Gopal Champu

Chapter Four - Entering Mathurā

[1] Madhukaṇṭha spoke at the morning recitation arranged by Nanda with Kṛṣṇa present.

[2] Clothed in the gaze of Nanda which gave joy, Kṛṣṇa, in anxiety on thinking of his mother, who was trying to prevent the journey, walked a quarter of a krośa and then asked his attendants for the best food to get relief from fatigue, in order to make his mother think of other things.

[3] While Kṛṣṇa reached the edge of Vraja, Yaśodā entered her house to concentrate on preparing the food. In passing the time in this way, her suffering dissipated.

[4] While Yaśodā and others made their carts move, Akrūra, going swiftly on a crooked route with his chariot, came to a holy place on the Yamunā named Brahma-hrada. He thought that if he went on a straight path the residents would bring the two boys back. He had to keep the boys out of sight. The residents, of simple mind, not understanding the crooked route, went south, heading in the direction of Mathurā.

[5] When Akrūra was performing his noon rituals in the Brahma-hrada, he saw the astonishing powers of the Lord which destroy saṁsāra. This impeded his impetuous speed. The people of Vraja wondered why he was delayed and remained for a long time on the road.

After Akrūra went into the water alone, hear in summary what Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma did after obtaining news. Who will doubt the majesty of Mathurā or the sweetness of Vraja? Remembering this, my throat becomes choked with tears. ||1||

[6] Seeing the chariot with Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma after a long time, Nanda and the others became joyful. Sitting there for a short time and instructing one another and strengthening the advice, depending on the assistance of fate, the cowherds then went to the city.

[7] Who can describe the great fortune of travelers going to the places that Kṛṣṇa visited at that time?

[8] People coming to or going from a distant city, on suddenly seeing Kṛṣṇa’s lotus face, forgot what to do with their eyes and bodies. ||2||

Entering the city he first came to the place called Devī-khara. To the south lived donkeys (khara) and thus the place was named Khara-vāsa. Even today people going south on parikrama of Mathurā, keeping Devī to the south, become filled with bliss. ||3-4||

[9] Hearing about the attractive groves which increase all happiness, Kṛṣṇa alighted from the chariot and released the carts from the line, spreading them through the area. When he met Akrūra, he in self-interest attempted to bring Kṛṣṇa to his house. Kṛṣṇa promised that he would come there some other time when convenient and then dismissed him.

Putting Balarāma in front, with a desire to protect the righteous, he then entered the colorful town surrounded by friends while attractive instruments sounded. The town he saw seemed to be looking at him.

[10] The gates of the town appeared to be mouths. Made of crystal, the gates seemed to smile. The lattice holes seemed to be thousands of eyes for the city. When those eyes fell upon the remarkable eyes of Kṛṣṇa they seemed to stop blinking. The paved grounds were like the city’s cranium. The jeweled walls covering many huge towers were the town’s forehead. The many high tops of the towers were like crowns giving joy to the eyes. The hundreds of hanging decorations in front of the gate were like ointments applied to the city. Quivering in the gentle breeze they seemed to show transformations of love on obtaining a glimpse of Kṛṣṇa. The two golden door panels crafted by skilled tradesmen, filled with effulgence, were like attractive teeth of the town. The opening in the door panels was like a gaping mouth, praising Kṛṣṇa’s beauty. The buildings at the crossroads made of gold and sapphires seemed to reveal the antaḥkaraṇa of the town with their effulgence. The rows of buildings were like crowds of people rejoicing on seeing Kṛṣṇa. The aviaries near the palace, made by the creator with astonishing heavenly gems, were like colorful ornaments decorating the town. These attractive houses near the palace filled with the cries of countless peacocks and pigeons were like the indistinct utterances of the town caused by their excitement. The silver walls were like attractive clothing on the town. With their many colors, they were like freshly washed silk. The many groves were like attendants for the houses. The fruits and flowers of the groves were like gifts held in the hands of the town.

[11] With banana trees bearing fruit, betel nut trees as well as pots full of water on every road, the town seemed to have its hairs standing on end. The water in the many canals with clean banks was like the ecstatic perspiration of the town.

[12] When Kṛṣṇa entered the town some devatās who had not seen his Vraja pastimes began describing this event.

[13] Look, look! All the young women, confined in their quarters, now tolerate suffering of the hot sun to see Kṛṣṇa. Though following a vow of silence, they are giving pain to their enemies who use rough words (by their use of sweet words praising Kṛṣṇa).

[14] On the road ahead, a black moon and a white moon are shining in an astonishing manner. High up, at front of the palace, lotuses are blooming. When the women see Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma who like to play in the forest they become amazed. ||5||

O friends! Mathurā now shines like the abode of sweetness by contact with Kṛṣṇa’s sweetness. These women quickly climbing to the rooftops appear to be moonlight. ||6||

Some of the women wear only one earring and some have mascara on only one eye. Some have lac on only one foot. Some have only one breast covered with cloth. Running towards Kṛṣṇa they do not think this strange. Hearing that he is coming, they all come at the same time. ||7||

Some without bathing their bodies, some without eating, giving up the desire to live, some giving up shame in the heart, some with upper and lower cloth exchanged, all with ornaments in the wrong place, came from the roads and houses to Kṛṣṇa. ||8||

Lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, walking like the king of elephants, showed the prowess of a lion. The women’s minds were attracted by the form which gave bliss to Lakṣmī and became most blissful. ||9||

When he gazed at the famous attractive women, they became filled with bliss by the nectar of his glance. They were attracted by the qualities of his eyes. They did not know that Kṛṣṇa was distant because he became situated in their hearts with a beautiful form. ||10||

All the women, with trembling bodies and blissful faces, climbed to the top of the palace to see Kṛṣṇa. Sprinkling his path with flowers, they increased the joy of the devatās and devotees. ||11||

[15] After repeating the words of the devatās the reciter then spoke his own words.

All the brāhmaṇas, ignoring Kaṁsa, who was hard to conquer by devatās and sages, approached Kṛṣṇa with plates full of scented water, flowers, yogurt and rice, worshiped him and followed behind him. May those brāhmaṇas put their feet on my head. ||12||

The citizens all said, “The cowherds are most fortunate but our hearts are attracted to the great glory of the gopīs. They seek out his sweetness, not his greatness, with their minds and constantly see his festive form astonishing to all people.” ||13||

[16] When Kṛṣṇa was standing there, eager and curious, a dyer arrived on a village path along with his associates, herding thousands of braying donkeys.

[17] When the dyer arrived, Kṛṣṇa, who casually lifted Govardhana and destroyed the pride of demons, began to think, “This proud rascal, surrounded by his friends, causing distress to all, had dyed many clothes for the festival and is bringing the cloth back to the city. I will take these auspicious clothes for myself for entering the city. Greeting him I will make the dyer angry at my request. I will then use force, and offending him, will take all the cloth.”

[18] He then spoke aloud, with a slight mocking tone:

dehy āvayoḥ samucitāny aṅga vāsāṁsi cārhatoḥ |

bhaviṣyati paraṁ śreyo dātus te nātra saṁśayaḥ ||

Please give suitable garments to the two of us, who certainly deserve them. If you grant this charity, you will undoubtedly receive the greatest benefit. SB 10.41.33

[19] Though the dyer, his mind clouded by passion and ignorance, had heard of famous, generous Kṛṣṇa’s strength, he did not take notice. He considered that he by his own power was taking the clothing to Kaṁsa’s palace on the authority of Kaṁsa. Covered with ignorance, he did not see that Kṛṣṇa was dressed in cloth given by Ananta, Varuṇa and Indra. Showing his demonic nature, the dyer, not recognizing Kṛṣṇa’s greatness, mocked Kṛṣṇa in agitation:

īdṛśāny eva vāsāṁsi nityaṁ giri-vane-cara |

paridhatta kim udvṛttā rāja-dravyāṇy abhīpsatha ||

yātāśu bāliśā maivaṁ prārthyaṁ yadi jijīviṣā |

badhnanti ghnanti lumpanti dṛptaṁ rāja-kulāni vai ||

You impudent boys! You’re accustomed to roaming the mountains and forests, and yet you would dare put on such clothes as these! These are the King’s possessions you’re asking for! Fools, get out of here quickly! Don’t beg like this if you want to stay alive. When someone is too bold, the King’s men arrest him and kill him and take all his property. SB 10.41.35-36

[20] Kṛṣṇa, using his arms as swords, immediately cut down the laughing, condemned dyer filled with the mode of passion, who was like a lāva bird. ||14||

All the dyer’s friends fled away. The cloth lay on the ground before their eyes. They took all the cloth that was useful to them. ||15||

[21] Kṛṣṇa began strolling through the city, like the king of jungle elephants, along with Balarāma and his friends. He was the best among all those friends who were eternally beautiful. His cloth became more beautiful because of his personal beauty. Kṛṣṇa laughed as his friends said, “Take these thousands of pieces of clothing.” He separated the clothes and put on what was suitable. He was understood to be the crest jewel of persons who act without fear.

[22] When Kṛṣṇa played in this way, his friends laughed. Then one weaver with the best qualities made an outfit with ornaments and cloth, suitable for sporting as the best wrestler.

[23] This weaver did not come to Vraja for fear of Kaṁsa, but he had heard of the great happiness of Vraja from his companions who had gone there and returned. Thus he was anxious to see Kṛṣṇa.

[24] Then something astonishing happened, which no one had seen before. Kṛṣṇa gave him a form similar to his own. When Kṛṣṇa glanced at him, Kṛṣṇa’s beauty entered his body. He took a form like Kṛṣṇa’s and the form of Kṛṣṇa did not leave him. ||16-17||

[25] We praise this assumption of Kṛṣṇa’s qualities.

The oil bug, absorbed in the wasp, becomes a wasp. Will not a person absorbed in Kṛṣṇa quickly become like Kṛṣṇa? ||18||

I offer praise to that weaver, the chief among them, offer āratrika and put my head at his feet because he put the most splendid, colorful sewn cloth and ornaments on Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. ||19||

[26] A certain well-bred garland maker of Mathurā used to go to Vṛndāvana constantly for getting rare flowers. The fortunate man used to see Kṛṣṇa wearing rustic dress.

[27] On seeing Kṛṣṇa, he had become attracted and on the pretext of collecting flowers would go to where Kṛṣṇa played and offer the flowers he had picked as a gift to him. Not only that, his name was Sudāma, like that of Kṛṣṇa’s friend, the abode of happiness. Kṛṣṇa, beautiful as a cloud, accepted him as a friend. Suddenly thinking along with his friends that Sudāma must live in that place, Kṛṣṇa endowed with highest character, inquired from the residents of Mathurā and went to his house after giving the residents pleasure.

[28] The garland maker knew of Kṛṣṇa’s arrival. Thinking it was a fault to meet Kṛṣṇa empty-handed, he thought of making a garland from the softest flowers suitable for Kṛṣṇa. He waited in his house.

[29] Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, surrounded by a few friends who did not speak, came along with those attentive, praiseworthy friends who acted for their benefit, to where the garland maker had made the garland, like a secret treasure.

[30] When the two went there, their bodies emanated a most pleasant fragrance, endowed with the perfume of all flowers and power of attraction. Recognizing the fragrance, the garland maker came to external consciousness. The most fortunate Sudāma used to meditate on Kṛṣṇa as his only object of thought. He was attractive with shyness and humility. His hairs stood on end. Quickly he offered respects with his head and offered the two, excellent seats. Thinking himself most fortunate, he offered praise in a choked voice. Gaining the mercy and love of the brothers, respecting the two together with their friends, he decorated them with the attractive garlands and then stood some distance away.

[31] When he decorated them, a most interesting thing happened. Kṛṣṇa gazed at a half-completed garland which was still most attractive. Seeing that, Sudāma in shame bowed his head and took Kṛṣṇa’s blessings. With his assistants he quickly completed the garland and offered it to Kṛṣṇa. Giving the garland, he offered respects and prayed in humility. “Oh! If you have come to evil Kaṁsa’s broad territory, you two should be careful, though you are the life of all beings.”

[32] Saying this, he left the two boys. The boys diminished the glory of all others by their irresistible effulgence. The following words rise in my heart.

There are thousands of devotees who search for Kṛṣṇa and there are thousands who attain his beautiful feet. But I offer respects to the skillful garland maker Sudāma, for Kṛṣṇa came with Balarāma to his house with a request. ||20||

[33] On the road, Kṛṣṇa was most excited by all the surprising things.

Seeing Kubjā with a hunchback going to the bathing ghaṭa made of crystal carrying some cosmetics, Kṛṣṇa asked for the cosmetics and smeared it all on his body. The cosmetics also made his friends effulgent. He then straightened out Kubjā’s body, amazing everyone with his great qualities. Offering all lamentation to Kaṁsa, he began jumping around. ||21||

[34] We consider this:

If one has bhakti for Kṛṣṇa, one’s heart will shine with straightness (honesty). If there is no bhakti, straightness is only an external show. If one has internal bhakti, the straightness will show externally. Kubjā is the example. ||22||

Kṛṣṇa destroyed the dyer and elevated many others. Remembering this, Kaṁsa attained his destruction. Seeing Kṛṣṇa’s affection, power and actions, the merchants worshiped him properly on the road. ||23-24||

[35] Their extraordinary profession is made an example.

The merchants took the results of others by their profession of selling goods. They took special results from Kṛṣṇa, which their ancestors had not obtained. ||25||

> Harivamsa

bhūyaścha sahasotthāya taṁ mantram manasā japan |

rathaṁ tenaiva mārgeṇa jagāmāmitadakṣiṇaḥ ||2-26-65

akrūra again rose up quickly from the water. Chanting the mantra in his mind, the one who gives much in carity (akrūra), returned to the chariot along the same way.

tamāha keshavo hṛṣṭaḥ sthitamakrūramāgamat |

kīdṛśaṁ nāgalokasya vṛttaṁ bhāgavate hrade ||2-26-66

When akrūra arrived there, kṛṣṇa asked happily: "O bhāgavata! What is happening in the nāga world, at the lake of yamunā?

ciraṁ ca bhavatā kālo vyākṣepeṇa vilambitaḥ |

manye dṛṣṭaṁ tvayāścaryaṁ hṛdayaṁ te yathācalam ||2-26-67

You took a long time and you are delayed due to some diversion. You might have seen some wonder there. Your mind is excited."

pratyuvāca sa taṁ kṛṣṇamāścaryaṁ bhavatā vinā |

kiṁ bhaviṣyati lokeṣu sthāvareṣu chareṣu ca ||2-26-68

He replied to kṛṣṇa: "What wonder occurs in this world of fixed and moving beings, without you?

tatrāścaryaṁ mayā dṛṣṭaṁ kṛṣṇa yadbhuvi durlabham |

tadihāpi yathā tatra paśyāmi ca ramāmi ca ||2-26-69

kṛṣṇa, there I saw a wonder, rare in this world. I see it here as I saw there and I am immensely happy.

saṅgataścāpi lokānāmāścharyeṇeha rūpiṇā |

ataḥ parataraṁ kṛṣṇa nāścaryaṁ draṣṭumutsahe ||2-26-70

I am involved with a most wonderful incident in this world. kṛṣṇa, I do not want to see anything more wonderful than this.

tadāgaccha gamiṣyāmaḥ kaṁsarājapurīṁ prabho |

yāvannāstaṁ vrajatyeṣa divasānte divākaraḥ ||2-26-71

Now, lord! let us proceed to the city of kaṁsa, and reach there, before the sun sets at the end of the day.

iti srīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi akrūrakṛtanāgalokakathane ṣaḍviṁśo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the translation of the twenty-sixth chapter of viṣṇuparva of harivaṁśa, khila of śrimahābhārata, akrūra has a vision.

Note 1

ḥarivamśa, Vol. 1, critically edited by P.L.Vaidya, The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona (1969), page 451

After sloka 3, N 2,3 , V2, B1.2, Ds, D4, T3.4 ins.,

vayaṁ caiva pragantāro rathamāsthāya saṁgatāḥ |

Hence let us also board a chariot and go there together.

The ṁalayalam translation of this line is given in bhāṣābhārataṁ, vol 6, page 406, sloka 4 , kuṣṣikkuṭṭan taṁpurān, DC Books, Kottayam , 2007.

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

ṣaḍviṁśatitamo'dhyāye sarvagoanimantraṇam |

darśanaṁ vaiṣṇavaṁ cāṁbhasyakrūrasyeti varṇyate || 1 ||

· 2-26-1 sa nandagopasya amitadakṣiṇo dānapatiḥ |

· 2-26-6 daśānte vārddhakye śoṣitaṁ kṣīṇaraktamāṁsaṁ yato vṛddhaṁ jarāgrastam ||

· 2-26-8 putrairamuditastanīmiti kaṁsāparādhaṁ sadyojātaśiśuvadharūpaṁ sūchayati krodhoddīpanāya ||

· 2-26-24 jīvato vākyakaraṇādṛṇaṁ pratikartavyamityarthaḥ ||

· 2-26-27 cheluḥ prasthānaṁ cakruḥ ||

· 2-26-29 aupanāyikān upahārārthān ||

· 2-26-35 nāśayate adarśanaṁ nayati | vapustejaḥ ||

· 2-26-38 gurukaṁ bhārayuktaṁ bhāṇḍaṁ upakaraṇasāmagrī ||

· 2-26-41 hayabhāṇḍe asvabhūṣaṇādau ||

· 2-26-42 bhujageśvaraṁ śeṣamanantākhyam ||

· 2-26-44 dharmadevasya dharmādhiṣṭhātuḥ anugrahavaśāt viṣasyāpyamṛtam ||

· 2-26-45 svastikasyāyatanabhūtaṁ svastikāyatanaṁ śeṣaṁ tatra śeṣasamīpe ||

· 2-26-58 tasyotsaṅga ityādigranthaḥ

"sapta te sapta śākina ekamekāśatā daduḥ| yamunāyāmadhiśrutamudrādho gavyaṁ mṛje nirādho aśvyaṁ mṛje"

ityetaṁ mantramupabṛṁhayati | mantrārthastu mārutaṁ sūktaṁ aghamarṣaṇakāle bhagavantaṁ dṛṣṭvā taddevatāṁ marutaṁ evaṁ stauti | sapta sapta ekonapaṣcāśat śākinaḥ shaknuvanti te iti vā shaknuvantyetairiti vā śākinaḥ śaktimantaḥ śaktipradā vā marutaḥ ekamekā pratyekaṁ śatā śatamaiśvaryaṁ bhavatīti yāskaḥ | aiśvaryāṇi dadauḥ yat,aohaṁ śrutaṁ evāsya paramā saṁpaditi vedaśirobhya ākarṇitaṁ rādho dhanaṁ sūtrāntyaryāmirūpaṁ yamunāyāṁ adhi madhye mṛje mṛgayāmi paśyāmītyarthaḥ | tadeva rādhaḥ ut ūrdhvaṁ gavyaṁ goṣu sūryaraśmiṣu sthitaṁ gavyaṁ mṛje tathā ashvyam ashvavati rathe sthitaṁ ca devarājani mṛje adho'pi bhūloke paśyāmītyarthaḥ ||

· 2-26-59 viṣṭaraṁ āsanaṁ vinā bhūmāmeva ||

· 2-26-67 vyākṣepeṇa vyāsaṅgena ||

· 2-26-70 rūpiṇā mūrtimatā ||

īti śrīmahābhārate harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāṁ ṣadviṁśo'dhyāyaḥ

27 - kaṁsadhanurbhaṅgaḥ - Breaking Kamsa's Bow

vaiśampāyana uvāca

te tu yuṅktvā rathavaraṁ sarva evāmitaujasaḥ |

kṛṣṇena sahitāḥ prāyaṁstathā saṅkarṣaṇena ca ||2-27-1

vaisahṁpāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) After setting up a best chariot, all of them, along with kṛṣṇa and saṅkarṣaṇa proceeded further.

Aseduste purīṁ ramyāṁ mathurāṁ kaṁsapālitām |

vivishuste purīṁ ramyāṁ kāle raktadivākare ||2-27-2

They arrived at the beautiful city of mathura protected by kaṁsa. They reached inside the city when the sun was red (about to set).

tau tu svabhavanaṁ vīrau kṛṣṇasaṅkarṣaṇāvubhau |

praveshitau buddhimatā hyakrūreṇārkavarchasau ||2-27-3

The intelligent akrūra took the valiant kṛṣṇa and saṅkarṣaṇa, brilliant as sun, to his home.

tāvāha varavarṇābhau bhīto dānapatistadā |

tyaktavyā tāta gamane vasudevagṛhe spṛhā ||2-27-4

The dānapati (akrūra) was worried. He told the two attractive boys: Sons! You should abandon your desire to go to vasudeva's house.

yuvayorhi kṛte vṛddhaḥ kaṁsena sa nirasyate |

bhartsyate ca divā rātrau neha sthātavyamityapi ||2-27-5

Because of you, kaṁsa is harassing the old man (vasudeva) there. Day and night kaṁsa is abusing saying that he should leave this place.

tadyuvābhyāṁ hi kartavyaṁ pitrarthaṁ sukhamuttamam |

yathā sukhamavāpnoti tadvai kāryaṁ hitānvitam ||2-27-6

Hence your duty is to bring the best comfort to your father. You should do the things to his liking so as to bring him comfort.

tamuvāca tataḥ kṛṣṇo yāsyāvāvāmatarkitau |

prekṣantau mathurāṁ vīra rājamārgaṁ ca dhārmika |

tasyaiva tu gṛhaṁ sādho gachcāvo yadi manyase ||2-27-7

Then kṛśṇa told akrūra: O man of righteous path! we do not want to debate with you. We shall proceed to see the city of mathura and the royal path. We shall go to his (vasudeva's) house only if you agree.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

akrūro'pi namaskṛtya manasā kṛṣṇamavyayam |

jagāma kaṁsapārśvaṁ tu prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā ||2-27-8

vaiśaṁpāyana said:

(O janamejaya!) akrūra mentally offered obeisance to the eternal kṛṣṇa and went to see kaṁsa with a joyful mind.

anuśiṣṭāu ca tau vīrau prasthitau prekṣakāvubhau |

ālānābhyāmivonmuktau kuṣjarau yuddhakāṅkṣiṇau ||2-27-9

Both the valiant youth, permitted by akrūra, left to see the city, like two elephants, released, desiring for fighting.

tau tu mārgagataṁ dṛṣṭvā rajakaṁ raṅgakārakam |

ayācetāṁ tatastau tu vāsāṁsi rucirāṇi vai || 2-27-10

On the way they saw a washerman carrying clothes that he had dyed. They asked him for colourful clothes.

rajakaḥ sa tu tau prāha yuvāṁ kasya vanecharau |

rājavāsāṁsi yau mauḍyādyācethāṁ nirbhayāvubhau ||2-27-11

The washerman asked them: Who are you, residents of forest? Out of foolishness, you are asking for royal clothes without any fear.

ahaṁ kaṁsasya vāsāṁsi nānādeśodbhavāni vai |

kāmarāgāṇi shatasho raṣjayāmi viśeṣataḥ ||2-27-12

I mix hundreds of beautiful colours specially for kamsa's clothes, made in different places.

yuvāṁ kasya vane jātau mṛgaiḥ saha vivarddhitau |

jātarāgāvidaṁ dṛṣṭvā raktamāccādanaṁ bahu ||2-27-13

Whose sons are you? In which forest you were born and bought up with animals? You are attracted by seeing many blood-red clothes.

aho vāṁ jīvitaṁ tyaktaṁ yau bhavantāvihāgatau |

mūrkhau prākṛtavijṣānau vāso yācitumicchataḥ ||2-27-14

Alas! you have lost your lives! You are fools and ignorant people to come here and ask for clothes as you wish.

tasmai cukopa vai kṛṣṇo rajakāyālpamedhase |

prāptāriṣṭāya mūrkhāya sṛjate vāṅmayaṁ visham ||2-27-15

kṛṣṇa became angry on the washerman of evil mind, who was a fool speaking poisonous words, whose time of death had come.

talenāśanikalpena sa taṁ mūrddhanyatāḍayat |

sa gatāsuḥ papātorvyāṁ rajako vyastamastakaḥ ||2-27-16

With his hand, like a thunderbolt, kṛṣṇa gave a blow to the washerman's head. The washerman fell dead on the ground, with his head broken.

taṁ hataṁ paridevantyo bhāryāstasya vichukruśuḥ |

tvaritaṁ muktakeshyashcha jagmuḥ kaṁsaniveśanam ||2-27-17

When the washerman's wives saw him dead, they cried loudly and went to kaṁsa's house with their hair loosened.

tāvapyubhau suvasanau jagmaturmālyakāraṇāt |

vīthīmālyāpaṇānāṁ vai gandhāghrātau dvipāviva ||2-27-18

Both the brothers selected good clothes. For garlands, they went to a street of flower garlands like two elephants attracted by the fragrance.

guṇako nāma tatrāsīnmālyavṛttiḥ priyaṁvadaḥ |

prabhūtamālyāpaṇavā.ṇllakṣmīvānpriyadarśanaḥ ||2-27-19

There was a person named guṇaka, selling garlands, who spoke sweetly. Many flower garlands were available there. He was wealthy and handsome.

taṁ kṛṣṇaḥ ślakṣṇayā vācā mālyārthamabhisṛṣṭayā |

dehītyuvāca tatkāle mālākāramakātaram ||2-27-20

Then kṛṣṇa spoke politely to the seller of garlands: Please give us garlands.

tābhyāṁ prīto dadau mālyaṁ prabhūtaṁ mālyajīvanaḥ |

bhavatoḥ svamidaṁ cheti provāca priyadarshanau ||2-27-21

That seller of garlands was pleased and gave many garlands to them. He told the two handsome boys: All my garlands are yours.

prītaḥ sumanasā kṛṣṇo guṇakāya varaṁ dadau |

śrīstvāṁ matsaṁbhavā saumya dhanaughairabhipatsyate ||2-27-22

kṛśṇa of good mind was pleased. He gave a boon to guṇaka: O Gentle one! You will be blessed with śrī and wealth.

sa labdhvā varamavyagro mālyavṛttiradhomukhaḥ |

kṛṣṇasya patito mūrdhnā pratijagrāha taṁ varam ||2-27-23

That seller of garlands was very happy to receive the boon. Bowing at the feet of kṛṣṇa with his head lowered, he received the boon.

yakṣāvimāviti tadā sa mene mālyajīvakaḥ |

sa bhṛśaṁ bhayasaṁvigno nottaraṁ pratyapadyata ||2-27-24

That seller of flower garlands thought that the two boys may be yakṣas. Since he was slightly frightened, he did not utter anything as answer.