Jul 02, CANADA (SUN) — By Srila Sanatana Goswami, translated by Sriman Kusakratha dasa.
Part One, Chapter Six:
Priyatama (The Most Dear Devotees)
Text 1
sri-parikshid uvaca
tac chrutvarye maha-prema-
rasaveshena yantritah
maha-vishnu-priyo vina-
hasto 'sau vismritakhilah
sada dvaravatavasa-
bhyastantah-pura-vartmana
prabhu-prasada-desantah-
pravesascarya-vahina
purvabhasad ivabhyasam
prasadasya gato munih
bhutavishto mahonmada-
grihitas ca yathetarah
Sri Parikshit said: O noble lady, after hearing these words, Lord Maha-Vishnu's dear devotee Narada, who holds a vina in his hand, overwhelmed with love, forgetting everything, and like a man possessed, walked on the path to the inner rooms of the Lord's palace, a path full of wonders that he had travelled many times before.
Text 2
bhumau kvapi skhalati patati kvapi tishthaty aceshtah
kvapy utkampam bhajati luthati kvapi rodity athartah
kvapy akrosan plutibhir ayate gayati kvapi nrityan
sarvam kvapi srayati yugapat prema-sampad-vikaram
Sometimes he stumbled. Sometimes he fell to the ground. Sometimes he stood motionless. Sometimes he trembled. Sometimes he rolled about. Sometimes he cried out. Sometimes wept floods of tears. Sometimes he sang and danced. Sometimes in a single moment he manifested together all the symptoms of the treasure of ecstatic love.
Text 3
he man-matar idanim tvam
savadhanatara bhava
sthiratam prapayanti mam
sa-dhairyam srinv idam svayam
O my mother, please be attentive. Please carefully hear someting that makes me become stunned with love.
Text 4
tasminn ahani kenapi
vaimanasyena veshmanah
antah-prakoshthe suptasya
prabhoh parsvam vihaya sah
adurad dehali-prante
nivishtah srimad-uddhavah
baladevo devaki ca
rohini rukmini tatha
satyabhamadayo 'nyas ca
devyah padmavati sa ca
pravritti-harini kamsa-
mata dasas tathaparah
tushnim bhutas ca te sarve
vartamanah sa-vismayam
tatra sri-naradam praptam
aikshantapurva-ceshtitam
On that day, as Lord Krishna morosely slept in His bedroom, Sriman Uddhava left His side and came to the doorway. Then Baladeva, Devaki, Rohini, Rukmini, the other queens headed by Satyabhama, Kamsa's gossipy mother Padmavati, the servants, and many others became silent and with wonder they gazed at Narada, who was acting in a way never seen before.
Text 5
utthaya yatnad aniya
svasthyam nitva kshanena tam
premasru-klinna-vadanam
prakshalyahuh sanair laghu
adrishta-purvam asmabhih
kidrisam te 'dya ceshtitam
akasmikam idam brahmams
tushnim upavisa kshanam
Rising, they made him wash his face and brought him to his natural condition. Slowly and softly they said: "O brahmana, we have never seen anything like this. What has suddenly happened to you? Please sit quietly for a moment."
Text 6
sri-parikshid uvaca
sa-gadgadam uvacasru-
dhara-milita-locane
yatnad unmilayan natva
sa-kampa-pulakacitah
Sri Parikshit said: Bowing down, trembling, and his bodily hairs erect, with great effort he opened his eyes flooded with tears, and with a voice choked with emotion said:
Text 7
sri-narada uvaca
manojna-saubhagya-bharaika-bhajanam
maya samam sangamayadhvay uddhavam
tadiya-padaika-rajo 'tha va bharet
tadaiva santir bata me 'ntaratmanah
Sri Narada said: Please bring me to supremely fortunate Uddhava. The dust of his feet will bring peace to my heart.
Text 8
puratanair adhunikais ca sevakair
alabdham apto 'lam anugraham prabhoh
mahattamo bhagavateshu yas tato
maha-vibhutih svayam ucyate ca yah
No devotee, either in ancient times or today, has attained the great mercy of the Lord he has attained. He is the greatest of devotees. The Lord Himself has described his glories.
Text 9
purve pare ca tanayah kamalasanadyah
sankarshanadi-sahajah suhridah sivadyah
bharya ramadaya utanupama sva-murtir
na syuh prabhoh priyatama yad-apekshayaha
His ancient and recent sons headed by Brahma, His brothers headed by Balarama, His friends headed by Siva, His wives headed by the goddess of fortune, and even His own transcendental form are not as dear to the Lord as Uddhava is. The Lord Himself has said this.
Text 10
bhagavad-vacanany eva
prathitani puratanah
tasya saubhagya-sandoha-
mahima-vyanjakany alam
The Lord's words since ancient times show the great glory of Uddhava's good fortune.
Text 11
tasmin prasada-jatani
sri-krishnasyadbhutany api
jagad-vilakshanany adya
gitani yadu-pungavaih
Today the extraordinary wonders of this mercy were sung by the best of the Yadus.
Text 12
pravisya karna-dvarena
samakramya hrid-alayam
madiyam sakalam dhairya-
dhanam lunthanti ha hathat
Passing through the door of my ears, and entering my heart, that description has now plundered all the wealth of my peaceful composure.
Text 13
sri-parikshid uvaca
uddhavo 'tyanta-sambhranto
drutam utthaya tat-padau
nidhayanke samalingya
tasyabhipretya hrid-gatam
hrit-prapta-bhagavat-tat-tat-
prasada-bhara-bhag-janah
tadiya-prema-sampatti-
vibhava-smriti-yantritah
rodanair vivaso dino
yatnad dhairyam srito munim
avadhapyaha matsaryat
sattvikat pramudam gatah
Sri Parikshit said: Bewildered, Uddhava at once stood up, placed Narada's feet on his chest, embraced them, understood what was in (Narada's) heart, remembered the great souls who had attained the Lord's great mercy, and was overcome with tears. With a great struggle regaining his peacefulness, happy with transcendental envy, he said to Narada Muni:
Text 14
srimad-uddhava uvaca
sarvajna satya-vak-sreshtha
maha-muni-vara prabho
bhagavad-bhakti-margadi-
gurunoktam tvayeha yat
Sriman Uddhava said: O all-knowing one, O best of the truthful, O best of the great sages, O lord, because you are the first teacher of the path of devotional service to the Lord, what you say is certainly true.
Text 15
tat sarvam adhikam casmat
satyam eva mayi sphutam
vartateti maya jnatam
asid anyair api dhruvam
All that you have said and more is true of me. I know this and others also know.
Text 16
idanim yad vraje gatva
kim apy anvabhavam tatah
maha-saubhagya-mano me
sa sadyas curnatam gatah
Recently I went to Vraja and saw something that ground into dust my pride in my own great good fortune.
Text 17
tata eva hi krishnasya
tat-prasadasya cadbhuta
tat-premno 'pi maya jnata
madhuri tadvatam tatha
There I could understand the wonderful sweetness of Lord Krishna, His mercy, His love, and His devotees.
Text 18
tad-darsanenaiva gato 'ti-dhanyatam
tarhy eva samyak prabhunanukampitam
tasya prasadatisayaspadam tatha
matva svam ananda-bharapluto 'bhavam
By seeing them I became very fortunate and attained all the Lord's mercy. Thinking that I had attained the Lord's great mercy, I became flooded with bliss.
Text 19
gayam gayam yad-abhilashata yat tato 'nushthitam yat
tat sarvesham su-viditam itah sakyate 'nyan na vaktum
natva natva muni-vara maya prarthyase kakubhis tvam
tat-tad-vritta-sravana-rasatah samsrayetha viramam
Singing about them again and again, I yearned to become their follower. Everyone knew. I cannot say more. O best of sages, I bow before you again and again. With plaintive words I beg you: Don't be so eager to hear of this.
Text 20
sri-parikshid uvaca
tad-vakya-tattvam vijnaya
rohini sasram abravit
cira-gokula-vasena
tatratya-jana-sammata
Sri Parikshit said: Understanding the meaning of what Uddhava said, Rohini, who having stayed for a long time in Gokula was dearly loved by the people there, tearfully said:
Text 21
sri-rohiny uvaca
astan sri-hari-dasa tvam
maha-durdaiva-maritan
saubhagya-gandha-rahitan
nimagnan dainya-sagare
tat-tad-vadava-vahny-arcis-
tapyamanan vishakulan
kshanacinta sukhinya me
ma smriteh padavim naya
Sri Rohini said: O servant of Lord Hari, I am happy. I have not a moment's worry. Please don't place on the path of my memory they whom misfortune has destroyed, who have not the slightest scent of good fortune, who are plunged in an ocean of sorrows, who are poisoned, who are set aflame by a host of burning volcanoes.
Text 22
aham sri-vasudevena
samanita tato yada
yasodaya mahartayas
tadanintana-rodanaih
gravo 'pi rodity asaner
apy antair dalati dhruvam
jivan-mritanam anyasam
vartam ko 'pi mukham nayet
When Maharaja Vasudeva took me (to Mathura) Yasoda cried so bitterly her tears broke what is harder than thunderbolts. On his mouth who can place the news of the other women there, who were like the living dead?
Text 23
athagatam guru-grihat
tvat-prabhum prati kincana
sankshepenaiva tad-vrittam
duhkhad akathayam ku-dhih
When your master returned from His guru's home I, being a fool, briefly and sadly told Him their story.
Text 24
na hi komalitam cittam
tenapy asya yato bhavan
sandesa-caturi-vidya-
pragalbhah preshitah param
His heart was not softened, for (He did not return, but in His stead) sent you, an eloquent speaker of messages.
Text 25
ayam eva hi kim teshu
tvat-prabhoh paramo mahan
anugraha-prasado yas
tatparyenocyate tvaya
Why, then, do you say that your master has given His best mercy to them?
Text 26
mama pratyeksham evedam
yada krishno vraje 'vrajat
tato hi putanadibhyah
kesy-antebhyo muhur muhuh
daityebhyo varunendradi-
devebhyo 'jagaraditah
tatha cirantana-sviya-
sakatarjuna-bhangatah
ko va nopadravas tatra
jato vraja-vinasakah
tatratyas tu janah kincit
te 'nusandadhate na tat
When Krishna was in Vraja, from demons beginning with Putana and ending with Kesi, from demigods beginning with Varuna and Indra, from a serpent and other creatures, from the breaking of the old cart and the arjuna trees, what calamity did not attack Vraja before my own eyes? Still, the people there were not troubled.
Text 27
mohita iva krishnasya
mangalam tatra tatra hi
icchanti sarvada sviyam
napekshante ca karhicit
It was as if they had become enchanted. They always wished for Krishna's welfare and they never considered their own.
Text 28
sva-bhava-sauhridenaiva
yat kincit sarvam atmanah
asyopakalpayante sma
nanda-sunoh sukhaya tat
Everything they did was for Krishna's happiness, done out out of love.
Text 29
tadanim api namisham
kincit tat prabhuna kritam
idanim sadhita-svartho
yac cakre 'yam kva vacmi tat
Before your master did not do anything for their welfare. How can I describe what He does now that His goals are fulfilled?
Text 30
sri-parikshid uvaca
tac chrutva dushta-kamsasya
janani dhrishta-ceshtita
jara-hata-vicara sa
sa-sirah-kampam abravit
Sri Parikshit said: Hearing this, wicked Kamsa's arrogant and senile mother, shaking her head, said:
Text 31
sri-padmavaty uvaca
aho batacyutas tesham
gopanam akripavatam
abalyat kantakaranye
palayam asa go-ganan
Sri Padmavati said: Alas! From childhood Krishna protected in a forest of brambles the cows of these merciless cowherds!
Text 32
paduke na dadus tasmai
kadacic ca kshudhatura
go-rasam bhakshayet kincid
imam badhnanti tat striyah
They never gave Him even shoes! When, tortured by hunger, He drank a little milk, the women tied Him up!
Text 33
akrosanti ca tad duhkham
kala-gatyaiva kritsnasah
krishnena sodhum adhuna
kim kartavyam bataparam
Let them cry. Krishna suffered so much in the course of time. What must He do for them now?
Text 34
sri-parikshid uvaca
prajna-gambhirya-sampurna
rohini vraja-vallabha
tasya vakyam anadritya
prastutam samvrinoti yat
Deeply intelligent Rohini, who was very dear to Vraja, ignored her words and chose to glorify (the people of Vraja).
Text 35
sri-rohiny uvaca
rajadhanim yadunam ca
praptah sri-mathuram ayam
hatari-vargo visranto
raja-rajesvaro 'bhavat
Sri Rohini said: Krishna went to the Yadus' capitol, Mathura, killed His enemies, and then became the happy king of kings of kings.
Text 36
nirjitopakritasesha-
devata-vrinda-vanditah
aho smarati citte 'pi
na tesham bhavad-isvarah
Your master, to whom the defeated demigods bow down, in His heart does not remember them.
Text 37
sri-parikshid uvaca
tad-vaco 'sahamanaha
devi krishnasya vallabha
sada krita-nivasasya
hridaye bhishma-nandini
Sri Parikshit said: Unable to tolerate these words, Krishna's beloved queen Rukmini, who always stays in His heart, said:
Text 38
sri-rukminy uvaca
bho matar navanitati-
mridu-svantasya tasya hi
avijnayantaram kincit
katham evam tvayocyate
Sri Rukmini said: O mother, how, without understanding how His heart is softer than fresh butter, can you speak in this way?
Text 39
yuyam srinuta vrittani
tarhi tarhi srutani me
kim api kim api brute
ratrau svapann api namabhih
madhura-madhuram pritya
dhenur ivahvayati kvacit
uta sakhi-ganan kamscid
gopan ivatha manoharan
samabhinayate vamsi-
vaktram tri-bhanga-parakritim
kadacin matar me vitara
navanitam tv iti vadet
kadacid chri-radhe
lalita iti sambodhayati mam
kadapidam candravali
kim api me karshati patam
kadapy asrasarair
mridulayati tulim sayanatah
All of you please hear what I have heard. When He sleeps at night sometimes He sweetly and lovingly calls many cows by name and sometimes he calls His charming gopa friends. Sometimes His transcendental form bends in three places and He pretends to place the flute to His mouth. Sometimes He says, "Mother, give Me some fresh butter!" Sometimes He calls to me, {.sy 168}Sri Radha! Lalita!" Sometimes He says, "Candravali, why?" and tugs at my garment. Sometimes, as He sleeps, He softens the pillow with many tears.
Text 40
svapnad utthaya sadyo 'tha
rodity arta-svarais tatha
vayam yena nimajjamo
duhkha-soka-maharnave
Suddenly rising from the bed, He weeps, making sounds of grief, and by this we become plunged in an ocean of tormented grief.
Text 41
adyapi drishtva kim api svapan nisi
krandan sucasau vimanaskataturah
dattvambaram murdhani suptavat sthito
nityani krityany api nacarad bata
Seeing something in a dream last night, He has become very depressed. Weeping in grief, He covers His head with a blanket and pretends to sleep. Today He has not done any of His regular duties.
Text 42
sri-parikshid uvaca
sa-sapatni-gana sershyam
satyabhamaha bhamini
he sri-rukmini nidrayam
iti kim tvam prajalpasi
Surrounded by her co-wives, Queen Satyabhama jealously said: O Sri Rukmini, why do you say "at night"?
Text 43
kim api kim api kurvan jagrad apy atma-citte
sayita iva vidhatte tadrisam tadrisam ca
vayam iha kila bharya namato vastutah syuh
pasupa-yuvati-dasyo 'py asmad asya priyas tah
Awake He is dazed, as if in His heart He sleeps, and again and again He (laments) as when He slept. We are His wives in name only. His young gopi maidservants are more dear to Him than we.
Text 44
sri-parikshid uvaca
asaktas tad-vacah sodhum
gokula-prana-bandhavah
rohini-nandanah sriman
balaramo rushabravit
Sri Parikshit said: Unable to tolerate these words, Rohini's son, glorious Balarama, who was the life-friend of Gokula, angrily said:
Text 45
sri-baladeva uvaca
vadhvah sahaja-tatratya-
dainya-varta-kathaparan
asman vancayato bhratur
idam kapata-patavam
Sri Baladeva said: Girls, My brother is tricking us. His talk of the sorrows of the the people there (in Vraja) is only His expert skill at cheating others.
Text 46
tatra masa-dvayam sthita
tesham svasthyam cikirshata
tan na saktam maya kartum
vagbhir acaritair api
Although, wishing to bring the (people there) to an auspicious condition of life, I stayed (in Vraja) for two months, with my words and deeds I was not able to do it.
Text 47
ananya-sadhyam tad vikshya
vivdhaih sapathaih sataih
tan yatnad ishad asvasya
tvarayatragatam balat
Seeing that no one but Krishna could help them, with hundreds of promises I comforted them a little, and then I quickly returned here.
Text 48
kataryad gaditam krishna
sakrid goshtham kayapi tat
gatva prasanga-sangatya
raksha tatratya-jivanam
I anxiously said: "Krishna, go at once to Vraja and with Your company save the lives of the people there."
Text 49
gantasmiti mukhe brute
hridayam ca na tadrisam
manasasya hi bhavasya
bhavet sakshi-prayojanam
His mouth said, "I will go," but His heart did not say it. His deeds bear witness to the real condition of His heart.
Text 50
sri-parikshid uvaca
idam akarnya bhagavan
utthaya sayanad drutam
priya-prema-paradhino
rudann uccair bahir gatah
Sri Parikshit said: Hearing this, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is conquered by His dear devotees' love, suddenly rose from bed and, weeping loudly, went outside.
Text 51
praphulla-padma-netrabhyam
varshann asruni dharaya
sa-gadgadam jagadedam
paranugraha-katarah
Overcome with compassion, and raining streams of tears from His blossoming lotus eyes, in a choked voice He said:
Text 52
sri-bhagavan uvaca
satyam eva maha-vajra-
sarena ghatitam mama
idam hridayam adyapi
dvidha yan na vidiryate
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Through struck by the greatest thunderbolt, My heart does not break in two.
Text 53
balyad arabhya tair yuktam
palanam vihitam ciram
apy asadharanam prema
sarvam tad vismritam maya
I have forgotten their extraordinary love for Me and how they protected Me for a long time since I was a child.
Text 54
astu tavad dhitam tesham
karyam kincit kathancana
utatyantam kritam duhkham
krurena mridulatmanam
May they somehow become happy. I have cruelly brought great suffering to they whose hearts are gentle.
Text 55
bhratar uddhava sarvajna
preshtha-sreshtha vada drutam
karavani kim ity asmac
chokabdher mam samuddhara
All-knowing, dearest friend, brother Uddhava, what should I do? Please tell Me at once. Lift Me up from this ocean of grief.
Text 56
sri-parikshid uvaca
nanda-patni-priya-sakhi
devaki putra-vatsala
ahedam diyatam yad yad
ishyate taih suhrittamaih
Sri Parikshit said: Then Devaki, who loved her son and who was the dear friend of Nanda's wife, said: "You should give Your dear friends whatever they wish."
Text 57
tatah padmavati rajya-
dana-bhita vimudha-dhih
mahishi yadu-rajasya
vriddha matamahi prabhoh
apy uktasravanat purvam
rama-matravahelita
sva-bhartu rakshitum rajyam
caturyat parihasavat
Then Padmavati, who is the Lord's old grandmother and Yaduraja Ugrasena's senile queen, who feared that now the kingdom would be given away in charity, and who felt insulted because Balarama's mother would not listen to her words,in order to protect her husband's kingdom, cleverly spoke, as if joking.
Text 58
vyahara-paripatyanya-
cittatapadanena tam
yadu-vamsy-eka-sravanam
vidhatum svastham abravit
With her words to change His mind and bring an auspicious condition to Him, Lord Krishna, the only shelter of the Yadu family, she said:
Text 59
sri-padmavaty uvaca
tvayanutapyate krishna
katham man-mantritam srinu
yad ekadasabhir varshair
nanda-gopasya mandire
dvabhyam bhratribhyam
upabhuktam hi vartate
tatra dadyan na dadyad va
go-rakshajivanam sa te
sarvam tad-garga-hastena
ganayitva kananusah
dvi-guni-kritya mad-bhartra
tasmai deyam sape svayam
Sri Padmavati said: Krishna, why are You troubled? Listen to my advice. With his own hand Garga Muni will calculate every morsel of food You two brothers ate for the eleven years You protected the cows in Nanda's home. Then I promise that my husband (Ugrasena) will give him (Nanda) twice that. I promise this.
Text 60
sri-parikshid uvaca
tac ca sri-bhagavan kritva
srutam apy asrutam yatha
ajanann iva papraccha
soka-vegad athoddhavam
Sri Parikshit said: As if He both heard and did not hear, and as if He did not understand at all, out of grief the Supreme Personality of Godhead spoke to Uddhava.
Text 61
sri-bhagavan uvaca
bho vidvad-vara tatratya-
khilabhipraya-vid bhavan
tesham abhishtam kim tan me
kathayatv avilambitam
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O best of the wise, O you who know all the wishes of Vraja's people, tell Me at once what they wish of Me.
Text 62
sri-parikshid uvaca
tac chrutva bhagavad-vakyam
uddhavo hridi duhkhitah
kshanam nisvasya vismerah
sanutapam jagada tam
Sri Parikshit said: Hearing the Lord's words, Uddhava became filled with wonder and unhappy at heart. He sighed and unhappily said to Him:
Text 63
srimad-uddhava uvaca
na raja-rajesvarata vibhutir
na divya-vastuni ca te bhavattah
na kamayante 'nyad apiha kincid
amutra ca prapyam rite bhavantam
Sriman Uddhava said: They do not wish the opulences of the king of the kings of kings. They do not wish from You any glorious valuables. They do not wish anything but You in this life or the next.
Text 64
avadhana-prasado 'tra
kriyatam jnapayami yat
pascad vicarya kartavyam
svayam eva yathocitam
Please give me the mercy of Your attention. I will speak, and then You may consider what should be done.
Text 65
purvam nandasya sangatya
bhavata preshitani te
bhushanadini drishtvocur
mitho magnah sucambudhau
Previously (when the people of Vraja,) saw the ornaments and other things You had sent back with Nanda, they became plunged in an ocean of grief and said:
Text 66
aho bata mahat kashtam
vayam etad abhipsavah
etat-prasada-yogyas ca
jnatah krishnena samprati
tad asmaj-jivanam dhig dhik
tishthet kanthe 'dhunapi yat
nanda-gopams ca dhig dhig ye
tam tyaktvaitany upanayan
"Alas! Alas! Alas! Now Krishna thinks we want these things (and giving them to us) is His mercy! Miserable! Miserable is the life-breath that still stays on our throats! Miserable! Miserable are Nanda and the gopas, who left Krishna behind and brought us these things!"
Text 67
tatas tvad-gamanasam ca
hitva saha yasodaya
mrita-praya bhavan-matra
rebhire 'nasanam mahat
Now that they have given up hope that You will return, the people of Vraja, along with Your mother, Yasoda, are on the verge of death. Now they have begun a great fasting (until death).
Text 68
kritaparadhavan nando
vaktum kincid dina-trayam
asakto 'tyanta-sokarta
vraja-pranan avan gatan
bhavatas tatra yanoktim
grahayan sapathotkaraih
darsayan yukti-caturyam
amun evam asas tv ayat
Overcome with grief, and thinking he had committed an offense, Nanda could not speak for three days. Then, explaining with great reason, and repeating Your promise to return, He gave hope to the people of Vraja and saved their lives.
Text 69
sri-nanda uvaca
dravyany adau prema-cihnani putra
etany atra prahinot satya-vakyah
sighram pascad agamishyaty avasyam
tatratyam sva-prastutartham samapya
Sri Nanda said: My son sent these things as tokens of His love. He will keep His word. He will quickly return as soon as He finishes His duties there.
Text 70
srimad-uddhava uvaca
srutva te tatra visvasya
sarve sarala-manasah
bhavat-pritim samalocya-
lankaran dadhur atmasu
Sriman Uddhava said: Hearing these words, the simple-hearted people of Vraja believed them. Seeing these ornaments as signs of Your love, they placed them on their bodies.
Text 71
sri-krishno 'tra samagatya
prasada-dravya-sangrahat
vikshyajna-palakan asman
nitaram kripayishyati
They thought: "When He returns, Krishna will see that we followed His order by wearing these prasadam-ornaments and He will be very kind to us."
Text 72
bhavan svayam agatva tu
yah sandesam samarpya mam
prahinot tena te sarve
babhuvur nihata iva
When You did not personally return, but only sent me with a message, they all became as if dead.
Text 73
tatha drishtya maya tatra
bhavato gamanam dhruvam
pratijnaya prayatnat tan
jivayitva samagatam
Seeing this, I promised You would return, and with a great effort I saved their lives.
Text 74
tvat-praptaye 'tha sannyasta-
samasta-vishayasrayah
prapur yadrig avastham te
tam pricchaitam nijagrajam
To attain You they have renounced all sense pleasures. Ask Your elder brother what condition they have attained.
Text 75
sri-parikshid uvaca
tad-viccheda-maha-duhkha-
sankaya mlapitani sah
devaki-bhishmajadinam
mukhany avanatany adhah
ksharad-asrani sa-sneham
vilokya mridulasayah
masi-karpara-patrani
vyagro 'yacatah samjnaya
Sri Parikshit said: Seeing that Devaki, Rukmini and the others were terrified of being separated from Him and their bowed faces were wilting and shedding tears out of love, Krishna's heart became softened and, agitated, He suddenly called for leaf-pages and a pot of ink.
Text 76
prastutartham samadhaya-
tratyan asvasya bandhavan
esho 'ham agata-praya
iti janita mat-priyah
evam asvasanam prema-
patram preshayitum vraje
sva-hastenaiva likhitam
tac ca gadha-pratitaye
"After I finish My duties and have comforted My friends here, I will soon return. O dear friends, please know this." With His own hand He wrote this comforting letter of love to make their faith strong,
Text 77
tasyehitam abhipretya
prapto 'tyantartim uddhavah
vraja-vasi-mano-'bhijno
'bravit sa-sapatham rudan
Knowing what Krishna had done, and also knowing the hearts of the people of Vraja, Uddhava became very unhappy and exclaimed:
Text 78
srimad-uddhava uvaca
prabho su-nirnitam idam pratihi
tvadiya-padabja-yugasya tatra
subha-prayanam na vinasya jived
vrajah kathancin na ca kincid icchet
Sriman Uddhava said: Lord, Please understand the conclusion. Without the auspicious return of Your lotus feet, the people of Vraja cannot remain alive. They do not desire anything but this.
Text 79
sri-parikshid uvaca
kumatih kamsa-mataha
sa-hasam dhunvati sirah
hum hum devaki nirbuddhe
buddham buddham mayadhuna
Sri Parikshit said: Shaking her head and laughing, Kamsa's mother, senile Padmavati said, "Ah! Ah! Foolish Devaki, now I understand! Now I understand!
Text 80
ciram go-rasa-danena
yantritasyoddhavasya te
sahayyat tvat-sutam gopa
nayayitva punar vane
bhishane durgame dushta-
sattva-jushte sa-kantake
samrakshayitum icchanti
dhurtah pasu-ganan nijan
"By giving him milk again and again the cowherd people bewitched Uddhava so he would bring your son Krishna back to Vraja to help them. These rascals want Him to protect their cows in the terrible, impassable, bramble-filled forest filled with wild animals."
Text 81
sri-parikshid uvaca
tac chrutva kutsitam vakyam
asakta sodhum anjasa
yasodayah priya-sakhi
rama-mataha kopita
Sri Parikshit said: Unable to bear hearing these horrible words, Rohini, who was Balarama's mother and Yasoda's dear friend, became angry and spoke.
Text 82
sri-rohiny uvaca
ah kamsa-matah kim ayam
go-rakshayam niyujyate
kshana-matram ca tatratyair
adrishto 'smin na jivyate
Sri Rohini said: O mother of Kamsa, what is this about Krishna being used to protect the cows? If they do not see Him, the people in Vraja cannot live for a moment.
Text 83
vrikshadibhis tv antarite kadacid
asmin sati syat saha-carinam bhrisam
sri-krishna krishneti maha-pluta-svarair
ahvana-bhangyakulata sa-rodana
vraja-sthitanam tv ahar eva kala-
ratrir bhaved eka-lavo yugam ca
ravim rajo-vartma sa pasyatam muhur
dasa ca kacin muralim ca srinvatam
When Krishna was behind a tree or something else, His friends would call out, "Sri Krishna! Krishna! with a loud sound. Without Krishna every moment of the day and night became like a yuga for the people of Vraja. Again and again they looked for the sun or the pathway of dust or listened for the flute.
Note: When during the day Krishna was protecting the cows in the pasturing ground, the people of Vraja anxiously waited for His return. They looked to see how soon the sun would set (the time of Krishna's return), they looked in the distance for signs of dust raised by the cows' hooves (the harbinger of Krishna's return), and they listened for the sound of Krishna playing the flute.
Text 84
ayam hi tat-tad-vipineshu kautukad
vihartu-kamah pasu-sangha-sangatah
vayasya-vargaih saha sarvato 'titum
prayati nityam svayam agrajanvitah
Eager to play, He would happily wander with His elder brother, His friends, and the cows through many forests.
Text 85
yatrati-mattambu-vihanga-mala-
kuli-kritaly-avali-vibhramena
vicalitanam kamalotpalanam
saramsi gandhair vilasaj-jalani
tatha mahascarya-vicitrata-mayi
kalindaja sa vraja-bhumi-sangini
tatha-vidha vindhya-nagadi-sambhavah
paras ca nadyo vilasanti yatra ca
There are many splendid lakes fragrant with lotus flowers moving with the pastimes of many intoxicated water-birds and bumblebees. There the very wonderful Yamuna touches the land of Vraja. There many other rivers like the Yamuna gloriously flow from the Vindhya Hills and other places.
Text 86
tat-tat-tatam komala-balukacitam
ramyam sada nutana-sadvalavritam
svabhavika-dvesha-visarjanollasan-
manojna-nana-mriga-pakshi-sankulam
divya-pushpa-phala-pallavavali-
bhara-namrita-lata-taru-gulmaih
bhushitam mada-kalapi-kokila-
sreni-naditam aja-stuti-patram
The charming river and lake shores are filled with delicate bakula flowers, covered with fresh grass, crowded with many different birds and animals free from natural feelings of enmity, decorated with many vines, trees, and bushes bowing down with the great weight of many splendid fruits, flowers, and blossoming twigs, and musical with the sounds of maddened peacocks and cuckoos. They are the object of Brahma's prayers.
Text 87
vrindaranye vraja-bhuvi gavam tatra govardhane va
nasti himsa-harana-rahite rakshakasyapy apeksha
gavo gatvoshasi vipinatas ta mahishy-adi-yuktah
svairam bhuktva sa-jala-yavasam sayam ayanti vasam
In the land of Vraja, in Vrindavana forest, or on Govardhana Hill, places where there is no danger of their being killed or stolen, the cows, buffaloes, and other animals go in the morning, eat grass and drink water to their heart's content, and then voluntarily return to their homes in the evening.
Note: The people of Vraja have no need to lure Krishna back to protect the cows that can take care of themselves and need no protector.
Text 88
sri-vriddhovaca
are baleti vacale
tat katham te gavadayah
adhuna rakshakabhavan
nashta iti nisamyate
The old lady said: O talkative child, then why have we heard that now, for want of protection, many of the cows and other animals have died?
Text 89
sri-parikshid uvaca
srimad-gopaladevas tac
chrutva sambhranti-yantritah
jatantas-tapatah sushyan-
mukhabjah sankayakulah
prathamapara-kalina-
vraja-vrittanta-vedinah
mukham alokayam asa
baladevasya sasrukam
Sri Parikshit said: Hearing this, Lord Krishn , bewildered, tormented with fears, His heart burning with pain, and His lotus face withered, tearfully looked at the face of Balarama, who knew all the news, past and present, of Vraja.
Text 90
rohini-nandano bhratur
bhavam buddhah smaran vrajam
sva-dhairya-rakshanasaktah
prarudann abravit sphutam
Balarama understood His brother's condition. Unable to remain peaceful as He remembered Vraja, weeping, He spoke,
Text 91
sri-baladeva uvaca
gavam keva katha krishna
te te 'pi bhavatah priyah
mriga vihanga bhandira-
kadambadyas ca padapah
lata-nikunja-kunjani
sadvalany api jivanam
bhavaty evarpayam asuh
kshinas ca sarito 'drayah
Sri Balarama said: O Krishna, what can I say about the cows? Everyone in Vraja is dear to You. The deer, birds, trees headed by the bhandiras and kadambas, vines, forest groves, and even the grass have now given up their lives for Your sake. Even the hills and rivers have withered and gone dry.
Text 92
manushyah katicid bhratah
param te satya-vakyatah
jatasayaiva jivanti
neccha srotum atah param
Brother, nourished by the hope that You will keep Your promise, a few humans remain alive. You don't wish to hear any more.
Text 93
kintv idanim api bhavan
yadi tan no 'nukampate
yama eva tada sarvan
vegenanugrahishyati
If You are not kind to them now, then death will quickly be kind to them.
Text 94
yat tatra ca tvayakari
nivishah kaliya-hradah
soko 'yam vipulas tesham
soke 'nyat karanam srinu
That You removed the posion from Kaliya lake makes them lament bitterly. Now please hear another reason for their lamentation.
Text 95
tatratya yamuna sv-alpa-
jala sushkeva sajani
govardhano 'bhun nico 'sau
svah prapto yo dhritas tvaya
The Yamuna river has very little water. It is almost dry. Govardhana Hill, which You personally held, has become stunted.
Text 96
na yanty anasanat pranas
tvan-namamrita-sevinam
param sushka-maharanya-
davagnir bhavita gatih
They do not eat, but because they still drink the nectar of Your name death does not leave them. Their future is a fire in the great dry forest.
Text 97
sri-parikshid uvaca
srinvann asau tat-para-duhkha-katarah
kanthe grihitva mridula-svabhavakah
ramam maha-dina-vad asru-dharaya
dhautanga-rago 'rudad ucca-su-svaram
Sri Parikshit said: Hearing this, gentle Krishna was overwhelmed with grief. Clinging to Balarama's neck, He loudly wept as if He were the most miserable person. The stream of His tears washed away the ointments decorating His body.
Text 98
pascad bhumi-tale lulotha sa-balo matar mumoha kshanat
tadrig rodana-duhsthatanubhavatas capurva-vrittam tayoh
rohiny-uddhava-devaki-madana-su-sri-satyabhamadayah
sarve 'ntah-pura-vasino vikalatam bheju rudanto muhuh
O mother, then Krishna and Balarama rolled about on the ground and, after a moment, fainted. Seeing the unprecedented nature of Their weeping and pain, Rohini, Devaki, Rukmini, Satyabhama, and everyone else in the palace's inner rooms became overwhelmed with grief. They wept again and again.
Text 99
srutvantah-purato 'py apurva-kalitakrandam maharta-svarair
dhavanto yadavo javena vasudevenograsenadayah
tatragatya tatha-vidham prabhu-varam drishtvarudan vihvala
vipra garga-mukhas tatha pura-janas capurva-drishtekshaya
Hearing from the palace's inner rooms screams of grief never heard before, Vasudeva and the Yadavas headed by Ugrasena quickly ran there. Arriving, and seeing their Lord in that way, they wept, overcome with grief. By seeing this sight, which had never been seen before, the people of the city and the brahmanas headed by Garga Muni also wept.
