> > S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 10
> > Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda his pupils
> > (for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

> > Canto 10: 'Summum Bonum'

> > **************

> > Chapter Fifty-three: Krishna Kidnaps Rukminî

> > ******

> > TEXT 1

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > vaidarbhyâh sa tu sandes'am

> > nis'amya yadu-nandanah

> > pragrihya pâninâ pânim

> > prahasann idam abravît

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; vaidarbhyâh - of the princess of Vidarbha; sah - He; tu - and; sandes'am - the confidential message; nis'amya - hearing; yadu-nandanah - Lord Krishna, the descendant of Yadu; pragrihya - taking; pâninâ - by His hand; pânim - the hand (of the brâhmana messenger); prahasan - smiling; idam - this; abravît - said.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Thus hearing the confidential message of Princess Vaidarbhî, Lord Yadunandana took the brâhmana's hand and, smiling, spoke to him as follows.

> > ******

> > TEXT 2

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > tathâham api tac-citto

> > nidrâm ca na labhe nis'i

> > vedâham rukminâ dveshân

> > mamodvâho nivâritah

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; tathâ - in the same way; aham - I; api - also; tat - fixed on her; cittah - My mind; nidrâm - sleep; ca - and; na labhe - I cannot get; nis'i - at night; veda - know; aham - I; rukminâ - by Rukmî; dveshât - out of enmity; mama - My; udvâhah - marriage; nivâritah - forbidden.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Lord said: Just as Rukminî's mind is fixed on Me, My mind is fixed on her. I can't even sleep at night. I know that Rukmî, out of envy, has forbidden our marriage.

> > ******

> > TEXT 3

> > tâm ânayishya unmathya

> > râjanyâpasadân mridhe

> > mat-parâm anavadyângîm

> > edhaso 'gni-s'ikhâm iva

> > tâm - she; ânayishye - I will bring here; unmathya - churning up; râjanya - of the royal order; apasadân - unfit members; mridhe - in battle; mat - to Me; parâm - who is solely dedicated; anavadya - unquestionable; angîm - the beauty of whose body; edhasah - from kindling wood; agni - of fire; s'ikhâm - the flames; iva - as.

> > TRANSLATION

> > She has dedicated herself exclusively to Me, and her beauty is flawless. I will bring her here after thrashing those worthless kings in battle, just as one brings a blazing flame out of firewood.

> > ******

> > TEXT 4

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > udvâharksham ca vijn'âya

> > rukminyâ madhusûdanah

> > rathah samyujyatâm âs'u

> > dârukety âha sârathim

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; udvâha - of the wedding; riksham - the lunar asterism (the measurement that fixes the exact auspicious time); ca - and; vijn'âya - knowing; rukminyâh - of Rukminî; madhusûdanah - Lord Krishna; rathah - the chariot; samyujyatâm - should be readied; âs'u - immediately; dâruka - O Dâruka; iti - thus; âha - He said; sârathim - to His driver.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Lord Madhusûdana also understood the exact lunar time for Rukminî's wedding. Thus He told His driver, "Dâruka, ready My chariot immediately."

> > ******

> > TEXT 5

> > sa câs'vaih s'aibya-sugrîva-

> > meghapushpa-balâhakaih

> > yuktam ratham upânîya

> > tasthau prân'jalir agratah

> > sah - he, Dâruka; ca - and; as'vaih - with the horses; s'aibya-sugrîva-meghapushpa- balâhakaih - named S'aibya, Sugrîva, Meghapushpa and Balâhaka; yuktam - yoked; ratham - the chariot; upânîya - bringing; tasthau - stood; prân'jalih - with palms joined in reverence; agratah - in front.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dâruka brought the Lord's chariot, yoked with the horses named S'aibya, Sugrîva, Meghapushpa and Balâhaka. He then stood before Lord Krishna with joined palms.

> > ******

> > TEXT 6

> > âruhya syandanam s'aurir

> > dvijam âropya tûrna-gaih

> > ânartâd eka-râtrena

> > vidarbhân agamad dhayaih

> > âruhya - mounting; syandanam - His chariot; s'aurih - Lord Krishna; dvijam - the brâhmana; âropya - placing (on the chariot); tûrna-gaih - (who were) swift; ânartât - from the district of Ânarta; eka - single; râtrena - in a night; vidarbhân - to the Vidarbha kingdom; agamat - went; hayaih - with His horses.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord S'auri mounted His chariot and had the brâhmana do likewise. Then the Lord's swift horses took them from the Ânarta district to Vidarbha in a single night.

> > ******

> > TEXT 7

> > râjâ sa kundina-patih

> > putra-sneha-vas'ânugah

> > s'is'upâlâya svâm kanyâm

> > dâsyan karmâny akârayat

> > râjâ - the king; sah - he, Bhîshmaka; kundina-patih - master of Kundina; putra - for his son; sneha - of affection; vas'a - the control; anugah - obeying; s'is'upâlâya - to S'is'upâla; svâm - his; kanyâm - daughter; dâsyan - being about to give; karmâni - the required duties; akârayat - he had done.

> > TRANSLATION

> > King Bhîshmaka, the master of Kundina, having succumbed to the sway of affection for his son, was about to give his daughter to S'is'upâla. The King saw to all the required preparations.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 8 - 9

> > puram sammrishtha-samsikta-

> > mârga-rathyâ-catushpatham

> > citra-dhvaja-patâkâbhis

> > toranaih samalankritam

> > srag-gandha-mâlyâbharanair

> > virajo-'mbara-bhûshitaih

> > jushtham strî-purushaih s'rîmad-

> > grihair aguru-dhûpitaih

> > puram - the city; sammrishtha - thoroughly cleaned; samsikta - and sprinkled abundantly with water; mârga - the main avenues; rathyâ - commercial roads; catuh-patham - and intersections; citra - variegated; dhvaja - on flagpoles; patâkâbhih - with banners; toranaih - and archways; samalankritam - decorated;

> > srak - with jeweled necklaces; gandha - fragrant substances such as sandalwood paste; mâlya - flower garlands; âbharanaih - and other ornaments; virajah - spotless; ambara - in clothing; bhûshitaih - who were arrayed; jushtham - containing; strî - women; purushaih - and men; s'rî-mat - opulent; grihaih - homes; aguru-dhûpitaih - aromatic with aguru incense.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The king had the main avenues, commercial roads and intersections thoroughly cleaned and then sprinkled with water, and he also had the city decorated with triumphant archways and multicolored banners on poles. The men and women of the city, arrayed in spotless raiment and anointed with fragrant sandalwood paste, wore precious necklaces, flower garlands and jeweled ornaments, and their opulent homes were filled with the aroma of aguru.

> > ******

> > TEXT 10

> > pitrn devân samabhyarcya

> > viprâms' ca vidhi-van nripa

> > bhojayitvâ yathâ-nyâyam

> > vâcayâm âsa mangalam

> > pitrn - the forefathers; devân - the demigods; samabhyarcya - correctly worshiping; viprân - the brâhmanas; ca - and; vidhi-vat - according to prescribed rituals; nripa - O King (Parîkchit); bhojayitvâ - feeding them; yathâ - as; nyâyam - is just; vâcayâm âsa - he had chanted; mangalam - auspicious mantras.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O King, in accordance with prescribed rituals, Mahârâja Bhîshmaka worshiped the forefathers, demigods and brâhmanas, feeding them all properly. Then He had the traditional mantras chanted for the well-being of the bride.

> > ******

> > TEXT 11

> > su-snâtâm su-datîm kanyâm

> > krita-kautuka-mangalâm

> > âhatâms'uka-yugmena

> > bhûshitâm bhûshanottamaih

> > su-snâtâm - properly bathed; su-datîm - with spotless teeth; kanyâm - the bride; krita - having performed; kautuka-mangalâm - the ceremony of putting on the auspicious marriage necklace; âhata - unused; ams'uka - of garments; yugmena - with a pair; bhûshitâm - adorned; bhûshana - with ornaments; uttamaih - most excellent.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The bride cleaned her teeth and bathed, after which she put on the auspicious wedding necklace. Then she was dressed in brand-new upper and lower garments and adorned with most excellent jeweled ornaments.

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > cakruh sâma-rg-yajur-mantrair

> > vadhvâ rakshâm dvijottamâh

> > purohito 'tharva-vid vai

> > juhâva graha-s'ântaye

> > cakruh - effected; sâma-rig-yajuh - of the Sâma, Rig and Yajur Vedas; mantraih - with chants; vadhvâh - of the bride; rakshâm - the protection; dvija- uttamah - first-class brâhmanas; purohitah - the priest; atharva-vit - who was expert in the mantras of the Atharva Veda; vai - indeed; juhâva - poured oblations of ghee; graha - the controlling planets; s'ântaye - to pacify.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The best of brâhmanas chanted mantras of the Rig, Sâma and Yajur Vedas for the bride's protection, and the priest learned in the Atharva Veda offered oblations to pacify the controlling planets.

> > ******

> > TEXT 13

> > hiranya-rûpya vâsâmsi

> > tilâms' ca guda-mis'ritân

> > prâdâd dhenûs' ca viprebhyo

> > râjâ vidhi-vidâm varah

> > hiranya - gold; rûpya - silver; vâsâmsi - and clothing; tilân - sesame seeds; ca - and; guda - with raw sugar; mis'ritân - mixed; prâdât - gave; dhenûh - cows; ca - also; viprebhyah - to the brâhmanas; râjâ - the king, Bhîshmaka; vidhi - regulative principles; vidâm - of those who know; varah - the best.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Outstanding in his knowledge of regulative principles, the King rewarded the brâhmanas with gold, silver, clothing, cows and sesame seeds mixed with raw sugar.

> > ******

> > TEXT 14

> > evam cedi-patî râjâ

> > damaghoshah sutâya vai

> > kârayâm âsa mantra-jn'aih

> > sarvam abhyudayocitam

> > evam - in the same way; cedi-patih - the lord of Cedi; râjâ damaghoshah - King Damaghosha; sutâya - for his son (S'is'upâla); vai - indeed; kârayâm âsa - had done; mantra-jn'aih - by expert knowers of mantras; sarvam - everything; abhyudaya - to his prosperity; ucitam - conducive.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Râjâ Damaghosha, lord of Cedi, had also engaged brâhmanas expert in chanting mantras to perform all rituals necessary to assure his son's prosperity.

> > ******

> > TEXT 15

> > mada-cyudbhir gajânîkaih

> > syandanair hema-mâlibhih

> > patty-as'va-sankulaih sainyaih

> > parîtah kundînam yayau

> > mada - liquid secreted from the forehead; cyudbhih - exuding; gaja - of elephants; anîkaih - with hordes; syandanaih - with chariots; hema - golden; mâlibhih - decorated with garlands; patti - with foot soldiers; as'va - and horses; sankulaih - crowded; sainyaih - by armies; parîtah - accompanied; kundinam - to Kundina, Bhîshmaka's capital; yayau - he went.

> > TRANSLATION

> > King Damaghosha traveled to Kundina accompanied by armies of elephants exuding mada, chariots hung with golden chains, and numerous cavalry and infantry soldiers.

> > ******

> > TEXT 16

> > tam vai vidarbhâdhipatih

> > samabhyetyâbhipûjya ca

> > nives'ayâm âsa mudâ

> > kalpitânya-nives'ane

> > tam - him, King Damaghosha; vai - indeed; vidarbha-adhipatih - the master of Vidarbha, Bhîshmaka; samabhyetya - going forward to meet; abhipûjya - honoring; ca - and; nives'ayâm âsa - settled him; mudâ - with pleasure; kalpita - constructed; anya - special; nives'ane - at a place of residence.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Bhîshmaka, the lord of Vidarbha, came out of the city and met King Damaghosha, offering him tokens of respect. Bhîshmaka then settled Damaghosha in a residence especially constructed for the occasion.

> > ******

> > TEXT 17

> > tatra s'âlvo jarâsandho

> > dantavakro vidûrathah

> > âjagmus' caidya-pakshîyâh

> > paundrakâdyâh sahasras'ah

> > tatra - there; s'âlvah jarâsandhah dantavakrah vidûrathah - S'âlva, Jarâsandha, Dantavakra and Vidûratha; âjagmuh - came; caidya - of S'is'upâla; pakshîyâh - taking the side; paundraka - Paundraka; âdyâh - and others; sahasras'ah - by the thousands.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'is'upâla's supporters - S'âlva, Jarâsandha, Dantavakra and Vidûratha - all came, along with Paundraka and thousands of other kings.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 18 - 19

> > krishna-râma-dvisho yattâh

> > kanyâm caidyâya sâdhitum

> > yady âgatya haret krishno

> > râmâdyair yadubhir vritah

> > yotsyâmah samhatâs tena

> > iti nis'cita-mânasâh

> > âjagmur bhû-bhujah sarve

> > samagra-bala-vâhanâh

> > krishna-râma-dvishah - those hateful toward Krishna and Balarâma; yattâh - prepared; kanyâm - the bride; caidyâya - for S'is'upâla; sâdhitum - in order to secure; yadi - if; âgatya - coming; haret - should steal; krishnah - Krishna; râma - by Balarâma; âdyaih - and other; yadubhih - Yadus; vritah - accompanied;

> > yotsyâmah - we will fight; samhatâh - joining all together; tena - with Him; iti - thus; nis'cita- mânasâh - having decided; âjagmuh - came; bhû-bhujah - the kings; sarve - all; samagra - complete; bala - with military forces; vâhanâh - and conveyances.

> > TRANSLATION

> > To secure the bride for S'is'upâla, the kings who envied Krishna and Balarâma came to the following decision among themselves: "If Krishna comes here with Balarâma and the other Yadus to steal the bride, we shall band together and fight Him." Thus those envious kings went to the wedding with their entire armies and a full complement of military conveyances.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 20 - 21

> > s'rutvaitad bhagavân râmo

> > vipakshîya nripodyamam

> > krishnam caikam gatam hartum

> > kanyâm kalaha-s'ankitah

> > balena mahatâ sârdham

> > bhrâtri-sneha-pariplutah

> > tvaritah kundinam prâgâd

> > gajâs'va-ratha-pattibhih

> > s'rutvâ - hearing; etat - this; bhagavân râmah - Lord Balarâma; vipakshîya - inimical; nripa - of the kings; udyamam - the preparations; krishnam - Lord Krishna; ca - and; ekam - alone; gatam - gone; hartum - to take away; kanyâm - the bride; kalaha - a fight; s'ankitah - fearing;

> > balena - a force; mahatâ - mighty; sârdham - together with; bhrâtri - for His brother; sneha - in affection; pariplutah - immersed; tvaritah - swiftly; kundinam - to Kundina; prâgât - went; gaja - with elephants; as'va - horses; ratha - chariots; pattibhih - and infantry.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When Lord Balarâma heard about these preparations of the inimical kings and how Lord Krishna had set off alone to steal the bride, He feared that a fight would ensue. Immersed in affection for His brother, He hurried to Kundina with a mighty army consisting of infantry and of soldiers riding on elephants, horses and chariots.

> > ******

> > TEXT 22

> > bhîshma-kanyâ varârohâ

> > kânkshanty âgamanam hareh

> > pratyâpattim apas'yantî

> > dvijasyâcintayat tadâ

> > bhîshma-kanyâ - the daughter of Bhîshmaka; vara-ârohâ - having lovely hips; kânkshantî - waiting for; âgamanam - the arrival; hareh - of Krishna; pratyâpattim - the return; apas'yantî - not seeing; dvijasya - of the brâhmana; acintayat - thought; tadâ - then.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The lovely daughter of Bhîshmaka anxiously awaited the arrival of Krishna, but when she did not see the brâhmana return she thought as follows.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > aho tri-yâmântarita

> > udvâho me 'lpa-râdhasah

> > nâgacchaty aravindâksho

> > nâham vedmy atra kâranam

> > so 'pi nâvartate 'dyâpi

> > mat-sandes'a-haro dvijah

> > aho - alas; tri-yâma - three yâmas (nine hours), i.e., the night; antaritah - having ended; udvâhah - the marriage; me - of me; alpa - insufficient; râdhasah - whose good fortune; na âgacchati - does not come; aravinda- akshah - lotus-eyed Krishna; na - do not; aham - I; vedmi - know; atra - for this; kâranam - the reason; sah - he; api - also; na âvartate - does not return; adya api - even now; mat - my; sandes'a - of the message; harah - the carrier; dvijah - the brâhmana.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Princess Rukminî thought:] Alas, my wedding is to take place when the night ends! How unlucky I am! Lotus-eyed Krishna does not come. I don't know why. And even the brâhmana messenger has not yet returned.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > api mayy anavadyâtmâ

> > drishthvâ kin'cij jugupsitam

> > mat-pâni-grahane nûnam

> > nâyâti hi kritodyamah

> > api - perhaps; mayi - in me; anavadya - faultless; âtmâ - He whose body and mind; drishthvâ - seeing; kin'cit - something; jugupsitam - contemptible; mat - my; pâni - hand; grahane - for the taking; nûnam - indeed; na âyâti - has not come; hi - certainly; krita-udyamah - even though originally intending to do so.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Perhaps the faultless Lord, even while preparing to come here, saw something contemptible in me and therefore has not come to take my hand.

> > ******

> > TEXT 25

> > durbhagâyâ na me dhâtâ

> > nânukûlo mahes'varah

> > devî vâ vimukhî gaurî

> > rudrânî girijâ satî

> > durbhagâyâh - who is unfortunate; na - not; me - with me; dhâtâ - the creator (Lord Brahmâ); na - not; anukûlah - favorably disposed; mahâ-îs'varah - the great Lord S'iva; devî - the goddess (his consort); vâ - or; vimukhî - turned against; gaurî - Gaurî; rudrânî - the wife of Rudra; giri-jâ - the adopted daughter of the Himâlayan mountain range; satî - Satî, who, in her previous life as the daughter of Daksha, chose to give up her body.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I am extremely unfortunate, for the creator is not favorably disposed toward me, nor is the great Lord S'iva. Or perhaps S'iva's wife, Devî, who is known as Gaurî, Rudrânî, Girijâ and Satî, has turned against me.

> > ******

> > TEXT 26

> > evam cintayatî bâlâ

> > govinda-hrita-mânasâ

> > nyamîlayata kâla-jn'â

> > netre câs'ru-kalâkule

> > evam - in this manner; cintayatî - thinking; bâlâ - the young girl; govinda - by Krishna; hrita - stolen; mânasâ - whose mind; nyamîlayata - she closed; kâla - the time; jn'â - knowing; netre - her eyes; ca - and; as'ru-kalâ - with tears; âkule - brimming.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As she thought in this way, the young maiden, whose mind had been stolen by Krishna, closed her tear-filled eyes, remembering that there was still time.

> > ******

> > TEXT 27

> > evam vadhvâh pratîkshantyâ

> > govindâgamanam nripa

> > vâma ûrur bhujo netram

> > asphuran priya-bhâshinah

> > evam - thus; vadhvâh - the bride; pratîkshantyâh - as she awaited; govinda- âgamanam - the arrival of Krishna; nripa - O King (Parîkchit); vâmah - left; ûruh - her thigh; bhujah - arm; netram - and eye; asphuran - twitched; priya - something desirable; bhâshinah - be speaking.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O King, as the bride thus awaited the arrival of Govinda, she felt a twitch in her left thigh, arm and eye. This was a sign that something desirable would happen.

> > ******

> > TEXT 28

> > atha krishna-vinirdishthah

> > sa eva dvija-sattamah

> > antahpura-carîm devîm

> > râja-putrîm dadars'a ha

> > atha - then; krishna-vinirdishthah - ordered by Lord Krishna; sah - that; eva - very; dvija - of learned brâhmanas; sat-tamah - the most pure; antah-pura - within the inner palace; carîm - staying; devîm - the goddess, Rukminî; râja - of the king; putrîm - the daughter; dadars'a ha - saw.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just then the purest of learned brâhmanas, following Krishna's order, came to see the divine Princess Rukminî within the inner chambers of the palace.

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > sâ tam prahrishtha-vadanam

> > avyagrâtma-gatim satî

> > âlakshya lakshanâbhijn'â

> > samapricchac chuci-smitâ

> > sa - she; tam - him; prahrishtha - filled with joy; vadanam - whose face; avyagra - unagitated; âtma - of whose body; gatim - the movement; satî - the saintly young woman; âlakshya - noting; lakshana - of symptoms; abhijn'â - an expert knower; samapricchat - inquired; s'uci - pure; smitâ - with a smile.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Noting the brâhmana's joyful face and serene movements, saintly Rukminî, who could expertly interpret such symptoms, inquired from him with a pure smile.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > tasyâ âvedayat prâptam

> > s'as'amsa yadu-nandanam

> > uktam ca satya-vacanam

> > âtmopanayanam prati

> > tasyâh - to her; âvedayat - he announced; prâptam - as having arrived; s'as'amsa - he related; yadu-nandanam - Krishna, the child of the Yadus; uktam - what He had said; ca - and; satya - of assurance; vacanam - words; âtma - with her; upanayanam - His marriage; prati - concerning.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The brâhmana announced to her the arrival of Lord Yadunandana and relayed the Lord's promise to marry her.

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > tam âgatam samâjn'âya

> > vaidarbhî hrishtha-mânasâ

> > na pas'yantî brâhmanâya

> > priyam anyan nanâma sâ

> > tam - Him, Krishna; âgatam - arrived; samâjn'âya - fully realizing; vaidarbhî - Rukminî; hrishtha - gladdened; mânasâ - her mind; na pas'yantî - not seeing; brâhmanâya - to the brâhmana; priyam - dear; anyat - anything else; nanâma - bowed down; sâ - she.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Princess Vaidarbhî was overjoyed to learn of Krishna's arrival. Not finding anything at hand suitable to offer the brâhmana, she simply bowed down to him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 32

> > prâptau s'rutvâ sva-duhitur

> > udvâha-prekshanotsukau

> > abhyayât tûrya-ghoshena

> > râma-krishnau samarhanaih

> > prâptau - arrived; s'rutvâ - hearing; sva - his; duhituh - daughter's; udvâha - marriage; prekshana - to witness; utsukau - eager; abhyayât - he went forward; tûrya - of musical instruments; ghoshena. - with the resounding; râma- krishnau - to Balarâma and Krishna; samarhanaih - with abundant offerings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The King, upon hearing that Krishna and Balarâma had come and were eager to witness his daughter's wedding, went forth with abundant offerings to greet Them as music resounded.

> > ******

> > TEXT 33

> > madhu-parkam upânîya

> > vâsâmsi virajâmsi sah

> > upâyanâny abhîshthâni

> > vidhi-vat samapûjayat

> > madhu-parkam - the traditional mixture of milk and honey; upânîya - bearing; vâsâmsi - garments; virajâmsi - spotless; sah - he; upâyanâni - presentations; abhîshthâni - desirable; vidhi-vat - according to scriptural prescriptions; samapûjayat - performed worshiped.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Presenting Them with madhu-parka, new clothing and other desirable gifts, he worshiped Them according to standard rituals.

> > ******

> > TEXT 34

> > tayor nives'anam s'rîmad

> > upâkalpya mahâ-matih

> > sa-sainyayoh sânugayor

> > âtithyam vidadhe yathâ

> > tayoh - for Them; nives'anam - place to stay; s'rî-mat - opulent; upâkalpya - arranging; mahâ-matih - generous; sa - together with; sainyayoh - Their soldiers; sa - together with; anugayoh - Their personal associates; âtithyam - hospitality; vidadhe - he afforded; yathâ - properly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Generous King Bhîshmaka arranged opulent accommodations for the two Lords, and also for Their army and entourage. In this way he afforded Them proper hospitality.

> > ******

> > TEXT 35

> > evam râjn'âm sametânâm

> > yathâ-vîryam yathâ-vayah

> > yathâ-balam yathâ-vittam

> > sarvaih kâmaih samarhayat

> > evam - thus; râjn'âm - for the kings; sametânâm - who had assembled; yathâ - according; vîryam - to their power; yathâ - according; vayah - to their age; yathâ - according; balam - to their strength; yathâ - according; vittam - to their wealth; sarvaih - with all; kâmaih - desirable things; samarhayat - he honored them.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus it was that Bhîshmaka gave all desirable things to the kings who had assembled for the occasion, honoring them as befitted their political power, age, physical prowess and wealth.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > krishnam âgatam âkarnya

> > vidarbha-pura-vâsinah

> > âgatya netrân'jalibhih

> > papus tan-mukha-pankajam

> > krishnam - Lord Krishna; âgatam - come; âkarnya - hearing; vidarbha-pura - of the capital city of Vidarbha; vâsinah - the residents; âgatya - coming; netra - of their eyes; an'jalibhih - with the cupped palms; papuh - they drank; tat - His; mukha - face; pankajam - lotus.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the residents of Vidarbha-pura heard that Lord Krishna had come, they all went to see Him. With the cupped palms of their eyes they drank the honey of His lotus face.

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > asyaiva bhâryâ bhavitum

> > rukminy arhati nâparâ

> > asâv apy anavadyâtmâ

> > bhaishmyâh samucitah patih

> > asya - for Him; eva - alone; bhâryâ - wife; bhavitum - to be; rukminî - Rukminî; arhati - deserves; na aparâ - none other; asau - He; api - as well; anavadya - faultless; âtmâ - whose bodily form; bhaishmyâh - for the daughter of Bhîshmaka; samucitah - most suitable; patih - husband.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [The people of the city said:] Rukminî, and no one else, deserves to become His wife, and He also, possessing such flawless beauty, is the only suitable husband for Princess Bhaishmî.

> > ******

> > TEXT 38

> > kin'cit su-caritam yan nas

> > tena tushthas tri-loka-krit

> > anugrihnâtu grihnâtu

> > vaidarbhyâh pânim acyutah

> > kin'cit - at all; su-caritam - pious work; yat - whatever; nah - our; tena - with that; tushthah - satisfied; tri-loka - of the three worlds; krit - the creator; anugrihnâtu - may please show mercy; grihnâtu - may take; vaidarbhyâh - of Rukminî; pânim - the hand; acyutah - Krishna.

> > TRANSLATION

> > May Acyuta, the creator of the three worlds, be satisfied with whatever pious work we may have done and show His mercy by taking the hand of Vaidarbhî.

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > evam prema-kalâ-baddhâ

> > vadanti sma puraukasah

> > kanyâ cântah-purât prâgâd

> > bhathair guptâmbikâlayam

> > evam - thus; prema - of pure love; kalâ - by the increase; baddhâh - bound; vadanti sma - they spoke; pura-okasah - the residents of the city; kanyâ - the bride; ca - and; antah-purât - from the inner palace; prâgât - went out; bhathaih - by guards; guptâ - protected; ambikâ-âlayam - to the temple of Goddess Ambikâ.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Bound by their swelling love, the city's residents spoke in this way. Then the bride, protected by guards, left the inner palace to visit the temple of Ambikâ.

> > PURPORT

> > S'rîla Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî quotes the Medinî dictionary's definition of the word kalâ as follows: kalâ mûle pravriddhau syâc chilâdâv ams'a-mâtrake. "The word kalâ means 'a root,' 'increase,' 'a stone' or 'a mere part.' "

> > ******

> > TEXTS 40 - 41

> > padbhyâm viniryayau drashthum

> > bhavânyâh pâda-pallavam

> > sâ cânudhyâyatî samyan

> > mukunda-caranâmbujam

> > yata-vân mâtribhih sârdham

> > sakhîbhih parivâritâ

> > guptâ râja-bhathaih s'ûraih

> > sannaddhair udyatâyudhaih

> > mridanga-s'ankha-panavâs

> > tûrya-bheryas' ca jaghnire

> > padbhyâm - on foot; viniryayau - went out; drashthum - in order to see; bhavânyâh - of mother Bhavânî; pâda-pallavam - the lotus-petal feet; sâ - she; ca - and; anudhyâyatî - meditating; samyak - totally; mukunda - of Krishna; carana- ambujam - on the lotus feet; yata-vâk - maintaining silence; mâtribhih - by her mothers; sârdham - accompanied; sakhîbhih - by her female companions; parivâritâ - surrounded;

> > guptâ - guarded; râja - of the King; bhathaih - by soldiers; s'ûraih - valiant; sannaddhaih - armed and ready; udyata - upraised; âyudhaih - with weapons; mridanga-s'ankha-panavâh - clay drums, conchshells and side drums; tûrya - wind instruments; bheryah - horns; ca - and; jaghnire - played.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Rukminî silently went out on foot to see the lotus feet of the deity Bhavânî. Accompanied by her mothers and girlfriends and protected by the King's valiant soldiers, who held their upraised weapons at the ready, she simply absorbed her mind in the lotus feet of Krishna. And all the while mridangas, conchshells, panavas, horns and other instruments resounded.

> > ******

> > SB 10.53.42-43

> > TEXTS 42 - 43

> > nânopahâra balibhir

> > vâramukhyâh sahasras'ah

> > srag-gandha-vastrâbharanair

> > dvija-patnyah sv-alankritâh

> > gâyantyas' ca stuvantas' ca

> > gâyakâ vâdya-vâdakâh

> > parivârya vadhûm jagmuh

> > sûta-mâgadha-vandinah

> > nânâ - various; upahâra - with paraphernalia of worship; balibhih - and presents; vâra-mukhyâh - prominent courtesans; sahasras'ah - by the thousands; srak - with flower garlands; gandha - fragrances; vastra - clothing; âbharanaih - and jewelry; dvija - of brâhmanas; patnyah - the wives; sv-alankritâh - well ornamented;

> > gâyantyah - singing; ca - and; stuvantah - offering prayers; ca - and; gâyakâh - singers; vâdya-vâdakâh - instrumental musicians; parivârya - accompanying; vadhûm - the bride; jagmuh - went; sûta - bards; mâgadha - chroniclers; vandinah - and heralds.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Behind the bride followed thousands of prominent courtesans bearing various offerings and presents, along with well-adorned brâhmanas' wives singing and reciting prayers and bearing gifts of garlands, scents, clothing and jewelry. There were also professional singers, musicians, bards, chroniclers and heralds.

> > ******

> > TEXT 44

> > âsâdya devî-sadanam

> > dhauta-pâda-karâmbujâ

> > upaspris'ya s'ucih s'ântâ

> > pravives'âmbikântikam

> > âsâdya - reaching; devî - of the goddess; sadanam - the residence; dhauta - washing; pâda - her feet; kara - and hands; ambujâ - lotuslike; upaspris'ya - sipping water for purification; s'ucih - sanctified; s'ântâ - peaceful; pravives'a - she entered; ambikâ-antikam - the presence of Ambikâ.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Upon reaching the goddess's temple, Rukminî first washed her lotus feet and hands and then sipped water for purification. Thus sanctified and peaceful, she came into the presence of mother Ambikâ.

> > ******

> > TEXT 45

> > tâm vai pravayaso bâlâm

> > vidhi-jn'â vipra-yoshitah

> > bhavânîm vandayâm cakrur

> > bhava-patnîm bhavânvitâm

> > tâm - her; vai - indeed; pravayasah - elderly; bâlâm - the young girl; vidhi - of ritual injunctions; jn'âh - expert knowers; vipra - of brâhmanas; yoshitah - the wives; bhavânîm - to Goddess Bhavânî; vandayâm cakruh - they led in offering respects; bhava-patnîm - the wife of Bhava (Lord Siva); bhava- anvitâm - accompanied by Lord Bhava.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The older wives of brâhmanas, expert in the knowledge of rituals, led young Rukminî in offering respects to Bhavânî, who appeared with her consort, Lord Bhava..

> > ******

> > TEXT 46

> > namasye tvâmbike 'bhîkshnam

> > sva-santâna-yutâm s'ivâm

> > bhûyât patir me bhagavân

> > krishnas tad anumodatâm

> > namasye - I offer my obeisances; tvâ - to you; ambike - O Ambikâ; abhîkshnam - constantly; sva - your; santâna - children; yutâm - along with; s'ivâm - the wife of Lord S'iva; bhûyât - may He become; patih - husband; me - my; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; krishnah - Krishna; tat - that; anumodatâm - please allow.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Princess Rukminî prayed:] O mother Ambikâ, wife of Lord Siva, I repeatedly offer my obeisances unto you, together with your children. May Lord Krishna become my husband. Please grant this!

> > ******

> > SB 10.53.47-48

> > TEXTS 47 - 48

> > adbhir gandhâkshatair dhûpair

> > vâsah-sran-mâlya bhûshanaih

> > nânopahâra-balibhih

> > pradîpâvalibhih prithak

> > vipra-striyah patimatîs

> > tathâ taih samapûjayat

> > lavanâpûpa-tâmbûla-

> > kanthha-sûtra-phalekshubhih

> > adbhih - with water; gandha - fragrant substances; akshataih - and whole grains; dhûpaih - with incense; vâsah - with clothing; srak - flower garlands; mâlya - jeweled necklaces; bhûshanaih - and ornaments; nânâ - with various; upahâra - offerings; balibhih - and gifts; pradîpa - of lamps; âvalibhih - with rows; prithak - separately;

> > vipra-striyah - the brâhmana ladies; pati - husbands; matîh - having; tathâ - also; taih - with these items; samapûjayat - performed worship; lavana - with savory preparations; âpûpa - cakes; tâmbûla - prepared betel nut; kanthha-sûtra - sacred threads; phala - fruits; ikshubhih - and sugar cane.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Rukminî worshiped the goddess with water, scents, whole grains, incense, clothing, garlands, necklaces, jewelry and other prescribed offerings and gifts, and also with arrays of lamps. The married brâhmana women each performed worship simultaneously with the same items, also offering savories and cakes, prepared betel nut, sacred threads, fruit and sugar- cane juice.

> > ******

> > SB 10.53.49

> > TEXT 49

> > tasyai striyas tâh pradaduh

> > s'eshâm yuyujur âs'ishah

> > tâbhyo devyai namas' cakre

> > s'eshâm ca jagrihe vadhûh

> > tasyai - to her, Rukminî; striyah - women; tâh - they; pradaduh - gave; s'eshâm - the remnants; yuyujuh - they bestowed; âs'ishah - blessings; tâbhyah - to them; devyai - and to the deity; namah cakre - bowed down; s'eshâm - the remnants; ca - and; jagrihe - took; vadhûh - the bride.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The ladies gave the bride the remnants of the offerings and then blessed her. She in turn bowed down to them and the deity and accepted the remnants as prasâdam.

> > ******

> > TEXT 50

> > muni-vratam atha tyaktvâ

> > nis'cakrâmâmbikâ-grihât

> > pragrihya pâninâ bhrityâm

> > ratna-mudropas'obhinâ

> > muni - of silence; vratam - her vow; atha - then; tyaktvâ - giving up; nis'cakrâma - she exited; ambikâ-grihât - from the temple of Ambikâ; pragrihya - holding on; pâninâ - with her hand; bhrityâm - to a maidservant; ratna - jeweled; mudrâ - by a ring; upas'obhinâ - beautified.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The princess then gave up her vow of silence and left the Ambikâ temple, holding on to a maidservant with her hand, which was adorned with a jeweled ring.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 51 - 55

> > tâm deva-mâyâm iva dhîra-mohinîm

> > su-madhyamâm kundala-manditânanâm

> > s'yâmâm nitambârpita-ratna-mekhalâm

> > vyan'jat-stanîm kuntala-s'ankitekshanâm

> > s'uci-smitâm bimba-phalâdhara-dyuti-

> > s'onâyamâna-dvija-kunda-kudmalâm

> > padâ calantîm kala-hamsa-gâminîm

> > sin'jat-kalâ-nûpura-dhâma-s'obhinâ

> > vilokya vîrâ mumuhuh samâgatâ

> > yas'asvinas tat-krita-hric-chayârditâh

> > yâm vîkshya te nripatayas tad udâra-hâsa-

> > vrîdâvaloka-hrita-cetasa ujjhitâstrâh

> > petuh kshitau gaja-rathâs'va-gatâ vimûdhâ

> > yâtrâ-cchalena haraye 'rpayatîm sva-s'obhâm

> > saivam s'anais' calayatî cala-padma-kos'au

> > prâptim tadâ bhagavatah prasamîkshamânâ

> > utsârya vâma-karajair alakân apangaih

> > prâptân hriyaikshata nripân dadris'e 'cyutam ca

> > tâm râja-kanyâm ratham ârurakshatîm

> > jahâra krishno dvishatâm samîkshatâm

> > tâm - her; deva - of the Supreme Lord; mâyâm - the illusory potency; iva - as if; dhîra - even those who are sober; mohinîm - who bewilders; su-madhyamâm - whose waist was well-formed; kundala - with earrings; mandita - decorated; ânanâm - whose face; s'yâmâm - uncontaminated beauty; nitamba - on whose hips; arpita - placed; ratna - jewel-studded; mekhalâm - a belt; vyan'jat - budding; stanîm - whose breasts; kuntala - of the locks of her hair; s'ankita - frightened; îkshanâm - whose eyes;

> > s'uci - pure; smitâm - with a smile; bimba-phala - like a bimba fruit; adhara - of whose lips; dyuti - by the glow; s'onâyamâna - becoming reddened; dvija - whose teeth; kunda - jasmine; kudmalâm - like buds; padâ - with her feet; calantîm - walking; kala-hamsa - like that of a royal swan; gâminîm - whose gait; sin'jat - tinkling; kalâ - skillfully fashioned; nûpura - of whose ankle bells; dhâma - by the effulgence; s'obhinâ - beautified;

> > vilokya - seeing; vîrâh - the heroes; mumuhuh - became bewildered; samâgatâh - assembled; yas'asvinah - respectable; tat - by this; krita - generated; hrit-s'aya - by the lust; arditâh - distressed; yâm - whom; vîkshya - upon seeing; te - these; nri-patayah - kings; tat - her; udâra - broad; hâsa - by the smiles; vrîdâ - of shyness; avaloka - and the glances; hrita - stolen; cetasah - whose minds; ujjhita - dropping; astrâh - their weapons;

> > petuh - they fell; kshitau - to the ground; gaja - on elephants; ratha - chariots; as'va - and horses; gatâh - sitting; vimûdhâh - fainting; yâtrâ - of the procession; chalena - on the pretext; haraye - to Lord Hari, Krishna; arpayatîm - who was offering; sva - her own; s'obhâm - beauty; sâ - she; evam - thus; s'anaih - slowly; calayatî - making walk; cala - moving; padma - of lotus flowers; kos'au - the two whorls (that is, her feet); prâptim - the arrival; tadâ - then; bhagavatah - of the Supreme Lord; prasamîkshamânâ - eagerly awaiting;

> > utsârya - pushing away; vâma - left; kara- jaih - with the nails of her hand; alakân - her hair; apângaih - with sidelong glances; prâptân - those present; hriyâ - with shyness; aikshata - she looked; nripân - at the kings; dadris'e - she saw; acyutam - Krishna; ca - and; tâm - her; râja- kanyâm - the King's daughter; ratham - His chariot; ârurukshatîm - who was ready to mount; jahâra - seized; krishnah - Lord Krishna; dvishatâm - His enemies; samîkshatâm - as they looked on.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Rukminî appeared as enchanting as the Lord's illusory potency, who enchants even the sober and grave. Thus the kings gazed upon her virgin beauty, her shapely waist, and her lovely face adorned with earrings. Her hips were graced with a jewel-studded belt, her breasts were just budding, and her eyes seemed apprehensive of her encroaching locks of hair. She smiled sweetly, her jasmine-bud teeth reflecting the glow of her bimba-red lips. As she walked with the motions of a royal swan, the effulgence of her tinkling ankle bells beautified her feet. Seeing her, the assembled heroes were totally bewildered. Lust tore at their hearts. Indeed, when the kings saw her broad smile and shy glance, they became stupefied, dropped their weapons and fell unconscious to the ground from their elephants, chariots and horses. On the pretext of the procession, Rukminî displayed her beauty for Krishna alone. Slowly she advanced the two moving lotus-whorls of her feet, awaiting the arrival of the Supreme Lord. With the fingernails of her left hand she pushed some strands of hair away from her face and shyly looked from the corners of her eyes at the kings standing before her. At that moment she saw Krishna. Then, while His enemies looked on, the Lord seized the princess, who was eager to mount His chariot.

> > ******

> > TEXT 56

> > ratham samâropya suparna-lakshanam

> > râjanya-cakram paribhûya mâdhavah

> > tato yayau râma-purogamah s'anaih

> > s'rigâla-madhyâd iva bhâga-hrid dharih

> > ratham - onto His chariot; samâropya - lifting her; suparna - Garuda; lakshanam - whose mark; râjanya - of kings; cakram - the circle; paribhûya - defeating; mâdhavah - Krishna; tatah - from there; yayau - went; râma - by Râma; purah-gamah - preceded; s'anaih - slowly; s'rigâla - of jackals; madhyât - from the midst; iva - as; bhâga - his portion; hrit - removing; harih - a lion.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lifting the princess onto His chariot, whose flag bore the emblem of Garuda, Lord Mâdhava drove back the circle of kings. With Balarâma in the lead, He slowly exited, like a lion removing his prey from the midst of jackals.

> > ******

> > TEXT 57

> > tam mâninah svâbhibhavam yas'ah-kshayam

> > pare jarâsandha-mukhâ na sehire

> > aho dhig asmân yas'a âtta-dhanvanâm

> > gopair hritam kes'arinâm mrigair iva

> > tam - that; mâninah - conceited; sva - their; abhibhavam - defeat; yas'ah - their honor; kshayam - ruining; pare - the enemies; jarâsandha-mukhâh - headed by Jarâsandha; na sehire - could not tolerate; aho - ah; dhik - condemnation; asmân - upon us; yas'ah - the honor; âtta-dhanvanâm - of the archers; gopaih - by cowherds; hritam - taken away; kes'arinâm - of lions; mrigaih - by small animals; iva - as if.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The kings inimical to the Lord, headed by Jarâsandha, could not tolerate this humiliating defeat. They exclaimed, "Oh, damn us! Though we are mighty archers, mere cowherds have stolen our honor, just as puny animals might steal the honor of lions!"

> > Back to the running text