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.