CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Akrūra’s Vision
This chapter describes how Akrūra informed Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma of Kaṁsa’s plans and his activities in Mathurā; what the gopīs cried out in distress when Kṛṣṇa left for Mathurā; and also the vision of Lord Viṣṇu’s abode that Akrūra saw within the water of the Yamunā.
When Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma offered Akrūra great respect and comfortably seated him on a couch, he felt that all the desires he had reflected on while traveling to Vṛndāvana were now fulfilled. After the evening meal, Kṛṣṇa asked Akrūra whether his trip had been peaceful and whether he was well. The Lord also inquired about how Kaṁsa was behaving toward their family members, and finally He asked why Akrūra had come.
Akrūra described how Kaṁsa had been persecuting the Yādavas, what Nārada had told Kaṁsa and how Kaṁsa had been treating Vasudeva cruelly. Akrūra also spoke of Kaṁsa’s desire to bring Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to Mathurā to kill Them on the pretext of Their seeing the bow sacrifice and engaging in a wrestling match. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma laughed out loud when They heard this. They went to Their father, Nanda, and informed him of Kaṁsa’s orders. Nanda then issued an order to all the residents of Vraja that they should collect various offerings for the King and prepare to go to Mathurā.
The young gopīs were extremely upset to hear that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma would be going to Mathurā. They lost all external awareness and began to remember Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes. Condemning the creator for separating them from Him, they began to lament. They said that Akrūra did not deserve his name (a, “not”; krūra, “cruel”), since he was so cruel to be taking away their dearmost Kṛṣṇa. “It must be that fate is against us,” they lamented, “because otherwise the elders of Vraja would have forbidden Kṛṣṇa to leave. So let us forget our shyness and try to stop Lord Mādhava from going.” With these words the young cowherd girls began to chant Kṛṣṇa’s names and cry.
But even as they wept, Akrūra began taking Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to Mathurā in his chariot. The cowherd men of Gokula followed behind on their wagons, and the young gopīs also walked behind for some distance, but then they became placated by Kṛṣṇa’s glances and gestures and pacified by a message from Him that said “I will return.” With their minds completely absorbed in Kṛṣṇa, the cowherd girls stood as still as figures in a painting until they could no longer see the chariot’s flag or the dust cloud being raised on the road. Then, chanting Kṛṣṇa’s glories all the while, they despondently returned to their homes.
Akrūra halted the chariot at the bank of the Yamunā so Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma could perform a ritual of purification and drink some water. After the two Lords had gotten back into the chariot, Akrūra took Their permission to bathe in the Yamunā. As he recited Vedic mantras, he was startled to see the two Lords standing in the water. Akrūra came out of the river and returned to the chariot — where he saw the Lords still sitting. Then he returned to the water to find out if the two figures he had seen there were real or not.
What Akrūra saw in the water was four-armed Lord Vāsudeva. His complexion was dark blue like a fresh raincloud, He wore yellow garments and He lay on the lap of thousand-hooded Ananta Śeṣa. Lord Vāsudeva was receiving the prayers of perfected beings, celestial serpents and demons, and He was encircled by His personal attendants. Serving Him were His many potencies, such as Śrī, Puṣṭi and Ilā, while Brahmā and other demigods sang His praises. Akrūra rejoiced at this vision and, joining his palms in supplication, began to pray to the Supreme Lord in a voice choked with emotion.
Devanagari
सुखोपविष्ट: पर्यङ्के रामकृष्णोरुमानित: ।
लेभे मनोरथान्सर्वान्पथि यन् स चकार ह ॥ १ ॥
Text
sukhopaviṣṭaḥ paryaṅke
rama-kṛṣṇoru-mānitaḥ
lebhe manorathān sarvān
pathi yān sa cakāra ha
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; sukha — comfortably; upaviṣṭaḥ — seated; paryaṅke — on a couch; rāma-kṛṣṇa — by Lord Balarāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa; uru — very much; mānitaḥ — honored; lebhe — he attained; manaḥ-rathān — his desires; sarvān — all; pathi — on the road; yān — which; saḥ — he; cakāra ha — had manifested.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
तथापि तत्परा राजन्न हि वाञ्छन्ति किञ्चन ॥ २ ॥
Text
prasanne śrī-niketane
tathāpi tat-parā rājan
na hi vāñchanti kiñcana
Synonyms
kim — what; alabhyam — is unattainable; bhagavati — the Supreme Lord; prasanne — being satisfied; śrī — of the goddess of fortune; niketane — the resting place; tathā api — nevertheless; tat-parāḥ — those who are devoted to Him; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); na — do not; hi — indeed; vāñchanti — desire; kiñcana — anything.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
सुहृत्सु वृत्तं कंसस्य पप्रच्छान्यच्चिकीर्षितम् ॥ ३ ॥
Text
bhagavān devakī-sutaḥ
suhṛtsu vṛttaṁ kaṁsasya
papracchānyac cikīrṣitam
Synonyms
sāyantana — of the evening; aśanam — the dining; kṛtvā — having done; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; devakī-sutaḥ — the son of Devakī; suhṛtsu — toward His well-wishing relatives and friends; vṛttam — about the behavior; kaṁsasya — of Kaṁsa; papraccha — He inquired; anyat — other; cikīrṣitam — intentions.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
तात सौम्यागत: कच्च्त्स्विगतं भद्रमस्तु व: ।
अपि स्वज्ञातिबन्धूनामनमीवमनामयम् ॥ ४ ॥
Text
tāta saumyāgataḥ kaccit
sv-āgataṁ bhadram astu vaḥ
api sva-jñāti-bandhūnām
anamīvam anāmayam
Synonyms
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; tāta — O uncle; saumya — O gentle one; āgataḥ — arrived; kaccit — whether; su-āgatam — welcome; bhadram — all good; astu — may there be; vaḥ — for you; api — whether; sva — for your well-wishing friends; jñāti — intimate relatives; bandhūnām — and other family members; anamīvam — freedom from unhappiness; anāmayam — freedom from disease.
Translation
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?
Devanagari
कंसे मातुलनाम्नाङ्ग स्वानां नस्तत्प्रजासु च ॥ ५ ॥
Text
edhamāne kulāmaye
kaṁse mātula-nāmnāṅga
svānāṁ nas tat-prajāsu ca
Synonyms
kim — what; nu — rather; naḥ — our; kuśalam — about the well-being; pṛcche — I should inquire; edhamāne — when he is prospering; kula — of our family; āmaye — the disease; kaṁse — King Kaṁsa; mātula-nāmnā — by the name “maternal uncle”; aṅga — my dear; svānām — of the relatives; naḥ — our; tat — his; prajāsu — of the citizens; ca — and.
Translation
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?
Devanagari
यद्धेतो: पुत्रमरणं यद्धेतोर्बन्धनं तयो: ॥ ६ ॥
Text
pitror vṛjinam āryayoḥ
yad-dhetoḥ putra-maraṇaṁ
yad-dhetor bandhanaṁ tayoḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Just see how much suffering I have caused My offenseless parents! Because of Me their sons were killed and they themselves imprisoned.
Purport
Because Kaṁsa had heard a prophecy that the eighth son of Devakī would kill him, he tried to kill all her children. For the same reason, he imprisoned her and her husband, Vasudeva.
Devanagari
सञ्जातं वर्ण्यतां तात तवागमनकारणम् ॥ ७ ॥
Text
mahyaṁ vaḥ saumya kāṅkṣitam
sañjātaṁ varṇyatāṁ tāta
tavāgamana-kāraṇam
Synonyms
diṣṭyā — by good fortune; adya — today; darśanam — the sight; svānām — of My close relative; mahyam — for Me; vaḥ — yourself; saumya — O gentle one; kāṅkṣitam — desired; sañjātam — has come about; varṇyatām — please explain; tāta — O uncle; tava — your; āgamana — for the coming; kāraṇam — the reason.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
पृष्टो भगवता सर्वं वर्णयामास माधव: ।
वैरानुबन्धं यदुषु वसुदेववधोद्यमम् ॥ ८ ॥
Text
pṛṣṭo bhagavatā sarvaṁ
varṇayām āsa mādhavaḥ
vairānubandhaṁ yaduṣu
vasudeva-vadhodyamam
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; pṛṣṭaḥ — requested; bhagavatā — by the Supreme Lord; sarvam — everything; varṇayām āsa — described; mādhavaḥ — Akrūra, descendant of Madhu; vaira-anubandham — the inimical attitude; yaduṣu — toward the Yadus; vasudeva — Vasudeva; vadha — to murder; udyamam — the attempt.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
यदुक्तं नारदेनास्य स्वजन्मानकदुन्दुभे: ॥ ९ ॥
Text
dūtaḥ sampreṣitaḥ svayam
yad uktaṁ nāradenāsya
sva-janmānakadundubheḥ
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
प्रहस्य नन्दं पितरं राज्ञा दिष्टं विजज्ञतु: ॥ १० ॥
Text
balaś ca para-vīra-hā
prahasya nandaṁ pitaraṁ
rājñā diṣṭaṁ vijajñatuḥ
Synonyms
śrutvā — hearing; akrūra-vacaḥ — Akrūra’s words; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; balaḥ — Lord Balarāma; ca — and; para-vīra — of opposing heroes; hā — the destroyer; prahasya — laughing; nandam — to Nanda Mahārāja; pitaram — Their father; rājñā — by the King; diṣṭam — the order given; vijajñatuḥ — They informed.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
उपायनानि गृह्णीध्वं युज्यन्तां शकटानि च ॥ ११ ॥
यास्याम: श्वो मधुपुरीं दास्यामो नृपते रसान् ।
द्रक्ष्याम: सुमहत्पर्व यान्ति जानपदा: किल ।
एवमाघोषयत् क्षत्रा नन्दगोप: स्वगोकुले ॥ १२ ॥
Text
gṛhyatāṁ sarva-go-rasaḥ
upāyanāni gṛhṇīdhvaṁ
yujyantāṁ śakaṭāni ca
dāsyāmo nṛpate rasān
drakṣyāmaḥ su-mahat parva
yānti jānapadāḥ kila
evam āghoṣayat kṣatrā
nanda-gopaḥ sva-gokule
Synonyms
gopān — the cowherd men; samādiśāt — ordered; saḥ — he (Nanda Mahārāja); api — also; gṛhyatām — have collected; sarva — all; go-rasaḥ — the milk products; upāyanāni — excellent gifts; gṛhṇīdhvam — take; yujyantām — yoke; śakaṭāni — the wagons; ca — and; yāsyāmaḥ — we shall go; śvaḥ — tomorrow; madhu-purīm — to Mathurā; dāsyāmaḥ — we shall give; nṛpateḥ — to the King; rasān — our milk products; drakṣyāmaḥ — we shall see; su-mahat — a very great; parva — festival; yānti — are going; jānapadāḥ — the residents of all the outlying districts; kila — indeed; evam — thus; āghoṣayat — he had announced; kṣatrā — by the village constable; nanda-gopaḥ — Nanda Mahārāja; sva-gokule — to the people of his Gokula.
Translation
Nanda Mahārāja then issued orders to the cowherd men by having the village constable make the following announcement throughout Nanda’s domain of Vraja: “Go collect all the available milk products. Bring valuable gifts and yoke your wagons. Tomorrow we shall go to Mathurā, present our milk products to the King and see a very great festival. The residents of all the outlying districts are also going.”
Purport
Nanda wanted to bring ghee and other milk products as taxes for the King.
Devanagari
रामकृष्णौ पुरीं नेतुमक्रूरं व्रजमागतम् ॥ १३ ॥
Text
babhūvur vyathitā bhṛśam
rāma-kṛṣṇau purīṁ netum
akrūraṁ vrajam āgatam
Synonyms
Translation
When the young gopīs heard that Akrūra had come to Vraja to take Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to the city, they became extremely distressed.
Devanagari
स्रंसद्दुकूलवलयकेशग्रन्थ्यश्च काश्चन ॥ १४ ॥
Text
śvāsa-mlāna-mukha-śriyaḥ
sraṁsad-dukūla-valaya
keśa-granthyaś ca kāścana
Synonyms
kāścit — some of them; tat — by that (hearing); kṛta — created; hṛt — in their hearts; tāpa — from the torment; śvāsa — by the sighing; mlāna — made pale; mukha — of their faces; śriyaḥ — the luster; sraṁsat — loosening; dukūla — their dresses; valaya — bracelets; keśa — in their hair; granthyaḥ — the knots; ca — and; kāścana — others.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
नाभ्यजानन्निमं लोकमात्मलोकं गता इव ॥ १५ ॥
Text
nivṛttāśeṣa-vṛttayaḥ
nābhyajānann imaṁ lokam
ātma-lokaṁ gatā iva
Synonyms
anyāḥ — others; ca — and; tat — on Him; anudhyāna — by fixed meditation; nivṛtta — ceased; aśeṣa — all; vṛttayaḥ — their sensory functions; na abhyajānan — they were unaware; imam — of this; lokam — world; ātma — of self-realization; lokam — the realm; gatāḥ — those who have attained; iva — just as.
Translation
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.
Purport
The gopīs were in fact already on the platform of self-realization. The Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 20.108) states, jīvera svarūpa haya kṛṣṇera nitya-dāsa: “The self, or individual soul, is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa.” Thus because they were rendering the most intense loving service to the Lord, the gopīs were situated at the highest stage of self-realization.
Devanagari
हृदिस्पृशश्चित्रपदा गिर: सम्मुमुहु: स्त्रिय: ॥ १६ ॥
Text
anurāga-smiteritāḥ
hṛdi-spṛśaś citra-padā
giraḥ sammumuhuḥ striyaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
शोकापहानि नर्माणि प्रोद्दामचरितानि च ॥ १७ ॥
चिन्तयन्त्यो मुकुन्दस्य भीता विरहकातरा: ।
समेता: सङ्घश: प्रोचुरश्रुमुख्योऽच्युताशया: ॥ १८ ॥
Text
snigdha-hāsāvalokanam
śokāpahāni narmāṇi
proddāma-caritāni ca
bhītā viraha-kātarāḥ
sametāḥ saṅghaśaḥ procur
aśru-mukhyo ’cyutāśayāḥ
Synonyms
gatim — the movements; su-lalitām — very charming; ceṣṭām — the activities; snigdha — affectionate; hāsa — smiling; avalokanam — the glances; śoka — unhappiness; apahāni — which remove; narmāṇi — the joking words; proddāma — mighty; caritāni — the deeds; ca — and; cintayantyaḥ — thinking about; mukundasya — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; bhītaḥ — afraid; viraha — because of separation; kātarāḥ — greatly distressed; sametāḥ — joining together; saṅghaśaḥ — in groups; procuḥ — they spoke; aśru — with tears; mukhyaḥ — their faces; acyuta-āśayāḥ — their minds absorbed in Lord Acyuta.
Translation
The gopīs were frightened at the prospect of even the briefest separation from Lord Mukunda, so now, as they remembered His graceful gait, His pastimes, His affectionate, smiling glances, His heroic deeds and His joking words, which would relieve their distress, they were beside themselves with anxiety at the thought of the great separation about to come. They gathered in groups and spoke to one another, their faces covered with tears and their minds fully absorbed in Acyuta.
Devanagari
अहो विधातस्तव न क्वचिद् दया
संयोज्य मैत्र्या प्रणयेन देहिन: ।
तांश्चाकृतार्थान् वियुनङ्क्ष्यपार्थकं
विक्रीडितं तेऽर्भकचेष्टितं यथा ॥ १९ ॥
Text
aho vidhātas tava na kvacid dayā
saṁyojya maitryā praṇayena dehinaḥ
tāṁś cākṛtārthān viyunaṅkṣy apārthakaṁ
vikrīḍitaṁ te ’rbhaka-ceṣṭitaṁ yathā
Synonyms
śrī-gopyaḥ ūcuḥ — the gopīs said; aho — O; vidhātaḥ — Providence; tava — your; na — there is not; kvacit — anywhere; dayā — mercy; saṁyojya — bringing together; maitryā — with friendship; praṇayena — and with love; dehinaḥ — embodied living beings; tān — them; ca — and; akṛta — unfulfilled; arthān — their aims; viyunaṅkṣi — you separate; apārthakam — uselessly; vikrīḍitam — play; te — your; arbhaka — of a child; ceṣṭitam — the activity; yathā — as.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
मुकुन्दवक्त्रं सुकपोलमुन्नसम् ।
शोकापनोदस्मितलेशसुन्दरं
करोषि पारोक्ष्यमसाधु ते कृतम् ॥ २० ॥
Text
mukunda-vaktraṁ su-kapolam un-nasam
śokāpanoda-smita-leśa-sundaraṁ
karoṣi pārokṣyam asādhu te kṛtam
Synonyms
yaḥ — who; tvam — you; pradarśya — showing; asita — black; kuntala — by locks; āvṛtam — framed; mukunda — of Kṛṣṇa; vaktram — the face; su-kapolam — with fine cheeks; ut-nasam — and raised nose; śoka — misery; apanoda — eradicating; smita — with His smile; leśa — slight; sundaram — beautiful; karoṣi — you make; pārokṣyam — invisible; asādhu — not good; te — by you; kṛtam — done.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
श्चक्षुर्हि दत्तं हरसे बताज्ञवत् ।
येनैकदेशेऽखिलसर्गसौष्ठवं
त्वदीयमद्राक्ष्म वयं मधुद्विष: ॥ २१ ॥
Text
cakṣur hi dattaṁ harase batājña-vat
yenaika-deśe ’khila-sarga-sauṣṭhavaṁ
tvadīyam adrākṣma vayaṁ madhu-dviṣaḥ
Synonyms
krūraḥ — cruel; tvam — you (are); akrūra-samākhyayā — by the name Akrūra (which means “not cruel”); sma — certainly; naḥ — our; cakṣuḥ — eyes; hi — indeed; dattam — given; harase — you are taking; bata — alas; ajña — a fool; vat — just like; yena — with which (eyes); eka — in one; deśe — place; akhila — of all; sarga — the creation; sauṣṭhavam — the perfection; tvadīyam — your; adrākṣma — have seen; vayam — we; madhudviṣaḥ — of Lord Kṛṣṇa, enemy of the demon Madhu.
Translation
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.
Purport
The gopīs did not care to see anything but Kṛṣṇa; therefore if Kṛṣṇa left Vṛndāvana, their eyes would have no function. Thus Kṛṣṇa’s departure was blinding these poor girls, and in their distress they berated Akrūra, whose name means “not cruel,” as cruel indeed.
Devanagari
समीक्षते न: स्वकृतातुरा बत ।
विहाय गेहान् स्वजनान् सुतान्पतीं-
स्तद्दास्यमद्धोपगता नवप्रिय: ॥ २२ ॥
Text
samīkṣate naḥ sva-kṛtāturā bata
vihāya gehān sva-janān sutān patīṁs
tad-dāsyam addhopagatā nava-priyaḥ
Synonyms
na — does not; nanda-sūnuḥ — the son of Nanda Mahārāja; kṣaṇa — in a moment; bhaṅga — the breaking; sauhṛdaḥ — of whose friendship; samīkṣate — look upon; naḥ — us; sva — by Him; kṛta — made; āturāḥ — under His control; bata — alas; vihāya — giving up; gehān — our homes; sva-janān — relatives; sutān — children; patīn — husbands; tat — to Him; dāsyam — servitude; addhā — directly; upagatāḥ — who have taken up; nava — ever new; priyaḥ — whose lovers.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
सत्या बभूवु: पुरयोषितां ध्रुवम् ।
या: संप्रविष्टस्य मुखं व्रजस्पते:
पास्यन्त्यपाङ्गोत्कलितस्मितासवम् ॥ २३ ॥
Text
satyā babhūvuḥ pura-yoṣitāṁ dhruvam
yāḥ saṁpraviṣṭasya mukhaṁ vrajas-pateḥ
pāsyanty apāṅgotkalita-smitāsavam
Synonyms
sukham — happy; prabhātā — its dawn; rajanī — the night; iyam — this; āśiṣaḥ — the hopes; satyāḥ — true; babhūvuḥ — have become; pura — of the city; yoṣitām — of the women; dhruvam — certainly; yāḥ — who; saṁpraviṣṭasya — of Him who has entered (Mathurā); mukham — the face; vrajaḥ-pateḥ — of the master of Vraja; pāsyanti — they will drink; apāṅga — upon the corners of His eyes; utkalita — expanded; smita — a smile; āsavam — nectar.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
र्गृहीतचित्त: परवान् मनस्व्यपि ।
कथं पुनर्न: प्रतियास्यतेऽबला
ग्राम्या: सलज्जस्मितविभ्रमैर्भ्रमन् ॥ २४ ॥
Text
gṛhīta-cittaḥ para-vān manasvy api
kathaṁ punar naḥ pratiyāsyate ’balā
grāmyāḥ salajja-smita-vibhramair bhraman
Synonyms
tāsām — their; mukundaḥ — Kṛṣṇa; madhu — like honey; mañju — sweet; bhāṣitaiḥ — by the words; gṛhīta — seized; cittaḥ — whose mind; paravān — subservient; manasvī — intelligent; api — although; katham — how; punaḥ — again; naḥ — to us; pratiyāsyate — will He return; abalāḥ — O girls; grāmyāḥ — who are rustic; sa-lajja — shyly; smita — smiling; vibhramaiḥ — by their enchantments; bhraman — becoming bewildered.
Translation
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?
Devanagari
दाशार्हभोजान्धकवृष्णिसात्वताम् ।
महोत्सव: श्रीरमणं गुणास्पदं
द्रक्ष्यन्ति ये चाध्वनि देवकीसुतम् ॥ २५ ॥
Text
dāśārha-bhojāndhaka-vṛṣṇi-sātvatām
mahotsavaḥ śrī-ramaṇaṁ guṇāspadaṁ
drakṣyanti ye cādhvani devakī-sutam
Synonyms
adya — today; dhruvam — certainly; tatra — there; dṛśaḥ — for the eyes; bhaviṣyate — there will be; dāśārha-bhoja-andhaka-vṛṣṇi-sātvatām — of the members of the Dāśārha, Bhoja, Andhaka, Vṛṣṇi and Sātvata clans; mahā-utsavaḥ — a great festivity; śrī — of the goddess of fortune; ramaṇam — the darling; guṇa — of all transcendental qualities; āspadam — the reservoir; drakṣyanti — they will see; ye — those who; ca — also; adhvani — on the road; devakī-sutam — Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
दक्रूर इत्येतदतीव दारुण: ।
योऽसावनाश्वास्य सुदु:खितं जनं
प्रियात्प्रियं नेष्यति पारमध्वन: ॥ २६ ॥
Text
akrūra ity etad atīva dāruṇaḥ
yo ’sāv anāśvāsya su-duḥkhitam janaṁ
priyāt priyaṁ neṣyati pāram adhvanaḥ
Synonyms
mā — should not; etat-vidhasya — of such; akaruṇasya — an unkind person; nāma — the name; bhūt — be; akrūraḥ iti — “Akrūra”; etat — this; atīva — extremely; dāruṇaḥ — cruel; yaḥ — who; asau — he; anāśvāsya — not consoling; su-duḥkhitam — who are very miserable; janam — people; priyāt — than the most dear; priyam — dear (Kṛṣṇa); neṣyati — will take; pāram adhvanaḥ — beyond our sight.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
तमन्वमी च त्वरयन्ति दुर्मदा: ।
गोपा अनोभि: स्थविरैरुपेक्षितं
दैवं च नोऽद्य प्रतिकूलमीहते ॥ २७ ॥
Text
tam anv amī ca tvarayanti durmadāḥ
gopā anobhiḥ sthavirair upekṣitaṁ
daivaṁ ca no ’dya pratikūlam īhate
Synonyms
anārdra-dhīḥ — hard-hearted; eṣaḥ — this (Kṛṣṇa); samāsthitaḥ — having mounted; ratham — the chariot; tam — Him; anu — following; amī — these; ca — and; tvarayanti — hurry; durmadāḥ — befooled; gopāḥ — cowherds; anobhiḥ — in their bullock carts; sthaviraiḥ — by the elders; upekṣitam — disregarded; daivam — fate; ca — and; naḥ — with us; adya — today; pratikūlam — unfavorably; īhate — is acting.
Translation
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.
Purport
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī reveals what the gopīs thought: “These foolish cowherd men and elders are not even trying to stop Kṛṣṇa. Don’t they realize they are committing suicide? They are helping Kṛṣṇa go to Mathurā, but they will have to come back to Vṛndāvana and will certainly die in His absence. The whole world has become nonsensical.”
Devanagari
किं नोऽकरिष्यन् कुलवृद्धबान्धवा: ।
मुकुन्दसङ्गान्निमिषार्धदुस्त्यजाद्
दैवेन विध्वंसितदीनचेतसाम् ॥ २८ ॥
Text
kiṁ no ’kariṣyan kula-vṛddha-bāndhavāḥ
mukunda-saṅgān nimiṣārdha-dustyajād
daivena vidhvaṁsita-dīna-cetasām
Synonyms
nivārayāmaḥ — let us stop; samupetya — going up to Him; mādhavam — Kṛṣṇa; kim — what; naḥ — to us; akariṣyan — will do; kula — of the family; vṛddha — the elders; bāndhavāḥ — and our relatives; mukunda-saṅgāt — from the association of Lord Mukunda; nimiṣa — of the wink of an eye; ardha — for one half; dustyajāt — which is impossible to give up; daivena — by fate; vidhvaṁsita — separated; dīna — wretched; cetasām — whose hearts.
Translation
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.
Purport
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī describes what the gopīs thought: “Let us go right up to Kṛṣṇa and pull at His clothes and hands and insist that He get down from His chariot and stay here with us. We will tell Him, ‘Don’t bring upon Yourself the sinful reaction for murdering so many women!’”
“But if we do that,” said other gopīs, “our relatives and the village elders will discover our secret love for Kṛṣṇa and abandon us.”
“But what can they do to us?”
“Yes, our lives are already wretched now that Kṛṣṇa is leaving. We have nothing to lose.”
“That’s right. We will remain in the Vṛndāvana forest just like presiding goddesses, and then we can fulfill our true desire — to stay with Kṛṣṇa in the forest.”
“Yes, and even if the elders and our relatives punish us by beating us or locking us up, we can still live happily with the knowledge that Kṛṣṇa is residing in our village. Some of our girlfriends who are not imprisoned will cleverly find a way to bring us the remnants of Kṛṣṇa’s food, and then we can remain alive. But if Kṛṣṇa is not stopped, we will certainly die.”
Devanagari
लीलावलोकपरिरम्भणरासगोष्ठाम् ।
नीता: स्म न: क्षणमिव क्षणदा विना तं
गोप्य: कथं न्वतितरेम तमो दुरन्तम् ॥ २९ ॥
Text
līlāvaloka-parirambhaṇa-rāsa-goṣṭhām
nītāḥ sma naḥ kṣaṇam iva kṣaṇadā vinā taṁ
gopyaḥ kathaṁ nv atitarema tamo durantam
Synonyms
yasya — whose; anurāga — with loving affection; lalita — charming; smita — (where there were) smiles; valgu — attractive; mantra — intimate discussions; līlā — playful; avaloka — glances; parirambhaṇa — and embraces; rāsa — of the rāsa dance; goṣṭhām — to the assembly; nītāḥ sma — who were brought; naḥ — for us; kṣaṇam — a moment; iva — like; kṣaṇadāḥ — the nights; vinā — without; tam — Him; gopyaḥ — O gopīs; katham — how; nu — indeed; atitarema — will we cross over; tamaḥ — the darkness; durantam — insurmountable.
Translation
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?
Purport
For the gopīs, a long time in Kṛṣṇa’s association passed like a moment, and a single moment in His absence seemed like a very long time.
Devanagari
गोपैर्विशन् खुररजश्छुरितालकस्रक् ।
वेणुं क्वणन् स्मितकटाक्षनिरीक्षणेन
चित्तं क्षिणोत्यमुमृते नु कथं भवेम ॥ ३० ॥
Text
gopair viśan khura-rajaś-churitālaka-srak
veṇuṁ kvaṇan smita-katākṣa-nirīkṣaṇena
cittaṁ kṣiṇoty amum ṛte nu kathaṁ bhavema
Synonyms
yaḥ — who; ahnaḥ — of the day; kṣaye — at the demise; vrajam — the village of Vraja; ananta — of Ananta, Lord Balarāma; sakhaḥ — the friend Kṛṣṇa; parītaḥ — accompanied on all sides; gopaiḥ — by the cowherd boys; viśan — entering; khura — of the hoofprints (of the cows); rajaḥ — with the dust; churita — smeared; alaka — the locks of His hair; srak — and His garlands; veṇum — His flute; kvaṇan — playing; smita — smiling; kaṭa-akṣa — from the corners of His eyes; nirīkṣaṇena — with glances; cittam — our minds; kṣiṇoti — He destroys; amum — Him; ṛte — without; nu — indeed; katham — how; bhavema — we can exist.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
एवं ब्रुवाणा विरहातुरा भृशं
व्रजस्त्रिय: कृष्णविषक्तमानसा: ।
विसृज्य लज्जां रुरुदु: स्म सुस्वरं
गोविन्द दामोदर माधवेति ॥ ३१ ॥
Text
evaṁ bruvāṇā virahāturā bhṛśaṁ
vraja-striyaḥ kṛṣṇa-viṣakta-mānasāḥ
visṛjya lajjāṁ ruruduḥ sma su-svaraṁ
govinda dāmodara mādhaveti
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; evam — thus; bruvāṇāḥ — speaking; viraha — by feelings of separation; āturāḥ — distraught; bhṛśam — thoroughly; vraja-striyaḥ — the ladies of Vraja; kṛṣṇa — to Kṛṣṇa; viṣakta — attached; mānasāḥ — their minds; visṛjya — abandoning; lajjām — shame; ruruduḥ sma — they cried; su-svaram — loudly; govinda dāmodara mādhava iti — O Govinda, O Dāmodara, O Mādhava.
Translation
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!”
Purport
For a long time the gopīs had carefully hidden their conjugal love for Kṛṣṇa. But now that Kṛṣṇa was leaving, the gopīs were so distressed that they could no longer hide their feelings.
Devanagari
अक्रूरश्चोदयामास कृतमैत्रादिको रथम् ॥ ३२ ॥
Text
udite savitary atha
akrūraś codayām āsa
kṛta-maitrādiko ratham
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Purport
According to some Vaiṣṇava authorities, Akrūra offended the gopīs by not consoling them when he took Kṛṣṇa to Mathurā, and because of this offense Akrūra was later forced to leave Dvārakā and be separated from Kṛṣṇa during the episode of the Syamantaka jewel. At that time Akrūra had to take up an ignoble residence in Vārāṇasī.
Apparently, mother Yaśodā and the other residents of Vṛndāvana were not crying like the gopīs, for they sincerely believed Kṛṣṇa would be coming back within a few days.
Devanagari
आदायोपायनं भूरि कुम्भान् गोरससम्भृतान् ॥ ३३ ॥
Text
nandādyāḥ śakaṭais tataḥ
ādāyopāyanaṁ bhūri
kumbhān go-rasa-sambhṛtān
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
प्रत्यादेशं भगवत: काङ्क्षन्त्यश्चावतस्थिरे ॥ ३४ ॥
Text
anuvrajyānurañjitāḥ
pratyādeśaṁ bhagavataḥ
kāṅkṣantyaś cāvatasthire
Synonyms
gopyaḥ — the gopīs; ca — and; dayitam — their beloved; kṛṣṇam — Kṛṣṇa; anuvrajya — following; anurañjitāḥ — pleased; pratyādeśam — some instruction in reply; bhagavataḥ — from the Lord; kāṅkṣantyaḥ — hoping for; ca — and; avatasthire — they stood.
Translation
[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.
Devanagari
सान्त्वयामास सप्रेमैरायास्य इति दौत्यकै: ॥ ३५ ॥
Text
sva-prasthāṇe yadūttamaḥ
sāntvayām asa sa-premair
āyāsya iti dautyakaiḥ
Synonyms
Translation
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.”
Devanagari
अनुप्रस्थापितात्मानो लेख्यानीवोपलक्षिता: ॥ ३६ ॥
Text
yāvad reṇū rathasya ca
anuprasthāpitātmāno
lekhyānīvopalakṣitāḥ
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
विशोका अहनी निन्युर्गायन्त्य: प्रियचेष्टितम् ॥ ३७ ॥
Text
govinda-vinivartane
viśokā ahanī ninyur
gāyantyaḥ priya-ceṣṭitam
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
रथेन वायुवेगेन कालिन्दीमघनाशिनीम् ॥ ३८ ॥
Text
rāmākrūra-yuto nṛpa
rathena vāyu-vegena
kālindīm agha-nāśinīm
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Purport
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī comments that Lord Kṛṣṇa secretly lamented His separation from the gopīs. These transcendental feelings of the Lord are part of His supreme pleasure potency.
Devanagari
वृक्षषण्डमुपव्रज्य सरामो रथमाविशत् ॥ ३९ ॥
Text
pītvā mṛṣṭaṁ maṇi-prabham
vṛkṣa-ṣaṇḍam upavrajya
sa-rāmo ratham āviśat
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
कालिन्द्या ह्रदमागत्य स्नानं विधिवदाचरत् ॥ ४० ॥
Text
niveśya ca rathopari
kālindyā hradam āgatya
snānaṁ vidhi-vad ācarat
Synonyms
akrūraḥ — Akrūra; tau — from the two of Them; upāmantrya — taking permission; niveśya — having Them sit down; ca — and; ratha-upari — on the chariot; kālindyāḥ — of the Yamunā; hradam — to a pond; āgatya — going; snānam — his bath; vidhi-vat — in accordance with scriptural injunction; ācarat — he performed.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
तावेव ददृशेऽक्रूरो रामकृष्णौ समन्वितौ ॥ ४१ ॥
Text
japan brahma sanātanam
tāv eva dadṛśe ’krūro
rāma-kṛṣṇau samanvitau
Synonyms
Translation
While immersing himself in the water and reciting eternal mantras from the Vedas, Akrūra suddenly saw Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa before him.
Devanagari
तर्हि स्वित्स्यन्दने न स्त इत्युन्मज्ज्य व्यचष्ट स: ॥ ४२ ॥
तत्रापि च यथापूर्वमासीनौ पुनरेव स: ।
न्यमज्जद् दर्शनं यन्मे मृषा किं सलिले तयो: ॥ ४३ ॥
Text
sutāv ānakadundubheḥ
tarhi svit syandane na sta
ity unmajjya vyacaṣṭa saḥ
āsīnau punar eva saḥ
nyamajjad darśanaṁ yan me
mṛṣā kiṁ salile tayoḥ
Synonyms
tau — They; ratha-sthau — present on the chariot; katham — how; iha — here; sutau — the two sons; ānakadundubheḥ — of Vasudeva; tarhi — then; svit — whether; syandane — on the chariot; na staḥ — They are not there; iti — thinking this; unmajjya — rising from the water; vyacaṣṭa — saw; saḥ — he; tatra api — in the same place; ca — and; yathā — as; pūrvam — previously; āsīnau — sitting; punaḥ — again; eva — indeed; saḥ — he; nyamajjat — entered the water; darśanam — the vision; yat — if; me — my; mṛṣā — false; kim — perhaps; salile — in the water; tayoḥ — of Them.
Translation
Akrūra thought, “How can the two sons of Ānakadundubhi, who are sitting in the chariot, be standing here in the water? They must have left the chariot.” But when he came out of the river, there They were on the chariot, just as before. Asking himself “Was the vision I had of Them in the water an illusion?” Akrūra reentered the pool.
Devanagari
सिद्धचारणगन्धर्वैरसुरैर्नतकन्धरै: ॥ ४४ ॥
सहस्रशिरसं देवं सहस्रफणमौलिनम् ।
नीलाम्बरं विसश्वेतं शृङ्गै: श्वेतमिव स्थितम् ॥ ४५ ॥
Text
stūyamānam ahīśvaram
siddha-cāraṇa-gandharvair
asurair nata-kandharaiḥ
sahasra-phaṇa-maulinam
nīlāmbaraṁ visa-śvetaṁ
śṛṅgaiḥ śvetam iva sthitam
Synonyms
bhūyaḥ — again; tatra api — in that same place; saḥ — he; adrākṣīt — saw; stūyamānam — being praised; ahi-īśvaram — the Lord of serpents (Ananta Śeṣa, the plenary expansion of Lord Balarāma who serves as the bed of Viṣṇu); siddha-cāraṇa-gandharvaiḥ — by Siddhas, Cāraṇas and Gandharvas; asuraiḥ — and by demons; nata — bowed; kandharaiḥ — whose necks; sahasra — thousands; śirasam — having heads; devam — the Supreme Lord; sahasra — thousands; phaṇa — having hoods; maulinam — and helmets; nīla — blue; ambaram — whose clothing; visa — like the filaments of a lotus stem; śvetam — white; śṛṅgaiḥ — with its peaks; śvetam — Kailāsa Mountain; iva — as if; sthitam — situated.
Translation
There Akrūra now saw Ananta Śeṣa, the Lord of the serpents, receiving praise from Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Gandharvas and demons, who all had their heads bowed. The Personality of Godhead whom Akrūra saw had thousands of heads, thousands of hoods and thousands of helmets. His blue garment and His fair complexion, as white as the filaments of a lotus stem, made Him appear like white Kailāsa Mountain with its many peaks.
Devanagari
पुरुषं चतुर्भुजं शान्तं पद्मपत्रारुणेक्षणम् ॥ ४६ ॥
चारुप्रसन्नवदनं चारुहासनिरीक्षणम् ।
सुभ्रून्नसं चारुकर्णं सुकपोलारुणाधरम् ॥ ४७ ॥
प्रलम्बपीवरभुजं तुङ्गांसोर:स्थलश्रियम् ।
कम्बुकण्ठं निम्ननाभिं वलिमत्पल्लवोदरम् ॥ ४८ ॥
Text
pīta-kauśeya-vāsasam
puruṣaṁ catur-bhujaṁ śāntam
padma-patrāruṇekṣaṇam
cāru-hāsa-nirīkṣaṇam
su-bhrūnnasaṁ caru-karṇaṁ
su-kapolāruṇādharam
tuṅgāṁsoraḥ-sthala-śriyam
kambu-kaṇṭhaṁ nimna-nābhiṁ
valimat-pallavodaram
Synonyms
tasya — of Him (Ananta Śeṣa); utsaṅge — on the lap; ghana — like a rain cloud; śyāmam — dark blue; pīta — yellow; kauśeya — silk; vāsasam — whose garment; puruṣam — the Supreme Lord; catuḥ-bhujam — with four arms; śāntam — peaceful; padma — of a lotus; patra — like the leaves; aruṇa — reddish; īkṣaṇam — whose eyes; cāru — attractive; prasanna — cheerful; vadanam — whose face; cāru — attractive; hāsa — smiling; nirīkṣaṇam — whose glance; su — beautiful; bhrū — whose eyebrows; ut — raised; nasam — whose nose; cāru — attractive; karṇam — whose ears; su — beautiful; kapola — whose cheeks; aruṇa — reddish; adharam — whose lips; pralamba — extended; pīvara — stout; bhujam — whose arms; tuṅga — raised; aṁsa — by His shoulders; uraḥ-sthala — and chest; śriyam — beautified; kambu — like a conchshell; kaṇṭham — whose throat; nimna — low; nābhim — whose navel; vali — lines; mat — having; pallava — like a leaf; udaram — whose abdomen.
Translation
Akrūra then saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead lying peacefully on the lap of Lord Ananta Śeṣa. The complexion of that Supreme Person was like a dark-blue cloud. He wore yellow garments and had four arms and reddish lotus-petal eyes. His face looked attractive and cheerful with its smiling, endearing glance and lovely eyebrows, its raised nose and finely formed ears, and its beautiful cheeks and reddish lips. The Lord’s broad shoulders and expansive chest were beautiful, and His arms long and stout. His neck resembled a conchshell, His navel was deep, and His abdomen bore lines like those on a banyan leaf.
Devanagari
चारुजानुयुगं चारुजङ्घायुगलसंयुतम् ॥ ४९ ॥
तुङ्गगुल्फारुणनखव्रातदीधितिभिर्वृतम् ।
नवाङ्गुल्यङ्गुष्ठदलैर्विलसत् पादपङ्कजम् ॥ ५० ॥
Text
karabhoru-dvayānvitam
cāru-jānu-yugaṁ cāru
jaṅghā-yugala-saṁyutam
vrāta-dīdhitibhir vṛtam
navāṅguly-aṅguṣṭha-dalair
vilasat-pāda-paṅkajam
Synonyms
bṛhat — large; kaṭi-taṭa — whose loins; śroṇi — and hips; karabha — like an elephant’s trunk; ūru — of thighs; dvaya — a pair; anvitam — having; cāru — attractive; jānu-yugam — whose two knees; cāru — attractive; jaṅghā — of shanks; yugala — a pair; saṁyutam — having; tuṅga — high; gulpha — whose ankles; aruṇa — reddish; nakha-vrāta — from whose toenails; dīdhitibhiḥ — with effulgent rays; vṛtam — surrounded; nava — soft; aṅguli-aṅguṣṭha — the two big toes and other toes; dalaiḥ — like flower petals; vilasat — glowing; pāda-paṅkajam — whose lotus feet.
Translation
He had large loins and hips, thighs like an elephant’s trunk, and shapely knees and shanks. His raised ankles reflected the brilliant effulgence emanating from the nails on His petallike toes, which beautified His lotus feet.
Devanagari
कटिसूत्रब्रह्मसूत्रहारनूपुरकुण्डलै: ॥ ५१ ॥
भ्राजमानं पद्मकरं शङ्खचक्रगदाधरम् ।
श्रीवत्सवक्षसं भ्राजत्कौस्तुभं वनमालिनम् ॥ ५२ ॥
Text
kirīṭa-kaṭakāṅgadaiḥ
kaṭi-sūtra-brahma-sūtra
hāra-nūpura-kuṇḍalaiḥ
śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-dharam
śrīvatsa-vakṣasaṁ bhrājat
kaustubhaṁ vana-mālinam
Synonyms
su-mahā — greatly; arha — precious; maṇi-vrāta — having many gems; kirīṭa — with helmets; kaṭaka — bracelets; aṅgadaiḥ — and armlets; kaṭi-sūtra — with belt; brahma-sūtra — sacred thread; hāra — necklaces; nūpura — ankle bells; kuṇḍalaiḥ — and earrings; bhrājamānam — effulgent; padma — carrying a lotus; karam — whose hand; śaṅkha — a conchshell; cakra — discus; gadā — and club; dharam — holding; śrīvatsa — carrying the mark known as Śrīvatsa; vakṣasam — whose chest; bhrājat — brilliant; kaustubham — with the Kaustubha gem; vana-mālinam — with a flower garland.
Translation
Adorned with a helmet, bracelets and armlets, which were all bedecked with many priceless jewels, and also with a belt, a sacred thread, necklaces, ankle bells and earrings, the Lord shone with dazzling effulgence. In one hand He held a lotus flower, in the others a conchshell, discus and club. Gracing His chest were the Śrīvatsa mark, the brilliant Kaustubha gem and a flower garland.
Devanagari
सुरेशैर्ब्रह्मरुद्राद्यैर्नवभिश्च द्विजोत्तमै: ॥ ५३ ॥
प्रह्रादनारदवसुप्रमुखैर्भागवतोत्तमै: ।
स्तूयमानं पृथग्भावैर्वचोभिरमलात्मभि: ॥ ५४ ॥
श्रिया पुष्ट्या गिरा कान्त्या कीर्त्या तुष्ट्येलयोर्जया ।
विद्ययाविद्यया शक्त्या मायया च निषेवितम् ॥ ५५ ॥
Text
parṣadaiḥ sanakādibhiḥ
sureśair brahma-rudrādyair
navabhiś ca dvijottamaiḥ
pramukhair bhāgavatottamaiḥ
stūyamānaṁ pṛthag-bhāvair
vacobhir amalātmabhiḥ
kīrtyā tuṣṭyelayorjayā
vidyayāvidyayā śaktyā
māyayā ca niṣevitam
Synonyms
sunanda-nanda-pramukhaiḥ — headed by Sunanda and Nanda; parṣadaiḥ — by His personal attendants; sanaka-ādibhiḥ — by Sanaka Kumāra and his brothers; sura-īśaiḥ — by the chief demigods; brahma-rudra-ādyaiḥ — headed by Brahmā and Rudra; navabhiḥ — nine; ca — and; dvija-uttamaiḥ — by the chief brāhmaṇas (headed by Marīci); prahrāda-nārada-vasu-pramukhaiḥ — headed by Prahlāda, Nārada and Uparicara Vasu; bhāgavata-uttamaiḥ — by the most exalted devotees; stūyamānam — being praised; pṛthak-bhāvaiḥ — by each in a different loving attitude; vacobhiḥ — with words; amala-ātmabhiḥ — sanctified; śrīyā puṣṭyā gīrā kāntyā kīrtyā tuṣṭyā ilayā ūrjayā — by His internal potencies Śrī, Puṣṭi, Gīr, Kānti, Kīrti, Tuṣṭi, Ilā and Ūrjā; vidyayā avidyayā — by His potencies of knowledge and ignorance; śaktyā — by His internal pleasure potency; māyayā — by His material creative potency; ca — and; niṣevitam — being served.
Translation
Encircling the Lord and worshiping Him were Nanda, Sunanda and His other personal attendants; Sanaka and the other Kumāras; Brahmā, Rudra and other chief demigods; the nine chief brāhmaṇas; and the best of the saintly devotees, headed by Prahlāda, Nārada and Uparicara Vasu. Each of these great personalities was worshiping the Lord by chanting sanctified words of praise in his own unique mood. Also in attendance were the Lord’s principal internal potencies — Śrī, Puṣṭi, Gīr, Kānti, Kīrti, Tuṣṭi, Ilā and Ūrjā — as were His material potencies Vidyā, Avidyā and Māyā, and His internal pleasure potency, Śakti.
Purport
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains the Lord’s potencies mentioned in these verses: “Śrī is the potency of wealth; Puṣṭi that of strength; Gīr, knowledge; Kānti, beauty; Kīrti, fame; and Tuṣṭi, renunciation. These are the Lord’s six opulences. Ilā is His bhū-śakti, also known as sandhinī, the internal potency of whom the element earth is an expansion. Ūrjā is His internal potency for performing pastimes; she expands as the tulasī plant in this world. Vidyā and Avidyā [knowledge and ignorance] are external potencies who cause the living entities’ liberation and bondage, respectively. Śakti is His internal pleasure potency, hlādinī, and Māyā is an internal potency who is the basis of Vidyā and Avidyā. The word ca implies the presence of the Lord’s marginal energy, the jīva-śakti, who is subordinate to Māyā. Lord Viṣṇu was being served by all these personified potencies.”
Devanagari
हृष्यत्तनूरुहो भावपरिक्लिन्नात्मलोचन: ॥ ५६ ॥
गिरा गद्गदयास्तौषीत् सत्त्वमालम्ब्य सात्वत: ।
प्रणम्य मूर्ध्नावहित: कृताञ्जलिपुट: शनै: ॥ ५७ ॥
Text
bhaktyā paramayā yutaḥ
hṛṣyat-tanūruho bhāva-
pariklinnātma-locanaḥ
sattvam ālambya sātvataḥ
praṇamya mūrdhnāvahitaḥ
kṛtāñjali-puṭaḥ śanaiḥ
Synonyms
vilokya — (Akrūra) seeing; su-bhṛśam — greatly; prītaḥ — pleased; bhaktyā — with devotion; paramayā — supreme; yutaḥ — enthused; hṛṣyat — standing on end; tanū-ruhaḥ — the hairs of his body; bhāva — out of loving ecstasy; pariklinna — wet; ātma — his body; locanaḥ — and eyes; girā — with words; gadgadayā — choking; astauṣīt — He offered homage; sattvam — soberness; ālambya — taking hold of; sātvataḥ — the great devotee; praṇamya — bowing down; mūrdhnā — with his head; avahitaḥ — attentively; kṛta-añjali-puṭaḥ — joining his palms in supplication; śanaiḥ — slowly.
Translation
As the great devotee Akrūra beheld all this, he became extremely pleased and felt enthused with transcendental devotion. His intense ecstasy caused His bodily hairs to stand on end and tears to flow from his eyes, drenching his entire body. Somehow managing to steady himself, Akrūra bowed his head to the ground. Then he joined his palms in supplication and, in a voice choked with emotion, very slowly and attentively began to pray.
Purport
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Thirty-ninth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Akrūra’s Vision.”