Śrīmad Bhāgavatam|Canto 10 Chapter 71

The Lord Travels to Indraprastha

VERSE 10.71.1

śrī-śuka uvāca

ity udīritam ākarṇya
devaṛṣer uddhavo ’bravīt
sabhyānāṁ matam ājñāya
kṛṣṇasya ca mahā-matiḥ

SYNONYMS

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; iti — thus; udīritam — that which was stated; ākarṇya — hearing; deva-ṛṣeḥ — by Nārada, the sage of the demigods; uddhavaḥ — Uddhava; abravīt — spoke; sabhyānām — of the members of the royal assembly; matam — the opinion; ājñāya — understanding; kṛṣṇasya — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; ca — and; mahā-matiḥ — great-minded.

TRANSLATION

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus heard the statements of Devarṣi Nārada, and understanding the opinions of both the assembly and Lord Kṛṣṇa, the great-minded Uddhava began to speak.

VERSE 10.71.2

śrī-uddhava uvāca

yad uktam ṛṣinā deva
sācivyaṁ yakṣyatas tvayā
kāryaṁ paitṛ-ṣvasreyasya
rakṣā ca śaraṇaiṣiṇām

SYNONYMS

śrī-uddhavaḥ uvāca — Śrī Uddhava said; yat — what; uktam — was stated; ṛṣinā — by the sage (Nārada); deva — O Lord; sācivyam — assistance; yakṣyataḥ — to him who intends to perform sacrifice (Yudhiṣṭhira); tvayā — by You; kāryam — should be rendered; paitṛ-ṣvasreyasya — to Your father’s sister’s son; rakṣā — protection; ca — also; śaraṇa — shelter; eṣiṇām — for those who desire.

TRANSLATION

Śrī Uddhava said: O Lord, as the sage advised, You should help Your cousin fulfill his plan for performing the Rājasūya sacrifice, and You should also protect the kings who are begging for Your shelter.

VERSE 10.71.3

yaṣṭavyam rājasūyena
dik-cakra-jayinā vibho
ato jarā-suta-jaya
ubhayārtho mato mama

SYNONYMS

yaṣṭavyam — sacrifice should be performed; rājasūyena — with the Rājasūya ritual; dik — of directions; cakra — the complete circle; jayinā — by one who has conquered; vibho — O almighty one; ataḥ — therefore; jarā-suta — of the son of Jarā; jayaḥ — the conquest; ubhaya — both; arthaḥ — having the purposes; mataḥ — opinion; mama — my.

TRANSLATION

Only one who has conquered all opponents in every direction can perform the Rājasūya sacrifice, O almighty one. Thus, in my opinion, conquering Jarāsandha will serve both purposes.

VERSE 10.71.4

asmākaṁ ca mahān artho
hy etenaiva bhaviṣyati
yaśaś ca tava govinda
rājño baddhān vimuñcataḥ

SYNONYMS

asmākam — for us; ca — and; mahān — great; arthaḥ — a gain; hi — indeed; etena — by this; eva — even; bhaviṣyati — there will be; yaśaḥ — glory; ca — and; tava — for You; govinda — O Govinda; rājñaḥ — the kings; baddhān — imprisoned; vimuñcataḥ — who will release.

TRANSLATION

By this decision there will be great gain for us, and You will save the kings. Thus, Govinda, You will be glorified.

VERSE 10.71.5

sa vai durviṣaho rājā
nāgāyuta-samo bale
balinām api cānyeṣāṁ
bhīmaṁ sama-balaṁ vinā

SYNONYMS

saḥ — he, Jarāsandha; vai — indeed; durviṣahaḥ — invincible; rājā — king; nāga — elephants; ayuta — to ten thousand; samaḥ — equal; bale — in strength; balinām — among powerful men; api — indeed; ca — and; anyeṣām — others; bhīmam — Bhīma; sama-balam — equal in strength; vinā — except for.

TRANSLATION

The invincible King Jarāsandha is as strong as ten thousand elephants. Indeed, other powerful warriors cannot defeat him. Only Bhīma is equal to him in strength.

VERSE 10.71.6

dvai-rathe sa tu jetavyo
mā śatākṣauhiṇī-yutaḥ
brāhmaṇyo ’bhyarthito viprair
na pratyākhyāti karhicit

SYNONYMS

dvai-rathe — in combat involving only two chariots; saḥ — he; tu — but; jetavyaḥ — is to be defeated; — not; śata — by one hundred; akṣauhiṇī — military divisions; yutaḥ — joined; brāhmaṇyaḥ — devoted to brahminical culture; abhyarthitaḥ — entreated; vipraiḥ — by brāhmaṇas; na pratyākhyāti — does not refuse; karhicit — ever.

TRANSLATION

He will be defeated in a match of single chariots, not when he is with his hundred military divisions. Now, Jarāsandha is so devoted to brahminical culture that he never refuses requests from brāhmaṇas.

VERSE 10.71.7

brahma-veṣa-dharo gatvā
taṁ bhikṣeta vṛkodaraḥ
haniṣyati na sandeho
dvai-rathe tava sannidhau

SYNONYMS

brahma — of a brāhmaṇa; veṣa — the dress; dharaḥ — wearing; gatvā — going; tam — to him, Jarāsandha; bhikṣeta — should beg; vṛka-udaraḥ — Bhīma; haniṣyati — he will kill him; na — no; sandehaḥ — doubt; dvai-rathe — in one-on-one chariot combat; tava — Your; sannidhau — in the presence.

TRANSLATION

Bhīma should go to him disguised as a brāhmaṇa and beg charity. Thus he will obtain single combat with Jarāsandha, and in Your presence Bhīma will no doubt kill him.

VERSE 10.71.8

nimittaṁ param īśasya
viśva-sarga-nirodhayoḥ
hiraṇyagarbhaḥ śarvaś ca
kālasyārūpiṇas tava

SYNONYMS

nimittam — the instrument; param — merely; īśasya — of the Supreme Lord; viśva — of the universe; sarga — in the creation; nirodhayoḥ — and the annihilation; hiraṇyagarbhaḥ — Lord Brahmā; śarvaḥ — Lord Śiva; ca — and; kālasya — of time; arūpiṇaḥ — formless; tava — Your.

TRANSLATION

Even Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva act only as Your instruments in cosmic creation and annihilation, which are ultimately done by You, the Supreme Lord, in Your invisible aspect of time.

VERSE 10.71.9

gāyanti te viśada-karma gṛheṣu devyo
rājñāṁ sva-śatru-vadham ātma-vimokṣaṇaṁ ca
gopyaś ca kuñjara-pater janakātmajāyāḥ
pitroś ca labdha-śaraṇā munayo vayaṁ ca

SYNONYMS

gāyanti — they sing; te — Your; viśada — spotless; karma — deeds; gṛheṣu — in their homes; devyaḥ — the godly wives; rājñām — of the kings; sva — of their; śatru — enemy; vadham — the killing; ātma — of themselves; vimokṣaṇam — the deliverance; ca — and; gopyaḥ — the cowherd girls of Vraja; ca — and; kuñjara — of the elephants; pateḥ — of the lord; janaka — of King Janaka; ātma-jāyāḥ — of the daughter (Sītādevī, the wife of Lord Rāmacandra); pitroḥ — of Your parents; ca — and; labdha — who have attained; śaraṇāḥ — shelter; munayaḥ — sages; vayam — we; ca — also.

TRANSLATION

In their homes, the godly wives of the imprisoned kings sing of Your noble deeds — about how You will kill their husbands’ enemy and deliver them. The gopīs also sing Your glories — how You killed the enemy of the elephant king, Gajendra; the enemy of Sīta, daughter of Janaka; and the enemies of Your own parents as well. So also do the sages who have obtained Your shelter glorify You, as do we ourselves.

VERSE 10.71.10

jarāsandha-vadhaḥ kṛṣṇa
bhūry-arthāyopakalpate
prāyaḥ pāka-vipākena
tava cābhimataḥ kratuḥ

SYNONYMS

jarāsandha-vadhaḥ — the killing of Jarāsandha; kṛṣṇa — O Kṛṣṇa; bhūri — immense; arthāya — value; upakalpate — will produce; prāyaḥ — certainly; pāka — of accumulated karma; vipākena — as the reaction; tava — by You; ca — and; abhimataḥ — favored; kratuḥ — the sacrifice.

TRANSLATION

O Kṛṣṇa, the killing of Jarāsandha, which is certainly a reaction of his past sins, will bring immense benefit. Indeed, it will make possible the sacrificial ceremony You desire.

VERSE 10.71.11

śrī-śuka uvāca

ity uddhava-vaco rājan
sarvato-bhadram acyutam
devarṣir yadu-vṛddhāś ca
kṛṣṇaś ca pratyapūjayan

SYNONYMS

śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; iti — thus stated; uddhava-vacaḥ — the words of Uddhava; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); sarvataḥ — in all ways; bhadram — auspicious; acyutam — infallible; deva-ṛṣiḥ — the sage of the demigods, Nārada; yadu-vṛddhāḥ — the Yadu elders; ca — and; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; ca — and also; pratyapūjayan — praised it in response.

TRANSLATION

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, Devarṣi Nārada, the Yadu elders and Lord Kṛṣṇa all welcomed Uddhava’s proposal, which was entirely auspicious and infallible.

VERSE 10.71.12

athādiśat prayāṇāya
bhagavān devakī-sutaḥ
bhṛtyān dāruka-jaitrādīn
anujñāpya gurūn vibhuḥ

SYNONYMS

atha — then; ādiśat — ordered; prayāṇāya — in preparation for leaving; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; devakī-sutaḥ — the son of Devakī; bhṛtyān — His servants; dāruka-jaitra-ādīn — headed by Dāruka and Jaitra; anujñāpya — taking permission; gurūn — from His superiors; vibhuḥ — the almighty one.

TRANSLATION

The almighty Personality of Godhead, the son of Devakī, begged His superiors for permission to leave. Then He ordered His servants, headed by Dāruka and Jaitra, to prepare for departure.

VERSE 10.71.13

nirgamayyāvarodhān svān
sa-sutān sa-paricchadān
saṅkarṣaṇam anujñāpya
yadu-rājaṁ ca śatru-han
sūtopanītaṁ sva-ratham
āruhad garuḍa-dhvajam

SYNONYMS

nirgamayya — making go; avarodhān — wives; svān — His; sa — with; sutān — their sons; sa — with; paricchadān — their baggage; saṅkarṣaṇam — Lord Balarāma; anujñāpya — taking leave of; yadu-rājam — the King of the Yadus (Ugrasena); ca — and; śatru-han — O killer of enemies (Parīkṣit); sūta — by His driver; upanītam — brought; sva — His; ratham — chariot; āruhat — He mounted; garuḍa — of Garuḍa; dhvajam — whose flag.

TRANSLATION

O slayer of enemies, after He had arranged for the departure of His wives, children and baggage and taken leave of Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa and King Ugrasena, Lord Kṛṣṇa mounted His chariot, which had been brought by His driver. It flew a flag marked with the emblem of Garuḍa.

VERSE 10.71.14

tato ratha-dvipa-bhaṭa-sādi-nāyakaiḥ
karālayā parivṛta ātma-senayā
mṛdaṅga-bhery-ānaka-śaṅkha-gomukhaiḥ
praghoṣa-ghoṣita-kakubho nirakramat

SYNONYMS

tataḥ — then; ratha — of His chariots; dvipa — elephants; bhaṭa — infantry; sādi — and cavalry; nāyakaiḥ — with leaders; karālayā — fearsome; parivṛtaḥ — surrounded; ātma — personal; senayā — by His army; mṛdaṅga — by mṛdaṅga drums; bherī — bherī horns; ānaka — kettledrums; śaṅkha — conchshells; go-mukhaiḥ — and go-mukha horns; praghoṣa — by the resounding; ghoṣita — filled with vibrations; kakubhaḥ — all directions; nirakramat — He went out.

TRANSLATION

As the vibrations resounding from mṛdaṅgas, bherīs, kettledrums, conchshells and gomukhas filled the sky in all directions, Lord Kṛṣṇa set out on His journey. He was accompanied by the chief officers of His corps of chariots, elephants, infantry and cavalry and surrounded on all sides by His fierce personal guard.

VERSE 10.71.15

nṛ-vāji-kāñcana-śibikābhir acyutaṁ
sahātmajāḥ patim anu su-vratā yayuḥ
varāmbarābharaṇa-vilepana-srajaḥ
su-saṁvṛtā nṛbhir asi-carma-pāṇibhiḥ

SYNONYMS

nṛ — human; vāji — with powerful carriers; kāñcana — golden; śibikābhiḥ — with palanquins; acyutam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; saha-ātmajāḥ — along with their children; patim — their husband; anu — following; su-vratāḥ — His faithful wives; yayuḥ — went; vara — fine; ambara — whose clothes; ābharaṇa — ornaments; vilepana — fragrant oils and ointments; srajaḥ — and garlands; su — well; saṁvṛtāḥ — encompassed; nṛbhiḥ — by soldiers; asi — swords; carma — and shields; pāṇibhiḥ — in whose hands.

TRANSLATION

Lord Acyuta’s faithful wives, along with their children, followed the Lord on golden palanquins carried by powerful men. The queens were adorned with fine clothing, ornaments, fragrant oils and flower garlands, and they were surrounded on all sides by soldiers carrying swords and shields in their hands.

VERSE 10.71.16

naroṣṭra-go-mahiṣa-kharāśvatary-anaḥ
kareṇubhiḥ parijana-vāra-yoṣitaḥ
sv-alaṅkṛtāḥ kaṭa-kuṭi-kambalāmbarādy-
upaskarā yayur adhiyujya sarvataḥ

SYNONYMS

nara — by human carriers; uṣṭra — camels; go — bulls; mahiṣa — buffalo; khara — donkeys; aśvatarī — mules; anaḥ — bullock carts; kareṇubhiḥ — and female elephants; parijana — of the household; vāra — and of public use; yoṣitaḥ — the women; su-alaṅkṛtāḥ — well decorated; kaṭa — made of grass; kuṭi — huts; kambala — blankets; ambara — clothing; ādi — and so on; upaskarāḥ — whose paraphernalia; yayuḥ — they went; adhiyujya — having loaded; sarvataḥ — on all sides.

TRANSLATION

On all sides proceeded finely adorned women-attendants of the royal household, as well as courtesans. They rode on palanquins and camels, bulls and buffalo, donkeys, mules, bullock carts and elephants. Their conveyances were fully loaded with grass tents, blankets, clothes and other items for the trip.

VERSE 10.71.17

balaṁ bṛhad-dhvaja-paṭa-chatra-cāmarair
varāyudhābharaṇa-kirīṭa-varmabhiḥ
divāṁśubhis tumula-ravaṁ babhau raver
yathārṇavaḥ kṣubhita-timiṅgilormibhiḥ

SYNONYMS

balam — the army; bṛhat — huge; dhvaja — with flagpoles; paṭa — banners; chatra — umbrellas; cāmaraiḥ — and yak-tail fans; vara — excellent; āyudha — with weapons; ābharaṇa — jewelry; kirīṭa — helmets; varmabhiḥ — and armor; divā — during the day; aṁśubhiḥ — by the rays; tumula — tumultuous; ravam — whose sound; babhau — shone brilliantly; raveḥ — of the sun; yathā — like; arṇavaḥ — an ocean; kṣubhita — agitated; timiṅgila — whose timiṅgila fish; ūrmibhiḥ — and waves.

TRANSLATION

The Lord’s army boasted royal umbrellas, cāmara fans and huge flagpoles with waving banners. During the day the sun’s rays reflected brightly from the soldiers’ fine weapons, jewelry, helmets and armor. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa’s army, noisy with shouts and clatter, appeared like an ocean stirring with agitated waves and timiṅgila fish.

VERSE 10.71.18

atho munir yadu-patinā sabhājitaḥ
praṇamya taṁ hṛdi vidadhad vihāyasā
niśamya tad-vyavasitam āhṛtārhaṇo
mukunda-sandaraśana-nirvṛtendriyaḥ

SYNONYMS

atha u — and then; muniḥ — the sage (Nārada); yadu-patinā — by Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of the Yadus; sabhājitaḥ — honored; praṇamya — bowing down; tam — to Him; hṛdi — in his heart; vidadhat — placing Him; vihāyasā — through the sky; niśamya — having heard; tat — His; vyavasitam — affirmed intention; āhṛta — having accepted; arhaṇaḥ — worship; mukunda — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; sandaraśana — by the meeting; nirvṛta — peaceful; indriyaḥ — whose senses.

TRANSLATION

Honored by Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the chief of the Yadus, Nārada Muni bowed down to the Lord. All of Nārada’s senses were satisfied by his meeting with Lord Kṛṣṇa. Thus, having heard the decision of the Lord and having been worshiped by Him, Nārada placed Him firmly within his heart and departed through the sky.

VERSE 10.71.19

rāja-dūtam uvācedaṁ
bhagavān prīṇayan girā
mā bhaiṣṭa dūta bhadraṁ vo
ghātayiṣyāmi māgadham

SYNONYMS

rāja — of the kings; dūtam — to the messenger; uvāca — He said; idam — this; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; prīṇayan — pleasing him; girā — with His word s; bhaiṣṭa — do not fear; dūta — O messenger; bhadram — may there be all good; vaḥ — for you; ghāṭayiṣyāmi — I shall arrange for the killing; māgadham — of the King of Magadha (Jarāsandha).

TRANSLATION

With pleasing words the Lord addressed the messenger sent by the kings: “My dear messenger, I wish all good fortune to you. I shall arrange for the killing of King Magadha. Do not fear.”

VERSE 10.71.20

ity uktaḥ prasthito dūto
yathā-vad avadan nṛpān
te ’pi sandarśanaṁ śaureḥ
pratyaikṣan yan mumukṣavaḥ

SYNONYMS

iti — thus; uktaḥ — addressed; prasthitaḥ — departed; dūtaḥ — the messenger; yathā-vat — accurately; avadat — he told; nṛpān — the kings; te — they; api — and; sandarśanam — the audience; śaureḥ — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; pratyaikṣan — awaited; yat — because; mumukṣavaḥ — being eager for liberation.

TRANSLATION

Thus addressed, the messenger departed and accurately relayed the Lord’s message to the kings. Eager for freedom, they then waited expectantly for their meeting with Lord Kṛṣṇa.

VERSE 10.71.21

ānarta-sauvīra-marūṁs
tīrtvā vinaśanaṁ hariḥ
girīn nadīr atīyāya
pura-grāma-vrajākarān

SYNONYMS

ānarta-sauvīra-marūn — Ānarta (the province of Dvārakā), Sauvīra (eastern Gujarat) and the desert (of Rajasthan); tīrtvā — crossing through; vinaśanam — Vinaśana, the district of Kurukṣetra; hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; girīn — hills; nadīḥ — and rivers; atīyāya — passing; pura — cities; grāma — villages; vraja — cow pastures; ākarān — and quarries.

TRANSLATION

As He traveled through the provinces of Ānarta, Sauvīra, Marudeśa and Vinaśana, Lord Hari crossed rivers and passed mountains, cities, villages, cow pastures and quarries.

VERSE 10.71.22

tato dṛṣadvatīṁ tīrtvā
mukundo ’tha sarasvatīm
pañcālān atha matsyāṁś ca
śakra-prastham athāgamat

SYNONYMS

tataḥ — then; dṛṣadvatīm — the river Dṛṣadvatī; tīrtvā — crossing; mukundaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; atha — then; sarasvatīm — the river Sarasvatī; pañcālān — the Pañcāla province; atha — then; matsyān — the Matsya province; ca — also; śakra-prastham — to Indraprastha; atha — and; āgamat — He came.

TRANSLATION

After crossing the rivers Dṛṣadvatī and Sarasvatī, He passed through Pañcāla and Matsya and finally came to Indraprastha.

VERSE 10.71.23

tam upāgatam ākarṇya
prīto durdarśanaṁ nṛnām
ajāta-śatrur niragāt
sopadhyāyaḥ suhṛd-vṛtaḥ

SYNONYMS

tam — Him; upāgatam — arrived; ākarṇya — hearing; prītaḥ — pleased; durdarśanam — rarely seen; nṛṇām — by humans; ajāta-śatruḥ — King Yudhiṣṭhira, whose enemy was never born; niragāt — came out; sa — with; upadhyāyaḥ — his priests; suhṛt — by relatives; vṛtaḥ — surrounded.

TRANSLATION

King Yudhiṣṭhira was delighted to hear that the Lord, whom human beings rarely see, had now arrived. Accompanied by his priests and dear associates, the King came out to meet Lord Kṛṣṇa.

VERSE 10.71.24

gīta-vāditra-ghoṣeṇa
brahma-ghoṣeṇa bhūyasā
abhyayāt sa hṛṣīkeśaṁ
prāṇāḥ prāṇam ivādṛtaḥ

SYNONYMS

gīta — of song; vāditra — and instrumental music; ghoṣeṇa — with the sound; brahma — of the Vedas; ghoṣeṇa — with the sound; bhūyasā — abundant; abhyayāt — went forth; saḥ — he; hṛṣīkeśam — to Lord Kṛṣṇa; prāṇāḥ — the senses; prāṇam — consciousness, or the air of life; iva — as; ādṛtaḥ — reverential.

TRANSLATION

As songs and musical instruments resounded along with the loud vibration of Vedic hymns, the King went forth with great reverence to meet Lord Hṛṣīkeśa, just as the senses go forth to meet the consciousness of life.

VERSE 10.71.25

dṛṣṭvā viklinna-hṛdayaḥ
kṛṣṇaṁ snehena pāṇḍavaḥ
cirād dṛṣṭaṁ priyatamaṁ
sasvaje ’tha punaḥ punaḥ

SYNONYMS

dṛṣṭvā — seeing; viklinna — melted; hṛdayaḥ — his heart; kṛṣṇam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; snehena — with affection; pāṇḍavaḥ — the son of Pāṇḍu; cirāt — after a long time; dṛṣṭam — seen; priya-tamam — his dearmost friend; sasvaje — he embraced Him; atha — thereupon; punaḥ punaḥ — again and again.

TRANSLATION

The heart of King Yudhiṣṭhira melted with affection when he saw his dearmost friend, Lord Kṛṣṇa, after such a long separation, and he embraced the Lord again and again.

VERSE 10.71.26

dorbhyāṁ pariṣvajya ramāmalālayaṁ
mukunda-gātraṁ nṛ-patir hatāśubhaḥ
lebhe parāṁ nirvṛtim aśru-locano
hṛṣyat-tanur vismṛta-loka-vibhramaḥ

SYNONYMS

dorbhyām — with his arms; pariṣvajya — embracing; ramā — of the goddess of fortune; amala — faultless; alayam — the abode; mukunda — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; gātram — the body; nṛ-patiḥ — the king; hata — destroyed; aśubhaḥ — all of whose bad fortune; lebhe — achieved; parām — the highest; nirvṛtim — joy; aśru — tears; locanaḥ — in whose eyes; hṛṣyat — exhilarated; tanuḥ — whose body; vismṛta — forgetting; loka — of the mundane realm; vibhramaḥ — the illusory affairs.

TRANSLATION

The eternal form of Lord Kṛṣṇa is the everlasting residence of the goddess of fortune. As soon as King Yudhiṣṭhira embraced Him, the King became free of all the contamination of material existence. He immediately felt transcendental bliss and merged in an ocean of happiness. There were tears in his eyes, and his body shook due to ecstasy. He completely forgot that he was living in this material world.

VERSE 10.71.27

taṁ mātuleyaṁ parirabhya nirvṛto
bhīmaḥ smayan prema-jalākulendriyaḥ
yamau kirīṭī ca suhṛttamaṁ mudā
pravṛddha-bāṣpāḥ parirebhire ’cyutam

SYNONYMS

tam — Him; mātuleyam — his mother’s brother’s son; parirabhya — embracing; nirvṛtaḥ — filled with joy; bhīmaḥ — Bhīmasena; smayan — laughing; prema — due to love; jala — with the water (tears); ākula — filled; indriyaḥ — whose eyes; yamau — the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva); kirītī — Arjuna; ca — and; suhṛt-tamam — their dearmost friend; mudā — with pleasure; pravṛddha — profuse; bāṣpāḥ — whose tears; parirebhire — they embraced; acyutam — the infallible Lord.

TRANSLATION

Then Bhīma, his eyes brimming with tears, laughed with joy as he embraced his maternal cousin, Kṛṣṇa. Arjuna and the twins — Nakula and Sahadeva — also joyfully embraced their dearmost friend, the infallible Lord, and they cried profusely.

VERSE 10.71.28

arjunena pariṣvakto
yamābhyām abhivāditaḥ
brāhmaṇebhyo namaskṛtya
vṛddhebhyaś ca yathārhataḥ
mānino mānayām āsa
kuru-sṛñjaya-kaikayān

SYNONYMS

arjunena — by Arjuna; pariṣvaktaḥ — embraced; yamābhyām — by the twins; abhivāditaḥ — offered obeisances; brāhmaṇebhyaḥ — to the brāhmaṇas; namaskṛtya — bowing down; vṛddhebhyaḥ — to the elders; ca — and; yathā-arhataḥ — according to etiquette; māninaḥ — the honorable ones; mānayām āsa — He honored; kuru-sṛñjaya-kaikayān — the Kurus, Sṛñjayas and Kaikayas.

TRANSLATION

After Arjuna had embraced Him once more and Nakula and Sahadeva had offered Him their obeisances, Lord Kṛṣṇa bowed down to the brāhmaṇas and elders present, thus properly honoring the respectable members of the Kuru, Sṛñjaya and Kaikaya clans.

VERSE 10.71.29

sūta-māgadha-gandharvā
vandinaś copamantriṇaḥ
mṛdaṅga-śaṅkha-paṭaha
vīṇā-paṇava-gomukhaiḥ
brāhmaṇāś cāravindākṣaṁ
tuṣṭuvur nanṛtur jaguḥ

SYNONYMS

sūta — bards; māgadha — chroniclers; gandharvāḥ — demigods known for their singing; vandinaḥ — eulogists; ca — and; upamantriṇaḥ — jesters; mṛdaṅga — with mṛdaṅga drums; śaṅkha — conchshells; paṭaha — kettledrums; vīṇā — vīṇās; paṇava — a smaller drum; gomukhaiḥ — and gomukha horns; brāhmaṇāḥ — brāhmaṇas; ca — as well; aravinda-akṣam — the lotus-eyed Lord; tuṣṭuvuḥ — glorified with hymns; nanṛtuḥ — danced; jaguḥ — sang.

TRANSLATION

Sūtas, Māgadhas, Gandharvas, Vandīs, jesters and brāhmaṇas all glorified the lotus-eyed Lord — some reciting prayers, some dancing and singing — as mṛdaṅgas, conchshells, kettledrums, vīṇās, paṇavas and gomukhas resounded.

VERSE 10.71.30

evaṁ suhṛdbhiḥ paryastaḥ
puṇya-śloka-śikhāmaṇiḥ
saṁstūyamāno bhagavān
viveśālaṅkṛtaṁ puram

SYNONYMS

evam — thus; su-hṛdbhiḥ — by His well-wishing relatives; paryastaḥ — surrounded; puṇya-śloka — of persons of pious renown; śikhā-maṇiḥ — the crest jewel; saṁstūyamānaḥ — being glorified; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; viveśa — entered; alaṅkṛtam — decorated; puram — the city.

TRANSLATION

Thus surrounded by His well-wishing relatives and praised on all sides, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the crest jewel of the justly renowned, entered the decorated city.

VERSE 10.71.31-32

saṁsikta-vartma kariṇāṁ mada-gandha-toyaiś
citra-dhvajaiḥ kanaka-toraṇa-pūrṇa-kumbhaiḥ
mṛṣṭātmabhir nava-dukūla-vibhūṣaṇa-srag-
gandhair nṛbhir yuvatibhiś ca virājamānam

uddīpta-dīpa-balibhiḥ prati-sadma jāla
niryāta-dhūpa-ruciraṁ vilasat-patākam
mūrdhanya-hema-kalaśai rajatoru-śṛṅgair
juṣṭaṁ dadarśa bhavanaiḥ kuru-rāja-dhāma

SYNONYMS

saṁsikta — sprinkled with water; vartma — whose roads; kariṇām — of elephants; mada — of the liquid exuding from their foreheads; gandha — fragrant; toyaiḥ — with the water; citra — colorful; dhvajaiḥ — with flags; kanaka — golden; toraṇa — with gateways; pūrṇa-kumbhaiḥ — and full waterpots; mṛṣṭa — decorated; ātmabhiḥ — whose bodies; nava — new; dukūla — with fine garments; vibhūṣaṇa — ornaments; srak — flower garlands; gandhaiḥ — and aromatic sandalwood paste; nṛbhiḥ — with men; yuvatibhiḥ — with young women; ca — also; virājamānam — resplendent; uddīpta — lit; dīpa — with lamps; balibhiḥ — and offerings of tribute; prati — each; sadma — home; jāla — from the holes of latticed windows; niryāta — drifting; dhūpa — with incense smoke; ruciram — attractive; vilasat — waving; patākam — with banners; mūrdhanya — on the roofs; hema — gold; kalaśaiḥ — with domes; rajata — of silver; uru — large; śṛṅgaiḥ — with platforms; juṣṭam — adorned; dadarśa — He saw; bhavanaiḥ — with homes; kuru-rāja — of the King of the Kurus; dhāma — the domain.

TRANSLATION

The roads of Indraprastha were sprinkled with water perfumed by the liquid from elephants’ foreheads, and colorful flags, golden gateways and full waterpots enhanced the city’s splendor. Men and young girls were beautifully arrayed in fine, new garments, adorned with flower garlands and ornaments, and anointed with aromatic sandalwood paste. Every home displayed glowing lamps and respectful offerings, and from the holes of the latticed windows drifted incense, further beautifying the city. Banners waved, and the roofs were decorated with golden domes on broad silver bases. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa saw the royal city of the King of the Kurus.

VERSE 10.71.33

prāptaṁ niśamya nara-locana-pāna-pātram
autsukya-viślathita-keśa-dukūla-bandhāḥ
sadyo visṛjya gṛha-karma patīṁś ca talpe
draṣṭuṁ yayur yuvatayaḥ sma narendra-mārge

SYNONYMS

prāptam — arrived; niśamya — hearing; nara — of men; locana — of the eyes; pāna — of drinking; pātram — the object, or reservoir; autsukya — out of their eagerness; viślathita — loosened; keśa — their hair; dukūla — of their dresses; bandhāḥ — and the knots; sadyaḥ — immediately; visṛjya — abandoning; gṛha — of the household; karma — their work; patīn — their husbands; ca — and; talpe — in bed; draṣṭum — to see; yayuḥ — went; yuvatayaḥ — the young girls; sma — indeed; nara-indra — of the king; mārge — onto the road.

TRANSLATION

When the young women of the city heard that Lord Kṛṣṇa, the reservoir of pleasure for human eyes, had arrived, they hurriedly went onto the royal road to see Him. They abandoned their household duties and even left their husbands in bed, and in their eagerness the knots of their hair and garments came loose.

VERSE 10.71.34

tasmin su-saṅkula ibhāśva-ratha-dvipadbhiḥ
kṛṣṇam sa-bhāryam upalabhya gṛhādhirūḍhāḥ
nāryo vikīrya kusumair manasopaguhya
su-svāgataṁ vidadhur utsmaya-vīkṣitena

SYNONYMS

tasmin — on that (road); su — very; saṅkule — crowded; ibha — with elephants; aśva — horses; ratha — chariots; dvi-padbhiḥ — and foot soldiers; kṛṣṇam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; sa-bhāryam — with His wives; upalabhya — catching sight of; gṛha — of the homes; adhirūḍhāḥ — having climbed to the tops; nāryaḥ — the women; vikīrya — scattering; kusumaiḥ — flowers; manasā — in their minds; upaguhya — embracing Him; su-svāgatam — heartfelt welcome; vidadhuḥ — they gave Him; utsmaya — broadly smiling; vīkṣitena — with their glances.

TRANSLATION

The royal road being quite crowded with elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers, the women climbed to the top of their houses, where they caught sight of Lord Kṛṣṇa and His queens. The city ladies scattered flowers upon the Lord, embraced Him in their minds and expressed their heartfelt welcome with broadly smiling glances.

VERSE 10.71.35

ūcuḥ striyaḥ pathi nirīkṣya mukunda-patnīs
tārā yathoḍupa-sahāḥ kim akāry amūbhiḥ
yac cakṣuṣāṁ puruṣa-maulir udāra-hāsa
līlāvaloka-kalayotsavam ātanoti

SYNONYMS

ūcuḥ — said; striyaḥ — the women; pathi — upon the road; nirīkṣya — seeing; mukunda — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; patnīḥ — the wives; tārāḥ — stars; yathā — like; uḍu-pa — the moon; sahāḥ — accompanying; kim — what; akāri — was done; amūbhiḥ — by them; yat — since; cakṣuṣām — for their eyes; puruṣa — of men; mauliḥ — the diadem; udāra — wide; hāsa — with smiles; līlā — playful; avaloka — of His glances; kalayā — with a small portion; utsavam — a festival; ātanoti — He bestows.

TRANSLATION

Observing Lord Mukunda’s wives passing on the road like stars accompanying the moon, the women exclaimed, “What have these ladies done so that the best of men bestows upon their eyes the joy of His generous smiles and playful sidelong glances?”

VERSE 10.71.36

tatra tatropasaṅgamya
paurā maṅgala-pāṇayaḥ
cakruḥ saparyāṁ kṛṣṇāya
śreṇī-mukhyā hatainasaḥ

SYNONYMS

tatra tatra — in various places; upasaṅgamya — approaching; paurāḥ — citizens of the city; maṅgala — auspicious offerings; pāṇayaḥ — in their hands; cakruḥ — performed; saparyām — worship; kṛṣṇāya — for Lord Kṛṣṇa; śreṇī — of occupational guilds; mukhyāḥ — the leaders; hata — eradicated; enasaḥ — whose sins.

TRANSLATION

In various places citizens of the city came forward holding auspicious offerings for Lord Kṛṣṇa, and sinless leaders of occupational guilds came forward to worship the Lord.

VERSE 10.71.37

antaḥ-pura-janaiḥ prītyā
mukundaḥ phulla-locanaiḥ
sa-sambhramair abhyupetaḥ
prāviśad rāja-mandiram

SYNONYMS

antaḥ-pura — of the imperial precinct; janaiḥ — by the people; prītyā — lovingly; mukundaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; phulla — blossoming; locanaiḥ — whose eyes; sa-sambhramaiḥ — in a flurry; abhyupetaḥ — approached with greetings; prāviśat — He entered; rāja — royal; mandiram — the palace.

TRANSLATION

With wide-open eyes, the members of the royal household came forward in a flurry to lovingly greet Lord Mukunda, and thus the Lord entered the royal palace.

VERSE 10.71.38

pṛthā vilokya bhrātreyaṁ
kṛṣṇaṁ tri-bhuvaneśvaram
prītātmotthāya paryaṅkāt
sa-snuṣā pariṣasvaje

SYNONYMS

pṛthā — Queen Kuntī; vilokya — seeing; bhrātreyam — her brother’s son; kṛṣṇam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; tri-bhuvana — of the three worlds; īśvaram — the master; prīta — full of love; ātmā — whose heart; utthāya — rising; paryaṅkāt — from her couch; sa-snuṣā — together with her daughter-in-law (Draupadī); pariṣasvaje — embraced.

TRANSLATION

When Queen Pṛthā saw her nephew Kṛṣṇa, the master of the three worlds, her heart became filled with love. Rising from her couch with her daughter-in-law, she embraced the Lord.

VERSE 10.71.39

govindaṁ gṛham ānīya
deva-deveśam ādṛtaḥ
pūjāyāṁ nāvidat kṛtyaṁ
pramodopahato nṛpaḥ

SYNONYMS

govindam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; gṛham — to His quarters; ānīya — bringing; deva — of all gods; deva-īśam — the Supreme God and controller; ādṛtaḥ — reverential; pūjāyām — in the ritual worship; na avidat — did not know; kṛtyam — the details of performance; pramoda — by his great joy; upahataḥ — overwhelmed; nṛpaḥ — the King.

TRANSLATION

King Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully brought Lord Govinda, the Supreme God of gods, to his personal quarters. The King was so overcome with joy that he could not remember all the rituals of worship.

VERSE 10.71.40

pitṛ-svasur guru-strīṇāṁ
kṛṣṇaś cakre ’bhivādanam
svayaṁ ca kṛṣṇayā rājan
bhaginyā cābhivanditaḥ

SYNONYMS

pitṛ — His father’s; svasuḥ — of the sister (Kuntī); guru — of His elders; strīṇām — and of the wives; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; cakre — performed; abhivādanam — offering of obeisances; svayam — Himself; ca — and; kṛṣṇayā — by Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī); rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); bhaginyā — by His sister (Subhadrā); ca — also; abhivanditaḥ — bowed down to.

TRANSLATION

Lord Kṛṣṇa bowed down to His aunt and the wives of His elders, O King, and then Draupadī and the Lord’s sister bowed down to Him.

VERSE 10.71.41-42

śvaśṛvā sañcoditā kṛṣṇā
kṛṣṇa-patnīś ca sarvaśaḥ
ānarca rukmiṇīṁ satyāṁ
bhadrāṁ jāmbavatīṁ tathā

kālindīṁ mitravindāṁ ca
śaibyāṁ nāgnajitīṁ satīm
anyāś cābhyāgatā yās tu
vāsaḥ-sraṅ-maṇḍanādibhiḥ

SYNONYMS

śvaśrvā — by her mother-in-law (Kuntī); sañcoditā — encouraged; kṛṣṇā — Draupadī; kṛṣṇa-patnīḥ — Kṛṣṇa’s wives; ca — and; sarvaśaḥ — all of them; ānarca — she worshiped; rukmiṇīm — Rukmiṇī; satyām — Satyabhāmā; bhadrām jāmbavatīm — Bhadrā and Jāmbavatī; tathā — also; kālindīm mitravindām ca — Kālindī and Mitravindā; śaibyām — the descendant of King Śibi; nāgnajitīm — Nāgnajitī; satīm — chaste; anyāḥ — others; ca — as well; abhyāgatāḥ — those who had come there; yāḥ — who; tu — and; vāsaḥ — with clothing; srak — flower garlands; maṇḍana — jewelry; ādibhiḥ — and so on.

TRANSLATION

Encouraged by her mother-in-law, Draupadī worshiped all of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s wives, including Rukmiṇī; Satyabhāmā; Bhadrā; Jāmbavatī; Kālindī; Mitravindā, the descendant of Śibi; the chaste Nāgnajitī; and the other queens of the Lord who were present. Draupadī honored them all with such gifts as clothing, flower garlands and jewelry.

VERSE 10.71.43

sukhaṁ nivāsayām āsa
dharma-rājo janārdanam
sa-sainyaṁ sānugāmatyaṁ
sa-bhāryaṁ ca navaṁ navam

SYNONYMS

sukham — comfortably; nivāsayām āsa — accommodated; dharma-rājaḥ — the king of religiosity, Yudhiṣṭhira; janārdanam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; sa-sainyam — with His army; sa-anuga — with His servants; amatyam — and ministers; sa-bhāryam — with His wives; ca — and; navam navam — newer and newer.

TRANSLATION

King Yudhiṣṭhira arranged for Kṛṣṇa’s rest and saw to it that all who came along with Him — namely His queens, soldiers, ministers and secretaries — were comfortably situated. He arranged that they would experience a new feature of reception every day while staying as guests of the Pāṇḍavas.

VERSE 10.71.44-45

tarpayitvā khāṇḍavena
vahniṁ phālguna-saṁyutaḥ
mocayitvā mayaṁ yena
rājñe divyā sabhā kṛtā

uvāsa katicin māsān
rājñaḥ priya-cikīrṣayā
viharan ratham āruhya
phālgunena bhaṭair vṛtaḥ

SYNONYMS

tarpayitvā — satisfying; khāṇḍavena — with the Khāṇḍava forest; vahnim — the fire-god; phālguna — by Arjuna; saṁyutaḥ — accompanied; mocayitvā — saving; mayam — the demon Maya; yena — by whom; rājñe — for the King (Yudhiṣṭhira); divyā — celestial; sabhā — assembly hall; kṛtā — made; uvāsa — He resided; katicit — several; māsān — months; rājñaḥ — to the King; priya — pleasure; cikīrṣayā — with a desire to give; viharan — sporting; ratham — His chariot; āruhya — riding; phālgunena — with Arjuna; bhaṭaiḥ — by guards; vṛtaḥ — surrounded.

TRANSLATION

Desiring to please King Yudhiṣṭhira, the Lord resided at Indraprastha for several months. During His stay, He and Arjuna satisfied the fire-god by offering him the Khāṇḍava forest, and they saved Maya Dānava, who then built King Yudhiṣṭhira a celestial assembly hall. The Lord also took the opportunity to go riding in His chariot in the company of Arjuna, surrounded by a retinue of soldiers.