Nārada Muni Visits Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Palaces in Dvārakā
VERSE 10.69.1-6
śrī-śuka uvāca
narakaṁ nihataṁ śrutvā
tathodvāhaṁ ca yoṣitām
kṛṣṇenaikena bahvīnāṁ
tad-didṛkṣuḥ sma nāradaḥ
citraṁ bataitad ekena
vapuṣā yugapat pṛthak
gṛheṣu dvy-aṣṭa-sāhasraṁ
striya eka udāvahat
ity utsuko dvāravatīṁ
devarṣir draṣṭum āgamat
puṣpitopavanārāma-
dvijāli-kula-nāditām
utphullendīvarāmbhoja-
kahlāra-kumudotpalaiḥ
churiteṣu saraḥsūccaiḥ
kūjitāṁ haṁsa-sārasaiḥ
prāsāda-lakṣair navabhir
juṣṭāṁ sphāṭika-rājataiḥ
mahā-marakata-prakhyaiḥ
svarṇa-ratna-paricchadaiḥ
vibhakta-rathyā-patha-catvarāpaṇaiḥ
śālā-sabhābhī rucirāṁ surālayaiḥ
saṁsikta-mārgāṅgana-vīthi-dehalīṁ
patat-patāka-dhvaja-vāritātapām
SYNONYMS
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; narakam — the demon Naraka; nihatam — killed; śrutvā — hearing; tathā — also; udvāham — the marriage; ca — and; yoṣitām — with women; kṛṣṇena — by Lord Kṛṣṇa; ekena — one; bahvīnām — with many; tat — that; didṛkṣuḥ — wanting to see; sma — indeed; nāradaḥ — Nārada; citram — wonderful; bata — ah; etat — this; ekena — with a single; vapuṣā — body; yugapat — simultaneously; pṛthak — separate; gṛheṣu — in residences; dvi — two times; aṣṭa — eight; sāhasram — thousand; striyaḥ — women; ekaḥ — alone; udāvahat — He married; iti — thus; utsukaḥ — eager; dvāravatīm — to Dvārakā; deva — of the demigods; ṛṣiḥ — the sage, Nārada; draṣṭum — to see; āgamat — came; puṣpita — flowery; upavana — in parks; ārāma — and pleasure gardens; dvija — of birds; ali — and bees; kula — with flocks and swarms; nāditām — resounding; utphulla — blooming; indīvara — with blue lotuses; ambhoja — day-blooming lotuses; kahlāra — white esculent lotuses; kumuda — moonlight-blooming lotuses; utpalaiḥ — and water lilies; churiteṣu — filled; saraḥsu — within lakes; uccaiḥ — loudly; kūjitām — filled with the calling; haṁsa — by swans; sārasaiḥ — and cranes; prāsāda — with palaces; lakṣaiḥ — hundreds of thousands; navabhiḥ — nine; juṣṭām — adorned; sphāṭika — made of crystal glass; rājataiḥ — and silver; mahā-marakata — with great emeralds; prakhyaiḥ — splendorous; svarṇa — of gold; ratna — and jewels; paricchadaiḥ — whose furnishings; vibhakta — systematically divided; rathyā — with main avenues; patha — roads; catvara — intersections; āpaṇaiḥ — and marketplaces; śālā-sabhābhiḥ — with assembly houses; rucirām — charming; sura — of the demigods; ālayaiḥ — with temples; saṁsikta — sprinkled with water; mārga — whose roads; aṅgana — courtyards; vīthi — commercial streets; dehalīm — and patios; patat — flying; patāka — with banners; dhvaja — by the flagpoles; vārita — warded off; ātapām — the heat of the sun.
TRANSLATION
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Hearing that Lord Kṛṣṇa had killed Narakāsura and had alone married many brides, Nārada Muni desired to see the Lord in this situation. He thought, “It is quite amazing that in a single body Lord Kṛṣṇa simultaneously married sixteen thousand women, each in a separate palace.” Thus the sage of the demigods eagerly went to Dvārakā.
VERSE 10.69.7-8
tasyām antaḥ-puraṁ śrīmad
arcitaṁ sarva-dhiṣṇya-paiḥ
hareḥ sva-kauśalaṁ yatra
tvaṣṭrā kārtsnyena darśitam
tatra ṣoḍaśabhiḥ sadma-
sahasraiḥ samalaṅkṛtam
viveśaikatomaṁ śaureḥ
patnīnāṁ bhavanaṁ mahat
SYNONYMS
tasyām — in that (Dvārakā); antaḥ-puram — the private royal precinct; śrī-mat — opulent; arcitam — worshiped; sarva — all; dhiṣṇya — of the various planetary systems; paiḥ — by the maintainers; hareḥ — of Lord Hari; sva — his own; kauśalam — expertise; yatra — where; tvaṣṭrā — by Tvaṣṭā (Viśvakarmā, the architect of heaven); kārtsnyena — completely; darśitam — shown; tatra — there; ṣoḍaśabhiḥ — with sixteen; sadma — of residences; sahasraiḥ — thousands; samalaṅkṛtam — beautified; viveśa — (Nārada) entered; ekatamam — one of them; śaureḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa’s; patnīnām — of the wives; bhavanam — palace; mahat — great.
TRANSLATION
In the city of Dvārakā was a beautiful private quarter worshiped by the planetary rulers. This district, where the demigod Viśvakarmā had shown all his divine skill, was the residential area of Lord Hari, and thus it was gorgeously decorated by the sixteen thousand palaces of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s queens. Nārada Muni entered one of these immense palaces.
VERSE 10.69.9-12
viṣṭabdhaṁ vidruma-stambhair
vaidūrya-phalakottamaiḥ
indranīla-mayaiḥ kuḍyair
jagatyā cāhata-tviṣā
vitānair nirmitais tvaṣṭrā
muktā-dāma-vilambibhiḥ
dāntair āsana-paryaṅkair
maṇy-uttama-pariṣkṛtaiḥ
dāsībhir niṣka-kaṇṭhībhiḥ
su-vāsobhir alaṅkṛtam
pumbhiḥ sa-kañcukoṣṇīṣa
su-vastra-maṇi-kuṇḍalaiḥ
ratna-pradīpa-nikara-dyutibhir nirasta-
dhvāntaṁ vicitra-valabhīṣu śikhaṇḍino ’ṅga
nṛtyanti yatra vihitāguru-dhūpam akṣair
niryāntam īkṣya ghana-buddhaya unnadantaḥ
SYNONYMS
viṣṭabdham — supported; vidruma — of coral; stambhaiḥ — by pillars; vaidūrya — of vaidūrya gems; phalaka — with decorative coverings; uttamaiḥ — excellent; indranīla-mayaiḥ — bedecked with sapphires; kuḍyaiḥ — with walls; jagatyā — with a floor; ca — and; ahata — constant; tviṣā — whose effulgence; vitānaiḥ — with canopies; nirmitaiḥ — constructed; tvaṣṭrā — by Viśvakarmā; muktā-dāma — of strands of pearls; vilambibhiḥ — with hangings; dāntaiḥ — of ivory; āsana — with seats; paryaṅkaiḥ — and beds; maṇi — with jewels; uttama — most excellent; pariṣkṛtaiḥ — decorated; dāsībhiḥ — with maidservants; niṣka — lockets; kaṇṭhībhiḥ — upon whose throats; su-vāsobhiḥ — well-dressed; alaṅkṛtam — adorned; pumbhiḥ — with men; sa-kañcuka — wearing armor; uṣṇīṣa — turbans; su-vastra — fine clothing; maṇi — jeweled; kuṇḍalaiḥ — and earrings; ratna — jewel-bedecked; pradīpa — of lamps; nikara — many; dyutibhiḥ — with the light; nirasta — dispelled; dhvāntam — darkness; vicitra — variegated; valabhīṣu — on the ridges of the roof; śikhaṇḍinaḥ — peacocks; aṅga — my dear (King Parīkṣit); nṛtyanti — dance; yatra — wherein; vihita — placed; aguru — of aguru; dhūpam — incense; akṣaiḥ — through the small holes in the latticed windows; niryāntam — going out; īkṣya — seeing; ghana — a cloud; buddhayaḥ — thinking it to be; unnadantaḥ — crying loudly.
TRANSLATION
Supporting the palace were coral pillars decoratively inlaid with vaidūrya gems. Sapphires bedecked the walls, and the floors glowed with perpetual brilliance. In that palace Tvaṣṭā had arranged canopies with hanging strands of pearls; there were also seats and beds fashioned of ivory and precious jewels. In attendance were many well-dressed maidservants bearing lockets on their necks, and also armor-clad guards with turbans, fine uniforms and jeweled earrings. The glow of numerous jewel-studded lamps dispelled all darkness in the palace. My dear King, on the ornate ridges of the roof danced loudly crying peacocks, who saw the fragrant aguru incense escaping through the holes of the latticed windows and mistook it for a cloud.
VERSE 10.69.13
tasmin samāna-guṇa-rūpa-vayaḥ-su-veṣa-
dāsī-sahasra-yutayānusavaṁ gṛhiṇyā
vipro dadarśa cāmara-vyajanena rukma-
daṇḍena sātvata-patiṁ parivījayantyā
SYNONYMS
tasmin — therein; samāna — equal; guṇa — whose personal qualities; rūpa — beauty; vayaḥ — youth; su-veṣa — and fine dress; dāsī — by maidservants; sahasra — a thousand; yutayā — joined; anusavam — at every moment; gṛhiṇyā — together with His wife; vipraḥ — the learned brāhmaṇa (Nārada); dadarśa — saw; cāmara — of yak-tail; vyajanena — with a fan; rukma — gold; daṇḍena — whose handle; sātvata-patim — the Lord of the Sātvatas, Śrī Kṛṣṇa; parivījayantyā — fanning.
TRANSLATION
In that palace the learned brāhmaṇa saw the Lord of the Sātvatas, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, together with His wife, who fanned Him with a gold-handled yak-tail fan. She personally served Him in this way, even though she was constantly attended by a thousand maidservants equal to her in personal character, beauty, youth and fine dress.
VERSE 10.69.14
taṁ sannirīkṣya bhagavān sahasotthita-śrī-
paryaṅkataḥ sakala-dharma-bhṛtāṁ variṣṭhaḥ
ānamya pāda-yugalaṁ śirasā kirīṭa-
juṣṭena sāñjalir avīviśad āsane sve
SYNONYMS
tam — him (Nārada); sannirīkṣya — noticing; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; sahasā — immediately; utthita — rising; śrī — of the goddess of fortune, Queen Rukmiṇī; paryaṅkataḥ — from the bed; sakala — all; dharma — of religion; bhṛtām — of the upholders; variṣṭhaḥ — the best; ānamya — bowing down; pāda-yugalam — to his two feet; śirasā — with His head; kirīṭa — with a crown; juṣṭena — fitted; sa-añjaliḥ — with joined palms; avīviśat — had him sit down; āsane — on the seat; sve — His own.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Lord is the greatest upholder of religious principles. Thus when He noticed Nārada, He rose at once from Goddess Śrī’s bed, bowed His crowned head at Nārada’s feet and, joining His palms, had the sage sit in His own seat.
VERSE 10.69.15
tasyāvanijya caraṇau tad-apaḥ sva-mūrdhnā
bibhraj jagad-gurutamo ’pi satāṁ patir hi
brahmaṇya-deva iti yad guṇa-nāma yuktaṁ
tasyaiva yac-caraṇa-śaucam aśeṣa-tīrtham
SYNONYMS
tasya — his; avanijya — washing; caraṇau — the feet; tat — that; apaḥ — water; sva — His own; mūrdhnā — on the head; bibhrat — carrying; jagat — of the entire universe; guru-tamaḥ — the supreme spiritual master; api — even though; satām — of the saintly devotees; patiḥ — the master; hi — indeed; brahmaṇya — who favors the brāhmaṇas; devaḥ — the Lord; iti — thus called; yat — since; guṇa — based on His quality; nāma — the name; yuktam — fitting; tasya — His; eva — indeed; yat — whose; caraṇa — of the feet; śaucam — the bathing; aśeṣa — complete; tīrtham — holy shrine.
TRANSLATION
The Lord bathed Nārada’s feet and then put the water on His own head. Although Lord Kṛṣṇa is the supreme spiritual authority of the universe and the master of His devotees, it was proper for Him to behave in this way, for His name is Brahmaṇya-deva, “the Lord who favors the bṛāhmaṇas.” Thus Śrī Kṛṣṇa honored the sage Nārada by bathing his feet, even though the water that bathes the Lord’s own feet becomes the Ganges, the ultimate holy shrine.
VERSE 10.69.16
sampūjya deva-ṛṣi-varyam ṛṣiḥ purāṇo
nārāyaṇo nara-sakho vidhinoditena
vāṇyābhibhāṣya mitayāmṛta-miṣṭayā taṁ
prāha prabho bhagavate karavāma he kim
SYNONYMS
sampūjya — fully worshiping; deva — among the demigods; ṛṣi — the sage; varyam — greatest; ṛṣiḥ — the sage; purāṇaḥ — primeval; nārāyaṇaḥ — Lord Nārāyaṇa; nara-sakhaḥ — the friend of Nara; vidhinā — by scripture; uditena — enjoined; vāṇyā — with speech; abhibhāṣya — conversing; mitayā — measured; amṛta — with nectar; miṣṭayā — sweet; tam — him, Nārada; prāha — He addressed; prabho — O master; bhagavate — for the lord; karavāma — We may do; he — O; kim — what.
TRANSLATION
After fully worshiping the great sage of the demigods according to Vedic injunctions, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is Himself the original sage — Nārāyaṇa, the friend of Nara — conversed with Nārada, and the Lord’s measured speech was as sweet as nectar. Finally the Lord asked Nārada, “What may We do for you, Our lord and master?”
VERSE 10.69.17
śrī-nārada uvāca
naivādbhutaṁ tvayi vibho ’khila-loka-nāthe
maitrī janeṣu sakaleṣu damaḥ khalānām
niḥśreyasāya hi jagat-sthiti-rakṣaṇābhyāṁ
svairāvatāra urugāya vidāma suṣṭhu
SYNONYMS
śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca — Śrī Nārada said; na — not; eva — at all; adbhutam — surprising; tvayi — for You; vibho — O almighty one; akhila — of all; loka — worlds; nāthe — for the ruler; maitrī — friendship; janeṣu — toward people; sakaleṣu — all; damaḥ — the subduing; khalānām — of the envious; niḥśreyasāya — for the highest benefit; hi — indeed; jagat — of the universe; sthiti — by maintenance; rakṣaṇābhyām — and protection; svaira — freely chosen; avatāraḥ — descent; uru-gāya — O You who are praised universally; vidāma — we know; suṣṭhu — well.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Nārada said: O almighty Lord, it is no surprise that You, the ruler of all worlds, show friendship for all people and yet subdue the envious. As we well know, You descend by Your sweet will in order to bestow the highest good on this universe by maintaining and protecting it. Thus Your glories are widely sung.
VERSE 10.69.18
dṛṣṭaṁ tavāṅghri-yugalaṁ janatāpavargaṁ
brahmādibhir hṛdi vicintyam agādha-bodhaiḥ
saṁsāra-kūpa-patitottaraṇāvalambaṁ
dhyāyaṁś carāmy anugṛhāṇa yathā smṛtiḥ syāt
SYNONYMS
dṛṣṭam — seen; tava — Your; aṅghri — of feet; yugalam — pair; janatā — for Your devotees; apavargam — the source of liberation; brahma-ādibhiḥ — by persons such as Lord Brahmā; hṛdi — within the heart; vicintyam — meditated upon; agādha — unfathomable; bodhaiḥ — whose intelligence; saṁsāra — of material life; kūpa — in the well; patita — of those who are fallen; uttaraṇa — for deliverance; avalambam — the shelter; dhyāyan — constantly thinking; carāmi — I may travel; anugṛhāṇa — please bless me; yathā — so that; smṛtiḥ — remembrance; syāt — may be.
TRANSLATION
Now I have seen Your feet, which grant liberation to Your devotees, which even Lord Brahmā and other great personalities of unfathomable intelligence can only meditate upon within their hearts, and which those who have fallen into the well of material existence resort to for deliverance. Please favor me so that I may constantly think of You as I travel about. Please grant Me the power to remember You.
VERSE 10.69.19
tato ’nyad āviśad gehaṁ
kṛṣṇa-patnyāḥ sa nāradaḥ
yogeśvareśvarasyāṅga
yoga-māyā-vivitsayā
SYNONYMS
tataḥ — then; anyat — another; āviśat — entered; geham — residence; kṛṣṇa-patnyāḥ — of a wife of Lord Kṛṣṇa; saḥ — he; nāradaḥ — Nārada Muni; yoga-īśvara — of the masters of mystic power; īśvarasya — of the supreme master; aṅga — my dear King; yoga-māyā — the spiritual power of bewilderment; vivitsayā — with the desire of knowing.
TRANSLATION
Nārada then entered the palace of another of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s wives, my dear King. He was eager to witness the spiritual potency possessed by the master of all masters of mystic power.
VERSE 10.69.20-22
dīvyantam akṣais tatrāpi
priyayā coddhavena ca
pūjitaḥ parayā bhaktyā
pratyutthānāsanādibhiḥ
pṛṣṭaś cāviduṣevāsau
kadāyāto bhavān iti
kriyate kiṁ nu pūrṇānām
apūrṇair asmad-ādibhiḥ
athāpi brūhi no brahman
janmaitac chobhanaṁ kuru
sa tu vismita utthāya
tūṣṇīm anyad agād gṛham
SYNONYMS
dīvyantam — playing; akṣaiḥ — with dice; tatra — there; api — indeed; priyayā — with His beloved; ca — and; uddhavena — with Uddhava; ca — also; pūjitaḥ — he was worshiped; parayā — with transcendental; bhaktyā — devotion; pratyutthāna — by His standing up from His sitting place; āsana — by His offering him a seat; ādibhiḥ — and so on; pṛṣṭaḥ — questioned; ca — and; aviduṣā — by one who was in ignorance; iva — as if; asau — he, Nārada; kadā — when; āyātaḥ — arrived; bhavān — your good self; iti — thus; kriyate — is intended to be done; kim — what; nu — indeed; pūrṇānām — by those who are full; apūrṇaiḥ — with those who are not full; asmat-ādibhiḥ — such as Ourself; atha api — nonetheless; brūhi — please tell; naḥ — Us; brahman — O brāhmaṇa; janma — Our birth; etat — this; śobhanam — auspicious; kuru — please make; saḥ — he, Nārada; tu — but; vismitaḥ — astonished; utthāya — standing up; tūṣṇīm — silently; anyat — to another; agāt — went; gṛham — palace.
TRANSLATION
There he saw the Lord playing at dice with His beloved consort and His friend Uddhava. Lord Kṛṣṇa worshiped Nārada by standing up, offering him a seat, and so on, and then, as if He did not know, asked him, “When did you arrive? What can needy persons like Us do for those who are full in themselves? In any case, My dear brāhmaṇa, please make My life auspicious.” Thus addressed, Nārada was astonished. He simply stood up silently and went to another palace.
VERSE 10.69.23
tatrāpy acaṣṭa govindaṁ
lālayantaṁ sutān śiśūn
tato ’nyasmin gṛhe ’paśyan
majjanāya kṛtodyamam
SYNONYMS
tatra — there; api — and; acaṣṭa — he saw; govindam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; lālayantam — coddling; sutān — His children; śiśūn — infant; tataḥ — then; anyasmin — in another; gṛhe — palace; apaśyat — he saw (Him); majjanāya — for taking bath; kṛta-udyamam — preparing.
TRANSLATION
This time Nāradajī saw that Lord Kṛṣṇa was engaged as an affectionate father petting His small children. From there he entered another palace and saw Lord Kṛṣṇa preparing to take His bath.
VERSE 10.69.24
juhvantaṁ ca vitānāgnīn
yajantaṁ pañcabhir makhaiḥ
bhojayantaṁ dvijān kvāpi
bhuñjānam avaśeṣitam
SYNONYMS
juhvantam — offering oblations; ca — and; vitāna-agnīn — to the sacrificial fires; yajantam — worshiping; pañcabhiḥ — five; makhaiḥ — with the obligatory rituals; bhojayantam — feeding; dvijān — brāhmaṇas; kva api — somewhere; bhuñjānam — eating; avaśeṣitam — remnants.
TRANSLATION
In one place the Lord was offering oblations into the sacrificial fires; in another, worshiping through the five mahā-yajñas; in another, feeding brāhmaṇas; and in yet another, eating the remnants of food left by brāhmaṇas.
VERSE 10.69.25
kvāpi sandhyām upāsīnaṁ
japantaṁ brahma vāg-yatam
ekatra cāsi-carmābhyāṁ
carantam asi-vartmasu
SYNONYMS
kva api — somewhere; sandhyām — the rituals of sunset; upāsīnam — worshiping; japantam — quietly chanting; brahma — the Vedic mantra (Gāyatrī); vāk-yatam — controlling His speech; ekatra — in one place; ca — and; asi — with sword; carmābhyām — and shield; carantam — moving about; asi-vartmasu — in the corridors set aside for sword practice.
TRANSLATION
Somewhere Lord Kṛṣṇa was observing the rituals for worship at sunset by refraining from speech and quietly chanting the Gāyatrī mantra, and elsewhere He was moving about with sword and shield in the areas set aside for sword practice.
VERSE 10.69.26
aśvair gajai rathaiḥ kvāpi
vicarantaṁ gadāgrajam
kvacic chayānaṁ paryaṅke
stūyamānaṁ ca vandibhiḥ
SYNONYMS
aśvaiḥ — on horses; gajaiḥ — on elephants; rathaiḥ — on chariots; kva api — somewhere; vicarantam — riding; gada-agrajam — Lord Kṛṣṇa, the elder brother of Gada; kvacit — somewhere; śayānam — lying; paryaṅke — on His bed; stūyamānam — being praised; ca — and; vandibhiḥ — by bards.
TRANSLATION
In one place Lord Gadāgraja was riding on horses, elephants and chariots, and in another place He was resting on His bed while bards recited His glories.
VERSE 10.69.27
mantrayantaṁ ca kasmiṁścin
mantribhiś coddhavādibhiḥ
jala-krīḍā-rataṁ kvāpi
vāramukhyābalāvṛtam
SYNONYMS
mantrayantam — consulting; ca — and; kasmiṁścit — somewhere; mantri-bhiḥ — with advisers; ca — and; uddhava-ādibhiḥ — Uddhava and others; jala — watery; krīḍā — in sports; ratam — engaged; kva api — somewhere; vāra-mukhyā — by royal dancing girls; abalā — and other women; vṛtam — accompanied.
TRANSLATION
Somewhere He was consulting with royal ministers like Uddhava, and somewhere else He was enjoying in the water, surrounded by many society girls and other young women.
VERSE 10.69.28
kutracid dvija-mukhyebhyo
dadataṁ gāḥ sv-alaṅkṛtāḥ
itihāsa-purāṇāni
śṛṇvantaṁ maṅgalāni ca
SYNONYMS
kutracit — somewhere; dvija — to brāhmaṇas; mukhyebhyaḥ — excellent; dadatam — giving; gāḥ — cows; su — well; alaṅkṛtāḥ — ornamented; itihāsa — epic histories; purāṇāni — and the Purāṇas; śṛṇvantam — hearing; maṅgalāni — auspicious; ca — and.
TRANSLATION
Somewhere He was giving well-decorated cows to exalted brāhmaṇas, and elsewhere he was listening to the auspicious narration of epic histories and Purāṇas.
VERSE 10.69.29
hasantaṁ hāsa-kathayā
kadācit priyayā gṛhe
kvāpi dharmaṁ sevamānam
artha-kāmau ca kutracit
SYNONYMS
hasantam — laughing; hāsa-kathayā — with joking conversation; kadācit — at one time; priyayā — with His beloved; gṛhe — in the palace; kva api — somewhere; dharmam — religiosity; sevamānam — practicing; artha — economic development; kāmau — sense gratification; ca — and; kutracit — somewhere.
TRANSLATION
Somewhere Lord Kṛṣṇa was found enjoying the company of a particular wife by exchanging joking words with her. Somewhere else He was found engaged, along with His wife, in religious ritualistic functions. Somewhere Kṛṣṇa was found engaged in matters of economic development, and somewhere else He was found enjoying family life according to the regulative principles of the śāstras.
VERSE 10.69.30
dhyāyantam ekam āsīnaṁ
puruṣaṁ prakṛteḥ param
śuśrūṣantaṁ gurūn kvāpi
kāmair bhogaiḥ saparyayā
SYNONYMS
dhyāyantam — meditating; ekam — alone; āsīnam — sitting; puruṣam — on the Supreme Personality of Godhead; prakṛteḥ — to material nature; param — transcendental; śuśrūṣantam — rendering menial service; gurūn — to His elders; kva api — somewhere; kāmaiḥ — desirable; bhogaiḥ — with objects of enjoyment; saparyayā — and with worship.
TRANSLATION
Somewhere He was sitting alone, meditating on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is transcendental to material nature, and somewhere He was rendering menial service to His elders, offering them desirable things and reverential worship.
VERSE 10.69.31
kurvantaṁ vigrahaṁ kaiścit
sandhiṁ cānyatra keśavam
kutrāpi saha rāmeṇa
cintayantaṁ satāṁ śivam
SYNONYMS
kurvantam — making; vigraham — war; kaiścit — with certain persons; sandhim — reconciliation; ca — and; anyatra — elsewhere; keśavam — Lord Kṛṣṇa; kutra api — somewhere; saha — together; rāmeṇa — with Lord Balarāma; cintayantam — thinking; satām — of the saintly; śivam — the welfare.
TRANSLATION
In one place He was planning battles in consultation with some of His advisers, and in another place He was making peace. Somewhere Lord Keśava and Lord Balarāma were together pondering the welfare of the pious.
VERSE 10.69.32
putrāṇāṁ duhitṝṇāṁ ca
kāle vidhy-upayāpanam
dārair varais tat-sadṛśaiḥ
kalpayantaṁ vibhūtibhiḥ
SYNONYMS
putrāṇām — of sons; duhitṝṇām — of daughters; ca — and; kāle — at the suitable time; vidhi — according to religious principles; upayāpanam — getting them married; dāraiḥ — with wives; varaiḥ — and with husbands; tat — for them; sadṛśaiḥ — compatible; kalpayantam — so arranging; vibhūtibhiḥ — in terms of opulences.
TRANSLATION
Nārada saw Lord Kṛṣṇa engaged in getting His sons and daughters married to suitable brides and bridegrooms at the appropriate time, and the marriage ceremonies were being performed with great pomp.
VERSE 10.69.33
prasthāpanopanayanair
apatyānāṁ mahotsavān
vīkṣya yogeśvareśasya
yeṣāṁ lokā visismire
SYNONYMS
prasthāpana — with sending away; upanayanaiḥ — and bringing home; apatyānām — of the children; mahā — great; utsavān — holiday celebrations; vīkṣya — seeing; yoga-īśvara — of the masters of yoga; īśasya — of the supreme master; yeṣām — whose; lokāḥ — the people; visismire — were amazed.
TRANSLATION
Nārada observed how Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the master of all yoga masters, arranged to send away His daughters and sons-in-law, and also to receive them home again, at the time of great holiday celebrations. All the citizens were astonished to see these celebrations.
VERSE 10.69.34
yajantaṁ sakalān devān
kvāpi kratubhir ūrjitaiḥ
pūrtayantaṁ kvacid dharmaṁ
kūrpārāma-maṭhādibhiḥ
SYNONYMS
yajantam — worshiping; sakalān — all; devān — the demigods; kva api — somewhere; kratubhiḥ — with sacrifices; ūrjitaiḥ — full-blown; pūrtayantam — fulfilling by civil service; kvacit — somewhere; dharmam — religious obligation; kūrpa — with wells; ārāma — public parks; maṭha — monasteries; ādibhiḥ — and so on.
TRANSLATION
Somewhere He was worshiping all the demigods with elaborate sacrifices, and elsewhere He was fulfilling His religious obligations by doing public welfare work, such as the construction of wells, public parks and monasteries.
VERSE 10.69.35
carantaṁ mṛgayāṁ kvāpi
hayam āruhya saindhavam
ghnantaṁ tatra paśūn medhyān
parītaṁ yadu-puṅgavaiḥ
SYNONYMS
carantam — traveling; mṛgayām — on a hunting expedition; kva api — somewhere; hayam — His horse; āruhya — mounting; saindhavam — of the Sindh country; ghnantam — killing; tatra — there; paśūn — animals; medhyān — offerable in sacrifice; parītam — surrounded; yadu-puṅgavaiḥ — by the most heroic Yadus.
TRANSLATION
In another place He was on a hunting expedition. Mounted on His Sindhī horse and accompanied by the most heroic of the Yadus, He was killing animals meant for offering in sacrifice.
VERSE 10.69.36
avyakta-lingaṁ prakṛtiṣv
antaḥ-pura-gṛhādiṣu
kvacic carantaṁ yogeśaṁ
tat-tad-bhāva-bubhutsayā
SYNONYMS
avyakta — hidden; liṅgam — His identity; prakṛtiṣu — among His ministers; antaḥ-pura — of the royal precincts; gṛha-ādiṣu — among the residences, etc; kvacit — somewhere; carantam — moving about; yoga-īśam — the Lord of mystic power; tat-tat — of each of them; bhāva — the mentalities; bubhutsayā — with the desire to know.
TRANSLATION
Somewhere Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of mystic power, was moving about in disguise among the homes of ministers and other citizens in order to understand what each of them was thinking.
VERSE 10.69.37
athovāca hṛṣīkeśaṁ
nāradaḥ prahasann iva
yoga-māyodayaṁ vīkṣya
mānuṣīm īyuṣo gatim
SYNONYMS
atha — thereupon; uvāca — said; hṛṣīkeśam — to Lord Kṛṣṇa; nāradaḥ — Nārada; prahasan — laughing; iva — mildly; yoga-māyā — of His spiritual bewildering potencies; udayam — the unfolding; vīkṣya — having seen; mānuṣīm — human; īyuṣaḥ — who was assuming; gatim — ways.
TRANSLATION
Having thus seen this display of the Lord’s Yoga-māyā, Nārada mildly laughed and then addressed Lord Hṛṣīkeśa, who was adopting the behavior of a human being.
VERSE 10.69.38
vidāma yoga-māyās te
durdarśā api māyinām
yogeśvarātman nirbhātā
bhavat-pāda-niṣevayā
SYNONYMS
vidāma — we know; yoga-māyāḥ — the mystic potencies; te — Your; durdarśāḥ — impossible to see; api — even; māyinām — for great mystics; yoga-īśvara — O Lord of all mystic power; ātman — O Supreme Soul; nirbhātāḥ — perceived; bhavat — Your; pāda — to the feet; niṣevayā — by service.
TRANSLATION
[Nārada said:] Now we understand Your mystic potencies, which are difficult to comprehend, even for great mystics, O Supreme Soul, master of all mystic power. Only by serving Your feet have I been able to perceive Your powers.
VERSE 10.69.39
anujānīhi māṁ deva
lokāṁs te yaśasāplutān
paryaṭāmi tavodgāyan
līlā bhuvana-pāvanīḥ
SYNONYMS
anujānīhi — please give leave; mām — to me; deva — O Lord; lokān — the worlds; te — Your; yaśasā — with the fame; āplutān — flooded; paryaṭāmi — I will wander; tava — Your; udgāyan — loudly singing; līlāḥ — the pastimes; bhuvana — all the planetary systems; pāvanīḥ — which purify.
TRANSLATION
O Lord, please give me Your leave. I will wander about the worlds, which are flooded with Your fame, loudly singing about Your pastimes, which purify the universe.
VERSE 10.69.40
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
brahman dhannasya vaktāhaṁ
kartā tad-anumoditā
tac chikṣayan lokam imam
āsthitaḥ putra mā khidaḥ
SYNONYMS
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Lord said; brahman — O brāhmaṇa; dharmasya — of religion; vaktā — the speaker; aham — I; kartā — the executor; tat — of it; anumoditā — the sanctioner; tat — it; śikṣayan — teaching; lokam — to the world; imam — in this; āsthitaḥ — situated; putra — O son; mā khidaḥ — do not be disturbed.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O brāhmaṇa, I am the speaker of religion, its performer and sanctioner. I observe religious principles to teach them to the world, My child, so do not be disturbed.
VERSE 10.69.41
śrī-śuka uvāca
ity ācarantaṁ sad-dharmān
pāvanān gṛha-medhinām
tam eva sarva-geheṣu
santam ekaṁ dadarśa ha
SYNONYMS
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; iti — thus; ācarantam — performing; sat — spiritual; dharmān — the principles of religion; pāvanān — purifying; gṛha-medhinām — for householders; tam — Him; eva — indeed; sarva — in all; geheṣu — the palaces; santam — present; ekam — in one form; dadarśa ha — he saw.
TRANSLATION
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus in every palace Nārada saw the Lord in His same personal form, executing the transcendental principles of religion that purify those engaged in household affairs.
VERSE 10.69.42
kṛṣṇasyānanta-vīryasya
yoga-māyā-mahodayam
muhur dṛṣṭvā ṛṣir abhūd
vismito jāta-kautukaḥ
SYNONYMS
kṛṣṇasya — of Lord Kṛṣṇa; ananta — unlimited; vīryasya — whose prowess; yoga-māyā — of the mystic, deluding energy; mahā — elaborate; udayam — the manifestation; muhuḥ — repeatedly; dṛṣṭvā — having witnessed; ṛṣiḥ — the sage, Nārada; abhūt — became; vismitaḥ — amazed; jātakautukaḥ — filled with wonder.
TRANSLATION
Having repeatedly seen the vast mystic display of Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose power is unlimited, the sage was amazed and filled with wonder.
VERSE 10.69.43
ity artha-kāma-dharmeṣu
kṛṣṇena śraddhitātmanā
samyak sabhājitaḥ prītas
tam evānusmaran yayau
SYNONYMS
iti — thus; artha — with items of utility for economic development; kāma — of sense gratification; dharmeṣu — and of religiosity; kṛṣṇena — by Lord Kṛṣṇa; śraddhita — faithful; ātmanā — whose heart; samyak — thoroughly; sabhājitaḥ — honored; prītaḥ — pleased; tam — Him; eva — indeed; anusmaran — always remembering; yayau — he went.
TRANSLATION
Lord Kṛṣṇa greatly honored Nārada, faithfully presenting him with gifts related to economic prosperity, sense gratification and religious duties. Thus fully satisfied, the sage departed, constantly remembering the Lord.
VERSE 10.69.44
evaṁ manuṣya-padavīm anuvartamāno
nārāyaṇo ’khila-bhavāya gṛhīta-śaktiḥ
reme ’ṇga ṣoḍaśa-sahasra-varāṅganānāṁ
sa-vrīḍa-sauhṛda-nirīkṣaṇa-hāsa-juṣṭaḥ
SYNONYMS
evam — thus; manuṣya — of human beings; padavīm — the path; anuvartamānaḥ — following; nārāyaṇaḥ — the Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa; akhila — of everyone; bhavāya — for the welfare; gṛhīta — having manifested; śaktiḥ — His potencies; reme — He enjoyed; aṅga — my dear (King Parīkṣit); ṣoḍaśa — sixteen; sahasra — thousand; vara — most excellent; aṅganānām — of women; sa-vrīḍa — shy; sauhṛda — and affectionate; nirīkṣaṇa — by the glances; hāsa — and laughter; juṣṭaḥ — satisfied.
TRANSLATION
In this way Lord Nārāyaṇa imitated the ways of ordinary humans, manifesting His divine potencies for the benefit of all beings. Thus He enjoyed, dear King, in the company of His sixteen thousand exalted consorts, who served the Lord with their shy, affectionate glances and laughter.
VERSE 10.69.45
yānīha viśva-vilayodbhava-vṛtti-hetuḥ
karmāṇy ananya-viṣayāṇi harīś cakāra
yas tv aṅga gāyati śṛṇoty anumodate vā
bhaktir bhaved bhagavati hy apavarga-mārge
SYNONYMS
yāni — which; iha — in this world; viśva — of the universe; vilaya — of the destruction; udbhava — creation; vṛtti — and maintenance; hetuḥ — He who is the cause; karmāṇi — activities; ananya — of no one else; viṣayāṇi — the engagements; hariḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa; cakāra — performed; yaḥ — whoever; tu — indeed; aṅga — my dear King; gāyati — chants; śṛṇoti — hears; anumodate — approves; vā — or; bhaktiḥ — devotion; bhavet — arises; bhagavati — for the Supreme Lord; hi — indeed; apavarga — liberation; mārge — the path toward whom.
TRANSLATION
Lord Hari is the ultimate cause of universal creation, maintenance and destruction. My dear King, anyone who chants about, hears about or simply appreciates the extraordinary activities He performed in this world, which are impossible to imitate, will surely develop devotion for the Supreme Lord, the bestower of liberation.