Sri Brhad-Bhagavatamrta, Part 12
BY: SUN STAFF
Jul 08, CANADA (SUN) — By Srila Sanatana Goswami, translated by Sriman Kusakratha dasa.
Part Two, Chapter Four
Vaikuntha
Text 1
sri-gopa-kumara uvaca
ekakinatra bhramata mayasya
bhumeh sriyam kutracid apy adrishtam
sampasyata samvasata vanantah
sarvam vimohad iva vismritam tat
Sri Gopa-kumara said: Wandering alone as I lived in the forest, when I saw the beauty of that land, a beauty never before seen, I forgot everything as if I were under a spell.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this statement shows that the land of Vraja is more glorious than any other place in the material or spiritual worlds. Its beauty is so great it made Gopa-kumara completely forget the realm of Vaikuntha.
Text 2
sriman-madhu-purim krida-
bhramana-kramato gatah
tatra mathura-viprebhyo
'srausham bhagavatadikam
Playfully wandering, I came to the beautiful city of Mathura. From the brahmanas there I heard Srimad-Bhagavatam and other scriptures.
Text 3
bhaktim nava-vidham samyag
jnatvedam vanam agatah
apasyam sahasaivatra
srimad-guru-varam nijam
After learning from them the nine-fold devotional service, I came to this forest and suddenly saw my exalted guru.
Text 4
purvavad rajamano 'sau
drishtva mam pranatam muda
sasirvadam samalingya
sarvajno kripayattaram
He was glorious as before. Seeing me bowing before him, he, who knew everything, happily blessed me, embraced me, and gave me his mercy.
Text 5
tasya prasadam asadya
maha-gudha-prakasakam
anvatishtham yathadishtam
bhakti-yogam anaratam
I attained his mercy. He revealed great secrets. As he taught me, I practiced the yoga of devotional service.
Text 6
sanjatenacirat prema-
purena vivaso 'bhavam
na kartum asakam kincit
param tam samakirtayam
Soon I was overcome with a flood of love. I could not do anything. I could only chant the holy names.
Text 7
sri-krishna gopala hare mukunda
govinda he nanda-kisora krishna
ha sri-yasoda-tanaya prasida
sri-ballavi-jivana radhikesa
"O Sri Krishna! Gopala! Hari! Mukunda! Govinda! O son of Nanda! Krishna! O son of Yasoda! Life of the gopis! Lord of Radhika! Please be kind!"
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that these ten name of the Lord are especially dear.
Text 8
evam sa-ganam bahudhahvayams tam
kshanam pranrityan kshanam udrudams ca
unmattavat kamam itas tato 'ham
bhramami dehadikam asmaran svam
Singing these words, again and again I called out to the Lord. Somethimes dancing, and sometimes crying out as a madman, I wandered here and there, forgetting my own body and everything else.
Text 9
ekada tam nija-prana-
natham pasyann ivagratah
dhartum dhavan gato moham
nyapatam prema-vihvalah
Once I saw the Lord of my life before me. Running to grasp Him, I fainted and fell, overcome with love.
Text 10
tavat taih parshadair etya
vaikuntham netum atmanah
yanam aropitah sadyo
vyutthayacalayam drisau
At that moment the Lord's associates came to bring me to Vaikuntha. I entered their airplane. Regaining consciousness, I restlessly moved my eyes to and fro.
Texts 11 and 12
sarvam anyadrisam drishtva
vismitah svasthatam gatah
parsve 'pasyam pura drishtams
tan evatma-priyankaran
maha-tejasvinam tejo
muncato 'nupamam varam
vimanam yogyam arudhan
anirupyam su-rupavat
Seeing everything was changed, I was filled with wonder. I was comforted when I saw at my side the dear friends I had seen before. Eclipsing the splendor of the most splendid things, they were now riding on an incomparable, supremely splendid, indescribable, beautiful airplane.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the dear friends here are the Lord's Vaikuntha associates he had met before.
Text 13
sambhramat pranamantam mam
aslishyasvasayan muhuh
aicchan sva-sadrisam rupam
datum yukti-satena te
I respectfully bowed before them. They embraced me and again and again reassured me. With a hundred reasons they wished to give me a form like theirs.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that they wished to give him a four-armed form. "A human form is not appropriate in Vaikuntha. In such a form you will not be happy there", is an example of one of the reasons they gave.
Text 14
tad asvi-kritya tu sviyam
govardhana-bhavam vapuh
tesham prabhavatas tadrig
guna-rupady alambhayam
I did not accept. Instead, my own form, which had been born on Govardhana Hill, attained spiritual qualities like theirs.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that Gopa-kumara did not accept the sarupya-mukti they offered. Instead, his own form became eternal, splendid, and filled with the same spiritual attributes as theirs.
Texts 15-18
paramananda-yuktena
durvitarkyena vartmana
jagad-vilakshanenaham
vaikuntham taih saha vrajan
teshu lokeshv alokeshv a-
varaneshv api sarvatah
drishti-pato 'pi lajjeyam
pujye tad-adhikaribhih
loka-paladbhis cordhva-
mukhaih sanjali-mastakaih
vegad utkshipyamanabhih
pushpa-lajadi-vrishtibhih
taih stuyamano jaya-sabda-purvakam
pranamyamanas ca pade pade calan
tuccham puro mukti-padam ca locayan
urdhvam tatah sri-sivalokam avrajam
Traveling with them to Vaikuntha on a blissful, inconceivable, supernatural path, I became embarrassed when I glanced at the different planets and the coverings of the universe. With folded hands and bent heads, the rulers of the planets eagerly worshiped me with showers of flowers. As they praised me with words of "Glory!" and as they bowed before me at every step, I saw insiginificant impersonal liberation berfore me, and then, going above it, went to Sivaloka.
Text 19
somam sivam tatra muda pranamya
tenadara-prema-sad-ukti-jalaih
anandito vakya-mano-durapa-
mahatmya-malam tam agam vikuntham
I happily bowed down before Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati. With a network of affectionate, respectful, and kind words, he delighted me. Then I went to Vaikuntha, which is garlanded with glories beyond the reach of the mind and words.
Text 20
parshadair idam ukto 'ham
tvam tishtheha kshanam bahih
vijnapya prabhum asmabhih
purim yavat pravekshyase
Then the Lord's associates said to me: "Wait outside for a moment. We will inform the Lord, and then you may enter.
Text 21
atradrishtasrutascarya-
samudrormi-paramparam
bhagavad-bhakti-diptabhyam
netrabhyam ganaya sthirah
"Stay here and, with eyes alight with devotion for the Lord, see the waves in this ocean of wonders never seen or heard of before."
Text 22
sri-gopa-kumara uvaca
teshu cantah-pravishteshu
dvara-prante bahih-sthitah
apasyam ekam ayantam
pravisantam ca tam purim
Sri Gopa-kumara said: As they went inside and I stayed outside the gate, I saw someone come and begin to enter that city.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the city here is Vaikuntha and the person entering is a resident of Vaikuntha.
Text 23
brahmanda-sata-bhuty-adhya-
sad-yanarudham adbhutaih
gitadibhir mudavishtam
kanty-adyaih sadrisam prabhoh
He was on a transcendental airplane that was rich with the opulences of hundreds of universes. Singing wonderful songs and (glorifying the Lord in) many other ways, he was filled with happiness. His splendid handsomeness and other features were like the Lord's.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the word {.sy 168}adibhih" here means "chanting, acting in dramatic performances, and glorifying the Lord in other ways". The word "kanti" here means that His bodily complexion was dark and His features were like the Lord's. The word "adyaih" here means that his youthfulness ornaments, bracelets, handsomeness, and other features were like the Lord's.
Text 24
tam matva sri-harim natha
pahiti muhur alapan
naman karnau pidhayaham
samjnayanena varitah
Thinking he was Lord Hari, again and again I said to him: "O Lord, please save me!" He at once covered his hears, bowed down before me, and stopped me with these words:
Text 25
daso 'smi dasa-daso 'smity
uktva tasmin gate 'ntaram
anyah ko 'py agato 'mushman
mahiyan vaibhavadibhih
He said: "I am a servant. I am a servant of the servants", and went inside. Then another person, who was even more opulent and glorious, came.
Text 26
tam drishtva sarvathamamsi
jagadisam aham purim
pravisantam nijam etya
gatva kutrapi lilaya
Seeing him, I thought he must be the Lord of the universes, who in his pastimes had gone somewhere and was now entering his own city.
Text 27
sambhramaih pranamantam mam
purvavat stuti-purvakam
drishtva so 'pi tathaivoktva
sa-sneham pravisat purim
Seeing me respectfully bowing down and speaking prayers as I had before, he affectionately spoke to me as the other person had, and then he entered the city.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that Gopa-kumara again said, "O lord, please save me!" and the person addressed covered his ears and said, "I am a servant of the servants".
Texts 28 and 29
ko 'py ekaso dvandvaso 'nye
yugapad bahuso 'pare
purva-purvadhika-srikah
pravisanti purim prabhoh
tams ca pasyan purevaham
majjan sambhrama-sagare
naman stavan nivarye taih
snigdha-vag-amritais tatha
More persons, some alone, some in groups of two, and some in very large groups, came, each more glorious than those before, and entered the Lord's city. Seeing them, as before, I dived into the ocean of awe and reverence, bowed down before them, and offered prayers to them, but they stopped me and spoke to me with the nectar of affectionate words, as the others had before them.
Text 30
teshu sva-seva-samagrim
grihitva ke 'pi kam api
dhavanti puratah kecin
matta bhakti-sudha-rasaih
Some were carrying things to offer the Lord and some, introxicated by the nectar of loving devotion, ran ahead.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that they were carrying parasols, camara wisks, and other paraphernalia for worshiping the Lord.
Text 31
evam atmatma-sevasu
vyagrantahkaranendriyah
vicitra-bhajanananda-
vinoda-bhara-bhu shitah
Their minds and senses were intent on their own specific services. They were decorated with pastimes of the bliss of wonderful services.
Texts 32 and 33
bhu sha-bhu shana-sarvanga
nija-prabhu-varocitah
pranamantah stavantas ca
kurvanas citram ihitam
vitanvato maha-lila-
kautukam cakravartivat
lakshmi-pater bhagavatas
caranabja-didrikshavah
All their limbs decorated the decorations they wore. They were glorious as the Lord Himself. Bowing down and reciting prayers, they acted wonderfully. They enjoyed a wonder of great pastimes, as emperors do. They yearned to see the lotus feet of the Lord, the goddess of fortune's husband.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that their handsomeness and other virtues were like those of the Lord of Vaikuntha Hismelf. Their wonderful activities included chanting and dancing. As an emperor's doorkeepers and other servants eat, drink, and enjoy in royal style, so did they.
Text 34
kecit sa-parivaras te
kecic ca sa-paricchadah
kecid bahir-dhrita-sviya-
parivara-paricchadah
Some came with associates, some with paraphernalia, and some with both associates and paraphernalia.
Text 35
svasminn eva vilapyaike
kritsnam parikaram nijam
akincana ivaikaki-
taya dhyana-rasaplutah
Some merged their associates and paraphernalia in their own selves and became like penniless solitary sages plunged in the nectar of meditation.
Text 36
kecid vicitra-rupani
dhritva dhritva muhur muhuh
vicitra-bhu shanakara-
viharadhya manoharah
Some moment by moment manifested different wonderful and charming forms, each opulent with different and wonderful ornaments, features, and pastimes.
Text 37
kecin nara vanaras ca
deva daityas tatharshayah
pare varnasramacara-
diksha-lakshana-dharinah
Some were humans, some monkeys, some demigods, some demons, and some sages. Other carried the marks of being inititated in the orders of varna and asrama.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the forms of the Vaikuntha residents are all eternal and full of knwoledge and bliss. They were not actually humans, or any of these other forms.
Text 38
indra-candradi-sadrisas
trinetras caturananah
caturbhujah sahasrasyah
kecid ashtabhujas tatha
Some were like Indra, Candra, or the other demigods. Some had three eyes, some four heads, some four arms, some eight arms, and some a thousand faces.
Text 39
etat parama-vaicitri-
hetum vakshami te 'gratah
krishna-bhakti-rasasvada-
vatam kim syan na sundaram
I will tell you the reason for this great wonder: How can they who taste the nectar of devotion to Lord Krishna not be handsome?
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that Hanuman, Jambavan, and others were handsome because of their devotion to the Lord.
Texts 40 and 41
sarva-prapancatitanam
tesham vaikuntha-vasinam
tasya vaikunthalokasya
tasya tan-nayakasya ca
tani mahatmya-jatani
prapancantar-gataih kila
drishtantair nopayujyante
na sakyante ca bhashitum
The glories of Vaikuntha's residents, who are all beyond the material world of five elements, of Vaikunthaloka, and of Vaikuntha's hero, cannot be described with examples drawn from the world of five elements.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that Vaikuntha's residents are eternal and full of knowledge and bliss. They cannot be described with examples drawn from the world of matter. The hero of Vaikuntha here is the Lord.
Texts 42 and 43
tathapi bhavato brahman
prapancantar-gatasya hi
prapanca-parivarantar-
drishti-garbhita-cetasah
tad-drishtanta-kulenaiva
tat tat syad bodhitam sukham
tathety ucyeta yat kincit
tadagah kshamatam harih
O brahmana, because you are a resident of the material world, and because your thoughts and vision are placed within the material world, I have used material examples so certain things may be easily understood. I pray that Lord Hari will forgive any offenses I have committed because of this.
Text 44
tatratyanam ca sarvesham
tesham samyam parasparam
taratamyam ca lakshyeta
na virodhas tathapi ca
The residents of Vaikuntha are all equal. Then again, among them there are gradations of higher and lower. There is not contradiction in this.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that although the residents of Vaikuntha have different powers and opulences, each, according to his own desire, employs all his powers and opulences in serving the Lord.
Text 45
na matsaryadayo doshah
santi kasyapi teshu hi
gunah svabhavika bhanti
nityah satyah sahasrasah
For them there is no envy nor any other fault. They have thousands of natural, eternal, transcendental virtues.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this is described by Lord Brahma in Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.15.18-19.
Text 46
prapancantar-gata bhoga-
para vishayino yatha
bahir-drishtya tathekshyante
te hi muktarcitanghrayah
Although in external vision they may be seen as materialists eager for material pleasure, the liberated souls worship their feet.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.15.17 and 3.15.20.
Text 47
te nirvikaratara-pranta-
simam prantas ca tanvate
vikaral lilaya citran
prabhu-lilanusarinah
Although they never accept material forms, they do playfully manifest many wonderful forms appropriate for the Lord's pastimes.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that they do this to please the Lord.
Text 48
atas te 'nyonyam ekatvam
gata api prithag-vidhah
tat-sthanam sa vimanaughas
tatratyam sarvam idrisam
Although they are different, they all have the same nature. That place, its many airplanes, and everything there, are all like that.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that in Vaikuntha everything is eternal and full of knowledge and bliss. Because everything there is spiritual, it is, in one sense, all one. Still, variety is manifested as a natural feature of the Lord's pastimes. In this way everything there is simultaneously one and different.
Text 49
kadacit svarna-ratnadi-
mayam tat tat pratiyate
kadacic ca ghani-bhuta-
candra-jyotsneva kakkhati
Sometimes everything there seems made of gold and jewels, and sometimes they seem made of solidified moonlight.
Text 50
kathancit tat-prabhavena
vijnatam syan na canyatha
grahitum kila tad-rupam
manasapi na sakyate
With power given by the Lord, this place can be understood to a certain extent. It cannot be understood in any other way. The material mind has no power to grasp the truth of it.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that because it is spiritual, it cannot be understood by the material mind.
Text 51
na kascit prabhaved boddhum
samyak-svanubhavam vina
etan-matram hi sakyeta
nirupayitum anjasa
No one can understand it without having seen it. Only in this way can one properly describe it.
Text 52
teshu vai drisyamaneshu
tad brahmanubhave sukham
gacchat su-tucchatam sadyo
hriyeva viramet svayam
For they who see (Vaikuntha) the happiness of seeing the impersonal Brahman becomes very insignificant. It stops, as if it were embarrassed.
Texts 53 and 54
svaramah purna-kama ye
sarvapeksha-vivarjitah
jnatam praptam nijam kritsnam
tyaktva vaishnava-sangatah
sarasara-vicaraptya
bhakti-margam visanti yat
tad-dhetus tatra yatena-
nubhuto dardhyato maya
Self-satisfied impersonalists, whose desires are all fulfilled, and who have renounced everything, when they have the association of Vaishnavas give up everything they have learned and attained, and, understanding what is really valuable and what is worthless, enter the path of devotional service. I have personally seen this very clearly.
Text 55
gacchad-agacchato 'ham tan
pasyann idam acintayam
idrisah sevakah yasya
sa prabhur nama kidrisah
Seeing them coming and going, I thought: "If His servants are like this, what is the Lord like?"
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that Gopa-kumara saw that the servants of the Lord of Vaikuntha were glorious with handsomeness, opulences, powers, and many other things. He wondered: "How glorious must be the person they serve!"
Texts 56 and 57
ittham harsha-prakarshenot-
tishthan upavisan bhrisam
go-pure vartamano 'ham
tair javenaitya parshadaih
antah pravesyamano yat
drishtavan adbhutadbhutam
vaktum tad-dvi-parardhena
sahasrasyo 'pi na kshamah
Dragged by joy, I stood and then I sat down as I waited by the gate. Then by the Lord's associates I was quickly brought inside. Then I saw a wonder of wonders. Even Lord Ananta with His thousands of mouths could not describe it in the time of Brahma's life.
Text 58
dvare dvare dvara-palas
tadrisa eva mam gatam
pravesayanti vijnapya
vijnapyeva nijadhipam
There were gate after gate, and at each gate there were gatekeepers as before. Each time the gatekeepers informed their master and then allowed me to enter.
Texts 59 and 60
prati-dvarantare gatva
gatva tat-pratiharibhih
pranamyamano yo yo hi
tat-pradesadhikaravan
drisyate sa sa manyeta
jagadiso maya kila
purvavat sa-bhramavesat
namyate stuyate muhuh
As I went to each gate I saw there was one leader to whom the gatekeepers bowed down. I thought this must be the Lord of the universes and I also bowed down to him and glorified him again and again.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this leader was the supervisor of the gatekeepers.
Text 61
atha taih parshadaih snigdhair
asadharana-lakshanam
prabhor vijnapito 'ham ca
sikshitah stavanadikam
Then the Lord's affectionate associates described to me the Lord's uncommon features and taught me how to glorify and worship Him.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the gatekeepers described the Lord's Srivatsa mark and other features.
Texts 62 and 63
maha-maha-citra-vicitra-geha-
dvara-pradesan atigamya vegat
sriman-mahalla-pravarasya madhye
prasada-vargaih parishevitanghrim
prasadam ekam vividhair mahatta-
purair visishtam para-sima yataih
prapto 'ham aditya-sukhamsu-koti-
kantim mano-locana-vritti-coram
Passing through many very wonderful and colorful gates, I came to a very glorious palace, its feet served by by many other palaces. This one palace was most excellent. It was flooded with glory. It was more splendid than millions of suns and moons. It charmed the eyes and the heart.
Texts 64 and 65
tad-antare ratna-varavali-lasat-
suvarna-simhasana-raja-murdhani
su-jata-kantamala-hamsa-tuliko-
pari prasannakrisa-candra-sundaram
mridupadhanam nija-vama-kaksha-
kaphoninakramya sukhopavishtam
vaikuntha-natham bhagavantam arad
apasyam agre nava-yauvanesham
Inside I saw, far away, on a regal golden throne glistening with many jewels, happily sitting a splendid white swan-cushion, handsome as a splendid moon, and His left elbow resting on a soft cushion, the supremely opulent and eternally youthful Lord of Vaikuntha, . . .
Text 66
saundarya-madhuryamayanga-kantya
nutnambuda-sri-haraya sphurantya
ratnacita-svarna-vibhu shita-srag-
vastranulepadi-vibhu shayantam
. . . who with His sweetly handsome limbs' glory, which eclipsed the glory of new clouds, decorated His ornaments of jewels and gold, His garments, and His scented ointments, . . .
Text 67
kankanangada-vibhu shanayata-
sthula-vritta-vilasac-catur-bhujam
pita-patta-vasana-dvayancitam
caru-kundala-kapola-mandalam
. . . whose splendid and broad four arms were decorated with bracelets and amrlets, who wore two yellow silk garments, the circle of whose cheeks had beautiful earings, . . .
Text 68
kaustubhabharana-pina-vakshasam
kambu-kantha-dhrita-mauktikavalim
sa-smitamrita-mukhendum adbhuta-
prekshanollasita-locanambujam
. . . whose broad chest was decorated with the Kaustubha jewel, whose conchshell neck held a strand of pearls, the moon of whose face held the nectar of a charming smile, the lotus of whose eyes glittered with wonderful glances, . . .
Text 69
kripa-bharodyad-vara-cilli-nartanam
sva-vama-parsva-sthitayatma-yogyaya
nivedyamanam ramaya sa-vibhramam
pragrihya tambulam adantam uttamam
. . . whose eyebrows danced with great mercy, to whom the goddess of fortune, appropriately staying at His left side, respectfully offered prayers, who took and chewed sublime betelnuts, . . .
Text 70
tad-raga-kantadhara-bimba-kanti-
sambhinna-kundamala-danta-panktyah
dipti-prakasojjvala-hasa-rasam
narmokti-bhangi-hrita-bhakta-cittam
. . . whose glorious laughter was illumined by a row of white jasmine-flower teeth breaking through the glory of the red bimba fruits of His lips, the waves of whose joking words charmed His devotees' hearts, . . .
Text 71
kare patad-graha-bhrita dharanya
kataksha-bhangya muhur arcyamanam
sudarsanadyair vara-murtimadbhih
sirastha-cihnaih parishevyamanam
. . . whom Goddess Dharani, holding a leaf in her hand, and splashing Him with waves of sidelong glances, worshiped again and again, whom the Sudarsana-cakra and other handsome weapons, bearing auspiucious markings on their heads, served, . .
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that Goddess Dharani held a leaf to collect betelnuts after the Lord had chewed them. The Lord's club, conch, sword, and bow were among the weapons worshiping Him.
Text 72
camara-vyajana-padukadika-
sri-paricchada-ganollasat-karaih
sevakaih sva-sadrisair avasthitair
avritam paricaradbhir adarat
. . . whom many servants glorious as the Lord and their hands splendid with camara wisks, fans, slippers, and other beautiful paraphernalia, respectfully surrounded and served, . . .
Text 73
bhaktyanataih sesha-suparna-vishvak-
senadibhih parshada-varga-mukhyaih
kritvanjalim murdhny avatishthamanair
agre vicitroktibhir idyamanam
. . . whom Sesha, Garuda, Vishvaksena, and many other important associates, their folded palms blaced on reverentially bowed heads, worshiped with wonderful words, . . .
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.21.16-17.
Text 74
sri-naradasyadbhuta-nritya-vina-
gitadi-bhangimaya-caturibhih
tabhyam priyabhyam kamaladharabhyam
sardham kadacid vihasantam uccaih
. . . whom Sri Narada worshiped with graceful artistry of wonderful singing, dancing, and vina music, who joked and laughed with His beloved Lakshmi and Dharani, . . .
Text 75
sva-bhakta-vargasya tad-eka-cetasah
kadacid ananda-visesha-vriddhaye
prasarya padambuja-yugmam atmanah
samarpanenaiva lasantam adbhutam
. . . and who, to fill with bliss the devotees whose hearts were fixed on Him alone, placed on them His splendid and wonderful lotus feet.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.8.26.
Text 76
tad-darsanananda-bharena tesham
vismritya siksham bata parshadanam
gopala he jivitam ity abhikshnam
krosann adhavam parirambhanaya
Filled with bliss by seeing Him, and fogetting the instructions of the Lord's associates, I called out "O Gopala! O my life!" Shedding tears, I ran to embrace Him.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the Lord's associates had instructed him to offer prayers.
Text 77
prishthe sthitair vijna-varair dhritas tair
dino maha-kaku-kulam prakurvan
prematirekena vinirjito 'ham
samprapya moham nyapatam tad-agre
Held by some wise associates standing behind the Lord, I piteously begged with many plaintive words, and then, overcome with love, I fainted unconscious in the Lord's presence.
Text 78
utthapya tair eva balac cirena
samjnam pranito 'sru-nipata-vighnam
sammarjanenabhibhavan karabhyam
netre prayatnad udamilayam dve
They quickly picked me up and I regained consciousness. Tears blocked my eyes. Carefully wiping the tears with my hands, I opened my eyes.
Text 79
tavad dayalu-pravarena tena
snehena gambhira-mridu-svarena
svastho bhavagaccha javena vatsety
ady-ucyamanam srutavan vaco 'ham
Then I heard the most merciful and affectionate Lord, in a deep, soft voice, say some words beginning with: "Be calm. Come, child, at once."
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that some of the other words the Lord spoke were: "Give up this awe and reverence. Come and talk with Me."
Text 80
harshasya kashtham paramam tato gato
nrityan-mahonmada-grihitavan muhuh
bhrashyann amibhih parama-prayasatah
samprapitah sthairyam atha prabodhitah
Then I attained the ultimate in happiness. Again and again I danced as a man possessed. The Lord's associates carefully made me calm down.
Text 81
sri-bhagavan uvaca
svagatam svagatam vatsa
dishtya dishtya bhavan maya
sango 'tra tvad-ikshayam
ciram utkanthitena hi
Then the Lord said: Welcome! Welcome! Child, it is so fortunate, so fortunate, that you are here with Me. For so long I have longed to see you.
Text 82
bahuni gamitany anga
janmani bhavata sakhe
kathancid api mayy abhi-
mukhyam kincid akari na
Dear friend, somehow you passed many births without coming to see Me.
Text 83
asminn asminn ihehaiva
bhave bhavi mad-unmukhah
ity asaya tavatyantam
nartito 'smi yad-ajna-vat
Hoping that in this, in this, in this, in this birth you would turn to Me, I danced as a fool.
Text 84
chalam ca na labhe kincid
yenadyam paripalayan
nibandham sva-kritam bhratar
anayamy atmanah padam
Brother, I could not find a pretext to bring you to My abode and still protect the ancient rules of religion.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that had Gopa-kumara chanted the holy name, even as Ajamila and others had done, the Lord could have brought him to His abode.
Texts 85 and 86
tat te mayy akripam vikshya
vyagro 'nugraha-katarah
anadim setum ullanghya
tvaj-janmedam akarayam
srimad-govardhane tasmin
nija-priyatamaspade
svayam evabhavam tata
jayantakhyah sa te guruh
Seeing that you had not attained My mercy, I became overcome with mercy for you. Ignoring the rules of karma, I gave you a birth on Govardhana Hill, My favorite place, and then, O dear friend, I became your guru, who was named Jayanta.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.7.42.
Text 87
kamam dirghatamam me 'dya
cirat tvam samapurayah
svasya me 'pi sukham pushnann
atraiva nivasa sthirah
Today you have suddenly fulfilled my long-cherished desire. Please stay here always and make Me happy.
Text 88
sri-gopa-kumara uvaca
etac chri-bhagavad-vakya-
maha-piyusha-panatah
matto 'ham nasakam stotum
kartum jnatum ca kincana
Sri Gopa-kumara said: Intoxicated by drinking the sweet nectar of the Lord's words, I did not have the power to recite any prayers, to understand anything, or to do anything.
Text 89
agre sthita tasya tu venu-vadaka
goparbha-vesah katicin maya samah
asvasya visvasya ca venu-vadane
pravartayan snigdhatara vikrishya mam
In the Lord's presence came some cowherd boys like myself, who were playing flutes. Very affectionate, they took me in their midst and encouraged me to play the flute.
Text 90
etam sva-vamsim bahudha ninadayan
govardhanadri-prabhavam maha-priyam
sri-madhavam tam samatoshayam maha-
vaidagdhya-sindhum sa-ganam kripa-nidhim
In many ways playing on my favorite flute from Govardhana Hill, I pleased Lord Madhava, who is an ocean of artistic skill and a treasure-house of mercy, and who was surrounded by His associates.
Text 91
yatha-kalah tatah sarve
nihsaranto maha-sriyah
ajnaya nirgamanicchum
yuktya mam bahir anayan
At a certain time they all left. By the goddess of fortune's order they took me outside, although I was not willing to go.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this was the time for the Lord to take His meal.
Text 92
tatraparasyeva maha-vibhutir
upasthitas tah parihritya dure
svayam satir atmani caprakasya
goparbha-rupo nyavasam pureva
Great opulences surrounded me, but I shunned them. I stayed as a cowherd boy, as I had been before.
Text 93
sac-cid-ananda-rupas tah
sarvas tatra vibhutayah
svadhina hi yatha-kamam
bhaveyuh samprakasitah
The opulences there have forms of eternity, knowledge, and bliss. They are independent and are manifest as they like.
Text 94
ittham tu vaibhavabhave
vaibhavam vaibhave 'pi ca
akincanatvam ghatate
vaikunthe tat-svabhavatah
Whether opulences are manifest or not, humbleness is present as a natural feature in Vaikuntha.
Text 95
tathapi purvabhyasasya
balena mahata prabhoh
bhajanam khalu manye 'ham
dina-vrittya sada sukham
By the great strength of my previous activities, I considered humble worship of the Lord eternal happiness.
Text 96
tada hrididam pariniscitam maya
dhruvam svakiyakhila-janma-karmanam
phalasya labhyasya kiladhuna para
sima samapta bhagavat-kripa-bharat
Then in my heart I decided that, by the Lord's mercy, I had attained the highest fruit of all I had done in all my births.
Text 97
aho sukham kidrig idam duruham
aho padam kidrig idam mahishtham
aho mahascaryatarah prabhus ca
kidrik tathascaryatara kripasya
What rare happiness! What a glorious place! What a wonderful Lord! What wonderful mercy!
Text 98
atha prabhos camara-vijanatmikam
samipa-sevam kripayadhilambitah
nijam ca vamsim ranayan samapnavam
tad-ikshanananda-bharam nirantaram
By the Lord's mercy I fanned Him with a camara wisk and performed other personal services. When I played the flute His glance brought me eternal bliss.
Text 99
purvabhyasa-vasenanu-
kirtayami kadapy aham
bahudhoccair aye krishna
gopaleti muhur muhuh
By the strength of my previous actions sometimes I would call out, "O Krishna! O Gopala!" again and again.
Text 100
gokulacaritam casya
maha-mahatmya-darsakam
parama-stotra-rupena
sakshad gayami sarvada
With many prayers I would always sing the great glories of the Lord's pastimes in Gokula.
Text 101
tatratyair bahir agatya
tair hasadbhir aham muhuh
snehardra-hridayair uktah
sikshayadbhir iva sphutam
Smiling and laughing, the residents of Vaikuntha took me outside and, their hearts melting with love, again and again spoke to me many words of instruction.
Text 102
sri-vaikuntha-vasina ucuh
maivam sambodhayesesam
ma ca sankirtayes tatha
upaslokaya mahatmyam
anantam tvad-bhutadbhutam
The residents of Vaikuntha said: Don't address the Lord of lord's in that way. Don't praise Him in that way. With elegant verses you should praise His real, limitless greatness.
Text 103
samharayaiva dushtanam
sishtanam palanaya ca
kamsam vancayatanena
gopatvam mayaya kritam
To kill the demons and protect the others, the Lord cheated Kamsa and disguised Himself as a cowherd boy.
Text 104
mayaya varnanam casya
na bhaktair bahu manyate
bhakty-arambhe hi tad-yuktam
tena na stuyate prabhuh
The devotees do not take these disguises of the Lord very seriously. In the beginning of devotional service it may be right, but we do not glorify the Lord in that way.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.7.53.
Text 105
teshv eva kecid avadan
durbodha-caritasya hi
lilaika sapi tat tasya
na doshah kirtane matah
Then some of them said: The Lord, whose pastimes are difficult to understand, has pastimes like that. There is no fault in glorifying Him in that way.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that pastimes discussed here are pastimes like the Lord's protecting the cows. These pastimes are not like His creation of the material universes. They have no contact with the illusory potency maya. Someone here may protest: "When the Lord protects the cows sometimes He is stung by brambles as He wanders in the forest. What kind of happy pastime is that?" This objection is answred here by the word "durbodha-caritasya". Because the Lord is the supreme controller, it is not posasible to understand His activities perfectly.
Texts 106 and 107
kaiscin mahadbhis tan sarvan
nivaryoktam idam rusha
ah kim evam nigadyeta
bhavadbhir abudhair iva
krishnasya bhakta-vatsalyad
yasya kasyapi karmanah
sankirtanam mahan eva
gunah sri-prabhu-toshanah
Then some great souls rebuked them all and said: Ah! Why do you speak as fools? Out of love for His devotees, Lord Krishna will do anything. Glorifying His deeds is a great virtue. It pleases the Lord.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the Lord Himself says:
mad-bhaktanam vinodartham
karomi vividhah kriyah
"To enjoy pastimes with My devotees I act in many ways."
Text 108
sri-gopa-kumara uvaca
tesham etadrisair vakyair
ado lajja samajani
pascat toshas tathapy antar
mano tripyan na sarvatah
These words made me first embarrassed and then pleased. Still my heart was not perfectly satisfied.
Text 109
nijeshta-daivata-srimad-
gopala-caranabjayoh
tadrig-rupa-vinodader
analokac ca dinavat
Because I could not see my worshipable Lord Gopala's lotus feet, form, pastimes, and everything else, I became like a poor wretch.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the "everything else" here refers to the Lord's associates, paraphernalia, mercy, and other features.
Text 110
tarhy eva sarvajna-siromanim prabhum
vaikuntha-natham kila nanda-nandanam
lakshmim dharam cakalayami radhikam
candravalim casya ganan vrajarbhakan
Then I saw the Lord of Vaikuntha, who is the crest-jewel of the all-knowing, become Krishna, the joy of Nanda. I saw Lakshmi and Dhara become Radhika and Candravali and the Lord's associates become the boys of Vraja.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this was not a vision in meditation. Gopa-kumara actually saw this.
Text 111
tathapy asyam vraja-kshmayam
prabhum sa-parivarakam
viharantam tatha nekshe
khidyate smeti man-manah
When I could no longer see the Lord enjoying pastimes in the land of Vraja with His associates, my heart became unhappy.
Text 112
kadapi tatropavaneshu lilaya
tatha lasantam niciteshu go-ganaih
pasyamy amum karhy api purvavat sthitam
nijasane sva-prabhuvac ca sarvatha
Sometimes I would see Him enjoying pastimes with the cows in the gardens there. But then again I would see Him as before, as a master sitting on His throne.
Text 113
tathapi tasmin paramesa-buddher
vaikunthalokagamana-smrites ca
sanjayamanadara-gauravena
tat-prema-hanya sva-mano na tripyet
Still, because I was aware that He is the Supreme Lord, because I could remember coming to Vaikuntha, and because of the presence of a great awe and reverence that killed spontaneous love, my heart was not satisfied.
Text 114
gopaladevat karuna-visesham
dhyane samalingana-cumbanadim
prapto 'smi tat hanta samaksham asmad
ipsan viduye tad-asiddhito 'tra
In meditation, by Lord Gopaladeva's mercy, I would embrace Him, kiss Him, and enjoy pastimes with Him in many ways. Now that the Lord was present before my eyes, I was unhappy, for although I desired these things, I could not attain them.
Text 115
kadacid iso nibhritam prayati
kuto 'pi kaiscit samam antarinaih
tadakhilanam khalu tatra soko
bhaved abhavat prabhu-darsanasya
Sometimes the Lord would go to a secluded place with His intimate associates. Then everyone else would lament for not seeing the Lord.
Text 116
maya sampricchamanam tad-
vrittam vara-rahasyavat
sangopayan na kascin me
samudghatayati sphutam
I asked what the Lord was doing. Concealing what they knew, as if it were a great secret, no one told me clearly.
Text 117
tasminn eva kshane tatro-
dite sri-jagadisvare
drisyamane sa santapo
nasyed harshabdhir edhate
At that moment the Lord of the universes appeared and was visible again. Then that lamentation died and an ocean of joy overflowed.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.11.37.
Text 118
yavat tavac ca vaikalyam
manaso 'stu svabhavajam
tal-loka-mahimodrekat
kshiyate 'rkad yatha tamah
The glory of that place killed whatever suffering stayed in my heart as the sun kills the darkness.
Text 119
yada kadacin nija-labhya-vastuno
'naptyeva hrit sidati purva-purvavat
tada tadiya paripurnata rujam
nidanam ajnaya nirasyate svayam
Whenever my heart became unhappy, as it had been many times before when it could not attain its desire, I considered what was the cause of this malady, and the perfection of Vaikuntha cured it at once.
Text 120
etadrisat prapyatamam na kincid
vaikuntha-vasat kila vidyate 'nyat
sandeham isat tvam apiha kartum
narhasy ato 'nyah kim u pricchyatam tat
(I said to my mind:) Nothing is better than residence in Vaikuntha. Don't doubt. For what more could you ask?
Text 121
tasmad are cancala-citta buddhyady-
api sva-bhavam tyaja durato 'tra
asmat param nasti param phalam tat
santim param yukti-satena gaccha
O fickle mind, leave your restless nature far behind. No result is better than this. Think about the hundreds of reasons for this and become peaceful.
Text 122
tad bodhayann eva vilokayamy aham
svam sac-cid-anandamayam tatha prabhoh
vaikunthaloke bhajanat param sukham
sandram sadaivanubhavantam adbhutam
As I was explaining this (to my mind) I saw that I was made of eternity, knowledge and bliss and that I eternally experienced wonderful, intense, transcendental bliss by worshiping the Lord in Vaikunthaloka.
Text 123
evam kadacid udvignah
kadacid dharshavan aham
vaikunthe nivasan drishto
naradenaikada rahah
In this way sometimes happy and sometimes distressed, I lived in Vaikuntha. One day Narada saw me in a secluded place.
Text 124
dayalu-cuda-manina prabhor maha-
priyena tad-bhakti-rasabdhinamuna
subhasishanandya karena bhasitah
samsprisya vina-suhrida sirasy aham
He, who is the crest-jewel of the merciful, who is the friend of the vina, who is very dear to the Lord, and who is an ocean of the nectar of devotion to Him, touched my head with his hand and blessed me, saying:
Text 125
sri-bhagavan-narada uvaca
bho gopa-nandana srimad-
vaikunthesanukampita
mukha-mlany-adina kincic
chocan dina ivekshyase
Lord Narada said: O son of a gopa, O object of the Lord of Vaikuntha's mercy, I can see by the withering of your face and other symptoms that you are as unhappy as a very wretched person.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the other symptoms include a vacant expression in his eyes and sighing in his breath.
Text 126
soka-duhkhavakaso 'tra
katamah syan nigadyatam
param kautuhalam me 'tra
yan na drishtah sa kasyacit
What is the reason for your unhappiness? Please tell. I am very eager to know it. I have not seen anyone like that here.
Text 127
sri-gopa-kumara uvaca
paramaptam suhric-chreshtam
tam prapya sva-gurupamam
hardam tad-vrittam atmiyam
kartsenakathayam tada
Sri Gopa-kumara said: Then to Narada, who was exalted, who was the best of friends, and who was like my own guru, I told all that was in my heart.
Text 128
srutva tad akhilam kincin
nisvasya parito drisau
sancaryakrishya mam parsve
'bravit sa-karunam sanaih
After hearing everything, he sighed, moved his eyes everywhere, pulled me to his side, and spoke very slowly and with great compassion.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that Narada moved his eyes everywhere, that is to say He looked in every direction, because he was about to reveal a great secret.
Text 129
sri-narada uvaca
itah parataram prapyam
kincin nastiti yat tvaya
manyate yukti-santatya
tat satyam khalu nanyatha
Sri Narada said: That no place is better than Vaikuntha, the opinion you hold for many reasons is the truth. It is not otherwise.
Text 130
yam ca sviyeshta-devasya
vinodam dhyana-sangatam
sakshad atranubhavitum
tathaivecchasi sarvatha
You wish to see the pastimes of your worshipable Lord directly, pastimes you have seen only in meditation.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the worshipable Lord here is Lord Madana-Gopala.
Text 131
tasyapi so 'tyanta-sukha-pradayakas
ceto-harah priti-visesha-gocarah
gopyottamas tad vraja-lokavan-maha-
premaika-labhyo 'sulabho hi madrisam
His pastimes bring great bliss. They charm the heart and are filled with the greatest love. They are the greatest secret. They are attained only by the great love of Vraja's people. They are not easy for those like me to attain.
Text 132
sa vai vinodah sakalopavishtal
loke kvacid bhati vilobhayan svan
sampadya bhaktim jagadisa-bhaktya
vaikuntham etyatra katham tvayekshyah
His pastimes are splendidly manifest in a certain realm that attracts its own devotees and is situated somewhere above everything. By devotedly worshiping the Lord of the universes you have come to Vaikuntha. How can you see these pastimes here?
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the words {.sy 168}above everything" mean "above all material and spiritual worlds".
Text 133
bhagavat-paramaisvarya-
pranta-simaprakasane
vaikunthe 'smin maha-gopyah
prakatah sambhavet katham
How can these very confidential pastimes be manifest here in Vaikuntha, which manifests the Lord's supreme opulence?
Text 134
sokam sarvam vihayemam
srimad-vaikuntha-nayakam
nijeshta-deva-buddhyaiva
vikshasva bhaja ma bhidam
Give up all lamentation and see that the Lord of Vaikuntha is the same as your worshipable Deity (Madana-Gopala). Don't think of Them as two different persons.
Text 135
tato 'trapi sukham tat-tad-
anantam paramam mahat
vardhamanam sada sviya-
manah-purakam apsyasi
Then even here you will attain limitless, transcendental, eternally increasing bliss that fills your heart.
Text 136
sri-gopa-kumara uvaca
tatah kan api siddhantan
sva-prajna-gocaran api
aiccham tad-ananac chrotum
srotrena prerite hathat
Sri Gopa-kumara said: With limitless yearning I wished to hear with my ears whatever of these truths could come in the range of my understanding.
Texts 137 and 138
saknomi ca na tan prashtum
amum gaurava-lajjaya
abhipreyaya sarvajna-
varo bhagavatottamah
madiya-karnayoh sviya-
jihvayas ca sukhaya sah
vyanjayam asa sankshepat
sarvams tan mad-dhridi-sthitan
Overcome with awe and shyness, I could not ask him about them. Then he, the best of the all-knowing and the best of the Lord's devotees, understanding all that was in my heart, to please both my ears and his tongue, briefly revealed everything.
Text 139
sri-narada uvaca
pasu-pakshi-ganan vriksha-
lata-gulma-trinadikan
atra drishtan na manyasva
parthivams tamasan iva
Sri Narada said: Don't think that the animals, birds, trees, vines, shrubs, grass, and other things you have seen here are made of the darkness of matter.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the cows, horses, elephants, and other animals, and the paravatas, kokilas, and other birds, and the mandaras, kundas, and other trees, vines, and other things in Vaikunthaloka are not material.
