Chapter Twelve Śrī Nanda-mahotsava-varṇana Description of Śrī Nanda's Festival

atha — then ; putra — of his son ; utsavam — festival ; jātam — born ; śrutvā — hearing ; nandaḥ — Nanda ; uṣaḥ-kṣaṇe — at dawn ; brāhmaṇān — the brāhmaṇas ; ca — also ; samāhūya — calling ; kārayām āsa — made ; maṅgalam — auspciousness.

sa-vidhi — following tradition ; jātakam — the birth ceremony ; kṛtvā — having done ; nanda-rājaḥ — King Nanda ; mahā-manāḥ — who had a noble-heart ; viprebhyaḥ — to the brāhmaṇas ; dakṣiṇābhiḥ — with priestly rewards ; ca — also ; mudā — happily ; lakṣam — a hundred thousand ; gavām — cows ; dadau — gave.

krośa — two miles ; mātram — size ; rātna — of jewels ; sānūn — mountain peaks ; suvarṇa — of gold ; śikharān — mountain peaks ; girīn — mountains ; sa-rasān — with nectar ; sapta — seven ; dhanyānām — of wealth ; dadau — gave ; viprebhyaḥ — to the brāhmaṇas ; ānataḥ — his head bowed.

mṛdaṅga-vīṇā-śaṅkhādyāḥ — beginning with mṛdaṅgas, vīṇās, and śaṅkhas ; neduḥ — sounded ; dundubhayaḥ — drums ; muhuḥ — again and again ; gāyakāḥ — singers ; ca — also ; jaguḥ — sang ; dvāre — at the door ; nanṛtuḥ — danced ; vāra-yoṣitaḥ — vārāaganās.

patākaiḥ — with flags ; hema — golden ; kalaśaiḥ — with pots ; vitānaiḥ — with awnings ; toraṇaiḥ — with arches ; śubhaiḥ — glorious ; aneka — many ; varṇaiḥ — colors ; citraiḥ — wonderful ; ca — also ; babhau — shone ; śrī-nanda-mandiram — Śrī Nanda's palace.

rathyā — highways ; vīthyāḥ — footpaths ; ca — also ; dehalyaḥ — entranceways ; bhitti — walls ; praṅgana — courtyards ; vedikāḥ — platforms ; tolikā-maṇḍapa-sabhā — gazebos and assembly-halls ; rejuḥ — shone ; gandha — fragrant ; jala-ambaraiḥ — with water.

gāvaḥ — the cows ; suvarṇa — gold ; śṛagyaḥ — wiith horns ; ca — also ; hema — of gold ; mālā — with necklaces ; lasat — shining ; galāḥ — necks ; ghaṇṭā — bells ; maṣjīra — and tinkling ornaments ; jhaṅkārāḥ — thinking ; rakta — red ; kambala — blankets ; maṇḍitāḥ — decorated.

pīta — yellow ; pucchāḥ — tails ; sa-vatsāḥ — with calves ; ca — also ; taruṇī — of young girls ; kara — of the hand ; cihnikāḥ — with the marks ; haridra — with turmeric ; kuakumaiḥ — and kuakuma ; yuktāḥ — endowed ; citra — colorful ; dhātu — with mineral pigments ; vicitritāḥ — decorated with pictures and designs.

barhi — peacock ; pucchaiḥ — with feathers ; gandha — scented ; jalaiḥ — with water ; vṛṣā — bulls ; dharma-dhurandharāḥ — bearing the principles of religion ; itas tataḥ — here and there ; virejuḥ — shone ; śrī-nanda-dvāri — at Nanda's door ; manoharāḥ — handsome.

go-vatsāḥ — calves ; hema — gold ; mālā — necklaces ; ādhyāḥ — opulent ; muktā — of pearls ; hāra — necklaces ; virājitāḥ — splendid ; itas tataḥ — here and there ; vilaṅghantaḥ — leaping ; maṣjīra — tinkling ornaments ; caraṇāḥ — hooves ; sitāḥ — white.

śrutvā — hearing ; putra — of the son ; utsavam — the festival ; tasya — of him ; vṛṣabhānu-varaḥ — King Vṛṣabhānu ; tathā — so ; kalāvatyā — with kalāvatī ; gaja-ārūḍhaḥ — on an elephant ; nanda-mandiram — to Nanda's palace ; āyayau — went.

nandāḥ — Nandas ; nava — nine ; upanandāḥ — Upanandas ; ca — also ; tathā — then ; ṣaḍ — six ; vṛṣabhānavaḥ — Vṛṣabhānus ; nānā — various ; upāyana — gifts ; samyuktāḥ — bearing ; sarve — all ; te — they ; api — also ; samāyayuḥ — came.

uṣṇīśa — turban ; upari — above ; mālā — with garlands ; āḍhyāḥ — opulent ; pīta — yellow ; kaṣcuka — upper garment ; śobhitāḥ — decorated ; barha — peacock feather ; guṣjā — and gunja ; baddha — tied ; keśāḥ — hair ; vana — forest ; mālā — garlands ; vibhūṣaṇāḥ — decorated.

vaṁsī — flutes ; dhārāḥ — holding ; vetra — sticks ; hastāḥ — in hand ; su-pātra — with beautiful pictures and designs ; tilaka — with tilaka ; arcitāḥ — anointed ; baddha-barhāḥ — with peacock feathers ; parīkārāḥ — multitudes ; gopāḥ — gopas ; te — they ; api — also ; samāyayuḥ — came.

nṛtyantaḥ — dancing ; parigāyantaḥ — singing ; dhunvantaḥ — shaking ; vasanāni — garments ; ca — and ; nānā — various ; upāyana — gifts ; samyuktāḥ — with ; smaśrulāḥ — bearded men ; śiśavaḥ — children ; pare — others.

haiyaṅgavina — of fresh butter ; dugdhānām — milk ; dadhi — yogurt ; ajyānām — and ghee ; balīn — offerings ; bahūn — many ; nītvā — bringing ; vṛddhāḥ — elderly ; yaṣṭi — sticks ; hastāḥ — in hand ; nanda — of Nanda ; mandiram — to the palace ; āyayuḥ — came.

putra-utsavam — the festival of a son ; vrajeśasya — of the king of Vraja ; kathayantaḥ — talking ; parasparam — among themselves ; prema-vihvala-bhāvaiḥ — overcome with love ; svaiḥ — own ; ānanda — of bliss ; aśru — with tears ; samākulāḥ — filled.

jāte — manifested ; putrotsave — the festival of a son ; nandaḥ — Nanda ; svānanda — of bliss ; aśru — with tears ; ākula — filled ; īkṣaṇaḥ — eyes ; pujayām āsa — worshiped ; tān — them ; sarvān — all ; tilakādyaiḥ — beginning with tilaka ; vidhānataḥ — by placing.

śrī-gopāḥ ūcuḥ — the cowherd men said ; he — O ; vrajeśvara — king of Vraja ; he — O ; nanda — Nanda ; jātaḥ — born ; putrotsavaḥ — the festival of a son ; tathā — so ; anapatyasya — of one who is childless ; icchataḥ — desiring ; alam — greatly ; ataḥ — then ; kim — what? ; maṅgalam — auspiciousness ; param — greater.

daivena — by fate ; ca — also ; idam — this ; dinam — day ; vaḥ — of us ; bahubhiḥ — with many ; dinaiḥ — days ; kṛta-kṛtyāḥ — successful ; ca — also ; bhūtāḥ — become ; smaḥ — we ; dṛṣṭvā — seeing ; śrī-nanda-nandanam — the son of Nanda.

he — O ; mohana — charming one ; iti — thus ; dūrāt — from far away ; tam — Him ; aṅkam — on the lap ; nītvā — taking ; gadiṣyasi — You will say ; yadā — when ; lālana-bhāvena — with fondling ; bhavitā — will be ; naḥ — of us ; tadā — then ; sukham — happiness.

śrī-nandaḥ uvāca — Śrī Nanda said ; bhavatām — of you ; āśiṣaḥ — the blessings ; puṇyāt — from piety ; jātam — born ; saukhyam — happiness ; idam — this ; śubham — auspiciousness ; ājṣā — the order ; vārtī — speaking ; hi — indeed ; aham — I ; gopā — O cowherd men ; gopānām — of the cowherd men ; vraja-vāsinām — of the residents of Vraja.

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca — Śrī Nārada said ; śrī-nanda-rāja — of King Nanda ; suta — of the son ; sambhavam — the birth ; adbhutam — wonderful ; ca — also ; śrutvā — hearing ; visṛjya — abandoning ; gṛha — household ; karma — duties ; tadā — then ; eva — indeed ; gopyaḥ — the gopīs ; tūrṇam — quickly ; yayuḥ — went ; sa-balayaḥ — with offerings ; vraja-rāja-gehān — to the palace of the king of Vraja ; udyat — rising ; pramoda — happiness ; paripūrita — flooded ; hṛt — hearts ; manaḥ — minds ; 'agāḥ — and limbs.

ā — up to ; mandira-purāt — the palace ; sva — own ; gṛhat — from the home ; vrajantyaḥ — going ; sarvāḥ — all ; itas tataḥ — here and there ; uta — indeed ; tvaram — quickly ; āvrajantyaḥ — coming ; yāna — from coming ; ślathat — loosened ; vasana — garments ; bhūṣaṇa — ornaments ; keśa-bandhāḥ — and hair ; rejuḥ — shone ; narendra — O king ; pathi — on the path ; bhūpari — on the ground ; mukta — released ; muktāḥ — pearls.

jhaṅkāra — jingling ; nūpura — anklets ; nava — new ; aṅgada — armlets ; hema — golden ; cīra — garments ; maṣjīra — ornaments ; hāra — necklaces ; maṇi — jewels ; kuṇḍala — earrings ; mekhalābhiḥ — with belts ; śrī-kaṇṭha-sūtra — necklaces ; bhuja-kaṅkana — with bracelets ; bindukābhiḥ — with dots ; pūrṇa — full ; indu — moon ; maṇḍala — circle ; nava — new ; dyutibhiḥ — with splendor ; virejuḥ — shone.

śrī-rājika-lavaṇa-rātri-viśeṣa-cūrṇaiḥ — with ground mustard and salt ; go-dhūma-sarṣapa-yavaiḥ — with wheat and barley flour ; kara — of the hand ; lālanaiḥ — with gentle strokes ; ca — also ; uttārya — lifting ; bālaka — of the child ; mukha — face ; upari — above ; ca — and ; āśiṣāḥ — benedictions ; tāḥ — they ; sarvāḥ — all ; daduḥ — gave ; nṛpa — O king ; jaguḥ — they sang ; jagaduḥ — they spoke ; yaśodām — to Yaśodā.

śrī-gopyaḥ ūcuḥ — the gopīs said ; sādhu — well done ; sādhu — well done ; yaśode — O Yasodā ; te — to you ; diṣṭyā — by good fortune ; diṣṭyā — by good fortune ; vraja — of Vraja ; īśvari — O queen ; dhanyā — fortunate ; dhanyā — fortunate ; parā — exalted ; kukṣiḥ — womb ; yayā — by which ; ayam — He ; janitaḥ — born ; sutaḥ — son.

icchā — desire ; yuktam — endowed ; kṛtam — done ; te — by you ; vai — indeed ; devena — by the Lord ; bahu-kālataḥ — after a long time ; rakṣa — please protect ; bālam — the child ; padma — lotus ; netram — eyes ; su-smitam — with a charming smile ; śyāma — dark ; sundaram — and handsome.

śrī-yaśodā uvāca — Śrī Yaśodā said ; bhavadīya — your ; dayā — of mercy ; āśīrbhiḥ — with blessings ; jātam — created ; saukhyam — happiness ; param — great ; ca — also ; me — of me ; bhavatīnām — of you ; api — also ; param — then ; diṣṭyā — by good fortune ; bhūyāt — may be ; ataḥ param — then.

he rohiṇi — O Rohiṇī ; mahā — very ; buddhe — intelligent ; pūjanam — worship ; tu — indeed ; vraja-okasām — of the people of Vraja ; āgatānām — arrived ; sat-kulānām — of good families ; yathā — as ; iṣṭam — desired ; hi — indeed ; īpsitam — desire ; kuru — please fulfill.

śrī-nāradaḥ uvāca — Śrī Nārada said ; rohiṇī — Rohiṇī ; rāja — of a king ; kanyā — the daughter ; api — even ; tat — that ; karau — hands ; dāna-śīlinau — generous ; tatra — there ; api — also ; noditā — sent ; dāne — charity ; dadau — gave ; ati-mahā-manāḥ — very noble-hearted.

garua — fair ; varṇā — color ; divya — glistening ; vāsā — garments ; ratna — jewel ; ābharaṇa — ornaments ; bhūṣitā — decorated ; vyacarat — did ; rohiṇī — Rohiṇī ; sākṣāt — directly ; pūjayantī — worshiping ; vraja-okasaḥ — the people of Vraja.

paripūrṇatame — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; sākṣāt — directly ; śrī-kṛṣṇe — Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; vrajam — to Vraja ; āgate — came ; nadatsu — sounding ; nara-tūryeṣu — the four kinds of men ; jaya — of victory ; dhvaniḥ — sound ; abhūt — became ; mahān — great.

dadhi — with yogurt ; kṣīra — milk ; ghṛtaiḥ — and ghee ; gopāḥ — the gopas ; gopyaḥ — gopīs ; haiyaṅgavair navaiḥ — with fresh butter ; śiśicuḥ — sprinkled ; harṣitāḥ — jubilant ; tatra — there ; jaguḥ — sang ; uccaiḥ — loudly ; parasparam — together.

bahiḥ — outside ; antaḥ-pure — inside their homes ; jāte — created ; sarvataḥ — completely ; dadhi — with yogurt ; kardame — mud ; vṛddhāḥ — elder ; ca — and ; sthūla — large ; dehāḥ — bodies ; ca — also ; petuḥ — fell ; hāsyam — laughter ; kṛtam — done ; paraiḥ — by the others.

sūtāḥ — the sūtas ; pauraṇikāḥ — the pauraṇikas ; proktāḥ — said ; māgadhāḥ — the māgadhas ; vaṁśa-saṁśakāḥ — the reciters of genealogies ; vandinaḥ — the vandis ; tu — also ; amala — pure ; prajṣāḥ — children ; prastava — prayers ; sadṛśa — like that ; uktayaḥ — words.

tebhyaḥ — to them ; nandaḥ — Nanda ; mahā-rājaḥ — the great king ; sahasram — a thousand ; gāḥ — cows ; pṛthak pṛthak — to each ; vasaḥ — garments ; alaṅkāra — ornaments ; ratnāni — jewels ; haya — horses ; ibhān — and elephants ; akhilān — all ; dadau — gave.

vandibhyaḥ — to the vandis ; māgadhebhyaḥ — to the magadhas ; ca — and ; sarvebhyaḥ — to everyone ; bahulam — abundant ; dhanam — wealth ; vavarṣa — showered ; dhanavat — wealthy ; gopaḥ — gopa ; nanda-rājaḥ — King Nanda ; vrajeśvaraḥ — the ruler of Vraja.

nidhiḥ — wealth ; siddhiḥ — mystic perfection ; ca — and ; vṛddhiḥ — glory ; ca — and ; bhuktiḥ — sense gratification ; muktiḥ — liberation ; gṛhe gṛhe — at every home ; vīthyāṁ vīthyām — on every pathway ; luṭhanti — roll on the ground ; iva — as if ; tad-icchā — the desire ; kasyacin — of someone ; na — not ; hi — indeed.

sanat-kumāra-kapila-śuka-vyāsādibhiḥ — headed by Sanat-kumāra, Kapila, Śuka, and Vyāsa ; saha — with ; haṁsa-datta-pulastyādyaiḥ — those headed by Haṁsa, Datta, and Pulastya ; mayā — with me ; brahma — Brahmā ; jagāma ha — went.

haṁsa — on a swan ; ārūḍhaḥ — riding ; hema-varṇaḥ — golden color ; mukuṭī — wearing a crown ; kuṇḍalī — wearing earrings ; sphuran — splendid ; catur-mukhaḥ — with four faces ; veda — of the Vedas ; kartā — the author ; dyotayan — illuminating ; maṇḍalaṁ diśam — the directions.

tathā — so ; tam — him ; anu — after ; bhūta — by ghosts and demons ; āḍhyaḥ — accompanied ; vṛṣa-ārūḍhaḥ — riding on a bull ; maheśvaraḥ — Lord Śiva ; ratha-ārūḍhaḥ — riding on a chariot ; raviḥ — the sun-god ; sākṣāt — directly ; gaja-ārūḍhaḥ — riding on an elephant ; purandaraḥ — Indra.

vāyuḥ — Vāyus ; ca — also ; khaṣjana-ārūḍhaḥ — riding on a khanjana bird ; yamaḥ — Yama ; mahiṣa-vāhanaḥ — riding on a buffalo ; dhanadaḥ — Kuvera ; puṣpaka-ārūḍhaḥ — riding on a flower chariot ; mṛga-ārūḍhaḥ — riding on a deer ; kṣapeśvaraḥ — the moon-god.

aja-ārūḍhaḥ — riding on a ram ; vītihotraḥ — Agni ; varuṇaḥ — Varuṇa ; makara-sthitaḥ — riding on a shark ; mayūra-sthaḥ — riding on a peacock ; kārttikeyaḥ — Kārttikeya ; bhāratī — Sarasvatī ; haṁsa-vahinī — riding on a swan.

lakṣmīḥ — Lakṣmī ; ca — and ; garuḍa-ārūḍhā — riding on Garuḍa ; durgā-ākhyā — Durgā ; siṁha-vāhinī — riding on a lion ; go-rūpa-dhāriṇī — manifesting the form of a cow ; pṛthvī — the earth-goddess ; vimāna-sthā — riding in a airplane ; samāyayau — came.

dola-ārūḍhāḥ — riding in a swing ; divya — splendid ; varṇāḥ — colors ; mukhyāḥ — the most important ; ṣoḍaśa-mātṛikāḥ — the sixteen Mātṛikās ; ṣaṣṭhī — Ṣaṣṭhī ; ca — also ; śibika-ārūḍhā — riding on a palanquin ; khaḍginī — holding a sword ; yaṣṭi-dhāriṇī — holding a stick.

maṅgalaḥ — the ruler of the planet mars ; vānara-ārūḍhaḥ — riding on a gorilla ; bhāsa-ārūḍhaḥ — riding on a rooster ; budhaḥ — the ruler of the planet mercury ; smṛtaḥ — considered ; gīṣpatiḥ — the ruler of the planet jupiter ; kṛṣṇasāra-sthaḥ — riding on a black-deer ; śukraḥ — the ruler of the planet Venus ; gavaya-vāhanaḥ — riding on an ox.

śaniḥ — the ruler of the planet Saturn ; ca — also ; makara-ārūḍhaḥ — riding on a shark ; uṣṭra-sthaḥ — riding on a camel ; siṁhikā-sutaḥ — the ruler of the planet Rahu ; koṭi — millions ; bālārka — of rising suns ; saṅkāśāḥ — splendid ; āyayau — they came ; nanda — of Nanda ; mandiram — to the palace.

kolāhala — with a tumult ; samāyuktam — endowed ; gopa — of gopas ; gopī — and gopīs ; gaṇa — with multitudes ; ākulam — filled ; nanda-mandiram — Nanda's palace ; abhyetya — attaining ; kṣaṇam — for a moment ; sthitvā — standing ; yayuḥ — went ; surāḥ — the dmeigods.

paripūrṇatamam — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; sākṣāt — directly ; śrī-kṛṣṇam — Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; bāla-rūpiṇam — in the form of a child ; natvā — offering obeisances ; dṛṣṭvā — seeing ; tadā — then ; devāḥ — the demigods ; cakruḥ — did ; tasya — to Him ; stutim — prayers ; parām — excellent.

vīkṣya — seeing ; kṛṣṇam — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tadā — then ; devāḥ — the demigods ; brahmādyāḥ — headed by Brahmā ; ṛṣibhiḥ — the sages ; saha — with ; sva — own ; dhāmāni — to the abodes ; yayuḥ — went ; sarve — all ; harṣitāḥ — happy ; prema — with love ; vihvalāḥ — overcome.