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 Fifty-eight: Krishna Marries Five Princesses

 

 

TEXT 1

s'rî-s'uka uvâca

ekadâ pândavân drashthum

pratîtân purushottamah

indraprastham gatah s'rîmân

yuyudhânâdibhir vritah

s'rî-s'ukah uvâca: S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; ekadâ: once; pândavân: the sons of Pându; drasthum: to see; pratîtân: visible; purusha-uttamah: the Supreme Personality of Godhead; indraprastham: to Indraprastha, the Pândavas' capital; gatah: went; s'rî-mân: the possessor of all opulence; yuyudhâna-âdibhir: by Yuyudhâna (Sâtyaki) and others; vritah: accompanied.

TRANSLATION

S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Once, the supremely opulent Personality of Godhead went to Indraprastha to visit the Pândavas, who had again appeared in public. Accompanying the Lord were Yuyudhâna and other associates.

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TEXT 2

drishthvâ tam âgatam pârthâ

mukundam akhiles'varam

uttasthur yugapad vîrâh

prânâ mukhyam ivâgatam

dristhvâ: seeing; tam: Him; âgatam: arrived; pârthâh: the sons of Prithâ (Kuntî); mukundam: Krishna; akhila: of everything; îs'varam: the Lord; uttasthuh: they stood up; yugapat: all at once; vîrah: heroes; prânâh: the senses; mukhyam: their chief, the vital air; iva: as; âgatam: returned.

TRANSLATION

When the Pândavas saw that Lord Mukunda had arrived, those heroic sons of Prithâ all stood up at once, like the senses responding to the return of the life air.

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TEXT 3

parishvajyâcyutam vîrâ

anga-sanga-hatainasah

sânurâga-smitam vaktram

vîkshya tasya mudam yayuh

parishvajya: embracing; acyutam: Lord Krishna; vîrâh: the heroes; anga: with His body; sanga: by the contact; hata: destroyed; enasah: all their sinful reactions; sa-anurâga: affectionate; smitam: with a smile; vaktram: face; vîkshya: looking upon; tasya: His; mudam: joy; yayuh: they experienced.

TRANSLATION

The heroes embraced Lord Acyuta, and the touch of His body freed them of sin. Looking at His affectionate, smiling face, they were overwhelmed with joy.

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TEXT 4

Yudhishthhirasya bhîmasya

kritvâ pâdâbhivandanam

phâlgunam parirabhyâtha

yamâbhyâm câbhivanditah

Yudhishthhirasya bhîmasya: to Yudhishthhira and Bhîma; kritvâ: after offering; pâda: at their feet; abhivandanam: obeisances; phâlgunam: Arjuna; parirabhya: firmly embracing; atha: then; yamâbhyâm: by the twin brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva; ca: and; abhivanditah: greeted respectfully.

TRANSLATION

After the Lord bowed down at the feet of Yudhishthhira and Bhîma and firmly embraced Arjuna, He accepted obeisances from the twin brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva.

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TEXT 5

paramâsana âsînam

krishnâ krishnam aninditâ

navodhâ vrîditâ kincic

chanair etyâbhyavandata

parama: exalted; âsane: on a seat; âsînam: sitting; krishnâ: Draupadî; krishnam: Krishna; aninditâ: blameless; nava: newly; ûdhâ: married; vrîditâ: shy; kincit: somewhat; s'anaih: slowly; etya: approaching; abhyavandata: offered her obeisances.

TRANSLATION

Faultless Draupadî, the Pândavas' newly married wife, slowly and somewhat timidly approached Lord Krishna, who sat on an exalted seat, and offered Him her obeisances.

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TEXT 6

tathaiva sâtyakih pârthaih

pûjitas' câbhivanditah

nishasâdâsane 'nye ca

pûjitâh paryupâsata

tathâ eva: similarly; sâtyakih: Sâtyaki; pârthaih: by the sons of Prithâ; pûjitah: worshiped; ca: and; abhivanditah: welcomed; nishasâda: sat down; âsane: on a seat; anye: the others; ca: also; pûjitâh: worshiped; paryupâsata: sat around.

TRANSLATION

Sâtyaki also accepted a seat of honor after receiving worship and welcome from the Pândavas, and the Lord's other companions, being duly honored, sat down in various places.

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TEXT 7

prithâm samâgatya kritâbhivâdanas

tayâti-hârdârdra-dris'âbhirambhitah

âpristhavâms tâm kus'alam saha-snushâm

pitri-shvasâram paripristha-bândhavah

prithâm: to Queen Kuntî; samâgatya: going; krita: offering; abhivâdanah: His obeisances; tayâ: by her; ati: extreme; hârda: with affection; ardra: wet; dris'â: whose eyes; abhirambhitah: embraced; âpristhavân: He asked; tâm: from her; kus'alam: about her welfare; saha: together; snushâm: with her daughter-in-law, Draupadî; pitri: of His father, Vasudeva; svasâram: the sister; paripristha: inquired in detail; bândhavah: about their relatives (living in Dvârakâ).

TRANSLATION

The Lord then went to see His aunt, Queen Kuntî. He bowed down to her and she embraced Him, her eyes moist with great affection. Lord Krishna inquired from her and her daughter-in-law, Draupadî, about their welfare, and they in turn questioned Him at length about His relatives [in Dvârakâ].

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TEXT 8

tam âha prema-vaiklavya-

ruddha-kanthâs'ru-locanâ

smarantî tân bahûn kles'ân

kles'âpâyâtma-dars'anam

tam: to Him; âha: she said; prema: of love; vaiklavya: due to the distress; ruddha: choking; kanthâ: whose throat; as'ru: (filled) with tears; locanâ: whose eyes; smarantî: remembering; tân: those; bahûn: many; kles'ân: pains; kles'a: of pain; apâya: for the dispelling; âtma: Himself; dars'anam: who shows.

TRANSLATION

So overcome by love that her throat choked up and her eyes filled with tears, Queen Kuntî remembered the many troubles she and her sons had endured. Thus she addressed Lord Krishna, who appears before His devotees to drive away their distress

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TEXT 9

tadaiva kus'alam no 'bhût

sa-nâthâs te kritâ vayam

jnatîn nah smaratâ krishna

bhrâtâ me preshitas tvayâ

tadâ: at that time; eva: only; kus'alam: well-being; nah: our; abhût: arose; sa: with; nâthâh: a protector; te: by You; kritâh: made; vayam: we; jnâtîn: Your relatives; nah: us; smaratâ: who remembered; krishna: O Krishna; bhrâtâ: brother (Akrûra); me: my; preshitah: sent; tvayâ: by You.

TRANSLATION

[Queen Kuntî said:l My dear Krishna, our welfare was assured only when You remembered us, Your relatives, and gave us Your protection by sending my brother to visit us.

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TEXT 10

na te 'sti sva-para-bhrântir

vis'vasya suhrid-âtmanah

tathâpi smaratâm s'as'vat

kles'ân hamsi hridi sthitah

na: not; te: for You; asti: there is; sva: of one's own; para: and of others'; bhrântih: delusion; vis'vasya: of the universe; suhrit: for the well-wisher; âtmanah: and Soul; tathâ api: nonetheless; smaratâm: of those who remember; s'as'vat: continuously; kles'ân: the sufferings; hamsi: You destroy; hridi: in the heart; sthitah: situated.

TRANSLATION

For You, the well-wishing friend and Supreme Soul of the universe, there is never any illusion of "us" and "them." Yet even so, residing within the hearts of all, You eradicate the sufferings of those who remember You constantly.

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TEXT 11

Yudhishthhira uvâca

kim na âcaritam s'reyo

na vedâham adhîs'vara

yoges'varânâm durdars'o

yan no drishthah ku-medhasâm

Yudhishthhirah uvâca: Yudhishthhira said; kim: what; nah: by us; âcaritam: performed; s'reyah: pious work; na veda: do not know; aham: I; adhîs'vara: O supreme controller; yoga: of mystic yoga; îs'varânâm: by the masters; durdars'ah: rarely seen; yat: that; nah: by us; drishthah: seen; ku-medhasam: who are unintelligent.

TRANSLATION

King Yudhishthhira said: O supreme controller, I do not know what pious deeds we fools have done so that we can see You, whom the masters of yogic perfection rarely see.

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TEXT 12

iti vai vârshikân mâsân

râjnâ so 'bhyarthitah sukham

janayan nayanânandam

indraprasthaukasâm vibhuh

iti: thus; vai: indeed; vârshikân: of the rainy season; mâsân: the months; râjnâ: by the King; sah: He; abhyarthitah: invited; sukham: happily; janayan: generating; nayana: for the eyes; ânandam: bliss; indraprastha-okasâm: of the residents of Indraprastha; vibhuh: the almighty Lord.

TRANSLATION

Requested by the King to stay with them, the almighty Lord remained happily in Indraprastha during the months of the rainy season, giving joy to the eyes of the city's residents.

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TEXTS 13-14

ekadâ ratham âruhya

vijayo vânara-dhvajam

gândîvam dhanur âdâya

tûnau câkshaya-sâyakau

 

sâkam krishnena sannaddho

vihartum vipinam mahat

bahu-vyâla-mrigâkîrnam

prâvis'at para-vîra-hâ

 

ekadâ: once; ratham: his chariot; âruhya: mounting; vijayah: Arjuna; vânara: the monkey (Hanumân); dhvajam: on whose flag; gândîvam: named Gândîva; dhanuh: his bow; âdâya: taking up; tûnau: his two quivers; ca: and; akshaya: inexhaustible; sâyakau: whose arrows;

sâkam: together; krishnena: with Lord Krishna; sannaddhah: wearing armor; vihartum: to sport; vipinam: a forest; mahat: large; bahu: with many; vyâla-mriga: beasts of prey; âkîrnam: filled; prâvis'at: entered; para: enemy; vîra: of heroes; hâ: the killer.

TRANSLATION

Once Arjuna, the slayer of powerful enemies, donned his armor, mounted his chariot flying the flag of Hanumân, took up his bow and his two inexhaustible quivers, and went to sport with Lord Krishna in a large forest filled with fierce animals.

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TEXT 15

tatrâvidhyac charair vyâghrân

s'ûkarân mahishân rurûn

s'arabhân gavayân khadgân

harinân s'as'a-s'allakân

tatra: there; avidhyat: he shot; s'araih: with his arrows; vyâghrân: tigers; s'ûkarân: boars; mahishân: wild buffalo; rurûn: a species of antelope; s'arabhân: a species of deer; gavayân: a wild oxlike mammal; khadgân: rhinoceroses; harinân: black deer; s'as'a: rabbits; s'allakân: and porcupines.

TRANSLATION

With his arrows Arjuna shot tigers, boars and buffalo in that forest, along with rurus, s'arabhas, gavayas, rhinoceroses, black deer, rabbits and porcupines.

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TEXT 16

tân ninyuh kinkarâ râjne

medhyân parvany upâgate

trit-parîtah paris'rânto

bibhatsur yamunâm agât

tân: them; ninyuh: carried; kinkarâh: servants; râjne: to the King; medhyân: fit to be offered in sacrifice; parvani: a special occasion; upâgate: approaching; trit: by thirst; parîtah: overcome; paris'rântah: fatigued; bibhatsuh: Arjuna; yamunâm: to the Yamunâ River; agât: went.

TRANSLATION

A crew of servants carried to King Yudhishthhira the slain animals fit to be offered in sacrifice on some special occasion. Then, feeling thirsty and tired, Arjuna went to the bank of the Yamunâ.

PURPORT

As S'rîla Prabhupâda often explained, the kshatriyas, or warriors, would hunt in the forest for several purposes: to practice their fighting skills, to control the population of ferocious beasts, who were a threat to human beings, and to provide animals for Vedic sacrifices. The killed animals would be given new bodies by the power of the sacrifices. Since priests no longer have that power, the sacrifices would now constitute mere killing and are thus forbidden.

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TEXT 17

tatropaspris'ya vis'adam

pîtvâ vâri mahâ-rathau

krishnau dadris'atuh kanyâm

carantîm câru-dars'anâm

tatra: there; upaspris'ya: taking bath; vis'adam: clear; pîtvâ: drinking; vâri: the water; mahâ-rathau: great chariot warriors; krishnau: the two Krishnas; dadris'atuh: saw; kanyâm: a maiden; carantîm: walking; câru-dars'anâm: charming to see.

TRANSLATION

After the two Krishnas bathed there, they drank the river's clear water. The great warriors then saw an attractive young girl walking nearby.

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TEXT 18

tâm âsâdya varârohâm

su-dvijâm rucirânanâm

papraccha preshitah sakhyâ

phâlgunah pramadottamâm

tâm: her; âsâdya: approaching; varâ: excellent; ârohâm: whose hips; su: fine; dvijâm: whose teeth; rucira: attractive; ânanâm: whose face; papraccha: inquired; preshitah: sent; sakhyâ: by his friend, S'rî Krishna; phâlgunah: Arjuna; pramadâ: the woman; uttamâm: extraordinary.

TRANSLATION

Sent by his friend, Arjuna approached the exceptional young woman, who possessed beautiful hips, fine teeth and a lovely face, and inquired from her as follows.

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TEXT 19

kâ tvam kasyâsi su-s'roni

kuto vâ kim cikîrshasi

manye tvâm patim icchantîm

sarvam kathaya s'obhane

kâ: who; tvam: you; kasya: whose; asi: are you; su-s'roni: O you with the beautiful waist; kutah: from where; vâ: or; kim: what; cikîrshasi: do you desire to do; manye: I think; tvâm: you; patim: a husband; icchantîm: seeking; sarvam: everything; kathaya: please tell; s'obhane: O beautiful one.

TRANSLATION

[Arjuna said:] Who are you, O fine-waisted lady? Whose daughter are you, and where do you come from? What are you doing here? I think you must be looking for a husband. Please explain everything, O beautiful one.

SB 10.58.20

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TEXT 20

s'rî-kâlindy uvâca

aham devasya savitur

duhitâ patim icchatî

vishnum varenyam vara-dam

tapah paramam âsthitah

s'rî-kâlindî uvâca: S'rî Kâlindî said; aham: I; devasya: of the demigod; savituh: Savitâ (the sun-god); duhitâ: the daughter; patim: as my husband; icchatî: desiring; vishnum: Lord Vishnu; varenyam: the most choice; vara-dam: bestower of one's choice; tapah: in austerities; paramam: extreme; âsthitah: engaged.

TRANSLATION

S'rî Kâlindî said: I am the daughter of the sun-god. I desire to get as my husband the most excellent and munificent Lord Vishnu, and to that end I am performing severe penances.

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TEXT 21

nânyam patim vrine vîra

tam rite s'rî-niketanam

tushyatâm me sa bhagavân

mukundo 'nâtha-sams'rayah

na: no; anyam: other; patim: husband; vrine: will I choose; vîra: O hero; tam: Him; rite: except for; s'rî: of the goddess of fortune; niketanam: the abode; tushyatâm: may please be satisfied; me: with me; sah: He; bhagavân: the Supreme Lord; mukundah: Krishna; anâtha: of those who have no master; sams'rayah: the shelter.

TRANSLATION

I will accept no husband other than Him, the abode of the goddess of fortune. May that Mukunda, the Supreme Personality, the shelter of the helpless, be pleased with me.

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TEXT 22

kâlindîti samâkhyâtâ

vasâmi yamunâ-jale

nirmite bhavane pitrâ

yâvad acyuta-dars'anam

kâlindî: Kâlindî; iti: thus; samâkhyâtâ: named; vasâmi: I am living; yamunâ-jale: in the water of the Yamunâ; nirmite: built; bhavane: in a mansion; pitrâ: by my father; yâvat: until; acyuta: of Lord Krishna; dars'anam: the seeing.

TRANSLATION

I am known as Kâlindî, and I live in a mansion my father built for me within the water of the Yamunâ. There I will stay until I meet Lord Acyuta.

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TEXT 23

tathâvadad gudâkes'o

vâsudevâya so 'pi tâm

ratham âropya tad-vidvân

dharma-râjam upâgamat

tathâ: thus; avadat: said; gudâkes'ah: Arjuna; vâsudevâya: to Lord Krishna; sah: He; api: and; tâm: her; ratham: on His chariot; âropya: taking up; tat: of all this; vidvân: already aware; dharma-râjam: to King Yudhishthhira; upâgamat: He went.

TRANSLATION

[S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:l Arjuna repeated all this to Lord Vâsudeva, who was already aware of it. The Lord then took Kâlindî onto His chariot and went back to see King Yudhishthhira.

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TEXT 24

yadaiva krishnah sandisthah

pârthânâm paramâdbutam

kârayâm âsa nagaram

vicitram vis'vakarmanâ

yadâ eva: when; krishnah: Lord Krishna; sandisthah: requested; pârthânâm: for the sons of Prithâ; parama: most; adbhutam: amazing; kârayâm âsa: He had constructed; nagaram: a city; vicitram: full of variety; vis'vakarmanâ: by Vis'vakarmâ, the architect of the demigods.

TRANSLATION

[Describing a previous incident, S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said:] Upon the request of the Pândavas, Lord Krishna had Vis'vakarmâ build them a most wonderful and amazing city.

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TEXT 25

bhagavâms tatra nivasan

svânâm priya-cikîrshayâ

agnaye khândavam dâtum

arjunasyâsa sârathih

 bhagavân: the Supreme Lord; tatra: there; nivasan: residing; svânâm: for His own (devotees); priya: pleasure; cikîrshayâ: desiring to give; agnaye: to Agni, the demigod of fire; khândavam: the Khândava forest; dâtum: in order to give; arjunasya: of Arjuna; âsa: He became; sârathih: the chariot driver.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme Lord stayed in that city for some time to please His devotees. On one occasion, S'rî Krishna wanted to give the Khândava forest as a gift to Agni, and so the Lord became Arjuna's charioteer.

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TEXT 26

so 'gnis tustho dhanur adâd

dhayân s'vetân ratham nripa

arjunâyâkshayau tûnau

varma câbhedyam astribhih

 sah: that; agnih: Lord Agni; tusthah: pleased; dhanuh: a bow; adât: gave; hayân: horses; s'vetân: white; ratham: a chariot; nripa: O King (Parîkshit); arjunâya: to Arjuna; akshayau: inexhaustible; tûnau: two quivers; varma: armor; ca: and; abhedyam: unbreakable; astribhih: by wielders of weapons.

TRANSLATION

Being pleased, O King, Lord Agni presented Arjuna with a bow, a set of white horses, a chariot, a pair of inexhaustible quivers, and armor that no fighter could pierce with weapons.

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TEXT 27

mayas' ca mocito vahneh

sabhâm sakhya upâharat

yasmin duryodhanasyâsîj

jala-sthala-dris'i-bhramah

 mayah: the demon named Maya; ca: and; mocitah: delivered; vahneh: from the fire; sabhâm: an assembly hall; sakhye: to his friend, Arjuna; upâharat: presented; yasmin: in which; duryodhanasya: of Duryodhana; âsît: there was; jala: of water; sthala: and dry ground; dris'i: in seeing; bhramah: confusion.

TRANSLATION

When the demon Maya was saved from the fire by his friend Arjuna, Maya presented him with an assembly hall, in which Duryodhana would later mistake water for a solid floor.

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TEXT 28

sa tena samanujnâtah

suhridbhis' cânumoditah

âyayau dvârakâm bhûyah

sâtyaki-pramakhair vritah

 sah: He, Lord Krishna; tena: by him, Arjuna; samanujnâtah: given leave; su-hridbhih: by His well-wishers; ca: and; anumoditah: allowed; âyayau: He went; dvârakâm: to Dvârakâ; bhûyah: again; sâtyaki-pramukhaih: by those headed by Sâtyaki; vritah: accompanied.

TRANSLATION

Then Lord Krishna, given leave by Arjuna and other well-wishing relatives and friends, returned to Dvârakâ with Sâtyaki and the rest of His entourage.

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TEXT 29

athopayeme kâlindîm

su-punya-rtv-riksha ûrjite

vitanvan paramânandam

svânâm parama-mangalah

 atha: then; upayeme: He married; kâlindîm: Kâlindî; su: very; punya: auspicious; ritu: the season; rikshe: and the lunar asterism; ûrjite: (on a day) when the configuration of the sun and other heavenly bodies was good; vitanvan: spreading; parama: the greatest; ânandam: pleasure; svânâm: for His devotees; parama: supremely; mangalah: auspicious.

TRANSLATION

The supremely auspicious Lord then married Kâlindî on a day when the season, the lunar asterism and the configurations of the sun and other heavenly bodies were all propitious. In this way He brought the greatest pleasure to His devotees.

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TEXT 30

vindyânuvindyâv âvantyau

duryodhana-vas'ânugau

svayam-vare sva-bhaginîm

krishne saktâm nyashedhatâm

 vindya-anuvindyau: Vindya and Anuvindya; âvantyau: dual kings of Avantî; duryodhana-vas'a-anugau: subservient to Duryodhana; svayamvare: in the ceremony of choosing her own husband; sva: their; bhaginîm: sister; krishne: to Krishna; saktâm: who was attracted; nyashedhatâm: they forbade.

TRANSLATION

Vindya and Anuvindya, who shared the throne of Avantî, were followers of Duryodhana's. When the time came for their sister [Mitravindâ] to select her husband in the svayamvara ceremony, they forbade her to choose Krishna, although she was attracted to Him.

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TEXT 31

râjâdhidevyâs tanayâm

mitravindâm pitri-shvasuh

prasahya hritavân krishno

râjan râjnâm prapas'yatâm

 

râjâdhidevyâh: of Queen Râjâdhidevî; tanayâm: the daughter; mitravindâm: Mitravindâ; pitri: of His father; svasuh: of the sister; prasahya: forcibly; hritavân: took away; krishnah: Lord Krishna; râjan: O King (Parîkshit); râjnâm: the kings; prapas'yatâm: as they watched.

TRANSLATION

My dear King, Lord Krishna forcibly took away Princess Mitravindâ, the daughter of His aunt Râjâdhidevî, before the eyes of the rival kings.

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TEXT 32

nagnajin nâma kaus'alya

âsîd râjâti-dhârmikah

tasya satyâbhavat kanyâ

devî nâgnajitî nripa

 nagnajit: Nagnajit; nâma: named; kaus'alyah: ruler of Kaus'alya (Ayodhyâ); âsît: there was; râjâ: a king; ati: very; dhârmikah: religious; tasya: his; satyâ: Satyâ; abhavat: there was; kanyâ: a daughter; devî: lovely; nâgnajitî: also called Nâgnajitî; nripa: O King.

TRANSLATION

O King, Nagnajit, the very pious King of Kaus'alya, had a lovely daughter named Satyâ, or Nâgnajitî.

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TEXT 33

na tâm s'ekur nripâ vodhum

ajitvâ sapta-go-vrishân

tîkshna-s'ringân su-durdharshân

vîrya-gandhâsahân khalân

 na: not; tâm: her; s'ekuh: were able; nripâh: kings; vodhum: to marry; ajitvâ: without defeating; sapta: seven; go-vrishân: bulls; tîkshna: sharp; s'ringân: whose horns; su: very; durdharshân: uncontrollable; vîrya: of warriors; gandha: the smell; asahân: not tolerating; khalân: vicious.

TRANSLATION

The kings who came as suitors were not allowed to marry her unless they could subdue seven sharp-horned bulls. These bulls were extremely vicious and uncontrollable, and they could not tolerate even the smell of warriors.

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TEXT 34

tâm s'rutvâ vrisha-jil-labhyâm

bhagavân sâtvatâm patih

jagâma kaus'alya-puram

sainyena mahatâ vritah

 tâm: of her; s'rutvâ: hearing; vrisha: the bulls; jit: by him who conquers; labhyâm: attainable; bhagavân: the Supreme Lord; sâtvatâm: of the Vaishnavas; patih: master; jagâma: went; kaus'alya-puram: to the capital of the Kaus'alya kingdom; sainyena: by an army; mahatâ: large; vritah: surrounded.

TRANSLATION

When the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the Vaishnavas, heard of the princess who was to be won by the conqueror of the bulls, He went to the capital of Kaus'alya with a large army.

******

 

TEXT 35

sa kos'ala-patih prîtah

pratyutthânâsanâdibhih

arhanenâpi gurunâ

pûjayan pratinanditah

 sah: he; kos'ala-patih: the lord of Kos'ala; prîtah: pleased; pratyutthâna: by standing up; âsana: offering a seat; âdibhih: and so on; arhanena: and with offerings; api: also; gurunâ: substantial; pûjayan: worshiping; pratinanditah: was greeted in return.

TRANSLATION

The King of Kos'ala, pleased to see Lord Krishna, worshiped Him by rising from his throne and offering Him a seat of honor and substantial gifts. Lord Krishna also greeted the King respectfully.

******

 

TEXT 36

varam vilokyâbhimatam samâgatam

narendra-kanyâ cakame ramâ-patim

bhûyâd ayam me patir âs'isho 'nalah

karotu satyâ yadi me dhrito vratah

 varam: suitor; vilokya: seeing; abhimatam: agreeable; samâgatam: arrived; narendra: of the King; kanyâ: the daughter; cakame: desired; ramâ: of the goddess of fortune; patim: the husband; bhûyât: may become; ayam: He; me: my; patih: husband; âs'ishah: hopes; analah: the fire; karotu: may it make; satyâh: true; yadi: if; me: by me; dhritah: sustained; vratah: my vows.

TRANSLATION

When the King's daughter saw that most agreeable suitor arrive, she immediately desired to have Him, the Lord of Goddess Râma. She prayed, "May He become my husband. If I have kept my vows, may the sacred fire bring about the fulfillment of my hopes.

******

 

TEXT 37

yat-pâda-pankaja-rajah s'irasâ bibharti

s'rîr abya-jah sa-giris'ah saha loka-pâlaih

lîlâ-tanuh sva-krita-setu-parîpsayâ yah

kâle 'dadhat sa bhagavân mama kena tushyet

 yat: whose; pâda: of the feet; pankaja: lotuslike; rajah: the dust; s'irasâ: on her head; bibharti: holds; s'rîh: the goddess of fortune; abja-jah: Lord Brahmâ, who was born from a lotus flower; sa: together with; giri-s'ah: Lord S'iva, the master of Mount Kailâsa; saha: together with; loka: of the planets; pâlaih: the various rulers; lîlâ: as His pastime; tanuh: a body; sva: by Himself; krita: created; setu: the codes of religion; parîpsayâ: with the desire to protect; yah: who; kâle: in course of time; adadhat: has assumed; sah: He; bhagavân: the Supreme Personality of Godhead; mama: with me; kena: on account of what; tushyet: may be pleased.

TRANSLATION

"Goddess Lakshmî, Lord Brahma, Lord S'iva and the rulers of the various planets place the dust of His lotus feet on their heads, and to protect the codes of religion, which He has created, He assumes pastime incarnations at various times. How may that Supreme Personality of Godhead become pleased with me?"

******

 

TEXT 38

arcitam punar ity âha

nârâyana jagat-pate

âtmânandena pûrnasya

karavâni kim alpakah

 arcitam: to Him who had been worshiped; punah: further; iti: as follows; âha: he (King Nagnajit) said; nârâyana: O Nârâyana; jagat: of the universe; pate: O Lord; âtma: within Himself; ânandena: with pleasure; pûrnasya: for Him who is full; karavâni: may I do; kim: what; alpakah: insignificant.

TRANSLATION

King Nagnajit first worshiped the Lord properly and then addressed Him: "O Nârâyana, Lord of the universe, You are full in Your own spiritual pleasure. Therefore what can this insignificant person do for You?n

******

 

TEXT 39

s'rî-s'uka uvâca

tam âha bhagavân hristhah

kritâsana-parigrahah

megha-gambhîrayâ vâcâ

sa-smitam kuru-nandana

 s'rî-s'ukah uvâca: S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; tam: to him; âha: said; bhagavân: the Supreme Lord; hristhah: pleased; krita: having done; âsana: of a seat; parigrahah: the acceptance; megha: like a cloud; gambhîrayâ: deep; vâcâ: in a voice; sa: with; smitam: a smile; kuru: of the Kurus; nandana: O beloved descendant.

TRANSLATION

S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: O beloved descendant of Kuru, the Supreme Lord was pleased, and after accepting a comfortable seat He smiled and addressed the King in a voice as deep as the rumbling of a cloud.

******

 

TEXT 40

s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

narendra yâcnâ kavibhir vigarhitâ

râjanya-bandhor nija-dharma-vartinah

tathâpi yâce tava sauhridecchayâ

kanyâm tvadîyâm na hi s'ulka-dâ vayam

 s'rî-bhagavân uvâca: the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; nara-indra: O ruler of men; yâcnâ: begging; kavibhih: by learned authorities; vigarhitâ: condemned; râjanya: of the royal order; bandhoh: for a member; nija: in his own; dharma: religious standards; vartinah: who is situated; tathâ api: nevertheless; yâce: I am begging; tava: with you; sauhrida: for friendship; icchayâ: out of desire; kanyâm: daughter; tvadîyâm: your; na: not; hi: indeed; s'ulka-dâh: givers of payment; vayam: We.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme Lord said: O ruler of men, learned authorities condemn begging for a person in the royal order who is executing his religious duties. Even so, desiring your friendship, I ask you for your daughter, though We offer no gifts in exchange.

******

 

TEXT 41

s'rî-râjovâca

ko 'nyas te 'bhyadhiko nâtha

kanyâ-vara ihepsitah

gunaika-dhâmno yasyânge

s'rîr vasaty anapâyinî

 s'rî-râjâ uvâca: the King, Nagnajit, said; kah: who; anyah: other; te: to You; abhyadhikah: superior; nâtha: O master; kanyâ: for my daughter; varah: groom; iha: in this world; îpsitah: desirable; guna: of transcendental qualities; eka: only; dhâmnah: who is the abode; yasya: on whose; ange: body; s'rîh: the goddess of fortune; vasati: resides; anapâyinî: never leaving.

TRANSLATION

The King said: My Lord, who could be a better husband for my daughter than You, the exclusive abode of all transcendental qualities? On Your body the goddess of fortune herself resides, never leaving You for any reason.

******

 

TEXT 42

kintv asmâbhih kritah pûrvam

samayah sâtvatarshabha

pumsâm vîrya-parîkshârtham

kanyâ-vara-parîpsayâ

 kintu: but; asmâbhih: by us (her family); kritah: made; pûrvam: previously; samayah: a stipulation; sâtvata-rishabha: O chief of the Sâtvatas; pumsâm: of the men (who came as suitors); vîrya: the prowess; parîkshâ: of testing; artham: for the purpose; kanyâ: for my daughter; vara: the husband; parîpsayâ: with the desire of finding.

TRANSLATION

But to ascertain the proper husband for my daughter, O chief of the Sâtvatas, we previously set a condition to test the prowess of her suitors.

******

 

TEXT 43

saptaite go-vrishâ vîra

durdântâ duravagrahâh

etair bhagnâh su-bahavo

bhinna-gâtrâ nripâtmajâh

 sapta: seven; ete: these; go-vrishâh: bulls; vîra: O hero; durdântâh: wild; duravagrahâh: unbreakable; etaih: by them; bhagnâh: defeated; su-bahavah: very many; bhinna: broken; gâtrâh: their limbs; nripa: of kings; âtma-jâh: sons.

TRANSLATION

These seven wild bulls are impossible to tame, O hero. They have defeated many princes, breaking their limbs.

******

 

TEXT 44

yad ime nigrihîtâh syus

tvayaiva yadu-nandana

varo bhavân abhimato

duhitur me s'riyah-pate

 yat: if; ime: they; nigrihîtâh: subdued; syuh: become; tvayâ: by You; eva: indeed; yadu-nandana: O descendant of Yadu; varah: groom; bhavân: You; abhimatah: approved; duhituh: for the daughter; me: my; s'riyah: of the goddess of fortune; pate: O husband.

TRANSLATION

If You can subdue them, O descendant of Yadu, You will certainly be the appropriate bridegroom for my daughter, O Lord of S'rî.

******

 

TEXT 45

evam samayam âkarnya

baddhvâ parikaram prabhuh

âtmânam saptadhâ kritvâ

nyagrihnâl lîlayaiva tân

 evam: thus; samayam: the condition; âkarnya: hearing; baddhvâ: tightening; parikaram: His clothing; prabhuh: the Lord; âtmânam: Himself; saptadhâ: as seven; kritvâ: making; nyagrihnât: He subdued; lîlayâ: like play; eva: simply; tân: them.

TRANSLATION

Upon hearing these terms, the Lord tightened His clothing, expanded Himself into seven forms and easily subdued the bulls.

******

 

TEXT 46

baddhvâ tân dâmabhih s'aurir

bhagna-darpân hataujasah

vyakarsal lîlayâ baddhân

bâlo dâru-mayân yathâ

 

baddhvâ: tying up; tân: them; dâmabhih: with ropes; s'aurih: Lord Krishna; bhagna: broken; darpân: their pride; hata: lost; ojasah: their strength; vyakarshat: He dragged; lîlayâ: playfully; baddhân: tied up; bâlah: a boy; dâru: of wood; mayân: made; yathâ: as.

TRANSLATION

Lord S'auri tied up the bulls, whose pride and strength were now broken, and pulled them with ropes just as a child playfully pulls wooden toy bulls.

******

 

TEXT 47

tatah prîtah sutâm râjâ

dadau krishnâya vismitah

tâm pratyagrihnâd bhagavân

vidhi-vat sadris'îm prabhuh

 tatah: then; prîtah: pleased; sutâm: his daughter; râjâ: the King; dadau: gave; krishnâya: to Krishna; vismitah: astonished; tâm: she; pratyagrihnât: accepted; bhagavân: the Supreme Person; vidhi-vat: in accordance with Vedic prescriptions; sadris'îm: compatible; prabhuh: the Supreme Lord.

TRANSLATION

Then King Nagnajit, pleased and astonished, presented his daughter to Lord Krishna. The Supreme Personality of Godhead accepted this suitable bride in the proper Vedic fashion.

******

 

TEXT 48

râja-patnyas' ca duhituh

krishnam labdhvâ priyam patim

lebhire paramânandam

jâtas' ca paramotsavah

 râja: of the King; patnyah: the wives; ca: and; duhituh: of his daughter; krishnam: Krishna; labdhvâ: obtaining; priyam: dear; patim: husband; lebhire: they experienced; parama: the greatest; ânandam: ecstasy; jâtah: there arose; ca: and; parama: the greatest; utsavah: festivity.

TRANSLATION

The King's wives felt the greatest ecstasy upon attaining Lord Krishna as the dear husband of the royal princess, and a mood of great festivity arose.

******

 

TEXT 49

s'ankha-bhery-ânakâ nedur

gîta-vâdya-dvijâs'ishah

narâ nâryah pramuditâh

suvâsah-srag-alankritâh

 s'ankha: conchshells; bherî: horns; ânakâh: and drums; neduh: resounded; gîta: songs; vâdya: instrumental music; dvija: of the brâhmanas; âs'ishah: and blessings; narâh: men; nâryah: women; pramuditâh: joyful; su-vâsah: with fine clothing; srak: and garlands; alankritâh: decorated.

TRANSLATION

Conchshells, horns and drums resounded, along with vocal and instrumental music and the sounds of brâhmanas, invoking blessings. The joyful men and women adorned themselves with fine clothing and garlands.

******

 

TEXTS 50-51

das'a-dhenu-sahasrâni

pâribarham adâd vibhuh

yuvatînâm tri-sâhasram

nishka-grîva-suvâsasam

 

nava-nâga-sahasrâni

nâgâc chata-gunân rathân

rathâc chata-gunân as'vân

as'vâc chata-gunân narân

 das'a: ten; dhenu: of cows; sahasrâni: thousands; pâribarham: wedding gift; adât: gave; vibhuh: the powerful (King Nagnajit); yuvatînâm: of young women; tri-sâhasram: three thousand; nishka: golden ornaments; grîva: on whose necks; su: excellent; vâsasam: whose dress; nava: nine; nâga: of elephants; sahasrâni: thousands; nâgât: than the elephants; s'ata-gunân: one hundred times more (nine hundred thousand); rathân: chariots; rathât: than the chariots; s'ata-gunân: one hundred times more (ninety million); as'vân: horses; as'vât: than the horses; s'ata-gunân: one hundred times more (nine billion); narân: men.

TRANSLATION

As the dowry, powerful King Nagnajit gave ten thousand cows, three thousand young maidservants wearing golden ornaments on their necks and bedecked in fine clothing, nine thousand elephants, a hundred times as many chariots as elephants, a hundred times as many horses as chariots, and a hundred times as many manservants as horses.

******

 

TEXT 52

dampatî ratham âropya

mahatyâ senayâ vritau

sneha-praklinna-hridayo

yâpayâm âsa kos'alah

 dam-patî: the couple; ratham: their chariot; âropya: having them mount; mahatyâ: by a large; senayâ: army; vritau: accompanied; sneha: with affection; praklinna: melting; hridayah: his heart; yâpayâm âsa: sent them off; kos'alah: the King of Kos'ala.

TRANSLATION

The King of Kos'ala, his heart melting with affection, had the bride and groom seated on their chariot, and then he sent them on their way surrounded by a great army.

******

 

TEXT 53

s'rutvaitad rurudhur bhûpâ

nayantam pathi kanyakâm

bhagna-vîryâh su-durmarshâ

yadubhir go-vrishaih purâ

 s'rutvâ: hearing; etat: this; rurudhuh: they obstructed; bhû-pâh: the kings; nayantam: who was taking; pathi: along the road; kanyakâm: His bride; bhagna: broken; vîryâh: whose strength; su: very; durmarshâh: intolerant; yadubhih: by the Yadus; go-vrishaih: by the bulls; purâ: before.

TRANSLATION

When the intolerant kings who had been rival suitors heard what had happened, they tried to stop Lord Krishna on the road as He took His bride home. But just as the bulls had broken the kings' strength before, the Yadu warriors broke it now.

******

 

TEXT 54

tân asyatah s'ara-vrâtân

bandhu-priya-krid arjunah

gândîvî kâlayâm âsa

simhah kshudra-mrigân iva

 

tân: them; asyatah: throwing; s'ara: of arrows; vrâtân: multitudes; bandhu: his friend (Lord Krishna); priya: to please; krit: acting; arjunah: Arjuna; gandîvî: the possessor of the bow Gândîva; kâlayâm âsa: drove them away; simhah: a lion; kshudra: insignificant; mrigân: animals; iva: as.

TRANSLATION

Arjuna, wielder of the Gândîva bow, was always eager to please his friend Krishna, and thus he drove back those opponents, who were shooting torrents of arrows at the Lord. He did this just as a lion drives away insignificant animals.

******

 

TEXT 55

pâribarham upâgrihya

dvârakâm etya satyayâ

reme yadûnâm rishabho

bhagavân devakî-sutah

 

pâribarham: the dowry; upâgrihya: taking; dvârakâm: at Dvârakâ; etya: arriving; satyayâ: with Satyâ; reme: enjoyed; yadûnâm: of the Yadus; rishabhah: the chief; bhagavân: the Supreme Lord; devakî-sutah: the son of Devakî.

TRANSLATION

Lord Devakî-suta, the chief of the Yadus, then took His dowry and Satyâ to Dvârakâ and continued to live there happily.

******

 

TEXT 56

s'rutakîrteh sutâm bhadrâm

upayeme pitri-shvasuh

kaikeyîm bhrâtribhir dattâm

krishnah santardanâdibhih

 

s'rutakîrteh: of S'rutakîrti; sutâm: the daughter; bhadrâm: named Bhadrâ; upayeme: married; pitri-svasuh: of His father's sister; kaikeyîm: the princess of Kaikeya; bhrâtribhih: by her brothers; dattâm: given; krishnah: Lord Krishna; santardana-âdibhih: headed by Santardana.

TRANSLATION

Bhadrâ was a princess of the Kaikeya kingdom and the daughter of Lord Krishna's paternal aunt S'rutakîrti. The Lord married Bhadrâ when her brothers, headed by Santardana, offered her to Him.

******

 

TEXT 57

sutâm ca madrâdhipater

lakshmanâm lakshanair yatâm

svayam-vare jahâraikah

sa suparnah sudhâm iva

sutâm: the daughter; ca: and; madra-adhipateh: of the ruler of Madra; lakshmanâm: Lakshmanâ; lakshanaih: with all good qualities; yutâm: endowed; svayam-vare: during her ceremony to choose a husband; jahâra: took away; ekah: alone; sah: He, Lord Krishna; suparnah: Garuda; sudhâm: nectar; iva: as.

TRANSLATION

Then the Lord married Lakshmanâ, the daughter of the King of Madra. Krishna appeared alone at her svayamvara ceremony and took her away, just as Garuda once stole the demigods' nectar.

******

 

TEXT 58

anyâs' caivam-vidhâ bhâryâh

krishnasyâsan sahasras'ah

bhaumam hatvâ tan-nirodhâd

âhritâs' câru-dars'anâh

 

anyâh: other; ca: and; evam-vidhâh: just like these; bhâryâh: wives; krishnasya: of Krishna; âsan: became; sahasras'ah: by the thousands; bhaumam: (the demon) Bhauma; hatvâ: after killing; tat: by him, Bhauma; nirodhât: from their captivity; âhritâh: taken; câru: beautiful; dars'anâh: whose appearance.

TRANSLATION

Lord Krishna also acquired thousands of other wives equal to these when He killed Bhaumâsura and freed the beautiful maidens the demon was holding captive.

 

 

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