Tenth Sarga
Seeing the Groves on the Yamunā Bank,
and Other Tīrthas
1
Kṛṣṇa Dāsa continued, "Oh! Here You may see the spot where Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, the Masters of rasa, were apparelled in spring vestments and adorned with softly ringing gold and silver ornaments. They sported playfully with the fair maidens of Vraja Dhāma, who are the leaders of the various groups of gopīs.
2
"The heroic dancing and singing of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa was embellished by the dancing and singing of their charming sweethearts, the gopīs.
3
"As the two brothers were enjoying thus, an evil demon named Śaṅkha-cūā, who was notable by the conch-shaped jewel upon his head, began ogling the gopīs. He was closely observed by Rāma and Kṛṣṇa.
4
"After slaying that rogue, Kṛṣṇa took that jewel named Syamantaka from the dead demon's turban and placed it in the hand of Baladeva.
5
"While the gopīs looked on, Śrī Kṛṣṇa playfully gave that jewel to Baladeva. Baladeva in turn gave it to His own dear gopīs, and they ultimately gave it to Kṛṣṇa's most beloved Śrī Rādhā.
6
"The real benefit of having eyes is to see the beautiful faces of Mukuṇḍa and Bala as they go forth to graze their cows in all the forests of Vraja." When Prabhu heard this song, that was chanted by the beautiful maidens of Vraja, His hairs thrilled with rapture and He roared very loudly.
7
Kṛṣṇa Dāsa continued, "Just see the forest named Kumuda, where Kṛṣṇa and Rāma together with Śrīdāma, Subala and the other cowherd boys played with great exhilaration.
8
"Here on the bank of the Sarasvatī is the forest called Ambikā-vana, where Śaṅkara- deva and his wife Gaurī are worshipped by the Vraja-vāsīs.
9-10
"By the curse of a sage, the Gandharva of the name Sudarśana received the body of a serpent. One day, half of Nanda Mahārāja's body was swallowed up by him, but merely by the touch of His foot, Kṛṣṇa delivered him. The Gandharva then stood in this place and satisfied Śrī Hari by his prayers. Then he departed for his own abode, joyously singing the names of Kṛṣṇa.
11
"Behold the city of King Vṛṣabhānu. Here Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, the Queen of Vṛndāvana, made Her appearance. She is the supreme goddess of fortune who enjoys pleasure-pastimes with Kṛṣṇa.
12
"See the Raivataka mountain where Baladeva, the foremost among those expert in tasting rasa, sported with the gopīs. And this is where He pulverized the gorilla demon named Dvivida.
13
Once Balarāma went to the bank of the Yamunā, and with His celebrated plough He dragged Kālindī to Him. The infallible Lord entered her waters and amused Himself with the gopīs as He liked.
14
"After Balarāma had remounted Yamunā's bank, the gopīs dressed Him brilliantly and adorned Him with excellent ornaments. Then He who is ever eager to satisfy His brother Kṛṣṇa enjoyed sporting amongst them.
15
"Behold the beautiful lake named Pāvana which lies to the north of the town of Nanda. There Nanda's cows and calves graze as they are tended by Kṛṣṇa.
16
"To the west of Nandīśvara is the forest of Kāmyavana, where the immaculate mountain named Picchala stands.
17
"On Picchala mountain, Rāma and Kṛṣṇa sported with the cowherd boys. There Ariṭa, Keśi, Vyoma and other demons took the forms of a bull, a horse and a ram respectively.
18
"By the grace of Kṛṣṇa's strong arms, their bodies merged with the five gross elements, and they thus acquired the right for all varieties of liberation. Here Kṛṣṇa forever frolics with the cowherd boys.
19
"O beautiful Golden Lord! Behold the charming forest named Khadiravana, whose trees are filled with fruits and flowers, and who is always cooled by pleasant breezes.
20
"In this very spot, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in the company of the milkmaids forever play in their pastimes of buying and selling.
21
"Amidst the bower groves of freshly blooming jasmine-twined tamāla, sāla and arjuna trees, which mingle with ripened mango, aśoka and mādhavī trees, enchanted by the gorgeous plumage of peacocks, parrots and cuckoos, in the midst of the most colourful and fragrant of flowers, reside the youthful couple, Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Mādhava.
All glories to Them!
22
"The God and Goddess of the rāsa dance, who are perpetually immersed in amorous pastimes which bewilder even the mind of Kāmadeva, nourish with great eagerness the unique rasa which distinguishes Their respective natures.
They are engaged in a continuous festival of joking, singing, dancing, and playing upon flutes in the company of Their sakhīs, who are very lovely, crafty, courageous and ever glorious."
23
Upon hearing of these splendorous rasa-laden pastimes between Rādhārāṇī and Kṛṣṇa-candra, which are imbued with the quintessential super-excellence of sweetness, Mahāprabhu wept and became fully absorbed in manifesting the beautiful forms of the Divine Couple.
Furthermore, He, the embodiment of intensely condensed bliss, became filled with the moods of Vraja, and again made those pastimes manifest within this material world.
May Śrī Śacī-nandana be supremely glorified!
Thus ends the Tenth Sarga entitled "Seeing the Groves on the Yamunā Bank, and Other Holy Places," in the Fourth Prakrama of the great poem Śrī Caitanya Carita.