Sri Brhad-Bhagavatamrta, Part 19
BY: SUN STAFF
Jul 15, CANADA (SUN) — By Srila Sanatana Goswami, translated by Sriman Kusakratha dasa.
Part Two, Chapter Seven
Text 1
sri-sarupa uvaca
evam yat paramam sadhyam
paramam sadhanam ca yat
tad vicaryadhuna brahman
svayam nisciyatam tvaya
Sri Sarupa said: O brahmana, please consider all this and decide what is the best goal of life and the best way to attain it.
Text 2
mathura-brahmana-sreshtha
madvat prapyam tvayapi tat
sarvam devyah prasadena
praptam eveti manyatam
O best of Mathura brahmanas, by the grace of the goddess you also may attain all that I have attained.
Text 3
vartate cavasishtam yat
bhuta-prayam ca viddhi tat
vikshye kripa-bharam tasya
vyaktam bhagavatas tvayi
Know that what you have not attained you will attain. I will see the Lord bestow His great mercy on you.
Text 4
pasya yas catmanas tasya
tadiyanam api dhruvam
vrittam parama-gopyam tat
sarvam te kathitam maya
I have told you the most confidential secrets of the Lord, His devotees, and myself.
Texts 5-7
nija-bhava-viseshas ca
bhagavac-caranasrayah
na prakasayitum yogyo
hriya sva-manase 'pi yah
jate dasa-viseshe ca
vrittam sva-para-vismriteh
visesa-jnana-rahityan
nanubhutam yadatmana
tat tat sarvam idam tena
krishnenavisya me hridi
nihsaritam ivayatam
balad vaktre tvad-agratah
Everything of the highest love for the Lord's lotus feet, which I am embarrassed to reveal even in my own heart, and which is so confidential I myself do not know of it directly, in your presence has come from my mouth, for the Lord entered my heart and forced it out.
Text 8
bhavatas catra visvaso
nitaram samapadyata
lakshanair lakshitas cayam
maya sighra-phala-pradah
By the symptoms you show I can see that you have great faith, which will bring you the greatest result.
Text 9
svayam sri-radhika devi
pratar adyadidesa mam
sarupayati mat-kunje
mad-bhakto mathuro dvijah
This morning Queen Radhika instructed me: "O Sarupa, a Mathura brahmana who is My devotee has come to My forest."
Text 10
tatraikaki tvam adyadau
gatva mad-upadesatah
prabodhyasvasya tam krishna-
prasadam prapaya drutam
On My order quickly go there alone, enlighten him, comfort him, and give him Krishna's mercy.
Text 11
asmat tasyah samadesac
chighram atraham agatah
na praharshad upekshe sma
krishna-sanga-sukham ca tat
Following Her order, I happily came here from far away, not caring for the happiness of Krishna's company.
Text 12
sri-parikshid uvaca
evam ukto 'pi viprasya
tasya hi prema-sampadah
udayadarsanan murdhni
sarupah karam arpayat
Sri Parikshit said: Seeing that the wealth of spiritual love had not yet appeared in the brahmana, Sarupa placed his hand on the brahmana's head.
Text 13
sadyas tasyasphurac-citte
svanubhutam ivakhilam
sri-sarupanubhutam yat-
kripaya tan-mahatmanah
Then, by the mercy of that great soul, the brahmana could see in his heart everything that Sarupa had seen.
Text 14
mahat-sangama-mahatmyam
evaitat paramadbhutam
kritartho yena vipro 'sau
sadyo 'bhut tat-svarupavat
Made successful by the very wonderful glory of association with a great soul, the brahmana at once attained his original spiritual form.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that by the great mercy of the Lord one attains the association of a devotee. The value of associating with a devotee is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.7.19:
yat-sevaya bhagavatah
kuta-sthasya madhu-dvishah
rati-raso bhavet tivrah
padayor vyasanardanah
"By serving the feet of the spiritual master, one is enabled to develop transcendental ecstasy in the service of the Personality of Godhead, who is the unchangable enemy of the Madhu demon, and whose service vanquishes one's material miseries."*
The Vasishtha-sastra explains:
sada santo 'bhigantavya
yadyapy upadisanti na
ya hi svaira-kathas tesham
upadesa bhavanti te
sunyam apurnatam eti
mrtir apy amritayate
apat sapad ivabhati
vidvaj-jana-samagamat
"One should always associate with devotees. Even if they do not teach you directly, their conversations amongst themselves will teach you. Association with wise devotees makes what was empty full. It turns death into immortality. It turns calamity into good fortune."
Srimad-Bhagavatam (5.12.12) explains:
rahuganaitat tapasa na yati
ne cejyaya nirvapanad grihad va
na cchandasa naiva jalagni-suryair
vina mahat-pada-rajo-'bhishekam
"My dear King Rahugana, unless one has the opportunity to smear his entire body with the dust of the lotus feet of great devotees, one cannot realize the Absolute Truth simply by observing celibacy (brahmacarya), strictly following the rules and regulations of householder life, leaving home as a vanaprastha, accepting sannyasa, or undergoing severe penances in winter by keeping oneself submerged in water or surrounding oneself in summer by fire and the scorching heat of the sun. There are many other proccesses to understand the Absolute Truth, but the Absolute Truth is only revealed to one who has attained the mercy of a great devotee."*
The value of association with devotees is also explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.23.55, 3.25.25, 4.9.11, 4.24.57-58, 5.12.13, 5.13.21, 7.5.31, 10.51.53, 11.26.31-34, 11.12.1-2, 11.19.33-34, 3.13.4, 4.9.10, 4.9.12, 11.13.36, 5.5.2-3, 11.14.17, 11.2.55, 1.3.18, 11.2.29, 10.47.24, 4.22.39, 10.2.33, 10.87.29, 3.5.39, 1i.l7.39, and in Bhagavad-gita 7.28, 10.10, 13.18, 18.54-55,
Text 15
tadvan maha-prema-rasarnava-plutas
tat-tad-vikarormibhir acito bhrisham
ha krishna krishneti kisora-sekharam
tam darsayasveti rurava sa dvijah
Now plunged, as Sarupa was, in the nectar ocean of great love and tossed by the waves of many devotional ecstasies, the brahmana cried out: "O Krishna! Krishna! Please show me He who is the crown of youths!"
Text 16
trinam grihitva dasanaih sa-kaku
namann apricchat sa sarupam eva
cara-sthira-prani-ganams ca krishnah
kuto 'sti drishto 'tra kim u tvayeti
Taking a blade of grass in his teeth, he bowed down before Sarupa and with plaintive words asked both him and the moving and unmoving creatures there: "Where is Krishna? Have you seen Him?"
Text 17
namani krishnasya manoramani
sankirtayams tasya padau grihitva
premabdhi-magnasya guro ruroda
tat-prema-drishtya vivasasya viprah
Chanting Krishna's beautiful names, grasping his guru's feet, plunged in an ocean of love, and overcome by his guru's affectionate glance, the brahmana wept.
Text 18
kshanan maha-prema-javena yantrito
vane manonmattavad utthito bhraman
vimurchitas tatra sa kanthakacite
karira-kunje nipapata mathurah
At once overcome with great love, standing up, wandering as a madman, and fainting unconscious, he fell on some thorny karira bushes.
Text 19
matah sapady eva vimisrita gavam
hamba-ravair venu-vishana-nikvanah
taumbeya-vina-dala-vadya-carcita
jata gabhira madhura viduratah
O mother, from far away came sweet, deep sounds of bamboo flutes, horn bugles, tumburus, vinas, and leaf flutes.
Text 20
tau prapitau bodham amibhir utthitau
tad-dirgha-nadabhimukhe 'bhyadhavatam
gopaladevam tam apasyatam atho
su-syama-gatra-dyuti-mandalojjvalam
Awakened by the loud sounds, standing up, and running toward them, they saw Gopaladeva, splendid with handsome dark limbs, . . .
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the "they" here are the guru and his disciple.
Text 21
pasun payah payayitum vayasyaih
samam vihartum taraneh sutayam
gajendra-lilacita-nritya-gatyan-
tike samayantam ananta-lilam
. . . who enjoys limitless pastimes, who, so the cows could drink the Yamuna's water, and so He could play with His friends, with dancing limbs moving like the pastimes of a regal elephant, gathered everyone together, . . .
Text 22
svakiya-kaisora-maha-vibhushanam
vicitra-lavanya-taranga-sagaram
jagan-mano-netra-mudam vivardhanam
muhur muhur nutana-madhuri-bhutam
. . . who was decorated with the ornaments of youth, who was an ocean filled with waves of handsomeness, who filled with bliss the eyes and hearts of the world, whose sweetness became newer and newer at every momewnt, . . .
Text 23
nihsesha-sal-lakshana-sundarangam
nipavatamsam sikhi-piccha-cudam
muktavali-mandita-kambu-kantham
kausheya-pitambara-yugma-diptam
. . . whose handsome form had all transcendental virtues, whose ears were decorated with kadamba-flower earrings, who wore a peacock-feather crown, whose conchshell neck was decorated with a strand of pearls, who was splendid with a pair of yellow silk garments, . . .
Text 24
gunja-maha-hara-vilamba-bhushita-
srivatsa-lakshmy-alaya-pina-vakshasam
simhendra-madhyam sata-simha-vikramam
saubhagya-sararcita-pada-pankajam
. . . whose broad chest was decorated with a great necklace of gunja and with the Srivatsa home of the goddess of fortune, who had a lion's waist, who was strong as hundreds of lions, whose lotus feet were worshiped by the greatest handsomeness, . . .
Text 25
kadamba-gunja-tulasi-sikhanda-
pravala-malavali-caru-vesham
kati-tati-rajita-citra-pushpa-
kanci-vilambadhya-nitamba-desam
. . . who was handsome with garlands of kadamba flowers, gu{.sy 241}ja, tulasi, peacock feathers, and pravala, and whose broad hips were splendid with a sash of colorful flowers, . . .
Text 26
sauvarna-divyangada-kankanollasad-
vrittayata-sthula-bhujabhiramam
bimbadhara-nyasta-manojna-venu-
vadyollasat-padma-karangulikam
. . . who was handsome with broad arms splendid with golden armlets and bracelets, whose lotus fingers played the bamboo-flute placed to His bimba-fruit lips, . . .
Text 27
svotprekshitapaurvika-venu-gita-
bhangi-sudha-mohita-visva-lokam
tiryan manag lola-viloka-lila-
lankara-samlalita-locanabjam
. . . whose waves of nectar flute-music never heard before enchanted the people of the world, whose restless, playful lotus eyes were decorated with pastimes of slightly crooked glances, . . .
Text 28
capopama-bhru-yuga-nartana-sri-
samvardhita-peshya-jananuragam
srimat-sada-smera-mukharavinda-
sobha-samakrishta-munindra-cittam
. . . the glory of the dancing of whose archer's-bow eyebrows filled the devotees with love, whose always-smiling handsome lotus face attracted the hearts of the kings of the sages, . . .
Text 29
tila-prasunottama-nasikagrato
virajamanaika-gajendra-mauktikam
kadapi go-dhuli-vibhushitalaka-
dvirepha-sambhalanato lasat-karam
. . . the sesame-flower tip of whose nose was splendid with an elephant-king pearl, who sometimes placed a splendid hand on the black bumble-bees of His curling locks of hair decorated with dust raised by the cows, . . .
Text 30
suryatmaja-mrid-racitordhva-pundra-
sphitardra-candrakriti-bhala-pattam
nanadri-dhatu-praticitritangam
nana-maha-ranga-taranga-sindhum
. . . whose broad half-moon forehead was decorated with Yamuna-mud tilaka, whose body was decorated with pictures and designs drawn in different hill-mineral colors, who was an ocean filled with waves of many blissful pastimes, . . .
Text 31
sthitva tri-bhangi-lalitam kadacin
narmani vamsya bahu vadayantam
tair hasayantam nija-mitra-vargan
bhumim padaih svaih paribhushayantam
. . . who sometimes assumed a graceful three-fold bending posture, who, playing jokes on His flute, made His friends laugh, who decorated the earth with His footprints, . . .
Text 32
tadrig-vayo-vesha-vatagra-janmana
nilamsukalankrita-gaura-kantina
ramen a yuktam ramaniya-murtina
tais catma-tulyaih sakhibhih priyair vritam
. . . and who was accompanied by His handsome and fair-complexionsed elder brother Balarama, whose age and ornaments were like His, and by His dear friends, who were also like Him.
Text 33
tad-darsanadbhuta-maha-mudavali-
bharena gadhena nipatitau hi tau
danda-pranamartham ivasu petatuh
sambhranti-vidhvamsita-sarva-naipunyau
Filled with wonderful bliss by seeing Him, they both fell down offering dandavat obeisances, their peaceful composure destroyed.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the "they" here are the guru and his disciple.
Text 34
sa ca priya-prema-vasah pradhavan
samagato harsha-bharena mugdhah
tayor upary eva papata dirgha-
maha-bhujabhyam parirebhatau dvau
Overcome with love for His dear devotees, and bewildered with happiness, Krishna ran to them, fell on them, and embraced them with His great, long arms.
Text 35
premasru-dharabhir aho maha-prabhuh
sa snapayam asa kripardra-manasah
kshanat samutthaya kara-dvayena tav
utthapayam asa cakara ca sthirau
His heart melting with mercy, the Lord bathed them with streams of tears of love. With both hands He pulled them up at once. He made them peaceful.
Text 36
sammarjayann asru rajas ca gatre
lagnam dayalur muhur alilinga
tatraiva tabhyam upavisya bhumau
vakyamritair vipram atoshayac ca
Wiping the tears and dust from their limbs, the merciful Lord embraced them again and again. Sitting with them on the ground, with the nectar of His words He pleased the brahmana.
Text 37
sri-bhagavan uvaca
mathuranugrihitarya
vipra-vamsabdhi-candramah
kshemam sri-jana-sarmams te
kaccid rajati sarvatah
The Supreme Lord said: O Janasarma, kindness of Mathura, O saintly one, O moon rising from the ocean of the brahmana's families, is everything well with you?
Note: The brahmana is here placed in his eternal position as a cowherd boy, and the Lord addresses him by his name in the spiritual world: Janasarma. From now on he is known as Janasarma.
Text 38
kshemam sa-parivarasya
mama tvad-anubhavatah
tvat-kripakrishta-citto 'smi
nityam tvad-vartma-vikshakah
By seeing you, I and My friends have become happy. My heart is drawn to your mercy. I always gaze at your path.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the words "I always gaze at your path" mean that Krishna anxiously waits for them, thinking "When will they come?:
Text 39
dishtya smrito 'smi bhavata
dishtya drishtas cirad asi
svadhino 'smi tava brahman
ramasvatra yadricchaya
By good fortune you remembered Me. By good fortune after a long time now I can see you. I am your obedient servant. Please stay here and enjoy as you wish.
Text 40
sri-parikshid uvaca
samagra-sambhrama-prema-
nanda-bharena yantritah
nasakat prativaktum tam
jana-sarmapi vikshitum
Sri Parikshit said: Overcome with awe, love, and bliss, he could not reply. Janasarma could not even gaze on the Lord.
Text 41
bashpa-samruddha-kanthah sann
asropahata-locanah
param tac-caranambhoje
murdhni dhritvarudattaram
His eyes and throat filled with tears, he placed the Lord's lotus feet on his head and wept.
Text 42
vadanya-cudamanir atmano 'dhikam
kim apy apasyan pratideyam akulah
sva-bhushanani vyapakrishya gatrato
vibhushya tais tam vidadhe sarupavat
Not seeing any proper gift to give, Krishna, the crest jewel of the generous, became agitated. Taking the ornaments from His own body, He decorated the brahmana and made him look like Sarupa.
Text 43
ittham atmanurupam sa
vyatanot paramam kripam
jana-sarmapi tenaiva
paripurnarthatam gatah
In this way the Lord was merciful to the brahmana and made him a personal friend, like Himself. Then Janasarma attained his desires.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the Lord made him one of His gopa friends. By attaining his original spiritual form, the brahmana's desires were fulfilled. That the desvotees desire an attainment like this, and not material things, is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.14.14, 11.20.34, 9.4.67, 10.16.37, and 10.83.41-43.
Text 44
athapo 'payayad venu-
sanketa-dhvanina pasun
samahuya vicitrena
mukha-sabdena kenacit
With a wonderful sound from His mouth, Krishna had the cows drink water, and with a signal from His flute He called them together.
Text 45
tenaiva sukha-deseshu
tan nirudhyopaveshya ca
tabhyam anyais ca sakhibhir
vijaharapsu sagrajah
After making the cows sit in comfortable places, He and His elder brother played in the water with the two of them and with His other friends.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that "the two of them" are Sarupa and Janasarma.
Text 46
parasparam vary abhisincatah sakhin
kadacid utkshipya jalani bhanjayet
kadapi tair eva vinoda-kovido
vilambhito bhanga-bharam jaharsha sah
Sometimes, as His friends splashed water, He defeated them with splashes, and sometimes the Lord who is expert at playing enjoyed His own defeat.
Text 47
kalala-vadyani subhani sakam
tair vadayan sri-yamuna-pravahe
sroto-'nuloma-pratilomato 'sau
santara-lilam akarod vicitram
Making delightful splashing sounds, and swimming sometimes with and sometimes against Sri Yamuna's currents, He enjoyed many wonderful pastimes.
Text 48
kadapi krishna-jala-madhyato nijam
vapuh sa nihnutya saroja-kanane
mukham ca vinyasya kutuhali-sthito
yatha na kenapi bhavet sa lakshitah
Sometimes, submerging His body in the dark waters of the Yamuna and placing His face in a forest of blue lotuses, playful Krishna hid, unseen by anyone.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that Krishna's body was hidden by the dark water and His face was unrecognizable among the blue lotuses.
Text 49
tatas tad-ekekshana-jivanas te
na tam samanvishya yadalabhanta
tada mahartah suhrido rudanto
vicukrushur vyagra-dhiyah su-ghoram
Searching, and not finding Him, His grief-stricken friends wept terribly.
Text 50
tato hasan padma-vanad vinihsrtah
praharsha-purena vikasitekshanaih
sa-kurdanam taih purato 'bhisaribhih
sangamyamano vijahara kautuki
Laughing as He emerged from the forest of lotuses, happy Krishna played with His friends, their eyes wide with a flood of happiness.
Text 51
mrinala-jalena manoramena
viracya haran jala-pushpa-jataih
sakhin alankritya samuttatara
jalat samam taih sa ca bhushitas taih
He decorated them with waterflower garlands strung on lotus stems and they also decorated Him. Then they emerged from the water.
Text 52
madhyahnikam bhojanam atra kartum
vistirna-krishna-puline manojne
gopaih samam mandalaso nivishtair
nyaveshayat so 'grajam eva madhye
To enjoy lunch He had the gopas make many circles on the broad shore of the Yamuna, and He placed His elder brother in the middle.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.12.1.
Text 53
svayam ca lilancita-nritya-gatya
bhraman vicitram paritah puraiva
nitani tatralayato 'dbhutani
bhojyani reme pariveshayan sah
Wonderfully going here and there among them as if playfully dancing, He enjoyed serving them the many wonderful foods they had brought from home.
Text 54
sarvartu-sasvat-phala-pushpa-salinam
vrindatavi-divya-vicitra-sakhinam
tair ahritany eva phalani lilaya
svaduni tebhyo vibhajan yatha-ruci
Then He served to them, as they wished, the fruits they playfully gathered from the wonderful and splendid Vrindavana trees, which always bear the fruits and flowers of every season.
Texts 55-57
rasala-tala-bilvani
badaramalakani ca
narikelani panasa-
draksha-kadalakani ca
nagarangani piluni
karirany aparany api
kharjura-dadimadini
pakvani rasavanti ca
harshaya tesham adaya
pratyekam kincid acyutah
tishthams tat-tat-samipo 'sau
bhunkte tan api bhojayet
He served them mangoes, talas, bilvas, badaras, amalakas, coconuts, panasas, grapes, bananas, nagarangas, kariras, kharjuras, pomegranates, and other sweet, ripe fruits. To please them, He took a little from each one. Sitting next to each one, the infallible Lord both fed and ate.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that Krishna sat next to each boy. Each boy thought that Krishna was sitting next to him alone.
Texts 58 and 59
parikshya mishta-mishtani
sri-mukhantah sva-panibhih
utthayotthaya sakhibhir
arpyamanani sadaram
sa-slagham narma-hasardram
vicitra-mukha-bhangibhih
madhuram paricaryams tan
hasayitva vyamohayat
Tasting everything and deciding what was the most delicious, each boy would respectfully offer it to Krishna, praising it, and placing it with his own hand in Krishna's mouth. Tasting the delicious food, joking, and making funny faces, Krishna charmed them and made them laugh.
Texts 60 and 61
amlikam panakam mishtam
param ca vividham bahu
takram ca tumbi-patradi-
bhritam vary api yamunam
piban nipayayan sarvan
ramayam asa ballavan
nana-vidha-sukha-krida-
kutuhala-visaradah
Drinking and giving them to drink many kinds of bitter and sweet nectar drinks and Yamuna water in gourd cups, the Lord who is expert at enjoying many kinds of happy pastimes pleased all the gopas.
Text 62
acamya tambulam atha sugandham
karpura-purnam sva-grihopanitam
vanyam ca bhunkte sma vibhajya nutnam
sa-naga-valli-dala-pugam ardram
Then He chewed fragrant betelnuts mixed with camphor and brought from home, and He also chewed betelnuts and betelleaves found in the forest.
Texts 63-66
tulasi-malati-jati-
mallika-kunda-kubjakaih
lavanga-ketaki-jhinti-
madhavi-yuthika-dvayaih
kancanaih karavirabhyam
satapatri-yugena ca
palasair nava-mallibhir
odrair damanakadibhih
kadamba-nipa-bakulair
naga-punnaga-campakaih
kutajasoka-mandaraih
karnikarasanarjunaih
patalaih priyakair anyair
api pushpaih sa-pallavaih
vicitra nirmita mirtrair
malas cadhad vibhajya sah
Then He took and distributed the wonderful garlands His friends made of tulasi, malati, jati, mallika, kunda, kubjaka, lavanga, ketaki, jhinti, madhavi, the two kinds of yuthika, the two kinds of karavira, the two kinds of satapatri, palasa, navamalli, odra, damanaka, kadamba, nipa, bakula, naga, punnaga, campaka, kutaja, asoka, mandara, karnikara, asana, arjuna, patala, priyaka, and many other flowers and their leaves.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the two kinds of yuthikas are the white and golden kind, and the two kinds of karaviras and satapatris are the white and red kind.
Text 67
candanaguru-kasturi-
kunkumair ahritair vanat
dravyaih sugandhibhis canyaih
pishtair angany alepayat
Then He anointed His limbs with powder made from sandal, aguru, musk, kunkuma, and other fragrant things brought from the forest.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the boys crushed these things with stones and made of the powder a paste with water.
Texts 68 and 69
nikunja-varye surabhi-prasuna-
suvasite gunjad-ali-praghushte
vinirmite talpa-vare navina-
mridu-pravala-cchada-pushpa-jataih
sri-dama-nama-dayitanga-sukhopadhanah
susvapa mitra-nikaraih paricaryamanah
kesa-prasadhana-su-gita-karanghri-padma-
samvahana-stavana-vijana-caturibhih
Then, in a beautiful forest grove secented with fragrant flowers and pleasant with humming bees, on an excellent bed made of new soft leaves and flowers, served by boys expert in combing and decorating His hair, singing, massaging His lotus hands and feet, reciting prayers, and fanning Him, and His soft pillow the body of a dear friend named Sridama, He slept.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.15.16 and 10.15.18.
Text 70
nananukara-mukha-padma-vikara-narma-
bhangi-satair hasita-rodhana-keli-dakshan
nirjitya tan asukhayat suhrido mudaivam
visrama-kelim atanod vividham sa-ramah
With hundreds of different playlets and funny expressions on His lotus face, He won over the discriminating audience of His friends expert in comedy and made them happy. In this way He and Balarama enjoyed many happy pastimes.
Text 71
atha sanketitair venu-
sringa-nadaih pasun punah
utthapya carayan reme
govardhana-samipatah
By sounding signals on His flute and horn making the cows stand up and walk, He enjoyed pastimes near Govardhana Hill.
Text 72
bhushanena vicitrena
vanyena sakhibhih punah
aham-purvikaya sarvair
bhushito 'sau yatha-ruci
Each boy eagerly claiming "I am first!" with wonderful and colorful forest ornaments they decorated Him according to His own wish.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives haritala tilaka, a peacock feather crown, and a gunja necklace as examples of these forest ornaments.
Text 73
sarupa-panau jana-sarma-samjnam
samarpya tam vipram apurva-jatam
sayam yatha-purvam ayam pravisya
ghoshe 'bhireme vraja-harsha-kari
Then, placing the newcomer, the brahmana now named Janasarma, in Sarupa's hand, Krishna, who gives happiness to Vraja, enjoyed the pastime of entering the gopa village at evening.
Text 74
gopinatha-prasadapta-
maha-sadhu-mati-sthite
vicarya svayam adatsva
sva-prasnasyadhunottaram
O you who by Lord Gopinatha's mercy have become a great saint, reflecting on it please accept this answer to your question.
Note: In this verse Maharaja Parikshit is speaking to his mother.
Text 75
sri-goloke nikhila-paramananda-purantya-sima-
gambhiryabdhau janani gamanam sadhaya sva-prayasaih
yasmims tas ta vividha-ratayas tena nathena sakam
yatra-matran madhura-madhuram santatam sanghante
Mother, please try with a great effort to go to Sri Goloka, which is a deep ocean of the greatest transcendental bliss. Simply by going there one is able to enjoy many sublimely sweet and blissful pastimes with the Lord.
Text 76
bhaume casmin sapadi mathura-mandale yana-matrat
siddhyeyus tah sakala-samaye yasya kasyapi naiva
kintv etasya priya-jana-kripa-puratah kasyacit syus
tad bho matas cinu pada-rajas tat-padaika-priyanam
These pastimes are not always manifested to one who simply goes to Mathura-mana ala on the earth. However, they will be manifested to one who is flooded with the mercy of a devotee dear to the Lord. Therefore, O mother, please take the dust of they who are dear to the Lord.
Text 77
sthanam gopi-gana-kuca-tati-kunkuma-sri-bharardra-
srimat-padambuja-yuga-sada-priti-sanga-pradayi
jijnasos te janani kathito 'sesha-sandeha-ghati
goloko 'yam madhura-gahana-prasna-bhavanusarat
O mother, by describing Goloka, which brings eternal love for the Lord's glorious lotus feet touched by the glory of the kunkuma on the gopis' breasts, I have answered your sweet and profound question and I have dispelled your doubts.
Text 78
vaikunthasyapy upari nitaram rajate yo nitanta-
srimad-gopi-ramana-carana-prema-puraika-labhyah
vanchavanchopari-guru-phala-prapti-bhumir yadiyah
loka dhyata dadhati paramam prema-sampatti-nishtham
Far above Vaikuntha, Goloka is splendidly manifest. It is attained only by a flood of love for the feet of the gopis' handsome lover. It gives a great result beyond what one can desire. It gives a treasure of spiritual love to they who meditate on it.
Text 79
adhunatrabhiyuktani
muninam mahatam srinu
imani vacanany atma-
citta-santoshanani hi
Now please hear the words of the great sages describing this, words that will please your heart.
Text 80
svargad urdhvam brahmaloko
brahmarshi-gana-sevitah
tatra soma-gatis caiva
jyotisham ca mahatmanam
"Above Svargaloka is Brahmaloka, where Brahma and the sages reside. Also there is the abode of Lord Siva and the abode of the effulgent liberated souls.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this and the following texts are taken from Indra's prayers to Lord Krishna in the Hari-vamsa. The statements of this verse are also confirmed in Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.5.42, and Bhagavad-gita 10.12, and 10.20.
Texts 81 and 82
tasyopari gavam lokah
sadhyas tam palayanti hi
sa hi sarva-gatah krishna
maha-kasa-gato mahan
upary upari tatrapi
gatis tava tapomayi
yam na vidmo vayam sarve
pricchanto 'pi pitamaham
"O Krishna, Your splendid realm of Vaikuntha is very great, but far above it is Goloka, the splendid realm of the cows, where the great souls go. Although we have all asked Grandffather Brahma about it, none of us know any place above Goloka.
Texts 83-85
gatih sama-damadyanam
svargah sukrita-karmanam
brahmye tapasi yuktanam
brahmalokah para gatih
gavam eva tu goloko
duraroha hi sa gatih
sa tu lokas tvaya krishna
sidamanah kritatmana
dhrita dhritamata dhira
nighnatopadravan gavan
"Svargaloka is the realm of virtuous persons who are peaceful and self-controlled and have performed pious deeds. Brahmaloka is the realm of they who have performed spiritual austerities. Goloka is far above them. O Krishna, O saintly one, You personally stay in Goloka and protect everyone from all calamities."
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the word {.sy 168}brahmaloka" here means Vaikunthaloka.
Text 86
evam bahu-vidhai rupais
caramiha vasundharam
brahmalokam ca kaunteya
golokam ca sanatanam
"O son of Kunti, in many different forms I wander in the material world, in the spiritual world, and in the eternal realm of Goloka."
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this verse, quoted from the Skanda Purana, is spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.
Text 87 and 88
sri-janamejaya uvaca
vaishnavagrya maya santi
vaisampayanatah srutah
ete slokas tadanim ca
kascid artho 'vadharitah
tvatto 'dya sravanad esham
ko 'py artho bhati me hridi
aho bhagavatanam hi
mahima paramadbhutah
Sri Janamejaya said: O best of the Vaishnavas, I had heard these verses before, from Vaisampayana, but now that I hear them from you a new understanding shines in my heart. Ah, the glory of the devotees is very wonderful.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the verses referred to here are the quotations from Hari-vamsa found in Texts 80-85.
Text 89
katha-samaptim asankya
mano me paritapyati
kincid rasayanam dehi
tishthed yena su-nirvritam
Fearing that this description will now end, my heart has become unhappy. Please give some more nectar, so it will be happy.
Texts 90 and 91
yuktany upakhyana-vara-dvayasya
padyani yany asya jagau pita te
goloka-mahatmya-katha-prahrishto
bho vatsa bhavair madhurair vicitraih
sruti-smritinam akhilartha-sara-
mayani gayan rucirani yani
kshipan bhavat-tata-viyoga-duhkham
sukhi caramiha vadami tani
O child, happy to hear the description of Goloka's glories, with wonderful and sweet love your father sang from two stories many verses that confirm these descriptions, beautiful verses that are the essence of the Sruti and Smriti. I wander in this material world and speak these verse. In this way I become free from the unhappiness of separation from your father.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the two stories are Brahma-samhita and the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, which are both quoted in the following verses.
Text 92
ananda-cin-maya-rasa-pratibhavitabhis
tabhir ya eva nija-rupataya kalabhih
goloka eva nivasaty akhilatma-bhuto
govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami
"I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who resides in His own realm, Goloka, with Radha, who resembles His own spiritual figure and who embodies the ecstatic potency (hladini). Their companions are Her confidantes, who embody extensions of Her bodily form and who are imbued and permeated with ever-blissful spiritual rasa."**
Note: This verse is Brahma-samhita 5.37.
Text 93
goloka-namni nija-dhamni tale ca tasya
devi-mahesa-haridhamasu teshu teshu
te te prabhava-nicaya vihitas ca yena
govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami
"Below the planet named Goloka Vrindavana are the planets known as Devi-dhama, Mahesa-dhama, and Hari-dhama. These are opulent in different ways. They are managed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda, the original Lord. I offer my resapectful obeisances unto Him."*
Note: This verse is Brahma-samhita 5.43.
Text 94
sriyah kantah kantah parama-purushah kalpa-taravo
druma bhumis cintamani-gana-mayi toyam amritam
katha ganam natyam gamanam api vamsi priya-sakhi
cid-anandam jyotih param api tad-asvadyam api ca
"The damsels of Vrindavana, the gopis, are super goddesses of fortune. The enjoyer in Vrindavana is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. The trees there are all wish-fulfilling trees, and the land is made of transcendental touchstone. The water is all nectar, the talking is singing, the walking is dancing, and the constant companion of Krishna is His flute. The effulgence of transcendental bliss is experienced everywhere. Therefore Vrindavana-dhama is the only relishable abode."**
Note: This verse is Brahma-samhita 5.44.
Text 95
sa yatra kshirabdhi sarati surabhibhyas sumahan
nimesardhakhyo va vrajati na hi yatrapi samayah
bhaje svetadvipam tam aham iha golokam iti yam
vidantas te santah kshiti-virala-carah katipaye
In Goloka numberless milk-cows always emit transcendental oceans of milk. In Goloka is eternal existence of transcendental time, who is ever present and without past or future and hence is not subject to the quality of passing away even for the space of half a moment. That realm is known as Goloka only to a very few self-realized souls in this world."**
Note: This verse is Brahma-samhita 5.56.
Text 96
kim ca
punya bata vraja-bhuvo yad ayam nri-linga-
gudhah purana-purusho vana-citra-malyah
gah palayan saha-balah kvanayams ca venum
vikridayancati giritra-ramarcitanghrih
"Dear friends, just imagine how fortunate the land of Vrindavana is where the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself is present, always decorated with flower garlands, and engaged in tending the cows along with His brother, Lord Balarama. He is always accompanied by His cowherd boy friends, and He plays His transcendental flute. The residents of Vrindavana are fortunate to be able to constantly see the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, which are worshiped by great demigods like Lord Siva, Lord Brahma, and the goddess of fortune."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.44.13.
Text 97
aho 'ti-dhanya vraja-go-ramanyah
stanyamritam pitam ativa te muda
yasam vibho vatsataratmajatmana
yat-triptaye 'dyapy atha nalam adhvarah
"The gopis and cows of Vrindavana are so fortunate that they have been able to supply their breast milk to You. Persons who are engaged in performing great sacrifices and offering many valuable goats in the sacrifice cannot attain the perfection of understanding You, but simply by devotional service these innocent village women and cows are all able to satisfy You with their milk. You have drunk their milk to satisfaction, Yet You are never satisfied by those engaged in performing sacrifices."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.31.
Text 98
aho bhagyam aho bhagyam
nanda-gopa-vrajaukasam
yan-mitram paramanandam
purnam brahma sanatanam
"How greatly fortunate are Nanda Maharaja, the cowherd men, and all the other inhabitants of Vrajabhumi! There is no limit to their good fortune, because the Absolute Truth, the source of transcendental bliss, the eternal Supreme Brahman, has become their friend."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.32.
Text 99
esham tu bhagya-mahitacyuta tavad astam
ekadasaiva hi vayam bata bhuri-bhagah
etad dhrishika-cashakair asakrit pibamah
sarvadayo 'nghry-udaja-madhv-amritasavam te
"My dear Lord, no one can actually appreciate the good fortune of these residents of Vrindavana. We are all demigods, controlling deities of the various senses of the living entities, and we are proud of enjoying such priviledges, but actually there is no comparison between our position and the position of these fortunate residents of Vrindavana because they are actually relishing Your presence and enjoying Your associate by dint of their activities."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.33.
Text 100
tad bhuri-bhagyam iha janma kim apy atavyam
yad gokule 'pi katamanghri-rajo-'bhishekam
yaj jivitam tu nikhilam bhagavan mukundas
tv adyapi yat-pada-rajah sruti-mrigyam eva
"My dear Lord, I am therefore not interested in either material opulences or liberation. I am most humbly praying at Your lotus feet for You to please give me any sort of birth within this Vrindavana forest so that I may be able to be favored by thge dust of the feet of some of the devotees of Vrindavana. Even if I am given the chance to grow just as the humble grass in this land, that will be a glorious birth for me. But if I am not so fortunate to take birth within the forest of Vrindavana, I beg to be allowed to take birth outside the immediate area of Vrindavana so that when the devotees go out they will walk over me. Even that would be a great fortune for me. I am just aspiring for a birth in which I will be smeared by the dust of the devotees' feet. I can see that everyone here is simply full of Krishna consciousness. They do not know anything but Mukunda. All the Vedas are indeed searching after the lotus feet of Krishna."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.34.
Text 101
esham ghosha-nivasinam uta bhavan kim derarateti nas
ceto visva-phalat phalam tvad-aparam kutrapy ayam muhyati
sad-veshad api putanapi sa-kula tvam eva devapita
yad-dhamartha-suhrit-priyatma-tanaya-pranasayas tvat-krite
"My Lord, sometimes I am puzzled as to how Your Lordship will be able to repay, in gratitude, the devotional service of these residents of Vrindavana. Although I know that You are the supreme source of all benediction, I am puzzled to know how how You will be able to repay all the service that You are receiving from these residents of Vrindavana. I think of how You are so kind, so magnanimous, that even Putana, who came to cheat You by dressing herself as a very affectionate mother, was awarded liberation and the actual post of a mother. And other demons belonging to the same family, such as Aghasura and Bakasura, were also favored with liberation. Under the circumstances I am puzzled. These residents of Vrindavana have given You everything: their bodies, their minds, their love, their homes. Everything is being utilized for Your purpose. So how will You be able to repay their debt?"*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.35.
Text 102
tavad ragadayah stenas
tavat kara-griham griham
tavan moho 'nghri-nigado
yavat krishna na te janah
"O Krishna, as long as people are not Your devotees their desires are theives, their homes are prisons, and their love for others is a pair of shackles binding their feet."
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.36.
Text 103
prapancam nisprapanco 'pi
vidambayasi bhu-tale
prapanna-janatananda-
sandoham prathitum prabho
"I can also understand that Your appearance as a small cowherd boy, a child of the cowherd men, is not at all a material activity. You are so much obliged by their affection ¨that You are here to enthuse them with more loving service by Your transcendental presence. In Vrindavana there is no distinction between material and spiritual because everything is dedicated to Your loving service. My dear Lord, Your Vrindavana pastimes are simply to enthuse Your devotees. If someone takes Your Vrindavana pastimes to be material, he will be misled."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.37.
Text 104
jananta eva janantu
kim bahuktya na me prabho
manaso vapusho vaco
vaibhavam tava gocarah
"My dear Lord, I have nothing to say about people who advertise that they have already realized God, or that by their realization they have themselves become God. But as far as I am concerned, I admit frankly that for me it is not possible to realize You by my body, mind, or speech. What can I say about You, or how can I realize You by my senses?"*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.38.
Text 105
anujanihi mam krishna
sarvam tvam vetsi sarva-drik
tvam eva jagatam natho
jagac caitat tavarpitam
"My dear Lord, You are the Supreme Lord of all creation, although I sometimes falsely think that I am the master of this universe. I may be the master of this universe, but there are innumerable universes, and there are innumerable Brahmas also who preside over these universes. But actually You are the master of them all. As the Supersoul in everyone's heart, You know everything. Please, therefore, accept me as Your surrendered servant. I hope that You will excuse me for disturbing You in Your pastimes with Your friends and calves."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.39.
Text 106
sri-krishna vrishni-kula-pushkara-josa-dayin
kshma-nirjara-dvija-pasudadhi-vriddhi-karin
udddharma-sarbara-haro kshiti-rakshasa-dhrug
akalpam arkam arhan bhagavan namas te
"My dear Lord Krishna, Your very name suggests that You are all-attractive. The attraction of the sun and moon are all due to You. By the attraction of the sun You are beautifying the very existence of the Yadu dynasty. With the attraction of the moon You are enhancing the potency of the land, the demigods, the brahmanas, the cows, and the oceans. Because of Your supreme attraction, demons like Kamsa and others are annihilated. Therefore it is my deliberate conclusion that You are the only worshipable Deity within the creation. Accept my humble obeisances until the annihilation of the material world. As long as there is sunshine within this material world, kindly accept my humble obeisances."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.40.
Text 107
dhanyeyam adya dharani trina-virudhas tvat-
pada-spriso druma-latah karajabhimrishtah
sadyo 'drayah khaga-mrigah sadayavalokair
gopyo 'ntarena bhujayor api yat-spriha srih
"It is quite natural for these Vrindavana inhabitants to thus receive a great personality like You. The herbs, creepers, and plants are also so fortunate to touch Your lotus feet. And by Your touching the twigs with Your hands, these small plants are also made glorious. As for the hills and the rivers, they too are now glorious because You are glancing at them. Above all, the damsels of Vraja, the gopis, attracted by Your beauty, are the most glorious, because You embrace them with Your strong arms."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.15.8.
Text 108
vrindavanam sakhi bhuvo vitanoti kirtim
yad devaki-suta-padambuja-labdha-lakshmi
govinda-venum anu matta-mayura-nrityam
prekshadri-sanv-avaratanya-samasta-sattvam
"Dear friends, our Vrindavana is proclaiming the glories of this entire earth because this planet is glorified by the lotus footprints of the son of Devaki. Besides that, when Govinda plays His flute, the peacocks immediately become mad. When all the animals and trees and plants, either on the top of Govardhana Hill or in the valley, see the dancing of the peacock, they all stand still and listen to the transcendental sound of the flute with great attention."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.10.
Text 109
hantayam adrir abala hari-dasa-varyo
yad-rama-krishna-carana-sparasa-pramodah
manam tanoti saha-go-ganayos tayor yat
paniya-suyavasa-kandara-kanda-mulaih
"Of all the devotees this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Krishna and Balarama, along with Their calves, cows, and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessitieh-water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers, and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.18.
Text 110
drishtvatape vraja-pasun saha rama-gopaih
sancarayantam anu venum udirayantam
prema-pravriddha uditah kusumavalibhih
sakhyur vyadhat sva-vapushambuda atapatram
"The scorching heart of the autumn sunshines was sometimes intolerable, and therefore the clouds in the sky appeared in sympathy above Krishn and Balarama and Their boy friends while they engaged in blowing their flutes. The clouds served as a soothing umbrella over their heads just to make friendship with Krishna."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.16.
Text 111
nadyas tada tan upadharya mukunda-gitam
avarta-lakshita-manobhava-bhagna-vegah
alingana-sthagita-murmi-bhujair murarer
grihnanti pada-yugalam kamalopaharah
"Even the River Yamuna, being desirous to embrace the lotus feet of Krishna after hearing the transcendental vibration of His flute, broke her fierce waves to flow very nicely with lotus flowers in her hands, just to present flowers to Mukunda with deep feeling."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.15.
Text 112
vana-latas vara atmani vishnum
vyanjayantya iva pushpa-phaladhyah
pranata-bhara-vitapa madhu-dharah
prema-hrishta-tanavo vavrishuh sma
"Just by Krishna's association the trees, plants, and other vegetation in the forest immediately became Krishna conscious. A Krishna conscious person sacrifices everything for Krishna. Although trees and plants are not very advanced in consciousness, by the association of Krishna and His friends they also become Krishna conscious. Then they want to deliver everything-whatever they have-their fruits, flowers, and the honey incessantly falling from their branches."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.35.9.
Text 113
ete 'linas tava yaso 'khila-loka-tirtham
gayanta adi-purushanupatham bhajante
prayo ami muni-gana bhavadiya-mukhya
gudham vane 'pi na jahaty anaghatma-daivam
"I think that the drones that are buzzing all around You must have been Your devotees in their past lives. They cannot leave Your company because no one can be a better, more affectionate master than You. You are the original and supreme Personality of Godhead, and the drones are just trying to spread Your glories by chanting every moment. I think some of them must be great sages, devotees of Your Lordship, and they are disguising themselves in the form of drones because they are unable to give up Your company for even a moment."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.15.6.
Text 114
sarasi sarasa-hamsa-vihangas
caru-gita-hrita-cetasa etya
harim upasata te yata-citta
hanta milita-driso dhrita-maunah
"Krishna would play His flute, and together the sounds became so sweet to hear that together the aquatics, the cranes, swans, and ducks, and other birds were charmed. Instead of swimming or flying, they became stunned. They closed their eyes and entered a trance of meditation in worship of Krishna."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.35.11.
Text 115
prayo batamba munayo vihaga vane 'smin
krishnekshitam tad-uditam kala-venu-gitam
aruhya ye druma-bhujan rucira-pravalan
srinvanti milita-driso vigatanya-vacah
"My dear mother, the birds, who are all looking at Krishna playing on His flute, are sitting very attentively on the branches and twigs of different trees. From their features it appears that they have forgotten everything and are engaged only in hearing Krishna's flute. This proves that they are not ordinary bords. They are great sages and devotees, and just to hear Krishna's flute they have appeared in Vrindavana forest as birds."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.14.
Text 116
dhanyah sma mudha-matayo 'pi harinya eta
ya nanda-nandanam upatta-vicitra-vesham
akarnya venu-ranitam saha-krishnasarah
pujam dadhur viracitam pranayavalokaih
"Blessed are all these foolish deer because they have approached Maharaja Nanda's son, who is gorgeously dressed and is playing on His flute. Indeed, both the doe and the bucks worship the Lord with looks of love and affection."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.11.
Text 117
gavas ca krishna-mukha-nirgata-venu-gita-
piyusham uttabhita-karna-putaih pibantyah
savah snuta-stana-payah-kavalah sma tasthur
govindam atmani drisasru-kalah sprisantyah
"My dear friends, the cows are also charmed as soon as they hear the transcendental sound of the flute of Krishna. It sounds to them like the pouring of nectar, and they immediately spread their long ears just to catch the liquid nectar of the flute. As for the calves, they are seen with the nipples of their mothers pressed in their mouths, but they cannot suck the milk. They remain struck with devotion, and tears glide down their eyes, illustrating vividly how they are embracing Krishna heart to heart."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.13.
Text 118
vrindaso vraja-vrisha mriga-gavo
venu-vadya-hrita-cetasa arat
danta-dashta-kavala dhrita-karna
nidrita likhita-citram ivasan
"When Krishna plays His flute, all the cows and other animals of Vrindavana, although enbgaged in eating, simply take a morsel fo food in their mouths and stop chewing. Their ears raise up and they become stunned. They do not appear alive but like painted animals. Krishna's flute-playing is so attractive that even the animals become enchanted, and what to speak of ourselves."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.35.5.
Text 119
purnah pulindya urugaya-padabja-raga-
sri-kunkumena dayita-stana-manditena
tad-darsana-smara-rujas trina-rushitena
limpantya anana-kuceshu jahus tad-adhim
"The wanton aborigine girls also became fully satisfied when they smeared their faces and breasts with the dust of Vrindavana, which was reddish with the touch of Krishna's lotus feet. The aborigine girls had very full breasts , and they were also very lusty, but when their lovers felt their breasts they were not very satisfied. When they came out into the midst of the forest they saw that while Krishna was walking some of the leaves and creepers of Vrindavana turned reddish from the kunkuma powder which fell from His lotus feet. His lotus feet were held by the gopis on their breasts, which were also smeared with kunkuma powder, but when Krishna traveled in Vrindavana forest with Balarama and His boy friends, the reddish powder fell on the ground of the Vrindavana forest. So the lusty aborigine girls, while looking toward Krishna playing on His flute, saw the reddish kunkuma on the ground and immediately took it and smeared it over their faces and breasts. In this way they became fully satisfied, although they were not satisfied when their lovers touched their breasts."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.17.
Text 120
yadi duram gatah krishno
vana-sobha-kshanaya tam
aham purvam aham purvam
iti samsprisya remire
"Sometimes Krishna would go to a somewhat distant place to see the beauty of the forest. Then all the other boys would run to accompany Him, each one saying, `I shall be the first to run and touch Krishna! I shall touch Krishna first!" In this way they enjoyed life by repeatedly touching Krishna."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.12.6.
Text 121
ittham satam brahma-sukhanubhutya
dasyam gatanam para-daivatena
mayasritanam nara-darakena
sardham vijahruh krita-punya-punjah
"In this way, all the cowherd boys used to play with Krishna, who is the source of the Brahman effulgence for janis desiring to merge into that effulgence, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead for devotees who have accepted eternal servitorship, and who for ordinary persons is but another ordinary child. The cowherd boys, having accumulated the results of pious activities for many lives, were able to associate in this way with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. How can one explain their good fortune?"*
Note: This verse is Srimad-BHagavatam 10.12.11.
Text 122
yat-pada-pamsur bahu-janma-kricchrato
dhritatmabhir yogibhir apy alabhyah
sa eva yadrig vishayah svayam sthitah
kim varnyate dishtam aho vrajaukasam
"Yogis may undergo severe austerities and penances for many births by practicing yama, niyama, asana, and pranayama, none of which are easily performed. Yet in due course of time, when these yogis attain the perfection of controlling the mind, they will still be unable to taste even a particle of dust from the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. What then can we describe about the great fortune of the inhabitants of Vrajabhumi, Vrindavana, with whom the Supreme Personality of Godhead personally lived and who saw the Lord face to face."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.12.12.
Text 123
kvacit pallava-talpeshu
niyuddha-srama-karshitah
vriksha-mulasrayah sete
gopotsangopabarhanah
"When Krishna would feel tired and fatigued, He would sometimes take shelter of the root of a big tree, or the lap of a cowherd boy, and lie down."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.15.16.
Text 124
pada-samvahanam cakruh
kecit tasya mahatmanah
apare hata-papmano
vyajanaih samavijayan
"When He would lie down with a boy or a root as His pillow, some of the boys would come and massage His legs, and some would fan His body with a fan made from leaves."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.15.17.
Text 125
anye tad-anurupani
manojnani mahatmanah
gayanti sma maharaja
sneha-klinna-dhiyah sanaih
"Some of the more talented boys wuld sing in very sweet voices to please Him."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.15.18.
Text 126
nandah kim akarod brahman
sryea eva mahodayam
yasoda va maha-bhaga
papau yasyah stanam harih
"O learned brahmana, Mother Yasoda's breast milk was sucked by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. What past auspicious activities did she and Nanda Maharaja perform to achieve such perfection in ecstatic love?"*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.8.46.
Text 127
tato bhaktir bhagavati
putri-bhute janardane
dam-patyor nitaram asid
gopa-gopishu bharata
"Thereafter, O Maharaja Parikshit, best of the Bharatas, when the Supreme Personality of Godhead became the son of Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda, they maintained continuous, unswerving devotional love in parental affection. And in their association all the other inhabitants of Vrindavana, the gopas and gopis, developed the culture of krishna-bhakti."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.8.51.
Text 128
nandah sva-putram adaya
proshyagata udara-dhih
murdhny avaghraya paramam
mudam lebhe kurudvaha
"O Maharaja Parikshit, best of the Kurus, Nanda Maharaja was very liberal and simple. He immediately took his son Krishna on his lap as if Krishna had returned from death, and by formally smelling his son's head, Nanda Maharaja undeoubtedly enjoyed transcendental bliss."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.6.43.
Text 129
sa matuh svinna-gatraya
visrasta-kavara-srajah
drishtva parisramam krishnah
kripayasit sva-bandhane
"Because of mother Yasoda's hard labor her whole body became covered with perspiration, and the flowers and comb were fallng from her hair. When child Krishna saw His mother thus fatigued, He became merciful to her and agreed to be bound."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.9.18.
Text 130
nemam virinco na bhavo
na srir apy anga-samsraya
prasadam lebhire gopi
yat tat prapa vimuktidat
"Neither Lord Brahma, nor Lord Siva, nor even the goddess of fortune, who is always the better half of the Supreme Lord, can obtain from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the deliverer from this material world, such mercy as was received by mother Yasoda."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.9.20.
Texts 131 and 132
payamsi yasam apibat
putra-sneha-snutany alam
bhagavan devaki-putrah
kaivalady-akhilartha-dah
tasam aviratam krishne
kurvatinam sutekshanam
na punah kalpate rajan
samsaro 'jnana-sambhavah
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, is the bestower of many benedictions, including liberation (kaivalya) or oneness with the Brahman effulgence. For that Supreme Personality of Godhead the gopis always felt maternal love, and Krishna sucked their breasts with full satisfaction. Therefore, because of their relationship as mother and son, although the gopis were engaged in various family activities, one should never think that they returned to this material world after leaving their bodies."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.6.39-40.
Text 133
gopinam paramananda
asid govinda-darsane
kshanam yuga-satam iva
yasam yena vinabhavat
"In the evening Krishna and Balarama, alng with the boys and cows, returned to Vrindavana playing their flutes. As They approached the village, all the gopis became very joyous. Throughout the day the gopis used to think of Krishna while He was in the forest, and in His absence they were considering one moment to be like twelve years."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.19.16.
Text 134
tan-manaskas tad-alapas
tad-viceshtas tad-atmikah
tad-gunan eva gayantyo
natmagarani sasmaruh
"The gopis' mind and intelligence became absorbed in thoughts of Krishna. They all imitated the activities of Krishna and His speeches. Due to their heart and soul being completely given to Krishna, they began to chant His glories, completely forgetting their family interests."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.30.43.
Text 135
gopyas tapah kim acaran yad amushya rupam
lavanya-saram asamordhvam ananya-siddham
drigbhih pibanty anusavabhinavam durapam
ekanta-dhama yasasah sriya aisvarasya
"What austerities must the gopis have performed! With their eyes they always drink the nectar of Lord Krishna's form, which is the essence of loveliness and is not to be equaled or surpassed. That loveliness is the only abode of beauty, fame, and opulence. It is self-perfect, ever-fresh, and extremely rare."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.44.15.
Text 136
ya dohane 'vahanane mathanopalepa
prenkhenkhanarbha-ruditokshane marjanadau
gayanti cainam anurakta-dhiyo 'sru-kanthyo
dhanya vraja-striya urukrama-citta-yanah
"The gopis are so fortunate that they can see and think of Krishna twenty-four hours a day, beginning from their milking the cows or husking the paddy, or churning the butter in the morning. When engaged in gathering fuel, riding on swings, taking care of crying babies, cleaning their houses, and washing their floors, theya are always absorbed in the thought of Krishna.* Their hearts full of love for Him and their throats stopped with tears, they always sing of His glories."
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.44.15.
Text 137
pratar vrajad vrajata avisatas ca sayam
gobhih samam kvanayato 'sya nisamya venum
nirgatya turnam abalah pathi bhuri-punyah
pasyanti sa-smita-mukham sadayavalokam
"My dear friends, we must accept the gopis' activities to be the highest form of piety. Otherwise how could they have achieved the opportunity of seeing Krishna both morning and evening when He goes to the pasturing-ground with His cows and cowherd boy friends and returns in the evening? They frequently see Him playing on His flute and smiling very brilliantly."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.44.16.
Text 138
na paraye 'ham niravadya samyujam
sva-sadhu-krityam vibudhayushapi vah
ya mabhajan durjaya-geha-srinkhalah
samvriscya tad vah pratiyatu sadhuna
"I am not able to repay My debt for your spotless service even within a lifetime of Brahma. Your connection with Me is beyond reproach. You have worshiped Me, cutting off all domestic ties, which are difficult to break. Therefore please let your own glorious deeds be your compensation."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.32.22.
Text 139
gacchoddhava vrajam saumya
pitror nah pritim avaha
gopinam mad-viyogadhim
mat-sandesair vimocaya
"My dear gentle friend Uddhava, please go immediately to Vrndavana and try to pacify My father and mother, Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda-devi, and the gopis. They are very much griefstricken, as if suffering from great ailments. Go and give them a message. I hope their ailments will be partially relieved."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.36.3.
Text 140
ta manaska mat-prana
mad-arthe tyakta-daihikah
ye tyakta-loka-dharmas ca
mad-arthe tan bibharmy aham
"The gopis are always absorbed in thoughts of Me. They have dedicated body, desire, life, and soul to Me. I am anxious not only for the gopis, but for anyone who sacrifices society, friendship, love, and personal comforts for Me. It is My duty to protect such exalted devotees."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.46.4.
Text 141
mayi tah preyasam preshthe
dura-sthe gokula-striyah
smarantyo 'nga vimuhyanti
virahotkanthya-vihvalah
"The gopis are the most dear. They are always thinking of Me in such a way that they remain overwhelmed and almost dead in anxiety due to separation from Me."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.46.5.
Text 142
dharayanty ati-kricchrena
prayah pranan kathancana
pratyagamana-sandesair
ballavyo me mad-atmikah
"They are keeping alive simply by thinking that I am returning to them very soon."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.46.6.
Text 143
ramena sardham mathuram pranite
svaphalkina mayy anurakta-cittah
vigadha-bhavena na me viyoga-
tivradhayo 'nyam dadrisuh sukhaya
"When Akrura took Balarama and Myself to Mathura, the gopis, their hearts full of love for Me, became overcome with the pain of separation. They could not see happiness anywhere."
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.12.10.
Text 144
tas tah kshapah preshthatamena nita
mayaiva vrindavana-gocarena
kshanardhavat tah punar anga tasam
hina maya kalpa-sama babhuvuh
"O gentle one, when I, their beloved, was with them in Vrindavana, the gopis' nights passed as half a moment. Now, without Me, they pass as a kalpa."
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.12.11
Text 145
ta navidan mayy anusanga-baddha-
dhiyah svam atmanam adasta-khedam
yatha samadhau munayo 'bdhi-toye
nadyah pravishta iva nama-rupe
"Their hearts tied to Me, the gopis were not aware even of their own selves. They became like sages absorbed in mediation and unaware of the world of material names and forms, or like rivers that have entered the ocean."
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.12.12.
Text 146
mat-kama ramanam jaram
asvarupa-vido 'balah
brahma mam paramam prapuh
sangac chata-sahasrasah
"Desiring Me as their paramour, and unaware of My true nature, hundreds and thousands of gopis attained Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead,"
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.12.13.
Text 147
etah param tanu-bhrito bhuvi gopa-vadhvo
govinda eva nikhilatmani rudha-bhavah
vanchanti yad bhava-bhiyo munayo vayam ca
kim brahma-janmabhir ananta-katha-rasasya
"Among all the living entities who have accepted the human form of life, the gopis are superexcellently successful in their mission. Their thought is thoroughly absorbed in the lotus feet of Krishna. Great sages and saintly persons are also trying to be absorbed in meditation upon the lotus feet of Krishna, who is Mukunda Himself, the giver of iberation, but the gopis, having lovingly accepted the Lord, are automatically accustomed to this habit. They do not depend on any yogic practice. The conclusion is that one who has attained the gopis' condition of life does not have to take birth as Lord Brahma or be born in a brahmana family or be initiated as a brahmana."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.47.58.
Text 148
kvemah striyo vana-carir vyabhicara-dushtah
krishne kva caisha paramatmani rudha-bhavah
nanv isvaro 'nubhajato 'vidusho 'pi sakshac
chriyas tanoty agada-raja ivopayuktah
"The gopis were not born of any highly cultured family. They were born of cowherd men, and yet they developed the highest love of Krishna. For self-realization or God-realization there is no need to take birth in a high family. The only thing needed is ecstatic development of love of God. In achieving perfection in Krishna consciousness no other qualification is required than to be constantly engaged in the loving service of Krishna. Krishn is the supreme nectar, the reservoir of all pleasure. The effect of taking up Krishna consciousness is just like that of drinking nectar. With or without one's knowledge, it will act."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.47.59.
Text 149
nayam sriyo 'nga u nitanta-rateh prasadah
svar-yoshitam nalina-gandha-rucam kuto 'nyah
rasotsave 'sya bhuja-danda-grihita-kantha-
labdhasisham ya udagad vraja-sundarinam
"When Lord Sri Krishna was dancing with the gopis in the rasa-lila, the gopis were embraced by the arms of the Lord. This transcendental favor was never bestowed upon the goddess of fortune or other consorts in the spiritual world. Indeeed, never was such a thing even imagined by the most beautiful girls in the heavenly planets, whose bodily luster and aroma resemble the lotus flower. And what to speak of worldly women who are very beautiful according to material extimation?"*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.47.60.
Text 150
asam aho carana-renu-jusham aham syam
vrindavane kim api gulma-lataushadhinam
ya dushtyajam sva-janam arya-patham ca hitva
bhejur mukunda-padavim srutibhir vimrigyam
"The gopis of Vrindavana have given up the association of their husbands, sons, and other family members, who are very dificult to give up, and they have forsaken the path of chastity to take shelter of the lotus feet of Mukunda, Krishna, which one should search for by Vedic knowledge. Oh, let me be fortunate enough to be one of the bushes, creepers, or herbs in Vrindavana, because the gopis trample them and bless them with the dust of their lotus feet."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.47.61.
Text 151
ya vai sriyarcitam ajadibhir apta-kamair
yogesvarair api sadatmani rasa-goshthyam
krishnasya tad bhagavatah prapadaravindam
nyastam staneshu vijahuh parirabhya tapam
"When in the rasa dance the gopis embraced to their breasts Lord Krishna's lotus feet, which are worshiped by Lakshmi, Brahma, the demigods whose every desire is fulfilled, and the masters of yoga, they became free of all suffering."
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.47.62.
Text 152
vande nanda-vraja-strinam
pada-renum abhikshnasah
yasam hari-kathodgitam
punati bhuvana-trayam
"I constantly pray to be honored by the dust of the gopis' lotus feet. The gopis' chanting of the transcendental pastimes of Lord Krishna has become celebrated all over the three worlds."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.47.63.
Text 153
gopyah kim acarad ayam kusalam sma venur
damodaradhara-sudham api gopikanam
bhunkte svayam yad-avasish ta-rasam hradinyo
hrishyat-tvaco 'sru mumucus taravo yatharyah
"My dear gopis, what auspicious acivities must the flute have performed to enjoy the nectar of Krishna's lips independently and leave only a taste for us gopis, for whom that nectar is actually meant! The forefathers of the flute, the bamboo trees, shed tears of pleasure. His mother, thew river on whose bank the bamboo was born, feels jubilation, and therefore her blooming lotus flowers are standing like hair on her body."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.9.
Text 154
jayati jana-nivaso devaki-janma-vado
yadu-vara-parishat svarir dorbhir asyann adharmam
sthira-cara-vrijina-ghnam su-smita-sri-mukhena
vraja-pura-vanitanam vardhayan kamadevam
"Lord Sri Krishna is He who is known as jana-nivasa, the ultimate resort of all living entities, and whop is also known as DEvaki-nandana or Yasoda-nandana, the son of Devaki and Yasoda. He is the guide of the Yadu dynasty, and with His mighty arms He kills everything inauspicious, as well as every man who is impious. By His presence He destroys all things inauspicious for all living entities, moving and inert. His blissful smiling face always increases the lusty desires of the gopis of Vrindavana. May He be all glorious and happy."*
Note: This verse is Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.90.48.
Text 155
sri-janamejaya uvaca
kritartho 'smi kritartho 'smi
niscito bhagavan guro
guhyam goloka-mahatmyam
yad aham sevitas tvaya
Sri Janamejaya said: I have found the goal of life! I have found the goal of life! O my lord, O my guru, you ahve explained to me the confidential glory of Goloka!
Text 156
sri-jaiminir uvaca
tatattha satyam yad-bhaktya
sravanad api kirtanat
asyakhyanasya va dhyanat
tat-padam labhate narah
Sri jaimini said: O dear one, you have spoken the truth. Anyone who with devotion hears, chants, or remembers this story, attains that supreme abode.
Text 157
tasmai namo 'stu nirupadhi-kripakulaya
sri-gopa-raja-tanayaya guru1ttamaya
yah karayan nija-janam svayam eva bhaktim
tasyatitushyati yatha paramopakartuh
Obeisances to unlimitedly merciful Lord Krishna. who is the son of the gopas' king, who is the supreme guru, who gives devotional service to the devotees, and who is very pleased by their service.
This concludes the Sri Brhad-Bhagavatamrta by Srila Sanatana Goswami, translated by Sriman Kusakratha dasa.
