Chapter Twenty Śrī Rāsotsave Ṛbhu-mokṣa The Liberation of Ṛbhu Muni During the Rāsa-dance Festival

59 verses

Content

śrī-bahulāśva uvāca agre cakāra kiṁ sākṣād bhagavān vraja-maṇḍale rādhāyai gopikābhyāś ca kathaṁsvid darśanaṁ dadau śrī-bahulāśva uvāca—Śrī Bahulāśva said; agre—before; cakāra—did; kim—what?; sākṣāt—directly; bhagavān—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; vraja-maṇḍale—in the circle of Vraja; rādhāyai—to Rādhā; gopikābhyāḥ—to the gopīs; ca—and; kathaṁsvit—somehow; darśanam—sight; dadau—gave. Śrī Bahulāśva said: What did the Supreme Lord do in the circle of Vraja? How did He meet with Rādhā and the gopīs?

Verse text

gopī-manorathaṁ kṛtvā mathurām ājagāma ha etan me brūhi viprendra tvaṁ parāvara-vittamaḥ

Synonyms

gopī of the gopīs ; manoratham the desire ; kṛtvā fulfilling ; mathurām to Mathurā ; ājagāma retyurned ; ha indeed ; etan that ; me to me ; brūhi please tell ; viprendra O king of the brāhmaṇas ; tvam you ; parāvara-vittamaḥ the best of the all-knowing.

Translation

The Lord fulfilled the gopīs' desires and then returned to Mathurā. You are the best of the wise. O king of the brāhmaṇas, please tell me this.

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca sandhyāyāṁ rādhayāhūtaḥ śrī-kṛṣṇo bhagavān svayam ekānte śītalaṁ śaśvaj jagāma kadalī-vanam

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; sandhyāyām at sunset ; rādhayā by Rādhā ; āhūtaḥ ca ; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; bhagavān the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; svayam personally ; ekānte in s private place ; śītalam cool ; śaśvat always ; jagāma went ; kadalī-vanam the forest of banana trees.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: Called there by Rādhā, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, went at sunset to a secluded and always pleasantly cool banana-tree forest.

Verse text

sphāra-sphuran-megha-gṛhaṁ rambhā-candana-carcitam kṛṣṇā-marut-sīkaraṁ ca sudhāraśmi-galat-sudhām

Synonyms

sphāra-sphuran-megha-gṛham the home of a great and splendid cloud ; rambhā banana trees ; candana sandal ; carcitam anointed ; kṛṣṇā of the Yamunā ; marut breeze ; sīkaram mist ; ca and ; sudhā-raśmi-galat-sudhām bringing the sweetest nectar of the moon.

Translation

That forest was like a palace that had great splendid clouds for a roof and banana trees for sandal-anointed walls. A breeze filled that place with mist from the Yamunā and the moonlight filled it with the sweetest nectar.

Verse text

etādṛśaṁ vanaṁ rādhā viyogānala-varcasā bhasmī-bhūtaṁ hi satataṁ kṛṣṇāśā tāṁ hi rakṣati

Synonyms

etadṛśam like this ; vanam the forest ; rādhā Rādhā ; viyogānala-varcasā with the flames of separation ; bhasmī-bhūtam burned to ashes ; hi indeed ; satatam always ; kṛṣṇāśā the hop to attain Kṛṣṇa ; tām Her ; hi indeed ; rakṣati protects.

Translation

Rādhā would many times have burned that forest to ashes with the flames of Her distress in Lord Kṛṣṇa's absence. It was only the hope that She would again meet Kṛṣṇa that prevented Her.

Verse text

tatraiva sarve gopīnāṁ śata-yūthāḥ samāgatāḥ tasyai nivedanaṁ cakrur mādhavāgamanasya hi

Synonyms

tatra there ; eva indeed ; sarve all ; gopīnām of the gs ; śata-yūthāḥ a hundred groups ; samāgatāḥ came ; tasyai to Her ; nivedanam information ; cakruḥ did ; mādhavāgamanasya of Kṛṣṇa's arrival ; hi indeed.

Translation

Then a hundred groups of gopīs came there and informed Her that Kṛṣṇa had come.

Verse text

utthāya sahasā sākṣād vṛṣabhānu-varātmajā ānetum āyayau kṛṣṇaṁ sakhībhiḥ parivāritā

Synonyms

utthāya rising ; sahasā at once ; sākṣāt directly ; vṛṣabhānu-varātmajā Rādhā, the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu ; ānetum to bring ; āyayau came ; kṛṣṇam to Kṛṣṇa ; sakhībhiḥ with friends ; parivāritā accompanied.

Translation

Śrī Rādhā, the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu, stood up at once. Accompanied by Her friends, She went to meet Kṛṣṇa.

Verse text

dadāv āsana-padyārghān upacārān manoharān vadantī sādaraṁ vākyaṁ kuśalaṁ kuśalādhikā

Synonyms

dadau gave ; āsana a seat ; padya padya ; arghān argha ; upacārān offerings ; manoharān beautiful ; vadantī saying ; sādaram with respect ; vākyam words ; kuśalam beautiful ; kuśalādhikā beautiful.

Translation

Speaking sweet and reverential words, sublimely beautiful Rādhā gave Him a seat and offered Him padya, arghya, and many kinds of beautiful offerings.

Verse text

yuva-kandarpa-koṭīnāṁ mādhurya-hāriṇaṁ harim dṛṣṭvā rādhā jahau duḥkhaṁ brahma jṣātvā guṇaṁ yathā

Synonyms

yuva youthful ; kandarpa Kāmadevas ; koṭīnām of millions ; mādhurya-hāriṇam eclipsing the charm ; harim Kṛṣṇa ; dṛṣṭvā seeing ; rādhā Rādhā ; jahau abandoned ; duḥkham unhappiness ; brahma the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; jṣātvā understanding ; guṇam the modes of nature ; yathā as.

Translation

Gazing at Lord Kṛṣṇa, who eclipses the charms of many millions of youthful Kāmadevas, Rādhā became free of all distress. She was like a yogī who, at last understanding the nature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, becomes free from the influence of the the material modes of nature.

Verse text

prasannā tatra śṛṅgāraṁ akarot kīrti-nandinī tayā no 'kāri śṛṅgāraḥ panthe kṛṣṇe gate sati

Synonyms

prasannā pleased ; tatra there ; śṛṅgāram decoration ; akarot did ; kīrti-nandinī Rādhā ; tayā by Her ; naḥ not ; akāri did ; śṛṅgāraḥ decoration ; panthe on the path ; kṛṣṇe when Kṛṣṇa ; gate sati went.

Translation

Śrī Rādhā, the daughter of Kīrti-devī, was very happy. She had nicely decorated Herself. She had not decorated Herself since Kṛṣṇa left, traveling on the road to Mathurā.

Verse text

na candanaṁ ca tāmbūlaṁ bhojanaṁ ca sudhā-samam na kṛtaṁ divya-śayanaṁ hasyaṁ vā na kṛtaṁ kvacit

Synonyms

na not ; candanam sandal paste ; ca and ; tāmbūlam betelnuts ; bhojanam nice food ; ca and ; sudhā-samam like nectar ; na not ; kṛtam done ; divya-śayanam a nice bed ; hasyam joking ; or ; na not ; kṛtam done ; kvacit ever.

Translation

In Lord Kṛṣṇa's absence She never anointed Herself with sandal paste, chewed betelnuts, ate food sweet as nectar, slept on a comfortable bed, or joked and laughed.

Verse text

paripūrṇatamaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ paripūrṇatama-priyā ānandāśrūni muṣcantī prāha gadgadayā girā

Synonyms

paripūrṇatamam the perfect Supreme Personality of Godhead ; kṛṣṇam Lord Kṛṣṇa ; paripūrṇatama-priyā the beloved of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; ānandāśrūni tears of happiness ; muṣcantī shedding ; prāha spoke ; gadgadayā choked up ; girā with words.

Translation

Shedding tears of bliss, Śrī Rādhā, the beloved of the perfect Supreme Personality of Godhead, spoke words choked with emotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the perfect Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Verse text

śrī-rādhovāca kiyad dūre yadu-purī nāgataṁ kiṁ karoṣi hi kiṁ vande 'haṁ raho duḥkhaṁ bhavato 'śeṣa-sākṣiṇaḥ

Synonyms

śrī-rādhā uvāca Śrī Rādhā said ; kiyat how? ; dūre far ; yadu-purī the city of the Yādavas ; na not ; āgatam come ; kim whether? ; karoṣi You do ; hi indeed ; kim whether ; vande I offer obeisances ; aham I ; rahaḥ in a secluded place ; duḥkham suffering ; bhavataḥ of You ; aśeṣa of all ; sākṣiṇaḥ the witness.

Translation

Śrī Rādhā said: Why did You stay so long in the city of the Yādavas? Why did You not come sooner? Why again and again in a secluded place did I have to bow down before You and pray to You, who are the witness that sees everything?

Verse text

saudāsa-rāja-mahiṣī damayantī ca maithilī nāsty atra kāṁ puraskṛtya vade 'haṁ virahaṁ ripum

Synonyms

saudāsa-rāja-mahiṣī the queen of King Saudasa ; damayantī Damayanti ; ca and ; maithilī Sītā-devī ; na not ; asti is ; atra here ; kām what? ; puraskṛtya before ; vade speak ; aham I ; viraham separation ; ripum enemy.

Translation

Neither Sītā-devī, Damayantī, nor Saudāsa-rājṣī suffered as I suffered. What words can I speak to describe the implacable enemy that was My separation from You?

Verse text

mat-samānāśrayā gopyo gadituṁ na kṣamāḥ kvacit sarac-candra-cakorīva mayūrīva ghanaṁ navam

Synonyms

mat-samāna like me ; āśrayā taken shelter ; gopyaḥ gopīs ; gaditum to speak ; na not ; kṣamāḥ able ; kvacit at all ; sarat autumn ; candra moon ; cakorī cakori bird ; iva like ; mayūrī peahen ; iva like ; ghanam a cloud ; navam new.

Translation

The other gopīs, like Me, also could not describe that enemy of separation. I was like a cakorī bird yearning for the moon, or a peahen yearning for the new monsoon cloud.

Verse text

śrī-vṛndāvana-candraṁ tvāṁ ghana-śyāmaṁ samutsahe tava sākhyoddhavenāśu dhanyena tvaṁ pradarśitaḥ anyaḥ ko 'pi vraje nāsti yasya premṇā tvam āgataḥ

Synonyms

śrī-vṛndāvana of Śrī Vṛndāvana ; candram the moon ; tvām You ; ghana-śyāmam dark as a cloud ; samutsahe eager ; tava of You ; sakhya with the friend ; uddhavena Uddhava ; āśu at once ; dhanyena saintly ; tvam You ; pradarśitaḥ showed ; anyaḥ another ; ko 'pi someone ; vraje in Vraja ; na not ; asti is ; yasya of whom ; premṇā the love ; tvam You ; āgataḥ returned.

Translation

I yearned to see You, splendid as a dark cloud, the moon of beautiful Vṛndāvana forest, and Your saintly friend Uddhava showed You to Me. No one in Vraja is his equal. His love brought You back.

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca evaṁ vadantīṁ satataṁ rudantīṁ parāṁ priyāṁ vīkṣya ghṛṇāturāṅgaḥ āśvāsayām āsa nayena sadyaḥ pragṛhya dorbhyāṁ sravad-ambu-netraḥ

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; evam thus ; vadantīm speaking ; satatam again and again ; rudantīm weeping ; parām greatly ; priyām beloved ; vīkṣya seeing ; ghṛṇāturāṅgaḥ all the limbs of His body filled with compassion ; āśvāsayām āsa comforted ; nayena with logic ; sadyaḥ at once ; pragṛhya embracing ; dorbhyām with both arms ; sravad-ambu-netraḥ tears flowing from His eyes.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: As Rādhā spoke in this way and wept, Lord Kṛṣṇa gazed at Her, His dearest beloved. Every limb of His body filled with compassion for Her, He comforted Her with eloquent words. Tears streaming from His eyes, He embraced Her with both arms.

Content

śrī-bhagavān uvāca mā śokaṁ kuru rādhe tvaṁ tvat-prītyāhaṁ samāgataḥ āvayor bheda-rahitaṁ tejaś caikaṁ dvidhā janaiḥ śrī-bhagavān uvāca—the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; mā—don't; śokam—lament; kuru—do; rādhe—O Rādhā; tvam—You; tvat-prītyā—with love for You; aham—I; samāgataḥ—come; āvayoḥ—of Us; bheda-rahitam—without difference; tejaḥ—fiure; ca—and; ekam—one; dvidhā—in two; janaiḥ—by the people. The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O Rādhā, don't lament. Out of love for You, I have come. You and I are not different. We are a single fire the people mistake for two different flames.

Verse text

yathā hi dugdha-dhāvalye tathāvāṁ sarvadā śubhe yatrāhaṁ tvaṁ sadā tatra viśleṣo na hi cāvayoḥ

Synonyms

yathā as ; hi indeed ; dugdha milk ; dhāvalye and whiteness ; tathā so ; avām We ; sarvadā always ; śubhe O beautiful one ; yatra where ; aham I ; tvam You ; sadā always ; tatra there ; viśleṣaḥ separation ; na not ; hi indeed ; ca and ; āvayoḥ of Us.

Translation

O beautiful one, as milk and its whiteness are always together, so are We always together. Wherever I am, You are also there. We can never be separated.

Verse text

pūrṇaṁ brahma paraṁ cāhaṁ taṭa-sthā tvaṁ jagat-prasūḥ viśleṣa āvayor madhye mṛṣā jṣānena paśya sat

Synonyms

pūrṇaṁ brahma param the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; ca and ; aham I ; taṭa-sthā My potency ; tvam You ; jagat-prasūḥ the mother of the universes ; viśleṣaḥ separation ; āvayoḥ of Us ; madhye in the middle ; mṛṣā false ; jṣānena by knowledge ; paśya please see ; sat the truth.

Translation

I am the perfect Supreme Personality of Godhead and You are My potency. What seems to be Our separation is a lie. Please see the truth.

Verse text

yathākāśa-sthito nityaṁ vāyuḥ sarvatra-go mahān tathā jalaṁ sūkṣma-rūpaṁ tejo vyaptaṁ yathaidhaṣī

Translation

antar bahir yathā pṛthvī pṛthag-bhūta varānane tathā vikāra-rahito malavat tri-guṇair aham tathā tvaṁ paśya mad-bhāvaṁ sadānando bhavet tataḥ ahaṁ mameti bhāvena dvitīyo 'sti varānane yathā—as much as; ākāśa-sthitaḥ—situated in space; nityam—always; vāyuḥ—wind; sarvatra-gaḥ—blowing everywhere; mahān—great; tathā—similarly; jalam—water; sūkṣma-rūpam—in the subtle form of mist; tejaḥ—fire; vyaptam—all-pervading; yathā—as; edhaṣī—in firewood; antaḥ—within; bahiḥ—and without; yathā—as; pṛthvī—the earth; pṛthag-bhūta—in the form of atoms; varānane—O girl with the beautiful face; tathā—so; vikāra-rahitaḥ—without change; malavat—like the material world; tri-guṇaiḥ—with the three modes; aham—I am; tathā—so; tvam—You; paśya—see; mad-bhāvam—My nature; sadānandaḥ—eternal bliss; bhavet—will be; tataḥ—then; aham—I; mama—mine; iti—thus; bhāvena—with the nature; dvitīyaḥ—second; asti—is; varānane—O girl with the beautiful face. O girl with the beautiful face, as the mighty wind is present everywhere in ethereal space, as water is present everywhere in mist, as fire is present everywhere in firewood, as atoms are present everywhere in earth, and as the modes of nature are present everywhere in the material world, so I, the unchanging Supreme Personality of Godhead, am present everywhere. Look at My real nature and You will be blissful always. O girl with the beautiful face, if You think of "I" and Mine", then We will be separated.

Verse text

yathākāśa-sthito nityaṁ vāyuḥ sarvatra-go mahān tathā jalaṁ sūkṣma-rūpaṁ tejo vyaptaṁ yathaidhaṣī

Translation

antar bahir yathā pṛthvī pṛthag-bhūta varānane tathā vikāra-rahito malavat tri-guṇair aham tathā tvaṁ paśya mad-bhāvaṁ sadānando bhavet tataḥ ahaṁ mameti bhāvena dvitīyo 'sti varānane yathā—as much as; ākāśa-sthitaḥ—situated in space; nityam—always; vāyuḥ—wind; sarvatra-gaḥ—blowing everywhere; mahān—great; tathā—similarly; jalam—water; sūkṣma-rūpam—in the subtle form of mist; tejaḥ—fire; vyaptam—all-pervading; yathā—as; edhaṣī—in firewood; antaḥ—within; bahiḥ—and without; yathā—as; pṛthvī—the earth; pṛthag-bhūta—in the form of atoms; varānane—O girl with the beautiful face; tathā—so; vikāra-rahitaḥ—without change; malavat—like the material world; tri-guṇaiḥ—with the three modes; aham—I am; tathā—so; tvam—You; paśya—see; mad-bhāvam—My nature; sadānandaḥ—eternal bliss; bhavet—will be; tataḥ—then; aham—I; mama—mine; iti—thus; bhāvena—with the nature; dvitīyaḥ—second; asti—is; varānane—O girl with the beautiful face. O girl with the beautiful face, as the mighty wind is present everywhere in ethereal space, as water is present everywhere in mist, as fire is present everywhere in firewood, as atoms are present everywhere in earth, and as the modes of nature are present everywhere in the material world, so I, the unchanging Supreme Personality of Godhead, am present everywhere. Look at My real nature and You will be blissful always. O girl with the beautiful face, if You think of "I" and Mine", then We will be separated.

Verse text

yathākāśa-sthito nityaṁ vāyuḥ sarvatra-go mahān tathā jalaṁ sūkṣma-rūpaṁ tejo vyaptaṁ yathaidhaṣī

Translation

antar bahir yathā pṛthvī pṛthag-bhūta varānane tathā vikāra-rahito malavat tri-guṇair aham tathā tvaṁ paśya mad-bhāvaṁ sadānando bhavet tataḥ ahaṁ mameti bhāvena dvitīyo 'sti varānane yathā—as much as; ākāśa-sthitaḥ—situated in space; nityam—always; vāyuḥ—wind; sarvatra-gaḥ—blowing everywhere; mahān—great; tathā—similarly; jalam—water; sūkṣma-rūpam—in the subtle form of mist; tejaḥ—fire; vyaptam—all-pervading; yathā—as; edhaṣī—in firewood; antaḥ—within; bahiḥ—and without; yathā—as; pṛthvī—the earth; pṛthag-bhūta—in the form of atoms; varānane—O girl with the beautiful face; tathā—so; vikāra-rahitaḥ—without change; malavat—like the material world; tri-guṇaiḥ—with the three modes; aham—I am; tathā—so; tvam—You; paśya—see; mad-bhāvam—My nature; sadānandaḥ—eternal bliss; bhavet—will be; tataḥ—then; aham—I; mama—mine; iti—thus; bhāvena—with the nature; dvitīyaḥ—second; asti—is; varānane—O girl with the beautiful face. O girl with the beautiful face, as the mighty wind is present everywhere in ethereal space, as water is present everywhere in mist, as fire is present everywhere in firewood, as atoms are present everywhere in earth, and as the modes of nature are present everywhere in the material world, so I, the unchanging Supreme Personality of Godhead, am present everywhere. Look at My real nature and You will be blissful always. O girl with the beautiful face, if You think of "I" and Mine", then We will be separated.

Verse text

yāvad ghano madhya-gatas tad utthitaḥ svaṁ rūpam arkaṁ na hi dṛk prapaśyati tāvat parātmānam asau prādhāna-jair guṇais tathā teṣu gateṣu paśyati

Synonyms

yāvat as ; ghanaḥ a cloud ; madhya-gataḥ in the midst ; tat that ; utthitaḥ risen ; svam own ; rūpam form ; arkam sun ; na not ; hi indeed ; dṛk eyes ; prapaśyati see ; tāvat so ; parātmānam the Supersoul ; asau He ; prādhāna-jaiḥ manifested from pradhana ; guṇaiḥ with the modes ; tathā so ; teṣu among them ; gateṣu gone ; paśyati sees.

Translation

As one cannot see the sun when there are clouds in the sky, so one cannot see the all-pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead when one stands among the three modes of material nature.

Verse text

guṇeṣu saktaṁ kila bandhanāya raktaṁ manaḥ puṁsi ca muktaye syāt mano dvayoḥ kāraṇam āhur ārāj jitvātha tat kau vicared asaṅgaḥ

Synonyms

guṇeṣu for the modes ; saktam attachment ; kila kindeed ; bandhanāya for bondage ; raktam attachment ; manaḥ of the heart ; puṁsi fro the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; ca and ; muktaye for liberation ; syāt is ; manaḥ the heart ; dvayoḥ of both ; kāraṇam the cause ; āhuḥ said ; ārāj near ; jitvā conquering ; atha then ; tat that ; kau on the earth ; vicaret should consider ; asaṅgaḥ without contact.

Translation

The mind's attraction to the modes of material nature leads to bondage. The mind's attraction to the Supreme Personality of Godhead leads to liberation. In this way the mind is the source of both bondage and liberation. Therefore one should defeat the attraction to matter and live aloof from material things.

Verse text

sarvaṁ hi bhāvaṁ manasaḥ parasparaṁ na hy ekato bhāmini jāyate tataḥ premaiva kartavyam aho mayi svataḥ premṇā samānaṁ bhuvi nāsti kiṣcit

Synonyms

sarvam all ; hi indeed ; bhāvam nature ; manasaḥ of the mind ; parasparam mutual ; na not ; hi indeed ; ekataḥ alone ; bhāmini O beautiful one ; jāyate is born ; tataḥ then ; prema love ; eva certainly ; kartavyam should be done ; ahaḥ Oh ; mayi for Me ; svataḥ personally ; premṇā with love ; samānam equal ; bhuvi in the world ; na not ; asti is ; kiṣcit anything.

Translation

O beautiful one, love does not exist by itself. It must have an object. One should love Me. In this world nothing is equal to love for Me.

Content

śrī-nārada uvāca iti vākyaṁ hareḥ śrutvā prasannā kīrti-nandinī gopikābhiḥ samaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ pūjayām āsa mādhavam śrī-nārada uvāca—Śrī Nārada said; iti—thus; vākyam—the words; hareḥ—of Lord Kṛṣṇa; śrutvā—hearing; prasannā—happy; kīrti-nandinī—Kīrti's daughter Rādhā; gopikābhiḥ—gopīs; samam—with; kṛṣṇam—to Kṛṣṇa; pūjayām āsa—worshiped; mādhavam—the husband of the goddess of fortune. Śrī Nārada said: Happy to hear these words, Śrī Rādhā and the gopīs worshiped Lord Kṛṣṇa, the husband of the goddess of fortune.

Verse text

atha rātryāṁ hariḥ sākṣāt kārttikyāṁ rāsa-maṇḍale gatvā nanāda muralīṁ gopībhī rādhayā saha

Synonyms

atha then ; rātryām at night ; hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; sākṣāt directly ; kārttikyām in the moth of Karttika ; rāsa-maṇḍale in the rasa dance circle ; gatvā going ; nanāda sounded ; muralīm His flute ; gopībhī the gopīs ; rādhayā and Rādhā ; saha with.

Translation

During the month of Kārttika entering the rāsa-dance circle with Rādhā and the gopīs, Lord Kṛṣṇa played His flute.

Verse text

yamunā-nikaṭe rājan rādhayā rādhikā-patiḥ ramābhiḥ sundarībhiś ca rāsa-raṅge rarāja ha

Synonyms

yamunā-nikaṭe near the Yamunā ; rājan O king ; rādhayā with Rādhā ; rādhikā-patiḥ Kṛṣṇa ; ramābhiḥ with the gopīs ; sundarībhiḥ beautiful ; ca and ; rāsa-raṅge in the rasa-dance arena ; rarāja shone ; ha indeed.

Translation

O king, in the rāsa-dance circle by the Yamunā's shore, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the master of Śrī Rādhā, appeared very splendid and glorious in the company of Śrī Rādhā and the beautiful gopīs.

Verse text

yāvatīr gopikā rāse tāvad rūpa-dharo hariḥ reme vṛndāvane divye harir vṛndāvaneśvaraḥ

Synonyms

yāvatīḥ as many ; gopikā gopīs ; rāse in the rasa danbce ; tāvat so many ; rūpa-dharaḥ forms ; hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; reme enjioyed ; vṛndāvane in Vṛndāvana ; divye transcendental ; hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; vṛndāvaneśvaraḥ the master if Vṛndāvana.

Translation

Expanding Himself into as many forms as there were gopīs, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the master of Vṛndāvana, enjoyed pastimes in the splendid and transcendental forest of Vṛndāvana.

Verse text

kvaṇan-nūpura-maṣjīro vana-mālā-virājitaḥ pītāmbaraḥ padma-dhārī prabhātārka-kirīṭa-dhṛk

Synonyms

kvaṇan-nūpura-maṣjīraḥ tinkling anklets and ornaments ; vana-mālā-virājitaḥ splendid with forest garland ; pītāmbaraḥ yellow garments ; padma-dhārī holding a lotus ; prabhātārka-kirīṭa-dhṛk with a crown splendid as the rising sun.

Translation

Wearing tinkling anklets and ornaments, yellow garments, a splendid forest garland, and a crown glorious as the rising sun, Lord Kṛṣṇa held a lotus in His hand.

Verse text

vidyul-latā-sphurat-prodyad- dhema-kuṇḍala-maṇḍitaḥ vetra-bhṛd vādayan vaṁśīṁ naṭa-veṣo ghana-dyutiḥ

Synonyms

vidyut lighting ; latā vine ; sphurat-prodyat splendid ; hema-kuṇḍala-maṇḍitaḥ decorated with gold earrings ; vetra-bhṛt holding a stick ; vādayan playing ; vaṁśīm flute ; naṭa-veṣaḥ dressed as a dancer ; ghana-dyutiḥ splendid as a cloud.

Translation

Dark as a monsoon cloud, decorated with golden earrings splendid as vines of lightning, dressed as a dancer, and holding a stick, Lord Kṛṣṇa played His flute.

Verse text

sphurat-kaustubha-ratnāḍhyaḥ pracalat-snigdha-kuṇḍalaḥ rarāja rādhayā rāse yathā ratyā ratīśvaraḥ

Synonyms

sphurat-kaustubha-ratnāḍhyaḥ glorious with a glistening Kaustubha jewel ; pracalat-snigdha-kuṇḍalaḥ with moving locks of glistenign hair ; rarāja shone ; rādhayā with Rādhā ; rāse in the rasa dance ; yathā as ; ratyā with rati ; ratīśvaraḥ Kāmadeva.

Translation

Glorious with a glistening Kaustubha jewel and moving glistening locks of hair, Lord Kṛṣṇa was splendidly manifest in the rāsa dance, as Kāmadeva is splendidly manifest with Rati.

Verse text

śacyā śakro yathā svarge ghanaś caṣcalayā yathā vṛndayā vṛndakāraṇye tathā vṛndāvaneśvaraḥ

Synonyms

śacyā with śaci ; śakraḥ Indra ; yathā as ; svarge in Svargaloka ; ghanaḥ a cloud ; caṣcalayā with lightning ; yathā as ; vṛndayā woth Vṛndā ; vṛndakāraṇye in Vṛndāvana ; tathā so ; vṛndāvaneśvaraḥ the king of Vṛndāvana.

Translation

As in Svargaloka Indra is manifest with Śacī, and as a cloud is manifest with a lightning flash, so in Vṛndāvana forest Lord Kṛṣṇa was splendidly manifest with Śrī Rādhā.

Verse text

vṛndāvanaṁ ca pulinaṁ vanāny upavanāni ca paśyan gopī-gaṇaiḥ sārdhaṁ giriṁ govardhanaṁ yayau

Synonyms

vṛndāvanam Vṛndāvana ; ca and ; pulinam the shore ; vanāni forests ; upavanāni gardens ; ca and ; paśyan seeing ; gopī-gaṇaiḥ with the gopīs ; sārdham with ; girim hill ; govardhanam Govardhana ; yayau went.

Translation

Gazing at Vṛndāvana forest, the Yamunā's shore, and many forests and gardens as They went, Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs came to Govardhana Hill.

Verse text

gopīnāṁ śata-yūthānāṁ mānaṁ vīkṣya vrajeśvaraḥ bhagavān rādhayā sākaṁ tatraivāntaradhīyata

Synonyms

gopīnām of the gopīs ; śata-yūthānām of a hundred groups ; mānam the pride ; vīkṣya seeing ; vrajeśvaraḥ Kṛṣṇa ; bhagavān the Lord ; rādhayā Rādhā ; sākam with ; tatra there ; eva indeed ; antaradhīyata disappeared.

Translation

When He saw that the hundred groups of gopīs had become proud, taking Śrī Rādhā with Him, Lord Kṛṣṇa suddenly disappeared.

Verse text

atha govardhanād dūre sundaraṁ yojana-trayam śrīkhaṇḍa-gandha-samyuktaṁ sa yayau rohitācalam

Synonyms

atha then ; govardhanāt from Govardhana ; dūre far ; sundaram handsome ; yojana-trayam 34 miles ; śrīkhaṇḍa of sandal ; gandha-samyuktam with the scent ; sa He ; yayau went ; rohitācalam to Mount Rohita.

Translation

Then Lord Kṛṣṇa went to beautiful Mount Rohita, which was fragrant with sandal trees and was thirty-four miles away from Govardhana Hill.

Verse text

latā-kuṣja-nikuṣjāś ca paśyan jalpaṁs tayā saha vicacāra girau ramye kāṣcanī-latikālaye

Synonyms

latā-kuṣja-nikuṣjāḥ forests filled with flowering vines ; ca and ; paśyan seeing ; jalpan conbversing ; tayā with Her ; saha with ; vicacāra went ; girau on the mountain ; ramye beautiful ; kāṣcanī-latikā pf golden vines ; alaye in a place.

Translation

Gazing at forest gardens of flowering vines, and conversing as they went, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa came to a place of golden vines on that beautiful mountain.

Verse text

tatra deva-saro ramyaṁ badrī-nāthena nirmitam pāṭhīna-kūrma-nakrādi- haṁsa-sārasa-saṅkulam

Synonyms

tatra there ; deva-saraḥ deva-sarovara ; ramyam beautiful ; badrī-nāthena by Nārāyaṇa ṛṣi ; nirmitam built ; pāṭhīna pathinas ; kūrma turtles ; nakra corcodiles ; ādi beginning with ; haṁsa swans ; sārasa cranes ; saṅkulam filled.

Translation

At that place was Deva-sarovara, a lake created by nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi, which was filled with pāṭhīnas, turtles, crocodiles, swans, cranes, and many other creatures.

Verse text

sahasra-dala-padmaiś ca maṇḍitaṁ tad itas tataḥ bhramara-dhvani-samyuktaṁ puṁs-kokila-ruta-vratam

Synonyms

sahasra-dala-padmaiḥ with thousand-petal lotuses ; ca and ; maṇḍitam decorated ; tat that ; itaḥ here ; tataḥ and there ; bhramara bees ; dhvani sound ; samyuktam with ; puṁs-kokila-ruta-vratam the cooing of cuckoos.

Translation

It was decorated with many thousand-petal lotuses. Here and there were the sounds of humming bees and cooing cuckoos.

Verse text

vikasat-padma-gandhāḍhyaṁ tat-tīraṁ manda-mārutam ramayā rādhayā sārdhaṁ mādhavo niṣasāda ha

Synonyms

vikasat-padma-gandhāḍhyam opulent with the scent of blossoming lotus flowers ; tat-tīram on that shore ; manda-mārutam a gentle breeze ; ramayā the goddess of fortune ; rādhayā with Rādhā ; sārdham with ; mādhavaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; niṣasāda sat down ; ha indeed.

Translation

On the lakeshore filled with the scent of blossoming lotuses and cooled by a gentle breeze, Lord Kṛṣṇa sat down with the goddess of fortune, Śrī Rādhā.

Verse text

tat-tīraṁ pratapasyantaṁ ṛbhūṁ nāma mahā-munim pādaikena sthitaṁ śaśvac chrī-kṛṣṇa-dhyāna-tat-param

Synonyms

tat-tīram on that shore ; pratapasyantam performing austeritiesd ; ṛbhūm Ṛbhu ; nāma named ; mahā-munim a great sage ; pāda foot ; ekena with one ; sthitam standing ; śaśvac always ; chrī-kṛṣṇa-dhyāna-tat-param rapt in meditation on Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

On that lakeshore was a great sage named Ṛbhu, who for a long time had been performing austerities, standing there on one foot, his thoughts rapt in meditation on Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Verse text

ṣaṣṭi-varṣa-sahasrāṇi ṣaṣṭi-varṣa-śatāni ca nirannaṁ nirjalaṁ śāntaṁ śrī-kṛṣṇas taṁ dadarśa ha

Synonyms

ṣaṣṭi-varṣa-sahasrāṇi sixty thousand years ; ṣaṣṭi-varṣa-śatāni six thousand years ; ca and ; nirannam without food ; nirjalam without water ; śāntaṁ peaceful ; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; tam him ; dadarśa saw ; ha indeed.

Translation

Then Lord Kṛṣṇa glanced at that sage, who had peacefully stood there without food or water for sixty-six thousand years.

Verse text

papraccha vīkṣya taṁ rādhā hasantī prāha mādhavam māhātmyaṁ kuru bhakto 'yaṁ paśya bhaktiṁ mahā-muneḥ

Synonyms

papraccha asked ; vīkṣya seeing ; tam him ; rādhā Rādhā ; hasantī laughing ; prāha said ; mādhavam to Kṛṣṇa ; māhātmyam the glory ; kuru please do ; bhaktaḥ the devotee ; ayam him ; paśya look ; bhaktim devotion ; mahā-muneḥ of the great sage.

Translation

Looking at the sage, Śrī Rādhā smiled and said to Lord Kṛṣṇa, "Please describe the glories of this sage. He is Your devotee. Look at the devotion of this great sage."

Verse text

he ṛbho iti kṛṣṇena proktam uccair vacaḥ śubham na śrutaṁ tena kiṣcid vā caramaṁ prāpitena vai

Synonyms

he ṛbhaḥ O Ṛbhu ; iti thus ; kṛṣṇena by Lord Kṛṣṇa ; proktam addressed ; uccaiḥ loudly ; vacaḥ words ; śubham beautiful ; na not ; śrutam heard ; tena by him ; kiṣcit something ; or ; caramam the verge of death ; prāpitena attained ; vai indeed.

Translation

When in a loud a sonorous voice, Lord Kṛṣṇa called, O Ṛbhu!" the sage could not hear anything, for he was on the verge of death.

Verse text

haris tadā tad-dhṛdayād babhūvāśu tirohitaḥ dhyānād gataṁ hariṁ vīkṣya munīndraś cāti-vismitaḥ

Synonyms

hariḥ Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tadā then ; tad-dhṛdayāt from his heart ; babhūva was ; āśu suddenly ; tirohitaḥ disappeared ; dhyānāt from the meditation ; gatam gone ; harim Kṛṣṇa ; vīkṣya seeing ; munīndraḥ the king of sages ; ca and ; ati-vismitaḥ astonished.

Translation

Then Lord Kṛṣṇa suddenly left the sage's heart. When he saw that Lord Kṛṣṇa had suddenly left his meditation, the sage was astonished.

Verse text

netre unmilya dadṛśe śrī-kṛṣṇaṁ rādhayāgataṁ ghanaṁ caṣcalayevāḍhyaṁ raṣjayantaṁ diśo daśa

Synonyms

netre eyes ; unmilya opening ; dadṛśe saw ; śrī-kṛṣṇam Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; rādhayā witn Rādhā ; āgatam come ; ghanam a cloud ; caṣcalayā with a lightning flash ; iva like ; āḍhyam opulent ; raṣjayantam filling with light ; diśaḥ the directions ; daśa ten.

Translation

Opening his eyes, the sage saw that, glorious as a monsoon cloud and a lightning flash, and filling the ten directions with light, Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa had come before him.

Verse text

utthāya sadyo hari-bhakti-tat-paraḥ pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya hariṁ sa-rādhikam praṇamya mūrdhnā nipapāta pādayor uvāca kṛṣṇaṁ bahu-gadgadākṣaraḥ

Synonyms

utthāya rising ; sadyaḥ at once ; hari-bhakti-tat-paraḥ filled with devotion ; pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya circumambulating ; harim Kṛṣṇa ; sa-rādhikam with Rādhā ; praṇamya bowing down ; mūrdhnā with his head ; nipapāta fell ; pādayoḥ at the feet ; uvāca said ; kṛṣṇam to Kṛṣṇa ; bahu-gadgadākṣaraḥ his words choked with emotion.

Translation

At once standing up, the devotee-sage circumambulated Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, bowed his head before them, and fell at Their feet. Then, with faltering words he spoke to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Verse text

śrī-ṛbhur uvāca namaḥ kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇayai rādhāyai mādhavāya ca paripūrṇatamayai ca paripūrṇatamāya ca

Synonyms

śrī-ṛbhur uvāca Śrī Ṛbhu said ; namaḥ obeisances ; kṛṣṇāya to Kṛṣṇa ; kṛṣṇayai to Kṛṣṇa's beloved ; rādhāyai Rādhā ; mādhavāya to the husband of the goddess of fortune ; ca and ; paripūrṇatamayai to the supreme goddess ; ca and ; paripūrṇatamāya to the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; ca and.

Translation

Śrī Ṛbhu said: I offer my respectful obeisances to Śrī Kṛṣṇa and to Śrī Kṛṣṇa's beloved. I offer my respectful obeisances to Śrī Rādhā and Śrī Rādhā's lover. I offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Goddess and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Verse text

ghana-śyāmāya devāya śyāmayai satataṁ namaḥ rāseśvarāya satataṁ rāseśvaryai namo namaḥ

Synonyms

ghana-śyāmāya dark as a monsoon cloud ; devāya to the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; śyāmayai beautiful Rādhā ; satatam always ; namaḥ obeiaances ; rāseśvarāya to the king of the rasa dance ; satatam always ; rāseśvaryai to the queen of the rasa dance ; namaḥ obeisances ; namaḥ obeisances.

Translation

Eternally I offer my respectful obeisances to beautiful Śrī Rādhā and to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa dark as a monsoon cloud. Eternally I offer my respectful obeisances to the queen of the rāsa-dance. Eternally I offer my respectful obeisances to the king of the rāsa-dance.

Verse text

golokātīta-līlāya līlāvatyai namo namaḥ asaṅkhyāṇḍādhidevyai cā- saṅkhyāṇḍa-nidhaye namaḥ

Synonyms

goloka Goloka ; atīta transcendental ; līlāya pastimes ; līlāvatyai playful ; namaḥ obeisances ; namaḥ obeisances ; asaṅkhyāṇḍādhidevyai the goddess who rules over countless universes ; ca and ; asaṅkhyāṇḍa-nidhaye the Lord who rulkes over countless universes ; namaḥ obeisances.

Translation

Obeisances to Lord Kṛṣṇa, who enjoys transcendental pastimes in the realm of Goloka! Obeisances to playful Rādhā! Obeisances to the goddess that rules countless universes! Obeisances to the master that rules countless universes!

Verse text

bhū-bhāra-hārāya bhuvaṁ gatābhyāṁ mac-chāntaye cātra samāgatābhyām parasparaṁ sandhita-vigrahābhyāṁ namo yuvābhyāṁ hari-rādhikābhyām

Synonyms

bhū-bhāra-hārāya to remove the burden of the earth ; bhuvam to the earth ; gatābhyām come ; mac-chāntaye to pacify me ; ca and ; atra here ; samāgatābhyām come ; parasparam together ; sandhita-vigrahābhyām transcendental forms ; namaḥ obeisances ; yuvābhyām youthful ; hari-rādhikābhyām Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

Obeisances to youthful Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, whose forms are transcendental, who came to the earth to remove it's burden, and who came to this place to make me peaceful.

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca ity uktvā kṛṣṇa-pādābje prakṣarad-bāṣpa-locanaḥ premānanda-samāyukto jahau prāṇān mahā-muniḥ

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; iti thus ; uktvā saying ; kṛṣṇa-pādābje at Śrī Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet ; prakṣarad-bāṣpa shedding tears ; locanaḥ eyes ; premānanda-samāyuktaḥ filled with the bliss of love ; jahau gave up ; prāṇān his life ; mahā-muniḥ the great sage.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: After speaking these words the sage, filled with the bliss of love, and tears streaming from His eyes, fell at Lord Kṛṣṇa's feet and at once gave up his life.

Verse text

tadaiva nirgata-jyotir daśa-sūrya-sama-prabham paribhramad daśa-diśaḥ śrī-kṛṣṇe līnatāṁ gataḥ

Synonyms

tadā then ; eva indeed ; nirgata left ; jyotiḥ light ; daśa-sūrya-sama-prabham splendid as ten suns ; paribhramat wandering ; daśa-diśaḥ the ten directions ; śrī-kṛṣṇe into Lord Kṛṣṇa ; līnatām merged ; gataḥ went.

Translation

Then a spark of light splendid as ten suns left the sage's body and, after wandering the ten directions, finally merged into Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Verse text

bhaktasya bhaktiṁ śrī-kṛṣṇo vīkṣya vai prema-lakṣaṇam ānandāśru-kulaṁ muṣcan premṇā taṁ cājuhāva ha

Synonyms

bhaktasya of the devotee ; bhaktim the devotion ; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; vīkṣya seeing ; vai indeed ; prema-lakṣaṇam with love ; ānandāśru-kulam tears of bliss ; muṣcan shedding ; premṇā with love ; tam him ; ca and ; ājuhāva called out ; ha indeed.

Translation

Seeing the sage's great love and devotion for Him, Lord Kṛṣṇa, shedding tears of bliss, loving called to him.

Verse text

punaḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-pādābjāt kṛṣṇa-sārūpyavān muniḥ nirgataḥ koṭi-kandarpa- sannibho 'ti-natānanaḥ

Synonyms

punaḥ again ; śrī-kṛṣṇa-pādābjāt from Śrī Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet ; kṛṣṇa-sārūpyavān having a transcendental form like Lord Kṛṣṇa's ; muniḥ the sage ; nirgataḥ emerged ; koṭi-kandarpa-sannibhaḥ like millions of Kāmadevas ; ati-natānanaḥ bowing his head.

Translation

Then the sage suddenly emerged from Lord Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet. Now having a transcendental form like Lord Kṛṣṇa's, a form handsome as millions of Kāmadevas, the sage bowed his head.

Verse text

dorbhyāṁ pragṛhya hṛdaye taṁ nidhāya kṛpākaraḥ āśvāsya kalyāṇa-karaṁ karaṁ divyaṁ dadhāra ha

Synonyms

dorbhyām with both arms ; pragṛhya embracing ; hṛdaye to His chest ; tam him ; nidhāya placing ; kṛpākaraḥ merciful ; āśvāsya comforting ; kalyāṇa-karam auspicious ; karam hand ; divyam transcendental ; dadhāra held ; ha certainly.

Translation

With both arms merciful Lord Kṛṣṇa embraced him, holding him to His chest. Lord Kṛṣṇa comforted him and touched him with His auspicious hand.

Verse text

pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya hariṁ ca rādhikāṁ praṇamya cāruhya rathaṁ manoharam goloka-lokaṁ prayayāv ṛbhur munir viraṣjayan maithila maṇḍalaṁ diśām

Synonyms

pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya circumambulating ; harim Lord Kṛṣṇa ; ca and ; rādhikām Rādhā ; praṇamya bowing ; ca and ; āruhya mounting ; ratham a chariot ; manoharam beautiful ; goloka-lokam to Goloka ; prayayāv went ; ṛbhuḥ Ṛbhu ; muniḥ Muni ; viraṣjayan filling with light ; maithila O king of Mithilā ; maṇḍalam the circle ; diśam of the directions.

Translation

After circumambulating Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, Ṛbhu Muni entered a beautiful chariot and went to the realm of Goloka, filling the circle of the directions with light as he went.

Verse text

śrī-rādhikā vismayam āgatā bhṛśaṁ dṛṣṭvā paraṁ muktiṁ ṛbhor mahā-muneḥ ānanda-vārīṇi vimuṣcati ciraṁ jagāda kṛṣṇaṁ vṛṣabhānu-nandinī

Synonyms

śrī-rādhikā Śrī Rādhā ; vismayam wonder ; āgatā attained ; bhṛśam greatly ; dṛṣṭvā seeing ; param great ; muktim liberation ; ṛbhoḥ of Ṛbhu ; mahā-muneḥ the great sage ; ānanda-vārīṇi tears of bliss ; vimuṣcati shed ; ciram again and again ; jagāda spoke ; kṛṣṇam to Kṛṣṇa ; vṛṣabhānu-nandinī King Vṛṣabhānu's daughter.

Translation

Śrī Rādhā was filled with wonder when She saw the liberation of the great sage Ṛbhu Muni. Again and again shedding tears of joy, Śrī Rādhā, the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu, spoke to Lord Kṛṣṇa. .pa