S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 10
Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda his pupils
(for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)
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Canto 10: 'Summum Bonum'
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Chapter Fourty-seven: The Song of the Bee
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TEXTS 1 - 2
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
tam vîkshya krishânucaram vraja-striyah
pralamba-bâhum nava-kañja-locanam
pîtâmbaram pushkara-mâlinam lasan-
mukhâravindam parimrishtha-kundalam
su-vismitâh ko 'yam apîvya-dars'anah
kutas' ca kasyâcyuta-vesha-bhûshanah
iti sma sarvâh parivavrur utsukâs
tam uttamah-s'loka-padâmbujâs'rayam
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; tam - him; vîkshya - seeing; krishna- anucaram - the servant of Lord Krishna (Uddhava); vraja-striyah - the women of Vraja; pralamba - hanging down; bâhum - whose arms; nava - young; kañja - like lotuses; locanam - whose eyes; pîta - yellow; ambaram - wearing a garment; pushkara - of lotuses; mâlinam - wearing a garland; lasat - effulgently glowing; makha - whose face; aravindam - lotuslike; parimrishtha - polished; kundalam - whose earrings;
su-vismitâh - quite astonished; kah - who; ayam - this; apîvya - handsome; dars'anah - whose appearance; kutah - from where; ca - and; kasya - belonging to whom; acyuta - of Krishna; vesha - wearing the clothing; bhûshanah - and ornaments; iti - saying this; sma - indeed; sarvâh - all of them; parivavruh - surrounded; utsukâh - eager; tam - him; uttamah-s'loka - of Lord Krishna, who is praised by the best poetry; pada-ambuja - by the lotus feet; âs'rayam - who is sheltered.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: The young women of Vraja became astonished upon seeing Lord Krishna's servant, who had long arms, whose eyes resembled a newly grown lotus, who wore a yellow garment and a lotus garland, and whose lotuslike face glowed with brightly polished earrings. "Who is this handsome man?" the gopîs asked. "Where has he come from, and whom does he serve? He's wearing Krishna's clothes and ornaments!" Saying this, the gopîs eagerly crowded around Uddhava, whose shelter was the lotus feet of Lord Uttamahs'loka, S'rî Krishna.
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TEXT 3
tam pras'rayenâvanatâh su-sat-kritam
sa-vrîda-hâsekshana-sûnritâdibhih
rahasy apricchann upavishtham âsane
vijñâya sandes'a-haram ramâ-pateh
tam - him, Uddhava; pras'rayena - with humility; avanatâh - bowed down (the gopîs); su - properly; sat-kritam - honored; sa-vrîda - with shyness; hâsa - and smiling; îkshana - by their glances; sûnrita - pleasing words; âdibhih - and so forth; rahasi - in a secluded place; apricchan - they inquired; upavishtham - who was seated; âsane - on a cushion; vijñâya - understanding him to be; sandes'a- haram - the message carrier; ramâ-pateh - of the master of the goddess of fortune.
TRANSLATION
Bowing their heads in humility, the gopîs duly honored Uddhava with their shy, smiling glances and pleasing words. They took him to a quiet place, seated him comfortably and began to question him, for they recognized him to be a messenger from Krishna, the master of the goddess of fortune.
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TEXT 4
jânîmas tvâm yadu-pateh
pârshadam samupâgatam
bhartreha preshitah pitror
bhavân priya-cikîrshayâ
jânîmah - we know; tvâm - you; yadu-pateh - of the chief of the Yadus; pârshadam - the personal associate; samupâgatam - arrived here; bhartrâ - by your master; iha - here; preshitah - sent; pitroh - of His parents; bhavân - your good self; priya - satisfaction; cikîrshayâ - wanting to give.
TRANSLATION
[The gopîs said:] We know that you are the personal servant of Krishna, the chief of the Yadus, and that you have come here on the order of your good master, who desires to give pleasure to His parents.
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TEXT 5
anyathâ go-vraje tasya
smaranîyam na cakshmahe
snehânubandho bandhûnâm
muner api su-dustyajah
anyathâ - otherwise; go-vraje - in the cow pasture; tasya - for Him; smaranîyam - that which is worth remembering; na cakshmahe - we do not see; sneha - of affection; anubandhah - the attachment; bandhûnâm - to relatives; muneh - for a sage; api - even; su-dustyajah - very difficult to abandon.
TRANSLATION
We see nothing else He might consider worth remembering in these cow pastures of Vraja. Indeed, the bonds of affection for one's family members are difficult to break, even for a sage.
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TEXT 6
anyeshv artha-kritâ maitrî
yâvad-artha-vidambanam
pumbhih strîshu kritâ yadvat
sumanahsv iva shathpadaih
anyeshu - toward others; artha - for some motivation; kritâ - manifested; maitrî - friendship; yâvat - for as long; artha - (as one is fulfilling his) motive; vidambanam - pretense; pumbhih - by men; strîshu - for women; kritâ - shown; yadvat - as much; sumanahsu - for flowers; iva - as; shath-padaih - by bees.
TRANSLATION
The friendship shown toward others - those who are not family members - is motivated by personal interest, and thus it is a pretense that lasts only until one's purpose is fulfilled. Such friendship is just like the interest men take in women, or bees in flowers.
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TEXT 7
nihsvam tyajanti ganikâ
akalpam nripatim prajâh
adhîta-vidyâ âcâryam
ritvijo datta-dakshinam
nihsvam - one without any assets; tyajanti - abandon; ganikâh - prostitutes; akalpam - incompetent; nri-patim - a king; prajah - citizens; adhîta-vidyâh - those who have completed their education; âcâryam - the teacher; ritvijah - priests; datta - (the sacrificer) who has given; dakshinam - their remuneration.
TRANSLATION
Prostitutes abandon a penniless man, subjects an incompetent king, students their teacher once they have finished their education, and priests a man who has remunerated them for a sacrifice.
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TEXT 8
khagâ vîta-phalam vriksham
bhuktvâ câtithayo griham
dagdham mrigâs tathâranyam
jârâ bhuktvâ ratâm striyam
khagâh - birds; vîta - rid; phalam - of its fruits; vriksham - a tree; bhuktvâ - having eaten; ca - and; atithayah - guests; griham - a house; dagdham - burned down; mrigâh - animals; tathâ - similarly; aranyam - a forest; jârâh - paramours; bhuktvâ - having enjoyed; ratâm - attracted; striyam - a woman.
TRANSLATION
Birds abandon a tree when its fruits are gone, guests a house after they have eaten, animals a forest that has burnt down, and a lover the woman he has enjoyed, even though she remains attached to him.
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TEXTS 9 - 10
iti gopyo hi govinde
gata-vâk-kâya-mânasâh
krishna-dûte samâyâte
uddhave tyakta-laukikâh
gâyantyah prîya-karmâni
rudantyas' ca gata-hriyah
tasya samsmritya samsmritya
yâni kais'ora-bâlyayoh
iti - thus; gopyah - the gopîs; hi - indeed; govinde - on Govinda; gata - focusing; vâk - their speech; kâya - bodies; mânasah - and minds; krishna-dûte - the messenger of Krishna; samâyâte - having arrived and joined them; uddhave - Uddhava; tyakta - putting aside; laukikâh - worldly affairs;
gâyantyah - singing; priya - of their beloved; karmâni - about the activities; rudantyah - crying; ca - and; gata- hriyah - forgetting all shyness; tasya - His; samsmritya samsmritya - intensely remembering again and again; yâni - which; kais'ora - of youth; bâlyayoh - and childhood.
TRANSLATION
Thus speaking, the gopîs, whose words, bodies and minds were fully dedicated to Lord Govinda, put aside all their regular work now that Krishna's messenger, S'rî Uddhava, had arrived among them. Constantly remembering the activities their beloved Krishna had performed in His childhood and youth, they sang about them and cried without shame.
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TEXT 11
kâcin madhukaram drishthvâ
dhyâyantî krishna-sangamam
priya-prasthâpitam dûtam
kalpayitvedam abravît
kâcit - one (of the gopîs); madhu-karam - a honeybee; drishthvâ - seeing; dhyâyantî - while meditating; krishna-sangamam - on Her association with Krishna; priya - by Her beloved; prasthâpitam - sent; dûtam - a messenger; kalpayitvâ - imagining it; idam - the following; abravît - spoke.
TRANSLATION
One of the gopîs, while meditating on Her previous association with Krishna, saw a honeybee before Her and imagined it to be a messenger sent by Her beloved. Thus She spoke as follows.
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TEXT 12
gopy uvâca
madhupa kitava-bandho mâ spris'anghrim sapatnyâh
kuca-vilulita-mâlâ-kunkuma-s'mas'rubhir nah
vahatu madhu-patis tan-mâninînâm prasâdam
yadu-sadasi vidambyam yasya dûtas tvam îdrik
gopî uvâca - the gopî said; madhupa - O bumblebee; kitava - of a cheater; bandho - O friend; mâ spris'a - please do not touch; anghrim - the feet; sapatnyâh - of the lover who is our rival; kuca - the breast; vilulita - fallen from; mâlâ - from the garland; kunkuma - with the red cosmetic; s'mas'rubhih - with the whiskers; nah - our; vahatu - let Him bring; madhu-patih - the Lord of the Madhu dynasty; tat - His; mâninînâm - to the women; prasâdam - mercy or kindness; yadu-sadasi - in the royal assembly of the Yadus; vidambyam - an object of ridicule or contempt; yasya - whose; dûtah - messenger; tvam - you; îdrik - such.
TRANSLATION
The gopî said: O honeybee, O friend of a cheater, don't touch My feet with your whiskers, which are smeared with the kunkuma that rubbed onto Krishna's garland when it was crushed by the breasts of a rival lover! Let Krishna satisfy the women of Mathurâ. One who sends a messenger like you will certainly be ridiculed in the Yadus' assembly.
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TEXT 13
sakrid adhara-sudhâm svâm mohinîm pâyayitvâ
sumanasa iva sadyas tatyaje 'smân bhavâdrik
paricarati katham tat-pâda-padmam nu padmâ
hy api bata hrita-cetâ hy uttamah-s'loka-jalpaih
sakrit - once; adhara - of the lips; sudhâm - the nectar; svâm - His own; mohinîm - bewildering; pâyayitvâ - making drink; sumanasah - flowers; iva - like; sadyah - suddenly; tatyaje - He abandoned; asmân - us; bhavâdrik - like you; paricarati - serves; katham - why; tat - His; pada-padmam - lotus feet; nu - I wonder; padmâ - Lakshmî, the goddess of fortune; hi api - indeed, because; bata - alas; hrita - taken away; cetâh - her mind; hi - certainly; uttamah-s'loka - of Krishna; jalpaih - by the false speech.
TRANSLATION
After making us drink the enchanting nectar of His lips only once, Krishna suddenly abandoned us, just as you might quickly abandon some flowers. How is it, then, that Goddess Padmâ willingly serves His lotus feet? Alas! The answer must certainly be that her mind has been stolen away by His deceitful words.
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TEXT 14
kim iha bahu shad-anghre gâyasi tvam yadûnâm
adhipatim agrihânâm agrato nah purânam
vijaya-sakha-sakhînâm gîyatâm tat-prasangah
kshapita-kuca-rujas te kalpayantîshtham ishthâh
kim - why; iha - here; bahu - much; shath-anghre - O bee (six-footed one); gâyasi - are singing; tvam - you; yadûnâm - of the Yadus; adhipatim - about the master; agrihânâm - who have no home; agratah - in front of; nah - us; purânam - old; vijaya - of Arjuna; sakha - of the friend; sakhînâm - for the friends; gîyatâm - should be sung; tat - of Him; prasangah - the topics; kshapita - relieved; kuca - of whose breasts; rujah - the pain; te - they; kalpayanti - will provide; ishtham - the charity you desire; ishthâh - His beloveds.
TRANSLATION
O bee, why do you sing here so much about the Lord of the Yadus, in front of us homeless people? These topics are old news to us. Better you sing about that friend of Arjuna in front of His new girlfriends, the burning desire in whose breasts He has now relieved. Those ladies will surely give you the charity you are begging.
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TEXT 15
divi bhuvi ca rasâyâm kâh striyas tad-durâpâh
kapatha-rucira-hâsa-bhrû-vijrimbhasya yâh syuh
carana-raja upâste yasya bhûtir vayam kâ
api ca kripana-pakshe hy uttamah-s'loka-s'abdah
divi - in the heavenly region; bhuvi - on the earth; ca - and; rasâyâm - in the subterranean sphere; kâh - what; striyah - women; tat - by Him; durâpâh - unobtainable; kapatha - deceptive; rucira - charming; hâsa - with smiles; bhrû - of whose eyebrows; vijrimbhasya - the arching; yâh - who; syuh - become; carana - of the feet; rajah - the dust; upâste - worships; yasya - whose; bhûtih - the goddess of fortune, wife of Lord Nârâyana; vayam - we; kâ - who; api ca - nevertheless; kripana-pakshe - for those who are wretched; hi - indeed; uttamah-s'loka - the Supreme Lord, who is glorified by the most sublime prayers; s'abdah - the name.
TRANSLATION
In heaven, on earth or in the subterranean sphere, what women are unavailable to Him? He simply arches His eyebrows and smiles with deceptive charm, and they all become His. The supreme goddess herself worships the dust of His feet, so what is our position in comparison? But at least those who are wretched can chant His name, Uttamahs'loka.
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SB 10.47.16
TEXT 16
visrija s'irasi pâdam vedmy aham câtu-kârair
anunaya-vidushas te 'bhyetya dautyair mukundât
sva-krita iha vishrishthâpatya-paty-anya-lokâ
vyasrijad akrita-cetâh kim nu sandheyam asmin
visrija - let go of; s'irasi - held on your head; pâdam - My foot; vedmi - know; aham - I; câthu-kâraih - with flattering words; anunaya - in the art of conciliation; vidushah - who are expert; te - of you; abhyetya - having learned; dautyaih - by acting as a messenger; mukundât - from Krishna; sva - for His own; krite - sake; iha - in this life; visrishtha - who have abandoned; apatya - children; patî - husbands; anya-lokâh - and everyone else; vyasrijat - He abandoned; akrita- cetâh - ungrateful; kim nu - why indeed; sandheyam - should I make reconciliation; asmin - with Him.
TRANSLATION
Keep your head off My feet! I know what you're doing. You expertly learned diplomacy from Mukunda, and now you come as His messenger with flattering words. But He abandoned those who for His sake alone gave up their children, husbands and all other relations. He's simply ungrateful. Why should I make up with Him now?
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TEXT 17
mrigayur iva kapîndram vivyadhe lubdha-dharmâ
striyam akrita virûpâm strî-jitah kâma-yânâm
balim api balim attvâveshthayad dhvânksha-vad yas
tad alam asita-sakhyair dustyajas tat-kathârthah
mrigayuh - a hunter; iva - like; kapi - of the monkeys; indram - the king; vivyadhe - shot; lubdha-dharmâ - behaving like a cruel hunter; striyam - a woman (namely, S'ûrpanakhâ); akrita - made; virûpâm - disfigured; strî - by a woman (Sîtâ- devî); jitah - conquered; kâmayânâm - who was impelled by lusty desire; balim - King Bali; api - also; balim - his tribute; attvâ - consuming; aveshthayat - bound up; dhvânkshavat - just like a crow; yah - who; tat - therefore; alam - enough; asita - with black Krishna; sakhyaih - of all kinds of friendship; dustyajah - impossible to give up; tat - about Him; kathâ - of the topics; arthah - the elaboration.
TRANSLATION
Like a hunter, He cruelly shot the king of the monkeys with arrows. Because He was conquered by a woman, He disfigured another woman who came to Him with lusty desires. And even after consuming the gifts of Bali Mahârâja, He bound him up with ropes as if he were a crow. So let us give up all friendship with this dark-complexioned boy, even if we can't give up talking about Him.
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TEXT 18
yad-anucarita-lîlâ-karna-pîyûsha-vipruth-
sakrid-adana-vidhûta-dvandva-dharmâ vinashthâh
sapadi griha-kuthumbam dînam utsrijya dînâ
bahava iha vihangâ bhikshu-caryâm caranti
yat - whose; anucarita - constantly performed activities; lîlâ - of such pastimes; karna - for the ears; pîyûsha - of the nectar; vipruth - of a drop; sakrit - just once; adana - by the partaking; vidhûta - removed entirely; dvandva - of duality; dharmâh - their propensities; vinashthâh - ruined; sapadi - immediately; griha - their homes; kuthumbam - and families; dînam - wretched; utsrijya - rejecting; dînâh - becoming themselves wretched; bahavah - many persons; iha - here (in Vrindâvana); vihangâh - (like) birds; bhikshu - of begging; caryâm - the livelihood; caranti - they pursue.
TRANSLATION
To hear about the pastimes that Krishna regularly performs is nectar for the ears. For those who relish just a single drop of that nectar, even once, their dedication to material duality is ruined. Many such persons have suddenly given up their wretched homes and families and, themselves becoming wretched, traveled here to Vrindâvana to wander about like birds, begging for their living.
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TEXT 19
vayam ritam iva jihma-vyâhritam s'raddadhânâh
kulika-rutam ivâjñâh krishna-vadhvo harinyah
dadris'ur asakrid etat tan-nakha-spars'a-tîvra
smara-ruja upamantrin bhanyatâm anya-vârtâ
vayam - we; ritam - true; iva - as if; jihma - deceptive; vyâhritam - His speech; s'raddadhânâh - trusting; kulika - of a hunter; rutam - the song; iva - as if; ajñâh - foolish; krishna - of the black deer; vadhvah - wives; harinyah - the doe; dadris'uh - experienced; asakrit - repeatedly; etat - this; tat - His; nakha - of the fingernails; spars'a - by the touch; tîvra - sharp; smara - of lust; rujah - the pain; upamantrin - O messenger; bhanyatâm - please speak; anya - another; vârtâ - topic.
TRANSLATION
Faithfully taking His deceitful words as true, we became just like the black deer's foolish wives, who trust the cruel hunter's song. Thus we repeatedly felt the sharp pain of lust caused by the touch of His nails. O messenger, please talk about something besides Krishna.
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TEXT 20
priya-sakha punar âgâh preyasâ preshitah kim
varaya kim anurundhe mânanîyo 'si me 'nga
nayasi katham ihâsmân dustyaja-dvandva-pârs'vam
satatam urasi saumya s'rîr vadhûh sâkam âste
priya - of My beloved; sakha - O friend; punah - once again; âgâh - you have come; preyasâ - by My beloved; preshitah - sent; kim - whether; varaya - please choose; kim - what; anurundhe - do you wish; mânanîyah - to be honored; asi - you are; me - by Me; anga - My dear one; nayasi - you are bringing; katham - why; iha - here; asmân - us; dustyaja - impossible to give up; dvandva - conjugal connection with whom; pârs'vam - to the side; satatam - always; urasi - on the chest; saumya - O gentle one; s'rîh - the goddess of fortune; vadhûh - His consort; sâkam - together with Him; âste - is present.
TRANSLATION
O friend of My dear one, has My beloved sent you here again? I should honor you, friend, so please choose whatever boon you wish. But why have you come back here to take us to Him, whose conjugal love is so difficult to give up? After all, gentle bee, His consort is the goddess S'rî, and she is always with Him, staying upon His chest.
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TEXT 21
api bata madhu-puryâm ârya-putro 'dhunâste
smarati sa pitri-gehân saumya bandhûms' ca gopân
kvacid api sa kathâ nah kinkarînâm grinîte
bhujam aguru-sugandham mûrdhny adhâsyat kadâ nu
api - certainly; bata - regrettable; madhu-puryâm - in the city of Mathurâ; ârya- putrah - the son of Nanda Mahârâja; adhunâ - now; âste - resides; smarati - remembers; sah - He; pitri-gehân - the household affairs of His father; saumya - O great soul (Uddhava); bandhûn - His friends; ca - and; gopân - the cowherd boys; kvacit - sometimes; api - or; sah - He; kathâh - talks; nah - of us; kinkarînâm - of the maidservants; grinîte - relates; bhujam - hand; aguru-su- gandham - having the fragrance of aguru; mûrdhni - on the head; adhâsyat - will keep; kadâ - when; nu - maybe.
TRANSLATION
O Uddhava! It is indeed regrettable that Krishna resides in Mathurâ. Does He remember His father's household affairs and His friends, the cowherd boys? O great soul! Does He ever talk about us, His maidservants? When will He lay on our heads His aguru-scented hand?
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TEXT 22
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
athoddhavo nis'amyaivam
krishna-dars'ana-lâlasâh
sântvayan priya-sandes'air
gopîr idam abhâshata
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; atha - then; uddhavah - Uddhava; nis'amya - having heard; evam - thus; krishna-dars'ana - after the sight of Krishna; lâlasâh - who were hankering; sântvayan - pacifying; priya - of their beloved; sandes'aih - with the messages; gopîh - to the cowherd girls; idam - this; abhâshata - he said.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Having heard this, Uddhava then tried to pacify the gopîs, who were most eager to see Lord Krishna. He thus began relating to them the message of their beloved.
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TEXT 23
s'rî-uddhava uvâca
aho yûyam sma pûrnârthâ
bhavatyo loka-pûjitâh
vâsudeve bhagavati
yâsâm ity arpitam manah
s'rî-uddhavah uvâca - S'rî Uddhava said; aho - indeed; yûyam - you; sma - surely; pûrna - fulfilled; arthâh - whose purposes; bhavatyah - your good selves; loka - by all people; pûjitâh - worshiped; vâsudeve bhagavati - unto Lord Vâsudeva, Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yâsâm - whose; iti - in this manner; arpitam - offered; manah - the minds.
TRANSLATION
S'rî Uddhava said: Certainly you gopîs are all-successful and are universally worshiped because you have dedicated your minds in this way to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vâsudeva.
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TEXT 24
dâna-vrata-tapo-homa
japa-svâdhyâya-samyamaih
s'reyobhir vividhais' cânyaih
krishne bhaktir hi sâdhyate
dâna - by charity; vrata - strict vows; tapah - austerities; homa - fire sacrifices; japa - private chanting of mantras; svâdhyâya - study of Vedic texts; samyamaih - and regulative principles; s'reyobhih - by auspicious practices; vividhaih - various; ca - also; anyaih - others; krishne - to Lord Krishna; bhaktih - devotional service; hi - indeed; sâdhyate - is realized.
TRANSLATION
Devotional service unto Lord Krishna is attained by charity, strict vows, austerities and fire sacrifices, by japa, study of Vedic texts, observance of regulative principles and, indeed, by the performance of many other auspicious practices.
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TEXT 25
bhagavaty uttamah-s'loke
bhavatîbhir anuttamâ
bhaktih pravartitâ dishthyâ
munînâm api durlabhâ
bhagavati - for the Supreme Lord; uttamah-s'loke - who is glorified in sublime poetry; bhavatîbhih - by your good selves; anuttamâ - unexcelled; bhaktih - devotion; pravartîtâ - established; dishthyâ - (congratulations on your) good fortune; munînâm - for great sages; api - even; durlabhâ - hard to obtain.
TRANSLATION
By your great fortune you have established an unexcelled standard of pure devotion for the Lord, Uttamahs'loka - a standard even the sages can hardly attain.
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TEXT 26
dishthyâ putrân patîn dehân
sva-janân bhavanâni ca
hitvâvrinîta yûyam yat
krishnâkhyam purusham param
dishthyâ - by good fortune; putrân - sons; patîn - husbands; dehân - bodies; sva- janân - relatives; bhavanâni - homes; ca - and; hitvâ - leaving; avrinîta - did choose; yûyam - you; yat - the fact that; krishna-âkhyam - named Krishna; purusham - the male personality; param - supreme.
TRANSLATION
By your great fortune you have left your sons, husbands, bodily comforts, relatives and homes in favor of the supreme male, who is known as Krishna.
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TEXT 27
sarvâtma-bhâvo 'dhikrito
bhavatînâm adhokshaje
virahena mahâ-bhâgâ
mahân me 'nugrahah kritah
sarva-âtma - wholehearted; bhâvah - love; adhikritah - claimed by right; bhavatînâm - by you; adhokshaje - for the transcendental Lord; virahena - through this mood of separation; mahâ-bhâgâh - O most glorious ones; mahân - great; me - to me; anugrahah - mercy; kritah - done.
TRANSLATION
You have rightfully claimed the privilege of unalloyed love for the transcendental Lord, O most glorious gopîs. Indeed, by exhibiting your love for Krishna in separation from Him, you have shown me great mercy.
******
TEXT 28
s'rûyatâm priya-sandes'o
bhavatînâm sukhâvahah
yam âdâyâgato bhadrâ
aham bhartû rahas-karah
s'rûyatâm - please hear; priya - of your beloved; sandes'ah - the message; bhavatînâm - for you; sukha - happiness; âvahah - bringing; yam - which; âdâya - carrying; âgatah - have come; bhadrâh - good ladies; aham - I; bhartuh - of my master; rahah - of confidential duties; karah - the executor.
TRANSLATION
My good ladies, now please hear your beloved's message, which I, the confidential servant of my master, have come here to bring you.
******
TEXT 29
s'rî-bhagavân uvâca
bhavatînâm viyogo me
na hi sarvâtmanâ kvacit
yathâ bhûtâni bhûteshu
kham vâyv-agnir jalam mahî
tathâham ca manah-prâna-
bhûtendriya-gunâs'rayah
s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Lord said; bhavatînâm - of you women; viyogah - separation; me - from Me; na - is not; hi - indeed; sarva-âtmanâ - from the Soul of all existence; kvacit - ever; yathâ - as; bhûtâni - the physical elements; bhûteshu - in all created beings; kham - the ether; vâyu-agnih - air and fire; jalam - water; mahî - earth; tathâ - so; aham - I; ca - and; manah - of the mind; prâna - vital air; bhûta - material elements; indriya - bodily senses; guna - and of the primal modes of nature; âs'rayah - present as their shelter.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Lord said: You are never actually separated from Me, for I am the Soul of all creation. Just as the elements of nature - ether, air, fire, water and earth - are present in every created thing, so I am present within everyone's mind, life air and senses, and also within the physical elements and the modes of material nature.
******
TEXT 30
âtmany evâtmanâtmânam
srije hanmy anupâlaye
âtma-mâyânubhâvena
bhûtendriya-gunâtmanâ
âtmani - within Myself; eva - indeed; âtmanâ - by Myself; âtmânam - Myself; srije - I create; hanmi - I destroy; anupâlaye - I sustain; âtma - My own; mâyâ - of the mystic potency; anubhâvena - by the power; bhûta - the material elements; indriya - the senses; guna - and the modes of nature; âtmanâ - comprising.
TRANSLATION
By Myself I create, sustain and withdraw Myself within Myself by the power of My personal energy, which comprises the material elements, the senses and the modes of nature.
******
TEXT 31
âtmâ jñâna-mayah s'uddho
vyatirikto 'gunânvayah
sushupti-svapna-jâgradbhir
mâyâ-vrittibhir îyate
âtmâ - the soul; jñâna-mayah - comprising transcendental knowledge; s'uddhah - pure; vyatiriktah - separate; aguna-anvayah - uninvolved in the reactions of the material modes; sushupti - in deep sleep; svapna - ordinary sleep; jâgradbhih - and waking consciousness; mâyâ - of the material energy; vrittibhih - by the functions; îyate - is perceived.
TRANSLATION
Being composed of pure consciousness, or knowledge, the soul is distinct from everything material and is uninvolved in the entanglements of the modes of nature. We can perceive the soul through the three functions of material nature known as wakefulness, sleep and deep sleep.
******
SB 10.47.32
TEXT 32
yenendriyârthân dhyâyeta
mrishâ svapna-vad utthitah
tan nirundhyâd indriyâni
vinidrah pratyapadyata
yena - by which (mind); indriya - of the senses; arthân - upon the objects; dhyâyeta - one meditates; mrishâ - false; svapna-vat - like a dream; utthitah - arisen from sleep; tat - that (mind); nirundhyât - one should bring under control; indriyâni - the senses; vinidrah - not sleeping (alert); pratyapadyata - they obtain.
TRANSLATION
As a person just arisen from sleep may continue to meditate on a dream even though it is illusory, so by the agency of the mind one meditates on the sense objects, which the senses can then obtain. Therefore one should become fully alert and bring the mind under control.
******
TEXT 33
etad-antah samâmnâyo
yogah sânkhyam manîshinâm
tyâgas tapo damah satyam
samudrântâ ivâpagâh
etat - having this; antah - as its conclusion; samâmnâyah - the entire Vedic literature; yogah - the standard system of yoga; sânkhyam - the process of Sânkhya meditation, by which one learns to discriminate between spirit and matter; manîshinâm - of the intelligent; tyâgah - renunciation; tapah - austerity; damah - sense control; satyam - and honesty; samudra-antâh - leading to the ocean; iva - as; âpa-gâh - rivers.
TRANSLATION
According to intelligent authorities, this is the ultimate conclusion of all the Vedas, as well as all practice of yoga, Sânkhya, renunciation, austerity, sense control and truthfulness, just as the sea is the ultimate destination of all rivers.
******
SB 10.47.34
TEXT 34
yat tv aham bhavatînâm vai
dûre varte priyo dris'âm
manasah sannikarshârtham
mad-anudhyâna-kâmyayâ
yat - the fact that; tu - however; aham - I; bhavatînâm - from your; vai - indeed; dûre - far away; varte - am situated; priyah - who am dear; dris'âm - to the eyes; manasah - of the mind; sannikarsha - of the attraction; artham - for the sake; mat - upon Me; anudhyâna. - for your meditation; kâmyayâ - out of My desire.
TRANSLATION
But the actual reason why I, the beloved object of your sight, have stayed far away from you is that I wanted to intensify your meditation upon Me and thus draw your minds closer to Me.
******
TEXT 35
yathâ dûra-care preshthhe
mana âvis'ya vartate
strînâm ca na tathâ cetah
sannikrishthe 'kshi-gocare
yathâ - as; dûra-care - being situated far away; preshthhe - a lover; manah - the minds; âvis'ya - becoming absorbed; vartate - remain; strînâm - of women; ca - and; na - not; tathâ - so; cetah - their minds; sannikrishthe - when he is near; akshi- gocare - present before their eyes.
TRANSLATION
When her lover is far away, a woman thinks of him more than when he is present before her.
******
TEXT 36
mayy âves'ya manah kritsnam
vimuktâs'esha-vritti yat
anusmarantyo mâm nityam
acirân mâm upaishyatha
mayi - in Me; âves'ya - absorbing; manah - your minds; kritsnam - entire; vimukta - having given up; as'esha - all; vritti - its (material) functions; yat - because; anusmarantyah - remembering; mâm - Me; nityam - constantly; acirât - soon; mâm - Me; upaishyatha - you will obtain.
TRANSLATION
Because your minds are totally absorbed in Me and free from all other engagement, you remember Me always, and so you will very soon have Me again in your presence.
******
TEXT 37
yâ mayâ krîdatâ râtryâm
vane 'smin vraja âsthitâh
alabdha-râsâh kalyânyo
mâpur mad-vîrya-cintayâ
yâh - which women; mayâ - with Me; krîdatâ - who was sporting; râtryâm - at night; vane - in the forest; asmin - this; vraje - in the village of Vraja; âsthitâh - remaining; alabdha - not experiencing; râsâh - the râsa dance; kalyânyah - fortunate; mâ - Me; âpuh - they achieved; mat-vîrya - upon My valorous pastimes; cintayâ - by concentration.
TRANSLATION
Although some gopîs had to remain in the cowherd village and so could not join the râsa dance to sport with Me at night in the forest, they were nonetheless fortunate. Indeed, they attained Me by thinking of My potent pastimes.
******
TEXT 38
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
evam priyatamâdishtham
âkarnya vraja-yoshitah
tâ ûcur uddhavam prîtâs
tat-sandes'âgata-smritîh
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; evam - in this fashion; priya- tama - given by their beloved (Krishna); âdishtham - the instructions; âkarnya - hearing; vraja-yoshitah - the women of Vraja; tâh - they; ûcuh - said; uddhavam - to Uddhava; prîtah - pleased; tat - by that; sandes'a - message; âgata - having returned; smritîh - their memories.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: The women of Vraja were pleased to hear this message from their dearmost Krishna. His words having revived their memory, they addressed Uddhava as follows.
******
TEXT 39
gopya ûcuh
dishthyâhito hatah kamso
yadûnâm sânugo 'gha-krit
dishthyâptair labdha-sarvârthaih
kus'aly âste 'cyuto 'dhunâ
gopyah ûcuh - the gopîs said; dishthyâ - fortunately; ahitah - the enemy; hatah - has been killed; kamsah - King Kamsa; yadûnâm - for the Yadus; sa-anugah - together with his followers; agha - of suffering; krit - the cause; dishthyâ - fortunately; âptaih - with His well-wishers; labdha - who have attained; sarva - all; arthaih - their desires; kus'alî - happily; âste - is living; acyutah - Lord Krishna; adhunâ - at present.
TRANSLATION
The gopîs said: It is very good that Kamsa, the enemy and persecutor of the Yadus, has now been killed, along with his followers. And it is also very good that Lord Acyuta is living happily in the company of His well-wishing friends and relatives, whose every desire is now fulfilled.
******
TEXT 40
kaccid gadâgrajah saumya
karoti pura-yoshitâm
prîtim nah snigdha-savrîda-
hâsodârekshanârcitah
kaccit - perhaps; gada-agrajah - Krishna, the elder brother of Gada; saumya - O gentle (Uddhava); karoti - is giving; pura - of the city; yoshitâm - for the women; prîtim - loving happiness; nah - which belongs to us; snigdha - affectionate; sa-vrîda - and bashful; hâsa - with smiles; udâra - generous; îkshana - by their glances; arcitah - worshiped.
TRANSLATION
Gentle Uddhava, is the elder brother of Gada now bestowing on the city women the pleasure that actually belongs to us? We suppose those ladies worship Him with generous glances full of affectionate, shy smiles.
******
TEXT 41
katham rati-vis'esha-jñah
priyas' ca pura-yoshitâm
nânubadhyeta tad-vâkyair
vibhramais' cânubhâjitah
katham - how; rati - of conjugal affairs; vis'esha - in all the specific aspects; jñah - the expert; priyah - the darling; ca - and; pura-yoshitâm - of the city women; na anubadhyeta - will not become bound; tat - by their; vâkyaih - words; vibhramaih - bewildering gestures; ca - and; anubhâjitah - constantly worshiped.
TRANSLATION
S'rî Krishna is expert in all kinds of conjugal affairs and is the darling of the city women. How can He not become entangled, now that He's constantly adored by their enchanting words and gestures?
******
TEXT 42
api smarati nah sâdho
govindah prastute kvacit
goshthhi-madhye pura-strînâm
grâmyâh svaira-kathântare
api - moreover; smarati - remembers; nah - us; sâdho - O pious one; govindah - Krishna; prastute - brought up in discussions; kvacit - ever; goshthhi - the assembly; madhye - within; pura-strînâm - of the city women; grâmyâh - village girls; svaira - free; kathâ - conversation; antare - during.
TRANSLATION
O saintly one, does Govinda ever remember us during His conversations with the city women? Does He ever mention us village girls as He freely talks with them?
******
TEXT 43
tâh kim nis'âh smarati yâsu tadâ priyâbhir
vrindâvane kumuda-kunda-s'as'ânka-ramye
reme kvanac-carana-nûpura-râsa-goshthhyâm
asmâbhir îdita-manojña-kathah kadâcit
tâh - those; kim - whether; nis'âh - nights; smarati - He remembers; yâsu - in which; tadâ - then; priyâbhih - with His beloved girlfriends; vrindâvane - in the Vrindâvana forest; kumuda - because of the lotuses; kunda - and jasmines; s'as'ânka - and because of the moon; ramye - attractive; reme - He enjoyed; kvanat - jingling; carana-nûpura - (where) the ankle bells; râsa-goshthhyâm - in the party of the râsa dance; asmâbhih - with us; îdita - glorified; manojña - charming; kathah - topics about whom; kadâcit - ever.
TRANSLATION
Does He recall those nights in the Vrindâvana forest, lovely with lotus, jasmine and the bright moon? As we glorified His charming pastimes, He enjoyed with us, His beloved girlfriends, in the circle of the râsa dance, which resounded with the music of ankle bells.
******
TEXT 44
apy eshyatîha dâs'ârhas
taptâh sva-kritayâ s'ucâ
sañjîvayan nu no gâtrair
yathendro vanam ambudaih
api - whether; eshyati - He will come; iha - here; dâs'ârhah - Krishna, the descendant of Das'ârha; taptâh - who are tormented; sva-kritayâ - by His own doing; s'ucâ - with sorrow; sañjîvayan - bringing back to life; nu - perhaps; nah - us; gâtraih - with (the touch of) His limbs; yathâ - as; indrah - Lord Indra; vanam - a forest; ambudaih - with clouds.
TRANSLATION
Will that descendant of Das'ârha return here and by the touch of His limbs bring back to life those who are now burning with the grief He Himself has caused? Will He save us in that way, just as Lord Indra brings a forest back to life with his water-bearing clouds?
******
TEXT 45
kasmât krishna ihâyâti
prâpta-râjyo hatâhitah
narendra-kanyâ udvâhya
prîtah sarva-suhrid-vritah
kasmât - why; krishnah - Krishna; iha - here; âyâti - will come; prâpta - having attained; râjyah - a kingdom; hata - having killed; ahitah - His enemies; nara- indra - of kings; kanyâh - the daughters; udvâhya - after marrying; prîtah - happy; sarva - by all; suhrit - His well-wishers; vritah - surrounded.
TRANSLATION
But why should Krishna come here after winning a kingdom, killing His enemies and marrying the daughters of kings? He's satisfied there, surrounded by all His friends and well-wishers.
******
TEXT 46
kim asmâbhir vanaukobhir
anyâbhir vâ mahâtmanah
s'rî-pater âpta-kâmasya
kriyetârthah kritâtmanah
kim - what; asmâbhih - with us; vana - the forest; okobhih - whose residence; anyâbhih - with other women; vâ - or; mahâ-âtmanah - for the exalted personality (Krishna); s'rî - of the goddess of fortune; pateh - for the husband; âpta- kâmasya - whose desires are already completely fulfilled; kriyeta - is to be served; arthah - purpose; krita-âtmanah - for Him who is complete in Himself.
TRANSLATION
The great soul Krishna is the Lord of the goddess of fortune, and He automatically achieves whatever He desires. How can we forest-dwellers or any other women fulfill His purposes when He is already fulfilled within Himself?
******
TEXT 47
param saukhyam hi nairâs'yam
svairiny apy âha pingalâ
taj jânatînâm nah krishne
tathâpy âs'â duratyayâ
param - the highest; saukhyam - happiness; hi - indeed; nairâs'yam - indifference; svairinî - unchaste; api - although; âha - stated; pingalâ - the prostitute Pingalâ; tat - of that; jânatînâm - who are aware; nah - for us; krishne - focused on Krishna; tathâ api - nevertheless; âsâ - the hope; duratyayâ - is impossible to transcend.
TRANSLATION
Indeed, the greatest happiness is to renounce all desires, as even the prostitute Pingalâ has declared. Yet even though we know this, we cannot give up our hopes of attaining Krishna.
******
TEXT 48
ka utsaheta santyaktum
uttamahs'loka-samvidam
anicchato 'pi yasya s'rîr
angân na cyavate kvacit
kah - who; utsaheta - can bear; santyaktum - to give up; uttamahs'loka - with Lord Krishna; samvidam - intimate talks; anicchatah - not wanted; api - even though; yasya - whose; s'rîh - the supreme goddess of fortune; angât - the body; na cyavate - does not let go of; kvacit - ever.
TRANSLATION
Who can bear to give up intimate talks with Lord Uttamahs'loka? Although He shows no interest in her, Goddess S'rî never moves from her place on His chest.
******
TEXT 49
saric-chaila-vanoddes'â
gâvo venu-ravâ ime
sankarshana-sahâyena
krishnenâcaritâh prabho
sarit - rivers; s'aila - hills; vana-uddes'âh - and areas of the forest; gâvah - cows; venu-ravâh - flute sounds; ime - all these; sankarshana - Lord Balarâma; sahâyena - whose companion; krishnena - by Krishna; âcaritâh - utilized; prabho - O master (Uddhava).
TRANSLATION
Dear Uddhava Prabhu, when Krishna was here in the company of Sankarshana, He enjoyed all these rivers, hills, forests, cows and flute sounds.
******
TEXT 50
punah punah smârayanti
nanda-gopa-sutam bata
s'rî-niketais tat-padakair
vismartum naiva s'aknumah
punah punah - again and again; smârayanti - they remind; nanda-gopa-sutam - of the son of Nanda, the cowherd king; bata - certainly; s'rî - divine; niketaih - having markings; tat - His; padakaih - because of the footprints; vismartum - to forget; na - not; eva - indeed; s'aknumah - are we able.
TRANSLATION
All these remind us constantly of Nanda's son. Indeed, because we see Krishna's footprints, which are marked with divine symbols, we can never forget Him.
******
TEXT 51
gatyâ lalitayodâra-
hâsa-lîlâvalokanaih
mâdhvyâ girâ hrita-dhiyah
katham tam vismarâma he
gatyâ - by His gait; lalitayâ - charming; udâra - with generous; hâsa - smiles; lîlâ - playful; avalokanaih - by His glances; mâdhvyâ - honeylike; girâ - by His words; hrita - stolen away; dhiyah - whose hearts; katham - how; tam - Him; vismarâma - we can forget; he - O (Uddhava).
TRANSLATION
O Uddhava, how can we forget Him when our hearts have been stolen away by the charming way He walks, His generous smile and playful glances, and His honeylike words?
******
TEXT 52
he nâtha he ramâ-nâtha
vraja-nâthârti-nâs'ana
magnam uddhara govinda
gokulam vrijinârnavât
he nâtha - O master; he ramâ-nâtha - O master of the goddess of fortune; vraja- nâtha - O master of the cowherd village; ârti - of suffering; nâs'ana - O destroyer; magnam - submerged; uddhara - uplift; govinda - O Govinda; gokulam - Gokula; vrijina - of distress; arnavât - from the ocean.
TRANSLATION
O master, O master of the goddess of fortune, O master of Vraja ! O destroyer of all suffering, Govinda, please lift Your Gokula out of the ocean of distress in which it is drowning!
******
TEXT 53
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
tatas tâh krishna-sandes'air
vyapeta-viraha-jvarâh
uddhavam pûjayâm cakrur
jñâtvâtmânam adhokshajam
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; tatah - then; tâh - they; krishna- sandes'aih - by the messages from Krishna; vyapeta - removed; viraha - of their separation; jvarâh - the fever; uddhavam - Uddhava; pûjayâm cakruh - worshiped; jñâtvâ - recognizing him; âtmânam - Himself; adhokshajam - as the Supreme Lord.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued: Lord Krishna's messages having relieved their fever of separation, the gopîs then worshiped Uddhava, recognizing him as nondifferent from their Lord, Krishna.
******
TEXT 54
uvâsa katicin mâsân
gopînâm vinudan s'ucah
krishna-lîlâ-kathâm gâyan
ramayâm âsa gokulam
uvâsa - he resided; katicit - for some; mâsân - months; gopînâm - of the cowherd girls; vinudan - dispelling; s'ucah - the unhappiness; krishna-lîlâ - of the pastimes of Lord Krishna; kathâm - the topics; gâyan - singing; ramayâm âsa - he gave joy; gokulam - to Gokula.
TRANSLATION
Uddhava remained there for several months, dispelling the gopîs' sorrow by chanting the topics of Lord Krishna's pastimes. Thus he brought joy to all the people of Gokula.
******
TEXT 55
yâvanty ahâni nandasya
vraje 'vâtsît sa uddhavah
vrajaukasâm kshana-prâyâny
âsan krishnasya vârtayâ
yâvanti - for as many; ahâni - days; nandasya - of King Nanda; vraje - in the cowherd village; avâtsît - dwelled; sah - he; uddhavah - Uddhava; vraja- okasâm - for the residents of Vraja; kshana-prâyâni - passing like a moment; âsan - they were; krishnasya - about Krishna; vârtayâ - because of the discussions.
TRANSLATION
All the days that Uddhava dwelled in Nanda's cowherd village seemed like a single moment to the residents of Vraja, for Uddhava was always discussing Krishna.
******
TEXT 56
sarid-vana-giri-dronîr
vîkshan kusumitân drumân
krishnam samsmârayan reme
hari-dâso vrajaukasâm
sarit - the rivers; vana - forests; giri - mountains; dronîh - and valleys; vîkshan - seeing; kusumitân - flowering; drumân - the trees; krishnam - about Krishna; samsmârayan - inspiring remembrance; reme - he took pleasure; hari-dâsah - the servant of Lord Hari; vraja-okasâm - for the residents of Vraja.
TRANSLATION
That servant of Lord Hari, seeing the rivers, forests, mountains, valleys and flowering trees of Vraja, enjoyed inspiring the inhabitants of Vrindâvana by reminding them of Lord Krishna.
******
TEXT 57
drishthvaivam-âdi gopînâm
krishnâves'âtma-viklavam
uddhavah parama-prîtas
tâ namasyann idam jagau
drishthvâ - seeing; evam - such; âdi - and more; gopînâm - of the gopîs; krishna- âves'a - their total absorption in thought of Krishna; âtma - consisting of; viklavam - the mental agitation; uddhavah - Uddhava; parama - supremely; prîtah - pleased; tâh - to them; namasyan - offering all respect; idam - this; jagau - sang.
TRANSLATION
Thus seeing how the gopîs were always disturbed because of their total absorption in Krishna, Uddhava was supremely pleased. Desiring to offer them all respect, he sang as follows.
******
TEXT 58
etâh param tanu-bhrito bhuvi gopa-vadhvo
govinda eva nikhilâtmani rûdha-bhâvâh
vâñchanti yad bhava-bhiyo munayo vayam ca
kim brahma-janmabhir ananta-kathâ-rasasya
etâh - these women; param - alone; tanu - their bodies; bhritah - maintain successfully; bhuvi - on the earth; gopa-vadhvah - the young cowherd women; govinde - for Lord Krishna; eva - exclusively; nikhila - of all; âtmani - the Soul; rûdha - perfected; bhâvâh - ecstatic loving attraction; vâñchanti - they desire; yat - which; bhava - material existence; bhiyah - those who are afraid of; munayah - sages; vayam - we; ca - also; kim - what use; brahma - as a brâhmana or as Lord Brahmâ; janmabhih - with births; ananta - of the unlimited Lord; kathâ - for the topics; rasasya - for one who has a taste.
TRANSLATION
[Uddhava sang:] Among all persons on earth, these cowherd women alone have actually perfected their embodied lives, for they have achieved the perfection of unalloyed love for Lord Govinda. Their pure love is hankered after by those who fear material existence, by great sages, and by ourselves as well. For one who has tasted the narrations of the infinite Lord, what is the use of taking birth as a high-class brâhmana, or even as Lord Brahmâ himself?
******
TEXT 59
kvemâh striyo vana-carîr vyabhicâra-dushthâh
krishne kva caisha paramâtmani rûdha-bhâvah
nanv îs'varo 'nubhajato 'vidusho 'pi sâkshâc
chreyas tanoty agada-râja ivopayuktah
kva - where, in comparison; imâh - these; striyah - women; vana - in the forests; carîh - who wander; vyabhicâra - by improper behavior; dushthâh - contaminated; krishne - for Krishna; kva ca - and where; eshah - this; parama-âtmani - for the Supreme Soul; rûdha-bhâvah - stage of perfect love (known technically as mahâ-bhâva); nanu - certainly; îs'varah - the Personality of Godhead; anubhajatah - to one who constantly worships Him; avidushah - not learned; api - even though; sâkshât - directly; s'reyah - the highest good; tanoti - bestows; agada - of medicines; râjah - the king (namely, the nectar which the demigods drink for long life); iva - as if; upayuktah - taken.
TRANSLATION
How amazing it is that these simple women who wander about the forest, seemingly spoiled by improper behavior, have achieved the perfection of unalloyed love for Krishna, the Supreme Soul! Still, it is true that the Supreme Lord Himself awards His blessings even to an ignorant worshiper, just as the best medicine works even when taken by a person ignorant of its ingredients.
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TEXT 60
nâyam s'riyo 'nga u nitânta-rateh prasâdah
svar-yoshitâm nalina-gandha-rucâm kuto 'nyâh
râsotsave 'sya bhuja-danda-grihîta-kanthha-
labdhâs'ishâm ya udagâd vraja-vallabhînâm
na - not; ayam - this; s'riyah - of the goddess of fortune; ange - on the chest; u - alas; nitânta-rateh - who is very intimately related; prasâdah - the favor; svah - of the heavenly planets; yoshitâm - of women; nalina - of the lotus flower; gandha - having the aroma; rucâm - and bodily luster; kutah - much less; anyâh - others; rasa-utsave - in the festival of the râsa dance; asya - of Lord S'rî Krishna; bhuja-danda - by the arms; grihîta - embraced; kanthha - their necks; labdha-âs'ishâm - who achieved such a blessing; yah - which; udagât - became manifest; vraja-vallabhînâm - of the beautiful gopîs, the transcendental girls of Vrajabhûmi.
TRANSLATION
When Lord S'rî Krishna was dancing with the gopîs in the râsa-lîlâ, the gopîs were embraced by the arms of the Lord. This transcendental favor was never bestowed upon the goddess of fortune or other consorts in the spiritual world. Indeed, never was such a thing even imagined by the most beautiful girls in the heavenly planets, whose bodily luster and aroma resemble the lotus flower. And what to speak of worldly women who are very beautiful according to material estimation?
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TEXT 61
âsâm aho carana-renu-jushâm aham syâm
vrindâvane kim api gulma-lataushadhînâm
yâ dustyajam sva-janam ârya-patham ca hitvâ
bhejur mukunda-padavîm s'rutibhir vimrigyâm
âsam - of the gopîs; aho - oh; carana-renu - the dust of the lotus feet; jushâm - devoted to; aham syâm - let me become; vrindâvane - in Vrindâvana; kim api - any one; gulma-latâ-oshadhînâm - among bushes, creepers and herbs; yâ - they who; dustyajam - very difficult to give up; sva-janam - family members; ârya- patham - the path of chastity; ca - and; hitvâ - giving up; bhejuh - worshiped; mukunda-padavîm - the lotus feet of Mukunda, Krishna; s'rutibhih - by the Vedas; vimrigyâm - to be searched for.
TRANSLATION
The gopîs of Vrindâvana have given up the association of their husbands, sons and other family members, who are very difficult to give up, and they have forsaken the path of chastity to take shelter of the lotus feet of Mukunda, Krishna, which one should search for by Vedic knowledge. Oh, let me be fortunate enough to be one of the bushes, creepers or herbs in Vrindâvana, because the gopîs trample them and bless them with the dust of their lotus feet.
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TEXT 62
yâ vai s'riyârcitam ajâdibhir âpta-kâmair
yoges'varair api yad âtmani râsa-goshthhyâm
krishnasya tad bhagavatah caranâravindam
nyastam staneshu vijahuh parirabhya tâpam
yâh - who (the gopîs); vai - indeed; s'riyâ - by the goddess of fortune; arcitam - worshiped; aja - by unborn Brahmâ; âdibhih - and other demigods; âpta- kâmaih - who have already realized all desires; yoga-îs'varaih - masters of mystic power; api - even though; yat - which; âtmani - in the mind; râsa - of the râsa dance; goshthhyâm - in the gathering; krishnasya - of Lord Krishna; tat - those; bhagavatah - of the Supreme Lord; carana-aravindam - the lotus feet; nyastam - placed; staneshu - on their breasts; vijahuh - they gave up; parirabhya - by embracing; tâpam - their torment.
TRANSLATION
The goddess of fortune herself, along with Lord Brahmâ and all the other demigods, who are masters of yogic perfection, can worship the lotus feet of Krishna only within her mind. But during the râsa dance Lord Krishna placed His feet upon these gopîs' breasts, and by embracing those feet the gopîs gave up all distress.
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TEXT 63
vande nanda-vraja-strînâm
pâda-renum abhîkshnas'ah
yâsâm hari-kathodgîtam
punâti bhuvana-trayam
vande - I offer my respects; nanda-vraja - of the cowherd village of Nanda Mahârâja; strînâm - of the women; pâda - of the feet; renum - to the dust; abhîkshnas'ah - perpetually; yâsâm - whose; hari - of Lord Krishna; kathâ - about the topics; udgîtam - loud chanting; punâti - purifies; bhuvana-trayam - the three worlds.
TRANSLATION
I repeatedly offer my respects to the dust from the feet of the women of Nanda Mahârâja's cowherd village. When these gopîs loudly chant the glories of S'rî Krishna, the vibration purifies the three worlds.
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TEXT 64
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
atha gopîr anujñâpya
yas'odâm nandam eva ca
gopân âmantrya dâs'ârho
yâsyann âruruhe ratham
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; atha - then; gopîh - of the gopîs; anujñâpya - taking permission; yas'odâm - of mother Yas'odâ; nandam - King Nanda; eva ca - also; gopân - of the cowherds; âmantrya - taking leave; dâs'ârhah - Uddhava, descendant of Das'ârha; yâsyan - being about to leave; âruruhe - mounted; ratham - his chariot.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Uddhava, the descendant of Das'ârha, then took permission to leave from the gopîs and from mother Yas'odâ and Nanda Mahârâja. He bade farewell to all the cowherd men and, about to depart, mounted his chariot.
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TEXT 65
tam nirgatam samâsâdya
nânopâyana-pânayah
nandâdayo 'nurâgena
prâvocann as'ru-locanâh
tam - him (Uddhava); nirgatam - gone out; samâsâdya - approaching; nânâ - various; upâyana - items for worship; pânayah - in their hands; nanda-âdayah - Nanda and the others; anurâgena - with affection; prâvocan - spoke; as'ru - with tears; locanâh - in their eyes.
TRANSLATION
As Uddhava was about to leave, Nanda and the others approached him bearing various items of worship. With tears in their eyes they addressed him as follows.
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TEXT 66
manaso vrittayo nah syuh
krishna pâdâmbujâs'rayâh
vâco 'bhidhâyinîr nâmnâm
kâyas tat-prahvanâdishu
manasah - of the minds; vrittayah - the functions; nah - our; syuh - may they be; krishna - of Krishna; pâda-ambuja - of the lotus feet; âs'rayâh - taking shelter; vâcah - our words; abhidhâyinîh - expressing; nâmnâm - His names; kâyah - our bodies; tat - to Him; prahvana-âdishu - (engaged) in bowing down and so forth.
TRANSLATION
[Nanda and the other cowherds said:] May our mental functions always take shelter of Krishna's lotus feet, may our words always chant His names, and may our bodies always bow down to Him and serve Him.
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TEXT 67
karmabhir bhrâmyamânânâm
yatra kvâpîs'varecchayâ
mangalâcaritair dânai
ratir nah krishna îs'vare
karmabhih - by our fruitive actions; bhrâmyamânânâm - who are made to wander; yatra kva api - wherever; îs'vara - of the Supreme Lord; icchayâ - by the desire; mangala - auspicious; âcaritaih - because of works; dânaih - because of charity; ratih - attachment; nah - our; krishne - for Krishna; îs'vare - the Lord.
TRANSLATION
Wherever we are made to wander about this world by the Supreme Lord's will, in accordance with the reactions to our fruitive work, may our good works and charity always grant Us love for Lord Krishna.
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TEXT 68
evam sabhâjito gopaih
krishna-bhaktyâ narâdhipa
uddhavah punar âgacchan
mathurâm krishna-pâlitâm
evam - thus; sabhâjitah - shown honor; gopaih - by the cowherds; krishna- bhaktyâ - with devotion for Krishna; nara-adhipa - O ruler of men (Parîkchit); uddhavah - Uddhava; punah - again; âgacchat - returned; mathurâm - to Mathurâ; krishna-pâlitâm - which was being protected by Lord Krishna.
TRANSLATION
[S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:] O ruler of men, thus honored by the cowherd men with expressions of devotion for Lord Krishna, Uddhava went back to the city of Mathurâ, which was under Krishna's protection.
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TEXT 69
krishnâya pranipatyâha
bhakty-udrekam vrajaukasâm
vasudevâya râmâya
râjñe copâyanâny adât
krishnâya - to Lord Krishna; pranipatya - after falling down to pay homage; âha - he told; bhakti - of pure devotion; udrekam - the abundance; vraja-okasâm - of the residents of Vraja; vasudevâya - to Vasudeva; râmâya - to Lord Balarâma; râjñe - to the King (Ugrasena); ca - and; upâyanâni - the items received in tribute; adât - he gave.
TRANSLATION
After falling down to pay his homage, Uddhava described to Lord Krishna the immense devotion of the residents of Vraja. Uddhava also described it to Vasudeva, Lord Balarâma and King Ugrasena and presented to them the gifts of tribute he had brought with him.
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