवत्सलः
so'haṃ tavānugrahārthaṃ guhāmetāmupāgataḥ | prārthitaḥ pracuraṃ pūrvaṃ tvayāhaṃ bhaktavatsalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now choose some benedictions from Me, O saintly King. I will fulfill all your desires. One who has satisfied Me need never again lament.
वरान् वृणीष्व राजर्षे सर्वान् कामान् ददामि ते । मां प्रसन्नो जनः कश्चिन्न भूयोऽर्हति शोचितुम्
varān vṛṇīṣva rājarṣe sarvān kāmān dadāmi te | māṃ prasanno janaḥ kaścinna bhūyo'rhati śocitum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Mucukunda bowed down to the Lord when he heard this. Remembering the words of the sage Garga, he joyfully recognized Kṛṣṇa to be the Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa. The King then addressed Him as follows.
श्रीशुकौवाच । इत्युक्तस्तं प्रणम्याह मुचुकुन्दो मुदान्वितः । ज्ञात्वा नारायणं देवं गर्गवाक्यमनुस्मरन्
śrīśukauvāca | ityuktastaṃ praṇamyāha mucukundo mudānvitaḥ | jñātvā nārāyaṇaṃ devaṃ gargavākyamanusmaran
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Mucukunda said: O Lord, the people of this world, both men and women, are bewildered by Your illusory energy. Unaware of their real benefit, they do not worship You but instead seek happiness by entangling themselves in family affairs, which are actually sources of misery.
मुचुकुन्द उवाच । विमोहितोऽयं जन ईशमायया त्वदीयया त्वां न भजत्यनर्थदृक् । सुखाय दुःखप्रभवेषु सज्जते गृहेषु योषित्पुरुषश्च वञ्चितः
mucukunda uvāca | vimohito'yaṃ jana īśamāyayā tvadīyayā tvāṃ na bhajatyanarthadṛk | sukhāya duḥkhaprabhaveṣu sajjate gṛheṣu yoṣitpuruṣaśca vañcitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That person has an impure mind who, despite having somehow or other automatically obtained the rare and highly evolved human form of life, does not worship Your lotus feet. Like an animal that has fallen into a blind well, such a person has fallen into the darkness of a material home.
लब्ध्वा जनो दुर्लभमत्र मानुषं कथञ्चिदव्यङ्गमयत्नतोऽनघ । पादारविन्दं न भजत्यसन्मति- र्गृहान्धकूपे पतितो यथा पशुः
labdhvā jano durlabhamatra mānuṣaṃ kathañcidavyaṅgamayatnato'nagha | pādāravindaṃ na bhajatyasanmati- rgṛhāndhakūpe patito yathā paśuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I have wasted all this time, O unconquerable one, becoming more and more intoxicated by my domain and opulence as an earthly king. Misidentifying the mortal body as the self, becoming attached to children, wives, treasury and land, I suffered endless anxiety.
ममैष कालोऽजित निष्फलो गतो राज्यश्रियोन्नद्धमदस्य भूपतेः । मर्त्यात्मबुद्धेः सुतदारकोशभू- ष्वासज्जमानस्य दुरन्तचिन्तया
mamaiṣa kālo'jita niṣphalo gato rājyaśriyonnaddhamadasya bhūpateḥ | martyātmabuddheḥ sutadārakośabhū- ṣvāsajjamānasya durantacintayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With deep arrogance I took myself to be the body, which is a material object like a pot or a wall. Thinking myself a god among men, I traveled the earth surrounded by my charioteers, elephants, cavalry, foot soldiers and generals, disregarding You in my deluding pride.
कलेवरेऽस्मिन् घटकुड्यसन्निभे निरूढमानो नरदेव इत्यहम् । वृतो रथेभाश्वपदात्यनीकपै- र्गां पर्यटंस्त्वागणयन् सुदुर्मदः
kalevare'smin ghaṭakuḍyasannibhe nirūḍhamāno naradeva ityaham | vṛto rathebhāśvapadātyanīkapai- rgāṃ paryaṭaṃstvāgaṇayan sudurmadaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A man obsessed with thoughts of what he thinks needs to be done, intensely greedy, and delighting in sense enjoyment is suddenly confronted by You, who are ever alert. Like a hungry snake licking its fangs before a mouse, You appear before him as death.
प्रमत्तमुच्चैरितिकृत्यचिन्तया प्रवृद्धलोभं विषयेषु लालसम् । त्वमप्रमत्तः सहसाभिपद्यसे क्षुल्लेलिहानोऽहिरिवाखुमन्तकः
pramattamuccairitikṛtyacintayā pravṛddhalobhaṃ viṣayeṣu lālasam | tvamapramattaḥ sahasābhipadyase kṣullelihāno'hirivākhumantakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The body that at first rides high on fierce elephants or chariots adorned with gold and is known by the name “king” is later, by Your invincible power of time, called “feces,” “worms,” or “ashes.”
पुरा रथैर्हेमपरिष्कृतैश्चरन् मतङ्गजैर्वा नरदेवसंज्ञितः । स एव कालेन दुरत्ययेन ते कलेवरो विट्कृमिभस्मसंज्ञितः
purā rathairhemapariṣkṛtaiścaran mataṅgajairvā naradevasaṃjñitaḥ | sa eva kālena duratyayena te kalevaro viṭkṛmibhasmasaṃjñitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having conquered the entire circle of directions and being thus free of conflict, a man sits on a splendid throne, receiving praise from leaders who were once his equals. But when he enters the women’s chambers, where sex pleasure is found, he is led about like a pet animal, O Lord.
निर्जित्य दिक्चक्रमभूतविग्रहो वरासनस्थः समराजवन्दितः । गृहेषु मैथुन्यसुखेषु योषितां क्रीडामृगः पूरुष ईश नीयते
nirjitya dikcakramabhūtavigraho varāsanasthaḥ samarājavanditaḥ | gṛheṣu maithunyasukheṣu yoṣitāṃ krīḍāmṛgaḥ pūruṣa īśa nīyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A king who desires even greater power than he already has strictly performs his duties, carefully practicing austerity and forgoing sense enjoyment. But he whose urges are so rampant, thinking “I am independent and supreme,” cannot attain happiness.
करोति कर्माणि तपःसुनिष्ठितो निवृत्तभोगस्तदपेक्षया ददत् । पुनश्च भूयेयमहं स्वराडिति प्रवृद्धतर्षो न सुखाय कल्पते
karoti karmāṇi tapaḥsuniṣṭhito nivṛttabhogastadapekṣayā dadat | punaśca bhūyeyamahaṃ svarāḍiti pravṛddhatarṣo na sukhāya kalpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the material life of a wandering soul has ceased, O Acyuta, he may attain the association of Your devotees. And when he associates with them, there awakens in him devotion unto You, who are the goal of the devotees and the Lord of all causes and their effects.
भवापवर्गो भ्रमतो यदा भवे- ज्जनस्य तर्ह्यच्युत सत्समागमः । सत्सङ्गमो यर्हि तदैव सद्गतौ परावरेशे त्वयि जायतेमतिः
bhavāpavargo bhramato yadā bhave- jjanasya tarhyacyuta satsamāgamaḥ | satsaṅgamo yarhi tadaiva sadgatau parāvareśe tvayi jāyatematiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, I think You have shown me mercy, since my attachment to my kingdom has spontaneously ceased. Such freedom is prayed for by saintly rulers of vast empires who desire to enter the forest for a life of solitude.
मन्ये ममानुग्रह ईश ते कृतो राज्यानुबन्धापगमो यदृच्छया । यः प्रार्थ्यते साधुभिरेकचर्यया वनं विविक्षद्भिरखण्डभूमिपैः
manye mamānugraha īśa te kṛto rājyānubandhāpagamo yadṛcchayā | yaḥ prārthyate sādhubhirekacaryayā vanaṃ vivikṣadbhirakhaṇḍabhūmipaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O all-powerful one, I desire no boon other than service to Your lotus feet, the boon most eagerly sought by those free of material desire. O Hari, what enlightened person who worships You, the giver of liberation, would choose a boon that causes his own bondage?
न कामयेऽन्यं तव पादसेवना- दकिञ्चनप्रार्थ्यतमाद्वरं विभो । आराध्य कस्त्वां ह्यपवर्गदं हरे वृणीत आर्यो वरमात्मबन्धनम्
na kāmaye'nyaṃ tava pādasevanā- dakiñcanaprārthyatamādvaraṃ vibho | ārādhya kastvāṃ hyapavargadaṃ hare vṛṇīta āryo varamātmabandhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O Lord, having put aside all objects of material desire, which are bound to the modes of passion, ignorance and goodness, I am approaching You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for shelter. You are not covered by mundane designations; rather, You are the Supreme Absolute Truth, full in pure knowledge and transcendental to the material modes.
तस्माद्विसृज्याशिष ईश सर्वतो रजस्तमःसत्त्वगुणानुबन्धनाः । निरञ्जनं निर्गुणमद्वयं परं त्वां ज्ञप्तिमात्रं पुरुषं व्रजाम्यहम्
tasmādvisṛjyāśiṣa īśa sarvato rajastamaḥsattvaguṇānubandhanāḥ | nirañjanaṃ nirguṇamadvayaṃ paraṃ tvāṃ jñaptimātraṃ puruṣaṃ vrajāmyaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For so long I have been pained by troubles in this world and have been burning with lamentation. My six enemies are never satiated, and I can find no peace. Therefore, O giver of shelter, O Supreme Soul, please protect me. O Lord, in the midst of danger I have by good fortune approached Your lotus feet, which are the truth and which thus make one fearless and free of sorrow.
चिरमिह वृजिनार्तस्तप्यमानोऽनुतापै- रवितृषषडमित्रोऽलब्धशान्तिः कथञ्चित् । शरणद समुपेतस्त्वत्पदाब्जं परात्मन् अभयमृतमशोकं पाहि माऽऽपन्नमीश
ciramiha vṛjinārtastapyamāno'nutāpai- ravitṛṣaṣaḍamitro'labdhaśāntiḥ kathañcit | śaraṇada samupetastvatpadābjaṃ parātman abhayamṛtamaśokaṃ pāhi mā''pannamīśa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: O emperor, great ruler, your mind is pure and potent. Though I enticed You with benedictions, your mind was not overcome by material desires.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । सार्वभौम महाराज मतिस्ते विमलोर्जिता । वरैः प्रलोभितस्यापि न कामैर्विहता यतः
śrībhagavānuvāca | sārvabhauma mahārāja matiste vimalorjitā | varaiḥ pralobhitasyāpi na kāmairvihatā yataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Understand that I enticed you with benedictions just to prove that you would not be deceived. The intelligence of My unalloyed devotees is never diverted by material blessings.
प्रलोभितो वरैर्यत्त्वमप्रमादाय विद्धि तत् । न धीरेकान्तभक्तानामाशीर्भिर्भिद्यते क्वचित्
pralobhito varairyattvamapramādāya viddhi tat | na dhīrekāntabhaktānāmāśīrbhirbhidyate kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The minds of nondevotees who engage in such practices as prāṇāyama are not fully cleansed of material desires. Thus, O King, material desires are again seen to arise in their minds.
युञ्जानानामभक्तानां प्राणायामादिभिर्मनः । अक्षीणवासनं राजन् दृश्यते पुनरुत्थितम्
yuñjānānāmabhaktānāṃ prāṇāyāmādibhirmanaḥ | akṣīṇavāsanaṃ rājan dṛśyate punarutthitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Wander this earth at will, with your mind fixed on Me. May you always possess such unfailing devotion for Me.
विचरस्व महीं कामं मय्यावेशितमानसः । अस्त्वेव नित्यदा तुभ्यं भक्तिर्मय्यनपायिनी
vicarasva mahīṃ kāmaṃ mayyāveśitamānasaḥ | astveva nityadā tubhyaṃ bhaktirmayyanapāyinī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because you followed the principles of a kṣatriya, you killed living beings while hunting and performing other duties. You must vanquish the sins thus incurred by carefully executing penances while remaining surrendered to Me.
क्षात्रधर्मस्थितो जन्तून् न्यवधीर्मृगयादिभिः । समाहितस्तत्तपसा जह्यघं मदुपाश्रितः
kṣātradharmasthito jantūn nyavadhīrmṛgayādibhiḥ | samāhitastattapasā jahyaghaṃ madupāśritaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, in your very next life you will become an excellent brāhmaṇa, the greatest well-wisher of all creatures, and certainly come to Me alone.
श्रीशुकौवाच । इत्थं सोऽनुगृहीतोऽङ्ग कृष्णेनेक्ष्वाकुनन्दनः । तं परिक्रम्य सन्नम्य निश्चक्राम गुहामुखात्
śrīśukauvāca | itthaṃ so'nugṛhīto'ṅga kṛṣṇenekṣvākunandanaḥ | taṃ parikramya sannamya niścakrāma guhāmukhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: My dear King, thus graced by Lord Kṛṣṇa, Mucukunda circumambulated Him and bowed down to Him. Then Mucukunda, the beloved descendant of Ikṣvāku, exited through the mouth of the cave.
स वीक्ष्य क्षुल्लकान्मर्त्यान् पशून् वीरुद्वनस्पतीन् । मत्वा कलियुगं प्राप्तं जगाम दिशमुत्तराम्
sa vīkṣya kṣullakānmartyān paśūn vīrudvanaspatīn | matvā kaliyugaṃ prāptaṃ jagāma diśamuttarām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing that the size of all the human beings, animals, trees and plants was severely reduced, and thus realizing that the Age of Kali was at hand, Mucukunda left for the north.
तपःश्रद्धायुतो धीरो निःसङ्गो मुक्तसंशयः । समाधाय मनःकृष्णे प्राविशद्गन्धमादनम्
tapaḥśraddhāyuto dhīro niḥsaṅgo muktasaṃśayaḥ | samādhāya manaḥkṛṣṇe prāviśadgandhamādanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sober King, beyond material association and free of doubt, was convinced of the value of austerity. Absorbing his mind in Lord Kṛṣṇa, he came to Gandhamādana Mountain.
बदर्याश्रममासाद्य नरनारायणालयम् । सर्वद्वन्द्वसहः शान्तस्तपसाऽऽराधयद्धरिम्
badaryāśramamāsādya naranārāyaṇālayam | sarvadvandvasahaḥ śāntastapasā''rādhayaddharim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There he arrived at Badarikāśrama, the abode of Lord Nara-Nārāyaṇa, where, remaining tolerant of all dualities, he peacefully worshiped the Supreme Lord Hari by performing severe austerities.
भगवान् पुनराव्रज्य पुरीं यवनवेष्टिताम् । हत्वा म्लेच्छबलं निन्ये तदीयं द्वारकां धनम्
bhagavān punarāvrajya purīṃ yavanaveṣṭitām | hatvā mlecchabalaṃ ninye tadīyaṃ dvārakāṃ dhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord returned to Mathurā, which was still surrounded by Yavanas. Then He destroyed the army of barbarians and began taking their valuables to Dvārakā.
नीयमाने धने गोभिर्नृभिश्चाच्युतचोदितैः । आजगाम जरासन्धस्त्रयोविंशत्यनीकपः
nīyamāne dhane gobhirnṛbhiścācyutacoditaiḥ | ājagāma jarāsandhastrayoviṃśatyanīkapaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the wealth was being carried by oxen and men under Lord Kṛṣṇa’s direction, Jarāsandha appeared at the head of twenty-three armies.
विलोक्य वेगरभसं रिपुसैन्यस्य माधवौ । मनुष्यचेष्टामापन्नौ राजन् दुद्रुवतुर्द्रुतम्
vilokya vegarabhasaṃ ripusainyasya mādhavau | manuṣyaceṣṭāmāpannau rājan dudruvaturdrutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, seeing the fierce waves of the enemy’s army, the two Mādhavas, imitating human behavior, ran swiftly away.
विहाय वित्तं प्रचुरमभीतौ भीरुभीतवत् । पद्भ्यां पद्मपलाशाभ्यां चेरतुर्बहुयोजनम्
vihāya vittaṃ pracuramabhītau bhīrubhītavat | padbhyāṃ padmapalāśābhyāṃ ceraturbahuyojanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Abandoning the abundant riches, fearless but feigning fear, They went many yojanas on Their lotuslike feet.
पलायमानौ तौ दृष्ट्वा मागधः प्रहसन् बली । अन्वधावद्रथानीकैरीशयोरप्रमाणवित्
palāyamānau tau dṛṣṭvā māgadhaḥ prahasan balī | anvadhāvadrathānīkairīśayorapramāṇavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When he saw Them fleeing, powerful Jarāsandha laughed loudly and then pursued Them with charioteers and foot soldiers. He could not understand the exalted position of the two Lords.
प्रद्रुत्य दूरं संश्रान्तौ तुङ्गमारुहतां गिरिम् । प्रवर्षणाख्यं भगवान्नित्यदा यत्र वर्षति
pradrutya dūraṃ saṃśrāntau tuṅgamāruhatāṃ girim | pravarṣaṇākhyaṃ bhagavānnityadā yatra varṣati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Apparently exhausted after fleeing a long distance, the two Lords climbed a high mountain named Pravarṣaṇa, upon which Lord Indra showers incessant rain.
गिरौ निलीनावाज्ञाय नाधिगम्य पदं नृप । ददाह गिरिमेधोभिः समन्तादग्निमुत्सृजन्
girau nilīnāvājñāya nādhigamya padaṃ nṛpa | dadāha girimedhobhiḥ samantādagnimutsṛjan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although he knew They were hiding on the mountain, Jarāsandha could find no trace of Them. Therefore, O King, he placed firewood on all sides and set the mountain ablaze.
तत उत्पत्य तरसा दह्यमानतटादुभौ । दशैकयोजनोत्तुङ्गान्निपेततुरधो भुवि
tata utpatya tarasā dahyamānataṭādubhau | daśaikayojanottuṅgānnipetaturadho bhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The two of Them then suddenly jumped from the burning mountain, which was eleven yojanas high, and fell to the ground.
अलक्ष्यमाणौ रिपुणा सानुगेन यदूत्तमौ । स्वपुरं पुनरायातौ समुद्रपरिखां नृप
alakṣyamāṇau ripuṇā sānugena yadūttamau | svapuraṃ punarāyātau samudraparikhāṃ nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Unseen by Their opponent or his followers, O King, those two most exalted Yadus returned to Their city of Dvārakā, which had the ocean as a protective moat.
सोऽपि दग्धाविति मृषा मन्वानो बलकेशवौ । बलमाकृष्य सुमहन्मगधान् मागधो ययौ
so'pi dagdhāviti mṛṣā manvāno balakeśavau | balamākṛṣya sumahanmagadhān māgadho yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Jarāsandha, moreover, mistakenly thought that Balarāma and Keśava had burned to death in the fire. Thus he withdrew his vast military force and returned to the Magadha kingdom.
आनर्ताधिपतिः श्रीमान् रैवतो रेवतीं सुताम् । ब्रह्मणा चोदितः प्रादाद्बलायेति पुरोदितम्
ānartādhipatiḥ śrīmān raivato revatīṃ sutām | brahmaṇā coditaḥ prādādbalāyeti puroditam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As ordered by Lord Brahmā, Raivata, the opulent ruler of Ānarta, gave Lord Balarāma his daughter Raivatī in marriage. This has already been discussed.
राजोवाच । भगवान् भीष्मकसुतां रुक्मिणीं रुचिराननाम् । राक्षसेन विधानेन उपयेम इति श्रुतम्
rājovāca | bhagavān bhīṣmakasutāṃ rukmiṇīṃ rucirānanām | rākṣasena vidhānena upayema iti śrutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit said: The Supreme Lord married Rukmiṇī, the beautiful-faced daughter of Bhīṣmaka, in the Rākṣasa style — or so I have heard.
भगवन् श्रोतुमिच्छामि कृष्णस्यामिततेजसः । यथा मागधशाल्वादीन् जित्वा कन्यामुपाहरत्
bhagavan śrotumicchāmi kṛṣṇasyāmitatejasaḥ | yathā māgadhaśālvādīn jitvā kanyāmupāharat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My lord, I wish to hear how the immeasurably powerful Lord Kṛṣṇa took away His bride while defeating such kings as Māgadha and Sālva.
ब्रह्मन् कृष्णकथाःपुण्या माध्वीर्लोकमलापहाः । को नु तृप्येत शृण्वानः श्रुतज्ञो नित्यनूतनाः
brahman kṛṣṇakathāḥpuṇyā mādhvīrlokamalāpahāḥ | ko nu tṛpyeta śṛṇvānaḥ śrutajño nityanūtanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What experienced listener, O brāhmaṇa, could ever grow satiated while listening to the pious, charming and ever-fresh topics of Lord Kṛṣṇa, which cleanse away the world’s contamination?
श्रीशुक उवाच । राजाऽऽसीद्भीष्मको नाम विदर्भाधिपतिर्महान् । तस्य पञ्चाभवन् पुत्राः कन्यैका च वरानना
śrīśuka uvāca | rājā''sīdbhīṣmako nāma vidarbhādhipatirmahān | tasya pañcābhavan putrāḥ kanyaikā ca varānanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: There was a king named Bhīṣmaka, the powerful ruler of Vidarbha. He had five sons and one daughter of lovely countenance.
रुक्म्यग्रजो रुक्मरथो रुक्मबाहुरनन्तरः । रुक्मकेशो रुक्ममाली रुक्मिण्येषां स्वसा सती
rukmyagrajo rukmaratho rukmabāhuranantaraḥ | rukmakeśo rukmamālī rukmiṇyeṣāṃ svasā satī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Rukmī was the first-born son, followed by Rukmaratha, Rukmabāhu, Rukmakeśa and Rukmamālī. Their sister was the exalted Rukmiṇī.
सोपश्रुत्य मुकुन्दस्य रूपवीर्यगुणश्रियः । गृहागतैर्गीयमानास्तं मेने सदृशं पतिम्
sopaśrutya mukundasya rūpavīryaguṇaśriyaḥ | gṛhāgatairgīyamānāstaṃ mene sadṛśaṃ patim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing of the beauty, prowess, transcendental character and opulence of Mukunda from visitors to the palace who sang His praises, Rukmiṇī decided that He would be the perfect husband for her.
तां बुद्धिलक्षणौदार्यरूपशीलगुणाश्रयाम् । कृष्णश्च सदृशीं भार्यां समुद्वोढुं मनो दधे
tāṃ buddhilakṣaṇaudāryarūpaśīlaguṇāśrayām | kṛṣṇaśca sadṛśīṃ bhāryāṃ samudvoḍhuṃ mano dadhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa knew that Rukmiṇī possessed intelligence, auspicious bodily markings, magnanimity, beauty, proper behavior and all other good qualities. Concluding that she would be an ideal wife for Him, He made up His mind to marry her.
बन्धूनामिच्छतां दातुं कृष्णाय भगिनीं नृप । ततो निवार्य कृष्णद्विड् रुक्मी चैद्यममन्यत
bandhūnāmicchatāṃ dātuṃ kṛṣṇāya bhaginīṃ nṛpa | tato nivārya kṛṣṇadviḍ rukmī caidyamamanyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, because Rukmī envied the Lord, he forbade his family members to give his sister to Kṛṣṇa, although they wanted to. Instead, Rukmī decided to give Rukmiṇī to Śiśupāla.
तदवेत्यासितापाङ्गी वैदर्भी दुर्मना भृशम् । विचिन्त्याप्तं द्विजं कञ्चित्कृष्णाय प्राहिणोद्द्रुतम्
tadavetyāsitāpāṅgī vaidarbhī durmanā bhṛśam | vicintyāptaṃ dvijaṃ kañcitkṛṣṇāya prāhiṇoddrutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dark-eyed Vaidarbhī was aware of this plan, and it deeply upset her. Analyzing the situation, she quickly sent a trustworthy brāhmaṇa to Kṛṣṇa.
द्वारकां स समभ्येत्य प्रतीहारैः प्रवेशितः । अपश्यदाद्यं पुरुषमासीनं काञ्चनासने
dvārakāṃ sa samabhyetya pratīhāraiḥ praveśitaḥ | apaśyadādyaṃ puruṣamāsīnaṃ kāñcanāsane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon reaching Dvārakā, the brāhmaṇa was brought inside by the gatekeepers and saw the primeval Personality of Godhead sitting on a golden throne.
दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्मण्यदेवस्तमवरुह्य निजासनात् । उपवेश्यार्हयाञ्चक्रे यथाऽऽत्मानं दिवौकसः
dṛṣṭvā brahmaṇyadevastamavaruhya nijāsanāt | upaveśyārhayāñcakre yathā''tmānaṃ divaukasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing the brāhmaṇa, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Lord of the brāhmaṇas, came down from His throne and seated him. Then the Lord worshiped him just as He Himself is worshiped by the demigods.
तं भुक्तवन्तं विश्रान्तमुपगम्य सतां गतिः । पाणिनाभिमृशन् पादावव्यग्रस्तमपृच्छत
taṃ bhuktavantaṃ viśrāntamupagamya satāṃ gatiḥ | pāṇinābhimṛśan pādāvavyagrastamapṛcchata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the brāhmaṇa had eaten and rested, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the goal of saintly devotees, came forward, and while massaging the brāhmaṇa’s feet with His own hands, He patiently questioned him as follows.
कच्चिद्द्विजवरश्रेष्ठ धर्मस्ते वृद्धसम्मतः । वर्तते नातिकृच्छ्रेण सन्तुष्टमनसः सदा
kacciddvijavaraśreṣṭha dharmaste vṛddhasammataḥ | vartate nātikṛcchreṇa santuṣṭamanasaḥ sadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The Supreme Lord said:] O best of exalted brāhmaṇas, are your religious practices, sanctioned by senior authorities, proceeding without great difficulty? Is your mind always fully satisfied?
सन्तुष्टो यर्हि वर्तेत ब्राह्मणो येन केनचित् । अहीयमानः स्वाद्धर्मात्स ह्यस्याखिलकामधुक्
santuṣṭo yarhi varteta brāhmaṇo yena kenacit | ahīyamānaḥ svāddharmātsa hyasyākhilakāmadhuk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When a brāhmaṇa is satisfied with whatever comes his way and does not fall away from his religious duties, those very religious principles become his desire cow, fulfilling all his wishes.
असन्तुष्टोऽसकृल्लोकानाप्नोत्यपि सुरेश्वरः । अकिञ्चनोऽपि सन्तुष्टः शेते सर्वाङ्गविज्वरः
asantuṣṭo'sakṛllokānāpnotyapi sureśvaraḥ | akiñcano'pi santuṣṭaḥ śete sarvāṅgavijvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
An unsatisfied brāhmaṇa wanders restlessly from one planet to another, even if he becomes King of heaven. But a satisfied brāhmaṇa, though he may possess nothing, rests peacefully, all his limbs free of distress.
विप्रान् स्वलाभसन्तुष्टान् साधून् भूतसुहृत्तमान् । निरहङ्कारिणः शान्तान्नमस्ये शिरसासकृत्
viprān svalābhasantuṣṭān sādhūn bhūtasuhṛttamān | nirahaṅkāriṇaḥ śāntānnamasye śirasāsakṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I repeatedly bow My head in respect to those brāhmaṇas who are satisfied with their lot. Saintly, prideless and peaceful, they are the best well-wishers of all living beings.
कच्चिद्वः कुशलं ब्रह्मन् राजतो यस्य हि प्रजाः । सुखं वसन्ति विषये पाल्यमानाः स मे प्रियः
kaccidvaḥ kuśalaṃ brahman rājato yasya hi prajāḥ | sukhaṃ vasanti viṣaye pālyamānāḥ sa me priyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O brāhmaṇa, is your King attending to your welfare? Indeed, that king in whose country the citizens are happy and protected is very dear to Me.
यतस्त्वमागतो दुर्गं निस्तीर्येह यदिच्छया । सर्वं नो ब्रूह्यगुह्यं चेत्किं कार्यं करवाम ते
yatastvamāgato durgaṃ nistīryeha yadicchayā | sarvaṃ no brūhyaguhyaṃ cetkiṃ kāryaṃ karavāma te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whence have you come, crossing the impassable sea, and for what purpose? Explain all this to Us if it is not a secret, and tell Us what We may do for you.
एवं सम्पृष्टसम्प्रश्नो ब्राह्मणः परमेष्ठिना । लीलागृहीतदेहेन तस्मै सर्वमवर्णयत्
evaṃ sampṛṣṭasampraśno brāhmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinā | līlāgṛhītadehena tasmai sarvamavarṇayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus questioned by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who incarnates to perform His pastimes, the brāhmaṇa told Him everything.
रुक्मिण्युवाच । श्रुत्वा गुणान् भुवनसुन्दर शृण्वतां ते निर्विश्य कर्णविवरैर्हरतोऽङ्गतापम् । रूपं दृशां दृशिमतामखिलार्थलाभं त्वय्यच्युताविशति चित्तमपत्रपं मे
rukmiṇyuvāca | śrutvā guṇān bhuvanasundara śṛṇvatāṃ te nirviśya karṇavivarairharato'ṅgatāpam | rūpaṃ dṛśāṃ dṛśimatāmakhilārthalābhaṃ tvayyacyutāviśati cittamapatrapaṃ me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Rukmiṇī said [in her letter, as read by the brāhmaṇa]: O beauty of the worlds, having heard of Your qualities, which enter the ears of those who hear and remove their bodily distress, and having also heard of Your beauty, which fulfills all the visual desires of those who see, I have fixed my shameless mind upon You, O Kṛṣṇa.
का त्वा मुकुन्द महती कुलशीलरूप- विद्यावयोद्रविणधामभिरात्मतुल्यम् । धीरा पतिं कुलवती न वृणीत कन्या काले नृसिंह नरलोकमनोऽभिरामम्
kā tvā mukunda mahatī kulaśīlarūpa- vidyāvayodraviṇadhāmabhirātmatulyam | dhīrā patiṃ kulavatī na vṛṇīta kanyā kāle nṛsiṃha naralokamano'bhirāmam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Mukunda, You are equal only to Yourself in lineage, character, beauty, knowledge, youthfulness, wealth and influence. O lion among men, You delight the minds of all mankind. What aristocratic, sober-minded and marriageable girl of a good family would not choose You as her husband when the proper time has come?
तन्मे भवान् खलु वृतः पतिरङ्ग जाया- मात्मार्पितश्च भवतोऽत्र विभो विधेहि । मा वीरभागमभिमर्शतु चैद्य आराद्- गोमायुवन्मृगपतेर्बलिमम्बुजाक्ष
tanme bhavān khalu vṛtaḥ patiraṅga jāyā- mātmārpitaśca bhavato'tra vibho vidhehi | mā vīrabhāgamabhimarśatu caidya ārād- gomāyuvanmṛgapaterbalimambujākṣa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, my dear Lord, I have chosen You as my husband, and I surrender myself to You. Please come swiftly, O almighty one, and make me Your wife. My dear lotus-eyed Lord, let Śiśupāla never touch the hero’s portion like a jackal stealing the property of a lion.
पूर्तेष्टदत्तनियमव्रतदेवविप्र- गुर्वर्चनादिभिरलं भगवान् परेशः । आराधितो यदि गदाग्रज एत्य पाणिं गृह्णातु मे न दमघोषसुतादयोऽन्ये
pūrteṣṭadattaniyamavratadevavipra- gurvarcanādibhiralaṃ bhagavān pareśaḥ | ārādhito yadi gadāgraja etya pāṇiṃ gṛhṇātu me na damaghoṣasutādayo'nye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If I have sufficiently worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead by pious works, sacrifices, charity, rituals and vows, and also by worshiping the demigods, brāhmaṇas and gurus, then may Gadāgraja come and take my hand, and not Damaghoṣa’s son or anyone else.
श्वोभाविनि त्वमजितोद्वहने विदर्भान् गुप्तः समेत्य पृतनापतिभिः परीतः । निर्मथ्य चैद्यमगधेन्द्रबलं प्रसह्य मां राक्षसेनविधिनोद्वह वीर्यशुल्काम्
śvobhāvini tvamajitodvahane vidarbhān guptaḥ sametya pṛtanāpatibhiḥ parītaḥ | nirmathya caidyamagadhendrabalaṃ prasahya māṃ rākṣasenavidhinodvaha vīryaśulkām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O unconquerable one, tomorrow when my marriage ceremony is about to begin, You should arrive unseen in Vidarbha and surround Yourself with the leaders of Your army. Then crush the forces of Caidya and Magadhendra and marry me in the Rākṣasa style, winning me with Your valor.
अन्तःपुरान्तरचरीमनिहत्य बन्धून् त्वामुद्वहे कथमिति प्रवदाम्युपायम् । पूर्वेद्युरस्ति महती कुलदेवियात्रा यस्यां बहिर्नववधूर्गिरिजामुपेयात्
antaḥpurāntaracarīmanihatya bandhūn tvāmudvahe kathamiti pravadāmyupāyam | pūrvedyurasti mahatī kuladeviyātrā yasyāṃ bahirnavavadhūrgirijāmupeyāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since I will be staying within the inner chambers of the palace, You may wonder, “How can I carry you away without killing some of your relatives?” But I shall tell You a way: On the day before the marriage there is a grand procession to honor the royal family’s deity, and in this procession the new bride goes outside the city to visit Goddess Girijā.
यस्याङ्घ्रिपङ्कजरजःस्नपनं महान्तो वाञ्छन्त्युमापतिरिवात्मतमोऽपहत्यै । यर्ह्यम्बुजाक्ष न लभेय भवत्प्रसादं जह्यामसून् व्रतकृशान् शतजन्मभिः स्यात्
yasyāṅghripaṅkajarajaḥsnapanaṃ mahānto vāñchantyumāpatirivātmatamo'pahatyai | yarhyambujākṣa na labheya bhavatprasādaṃ jahyāmasūn vratakṛśān śatajanmabhiḥ syāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O lotus-eyed one, great souls like Lord Śiva hanker to bathe in the dust of Your lotus feet and thereby destroy their ignorance. If I cannot obtain Your mercy, I shall simply give up my vital force, which will have become weak from the severe penances I will perform. Then, after hundreds of lifetimes of endeavor, I may obtain Your mercy.
ब्राह्मण उवाच । इत्येते गुह्यसन्देशा यदुदेव मयाहृताः । विमृश्य कर्तुं यच्चात्र क्रियतां तदनन्तरम्
brāhmaṇa uvāca | ityete guhyasandeśā yadudeva mayāhṛtāḥ | vimṛśya kartuṃ yaccātra kriyatāṃ tadanantaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇa said: This is the confidential message I have brought with me, O Lord of the Yadus. Please consider what must be done in these circumstances, and do it at once.
श्रीशुक उवाच । वैदर्भ्याः स तु सन्देशं निशम्य यदुनन्दनः । प्रगृह्य पाणिना पाणिं प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत्
śrīśuka uvāca | vaidarbhyāḥ sa tu sandeśaṃ niśamya yadunandanaḥ | pragṛhya pāṇinā pāṇiṃ prahasannidamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus hearing the confidential message of Princess Vaidarbhī, Lord Yadunandana took the brāhmaṇa’s hand and, smiling, spoke to him as follows.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । तथाहमपि तच्चित्तो निद्रां च न लभे निशि । वेदाहं रुक्मिणा द्वेषान्ममोद्वाहो निवारितः
śrībhagavānuvāca | tathāhamapi taccitto nidrāṃ ca na labhe niśi | vedāhaṃ rukmiṇā dveṣānmamodvāho nivāritaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: Just as Rukmiṇī’s mind is fixed on Me, My mind is fixed on her. I can’t even sleep at night. I know that Rukmī, out of envy, has forbidden our marriage.
तामानयिष्य उन्मथ्य राजन्यापसदान् मृधे । मत्परामनवद्याङ्गीमेधसोऽग्निशिखामिव
tāmānayiṣya unmathya rājanyāpasadān mṛdhe | matparāmanavadyāṅgīmedhaso'gniśikhāmiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
She has dedicated herself exclusively to Me, and her beauty is flawless. I will bring her here after thrashing those worthless kings in battle, just as one brings a blazing flame out of firewood.
श्रीशुक उवाच । उद्वाहर्क्षं च विज्ञाय रुक्मिण्या मधुसूदनः । रथः संयुज्यतामाशु दारुकेत्याह सारथिम्
śrīśuka uvāca | udvāharkṣaṃ ca vijñāya rukmiṇyā madhusūdanaḥ | rathaḥ saṃyujyatāmāśu dāruketyāha sārathim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Lord Madhusūdana also understood the exact lunar time for Rukmiṇī’s wedding. Thus He told His driver, “Dāruka, ready My chariot immediately.”
स चाश्वैः शैब्यसुग्रीवमेघपुष्पबलाहकैः । युक्तं रथमुपानीय तस्थौ प्राञ्जलिरग्रतः
sa cāśvaiḥ śaibyasugrīvameghapuṣpabalāhakaiḥ | yuktaṃ rathamupānīya tasthau prāñjaliragrataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dāruka brought the Lord’s chariot, yoked with the horses named Śaibya, Sugrīva, Meghapuṣpa and Balāhaka. He then stood before Lord Kṛṣṇa with joined palms.
आरुह्य स्यन्दनं शौरिर्द्विजमारोप्य तूर्णगैः । आनर्तादेकरात्रेण विदर्भानगमद्धयैः
āruhya syandanaṃ śaurirdvijamāropya tūrṇagaiḥ | ānartādekarātreṇa vidarbhānagamaddhayaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śauri mounted His chariot and had the brāhmaṇa do likewise. Then the Lord’s swift horses took them from the Ānarta district to Vidarbha in a single night.
राजा स कुण्डिनपतिः पुत्रस्नेहवशं गतः । शिशुपालाय स्वां कन्यां दास्यन् कर्माण्यकारयत्
rājā sa kuṇḍinapatiḥ putrasnehavaśaṃ gataḥ | śiśupālāya svāṃ kanyāṃ dāsyan karmāṇyakārayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Bhīṣmaka, the master of Kuṇḍina, having succumbed to the sway of affection for his son, was about to give his daughter to Śiśupāla. The King saw to all the required preparations.
पितॄन् देवान् समभ्यर्च्य विप्रांश्च विधिवन्नृप । भोजयित्वा यथान्यायं वाचयामास मङ्गलम्
pitṝn devān samabhyarcya viprāṃśca vidhivannṛpa | bhojayitvā yathānyāyaṃ vācayāmāsa maṅgalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, in accordance with prescribed rituals, Mahārāja Bhīṣmaka worshiped the forefathers, demigods and brāhmaṇas, feeding them all properly. Then He had the traditional mantras chanted for the well-being of the bride.
सुस्नातां सुदतीं कन्यां कृतकौतुकमङ्गलाम् । अहतांशुकयुग्मेन भूषितां भूषणोत्तमैः
susnātāṃ sudatīṃ kanyāṃ kṛtakautukamaṅgalām | ahatāṃśukayugmena bhūṣitāṃ bhūṣaṇottamaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The bride cleaned her teeth and bathed, after which she put on the auspicious wedding necklace. Then she was dressed in brand-new upper and lower garments and adorned with most excellent jeweled ornaments.
चक्रुः सामर्ग्यजुर्मन्त्रैर्वध्वा रक्षां द्विजोत्तमाः । पुरोहितोऽथर्वविद्वै जुहाव ग्रहशान्तये
cakruḥ sāmargyajurmantrairvadhvā rakṣāṃ dvijottamāḥ | purohito'tharvavidvai juhāva grahaśāntaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The best of brāhmaṇas chanted mantras of the Ṛg, Sāma and Yajur Vedas for the bride’s protection, and the priest learned in the Atharva Veda offered oblations to pacify the controlling planets.
हिरण्यरूप्यवासांसि तिलांश्च गुडमिश्रितान् । प्रादाद्धेनूश्च विप्रेभ्यो राजा विधिविदां वरः
hiraṇyarūpyavāsāṃsi tilāṃśca guḍamiśritān | prādāddhenūśca viprebhyo rājā vidhividāṃ varaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Outstanding in his knowledge of regulative principles, the King rewarded the brāhmaṇas with gold, silver, clothing, cows and sesame seeds mixed with raw sugar.
एवं चेदिपती राजा दमघोषः सुताय वै । कारयामास मन्त्रज्ञैः सर्वमभ्युदयोचितम्
evaṃ cedipatī rājā damaghoṣaḥ sutāya vai | kārayāmāsa mantrajñaiḥ sarvamabhyudayocitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Rājā Damaghoṣa, lord of Cedi, had also engaged brāhmaṇas expert in chanting mantras to perform all rituals necessary to assure his son’s prosperity.
मदच्युद्भिर्गजानीकैः स्यन्दनैर्हेममालिभिः । पत्त्यश्वसङ्कुलैः सैन्यैः परीतः कुण्डिनं ययौ
madacyudbhirgajānīkaiḥ syandanairhemamālibhiḥ | pattyaśvasaṅkulaiḥ sainyaiḥ parītaḥ kuṇḍinaṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Damaghoṣa traveled to Kuṇḍina accompanied by armies of elephants exuding mada, chariots hung with golden chains, and numerous cavalry and infantry soldiers.
तं वै विदर्भाधिपतिः समभ्येत्याभिपूज्य च । निवेशयामास मुदा कल्पितान्यनिवेशने
taṃ vai vidarbhādhipatiḥ samabhyetyābhipūjya ca | niveśayāmāsa mudā kalpitānyaniveśane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhīṣmaka, the lord of Vidarbha, came out of the city and met King Damaghoṣa, offering him tokens of respect. Bhīṣmaka then settled Damaghoṣa in a residence especially constructed for the occasion.
तत्र शाल्वो जरासन्धो दन्तवक्त्रो विदूरथः । आजग्मुश्चैद्यपक्षीयाः पौण्ड्रकाद्याः सहस्रशः
tatra śālvo jarāsandho dantavaktro vidūrathaḥ | ājagmuścaidyapakṣīyāḥ pauṇḍrakādyāḥ sahasraśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śiśupāla’s supporters — Śālva, Jarāsandha, Dantavakra and Vidūratha — all came, along with Pauṇḍraka and thousands of other kings.
भीष्मकन्या वरारोहा काङ्क्षन्त्यागमनं हरेः । प्रत्यापत्तिमपश्यन्ती द्विजस्याचिन्तयत्तदा
bhīṣmakanyā varārohā kāṅkṣantyāgamanaṃ hareḥ | pratyāpattimapaśyantī dvijasyācintayattadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The lovely daughter of Bhīṣmaka anxiously awaited the arrival of Kṛṣṇa, but when she did not see the brāhmaṇa return she thought as follows.
अहो त्रियामान्तरित उद्वाहो मेऽल्पराधसः । नागच्छत्यरविन्दाक्षो नाहं वेद्म्यत्र कारणम् । सोऽपि नावर्ततेऽद्यापि मत्सन्देशहरो द्विजः
aho triyāmāntarita udvāho me'lparādhasaḥ | nāgacchatyaravindākṣo nāhaṃ vedmyatra kāraṇam | so'pi nāvartate'dyāpi matsandeśaharo dvijaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Princess Rukmiṇī thought:] Alas, my wedding is to take place when the night ends! How unlucky I am! Lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa does not come. I don’t know why. And even the brāhmaṇa messenger has not yet returned.
अपि मय्यनवद्यात्मा दृष्ट्वा किञ्चिज्जुगुप्सितम् । मत्पाणिग्रहणे नूनं नायाति हि कृतोद्यमः
api mayyanavadyātmā dṛṣṭvā kiñcijjugupsitam | matpāṇigrahaṇe nūnaṃ nāyāti hi kṛtodyamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Perhaps the faultless Lord, even while preparing to come here, saw something contemptible in me and therefore has not come to take my hand.
दुर्भगाया न मे धाता नानुकूलो महेश्वरः । देवी वा विमुखा गौरी रुद्राणी गिरिजा सती
durbhagāyā na me dhātā nānukūlo maheśvaraḥ | devī vā vimukhā gaurī rudrāṇī girijā satī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am extremely unfortunate, for the creator is not favorably disposed toward me, nor is the great Lord Śiva. Or perhaps Śiva’s wife, Devī, who is known as Gaurī, Rudrāṇī, Girijā and Satī, has turned against me.
एवं चिन्तयती बाला गोविन्दहृतमानसा । न्यमीलयत कालज्ञा नेत्रे चाश्रुकलाकुले
evaṃ cintayatī bālā govindahṛtamānasā | nyamīlayata kālajñā netre cāśrukalākule
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As she thought in this way, the young maiden, whose mind had been stolen by Kṛṣṇa, closed her tear-filled eyes, remembering that there was still time.
एवं वध्वाः प्रतीक्षन्त्या गोविन्दागमनं नृप । वाम ऊरुर्भुजो नेत्रमस्फुरन् प्रियभाषिणः
evaṃ vadhvāḥ pratīkṣantyā govindāgamanaṃ nṛpa | vāma ūrurbhujo netramasphuran priyabhāṣiṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, as the bride thus awaited the arrival of Govinda, she felt a twitch in her left thigh, arm and eye. This was a sign that something desirable would happen.
अथ कृष्णविनिर्दिष्टः स एव द्विजसत्तमः । अन्तःपुरचरीं देवीं राजपुत्रीं ददर्श ह
atha kṛṣṇavinirdiṣṭaḥ sa eva dvijasattamaḥ | antaḥpuracarīṃ devīṃ rājaputrīṃ dadarśa ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just then the purest of learned brāhmaṇas, following Kṛṣṇa’s order, came to see the divine Princess Rukmiṇī within the inner chambers of the palace.
सा तं प्रहृष्टवदनमव्यग्रात्मगतिं सती । आलक्ष्य लक्षणाभिज्ञा समपृच्छच्छुचिस्मिता
sā taṃ prahṛṣṭavadanamavyagrātmagatiṃ satī | ālakṣya lakṣaṇābhijñā samapṛcchacchucismitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Noting the brāhmaṇa’s joyful face and serene movements, saintly Rukmiṇī, who could expertly interpret such symptoms, inquired from him with a pure smile.
तस्या आवेदयत्प्राप्तं शशंस यदुनन्दनम् । उक्तं च सत्यवचनमात्मोपनयनं प्रति
tasyā āvedayatprāptaṃ śaśaṃsa yadunandanam | uktaṃ ca satyavacanamātmopanayanaṃ prati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇa announced to her the arrival of Lord Yadunandana and relayed the Lord’s promise to marry her.
तमागतं समाज्ञाय वैदर्भी हृष्टमानसा । न पश्यन्ती ब्राह्मणाय प्रियमन्यन्ननाम सा
tamāgataṃ samājñāya vaidarbhī hṛṣṭamānasā | na paśyantī brāhmaṇāya priyamanyannanāma sā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Princess Vaidarbhī was overjoyed to learn of Kṛṣṇa’s arrival. Not finding anything at hand suitable to offer the brāhmaṇa, she simply bowed down to him.
प्राप्तौ श्रुत्वा स्वदुहितुरुद्वाहप्रेक्षणोत्सुकौ । अभ्ययात्तूर्यघोषेण रामकृष्णौ समर्हणैः
prāptau śrutvā svaduhiturudvāhaprekṣaṇotsukau | abhyayāttūryaghoṣeṇa rāmakṛṣṇau samarhaṇaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King, upon hearing that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had come and were eager to witness his daughter’s wedding, went forth with abundant offerings to greet Them as music resounded.
मधुपर्कमुपानीय वासांसि विरजांसि सः । उपायनान्यभीष्टानि विधिवत्समपूजयत्
madhuparkamupānīya vāsāṃsi virajāṃsi saḥ | upāyanānyabhīṣṭāni vidhivatsamapūjayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Presenting Them with madhu-parka, new clothing and other desirable gifts, he worshiped Them according to standard rituals.
तयोर्निवेशनं श्रीमदुपाकल्प्य महामतिः । ससैन्ययोः सानुगयोरातिथ्यं विदधे यथा
tayorniveśanaṃ śrīmadupākalpya mahāmatiḥ | sasainyayoḥ sānugayorātithyaṃ vidadhe yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Generous King Bhīṣmaka arranged opulent accommodations for the two Lords, and also for Their army and entourage. In this way he afforded Them proper hospitality.
एवं राज्ञां समेतानां यथावीर्यं यथावयः । यथाबलं यथावित्तं सर्वैः कामैः समर्हयत्
evaṃ rājñāṃ sametānāṃ yathāvīryaṃ yathāvayaḥ | yathābalaṃ yathāvittaṃ sarvaiḥ kāmaiḥ samarhayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus it was that Bhīṣmaka gave all desirable things to the kings who had assembled for the occasion, honoring them as befitted their political power, age, physical prowess and wealth.
कृष्णमागतमाकर्ण्य विदर्भपुरवासिनः । आगत्य नेत्राञ्जलिभिः पपुस्तन्मुखपङ्कजम्
kṛṣṇamāgatamākarṇya vidarbhapuravāsinaḥ | āgatya netrāñjalibhiḥ papustanmukhapaṅkajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the residents of Vidarbha-pura heard that Lord Kṛṣṇa had come, they all went to see Him. With the cupped palms of their eyes they drank the honey of His lotus face.
अस्यैव भार्या भवितुं रुक्मिण्यर्हति नापरा । असावप्यनवद्यात्मा भैष्म्याः समुचितः पतिः
asyaiva bhāryā bhavituṃ rukmiṇyarhati nāparā | asāvapyanavadyātmā bhaiṣmyāḥ samucitaḥ patiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The people of the city said:] Rukmiṇī, and no one else, deserves to become His wife, and He also, possessing such flawless beauty, is the only suitable husband for Princess Bhaiṣmī.
किञ्चित्सुचरितं यन्नस्तेन तुष्टस्त्रिलोककृत् । अनुगृह्णातु गृह्णातु वैदर्भ्याः पाणिमच्युतः
kiñcitsucaritaṃ yannastena tuṣṭastrilokakṛt | anugṛhṇātu gṛhṇātu vaidarbhyāḥ pāṇimacyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
May Acyuta, the creator of the three worlds, be satisfied with whatever pious work we may have done and show His mercy by taking the hand of Vaidarbhī.
एवं प्रेमकलाबद्धा वदन्ति स्म पुरौकसः । कन्या चान्तःपुरात्प्रागाद्भटैर्गुप्ताम्बिकालयम्
evaṃ premakalābaddhā vadanti sma puraukasaḥ | kanyā cāntaḥpurātprāgādbhaṭairguptāmbikālayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bound by their swelling love, the city’s residents spoke in this way. Then the bride, protected by guards, left the inner palace to visit the temple of Ambikā.
आसाद्य देवीसदनं धौतपादकराम्बुजा । उपस्पृश्य शुचिः शान्ता प्रविवेशाम्बिकान्तिकम्
āsādya devīsadanaṃ dhautapādakarāmbujā | upaspṛśya śuciḥ śāntā praviveśāmbikāntikam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon reaching the goddess’s temple, Rukmiṇī first washed her lotus feet and hands and then sipped water for purification. Thus sanctified and peaceful, she came into the presence of mother Ambikā.
तां वै प्रवयसो बालां विधिज्ञा विप्रयोषितः । भवानीं वन्दयाञ्चक्रुर्भवपत्नीं भवान्विताम्
tāṃ vai pravayaso bālāṃ vidhijñā viprayoṣitaḥ | bhavānīṃ vandayāñcakrurbhavapatnīṃ bhavānvitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The older wives of brāhmaṇas, expert in the knowledge of rituals, led young Rukmiṇī in offering respects to Bhavānī, who appeared with her consort, Lord Bhava.
नमस्ये त्वाम्बिकेऽभीक्ष्णं स्वसन्तानयुतां शिवाम् । भूयात्पतिर्मे भगवान् कृष्णस्तदनुमोदताम्
namasye tvāmbike'bhīkṣṇaṃ svasantānayutāṃ śivām | bhūyātpatirme bhagavān kṛṣṇastadanumodatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Princess Rukmiṇī prayed:] O mother Ambikā, wife of Lord Siva, I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto you, together with your children. May Lord Kṛṣṇa become my husband. Please grant this!
तस्यै स्त्रियस्ताः प्रददुः शेषां युयुजुराशिषः । ताभ्यो देव्यै नमश्चक्रे शेषां च जगृहे वधूः
tasyai striyastāḥ pradaduḥ śeṣāṃ yuyujurāśiṣaḥ | tābhyo devyai namaścakre śeṣāṃ ca jagṛhe vadhūḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The ladies gave the bride the remnants of the offerings and then blessed her. She in turn bowed down to them and the deity and accepted the remnants as prasādam.
मुनिव्रतमथ त्यक्त्वा निश्चक्रामाम्बिकागृहात् । प्रगृह्य पाणिना भृत्यां रत्नमुद्रोपशोभिना
munivratamatha tyaktvā niścakrāmāmbikāgṛhāt | pragṛhya pāṇinā bhṛtyāṃ ratnamudropaśobhinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The princess then gave up her vow of silence and left the Ambikā temple, holding on to a maidservant with her hand, which was adorned with a jeweled ring.
ततो ययौ रामपुरोगमैः शनैः शृगालमध्यादिव भागहृद्धरिः
tato yayau rāmapurogamaiḥ śanaiḥ śṛgālamadhyādiva bhāgahṛddhariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lifting the princess onto His chariot, whose flag bore the emblem of Garuḍa, Lord Mādhava drove back the circle of kings. With Balarāma in the lead, He slowly exited, like a lion removing his prey from the midst of jackals.
तं मानिनः स्वाभिभवं यशःक्षयं परे जरासन्धमुखा न सेहिरे । अहो धिगस्मान्यश आत्तधन्वनां गोपैर्हृतं केसरिणां मृगैरिव
taṃ māninaḥ svābhibhavaṃ yaśaḥkṣayaṃ pare jarāsandhamukhā na sehire | aho dhigasmānyaśa āttadhanvanāṃ gopairhṛtaṃ kesariṇāṃ mṛgairiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The kings inimical to the Lord, headed by Jarāsandha, could not tolerate this humiliating defeat. They exclaimed, “Oh, damn us! Though we are mighty archers, mere cowherds have stolen our honor, just as puny animals might steal the honor of lions!”
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति सर्वे सुसंरब्धा वाहानारुह्य दंशिताः । स्वैः स्वैर्बलैः परिक्रान्ता अन्वीयुर्धृतकार्मुकाः
śrīśuka uvāca | iti sarve susaṃrabdhā vāhānāruhya daṃśitāḥ | svaiḥ svairbalaiḥ parikrāntā anvīyurdhṛtakārmukāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus spoken, all those infuriated kings donned their armor and mounted their conveyances. Each king, bow in hand, was surrounded by his own army as he went after Lord Kṛṣṇa.
तानापतत आलोक्य यादवानीकयूथपाः । तस्थुस्तत्सम्मुखा राजन् विस्फूर्ज्य स्वधनूंषि ते
tānāpatata ālokya yādavānīkayūthapāḥ | tasthustatsammukhā rājan visphūrjya svadhanūṃṣi te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The commanders of the Yādava army, seeing the enemy racing to attack, turned to face them and stood firm, O King, twanging their bows.
अश्वपृष्ठे गजस्कन्धे रथोपस्थे च कोविदाः । मुमुचुः शरवर्षाणि मेघा अद्रिष्वपो यथा
aśvapṛṣṭhe gajaskandhe rathopasthe ca kovidāḥ | mumucuḥ śaravarṣāṇi meghā adriṣvapo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mounted on the backs of horses, the shoulders of elephants and the seats of chariots, the enemy kings, expert with weapons, rained down arrows upon the Yadus like clouds pouring rain on mountains.
पत्युर्बलं शरासारैश्छन्नं वीक्ष्य सुमध्यमा । सव्रीडमैक्षत्तद्वक्त्रं भयविह्वललोचना
patyurbalaṃ śarāsāraiśchannaṃ vīkṣya sumadhyamā | savrīḍamaikṣattadvaktraṃ bhayavihvalalocanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Slender-waisted Rukmiṇī, seeing her Lord’s army covered by torrents of arrows, shyly looked at His face with fear-stricken eyes.
प्रहस्य भगवानाह मा स्म भैर्वामलोचने । विनङ्क्ष्यत्यधुनैवैतत्तावकैः शात्रवं बलम्
prahasya bhagavānāha mā sma bhairvāmalocane | vinaṅkṣyatyadhunaivaitattāvakaiḥ śātravaṃ balam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In response the Lord laughed and assured her, “Do not be afraid, beautiful-eyed one. This enemy force is about to be destroyed by your soldiers.”
तेषां तद्विक्रमं वीरा गदसङ्कर्षणादयः । अमृष्यमाणा नाराचैर्जघ्नुर्हयगजान् रथान्
teṣāṃ tadvikramaṃ vīrā gadasaṅkarṣaṇādayaḥ | amṛṣyamāṇā nārācairjaghnurhayagajān rathān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The heroes of the Lord’s army, headed by Gada and Saṅkarṣaṇa, could not tolerate the aggression of the opposing kings. Thus with iron arrows they began to strike down the enemy’s horses, elephants and chariots.
पेतुः शिरांसि रथिनामश्विनां गजिनां भुवि । सकुण्डलकिरीटानि सोष्णीषाणि च कोटिशः
petuḥ śirāṃsi rathināmaśvināṃ gajināṃ bhuvi | sakuṇḍalakirīṭāni soṣṇīṣāṇi ca koṭiśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The heads of soldiers fighting on chariots, horses and elephants fell to the ground by the millions; some heads wore earrings and helmets, others turbans.
हस्ताः सासिगदेष्वासाः करभा ऊरवोऽङ्घ्रयः । अश्वाश्वतरनागोष्ट्रखरमर्त्यशिरांसि च
hastāḥ sāsigadeṣvāsāḥ karabhā ūravo'ṅghrayaḥ | aśvāśvataranāgoṣṭrakharamartyaśirāṃsi ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lying all around were thighs, legs and fingerless hands, along with hands clutching swords, clubs and bows, and also the heads of horses, donkeys, elephants, camels, wild asses and humans.
हन्यमानबलानीका वृष्णिभिर्जयकाङ्क्षिभिः । राजानो विमुखा जग्मुर्जरासन्धपुरःसराः
hanyamānabalānīkā vṛṣṇibhirjayakāṅkṣibhiḥ | rājāno vimukhā jagmurjarāsandhapuraḥsarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing their armies being struck down by the Vṛṣṇis, who were eager for victory, the kings headed by Jarāsandha were discouraged and left the battlefield.
शिशुपालं समभ्येत्य हृतदारमिवातुरम् । नष्टत्विषं गतोत्साहं शुष्यद्वदनमब्रुवन्
śiśupālaṃ samabhyetya hṛtadāramivāturam | naṣṭatviṣaṃ gatotsāhaṃ śuṣyadvadanamabruvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The kings approached Śiśupāla, who was disturbed like a man who has lost his wife. His complexion was drained of color, his enthusiasm was gone, and his face appeared dried up. The kings spoke to him as follows.
भो भोः पुरुषशार्दूल दौर्मनस्यमिदं त्यज । न प्रियाप्रिययो राजन् निष्ठा देहिषु दृश्यते
bho bhoḥ puruṣaśārdūla daurmanasyamidaṃ tyaja | na priyāpriyayo rājan niṣṭhā dehiṣu dṛśyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Jarāsandha said:] Listen, Śiśupāla, O tiger among men, give up your depression. After all, embodied beings’ happiness and unhappiness is never seen to be permanent, O King.
यथा दारुमयी योषिन्नृत्यते कुहकेच्छया । एवमीश्वरतन्त्रोऽयमीहते सुखदुःखयोः
yathā dārumayī yoṣinnṛtyate kuhakecchayā | evamīśvaratantro'yamīhate sukhaduḥkhayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as a puppet in the form of a woman dances by the desire of the puppeteer, so this world, controlled by the Supreme Lord, struggles in both happiness and misery.
शौरेः सप्तदशाहं वै संयुगानि पराजितः । त्रयोविंशतिभिः सैन्यैर्जिग्ये एकमहं परम्
śaureḥ saptadaśāhaṃ vai saṃyugāni parājitaḥ | trayoviṃśatibhiḥ sainyairjigye ekamahaṃ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In battle with Kṛṣṇa I and my twenty-three armies lost seventeen times; only once did I defeat Him.
तथाप्यहं न शोचामि न प्रहृष्यामि कर्हिचित् । कालेन दैवयुक्तेन जानन् विद्रावितं जगत्
tathāpyahaṃ na śocāmi na prahṛṣyāmi karhicit | kālena daivayuktena jānan vidrāvitaṃ jagat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But still I never lament or rejoice, because I know this world is driven by time and fate.
अधुनापि वयं सर्वे वीरयूथपयूथपाः । पराजिताः फल्गुतन्त्रैर्यदुभिः कृष्णपालितैः
adhunāpi vayaṃ sarve vīrayūthapayūthapāḥ | parājitāḥ phalgutantrairyadubhiḥ kṛṣṇapālitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And now all of us, great commanders of military leaders, have been defeated by the Yadus and their small entourage, who are protected by Kṛṣṇa.
रिपवो जिग्युरधुना काल आत्मानुसारिणि । तदा वयं विजेष्यामो यदा कालः प्रदक्षिणः
ripavo jigyuradhunā kāla ātmānusāriṇi | tadā vayaṃ vijeṣyāmo yadā kālaḥ pradakṣiṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now our enemies have conquered because time favors them, but in the future, when time is auspicious for us, we shall conquer.
एवं प्रबोधितो मित्रैश्चैद्योऽगात्सानुगः पुरम् । हतशेषाः पुनस्तेऽपि ययुः स्वं स्वं पुरं नृपाः
evaṃ prabodhito mitraiścaidyo'gātsānugaḥ puram | hataśeṣāḥ punaste'pi yayuḥ svaṃ svaṃ puraṃ nṛpāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus persuaded by his friends, Śiśupāla took his followers and went back to his capital. The surviving warriors also returned to their respective cities.
रुक्मी तु राक्षसोद्वाहं कृष्णद्विडसहन् स्वसुः । पृष्ठतोऽन्वगमत्कृष्णमक्षौहिण्या वृतो बली
rukmī tu rākṣasodvāhaṃ kṛṣṇadviḍasahan svasuḥ | pṛṣṭhato'nvagamatkṛṣṇamakṣauhiṇyā vṛto balī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Powerful Rukmī, however, was especially envious of Kṛṣṇa. He could not bear the fact that Kṛṣṇa had carried off his sister to marry her in the Rākṣasa style. Thus he pursued the Lord with an entire military division.
इत्युक्त्वा रथमारुह्य सारथिं प्राह सत्वरः । चोदयाश्वान् यतः कृष्णस्तस्य मे संयुगं भवेत्
ityuktvā rathamāruhya sārathiṃ prāha satvaraḥ | codayāśvān yataḥ kṛṣṇastasya me saṃyugaṃ bhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having said this, he had mounted his chariot and told his charioteer, “Drive the horses quickly to where Kṛṣṇa is. He and I must fight.
अद्याहं निशितैर्बाणैर्गोपालस्य सुदुर्मतेः । नेष्ये वीर्यमदं येन स्वसा मे प्रसभं हृता
adyāhaṃ niśitairbāṇairgopālasya sudurmateḥ | neṣye vīryamadaṃ yena svasā me prasabhaṃ hṛtā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“This wicked-minded cowherd boy, infatuated with His prowess, has violently abducted my sister. But today I will remove His pride with my sharp arrows.”
विकत्थमानः कुमतिरीश्वरस्याप्रमाणवित् । रथेनैकेन गोविन्दं तिष्ठ तिष्ठेत्यथाह्वयत्
vikatthamānaḥ kumatirīśvarasyāpramāṇavit | rathenaikena govindaṃ tiṣṭha tiṣṭhetyathāhvayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Boasting thus, foolish Rukmī, ignorant of the true extent of the Supreme Lord’s power, approached Lord Govinda in his lone chariot and challenged Him, “Just stand and fight!”
धनुर्विकृष्य सुदृढं जघ्ने कृष्णं त्रिभिः शरैः । आह चात्र क्षणं तिष्ठ यदूनां कुलपांसन
dhanurvikṛṣya sudṛḍhaṃ jaghne kṛṣṇaṃ tribhiḥ śaraiḥ | āha cātra kṣaṇaṃ tiṣṭha yadūnāṃ kulapāṃsana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Rukmī drew his bow with great strength and struck Lord Kṛṣṇa with three arrows. Then he said, “Stand here for a moment, O defiler of the Yadu dynasty!
कुत्र यासि स्वसारं मे मुषित्वा ध्वाङ्क्षवद्धविः । हरिष्येऽद्य मदं मन्द मायिनः कूटयोधिनः
kutra yāsi svasāraṃ me muṣitvā dhvāṅkṣavaddhaviḥ | hariṣye'dya madaṃ manda māyinaḥ kūṭayodhinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Wherever You go, carrying off my sister like a crow stealing sacrificial butter, I will follow. This very day I shall relieve You of Your false pride, You fool, You deceiver, You cheater in battle!
यावन्न मे हतो बाणैः शयीथा मुञ्च दारीकाम् । स्मयन् कृष्णो धनुश्छित्त्वा षड्भिर्विव्याध रुक्मिणम्
yāvanna me hato bāṇaiḥ śayīthā muñca dārīkām | smayan kṛṣṇo dhanuśchittvā ṣaḍbhirvivyādha rukmiṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Release the girl before You are struck dead by my arrows and made to lie down!” In response to this, Lord Kṛṣṇa smiled, and with six arrows He struck Rukmī and broke his bow.
अष्टभिश्चतुरो वाहान् द्वाभ्यां सूतं ध्वजं त्रिभिः । स चान्यद्धनुराधाय कृष्णं विव्याध पञ्चभिः
aṣṭabhiścaturo vāhān dvābhyāṃ sūtaṃ dhvajaṃ tribhiḥ | sa cānyaddhanurādhāya kṛṣṇaṃ vivyādha pañcabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord struck Rukmī’s four horses with eight arrows, his chariot driver with two, and the chariot’s flag with three. Rukmī grabbed another bow and struck Lord Kṛṣṇa with five arrows.
तैस्ताडितः शरौघैस्तु चिच्छेद धनुरच्युतः । पुनरन्यदुपादत्त तदप्यच्छिनदव्ययः
taistāḍitaḥ śaraughaistu ciccheda dhanuracyutaḥ | punaranyadupādatta tadapyacchinadavyayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although hit by these many arrows, Lord Acyuta again broke Rukmī’s bow. Rukmī picked up yet another bow, but the infallible Lord broke that one to pieces as well.
परिघं पट्टिशं शूलं चर्मासी शक्तितोमरौ । यद्यदायुधमादत्त तत्सर्वं सोऽच्छिनद्धरिः
parighaṃ paṭṭiśaṃ śūlaṃ carmāsī śaktitomarau | yadyadāyudhamādatta tatsarvaṃ so'cchinaddhariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Iron bludgeon, three-pointed spear, sword and shield, pike, javelin — whatever weapon Rukmī picked up, Lord Hari smashed it to bits.
ततो रथादवप्लुत्य खड्गपाणिर्जिघांसया । कृष्णमभ्यद्रवत्क्रुद्धः पतङ्ग इव पावकम्
tato rathādavaplutya khaḍgapāṇirjighāṃsayā | kṛṣṇamabhyadravatkruddhaḥ pataṅga iva pāvakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Rukmī leaped down from his chariot and, sword in hand, rushed furiously toward Kṛṣṇa to kill Him, like a bird flying into the wind.
तस्य चापततः खड्गं तिलशश्चर्म चेषुभिः । छित्त्वासिमाददे तिग्मं रुक्मिणं हन्तुमुद्यतः
tasya cāpatataḥ khaḍgaṃ tilaśaścarma ceṣubhiḥ | chittvāsimādade tigmaṃ rukmiṇaṃ hantumudyataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Rukmī attacked Him, the Lord shot arrows that broke Rukmī’s sword and shield into small pieces. Kṛṣṇa then took up His own sharp sword and prepared to kill Rukmī.
दृष्ट्वा भ्रातृवधोद्योगं रुक्मिणी भयविह्वला । पतित्वा पादयोर्भर्तुरुवाच करुणं सती
dṛṣṭvā bhrātṛvadhodyogaṃ rukmiṇī bhayavihvalā | patitvā pādayorbharturuvāca karuṇaṃ satī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing Lord Kṛṣṇa ready to kill her brother, saintly Rukmiṇī was filled with alarm. She fell at her husband’s feet and piteously spoke as follows.
योगेश्वराप्रमेयात्मन् देव देव जगत्पते । हन्तुं नार्हसि कल्याण भ्रातरं मे महाभुज
yogeśvarāprameyātman deva deva jagatpate | hantuṃ nārhasi kalyāṇa bhrātaraṃ me mahābhuja
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Rukmiṇī said: O controller of all mystic power, immeasurable one, Lord of lords, master of the universe! O all auspicious and mighty-armed one, please do not kill my brother!
श्रीशुक उवाच । तया परित्रासविकम्पिताङ्गया शुचावशुष्यन्मुखरुद्धकण्ठया । कातर्यविस्रंसितहेममालया गृहीतपादः करुणो न्यवर्तत
śrīśuka uvāca | tayā paritrāsavikampitāṅgayā śucāvaśuṣyanmukharuddhakaṇṭhayā | kātaryavisraṃsitahemamālayā gṛhītapādaḥ karuṇo nyavartata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Rukmiṇī’s utter fear caused her limbs to tremble and her mouth to dry up, while her throat choked up out of sorrow. And in her agitation her golden necklace scattered. She grasped Kṛṣṇa’s feet, and the Lord, feeling compassionate, desisted.
चैलेन बद्ध्वा तमसाधुकारिणं सश्मश्रुकेशं प्रवपन् व्यरूपयत् । तावन्ममर्दुः परसैन्यमद्भुतं यदुप्रवीरा नलिनीं यथा गजाः
cailena baddhvā tamasādhukāriṇaṃ saśmaśrukeśaṃ pravapan vyarūpayat | tāvanmamarduḥ parasainyamadbhutaṃ yadupravīrā nalinīṃ yathā gajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa tied up the evil-doer with a strip of cloth. He then proceeded to disfigure Rukmī by comically shaving him, leaving parts of his mustache and hair. By that time the Yadu heroes had crushed the extraordinary army of their opponents, just as elephants crush a lotus flower.
कृष्णान्तिकमुपव्रज्य ददृशुस्तत्र रुक्मिणम् । तथा भूतं हतप्रायं दृष्ट्वा सङ्कर्षणो विभुः । विमुच्य बद्धं करुणो भगवान् कृष्णमब्रवीत्
kṛṣṇāntikamupavrajya dadṛśustatra rukmiṇam | tathā bhūtaṃ hataprāyaṃ dṛṣṭvā saṅkarṣaṇo vibhuḥ | vimucya baddhaṃ karuṇo bhagavān kṛṣṇamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the Yadus approached Lord Kṛṣṇa, they saw Rukmī in this sorry condition, practically dying of shame. When the all-powerful Lord Balarāma saw Rukmī, He compassionately released him and spoke the following to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
असाध्विदं त्वया कृष्ण कृतमस्मज्जुगुप्सितम् । वपनं श्मश्रुकेशानां वैरूप्यं सुहृदो वधः
asādhvidaṃ tvayā kṛṣṇa kṛtamasmajjugupsitam | vapanaṃ śmaśrukeśānāṃ vairūpyaṃ suhṛdo vadhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Balarāma said:] My dear Kṛṣṇa, You have acted improperly! This deed will bring shame on Us, for to disfigure a close relative by shaving off his mustache and hair is as good as killing him.
मैवास्मान् साध्व्यसूयेथा भ्रातुर्वैरूप्यचिन्तया । सुखदुःखदो न चान्योऽस्ति यतः स्वकृतभुक् पुमान्
maivāsmān sādhvyasūyethā bhrāturvairūpyacintayā | sukhaduḥkhado na cānyo'sti yataḥ svakṛtabhuk pumān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Saintly lady, please do not be displeased with Us out of anxiety for your brother’s disfigurement. No one but oneself is responsible for one’s joy and grief, for a man experiences the result of his own deeds.
बन्धुर्वधार्हदोषोऽपि न बन्धोर्वधमर्हति । त्याज्यः स्वेनैव दोषेण हतः किं हन्यते पुनः
bandhurvadhārhadoṣo'pi na bandhorvadhamarhati | tyājyaḥ svenaiva doṣeṇa hataḥ kiṃ hanyate punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Again addressing Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma said:] A relative should not be killed even if his wrongdoing warrants capital punishment. Rather, he should be thrown out of the family. Since he has already been killed by his own sin, why kill him again?
क्षत्रियाणामयं धर्मः प्रजापतिविनिर्मितः । भ्रातापि भ्रातरं हन्याद्येन घोरतरस्ततः
kṣatriyāṇāmayaṃ dharmaḥ prajāpativinirmitaḥ | bhrātāpi bhrātaraṃ hanyādyena ghoratarastataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Turning to Rukmiṇī, Balarāma continued:] The code of sacred duty for warriors established by Lord Brahmā enjoins that one may have to kill even his own brother. That is indeed a most dreadful law.
राज्यस्य भूमेर्वित्तस्य स्त्रियो मानस्य तेजसः । मानिनोऽन्यस्य वा हेतोः श्रीमदान्धाः क्षिपन्ति हि
rājyasya bhūmervittasya striyo mānasya tejasaḥ | mānino'nyasya vā hetoḥ śrīmadāndhāḥ kṣipanti hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Again Balarāma addressed Kṛṣṇa:] Blinded by conceit with their personal opulences, proud men offend others for the sake of such things as kingdom, land, wealth, women, honor and power.
तवेयं विषमा बुद्धिः सर्वभूतेषु दुर्हृदाम् । यन्मन्यसे सदाभद्रं सुहृदां भद्रमज्ञवत्
taveyaṃ viṣamā buddhiḥ sarvabhūteṣu durhṛdām | yanmanyase sadābhadraṃ suhṛdāṃ bhadramajñavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[To Rukmiṇī Balarāma said:] Your attitude is unfair, for like an ignorant person you wish good to those who are inimical to all living beings and who have done evil to your true well-wishers.
आत्ममोहो नृणामेष कल्पते देवमायया । सुहृद्दुर्हृदुदासीन इति देहात्ममानिनाम्
ātmamoho nṛṇāmeṣa kalpate devamāyayā | suhṛddurhṛdudāsīna iti dehātmamāninām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord’s Māyā makes men forget their real selves, and thus, taking the body for the self, they consider others to be friends, enemies or neutral parties.
एक एव परो ह्यात्मा सर्वेषामपि देहिनाम् । नानेव गृह्यते मूढैर्यथा ज्योतिर्यथा नभः
eka eva paro hyātmā sarveṣāmapi dehinām | nāneva gṛhyate mūḍhairyathā jyotiryathā nabhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who are bewildered perceive the one Supreme Soul, who resides in all embodied beings, as many, just as one may perceive the light in the sky, or the sky itself, as many.
देह आद्यन्तवानेष द्रव्यप्राणगुणात्मकः । आत्मन्यविद्यया कॢप्तः संसारयति देहिनम्
deha ādyantavāneṣa dravyaprāṇaguṇātmakaḥ | ātmanyavidyayā kḷptaḥ saṃsārayati dehinam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This material body, which has a beginning and an end, is composed of the physical elements, the senses and the modes of nature. The body, imposed on the self by material ignorance, causes one to experience the cycle of birth and death.
नात्मनोऽन्येन संयोगो वियोगश्चासतः सति । तद्धेतुत्वात्तत्प्रसिद्धेर्दृग्रूपाभ्यां यथा रवेः
nātmano'nyena saṃyogo viyogaścāsataḥ sati | taddhetutvāttatprasiddherdṛgrūpābhyāṃ yathā raveḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O intelligent lady, the soul never undergoes contact with or separation from insubstantial, material objects, because the soul is their very origin and illuminator. Thus the soul resembles the sun, which neither comes in contact with nor separates from the sense of sight and what is seen.
जन्मादयस्तु देहस्य विक्रिया नात्मनः क्वचित् । कलानामिव नैवेन्दोर्मृतिर्ह्यस्य कुहूरिव
janmādayastu dehasya vikriyā nātmanaḥ kvacit | kalānāmiva naivendormṛtirhyasya kuhūriva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Birth and other transformations are undergone by the body but never by the self, just as change occurs for the moon’s phases but never for the moon, though the new-moon day may be called the moon’s “death.”
यथा शयान आत्मानं विषयान् फलमेव च । अनुभुङ्क्तेऽप्यसत्यर्थे तथाऽऽप्नोत्यबुधो भवम्
yathā śayāna ātmānaṃ viṣayān phalameva ca | anubhuṅkte'pyasatyarthe tathā''pnotyabudho bhavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As a sleeping person perceives himself, the objects of sense enjoyment and the fruits of his acts within the illusion of a dream, so one who is unintelligent undergoes material existence.
तस्मादज्ञानजं शोकमात्मशोषविमोहनम् । तत्त्वज्ञानेन निर्हृत्य स्वस्था भव शुचिस्मिते
tasmādajñānajaṃ śokamātmaśoṣavimohanam | tattvajñānena nirhṛtya svasthā bhava śucismite
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, with transcendental knowledge dispel the grief that is weakening and confounding your mind. Please resume your natural mood, O princess of the pristine smile.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं भगवता तन्वी रामेण प्रतिबोधिता । वैमनस्यं परित्यज्य मनो बुद्ध्या समादधे
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ bhagavatā tanvī rāmeṇa pratibodhitā | vaimanasyaṃ parityajya mano buddhyā samādadhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus enlightened by Lord Balarāma, slender Rukmiṇī forgot her depression and steadied her mind by spiritual intelligence.
प्राणावशेष उत्सृष्टो द्विड्भिर्हतबलप्रभः । स्मरन् विरूपकरणं वितथात्ममनोरथः
prāṇāvaśeṣa utsṛṣṭo dviḍbhirhatabalaprabhaḥ | smaran virūpakaraṇaṃ vitathātmamanorathaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Left with only his life air, cast out by his enemies and deprived of his strength and bodily radiance, Rukmī could not forget how he had been disfigured. In frustration he constructed for his residence a large city, which he called Bhojakaṭa.
चक्रे भोजकटं नाम निवासाय महत्पुरम् । अहत्वा दुर्मतिं कृष्णमप्रत्यूह्य यवीयसीम् । कुण्डिनं न प्रवेक्ष्यामीत्युक्त्वा तत्रावसद्रुषा
cakre bhojakaṭaṃ nāma nivāsāya mahatpuram | ahatvā durmatiṃ kṛṣṇamapratyūhya yavīyasīm | kuṇḍinaṃ na pravekṣyāmītyuktvā tatrāvasadruṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because he had promised “I will not reenter Kuṇḍina until I have killed wicked Kṛṣṇa and brought back my younger sister,” in a mood of angry frustration Rukmī took up residence at that very place.
भगवान् भीष्मकसुतामेवं निर्जित्य भूमिपान् । पुरमानीय विधिवदुपयेमे कुरूद्वह
bhagavān bhīṣmakasutāmevaṃ nirjitya bhūmipān | puramānīya vidhivadupayeme kurūdvaha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus defeating all the opposing kings, the Supreme Personality of Godhead brought the daughter of Bhīṣmaka to His capital and married her according to the Vedic injunctions, O protector of the Kurus.
तदा महोत्सवो नॄणां यदुपुर्यां गृहे गृहे । अभूदनन्यभावानां कृष्णे यदुपतौ नृप
tadā mahotsavo nṝṇāṃ yadupuryāṃ gṛhe gṛhe | abhūdananyabhāvānāṃ kṛṣṇe yadupatau nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time, O King, there was great rejoicing in all the homes of Yadupurī, whose citizens loved only Kṛṣṇa, chief of the Yadus.
नरा नार्यश्च मुदिताः प्रमृष्टमणिकुण्डलाः । पारिबर्हमुपाजह्रुर्वरयोश्चित्रवाससोः
narā nāryaśca muditāḥ pramṛṣṭamaṇikuṇḍalāḥ | pāribarhamupājahrurvarayościtravāsasoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the men and women, full of joy and adorned with shining jewels and earrings, brought wedding presents, which they reverently offered to the exquisitely dressed groom and bride.
सा वृष्णिपुर्युत्तभितेन्द्रकेतुभि- र्विचित्रमाल्याम्बररत्नतोरणैः । बभौ प्रतिद्वार्युपकॢप्तमङ्गलै- रापूर्णकुम्भागुरुधूपदीपकैः
sā vṛṣṇipuryuttabhitendraketubhi- rvicitramālyāmbararatnatoraṇaiḥ | babhau pratidvāryupakḷptamaṅgalai- rāpūrṇakumbhāgurudhūpadīpakaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The city of the Vṛṣṇis appeared most beautiful: there were tall, festive columns, and also archways decorated with flower garlands, cloth banners and precious gems. Arrangements of auspicious, full waterpots, aguru-scented incense, and lamps graced every doorway.
सिक्तमार्गा मदच्युद्भिराहूतप्रेष्ठभूभुजाम् । गजैर्द्वाःसु परामृष्टरम्भापूगोपशोभिता
siktamārgā madacyudbhirāhūtapreṣṭhabhūbhujām | gajairdvāḥsu parāmṛṣṭarambhāpūgopaśobhitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The city’s streets were cleansed by the intoxicated elephants belonging to the beloved kings who were guests at the wedding, and these elephants further enhanced the beauty of the city by placing trunks of plantain and betel-nut trees in all the doorways.
कुरुसृञ्जयकैकेयविदर्भयदुकुन्तयः । मिथो मुमुदिरे तस्मिन् सम्भ्रमात्परिधावताम्
kurusṛñjayakaikeyavidarbhayadukuntayaḥ | mitho mumudire tasmin sambhramātparidhāvatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who belonged to the royal families of the Kuru, Sṛñjaya, Kaikeya, Vidarbha, Yadu and Kunti clans joyfully met one another in the midst of the crowds of people excitedly running here and there.
रुक्मिण्या हरणं श्रुत्वा गीयमानं ततस्ततः । राजानो राजकन्याश्च बभूवुर्भृशविस्मिताः
rukmiṇyā haraṇaṃ śrutvā gīyamānaṃ tatastataḥ | rājāno rājakanyāśca babhūvurbhṛśavismitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The kings and their daughters were totally astonished to hear the story of Rukmiṇī’s abduction, which was being glorified in song everywhere.
द्वारकायामभूद्राजन् महामोदः पुरौकसाम् । रुक्मिण्या रमयोपेतं दृष्ट्वा कृष्णं श्रियःपतिम्
dvārakāyāmabhūdrājan mahāmodaḥ puraukasām | rukmiṇyā ramayopetaṃ dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇaṃ śriyaḥpatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dvārakā’s citizens were overjoyed to see Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of all opulence, united with Rukmiṇī, the goddess of fortune.
श्रीशुक उवाच । कामस्तु वासुदेवांशो दग्धः प्राग्रुद्रमन्युना । देहोपपत्तये भूयस्तमेव प्रत्यपद्यत
śrīśuka uvāca | kāmastu vāsudevāṃśo dagdhaḥ prāgrudramanyunā | dehopapattaye bhūyastameva pratyapadyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Kāmadeva [Cupid], an expansion of Vāsudeva, had previously been burned to ashes by Rudra’s anger. Now, to obtain a new body, he merged back into the body of Lord Vāsudeva.
स एव जातो वैदर्भ्यां कृष्णवीर्यसमुद्भवः । प्रद्युम्न इति विख्यातः सर्वतोऽनवमः पितुः
sa eva jāto vaidarbhyāṃ kṛṣṇavīryasamudbhavaḥ | pradyumna iti vikhyātaḥ sarvato'navamaḥ pituḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He took birth in the womb of Vaidarbhī from the seed of Lord Kṛṣṇa and received the name Pradyumna. In no respect was He inferior to His father.
तं शम्बरः कामरूपी हृत्वा तोकमनिर्दशम् । स विदित्वाऽऽत्मनः शत्रुं प्रास्योदन्वत्यगाद्गृहम्
taṃ śambaraḥ kāmarūpī hṛtvā tokamanirdaśam | sa viditvā''tmanaḥ śatruṃ prāsyodanvatyagādgṛham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demon Śambara, who could assume any form he desired, kidnapped the infant before He was even ten days old. Understanding Pradyumna to be his enemy, Śambara threw Him into the sea and then returned home.
तं निर्जगार बलवान् मीनः सोऽप्यपरैः सह । वृतो जालेन महता गृहीतो मत्स्यजीविभिः
taṃ nirjagāra balavān mīnaḥ so'pyaparaiḥ saha | vṛto jālena mahatā gṛhīto matsyajīvibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A powerful fish swallowed Pradyumna, and this fish, along with others, was caught in a huge net and seized by fishermen.
तं शम्बराय कैवर्ता उपाजह्रुरुपायनम् । सूदा महानसं नीत्वावद्यन् सुधितिनाद्भुतम्
taṃ śambarāya kaivartā upājahrurupāyanam | sūdā mahānasaṃ nītvāvadyan sudhitinādbhutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The fishermen presented that extraordinary fish to Śambara, who had his cooks bring it to the kitchen, where they began cutting it up with a butcher knife.
दृष्ट्वा तदुदरे बालं मायावत्यै न्यवेदयन् । नारदोऽकथयत्सर्वं तस्याः शङ्कितचेतसः । बालस्य तत्त्वमुत्पत्तिं मत्स्योदरनिवेशनम्
dṛṣṭvā tadudare bālaṃ māyāvatyai nyavedayan | nārado'kathayatsarvaṃ tasyāḥ śaṅkitacetasaḥ | bālasya tattvamutpattiṃ matsyodaraniveśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing a male child in the belly of the fish, the cooks gave the infant to Māyāvatī, who was astonished. Nārada Muni then appeared and explained to her everything about the child’s birth and His entering the fish’s abdomen.
नातिदीर्घेण कालेन स कार्ष्णी रूढयौवनः । जनयामास नारीणां वीक्षन्तीनां च विभ्रमम्
nātidīrgheṇa kālena sa kārṣṇī rūḍhayauvanaḥ | janayāmāsa nārīṇāṃ vīkṣantīnāṃ ca vibhramam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After a short time, this son of Kṛṣṇa — Pradyumna — attained His full youth. He enchanted all women who gazed upon Him.
सा तं पतिं पद्मदलायतेक्षणं प्रलम्बबाहुं नरलोकसुन्दरम् । सव्रीडहासोत्तभितभ्रुवेक्षती प्रीत्योपतस्थे रतिरङ्ग सौरतैः
sā taṃ patiṃ padmadalāyatekṣaṇaṃ pralambabāhuṃ naralokasundaram | savrīḍahāsottabhitabhruvekṣatī prītyopatasthe ratiraṅga saurataiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, with a bashful smile and raised eyebrows, Māyāvatī exhibited various gestures of conjugal attraction as she lovingly approached her husband, whose eyes were broad like the petals of a lotus, whose arms were very long and who was the most beautiful of men.
तामाह भगवान् कार्ष्णिर्मातस्ते मतिरन्यथा । मातृभावमतिक्रम्य वर्तसे कामिनी यथा
tāmāha bhagavān kārṣṇirmātaste matiranyathā | mātṛbhāvamatikramya vartase kāminī yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Pradyumna told her, “O mother, your attitude has changed. You are overstepping the proper feelings of a mother and behaving like a lover.”
रतिरुवाच । भवान् नारायणसुतः शम्बरेण हृतो गृहात् । अहं तेऽधिकृता पत्नी रतिः कामो भवान् प्रभो
ratiruvāca | bhavān nārāyaṇasutaḥ śambareṇa hṛto gṛhāt | ahaṃ te'dhikṛtā patnī ratiḥ kāmo bhavān prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Rati said: You are the son of Lord Nārāyaṇa and were kidnapped from Your parents’ home by Śambara. I, Rati, am Your legitimate wife, O master, because You are Cupid.
एष त्वानिर्दशं सिन्धावक्षिपच्छम्बरोऽसुरः । मत्स्योऽग्रसीत्तदुदरादिह प्राप्तो भवान् प्रभो
eṣa tvānirdaśaṃ sindhāvakṣipacchambaro'suraḥ | matsyo'grasīttadudarādiha prāpto bhavān prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That demon, Śambara, threw You into the sea when You were not even ten days old, and a fish swallowed You. Then in this very place we recovered You from the fish’s abdomen, O master.
तमिमं जहि दुर्धर्षं दुर्जयं शत्रुमात्मनः । मायाशतविदं त्वं च मायाभिर्मोहनादिभिः
tamimaṃ jahi durdharṣaṃ durjayaṃ śatrumātmanaḥ | māyāśatavidaṃ tvaṃ ca māyābhirmohanādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now kill this dreadful Śambara, Your formidable enemy. Although he knows hundreds of magic spells, You can defeat him with bewildering magic and other techniques.
परिशोचति ते माता कुररीव गतप्रजा । पुत्रस्नेहाकुला दीना विवत्सा गौरिवातुरा
pariśocati te mātā kurarīva gataprajā | putrasnehākulā dīnā vivatsā gaurivāturā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your poor mother, having lost her son, cries for You like a kurarī bird. She is overwhelmed with love for her child, just like a cow that has lost its calf.
प्रभाष्यैवं ददौ विद्यां प्रद्युम्नाय महात्मने । मायावती महामायां सर्वमायाविनाशिनीम्
prabhāṣyaivaṃ dadau vidyāṃ pradyumnāya mahātmane | māyāvatī mahāmāyāṃ sarvamāyāvināśinīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Speaking thus, Māyāvatī gave to the great soul Pradyumna the mystic knowledge called Mahā-māyā, which vanquishes all other deluding spells.
स च शम्बरमभ्येत्य संयुगाय समाह्वयत् । अविषह्यैस्तमाक्षेपैः क्षिपन् सञ्जनयन् कलिम्
sa ca śambaramabhyetya saṃyugāya samāhvayat | aviṣahyaistamākṣepaiḥ kṣipan sañjanayan kalim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pradyumna approached Śambara and called him to battle, hurling intolerable insults at him to foment a conflict.
सोऽधिक्षिप्तो दुर्वचोभिः पादाहत इवोरगः । निश्चक्राम गदापाणिरमर्षात्ताम्रलोचनः
so'dhikṣipto durvacobhiḥ pādāhata ivoragaḥ | niścakrāma gadāpāṇiramarṣāttāmralocanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Offended by these harsh words, Śambara became as agitated as a kicked snake. He came out, club in hand, his eyes red with rage.
गदामाविध्य तरसा प्रद्युम्नाय महात्मने । प्रक्षिप्य व्यनदन्नादं वज्रनिष्पेषनिष्ठुरम्
gadāmāvidhya tarasā pradyumnāya mahātmane | prakṣipya vyanadannādaṃ vajraniṣpeṣaniṣṭhuram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śambara whirled his club swiftly about and then hurled it at the wise Pradyumna, producing a sound as sharp as a thunder crack.
तामापतन्तीं भगवान् प्रद्युम्नो गदया गदाम् । अपास्य शत्रवे क्रुद्धः प्राहिणोत्स्वगदां नृप
tāmāpatantīṃ bhagavān pradyumno gadayā gadām | apāsya śatrave kruddhaḥ prāhiṇotsvagadāṃ nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Śambara’s club came flying toward Him, Lord Pradyumna knocked it away with His own. Then, O King, Pradyumna angrily threw His club at the enemy.
स च मायां समाश्रित्य दैतेयीं मयदर्शिताम् । मुमुचेऽस्त्रमयं वर्षं कार्ष्णौ वैहायसोऽसुरः
sa ca māyāṃ samāśritya daiteyīṃ mayadarśitām | mumuce'stramayaṃ varṣaṃ kārṣṇau vaihāyaso'suraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Resorting to the black magic of the Daityas taught to him by Maya Dānava, Śambara suddenly appeared in the sky and released a downpour of weapons upon Kṛṣṇa’s son.
बाध्यमानोऽस्त्रवर्षेण रौक्मिणेयो महारथः । सत्त्वात्मिकां महाविद्यां सर्वमायोपमर्दिनीम्
bādhyamāno'stravarṣeṇa raukmiṇeyo mahārathaḥ | sattvātmikāṃ mahāvidyāṃ sarvamāyopamardinīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Harassed by this rain of weapons, Lord Raukmiṇeya, the greatly powerful warrior, made use of the mystic science called Mahā-māyā, which was created from the mode of goodness and which could defeat all other mystic power.
ततो गौह्यकगान्धर्वपैशाचोरगराक्षसीः । प्रायुङ्क्त शतशो दैत्यः कार्ष्णिर्व्यधमयत्स ताः
tato gauhyakagāndharvapaiśācoragarākṣasīḥ | prāyuṅkta śataśo daityaḥ kārṣṇirvyadhamayatsa tāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demon then unleashed hundreds of mystic weapons belonging to the Guhyakas, Gandharvas, Piśācas, Uragas and Rākṣasas, but Lord Kārṣṇi, Pradyumna, struck them all down.
निशातमसिमुद्यम्य सकिरीटं सकुण्डलम् । शम्बरस्य शिरः कायात्ताम्रश्मश्र्वोजसाहरत्
niśātamasimudyamya sakirīṭaṃ sakuṇḍalam | śambarasya śiraḥ kāyāttāmraśmaśrvojasāharat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Drawing His sharp-edged sword, Pradyumna forcefully cut off Śambara’s head, complete with red mustache, helmet and earrings.
आकीर्यमाणो दिविजैः स्तुवद्भिः कुसुमोत्करैः । भार्ययाम्बरचारिण्या पुरं नीतो विहायसा
ākīryamāṇo divijaiḥ stuvadbhiḥ kusumotkaraiḥ | bhāryayāmbaracāriṇyā puraṃ nīto vihāyasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the residents of the higher planets showered Pradyumna with flowers and chanted His praises, His wife appeared in the sky and transported Him through the heavens, back to the city of Dvārakā.
अन्तःपुरवरं राजन् ललनाशतसङ्कुलम् । विवेश पत्न्या गगनाद्विद्युतेव बलाहकः
antaḥpuravaraṃ rājan lalanāśatasaṅkulam | viveśa patnyā gaganādvidyuteva balāhakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, Lord Pradyumna and His wife resembled a cloud accompanied by lightning as they descended from the sky into the inner quarters of Kṛṣṇa’s most excellent palace, which were crowded with lovely women.
अवधार्य शनैरीषद्वैलक्षण्येन योषितः । उपजग्मुः प्रमुदिताः सस्त्रीरत्नं सुविस्मिताः
avadhārya śanairīṣadvailakṣaṇyena yoṣitaḥ | upajagmuḥ pramuditāḥ sastrīratnaṃ suvismitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Gradually, from the slight differences between His appearance and Kṛṣṇa’s, the ladies realized He was not the Lord. Delighted and astonished, they approached Pradyumna and His consort, who was a jewel among women.
अथ तत्रासितापाङ्गी वैदर्भी वल्गुभाषिणी । अस्मरत्स्वसुतं नष्टं स्नेहस्नुतपयोधरा
atha tatrāsitāpāṅgī vaidarbhī valgubhāṣiṇī | asmaratsvasutaṃ naṣṭaṃ snehasnutapayodharā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing Pradyumna, sweet-voiced, dark-eyed Rukmiṇī remembered her lost son, and her breasts became moist out of affection.
को न्वयं नरवैदूर्यः कस्य वा कमलेक्षणः । धृतः कया वा जठरे केयं लब्धा त्वनेन वा
ko nvayaṃ naravaidūryaḥ kasya vā kamalekṣaṇaḥ | dhṛtaḥ kayā vā jaṭhare keyaṃ labdhā tvanena vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śrīmatī Rukmiṇī-devī said:] Who is this lotus-eyed jewel among men? What man’s son is He, and what woman carried Him in her womb? And who is this woman He has taken as His wife?
मम चाप्यात्मजो नष्टो नीतो यः सूतिकागृहात् । एतत्तुल्यवयोरूपो यदि जीवति कुत्रचित्
mama cāpyātmajo naṣṭo nīto yaḥ sūtikāgṛhāt | etattulyavayorūpo yadi jīvati kutracit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If my lost son, who was kidnapped from the maternity room, were still alive somewhere, He would be of the same age and appearance as this young man.
कथं त्वनेन सम्प्राप्तं सारूप्यं शार्ङ्गधन्वनः । आकृत्यावयवैर्गत्या स्वरहासावलोकनैः
kathaṃ tvanena samprāptaṃ sārūpyaṃ śārṅgadhanvanaḥ | ākṛtyāvayavairgatyā svarahāsāvalokanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But how is it that this young man so much resembles my own Lord, Kṛṣṇa, the wielder of Śārṅga, in His bodily form and His limbs, in His gait and the tone of His voice, and in His smiling glance?
स एव वा भवेन्नूनं यो मे गर्भे धृतोऽर्भकः । अमुष्मिन् प्रीतिरधिका वामः स्फुरति मे भुजः
sa eva vā bhavennūnaṃ yo me garbhe dhṛto'rbhakaḥ | amuṣmin prītiradhikā vāmaḥ sphurati me bhujaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Yes, He must be the same child I bore in my womb, since I feel great affection for Him and my left arm is quivering.
एवं मीमांसमानायां वैदर्भ्यां देवकीसुतः । देवक्यानकदुन्दुभ्यामुत्तमश्लोक आगमत्
evaṃ mīmāṃsamānāyāṃ vaidarbhyāṃ devakīsutaḥ | devakyānakadundubhyāmuttamaśloka āgamat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Queen Rukmiṇī conjectured in this way, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, arrived on the scene with Vasudeva and Devakī.
विज्ञातार्थोऽपि भगवांस्तूष्णीमास जनार्दनः । नारदोऽकथयत्सर्वं शम्बराहरणादिकम्
vijñātārtho'pi bhagavāṃstūṣṇīmāsa janārdanaḥ | nārado'kathayatsarvaṃ śambarāharaṇādikam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although Lord Janārdana knew perfectly well what had transpired, He remained silent. The sage Nārada, however, explained everything, beginning with Śambara’s kidnapping of the child.
तच्छ्रुत्वा महदाश्चर्यं कृष्णान्तःपुरयोषितः । अभ्यनन्दन् बहूनब्दान् नष्टं मृतमिवागतम्
tacchrutvā mahadāścaryaṃ kṛṣṇāntaḥpurayoṣitaḥ | abhyanandan bahūnabdān naṣṭaṃ mṛtamivāgatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the women of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s palace heard this most amazing account, they joyfully greeted Pradyumna, who had been lost for many years but who had now returned as if from the dead.
देवकी वसुदेवश्च कृष्णरामौ तथा स्त्रियः । दम्पती तौ परिष्वज्य रुक्मिणी च ययुर्मुदम्
devakī vasudevaśca kṛṣṇarāmau tathā striyaḥ | dampatī tau pariṣvajya rukmiṇī ca yayurmudam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Devakī, Vasudeva, Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma and all the women of the palace, especially Queen Rukmiṇī, embraced the young couple and rejoiced.
नष्टं प्रद्युम्नमायातमाकर्ण्य द्वारकौकसः । अहो मृत इवायातो बालो दिष्ट्येति हाब्रुवन्
naṣṭaṃ pradyumnamāyātamākarṇya dvārakaukasaḥ | aho mṛta ivāyāto bālo diṣṭyeti hābruvan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing that lost Pradyumna had come home, the residents of Dvārakā declared, “Ah, providence has allowed this child to return as if from death!”
यं वै मुहुः पितृसरूपनिजेशभावा- स्तन्मातरो यदभजन् रहरूढभावाः । चित्रं न तत्खलु रमास्पदबिम्बबिम्बे कामे स्मरेऽक्षविषये किमुतान्यनार्यः
yaṃ vai muhuḥ pitṛsarūpanijeśabhāvā- stanmātaro yadabhajan raharūḍhabhāvāḥ | citraṃ na tatkhalu ramāspadabimbabimbe kāme smare'kṣaviṣaye kimutānyanāryaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is not astonishing that the palace women, who should have felt maternal affection for Pradyumna, privately felt ecstatic attraction for Him as if He were their own Lord. After all, the son exactly resembled His father. Indeed, Pradyumna was a perfect reflection of the beauty of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the shelter of the goddess of fortune, and appeared before their eyes as Cupid Himself. Since even those on the level of His mother felt conjugal attraction for Him, then what to speak of how other women felt when they saw Him?
श्रीशुक उवाच । सत्राजितः स्वतनयां कृष्णाय कृतकिल्बिषः । स्यमन्तकेन मणिना स्वयमुद्यम्य दत्तवान्
śrīśuka uvāca | satrājitaḥ svatanayāṃ kṛṣṇāya kṛtakilbiṣaḥ | syamantakena maṇinā svayamudyamya dattavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having offended Lord Kṛṣṇa, Satrājit tried as best he could to atone by presenting Him with his daughter and the Syamantaka jewel.
राजोवाच । सत्राजितः किमकरोद्ब्रह्मन् कृष्णस्य किल्बिषम् । स्यमन्तकः कुतस्तस्य कस्माद्दत्ता सुता हरेः
rājovāca | satrājitaḥ kimakarodbrahman kṛṣṇasya kilbiṣam | syamantakaḥ kutastasya kasmāddattā sutā hareḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mahārāja Parīkṣit inquired: O brāhmaṇa, what did King Satrājit do to offend Lord Kṛṣṇa? Where did he get the Syamantaka jewel, and why did he give his daughter to the Supreme Lord?
श्रीशुक उवाच । आसीत्सत्राजितः सूर्यो भक्तस्य परमः सखा । प्रीतस्तस्मै मणिं प्रादात्सूर्यस्तुष्टः स्यमन्तकम्
śrīśuka uvāca | āsītsatrājitaḥ sūryo bhaktasya paramaḥ sakhā | prītastasmai maṇiṃ prādātsūryastuṣṭaḥ syamantakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Sūrya, the sun-god, felt great affection for his devotee Satrājit. Acting as his greatest friend, the demigod gave him the jewel called Syamantaka as a token of his satisfaction.
स तं बिभ्रन् मणिं कण्ठे भ्राजमानो यथा रविः । प्रविष्टो द्वारकां राजंस्तेजसा नोपलक्षितः
sa taṃ bibhran maṇiṃ kaṇṭhe bhrājamāno yathā raviḥ | praviṣṭo dvārakāṃ rājaṃstejasā nopalakṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Wearing the jewel on his neck, Satrājit entered Dvārakā. He shone as brightly as the sun itself, O King, and thus he went unrecognized because of the jewel’s effulgence.
तं विलोक्य जना दूरात्तेजसा मुष्टदृष्टयः । दीव्यतेऽक्षैर्भगवते शशंसुः सूर्यशङ्किताः
taṃ vilokya janā dūrāttejasā muṣṭadṛṣṭayaḥ | dīvyate'kṣairbhagavate śaśaṃsuḥ sūryaśaṅkitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the people looked at Satrājit from a distance, his brilliance blinded them. They presumed he was the sun-god, Sūrya, and went to tell Lord Kṛṣṇa, who was at that time playing at dice.
नारायण नमस्तेऽस्तु शङ्खचक्रगदाधर । दामोदरारविन्दाक्ष गोविन्द यदुनन्दन
nārāyaṇa namaste'stu śaṅkhacakragadādhara | dāmodarāravindākṣa govinda yadunandana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The residents of Dvārakā said:] Obeisances unto You, O Nārāyaṇa, O holder of the conch, disc and club, O lotus-eyed Dāmodara, O Govinda, O cherished descendant of Yadu!
एष आयाति सविता त्वां दिदृक्षुर्जगत्पते । मुष्णन् गभस्तिचक्रेण नृणां चक्षूंषि तिग्मगुः
eṣa āyāti savitā tvāṃ didṛkṣurjagatpate | muṣṇan gabhasticakreṇa nṛṇāṃ cakṣūṃṣi tigmaguḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Savitā has come to see You, O Lord of the universe. He is blinding everyone’s eyes with his intensely effulgent rays.
नन्वन्विच्छन्ति ते मार्गं त्रिलोक्यां विबुधर्षभाः । ज्ञात्वाद्य गूढं यदुषु द्रष्टुं त्वां यात्यजः प्रभो
nanvanvicchanti te mārgaṃ trilokyāṃ vibudharṣabhāḥ | jñātvādya gūḍhaṃ yaduṣu draṣṭuṃ tvāṃ yātyajaḥ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The most exalted demigods in the three worlds are certainly anxious to seek You out, O Lord, now that You have hidden Yourself among the Yadu dynasty. Thus the unborn sun-god has come to see You here.
श्रीशुक उवाच । निशम्य बालवचनं प्रहस्याम्बुजलोचनः । प्राह नासौ रविर्देवः सत्राजिन्मणिना ज्वलन्
śrīśuka uvāca | niśamya bālavacanaṃ prahasyāmbujalocanaḥ | prāha nāsau ravirdevaḥ satrājinmaṇinā jvalan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Hearing these innocent words, the lotus-eyed Lord smiled broadly and said, “This is not the sun-god, Ravi, but rather Satrājit, who is glowing because of his jewel.”
सत्राजित्स्वगृहं श्रीमत्कृतकौतुकमङ्गलम् । प्रविश्य देवसदने मणिं विप्रैर्न्यवेशयत्
satrājitsvagṛhaṃ śrīmatkṛtakautukamaṅgalam | praviśya devasadane maṇiṃ viprairnyaveśayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Satrājit entered his opulent home, festively executing auspicious rituals. He had qualified brāhmaṇas install the Syamantaka jewel in the house’s temple room.
दिने दिने स्वर्णभारानष्टौ स सृजति प्रभो । दुर्भिक्षमार्यरिष्टानि सर्पाधिव्याधयोऽशुभाः । न सन्ति मायिनस्तत्र यत्रास्तेऽभ्यर्चितो मणिः
dine dine svarṇabhārānaṣṭau sa sṛjati prabho | durbhikṣamāryariṣṭāni sarpādhivyādhayo'śubhāḥ | na santi māyinastatra yatrāste'bhyarcito maṇiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Each day the gem would produce eight bhāras of gold, my dear Prabhu, and the place in which it was kept and properly worshiped would be free of calamities such as famine or untimely death, and also of evils like snake bites, mental and physical disorders and the presence of deceitful persons.
स याचितो मणिं क्वापि यदुराजाय शौरिणा । नैवार्थकामुकः प्रादाद्याच्ञाभङ्गमतर्कयन्
sa yācito maṇiṃ kvāpi yadurājāya śauriṇā | naivārthakāmukaḥ prādādyācñābhaṅgamatarkayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On one occasion Lord Kṛṣṇa requested Satrājit to give the jewel to the Yadu king, Ugrasena, but Satrājit was so greedy that he refused. He gave no thought to the seriousness of the offense he committed by denying the Lord’s request.
तमेकदा मणिं कण्ठे प्रतिमुच्य महाप्रभम् । प्रसेनो हयमारुह्य मृगयां व्यचरद्वने
tamekadā maṇiṃ kaṇṭhe pratimucya mahāprabham | praseno hayamāruhya mṛgayāṃ vyacaradvane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once Satrājit’s brother, Prasena, having hung the brilliant jewel about his neck, mounted a horse and went hunting in the forest.
प्रसेनं सहयं हत्वा मणिमाच्छिद्य केसरी । गिरिं विशन् जाम्बवता निहतो मणिमिच्छता
prasenaṃ sahayaṃ hatvā maṇimācchidya kesarī | giriṃ viśan jāmbavatā nihato maṇimicchatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A lion killed Prasena and his horse and took the jewel. But when the lion entered a mountain cave he was killed by Jāmbavān, who wanted the jewel.
सोऽपि चक्रे कुमारस्य मणिं क्रीडनकं बिले । अपश्यन् भ्रातरं भ्राता सत्राजित्पर्यतप्यत
so'pi cakre kumārasya maṇiṃ krīḍanakaṃ bile | apaśyan bhrātaraṃ bhrātā satrājitparyatapyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Within the cave Jāmbavān let his young son have the Syamantaka jewel as a toy to play with. Meanwhile Satrājit, not seeing his brother return, became deeply troubled.
प्रायः कृष्णेन निहतो मणिग्रीवो वनं गतः । भ्राता ममेति तच्छ्रुत्वा कर्णे कर्णेऽजपन् जनाः
prāyaḥ kṛṣṇena nihato maṇigrīvo vanaṃ gataḥ | bhrātā mameti tacchrutvā karṇe karṇe'japan janāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He said, “Kṛṣṇa probably killed my brother, who went to the forest wearing the jewel on his neck.” The general populace heard this accusation and began whispering it in one another’s ears.
भगवांस्तदुपश्रुत्य दुर्यशो लिप्तमात्मनि । मार्ष्टुं प्रसेनपदवीमन्वपद्यत नागरैः
bhagavāṃstadupaśrutya duryaśo liptamātmani | mārṣṭuṃ prasenapadavīmanvapadyata nāgaraiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Kṛṣṇa heard this rumor, He wanted to remove the stain on His reputation. So He took some of Dvārakā’s citizens with Him and set out to retrace Prasena’s path.
हतं प्रसेनमश्वं च वीक्ष्य केसरिणा वने । तं चाद्रिपृष्ठे निहतं ऋक्षेण ददृशुर्जनाः
hataṃ prasenamaśvaṃ ca vīkṣya kesariṇā vane | taṃ cādripṛṣṭhe nihataṃ ṛkṣeṇa dadṛśurjanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the forest they found Prasena and his horse, both killed by the lion. Further on they found the lion dead on a mountainside, slain by Ṛkṣa [Jāmbavān].
ऋक्षराजबिलं भीममन्धेन तमसाऽऽवृतम् । एको विवेश भगवानवस्थाप्य बहिः प्रजाः
ṛkṣarājabilaṃ bhīmamandhena tamasā''vṛtam | eko viveśa bhagavānavasthāpya bahiḥ prajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord stationed His subjects outside the terrifying, pitch-dark cave of the king of the bears, and then He entered alone.
तत्र दृष्ट्वा मणिप्रेष्ठं बालक्रीडनकं कृतम् । हर्तुं कृतमतिस्तस्मिन्नवतस्थेऽर्भकान्तिके
tatra dṛṣṭvā maṇipreṣṭhaṃ bālakrīḍanakaṃ kṛtam | hartuṃ kṛtamatistasminnavatasthe'rbhakāntike
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There Lord Kṛṣṇa saw that the most precious of jewels had been made into a child’s plaything. Determined to take it away, He approached the child.
तमपूर्वं नरं दृष्ट्वा धात्री चुक्रोश भीतवत् । तच्छ्रुत्वाभ्यद्रवत्क्रुद्धो जाम्बवान् बलिनां वरः
tamapūrvaṃ naraṃ dṛṣṭvā dhātrī cukrośa bhītavat | tacchrutvābhyadravatkruddho jāmbavān balināṃ varaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The child’s nurse cried out in fear upon seeing that extraordinary person standing before them. Jāmbavān, strongest of the strong, heard her cries and angrily ran toward the Lord.
स वै भगवता तेन युयुधे स्वामिनाऽऽत्मनः । पुरुषं प्राकृतं मत्वा कुपितो नानुभाववित्
sa vai bhagavatā tena yuyudhe svāminā''tmanaḥ | puruṣaṃ prākṛtaṃ matvā kupito nānubhāvavit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Unaware of His true position and thinking Him an ordinary man, Jāmbavān angrily began fighting with the Supreme Lord, his master.
द्वन्द्वयुद्धं सुतुमुलमुभयोर्विजिगीषतोः । आयुधाश्मद्रुमैर्दोर्भिः क्रव्यार्थे श्येनयोरिव
dvandvayuddhaṃ sutumulamubhayorvijigīṣatoḥ | āyudhāśmadrumairdorbhiḥ kravyārthe śyenayoriva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The two fought furiously in single combat, each determined to win. Contending against each other with various weapons and then with stones, tree trunks and finally their bare arms, they struggled like two hawks battling over a piece of flesh.
आसीत्तदष्टाविंशाहमितरेतरमुष्टिभिः । वज्रनिष्पेषपरुषैरविश्रममहर्निशम्
āsīttadaṣṭāviṃśāhamitaretaramuṣṭibhiḥ | vajraniṣpeṣaparuṣairaviśramamaharniśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The fight went on without rest for twenty-eight days, the two opponents striking each other with their fists, which fell like the cracking blows of lightning.
कृष्णमुष्टिविनिष्पातनिष्पिष्टाङ्गोरुबन्धनः । क्षीणसत्त्वः स्विन्नगात्रस्तमाहातीव विस्मितः
kṛṣṇamuṣṭiviniṣpātaniṣpiṣṭāṅgorubandhanaḥ | kṣīṇasattvaḥ svinnagātrastamāhātīva vismitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His bulging muscles pummeled by the blows of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s fists, his strength faltering and his limbs perspiring, Jāmbavān, greatly astonished, finally spoke to the Lord.
जाने त्वां सर्वभूतानां प्राण ओजः सहो बलम् । विष्णुं पुराणपुरुषं प्रभविष्णुमधीश्वरम्
jāne tvāṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ prāṇa ojaḥ saho balam | viṣṇuṃ purāṇapuruṣaṃ prabhaviṣṇumadhīśvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Jāmbavān said:] I know now that You are the life air and the sensory, mental and bodily strength of all living beings. You are Lord Viṣṇu, the original person, the supreme, all-powerful controller.
त्वं हि विश्वसृजां स्रष्टा सृज्यानामपि यच्च सत् । कालः कलयतामीशः पर आत्मा तथाऽऽत्मनाम्
tvaṃ hi viśvasṛjāṃ sraṣṭā sṛjyānāmapi yacca sat | kālaḥ kalayatāmīśaḥ para ātmā tathā''tmanām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the ultimate creator of all creators of the universe, and of everything created You are the underlying substance. You are the subduer of all subduers, the Supreme Lord and Supreme Soul of all souls.
यस्येषदुत्कलितरोषकटाक्षमोक्षै- र्वर्त्मादिशत्क्षुभितनक्रतिमिङ्गिलोऽब्धिः । सेतुः कृतः स्वयश उज्ज्वलिता च लङ्का रक्षः शिरांसि भुवि पेतुरिषुक्षतानि
yasyeṣadutkalitaroṣakaṭākṣamokṣai- rvartmādiśatkṣubhitanakratimiṅgilo'bdhiḥ | setuḥ kṛtaḥ svayaśa ujjvalitā ca laṅkā rakṣaḥ śirāṃsi bhuvi peturiṣukṣatāni
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are He who impelled the ocean to give way when His sidelong glances, slightly manifesting His anger, disturbed the crocodiles and timiṅgila fish within the watery depths. You are He who built a great bridge to establish His fame, who burned down the city of Laṅkā, and whose arrows severed the heads of Rāvaṇa, which then fell to the ground.
मणिहेतोरिह प्राप्ता वयमृक्षपते बिलम् । मिथ्याभिशापं प्रमृजन्नात्मनो मणिनामुना
maṇihetoriha prāptā vayamṛkṣapate bilam | mithyābhiśāpaṃ pramṛjannātmano maṇināmunā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] It is for this jewel, O lord of the bears, that we have come to your cave. I intend to use the jewel to disprove the false accusations against Me.
इत्युक्तः स्वां दुहितरं कन्यां जाम्बवतीं मुदा । अर्हणार्थं स मणिना कृष्णायोपजहार ह
ityuktaḥ svāṃ duhitaraṃ kanyāṃ jāmbavatīṃ mudā | arhaṇārthaṃ sa maṇinā kṛṣṇāyopajahāra ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus addressed, Jāmbavān happily honored Lord Kṛṣṇa by offering Him his maiden daughter, Jāmbavatī, together with the jewel.
अदृष्ट्वा निर्गमं शौरेः प्रविष्टस्य बिलं जनाः । प्रतीक्ष्य द्वादशाहानि दुःखिताः स्वपुरं ययुः
adṛṣṭvā nirgamaṃ śaureḥ praviṣṭasya bilaṃ janāḥ | pratīkṣya dvādaśāhāni duḥkhitāḥ svapuraṃ yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Lord Śauri had entered the cave, the people of Dvārakā who had accompanied Him had waited twelve days without seeing Him come out again. Finally they had given up and returned to their city in great sorrow.
निशम्य देवकी देवी रुक्मिण्यानकदुन्दुभिः । सुहृदो ज्ञातयोऽशोचन् बिलात्कृष्णमनिर्गतम्
niśamya devakī devī rukmiṇyānakadundubhiḥ | suhṛdo jñātayo'śocan bilātkṛṣṇamanirgatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Devakī, Rukmiṇī-devī, Vasudeva and the Lord’s other relatives and friends heard that He had not come out of the cave, they all lamented.
सत्राजितं शपन्तस्ते दुःखिता द्वारकौकसः । उपतस्थुर्महामायां दुर्गां कृष्णोपलब्धये
satrājitaṃ śapantaste duḥkhitā dvārakaukasaḥ | upatasthurmahāmāyāṃ durgāṃ kṛṣṇopalabdhaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Cursing Satrājit, the sorrowful residents of Dvārakā approached the Durgā deity named Candrabhāgā and prayed to her for Kṛṣṇa’s return.
तेषां तु देव्युपस्थानात्प्रत्यादिष्टाशिषा स च । प्रादुर्बभूव सिद्धार्थः सदारो हर्षयन् हरिः
teṣāṃ tu devyupasthānātpratyādiṣṭāśiṣā sa ca | prādurbabhūva siddhārthaḥ sadāro harṣayan hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the citizens had finished worshiping the demigoddess, she spoke to them in response, promising to grant their request. Just then Lord Kṛṣṇa, who had achieved His purpose, appeared before them in the company of His new wife, filling them with joy.
उपलभ्य हृषीकेशं मृतं पुनरिवागतम् । सह पत्न्या मणिग्रीवं सर्वे जातमहोत्सवाः
upalabhya hṛṣīkeśaṃ mṛtaṃ punarivāgatam | saha patnyā maṇigrīvaṃ sarve jātamahotsavāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing Lord Hṛṣīkeśa return as if from death, accompanied by His new wife and wearing the Syamantaka jewel on His neck, all the people were roused to jubilation.
सत्राजितं समाहूय सभायां राजसन्निधौ । प्राप्तिं चाख्याय भगवान् मणिं तस्मै न्यवेदयत्
satrājitaṃ samāhūya sabhāyāṃ rājasannidhau | prāptiṃ cākhyāya bhagavān maṇiṃ tasmai nyavedayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa summoned Satrājit to the royal assembly. There, in the presence of King Ugrasena, Kṛṣṇa announced the recovery of the jewel and then formally presented it to Satrājit.
स चातिव्रीडितो रत्नं गृहीत्वावाङ्मुखस्ततः । अनुतप्यमानो भवनमगमत्स्वेन पाप्मना
sa cātivrīḍito ratnaṃ gṛhītvāvāṅmukhastataḥ | anutapyamāno bhavanamagamatsvena pāpmanā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hanging his head in great shame, Satrājit took the gem and returned home, all the while feeling remorse for his sinful behavior.
एवं व्यवसितो बुद्ध्या सत्राजित्स्वसुतां शुभाम् । मणिं च स्वयमुद्यम्य कृष्णायोपजहार ह
evaṃ vyavasito buddhyā satrājitsvasutāṃ śubhām | maṇiṃ ca svayamudyamya kṛṣṇāyopajahāra ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus intelligently made up his mind, King Satrājit personally arranged to present Lord Kṛṣṇa with his fair daughter and the Syamantaka jewel.
तां सत्यभामां भगवानुपयेमे यथाविधि । बहुभिर्याचितां शीलरूपौदार्यगुणान्विताम्
tāṃ satyabhāmāṃ bhagavānupayeme yathāvidhi | bahubhiryācitāṃ śīlarūpaudāryaguṇānvitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord married Satyabhāmā in proper religious fashion. Possessed of excellent behavior, along with beauty, broad-mindedness and all other good qualities, she had been sought by many men.
भगवानाह न मणिं प्रतीच्छामो वयं नृप । तवास्तां देवभक्तस्य वयं च फलभागिनः
bhagavānāha na maṇiṃ pratīcchāmo vayaṃ nṛpa | tavāstāṃ devabhaktasya vayaṃ ca phalabhāginaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead told Satrājit: We do not care to take this jewel back, O King. You are the sun-god’s devotee, so let it stay in your possession. Thus We will also enjoy its benefits.
श्रीशुक उवाच । विज्ञातार्थोऽपि गोविन्दो दग्धानाकर्ण्य पाण्डवान् । कुन्तीं च कुल्यकरणे सह रामो ययौ कुरून्
śrīśuka uvāca | vijñātārtho'pi govindo dagdhānākarṇya pāṇḍavān | kuntīṃ ca kulyakaraṇe saha rāmo yayau kurūn
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: Although Lord Govinda was fully aware of what had actually occurred, when He heard reports that the Pāṇḍavas and Queen Kuntī had burned to death, He went with Lord Balarāma to the kingdom of the Kurus to fulfill the family obligations expected of Him.
भीष्मं कृपं सविदुरं गान्धारीं द्रोणमेव च । तुल्यदुःखौ च सङ्गम्य हा कष्टमिति होचतुः
bhīṣmaṃ kṛpaṃ saviduraṃ gāndhārīṃ droṇameva ca | tulyaduḥkhau ca saṅgamya hā kaṣṭamiti hocatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The two Lords met with Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, Vidura, Gāndhārī and Droṇa. Showing sorrow equal to theirs, They cried out, “Alas, how painful this is!”
लब्ध्वैतदन्तरं राजन् शतधन्वानमूचतुः । अक्रूरकृतवर्माणौ मणिः कस्मान्न गृह्यते
labdhvaitadantaraṃ rājan śatadhanvānamūcatuḥ | akrūrakṛtavarmāṇau maṇiḥ kasmānna gṛhyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Taking advantage of this opportunity, O King, Akrūra and Kṛtavarmā went to Śatadhanvā and said, “Why not take the Syamantaka jewel?
योऽस्मभ्यं सम्प्रतिश्रुत्य कन्यारत्नं विगर्ह्य नः । कृष्णायादान्न सत्राजित्कस्माद्भ्रातरमन्वियात्
yo'smabhyaṃ sampratiśrutya kanyāratnaṃ vigarhya naḥ | kṛṣṇāyādānna satrājitkasmādbhrātaramanviyāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Satrājit promised his jewellike daughter to us but then gave her to Kṛṣṇa instead, contemptuously neglecting us. So why should Satrājit not follow his brother’s path?”
एवं भिन्नमतिस्ताभ्यां सत्राजितमसत्तमः । शयानमवधील्लोभात्स पापः क्षीणजीवितः
evaṃ bhinnamatistābhyāṃ satrājitamasattamaḥ | śayānamavadhīllobhātsa pāpaḥ kṣīṇajīvitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His mind thus influenced by their advice, wicked Śatadhanvā murdered Satrājit in his sleep simply out of greed. In this way the sinful Śatadhanvā shortened his own life span.
स्त्रीणां विक्रोशमानानां क्रन्दन्तीनामनाथवत् । हत्वा पशून् सौनिकवन्मणिमादाय जग्मिवान्
strīṇāṃ vikrośamānānāṃ krandantīnāmanāthavat | hatvā paśūn saunikavanmaṇimādāya jagmivān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the women of Satrājit’s palace screamed and helplessly wept, Śatadhanvā took the jewel and left, like a butcher after he has killed some animals.
सत्यभामा च पितरं हतं वीक्ष्य शुचार्पिता । व्यलपत्तात तातेति हा हतास्मीति मुह्यती
satyabhāmā ca pitaraṃ hataṃ vīkṣya śucārpitā | vyalapattāta tāteti hā hatāsmīti muhyatī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Satyabhāmā saw her dead father, she was plunged into grief. Lamenting “My father, my father! Oh, I am killed!” she fell unconscious.
तैलद्रोण्यां मृतं प्रास्य जगाम गजसाह्वयम् । कृष्णाय विदितार्थाय तप्ताऽऽचख्यौ पितुर्वधम्
tailadroṇyāṃ mṛtaṃ prāsya jagāma gajasāhvayam | kṛṣṇāya viditārthāya taptā''cakhyau piturvadham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Queen Satyabhāmā put her father’s corpse in a large vat of oil and went to Hastināpura, where she sorrowfully told Lord Kṛṣṇa, who was already aware of the situation, about her father’s murder.
तदाकर्ण्येश्वरौ राजन्ननुसृत्य नृलोकताम् । अहो नः परमं कष्टमित्यस्राक्षौ विलेपतुः
tadākarṇyeśvarau rājannanusṛtya nṛlokatām | aho naḥ paramaṃ kaṣṭamityasrākṣau vilepatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma heard this news, O King, They exclaimed, “Alas! This is the greatest tragedy for Us!” Thus imitating the ways of human society, They lamented, Their eyes brimming with tears.
आगत्य भगवांस्तस्मात्सभार्यः साग्रजः पुरम् । शतधन्वानमारेभे हन्तुं हर्तुं मणिं ततः
āgatya bhagavāṃstasmātsabhāryaḥ sāgrajaḥ puram | śatadhanvānamārebhe hantuṃ hartuṃ maṇiṃ tataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord returned to His capital with His wife and elder brother. After arriving in Dvārakā, He readied Himself to kill Śatadhanvā and retrieve the jewel from him.
सोऽपि कृष्णोद्यमं ज्ञात्वा भीतः प्राणपरीप्सया । साहाय्ये कृतवर्माणमयाचत स चाब्रवीत्
so'pi kṛṣṇodyamaṃ jñātvā bhītaḥ prāṇaparīpsayā | sāhāyye kṛtavarmāṇamayācata sa cābravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon learning that Lord Kṛṣṇa was preparing to kill him, Śatadhanvā was struck with fear. To save his life he approached Kṛtavarmā and begged him for help, but Kṛtavarmā replied as follows.
प्रत्याख्यातः स चाक्रूरं पार्ष्णिग्राहमयाचत । सोऽप्याह को विरुध्येत विद्वानीश्वरयोर्बलम्
pratyākhyātaḥ sa cākrūraṃ pārṣṇigrāhamayācata | so'pyāha ko virudhyeta vidvānīśvarayorbalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His appeal refused, Śatadhanvā went to Akrūra and begged him for protection. But Akrūra similarly told him, “Who would oppose the two Personalities of Godhead if he knew Their strength?
य इदं लीलया विश्वं सृजत्यवति हन्ति च । चेष्टां विश्वसृजो यस्य न विदुर्मोहिताजया
ya idaṃ līlayā viśvaṃ sṛjatyavati hanti ca | ceṣṭāṃ viśvasṛjo yasya na vidurmohitājayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“It is the Supreme Lord who creates, maintains and destroys this universe simply as His pastime. The cosmic creators cannot even understand His purpose, bewildered as they are by His illusory Māyā.
यः सप्तहायनः शैलमुत्पाट्यैकेन पाणिना । दधार लीलया बाल उच्छिलीन्ध्रमिवार्भकः
yaḥ saptahāyanaḥ śailamutpāṭyaikena pāṇinā | dadhāra līlayā bāla ucchilīndhramivārbhakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“As a child of seven, Kṛṣṇa uprooted an entire mountain and held it aloft as easily as a young boy picks up a mushroom.
नमस्तस्मै भगवते कृष्णायाद्भुतकर्मणे । अनन्तायादिभूताय कूटस्थायात्मने नमः
namastasmai bhagavate kṛṣṇāyādbhutakarmaṇe | anantāyādibhūtāya kūṭasthāyātmane namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“I offer my obeisances to that Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, whose every deed is amazing. He is the Supreme Soul, the unlimited source and fixed center of all existence.”
प्रत्याख्यातः स तेनापि शतधन्वा महामणिम् । तस्मिन् न्यस्याश्वमारुह्य शतयोजनगं ययौ
pratyākhyātaḥ sa tenāpi śatadhanvā mahāmaṇim | tasmin nyasyāśvamāruhya śatayojanagaṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His appeal thus rejected by Akrūra also, Śatadhanvā placed the precious jewel in Akrūra’s care and fled on a horse that could travel one hundred yojanas [eight hundred miles].
गरुडध्वजमारुह्य रथं रामजनार्दनौ । अन्वयातां महावेगैरश्वै राजन् गुरुद्रुहम्
garuḍadhvajamāruhya rathaṃ rāmajanārdanau | anvayātāṃ mahāvegairaśvai rājan gurudruham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma mounted Kṛṣṇa’s chariot, which flew the flag of Garuḍa and was yoked with tremendously swift horses, and pursued Their elder’s murderer.
मिथिलायामुपवने विसृज्य पतितं हयम् । पद्भ्यामधावत्सन्त्रस्तः कृष्णोऽप्यन्वद्रवद्रुषा
mithilāyāmupavane visṛjya patitaṃ hayam | padbhyāmadhāvatsantrastaḥ kṛṣṇo'pyanvadravadruṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In a garden on the outskirts of Mithilā, the horse Śatadhanvā was riding collapsed. Terrified, he abandoned the horse and began to flee on foot, with Kṛṣṇa in angry pursuit.
पदातेर्भगवांस्तस्य पदातिस्तिग्मनेमिना । चक्रेण शिर उत्कृत्य वाससोर्व्यचिनोन्मणिम्
padāterbhagavāṃstasya padātistigmaneminā | cakreṇa śira utkṛtya vāsasorvyacinonmaṇim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Śatadhanvā fled on foot, the Supreme Lord, also going on foot, cut off his head with His sharp-edged disc. The Lord then searched Śatadhanvā’s upper and lower garments for the Syamantaka jewel.
अलब्धमणिरागत्य कृष्ण आहाग्रजान्तिकम् । वृथा हतः शतधनुर्मणिस्तत्र न विद्यते
alabdhamaṇirāgatya kṛṣṇa āhāgrajāntikam | vṛthā hataḥ śatadhanurmaṇistatra na vidyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Not finding the jewel, Lord Kṛṣṇa went to His elder brother and said, “We have killed Śatadhanvā uselessly. The jewel isn’t here.”
तत आह बलो नूनं स मणिः शतधन्वना । कस्मिंश्चित्पुरुषे न्यस्तस्तमन्वेष पुरं व्रज
tata āha balo nūnaṃ sa maṇiḥ śatadhanvanā | kasmiṃścitpuruṣe nyastastamanveṣa puraṃ vraja
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To this Lord Balarāma replied, “Indeed, Śatadhanvā must have placed the jewel in the care of someone. You should return to Our city and find that person.
अहं विदेहमिच्छामि द्रष्टुं प्रियतमं मम । इत्युक्त्वा मिथिलां राजन् विवेश यदुनन्दनः
ahaṃ videhamicchāmi draṣṭuṃ priyatamaṃ mama | ityuktvā mithilāṃ rājan viveśa yadunandanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“I wish to visit King Videha, who is most dear to Me.” O King, having said this, Lord Balarāma, the beloved descendant of Yadu, entered the city of Mithilā.
तं दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय मैथिलः प्रीतमानसः । अर्हयामास विधिवदर्हणीयं समर्हणैः
taṃ dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya maithilaḥ prītamānasaḥ | arhayāmāsa vidhivadarhaṇīyaṃ samarhaṇaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King of Mithilā immediately rose from his seat when he saw Lord Balarāma approaching. With great love the King honored the supremely worshipable Lord by offering Him elaborate worship, as stipulated by scriptural injunctions.
उवास तस्यां कतिचिन्मिथिलायां समा विभुः । मानितः प्रीतियुक्तेन जनकेन महात्मना । ततोऽशिक्षद्गदां काले धार्तराष्ट्रः सुयोधनः
uvāsa tasyāṃ katicinmithilāyāṃ samā vibhuḥ | mānitaḥ prītiyuktena janakena mahātmanā | tato'śikṣadgadāṃ kāle dhārtarāṣṭraḥ suyodhanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The almighty Lord Balarāma stayed in Mithilā for several years, honored by His affectionate devotee Janaka Mahārāja. During that time Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son Duryodhana learned from Balarāma the art of fighting with a club.
केशवो द्वारकामेत्य निधनं शतधन्वनः । अप्राप्तिं च मणेः प्राह प्रियायाः प्रियकृद्विभुः
keśavo dvārakāmetya nidhanaṃ śatadhanvanaḥ | aprāptiṃ ca maṇeḥ prāha priyāyāḥ priyakṛdvibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Keśava arrived in Dvārakā and described the demise of Śatadhanvā and His own failure to find the Syamantaka jewel. He spoke in a way that would please His beloved, Satyabhāmā.
ततः स कारयामास क्रिया बन्धोर्हतस्य वै । साकं सुहृद्भिर्भगवान् या याः स्युः साम्परायिकाः
tataḥ sa kārayāmāsa kriyā bandhorhatasya vai | sākaṃ suhṛdbhirbhagavān yā yāḥ syuḥ sāmparāyikāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa then had the various funeral rites performed for His deceased relative, Satrājit. The Lord attended the funeral along with well-wishers of the family.
अक्रूरः कृतवर्मा च श्रुत्वा शतधनोर्वधम् । व्यूषतुर्भयवित्रस्तौ द्वारकायाः प्रयोजकौ
akrūraḥ kṛtavarmā ca śrutvā śatadhanorvadham | vyūṣaturbhayavitrastau dvārakāyāḥ prayojakau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Akrūra and Kṛtavarmā, who had originally incited Śatadhanvā to commit his crime, heard that he had been killed, they fled Dvārakā in terror and took up residence elsewhere.
अक्रूरे प्रोषितेऽरिष्टान्यासन् वै द्वारकौकसाम् । शारीरा मानसास्तापा मुहुर्दैविकभौतिकाः
akrūre proṣite'riṣṭānyāsan vai dvārakaukasām | śārīrā mānasāstāpā muhurdaivikabhautikāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In Akrūra’s absence ill omens arose in Dvārakā, and the citizens began to suffer continually from physical and mental distresses, as well as from disturbances caused by higher powers and by creatures of the earth.
इत्यङ्गोपदिशन्त्येके विस्मृत्य प्रागुदाहृतम् । मुनिवासनिवासे किं घटेतारिष्टदर्शनम्
ityaṅgopadiśantyeke vismṛtya prāgudāhṛtam | munivāsanivāse kiṃ ghaṭetāriṣṭadarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some men proposed [that the troubles were due to Akrūra’s absence], but they had forgotten the glories of the Supreme Lord, which they themselves had so often described. Indeed, how can calamities occur in a place where the Personality of Godhead, the residence of all the sages, resides?
देवेऽवर्षति काशीशः श्वफल्कायागताय वै । स्वसुतां गान्दिनीं प्रादात्ततोऽवर्षत्स्म काशिषु
deve'varṣati kāśīśaḥ śvaphalkāyāgatāya vai | svasutāṃ gāndinīṃ prādāttato'varṣatsma kāśiṣu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The elders said:] Previously, when Lord Indra had withheld rain from Kāsī [Benares], the king of that city gave his daughter Gāndinī to Śvaphalka, who was then visiting him. It soon rained in the kingdom of Kāśī.
तत्सुतस्तत्प्रभावोऽसावक्रूरो यत्र यत्र ह । देवोऽभिवर्षते तत्र नोपतापा न मारिकाः
tatsutastatprabhāvo'sāvakrūro yatra yatra ha | devo'bhivarṣate tatra nopatāpā na mārikāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Wherever his equally powerful son Akrūra stays, Lord Indra will provide sufficient rain. Indeed, that place will be free of miseries and untimely deaths.
इति वृद्धवचः श्रुत्वा नैतावदिह कारणम् । इति मत्वा समानाय्य प्राहाक्रूरं जनार्दनः
iti vṛddhavacaḥ śrutvā naitāvadiha kāraṇam | iti matvā samānāyya prāhākrūraṃ janārdanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing these words from the elders, Lord Janārdana, though aware that the absence of Akrūra was not the only cause of the evil omens, had him summoned back to Dvārakā and spoke to him.
सत्राजितोऽनपत्यत्वाद्गृह्णीयुर्दुहितुः सुताः । दायं निनीयापः पिण्डान् विमुच्यर्णं च शेषितम्
satrājito'napatyatvādgṛhṇīyurduhituḥ sutāḥ | dāyaṃ ninīyāpaḥ piṇḍān vimucyarṇaṃ ca śeṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Since Satrājit had no sons, his daughter’s sons should receive his inheritance. They should pay for memorial offerings of water and piṇḍa, clear their grandfather’s outstanding debts and keep the remainder of the inheritance for themselves.
एवं सामभिरालब्धः श्वफल्कतनयो मणिम् । आदाय वाससाच्छन्नं ददौ सूर्यसमप्रभम्
evaṃ sāmabhirālabdhaḥ śvaphalkatanayo maṇim | ādāya vāsasācchannaṃ dadau sūryasamaprabham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus shamed by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s conciliatory words, the son of Śvaphalka brought out the jewel from where he had concealed it in his clothing and gave it to the Lord. The brilliant gem shone like the sun.
स्यमन्तकं दर्शयित्वा ज्ञातिभ्यो रज आत्मनः । विमृज्य मणिना भूयस्तस्मै प्रत्यर्पयत्प्रभुः
syamantakaṃ darśayitvā jñātibhyo raja ātmanaḥ | vimṛjya maṇinā bhūyastasmai pratyarpayatprabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the almighty Lord had shown the Syamantaka jewel to His relatives, thus dispelling the false accusations against Him, He returned it to Akrūra.
यस्त्वेतद्भगवत ईश्वरस्य विष्णो- र्वीर्याढ्यं वृजिनहरं सुमङ्गलं च । आख्यानं पठति शृणोत्यनुस्मरेद्वा दुष्कीर्तिं दुरितमपोह्य याति शान्तिम्
yastvetadbhagavata īśvarasya viṣṇo- rvīryāḍhyaṃ vṛjinaharaṃ sumaṅgalaṃ ca | ākhyānaṃ paṭhati śṛṇotyanusmaredvā duṣkīrtiṃ duritamapohya yāti śāntim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This narration, rich with descriptions of the prowess of Lord Śrī Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, removes sinful reactions and bestows all auspiciousness. Anyone who recites, hears or remembers it will drive away his own infamy and sins and attain peace.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एकदा पाण्डवान् द्रष्टुं प्रतीतान् पुरुषोत्तमः । इन्द्रप्रस्थं गतः श्रीमान् युयुधानादिभिर्वृतः
śrīśuka uvāca | ekadā pāṇḍavān draṣṭuṃ pratītān puruṣottamaḥ | indraprasthaṃ gataḥ śrīmān yuyudhānādibhirvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Once, the supremely opulent Personality of Godhead went to Indraprastha to visit the Pāṇḍavas, who had again appeared in public. Accompanying the Lord were Yuyudhāna and other associates.
दृष्ट्वा तमागतं पार्था मुकुन्दमखिलेश्वरम् । उत्तस्थुर्युगपद्वीराः प्राणा मुख्यमिवागतम्
dṛṣṭvā tamāgataṃ pārthā mukundamakhileśvaram | uttasthuryugapadvīrāḥ prāṇā mukhyamivāgatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Pāṇḍavas saw that Lord Mukunda had arrived, those heroic sons of Pṛthā all stood up at once, like the senses responding to the return of the life air.
परिष्वज्याच्युतं वीरा अङ्गसङ्गहतैनसः । सानुरागस्मितं वक्त्रं वीक्ष्य तस्य मुदं ययुः
pariṣvajyācyutaṃ vīrā aṅgasaṅgahatainasaḥ | sānurāgasmitaṃ vaktraṃ vīkṣya tasya mudaṃ yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The heroes embraced Lord Acyuta, and the touch of His body freed them of sin. Looking at His affectionate, smiling face, they were overwhelmed with joy.
युधिष्ठिरस्य भीमस्य कृत्वा पादाभिवन्दनम् । फाल्गुनं परिरभ्याथ यमाभ्यां चाभिवन्दितः
yudhiṣṭhirasya bhīmasya kṛtvā pādābhivandanam | phālgunaṃ parirabhyātha yamābhyāṃ cābhivanditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the Lord bowed down at the feet of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīma and firmly embraced Arjuna, He accepted obeisances from the twin brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva.
परमासन आसीनं कृष्णा कृष्णमनिन्दिता । नवोढा व्रीडिता किञ्चिच्छनैरेत्याभ्यवन्दत
paramāsana āsīnaṃ kṛṣṇā kṛṣṇamaninditā | navoḍhā vrīḍitā kiñcicchanairetyābhyavandata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Faultless Draupadī, the Pāṇḍavas’ newly married wife, slowly and somewhat timidly approached Lord Kṛṣṇa, who sat on an exalted seat, and offered Him her obeisances.
तथैव सात्यकिः पार्थैः पूजितश्चाभिवन्दितः । निषसादासनेऽन्ये च पूजिताः पर्युपासत
tathaiva sātyakiḥ pārthaiḥ pūjitaścābhivanditaḥ | niṣasādāsane'nye ca pūjitāḥ paryupāsata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sātyaki also accepted a seat of honor after receiving worship and welcome from the Pāṇḍavas, and the Lord’s other companions, being duly honored, sat down in various places.
पृथां समागत्य कृताभिवादन- स्तयातिहार्दार्द्रदृशाभिरम्भितः । आपृष्टवांस्तां कुशलं सहस्नुषां पितृष्वसारं परिपृष्टबान्धवः
pṛthāṃ samāgatya kṛtābhivādana- stayātihārdārdradṛśābhirambhitaḥ | āpṛṣṭavāṃstāṃ kuśalaṃ sahasnuṣāṃ pitṛṣvasāraṃ paripṛṣṭabāndhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord then went to see His aunt, Queen Kuntī. He bowed down to her and she embraced Him, her eyes moist with great affection. Lord Kṛṣṇa inquired from her and her daughter-in-law, Draupadī, about their welfare, and they in turn questioned Him at length about His relatives [in Dvārakā].
तमाह प्रेमवैक्लव्यरुद्धकण्ठाश्रुलोचना । स्मरन्ती तान् बहून् क्लेशान् क्लेशापायात्मदर्शनम्
tamāha premavaiklavyaruddhakaṇṭhāśrulocanā | smarantī tān bahūn kleśān kleśāpāyātmadarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
So overcome by love that her throat choked up and her eyes filled with tears, Queen Kuntī remembered the many troubles she and her sons had endured. Thus she addressed Lord Kṛṣṇa, who appears before His devotees to drive away their distress
तदैव कुशलं नोऽभूत्सनाथास्ते कृता वयम् । ज्ञातीन् नः स्मरता कृष्ण भ्राता मे प्रेषितस्त्वया
tadaiva kuśalaṃ no'bhūtsanāthāste kṛtā vayam | jñātīn naḥ smaratā kṛṣṇa bhrātā me preṣitastvayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Queen Kuntī said:] My dear Kṛṣṇa, our welfare was assured only when You remembered us, Your relatives, and gave us Your protection by sending my brother to visit us.
न तेऽस्ति स्वपरभ्रान्तिर्विश्वस्य सुहृदात्मनः । तथापि स्मरतां शश्वत्क्लेशान् हंसि हृदि स्थितः
na te'sti svaparabhrāntirviśvasya suhṛdātmanaḥ | tathāpi smaratāṃ śaśvatkleśān haṃsi hṛdi sthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For You, the well-wishing friend and Supreme Soul of the universe, there is never any illusion of “us” and “them.” Yet even so, residing within the hearts of all, You eradicate the sufferings of those who remember You constantly.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच । किं न आचरितं श्रेयो न वेदाहमधीश्वर । योगेश्वराणां दुर्दर्शो यन्नो दृष्टः कुमेधसाम्
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | kiṃ na ācaritaṃ śreyo na vedāhamadhīśvara | yogeśvarāṇāṃ durdarśo yanno dṛṣṭaḥ kumedhasām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Yudhiṣṭhira said: O supreme controller, I do not know what pious deeds we fools have done so that we can see You, whom the masters of yogic perfection rarely see.
इति वै वार्षिकान् मासान् राज्ञा सोऽभ्यर्थितः सुखम् । जनयन् नयनानन्दमिन्द्रप्रस्थौकसां विभुः
iti vai vārṣikān māsān rājñā so'bhyarthitaḥ sukham | janayan nayanānandamindraprasthaukasāṃ vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Requested by the King to stay with them, the almighty Lord remained happily in Indraprastha during the months of the rainy season, giving joy to the eyes of the city’s residents.
तत्राविध्यच्छरैर्व्याघ्रान् सूकरान् महिषान् रुरून् । शरभान् गवयान् खड्गान् हरिणान् शशशल्लकान्
tatrāvidhyaccharairvyāghrān sūkarān mahiṣān rurūn | śarabhān gavayān khaḍgān hariṇān śaśaśallakān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With his arrows Arjuna shot tigers, boars and buffalo in that forest, along with rurus, śarabhas, gavayas, rhinoceroses, black deer, rabbits and porcupines.
तान् निन्युः किङ्करा राज्ञे मेध्यान् पर्वण्युपागते । तृट् परीतः परिश्रान्तो बीभत्सुर्यमुनामगात्
tān ninyuḥ kiṅkarā rājñe medhyān parvaṇyupāgate | tṛṭ parītaḥ pariśrānto bībhatsuryamunāmagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A crew of servants carried to King Yudhiṣṭhira the slain animals fit to be offered in sacrifice on some special occasion. Then, feeling thirsty and tired, Arjuna went to the bank of the Yamunā.
तत्रोपस्पृश्य विशदं पीत्वा वारि महारथौ । कृष्णौ ददृशतुः कन्यां चरन्तीं चारुदर्शनाम्
tatropaspṛśya viśadaṃ pītvā vāri mahārathau | kṛṣṇau dadṛśatuḥ kanyāṃ carantīṃ cārudarśanām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the two Kṛṣṇas bathed there, they drank the river’s clear water. The great warriors then saw an attractive young girl walking nearby.
तामासाद्य वरारोहां सुद्विजां रुचिराननाम् । पप्रच्छ प्रेषितः सख्या फाल्गुनः प्रमदोत्तमाम्
tāmāsādya varārohāṃ sudvijāṃ rucirānanām | papraccha preṣitaḥ sakhyā phālgunaḥ pramadottamām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sent by his friend, Arjuna approached the exceptional young woman, who possessed beautiful hips, fine teeth and a lovely face, and inquired from her as follows.
का त्वं कस्यासि सुश्रोणि कुतोऽसि किं चिकीर्षसि । मन्ये त्वां पतिमिच्छन्तीं सर्वं कथय शोभने
kā tvaṃ kasyāsi suśroṇi kuto'si kiṃ cikīrṣasi | manye tvāṃ patimicchantīṃ sarvaṃ kathaya śobhane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Arjuna said:] Who are you, O fine-waisted lady? Whose daughter are you, and where do you come from? What are you doing here? I think you must be looking for a husband. Please explain everything, O beautiful one.
कालिन्द्युवाच । अहं देवस्य सवितुर्दुहिता पतिमिच्छती । विष्णुं वरेण्यं वरदं तपः परममास्थिता
kālindyuvāca | ahaṃ devasya saviturduhitā patimicchatī | viṣṇuṃ vareṇyaṃ varadaṃ tapaḥ paramamāsthitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Kālindī said: I am the daughter of the sun-god. I desire to get as my husband the most excellent and munificent Lord Viṣṇu, and to that end I am performing severe penances.
नान्यं पतिं वृणे वीर तमृते श्रीनिकेतनम् । तुष्यतां मे स भगवान् मुकुन्दोऽनाथसंश्रयः
nānyaṃ patiṃ vṛṇe vīra tamṛte śrīniketanam | tuṣyatāṃ me sa bhagavān mukundo'nāthasaṃśrayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I will accept no husband other than Him, the abode of the goddess of fortune. May that Mukunda, the Supreme Personality, the shelter of the helpless, be pleased with me.
कालिन्दीति समाख्याता वसामि यमुनाजले । निर्मिते भवने पित्रा यावदच्युतदर्शनम्
kālindīti samākhyātā vasāmi yamunājale | nirmite bhavane pitrā yāvadacyutadarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am known as Kālindī, and I live in a mansion my father built for me within the water of the Yamunā. There I will stay until I meet Lord Acyuta.
तथावदद्गुडाकेशो वासुदेवाय सोऽपि ताम् । रथमारोप्य तद्विद्वान् धर्मराजमुपागमत्
tathāvadadguḍākeśo vāsudevāya so'pi tām | rathamāropya tadvidvān dharmarājamupāgamat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Arjuna repeated all this to Lord Vāsudeva, who was already aware of it. The Lord then took Kālindī onto His chariot and went back to see King Yudhiṣṭhira.
यदैव कृष्णः सन्दिष्टः पार्थानां परमाद्भुतम् । कारयामास नगरं विचित्रं विश्वकर्मणा
yadaiva kṛṣṇaḥ sandiṣṭaḥ pārthānāṃ paramādbhutam | kārayāmāsa nagaraṃ vicitraṃ viśvakarmaṇā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Describing a previous incident, Śukadeva Gosvāmī said:] Upon the request of the Pāṇḍavas, Lord Kṛṣṇa had Viśvakarmā build them a most wonderful and amazing city.
भगवांस्तत्र निवसन् स्वानां प्रियचिकीर्षया । अग्नये खाण्डवं दातुमर्जुनस्यास सारथिः
bhagavāṃstatra nivasan svānāṃ priyacikīrṣayā | agnaye khāṇḍavaṃ dātumarjunasyāsa sārathiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord stayed in that city for some time to please His devotees. On one occasion, Śrī Kṛṣṇa wanted to give the Khāṇḍava forest as a gift to Agni, and so the Lord became Arjuna’s charioteer.
सोऽग्निस्तुष्टो धनुरदाद्धयान् श्वेतान् रथं नृप । अर्जुनायाक्षयौ तूणौ वर्म चाभेद्यमस्त्रिभिः
so'gnistuṣṭo dhanuradāddhayān śvetān rathaṃ nṛpa | arjunāyākṣayau tūṇau varma cābhedyamastribhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Being pleased, O King, Lord Agni presented Arjuna with a bow, a set of white horses, a chariot, a pair of inexhaustible quivers, and armor that no fighter could pierce with weapons.
मयश्च मोचितो वह्नेः सभां सख्य उपाहरत् । यस्मिन् दुर्योधनस्यासीज्जलस्थलदृशिभ्रमः
mayaśca mocito vahneḥ sabhāṃ sakhya upāharat | yasmin duryodhanasyāsījjalasthaladṛśibhramaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the demon Maya was saved from the fire by his friend Arjuna, Maya presented him with an assembly hall, in which Duryodhana would later mistake water for a solid floor.
स तेन समनुज्ञातः सुहृद्भिश्चानुमोदितः । आययौ द्वारकां भूयः सात्यकिप्रमुखैर्वृतः
sa tena samanujñātaḥ suhṛdbhiścānumoditaḥ | āyayau dvārakāṃ bhūyaḥ sātyakipramukhairvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Lord Kṛṣṇa, given leave by Arjuna and other well-wishing relatives and friends, returned to Dvārakā with Sātyaki and the rest of His entourage.
अथोपयेमे कालिन्दीं सुपुण्यर्त्वर्क्ष ऊर्जिते । वितन्वन् परमानन्दं स्वानां परममङ्गलम्
athopayeme kālindīṃ supuṇyartvarkṣa ūrjite | vitanvan paramānandaṃ svānāṃ paramamaṅgalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The supremely auspicious Lord then married Kālindī on a day when the season, the lunar asterism and the configurations of the sun and other heavenly bodies were all propitious. In this way He brought the greatest pleasure to His devotees.
विन्दानुविन्दावावन्त्यौ दुर्योधनवशानुगौ । स्वयंवरे स्वभगिनीं कृष्णे सक्तां न्यषेधताम्
vindānuvindāvāvantyau duryodhanavaśānugau | svayaṃvare svabhaginīṃ kṛṣṇe saktāṃ nyaṣedhatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vindya and Anuvindya, who shared the throne of Avantī, were followers of Duryodhana’s. When the time came for their sister [Mitravindā] to select her husband in the svayaṁvara ceremony, they forbade her to choose Kṛṣṇa, although she was attracted to Him.
राजाधिदेव्यास्तनयां मित्रविन्दां पितृष्वसुः । प्रसह्य हृतवान् कृष्णो राजन् राज्ञां प्रपश्यताम्
rājādhidevyāstanayāṃ mitravindāṃ pitṛṣvasuḥ | prasahya hṛtavān kṛṣṇo rājan rājñāṃ prapaśyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, Lord Kṛṣṇa forcibly took away Princess Mitravindā, the daughter of His aunt Rājādhidevī, before the eyes of the rival kings.
नग्नजिन्नाम कौसल्य आसीद्राजातिधार्मिकः । तस्य सत्याभवत्कन्या देवी नाग्नजिती नृप
nagnajinnāma kausalya āsīdrājātidhārmikaḥ | tasya satyābhavatkanyā devī nāgnajitī nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, Nagnajit, the very pious King of Kośala, had a lovely daughter named Satyā, or Nāgnajitī.
न तां शेकुर्नृपा वोढुमजित्वा सप्त गोवृषान् । तीक्ष्णशृङ्गान् सुदुर्धर्षान् वीरगन्धासहान् खलान्
na tāṃ śekurnṛpā voḍhumajitvā sapta govṛṣān | tīkṣṇaśṛṅgān sudurdharṣān vīragandhāsahān khalān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The kings who came as suitors were not allowed to marry her unless they could subdue seven sharp-horned bulls. These bulls were extremely vicious and uncontrollable, and they could not tolerate even the smell of warriors.
तां श्रुत्वा वृषजिल्लभ्यां भगवान् सात्वतां पतिः । जगाम कौसल्यपुरं सैन्येन महता वृतः
tāṃ śrutvā vṛṣajillabhyāṃ bhagavān sātvatāṃ patiḥ | jagāma kausalyapuraṃ sainyena mahatā vṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the Vaiṣṇavas, heard of the princess who was to be won by the conqueror of the bulls, He went to the capital of Kauśalya with a large army.
स कोसलपतिः प्रीतः प्रत्युत्थानासनादिभिः । अर्हणेनापि गुरुणा पूजयन् प्रतिनन्दितः
sa kosalapatiḥ prītaḥ pratyutthānāsanādibhiḥ | arhaṇenāpi guruṇā pūjayan pratinanditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King of Kośala, pleased to see Lord Kṛṣṇa, worshiped Him by rising from his throne and offering Him a seat of honor and substantial gifts. Lord Kṛṣṇa also greeted the King respectfully.
वरं विलोक्याभिमतं समागतं नरेन्द्रकन्या चकमे रमापतिम् । भूयादयं मे पतिराशिषोऽमलाः करोतु सत्या यदि मे धृतो व्रतैः
varaṃ vilokyābhimataṃ samāgataṃ narendrakanyā cakame ramāpatim | bhūyādayaṃ me patirāśiṣo'malāḥ karotu satyā yadi me dhṛto vrataiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the King’s daughter saw that most agreeable suitor arrive, she immediately desired to have Him, the Lord of Goddess Rāma. She prayed, “May He become my husband. If I have kept my vows, may the sacred fire bring about the fulfillment of my hopes.
यत्पादपङ्कजरजः शिरसा बिभर्ति श्रीरब्जजः सगिरिशः सह लोकपालैः । लीलातनूः स्वकृतसेतुपरीप्सयेशः काले दधत्स भगवान् मम केन तुष्येत्
yatpādapaṅkajarajaḥ śirasā bibharti śrīrabjajaḥ sagiriśaḥ saha lokapālaiḥ | līlātanūḥ svakṛtasetuparīpsayeśaḥ kāle dadhatsa bhagavān mama kena tuṣyet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Goddess Lakṣmī, Lord Brahma, Lord Śiva and the rulers of the various planets place the dust of His lotus feet on their heads, and to protect the codes of religion, which He has created, He assumes pastime incarnations at various times. How may that Supreme Personality of Godhead become pleased with me?”
अर्चितं पुनरित्याह नारायण जगत्पते । आत्मानन्देन पूर्णस्य करवाणि किमल्पकः
arcitaṃ punarityāha nārāyaṇa jagatpate | ātmānandena pūrṇasya karavāṇi kimalpakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Nagnajit first worshiped the Lord properly and then addressed Him: “O Nārāyaṇa, Lord of the universe, You are full in Your own spiritual pleasure. Therefore what can this insignificant person do for You?”
श्रीशुक उवाच । तमाह भगवान् हृष्टः कृतासनपरिग्रहः । मेघगम्भीरया वाचा सस्मितं कुरुनन्दन
śrīśuka uvāca | tamāha bhagavān hṛṣṭaḥ kṛtāsanaparigrahaḥ | meghagambhīrayā vācā sasmitaṃ kurunandana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O beloved descendant of Kuru, the Supreme Lord was pleased, and after accepting a comfortable seat He smiled and addressed the King in a voice as deep as the rumbling of a cloud.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । नरेन्द्र याच्ञा कविभिर्विगर्हिता राजन्यबन्धोर्निजधर्मवर्तिनः । तथापि याचे तव सौहृदेच्छया कन्यां त्वदीयां न हि शुल्कदा वयम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | narendra yācñā kavibhirvigarhitā rājanyabandhornijadharmavartinaḥ | tathāpi yāce tava sauhṛdecchayā kanyāṃ tvadīyāṃ na hi śulkadā vayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: O ruler of men, learned authorities condemn begging for a person in the royal order who is executing his religious duties. Even so, desiring your friendship, I ask you for your daughter, though We offer no gifts in exchange.
राजोवाच । कोऽन्यस्तेऽभ्यधिको नाथ कन्यावर इहेप्सितः । गुणैकधाम्नो यस्याङ्गे श्रीर्वसत्यनपायिनी
rājovāca | ko'nyaste'bhyadhiko nātha kanyāvara ihepsitaḥ | guṇaikadhāmno yasyāṅge śrīrvasatyanapāyinī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King said: My Lord, who could be a better husband for my daughter than You, the exclusive abode of all transcendental qualities? On Your body the goddess of fortune herself resides, never leaving You for any reason.
किन्त्वस्माभिः कृतः पूर्वं समयः सात्वतर्षभ । पुंसां वीर्यपरीक्षार्थं कन्यावरपरीप्सया
kintvasmābhiḥ kṛtaḥ pūrvaṃ samayaḥ sātvatarṣabha | puṃsāṃ vīryaparīkṣārthaṃ kanyāvaraparīpsayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But to ascertain the proper husband for my daughter, O chief of the Sātvatas, we previously set a condition to test the prowess of her suitors.
सप्तैते गोवृषा वीर दुर्दान्ता दुरवग्रहाः । एतैर्भग्नाः सुबहवो भिन्नगात्रा नृपात्मजाः
saptaite govṛṣā vīra durdāntā duravagrahāḥ | etairbhagnāḥ subahavo bhinnagātrā nṛpātmajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These seven wild bulls are impossible to tame, O hero. They have defeated many princes, breaking their limbs.
यदिमे निगृहीताः स्युस्त्वयैव यदुनन्दन । वरो भवानभिमतो दुहितुर्मे श्रियःपते
yadime nigṛhītāḥ syustvayaiva yadunandana | varo bhavānabhimato duhiturme śriyaḥpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If You can subdue them, O descendant of Yadu, You will certainly be the appropriate bridegroom for my daughter, O Lord of Śrī.
एवं समयमाकर्ण्य बद्ध्वा परिकरं प्रभुः । आत्मानं सप्तधा कृत्वा न्यगृह्णाल्लीलयैव तान्
evaṃ samayamākarṇya baddhvā parikaraṃ prabhuḥ | ātmānaṃ saptadhā kṛtvā nyagṛhṇāllīlayaiva tān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon hearing these terms, the Lord tightened His clothing, expanded Himself into seven forms and easily subdued the bulls.
बद्ध्वा तान् दामभिः शौरिर्भग्नदर्पान् हतौजसः । व्यकर्षल्लीलया बद्धान् बालो दारुमयान् यथा
baddhvā tān dāmabhiḥ śaurirbhagnadarpān hataujasaḥ | vyakarṣallīlayā baddhān bālo dārumayān yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śauri tied up the bulls, whose pride and strength were now broken, and pulled them with ropes just as a child playfully pulls wooden toy bulls.
ततः प्रीतः सुतां राजा ददौ कृष्णाय विस्मितः । तां प्रत्यगृह्णाद्भगवान् विधिवत्सदृशीं प्रभुः
tataḥ prītaḥ sutāṃ rājā dadau kṛṣṇāya vismitaḥ | tāṃ pratyagṛhṇādbhagavān vidhivatsadṛśīṃ prabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then King Nagnajit, pleased and astonished, presented his daughter to Lord Kṛṣṇa. The Supreme Personality of Godhead accepted this suitable bride in the proper Vedic fashion.
राजपत्न्यश्च दुहितुः कृष्णं लब्ध्वा प्रियं पतिम् । लेभिरे परमानन्दं जातश्च परमोत्सवः
rājapatnyaśca duhituḥ kṛṣṇaṃ labdhvā priyaṃ patim | lebhire paramānandaṃ jātaśca paramotsavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King’s wives felt the greatest ecstasy upon attaining Lord Kṛṣṇa as the dear husband of the royal princess, and a mood of great festivity arose.
शङ्खभेर्यानका नेदुर्गीतवाद्यद्विजाशिषः । नरा नार्यः प्रमुदिताः सुवासःस्रगलङ्कृताः
śaṅkhabheryānakā nedurgītavādyadvijāśiṣaḥ | narā nāryaḥ pramuditāḥ suvāsaḥsragalaṅkṛtāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Conchshells, horns and drums resounded, along with vocal and instrumental music and the sounds of brāhmaṇas, invoking blessings. The joyful men and women adorned themselves with fine clothing and garlands.
दम्पती रथमारोप्य महत्या सेनया वृतौ । स्नेहप्रक्लिन्नहृदयो यापयामास कोसलः
dampatī rathamāropya mahatyā senayā vṛtau | snehapraklinnahṛdayo yāpayāmāsa kosalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King of Kośala, his heart melting with affection, had the bride and groom seated on their chariot, and then he sent them on their way surrounded by a great army.
श्रुत्वैतद्रुरुधुर्भूपा नयन्तं पथि कन्यकाम् । भग्नवीर्याः सुदुर्मर्षा यदुभिर्गोवृषैः पुरा
śrutvaitadrurudhurbhūpā nayantaṃ pathi kanyakām | bhagnavīryāḥ sudurmarṣā yadubhirgovṛṣaiḥ purā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the intolerant kings who had been rival suitors heard what had happened, they tried to stop Lord Kṛṣṇa on the road as He took His bride home. But just as the bulls had broken the kings’ strength before, the Yadu warriors broke it now.
तानस्यतः शरव्रातान् बन्धुप्रियकृदर्जुनः । गाण्डीवी कालयामास सिंहः क्षुद्रमृगानिव
tānasyataḥ śaravrātān bandhupriyakṛdarjunaḥ | gāṇḍīvī kālayāmāsa siṃhaḥ kṣudramṛgāniva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Arjuna, wielder of the Gāṇḍīva bow, was always eager to please his friend Kṛṣṇa, and thus he drove back those opponents, who were shooting torrents of arrows at the Lord. He did this just as a lion drives away insignificant animals.
पारिबर्हमुपागृह्य द्वारकामेत्य सत्यया । रेमे यदूनामृषभो भगवान् देवकीसुतः
pāribarhamupāgṛhya dvārakāmetya satyayā | reme yadūnāmṛṣabho bhagavān devakīsutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Devakī-suta, the chief of the Yadus, then took His dowry and Satyā to Dvārakā and continued to live there happily.
श्रुतकीर्तेः सुतां भद्रामुपयेमे पितृष्वसुः । कैकेयीं भ्रातृभिर्दत्तां कृष्णः सन्तर्दनादिभिः
śrutakīrteḥ sutāṃ bhadrāmupayeme pitṛṣvasuḥ | kaikeyīṃ bhrātṛbhirdattāṃ kṛṣṇaḥ santardanādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhadrā was a princess of the Kaikeya kingdom and the daughter of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s paternal aunt Śrutakīrti. The Lord married Bhadrā when her brothers, headed by Santardana, offered her to Him.
सुतां च मद्राधिपतेर्लक्ष्मणां लक्षणैर्युताम् । स्वयंवरे जहारैकः स सुपर्णः सुधामिव
sutāṃ ca madrādhipaterlakṣmaṇāṃ lakṣaṇairyutām | svayaṃvare jahāraikaḥ sa suparṇaḥ sudhāmiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the Lord married Lakṣmaṇā, the daughter of the King of Madra. Kṛṣṇa appeared alone at her svayaṁvara ceremony and took her away, just as Garuḍa once stole the demigods’ nectar.
अन्याश्चैवंविधा भार्याः कृष्णस्यासन् सहस्रशः । भौमं हत्वा तन्निरोधादाहृताश्चारुदर्शनाः
anyāścaivaṃvidhā bhāryāḥ kṛṣṇasyāsan sahasraśaḥ | bhaumaṃ hatvā tannirodhādāhṛtāścārudarśanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa also acquired thousands of other wives equal to these when He killed Bhaumāsura and freed the beautiful maidens the demon was holding captive.
राजोवाच । यथा हतो भगवता भौमो येने च ताः स्त्रियः । निरुद्धा एतदाचक्ष्व विक्रमं शार्ङ्गधन्वनः
rājovāca | yathā hato bhagavatā bhaumo yene ca tāḥ striyaḥ | niruddhā etadācakṣva vikramaṃ śārṅgadhanvanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[King Parīkṣit said:] How was Bhaumāsura, who kidnapped so many women, killed by the Supreme Lord? Please narrate this adventure of Lord Śārṅgadhanvā’s.
गदया निर्बिभेदाद्रीन् शस्त्रदुर्गाणि सायकैः । चक्रेणाग्निं जलं वायुं मुरपाशांस्तथासिना
gadayā nirbibhedādrīn śastradurgāṇi sāyakaiḥ | cakreṇāgniṃ jalaṃ vāyuṃ murapāśāṃstathāsinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With His club the Lord broke through the rock fortifications; with His arrows, the weapon fortifications; with His disc, the fire, water and wind fortifications; and with His sword, the mura-pāśa cables.
शङ्खनादेन यन्त्राणि हृदयानि मनस्विनाम् । प्राकारं गदया गुर्व्या निर्बिभेद गदाधरः
śaṅkhanādena yantrāṇi hṛdayāni manasvinām | prākāraṃ gadayā gurvyā nirbibheda gadādharaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With the sound of His conchshell Lord Gadādhara then shattered the magic seals of the fortress, along with the hearts of its brave defenders, and with His heavy club He demolished the surrounding earthen ramparts.
पाञ्चजन्यध्वनिं श्रुत्वा युगान्ताशनिभीषणम् । मुरः शयान उत्तस्थौ दैत्यः पञ्चशिरा जलात्
pāñcajanyadhvaniṃ śrutvā yugāntāśanibhīṣaṇam | muraḥ śayāna uttasthau daityaḥ pañcaśirā jalāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The five-headed demon Mura, who slept at the bottom of the city’s moat, awoke and rose up out of the water when he heard the vibration of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Pāñcajanya conchshell, a sound as terrifying as the thunder at the end of the cosmic age.
त्रिशूलमुद्यम्य सुदुर्निरीक्षणो युगान्तसूर्यानलरोचिरुल्बणः । ग्रसंस्त्रिलोकीमिव पञ्चभिर्मुखै- रभ्यद्रवत्तार्क्ष्यसुतं यथोरगः
triśūlamudyamya sudurnirīkṣaṇo yugāntasūryānalarocirulbaṇaḥ | grasaṃstrilokīmiva pañcabhirmukhai- rabhyadravattārkṣyasutaṃ yathoragaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Shining with the blinding, terrible effulgence of the sun’s fire at the end of a millennium, Mura seemed to be swallowing up the three worlds with his five mouths. He lifted up his trident and fell upon Garuḍa, the son of Tārkṣya, like an attacking snake.
आविध्य शूलं तरसा गरुत्मते निरस्य वक्त्रैर्व्यनदत्स पञ्चभिः । स रोदसी सर्वदिशोऽम्बरं महा- नापूरयन्नण्डकटाहमावृणोत्
āvidhya śūlaṃ tarasā garutmate nirasya vaktrairvyanadatsa pañcabhiḥ | sa rodasī sarvadiśo'mbaraṃ mahā- nāpūrayannaṇḍakaṭāhamāvṛṇot
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mura whirled his trident and then hurled it fiercely at Garuḍa, roaring from all five mouths. The sound filled the earth and sky, all directions and the limits of outer space, until it reverberated against the very shell of the universe.
तदापतद्वै त्रिशिखं गरुत्मते हरिः शराभ्यामभिनत्त्रिधौजसा । मुखेषु तं चापि शरैरताडय- त्तस्मै गदां सोऽपि रुषा व्यमुञ्चत
tadāpatadvai triśikhaṃ garutmate hariḥ śarābhyāmabhinattridhaujasā | mukheṣu taṃ cāpi śarairatāḍaya- ttasmai gadāṃ so'pi ruṣā vyamuñcata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then with two arrows Lord Hari struck the trident flying toward Garuḍa and broke it into three pieces. Next the Lord hit Mura’s faces with several arrows, and the demon angrily hurled his club at the Lord.
तामापतन्तीं गदया गदां मृधे गदाग्रजो निर्बिभिदे सहस्रधा । उद्यम्य बाहूनभिधावतोऽजितः शिरांसि चक्रेण जहार लीलया
tāmāpatantīṃ gadayā gadāṃ mṛdhe gadāgrajo nirbibhide sahasradhā | udyamya bāhūnabhidhāvato'jitaḥ śirāṃsi cakreṇa jahāra līlayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Mura’s club sped toward Him on the battlefield, Lord Gadāgraja intercepted it with His own and broke it into thousands of pieces. Mura then raised his arms high and rushed at the unconquerable Lord, who easily sliced off his heads with His disc weapon.
व्यसुः पपाताम्भसि कृत्तशीर्षो निकृत्तशृङ्गोऽद्रिरिवेन्द्रतेजसा । तस्यात्मजाः सप्त पितुर्वधातुराः प्रतिक्रियामर्षजुषः समुद्यताः
vyasuḥ papātāmbhasi kṛttaśīrṣo nikṛttaśṛṅgo'dririvendratejasā | tasyātmajāḥ sapta piturvadhāturāḥ pratikriyāmarṣajuṣaḥ samudyatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lifeless, Mura’s decapitated body fell into the water like a mountain whose peak has been severed by the power of Lord Indra’s thunderbolt. The demon’s seven sons, enraged by their father’s death, prepared to retaliate.
ताम्रोऽन्तरिक्षः श्रवणो विभावसु- र्वसुर्नभस्वानरुणश्च सप्तमः । पीठं पुरस्कृत्य चमूपतिं मृधे भौमप्रयुक्ता निरगन् धृतायुधाः
tāmro'ntarikṣaḥ śravaṇo vibhāvasu- rvasurnabhasvānaruṇaśca saptamaḥ | pīṭhaṃ puraskṛtya camūpatiṃ mṛdhe bhaumaprayuktā niragan dhṛtāyudhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ordered by Bhaumāsura, Mura’s seven sons — Tāmra, Antarikṣa, Śravaṇa, Vibhāvasu, Vasu, Nabhasvān and Aruṇa — followed their general, Pīṭha, onto the battlefield bearing their weapons.
प्रायुञ्जतासाद्य शरानसीन् गदाः शक्त्यृष्टिशूलान्यजिते रुषोल्बणाः । तच्छस्त्रकूटं भगवान् स्वमार्गणै- रमोघवीर्यस्तिलशश्चकर्त ह
prāyuñjatāsādya śarānasīn gadāḥ śaktyṛṣṭiśūlānyajite ruṣolbaṇāḥ | tacchastrakūṭaṃ bhagavān svamārgaṇai- ramoghavīryastilaśaścakarta ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These fierce warriors furiously attacked invincible Lord Kṛṣṇa with arrows, swords, clubs, spears, lances and tridents, but the Supreme Lord, with unfailing prowess, cut this mountain of weapons into tiny pieces with His arrows.
तान् पीठमुख्याननयद्यमक्षयं निकृत्तशीर्षोरुभुजाङ्घ्रिवर्मणः । स्वानीकपानच्युतचक्रसायकै- स्तथा निरस्तान् नरको धरासुतः
tān pīṭhamukhyānanayadyamakṣayaṃ nikṛttaśīrṣorubhujāṅghrivarmaṇaḥ | svānīkapānacyutacakrasāyakai- stathā nirastān narako dharāsutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord severed the heads, thighs, arms, legs and armor of these opponents led by Pīṭha and sent them all to the abode of Yamarāja. Narakāsura, the son of the earth, could not contain his fury when he saw the fate of his military leaders. Thus he went out of the citadel with elephants born from the Milk Ocean who were exuding mada from their foreheads out of excitement.
निरीक्ष्य दुर्मर्षण आस्रवन्मदै- र्गजैः पयोधिप्रभवैर्निराक्रमत् । दृष्ट्वा सभार्यं गरुडोपरि स्थितं सूर्योपरिष्टात्सतडिद्घनं यथा । कृष्णं स तस्मै व्यसृजच्छतघ्नीं योधाश्च सर्वे युगपत्स्म विव्यधुः
nirīkṣya durmarṣaṇa āsravanmadai- rgajaiḥ payodhiprabhavairnirākramat | dṛṣṭvā sabhāryaṃ garuḍopari sthitaṃ sūryopariṣṭātsataḍidghanaṃ yathā | kṛṣṇaṃ sa tasmai vyasṛjacchataghnīṃ yodhāśca sarve yugapatsma vivyadhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa and His wife, mounted upon Garuḍa, looked like a cloud with lightning sitting above the sun. Seeing the Lord, Bhauma released his Śataghnī weapon at Him, whereupon all of Bhauma’s soldiers simultaneously attacked with their weapons.
तद्भौमसैन्यं भगवान् गदाग्रजो विचित्रवाजैर्निशितैः शिलीमुखैः । निकृत्तबाहूरुशिरोध्रविग्रहं चकार तर्ह्येव हताश्वकुञ्जरम्
tadbhaumasainyaṃ bhagavān gadāgrajo vicitravājairniśitaiḥ śilīmukhaiḥ | nikṛttabāhūruśirodhravigrahaṃ cakāra tarhyeva hatāśvakuñjaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that moment Lord Gadāgraja shot His sharp arrows at Bhaumāsura’s army. These arrows, displaying variegated feathers, soon reduced that army to a mass of bodies with severed arms, thighs and necks. The Lord similarly killed the opposing horses and elephants.
तं भौमः प्राहरच्छक्त्या वज्रः प्रतिहतो यतः । नाकम्पत तया विद्धो मालाहत इव द्विपः
taṃ bhaumaḥ prāharacchaktyā vajraḥ pratihato yataḥ | nākampata tayā viddho mālāhata iva dvipaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing his army driven back and tormented by Garuḍa, Bhauma attacked him with his spear, which had once defeated Lord Indra’s thunderbolt. But though struck by that mighty weapon, Garuḍa was not shaken. Indeed, he was like an elephant hit with a flower garland.
शूलं भौमोऽच्युतं हन्तुमाददे वितथोद्यमः । तद्विसर्गात्पूर्वमेव नरकस्य शिरो हरिः । अपाहरद्गजस्थस्य चक्रेण क्षुरनेमिना
śūlaṃ bhaumo'cyutaṃ hantumādade vitathodyamaḥ | tadvisargātpūrvameva narakasya śiro hariḥ | apāharadgajasthasya cakreṇa kṣuraneminā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhauma, frustrated in all his attempts, took up his trident to kill Lord Kṛṣṇa. But even before he could release it, the Lord cut off his head with His razor-sharp cakra as the demon sat atop his elephant.
सकुण्डलं चारुकिरीटभूषणं बभौ पृथिव्यां पतितं समुज्ज्वलत् । हा हेति साध्वित्यृषयः सुरेश्वरा माल्यैर्मुकुन्दं विकिरन्त ईडिरे
sakuṇḍalaṃ cārukirīṭabhūṣaṇaṃ babhau pṛthivyāṃ patitaṃ samujjvalat | hā heti sādhvityṛṣayaḥ sureśvarā mālyairmukundaṃ vikiranta īḍire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Fallen on the ground, Bhaumāsura’s head shone brilliantly, decorated as it was with earrings and an attractive helmet. As cries of “Alas, alas!” and “Well done!” arose, the sages and principal demigods worshiped Lord Mukunda by showering Him with flower garlands.
ततश्च भूः कृष्णमुपेत्य कुण्डले प्रतप्तजाम्बूनदरत्नभास्वरे । सवैजयन्त्या वनमालयार्पय- त्प्राचेतसं छत्रमथो महामणिम्
tataśca bhūḥ kṛṣṇamupetya kuṇḍale prataptajāmbūnadaratnabhāsvare | savaijayantyā vanamālayārpaya- tprācetasaṃ chatramatho mahāmaṇim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The goddess of the earth then approached Lord Kṛṣṇa and presented Him with Aditi’s earrings, which were made of glowing gold inlaid with shining jewels. She also gave Him a Vaijayantī flower garland, Varuṇa’s umbrella and the peak of Mandara Mountain.
अस्तौषीदथ विश्वेशं देवी देववरार्चितम् । प्राञ्जलिः प्रणता राजन् भक्तिप्रवणया धिया
astauṣīdatha viśveśaṃ devī devavarārcitam | prāñjaliḥ praṇatā rājan bhaktipravaṇayā dhiyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, after bowing down to Him and then standing with joined palms, the goddess, her mind filled with devotion, began to praise the Lord of the universe, whom the best of demigods worship.
भूमिरुवाच । नमस्ते देवदेवेश शङ्खचक्रगदाधर । भक्तेच्छोपात्तरूपाय परमात्मन् नमोऽस्तु ते
bhūmiruvāca | namaste devadeveśa śaṅkhacakragadādhara | bhaktecchopāttarūpāya paramātman namo'stu te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Goddess Bhūmi said: Obeisances unto You, O Lord of the chief demigods, O holder of the conchshell, disc and club. O Supreme Soul within the heart, You assume Your various forms to fulfill Your devotees’ desires. Obeisances unto You.
नमो भगवते तुभ्यं वासुदेवाय विष्णवे । पुरुषायादिबीजाय पूर्णबोधाय ते नमः
namo bhagavate tubhyaṃ vāsudevāya viṣṇave | puruṣāyādibījāya pūrṇabodhāya te namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances unto You, the Supreme Lord Vāsudeva, Viṣṇu, the primeval person, the original seed. Obeisances unto You, the omniscient one.
अजाय जनयित्रेऽस्य ब्रह्मणेऽनन्तशक्तये । परावरात्मन् भूतात्मन् परमात्मन् नमोऽस्तु ते
ajāya janayitre'sya brahmaṇe'nantaśaktaye | parāvarātman bhūtātman paramātman namo'stu te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances unto You of unlimited energies, the unborn progenitor of this universe, the Absolute. O Soul of the high and the low, O Soul of the created elements, O all-pervading Supreme Soul, obeisances unto You.
त्वं वै सिसृक्षू रज उत्कटं प्रभो तमो निरोधाय बिभर्ष्यसंवृतः । स्थानाय सत्त्वं जगतो जगत्पते कालः प्रधानं पुरुषो भवान् परः
tvaṃ vai sisṛkṣū raja utkaṭaṃ prabho tamo nirodhāya bibharṣyasaṃvṛtaḥ | sthānāya sattvaṃ jagato jagatpate kālaḥ pradhānaṃ puruṣo bhavān paraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Desiring to create, O unborn master, You increase and then assume the mode of passion. You do likewise with the mode of ignorance when You wish to annihilate the universe and with goodness when You wish to maintain it. Nonetheless, You remain uncovered by these modes. You are time, the pradhāna, and the puruṣa, O Lord of the universe, yet still You are separate and distinct.
अहं पयो ज्योतिरथानिलो नभो मात्राणि देवा मन इन्द्रियाणि । कर्ता महानित्यखिलं चराचरं त्वय्यद्वितीये भगवन्नयं भ्रमः
ahaṃ payo jyotirathānilo nabho mātrāṇi devā mana indriyāṇi | kartā mahānityakhilaṃ carācaraṃ tvayyadvitīye bhagavannayaṃ bhramaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This is illusion: that earth, water, fire, air, ether, sense objects, demigods, mind, the senses, false ego and the total material energy exist independent of You. In fact, they are all within You, my Lord, who are one without a second.
तस्यात्मजोऽयं तव पादपङ्कजं भीतः प्रपन्नार्तिहरोपसादितः । तत्पालयैनं कुरु हस्तपङ्कजं शिरस्यमुष्याखिलकल्मषापहम्
tasyātmajo'yaṃ tava pādapaṅkajaṃ bhītaḥ prapannārtiharopasāditaḥ | tatpālayainaṃ kuru hastapaṅkajaṃ śirasyamuṣyākhilakalmaṣāpaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Here is the son of Bhaumāsura. Frightened, he is approaching Your lotus feet, since You remove the distress of all who seek refuge in You. Please protect him. Place Your lotus hand, which dispels all sins, upon his head.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति भूम्यार्थितो वाग्भिर्भगवान् भक्तिनम्रया । दत्त्वाभयं भौमगृहं प्राविशत्सकलर्द्धिमत्
śrīśuka uvāca | iti bhūmyārthito vāgbhirbhagavān bhaktinamrayā | dattvābhayaṃ bhaumagṛhaṃ prāviśatsakalarddhimat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus entreated by Goddess Bhūmi in words of humble devotion, the Supreme Lord bestowed fearlessness upon her grandson and then entered Bhaumāsura’s palace, which was filled with all manner of riches.
तत्र राजन्यकन्यानां षट्सहस्राधिकायुतम् । भौमाहृतानां विक्रम्य राजभ्यो ददृशे हरिः
tatra rājanyakanyānāṃ ṣaṭsahasrādhikāyutam | bhaumāhṛtānāṃ vikramya rājabhyo dadṛśe hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There Lord Kṛṣṇa saw sixteen thousand royal maidens, whom Bhauma had taken by force from various kings.
तं प्रविष्टं स्त्रियो वीक्ष्य नरवीरं विमोहिताः । मनसा वव्रिरेऽभीष्टं पतिं दैवोपसादितम्
taṃ praviṣṭaṃ striyo vīkṣya naravīraṃ vimohitāḥ | manasā vavrire'bhīṣṭaṃ patiṃ daivopasāditam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The women became enchanted when they saw that most excellent of males enter. In their minds they each accepted Him, who had been brought there by destiny, as their chosen husband.
भूयात्पतिरयं मह्यं धाता तदनुमोदताम् । इति सर्वाः पृथक्कृष्णे भावेन हृदयं दधुः
bhūyātpatirayaṃ mahyaṃ dhātā tadanumodatām | iti sarvāḥ pṛthakkṛṣṇe bhāvena hṛdayaṃ dadhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With the thought “May providence grant that this man become my husband,” each and every princess absorbed her heart in contemplation of Kṛṣṇa.
ताः प्राहिणोद्द्वारवतीं सुमृष्टविरजोऽम्बराः । नरयानैर्महाकोशान् रथाश्वान् द्रविणं महत्
tāḥ prāhiṇoddvāravatīṃ sumṛṣṭavirajo'mbarāḥ | narayānairmahākośān rathāśvān draviṇaṃ mahat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord had the princesses arrayed in clean, spotless garments and then sent them in palanquins to Dvārakā, together with great treasures of chariots, horses and other valuables.
ऐरावतकुलेभांश्च चतुर्दन्तांस्तरस्विनः । पाण्डुरांश्च चतुःषष्टिं प्रेषयामास केशवः
airāvatakulebhāṃśca caturdantāṃstarasvinaḥ | pāṇḍurāṃśca catuḥṣaṣṭiṃ preṣayāmāsa keśavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa also dispatched sixty-four swift white elephants, descendants of Airāvata, who each sported four tusks.
स्थापितः सत्यभामाया गृहोद्यानोपशोभनः । अन्वगुर्भ्रमराः स्वर्गात्तद्गन्धासवलम्पटाः
sthāpitaḥ satyabhāmāyā gṛhodyānopaśobhanaḥ | anvagurbhramarāḥ svargāttadgandhāsavalampaṭāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once planted, the pārijāta tree beautified the garden of Queen Satyabhāmā’s palace. Bees followed the tree all the way from heaven, greedy for its fragrance and sweet sap.
ययाच आनम्य किरीटकोटिभिः पादौ स्पृशन्नच्युतमर्थसाधनम् । सिद्धार्थ एतेन विगृह्यते महा- नहो सुराणां च तमो धिगाढ्यताम्
yayāca ānamya kirīṭakoṭibhiḥ pādau spṛśannacyutamarthasādhanam | siddhārtha etena vigṛhyate mahā- naho surāṇāṃ ca tamo dhigāḍhyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even after Indra had bowed down to Lord Acyuta, touched His feet with the tips of his crown and begged the Lord to fulfill his desire, that exalted demigod, having achieved his purpose, chose to fight with the Supreme Lord. What ignorance there is among the gods! To hell with their opulence!
अथो मुहूर्त एकस्मिन् नानागारेषु ताः स्त्रियः । यथोपयेमे भगवान् तावद्रूपधरोऽव्ययः
atho muhūrta ekasmin nānāgāreṣu tāḥ striyaḥ | yathopayeme bhagavān tāvadrūpadharo'vyayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the imperishable Supreme Personality, assuming a separate form for each bride, duly married all the princesses simultaneously, each in her own palace.
गृहेषु तासामनपाय्यतर्क्यकृ- न्निरस्तसाम्यातिशयेष्ववस्थितः । रेमे रमाभिर्निजकामसम्प्लुतो यथेतरो गार्हकमेधिकांश्चरन्
gṛheṣu tāsāmanapāyyatarkyakṛ- nnirastasāmyātiśayeṣvavasthitaḥ | reme ramābhirnijakāmasampluto yathetaro gārhakamedhikāṃścaran
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord, performer of the inconceivable, constantly remained in each of His queens’ palaces, which were unequaled and unexcelled by any other residence. There, although fully satisfied within Himself, He enjoyed with His pleasing wives, and like an ordinary husband He carried out His household duties.
इत्थं रमापतिमवाप्य पतिं स्त्रियस्ता ब्रह्मादयोऽपि न विदुः पदवीं यदीयाम् । भेजुर्मुदाविरतमेधितयानुराग- हासावलोकनवसङ्गमजल्पलज्जाः
itthaṃ ramāpatimavāpya patiṃ striyastā brahmādayo'pi na viduḥ padavīṃ yadīyām | bhejurmudāviratamedhitayānurāga- hāsāvalokanavasaṅgamajalpalajjāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus those women obtained as their husband the husband of the goddess of fortune, although even great demigods like Brahmā do not know how to approach Him. With ever-increasing pleasure they experienced loving attraction for Him, exchanged smiling glances with Him and reciprocated with Him in ever-fresh intimacy, replete with joking and feminine shyness.
प्रत्युद्गमासनवरार्हणपादशौच- ताम्बूलविश्रमणवीजनगन्धमाल्यैः । केशप्रसारशयनस्नपनोपहार्यैः दासीशता अपि विभोर्विदधुः स्म दास्यम्
pratyudgamāsanavarārhaṇapādaśauca- tāmbūlaviśramaṇavījanagandhamālyaiḥ | keśaprasāraśayanasnapanopahāryaiḥ dāsīśatā api vibhorvidadhuḥ sma dāsyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the Supreme Lord’s queens each had hundreds of maidservants, they chose to personally serve the Lord by approaching Him humbly, offering Him a seat, worshiping Him with excellent paraphernalia, bathing and massaging His feet, giving Him pān to chew, fanning Him, anointing Him with fragrant sandalwood paste, adorning Him with flower garlands, dressing His hair, arranging His bed, bathing Him, and presenting Him with various gifts.
श्रीशुक उवाच । कर्हिचित्सुखमासीनं स्वतल्पस्थं जगद्गुरुम् । पतिं पर्यचरद्भैष्मी व्यजनेन सखीजनैः
śrīśuka uvāca | karhicitsukhamāsīnaṃ svatalpasthaṃ jagadgurum | patiṃ paryacaradbhaiṣmī vyajanena sakhījanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: Once, in the company of her maidservants, Queen Rukmiṇī was personally serving her husband, the spiritual master of the universe, by fanning Him as He relaxed on her bed.
यस्त्वेतल्लीलया विश्वं सृजत्यत्त्यवतीश्वरः । स हि जातः स्वसेतूनां गोपीथाय यदुष्वजः
yastvetallīlayā viśvaṃ sṛjatyattyavatīśvaraḥ | sa hi jātaḥ svasetūnāṃ gopīthāya yaduṣvajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The unborn Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, who creates, maintains and then devours this universe simply as His play, took birth among the Yadus to preserve His own laws.
वालव्यजनमादाय रत्नदण्डं सखीकरात् । तेन वीजयती देवी उपासाञ्चक्र ईश्वरम्
vālavyajanamādāya ratnadaṇḍaṃ sakhīkarāt | tena vījayatī devī upāsāñcakra īśvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From her maidservant’s hand Goddess Rukmiṇī took a yak-hair fan with a jeweled handle, and then she began to worship her master by fanning Him.
सोपाच्युतं क्वणयती मणिनूपुराभ्यां रेजेऽङ्गुलीयवलयव्यजनाग्रहस्ता । वस्त्रान्तगूढकुचकुङ्कुमशोणहार- भासानितम्बधृतया च परार्ध्यकाञ्च्या
sopācyutaṃ kvaṇayatī maṇinūpurābhyāṃ reje'ṅgulīyavalayavyajanāgrahastā | vastrāntagūḍhakucakuṅkumaśoṇahāra- bhāsānitambadhṛtayā ca parārdhyakāñcyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Her hand adorned with rings, bangles and the cāmara fan, Queen Rukmiṇī looked resplendent standing near Lord Kṛṣṇa. Her jeweled ankle-bells tinkled, and her necklace glittered, reddened by the kuṅkuma from her breasts, which were covered by the end of her sari. On her hips she wore a priceless belt.
तां रूपिणीं श्रियमनन्यगतिं निरीक्ष्य या लीलया धृततनोरनुरूपरूपा । प्रीतः स्मयन्नलककुण्डलनिष्ककण्ठ- वक्त्रोल्लसत्स्मितसुधां हरिराबभाषे
tāṃ rūpiṇīṃ śriyamananyagatiṃ nirīkṣya yā līlayā dhṛtatanoranurūparūpā | prītaḥ smayannalakakuṇḍalaniṣkakaṇṭha- vaktrollasatsmitasudhāṃ harirābabhāṣe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As He contemplated her, the goddess of fortune herself, who desires only Him, Lord Kṛṣṇa smiled. The Lord assumes various forms to enact His pastimes, and He was pleased that the form the goddess of fortune had assumed was just suitable for her to serve as His consort. Her charming face was adorned with curling hair, earrings, a locket on her neck, and the nectar of her bright, happy smile. The Lord then spoke to her as follows.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । राजपुत्रीप्सिता भूपैर्लोकपालविभूतिभिः । महानुभावैः श्रीमद्भी रूपौदार्यबलोर्जितैः
śrībhagavānuvāca | rājaputrīpsitā bhūpairlokapālavibhūtibhiḥ | mahānubhāvaiḥ śrīmadbhī rūpaudāryabalorjitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: My dear princess, you were sought after by many kings as powerful as the rulers of planets. They were all abundantly endowed with political influence, wealth, beauty, generosity and physical strength.
तान् प्राप्तानर्थिनो हित्वा चैद्यादीन् स्मरदुर्मदान् । दत्ता भ्रात्रा स्वपित्रा च कस्मान्नो ववृषेऽसमान्
tān prāptānarthino hitvā caidyādīn smaradurmadān | dattā bhrātrā svapitrā ca kasmānno vavṛṣe'samān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since your brother and father offered you to them, why did you reject the King of Cedi and all those other suitors, who stood before you, maddened by Cupid? Why, instead, did you choose Us, who are not at all your equal?
राजभ्यो बिभ्यतः सुभ्रूः समुद्रं शरणं गतान् । बलवद्भिः कृतद्वेषान् प्रायस्त्यक्तनृपासनान्
rājabhyo bibhyataḥ subhrūḥ samudraṃ śaraṇaṃ gatān | balavadbhiḥ kṛtadveṣān prāyastyaktanṛpāsanān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Terrified of these kings, O lovely-browed one, We took shelter in the ocean. We have become enemies of powerful men, and We practically abandoned Our royal throne.
अस्पष्टवर्त्मनां पुंसामलोकपथमीयुषाम् । आस्थिताः पदवीं सुभ्रूः प्रायः सीदन्ति योषितः
aspaṣṭavartmanāṃ puṃsāmalokapathamīyuṣām | āsthitāḥ padavīṃ subhrūḥ prāyaḥ sīdanti yoṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O fine-browed lady, women are usually destined to suffer when they stay with men whose behavior is uncertain and who pursue a path not approved by society.
निष्किञ्चना वयं शश्वन्निष्किञ्चनजनप्रियाः । तस्मात्प्रायेण न ह्याढ्या मां भजन्ति सुमध्यमे
niṣkiñcanā vayaṃ śaśvanniṣkiñcanajanapriyāḥ | tasmātprāyeṇa na hyāḍhyā māṃ bhajanti sumadhyame
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We have no material possessions, and We are dear to those who similarly have nothing. Therefore, O slender one, the wealthy hardly ever worship Me.
ययोरात्मसमं वित्तं जन्मैश्वर्याकृतिर्भवः । तयोर्विवाहो मैत्री च नोत्तमाधमयोः क्वचित्
yayorātmasamaṃ vittaṃ janmaiśvaryākṛtirbhavaḥ | tayorvivāho maitrī ca nottamādhamayoḥ kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Marriage and friendship are proper between two people who are equal in terms of their wealth, birth, influence, physical appearance and capacity for good progeny, but never between a superior and an inferior.
वैदर्भ्येतदविज्ञाय त्वयादीर्घसमीक्षया । वृता वयं गुणैर्हीना भिक्षुभिः श्लाघिता मुधा
vaidarbhyetadavijñāya tvayādīrghasamīkṣayā | vṛtā vayaṃ guṇairhīnā bhikṣubhiḥ ślāghitā mudhā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Vaidarbhī, not being farsighted, you didn’t realize this, and therefore you chose Us as your husband, even though We have no good qualities and are glorified only by deluded beggars.
अथात्मनोऽनुरूपं वै भजस्व क्षत्रियर्षभम् । येन त्वमाशिषः सत्या इहामुत्र च लप्स्यसे
athātmano'nurūpaṃ vai bhajasva kṣatriyarṣabham | yena tvamāśiṣaḥ satyā ihāmutra ca lapsyase
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now you should definitely accept a more suitable husband, a first-class man of the royal order who can help you achieve everything you want, both in this life and the next.
चैद्यशाल्वजरासन्धदन्तवक्त्रादयो नृपाः । मम द्विषन्ति वामोरु रुक्मी चापि तवाग्रजः
caidyaśālvajarāsandhadantavaktrādayo nṛpāḥ | mama dviṣanti vāmoru rukmī cāpi tavāgrajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kings like Śiśupāla, Śālva, Jarāsandha and Dantavakra all hate Me, O beautiful-thighed one, and so does your elder brother Rukmī.
तेषां वीर्यमदान्धानां दृप्तानां स्मयनुत्तये । आनीतासि मया भद्रे तेजोऽपहरतासताम्
teṣāṃ vīryamadāndhānāṃ dṛptānāṃ smayanuttaye | ānītāsi mayā bhadre tejo'paharatāsatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was to dispel the arrogance of these kings that I carried you away, My good woman, for they were blinded by the intoxication of power. My purpose was to curb the strength of the wicked.
उदासीना वयं नूनं न स्त्र्यपत्यार्थकामुकाः । आत्मलब्ध्याऽऽस्महे पूर्णा गेहयोर्ज्योतिरक्रियाः
udāsīnā vayaṃ nūnaṃ na stryapatyārthakāmukāḥ | ātmalabdhyā''smahe pūrṇā gehayorjyotirakriyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We care nothing for wives, children and wealth. Always satisfied within Ourselves, We do not work for body and home, but like a light, We merely witness.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एतावदुक्त्वा भगवानात्मानं वल्लभामिव । मन्यमानामविश्लेषात्तद्दर्पघ्न उपारमत्
śrīśuka uvāca | etāvaduktvā bhagavānātmānaṃ vallabhāmiva | manyamānāmaviśleṣāttaddarpaghna upāramat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Rukmiṇī had thought herself especially beloved by the Lord because He never left her company. By saying these things to her He vanquished her pride, and then He stopped speaking.
इति त्रिलोकेशपतेस्तदात्मनः प्रियस्य देव्यश्रुतपूर्वमप्रियम् । आश्रुत्य भीता हृदि जातवेपथु- श्चिन्तां दुरन्तां रुदती जगाम ह
iti trilokeśapatestadātmanaḥ priyasya devyaśrutapūrvamapriyam | āśrutya bhītā hṛdi jātavepathu- ścintāṃ durantāṃ rudatī jagāma ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Goddess Rukmiṇī had never before heard such unpleasantries from her beloved, the Lord of universal rulers, and she became frightened. A tremor arose in her heart, and in terrible anxiety she began to cry.
पदा सुजातेन नखारुणश्रीया भुवं लिखन्त्यश्रुभिरञ्जनासितैः । आसिञ्चती कुङ्कुमरूषितौ स्तनौ तस्थावधोमुख्यतिदुःखरुद्धवाक्
padā sujātena nakhāruṇaśrīyā bhuvaṃ likhantyaśrubhirañjanāsitaiḥ | āsiñcatī kuṅkumarūṣitau stanau tasthāvadhomukhyatiduḥkharuddhavāk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With her tender foot, effulgent with the reddish glow of her nails, she scratched the ground, and tears darkened by her eye makeup sprinkled her kuṅkuma-reddened breasts. There she stood, face downward, her voice choked up by extreme sorrow.
तस्याः सुदुःखभयशोकविनष्टबुद्धेः हस्ताच्छ्लथद्वलयतो व्यजनं पपात । देहश्च विक्लवधियः सहसैव मुह्यन् रम्भेव वायुविहता प्रविकीर्य केशान्
tasyāḥ suduḥkhabhayaśokavinaṣṭabuddheḥ hastācchlathadvalayato vyajanaṃ papāta | dehaśca viklavadhiyaḥ sahasaiva muhyan rambheva vāyuvihatā pravikīrya keśān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Rukmiṇī’s mind was overwhelmed with unhappiness, fear and grief. Her bangles slipped from her hand, and her fan fell to the ground. In her bewilderment she suddenly fainted, her hair scattering all about as her body fell to the ground like a plantain tree blown over by the wind.
तद्दृष्ट्वा भगवान् कृष्णः प्रियायाः प्रेमबन्धनम् । हास्यप्रौढिमजानन्त्याः करुणः सोऽन्वकम्पत
taddṛṣṭvā bhagavān kṛṣṇaḥ priyāyāḥ premabandhanam | hāsyaprauḍhimajānantyāḥ karuṇaḥ so'nvakampata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing that His beloved was so bound to Him in love that she could not understand the full meaning of His teasing, merciful Lord Kṛṣṇa felt compassion for her.
पर्यङ्कादवरुह्याशु तामुत्थाप्य चतुर्भुजः । केशान् समुह्य तद्वक्त्रं प्रामृजत्पद्मपाणिना
paryaṅkādavaruhyāśu tāmutthāpya caturbhujaḥ | keśān samuhya tadvaktraṃ prāmṛjatpadmapāṇinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord quickly got down from the bed. Manifesting four arms, He picked her up, gathered her hair and caressed her face with His lotus hand.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । मा मा वैदर्भ्यसूयेथा जाने त्वां मत्परायणाम् । त्वद्वचः श्रोतुकामेन क्ष्वेल्याचरितमङ्गने
śrībhagavānuvāca | mā mā vaidarbhyasūyethā jāne tvāṃ matparāyaṇām | tvadvacaḥ śrotukāmena kṣvelyācaritamaṅgane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: O Vaidarbhī, do not be displeased with Me. I know that you are fully devoted to Me. I only spoke in jest, dear lady, because I wanted to hear what you would say.
मुखं च प्रेमसंरम्भस्फुरिताधरमीक्षितुम् । कटाक्षेपारुणापाङ्गं सुन्दरभ्रुकुटीतटम्
mukhaṃ ca premasaṃrambhasphuritādharamīkṣitum | kaṭākṣepāruṇāpāṅgaṃ sundarabhrukuṭītaṭam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I also wanted to see your face with lips trembling in loving anger, the reddish corners of your eyes throwing sidelong glances and the line of your beautiful eyebrows knit in a frown.
अयं हि परमो लाभो गृहेषु गृहमेधिनाम् । यन्नर्मैरीयते यामः प्रियया भीरु भामिनि
ayaṃ hi paramo lābho gṛheṣu gṛhamedhinām | yannarmairīyate yāmaḥ priyayā bhīru bhāmini
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The greatest pleasure worldly householders can enjoy at home is to spend time joking with their beloved wives, My dear timid and temperamental one.
श्रीशुक उवाच । सैवं भगवता राजन् वैदर्भी परिसान्त्विता । ज्ञात्वा तत्परिहासोक्तिं प्रियत्यागभयं जहौ
śrīśuka uvāca | saivaṃ bhagavatā rājan vaidarbhī parisāntvitā | jñātvā tatparihāsoktiṃ priyatyāgabhayaṃ jahau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, Queen Vaidarbhī was fully pacified by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and understood that His words had been spoken in jest. Thus she gave up her fear that her beloved would reject her.
बभाष ऋषभं पुंसां वीक्षन्ती भगवन्मुखम् । सव्रीडहासरुचिरस्निग्धापाङ्गेन भारत
babhāṣa ṛṣabhaṃ puṃsāṃ vīkṣantī bhagavanmukham | savrīḍahāsarucirasnigdhāpāṅgena bhārata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Smiling bashfully as she cast charming, affectionate glances upon the face of the Lord, the best of males, Rukmiṇī spoke the following, O descendant of Bharata.
रुक्मिण्युवाच । नन्वेवमेतदरविन्दविलोचनाह यद्वै भवान् भगवतोऽसदृशी विभूम्नः । क्व स्वे महिम्न्यभिरतो भगवांस्त्र्यधीशः क्वाहं गुणप्रकृतिरज्ञगृहीतपादा
rukmiṇyuvāca | nanvevametadaravindavilocanāha yadvai bhavān bhagavato'sadṛśī vibhūmnaḥ | kva sve mahimnyabhirato bhagavāṃstryadhīśaḥ kvāhaṃ guṇaprakṛtirajñagṛhītapādā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Rukmiṇī said: Actually, what You have said is true, O lotus-eyed one. I am indeed unsuitable for the almighty Personality of Godhead. What comparison is there between that Supreme Lord, who is master of the three primal deities and who delights in His own glory, and myself, a woman of mundane qualities whose feet are grasped by fools?
सत्यं भयादिव गुणेभ्य उरुक्रमान्तः शेते समुद्र उपलम्भनमात्र आत्मा । नित्यं कदिन्द्रियगणैः कृतविग्रहस्त्वं त्वत्सेवकैर्नृपपदं विधुतं तमोऽन्धम्
satyaṃ bhayādiva guṇebhya urukramāntaḥ śete samudra upalambhanamātra ātmā | nityaṃ kadindriyagaṇaiḥ kṛtavigrahastvaṃ tvatsevakairnṛpapadaṃ vidhutaṃ tamo'ndham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Yes, my Lord Urukrama, You lay down within the ocean as if afraid of the material modes, and thus in pure consciousness You appear within the heart as the Supersoul. You are always battling against the foolish material senses, and indeed even Your servants reject the privilege of royal dominion, which leads to the blindness of ignorance.
त्वत्पादपद्ममकरन्दजुषां मुनीनां वर्त्मास्फुटं नृपशुभिर्ननु दुर्विभाव्यम् । यस्मादलौकिकमिवेहितमीश्वरस्य भूमंस्तवेहितमथो अनु ये भवन्तम्
tvatpādapadmamakarandajuṣāṃ munīnāṃ vartmāsphuṭaṃ nṛpaśubhirnanu durvibhāvyam | yasmādalaukikamivehitamīśvarasya bhūmaṃstavehitamatho anu ye bhavantam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your movements, inscrutable even for sages who relish the honey of Your lotus feet, are certainly incomprehensible for human beings who behave like animals. And just as Your activities are transcendental, O all-powerful Lord, so too are those of Your followers.
निष्किञ्चनो ननु भवान् न यतोऽस्ति किञ्चि- द्यस्मै बलिं बलिभुजोऽपि हरन्त्यजाद्याः । न त्वा विदन्त्यसुतृपोऽन्तकमाढ्यतान्धाः प्रेष्ठो भवान् बलिभुजामपि तेऽपि तुभ्यम्
niṣkiñcano nanu bhavān na yato'sti kiñci- dyasmai baliṃ balibhujo'pi harantyajādyāḥ | na tvā vidantyasutṛpo'ntakamāḍhyatāndhāḥ preṣṭho bhavān balibhujāmapi te'pi tubhyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You possess nothing because there is nothing beyond You. Even the great enjoyers of tribute — Brahmā and other demigods — pay tribute to You. Those who are blinded by their wealth and absorbed in gratifying their senses do not recognize You in the form of death. But to the gods, the enjoyers of tribute, You are the most dear, as they are to You.
त्वं वै समस्तपुरुषार्थमयः फलात्मा यद्वाञ्छया सुमतयो विसृजन्ति कृत्स्नम् । तेषां विभो समुचितो भवतः समाजः पुंसः स्त्रियाश्च रतयोः सुखदुःखिनोर्न
tvaṃ vai samastapuruṣārthamayaḥ phalātmā yadvāñchayā sumatayo visṛjanti kṛtsnam | teṣāṃ vibho samucito bhavataḥ samājaḥ puṃsaḥ striyāśca ratayoḥ sukhaduḥkhinorna
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the embodiment of all human goals and are Yourself the final aim of life. Desiring to attain You, O all-powerful Lord, intelligent persons abandon everything else. It is they who are worthy of Your association, not men and women absorbed in the pleasure and grief resulting from their mutual lust.
त्वं न्यस्तदण्डमुनिभिर्गदितानुभाव आत्माऽऽत्मदश्च जगतामिति मे वृतोऽसि । हित्वा भवद्भ्रुव उदीरितकालवेग- ध्वस्ताशिषोऽब्जभवनाकपतीन् कुतोऽन्ये
tvaṃ nyastadaṇḍamunibhirgaditānubhāva ātmā''tmadaśca jagatāmiti me vṛto'si | hitvā bhavadbhruva udīritakālavega- dhvastāśiṣo'bjabhavanākapatīn kuto'nye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Knowing that great sages who have renounced the sannyāsī’s daṇḍa proclaim Your glories, that You are the Supreme Soul of all the worlds, and that You are so gracious that You give away even Your own self, I chose You as my husband, rejecting Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and the rulers of heaven, whose aspirations are all frustrated by the force of time, which is born from Your eyebrows. What interest, then, could I have in any other suitors?
जाड्यं वचस्तव गदाग्रज यस्तु भूपान् विद्राव्य शार्ङ्गनिनदेन जहर्थ मां त्वम् । सिंहो यथा स्वबलिमीश पशून् स्वभागं तेभ्यो भयाद्यदुदधिं शरणं प्रपन्नः
jāḍyaṃ vacastava gadāgraja yastu bhūpān vidrāvya śārṅganinadena jahartha māṃ tvam | siṃho yathā svabalimīśa paśūn svabhāgaṃ tebhyo bhayādyadudadhiṃ śaraṇaṃ prapannaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, as a lion drives away lesser animals to claim his proper tribute, You drove off the assembled kings with the resounding twang of Your Śārṅga bow and then claimed me, Your fair share. Thus it is sheer foolishness, my dear Gadāgraja, for You to say You took shelter in the ocean out of fear of those kings.
यद्वाञ्छया नृपशिखामणयोऽङ्ग वैन्य- जायन्तनाहुषगयादय ऐकपत्यम् । राज्यं विसृज्य विविशुर्वनमम्बुजाक्ष सीदन्ति तेऽनुपदवीं त इहास्थिताः किम्
yadvāñchayā nṛpaśikhāmaṇayo'ṅga vainya- jāyantanāhuṣagayādaya aikapatyam | rājyaṃ visṛjya viviśurvanamambujākṣa sīdanti te'nupadavīṃ ta ihāsthitāḥ kim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Wanting Your association, the best of kings — Aṅga, Vainya, Jāyanta, Nāhuṣa, Gaya and others — abandoned their absolute sovereignty and entered the forest to seek You out. How could those kings suffer frustration in this world, O lotus-eyed one?
कान्यं श्रयेत तव पादसरोजगन्ध- माघ्राय सन्मुखरितं जनतापवर्गम् । लक्ष्म्यालयं त्वविगणय्य गुणालयस्य मर्त्या सदोरुभयमर्थविविक्तदृष्टिः
kānyaṃ śrayeta tava pādasarojagandha- māghrāya sanmukharitaṃ janatāpavargam | lakṣmyālayaṃ tvavigaṇayya guṇālayasya martyā sadorubhayamarthaviviktadṛṣṭiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The aroma of Your lotus feet, which is glorified by great saints, awards people liberation and is the abode of Goddess Lakṣmī. What woman would take shelter of any other man after savoring that aroma? Since You are the abode of transcendental qualities, what mortal woman with the insight to distinguish her own true interest would disregard that fragrance and depend instead on someone who is always subject to terrible fear?
तं त्वानुरूपमभजं जगतामधीश- मात्मानमत्र च परत्र च कामपूरम् । स्यान्मे तवाङ्घ्रिररणं सृतिभिर्भ्रमन्त्या यो वै भजन्तमुपयात्यनृतापवर्गः
taṃ tvānurūpamabhajaṃ jagatāmadhīśa- mātmānamatra ca paratra ca kāmapūram | syānme tavāṅghriraraṇaṃ sṛtibhirbhramantyā yo vai bhajantamupayātyanṛtāpavargaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because You are suitable for me, I have chosen You, the master and Supreme Soul of all the worlds, who fulfill our desires in this life and the next. May Your feet, which give freedom from illusion by approaching their worshiper, give shelter to me, who have been wandering from one material situation to another.
तस्याः स्युरच्युत नृपा भवतोपदिष्टाः स्त्रीणां गृहेषु खरगोश्वबिडालभृत्याः । यत्कर्णमूलमरिकर्षण नोपयाया- द्युष्मत्कथा मृडविरिञ्चसभासु गीता
tasyāḥ syuracyuta nṛpā bhavatopadiṣṭāḥ strīṇāṃ gṛheṣu kharagośvabiḍālabhṛtyāḥ | yatkarṇamūlamarikarṣaṇa nopayāyā- dyuṣmatkathā mṛḍaviriñcasabhāsu gītā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O infallible Kṛṣṇa, let each of the kings You named become the husband of a woman whose ears have never heard Your glories, which are sung in the assemblies of Śiva and Brahmā. After all, in the households of such women these kings live like asses, oxen, dogs, cats and slaves.
त्वक्श्मश्रुरोमनखकेशपिनद्धमन्त- र्मांसास्थिरक्तकृमिविट्कफपित्तवातम् । जीवच्छवं भजति कान्तमतिर्विमूढा या ते पदाब्जमकरन्दमजिघ्रती स्त्री
tvakśmaśruromanakhakeśapinaddhamanta- rmāṃsāsthiraktakṛmiviṭkaphapittavātam | jīvacchavaṃ bhajati kāntamatirvimūḍhā yā te padābjamakarandamajighratī strī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A woman who fails to relish the fragrance of the honey of Your lotus feet becomes totally befooled, and thus she accepts as her husband or lover a living corpse covered with skin, whiskers, nails, head-hair and body-hair and filled with flesh, bones, blood, parasites, feces, mucus, bile and air.
अस्त्वम्बुजाक्ष मम ते चरणानुराग आत्मन् रतस्य मयि चानतिरिक्तदृष्टेः । यर्ह्यस्य वृद्धय उपात्तरजोऽतिमात्रो मामीक्षसे तदु ह नः परमानुकम्पा
astvambujākṣa mama te caraṇānurāga ātman ratasya mayi cānatiriktadṛṣṭeḥ | yarhyasya vṛddhaya upāttarajo'timātro māmīkṣase tadu ha naḥ paramānukampā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O lotus-eyed one, though You are satisfied within Yourself and thus rarely turn Your attention toward me, please bless me with steady love for Your feet. It is when You assume a predominance of passion in order to manifest the universe that You glance upon me, showing me what is indeed Your greatest mercy.
नैवालीकमहं मन्ये वचस्ते मधुसूदन । अम्बाया इव हि प्रायः कन्यायाः स्याद्रतिः क्वचित्
naivālīkamahaṃ manye vacaste madhusūdana | ambāyā iva hi prāyaḥ kanyāyāḥ syādratiḥ kvacit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Actually, I don’t consider Your words false, Madhūsudana. Quite often an unmarried girl is attracted to a man, as in the case of Ambā.
व्यूढायाश्चापि पुंश्चल्या मनोऽभ्येति नवं नवम् । बुधोऽसतीं न बिभृयात्तां बिभ्रदुभयच्युतः
vyūḍhāyāścāpi puṃścalyā mano'bhyeti navaṃ navam | budho'satīṃ na bibhṛyāttāṃ bibhradubhayacyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The mind of a promiscuous woman always hankers for new lovers, even if she is married. An intelligent man should not keep such an unchaste wife, for if he does he will lose his good fortune both in this life and the next.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । साध्व्येतच्छ्रोतुकामैस्त्वं राजपुत्रि प्रलम्भिता । मयोदितं यदन्वात्थ सर्वं तत्सत्यमेव हि
śrībhagavānuvāca | sādhvyetacchrotukāmaistvaṃ rājaputri pralambhitā | mayoditaṃ yadanvāttha sarvaṃ tatsatyameva hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: O saintly lady, O princess, We deceived you only because We wanted to hear you speak like this. Indeed, everything you said in reply to My words is most certainly true.
यान् यान् कामयसे कामान् मय्यकामाय भामिनि । सन्ति ह्येकान्तभक्तायास्तव कल्याणि नित्यदा
yān yān kāmayase kāmān mayyakāmāya bhāmini | santi hyekāntabhaktāyāstava kalyāṇi nityadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whatever benedictions you hope for in order to become free of material desires are ever yours, O fair and noble lady, for you are My unalloyed devotee.
उपलब्धं पतिप्रेम पातिव्रत्यं च तेऽनघे । यद्वाक्यैश्चाल्यमानाया न धीर्मय्यपकर्षिता
upalabdhaṃ patiprema pātivratyaṃ ca te'naghe | yadvākyaiścālyamānāyā na dhīrmayyapakarṣitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O sinless one, I have now seen firsthand the pure love and chaste attachment you have for your husband. Even though shaken by My words, your mind could not be pulled away from Me.
ये मां भजन्ति दाम्पत्ये तपसा व्रतचर्यया । कामात्मानोऽपवर्गेशं मोहिता मम मायया
ye māṃ bhajanti dāmpatye tapasā vratacaryayā | kāmātmāno'pavargeśaṃ mohitā mama māyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although I have the power to award spiritual liberation, lusty persons worship Me with penance and vows in order to get My blessings for their mundane family life. Such persons are bewildered by My illusory energy.
मां प्राप्य मानिन्यपवर्गसम्पदं वाञ्छन्ति ये सम्पद एव तत्पतिम् । ते मन्दभाग्या निरयेऽपि ये नृणां मात्रात्मकत्वान्निरयः सुसङ्गमः
māṃ prāpya māninyapavargasampadaṃ vāñchanti ye sampada eva tatpatim | te mandabhāgyā niraye'pi ye nṛṇāṃ mātrātmakatvānnirayaḥ susaṅgamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O supreme reservoir of love, unfortunate are they who even after obtaining Me, the Lord of both liberation and material riches, hanker only for material treasures. These worldly gains can be found even in hell. Since such persons are obsessed with sense gratification, hell is a fitting place for them.
दिष्ट्या गृहेश्वर्यसकृन्मयि त्वया कृतानुवृत्तिर्भवमोचनी खलैः । सुदुष्करासौ सुतरां दुराशिषो ह्यसुम्भराया निकृतिं जुषः स्त्रियाः
diṣṭyā gṛheśvaryasakṛnmayi tvayā kṛtānuvṛttirbhavamocanī khalaiḥ | suduṣkarāsau sutarāṃ durāśiṣo hyasumbharāyā nikṛtiṃ juṣaḥ striyāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Fortunately, O mistress of the house, you have always rendered Me faithful devotional service, which liberates one from material existence. This service is very difficult for the envious to perform, especially for a woman whose intentions are wicked, who lives only to gratify her bodily demands, and who indulges in duplicity.
न त्वादृशीं प्रणयिनीं गृहिणीं गृहेषु पश्यामि मानिनि यया स्वविवाहकाले । प्राप्तान् नृपानवगणय्य रहो हरो मे प्रस्थापितो द्विज उपश्रुतसत्कथस्य
na tvādṛśīṃ praṇayinīṃ gṛhiṇīṃ gṛheṣu paśyāmi mānini yayā svavivāhakāle | prāptān nṛpānavagaṇayya raho haro me prasthāpito dvija upaśrutasatkathasya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In all My palaces I can find no other wife as loving as you, O most respectful one. When you were to be married, you disregarded all the kings who had assembled to seek your hand, and simply because you had heard authentic accounts concerning Me, you sent a brāhmaṇa to Me with your confidential message.
भ्रातुर्विरूपकरणं युधि निर्जितस्य प्रोद्वाहपर्वणि च तद्वधमक्षगोष्ठ्याम् । दुःखं समुत्थमसहोऽस्मदयोगभीत्या नैवाब्रवीः किमपि तेन वयं जितास्ते
bhrāturvirūpakaraṇaṃ yudhi nirjitasya prodvāhaparvaṇi ca tadvadhamakṣagoṣṭhyām | duḥkhaṃ samutthamasaho'smadayogabhītyā naivābravīḥ kimapi tena vayaṃ jitāste
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When your brother, who had been defeated in battle and then disfigured, was later killed during a gambling match on Aniruddha’s wedding day, you felt unbearable grief, yet out of fear of losing Me you spoke not a word. By this silence you have conquered Me.
दूतस्त्वयाऽऽत्मलभने सुविविक्तमन्त्रः प्रस्थापितो मयि चिरायति शून्यमेतत् । मत्वाजिहास इदमङ्गमनन्ययोग्यं तिष्ठेत तत्त्वयि वयं प्रतिनन्दयामः
dūtastvayā''tmalabhane suviviktamantraḥ prasthāpito mayi cirāyati śūnyametat | matvājihāsa idamaṅgamananyayogyaṃ tiṣṭheta tattvayi vayaṃ pratinandayāmaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When you sent the messenger with your most confidential plan and yet I delayed going to you, you began to see the whole world as void and wanted to quit your body, which could never have been given to anyone but Me. May this greatness of yours remain with you always; I can do nothing to reciprocate except joyfully thank you for your devotion.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं सौरतसंलापैर्भगवान् जगदीश्वरः । स्वरतो रमया रेमे नरलोकं विडम्बयन्
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ sauratasaṃlāpairbhagavān jagadīśvaraḥ | svarato ramayā reme naralokaṃ viḍambayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: And so the self-satisfied Supreme Lord of the universe enjoyed with the goddess of fortune, engaging her in lovers’ talks and thus imitating the ways of human society.
तथान्यासामपि विभुर्गृहेषु गृहवानिव । आस्थितो गृहमेधीयान् धर्मान् लोकगुरुर्हरिः
tathānyāsāmapi vibhurgṛheṣu gṛhavāniva | āsthito gṛhamedhīyān dharmān lokagururhariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The almighty Lord Hari, preceptor of all the worlds, similarly behaved like a conventional householder in the palaces of His other queens, performing the religious duties of a family man.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एकैकशस्ताः कृष्णस्य पुत्रान् दश दशाबलाः । अजीजनन्ननवमान् पितुः सर्वात्मसम्पदा
śrīśuka uvāca | ekaikaśastāḥ kṛṣṇasya putrān daśa daśābalāḥ | ajījanannanavamān pituḥ sarvātmasampadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Each of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s wives gave birth to ten sons, who were not less than their father, having all His personal opulence.
गृहादनपगं वीक्ष्य राजपुत्र्योऽच्युतं स्थितम् । प्रेष्ठं न्यमंसत स्वं स्वं न तत्तत्त्वविदः स्त्रियः
gṛhādanapagaṃ vīkṣya rājaputryo'cyutaṃ sthitam | preṣṭhaṃ nyamaṃsata svaṃ svaṃ na tattattvavidaḥ striyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because each of these princesses saw that Lord Acyuta never left her palace, each thought herself the Lord’s favorite. These women did not understand the full truth about Him.
चार्वब्जकोशवदनायतबाहुनेत्र- सप्रेमहासरसवीक्षितवल्गुजल्पैः । सम्मोहिता भगवतो न मनो विजेतुं स्वैर्विभ्रमैः समशकन् वनिता विभूम्नः
cārvabjakośavadanāyatabāhunetra- sapremahāsarasavīkṣitavalgujalpaiḥ | sammohitā bhagavato na mano vijetuṃ svairvibhramaiḥ samaśakan vanitā vibhūmnaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord’s wives were fully enchanted by His lovely, lotuslike face, His long arms and large eyes, His loving glances imbued with laughter, and His charming talks with them. But with all their charms these ladies could not conquer the mind of the all-powerful Lord.
स्मायावलोकलवदर्शितभावहारि- भ्रूमण्डलप्रहितसौरतमन्त्रशौण्डैः । पत्न्यस्तु षोडशसहस्रमनङ्गबाणैः यस्येन्द्रियं विमथितुं करणैर्न शेकुः
smāyāvalokalavadarśitabhāvahāri- bhrūmaṇḍalaprahitasauratamantraśauṇḍaiḥ | patnyastu ṣoḍaśasahasramanaṅgabāṇaiḥ yasyendriyaṃ vimathituṃ karaṇairna śekuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The arched eyebrows of these sixteen thousand queens enchantingly expressed those ladies’ secret intentions through coyly smiling sidelong glances. Thus their eyebrows boldly sent forth conjugal messages. Yet even with these arrows of Cupid, and with other means as well, they could not agitate Lord Kṛṣṇa’s senses.
इत्थं रमापतिमवाप्य पतिं स्त्रियस्ता ब्रह्मादयोऽपि न विदुः पदवीं यदीयाम् । भेजुर्मुदाविरतमेधितयानुराग- हासावलोकनवसङ्गमलालसाद्यम्
itthaṃ ramāpatimavāpya patiṃ striyastā brahmādayo'pi na viduḥ padavīṃ yadīyām | bhejurmudāviratamedhitayānurāga- hāsāvalokanavasaṅgamalālasādyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus these women obtained as their husband the master of the goddess of fortune, although even great demigods like Brahmā do not know how to approach Him. With ever-increasing pleasure, they felt loving attraction for Him, exchanged smiling glances with Him, eagerly anticipated associating with Him in ever-fresh intimacy and enjoyed in many other ways.
प्रत्युद्गमासनवरार्हणपादशौच- ताम्बूलविश्रमणवीजनगन्धमाल्यैः । केशप्रसारशयनस्नपनोपहार्यैः दासीशता अपि विभोर्विदधुः स्म दास्यम्
pratyudgamāsanavarārhaṇapādaśauca- tāmbūlaviśramaṇavījanagandhamālyaiḥ | keśaprasāraśayanasnapanopahāryaiḥ dāsīśatā api vibhorvidadhuḥ sma dāsyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although the Supreme Lord’s queens each had hundreds of maidservants, they chose to personally serve the Lord by approaching Him humbly, offering Him a seat, worshiping Him with excellent paraphernalia, bathing and massaging His feet, giving Him pān to chew, fanning Him, anointing Him with fragrant sandalwood paste, adorning Him with flower garlands, dressing His hair, arranging His bed, bathing Him and presenting Him with various gifts.
तासां या दश पुत्राणां कृष्णस्त्रीणां पुरोदिताः । अष्टौ महिष्यस्तत्पुत्रान् प्रद्युम्नादीन् गृणामि ते
tāsāṃ yā daśa putrāṇāṃ kṛṣṇastrīṇāṃ puroditāḥ | aṣṭau mahiṣyastatputrān pradyumnādīn gṛṇāmi te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Among Lord Kṛṣṇa’s wives, each of whom had ten sons, I previously mentioned eight principal queens. I shall now recite for you the names of those eight queens’ sons, headed by Pradyumna.
वीरश्चन्द्रोऽश्वसेनश्च चित्रगुर्वेगवान् वृषः । आमः शङ्कुर्वसुः श्रीमान् कुन्तिर्नाग्नजितेः सुताः
vīraścandro'śvasenaśca citragurvegavān vṛṣaḥ | āmaḥ śaṅkurvasuḥ śrīmān kuntirnāgnajiteḥ sutāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sons of Nāgnajitī were Vīra, Candra, Aśvasena, Citragu, Vegavān, Vṛṣa, Āma, Śaṅku, Vasu and the opulent Kunti.
श्रुतः कविर्वृषो वीरः सुबाहुर्भद्र एकलः । शान्तिर्दर्शः पूर्णमासः कालिन्द्याः सोमकोऽवरः
śrutaḥ kavirvṛṣo vīraḥ subāhurbhadra ekalaḥ | śāntirdarśaḥ pūrṇamāsaḥ kālindyāḥ somako'varaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śruta, Kavi, Vṛṣa, Vīra, Subāhu, Bhadra, Śānti, Darśa and Pūrṇamāsa were sons of Kālindī. Her youngest son was Somaka.
प्रघोषो गात्रवान् सिंहो बलः प्रबल ऊर्ध्वगः । माद्र्याः पुत्रा महाशक्तिः सह ओजोऽपराजितः
praghoṣo gātravān siṃho balaḥ prabala ūrdhvagaḥ | mādryāḥ putrā mahāśaktiḥ saha ojo'parājitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mādrā’s sons were Praghoṣa, Gātravān, Siṁha, Bala, Prabala, Ūrdhaga, Mahāśakti, Saha, Oja and Aparājita.
वृको हर्षोऽनिलो गृध्रो वर्धनोऽन्नाद एव च । महाशः पावनो वह्निर्मित्रविन्दात्मजाः क्षुधिः
vṛko harṣo'nilo gṛdhro vardhano'nnāda eva ca | mahāśaḥ pāvano vahnirmitravindātmajāḥ kṣudhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mitravindā’s sons were Vṛka, Harṣa, Anila, Gṛdhra, Vardhana, Unnāda, Mahāṁsa, Pāvana, Vahni and Kṣudhi.
सङ्ग्रामजिद्बृहत्सेनः शूरः प्रहरणोऽरिजित् । जयः सुभद्रो भद्राया वाम आयुश्च सत्यकः
saṅgrāmajidbṛhatsenaḥ śūraḥ praharaṇo'rijit | jayaḥ subhadro bhadrāyā vāma āyuśca satyakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Saṅgrāmajit, Bṛhatsena, Śūra, Praharaṇa, Arijit, Jaya and Subhadra were the sons of Bhadrā, together with Vāma, Āyur and Satyaka.
दीप्तिमांस्ताम्रतप्ताद्या रोहिण्यास्तनया हरेः । प्रद्युम्नाच्चानिरुद्धोऽभूद्रुक्मवत्यां महाबलः
dīptimāṃstāmrataptādyā rohiṇyāstanayā hareḥ | pradyumnāccāniruddho'bhūdrukmavatyāṃ mahābalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dīptimān, Tāmratapta and others were the sons of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Rohiṇī. Lord Kṛṣṇa’s son Pradyumna fathered the greatly powerful Aniruddha in the womb of Rukmavatī, the daughter of Rukmī. O King, this took place while they were living in the city of Bhojakaṭa.
पुत्र्यां तु रुक्मिणो राजन् नाम्ना भोजकटे पुरे । एतेषां पुत्रपौत्राश्च बभूवुः कोटिशो नृप । मातरः कृष्णजातानां सहस्राणि च षोडश
putryāṃ tu rukmiṇo rājan nāmnā bhojakaṭe pure | eteṣāṃ putrapautrāśca babhūvuḥ koṭiśo nṛpa | mātaraḥ kṛṣṇajātānāṃ sahasrāṇi ca ṣoḍaśa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, the sons and grandsons of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s children numbered in the tens of millions. Sixteen thousand mothers gave rise to this dynasty.
राजोवाच । कथं रुक्म्यरिपुत्राय प्रादाद्दुहितरं युधि । कृष्णेन परिभूतस्तं हन्तुं रन्ध्रं प्रतीक्षते । एतदाख्याहि मे विद्वन् द्विषोर्वैवाहिकं मिथः
rājovāca | kathaṃ rukmyariputrāya prādādduhitaraṃ yudhi | kṛṣṇena paribhūtastaṃ hantuṃ randhraṃ pratīkṣate | etadākhyāhi me vidvan dviṣorvaivāhikaṃ mithaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit said: How could Rukmī give his daughter to his enemy’s son? After all, Rukmī had been defeated by Lord Kṛṣṇa in battle and was waiting for an opportunity to kill Him. Please explain this to me, O learned one — how these two inimical parties became united through marriage.
अनागतमतीतं च वर्तमानमतीन्द्रियम् । विप्रकृष्टं व्यवहितं सम्यक् पश्यन्ति योगिनः
anāgatamatītaṃ ca vartamānamatīndriyam | viprakṛṣṭaṃ vyavahitaṃ samyak paśyanti yoginaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mystic yogīs can perfectly see that which has not yet happened, as well as things in the past or present, beyond the senses, remote or blocked by physical obstacles.
श्रीशुक उवाच । वृतः स्वयंवरे साक्षादनङ्गोऽङ्गयुतस्तया । राज्ञः समेतान् निर्जित्य जहारैकरथो युधि
śrīśuka uvāca | vṛtaḥ svayaṃvare sākṣādanaṅgo'ṅgayutastayā | rājñaḥ sametān nirjitya jahāraikaratho yudhi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: At her svayaṁvara ceremony, Rukmavatī herself chose Pradyumna, who was the re-embodiment of Cupid. Then, although He fought alone on a single chariot, Pradyumna defeated the assembled kings in battle and took her away.
यद्यप्यनुस्मरन् वैरं रुक्मी कृष्णावमानितः । व्यतरद्भागिनेयाय सुतां कुर्वन् स्वसुः प्रियम्
yadyapyanusmaran vairaṃ rukmī kṛṣṇāvamānitaḥ | vyataradbhāgineyāya sutāṃ kurvan svasuḥ priyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Though Rukmī always remembered his enmity toward Lord Kṛṣṇa, who had insulted him, in order to please his sister he sanctioned his daughter’s marriage to his nephew.
रुक्मिण्यास्तनयां राजन् कृतवर्मसुतो बली । उपयेमे विशालाक्षीं कन्यां चारुमतीं किल
rukmiṇyāstanayāṃ rājan kṛtavarmasuto balī | upayeme viśālākṣīṃ kanyāṃ cārumatīṃ kila
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, Balī, the son of Kṛtavarmā, married Rukmiṇī’s young daughter, large-eyed Cārumatī.
दौहित्रायानिरुद्धाय पौत्रीं रुक्म्यददाद्धरेः । रोचनां बद्धवैरोऽपि स्वसुः प्रियचिकीर्षया । जानन्नधर्मं तद्यौनं स्नेहपाशानुबन्धनः
dauhitrāyāniruddhāya pautrīṃ rukmyadadāddhareḥ | rocanāṃ baddhavairo'pi svasuḥ priyacikīrṣayā | jānannadharmaṃ tadyaunaṃ snehapāśānubandhanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Rukmī gave his granddaughter Rocanā to his daughter’s son, Aniruddha, despite Rukmī’s relentless feud with Lord Hari. Although Rukmī considered this marriage irreligious, he wanted to please his sister, bound as he was by the ropes of affection.
तस्मिन्नभ्युदये राजन् रुक्मिणी रामकेशवौ । पुरं भोजकटं जग्मुः साम्बप्रद्युम्नकादयः
tasminnabhyudaye rājan rukmiṇī rāmakeśavau | puraṃ bhojakaṭaṃ jagmuḥ sāmbapradyumnakādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the joyous occasion of that marriage, O King, Queen Rukmiṇī, Lord Balarāma, Lord Kṛṣṇa and several of the Lord’s sons, headed by Sāmba and Pradyumna, went to the city of Bhojakaṭa.
शतं सहस्रमयुतं रामस्तत्राददे पणम् । तं तु रुक्म्यजयत्तत्र कालिङ्गः प्राहसद्बलम् । दन्तान् सन्दर्शयन्नुच्चैर्नामृष्यत्तद्धलायुधः
śataṃ sahasramayutaṃ rāmastatrādade paṇam | taṃ tu rukmyajayattatra kāliṅgaḥ prāhasadbalam | dantān sandarśayannuccairnāmṛṣyattaddhalāyudhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that match Lord Balarāma first accepted a wager of one hundred coins, then one thousand, then ten thousand. Rukmī won this first round, and the King of Kaliṅga laughed loudly at Lord Balarāma, showing all his teeth. Lord Balarāma could not tolerate this.
ततो लक्षं रुक्म्यगृह्णाद् ग्लहं तत्राजयद्बलः । जितवानहमित्याह रुक्मी कैतवमाश्रितः
tato lakṣaṃ rukmyagṛhṇād glahaṃ tatrājayadbalaḥ | jitavānahamityāha rukmī kaitavamāśritaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Next Rukmī accepted a bet of one hundred thousand coins, which Lord Balarāma won. But Rukmī tried to cheat, declaring “I’m the winner!”
मन्युना क्षुभितः श्रीमान् समुद्र इव पर्वणि । जात्यारुणाक्षोऽतिरुषा न्यर्बुदं ग्लहमाददे
manyunā kṣubhitaḥ śrīmān samudra iva parvaṇi | jātyāruṇākṣo'tiruṣā nyarbudaṃ glahamādade
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Shaking with anger like the ocean on the full-moon day, handsome Lord Balarāma, His naturally reddish eyes even redder in His fury, accepted a wager of one hundred million gold coins.
तं चापि जितवान् रामो धर्मेणच्छलमाश्रितः । रुक्मी जितं मयात्रेमे वदन्तु प्राश्निका इति
taṃ cāpi jitavān rāmo dharmeṇacchalamāśritaḥ | rukmī jitaṃ mayātreme vadantu prāśnikā iti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma fairly won this wager also, but Rukmī again resorted to cheating and declared, “I have won! Let these witnesses here say what they saw.”
तदाब्रवीन्नभोवाणी बलेनैव जितो ग्लहः । धर्मतो वचनेनैव रुक्मी वदति वै मृषा
tadābravīnnabhovāṇī balenaiva jito glahaḥ | dharmato vacanenaiva rukmī vadati vai mṛṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just then a voice from the sky declared, “Balarāma has fairly won this wager. Rukmī is surely lying.”
तामनादृत्य वैदर्भो दुष्टराजन्यचोदितः । सङ्कर्षणं परिहसन् बभाषे कालचोदितः
tāmanādṛtya vaidarbho duṣṭarājanyacoditaḥ | saṅkarṣaṇaṃ parihasan babhāṣe kālacoditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Urged on by the wicked kings, Rukmī ignored the divine voice. In fact destiny itself was urging Rukmī on, and thus he ridiculed Lord Balarāma as follows.
नैवाक्षकोविदा यूयं गोपाला वनगोचराः । अक्षैर्दीव्यन्ति राजानो बाणैश्च न भवादृशाः
naivākṣakovidā yūyaṃ gopālā vanagocarāḥ | akṣairdīvyanti rājāno bāṇaiśca na bhavādṛśāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Rukmī said:] You cowherds who wander about the forests know nothing about dice. Playing with dice and sporting with arrows are only for kings, not for the likes of You.
रुक्मिणैवमधिक्षिप्तो राजभिश्चोपहासितः । क्रुद्धः परिघमुद्यम्य जघ्ने तं नृम्णसंसदि
rukmiṇaivamadhikṣipto rājabhiścopahāsitaḥ | kruddhaḥ parighamudyamya jaghne taṃ nṛmṇasaṃsadi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus insulted by Rukmī and ridiculed by the kings, Lord Balarāma was provoked to anger. In the midst of the auspicious wedding assembly, He raised His club and struck Rukmī dead.
कलिङ्गराजं तरसा गृहीत्वा दशमे पदे । दन्तानपातयत्क्रुद्धो योऽहसद्विवृतैर्द्विजैः
kaliṅgarājaṃ tarasā gṛhītvā daśame pade | dantānapātayatkruddho yo'hasadvivṛtairdvijaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King of Kaliṅga, who had laughed at Lord Balarāma and shown his teeth, tried to run away, but the furious Lord quickly seized him on his tenth step and knocked out all his teeth.
अन्ये निर्भिन्नबाहूरुशिरसो रुधिरोक्षिताः । राजानो दुद्रवर्भीता बलेन परिघार्दिताः
anye nirbhinnabāhūruśiraso rudhirokṣitāḥ | rājāno dudravarbhītā balena parighārditāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Tormented by Lord Balarāma’s club, the other kings fled in fear, their arms, thighs and heads broken and their bodies drenched in blood.
निहते रुक्मिणि श्याले नाब्रवीत्साध्वसाधु वा । रुक्मिणीबलयो राजन् स्नेहभङ्गभयाद्धरिः
nihate rukmiṇi śyāle nābravītsādhvasādhu vā | rukmiṇībalayo rājan snehabhaṅgabhayāddhariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When His brother-in-law Rukmī was slain, Lord Kṛṣṇa neither applauded nor protested, O King, for He feared jeopardizing His affectionate ties with either Rukmiṇī or Balarāma.
ततोऽनिरुद्धं सह सूर्यया वरं रथं समारोप्य ययुः कुशस्थलीम् । रामादयो भोजकटाद्दशार्हाः सिद्धाखिलार्था मधुसूदनाश्रयाः
tato'niruddhaṃ saha sūryayā varaṃ rathaṃ samāropya yayuḥ kuśasthalīm | rāmādayo bhojakaṭāddaśārhāḥ siddhākhilārthā madhusūdanāśrayāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the descendants of Daśārha, headed by Lord Balarāma, seated Aniruddha and His bride on a fine chariot and set off from Bhojakaṭa for Dvārakā. Having taken shelter of Lord Madhusūdana, they had fulfilled all their purposes.
राजोवाच । बाणस्य तनयामूषामुपयेमे यदूत्तमः । तत्र युद्धमभूद्घोरं हरिशङ्करयोर्महत् । एतत्सर्वं महायोगिन् समाख्यातुं त्वमर्हसि
rājovāca | bāṇasya tanayāmūṣāmupayeme yadūttamaḥ | tatra yuddhamabhūdghoraṃ hariśaṅkarayormahat | etatsarvaṃ mahāyogin samākhyātuṃ tvamarhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit said: The best of the Yadus married Bāṇāsura’s daughter, Ūṣā, and as a result a great, fearsome battle occurred between Lord Hari and Lord Śaṅkara. Please explain everything about this incident, O most powerful of mystics.
श्रीशुक उवाच । बाणः पुत्रशतज्येष्ठो बलेरासीन्महात्मनः । येन वामनरूपाय हरयेऽदायि मेदिनी
śrīśuka uvāca | bāṇaḥ putraśatajyeṣṭho balerāsīnmahātmanaḥ | yena vāmanarūpāya haraye'dāyi medinī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Bāṇa was the oldest of the hundred sons fathered by the great saint Bali Mahārāja, who gave the whole earth in charity to Lord Hari when He appeared as Vāmanadeva. Bāṇāsura, born from Bali’s semen, became a great devotee of Lord Śiva. His behavior was always respectable, and he was generous, intelligent, truthful and firm in his vows. The beautiful city of Śoṇitapura was under his dominion. Because Lord Śiva had favored him, the very demigods waited on Bāṇāsura like menial servants. Once, when Śiva was dancing his tāṇḍava-nṛtya, Bāṇa especially satisfied the lord by playing a musical accompaniment with his one thousand arms.
तस्यौरसः सुतो बाणः शिवभक्तिरतः सदा । मान्यो वदान्यो धीमांश्च सत्यसन्धो दृढव्रतः
tasyaurasaḥ suto bāṇaḥ śivabhaktirataḥ sadā | mānyo vadānyo dhīmāṃśca satyasandho dṛḍhavrataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The lord and master of all created beings, the compassionate refuge of his devotees, gladdened Bāṇāsura by offering him the benediction of his choice. Bāṇa chose to have him, Lord Śiva, as the guardian of his city.
शोणिताख्ये पुरे रम्ये स राज्यमकरोत्पुरा । तस्य शम्भोः प्रसादेन किङ्करा इव तेऽमराः । सहस्रबाहुर्वाद्येन ताण्डवेऽतोषयन्मृडम्
śoṇitākhye pure ramye sa rājyamakarotpurā | tasya śambhoḥ prasādena kiṅkarā iva te'marāḥ | sahasrabāhurvādyena tāṇḍave'toṣayanmṛḍam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bāṇāsura was intoxicated with his strength. One day, when Lord Śiva was standing beside him, Bāṇāsura touched the lord’s lotus feet with his helmet, which shone like the sun, and spoke to him as follows.
भगवान् सर्वभूतेशः शरण्यो भक्तवत्सलः । वरेण छन्दयामास स तं वव्रे पुराधिपम्
bhagavān sarvabhūteśaḥ śaraṇyo bhaktavatsalaḥ | vareṇa chandayāmāsa sa taṃ vavre purādhipam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Bāṇāsura said:] O Lord Mahādeva, I bow down to you, the spiritual master and controller of the worlds. You are like the heavenly tree that fulfills the desires of those whose desires are unfulfilled.
स एकदाऽऽह गिरिशं पार्श्वस्थं वीर्यदुर्मदः । किरीटेनार्कवर्णेन संस्पृशंस्तत्पदाम्बुजम्
sa ekadā''ha giriśaṃ pārśvasthaṃ vīryadurmadaḥ | kirīṭenārkavarṇena saṃspṛśaṃstatpadāmbujam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These one thousand arms you bestowed upon me have become merely a heavy burden. Besides you, I find no one in the three worlds worthy to fight.
नमस्ये त्वां महादेव लोकानां गुरुमीश्वरम् । पुंसामपूर्णकामानां कामपूरामराङ्घ्रिपम्
namasye tvāṃ mahādeva lokānāṃ gurumīśvaram | puṃsāmapūrṇakāmānāṃ kāmapūrāmarāṅghripam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Eager to fight with the elephants who rule the directions, O primeval lord, I went forth, pulverizing mountains with my arms, which were itching for battle. But even those great elephants fled in fear.
दोःसहस्रं त्वया दत्तं परं भाराय मेऽभवत् । त्रिलोक्यां प्रतियोद्धारं न लभे त्वदृते समम्
doḥsahasraṃ tvayā dattaṃ paraṃ bhārāya me'bhavat | trilokyāṃ pratiyoddhāraṃ na labhe tvadṛte samam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing this, Lord Śiva became angry and replied, “Your flag will be broken, fool, when you have done battle with one who is my equal. That fight will vanquish your conceit.”
कण्डूत्या निभृतैर्दोर्भिर्युयुत्सुर्दिग्गजानहम् । आद्यायां चूर्णयन्नद्रीन् भीतास्तेऽपि प्रदुद्रुवुः
kaṇḍūtyā nibhṛtairdorbhiryuyutsurdiggajānaham | ādyāyāṃ cūrṇayannadrīn bhītāste'pi pradudruvuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus advised, unintelligent Bāṇāsura was delighted. The fool then went home, O King, to wait for that which Lord Giriśa had predicted: the destruction of his prowess.
तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान् क्रुद्धः केतुस्ते भज्यते यदा । त्वद्दर्पघ्नं भवेन्मूढ संयुगं मत्समेन ते
tacchrutvā bhagavān kruddhaḥ ketuste bhajyate yadā | tvaddarpaghnaṃ bhavenmūḍha saṃyugaṃ matsamena te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In a dream Bāṇa’s daughter, the maiden Ūṣā, had an amorous encounter with the son of Pradyumna, though she had never before seen or heard of her lover.
इत्युक्तः कुमतिर्हृष्टः स्वगृहं प्राविशन्नृप । प्रतीक्षन् गिरिशादेशं स्ववीर्यनशनं कुधीः
ityuktaḥ kumatirhṛṣṭaḥ svagṛhaṃ prāviśannṛpa | pratīkṣan giriśādeśaṃ svavīryanaśanaṃ kudhīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Losing sight of Him in her dream, Ūṣā suddenly sat up in the midst of her girlfriends, crying out “Where are You, my lover?” She was greatly disturbed and embarrassed.
तस्योषा नाम दुहिता स्वप्ने प्राद्युम्निना रतिम् । कन्यालभत कान्तेन प्रागदृष्टश्रुतेन सा
tasyoṣā nāma duhitā svapne prādyumninā ratim | kanyālabhata kāntena prāgadṛṣṭaśrutena sā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bāṇāsura had a minister named Kumbhāṇḍa, whose daughter was Citralekhā. A companion of Ūṣā’s, she was filled with curiosity, and thus she inquired from her friend.
सा तत्र तमपश्यन्ती क्वासि कान्तेति वादिनी । सखीनां मध्य उत्तस्थौ विह्वला व्रीडिता भृशम्
sā tatra tamapaśyantī kvāsi kānteti vādinī | sakhīnāṃ madhya uttasthau vihvalā vrīḍitā bhṛśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Citralekhā said:] Who are you searching for, O fine-browed one? What is this hankering you’re feeling? Until now, O princess, I haven’t seen any man take your hand in marriage.
बाणस्य मन्त्री कुम्भाण्डश्चित्रलेखा च तत्सुता । सख्यपृच्छत्सखीमूषां कौतूहलसमन्विता
bāṇasya mantrī kumbhāṇḍaścitralekhā ca tatsutā | sakhyapṛcchatsakhīmūṣāṃ kautūhalasamanvitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Ūṣā said:] In my dream I saw a certain man who had a darkblue complexion, lotus eyes, yellow garments and mighty arms. He was the kind who touches women’s hearts.
कं त्वं मृगयसे सुभ्रूः कीदृशस्ते मनोरथः । हस्तग्राहं न तेऽद्यापि राजपुत्र्युपलक्षये
kaṃ tvaṃ mṛgayase subhrūḥ kīdṛśaste manorathaḥ | hastagrāhaṃ na te'dyāpi rājaputryupalakṣaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is that lover I search for. After making me drink the honey of His lips, He has gone elsewhere, and thus He has thrown me, hankering fervently for Him, into the ocean of distress.
ऊषोवाच । दृष्टः कश्चिन्नरः स्वप्ने श्यामः कमललोचनः । पीतवासा बृहद्बाहुर्योषितां हृदयङ्गमः
ūṣovāca | dṛṣṭaḥ kaścinnaraḥ svapne śyāmaḥ kamalalocanaḥ | pītavāsā bṛhadbāhuryoṣitāṃ hṛdayaṅgamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Citralekhā said: I will remove your distress. If He is to be found anywhere in the three worlds, I will bring this future husband of yours who has stolen your heart. Please show me who He is.
तमहं मृगये कान्तं पाययित्वाधरं मधु । क्वापि यातः स्पृहयतीं क्षिप्त्वा मां वृजिनार्णवे
tamahaṃ mṛgaye kāntaṃ pāyayitvādharaṃ madhu | kvāpi yātaḥ spṛhayatīṃ kṣiptvā māṃ vṛjinārṇave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Saying this, Citralekhā proceeded to draw accurate pictures of various demigods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Pannagas, Daityas, Vidyādharas, Yakṣas and humans.
मनुजेषु च सा वृष्णीन् शूरमानकदुन्दुभिम् । व्यलिखद्रामकृष्णौ च प्रद्युम्नं वीक्ष्य लज्जिता
manujeṣu ca sā vṛṣṇīn śūramānakadundubhim | vyalikhadrāmakṛṣṇau ca pradyumnaṃ vīkṣya lajjitā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Citralekhā, endowed with mystic powers, recognized Him as Kṛṣṇa’s grandson [Aniruddha]. My dear King, she then traveled by the mystic skyway to Dvārakā, the city under Lord Kṛṣṇa’s protection.
अनिरुद्धं विलिखितं वीक्ष्योषावाङ्मुखी ह्रिया । सोऽसावसाविति प्राह स्मयमाना महीपते
aniruddhaṃ vilikhitaṃ vīkṣyoṣāvāṅmukhī hriyā | so'sāvasāviti prāha smayamānā mahīpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There she found Pradyumna’s son Aniruddha sleeping upon a fine bed. With her yogic power she took Him away to Śoṇitapura, where she presented her girlfriend Ūṣā with her beloved.
चित्रलेखा तमाज्ञाय पौत्रं कृष्णस्य योगिनी । ययौ विहायसा राजन् द्वारकां कृष्णपालिताम्
citralekhā tamājñāya pautraṃ kṛṣṇasya yoginī | yayau vihāyasā rājan dvārakāṃ kṛṣṇapālitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Ūṣā beheld Him, the most beautiful of men, her face lit up with joy. She took the son of Pradyumna to her private quarters, which men were forbidden even to see, and there enjoyed with Him.
तां तथा यदुवीरेण भुज्यमानां हतव्रताम् । हेतुभिर्लक्षयाञ्चक्रुराप्रीतां दुरवच्छदैः
tāṃ tathā yaduvīreṇa bhujyamānāṃ hatavratām | hetubhirlakṣayāñcakrurāprītāṃ duravacchadaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“We have been carefully watching over her, never leaving our posts, O master, so we cannot understand how this maiden, whom no man can even see, has been corrupted within the palace.”
भटा आवेदयाञ्चक्रू राजंस्ते दुहितुर्वयम् । विचेष्टितं लक्षयामः कन्यायाः कुलदूषणम्
bhaṭā āvedayāñcakrū rājaṃste duhiturvayam | viceṣṭitaṃ lakṣayāmaḥ kanyāyāḥ kuladūṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Very agitated to hear of his daughter’s corruption, Bāṇāsura rushed at once to the maidens’ quarters. There he saw the pride of the Yadus, Aniruddha.
कामात्मजं तं भुवनैकसुन्दरं श्यामं पिशङ्गाम्बरमम्बुजेक्षणम् । बृहद्भुजं कुण्डलकुन्तलत्विषा स्मितावलोकेन च मण्डिताननम्
kāmātmajaṃ taṃ bhuvanaikasundaraṃ śyāmaṃ piśaṅgāmbaramambujekṣaṇam | bṛhadbhujaṃ kuṇḍalakuntalatviṣā smitāvalokena ca maṇḍitānanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing Bāṇāsura enter with many armed guards, Aniruddha raised His iron club and stood resolute, ready to strike anyone who attacked Him. He resembled death personified holding his rod of punishment.
दीव्यन्तमक्षैः प्रिययाभिनृम्णया तदङ्गसङ्गस्तनकुङ्कुमस्रजम् । बाह्वोर्दधानं मधुमल्लिकाश्रितां तस्याग्र आसीनमवेक्ष्य विस्मितः
dīvyantamakṣaiḥ priyayābhinṛmṇayā tadaṅgasaṅgastanakuṅkumasrajam | bāhvordadhānaṃ madhumallikāśritāṃ tasyāgra āsīnamavekṣya vismitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the guards converged on Him from all sides, trying to capture Him, Aniruddha struck them just as the leader of a pack of boars strikes back at dogs. Hit by His blows, the guards fled the palace, running for their lives with shattered heads, thighs and arms.
स तं प्रविष्टं वृतमाततायिभि- र्भटैरनीकैरवलोक्य माधवः । उद्यम्य मौर्वं परिघं व्यवस्थितो यथान्तको दण्डधरो जिघांसया
sa taṃ praviṣṭaṃ vṛtamātatāyibhi- rbhaṭairanīkairavalokya mādhavaḥ | udyamya maurvaṃ parighaṃ vyavasthito yathāntako daṇḍadharo jighāṃsayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But even as Aniruddha was striking down the army of Bāṇa, that powerful son of Bali angrily caught Him with the mystic nāga-pāśa ropes. When Ūṣā heard of Aniruddha’s capture, she was overwhelmed with grief and depression; her eyes filled with tears, and she wept.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अपश्यतां चानिरुद्धं तद्बन्धूनां च भारत । चत्वारो वार्षिका मासा व्यतीयुरनुशोचताम्
śrīśuka uvāca | apaśyatāṃ cāniruddhaṃ tadbandhūnāṃ ca bhārata | catvāro vārṣikā māsā vyatīyuranuśocatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O descendant of Bharata, the relatives of Aniruddha, not seeing Him return, continued to lament as the four rainy months passed.
नारदात्तदुपाकर्ण्य वार्तां बद्धस्य कर्म च । प्रययुः शोणितपुरं वृष्णयः कृष्णदेवताः
nāradāttadupākarṇya vārtāṃ baddhasya karma ca | prayayuḥ śoṇitapuraṃ vṛṣṇayaḥ kṛṣṇadevatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After hearing from Nārada the news of Aniruddha’s deeds and His capture, the Vṛṣṇis, who worshiped Lord Kṛṣṇa as their personal Deity, went to Śoṇitapura.
भज्यमानपुरोद्यानप्राकाराट्टालगोपुरम् । प्रेक्षमाणो रुषाऽऽविष्टस्तुल्यसैन्योऽभिनिर्ययौ
bhajyamānapurodyānaprākārāṭṭālagopuram | prekṣamāṇo ruṣā''viṣṭastulyasainyo'bhiniryayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bāṇāsura became filled with anger upon seeing them destroy his city’s suburban gardens, ramparts, watchtowers and gateways, and thus he went out to confront them with an army of equal size.
बाणार्थे भगवान् रुद्रः ससुतैः प्रमथैर्वृतः । आरुह्य नन्दिवृषभं युयुधे रामकृष्णयोः
bāṇārthe bhagavān rudraḥ sasutaiḥ pramathairvṛtaḥ | āruhya nandivṛṣabhaṃ yuyudhe rāmakṛṣṇayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Rudra, accompanied by his son Kārtikeya and the Pramathas, came riding on Nandi, his bull carrier, to fight Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa on Bāṇa’s behalf.
आसीत्सुतुमुलं युद्धमद्भुतं रोमहर्षणम् । कृष्णशङ्करयो राजन् प्रद्युम्नगुहयोरपि
āsītsutumulaṃ yuddhamadbhutaṃ romaharṣaṇam | kṛṣṇaśaṅkarayo rājan pradyumnaguhayorapi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A most astonishing, tumultuous and hair-raising battle then commenced, with Lord Kṛṣṇa matched against Lord Śaṅkara, and Pradyumna against Kārtikeya.
कुम्भाण्डकूपकर्णाभ्यां बलेन सह संयुगः । साम्बस्य बाणपुत्रेण बाणेन सह सात्यकेः
kumbhāṇḍakūpakarṇābhyāṃ balena saha saṃyugaḥ | sāmbasya bāṇaputreṇa bāṇena saha sātyakeḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma fought with Kumbhāṇḍa and Kūpakarṇa, Sāmba with Bāṇa’s son, and Sātyaki with Bāṇa.
ब्रह्मादयः सुराधीशा मुनयः सिद्धचारणाः । गन्धर्वाप्सरसो यक्षा विमानैर्द्रष्टुमागमन्
brahmādayaḥ surādhīśā munayaḥ siddhacāraṇāḥ | gandharvāpsaraso yakṣā vimānairdraṣṭumāgaman
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Brahmā and the other ruling demigods, along with Siddhas, Cāraṇas and great sages, as well as Gandharvas, Apsarās and Yakṣas, all came in their celestial airplanes to watch.
पृथग्विधानि प्रायुङ्क्त पिनाक्यस्त्राणि शार्ङ्गिणे । प्रत्यस्त्रैः शमयामास शार्ङ्गपाणिरविस्मितः
pṛthagvidhāni prāyuṅkta pinākyastrāṇi śārṅgiṇe | pratyastraiḥ śamayāmāsa śārṅgapāṇiravismitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva, wielder of the trident, shot various weapons at Lord Kṛṣṇa, wielder of Śārṅga. But Lord Kṛṣṇa was not in the least perplexed: He neutralized all these weapons with appropriate counterweapons.
ब्रह्मास्त्रस्य च ब्रह्मास्त्रं वायव्यस्य च पार्वतम् । आग्नेयस्य च पार्जन्यं नैजं पाशुपतस्य च
brahmāstrasya ca brahmāstraṃ vāyavyasya ca pārvatam | āgneyasya ca pārjanyaṃ naijaṃ pāśupatasya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa counteracted a brahmāstra with another brahmāstra, a wind weapon with a mountain weapon, a fire weapon with a rain weapon, and Lord Śiva’s personal pāśupatāstra weapon with His own personal weapon, the nārāyaṇāstra.
मोहयित्वा तु गिरिशं जृम्भणास्त्रेण जृम्भितम् । बाणस्य पृतनां शौरिर्जघानासिगदेषुभिः
mohayitvā tu giriśaṃ jṛmbhaṇāstreṇa jṛmbhitam | bāṇasya pṛtanāṃ śaurirjaghānāsigadeṣubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After bewildering Lord Śiva by making him yawn with a yawning weapon, Lord Kṛṣṇa proceeded to strike down Bāṇāsura’s army with His sword, club and arrows.
स्कन्दः प्रद्युम्नबाणौघैरर्द्यमानः समन्ततः । असृग्विमुञ्चन् गात्रेभ्यः शिखिनापाक्रमद्रणात्
skandaḥ pradyumnabāṇaughairardyamānaḥ samantataḥ | asṛgvimuñcan gātrebhyaḥ śikhināpākramadraṇāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kārtikeya was distressed by the flood of Pradyumna’s arrows raining down from all sides, and thus he fled the battlefield on his peacock as blood poured from his limbs.
कुम्भाण्डः कूपकर्णश्च पेततुर्मुसलार्दितौ । दुद्रुवुस्तदनीकानि हतनाथानि सर्वतः
kumbhāṇḍaḥ kūpakarṇaśca petaturmusalārditau | dudruvustadanīkāni hatanāthāni sarvataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kumbhāṇḍa and Kūpakarṇa, tormented by Lord Balarāma’s club, fell down dead. When the soldiers of these two demons saw that their leaders had been killed, they scattered in all directions.
विशीर्यमाणं स्वबलं दृष्ट्वा बाणोऽत्यमर्षणः । कृष्णमभ्यद्रवत्सङ्ख्ये रथी हित्वैव सात्यकिम्
viśīryamāṇaṃ svabalaṃ dṛṣṭvā bāṇo'tyamarṣaṇaḥ | kṛṣṇamabhyadravatsaṅkhye rathī hitvaiva sātyakim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bāṇāsura was furious to see his entire military force being torn apart. Leaving his fight with Sātyaki, he charged across the battlefield on his chariot and attacked Lord Kṛṣṇa.
धनूंष्याकृष्य युगपद्बाणः पञ्चशतानि वै । एकैकस्मिन् शरौ द्वौ द्वौ सन्दधे रणदुर्मदः
dhanūṃṣyākṛṣya yugapadbāṇaḥ pañcaśatāni vai | ekaikasmin śarau dvau dvau sandadhe raṇadurmadaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Excited to a frenzy by the fighting, Bāṇa simultaneously pulled taut all the strings of his five hundred bows and fixed two arrows on each string.
तानि चिच्छेद भगवान् धनूंषि युगपद्धरिः । सारथिं रथमश्वांश्च हत्वा शङ्खमपूरयत्
tāni ciccheda bhagavān dhanūṃṣi yugapaddhariḥ | sārathiṃ rathamaśvāṃśca hatvā śaṅkhamapūrayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śrī Hari split every one of Bāṇāsura’s bows simultaneously, and also struck down his chariot driver, chariot and horses. The Lord then sounded His conchshell.
तन्माता कोटरा नाम नग्ना मुक्तशिरोरुहा । पुरोऽवतस्थे कृष्णस्य पुत्रप्राणरिरक्षया
tanmātā koṭarā nāma nagnā muktaśiroruhā | puro'vatasthe kṛṣṇasya putraprāṇarirakṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just then Bāṇāsura’s mother, Koṭarā, desiring to save her son’s life, appeared before Lord Kṛṣṇa naked and with her hair undone.
ततस्तिर्यङ्मुखो नग्नामनिरीक्षन् गदाग्रजः । बाणश्च तावद्विरथश्छिन्नधन्वाविशत्पुरम्
tatastiryaṅmukho nagnāmanirīkṣan gadāgrajaḥ | bāṇaśca tāvadvirathaśchinnadhanvāviśatpuram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Gadāgraja turned His face away to avoid seeing the naked woman, and Bāṇāsura — deprived of his chariot, his bow shattered — took the opportunity to flee into his city.
विद्राविते भूतगणे ज्वरस्तु त्रिशिरास्त्रिपात् । अभ्यधावत दाशार्हं दहन्निव दिशो दश
vidrāvite bhūtagaṇe jvarastu triśirāstripāt | abhyadhāvata dāśārhaṃ dahanniva diśo daśa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Lord Śiva’s followers had been driven away, the Śiva-jvara, who had three heads and three feet, pressed forward to attack Lord Kṛṣṇa. As the Śiva-jvara approached, he seemed to burn everything in the ten directions.
अथ नारायणो देवस्तं दृष्ट्वा व्यसृजज्ज्वरम् । माहेश्वरो वैष्णवश्च युयुधाते ज्वरावुभौ
atha nārāyaṇo devastaṃ dṛṣṭvā vyasṛjajjvaram | māheśvaro vaiṣṇavaśca yuyudhāte jvarāvubhau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing this personified weapon approach, Lord Nārāyaṇa then released His own personified fever weapon, the Viṣṇu-jvara. The Śiva-jvara and Viṣṇu-jvara thus battled each other.
माहेश्वरः समाक्रन्दन् वैष्णवेन बलार्दितः । अलब्ध्वाभयमन्यत्र भीतो माहेश्वरो ज्वरः । शरणार्थी हृषीकेशं तुष्टाव प्रयताञ्जलिः
māheśvaraḥ samākrandan vaiṣṇavena balārditaḥ | alabdhvābhayamanyatra bhīto māheśvaro jvaraḥ | śaraṇārthī hṛṣīkeśaṃ tuṣṭāva prayatāñjaliḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Śiva-jvara, overwhelmed by the strength of the Viṣṇu-jvara, cried out in pain. But finding no refuge, the frightened Śiva-jvara approached Lord Kṛṣṇa, the master of the senses, hoping to attain His shelter. Thus with joined palms he began to praise the Lord.
ज्वर उवाच । नमामि त्वानन्तशक्तिं परेशं सर्वात्मानं केवलं ज्ञप्तिमात्रम् । विश्वोत्पत्तिस्थानसंरोधहेतुं यत्तद्ब्रह्म ब्रह्मलिङ्गं प्रशान्तम्
jvara uvāca | namāmi tvānantaśaktiṃ pareśaṃ sarvātmānaṃ kevalaṃ jñaptimātram | viśvotpattisthānasaṃrodhahetuṃ yattadbrahma brahmaliṅgaṃ praśāntam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Śiva-jvara said: I bow down to You of unlimited potencies, the Supreme Lord, the Supersoul of all beings. You possess pure and complete consciousness and are the cause of cosmic creation, maintenance and dissolution. Perfectly peaceful, You are the Absolute Truth to whom the Vedas indirectly refer.
कालो दैवं कर्म जीवः स्वभावो द्रव्यं क्षेत्रं प्राण आत्मा विकारः । तत्सङ्घातो बीजरोहप्रवाह- स्त्वन्मायैषा तन्निषेधं प्रपद्ये
kālo daivaṃ karma jīvaḥ svabhāvo dravyaṃ kṣetraṃ prāṇa ātmā vikāraḥ | tatsaṅghāto bījarohapravāha- stvanmāyaiṣā tanniṣedhaṃ prapadye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Time; fate; karma; the jīva and his propensities; the subtle material elements; the material body; the life air; false ego; the various senses; and the totality of these as reflected in the living being’s subtle body — all this constitutes your material illusory energy, māyā, an endless cycle like that of seed and plant. I take shelter of You, the negation of this māyā.
नानाभावैर्लीलयैवोपपन्नै- र्देवान् साधून् लोकसेतून् बिभर्षि । हंस्युन्मार्गान् हिंसया वर्तमानान् जन्मैतत्ते भारहाराय भूमेः
nānābhāvairlīlayaivopapannai- rdevān sādhūn lokasetūn bibharṣi | haṃsyunmārgān hiṃsayā vartamānān janmaitatte bhārahārāya bhūmeḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With various intentions, You perform pastimes to maintain the demigods, the saintly persons and the codes of religion for this world. By these pastimes You also kill those who stray from the right path and live by violence. Indeed, your present incarnation is meant to relieve the earth’s burden.
तप्तोऽहं ते तेजसा दुःसहेन शान्तोग्रेणात्युल्बणेन ज्वरेण । तावत्तापो देहिनां तेऽङ्घ्रिमूलं नो सेवेरन् यावदाशानुबद्धाः
tapto'haṃ te tejasā duḥsahena śāntogreṇātyulbaṇena jvareṇa | tāvattāpo dehināṃ te'ṅghrimūlaṃ no severan yāvadāśānubaddhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I am tortured by the fierce power of Your terrible fever weapon, which is cold yet burning. All embodied souls must suffer as long as they remain bound to material ambitions and thus averse to serving Your feet.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । त्रिशिरस्ते प्रसन्नोऽस्मि व्येतु ते मज्ज्वराद्भयम् । यो नौ स्मरति संवादं तस्य त्वन्न भवेद्भयम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | triśiraste prasanno'smi vyetu te majjvarādbhayam | yo nau smarati saṃvādaṃ tasya tvanna bhavedbhayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: O three-headed one, I am pleased with you. May your fear of My fever weapon be dispelled, and may whoever remembers our conversation here have no reason to fear you.
इत्युक्तोऽच्युतमानम्य गतो माहेश्वरो ज्वरः । बाणस्तु रथमारूढः प्रागाद्योत्स्यन् जनार्दनम्
ityukto'cyutamānamya gato māheśvaro jvaraḥ | bāṇastu rathamārūḍhaḥ prāgādyotsyan janārdanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus addressed, the Māheśvara-jvara bowed down to the infallible Lord and went away. But Bāṇāsura then appeared, riding forth on his chariot to fight Lord Kṛṣṇa.
ततो बाहुसहस्रेण नानायुधधरोऽसुरः । मुमोच परमक्रुद्धो बाणांश्चक्रायुधे नृप
tato bāhusahasreṇa nānāyudhadharo'suraḥ | mumoca paramakruddho bāṇāṃścakrāyudhe nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Carrying numerous weapons in his thousand hands, O King, the terribly infuriated demon shot many arrows at Lord Kṛṣṇa, the carrier of the disc weapon.
तस्यास्यतोऽस्त्राण्यसकृच्चक्रेण क्षुरनेमिना । चिच्छेद भगवान् बाहून् शाखा इव वनस्पतेः
tasyāsyato'strāṇyasakṛccakreṇa kṣuraneminā | ciccheda bhagavān bāhūn śākhā iva vanaspateḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Bāṇa continued hurling weapons at Him, the Supreme Lord began using His razor-sharp cakra to cut off Bāṇāsura’s arms as if they were tree branches.
बाहुषु छिद्यमानेषु बाणस्य भगवान् भवः । भक्तानुकम्प्युपव्रज्य चक्रायुधमभाषत
bāhuṣu chidyamāneṣu bāṇasya bhagavān bhavaḥ | bhaktānukampyupavrajya cakrāyudhamabhāṣata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva felt compassion for his devotee Bāṇāsura, whose arms were being cut off, and thus he approached Lord Cakrāyudha [Kṛṣṇa] and spoke to Him as follows.
श्रीरुद्र उवाच । त्वं हि ब्रह्म परं ज्योतिर्गूढं ब्रह्मणि वाङ्मये । यं पश्यन्त्यमलात्मान आकाशमिव केवलम्
śrīrudra uvāca | tvaṃ hi brahma paraṃ jyotirgūḍhaṃ brahmaṇi vāṅmaye | yaṃ paśyantyamalātmāna ākāśamiva kevalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Rudra said: You alone are the Absolute Truth, the supreme light, the mystery hidden within the verbal manifestation of the Absolute. Those whose hearts are spotless can see You, for You are uncontaminated, like the sky.
तवावतारोऽयमकुण्ठधामन् धर्मस्य गुप्त्यै जगतो भवाय । वयं च सर्वे भवतानुभाविता विभावयामो भुवनानि सप्त
tavāvatāro'yamakuṇṭhadhāman dharmasya guptyai jagato bhavāya | vayaṃ ca sarve bhavatānubhāvitā vibhāvayāmo bhuvanāni sapta
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your current descent into the material realm, O Lord of unrestricted power, is meant for upholding the principles of justice and benefiting the entire universe. We demigods, each depending on Your grace and authority, develop the seven planetary systems.
त्वमेक आद्यः पुरुषोऽद्वितीय- स्तुर्यः स्वदृग्घेतुरहेतुरीशः । प्रतीयसेऽथापि यथाविकारं स्वमायया सर्वगुणप्रसिद्ध्यै
tvameka ādyaḥ puruṣo'dvitīya- sturyaḥ svadṛggheturaheturīśaḥ | pratīyase'thāpi yathāvikāraṃ svamāyayā sarvaguṇaprasiddhyai
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the original person, one without a second, transcendental and self-manifesting. Uncaused, you are the cause of all, and You are the ultimate controller. You are nonetheless perceived in terms of the transformations of matter effected by Your illusory energy — transformations You sanction so that the various material qualities can fully manifest.
यथैव सूर्यः पिहितश्छायया स्वया छायां च रूपाणि च सञ्चकास्ति । एवं गुणेनापिहितो गुणांस्त्व- मात्मप्रदीपो गुणिनश्च भूमन्
yathaiva sūryaḥ pihitaśchāyayā svayā chāyāṃ ca rūpāṇi ca sañcakāsti | evaṃ guṇenāpihito guṇāṃstva- mātmapradīpo guṇinaśca bhūman
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O almighty one, just as the sun, though hidden by a cloud, illuminates the cloud and all other visible forms as well, so You, although hidden by the material qualities, remain self-luminous and thus reveal all those qualities, along with the living entities who possess them.
यन्मायामोहितधियः पुत्रदारगृहादिषु । उन्मज्जन्ति निमज्जन्ति प्रसक्ता वृजिनार्णवे
yanmāyāmohitadhiyaḥ putradāragṛhādiṣu | unmajjanti nimajjanti prasaktā vṛjinārṇave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their intelligence bewildered by Your māyā, fully attached to children, wife, home and so on, persons immersed in the ocean of material misery sometimes rise to the surface and sometimes sink down.
देवदत्तमिमं लब्ध्वा नृलोकमजितेन्द्रियः । यो नाद्रियेत त्वत्पादौ स शोच्यो ह्यात्मवञ्चकः
devadattamimaṃ labdhvā nṛlokamajitendriyaḥ | yo nādriyeta tvatpādau sa śocyo hyātmavañcakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who has attained this human form of life as a gift from God, yet who fails to control his senses and honor Your feet, is surely to be pitied, for he is only cheating himself.
यस्त्वां विसृजते मर्त्य आत्मानं प्रियमीश्वरम् । विपर्ययेन्द्रियार्थार्थं विषमत्त्यमृतं त्यजन्
yastvāṃ visṛjate martya ātmānaṃ priyamīśvaram | viparyayendriyārthārthaṃ viṣamattyamṛtaṃ tyajan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That mortal who rejects You — his true Self, dearmost friend, and Lord — for the sake of sense objects, whose nature is just the opposite, refuses nectar and instead consumes poison.
अहं ब्रह्माथ विबुधा मुनयश्चामलाशयाः । सर्वात्मना प्रपन्नास्त्वामात्मानं प्रेष्ठमीश्वरम्
ahaṃ brahmātha vibudhā munayaścāmalāśayāḥ | sarvātmanā prapannāstvāmātmānaṃ preṣṭhamīśvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I, Lord Brahmā, the other demigods and the pure-minded sages have all surrendered wholeheartedly unto You, our dearmost Self and Lord.
तं त्वा जगत्स्थित्युदयान्तहेतुं समं प्रशान्तं सुहृदात्मदैवम् । अनन्यमेकं जगदात्मकेतं भवापवर्गाय भजाम देवम्
taṃ tvā jagatsthityudayāntahetuṃ samaṃ praśāntaṃ suhṛdātmadaivam | ananyamekaṃ jagadātmaketaṃ bhavāpavargāya bhajāma devam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let us worship You, the Supreme Lord, to be freed from material life. You are the maintainer of the universe and the cause of its creation and demise. Equipoised and perfectly at peace, You are the true friend, Self and worshipable Lord. You are one without a second, the shelter of all the worlds and all souls.
अयं ममेष्टो दयितोऽनुवर्ती मयाभयं दत्तममुष्य देव । सम्पाद्यतां तद्भवतः प्रसादो यथा हि ते दैत्यपतौ प्रसादः
ayaṃ mameṣṭo dayito'nuvartī mayābhayaṃ dattamamuṣya deva | sampādyatāṃ tadbhavataḥ prasādo yathā hi te daityapatau prasādaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This Bāṇāsura is my dear and faithful follower, and I have awarded him freedom from fear. Therefore, my Lord, please grant him Your mercy, just as You showed mercy to Prahlāda, the lord of the demons.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । यदात्थ भगवंस्त्वं नः करवाम प्रियं तव । भवतो यद्व्यवसितं तन्मे साध्वनुमोदितम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | yadāttha bhagavaṃstvaṃ naḥ karavāma priyaṃ tava | bhavato yadvyavasitaṃ tanme sādhvanumoditam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: My dear lord, for your pleasure We must certainly do what you have requested of Us. I fully agree with your conclusion.
अवध्योऽयं ममाप्येष वैरोचनिसुतोऽसुरः । प्रह्लादाय वरो दत्तो न वध्यो मे तवान्वयः
avadhyo'yaṃ mamāpyeṣa vairocanisuto'suraḥ | prahlādāya varo datto na vadhyo me tavānvayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I will not kill this demonic son of Vairocani, for I gave Prahlāda Mahārāja the benediction that I would not kill any of his descendants.
दर्पोपशमनायास्य प्रवृक्णा बाहवो मया । सूदितं च बलं भूरि यच्च भारायितं भुवः
darpopaśamanāyāsya pravṛkṇā bāhavo mayā | sūditaṃ ca balaṃ bhūri yacca bhārāyitaṃ bhuvaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It was to subdue Bāṇāsura’s false pride that I severed his arms. And I slew his mighty army because it had become a burden upon the earth.
चत्वारोऽस्य भुजाः शिष्टा भविष्यन्त्यजरामरः । पार्षदमुख्यो भवतो नकुतश्चिद्भयोऽसुरः
catvāro'sya bhujāḥ śiṣṭā bhaviṣyantyajarāmaraḥ | pārṣadamukhyo bhavato nakutaścidbhayo'suraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This demon, who still has four arms, will be immune to old age and death, and he will serve as one of your principal attendants. Thus he will have nothing to fear on any account.
इति लब्ध्वाभयं कृष्णं प्रणम्य शिरसासुरः । प्राद्युम्निं रथमारोप्य सवध्वा समुपानयत्
iti labdhvābhayaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ praṇamya śirasāsuraḥ | prādyumniṃ rathamāropya savadhvā samupānayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus attaining freedom from fear, Bāṇāsura offered obeisances to Lord Kṛṣṇa by touching his head to the ground. Bāṇa then seated Aniruddha and His bride on their chariot and brought them before the Lord.
अक्षौहिण्या परिवृतं सुवासःसमलङ्कृतम् । सपत्नीकं पुरस्कृत्य ययौ रुद्रानुमोदितः
akṣauhiṇyā parivṛtaṃ suvāsaḥsamalaṅkṛtam | sapatnīkaṃ puraskṛtya yayau rudrānumoditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At the front of the party Lord Kṛṣṇa then placed Aniruddha and His bride, both beautifully adorned with fine clothes and ornaments, and surrounded them with a full military division. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa took His leave of Lord Śiva and departed.
स्वराजधानीं समलङ्कृतां ध्वजैः सतोरणैरुक्षितमार्गचत्वराम् । विवेश शङ्खानकदुन्दुभिस्वनै- रभ्युद्यतः पौरसुहृद्द्विजातिभिः
svarājadhānīṃ samalaṅkṛtāṃ dhvajaiḥ satoraṇairukṣitamārgacatvarām | viveśa śaṅkhānakadundubhisvanai- rabhyudyataḥ paurasuhṛddvijātibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord then entered His capital. The city was lavishly decorated with flags and victory arches, and its avenues and crossways were all sprinkled with water. As conchshells, ānakas and dundubhi drums resounded, the Lord’s relatives, the brāhmaṇas and the general populace all came forward to greet Him respectfully.
य एवं कृष्णविजयं शङ्करेण च संयुगम् । संस्मरेत्प्रातरुत्थाय न तस्य स्यात्पराजयः
ya evaṃ kṛṣṇavijayaṃ śaṅkareṇa ca saṃyugam | saṃsmaretprātarutthāya na tasya syātparājayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whoever rises early in the morning and remembers Lord Kṛṣṇa’s victory in His battle with Lord Śiva will never experience defeat.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एकदोपवनं राजन् जग्मुर्यदुकुमारकाः । विहर्तुं साम्बप्रद्युम्नचारुभानुगदादयः
śrīśuka uvāca | ekadopavanaṃ rājan jagmuryadukumārakāḥ | vihartuṃ sāmbapradyumnacārubhānugadādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: O King, one day Sāmba, Pradyumna, Cāru, Bhānu, Gada and other young boys of the Yadu dynasty went to a small forest to play.
क्रीडित्वा सुचिरं तत्र विचिन्वन्तः पिपासिताः । जलं निरुदके कूपे ददृशुः सत्त्वमद्भुतम्
krīḍitvā suciraṃ tatra vicinvantaḥ pipāsitāḥ | jalaṃ nirudake kūpe dadṛśuḥ sattvamadbhutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After playing for a long time, they became thirsty. As they searched for water, they looked inside a dry well and saw a peculiar creature.
कृकलासं गिरिनिभं वीक्ष्य विस्मितमानसाः । तस्य चोद्धरणे यत्नं चक्रुस्ते कृपयान्विताः
kṛkalāsaṃ girinibhaṃ vīkṣya vismitamānasāḥ | tasya coddharaṇe yatnaṃ cakruste kṛpayānvitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The boys were astonished to behold this creature, a lizard who looked like a hill. They felt sorry for it and tried to lift it out of the well.
चर्मजैस्तान्तवैः पाशैर्बद्ध्वा पतितमर्भकाः । नाशक्नुवन् समुद्धर्तुं कृष्णायाचख्युरुत्सुकाः
carmajaistāntavaiḥ pāśairbaddhvā patitamarbhakāḥ | nāśaknuvan samuddhartuṃ kṛṣṇāyācakhyurutsukāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They caught on to the trapped lizard with leather thongs and then with woven ropes, but still they could not lift it out. So they went to Lord Kṛṣṇa and excitedly told Him about the creature.
तत्रागत्यारविन्दाक्षो भगवान् विश्वभावनः । वीक्ष्योज्जहार वामेन तं करेण स लीलया
tatrāgatyāravindākṣo bhagavān viśvabhāvanaḥ | vīkṣyojjahāra vāmena taṃ kareṇa sa līlayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, maintainer of the universe, went to the well and saw the lizard. Then with His left hand He easily lifted it out.
स उत्तमश्लोककराभिमृष्टो विहाय सद्यः कृकलासरूपम् । सन्तप्तचामीकरचारुवर्णः स्वर्ग्यद्भुतालङ्करणाम्बरस्रक्
sa uttamaślokakarābhimṛṣṭo vihāya sadyaḥ kṛkalāsarūpam | santaptacāmīkaracāruvarṇaḥ svargyadbhutālaṅkaraṇāmbarasrak
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Touched by the hand of the glorious Supreme Lord, the being at once gave up its lizard form and assumed that of a resident of heaven. His complexion was beautifully colored like molten gold, and he was adorned with wonderful ornaments, clothes and garlands.
पप्रच्छ विद्वानपि तन्निदानं जनेषु विख्यापयितुं मुकुन्दः । कस्त्वं महाभाग वरेण्यरूपो देवोत्तमं त्वां गणयामि नूनम्
papraccha vidvānapi tannidānaṃ janeṣu vikhyāpayituṃ mukundaḥ | kastvaṃ mahābhāga vareṇyarūpo devottamaṃ tvāṃ gaṇayāmi nūnam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa understood the situation, but to inform people in general He inquired as follows: “Who are you, O greatly fortunate one? Seeing your excellent form, I think you must surely be an exalted demigod.
दशामिमां वा कतमेन कर्मणा सम्प्रापितोऽस्यतदर्हः सुभद्र । आत्मानमाख्याहि विवित्सतां नो यन्मन्यसे नः क्षममत्र वक्तुम्
daśāmimāṃ vā katamena karmaṇā samprāpito'syatadarhaḥ subhadra | ātmānamākhyāhi vivitsatāṃ no yanmanyase naḥ kṣamamatra vaktum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“By what past activity were you brought to this condition? It seems you did not deserve such a fate, O good soul. We are eager to know about you, so please inform us about yourself — if, that is, you think this the proper time and place to tell us.”
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति स्म राजा सम्पृष्टः कृष्णेनानन्तमूर्तिना । माधवं प्रणिपत्याह किरीटेनार्क वर्चसा
śrīśuka uvāca | iti sma rājā sampṛṣṭaḥ kṛṣṇenānantamūrtinā | mādhavaṃ praṇipatyāha kirīṭenārka varcasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus questioned by Kṛṣṇa, whose forms are unlimited, the King, his helmet as dazzling as the sun, bowed down to Lord Mādhava and replied as follows.
नृग उवाच । नृगो नाम नरेन्द्रोऽहमिक्ष्वाकुतनयः प्रभो । दानिष्वाख्यायमानेषु यदि ते कर्णमस्पृशम्
nṛga uvāca | nṛgo nāma narendro'hamikṣvākutanayaḥ prabho | dāniṣvākhyāyamāneṣu yadi te karṇamaspṛśam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Nṛga said: I am a king known as Nṛga, the son of Ikṣvāku. Perhaps, Lord, You have heard of me when lists of charitable men were recited.
किं नु तेऽविदितं नाथ सर्वभूतात्मसाक्षिणः । कालेनाव्याहतदृशो वक्ष्येऽथापि तवाज्ञया
kiṃ nu te'viditaṃ nātha sarvabhūtātmasākṣiṇaḥ | kālenāvyāhatadṛśo vakṣye'thāpi tavājñayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What could possibly be unknown to You, O master? With vision undisturbed by time, You witness the minds of all living beings. Nevertheless, on Your order I will speak.
यावत्यः सिकता भूमेर्यावत्यो दिवि तारकाः । यावत्यो वर्षधाराश्च तावतीरददं स्म गाः
yāvatyaḥ sikatā bhūmeryāvatyo divi tārakāḥ | yāvatyo varṣadhārāśca tāvatīradadaṃ sma gāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I gave in charity as many cows as there are grains of sand on the earth, stars in the heavens, or drops in a rain shower.
पयस्विनीस्तरुणीः शीलरूप- गुणोपपन्नाः कपिला हेमशृङ्गीः । न्यायार्जिता रूप्यखुराः सवत्सा दुकूलमालाभरणा ददावहम्
payasvinīstaruṇīḥ śīlarūpa- guṇopapannāḥ kapilā hemaśṛṅgīḥ | nyāyārjitā rūpyakhurāḥ savatsā dukūlamālābharaṇā dadāvaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Young, brown, milk-laden cows, who were well-behaved, beautiful and endowed with good qualities, who were all acquired honestly, and who had gilded horns, silver-plated hooves and decorations of fine ornamental cloths and garlands — such were the cows, along with their calves, that I gave in charity.
कस्यचिद्द्विजमुख्यस्य भ्रष्टा गौर्मम गोधने । सम्पृक्ताविदुषा सा च मया दत्ता द्विजातये
kasyaciddvijamukhyasya bhraṣṭā gaurmama godhane | sampṛktāviduṣā sā ca mayā dattā dvijātaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once a cow belonging to a certain first-class brāhmaṇa wandered away and entered my herd. Unaware of this, I gave that cow in charity to a different brāhmaṇa.
तां नीयमानां तत्स्वामी दृष्ट्रोवाच ममेति तम् । ममेति परिग्राह्याह नृगो मे दत्तवानिति
tāṃ nīyamānāṃ tatsvāmī dṛṣṭrovāca mameti tam | mameti parigrāhyāha nṛgo me dattavāniti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the cow’s first owner saw her being led away, he said, “She is mine!” The second brāhmaṇa, who had accepted her as a gift, replied, “No, she’s mine! Nṛga gave her to me.”
विप्रौ विवदमानौ मामूचतुः स्वार्थसाधकौ । भवान् दातापहर्तेति तच्छ्रुत्वा मेऽभवद्भ्रमः
viprau vivadamānau māmūcatuḥ svārthasādhakau | bhavān dātāpaharteti tacchrutvā me'bhavadbhramaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the two brāhmaṇas argued, each trying to fulfill his own purpose, they came to me. One of them said, “You gave me this cow,” and the other said, “But you stole her from me.” Hearing this, I was bewildered.
नाहं प्रतीच्छे वै राजन्नित्युक्त्वा स्वाम्यपाक्रमत् । नान्यद्गवामप्ययुतमिच्छामीत्यपरो ययौ
nāhaṃ pratīcche vai rājannityuktvā svāmyapākramat | nānyadgavāmapyayutamicchāmītyaparo yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The present owner of the cow said, “I don’t want anything in exchange for this cow, O King,” and went away. The other brāhmaṇa declared, “I don’t want even ten thousand more cows [than you are offering],” and he too went away.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे याम्यैर्दूतैर्नीतो यमक्षयम् । यमेन पृष्टस्तत्राहं देवदेव जगत्पते
etasminnantare yāmyairdūtairnīto yamakṣayam | yamena pṛṣṭastatrāhaṃ devadeva jagatpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord of lords, O master of the universe, the agents of Yamarāja, taking advantage of the opportunity thus created, later carried me to his abode. There Yamarāja himself questioned me.
पूर्वं त्वमशुभं भुङ्क्षे उताहो नृपते शुभम् । नान्तं दानस्य धर्मस्य पश्ये लोकस्य भास्वतः
pūrvaṃ tvamaśubhaṃ bhuṅkṣe utāho nṛpate śubham | nāntaṃ dānasya dharmasya paśye lokasya bhāsvataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Yamarāja said:] My dear King, do you wish to experience the results of your sins first, or those of your piety? Indeed, I see no end to the dutiful charity you have performed, or to your consequent enjoyment in the radiant heavenly planets.
पूर्वं देवाशुभं भुञ्ज इति प्राह पतेति सः । तावदद्राक्षमात्मानं कृकलासं पतन् प्रभो
pūrvaṃ devāśubhaṃ bhuñja iti prāha pateti saḥ | tāvadadrākṣamātmānaṃ kṛkalāsaṃ patan prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I replied, “First, my lord, let me suffer my sinful reactions,” and Yamarāja said, “Then fall!” At once I fell, and while falling I saw myself becoming a lizard, O master.
ब्रह्मण्यस्य वदान्यस्य तव दासस्य केशव । स्मृतिर्नाद्यापि विध्वस्ता भवत्सन्दर्शनार्थिनः
brahmaṇyasya vadānyasya tava dāsasya keśava | smṛtirnādyāpi vidhvastā bhavatsandarśanārthinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Keśava, as Your servant I was devoted to the brāhmaṇas and generous to them, and I always hankered for Your audience. Therefore even till now I have never forgotten [my past life].
स त्वं कथं मम विभोऽक्षिपथः परात्मा योगेश्वरैः श्रुतिदृशामलहृद्विभाव्यः । साक्षादधोक्षज उरुव्यसनान्धबुद्धेः स्यान्मेऽनुदृश्य इह यस्य भवापवर्गः
sa tvaṃ kathaṃ mama vibho'kṣipathaḥ parātmā yogeśvaraiḥ śrutidṛśāmalahṛdvibhāvyaḥ | sākṣādadhokṣaja uruvyasanāndhabuddheḥ syānme'nudṛśya iha yasya bhavāpavargaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O almighty one, how is it that my eyes see You here before me? You are the Supreme Soul, whom the greatest masters of mystic yoga can meditate upon within their pure hearts only by employing the spiritual eye of the Vedas. Then how, O transcendental Lord, are You directly visible to me, since my intelligence has been blinded by the severe tribulations of material life? Only one who has finished his material entanglement in this world should be able to see You.
नमस्ते सर्वभावाय ब्रह्मणेऽनन्तशक्तये । कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय योगानां पतये नमः
namaste sarvabhāvāya brahmaṇe'nantaśaktaye | kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya yogānāṃ pataye namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I offer my repeated obeisances unto You, Kṛṣṇa, the son of Vasudeva. You are the source of all beings, the Supreme Absolute Truth, the possessor of unlimited potencies, the master of all spiritual disciplines.
इत्युक्त्वा तं परिक्रम्य पादौ स्पृष्ट्वा स्वमौलिना । अनुज्ञातो विमानाग्र्यमारुहत्पश्यतां नृणाम्
ityuktvā taṃ parikramya pādau spṛṣṭvā svamaulinā | anujñāto vimānāgryamāruhatpaśyatāṃ nṛṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having spoken thus, Mahārāja Nṛga circumambulated Lord Kṛṣṇa and touched his crown to the Lord’s feet. Granted permission to depart, King Nṛga then boarded a wonderful celestial airplane as all the people present looked on.
कृष्णः परिजनं प्राह भगवान् देवकीसुतः । ब्रह्मण्यदेवो धर्मात्मा राजन्याननुशिक्षयन्
kṛṣṇaḥ parijanaṃ prāha bhagavān devakīsutaḥ | brahmaṇyadevo dharmātmā rājanyānanuśikṣayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead — Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī — who is especially devoted to the brāhmaṇas and who embodies the essence of religion, then spoke to His personal associates and thus instructed the royal class in general.
दुर्जरं बत ब्रह्मस्वं भुक्तमग्नेर्मनागपि । तेजीयसोऽपि किमुत राज्ञामीश्वरमानिनाम्
durjaraṃ bata brahmasvaṃ bhuktamagnermanāgapi | tejīyaso'pi kimuta rājñāmīśvaramāninām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] How indigestible is the property of a brāhmaṇa, even when enjoyed just slightly and by one more potent than fire! What then to speak of kings who try to enjoy it, presuming themselves lords.
नाहं हालाहलं मन्ये विषं यस्य प्रतिक्रिया । ब्रह्मस्वं हि विषं प्रोक्तं नास्य प्रतिविधिर्भुवि
nāhaṃ hālāhalaṃ manye viṣaṃ yasya pratikriyā | brahmasvaṃ hi viṣaṃ proktaṃ nāsya pratividhirbhuvi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I do not consider hālāhala to be real poison, because it has an antidote. But a brāhmaṇa’s property, when stolen, can truly be called poison, for it has no antidote in this world.
हिनस्ति विषमत्तारं वह्निरद्भिः प्रशाम्यति । कुलं समूलं दहति ब्रह्मस्वारणिपावकः
hinasti viṣamattāraṃ vahniradbhiḥ praśāmyati | kulaṃ samūlaṃ dahati brahmasvāraṇipāvakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Poison kills only the person who ingests it, and an ordinary fire may be extinguished with water. But the fire generated from the kindling wood of a brāhmaṇa’s property burns the thief’s entire family down to the root.
ब्रह्मस्वं दुरनुज्ञातं भुक्तं हन्ति त्रिपूरुषम् । प्रसह्य तु बलाद्भुक्तं दश पूर्वान् दशापरान्
brahmasvaṃ duranujñātaṃ bhuktaṃ hanti tripūruṣam | prasahya tu balādbhuktaṃ daśa pūrvān daśāparān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If a person enjoys a brāhmaṇa’s property without receiving due permission, that property destroys three generations of his family. But if he takes it by force or gets the government or other outsiders to help him usurp it, then ten generations of his ancestors and ten generations of his descendants are all destroyed.
राजानो राजलक्ष्म्यान्धा नात्मपातं विचक्षते । निरयं येऽभिमन्यन्ते ब्रह्मस्वं साधु बालिशाः
rājāno rājalakṣmyāndhā nātmapātaṃ vicakṣate | nirayaṃ ye'bhimanyante brahmasvaṃ sādhu bāliśāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Members of the royal order, blinded by royal opulence, fail to foresee their own downfall. Childishly hankering to enjoy a brāhmaṇa’s property, they are actually hankering to go to hell.
स्वदत्तां परदत्तां वा ब्रह्मवृत्तिं हरेच्च यः । षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि विष्ठायां जायते कृमिः
svadattāṃ paradattāṃ vā brahmavṛttiṃ harecca yaḥ | ṣaṣṭivarṣasahasrāṇi viṣṭhāyāṃ jāyate kṛmiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whether it be his own gift or someone else’s, a person who steals a brāhmaṇa’s property will take birth as a worm in feces for sixty thousand years.
न मे ब्रह्मधनं भूयाद्यद्गृध्वाल्पायुषो नराः । पराजिताश्च्युता राज्याद्भवन्त्युद्वेजिनोऽहयः
na me brahmadhanaṃ bhūyādyadgṛdhvālpāyuṣo narāḥ | parājitāścyutā rājyādbhavantyudvejino'hayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I do not desire brāhmaṇas’ wealth. Those who lust after it become short-lived and are defeated. They lose their kingdoms and become snakes, who trouble others.
विप्रं कृतागसमपि नैव द्रुह्यत मामकाः । घ्नन्तं बहु शपन्तं वा नमस्कुरुत नित्यशः
vipraṃ kṛtāgasamapi naiva druhyata māmakāḥ | ghnantaṃ bahu śapantaṃ vā namaskuruta nityaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear followers, never treat a learned brāhmaṇa harshly, even if he has sinned. Even if he attacks you physically or repeatedly curses you, always continue to offer him obeisances.
यथाहं प्रणमे विप्राननुकालं समाहितः । तथा नमत यूयं च योऽन्यथा मे स दण्डभाक्
yathāhaṃ praṇame viprānanukālaṃ samāhitaḥ | tathā namata yūyaṃ ca yo'nyathā me sa daṇḍabhāk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just us I always carefully bow down to brāhmaṇas, so all of you should likewise bow down to them. I will punish anyone who acts otherwise.
ब्राह्मणार्थो ह्यपहृतो हर्तारं पातयत्यधः । अजानन्तमपि ह्येनं नृगं ब्राह्मणगौरिव
brāhmaṇārtho hyapahṛto hartāraṃ pātayatyadhaḥ | ajānantamapi hyenaṃ nṛgaṃ brāhmaṇagauriva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When a brāhmaṇa’s property is stolen, even unknowingly, it certainly causes the person who takes it to fall down, just as the brāhmaṇa’s cow did to Nṛga.
एवं विश्राव्य भगवान् मुकुन्दो द्वारकौकसः । पावनः सर्वलोकानां विवेश निजमन्दिरम्
evaṃ viśrāvya bhagavān mukundo dvārakaukasaḥ | pāvanaḥ sarvalokānāṃ viveśa nijamandiram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus instructed the residents of Dvārakā, Lord Mukunda, purifier of all the worlds, entered His palace.
श्रीशुक उवाच । बलभद्रः कुरुश्रेष्ठ भगवान् रथमास्थितः । सुहृद्दिदृक्षुरुत्कण्ठः प्रययौ नन्दगोकुलम्
śrīśuka uvāca | balabhadraḥ kuruśreṣṭha bhagavān rathamāsthitaḥ | suhṛddidṛkṣurutkaṇṭhaḥ prayayau nandagokulam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O best of the Kurus, once Lord Balarāma, eager to visit His well-wishing friends, mounted His chariot and traveled to Nanda Gokula.
परिष्वक्तश्चिरोत्कण्ठैर्गोपैर्गोपीभिरेव च । रामोऽभिवाद्य पितरावाशीर्भिरभिनन्दितः
pariṣvaktaścirotkaṇṭhairgopairgopībhireva ca | rāmo'bhivādya pitarāvāśīrbhirabhinanditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having long suffered the anxiety of separation, the cowherd men and their wives embraced Lord Balarāma. The Lord then offered respects to His parents, and they joyfully greeted Him with prayers.
चिरं नः पाहि दाशार्ह सानुजो जगदीश्वरः । इत्यारोप्याङ्कमालिङ्ग्य नेत्रैः सिषिचतुर्जलैः
ciraṃ naḥ pāhi dāśārha sānujo jagadīśvaraḥ | ityāropyāṅkamāliṅgya netraiḥ siṣicaturjalaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nanda and Yaśodā prayed,] “O descendant of Daśārha, O Lord of the universe, may You and Your younger brother Kṛṣṇa ever protect us.” Saying this, they raised Śrī Balarāma onto their laps, embraced Him and moistened Him with tears from their eyes.
कच्चिन्नो बान्धवा राम सर्वे कुशलमासते । कच्चित्स्मरथ नो राम यूयं दारसुतान्विताः
kaccinno bāndhavā rāma sarve kuśalamāsate | kaccitsmaratha no rāma yūyaṃ dārasutānvitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The cowherds said:] O Rāma, are all our relatives doing well? And Rāma, do all of you, with your wives and children, still remember us?
दिष्ट्या कंसो हतः पापो दिष्ट्या मुक्ताः सुहृज्जनाः । निहत्य निर्जित्य रिपून् दिष्ट्या दुर्गं समाश्रीताः
diṣṭyā kaṃso hataḥ pāpo diṣṭyā muktāḥ suhṛjjanāḥ | nihatya nirjitya ripūn diṣṭyā durgaṃ samāśrītāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is our great fortune that sinful Kaṁsa has been killed and our dear relatives have been freed. And it is also our good fortune that our relatives have killed and defeated their enemies and found complete security in a great fortress.
गोप्यो हसन्त्यः पप्रच्छू रामसन्दर्शनादृताः । कच्चिदास्ते सुखं कृष्णः पुरस्त्रीजनवल्लभः
gopyo hasantyaḥ papracchū rāmasandarśanādṛtāḥ | kaccidāste sukhaṃ kṛṣṇaḥ purastrījanavallabhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Honored to have the personal audience of Lord Balarāma, the young gopīs smiled and asked Him, “Is Kṛṣṇa, the darling of the city women, living happily?
कच्चित्स्मरति वा बन्धून् पितरं मातरं च सः । अप्यसौ मातरं द्रष्टुं सकृदप्यागमिष्यति । अपि वा स्मरतेऽस्माकमनुसेवां महाभुजः
kaccitsmarati vā bandhūn pitaraṃ mātaraṃ ca saḥ | apyasau mātaraṃ draṣṭuṃ sakṛdapyāgamiṣyati | api vā smarate'smākamanusevāṃ mahābhujaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Does He remember His family members, especially His father and mother? Do you think He will ever come back even once to see His mother? And does mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa remember the service we always did for Him?
कथं नु गृह्णन्त्यनवस्थितात्मनो वचः कृतघ्नस्य बुधाः पुरस्त्रियः । गृह्णन्ति वै चित्रकथस्य सुन्दर- स्मितावलोकोच्छ्वसितस्मरातुराः
kathaṃ nu gṛhṇantyanavasthitātmano vacaḥ kṛtaghnasya budhāḥ purastriyaḥ | gṛhṇanti vai citrakathasya sundara- smitāvalokocchvasitasmarāturāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“How can intelligent city women possibly trust the words of one whose heart is so unsteady and who is so ungrateful? They must believe Him because He speaks so wonderfully, and also because His beautiful smiling glances arouse their lust.
किं नस्तत्कथया गोप्यः कथाः कथयतापराः । यात्यस्माभिर्विना कालो यदि तस्य तथैव नः
kiṃ nastatkathayā gopyaḥ kathāḥ kathayatāparāḥ | yātyasmābhirvinā kālo yadi tasya tathaiva naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Why bother talking about Him, dear gopī? Please talk of something else. If He passes His time without us, then we shall similarly pass ours [without Him].”
इति प्रहसितं शौरेर्जल्पितं चारु वीक्षितम् । गतिं प्रेमपरिष्वङ्गं स्मरन्त्यो रुरुदुः स्त्रियः
iti prahasitaṃ śaurerjalpitaṃ cāru vīkṣitam | gatiṃ premapariṣvaṅgaṃ smarantyo ruruduḥ striyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While speaking these words, the young cowherd women remembered Lord Śauri’s laughter, His pleasing conversations with them, His attractive glances, His style of walking and His loving embraces. Thus they began to cry.
सङ्कर्षणस्ताः कृष्णस्य सन्देशैर्हृदयङ्गमैः । सान्त्वयामास भगवान् नानानुनयकोविदः
saṅkarṣaṇastāḥ kṛṣṇasya sandeśairhṛdayaṅgamaiḥ | sāntvayāmāsa bhagavān nānānunayakovidaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord Balarāma, the attractor of all, being expert at various kinds of conciliation, consoled the gopīs by relaying to them the confidential messages Lord Kṛṣṇa had sent with Him. These messages deeply touched the gopīs’ hearts.
द्वौ मासौ तत्र चावात्सीन्मधुं माधवमेव च । रामः क्षपासु भगवान् गोपीनां रतिमावहन्
dvau māsau tatra cāvātsīnmadhuṃ mādhavameva ca | rāmaḥ kṣapāsu bhagavān gopīnāṃ ratimāvahan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma, the Personality of Godhead, resided there for the two months of Madhu and Mādhava, and during the nights He gave His cowherd girlfriends conjugal pleasure.
पूर्णचन्द्रकलामृष्टे कौमुदीगन्धवायुना । यमुनोपवने रेमे सेविते स्त्रीगणैर्वृतः
pūrṇacandrakalāmṛṣṭe kaumudīgandhavāyunā | yamunopavane reme sevite strīgaṇairvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the company of numerous women, Lord Balarāma enjoyed in a garden by the Yamunā River. This garden was bathed in the rays of the full moon and caressed by breezes bearing the fragrance of night-blooming lotuses.
वरुणप्रेषिता देवी वारुणी वृक्षकोटरात् । पतन्ती तद्वनं सर्वं स्वगन्धेनाध्यवासयत्
varuṇapreṣitā devī vāruṇī vṛkṣakoṭarāt | patantī tadvanaṃ sarvaṃ svagandhenādhyavāsayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sent by the demigod Varuṇa, the divine vāruṇī liquor flowed from a tree hollow and made the entire forest even more fragrant with its sweet aroma.
तं गन्धं मधुधाराया वायुनोपहृतं बलः । आघ्रायोपगतस्तत्र ललनाभिः समं पपौ
taṃ gandhaṃ madhudhārāyā vāyunopahṛtaṃ balaḥ | āghrāyopagatastatra lalanābhiḥ samaṃ papau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wind carried to Balarāma the fragrance of that flood of sweet liquor, and when He smelled it He went [to the tree]. There He and His female companions drank.
(उपगीयमानो गन्धर्वैर्वनिताशोभिमण्डले । रेमे करेणुयूथेशो माहेन्द्र इव वारणः ॥ नेदुर्दुन्दुभयो व्योम्नि ववृषुः कुसुमैर्मुदा । गन्धर्वा मुनयो रामं तद्वीर्यैरीडिरे तदा ॥) उपगीयमानचरितो वनिताभिर्हलायुधः । वनेषु व्यचरत्क्षीबो मदविह्वललोचनः
(upagīyamāno gandharvairvanitāśobhimaṇḍale | reme kareṇuyūtheśo māhendra iva vāraṇaḥ || nedurdundubhayo vyomni vavṛṣuḥ kusumairmudā | gandharvā munayo rāmaṃ tadvīryairīḍire tadā ||) upagīyamānacarito vanitābhirhalāyudhaḥ | vaneṣu vyacaratkṣībo madavihvalalocanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the Gandharvas sang His glories, Lord Balarāma enjoyed within the brilliant circle of young women. He appeared just like Indra’s elephant, the lordly Airāvata, enjoying in the company of she-elephants.
स्रग्व्येककुण्डलो मत्तो वैजयन्त्या च मालया । बिभ्रत्स्मितमुखाम्भोजं स्वेदप्रालेयभूषितम्
sragvyekakuṇḍalo matto vaijayantyā ca mālayā | bibhratsmitamukhāmbhojaṃ svedaprāleyabhūṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time kettledrums resounded in the sky, the Gandharvas joyfully rained down flowers, and the great sages praised Lord Balarāma’s heroic deeds.
स आजुहाव यमुनां जलक्रीडार्थमीश्वरः । निजं वाक्यमनादृत्य मत्त इत्यापगां बलः । अनागतां हलाग्रेण कुपितो विचकर्ष ह
sa ājuhāva yamunāṃ jalakrīḍārthamīśvaraḥ | nijaṃ vākyamanādṛtya matta ityāpagāṃ balaḥ | anāgatāṃ halāgreṇa kupito vicakarṣa ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As His deeds were sung, Lord Halāyudha wandered as if inebriated among the various forests with His girlfriends. His eyes rolled from the effects of the liquor.
राम राम महाबाहो न जाने तव विक्रमम् । यस्यैकांशेन विधृता जगती जगतः पते
rāma rāma mahābāho na jāne tava vikramam | yasyaikāṃśena vidhṛtā jagatī jagataḥ pate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Balarāma said:] O sinful one disrespecting Me, you do not come when I call you but rather move only by your own whim. Therefore with the tip of My plow I shall bring you here in a hundred streams!
परं भावं भगवतो भगवन् मामजानतीम् । मोक्तुमर्हसि विश्वात्मन् प्रपन्नां भक्तवत्सल
paraṃ bhāvaṃ bhagavato bhagavan māmajānatīm | moktumarhasi viśvātman prapannāṃ bhaktavatsala
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus scolded by the Lord, O King, the frightened river-goddess Yamunā came and fell at the feet of Śrī Balarāma, the beloved descendant of Yadu. Trembling, she spoke to Him the following words.
ततो व्यमुञ्चद्यमुनां याचितो भगवान् बलः । विजगाह जलं स्त्रीभिः करेणुभिरिवेभराट्
tato vyamuñcadyamunāṃ yācito bhagavān balaḥ | vijagāha jalaṃ strībhiḥ kareṇubhirivebharāṭ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Goddess Yamunā said:] Rāma, Rāma, O mighty-armed one! I know nothing of Your prowess. With a single portion of Yourself You hold up the earth, O Lord of the universe.
कामं विहृत्य सलिलादुत्तीर्णायासिताम्बरे । भूषणानि महार्हाणि ददौ कान्तिः शुभां स्रजम्
kāmaṃ vihṛtya salilāduttīrṇāyāsitāmbare | bhūṣaṇāni mahārhāṇi dadau kāntiḥ śubhāṃ srajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, please release me. O soul of the universe, I didn’t understand Your position as the Supreme Godhead, but now I have surrendered unto You, and You are always kind to Your devotees.
वसित्वा वाससी नीले मालामामुच्य काञ्चनीम् । रेजे स्वलङ्कृतो लिप्तो माहेन्द्र इव वारणः
vasitvā vāsasī nīle mālāmāmucya kāñcanīm | reje svalaṅkṛto lipto māhendra iva vāraṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thereupon Lord Balarāma released the Yamunā and, like the king of the elephants with his entourage of she-elephants, entered the river’s water with His female companions.
अद्यापि दृश्यते राजन् यमुनाऽऽकृष्टवर्त्मना । बलस्यानन्तवीर्यस्य वीर्यं सूचयतीव हि
adyāpi dṛśyate rājan yamunā''kṛṣṭavartmanā | balasyānantavīryasya vīryaṃ sūcayatīva hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord played in the water to His full satisfaction, and when He came out Goddess Kānti presented Him with blue garments, precious ornaments and a brilliant necklace.
एवं सर्वा निशा याता एकेव रमतो व्रजे । रामस्याक्षिप्तचित्तस्य माधुर्यैर्व्रजयोषिताम्
evaṃ sarvā niśā yātā ekeva ramato vraje | rāmasyākṣiptacittasya mādhuryairvrajayoṣitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma dressed Himself in the blue garments and put on the gold necklace. Anointed with fragrances and beautifully adorned, He appeared as resplendent as Indra’s royal elephant.
SB 10.65.33
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even today, O King, one can see how the Yamunā flows through the many channels created when it was dragged by the unlimitedly powerful Lord Balarāma. Thus she demonstrates His prowess.
SB 10.65.34
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus for Lord Balarāma all the nights passed like a single night as He enjoyed in Vraja, His mind enchanted by the exquisite charm and beauty of Vraja’s young ladies.
श्रीशुक उवाच । नन्दव्रजं गते रामे करूषाधिपतिर्नृप । वासुदेवोऽहमित्यज्ञो दूतं कृष्णाय प्राहिणोत्
śrīśuka uvāca | nandavrajaṃ gate rāme karūṣādhipatirnṛpa | vāsudevo'hamityajño dūtaṃ kṛṣṇāya prāhiṇot
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, while Lord Balarāma was away visiting Nanda’s village of Vraja, the ruler of Karūṣa, foolishly thinking “I am the Supreme Lord, Vāsudeva,” sent a messenger to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
त्वं वासुदेवो भगवानवतीर्णो जगत्पतिः । इति प्रस्तोभितो बालैर्मेन आत्मानमच्युतम्
tvaṃ vāsudevo bhagavānavatīrṇo jagatpatiḥ | iti prastobhito bālairmena ātmānamacyutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pauṇḍraka was emboldened by the flattery of childish men, who told him, “You are Vāsudeva, the Supreme Lord and master of the universe, who have now descended to the earth.” Thus he imagined himself to be the infallible Personality of Godhead.
दूतं च प्राहिणोन्मन्दः कृष्णायाव्यक्तवर्त्मने । द्वारकायां यथा बालो नृपो बालकृतोऽबुधः
dūtaṃ ca prāhiṇonmandaḥ kṛṣṇāyāvyaktavartmane | dvārakāyāṃ yathā bālo nṛpo bālakṛto'budhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus slow-witted King Pauṇḍraka sent a messenger to the inscrutable Lord Kṛṣṇa at Dvārakā. Pauṇḍraka was acting just like an unintelligent child whom other children are pretending is a king.
दूतस्तु द्वारकामेत्य सभायामास्थितं प्रभुम् । कृष्णं कमलपत्राक्षं राजसन्देशमब्रवीत्
dūtastu dvārakāmetya sabhāyāmāsthitaṃ prabhum | kṛṣṇaṃ kamalapatrākṣaṃ rājasandeśamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Arriving in Dvārakā, the messenger found lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa in His royal assembly and relayed the King’s message to that almighty Lord.
वासुदेवोऽवतीर्णोहमेक एव न चापरः । भूतानामनुकम्पार्थं त्वं तु मिथ्याभिधां त्यज
vāsudevo'vatīrṇohameka eva na cāparaḥ | bhūtānāmanukampārthaṃ tvaṃ tu mithyābhidhāṃ tyaja
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[On Pauṇḍraka’s behalf, the messenger said:] I am the one and only Lord Vāsudeva, and there is no other. It is I who have descended to this world to show mercy to the living beings. Therefore give up Your false name.
यानि त्वमस्मच्चिह्नानि मौढ्याद्बिभर्षि सात्वत । त्यक्त्वैहि मां त्वं शरणं नो चेद्देहि ममाहवम्
yāni tvamasmaccihnāni mauḍhyādbibharṣi sātvata | tyaktvaihi māṃ tvaṃ śaraṇaṃ no ceddehi mamāhavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Sātvata, give up my personal symbols, which out of foolishness You now carry, and come to me for shelter. If You do not, then You must give me battle.
श्रीशुक उवाच । कत्थनं तदुपाकर्ण्य पौण्ड्रकस्याल्पमेधसः । उग्रसेनादयः सभ्या उच्चकैर्जहसुस्तदा
śrīśuka uvāca | katthanaṃ tadupākarṇya pauṇḍrakasyālpamedhasaḥ | ugrasenādayaḥ sabhyā uccakairjahasustadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: King Ugrasena and the other members of the assembly laughed loudly when they heard this vain boasting of unintelligent Pauṇḍraka.
उवाच दूतं भगवान् परिहासकथामनु । उत्स्रक्ष्ये मूढ चिह्नानि यैस्त्वमेवं विकत्थसे
uvāca dūtaṃ bhagavān parihāsakathāmanu | utsrakṣye mūḍha cihnāni yaistvamevaṃ vikatthase
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Personality of Godhead, after enjoying the jokes of the assembly, told the messenger [to relay a message to his master:] “You fool, I will indeed let loose the weapons you boast of in this way.
मुखं तदपिधायाज्ञ कङ्कगृध्रवटैर्वृतः । शयिष्यसे हतस्तत्र भविता शरणं शुनाम्
mukhaṃ tadapidhāyājña kaṅkagṛdhravaṭairvṛtaḥ | śayiṣyase hatastatra bhavitā śaraṇaṃ śunām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“When you lie dead, O fool, your face covered by vultures, herons and vaṭa birds, you will become the shelter of dogs.”
इति दूतस्तदाक्षेपं स्वामिने सर्वमाहरत् । कृष्णोऽपि रथमास्थाय काशीमुपजगाम ह
iti dūtastadākṣepaṃ svāmine sarvamāharat | kṛṣṇo'pi rathamāsthāya kāśīmupajagāma ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the Lord had thus spoken, the messenger conveyed His insulting reply to his master in its entirety. Lord Kṛṣṇa then mounted His chariot and went to the vicinity of Kāśī.
पौण्ड्रकोऽपि तदुद्योगमुपलभ्य महारथः । अक्षौहिणीभ्यां संयुक्तो निश्चक्राम पुराद्द्रुतम्
pauṇḍrako'pi tadudyogamupalabhya mahārathaḥ | akṣauhiṇībhyāṃ saṃyukto niścakrāma purāddrutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon observing Lord Kṛṣṇa’s preparations for battle, the mighty warrior Pauṇḍraka quickly went out of the city with two full military divisions.
दृष्ट्वा तमात्मनस्तुल्यवेषं कृत्रिममास्थितम् । यथा नटं रङ्गगतं विजहास भृशं हरिः
dṛṣṭvā tamātmanastulyaveṣaṃ kṛtrimamāsthitam | yathā naṭaṃ raṅgagataṃ vijahāsa bhṛśaṃ hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Hari laughed heartily when He saw how the King had dressed up in exact imitation of His own appearance, just like an actor onstage.
शूलैर्गदाभिः परिघैः शक्त्यृष्टिप्रासतोमरैः । असिभिः पट्टिशैर्बाणैः प्राहरन्नरयो हरिम्
śūlairgadābhiḥ parighaiḥ śaktyṛṣṭiprāsatomaraiḥ | asibhiḥ paṭṭiśairbāṇaiḥ prāharannarayo harim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The enemies of Lord Hari attacked Him with tridents, clubs, bludgeons, pikes, ṛṣtis, barbed darts, lances, swords, axes and arrows.
कृष्णस्तु तत्पौण्ड्रककाशिराजयो- र्बलं गजस्यन्दनवाजिपत्तिमत् । गदासिचक्रेषुभिरार्दयद्भृशं यथा युगान्ते हुतभुक्पृथक् प्रजाः
kṛṣṇastu tatpauṇḍrakakāśirājayo- rbalaṃ gajasyandanavājipattimat | gadāsicakreṣubhirārdayadbhṛśaṃ yathā yugānte hutabhukpṛthak prajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But Lord Kṛṣṇa fiercely struck back at the army of Pauṇḍraka and Kāśirāja, which consisted of elephants, chariots, cavalry and infantry. The Lord tormented His enemies with His club, sword, Sudarśana disc and arrows, just as the fire of annihilation torments the various kinds of creatures at the end of a cosmic age.
आयोधनं तद्रथवाजिकुञ्जर- द्विपत्खरोष्ट्रैररिणावखण्डितैः । बभौ चितं मोदवहं मनस्विना- माक्रीडनं भूतपतेरिवोल्बणम्
āyodhanaṃ tadrathavājikuñjara- dvipatkharoṣṭrairariṇāvakhaṇḍitaiḥ | babhau citaṃ modavahaṃ manasvinā- mākrīḍanaṃ bhūtapaterivolbaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The battlefield, strewn with the dismembered chariots, horses, elephants, humans, mules and camels that had been cut to pieces by the Lord’s disc weapon, shone like the gruesome playground of Lord Bhūtapati, giving pleasure to the wise.
अथाह पौण्ड्रकं शौरिर्भो भो पौण्ड्रक यद्भवान् । दूतवाक्येन मामाह तान्यस्त्राण्युत्सृजामि ते
athāha pauṇḍrakaṃ śaurirbho bho pauṇḍraka yadbhavān | dūtavākyena māmāha tānyastrāṇyutsṛjāmi te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa then addressed Pauṇḍraka: My dear Pauṇḍraka, the very weapons you spoke of through your messenger, I now release unto you.
त्याजयिष्येऽभिधानं मे यत्त्वयाज्ञ मृषा धृतम् । व्रजामि शरणं तेऽद्य यदि नेच्छामि संयुगम्
tyājayiṣye'bhidhānaṃ me yattvayājña mṛṣā dhṛtam | vrajāmi śaraṇaṃ te'dya yadi necchāmi saṃyugam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O fool, now I shall make you renounce My name, which you have falsely assumed. And I will certainly take shelter of you if I do not wish to fight you.
इति क्षिप्त्वा शितैर्बाणैर्विरथीकृत्य पौण्ड्रकम् । शिरोऽवृश्चद्रथाङ्गेन वज्रेणेन्द्रो यथा गिरेः
iti kṣiptvā śitairbāṇairvirathīkṛtya pauṇḍrakam | śiro'vṛścadrathāṅgena vajreṇendro yathā gireḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus derided Pauṇḍraka, Lord Kṛṣṇa destroyed his chariot with His sharp arrows. The Lord then cut off his head with the Sudarśana disc, just as Lord Indra lops off a mountain peak with his thunderbolt weapon.
तथा काशीपतेः कायाच्छिर उत्कृत्य पत्रिभिः । न्यपातयत्काशीपुर्यां पद्मकोशमिवानिलः
tathā kāśīpateḥ kāyācchira utkṛtya patribhiḥ | nyapātayatkāśīpuryāṃ padmakośamivānilaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With His arrows, Lord Kṛṣṇa similarly severed Kāśirāja’s head from his body, sending it flying into Kāśī city like a lotus flower thrown by the wind.
एवं मत्सरिणं हत्वा पौण्ड्रकं ससखं हरिः । द्वारकामाविशत्सिद्धैर्गीयमानकथामृतः
evaṃ matsariṇaṃ hatvā pauṇḍrakaṃ sasakhaṃ hariḥ | dvārakāmāviśatsiddhairgīyamānakathāmṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus killed envious Pauṇḍraka and his ally, Lord Kṛṣṇa returned to Dvārakā. As He entered the city, the Siddhas of heaven chanted His immortal, nectarean glories.
स नित्यं भगवद्ध्यानप्रध्वस्ताखिलबन्धनः । बिभ्राणश्च हरे राजन् स्वरूपं तन्मयोऽभवत्
sa nityaṃ bhagavaddhyānapradhvastākhilabandhanaḥ | bibhrāṇaśca hare rājan svarūpaṃ tanmayo'bhavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By constantly meditating upon the Supreme Lord, Pauṇḍraka shattered all his material bonds. Indeed, by imitating Lord Kṛṣṇa’s appearance, O King, he ultimately became Kṛṣṇa conscious.
शिरः पतितमालोक्य राजद्वारे सकुण्डलम् । किमिदं कस्य वा वक्त्रमिति संशिश्यिरे जनाः
śiraḥ patitamālokya rājadvāre sakuṇḍalam | kimidaṃ kasya vā vaktramiti saṃśiśyire janāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing a head decorated with earrings lying at the gate of the royal palace, the people present were puzzled. Some of them asked, “What is this?” and others said, “It is a head, but whose is it?”
राज्ञः काशीपतेर्ज्ञात्वा महिष्यः पुत्रबान्धवाः । पौराश्च हा हता राजन् नाथ नाथेति प्रारुदन्
rājñaḥ kāśīpaterjñātvā mahiṣyaḥ putrabāndhavāḥ | paurāśca hā hatā rājan nātha nātheti prārudan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear King, when they recognized it as the head of their King — the lord of Kāśi — his queens, sons and other relatives, along with all the citizens of the city, began to cry pitifully: “Alas, we are killed! O my lord, my lord!”
प्रीतोऽविमुक्ते भगवांस्तस्मै वरमदाद्भवः । पितृहन्तृवधोपायं स वव्रे वरमीप्सितम्
prīto'vimukte bhagavāṃstasmai varamadādbhavaḥ | pitṛhantṛvadhopāyaṃ sa vavre varamīpsitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Satisfied by the worship, the powerful Lord Śiva appeared in the sacred precinct of Avimukta and offered Sudakṣiṇa his choice of benedictions. The prince chose as his benediction a means to slay his father’s killer.
पद्भ्यां तालप्रमाणाभ्यां कम्पयन्नवनीतलम् । सोऽभ्यधावद्वृतो भूतैर्द्वारकां प्रदहन् दिशः
padbhyāṃ tālapramāṇābhyāṃ kampayannavanītalam | so'bhyadhāvadvṛto bhūtairdvārakāṃ pradahan diśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On legs as tall as palm trees, the monster raced toward Dvārakā in the company of ghostly spirits, shaking the ground and burning the world in all directions.
तमाभिचारदहनमायान्तं द्वारकौकसः । विलोक्य तत्रसुः सर्वे वनदाहे मृगा यथा
tamābhicāradahanamāyāntaṃ dvārakaukasaḥ | vilokya tatrasuḥ sarve vanadāhe mṛgā yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing the approacḥ of the fiery demon created by the abhicāra ritual, the residents of Dvārakā were all struck with fear, like animals terrified by a forest fire.
अक्षैः सभायां क्रीडन्तं भगवन्तं भयातुराः । त्राहि त्राहि त्रिलोकेश वह्नेः प्रदहतः पुरम्
akṣaiḥ sabhāyāṃ krīḍantaṃ bhagavantaṃ bhayāturāḥ | trāhi trāhi trilokeśa vahneḥ pradahataḥ puram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Distraught with fear, the people cried out to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who was then playing at dice in the royal court: “Save us! Save us, O Lord of the three worlds, from this fire burning up the city!”
श्रुत्वा तज्जनवैक्लव्यं दृष्ट्वा स्वानां च साध्वसम् । शरण्यः सम्प्रहस्याह मा भैष्टेत्यवितास्म्यहम्
śrutvā tajjanavaiklavyaṃ dṛṣṭvā svānāṃ ca sādhvasam | śaraṇyaḥ samprahasyāha mā bhaiṣṭetyavitāsmyaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Kṛṣṇa heard the people’s agitation and saw that even His own men were disturbed, that most worthy giver of shelter simply laughed and told them, “Do not fear; I shall protect you.”
सर्वस्यान्तर्बहिः साक्षी कृत्यां माहेश्वरीं विभुः । विज्ञाय तद्विघातार्थं पार्श्वस्थं चक्रमादिशत्
sarvasyāntarbahiḥ sākṣī kṛtyāṃ māheśvarīṃ vibhuḥ | vijñāya tadvighātārthaṃ pārśvasthaṃ cakramādiśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The almighty Lord, the internal and external witness of all, understood that the monster had been produced by Lord Śiva from the sacrificial fire. To defeat the demon, Kṛṣṇa dispatched His disc weapon, who was waiting at His side.
तत्सूर्यकोटिप्रतिमं सुदर्शनं जाज्वल्यमानं प्रलयानलप्रभम् । स्वतेजसा खं ककुभोऽथ रोदसी चक्रं मुकुन्दास्त्रमथाग्निमार्दयत्
tatsūryakoṭipratimaṃ sudarśanaṃ jājvalyamānaṃ pralayānalaprabham | svatejasā khaṃ kakubho'tha rodasī cakraṃ mukundāstramathāgnimārdayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That Sudarśana, the disc weapon of Lord Mukunda, blazed forth like millions of suns. His effulgence blazed like the fire of universal annihilation, and with his heat he pained the sky, all the directions, heaven and earth, and also the fiery demon.
कृत्यानलः प्रतिहतः स रथाङ्गपाणे- रस्त्रौजसा स नृप भग्नमुखो निवृत्तः । वाराणसीं परिसमेत्य सुदक्षिणं तं सर्त्विग्जनं समदहत्स्वकृतोऽभिचारः
kṛtyānalaḥ pratihataḥ sa rathāṅgapāṇe- rastraujasā sa nṛpa bhagnamukho nivṛttaḥ | vārāṇasīṃ parisametya sudakṣiṇaṃ taṃ sartvigjanaṃ samadahatsvakṛto'bhicāraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Frustrated by the power of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s weapon, O King, the fiery creature produced by black magic turned his face away and retreated. Created for violence, the demon then returned to Vārāṇasī, where he surrounded the city and then burned Sudakṣiṇa and his priests to death, even though Sudakṣiṇa was his creator.
चक्रं च विष्णोस्तदनुप्रविष्टं वाराणसीं साट्टसभालयापणाम् । सगोपुराट्टालककोष्ठसङ्कुलां सकोशहस्त्यश्वरथान्नशालाम्
cakraṃ ca viṣṇostadanupraviṣṭaṃ vārāṇasīṃ sāṭṭasabhālayāpaṇām | sagopurāṭṭālakakoṣṭhasaṅkulāṃ sakośahastyaśvarathānnaśālām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Viṣṇu’s disc also entered Vārāṇasī, in pursuit of the fiery demon, and proceeded to burn the city to the ground, including all its assembly halls and residential palaces with raised porches, its numerous marketplaces, gateways, watchtowers, warehouses and treasuries, and all the buildings housing elephants, horses, chariots and grains.
दग्ध्वा वाराणसीं सर्वां विष्णोश्चक्रं सुदर्शनम् । भूयः पार्श्वमुपातिष्ठत्कृष्णस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः
dagdhvā vārāṇasīṃ sarvāṃ viṣṇoścakraṃ sudarśanam | bhūyaḥ pārśvamupātiṣṭhatkṛṣṇasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After burning down the entire city of Vārāṇasī, Lord Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana cakra returned to the side of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whose actions are effortless.
य एतच्छ्रावयेन्मर्त्यः उत्तमश्लोकविक्रमम् । समाहितो वा शृणुयात्सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
ya etacchrāvayenmartyaḥ uttamaślokavikramam | samāhito vā śṛṇuyātsarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Any mortal who recounts this heroic pastime of Lord Uttamaḥ-śloka’s, or who simply hears it attentively, will become freed from all sins.
राजोवाच । भुयोऽहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि रामस्याद्भुतकर्मणः । अनन्तस्याप्रमेयस्य यदन्यत्कृतवान् प्रभुः
rājovāca | bhuyo'haṃ śrotumicchāmi rāmasyādbhutakarmaṇaḥ | anantasyāprameyasya yadanyatkṛtavān prabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The glorious King Parīkṣit said: I wish to hear further about Śrī Balarāma, the unlimited and immeasurable Supreme Lord, whose activities are all astounding. What else did He do?
श्रीशुक उवाच । नरकस्य सखा कश्चिद्द्विविदो नाम वानरः । सुग्रीवसचिवः सोऽथ भ्राता मैन्दस्य वीर्यवान्
śrīśuka uvāca | narakasya sakhā kaściddvivido nāma vānaraḥ | sugrīvasacivaḥ so'tha bhrātā maindasya vīryavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: There was an ape named Dvivida who was a friend of Narakāsura’s. This powerful Dvivida, the brother of Mainda, had been instructed by King Sugrīva.
सख्युः सोऽपचितिं कुर्वन् वानरो राष्ट्रविप्लवम् । पुरग्रामाकरान् घोषानदहद्वह्निमुत्सृजन्
sakhyuḥ so'pacitiṃ kurvan vānaro rāṣṭraviplavam | puragrāmākarān ghoṣānadahadvahnimutsṛjan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To avenge the death of his friend [Naraka], the ape Dvivida ravaged the land, setting fires that burned cities, villages, mines and cowherd dwellings.
क्वचित्स शैलानुत्पाट्य तैर्देशान् समचूर्णयत् । आनर्तान् सुतरामेव यत्रास्ते मित्रहा हरिः
kvacitsa śailānutpāṭya tairdeśān samacūrṇayat | ānartān sutarāmeva yatrāste mitrahā hariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once Dvivida tore up a number of mountains and used them to devastate all the neighboring kingdoms, especially the province of Ānarta, wherein dwelt his friend’s killer, Lord Hari.
क्वचित्समुद्रमध्यस्थो दोर्भ्यामुत्क्षिप्य तज्जलम् । देशान् नागायुतप्राणो वेलाकूलानमज्जयत्
kvacitsamudramadhyastho dorbhyāmutkṣipya tajjalam | deśān nāgāyutaprāṇo velākūlānamajjayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Another time he entered the ocean and, with the strength of ten thousand elephants, churned up its water with his arms and thus submerged the coastal regions.
आश्रमान् ऋषिमुख्यानां कृत्वा भग्नवनस्पतीन् । अदूषयच्छकृन्मूत्रैरग्नीन् वैतानिकान् खलः
āśramān ṛṣimukhyānāṃ kṛtvā bhagnavanaspatīn | adūṣayacchakṛnmūtrairagnīn vaitānikān khalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wicked ape tore down the trees in the hermitages of exalted sages and contaminated their sacrificial fires with his feces and urine.
पुरुषान् योषितो दृप्तः क्ष्माभृद्द्रोणीगुहासु सः । निक्षिप्य चाप्यधाच्छैलैः पेशस्कारीव कीटकम्
puruṣān yoṣito dṛptaḥ kṣmābhṛddroṇīguhāsu saḥ | nikṣipya cāpyadhācchailaiḥ peśaskārīva kīṭakam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as a wasp imprisons smaller insects, he arrogantly threw both men and women into caves in a mountain valley and sealed the caves shut with boulders.
एवं देशान् विप्रकुर्वन् दूषयंश्च कुलस्त्रियः । श्रुत्वा सुललितं गीतं गिरिं रैवतकं ययौ
evaṃ deśān viprakurvan dūṣayaṃśca kulastriyaḥ | śrutvā sulalitaṃ gītaṃ giriṃ raivatakaṃ yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once, while Dvivida was thus engaged in harassing the neighboring kingdoms and polluting women of respectable families, he heard very sweet singing coming from Raivataka Mountain. So he went there.
दुष्टः शाखामृगः शाखामारूढः कम्पयन् द्रुमान् । चक्रे किलकिलाशब्दमात्मानं सम्प्रदर्शयन्
duṣṭaḥ śākhāmṛgaḥ śākhāmārūḍhaḥ kampayan drumān | cakre kilakilāśabdamātmānaṃ sampradarśayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The mischievous ape climbed a tree branch and then revealed his presence by shaking the trees and making the sound kilakilā.
तस्य धार्ष्ट्यं कपेर्वीक्ष्य तरुण्यो जातिचापलाः । हास्यप्रिया विजहसुर्बलदेवपरिग्रहाः
tasya dhārṣṭyaṃ kapervīkṣya taruṇyo jāticāpalāḥ | hāsyapriyā vijahasurbaladevaparigrahāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Lord Baladeva’s consorts saw the ape’s impudence, they began to laugh. They were, after all, young girls who were fond of joking and prone to silliness.
ता हेलयामास कपिर्भ्रूक्षेपैः सम्मुखादिभिः । दर्शयन् स्वगुदं तासां रामस्य च निरीक्षतः
tā helayāmāsa kapirbhrūkṣepaiḥ sammukhādibhiḥ | darśayan svagudaṃ tāsāṃ rāmasya ca nirīkṣataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even as Lord Balarāma looked on, Dvivida insulted the girls by making odd gestures with his eyebrows, coming right in front of them, and showing them his anus.
कदर्थीकृत्य बलवान् विप्रचक्रे मदोद्धतः । तं तस्याविनयं दृष्ट्वा देशांश्च तदुपद्रुतान्
kadarthīkṛtya balavān vipracakre madoddhataḥ | taṃ tasyāvinayaṃ dṛṣṭvā deśāṃśca tadupadrutān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma saw the ape’s rude behavior and thought of the disruptions he had created in the surrounding kingdoms. Thus the Lord angrily took up His club and His plow weapon, having decided to put His enemy to death.
क्रुद्धो मुसलमादत्त हलं चारिजिघांसया । द्विविदोऽपि महावीर्यः सालमुद्यम्य पाणिना
kruddho musalamādatta halaṃ cārijighāṃsayā | dvivido'pi mahāvīryaḥ sālamudyamya pāṇinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mighty Dvivida also came forward to do battle. Uprooting a śāla tree with one hand, he rushed toward Balarāma and struck Him on the head with the tree trunk.
अभ्येत्य तरसा तेन बलं मूर्धन्यताडयत् । तं तु सङ्कर्षणो मूर्ध्नि पतन्तमचलो यथा
abhyetya tarasā tena balaṃ mūrdhanyatāḍayat | taṃ tu saṅkarṣaṇo mūrdhni patantamacalo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa remained as motionless as a mountain and simply grabbed the log as it fell upon His head. He then struck Dvivida with His club, named Sunanda.
एवं युध्यन् भगवता भग्ने भग्ने पुनः पुनः । आकृष्य सर्वतो वृक्षान् निर्वृक्षमकरोद्वनम्
evaṃ yudhyan bhagavatā bhagne bhagne punaḥ punaḥ | ākṛṣya sarvato vṛkṣān nirvṛkṣamakarodvanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus fighting the Lord, who again and again demolished the trees He was attacked with, Dvivida kept on uprooting trees from all sides until the forest was left treeless.
ततोऽमुञ्चच्छिलावर्षं बलस्योपर्यमर्षितः । तत्सर्वं चूर्णयामास लीलया मुसलायुधः
tato'muñcacchilāvarṣaṃ balasyoparyamarṣitaḥ | tatsarvaṃ cūrṇayāmāsa līlayā musalāyudhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The angry ape then released a rain of stones upon Lord Balarāma, but the wielder of the club easily pulverized them all.
स बाहू तालसङ्काशौ मुष्टीकृत्य कपीश्वरः । आसाद्य रोहिणीपुत्रं ताभ्यां वक्षस्यरूरुजत्
sa bāhū tālasaṅkāśau muṣṭīkṛtya kapīśvaraḥ | āsādya rohiṇīputraṃ tābhyāṃ vakṣasyarūrujat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dvivida, the most powerful of apes, now clenched his fists at the end of his palm-tree-sized arms, came before Lord Balarāma and beat his fists against the Lord’s body.
यादवेन्द्रोऽपि तं दोर्भ्यां त्यक्त्वा मुसललाङ्गले । जत्रावभ्यर्दयत्क्रुद्धः सोऽपतद्रुधिरं वमन्
yādavendro'pi taṃ dorbhyāṃ tyaktvā musalalāṅgale | jatrāvabhyardayatkruddhaḥ so'patadrudhiraṃ vaman
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The furious Lord of the Yādavas then threw aside His club and plow and with His bare hands hammered a blow upon Dvivida’s collarbone. The ape collapsed, vomiting blood.
चकम्पे तेन पतता सटङ्कः सवनस्पतिः । पर्वतः कुरुशार्दूल वायुना नौरिवाम्भसि
cakampe tena patatā saṭaṅkaḥ savanaspatiḥ | parvataḥ kuruśārdūla vāyunā naurivāmbhasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When he fell, O tiger among the Kurus, Raivataka Mountain shook, along with its cliffs and trees, like a wind-tossed boat at sea.
जयशब्दो नमः शब्दः साधु साध्विति चाम्बरे । सुरसिद्धमुनीन्द्राणामासीत्कुसुमवर्षिणाम्
jayaśabdo namaḥ śabdaḥ sādhu sādhviti cāmbare | surasiddhamunīndrāṇāmāsītkusumavarṣiṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In the heavens the demigods, perfect mystics and great sages cried out, “Victory to You! Obeisances to You! Excellent! Well done!” and showered flowers upon the Lord.
एवं निहत्य द्विविदं जगद्व्यतिकरावहम् । संस्तूयमानो भगवान् जनैः स्वपुरमाविशत्
evaṃ nihatya dvividaṃ jagadvyatikarāvaham | saṃstūyamāno bhagavān janaiḥ svapuramāviśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus killed Dvivida, who had disturbed the whole world, the Supreme Lord returned to His capital as the people along the way chanted His glories.
श्रीशुक उवाच । दुर्योधनसुतां राजन् लक्ष्मणां समितिञ्जजयः । स्वयंवरस्थामहरत्साम्बो जाम्बवतीसुतः
śrīśuka uvāca | duryodhanasutāṃ rājan lakṣmaṇāṃ samitiñjajayaḥ | svayaṃvarasthāmaharatsāmbo jāmbavatīsutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, Jāmbavatī’s son Sāmba, ever victorious in battle, kidnapped Duryodhana’s daughter Lakṣmaṇā from her svayaṁvara ceremony.
कौरवाः कुपिता ऊचुर्दुर्विनीतोऽयमर्भकः । कदर्थीकृत्य नः कन्यामकामामहरद्बलात्
kauravāḥ kupitā ūcurdurvinīto'yamarbhakaḥ | kadarthīkṛtya naḥ kanyāmakāmāmaharadbalāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The angry Kurus said: This ill-behaved boy has offended us, forcibly kidnapping our unmarried daughter against her will.
बध्नीतेमं दुर्विनीतं किं करिष्यन्ति वृष्णयः । येऽस्मत्प्रसादोपचितां दत्तां नो भुञ्जते महीम्
badhnītemaṃ durvinītaṃ kiṃ kariṣyanti vṛṣṇayaḥ | ye'smatprasādopacitāṃ dattāṃ no bhuñjate mahīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Arrest this ill-behaved Sāmba! What will the Vṛṣṇis do? By our grace they are ruling land that we have granted them.
निगृहीतं सुतं श्रुत्वा यद्येष्यन्तीह वृष्णयः । भग्नदर्पाः शमं यान्ति प्राणा इव सुसंयताः
nigṛhītaṃ sutaṃ śrutvā yadyeṣyantīha vṛṣṇayaḥ | bhagnadarpāḥ śamaṃ yānti prāṇā iva susaṃyatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If the Vṛṣṇis come here when they learn that their son has been captured, we will break their pride. Thus they’ll become subdued, like bodily senses brought under strict control.
इति कर्णः शलो भूरिर्यज्ञकेतुः सुयोधनः । साम्बमारेभिरे बद्धुं कुरुवृद्धानुमोदिताः
iti karṇaḥ śalo bhūriryajñaketuḥ suyodhanaḥ | sāmbamārebhire baddhuṃ kuruvṛddhānumoditāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After saying this and having their plan sanctioned by the senior member of the Kuru dynasty, Karṇa, Śala, Bhūri, Yajñaketu and Suyodhana set out to attack Sāmba.
दृष्ट्वानुधावतः साम्बो धार्तराष्ट्रान् महारथः । प्रगृह्य रुचिरं चापं तस्थौ सिंह इवैकलः
dṛṣṭvānudhāvataḥ sāmbo dhārtarāṣṭrān mahārathaḥ | pragṛhya ruciraṃ cāpaṃ tasthau siṃha ivaikalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing Duryodhana and his companions rushing toward him, Sāmba, the great chariot-fighter, took up his splendid bow and stood alone like a lion.
तं ते जिघृक्षवः क्रुद्धास्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति भाषिणः । आसाद्य धन्विनो बाणैः कर्णाग्रण्यः समाकिरन्
taṃ te jighṛkṣavaḥ kruddhāstiṣṭha tiṣṭheti bhāṣiṇaḥ | āsādya dhanvino bāṇaiḥ karṇāgraṇyaḥ samākiran
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Determined to capture him, the angry bowmen led by Karṇa shouted at Sāmba, ‘Stand and fight! Stand and fight!’ They came straight for him and showered him with arrows.
सोऽपविद्धः कुरुश्रेष्ठ कुरुभिर्यदुनन्दनः । नामृष्यत्तदचिन्त्यार्भः सिंहः क्षुद्रमृगैरिव
so'paviddhaḥ kuruśreṣṭha kurubhiryadunandanaḥ | nāmṛṣyattadacintyārbhaḥ siṃhaḥ kṣudramṛgairiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of the Kurus, as Kṛṣṇa’s son Sāmba was being unjustly harassed by the Kurus, that darling of the Yadu dynasty did not tolerate their attack, any more than a lion would tolerate an attack by puny animals.
तं तु ते विरथं चक्रुश्चत्वारश्चतुरो हयान् । एकस्तु सारथिं जघ्ने चिच्छेदान्यः शरासनम्
taṃ tu te virathaṃ cakruścatvāraścaturo hayān | ekastu sārathiṃ jaghne cicchedānyaḥ śarāsanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But they forced him down from his chariot, and thereupon four of them struck his four horses, one of them struck down his chariot driver, and another broke his bow.
तं बद्ध्वा विरथीकृत्य कृच्छ्रेण कुरवो युधि । कुमारं स्वस्य कन्यां च स्वपुरं जयिनोऽविशन्
taṃ baddhvā virathīkṛtya kṛcchreṇa kuravo yudhi | kumāraṃ svasya kanyāṃ ca svapuraṃ jayino'viśan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having deprived Sāmba of his chariot during the fight, the Kuru warriors tied him up with great difficulty and then returned victorious to their city, taking the young boy and their princess.
तच्छ्रुत्वा नारदोक्तेन राजन् सञ्जातमन्यवः । कुरून् प्रत्युद्यमं चक्रुरुग्रसेनप्रचोदिताः
tacchrutvā nāradoktena rājan sañjātamanyavaḥ | kurūn pratyudyamaṃ cakrurugrasenapracoditāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, when the Yādavas heard news of this from Śrī Nārada, they became angry. Urged on by King Ugrasena, they prepared for war against the Kurus.
गत्वा गजाह्वयं रामो बाह्योपवनमास्थितः । उद्धवं प्रेषयामास धृतराष्ट्रं बुभुत्सया
gatvā gajāhvayaṃ rāmo bāhyopavanamāsthitaḥ | uddhavaṃ preṣayāmāsa dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ bubhutsayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon arriving at Hastināpura, Lord Balarāma remained in a garden outside the city and sent Uddhava ahead to probe King Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s intentions.
सोऽभिवन्द्याम्बिकापुत्रं भीष्मं द्रोणं च बाह्लिकम् । दुर्योधनं च विधिवद्राममागतमब्रवीत्
so'bhivandyāmbikāputraṃ bhīṣmaṃ droṇaṃ ca bāhlikam | duryodhanaṃ ca vidhivadrāmamāgatamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After he had offered proper respects to the son of Ambikā [Dhṛtarāṣṭra] and to Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Bāhlika and Duryodhana, Uddhava informed them that Lord Balarāma had arrived.
तेऽतिप्रीतास्तमाकर्ण्य प्राप्तं रामं सुहृत्तमम् । तमर्चयित्वाभिययुः सर्वे मङ्गलपाणयः
te'tiprītāstamākarṇya prāptaṃ rāmaṃ suhṛttamam | tamarcayitvābhiyayuḥ sarve maṅgalapāṇayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Overjoyed to hear that Balarāma, their dearmost friend, had come, they first honored Uddhava and then went forth to meet the Lord, carrying auspicious offerings in their hands.
तं सङ्गम्य यथान्यायं गामर्घ्यं च न्यवेदयन् । तेषां ये तत्प्रभावज्ञाः प्रणेमुः शिरसा बलम्
taṃ saṅgamya yathānyāyaṃ gāmarghyaṃ ca nyavedayan | teṣāṃ ye tatprabhāvajñāḥ praṇemuḥ śirasā balam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They approached Lord Balarāma and worshiped Him with gifts of cows and arghya, as was fitting. Those among the Kurus who understood His true power bowed down to Him, touching their heads to the ground.
बन्धून् कुशलिनः श्रुत्वा पृष्ट्वा शिवमनामयम् । परस्परमथो रामो बभाषेऽविक्लवं वचः
bandhūn kuśalinaḥ śrutvā pṛṣṭvā śivamanāmayam | parasparamatho rāmo babhāṣe'viklavaṃ vacaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After both parties had heard that their relatives were doing well and both had inquired into each other’s welfare and health, Lord Balarāma forthrightly spoke to the Kurus as follows.
उग्रसेनः क्षितीशेशो यद्व आज्ञापयत्प्रभुः । तदव्यग्रधियः श्रुत्वा कुरुध्वं माविलम्बितम्
ugrasenaḥ kṣitīśeśo yadva ājñāpayatprabhuḥ | tadavyagradhiyaḥ śrutvā kurudhvaṃ māvilambitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Balarāma said:] King Ugrasena is our master and the ruler of kings. With undivided attention you should hear what he has ordered you to do, and then you should do it at once.
यद्यूयं बहवस्त्वेकं जित्वाऽधर्मेण धार्मिकम् । अबध्नीताथ तन्मृष्ये बन्धूनामैक्यकाम्यया
yadyūyaṃ bahavastvekaṃ jitvā'dharmeṇa dhārmikam | abadhnītātha tanmṛṣye bandhūnāmaikyakāmyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[King Ugrasena has said:] Even though by irreligious means several of you defeated a single opponent who follows the religious codes, still I am tolerating this for the sake of unity among family members.
वीर्यशौर्यबलोन्नद्धमात्मशक्तिसमं वचः । कुरवो बलदेवस्य निशम्योचुः प्रकोपिताः
vīryaśauryabalonnaddhamātmaśaktisamaṃ vacaḥ | kuravo baladevasya niśamyocuḥ prakopitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon hearing these words of Lord Baladeva’s, which were full of potency, courage and strength and were appropriate to His transcendental power, the Kauravas became furious and spoke as follows.
अहो महच्चित्रमिदं कालगत्या दुरत्यया । आरुरुक्षत्युपानद्वै शिरो मुकुटसेवितम्
aho mahaccitramidaṃ kālagatyā duratyayā | ārurukṣatyupānadvai śiro mukuṭasevitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The Kuru nobles said:] Oh, how amazing this is! The force of time is indeed insurmountable: a lowly shoe now wants to climb on the head that bears the royal crown.
एते यौनेन सम्बद्धाः सहशय्यासनाशनाः । वृष्णयस्तुल्यतां नीता अस्मद्दत्तनृपासनाः
ete yaunena sambaddhāḥ sahaśayyāsanāśanāḥ | vṛṣṇayastulyatāṃ nītā asmaddattanṛpāsanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It is because these Vṛṣṇis are bound to us by marital ties that we have granted them equality, allowing them to share our beds, seats and meals. Indeed, it is we who have given them their royal thrones.
चामरव्यजने शङ्खमातपत्रं च पाण्डुरम् । किरीटमासनं शय्यां भुञ्जतेऽस्मदुपेक्षया
cāmaravyajane śaṅkhamātapatraṃ ca pāṇḍuram | kirīṭamāsanaṃ śayyāṃ bhuñjate'smadupekṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Only because we looked the other way could they enjoy the pair of yak-tail fans and the conchshell, white umbrella, throne, and royal bed.
अलं यदूनां नरदेवलाञ्छनै- र्दातुः प्रतीपैः फणिनामिवामृतम् । येऽस्मत्प्रसादोपचिता हि यादवा आज्ञापयन्त्यद्य गतत्रपा बत
alaṃ yadūnāṃ naradevalāñchanai- rdātuḥ pratīpaiḥ phaṇināmivāmṛtam | ye'smatprasādopacitā hi yādavā ājñāpayantyadya gatatrapā bata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
No longer should the Yadus be allowed to use these royal symbols, which now cause trouble for those who gave them, like milk fed to poisonous snakes. Having prospered by our grace, these Yādavas have now lost all shame and are daring to command us!
कथमिन्द्रोऽपि कुरुभिर्भीष्मद्रोणार्जुनादिभिः । अदत्तमवरुन्धीत सिंहग्रस्तमिवोरणः
kathamindro'pi kurubhirbhīṣmadroṇārjunādibhiḥ | adattamavarundhīta siṃhagrastamivoraṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How would even Indra dare usurp anything that Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Arjuna or the other Kurus have not given him? It would be like a lamb claiming the lion’s kill.
श्रीशुक उवाच । जन्मबन्धुश्रियोन्नद्धमदास्ते भरतर्षभ । आश्राव्य रामं दुर्वाच्यमसभ्याः पुरमाविशन्
śrīśuka uvāca | janmabandhuśriyonnaddhamadāste bharatarṣabha | āśrāvya rāmaṃ durvācyamasabhyāḥ puramāviśan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: O best of the Bhāratas, after the arrogant Kurus, thoroughly puffed up by the opulence of their high birth and relations, had spoken these harsh words to Lord Balarāma, they turned and went back to their city.
दृष्ट्वा कुरूणां दौःशील्यं श्रुत्वावाच्यानि चाच्युतः । अवोचत्कोपसंरब्धो दुष्प्रेक्ष्यः प्रहसन् मुहुः
dṛṣṭvā kurūṇāṃ dauḥśīlyaṃ śrutvāvācyāni cācyutaḥ | avocatkopasaṃrabdho duṣprekṣyaḥ prahasan muhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing the bad character of the Kurus and hearing their nasty words, the infallible Lord Balarāma became filled with rage. His countenance frightful to behold, He laughed repeatedly and spoke as follows.
नूनं नानामदोन्नद्धाः शान्तिं नेच्छन्त्यसाधवः । तेषां हि प्रशमो दण्डः पशूनां लगुडो यथा
nūnaṃ nānāmadonnaddhāḥ śāntiṃ necchantyasādhavaḥ | teṣāṃ hi praśamo daṇḍaḥ paśūnāṃ laguḍo yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Balarāma said:] “Clearly the many passions of these scoundrels have made them so proud that they do not want peace. Then let them be pacified by physical punishment, as animals are with a stick.
नोग्रसेनः किल विभुर्भोजवृष्ण्यन्धकेश्वरः । शक्रादयो लोकपाला यस्यादेशानुवर्तिनः
nograsenaḥ kila vibhurbhojavṛṣṇyandhakeśvaraḥ | śakrādayo lokapālā yasyādeśānuvartinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“King Ugrasena, the lord of the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas, is not fit to command, when Indra and other planetary rulers obey his orders?
सुधर्माऽऽक्रम्यते येन पारिजातोऽमराङ्घ्रिपः । आनीय भुज्यते सोऽसौ न किलाध्यासनार्हणः
sudharmā''kramyate yena pārijāto'marāṅghripaḥ | ānīya bhujyate so'sau na kilādhyāsanārhaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“That same Kṛṣṇa who occupies the Sudharmā assembly hall and for His enjoyment took the pārijāta tree from the immortal demigods — that very Kṛṣṇa is indeed not fit to sit on a royal throne?
यस्य पादयुगं साक्षाच्छ्रीरुपास्तेऽखिलेश्वरी । स नार्हति किल श्रीशो नरदेवपरिच्छदान्
yasya pādayugaṃ sākṣācchrīrupāste'khileśvarī | sa nārhati kila śrīśo naradevaparicchadān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“The goddess of fortune herself, ruler of the entire universe, worships His feet. And the master of the goddess of fortune does not deserve the paraphernalia of a mortal king?
यस्याङ्घ्रिपङ्कजरजोऽखिललोकपालैः मौल्युत्तमैर्धृतमुपासिततीर्थतीर्थम् । ब्रह्मा भवोऽहमपि यस्य कलाः कलायाः श्रीश्चोद्वहेम चिरमस्य नृपासनं क्व
yasyāṅghripaṅkajarajo'khilalokapālaiḥ maulyuttamairdhṛtamupāsitatīrthatīrtham | brahmā bhavo'hamapi yasya kalāḥ kalāyāḥ śrīścodvahema ciramasya nṛpāsanaṃ kva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“The dust of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, which is the source of holiness for all places of pilgrimage, is worshiped by all the great demigods. The principal deities of all planets are engaged in His service, and they consider themselves most fortunate to take the dust of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa on their crowns. Great demigods like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, and even the goddess of fortune and I, are simply parts of His spiritual identity, and we also carefully carry that dust on our heads. And still Kṛṣṇa is not fit to use the royal insignia or even sit on the royal throne?
भुञ्जते कुरुभिर्दत्तं भूखण्डं वृष्णयः किल । उपानहः किल वयं स्वयं तु कुरवः शिरः
bhuñjate kurubhirdattaṃ bhūkhaṇḍaṃ vṛṣṇayaḥ kila | upānahaḥ kila vayaṃ svayaṃ tu kuravaḥ śiraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“We Vṛṣṇis enjoy only whatever small parcel of land the Kurus allow us? And we are indeed shoes, whereas the Kurus are the head?
अहो ऐश्वर्यमत्तानां मत्तानामिव मानिनाम् । असम्बद्धा गिरो रूक्षाः कः सहेतानुशासीता
aho aiśvaryamattānāṃ mattānāmiva māninām | asambaddhā giro rūkṣāḥ kaḥ sahetānuśāsītā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Just see how these puffed-up Kurus are intoxicated with their so-called power, like ordinary drunken men! What actual ruler, with the power to command, would tolerate their foolish, nasty words?
अद्य निष्कौरवीं पृथ्वीं करिष्यामीत्यमर्षितः । गृहीत्वा हलमुत्तस्थौ दहन्निव जगत्त्रयम्
adya niṣkauravīṃ pṛthvīṃ kariṣyāmītyamarṣitaḥ | gṛhītvā halamuttasthau dahanniva jagattrayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Today I shall rid the earth of the Kauravas!” declared the furious Balarāma. Thus He took His plow weapon and rose up as if to set the three worlds ablaze.
लाङ्गलाग्रेण नगरमुद्विदार्य गजाह्वयम् । विचकर्ष स गङ्गायां प्रहरिष्यन्नमर्षितः
lāṅgalāgreṇa nagaramudvidārya gajāhvayam | vicakarṣa sa gaṅgāyāṃ prahariṣyannamarṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord angrily dug up Hastināpura with the tip of His plow and began to drag it, intending to cast the entire city into the Ganges.
राम रामाखिलाधार प्रभावं न विदाम ते । मूढानां नः कुबुद्धीनां क्षन्तुमर्हस्यतिक्रमम्
rāma rāmākhilādhāra prabhāvaṃ na vidāma te | mūḍhānāṃ naḥ kubuddhīnāṃ kṣantumarhasyatikramam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The Kauravas said:] O Rāma, Rāma, foundation of everything! We know nothing of Your power. Please excuse our offense, for we are ignorant and misguided.
स्थित्युत्पत्त्यप्ययानां त्वमेको हेतुर्निराश्रयः । लोकान् क्रीडनकानीश क्रीडतस्ते वदन्ति हि
sthityutpattyapyayānāṃ tvameko heturnirāśrayaḥ | lokān krīḍanakānīśa krīḍataste vadanti hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You alone cause the creation, maintenance and annihilation of the cosmos, and of You there is no prior cause. Indeed, O Lord, authorities say that the worlds are mere playthings for You as You perform Your pastimes.
त्वमेव मूर्ध्नीदमनन्त लीलया भूमण्डलं बिभर्षि सहस्रमूर्धन् । अन्ते च यः स्वात्मनि रुद्धविश्वः शेषेऽद्वितीयः परिशिष्यमाणः
tvameva mūrdhnīdamananta līlayā bhūmaṇḍalaṃ bibharṣi sahasramūrdhan | ante ca yaḥ svātmani ruddhaviśvaḥ śeṣe'dvitīyaḥ pariśiṣyamāṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O unlimited one of a thousand heads, as Your pastime You carry this earthly globe upon one of Your heads. At the time of annihilation You withdraw the entire universe within Your body and, remaining all alone, lie down to rest.
कोपस्तेऽखिलशिक्षार्थं न द्वेषान्न च मत्सरात् । बिभ्रतो भगवन् सत्त्वं स्थितिपालनतत्परः
kopaste'khilaśikṣārthaṃ na dveṣānna ca matsarāt | bibhrato bhagavan sattvaṃ sthitipālanatatparaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your anger is meant for instructing everyone; it is not a manifestation of hatred or envy. O Supreme Lord, You sustain the pure mode of goodness, and You become angry only to maintain and protect this world.
नमस्ते सर्वभूतात्मन् सर्वशक्तिधराव्यय । विश्वकर्मन् नमस्तेऽस्तु त्वां वयं शरणं गताः
namaste sarvabhūtātman sarvaśaktidharāvyaya | viśvakarman namaste'stu tvāṃ vayaṃ śaraṇaṃ gatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We bow down to You, O Soul of all beings, O wielder of all potencies, O tireless maker of the universe! Offering You obeisances, we take shelter of You.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं प्रपन्नैः संविग्नैर्वेपमानायनैर्बलः । प्रसादितः सुप्रसन्नो मा भैष्टेत्यभयं ददौ
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ prapannaiḥ saṃvignairvepamānāyanairbalaḥ | prasāditaḥ suprasanno mā bhaiṣṭetyabhayaṃ dadau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus propitiated by the Kurus, whose city was trembling and who were surrendering to Him in great distress, Lord Balarāma became very calm and kindly disposed toward them. “Do not be afraid,” He said, and took away their fear.
प्रतिगृह्य तु तत्सर्वं भगवान् सात्वतर्षभः । ससुतः सस्नुषः प्रागात्सुहृद्भिरभिनन्दितः
pratigṛhya tu tatsarvaṃ bhagavān sātvatarṣabhaḥ | sasutaḥ sasnuṣaḥ prāgātsuhṛdbhirabhinanditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord, chief of the Yādavas, accepted all these gifts and then departed with His son and daughter-in-law as His well-wishers bid Him farewell.
ततः प्रविष्टः स्वपुरं हलायुधः समेत्य बन्धूननुरक्तचेतसः । शशंस सर्वं यदुपुङ्गवानां मध्ये सभायां कुरुषु स्वचेष्टितम्
tataḥ praviṣṭaḥ svapuraṃ halāyudhaḥ sametya bandhūnanuraktacetasaḥ | śaśaṃsa sarvaṃ yadupuṅgavānāṃ madhye sabhāyāṃ kuruṣu svaceṣṭitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Lord Halāyudha entered His city [Dvārakā] and met His relatives, whose hearts were all bound to Him in loving attachment. In the assembly hall He reported to the Yadu leaders everything about His dealings with the Kurus.
अद्यापि च पुरं ह्येतत्सूचयद्रामविक्रमम् । समुन्नतं दक्षिणतो गङ्गायामनुदृश्यते
adyāpi ca puraṃ hyetatsūcayadrāmavikramam | samunnataṃ dakṣiṇato gaṅgāyāmanudṛśyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even today the city of Hastināpura is visibly elevated on its southern side along the Ganges, thus showing the signs of Lord Balarāma’s prowess.
तस्मिन् समानगुणरूपवयःसुवेष- दासीसहस्रयुतयानुसवं गृहिण्या । विप्रो ददर्श चमरव्यजनेन रुक्म- दण्डेन सात्वतपतिं परिवीजयन्त्या
tasmin samānaguṇarūpavayaḥsuveṣa- dāsīsahasrayutayānusavaṃ gṛhiṇyā | vipro dadarśa camaravyajanena rukma- daṇḍena sātvatapatiṃ parivījayantyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that palace the learned brāhmaṇa saw the Lord of the Sātvatas, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, together with His wife, who fanned Him with a gold-handled yak-tail fan. She personally served Him in this way, even though she was constantly attended by a thousand maidservants equal to her in personal character, beauty, youth and fine dress.
तं सन्निरीक्ष्य भगवान् सहसोत्थितश्री- पर्यङ्कतः सकलधर्मभृतां वरिष्ठः । आनम्य पादयुगलं शिरसा किरीट- जुष्टेन साञ्जलिरवीविशदासने स्वे
taṃ sannirīkṣya bhagavān sahasotthitaśrī- paryaṅkataḥ sakaladharmabhṛtāṃ variṣṭhaḥ | ānamya pādayugalaṃ śirasā kirīṭa- juṣṭena sāñjaliravīviśadāsane sve
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord is the greatest upholder of religious principles. Thus when He noticed Nārada, He rose at once from Goddess Śrī’s bed, bowed His crowned head at Nārada’s feet and, joining His palms, had the sage sit in His own seat.
तस्यावनिज्य चरणौ तदपः स्वमूर्ध्ना- बिभ्रज्जगद्गुरुतरोऽपि सतां पतिर्हि । ब्रह्मण्यदेव इति यद्गुणनामयुक्तं तस्यैव यच्चरणशौचमशेषतीर्थम्
tasyāvanijya caraṇau tadapaḥ svamūrdhnā- bibhrajjagadgurutaro'pi satāṃ patirhi | brahmaṇyadeva iti yadguṇanāmayuktaṃ tasyaiva yaccaraṇaśaucamaśeṣatīrtham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord bathed Nārada’s feet and then put the water on His own head. Although Lord Kṛṣṇa is the supreme spiritual authority of the universe and the master of His devotees, it was proper for Him to behave in this way, for His name is Brahmaṇya-deva, “the Lord who favors the bṛāhmaṇas.” Thus Śrī Kṛṣṇa honored the sage Nārada by bathing his feet, even though the water that bathes the Lord’s own feet becomes the Ganges, the ultimate holy shrine.
सम्पूज्य देवऋषिवर्यमृषिः पुराणो नारायणो नरसखो विधिनोदितेन । वाण्याभिभाष्य मितयामृतमिष्टया तं प्राह प्रभो भगवते करवाम हे किम्
sampūjya devaṛṣivaryamṛṣiḥ purāṇo nārāyaṇo narasakho vidhinoditena | vāṇyābhibhāṣya mitayāmṛtamiṣṭayā taṃ prāha prabho bhagavate karavāma he kim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After fully worshiping the great sage of the demigods according to Vedic injunctions, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is Himself the original sage — Nārāyaṇa, the friend of Nara — conversed with Nārada, and the Lord’s measured speech was as sweet as nectar. Finally the Lord asked Nārada, “What may We do for you, Our lord and master?”
नारद उवाच । नैवाद्भुतं त्वयि विभोऽखिललोकनाथे मैत्री जनेषु सकलेषु दमः खलानाम् । निःश्रेयसाय हि जगत्स्थितिरक्षणाभ्यां स्वैरावतार उरुगाय विदाम सुष्ठु
nārada uvāca | naivādbhutaṃ tvayi vibho'khilalokanāthe maitrī janeṣu sakaleṣu damaḥ khalānām | niḥśreyasāya hi jagatsthitirakṣaṇābhyāṃ svairāvatāra urugāya vidāma suṣṭhu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Nārada said: O almighty Lord, it is no surprise that You, the ruler of all worlds, show friendship for all people and yet subdue the envious. As we well know, You descend by Your sweet will in order to bestow the highest good on this universe by maintaining and protecting it. Thus Your glories are widely sung.
दृष्टं तवाङ्घ्रियुगलं जनतापवर्गं ब्रह्मादिभिर्हृदि विचिन्त्यमगाधबोधैः । संसारकूपपतितोत्तरणावलम्बं ध्यायंश्चराम्यनुगृहाण यथा स्मृतिः स्यात्
dṛṣṭaṃ tavāṅghriyugalaṃ janatāpavargaṃ brahmādibhirhṛdi vicintyamagādhabodhaiḥ | saṃsārakūpapatitottaraṇāvalambaṃ dhyāyaṃścarāmyanugṛhāṇa yathā smṛtiḥ syāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now I have seen Your feet, which grant liberation to Your devotees, which even Lord Brahmā and other great personalities of unfathomable intelligence can only meditate upon within their hearts, and which those who have fallen into the well of material existence resort to for deliverance. Please favor me so that I may constantly think of You as I travel about. Please grant Me the power to remember You.
ततोऽन्यदाविशद्गेहं कृष्णपत्न्याः स नारदः । योगेश्वरेश्वरस्याङ्ग योगमायाविवित्सया
tato'nyadāviśadgehaṃ kṛṣṇapatnyāḥ sa nāradaḥ | yogeśvareśvarasyāṅga yogamāyāvivitsayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada then entered the palace of another of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s wives, my dear King. He was eager to witness the spiritual potency possessed by the master of all masters of mystic power.
तत्राप्यचष्ट गोविन्दं लालयन्तं सुतान् शिशून् । ततोऽन्यस्मिन् गृहेऽपश्यन्मज्जनाय कृतोद्यमम्
tatrāpyacaṣṭa govindaṃ lālayantaṃ sutān śiśūn | tato'nyasmin gṛhe'paśyanmajjanāya kṛtodyamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This time Nāradajī saw that Lord Kṛṣṇa was engaged as an affectionate father petting His small children. From there he entered another palace and saw Lord Kṛṣṇa preparing to take His bath.
जुह्वन्तं च वितानाग्नीन् यजन्तं पञ्चभिर्मखैः । भोजयन्तं द्विजान् क्वापि भुञ्जानमवशेषितम्
juhvantaṃ ca vitānāgnīn yajantaṃ pañcabhirmakhaiḥ | bhojayantaṃ dvijān kvāpi bhuñjānamavaśeṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In one place the Lord was offering oblations into the sacrificial fires; in another, worshiping through the five mahā-yajñas; in another, feeding brāhmaṇas; and in yet another, eating the remnants of food left by brāhmaṇas.
क्वापि सन्ध्यामुपासीनं जपन्तं ब्रह्म वाग्यतम् । एकत्र चासिचर्माभ्यां चरन्तमसिवर्त्मसु
kvāpi sandhyāmupāsīnaṃ japantaṃ brahma vāgyatam | ekatra cāsicarmābhyāṃ carantamasivartmasu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Somewhere Lord Kṛṣṇa was observing the rituals for worship at sunset by refraining from speech and quietly chanting the Gāyatrī mantra, and elsewhere He was moving about with sword and shield in the areas set aside for sword practice.
अश्वैर्गजै रथैः क्वापि विचरन्तं गदाग्रजम् । क्वचिच्छयानं पर्यङ्के स्तूयमानं च वन्दिभिः
aśvairgajai rathaiḥ kvāpi vicarantaṃ gadāgrajam | kvacicchayānaṃ paryaṅke stūyamānaṃ ca vandibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In one place Lord Gadāgraja was riding on horses, elephants and chariots, and in another place He was resting on His bed while bards recited His glories.
मन्त्रयन्तं च कस्मिंश्चिन्मन्त्रिभिश्चोद्धवादिभिः । जलक्रीडारतं क्वापि वारमुख्याबलावृतम्
mantrayantaṃ ca kasmiṃścinmantribhiścoddhavādibhiḥ | jalakrīḍārataṃ kvāpi vāramukhyābalāvṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Somewhere He was consulting with royal ministers like Uddhava, and somewhere else He was enjoying in the water, surrounded by many society girls and other young women.
कुत्रचिद्द्विजमुख्येभ्यो ददतं गाः स्वलङ्कृताः । इतिहासपुराणानि शृण्वन्तं मङ्गलानि च
kutraciddvijamukhyebhyo dadataṃ gāḥ svalaṅkṛtāḥ | itihāsapurāṇāni śṛṇvantaṃ maṅgalāni ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Somewhere He was giving well-decorated cows to exalted brāhmaṇas, and elsewhere he was listening to the auspicious narration of epic histories and Purāṇas.
हसन्तं हास्यकथया कदाचित्प्रियया गृहे । क्वापि धर्मं सेवमानमर्थकामौ च कुत्रचित्
hasantaṃ hāsyakathayā kadācitpriyayā gṛhe | kvāpi dharmaṃ sevamānamarthakāmau ca kutracit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Somewhere Lord Kṛṣṇa was found enjoying the company of a particular wife by exchanging joking words with her. Somewhere else He was found engaged, along with His wife, in religious ritualistic functions. Somewhere Kṛṣṇa was found engaged in matters of economic development, and somewhere else He was found enjoying family life according to the regulative principles of the śāstras.
ध्यायन्तमेकमासीनं पुरुषं प्रकृतेः परम् । शुश्रूषन्तं गुरून् क्वापि कामैर्भोगैः सपर्यया
dhyāyantamekamāsīnaṃ puruṣaṃ prakṛteḥ param | śuśrūṣantaṃ gurūn kvāpi kāmairbhogaiḥ saparyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Somewhere He was sitting alone, meditating on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is transcendental to material nature, and somewhere He was rendering menial service to His elders, offering them desirable things and reverential worship.
कुर्वन्तं विग्रहं कैश्चित्सन्धिं चान्यत्र केशवम् । कुत्रापि सह रामेण चिन्तयन्तं सतां शिवम्
kurvantaṃ vigrahaṃ kaiścitsandhiṃ cānyatra keśavam | kutrāpi saha rāmeṇa cintayantaṃ satāṃ śivam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In one place He was planning battles in consultation with some of His advisers, and in another place He was making peace. Somewhere Lord Keśava and Lord Balarāma were together pondering the welfare of the pious.
पुत्राणां दुहितॄणां च काले विध्युपयापनम् । दारैर्वरैस्तत्सदृशैः कल्पयन्तं विभूतिभिः
putrāṇāṃ duhitṝṇāṃ ca kāle vidhyupayāpanam | dārairvaraistatsadṛśaiḥ kalpayantaṃ vibhūtibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada saw Lord Kṛṣṇa engaged in getting His sons and daughters married to suitable brides and bridegrooms at the appropriate time, and the marriage ceremonies were being performed with great pomp.
प्रस्थापनोपानयनैरपत्यानां महोत्सवान् । वीक्ष्य योगेश्वरेशस्य येषां लोका विसिस्मिरे
prasthāpanopānayanairapatyānāṃ mahotsavān | vīkṣya yogeśvareśasya yeṣāṃ lokā visismire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada observed how Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the master of all yoga masters, arranged to send away His daughters and sons-in-law, and also to receive them home again, at the time of great holiday celebrations. All the citizens were astonished to see these celebrations.
यजन्तं सकलान् देवान् क्वापि क्रतुभिरूर्जितैः । पूर्तयन्तं क्वचिद्धर्मं कूर्पाराममठादिभिः
yajantaṃ sakalān devān kvāpi kratubhirūrjitaiḥ | pūrtayantaṃ kvaciddharmaṃ kūrpārāmamaṭhādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Somewhere He was worshiping all the demigods with elaborate sacrifices, and elsewhere He was fulfilling His religious obligations by doing public welfare work, such as the construction of wells, public parks and monasteries.
चरन्तं मृगयां क्वापि हयमारुह्य सैन्धवम् । घ्नन्तं ततः पशून् मेध्यान् परीतं यदुपुङ्गवैः
carantaṃ mṛgayāṃ kvāpi hayamāruhya saindhavam | ghnantaṃ tataḥ paśūn medhyān parītaṃ yadupuṅgavaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In another place He was on a hunting expedition. Mounted on His Sindhī horse and accompanied by the most heroic of the Yadus, He was killing animals meant for offering in sacrifice.
अव्यक्तलिङ्गं प्रकृतिष्वन्तःपुरगृहादिषु । क्वचिच्चरन्तं योगेशं तत्तद्भावबुभुत्सया
avyaktaliṅgaṃ prakṛtiṣvantaḥpuragṛhādiṣu | kvaciccarantaṃ yogeśaṃ tattadbhāvabubhutsayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Somewhere Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of mystic power, was moving about in disguise among the homes of ministers and other citizens in order to understand what each of them was thinking.
अथोवाच हृषीकेशं नारदः प्रहसन्निव । योगमायोदयं वीक्ष्य मानुषीमीयुषो गतिम्
athovāca hṛṣīkeśaṃ nāradaḥ prahasanniva | yogamāyodayaṃ vīkṣya mānuṣīmīyuṣo gatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus seen this display of the Lord’s Yoga-māyā, Nārada mildly laughed and then addressed Lord Hṛṣīkeśa, who was adopting the behavior of a human being.
विदाम योगमायास्ते दुर्दर्शा अपि मायिनाम् । योगेश्वरात्मन् निर्भाता भवत्पादनिषेवया
vidāma yogamāyāste durdarśā api māyinām | yogeśvarātman nirbhātā bhavatpādaniṣevayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Nārada said:] Now we understand Your mystic potencies, which are difficult to comprehend, even for great mystics, O Supreme Soul, master of all mystic power. Only by serving Your feet have I been able to perceive Your powers.
अनुजानीहि मां देव लोकांस्ते यशसाऽऽप्लुतान् । पर्यटामि तवोद्गायन् लीलां भुवनपावनीम्
anujānīhi māṃ deva lokāṃste yaśasā''plutān | paryaṭāmi tavodgāyan līlāṃ bhuvanapāvanīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, please give me Your leave. I will wander about the worlds, which are flooded with Your fame, loudly singing about Your pastimes, which purify the universe.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । ब्रह्मन् धर्मस्य वक्ताहं कर्ता तदनुमोदिता । तच्छिक्षयन् लोकमिममास्थितः पुत्र मा खिदः
śrībhagavānuvāca | brahman dharmasya vaktāhaṃ kartā tadanumoditā | tacchikṣayan lokamimamāsthitaḥ putra mā khidaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O brāhmaṇa, I am the speaker of religion, its performer and sanctioner. I observe religious principles to teach them to the world, My child, so do not be disturbed.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्याचरन्तं सद्धर्मान् पावनान् गृहमेधिनाम् । तमेव सर्वगेहेषु सन्तमेकं ददर्श ह
śrīśuka uvāca | ityācarantaṃ saddharmān pāvanān gṛhamedhinām | tameva sarvageheṣu santamekaṃ dadarśa ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus in every palace Nārada saw the Lord in His same personal form, executing the transcendental principles of religion that purify those engaged in household affairs.
कृष्णस्यानन्तवीर्यस्य योगमायामहोदयम् । मुहुर्दृष्ट्वा ऋषिरभूद्विस्मितो जातकौतुकः
kṛṣṇasyānantavīryasya yogamāyāmahodayam | muhurdṛṣṭvā ṛṣirabhūdvismito jātakautukaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having repeatedly seen the vast mystic display of Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose power is unlimited, the sage was amazed and filled with wonder.
इत्यर्थकामधर्मेषु कृष्णेन श्रद्धितात्मना । सम्यक् सभाजितः प्रीतस्तमेवानुस्मरन् ययौ
ityarthakāmadharmeṣu kṛṣṇena śraddhitātmanā | samyak sabhājitaḥ prītastamevānusmaran yayau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa greatly honored Nārada, faithfully presenting him with gifts related to economic prosperity, sense gratification and religious duties. Thus fully satisfied, the sage departed, constantly remembering the Lord.
एवं मनुष्यपदवीमनुवर्तमानो नारायणोऽखिलभवाय गृहीतशक्तिः । रेमेऽङ्ग षोडशसहस्रवराङ्गनानां सव्रीडसौहृदनिरीक्षणहासजुष्टः
evaṃ manuṣyapadavīmanuvartamāno nārāyaṇo'khilabhavāya gṛhītaśaktiḥ | reme'ṅga ṣoḍaśasahasravarāṅganānāṃ savrīḍasauhṛdanirīkṣaṇahāsajuṣṭaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way Lord Nārāyaṇa imitated the ways of ordinary humans, manifesting His divine potencies for the benefit of all beings. Thus He enjoyed, dear King, in the company of His sixteen thousand exalted consorts, who served the Lord with their shy, affectionate glances and laughter.
यानीह विश्वविलयोद्भववृत्तिहेतुः कर्माण्यनन्यविषयाणि हरिश्चकार । यस्त्वङ्ग गायति शृणोत्यनुमोदते वा भक्तिर्भवेद्भगवति ह्यपवर्गमार्गे
yānīha viśvavilayodbhavavṛttihetuḥ karmāṇyananyaviṣayāṇi hariścakāra | yastvaṅga gāyati śṛṇotyanumodate vā bhaktirbhavedbhagavati hyapavargamārge
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Hari is the ultimate cause of universal creation, maintenance and destruction. My dear King, anyone who chants about, hears about or simply appreciates the extraordinary activities He performed in this world, which are impossible to imitate, will surely develop devotion for the Supreme Lord, the bestower of liberation.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथोषस्युपवृत्तायां कुक्कुटान् कूजतोऽशपन् । गृहीतकण्ठ्यः पतिभिर्माधव्यो विरहातुराः
śrīśuka uvāca | athoṣasyupavṛttāyāṃ kukkuṭān kūjato'śapan | gṛhītakaṇṭhyaḥ patibhirmādhavyo virahāturāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: As dawn approached, the wives of Lord Mādhava, each embraced around the neck by her husband, cursed the crowing roosters. The ladies were disturbed that now they would be separated from Him.
वयांस्यरोरुवन् कृष्णं बोधयन्तीव वन्दिनः । गायत्स्वलिष्वनिद्राणि मन्दारवनवायुभिः
vayāṃsyaroruvan kṛṣṇaṃ bodhayantīva vandinaḥ | gāyatsvaliṣvanidrāṇi mandāravanavāyubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The bees’ buzzing, caused by the fragrant breeze from the pārijāta garden, roused the birds from sleep. And when the birds began to sing loudly, they woke Lord Kṛṣṇa like court poets reciting His glories.
मुहूर्तं तं तु वैदर्भी नामृष्यदतिशोभनम् । परिरम्भणविश्लेषात्प्रियबाह्वन्तरं गता
muhūrtaṃ taṃ tu vaidarbhī nāmṛṣyadatiśobhanam | parirambhaṇaviśleṣātpriyabāhvantaraṃ gatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lying in her beloved’s arms, Queen Vaidarbhī did not like this most auspicious hour, for it meant she would lose His embrace.
अथाप्लुतोऽम्भस्यमले यथाविधि क्रियाकलापं परिधाय वाससी । चकार सन्ध्योपगमादि सत्तमो हुतानलो ब्रह्म जजाप वाग्यतः
athāpluto'mbhasyamale yathāvidhi kriyākalāpaṃ paridhāya vāsasī | cakāra sandhyopagamādi sattamo hutānalo brahma jajāpa vāgyataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That most saintly of personalities would then bathe in sanctified water, dress Himself in lower and upper garments and perform the entire sequence of prescribed rituals, beginning with worship at dawn. After offering oblations into the sacred fire, Lord Kṛṣṇa would silently chant the Gāyatrī mantra.
गोविप्रदेवतावृद्धगुरून् भूतानि सर्वशः । नमस्कृत्यात्मसम्भूतीर्मङ्गलानि समस्पृशत्
govipradevatāvṛddhagurūn bhūtāni sarvaśaḥ | namaskṛtyātmasambhūtīrmaṅgalāni samaspṛśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa would offer obeisances to the cows, brāhmaṇas and demigods, His elders and spiritual masters, and all living beings — all of whom are expansions of His supreme personality. Then He would touch auspicious things.
आत्मानं भूषयामास नरलोकविभूषणम् । वासोभिर्भूषणैः स्वीयैर्दिव्यस्रगनुलेपनैः
ātmānaṃ bhūṣayāmāsa naralokavibhūṣaṇam | vāsobhirbhūṣaṇaiḥ svīyairdivyasraganulepanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He would decorate His body, the very ornament of human society, with His own special clothes and jewelry and with divine flower garlands and ointments.
अवेक्ष्याज्यं तथाऽऽदर्शं गोवृषद्विजदेवताः । कामांश्च सर्ववर्णानां पौरान्तःपुरचारिणाम् । प्रदाप्य प्रकृतीः कामैः प्रतोष्य प्रत्यनन्दत
avekṣyājyaṃ tathā''darśaṃ govṛṣadvijadevatāḥ | kāmāṃśca sarvavarṇānāṃ paurāntaḥpuracāriṇām | pradāpya prakṛtīḥ kāmaiḥ pratoṣya pratyanandata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He would then look at ghee, a mirror, the cows and bulls, the brāhmaṇas and the demigods and see to it that the members of all the social classes living in the palace and throughout the city were satisfied with gifts. After this He would greet His ministers, gratifying them by fulfilling all their desires.
संविभज्याग्रतो विप्रान् स्रक्ताम्बूलानुलेपनैः । सुहृदः प्रकृतीर्दारानुपायुङ्क्त ततः स्वयम्
saṃvibhajyāgrato viprān sraktāmbūlānulepanaiḥ | suhṛdaḥ prakṛtīrdārānupāyuṅkta tataḥ svayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After first distributing flower garlands, pān and sandalwood paste to the brāhmaṇas, He would give these gifts to His friends, ministers and wives, and finally He would partake of them Himself.
तावत्सूत उपानीय स्यन्दनं परमाद्भुतम् । सुग्रीवाद्यैर्हयैर्युक्तं प्रणम्यावस्थितोऽग्रतः
tāvatsūta upānīya syandanaṃ paramādbhutam | sugrīvādyairhayairyuktaṃ praṇamyāvasthito'grataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By then the Lord’s driver would have brought His supremely wonderful chariot, yoked with Sugrīva and His other horses. His charioteer would bow down to the Lord and then stand before Him.
गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणी सारथेस्तमथारुहत् । सात्यक्युद्धवसंयुक्तः पूर्वाद्रिमिव भास्करः
gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇī sārathestamathāruhat | sātyakyuddhavasaṃyuktaḥ pūrvādrimiva bhāskaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Holding on to His charioteer’s hands, Lord Kṛṣṇa would mount the chariot, together with Sātyaki and Uddhava, just like the sun rising over the easternmost mountain.
ईक्षितोऽन्तःपुरस्त्रीणां सव्रीडप्रेमवीक्षितैः । कृच्छ्राद्विसृष्टो निरगाज्जातहासो हरन् मनः
īkṣito'ntaḥpurastrīṇāṃ savrīḍapremavīkṣitaiḥ | kṛcchrādvisṛṣṭo niragājjātahāso haran manaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The palace women would look upon Lord Kṛṣṇa with shy, loving glances, and thus He would get free from them only with difficulty. He would then set off, His smiling face captivating their minds.
सुधर्माख्यां सभां सर्वैर्वृष्णिभिः परिवारितः । प्राविशद्यन्निविष्टानां न सन्त्यङ्ग षडूर्मयः
sudharmākhyāṃ sabhāṃ sarvairvṛṣṇibhiḥ parivāritaḥ | prāviśadyanniviṣṭānāṃ na santyaṅga ṣaḍūrmayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord, attended by all the Vṛṣṇis, would enter the Sudharmā assembly hall, which protects those who enter it from the six waves of material life, dear King.
तत्रोपविष्टः परमासने विभु- र्बभौ स्वभासा ककुभोऽवभासयन् । वृतो नृसिंहैर्यदुभिर्यदूत्तमो यथोडुराजो दिवि तारकागणैः
tatropaviṣṭaḥ paramāsane vibhu- rbabhau svabhāsā kakubho'vabhāsayan | vṛto nṛsiṃhairyadubhiryadūttamo yathoḍurājo divi tārakāgaṇaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the almighty Supreme Lord would seat Himself upon His exalted throne there in the assembly hall, He shone with His unique effulgence, illuminating all the quarters of space. Surrounded by the Yadus, lions among men, that best of the Yadus appeared like the moon amidst many stars.
तत्रोपमन्त्रिणो राजन् नानाहास्यरसैर्विभुम् । उपतस्थुर्नटाचार्या नर्तक्यस्ताण्डवैः पृथक्
tatropamantriṇo rājan nānāhāsyarasairvibhum | upatasthurnaṭācāryā nartakyastāṇḍavaiḥ pṛthak
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And there, O King, jesters would entertain the Lord by displaying various comic moods, expert entertainers would perform for Him, and female dancers would dance energetically.
मृदङ्गवीणामुरजवेणुतालदरस्वनैः । ननृतुर्जगुस्तुष्टुवुश्च सूतमागधवन्दिनः
mṛdaṅgavīṇāmurajaveṇutāladarasvanaiḥ | nanṛturjagustuṣṭuvuśca sūtamāgadhavandinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These performers would dance and sing to the sounds of mṛdaṅgas, vīṇās, murajas, flutes, cymbals and conchshells, while professional poets, chroniclers and panegyrists would recite the Lord’s glories.
तत्राहुर्ब्राह्मणाः केचिदासीना ब्रह्मवादिनः । पूर्वेषां पुण्ययशसां राज्ञां चाकथयन् कथाः
tatrāhurbrāhmaṇāḥ kecidāsīnā brahmavādinaḥ | pūrveṣāṃ puṇyayaśasāṃ rājñāṃ cākathayan kathāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some brāhmaṇas sitting in that assembly hall would fluently chant Vedic mantras, while others recounted stories of past kings of pious renown.
तत्रैकः पुरुषो राजन्नागतोऽपूर्वदर्शनः । विज्ञापितो भगवते प्रतीहारैः प्रवेशितः
tatraikaḥ puruṣo rājannāgato'pūrvadarśanaḥ | vijñāpito bhagavate pratīhāraiḥ praveśitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once a certain person arrived in the assembly, O King, who had never been seen there before. The doorkeepers announced him to the Lord and then escorted him inside.
स नमस्कृत्य कृष्णाय परेशाय कृताञ्जलिः । राज्ञामावेदयद्दुःखं जरासन्धनिरोधजम्
sa namaskṛtya kṛṣṇāya pareśāya kṛtāñjaliḥ | rājñāmāvedayadduḥkhaṃ jarāsandhanirodhajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That person bowed down to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and with joined palms he described to the Lord how a number of kings were suffering because Jarāsandha had imprisoned them.
ये च दिग्विजये तस्य सन्नतिं न ययुर्नृपाः । प्रसह्य रुद्धास्तेनासन्नयुते द्वे गिरिव्रजे
ye ca digvijaye tasya sannatiṃ na yayurnṛpāḥ | prasahya ruddhāstenāsannayute dve girivraje
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Twenty thousand kings who had refused to submit absolutely to Jarāsandha during his world conquest had been forcibly imprisoned by him in the fortress named Girivraja.
कृष्ण कृष्णाप्रमेयात्मन् प्रपन्नभयभञ्जन । वयं त्वां शरणं यामो भवभीताः पृथग्धियः
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇāprameyātman prapannabhayabhañjana | vayaṃ tvāṃ śaraṇaṃ yāmo bhavabhītāḥ pṛthagdhiyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The kings said [as related through their messenger]: O Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, O immeasurable Soul, destroyer of fear for those surrendered to You! Despite our separatist attitude, we have come to You for shelter out of fear of material existence.
लोको विकर्मनिरतः कुशले प्रमत्तः कर्मण्ययं त्वदुदिते भवदर्चने स्वे । यस्तावदस्य बलवानिह जीविताशां सद्यश्छिनत्त्यनिमिषाय नमोऽस्तु तस्मै
loko vikarmanirataḥ kuśale pramattaḥ karmaṇyayaṃ tvadudite bhavadarcane sve | yastāvadasya balavāniha jīvitāśāṃ sadyaśchinattyanimiṣāya namo'stu tasmai
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
People in this world are always engaged in sinful activities and are thus bewildered about their real duty, which is to worship You according to Your commandments. This activity would truly bring them good fortune. Let us offer our obeisances unto the all-powerful Lord, who appears as time and suddenly cuts down one’s stubborn hope for a long life in this world.
लोके भवाञ्जगदिनः कलयावतीर्णः सद्रक्षणाय खलनिग्रहणाय चान्यः । कश्चित्त्वदीयमतियाति निदेशमीश किं वा जनः स्वकृतमृच्छति तन्न विद्मः
loke bhavāñjagadinaḥ kalayāvatīrṇaḥ sadrakṣaṇāya khalanigrahaṇāya cānyaḥ | kaścittvadīyamatiyāti nideśamīśa kiṃ vā janaḥ svakṛtamṛcchati tanna vidmaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the predominating Lord of the universe and have descended into this world with Your personal power to protect the saintly and suppress the wicked. We cannot understand, O Lord, how anyone can transgress Your law and still continue to enjoy the fruits of his work.
स्वप्नायितं नृपसुखं परतन्त्रमीश शश्वद्भयेन मृतकेन धुरं वहामः । हित्वा तदात्मनि सुखं त्वदनीहलभ्यं क्लिश्यामहेऽतिकृपणास्तव माययेह
svapnāyitaṃ nṛpasukhaṃ paratantramīśa śaśvadbhayena mṛtakena dhuraṃ vahāmaḥ | hitvā tadātmani sukhaṃ tvadanīhalabhyaṃ kliśyāmahe'tikṛpaṇāstava māyayeha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, with this corpselike body, always full of fear, we bear the burden of the relative happiness of kings, which is just like a dream. Thus we have rejected the real happiness of the soul, which comes by rendering selfless service to You. Being so very wretched, we simply suffer in this life under the spell of Your illusory energy.
तन्नो भवान् प्रणतशोकहराङ्घ्रियुग्मो बद्धान् वियुङ्क्ष्व मगधाह्वयकर्मपाशात् । यो भूभुजोऽयुतमतङ्गजवीर्यमेको बिभ्रद्रुरोध भवने मृगराडिवावीः
tanno bhavān praṇataśokaharāṅghriyugmo baddhān viyuṅkṣva magadhāhvayakarmapāśāt | yo bhūbhujo'yutamataṅgajavīryameko bibhradrurodha bhavane mṛgarāḍivāvīḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, since Your feet relieve the sorrow of those who surrender to them, please release us prisoners from the shackles of karma, manifest as the King of Magadha. Wielding alone the prowess of ten thousand maddened elephants, he has locked us up in his house just as a lion captures sheep.
यो वै त्वया द्विनवकृत्व उदात्तचक्र- भग्नो मृधे खलु भवन्तमनन्तवीर्यम् । जित्वा नृलोकनिरतं सकृदूढदर्पो युष्मत्प्रजा रुजति नोऽजित तद्विधेहि
yo vai tvayā dvinavakṛtva udāttacakra- bhagno mṛdhe khalu bhavantamanantavīryam | jitvā nṛlokanirataṃ sakṛdūḍhadarpo yuṣmatprajā rujati no'jita tadvidhehi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O wielder of the disc! Your strength is unlimited, and thus seventeen times You crushed Jarāsandha in battle. But then, absorbed in human affairs, You allowed him to defeat You once. Now he is so filled with pride that he dares to torment us, Your subjects. O unconquerable one, please rectify this situation.
दूत उवाच । इति मागधसंरुद्धा भवद्दर्शनकङ्क्षिणः । प्रपन्नाः पादमूलं ते दीनानां शं विधीयताम्
dūta uvāca | iti māgadhasaṃruddhā bhavaddarśanakaṅkṣiṇaḥ | prapannāḥ pādamūlaṃ te dīnānāṃ śaṃ vidhīyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The messenger continued: This is the message of the kings imprisoned by Jarāsandha, who all hanker for Your audience, having surrendered to Your feet. Please bestow good fortune on these poor souls.
श्रीशुक उवाच । राजदूते ब्रुवत्येवं देवर्षिः परमद्युतिः । बिभ्रत्पिङ्गजटाभारं प्रादुरासीद्यथा रविः
śrīśuka uvāca | rājadūte bruvatyevaṃ devarṣiḥ paramadyutiḥ | bibhratpiṅgajaṭābhāraṃ prādurāsīdyathā raviḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When the kings’ messenger had thus spoken, the sage of the demigods, Nārada, suddenly appeared. Bearing a mass of golden matted locks on his head, the supremely effulgent sage entered like the brilliant sun.
तं दृष्ट्वा भगवान् कृष्णः सर्वलोकेश्वरेश्वरः । ववन्द उत्थितः शीर्ष्णा ससभ्यः सानुगो मुदा
taṃ dṛṣṭvā bhagavān kṛṣṇaḥ sarvalokeśvareśvaraḥ | vavanda utthitaḥ śīrṣṇā sasabhyaḥ sānugo mudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa is the worshipable master of even planetary rulers like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, yet as soon as He saw that Nārada Muni had arrived, He joyfully stood up along with His ministers and secretaries to receive the great sage and offer His respectful obeisances by bowing His head.
सभाजयित्वा विधिवत्कृतासनपरिग्रहम् । बभाषे सूनृतैर्वाक्यैः श्रद्धया तर्पयन् मुनिम्
sabhājayitvā vidhivatkṛtāsanaparigraham | babhāṣe sūnṛtairvākyaiḥ śraddhayā tarpayan munim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Nārada had accepted the seat offered to him, Lord Kṛṣṇa honored the sage according to scriptural injunctions and, gratifying him with His reverence, spoke the following truthful and pleasing words.
अपि स्विदद्य लोकानां त्रयाणामकुतोभयम् । ननु भूयान् भगवतो लोकान् पर्यटतो गुणः
api svidadya lokānāṃ trayāṇāmakutobhayam | nanu bhūyān bhagavato lokān paryaṭato guṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] It is certain that today the three worlds have attained freedom from all fear, for that is the influence of such a great personality as you, who travel at will throughout all the worlds.
न हि तेऽविदितं किञ्चिल्लोकेष्वीश्वरकर्तृषु । अथ पृच्छामहे युष्मान् पाण्डवानां चिकीर्षितम्
na hi te'viditaṃ kiñcillokeṣvīśvarakartṛṣu | atha pṛcchāmahe yuṣmān pāṇḍavānāṃ cikīrṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There is nothing unknown to you within God’s creation. Therefore please tell Us what the Pāṇḍavas intend to do.
श्रीनारद उवाच । दृष्टा माया ते बहुशो दुरत्यया माया विभो विश्वसृजश्च मायिनः । भूतेषु भूमंश्चरतः स्वशक्तिभि- र्वह्नेरिवच्छन्नरुचो न मेऽद्भुतम्
śrīnārada uvāca | dṛṣṭā māyā te bahuśo duratyayā māyā vibho viśvasṛjaśca māyinaḥ | bhūteṣu bhūmaṃścarataḥ svaśaktibhi- rvahnerivacchannaruco na me'dbhutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Nārada said: I have seen many times the insurmountable power of Your Māyā, O almighty one, by which You bewilder even the creator of the universe, Brahmā. O all-encompassing Lord, it does not surprise me that You disguise Yourself by Your own energies while moving among the created beings, as a fire covers its own light with smoke.
तवेहितं कोऽर्हति साधु वेदितुं स्वमाययेदं सृजतो नियच्छतः । यद्विद्यमानात्मतयावभासते तस्मै नमस्ते स्वविलक्षणात्मने
tavehitaṃ ko'rhati sādhu vedituṃ svamāyayedaṃ sṛjato niyacchataḥ | yadvidyamānātmatayāvabhāsate tasmai namaste svavilakṣaṇātmane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Who can properly understand Your purpose? With Your material energy You expand and also withdraw this creation, which thus appears to have substantial existence. Obeisances to You, whose transcendental position is inconceivable.
जीवस्य यः संसरतो विमोक्षणं न जानतोऽनर्थवहाच्छरीरतः । लीलावतारैः स्वयशःप्रदीपकं प्राज्वालयत्त्वा तमहं प्रपद्ये
jīvasya yaḥ saṃsarato vimokṣaṇaṃ na jānato'narthavahāccharīrataḥ | līlāvatāraiḥ svayaśaḥpradīpakaṃ prājvālayattvā tamahaṃ prapadye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The living being caught in the cycle of birth and death does not know how he can be delivered from the material body, which brings him so much trouble. But You, the Supreme Lord, descend to this world in various personal forms, and by performing Your pastimes You illumine the soul’s path with the blazing torch of Your fame. Therefore I surrender unto You.
अथाप्याश्रावये ब्रह्म नरलोकविडम्बनम् । राज्ञः पैतृष्वसेयस्य भक्तस्य च चिकीर्षितम्
athāpyāśrāvaye brahma naralokaviḍambanam | rājñaḥ paitṛṣvaseyasya bhaktasya ca cikīrṣitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nonetheless, O Supreme Truth playing the part of a human being, I shall tell You what Your devotee Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, the son of Your father’s sister, intends to do.
यक्ष्यति त्वां मखेन्द्रेण राजसूयेन पाण्डवः । पारमेष्ठ्यकामो नृपतिस्तद्भवाननुमोदताम्
yakṣyati tvāṃ makhendreṇa rājasūyena pāṇḍavaḥ | pārameṣṭhyakāmo nṛpatistadbhavānanumodatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Desiring unrivaled sovereignty, King Yudhiṣṭhira intends to worship You with the greatest fire sacrifice, the Rājasūya. Please bless his endeavor.
तस्मिन् देव क्रतुवरे भवन्तं वै सुरादयः । दिदृक्षवः समेष्यन्ति राजानश्च यशस्विनः
tasmin deva kratuvare bhavantaṃ vai surādayaḥ | didṛkṣavaḥ sameṣyanti rājānaśca yaśasvinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, exalted demigods and glorious kings, eager to see You, will all come to that best of sacrifices.
श्रवणात्कीर्तनाद्ध्यानात्पूयन्तेऽन्तेवसायिनः । तव ब्रह्ममयस्येश किमुतेक्षाभिमर्शिनः
śravaṇātkīrtanāddhyānātpūyante'ntevasāyinaḥ | tava brahmamayasyeśa kimutekṣābhimarśinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, even outcastes are purified by hearing and chanting Your glories and meditating upon You, the Absolute Truth. What then to speak of those who see and touch You?
यस्यामलं दिवि यशः प्रथितं रसायां भूमौ च ते भुवनमङ्गल दिग्वितानम् । मन्दाकिनीति दिवि भोगवतीति चाधो गङ्गेति चेह चरणाम्बु पुनाति विश्वम्
yasyāmalaṃ divi yaśaḥ prathitaṃ rasāyāṃ bhūmau ca te bhuvanamaṅgala digvitānam | mandākinīti divi bhogavatīti cādho gaṅgeti ceha caraṇāmbu punāti viśvam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Lord, You are the symbol of everything auspicious. Your transcendental name and fame is spread like a canopy all over the universe, including the higher, middle and lower planetary systems. The transcendental water that washes Your lotus feet is known in the higher planetary systems as the Mandākinī River, in the lower planetary systems as the Bhogavatī and in this earthly planetary system as the Ganges. This sacred, transcendental water flows throughout the entire universe, purifying wherever it goes.
श्रीशुक उवाच । तत्र तेष्वात्मपक्षेष्वगृह्णत्सु विजिगीषया । वाचः पेशैः स्मयन् भृत्यमुद्धवं प्राह केशवः
śrīśuka uvāca | tatra teṣvātmapakṣeṣvagṛhṇatsu vijigīṣayā | vācaḥ peśaiḥ smayan bhṛtyamuddhavaṃ prāha keśavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When His supporters, the Yādavas, objected to this proposal out of eagerness to defeat Jarāsandha, Lord Keśava turned to His servant Uddhava and, smiling, addressed him with fine words.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । त्वं हि नः परमं चक्षुः सुहृन्मन्त्रार्थतत्त्ववित् । तथात्र ब्रूह्यनुष्ठेयं श्रद्दध्मः करवाम तत्
śrībhagavānuvāca | tvaṃ hi naḥ paramaṃ cakṣuḥ suhṛnmantrārthatattvavit | tathātra brūhyanuṣṭheyaṃ śraddadhmaḥ karavāma tat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Personality of Godhead said: You are indeed Our best eye and closest friend, for you know perfectly the relative value of various kinds of counsel. Therefore please tell Us what should be done in this situation. We trust your judgment and shall do as you say.
इत्युपामन्त्रितो भर्त्रा सर्वज्ञेनापि मुग्धवत् । निदेशं शिरसाऽऽधाय उद्धवः प्रत्यभाषत
ityupāmantrito bhartrā sarvajñenāpi mugdhavat | nideśaṃ śirasā''dhāya uddhavaḥ pratyabhāṣata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus requested by his master, who, though omniscient, acted as if perplexed, Uddhava took this order upon his head and replied as follows.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्युदीरितमाकर्ण्य देवऋषेरुद्धवोऽब्रवीत् । सभ्यानां मतमाज्ञाय कृष्णस्य च महामतिः
śrīśuka uvāca | ityudīritamākarṇya devaṛṣeruddhavo'bravīt | sabhyānāṃ matamājñāya kṛṣṇasya ca mahāmatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus heard the statements of Devarṣi Nārada, and understanding the opinions of both the assembly and Lord Kṛṣṇa, the great-minded Uddhava began to speak.
उद्धव उवाच । यदुक्तमृषिणा देव साचिव्यं यक्ष्यतस्त्वया । कार्यं पैतृष्वसेयस्य रक्षा च शरणैषिणाम्
uddhava uvāca | yaduktamṛṣiṇā deva sācivyaṃ yakṣyatastvayā | kāryaṃ paitṛṣvaseyasya rakṣā ca śaraṇaiṣiṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Uddhava said: O Lord, as the sage advised, You should help Your cousin fulfill his plan for performing the Rājasūya sacrifice, and You should also protect the kings who are begging for Your shelter.
यष्टव्यं राजसूयेन दिक्चक्रजयिना विभो । अतो जरासुतजय उभयार्थो मतो मम
yaṣṭavyaṃ rājasūyena dikcakrajayinā vibho | ato jarāsutajaya ubhayārtho mato mama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Only one who has conquered all opponents in every direction can perform the Rājasūya sacrifice, O almighty one. Thus, in my opinion, conquering Jarāsandha will serve both purposes.
अस्माकं च महानर्थो ह्येतेनैव भविष्यति । यशश्च तव गोविन्द राज्ञो बद्धान् विमुञ्चतः
asmākaṃ ca mahānartho hyetenaiva bhaviṣyati | yaśaśca tava govinda rājño baddhān vimuñcataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By this decision there will be great gain for us, and You will save the kings. Thus, Govinda, You will be glorified.
स वै दुर्विषहो राजा नागायुतसमो बले । बलिनामपि चान्येषां भीमं समबलं विना
sa vai durviṣaho rājā nāgāyutasamo bale | balināmapi cānyeṣāṃ bhīmaṃ samabalaṃ vinā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The invincible King Jarāsandha is as strong as ten thousand elephants. Indeed, other powerful warriors cannot defeat him. Only Bhīma is equal to him in strength.
द्वैरथे स तु जेतव्यो मा शताक्षौहिणीयुतः । ब्रह्मण्योऽभ्यर्थितो विप्रैर्न प्रत्याख्याति कर्हिचित्
dvairathe sa tu jetavyo mā śatākṣauhiṇīyutaḥ | brahmaṇyo'bhyarthito viprairna pratyākhyāti karhicit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He will be defeated in a match of single chariots, not when he is with his hundred military divisions. Now, Jarāsandha is so devoted to brahminical culture that he never refuses requests from brāhmaṇas.
ब्रह्मवेषधरो गत्वा तं भिक्षेत वृकोदरः । हनिष्यति न सन्देहो द्वैरथे तव सन्निधौ
brahmaveṣadharo gatvā taṃ bhikṣeta vṛkodaraḥ | haniṣyati na sandeho dvairathe tava sannidhau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhīma should go to him disguised as a brāhmaṇa and beg charity. Thus he will obtain single combat with Jarāsandha, and in Your presence Bhīma will no doubt kill him.
निमित्तं परमीशस्य विश्वसर्गनिरोधयोः । हिरण्यगर्भः शर्वश्च कालस्यारूपिणस्तव
nimittaṃ paramīśasya viśvasarganirodhayoḥ | hiraṇyagarbhaḥ śarvaśca kālasyārūpiṇastava
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva act only as Your instruments in cosmic creation and annihilation, which are ultimately done by You, the Supreme Lord, in Your invisible aspect of time.
गायन्ति ते विशदकर्म गृहेषु देव्यो राज्ञां स्वशत्रुवधमात्मविमोक्षणं च । गोप्यश्च कुञ्जरपतेर्जनकात्मजायाः पित्रोश्च लब्धशरणा मुनयो वयं च
gāyanti te viśadakarma gṛheṣu devyo rājñāṃ svaśatruvadhamātmavimokṣaṇaṃ ca | gopyaśca kuñjarapaterjanakātmajāyāḥ pitrośca labdhaśaraṇā munayo vayaṃ ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In their homes, the godly wives of the imprisoned kings sing of Your noble deeds — about how You will kill their husbands’ enemy and deliver them. The gopīs also sing Your glories — how You killed the enemy of the elephant king, Gajendra; the enemy of Sīta, daughter of Janaka; and the enemies of Your own parents as well. So also do the sages who have obtained Your shelter glorify You, as do we ourselves.
जरासन्धवधः कृष्ण भूर्यर्थायोपकल्पते । प्रायः पाकविपाकेन तव चाभिमतः क्रतुः
jarāsandhavadhaḥ kṛṣṇa bhūryarthāyopakalpate | prāyaḥ pākavipākena tava cābhimataḥ kratuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Kṛṣṇa, the killing of Jarāsandha, which is certainly a reaction of his past sins, will bring immense benefit. Indeed, it will make possible the sacrificial ceremony You desire.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्युद्धववचो राजन् सर्वतोभद्रमच्युतम् । देवर्षिर्यदुवृद्धाश्च कृष्णश्च प्रत्यपूजयन्
śrīśuka uvāca | ityuddhavavaco rājan sarvatobhadramacyutam | devarṣiryaduvṛddhāśca kṛṣṇaśca pratyapūjayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, Devarṣi Nārada, the Yadu elders and Lord Kṛṣṇa all welcomed Uddhava’s proposal, which was entirely auspicious and infallible.
अथादिशत्प्रयाणाय भगवान् देवकीसुतः । भृत्यान् दारुकजैत्रादीननुज्ञाप्य गुरून् विभुः
athādiśatprayāṇāya bhagavān devakīsutaḥ | bhṛtyān dārukajaitrādīnanujñāpya gurūn vibhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The almighty Personality of Godhead, the son of Devakī, begged His superiors for permission to leave. Then He ordered His servants, headed by Dāruka and Jaitra, to prepare for departure.
निर्गमय्यावरोधान् स्वान् ससुतान् सपरिच्छदान् । सङ्कर्षणमनुज्ञाप्य यदुराजं च शत्रुहन् । सूतोपनीतं स्वरथमारुहद्गरुडध्वजम्
nirgamayyāvarodhān svān sasutān saparicchadān | saṅkarṣaṇamanujñāpya yadurājaṃ ca śatruhan | sūtopanītaṃ svarathamāruhadgaruḍadhvajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O slayer of enemies, after He had arranged for the departure of His wives, children and baggage and taken leave of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa and King Ugrasena, Lord Kṛṣṇa mounted His chariot, which had been brought by His driver. It flew a flag marked with the emblem of Garuḍa.
ततो रथद्विपभटसादिनायकैः करालया परिवृत आत्मसेनया । मृदङ्गभेर्यानकशङ्खगोमुखैः प्रघोषघोषित्ककुभो निराक्रमत्
tato rathadvipabhaṭasādināyakaiḥ karālayā parivṛta ātmasenayā | mṛdaṅgabheryānakaśaṅkhagomukhaiḥ praghoṣaghoṣitkakubho nirākramat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the vibrations resounding from mṛdaṅgas, bherīs, kettledrums, conchshells and gomukhas filled the sky in all directions, Lord Kṛṣṇa set out on His journey. He was accompanied by the chief officers of His corps of chariots, elephants, infantry and cavalry and surrounded on all sides by His fierce personal guard.
नृवाजिकाञ्चनशिबिकाभिरच्युतं सहात्मजाः पतिमनु सुव्रता ययुः । वराम्बराभरणविलेपनस्रजः सुसंवृता नृभिरसिचर्मपाणिभिः
nṛvājikāñcanaśibikābhiracyutaṃ sahātmajāḥ patimanu suvratā yayuḥ | varāmbarābharaṇavilepanasrajaḥ susaṃvṛtā nṛbhirasicarmapāṇibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Acyuta’s faithful wives, along with their children, followed the Lord on golden palanquins carried by powerful men. The queens were adorned with fine clothing, ornaments, fragrant oils and flower garlands, and they were surrounded on all sides by soldiers carrying swords and shields in their hands.
नरोष्ट्रगोमहिषखराश्वतर्यनः करेणुभिः परिजनवारयोषितः । स्वलङ्कृताः कटकुटिकम्बलाम्बरा- द्युपस्करा ययुरधियुज्य सर्वतः
naroṣṭragomahiṣakharāśvataryanaḥ kareṇubhiḥ parijanavārayoṣitaḥ | svalaṅkṛtāḥ kaṭakuṭikambalāmbarā- dyupaskarā yayuradhiyujya sarvataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On all sides proceeded finely adorned women-attendants of the royal household, as well as courtesans. They rode on palanquins and camels, bulls and buffalo, donkeys, mules, bullock carts and elephants. Their conveyances were fully loaded with grass tents, blankets, clothes and other items for the trip.
बलं बृहद्ध्वजपटछत्रचामरै- र्वरायुधाभरणकिरीटवर्मभिः । दिवांशुभिस्तुमुलरवं बभौ रवे- र्यथार्णवः क्षुभिततिमिङ्गिलोर्मिभिः
balaṃ bṛhaddhvajapaṭachatracāmarai- rvarāyudhābharaṇakirīṭavarmabhiḥ | divāṃśubhistumularavaṃ babhau rave- ryathārṇavaḥ kṣubhitatimiṅgilormibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord’s army boasted royal umbrellas, cāmara fans and huge flagpoles with waving banners. During the day the sun’s rays reflected brightly from the soldiers’ fine weapons, jewelry, helmets and armor. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa’s army, noisy with shouts and clatter, appeared like an ocean stirring with agitated waves and timiṅgila fish.
अथो मुनिर्यदुपतिना सभाजितः प्रणम्य तं हृदि विदधद्विहायसा । निशम्य तद्व्यवसितमाहृतार्हणो मुकुन्दसन्दर्शननिर्वृतेन्द्रियः
atho muniryadupatinā sabhājitaḥ praṇamya taṃ hṛdi vidadhadvihāyasā | niśamya tadvyavasitamāhṛtārhaṇo mukundasandarśananirvṛtendriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Honored by Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the chief of the Yadus, Nārada Muni bowed down to the Lord. All of Nārada’s senses were satisfied by his meeting with Lord Kṛṣṇa. Thus, having heard the decision of the Lord and having been worshiped by Him, Nārada placed Him firmly within his heart and departed through the sky.
राजदूतमुवाचेदं भगवान् प्रीणयन् गिरा । मा भैष्ट दूत भद्रं वो घातयिष्यामि मागधम्
rājadūtamuvācedaṃ bhagavān prīṇayan girā | mā bhaiṣṭa dūta bhadraṃ vo ghātayiṣyāmi māgadham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With pleasing words the Lord addressed the messenger sent by the kings: “My dear messenger, I wish all good fortune to you. I shall arrange for the killing of King Magadha. Do not fear.”
इत्युक्तः प्रस्थितो दूतो यथावदवदन्नृपान् । तेऽपि सन्दर्शनं शौरेः प्रत्यैक्षन् यन्मुमुक्षवः
ityuktaḥ prasthito dūto yathāvadavadannṛpān | te'pi sandarśanaṃ śaureḥ pratyaikṣan yanmumukṣavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus addressed, the messenger departed and accurately relayed the Lord’s message to the kings. Eager for freedom, they then waited expectantly for their meeting with Lord Kṛṣṇa.
आनर्तसौवीरमरूंस्तीर्त्वा विनशनं हरिः । गिरीन् नदीरतीयाय पुरग्रामव्रजाकरान्
ānartasauvīramarūṃstīrtvā vinaśanaṃ hariḥ | girīn nadīratīyāya puragrāmavrajākarān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As He traveled through the provinces of Ānarta, Sauvīra, Marudeśa and Vinaśana, Lord Hari crossed rivers and passed mountains, cities, villages, cow pastures and quarries.
ततो दृषद्वतीं तीर्त्वा मुकुन्दोऽथ सरस्वतीम् । पञ्चालानथ मत्स्यांश्च शक्रप्रस्थमथागमत्
tato dṛṣadvatīṃ tīrtvā mukundo'tha sarasvatīm | pañcālānatha matsyāṃśca śakraprasthamathāgamat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After crossing the rivers Dṛṣadvatī and Sarasvatī, He passed through Pañcāla and Matsya and finally came to Indraprastha.
तमुपागतमाकर्ण्य प्रीतो दुर्दर्शनं नृणाम् । अजातशत्रुर्निरगात्सोपाध्यायः सुहृद्वृतः
tamupāgatamākarṇya prīto durdarśanaṃ nṛṇām | ajātaśatrurniragātsopādhyāyaḥ suhṛdvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Yudhiṣṭhira was delighted to hear that the Lord, whom human beings rarely see, had now arrived. Accompanied by his priests and dear associates, the King came out to meet Lord Kṛṣṇa.
गीतवादित्रघोषेण ब्रह्मघोषेण भूयसा । अभ्ययात्स हृषीकेशं प्राणाः प्राणमिवादृतः
gītavāditraghoṣeṇa brahmaghoṣeṇa bhūyasā | abhyayātsa hṛṣīkeśaṃ prāṇāḥ prāṇamivādṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As songs and musical instruments resounded along with the loud vibration of Vedic hymns, the King went forth with great reverence to meet Lord Hṛṣīkeśa, just as the senses go forth to meet the consciousness of life.
दृष्ट्वा विक्लिन्नहृदयः कृष्णं स्नेहेन पाण्डवः । चिराद्दृष्टं प्रियतमं सस्वजेऽथ पुनः पुनः
dṛṣṭvā viklinnahṛdayaḥ kṛṣṇaṃ snehena pāṇḍavaḥ | cirāddṛṣṭaṃ priyatamaṃ sasvaje'tha punaḥ punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The heart of King Yudhiṣṭhira melted with affection when he saw his dearmost friend, Lord Kṛṣṇa, after such a long separation, and he embraced the Lord again and again.
दोर्भ्यां परिष्वज्य रमामलालयं मुकुन्दगात्रं नृपतिर्हताशुभः । लेभे परां निर्वृतिमश्रुलोचनो हृष्यत्तनुर्विस्मृतलोकविभ्रमः
dorbhyāṃ pariṣvajya ramāmalālayaṃ mukundagātraṃ nṛpatirhatāśubhaḥ | lebhe parāṃ nirvṛtimaśrulocano hṛṣyattanurvismṛtalokavibhramaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The eternal form of Lord Kṛṣṇa is the everlasting residence of the goddess of fortune. As soon as King Yudhiṣṭhira embraced Him, the King became free of all the contamination of material existence. He immediately felt transcendental bliss and merged in an ocean of happiness. There were tears in his eyes, and his body shook due to ecstasy. He completely forgot that he was living in this material world.
तं मातुलेयं परिरभ्य निर्वृतो भीमः स्मयन् प्रेमजलाकुलेन्द्रियः । यमौ किरीटी च सुहृत्तमं मुदा प्रवृद्धबाष्पाः परिरेभिरेऽच्युतम्
taṃ mātuleyaṃ parirabhya nirvṛto bhīmaḥ smayan premajalākulendriyaḥ | yamau kirīṭī ca suhṛttamaṃ mudā pravṛddhabāṣpāḥ parirebhire'cyutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Bhīma, his eyes brimming with tears, laughed with joy as he embraced his maternal cousin, Kṛṣṇa. Arjuna and the twins — Nakula and Sahadeva — also joyfully embraced their dearmost friend, the infallible Lord, and they cried profusely.
अर्जुनेन परिष्वक्तो यमाभ्यामभिवादितः । ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमस्कृत्य वृद्धेभ्यश्च यथार्हतः
arjunena pariṣvakto yamābhyāmabhivāditaḥ | brāhmaṇebhyo namaskṛtya vṛddhebhyaśca yathārhataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Arjuna had embraced Him once more and Nakula and Sahadeva had offered Him their obeisances, Lord Kṛṣṇa bowed down to the brāhmaṇas and elders present, thus properly honoring the respectable members of the Kuru, Sṛñjaya and Kaikaya clans.
मानितो मानयामास कुरुसृञ्जयकैकयान् । सूतमागधगन्धर्वा वन्दिनश्चोपमन्त्रिणः
mānito mānayāmāsa kurusṛñjayakaikayān | sūtamāgadhagandharvā vandinaścopamantriṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūtas, Māgadhas, Gandharvas, Vandīs, jesters and brāhmaṇas all glorified the lotus-eyed Lord — some reciting prayers, some dancing and singing — as mṛdaṅgas, conchshells, kettledrums, vīṇās, paṇavas and gomukhas resounded.
मृदङ्गशङ्खपटहवीणापणवगोमुखैः । ब्राह्मणाश्चारविन्दाक्षं तुष्टुवुर्ननृतुर्जगुः
mṛdaṅgaśaṅkhapaṭahavīṇāpaṇavagomukhaiḥ | brāhmaṇāścāravindākṣaṃ tuṣṭuvurnanṛturjaguḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus surrounded by His well-wishing relatives and praised on all sides, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the crest jewel of the justly renowned, entered the decorated city.
उद्दीप्तदीपबलिभिः प्रतिसद्मजाल- निर्यातधूपरुचिरं विलसत्पताकम् । मूर्धन्यहेमकलशै रजतोरुशृङ्गै- र्जुष्टं ददर्श भवनैः कुरुराजधाम
uddīptadīpabalibhiḥ pratisadmajāla- niryātadhūparuciraṃ vilasatpatākam | mūrdhanyahemakalaśai rajatoruśṛṅgai- rjuṣṭaṃ dadarśa bhavanaiḥ kururājadhāma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the young women of the city heard that Lord Kṛṣṇa, the reservoir of pleasure for human eyes, had arrived, they hurriedly went onto the royal road to see Him. They abandoned their household duties and even left their husbands in bed, and in their eagerness the knots of their hair and garments came loose.
प्राप्तं निशम्य नरलोचनपानपात्र- मौत्सुक्यविश्लथितकेशदुकूलबन्धाः । सद्यो विसृज्य गृहकर्म पतींश्च तल्पे द्रष्टुं ययुर्युवतयः स्म नरेन्द्रमार्गे
prāptaṃ niśamya naralocanapānapātra- mautsukyaviślathitakeśadukūlabandhāḥ | sadyo visṛjya gṛhakarma patīṃśca talpe draṣṭuṃ yayuryuvatayaḥ sma narendramārge
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The royal road being quite crowded with elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers, the women climbed to the top of their houses, where they caught sight of Lord Kṛṣṇa and His queens. The city ladies scattered flowers upon the Lord, embraced Him in their minds and expressed their heartfelt welcome with broadly smiling glances.
तस्मिन् सुसङ्कुल इभाश्वरथद्विपद्भिः कृष्णं सभार्यमुपलभ्य गृहाधिरूढाः । नार्यो विकीर्य कुसुमैर्मनसोपगुह्य सुस्वागतं विदधुरुत्स्मयवीक्षितेन
tasmin susaṅkula ibhāśvarathadvipadbhiḥ kṛṣṇaṃ sabhāryamupalabhya gṛhādhirūḍhāḥ | nāryo vikīrya kusumairmanasopaguhya susvāgataṃ vidadhurutsmayavīkṣitena
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Observing Lord Mukunda’s wives passing on the road like stars accompanying the moon, the women exclaimed, “What have these ladies done so that the best of men bestows upon their eyes the joy of His generous smiles and playful sidelong glances?”
ऊचुः स्त्रियः पथि निरीक्ष्य मुकुन्दपत्नीः तारा यथोडुपसहाः किमकार्यमूभिः । यच्चक्षुषां पुरुषमौलिरुदारहास- लीलावलोककलयोत्सवमातनोति
ūcuḥ striyaḥ pathi nirīkṣya mukundapatnīḥ tārā yathoḍupasahāḥ kimakāryamūbhiḥ | yaccakṣuṣāṃ puruṣamaulirudārahāsa- līlāvalokakalayotsavamātanoti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In various places citizens of the city came forward holding auspicious offerings for Lord Kṛṣṇa, and sinless leaders of occupational guilds came forward to worship the Lord.
तत्र तत्रोपसङ्गम्य पौरा मङ्गलपाणयः । चक्रुः सपर्यां कृष्णाय श्रेणीमुख्या हतैनसः
tatra tatropasaṅgamya paurā maṅgalapāṇayaḥ | cakruḥ saparyāṃ kṛṣṇāya śreṇīmukhyā hatainasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With wide-open eyes, the members of the royal household came forward in a flurry to lovingly greet Lord Mukunda, and thus the Lord entered the royal palace.
अन्तःपुरजनैः प्रीत्या मुकुन्दः फुल्ललोचनैः । ससम्भ्रमैरभ्युपेतः प्राविशद्राजमन्दिरम्
antaḥpurajanaiḥ prītyā mukundaḥ phullalocanaiḥ | sasambhramairabhyupetaḥ prāviśadrājamandiram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Queen Pṛthā saw her nephew Kṛṣṇa, the master of the three worlds, her heart became filled with love. Rising from her couch with her daughter-in-law, she embraced the Lord.
पृथा विलोक्य भ्रात्रेयं कृष्णं त्रिभुवनेश्वरम् । प्रीतात्मोत्थाय पर्यङ्कात्सस्नुषा परिषस्वजे
pṛthā vilokya bhrātreyaṃ kṛṣṇaṃ tribhuvaneśvaram | prītātmotthāya paryaṅkātsasnuṣā pariṣasvaje
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully brought Lord Govinda, the Supreme God of gods, to his personal quarters. The King was so overcome with joy that he could not remember all the rituals of worship.
गोविन्दं गृहमानीय देवदेवेशमादृतः । पूजायां नाविदत्कृत्यं प्रमोदोपहतो नृपः
govindaṃ gṛhamānīya devadeveśamādṛtaḥ | pūjāyāṃ nāvidatkṛtyaṃ pramodopahato nṛpaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa bowed down to His aunt and the wives of His elders, O King, and then Draupadī and the Lord’s sister bowed down to Him.
कालिन्दीं मित्रविन्दां च शैब्यां नाग्नजितीं सतीम् । अन्याश्चाभ्यागता यास्तु वासःस्रङ्मण्डनादिभिः
kālindīṃ mitravindāṃ ca śaibyāṃ nāgnajitīṃ satīm | anyāścābhyāgatā yāstu vāsaḥsraṅmaṇḍanādibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Yudhiṣṭhira arranged for Kṛṣṇa’s rest and saw to it that all who came along with Him — namely His queens, soldiers, ministers and secretaries — were comfortably situated. He arranged that they would experience a new feature of reception every day while staying as guests of the Pāṇḍavas.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच । क्रतुराजेन गोविन्द राजसूयेन पावनीः । यक्ष्ये विभूतीर्भवतस्तत्सम्पादय नः प्रभो
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | kraturājena govinda rājasūyena pāvanīḥ | yakṣye vibhūtīrbhavatastatsampādaya naḥ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Yudhiṣṭhira said: O Govinda, I desire to worship Your auspicious, opulent expansions by the Rājasūya sacrifice, the king of Vedic ceremonies. Please make our endeavor a success, my Lord.
त्वत्पादुके अविरतं परि ये चरन्ति ध्यायन्त्यभद्रनशने शुचयो गृणन्ति । विन्दन्ति ते कमलनाभ भवापवर्ग- माशासते यदि त आशिष ईश नान्ये
tvatpāduke avirataṃ pari ye caranti dhyāyantyabhadranaśane śucayo gṛṇanti | vindanti te kamalanābha bhavāpavarga- māśāsate yadi ta āśiṣa īśa nānye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Purified persons who constantly serve, meditate upon and glorify Your shoes, which destroy everything inauspicious, are sure to obtain freedom from material existence, O lotus-naveled one. Even if they desire something in this world, they obtain it, whereas others — those who do not take shelter of You — are never satisfied, O Lord.
तद्देवदेव भवतश्चरणारविन्द- सेवानुभावमिह पश्यतु लोक एषः । ये त्वां भजन्ति न भजन्त्युत वोभयेषां निष्ठां प्रदर्शय विभो कुरुसृञ्जयानाम्
taddevadeva bhavataścaraṇāravinda- sevānubhāvamiha paśyatu loka eṣaḥ | ye tvāṃ bhajanti na bhajantyuta vobhayeṣāṃ niṣṭhāṃ pradarśaya vibho kurusṛñjayānām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O Lord of lords, let the people of this world see the power of devotional service rendered to Your lotus feet. Please show them, O almighty one, the position of those Kurus and Sṛñjayas who worship You, and the position of those who do not.
न ब्रह्मणः स्वपरभेदमतिस्तव स्यात् सर्वात्मनः समदृशः स्वसुखानुभूतेः । संसेवतां सुरतरोरिव ते प्रसादः सेवानुरूपमुदयो न विपर्ययोऽत्र
na brahmaṇaḥ svaparabhedamatistava syāt sarvātmanaḥ samadṛśaḥ svasukhānubhūteḥ | saṃsevatāṃ surataroriva te prasādaḥ sevānurūpamudayo na viparyayo'tra
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Within Your mind there can be no such differentiation as “This one is mine, and that is another’s,” because You are the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Soul of all beings, always equipoised and enjoying transcendental happiness within Yourself. Just like the heavenly desire tree, You bless all who properly worship You, granting their desired fruits in proportion to the service they render You. There is nothing wrong in this.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । सम्यग्व्यवसितं राजन् भवता शत्रुकर्शन । कल्याणी येन ते कीर्तिर्लोकाननुभविष्यति
śrībhagavānuvāca | samyagvyavasitaṃ rājan bhavatā śatrukarśana | kalyāṇī yena te kīrtirlokānanubhaviṣyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Your decision is perfect, O King, and thus your noble fame will spread to all the worlds, O tormentor of your enemies.
ऋषीणां पितृदेवानां सुहृदामपि नः प्रभो । सर्वेषामपि भूतानामीप्सितः क्रतुराडयम्
ṛṣīṇāṃ pitṛdevānāṃ suhṛdāmapi naḥ prabho | sarveṣāmapi bhūtānāmīpsitaḥ kraturāḍayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indeed, My lord, for the great sages, the forefathers and the demigods, for Our well-wishing friends and, indeed, for all living beings, the performance of this king of Vedic sacrifices is desirable.
विजित्य नृपतीन् सर्वान् कृत्वा च जगतीं वशे । सम्भृत्य सर्वसम्भारानाहरस्व महाक्रतुम्
vijitya nṛpatīn sarvān kṛtvā ca jagatīṃ vaśe | sambhṛtya sarvasambhārānāharasva mahākratum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
First conquer all kings, bring the earth under your control and collect all the required paraphernalia; then execute this great sacrifice.
एते ते भ्रातरो राजंल्लोकपालांशसम्भवाः । जितोऽस्म्यात्मवता तेऽहं दुर्जयो योऽकृतात्मभिः
ete te bhrātaro rājaṃllokapālāṃśasambhavāḥ | jito'smyātmavatā te'haṃ durjayo yo'kṛtātmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These brothers of yours, O King, have taken birth as partial expansions of the demigods ruling various planets. And you are so self-controlled that you have conquered even Me, who am unconquerable for those who cannot control their senses.
न कश्चिन्मत्परं लोके तेजसा यशसा श्रिया । विभूतिभिर्वाभिभवेद्देवोऽपि किमु पार्थिवः
na kaścinmatparaṃ loke tejasā yaśasā śriyā | vibhūtibhirvābhibhaveddevo'pi kimu pārthivaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
No one in this world, even a demigod — what to speak of an earthly king — can defeat My devotee with his strength, beauty, fame or riches.
श्रीशुक उवाच । निशम्य भगवद्गीतं प्रीतः फुल्लमुखाम्बुजः । भ्रातॄन् दिग्विजयेऽयुङ्क्त विष्णुतेजोपबृंहितान्
śrīśuka uvāca | niśamya bhagavadgītaṃ prītaḥ phullamukhāmbujaḥ | bhrātṝn digvijaye'yuṅkta viṣṇutejopabṛṃhitān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Upon hearing these words sung by the Supreme Lord, King Yudhiṣṭhira became joyful, and his face blossomed like a lotus. Thus he sent forth his brothers, who were empowered with Lord Viṣṇu’s potency, to conquer all directions.
सहदेवं दक्षिणस्यामादिशत्सह सृञ्जयैः । दिशि प्रतीच्यां नकुलमुदीच्यां सव्यसाचिनम् । प्राच्यां वृकोदरं मत्स्यैः केकयैः सह मद्रकैः
sahadevaṃ dakṣiṇasyāmādiśatsaha sṛñjayaiḥ | diśi pratīcyāṃ nakulamudīcyāṃ savyasācinam | prācyāṃ vṛkodaraṃ matsyaiḥ kekayaiḥ saha madrakaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He sent Sahadeva to the south with the Sṛñjayas, Nakula to the west with the Matsyas, Arjuna to the north with the Kekayas, and Bhīma to the east with the Madrakas.
ते विजित्य नृपान् वीरा आजह्रुर्दिग्भ्य ओजसा । अजातशत्रवे भूरि द्रविणं नृप यक्ष्यते
te vijitya nṛpān vīrā ājahrurdigbhya ojasā | ajātaśatrave bhūri draviṇaṃ nṛpa yakṣyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After defeating many kings with their prowess, these heroic brothers brought back abundant wealth for Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, who was intent on performing the sacrifice, O King.
श्रुत्वाजितं जरासन्धं नृपतेर्ध्यायतो हरिः । आहोपायं तमेवाद्य उद्धवो यमुवाच ह
śrutvājitaṃ jarāsandhaṃ nṛpaterdhyāyato hariḥ | āhopāyaṃ tamevādya uddhavo yamuvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When King Yudhiṣṭhira heard that Jarāsandha remained undefeated, he set to pondering, and then the primeval Lord, Hari, told him the means Uddhava had described for defeating Jarāsandha.
भीमसेनोऽर्जुनः कृष्णो ब्रह्मलिङ्गधरास्त्रयः । जग्मुर्गिरिव्रजं तात बृहद्रथसुतो यतः
bhīmaseno'rjunaḥ kṛṣṇo brahmaliṅgadharāstrayaḥ | jagmurgirivrajaṃ tāta bṛhadrathasuto yataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus Bhīmasena, Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa disguised themselves as brāhmaṇas and went to Girivraja, my dear King, where the son of Bṛhadratha was to be found.
ते गत्वाऽऽतिथ्यवेलायां गृहेषु गृहमेधिनम् । ब्रह्मण्यं समयाचेरन् राजन्या ब्रह्मलिङ्गिनः
te gatvā''tithyavelāyāṃ gṛheṣu gṛhamedhinam | brahmaṇyaṃ samayāceran rājanyā brahmaliṅginaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Disguised as brāhmaṇas, the royal warriors approached Jarāsandha at home during the appointed hour for receiving guests. They submitted their entreaty to that dutiful householder, who was especially respectful to the brahminical class.
राजन् विद्ध्यतिथीन् प्राप्तानर्थिनो दूरमागतान् । तन्नः प्रयच्छ भद्रं ते यद्वयं कामयामहे
rājan viddhyatithīn prāptānarthino dūramāgatān | tannaḥ prayaccha bhadraṃ te yadvayaṃ kāmayāmahe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and Bhīma said:] O King, know us to be needy guests who have come to you from afar. We wish all good unto you. Please grant us whatever we desire.
किं दुर्मर्षं तितिक्षूणां किमकार्यमसाधुभिः । किं न देयं वदान्यानां कः परः समदर्शिनाम्
kiṃ durmarṣaṃ titikṣūṇāṃ kimakāryamasādhubhiḥ | kiṃ na deyaṃ vadānyānāṃ kaḥ paraḥ samadarśinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What can the tolerant not bear? What will the wicked not do? What will the generous not give in charity? And who will those of equal vision see as an outsider?
योऽनित्येन शरीरेण सतां गेयं यशो ध्रुवम् । नाचिनोति स्वयं कल्पः स वाच्यः शोच्य एव सः
yo'nityena śarīreṇa satāṃ geyaṃ yaśo dhruvam | nācinoti svayaṃ kalpaḥ sa vācyaḥ śocya eva saḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He indeed is to be censured and pitied who, though able to do so, fails to achieve with his temporary body the lasting fame glorified by great saints.
हरिश्चन्द्रो रन्तिदेव उञ्छवृत्तिः शिबिर्बलिः । व्याधः कपोतो बहवो ह्यध्रुवेण ध्रुवं गताः
hariścandro rantideva uñchavṛttiḥ śibirbaliḥ | vyādhaḥ kapoto bahavo hyadhruveṇa dhruvaṃ gatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hariścandra, Rantideva, Uñchavṛtti Mudgala, Śibi, Bali, the legendary hunter and pigeon, and many others have attained the permanent by means of the impermanent.
श्रीशुक उवाच । स्वरैराकृतिभिस्तांस्तु प्रकोष्ठैर्ज्याहतैरपि । राजन्यबन्धून् विज्ञाय दृष्टपूर्वानचिन्तयत्
śrīśuka uvāca | svarairākṛtibhistāṃstu prakoṣṭhairjyāhatairapi | rājanyabandhūn vijñāya dṛṣṭapūrvānacintayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: From the sound of their voices, their physical stature and the marks of bowstrings on their forearms, Jarāsandha could tell that his guests were of the royal order. He began to think he had seen them somewhere before.
राजन्यबन्धवो ह्येते ब्रह्मलिङ्गानि बिभ्रति । ददामि भिक्षितं तेभ्य आत्मानमपि दुस्त्यजम्
rājanyabandhavo hyete brahmaliṅgāni bibhrati | dadāmi bhikṣitaṃ tebhya ātmānamapi dustyajam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Jarāsandha thought:] These are surely members of the royal order dressed as brāhmaṇas, but still I must grant their request for charity, even if they beg me for my own body.
जीवता ब्राह्मणार्थाय को न्वर्थः क्षत्रबन्धुना । देहेन पतमानेन नेहता विपुलं यशः
jīvatā brāhmaṇārthāya ko nvarthaḥ kṣatrabandhunā | dehena patamānena nehatā vipulaṃ yaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What is the use of an unqualified kṣatriya who goes on living but fails to gain everlasting glory by working with his perishable body for the benefit of brāhmaṇas?
इत्युदारमतिः प्राह कृष्णार्जुनवृकोदरान् । हे विप्रा व्रियतां कामो ददाम्यात्मशिरोऽपि वः
ityudāramatiḥ prāha kṛṣṇārjunavṛkodarān | he viprā vriyatāṃ kāmo dadāmyātmaśiro'pi vaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus making up his mind, the generous Jarāsandha addressed Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and Bhīma: “O learned brāhmaṇas, choose whatever you wish. I will give it to you, even if it is my own head.”
श्रीभगवानुवाच । युद्धं नो देहि राजेन्द्र द्वन्द्वशो यदि मन्यसे । युद्धार्थिनो वयं प्राप्ता राजन्या नान्नकाङ्क्षिणः
śrībhagavānuvāca | yuddhaṃ no dehi rājendra dvandvaśo yadi manyase | yuddhārthino vayaṃ prāptā rājanyā nānnakāṅkṣiṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: O exalted King, give us battle in the form of a duel, if you think it fitting. We are princes and have come to beg a fight. We have no other request to make of you.
असौ वृकोदरः पार्थस्तस्य भ्रातार्जुनो ह्ययम् । अनयोर्मातुलेयं मां कृष्णं जानीहि ते रिपुम्
asau vṛkodaraḥ pārthastasya bhrātārjuno hyayam | anayormātuleyaṃ māṃ kṛṣṇaṃ jānīhi te ripum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Over there is Bhīma, son of Pṛthā, and this is his brother Arjuna. Know Me to be their maternal cousin, Kṛṣṇa, your enemy.
एवमावेदितो राजा जहासोच्चैः स्म मागधः । आह चामर्षितो मन्दा युद्धं तर्हि ददामि वः
evamāvedito rājā jahāsoccaiḥ sma māgadhaḥ | āha cāmarṣito mandā yuddhaṃ tarhi dadāmi vaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus challenged, Magadharāja laughed out loud and contemptuously said, “All right, you fools, I’ll give you a fight!
न त्वया भीरुणा योत्स्ये युधि विक्लवतेजसा । मथुरां स्वपुरीं त्यक्त्वा समुद्रं शरणं गतः
na tvayā bhīruṇā yotsye yudhi viklavatejasā | mathurāṃ svapurīṃ tyaktvā samudraṃ śaraṇaṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“But I will not fight with You, Kṛṣṇa, for You are a coward. Your strength abandoned You in the midst of battle, and You fled Your own capital of Mathurā to take shelter in the sea.
अयं तु वयसातुल्यो नातिसत्त्वो न मे समः । अर्जुनो न भवेद्योद्धा भीमस्तुल्यबलो मम
ayaṃ tu vayasātulyo nātisattvo na me samaḥ | arjuno na bhavedyoddhā bhīmastulyabalo mama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“As for this one, Arjuna, he is not as old as I, nor is he very strong. Since he is no match for me, he should not be the contender. Bhīma, however, is as strong as I am.”
इत्युक्त्वा भीमसेनाय प्रादाय महतीं गदाम् । द्वितीयां स्वयमादाय निर्जगाम पुराद्बहिः
ityuktvā bhīmasenāya prādāya mahatīṃ gadām | dvitīyāṃ svayamādāya nirjagāma purādbahiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having said this, Jarāsandha offered Bhīmasena a huge club, took up another himself and went outside the city.
ततः समे खले वीरौ संयुक्तावितरेतरौ । जघ्नतुर्वज्रकल्पाभ्यां गदाभ्यां रणदुर्मदौ
tataḥ same khale vīrau saṃyuktāvitaretarau | jaghnaturvajrakalpābhyāṃ gadābhyāṃ raṇadurmadau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The two heroes thus began battling each other on the level fighting grounds outside the city. Maddened with the fury of combat, they struck each other with their lightning-bolt-like clubs.
मण्डलानि विचित्राणि सव्यं दक्षिणमेव च । चरतोः शुशुभे युद्धं नटयोरिव रङ्गिणोः
maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi savyaṃ dakṣiṇameva ca | caratoḥ śuśubhe yuddhaṃ naṭayoriva raṅgiṇoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As they skillfully circled left and right, like actors dancing on a stage, the fight presented a magnificent spectacle.
ततश्चटचटाशब्दो वज्रनिष्पेषसन्निभः । गदयोः क्षिप्तयो राजन् दन्तयोरिव दन्तिनोः
tataścaṭacaṭāśabdo vajraniṣpeṣasannibhaḥ | gadayoḥ kṣiptayo rājan dantayoriva dantinoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Jarāsandha’s and Bhīmasena’s clubs loudly collided, O King, the sound was like the impact of the big tusks of two fighting elephants, or the crash of a thunderbolt in a flashing electrical storm.
ते वै गदे भुजजवेन निपात्यमाने अन्योन्यतोंऽसकटिपादकरोरुजत्रून् । चूर्णीबभूवतुरुपेत्य यथार्कशाखे संयुध्यतोर्द्विरदयोरिव दीप्तमन्व्योः
te vai gade bhujajavena nipātyamāne anyonyatoṃ'sakaṭipādakarorujatrūn | cūrṇībabhūvaturupetya yathārkaśākhe saṃyudhyatordviradayoriva dīptamanvyoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They swung their clubs at each other with such speed and force that as the clubs struck their shoulders, hips, feet, hands, thighs and collarbones, the weapons were crushed and broken like branches of arka trees with which two enraged elephants furiously attack each other.
इत्थं तयोः प्रहतयोर्गदयोर्नृवीरौ क्रुद्धौ स्वमुष्टिभिरयःस्परशैरपिंष्टाम् । शब्दस्तयोः प्रहरतोरिभयोरिवासी- न्निर्घातवज्रपरुषस्तलताडनोत्थः
itthaṃ tayoḥ prahatayorgadayornṛvīrau kruddhau svamuṣṭibhirayaḥsparaśairapiṃṣṭām | śabdastayoḥ praharatoribhayorivāsī- nnirghātavajraparuṣastalatāḍanotthaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their clubs thus ruined, those great heroes among men angrily pummeled each other with their iron-hard fists. As they slapped each other, the sound resembled the crash of elephants colliding or harsh thunderclaps.
तयोरेवं प्रहरतोः समशिक्षाबलौजसोः । निर्विशेषमभूद्युद्धमक्षीणजवयोर्नृप
tayorevaṃ praharatoḥ samaśikṣābalaujasoḥ | nirviśeṣamabhūdyuddhamakṣīṇajavayornṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As they thus fought, this contest between opponents of equal training, strength and stamina reached no conclusion. And so they kept on fighting, O King, without any letup.
एवं तयोर्महाराज युध्यतोः सप्तविंशतिः । दिनानि निरगंस्तत्र सुहृद्वन्निशि तिष्ठतोः
evaṃ tayormahārāja yudhyatoḥ saptaviṃśatiḥ | dināni niragaṃstatra suhṛdvanniśi tiṣṭhatoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa knew the secret of His enemy Jarāsandha’s birth and death, and also how he had been given life by the demoness Jarā. Considering all this, Lord Kṛṣṇa imparted His special power to Bhīma.
एकदा मातुलेयं वै प्राह राजन् वृकोदरः । न शक्तोऽहं जरासन्धं निर्जेतुं युधि माधव
ekadā mātuleyaṃ vai prāha rājan vṛkodaraḥ | na śakto'haṃ jarāsandhaṃ nirjetuṃ yudhi mādhava
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having determined how to kill the enemy, that Lord of infallible vision made a sign to Bhīma by tearing in half a small branch of a tree.
शत्रोर्जन्ममृती विद्वाञ्जीवितं च जराकृतम् । पार्थमाप्याययन् स्वेन तेजसाचिन्तयद्धरिः
śatrorjanmamṛtī vidvāñjīvitaṃ ca jarākṛtam | pārthamāpyāyayan svena tejasācintayaddhariḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Understanding this sign, mighty Bhīma, the best of fighters, seized his opponent by the feet and threw him to the ground.
सञ्चिन्त्यारिवधोपायं भीमस्यामोघदर्शनः । दर्शयामास विटपं पाटयन्निव संज्ञया
sañcintyārivadhopāyaṃ bhīmasyāmoghadarśanaḥ | darśayāmāsa viṭapaṃ pāṭayanniva saṃjñayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhīma pressed down on one leg with his foot while grabbing Jarāsandha’s other leg in his hands, and just as a great elephant might break the branch of a tree, Bhīma tore Jarāsandha apart from the anus upward.
तद्विज्ञाय महासत्त्वो भीमः प्रहरतां वरः । गृहीत्वा पादयोः शत्रुं पातयामास भूतले
tadvijñāya mahāsattvo bhīmaḥ praharatāṃ varaḥ | gṛhītvā pādayoḥ śatruṃ pātayāmāsa bhūtale
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King’s subjects then saw him lying in two separate pieces, each with a single leg, thigh, testicle, hip, shoulder, arm, eye, eyebrow and ear, and with half a back and chest.
एकं पादं पदाऽऽक्रम्य दोर्भ्यामन्यं प्रगृह्य सः । गुदतः पाटयामास शाखमिव महागजः
ekaṃ pādaṃ padā''kramya dorbhyāmanyaṃ pragṛhya saḥ | gudataḥ pāṭayāmāsa śākhamiva mahāgajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With the death of the lord of Magadha, a great cry of lamentation arose, while Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa congratulated Bhīma by embracing him.
एकपादोरुवृषणकटिपृष्ठस्तनांसके । एकबाह्वक्षिभ्रूकर्णे शकले ददृशुः प्रजाः
ekapādoruvṛṣaṇakaṭipṛṣṭhastanāṃsake | ekabāhvakṣibhrūkarṇe śakale dadṛśuḥ prajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The immeasurable Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sustainer and benefactor of all living beings, coronated Jarāsandha’s son, Sahadeva, as the new ruler of the Magadhas. The Lord then freed all the kings Jarāsandha had imprisoned.
कृष्णसन्दर्शनाह्लादध्वस्तसंरोधनक्लमाः । प्रशशंसुर्हृषीकेशं गीर्भिः प्राञ्जलयो नृपाः
kṛṣṇasandarśanāhlādadhvastasaṃrodhanaklamāḥ | praśaśaṃsurhṛṣīkeśaṃ gīrbhiḥ prāñjalayo nṛpāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The ecstasy of beholding Lord Kṛṣṇa having dispelled the weariness of their imprisonment, the kings stood with joined palms and offered words of praise to that supreme master of the senses.
राजान ऊचुः । नमस्ते देवदेवेश प्रपन्नार्तिहराव्यय । प्रपन्नान् पाहि नः कृष्ण निर्विण्णान् घोरसंसृतेः
rājāna ūcuḥ | namaste devadeveśa prapannārtiharāvyaya | prapannān pāhi naḥ kṛṣṇa nirviṇṇān ghorasaṃsṛteḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The kings said: Obeisances to You, O Lord of the ruling demigods, O destroyer of Your surrendered devotees’ distress. Since we have surrendered to You, O inexhaustible Kṛṣṇa, please save us from this terrible material life, which has made us so despondent.
नैनं नाथान्वसूयामो मागधं मधुसूदन । अनुग्रहो यद्भवतो राज्ञां राज्यच्युतिर्विभो
nainaṃ nāthānvasūyāmo māgadhaṃ madhusūdana | anugraho yadbhavato rājñāṃ rājyacyutirvibho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O master, Madhusūdana, we do not blame this King of Magadha, since it is actually by Your mercy that kings fall from their royal position, O almighty Lord.
राज्यैश्वर्यमदोन्नद्धो न श्रेयो विन्दते नृपः । त्वन्मायामोहितोऽनित्या मन्यते सम्पदोऽचलाः
rājyaiśvaryamadonnaddho na śreyo vindate nṛpaḥ | tvanmāyāmohito'nityā manyate sampado'calāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Infatuated with his opulence and ruling power, a king loses all self-restraint and cannot obtain his true welfare. Thus bewildered by Your illusory energy, he imagines his temporary assets to be permanent.
मृगतृष्णां यथा बाला मन्यन्त उदकाशयम् । एवं वैकारिकीं मायामयुक्ता वस्तु चक्षते
mṛgatṛṣṇāṃ yathā bālā manyanta udakāśayam | evaṃ vaikārikīṃ māyāmayuktā vastu cakṣate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as men of childish intelligence consider a mirage in the desert to be a pond of water, so those who are irrational look upon the illusory transformations of Māyā as substantial.
अथो न राज्यं मृगतृष्णिरूपितं देहेन शश्वत्पतता रुजां भुवा । उपासितव्यं स्पृहयामहे विभो क्रियाफलं प्रेत्य च कर्णरोचनम्
atho na rājyaṃ mṛgatṛṣṇirūpitaṃ dehena śaśvatpatatā rujāṃ bhuvā | upāsitavyaṃ spṛhayāmahe vibho kriyāphalaṃ pretya ca karṇarocanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Never again will we hanker for a miragelike kingdom — a kingdom that must be slavishly served by this mortal body, which is simply a source of disease and suffering and which is declining at every moment. Nor, O almighty Lord, will we hanker to enjoy the heavenly fruits of pious work in the next life, since the promise of such rewards is simply an empty enticement for the ears.
तं नः समादिशोपायं येन ते चरणाब्जयोः । स्मृतिर्यथा न विरमेदपि संसरतामिह
taṃ naḥ samādiśopāyaṃ yena te caraṇābjayoḥ | smṛtiryathā na viramedapi saṃsaratāmiha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please tell us how we may constantly remember Your lotus feet, though we continue in the cycle of birth and death in this world.
कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय हरये परमात्मने । प्रणतक्लेशनाशाय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः
kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya haraye paramātmane | praṇatakleśanāśāya govindāya namo namaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Again and again we offer our obeisances unto Lord Kṛṣṇa, Hari, the son of Vasudeva. That Supreme Soul, Govinda, vanquishes the suffering of all who surrender to Him.
(२) श्रीशुक उवाच । संस्तूयमानो भगवान् राजभिर्मुक्तबन्धनैः । तानाह करुणस्तात शरण्यः श्लक्ष्णया गिरा
(2) śrīśuka uvāca | saṃstūyamāno bhagavān rājabhirmuktabandhanaiḥ | tānāha karuṇastāta śaraṇyaḥ ślakṣṇayā girā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus the kings, now freed from bondage, glorified the Supreme Lord. Then, my dear Parīkṣit, that merciful bestower of shelter spoke to them in a gentle voice.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । अद्य प्रभृति वो भूपा मय्यात्मन्यखिलेश्वरे । सुदृढा जायते भक्तिर्बाढमाशंसितं तथा
śrībhagavānuvāca | adya prabhṛti vo bhūpā mayyātmanyakhileśvare | sudṛḍhā jāyate bhaktirbāḍhamāśaṃsitaṃ tathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: From now on, my dear kings, you will have firm devotion to Me, the Supreme Self and the Lord of all that be. I assure you this will come to pass, just as you desire.
दिष्ट्या व्यवसितं भूपा भवन्त ऋतभाषिणः । श्रियैश्वर्यमदोन्नाहं पश्य उन्मादकं नृणाम्
diṣṭyā vyavasitaṃ bhūpā bhavanta ṛtabhāṣiṇaḥ | śriyaiśvaryamadonnāhaṃ paśya unmādakaṃ nṛṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Fortunately you have come to the proper conclusion, my dear kings, and what you have spoken is true. I can see that human beings’ lack of self-restraint, which arises from their intoxication with opulence and power, simply leads to madness.
हैहयो नहुषो वेनो रावणो नरकोऽपरे । श्रीमदाद्भ्रंशिताः स्थानाद्देवदैत्यनरेश्वराः
haihayo nahuṣo veno rāvaṇo narako'pare | śrīmadādbhraṃśitāḥ sthānāddevadaityanareśvarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Haihaya, Nahuṣa, Veṇa, Rāvaṇa, Naraka and many other rulers of demigods, men and demons fell from their elevated positions because of infatuation with material opulence.
भवन्त एतद्विज्ञाय देहाद्युत्पाद्यमन्तवत् । मां यजन्तोऽध्वरैर्युक्ताः प्रजा धर्मेण रक्षथ
bhavanta etadvijñāya dehādyutpādyamantavat | māṃ yajanto'dhvarairyuktāḥ prajā dharmeṇa rakṣatha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Understanding that this material body and everything connected with it have a beginning and an end, worship Me by Vedic sacrifices, and with clear intelligence protect your subjects in accordance with the principles of religion.
सन्तन्वन्तः प्रजातन्तून् सुखं दुःखं भवाभवौ । प्राप्तं प्राप्तं च सेवन्तो मच्चित्ता विचरिष्यथ
santanvantaḥ prajātantūn sukhaṃ duḥkhaṃ bhavābhavau | prāptaṃ prāptaṃ ca sevanto maccittā vicariṣyatha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As you live your lives, begetting generations of progeny and encountering happiness and distress, birth and death, always keep your minds fixed on Me.
उदासीनाश्च देहादावात्मारामा धृतव्रताः । मय्यावेश्य मनः सम्यङ् मामन्ते ब्रह्म यास्यथ
udāsīnāśca dehādāvātmārāmā dhṛtavratāḥ | mayyāveśya manaḥ samyaṅ māmante brahma yāsyatha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Be detached from the body and everything connected to it. Remaining self-satisfied, steadfastly keep your vows while concentrating your minds fully on Me. In this way you will ultimately attain Me, the Supreme Absolute Truth.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्यादिश्य नृपान् कृष्णो भगवान् भुवनेश्वरः । तेषां न्ययुङ्क्त पुरुषान् स्त्रियो मज्जनकर्मणि
śrīśuka uvāca | ityādiśya nṛpān kṛṣṇo bhagavān bhuvaneśvaraḥ | teṣāṃ nyayuṅkta puruṣān striyo majjanakarmaṇi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus instructed the kings, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the supreme master of all the worlds, engaged male and female servants in bathing and grooming them.
सपर्यां कारयामास सहदेवेन भारत । नरदेवोचितैर्वस्त्रैर्भूषणैः स्रग्विलेपनैः
saparyāṃ kārayāmāsa sahadevena bhārata | naradevocitairvastrairbhūṣaṇaiḥ sragvilepanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O descendant of Bharata, the Lord then had King Sahadeva honor them with offerings of clothing, jewelry, garlands and sandalwood paste, all suitable for royalty.
भोजयित्वा वरान्नेन सुस्नातान् समलङ्कृतान् । भोगैश्च विविधैर्युक्तांस्ताम्बूलाद्यैर्नृपोचितैः
bhojayitvā varānnena susnātān samalaṅkṛtān | bhogaiśca vividhairyuktāṃstāmbūlādyairnṛpocitaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After they had been properly bathed and adorned, Lord Kṛṣṇa saw to it that they dined on excellent food. He also presented them with various items befitting the pleasure of kings, such as betel nut.
ते पूजिता मुकुन्देन राजानो मृष्टकुण्डलाः । विरेजुर्मोचिताः क्लेशात्प्रावृडन्ते यथा ग्रहाः
te pūjitā mukundena rājāno mṛṣṭakuṇḍalāḥ | virejurmocitāḥ kleśātprāvṛḍante yathā grahāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Honored by Lord Mukunda and freed from tribulation, the kings shone splendidly, their earrings gleaming, just as the moon and other celestial bodies shine brilliantly in the sky at the end of the rainy season.
रथान् सदश्वानारोप्य मणिकाञ्चनभूषितान् । प्रीणय्य सूनृतैर्वाक्यैः स्वदेशान् प्रत्ययापयत्
rathān sadaśvānāropya maṇikāñcanabhūṣitān | prīṇayya sūnṛtairvākyaiḥ svadeśān pratyayāpayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the Lord arranged for the kings to be seated on chariots drawn by fine horses and adorned with jewels and gold, and pleasing them with gracious words, He sent them off to their own kingdoms.
त एवं मोचिताः कृच्छ्रात्कृष्णेन सुमहात्मना । ययुस्तमेव ध्यायन्तः कृतानि च जगत्पतेः
ta evaṃ mocitāḥ kṛcchrātkṛṣṇena sumahātmanā | yayustameva dhyāyantaḥ kṛtāni ca jagatpateḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus liberated from all difficulty by Kṛṣṇa, the greatest of personalities, the kings departed, and as they went they thought only of Him, the Lord of the universe, and of His wonderful deeds.
जगदुः प्रकृतिभ्यस्ते महापुरुषचेष्टितम् । यथान्वशासद्भगवांस्तथा चक्रुरतन्द्रिताः
jagaduḥ prakṛtibhyaste mahāpuruṣaceṣṭitam | yathānvaśāsadbhagavāṃstathā cakruratandritāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The kings told their ministers and other associates what the Personality of Godhead had done, and then they diligently carried out the orders He had imparted to them.
जरासन्धं घातयित्वा भीमसेनेन केशवः । पार्थाभ्यां संयुतः प्रायात्सहदेवेन पूजितः
jarāsandhaṃ ghātayitvā bhīmasenena keśavaḥ | pārthābhyāṃ saṃyutaḥ prāyātsahadevena pūjitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having arranged for Bhīmasena to kill Jarāsandha, Lord Keśava accepted worship from King Sahadeva and then departed with the two sons of Pṛthā.
गत्वा ते खाण्डवप्रस्थं शङ्खान् दध्मुर्जितारयः । हर्षयन्तः स्वसुहृदो दुर्हृदां चासुखावहाः
gatvā te khāṇḍavaprasthaṃ śaṅkhān dadhmurjitārayaḥ | harṣayantaḥ svasuhṛdo durhṛdāṃ cāsukhāvahāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When they arrived at Indraprastha, the victorious heroes blew their conchshells, bringing joy to their well-wishing friends and sorrow to their enemies.
तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रीतमनस इन्द्रप्रस्थनिवासिनः । मेनिरे मागधं शान्तं राजा चाप्तमनोरथः
tacchrutvā prītamanasa indraprasthanivāsinaḥ | menire māgadhaṃ śāntaṃ rājā cāptamanorathaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The residents of Indraprastha were very pleased to hear that sound, for they understood that now the King of Magadha had been put to rest. King Yudhiṣṭhira felt that his desires were now fulfilled.
अभिवन्द्याथ राजानं भीमार्जुनजनार्दनाः । सर्वमाश्रावयाञ्चक्रुरात्मना यदनुष्ठितम्
abhivandyātha rājānaṃ bhīmārjunajanārdanāḥ | sarvamāśrāvayāñcakrurātmanā yadanuṣṭhitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhīma, Arjuna and Janārdana offered their respects to the King and informed him fully about what they had done.
निशम्य धर्मराजस्तत्केशवेनानुकम्पितम् । आनन्दाश्रुकलां मुञ्चन् प्रेम्णा नोवाच किञ्चन
niśamya dharmarājastatkeśavenānukampitam | ānandāśrukalāṃ muñcan premṇā novāca kiñcana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon hearing their account of the great favor Lord Keśava had mercifully shown him, King Dharmarāja shed tears of ecstasy. He felt such love that he could not say anything.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं युधिष्ठिरो राजा जरासन्धवधं विभोः । कृष्णस्य चानुभावं तं श्रुत्वा प्रीतस्तमब्रवीत्
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ yudhiṣṭhiro rājā jarāsandhavadhaṃ vibhoḥ | kṛṣṇasya cānubhāvaṃ taṃ śrutvā prītastamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus heard of the killing of Jarāsandha, and also of almighty Kṛṣṇa’s wonderful power, King Yudhiṣṭhira addressed the Lord as follows with great pleasure.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच । ये स्युस्त्रैलोक्यगुरवः सर्वे लोकमहेश्वराः । वहन्ति दुर्लभं लब्ध्वा शिरसैवानुशासनम्
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | ye syustrailokyaguravaḥ sarve lokamaheśvarāḥ | vahanti durlabhaṃ labdhvā śirasaivānuśāsanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Yudhiṣṭhira said: All the exalted spiritual masters of the three worlds, together with the inhabitants and rulers of the various planets, carry on their heads Your command, which is rarely obtained.
स भवानरविन्दाक्षो दीनानामीशमानिनाम् । धत्तेऽनुशासनं भूमंस्तदत्यन्तविडम्बनम्
sa bhavānaravindākṣo dīnānāmīśamāninām | dhatte'nuśāsanaṃ bhūmaṃstadatyantaviḍambanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
That You, the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, accept the orders of wretched fools who presume themselves rulers is a great pretense on Your part, O all-pervading one.
न ह्येकस्याद्वितीयस्य ब्रह्मणः परमात्मनः । कर्मभिर्वर्धते तेजो ह्रसते च यथा रवेः
na hyekasyādvitīyasya brahmaṇaḥ paramātmanaḥ | karmabhirvardhate tejo hrasate ca yathā raveḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But of course the power of the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Soul, the primeval one without a second, is neither increased nor diminished by His activities, any more than the sun’s power is by its movements.
न वै तेऽजित भक्तानां ममाहमिति माधव । त्वं तवेति च नानाधीः पशूनामिव वैकृता
na vai te'jita bhaktānāṃ mamāhamiti mādhava | tvaṃ taveti ca nānādhīḥ paśūnāmiva vaikṛtā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O unconquerable Mādhava, even Your devotees make no distinctions of “I” and “mine,” “you” and “yours,” for this is the perverted mentality of animals.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा यज्ञिये काले वव्रे युक्तान् स ऋत्विजः । कृष्णानुमोदितः पार्थो ब्राह्मणान् ब्रह्मवादिनः
śrīśuka uvāca | ityuktvā yajñiye kāle vavre yuktān sa ṛtvijaḥ | kṛṣṇānumoditaḥ pārtho brāhmaṇān brahmavādinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having said this, King Yudhiṣṭhira waited until the proper time for the sacrifice was at hand. Then with Lord Kṛṣṇa’s permission he selected suitable priests, all expert authorities on the Vedas, to execute the sacrifice.
ततस्ते देवयजनं ब्राह्मणाः स्वर्णलाङ्गलैः । कृष्ट्वा तत्र यथाम्नायं दीक्षयाञ्चक्रिरे नृपम्
tataste devayajanaṃ brāhmaṇāḥ svarṇalāṅgalaiḥ | kṛṣṭvā tatra yathāmnāyaṃ dīkṣayāñcakrire nṛpam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇa priests then plowed the sacrificial ground with golden plowshares and initiated King Yudhiṣṭhira for the sacrifice in accordance with the traditions set down by standard authorities.
मेनिरे कृष्णभक्तस्य सूपपन्नमविस्मिताः । अयाजयन् महाराजं याजका देववर्चसः
menire kṛṣṇabhaktasya sūpapannamavismitāḥ | ayājayan mahārājaṃ yājakā devavarcasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The priests, as powerful as gods, performed the Rājasūya sacrifice for King Yudhiṣṭhira in accordance with the Vedic injunctions, just as the demigods had previously performed it for Varuṇa.
राजसूयेन विधिवत्प्रचेतसमिवामराः । सौत्येऽहन्यवनीपालो याजकान् सदसस्पतीन् । अपूजयन्महाभागान् यथावत्सुसमाहितः
rājasūyena vidhivatpracetasamivāmarāḥ | sautye'hanyavanīpālo yājakān sadasaspatīn | apūjayanmahābhāgān yathāvatsusamāhitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
On the day of extracting the soma juice, King Yudhiṣṭhira properly and very attentively worshiped the priests and the most exalted personalities of the assembly.
सदस्याग्र्यार्हणार्हं वै विमृशन्तः सभासदः । नाध्यगच्छन्ननैकान्त्यात्सहदेवस्तदाब्रवीत्
sadasyāgryārhaṇārhaṃ vai vimṛśantaḥ sabhāsadaḥ | nādhyagacchannanaikāntyātsahadevastadābravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The members of the assembly then pondered over who among them should be worshiped first, but since there were many personalities qualified for this honor, they were unable to decide. Finally Sahadeva spoke up.
अर्हति ह्यच्युतः श्रैष्ठ्यं भगवान् सात्वताम्पतिः । एष वै देवताः सर्वा देशकालधनादयः
arhati hyacyutaḥ śraiṣṭhyaṃ bhagavān sātvatāmpatiḥ | eṣa vai devatāḥ sarvā deśakāladhanādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Sahadeva said:] Certainly it is Acyuta, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and chief of the Yādavas, who deserves the highest position. In truth, He Himself comprises all the demigods worshiped in sacrifice, along with such aspects of the worship as the sacred place, the time and the paraphernalia.
विविधानीह कर्माणि जनयन् यदवेक्षया । ईहते यदयं सर्वः श्रेयो धर्मादिलक्षणम्
vividhānīha karmāṇi janayan yadavekṣayā | īhate yadayaṃ sarvaḥ śreyo dharmādilakṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He creates the many activities of this world, and thus by His grace the whole world endeavors for the ideals of religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation.
तस्मात्कृष्णाय महते दीयतां परमार्हणम् । एवं चेत्सर्वभूतानामात्मनश्चार्हणं भवेत्
tasmātkṛṣṇāya mahate dīyatāṃ paramārhaṇam | evaṃ cetsarvabhūtānāmātmanaścārhaṇaṃ bhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore we should give the highest honor to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord. If we do so, we will be honoring all living beings and also our own selves.
सर्वभूतात्मभूताय कृष्णायानन्यदर्शिने । देयं शान्ताय पूर्णाय दत्तस्यानन्त्यमिच्छता
sarvabhūtātmabhūtāya kṛṣṇāyānanyadarśine | deyaṃ śāntāya pūrṇāya dattasyānantyamicchatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Anyone who wishes the honor he gives to be reciprocated infinitely should honor Kṛṣṇa, the perfectly peaceful and perfectly complete Soul of all beings, the Supreme Lord, who views nothing as separate from Himself.
इत्युक्त्वा सहदेवोऽभूत्तूष्णीं कृष्णानुभाववित् । तच्छ्रुत्वा तुष्टुवुः सर्वे साधु साध्विति सत्तमाः
ityuktvā sahadevo'bhūttūṣṇīṃ kṛṣṇānubhāvavit | tacchrutvā tuṣṭuvuḥ sarve sādhu sādhviti sattamāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Having said this, Sahadeva, who understood Lord Kṛṣṇa’s powers, fell silent. And having heard his words, all the saintly persons present congratulated him, exclaiming “Excellent! Excellent!”
श्रुत्वा द्विजेरितं राजा ज्ञात्वा हार्दं सभासदाम् । समर्हयद्धृषीकेशं प्रीतः प्रणयविह्वलः
śrutvā dvijeritaṃ rājā jñātvā hārdaṃ sabhāsadām | samarhayaddhṛṣīkeśaṃ prītaḥ praṇayavihvalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The King was delighted to hear this pronouncement of the brāhmaṇas, from which he understood the mood of the entire assembly. Overwhelmed with love, he fully worshiped Lord Kṛṣṇa, the master of the senses.
इत्थं सभाजितं वीक्ष्य सर्वे प्राञ्जलयो जनाः । नमो जयेति नेमुस्तं निपेतुः पुष्पवृष्टयः
itthaṃ sabhājitaṃ vīkṣya sarve prāñjalayo janāḥ | namo jayeti nemustaṃ nipetuḥ puṣpavṛṣṭayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When they saw Lord Kṛṣṇa thus honored, nearly all who were present joined their palms reverentially, exclaiming “Obeisances to You! All victory to You!” and then bowed down to Him. Flowers rained down from above.
इत्थं निशम्य दमघोषसुतः स्वपीठा- दुत्थाय कृष्णगुणवर्णनजातमन्युः । उत्क्षिप्य बाहुमिदमाह सदस्यमर्षी संश्रावयन् भगवते परुषाण्यभीतः
itthaṃ niśamya damaghoṣasutaḥ svapīṭhā- dutthāya kṛṣṇaguṇavarṇanajātamanyuḥ | utkṣipya bāhumidamāha sadasyamarṣī saṃśrāvayan bhagavate paruṣāṇyabhītaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The intolerant son of Damaghoṣa became infuriated upon hearing the glorification of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental qualities. He stood up from his seat and, angrily waving his arms, fearlessly spoke to the entire assembly the following harsh words against the Supreme Lord.
ईशो दुरत्ययः काल इति सत्यवती श्रुतिः । वृद्धानामपि यद्बुद्धिर्बालवाक्यैर्विभिद्यते
īśo duratyayaḥ kāla iti satyavatī śrutiḥ | vṛddhānāmapi yadbuddhirbālavākyairvibhidyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śiśupāla said:] The statement of the Vedas that time is the unavoidable controller of all has indeed been proven true, since the intelligence of wise elders has now become diverted by the words of a mere boy.
यूयं पात्रविदां श्रेष्ठा मा मन्ध्वं बालभाषीतम् । सदसस्पतयः सर्वे कृष्णो यत्सम्मतोऽर्हणे
yūyaṃ pātravidāṃ śreṣṭhā mā mandhvaṃ bālabhāṣītam | sadasaspatayaḥ sarve kṛṣṇo yatsammato'rhaṇe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O leaders of the assembly, you know best who is a fit candidate for being honored. Therefore you should not heed the words of a child when he claims that Kṛṣṇa deserves to be worshiped.
वर्णाश्रमकुलापेतः सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतः । स्वैरवर्ती गुणैर्हीनः सपर्यां कथमर्हति
varṇāśramakulāpetaḥ sarvadharmabahiṣkṛtaḥ | svairavartī guṇairhīnaḥ saparyāṃ kathamarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How does one who follows no principles of the social and spiritual orders or of family ethics, who has been excluded from all religious duties, who behaves whimsically, and who has no good qualities — how does such a person deserve to be worshiped?
ययातिनैषां हि कुलं शप्तं सद्भिर्बहिष्कृतम् । वृथापानरतं शश्वत्सपर्यां कथमर्हति
yayātinaiṣāṃ hi kulaṃ śaptaṃ sadbhirbahiṣkṛtam | vṛthāpānarataṃ śaśvatsaparyāṃ kathamarhati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Yayāti cursed the dynasty of these Yādavas, and ever since then they have been ostracized by honest men and addicted to liquor. How, then, does Kṛṣṇa deserve to be worshiped?
ब्रह्मर्षिसेवितान् देशान् हित्वैतेऽब्रह्मवर्चसम् । समुद्रं दुर्गमाश्रित्य बाधन्ते दस्यवः प्रजाः
brahmarṣisevitān deśān hitvaite'brahmavarcasam | samudraṃ durgamāśritya bādhante dasyavaḥ prajāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These Yādavas have abandoned the holy lands inhabited by saintly sages and have instead taken shelter of a fortress in the sea, a place where no brahminical principles are observed. There, just like thieves, they harass their subjects.
एवमादीन्यभद्राणि बभाषे नष्टमङ्गलः । नोवाच किञ्चिद्भगवान् यथा सिंहः शिवारुतम्
evamādīnyabhadrāṇi babhāṣe naṣṭamaṅgalaḥ | novāca kiñcidbhagavān yathā siṃhaḥ śivārutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Bereft of all good fortune, Śiśupāla spoke these and other insults. But the Supreme Lord said nothing, just as a lion ignores a jackal’s cry.
भगवन्निन्दनं श्रुत्वा दुःसहं तत्सभासदः । कर्णौ पिधाय निर्जग्मुः शपन्तश्चेदिपं रुषा
bhagavannindanaṃ śrutvā duḥsahaṃ tatsabhāsadaḥ | karṇau pidhāya nirjagmuḥ śapantaścedipaṃ ruṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon hearing such intolerable blasphemy of the Lord, several members of the assembly covered their ears and walked out, angrily cursing the King of Cedi.
निन्दां भगवतः शृण्वंस्तत्परस्य जनस्य वा । ततो नापैति यः सोऽपि यात्यधः सुकृताच्च्युतः
nindāṃ bhagavataḥ śṛṇvaṃstatparasya janasya vā | tato nāpaiti yaḥ so'pi yātyadhaḥ sukṛtāccyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Anyone who fails to immediately leave the place where he hears criticism of the Supreme Lord or His faithful devotee will certainly fall down, bereft of his pious credit.
ततः पाण्डुसुताः क्रुद्धा मत्स्यकैकयसृञ्जयाः । उदायुधाः समुत्तस्थुः शिशुपालजिघांसवः
tataḥ pāṇḍusutāḥ kruddhā matsyakaikayasṛñjayāḥ | udāyudhāḥ samuttasthuḥ śiśupālajighāṃsavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the sons of Pāṇḍu became furious, and together with the warriors of the Matsya, Kaikaya and Sṛñjaya clans, they rose up from their seats with weapons poised, ready to kill Śiśupāla.
ततश्चैद्यस्त्वसम्भ्रान्तो जगृहे खड्गचर्मणी । भर्त्सयन् कृष्णपक्षीयान् राज्ञः सदसि भारत
tataścaidyastvasambhrānto jagṛhe khaḍgacarmaṇī | bhartsayan kṛṣṇapakṣīyān rājñaḥ sadasi bhārata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Undaunted, Śiśupāla then took up his sword and shield in the midst of all the assembled kings, O Bhārata, and hurled insults at those who sided with Lord Kṛṣṇa.
तावदुत्थाय भगवान् स्वान् निवार्य स्वयं रुषा । शिरः क्षुरान्तचक्रेण जहारापततो रिपोः
tāvadutthāya bhagavān svān nivārya svayaṃ ruṣā | śiraḥ kṣurāntacakreṇa jahārāpatato ripoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that point the Supreme Lord stood up and checked His devotees. He then angrily sent forth His razor-sharp disc and severed the head of His enemy as he was attacking.
शब्दः कोलाहलोऽप्यासीच्छिशुपाले हते महान् । तस्यानुयायिनो भूपा दुद्रुवुर्जीवितैषिणः
śabdaḥ kolāhalo'pyāsīcchiśupāle hate mahān | tasyānuyāyino bhūpā dudruvurjīvitaiṣiṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Śiśupāla was thus killed, a great roar and howl went up from the crowd. Taking advantage of that disturbance, the few kings who were supporters of Śiśupāla quickly left the assembly out of fear for their lives.
चैद्यदेहोत्थितं ज्योतिर्वासुदेवमुपाविशत् । पश्यतां सर्वभूतानामुल्केव भुवि खाच्च्युता
caidyadehotthitaṃ jyotirvāsudevamupāviśat | paśyatāṃ sarvabhūtānāmulkeva bhuvi khāccyutā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
An effulgent light rose from Śiśupāla’s body and, as everyone watched, entered Lord Kṛṣṇa just like a meteor falling from the sky to the earth.
जन्मत्रयानुगुणितवैरसंरब्धया धिया । ध्यायंस्तन्मयतां यातो भावो हि भवकारणम्
janmatrayānuguṇitavairasaṃrabdhayā dhiyā | dhyāyaṃstanmayatāṃ yāto bhāvo hi bhavakāraṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obsessed with hatred of Lord Kṛṣṇa throughout three lifetimes, Śiśupāla attained the Lord’s transcendental nature. Indeed, one’s consciousness determines one’s future birth.
ऋत्विग्भ्यः ससदस्येभ्यो दक्षिणां विपुलामदात् । सर्वान् सम्पूज्य विधिवच्चक्रेऽवभृथमेकराट्
ṛtvigbhyaḥ sasadasyebhyo dakṣiṇāṃ vipulāmadāt | sarvān sampūjya vidhivaccakre'vabhṛthamekarāṭ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Emperor Yudhiṣṭhira gave generous gifts to the sacrificial priests and the members of the assembly, properly honoring them all in the manner prescribed by the Vedas. He then took the avabhṛtha bath.
साधयित्वा क्रतुं राज्ञः कृष्णो योगेश्वरेश्वरः । उवास कतिचिन्मासान् सुहृद्भिरभियाचितः
sādhayitvā kratuṃ rājñaḥ kṛṣṇo yogeśvareśvaraḥ | uvāsa katicinmāsān suhṛdbhirabhiyācitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of all masters of mystic yoga, saw to the successful execution of this great sacrifice on behalf of King Yudhiṣṭhira. Afterwards, the Lord stayed with His intimate friends for a few months at their earnest request.
ततोऽनुज्ञाप्य राजानमनिच्छन्तमपीश्वरः । ययौ सभार्यः सामात्यः स्वपुरं देवकीसुतः
tato'nujñāpya rājānamanicchantamapīśvaraḥ | yayau sabhāryaḥ sāmātyaḥ svapuraṃ devakīsutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then the Lord, the son of Devakī, took the reluctant permission of the King and returned to His capital with His wives and ministers.
वर्णितं तदुपाख्यानं मया ते बहुविस्तरम् । वैकुण्ठवासिनोर्जन्म विप्रशापात्पुनः पुनः
varṇitaṃ tadupākhyānaṃ mayā te bahuvistaram | vaikuṇṭhavāsinorjanma vipraśāpātpunaḥ punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I have already described to you in detail the history of the two residents of Vaikuṇṭha who had to undergo repeated births in the material world because of being cursed by brāhmaṇas.
राजसूयावभृथ्येन स्नातो राजा युधिष्ठिरः । ब्रह्मक्षत्रसभामध्ये शुशुभे सुरराडिव
rājasūyāvabhṛthyena snāto rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | brahmakṣatrasabhāmadhye śuśubhe surarāḍiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Purified in the final, avabhṛthya ritual, which marked the successful completion of the Rājasūya sacrifice, King Yudhiṣṭhira shone among the assembled brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas like the King of the demigods himself.
राज्ञा सभाजिताः सर्वे सुरमानवखेचराः । कृष्णं क्रतुं च शंसन्तः स्वधामानि ययुर्मुदा
rājñā sabhājitāḥ sarve suramānavakhecarāḥ | kṛṣṇaṃ kratuṃ ca śaṃsantaḥ svadhāmāni yayurmudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demigods, humans and residents of intermediate heavens, all properly honored by the King, happily set off for their respective domains while singing the praises of Lord Kṛṣṇa and the great sacrifice.
दुर्योधनमृते पापं कलिं कुरुकुलामयम् । यो न सेहे श्रियं स्फीतां दृष्ट्वा पाण्डुसुतस्य ताम्
duryodhanamṛte pāpaṃ kaliṃ kurukulāmayam | yo na sehe śriyaṃ sphītāṃ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍusutasya tām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[All were satisfied] except sinful Duryodhana, the personification of the age of quarrel and the disease of the Kuru dynasty. He could not bear to see the flourishing opulence of the son of Pāṇḍu.
य इदं कीर्तयेद्विष्णोः कर्म चैद्यवधादिकम् । राजमोक्षं वितानं च सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
ya idaṃ kīrtayedviṣṇoḥ karma caidyavadhādikam | rājamokṣaṃ vitānaṃ ca sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who recites these activities of Lord Viṣṇu, including the killing of Śiśupāla, the deliverance of the kings and the performance of the Rājasūya sacrifice, is freed from all sins.
ऋषिरुवाच । पितामहस्य ते यज्ञे राजसूये महात्मनः । बान्धवाः परिचर्यायां तस्यासन् प्रेमबन्धनाः
ṛṣiruvāca | pitāmahasya te yajñe rājasūye mahātmanaḥ | bāndhavāḥ paricaryāyāṃ tasyāsan premabandhanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: At the Rājasūya sacrifice of your saintly grandfather, his family members, bound by their love for him, engaged themselves in humble services on his behalf.
ऋत्विक्सदस्यबहुवित्सु सुहृत्तमेषु स्विष्टेषु सूनृतसमर्हणदक्षिणाभिः । चैद्ये च सात्वतपतेश्चरणं प्रविष्टे चक्रुस्ततस्त्ववभृथस्नपनं द्युनद्याम्
ṛtviksadasyabahuvitsu suhṛttameṣu sviṣṭeṣu sūnṛtasamarhaṇadakṣiṇābhiḥ | caidye ca sātvatapateścaraṇaṃ praviṣṭe cakrustatastvavabhṛthasnapanaṃ dyunadyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the priests, the prominent delegates, the greatly learned saints and the King’s most intimate well-wishers had all been properly honored with pleasing words, auspicious offerings and various gifts as remuneration, and after the King of Cedi had entered the lotus feet of the Lord of the Sātvatas, the avabhṛtha bath was performed in the divine river Yamunā.
मृदङ्गशङ्खपणवधुन्धुर्यानकगोमुखाः । वादित्राणि विचित्राणि नेदुरावभृथोत्सवे
mṛdaṅgaśaṅkhapaṇavadhundhuryānakagomukhāḥ | vāditrāṇi vicitrāṇi nedurāvabhṛthotsave
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
During the avabhṛtha celebration, the music of many kinds of instruments resounded, including mṛdaṅgas, conchshells, panavas, dhundhuris, kettledrums and gomukha horns.
नर्तक्यो ननृतुर्हृष्टा गायका यूथशो जगुः । वीणावेणुतलोन्नादस्तेषां स दिवमस्पृशत्
nartakyo nanṛturhṛṣṭā gāyakā yūthaśo jaguḥ | vīṇāveṇutalonnādasteṣāṃ sa divamaspṛśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Female dancers danced with great joy, and choruses sang, while the loud vibrations of vīnās, flutes and hand cymbals reached all the way to the heavenly regions.
चित्रध्वजपताकाग्रैरिभेन्द्रस्यन्दनार्वभिः । स्वलङ्कृतैर्भटैर्भूपा निर्ययू रुक्ममालिनः
citradhvajapatākāgrairibhendrasyandanārvabhiḥ | svalaṅkṛtairbhaṭairbhūpā niryayū rukmamālinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the kings, wearing gold necklaces, then set off for the Yamunā. They had flags and banners of various colors and were accompanied by infantrymen and well-adorned soldiers riding lordly elephants, chariots and horses.
यदुसृञ्जयकाम्बोजकुरुकेकयकोसलाः । कम्पयन्तो भुवं सैन्यैर्यजमानपुरःसराः
yadusṛñjayakāmbojakurukekayakosalāḥ | kampayanto bhuvaṃ sainyairyajamānapuraḥsarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The massed armies of the Yadus, Sṛñjayas, Kāmbojas, Kurus, Kekayas and Kośalas made the earth tremble as they followed Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, the performer of the sacrifice, in procession.
सदस्यर्त्विग्द्विजश्रेष्ठा ब्रह्मघोषेण भूयसा । देवर्षिपितृगन्धर्वास्तुष्टुवुः पुष्पवर्षिणः
sadasyartvigdvijaśreṣṭhā brahmaghoṣeṇa bhūyasā | devarṣipitṛgandharvāstuṣṭuvuḥ puṣpavarṣiṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The assembly officials, the priests and other excellent brāhmaṇas resoundingly vibrated Vedic mantras, while the demigods, divine sages, Pitās and Gandharvas sang praises and rained down flowers.
स्वलङ्कृता नरा नार्यो गन्धस्रग्भूषणाम्बरैः । विलिम्पन्त्योऽभिषिञ्चन्त्यो विजह्रुर्विविधै रसैः
svalaṅkṛtā narā nāryo gandhasragbhūṣaṇāmbaraiḥ | vilimpantyo'bhiṣiñcantyo vijahrurvividhai rasaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Men and women, all adorned with sandalwood paste, flower garlands, jewelry and fine clothing, sported by smearing and sprinkling one another with various liquids.
तैलगोरसगन्धोदहरिद्रासान्द्रकुङ्कुमैः । पुम्भिर्लिप्ताः प्रलिम्पन्त्यो विजह्रुर्वारयोषितः
tailagorasagandhodaharidrāsāndrakuṅkumaiḥ | pumbhirliptāḥ pralimpantyo vijahrurvārayoṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The men smeared the courtesans with plentiful oil, yogurt, perfumed water, turmeric and kuṅkuma powder, and the courtesans playfully smeared the men with the same substances.
गुप्ता नृभिर्निरगमन्नुपलब्धुमेत- द्देव्यो यथा दिवि विमानवरैर्नृदेव्यः । ता मातुलेयसखिभिः परिषिच्यमानाः सव्रीडहासविकसद्वदना विरेजुः
guptā nṛbhirniragamannupalabdhumeta- ddevyo yathā divi vimānavarairnṛdevyaḥ | tā mātuleyasakhibhiḥ pariṣicyamānāḥ savrīḍahāsavikasadvadanā virejuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Surrounded by guards, King Yudhiṣṭhira’s queens came out on their chariots to see the fun, just as the demigods’ wives appeared in the sky in celestial airplanes. As maternal cousins and intimate friends sprinkled the queens with liquids, the ladies’ faces bloomed with shy smiles, enhancing the queens’ splendid beauty.
ता देवरानुत सखीन् सिषिचुर्दृतीभिः क्लिन्नाम्बरा विवृतगात्रकुचोरुमध्याः । औत्सुक्यमुक्तकबराच्च्यवमानमाल्याः क्षोभं दधुर्मलधियां रुचिरैर्विहारैः
tā devarānuta sakhīn siṣicurdṛtībhiḥ klinnāmbarā vivṛtagātrakucorumadhyāḥ | autsukyamuktakabarāccyavamānamālyāḥ kṣobhaṃ dadhurmaladhiyāṃ rucirairvihāraiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the queens squirted water from syringes at their brothers-in-law and other male companions, their own garments became drenched, revealing their arms, breasts, thighs and waists. In their excitement, the flowers fell from their loosened braids. By these charming pastimes they agitated those with contaminated consciousness.
स सम्राड् रथमारुढः सदश्वं रुक्ममालिनम् । व्यरोचत स्वपत्नीभिः क्रियाभिः क्रतुराडिव
sa samrāḍ rathamāruḍhaḥ sadaśvaṃ rukmamālinam | vyarocata svapatnībhiḥ kriyābhiḥ kraturāḍiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The emperor, mounted upon his chariot drawn by excellent horses wearing golden collars, appeared splendid in the company of his wives, just like the brilliant Rājasūya sacrifice surrounded by its various rituals.
पत्नीसम्याजावभृथ्यैश्चरित्वा ते तमृत्विजः । आचान्तं स्नापयाञ्चक्रुर्गङ्गायां सह कृष्णया
patnīsamyājāvabhṛthyaiścaritvā te tamṛtvijaḥ | ācāntaṃ snāpayāñcakrurgaṅgāyāṃ saha kṛṣṇayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The priests led the King through the execution of the final rituals of patnī-saṁyāja and avabhṛthya. Then they had him and Queen Draupadī sip water for purification and bathe in the Ganges.
देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुर्नरदुन्दुभिभिः समम् । मुमुचुः पुष्पवर्षाणि देवर्षिपितृमानवाः
devadundubhayo nedurnaradundubhibhiḥ samam | mumucuḥ puṣpavarṣāṇi devarṣipitṛmānavāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The kettledrums of the gods resounded, along with those of human beings. Demigods, sages, forefathers and humans all poured down showers of flowers.
सस्नुस्तत्र ततः सर्वे वर्णाश्रमयुता नराः । महापातक्यपि यतः सद्यो मुच्येत किल्बिषात्
sasnustatra tataḥ sarve varṇāśramayutā narāḥ | mahāpātakyapi yataḥ sadyo mucyeta kilbiṣāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the citizens belonging to the various orders of varṇa and āśrama then bathed in that place, where even the most grievous sinner can immediately be freed from all sinful reactions.
अथ राजाहते क्षौमे परिधाय स्वलङ्कृतः । ऋत्विक्सदस्यविप्रादीनानर्चाभरणाम्बरैः
atha rājāhate kṣaume paridhāya svalaṅkṛtaḥ | ṛtviksadasyaviprādīnānarcābharaṇāmbaraiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Next the King put on new silken garments and adorned himself with fine jewelry. He then honored the priests, assembly officials, learned brāhmaṇas and other guests by presenting them with ornaments and clothing.
बन्धूञ्ज्ञातिनृपान् मित्रसुहृदोऽन्यांश्च सर्वशः । अभीक्ष्णं पूजयामास नारायणपरो नृपः
bandhūñjñātinṛpān mitrasuhṛdo'nyāṃśca sarvaśaḥ | abhīkṣṇaṃ pūjayāmāsa nārāyaṇaparo nṛpaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In various ways King Yudhiṣṭhira, who had totally dedicated his life to Lord Nārāyaṇa, continuously honored his relatives, his immediate family, the other kings, his friends and well-wishers, and all others present as well.
सर्वे जनाः सुररुचो मणिकुण्डलस्र- गुष्णीषकञ्चुकदुकूलमहार्घ्यहाराः । नार्यश्च कुण्डलयुगालकवृन्दजुष्ट- वक्त्रश्रियः कनकमेखलया विरेजुः
sarve janāḥ suraruco maṇikuṇḍalasra- guṣṇīṣakañcukadukūlamahārghyahārāḥ | nāryaśca kuṇḍalayugālakavṛndajuṣṭa- vaktraśriyaḥ kanakamekhalayā virejuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the men there shone like demigods. They were adorned with jeweled earrings, flower garlands, turbans, waistcoats, silk dhotīs and valuable pearl necklaces. The lovely faces of the women were beautified by their matched earrings and locks of hair, and they all wore golden belts.
हरिदासस्य राजर्षे राजसूयमहोदयम् । नैवातृप्यन् प्रशंसन्तः पिबन् मर्त्योऽमृतं यथा
haridāsasya rājarṣe rājasūyamahodayam | naivātṛpyan praśaṃsantaḥ piban martyo'mṛtaṃ yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As they all glorified the wonderful Rājasūya-yajña performed by that great saintly King and servant of Lord Hari, they were not satiated, just as an ordinary man is never satiated when drinking nectar.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा सुहृत्सम्बन्धिबान्धवान् । प्रेम्णा निवारयामास कृष्णं च त्यागकातरः
tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā suhṛtsambandhibāndhavān | premṇā nivārayāmāsa kṛṣṇaṃ ca tyāgakātaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time Rājā Yudhiṣṭhira stopped a number of his friends, immediate family members and other relatives from departing, among them Lord Kṛṣṇa. Out of love Yudhiṣṭhira could not let them go, for he felt the pain of imminent separation.
भगवानपि तत्राङ्ग न्यवात्सीत्तत्प्रियङ्करः । प्रस्थाप्य यदुवीरांश्च साम्बादींश्च कुशस्थलीम्
bhagavānapi tatrāṅga nyavātsīttatpriyaṅkaraḥ | prasthāpya yaduvīrāṃśca sāmbādīṃśca kuśasthalīm
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Parīkṣit, the Supreme Lord remained there for some time to please the King, after first sending Sāmba and the other Yadu heroes back to Dvārakā.
इत्थं राजा धर्मसुतो मनोरथमहार्णवम् । सुदुस्तरं समुत्तीर्य कृष्णेनासीद्गतज्वरः
itthaṃ rājā dharmasuto manorathamahārṇavam | sudustaraṃ samuttīrya kṛṣṇenāsīdgatajvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus King Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Dharma, was at last relieved of his burning ambition, having by the grace of Lord Kṛṣṇa successfully crossed the vast and formidable ocean of his desires.
एकदान्तःपुरे तस्य वीक्ष्य दुर्योधनः श्रियम् । अतप्यद्राजसूयस्य महित्वं चाच्युतात्मनः
ekadāntaḥpure tasya vīkṣya duryodhanaḥ śriyam | atapyadrājasūyasya mahitvaṃ cācyutātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One day Duryodhana, while observing the riches of King Yudhiṣṭhira’s palace, felt greatly disturbed by the magnificence of both the Rājasūya sacrifice and its performer, the King, whose life and soul was Lord Acyuta.
यस्मिन् नरेन्द्रदितिजेन्द्रसुरेन्द्रलक्ष्मीः नाना विभान्ति किल विश्वसृजोपकॢप्ताः । ताभिः पतीन् द्रुपदराजसुतोपतस्थे यस्यां विषक्तहृदयः कुरुराडतप्यत्
yasmin narendraditijendrasurendralakṣmīḥ nānā vibhānti kila viśvasṛjopakḷptāḥ | tābhiḥ patīn drupadarājasutopatasthe yasyāṃ viṣaktahṛdayaḥ kururāḍatapyat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that palace all the collected opulences of the kings of men, demons and gods were brilliantly manifest, having been brought there by the cosmic inventor, Maya Dānava. With those riches Draupadī served her husbands, and Duryodhana, the prince of the Kurus, lamented because he was very much attracted to her.
यस्मिंस्तदा मधुपतेर्महिषीसहस्रं श्रोणीभरेण शनकैः क्वणदङ्घ्रिशोभम् । मध्ये सुचारु कुचकुङ्कुमशोणहारं श्रीमन्मुखं प्रचलकुण्डलकुन्तलाढ्यम्
yasmiṃstadā madhupatermahiṣīsahasraṃ śroṇībhareṇa śanakaiḥ kvaṇadaṅghriśobham | madhye sucāru kucakuṅkumaśoṇahāraṃ śrīmanmukhaṃ pracalakuṇḍalakuntalāḍhyam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Madhupati’s thousands of queens were also staying in the palace. Their feet moved slowly, weighed down by their hips, and the bells on their feet tinkled charmingly. Their waists were very slender, the kuṅkuma from their breasts reddened their pearl necklaces, and their swaying earrings and flowing locks of hair enhanced the exquisite beauty of their faces.
तत्र दुर्योधनो मानी परीतो भ्रातृभिर्नृप । किरीटमाली न्यविशदसिहस्तः क्षिपन् रुषा
tatra duryodhano mānī parīto bhrātṛbhirnṛpa | kirīṭamālī nyaviśadasihastaḥ kṣipan ruṣā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Proud Duryodhana, holding a sword in his hand and wearing a crown and necklace, angrily went into the palace in the company of his brothers, O King, insulting the doorkeepers as he entered.
स्थलेऽभ्यगृह्णाद्वस्त्रान्तं जलं मत्वा स्थलेऽपतत् । जले च स्थलवद्भ्रान्त्या मयमायाविमोहितः
sthale'bhyagṛhṇādvastrāntaṃ jalaṃ matvā sthale'patat | jale ca sthalavadbhrāntyā mayamāyāvimohitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bewildered by the illusions created through Maya Dānava’s magic, Duryodhana mistook the solid floor for water and lifted the end of his garment. And elsewhere he fell into the water, mistaking it for the solid floor.
जहास भीमस्तं दृष्ट्वा स्त्रियो नृपतयोऽपरे । निवार्यमाणा अप्यङ्ग राज्ञा कृष्णानुमोदिताः
jahāsa bhīmastaṃ dṛṣṭvā striyo nṛpatayo'pare | nivāryamāṇā apyaṅga rājñā kṛṣṇānumoditāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Parīkṣit, Bhīma laughed to see this, and so did the women, kings and others. King Yudhiṣṭhira tried to stop them, but Lord Kṛṣṇa showed His approval.
स व्रीडितोऽवाग्वदनो रुषाज्वल- न्निष्क्रम्य तूष्णीं प्रययौ गजाह्वयम् । हा हेति शब्दः सुमहानभूत्सता- मजातशत्रुर्विमना इवाभवत् । बभूव तूष्णीं भगवान् भुवो भरं समुज्जिहीर्षुर्भ्रमति स्म यद्दृशा
sa vrīḍito'vāgvadano ruṣājvala- nniṣkramya tūṣṇīṃ prayayau gajāhvayam | hā heti śabdaḥ sumahānabhūtsatā- majātaśatrurvimanā ivābhavat | babhūva tūṣṇīṃ bhagavān bhuvo bharaṃ samujjihīrṣurbhramati sma yaddṛśā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Humiliated and burning with anger, Duryodhana turned his face down, left without uttering a word and went back to Hastināpura. The saintly persons present loudly cried out, “Alas, alas!” and King Yudhiṣṭhira was somewhat saddened. But the Supreme Lord, whose mere glance had bewildered Duryodhana, remained silent, for His intention was to remove the burden of the earth.
एतत्तेऽभिहितं राजन् यत्पृष्टोऽहमिह त्वया । सुयोधनस्य दौरात्म्यं राजसूये महाक्रतौ
etatte'bhihitaṃ rājan yatpṛṣṭo'hamiha tvayā | suyodhanasya daurātmyaṃ rājasūye mahākratau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I have now replied to your question, O King, concerning why Duryodhana was dissatisfied on the occasion of the great Rājasūya sacrifice.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथान्यदपि कृष्णस्य शृणु कर्माद्भुतं नृप । क्रीडानरशरीरस्य यथा सौभपतिर्हतः
śrīśuka uvāca | athānyadapi kṛṣṇasya śṛṇu karmādbhutaṃ nṛpa | krīḍānaraśarīrasya yathā saubhapatirhataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Now please hear, O King, another wondrous deed performed by Lord Kṛṣṇa, who appeared in His humanlike body to enjoy transcendental pastimes. Hear how He killed the master of Saubha.
शिशुपालसखः शाल्वो रुक्मिण्युद्वाह आगतः । यदुभिर्निर्जितः सङ्ख्ये जरासन्धादयस्तथा
śiśupālasakhaḥ śālvo rukmiṇyudvāha āgataḥ | yadubhirnirjitaḥ saṅkhye jarāsandhādayastathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śālva was a friend of Śiśupāla’s. When he attended the wedding of Rukmiṇī, the Yadu warriors defeated him in battle, along with Jarāsandha and the other kings.
शाल्वः प्रतिज्ञामकरोच्छृण्वतां सर्वभूभुजाम् । अयादवीं क्ष्मां करिष्ये पौरुषं मम पश्यत
śālvaḥ pratijñāmakarocchṛṇvatāṃ sarvabhūbhujām | ayādavīṃ kṣmāṃ kariṣye pauruṣaṃ mama paśyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śālva swore in the presence of all the kings: “I will rid the earth of Yādavas. Just see my prowess!”
इति मूढः प्रतिज्ञाय देवं पशुपतिं प्रभुम् । आराधयामास नृपः पांसुमुष्टिं सकृद्ग्रसन्
iti mūḍhaḥ pratijñāya devaṃ paśupatiṃ prabhum | ārādhayāmāsa nṛpaḥ pāṃsumuṣṭiṃ sakṛdgrasan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus made his vow, the foolish King proceeded to worship Lord Paśupati [Śiva] as his deity by eating a handful of dust each day, and nothing more.
संवत्सरान्ते भगवानाशुतोष उमापतिः । वरेण च्छन्दयामास शाल्वं शरणमागतम्
saṃvatsarānte bhagavānāśutoṣa umāpatiḥ | vareṇa cchandayāmāsa śālvaṃ śaraṇamāgatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great Lord Umāpati is known as “he who is quickly pleased,” yet only at the end of a year did he gratify Śālva, who had approached him for shelter, by offering him a choice of benedictions.
देवासुरमनुष्याणां गन्धर्वोरगरक्षसाम् । अभेद्यं कामगं वव्रे स यानं वृष्णिभीषणम्
devāsuramanuṣyāṇāṃ gandharvoragarakṣasām | abhedyaṃ kāmagaṃ vavre sa yānaṃ vṛṣṇibhīṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śālva chose a vehicle that could be destroyed by neither demigods, demons, humans, Gandharvas, Uragas nor Rākṣasas, that could travel anywhere he wished to go, and that would terrify the Vṛṣṇis.
तथेति गिरिशादिष्टो मयः परपुरञ्जयः । पुरं निर्माय शाल्वाय प्रादात्सौभमयस्मयम्
tatheti giriśādiṣṭo mayaḥ parapurañjayaḥ | puraṃ nirmāya śālvāya prādātsaubhamayasmayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva said, “So be it.” On his order, Maya Dānava, who conquers his enemies’ cities, constructed a flying iron city named Saubha and presented it to Śālva.
स लब्ध्वा कामगं यानं तमोधाम दुरासदम् । ययौ द्वारवतीं शाल्वो वैरं वृष्णिकृतं स्मरन्
sa labdhvā kāmagaṃ yānaṃ tamodhāma durāsadam | yayau dvāravatīṃ śālvo vairaṃ vṛṣṇikṛtaṃ smaran
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This unassailable vehicle was filled with darkness and could go anywhere. Upon obtaining it, Śālva went to Dvārakā, remembering the Vṛṣṇis’ enmity toward him.
इत्यर्द्यमाना सौभेन कृष्णस्य नगरी भृशम् । नाभ्यपद्यत शं राजंस्त्रिपुरेण यथा मही
ityardyamānā saubhena kṛṣṇasya nagarī bhṛśam | nābhyapadyata śaṃ rājaṃstripureṇa yathā mahī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus terribly tormented by the airship Saubha, Lord Kṛṣṇa’s city had no peace, O King, just like the earth when it was attacked by the three aerial cities of the demons.
प्रद्युम्नो भगवान् वीक्ष्य बाध्यमाना निजाः प्रजाः । मा भैष्टेत्यभ्यधाद्वीरो रथारूढो महायशाः
pradyumno bhagavān vīkṣya bādhyamānā nijāḥ prajāḥ | mā bhaiṣṭetyabhyadhādvīro rathārūḍho mahāyaśāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing His subjects so harassed, the glorious and heroic Lord Pradyumna told them, “Do not fear,” and mounted His chariot.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं शाल्वानां यदुभिः सह । यथासुराणां विबुधैस्तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम्
tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ śālvānāṃ yadubhiḥ saha | yathāsurāṇāṃ vibudhaistumulaṃ lomaharṣaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A tumultuous, hair-raising battle then commenced between Śālva’s forces and the Yadus. It equaled the great battles between the demons and demigods.
ताश्च सौभपतेर्माया दिव्यास्त्रै रुक्मिणीसुतः । क्षणेन नाशयामास नैशं तम इवोष्णगुः
tāśca saubhapatermāyā divyāstrai rukmiṇīsutaḥ | kṣaṇena nāśayāmāsa naiśaṃ tama ivoṣṇaguḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With His divine weapons Pradyumna instantly destroyed all of Śālva’s magic illusions, in the same way that the warm rays of the sun dissipate the darkness of night.
तदद्भुतं महत्कर्म प्रद्युम्नस्य महात्मनः । दृष्ट्वा तं पूजयामासुः सर्वे स्वपरसैनिकाः
tadadbhutaṃ mahatkarma pradyumnasya mahātmanaḥ | dṛṣṭvā taṃ pūjayāmāsuḥ sarve svaparasainikāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When they saw the glorious Pradyumna perform that amazing and mighty feat, all the soldiers on both sides praised Him.
बहुरूपैकरूपं तद्दृश्यते न च दृश्यते । मायामयं मयकृतं दुर्विभाव्यं परैरभूत्
bahurūpaikarūpaṃ taddṛśyate na ca dṛśyate | māyāmayaṃ mayakṛtaṃ durvibhāvyaṃ parairabhūt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At one moment the magic airship built by Maya Dānava appeared in many identical forms, and the next moment it was again only one. Sometimes it was visible, and sometimes not. Thus Śālva’s opponents could never be sure where it was.
क्वचिद्भूमौ क्वचिद्व्योम्नि गिरिमूर्ध्नि जले क्वचित् । अलातचक्रवद्भ्राम्यत्सौभं तद्दुरवस्थितम्
kvacidbhūmau kvacidvyomni girimūrdhni jale kvacit | alātacakravadbhrāmyatsaubhaṃ tadduravasthitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From one moment to the next the Saubha airship appeared on the earth, in the sky, on a mountain peak or in the water. Like a whirling, flaming baton, it never remained in any one place.
यत्र यत्रोपलक्ष्येत ससौभः सह सैनिकः । शाल्वस्ततस्ततोऽमुञ्चञ्छरान् सात्वतयूथपाः
yatra yatropalakṣyeta sasaubhaḥ saha sainikaḥ | śālvastatastato'muñcañcharān sātvatayūthapāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Wherever Śālva would appear with his Saubha ship and his army, there the Yadu commanders would shoot their arrows.
शरैरग्न्यर्कसंस्पर्शैराशीविषदुरासदैः । पीड्यमानपुरानीकः शाल्वोऽमुह्यत्परेरितैः
śarairagnyarkasaṃsparśairāśīviṣadurāsadaiḥ | pīḍyamānapurānīkaḥ śālvo'muhyatpareritaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śālva became bewildered upon seeing his army and aerial city thus harassed by his enemy’s arrows, which struck like fire and the sun and were as intolerable as snake venom.
शाल्वानीकपशस्त्रौघैर्वृष्णिवीरा भृशार्दिताः । न तत्यजू रणं स्वं स्वं लोकद्वयजिगीषवः
śālvānīkapaśastraughairvṛṣṇivīrā bhṛśārditāḥ | na tatyajū raṇaṃ svaṃ svaṃ lokadvayajigīṣavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because the heroes of the Vṛṣṇi clan were eager for victory in this world and the next, they did not abandon their assigned posts on the battlefield, even though the downpour of weapons hurled by Śālva’s commanders tormented them.
शाल्वामात्यो द्युमान् नाम प्रद्युम्नं प्राक्प्रपीडितः । आसाद्य गदया मौर्व्या व्याहत्य व्यनदद्बली
śālvāmātyo dyumān nāma pradyumnaṃ prākprapīḍitaḥ | āsādya gadayā maurvyā vyāhatya vyanadadbalī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śālva’s minister Dyumān, previously wounded by Śrī Pradyumna, now ran up to Him and, roaring loudly, struck Him with his club of black steel.
प्रद्युम्नं गदया शीर्णवक्षःस्थलमरिन्दमम् । अपोवाह रणात्सूतो धर्मविद्दारुकात्मजः
pradyumnaṃ gadayā śīrṇavakṣaḥsthalamarindamam | apovāha raṇātsūto dharmaviddārukātmajaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pradyumna’s driver, the son of Dāruka, thought that his valiant master’s chest had been shattered by the club. Knowing well his religious duty, he removed Pradyumna from the battlefield.
लब्धसम्ज्ञो मुहूर्तेन कार्ष्णिः सारथिमब्रवीत् । अहो असाध्विदं सूत यद्रणान्मेऽपसर्पणम्
labdhasamjño muhūrtena kārṣṇiḥ sārathimabravīt | aho asādhvidaṃ sūta yadraṇānme'pasarpaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Quickly regaining consciousness, Lord Kṛṣṇa’s son Pradyumna said to His charioteer, “O driver, this is abominable — for Me to have been removed from the battlefield!
न यदूनां कुले जातः श्रूयते रणविच्युतः । विना मत्क्लीबचित्तेन सूतेन प्राप्तकिल्बिषात्
na yadūnāṃ kule jātaḥ śrūyate raṇavicyutaḥ | vinā matklībacittena sūtena prāptakilbiṣāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Except for Me, no one born in the Yadu dynasty has ever been known to abandon the battlefield. My reputation has now been stained by a driver who thinks like a eunuch.
किं नु वक्ष्येऽभिसङ्गम्य पितरौ रामकेशवौ । युद्धात्सम्यगपक्रान्तः पृष्टस्तत्रात्मनः क्षमम्
kiṃ nu vakṣye'bhisaṅgamya pitarau rāmakeśavau | yuddhātsamyagapakrāntaḥ pṛṣṭastatrātmanaḥ kṣamam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“What will I say to My fathers, Rāma and Keśava, when I return to Them after having simply fled the battle? What can I tell Them that will befit My honor?
व्यक्तं मे कथयिष्यन्ति हसन्त्यो भ्रातृजामयः । क्लैब्यं कथं कथं वीर तवान्यैः कथ्यतां मृधे
vyaktaṃ me kathayiṣyanti hasantyo bhrātṛjāmayaḥ | klaibyaṃ kathaṃ kathaṃ vīra tavānyaiḥ kathyatāṃ mṛdhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Certainly My sisters-in-law will laugh at Me and say, ‘O hero, tell us how in the world Your enemies turned You into such a coward in battle.’”
सारथिरुवाच । धर्मं विजानताऽऽयुष्मन् कृतमेतन्मया विभो । सूतः कृच्छ्रगतं रक्षेद्रथिनं सारथिं रथी
sārathiruvāca | dharmaṃ vijānatā''yuṣman kṛtametanmayā vibho | sūtaḥ kṛcchragataṃ rakṣedrathinaṃ sārathiṃ rathī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The driver replied: O long-lived one, I have done this knowing full well my prescribed duty. O my Lord, the chariot driver must protect the master of the chariot when he is in danger, and the master must also protect his driver.
एतद्विदित्वा तु भवान् मयापोवाहितो रणात् । उपसृष्टः परेणेति मूर्च्छितो गदया हतः
etadviditvā tu bhavān mayāpovāhito raṇāt | upasṛṣṭaḥ pareṇeti mūrcchito gadayā hataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With this rule in mind, I removed You from the battlefield, since You had been struck unconscious by Your enemy’s club and I thought You were seriously injured.
श्रीशुक उवाच । स तूपस्पृश्य सलिलं दंशितो धृतकार्मुकः । नय मां द्युमतः पार्श्वं वीरस्येत्याह सारथिम्
śrīśuka uvāca | sa tūpaspṛśya salilaṃ daṃśito dhṛtakārmukaḥ | naya māṃ dyumataḥ pārśvaṃ vīrasyetyāha sārathim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After refreshing Himself with water, putting on His armor and picking up His bow, Lord Pradyumna told His driver, “Take Me back to where the hero Dyumān is standing.”
विधमन्तं स्वसैन्यानि द्युमन्तं रुक्मिणीसुतः । प्रतिहत्य प्रत्यविध्यन्नाराचैरष्टभिः स्मयन्
vidhamantaṃ svasainyāni dyumantaṃ rukmiṇīsutaḥ | pratihatya pratyavidhyannārācairaṣṭabhiḥ smayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In Pradyumna’s absence, Dyumān had been devastating His army, but now Pradyumna counterattacked Dyumān and, smiling, pierced him with eight nārāca arrows.
चतुर्भिश्चतुरो वाहान् सूतमेकेन चाहनत् । द्वाभ्यां धनुश्च केतुं च शरेणान्येन वै शिरः
caturbhiścaturo vāhān sūtamekena cāhanat | dvābhyāṃ dhanuśca ketuṃ ca śareṇānyena vai śiraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With four of these arrows He struck Dyumān’s four horses, with one arrow, his driver, with two more arrows, his bow and chariot flag, and with the last arrow, Dyumān’s head.
गदसात्यकिसाम्बाद्या जघ्नुः सौभपतेर्बलम् । पेतुः समुद्रे सौभेयाः सर्वे सञ्छिन्नकन्धराः
gadasātyakisāmbādyā jaghnuḥ saubhapaterbalam | petuḥ samudre saubheyāḥ sarve sañchinnakandharāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Gada, Sātyaki, Sāmba and others began killing Śālva’s army, and thus all the soldiers inside the airship began falling into the ocean, their necks severed.
एवं यदूनां शाल्वानां निघ्नतामितरेतरम् । युद्धं त्रिणवरात्रं तदभूत्तुमुलमुल्बणम्
evaṃ yadūnāṃ śālvānāṃ nighnatāmitaretaram | yuddhaṃ triṇavarātraṃ tadabhūttumulamulbaṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the Yadus and Śālva’s followers thus went on attacking one another, the tumultuous, fearsome battle continued for twenty-seven days and nights.
आह चाहमिहायात आर्यमिश्राभिसङ्गतः । राजन्याश्चैद्यपक्षीया नूनं हन्युः पुरीं मम
āha cāhamihāyāta āryamiśrābhisaṅgataḥ | rājanyāścaidyapakṣīyā nūnaṃ hanyuḥ purīṃ mama
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord said to Himself: Because I have come here with My respected elder brother, kings partial to Śiśupāla may well be attacking My capital city.
वीक्ष्य तत्कदनं स्वानां निरूप्य पुररक्षणम् । सौभं च शाल्वराजं च दारुकं प्राह केशवः
vīkṣya tatkadanaṃ svānāṃ nirūpya purarakṣaṇam | saubhaṃ ca śālvarājaṃ ca dārukaṃ prāha keśavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] After He arrived at Dvārakā and saw how His people were threatened with destruction, and also saw Śālva and his Saubha airship, Lord Keśava arranged for the city’s defense and then addressed Dāruka as follows.
रथं प्रापय मे सूत शाल्वस्यान्तिकमाशु वै । सम्भ्रमस्ते न कर्तव्यो मायावी सौभराडयम्
rathaṃ prāpaya me sūta śālvasyāntikamāśu vai | sambhramaste na kartavyo māyāvī saubharāḍayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] O driver, quickly take My chariot near Śālva. This lord of Saubha is a powerful magician; don’t let him bewilder you.
इत्युक्तश्चोदयामास रथमास्थाय दारुकः । विशन्तं ददृशुः सर्वे स्वे परे चारुणानुजम्
ityuktaścodayāmāsa rathamāsthāya dārukaḥ | viśantaṃ dadṛśuḥ sarve sve pare cāruṇānujam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus ordered, Dāruka took command of the Lord’s chariot and drove forth. As the chariot entered the battlefield, everyone there, both friend and foe, caught sight of the emblem of Garuḍa.
शाल्वश्च कृष्णमालोक्य हतप्रायबलेश्वरः । प्राहरत्कृष्णसूताय शक्तिं भीमरवां मृधे
śālvaśca kṛṣṇamālokya hataprāyabaleśvaraḥ | prāharatkṛṣṇasūtāya śaktiṃ bhīmaravāṃ mṛdhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Śālva, the master of a decimated army, saw Lord Kṛṣṇa approaching, he hurled his spear at the Lord’s charioteer. The spear roared frighteningly as it flew across the battlefield.
तामापतन्तीं नभसि महोल्कामिव रंहसा । भासयन्तीं दिशः शौरिः सायकैः शतधाच्छिनत्
tāmāpatantīṃ nabhasi maholkāmiva raṃhasā | bhāsayantīṃ diśaḥ śauriḥ sāyakaiḥ śatadhācchinat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śālva’s hurtling spear lit up the whole sky like a mighty meteor, but Lord Śauri tore the great weapon into hundreds of pieces with His arrows.
तं च षोडशभिर्विद्ध्वा बाणैः सौभं च खे भ्रमत् । अविध्यच्छरसन्दोहैः खं सूर्य इव रश्मिभिः
taṃ ca ṣoḍaśabhirviddhvā bāṇaiḥ saubhaṃ ca khe bhramat | avidhyaccharasandohaiḥ khaṃ sūrya iva raśmibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa then pierced Śālva with sixteen arrows and struck the Saubha airship with a deluge of arrows as it darted about the sky. Firing His arrows, the Lord appeared like the sun flooding the heavens with its rays.
शाल्वः शौरेस्तु दोः सव्यं सशार्ङ्गं शार्ङ्गधन्वनः । बिभेद न्यपतद्धस्ताच्छार्ङ्गमासीत्तदद्भुतम्
śālvaḥ śaurestu doḥ savyaṃ saśārṅgaṃ śārṅgadhanvanaḥ | bibheda nyapataddhastācchārṅgamāsīttadadbhutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śālva then managed to strike Lord Kṛṣṇa’s left arm, which held His bow Śārṅga, and, amazingly, Śārṅga fell from His hand.
हाहाकारो महानासीद्भूतानां तत्र पश्यताम् । विनद्य सौभराडुच्चैरिदमाह जनार्दनम्
hāhākāro mahānāsīdbhūtānāṃ tatra paśyatām | vinadya saubharāḍuccairidamāha janārdanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who witnessed this all cried out in dismay. Then the master of Saubha roared loudly and addressed Lord Janārdana.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । वृथा त्वं कत्थसे मन्द न पश्यस्यन्तिकेऽन्तकम् । पौरुषं दर्शयन्ति स्म शूरा न बहुभाषिणः
śrībhagavānuvāca | vṛthā tvaṃ katthase manda na paśyasyantike'ntakam | pauruṣaṃ darśayanti sma śūrā na bahubhāṣiṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: O dullard, you boast in vain, since you fail to see death standing near you. Real heroes do not talk much but rather show their prowess in action.
इत्युक्त्वा भगवाञ्छाल्वं गदया भीमवेगया । तताड जत्रौ संरब्धः स चकम्पे वमन्नसृक्
ityuktvā bhagavāñchālvaṃ gadayā bhīmavegayā | tatāḍa jatrau saṃrabdhaḥ sa cakampe vamannasṛk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having said this, the furious Lord swung His club with frightening power and speed and hit Śālva on the collarbone, making him tremble and vomit blood.
गदायां सन्निवृत्तायां शाल्वस्त्वन्तरधीयत । ततो मुहूर्त आगत्य पुरुषः शिरसाच्युतम् । देवक्या प्रहितोऽस्मीति नत्वा प्राह वचो रुदन्
gadāyāṃ sannivṛttāyāṃ śālvastvantaradhīyata | tato muhūrta āgatya puruṣaḥ śirasācyutam | devakyā prahito'smīti natvā prāha vaco rudan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But as soon as Lord Acyuta withdrew His club, Śālva disappeared from sight, and a moment later a man approached the Lord. Bowing his head down to Him, he announced, “Devakī has sent me,” and, sobbing, spoke the following words.
कृष्ण कृष्ण महाबाहो पिता ते पितृवत्सल । बद्ध्वापनीतः शाल्वेन सौनिकेन यथा पशुः
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahābāho pitā te pitṛvatsala | baddhvāpanītaḥ śālvena saunikena yathā paśuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The man said:] O Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, mighty-armed one, who are so affectionate to Your parents! Śālva has seized Your father and taken him away, as a butcher leads an animal to slaughter.
निशम्य विप्रियं कृष्णो मानुषीं प्रकृतिं गतः । विमनस्को घृणी स्नेहाद्बभाषे प्राकृतो यथा
niśamya vipriyaṃ kṛṣṇo mānuṣīṃ prakṛtiṃ gataḥ | vimanasko ghṛṇī snehādbabhāṣe prākṛto yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When He heard this disturbing news, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who was playing the role of a mortal man, showed sorrow and compassion, and out of love for His parents He spoke the following words like an ordinary conditioned soul.
कथं राममसम्भ्रान्तं जित्वाजेयं सुरासुरैः । शाल्वेनाल्पीयसा नीतः पिता मे बलवान् विधिः
kathaṃ rāmamasambhrāntaṃ jitvājeyaṃ surāsuraiḥ | śālvenālpīyasā nītaḥ pitā me balavān vidhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Balarāma is ever vigilant, and no demigod or demon can defeat Him. So how could this insignificant Śālva defeat Him and abduct My father? Indeed, fate is all-powerful!
इति ब्रुवाणे गोविन्दे सौभराट् प्रत्युपस्थितः । वसुदेवमिवानीय कृष्णं चेदमुवाच सः
iti bruvāṇe govinde saubharāṭ pratyupasthitaḥ | vasudevamivānīya kṛṣṇaṃ cedamuvāca saḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Govinda spoke these words, the master of Saubha again appeared, apparently leading Vasudeva before the Lord. Śālva then spoke as follows.
एष ते जनिता तातो यदर्थमिह जीवसि । वधिष्ये वीक्षतस्तेऽमुमीशश्चेत्पाहि बालिश
eṣa te janitā tāto yadarthamiha jīvasi | vadhiṣye vīkṣataste'mumīśaścetpāhi bāliśa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śālva said:] Here is Your dear father, who begot You and for whose sake You are living in this world. I shall now kill him before Your very eyes. Save him if You can, weakling!
एवं निर्भर्त्स्य मायावी खड्गेनानकदुन्दुभेः । उत्कृत्य शिर आदाय खस्थं सौभं समाविशत्
evaṃ nirbhartsya māyāvī khaḍgenānakadundubheḥ | utkṛtya śira ādāya khasthaṃ saubhaṃ samāviśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After he had mocked the Lord in this way, the magician Śālva appeared to cut off Vasudeva’s head with his sword. Taking the head with him, he entered the Saubha vehicle, which was hovering in the sky.
ततो मुहूर्तं प्रकृतावुपप्लुतः स्वबोध आस्ते स्वजनानुषङ्गतः । महानुभावस्तदबुध्यदासुरीं मायां स शाल्वप्रसृतां मयोदिताम्
tato muhūrtaṃ prakṛtāvupaplutaḥ svabodha āste svajanānuṣaṅgataḥ | mahānubhāvastadabudhyadāsurīṃ māyāṃ sa śālvaprasṛtāṃ mayoditām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By nature Lord Kṛṣṇa is full in knowledge, and He possesses unlimited powers of perception. Yet for a moment, out of great affection for His loved ones, He remained absorbed in the mood of an ordinary human being. He soon recalled, however, that this was all a demoniac illusion engineered by Maya Dānava and employed by Śālva.
न तत्र दूतं न पितुः कलेवरं प्रबुद्ध आजौ समपश्यदच्युतः । स्वाप्नं यथा चाम्बरचारिणं रिपुं सौभस्थमालोक्य निहन्तुमुद्यतः
na tatra dūtaṃ na pituḥ kalevaraṃ prabuddha ājau samapaśyadacyutaḥ | svāpnaṃ yathā cāmbaracāriṇaṃ ripuṃ saubhasthamālokya nihantumudyataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now alert to the actual situation, Lord Acyuta saw before Him on the battlefield neither the messenger nor His father’s body. It was as if He had awakened from a dream. Seeing His enemy flying above Him in his Saubha plane, the Lord then prepared to kill him.
एवं वदन्ति राजर्षे ऋषयः के च नान्विताः । यत्स्ववाचो विरुध्येत नूनं ते न स्मरन्त्युत
evaṃ vadanti rājarṣe ṛṣayaḥ ke ca nānvitāḥ | yatsvavāco virudhyeta nūnaṃ te na smarantyuta
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Such is the account given by some sages, O wise King, but those who speak in this illogical way are contradicting themselves, having forgotten their own previous statements.
क्व शोकमोहौ स्नेहो वा भयं वा येऽज्ञसम्भवाः । क्व चाखण्डितविज्ञानज्ञानैश्वर्यस्त्वखण्डितः
kva śokamohau sneho vā bhayaṃ vā ye'jñasambhavāḥ | kva cākhaṇḍitavijñānajñānaiśvaryastvakhaṇḍitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How can lamentation, bewilderment, material affection or fear, all born out of ignorance, be ascribed to the infinite Supreme Lord, whose perception, knowledge and power are all similarly infinite?
यत्पादसेवोर्जितयाऽऽत्मविद्यया हिन्वन्त्यनाद्यात्मविपर्ययग्रहम् । लभन्त आत्मीयमनन्तमैश्वरं कुतो नु मोहः परमस्य सद्गतेः
yatpādasevorjitayā''tmavidyayā hinvantyanādyātmaviparyayagraham | labhanta ātmīyamanantamaiśvaraṃ kuto nu mohaḥ paramasya sadgateḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By virtue of self-realization fortified by service rendered to His feet, devotees of the Lord dispel the bodily concept of life, which has bewildered the soul since time immemorial. Thus they attain eternal glory in His personal association. How, then, can that Supreme Truth, the destination of all genuine saints, be subject to illusion?
तं शस्त्रपूगैः प्रहरन्तमोजसा शाल्वं शरैः शौरिरमोघविक्रमः । विद्ध्वाच्छिनद्वर्म धनुः शिरोमणिं सौभं च शत्रोर्गदया रुरोज ह
taṃ śastrapūgaiḥ praharantamojasā śālvaṃ śaraiḥ śauriramoghavikramaḥ | viddhvācchinadvarma dhanuḥ śiromaṇiṃ saubhaṃ ca śatrorgadayā ruroja ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While Śālva continued to hurl torrents of weapons at Him with great force, Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose prowess never fails, shot His arrows at Śālva, wounding him and shattering his armor, bow and crest jewel. Then with His club the Lord smashed His enemy’s Saubha airship.
तत्कृष्णहस्तेरितया विचूर्णितं पपात तोये गदया सहस्रधा । विसृज्य तद्भूतलमास्थितो गदा- मुद्यम्य शाल्वोऽच्युतमभ्यगाद्द्रुतम्
tatkṛṣṇahasteritayā vicūrṇitaṃ papāta toye gadayā sahasradhā | visṛjya tadbhūtalamāsthito gadā- mudyamya śālvo'cyutamabhyagāddrutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Shattered into thousands of pieces by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s club, the Saubha airship plummeted into the water. Śālva abandoned it, stationed himself on the ground, took up his club and rushed toward Lord Acyuta.
आधावतः सगदं तस्य बाहुं भल्लेन छित्त्वाथ रथाङ्गमद्भुतम् । वधाय शाल्वस्य लयार्कसन्निभं बिभ्रद्बभौ सार्क इवोदयाचलः
ādhāvataḥ sagadaṃ tasya bāhuṃ bhallena chittvātha rathāṅgamadbhutam | vadhāya śālvasya layārkasannibhaṃ bibhradbabhau sārka ivodayācalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As Śālva rushed at Him, the Lord shot a bhalla dart and cut off his arm that held the club. Having finally decided to kill Śālva, Kṛṣṇa then raised His Sudarśana disc weapon, which resembled the sun at the time of universal annihilation. The brilliantly shining Lord appeared like the easternmost mountain bearing the rising sun.
जहार तेनैव शिरः सकुण्डलं किरीटयुक्तं पुरुमायिनो हरिः । वज्रेण वृत्रस्य यथा पुरन्दरो बभूव हाहेति वचस्तदा नृणाम्
jahāra tenaiva śiraḥ sakuṇḍalaṃ kirīṭayuktaṃ purumāyino hariḥ | vajreṇa vṛtrasya yathā purandaro babhūva hāheti vacastadā nṛṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Employing His disc, Lord Hari removed that great magician’s head with its earrings and crown, just as Purandara had used his thunderbolt to cut off Vṛtra’s head. Seeing this, all of Śālva’s followers cried out, “Alas, alas!”
तस्मिन् निपतिते पापे सौभे च गदया हते । नेदुर्दुन्दुभयो राजन् दिवि देवगणेरिताः । सखीनामपचितिं कुर्वन् दन्तवक्त्रो रुषाभ्यगात्
tasmin nipatite pāpe saubhe ca gadayā hate | nedurdundubhayo rājan divi devagaṇeritāḥ | sakhīnāmapacitiṃ kurvan dantavaktro ruṣābhyagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With the sinful Śālva now dead and his Saubha airship destroyed, the heavens resounded with kettledrums played by groups of demigods. Then Dantavakra, wanting to avenge the death of his friends, furiously attacked the Lord.
तं तथाऽऽयान्तमालोक्य गदामादाय सत्वरः । अवप्लुत्य रथात्कृष्णः सिन्धुं वेलेव प्रत्यधात्
taṃ tathā''yāntamālokya gadāmādāya satvaraḥ | avaplutya rathātkṛṣṇaḥ sindhuṃ veleva pratyadhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing Dantavakra approach, Lord Kṛṣṇa quickly picked up His club, jumped down from His chariot and stopped His advancing opponent just as the shore holds back the ocean.
गदामुद्यम्य कारूषो मुकुन्दं प्राह दुर्मदः । दिष्ट्या दिष्ट्या भवानद्य मम दृष्टिपथं गतः
gadāmudyamya kārūṣo mukundaṃ prāha durmadaḥ | diṣṭyā diṣṭyā bhavānadya mama dṛṣṭipathaṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Raising his club, the reckless King of Karūṣa said to Lord Mukunda, “What luck! What luck — to have You come before me today!
त्वं मातुलेयो नः कृष्ण मित्रध्रुङ्मां जिघांससि । अतस्त्वां गदया मन्द हनिष्ये वज्रकल्पया
tvaṃ mātuleyo naḥ kṛṣṇa mitradhruṅmāṃ jighāṃsasi | atastvāṃ gadayā manda haniṣye vajrakalpayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“You are our maternal cousin, Kṛṣṇa, but You committed violence against my friends, and now You want to kill me also. Therefore, fool, I will kill You with my thunderbolt club.
तर्ह्यानृण्यमुपैम्यज्ञ मित्राणां मित्रवत्सलः । बन्धुरूपमरिं हत्वा व्याधिं देहचरं यथा
tarhyānṛṇyamupaimyajña mitrāṇāṃ mitravatsalaḥ | bandhurūpamariṃ hatvā vyādhiṃ dehacaraṃ yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“Then, O unintelligent one, I who am obliged to my friends will have repaid my debt to them by killing You, my enemy disguised as a relative, who are like a disease within my body.”
एवं रूक्षैस्तुदन् वाक्यैः कृष्णं तोत्रैरिव द्विपम् । गदयाताडयन्मूर्ध्नि सिंहवद्व्यनदच्चसः
evaṃ rūkṣaistudan vākyaiḥ kṛṣṇaṃ totrairiva dvipam | gadayātāḍayanmūrdhni siṃhavadvyanadaccasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus trying to harass Lord Kṛṣṇa with harsh words, as one might prick an elephant with sharp goads, Dantavakra struck the Lord on the head with his club and roared like a lion.
गदयाभिहतोऽप्याजौ न चचाल यदूद्वहः । कृष्णोऽपि तमहन् गुर्व्या कौमोदक्या स्तनान्तरे
gadayābhihato'pyājau na cacāla yadūdvahaḥ | kṛṣṇo'pi tamahan gurvyā kaumodakyā stanāntare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although hit by Dantavakra’s club, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the deliverer of the Yadus, did not budge from His place on the battlefield. Rather, with His massive Kaumodakī club the Lord struck Dantavakra in the middle of his chest.
गदानिर्भिन्नहृदय उद्वमन् रुधिरं मुखात् । प्रसार्य केशबाह्वङ्घ्रीन् धरण्यां न्यपतद्व्यसुः
gadānirbhinnahṛdaya udvaman rudhiraṃ mukhāt | prasārya keśabāhvaṅghrīn dharaṇyāṃ nyapatadvyasuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His heart shattered by the club’s blow, Dantavakra vomited blood and fell lifeless to the ground, his hair disheveled and his arms and legs sprawling.
ततः सूक्ष्मतरं ज्योतिः कृष्णमाविशदद्भुतम् । पश्यतां सर्वभूतानां यथा चैद्यवधे नृप
tataḥ sūkṣmataraṃ jyotiḥ kṛṣṇamāviśadadbhutam | paśyatāṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ yathā caidyavadhe nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A most subtle and wondrous spark of light then [rose from the demon’s body and] entered Lord Kṛṣṇa while everyone looked on, O King, just as when Śiśupāla was killed.
विदूरथस्तु तद्भ्राता भ्रातृशोकपरिप्लुतः । आगच्छदसिचर्माभ्यामुच्छ्वसंस्तज्जिघांसया
vidūrathastu tadbhrātā bhrātṛśokapariplutaḥ | āgacchadasicarmābhyāmucchvasaṃstajjighāṃsayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But then Dantavakra’s brother Vidūratha, immersed in sorrow over his brother’s death, came forward breathing heavily, sword and shield in hand. He wanted to kill the Lord.
तस्य चापततः कृष्णश्चक्रेण क्षुरनेमिना । शिरो जहार राजेन्द्र सकिरीटं सकुण्डलम्
tasya cāpatataḥ kṛṣṇaścakreṇa kṣuraneminā | śiro jahāra rājendra sakirīṭaṃ sakuṇḍalam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of kings, as Vidūratha fell upon Him, Lord Kṛṣṇa used His razor-edged Sudarśana disc to remove his head, complete with its helmet and earrings.
एवं योगेश्वरः कृष्णो भगवान् जगदीश्वरः । ईयते पशुदृष्टीनां निर्जितो जयतीति सः
evaṃ yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo bhagavān jagadīśvaraḥ | īyate paśudṛṣṭīnāṃ nirjito jayatīti saḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master all mystic power and Lord of the universe, is ever victorious. Only those of beastly vision think He sometimes suffers defeat.
श्रुत्वा युद्धोद्यमं रामः कुरूणां सह पाण्डवैः । तीर्थाभिषेकव्याजेन मध्यस्थः प्रययौ किल
śrutvā yuddhodyamaṃ rāmaḥ kurūṇāṃ saha pāṇḍavaiḥ | tīrthābhiṣekavyājena madhyasthaḥ prayayau kila
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma then heard that the Kurus were preparing for war with the Pāṇḍavas. Being neutral, He departed on the pretext of going to bathe in holy places.
स्नात्वा प्रभासे सन्तर्प्य देवर्षिपितृमानवान् । सरस्वतीं प्रतिस्रोतं ययौ ब्राह्मणसंवृतः
snātvā prabhāse santarpya devarṣipitṛmānavān | sarasvatīṃ pratisrotaṃ yayau brāhmaṇasaṃvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After bathing at Prabhāsa and honoring the demigods, sages, forefathers and prominent human beings, He went in the company of brāhmaṇas to the portion of the Sarasvatī that flows westward into the sea.
तमागतमभिप्रेत्य मुनयो दीर्घसत्रिणः । अभिनन्द्य यथान्यायं प्रणम्योत्थाय चार्चयन्
tamāgatamabhipretya munayo dīrghasatriṇaḥ | abhinandya yathānyāyaṃ praṇamyotthāya cārcayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Recognizing the Lord upon His arrival, the sages, who had been engaged in their sacrificial rituals for a long time, greeted Him properly by standing up, bowing down and worshiping Him.
सोऽर्चितः सपरीवारः कृतासनपरिग्रहः । रोमहर्षणमासीनं महर्षेः शिष्यमैक्षत
so'rcitaḥ saparīvāraḥ kṛtāsanaparigrahaḥ | romaharṣaṇamāsīnaṃ maharṣeḥ śiṣyamaikṣata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After being thus worshiped along with His entourage, the Lord accepted a seat of honor. Then He noticed that Romaharṣaṇa, Vyāsadeva’s disciple, had remained seated.
अप्रत्युत्थायिनं सूतमकृतप्रह्वणाञ्जलिम् । अध्यासीनं च तान् विप्रांश्चुकोपोद्वीक्ष्य माधवः
apratyutthāyinaṃ sūtamakṛtaprahvaṇāñjalim | adhyāsīnaṃ ca tān viprāṃścukopodvīkṣya mādhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma became extremely angry upon seeing how this member of the sūta caste had failed to stand up, bow down or join his palms, and also how he was sitting above all the learned brāhmaṇas.
कस्मादसाविमान् विप्रानध्यास्ते प्रतिलोमजः । धर्मपालांस्तथैवास्मान् वधमर्हति दुर्मतिः
kasmādasāvimān viprānadhyāste pratilomajaḥ | dharmapālāṃstathaivāsmān vadhamarhati durmatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Balarāma said:] Because this fool born from an improperly mixed marriage sits above all these brāhmaṇas and even above Me, the protector of religion, he deserves to die.
एतदर्थो हि लोकेऽस्मिन्नवतारो मया कृतः । वध्या मे धर्मध्वजिनस्ते हि पातकिनोऽधिकाः
etadartho hi loke'sminnavatāro mayā kṛtaḥ | vadhyā me dharmadhvajinaste hi pātakino'dhikāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The very purpose of My descent into this world is to kill such hypocrites who pretend to be religious. Indeed, they are the most sinful rascals.
एतावदुक्त्वा भगवान् निवृत्तोऽसद्वधादपि । भावित्वात्तं कुशाग्रेण करस्थेनाहनत्प्रभुः
etāvaduktvā bhagavān nivṛtto'sadvadhādapi | bhāvitvāttaṃ kuśāgreṇa karasthenāhanatprabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Although Lord Balarāma had stopped killing the impious, Romaharṣaṇa’s death was inevitable. Thus, having spoken, the Lord killed him by picking up a blade of kuśa grass and touching him with its tip.
हाहेति वादिनः सर्वे मुनयः खिन्नमानसाः । ऊचुः सङ्कर्षणं देवमधर्मस्ते कृतः प्रभो
hāheti vādinaḥ sarve munayaḥ khinnamānasāḥ | ūcuḥ saṅkarṣaṇaṃ devamadharmaste kṛtaḥ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the sages cried out, “Alas, alas!” in great distress. They told Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, “O master, You have committed an irreligious act!
अस्य ब्रह्मासनं दत्तमस्माभिर्यदुनन्दन । आयुश्चात्माक्लमं तावद्यावत्सत्रं समाप्यते
asya brahmāsanaṃ dattamasmābhiryadunandana | āyuścātmāklamaṃ tāvadyāvatsatraṃ samāpyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“O favorite of the Yadus, we gave him the seat of the spiritual master and promised him long life and freedom from physical pain for as long as this sacrifice continues.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । करिष्ये वधनिर्वेशं लोकानुग्रहकाम्यया । नियमः प्रथमे कल्पे यावान् स तु विधीयताम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | kariṣye vadhanirveśaṃ lokānugrahakāmyayā | niyamaḥ prathame kalpe yāvān sa tu vidhīyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Personality of Godhead said: I will certainly perform the atonement for this killing, since I wish to show compassion to the people in general. Please, therefore, prescribe for Me whatever ritual is to be done first.
दीर्घमायुर्बतैतस्य सत्त्वमिन्द्रियमेव च । आशासितं यत्तद्ब्रूत साधये योगमायया
dīrghamāyurbataitasya sattvamindriyameva ca | āśāsitaṃ yattadbrūta sādhaye yogamāyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O sages, just say the word, and by My mystic power I shall restore everything you promised him — long life, strength and sensory power.
ऋषय ऊचुः । अस्त्रस्य तव वीर्यस्य मृत्योरस्माकमेव च । यथा भवेद्वचः सत्यं तथा राम विधीयताम्
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | astrasya tava vīryasya mṛtyorasmākameva ca | yathā bhavedvacaḥ satyaṃ tathā rāma vidhīyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sages said: Please see to it, O Rāma, that Your power and that of Your kuśa weapon, as well as our promise and Romaharṣaṇa’s death, all remain intact.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । आत्मा वै पुत्र उत्पन्न इति वेदानुशासनम् । तस्मादस्य भवेद्वक्ता आयुरिन्द्रियसत्त्ववान्
śrībhagavānuvāca | ātmā vai putra utpanna iti vedānuśāsanam | tasmādasya bhavedvaktā āyurindriyasattvavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: The Vedas instruct us that one’s own self takes birth again as one’s son. Thus let Romaharṣaṇa’s son become the speaker of the Purāṇas, and let him be endowed with long life, strong senses and stamina.
किं वः कामो मुनिश्रेष्ठा ब्रूताहं करवाण्यथ । अजानतस्त्वपचितिं यथा मे चिन्त्यतां बुधाः
kiṃ vaḥ kāmo muniśreṣṭhā brūtāhaṃ karavāṇyatha | ajānatastvapacitiṃ yathā me cintyatāṃ budhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please tell Me your desire, O best of sages, and I shall certainly fulfill it. And, O wise souls, please carefully determine My proper atonement, since I do not know what it might be.
ऋषय ऊचुः । इल्वलस्य सुतो घोरो बल्वलो नाम दानवः । स दूषयति नः सत्रमेत्य पर्वणि पर्वणि
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | ilvalasya suto ghoro balvalo nāma dānavaḥ | sa dūṣayati naḥ satrametya parvaṇi parvaṇi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sages said: A fearsome demon named Balvala, the son of Ilvala, comes here every new-moon day and contaminates our sacrifice.
तं पापं जहि दाशार्ह तन्नः शुश्रूषणं परम् । पूयशोणितविण्मूत्रसुरामांसाभिवर्षिणम्
taṃ pāpaṃ jahi dāśārha tannaḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṃ param | pūyaśoṇitaviṇmūtrasurāmāṃsābhivarṣiṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O descendant of Daśārha, please kill that sinful demon, who pours down pus, blood, feces, urine, wine and meat upon us. This is the best service You can do for us.
ततश्च भारतं वर्षं परीत्य सुसमाहितः । चरित्वा द्वादशमासांस्तीर्थस्नायी विशुध्यसे
tataśca bhārataṃ varṣaṃ parītya susamāhitaḥ | caritvā dvādaśamāsāṃstīrthasnāyī viśudhyase
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thereafter, for twelve months, You should circumambulate the land of Bhārata in a mood of serious meditation, executing austerities and bathing at various holy pilgrimage sites. In this way You will become purified.
श्रीशुक उवाच । ततः पर्वण्युपावृत्ते प्रचण्डः पांसुवर्षणः । भीमो वायुरभूद्राजन् पूयगन्धस्तु सर्वशः
śrīśuka uvāca | tataḥ parvaṇyupāvṛtte pracaṇḍaḥ pāṃsuvarṣaṇaḥ | bhīmo vāyurabhūdrājan pūyagandhastu sarvaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Then, on the new-moon day, O King, a fierce and frightening wind arose, scattering dust all about and spreading the smell of pus everywhere.
ततोऽमेध्यमयं वर्षं बल्वलेन विनिर्मितम् । अभवद्यज्ञशालायां सोऽन्वदृश्यत शूलधृक्
tato'medhyamayaṃ varṣaṃ balvalena vinirmitam | abhavadyajñaśālāyāṃ so'nvadṛśyata śūladhṛk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Next, onto the sacrificial arena came a downpour of abominable things sent by Balvala, after which the demon himself appeared, trident in hand.
तमाकृष्य हलाग्रेण बल्वलं गगनेचरम् । मुसलेनाहनत्क्रुद्धो मूर्ध्नि ब्रह्मद्रुहं बलः
tamākṛṣya halāgreṇa balvalaṃ gaganecaram | musalenāhanatkruddho mūrdhni brahmadruhaṃ balaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With the tip of His plow Lord Balarāma caught hold of the demon Balvala as he flew through the sky, and with His club the Lord angrily struck that harasser of brāhmaṇas on the head.
सोऽपतद्भुवि निर्भिन्नललाटोऽसृक्समुत्सृजन् । मुञ्चन्नार्तस्वरं शैलो यथा वज्रहतोऽरुणः
so'patadbhuvi nirbhinnalalāṭo'sṛksamutsṛjan | muñcannārtasvaraṃ śailo yathā vajrahato'ruṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Balvala cried out in agony and fell to the ground, his forehead cracked open and gushing blood. He resembled a red mountain struck by a lightning bolt.
संस्तुत्य मुनयो रामं प्रयुज्यावितथाशिषः । अभ्यषिञ्चन्महाभागा वृत्रघ्नं विबुधा यथा
saṃstutya munayo rāmaṃ prayujyāvitathāśiṣaḥ | abhyaṣiñcanmahābhāgā vṛtraghnaṃ vibudhā yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The exalted sages honored Lord Rāma with sincere prayers and awarded Him infallible blessings. Then they performed His ritual bath, just as the demigods had formally bathed Indra when he killed Vṛtra.
वैजयन्तीं ददुर्मालां श्रीधामाम्लानपङ्कजाम् । रामाय वाससी दिव्ये दिव्यान्याभरणानि च
vaijayantīṃ dadurmālāṃ śrīdhāmāmlānapaṅkajām | rāmāya vāsasī divye divyānyābharaṇāni ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They gave Lord Balarāma a Vaijayantī garland of unfading lotuses in which resided the goddess of fortune, and they also gave Him a set of divine garments and jewelry.
अथ तैरभ्यनुज्ञातः कौशिकीमेत्य ब्राह्मणैः । स्नात्वा सरोवरमगाद्यतः सरयुरास्रवत्
atha tairabhyanujñātaḥ kauśikīmetya brāhmaṇaiḥ | snātvā sarovaramagādyataḥ sarayurāsravat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, given leave by the sages, the Lord went with a contingent of brāhmaṇas to the Kauśikī River, where He bathed. From there He went to the lake from which flows the river Sarayū.
अनुस्रोतेन सरयूं प्रयागमुपगम्य सः । स्नात्वा सन्तर्प्य देवादीन् जगाम पुलहाश्रमम्
anusrotena sarayūṃ prayāgamupagamya saḥ | snātvā santarpya devādīn jagāma pulahāśramam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord followed the course of the Sarayū until He came to Prayāga, where He bathed and then performed rituals to propitiate the demigods and other living beings. Next He went to the āśrama of Pulaha Ṛṣi.
ततः फाल्गुनमासाद्य पञ्चाप्सरसमुत्तमम् । विष्णुः सन्निहितो यत्र स्नात्वास्पर्शद्गवायुतम्
tataḥ phālgunamāsādya pañcāpsarasamuttamam | viṣṇuḥ sannihito yatra snātvāsparśadgavāyutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Next He went to Phālguna-tīrtha and bathed in the sacred Pañcāpsarā Lake, where Lord Viṣṇu had directly manifested Himself. At this place He gave away another ten thousand cows.
श्रुत्वा द्विजैः कथ्यमानं कुरुपाण्डवसंयुगे । सर्वराजन्यनिधनं भारं मेने हृतं भुवः
śrutvā dvijaiḥ kathyamānaṃ kurupāṇḍavasaṃyuge | sarvarājanyanidhanaṃ bhāraṃ mene hṛtaṃ bhuvaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord heard from some brāhmaṇas how all the kings involved in the battle between the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas had been killed. From this He concluded that the earth was now relieved of her burden.
स भीमदुर्योधनयोर्गदाभ्यां युध्यतोर्मृधे । वारयिष्यन् विनशनं जगाम यदुनन्दनः
sa bhīmaduryodhanayorgadābhyāṃ yudhyatormṛdhe | vārayiṣyan vinaśanaṃ jagāma yadunandanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Wanting to stop the club fight then raging between Bhīma and Duryodhana on the battlefield, Lord Balarāma went to Kurukṣetra.
युधिष्ठिरस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा यमौ कृष्णार्जुनावपि । अभिवाद्याभवंस्तूष्णीं किं विवक्षुरिहागतः
yudhiṣṭhirastu taṃ dṛṣṭvā yamau kṛṣṇārjunāvapi | abhivādyābhavaṃstūṣṇīṃ kiṃ vivakṣurihāgataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When Yudhiṣṭhira, Lord Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and the twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva saw Lord Balarāma, they offered Him respectful obeisances but said nothing, thinking “What has He come here to tell us?”
गदापाणी उभौ दृष्ट्वा संरब्धौ विजयैषिणौ । मण्डलानि विचित्राणि चरन्ताविदमब्रवीत्
gadāpāṇī ubhau dṛṣṭvā saṃrabdhau vijayaiṣiṇau | maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi carantāvidamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma found Duryodhana and Bhīma with clubs in their hands, each furiously striving for victory over the other as they circled about skillfully. The Lord addressed them as follows.
युवां तुल्यबलौ वीरौ हे राजन् हे वृकोदर । एकं प्राणाधिकं मन्ये उतैकं शिक्षयाधिकम्
yuvāṃ tulyabalau vīrau he rājan he vṛkodara | ekaṃ prāṇādhikaṃ manye utaikaṃ śikṣayādhikam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Balarāma said:] King Duryodhana! And Bhīma! Listen! You two warriors are equal in fighting prowess. I know that one of you has greater physical power, while the other is better trained in technique.
तस्मादेकतरस्येह युवयोः समवीर्ययोः । न लक्ष्यते जयोऽन्यो वा विरमत्वफलो रणः
tasmādekatarasyeha yuvayoḥ samavīryayoḥ | na lakṣyate jayo'nyo vā viramatvaphalo raṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since you are so evenly matched in fighting prowess, I do not see how either of you can win or lose this duel. Therefore please stop this useless battle.
न तद्वाक्यं जगृहतुर्बद्धवैरौ नृपार्थवत् । अनुस्मरन्तावन्योन्यं दुरुक्तं दुष्कृतानि च
na tadvākyaṃ jagṛhaturbaddhavairau nṛpārthavat | anusmarantāvanyonyaṃ duruktaṃ duṣkṛtāni ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] They did not accept Lord Balarāma’s request, O King, although it was logical, for their mutual enmity was irrevocable. Each of them constantly remembered the insults and injuries he had suffered from the other.
दिष्टं तदनुमन्वानो रामो द्वारवतीं ययौ । उग्रसेनादिभिः प्रीतैर्ज्ञातिभिः समुपागतः
diṣṭaṃ tadanumanvāno rāmo dvāravatīṃ yayau | ugrasenādibhiḥ prītairjñātibhiḥ samupāgataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Concluding that the battle was the arrangement of fate, Lord Balarāma went back to Dvārakā. There He was greeted by Ugrasena and His other relatives, who were all delighted to see Him.
तं पुनर्नैमिषं प्राप्तमृषयोऽयाजयन् मुदा । क्रत्वङ्गं क्रतुभिः सर्वैर्निवृत्ताखिलविग्रहम्
taṃ punarnaimiṣaṃ prāptamṛṣayo'yājayan mudā | kratvaṅgaṃ kratubhiḥ sarvairnivṛttākhilavigraham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Later Lord Balarāma returned to Naimiṣāraṇya, where the sages joyfully engaged Him, the embodiment of all sacrifice, in performing various kinds of Vedic sacrifice. Lord Balarāma was now retired from warfare.
तेभ्यो विशुद्धं विज्ञानं भगवान् व्यतरद्विभुः । येनैवात्मन्यदो विश्वमात्मानं विश्वगं विदुः
tebhyo viśuddhaṃ vijñānaṃ bhagavān vyataradvibhuḥ | yenaivātmanyado viśvamātmānaṃ viśvagaṃ viduḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The all-powerful Lord Balarāma bestowed upon the sages pure spiritual knowledge, by which they could see the whole universe within Him and also see Him pervading everything.
स्वपत्न्यावभृथस्नातो ज्ञातिबन्धुसुहृद्वृतः । रेजे स्वज्योत्स्नयेवेन्दुः सुवासाः सुष्ठ्वलङ्कृतः
svapatnyāvabhṛthasnāto jñātibandhusuhṛdvṛtaḥ | reje svajyotsnayevenduḥ suvāsāḥ suṣṭhvalaṅkṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After executing with His wife the avabhṛtha ablutions, the beautifully dressed and ornamented Lord Balarāma, encircled by His immediate family and other relatives and friends, looked as splendid as the moon surrounded by its effulgent rays.
ईदृग्विधान्यसङ्ख्यानि बलस्य बलशालिनः । अनन्तस्याप्रमेयस्य मायामर्त्यस्य सन्ति हि
īdṛgvidhānyasaṅkhyāni balasya balaśālinaḥ | anantasyāprameyasya māyāmartyasya santi hi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Countless other such pastimes were performed by mighty Balarāma, the unlimited and immeasurable Supreme Lord, whose mystic Yoga-māyā power makes Him appear to be a human being.
योऽनुस्मरेत रामस्य कर्माण्यद्भुतकर्मणः । सायम्प्रातरनन्तस्य विष्णोः स दयितो भवेत्
yo'nusmareta rāmasya karmāṇyadbhutakarmaṇaḥ | sāyamprātaranantasya viṣṇoḥ sa dayito bhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
All the activities of the unlimited Lord Balarāma are amazing. Anyone who regularly remembers them at dawn and dusk will become very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Viṣṇu.
राजोवाच । भगवन् यानि चान्यानि मुकुन्दस्य महात्मनः । वीर्याण्यनन्तवीर्यस्य श्रोतुमिच्छामहे प्रभो
rājovāca | bhagavan yāni cānyāni mukundasya mahātmanaḥ | vīryāṇyanantavīryasya śrotumicchāmahe prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit said: My lord, O master, I wish to hear about other valorous deeds performed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Mukunda, whose valor is unlimited.
को नु श्रुत्वासकृद्ब्रह्मन्नुत्तमश्लोकसत्कथाः । विरमेत विशेषज्ञो विषण्णः काममार्गणैः
ko nu śrutvāsakṛdbrahmannuttamaślokasatkathāḥ | virameta viśeṣajño viṣaṇṇaḥ kāmamārgaṇaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O brāhmaṇa, how could anyone who knows the essence of life and is disgusted with endeavoring for sense gratification give up the transcendental topics of Lord Uttamaḥśloka after hearing them repeatedly?
सा वाग्यया तस्य गुणान् गृणीते करौ च तत्कर्मकरौ मनश्च । स्मरेद्वसन्तं स्थिरजङ्गमेषु शृणोति तत्पुण्यकथाः स कर्णः
sā vāgyayā tasya guṇān gṛṇīte karau ca tatkarmakarau manaśca | smaredvasantaṃ sthirajaṅgameṣu śṛṇoti tatpuṇyakathāḥ sa karṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Actual speech is that which describes the qualities of the Lord, real hands are those that work for Him, a true mind is that which always remembers Him dwelling within everything moving and nonmoving, and actual ears are those that listen to sanctifying topics about Him.
शिरस्तु तस्योभयलिङ्गमानमे- त्तदेव यत्पश्यति तद्धि चक्षुः । अङ्गानि विष्णोरथ तज्जनानां पादोदकं यानि भजन्ति नित्यम्
śirastu tasyobhayaliṅgamāname- ttadeva yatpaśyati taddhi cakṣuḥ | aṅgāni viṣṇoratha tajjanānāṃ pādodakaṃ yāni bhajanti nityam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
An actual head is one that bows down to the Lord in His manifestations among the moving and nonmoving creatures, real eyes are those that see only the Lord, and actual limbs are those which regularly honor the water that has bathed the Lord’s feet or those of His devotees.
सूत उवाच । विष्णुरातेन सम्पृष्टो भगवान् बादरायणिः । वासुदेवे भगवति निमग्नहृदयोऽब्रवीत्
sūta uvāca | viṣṇurātena sampṛṣṭo bhagavān bādarāyaṇiḥ | vāsudeve bhagavati nimagnahṛdayo'bravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Thus questioned by King Viṣṇurāta, the powerful sage Bādarāyaṇi replied, his heart fully absorbed in meditation on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva.
श्रीशुक उवाच । कृष्णस्यासीत्सखा कश्चिद्ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मवित्तमः । विरक्त इन्द्रियार्थेषु प्रशान्तात्मा जितेन्द्रियः
śrīśuka uvāca | kṛṣṇasyāsītsakhā kaścidbrāhmaṇo brahmavittamaḥ | virakta indriyārtheṣu praśāntātmā jitendriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Lord Kṛṣṇa had a certain brāhmaṇa friend [named Sudāmā] who was most learned in Vedic knowledge and detached from all sense enjoyment. Furthermore, his mind was peaceful and his senses subdued.
यदृच्छयोपपन्नेन वर्तमानो गृहाश्रमी । तस्य भार्या कुचैलस्य क्षुत्क्षामा च तथाविधा
yadṛcchayopapannena vartamāno gṛhāśramī | tasya bhāryā kucailasya kṣutkṣāmā ca tathāvidhā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Living as a householder, he maintained himself with whatever came of its own accord. The wife of that poorly dressed brāhmaṇa suffered along with him and was emaciated from hunger.
पतिव्रता पतिं प्राह म्लायता वदनेन सा । दरिद्रा सीदमाना सा वेपमानाभिगम्य च
pativratā patiṃ prāha mlāyatā vadanena sā | daridrā sīdamānā sā vepamānābhigamya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The chaste wife of the poverty-stricken brāhmaṇa once approached him, her face dried up because of her distress. Trembling with fear, she spoke as follows.
ननु ब्रह्मन् भगवतः सखा साक्षाच्छ्रियः पतिः । ब्रह्मण्यश्च शरण्यश्च भगवान् सात्वतर्षभः
nanu brahman bhagavataḥ sakhā sākṣācchriyaḥ patiḥ | brahmaṇyaśca śaraṇyaśca bhagavān sātvatarṣabhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Sudāmā’s wife said:] O brāhmaṇa, isn’t it true that the husband of the goddess of fortune is the personal friend of your exalted self? That greatest of Yādavas, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, is compassionate to brāhmaṇas and very willing to grant them His shelter.
तमुपैहि महाभाग साधूनां च परायणम् । दास्यति द्रविणं भूरि सीदते ते कुटुम्बिने
tamupaihi mahābhāga sādhūnāṃ ca parāyaṇam | dāsyati draviṇaṃ bhūri sīdate te kuṭumbine
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O fortunate one, please approach Him, the real shelter of all saints. He will certainly give abundant wealth to such a suffering householder as you.
आस्तेऽधुना द्वारवत्यां भोजवृष्ण्यन्धकेश्वरः । स्मरतः पादकमलमात्मानमपि यच्छति । किं न्वर्थकामान् भजतो नात्यभीष्टान् जगद्गुरुः
āste'dhunā dvāravatyāṃ bhojavṛṣṇyandhakeśvaraḥ | smarataḥ pādakamalamātmānamapi yacchati | kiṃ nvarthakāmān bhajato nātyabhīṣṭān jagadguruḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa is now the ruler of the Bhojas, Vṛṣṇis and Andhakas and is staying at Dvārakā. Since He gives even His own self to anyone who simply remembers His lotus feet, what doubt is there that He, the spiritual master of the universe, will bestow upon His sincere worshiper prosperity and material enjoyment, which are not even very desirable?
याचित्वा चतुरो मुष्टीन् विप्रान् पृथुकतण्डुलान् । चैलखण्डेन तान् बद्ध्वा भर्त्रे प्रादादुपायनम्
yācitvā caturo muṣṭīn viprān pṛthukataṇḍulān | cailakhaṇḍena tān baddhvā bhartre prādādupāyanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sudāmā’s wife begged four handfuls of flat rice from neighboring brāhmaṇas, tied up the rice in a torn piece of cloth and gave it to her husband as a present for Lord Kṛṣṇa.
स तानादाय विप्राग्र्यः प्रययौ द्वारकां किल । कृष्णसन्दर्शनं मह्यं कथं स्यादिति चिन्तयन्
sa tānādāya viprāgryaḥ prayayau dvārakāṃ kila | kṛṣṇasandarśanaṃ mahyaṃ kathaṃ syāditi cintayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Taking the flat rice, the saintly brāhmaṇa set off for Dvārakā, all the while wondering “How will I be able to have Kṛṣṇa’s audience?”
तं विलोक्याच्युतो दूरात्प्रियापर्यङ्कमास्थितः । सहसोत्थाय चाभ्येत्य दोर्भ्यां पर्यग्रहीन्मुदा
taṃ vilokyācyuto dūrātpriyāparyaṅkamāsthitaḥ | sahasotthāya cābhyetya dorbhyāṃ paryagrahīnmudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time Lord Acyuta was seated on His consort’s bed. Spotting the brāhmaṇa at some distance, the Lord immediately stood up, went forward to meet him and with great pleasure embraced him.
सख्युः प्रियस्य विप्रर्षेरङ्गसङ्गातिनिर्वृतः । प्रीतो व्यमुञ्चदब्बिन्दून् नेत्राभ्यां पुष्करेक्षणः
sakhyuḥ priyasya viprarṣeraṅgasaṅgātinirvṛtaḥ | prīto vyamuñcadabbindūn netrābhyāṃ puṣkarekṣaṇaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The lotus-eyed Supreme Lord felt intense ecstasy upon touching the body of His dear friend, the wise brāhmaṇa, and thus He shed tears of love.
कुचैलं मलिनं क्षामं द्विजं धमनिसन्ततम् । देवी पर्यचरत्साक्षाच्चामरव्यजनेन वै
kucailaṃ malinaṃ kṣāmaṃ dvijaṃ dhamanisantatam | devī paryacaratsākṣāccāmaravyajanena vai
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By fanning him with her cāmara, the divine goddess of fortune personally served that poor brāhmaṇa, whose clothing was torn and dirty and who was so thin that veins were visible all over his body.
अन्तःपुरजनो दृष्ट्वा कृष्णेनामलकीर्तिना । विस्मितोऽभूदतिप्रीत्या अवधूतं सभाजितम्
antaḥpurajano dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇenāmalakīrtinā | vismito'bhūdatiprītyā avadhūtaṃ sabhājitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The people in the royal palace were astonished to see Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of spotless glory, so lovingly honor this shabbily dressed brāhmaṇa.
कथयाञ्चक्रतुर्गाथाः पूर्वा गुरुकुले सतोः । आत्मनो ललिता राजन् करौ गृह्य परस्परम्
kathayāñcakraturgāthāḥ pūrvā gurukule satoḥ | ātmano lalitā rājan karau gṛhya parasparam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Taking each other’s hands, O King, Kṛṣṇa and Sudāmā talked pleasantly about how they once lived together in the school of their guru.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । अपि ब्रह्मन् गुरुकुलाद्भवता लब्धदक्षिणात् । समावृत्तेन धर्मज्ञ भार्योढा सदृशी न वा
śrībhagavānuvāca | api brahman gurukulādbhavatā labdhadakṣiṇāt | samāvṛttena dharmajña bhāryoḍhā sadṛśī na vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: My dear brāhmaṇa, you know well the ways of dharma. After you offered the gift of remuneration to our guru and returned home from his school, did you marry a compatible wife or not?
प्रायो गृहेषु ते चित्तमकामविहितं तथा । नैवातिप्रीयसे विद्वन् धनेषु विदितं हि मे
prāyo gṛheṣu te cittamakāmavihitaṃ tathā | naivātiprīyase vidvan dhaneṣu viditaṃ hi me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even though you are mostly involved in household affairs, your mind is not affected by material desires. Nor, O learned one, do you take much pleasure in the pursuit of material wealth. This I am well aware of.
केचित्कुर्वन्ति कर्माणि कामैरहतचेतसः । त्यजन्तः प्रकृतीर्दैवीर्यथाहं लोकसङ्ग्रहम्
kecitkurvanti karmāṇi kāmairahatacetasaḥ | tyajantaḥ prakṛtīrdaivīryathāhaṃ lokasaṅgraham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having renounced all material propensities, which spring from the Lord’s illusory energy, some people execute worldly duties with their minds undisturbed by mundane desires. They act as I do, to instruct the general populace.
कच्चिद्गुरुकुले वासं ब्रह्मन् स्मरसि नौ यतः । द्विजो विज्ञाय विज्ञेयं तमसः पारमश्नुते
kaccidgurukule vāsaṃ brahman smarasi nau yataḥ | dvijo vijñāya vijñeyaṃ tamasaḥ pāramaśnute
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear brāhmaṇa, do you remember how we lived together in our spiritual master’s school? When a twice-born student has learned from his guru all that is to be learned, he can enjoy spiritual life, which lies beyond all ignorance.
स वै सत्कर्मणां साक्षाद्द्विजातेरिह सम्भवः । आद्योऽङ्ग यत्राश्रमिणां यथाहं ज्ञानदो गुरुः
sa vai satkarmaṇāṃ sākṣāddvijāteriha sambhavaḥ | ādyo'ṅga yatrāśramiṇāṃ yathāhaṃ jñānado guruḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear friend, he who gives a person his physical birth is his first spiritual master, and he who initiates him as a twice-born brāhmaṇa and engages him in religious duties is indeed more directly his spiritual master. But the person who bestows transcendental knowledge upon the members of all the spiritual orders of society is one’s ultimate spiritual master. Indeed, he is as good as My own self.
नन्वर्थकोविदा ब्रह्मन् वर्णाश्रमवतामिह । ये मया गुरुणा वाचा तरन्त्यञ्जो भवार्णवम्
nanvarthakovidā brahman varṇāśramavatāmiha | ye mayā guruṇā vācā tarantyañjo bhavārṇavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Certainly, O brāhmaṇa, of all the followers of the varṇāśrama system, those who take advantage of the words I speak in My form as the spiritual master and thus easily cross over the ocean of material existence best understand their own true welfare.
नाहमिज्याप्रजातिभ्यां तपसोपशमेन वा । तुष्येयं सर्वभूतात्मा गुरुशुश्रूषया यथा
nāhamijyāprajātibhyāṃ tapasopaśamena vā | tuṣyeyaṃ sarvabhūtātmā guruśuśrūṣayā yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I, the Soul of all beings, am not as satisfied by ritual worship, brahminical initiation, penances or self-discipline as I am by faithful service rendered to one’s spiritual master.
सूर्यश्चास्तङ्गतस्तावत्तमसा चावृता दिशः । निम्नं कूलं जलमयं न प्राज्ञायत किञ्चन
sūryaścāstaṅgatastāvattamasā cāvṛtā diśaḥ | nimnaṃ kūlaṃ jalamayaṃ na prājñāyata kiñcana
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, as the sun set, the forest was covered by darkness in every direction, and with all the flooding we could not distinguish high land from low.
वयं भृशं तत्र महानिलाम्बुभि- र्निहन्यमाना महुरम्बुसम्प्लवे । दिशोऽविदन्तोऽथ परस्परं वने गृहीतहस्ताः परिबभ्रिमातुराः
vayaṃ bhṛśaṃ tatra mahānilāmbubhi- rnihanyamānā mahurambusamplave | diśo'vidanto'tha parasparaṃ vane gṛhītahastāḥ paribabhrimāturāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Constantly besieged by the powerful wind and rain, we lost our way amidst the flooding waters. We simply held each other’s hands and, in great distress, wandered aimlessly about the forest.
एतद्विदित्वा उदिते रवौ सान्दीपनिर्गुरुः । अन्वेषमाणो नः शिष्यानाचार्योऽपश्यदातुरान्
etadviditvā udite ravau sāndīpanirguruḥ | anveṣamāṇo naḥ śiṣyānācāryo'paśyadāturān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Our guru, Sāndīpani, understanding our predicament, set out after sunrise to search for us, his disciples, and found us in distress.
अहो हे पुत्रका यूयमस्मदर्थेऽतिदुःखिताः । आत्मा वै प्राणिनां प्रेष्ठस्तमनादृत्य मत्पराः
aho he putrakā yūyamasmadarthe'tiduḥkhitāḥ | ātmā vai prāṇināṃ preṣṭhastamanādṛtya matparāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Sāndīpani said:] O my children, you have suffered so much for my sake! The body is most dear to every living creature, but you are so dedicated to me that you completely disregarded your own comfort.
एतदेव हि सच्छिष्यैः कर्तव्यं गुरुनिष्कृतम् । यद्वै विशुद्धभावेन सर्वार्थात्मार्पणं गुरौ
etadeva hi sacchiṣyaiḥ kartavyaṃ guruniṣkṛtam | yadvai viśuddhabhāvena sarvārthātmārpaṇaṃ gurau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This indeed is the duty of all true disciples: to repay the debt to their spiritual master by offering him, with pure hearts, their wealth and even their very lives.
तुष्टोऽहं भो द्विजश्रेष्ठाः सत्याः सन्तु मनोरथाः । छन्दांस्ययातयामानि भवन्त्विह परत्र च
tuṣṭo'haṃ bho dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ satyāḥ santu manorathāḥ | chandāṃsyayātayāmāni bhavantviha paratra ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You boys are first-class brāhmaṇas, and I am satisfied with you. May all your desires be fulfilled, and may the Vedic mantras you have learned never lose their meaning for you, in this world or the next.
इत्थं विधान्यनेकानि वसतां गुरुवेश्मसु । गुरोरनुग्रहेणैव पुमान् पूर्णः प्रशान्तये
itthaṃ vidhānyanekāni vasatāṃ guruveśmasu | guroranugraheṇaiva pumān pūrṇaḥ praśāntaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa continued:] We had many similar experiences while living in our spiritual master’s home. Simply by the grace of the spiritual master a person can fulfill life’s purpose and attain eternal peace.
ब्राह्मण उवाच । किमस्माभिरनिर्वृत्तं देवदेव जगद्गुरो । भवता सत्यकामेन येषां वासो गुरावभूत्
brāhmaṇa uvāca | kimasmābhiranirvṛttaṃ devadeva jagadguro | bhavatā satyakāmena yeṣāṃ vāso gurāvabhūt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇa said: What could I possibly have failed to achieve, O Lord of lords, O universal teacher, since I was able to personally live with You, whose every desire is fulfilled, at the home of our spiritual master?
यस्यच्छन्दोमयं ब्रह्म देह आवपनं विभो । श्रेयसां तस्य गुरुषु वासोऽत्यन्तविडम्बनम्
yasyacchandomayaṃ brahma deha āvapanaṃ vibho | śreyasāṃ tasya guruṣu vāso'tyantaviḍambanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O almighty Lord, Your body comprises the Absolute Truth in the form of the Vedas and is thus the source of all auspicious goals of life. That You took up residence at the school of a spiritual master is simply one of Your pastimes in which You play the role of a human being.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । किमुपायनमानीतं ब्रह्मन् मे भवता गृहात् । अण्वप्युपाहृतं भक्तैः प्रेम्णा भूर्येव मे भवेत् । भूर्यप्यभक्तोपहृतं न मे तोषाय कल्पते
śrībhagavānuvāca | kimupāyanamānītaṃ brahman me bhavatā gṛhāt | aṇvapyupāhṛtaṃ bhaktaiḥ premṇā bhūryeva me bhavet | bhūryapyabhaktopahṛtaṃ na me toṣāya kalpate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: O brāhmaṇa, what gift have you brought Me from home? I regard as great even the smallest gift offered by My devotees in pure love, but even great offerings presented by nondevotees do not please Me.
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति । तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः
patraṃ puṣpaṃ phalaṃ toyaṃ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati | tadahaṃ bhaktyupahṛtamaśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it.
इत्युक्तोऽपि द्विजस्तस्मै व्रीडितः पतये श्रियः । पृथुकप्रसृतिं राजन् न प्रायच्छदवाङ्मुखः
ityukto'pi dvijastasmai vrīḍitaḥ pataye śriyaḥ | pṛthukaprasṛtiṃ rājan na prāyacchadavāṅmukhaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Even after being addressed in this way, O King, the brāhmaṇa felt too embarrassed to offer his palmfuls of flat rice to the husband of the goddess of fortune. He simply kept his head bowed in shame.
इत्थं विचिन्त्य वसनाच्चीरबद्धान् द्विजन्मनः । स्वयं जहार किमिदमिति पृथुकतण्डुलान्
itthaṃ vicintya vasanāccīrabaddhān dvijanmanaḥ | svayaṃ jahāra kimidamiti pṛthukataṇḍulān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thinking like this, the Lord snatched from the brāhmaṇa’s garment the grains of flat rice tied up in an old piece of cloth and exclaimed, “What is this?
नन्वेतदुपनीतं मे परमप्रीणनं सखे । तर्पयन्त्यङ्ग मां विश्वमेते पृथुकतण्डुलाः
nanvetadupanītaṃ me paramaprīṇanaṃ sakhe | tarpayantyaṅga māṃ viśvamete pṛthukataṇḍulāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“My friend, have You brought this for Me? It gives Me extreme pleasure. Indeed, these few grains of flat rice will satisfy not only Me but also the entire universe.”
इति मुष्टिं सकृज्जग्ध्वा द्वितीयां जग्धुमाददे । तावच्छ्रीर्जगृहे हस्तं तत्परा परमेष्ठिनः
iti muṣṭiṃ sakṛjjagdhvā dvitīyāṃ jagdhumādade | tāvacchrīrjagṛhe hastaṃ tatparā parameṣṭhinaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After saying this, the Supreme Lord ate one palmful and was about to eat a second when the devoted goddess Rukmiṇī took hold of His hand.
एतावतालं विश्वात्मन् सर्वसम्पत्समृद्धये । अस्मिन् लोकेऽथ वामुष्मिन् पुंसस्त्वत्तोषकारणम्
etāvatālaṃ viśvātman sarvasampatsamṛddhaye | asmin loke'tha vāmuṣmin puṃsastvattoṣakāraṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Queen Rukmiṇī said:] This is more than enough, O Soul of the universe, to secure him an abundance of all kinds of wealth in this world and the next. After all, one’s prosperity depends simply on Your satisfaction.
ब्राह्मणस्तां तु रजनीमुषित्वाच्युतमन्दिरे । भुक्त्वा पीत्वा सुखं मेने आत्मानं स्वर्गतं यथा
brāhmaṇastāṃ tu rajanīmuṣitvācyutamandire | bhuktvā pītvā sukhaṃ mene ātmānaṃ svargataṃ yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] The brāhmaṇa spent that night in Lord Acyuta’s palace after eating and drinking to his full satisfaction. He felt as if he had gone to the spiritual world.
श्वोभूते विश्वभावेन स्वसुखेनाभिवन्दितः । जगाम स्वालयं तात पथ्यनुव्रज्य नन्दितः
śvobhūte viśvabhāvena svasukhenābhivanditaḥ | jagāma svālayaṃ tāta pathyanuvrajya nanditaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The next day, Sudāmā set off for home while being honored by Lord Kṛṣṇa, the self-satisfied maintainer of the universe. The brāhmaṇa felt greatly delighted, my dear King, as he walked along the road.
स चालब्ध्वा धनं कृष्णान्न तु याचितवान् स्वयम् । स्वगृहान् व्रीडितोऽगच्छन्महद्दर्शननिर्वृतः
sa cālabdhvā dhanaṃ kṛṣṇānna tu yācitavān svayam | svagṛhān vrīḍito'gacchanmahaddarśananirvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although he had apparently received no wealth from Lord Kṛṣṇa, Sudāmā was too shy to beg for it on his own. He simply returned home, feeling perfectly satisfied to have had the Supreme Lord’s audience.
अहो ब्रह्मण्यदेवस्य दृष्टा ब्रह्मण्यता मया । यद्दरिद्रतमो लक्ष्मीमाश्लिष्टो बिभ्रतोरसि
aho brahmaṇyadevasya dṛṣṭā brahmaṇyatā mayā | yaddaridratamo lakṣmīmāśliṣṭo bibhratorasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Sudāmā thought:] Lord Kṛṣṇa is known to be devoted to the brāhmaṇas, and now I have personally seen this devotion. Indeed, He who carries the goddess of fortune on His chest has embraced the poorest beggar.
क्वाहं दरिद्रः पापीयान् क्व कृष्णः श्रीनिकेतनः । ब्रह्मबन्धुरिति स्माहं बाहुभ्यां परिरम्भितः
kvāhaṃ daridraḥ pāpīyān kva kṛṣṇaḥ śrīniketanaḥ | brahmabandhuriti smāhaṃ bāhubhyāṃ parirambhitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Who am I? A sinful, poor friend of a brāhmaṇa. And who is Kṛṣṇa? The Supreme Personality of Godhead, full in six opulences. Nonetheless, He has embraced me with His two arms.
निवासितः प्रियाजुष्टे पर्यङ्के भ्रातरो यथा । महिष्या वीजितः श्रान्तो वालव्यजनहस्तया
nivāsitaḥ priyājuṣṭe paryaṅke bhrātaro yathā | mahiṣyā vījitaḥ śrānto vālavyajanahastayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He treated me just like one of His brothers, making me sit on the bed of His beloved consort. And because I was fatigued, His queen personally fanned me with a yak-tail cāmara.
शुश्रूषया परमया पादसंवाहनादिभिः । पूजितो देवदेवेन विप्रदेवेन देववत्
śuśrūṣayā paramayā pādasaṃvāhanādibhiḥ | pūjito devadevena vipradevena devavat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although He is the Lord of all demigods and the object of worship for all brāhmaṇas, He worshiped me as if I were a demigod myself, massaging my feet and rendering other humble services.
स्वर्गापवर्गयोः पुंसां रसायां भुवि सम्पदाम् । सर्वासामपि सिद्धीनां मूलं तच्चरणार्चनम्
svargāpavargayoḥ puṃsāṃ rasāyāṃ bhuvi sampadām | sarvāsāmapi siddhīnāṃ mūlaṃ taccaraṇārcanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Devotional service to His lotus feet is the root cause of all the perfections a person can find in heaven, in liberation, in the subterranean regions and on earth.
अधनोऽयं धनं प्राप्य माद्यन्नुच्चैर्न मां स्मरेत् । इति कारुणिको नूनं धनं मेऽभूरि नाददात्
adhano'yaṃ dhanaṃ prāpya mādyannuccairna māṃ smaret | iti kāruṇiko nūnaṃ dhanaṃ me'bhūri nādadāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thinking “If this poor wretch suddenly becomes rich, he will forget Me in his intoxicating happiness,” the compassionate Lord did not grant me even a little wealth.
एवं मीमांसमानं तं नरा नार्योऽमरप्रभाः । प्रत्यगृह्णन् महाभागं गीतवाद्येन भूयसा
evaṃ mīmāṃsamānaṃ taṃ narā nāryo'maraprabhāḥ | pratyagṛhṇan mahābhāgaṃ gītavādyena bhūyasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As he continued to ponder in this way, the beautiful men — and maidservants, as effulgent as demigods, came forward to greet their greatly fortunate master with loud song and instrumental music.
पतिमागतमाकर्ण्य पत्न्युद्धर्षातिसम्भ्रमा । निश्चक्राम गृहात्तूर्णं रूपिणी श्रीरिवालयात्
patimāgatamākarṇya patnyuddharṣātisambhramā | niścakrāma gṛhāttūrṇaṃ rūpiṇī śrīrivālayāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When she heard that her husband had arrived, the brāhmaṇa’s wife quickly came out of the house in a jubilant flurry. She resembled the goddess of fortune herself emerging from her divine abode.
पतिव्रता पतिं दृष्ट्वा प्रेमोत्कण्ठाश्रुलोचना । मीलिताक्ष्यनमद्बुद्ध्या मनसा परिषस्वजे
pativratā patiṃ dṛṣṭvā premotkaṇṭhāśrulocanā | mīlitākṣyanamadbuddhyā manasā pariṣasvaje
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the chaste lady saw her husband, her eyes filled with tears of love and eagerness. As she held her eyes closed, she solemnly bowed down to him, and in her heart she embraced him.
पत्नीं वीक्ष्य विस्फुरन्तीं देवीं वैमानिकीमिव । दासीनां निष्ककण्ठीनां मध्ये भान्तीं स विस्मितः
patnīṃ vīkṣya visphurantīṃ devīṃ vaimānikīmiva | dāsīnāṃ niṣkakaṇṭhīnāṃ madhye bhāntīṃ sa vismitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sudāmā was amazed to see his wife. Shining forth in the midst of maidservants adorned with jeweled lockets, she looked as effulgent as a demigoddess in her celestial airplane.
प्रीतः स्वयं तया युक्तः प्रविष्टो निजमन्दिरम् । मणिस्तम्भशतोपेतं महेन्द्रभवनं यथा
prītaḥ svayaṃ tayā yuktaḥ praviṣṭo nijamandiram | maṇistambhaśatopetaṃ mahendrabhavanaṃ yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With pleasure he took his wife with him and entered his house, where there were hundreds of gem-studded pillars, just as in the palace of Lord Mahendra.
नूनं बतैतन्मम दुर्भगस्य शश्वद्दरिद्रस्य समृद्धिहेतुः । महाविभूतेरवलोकतोऽन्यो नैवोपपद्येत यदूत्तमस्य
nūnaṃ bataitanmama durbhagasya śaśvaddaridrasya samṛddhihetuḥ | mahāvibhūteravalokato'nyo naivopapadyeta yadūttamasya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Sudāmā thought:] I have always been poor. Certainly the only possible way that such an unfortunate person as myself could become suddenly rich is that Lord Kṛṣṇa, the supremely opulent chief of the Yadu dynasty, has glanced upon Me.
नन्वब्रुवाणो दिशते समक्षं याचिष्णवे भूर्यपि भूरिभोजः । पर्जन्यवत्तत्स्वयमीक्षमाणो दाशार्हकाणामृषभः सखा मे
nanvabruvāṇo diśate samakṣaṃ yāciṣṇave bhūryapi bhūribhojaḥ | parjanyavattatsvayamīkṣamāṇo dāśārhakāṇāmṛṣabhaḥ sakhā me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After all, my friend Kṛṣṇa, the most exalted of the Dāśārhas and the enjoyer of unlimited wealth, noticed that I secretly intended to beg from Him. Thus even though He said nothing about it when I stood before Him, He actually bestowed upon me the most abundant riches. In this way He acted just like a merciful rain cloud.
किञ्चित्करोत्युर्वपि यत्स्वदत्तं सुहृत्कृतं फल्ग्वपि भूरिकारी । मयोपनीतां पृथुकैकमुष्टिं प्रत्यग्रहीत्प्रीतियुतो महात्मा
kiñcitkarotyurvapi yatsvadattaṃ suhṛtkṛtaṃ phalgvapi bhūrikārī | mayopanītāṃ pṛthukaikamuṣṭiṃ pratyagrahītprītiyuto mahātmā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord considers even His greatest benedictions to be insignificant, while He magnifies even a small service rendered to Him by His well-wishing devotee. Thus with pleasure the Supreme Soul accepted a single palmful of the flat rice I brought Him.
तस्यैव मे सौहृदसख्यमैत्री- दास्यं पुनर्जन्मनि जन्मनि स्यात् । महानुभावेन गुणालयेन विषज्जतस्तत्पुरुषप्रसङ्गः
tasyaiva me sauhṛdasakhyamaitrī- dāsyaṃ punarjanmani janmani syāt | mahānubhāvena guṇālayena viṣajjatastatpuruṣaprasaṅgaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord is the supremely compassionate reservoir of all transcendental qualities. Life after life may I serve Him with love, friendship and sympathy, and may I cultivate such firm attachment for Him by the precious association of His devotees.
भक्ताय चित्रा भगवान् हि सम्पदो राज्यं विभूतीर्न समर्थयत्यजः । अदीर्घबोधाय विचक्षणः स्वयं पश्यन्निपातं धनिनां मदोद्भवम्
bhaktāya citrā bhagavān hi sampado rājyaṃ vibhūtīrna samarthayatyajaḥ | adīrghabodhāya vicakṣaṇaḥ svayaṃ paśyannipātaṃ dhanināṃ madodbhavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To a devotee who lacks spiritual insight, the Supreme Lord will not grant the wonderful opulences of this world — kingly power and material assets. Indeed, in His infinite wisdom the unborn Lord well knows how the intoxication of pride can cause the downfall of the wealthy.
इत्थं व्यवसितो बुद्ध्या भक्तोऽतीव जनार्दने । विषयान् जायया त्यक्ष्यन् बुभुजे नातिलम्पटः
itthaṃ vyavasito buddhyā bhakto'tīva janārdane | viṣayān jāyayā tyakṣyan bubhuje nātilampaṭaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus firmly fixing his determination by means of his spiritual intelligence, Sudāmā remained absolutely devoted to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the shelter of all living beings. Free from avarice, he enjoyed, together with his wife, the sense pleasures that had been bestowed upon him, always with the idea of eventually renouncing all sense gratification.
तस्य वै देवदेवस्य हरेर्यज्ञपतेः प्रभोः । ब्राह्मणाः प्रभवो दैवं न तेभ्यो विद्यते परम्
tasya vai devadevasya hareryajñapateḥ prabhoḥ | brāhmaṇāḥ prabhavo daivaṃ na tebhyo vidyate param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Hari is the God of all gods, the master of all sacrifices, and the supreme ruler. But He accepts the saintly brāhmaṇas as His masters, and so there exists no deity higher than them.
एवं स विप्रो भगवत्सुहृत्तदा दृष्ट्वा स्वभृत्यैरजितं पराजितम् । तद्ध्यानवेगोद्ग्रथितात्मबन्धन- स्तद्धाम लेभेऽचिरतः सतां गतिम्
evaṃ sa vipro bhagavatsuhṛttadā dṛṣṭvā svabhṛtyairajitaṃ parājitam | taddhyānavegodgrathitātmabandhana- staddhāma lebhe'cirataḥ satāṃ gatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus seeing how the unconquerable Supreme Lord is nonetheless conquered by His own servants, the Lord’s dear brāhmaṇa friend felt the remaining knots of material attachment within his heart being cut by the force of his constant meditation on the Lord. In a short time he attained Lord Kṛṣṇa’s supreme abode, the destination of great saints.
एतद्ब्रह्मण्यदेवस्य श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मण्यतां नरः । लब्धभावो भगवति कर्मबन्धाद्विमुच्यते
etadbrahmaṇyadevasya śrutvā brahmaṇyatāṃ naraḥ | labdhabhāvo bhagavati karmabandhādvimucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord always shows brāhmaṇas special favor. Anyone who hears this account of the Supreme Lord’s kindness to brāhmaṇas will come to develop love for the Lord and thus become freed from the bondage of material work.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अथैकदा द्वारवत्यां वसतो रामकृष्णयोः । सूर्योपरागः सुमहानासीत्कल्पक्षये यथा
śrīśuka uvāca | athaikadā dvāravatyāṃ vasato rāmakṛṣṇayoḥ | sūryoparāgaḥ sumahānāsītkalpakṣaye yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Once, while Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa were living in Dvārakā, there occurred a great eclipse of the sun, just as if the end of Lord Brahmā’s day had come.
तं ज्ञात्वा मनुजा राजन् पुरस्तादेव सर्वतः । समन्तपञ्चकं क्षेत्रं ययुः श्रेयोविधित्सया
taṃ jñātvā manujā rājan purastādeva sarvataḥ | samantapañcakaṃ kṣetraṃ yayuḥ śreyovidhitsayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Knowing of this eclipse in advance, O King, many people went to the holy place known as Samanta-pañcaka in order to earn pious credit.
दिव्यस्रग्वस्त्रसन्नाहाः कलत्रैः खेचरा इव । तत्र स्नात्वा महाभागा उपोष्य सुसमाहिताः
divyasragvastrasannāhāḥ kalatraiḥ khecarā iva | tatra snātvā mahābhāgā upoṣya susamāhitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At Samanta-pañcaka, the saintly Yādavas bathed and then observed a fast with careful attention. Afterward they presented brāhmaṇas with cows bedecked with garments, flower garlands and gold necklaces.
ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददुर्धेनूर्वासःस्रग्रुक्ममालिनीः । रामह्रदेषु विधिवत्पुनराप्लुत्य वृष्णयः
brāhmaṇebhyo dadurdhenūrvāsaḥsragrukmamālinīḥ | rāmahradeṣu vidhivatpunarāplutya vṛṣṇayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In accordance with scriptural injunctions, the descendants of Vṛṣṇi then bathed once more in Lord Paraśurāma’s lakes and fed first-class brāhmaṇas with sumptuous food. All the while they prayed, “May we be granted devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa.”
ददुः स्वन्नं द्विजाग्र्येभ्यः कृष्णे नो भक्तिरस्त्विति । स्वयं च तदनुज्ञाता वृष्णयः कृष्णदेवताः
daduḥ svannaṃ dvijāgryebhyaḥ kṛṣṇe no bhaktirastviti | svayaṃ ca tadanujñātā vṛṣṇayaḥ kṛṣṇadevatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, with the permission of Lord Kṛṣṇa, their sole object of worship, the Vṛṣṇis ate breakfast and sat down at their leisure beneath trees that gave cooling shade.
अन्यांश्चैवात्मपक्षीयान् परांश्च शतशो नृप । नन्दादीन् सुहृदो गोपान् गोपीश्चोत्कण्ठिताश्चिरम्
anyāṃścaivātmapakṣīyān parāṃśca śataśo nṛpa | nandādīn suhṛdo gopān gopīścotkaṇṭhitāściram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the great joy of seeing one another made the lotuses of their hearts and faces bloom with fresh beauty, the men embraced one another enthusiastically. With tears pouring from their eyes, the hair on their bodies standing on end and their voices choked up, they all felt intense bliss.
अन्योन्यसन्दर्शनहर्षरंहसा प्रोत्फुल्लहृद्वक्त्रसरोरुहश्रियः । आश्लिष्य गाढं नयनैः स्रवज्जला हृष्यत्त्वचो रुद्धगिरो ययुर्मुदम्
anyonyasandarśanaharṣaraṃhasā protphullahṛdvaktrasaroruhaśriyaḥ | āśliṣya gāḍhaṃ nayanaiḥ sravajjalā hṛṣyattvaco ruddhagiro yayurmudam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The women glanced at one another with pure smiles of loving friendship. And when they embraced, their breasts, smeared with saffron paste, pressed against one another as their eyes filled with tears of affection.
स्त्रियश्च संवीक्ष्य मिथोऽतिसौहृद- स्मितामलापाङ्गदृशोऽभिरेभिरे । स्तनैः स्तनान् कुङ्कुमपङ्करूषिता- न्निहत्य दोर्भिः प्रणयाश्रुलोचनाः
striyaśca saṃvīkṣya mitho'tisauhṛda- smitāmalāpāṅgadṛśo'bhirebhire | stanaiḥ stanān kuṅkumapaṅkarūṣitā- nnihatya dorbhiḥ praṇayāśrulocanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They all then offered obeisances to their elders and received respect in turn from their younger relatives. After inquiring from one another about the comfort of their trip and their well-being, they proceeded to talk about Kṛṣṇa.
ततोऽभिवाद्य ते वृद्धान् यविष्ठैरभिवादिताः । स्वागतं कुशलं पृष्ट्वा चक्रुः कृष्णकथा मिथः
tato'bhivādya te vṛddhān yaviṣṭhairabhivāditāḥ | svāgataṃ kuśalaṃ pṛṣṭvā cakruḥ kṛṣṇakathā mithaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Queen Kuntī met with her brothers and sisters and their children, and also with her parents, her brothers’ wives and Lord Mukunda. While talking with them she forgot her sorrow.
पृथा भ्रातॄन् स्वसॄर्वीक्ष्य तत्पुत्रान् पितरावपि । भ्रातृपत्नीर्मुकुन्दं च जहौ सङ्कथया शुचः
pṛthā bhrātṝn svasṝrvīkṣya tatputrān pitarāvapi | bhrātṛpatnīrmukundaṃ ca jahau saṅkathayā śucaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Queen Kuntī said: My dear, respectable brother, I feel that my desires have been frustrated, because although all of you are most saintly, you forgot me during my calamities.
कुन्त्युवाच । आर्य भ्रातरहं मन्ये आत्मानमकृताशिषम् । यद्वा आपत्सु मद्वार्तां नानुस्मरथ सत्तमाः
kuntyuvāca | ārya bhrātarahaṃ manye ātmānamakṛtāśiṣam | yadvā āpatsu madvārtāṃ nānusmaratha sattamāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Friends and family members — even children, brothers and parents — forget a dear one whom Providence no longer favors.
सुहृदो ज्ञातयः पुत्रा भ्रातरः पितरावपि । नानुस्मरन्ति स्वजनं यस्य दैवमदक्षिणम्
suhṛdo jñātayaḥ putrā bhrātaraḥ pitarāvapi | nānusmaranti svajanaṃ yasya daivamadakṣiṇam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Vasudeva said: Dear sister, please do not be angry with us. We are only ordinary men, playthings of fate. Indeed, whether a person acts on his own or is forced by others, he is always under the Supreme Lord’s control.
वसुदेव उवाच । अम्ब मास्मानसूयेथा दैवक्रीडनकान् नरान् । ईशस्य हि वशे लोकः कुरुते कार्यतेऽथ वा
vasudeva uvāca | amba māsmānasūyethā daivakrīḍanakān narān | īśasya hi vaśe lokaḥ kurute kāryate'tha vā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Harassed by Kaṁsa, we all fled in various directions, but by the grace of Providence we have now finally been able to return to our homes, my dear sister.
कंसप्रतापिताः सर्वे वयं याता दिशं दिशम् । एतर्ह्येव पुनः स्थानं दैवेनासादिताः स्वसः
kaṃsapratāpitāḥ sarve vayaṃ yātā diśaṃ diśam | etarhyeva punaḥ sthānaṃ daivenāsāditāḥ svasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Vasudeva, Ugrasena and the other Yadus honored the various kings, who became supremely blissful and content upon seeing Lord Acyuta.
राजानो ये च राजेन्द्र युधिष्ठिरमनुव्रताः । श्रीनिकेतं वपुः शौरेः सस्त्रीकं वीक्ष्य विस्मिताः
rājāno ye ca rājendra yudhiṣṭhiramanuvratāḥ | śrīniketaṃ vapuḥ śaureḥ sastrīkaṃ vīkṣya vismitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Lord Balarāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa had liberally honored them, with great joy and enthusiasm these kings began to praise the members of the Vṛṣṇi clan, Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s personal associates.
अथ ते रामकृष्णाभ्यां सम्यक् प्राप्तसमर्हणाः । प्रशशंसुर्मुदा युक्ता वृष्णीन् कृष्णपरिग्रहान्
atha te rāmakṛṣṇābhyāṃ samyak prāptasamarhaṇāḥ | praśaśaṃsurmudā yuktā vṛṣṇīn kṛṣṇaparigrahān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The kings said:] O King of the Bhojas, you alone among men have achieved a truly exalted birth, for you continually behold Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is rarely visible even to great yogīs.
तद्दर्शनस्पर्शनानुपथप्रजल्प- शय्यासनाशनसयौनसपिण्डबन्धः । येषां गृहे निरयवर्त्मनि वर्ततां वः स्वर्गापवर्गविरमः स्वयमास विष्णुः
taddarśanasparśanānupathaprajalpa- śayyāsanāśanasayaunasapiṇḍabandhaḥ | yeṣāṃ gṛhe nirayavartmani vartatāṃ vaḥ svargāpavargaviramaḥ svayamāsa viṣṇuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When Nanda Mahārāja learned that the Yadus had arrived, led by Kṛṣṇa, he immediately went to see them. The cowherds accompanied him, their various possessions loaded on their wagons.
श्रीशुक उवाच । नन्दस्तत्र यदून् प्राप्तान् ज्ञात्वा कृष्णपुरोगमान् । तत्रागमद्वृतो गोपैरनःस्थार्थैर्दिदृक्षया
śrīśuka uvāca | nandastatra yadūn prāptān jñātvā kṛṣṇapurogamān | tatrāgamadvṛto gopairanaḥsthārthairdidṛkṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing Nanda, the Vṛṣṇis were delighted and stood up like dead bodies coming back to life. Having felt much distress at not seeing him for so long, they held him in a tight embrace.
तं दृष्ट्वा वृष्णयो हृष्टास्तन्वः प्राणमिवोत्थिताः । परिषस्वजिरे गाढं चिरदर्शनकातराः
taṃ dṛṣṭvā vṛṣṇayo hṛṣṭāstanvaḥ prāṇamivotthitāḥ | pariṣasvajire gāḍhaṃ ciradarśanakātarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vasudeva embraced Nanda Mahārāja with great joy. Beside himself with ecstatic love, Vasudeva remembered the troubles Kaṁsa had caused him, forcing him to leave his sons in Gokula for Their safety.
वसुदेवः परिष्वज्य सम्प्रीतः प्रेमविह्वलः । स्मरन् कंसकृतान् क्लेशान् पुत्रन्यासं च गोकुले
vasudevaḥ pariṣvajya samprītaḥ premavihvalaḥ | smaran kaṃsakṛtān kleśān putranyāsaṃ ca gokule
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O hero of the Kurus, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma embraced Their foster parents and bowed down to them, but Their throats were so choked up with tears of love that the two Lords could say nothing.
कृष्णरामौ परिष्वज्य पितरावभिवाद्य च । न किञ्चनोचतुः प्रेम्णा साश्रुकण्ठौ कुरूद्वह
kṛṣṇarāmau pariṣvajya pitarāvabhivādya ca | na kiñcanocatuḥ premṇā sāśrukaṇṭhau kurūdvaha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Raising their two sons onto their laps and holding Them in their arms, Nanda and saintly mother Yaśodā forgot their sorrow.
तावात्मासनमारोप्य बाहुभ्यां परिरभ्य च । यशोदा च महाभागा सुतौ विजहतुः शुचः
tāvātmāsanamāropya bāhubhyāṃ parirabhya ca | yaśodā ca mahābhāgā sutau vijahatuḥ śucaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Rohiṇī and Devakī both embraced the Queen of Vraja, remembering the faithful friendship she had shown them. Their throats choking with tears, they addressed her as follows.
रोहिणी देवकी चाथ परिष्वज्य व्रजेश्वरीम् । स्मरन्त्यौ तत्कृतां मैत्रीं बाष्पकण्ठ्यौ समूचतुः
rohiṇī devakī cātha pariṣvajya vrajeśvarīm | smarantyau tatkṛtāṃ maitrīṃ bāṣpakaṇṭhyau samūcatuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Rohiṇī and Devakī said:] What woman could forget the unceasing friendship you and Nanda have shown us, dear Queen of Vraja? There is no way to repay you in this world, even with the wealth of Indra.
का विस्मरेत वां मैत्रीमनिवृत्तां व्रजेश्वरि । अवाप्याप्यैन्द्रमैश्वर्यं यस्या नेह प्रतिक्रिया
kā vismareta vāṃ maitrīmanivṛttāṃ vrajeśvari | avāpyāpyaindramaiśvaryaṃ yasyā neha pratikriyā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Before these two boys had ever seen Their real parents, you acted as Their parents and gave Them all affectionate care, training, nourishment and protection. They were never afraid, good lady, because you protected Them just as eyelids protect the eyes. Indeed, saintly persons like you never discriminate between outsiders and their own kin.
एतावदृष्टपितरौ युवयोः स्म पित्रोः सम्प्रीणनाभ्युदयपोषणपालनानि । प्राप्योषतुर्भवति पक्ष्म ह यद्वदक्ष्णोः न्यस्तावकुत्र च भयौ न सतां परः स्वः
etāvadṛṣṭapitarau yuvayoḥ sma pitroḥ samprīṇanābhyudayapoṣaṇapālanāni | prāpyoṣaturbhavati pakṣma ha yadvadakṣṇoḥ nyastāvakutra ca bhayau na satāṃ paraḥ svaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: While gazing at their beloved Kṛṣṇa, the young gopīs used to condemn the creator of their eyelids, [which would momentarily block their vision of Him]. Now, seeing Kṛṣṇa again after such a long separation, with their eyes they took Him into their hearts, and there they embraced Him to their full satisfaction. In this way they became totally absorbed in ecstatic meditation on Him, although those who constantly practice mystic yoga find such absorption difficult to achieve.
श्रीशुक उवाच । गोप्यश्च कृष्णमुपलभ्य चिरादभीष्टं यत्प्रेक्षणे दृशिषु पक्ष्मकृतं शपन्ति । दृग्भिर्हृदीकृतमलं परिरभ्य सर्वा- स्तद्भावमापुरपि नित्ययुजां दुरापम्
śrīśuka uvāca | gopyaśca kṛṣṇamupalabhya cirādabhīṣṭaṃ yatprekṣaṇe dṛśiṣu pakṣmakṛtaṃ śapanti | dṛgbhirhṛdīkṛtamalaṃ parirabhya sarvā- stadbhāvamāpurapi nityayujāṃ durāpam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord approached the gopīs in a secluded place as they stood in their ecstatic trance. After embracing each of them and inquiring about their well-being, He laughed and spoke as follows.
भगवांस्तास्तथाभूता विविक्त उपसङ्गतः । आश्लिष्यानामयं पृष्ट्वा प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत्
bhagavāṃstāstathābhūtā vivikta upasaṅgataḥ | āśliṣyānāmayaṃ pṛṣṭvā prahasannidamabravīt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] My dear girlfriends, do you still remember Me? It was for My relatives’ sake that I stayed away so long, intent on destroying My enemies.
अपि स्मरथ नः सख्यः स्वानामर्थचिकीर्षया । गतांश्चिरायिताञ्छत्रुपक्षक्षपणचेतसः
api smaratha naḥ sakhyaḥ svānāmarthacikīrṣayā | gatāṃścirāyitāñchatrupakṣakṣapaṇacetasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Do you perhaps think I’m ungrateful and thus hold Me in contempt? After all, it is the Supreme Lord who brings living beings together and then separates them.
अप्यवध्यायथास्मान् स्विदकृतज्ञाविशङ्कया । नूनं भूतानि भगवान् युनक्ति वियुनक्ति च
apyavadhyāyathāsmān svidakṛtajñāviśaṅkayā | nūnaṃ bhūtāni bhagavān yunakti viyunakti ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as the wind brings together masses of clouds, blades of grass, wisps of cotton and particles of dust, only to scatter them all again, so the creator deals with His created beings in the same way.
वायुर्यथा घनानीकं तृणं तूलं रजांसि च । संयोज्याक्षिपते भूयस्तथा भूतानि भूतकृत्
vāyuryathā ghanānīkaṃ tṛṇaṃ tūlaṃ rajāṃsi ca | saṃyojyākṣipate bhūyastathā bhūtāni bhūtakṛt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Rendering devotional service to Me qualifies any living being for eternal life. But by your good fortune you have developed a special loving attitude toward Me, by which you have obtained Me.
मयि भक्तिर्हि भूतानाममृतत्वाय कल्पते । दिष्ट्या यदासीन्मत्स्नेहो भवतीनां मदापनः
mayi bhaktirhi bhūtānāmamṛtatvāya kalpate | diṣṭyā yadāsīnmatsneho bhavatīnāṃ madāpanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear ladies, I am the beginning and end of all created beings and exist both within and without them, just as the elements ether, water, earth, air and fire are the beginning and end of all material objects and exist both within and without them.
अहं हि सर्वभूतानामादिरन्तोऽन्तरं बहिः । भौतिकानां यथा खं वार्भूर्वायुर्ज्योतिरङ्गनाः
ahaṃ hi sarvabhūtānāmādiranto'ntaraṃ bahiḥ | bhautikānāṃ yathā khaṃ vārbhūrvāyurjyotiraṅganāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way all created things reside within the basic elements of creation, while the spirit souls pervade the creation, remaining in their own true identity. You should see both of these — the material creation and the self — as manifest within Me, the imperishable Supreme Truth.
एवं ह्येतानि भूतानि भूतेष्वात्माऽऽत्मना ततः । उभयं मय्यथ परे पश्यताभातमक्षरे
evaṃ hyetāni bhūtāni bhūteṣvātmā''tmanā tataḥ | ubhayaṃ mayyatha pare paśyatābhātamakṣare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus been instructed by Kṛṣṇa in spiritual matters, the gopīs were freed of all tinges of false ego because of their incessant meditation upon Him. And with their deepening absorption in Him, they came to understand Him fully.
श्रीशुक उवाच । अध्यात्मशिक्षया गोप्य एवं कृष्णेन शिक्षिताः । तदनुस्मरणध्वस्तजीवकोशास्तमध्यगन्
śrīśuka uvāca | adhyātmaśikṣayā gopya evaṃ kṛṣṇena śikṣitāḥ | tadanusmaraṇadhvastajīvakośāstamadhyagan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The gopīs spoke thus: Dear Lord, whose navel is just like a lotus flower, Your lotus feet are the only shelter for those who have fallen into the deep well of material existence. Your feet are worshiped and meditated upon by great mystic yogīs and highly learned philosophers. We wish that these lotus feet may also be awakened within our hearts, although we are only ordinary persons engaged in household affairs.
श्रीशुक उवाच । तथानुगृह्य भगवान् गोपीनां स गुरुर्गतिः । युधिष्ठिरमथापृच्छत्सर्वांश्च सुहृदोऽव्ययम्
śrīśuka uvāca | tathānugṛhya bhagavān gopīnāṃ sa gururgatiḥ | yudhiṣṭhiramathāpṛcchatsarvāṃśca suhṛdo'vyayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa, the spiritual master of the gopīs and the very purpose of their life, showed them His mercy. He then met with Yudhiṣṭhira and all His other relatives and inquired from them about their welfare.
त एवं लोकनाथेन परिपृष्टाः सुसत्कृताः । प्रत्यूचुर्हृष्टमनसस्तत्पादेक्षाहतांहसः
ta evaṃ lokanāthena paripṛṣṭāḥ susatkṛtāḥ | pratyūcurhṛṣṭamanasastatpādekṣāhatāṃhasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Feeling greatly honored, King Yudhiṣṭhira and the others, freed of all sinful reactions by seeing the feet of the Lord of the universe, gladly answered His inquiries.
कुतोऽशिवं त्वच्चरणाम्बुजासवं महन्मनस्तो मुखनिःसृतं क्वचित् । पिबन्ति ये कर्णपुटैरलं प्रभो देहम्भृतां देहकृदस्मृतिच्छिदम्
kuto'śivaṃ tvaccaraṇāmbujāsavaṃ mahanmanasto mukhaniḥsṛtaṃ kvacit | pibanti ye karṇapuṭairalaṃ prabho dehambhṛtāṃ dehakṛdasmṛticchidam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa’s relatives said:] O master, how can misfortune arise for those who have even once freely drunk the nectar coming from Your lotus feet? This intoxicating liquor pours into the drinking cups of their ears, having flowed from the minds of great devotees through their mouths. It destroys the embodied souls’ forgetfulness of the creator of their bodily existence.
हित्वाऽऽत्मधाम विधुतात्मकृतत्र्यवस्थ- मानन्दसम्प्लवमखण्डमकुण्ठबोधम् । कालोपसृष्टनिगमावन आत्तयोग- मायाकृतिं परमहंसगतिं नताः स्मः
hitvā''tmadhāma vidhutātmakṛtatryavastha- mānandasamplavamakhaṇḍamakuṇṭhabodham | kālopasṛṣṭanigamāvana āttayoga- māyākṛtiṃ paramahaṃsagatiṃ natāḥ smaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The radiance of Your personal form dispels the threefold effects of material consciousness, and by Your grace we become immersed in total happiness. Your knowledge is indivisible and unrestricted. By Your Yoga-māyā potency You have assumed this human form for protecting the Vedas, which had been threatened by time. We bow down to You, the final destination of perfect saints.
ऋषिरुवाच । इत्युत्तमश्लोकशिखामणिं जने- ष्वभिष्टुवत्स्वन्धककौरवस्त्रियः । समेत्य गोविन्दकथा मिथोऽगृणं- स्त्रिलोकगीताः शृणु वर्णयामि ते
ṛṣiruvāca | ityuttamaślokaśikhāmaṇiṃ jane- ṣvabhiṣṭuvatsvandhakakauravastriyaḥ | sametya govindakathā mitho'gṛṇaṃ- strilokagītāḥ śṛṇu varṇayāmi te
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: As Yudhiṣṭhira and the others were thus praising Lord Kṛṣṇa, the crest jewel of all sublimely glorified personalities, the women of the Andhaka and Kaurava clans met with one another and began discussing topics about Govinda that are sung throughout the three worlds. Please listen as I relate these to you.
रुक्मिण्युवाच । चैद्याय मार्पयितुमुद्यतकार्मुकेषु राजस्वजेयभटशेखरिताङ्घ्रिरेणुः । निन्ये मृगेन्द्र इव भागमजावियूथा- त्तच्छ्रीनिकेतचरणोऽस्तु ममार्चनाय
rukmiṇyuvāca | caidyāya mārpayitumudyatakārmukeṣu rājasvajeyabhaṭaśekharitāṅghrireṇuḥ | ninye mṛgendra iva bhāgamajāviyūthā- ttacchrīniketacaraṇo'stu mamārcanāya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Rukmiṇī said: When all the kings held their bows at the ready to assure that I would be presented to Śiśupāla, He who puts the dust of His feet on the heads of invincible warriors took me from their midst, as a lion forcibly takes his prey from the midst of goats and sheep. May I always be allowed to worship those feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the abode of Goddess Śrī.
सत्यभामोवाच । यो मे सनाभिवधतप्तहृदा ततेन लिप्ताभिशापमपमार्ष्टुमुपाजहार । जित्वर्क्षराजमथ रत्नमदात्स तेन भीतः पितादिशत मां प्रभवेऽपि दत्ताम्
satyabhāmovāca | yo me sanābhivadhataptahṛdā tatena liptābhiśāpamapamārṣṭumupājahāra | jitvarkṣarājamatha ratnamadātsa tena bhītaḥ pitādiśata māṃ prabhave'pi dattām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Satyabhāmā said: My father, his heart tormented by his brother’s death, accused Kṛṣṇa of killing him. To remove the stain on His reputation, the Lord defeated the king of the bears and took back the Syamantaka jewel, which He then returned to my father. Fearing the consequences of his offense, my father offered me to the Lord, even though I had already been promised to others.
जाम्बवत्युवाच । प्राज्ञाय देहकृदमुं निजनाथदैवं सीतापतिं त्रिणवहान्यमुनाभ्ययुध्यत् । ज्ञात्वा परीक्षित उपाहरदर्हणं मां पादौ प्रगृह्य मणिनाहममुष्य दासी
jāmbavatyuvāca | prājñāya dehakṛdamuṃ nijanāthadaivaṃ sītāpatiṃ triṇavahānyamunābhyayudhyat | jñātvā parīkṣita upāharadarhaṇaṃ māṃ pādau pragṛhya maṇināhamamuṣya dāsī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Jāmbavatī said: Unaware that Lord Kṛṣṇa was none other than his own master and worshipable Deity, the husband of Goddess Sītā, my father fought with Him for twenty-seven days. When my father finally came to his senses and recognized the Lord, he took hold of His feet and presented Him with both me and the Syamantaka jewel as tokens of his reverence. I am simply the Lord’s maidservant.
कालिन्द्युवाच । तपश्चरन्तीमाज्ञाय स्वपादस्पर्शनाशया । सख्योपेत्याग्रहीत्पाणिं योऽहं तद्गृहमार्जनी
kālindyuvāca | tapaścarantīmājñāya svapādasparśanāśayā | sakhyopetyāgrahītpāṇiṃ yo'haṃ tadgṛhamārjanī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Kālindī said: The Lord knew I was performing severe austerities and penances with the hope of one day touching His lotus feet. So He came to me in the company of His friend and took my hand in marriage. Now I am engaged as a sweeper in His palace.
मित्रविन्दोवाच । यो मां स्वयंवर उपेत्य विजित्य भूपान् निन्ये श्वयूथगमिवात्मबलिं द्विपारिः । भ्रातॄंश्च मेऽपकुरुतः स्वपुरं श्रियौकः तस्यास्तु मेऽनुभवमङ्घ्र्यवनेजनत्वम्
mitravindovāca | yo māṃ svayaṃvara upetya vijitya bhūpān ninye śvayūthagamivātmabaliṃ dvipāriḥ | bhrātṝṃśca me'pakurutaḥ svapuraṃ śriyaukaḥ tasyāstu me'nubhavamaṅghryavanejanatvam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Mitravindā said: At my svayaṁvara ceremony He came forward, defeated all the kings present — including my brothers, who dared insult Him — and took me away just as a lion removes his prey from amidst a pack of dogs. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa, the shelter of the goddess of fortune, brought me to His capital city. May I be allowed to serve Him by washing His feet, life after life.
लक्ष्मणोवाच । ममापि राज्ञ्यच्युतजन्मकर्म श्रुत्वा मुहुर्नारदगीतमास ह । चित्तं मुकुन्दे किल पद्महस्तया वृतः सुसम्मृश्य विहाय लोकपान्
lakṣmaṇovāca | mamāpi rājñyacyutajanmakarma śrutvā muhurnāradagītamāsa ha | cittaṃ mukunde kila padmahastayā vṛtaḥ susammṛśya vihāya lokapān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Lakṣmaṇā said: O Queen, I repeatedly heard Nārada Muni glorify the appearances and activities of Acyuta, and thus my heart also became attached to that Lord, Mukunda. Indeed, even Goddess Padmahastā chose Him as her husband after careful consideration, rejecting the great demigods who rule various planets.
ज्ञात्वा मम मतं साध्वि पिता दुहितृवत्सलः । बृहत्सेन इति ख्यातस्तत्रोपायमचीकरत्
jñātvā mama mataṃ sādhvi pitā duhitṛvatsalaḥ | bṛhatsena iti khyātastatropāyamacīkarat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My father, Bṛhatsena, was by nature compassionate to his daughter, and knowing how I felt, O saintly lady, he arranged to fulfill my desire.
यथा स्वयंवरे राज्ञि मत्स्यः पार्थेप्सया कृतः । अयं तु बहिराच्छन्नो दृश्यते स जले परम्
yathā svayaṃvare rājñi matsyaḥ pārthepsayā kṛtaḥ | ayaṃ tu bahirācchanno dṛśyate sa jale param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just as a fish was used as a target in your svayaṁvara ceremony, O Queen, to assure that you would obtain Arjuna as your husband, so a fish was also used in my ceremony. In my case, however, it was concealed on all sides, and only its reflection could be seen in a pot of water below.
श्रुत्वैतत्सर्वतो भूपा आययुर्मत्पितुः पुरम् । सर्वास्त्रशस्त्रतत्त्वज्ञाः सोपाध्यायाः सहस्रशः
śrutvaitatsarvato bhūpā āyayurmatpituḥ puram | sarvāstraśastratattvajñāḥ sopādhyāyāḥ sahasraśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing of this, thousands of kings expert in shooting arrows and in wielding other weapons converged from all directions on my father’s city, accompanied by their military teachers.
पित्रा सम्पूजिताः सर्वे यथावीर्यं यथावयः । आददुः सशरं चापं वेद्धुं पर्षदि मद्धियः
pitrā sampūjitāḥ sarve yathāvīryaṃ yathāvayaḥ | ādaduḥ saśaraṃ cāpaṃ veddhuṃ parṣadi maddhiyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My father properly honored each king according to his strength and seniority. Then those whose minds were fixed on me took up the bow and arrow and one by one tried to pierce the target in the midst of the assembly.
आदाय व्यसृजन् केचित्सज्यं कर्तुमनीश्वराः । आकोटि ज्यां समुत्कृष्य पेतुरेकेऽमुना हताः
ādāya vyasṛjan kecitsajyaṃ kartumanīśvarāḥ | ākoṭi jyāṃ samutkṛṣya petureke'munā hatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Some of them picked up the bow but could not string it, and so they threw it aside in frustration. Some managed to pull the bowstring toward the tip of the bow, only to have the bow spring back and knock them to the ground.
सज्यं कृत्वा परे वीरा मागधाम्बष्ठचेदिपाः । भीमो दुर्योधनः कर्णो नाविदंस्तदवस्थितिम्
sajyaṃ kṛtvā pare vīrā māgadhāmbaṣṭhacedipāḥ | bhīmo duryodhanaḥ karṇo nāvidaṃstadavasthitim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A few heroes — namely Jarāsandha, Śiśupāla, Bhīma, Duryodhana, Karṇa and the King of Ambaṣṭha — succeeded in stringing the bow, but none of them could find the target.
मत्स्याभासं जले वीक्ष्य ज्ञात्वा च तदवस्थितिम् । पार्थो यत्तोऽसृजद्बाणं नाच्छिनत्पस्पृशे परम्
matsyābhāsaṃ jale vīkṣya jñātvā ca tadavasthitim | pārtho yatto'sṛjadbāṇaṃ nācchinatpaspṛśe param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then Arjuna looked at the reflection of the fish in the water and determined its position. When he carefully shot his arrow at it, however, he did not pierce the target but merely grazed it.
दिवि दुन्दुभयो नेदुर्जयशब्दयुता भुवि । देवाश्च कुसुमासारान् मुमुचुर्हर्षविह्वलाः
divi dundubhayo nedurjayaśabdayutā bhuvi | devāśca kusumāsārān mumucurharṣavihvalāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Kettledrums resounded in the sky, and on the earth people shouted “Jaya! Jaya!” Overjoyed, demigods showered flowers.
तद्रङ्गमाविशमहं कलनूपुराभ्यां पद्भ्यां प्रगृह्य कनकोज्ज्वलरत्नमालाम् । नूत्ने निवीय परिधाय च कौशिकाग्र्ये सव्रीडहासवदना कबरीधृतस्रक्
tadraṅgamāviśamahaṃ kalanūpurābhyāṃ padbhyāṃ pragṛhya kanakojjvalaratnamālām | nūtne nivīya paridhāya ca kauśikāgrye savrīḍahāsavadanā kabarīdhṛtasrak
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just then I walked onto the ceremonial ground, the ankle bells on my feet gently tinkling. I was wearing new garments of the finest silk, tied with a belt, and I carried a brilliant necklace fashioned of gold and jewels. There was a shy smile on my face and a wreath of flowers in my hair.
उन्नीय वक्त्रमुरुकुन्तलकुण्डलत्वि- ड्गण्डस्थलं शिशिरहासकटाक्षमोक्षैः । राज्ञो निरीक्ष्य परितः शनकैर्मुरारे- रंसेऽनुरक्तहृदया निदधे स्वमालाम्
unnīya vaktramurukuntalakuṇḍalatvi- ḍgaṇḍasthalaṃ śiśirahāsakaṭākṣamokṣaiḥ | rājño nirīkṣya paritaḥ śanakairmurāre- raṃse'nuraktahṛdayā nidadhe svamālām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I lifted my face, which was encircled by my abundant locks and effulgent from the glow of my earrings reflected from my cheeks. Smiling coolly, I glanced about. Then, looking around at all the kings, I slowly placed the necklace on the shoulder of Murāri, who had captured my heart.
तावन्मृदङ्गपटहाः शङ्खभेर्यानकादयः । निनेदुर्नटनर्तक्यो ननृतुर्गायका जगुः
tāvanmṛdaṅgapaṭahāḥ śaṅkhabheryānakādayaḥ | ninedurnaṭanartakyo nanṛturgāyakā jaguḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Just then there were loud sounds of conchshells and mṛdaṅga, paṭaha, bherī and ānaka drums, as well as other instruments. Men and women began to dance, and singers began to sing.
एवं वृते भगवति मयेशे नृपयूथपाः । न सेहिरे याज्ञसेनि स्पर्धन्तो हृच्छयातुराः
evaṃ vṛte bhagavati mayeśe nṛpayūthapāḥ | na sehire yājñaseni spardhanto hṛcchayāturāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The leading kings there could not tolerate my having chosen the Supreme Personality of Godhead, O Draupadī. Burning with lust, they became quarrelsome.
मां तावद्रथमारोप्य हयरत्नचतुष्टयम् । शार्ङ्गमुद्यम्य सन्नद्धस्तस्थावाजौ चतुर्भुजः
māṃ tāvadrathamāropya hayaratnacatuṣṭayam | śārṅgamudyamya sannaddhastasthāvājau caturbhujaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord then placed me on His chariot, drawn by four most excellent horses. Donning His armor and readying His bow Śārṅga, He stood on the chariot, and there on the battleground He manifested His four arms.
दारुकश्चोदयामास काञ्चनोपस्करं रथम् । मिषतां भूभुजां राज्ञि मृगाणां मृगराडिव
dārukaścodayāmāsa kāñcanopaskaraṃ ratham | miṣatāṃ bhūbhujāṃ rājñi mṛgāṇāṃ mṛgarāḍiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dāruka drove the Lord’s gold-trimmed chariot as the kings looked on, O Queen, like small animals helplessly watching a lion.
तेऽन्वसज्जन्त राजन्या निषेद्धुं पथि केचन । संयत्ता उद्धृतेष्वासा ग्रामसिंहा यथा हरिम्
te'nvasajjanta rājanyā niṣeddhuṃ pathi kecana | saṃyattā uddhṛteṣvāsā grāmasiṃhā yathā harim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The kings pursued the Lord like village dogs chasing a lion. Some kings, raising their bows, stationed themselves on the road to stop Him as He passed by.
ते शार्ङ्गच्युतबाणौघैः कृत्तबाह्वङ्घ्रिकन्धराः । निपेतुः प्रधने केचिदेके सन्त्यज्य दुद्रुवुः
te śārṅgacyutabāṇaughaiḥ kṛttabāhvaṅghrikandharāḥ | nipetuḥ pradhane kecideke santyajya dudruvuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
These warriors were deluged by arrows shot from the Lord’s bow, Śārṅga. Some of the kings fell on the battlefield with severed arms, legs and necks; the rest gave up the fight and fled.
ततः पुरीं यदुपतिरत्यलङ्कृतां रविच्छदध्वजपटचित्रतोरणाम् । कुशस्थलीं दिवि भुवि चाभिसंस्तुतां समाविशत्तरणिरिव स्वकेतनम्
tataḥ purīṃ yadupatiratyalaṅkṛtāṃ ravicchadadhvajapaṭacitratoraṇām | kuśasthalīṃ divi bhuvi cābhisaṃstutāṃ samāviśattaraṇiriva svaketanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord of the Yadus then entered His capital city, Kuśasthalī [Dvārakā], which is glorified in heaven and on earth. The city was elaborately decorated with flagpoles carrying banners that blocked the sun, and also with splendid archways. As Lord Kṛṣṇa entered, He appeared like the sun-god entering his abode.
पिता मे पूजयामास सुहृत्सम्बन्धिबान्धवान् । महार्हवासोऽलङ्कारैः शय्यासनपरिच्छदैः
pitā me pūjayāmāsa suhṛtsambandhibāndhavān | mahārhavāso'laṅkāraiḥ śayyāsanaparicchadaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My father honored his friends, family and in-laws with priceless clothing and jewelry and with royal beds, thrones and other furnishings.
दासीभिः सर्वसम्पद्भिर्भटेभरथवाजिभिः । आयुधानि महार्हाणि ददौ पूर्णस्य भक्तितः
dāsībhiḥ sarvasampadbhirbhaṭebharathavājibhiḥ | āyudhāni mahārhāṇi dadau pūrṇasya bhaktitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With devotion he presented the perfectly complete Lord with a number of maidservants bedecked with precious ornaments. Accompanying these maidservants were guards walking on foot and others riding elephants, chariots and horses. He also gave the Lord extremely valuable weapons.
आत्मारामस्य तस्येमा वयं वै गृहदासिकाः । सर्वसङ्गनिवृत्त्याद्धा तपसा च बभूविम
ātmārāmasya tasyemā vayaṃ vai gṛhadāsikāḥ | sarvasaṅganivṛttyāddhā tapasā ca babhūvima
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus, by renouncing all material association and practicing austere penances, we queens have all become personal maidservants of the self-satisfied Supreme Lord.
महिष्य ऊचुः । भौमं निहत्य सगणं युधि तेन रुद्धा ज्ञात्वाथ नः क्षितिजये जितराजकन्याः । निर्मुच्य संसृतिविमोक्षमनुस्मरन्तीः पादाम्बुजं परिणिनाय य आप्तकामः
mahiṣya ūcuḥ | bhaumaṃ nihatya sagaṇaṃ yudhi tena ruddhā jñātvātha naḥ kṣitijaye jitarājakanyāḥ | nirmucya saṃsṛtivimokṣamanusmarantīḥ pādāmbujaṃ pariṇināya ya āptakāmaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Rohiṇī-devi, speaking for the other queens, said: After killing Bhaumāsura and his followers, the Lord found us in the demon’s prison and could understand that we were the daughters of the kings whom Bhauma had defeated during his conquest of the earth. The Lord set us free, and because we had been constantly meditating upon His lotus feet, the source of liberation from material entanglement, He agreed to marry us, though His every desire is already fulfilled.
व्रजस्त्रियो यद्वाञ्छन्ति पुलिन्द्यस्तृणवीरुधः । गावश्चारयतो गोपाः पादस्पर्शं महात्मनः
vrajastriyo yadvāñchanti pulindyastṛṇavīrudhaḥ | gāvaścārayato gopāḥ pādasparśaṃ mahātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We desire the same contact with the Supreme Lord’s feet that the young women of Vraja, the cowherd boys and even the aborigine Pulinda women desire — the touch of the dust He leaves on the plants and grass as He tends His cows.
श्रीशुक उवाच । श्रुत्वा पृथा सुबलपुत्र्यथ याज्ञसेनी माधव्यथ क्षितिपपत्न्य उत स्वगोप्यः । कृष्णेऽखिलात्मनि हरौ प्रणयानुबन्धं सर्वा विसिस्म्युरलमश्रुकलाकुलाक्ष्यः
śrīśuka uvāca | śrutvā pṛthā subalaputryatha yājñasenī mādhavyatha kṣitipapatnya uta svagopyaḥ | kṛṣṇe'khilātmani harau praṇayānubandhaṃ sarvā visismyuralamaśrukalākulākṣyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Pṛthā, Gāndhārī, Draupadī, Subhadrā, the wives of other kings and the Lord’s cowherd girīfriends were all amazed to hear of the queens’ deep love for Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and Soul of all beings, and their eyes filled with tears.
तान् दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय प्रागासीना नृपादयः । पाण्डवाः कृष्णरामौ च प्रणेमुर्विश्ववन्दितान्
tān dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya prāgāsīnā nṛpādayaḥ | pāṇḍavāḥ kṛṣṇarāmau ca praṇemurviśvavanditān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as they saw the sages approaching, the kings and other gentlemen who had been seated immediately stood up, including the Pāṇḍava brothers and Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. They all then bowed down to the sages, who are honored throughout the universe.
तानानर्चुर्यथा सर्वे सहरामोऽच्युतोऽर्चयत् । स्वागतासनपाद्यार्घ्यमाल्यधूपानुलेपनैः
tānānarcuryathā sarve saharāmo'cyuto'rcayat | svāgatāsanapādyārghyamālyadhūpānulepanaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa, Lord Balarāma and the other kings and leaders properly worshiped the sages by offering them words of greeting, sitting places, water for washing their feet, drinking water, flower garlands, incense and sandalwood paste.
उवाच सुखमासीनान् भगवान् धर्मगुप्तनुः । सदसस्तस्य महतो यतवाचोऽनुशृण्वतः
uvāca sukhamāsīnān bhagavān dharmaguptanuḥ | sadasastasya mahato yatavāco'nuśṛṇvataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After the sages were comfortably seated, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose transcendental body protects religious principles, addressed them in the midst of that great assembly. Everyone listened silently with rapt attention.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । अहो वयं जन्मभृतो लब्धं कार्त्स्न्येन तत्फलम् । देवानामपि दुष्प्रापं यद्योगेश्वरदर्शनम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | aho vayaṃ janmabhṛto labdhaṃ kārtsnyena tatphalam | devānāmapi duṣprāpaṃ yadyogeśvaradarśanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: Now our lives are indeed successful, for we have obtained life’s ultimate goal: the audience of great yoga masters, which even demigods only rarely obtain.
किं स्वल्पतपसां नॄणामर्चायां देवचक्षुषाम् । दर्शनस्पर्शनप्रश्नप्रह्वपादार्चनादिकम्
kiṃ svalpatapasāṃ nṝṇāmarcāyāṃ devacakṣuṣām | darśanasparśanapraśnaprahvapādārcanādikam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
How is it that people who are not very austere and who recognize God only in His Deity form in the temple can now see you, touch you, inquire from you, bow down to you, worship your feet and serve you in other ways?
न ह्यम्मयानि तीर्थानि न देवा मृच्छिलामयाः । ते पुनन्त्युरुकालेन दर्शनादेव साधवः
na hyammayāni tīrthāni na devā mṛcchilāmayāḥ | te punantyurukālena darśanādeva sādhavaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mere bodies of water are not the real sacred places of pilgrimage, nor are mere images of earth and stone the true worshipable deities. These purify one only after a long time, but saintly sages purify one immediately upon being seen.
नाग्निर्न सूर्यो न च चन्द्रतारका न भूर्जलं खं श्वसनोऽथ वाङ्मनः । उपासिता भेदकृतो हरन्त्यघं विपश्चितो घ्नन्ति मुहूर्तसेवया
nāgnirna sūryo na ca candratārakā na bhūrjalaṃ khaṃ śvasano'tha vāṅmanaḥ | upāsitā bhedakṛto harantyaghaṃ vipaścito ghnanti muhūrtasevayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Neither the demigods controlling fire, the sun, the moon and the stars nor those in charge of earth, water, ether, air, speech and mind actually remove the sins of their worshipers, who continue to see in terms of dualities. But wise sages destroy one’s sins when respectfully served for even a few moments.
यस्यात्मबुद्धिः कुणपे त्रिधातुके स्वधीः कलत्रादिषु भौम इज्यधीः । यत्तीर्थबुद्धिः सलिले न कर्हिचि- ज्जनेष्वभिज्ञेषु स एव गोखरः
yasyātmabuddhiḥ kuṇape tridhātuke svadhīḥ kalatrādiṣu bhauma ijyadhīḥ | yattīrthabuddhiḥ salile na karhici- jjaneṣvabhijñeṣu sa eva gokharaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One who identifies his self as the inert body composed of mucus, bile and air, who assumes his wife and family are permanently his own, who thinks an earthen image or the land of his birth is worshipable, or who sees a place of pilgrimage as merely the water there, but who never identifies himself with, feels kinship with, worships or even visits those who are wise in spiritual truth — such a person is no better than a cow or an ass.
श्रीशुक उवाच । निशम्येत्थं भगवतः कृष्णस्याकुण्ठमेधसः । वचो दुरन्वयं विप्रास्तूष्णीमासन् भ्रमद्धियः
śrīśuka uvāca | niśamyetthaṃ bhagavataḥ kṛṣṇasyākuṇṭhamedhasaḥ | vaco duranvayaṃ viprāstūṣṇīmāsan bhramaddhiyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing such unfathomable words from the unlimitedly wise Lord Kṛṣṇa, the learned brāhmaṇas remained silent, their minds bewildered.
चिरं विमृश्य मुनय ईश्वरस्येशितव्यताम् । जनसङ्ग्रह इत्यूचुः स्मयन्तस्तं जगद्गुरुम्
ciraṃ vimṛśya munaya īśvarasyeśitavyatām | janasaṅgraha ityūcuḥ smayantastaṃ jagadgurum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
For some time the sages pondered the Supreme Lord’s behavior, which resembled that of a subordinate living being. They concluded that He was acting this way to instruct the people in general. Thus they smiled and spoke to Him, the spiritual master of the universe.
मुनय ऊचुः । यन्मायया तत्त्वविदुत्तमा वयं विमोहिता विश्वसृजामधीश्वराः । यदीशितव्यायति गूढ ईहया अहो विचित्रं भगवद्विचेष्टितम्
munaya ūcuḥ | yanmāyayā tattvaviduttamā vayaṃ vimohitā viśvasṛjāmadhīśvarāḥ | yadīśitavyāyati gūḍha īhayā aho vicitraṃ bhagavadviceṣṭitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great sages said: Your power of illusion has totally bewildered us, the most exalted knowers of the truth and leaders among the universal creators. Ah, how amazing is the behavior of the Supreme Lord! He covers Himself with His humanlike activities and pretends to be subject to superior control.
अनीह एतद्बहुधैक आत्मना सृजत्यवत्यत्ति न बध्यते यथा । भौमैर्हि भूमिर्बहुनामरूपिणी अहो विभूम्नश्चरितं विडम्बनम्
anīha etadbahudhaika ātmanā sṛjatyavatyatti na badhyate yathā | bhaumairhi bhūmirbahunāmarūpiṇī aho vibhūmnaścaritaṃ viḍambanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indeed, the humanlike pastimes of the Almighty are simply a pretense! Effortlessly, He alone sends forth from His Self this variegated creation, maintains it and then swallows it up again, all without becoming entangled, just as the element earth takes on many names and forms in its various transformations.
अथापि काले स्वजनाभिगुप्तये बिभर्षि सत्त्वं खलनिग्रहाय च । स्वलीलया वेदपथं सनातनं वर्णाश्रमात्मा पुरुषः परो भवान्
athāpi kāle svajanābhiguptaye bibharṣi sattvaṃ khalanigrahāya ca | svalīlayā vedapathaṃ sanātanaṃ varṇāśramātmā puruṣaḥ paro bhavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nonetheless, at suitable times You assume the pure mode of goodness to protect Your devotees and punish the wicked. Thus You, the Soul of the varṇāśrama social order, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, maintain the eternal path of the Vedas by enjoying Your pleasure pastimes.
ब्रह्म ते हृदयं शुक्लं तपःस्वाध्यायसंयमैः । यत्रोपलब्धं सद्व्यक्तमव्यक्तं च ततः परम्
brahma te hṛdayaṃ śuklaṃ tapaḥsvādhyāyasaṃyamaiḥ | yatropalabdhaṃ sadvyaktamavyaktaṃ ca tataḥ param
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Vedas are Your spotless heart, and through them one can perceive — by means of austerity, study and self-control — the manifest, the unmanifest and the pure existence transcendental to both.
तस्माद्ब्रह्मकुलं ब्रह्मन् शास्त्रयोनेस्त्वमात्मनः । सभाजयसि सद्धाम तद्ब्रह्मण्याग्रणीर्भवान्
tasmādbrahmakulaṃ brahman śāstrayonestvamātmanaḥ | sabhājayasi saddhāma tadbrahmaṇyāgraṇīrbhavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O Supreme Brahman, You honor the members of the brahminical community, for they are the perfect agents by which one can realize You through the evidence of the Vedas. For that very reason You are the foremost worshiper of the brāhmaṇas.
अद्य नो जन्मसाफल्यं विद्यायास्तपसो दृशः । त्वया सङ्गम्य सद्गत्या यदन्तः श्रेयसां परः
adya no janmasāphalyaṃ vidyāyāstapaso dṛśaḥ | tvayā saṅgamya sadgatyā yadantaḥ śreyasāṃ paraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Today our birth, education, austerity and vision have all become perfect because we have been able to associate with You, the goal of all saintly persons. Indeed, You Yourself are the ultimate, supreme blessing.
नमस्तस्मै भगवते कृष्णायाकुण्ठमेधसे । स्वयोगमाययाच्छन्नमहिम्ने परमात्मने
namastasmai bhagavate kṛṣṇāyākuṇṭhamedhase | svayogamāyayācchannamahimne paramātmane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let us offer obeisances unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the infinitely intelligent Supersoul, who has disguised His greatness through His mystic Yoga-māyā.
न यं विदन्त्यमी भूपा एकारामाश्च वृष्णयः । मायाजवनिकाच्छन्नमात्मानं कालमीश्वरम्
na yaṃ vidantyamī bhūpā ekārāmāśca vṛṣṇayaḥ | māyājavanikācchannamātmānaṃ kālamīśvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Neither these kings nor even the Vṛṣṇis, who enjoy Your intimate association, know You as the Soul of all existence, the force of time and the supreme controller. For them You are covered by the curtain of Māyā.
तस्याद्य ते ददृशिमाङ्घ्रिमघौघमर्ष- तीर्थास्पदं हृदि कृतं सुविपक्वयोगैः । उत्सिक्तभक्त्युपहताशयजीवकोशा आपुर्भवद्गतिमथोऽनुगृहाण भक्तान्
tasyādya te dadṛśimāṅghrimaghaughamarṣa- tīrthāspadaṃ hṛdi kṛtaṃ suvipakvayogaiḥ | utsiktabhaktyupahatāśayajīvakośā āpurbhavadgatimatho'nugṛhāṇa bhaktān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Today we have directly seen Your feet, the source of the holy Ganges, which washes away volumes of sins. Perfected yogīs can at best meditate upon Your feet within their hearts. But only those who render You wholehearted devotional service and in this way vanquish the soul’s covering — the material mind — attain You as their final destination. Therefore kindly show mercy to us, Your devotees.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इत्यनुज्ञाप्य दाशार्हं धृतराष्ट्रं युधिष्ठिरम् । राजर्षे स्वाश्रमान् गन्तुं मुनयो दधिरे मनः
śrīśuka uvāca | ityanujñāpya dāśārhaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram | rājarṣe svāśramān gantuṃ munayo dadhire manaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus spoken, O wise king, the sages then took leave of Lord Dāśārha, Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Yudhiṣṭhira and prepared to depart for their āśramas.
तद्वीक्ष्य तानुपव्रज्य वसुदेवो महायशाः । प्रणम्य चोपसङ्गृह्य बभाषेदं सुयन्त्रितः
tadvīkṣya tānupavrajya vasudevo mahāyaśāḥ | praṇamya copasaṅgṛhya babhāṣedaṃ suyantritaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing that they were about to leave, the renowned Vasudeva approached the sages. After bowing down to them and touching their feet, he spoke to them with carefully chosen words.
वसुदेव उवाच । नमो वः सर्वदेवेभ्य ऋषयः श्रोतुमर्हथ । कर्मणा कर्मनिर्हारो यथा स्यान्नस्तदुच्यताम्
vasudeva uvāca | namo vaḥ sarvadevebhya ṛṣayaḥ śrotumarhatha | karmaṇā karmanirhāro yathā syānnastaducyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Vasudeva said: Obeisances to you, the residence of all the demigods. Please hear me, O sages. Kindly tell us how the reactions of one’s work can be counteracted by further work.
नारद उवाच । नाति चित्रमिदं विप्रा वसुदेवो बुभुत्सया । कृष्णं मत्वार्भकं यन्नः पृच्छति श्रेय आत्मनः
nārada uvāca | nāti citramidaṃ viprā vasudevo bubhutsayā | kṛṣṇaṃ matvārbhakaṃ yannaḥ pṛcchati śreya ātmanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Nārada Muni said: O brāhmaṇas, it is not so amazing that in his eagerness to know, Vasudeva has asked us about his ultimate benefit, for he considers Kṛṣṇa a mere boy.
सन्निकर्षो हि मर्त्यानामनादरणकारणम् । गाङ्गं हित्वा यथान्याम्भस्तत्रत्यो याति शुद्धये
sannikarṣo hi martyānāmanādaraṇakāraṇam | gāṅgaṃ hitvā yathānyāmbhastatratyo yāti śuddhaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this world familiarity breeds contempt. For example, one who lives on the banks of the Ganges might travel to some other body of water to be purified.
अथोचुर्मुनयो राजन्नाभाष्यानकदुन्दभिम् । सर्वेषां शृण्वतां राज्ञां तथैवाच्युतरामयोः
athocurmunayo rājannābhāṣyānakadundabhim | sarveṣāṃ śṛṇvatāṃ rājñāṃ tathaivācyutarāmayoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] The sages then spoke again, O King, addressing Vasudeva while all the kings, along with Lord Acyuta and Lord Rāma, listened.
कर्मणा कर्मनिर्हार एष साधु निरूपितः । यच्छ्रद्धया यजेद्विष्णुं सर्वयज्ञेश्वरं मखैः
karmaṇā karmanirhāra eṣa sādhu nirūpitaḥ | yacchraddhayā yajedviṣṇuṃ sarvayajñeśvaraṃ makhaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The sages said:] It has been definitely concluded that work is counteracted by further work when one executes Vedic sacrifices as a means of worshiping Viṣṇu, the Lord of all sacrifices, with sincere faith.
चित्तस्योपशमोऽयं वै कविभिः शास्त्रचक्षुषा । दर्शितः सुगमो योगो धर्मश्चात्ममुदावहः
cittasyopaśamo'yaṃ vai kavibhiḥ śāstracakṣuṣā | darśitaḥ sugamo yogo dharmaścātmamudāvahaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Learned authorities who see through the eye of scripture have demonstrated that this is the easiest method of subduing the agitated mind and attaining liberation, and that it is a sacred duty which brings joy to the heart.
अयं स्वस्त्ययनः पन्था द्विजातेर्गृहमेधिनः । यच्छ्रद्धयाऽऽप्तवित्तेन शुक्लेनेज्येत पूरुषः
ayaṃ svastyayanaḥ panthā dvijātergṛhamedhinaḥ | yacchraddhayā''ptavittena śuklenejyeta pūruṣaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This is the most auspicious path for a religious householder of the twice-born orders — to selflessly worship the Personality of Godhead with wealth honestly obtained.
वित्तैषणां यज्ञदानैर्गृहैर्दारसुतैषणाम् । आत्मलोकैषणां देव कालेन विसृजेद्बुधः । ग्रामे त्यक्तैषणाः सर्वे ययुर्धीरास्तपोवनम्
vittaiṣaṇāṃ yajñadānairgṛhairdārasutaiṣaṇām | ātmalokaiṣaṇāṃ deva kālena visṛjedbudhaḥ | grāme tyaktaiṣaṇāḥ sarve yayurdhīrāstapovanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
An intelligent person should learn to renounce his desire for wealth by performing sacrifices and acts of charity. He should learn to renounce his desire for wife and children by experiencing family life. And he should learn to renounce his desire for promotion to a higher planet in his next life, O saintly Vasudeva, by studying the effects of time. Self-controlled sages who have thus renounced their attachment to household life go to the forest to perform austerities.
ऋणैस्त्रिभिर्द्विजो जातो देवर्षिपितॄणां प्रभो । यज्ञाध्ययनपुत्रैस्तान्यनिस्तीर्य त्यजन् पतेत्
ṛṇaistribhirdvijo jāto devarṣipitṝṇāṃ prabho | yajñādhyayanaputraistānyanistīrya tyajan patet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear Prabhu, a member of the twice-born classes is born with three kinds of debts — those owed to the demigods, to the sages and to his forefathers. If he leaves his body without first liquidating these debts by performing sacrifice, studying the scriptures and begetting children, he will fall down into a hellish condition.
त्वं त्वद्य मुक्तो द्वाभ्यां वै ऋषिपित्रोर्महामते । यज्ञैर्देवर्णमुन्मुच्य निरृणोऽशरणो भव
tvaṃ tvadya mukto dvābhyāṃ vai ṛṣipitrormahāmate | yajñairdevarṇamunmucya nirṛṇo'śaraṇo bhava
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But you, O magnanimous soul, are already free from two of your debts — those to the sages and the forefathers. Now absolve yourself of your debt to the demigods by executing Vedic sacrifices, and in this way free yourself completely of debt and renounce all material shelter.
वसुदेव भवान्नूनं भक्त्या परमया हरिम् । जगतामीश्वरं प्रार्चः स यद्वां पुत्रतां गतः
vasudeva bhavānnūnaṃ bhaktyā paramayā harim | jagatāmīśvaraṃ prārcaḥ sa yadvāṃ putratāṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Vasudeva, without doubt you must have previously worshiped Lord Hari, the master of all worlds. Both you and your wife must have perfectly worshiped Him with supreme devotion, since He has accepted the role of your son.
श्रीशुक उवाच । इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वसुदेवो महामनाः । तान् ऋषीन् ऋत्विजो वव्रे मूर्ध्नाऽऽनम्य प्रसाद्य च
śrīśuka uvāca | iti tadvacanaṃ śrutvā vasudevo mahāmanāḥ | tān ṛṣīn ṛtvijo vavre mūrdhnā''namya prasādya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After hearing these statements of the sages, generous Vasudeva bowed his head to the ground and, praising them, requested them to become his priests.
त एनमृषयो राजन् वृता धर्मेण धार्मिकम् । तस्मिन्नयाजयन् क्षेत्रे मखैरुत्तमकल्पकैः
ta enamṛṣayo rājan vṛtā dharmeṇa dhārmikam | tasminnayājayan kṣetre makhairuttamakalpakaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus requested by him, O King, the sages engaged the pious Vasudeva in performing fire sacrifices at that holy place of Kurukṣetra according to strict religious principles and with most excellent ritual arrangements.
नेदुर्मृदङ्गपटहशङ्खभेर्यानकादयः । ननृतुर्नटनर्तक्यस्तुष्टुवुः सूतमागधाः । जगुः सुकण्ठ्यो गन्धर्व्यः सङ्गीतं सहभर्तृकाः
nedurmṛdaṅgapaṭahaśaṅkhabheryānakādayaḥ | nanṛturnaṭanartakyastuṣṭuvuḥ sūtamāgadhāḥ | jaguḥ sukaṇṭhyo gandharvyaḥ saṅgītaṃ sahabhartṛkāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Mṛdaṅgas, paṭahas, conchshells, bherīs, ānakas and other instruments resounded, male and female dancers danced, and sūtas and māgadhas recited glorifications. Sweet-voiced Gandharvīs sang, accompanied by their husbands.
तमभ्यषिञ्चन् विधिवदक्तमभ्यक्तमृत्विजः । पत्नीभिरष्टादशभिः सोमराजमिवोडुभिः
tamabhyaṣiñcan vidhivadaktamabhyaktamṛtvijaḥ | patnībhiraṣṭādaśabhiḥ somarājamivoḍubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After Vasudeva’s eyes had been decorated with black cosmetic and his body smeared with fresh butter, the priests initiated him according to scriptural rules by sprinkling him and his eighteen wives with sacred water. Encircled by his wives, he resembled the regal moon encircled by stars.
ताभिर्दुकूलवलयैर्हारनूपुरकुण्डलैः । स्वलङ्कृताभिर्विबभौ दीक्षितोऽजिनसंवृतः
tābhirdukūlavalayairhāranūpurakuṇḍalaiḥ | svalaṅkṛtābhirvibabhau dīkṣito'jinasaṃvṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vasudeva received initiation along with his wives, who wore silk saris and were adorned with bangles, necklaces, ankle bells and earrings. With his body wrapped in a deerskin, Vasudeva shone splendidly.
तस्यर्त्विजो महाराज रत्नकौशेयवाससः । ससदस्या विरेजुस्ते यथा वृत्रहणोऽध्वरे
tasyartvijo mahārāja ratnakauśeyavāsasaḥ | sasadasyā virejuste yathā vṛtrahaṇo'dhvare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear Mahārāja Parīkṣit, Vasudeva’s priests and the officiating members of the assembly, dressed in silk dhotīs and jeweled ornaments, looked so effulgent that they seemed to be standing in the sacrificial arena of Indra, the killer of Vṛtra.
तदा रामश्च कृष्णश्च स्वैः स्वैर्बन्धुभिरन्वितौ । रेजतुः स्वसुतैर्दारैर्जीवेशौ स्वविभूतिभिः
tadā rāmaśca kṛṣṇaśca svaiḥ svairbandhubhiranvitau | rejatuḥ svasutairdārairjīveśau svavibhūtibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa, the Lords of all living entities, shone forth with great majesty in the company of Their respective sons, wives and other family members, who were expansions of Their opulences.
ईजेऽनुयज्ञं विधिना अग्निहोत्रादिलक्षणैः । प्राकृतैर्वैकृतैर्यज्ञैर्द्रव्यज्ञानक्रियेश्वरम्
īje'nuyajñaṃ vidhinā agnihotrādilakṣaṇaiḥ | prākṛtairvaikṛtairyajñairdravyajñānakriyeśvaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Performing various kinds of Vedic sacrifice according to the proper regulations, Vasudeva worshiped the Lord of all sacrificial paraphernalia, mantras and rituals. He executed both primary and secondary sacrifices, offering oblations to the sacred fire and carrying out other aspects of sacrificial worship.
अथर्त्विग्भ्योऽददात्काले यथाम्नातं स दक्षिणाः । स्वलङ्कृतेभ्योऽलङ्कृत्य गोभूकन्या महाधनाः
athartvigbhyo'dadātkāle yathāmnātaṃ sa dakṣiṇāḥ | svalaṅkṛtebhyo'laṅkṛtya gobhūkanyā mahādhanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Then, at the appropriate time and according to scripture, Vasudeva remunerated the priests by decorating them with precious ornaments, though they were already richly adorned, and offering them valuable gifts of cows, land and marriageable girls.
पत्नीसंयाजावभृथ्यैश्चरित्वा ते महर्षयः । सस्नू रामह्रदे विप्रा यजमानपुरःसराः
patnīsaṃyājāvabhṛthyaiścaritvā te maharṣayaḥ | sasnū rāmahrade viprā yajamānapuraḥsarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After supervising the patnī-saṁyāja and avabhṛthya rituals, the great brāhmaṇa sages bathed in Lord Paraśurāma’s lake with the sponsor of the sacrifice, Vasudeva, who led them.
स्नातोऽलङ्कारवासांसि वन्दिभ्योऽदात्तथा स्त्रियः । ततः स्वलङ्कृतो वर्णानाश्वभ्योऽन्नेन पूजयत्
snāto'laṅkāravāsāṃsi vandibhyo'dāttathā striyaḥ | tataḥ svalaṅkṛto varṇānāśvabhyo'nnena pūjayat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
His sacred bath complete, Vasudeva joined with his wives in giving the jewelry and clothes they had been wearing to the professional reciters. Vasudeva then put on new garments, after which he honored all classes of people by feeding everyone, even the dogs.
नन्दस्तु सह गोपालैर्बृहत्या पूजयार्चितः । कृष्णरामोग्रसेनाद्यैर्न्यवात्सीद्बन्धुवत्सलः
nandastu saha gopālairbṛhatyā pūjayārcitaḥ | kṛṣṇarāmograsenādyairnyavātsīdbandhuvatsalaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nanda Mahārāja showed his affection for his relatives, the Yadus, by remaining with them a little longer, together with his cowherds. During his stay, Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma, Ugrasena and the others honored him with especially opulent worship.
वसुदेवोऽञ्जसोत्तीर्य मनोरथमहार्णवम् । सुहृद्वृतः प्रीतमना नन्दमाह करे स्पृशन्
vasudevo'ñjasottīrya manorathamahārṇavam | suhṛdvṛtaḥ prītamanā nandamāha kare spṛśan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having so easily crossed over the vast ocean of his ambition, Vasudeva felt fully satisfied. In the company of his many well-wishers, he took Nanda by the hand and addressed him as follows.
वसुदेव उवाच । भ्रातरीशकृतः पाशो नृणां यः स्नेहसंज्ञितः । तं दुस्त्यजमहं मन्ये शूराणामपि योगिनाम्
vasudeva uvāca | bhrātarīśakṛtaḥ pāśo nṛṇāṃ yaḥ snehasaṃjñitaḥ | taṃ dustyajamahaṃ manye śūrāṇāmapi yoginām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Vasudeva said: My dear brother, God Himself has tied the knot called affection, which tightly binds human beings together. It seems to me that even great heroes and mystics find it very difficult to free themselves from it.
अस्मास्वप्रतिकल्पेयं यत्कृताज्ञेषु सत्तमैः । मैत्र्यर्पिताफला वापि न निवर्तेत कर्हिचित्
asmāsvapratikalpeyaṃ yatkṛtājñeṣu sattamaiḥ | maitryarpitāphalā vāpi na nivarteta karhicit
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indeed, the Supreme Lord must have created the bonds of affection, for such exalted saints as you have never stopped showing matchless friendship toward us ingrates, although it has never been properly reciprocated.
प्रागकल्पाच्च कुशलं भ्रातर्वो नाचराम हि । अधुना श्रीमदान्धाक्षा न पश्यामः पुरः सतः
prāgakalpācca kuśalaṃ bhrātarvo nācarāma hi | adhunā śrīmadāndhākṣā na paśyāmaḥ puraḥ sataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Previously, dear brother, we did nothing to benefit you because we were unable to, yet even now that you are present before us, our eyes are so blinded by the intoxication of material good fortune that we continue to ignore you.
मा राज्यश्रीरभूत्पुंसः श्रेयस्कामस्य मानद । स्वजनानुत बन्धून् वा न पश्यति ययान्धदृक्
mā rājyaśrīrabhūtpuṃsaḥ śreyaskāmasya mānada | svajanānuta bandhūn vā na paśyati yayāndhadṛk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O most respectful one, may a person who wants the highest benefit in life never gain kingly opulence, for it leaves him blind to the needs of his own family and friends.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं सौहृदशैथिल्यचित्त आनकदुन्दुभिः । रुरोद तत्कृतां मैत्रीं स्मरन्नश्रुविलोचनः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ sauhṛdaśaithilyacitta ānakadundubhiḥ | ruroda tatkṛtāṃ maitrīṃ smarannaśruvilocanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: His heart softened by feelings of intimate sympathy, Vasudeva wept. His eyes brimmed with tears as he remembered the friendship Nanda had shown him.
नन्दस्तु सख्युः प्रियकृत्प्रेम्णा गोविन्दरामयोः । अद्य श्व इति मासांस्त्रीन् यदुभिर्मानितोऽवसत्
nandastu sakhyuḥ priyakṛtpremṇā govindarāmayoḥ | adya śva iti māsāṃstrīn yadubhirmānito'vasat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And on his part, Nanda was also full of affection for his friend Vasudeva. Thus during the following days Nanda would repeatedly announce, “I will be leaving later today” and “I will be leaving tomorrow.” But out of love for Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma he remained there for three more months, honored by all the Yadus.
नन्दो गोपाश्च गोप्यश्च गोविन्दचरणाम्बुजे । मनः क्षिप्तं पुनर्हर्तुमनीशा मथुरां ययुः
nando gopāśca gopyaśca govindacaraṇāmbuje | manaḥ kṣiptaṃ punarhartumanīśā mathurāṃ yayuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Unable to withdraw their minds from Lord Govinda’s lotus feet, where they had surrendered them, Nanda and the cowherd men and women returned to Mathurā.
बन्धुषु प्रतियातेषु वृष्णयः कृष्णदेवताः । वीक्ष्य प्रावृषमासन्नां ययुर्द्वारवतीं पुनः
bandhuṣu pratiyāteṣu vṛṣṇayaḥ kṛṣṇadevatāḥ | vīkṣya prāvṛṣamāsannāṃ yayurdvāravatīṃ punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Their relatives having thus departed, and seeing that the rainy season was approaching, the Vṛṣṇis, whose only Lord was Kṛṣṇa, went back to Dvārakā.
जनेभ्यः कथयाञ्चक्रुर्यदुदेवमहोत्सवम् । यदासीत्तीर्थयात्रायां सुहृत्सन्दर्शनादिकम्
janebhyaḥ kathayāñcakruryadudevamahotsavam | yadāsīttīrthayātrāyāṃ suhṛtsandarśanādikam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They told the people of the city about the festive sacrifices performed by Vasudeva, lord of the Yadus, and about everything else that had happened during their pilgrimage, especially how they had met with all their loved ones.
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच । अथैकदाऽऽत्मजौ प्राप्तौ कृतपादाभिवन्दनौ । वसुदेवोऽभिनन्द्याह प्रीत्या सङ्कर्षणाच्युतौ
śrībādarāyaṇiruvāca | athaikadā''tmajau prāptau kṛtapādābhivandanau | vasudevo'bhinandyāha prītyā saṅkarṣaṇācyutau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: One day the two sons of Vasudeva — Saṅkarṣaṇa and Acyuta — came to pay him respects, bowing down at his feet. Vasudeva greeted Them with great affection and spoke to Them.
मुनीनां स वचः श्रुत्वा पुत्रयोर्धामसूचकम् । तद्वीर्यैर्जातविश्रम्भः परिभाष्याभ्यभाषत
munīnāṃ sa vacaḥ śrutvā putrayordhāmasūcakam | tadvīryairjātaviśrambhaḥ paribhāṣyābhyabhāṣata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having heard the great sages’ words concerning the power of his two sons, and having seen Their valorous deeds, Vasudeva became convinced of Their divinity. Thus, addressing Them by name, he spoke to Them as follows.
कृष्ण कृष्ण महायोगिन् सङ्कर्षण सनातन । जाने वामस्य यत्साक्षात्प्रधानपुरुषौ परौ
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahāyogin saṅkarṣaṇa sanātana | jāne vāmasya yatsākṣātpradhānapuruṣau parau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Vasudeva said:] O Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, best of yogīs, O eternal Saṅkarṣaṇa! I know that You two are personally the source of universal creation and the ingredients of creation as well.
यत्र येन यतो यस्य यस्मै यद्यद्यथा यदा । स्यादिदं भगवान् साक्षात्प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरः
yatra yena yato yasya yasmai yadyadyathā yadā | syādidaṃ bhagavān sākṣātpradhānapuruṣeśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who manifest as the Lord of both nature and the creator of nature [Mahā-Viṣṇu]. Everything that comes into existence, however and whenever it does so, is created within You, by You, from You, for You and in relation to You.
एतन्नानाविधं विश्वमात्मसृष्टमधोक्षज । आत्मनानुप्रविश्यात्मन् प्राणो जीवो बिभर्ष्यज
etannānāvidhaṃ viśvamātmasṛṣṭamadhokṣaja | ātmanānupraviśyātman prāṇo jīvo bibharṣyaja
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O transcendental Lord, from Yourself You created this entire variegated universe, and then You entered within it in Your personal form as the Supersoul. In this way, O unborn Supreme Soul, as the life force and consciousness of everyone, You maintain the creation.
प्राणादीनां विश्वसृजां शक्तयो याः परस्य ताः । पारतन्त्र्याद्वैसादृश्याद्द्वयोश्चेष्टैव चेष्टताम्
prāṇādīnāṃ viśvasṛjāṃ śaktayo yāḥ parasya tāḥ | pāratantryādvaisādṛśyāddvayośceṣṭaiva ceṣṭatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Whatever potencies the life air and other elements of universal creation exhibit are actually all personal energies of the Supreme Lord, for both life and matter are subordinate to Him and dependent on Him, and also different from one another. Thus everything active in the material world is set into motion by the Supreme Lord.
कान्तिस्तेजः प्रभा सत्ता चन्द्राग्न्यर्कर्क्षविद्युताम् । यत्स्थैर्यं भूभृतां भूमेर्वृत्तिर्गन्धोऽर्थतो भवान्
kāntistejaḥ prabhā sattā candrāgnyarkarkṣavidyutām | yatsthairyaṃ bhūbhṛtāṃ bhūmervṛttirgandho'rthato bhavān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The glow of the moon, the brilliance of fire, the radiance of the sun, the twinkling of the stars, the flash of lightning, the permanence of mountains and the aroma and sustaining power of the earth — all these are actually You.
तर्पणं प्राणनमपां देवत्वं ताश्च तद्रसः । ओजः सहो बलं चेष्टा गतिर्वायोस्तवेश्वर
tarpaṇaṃ prāṇanamapāṃ devatvaṃ tāśca tadrasaḥ | ojaḥ saho balaṃ ceṣṭā gatirvāyostaveśvara
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, You are water, and also its taste and and its capacities to quench thirst and sustain life. You exhibit Your potencies through the manifestations of the air as bodily warmth, vitality, mental power, physical strength, endeavor and movement.
दिशां त्वमवकाशोऽसि दिशः खं स्फोट आश्रयः । नादो वर्णस्त्वमोङ्कार आकृतीनां पृथक्कृतिः
diśāṃ tvamavakāśo'si diśaḥ khaṃ sphoṭa āśrayaḥ | nādo varṇastvamoṅkāra ākṛtīnāṃ pṛthakkṛtiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the directions and their accommodating capacity, the all-pervading ether and the elemental sound residing within it. You are the primeval, unmanifested form of sound; the first syllable, om; and audible speech, by which sound, as words, acquires particular references.
इन्द्रियं त्विन्द्रियाणां त्वं देवाश्च तदनुग्रहः । अवबोधोभवान्बुद्धेर्जीवस्यानुस्मृतिः सती
indriyaṃ tvindriyāṇāṃ tvaṃ devāśca tadanugrahaḥ | avabodhobhavānbuddherjīvasyānusmṛtiḥ satī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the power of the senses to reveal their objects, the senses’ presiding demigods, and the sanction these demigods give for sensory activity. You are the capacity of the intelligence for decision-making, and the living being’s ability to remember things accurately.
भूतानामसि भूतादिरिन्द्रियाणां च तैजसः । वैकारिको विकल्पानां प्रधानमनुशायिनम्
bhūtānāmasi bhūtādirindriyāṇāṃ ca taijasaḥ | vaikāriko vikalpānāṃ pradhānamanuśāyinam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are false ego in the mode of ignorance, which is the source of the physical elements; false ego in the mode of passion, which is the source of the bodily senses; false ego in the mode of goodness, which is the source of the demigods; and the unmanifest, total material energy, which underlies everything.
नश्वरेष्विह भावेषु तदसि त्वमनश्वरम् । यथा द्रव्यविकारेषु द्रव्यमात्रं निरूपितम्
naśvareṣviha bhāveṣu tadasi tvamanaśvaram | yathā dravyavikāreṣu dravyamātraṃ nirūpitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are the one indestructible entity among all the destructible things of this world, like the underlying substance that is seen to remain unchanged while the things made from it undergo transformations.
सत्त्वंरजस्तम इति गुणास्तद्वृत्तयश्च याः । त्वय्यद्धा ब्रह्मणि परे कल्पिता योगमायया
sattvaṃrajastama iti guṇāstadvṛttayaśca yāḥ | tvayyaddhā brahmaṇi pare kalpitā yogamāyayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The modes of material nature — namely goodness, passion and ignorance — together with all their functions, become directly manifest within You, the Supreme Absolute Truth, by the arrangement of Your Yoga-māyā.
तस्मान्न सन्त्यमी भावा यर्हि त्वयि विकल्पिताः । त्वं चामीषु विकारेषु ह्यन्यदाव्यावहारिकः
tasmānna santyamī bhāvā yarhi tvayi vikalpitāḥ | tvaṃ cāmīṣu vikāreṣu hyanyadāvyāvahārikaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus these created entities, transformations of material nature, do not exist except when material nature manifests them within You, at which time You also manifest within them. But aside from such periods of creation, You stand alone as the transcendental reality.
गुणप्रवाह एतस्मिन्नबुधास्त्वखिलात्मनः । गतिं सूक्ष्मामबोधेन संसरन्तीह कर्मभिः
guṇapravāha etasminnabudhāstvakhilātmanaḥ | gatiṃ sūkṣmāmabodhena saṃsarantīha karmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
They are truly ignorant who, while imprisoned within the ceaseless flow of this world’s material qualities, fail to know You, the Supreme Soul of all that be, as their ultimate, sublime destination. Because of their ignorance, the entanglement of material work forces such souls to wander in the cycle of birth and death.
यदृच्छया नृतां प्राप्य सुकल्पामिह दुर्लभाम् । स्वार्थे प्रमत्तस्य वयो गतं त्वन्माययेश्वर
yadṛcchayā nṛtāṃ prāpya sukalpāmiha durlabhām | svārthe pramattasya vayo gataṃ tvanmāyayeśvara
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By good fortune a soul may obtain a healthy human life — an opportunity rarely achieved. But if he is nonetheless deluded about what is best for him, O Lord, Your illusory Māyā will cause him to waste his entire life.
असावहम्ममैवैते देहे चास्यान्वयादिषु । स्नेहपाशैर्निबध्नाति भवान् सर्वमिदं जगत्
asāvahammamaivaite dehe cāsyānvayādiṣu | snehapāśairnibadhnāti bhavān sarvamidaṃ jagat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You keep this whole world bound up by the ropes of affection, and thus when people consider their material bodies, they think, “This is me,” and when they consider their progeny and other relations, they think, “These are mine.”
युवां न नः सुतौ साक्षात्प्रधानपुरुषेश्वरौ । भूभारक्षत्रक्षपण अवतीर्णौ तथात्थ ह
yuvāṃ na naḥ sutau sākṣātpradhānapuruṣeśvarau | bhūbhārakṣatrakṣapaṇa avatīrṇau tathāttha ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You are not our sons but the very Lords of both material nature and its creator [Mahā-Viṣṇu]. As You Yourself have told us, You have descended to rid the earth of the rulers who are a heavy burden upon her.
तत्ते गतोऽस्म्यरणमद्य पदारविन्द- मापन्नसंसृतिभयापहमार्तबन्धो । एतावतालमलमिन्द्रियलालसेन मर्त्यात्मदृक्त्वयि परे यदपत्यबुद्धिः
tatte gato'smyaraṇamadya padāravinda- māpannasaṃsṛtibhayāpahamārtabandho | etāvatālamalamindriyalālasena martyātmadṛktvayi pare yadapatyabuddhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O friend of the distressed, I now approach Your lotus feet for shelter — the same lotus feet that dispel all fear of worldly existence for those who have surrendered to them. Enough! Enough with hankering for sense enjoyment, which makes me identify with this mortal body and think of You, the Supreme, as my child.
सूतीगृहे ननु जगाद भवानजो नौ सञ्जज्ञ इत्यनुयुगं निजधर्मगुप्त्यै । नानातनूर्गगनवद्विदधज्जहासि को वेद भूम्न उरुगाय विभूतिमायाम्
sūtīgṛhe nanu jagāda bhavānajo nau sañjajña ityanuyugaṃ nijadharmaguptyai | nānātanūrgaganavadvidadhajjahāsi ko veda bhūmna urugāya vibhūtimāyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Indeed, while still in the maternity room You told us that You, the unborn Lord, had already been born several times as our son in previous ages. After manifesting each of these transcendental bodies to protect Your own principles of religion, You then made them unmanifest, thus appearing and disappearing like a cloud. O supremely glorified, all-pervading Lord, who can understand the mystic, deluding potency of Your opulent expansions?
श्रीशुक उवाच । आकर्ण्येत्थं पितुर्वाक्यं भगवान् सात्वतर्षभः । प्रत्याह प्रश्रयानम्रः प्रहसन् श्लक्ष्णया गिरा
śrīśuka uvāca | ākarṇyetthaṃ piturvākyaṃ bhagavān sātvatarṣabhaḥ | pratyāha praśrayānamraḥ prahasan ślakṣṇayā girā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having heard His father’s words, the Supreme Lord, leader of the Sātvatas, replied in a gentle voice as He bowed His head in humility and smiled.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । वचो वः समवेतार्थं तातैतदुपमन्महे । यन्नः पुत्रान् समुद्दिश्य तत्त्वग्राम उदाहृतः
śrībhagavānuvāca | vaco vaḥ samavetārthaṃ tātaitadupamanmahe | yannaḥ putrān samuddiśya tattvagrāma udāhṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: My dear Father, I consider your statements appropriate, since you have explained the various categories of existence by referring to Us, your sons.
अहं यूयमसावार्य इमे च द्वारकौकसः । सर्वेऽप्येवं यदुश्रेष्ठ विमृश्याः सचराचरम्
ahaṃ yūyamasāvārya ime ca dvārakaukasaḥ | sarve'pyevaṃ yaduśreṣṭha vimṛśyāḥ sacarācaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Not only I, but also you, along with My respected brother and these residents of Dvārakā, should all be considered in this same philosophical light, O best of the Yadus. Indeed, we should include all that exists, both moving and nonmoving.
आत्मा ह्येकः स्वयञ्ज्योतिर्नित्योऽन्यो निर्गुणो गुणैः । आत्मसृष्टैस्तत्कृतेषु भूतेषु बहुधेयते
ātmā hyekaḥ svayañjyotirnityo'nyo nirguṇo guṇaiḥ | ātmasṛṣṭaistatkṛteṣu bhūteṣu bahudheyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The supreme spirit, Paramātmā, is indeed one. He is self-luminous and eternal, transcendental and devoid of material qualities. But through the agency of the very modes He has created, the one Supreme Truth manifests as many among the expansions of those modes.
खं वायुर्ज्योतिरापो भूस्तत्कृतेषु यथाशयम् । आविस्तिरोऽल्पभूर्येको नानात्वं यात्यसावपि
khaṃ vāyurjyotirāpo bhūstatkṛteṣu yathāśayam | āvistiro'lpabhūryeko nānātvaṃ yātyasāvapi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The elements of ether, air, fire, water and earth become visible, invisible, minute or extensive as they manifest in various objects. Similarly, the Paramātmā, though one, appears to become many.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं भगवता राजन् वसुदेव उदाहृतम् । श्रुत्वा विनष्टनानाधीस्तूष्णीं प्रीतमना अभूत्
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ bhagavatā rājan vasudeva udāhṛtam | śrutvā vinaṣṭanānādhīstūṣṇīṃ prītamanā abhūt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, hearing these instructions spoken to him by the Supreme Lord, Vasudeva became freed from all ideas of duality. Satisfied at heart, he remained silent.
देवक्युवाच । राम रामाप्रमेयात्मन् कृष्ण योगेश्वरेश्वर । वेदाहं वां विश्वसृजामीश्वरावादिपूरुषौ
devakyuvāca | rāma rāmāprameyātman kṛṣṇa yogeśvareśvara | vedāhaṃ vāṃ viśvasṛjāmīśvarāvādipūruṣau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Devakī said: O Rāma, Rāma, immeasurable Supreme Soul! O Kṛṣṇa, Lord of all masters of yoga! I know that You are the ultimate rulers of all universal creators, the primeval Personalities of Godhead.
कालविध्वस्तसत्त्वानां राज्ञामुच्छास्त्रवर्तिनाम् । भूमेर्भारायमाणानामवतीर्णौ किलाद्य मे
kālavidhvastasattvānāṃ rājñāmucchāstravartinām | bhūmerbhārāyamāṇānāmavatīrṇau kilādya me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Taking birth from me, You have now descended to this world in order to kill those kings whose good qualities have been destroyed by the present age, and who thus defy the authority of revealed scriptures and burden the earth.
यस्यांशांशांशभागेन विश्वोत्पत्तिलयोदयाः । भवन्ति किल विश्वात्मंस्तं त्वाद्याहं गतिं गता
yasyāṃśāṃśāṃśabhāgena viśvotpattilayodayāḥ | bhavanti kila viśvātmaṃstaṃ tvādyāhaṃ gatiṃ gatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Soul of all that be, the creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe are all carried out by a fraction of an expansion of an expansion of Your expansion. Today I have come to take shelter of You, the Supreme Lord.
ऋषिरुवाच । एवं सञ्चोदितौ मात्रा रामः कृष्णश्च भारत । सुतलं संविविशतुर्योगमायामुपाश्रितौ
ṛṣiruvāca | evaṃ sañcoditau mātrā rāmaḥ kṛṣṇaśca bhārata | sutalaṃ saṃviviśaturyogamāyāmupāśritau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sage Śukadeva said: Thus entreated by Their mother, O Bhārata, Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa employed Their mystic Yoga-māyā potency and entered the region of Sutala.
तस्मिन् प्रविष्टावुपलभ्य दैत्यराड् विश्वात्मदैवं सुतरां तथाऽऽत्मनः । तद्दर्शनाह्लादपरिप्लुताशयः सद्यः समुत्थाय ननाम सान्वयः
tasmin praviṣṭāvupalabhya daityarāḍ viśvātmadaivaṃ sutarāṃ tathā''tmanaḥ | taddarśanāhlādapariplutāśayaḥ sadyaḥ samutthāya nanāma sānvayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the King of the Daityas, Bali Mahārāja, noticed the arrival of the two Lords, his heart overflowed with joy, since he knew Them to be the Supreme Soul and worshipable Deity of the entire universe, and especially of himself. He immediately stood up and then bowed down to offer respects, along with his entire entourage.
तयोः समानीय वरासनं मुदा निविष्टयोस्तत्र महात्मनोस्तयोः । दधार पादाववनिज्य तज्जलं सवृन्द आब्रह्म पुनद्यदम्बु ह
tayoḥ samānīya varāsanaṃ mudā niviṣṭayostatra mahātmanostayoḥ | dadhāra pādāvavanijya tajjalaṃ savṛnda ābrahma punadyadambu ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bali took pleasure in offering Them elevated seats. After They sat down, he washed the feet of the two Supreme Personalities. Then he took that water, which purifies the whole world even up to Lord Brahmā, and poured it upon himself and his followers.
समर्हयामास स तौ विभूतिभिः महार्हवस्त्राभरणानुलेपनैः । ताम्बूलदीपामृतभक्षणादिभिः स्वगोत्रवित्तात्मसमर्पणेन च
samarhayāmāsa sa tau vibhūtibhiḥ mahārhavastrābharaṇānulepanaiḥ | tāmbūladīpāmṛtabhakṣaṇādibhiḥ svagotravittātmasamarpaṇena ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He worshiped Them with all the riches at his disposal — priceless clothing, ornaments, fragrant sandalwood paste, betel nut, lamps, sumptuous food and so on. Thus he offered Them all his family’s wealth, and also his own self.
स इन्द्रसेनो भगवत्पदाम्बुजं बिभ्रन्मुहुः प्रेमविभिन्नया धिया । उवाच हानन्दजलाकुलेक्षणः प्रहृष्टरोमा नृप गद्गदाक्षरम्
sa indraseno bhagavatpadāmbujaṃ bibhranmuhuḥ premavibhinnayā dhiyā | uvāca hānandajalākulekṣaṇaḥ prahṛṣṭaromā nṛpa gadgadākṣaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Taking hold of the Lords’ lotus feet again and again, Bali, the conqueror of Indra’s army, spoke from his heart, which was melting out of his intense love. O King, as tears of ecstasy filled his eyes and the hair on his limbs stood on end, he began to speak with faltering words.
बलिरुवाच । नमोऽनन्ताय बृहते नमः कृष्णाय वेधसे । साङ्ख्ययोगवितानाय ब्रह्मणे परमात्मने
baliruvāca | namo'nantāya bṛhate namaḥ kṛṣṇāya vedhase | sāṅkhyayogavitānāya brahmaṇe paramātmane
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Bali said: Obeisances to the unlimited Lord, Ananta, the greatest of all beings. And obeisances to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the creator of the universe, who appears as the impersonal Absolute and the Supersoul in order to disseminate the principles of sāṅkhya and yoga.
दर्शनं वां हि भूतानां दुष्प्रापं चाप्यदुर्लभम् । रजस्तमःस्वभावानां यन्नः प्राप्तौ यदृच्छया
darśanaṃ vāṃ hi bhūtānāṃ duṣprāpaṃ cāpyadurlabham | rajastamaḥsvabhāvānāṃ yannaḥ prāptau yadṛcchayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing You Lords is a rare achievement for most living beings. But even persons like us, situated in the modes of passion and ignorance, can easily see You when You reveal Yourself by Your own sweet will.
इदमित्थमिति प्रायस्तव योगेश्वरेश्वर । न विदन्त्यपि योगेशा योगमायां कुतो वयम्
idamitthamiti prāyastava yogeśvareśvara | na vidantyapi yogeśā yogamāyāṃ kuto vayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What to speak of ourselves, O Lord of all perfect yogīs, even the greatest mystics do not know what Your spiritual power of delusion is or how it acts.
तन्नः प्रसीद निरपेक्षविमृग्ययुष्मत् पादारविन्दधिषणान्यगृहान्धकूपात् । निष्क्रम्य विश्वशरणाङ्घ्र्युपलब्धवृत्तिः शान्तो यथैक उत सर्वसखैश्चरामि
tannaḥ prasīda nirapekṣavimṛgyayuṣmat pādāravindadhiṣaṇānyagṛhāndhakūpāt | niṣkramya viśvaśaraṇāṅghryupalabdhavṛttiḥ śānto yathaika uta sarvasakhaiścarāmi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please be merciful to me so I may get out of the blind well of family life — my false home — and find the true shelter of Your lotus feet, which selfless sages always seek. Then, either alone or in the company of great saints, who are the friends of everyone, I may wander freely, finding life’s necessities at the feet of the universally charitable trees.
शाध्यस्मानीशितव्येश निष्पापान् कुरु नः प्रभो । पुमान् यच्छ्रद्धयाऽऽतिष्ठंश्चोदनाया विमुच्यते
śādhyasmānīśitavyeśa niṣpāpān kuru naḥ prabho | pumān yacchraddhayā''tiṣṭhaṃścodanāyā vimucyate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord of all subordinate creatures, please tell us what to do and thus free us of all sin. One who faithfully executes Your command, O master, is no longer obliged to follow the ordinary Vedic rites.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । आसन् मरीचेः षट् पुत्रा ऊर्णायां प्रथमेऽन्तरे । देवाः कं जहसुर्वीक्ष्य सुतां यभितुमुद्यतम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | āsan marīceḥ ṣaṭ putrā ūrṇāyāṃ prathame'ntare | devāḥ kaṃ jahasurvīkṣya sutāṃ yabhitumudyatam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: During the age of the first Manu, the sage Marīci had six sons by his wife Ūrnā. They were all exalted demigods, but once they laughed at Lord Brahmā when they saw him preparing to have sex with his own daughter.
इत एतान् प्रणेष्यामो मातृशोकापनुत्तये । ततः शापाद्विनिर्मुक्ता लोकं यास्यन्ति विज्वराः
ita etān praṇeṣyāmo mātṛśokāpanuttaye | tataḥ śāpādvinirmuktā lokaṃ yāsyanti vijvarāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We wish to take them from this place to dispel their mother’s sorrow. Then, released from their curse and free from all suffering, they will return to their home in heaven.
स्मरोद्गीथः परिष्वङ्गः पतङ्गः क्षुद्रभृद्घृणी । षडिमे मत्प्रसादेन पुनर्यास्यन्ति सद्गतिम्
smarodgīthaḥ pariṣvaṅgaḥ pataṅgaḥ kṣudrabhṛdghṛṇī | ṣaḍime matprasādena punaryāsyanti sadgatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By My grace these six — Smara, Udgītha, Pariṣvaṅga, Pataṅga, Kṣudrabhṛt and Ghṛṇī — will return to the abode of pure saints.
इत्युक्त्वा तान् समादाय इन्द्रसेनेन पूजितौ । पुनर्द्वारवतीमेत्य मातुः पुत्रानयच्छताम्
ityuktvā tān samādāya indrasenena pūjitau | punardvāravatīmetya mātuḥ putrānayacchatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] After saying this, Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma, having been duly worshiped by Bali Mahārāja, took the six sons and returned to Dvārakā, where They presented them to Their mother.
तान् दृष्ट्वा बालकान् देवी पुत्रस्नेहस्नुतस्तनी । परिष्वज्याङ्कमारोप्य मूर्ध्न्यजिघ्रदभीक्ष्णशः
tān dṛṣṭvā bālakān devī putrasnehasnutastanī | pariṣvajyāṅkamāropya mūrdhnyajighradabhīkṣṇaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When she saw her lost children, Goddess Devakī felt such affection for them that milk flowed from her breasts. She embraced them and took them onto her lap, smelling their heads again and again.
अपाययत्स्तनं प्रीता सुतस्पर्शपरिप्लुता । मोहिता मायया विष्णोर्यया सृष्टिः प्रवर्तते
apāyayatstanaṃ prītā sutasparśapariplutā | mohitā māyayā viṣṇoryayā sṛṣṭiḥ pravartate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lovingly she let her sons drink from her breast, which became wet with milk just by their touch. She was entranced by the same illusory energy of Lord Viṣṇu that initiates the creation of the universe.
तं दृष्ट्वा देवकी देवी मृतागमननिर्गमम् । मेने सुविस्मिता मायां कृष्णस्य रचितां नृप
taṃ dṛṣṭvā devakī devī mṛtāgamananirgamam | mene suvismitā māyāṃ kṛṣṇasya racitāṃ nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Seeing her sons return from death and then depart again, saintly Devakī was struck with wonder, O King. She concluded that this was all simply an illusion created by Kṛṣṇa.
एवं विधान्यद्भुतानि कृष्णस्य परमात्मनः । वीर्याण्यनन्तवीर्यस्य सन्त्यनन्तानि भारत
evaṃ vidhānyadbhutāni kṛṣṇasya paramātmanaḥ | vīryāṇyanantavīryasya santyanantāni bhārata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul, the Lord of unlimited valor, performed countless pastimes just as amazing as this one, O descendant of Bharata.
सूत उवाच । य इदमनुशृणोति श्रावयेद्वा मुरारे- श्चरितममृतकीर्तेर्वर्णितं व्यासपुत्रैः । जगदघभिदलं तद्भक्तसत्कर्णपूरं भगवति कृतचित्तो याति तत्क्षेमधाम
sūta uvāca | ya idamanuśṛṇoti śrāvayedvā murāre- ścaritamamṛtakīrtervarṇitaṃ vyāsaputraiḥ | jagadaghabhidalaṃ tadbhaktasatkarṇapūraṃ bhagavati kṛtacitto yāti tatkṣemadhāma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: This pastime enacted by Lord Murāri, whose fame is eternal, totally destroys the sins of the universe and serves as the transcendental ornament for His devotees’ ears. Anyone who carefully hears or narrates this pastime, as recounted by the venerable son of Vyāsa, will be able to fix his mind in meditation on the Supreme Lord and attain to the all-auspicious kingdom of God.
राजोवाच । ब्रह्मन् वेदितुमिच्छामः स्वसारां रामकृष्णयोः । यथोपयेमे विजयो या ममासीत्पितामही
rājovāca | brahman veditumicchāmaḥ svasārāṃ rāmakṛṣṇayoḥ | yathopayeme vijayo yā mamāsītpitāmahī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit said: O brāhmaṇa, we would like to learn how Arjuna married Lord Balarāma’s and Lord Kṛṣṇa’s sister, who was my grandmother.
तत्र वै वार्षिकान् मासानवात्सीत्स्वार्थसाधकः । पौरैः सभाजितोऽभीक्ष्णं रामेणाजानता च सः
tatra vai vārṣikān māsānavātsītsvārthasādhakaḥ | pauraiḥ sabhājito'bhīkṣṇaṃ rāmeṇājānatā ca saḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He stayed there during the monsoon months to fulfill his purpose. Lord Balarāma and the other residents of the city, not recognizing him, offered him all honor and hospitality.
एकदा गृहमानीय आतिथ्येन निमन्त्र्य तम् । श्रद्धयोपहृतं भैक्ष्यं बलेन बुभुजे किल
ekadā gṛhamānīya ātithyena nimantrya tam | śraddhayopahṛtaṃ bhaikṣyaṃ balena bubhuje kila
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One day Lord Balarāma brought him to His home as His invited dinner guest, and Arjuna ate the food the Lord respectfully offered him.
सोऽपश्यत्तत्र महतीं कन्यां वीरमनोहराम् । प्रीत्युत्फुल्लेक्षणस्तस्यां भावक्षुब्धं मनो दधे
so'paśyattatra mahatīṃ kanyāṃ vīramanoharām | prītyutphullekṣaṇastasyāṃ bhāvakṣubdhaṃ mano dadhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There he saw the wonderful maiden Subhadrā, who was enchanting to heroes. His eyes opened wide with delight, and his mind became agitated and absorbed in thoughts of her.
सापि तं चकमे वीक्ष्य नारीणां हृदयङ्गमम् । हसन्ती व्रीडितापाङ्गी तन्न्यस्तहृदयेक्षणा
sāpi taṃ cakame vīkṣya nārīṇāṃ hṛdayaṅgamam | hasantī vrīḍitāpāṅgī tannyastahṛdayekṣaṇā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Arjuna was very attractive to women, and as soon as Subhadrā saw him, she wanted to have him as her husband. Smiling bashfully with sidelong glances, she fixed her heart and eyes upon him.
तां परं समनुध्यायन्नन्तरं प्रेप्सुरर्जुनः । न लेभे शं भ्रमच्चित्तः कामेनातिबलीयसा
tāṃ paraṃ samanudhyāyannantaraṃ prepsurarjunaḥ | na lebhe śaṃ bhramaccittaḥ kāmenātibalīyasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Meditating only on her and waiting for the opportunity to take her away, Arjuna had no peace. His heart trembled with passionate desire.
महत्यां देवयात्रायां रथस्थां दुर्गनिर्गताम् । जहारानुमतः पित्रोः कृष्णस्य च महारथः
mahatyāṃ devayātrāyāṃ rathasthāṃ durganirgatām | jahārānumataḥ pitroḥ kṛṣṇasya ca mahārathaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once, on the occasion of a great temple festival in honor of the Supreme Lord, Subhadrā rode out of the fortresslike palace on a chariot, and at that time the mighty chariot warrior Arjuna took the opportunity to kidnap her. Subhadrā’s parents and Kṛṣṇa had sanctioned this.
रथस्थो धनुरादाय शूरांश्चारुन्धतो भटान् । विद्राव्य क्रोशतां स्वानां स्वभागं मृगराडिव
rathastho dhanurādāya śūrāṃścārundhato bhaṭān | vidrāvya krośatāṃ svānāṃ svabhāgaṃ mṛgarāḍiva
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Standing on his chariot, Arjuna took up his bow and drove off the valiant fighters and palace guards who tried to block his way. As her relatives shouted in anger, he took Subhadrā away just as a lion takes his prey from the midst of lesser animals.
तच्छ्रुत्वा क्षुभितो रामः पर्वणीव महार्णवः । गृहीतपादः कृष्णेन सुहृद्भिश्चान्वशाम्यत
tacchrutvā kṣubhito rāmaḥ parvaṇīva mahārṇavaḥ | gṛhītapādaḥ kṛṣṇena suhṛdbhiścānvaśāmyata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When He heard of Subhadrā’s kidnapping, Lord Balarāma became as disturbed as the ocean during the full moon, but Lord Kṛṣṇa respectfully took hold of His feet and, together with other family members, pacified Him by explaining the matter.
प्राहिणोत्पारिबर्हाणि वरवध्वोर्मुदा बलः । महाधनोपस्करेभरथाश्वनरयोषितः
prāhiṇotpāribarhāṇi varavadhvormudā balaḥ | mahādhanopaskarebharathāśvanarayoṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Balarāma then happily sent the bride and groom very valuable wedding gifts consisting of elephants, chariots, horses and male and female servants.
श्रीशुक उवाच । कृष्णस्यासीद्द्विजश्रेष्ठः श्रुतदेव इति श्रुतः । कृष्णैकभक्त्या पूर्णार्थः शान्तः कविरलम्पटः
śrīśuka uvāca | kṛṣṇasyāsīddvijaśreṣṭhaḥ śrutadeva iti śrutaḥ | kṛṣṇaikabhaktyā pūrṇārthaḥ śāntaḥ kaviralampaṭaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: There was a devotee of Kṛṣṇa’s known as Śrutadeva, who was a first-class brāhmaṇa. Perfectly satisfied by rendering unalloyed devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, he was peaceful, learned and free from sense gratification.
स उवास विदेहेषु मिथिलायां गृहाश्रमी । अनीहयाऽऽगताहार्यनिर्वर्तितनिजक्रियः
sa uvāsa videheṣu mithilāyāṃ gṛhāśramī | anīhayā''gatāhāryanirvartitanijakriyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Living as a religious householder in the city of Mithilā, within the kingdom of Videha, he managed to fulfill his obligations while maintaining himself with whatever sustenance easily came his way.
यात्रामात्रं त्वहरहर्दैवादुपनमत्युत । नाधिकं तावता तुष्टः क्रियाश्चक्रे यथोचिताः
yātrāmātraṃ tvaharahardaivādupanamatyuta | nādhikaṃ tāvatā tuṣṭaḥ kriyāścakre yathocitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By the will of Providence he obtained each day just what he needed for his maintenance, and no more. Satisfied with this much, he properly executed his religious duties.
तथा तद्राष्ट्रपालोऽङ्ग बहुलाश्व इति श्रुतः । मैथिलो निरहम्मान उभावप्यच्युतप्रियौ
tathā tadrāṣṭrapālo'ṅga bahulāśva iti śrutaḥ | maithilo nirahammāna ubhāvapyacyutapriyau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Similarly free from false ego was the ruler of that kingdom, my dear Parīkṣit, a descendant of the Mithila dynasty named Bahulāśva. Both these devotees were very dear to Lord Acyuta.
तयोः प्रसन्नो भगवान् दारुकेणाहृतं रथम् । आरुह्य साकं मुनिभिर्विदेहान् प्रययौ प्रभुः
tayoḥ prasanno bhagavān dārukeṇāhṛtaṃ ratham | āruhya sākaṃ munibhirvidehān prayayau prabhuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Pleased with both of them, the Supreme Personality of Godhead mounted His chariot, which Dāruka had brought, and traveled to Videha with a group of sages.
नारदो वामदेवोऽत्रिः कृष्णो रामोऽसितोऽरुणिः । अहं बृहस्पतिः कण्वो मैत्रेयश्च्यवनादयः
nārado vāmadevo'triḥ kṛṣṇo rāmo'sito'ruṇiḥ | ahaṃ bṛhaspatiḥ kaṇvo maitreyaścyavanādayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Among these sages were Nārada, Vāmadeva, Atri, Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa, Paraśurāma, Asita, Aruṇi, myself, Bṛhaspati, Kaṇva, Maitreya and Cyavana.
तत्र तत्र तमायान्तं पौरा जानपदा नृप । उपतस्थुः सार्घ्यहस्ता ग्रहैः सूर्यमिवोदितम्
tatra tatra tamāyāntaṃ paurā jānapadā nṛpa | upatasthuḥ sārghyahastā grahaiḥ sūryamivoditam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In every city and town the Lord passed along the way, O King, the people came forward to worship Him with offerings of arghya water in their hands, as if to worship the risen sun surrounded by planets.
आनर्तधन्वकुरुजाङ्गलकङ्कमत्स्य- पाञ्चालकुन्तिमधुकेकयकोसलार्णाः । अन्ये च तन्मुखसरोजमुदारहास- स्निग्धेक्षणं नृप पपुर्दृशिभिर्नृनार्यः
ānartadhanvakurujāṅgalakaṅkamatsya- pāñcālakuntimadhukekayakosalārṇāḥ | anye ca tanmukhasarojamudārahāsa- snigdhekṣaṇaṃ nṛpa papurdṛśibhirnṛnāryaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The men and women of Ānarta, Dhanva, Kuru-jāṅgala, Kaṅka, Matsya, Pañcāla, Kunti, Madhu, Kekaya, Kośala, Arṇa and many other kingdoms drank with their eyes the nectarean beauty of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s lotuslike face, which was graced with generous smiles and affectionate glances.
तेभ्यः स्ववीक्षणविनष्टतमिस्रदृग्भ्यः क्षेमं त्रिलोकगुरुरर्थदृशं च यच्छन् । शृण्वन् दिगन्तधवलं स्वयशोऽशुभघ्नं गीतं सुरैर्नृभिरगाच्छनकैर्विदेहान्
tebhyaḥ svavīkṣaṇavinaṣṭatamisradṛgbhyaḥ kṣemaṃ trilokagururarthadṛśaṃ ca yacchan | śṛṇvan digantadhavalaṃ svayaśo'śubhaghnaṃ gītaṃ surairnṛbhiragācchanakairvidehān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Simply by glancing at those who came to see Him, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the spiritual master of the three worlds, delivered them from the blindness of materialism. As He thus endowed them with fearlessness and divine vision, He heard demigods and men singing His glories, which purify the entire universe and destroy all misfortune. Gradually, He reached Videha.
तेऽच्युतं प्राप्तमाकर्ण्य पौरा जानपदा नृप । अभीयुर्मुदितास्तस्मै गृहीतार्हणपाणयः
te'cyutaṃ prāptamākarṇya paurā jānapadā nṛpa | abhīyurmuditāstasmai gṛhītārhaṇapāṇayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hearing that Lord Acyuta had arrived, O King, the residents of the cities and villages of Videha joyfully came forth to receive Him with offerings in their hands.
दृष्ट्वा त उत्तमश्लोकं प्रीत्युत्फुल्लाननाशयाः । कैर्धृताञ्जलिभिर्नेमुः श्रुतपूर्वांस्तथा मुनीन्
dṛṣṭvā ta uttamaślokaṃ prītyutphullānanāśayāḥ | kairdhṛtāñjalibhirnemuḥ śrutapūrvāṃstathā munīn
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As soon as the people saw Lord Uttamaḥśloka, their faces and hearts blossomed with affection. Joining their palms above their heads, they bowed down to the Lord and to the sages accompanying Him, whom they had previously only heard about.
स्वानुग्रहाय सम्प्राप्तं मन्वानौ तं जगद्गुरुम् । मैथिलः श्रुतदेवश्च पादयोः पेततुः प्रभोः
svānugrahāya samprāptaṃ manvānau taṃ jagadgurum | maithilaḥ śrutadevaśca pādayoḥ petatuḥ prabhoḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Both the King of Mithilā and Śrutadeva fell at the Lord’s feet, each thinking that the spiritual master of the universe had come there just to show him mercy.
न्यमन्त्रयेतां दाशार्हमातिथ्येन सह द्विजैः । मैथिलः श्रुतदेवश्च युगपत्संहताञ्जली
nyamantrayetāṃ dāśārhamātithyena saha dvijaiḥ | maithilaḥ śrutadevaśca yugapatsaṃhatāñjalī
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At exactly the same time, King Maithila and Śrutadeva each went forward with joined palms and invited the Lord of the Daśārhas to be his guest, along with the brāhmaṇa sages.
भगवांस्तदभिप्रेत्य द्वयोः प्रियचिकीर्षया । उभयोराविशद्गेहमुभाभ्यां तदलक्षितः
bhagavāṃstadabhipretya dvayoḥ priyacikīrṣayā | ubhayorāviśadgehamubhābhyāṃ tadalakṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Wanting to please them both, the Lord accepted both their invitations. Thus He simultaneously went to both homes, and neither could see Him entering the other’s house.
वाचा मधुरया प्रीणन्निदमाहान्नतर्पितान् । पादावङ्कगतौ विष्णोः संस्पृशञ्छनकैर्मुदा
vācā madhurayā prīṇannidamāhānnatarpitān | pādāvaṅkagatau viṣṇoḥ saṃspṛśañchanakairmudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When they had eaten to their full satisfaction, for their further pleasure the King began to speak slowly and in a gentle voice as he held Lord Viṣṇu’s feet in his lap and happily massaged them.
राजोवाच । भवान् हि सर्वभूतानामात्मा साक्षी स्वदृग्विभो । अथ नस्त्वत्पदाम्भोजं स्मरतां दर्शनं गतः
rājovāca | bhavān hi sarvabhūtānāmātmā sākṣī svadṛgvibho | atha nastvatpadāmbhojaṃ smaratāṃ darśanaṃ gataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Bahulāśva said: O almighty Lord, You are the Soul of all created beings, their self-illumined witness, and now You are giving Your audience to us, who constantly meditate on Your lotus feet.
स्ववचस्तदृतं कर्तुमस्मद्दृग्गोचरो भवान् । यदात्थैकान्तभक्तान्मे नानन्तः श्रीरजः प्रियः
svavacastadṛtaṃ kartumasmaddṛggocaro bhavān | yadātthaikāntabhaktānme nānantaḥ śrīrajaḥ priyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You have said, “Neither Ananta, Goddess Śrī nor unborn Brahmā is dearer to Me than My unalloyed devotee.” To prove Your own words true, You have now revealed Yourself to our eyes.
को नु त्वच्चरणाम्भोजमेवंविद्विसृजेत्पुमान् । निष्किञ्चनानां शान्तानां मुनीनां यस्त्वमात्मदः
ko nu tvaccaraṇāmbhojamevaṃvidvisṛjetpumān | niṣkiñcanānāṃ śāntānāṃ munīnāṃ yastvamātmadaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
What person who knows this truth would ever abandon Your lotus feet, when You are ready to give Your very self to peaceful sages who call nothing their own?
योऽवतीर्य यदोर्वंशे नृणां संसरतामिह । यशो वितेने तच्छान्त्यै त्रैलोक्यवृजिनापहम्
yo'vatīrya yadorvaṃśe nṛṇāṃ saṃsaratāmiha | yaśo vitene tacchāntyai trailokyavṛjināpaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Appearing in the Yadu dynasty, You have spread Your glories, which can remove all the sins of the three worlds, just to deliver those entrapped in the cycle of birth and death.
नमस्तुभ्यं भगवते कृष्णायाकुण्ठमेधसे । नारायणाय ऋषये सुशान्तं तप ईयुषे
namastubhyaṃ bhagavate kṛṣṇāyākuṇṭhamedhase | nārāyaṇāya ṛṣaye suśāntaṃ tapa īyuṣe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Obeisances to You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose intelligence is ever unrestricted. Obeisances to the sage Nara-Nārāyaṇa, who always undergoes austerities in perfect peace.
दिनानि कतिचिद्भूमन् गृहान् नो निवस द्विजैः । समेतः पादरजसा पुनीहीदं निमेः कुलम्
dināni katicidbhūman gṛhān no nivasa dvijaiḥ | sametaḥ pādarajasā punīhīdaṃ nimeḥ kulam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please stay a few days in our house, along with these brāhmaṇas, O all-pervading one, and with the dust of Your feet sanctify this dynasty of Nimi.
इत्युपामन्त्रितो राज्ञा भगवांल्लोकभावनः । उवास कुर्वन् कल्याणं मिथिलानरयोषिताम्
ityupāmantrito rājñā bhagavāṃllokabhāvanaḥ | uvāsa kurvan kalyāṇaṃ mithilānarayoṣitām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus invited by the King, the Supreme Lord, sustainer of the world, consented to stay for some time to bestow good fortune on the men and women of Mithilā.
श्रुतदेवोऽच्युतं प्राप्तं स्वगृहाञ्जनको यथा । नत्वा मुनीन् सुसंहृष्टो धुन्वन् वासो ननर्त ह
śrutadevo'cyutaṃ prāptaṃ svagṛhāñjanako yathā | natvā munīn susaṃhṛṣṭo dhunvan vāso nanarta ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrutadeva received Lord Acyuta into his home with as much enthusiasm as that shown by King Bahulāśva. After bowing down to the Lord and the sages, Śrutadeva began to dance with great joy, waving his shawl.
तृणपीठबृषीष्वेतानानीतेषूपवेश्य सः । स्वागतेनाभिनन्द्याङ्घ्रीन् सभार्योऽवनिजे मुदा
tṛṇapīṭhabṛṣīṣvetānānīteṣūpaveśya saḥ | svāgatenābhinandyāṅghrīn sabhāryo'vanije mudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After bringing mats of grass and darbha straw and seating his guests upon them, he greeted them with words of welcome. Then he and his wife washed their feet with great pleasure.
तदम्भसा महाभाग आत्मानं स गृहान्वयम् । स्नापयाञ्चक्र उद्धर्षो लब्धसर्वमनोरथः
tadambhasā mahābhāga ātmānaṃ sa gṛhānvayam | snāpayāñcakra uddharṣo labdhasarvamanorathaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
With the wash water, the virtuous Śrutadeva copiously sprinkled himself, his house and his family. Overjoyed, he felt that all his desires had now been fulfilled.
फलार्हणोशीरशिवामृताम्बुभि- र्मृदा सुरभ्या तुलसीकुशाम्बुजैः । आराधयामास यथोपपन्नया सपर्यया सत्त्वविवर्धनान्धसा
phalārhaṇośīraśivāmṛtāmbubhi- rmṛdā surabhyā tulasīkuśāmbujaiḥ | ārādhayāmāsa yathopapannayā saparyayā sattvavivardhanāndhasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He worshiped them with offerings of auspicious items easily available to him, such as fruits, uśīra root, pure, nectarean water, fragrant clay, tulasī leaves, kuśa grass and lotus flowers. Then he offered them food that increases the mode of goodness.
स तर्कयामास कुतो ममान्वभू- द्गृहान्धकुपे पतितस्य सङ्गमः । यः सर्वतीर्थास्पदपादरेणुभिः कृष्णेन चास्यात्मनिकेतभूसुरैः
sa tarkayāmāsa kuto mamānvabhū- dgṛhāndhakupe patitasya saṅgamaḥ | yaḥ sarvatīrthāspadapādareṇubhiḥ kṛṣṇena cāsyātmaniketabhūsuraiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He wondered: How is it that I, fallen into the blind well of family life, have been able to meet Lord Kṛṣṇa? And how have I also been allowed to meet these great brāhmaṇas, who always carry the Lord within their hearts? Indeed, the dust of their feet is the shelter of all holy places.
सूपविष्टान् कृतातिथ्यान् श्रुतदेव उपस्थितः । सभार्यस्वजनापत्य उवाचाङ्घ्र्यभिमर्शनः
sūpaviṣṭān kṛtātithyān śrutadeva upasthitaḥ | sabhāryasvajanāpatya uvācāṅghryabhimarśanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When his guests were seated comfortably, having each received a proper welcome, Śrutadeva approached them and sat down nearby with his wife, children and other dependents. Then, while massaging the Lord’s feet, he addressed Kṛṣṇa and the sages.
श्रुतदेव उवाच । नाद्य नो दर्शनं प्राप्तः परं परमपूरुषः । यर्हीदं शक्तिभिः सृष्ट्वा प्रविष्टो ह्यात्मसत्तया
śrutadeva uvāca | nādya no darśanaṃ prāptaḥ paraṃ paramapūruṣaḥ | yarhīdaṃ śaktibhiḥ sṛṣṭvā praviṣṭo hyātmasattayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrutadeva said: It is not that we have attained the audience of the Supreme Person only today, for we have in fact been associating with Him ever since He created this universe with His energies and then entered it in His transcendental form.
यथा शयानः पुरुषो मनसैवात्ममायया । सृष्ट्वा लोकं परं स्वाप्नमनुविश्यावभासते
yathā śayānaḥ puruṣo manasaivātmamāyayā | sṛṣṭvā lokaṃ paraṃ svāpnamanuviśyāvabhāsate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord is like a sleeping person who creates a separate world in his imagination and then enters his own dream and sees himself within it.
शृण्वतां गदतां शश्वदर्चतां त्वाभिवन्दताम् । नृणां संवदतामन्तर्हृदि भास्यमलात्मनाम्
śṛṇvatāṃ gadatāṃ śaśvadarcatāṃ tvābhivandatām | nṛṇāṃ saṃvadatāmantarhṛdi bhāsyamalātmanām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
You reveal Yourself within the hearts of those persons of pure consciousness who constantly hear about You, chant about You, worship You, glorify You and converse with one another about You.
हृदिस्थोऽप्यतिदूरस्थः कर्मविक्षिप्तचेतसाम् । आत्मशक्तिभिरग्राह्योऽप्यन्त्युपेतगुणात्मनाम्
hṛdistho'pyatidūrasthaḥ karmavikṣiptacetasām | ātmaśaktibhiragrāhyo'pyantyupetaguṇātmanām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
But although You reside within the heart, You are very far away from those whose minds are disturbed by their entanglement in material work. Indeed, no one can grasp You by his material powers, for You reveal Yourself only in the hearts of those who have learned to appreciate Your transcendental qualities.
नमोऽस्तु तेऽध्यात्मविदां परात्मने अनात्मने स्वात्मविभक्तमृत्यवे । सकारणाकारणलिङ्गमीयुषे स्वमाययासंवृतरुद्धदृष्टये
namo'stu te'dhyātmavidāṃ parātmane anātmane svātmavibhaktamṛtyave | sakāraṇākāraṇaliṅgamīyuṣe svamāyayāsaṃvṛtaruddhadṛṣṭaye
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Let me offer my obeisances unto You. You are realized as the Supreme Soul by those who know the Absolute Truth, whereas in Your form of time You impose death upon the forgetful souls. You appear both in Your causeless spiritual form and in the created form of this universe, thus simultaneously uncovering the eyes of Your devotees and obstructing the vision of the nondevotees.
स त्वं शाधि स्वभृत्यान्नः किं देव करवाम हे । एतदन्तो नृणां क्लेशो यद्भवानक्षिगोचरः
sa tvaṃ śādhi svabhṛtyānnaḥ kiṃ deva karavāma he | etadanto nṛṇāṃ kleśo yadbhavānakṣigocaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Lord, You are that Supreme Soul, and we are Your servants. How shall we serve You? My Lord, simply seeing You puts an end to all the troubles of human life.
श्रीशुक उवाच । तदुक्तमित्युपाकर्ण्य भगवान् प्रणतार्तिहा । गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणिं प्रहसंस्तमुवाच ह
śrīśuka uvāca | taduktamityupākarṇya bhagavān praṇatārtihā | gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇiṃ prahasaṃstamuvāca ha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After hearing Śrutadeva speak these words, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who relieves His surrendered devotees’ distress, took Śrutadeva’s hand in His own and, smiling, spoke to him as follows.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । ब्रह्मंस्तेऽनुग्रहार्थाय सम्प्राप्तान् विद्ध्यमून् मुनीन् । सञ्चरन्ति मया लोकान् पुनन्तः पादरेणुभिः
śrībhagavānuvāca | brahmaṃste'nugrahārthāya samprāptān viddhyamūn munīn | sañcaranti mayā lokān punantaḥ pādareṇubhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: My dear brāhmaṇa, you should know that these great sages have come here just to bless you. They travel throughout the worlds with Me, purifying them with the dust of their feet.
देवाः क्षेत्राणि तीर्थानि दर्शनस्पर्शनार्चनैः । शनैः पुनन्ति कालेन तदप्यर्हत्तमेक्षया
devāḥ kṣetrāṇi tīrthāni darśanasparśanārcanaiḥ | śanaiḥ punanti kālena tadapyarhattamekṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
One can gradually become purified by seeing, touching and worshiping temple deities, places of pilgrimage and holy rivers. But one can attain the same result immediately simply by receiving the glance of exalted sages.
ब्राह्मणो जन्मना श्रेयान् सर्वेषां प्राणिनामिह । तपसा विद्यया तुष्ट्या किमु मत्कलया युतः
brāhmaṇo janmanā śreyān sarveṣāṃ prāṇināmiha | tapasā vidyayā tuṣṭyā kimu matkalayā yutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By his very birth, a brāhmaṇa is the best of all living beings in this world, and he becomes even more exalted when he is endowed with austerity, learning and self-satisfaction, what to speak of devotion to Me.
न ब्राह्मणान्मे दयितं रूपमेतच्चतुर्भुजम् । सर्ववेदमयो विप्रः सर्वदेवमयो ह्यहम्
na brāhmaṇānme dayitaṃ rūpametaccaturbhujam | sarvavedamayo vipraḥ sarvadevamayo hyaham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Even My own four-armed form is no dearer to Me than a brāhmaṇa. Within himself a learned brāhmaṇa comprises all the Vedas, just as within Myself I comprise all the demigods.
दुष्प्रज्ञा अविदित्वैवमवजानन्त्यसूयवः । गुरुं मां विप्रमात्मानमर्चादाविज्यदृष्टयः
duṣprajñā aviditvaivamavajānantyasūyavaḥ | guruṃ māṃ vipramātmānamarcādāvijyadṛṣṭayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Ignorant of this truth, foolish people neglect and enviously offend a learned brāhmaṇa, who, being nondifferent from Me, is their spiritual master and very self. They consider worshipable only such obvious manifestations of divinity as My Deity form.
चराचरमिदं विश्वं भावा ये चास्य हेतवः । मद्रूपाणीति चेतस्याधत्ते विप्रो मदीक्षया
carācaramidaṃ viśvaṃ bhāvā ye cāsya hetavaḥ | madrūpāṇīti cetasyādhatte vipro madīkṣayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because he has realized Me, a brāhmaṇa is firmly fixed in the knowledge that everything moving and nonmoving in the universe, and also the primary elements of its creation, are all manifest forms expanded from Me.
तस्माद्ब्रह्मऋषीनेतान् ब्रह्मन् मच्छ्रद्धयार्चय । एवं चेदर्चितोऽस्म्यद्धा नान्यथा भूरिभूतिभिः
tasmādbrahmaṛṣīnetān brahman macchraddhayārcaya | evaṃ cedarcito'smyaddhā nānyathā bhūribhūtibhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore you should worship these brāhmaṇa sages, O brāhmaṇa, with the same faith you have in Me. If you do so, you will worship Me directly, which you cannot do otherwise, even with offerings of vast riches.
श्रीशुक उवाच । स इत्थं प्रभुणाऽऽदिष्टः सह कृष्णान् द्विजोत्तमान् । आराध्यैकात्मभावेन मैथिलश्चाप सद्गतिम्
śrīśuka uvāca | sa itthaṃ prabhuṇā''diṣṭaḥ saha kṛṣṇān dvijottamān | ārādhyaikātmabhāvena maithilaścāpa sadgatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śuka said: So instructed by his Lord, with single-minded devotion Śrutadeva worshiped Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the topmost brāhmaṇas accompanying Him, and King Bahulāśva did the same. Thus both Śrutadeva and the King attained the ultimate transcendental destination.
एवं स्वभक्तयो राजन् भगवान् भक्तभक्तिमान् । उषित्वाऽऽदिश्य सन्मार्गं पुनर्द्वारवतीमगात्
evaṃ svabhaktayo rājan bhagavān bhaktabhaktimān | uṣitvā''diśya sanmārgaṃ punardvāravatīmagāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, thus the Personality of Godhead, who is devoted to His own devotees, stayed for some time with His two great devotees Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva, teaching them the behavior of perfect saints. Then the Lord returned to Dvārakā.
परीक्षिदुवाच । ब्रह्मन् ब्रह्मण्यनिर्देश्ये निर्गुणे गुणवृत्तयः । कथं चरन्ति श्रुतयः साक्षात्सदसतः परे
parīkṣiduvāca | brahman brahmaṇyanirdeśye nirguṇe guṇavṛttayaḥ | kathaṃ caranti śrutayaḥ sākṣātsadasataḥ pare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Parīkṣit said: O brāhmaṇa, how can the Vedas directly describe the Supreme Absolute Truth, who cannot be described in words? The Vedas are limited to describing the qualities of material nature, but the Supreme is devoid of these qualities, being transcendental to all material manifestations and their causes.
श्रीशुक उवाच । बुद्धीन्द्रियमनःप्राणान् जनानामसृजत्प्रभुः । मात्रार्थं च भवार्थं च आत्मनेऽकल्पनाय च
śrīśuka uvāca | buddhīndriyamanaḥprāṇān janānāmasṛjatprabhuḥ | mātrārthaṃ ca bhavārthaṃ ca ātmane'kalpanāya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvamī said: The Supreme Lord manifested the material intelligence, senses, mind and vital air of the living entities so that they could indulge their desires for sense gratification, take repeated births to engage in fruitive activities, become elevated in future lives and ultimately attain liberation.
सैषा ह्युपनिषद्ब्राह्मी पूर्वेषां पूर्वजैर्धृता । श्रद्धया धारयेद्यस्तां क्षेमं गच्छेदकिञ्चनः
saiṣā hyupaniṣadbrāhmī pūrveṣāṃ pūrvajairdhṛtā | śraddhayā dhārayedyastāṃ kṣemaṃ gacchedakiñcanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Those who came before even our ancient predecessors meditated upon this same confidential knowledge of the Absolute Truth. Indeed, anyone who faithfully concentrates on this knowledge will become free from material attachments and attain the final goal of life.
अत्र ते वर्णयिष्यामि गाथां नारायणान्विताम् । नारदस्य च संवादमृषेर्नारायणस्य च
atra te varṇayiṣyāmi gāthāṃ nārāyaṇānvitām | nāradasya ca saṃvādamṛṣernārāyaṇasya ca
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this connection I will relate to you a narration concerning the Supreme Lord Nārāyaṇa. It is about a conversation that once occurred between Śrī Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and Nārada Muni.
एकदा नारदो लोकान् पर्यटन् भगवत्प्रियः । सनातनमृषिं द्रष्टुं ययौ नारायणाश्रमम्
ekadā nārado lokān paryaṭan bhagavatpriyaḥ | sanātanamṛṣiṃ draṣṭuṃ yayau nārāyaṇāśramam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Once, while traveling among the various planets of the universe, the Lord’s beloved devotee Nārada went to visit the primeval sage Nārāyaṇa at His āśrama.
यो वै भारतवर्षेऽस्मिन् क्षेमाय स्वस्तये नृणाम् । धर्मज्ञानशमोपेतमाकल्पादास्थितस्तपः
yo vai bhāratavarṣe'smin kṣemāya svastaye nṛṇām | dharmajñānaśamopetamākalpādāsthitastapaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From the very beginning of Brahmā’s day Lord Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi has been undergoing austere penances in this land of Bhārata while perfectly performing religious duties and exemplifying spiritual knowledge and self-control — all for the benefit of human beings in both this world and the next.
तत्रोपविष्टमृषिभिः कलापग्रामवासिभिः । परीतं प्रणतोऽपृच्छदिदमेव कुरूद्वह
tatropaviṣṭamṛṣibhiḥ kalāpagrāmavāsibhiḥ | parītaṃ praṇato'pṛcchadidameva kurūdvaha
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
There Nārada approached Lord Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi, who was sitting amidst sages of the village of Kalāpa. After bowing down to the Lord, O hero of the Kurus, Nārada asked Him the very same question you have asked me.
तस्मै ह्यवोचद्भगवान् ऋषीणां शृण्वतामिदम् । यो ब्रह्मवादः पूर्वेषां जनलोकनिवासिनाम्
tasmai hyavocadbhagavān ṛṣīṇāṃ śṛṇvatāmidam | yo brahmavādaḥ pūrveṣāṃ janalokanivāsinām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the sages listened, Lord Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi related to Nārada an ancient discussion about the Absolute Truth that took place among the residents of Janaloka.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । स्वायम्भुव ब्रह्मसत्रं जनलोकेऽभवत्पुरा । तत्रस्थानां मानसानां मुनीनामूर्ध्वरेतसाम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | svāyambhuva brahmasatraṃ janaloke'bhavatpurā | tatrasthānāṃ mānasānāṃ munīnāmūrdhvaretasām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Personality of Godhead said: O son of self-born Brahmā, once long ago on Janaloka, wise sages who resided there performed a great sacrifice to the Absolute Truth by vibrating transcendental sounds. These sages, mental sons of Brahmā, were all perfect celibates.
श्वेतद्वीपं गतवति त्वयि द्रष्टुं तदीश्वरम् । ब्रह्मवादः सुसंवृत्तः श्रुतयो यत्र शेरते । तत्र हायमभूत्प्रश्नस्त्वं मां यमनुपृच्छसि
śvetadvīpaṃ gatavati tvayi draṣṭuṃ tadīśvaram | brahmavādaḥ susaṃvṛttaḥ śrutayo yatra śerate | tatra hāyamabhūtpraśnastvaṃ māṃ yamanupṛcchasi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
At that time you happened to be visiting the Lord on Śvetadvīpa — that Supreme Lord in whom the Vedas lie down to rest during the period of universal annihilation. A lively discussion arose among the sages on Janaloka as to the nature of the Supreme Absolute Truth. Indeed, the same question arose then that you are asking Me now.
तुल्यश्रुततपःशीलास्तुल्यस्वीयारिमध्यमाः । अपि चक्रुः प्रवचनमेकं शुश्रूषवोऽपरे
tulyaśrutatapaḥśīlāstulyasvīyārimadhyamāḥ | api cakruḥ pravacanamekaṃ śuśrūṣavo'pare
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although these sages were all equally qualified in terms of Vedic study and austerity, and although they all saw friends, enemies and neutral parties equally, they chose one of their number to be the speaker, and the rest became eager listeners.
श्रुतय ऊचुः । जय जय जह्यजामजित दोषगृभीतगुणां त्वमसि यदात्मना समवरुद्धसमस्तभगः । अगजगदोकसामखिलशक्त्यवबोधक ते क्वचिदजयाऽऽत्मना च चरतोऽनुचरेन्निगमः
śrutaya ūcuḥ | jaya jaya jahyajāmajita doṣagṛbhītaguṇāṃ tvamasi yadātmanā samavaruddhasamastabhagaḥ | agajagadokasāmakhilaśaktyavabodhaka te kvacidajayā''tmanā ca carato'nucarennigamaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The śrutis said: Victory, victory to You, O unconquerable one! By Your very nature You are perfectly full in all opulences; therefore please defeat the eternal power of illusion, who assumes control over the modes of nature to create difficulties for conditioned souls. O You who awaken all the energies of the moving and nonmoving embodied beings, sometimes the Vedas can recognize You as You sport with Your material and spiritual potencies.
बृहदुपलब्धमेतदवयन्त्यवशेषतया यत उदयास्तमयौ विकृतेर्मृदि वाविकृतात् । अत ऋषयो दधुस्त्वयि मनोवचनाचरितं कथमयथा भवन्ति भुवि दत्तपदानि नृणाम्
bṛhadupalabdhametadavayantyavaśeṣatayā yata udayāstamayau vikṛtermṛdi vāvikṛtāt | ata ṛṣayo dadhustvayi manovacanācaritaṃ kathamayathā bhavanti bhuvi dattapadāni nṛṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This perceivable world is identified with the Supreme because the Supreme Brahman is the ultimate foundation of all existence, remaining unchanged as all created things are generated from it and at last dissolved into it, just as clay remains unchanged by the products made from it and again merged with it. Thus it is toward You alone that the Vedic sages direct all their thoughts, words and acts. After all, how can the footsteps of men fail to touch the earth on which they live?
इति तव सूरयस्त्र्यधिपतेऽखिललोकमल- क्षपणकथामृताब्धिमवगाह्य तपांसि जहुः । किमुत पुनः स्वधामविधुताशयकालगुणाः परम भजन्ति ये पदमजस्रसुखानुभवम्
iti tava sūrayastryadhipate'khilalokamala- kṣapaṇakathāmṛtābdhimavagāhya tapāṃsi jahuḥ | kimuta punaḥ svadhāmavidhutāśayakālaguṇāḥ parama bhajanti ye padamajasrasukhānubhavam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Therefore, O master of the three worlds, the wise get rid of all misery by diving deep into the nectarean ocean of topics about You, which washes away all the contamination of the universe. Then what to speak of those who, having by spiritual strength rid their minds of bad habits and freed themselves from time, are able to worship Your true nature, O supreme one, finding within it uninterrupted bliss?
दृतय इव श्वसन्त्यसुभृतो यदि तेऽनुविधा महदहमादयोऽण्डमसृजन् यदनुग्रहतः । पुरुषविधोऽन्वयोऽत्र चरमोऽन्नमयादिषु यः सदसतः परं त्वमथ यदेष्ववशेषमृतम्
dṛtaya iva śvasantyasubhṛto yadi te'nuvidhā mahadahamādayo'ṇḍamasṛjan yadanugrahataḥ | puruṣavidho'nvayo'tra caramo'nnamayādiṣu yaḥ sadasataḥ paraṃ tvamatha yadeṣvavaśeṣamṛtam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Only if they become Your faithful followers are those who breathe actually alive, otherwise their breathing is like that of a bellows. It is by Your mercy alone that the elements, beginning with the mahat-tattva and false ego, created the egg of this universe. Among the manifestations known as anna-maya and so forth, You are the ultimate one, entering within the material coverings along with the living entity and assuming the same forms as those he takes. Distinct from the gross and subtle material manifestations, You are the reality underlying them all.
उदरमुपासते य ऋषिवर्त्मसु कूर्पदृशः परिसरपद्धतिं हृदयमारुणयो दहरम् । तत उदगादनन्त तव धाम शिरः परमं पुनरिह यत्समेत्य न पतन्ति कृतान्तमुखे
udaramupāsate ya ṛṣivartmasu kūrpadṛśaḥ parisarapaddhatiṃ hṛdayamāruṇayo daharam | tata udagādananta tava dhāma śiraḥ paramaṃ punariha yatsametya na patanti kṛtāntamukhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Among the followers of the methods set forth by great sages, those with less refined vision worship the Supreme as present in the region of the abdomen, while the Āruṇis worship Him as present in the heart, in the subtle center from which all the prāṇic channels emanate. From there, O unlimited Lord, these worshipers raise their consciousness upward to the top of the head, where they can perceive You directly. Then, passing through the top of the head toward the supreme destination, they reach that place from which they will never again fall to this world, into the mouth of death.
स्वकृतविचित्रयोनिषु विशन्निव हेतुतया तरतमतश्चकास्स्यनलवत्स्वकृतानुकृतिः । अथ वितथास्वमूष्ववितथं तव धाम समं विरजधियोऽन्वयन्त्यभिविपण्यव एकरसम्
svakṛtavicitrayoniṣu viśanniva hetutayā taratamataścakāssyanalavatsvakṛtānukṛtiḥ | atha vitathāsvamūṣvavitathaṃ tava dhāma samaṃ virajadhiyo'nvayantyabhivipaṇyava ekarasam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Apparently entering among the variegated species of living beings You have created, You inspire them to act, manifesting Yourself according to their higher and lower positions, just as fire manifests differently according to the shape of what it burns. Therefore those of spotless intelligence, who are altogether free from material attachments, realize Your undifferentiated, unchanging Self to be the permanent reality among all these impermanent life forms.
स्वकृतपुरेष्वमीष्वबहिरन्तरसंवरणं तव पुरुषं वदन्त्यखिलशक्तिधृतोंऽशकृतम् । इति नृगतिं विविच्य कवयो निगमावपनं भवत उपासतेऽङ्घ्रिमभवं भुवि विश्वसिताः
svakṛtapureṣvamīṣvabahirantarasaṃvaraṇaṃ tava puruṣaṃ vadantyakhilaśaktidhṛtoṃ'śakṛtam | iti nṛgatiṃ vivicya kavayo nigamāvapanaṃ bhavata upāsate'ṅghrimabhavaṃ bhuvi viśvasitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The individual living entity, while inhabiting the material bodies he has created for himself by his karma, actually remains uncovered by either gross or subtle matter. This is so because, as the Vedas describe, he is part and parcel of You, the possessor of all potencies. Having determined this to be the status of the living entity, learned sages become imbued with faith and worship Your lotus feet, to which all Vedic sacrifices in this world are offered, and which are the source of liberation.
दुरवगमात्मतत्त्वनिगमाय तवात्ततनोः चरितमहामृताब्धिपरिवर्तपरिश्रमणाः । न परिलषन्ति केचिदपवर्गमपीश्वर ते चरणसरोजहंसकुलसङ्गविसृष्टगृहाः
duravagamātmatattvanigamāya tavāttatanoḥ caritamahāmṛtābdhiparivartapariśramaṇāḥ | na parilaṣanti kecidapavargamapīśvara te caraṇasarojahaṃsakulasaṅgavisṛṣṭagṛhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My Lord, some fortunate souls have gotten relief from the fatigue of material life by diving into the vast nectar ocean of Your pastimes, which You enact when You manifest Your personal forms to propagate the unfathomable science of the self. These rare souls, indifferent even to liberation, renounce the happiness of home and family because of their association with devotees who are like flocks of swans enjoying at the lotus of Your feet.
त्वदनुपथं कुलायमिदमात्मसुहृत्प्रियवत् चरति तथोन्मुखे त्वयि हिते प्रिय आत्मनि च । न बत रमन्त्यहो असदुपासनयाऽऽत्महनो यदनुशया भ्रमन्त्युरुभये कुशरीरभृतः
tvadanupathaṃ kulāyamidamātmasuhṛtpriyavat carati tathonmukhe tvayi hite priya ātmani ca | na bata ramantyaho asadupāsanayā''tmahano yadanuśayā bhramantyurubhaye kuśarīrabhṛtaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When this human body is used for Your devotional service, it acts as one’s self, friend and beloved. But unfortunately, although You always show mercy to the conditioned souls and affectionately help them in every way, and although You are their true Self, people in general fail to delight in You. Instead they commit spiritual suicide by worshiping illusion. Alas, because they persistently hope for success in their devotion to the unreal, they continue to wander about this greatly fearful world, assuming various degraded bodies.
निभृतमरुन्मनोऽक्षदृढयोगयुजो हृदि यन्मुनय उपासते तदरयोऽपि ययुः स्मरणात् । स्त्रिय उरगेन्द्रभोगभुजदण्डविषक्तधियो वयमपि ते समाः समदृशोऽङ्घ्रिसरोजसुधाः
nibhṛtamarunmano'kṣadṛḍhayogayujo hṛdi yanmunaya upāsate tadarayo'pi yayuḥ smaraṇāt | striya uragendrabhogabhujadaṇḍaviṣaktadhiyo vayamapi te samāḥ samadṛśo'ṅghrisarojasudhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Simply by constantly thinking of Him, the enemies of the Lord attained the same Supreme Truth whom sages fixed in yoga worship by controlling their breath, mind and senses. Similarly, we śrutis, who generally see You as all-pervading, will achieve the same nectar from Your lotus feet that Your consorts are able to relish because of their loving attraction to Your mighty, serpentine arms, for You look upon us and Your consorts in the same way.
क इह नु वेद बतावरजन्मलयोऽग्रसरं यत उदगादृषिर्यमनु देवगणा उभये । तर्हि न सन्न चासदुभयं न च कालजवः किमपि न तत्र शास्त्रमवकृष्य शयीत यदा
ka iha nu veda batāvarajanmalayo'grasaraṃ yata udagādṛṣiryamanu devagaṇā ubhaye | tarhi na sanna cāsadubhayaṃ na ca kālajavaḥ kimapi na tatra śāstramavakṛṣya śayīta yadā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Everyone in this world has recently been born and will soon die. So how can anyone here know Him who existed prior to everything else and who gave rise to the first learned sage, Brahmā, and all subsequent demigods, both lesser and greater? When He lies down and withdraws everything within Himself, nothing else remains — no gross or subtle matter or bodies composed of these, no force of time or revealed scripture.
जनिमसतः सतो मृतिमुतात्मनि ये च भिदां विपणमृतं स्मरन्त्युपदिशन्ति त आरुपितैः । त्रिगुणमयः पुमानिति भिदा यदबोधकृता त्वयि न ततः परत्र स भवेदवबोधरसे
janimasataḥ sato mṛtimutātmani ye ca bhidāṃ vipaṇamṛtaṃ smarantyupadiśanti ta ārupitaiḥ | triguṇamayaḥ pumāniti bhidā yadabodhakṛtā tvayi na tataḥ paratra sa bhavedavabodharase
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Supposed authorities who declare that matter is the origin of existence, that the permanent qualities of the soul can be destroyed, that the self is compounded of separate aspects of spirit and matter, or that material transactions constitute reality — all such authorities base their teachings on mistaken ideas that hide the truth. The dualistic conception that the living entity is produced from the three modes of nature is simply a product of ignorance. Such a conception has no real basis in You, for You are transcendental to all illusion and always enjoy perfect, total awareness.
सदिव मनस्त्रिवृत्त्वयि विभात्यसदामनुजात् सदभिमृशन्त्यशेषमिदमात्मतयाऽऽत्मविदः । न हि विकृतिं त्यजन्ति कनकस्य तदात्मतया स्वकृतमनुप्रविष्टमिदमात्मतयावसितम्
sadiva manastrivṛttvayi vibhātyasadāmanujāt sadabhimṛśantyaśeṣamidamātmatayā''tmavidaḥ | na hi vikṛtiṃ tyajanti kanakasya tadātmatayā svakṛtamanupraviṣṭamidamātmatayāvasitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The three modes of material nature comprise everything in this world — from the simplest phenomena to the complex human body. Although these phenomena appear real, they are only a false reflection of the spiritual reality, being a superimposition of the mind upon You. Still, those who know the Supreme Self consider the entire material creation to be real inasmuch as it is nondifferent from the Self. Just as things made of gold are indeed not to be rejected, since their substance is actual gold, so this world is undoubtedly nondifferent from the Lord who created it and then entered within it.
तव परि ये चरन्त्यखिलसत्त्वनिकेततया त उत पदाऽऽक्रमन्त्यविगणय्य शिरो निरृतेः । परिवयसे पशूनिव गिरा विबुधानपि तांस्त्वयि कृतसौहृदाः खलु पुनन्ति न ये विमुखाः
tava pari ye carantyakhilasattvaniketatayā ta uta padā''kramantyavigaṇayya śiro nirṛteḥ | parivayase paśūniva girā vibudhānapi tāṃstvayi kṛtasauhṛdāḥ khalu punanti na ye vimukhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The devotees who worship You as the shelter of all beings disregard Death and place their feet on his head. But with the words of the Vedas You bind the nondevotees like animals, though they be vastly learned scholars. It is Your affectionate devotees who can purify themselves and others, not those who are inimical to You.
त्वमकरणः स्वराडखिलकारकशक्तिधरः तव बलिमुद्वहन्ति समदन्त्यजयानिमिषाः । वर्षभुजोऽखिलक्षितिपतेरिव विश्वसृजो विदधति यत्र ये त्वधिकृता भवतश्चकिताः
tvamakaraṇaḥ svarāḍakhilakārakaśaktidharaḥ tava balimudvahanti samadantyajayānimiṣāḥ | varṣabhujo'khilakṣitipateriva viśvasṛjo vidadhati yatra ye tvadhikṛtā bhavataścakitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Though You have no material senses, You are the self-effulgent sustainer of everyone’s sensory powers. The demigods and material nature herself offer You tribute, while also enjoying the tribute offered them by their worshipers, just as subordinate rulers of various districts in a kingdom offer tribute to their lord, the ultimate proprietor of the land, while also enjoying the tribute paid them by their own subjects. In this way the universal creators faithfully execute their assigned services out of fear of You.
स्थिरचरजातयः स्युरजयोत्थनिमित्तयुजो विहर उदीक्षया यदि परस्य विमुक्त ततः । न हि परमस्य कश्चिदपरो न परश्च भवेत् वियत इवापदस्य तव शून्यतुलां दधतः
sthiracarajātayaḥ syurajayotthanimittayujo vihara udīkṣayā yadi parasya vimukta tataḥ | na hi paramasya kaścidaparo na paraśca bhavet viyata ivāpadasya tava śūnyatulāṃ dadhataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O eternally liberated, transcendental Lord, Your material energy causes the various moving and nonmoving species of life to appear by activating their material desires, but only when and if You sport with her by briefly glancing at her. You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, see no one as an intimate friend and no one as a stranger, just as the ethereal sky has no connection with perceptible qualities. In this sense You resemble a void.
अपरिमिता ध्रुवास्तनुभृतो यदि सर्वगताः तर्हि न शास्यतेति नियमो ध्रुव नेतरथा । अजनि च यन्मयं तदविमुच्य नियन्तृ भवेत् सममनुजानतां यदमतं मतदुष्टतया
aparimitā dhruvāstanubhṛto yadi sarvagatāḥ tarhi na śāsyateti niyamo dhruva netarathā | ajani ca yanmayaṃ tadavimucya niyantṛ bhavet samamanujānatāṃ yadamataṃ mataduṣṭatayā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If the countless living entities were all-pervading and possessed forms that never changed, You could not possibly be their absolute ruler, O immutable one. But since they are Your localized expansions and their forms are subject to change, You do control them. Indeed, that which supplies the ingredients for the generation of something is necessarily its controller because a product never exists apart from its ingredient cause. It is simply illusion for someone to think that he knows the Supreme Lord, who is equally present in each of His expansions, since whatever knowledge one gains by material means must be imperfect.
न घटत उद्भवः प्रकृतिपूरुषयोरजयोः उभययुजा भवन्त्यसुभृतो जलबुद्बुदवत् । त्वयि त इमे ततो विविधनामगुणैः परमे सरित इवार्णवे मधुनि लिल्युरशेषरसाः
na ghaṭata udbhavaḥ prakṛtipūruṣayorajayoḥ ubhayayujā bhavantyasubhṛto jalabudbudavat | tvayi ta ime tato vividhanāmaguṇaiḥ parame sarita ivārṇave madhuni lilyuraśeṣarasāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Neither material nature nor the soul who tries to enjoy her are ever born, yet living bodies come into being when these two combine, just as bubbles form where water meets the air. And just as rivers merge into the ocean or the nectar from many different flowers blends into honey, so all these conditioned beings eventually merge back into You, the Supreme, along with their various names and qualities.
नृषु तव मायया भ्रमममीष्ववगत्य भृशं त्वयि सुधियोऽभवे दधति भावमनुप्रभवम् । कथमनुवर्ततां भवभयं तव यद्भ्रुकुटिः सृजति मुहुस्त्रिणेमिरभवच्छरणेषु भयम्
nṛṣu tava māyayā bhramamamīṣvavagatya bhṛśaṃ tvayi sudhiyo'bhave dadhati bhāvamanuprabhavam | kathamanuvartatāṃ bhavabhayaṃ tava yadbhrukuṭiḥ sṛjati muhustriṇemirabhavaccharaṇeṣu bhayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wise souls who understand how Your Māyā deludes all human beings render potent loving service to You, who are the source of liberation from birth and death. How, indeed, can fear of material life affect Your faithful servants? On the other hand, Your furrowing eyebrows — the triple-rimmed wheel of time — repeatedly terrify those who refuse to take shelter of You.
विजितहृषीकवायुभिरदान्तमनस्तुरगं य इह यतन्ति यन्तुमतिलोलमुपायखिदः । व्यसनशतान्विताः समवहाय गुरोश्चरणं वणिज इवाज सन्त्यकृतकर्णधरा जलधौ
vijitahṛṣīkavāyubhiradāntamanasturagaṃ ya iha yatanti yantumatilolamupāyakhidaḥ | vyasanaśatānvitāḥ samavahāya guroścaraṇaṃ vaṇija ivāja santyakṛtakarṇadharā jaladhau
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The mind is like an impetuous horse that even persons who have regulated their senses and breath cannot control. Those in this world who try to tame the uncontrolled mind, but who abandon the feet of their spiritual master, encounter hundreds of obstacles in their cultivation of various distressful practices. O unborn Lord, they are like merchants on a boat in the ocean who have failed to employ a helmsman.
स्वजनसुतात्मदारधनधामधरासुरथैः त्वयि सति किं नृणां श्रयत आत्मनि सर्वरसे । इति सदजानतां मिथुनतो रतये चरतां सुखयति को न्विह स्वविहते स्वनिरस्तभगे
svajanasutātmadāradhanadhāmadharāsurathaiḥ tvayi sati kiṃ nṛṇāṃ śrayata ātmani sarvarase | iti sadajānatāṃ mithunato rataye caratāṃ sukhayati ko nviha svavihate svanirastabhage
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To those persons who take shelter of You, You reveal Yourself as the Supersoul, the embodiment of all transcendental pleasure. What further use have such devotees for their servants, children or bodies, their wives, money or houses, their land, good health or conveyances? And for those who fail to appreciate the truth about You and go on pursuing the pleasures of sex, what could there be in this entire world — a place inherently doomed to destruction and devoid of significance — that could give them real happiness?
भुवि पुरुपुण्यतीर्थसदनान्यृषयो विमदाः त उत भवत्पदाम्बुजहृदोऽघभिदङ्घ्रिजलाः । दधति सकृन्मनस्त्वयि य आत्मनि नित्यसुखे न पुनरुपासते पुरुषसारहरावसथान्
bhuvi purupuṇyatīrthasadanānyṛṣayo vimadāḥ ta uta bhavatpadāmbujahṛdo'ghabhidaṅghrijalāḥ | dadhati sakṛnmanastvayi ya ātmani nityasukhe na punarupāsate puruṣasāraharāvasathān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sages free from false pride live on this earth by frequenting the sacred pilgrimage sites and those places where the Supreme Lord displayed His pastimes. Because such devotees keep Your lotus feet within their hearts, the water that washes their feet destroys all sins. Anyone who even once turns his mind toward You, the ever-blissful Soul of all existence, no longer dedicates himself to serving family life at home, which simply robs a man of his good qualities.
सत इदमुत्थितं सदिति चेन्ननु तर्कहतं व्यभिचरति क्व च क्व च मृषा न तथोभययुक् । व्यवहृतये विकल्प इषितोऽन्धपरम्परया भ्रमयति भारती त उरुवृत्तिभिरुक्थजडान्
sata idamutthitaṃ saditi cennanu tarkahataṃ vyabhicarati kva ca kva ca mṛṣā na tathobhayayuk | vyavahṛtaye vikalpa iṣito'ndhaparamparayā bhramayati bhāratī ta uruvṛttibhirukthajaḍān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
It may be proposed that this world is permanently real because it is generated from the permanent reality, but such an argument is subject to logical refutation. Sometimes, indeed, the apparent nondifference of a cause and its effect fails to prove true, and at other times the product of something real is illusory. Furthermore, this world cannot be permanently real, for it partakes of the natures of not only the absolute reality but also the illusion disguising that reality. Actually, the visible forms of this world are just an imaginary arrangement resorted to by a succession of ignorant persons in order to facilitate their material affairs. With their various meanings and implications, the learned words of Your Vedas bewilder all persons whose minds have been dulled by hearing the incantations of sacrificial rituals.
न यदिदमग्र आस न भविष्यदतो निधनात् अनुमितमन्तरा त्वयि विभाति मृषैकरसे । अत उपमीयते द्रविणजातिविकल्पपथैः वितथमनोविलासमृतमित्यवयन्त्यबुधाः
na yadidamagra āsa na bhaviṣyadato nidhanāt anumitamantarā tvayi vibhāti mṛṣaikarase | ata upamīyate draviṇajātivikalpapathaiḥ vitathamanovilāsamṛtamityavayantyabudhāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Since this universe did not exist prior to its creation and will no longer exist after its annihilation, we conclude that in the interim it is nothing more than a manifestation imagined to be visible within You, whose spiritual enjoyment never changes. We liken this universe to the transformation of various material substances into diverse forms. Certainly those who believe that this figment of the imagination is substantially real are less intelligent.
स यदजया त्वजामनुशयीत गुणांश्च जुषन् भजति सरूपतां तदनु मृत्युमपेतभगः । त्वमुत जहासि तामहिरिव त्वचमात्तभगो महसि महीयसेऽष्टगुणितेऽपरिमेयभगः
sa yadajayā tvajāmanuśayīta guṇāṃśca juṣan bhajati sarūpatāṃ tadanu mṛtyumapetabhagaḥ | tvamuta jahāsi tāmahiriva tvacamāttabhago mahasi mahīyase'ṣṭaguṇite'parimeyabhagaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The illusory material nature attracts the minute living entity to embrace her, and as a result he assumes forms composed of her qualities. Subsequently, he loses all his spiritual qualities and must undergo repeated deaths. You, however, avoid the material energy in the same way that a snake abandons its old skin. Glorious in Your possession of eight mystic perfections, You enjoy unlimited opulences.
यदि न समुद्धरन्ति यतयो हृदि कामजटा दुरधिगमोऽसतां हृदि गतोऽस्मृतकण्ठमणिः । असुतृपयोगिनामुभयतोऽप्यसुखं भगवन् अनपगतान्तकादनधिरूढपदाद्भवतः
yadi na samuddharanti yatayo hṛdi kāmajaṭā duradhigamo'satāṃ hṛdi gato'smṛtakaṇṭhamaṇiḥ | asutṛpayogināmubhayato'pyasukhaṃ bhagavan anapagatāntakādanadhirūḍhapadādbhavataḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Members of the renounced order who fail to uproot the last traces of material desire in their hearts remain impure, and thus You do not allow them to understand You. Although You are present within their hearts, for them You are like a jewel worn around the neck of a man who has totally forgotten it is there. O Lord, those who practice yoga only for sense gratification must suffer punishment both in this life and the next: from death, who will not release them, and from You, whose kingdom they cannot reach.
त्वदवगमी न वेत्ति भवदुत्थशुभाशुभयोः गुणविगुणान्वयांस्तर्हि देहभृतां च गिरः । अनुयुगमन्वहं सगुण गीतपरम्परया श्रवणभृतो यतस्त्वमपवर्गगतिर्मनुजैः
tvadavagamī na vetti bhavadutthaśubhāśubhayoḥ guṇaviguṇānvayāṃstarhi dehabhṛtāṃ ca giraḥ | anuyugamanvahaṃ saguṇa gītaparamparayā śravaṇabhṛto yatastvamapavargagatirmanujaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When a person realizes You, he no longer cares about his good and bad fortune arising from past pious and sinful acts, since it is You alone who control this good and bad fortune. Such a realized devotee also disregards what ordinary living beings say about him. Every day he fills his ears with Your glories, which are recited in each age by the unbroken succession of Manu’s descendants, and thus You become his ultimate salvation.
द्युपतय एव ते न ययुरन्तमनन्ततया त्वमपि यदन्तराण्डनिचया ननु सावरणाः । ख इव रजांसि वान्ति वयसा सह यच्छ्रुतयः त्वयि हि फलन्त्यतन्निरसनेन भवन्निधनाः
dyupataya eva te na yayurantamanantatayā tvamapi yadantarāṇḍanicayā nanu sāvaraṇāḥ | kha iva rajāṃsi vānti vayasā saha yacchrutayaḥ tvayi hi phalantyatannirasanena bhavannidhanāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because You are unlimited, neither the lords of heaven nor even You Yourself can ever reach the end of Your glories. The countless universes, each enveloped in its shell, are compelled by the wheel of time to wander within You, like particles of dust blowing about in the sky. The śrutis, following their method of eliminating everything separate from the Supreme, become successful by revealing You as their final conclusion.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । इत्येतद्ब्रह्मणः पुत्रा आश्रुत्यात्मानुशासनम् । सनन्दनमथानर्चुः सिद्धा ज्ञात्वाऽऽत्मनो गतिम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | ityetadbrahmaṇaḥ putrā āśrutyātmānuśāsanam | sanandanamathānarcuḥ siddhā jñātvā''tmano gatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord, Śrī Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi, said: Having heard these instructions about the Supreme Self, the Personality of Godhead, the sons of Brahmā now understood their final destination. They felt perfectly satisfied and honored Sanandana with their worship.
इत्यशेषसमाम्नायपुराणोपनिषद्रसः । समुद्धृतः पूर्वजातैर्व्योमयानैर्महात्मभिः
ityaśeṣasamāmnāyapurāṇopaniṣadrasaḥ | samuddhṛtaḥ pūrvajātairvyomayānairmahātmabhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus the ancient saints who travel in the upper heavens distilled this nectarean and confidential essence of all the Vedas and Purāṇas.
त्वं चैतद्ब्रह्मदायाद श्रद्धयाऽऽत्मानुशासनम् । धारयंश्चर गां कामं कामानां भर्जनं नृणाम्
tvaṃ caitadbrahmadāyāda śraddhayā''tmānuśāsanam | dhārayaṃścara gāṃ kāmaṃ kāmānāṃ bharjanaṃ nṛṇām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And as you wander the earth at will, My dear son of Brahmā, you should faithfully meditate on these instructions concerning the science of the Self, which burn up the material desires of all men.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं स ऋषिणाऽऽदिष्टं गृहीत्वा श्रद्धयाऽऽत्मवान् । पूर्णः श्रुतधरो राजन्नाह वीरव्रतो मुनिः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ sa ṛṣiṇā''diṣṭaṃ gṛhītvā śraddhayā''tmavān | pūrṇaḥ śrutadharo rājannāha vīravrato muniḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When Śrī Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi ordered him in this way, the self-possessed sage Nārada, whose vow is as heroic as a warrior’s, accepted the command with firm faith. Now successful in all his purposes, he thought about what he had heard, O King, and replied to the Lord as follows.
नारद उवाच । नमस्तस्मै भगवते कृष्णायामलकीर्तये । यो धत्ते सर्वभूतानामभवायोशतीः कलाः
nārada uvāca | namastasmai bhagavate kṛṣṇāyāmalakīrtaye | yo dhatte sarvabhūtānāmabhavāyośatīḥ kalāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Nārada said: I offer my obeisances to Him of spotless fame, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, who manifests His all-attractive personal expansions so that all living beings can achieve liberation.
इत्याद्यमृषिमानम्य तच्छिष्यांश्च महात्मनः । ततोऽगादाश्रमं साक्षात्पितुर्द्वैपायनस्य मे
ityādyamṛṣimānamya tacchiṣyāṃśca mahātmanaḥ | tato'gādāśramaṃ sākṣātpiturdvaipāyanasya me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] After saying this, Nārada bowed down to Śrī Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi, the foremost of sages, and also to His saintly disciples. He then returned to the hermitage of my father, Dvaipāyana Vyāsa.
सभाजितो भगवता कृतासनपरिग्रहः । तस्मै तद्वर्णयामास नारायणमुखाच्छ्रुतम्
sabhājito bhagavatā kṛtāsanaparigrahaḥ | tasmai tadvarṇayāmāsa nārāyaṇamukhācchrutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Vyāsadeva, the incarnation of the Personality of Godhead, respectfully greeted Nārada Muni and offered him a seat, which he accepted. Nārada then described to Vyāsa what he had heard from the mouth of Śrī Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi.
इत्येतद्वर्णितं राजन् यन्नः प्रश्नः कृतस्त्वया । यथा ब्रह्मण्यनिर्देश्ये निर्गुणेऽपि मनश्चरेत्
ityetadvarṇitaṃ rājan yannaḥ praśnaḥ kṛtastvayā | yathā brahmaṇyanirdeśye nirguṇe'pi manaścaret
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus I have replied to the question you asked me, O King, concerning how the mind can have access to the Absolute Truth, which is indescribable by material words and devoid of material qualities.
योऽस्योत्प्रेक्षक आदिमध्यनिधने योऽव्यक्तजीवेश्वरो यः सृष्ट्वेदमनुप्रविश्य ऋषिणा चक्रे पुरः शास्ति ताः । यं सम्पद्य जहात्यजामनुशयी सुप्तः कुलायं यथा तं कैवल्यनिरस्तयोनिमभयं ध्यायेदजस्रं हरिम्
yo'syotprekṣaka ādimadhyanidhane yo'vyaktajīveśvaro yaḥ sṛṣṭvedamanupraviśya ṛṣiṇā cakre puraḥ śāsti tāḥ | yaṃ sampadya jahātyajāmanuśayī suptaḥ kulāyaṃ yathā taṃ kaivalyanirastayonimabhayaṃ dhyāyedajasraṃ harim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He is the Lord who eternally watches over this universe, who exists before, during and after its manifestation. He is the master of both the unmanifest material energy and the spirit soul. After sending forth the creation He enters within it, accompanying each living entity. There He creates the material bodies and then remains as their regulator. By surrendering to Him one can escape the embrace of illusion, just as a dreaming person forgets his own body. One who wants liberation from fear should constantly meditate upon Him, Lord Hari, who is always on the platform of perfection and thus never subject to material birth.
राजोवाच । देवासुरमनुष्येषु ये भजन्त्यशिवं शिवम् । प्रायस्ते धनिनो भोजा न तु लक्ष्म्याः पतिं हरिम्
rājovāca | devāsuramanuṣyeṣu ye bhajantyaśivaṃ śivam | prāyaste dhanino bhojā na tu lakṣmyāḥ patiṃ harim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
King Parīkṣit said: Those demigods, demons and humans who worship Lord Śiva, a strict renunciant, usually enjoy wealth and sense gratification, while the worshipers of the Supreme Lord Hari, the husband of the goddess of fortune, do not.
एतद्वेदितुमिच्छामः सन्देहोऽत्र महान् हि नः । विरुद्धशीलयोः प्रभ्वोर्विरुद्धा भजतां गतिः
etadveditumicchāmaḥ sandeho'tra mahān hi naḥ | viruddhaśīlayoḥ prabhvorviruddhā bhajatāṃ gatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
We wish to properly understand this matter, which greatly puzzles us. Indeed, the results attained by the worshipers of these two lords of opposite characters are contrary to what one would expect.
श्रीशुक उवाच । शिवः शक्तियुतः शश्वत्त्रिलिङ्गो गुणसंवृतः । वैकारिकस्तैजसश्च तामसश्चेत्यहं त्रिधा
śrīśuka uvāca | śivaḥ śaktiyutaḥ śaśvattriliṅgo guṇasaṃvṛtaḥ | vaikārikastaijasaśca tāmasaścetyahaṃ tridhā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Śukadeva said: Lord Śiva is always united with his personal energy, the material nature. Manifesting himself in three features in response to the entreaties of nature’s three modes, he thus embodies the threefold principle of material ego in goodness, passion and ignorance.
ततो विकारा अभवन् षोडशामीषु कञ्चन । उपधावन् विभूतीनां सर्वासामश्नुते गतिम्
tato vikārā abhavan ṣoḍaśāmīṣu kañcana | upadhāvan vibhūtīnāṃ sarvāsāmaśnute gatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The sixteen elements have evolved as transformations of that false ego. When a devotee of Lord Śiva worships his manifestation in any one of these elements, the devotee obtains all sorts of corresponding enjoyable opulences.
हरिर्हि निर्गुणः साक्षात्पुरुषः प्रकृतेः परः । स सर्वदृगुपद्रष्टा तं भजन् निर्गुणो भवेत्
harirhi nirguṇaḥ sākṣātpuruṣaḥ prakṛteḥ paraḥ | sa sarvadṛgupadraṣṭā taṃ bhajan nirguṇo bhavet
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Hari, however, has no connection with the material modes. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the all-seeing eternal witness, who is transcendental to material nature. One who worships Him becomes similarly free from the material modes.
निवृत्तेष्वश्वमेधेषु राजा युष्मत्पितामहः । शृण्वन् भगवतो धर्मानपृच्छदिदमच्युतम्
nivṛtteṣvaśvamedheṣu rājā yuṣmatpitāmahaḥ | śṛṇvan bhagavato dharmānapṛcchadidamacyutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Your grandfather, King Yudhiṣṭhira, after completing his Aśvamedha sacrifices, asked Lord Acyuta this very same question while hearing the Lord’s explanation of religious principles.
स आह भगवांस्तस्मै प्रीतः शुश्रूषवे प्रभुः । नृणां निःश्रेयसार्थाय योऽवतीर्णो यदोः कुले
sa āha bhagavāṃstasmai prītaḥ śuśrūṣave prabhuḥ | nṛṇāṃ niḥśreyasārthāya yo'vatīrṇo yadoḥ kule
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
This question pleased Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the King’s Lord and master, who had descended into the family of Yadu for the purpose of bestowing the highest good on all men. The Lord replied as follows as the King eagerly listened.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । यस्याहमनुगृह्णामि हरिष्ये तद्धनं शनैः । ततोऽधनं त्यजन्त्यस्य स्वजना दुःखदुःखितम्
śrībhagavānuvāca | yasyāhamanugṛhṇāmi hariṣye taddhanaṃ śanaiḥ | tato'dhanaṃ tyajantyasya svajanā duḥkhaduḥkhitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Personality of Godhead said: If I especially favor someone, I gradually deprive him of his wealth. Then the relatives and friends of such a poverty-stricken man abandon him. In this way he suffers one distress after another.
स यदा वितथोद्योगो निर्विण्णः स्याद्धनेहया । मत्परैः कृतमैत्रस्य करिष्ये मदनुग्रहम्
sa yadā vitathodyogo nirviṇṇaḥ syāddhanehayā | matparaiḥ kṛtamaitrasya kariṣye madanugraham
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When he becomes frustrated in his attempts to make money and instead befriends My devotees, I bestow My special mercy upon him.
तद्ब्रह्म परमं सूक्ष्मं चिन्मात्रं सदनन्तकम् । (विज्ञायात्मतया धीरः संसारात्परिमुच्यते ।) अतो मां सुदुराराध्यं हित्वान्यान् भजते जनः
tadbrahma paramaṃ sūkṣmaṃ cinmātraṃ sadanantakam | (vijñāyātmatayā dhīraḥ saṃsārātparimucyate |) ato māṃ sudurārādhyaṃ hitvānyān bhajate janaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
A person who has thus become sober fully realizes the Absolute as the highest truth, the most subtle and perfect manifestation of spirit, the transcendental existence without end. In this way realizing that the Supreme Truth is the foundation of his own existence, he is freed from the cycle of material life.
ततस्त आशुतोषेभ्यो लब्धराज्यश्रियोद्धताः । मत्ताः प्रमत्ता वरदान् विस्मरन्त्यवजानते
tatasta āśutoṣebhyo labdharājyaśriyoddhatāḥ | mattāḥ pramattā varadān vismarantyavajānate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because I am difficult to worship, people generally avoid Me and instead worship other deities, who are quickly satisfied. When people receive kingly opulences from these deities, they become arrogant, intoxicated with pride and neglectful of their duties. They dare to offend even the demigods who have bestowed benedictions upon them.
श्रीशुक उवाच । शापप्रसादयोरीशा ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवादयः । सद्यः शापप्रसादोऽङ्ग शिवो ब्रह्मा न चाच्युतः
śrīśuka uvāca | śāpaprasādayorīśā brahmaviṣṇuśivādayaḥ | sadyaḥ śāpaprasādo'ṅga śivo brahmā na cācyutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Lord Brahmā, Lord Viṣṇu, Lord Śiva and others are able to curse or bless one. Lord Śiva and Lord Brahmā are very quick to curse or bestow benedictions, my dear King, but the infallible Supreme Lord is not.
अत्र चोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । वृकासुराय गिरिशो वरं दत्त्वाऽऽप सङ्कटम्
atra codāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam | vṛkāsurāya giriśo varaṃ dattvā''pa saṅkaṭam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this connection, an ancient historical account is related concerning how the Lord of Kailāsa Mountain was put into danger by offering a choice of benedictions to the demon Vṛka.
वृको नामासुरः पुत्रः शकुनेः पथि नारदम् । दृष्ट्वाऽऽशुतोषं पप्रच्छ देवेषु त्रिषु दुर्मतिः
vṛko nāmāsuraḥ putraḥ śakuneḥ pathi nāradam | dṛṣṭvā''śutoṣaṃ papraccha deveṣu triṣu durmatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The demon named Vṛka, a son of Śakuni’s, once met Nārada on the road. The wicked fellow asked him which of the three chief gods could be pleased most quickly.
स आह देवं गिरिशमुपाधावाशु सिद्ध्यसि । योऽल्पाभ्यां गुणदोषाभ्यामाशु तुष्यति कुप्यति
sa āha devaṃ giriśamupādhāvāśu siddhyasi | yo'lpābhyāṃ guṇadoṣābhyāmāśu tuṣyati kupyati
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Nārada told him: Worship Lord Śiva and you will soon achieve success. He quickly becomes pleased by seeing his worshiper’s slightest good qualities — and quickly angered by seeing his slightest fault.
दशास्यबाणयोस्तुष्टः स्तुवतोर्वन्दिनोरिव । ऐश्वर्यमतुलं दत्त्वा तत आप सुसङ्कटम्
daśāsyabāṇayostuṣṭaḥ stuvatorvandinoriva | aiśvaryamatulaṃ dattvā tata āpa susaṅkaṭam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
He became pleased with ten-headed Rāvaṇa, and also with Bāṇa, when they each chanted his glories, like bards in a royal court. Lord Śiva then bestowed unprecedented power upon each of them, but in both cases he was consequently beset with great difficulty.
तमाह चाङ्गालमलं वृणीष्व मे यथाभिकामं वितरामि ते वरम् । प्रीयेय तोयेन नृणां प्रपद्यता- महो त्वयाऽऽत्मा भृशमर्द्यते वृथा
tamāha cāṅgālamalaṃ vṛṇīṣva me yathābhikāmaṃ vitarāmi te varam | prīyeya toyena nṛṇāṃ prapadyatā- maho tvayā''tmā bhṛśamardyate vṛthā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śiva said to him: My friend, please stop, stop! Ask from me whatever you want, and I will bestow that boon upon you. Alas, you have subjected your body to great torment for no reason, since I am pleased with a simple offering of water from those who approach me for shelter.
देवं स वव्रे पापीयान् वरं भूतभयावहम् । यस्य यस्य करं शीर्ष्णि धास्ये स म्रियतामिति
devaṃ sa vavre pāpīyān varaṃ bhūtabhayāvaham | yasya yasya karaṃ śīrṣṇi dhāsye sa mriyatāmiti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] The benediction sinful Vṛka chose from the lord would terrify all living beings. Vṛka said, “May death come to whomever I touch upon the head with my hand.”
तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान् रुद्रो दुर्मना इव भारत । ओं इति प्रहसंस्तस्मै ददेऽहेरमृतं यथा
tacchrutvā bhagavān rudro durmanā iva bhārata | oṃ iti prahasaṃstasmai dade'heramṛtaṃ yathā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Upon hearing this, Lord Rudra seemed somewhat disturbed. Nonetheless, O descendant of Bharata, he vibrated om to signify his assent, granting Vṛka the benediction with an ironic smile, as if giving milk to a poisonous snake.
इत्युक्तः सोऽसुरो नूनं गौरीहरणलालसः । स तद्वरपरीक्षार्थं शम्भोर्मूर्ध्नि किलासुरः । स्वहस्तं धातुमारेभे सोऽबिभ्यत्स्वकृताच्छिवः
ityuktaḥ so'suro nūnaṃ gaurīharaṇalālasaḥ | sa tadvaraparīkṣārthaṃ śambhormūrdhni kilāsuraḥ | svahastaṃ dhātumārebhe so'bibhyatsvakṛtācchivaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To test Lord Śambhu’s benediction, the demon then tried to put his hand on the Lord’s head. Thus Śiva was frightened because of what he himself had done.
तेनोपसृष्टः सन्त्रस्तः पराधावन् सवेपथुः । यावदन्तं दिवो भूमेः काष्ठानामुदगादुदक्
tenopasṛṣṭaḥ santrastaḥ parādhāvan savepathuḥ | yāvadantaṃ divo bhūmeḥ kāṣṭhānāmudagādudak
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
As the demon pursued him, Lord Śiva fled swiftly from his abode in the north, shaking with terror. He ran as far as the limits of the earth, the sky and the corners of the universe.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । शाकुनेय भवान् व्यक्तं श्रान्तः किं दूरमागतः । क्षणं विश्रम्यतां पुंस आत्मायं सर्वकामधुक्
śrībhagavānuvāca | śākuneya bhavān vyaktaṃ śrāntaḥ kiṃ dūramāgataḥ | kṣaṇaṃ viśramyatāṃ puṃsa ātmāyaṃ sarvakāmadhuk
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: My dear son of Śakuni, you appear tired. Why have you come such a great distance? Please rest for a minute. After all, it is one’s body that fulfills all one’s desires.
यदि नः श्रवणायालं युष्मद्व्यवसितं विभो । भण्यतां प्रायशः पुम्भिर्धृतैः स्वार्थान् समीहते
yadi naḥ śravaṇāyālaṃ yuṣmadvyavasitaṃ vibho | bhaṇyatāṃ prāyaśaḥ pumbhirdhṛtaiḥ svārthān samīhate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O mighty one, please tell Us what you intend to do, if We are qualified to hear it. Usually one accomplishes his purposes by taking help from others.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं भगवता पृष्टो वचसामृतवर्षिणा । गतक्लमोऽब्रवीत्तस्मै यथापूर्वमनुष्ठितम्
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ bhagavatā pṛṣṭo vacasāmṛtavarṣiṇā | gataklamo'bravīttasmai yathāpūrvamanuṣṭhitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus questioned by the Personality of Godhead in language that poured down upon him like sweet nectar, Vṛka felt relieved of his fatigue. He described to the Lord everything he had done.
श्रीभगवानुवाच । एवं चेत्तर्हि तद्वाक्यं न वयं श्रद्दधीमहि । यो दक्षशापात्पैशाच्यं प्राप्तः प्रेतपिशाचराट्
śrībhagavānuvāca | evaṃ cettarhi tadvākyaṃ na vayaṃ śraddadhīmahi | yo dakṣaśāpātpaiśācyaṃ prāptaḥ pretapiśācarāṭ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord said: If this is the case, We cannot believe what Śiva says. Śiva is the same lord of the Pretas and Piśācas whom Dakṣa cursed to become like a carnivorous hobgoblin.
यदि वस्तत्र विश्रम्भो दानवेन्द्र जगद्गुरौ । तर्ह्यङ्गाशु स्वशिरसि हस्तं न्यस्य प्रतीयताम्
yadi vastatra viśrambho dānavendra jagadgurau | tarhyaṅgāśu svaśirasi hastaṃ nyasya pratīyatām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of the demons, if you have any faith in him because he is the spiritual master of the universe, then without delay put your hand on your head and see what happens.
यद्यसत्यं वचः शम्भोः कथञ्चिद्दानवर्षभ । तदैनं जह्यसद्वाचं न यद्वक्तानृतं पुनः
yadyasatyaṃ vacaḥ śambhoḥ kathañciddānavarṣabha | tadainaṃ jahyasadvācaṃ na yadvaktānṛtaṃ punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
If the words of Lord Śambhu prove untrue in any way, O best of the demons, then kill the liar so he may never lie again.
इत्थं भगवतश्चित्रैर्वचोभिः स सुपेशलैः । भिन्नधीर्विस्मृतः शीर्ष्णि स्वहस्तं कुमतिर्व्यधात्
itthaṃ bhagavataścitrairvacobhiḥ sa supeśalaiḥ | bhinnadhīrvismṛtaḥ śīrṣṇi svahastaṃ kumatirvyadhāt
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus bewildered by the Personality of Godhead’s enchanting, artful words, foolish Vṛka, without realizing what he was doing, placed his hand on his head.
अथापतद्भिन्नशिराः वज्राहत इव क्षणात् । जयशब्दो नमःशब्दः साधुशब्दोऽभवद्दिवि
athāpatadbhinnaśirāḥ vajrāhata iva kṣaṇāt | jayaśabdo namaḥśabdaḥ sādhuśabdo'bhavaddivi
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Instantly his head shattered as if struck by a lightning bolt, and the demon fell down dead. From the sky were heard cries of “Victory!” “Obeisances!” and “Well done!”
मुमुचुः पुष्पवर्षाणि हते पापे वृकासुरे । देवर्षिपितृगन्धर्वा मोचितः सङ्कटाच्छिवः
mumucuḥ puṣpavarṣāṇi hate pāpe vṛkāsure | devarṣipitṛgandharvā mocitaḥ saṅkaṭācchivaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The celestial sages, Pitās and Gandharvas rained down flowers to celebrate the killing of sinful Vṛkāsura. Now Lord Śiva was out of danger.
य एवमव्याकृतशक्त्युदन्वतः परस्य साक्षात्परमात्मनो हरेः । गिरित्रमोक्षं कथयेच्छृणोति वा विमुच्यते संसृतिभिस्तथारिभिः
ya evamavyākṛtaśaktyudanvataḥ parasya sākṣātparamātmano hareḥ | giritramokṣaṃ kathayecchṛṇoti vā vimucyate saṃsṛtibhistathāribhiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Hari is the directly manifest Absolute Truth, the Supreme Soul and unlimited ocean of inconceivable energies. Anyone who recites or hears this pastime of His saving Lord Śiva will be freed from all enemies and the repetition of birth and death.
श्रीशुक उवाच । सरस्वत्यास्तटे राजन् ऋषयः सत्रमासत । वितर्कः समभूत्तेषां त्रिष्वधीशेषु को महान्
śrīśuka uvāca | sarasvatyāstaṭe rājan ṛṣayaḥ satramāsata | vitarkaḥ samabhūtteṣāṃ triṣvadhīśeṣu ko mahān
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Once, O King, as a group of sages were performing a Vedic sacrifice on the banks of the Sarasvatī River, a controversy arose among them as to which of the three chief deities is supreme.
तस्य जिज्ञासया ते वै भृगुं ब्रह्मसुतं नृप । तज्ज्ञप्त्यै प्रेषयामासुः सोऽभ्यगाद्ब्रह्मणः सभाम्
tasya jijñāsayā te vai bhṛguṃ brahmasutaṃ nṛpa | tajjñaptyai preṣayāmāsuḥ so'bhyagādbrahmaṇaḥ sabhām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Eager to resolve this question, O King, the sages sent Lord Brahmā’s son Bhṛgu to find the answer. First he went to his father’s court.
न तस्मै प्रह्वणं स्तोत्रं चक्रे सत्त्वपरीक्षया । तस्मै चुक्रोध भगवान् प्रज्वलन् स्वेन तेजसा
na tasmai prahvaṇaṃ stotraṃ cakre sattvaparīkṣayā | tasmai cukrodha bhagavān prajvalan svena tejasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To test how well Lord Brahmā was situated in the mode of goodness, Bhṛgu failed to bow down to him or glorify him with prayers. The lord became angry at him, inflamed into fury by his own passion.
स आत्मन्युत्थितं मन्युमात्मजायात्मना प्रभुः । अशीशमद्यथा वह्निं स्वयोन्या वारिणाऽऽत्मभूः
sa ātmanyutthitaṃ manyumātmajāyātmanā prabhuḥ | aśīśamadyathā vahniṃ svayonyā vāriṇā''tmabhūḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Though anger toward his son was now rising within his heart, Lord Brahmā was able to subdue it by applying his intelligence, in the same way that fire is extinguished by its own product, water.
ततः कैलासमगमत्स तं देवो महेश्वरः । परिरब्धुं समारेभ उत्थाय भ्रातरं मुदा
tataḥ kailāsamagamatsa taṃ devo maheśvaraḥ | parirabdhuṃ samārebha utthāya bhrātaraṃ mudā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Bhṛgu then went to Mount Kailāsa. There Lord Śiva stood up and happily came forward to embrace his brother.
अद्याहं भगवंल्लक्ष्म्या आसमेकान्तभाजनम् । वत्स्यत्युरसि मे भूतिर्भवत्पादहतांहसः
adyāhaṃ bhagavaṃllakṣmyā āsamekāntabhājanam | vatsyatyurasi me bhūtirbhavatpādahatāṃhasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Bhṛgu felt satisfied and delighted to hear the solemn words spoken by Lord Vaikuṇṭha. Overwhelmed with devotional ecstasy, he remained silent, his eyes brimming with tears.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं ब्रुवाणे वैकुण्ठे भृगुस्तन्मन्द्रया गिरा । निर्वृतस्तर्पितस्तूष्णीं भक्त्युत्कण्ठोऽश्रुलोचनः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ bruvāṇe vaikuṇṭhe bhṛgustanmandrayā girā | nirvṛtastarpitastūṣṇīṃ bhaktyutkaṇṭho'śrulocanaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O King, Bhṛgu then returned to the sacrificial arena of the wise Vedic authorities and described his entire experience to them.
सत्त्वं यस्य प्रिया मूर्तिर्ब्राह्मणास्त्विष्टदेवताः । भजन्त्यनाशिषः शान्ता यं वा निपुणबुद्धयः
sattvaṃ yasya priyā mūrtirbrāhmaṇāstviṣṭadevatāḥ | bhajantyanāśiṣaḥ śāntā yaṃ vā nipuṇabuddhayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord expands into three kinds of manifest beings — the Rākṣasas, the demons and the demigods — all of whom are created by the Lord’s material energy and conditioned by her modes. But among these three modes, it is the mode of goodness which is the means of attaining life’s final success.
त्रिविधाकृतयस्तस्य राक्षसा असुराः सुराः । गुणिन्या मायया सृष्टाः सत्त्वं तत्तीर्थसाधनम्
trividhākṛtayastasya rākṣasā asurāḥ surāḥ | guṇinyā māyayā sṛṣṭāḥ sattvaṃ tattīrthasādhanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The learned brāhmaṇas living along the river Sarasvatī came to this conclusion in order to dispel the doubts of all people. Thereafter they rendered devotional service to the Supreme Lord’s lotus feet and attained His abode.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एवं सारस्वता विप्रा नृणां संशयनुत्तये । पुरुषस्य पदाम्भोजसेवया तद्गतिं गताः
śrīśuka uvāca | evaṃ sārasvatā viprā nṛṇāṃ saṃśayanuttaye | puruṣasya padāmbhojasevayā tadgatiṃ gatāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: Thus did this fragrant nectar flow from the lotus mouth of Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the son of the sage Vyāsadeva. This wonderful glorification of the Supreme Person destroys all fear of material existence. A traveler who constantly drinks this nectar through his ear-holes will forget the fatigue brought on by wandering along the paths of worldly life.
सूत उवाच । इत्येतन्मुनितनयास्यपद्मगन्ध- पीयूषं भवभयभित्परस्य पुंसः । सुश्लोकं श्रवणपुटैः पिबत्यभीक्ष्णं पान्थोऽध्वभ्रमणपरिश्रमं जहाति
sūta uvāca | ityetanmunitanayāsyapadmagandha- pīyūṣaṃ bhavabhayabhitparasya puṃsaḥ | suślokaṃ śravaṇapuṭaiḥ pibatyabhīkṣṇaṃ pāntho'dhvabhramaṇapariśramaṃ jahāti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Once, in Dvārakā, a brāhmaṇa’s wife gave birth to a son, but the newborn infant died as soon as he touched the ground, O Bhārata.
श्रीशुक उवाच । एकदा द्वारवत्यां तु विप्रपत्न्याः कुमारकः । जातमात्रो भुवं स्पृष्ट्वा ममार किल भारत
śrīśuka uvāca | ekadā dvāravatyāṃ tu viprapatnyāḥ kumārakaḥ | jātamātro bhuvaṃ spṛṣṭvā mamāra kila bhārata
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇa took the corpse and placed it at the door of King Ugrasena’s court. Then, agitated and lamenting miserably, he spoke the following.
विप्रो गृहीत्वा मृतकं राजद्वार्युपधाय सः । इदं प्रोवाच विलपन्नातुरो दीनमानसः
vipro gṛhītvā mṛtakaṃ rājadvāryupadhāya saḥ | idaṃ provāca vilapannāturo dīnamānasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[The brāhmaṇa said:] This duplicitous, greedy enemy of brāhmaṇas, this unqualified ruler addicted to sense pleasure, has caused my son’s death by some discrepancies in the execution of his duties.
ब्रह्मद्विषः शठधियो लुब्धस्य विषयात्मनः । क्षत्रबन्धोः कर्मदोषात्पञ्चत्वं मे गतोऽर्भकः
brahmadviṣaḥ śaṭhadhiyo lubdhasya viṣayātmanaḥ | kṣatrabandhoḥ karmadoṣātpañcatvaṃ me gato'rbhakaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Citizens serving such a wicked king, who takes pleasure in violence and cannot control his senses, are doomed to suffer poverty and constant misery.
हिंसाविहारं नृपतिं दुःशीलमजितेन्द्रियम् । प्रजा भजन्त्यः सीदन्ति दरिद्रा नित्यदुःखिताः
hiṃsāvihāraṃ nṛpatiṃ duḥśīlamajitendriyam | prajā bhajantyaḥ sīdanti daridrā nityaduḥkhitāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The wise brāhmaṇa suffered the same tragedy with his second and third child. Each time, he left the body of his dead son at the King’s door and sang the same song of lamentation.
किं स्विद्ब्रह्मंस्त्वन्निवासे इह नास्ति धनुर्धरः । राजन्यबन्धुरेते वै ब्राह्मणाः सत्र आसते
kiṃ svidbrahmaṃstvannivāse iha nāsti dhanurdharaḥ | rājanyabandhurete vai brāhmaṇāḥ satra āsate
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“The rulers of a kingdom in which brāhmaṇas lament over lost wealth, wives and children are merely imposters playing the role of kings just to earn their livelihood.
धनदारात्मजापृक्ता यत्र शोचन्ति ब्राह्मणाः । ते वै राजन्यवेषेण नटा जीवन्त्यसुम्भराः
dhanadārātmajāpṛktā yatra śocanti brāhmaṇāḥ | te vai rājanyaveṣeṇa naṭā jīvantyasumbharāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“My lord, I will protect the progeny of you and your wife, who are in such distress. And if I fail to keep this promise, I will enter fire to atone for my sin.”
तत्कथं नु भवान् कर्म दुष्करं जगदीश्वरैः । चिकीर्षसि त्वं बालिश्यात्तन्न श्रद्दध्महे वयम्
tatkathaṃ nu bhavān karma duṣkaraṃ jagadīśvaraiḥ | cikīrṣasi tvaṃ bāliśyāttanna śraddadhmahe vayam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śrī Arjuna said: I am neither Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, O brāhmaṇa, nor Lord Kṛṣṇa, nor even Kṛṣṇa’s son. Rather, I am Arjuna, wielder of the Gāṇḍīva bow.
अर्जुन उवाच । नाहं सङ्कर्षणो ब्रह्मन् न कृष्णः कार्ष्णिरेव च । अहं वा अर्जुनो नाम गाण्डीवं यस्य वै धनुः
arjuna uvāca | nāhaṃ saṅkarṣaṇo brahman na kṛṣṇaḥ kārṣṇireva ca | ahaṃ vā arjuno nāma gāṇḍīvaṃ yasya vai dhanuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Do not minimize my ability, which was good enough to satisfy Lord Śiva, O brāhmaṇa. I will bring back your sons, dear master, even if I have to defeat Death himself in battle.
मावमंस्था मम ब्रह्मन् वीर्यं त्र्यम्बकतोषणम् । मृत्युं विजित्य प्रधने आनेष्ये ते प्रजां प्रभो
māvamaṃsthā mama brahman vīryaṃ tryambakatoṣaṇam | mṛtyuṃ vijitya pradhane āneṣye te prajāṃ prabho
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus convinced by Arjuna, O tormentor of enemies, the brāhmaṇa went home, satisfied by having heard Arjuna’s declaration of his prowess.
एवं विश्रम्भितो विप्रः फाल्गुनेन परन्तप । जगाम स्वगृहं प्रीतः पार्थवीर्यं निशामयन्
evaṃ viśrambhito vipraḥ phālgunena parantapa | jagāma svagṛhaṃ prītaḥ pārthavīryaṃ niśāmayan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
When the wife of the elevated brāhmaṇa was again about to give birth, he went to Arjuna in great anxiety and begged him, “Please, please protect my child from death!”
प्रसूतिकाल आसन्ने भार्याया द्विजसत्तमः । पाहि पाहि प्रजां मृत्योरित्याहार्जुनमातुरः
prasūtikāla āsanne bhāryāyā dvijasattamaḥ | pāhi pāhi prajāṃ mṛtyorityāhārjunamāturaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
After touching pure water, offering obeisances to Lord Maheśvara and recollecting the mantras for his celestial weapons, Arjuna strung his bow Gāṇḍīva.
स उपस्पृश्य शुच्यम्भो नमस्कृत्य महेश्वरम् । दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि संस्मृत्य सज्यं गाण्डीवमाददे
sa upaspṛśya śucyambho namaskṛtya maheśvaram | divyānyastrāṇi saṃsmṛtya sajyaṃ gāṇḍīvamādade
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Arjuna fenced in the house where the birth was taking place by shooting arrows attached to various missiles. Thus the son of Pṛthā constructed a protective cage of arrows, covering the house upwards, downwards and sideways.
न्यरुणत्सूतिकागारं शरैर्नानास्त्रयोजितैः । तिर्यगूर्ध्वमधः पार्थश्चकार शरपञ्जरम्
nyaruṇatsūtikāgāraṃ śarairnānāstrayojitaiḥ | tiryagūrdhvamadhaḥ pārthaścakāra śarapañjaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇa’s wife then gave birth, but after the newborn infant had been crying for a short time, he suddenly vanished into the sky in his selfsame body.
ततः कुमारः सञ्जातो विप्रपत्न्या रुदन् मुहुः । सद्योऽदर्शनमापेदे सशरीरो विहायसा
tataḥ kumāraḥ sañjāto viprapatnyā rudan muhuḥ | sadyo'darśanamāpede saśarīro vihāyasā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The brāhmaṇa then derided Arjuna in front of Lord Kṛṣṇa: “Just see how foolish I was to put my faith in the bragging of a eunuch!
तदाऽऽह विप्रो विजयं विनिन्दन् कृष्णसन्निधौ । मौढ्यं पश्यत मे योऽहं श्रद्दधे क्लीबकत्थनम्
tadā''ha vipro vijayaṃ vinindan kṛṣṇasannidhau | mauḍhyaṃ paśyata me yo'haṃ śraddadhe klībakatthanam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“When neither Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Rāma nor Keśava can save a person, who else can possibly protect him?
न प्रद्युम्नो नानिरुद्धो न रामो न च केशवः । यस्य शेकुः परित्रातुं कोऽन्यस्तदवितेश्वरः
na pradyumno nāniruddho na rāmo na ca keśavaḥ | yasya śekuḥ paritrātuṃ ko'nyastadaviteśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“To hell with that liar Arjuna! To hell with that braggart’s bow! He is so foolish that he has deluded himself into thinking he can bring back a person whom destiny has taken away.”
धिगर्जुनं मृषावादं धिगात्मश्लाघिनो धनुः । दैवोपसृष्टं यो मौढ्यादानिनीषति दुर्मतिः
dhigarjunaṃ mṛṣāvādaṃ dhigātmaślāghino dhanuḥ | daivopasṛṣṭaṃ yo mauḍhyādāninīṣati durmatiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While the wise brāhmaṇa continued to heap insults upon him, Arjuna employed a mystic incantation to go at once to Saṁyamanī, the city of heaven where Lord Yamarāja resides.
ततोऽलब्धद्विजसुतो ह्यनिस्तीर्णप्रतिश्रुतः । अग्निं विविक्षुः कृष्णेन प्रत्युक्तः प्रतिषेधता
tato'labdhadvijasuto hyanistīrṇapratiśrutaḥ | agniṃ vivikṣuḥ kṛṣṇena pratyuktaḥ pratiṣedhatā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] I will show you the brāhmaṇa’s sons, so please don’t despise yourself like this. These same men who now criticize us will soon establish our spotless fame.
दर्शये द्विजसूनूंस्ते मावज्ञात्मानमात्मना । ये ते नः कीर्तिं विमलां मनुष्याः स्थापयिष्यन्ति
darśaye dvijasūnūṃste māvajñātmānamātmanā | ye te naḥ kīrtiṃ vimalāṃ manuṣyāḥ sthāpayiṣyanti
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having thus advised Arjuna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead had Arjuna join Him on His divine chariot, and together they set off toward the west.
इति सम्भाष्य भगवानर्जुनेन सहेश्वरः । दिव्यं स्वरथमास्थाय प्रतीचीं दिशमाविशत्
iti sambhāṣya bhagavānarjunena saheśvaraḥ | divyaṃ svarathamāsthāya pratīcīṃ diśamāviśat
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord’s chariot passed over the seven islands of the middle universe, each with its ocean and its seven principal mountains. Then it crossed the Lokāloka boundary and entered the vast region of total darkness.
तान् दृष्ट्वा भगवान् कृष्णो महायोगेश्वरेश्वरः । सहस्रादित्यसङ्काशं स्वचक्रं प्राहिणोत्पुरः
tān dṛṣṭvā bhagavān kṛṣṇo mahāyogeśvareśvaraḥ | sahasrādityasaṅkāśaṃ svacakraṃ prāhiṇotpuraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord’s Sudarśana disc penetrated the darkness with its blazing effulgence. Racing forward with the speed of the mind, it cut through the fearsome, dense oblivion expanded from primeval matter, as an arrow shot from Lord Rāma’s bow cuts through His enemy’s army.
तमः सुघोरं गहनं कृतं मह- द्विदारयद्भूरितरेण रोचिषा । मनोजवं निर्विविशे सुदर्शनं गुणच्युतो रामशरो यथा चमूः
tamaḥ sughoraṃ gahanaṃ kṛtaṃ maha- dvidārayadbhūritareṇa rociṣā | manojavaṃ nirviviśe sudarśanaṃ guṇacyuto rāmaśaro yathā camūḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Following the Sudarśana disc, the chariot went beyond the darkness and reached the endless spiritual light of the all pervasive brahmajyoti. As Arjuna beheld this glaring effulgence, his eyes hurt, and so he shut them.
द्वारेण चक्रानुपथेन तत्तमः परं परं ज्योतिरनन्तपारम् । समश्नुवानं प्रसमीक्ष्य फाल्गुनः प्रताडिताक्षो पिदधेऽक्षिणी उभे
dvāreṇa cakrānupathena tattamaḥ paraṃ paraṃ jyotiranantapāram | samaśnuvānaṃ prasamīkṣya phālgunaḥ pratāḍitākṣo pidadhe'kṣiṇī ubhe
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From that region they entered a body of water resplendent with huge waves being churned by a mighty wind. Within that ocean Arjuna saw an amazing palace more radiant than anything he had ever seen before. Its beauty was enhanced by thousands of ornamental pillars bedecked with brilliant gems.
ततः प्रविष्टः सलिलं नभस्वता बलीयसैजद्बृहदूर्मिभूषणम् । तत्राद्भुतं वै भवनं द्युमत्तमं भ्राजन्मणिस्तम्भसहस्रशोभितम्
tataḥ praviṣṭaḥ salilaṃ nabhasvatā balīyasaijadbṛhadūrmibhūṣaṇam | tatrādbhutaṃ vai bhavanaṃ dyumattamaṃ bhrājanmaṇistambhasahasraśobhitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In that palace was the huge, awe-inspiring serpent Ananta Śeṣa. He shone brilliantly with the radiance emanating from the gems on His thousands of hoods and reflecting from twice as many fearsome eyes. He resembled white Mount Kailāsa, and His necks and tongues were dark blue.
सुनन्दनन्दप्रमुखैः स्वपार्षदै- श्चक्रादिभिर्मूर्तिधरैर्निजायुधैः । पुष्ट्या श्रिया कीर्त्यजयाखिलर्धिभि- र्निषेव्यमाणं परमेष्ठिनां पतिम्
sunandanandapramukhaiḥ svapārṣadai- ścakrādibhirmūrtidharairnijāyudhaiḥ | puṣṭyā śriyā kīrtyajayākhilardhibhi- rniṣevyamāṇaṃ parameṣṭhināṃ patim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa offered homage to Himself in this boundless form, and Arjuna, astonished at the sight of Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu, bowed down as well. Then, as the two of them stood before Him with joined palms, the almighty Mahā-Viṣṇu, supreme master of all rulers of the universe, smiled and spoke to them in a voice full of solemn authority.
ववन्द आत्मानमनन्तमच्युतो जिष्णुश्च तद्दर्शनजातसाध्वसः । तावाह भूमा परमेष्ठिनां प्रभु- र्बद्धाञ्जली सस्मितमूर्जया गिरा
vavanda ātmānamanantamacyuto jiṣṇuśca taddarśanajātasādhvasaḥ | tāvāha bhūmā parameṣṭhināṃ prabhu- rbaddhāñjalī sasmitamūrjayā girā
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
[Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu said:] I brought the brāhmaṇa’s sons here because I wanted to see the two of you, My expansions, who have descended to the earth to save the principles of religion. As soon as you finish killing the demons who burden the earth, quickly come back here to Me.
द्विजात्मजा मे युवयोर्दिदृक्षुणा मयोपनीता भुवि धर्मगुप्तये । कलावतीर्णाववनेर्भरासुरान् हत्वेह भूयस्त्वरयेतमन्ति मे
dvijātmajā me yuvayordidṛkṣuṇā mayopanītā bhuvi dharmaguptaye | kalāvatīrṇāvavanerbharāsurān hatveha bhūyastvarayetamanti me
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Although all your desires are completely fulfilled, O best of exalted personalities, for the benefit of the people in general you should continue to exemplify religious behavior as the sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa.
न्यवर्ततां स्वकं धाम सम्प्रहृष्टौ यथागतम् । विप्राय ददतुः पुत्रान् यथारूपं यथावयः
nyavartatāṃ svakaṃ dhāma samprahṛṣṭau yathāgatam | viprāya dadatuḥ putrān yathārūpaṃ yathāvayaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Having seen the domain of Lord Viṣṇu, Arjuna was totally amazed. He concluded that whatever extraordinary power a person exhibits can only be a manifestation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s mercy.
निशाम्य वैष्णवं धाम पार्थः परमविस्मितः । यत्किञ्चित्पौरुषं पुंसां मेने कृष्णानुकम्पितम्
niśāmya vaiṣṇavaṃ dhāma pārthaḥ paramavismitaḥ | yatkiñcitpauruṣaṃ puṃsāṃ mene kṛṣṇānukampitam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa exhibited many other, similar heroic pastimes in this world. He apparently enjoyed the pleasures of ordinary human life, and He performed greatly potent fire sacrifices.
इतीदृशान्यनेकानि वीर्याणीह प्रदर्शयन् । बुभुजे विषयान् ग्राम्यानीजे चात्यूर्जितैर्मखैः
itīdṛśānyanekāni vīryāṇīha pradarśayan | bubhuje viṣayān grāmyānīje cātyūrjitairmakhaiḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord having demonstrated His supremacy, at suitable times He showered down all desirable things upon the brāhmaṇas and His other subjects, just as Indra pours down his rain.
प्रववर्षाखिलान् कामान् प्रजासु ब्राह्मणादिषु । यथाकालं यथैवेन्द्रो भगवान् श्रैष्ठ्यमास्थितः
pravavarṣākhilān kāmān prajāsu brāhmaṇādiṣu | yathākālaṃ yathaivendro bhagavān śraiṣṭhyamāsthitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Now that He had killed many wicked kings and engaged devotees such as Arjuna in killing others, the Lord could easily assure the execution of religious principles through the agency of such pious rulers as Yudhiṣṭhira.
ताः क्लिन्नवस्त्रविवृतोरुकुचप्रदेशाः सिञ्चन्त्य उद्धृतबृहत्कबरप्रसूनाः । कान्तं स्म रेचकजिहीरिषयोपगुह्य जातस्मरोत्सवलसद्वदना विरेजुः
tāḥ klinnavastravivṛtorukucapradeśāḥ siñcantya uddhṛtabṛhatkabaraprasūnāḥ | kāntaṃ sma recakajihīriṣayopaguhya jātasmarotsavalasadvadanā virejuḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Under the drenched clothing of the queens, their thighs and breasts would become visible. The flowers tied in their large braids would scatter as they sprayed water on their consort, and on the plea of trying to take away His syringe, they would embrace Him. By His touch their lusty feelings would increase, causing their faces to beam with smiles. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa’s queens shone with resplendent beauty.
कृष्णस्तु तत्स्तनविषज्जितकुङ्कुमस्रक्- क्रीडाभिषङ्गधुतकुन्तलवृन्दबन्धः । सिञ्चन्मुहुर्युवतिभिः प्रतिषिच्यमानो रेमे करेणुभिरिवेभपतिः परीतः
kṛṣṇastu tatstanaviṣajjitakuṅkumasrak- krīḍābhiṣaṅgadhutakuntalavṛndabandhaḥ | siñcanmuhuryuvatibhiḥ pratiṣicyamāno reme kareṇubhirivebhapatiḥ parītaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s flower garland would become smeared with kuṅkuma from their breasts, and His abundant locks of hair would become disheveled as a result of His absorption in the game. As the Lord repeatedly sprayed His young consorts and they sprayed Him in turn, He enjoyed Himself like the king of elephants enjoying in the company of his bevy of she-elephants.
नटानां नर्तकीनां च गीतवाद्योपजीविनाम् । क्रीडालङ्कारवासांसि कृष्णोऽदात्तस्य च स्त्रियः
naṭānāṃ nartakīnāṃ ca gītavādyopajīvinām | krīḍālaṅkāravāsāṃsi kṛṣṇo'dāttasya ca striyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Afterward, Lord Kṛṣṇa and His wives would give the ornaments and clothing they had worn during their water sports to the male and female performers, who earned their livelihood from singing and from playing instrumental music.
कृष्णस्यैवं विहरतो गत्यालापेक्षितस्मितैः । नर्मक्ष्वेलिपरिष्वङ्गैः स्त्रीणां किल हृता धियः
kṛṣṇasyaivaṃ viharato gatyālāpekṣitasmitaiḥ | narmakṣvelipariṣvaṅgaiḥ strīṇāṃ kila hṛtā dhiyaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
In this way Lord Kṛṣṇa would sport with His queens, totally captivating their hearts with His gestures, talks, glances and smiles, and also with His jokes, playful exchanges and embraces.
ऊचुर्मुकुन्दैकधियोऽगिर उन्मत्तवज्जडम् । चिन्तयन्त्योऽरविन्दाक्षं तानि मे गदतः शृणु
ūcurmukundaikadhiyo'gira unmattavajjaḍam | cintayantyo'ravindākṣaṃ tāni me gadataḥ śṛṇu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The queens would become stunned in ecstatic trance, their minds absorbed in Kṛṣṇa alone. Then, thinking of their lotus-eyed Lord, they would speak as if insane. Please hear these words from me as I relate them.
महिष्य ऊचुः । कुररि विलपसि त्वं वीतनिद्रा न शेषे स्वपिति जगति रात्र्यामीश्वरो गुप्तबोधः । वयमिव सखि कच्चिद्गाढनिर्भिन्नचेता नलिननयनहासोदारलीलेक्षितेन
mahiṣya ūcuḥ | kurari vilapasi tvaṃ vītanidrā na śeṣe svapiti jagati rātryāmīśvaro guptabodhaḥ | vayamiva sakhi kaccidgāḍhanirbhinnacetā nalinanayanahāsodāralīlekṣitena
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The queens said: O kurarī bird, you are lamenting. Now it is night, and somewhere in this world the Supreme Lord is asleep in a hidden place. But you are wide awake, O friend, unable to fall asleep. Is it that, like us, you have had your heart pierced to the core by the lotus-eyed Lord’s munificent, playful smiling glances?
नेत्रे निमीलयसि नक्तमदृष्टबन्धु- स्त्वं रोरवीषि करुणं बत चक्रवाकि । दास्यं गता वयमिवाच्युतपादजुष्टां किं वा स्रजं स्पृहयसे कबरेण वोढुम्
netre nimīlayasi naktamadṛṣṭabandhu- stvaṃ roravīṣi karuṇaṃ bata cakravāki | dāsyaṃ gatā vayamivācyutapādajuṣṭāṃ kiṃ vā srajaṃ spṛhayase kabareṇa voḍhum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Poor cakravākī, even after closing your eyes, you continue to cry pitifully through the night for your unseen mate. Or is it that, like us, you have become the servant of Acyuta and hanker to wear in your braided hair the garland He has blessed with the touch of His feet?
भो भोः सदा निष्टनसे उदन्व- न्नलब्धनिद्रोऽधिगतप्रजागरः । किं वा मुकुन्दापहृतात्मलाञ्छनः प्राप्तां दशां त्वं च गतो दुरत्ययाम्
bho bhoḥ sadā niṣṭanase udanva- nnalabdhanidro'dhigataprajāgaraḥ | kiṃ vā mukundāpahṛtātmalāñchanaḥ prāptāṃ daśāṃ tvaṃ ca gato duratyayām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Dear ocean, you are always roaring, not sleeping at night. Are you suffering insomnia? Or is it that, as with us, Mukunda has taken your insignias and you are hopeless of retrieving them?
त्वं यक्ष्मणा बलवतासि गृहीत इन्दो क्षीणस्तमो न निजदीधितिभिः क्षिणोषि । कच्चिन्मुकुन्दगदितानि यथा वयं त्वं विस्मृत्य भोः स्थगितगीरुपलक्ष्यसे नः
tvaṃ yakṣmaṇā balavatāsi gṛhīta indo kṣīṇastamo na nijadīdhitibhiḥ kṣiṇoṣi | kaccinmukundagaditāni yathā vayaṃ tvaṃ vismṛtya bhoḥ sthagitagīrupalakṣyase naḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
My dear moon, having contracted a severe case of tuberculosis, you have become so emaciated that you fail to dispel the darkness with your rays. Or is it that you appear dumbstruck because, like us, you cannot remember the encouraging promises Mukunda once made to you?
किन्त्वाचरितमस्माभिर्मलयानिल तेऽप्रियम् । गोविन्दापाङ्गनिर्भिन्ने हृदीरयसि नः स्मरम्
kintvācaritamasmābhirmalayānila te'priyam | govindāpāṅganirbhinne hṛdīrayasi naḥ smaram
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O Malayan breeze, what have we done to displease you, so that you stir up lust in our hearts, which have already been shattered by Govinda’s sidelong glances?
मेघ श्रीमंस्त्वमसि दयितो यादवेन्द्रस्य नूनं श्रीवत्साङ्कं वयमिव भवान् ध्यायति प्रेमबद्धः । अत्युत्कण्ठः शबलहृदयोऽस्मद्विधो बाष्पधाराः स्मृत्वा स्मृत्वा विसृजसि मुहुर्दुःखदस्तत्प्रसङ्गः
megha śrīmaṃstvamasi dayito yādavendrasya nūnaṃ śrīvatsāṅkaṃ vayamiva bhavān dhyāyati premabaddhaḥ | atyutkaṇṭhaḥ śabalahṛdayo'smadvidho bāṣpadhārāḥ smṛtvā smṛtvā visṛjasi muhurduḥkhadastatprasaṅgaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O revered cloud, you are indeed very dear to the chief of the Yādavas, who bears the mark of Śrīvatsa. Like us, you are bound to Him by love and are meditating upon Him. Your heart is distraught with great eagerness, as our hearts are, and as you remember Him again and again you shed a torrent of tears. Association with Kṛṣṇa brings such misery!
प्रियरावपदानि भाषसे मृतसञ्जीविकयानया गिरा । करवाणि किमद्य ते प्रियं वद मे वल्गितकण्ठ कोकिल
priyarāvapadāni bhāṣase mṛtasañjīvikayānayā girā | karavāṇi kimadya te priyaṃ vada me valgitakaṇṭha kokila
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O sweet-throated cuckoo, in a voice that could revive the dead you are vibrating the same sounds we once heard from our beloved, the most pleasing of speakers. Please tell me what I can do today to please you.
न चलसि न वदस्युदारबुद्धे क्षितिधर चिन्तयसे महान्तमर्थम् । अपि बत वसुदेवनन्दनाङ्घ्रिं वयमिव कामयसे स्तनैर्विधर्तुम्
na calasi na vadasyudārabuddhe kṣitidhara cintayase mahāntamartham | api bata vasudevanandanāṅghriṃ vayamiva kāmayase stanairvidhartum
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O magnanimous mountain, you neither move nor speak. You must be pondering some matter of great importance. Or do you, like us, desire to hold on your breasts the feet of Vasudeva’s darling son?
शुष्यद्ध्रदाः कर्शिता बत सिन्धुपत्न्यः सम्प्रत्यपास्तकमलश्रिय इष्टभर्तुः । यद्वद्वयं मधुपतेः प्रणयावलोक- मप्राप्य मुष्टहृदयाः पुरुकर्शिताः स्म
śuṣyaddhradāḥ karśitā bata sindhupatnyaḥ sampratyapāstakamalaśriya iṣṭabhartuḥ | yadvadvayaṃ madhupateḥ praṇayāvaloka- maprāpya muṣṭahṛdayāḥ purukarśitāḥ sma
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O rivers, wives of the ocean, your pools have now dried up. Alas, you have shriveled to nothing, and your wealth of lotuses has vanished. Are you, then, like us, who are withering away because of not receiving the affectionate glance of our dear husband, the Lord of Madhu, who has cheated our hearts?
हंस स्वागतमास्यतां पिब पयो ब्रूह्यङ्ग शौरेः कथां दूतं त्वां नु विदाम कच्चिदजितः स्वस्त्यास्त उक्तं पुरा । किं वा नश्चलसौहृदः स्मरति तं कस्माद्भजामो वयं क्षौद्रालापय कामदं श्रियमृते सैवैकनिष्ठा स्त्रियाम्
haṃsa svāgatamāsyatāṃ piba payo brūhyaṅga śaureḥ kathāṃ dūtaṃ tvāṃ nu vidāma kaccidajitaḥ svastyāsta uktaṃ purā | kiṃ vā naścalasauhṛdaḥ smarati taṃ kasmādbhajāmo vayaṃ kṣaudrālāpaya kāmadaṃ śriyamṛte saivaikaniṣṭhā striyām
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Welcome, swan. Please sit here and drink some milk. Give us some news of the descendant of Śūra, dear one. We know you are His messenger. Is that invincible Lord doing well, and does that unreliable friend of ours still remember the words He spoke to us long ago? Why should we go and worship Him? O servant of a petty master, go tell Him who fulfills our desires to come here without the goddess of fortune. Is she the only woman exclusively devoted to Him?
इतीदृशेन भावेन कृष्णे योगेश्वरेश्वरे । क्रियमाणेन माधव्यो लेभिरे परमां गतिम्
itīdṛśena bhāvena kṛṣṇe yogeśvareśvare | kriyamāṇena mādhavyo lebhire paramāṃ gatim
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: By thus speaking and acting with such ecstatic love for Lord Kṛṣṇa, the master of all masters of mystic yoga, His loving wives attained the ultimate goal of life.
श्रुतमात्रोऽपि यः स्त्रीणां प्रसह्याकर्षते मनः । उरुगायोरुगीतो वा पश्यन्तीनां कुतः पुनः
śrutamātro'pi yaḥ strīṇāṃ prasahyākarṣate manaḥ | urugāyorugīto vā paśyantīnāṃ kutaḥ punaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Lord, whom countless songs glorify in countless ways, forcibly attracts the minds of all women who simply hear about Him. What to speak, then, of those women who see Him directly?
याः सम्पर्यचरन् प्रेम्णा पादसंवाहनादिभिः । जगद्गुरुं भर्तृबुद्ध्या तासां किं वर्ण्यते तपः
yāḥ samparyacaran premṇā pādasaṃvāhanādibhiḥ | jagadguruṃ bhartṛbuddhyā tāsāṃ kiṃ varṇyate tapaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
And how could one possibly describe the great austerities that had been performed by the women who perfectly served Him, the spiritual master of the universe, in pure ecstatic love? Thinking of Him as their husband, they rendered such intimate services as massaging His feet.
एवं वेदोदितं धर्ममनुतिष्ठन् सतां गतिः । गृहं धर्मार्थकामानां मुहुश्चादर्शयत्पदम्
evaṃ vedoditaṃ dharmamanutiṣṭhan satāṃ gatiḥ | gṛhaṃ dharmārthakāmānāṃ muhuścādarśayatpadam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Thus observing the principles of duty enunciated in the Vedas, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the goal of the saintly devotees, repeatedly demonstrated how one can achieve at home the objectives of religiosity, economic development and regulated sense gratification.
आस्थितस्य परं धर्मं कृष्णस्य गृहमेधिनाम् । आसन् षोडशसाहस्रं महिष्यश्च शताधिकम्
āsthitasya paraṃ dharmaṃ kṛṣṇasya gṛhamedhinām | āsan ṣoḍaśasāhasraṃ mahiṣyaśca śatādhikam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
While fulfilling the highest standards of religious householder life, Lord Kṛṣṇa maintained more than 16,100 wives.
तासां स्त्रीरत्नभूतानामष्टौ याः प्रागुदाहृताः । रुक्मिणीप्रमुखा राजंस्तत्पुत्राश्चानुपूर्वशः
tāsāṃ strīratnabhūtānāmaṣṭau yāḥ prāgudāhṛtāḥ | rukmiṇīpramukhā rājaṃstatputrāścānupūrvaśaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Among these jewellike women were eight principal queens, headed by Rukmiṇī. I have already described them one after another, O King, along with their sons.
एकैकस्यां दश दश कृष्णोऽजीजनदात्मजान् । यावत्य आत्मनो भार्या अमोघगतिरीश्वरः
ekaikasyāṃ daśa daśa kṛṣṇo'jījanadātmajān | yāvatya ātmano bhāryā amoghagatirīśvaraḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose endeavor never fails, begot ten sons in each of His many wives.
तेषामुद्दामवीर्याणामष्टादश महारथाः । आसन्नुदारयशसस्तेषां नामानि मे शृणु
teṣāmuddāmavīryāṇāmaṣṭādaśa mahārathāḥ | āsannudārayaśasasteṣāṃ nāmāni me śṛṇu
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Among these sons, all possessing unlimited valor, eighteen were mahā-rathas of great renown. Now hear their names from me.
एतेषामपि राजेन्द्र तनुजानां मधुद्विषः । प्रद्युम्न आसीत्प्रथमः पितृवद्रुक्मिणीसुतः
eteṣāmapi rājendra tanujānāṃ madhudviṣaḥ | pradyumna āsītprathamaḥ pitṛvadrukmiṇīsutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
O best of kings, of these sons begotten by Lord Kṛṣṇa, the enemy of Madhu, the most prominent was Rukmiṇī’s son Pradyumna. He was just like His father.
स रुक्मिणो दुहितरमुपयेमे महारथः । तस्मात्सुतोऽनिरुद्धोऽभून्नागायुतबलान्वितः
sa rukmiṇo duhitaramupayeme mahārathaḥ | tasmātsuto'niruddho'bhūnnāgāyutabalānvitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The great warrior Pradyumna married Rukmī’s daughter [Rukmavatī], who gave birth to Aniruddha. He was as strong as ten thousand elephants.
स चापि रुक्मिणः पौत्रीं दौहित्रो जगृहे ततः । वज्रस्तस्याभवद्यस्तु मौसलादवशेषितः
sa cāpi rukmiṇaḥ pautrīṃ dauhitro jagṛhe tataḥ | vajrastasyābhavadyastu mausalādavaśeṣitaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Rukmī’s daughter’s son [Aniruddha] married Rukmī’s son’s daughter [Rocana]. From her was born Vajra, who would remain among the few survivors of the Yadus’ battle with clubs.
प्रतिबाहुरभूत्तस्मात्सुबाहुस्तस्य चात्मजः । सुबाहोः शान्तसेनोऽभूच्छतसेनस्तु तत्सुतः
pratibāhurabhūttasmātsubāhustasya cātmajaḥ | subāhoḥ śāntaseno'bhūcchatasenastu tatsutaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
From Vajra came Pratibāhu, whose son was Subāhu. Subāhu’s son was Śāntasena, from whom Śatasena was born.
न ह्येतस्मिन् कुले जाता अधना अबहुप्रजाः । अल्पायुषोऽल्पवीर्याश्च अब्रह्मण्याश्च जज्ञिरे
na hyetasmin kule jātā adhanā abahuprajāḥ | alpāyuṣo'lpavīryāśca abrahmaṇyāśca jajñire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
No one born in this family was poor in wealth or progeny, short-lived, weak or neglectful of brahminical culture.
यदुवंशप्रसूतानां पुंसां विख्यातकर्मणाम् । सङ्ख्या न शक्यते कर्तुमपि वर्षायुतैर्नृप
yaduvaṃśaprasūtānāṃ puṃsāṃ vikhyātakarmaṇām | saṅkhyā na śakyate kartumapi varṣāyutairnṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Yadu dynasty produced innumerable great men of famous deeds. Even in tens of thousands of years, O King, one could never count them all.
तिस्रः कोट्यः सहस्राणामष्टाशीतिशतानि च । आसन् यदुकुलाचार्याः कुमाराणामिति श्रुतम्
tisraḥ koṭyaḥ sahasrāṇāmaṣṭāśītiśatāni ca | āsan yadukulācāryāḥ kumārāṇāmiti śrutam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
I have heard from authoritative sources that the Yadu family employed 38,800,000 teachers just to educate their children.
सङ्ख्यानं यादवानां कः करिष्यति महात्मनाम् । यत्रायुतानामयुतलक्षेणास्ते स आहुकः
saṅkhyānaṃ yādavānāṃ kaḥ kariṣyati mahātmanām | yatrāyutānāmayutalakṣeṇāste sa āhukaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Who can count all the great Yādavas, when among them King Ugrasena alone was accompanied by an entourage of thirty trillion attendants?
देवासुराहवहता दैतेया ये सुदारुणाः । ते चोत्पन्ना मनुष्येषु प्रजा दृप्ता बबाधिरे
devāsurāhavahatā daiteyā ye sudāruṇāḥ | te cotpannā manuṣyeṣu prajā dṛptā babādhire
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The savage descendants of Diti who had been killed in past ages in battles between the demigods and demons took birth among human beings and arrogantly harassed the general populace.
तन्निग्रहाय हरिणा प्रोक्ता देवा यदोः कुले । अवतीर्णाः कुलशतं तेषामेकाधिकं नृप
tannigrahāya hariṇā proktā devā yadoḥ kule | avatīrṇāḥ kulaśataṃ teṣāmekādhikaṃ nṛpa
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To subdue these demons, Lord Hari told the demigods to descend into the dynasty of Yadu. They comprised 101 clans, O King.
तेषां प्रमाणं भगवान् प्रभुत्वेनाभवद्धरिः । ये चानुवर्तिनस्तस्य ववृधुः सर्वयादवाः
teṣāṃ pramāṇaṃ bhagavān prabhutvenābhavaddhariḥ | ye cānuvartinastasya vavṛdhuḥ sarvayādavāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Because Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Yādavas accepted Him as their ultimate authority. And among them, all those who were His intimate associates especially flourished.
शय्यासनाटनालापक्रीडास्नानादिकर्मसु । न विदुः सन्तमात्मानं वृष्णयः कृष्णचेतसः
śayyāsanāṭanālāpakrīḍāsnānādikarmasu | na viduḥ santamātmānaṃ vṛṣṇayaḥ kṛṣṇacetasaḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The Vṛṣṇis were so absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness that they forgot their own bodies while sleeping, sitting, walking, conversing, playing, bathing and so on.
तीर्थं चक्रे नृपोनं यदजनि यदुषु स्वः सरित्पादशौचं विद्विट् स्निग्धाः स्वरूपं ययुरजितपरा श्रीर्यदर्थेऽन्ययत्नः । यन्नामामङ्गलघ्नं श्रुतमथ गदितं यत्कृतो गोत्रधर्मः कृष्णस्यैतन्न चित्रं क्षितिभरहरणं कालचक्रायुधस्य
tīrthaṃ cakre nṛponaṃ yadajani yaduṣu svaḥ saritpādaśaucaṃ vidviṭ snigdhāḥ svarūpaṃ yayurajitaparā śrīryadarthe'nyayatnaḥ | yannāmāmaṅgalaghnaṃ śrutamatha gaditaṃ yatkṛto gotradharmaḥ kṛṣṇasyaitanna citraṃ kṣitibharaharaṇaṃ kālacakrāyudhasya
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
The heavenly Ganges is a holy place of pilgrimage because her waters wash Lord Kṛṣṇa’s feet. But when the Lord descended among the Yadus, His glories eclipsed the Ganges as a holy place. Both those who hated Kṛṣṇa and those who loved Him attained eternal forms like His in the spiritual world. The unattainable and supremely self-satisfied goddess of fortune, for the sake of whose favor everyone else struggles, belongs to Him alone. His name destroys all inauspiciousness when heard or chanted. He alone has set forth the principles of the various disciplic successions of sages. What wonder is it that He, whose personal weapon is the wheel of time, relieved the burden of the earth?
जयति जननिवासो देवकीजन्मवादो यदुवरपरिषत्स्वैर्दोर्भिरस्यन्नधर्मम् । स्थिरचरवृजिनघ्नः सुस्मितश्रीमुखेन व्रजपुरवनितानां वर्धयन् कामदेवम्
jayati jananivāso devakījanmavādo yaduvarapariṣatsvairdorbhirasyannadharmam | sthiracaravṛjinaghnaḥ susmitaśrīmukhena vrajapuravanitānāṃ vardhayan kāmadevam
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is He who is known as jana-nivāsa, the ultimate resort of all living entities, and who is also known as Devakīnandana or Yaśodā-nandana, the son of Devakī and Yaśodā. He is the guide of the Yadu dynasty, and with His mighty arms He kills everything inauspicious, as well as every man who is impious. By His presence He destroys all things inauspicious for all living entities, moving and inert. His blissful smiling face always increases the lusty desires of the gopīs of Vṛndāvana. May He be all glorious and happy!
इत्थं परस्य निजवर्त्मरिरक्षयाऽऽत्त- लीलातनोस्तदनुरूपविडम्बनानि । कर्माणि कर्मकषणानि यदूत्तमस्य श्रूयादमुष्य पदयोरनुवृत्तिमिच्छन्
itthaṃ parasya nijavartmarirakṣayā''tta- līlātanostadanurūpaviḍambanāni | karmāṇi karmakaṣaṇāni yadūttamasya śrūyādamuṣya padayoranuvṛttimicchan
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To protect the principles of devotional service to Himself, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the best of the Yadus, accepts the pastime forms that have been glorified here in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. One who desires to faithfully serve His lotus feet should hear of the activities He performs in each of these incarnations — activities that suitably imitate those of the forms He assumes. Hearing narrations of these pastimes destroys the reactions to fruitive work.
मर्त्यस्तयानुसवमेधितया मुकुन्द- श्रीमत्कथाश्रवणकीर्तनचिन्तयैति । तद्धाम दुस्तरकृतान्तजवापवर्गं ग्रामाद्वनं क्षितिभुजोऽपि ययुर्यदर्थाः
martyastayānusavamedhitayā mukunda- śrīmatkathāśravaṇakīrtanacintayaiti | taddhāma dustarakṛtāntajavāpavargaṃ grāmādvanaṃ kṣitibhujo'pi yayuryadarthāḥ
Meaning (English) — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
By regularly hearing, chanting and meditating on the beautiful topics of Lord Mukunda with ever-increasing sincerity, a mortal being will attain the divine kingdom of the Lord, where the inviolable power of death holds no sway. For this purpose, many persons, including great kings, abandoned their mundane homes and took to the forest.