Before Verses
Devanagari
Verse Text
Synonyms
Translation
Purport
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma Enter Mathurā
This chapter describes how Lord Kṛṣṇa entered the city of Mathurā, killed a washerman and bestowed benedictions upon a weaver and a garland-maker named Sudāmā.
After showing His Viṣṇu form to Akrūra in the waters of the Yamunā and receiving Akrūra’s prayers, Lord Kṛṣṇa withdrew that vision just as an actor winds up his performance. Akrūra emerged from the water and in great amazement approached the Lord, who asked him whether he had seen something wonderful while bathing. Akrūra replied, “Whatever wonderful things there are in the realms of water, earth or sky, all have their existence within You. Thus when one has seen You, nothing remains unseen.” Akrūra then began driving the chariot again.
Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma and Akrūra reached Mathurā late in the afternoon. After meeting up with Nanda Mahārāja and the other cowherds, who had gone on ahead, Kṛṣṇa asked Akrūra to return home, promising to visit him there after He had killed Kaṁsa. Akrūra unhappily bid the Lord goodbye, went to King Kaṁsa to inform him that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had come, and went home.
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma took the cowherd boys with Them to see the splendorous city. As they all entered Mathurā, the women of the city eagerly came out of their houses to see Kṛṣṇa. They had often heard about Him and had long since developed a deep attraction for Him. But now that they were actually seeing Him, they were overwhelmed with happiness, and all their distress due to His absence was eradicated.
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma then came upon Kaṁsa’s wicked washerman. Kṛṣṇa asked him for some of the first-class garments he was carrying, but he refused and even chastised the two Lords. At this Kṛṣṇa became very angry and beheaded the man with His fingertips. The washerman’s assistants, seeing his untimely end, dropped their bundles of clothes on the spot and ran off in all directions. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma then took some of the garments They especially fancied.
Next a weaver approached the two Lords and arrayed Them suitably, for which service he received from Kṛṣṇa opulence in this life and liberation in the next. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma then went to the house of the garland-maker Sudāmā. Sudāmā offered Them his full obeisances, worshiped Them by bathing Their feet and offering Them such items as arghya and sandalwood paste, and chanted prayers in Their honor. Then he adorned Them with garlands of fragrant flowers. Pleased, the Lords offered him whatever benedictions he wished, and then They moved on.
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
स्तुवतस्तस्य भगवान् दर्शयित्वा जले वपु: ।
भूय: समाहरत् कृष्णो नटो नाट्यमिवात्मन: ॥ १ ॥
स्तुवतस्तस्य भगवान् दर्शयित्वा जले वपु: ।
भूय: समाहरत् कृष्णो नटो नाट्यमिवात्मन: ॥ १ ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
stuvatas tasya bhagavān
darśayitvā jale vapuḥ
bhūyaḥ samāharat kṛṣṇo
naṭo nāṭyam ivātmanaḥ
stuvatas tasya bhagavān
darśayitvā jale vapuḥ
bhūyaḥ samāharat kṛṣṇo
naṭo nāṭyam ivātmanaḥ
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; stuvataḥ — while praying; tasya — he, Akrūra; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; darśayitvā — having shown; jale — in the water; vapuḥ — His personal form; bhūyaḥ — again; samāharat — withdrew; kṛṣṇaḥ — Śrī Kṛṣṇa; naṭaḥ — an actor; nāṭyam — the performance; iva — as; ātmanaḥ — his own.
Translation
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.
Purport
Lord Kṛṣṇa withdrew from Akrūra’s sight the Viṣṇu form along with the vision of the spiritual sky and its eternal inhabitants.
Devanagari
सोऽपि चान्तर्हितं वीक्ष्य जलादुन्मज्य सत्वर: ।
कृत्वा चावश्यकं सर्वं विस्मितो रथमागमत् ॥ २ ॥
कृत्वा चावश्यकं सर्वं विस्मितो रथमागमत् ॥ २ ॥
Verse text
so ’pi cāntarhitaṁ vīkṣya
jalād unmajya satvaraḥ
kṛtvā cāvaśyakaṁ sarvaṁ
vismito ratham āgamat
jalād unmajya satvaraḥ
kṛtvā cāvaśyakaṁ sarvaṁ
vismito ratham āgamat
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
तमपृच्छद्धृषीकेश: किं ते दृष्टमिवाद्भुतम् ।
भूमौ वियति तोये वा तथा त्वां लक्षयामहे ॥ ३ ॥
भूमौ वियति तोये वा तथा त्वां लक्षयामहे ॥ ३ ॥
Verse text
tam apṛcchad dhṛṣīkeśaḥ
kiṁ te dṛṣṭam ivādbhutam
bhūmau viyati toye vā
tathā tvāṁ lakṣayāmahe
kiṁ te dṛṣṭam ivādbhutam
bhūmau viyati toye vā
tathā tvāṁ lakṣayāmahe
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
श्रीअक्रूर उवाच
अद्भुतानीह यावन्ति भूमौ वियति वा जले ।
त्वयि विश्वात्मके तानि किं मेऽदृष्टं विपश्यत: ॥ ४ ॥
अद्भुतानीह यावन्ति भूमौ वियति वा जले ।
त्वयि विश्वात्मके तानि किं मेऽदृष्टं विपश्यत: ॥ ४ ॥
Verse text
śrī-akrūra uvāca
adbhutānīha yāvanti
bhūmau viyati vā jale
tvayi viśvātmake tāni
kiṁ me ’dṛṣṭaṁ vipaśyataḥ
adbhutānīha yāvanti
bhūmau viyati vā jale
tvayi viśvātmake tāni
kiṁ me ’dṛṣṭaṁ vipaśyataḥ
Synonyms
śrī-akrūraḥ uvāca — Śrī Akrūra said; adbhutāni — wonderful things; iha — in this world; yāvanti — whatever; bhūmau — on the earth; viyati — in the sky; vā — or; jale — in the water; tvayi — in You; viśva-ātmake — who comprise everything; tāni — they; kim — what; me — by me; adṛṣṭam — not seen; vipaśyataḥ — seeing (You).
Translation
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?
Devanagari
यत्राद्भुतानि सर्वाणि भूमौ वियति वा जले ।
तं त्वानुपश्यतो ब्रह्मन् किं मे दृष्टमिहाद्भुतम् ॥ ५ ॥
तं त्वानुपश्यतो ब्रह्मन् किं मे दृष्टमिहाद्भुतम् ॥ ५ ॥
Verse text
yatrādbhutāni sarvāṇi
bhūmau viyati vā jale
taṁ tvānupaśyato brahman
kiṁ me dṛṣṭam ihādbhutam
bhūmau viyati vā jale
taṁ tvānupaśyato brahman
kiṁ me dṛṣṭam ihādbhutam
Synonyms
yatra — in whom; adbhutāni — amazing things; sarvāṇi — all; bhūmau — on the earth; viyati — in the sky; vā — or; jale — in the water; tam — that person; tvā — You; anupaśyataḥ — seeing; brahman — O Supreme Absolute Truth; kim — what; me — by me; dṛṣṭam — seen; iha — in this world; adbhutam — amazing.
Translation
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?
Purport
Akrūra has now realized that Lord Kṛṣṇa is not merely his nephew.
Devanagari
इत्युक्त्वा चोदयामास स्यन्दनं गान्दिनीसुत: ।
मथुरामनयद् रामं कृष्णं चैव दिनात्यये ॥ ६ ॥
मथुरामनयद् रामं कृष्णं चैव दिनात्यये ॥ ६ ॥
Verse text
ity uktvā codayām āsa
syandanaṁ gāndinī-sutaḥ
mathurām anayad rāmaṁ
kṛṣṇaṁ caiva dinātyaye
syandanaṁ gāndinī-sutaḥ
mathurām anayad rāmaṁ
kṛṣṇaṁ caiva dinātyaye
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
मार्गे ग्रामजना राजंस्तत्र तत्रोपसङ्गता: ।
वसुदेवसुतौ वीक्ष्य प्रीता दृष्टिं न चाददु: ॥ ७ ॥
वसुदेवसुतौ वीक्ष्य प्रीता दृष्टिं न चाददु: ॥ ७ ॥
Verse text
mārge grāma-janā rājaṁs
tatra tatropasaṅgatāḥ
vasudeva-sutau vīkṣya
prītā dṛṣṭiṁ na cādaduḥ
tatra tatropasaṅgatāḥ
vasudeva-sutau vīkṣya
prītā dṛṣṭiṁ na cādaduḥ
Synonyms
mārge — on the road; grāma — of the villages; janāḥ — the people; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); tatra tatra — here and there; upasaṅgatāḥ — approaching; vasudeva-sutau — at the two sons of Vasudeva; vīkṣya — looking; prītāḥ — pleased; dṛṣṭim — their vision; na — not; ca — and; ādaduḥ — could take back.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
तावद् व्रजौकसस्तत्र नन्दगोपादयोऽग्रत: ।
पुरोपवनमासाद्य प्रतीक्षन्तोऽवतस्थिरे ॥ ८ ॥
पुरोपवनमासाद्य प्रतीक्षन्तोऽवतस्थिरे ॥ ८ ॥
Verse text
tāvad vrajaukasas tatra
nanda-gopādayo ’grataḥ
puropavanam āsādya
pratīkṣanto ’vatasthire
nanda-gopādayo ’grataḥ
puropavanam āsādya
pratīkṣanto ’vatasthire
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Purport
Nanda and the others reached Mathurā first because the chariot carrying Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma was delayed by Akrūra’s bathing.
Devanagari
तान् समेत्याह भगवानक्रूरं जगदीश्वर: ।
गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणिं प्रश्रितं प्रहसन्निव ॥ ९ ॥
गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणिं प्रश्रितं प्रहसन्निव ॥ ९ ॥
Verse text
tān sametyāha bhagavān
akrūraṁ jagad-īśvaraḥ
gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇiṁ
praśritaṁ prahasann iva
akrūraṁ jagad-īśvaraḥ
gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇiṁ
praśritaṁ prahasann iva
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
भवान् प्रविशतामग्रे सहयान: पुरीं गृहम् ।
वयं त्विहावमुच्याथ ततो द्रक्ष्यामहे पुरीम् ॥ १० ॥
वयं त्विहावमुच्याथ ततो द्रक्ष्यामहे पुरीम् ॥ १० ॥
Verse text
bhavān praviśatām agre
saha-yānaḥ purīṁ gṛham
vayaṁ tv ihāvamucyātha
tato drakṣyāmahe purīm
saha-yānaḥ purīṁ gṛham
vayaṁ tv ihāvamucyātha
tato drakṣyāmahe purīm
Synonyms
Translation
[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.
Devanagari
श्रीअक्रूर उवाच
नाहं भवद्भ्यां रहित: प्रवेक्ष्ये मथुरां प्रभो ।
त्यक्तुं नार्हसि मां नाथ भक्तं ते भक्तवत्सल ॥ ११ ॥
नाहं भवद्भ्यां रहित: प्रवेक्ष्ये मथुरां प्रभो ।
त्यक्तुं नार्हसि मां नाथ भक्तं ते भक्तवत्सल ॥ ११ ॥
Verse text
śrī-akrūra uvāca
nāhaṁ bhavadbhyāṁ rahitaḥ
pravekṣye mathurāṁ prabho
tyaktuṁ nārhasi māṁ nātha
bhaktaṁ te bhakta-vatsala
nāhaṁ bhavadbhyāṁ rahitaḥ
pravekṣye mathurāṁ prabho
tyaktuṁ nārhasi māṁ nātha
bhaktaṁ te bhakta-vatsala
Synonyms
śrī-akrūraḥ uvāca — Śrī Akrūra said; na — cannot; aham — I; bhavadbhyām — of the two of You; rahitaḥ — deprived; pravekṣye — enter; mathurām — Mathurā; prabho — O master; tyaktum — abandon; na arhasi — You should not; mām — me; nātha — O Lord; bhaktam — devotee; te — Your; bhakta-vatsala — O You who have parental affection for Your devotees.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
आगच्छ याम गेहान्न: सनाथान्कुर्वधोक्षज ।
सहाग्रज: सगोपालै: सुहृद्भिश्च सुहृत्तम ॥ १२ ॥
सहाग्रज: सगोपालै: सुहृद्भिश्च सुहृत्तम ॥ १२ ॥
Verse text
āgaccha yāma gehān naḥ
sa-nāthān kurv adhokṣaja
sahāgrajaḥ sa-gopālaiḥ
suhṛdbhiś ca suhṛttama
sa-nāthān kurv adhokṣaja
sahāgrajaḥ sa-gopālaiḥ
suhṛdbhiś ca suhṛttama
Synonyms
āgaccha — please come; yāma — let us go; gehān — to the house; naḥ — our; sa — having; nāthān — a master; kuru — please make it; adhokṣaja — O transcendental Lord; saha — with; agra-jaḥ — Your elder brother; sa-gopālaiḥ — with the cowherd men; suhṛdbhiḥ — with Your friends; ca — and; suhṛt-tama — O supreme well-wisher.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
पुनीहि पादरजसा गृहान् नो गृहमेधिनाम् ।
यच्छौचेनानुतृप्यन्ति पितर: साग्नय: सुरा: ॥ १३ ॥
यच्छौचेनानुतृप्यन्ति पितर: साग्नय: सुरा: ॥ १३ ॥
Verse text
punīhi pāda-rajasā
gṛhān no gṛha-medhinām
yac-chaucenānutṛpyanti
pitaraḥ sāgnayaḥ surāḥ
gṛhān no gṛha-medhinām
yac-chaucenānutṛpyanti
pitaraḥ sāgnayaḥ surāḥ
Synonyms
punīhi — please purify; pāda — of Your feet; rajasā — with the dust; gṛhān — the home; naḥ — of us; gṛha-medhinām — who are attached to household ritual duties; yat — by which; śaucena — purification; anutṛpyanti — will become satisfied; pitaraḥ — my forefathers; sa — together with; agnayaḥ — the sacrificial fires; surāḥ — and the demigods.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
अवनिज्याङ्घ्रियुगलमासीत्श्लोक्यो बलिर्महान् ।
ऐश्वर्यमतुलं लेभे गतिं चैकान्तिनां तु या ॥ १४ ॥
ऐश्वर्यमतुलं लेभे गतिं चैकान्तिनां तु या ॥ १४ ॥
Verse text
avanijyāṅghri-yugalam
āsīt ślokyo balir mahān
aiśvaryam atulaṁ lebhe
gatiṁ caikāntināṁ tu yā
āsīt ślokyo balir mahān
aiśvaryam atulaṁ lebhe
gatiṁ caikāntināṁ tu yā
Synonyms
Translation
By bathing Your feet, the exalted Bali Mahārāja attained not only glorious fame and unequaled power but also the final destination of pure devotees.
Devanagari
आपस्तेऽङ्घ्य्रवनेजन्यस्त्रींल्लोकान् शुचयोऽपुनन् ।
शिरसाधत्त या: शर्व: स्वर्याता: सगरात्मजा: ॥ १५ ॥
शिरसाधत्त या: शर्व: स्वर्याता: सगरात्मजा: ॥ १५ ॥
Verse text
āpas te ’ṅghry-avanejanyas
trīḻ lokān śucayo ’punan
śirasādhatta yāḥ śarvaḥ
svar yātāḥ sagarātmajāḥ
trīḻ lokān śucayo ’punan
śirasādhatta yāḥ śarvaḥ
svar yātāḥ sagarātmajāḥ
Synonyms
āpaḥ — the water (namely, the river Ganges); te — Your; aṅghri — of the feet; avanejanyaḥ — coming from the bathing; trīn — the three; lokān — worlds; śucayaḥ — being purely spiritual; apunan — has purified; śirasā — on his head; ādhatta — has taken; yāḥ — which; śarvaḥ — Lord Śiva; svaḥ — to heaven; yātāḥ — went; sagara-ātmajāḥ — the sons of King Sagara.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
देवदेव जगन्नाथ पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तन ।
यदूत्तमोत्तम:श्लोक नारायण नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ १६ ॥
यदूत्तमोत्तम:श्लोक नारायण नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ १६ ॥
Verse text
deva-deva jagan-nātha
puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtana
yadūttamottamaḥ-śloka
nārāyaṇa namo ’stu te
puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtana
yadūttamottamaḥ-śloka
nārāyaṇa namo ’stu te
Synonyms
deva-deva — O Lord of lords; jagat-nātha — O master of the universe; puṇya — pious; śravaṇa — hearing; kīrtana — and chanting (about whom); yadu-uttama — O best of the Yadus; uttamaḥ-śloka — O You who are glorified in excellent verses; nārāyaṇa — O Supreme Lord Nārāyaṇa; namaḥ — obeisances; astu — let there be; te — unto You.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
श्रीभगवानुवाच
आयास्ये भवतो गेहमहमार्यसमन्वित: ।
यदुचक्रद्रुहं हत्वा वितरिष्ये सुहृत्प्रियम् ॥ १७ ॥
आयास्ये भवतो गेहमहमार्यसमन्वित: ।
यदुचक्रद्रुहं हत्वा वितरिष्ये सुहृत्प्रियम् ॥ १७ ॥
Verse text
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
āyāsye bhavato geham
aham arya-samanvitaḥ
yadu-cakra-druhaṁ hatvā
vitariṣye suhṛt-priyam
āyāsye bhavato geham
aham arya-samanvitaḥ
yadu-cakra-druhaṁ hatvā
vitariṣye suhṛt-priyam
Synonyms
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Lord said; āyāsye — will come; bhavataḥ — to your; geham — house; aham — I; ārya — by My elder (brother, Balarāma); samanvitaḥ — accompanied; yadu-cakra — of the circle of Yadus; druham — the enemy (Kaṁsa); hatvā — killing; vitariṣye — I will grant; suhṛt — to My well-wishers; priyam — satisfaction.
Translation
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.
Purport
Akrūra glorified Kṛṣṇa in text 16 as yadūttama, “the best of the Yadus.” Śrī Kṛṣṇa here confirms this by saying, in effect, “Since I am the best of the Yadus, I must kill the enemy of the Yadus, Kaṁsa, and then I will come to your house.”
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
एवमुक्तो भगवता सोऽक्रूरो विमना इव ।
पुरीं प्रविष्ट: कंसाय कर्मावेद्य गृहं ययौ ॥ १८ ॥
एवमुक्तो भगवता सोऽक्रूरो विमना इव ।
पुरीं प्रविष्ट: कंसाय कर्मावेद्य गृहं ययौ ॥ १८ ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
evam ukto bhagavatā
so ’krūro vimanā iva
purīṁ praviṣṭaḥ kaṁsāya
karmāvedya gṛhaṁ yayau
evam ukto bhagavatā
so ’krūro vimanā iva
purīṁ praviṣṭaḥ kaṁsāya
karmāvedya gṛhaṁ yayau
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; evam — thus; uktaḥ — addressed; bhagavatā — by the Lord; saḥ — he; akrūraḥ — Akrūra; vimanāḥ — disheartened; iva — somewhat; purīm — the city; praviṣṭaḥ — entering; kaṁsāya — to Kaṁsa; karma — about his activities; āvedya — informing; gṛham — to his home; yayau — went.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
अथापराह्ने भगवान् कृष्ण: सङ्कर्षणान्वित: ।
मथुरां प्राविशद् गोपैर्दिदृक्षु: परिवारित: ॥ १९ ॥
मथुरां प्राविशद् गोपैर्दिदृक्षु: परिवारित: ॥ १९ ॥
Verse text
athāparāhne bhagavān
kṛṣṇaḥ saṅkarṣaṇānvitaḥ
mathurāṁ prāviśad gopair
didṛkṣuḥ parivāritaḥ
kṛṣṇaḥ saṅkarṣaṇānvitaḥ
mathurāṁ prāviśad gopair
didṛkṣuḥ parivāritaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Lord Kṛṣṇa desired to see Mathurā, so toward evening He took Lord Balarāma and the cowherd boys with Him and entered the city.
Devanagari
ददर्श तां स्फाटिकतुङ्गगोपुर-
द्वारां बृहद्धेमकपाटतोरणाम् ।
ताम्रारकोष्ठां परिखादुरासदा-
मुद्यानरम्योपवनोपशोभिताम् ॥ २० ॥
सौवर्णशृङ्गाटकहर्म्यनिष्कुटै:
श्रेणीसभाभिर्भवनैरुपस्कृताम् ।
वैदूर्यवज्रामलनीलविद्रुमै-
र्मुक्ताहरिद्भिर्वलभीषु वेदिषु ॥ २१ ॥
जुष्टेषु जालामुखरन्ध्रकुट्टिमे-
ष्वाविष्टपारावतबर्हिनादिताम् ।
संसिक्तरथ्यापणमार्गचत्वरां
प्रकीर्णमाल्याङ्कुरलाजतण्डुलाम् ॥ २२ ॥
आपूर्णकुम्भैर्दधिचन्दनोक्षितै:
प्रसूनदीपावलिभि: सपल्लवै: ।
सवृन्दरम्भाक्रमुकै: सकेतुभि:
स्वलङ्कृतद्वारगृहां सपट्टिकै: ॥ २३ ॥
द्वारां बृहद्धेमकपाटतोरणाम् ।
ताम्रारकोष्ठां परिखादुरासदा-
मुद्यानरम्योपवनोपशोभिताम् ॥ २० ॥
सौवर्णशृङ्गाटकहर्म्यनिष्कुटै:
श्रेणीसभाभिर्भवनैरुपस्कृताम् ।
वैदूर्यवज्रामलनीलविद्रुमै-
र्मुक्ताहरिद्भिर्वलभीषु वेदिषु ॥ २१ ॥
जुष्टेषु जालामुखरन्ध्रकुट्टिमे-
ष्वाविष्टपारावतबर्हिनादिताम् ।
संसिक्तरथ्यापणमार्गचत्वरां
प्रकीर्णमाल्याङ्कुरलाजतण्डुलाम् ॥ २२ ॥
आपूर्णकुम्भैर्दधिचन्दनोक्षितै:
प्रसूनदीपावलिभि: सपल्लवै: ।
सवृन्दरम्भाक्रमुकै: सकेतुभि:
स्वलङ्कृतद्वारगृहां सपट्टिकै: ॥ २३ ॥
Verse text
dadarśa tāṁ sphāṭika-tuṇga-gopura-
dvārāṁ bṛhad-dhema-kapāṭa-toraṇām
tāmrāra-koṣṭhāṁ parikhā-durāsadām
udyāna-ramyopavanopaśobhitām
dvārāṁ bṛhad-dhema-kapāṭa-toraṇām
tāmrāra-koṣṭhāṁ parikhā-durāsadām
udyāna-ramyopavanopaśobhitām
sauvarṇa-śṛṅgāṭaka-harmya-niṣkuṭaiḥ
śreṇī-sabhābhir bhavanair upaskṛtām
vaidūrya-vajrāmala-nīla-vidrumair
muktā-haridbhir valabhīṣu vediṣu
śreṇī-sabhābhir bhavanair upaskṛtām
vaidūrya-vajrāmala-nīla-vidrumair
muktā-haridbhir valabhīṣu vediṣu
juṣṭeṣu jālāmukha-randhra-kuṭṭimeṣv
āviṣṭa-pārāvata-barhi-nāditām
saṁsikta-rathyāpaṇa-mārga-catvarāṁ
prakīrṇa-mālyāṅkura-lāja-taṇḍulām
āviṣṭa-pārāvata-barhi-nāditām
saṁsikta-rathyāpaṇa-mārga-catvarāṁ
prakīrṇa-mālyāṅkura-lāja-taṇḍulām
āpūrṇa-kumbhair dadhi-candanokṣitaiḥ
prasūna-dīpāvalibhiḥ sa-pallavaiḥ
sa-vṛnda-rambhā-kramukaiḥ sa-ketubhiḥ
sv-alaṅkṛta-dvāra-gṛhāṁ sa-paṭṭikaiḥ
prasūna-dīpāvalibhiḥ sa-pallavaiḥ
sa-vṛnda-rambhā-kramukaiḥ sa-ketubhiḥ
sv-alaṅkṛta-dvāra-gṛhāṁ sa-paṭṭikaiḥ
Synonyms
dadarśa — He saw; tam — that (city); sphāṭika — of crystal; tuṅga — high; gopura — whose main gates; dvārām — and household gates; bṛhat — immense; hema — gold; kapāṭa — whose doors; toraṇām — and ornamental arches; tāmra — of copper; āra — and brass; koṣṭhām — whose storehouses; parikhā — with its canals; durāsadām — inviolable; udyāna — with public gardens; ramya — attractive; upavana — and parks; upaśobhitam — beautified; sauvarṇa — gold; śṛṅgāṭaka — with crossways; harmya — mansions; niṣkuṭaiḥ — and pleasure gardens; śreṇī — of guilds; sabhābhiḥ — with the assembly halls; bhavanaiḥ — and with houses; upaskṛtām — ornamented; vaidūrya — with vaidūrya gems; vajra — diamonds; amala — crystal quartz; nīla — sapphires; vidrumaiḥ — and coral; muktā — with pearls; haridbhiḥ — and emeralds; valabhīṣu — on the wood panels decorating the rafters in front of the houses; vediṣu — on columned balconies; juṣṭeṣu — bedecked; jāla-āmukha — of lattice windows; randhra — in the openings; kuṭṭimeṣu — and on gem-studded floors; āviṣṭa — sitting; pārāvata — with the pet doves; barhi — and the peacocks; nāditām — resounding; saṁsikta — sprinkled with water; rathyā — with royal avenues; āpaṇa — commercial streets; mārga — other roads; catvarām — and courtyards; prakīrṇa — scattered; mālya — with flower garlands; aṅkura — new sprouts; lāja — parched grains; taṇḍulām — and rice; āpūrṇa — full; kumbhaiḥ — with pots; dadhi — with yogurt; candana — and sandalwood paste; ukṣitaiḥ — smeared; prasūna — with flower petals; dīpa-āvalibhiḥ — and rows of lamps; sa-pallavaiḥ — with leaves; sa-vṛnda — with bunches of flowers; rambhā — with trunks of banana trees; kramukaiḥ — and trunks of betel-nut trees; sa-ketubhiḥ — with flags; su-alaṅkṛta — nicely decorated; dvāra — with doors; gṛhām — whose houses; sa-paṭṭikaiḥ — with ribbons.
Translation
The Lord saw Mathurā, with its tall gates and household entrances made of crystal, its immense archways and main doors of gold, its granaries and other storehouses of copper and brass, and its impregnable moats. Beautifying the city were pleasant gardens and parks. The main intersections were fashioned of gold, and there were mansions with private pleasure gardens, along with guildhalls and many other buildings. Mathurā resounded with the calls of peacocks and pet turtledoves, who sat in the small openings of the lattice windows and on the gem-studded floors, and also on the columned balconies and on the ornate rafters in front of the houses. These balconies and rafters were adorned with vaidūrya stones, diamonds, crystal quartz, sapphires, coral, pearls and emeralds. All the royal avenues and commercial streets were sprinkled with water, as were the side roads and courtyards, and flower garlands, newly grown sprouts, parched grains and rice had been scattered about everywhere. Gracing the houses’ doorways were elaborately decorated pots filled with water, which were bedecked with mango leaves, smeared with yogurt and sandalwood paste, and encircled by flower petals and ribbons. Near the pots were flags, rows of lamps, bunches of flowers and the trunks of banana and betel-nut trees.
Purport
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura gives this description of the elaborately decorated pots: “On either side of each doorway, above the scattered rice, is a pot. Encircling each pot are flower petals, on its neck are ribbons and in its mouth are leaves of mango and other trees. Above each pot, on a gold plate, are rows of lamps. A trunk of a banana tree stands on either side of each pot, and a betel-nut tree trunk stands in front and also behind. Flags lean against the pots.”
Devanagari
तां सम्प्रविष्टौ वसुदेवनन्दनौ
वृतौ वयस्यैर्नरदेववर्त्मना ।
द्रष्टुं समीयुस्त्वरिता: पुरस्त्रियो
हर्म्याणि चैवारुरुहुर्नृपोत्सुका: ॥ २४ ॥
वृतौ वयस्यैर्नरदेववर्त्मना ।
द्रष्टुं समीयुस्त्वरिता: पुरस्त्रियो
हर्म्याणि चैवारुरुहुर्नृपोत्सुका: ॥ २४ ॥
Verse text
tāṁ sampraviṣṭau vasudeva-nandanau
vṛtau vayasyair naradeva-vartmanā
draṣṭuṁ samīyus tvaritāḥ pura-striyo
harmyāṇi caivāruruhur nṛpotsukāḥ
vṛtau vayasyair naradeva-vartmanā
draṣṭuṁ samīyus tvaritāḥ pura-striyo
harmyāṇi caivāruruhur nṛpotsukāḥ
Synonyms
tām — that (Mathurā); sampraviṣṭau — entering; vasudeva — of Vasudeva; nandanau — the two sons; vṛtau — surrounded; vayasyaiḥ — by Their young friends; nara-deva — of the King; vartmanā — by the road; draṣṭum — to see; samīyuḥ — came forward together; tvaritāḥ — hurriedly; pura — of the city; striyaḥ — the women; harmyāṇi — their houses; ca — and; eva — also; āruruhuḥ — they climbed on top of; nṛpa — O King (Parīkṣit); utsukāḥ — eager.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
काश्चिद् विपर्यग्धृतवस्त्रभूषणा
विस्मृत्य चैकं युगलेष्वथापरा: ।
कृतैकपत्रश्रवनैकनूपुरा
नाङ्क्त्वा द्वितीयं त्वपराश्च लोचनम् ॥ २५ ॥
विस्मृत्य चैकं युगलेष्वथापरा: ।
कृतैकपत्रश्रवनैकनूपुरा
नाङ्क्त्वा द्वितीयं त्वपराश्च लोचनम् ॥ २५ ॥
Verse text
kāścid viparyag-dhṛta-vastra-bhūṣaṇā
vismṛtya caikaṁ yugaleṣv athāparāḥ
kṛtaika-patra-śravanaika-nūpurā
nāṅktvā dvitīyaṁ tv aparāś ca locanam
vismṛtya caikaṁ yugaleṣv athāparāḥ
kṛtaika-patra-śravanaika-nūpurā
nāṅktvā dvitīyaṁ tv aparāś ca locanam
Synonyms
kaścit — some of them; viparyak — backwards; dhṛta — putting on; vastra — their clothes; bhūṣaṇaḥ — and ornaments; vismṛtya — forgetting; ca — and; ekam — one; yugaleṣu — of the pairs; atha — and; aparāḥ — others; kṛta — placing; eka — only one; patra — earring; śravaṇa — on their ears; eka — or one; nūpurāḥ — set of ankle bells; na aṅktvā — not anointing; dvitīyam — the second; tu — but; aparāḥ — other ladies; ca — and; locanam — an eye.
Translation
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.
Purport
The ladies were very eager to see Kṛṣṇa, and in their haste and excitement they forgot themselves.
Devanagari
अश्नन्त्य एकास्तदपास्य सोत्सवा
अभ्यज्यमाना अकृतोपमज्जना: ।
स्वपन्त्य उत्थाय निशम्य नि:स्वनं
प्रपाययन्त्योऽर्भमपोह्य मातर: ॥ २६ ॥
अभ्यज्यमाना अकृतोपमज्जना: ।
स्वपन्त्य उत्थाय निशम्य नि:स्वनं
प्रपाययन्त्योऽर्भमपोह्य मातर: ॥ २६ ॥
Verse text
aśnantya ekās tad apāsya sotsavā
abhyajyamānā akṛtopamajjanāḥ
svapantya utthāya niśamya niḥsvanaṁ
prapāyayantyo ’rbham apohya mātaraḥ
abhyajyamānā akṛtopamajjanāḥ
svapantya utthāya niśamya niḥsvanaṁ
prapāyayantyo ’rbham apohya mātaraḥ
Synonyms
aśnantyaḥ — taking meals; ekaḥ — some; tat — that; apāsya — abandoning; sa-utsavaḥ — joyfully; abhyajyamānāḥ — being massaged; akṛta — not finishing; upamajjanāḥ — their bathing; svapantyaḥ — sleeping; utthāya — getting up; niśamya — having heard; niḥsvanam — the loud sounds; prapāyayantyaḥ — giving milk; arbham — to an infant; apohya — put aside; mātaraḥ — mothers.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
मनांसि तासामरविन्दलोचन:
प्रगल्भलीलाहसितावलोकै: ।
जहार मत्तद्विरदेन्द्रविक्रमो
दृशां ददच्छ्रीरमणात्मनोत्सवम् ॥ २७ ॥
प्रगल्भलीलाहसितावलोकै: ।
जहार मत्तद्विरदेन्द्रविक्रमो
दृशां ददच्छ्रीरमणात्मनोत्सवम् ॥ २७ ॥
Verse text
manāṁsi tāsām aravinda-locanaḥ
pragalbha-līlā-hasitāvalokaiḥ
jahāra matta-dviradendra-vikramo
dṛśāṁ dadac chrī-ramaṇātmanotsavam
pragalbha-līlā-hasitāvalokaiḥ
jahāra matta-dviradendra-vikramo
dṛśāṁ dadac chrī-ramaṇātmanotsavam
Synonyms
manāṁsi — the minds; tāsām — their; aravinda — like lotuses; locanaḥ — He whose eyes; pragalbha — bold; līlā — with His pastimes; hasita — smiling; avalokaiḥ — with His glances; jahāra — He took away; matta — in rut; dvirada-indra — (like) a lordly elephant; vikramaḥ — whose gait; dṛśām — to their eyes; dadat — affording; śrī — of the goddess of fortune; ramaṇa — which is the source of pleasure; ātmanā — with His body; utsavam — a festival.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
दृष्ट्वा मुहु: श्रुतमनुद्रुतचेतसस्तं
तत्प्रेक्षणोत्स्मितसुधोक्षणलब्धमाना: ।
आनन्दमूर्तिमुपगुह्य दृशात्मलब्धं
हृष्यत्त्वचो जहुरनन्तमरिन्दमाधिम् ॥ २८ ॥
तत्प्रेक्षणोत्स्मितसुधोक्षणलब्धमाना: ।
आनन्दमूर्तिमुपगुह्य दृशात्मलब्धं
हृष्यत्त्वचो जहुरनन्तमरिन्दमाधिम् ॥ २८ ॥
Verse text
dṛṣṭvā muhuḥ śrutam anudruta-cetasas
taṁ tat-prekṣaṇotsmita-sudhokṣaṇa-labdha-mānāḥ
ānanda-mūrtim upaguhya dṛśātma-labdhaṁ
hṛṣyat-tvaco jahur anantam arindamādhim
taṁ tat-prekṣaṇotsmita-sudhokṣaṇa-labdha-mānāḥ
ānanda-mūrtim upaguhya dṛśātma-labdhaṁ
hṛṣyat-tvaco jahur anantam arindamādhim
Synonyms
dṛṣṭvā — seeing; muhuḥ — repeatedly; śrutam — heard about; anudruta — melted; cetasaḥ — whose hearts; tam — Him; tat — His; prekṣaṇa — of the glances; ut-smita — and the broad smiles; sudhā — by the nectar; ukṣaṇa — from the sprinkling; labdha — receiving; mānāḥ — honor; ānanda — of ecstasy; mūrtim — the personal form; upaguhya — embracing; dṛśā — through their eyes; ātma — within themselves; labdham — gained; hṛṣyat — erupting; tvacaḥ — their skin; jahuḥ — they gave up; anantam — unlimited; arim-dama — O subduer of enemies (Parīkṣit); ādhim — mental distress.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
प्रासादशिखरारूढा: प्रीत्युत्फुल्लमुखाम्बुजा: ।
अभ्यवर्षन् सौमनस्यै: प्रमदा बलकेशवौ ॥ २९ ॥
अभ्यवर्षन् सौमनस्यै: प्रमदा बलकेशवौ ॥ २९ ॥
Verse text
prāsāda-śikharārūḍhāḥ
prīty-utphulla-mukhāmbujāḥ
abhyavarṣan saumanasyaiḥ
pramadā bala-keśavau
prīty-utphulla-mukhāmbujāḥ
abhyavarṣan saumanasyaiḥ
pramadā bala-keśavau
Synonyms
prāsāda — of the mansions; śikhara — to the roofs; ārūḍhāḥ — having climbed; prīti — with affection; utphulla — blooming; mukha — their faces; ambujāḥ — which were like lotuses; abhyavarṣan — they showered; saumanasyaiḥ — with flowers; pramadāḥ — the attractive women; bala-keśavau — Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
दध्यक्षतै: सोदपात्रै: स्रग्गन्धैरभ्युपायनै: ।
तावानर्चु: प्रमुदितास्तत्र तत्र द्विजातय: ॥ ३० ॥
तावानर्चु: प्रमुदितास्तत्र तत्र द्विजातय: ॥ ३० ॥
Verse text
dadhy-akṣataiḥ soda-pātraiḥ
srag-gandhair abhyupāyanaiḥ
tāv ānarcuḥ pramuditās
tatra tatra dvijātayaḥ
srag-gandhair abhyupāyanaiḥ
tāv ānarcuḥ pramuditās
tatra tatra dvijātayaḥ
Synonyms
dadhi — with yogurt; akṣataiḥ — unbroken barleycorns; sa — and; uda-pātraiḥ — with pots filled with water; srak — with garlands; gandhaiḥ — and fragrant substances; abhyupāyanaiḥ — and also with other items of worship; tau — the two of Them; ānarcuḥ — worshiped; pramuditāḥ — joyful; tatra tatra — in various places; dvi-jātayaḥ — brāhmaṇas..
Translation
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.
Devanagari
ऊचु: पौरा अहो गोप्यस्तप: किमचरन्महत् ।
या ह्येतावनुपश्यन्ति नरलोकमहोत्सवौ ॥ ३१ ॥
या ह्येतावनुपश्यन्ति नरलोकमहोत्सवौ ॥ ३१ ॥
Verse text
ūcuḥ paurā aho gopyas
tapaḥ kim acaran mahat
yā hy etāv anupaśyanti
nara-loka-mahotsavau
tapaḥ kim acaran mahat
yā hy etāv anupaśyanti
nara-loka-mahotsavau
Synonyms
ūcuḥ — said; paurāḥ — the women of the city; aho — ah; gopyaḥ — the cowherd girls (of Vṛndāvana); tapaḥ — austerity; kim — what; acaran — have executed; mahat — great; yāḥ — who; hi — indeed; etau — these two; anupaśyanti — constantly see; nara-loka — for human society; mahā-utsavau — who are the greatest source of pleasure.
Translation
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!
Devanagari
रजकं कञ्चिदायान्तं रङ्गकारं गदाग्रज: ।
दृष्ट्वायाचत वासांसि धौतान्यत्युत्तमानि च ॥ ३२ ॥
दृष्ट्वायाचत वासांसि धौतान्यत्युत्तमानि च ॥ ३२ ॥
Verse text
rajakaṁ kañcid āyāntaṁ
raṅga-kāraṁ gadāgrajaḥ
dṛṣṭvāyācata vāsāṁsi
dhautāny aty-uttamāni ca
raṅga-kāraṁ gadāgrajaḥ
dṛṣṭvāyācata vāsāṁsi
dhautāny aty-uttamāni ca
Synonyms
Translation
Seeing a washerman approaching who had been dyeing some clothes, Kṛṣṇa asked him for the finest laundered garments he had.
Devanagari
देह्यावयो: समुचितान्यङ्ग वासांसि चार्हतो: ।
भविष्यति परं श्रेयो दातुस्ते नात्र संशय: ॥ ३३ ॥
भविष्यति परं श्रेयो दातुस्ते नात्र संशय: ॥ ३३ ॥
Verse text
dehy āvayoḥ samucitāny
aṅga vāsāṁsi cārhatoḥ
bhaviṣyati paraṁ śreyo
dātus te nātra saṁśayaḥ
aṅga vāsāṁsi cārhatoḥ
bhaviṣyati paraṁ śreyo
dātus te nātra saṁśayaḥ
Synonyms
dehi — please give; āvayoḥ — to Us two; samucitāni — suitable; aṅga — My dear; vāsāṁsi — clothes; ca — and; arhatoḥ — to the two who are deserving; bhaviṣyati — there will be; param — supreme; śreyaḥ — benefit; dātuḥ — for the giver; te — you; na — there is not; atra — in this matter; saṁśayaḥ — doubt.
Translation
[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.
Devanagari
स याचितो भगवता परिपूर्णेन सर्वत: ।
साक्षेपं रुषित: प्राह भृत्यो राज्ञ: सुदुर्मद: ॥ ३४ ॥
साक्षेपं रुषित: प्राह भृत्यो राज्ञ: सुदुर्मद: ॥ ३४ ॥
Verse text
sa yācito bhagavatā
paripūrṇena sarvataḥ
sākṣepaṁ ruṣitaḥ prāha
bhṛtyo rājñaḥ su-durmadaḥ
paripūrṇena sarvataḥ
sākṣepaṁ ruṣitaḥ prāha
bhṛtyo rājñaḥ su-durmadaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Thus requested by the Supreme Lord, who is perfectly complete in all respects, that arrogant servant of the King became angry and replied insultingly.
Devanagari
ईदृशान्येव वासांसि नित्यं गिरिवनेचर: ।
परिधत्त किमुद्वृत्ता राजद्रव्याण्यभीप्सथ ॥ ३५ ॥
परिधत्त किमुद्वृत्ता राजद्रव्याण्यभीप्सथ ॥ ३५ ॥
Verse text
īdṛśāny eva vāsāṁsī
nityaṁ giri-vane-caraḥ
paridhatta kim udvṛttā
rāja-dravyāṇy abhīpsatha
nityaṁ giri-vane-caraḥ
paridhatta kim udvṛttā
rāja-dravyāṇy abhīpsatha
Synonyms
Translation
[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!
Devanagari
याताशु बालिशा मैवं प्रार्थ्यं यदि जिजीवीषा ।
बध्नन्ति घ्नन्ति लुम्पन्ति दृप्तं राजकुलानि वै ॥ ३६ ॥
बध्नन्ति घ्नन्ति लुम्पन्ति दृप्तं राजकुलानि वै ॥ ३६ ॥
Verse text
yātāśu bāliśā maivaṁ
prārthyaṁ yadi jijīvīṣā
badhnanti ghnanti lumpanti
dṛptaṁ rāja-kulāni vai
prārthyaṁ yadi jijīvīṣā
badhnanti ghnanti lumpanti
dṛptaṁ rāja-kulāni vai
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
एवं विकत्थमानस्य कुपितो देवकीसुत: ।
रजकस्य कराग्रेण शिर: कायादपातयत् ॥ ३७ ॥
रजकस्य कराग्रेण शिर: कायादपातयत् ॥ ३७ ॥
Verse text
evaṁ vikatthamānasya
kupito devakī-sutaḥ
rajakasya karāgreṇa
śiraḥ kāyād apātayat
kupito devakī-sutaḥ
rajakasya karāgreṇa
śiraḥ kāyād apātayat
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
तस्यानुजीविन: सर्वे वास:कोशान्विसृज्य वै ।
दुद्रुवु: सर्वतो मार्गं वासांसि जगृहेऽच्युत: ॥ ३८ ॥
दुद्रुवु: सर्वतो मार्गं वासांसि जगृहेऽच्युत: ॥ ३८ ॥
Verse text
tasyānujīvinaḥ sarve
vāsaḥ-kośān visṛjya vai
dudruvuḥ sarvato mārgaṁ
vāsāṁsi jagṛhe ’cyutaḥ
vāsaḥ-kośān visṛjya vai
dudruvuḥ sarvato mārgaṁ
vāsāṁsi jagṛhe ’cyutaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
वसित्वात्मप्रिये वस्त्रे कृष्ण: सङ्कर्षणस्तथा ।
शेषाण्यादत्त गोपेभ्यो विसृज्य भुवि कानिचित् ॥ ३९ ॥
शेषाण्यादत्त गोपेभ्यो विसृज्य भुवि कानिचित् ॥ ३९ ॥
Verse text
vasitvātma-priye vastre
kṛṣṇaḥ saṅkarṣaṇas tathā
śeṣāṇy ādatta gopebhyo
visṛjya bhuvi kānicit
kṛṣṇaḥ saṅkarṣaṇas tathā
śeṣāṇy ādatta gopebhyo
visṛjya bhuvi kānicit
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
ततस्तु वायक: प्रीतस्तयोर्वेषमकल्पयत् ।
विचित्रवर्णैश्चैलेयैराकल्पैरनुरूपत: ॥ ४० ॥
विचित्रवर्णैश्चैलेयैराकल्पैरनुरूपत: ॥ ४० ॥
Verse text
tatas tu vāyakaḥ prītas
tayor veṣam akalpayat
vicitra-varṇaiś caileyair
ākalpair anurūpataḥ
tayor veṣam akalpayat
vicitra-varṇaiś caileyair
ākalpair anurūpataḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Thereupon a weaver came forward and, feeling affection for the Lords, nicely adorned Their attire with cloth ornaments of various colors.
Purport
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that the weaver adorned the Lords with cloth armlets and earrings that looked just like jewels. The word anurūpataḥ indicates that the colors matched nicely.
Devanagari
नानालक्षणवेषाभ्यां कृष्णरामौ विरेजतु: ।
स्वलङ्कृतौ बालगजौ पर्वणीव सितेतरौ ॥ ४१ ॥
स्वलङ्कृतौ बालगजौ पर्वणीव सितेतरौ ॥ ४१ ॥
Verse text
nānā-lakṣaṇa-veṣābhyāṁ
kṛṣṇa-rāmau virejatuḥ
sv-alaṅkṛtau bāla-gajau
parvaṇīva sitetarau
kṛṣṇa-rāmau virejatuḥ
sv-alaṅkṛtau bāla-gajau
parvaṇīva sitetarau
Synonyms
nānā — various; lakṣaṇa — having fine qualities; veṣābhyām — with Their individual clothes; kṛṣṇa-rāmau — Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; virejatuḥ — appeared resplendent; su-alaṅkṛtau — nicely decorated; bāla — young; gajau — elephants; parvaṇi — during a festival; iva — as if; sita — white; itarau — and the opposite (black).
Translation
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.
Devanagari
तस्य प्रसन्नो भगवान् प्रादात्सारूप्यमात्मन: ।
श्रियं च परमां लोके बलैश्वर्यस्मृतीन्द्रियम् ॥ ४२ ॥
श्रियं च परमां लोके बलैश्वर्यस्मृतीन्द्रियम् ॥ ४२ ॥
Verse text
tasya prasanno bhagavān
prādāt sārūpyam ātmanaḥ
śriyaṁ ca paramāṁ loke
balaiśvarya-smṛtīndriyam
prādāt sārūpyam ātmanaḥ
śriyaṁ ca paramāṁ loke
balaiśvarya-smṛtīndriyam
Synonyms
tasya — with him; prasannaḥ — satisfied; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; prādāt — granted; sārūpyam — the liberation of having the same form; ātmanaḥ — as Himself; śriyam — opulence; ca — and; paramām — supreme; loke — in this world; bala — physical strength; aiśvarya — influence; smṛti — strength of memory; indriyam — dexterity of the senses.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
तत: सुदाम्नो भवनं मालाकारस्य जग्मतु: ।
तौ दृष्ट्वा स समुत्थाय ननाम शिरसा भुवि ॥ ४३ ॥
तौ दृष्ट्वा स समुत्थाय ननाम शिरसा भुवि ॥ ४३ ॥
Verse text
tataḥ sudāmno bhavanaṁ
mālā-kārasya jagmatuḥ
tau dṛṣṭvā sa samutthāya
nanāma śirasā bhuvi
mālā-kārasya jagmatuḥ
tau dṛṣṭvā sa samutthāya
nanāma śirasā bhuvi
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
तयोरासनमानीय पाद्यं चार्घ्यार्हणादिभि: ।
पूजां सानुगयोश्चक्रे स्रक्ताम्बूलानुलेपनै: ॥ ४४ ॥
पूजां सानुगयोश्चक्रे स्रक्ताम्बूलानुलेपनै: ॥ ४४ ॥
Verse text
tayor āsanam ānīya
pādyaṁ cārghyārhaṇādibhiḥ
pūjāṁ sānugayoś cakre
srak-tāmbūlānulepanaiḥ
pādyaṁ cārghyārhaṇādibhiḥ
pūjāṁ sānugayoś cakre
srak-tāmbūlānulepanaiḥ
Synonyms
tayoḥ — for Them; āsanam — seats; ānīya — bringing; pādyam — water to wash the feet; ca — and; arghya — with water to wash the hands; arhaṇa — presents; ādibhiḥ — and so on; pūjām — worship; sa-anugayoḥ — of the two, together with Their companions; cakre — he performed; srak — with garlands; tāmbūla — betel-nut preparation (pān); anulepanaiḥ — and sandalwood paste.
Translation
After offering Them seats and bathing Their feet, Sudāmā worshiped Them and Their companions with arghya, garlands, pān, sandalwood paste and other presentations.
Devanagari
प्राह न: सार्थकं जन्म पावितं च कुलं प्रभो ।
पितृदेवर्षयो मह्यं तुष्टा ह्यागमनेन वाम् ॥ ४५ ॥
पितृदेवर्षयो मह्यं तुष्टा ह्यागमनेन वाम् ॥ ४५ ॥
Verse text
prāha naḥ sārthakaṁ janma
pāvitaṁ ca kulaṁ prabho
pitṛ-devarṣayo mahyaṁ
tuṣṭā hy āgamanena vām
pāvitaṁ ca kulaṁ prabho
pitṛ-devarṣayo mahyaṁ
tuṣṭā hy āgamanena vām
Synonyms
prāha — he said; naḥ — our; sa-arthakam — worthwhile; janma — the birth; pāvitam — purified; ca — and; kulam — the family; prabho — O Lord; pitṛ — my forefathers; deva — the demigods; ṛṣayaḥ — and the great sages; mahyam — with me; tuṣṭāḥ — are satisfied; hi — indeed; āgamanena — by the arrival; vām — of You two.
Translation
[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.
Devanagari
भवन्तौ किल विश्वस्य जगत: कारणं परम् ।
अवतीर्णाविहांशेन क्षेमाय च भवाय च ॥ ४६ ॥
अवतीर्णाविहांशेन क्षेमाय च भवाय च ॥ ४६ ॥
Verse text
bhavantau kila viśvasya
jagataḥ kāraṇaṁ param
avatīrṇāv ihāṁśena
kṣemāya ca bhavāya ca
jagataḥ kāraṇaṁ param
avatīrṇāv ihāṁśena
kṣemāya ca bhavāya ca
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
न हि वां विषमा दृष्टि: सुहृदोर्जगदात्मनो: ।
समयो: सर्वभूतेषु भजन्तं भजतोरपि ॥ ४७ ॥
समयो: सर्वभूतेषु भजन्तं भजतोरपि ॥ ४७ ॥
Verse text
na hi vāṁ viṣamā dṛṣṭiḥ
suhṛdor jagad-ātmanoḥ
samayoḥ sarva-bhūteṣu
bhajantaṁ bhajator api
suhṛdor jagad-ātmanoḥ
samayoḥ sarva-bhūteṣu
bhajantaṁ bhajator api
Synonyms
na — there is not; hi — indeed; vām — on Your part; viṣamā — biased; dṛṣṭiḥ — vision; suhṛdoḥ — who are well-wishing friends; jagat — of the universe; ātmanoḥ — the Soul; samayoḥ — equal; sarva — to all; bhūteṣu — living beings; bhajantam — those who worship You; bhajatoḥ — reciprocating with; api — even.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
तावाज्ञापयतं भृत्यं किमहं करवाणि वाम् ।
पुंसोऽत्यनुग्रहो ह्येष भवद्भिर्यन्नियुज्यते ॥ ४८ ॥
पुंसोऽत्यनुग्रहो ह्येष भवद्भिर्यन्नियुज्यते ॥ ४८ ॥
Verse text
tāv ajñāpayataṁ bhṛtyaṁ
kim ahaṁ karavāṇi vām
puṁso ’ty-anugraho hy eṣa
bhavadbhir yan niyujyate
kim ahaṁ karavāṇi vām
puṁso ’ty-anugraho hy eṣa
bhavadbhir yan niyujyate
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Devanagari
इत्यभिप्रेत्य राजेन्द्र सुदामा प्रीतमानस: ।
शस्तै: सुगन्धै: कुसुमैर्माला विरचिता ददौ ॥ ४९ ॥
शस्तै: सुगन्धै: कुसुमैर्माला विरचिता ददौ ॥ ४९ ॥
Verse text
ity abhipretya rājendra
sudāmā prīta-mānasaḥ
śastaiḥ su-gandhaiḥ kusumair
mālā viracitā dadau
sudāmā prīta-mānasaḥ
śastaiḥ su-gandhaiḥ kusumair
mālā viracitā dadau
Synonyms
Translation
[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.
Devanagari
ताभि: स्वलङ्कृतौ प्रीतौ कृष्णरामौ सहानुगौ ।
प्रणताय प्रपन्नाय ददतुर्वरदौ वरान् ॥ ५० ॥
प्रणताय प्रपन्नाय ददतुर्वरदौ वरान् ॥ ५० ॥
Verse text
tābhiḥ sv-alaṅkṛtau prītau
kṛṣṇa-rāmau sahānugau
praṇatāya prapannāya
dadatur vara-dau varān
kṛṣṇa-rāmau sahānugau
praṇatāya prapannāya
dadatur vara-dau varān
Synonyms
tābhiḥ — with those (garlands); su-alaṅkṛtau — beautifully ornamented; prītau — satisfied; kṛṣṇa-rāmau — Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; saha — along with; anugau — Their companions; praṇatāya — who was bowing down; prapannāya — to the surrendered (Sudāmā); dadatuḥ — They gave; varadau — the two givers of benedictions; varān — a choice of benedictions.
Translation
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.
Devanagari
सोऽपि वव्रेऽचलां भक्तिं तस्मिन्नेवाखिलात्मनि ।
तद्भक्तेषु च सौहार्दं भूतेषु च दयां पराम् ॥ ५१ ॥
तद्भक्तेषु च सौहार्दं भूतेषु च दयां पराम् ॥ ५१ ॥
Verse text
so ’pi vavre ’calāṁ bhaktiṁ
tasminn evākhilātmani
tad-bhakteṣu ca sauhārdaṁ
bhūteṣu ca dayāṁ parām
tasminn evākhilātmani
tad-bhakteṣu ca sauhārdaṁ
bhūteṣu ca dayāṁ parām
Synonyms
saḥ — he; api — and; vavre — chose; acalām — unshakable; bhaktim — devotion; tasmin — to Him; eva — alone; akhila — of everything; ātmani — the Supreme Soul; tat — toward His; bhakteṣu — devotees; ca — and; sauhārdam — friendship; bhūteṣu — toward living beings in general; ca — and; dayām — mercy; parām — transcendental.
Translation
Sudāmā chose unshakable devotion for Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul of all existence; friendship with His devotees; and transcendental compassion for all living beings.
Devanagari
इति तस्मै वरं दत्त्वा श्रियं चान्वयवर्धिनीम् ।
बलमायुर्यश: कान्तिं निर्जगाम सहाग्रज: ॥ ५२ ॥
बलमायुर्यश: कान्तिं निर्जगाम सहाग्रज: ॥ ५२ ॥
Verse text
iti tasmai varaṁ dattvā
śriyaṁ cānvaya-vardhinīm
balam āyur yaśaḥ kāntiṁ
nirjagāma sahāgrajaḥ
śriyaṁ cānvaya-vardhinīm
balam āyur yaśaḥ kāntiṁ
nirjagāma sahāgrajaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
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.
Purport
We can see a clear difference between Lord Kṛṣṇa’s dealings with the nasty washerman and His dealings with the devoted florist Sudāmā. The Lord is as hard as a thunderbolt for those who defy Him and as soft as a rose for those who surrender to Him. Therefore we should all sincerely surrender to Lord Kṛṣṇa, since that is clearly in our self-interest.
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Forty-first Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma Enter Mathurā.”