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Gopal Champu

Asking the residents, Kṛṣṇa arrived at the sacrificial arena. Huge guards with red eyes prevented them from entering. Joyfully Kṛṣṇa took the bow and easily broke it though no one could see how it was broken. But still, the sound of it breaking spread everywhere. ||26||

The loud crunching sound of the bow given by Śiva and bent by Kṛṣṇa, informed Kaṁsa that he was nothing. If Śiva were present, he also would have no power. ||27||

[36] Details of the bow:

The two tips of the bow shone like two elephant tusks a billion hastas long. The middle had great power like a pillar made of diamond. Three hundred men were required to carry the bow of Śiva. Its effulgence tinted all directions. Kṛṣṇa broke that bow. ||28||

Ananta’s heads began to roll. The tusks of the elephants of the directions broke. Brahmā thought his planet was being crushed and the three worlds were being destroyed. It is not surprising that Kṛṣṇa smashed this fierce bow, harder than a thunderbolt, which could destroy all the universes. ||29||

Kṛṣṇa was the cloud. The bow was a rainbow. The sparks when it broke were lightning. The cracking sound when it broke was thunder rumbling in the clouds. When the rain ends, the time is bright for the devotees. When the rain at the end of the kalpa arrives the demons tremble. ||30||

[37] Troops came running, shouting, “Kill him, kill him.” They were about to attack and covered all directions.

Sometimes one pulls the silver string on the bow, carefully places the arrow, aims the arrow, and releases it at the enemy. Like this, Kṛṣṇa with Balarāma while laughing, quickly killed Kaṁsa’s troops with the two broken pieces of the bow. ||31||

[38] Climbing his diamond watchtower, Kaṁsa questioned his servant.

“What is that sound?”

“A black fellow and a white fellow went to the bow.”

“Did they break the earth holding up the stage where the bow was displayed?”

“What should I say?”

“Let that be. Has someone casually and quickly lifted the bow with his own strength?”

“Ah lord, what should I say?”

“How did he kill all the troops accompanying the bow?” ||32||

The jewel of Nanda’s dynasty—who cut up Kaṁsa’s clothing as well as his chief dyer, who broke the bow and killed its guards while defeating Kaṁsa’s army with the bow, and then played while viewing the city sights with fearless heart—that jewel intoxicates me! ||33||

Seeing their beauty, courage, boldness and power, the citizens considered Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to be devatās and began discussing them. Oh! Look! Seeing the sun of these two boys with magnificent beauty, the world famous sun devoid of rays quickly sets on the horizon according to schedule. ||34||

[39] In fear, Kaṁsa wanted to drive Kṛṣṇa from the city. The troops came to him. Knowing the crooked nature of the troops, and considering them insignificant, the two boys continued playing with their friends and at the end of the day went to the cart dwellings.

[40] Coming to the carts, and thinking that it is the highest dharma to kill those having adharma, not taking a bath necessary after such acts, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma simply washed their feet and ate rice soaked in milk.

Kṛṣṇa set loose the carts at night, and ate milk rice, simple traveler’s food sent by his mother. That makes my heart melt. ||35||

[41] When the story of going to Mathurā was narrated and the people of Vraja were fully agitated, Madhukaṇṭha spoke to conclude.

“O Nanda! When Kṛṣṇa goes to Mathurā to kill Kaṁsa, think of that as a disagreeable dream. Look! Kṛṣṇa at the age of fresh beauty with lotus eyes is personally present before you.” ||36||

[42] Nanda and the people looked at Kṛṣṇa with their eyes and embraced him with their bodies. All their limbs were filled with bliss.

[43] The rest of the story was told in the gathering of Rādhā with Kṛṣṇa present. Madhukaṇṭha spoke.

Until Kṛṣṇa went to Mathurā from Vraja, the assembly sang about all his happiness as a hero using joyous words. The devotees in madhurya-rasa became choked up in grief, seeing the gopīs exhausted from separation, giving long sighs. ||37||

When the women of Mathurā came together to see Kṛṣṇa, it is true that he saw their faces and simultaneously desired something from them, for he was looking everywhere in Mathurā for forms similar to the gopīs. ||38||

[44] This took place because of the blessings given by Rādhā and the gopīs. Śukadeva has said:

gopyo mukunda-vigame virahāturā yā āśāsatāśiṣa ṛtā madhu-pury abhūvan |

sampaśyatāṁ puruṣa-bhūṣaṇa-gātra-lakṣmīṁ hitvetarān nu bhajataś cakame ’yanaṁ śrīḥ ||

At the time of Mukunda’s departure from Vṛndāvana, the gopīs had foretold that the residents of Mathurā would enjoy many benedictions, and now the gopīs’ predictions were coming true, for those residents were gazing upon the beauty of Kṛṣṇa, the jewel among men. The goddess of fortune desired the shelter of that beauty so much that she abandoned many other men, although they worshiped her. SB 10.42.24

[45] Lalitā, who was attending the gathering asked in a suggestive way, “Those blessed by Rādhā and the gopīs are most desirable women. Why was virtuous Kubjā a hunchback, since for those with good character anything is possible?”

[46] Looking privately at the two reciters who could answer, Kṛṣṇa said, “These two who understand my heart are present. Please give the answer.”

[47] The two reciters said:

O Lalitā! Please listen. One should not consider the character of a merciful person for that person shows affection even to those who insult him. ||39||

If the curious person, attracted to the curious, is merciful, he will be completely destitute. To illustrate this thousands of learned people describe Kṛṣṇa and Kubjā. ||40||

[48-49] Of the two, Madhukaṇṭha then spoke. He had previously described this.

You ask because her face was like the moon and her body was crooked like Aṣṭāvakra. My heart thumps with excitement. ||41||

[50] “Yes, do you remember? This woman was a servant of Kaṁsa who used to prepare perfumes. Alone she held the container of perfume firmly, showing great zeal and care. It seemed she was going to Kaṁsa’s palace. Like the clothing I should accept that excellent scent which came from afar. This will produce desire in her but not agitation as in the case of the dyer. Because all the woman’s limbs were deformed, she was deprived of living with any man. Because of the play of Cupid, greed for Kṛṣṇa arose easily in her. I consider that this lust should arise only because of seeing my limbs. I accept that lust out of curiosity with a goal in mind.” Thinking in this way the crest jewel of cleverness said, “O beautiful woman! You are crooked in your movements. Who are you?”

[51] Kubjā said, “O beautiful-faced man! I am a servant.”

[52] Kṛṣṇa said, “Whose servant?”

[53] Kubjā said, “Kaṁsa’s.”

[54] Kṛṣṇa said, “O best of women, what is your name?”

[55] Kubjā said, “O best of dear men, my name is Trivakrā.”

[56-57] Laughing with his friends, Kṛṣṇa said, “I see that your name is quite suitable. Whose is this ointment which gives relief from fatigue?”

[58] Kubjā said, “O best of the clever! All of this has been carefully prepared for he whose servant I am.”

[59] Kṛṣṇa said, “O eloquent one! Some servant will go to a neutral place with permission of her master, while another servant will go without permission.”

[60] Kubjā said, “Beautiful faced man! You speak the truth but I am doing this with my master’s permission. If I did otherwise I would not be respected.”

[61] Everyone said with a laugh, “Why does Kaṁsa not accept this most attractive woman as his wife?”

[62] Kṛṣṇa said, “Speak the truth. For what did you get Kaṁsa’s permission?”

[63] Kubjā said with love and anger, “Why do you ask this question when you can see. I have his permission to make all these ointments full of fragrance.”

[64] Kṛṣṇa said, “That I see. Kaṁsa must have many other beautiful women like you.”

[65] Kubjā said, “There are many. But Kaṁsa likes what I produce.”

[66] Kṛṣṇa said, “If you don’t object, taking the container, I want to experience the fragrance.”

[67] Kubjā said, “I make a promise to the gurus. There is nothing that I will not give to you.”

[68] Kṛṣṇa said, “If that is so, then give us two the perfume flask.”

[69] Kubjā, smiling with attraction, said, “This flask of perfume is meant for no one except you two whose new youthfulness astonishes the universe. Take it all as you please.”

[70] The friends with laughter said inaudibly, “Oh! This woman has two lovers!”

[71] Kṛṣṇa spoke in order to praise her, “You will soon have good fortune.”

[72] Holding in her heart the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa’s attractive form, pastimes, joking and tender words, she gave them the ointments meant for the festival.

[73] Those cosmetics, divided into two portions for the white and black recipients, thick like the rising full moon and mixed with a little water, were enough to distribute to all their friends as well, because it had contacted Kṛṣṇa’s hand.

Putting on the yellow ointment, Kṛṣṇa shone among the boys. Balarāma shone with the beauty of black musk having excellent fragrance. Kṛṣṇa shone like a newly formed cloud and Balarāma shone like the bright moon with its spots. ||42||

[74] Madhukaṇṭha stopped speaking out because of embarrassment in the assembly about the next topic. Lalitā spoke with a smile, “Please describe the next interesting episode with attention in which his dress was a cause of her enjoyment.”

[75] Madhukaṇṭha gave the conclusion:

Being anointed by her, Kṛṣṇa became attracted. The purifier of Pūtanā then thought, being merciful to the miserable, “Though she has a pretty face, her bent body is like a lance in her heart. But since she has served me I should show her mercy. Seeing me suddenly should shatter the lance in her heart.”

[76] He said aloud, “O Trivakrā! I ask for permission to make you straight.”

[77] Thinking he was joking, she said with a smile, “There is no harm in that, but how will it happen?”

[78] Kṛṣṇa said, “By a special hold.”

[79] When Kṛṣṇa’s friends laughed loudly, her hairs stood on end. She said, “Then come to my house.”

[80] Kṛṣṇa while laughing said, “At this time going to your house is not possible. Having faith, see with your eyes, for the astonishment of the world.”

[81] Trembling, she watched. While everyone watched, Kṛṣṇa performed an act like changing dress, astonishing all.

Placing his feet over hers, and holding her with his left hand, pulling her chin up with his middle and forefinger, he straightened her up. ||43||

The crookedness of her back and other limbs was transferred to her glance. And the glance reached her ears, then to her breasts, hips and thighs. It is not astonishing that this happened by Kṛṣṇa’s touch, for she attained the good fortune that other women had attained. ||44 ||

[82] People heard about this with great commotion but no one knew the special feature. I will later consider Kubjā’s good fortune caused by Kṛṣṇa’s auspicious methods.

Wealth makes one quickly proud and poverty makes one humble. Understand that the stories in scripture are never in vain. When Kubjā gained a wealth of youth and beauty, she impetuously grabbed the end of Kṛṣṇa’s upper cloth. ||45||

A poor person on gaining wealth gains power, but does not show proper behavior. In a public place Kubjā said, “O hero! Please come. I am full of desire. Please enjoy me.” ||46||

[83] Lalitā said, “If she was qualified for Kṛṣṇa, performer of unlimited pastimes, she must have gained a position of great prema like us. Please speak more with attention.”

[84] Madhukaṇṭha said with reserve:

Controlled by his curiosity, most merciful Kṛṣṇa with unequaled nature, being embarrassed, spoke to her to deceive her, while letting his smiling friends and Balarāma hear:

eṣyāmi te gṛhaṁ su-bhru puṁsām ādhi-vikarśaṇam |

sādhitārtho’gṛhāṇāṁ naḥ pānthānāṁ tvaṁ parāyaṇam ||

O lady with beautiful eyebrows, as soon as I fulfill my purpose I will certainly visit your house, where men can relieve their anxiety. Indeed, you are the best refuge for us homeless travelers. SB 10.42.12

[85] Lalitā said with a smile, “Ah! We have understood what the great souls have said.”

[86] Viśākhā said, “Please explain.”

[87] Lalitā said with a smile:

Like an easily satisfied person who takes a hut as a palace or a stage as a bed, Kubjā takes herself to be beautiful like an Apsarā. || 47||

[88] Hearing this, Rādhā spoke with a smile, “Why Madhukaṇṭha did not say that he agreed to her request?”

[89] Madhukaṇṭha spoke:

For you the request appears like this. But I consider as follows:

If a poor person is seen by a merciful person, the merciful person’s powers will be controlled by the poor man. Curious for a moment, Kṛṣṇa glanced at Kubjā and she thus attained the power to become similar to the gopīs. ||48||

[90] May merciful Kṛṣṇa, performer of exciting pastimes, appear to all devotees. Rādhā! Your prema alone is capable of binding your friend Kṛṣṇa. ||49||

[91] When Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa had concluded their joyful conversation, they went to their attractive house.

Sri Garga Samhita

Text 9

Verse text

yāntīṁ śriyaṁ padma-netraṁ bibhratīṁ yuvatīṁ kubjāṁ pathi papraccha mādhavaḥ

Synonyms

yāntīm going ; śriyam beautiful ; padma-netram lotus-eyed ; pāṭīrālepa-bhājanam carrying a cup of sandal paste ; bibhratīm carrying ; yuvatīm young ; kubjām hunchback girl ; pathi on the path ; papraccha asked ; mādhavaḥ Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

pāṭīrālepa-bhājanam Then Lord Kṛṣṇa posed a question to a young, beautiful, and lotus-eyed hunchback girl carrying a cup of sandal-paste as she walked on the road.
Text 10

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca kā tvaṁ kasya priyā su-bhru kasyārthaṁ candanaṁ tv idam dehy āvayor yena tava ciraṁ śreyo bhaviṣyati

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; who? ; tvam are you ; kasya of whom ; priyā the beloved ; su-bhru O girl with beautiful eyebrows ; kasya of whom ; artham for the sake ; candanam sandal paste ; tv indeed ; idam this ; dehy please give ; āvayoḥ to Us ; yena by which ; tava of you ; ciram eternal ; śreyaḥ good fortune ; bhaviṣyati will be.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Who are you? Who is the man that loves you? For whom do you carry this sandal paste? Give it to Us. If you do, you will attain eternal good fortune.
Text 11

Verse text

śrī-sairandhry uvāca dāsy asmi sundara-vara kubjā nāma mahā-mate mad-dhastotthaṁ ca pāṭīraṁ jātaṁ bhoja-pateḥ priyam

Synonyms

śrī-sairandhry uvāca the serving-girl said ; dāsy a maidsevant ; asmi I am ; sundara-vara O most handsome of men ; kubjā Kubjā ; nāma named ; mahā-mate O noble-hearted one ; mad-dhastottham made by my own hand ; ca and ; pāṭīram sandal paste ; jātam born ; bhoja-pateḥ of the Bhoja king Kaṁsa ; priyam favorite.

Translation

The maidservant said: O most handsome of men, I am a maidservant. O noble-hearted one, My name is Kubjā. I made this sandal paste with my own hand. Kaṁsa, the king of the Bhojas, likes it very much.
Text 12

Verse text

adyāpi kaṁsa-dāsy asmi samprāptaṁ tava cāgrataḥ bhuja-daṇḍe 'sti me manaḥ

Synonyms

adya now ; api also ; kaṁsa-dāsy Kaṁsa's maidservant ; asmi I am ; samprāptam attained ; tava of You ; ca and ; agrataḥ the presence ; hasti an elephant's ; ṣuṇḍa-daṇḍa trunk ; same like ; bhuja-daṇḍe two arms ; asti is ; me of me ; manaḥ the mind.

Translation

hasti-ṣuṇḍa-daṇḍa-same I am Kaṁsa's maidservant, but now that I have met You I can think only of Your two broad arms like two great elephant's trunks.
Text 13

Verse text

yuvāṁ vinā ko 'nyatamo 'nulepaṁ kartum arhati yuvayos tu samaṁ rūpaṁ trailokye na hi vidyate

Synonyms

yuvām You two ; vinā without ; kaḥ who ; anulepam sandal paste ; kartum to do ; arhati deserves ; yuvayoḥ of You both ; tu indeed ; samam equal ; rūpam form ; trailokye in the three worlds ; na not ; hi indeed ; vidyate is.

Translation

Who deserves this sandal paste more than You two? In the three worlds no one is as handsome as You two.
Text 14

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca ubhābhyāṁ sa dadau sāndraṁ harṣitā hy anulepanam atha tāv aṅgarāgena rāma-kṛṣṇau virejatuḥ

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; ubhābhyām to Them both ; sa she ; dadau gave ; sāndram great ; harṣitā joyful ; hy indeed ; anulepanam sandal paste ; atha then ; tāv Them both ; aṅgarāgena with the ointment ; rāma-kṛṣṇau Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma ; virejatuḥ were splendid.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: Very happy, she gave the thick sandal paste to Them. Anointed with it, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma shone with great splendor.
Text 15

Verse text

jagṛhuś candanaṁ divyaṁ kiṣcit kiṣcid vrajārbhakāḥ tri-vakrām atha tāṁ kṛṣṇo ṛjvīṁ kartuṁ mano dadhe

Synonyms

jagṛhuḥ took ; candanam the sandal paste ; divyam splendid ; kiṣcit kiṣcit some ; vrajārbhakāḥ the boys of Vraja ; tri-vakrām the hunchback girl bewnt in three places ; atha then ; tām to her ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; ṛjvīm a straight girl ; kartum to make ; manaḥ the mind ; dadhe placed.

Translation

Then the boys of Vraja also took some of the splendid sandal paste. At that moment Lord Kṛṣṇa decided to transform the hunchback girl bent in three places into a beautiful straight girl.
Text 16

Verse text

ākramya padbhyāṁ prapade 'ṅguli-dvayaṁ prottāna-hastena vibhuḥ pareśvaraḥ pragṛhya nṛṇāṁ cibuke prapaśyatāṁ vakrāṁ tanuṁ tām udanīnamad dhariḥ

Synonyms

ākramya stepping ; padbhyām with both feet ; prapade on the toes ; aṅguli-dvayam with two fingers ; prottāna-hastena with an extended hand ; vibhuḥ the Lord ; pareśvaraḥ the supreme controller ; pragṛhya grasping ; nṛṇām as the people ; cibuke the chin ; prapaśyatām watched ; vakrām the crooked ; tanum body ; tām here ; udanīnamat pulled ; hariḥ Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

With both feet stepping on her toes, and with two fingers of an outretched hand grasping her chin, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the almighty Supreme Personality of Godhead, as everyone watched, suddenly jerked her crooked body.
Text 17

Verse text

tadaiva sā yaṣṭi-samāna-vigrahā dīptyā ca rambhaṁ kṣipatīva rūpiṇī bhūtvā gṛhītvāha hariṁ tu vāsasi śuci-smitā jāta-manoja-vihvalā

Synonyms

tadā then ; eva indeed ; she ; yaṣṭi-samāna-vigrahā with a body as straight as a stick ; dīptyā with splendor ; ca and ; rambham a banana tree ; kṣipati trhows ; iva as if ; rūpiṇī beautiful ; bhūtvā becoming ; gṛhītvā taking ; āha said ; harim top Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tu indeed ; vāsasi garments ; śuci-smitā with a sweet smile ; jāta-manoja-vihvalā overcome with lust.

Translation

She suddenly became a beautiful girl straight as a stick, her straightness eclipsing the graceful straightness of the banana tree. Sweetly smiling, and now tormented with amorous desires, she clutched Lord Kṛṣṇa's garment.
Text 18

Verse text

śrī-sairandhry uvāca gacchāśu he sundara-varya mad-gṛhaṁ tyaktuṁ bhavantaṁ kila notsahe 'ham prasīda sarvajṣa rasajṣa mānada tvayā bhṛśaṁ pronmathitaṁ mano mama

Synonyms

śrī-sairandhrī uvāca the maidservant said ; gaccha go ; āśu at once ; he O ; sundara-varya most handsome of men ; mad-gṛham to my home ; tyaktum to leave ; bhavantam You ; kila indeed ; na not ; utsahe am eager ; aham I ; prasīda please be kind ; sarvajṣa O all-knowing one ; rasajṣa O taster of nectar ; mānada O respectful one ; tvayā with You ; bhṛśam greatly ; pronmathitam agitated ; manaḥ heart ; mama my.

Translation

The maidservant said: O most handsome of men, please come to my house. I cannot leave You. O all-knowing one, O You who know the sweet taste of nectar, O You who humbly give all honor to others, please be kind to me. My heart is tormented with love for You.
Text 19

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca tadaiva gopā jahasuḥ parasparaṁ aho kim etat kara-tāla-niḥsvanaiḥ prahasya rāmasya hariḥ prapaśyatas tad yācyamāno hy avadat paraṁ vacaḥ

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; tadā then ; eva indeed ; gopā the gopas ; jahasuḥ laughed ; parasparam among themselves ; ahaḥ Oh ; kim what? ; etat this ; kara-tāla-niḥsvanaiḥ with clapping of hands ; prahasya laughing ; rāmasya of Balarāma ; hariḥ Kṛṣṇa ; prapaśyataḥ looking on ; tat that ; yācyamānaḥ being requested ; hy indeed ; avadat said ; param then ; vacaḥ words.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: Then the gopas burst into laughter and clapped their hands. Lord Kṛṣṇa smiled and, as Balarāma looked on, spoke the following words.
Text 20

Verse text

śrī-bhagavān uvāca aho 'ti-dhanyā mathurā purīyaṁ vasanti yatraiva janās tu saumyāḥ ye 'jṣāta-panthān sva-gṛhaṁ nayanti dṛṣṭvā purīṁ dhāma tavāgamiṣye

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca the Supreme Personality of Godhead said ; ahaḥ Oh ; ati very ; dhanya opulent ; mathurā Mathurā ; purī City ; iyam this ; vasanti reside ; yatra where ; eva indeed ; janāḥ people ; tu indeed ; saumyāḥ beautiful ; ye who ; ajṣāta-panthān whose path is not known ; sva-gṛham to their own home ; nayanti take ; dṛṣṭvā seeing ; purīm the city ; dhāma the abode ; tava of you ; āgamiṣye I will come.

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Very beautiful and kind people, who take even strangers to be guests at their homes, live here. That is why Mathurā City is blessed with such opulences. After I have finished sightseeing in the city I will surely visit your home.
Text 21

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca evam uktvottarīyāntaṁ samākṛṣya girārdrayā rāja-mārgaṁ vrajan kṛṣṇo vaiśyān āḍhyān dadarśa ha

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; evam thus ; uktvā speaking ; uttarīyāntam the edge of His chadar ; samākṛṣya tugging ; girā with words ; ardrayā melting with emotion ; rāja-mārgam the king's road ; vrajan going ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; vaiśyān vaiśyas ; āḍhyān wealthy ; dadarśa saw ; ha indeed.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: After speaking these affectionate words, Lord Kṛṣṇa pulled at His upper garment and continued on the king's road. Then He saw a group of wealthy vaiśyas.
Text 22

Verse text

phalair dugdha-phalair harim sampūjya svāsane sthāpya nemur āgrya-dhiyo viśaḥ

Synonyms

puṣpa with flowers ; tāmbūla betelnuts ; gandha and scents ; āḍhyaiḥ opulent ; phalaiḥ with fruits ; dugdha-phalaiḥ with milk ; harim Kṛṣṇa ; sampūjya worsiping ; svāsane on a throne ; sthāpya placing ; nemuḥ bowed down ; āgrya-dhiyaḥ attentive ; viśaḥ vaiśyas.

Translation

puṣpa-tāmbūla-gandhāḍhyaiḥ Worshiping Him with flowers, betenuts, scents, fruits, and milk, and placing Him on a throne, the vaiśyas bowed down before Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Text 23

Verse text

śrī-vaiśyā ūcuḥ bhavec ced atra te rājyaṁ tāvakān smaratāt tadā vayaṁ tava prajā deva rājye prāpte na kaḥ smaret

Synonyms

śrī-vaiśya ūcuḥ the vaiśyas said ; bhavec may be ; cet if ; atra here ; te of You ; rājyam the kingdom ; tāvakān Yours ; smaratāt should remember ; tadā then ; vayam we ; tava of You ; prajā the citizens ; deva O Lord ; rājye in the kingdom ; prāpte attained ; na not ; kaḥ who? ; smaret will remember.

Translation

The vaiśyas said: If You become the king here, then please remember Your own people. We are Your subjects. O Lord, who, on attaining a kingdom, will forget his own people?
Text 24

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca papraccha su-smito vaiśyān ko-daṇḍa-sthānam acyutaḥ na te tam ūcuḥ su-dhiyaḥ ko-daṇḍe bhaṅga-śaṅkayā

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; papraccha asked ; su-smitaḥ smiling ; vaiśyān the vaiśyas ; ko-daṇḍa of the bow ; sthānam the place ; acyutaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; na not ; te they ; tam to Him ; ūcuḥ said ; su-dhiyaḥ intelligent ; ko-daṇḍe of the bow ; bhaṅga breaking ; śaṅkayā with the fear.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: Sweetly smiling, the Lord asked where the great bow was kept. Fearing the Lord would break it, the intelligent vaiśyas did not tell Him.
Text 25

Verse text

mohitā ye ca māthurāḥ kumāra paśyaihi dhanur ity ūcus tad-didṛkṣavaḥ

Synonyms

tat His ; rūpa handsomeness ; guṇa virtues ; mādhurya and sweetness ; mohitā charmed ; ye who ; ca and ; mathurāḥ people of Mathurā ; kumāra O boy ; paśya look ; ehi come ; dhanuḥ the bow ; ity thus ; ūcuḥ said ; tad-didṛkṣavaḥ eager to see Him.

Translation

tad-rūpa-guṇa-mādhurya- Charmed by the Lord's handsomeness, virtue and sweetness, and hoping to see the Lord break the bow, some boys of Mathurā said, "Child, come. Look. Here is the bow."
Text 26

Verse text

tair dṛṣṭetena pathā kṛṣṇaḥ praviṣṭo dhanuṣaḥ sthalam maitrīṁ kurvan vayasyaiś ca māthuraiḥ pura-bālakaiḥ

Synonyms

taiḥ by them ; dṛṣṭetena showed ; pathā the path ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; praviṣṭaḥ entered ; dhanuṣaḥ of the bow ; sthalam the place ; maitrīm frindship ; kurvan doing ; vayasyaiś with the boys His age ; ca and ; māthuraiḥ residing in Mathurā ; pura-bālakaiḥ the boys of the city.

Translation

At once becoming friends with these boys, the Lord followed their directions and came to the place of the bow.
Text 27

Verse text

yathaindraṁ hema-citrādhyaṁ ko-daṇḍaṁ sapta-tālakam puruṣaiḥ paṣca-sāhasrair netuṁ yogyaṁ bṛhad-bharam

Synonyms

yathā as ; aindram of Indra ; hema-citrādhyam wonderfully opulkent with gold ; ko-daṇḍam the bow ; sapta-tālakam seven palm trees ; puruṣaiḥ with men ; paṣca-sāhasraiḥ five thousand ; netum to bring ; yogyam proper ; bṛhad-bharam very heavy.

Translation

Seven tālas long and wonderful with gold, the bow was like the bow of Indra himself. It was so heavy five thousand men were needed to carry it.
Text 28

Verse text

aṣṭa-dhātu-mayaṁ kliṣṭaṁ lakṣa-bhāra-samaṁ param caturdaśyāṁ paura-janair arcitaṁ yajṣa-maṇḍape

Synonyms

aṣṭa-dhātu-mayam made of eigth metals ; kliṣṭam heavy ; lakṣa-bhāra-samam heavy as a hundred thousand bharas ; param great ; caturdaśyām on caturdasi ; paura-janaiḥ by the poeople of the city ; arcitam worshiped ; yajṣa-maṇḍape in the sacrificial arena.

Translation

It was made of eight metals and weighed a hundred thousand bhāras. On caturdaśī the people of the city worshiped it is the yajṣa-maṇḍapa.
Text 29

Verse text

bhārgavena purā dattaṁ yadu-rājāya mādhavaḥ dadarśa kuṇḍalī-bhūtaṁ sākṣāc cheṣam iva sthitam

Synonyms

purā previously ; dattam given ; yadu-rājāya to the king of the Yādavas ; mādhavaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; dadarśa saw ; kuṇḍalī-bhūtam coiled around ; sākṣāc directky ; śeṣam —Lord Śeṣa ; iva like ; sthitam situated.

Translation

Long ago Lord Paraśurāma gave this bow to King Kaṁsa. Lord Kṛṣṇa looked at the bow and thought it was like Lord Śeṣa, His coils wound around and around.
Text 30

Verse text

varyamāno nṛbhiḥ kṛṣṇaḥ prasahya dhanur ādade paśyatāṁ tatra paurāṇāṁ sajjaṁ kṛtvātha līlayā

Synonyms

varyamānaḥ stopped ; nṛbhiḥ by the people ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; prasahya overcoming ; dhanuḥ the bow ; ādade took ; paśyatām watching ; tatra there ; paurāṇām by the people of the city ; sajjam stringing ; kṛtvā doing ; atha then ; līlayā playfully.

Translation

Overcoming the people's attempt to stop Him, Lord Kṛṣṇa picked up the bow. As the people of the city watched, He easily strung it.
Text 31

Verse text

ākṛṣya karṇa-paryantaṁ dor-daṇḍābhyāṁ harir dhanuḥ babhaṣja madhyato rājann ikṣu-daṇḍaṁ gajo yathā

Synonyms

ākṛṣya drawing bakc ; karṇa-paryantam to His ear ; dor-daṇḍābhyām with both hands ; hariḥ Lord Kṛṣṇa ; dhanuḥ the bow ; babhaṣja broke ; madhyataḥ in the middle ; rājann O king ; ikṣu-daṇḍam sugar-cane ; gajaḥ an elephant ; yathā as.

Translation

Grasbing the bow with both hands, and drawing the string to His ears, Lord Kṛṣṇa broke the bow in the middle, as an elephant breaks a sugarcane stalk.
Text 32

Verse text

bhajyamānasya dhanuṣas ṭāṅkāro 'bhūt taḍit-svanaḥ nanāda tena brahmāṇḍaṁ sapta-lokair bilaiḥ saha

Synonyms

bhajyamānasya broken ; dhanuṣaḥ of the bow ; ṭāṅkāraḥ the sound ; abhūt was ; taḍit-svanaḥ thunder ; nanāda resounded ; tena by that ; brahmāṇḍam the universes ; sapta-lokaiḥ with seven lokas ; bilaiḥ with outer space ; saha with.

Translation

The sound of the bow breaking was like thunder. It echoed in the universe of seven lokas.
Text 33

Verse text

vicelur dig-gajās tārā tadaiva badhirī-bhūta pṛthivyāṁ jana-maṇḍalī

Synonyms

viceluḥ trembled ; dig-gajāḥ the elphants of the directions ; tara the stars ; rājad-bhū-khaṇḍa-maṇḍalam the circle of the earth ; tadā then ; eva indeed ; badhirī-bhūta deafened ; pṛthivyām on the earth ; jana-maṇḍalī the people.

Translation

rājad-bhū-khaṇḍa-maṇḍalam The earth, the stars, and the elephants holding up the directions all shook. The people on the earth were deafened by the sound.
Text 34

Verse text

kaṁsasya hṛdayaṁ śabdo vidadāra ghaṭī-dvayam tad-rakṣiṇaḥ prakupitā utthitā ātatāyinaḥ

Synonyms

kaṁsasya of Kaṁsa ; hṛdayam the heart ; śabdaḥ the sound ; vidadāra broke ; ghaṭī-dvayam for an hour ; tad-rakṣiṇaḥ the guards ; prakupitāḥ angry ; utthitā rose up ; ātatāyinaḥ trying to kill.

Translation

That sound shattered Kaṁsa's heart. For two hours the guards at that place attacked Kṛṣṇa.
Texts 35 and 36

Verse text

gṛhītu-kāmāḥ śrī-kṛṣṇaṁ pratyūcur badhyatām iti atha tān āgatān vīkṣya sa-śastrān bala-keśavau ko-daṇḍa-sakale nītvā jaghnatur durmadān bhṛśam kecid vīras tu mūrchitāḥ

Synonyms

gṛhītu-kāmāḥ wishing to grab ; śrī-kṛṣṇam Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; pratyūcuḥ said ; badhyatām bind Him ; iti thus ; atha then ; tān them ; āgatān come ; vīkṣya seeing ; sa-śastrān with weapons ; bala-keśavau Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma ; ko-daṇḍa-sakale the bow ; nītvā taking ; jaghnatuḥ struck ; durmadān the wicked ; bhṛśam greatly ; sakalāti-prahāreṇa by that blow ; kecit some ; vīraḥ soldiers ; tu indeed ; mūrchitāḥ fell unconscious.

Translation

sakalāti-prahāreṇa Eager to grab Kṛṣṇa, the demon soldiers called out, Tie Him up!" Seeing them coming with weapons, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma took up the bow and struck them so ferociously than many fell unconscious.
Text 37

Verse text

bhinna-pādā bhinna-nakhāḥ kecic chinnāṁsa-bāhavaḥ vīrāḥ paṣca-sahasrāṇi nipetur bhūmi-maṇḍale

Synonyms

bhinna-pādā broken feet ; bhinna-nakhāḥ broken nails ; kecic some ; chinnāṁsa-bāhavaḥ broken arms and shoulders ; vīrāḥ soldiers ; paṣca-sahasrāṇi five thousand ; nipetuḥ fell ; bhūmi-maṇḍale to the gound.

Translation

Their feet, nails, arms, or shoulders broken, five thousand soldiers fell to the ground.
Text 38

Verse text

vicelur māthurāḥ sarve dudruvus tad-didṛkṣavaḥ puryāṁ kolāhale jāte nṛṇāṁ jātaṁ mahad bhayam

Synonyms

viceluḥ shook ; mathurāḥ the people of Mathurā ; sarve all ; dudruvuḥ ran ; tad-didṛkṣavaḥ wishingt to see ; puryām in the city ; kolāhale a tumult ; jāte was manifested ; nṛṇām ofthe people ; jātam manifested ; mahat great ; bhayam fear.

Translation

Trembling, the people ran to see it. There was a great uproar in the city. The people were very afraid.
Text 39

Verse text

akasmān nipapāta ha gopālaiḥ sa-balaḥ kṛṣṇo dhāvan cāpa-sthalān nṛpa āyayau nanda-nikaṭe sandhyā-kāle 'ti-bhīta-vat

Synonyms

bhoja-rāja of Kaṁsa ; sabhā of the assembly ; cchatram the parasol ; akasmān suddenly ; nipapāta fell ; ha indeed ; gopālaiḥ with the gopas ; sa-balaḥ with Balarāma ; kṛṣṇaḥ Kṛṣṇa ; dhāvan running ; cāpa-sthalān from the place of the bow ; nṛpa O king ; āyayau came ; nanda-nikaṭe to Nanda ; sandhyā-kāle at sunset ; ati-bhīta-vat as if He were very afraid.

Translation

bhoja-rāja-sabhā-cchatraṁ At that moment the royal parasol over Kaṁsa's throne suddenly fell to the ground. O king, Kṛṣṇa and the gopas fled from the place of the bow. Finding Nanda at sunset, Lord Kṛṣṇa seemed to be very afraid.
Text 40

Verse text

nirīkṣya govinda-su-rūpam adbhutaṁ vimohitā vai mathurā-purāṅgaṇaḥ visraṣṭa-vāsaḥ-kabarāḥ smarādhayaḥ parasparaṁ prāhur idaṁ sakhī-janam

Synonyms

nirīkṣya seeing ; govinda Lord Kṛṣṇa's su-rūpam—handsome form ; adbhutam wonderful ; vimohitā enchanted ; vai indeed ; mathurā of Mathurā ; purāṅgaṇaḥ the women ; visraṣṭa dishevelled ; vāsaḥ garments ; kabarāḥ and hair ; smarādhayaḥ tormented with amorous desires ; parasparam among themselves ; prāhuḥ said ; idam this ; sakhī-janam to their friends.

Translation

Gazing at Lord Kṛṣṇa's wonderfully handsome form, the women of Mathurā were bewildered with feelings of love. Tormented with amorous desires, and their hair and garments in disarray, they spoke among themselves.
Text 41

Verse text

śrī-purandhrya ūcuḥ kandarpa-koṭi-dyutim āharaṁs tvaraṁ svairaṁ caran vai mathurā-pure hariḥ nirīkṣyate yābhir atīva sākṣād aṅgeṣu sarveṣv api naḥ samāviśat

Synonyms

śrī-purandhrya ūcuḥ the women of the city said ; kandarpa-koṭi-dyutim the splendor of millions of Kāmadevas ; āharan eclipsing ; tvaram at once ; svairam independent ; caran walking ; vai indeed ; mathurā-pure in Mathurā City ; hariḥ Lord Kṛṣṇa ; nirīkṣyate is seen ; yābhiḥ by whom ; atīva greatly ; sākṣāt directly ; aṅgeṣu on the limbs ; sarveṣv all ; api also ; naḥ of us ; samāviśat entered.

Translation

The women of Mathurā City said: As we gaze on Lord Kṛṣṇa, eclipsing the glory of millions of Kāmadevas and wandering as He likes in Mathurā City, amorous desires esuddenly enter all limbs of our bodies.
Text 42

Verse text

śrī-kuśalā ūcuḥ krūrāḥ striyaḥ kiṁ na hi santi paṭṭane nirīkṣyate yābhir anaṅga-mohitāḥ aṅgeṣu sarveṣv api sarva-sundaro nāsmābhir ānandamayo nirīkṣyate

Translation

śrī-kuśalā ūcuḥ— krūrāḥ striyaḥ kiṁ na hi santi paṭṭane nirīkṣyate yābhir anaṅga-mohitāḥ aṅgeṣu sarveṣv api sarva-sundaro nāsmābhir ānandamayo nirīkṣyate Thw wise women of Mathurā said: Are women hard-hearted? Not in this city. Gazing at Lord Kṛṣṇa, we have become bewildered with love for Him. We have never seen limbs as handsome and delightful as His.
Text 43

Verse text

kasyaika-deśe madhuratvam īkṣyate tatrāsti netraṁ prapatat-pataṅgavat yas tv eva sarvāṅga-mānoharaḥ sakhi sa eva netreṇa kathaṁ samīkṣyate

Synonyms

kasya of whom? ; eka in one ; deśe place ; madhuratvam sweetness ; īkṣyate is seen ; tatra there ; asti is ; netram the eye ; prapatat flying ; pataṅga a moth ; vat like ; yaḥ who ; tv indeed ; eva indeed ; sarvāṅga-mānoharaḥ the charm of all limbs ; sakhi O friend ; sa He ; eva indeed ; netreṇa by the eye ; katham how? ; samīkṣyate is seen.

Translation

How can there be so much sweetness in a single place? Gazing at Him, our eyes have become like moths flying into a fire. O friend, how do my eyes have the power to see someone so handsome?
Text 44

Verse text

aṅge hy aṅge sundare nanda-sūnoḥ prāptaṁ prāptaṁ yatra yatrāpi netram tasmāt tasmān nāmaval labdha-saukhyaṁ lāvaṇyābdhau magnaval lagna-cittam

Synonyms

aṅge on limb ; hy indeed ; aṅge after limb ; sundare handsome ; nanda-sūnoḥ of Nanda's son ; prāptam attained ; prāptam attained ; yatra where ; yatra where ; api also ; netram eye ; tasmāt from that ; tasmān from that ; nāmaval like the name ; labdha-saukhyam attained happiness ; lāvaṇyābdhau in an ocean of handsomeness ; magnaval as if plunged ; lagna placed ; cittam mind.

Translation

As our eyes gaze on each of Śrī Kṛṣṇa's limbs we become filled with bliss and our thoughts become plunged in the ocean of His handsomess.
Text 45

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca dṛṣṭvā dine yaṁ vraja-rāja-nandanaṁ svapne 'pi tadvad dadṛśuḥ pura-striyaḥ gopyaḥ kathaṁ taṁ madhuraṁ na sasmarur yābhiḥ kṛtaṁ maithila rāsa-maṇḍalam

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; dṛṣṭvā seeing ; dine in the day ; yam Him ; vraja-rāja-nandanam to the prince of Vraja ; svapne in dream ; api also ; tadvat in that way ; dadṛśuḥ saw ; pura-striyaḥ the women of the city ; gopyaḥ the gopīs ; katham how? ; tam Him ; madhuram sweet ; na not ; sasmaruḥ thought ; yābhiḥ by whom ; kṛtam done ; maithila O king of Mithilā ; rāsa-maṇḍalam the circle of the rāsa-dance.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: As they saw Him in the day, the women of Mathurā City also so Lord Kṛṣṇa in their dreams. O king of Mithilā, they thought, "What did the gopīs do to attain the company of such an enhcanting boy in the rāsa-dance circle?" Chapter Eleven Kubjā-kuvalayāpīḍa-varṇaṇa The Stories of Kubjā and Kuvalayāpīḍa
Text 1

Verse text

śrī-bahulāśva uvāca sairandhryā kiṁ kṛtaṁ pūrvam tapaḥ parama-durghaṭam yena prasannaḥ śrī-kṛṣṇo devair api su-durlabhaḥ Śrī Bahulāśva said: What severe austerities did the maidservant Kubjā perform in her previous birth that she so pleased Lord Kṛṣṇa, whom even the demigods cannot attain?

Synonyms

śrī-bahulāśva uvāca Śrī Bahulāśva said ; sairandhryā by the maidservant Kubjā ; kim what? ; kṛtam done ; pūrvam before ; tapaḥ austerities ; parama-durghaṭam very difficult ; yena by which ; prasannaḥ pleased ; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; devaiḥ bythe demigods ; api even
Text 2

Verse text

paṣcavatyāṁ sthitaṁ rāmaṁ koṭi-kandarpa-sannibham vīkṣya śūrpanakhā nāmnī rakṣasī mohitā bhṛśam

Synonyms

paṣcavatyām in Pancavati ; sthitam situated ; rāmam Lord Rāma ; koṭi-kandarpa-sannibham splendid as millions of Kāmadevas ; vīkṣya seeing ; śūrpanakhā Śūrpanakhā ; nāmnī named ; rakṣasī demoness ; mohitā bewildered ; bhṛśam *greatly.

Translation

Gazing at Lord Rāma in Paṣcavatī forest, a demonness name Śūrpanakhā fell passionately in love with Him.
Text 3

Verse text

nirmohaṁ rāghavaṁ dṛṣṭvā- thaika-patnī-vrata-sthitaṁ krodhāt sītāṁ bhakṣayituṁ dhāvatī rāvaṇa-svasā Seeing that Lord Rāma had vowed to accept only one wife, and had not fallen in love with her, Rāvaṇa's sister Śūrpanakhā angrily ran to devour Sītā-devī.

Synonyms

nirmoham not falling in love with her ; rāghavam Lord Rāma ; dṛṣṭvā seeing ; atha then ; eka-patnī-vrata-sthitam taking a vow of accepting only one wife ; krodhāt out of anger ; sītām Sītā ; bhakṣayitum to devour ; dhāvatī running
Text 4

Verse text

khaḍgena śita-dhāreṇa lakṣmaṇo rāghavānujaḥ jahāra tasyāḥ karṇau ca nāsaṁ sadyo ruṣānvitaḥ

Synonyms

khaḍgena with a sword ; śita-dhāreṇa with a sharp edge ; lakṣmaṇaḥ Lakṣmaṇa ; rāghavānujaḥ Lord Rāma's younger brother ; jahāra took ; tasyāḥ of her ; karṇau the ears ; ca and ; nāsam nose ; sadyaḥ at once ; ruṣānvitaḥ *angry.

Translation

At this Lord Rāma's younger brother Lakṣmaṇa became angry and with a sharp-edged sword quickly cut away her ears and nose.
Text 5

Verse text

chinna-nāsā gatā laṅkāṁ ravanāya nyavedayat bhūyaḥ puṣkara-tīrthe sā jagāma vimanā bhṛśam

Synonyms

chinna-nāsā cut away nose ; gatā attained ; laṅkām to Lanka ; ravanāya for Ravana ; nyavedayat informed ; bhūyaḥ greatly ; puṣkara-tīrthe at Puskara-tirtha ; sa she ; jagāma went ; vimanā disconsolate ; bhṛśam *very.

Translation

Her nose cut away, she went to Laṅkā and told Rāvaṇa what had happened. Then, unhappy at heart, she went to Puṣkara-tīrtha.
Text 6

Verse text

tapaś cakre śūrpanakhā varṣāṇām ayutaṁ jale dhyāyantī try-ambakaṁ devaṁ śrī-rāmaṁ varam icchatī

Synonyms

tapaḥ austerities ; cakre did ; śūrpanakhā Śūrpanakhā ; varṣāṇām of years ; ayutam ten thousand ; jale in the water ; dhyāyantī meditating ; try-ambakaṁ devam on Lord Śiva ; śrī-rāmam Lord Rāma ; varam husband ; icchatī *wishing.

Translation

Wishing to get Lord Rāma as her husband, for ten thousand years Śūrpanakhā stayed underwater and meditated on Lord Śiva.
Text 7

Verse text

tataḥ prasanno bhagavān deva-deva uma-patiḥ etya tat puṣkaraṁ tīrthaṁ varaṁ brūhīty uvāca ha

Synonyms

prasannaḥ pleased ; bhagavān the Lord ; deva-deva the master of the demigods ; uma-patiḥ the husband of Umā ; etya coming ; tat that ; puṣkaraṁ tīrtham to Puṣkara-tīrtha ; varam blessing ; brūhi speak ; iti thus ; uvāca said ; ha *indeed.

Translation

Pleased by this, Lord Śiva, who is the master of the demigods and the husband of Umā, came to Puṣkara-tīrtha and said, "Ask for a boon."
Text 8

Verse text

śūrpanakhovāca śrī-rāmo me varo bhūyād varaṁ dehi satāṁ priyaḥ tvaṁ deva-deva paramaḥ sarvāsām āśiṣāṁ prabhuḥ

Synonyms

śūrpanakhā uvāca Śūrpanakhā said ; śrī-rāmaḥ Śrī rāma ; me of me ; varaḥ the husbvand ; bhūyāt may be ; varam boon ; dehi please give ; satām of the saintly persons ; priyaḥ dear ; tvam you ; deva-deva the master ofthe demigods ; paramaḥ great ; sarvāsām of all ; āśiṣām blessings ; prabhuḥ *the master.

Translation

Śūrpanakhā said: You are the great master of the demigods. You are dear to the great saints. You have the power to give all benedictions. Please grant me that Śrī Rāma will become my husband.
Text 9

Verse text

śrī-śiva uvāca adyaiva sa-phalo na syād varas te śṛṇu rākṣasi dvāparānte māthure ca bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

Synonyms

śrī-śiva uvāca Lord śuva said ; adya today ; eva indeed ; sa-phalaḥ fruitful ; na not ; syāt may be ; varaḥ boon ; te of you ; śṛṇu please hear ; rākṣasi O demonness ; dvāparānte at the end of Dvapara-yuga ; māthure in Mathurā ; ca and ; bhaviṣyati will be ; na no ; saṁśayaḥ *doubt.

Translation

Lord Śiva said: O demonness, please listen. At the present time your boon cannot be granted. In the future, at the end of Dvāpara-yuga, in Mathurā City, it will be granted to you. Of this there is no doubt.
Text 10

Verse text

śrī-nārada uvāca saiva śūrpanakhā nāma rākṣasī kāma-rūpiṇī abhūc chrī-mathurāyāṁ tu kubjā-nāma mahā-mate

Synonyms

śrī-nārada uvāca Śrī Nārada said ; she ; eva indeed ; śūrpanakhā Śūrpanakhā ; nāma named ; rākṣasī demonness ; kāma-rūpiṇī taking any form she wished ; abhūt became ; śrī-mathurāyām in Śrī Mathurā ; tu indeed ; kubjā-nāma named Kubjā ; mahā-mate *O noble-hearted one.

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: O noble-hearted one, in Mathurā City the demonness Śūrpanakhā, who could assume any form at will, became the girl named Kubjā.
Text 11

Verse text

mahādeva-vareṇāpi śrī-kṛṣṇasya priyābhavat idaṁ mayā te kathitaṁ kiṁ bhūyaḥ śrotum icchasi

Synonyms

mahādeva-vareṇa by Lord Śiva's boon ; api also ; śrī-kṛṣṇasya of Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; priyā the beloved ; abhavat became ; idam this ; mayā by me ; te to you ; kathitam spoken ; kim what? ; bhūyaḥ more ; śrotum to hear ; icchasi *you wish.

Translation

By Lord Śiva's blessing she became Lord Kṛṣṇa's beloved. Now I have explained this to you. What more do you wish to hear?

Harivamsa

vasudevasutau tau ca rājamārgagatāvubhau |

kubjāṁ dadṛśaturbhūyaḥ sānulepanabhājanām ||2-27-25

The sons of vasudeva (kṛṣṇa and balarāma), walking along the royal path, saw kubjā, carrying a plate of pastes.

tāṁāha kṛṣṇaḥ kubjeti kasyedamanulepanam |

nayasyambujapatrākṣi kṣipramākhyātumarhasi ||2-27-26

kṛṣṇa said to kubjā: O lotus eyed girl! For whom are you carrying this paste? Tell us quickly.

sasmitā saṁmukhī bhūtvā pratyuvācāmbujekṣaṇam |

kṛṣṇaṁ jaladagambhīraṁ vidyutkuṭilagāminī ||2-27-27

kubjā who walked in a zig-zag manner like lightning, smiled and replied to kṛṣṇa great as a rain cloud, having lotus eyes.

rājṣaḥ snānagṛhaṁ yāmi tadgṛhāṇānulepanam |

dṛṣṭvaiva tvāravindākṣa vismitāsmi varānana ||2-27-28

O One with lotus eyes, O one with auspicious face! I am astonished to see you. I am going to the bathing house of the king. You may take the paste.

yattvamicchasi me vīra tvaṁ gṛhāṇānulepanam |

sthitāsmyāgaccha bhadraṁ te hṛdayasyāsi me priyaḥ ||2-27-29

vīra! You may take the paste as much as you wish. Please come to my house. Let there be good to you. You are my beloved.

kutaścāgamyate saumya yanmāṁ tvaṁ nāvabudhyase |

mahārājasya dayitāṁ niyuktāmanulepane ||2-27-30

O Gentle one! Where are you from that you are not familiar with me? I am a maidservant, engaged to supply pastes to the king.

tāmuvāca hasantīṁ tu kṛṣṇaḥ kubjāmavasthitām |

āvayorgātrasadṛśaṁ dīyatāmanulepanam || 2-27-31

Then kṛṣṇa told kubjā who was standing, before him smiling: Please give us pastes similar to our bodies.

vayaṁ hi deśātithayo mallāḥ prāptā varānane ||

draṣṭuṁ dhanurmahaddivyaṁ rāṣṭre caiva mahardhimat ||2-27-32

O lady with beautiful face! We are wrestlers who came as guests of the land to see the divine bow festival and the prosperity of the land.

pratyuvācātha sā kṛṣṇaṁ priyo'si mama darshane |

rājārhamidamavyagraṁ tadgṛhāṇānulepanam ||2-27-33

She answered kṛṣṇa: You are dear to me at sight. You may take this paste suitable for the king.

tāvubhāvanuliptāṅgau cārugātrau virejatuḥ |

tīrthagau paṅkadigdhāṅgau yamunāyāṁ yathā vṛṣau ||2-27-34

Those two having handsome bodies sparkled with their bodies smeared with pastes like two bulls standing in yamunā (river) with their bodies smeared with mud.

tāṁ ca kubjāṁ sthagormadhye dvyaṅgulenāgrapāṇinā |

śanaiḥ saṁpīḍayāmāsa kṛṣṇo līlāvidhānavit ||2-27-35

kṛṣṇa, who knew the schemes of playing, pressed gently on the middle of kubjā's hump with two fingers of his hands.

sā ca magnaṁ sthaguṁ matvā svāyatāṅgī śuchismitā |

jahāsocchaiḥ stanataṭī ṛjuyaṣṭirlatā yathā || 2-27-36

Seeing that her hump has been straightened, she stood straight smiling beautifully. She laughed loudly. She appeared beautiful with her large breasts like a creeper embracing a tree.

praṇayāccāpi kṛṣṇaṁ sā babhāṣe mattakāśinī |

kva yāsyasi mayā ruddhaḥ kānta tiṣṭha gṛhāṇa mām ||2-27-37

As though intoxicated, then she spoke to kṛṣṇa with love: Where are you going? I am stopping you. O my dear! Stop! Take me!

tau jātahāsāvanyonyaṁ satalākṣepamavyayau |

vīkṣamāṇau prahasitau kubjāyāḥ shrutivistarau ||2-27-38

The two looked at each other and smiled. They clapped their hands together. Hearing about this and looking at kubjā, the onlookers laughed.

kṛṣṇastu kubjāṁ kāmārtāṁ sasmitaṁ visasarja ha |

tatastau kubjayā muktau praviṣṭau rājasaṁsadam ||2-27-39

(Note 1)

kṛṣṇa smiled and left kubjā, weakened by desire. Free from kubjā, both of them arrived at the king's assembly.

tāvubhau vrajasaṁvṛddhau gopaveṣavibhūṣitau|

gūḍhaceṣṭānanau bhūtvā praviṣṭau nṛpaveśma tat ||2-27-40

Both of them, who grew up in the vraja, dressed and decorated as gopa-s, arrived at the king's residence, with their faces concealing the emotions.

dhanuḥśālāṁ gatau tatra bālāvaparitarkitau |

himavadvanasaṁbhūtau simhāviva madotkaṭau ||2-27-41

Both the boys entered the hall where the bows are kept, without being questioned. They appeared like two intoxicated lions born in the forests of Himalayas.

didṛkṣantau mahattatra dhanurāyogabhūṣitam |

papraccatuścha tau vīrāvāyudhāgārikaṁ tadā ||2-27-42

There they desired to see the great bow decorated properly. Then the two heroes (vīra) asked the guards of the weapons:

bhoḥ kaṁsadhanuṣāṁ pāla śrūyatāmāvayorvacaḥ |

katarattaddhanuḥ saumya maho'yaṁ yasya vartate ||2-27-43

"O you who guard the bows of kaṁsa! Listen to our words. O gentle one! Which is the bow here that is used for the bow festival?

āyogabhūtaṁ kaṁsasya darshayasva yadīcchasi |

sa tayordarśayāmāsa taddhanuḥ stambhasannibham ||2-27-44

Show that famous bow to us if it is acceptable to kaṁsa". Then the guard showed that bow, which was like a pillar, to them.

anāropyamasambhedyaṁ devairapi savāsavaiḥ |

tadgṛhītvā tadā kṛṣṇastolayāmāsa vīryavān ||2-27-45

Even gods along with indra could not string or break the bow. Powerful kṛṣṇa took it and tossed it playfully.

dorbhyāṁ kamalapatrākṣaḥ prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā |

tolayitvā yathākāmaṁ taddhanurdaityapūjitam ||2-27-46

kṛṣṇa with lotus eyes took the bow with both his hands with a joyful mind. He tossed the bow, worshipped by daitya-s, playfully.

āropayāmāsa balī nāmayāmāsa cāsakṛt |

ānāmyamānaṁ kṛṣṇena prakarṣāduragopamam |

dvidhābhūtamabhūnmadhye dhanurāyogabhūṣitam ||2-27-47

Powerful kṛṣṇa, then strung the bow and tried to bend it several times. The great bow, similar to a snake, did not bend when kṛṣṇa tried. The famous bow broke in two pieces at the middle.

bhaṅktvā tu taddhanuḥ śreṣṭhaṁ kṛṣṇastvaritavikramaḥ |

niścakrāma mahāvegaḥ sa ca saṅkarṣaṇo yuvā ||2-27-48

Quick and valiant kṛṣṇa broke the great bow. Along with the young saṅkarṣaṇa, he left the place quickly.

dhanuṣo bhaṅganādena vāyunirghośakāriṇā |

cacālāntaḥpuraṁ sarvaṁ dishashcaiva pupūrire ||2-27-49

The sound of breaking the bow reverberated in the air. The sound filled all directions and shook all inner chambers.

nirgamya tvāyudhāgārājjagmaturgopasannidhau |

vegenāyudhapālastu gacchansaṁbhrāntamānasaḥ ||2-27-50

Exiting from the hall of weapons, they went to the place where gopa-s were staying. The guard of the weapons also left with troubled mind.

samīpaṁ nṛpatergatvā kākocchvāso'bhyabhāṣata |

śrūyatāṁ mama vijṣāpyamāścaryaṁ dhanuṣo gṛhe ||2-27-51

The guard approached the king and said breathing heavily like a frightened crow with wavering looks: Listen from me the wonder that took place in the house of bows:

nirvṛttamasminkāle yajjagataḥ sambhramopamam |

narau kasyāpyasadṛśau śikhāvitatamūrdhajau ||2-27-52

The incidents that took place now can confuse the entire world. Two men who cannot be compared to any one, wearing hair locks,

nīlapītāmbaradharau pītaśvetānulepanau |

tāvantaḥpuramajṣātau praviṣṭau kāmaveṣiṇau |

wearing blue and yellow dresses, with bodies smeared with yellow and white pastes, unknown men, wearing beautiful dresses entered your inner chambers.

devaputropamau vīrau bālāviva hutāśanau ||2-27-53

sthitau dhanurgṛhe saumyau sahasā khādivāgatau |

The two heroes are comparable to the sons of gods. The youths looked like fire. The two gentle ones stood in the house of bows as if they came suddenly from the sky.

mayā dṛṣṭāu parivyaktaṁ rucirācchadanasrajau ||2-27-54

tayorekastu padmākṣaḥ śyāmaḥ pītāmbarasrajaḥ |

I saw them with bodies smeared with pastes, wearing beautiful dresses and garlands. Among them, one with lotus eyes, dark, wearing yellow dress and garlands,

jagrāha taddhanūratnaṁ durgrāhyaṁ daivatairapi ||2-27-55

tasya bālo mahachcāpaṁ balādyantramivāyasam |

took the jewel of the bows, which even the gods can not take. That boy took the great bow with force, easily like a toy.

āropayitvā vegena nāmayāmāsa līlayā ||2-27-56

ākṛṣyamāṇaṁ tattena vibāṇaṁ bāhuśālinā |

He quickly strung the bow and began to bend it playfully. As the one with strong hands was bending it without any arrow,

muṣṭideśe vikūjitvā dvidhābhūtamabhajyata ||2-27-57

tataḥ prachalitā bhūmirnaiva bhāti ca bhāskaraḥ |

the bow broke in two pieces with a huge sound at the hand-grip. Immediately, the earth shook and the sun appeared dim.

dhanuṣo bhaṅganādena bhramatīva nabhastalam ||2-26-58

tadadbhutaṁ mahaddṛṣṭvā vismayaṁ paramaṁ gataḥ |

The sky appeared to spin with the sound of breaking the bow. Seeing this great wonder I am greatly astonished.

bhayādbhayadaśatrubhyastadihākhyātumāgataḥ |

na jānāmi mahārāja kau tāvamitavikramau ||2-27-59

Frightened, with the fear of enemies, I rushed here to inform you. O King! I do not know who are those great valiant people.

ekaḥ kailāsasaṅkāśa eko'ṣjanagiriprabhaḥ |

sa tu tachcāparatnaṁ vai bhaṅktvā stambhamiva dvipaḥ ||2-27-60

One is white complexioned like mount kailāsa. The other shone like a black mountain, who broke the jewel of bows like an elephant breaking a pillar.

niṣpapātānilagatiḥ sānugo'mitavikramaḥ |

agamattaṁ dvidhā kṛtvā na jāne ko'pyasau nṛpa ||2-27-61

That great valiant youth went out quickly like wind along with his companion. He went breaking the bow in two pieces. O King! I do not know who he was.

shrutvaiva dhanuṣo bhaṅgaṁ kaṁso viditavistaraḥ |

visṛjyāyudhapālaṁ vai pravivesha gṛhottamam ||2-27-62

Hearing about breaking of the bow in detail, kaṁsa dismissed the guard of weapons. He entered his house, which was best.

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi kaṁsadhanurbhaṅge saptaviṁśo'dhyāyaḥ

Thus this is the twenty-seventh chapter of viṣṇuparva of harivaṁśa, khila of śrimahābhārata, breaking of kaṁsa's bow.

Note 1:

After 2-27-39(1), harivamśa vol. 1, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (1969), Poona has the following on page 463

After 35 ab, D6, T1-2, G, M, G (ed.) ins.

yatheṣṭaṁ gamyataṁ bhadre nāhaṁ tādṛgvidho naraḥ |

I am not that type, O good woman! You may proceed as you please.

The ṁalayalam translation of this line is given on Page 411, sloka 37, bhāṣābhārataṁ, Vol.6, translation by kuṣṣikkuṭṭan taṁpurān, D.C.Books, Kottayam (2007).

nīlakaṇṭha commentary

saptaviṁśe'sminnīśena rajako nihataḥ purā |

kubjāsvānugraho bhaṅgo dhanuṣaścātra varṇyate || 1 ||

· 2-27-1 te tu iti | prāyanmathurāṁ prāptāḥ |

· 2-27-7 yāsyāveti loḍuttamadvivacanam āvāmiti cchedaḥ | yāsyāvo vāmiti pāṭhaṁ prakalpya ākāralopa ārṣa iti prāṣcho vyācaravyuḥ | tasyaiva kaṁsasyaiva |

· 2-27-9 anuśiṣṭau ājṣaptau ālānābhyāṁ gajabandhānābhyāṁ ||

· 2-27-14 vāṁ yuvayoḥ tyaktaṁ naṣṭam ||

· 2-27-16 vyastaḥ pṛthakbhūtaḥ mastako yasya ||

· 2-27-17 paridevantyaḥ śochantyaḥ ||

· 2-27-19 guṇako grathako nāmatastu śrīdāmākhyaḥ bhavatoḥ ||

· 2-27-21 svaṁ bhavatīyametaddhanam ||

· 2-27-22 matsaṁbhavā matprīṇanaprabhāvā ||

· 2-27-24 uttaraṁ kartavyaṁ kaṁsabhayānna jṣātavān mauḍyādityarthaḥ ||

· 2-27-34 tīrthagau jalāntargatau ata eva tatpaṅkena digdhāṅgau ||

· 2-27-35 sthagayati nābhimācchadayatīti sthaguḥ bhugnam pṛṣṭhaṁ | sthaḍu iti ṭavargīyopaghapāṭhe tu mūlaṁ mṛgyam | tasya madhye unnate deshe śanaiḥ saṁpīḍayāmāsa saṁtoḍayāmāseti pāṭhopi sa evārthaḥ | "tuḍa bhedena" iti dhātuḥ | saṁtolayāmāseti pāṭho'pi viṣamaṁ pṛṣṭhaṁ samatayā mitavān ||

· 2-27-36 ata eva magnamantrārhitam ||

· 2-27-38 satalākṣepam anyonyaṁ dattatālaṁ yathā syāttathā shrutau shrotragato vistaro guṇakalāpo yayostau ||

· 2-27-39 rājasaṁsadam upagraham ||

· 2-27-40 gūḍaceṣṭānanau guptaceṣṭāprārambau ||

· 2-27-42 A samantāt yujyante yodhā asmāt ityāyogo vikhyātiḥ tayā bhūṣitam ||

· 2-27-44 āyogabhūtaṁ prakhyātam dhanurmahamityarthaḥ ||

· 2-27-51 kāka eva kākaḥ bhayachakitatvena chaṣchaladṛṣṭi ucchvasitītyucchvāsaścheti samāsaḥ | kātaraścha socchvāsaśchetyarthaḥ ||

· 2-27-52 saṁbhramopamam pralayatulyam ||

· 2-27-56 Ayasamiva anāmyam

iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāṁ saptaviṁśo'dhyāyaḥ