> > 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 Twenty-three: The Brâhmanas' Wives Blessed

> > ******

> > TEXT 1

> > s'rî-gopa ûcuh

> > râma râma mahâ-bâho

> > krishna dushtha-nibarhana

> > eshâ vai bâdhate kshun nas

> > tac-chântim kartum arhathah

> > s'rî-gopâh ûcuh - the cowherd boys said; râma râma - O Lord Râma, Lord Râma; mahâ-bâho - O mighty-armed one; krishna - O Lord Krishna; dushtha - of the wicked; nibarhana - O destroyer; eshâ - this; vai - indeed; bâdhate - is causing distress; kshut - hunger; nah - to us; tat-s'ântim - its counteraction; kartum arhathah - You ought to do.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The cowherd boys said: O Râma, Râma, mighty-armed one! O Krishna, chastiser of the wicked! We are being harassed by hunger, and You should do something about it.

> > ******

> > TEXT 2

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > iti vijn'âpito gopair

> > bhagavân devakî-sutah

> > bhaktâyâ vipra-bhâryâyâh

> > prasîdann idam abravît

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti - thus; vijn'âpitah - informed; gopaih - by the cowherd boys; bhagavân - the Supreme Personality of Godhead; devakî-sutah - the son of Devakî; bhaktâyâh - His devotees; vipra-bhâryâyâh - the wives of the brâhmanas; prasîdan - desiring to satisfy; idam - this; abravît - He spoke.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Thus entreated by the cowherd boys, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the son of Devakî, replied as follows, desiring to please certain of His devotees who were brâhmanas' wives.

> > ******

> > TEXT 3

> > prayâta deva-yajanam

> > brâhmanâ brahma-vâdinah

> > satram ângirasam nâma

> > hy âsate svarga-kâmyayâ

> > prayâta - please go; deva-yajanam - to the sacrificial arena; brâhmanâh - brâhmanas; brahma-vâdinah - followers of the Vedic injunctions; satram - a sacrifice; ângirasam nâma - known as Ângirasa; hi - indeed; âsate - they are now performing; svarga-kâmyayâ - with the motive of promotion to heaven.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Lord Krishna said:] Please go to the sacrificial arena where a group of brâhmanas, learned in the Vedic injunctions, are now performing the Ângirasa sacrifice to gain promotion to heaven.

> > ******

> > SB 10.23.4

> > TEXT 4

> > tatra gatvaudanam gopâ

> > yâcatâsmad-visarjitâh

> > kîrtayanto bhagavata

> > âryasya mama câbhidhâm

> > tatra - there; gatvâ - going; odanam - food; gopâh - My dear cowherd boys; yâcata - just request; asmat - by Us; visarjitâh - dispatched; kîrtayantah - announcing; bhagavatah - of the Supreme Lord; âryasya - the elder; mama - My; ca - also; abhidhâm - name.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When you go there, My dear cowherd boys, simply request some food. Declare to them the name of My elder brother, the Supreme Lord Balarâma, and also My name, and explain that you have been sent by Us.

> > ******

> > TEXT 5

> > ity âdishthâ bhagavatâ

> > gatvâ yâcanta te tathâ

> > kritân'jali-puthâ viprân

> > danda-vat patitâ bhuvi

> > iti - in these words; âdishthah - ordered; bhagavatâ - by the Supreme Lord Krishna; gatvâ - going; ayâcanta - begged; te - they; tathâ - in that manner; krita-an'jali- puthâh - joining their palms in humble supplication; viprân - to the brâhmanas; danda-vat - like sticks; patitâh - falling; bhuvi - upon the ground.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cowherd boys went there and submitted their request. They stood before the brâhmanas with palms joined in supplication and then fell flat on the ground to offer respect.

> > ******

> > TEXT 6

> > he bhûmi-devâh s'rinuta

> > krishnasyâdes'a-kârinah

> > prâptân' jânîta bhadram vo

> > gopân no râma-coditân

> > he bhûmi-devâh - O earthly gods; s'rinuta - please hear us; krishnasya âdes'a - of the order of Krishna; kârinah - the executors; prâptân - arrived; jânîta - please recognize; bhadram - all good; vah - unto you; gopân - cowherd boys; nah - us; râma- coditân - sent by Lord Râma.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [The cowherd boys said:] O earthly gods, please hear us. We cowherd boys are executing the orders of Krishna, and we have been sent here by Balarâma. We wish all good for you. Please acknowledge our arrival.

> > ******

> > TEXT 7

> > gâs' cârayantâv avidûra odanam

> > râmâcyutau vo lashato bubhukshitau

> > tayor dvijâ odanam arthinor yadi

> > s'raddhâ ca vo yacchata dharma-vittamâh

> > gâh - Their cows; cârayantau - grazing; avidûre - not far away; odanam - food; râma- acyutau - Lord Râma and Lord Acyuta; vah - from you; lashatah - are desiring; bubhukshitau - being hungry; tayoh - for Them; dvijâh - O brâhmanas; odanam - food; arthinoh - begging; yadi - if; s'raddhâ - any faith; ca - and; vah - on your part; yacchata - please give; dharma-vit-tamâh - O best knowers of the principles of religion.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Râma and Lord Acyuta are tending Their cows not far from here. They are hungry and want you to give Them some of your food. Therefore, O brâhmanas, O best of the knowers of religion, if you have faith please give some food to Them.

> > ******

> > TEXT 8

> > dîkshâyâh pas'u-samsthâyâh

> > sautrâmanyâs' ca sattamâh

> > anyatra dîkshitasyâpi

> > nânnam as'nan hi dushyati

> > dîkshâyâh - beginning with the initiation for a sacrifice; pas'u- samsthâyâh - until sacrificing the animal; sautrâmanyâh - outside of the sacrifice known as Sautrâmani; ca - and; sat-tamâh - O purest ones; anyatra - elsewhere; dîkshitasya - of one who has been initiated for the sacrifice; api - even; na - not; annam - food; as'nan - eating; hi - indeed; dushyati - creates offense.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Except during the interval between the initiation of the performer of a sacrifice and the actual sacrifice of the animal, O most pure brâhmanas, it is not contaminating for even the initiated to partake of food, at least in sacrifices other than the Sautrâmani.

> > ******

> > TEXT 9

> > iti te bhagavad-yâcn'âm

> > s'rinvanto 'pi na s'us'ruvuh

> > kshudrâs'â bhûri-karmâno

> > bâlis'â vriddha-mâninah

> > iti - thus; te - they, the brâhmanas; bhagavat - of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yâcn'âm - the supplication; s'rinvantah - hearing; api - although; na s'us'ruvuh - they did not hear; kshudra-âs'âh - full of petty desire; bhûri- karmânah - entangled in elaborate ritualistic activities; bâlis'âh - childish fools; vriddha-mâninah - presuming themselves to be wise men.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The brâhmanas heard this supplication from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, yet they refused to pay heed. Indeed, they were full of petty desires and entangled in elaborate rituals. Though presuming themselves advanced in Vedic learning, they were actually inexperienced fools.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 10 - 11

> > des'ah kâlah prithag dravyam

> > mantra-tantrartvijo 'gnayah

> > devatâ yajamânas' ca

> > kratur dharmas' ca yan-mayah

> > tam brahma paramam sâkshâd

> > bhagavantam adhokshajam

> > manushya-drishthyâ dushprajn'â

> > martyâtmâno na menire

> > des'ah - the place; kâlah - time; prithak dravyam - particular items of paraphernalia; mantra - Vedic hymns; tantra - prescribed rituals; ritvijah - priests; agnayah - sacrificial fires; devatâh - the presiding demigods; yajamânah - the performer of the sacrifice; ca - and; kratuh - the offering; dharmah - the invisible power of fruitive results; ca - and; yat - whom; mayah - constituting;

> > tam - Him; brahma paramam - the Supreme Absolute Truth; sâkshât - directly manifest; bhagavantam - the Personality of Godhead; adhokshajam - who is transcendental to material senses; manushya-drishthyâ - seeing Him as an ordinary man; dushprajn'âh - perverted in their intelligence; martya- âtmânah - falsely identifying themselves with the material body; na menire - they did not properly honor.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although the ingredients of sacrificial performance - the place, time, particular paraphernalia, mantras, rituals, priests, fires, demigods, performer, offering and the as yet unseen beneficial results - are all simply aspects of His opulences, the brâhmanas saw Lord Krishna as an ordinary human because of their perverted intelligence. They failed to recognize that He is the Supreme Absolute Truth, the directly manifest Personality of Godhead, whom the material senses cannot ordinarily perceive. Thus bewildered by their false identification with the mortal body, they did not show Him proper respect.

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > na te yad om iti procur

> > na neti ca parantapa

> > gopâ nirâs'âh pratyetya

> > tathocuh krishna-râmayoh

> > na - not; te - they; yat - when; om - "so be it"; iti - thus; procuh - did speak; na - not; na - "no"; iti - thus; ca - either; parantapa - O chastiser of the enemies, Parîkchit Mahârâja; gopâh - the cowherd boys; nirâs'âh - discouraged; pratyetya - returning; tathâ - thus; ûcuh - described; krishna-râmayoh - to Lord Krishna and Lord Râma.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the brâhmanas failed to reply even with a simple yes or no, O chastiser of the enemy [Parîkchit], the cowherd boys returned disappointed to Krishna and Râma and reported this to Them.

> > ******

> > TEXT 13

> > tad upâkarnya bhagavân

> > prahasya jagad-îs'varah

> > vyâjahâra punar gopân

> > dars'ayan laukikîm gatim

> > tat - that; upâkarnya - hearing; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; prahasya - laughing; jagat-îs'varah - the controller of the entire universe; vyâjahâra - addressed; punah - again; gopân - the cowherd boys; dars'ayan - showing; laukikîm - of the ordinary world; gatim - the way.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Hearing what had happened, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord of the universe, simply laughed. Then He again addressed the cowherd boys, showing them the way men act in this world.

> > ******

> > TEXT 14

> > mâm jn'âpayata patnîbhyah

> > sa-sankarshanam âgatam

> > dâsyanti kâmam annam vah

> > snigdhâ mayy ushitâ dhiyâ

> > mâm - Me; jn'âpayata - please announce; patnîbhyah - to the wives; sa- sankarshanam - together with Lord Balarâma; âgatam - arrived; dâsyanti - they will give; kâmam - as much as you desire; annam - food; vah - to you; snigdhâh - affectionate; mayi - in Me; ushitâh - residing; dhiyâ - with their intelligence.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Lord Krishna said:] Tell the wives of the brâhmanas that I have come here with Lord Sankarshana. They will certainly give you all the food you want, for they are most affectionate toward Me and, indeed, with their intelligence reside in Me alone.

> > ******

> > TEXT 15

> > gatvâtha patnî-s'âlâyâm

> > drishthvâsînâh sv-alankritâh

> > natvâ dvija-satîr gopâh

> > pras'ritâ idam abruvan

> > gatvâ - going; atha - then; patnî-s'âlâyâm - in the house of the wives of the brâhmanas; drishthvâ - seeing them; asînâh - sitting; su-alankritâh - nicely ornamented; natvâ - bowing down to offer obeisances; dvija-satîh - to the chaste wives of the brâhmanas; gopâh - the cowherd boys; pras'ritâh - humbly; idam - this; abruvan - spoke.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The cowherd boys then went to the house where the brâhmanas' wives were staying. There the boys saw those chaste ladies sitting, nicely decorated with fine ornaments. Bowing down to the brâhmana ladies, the boys addressed them in all humility.

> > ******

> > TEXT 16

> > namo vo vipra-patnîbhyo

> > nibodhata vacâmsi nah

> > ito 'vidûre caratâ

> > krishneneheshitâ vayam

> > namah - obeisances; vah - unto you; vipra-patnîbhyah - the wives of the brâhmanas; nibodhata - please hear; vacâmsi - words; nah - our; itah - from here; avidûre - not distant; caratâ - who is going; krishnena - by Lord Krishna; iha - here; ishitâh - sent; vayam - we.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [The cowherd boys said:] Obeisances unto you, O wives of the learned brâhmanas. Kindly hear our words. We have been sent here by Lord Krishna, who is passing by not far from here.

> > ******

> > TEXT 17

> > gâs' cârayan sa gopâlaih

> > sa-râmo dûram âgatah

> > bubhukshitasya tasyânnam

> > sânugasya pradîyatâm

> > gâh - the cows; cârayan - tending; sah - He; gopâlaih - in the company of the cowherd boys; sa-râmah - together with Lord Balarâma; dûram - from far away; âgatah - has come; bubhukshitasya - who is hungry; tasya - for Him; annam - food; sa- anugasya - together with His companions; pradîyatâm - should be given.

> > TRANSLATION

> > He has come a long way with the cowherd boys and Lord Balarâma, tending the cows. Now He is hungry, so some food should be given for Him and His companions.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > s'rutvâcyutam upâyâtam

> > nityam tad-dars'anotsukâh

> > tat-kathâkshipta-manaso

> > babhûvur jâta-sambhramâh

> > s'rutvâ - hearing; acyutam - Lord Krishna; upâyâtam - come nearby; nityam - constantly; tat-dars'ana - for the sight of Him; utsukâh - eager; tat- kathâ - by descriptions of Him; âkshpita - enchanted; manasah - their minds; babhûvuh - they became; jâta-sambhramâh - excited.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The wives of the brâhmanas were always eager to see Krishna, for their minds had been enchanted by descriptions of Him. Thus as soon as they heard that He had come, they became very excited.

> > ******

> > TEXT 19

> > catur-vidham bahu-gunam

> > annam âdâya bhâjanaih

> > abhisasruh priyam sarvâh

> > samudram iva nimnagâh

> > catuh-vidham - of the four varieties (that which is chewed, that which is swallowed, that which is licked and that which is sucked); bahu- gunam - endowed with many rich tastes and fragrances; annam - food; âdâya - bringing; bhâjanaih - in large vessels; abhisasruh - they went forward; priyam - to their beloved; sarvâh - all of them; samudram - to the ocean; iva - just as; nimna-gâh - the rivers.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Taking along in large vessels the four kinds of foods, full of fine tastes and aromas, all the ladies went forth to meet their beloved, just as rivers flow toward the sea.

> > ******

> > TEXT 20 - 21

> > nishidhyamânâh patibhir

> > bhrâtribhir bandhubhih sutaih

> > bhagavaty uttama-s'loke

> > dîrgha-s'ruta -dhritâs'ayâh

> > yamunopavane 's'oka

> > nava-pallava-mandite

> > vicarantam vritam gopaih

> > sâgrajam dadris'uh striyah

> > nishidhyamânâh - being forbidden; patibhih - by their husbands; bhrâtribhih - by their brothers; bandhubhih - by other relatives; sutaih - and by their sons; bhagavati - directed toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead; uttama- s'loke - who is praised with transcendental hymns; dîrgha - for a long time; s'ruta - because of hearing; dhrita - acquired; âs'ayâh - whose expectations;

> > yamunâ- upavane - in a garden along the river Yamunâ; as'oka-nava-pallava - by the buds of the as'oka trees; mandite - decorated; vicarantam - wandering; vritam - surrounded; gopaih - by the cowherd boys; sa-agrajam - together with His elder brother; dadris'uh - they saw; striyah - the ladies.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although their husbands, brothers, sons and other relatives tried to forbid them from going, their hope of seeing Krishna, cultivated by extensive hearing of His transcendental qualities, won out. Along the river Yamunâ, within a garden decorated with buds of as'oka trees, they caught sight of Him strolling along in the company of the cowherd boys and His elder brother, Balarâma.

> > ******

> > TEXT 22

> > s'yâmam hiranya-paridhim vanamâlya-barha-

> > dhâtu-pravâla-natha-vesham anavratâmse

> > vinyasta-hastam itarena dhunânam abjam

> > karnotpalâlaka-kapola-mukhâbja-hâsam

> > s'yâmam - dark blue in complexion; hiranya - golden; paridhim - whose garment; vana-mâlya - with a forest garland; barha - peacock feather; dhâtu - colored minerals; pravâla - and sprigs of buds; natha - like a dancer upon the stage; vesham - dressed; anuvrata - of a friend; amse - upon the shoulder; vinyasta - placed; hastam - His hand; itarena - with the other; dhunânam - twirling; abjam - a lotus; karna - upon His ears; utpala - lilies; alaka- kapola - with hair extending over His cheeks; mukha-abja - upon His lotuslike face; hâsam - having a smile.

> > TRANSLATION

> > His complexion was dark blue and His garment golden. Wearing a peacock feather, colored minerals, sprigs of flower buds, and a garland of forest flowers and leaves, He was dressed just like a dramatic dancer. He rested one hand upon the shoulder of a friend and with the other twirled a lotus. Lilies graced His ears, His hair hung down over His cheeks, and His lotuslike face was smiling.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > prâyah-s'ruta-priyatamodaya-karna-pûrair

> > yasmin nimagna-manasas tam athâkshi-randraih

> > antah praves'ya su-ciram parirabhya tâpam

> > prâjn'am yathâbhimatayo vijahur narendra

> > prâyah - repeatedly; s'ruta - heard; priya-tama - of their dearmost; udaya - the glories; karna-pûraih - which were the ornaments of their ears; yasmin - in whom; nimagna - submerged; manasah - their minds; tam - Him; atha - then; akshi- randhraih - through the apertures of their eyes; antah - within; praves'ya - making enter; su-ciram - for a long time; parirabhya - embracing; tâpam - their distress; prâjn'am - the inner consciousness; yathâ - as; abhimatayah - the functions of false ego; vijahuh - they gave up; nara-indra - O ruler of men.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O ruler of men, for a long time those brâhmana ladies had heard about Krishna, their beloved, and His glories had become the constant ornaments of their ears. Indeed, their minds were always absorbed in Him. Through the apertures of their eyes they now forced Him to enter within their hearts, and then they embraced Him within for a long time. In this way they finally gave up the pain of separation from Him, just as sages give up the anxiety of false ego by embracing their innermost consciousness.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > tâs tathâ tyakta-sarvâs'âh

> > prâptâ âtma-didrikshayâ

> > vijn'âyâkhila-drig-drashthâ

> > prâha prahasitânanah

> > tâh - those ladies; tathâ - in such a state; tyakta-sarva-âs'âh - having given up all material desires; prâptâh - arrived; âtma-didrikshayâ - with the desire of seeing Himself; vijn'âya - understanding; akhila-drik - of the vision of all creatures; drashthâ - the seer; prâha - He spoke; prahasita-ânanah - with a smile upon His face.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Krishna, who witnesses the thoughts of all creatures, understood how those ladies had abandoned all worldly hopes and come there simply to see Him. Thus He addressed them as follows with a smile upon His face.

> > ******

> > TEXT 25

> > svâgatam vo mahâ-bhâgâ

> > âsyatâm karavâma kim

> > yan no didrikshayâ prâptâ

> > upapannam idam hi vah

> > su-âgatam - auspicious welcome; vah - for you; mahâ-bhâgâh - O fortunate ladies; âsyatâm - please come sit; karavâma - I can do, kim - what; yat - because; nah - Us; didrikshayâ - with the desire of seeing; prâptâh - you have come; upapannam - fitting; idam - this; hi - certainly; vah - on your part.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [Lord Krishna said:] Welcome, O most fortunate ladies. Please sit down and make yourselves comfortable. What can I do for you? That you have come here to see Me is most appropriate.

> > ******

> > TEXT 26

> > nanv addhâ mayi kurvanti

> > kus'alâh svârtha-dars'inah

> > ahaituky avyavahitâm

> > bhaktim âtma-priye yathâ

> > nanu - certainly; addhâ - directly; mayi - unto Me; kurvanti - they perform; kus'alâh - those who are expert; sva-artha - their own true benefit; dars'inah - who perceive; ahaitukî - unmotivated; avyavahitâm - uninterrupted; bhaktim - devotional service; âtma - to the soul; priye - who am most dear; yathâ - properly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Certainly expert personalities, who can see their own true interest, render unmotivated and uninterrupted devotional service directly unto Me, for I am most dear to the soul.

> > ******

> > TEXT 27

> > prâna-buddhi-manah-svâtma

> > dârâpatya-dhanâdayah

> > yat-samparkât priyâ âsams

> > tatah ko nv aparah priyah

> > prâna - one's vital force; buddhi - intelligence; manah - mind; sva - relatives; âtma - body; dâra - wife; apatya - children; dhana - wealth; âdayah - and so forth; yat - with which (self); samparkât - because of contact; priyâh - dear; âsan - have become; tatah - than that; kah - what; nu - indeed; aparah - other; priyah - dear object.

> > TRANSLATION

> > It is only by contact with the self that one's vital breath, intelligence, mind, friends, body, wife, children, wealth and so on are dear. Therefore what object can possibly be more dear than one's own self?

> > ******

> > TEXT 28

> > tad yâta deva-yajanam

> > patayo vo dvijâtayah

> > sva-satram pârayishyanti

> > yushmâbhir griha-medhinah

> > tat - therefore; yâta - go; deva-yajanam - to the sacrificial arena; patayah - the husbands; vah - your; dvi-jâtayah - the brâhmanas; sva-satram - their own sacrifices; pârayishyanti - will be able to finish; yushmâbhih - together with you; griha-medhinah - the householders.

> > TRANSLATION

> > You should thus return to the sacrificial arena, because your husbands, the learned brâhmanas, are householders and need your assistance to finish their respective sacrifices.

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > s'rî-patnya ûcuh

> > maivam vibho 'rhati bhavân gaditum nr-s'amsam

> > satyam kurushva nigamam tava pada-mûlam

> > prâptâ vayam tulasi-dâma padâvasrishtham

> > kes'air nivodhum atilanghya samasta-bandhûn

> > s'rî-patnyah ûcuh - the wives of the brâhmanas said; mâ - not; evam - like this; vibho - O almighty Lord; arhati - ought; bhavân - You; gaditum - to speak; nri- s'amsam - harshly; satyam - true; kurushva - please make; nigamam - the promise given in the revealed scripture; tava - Your; pâda-mûlam - the base of the lotus feet; prâptâh - having obtained; vayam - we; tulasi-dâma - the garland of tulasî leaves; padâ - by Your foot; avasrishtham - neglectfully kicked away; kes'aih - upon our hair; nivodhum - in order to carry; atilanghya - rejecting; samasta - all; bandhûn - relations.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The wives of the brâhmanas replied: O almighty one, please do not speak such cruel words. Rather, You should fulfill Your promise that You always reciprocate with Your devotees in kind. Now that we have attained Your lotus feet, we simply wish to remain here in the forest so we may carry upon our heads the garlands of tulasî leaves You may neglectfully kick away with Your lotus feet. We are ready to give up all material relationships.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > grihnanti no na patayah pitarau sutâ vâ

> > na bhrâtri-bandhu-suhridah kuta eva cânye

> > tasmâd bhavat-prapadayoh patitâtmanâm no

> > nânyâ bhaved gatir arindama tad vidhehi

> > grihnanti - they will accept; nah - us; na - not; patayah - our husbands; pitarau - fathers; sutâh - sons; vâ - or; na - not; bhrâtri - brothers; bandhu - other relatives; suhridah - and friends; kutah - how then; eva - indeed; ca - and; anye - other people; tasmât - therefore; bhavat - Your; prapadayoh - at the tips of the lotus feet; patita - fallen; âtmanâm - whose bodies; nah - for us; na - not; anyâ - any other; bhavet - there can be; gatih - destination; arim-dama - O chastiser of enemies; tat - that; vidhehi - kindly bestow upon us.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Our husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, other relatives and friends will no longer take us back, and how could anyone else be willing to give us shelter? Therefore, since we have thrown ourselves at Your lotus feet and have no other destination, please, O chastiser of enemies, grant our desire.

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > patayo nâbhyasûyeran

> > pitri-bhrâtri-sutâdayah

> > lokâs' ca vo mayopetâ

> > devâ apy anumanvate

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; patayah - your husbands; na abhyasûyeran - will not feel inimical; pitri-bhrâtri-suta- âdayah - your fathers, brothers, sons and others; lokâh - the general populace; ca - also; vah - toward you; mayâ - by Me; upetâh - advised; devâh - the demigods; api - even; anumanvate - regard favorably.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead replied: Rest assured that your husbands will not be inimical toward you, nor will your fathers, brothers, sons, other relatives or the general populace. I will personally advise them of the situation. Indeed, even the demigods will express their approval.

> > ******

> > TEXT 32

> > na prîtaye 'nurâgâya

> > hy anga-sango nrinâm iha

> > tan mano mayi yun'jânâ

> > acirân mâm avâpsyatha

> > na - not; prîtaye - for satisfaction; anurâgâya - for loving attraction; hi - certainly; anga-sangah - physical association; nrinâm - for people; iha - in this world; tat - therefore; manah - your minds; mayi - upon Me; yun'jânâh - fixing; acirât - very quickly; mâm - Me; avâpsyatha - you will achieve.

> > TRANSLATION

> > For you to remain in My bodily association would certainly not please people in this world, nor would it be the best way for you to increase your love for Me. Rather, you should fix your minds on Me, and very soon you will achieve Me.

> > ******

> > TEXT 33

> > s'ravanâd dars'anâd dhyânân

> > mayi bhâvo 'nukîrtanât

> > na tathâ sannikarshena

> > pratiyâta tato grihân

> > s'ravanât - by hearing; dars'anât - by seeing the Deity form; dhyânât - by meditation; mayi - for Me; bhâvah - love; anukîrtanât - by chanting My names and qualities; na - not; tathâ - in the same way; sannikarshena - by literal proximity; pratiyâta - return; tatah - therefore; grihân - to your homes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > It is by hearing about Me, seeing My Deity form, meditating upon Me and chanting My names and glories that love for Me develops, not by physical proximity. Therefore please go back to your homes.

> > ******

> > TEXT 34

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > ity uktâ dvija-patnyas tâ

> > yajn'a-vâtham punar gatâh

> > te cânasûyavas tâbhih

> > strîbhih satram apârayan

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti - with these words; uktâh - spoken to; dvija-patnyah - the wives of the brâhmanas; tâh - they; yajn'a- vâtham - to the place of sacrifice; punah - again; gatâh - went; te - they, their husbands; ca - and; anasûyavah - not inimical; tâbhih - together with them; strîbhih - their wives; satram - the sacrificial performance; apârayan - they completed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rîla S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Thus instructed, the wives of the brâhmanas returned to the place of sacrifice. The brâhmanas did not find any fault with their wives, and together with them they finished the sacrifice.

> > ******

> > TEXT 35

> > tatraikâ vidhritâ bhartrâ

> > bhagavantam yathâ-s'rutam

> > hridopaguhya vijahau

> > deham karmânubandhanam

> > tatra - there; ekâ - one of them; vidhritâ - held back by force; bhartrâ - by her husband; bhagavantam - the Supreme Lord, S'rî Krishna; yathâ-s'rutam - as she heard about Him from the others; hridâ - within her heart; upaguhya - embracing; vijahau - she gave up; deham - her material body; karma-anubandhanam - which is simply the basis of bondage to material activity.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One of the ladies had been forcibly kept back by her husband. When she heard the others describe the Supreme Lord Krishna, she embraced Him within her heart and gave up her material body, the basis of bondage to material activity.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > bhagavân api govindas

> > tenaivânnena gopakân

> > catur-vidhenâs'ayitvâ

> > svayam ca bubhuje prabhuh

> > bhagavân - the Supreme Personality of Godhead; api - moreover; govindah - Lord Govinda; tena - with that; eva - very same; annena - food; gopakân - the cowherd boys; catuh-vidhena - of four varieties; as'ayitvâ - feeding; svayam - Himself; ca - and; bubhuje - partook; prabhuh - the Almighty.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, fed the cowherd boys with that food of four varieties. Then the all-powerful Lord Himself partook of the preparations.

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > evam lîlâ-nara-vapur

> > nr-lokam anus'îlayan

> > reme go-gopa-gopînâm

> > ramayan rûpa-vâk-kritaih

> > evam - in this manner; lîlâ - for pastimes; nara - appearing as a human being; vapuh - whose transcendental body; nri-lokam - human society; anus'îlayan - imitating; reme - He took pleasure; go - the cows; gopa - cowherd boys; gopînâm - the cowherd girls; ramayan - pleasing; rûpa - with His beauty; vâk - words; kritaih - and actions.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus the Supreme Lord, appearing like a human being to perform His pastimes, imitated the ways of human society. He enjoyed pleasing His cows, cowherd boyfriends and cowherd girlfriends with His beauty, words and actions.

> > ******

> > TEXT 38

> > athânusmritya viprâs te

> > anvatapyan kritâgasah

> > yad vis'ves'varayor yâcn'âm

> > ahanma nri-vidambayoh

> > atha - then; anusmritya - coming to their senses; viprâh - the brâhmanas; te - they; anvatapyan - felt great remorse; krita-agasah - having committed sinful offenses; yat - because; vis'va-îs'varayoh - of the two Lords of the universe, Krishna and Balarâma; yâcn'âm - the humble supplication; ahanma - we transgressed; nr-vidambayoh - of those who were deceptively appearing as human beings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The brâhmanas then came to their senses and began to feel great remorse. They thought, "We have sinned, for we have denied the request of the two Lords of the universe, who deceptively appeared as ordinary human beings."

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > drishthvâ strînâm bhagavati

> > krishne bhaktim alaukikîm

> > âtmânam ca tayâ hînam

> > anutaptâ vyagarhayan

> > drishthvâ - observing; strînâm - of their wives; bhagavati - for the Supreme Personality of Godhead; krishne - S'rî Krishna; bhaktim - the pure devotion; alaukikîm - transcendental to this world; âtmânam - themselves; ca - and; tayâ - of that; hînam - devoid; anutaptâh - lamenting; vyagarhayan - they condemned.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Taking note of their wives' pure, transcendental devotion for Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and seeing their own lack of devotion, the brâhmanas felt most sorrowful and began to condemn themselves.

> > ******

> > TEXT 40

> > dhig janma nas tri-vrid yat tad

> > dhig vratam dhig bahu-jn'atâm

> > dhik kulam dhik kriyâ-dâkshyam

> > vimukhâ ye tv adhokshaje

> > dhik - to hell; janma - with the birth; nah - our; tri-vrit - threefold (the first from the physical parents, the second at the time of brahminical initiation, and the third at the time of initiation into the performances of Vedic sacrifice); yat tat - whatever; dhik - to hell; vratam - with our vow (of celibacy); dhik - to hell; bahu-jn'atâm - with our extensive knowledge; dhik - to hell; kulam - with our aristocratic lineage; dhik - to hell; kriyâ- dâkshyam - with our expertise in ritualistic activities; vimukhah - inimical; ye - who; tu - however; adhokshaje - to the transcendental Personality of Godhead.

> > TRANSLATION

> > [The brâhmanas said:] To hell with our threefold birth, our vow of celibacy and our extensive learning! To hell with our aristocratic background and our expertise in the rituals of sacrifice! These are all condemned because we were inimical to the transcendental Personality of Godhead.

> > ******

> > TEXT 41

> > nûnam bhagavato mâyâ

> > yoginâm api mohinî

> > yad vayam guravo nrinâm

> > svârthe muhyâmahe dvijâh

> > nûnam - indeed; bhagavatah - of the Supreme Lord; mâyâ - the illusory potency; yoginâm - for great mystics; api - even; mohinî - is bewildering; yat - since; vayam - we; guravah - the spiritual masters; nrinâm - of society in general; sva- arthe - about our own real interest; muhyâmahe - have become bewildered; dvijâh - brâhmanas.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The illusory potency of the Supreme Lord certainly bewilders even the great mystics, what to speak of us. As brâhmanas we are supposed to be the spiritual masters of all classes of men, yet we have been bewildered about our own real interest.

> > ******

> > TEXT 42

> > aho pas'yata nârînâm

> > api krishne jagad-gurau

> > duranta-bhâvam yo 'vidhyan

> > mrityu-pâs'ân grihâbhidhân

> > aho pas'yata - just see; nârînâm - of these women; api - even; krishne - for Lord Krishna; jagat-gurau - the spiritual master of the entire universe; duranta - unlimited; bhâvam - the devotion; yah - which; avidhyat - has broken; mrityu - of death; pâs'ân - the bonds; griha-abhidhân - known as family life.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just see the unlimited love these women have developed for Lord Krishna, the spiritual master of the entire universe! This love has broken for them the very bonds of death - their attachment to family life.

> > ******

> > SB 10.23.43-44

> > TEXTS 43 - 44

> > nâsâm dvijâti-samskâro

> > na nivâso gurâv api

> > na tapo nâtma-mîmâmsâ

> > na s'aucam na kriyâh s'ubhâh

> > tathâpi hy uttamah-s'loke

> > krishne yoges'vares'vare

> > bhaktir dridhâ na câsmâkam

> > samskârâdimatâm api

> > na - there is not; âsâm - on their part; dvijâti-samskârah - the purificatory rituals pertaining to the twice-born classes of society; na - nor; nivâsah - residence; gurau - in the âs'rama of a spiritual master (that is, training as a brahmacârî); api - even; na - no; tapah - execution of austerities; na - no; âtma-mîmâmsâ - philosophical inquiry into the reality of the self; na - no; s'aucam - rituals of cleanliness; na - no; kriyâh - ritualistic activities; s'ubhâh - pious;

> > tathâ api - nevertheless; hi - indeed; uttamah-s'loke - whose glories are chanted by the exalted mantras of the Vedas; krishne - for Lord Krishna; yoga-îs'vara-îs'vare - the supreme master of all masters of mystic power; bhaktih - pure devotional service; dridhâ - firm; na - not; ca - on the other hand; asmâkam - of us; samskâra-âdi-matâm - who possess such purification and so forth; api - even though.

> > TRANSLATION

> > These women have never undergone the purificatory rites of the twice-born classes, nor have they lived as brahmacârîs in the âs'rama of a spiritual master, nor have they executed austerities, speculated on the nature of the self, followed the formalities of cleanliness or engaged in pious rituals. Nevertheless, they have firm devotion for Lord Krishna, whose glories are chanted by the exalted hymns of the Vedas and who is the supreme master of all masters of mystic power. We, on the other hand, have no such devotion for the Lord, although we have executed all these processes.

> > ******

> > TEXT 45

> > nanu svârtha-vimûdhânâm

> > pramattânâm grihehayâ

> > aho nah smârayâm âsa

> > gopa-vâkyaih satâm gatih

> > nanu - indeed; sva-artha - about their own true benefit; vimûdhânâm - who were bewildered; pramattânâm - who were intoxicated; griha-îhayâ - with their household endeavors; aho - ah; nah - us; smârayâm âsa - He reminded about; gopa- vâkyaih - by the words of cowherds; satâm - of the transcendental souls; gatih - the ultimate destination .

> > TRANSLATION

> > Indeed, infatuated as we are with our household affairs, we have deviated completely from the real aim of our life. But now just see how the Lord, through the words of these simple cowherd boys, has reminded us of the ultimate destination of all true transcendentalists.

> > ******

> > TEXT 46

> > anyathâ pûrna-kâmasya

> > kaivalyâdy-as'ishâm pateh

> > îs'itavyaih kim asmâbhir

> > îs'asyaitad vidambanam

> > anyathâ - otherwise; pûrna-kâmasya - of Him whose every possible desire is fulfilled; kaivalya - of liberation; âdi - and others; âs'ishâm - benedictions; pateh - the master; îs'itavyaih - with those who are meant to be controlled; kim - what; asmâbhih - with us; îs'asya - of Him who is the absolute controller; etat - this; vidambanam - pretense.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Otherwise, why would the supreme controller - whose every desire is already fulfilled and who is the master of liberation and all other transcendental benedictions - enact this pretense with us, who are always to be controlled by Him?

> > ******

> > TEXT 47

> > hitvânyân bhajate yam s'rîh

> > pâda-spars'âs'ayâsakrit

> > svâtma-doshâpavargena

> > tad-yâcn'â jana-mohinî

> > hitvâ - giving up; anyân - others; bhajate - worships; yam - which Lord; s'rîh - the goddess of fortune; pâda-spars'a - for the touch of His lotus feet; âs'ayâ - with the desire; asakrit - constantly; sva-âtma - of herself; dosha - the faults (of fickleness and pride); apavargena - putting aside; tat - His; yâcn'â - begging; jana - ordinary humans; mohinî - bewildering.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Hoping for the touch of His lotus feet, the goddess of fortune perpetually worships Him alone, leaving aside all others and renouncing her pride and fickleness. That He begs is certainly astonishing to everyone.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 48 - 49

> > des'ah kâlah prithag dravyam

> > mantra-tantrartvijo 'gnayah

> > devatâ yajamânas' ca

> > kratur dharmas' ca yan-mayah

> > sa eva bhagavân sâkshâd

> > vishnur yoges'vares'varah

> > jâto yadushv ity âs'rinma

> > hy api mûdhâ na vidmahe

> > des'ah - the place; kâlah - time; prithak dravyam - particular items of paraphernalia; mantra - Vedic hymns; tantra - prescribed rituals; ritvijah - priests; agnayah - and the sacrificial fires; devatâ - the presiding demigods; yajamânah - the performer; ca - and; kratuh - the offering; dharmah - the pious reaction; ca - and; yat - whom; mayah - constituting;

> > sah - He; eva - indeed; bhagavân - the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sâkshât - directly; vishnuh - Lord Vishnu; yoga-îs'vara-îs'varah - the Lord of all mystic controllers; jâtah - taken birth; yadushu - among the Yadu dynasty; iti - thus; âs'rinma - we have heard; hi - certainly; api - nevertheless; mûdhâh - foolish; na vidmahe - we could not understand.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All the aspects of sacrifice - the auspicious place and time, the various items of paraphernalia, the Vedic hymns, the prescribed rituals, the priests and sacrificial fires, the demigods, the patron of the sacrifice, the sacrificial offering and the pious results obtained - all are simply manifestations of His opulences. Yet even though we had heard that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu, the Lord of all mystic controllers, had taken birth in the Yadu dynasty, we were so foolish that we could not recognize S'rî Krishna to be none other than Him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 50

> > tasmai namo bhagavate

> > krishnâyâkunthha-medhase

> > yan-mâyâ-mohita-dhiyo

> > bhramâmah karma-vartmasu

> > tasmai - unto Him; namah - obeisances; bhagavate - unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; krishnâya - Lord Krishna; akunthha-medhase - whose intelligence is never restricted; yat-mâyâ - by whose illusory potency; mohita - bewildered; dhiyah - whose minds; bhramâmah - we are wandering; karma-vartmasu - upon the paths of fruitive activity.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Let us offer our obeisances unto Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His intelligence is never bewildered, whereas we, confused by His power of illusion, are simply wandering about on the paths of fruitive work.

> > ******

> > TEXT 51

> > sa vai na âdyah purushah

> > sva-mâyâ-mohitâtmanâm

> > avijn'atânubhâvânâm

> > kshantum arhaty atikramam

> > sah - He; vai - indeed; nah - our; âdyah - the primeval Lord; purushah - the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sva-mayâ-mohita-âtmanâm - of those whose minds have been bewildered by His illusory potency; avijn'âta - who did not understand; anubhâvânâm - His influence; kshantum - to forgive; arhati - should; atikramam - the offense.

> > TRANSLATION

> > We were bewildered by Lord Krishna's illusory potency and thus could not understand His influence as the original Personality of Godhead. Now we hope He will kindly forgive our offense.

> > ******

> > TEXT 52

> > iti svâgham anusmritya

> > krishne te krita-helanâh

> > didrikshavo vrajam atha

> > kamsâd bhîtâ na câcalan

> > iti - thus; sva-agham - their own offense; anusmritya - thinking back upon; krishne - against Lord Krishna; te - they; krita-helanâh - having shown contempt; didrikshavah - wishing to see; vrajam - to the village of Nanda Mahârâja; atha - then; kamsât - of Kamsa; bhîtâh - afraid; na - not; ca - and; acalan - they went.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus reflecting on the sin they had committed by neglecting Lord Krishna, they became very eager to see Him. But being afraid of King Kamsa, they did not dare go to Vraja.

> > Back to the running text