Gopala-campu
Gopal Champu
Chapter Fourteen - Defeating Kālayavana
[1] The next day Snigdhakaṇṭha spoke to the people of Vraja, shining with great bliss because of showers of nectar from seeing Kṛṣṇa.
[2] Desiring the return of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, Nanda with great festivity gave charity, and performed a sacrifice for eternal auspiciousness to destroy Kṛṣṇa’s enemies. In that sacrifice the people of Vraja had intense thoughts of Kṛṣṇa, and a vision of him followed. They did this because they desired that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma should live in an invincible fort surrounded by brave warriors. The cowherds spent their time eagerly hearing news from messengers who arrived periodically as previously. They heard that foolish Jarāsandha, gathering armies, constantly made plans to attack.
[3] Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, without desire to defeat him, defeated him by the Yadus under their protection. But the two took no notice of him.
Know that just as the elements produce the material universe by the power of the Lord, so the Yadus conquered Jarāsandha by the power of Kṛṣṇa. ||1||
[4] Hear this verse which is famous everywhere.
It is not astonishing that Kṛṣṇa destroyed all those armies but it is astonishing that Jarāsandha endured so much bodily suffering in gathering the armies. Fire quickly burns ten-thousand sticks to ashes. The hardships of a person who must collect all that wood are most astonishing! ||2||
When Jarāsandha came the first few times, people were frightened. Afterwards, they simply laughed. ||3||
[5] Having accepted his daughters back, Jarāsandha again came to Mathurā. The verse of two comedians with question and answer is recited everywhere:
Who is the fool who was offended by his enemy but, remembering this vividly, made great efforts constantly against the enemy? It is Jarāsandha. ||4||
[6] Hearing news of Kṛṣṇa, Nanda performed his auspicious sacrifice in his house. He offered ghee and other ingredients into the fire. At the end, he gave unlimited wealth to the devatās and brāhmaṇas.
[7] When some disguised messengers were going on the road to Mathurā, two special messengers arrived and told the remaining story. Their faces blossomed in offering the joyful news, “O king! This news has just arrived. Your son went to Vidarbha and something auspicious happened.”
[9] Nanda said, “Oh! Why did Kṛṣṇa go so far away?”
[10] The two messengers said, “They went searching for Jarāsandha.”
[11] Nanda said, “What did they do there? He clearly went there in haste with an unprepared mind.”
[12] The messengers said, “All gathered there because the king of Vidarbha was going to give his daughter to Śiśupāla. Kṛṣṇa went there to curb those proud kings.”
[13] Nanda said with fear, “Tell the rest of the story.”
[14] The messengers said:
Respectable Nanda! Do not think anything else. Your son went there out of curiosity. When he arrived at the house of Kratha and Kaiśiki, who had pure bhakti and were famous as great kings for a long time in Vidarbha, his mere effulgence afflicted the evil kings.
When Kṛṣṇa came to Kratha’s and Kaiśika’s house, the kings accompanying Bhīṣmaka thought that he was as frightening as death and considered their end had come. When the sun daily rises over the Eastern Mountain it creates terror in the night creatures even without showing its power. ||5||
[15] Garuḍa with his famous conquering powers assisted Kṛṣṇa.
Expert at causing disturbances which destroy lands on mountains in the ocean, expert at destroying other birds, able to uproot trees by the wind emanating from his wings, radiating light to quickly agitate the eyes of thousands of demons who were evil kings, the king of birds, destroyer of sin, became visible. ||6||
O affectionate king! The effulgence of Garuḍa was fierce towards others but to the Lord was his affection not most gentle? ||7||
[16] Nanda in bliss said, “Then what happened?”
[17] The messengers said, “When he had cut the pride of all the enemies, Kratha and Kaiśika came and offered Kṛṣṇa a proposal. ‘O king of all knowledge! By your accepting our proposal, our acceptance of you is also accepted.’”
[18] Kṛṣṇa said, “Please order me as you wish.”
[19] They said:
A throbbing desire to be fulfilled resides in our hearts. Being merciful please fulfill that desire. We make the following request. ||8||
[20] We have heard that all the demons who hate you and desire to marry Rukmiṇī, Bhīṣmaka’s daughter, will gather in the morning. We also know that you are thinking of killing them. It is possible that you will accept to be king, though you have not done so. All the evil kings are laughing. They say ‘How can this person come here? He should give up shame by taking a lower seat.’ Since you have come here, it is not possible to go or leave that assembly. Therefore we think that it is not a fitting situation. We make this request: accept this excellent kingdom of ours. Having accepted it, accept us as your servants.”
[21] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”
[22] The messengers said, “Though your son considers all positions in this world to be useless, for showing mercy to devotees he accepts such positions to a small degree.” ||9||
[23] Nanda said, “What was the agreement?”
[24] The messengers said, “He was silent. Inferring his acceptance, the two devotees with folded hands spoke with excitement. Please put your lotus feet on our throne.”
[25] Though they were hesitant, they saw that the throne was attractive to Kṛṣṇa. When they were about to offer it to him, a statement from a messenger of Indra was heard in the sky:
“O kings! Do not offer this throne which was previously used by your dynasty and then discarded. We will later give him a new throne from heaven. Of course, even Indra and the devatās are useless, for previously Kṛṣṇa was worshiped by Brahmā, Śiva and Lakṣmī. When he becomes the king, after some time we will worship him.” ||10||
[26] The two kings were happy and, shining brightly, selected intelligent people as their messengers and sent the messengers to the assembly of Jarāsandha.
[27] When the assembly heard this and began thinking, Indra spoke though not visible. Citrāṅgada spoke his message:
“O kings! I am Indra. I will speak to you. Please listen. Kṛṣṇa is to be worshiped by all. It is true that in Vraja he was bathed at Govardhana, bearing the name Govinda. Whoever will not witness and accept his coronation using jeweled pots at this place so that he becomes a king should be killed by Kṛṣṇa. ||11||
[28] The people of Vraja, full of joy asked, “Then what happened?”
[29] The two messengers said, “Some who had come there became frightened and went to the coronation place. Kṛṣṇa gave permission with respect and they followed him. But Jarāsandha and others stinking with pride did not go at all. With agitated minds they informed their representatives that they would not go.
Though Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma had the opportunity to kill Jarāsandha they did not do so. They instead showed power and competitive spirit. But Jarāsandha did not give up his crooked ways. ||12||
[30] The representatives became astonished.
The enemies saw that eight jeweled pots bathed Kṛṣṇa from above, that the devatās were worshiping him with hundreds of fragrant flowers and unguents, and that he appeared most splendid with cloth, ornaments, a throne, dazzling white cāmaras, an umbrella, and other shining articles. ||13||
The devatās in the sky shouted, “Victory” and offered respects. The enemies became frightened and made appropriate noises. ||14||
[31] What more can be said? Afflicted by Kṛṣṇa’s power, they met with Jarāsandha and, seeing no alternative, gave up desire for Rukmiṇī and returned to their kingdoms.
[32] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”
[33] The messengers said, “Satisfying everybody properly, he returned by the road on which he came. He caused rejoicing in Mathurā but looked to Vraja with affection.” ||15||
[34] All with tears asked, “Did he send you two messengers?”
[35] The messengers said, “He said ‘I think that I should send a message. Oh! If this is arranged by fate, what can I say?’ You two should go to Vraja.” ||16||
[36-37] Concluding the statements of the messengers, Snigdhakaṇṭha said:
Submitting to your son’s power, Jarāsandha was tied up eighteen times. After that, when several pairs of messengers from Vraja entered Mathurā, suddenly from the west, an array of armies appeared.
[38] That evening the people of Vraja left their homes with the cows and gathered together. They entered a dense forest in the east amidst high mountains. But Jarāsandha came like the wind and surrounded Mathurā.
[39] Kṛṣṇa and the people of Vraja desired to hear from each other but this was not possible.
[40] Because of their cramped conditions in the mountains with innumerable cows and people, they lamented for news about Kṛṣṇa and thus the chief cowherds gave up eating. One day, when there was an opportunity, the cowherds climbed the highest trees on the peaks of the mountains out of longing, to get news about Kṛṣṇa. They saw two messengers coming quickly with two more messengers. Without asking others, the cowherds thought of informing Nanda, but being far-sighted, they watched from their position. The first two came running as if in fear.
[41] The two spoke with joyful faces. Joyfully, the cowherds took the two messengers and the second pair also to Nanda’s assembly. From far off, the two messengers without being asked, joyfully said as previously, “Fine, fine, fine.”
[42] Nanda, radiant because of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, welcomed the two messengers and spoke to them, “Say what happened in brief.”
[43] The messengers said, “Kālayavana and his armies have been defeated miserably. There is nothing to lament. But without news of you, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma in distress sent us two messengers. O Nanda! Just as you remember your two sons, your two sons remember you.” ||17||
[44] Everyone exclaimed with great joy, “Tell it all in detail.”
[45] The messengers said, “In the evening we met Kṛṣṇa, the moon of your dynasty, whose fame and well-being are on everyone’s mind and saw that he had no worries. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma along with Uddhava asked us again and again for news of Vraja. The next morning we saw in the distance that Kālayavana and others had surrounded Mathurā on all sides like waves in the ocean. As we watched, they came closer. It seemed that Jarāsandha was very close. Later we recognized that it was Kālayavana (a mleccha). Armies led by Kālayanava, sought out and gathered by Jarāsandha, had assembled.
[46] Nanda said, “It is a most fearful situation if Kālayavana was there. Gargya was mocked by his brother-in-law as a eunuch, and the Yadus openly laughed as well. Gargya became angry and emanated fear. He made a decision and began worshiping Śiva. By Śiva’s blessing, from Gargya, in the womb of the wife of the king of the Yavanas, Kālayavana was born. He was protected by the king of the Yavanas. Since his birth, the Yadus have been afflicted with fear. His name is Kālayavana. Say what happened next.”
[47] The messengers said, “Recognizing him as Kālayavana, Kṛṣṇa reflected, took Balarāma by the hand, and spoke to him privately, ‘It is impossible for the Yadus to fight with him. He is standing at the gate in his armor. Even if they can fight with Kālayavana, Jarāsandha will soon arrive. He will fight with us, enter the city and destroy the houses. We must think of something else. To protect all the houses we must build a huge invincible fort. It is best everyone disappear right now. Going far away will be beneficial for Vraja for wherever we go the enemies will cause disturbance.’”
[48] They continued speaking, “With such a strong desire, the next night Kṛṣṇa went on a trip in his airplane. Near the shore of the ocean he built a city with palaces by his power of knowledge and placed all the people of Mathurā there by the airways. The people who went to sleep in Mathurā woke up in Dvārakā. They wondered, “What is this divine city surrounded by the sea? How did we get here? Kṛṣṇa did not go anywhere in the night!” Having arrived they stayed there. We two wondered about this in Mathurā in the morning. Making friends with a few people, we understood from them where Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were.”
[49] The people of Vraja said, “O Nanda! We know that you have power. By this power your son has attained that knowledge. Please describe what happened later.”
[50] The messengers said, “Kṛṣṇa then spoke to Balarāma. ‘Stay here for some time and protect the Yadus. I will arrange by intelligence to have the Yavana killed.’ Saying this, he opened the small door of the fort and went out fearlessly alone, as if giving an example of the śruti statement dvaitād bhayam (Fear arises from duality). [1]
[51] When he went out without weapons, Kālayavana and all others saw him dressed in a yellow cloth and decorated with the finest ornaments. He was the abode of darkness like a rain cloud with lightning. By the quick movements of his arms, or by the power of expanding forms, he appeared to have four arms. His beauty moved their hearts such that they could not ask him anything, what to speak of touch him. Misleading them, Kṛṣṇa approached.
[52] Kālayavana recognized that this was Kṛṣṇa, conforming to the descriptions given by Nārada. But in envy, disregarding that form giving extraordinary happiness, he desired to fight with weaponless Kṛṣṇa by also putting down his weapons. Though Kālayavana desired to fight, Kṛṣṇa did not desire it, and instead insulted him as Kālayavana pursued him, “I do not desire to be touched by a Yavana.” Desiring to touch him, the king of the Yavanas swiftly came in front of him.
[53] Kṛṣṇa ran away and said, “If you touch me you win, and if you do not touch me you lose. That should be our understanding.”
Pursuing Kṛṣṇa who ran away just as Kālayavana thought he had touched him, Kālayavana ran quickly and became weak. Kṛṣṇa laughed and smiled sweetly. ||18||
Three-million Yavanas had gathered in a thick crowd. Their king ran after Kṛṣṇa. But no one could touch Kṛṣṇa. ||19||
[54] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”
[55] The messengers said, “Coming to a mountain west of Dhavala town to the south of Mathurā, Kālayavana began criticizing Kṛṣṇa but Kṛṣṇa was not afraid. Finding a cave, excellent Kṛṣṇa entered it to fulfill his plans. Ignorant Kālayavana followed him and spoke in anger to a tall person sleeping there, whom he thought was Kṛṣṇa. Saying, ‘You are sleeping, lying innocently like some old cooking oil in a pot’, he passionately kicked him. With that kick, Mucukunda immediately burned Kālayavana to ashes with his venomous glance. Kṛṣṇa, eager to see the fun, watched from a hiding place.
[56] Everyone said with excitement, “Then what happened?”
[57] The messengers said, “Your life, Kṛṣṇa, slowly walked forward and accepted Mucukunda’s poisonous glance as a shower of nectar.”
[58] Upananda said, “This is astonishing! This is similar to blind leading the blind. Mucukunda, the form of devotion to the Lord, was sleeping (blind) and Kālayavana (blind) woke him up and was burned to ashes by his deadly glance. The rumor was that this happened by chance. But Kṛṣṇa knew about it, made it happen and witnessed it. Please speak of other stories concerning the nature of Kṛṣṇa, clever at keeping secrets.”
[59] The messengers said, “Let’s not speak of his cleverness. His sweetness controls everyone completely. But describing sweetness in the pastimes is not suitable for you, since it would have the fault of repetition. Masters of Vraja! What more can I have you hear? You are cātaka birds for his dark cloud body. You have divine eyes for seeing the wealth of variegated beauty in his limbs. You are the best of devatās for tasting all the nectar of his qualities.” ||20||
[60] They said, “Listen to the most affectionate words of ancient Mucukunda directed to Kṛṣṇa:
You wander about with your tender dark-blue lotus feet on the uneven mountain side, on sharp bits of rock with chipped edges, made intolerable by masses of bristling, sharp thorns.” ||21||
[61] Hearing this description, the people of Vraja, overwhelmed with pity, began weeping for some time. While weeping, they said in choked voices, “What happened next?”
[62-63] The messengers said, “With arousal of affection, Mucukunda began to speak about himself in order to ask about Kṛṣṇa’s extraordinary qualities. After he finished speaking, Kṛṣṇa with a smile explained his particulars suitably. When both were overwhelmed with affection, Mucukunda became detached from the material world, became attached to Mukunda, and requested to be in Kṛṣṇa’s auspicious association. Kṛṣṇa however did not immediately grant his desire, but arranged for it to happen later. Considering the cause, we can think of the saying, “The wise know.”[2] Association with the moon of your dynasty is very rare. Though Mucukunda developed peacefulness through his detachment, and saw Kṛṣṇa with pure bhakti, he could not even touch him. ||22||
[64] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”
[65] The messengers said:
Having met Kṛṣṇa, he offered respects. Desiring to worship Kṛṣṇa he then performed austerities from which he attained eternal association with Kṛṣṇa.
[66] Just as Kṛṣṇa defeated Kālayavana, Balarāma protected Mathurā.
[67] Just by thinking, Kṛṣṇa brought his chariot and implements in front of him. He then blew his conch, saying, “Death has caught Kālayavana.”
[68] When he blew the conch, Balarāma said, “Order us what to do.” Blowing his conch and mixing it with Kṛṣṇa’s sound, he left the city. When he came out of the city, Kṛṣṇa blew the conch, announcing, “Kill the low barbarians with your plough and pestle.”
[69] Then Balarāma shows bliss using his pestle and Kṛṣṇa shows prowess using his sword called Nandaka. We know that three-million mlecchas were killed along with their horses. Of the uncountable dead mlecchas, the Yadus only remember the sound of the name mleccha, since their language is difficult to understand.
As the earth is covered with tāla trees covered with flies, the earth was scattered with their severed heads covered with hair. ||23||
[70] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”
[71] The messengers said, “When Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma arranged for people to throw away the dead bodies wherever they lay and collect the wealth, we begged permission from Uddhava to go to Vraja. After informing Kṛṣṇa through Uddhava, we arrived here at the dwelling of your lotus feet along with two other messengers dispatched by Kṛṣṇa. When they learn of your welfare, quickly dispatch them to Kṛṣṇa, since Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma will be pacified by those messengers.”
[72] After hearing this, Nanda fed the two messengers and satisfied them with cloth and ornaments. Nanda then dispatched them suitably along with the other two messengers.
[73] Nanda, eager for service, sent off the two messengers with messages. Those two and the two sent by Kṛṣṇa, seeing that Mathurā was empty, began lamenting and were returning to Vraja, but on the way, they heard that Jarāsandha pursued Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma and had gone towards Dvārakā.
[74] Kṛṣṇa’s messengers, wanting to learn about this, took the road to Dvārakā. Nanda’s two messengers returned to Vraja to deliver the details of Mathurā and to hear instructions. Arriving there, they described what they saw in Mathurā. Nanda and the others became overwhelmed with grief. There is no necessity of hearing about this.
[75] Nanda also dispatched his two messengers to Dvārakā. Those two and the other two did not return for many days because of the distance and obstacles. When many days had passed, two happy persons riding on swift horses arrived. They offered respects to Nanda’s lotus feet and spoke pleasant words: “Most auspicious and powerful Kṛṣṇa, having conquered the enemies, offers respects at your feet and gives this information.”
[76] On hearing this, with hairs standing on end, all said, “What is next, what is next?”
[77] The two messengers said:
Please understand this message: “We have auspiciously entered a fortress called Dvārakā, impassable to enemies. No fear can be seen here either presently or in the future. But your happiness will make us happy. Informing you, we have become happy.”
[78] Particularly, Kṛṣṇa said in a choked voice, “Oh! For me, your son, you underwent many difficulties created by demons like Pūtanā while living in Gokula, and in Mathurā beginning with Jarāsandha till Kālayavana’s attack. For this reason I have come to Dvārakā to spend some time. Know that I will quickly come from Dvārakā to Vraja.” ||24||
[79] Hearing that news completely, Nanda said, “It is fortunate that they have taken shelter of such a fortress, for Mathurā is dangerous like Gokula. Let that be. I will ask about the details later. Now arrange for feeding the messengers.”
[80] After they ate, sitting with everyone and hearing about Kṛṣṇa eagerly, Nanda inquired from the two messengers, “How did Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma come back to Dvārakā?”
[81] The messengers said:
We are servants of Uddhava. According to the orders of our shelter Kṛṣṇa and the instructions of Uddhava, we will give you the news. The two boys did not want the wealth of the mlecchas but wanted to protect it as the king’s property, but when they saw Jarāsandha again coming, desiring to give up that wealth, the two began to flee for fun. When they did so, Jarāsandha came close to them. When the unsteady fellow arrived close by, Kṛṣṇa spoke to him.
“We captured you many times and let you go. We cannot do that again out of embarrassment to you. Stay far away if you want to kill us, O Jarāsandha! Therefore we have fled today. If you have the power to capture us, then you have conquered us. Otherwise we win.” ||25||
[82] In this statement, the words drava (running), keli (playing) and parihāsa (joking) all have the same meaning. Giving up their own troops who were following behind them to protect them, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma went amidst the enemy troops. With those troops behind, Jarāsandha followed Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. Not only that, but twenty-three akṣauhiṇīs with chariots followed.
Jarāsandha, whom Kṛṣṇa defeated by words, ran after Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma but could not catch up with them. ||26||
When Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma went speedily amongst the enemy troops, none of the troops could touch them, as they were like lightning in speed and strength. ||27||
Step-by-step Jarāsandha chased them, but the two ran so fast that he was unable to catch them in ten-million kalpas. ||28||
Though the akṣauhiṇīs became tired, Jarāsandha did not. Though Jarāsandha became tired, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma did not. ||29||
They laughed and ran. Jarāsandha ran and howled. Their joy produced strength. His flaming rage produced disappointment. ||30||
As they ran, their faced blossomed. The devatās laughed on seeing Jarāsandha tire as he tried to grab them. ||31||
Unable to defeat the two who ran with playful gait, Jarāsandha cursed his life. ||32||
They ran five-hundred krośasand climbed a mountain eleven—yojanas high, which Jarāsandha could not climb. ||33||
Wanting to injure them by fire, which they had swallowed in Vraja, Jarāsandha gathered fuel and burned the mountain called Pravarṣaṇa (always raining). ||34||
He said rightly that what happened to them could not be known. The two jumped from the mountain and arrived at Dvārakā. ||35||
Though it is possible for birds to jump in that manner, the two could do so while others could not. ||36||
Though they fell a long distance, they experienced no fatigue since people saw them laughing at the gate of Dvārakā. ||37||
When they approached the citizens, they were calm, with hair and cloth bound up, looking beautiful with perspiration on their faces. ||38||
[83] Nanda said, “So Jarāsandha and other sinful wretches were destroyed?”
[84] The messengers said:
Jarāsandha and his cohorts were not only blind in sight but also in intelligence for they considered Kṛṣṇa to be dead. ||39||
Thinking Kṛṣṇa was dead they were happy. When messengers informed them that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were unharmed, they had to suffer because of their sins. ||40||
[85] Jarāsandha and his friends were blind.
Though Kālayavana’s abundant treasures remained there, a few of his friends moved about like thirsty persons in the desert and then returned to their houses with difficulty. ||41||
[86] What more can be said? Jarāsandha’s men did not seek the mleccha’s wealth. It is said that the wealth was eventually taken to Dvārakā and used to beautify the outer walls.
[87] Hearing this, everyone laughed with tears and sighs of relief. Nanda then said, “Oh! How could the two boys’ tender feet tread on the rough path?”
[88] The messengers said, “Barely touching the earth, they moved in the air.” ||42||
[89] After speaking, the messengers, receiving the blessings of the assembly, departed for Dvārakā. At the time of their leaving, Nanda gave a letter, filled with affectionate words from all the Vraja people.
“O moon of Gokula! We are tolerating the pain of separation from you. Do not worry, for we have become strong because of your happy life in the fortress inaccessible to enemies.” ||43||
[90] Snigdhakaṇṭha concluded. “Though Kṛṣṇa excitedly engaged in battles, he quickly defeated the enemies. Otherwise how could he be sitting on your lap so quickly? What of his ascending Pravarṣaṇa Mountain? What of his staying in Dvārakā? What of our appearance here? We see him seated on the lap of Nanda now!” ||44-45||
[91] Satisfying Nanda and the others, the two reciters, happy with the mercy of the assembly, narrated in this manner.
[92] The bards of Vraja began to praise Kṛṣṇa directly:
You were enthroned in the assembly among kings in the city of Bhīṣmaka. You were worshiped by the devatās. But you were not proud. ||a||
You increased the satisfaction of the people of Mathurā. You killed infamous infidels!
You were surrounded by Kālayavana. You skillfully arranged for his death. ||b||
You went alone out of the city for pastimes. You killed the rascals in play. The enemy followed but could not catch you. You went out of the fort all alone. You are most skillful at arranging comical pastimes. ||c||
You went to Mucukunda’s resting place. You showed a face trembling in fear. You entered the mountain cave and saw the best of men sleeping. ||d||
Kālayavana followed you. You became absorbed in hiding yourself. You showed mercy to Mucukunda who was there. You shone like the sun in the darkness. ||e||
You cut down Kālayavana by the weapon eyes of Mucukunda. You satisfied his heart. You were merciful in fulfilling the devotee’s desire. ||f||
You killed many millions of Yavanas and collected their wealth in the battle. You were followed by Jarāsandha. You rejected the abundant wealth of the mlecchas. ||g||
You decided to lead him away as previously. You went away to defeat Jarāsandha.
You climbed to the top of Pravarṣaṇa Mountain. You jumped and defeated the forest fire. ||h||
You made a palace as the shelter for the Yadus in the ocean. All the worlds worship you. Now you are residing in Vraja. Victory to the son of Nanda! ||i|| ||46||
[93] Absorbed in the speaking, the assembly forgot that Kṛṣṇa was present, like a cintāmaṇi gem around their necks. The bards then made the anxious people of Vraja realize Kṛṣṇa directly as Snigdhakaṇṭha did. In this way they acted beneficially for the people of Vraja. Nanda bid them farewell, and the assembly members departed for their houses.
[94] Commencing recitation in the assembly of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in the evening, Snigdhakaṇṭha spoke. When Uddhava consoled all the people of Vraja, encouraged their faith that he would return quickly, and then left for Mathurā, direct manifestation of Kṛṣṇa protected them, sometimes in awaking or sleeping state, and sometimes when alone. When meeting in large groups, they became externally conscious and thought about his being in Mathurā. Though this was their normal mood, there was some exception. When the gopīs became absorbed in him, that vision became long-lasting and firm.
[95] They decided, “When Kṛṣṇa directly appears I will keep him here by surrounding him with my creeper-like arms.” Then they lost awareness because of the great bliss of his association. Then he would suddenly disappear and their desires could not be fulfilled. They then thought of becoming absorbed in messages from Mathurā. They constantly took shelter of the feet of Yaśodā. Until their dear Kṛṣṇa returned, the gopīs used these two methods: the sphūrti of Kṛṣṇa and the shelter of Yaśodā’s feet. But by secret letters Uddhava sowed the instructions of Kṛṣṇa in the field of Vraja as he had done previously.
[96] Kṛṣṇa’s appearance and disappearance:
Sometimes the gopīs manifested blossoming bodies and sometimes great radiance. Sometimes their bodies became thin and many times they were like dying lamps. When a lamp receives oil it shines brightly and without oil it dims. When the gopīs attained a manifestation of his affection they shone brightly and without that manifestation they were devoid of beauty. ||47||
The sakhīs of Rādhā followed the happiness and distress of Rādhā’s prema (in presence or absence of Kṛṣṇa) which like the sun, was pleasant in the winter and painful in the summer. ||48||
[97] When Kṛṣṇa with great desire sent the two messengers who were dedicated to him, he first made an excellent letter steeped with secret hints. Saying, “Deliver this to Subala’s hands”, he dispatched the messengers. They delivered it to Subala and Subala gave it to the gopīs.
“Though I have gone far away, you should know that I am close. Mathurā obstructs my friends from coming to you and obstructs my enemies from attacking you.” ||49||
[98] The gopīs then sent Subala to deliver a letter they personally wrote, to Uddhava’s hand.
[99] “Hearing that Jarāsandha pursued you and that you went on a difficult path up a mountain, how can the women of Vraja, who languish on thinking of the pain to your feet when you walked in Vṛndāvana, which is devoid of thorns and spiked plants, maintain their lives?” ||50||
[100] Snigdhakaṇṭha concluded: “Kṛṣṇa lamented on seeing the letter you wrote. Let that be. He is embracing you now in this place. But it is not possible to stop the tears. It is not possible to see the topics that have been heard. But look. The separation felt by Rādhā manifests before your eyes. If this happens while Kṛṣṇa is present, will this not happen when he is absent?” ||51-52||
[101] When Rādhā directly realized Kṛṣṇa’s presence and became absorbed in great bliss, and when the two reciters went to their lodging, all returned to their houses. With affection Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa engaged in their pastimes in their attractive house.
[1] This seems to be dvitīyād vai bhayaṁ bhavati. Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.4.2
[2] bhratah premnah svarupam yat tad dhi jananti tad-vidah
yasya cittardrata-jatam bahyam kampadi-lakshanam
O brother, the wise know that the nature of this love is characterized inside the heart by melting and outside the heart by trembling and a host of other symptoms. Brhad-bhāgavatāmrta 6.226