Chapter Four Udyoga-praśna-varṇana Description of Questions About the Lord's Appearance

68 verses

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca nandopananda-bhavane śrīdāmā subalaḥ sakhā stoka-kṛṣṇo 'rjuno 'ṁśuś ca nava-nanda-gṛhe vidhe

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead said ; nanda of Nanda ; upananda and Upananda ; bhavane in the home ; śrīdāmā Śrīdāmā ; subalaḥ Subala ; sakhā friends ; stoka-kṛṣṇaḥ Stoka-kṛṣṇa ; arjunaḥ Arjuna ; aṁśaḥ partial expansions ; ca also ; nava new ; nanda of Nanda ; gṛhe in the home ; vidhe O Brahmā.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My friends Śrīdāmā and Subala will take birth in the homes of Nanda and Upananda. Stoka-kṛṣṇa, Arjuna, and Aṁśu will take birth in the nine homes of Nanda's relatives.

Verse text

viśālaṛṣabha-tejasvi- devaprastha-varūthapāḥ bhaviṣyanti sakhāyo me vraje sad vṛṣabhānuṣu

Synonyms

viśālaṛṣabha-tejasvi Viśāla, Ṛṣabha, and Tejasvī ; devaprastha-varūthapāḥ Devaprastha and Varūthapa ; bhaviṣyanti will be ; sakhāyaḥ friends ; me My ; vraje in Vraja ; ṣaḍ six ; vṛṣabhānuṣu in the homes of the relatives of King Vṛṣabhānu.

Translation

My friends Viśāla, Ṛṣabha, Tejasvī, Devaprastha, and Varūthapa will take birth among the six relatives of King Vṛṣabhānu.

Verse text

śrī-brahmovāca kasya vai nanda-padavī kasya vai vṛṣabhānutā vada deva-pate sākṣād upanandasya lakṣaṇam

Synonyms

śrī-brahmā uvāca Śrī Brahmā said ; kasya of whom? ; vai indeed ; nanda of Nanda ; padavī path ; kasya of whom? ; vai indeed ; vṛṣabhānutā of King Vṛṣabhānu ; vada tell ; deva of the demigods ; pate O lord ; sākṣāt directly ; upanandasya of Upananda ; lakṣaṇam the characteristics.

Translation

Śrī Brahmā said: Who is Nanda? Who is Vṛṣabhānu? O master of the demigods, please describe the nature of Upananda.

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca gāḥ pālayanti ghoṣeṣu sadā go-vṛttayo 'niśam te gopālā mayā proktās teṣāṁ tvaṁ lakṣaṇaṁ śṛṇu

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead said ; gāḥ cows ; pālayanti protect ; ghoṣeṣu in the homes of the cowherds ; sadā always ; gaḥ for the cows ; vṛttayaḥ activities ; aniśam day and night ; te they ; gopālāḥ protectors of the cows ; mayā by Me ; proktāḥ said ; teṣām of them ; tvam you ; lakṣaṇam characteristics ; śṛṇu please hear.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: They are cowherd people. Day and night they protect the cows in the villages of cowherds. Listen and I will describe them.

Verse text

nandaḥ proktaḥ sa-gopālair nava-lakṣa-gavāṁ patiḥ upanandaś ca kathitaḥ paṣca-lakṣa-gavāṁ patiḥ

Synonyms

nandaḥ Nanda ; proktaḥ said ; sa-gopālaiḥ with the gopas ; nava-lakṣa 900,000 ; gavām of cows ; patiḥ the master ; upanandaḥ Upananda ; ca also ; kathitaḥ said ; paṣca-lakṣa 500,000 ; gavām of cows ; patiḥ the master.

Translation

The gopas say that Nanda is the master of 900,000 cows and Upananda is the master of 500,000 cows.

Verse text

vṛṣabhānuḥ sa ukto yo daśa-lakṣa-gavāṁ patiḥ gavāṁ koṭir gṛhe yasya nanda-rājaḥ sa eva hi

Synonyms

vṛṣabhānuḥ Vṛṣabhānu ; saḥ he ; uktaḥ said ; yaḥ who ; daśa-lakṣa one million ; gavām of cows ; patiḥ the master ; gavām of cows ; koṭiḥ ten million ; gṛhe in the home ; yasya of whom ; nanda-rājaḥ King Nanda ; saḥ he ; eva certainly ; hi indeed.

Translation

They say that Vṛṣabhānu is the master of a million cows and at King Nanda's home are ten million cows.

Verse text

koṭy-ardhaṁ ca gavāṁ yasya vṛṣabhānu-varas tu saḥ etādṛśau vraje dvau tu sucandro droṇa eva hi

Synonyms

koṭi-ardham five million ; ca and ; gavām of cows ; yasya of whom ; vṛṣabhānu-varaḥ Vṛṣabhānu ; tu indeed ; saḥ he ; etādṛśau like this ; vraje in Vraja ; dvau two ; tu indeed ; sucandraḥ Sucandra ; droṇaḥ Droṇa ; eva indeed ; hi certainly.

Translation

Vṛṣabhānuvara has five million cows, and Sucandra and Droṇa in Vraja each have that number.

Verse text

sarva-lakṣaṇa-lakṣyāḍhyau gopa-rājau bhaviṣyataḥ śata-candrānanānāṁ ca sundarīṇāṁ su-vāsasām gopīnāṁ mad-vraje ramye śata-yūtho bhaviṣyati

Synonyms

sarva-lakṣaṇa-lakṣya-aḍhyau opulent with all virtues ; gopa-rājau two gopa kings ; bhaviṣyataḥ will be ; śata hundred ; candra moons ; ānanānām whose faces ; ca also ; sundarīṇām of beautiful girls ; su-vāsasām beautifully dressed ; gopīnām gopīs ; mat My ; vraje in Vraja ; ramye beautiful ; śata hundreds ; yūthaḥ groups ; bhaviṣyati will be.

Translation

These two gopa kings will be rich with all virtues. In My Vraja will also be hundreds of groups of beautiful, beautifully dressed gopīs, their faces like hundreds of moons.

Verse text

śrī-brahmovāca he dīna-bandho he deva jagat-kāraṇa-kāraṇa yūthasya lakṣaṇaṁ sarvaṁ tan me brūhi pareśvara

Synonyms

śrī-brahmā uvāca Śrī Brahmā said ; he O ; dīna of the poor ; bandhaḥ friend ; he O ; deva Lord ; jagat of the universes ; kāraṇa of the causes ; kāraṇa the cause ; yūthasya of the groups ; lakṣaṇam characteristic ; sarvaṁ all ; tat that ; me to me ; brūhi please speak ; para-īśvara O Supreme Lord.

Translation

Śrī Brahmā said: O friend of the poor, O Lord, O cause of the universes' causes, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, please completely describe these groups (of gopīs).

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca arbudaṁ daśa-koṭīnāṁ munibhiḥ kathitaṁ vidhe daśārbudaṁ yatra bhavet so 'pi yūthaḥ prakathyate

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead said ; arbudam a hundred million ; daśa ten ; koṭīnāṁ ten million ; munibhiḥ by sages ; kathitam said ; vidhe O Brahmā ; daśa ten ; arbudam a hundred million ; yatra where ; bhavet may be ; saḥ that ; api also ; yūthaḥ group ; prakathyate is said.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O Brahmā, the sages say that the number one hundred million is called one arbuda. In each group there are ten arbudas (one million).

Verse text

goloka-vāsinyaḥ kāścit kāścid vai dvāra-pālikāḥ śṛṅgāra-prakarā kāścit kāścit kāścic chayyopakārakāḥ

Synonyms

goloka of Goloka ; vāsinyaḥ the residents ; kaścit some ; kāścit some ; vai indeed ; dvāra-pālikāḥ doorkeepers ; śṛṅgāra-prakarāḥ decorators ; kāścit some ; kāścit some ; kāścit some ; śayyā-upakārakāḥ arranging the bed.

Translation

Some of the gopīs who live in Gokula are doorkeepers, some decorate (the divine couple), and some prepare the (divine couple's) bed.

Verse text

pārṣadākhyās tathā kāścic chrī-vṛndāvana-pālikāḥ govardhana-nivāsinyaḥ kāścit kuṣja-vidhāyikāḥ

Synonyms

pārṣadā associates ; ākhyāḥ named ; tathā so ; kāścit some ; śrī-vṛndāvana of Vṛndāvana ; pālikāḥ the protectors ; govardhana by Govardhana Hill ; nivāsinyaḥ residing ; kāścit some ; kuṣja in the forest groves ; vidhāyikāḥ arranging.

Translation

Some of these gopī associates of the Lord protect the forest of Vṛndāvana, some reside by Govardhana Hill, and some decorate the forest groves.

Verse text

me nikuṣja-nivāsinyo bhaviṣyanti vraje mama evaṁ ca yamunā-yūtho jāhnavī-yūtha eva ca

Synonyms

me of Me ; nikuṣja in the forest groves ; nivāsinyaḥ residing ; bhaviṣyanti will be ; vraje in Vraja ; mama My ; evam thus ; ca also ; yamunā of the Yamunā ; yūthaḥ the group ; jāhnavī of the Ganges ; yūthaḥ the group ; eva certainly ; ca also.

Translation

Some will reside in the forests of My Vraja. Some will reside by the Yamunā and some by the Ganges.

Verse text

ramāyā madhu-mādhavyā virajāyās tathaiva ca lalitāyā viśākhāyā māyā-yūtho bhaviṣyati

Synonyms

ramāyāḥ of Ramā ; madhu-mādhavyāḥ of Madhu-Mādhavī ; virajāyāḥ of Virajā ; tathā so ; eva indeed ; ca and ; lalitāyāḥ of Lalitā ; viśākhāyāḥ of Viśākhā ; māyā-yūthaḥ group ; bhaviṣyati will be.

Translation

Ramā, Madhu-Mādhavī, Virajā, Lalitā, and Viśākhā will each lead a group.

Verse text

eta hy aṣṭa-sakhīnāṁ3 ca sakhīnāṁ kila ṣoḍaśa dvatriṁśac ca sakhīnāṁ tu yūthā bhāvyā vraje vidhe

Synonyms

etāḥ they ; hi indeed ; aṣṭa eight ; sakhīnāṁ of friends ; ca also ; sakhīnām of friends ; kila certainly ; ṣoḍaśa sixteen ; dvatriṁśat 32 ; ca and ; sakhīnām of friends ; tu indeed ; yūthāḥ groups ; bhāvyāḥ will be ; vraje in Vraja ; vidhe O Brahmā.

Translation

O Brahma, in Vraja there will be groups led by eight gopī friends, by sixteen gopī friends, and by thirty-two gopī friends.

Verse text

śruti-rūpā ṛṣi-rūpā maithilāḥ kauśalās tathā ayodhyā-pura-vāsinyo yajṣa-sītāḥ pulindakāḥ

Synonyms

śruti of the Vedas ; rūpāḥ forms ; ṛṣi of the sages ; rūpāḥ forms ; maithilāḥ of the women of Mithilā ; kauśalāḥ the people of Koṣalā ; tathā so ; ayodhyā-pura-vāsinyaḥ the women of Ayodhyā ; yajṣa-sītāḥ the Yajṣa Sītās ; pulindakāḥ the Pulindā girls.

Translation

Some of the gopīs to be had been Personified Vedas, some great sages, some women in Mithilā, some women in Koṣalā, some women in Ayodhyā, some yajṣ-sītās, and some Pulindā girls.

Verse text

yāsāṁ mayā varo datto pūrve pūrve yuge yuge tāsāṁ yūthā bhaviṣyanti gopīnāṁ mad-vraje śubhe

Synonyms

yāsām to whom ; mayā by Me ; varaḥ benediction ; dattaḥ given ; pūrve before ; pūrve before ; yuge yuge in different yugas ; tāsām of them ; yūthāḥ groups ; bhaviṣyanti will be ; gopīnām of gopīs ; mat My ; vraje in Vraja ; śubhe beautiful.

Translation

In previous millennia having received a benediction from Me, they will become various groups of gopīs in My beautiful Vraja.

Verse text

śrī-brahmovāca etāḥ kathaṁ vraje bhāvyāḥ kena pūṇyena kair varaiḥ durlabhaṁ hi padaṁ tad vai yogibhiḥ puruṣottama

Synonyms

śrī-brahmā uvāca Śrī Brahmā said ; etāḥ they ; katham how ; vraje in Vraja ; bhāvyāḥ will be ; kena by what? ; pūṇyena pious deed ; kaiḥ by what? ; varaiḥ benedictions ; durlabham difficult to attain ; hi indeed ; padam state ; tat that ; vai certainly ; yogibhiḥ by yogīs ; puruṣottama O Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Translation

Śrī Brahmā said: How will they become (gopīs) in Vraja? O Supreme Personality of Godhead, because of what pious deed or what benedictions will they attain this position even the great yogīs cannot attain?

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca śvetadvīpe ca bhūmānaṁ śrutayas tuṣṭuvuḥ param uṣatībhir girābhiś ca prasanno 'bhūt sahasra-pāt

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead said ; śvetadvīpe in Śvetadvīpa ; ca also ; bhūmānam the Lord ; śrutayaḥ the personified Vedas ; tuṣṭuvuḥ offered prayers ; param greatly ; uṣatībhiḥ beautiful ; girābhiḥ with words ; ca also ; prasannaḥ pleased ; abhūt became ; sahasra-pāt the universal form, who has a thousand feet.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: When in Śvetadvīpa the personififed Vedas offered prayers to Him with eloquent words, the Lord's form who has thousands of feet became pleased.

Verse text

śrī-harir uvāca varaṁ vṛṇīta yūyaṁ vai yan mano-vāṣchitaṁ mahat yeṣāṁ prasanno 'haṁ sākṣāt teṣāṁ kiṁ durlabhaṁ bhuvi

Synonyms

śrī-hariḥ uvāca Śrī Hari said ; varam a benediction ; vṛṇīta choose ; yūyam you ; vai certainly ; yat what ; manaḥ by the heart ; vāṣchitam is desired ; mahat great ; yeṣām by whom ; prasannaḥ pleased ; aham I am ; sākṣāt directly ; teṣām of them ; kim what? ; durlabham difficult to attain ; bhuvi on the earth.

Translation

Śrī Hari said: Choose a benediction, whatever your heart desires. What is difficult to attain for they with whom I am pleased?

Verse text

śrī-śrutaya ūcuḥ vāṅ-mano-gocarātītaṁ tato na jṣāyate tu tat ānanda-mātram iti yad vandantīha pura-vidaḥ tad rūpaṁ darśayāsmākaṁ yadi deyo varo hi naḥ

Synonyms

śrī-śrutayaḥ ūcuḥ the personified Vedas said ; vāk words ; manaḥ and mind ; gocara the range ; atītam beyond ; tataḥ therefore ; na not ; jṣāyate known ; tu indeed ; tat that ; ānanda bliss ; mātram only ; iti thus ; yat what ; vandanti they say ; iha here ; pura-vidaḥ the cholars of the Purāṇas ; tat that ; rūpam form ; darśaya please show ; asmākam to us ; yadi if ; deyaḥ to be given ; varaḥ a benediction ; hi indeed ; naḥ to us.

Translation

The personified Vedas said: Because You are beyond the material mind and material words, we cannot perfectly understand You. If You wish to give us a benediction, then please directly show us Your transcendental form, which the scholars of the Purāṇas say is full of bliss.

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca śrutvaitad darśayām āsa svaṁ lokaṁ prakṛteḥ param kevalānubhavānanda- mātram akṣaram avyayam

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead said ; śrutvā having heard ; etat this ; darśayām āsa He showed ; svam His own ; lokam realm ; prakṛteḥ the material world ; param beyond ; kevala only ; anubhava experience ; ānanda bliss ; mātram only ; akṣaram changeless ; avyayam indestructible.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Hearing this, the Lord showed them His own abode, where there is only bliss and there are neither decay nor death, . . .

Verse text

yatra vṛndāvanaṁ nāma vanaṁ kāma-dughair drumaiḥ manorama-nikuṣjāḍhyaṁ sarvartu-sukha-samyutam

Synonyms

yatra where ; vṛndāvanam Vṛndāvana ; nāma named ; kāma-dughaiḥ fulfilling desires ; drumaiḥ with trees ; manorama beautiful ; nikuṣja with forest groves ; aḍhyam opulent ; sarva in all ; ṛtu seasons ; sukha-samyutam with happiness.

Translation

. . . where there is the forest named Vṛndāvana, which is opulent with beautiful forests of trees that fulfill all desires, and which brings happiness in every season, . . .

Verse text

yatra govardhano nāma su-nirjhara-darī-yutaḥ ratna-dhātu-mayaḥ śrīmān su-pakṣi-gaṇa-saṅkulaḥ

Synonyms

yatra where ; govardhanaḥ Govardhana ; nāma named ; su-nirjhara with beautiful streams ; darī and caves ; yutaḥ endowed ; ratna jewels ; dhātu and minerals ; mayaḥ consisting ; śrīmāt beautiful ; su-pakṣi-gaṇa-saṅkulaḥ filled with beautiful birds.

Translation

. . . where there is the hill named Govardhana, which has beautiful caves and swiftly-moving streams, which is made of jewels and precious minerals, and which is filled with graceful birds, . . .

Verse text

yatra nirmala-pānīyā kālindī saritāṁ varā ratna-baddhobhaya-taṭī haṁsa-padmādi-saṅkulā

Synonyms

yatra where ; nirmala pure ; pānīyā water ; kālindī Yamunā ; saritām of streams ; varā the best ; ratna with jewels ; baddha studded ; ubhaya both ; taṭī banks ; haṁsa with swans ; padma and lotuses ; ādi beginning ; saṅkulā filled.

Translation

. . . where there is the Yamunā, which is the best of rivers, which has pure and delicious water, which is filled with lotuses, swans, and other flowers and birds, and which has shores made of precious jewels, . . .

Verse text

nānā-rāsa-rasonmattaṁ yatra gopī-kadambakam tat-kadambaka-madhya-sthaḥ kiśorākṛtir acyutaḥ

Synonyms

nānā various ; rāsa of rāsa dances ; rasa by the nectar ; unmattam intoxicated ; yatra where ; gopī of gopīs ; kadambakam the multitude ; tat-kadambaka of that multitude ; madhya in the middle ; sthaḥ standing ; kiśora youthful ; ākṛtiḥ form ; acyutaḥ the infallible Lord.

Translation

. . . and where the infallible Lord, whose form is that of a youth, stood among many gopīs intoxicated by tasting the nectar of many rāsa dances.

Verse text

darśayitveti ca prāha bruta kiṁ karavāṇi vaḥ dṛṭṭo madīyo loko 'yam yato nāsti paraṁ varam

Synonyms

darśayitvā having seen ; iti thus ; ca also ; prāha said ; bruta please tell ; kim what? ; karavāṇi shall I do ; vaḥ of you ; dṛṭṭaḥ seen ; madīyaḥ My ; lokaḥ realm ; ayam which ; yataḥ than which ; na not ; asti is ; param better ; varam benediction.

Translation

Having revealed this, the Lord said: What more shall I do for you? Tell Me. You have seen My realm. There is no benediction better than (seeing it).

Verse text

śrī-śrutaya ūcuḥ kandarpa-koṭi-lāvaṇye tvayi dṛṭṭe manāṁsi naḥ kāminī-bhāvam āsadya smara-kṣubdhāny asaṁśayam

Synonyms

śrī-śrutayaḥ ūcuḥ the personified Vedas said ; kandarpa of Kāmadevas ; koṭi millions ; lāvaṇye handsomeness ; tvayi when You ; dṛṭṭe are seen ; manāṁsi hearts ; naḥ our ; kāminī of beautiful and amorous girls ; bhāvam the nature ; āsadya attaining ; smara by amorous desires ; kṣubdhāni agitated ; asaṁśayam without doubt.

Translation

When we see You in this way, more handsome than millions of Kāmadevas, our hearts become troubled with amorous desires and we yearn to become beautiful girls. Of this there is no doubt.

Verse text

yathā goloka-vāsinyaḥ kāminītvena gopikāḥ bhajanti ramaṇaṁ matvā cikīrṣājani nas tathā

Synonyms

yathā as ; goloka-vāsinyaḥ the girls of Goloka ; kāminītvena with the status of being beautiful girls ; gopikāḥ gopīs bhajanti—worship ; ramaṇam a lover ; matvā considering ; cikīrṣā desire ; ajani is born ; naḥ of us ; tathā so.

Translation

We yearn to become beautiful gopīs in Goloka who worship You as their lover.

Verse text

śrī-harir uvāca durlabho durghaṭaś caiva yuṣmākaṁ su-manorathaḥ mayānumoditāḥ samyak satyo bhavitum arhati

Synonyms

śrī-hariḥ uvāca Śrī Hari said ; durlabhaḥ difficult to attain ; durghaṭaḥ impossible ; ca and ; eva indeed ; yuṣmākam your ; su beautiful ; manorathaḥ desire ; mayā by Me ; anumoditāḥ allowed ; samyak completely ; satyaḥ true ; bhavitum to be ; arhati is worthy.

Translation

Śrī Hari said: Although your glorious desire is impossible and can never be attained, I will grant it. It will become true.

Verse text

āgamini viriṣcau tu jāte sṛṭṭy-artham udyate kalpa-sārasvataṁ prāpya vraje gopyo bhaviṣyatha

Synonyms

āgamini come ; viriṣcau when Brahmā ; tu indeed ; jāte is born ; sṛṭṭi creation ; artham for the purpose ; udyate is manifested ; kalpa-sārasvatam the Sārasvata-kalpa ; prāpya attaining ; vraje in Vraja ; gopyaḥ gopīs ; bhaviṣyatha you will become.

Translation

When a new Brahmā is born to create (the universe), and the time of Sārasvata-kalpa arrives, you will become gopīs in Vraja.

Verse text

pṛthivyāṁ bhārate kṣetre māthure mama maṇḍale vṛndāvane bhaviṣyāmi preyān vo rasa-maṇḍale

Synonyms

pṛthivyām on the earth ; bhārate in Bhārata-varṣa ; kṣetre in the place ; māthure in the district of Mathurā ; mama My ; maṇḍale circle ; vṛndāvane in Vṛndāvana ; bhaviṣyāmi I will become ; preyān the beloved ; vaḥ of you ; rasa of the rāsa dance ; maṇḍale in the circle.

Translation

On the earth, in Bhārata-varṣa, in the circle of Mathurā, in Vṛndāvana, in the rāsa-dance circle, I will become your beloved.

Verse text

jāra-dharmeṇa su-snehaṁ su-dṛḍhaṁ sarvato 'dhikam mayi samprāpya sarvā hi kṛtākṛtyā bhaviṣyatha

Synonyms

jāra-dharmeṇa as a paramour ; su-sneham affection ; su-dṛḍham firm ; sarvataḥ than all ; adhikam greater ; mayi for Me ; samprāpya attaining ; sarvāḥ all ; hi indeed ; kṛtākṛtyāḥ usccessful ; bhaviṣyatha you will become.

Translation

Passionately loving Me as your paramour, you will all become perfect.

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca tāś ca gopyo bhaviṣyanti pūrva-kalpa-varān mama anyāsāṁ caiva gopīnāṁ lakṣaṇaṁ śṛṇu tad vidhe

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead said ; tāḥ they ; ca also ; gopyaḥ gopīs ; bhaviṣyanti will become ; pūrva previous ; kalpa from the kalpa ; varān benedictions ; mama My ; anyāsām of other ; ca also ; eva certainly ; gopīnām gopīs ; lakṣaṇam characteristics ; śṛṇu please hear ; tat that ; vidhe O Brahmā.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Because of the previous kalpa's benediction they will become gopīs. O Brahmā, now hear the description of the other gopīs.

Verse text

surāṇāṁ rakṣaṇārthāya rākṣasānāṁ vadhāya ca tretāyāṁ rāmacandro 'bhūd vīro daśarathātmajaḥ

Synonyms

surāṇām of the devotees ; rakṣaṇārthāya for protection ; rākṣasānām of the demons ; vadhāya for the killing ; ca also ; tretāyām in Tretā-yuga ; rāmacandraḥ Rāmacandra ; abhūt was ; vīraḥ hero ; daśaratha of Daśaratha ; ātmajaḥ the son.

Translation

To protect the devotees and kill the demons the Lord appeared in Tretā-yuga as Daśaratha's son, the hero Rāmacandra.

Verse text

sītā-svayamvaraṁ gatvā dhanur-bhaṅgaṁ cakāra saḥ uvāha jānakīṁ sītāṁ rāmo rājīva-locanaḥ

Synonyms

sītā of Sītā ; svayamvaram to the svayamvara ; gatvā having gone ; dhanuḥ of the bow ; bhaṅgam breaking ; cakāra did ; saḥ He ; uvāha married ; jānakīm Janaka's daughter ; sītām Sītā ; rāmaḥ Rāma ; rājīva lotus ; locanaḥ eyed.

Translation

Lotus-eyed Rāma went to Sītā's svayamvara, broke the bow, and married Janaka's daughter Sītā.

Verse text

taṁ dṛṭṭvā maithilāḥ sarvāḥ purandhryo mumuhur vidhe rahasy ūcur mahātmānaṁ bhartā no bhava he ragho

Synonyms

tam Him ; dṛṭṭvā seeing ; maithilāḥ the women of Mithilā ; sarvāḥ all ; purandhryaḥ married ; mumuhuḥ became agitated ; vidhe O Brahmā ; rahasi in a secluded place ; ūcuḥ said ; mahātmānam to the Lord ; bhartā the husband ; naḥ of us ; bhava please become ; he O ; raghaḥ Raghu.

Translation

O Brahmā, when they saw Him, all the married women of Mithilā were overcome with desire. In a secluded place they all approached the Lord and said, "O descendent of Raghu, please become our husband."

Verse text

tā āha rāghavendraś ca mā śocaṁ kuruta striyaḥ dvāparānte kariṣyāmi bhavatīnāṁ manoratham

Synonyms

tāḥ to them ; āha said ; rāghava of the Rāghava dynasty ; indraḥ the king ; ca also ; don't ; śocam lament ; kuruta do ; striyaḥ women ; dvāpara of Dvāpara-yuga ; ante at the end ; kariṣyāmi I will do ; bhavatīnām of you ; manoratham the desire.

Translation

Rāma, the king of the Rāghavas, said to them, "O women, don't be unhappy. At the end of Dvāpara-yuga and I will fulfill your desire."

Verse text

tīrthaṁ dānaṁ tapo śaucaṁ samācarata tattvataḥ śraddhayā parayā bhaktyā vraje gopyo bhaviṣyatha

Synonyms

tīrtham pilgrimage ; dānam charity ; tapaḥ austerity ; śaucam cleanliness ; samācarata perform ; tattvataḥ in truth ; śraddhayā with faith ; parayā with great ; bhaktyā devotion ; vraje in Vraja ; gopyaḥ gopīs ; bhaviṣyatha you will become.

Translation

With great faith and devotion honestly go on pilgrimages, give charity, perform austerities, and follow the rules of cleanliness. Then you will become gopīs in Vraja.

Verse text

iti tābhyo varaṁ datvā śrī-rāmaḥ karuṇā-nidhiḥ koṣalān prayayau dhanvī tejasā jita-bhārgavaḥ

Synonyms

iti thus ; tābhyaḥ to them ; varam benediction ; datvā giving ; śrī-rāmaḥ Śrī Rāma ; karuṇā of mercy ; nidhiḥ an ocean ; koṣalān to the country of the Koṣalas ; prayayau went ; dhanvī with His bow ; tejasā with power ; jita conquered ; bhārgavaḥ Paraśurāma.

Translation

After giving them this benediction, Śrī Rāma, who is an ocean of mercy and an expert bowman, with His great prowess defeated Paraśurāma and then went to the country of the Koṣalas.

Verse text

mārge ca kauṣalā naryo rāmaṁ dṛṭṭvāti-sundaram manasā vavrire taṁ vai patiṁ kandarpa-mohanam

Synonyms

mārge on the road ; ca also ; kauṣalāḥ naryaḥ the women of Koṣala ; rāmam Lord Rāma ; dṛṭṭvā seeing ; ati very ; sundaram handsome ; manasā with their hearts ; vavrire chose ; tam Him ; vai indeed ; patim as their husband ; kandarpa than many Kāmadevas ; mohanam charming.

Translation

Seeing on the path very handsome Lord Rāma, who is more charming than a host of Kāmadevas, the women of Koṣala in their hearts chose Him to be their husband.

Verse text

manasāpi varaṁ rāmo dadau tābhyo hy aśeṣa-vit manorathaṁ kariṣyāmi vraje gopyo bhaviṣyatha

Synonyms

manasā with the heart ; api also ; varam choice ; rāmaḥ Rāma ; dadau gave ; tābhyaḥ them ; hi indeed ; aśeṣa all ; vit knowing ; manoratham desire ; kariṣyāmi I will do ; vraje in Vraja ; gopyaḥ gopīs ; bhaviṣyatha you will become.

Translation

In His heart all-knowing Rāma gave them this benediction: "You will become gopīs in Vraja, and then I will fulfill your desire."

Verse text

āgataṁ sītayā sārdhaṁ sainyena raghu-nandanam ayodhyā-pura-vāsinyaḥ śrutvā draṣṭuṁ samāyayuḥ

Synonyms

āgatam arrived ; sītayā Sītā ; sārdham with ; sainyena army ; raghu-nandanam the joy of the Raghus ; ayodhyā-pura-vāsinyaḥ the women of Ayodhyā ; śrutvā hearing ; draṣṭum to see ; samāyayuḥ came.

Translation

When He came with Sītā and with His army, the women of Ayodhyā went to see the joy of the Raghus.

Verse text

vīkṣya taṁ moham āpannā mūrchitāḥ prema-vihvalāḥ tepus tapas tāḥ sārāyū- tīre rāma-dhṛta-vratāḥ

Synonyms

vīkṣya seeing ; tam Him ; moham agitation ; āpannāḥ attained ; mūrchitāḥ fainted ; prema with love ; vihvalāḥ overcome ; tepus tapaḥ they performed austerities ; tāḥ they ; sārāyū of the Sarāyū river ; tīre on the shore ; rāma-dhṛta-vratāḥ with a vow to attain Lord Rāma.

Translation

Seeing Him, they become bewildered and fainted, overcome with love. With a vow to attain Lord Rāma they performed austerities on the Sarāyū's bank.

Verse text

ākāśa-vāg abhūt tāsāṁ dvāparānte manorathaḥ bhaviṣyati na sandehaḥ kālindī-tīra-je vane

Synonyms

ākāśa from the sky ; vāk a voice ; abhūt was ; tāsām of them ; dvāpara of Dvāpara-yuga ; ante at the end ; manorathaḥ desire ; bhaviṣyati will be ; na no ; sandehaḥ doubt ; kālindī of the Yamunā ; tīra on the bank ; je born ; vane in the forest.

Translation

A voice from the sky (said) to them, "At the end of Dvāpara-yuga, in the forest by the Yamunā's shore, (your) desire will be fulfilled. Of this there is no doubt."

Verse text

pitur vākyād yadā rāmo daṇḍakākhyaṁ vanaṁ gataḥ cacāra sītayā sārdhaṁ lakṣmaṇena dhanuṣmatā

Synonyms

pituḥ of His father ; vākyāt by the statement ; yadā when ; rāmaḥ Rāma ; daṇḍaka Daṇḍaka ; ākhyam named ; vanam to the forest ; gataḥ gone ; cacāra went ; sītayā Sītā ; sārdham with ; lakṣmaṇena and Lakṣmaṇa ; dhanuṣmatā the expert bowman.

Translation

Then, because of His father's words, He went with Sītā and the expert bowman Lakṣmaṇa to the Daṇḍaka forest.

Verse text

gopālopāsakāḥ sarve daṇḍakāraṇya-vāsinaḥ dhyāyantaḥ satataṁ māṁ vai rāsārthaṁ dhyāna-tat-parāḥ

Synonyms

gopāla of Lord Gopāla ; upāsakāḥ worshipers ; sarve all ; daṇḍakāraṇya-vāsinaḥ the residents of the Daṇḍaka forest ; dhyāyantaḥ meditating ; satatam always ; mām on Me ; vai indeed ; rāsa the rāsa dance ; artham for the purpose ; dhyāna-tat-parāḥ rapt in meditation.

Translation

All the sages in the Daṇḍaka forest were worshipers of Lord Gopāla. To attain the rāsa dance they always meditated on Me.

Verse text

yeṣām āśramam āsadya dhanur-bāṇa-dharo yuvā teṣāṁ dhyāne gato rāmo jaṭā-mukuṭa-maṇḍitaḥ

Synonyms

yeṣām of whom ; āśramam the hermitage ; āsadya attaining ; dhanuḥ bow ; bāṇa and arrows ; dharaḥ holding ; yuvā young ; teṣām of them ; dhyāne in meditation ; gataḥ gone ; rāmaḥ rāma ; jaṭā-mukuṭa-maṇḍitaḥ decorated with matted locks of hair.

Translation

He came to their āśrama as a youth carrying bow and arrows. Then He appeared in their meditation as a sage with matted hair.

Verse text

anyākṛtiṁ te taṁ vīkṣya paraṁ vismita-mānasāḥ dhyānād utthāya dadṛśuḥ koṭi-kandarpa-sannibham

Synonyms

anya another ; ākṛtim form ; te they ; tam Him ; vīkṣya seeing ; param then ; vismita surprised ; mānasāḥ at heart ; dhyānāt from meditation ; utthāya rising ; dadṛśuḥ they saw ; koṭi millions ; kandarpa of Kāmadeva's ; sannibham like.

Translation

Surprised at heart by seeing this other form, they rose from their meditation and saw Lord Rāma, who was like millions of Kāmadevas.

Verse text

ūcus te 'yaṁ nu gopālo vaṁśī-vetre vinā prabhuḥ itthaṁ vicārya manasā nemuś cakruḥ stutiṁ parām

Synonyms

ūcuḥ said ; te they ; ayam He ; nu indeed ; gopālaḥ is Gopāla ; vaṁśī a flute ; vetre and stick ; vinā without ; prabhuḥ the Lord ; ittham thus ; vicārya thinking ; manasā with their heart ; nemuḥ bowed down ; cakruḥ did ; stutim prayers ; parām great.

Translation

They said, "He is Lord Gopāla, who has come without His flute and stick." Thinking in this way in their hearts, they bowed down and offered eloquent prayers.

Verse text

varaṁ vṛṇīta munayaḥ śrī-rāmas tān uvāca ha yathā sītā tathā sarve bhūyaḥ sma iti vādinaḥ

Synonyms

varam a benediction ; vṛṇīta please choose ; munayaḥ O sages ; śrī-rāmaḥ Śrī Rāma ; tān to them ; uvāca said ; ha indeed ; yathā as ; sītā Sītā ; tathā so ; sarve all ; bhūyaḥ sma let us become ; iti thus ; vādinaḥ saying.

Translation

Śrī Rāma said to them, "O sages, please choose a benediction." They said, "As Sītā is, so let us all become."

Verse text

śrī-rāma uvāca yathā hi lakṣmaṇo bhrātā tathā prārthyo varo yadi adyaiva sa-phalo bhāvyo bhavadbhir mat-prasaṅgataḥ

Synonyms

śrī-rāmaḥ uvāca Śrī Rāma said ; yathā as ; hi indeed ; lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakṣmaṇa ; bhrātā brother ; tathā so ; prārthyaḥ requested ; varaḥ benediction ; yadi if ; adya today ; eva indeed ; sa-phalaḥ fruitful ; bhāvyaḥ will be ; bhavadbhiḥ by you ; mat of Me ; prasaṅgataḥ by the association.

Translation

Śrī Rāma said: If you had asked this of My brother Lakṣmaṇa, I would arrange that today your wish would bear its fruit.

Verse text

sītā yatheti vākyena durghaṭo durlabho varaḥ eka-patnī-vrato 'haṁ vai maryādā-puruṣottamaḥ

Synonyms

sītā Siātā ; yathā as ; iti thus ; vākyena by the statement ; durghaṭaḥ impossible ; durlabhaḥ unattainable ; varaḥ benediction ; eka one ; patnī wife ; vrataḥ vow ; aham I ; vai indeed ; maryādā of the rules of religion ; puruṣa of persons ; uttamaḥ the best.

Translation

This request, to become "as Sītā is" is impossible and can never be granted. I have vowed to accept only one wife, and I am the best of they who follow the rules of religion.

Verse text

tasmāt tu mad-vareṇāpi dvāparānte bhaviṣyatha manorathaṁ kariṣyāmi bhavatāṁ vāṣchitaṁ param

Synonyms

tasmāt therefore ; tu indeed ; mat of Me ; vareṇa by the benediction ; api also ; dvāpara-ante at the end of Dvāpara-yuga ; bhaviṣyatha you will become ; manoratham desire ; kariṣyāmi I will do ; bhavatām of you ; vāṣchitam desired ; param then.

Translation

For this reason, by My benediciton, at the end of Dvāpara-yuga you will become (as She). Then I will fulfill your wish.

Verse text

iti datvā varaṁ rāmas tataḥ paṣcavatīṁ gataḥ parṇa-śālaṁ samāsādya vana-vāsaṁ cakāra ha

Synonyms

iti thus ; datvā having given ; varam benediction ; rāmaḥ Rāma ; tataḥ then ; paṣcavatīm to the Pa 24cavatī forest ; gataḥ went ; parṇa of leaves ; śālam a cottage ; samāsadya attaining ; vana in the forest ; vāsam residence ; cakāra did ; ha indeed.

Translation

After giving this benediction, Rāma went to Pa 24cavatī. He went to a leaf-hut, and there He lived in the forest.

Verse text

tad-darśana-smara-rujaḥ pulindyaḥ prema-vihvalāḥ śrīmat-pāda-rajo dhṛtvā prānāṁs tyaktuṁ samudyatāḥ

Synonyms

tat of Him ; darśana by the sight ; smara with amorous desires ; rujaḥ agitated ; pulindyaḥ Pulinda girls ; prema with love ; vihvalāḥ overcome ; śrīmat of the handsome Lord ; pāda of the feet ; rajaḥ the dust ; dhṛtvā holding ; prānān life ; tyaktum to abandon ; samudyatāḥ were ready.

Translation

When they saw Him, some aborigine girls became tortured with lust. Overcome with love, they grasped the dust of His feet, intent on then giving up their lives.

Verse text

brahmacāri-vapur bhūtvā rāmas tatra samāgataḥ uvāca prāṇa-santyāgaṁ mā kūryata striyo vṛthā

Synonyms

brahmacāri of a brahmacāri ; vapuḥ the form ; bhūtvā becoming ; rāmaḥ Rāma ; tatra there ; samāgataḥ went ; uvāca said ; prāṇa of life ; santyāgam giving up ; don't ; kūryata do ; striyaḥ O women ; vṛthā uselessly.

Translation

Assuming the form of a brahmacārī, Rāma went to them and said, "O women, do not give up your lives without good reason.

Verse text

vṛndāvane dvāparānte bhavitā vo manorathaḥ ity uktvā brahmacārī tu tatraivāntarādhīyata

Synonyms

vṛndāvane in Vṛndāvana ; dvāpara-ante at the end of Dvāpara-yuga ; bhavitā will become ; vaḥ of you ; manorathaḥ the desire ; iti thus ; uktvā saying ; brahmacārī the brahmacārī ; tu certainly ; tatra there ; eva indeed ; antarādhīyata disappeared.

Translation

"In Vṛndāvana, at the end of Dvāpara-yuga, your desire will be fulfilled." Saying this, the brahmacārī disappeared.

Verse text

atha rāmo vānarendrai rāvaṇādīn niśācarān jitvā laṅkām etya sītā- puṣpakena puraṁ yayau

Synonyms

atha then ; rāmaḥ Rāma ; vānara of monkeys ; indraiḥ with the kings ; rāvaṇa-ādīn beginning with rāvaṇa ; niśācarān demons, who move in the night ; jitvā defeating ; laṅkām Laṅkā ; etya going ; sītā Sītā ; puṣpakena on a flower-chariot ; puram to His own city ; yayau went.

Translation

Then, aided by the monkey-kings, Rāma defeated the nocturnal demons headed by Rāvaṇa, entered Laṅkā and, on a flower-chariot carrying Sītā, returned to His own city.

Verse text

sītāṁ tatyāja rājendro vane lokāpavādataḥ aho satām api bhuvi bhavanaṁ bhūri-duḥkha-dam

Synonyms

sītām Sītā ; tatyāja renouncing ; rāja of kings ; indraḥ the king ; vane in the forest ; loka of the people ; apavādataḥ because of the criticism ; ahaḥ ah ; satām of the saintly devotees ; api also ; bhuvi in the world ; bhavanam manifestation ; bhūri great ; duḥkha pain ; dam giving.

Translation

Then, because of the criticism of the ordinary people, Rāma, the king of kings, abandoned Sītā in the forest. Ah, this brought great pain to the saintly devotees in the world.

Verse text

yadā yadākarod yajṣaṁ rāmo rajīva-locanaḥ tadā tadā svarṇamayīṁ sītāṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ

Synonyms

yadā yadā whenever ; akarot performed ; yajṣam a sacrifice ; rāmaḥ Rāma ; rajīva lotus ; locanaḥ eyed ; tadā then ; tadā then ; svarṇamayīm golden ; sītām Sītā ; kṛtvā making ; vidhānataḥ according to the rules of religion.

Translation

Whenever he performed a yajṣa, lotus-eyed Rāma, following the rules of religion, had made a golden Deity of Sītā.

Verse text

yajṣa-sītā-samūho 'bhūn mandire rāghavasya ca tāś caitanya-ghanā bhūtvā rantuṁ rāmaṁ samāgataḥ

Synonyms

yajṣa-sītā-samūhaḥ a multitude of these Deities ; abhūt was ; mandire in the palace ; rāghavasya of Rāma ; ca and ; tāḥ they ; caitanya-ghanā bhūtvā having come to life ; rantum to enjoy ; rāmam to Rāma ; samāgataḥ went.

Translation

In Rāma's palace there were many of these yajṣa Deities of Sītā. (One day) they came to life and approached Rāma to enjoy (with Him).

Verse text

tā āha raghu-vaṁśendro nāhaṁ gṛhnāmi he priyāḥ tadocus tāḥ prema-parā rāmaṁ daśarathātmajam

Synonyms

tāḥ to them ; āha said ; raghu-vaṁśa-indraḥ the king of the Raghu dynasty ; na not ; aham I ; gṛhnāmi I accept ; he O ; priyāḥ O beloveds ; tadā then ; ūcuḥ said ; tāḥ they ; prema-parāḥ full of love ; rāmam to Rāma ; daśaratha of Daśaratha ; ātmajam the son.

Translation

To them Rāma, the king of the Raghu dynasty, said, O beloved wives, I cannot accept you". Then, filled with love, they said to Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, . . .

Verse text

kathaṁ cāsmān na gṛhnāsi bhajantīr maithilīḥ satīḥ ardhāṅgī yajṣa-kāleṣu satataṁ kārya-sādhinīḥ

Synonyms

katham why? ; ca and ; asmān us ; na not ; gṛhnāsi You accept ; bhajantīḥ the worshiping ; maithilīḥ satīḥ chaste women of Mithilā ; ardha half ; aṅgī Your body ; yajṣa of the yajṣa ; kāleṣu at the times ; satatam always ; kārya-sādhinīḥ performing duties with You.

Translation

. . . "Why do You not accept us? We are all Sītā, the chaste daughter of the king of Mithilā. We are half of Your body. At the time of the yajṣas we were Your assistants.

Verse text

dharmiṣṭhas tvaṁ śruti-dharo 'dharmavad bhāṣase katham karaṁ gṛhitvā tyajasi tataḥ pāpam avāpsyasi

Synonyms

dharmiṣṭhaḥ religious ; tvam You ; śruti-dharaḥ aware of the teachings of the Vedas ; adharmavat like an impious person ; bhāṣase You speak ; katham why? ; karam hand ; gṛhitvā taking ; tyajasi You reject ; tataḥ then ; pāpam sin ; avāpsyasi You will attain.

Translation

"You are a pious person. You know the teaching of the Vedas. Why do You speak as one who is impious? First You take our hand and then You reject us. From this You will incur sin."

Verse text

śrī-rāma uvāca samīcīnaṁ vacaḥ satyaṁ yuṣmābhir gaditaṁ ca me eka-patnī-vrato 'haṁ hi rājarṣiḥ sītayaikayā

Synonyms

śrī-rāmaḥ uvāca Śrī Rāma said ; samīcīnam right ; vacaḥ statement ; satyam truth ; yuṣmābhiḥ by you ; gaditam said ; ca also ; me of Me ; eka one ; patnī wife ; vrataḥ vow ; aham I ; hi Indeed ; rāja king ; ṛṣiḥ sage ; sītayā by Sītā ; ekayā alone.

Translation

Śrī Rāma said: Your words are right. What you say to Me is true. (Still,) I am religious king, and I have vowed to accept only Sītā as My wife.

Verse text

tasmād yūyaṁ dvāparānte puṇye vṛndāvane vane bhaviṣyathā kariṣyāmi yuṣmākaṁ tu manoratham

Synonyms

tasmāt therefore ; yūyam you ; dvāpara of Dvāpara-yuga ; ante at the end ; puṇye spiritual ; vṛndāvane in Vṛndāvana ; vane forest ; bhaviṣyatha you will be ; kariṣyāmi I will do ; yuṣmākam of you ; tu certainly ; manoratham the desire.

Translation

Therefore at the end of Dvāpara-yuga you will take birth in the spiritual land of Vṛndāvana, and there I will fulfill your desire.

Verse text

tā vraje 'pi bhaviṣyanti yajṣa-sītāś ca gopikāḥ anyāsāṁ caiva gopīnāṁ lakṣaṇaṁ śṛṇu tad vidhe

Synonyms

they ; a vraje in Vraja ; api and ; bhaviṣyanti will be ; yajṣa-sītāḥ the yajṣ-sītās ; ca also ; gopikāḥ gopīs ; anyāsām of other ; ca also ; eva indeed ; gopīnām gopīs ; lakṣaṇam characteristics ; śṛṇu please hear ; tat that ; vidhe O Brahmā.

Translation

These yajṣa Deities of Sītā will also become gopīs in Vraja. Now hear, O Brahmā, of the other gopīs.