Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma Enter Mathurā
VERSE 10.41.1
śrī-śuka uvāca
stuvatas tasya bhagavān
darśayitvā jale vapuḥ
bhūyaḥ samāharat kṛṣṇo
naṭo nāṭyam ivātmanaḥ
SYNONYMS
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; stuvataḥ — while praying; tasya — he, Akrūra; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; darśayitvā — having shown; jale — in the water; vapuḥ — His personal form; bhūyaḥ — again; samāharat — withdrew; kṛṣṇaḥ — Śrī Kṛṣṇa; naṭaḥ — an actor; nāṭyam — the performance; iva — as; ātmanaḥ — his own.
TRANSLATION
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: While Akrūra was still offering prayers, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa withdrew His form that He had revealed in the water, just as an actor winds up his performance.
VERSE 10.41.2
so ’pi cāntarhitaṁ vīkṣya
jalād unmajya satvaraḥ
kṛtvā cāvaśyakaṁ sarvaṁ
vismito ratham āgamat
SYNONYMS
saḥ — he, Akrūra; api — indeed; ca — and; antarhitam — disappeared; vīkṣya — seeing; jalāt — from the water; unmajya — emerging; satvaraḥ — quickly; kṛtvā — performing; ca — and; āvaśyakam — his prescribed duties; sarvam — all; vismitaḥ — surprised; ratham — to the chariot; āgamat — went.
TRANSLATION
When Akrūra saw the vision disappear, he came out of the water and quickly finished his various ritual duties. He then returned to the chariot, astonished.
VERSE 10.41.3
tam apṛcchad dhṛṣīkeśaḥ
kiṁ te dṛṣṭam ivādbhutam
bhūmau viyati toye vā
tathā tvāṁ lakṣayāmahe
SYNONYMS
tam — of him; apṛcchat — asked; hṛṣīkśaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; kim — whether; te — by you; dṛṣṭam — seen; iva — indeed; adbhutam — something exceptional; bhūmau — on the earth; viyati — in the sky; toye — in the water; va — or; tathā — so; tvām — you; lakṣayāmahe — We surmise.
TRANSLATION
Lord Kṛṣṇa asked Akrūra: Have you seen something wonderful on the earth, in the sky or in the water? From your appearance, We think you have.
VERSE 10.41.4
śrī-akrūra uvāca
adbhutānīha yāvanti
bhūmau viyati vā jale
tvayi viśvātmake tāni
kiṁ me ’dṛṣṭaṁ vipaśyataḥ
SYNONYMS
śrī-akrūraḥ uvāca — Śrī Akrūra said; adbhutāni — wonderful things; iha — in this world; yāvanti — whatever; bhūmau — on the earth; viyati — in the sky; vā — or; jale — in the water; tvayi — in You; viśva-ātmake — who comprise everything; tāni — they; kim — what; me — by me; adṛṣṭam — not seen; vipaśyataḥ — seeing (You).
TRANSLATION
Śrī Akrūra said: Whatever wonderful things the earth, sky or water contain, all exist in You. Since You encompass everything, when I am seeing You, what have I not seen?
VERSE 10.41.5
yatrādbhutāni sarvāṇi
bhūmau viyati vā jale
taṁ tvānupaśyato brahman
kiṁ me dṛṣṭam ihādbhutam
SYNONYMS
yatra — in whom; adbhutāni — amazing things; sarvāṇi — all; bhūmau — on the earth; viyati — in the sky; vā — or; jale — in the water; tam — that person; tvā — You; anupaśyataḥ — seeing; brahman — O Supreme Absolute Truth; kim — what; me — by me; dṛṣṭam — seen; iha — in this world; adbhutam — amazing.
TRANSLATION
And now that I am seeing You, O Supreme Absolute Truth, in whom reside all amazing things on the earth, in the sky and in the water, what amazing things could I see in this world?
VERSE 10.41.6
ity uktvā codayām āsa
syandanaṁ gāndinī-sutaḥ
mathurām anayad rāmaṁ
kṛṣṇaṁ caiva dinātyaye
SYNONYMS
iti — thus; uktvā — saying; codayām āsa — drove forward; syandanam — the chariot; gāndinī-sutaḥ — the son of Gāndinī, Akrūra; mathurām — to Mathurā; anayat — he brought; rāmam — Lord Balarāma; kṛṣṇam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; ca — and; eva — also; dina — of the day; atyaye — at the end.
TRANSLATION
With these words, Akrūra, the son of Gāndinī, began driving the chariot onward. At the end of the day he arrived in Mathurā with Lord Balarāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa.
VERSE 10.41.7
mārge grāma-janā rājaṁs
tatra tatropasaṅgatāḥ
vasudeva-sutau vīkṣya
prītā dṛṣṭiṁ na cādaduḥ
SYNONYMS
mārge — on the road; grāma — of the villages; janāḥ — the people; rājan — O King (Parīkṣit); tatra tatra — here and there; upasaṅgatāḥ — approaching; vasudeva-sutau — at the two sons of Vasudeva; vīkṣya — looking; prītāḥ — pleased; dṛṣṭim — their vision; na — not; ca — and; ādaduḥ — could take back.
TRANSLATION
Wherever they passed along the road, O King, the village people came forward and looked upon the two sons of Vasudeva with great pleasure. In fact, the villagers could not withdraw their eyes from Them.
VERSE 10.41.8
tāvad vrajaukasas tatra
nanda-gopādayo ’grataḥ
puropavanam āsādya
pratīkṣanto ’vatasthire
SYNONYMS
tāvat — by then; vraja-okasaḥ — the inhabitants of Vraja; tatra — there; nanda-gopa-ādayaḥ — headed by Nanda, the king of the cowherds; agrataḥ — before; pura — of the city; upavanam — a garden; āsādya — coming upon; pratīkṣantaḥ — waiting; avatasthire — they stayed there.
TRANSLATION
Nanda Mahārāja and the other residents of Vṛndāvana, having reached Mathurā ahead of the chariot, had stopped at a garden on the outskirts of the city to wait for Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.
VERSE 10.41.9
tān sametyāha bhagavān
akrūraṁ jagad-īśvaraḥ
gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇiṁ
praśritaṁ prahasann iva
SYNONYMS
tān — with them; sametya — meeting; āha — said; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; akrūram — to Akrūra; jagat-īśvaraḥ — the Lord of the universe; gṛhītvā — taking; pāṇinā — with His hand; pāṇim — his hand; praśritam — who was humble; prahasan — smiling; iva — indeed.
TRANSLATION
After joining Nanda and the others, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, the controller of the universe, took humble Akrūra’s hand in His own and, smiling, spoke as follows.
VERSE 10.41.10
bhavān praviśatām agre
saha-yānaḥ purīṁ gṛham
vayaṁ tv ihāvamucyātha
tato drakṣyāmahe purīm
SYNONYMS
bhavān — you; praviśatām — should enter; agre — ahead; saha — together with; yānaḥ — the vehicle; purīm — the city; gṛham — and your home; vayam — we; tu — on the other hand; iha — here; avamucya — getting down; atha — then; tataḥ — afterwards; drakṣyāmahe — will see; purīm — the city.
TRANSLATION
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Take the chariot and enter the city ahead of us. Then go home. After resting here a while, we will go to see the city.
VERSE 10.41.11
śrī-akrūra uvāca
nāhaṁ bhavadbhyāṁ rahitaḥ
pravekṣye mathurāṁ prabho
tyaktuṁ nārhasi māṁ nātha
bhaktaṁ te bhakta-vatsala
SYNONYMS
śrī-akrūraḥ uvāca — Śrī Akrūra said; na — cannot; aham — I; bhavadbhyām — of the two of You; rahitaḥ — deprived; pravekṣye — enter; mathurām — Mathurā; prabho — O master; tyaktum — abandon; na arhasi — You should not; mām — me; nātha — O Lord; bhaktam — devotee; te — Your; bhakta-vatsala — O You who have parental affection for Your devotees.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Akrūra said: O master, without the two of You I shall not enter Mathurā. I am Your devotee, O Lord, so it is not fair for You to abandon me, since You are always affectionate to Your devotees.
VERSE 10.41.12
āgaccha yāma gehān naḥ
sa-nāthān kurv adhokṣaja
sahāgrajaḥ sa-gopālaiḥ
suhṛdbhiś ca suhṛttama
SYNONYMS
āgaccha — please come; yāma — let us go; gehān — to the house; naḥ — our; sa — having; nāthān — a master; kuru — please make it; adhokṣaja — O transcendental Lord; saha — with; agra-jaḥ — Your elder brother; sa-gopālaiḥ — with the cowherd men; suhṛdbhiḥ — with Your friends; ca — and; suhṛt-tama — O supreme well-wisher.
TRANSLATION
Come, let us go to my house with Your elder brother, the cowherd men and Your companions. O best of friends, O transcendental Lord, in this way please grace my house with its master.
VERSE 10.41.13
punīhi pāda-rajasā
gṛhān no gṛha-medhinām
yac-chaucenānutṛpyanti
pitaraḥ sāgnayaḥ surāḥ
SYNONYMS
punīhi — please purify; pāda — of Your feet; rajasā — with the dust; gṛhān — the home; naḥ — of us; gṛha-medhinām — who are attached to household ritual duties; yat — by which; śaucena — purification; anutṛpyanti — will become satisfied; pitaraḥ — my forefathers; sa — together with; agnayaḥ — the sacrificial fires; surāḥ — and the demigods.
TRANSLATION
I am simply an ordinary householder attached to ritual sacrifices, so please purify my home with the dust of Your lotus feet. By that act of purification, my forefathers, the sacrificial fires and the demigods will all become satisfied.
VERSE 10.41.14
avanijyāṅghri-yugalam
āsīt ślokyo balir mahān
aiśvaryam atulaṁ lebhe
gatiṁ caikāntināṁ tu yā
SYNONYMS
avanijya — bathing; aṅghri-yugalam — the two feet; āsīt — became; ślokyaḥ — glorious; baliḥ — King Bali; mahān — the great; aiśvaryam — power; atulam — unequaled; lebhe — he achieved; gatīm — the destination; ca — and; ekāntinām — of the unalloyed devotees of the Lord; tu — indeed; yā — which.
TRANSLATION
By bathing Your feet, the exalted Bali Mahārāja attained not only glorious fame and unequaled power but also the final destination of pure devotees.
VERSE 10.41.15
āpas te ’ṅghry-avanejanyas
trīḻ lokān śucayo ’punan
śirasādhatta yāḥ śarvaḥ
svar yātāḥ sagarātmajāḥ
SYNONYMS
āpaḥ — the water (namely, the river Ganges); te — Your; aṅghri — of the feet; avanejanyaḥ — coming from the bathing; trīn — the three; lokān — worlds; śucayaḥ — being purely spiritual; apunan — has purified; śirasā — on his head; ādhatta — has taken; yāḥ — which; śarvaḥ — Lord Śiva; svaḥ — to heaven; yātāḥ — went; sagara-ātmajāḥ — the sons of King Sagara.
TRANSLATION
The water of the river Ganges has purified the three worlds, having become transcendental by bathing Your feet. Lord Śiva accepted that water on his head, and by that water’s grace the sons of King Sagara attained to heaven.
VERSE 10.41.16
deva-deva jagan-nātha
puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtana
yadūttamottamaḥ-śloka
nārāyaṇa namo ’stu te
SYNONYMS
deva-deva — O Lord of lords; jagat-nātha — O master of the universe; puṇya — pious; śravaṇa — hearing; kīrtana — and chanting (about whom); yadu-uttama — O best of the Yadus; uttamaḥ-śloka — O You who are glorified in excellent verses; nārāyaṇa — O Supreme Lord Nārāyaṇa; namaḥ — obeisances; astu — let there be; te — unto You.
TRANSLATION
O Lord of lords, master of the universe, O You whose glories it is most pious to hear and chant! O best of the Yadus, O You whose fame is recounted in excellent poetry! O Supreme Lord Nārāyaṇa, I offer You my obeisances.
VERSE 10.41.17
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
āyāsye bhavato geham
aham arya-samanvitaḥ
yadu-cakra-druhaṁ hatvā
vitariṣye suhṛt-priyam
SYNONYMS
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Lord said; āyāsye — will come; bhavataḥ — to your; geham — house; aham — I; ārya — by My elder (brother, Balarāma); samanvitaḥ — accompanied; yadu-cakra — of the circle of Yadus; druham — the enemy (Kaṁsa); hatvā — killing; vitariṣye — I will grant; suhṛt — to My well-wishers; priyam — satisfaction.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Lord said: I will come to Your house with My elder brother, but first I must satisfy My friends and well-wishers by killing the enemy of the Yadu clan.
VERSE 10.41.18
śrī-śuka uvāca
evam ukto bhagavatā
so ’krūro vimanā iva
purīṁ praviṣṭaḥ kaṁsāya
karmāvedya gṛhaṁ yayau
SYNONYMS
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; evam — thus; uktaḥ — addressed; bhagavatā — by the Lord; saḥ — he; akrūraḥ — Akrūra; vimanāḥ — disheartened; iva — somewhat; purīm — the city; praviṣṭaḥ — entering; kaṁsāya — to Kaṁsa; karma — about his activities; āvedya — informing; gṛham — to his home; yayau — went.
TRANSLATION
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus addressed by the Lord, Akrūra entered the city with a heavy heart. He informed King Kaṁsa of the success of his mission and then went home.
VERSE 10.41.19
athāparāhne bhagavān
kṛṣṇaḥ saṅkarṣaṇānvitaḥ
mathurāṁ prāviśad gopair
didṛkṣuḥ parivāritaḥ
SYNONYMS
atha — then; apara-ahne — in the afternoon; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; kṛṣṇaḥ — Kṛṣṇa; saṅkarṣaṇa-anvitaḥ — together with Lord Balarāma; mathurām — Mathurā; prāviśat — entered; gopaiḥ — by the cowherd boys; didṛkṣuḥ — wanting to see; parivāritaḥ — joined.
TRANSLATION
Lord Kṛṣṇa desired to see Mathurā, so toward evening He took Lord Balarāma and the cowherd boys with Him and entered the city.
VERSE 10.41.20-23
dadarśa tāṁ sphāṭika-tuṇga-gopura-
dvārāṁ bṛhad-dhema-kapāṭa-toraṇām
tāmrāra-koṣṭhāṁ parikhā-durāsadām
udyāna-ramyopavanopaśobhitām
sauvarṇa-śṛṅgāṭaka-harmya-niṣkuṭaiḥ
śreṇī-sabhābhir bhavanair upaskṛtām
vaidūrya-vajrāmala-nīla-vidrumair
muktā-haridbhir valabhīṣu vediṣu
juṣṭeṣu jālāmukha-randhra-kuṭṭimeṣv
āviṣṭa-pārāvata-barhi-nāditām
saṁsikta-rathyāpaṇa-mārga-catvarāṁ
prakīrṇa-mālyāṅkura-lāja-taṇḍulām
āpūrṇa-kumbhair dadhi-candanokṣitaiḥ
prasūna-dīpāvalibhiḥ sa-pallavaiḥ
sa-vṛnda-rambhā-kramukaiḥ sa-ketubhiḥ
sv-alaṅkṛta-dvāra-gṛhāṁ sa-paṭṭikaiḥ
SYNONYMS
dadarśa — He saw; tam — that (city); sphāṭika — of crystal; tuṅga — high; gopura — whose main gates; dvārām — and household gates; bṛhat — immense; hema — gold; kapāṭa — whose doors; toraṇām — and ornamental arches; tāmra — of copper; āra — and brass; koṣṭhām — whose storehouses; parikhā — with its canals; durāsadām — inviolable; udyāna — with public gardens; ramya — attractive; upavana — and parks; upaśobhitam — beautified; sauvarṇa — gold; śṛṅgāṭaka — with crossways; harmya — mansions; niṣkuṭaiḥ — and pleasure gardens; śreṇī — of guilds; sabhābhiḥ — with the assembly halls; bhavanaiḥ — and with houses; upaskṛtām — ornamented; vaidūrya — with vaidūrya gems; vajra — diamonds; amala — crystal quartz; nīla — sapphires; vidrumaiḥ — and coral; muktā — with pearls; haridbhiḥ — and emeralds; valabhīṣu — on the wood panels decorating the rafters in front of the houses; vediṣu — on columned balconies; juṣṭeṣu — bedecked; jāla-āmukha — of lattice windows; randhra — in the openings; kuṭṭimeṣu — and on gem-studded floors; āviṣṭa — sitting; pārāvata — with the pet doves; barhi — and the peacocks; nāditām — resounding; saṁsikta — sprinkled with water; rathyā — with royal avenues; āpaṇa — commercial streets; mārga — other roads; catvarām — and courtyards; prakīrṇa — scattered; mālya — with flower garlands; aṅkura — new sprouts; lāja — parched grains; taṇḍulām — and rice; āpūrṇa — full; kumbhaiḥ — with pots; dadhi — with yogurt; candana — and sandalwood paste; ukṣitaiḥ — smeared; prasūna — with flower petals; dīpa-āvalibhiḥ — and rows of lamps; sa-pallavaiḥ — with leaves; sa-vṛnda — with bunches of flowers; rambhā — with trunks of banana trees; kramukaiḥ — and trunks of betel-nut trees; sa-ketubhiḥ — with flags; su-alaṅkṛta — nicely decorated; dvāra — with doors; gṛhām — whose houses; sa-paṭṭikaiḥ — with ribbons.
TRANSLATION
The Lord saw Mathurā, with its tall gates and household entrances made of crystal, its immense archways and main doors of gold, its granaries and other storehouses of copper and brass, and its impregnable moats. Beautifying the city were pleasant gardens and parks. The main intersections were fashioned of gold, and there were mansions with private pleasure gardens, along with guildhalls and many other buildings. Mathurā resounded with the calls of peacocks and pet turtledoves, who sat in the small openings of the lattice windows and on the gem-studded floors, and also on the columned balconies and on the ornate rafters in front of the houses. These balconies and rafters were adorned with vaidūrya stones, diamonds, crystal quartz, sapphires, coral, pearls and emeralds. All the royal avenues and commercial streets were sprinkled with water, as were the side roads and courtyards, and flower garlands, newly grown sprouts, parched grains and rice had been scattered about everywhere. Gracing the houses’ doorways were elaborately decorated pots filled with water, which were bedecked with mango leaves, smeared with yogurt and sandalwood paste, and encircled by flower petals and ribbons. Near the pots were flags, rows of lamps, bunches of flowers and the trunks of banana and betel-nut trees.
VERSE 10.41.24
tāṁ sampraviṣṭau vasudeva-nandanau
vṛtau vayasyair naradeva-vartmanā
draṣṭuṁ samīyus tvaritāḥ pura-striyo
harmyāṇi caivāruruhur nṛpotsukāḥ
SYNONYMS
tām — that (Mathurā); sampraviṣṭau — entering; vasudeva — of Vasudeva; nandanau — the two sons; vṛtau — surrounded; vayasyaiḥ — by Their young friends; nara-deva — of the King; vartmanā — by the road; draṣṭum — to see; samīyuḥ — came forward together; tvaritāḥ — hurriedly; pura — of the city; striyaḥ — the women; harmyāṇi — their houses; ca — and; eva — also; āruruhuḥ — they climbed on top of; nṛpa — O King (Parīkṣit); utsukāḥ — eager.
TRANSLATION
The women of Mathurā hurriedly assembled and went forth to see the two sons of Vasudeva as They entered the city on the King’s road, surrounded by Their cowherd boyfriends. Some of the women, my dear King, eagerly climbed to the roofs of their houses to see Them.
VERSE 10.41.25
kāścid viparyag-dhṛta-vastra-bhūṣaṇā
vismṛtya caikaṁ yugaleṣv athāparāḥ
kṛtaika-patra-śravanaika-nūpurā
nāṅktvā dvitīyaṁ tv aparāś ca locanam
SYNONYMS
kaścit — some of them; viparyak — backwards; dhṛta — putting on; vastra — their clothes; bhūṣaṇaḥ — and ornaments; vismṛtya — forgetting; ca — and; ekam — one; yugaleṣu — of the pairs; atha — and; aparāḥ — others; kṛta — placing; eka — only one; patra — earring; śravaṇa — on their ears; eka — or one; nūpurāḥ — set of ankle bells; na aṅktvā — not anointing; dvitīyam — the second; tu — but; aparāḥ — other ladies; ca — and; locanam — an eye.
TRANSLATION
Some of the ladies put their clothes and ornaments on backwards, others forgot one of their earrings or ankle bells, and others applied makeup to one eye but not the other.
VERSE 10.41.26
aśnantya ekās tad apāsya sotsavā
abhyajyamānā akṛtopamajjanāḥ
svapantya utthāya niśamya niḥsvanaṁ
prapāyayantyo ’rbham apohya mātaraḥ
SYNONYMS
aśnantyaḥ — taking meals; ekaḥ — some; tat — that; apāsya — abandoning; sa-utsavaḥ — joyfully; abhyajyamānāḥ — being massaged; akṛta — not finishing; upamajjanāḥ — their bathing; svapantyaḥ — sleeping; utthāya — getting up; niśamya — having heard; niḥsvanam — the loud sounds; prapāyayantyaḥ — giving milk; arbham — to an infant; apohya — put aside; mātaraḥ — mothers.
TRANSLATION
Those who were taking their meals abandoned them, others went out without finishing their baths or massages, women who were sleeping at once rose when they heard the commotion, and mothers breast-feeding their infants simply put them aside.
VERSE 10.41.27
manāṁsi tāsām aravinda-locanaḥ
pragalbha-līlā-hasitāvalokaiḥ
jahāra matta-dviradendra-vikramo
dṛśāṁ dadac chrī-ramaṇātmanotsavam
SYNONYMS
manāṁsi — the minds; tāsām — their; aravinda — like lotuses; locanaḥ — He whose eyes; pragalbha — bold; līlā — with His pastimes; hasita — smiling; avalokaiḥ — with His glances; jahāra — He took away; matta — in rut; dvirada-indra — (like) a lordly elephant; vikramaḥ — whose gait; dṛśām — to their eyes; dadat — affording; śrī — of the goddess of fortune; ramaṇa — which is the source of pleasure; ātmanā — with His body; utsavam — a festival.
TRANSLATION
The lotus-eyed Lord, smiling as He recalled His bold pastimes, captivated those ladies’ minds with His glances. He walked with the gait of a lordly elephant in rut, creating a festival for their eyes with His transcendental body, which is the source of pleasure for the divine goddess of fortune.
VERSE 10.41.28
dṛṣṭvā muhuḥ śrutam anudruta-cetasas
taṁ tat-prekṣaṇotsmita-sudhokṣaṇa-labdha-mānāḥ
ānanda-mūrtim upaguhya dṛśātma-labdhaṁ
hṛṣyat-tvaco jahur anantam arindamādhim
SYNONYMS
dṛṣṭvā — seeing; muhuḥ — repeatedly; śrutam — heard about; anudruta — melted; cetasaḥ — whose hearts; tam — Him; tat — His; prekṣaṇa — of the glances; ut-smita — and the broad smiles; sudhā — by the nectar; ukṣaṇa — from the sprinkling; labdha — receiving; mānāḥ — honor; ānanda — of ecstasy; mūrtim — the personal form; upaguhya — embracing; dṛśā — through their eyes; ātma — within themselves; labdham — gained; hṛṣyat — erupting; tvacaḥ — their skin; jahuḥ — they gave up; anantam — unlimited; arim-dama — O subduer of enemies (Parīkṣit); ādhim — mental distress.
TRANSLATION
The ladies of Mathurā had repeatedly heard about Kṛṣṇa, and thus as soon as they saw Him their hearts melted. They felt honored that He was sprinkling upon them the nectar of His glances and broad smiles. Taking Him into their hearts through their eyes, they embraced Him, the embodiment of all ecstasy, and as their bodily hairs stood on end, O subduer of enemies, they forgot the unlimited distress caused by His absence.
VERSE 10.41.29
prāsāda-śikharārūḍhāḥ
prīty-utphulla-mukhāmbujāḥ
abhyavarṣan saumanasyaiḥ
pramadā bala-keśavau
SYNONYMS
prāsāda — of the mansions; śikhara — to the roofs; ārūḍhāḥ — having climbed; prīti — with affection; utphulla — blooming; mukha — their faces; ambujāḥ — which were like lotuses; abhyavarṣan — they showered; saumanasyaiḥ — with flowers; pramadāḥ — the attractive women; bala-keśavau — Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa.
TRANSLATION
Their lotus faces blooming with affection, the ladies who had climbed to the roofs of the mansions rained down showers of flowers upon Lord Balarāma and Lord Kṛṣṇa.
VERSE 10.41.30
dadhy-akṣataiḥ soda-pātraiḥ
srag-gandhair abhyupāyanaiḥ
tāv ānarcuḥ pramuditās
tatra tatra dvijātayaḥ
SYNONYMS
dadhi — with yogurt; akṣataiḥ — unbroken barleycorns; sa — and; uda-pātraiḥ — with pots filled with water; srak — with garlands; gandhaiḥ — and fragrant substances; abhyupāyanaiḥ — and also with other items of worship; tau — the two of Them; ānarcuḥ — worshiped; pramuditāḥ — joyful; tatra tatra — in various places; dvi-jātayaḥ — brāhmaṇas.
TRANSLATION
Brāhmaṇas standing along the way honored the two Lords with presentations of yogurt, unbroken barleycorns, pots full of water, garlands, fragrant substances such as sandalwood paste, and other items of worship.
VERSE 10.41.31
ūcuḥ paurā aho gopyas
tapaḥ kim acaran mahat
yā hy etāv anupaśyanti
nara-loka-mahotsavau
SYNONYMS
ūcuḥ — said; paurāḥ — the women of the city; aho — ah; gopyaḥ — the cowherd girls (of Vṛndāvana); tapaḥ — austerity; kim — what; acaran — have executed; mahat — great; yāḥ — who; hi — indeed; etau — these two; anupaśyanti — constantly see; nara-loka — for human society; mahā-utsavau — who are the greatest source of pleasure.
TRANSLATION
The women of Mathurā exclaimed: Oh, what severe austerities the gopīs must have performed to be able to regularly see Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, who are the greatest source of pleasure for all mankind!
VERSE 10.41.32
rajakaṁ kañcid āyāntaṁ
raṅga-kāraṁ gadāgrajaḥ
dṛṣṭvāyācata vāsāṁsi
dhautāny aty-uttamāni ca
SYNONYMS
rajakam — washerman; kañcit — a certain; āyāntam — approaching; raṅga-kāram — engaged in dyeing; gada-agrajaḥ — Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the elder brother of Gada; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; ayācata — requested; vāsāṁsi — garments; dhautāni — cleaned; ati-uttamāni — first class; ca — and.
TRANSLATION
Seeing a washerman approaching who had been dyeing some clothes, Kṛṣṇa asked him for the finest laundered garments he had.
VERSE 10.41.33
dehy āvayoḥ samucitāny
aṅga vāsāṁsi cārhatoḥ
bhaviṣyati paraṁ śreyo
dātus te nātra saṁśayaḥ
SYNONYMS
dehi — please give; āvayoḥ — to Us two; samucitāni — suitable; aṅga — My dear; vāsāṁsi — clothes; ca — and; arhatoḥ — to the two who are deserving; bhaviṣyati — there will be; param — supreme; śreyaḥ — benefit; dātuḥ — for the giver; te — you; na — there is not; atra — in this matter; saṁśayaḥ — doubt.
TRANSLATION
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Please give suitable garments to the two of Us, who certainly deserve them. If you grant this charity, you will undoubtedly receive the greatest benefit.
VERSE 10.41.34
sa yācito bhagavatā
paripūrṇena sarvataḥ
sākṣepaṁ ruṣitaḥ prāha
bhṛtyo rājñaḥ su-durmadaḥ
SYNONYMS
saḥ — he; yācitaḥ — requested; bhagavatā — by the Supreme Lord; paripūrṇena — who is absolutely complete; sarvataḥ — in all respects; sa-ākṣepam — insultingly; ruṣitaḥ — angered; prāha — he spoke; bhṛtyaḥ — the servant; rājñaḥ — of the King; su — very much; durmadaḥ — falsely proud.
TRANSLATION
Thus requested by the Supreme Lord, who is perfectly complete in all respects, that arrogant servant of the King became angry and replied insultingly.
VERSE 10.41.35
īdṛśāny eva vāsāṁsī
nityaṁ giri-vane-caraḥ
paridhatta kim udvṛttā
rāja-dravyāṇy abhīpsatha
SYNONYMS
īdṛśāni — of this sort; eva — indeed; vāsāṁsi — garments; nityam — always; giri — on the mountains; vane — and in the forests; carāḥ — those who travel; paridhatta — would put on; kim — whether; udvṛttāḥ — impudent; rāja — the King’s; dravyāṇi — things; abhīpsatha — You want.
TRANSLATION
[The washerman said:] You impudent boys! You’re accustomed to roaming the mountains and forests, and yet You would dare put on such clothes as these! These are the King’s possessions You’re asking for!
VERSE 10.41.36
yātāśu bāliśā maivaṁ
prārthyaṁ yadi jijīvīṣā
badhnanti ghnanti lumpanti
dṛptaṁ rāja-kulāni vai
SYNONYMS
yāta — go; āśu — quickly; bāliśaḥ — fools; mā — do not; evam — like this; prārthyam — beg; yadi — if; jijīviṣā — You have the desire to live; badhnanti — they tie up; ghnanti — kill; lumpanti — and loot (his house); dṛptam — one who is bold; rāja-kulāni — the King’s men; vai — indeed.
TRANSLATION
Fools, get out of here quickly! Don’t beg like this if You want to stay alive. When someone is too bold, the King’s men arrest him and kill him and take all his property.
VERSE 10.41.37
evaṁ vikatthamānasya
kupito devakī-sutaḥ
rajakasya karāgreṇa
śiraḥ kāyād apātayat
SYNONYMS
evam — thus; vikatthamānasya — who was brazenly speaking; kupitaḥ — angered; devakī-sutaḥ — Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī; rajakasya — of the washerman; kara — of one hand; agreṇa — with the front; śiraḥ — the head; kāyāt — from his body; apātayat — made fall.
TRANSLATION
As the washerman thus spoke brazenly, the son of Devakī became angry, and then merely with His fingertips He separated the man’s head from his body.
VERSE 10.41.38
tasyānujīvinaḥ sarve
vāsaḥ-kośān visṛjya vai
dudruvuḥ sarvato mārgaṁ
vāsāṁsi jagṛhe ’cyutaḥ
SYNONYMS
tasya — his; anujīvinaḥ — employees; sarve — all; vāsaḥ — of clothes; kośān — the bundles; visṛjya — leaving behind; vai — indeed; dadruvuḥ — they fled; sarvataḥ — in all directions; mārgam — down the road; vāsāṁsi — garments; jagṛhe — took; acyutaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa.
TRANSLATION
The washerman’s assistants all dropped their bundles of clothes and fled down the road, scattering in all directions. Lord Kṛṣṇa then took the clothes.
VERSE 10.41.39
vasitvātma-priye vastre
kṛṣṇaḥ saṅkarṣaṇas tathā
śeṣāṇy ādatta gopebhyo
visṛjya bhuvi kānicit
SYNONYMS
vasitvā — dressing Himself; ātma-priye — which He liked; vastre — in a pair of garments; kṛṣṇaḥ — Kṛṣṇa; saṅkarṣaṇaḥ — Balarāma; tathā — also; śeṣāṇi — the rest; ādatta — He gave; gopebhyaḥ — to the cowherd boys; visṛjya — throwing away; bhuvi — on the ground; kānicit — several.
TRANSLATION
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma put on pairs of garments that especially pleased Them, and then Kṛṣṇa distributed the remaining clothes among the cowherd boys, leaving some scattered on the ground.
VERSE 10.41.40
tatas tu vāyakaḥ prītas
tayor veṣam akalpayat
vicitra-varṇaiś caileyair
ākalpair anurūpataḥ
SYNONYMS
tataḥ — then; tu — moreover; vāyakaḥ — a weaver; prītaḥ — affectionate; tayoḥ — for the two of Them; veṣam — dress; akalpayat — arranged; vicitra — various; varṇaiḥ — with colors; caileyaiḥ — made of cloth; ākalpaiḥ — with ornaments; anurūpataḥ — suitably.
TRANSLATION
Thereupon a weaver came forward and, feeling affection for the Lords, nicely adorned Their attire with cloth ornaments of various colors.
VERSE 10.41.41
nānā-lakṣaṇa-veṣābhyāṁ
kṛṣṇa-rāmau virejatuḥ
sv-alaṅkṛtau bāla-gajau
parvaṇīva sitetarau
SYNONYMS
nānā — various; lakṣaṇa — having fine qualities; veṣābhyām — with Their individual clothes; kṛṣṇa-rāmau — Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; virejatuḥ — appeared resplendent; su-alaṅkṛtau — nicely decorated; bāla — young; gajau — elephants; parvaṇi — during a festival; iva — as if; sita — white; itarau — and the opposite (black).
TRANSLATION
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma looked resplendent, each in His own unique, wonderfully ornamented outfit. They resembled a pair of young elephants, one white and the other black, decorated for a festive occasion.
VERSE 10.41.42
tasya prasanno bhagavān
prādāt sārūpyam ātmanaḥ
śriyaṁ ca paramāṁ loke
balaiśvarya-smṛtīndriyam
SYNONYMS
tasya — with him; prasannaḥ — satisfied; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; prādāt — granted; sārūpyam — the liberation of having the same form; ātmanaḥ — as Himself; śriyam — opulence; ca — and; paramām — supreme; loke — in this world; bala — physical strength; aiśvarya — influence; smṛti — strength of memory; indriyam — dexterity of the senses.
TRANSLATION
Pleased with the weaver, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa blessed him that after death he would achieve the liberation of attaining a form like the Lord’s, and that while in this world he would enjoy supreme opulence, physical strength, influence, memory and sensory vigor.
VERSE 10.41.43
tataḥ sudāmno bhavanaṁ
mālā-kārasya jagmatuḥ
tau dṛṣṭvā sa samutthāya
nanāma śirasā bhuvi
SYNONYMS
tataḥ — then; sudāmnaḥ — of Sudāmā; bhavanam — to the home; mālā-kārasya — of the garland-maker; jagmatuḥ — the two of Them went; tau — Them; dṛṣṭvā — seeing; saḥ — he; samutthāya — standing up; nanāma — bowed down; śirasā — with his head; bhuvi — on the ground.
TRANSLATION
The two Lords then went to the house of the garland-maker Sudāmā. When Sudāmā saw Them he at once stood up and then bowed down, placing his head on the ground.
VERSE 10.41.44
tayor āsanam ānīya
pādyaṁ cārghyārhaṇādibhiḥ
pūjāṁ sānugayoś cakre
srak-tāmbūlānulepanaiḥ
SYNONYMS
tayoḥ — for Them; āsanam — seats; ānīya — bringing; pādyam — water to wash the feet; ca — and; arghya — with water to wash the hands; arhaṇa — presents; ādibhiḥ — and so on; pūjām — worship; sa-anugayoḥ — of the two, together with Their companions; cakre — he performed; srak — with garlands; tāmbūla — betel-nut preparation (pān); anulepanaiḥ — and sandalwood paste.
TRANSLATION
After offering Them seats and bathing Their feet, Sudāmā worshiped Them and Their companions with arghya, garlands, pān, sandalwood paste and other presentations.
VERSE 10.41.45
prāha naḥ sārthakaṁ janma
pāvitaṁ ca kulaṁ prabho
pitṛ-devarṣayo mahyaṁ
tuṣṭā hy āgamanena vām
SYNONYMS
prāha — he said; naḥ — our; sa-arthakam — worthwhile; janma — the birth; pāvitam — purified; ca — and; kulam — the family; prabho — O Lord; pitṛ — my forefathers; deva — the demigods; ṛṣayaḥ — and the great sages; mahyam — with me; tuṣṭāḥ — are satisfied; hi — indeed; āgamanena — by the arrival; vām — of You two.
TRANSLATION
[Sudāmā said:] O Lord, my birth is now sanctified and my family free of contamination. Now that You both have come here, my forefathers, the demigods and the great sages are certainly all satisfied with me.
VERSE 10.41.46
bhavantau kila viśvasya
jagataḥ kāraṇaṁ param
avatīrṇāv ihāṁśena
kṣemāya ca bhavāya ca
SYNONYMS
bhavantau — You two; kila — indeed; viśvasya — of the entire; jagataḥ — universe; kāraṇam — the cause; param — ultimate; avatīrṇau — having descended; iha — here; aṁśena — with Your plenary portions; kṣemāya — for the benefit; ca — and; bhavāya — for the prosperity; ca — also.
TRANSLATION
You two Lords are the ultimate cause of this entire universe. To bestow sustenance and prosperity upon this realm, You have descended with Your plenary expansions.
VERSE 10.41.47
na hi vāṁ viṣamā dṛṣṭiḥ
suhṛdor jagad-ātmanoḥ
samayoḥ sarva-bhūteṣu
bhajantaṁ bhajator api
SYNONYMS
na — there is not; hi — indeed; vām — on Your part; viṣamā — biased; dṛṣṭiḥ — vision; suhṛdoḥ — who are well-wishing friends; jagat — of the universe; ātmanoḥ — the Soul; samayoḥ — equal; sarva — to all; bhūteṣu — living beings; bhajantam — those who worship You; bhajatoḥ — reciprocating with; api — even.
TRANSLATION
Because You are the well-wishing friends and Supreme Soul of the whole universe, You regard all with unbiased vision. Therefore, although You reciprocate Your devotees’ loving worship, You always remain equally disposed toward all living beings.
VERSE 10.41.48
tāv ajñāpayataṁ bhṛtyaṁ
kim ahaṁ karavāṇi vām
puṁso ’ty-anugraho hy eṣa
bhavadbhir yan niyujyate
SYNONYMS
tau — They; ājñāpayatam — should please order; bhṛtyam — Their servant; kim — what; aham — I; karavāṇi — should do; vām — for You; puṁsaḥ — for any person; ati — extreme; anugrahaḥ — mercy; hi — indeed; eṣaḥ — this; bhavadbhiḥ — by You; yat — in which; niyujyate — he is engaged.
TRANSLATION
Please order me, Your servant, to do whatever You wish. To be engaged by You in some service is certainly a great blessing for anyone.
VERSE 10.41.49
ity abhipretya rājendra
sudāmā prīta-mānasaḥ
śastaiḥ su-gandhaiḥ kusumair
mālā viracitā dadau
SYNONYMS
iti — thus speaking; abhipretya — understanding Their intention; rāja-indra — O best of kings (Parīkṣit); sudāmā — Sudāmā; prīta-mānasaḥ — pleased at heart; śastaiḥ — fresh; su-gandhaiḥ — and fragrant; kusumaiḥ — with flowers; malaḥ — garlands; viracitāḥ — made; dadau — he gave.
TRANSLATION
[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] O best of kings, having spoken these words, Sudāmā could understand what Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma wanted. Thus with great pleasure he presented Them with garlands of fresh, fragrant flowers.
VERSE 10.41.50
tābhiḥ sv-alaṅkṛtau prītau
kṛṣṇa-rāmau sahānugau
praṇatāya prapannāya
dadatur vara-dau varān
SYNONYMS
tābhiḥ — with those (garlands); su-alaṅkṛtau — beautifully ornamented; prītau — satisfied; kṛṣṇa-rāmau — Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; saha — along with; anugau — Their companions; praṇatāya — who was bowing down; prapannāya — to the surrendered (Sudāmā); dadatuḥ — They gave; varadau — the two givers of benedictions; varān — a choice of benedictions.
TRANSLATION
Beautifully adorned with these garlands, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were delighted, and so were Their companions. The two Lords then offered the surrendered Sudāmā, who was bowing down before Them, whatever benedictions he desired.
VERSE 10.41.51
so ’pi vavre ’calāṁ bhaktiṁ
tasminn evākhilātmani
tad-bhakteṣu ca sauhārdaṁ
bhūteṣu ca dayāṁ parām
SYNONYMS
saḥ — he; api — and; vavre — chose; acalām — unshakable; bhaktim — devotion; tasmin — to Him; eva — alone; akhila — of everything; ātmani — the Supreme Soul; tat — toward His; bhakteṣu — devotees; ca — and; sauhārdam — friendship; bhūteṣu — toward living beings in general; ca — and; dayām — mercy; parām — transcendental.
TRANSLATION
Sudāmā chose unshakable devotion for Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul of all existence; friendship with His devotees; and transcendental compassion for all living beings.
VERSE 10.41.52
iti tasmai varaṁ dattvā
śriyaṁ cānvaya-vardhinīm
balam āyur yaśaḥ kāntiṁ
nirjagāma sahāgrajaḥ
SYNONYMS
iti — thus; tasmai — to him; varam — the benediction; dattvā — giving; śriyam — opulence; ca — and; anvaya — his family; vardhinīm — expanding; balam — strength; āyuḥ — long life; yaśaḥ — fame; kāntim — beauty; nirjagāma — He left; saha — together with; agra-jaḥ — His elder brother, Lord Balarāma.
TRANSLATION
Not only did Lord Kṛṣṇa grant Sudāmā these benedictions, but He also awarded him strength, long life, fame, beauty and ever-increasing prosperity for his family. Then Kṛṣṇa and His elder brother took Their leave.