Chapter 39: Akrūra's vision

 

10.39.1

śrī-śuka uvāca

sukhopaviṣṭaḥ paryańke

rama-kṛṣṇoru-mānitaḥ

lebhe manorathān sarvān

pathi yān sa cakāra ha

 

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; sukha — comfortably; upaviṣṭaḥ — seated; paryańke — 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.

 

10.39.2

kim alabhyaḿ bhagavati

prasanne śrī-niketane

tathāpi tat-parā rājan

na hi vāñchanti kiñcana

 

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.

 

10.39.3

sāyantanāśanaḿ kṛtvā

bhagavān devakī-sutaḥ

suhṛtsu vṛttaḿ kaḿsasya

papracchānyac cikīrṣitam

 

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; kaḿsasya — of Kaḿsa; papraccha — He inquired; anyat — other; cikīrṣitam — intentions.

 

TRANSLATION

 

After the evening meal, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, asked Akrūra how Kaḿsa was treating their dear relatives and friends and what the King was planning to do.

 

10.39.4

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

tāta saumyāgataḥ kaccit

sv-āgataḿ bhadram astu vaḥ

api sva-jñāti-bandhūnām

anamīvam anāmayam

 

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; anāmayarn — 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?

 

10.39.5

kiḿ nu naḥ kuśalaḿ pṛcche

edhamāne kulāmaye

kaḿse mātula-nāmnāńga

svānāḿ nas tat-prajāsu ca

 

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; kaḿse — King Kaḿsa; mātula-nāmnā — by the name "maternal uncle"; ańga — 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 Kaḿsa — 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?

 

10.39.6

aho asmad abhūd bhūri

pitror vṛjinam āryayoḥ

yad-dhetoḥ putra-maraṇaḿ

yad-dhetor bandhanaḿ tayoḥ

 

aho — ah; asmat — because of Me; abhūt — there was; bhūri — great; pitroḥ — for My parents; vṛjinam — suffering; āryayoḥ — for the offenseless ones; yat-hetoḥ — because of whom; putra — of their sons; maraṇam — the death; yat-hetoḥ — because of whom; bandhanam — bondage; tayoḥ — their.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Just see how much suffering I have caused My offenseless parents ! Because of Me their sons were killed and they themselves imprisoned.

 

10.39.7

diṣṭyādya darśanaḿ svānāḿ

mahyaḿ vaḥ saumya kāńkṣitam

sañjātaḿ varṇyatāḿ tāta

tavāgamana-kāraṇam

 

diṣṭyā — by good fortune; adya — today; darśanam — the sight; svānām — of My close relative; mahyam — for Me; vaḥ — yourself; saumya — O gentle one; kāńkṣitam — 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.

 

10.39.8

śrī-śuka uvāca

pṛṣṭo bhagavatā sarvaḿ

varṇayām āsa mādhavaḥ

vairānubandhaḿ yaduṣu

vasudeva-vadhodyamam

 

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 Kaḿsa's enmity toward the Yadus and his attempt to murder Vasudeva.

 

10.39.9

yat-sandeśo yad-arthaḿ vā

dūtaḥ sampreṣitaḥ svayam

yad uktaḿ nāradenāsya

sva-janmānakadundubheḥ

 

yat — having which; sandeśaḥ — message; yat — which; artham — purpose; vā — and; dūtaḥ — as a messenger; sampreṣitaḥ — sent; svayam — himself (Akrūra); yat — what; uktam — was spoken; nāradena — by Nārada; asya — to him (Kaḿsa); sva — His (Kṛṣṇa's); janma — birth; ānakadundubheḥ — from Vasudeva.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Akrūra relayed the message he had been sent to deliver. He also described Kaḿsa's real intentions and how Nārada had informed Kaḿsa that Kṛṣṇa had been born as the son of Vasudeva.

 

10.39.10

śrutvākrūra-vacaḥ kṛṣṇo

balaś ca para-vīra-hā

prahasya nandaḿ pitaraḿ

rājñā diṣṭaḿ vijajñatuḥ

 

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 Kaḿsa's orders.

 

10.39.11-12

gopān samādiśat so 'pi

gṛhyatāḿ sarva-go-rasaḥ

upāyanāni gṛhṇīdhvaḿ

yujyantāḿ śakaṭāni ca

yāsyāmaḥ śvo madhu-purīḿ

 

dāsyāmo nṛpate rasān

drakṣyāmaḥ su-mahat parva

yānti jānapadāḥ kila

evam āghoṣayat kṣatrā

nanda-gopaḥ sva-gokule

 

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."

 

10.39.13

gopyas tās tad upaśrutya

babhūvur vyathitā bhṛśam

rāma-kṛṣṇau purīḿ netum

akrūraḿ vrajam āgatam

 

gopyaḥ — the cowherd girls; tāḥ — they; tat — then; upaśrutya — hearing; babhūvuḥ — became; vyathitāḥ — distressed; bhṛśam — extremely; rāma-kṛṣṇau — Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa; purīm — to the city; netum — to take; akrūram — Akrūra; vrajam — to Vṛndāvana; āgatam — come.

 

TRANSLATION

 

When the young gopīs heard that Akrūra had come to Vraja to take Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to the city, they became extremely distressed.

 

10.39.14

kāścit tat-kṛta-hṛt-tāpa

śvāsa-mlāna-mukha-śriyaḥ

sraḿsad-dukūla-valaya

keśa-granthyaś ca kāścana

 

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; sraḿsat — 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.

 

10.39.15

anyāś ca tad-anudhyāna

nivṛttāśeṣa-vṛttayaḥ

nābhyajānann imaḿ lokam

ātma-lokaḿ gatā iva

 

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.

 

10.39.16

smarantyaś cāparāḥ śaurer

anurāga-smiteritāḥ

hṛdi-spṛśaś citra-padā

giraḥ sammumuhuḥ striyaḥ

 

smarantyaḥ — remembering; ca — and; aparāḥ — others; śaureḥ — of Kṛṣṇa; anurāga — affectionate; smita — by His smile; īritāḥ — sent; hṛdi — the heart; spṛśaḥ — touching; citra — wonderful; padāḥ — with phrases; giraḥ — the speech; sammumuhuḥ — fainted; striyaḥ — women.

 

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.

 

10.39.17-18

gatiḿ su-lalitāḿ ceṣṭāḿ

snigdha-hāsāvalokanam

śokāpahāni narmāṇi

proddāma-caritāni ca

 

cintayantyo mukundasya

bhītā viraha-kātarāḥ

sametāḥ sańghaśaḥ procur

aśru-mukhyo 'cyutāśayāḥ

 

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; sańghaśaḥ — 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.

 

10.39.19

śrī-gopya ūcuḥ

aho vidhātas tava na kvacid dayā

saḿyojya maitryā praṇayena dehinaḥ

tāḿś cākṛtārthān viyunańkṣy apārthakaḿ

vikrīḍitaḿ te 'rbhaka-ceṣṭitaḿ yathā

 

śrī-gopyaḥ ūcuḥ — the gopīs said; aho — O; vidhātaḥ — Providence; tava — your; na — there is not; kvacit — anywhere; dayā — mercy; saḿyojya — bringing together; maitryā — with friendship; praṇayena — and with love; dehinaḥ — embodied living beings; tān — them; ca — and; akṛta — unfulfilled; arthān — their aims; viyunańkṣi — 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.

 

10.39.20

yas tvaḿ pradarśyāsita-kuntalāvṛtaḿ

mukunda-vaktraḿ su-kapolam un-nasam

śokāpanoda-smita-leśa-sundaraḿ

karoṣi pārokṣyam asādhu te kṛtam

 

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.

 

10.39.21

krūras tvam akrūra-samākhyayā sma naś

cakṣur hi dattaḿ harase batājña-vat

yenaika-deśe 'khila-sarga-sauṣṭhavaḿ

tvadīyam adrākṣma vayaḿ madhu-dviṣaḥ

 

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.

 

10.39.22

na nanda-sūnuḥ kṣaṇa-bhańga-sauhṛdaḥ

samīkṣate naḥ sva-kṛtāturā bata

vihāya gehān sva-janān sutān patīḿs

tad-dāsyam addhopagatā nava-priyaḥ

 

na — does not; nanda-sūnuḥ — the son of Nanda Mahārāja; kṣaṇa — in a moment; bhańga — 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.

 

10.39.23

sukhaḿ prabhātā rajanīyam āśiṣaḥ

satyā babhūvuḥ pura-yoṣitāḿ dhruvam

yāḥ saḿpraviṣṭasya mukhaḿ vrajas-pateḥ

pāsyanty apāńgotkalita-smitāsavam

 

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; saḿpraviṣṭasya — of Him who has entered (Mathurā); mukham — the face; vrajaḥ-pateḥ — of the master of Vraja; pāsyanti — they will drink; apāńga — 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.

 

10.39.24

tāsāḿ mukundo madhu-mañju-bhāṣitair

gṛhīta-cittaḥ para-vān manasvy api

kathaḿ punar naḥ pratiyāsyate 'balā

grāmyāḥ salajja-smita-vibhramair bhraman

 

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?

 

10.39.25

adya dhruvaḿ tatra dṛśo bhaviṣyate

dāśārha-bhojāndhaka-vṛṣṇi-sātvatām

mahotsavaḥ śrī-ramaṇaḿ guṇāspadaḿ

drakṣyanti ye cādhvani devakī-sutam

 

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.

 

10.39.26

maitad-vidhasyākaruṇasya nāma bhūd

akrūra ity etad atīva dāruṇaḥ

yo 'sāv anāśvāsya su-duḥkhitam janaḿ

priyāt priyaḿ neṣyati pāram adhvanaḥ

 

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.

 

10.39.27

anārdra-dhīr eṣa samāsthito rathaḿ

tam anv amī ca tvarayanti durmadāḥ

gopā anobhiḥ sthavirair upekṣitaḿ

daivaḿ ca no 'dya pratikūlam īhate

 

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.

 

10.39.28

nivārayāmaḥ samupetya mādhavaḿ

kiḿ no 'kariṣyan kula-vṛddha-bāndhavāḥ

mukunda-sańgān nimiṣārdha-dustyajād

daivena vidhvaḿsita-dīna-cetasām

 

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-sańgāt — 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; vidhvaḿsita — 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.

 

10.39.29

yasyānurāga-lalita-smita-valgu-mantra

līlāvaloka-parirambhaṇa-rāsa-goṣṭhām

nītāḥ sma naḥ kṣaṇam iva kṣaṇadā vinā taḿ

gopyaḥ kathaḿ nv atitarema tamo durantam

 

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?

 

10.39.30

yo 'hnaḥ kṣaye vrajam ananta-sakhaḥ parīto

gopair viśan khura-rajaś-churitālaka-srak

veṇuḿ kvaṇan smita-katākṣa-nirīkṣaṇena

cittaḿ kṣiṇoty amum ṛte nu kathaḿ bhavema

 

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.

 

10.39.31

śrī-śuka uvāca

evaḿ bruvāṇā virahāturā bhṛśaḿ

vraja-striyaḥ kṛṣṇa-viṣakta-mānasāḥ

visṛjya lajjāḿ ruruduḥ sma su-svaraḿ

govinda dāmodara mādhaveti

 

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!"

 

10.39.32

strīṇām evaḿ rudantīnām

udite savitary atha

akrūraś codayām āsa

kṛta-maitrādiko ratham

 

strīṇām — the women; evam — in this manner; rudantīnām — while they were crying; udite — rising; savitari — the sun; atha — then; akrūraḥ — Akrūra; codayām āsa — started; kṛta — having performed; maitra-ādikaḥ — his morning worship and other regular duties; ratham — the chariot.

 

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.

 

10.39.33

gopās tam anvasajjanta

nandādyāḥ śakaṭais tataḥ

ādāyopāyanaḿ bhūri

kumbhān go-rasa-sambhṛtān

 

gopāḥ — the cowherd men; tam — Him; anvasajjanta — followed; nanda-ādyāḥ — headed by Nanda; śakaṭaiḥ — in their wagons; tataḥ — then; ādāya — having taken; upāyanam — offerings; bhūri — abundant; kumbhān — clay pots; go-rasa — with milk products; sambhṛtān — filled.

 

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.

 

10.39.34

gopyaś ca dayitaḿ kṛṣṇam

anuvrajyānurañjitāḥ

pratyādeśaḿ bhagavataḥ

kāńkṣantyaś cāvatasthire

 

gopyaḥ — the gopīs; ca — and; dayitam — their beloved; kṛṣṇam — Kṛṣṇa; anuvrajya — following; anurañjitāḥ — pleased; pratyādeśam — some instruction in reply; bhagavataḥ — from the Lord; kāńkṣantyaḥ — 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.

 

10.39.35

tās tathā tapyatīr vīkṣya

sva-prasthāṇe yadūttamaḥ

sāntvayām asa sa-premair

āyāsya iti dautyakaiḥ

 

tāḥ — them (the gopīs); tathā — thus; tapyatīḥ — lamenting; vīkṣya — seeing; sva-prasthāne — as He was leaving; yadu-uttamaḥ — the greatest of the Yadus; sāntvayām āsa — He consoled them; sa-premaiḥ — full of love; āyāsye iti — "I will return"; dautyakaiḥ — with words sent through a messenger.

 

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."

 

10.39.36

yāvad ālakṣyate ketur

yāvad reṇū rathasya ca

anuprasthāpitātmāno

lekhyānīvopalakṣitāḥ

 

yāvat — as long as; ālakṣyate — was visible; ketuḥ — the flag; yāvat — as long as; reṇuḥ — the dust; rathasya — of the chariot; ca — and; anuprasthāpita — sending after; ātmānaḥ — their minds; lekhyāni — painted figures; iva — like; upalakṣitāḥ — they appeared.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Sending their minds aher 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.

 

10.39.37

tā nirāśā nivavṛtur

govinda-vinivartane

viśokā ahanī ninyur

gāyantyaḥ priya-ceṣṭitam

 

tāḥ — they; nirāśāḥ — without hope; nivavṛtuḥ — turned back; govinda-vinivartane — of Govinda's returning; viśokāḥ — extremely sorrowful; ahanī — the days and nights; ninyuḥ — they spent; gāyantyaḥ — chanting; priya — of their beloved; ceṣṭitam — about the activities.

 

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.

 

10.39.38

bhagavān api samprāpto

rāmākrūra-yuto nṛpa

rathena vāyu-vegena

kālindīm agha-nāśinīm

 

bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; api — and; samprāptaḥ — arrived; rāma-akrūra-yutaḥ — together with Balarāma and Akrūra; nṛpa — O King (Parīkṣit); rathena — by the chariot; vāyu — like the wind; vegena — swift; kālindīm — at the river Kālindī (Yamunā); agha — sins; nāśinīm — which destroys.

 

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.

 

10.39.39

tatropaspṛśya pānīyaḿ

pītvā mṛṣṭaḿ maṇi-prabham

vṛkṣa-ṣaṇḍam upavrajya

sa-rāmo ratham āviśat

 

tatra — there; upaspṛśya — touching the water; pānīyam — in His hand; pītvā — drinking; mṛṣṭam — sweet; maṇi — like jewels; prabham — effulgent; vṛkṣa — of trees; ṣaṇḍam — a grove; upavrajya — moving up to; sa-rāmaḥ — with Balarāma; ratham — the chariot; āviśat — He mounted.

 

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.

 

10.39.40

akrūras tāv upāmantrya

niveśya ca rathopari

kālindyā hradam āgatya

snānaḿ vidhi-vad ācarat

 

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.

 

10.39.41

nimajjya tasmin salile

japan brahma sanātanam

tāv eva dadṛśe 'krūro

rāma-kṛṣṇau samanvitau

 

nimajjya — immersing himself; tasmin — in that; salile — water; japan — reciting; brahma — Vedic mantras; sanātanam — eternal; tau — Them; eva — indeed; dadṛśe — saw; akrūraḥ — Akrūra; rāma-kṛṣṇau — Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa; samanvitau — together.

 

TRANSLATION

 

While immersing himself in the water and reciting eternal mantras from the Vedas, Akrūra suddenly saw Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa before him.

 

10.39.42-43

tau ratha-sthau katham iha

sutāv ānakadundubheḥ

tarhi svit syandane na sta

ity unmajjya vyacaṣṭa saḥ

 

tatrāpi ca yathā-pūrvam

āsīnau punar eva saḥ

nyamajjad darśanaḿ yan me

mṛṣā kiḿ salile tayoḥ

 

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.

 

10.39.44-45

bhūyas tatrāpi so 'drākṣīt

stūyamānam ahīśvaram

siddha-cāraṇa-gandharvair

asurair nata-kandharaiḥ

 

sahasra-śirasaḿ devaḿ

sahasra-phaṇa-maulinam

nīlāmbaraḿ visa-śvetaḿ

śṛńgaiḥ śvetam iva sthitam

 

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; śṛńgaiḥ — 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.

 

10.39.46-48

tasyotsańge ghana-syāmaḿ

pīta-kauśeya-vāsasam

puruṣaḿ catur-bhujaḿ śāntam

padma-patrāruṇekṣaṇam

 

cāru-prasanna-vadanaḿ

cāru-hāsa-nirīkṣaṇam

su-bhrūnnasaḿ caru-karṇaḿ

su-kapolāruṇādharam

 

pralamba-pīvara-bhujaḿ

tuńgāḿsoraḥ-sthala-śriyam

kambu-kaṇṭhaḿ nimna-nābhiḿ

valimat-pallavodaram

 

tasya — of Him (Ananta Śeṣa); utsańge — 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; tuńga — raised; aḿsa — 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.

 

10.39.49-50

bṛhat-kati-tata-śroṇi

karabhoru-dvayānvitam

cāru-jānu-yugaḿ cāru

jańghā-yugala-saḿyutam

 

tuńga-gulphāruṇa-nakha

vrāta-dīdhitibhir vṛtam

navāńguly-ańguṣṭha-dalair

vilasat-pāda-pańkajam

 

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; jańghā — of shanks; yugala — a pair; saḿyutam — having;

 

tuńga — high; gulpha — whose ankles; aruṇa — reddish; nakha-vrāta — from whose toenails; dīdhitibhiḥ — with effulgent rays; vṛtam — surrounded; nava — soft; ańguli-ańguṣṭha — the two big toes and other toes; dalaiḥ — like flower petals; vilasat — glowing; pāda-pańkajam — whose lotus feet.

 

TRANSLATION