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)
Canto 10: 'Summum Bonum'
**************
Chapter Fifty-three: Krishna Kidnaps Rukminî
******
TEXT 1
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
vaidarbhyâh sa tu sandes'am
nis'amya yadu-nandanah
pragrihya pâninâ pânim
prahasann idam abravît
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; vaidarbhyâh - of the princess of Vidarbha; sah - He; tu - and; sandes'am - the confidential message; nis'amya - hearing; yadu-nandanah - Lord Krishna, the descendant of Yadu; pragrihya - taking; pâninâ - by His hand; pânim - the hand (of the brâhmana messenger); prahasan - smiling; idam - this; abravît - said.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Thus hearing the confidential message of Princess Vaidarbhî, Lord Yadunandana took the brâhmana's hand and, smiling, spoke to him as follows.
******
TEXT 2
s'rî-bhagavân uvâca
tathâham api tac-citto
nidrâm ca na labhe nis'i
vedâham rukminâ dveshân
mamodvâho nivâritah
s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; tathâ - in the same way; aham - I; api - also; tat - fixed on her; cittah - My mind; nidrâm - sleep; ca - and; na labhe - I cannot get; nis'i - at night; veda - know; aham - I; rukminâ - by Rukmî; dveshât - out of enmity; mama - My; udvâhah - marriage; nivâritah - forbidden.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Lord said: Just as Rukminî's mind is fixed on Me, My mind is fixed on her. I can't even sleep at night. I know that Rukmî, out of envy, has forbidden our marriage.
******
TEXT 3
tâm ânayishya unmathya
râjanyâpasadân mridhe
mat-parâm anavadyângîm
edhaso 'gni-s'ikhâm iva
tâm - she; ânayishye - I will bring here; unmathya - churning up; râjanya - of the royal order; apasadân - unfit members; mridhe - in battle; mat - to Me; parâm - who is solely dedicated; anavadya - unquestionable; angîm - the beauty of whose body; edhasah - from kindling wood; agni - of fire; s'ikhâm - the flames; iva - as.
TRANSLATION
She has dedicated herself exclusively to Me, and her beauty is flawless. I will bring her here after thrashing those worthless kings in battle, just as one brings a blazing flame out of firewood.
******
TEXT 4
s'rî-s'uka uvâca
udvâharksham ca vijñâya
rukminyâ madhusûdanah
rathah samyujyatâm âs'u
dârukety âha sârathim
s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; udvâha - of the wedding; riksham - the lunar asterism (the measurement that fixes the exact auspicious time); ca - and; vijñâya - knowing; rukminyâh - of Rukminî; madhusûdanah - Lord Krishna; rathah - the chariot; samyujyatâm - should be readied; âs'u - immediately; dâruka - O Dâruka; iti - thus; âha - He said; sârathim - to His driver.
TRANSLATION
S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Lord Madhusûdana also understood the exact lunar time for Rukminî's wedding. Thus He told His driver, "Dâruka, ready My chariot immediately."
******
TEXT 5
sa câs'vaih s'aibya-sugrîva-
meghapushpa-balâhakaih
yuktam ratham upânîya
tasthau prâñjalir agratah
sah - he, Dâruka; ca - and; as'vaih - with the horses; s'aibya-sugrîva-meghapushpa- balâhakaih - named S'aibya, Sugrîva, Meghapushpa and Balâhaka; yuktam - yoked; ratham - the chariot; upânîya - bringing; tasthau - stood; prâñjalih - with palms joined in reverence; agratah - in front.
TRANSLATION
Dâruka brought the Lord's chariot, yoked with the horses named S'aibya, Sugrîva, Meghapushpa and Balâhaka. He then stood before Lord Krishna with joined palms.
******
TEXT 6
âruhya syandanam s'aurir
dvijam âropya tûrna-gaih
ânartâd eka-râtrena
vidarbhân agamad dhayaih
âruhya - mounting; syandanam - His chariot; s'aurih - Lord Krishna; dvijam - the brâhmana; âropya - placing (on the chariot); tûrna-gaih - (who were) swift; ânartât - from the district of Ânarta; eka - single; râtrena - in a night; vidarbhân - to the Vidarbha kingdom; agamat - went; hayaih - with His horses.
TRANSLATION
Lord S'auri mounted His chariot and had the brâhmana do likewise. Then the Lord's swift horses took them from the Ânarta district to Vidarbha in a single night.
******
TEXT 7
râjâ sa kundina-patih
putra-sneha-vas'ânugah
s'is'upâlâya svâm kanyâm
dâsyan karmâny akârayat
râjâ - the king; sah - he, Bhîshmaka; kundina-patih - master of Kundina; putra - for his son; sneha - of affection; vas'a - the control; anugah - obeying; s'is'upâlâya - to S'is'upâla; svâm - his; kanyâm - daughter; dâsyan - being about to give; karmâni - the required duties; akârayat - he had done.
TRANSLATION
King Bhîshmaka, the master of Kundina, having succumbed to the sway of affection for his son, was about to give his daughter to S'is'upâla. The King saw to all the required preparations.
******
TEXTS 8 - 9
puram sammrishtha-samsikta-
mârga-rathyâ-catushpatham
citra-dhvaja-patâkâbhis
toranaih samalankritam
srag-gandha-mâlyâbharanair
virajo-'mbara-bhûshitaih
jushtham strî-purushaih s'rîmad-
grihair aguru-dhûpitaih
puram - the city; sammrishtha - thoroughly cleaned; samsikta - and sprinkled abundantly with water; mârga - the main avenues; rathyâ - commercial roads; catuh-patham - and intersections; citra - variegated; dhvaja - on flagpoles; patâkâbhih - with banners; toranaih - and archways; samalankritam - decorated;
srak - with jeweled necklaces; gandha - fragrant substances such as sandalwood paste; mâlya - flower garlands; âbharanaih - and other ornaments; virajah - spotless; ambara - in clothing; bhûshitaih - who were arrayed; jushtham - containing; strî - women; purushaih - and men; s'rî-mat - opulent; grihaih - homes; aguru-dhûpitaih - aromatic with aguru incense.
TRANSLATION
The king had the main avenues, commercial roads and intersections thoroughly cleaned and then sprinkled with water, and he also had the city decorated with triumphant archways and multicolored banners on poles. The men and women of the city, arrayed in spotless raiment and anointed with fragrant sandalwood paste, wore precious necklaces, flower garlands and jeweled ornaments, and their opulent homes were filled with the aroma of aguru.
******
TEXT 10
pitrn devân samabhyarcya
viprâms' ca vidhi-van nripa
bhojayitvâ yathâ-nyâyam
vâcayâm âsa mangalam
pitrn - the forefathers; devân - the demigods; samabhyarcya - correctly worshiping; viprân - the brâhmanas; ca - and; vidhi-vat - according to prescribed rituals; nripa - O King (Parîkchit); bhojayitvâ - feeding them; yathâ - as; nyâyam - is just; vâcayâm âsa - he had chanted; mangalam - auspicious mantras.
TRANSLATION
O King, in accordance with prescribed rituals, Mahârâja Bhîshmaka worshiped the forefathers, demigods and brâhmanas, feeding them all properly. Then He had the traditional mantras chanted for the well-being of the bride.
******
TEXT 11
su-snâtâm su-datîm kanyâm
krita-kautuka-mangalâm
âhatâms'uka-yugmena
bhûshitâm bhûshanottamaih
su-snâtâm - properly bathed; su-datîm - with spotless teeth; kanyâm - the bride; krita - having performed; kautuka-mangalâm - the ceremony of putting on the auspicious marriage necklace; âhata - unused; ams'uka - of garments; yugmena - with a pair; bhûshitâm - adorned; bhûshana - with ornaments; uttamaih - most excellent.
TRANSLATION
The bride cleaned her teeth and bathed, after which she put on the auspicious wedding necklace. Then she was dressed in brand-new upper and lower garments and adorned with most excellent jeweled ornaments.
******
TEXT 12
cakruh sâma-rg-yajur-mantrair
vadhvâ rakshâm dvijottamâh
purohito 'tharva-vid vai
juhâva graha-s'ântaye
cakruh - effected; sâma-rig-yajuh - of the Sâma, Rig and Yajur Vedas; mantraih - with chants; vadhvâh - of the bride; rakshâm - the protection; dvija- uttamah - first-class brâhmanas; purohitah - the priest; atharva-vit - who was expert in the mantras of the Atharva Veda; vai - indeed; juhâva - poured oblations of ghee; graha - the controlling planets; s'ântaye - to pacify.
TRANSLATION
The best of brâhmanas chanted mantras of the Rig, Sâma and Yajur Vedas for the bride's protection, and the priest learned in the Atharva Veda offered oblations to pacify the controlling planets.
******
TEXT 13
hiranya-rûpya vâsâmsi
tilâms' ca guda-mis'ritân
prâdâd dhenûs' ca viprebhyo
râjâ vidhi-vidâm varah
hiranya - gold; rûpya - silver; vâsâmsi - and clothing; tilân - sesame seeds; ca - and; guda - with raw sugar; mis'ritân - mixed; prâdât - gave; dhenûh - cows; ca - also; viprebhyah - to the brâhmanas; râjâ - the king, Bhîshmaka; vidhi - regulative principles; vidâm - of those who know; varah - the best.
TRANSLATION
Outstanding in his knowledge of regulative principles, the King rewarded the brâhmanas with gold, silver, clothing, cows and sesame seeds mixed with raw sugar.
******
TEXT 14
evam cedi-patî râjâ
damaghoshah sutâya vai
kârayâm âsa mantra-jñaih
sarvam abhyudayocitam
evam - in the same way; cedi-patih - the lord of Cedi; râjâ damaghoshah - King Damaghosha; sutâya - for his son (S'is'upâla); vai - indeed; kârayâm âsa - had done; mantra-jñaih - by expert knowers of mantras; sarvam - everything; abhyudaya - to his prosperity; ucitam - conducive.
TRANSLATION
Râjâ Damaghosha, lord of Cedi, had also engaged brâhmanas expert in chanting mantras to perform all rituals necessary to assure his son's prosperity.
******
TEXT 15
mada-cyudbhir gajânîkaih
syandanair hema-mâlibhih
patty-as'va-sankulaih sainyaih
parîtah kundînam yayau
mada - liquid secreted from the forehead; cyudbhih - exuding; gaja - of elephants; anîkaih - with hordes; syandanaih - with chariots; hema - golden; mâlibhih - decorated with garlands; patti - with foot soldiers; as'va - and horses; sankulaih - crowded; sainyaih - by armies; parîtah - accompanied; kundinam - to Kundina, Bhîshmaka's capital; yayau - he went.
TRANSLATION
King Damaghosha traveled to Kundina accompanied by armies of elephants exuding mada, chariots hung with golden chains, and numerous cavalry and infantry soldiers.
******
TEXT 16
tam vai vidarbhâdhipatih
samabhyetyâbhipûjya ca
nives'ayâm âsa mudâ
kalpitânya-nives'ane
tam - him, King Damaghosha; vai - indeed; vidarbha-adhipatih - the master of Vidarbha, Bhîshmaka; samabhyetya - going forward to meet; abhipûjya - honoring; ca - and; nives'ayâm âsa - settled him; mudâ - with pleasure; kalpita - constructed; anya - special; nives'ane - at a place of residence.
TRANSLATION
Bhîshmaka, the lord of Vidarbha, came out of the city and met King Damaghosha, offering him tokens of respect. Bhîshmaka then settled Damaghosha in a residence especially constructed for the occasion.
******
TEXT 17
tatra s'âlvo jarâsandho
dantavakro vidûrathah
âjagmus' caidya-pakshîyâh
paundrakâdyâh sahasras'ah
tatra - there; s'âlvah jarâsandhah dantavakrah vidûrathah - S'âlva, Jarâsandha, Dantavakra and Vidûratha; âjagmuh - came; caidya - of S'is'upâla; pakshîyâh - taking the side; paundraka - Paundraka; âdyâh - and others; sahasras'ah - by the thousands.
TRANSLATION
S'is'upâla's supporters - S'âlva, Jarâsandha, Dantavakra and Vidûratha - all came, along with Paundraka and thousands of other kings.
******
TEXTS 18 - 19
krishna-râma-dvisho yattâh
kanyâm caidyâya sâdhitum
yady âgatya haret krishno
râmâdyair yadubhir vritah
yotsyâmah samhatâs tena
iti nis'cita-mânasâh
âjagmur bhû-bhujah sarve
samagra-bala-vâhanâh
krishna-râma-dvishah - those hateful toward Krishna and Balarâma; yattâh - prepared; kanyâm - the bride; caidyâya - for S'is'upâla; sâdhitum - in order to secure; yadi - if; âgatya - coming; haret - should steal; krishnah - Krishna; râma - by Balarâma; âdyaih - and other; yadubhih - Yadus; vritah - accompanied;
yotsyâmah - we will fight; samhatâh - joining all together; tena - with Him; iti - thus; nis'cita- mânasâh - having decided; âjagmuh - came; bhû-bhujah - the kings; sarve - all; samagra - complete; bala - with military forces; vâhanâh - and conveyances.
TRANSLATION
To secure the bride for S'is'upâla, the kings who envied Krishna and Balarâma came to the following decision among themselves: "If Krishna comes here with Balarâma and the other Yadus to steal the bride, we shall band together and fight Him." Thus those envious kings went to the wedding with their entire armies and a full complement of military conveyances.
******
TEXTS 20 - 21
s'rutvaitad bhagavân râmo
vipakshîya nripodyamam
krishnam caikam gatam hartum
kanyâm kalaha-s'ankitah
balena mahatâ sârdham
bhrâtri-sneha-pariplutah
tvaritah kundinam prâgâd
gajâs'va-ratha-pattibhih
s'rutvâ - hearing; etat - this; bhagavân râmah - Lord Balarâma; vipakshîya - inimical; nripa - of the kings; udyamam - the preparations; krishnam - Lord Krishna; ca - and; ekam - alone; gatam - gone; hartum - to take away; kanyâm - the bride; kalaha - a fight; s'ankitah - fearing;
balena - a force; mahatâ - mighty; sârdham - together with; bhrâtri - for His brother; sneha - in affection; pariplutah - immersed; tvaritah - swiftly; kundinam - to Kundina; prâgât - went; gaja - with elephants; as'va - horses; ratha - chariots; pattibhih - and infantry.
TRANSLATION
When Lord Balarâma heard about these preparations of the inimical kings and how Lord Krishna had set off alone to steal the bride, He feared that a fight would ensue. Immersed in affection for His brother, He hurried to Kundina with a mighty army consisting of infantry and of soldiers riding on elephants, horses and chariots.
******
TEXT 22
bhîshma-kanyâ varârohâ
kânkshanty âgamanam hareh
pratyâpattim apas'yantî
dvijasyâcintayat tadâ
bhîshma-kanyâ - the daughter of Bhîshmaka; vara-ârohâ - having lovely hips; kânkshantî - waiting for; âgamanam - the arrival; hareh - of Krishna; pratyâpattim - the return; apas'yantî - not seeing; dvijasya - of the brâhmana; acintayat - thought; tadâ - then.
TRANSLATION
The lovely daughter of Bhîshmaka anxiously awaited the arrival of Krishna, but when she did not see the brâhmana return she thought as follows.
******
TEXT 23
aho tri-yâmântarita
udvâho me 'lpa-râdhasah
nâgacchaty aravindâksho
nâham vedmy atra kâranam
so 'pi nâvartate 'dyâpi
mat-sandes'a-haro dvijah
aho - alas; tri-yâma - three yâmas (nine hours), i.e., the night; antaritah - having ended; udvâhah - the marriage; me - of me; alpa - insufficient; râdhasah - whose good fortune; na âgacchati - does not come; aravinda- akshah - lotus-eyed Krishna; na - do not; aham - I; vedmi - know; atra - for this; kâranam - the reason; sah - he; api - also; na âvartate - does not return; adya api - even now; mat - my; sandes'a - of the message; harah - the carrier; dvijah - the brâhmana.
TRANSLATION
[Princess Rukminî thought:] Alas, my wedding is to take place when the night ends! How unlucky I am! Lotus-eyed Krishna does not come. I don't know why. And even the brâhmana messenger has not yet returned.
******
TEXT 24
api mayy anavadyâtmâ
drishthvâ kiñcij jugupsitam
mat-pâni-grahane nûnam
nâyâti hi kritodyamah
api - perhaps; mayi - in me; anavadya - faultless; âtmâ - He whose body and mind; drishthvâ - seeing; kiñcit - something; jugupsitam - contemptible; mat - my; pâni - hand; grahane - for the taking; nûnam - indeed; na âyâti - has not come; hi - certainly; krita-udyamah - even though originally intending to do so.
TRANSLATION
Perhaps the faultless Lord, even while preparing to come here, saw something contemptible in me and therefore has not come to take my hand.
******
TEXT 25
durbhagâyâ na me dhâtâ
nânukûlo mahes'varah
devî vâ vimukhî gaurî
rudrânî girijâ satî
durbhagâyâh - who is unfortunate; na - not; me - with me; dhâtâ - the creator (Lord Brahmâ); na - not; anukûlah - favorably disposed; mahâ-îs'varah - the great Lord S'iva; devî - the goddess (his consort); vâ - or; vimukhî - turned against; gaurî - Gaurî; rudrânî - the wife of Rudra; giri-jâ - the adopted daughter of the Himâlayan mountain range; satî - Satî, who, in her previous life as the daughter of Daksha, chose to give up her body.
TRANSLATION
I am extremely unfortunate, for the creator is not favorably disposed toward me, nor is the great Lord S'iva. Or perhaps S'iva's wife, Devî, who is known as Gaurî, Rudrânî, Girijâ and Satî, has turned against me.
******
TEXT 26
evam cintayatî bâlâ
govinda-hrita-mânasâ
nyamîlayata kâla-jñâ
netre câs'ru-kalâkule
evam - in this manner; cintayatî - thinking; bâlâ - the young girl; govinda - by Krishna; hrita - stolen; mânasâ - whose mind; nyamîlayata - she closed; kâla - the time; jñâ - knowing; netre - her eyes; ca - and; as'ru-kalâ - with tears; âkule - brimming.
TRANSLATION
As she thought in this way, the young maiden, whose mind had been stolen by Krishna, closed her tear-filled eyes, remembering that there was still time.
******
TEXT 27
evam vadhvâh pratîkshantyâ
govindâgamanam nripa
vâma ûrur bhujo netram
asphuran priya-bhâshinah
evam - thus; vadhvâh - the bride; pratîkshantyâh - as she awaited; govinda- âgamanam - the arrival of Krishna; nripa - O King (Parîkchit); vâmah - left; ûruh - her thigh; bhujah - arm; netram - and eye; asphuran - twitched; priya - something desirable; bhâshinah - be speaking.
TRANSLATION
O King, as the bride thus awaited the arrival of Govinda, she felt a twitch in her left thigh, arm and eye. This was a sign that something desirable would happen.
******
TEXT 28
atha krishna-vinirdishthah
sa eva dvija-sattamah
antahpura-carîm devîm
râja-putrîm dadars'a ha
atha - then; krishna-vinirdishthah - ordered by Lord Krishna; sah - that; eva - very; dvija - of learned brâhmanas; sat-tamah - the most pure; antah-pura - within the inner palace; carîm - staying; devîm - the goddess, Rukminî; râja - of the king; putrîm - the daughter; dadars'a ha - saw.
TRANSLATION
Just then the purest of learned brâhmanas, following Krishna's order, came to see the divine Princess Rukminî within the inner chambers of the palace.
******
TEXT 29
sâ tam prahrishtha-vadanam
avyagrâtma-gatim satî
âlakshya lakshanâbhijñâ
samapricchac chuci-smitâ
sa - she; tam - him; prahrishtha - filled with joy; vadanam - whose face; avyagra - unagitated; âtma - of whose body; gatim - the movement; satî - the saintly young woman; âlakshya - noting; lakshana - of symptoms; abhijñâ - an expert knower; samapricchat - inquired; s'uci - pure; smitâ - with a smile.
TRANSLATION
Noting the brâhmana's joyful face and serene movements, saintly Rukminî, who could expertly interpret such symptoms, inquired from him with a pure smile.
******
TEXT 30
tasyâ âvedayat prâptam
s'as'amsa yadu-nandanam
uktam ca satya-vacanam
âtmopanayanam prati
tasyâh - to her; âvedayat - he announced; prâptam - as having arrived; s'as'amsa - he related; yadu-nandanam - Krishna, the child of the Yadus; uktam - what He had said; ca - and; satya - of assurance; vacanam - words; âtma - with her; upanayanam - His marriage; prati - concerning.
TRANSLATION
The brâhmana announced to her the arrival of Lord Yadunandana and relayed the Lord's promise to marry her.
******
TEXT 31
tam âgatam samâjñâya
vaidarbhî hrishtha-mânasâ
na pas'yantî brâhmanâya
priyam anyan nanâma sâ
tam - Him, Krishna; âgatam - arrived; samâjñâya - fully realizing; vaidarbhî - Rukminî; hrishtha - gladdened; mânasâ - her mind; na pas'yantî - not seeing; brâhmanâya - to the brâhmana; priyam - dear; anyat - anything else; nanâma - bowed down; sâ - she.
TRANSLATION
Princess Vaidarbhî was overjoyed to learn of Krishna's arrival. Not finding anything at hand suitable to offer the brâhmana, she simply bowed down to him.
******
TEXT 32
prâptau s'rutvâ sva-duhitur
udvâha-prekshanotsukau
abhyayât tûrya-ghoshena
râma-krishnau samarhanaih
prâptau - arrived; s'rutvâ - hearing; sva - his; duhituh - daughter's; udvâha - marriage; prekshana - to witness; utsukau - eager; abhyayât - he went forward; tûrya - of musical instruments; ghoshena. - with the resounding; râma- krishnau - to Balarâma and Krishna; samarhanaih - with abundant offerings.
TRANSLATION
The King, upon hearing that Krishna and Balarâma had come and were eager to witness his daughter's wedding, went forth with abundant offerings to greet Them as music resounded.
******
TEXT 33
madhu-parkam upânîya
vâsâmsi virajâmsi sah
upâyanâny abhîshthâni
vidhi-vat samapûjayat
madhu-parkam - the traditional mixture of milk and honey; upânîya - bearing; vâsâmsi - garments; virajâmsi - spotless; sah - he; upâyanâni - presentations; abhîshthâni - desirable; vidhi-vat - according to scriptural prescriptions; samapûjayat - performed worshiped.
TRANSLATION
Presenting Them with madhu-parka, new clothing and other desirable gifts, he worshiped Them according to standard rituals.
******
TEXT 34
tayor nives'anam s'rîmad
upâkalpya mahâ-matih
sa-sainyayoh sânugayor
âtithyam vidadhe yathâ
tayoh - for Them; nives'anam - place to stay; s'rî-mat - opulent; upâkalpya - arranging; mahâ-matih - generous; sa - together with; sainyayoh - Their soldiers; sa - together with; anugayoh - Their personal associates; âtithyam - hospitality; vidadhe - he afforded; yathâ - properly.
TRANSLATION
Generous King Bhîshmaka arranged opulent accommodations for the two Lords, and also for Their army and entourage. In this way he afforded Them proper hospitality.
******
TEXT 35
evam râjñâm sametânâm
yathâ-vîryam yathâ-vayah
yathâ-balam yathâ-vittam
sarvaih kâmaih samarhayat
evam - thus; râjñâm - for the kings; sametânâm - who had assembled; yathâ - according; vîryam - to their power; yathâ - according; vayah - to their age; yathâ - according; balam - to their strength; yathâ - according; vittam - to their wealth; sarvaih - with all; kâmaih - desirable things; samarhayat - he honored them.
TRANSLATION
Thus it was that Bhîshmaka gave all desirable things to the kings who had assembled for the occasion, honoring them as befitted their political power, age, physical prowess and wealth.
******
TEXT 36
krishnam âgatam âkarnya
vidarbha-pura-vâsinah
âgatya netrâñjalibhih
papus tan-mukha-pankajam
krishnam - Lord Krishna; âgatam - come; âkarnya - hearing; vidarbha-pura - of the capital city of Vidarbha; vâsinah - the residents; âgatya - coming; netra - of their eyes; añjalibhih - with the cupped palms; papuh - they drank; tat - His; mukha - face; pankajam - lotus.
TRANSLATION
When the residents of Vidarbha-pura heard that Lord Krishna had come, they all went to see Him. With the cupped palms of their eyes they drank the honey of His lotus face.
******
TEXT 37
asyaiva bhâryâ bhavitum
rukminy arhati nâparâ
asâv apy anavadyâtmâ
bhaishmyâh samucitah patih
asya - for Him; eva - alone; bhâryâ - wife; bhavitum - to be; rukminî - Rukminî; arhati - deserves; na aparâ - none other; asau - He; api - as well; anavadya - faultless; âtmâ - whose bodily form; bhaishmyâh - for the daughter of Bhîshmaka; samucitah - most suitable; patih - husband.
TRANSLATION
[The people of the city said:] Rukminî, and no one else, deserves to become His wife, and He also, possessing such flawless beauty, is the only suitable husband for Princess Bhaishmî.
******
TEXT 38
kiñcit su-caritam yan nas
tena tushthas tri-loka-krit
anugrihnâtu grihnâtu
vaidarbhyâh pânim acyutah
kiñcit - at all; su-caritam - pious work; yat - whatever; nah - our; tena - with that; tushthah - satisfied; tri-loka - of the three worlds; krit - the creator; anugrihnâtu - may please show mercy; grihnâtu - may take; vaidarbhyâh - of Rukminî; pânim - the hand; acyutah - Krishna.
TRANSLATION
May Acyuta, the creator of the three worlds, be satisfied with whatever pious work we may have done and show His mercy by taking the hand of Vaidarbhî.
******
TEXT 39
evam prema-kalâ-baddhâ
vadanti sma puraukasah
kanyâ cântah-purât prâgâd
bhathair guptâmbikâlayam
evam - thus; prema - of pure love; kalâ - by the increase; baddhâh - bound; vadanti sma - they spoke; pura-okasah - the residents of the city; kanyâ - the bride; ca - and; antah-purât - from the inner palace; prâgât - went out; bhathaih - by guards; guptâ - protected; ambikâ-âlayam - to the temple of Goddess Ambikâ.
TRANSLATION
Bound by their swelling love, the city's residents spoke in this way. Then the bride, protected by guards, left the inner palace to visit the temple of Ambikâ.
PURPORT
S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî quotes the Medinî dictionary's definition of the word kalâ as follows: kalâ mûle pravriddhau syâc chilâdâv ams'a-mâtrake. "The word kalâ means 'a root,' 'increase,' 'a stone' or 'a mere part.' "
******
TEXTS 40 - 41
padbhyâm viniryayau drashthum
bhavânyâh pâda-pallavam
sâ cânudhyâyatî samyan
mukunda-caranâmbujam
yata-vân mâtribhih sârdham
sakhîbhih parivâritâ
guptâ râja-bhathaih s'ûraih
sannaddhair udyatâyudhaih
mridanga-s'ankha-panavâs
tûrya-bheryas' ca jaghnire
padbhyâm - on foot; viniryayau - went out; drashthum - in order to see; bhavânyâh - of mother Bhavânî; pâda-pallavam - the lotus-petal feet; sâ - she; ca - and; anudhyâyatî - meditating; samyak - totally; mukunda - of Krishna; carana- ambujam - on the lotus feet; yata-vâk - maintaining silence; mâtribhih - by her mothers; sârdham - accompanied; sakhîbhih - by her female companions; parivâritâ - surrounded;
guptâ - guarded; râja - of the King; bhathaih - by soldiers; s'ûraih - valiant; sannaddhaih - armed and ready; udyata - upraised; âyudhaih - with weapons; mridanga-s'ankha-panavâh - clay drums, conchshells and side drums; tûrya - wind instruments; bheryah - horns; ca - and; jaghnire - played.
TRANSLATION
Rukminî silently went out on foot to see the lotus feet of the deity Bhavânî. Accompanied by her mothers and girlfriends and protected by the King's valiant soldiers, who held their upraised weapons at the ready, she simply absorbed her mind in the lotus feet of Krishna. And all the while mridangas, conchshells, panavas, horns and other instruments resounded.
******
SB 10.53.42-43
TEXTS 42 - 43
nânopahâra balibhir
vâramukhyâh sahasras'ah
srag-gandha-vastrâbharanair
dvija-patnyah sv-alankritâh
gâyantyas' ca stuvantas' ca
gâyakâ vâdya-vâdakâh
parivârya vadhûm jagmuh
sûta-mâgadha-vandinah
nânâ - various; upahâra - with paraphernalia of worship; balibhih - and presents; vâra-mukhyâh - prominent courtesans; sahasras'ah - by the thousands; srak - with flower garlands; gandha - fragrances; vastra - clothing; âbharanaih - and jewelry; dvija - of brâhmanas; patnyah - the wives; sv-alankritâh - well ornamented;
gâyantyah - singing; ca - and; stuvantah - offering prayers; ca - and; gâyakâh - singers; vâdya-vâdakâh - instrumental musicians; parivârya - accompanying; vadhûm - the bride; jagmuh - went; sûta - bards; mâgadha - chroniclers; vandinah - and heralds.
TRANSLATION
Behind the bride followed thousands of prominent courtesans bearing various offerings and presents, along with well-adorned brâhmanas' wives singing and reciting prayers and bearing gifts of garlands, scents, clothing and jewelry. There were also professional singers, musicians, bards, chroniclers and heralds.
******
TEXT 44
âsâdya devî-sadanam
dhauta-pâda-karâmbujâ
upaspris'ya s'ucih s'ântâ
pravives'âmbikântikam
âsâdya - reaching; devî - of the goddess; sadanam - the residence; dhauta - washing; pâda - her feet; kara - and hands; ambujâ - lotuslike; upaspris'ya - sipping water for purification; s'ucih - sanctified; s'ântâ - peaceful; pravives'a - she entered; ambikâ-antikam - the presence of Ambikâ.
TRANSLATION
Upon reaching the goddess's temple, Rukminî first washed her lotus feet and hands and then sipped water for purification. Thus sanctified and peaceful, she came into the presence of mother Ambikâ.
******
TEXT 45
tâm vai pravayaso bâlâm
vidhi-jñâ vipra-yoshitah
bhavânîm vandayâm cakrur
bhava-patnîm bhavânvitâm
tâm - her; vai - indeed; pravayasah - elderly; bâlâm - the young girl; vidhi - of ritual injunctions; jñâh - expert knowers; vipra - of brâhmanas; yoshitah - the wives; bhavânîm - to Goddess Bhavânî; vandayâm cakruh - they led in offering respects; bhava-patnîm - the wife of Bhava (Lord Siva); bhava- anvitâm - accompanied by Lord Bhava.
TRANSLATION
The older wives of brâhmanas, expert in the knowledge of rituals, led young Rukminî in offering respects to Bhavânî, who appeared with her consort, Lord Bhava..
******
TEXT 46
namasye tvâmbike 'bhîkshnam
sva-santâna-yutâm s'ivâm
bhûyât patir me bhagavân
krishnas tad anumodatâm
namasye - I offer my obeisances; tvâ - to you; ambike - O Ambikâ; abhîkshnam - constantly; sva - your; santâna - children; yutâm - along with; s'ivâm - the wife of Lord S'iva; bhûyât - may He become; patih - husband; me - my; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; krishnah - Krishna; tat - that; anumodatâm - please allow.
TRANSLATION
[Princess Rukminî prayed:] O mother Ambikâ, wife of Lord Siva, I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto you, together with your children. May Lord Krishna become my husband. Please grant this!
******
SB 10.53.47-48
TEXTS 47 - 48
adbhir gandhâkshatair dhûpair
vâsah-sran-mâlya bhûshanaih
nânopahâra-balibhih
pradîpâvalibhih prithak
vipra-striyah patimatîs
tathâ taih samapûjayat
lavanâpûpa-tâmbûla-
kanthha-sûtra-phalekshubhih
adbhih - with water; gandha - fragrant substances; akshataih - and whole grains; dhûpaih - with incense; vâsah - with clothing; srak - flower garlands; mâlya - jeweled necklaces; bhûshanaih - and ornaments; nânâ - with various; upahâra - offerings; balibhih - and gifts; pradîpa - of lamps; âvalibhih - with rows; prithak - separately;
vipra-striyah - the brâhmana ladies; pati - husbands; matîh - having; tathâ - also; taih - with these items; samapûjayat - performed worship; lavana - with savory preparations; âpûpa - cakes; tâmbûla - prepared betel nut; kanthha-sûtra - sacred threads; phala - fruits; ikshubhih - and sugar cane.
TRANSLATION
Rukminî worshiped the goddess with water, scents, whole grains, incense, clothing, garlands, necklaces, jewelry and other prescribed offerings and gifts, and also with arrays of lamps. The married brâhmana women each performed worship simultaneously with the same items, also offering savories and cakes, prepared betel nut, sacred threads, fruit and sugar- cane juice.
******
SB 10.53.49
TEXT 49
tasyai striyas tâh pradaduh
s'eshâm yuyujur âs'ishah
tâbhyo devyai namas' cakre
s'eshâm ca jagrihe vadhûh
tasyai - to her, Rukminî; striyah - women; tâh - they; pradaduh - gave; s'eshâm - the remnants; yuyujuh - they bestowed; âs'ishah - blessings; tâbhyah - to them; devyai - and to the deity; namah cakre - bowed down; s'eshâm - the remnants; ca - and; jagrihe - took; vadhûh - the bride.
TRANSLATION
The ladies gave the bride the remnants of the offerings and then blessed her. She in turn bowed down to them and the deity and accepted the remnants as prasâdam.
******
TEXT 50
muni-vratam atha tyaktvâ
nis'cakrâmâmbikâ-grihât
pragrihya pâninâ bhrityâm
ratna-mudropas'obhinâ
muni - of silence; vratam - her vow; atha - then; tyaktvâ - giving up; nis'cakrâma - she exited; ambikâ-grihât - from the temple of Ambikâ; pragrihya - holding on; pâninâ - with her hand; bhrityâm - to a maidservant; ratna - jeweled; mudrâ - by a ring; upas'obhinâ - beautified.
TRANSLATION
The princess then gave up her vow of silence and left the Ambikâ temple, holding on to a maidservant with her hand, which was adorned with a jeweled ring.
******
TEXTS 51 - 55
tâm deva-mâyâm iva dhîra-mohinîm
su-madhyamâm kundala-manditânanâm
s'yâmâm nitambârpita-ratna-mekhalâm
vyañjat-stanîm kuntala-s'ankitekshanâm
s'uci-smitâm bimba-phalâdhara-dyuti-
s'onâyamâna-dvija-kunda-kudmalâm
padâ calantîm kala-hamsa-gâminîm
siñjat-kalâ-nûpura-dhâma-s'obhinâ
vilokya vîrâ mumuhuh samâgatâ
yas'asvinas tat-krita-hric-chayârditâh
yâm vîkshya te nripatayas tad udâra-hâsa-
vrîdâvaloka-hrita-cetasa ujjhitâstrâh
petuh kshitau gaja-rathâs'va-gatâ vimûdhâ
yâtrâ-cchalena haraye 'rpayatîm sva-s'obhâm
saivam s'anais' calayatî cala-padma-kos'au
prâptim tadâ bhagavatah prasamîkshamânâ
utsârya vâma-karajair alakân apangaih
prâptân hriyaikshata nripân dadris'e 'cyutam ca
tâm râja-kanyâm ratham ârurakshatîm
jahâra krishno dvishatâm samîkshatâm
tâm - her; deva - of the Supreme Lord; mâyâm - the illusory potency; iva - as if; dhîra - even those who are sober; mohinîm - who bewilders; su-madhyamâm - whose waist was well-formed; kundala - with earrings; mandita - decorated; ânanâm - whose face; s'yâmâm - uncontaminated beauty; nitamba - on whose hips; arpita - placed; ratna - jewel-studded; mekhalâm - a belt; vyañjat - budding; stanîm - whose breasts; kuntala - of the locks of her hair; s'ankita - frightened; îkshanâm - whose eyes;
s'uci - pure; smitâm - with a smile; bimba-phala - like a bimba fruit; adhara - of whose lips; dyuti - by the glow; s'onâyamâna - becoming reddened; dvija - whose teeth; kunda - jasmine; kudmalâm - like buds; padâ - with her feet; calantîm - walking; kala-hamsa - like that of a royal swan; gâminîm - whose gait; siñjat - tinkling; kalâ - skillfully fashioned; nûpura - of whose ankle bells; dhâma - by the effulgence; s'obhinâ - beautified;
vilokya - seeing; vîrâh - the heroes; mumuhuh - became bewildered; samâgatâh - assembled; yas'asvinah - respectable; tat - by this; krita - generated; hrit-s'aya - by the lust; arditâh - distressed; yâm - whom; vîkshya - upon seeing; te - these; nri-patayah - kings; tat - her; udâra - broad; hâsa - by the smiles; vrîdâ - of shyness; avaloka - and the glances; hrita - stolen; cetasah - whose minds; ujjhita - dropping; astrâh - their weapons;
petuh - they fell; kshitau - to the ground; gaja - on elephants; ratha - chariots; as'va - and horses; gatâh - sitting; vimûdhâh - fainting; yâtrâ - of the procession; chalena - on the pretext; haraye - to Lord Hari, Krishna; arpayatîm - who was offering; sva - her own; s'obhâm - beauty; sâ - she; evam - thus; s'anaih - slowly; calayatî - making walk; cala - moving; padma - of lotus flowers; kos'au - the two whorls (that is, her feet); prâptim - the arrival; tadâ - then; bhagavatah - of the Supreme Lord; prasamîkshamânâ - eagerly awaiting;
utsârya - pushing away; vâma - left; kara- jaih - with the nails of her hand; alakân - her hair; apângaih - with sidelong glances; prâptân - those present; hriyâ - with shyness; aikshata - she looked; nripân - at the kings; dadris'e - she saw; acyutam - Krishna; ca - and; tâm - her; râja- kanyâm - the King's daughter; ratham - His chariot; ârurukshatîm - who was ready to mount; jahâra - seized; krishnah - Lord Krishna; dvishatâm - His enemies; samîkshatâm - as they looked on.
TRANSLATION
Rukminî appeared as enchanting as the Lord's illusory potency, who enchants even the sober and grave. Thus the kings gazed upon her virgin beauty, her shapely waist, and her lovely face adorned with earrings. Her hips were graced with a jewel-studded belt, her breasts were just budding, and her eyes seemed apprehensive of her encroaching locks of hair. She smiled sweetly, her jasmine-bud teeth reflecting the glow of her bimba-red lips. As she walked with the motions of a royal swan, the effulgence of her tinkling ankle bells beautified her feet. Seeing her, the assembled heroes were totally bewildered. Lust tore at their hearts. Indeed, when the kings saw her broad smile and shy glance, they became stupefied, dropped their weapons and fell unconscious to the ground from their elephants, chariots and horses. On the pretext of the procession, Rukminî displayed her beauty for Krishna alone. Slowly she advanced the two moving lotus-whorls of her feet, awaiting the arrival of the Supreme Lord. With the fingernails of her left hand she pushed some strands of hair away from her face and shyly looked from the corners of her eyes at the kings standing before her. At that moment she saw Krishna. Then, while His enemies looked on, the Lord seized the princess, who was eager to mount His chariot.
******
TEXT 56
ratham samâropya suparna-lakshanam
râjanya-cakram paribhûya mâdhavah
tato yayau râma-purogamah s'anaih
s'rigâla-madhyâd iva bhâga-hrid dharih
ratham - onto His chariot; samâropya - lifting her; suparna - Garuda; lakshanam - whose mark; râjanya - of kings; cakram - the circle; paribhûya - defeating; mâdhavah - Krishna; tatah - from there; yayau - went; râma - by Râma; purah-gamah - preceded; s'anaih - slowly; s'rigâla - of jackals; madhyât - from the midst; iva - as; bhâga - his portion; hrit - removing; harih - a lion.
TRANSLATION
Lifting the princess onto His chariot, whose flag bore the emblem of Garuda, Lord Mâdhava drove back the circle of kings. With Balarâma in the lead, He slowly exited, like a lion removing his prey from the midst of jackals.
******
TEXT 57
tam mâninah svâbhibhavam yas'ah-kshayam
pare jarâsandha-mukhâ na sehire
aho dhig asmân yas'a âtta-dhanvanâm
gopair hritam kes'arinâm mrigair iva
tam - that; mâninah - conceited; sva - their; abhibhavam - defeat; yas'ah - their honor; kshayam - ruining; pare - the enemies; jarâsandha-mukhâh - headed by Jarâsandha; na sehire - could not tolerate; aho - ah; dhik - condemnation; asmân - upon us; yas'ah - the honor; âtta-dhanvanâm - of the archers; gopaih - by cowherds; hritam - taken away; kes'arinâm - of lions; mrigaih - by small animals; iva - as if.
TRANSLATION
The kings inimical to the Lord, headed by Jarâsandha, could not tolerate this humiliating defeat. They exclaimed, "Oh, damn us! Though we are mighty archers, mere cowherds have stolen our honor, just as puny animals might steal the honor of lions!"
Back to the running text