> > 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-nine: Krishna and the Gopîs Meet for the Râsa Dance

> > ******

> > TEXT 1

> > s'rî-bâdarâyanir uvâca

> > bhagavân api tâ râtriîh

> > s'âradotphulla-mallikâh

> > vîkshya rantum manas' cakre

> > yoga-mâyâm upâs'ritah

> > s'rî-bâdarâyanih uvâca - S'rî S'ukadeva, the son of S'rîla Badarâyana Vedavyâsa, said; bhagavân - Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; api - although; tâh - those; râtrîh - nights; s'ârada - of autumn: utphulla - blossoming; mallikâh - the jasmine flowers; vîkshya - seeing: rantum - to enjoy love; manah cakre - He made up His mind; yogamâyâm - His spiritual potency that makes the impossible possible; upâs'ritah - resorting to.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Bâdarâyani said: S'rî Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, full in all opulences, yet upon seeing those autumn nights scented with blossoming jasmine flowers, He turned His mind toward loving affairs. To fulfill His purposes He employed His internal potency.

> > ******

> > TEXT 2

> > tadodurâjah kakubhah karair mukham

> > prâcyâ vilimpann arunena s'antamaih

> > sa carshanînâm udagâc chuco mrijan

> > priyah priyâyâ iva dîrgha-dars'anah

> > tadâ - at that time; udu-râjah - the moon, king of the stars; kakubhah - of the horizon; karaih - with his "hands" (rays); mukham - the face; prâcyâh - eastern; vilimpan - smearing; arunena - with reddish color; s'am-tamaih - (his rays) which give great comfort; sah - he; carshanînâm - of all those who watched; udagât - rose; s'ucah - the unhappiness; mrijan - wiping away; priyah - a beloved husband; priyâyâh - of his beloved wife; iva - as; dîrgha - after a long time; dars'anah - being seen again.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The moon then rose, anointing the face of the eastern horizon with the reddish hue of his comforting rays, and thus dispelling the pain of all who watched him rise. The moon was like a beloved husband who returns after a long absence and adorns the face of his beloved wife with red kunkuma.

> > ******

> > TEXT 3

> > drishthvâ kumudvantam akhanda-mandalam

> > ramânanâbham nava-kunkumârunam

> > vanam ca tat-komala-gobhî ran'jitam

> > jagau kalam vâma-dris'âm manoharam

> > drishthvâ - observing; kamut-vantam - causing the night-blooming kumuda lotuses to open; akhanda - unbroken; mandalam - the disk of whose face; ramâ - of the goddess of fortune; ânana - (resembling) the face; âbham - whose light; nava - new; kunkuma - with vermilion powder; arunam - reddened; vanam - the forest; ca - and; tat - of that moon; komala - gentle; gobhih - by the rays; ran'jitam - colored; jagau - He played His flute; kalam - sweetly; vâma-dris'âm - for the girls who had charming eyes; manah-haram - enchanting.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Krishna saw the unbroken disk of the full moon glowing with the red effulgence of newly applied vermilion, as if it were the face of the goddess of fortune. He also saw the kumuda lotuses opening in response to the moon's presence and the forest gently illumined by its rays. Thus the Lord began to play sweetly on His flute, attracting the minds of the beautiful-eyed gopîs.

> > ******

> > TEXT 4

> > nis'amya gîtâm tad ananga-vardhanam

> > vraja-striyah krishna-grihîta-mânasâh

> > âjagmur anyonyam alakshitodyamâh

> > sa yatra kânto java-lola-kundalâh

> > nis'amya - hearing; gîtam - the music; tat - that; ananga - Cupid; vardhanam - which fortifies; vraja-striyah - the young women of Vraja; krishna - by Krishna; grihîta - seized; mânasâh - whose minds; âjagmuh - they went; anyonyam - to one another; alakshita - unnoticed; udyamâh - their going forward; sah - He; yatra - where; kântah - their boyfriend; java - because of their haste; lola - swinging; kundalâh - whose earrings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the young women of Vrindâvana heard Krishna's flute song, which arouses romantic feelings, their minds were captivated by the Lord. They went to where their lover waited, each unknown to the others, moving so quickly that their earrings swung back and forth.

> > ******

> > TEXT 5

> > duhantyo 'bhiyayuh kâs'cid

> > doham hitvâ samutsukâh

> > payo 'dhis'ritya samyâvam

> > anudvâsyâparâ yayuh

> > duhantyah - in the middle of milking the cows; abhiyayuh - went away; kâs'cit - some of them; doham - the milking; hitvâ - abandoning; samutsukâh - extremely eager; payah - milk; adhis'ritya - having placed on the stove; samyâvam - cakes made of flour; anudvâsya - without removing from the oven; aparâh - others; yayuh - went.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Some of the gopîs were milking cows when they heard Krishna's flute. They stopped milking and went off to meet Him. Some left milk curdling on the stove, and others left cakes burning in the oven.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 6 - 7

> > pariveshayantyas tad dhitvâ

> > pâyayantyah s'is'ûn payah

> > s'us'rûshantyah patîn kâs'cid

> > as'nantyo 'pâsya bhojanam

> > limpantyah pramrijantyo 'nyâ

> > an'jantyah kâs'ca locane

> > vyatyasta-vastrâbharanâh

> > kâs'cit krishnântikam yayuh

> > pariveshayantyah - getting dressed; tat - that; hitvâ - putting aside; pâyayantyah - making drink; s'is'ûn - their children; payah - milk; s'us'rûshantyah - rendering personal service; patîn - to their husbands; kâs'cit - some of them; as'nantyah - eating; apâsya - leaving aside; bhojanam - their meals; limpantyah - applying cosmetics; pramrijantyah - cleansing themselves with oils; anyâh - others; an'jantyah - applying kajjala; kâs'ca - some; locane - on their eyes; vyatyasta - in disarray; vastra - their clothing; âbharanâh - and ornaments; kâs'cit - some of them; krishna-antikam - to the proximity of Lord Krishna; yayuh - went.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Some of them were getting dressed, feeding milk to their infants or rendering personal service to their husbands, but they all gave up these duties and went to meet Krishna. Other gopîs were taking their evening meals, washing themselves, putting on cosmetics or applying kajjala to their eyes. But all the gopîs stopped these activities at once and, though their clothes and ornaments were in complete disarray, rushed off to Krishna.

> > ******

> > TEXT 8

> > tâ vâryamânâh patibhih

> > pitribhir bhrâtri-bandhubhih

> > govindâpahritâtmâno

> > na nyavartanta mohitâh

> > tâh - they; vâryamânâh - being checked; patibhih - by their husbands; pitribhih - by their fathers; bhrâtri - brothers; bandhubhih - and other relatives; govinda - by Lord Krishna; apahrita - stolen away; âtmânah - their very selves; na nyavartanta - they did not turn back; mohitâh - enchanted.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Their husbands, fathers, brothers and other relatives tried to stop them, but Krishna had already stolen their hearts. Enchanted by the sound of His flute, they refused to turn back.

> > ******

> > TEXT 9

> > antar-griha-gatâh kâs'cid

> > gopyo 'labdha-vinirgamâh

> > krishnam tad-bhâvanâ-yuktâ

> > dadhyur mîlita-locanâh

> > antah-griha - within their homes; gatâh - present; kâs'cit - some; gopyah - gopîs; alabdha - not obtaining; vinirgamâh - any exit; krishnam - upon S'rî Krishna; tat- bhâvanâ - with ecstatic love for Him; yuktâh - fully endowed; dadhyuh - they meditated; mîlita - closed; locanâh - their eyes .

> > TRANSLATION

> > Some of the gopîs, however, could not manage to get out of their houses, and instead they remained home with eyes closed, meditating upon Him in pure love.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 10 - 11

> > duhsaha-preshthha-viraha-

> > tîvra-tâpa-dhutâs'ubhâh

> > dhyâna-prâptâcyutâs'lesha-

> > nirvrityâ kshîna-mangalâh

> > tam eva paramâtmânam

> > jâra-buddhyâpi sangatâh

> > jahur guna-mayam deham

> > sadyah prakshîna-bandhanâh

> > duhsaha - intolerable; preshthha - from their beloved; viraha - from separation; tîvra - intense; tâpa - by the burning pain; dhuta - removed; as'ubhâh - all inauspicious things in their hearts; dhyâna - by meditation; prâpta - obtained; acyuta - of the infallible Lord S'rî Krishna; âs'lesha - caused by the embrace; nirvrityâ - by the joy; kshîna - reduced to nil; mangalâh - their auspicious karmic reactions;

> > tam - Him; eva - even though; parama-âtmânam - the Supersoul; jâra - a paramour; buddhyâ - thinking Him to be; api - nevertheless; sangatâh - getting His direct association; jahuh - they gave up; guna-mayam - composed of the modes of material nature; deham - their bodies; sadyah - immediately; prakshîna - thoroughly counteracted; bandhanâh - all their bondage of karma.

> > TRANSLATION

> > For those gopîs who could not go to see Krishna, intolerable separation from their beloved caused an intense agony that burned away all impious karma. By meditating upon Him they realized His embrace, and the ecstasy they then felt exhausted their material piety. Although Lord Krishna is the Supreme Soul, these girls simply thought of Him as their male lover and associated with Him in that intimate mood. Thus their karmic bondage was nullified and they abandoned their gross material bodies.

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > s'rî-parîkshid uvâca

> > krishnam viduh param kântam

> > na tu brahmatayâ mune

> > guna-pravâhoparamas

> > tâsâm guna-dhiyâm katham

> > s'rî-parîkshit uvâca - S'rî Parîkchit said; krishnam - Lord Krishna; viduh - they knew; param - only; kântam - as their beloved; na - not; tu - but; brahmatayâ - as the Absolute Truth; mune - O sage, S'ukadeva; guna - of the three modes of material nature; pravâha - of the mighty current; uparamah - the cessation; tâsâm - for them; guna-dhiyâm - whose mentality was caught up in those modes; katham - how.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Parîkchit Mahârâja said: O sage, the gopîs knew Krishna only as their lover, not as the Supreme Absolute Truth. So how could these girls, their minds caught up in the waves of the modes of nature, free themselves from material attachment?

> > ******

> > TEXT 13

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > uktam purastâd etat te

> > caidyah siddhim yathâ gatah

> > dvishann api hrishîkes'am

> > kim utâdhokshaja-priyâh

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; uktam - spoken; purastât - previously; etat - this; te - to you; caidyah - the King of Cedi, S'is'upâla; siddhim - perfection; yathâ - as; gatah - he attained; dvishan - hating; api - even; hrishîkes'am - the Supreme Lord Hrishîkes'a; kim uta - what to speak then; adhokshaja - to the transcendental Lord, who lies beyond the purview of ordinary senses; priyâh - of those devotees who are very dear.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: This point was explained to you previously. Since even S'is'upâla, who hated Krishna, achieved perfection, then what to speak of the Lord's dear devotees.

> > ******

> > TEXT 14

> > nrinâm nihs'reyasârthâya

> > vyaktir bhagavato nripa

> > avyayasyâprameyasya

> > nirgunasya gunâtmanah

> > nrinâm - for humanity; nihs'reyasa - of the highest benefit; arthâya - for the purpose; vyaktih - the personal appearance; bhagavatah - of the Supreme Lord; nripa - O King; avyayasya - of Him who is inexhaustible; aprameyasya - immeasurable; nirgunasya - untouched by material qualities; guna- âtmanah - the controller of the material modes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O King, the Supreme Lord is inexhaustible and immeasurable, and He is untouched by the material modes because He is their controller. His personal appearance in this world is meant for bestowing the highest benefit on humanity.

> > ******

> > TEXT 15

> > kâmam krodham bhayam sneham

> > aikyam sauhridam eva ca

> > nityam harau vidadhato

> > yânti tan-mayatâm hi te

> > kâmam - lust; krodham - anger; bhayam - fear; sneham - loving affection; aikyam - unity; sauhridam - friendship; eva ca - also; nityam - always; harau - for Lord Hari; vidadhatah - exhibiting; yânti - they achieve; tat- mayatâm - absorption in Him; hi - indeed; te - such persons.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Persons who constantly direct their lust, anger, fear, protective affection, feeling of impersonal oneness or friendship toward Lord Hari are sure to become absorbed in thought of Him.

> > ******

> > TEXT 16

> > na caivam vismayah kâryo

> > bhavatâ bhagavaty aje

> > yoges'vares'vare krishne

> > yata etad vimucyate

> > na ca - nor; evam - like this; vismayah - astonishment; kâryah - should be had; bhavatâ - by you; bhagavati - in regard to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; aje - who is unborn; yoga-îs'vara - of the masters of yoga; îs'vare - the ultimate master; krishne - Lord Krishna; yatah - by whom; etat - this (world); vimucyate - becomes liberated.

> > TRANSLATION

> > You should not be so astonished by Krishna, the unborn master of all masters of mystic power, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. After all, it is the Lord who liberates this world.

> > ******

> > TEXT 17

> > tâ drishthvântikam âyâtâ

> > bhagavân vraja-yoshitah

> > avadad vadatâm s'reshthho

> > vâcah pes'air vimohayan

> > tâh - them; drishthvâ - seeing; antikam - nearby; âyâtâh - arrived; bhagavân - the Supreme Lord; vraja-yoshitah - the girls of Vraja; avadat - He spoke; vadatâm - of speakers; s'reshthhah - the best; vâcah - of language; pes'aih - with decorations; vimohayan - bewildering.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Seeing that the girls of Vraja had arrived, Lord Krishna, the best of speakers, greeted them with charming words that bewildered their minds.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > svâgatam vo mahâ-bhâgâh

> > priyam kim karavâni vah

> > vrajasyânâmayam kaccid

> > brûtâgamana-kâranam

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; su- âgatam - welcome; vah - to you; mahâ-bhâgâh - O most fortunate ladies; priyam - pleasing; kim - what; karavâni - may I do; vah - for you; vrajasya - of Vraja; anâmayam - the well-being; kaccit - whether; brûta - please tell; âgamana - for your coming; kâranam - the reason.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Krishna said: O most fortunate ladies, welcome. What may I do to please you? Is everything well in Vraja? Please tell Me the reason for your coming here.

> > ******

> > TEXT 19

> > rajany eshâ ghora-rûpâ

> > ghora-sattva-nishevitâ

> > pratiyâta vrajam neha

> > stheyam strîbhih su-madhyamâh

> > rajanî - night; eshâ - this; ghora-rûpâ - fearsome in appearance; ghora-sattva - by fearsome creatures; nishevitâ - populated; pratiyâta - please return; vrajam - to the cowherd village of Vraja; na - not; iha - here; stheyam - should stay; strîbhih - women; su-madhyamâh - O slender-waisted girls.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This night is quite frightening, and frightening creatures are lurking about. Return to Vraja, slender-waisted girls. This is not a proper place for women.

> > ******

> > TEXT 20

> > mâtarah pitarah putrâ

> > bhrâtarah patayas' ca vah

> > vicinvanti hy apas'yanto

> > mâ kridhvam bandhu-sâdhvasam

> > mâtarah - mothers; pitarah - fathers; putrâh - sons; bhrâtarah - brothers; patayah - husbands; ca - and; vah - your; vincinvanti - are searching; hi - certainly; apas'yantah - not seeing; mâ kridhvam - do not create; bandhu - for your family members; sâdhvasam - anxiety.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Not finding you at home, your mothers, fathers, sons, brothers and husbands are certainly searching for you. Don't cause anxiety for your family members.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 21 - 22

> > drishtham vanam kusumitam

> > râkes'a-kara-ran'jitam

> > yamunânila-lîlaijat

> > taru-pallava-s'obhitam

> > tad yâta mâ ciram goshthham

> > s'us'rûshadhvam patîn satîh

> > krandanti vatsâ bâlâs' ca

> > tân pâyayata duhyata

> > drishtham - seen; vanam - the forest; kusumitam - full of flowers; râkâ-îs'a - of the moon, the lord of the presiding goddess of the full-moon day; kara - by the hand; ran'jitam - made resplendent; yamunâ - coming from the Yamunâ River; anila - by the wind; lîlâ - playfully; ejat - trembling; taru - of the trees; pallava - with the leaves; s'obhitam - beautified;

> > tat - therefore; yâta - go back; mâ ciram - without delay; goshthham - to the cowherd village; s'us'rûshadhvam - you must serve; patîn - your husbands; satîh - O chaste women; krandanti - are crying; vatsâh - the calves; bâlâh - the children; ca - and; tân - them; pâyayata - breast-feed; duhyata - feed with cow's milk.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Now you have seen this Vrindâvana forest, full of flowers and resplendent with the light of the full moon. You have seen the beauty of the trees, with their leaves trembling in the gentle breeze coming from the Yamunâ. So now go back to the cowherd village. Don't delay. O chaste ladies, serve your husbands and give milk to your crying babies and calves.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > atha vâ mad-abhisnehâd

> > bhavatyo yantritâs'ayâh

> > âgatâ hy upapannam vah

> > prîyante mayi jantavah

> > atha vâ - or else; mat-abhisnehât - because of love for Me; bhavatyah - you; yantrita - subjugated; as'ayâh - your hearts; âgatâh - have come; hi - indeed; upapannam - fitting; vah - on your part; prîyante - have affection; mayi - for Me; jantavah - all living beings.

> > TRANSLATION

> > On the other hand, perhaps you have come here out of your great love for Me, which has taken control of your hearts. This is of course quite commendable on your part, since all living entities possess natural affection for Me.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > bhartuh s'us'rûshanam strînâm

> > paro dharmo hy amâyayâ

> > tad-bandhûnâm ca kalyânah

> > prajânâm cânuposhanam

> > bhartuh - of one's husband; s'us'rûshanam - faithful service; strînâm - for women; parah - the highest; dharmah - religious duty; hi - indeed; amâyayâ - without duplicity; tat-bandhûnâm - to the relatives of their husbands; ca - and; kalyânah - doing good; prajânâm - of their offspring; ca - and; anuposhanam - the care.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The highest religious duty for a woman is to sincerely serve her husband, behave well toward her husband's family and take good care of her children.

> > ******

> > TEXT 25

> > duhs'îlo durbhago vriddho

> > jado rogy adhano 'pi vâ

> > patih strîbhir na hâtavyo

> > lokepsubhir apâtakî

> > duhs'îlah - of bad character; durbhagah - unfortunate; vriddhah - old; jadah - retarded; rogî - sickly; adhanah - poor; api vâ - even; patih - the husband; strîbhih - by women; na hâtavyah - should not be rejected; loka - a good destination in the next life; îpsubhih - who desire; apâtakî - (if he is) not fallen.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Women who desire a good destination in the next life should never abandon a husband who has not fallen from his religious standards, even if he is obnoxious, unfortunate, old, unintelligent, sickly or poor.

> > ******

> > TEXT 26

> > asvargyam ayas'asyam ca

> > phalgu kricchram bhayâvaham

> > jugupsitam ca sarvatra

> > hy aupapatyam kula-striyah

> > asvargyam - not leading to heaven; ayas'asyam - unfavorable for a good reputation; ca - and; phalgu - insignificant; kricchram - difficult: bhaya- âvaham - creating fear; jugupsitam - contemptible; ca - and: sarvatra - in all cases; hi - indeed; aupapatyam - adulterous affairs; kula-striyah - for a woman coming from a respectable family.

> > TRANSLATION

> > For a woman from a respectable family, petty adulterous affairs are always condemned. They bar her from heaven, ruin her reputation and bring her difficulty and fear.

> > ******

> > TEXT 27

> > s'ravanâd dars'anâd dhyânân

> > mayi bhâvo 'nukîrtanât

> > na tathâ sannikarshena

> > pratiyâta tato grihân

> > s'ravanât - by hearing (My glories); dars'anât - by viewing (My Deity form in the temple); dhyânât - by meditation; mayi - for Me; bhâvah - love; anukîrtanât - by subsequent chanting; na - not; tathâ - in the same way; sannikarshena - by physical proximity; pratiyâta - please return; tatah - therefore; grihân - to your homes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Transcendental love for Me arises by the devotional processes of hearing about Me, seeing My Deity form, meditating on Me and faithfully chanting My glories. The same result is not achieved by mere physical proximity. So please go back to your homes.

> > ******

> > TEXT 28

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > iti vipriyam âkarnya

> > gopyo govinda-bhâshitam

> > vishannâ bhagna-sankalpâs'

> > cintâm âpur duratyayâm

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti - thus; vipriyam - unpleasant; âkarnya - hearing; gopyah - the gopîs; govinda-bhâshitam - the words spoken by Govinda; vishannâh - becoming morose; bhagna - thwarted; sankalpâh - their strong desires; cintâm - anxiety; âpuh - they experienced; duratyayâm - insurmountable.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Hearing these unpleasant words spoken by Govinda, the gopîs became morose. Their great hopes were frustrated and they felt insurmountable anxiety.

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > kritvâ mukhâny ava s'ucah s'vasanena s'ushyad

> > bimbâdharâni caranena bhuvah likhantyah

> > asrair upâtta-masibhih kuca-kunkumâni

> > tasthur mrijantya uru-duhkha-bharâh sma tûshnîm

> > kritvâ - placing; mukhâni - their faces; ava - downward; s'ucah - out of sorrow; s'vasanena - by sighing; s'ushyat - drying up; bimba - (appearing like) red bimba fruits; adharâni - their lips; caranena - with their toes; bhuvah - the ground; likhantyah - scratching; asraih - with their tears; upâtta - which carried; masibhih - the kajjala from their eyes; kuca - on the breasts; kunkumâni - the vermilion powder; tasthuh - they stood still; mrijantyah - washing away; uru - excessive; duhkha - of unhappiness; bharâh - feeling the burden; sma - indeed; tûshnîm - silently.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Their heads hanging down and their heavy, sorrowful breathing drying up their reddened lips, the gopîs scratched the ground with their toes. Tears flowed from their eyes, carrying their kajjala and washing away the vermilion smeared on their breasts. Thus they stood, silently bearing the burden of their unhappiness.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > preshthham priyetaram iva pratibhâshamânam

> > krishnam tad-artha-vinivartita-sarva-kâmâh

> > netre vimrijya ruditopahate sma kin'cit

> > samrambha-gadgada-giro 'bruvatânuraktâh

> > preshthham - their beloved; priya-itaram - just the opposite of a beloved; iva - as if; pratibhâshamânam - addressing them; krishnam - Lord Krishna; tat-artha - for His sake; vinivartita - desisted from; sarva - all; kâmâh - their material desires; netre - their eyes; vimrijya - wiping; rudita - their crying; upahate - having stopped; sma - then; kin'cit - something; samrambha - with agitation; gadgada - choking up; girah - their voices; abruvata - they spoke; anuraktâh - firmly attached.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Although Krishna was their beloved, and although they had abandoned all other objects of desire for His sake, He had been speaking to them unfavorably. Nonetheless, they remained unflinching in their attachment to Him. Stopping their crying, they wiped their eyes and began to speak, their voices stammering with agitation.

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > s'rî-gopya ûcuh

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

> > santyajya sarva-vishayâms tava pâda-mûlam

> > bhaktâ bhajasva duravagraha mâ tyajâsmân

> > devo yathâdi-purusho bhajate mumukshûn

> > s'rî-gopyah ûcuh - the beautiful gopîs said; mâ - not; evam - in this way; vibho - O all-powerful one; arhati - should; bhavân - Your good self; gaditum - speak; nri- s'amsam - cruelly; santyajya - renouncing completely; sarva - all; vishayân - varieties of sense gratification; tava - Your; pâda-mûlam - feet; bhaktâh - worshiping; bhajasva - please reciprocate with; duravagraha - O stubborn one; mâ tyaja - do not reject; asmân - us; devâh - the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yathâ - just as; âdi-purushah - the primeval Lord, Nârâyana; bhajate - reciprocates; mumukshûn - with those who desire liberation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The beautiful gopîs said: O all-powerful one, You should not speak in this cruel way. Do not reject us, who have renounced all material enjoyment to render devotional service to Your lotus feet. Reciprocate with us, O stubborn one, just as the primeval Lord, S'rî Nârâyana, reciprocates with His devotees in their endeavors for liberation.

> > ******

> > TEXT 32

> > yat paty-apatya-suhridâm anuvrittir anga

> > strînâm sva-dharma iti dharma-vidâ tvayoktam

> > astv evam etad upades'a-pade tvayîs'e

> > preshthho bhavâms tanu-bhritâm kila bandhur âtmâ

> > yat - which; pati - of husbands; apatya - children; suhridâm - and well-wishing relatives and friends; anuvrittih - the following; anga - our dear Krishna; strînâm - of women; sva-dharmah - the proper religious duty; iti - thus; dharma- vidâ - by the knower of religion; tvayâ - You; uktam - spoken; astu - let it be; evam - like that; etat - this; upades'a - of this instruction; pade - to the real object; tvayi - You; îs'e - O Lord; preshthhah - the dearmost; bhavân - You; tanu- bhritâm - for all embodied living beings; kila - certainly; bandhuh - the close relative; âtmâ - the very Self.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Our dear Krishna, as an expert in religion You have advised us that the proper religious duty for women is to faithfully serve their husbands, children and other relatives. We agree that this principle is valid, but actually this service should be rendered to You. After all, O Lord, You are the dearmost friend of all embodied souls. You are their most intimate relative and indeed their very Self.

> > ******

> > TEXT 33

> > kurvanti hi tvayi ratim kus'alâh sva âtman

> > nitya-priye pati-sutâdibhir ârti-daih kim

> > tan nah prasîda parames'vara mâ sma chindyâ

> > âs'âm dhritâm tvayi cirâd aravinda-netra

> > kurvanti - they show; hi - indeed; tvayi - for You; ratim - attraction; kus'alâh - expert persons; sve - for their own; âtman - Self; nitya - eternally; priye - who is dear; pati - with our husbands; suta - children; âdibhih - and other relations; ârti-daih - who only give trouble; kim - what; tat - therefore; nah - to us; prasîda - be merciful; parama-îs'vara - O supreme controller; mâ sma chindyâh - please do not cut down; âs'âm - our hopes; dhritâm - sustained; tvayi - for You; cirât - for a long time; aravinda-netra - O lotus-eyed one.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Expert transcendentalists always direct their affection toward You because they recognize You as their true Self and eternal beloved. What use do we have for these husbands, children and relatives of ours, who simply give us trouble? Therefore, O supreme controllers grant us Your mercy. O lotus-eyed one, please do not cut down our long-cherished hope to have Your association.

> > ******

> > TEXT 34

> > cittam sukhena bhavatâpahritam griheshu

> > yan nirvis'aty uta karâv api grihya-kritye

> > pâdau padam na calatas tava pâda-mûlâd

> > yâmah katham vrajam atho karavâma kim vâ

> > cittam - our minds; sukhena - easily; bhavatâ - by You; apahritam - were stolen; griheshu - in our households; yat - which; nirvis'ati - were absorbed; uta - moreover; karau - our hands; api - as well; grihya-kritye - in household work; pâdau - our feet; padam - one step; na calatah - are not moving; tava - Your; pâda-mûlât - away from the feet; yâmah - we shall go; katham - how; vrajam - back to Vraja; atha u - and then; karavâma - we shall do; kim - what; vâ - furthermore.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Until today our minds were absorbed in household affairs, but You easily stole both our minds and our hands away from our housework. Now our feet won't move one step from Your lotus feet. How can we go back to Vraja? What would we do there?

> > ******

> > TEXT 35

> > sin'cânga nas tvad-adharâmrita-pûrakena

> > hâsâvaloka-kala-gîta-ja-hric-chayâgnim

> > no ced vayam virahajâgny-upayukta-dehâ

> > dhyânena yâma padayoh padavîm sakhe te

> > sin'ca - please pour; anga - our dear Krishna; nah - our; tvat - Your; adhara - of the lips; amrita - of the nectar; pûrakena - with the flood; hâsa - smiling; avaloka - by Your glances; kala - melodious; gîta - and the song (of Your flute); ja - generated; hrit-s'aya - situated within our hearts; agnim - the fire; na u cet - if not; vayam - we; viraha - from separation; ja - born; agni - within the fire; upayukta - placing; dehâh - our bodies; dhyânena - by meditation; yâma - we shall go; padayoh - of the feet; padavîm - to the place; sakhe - O friend; te - Your.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dear Krishna, please pour the nectar of Your lips upon the fire within our hearts - a fire You ignited with Your smiling glances and the sweet song of Your flute. If You do not, we will consign our bodies to the fire of separation from You, O friend, and thus like yogîs attain to the abode of Your lotus feet by meditation.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > yarhy ambujâksha tava pâda-talam ramâyâ

> > datta-kshanam kvacid aranya-jana-priyasya

> > asprâkshma tat-prabhriti nânya-samaksham an'jah

> > sthâtums tvayâbhiramitâ bata pârayâmah

> > yarhi - when; ambuja - like lotuses; aksha - O You whose eyes; tava - Your; pâda - of the feet; talam - at the base; ramâyâh - for the goddess of fortune, S'rîmatî Lakshmîdevî; datta - affording; kshanam - a festival; kvacit - sometimes; aranya - who dwell in the forest; jana - the people; priyasya - who hold dear; asprâkshma - we shall touch; tat-prabhriti - from that moment forward; na - never; anya - of any other man; samaksham - in the presence; an'jah - directly; sthâtum - to stand; tvayâ - by You; abhiramitâh - filled with joy; bata - certainly; pârayâmah - will we be able.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O lotus-eyed one, the goddess of fortune considers it a festive occasion whenever she touches the soles of Your lotus feet. You are very dear to the residents of the forest, and therefore we will also touch those lotus feet. From that time on we will be unable even to stand in the presence of any other man, for we will have been fully satisfied by You.

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > s'rîr yat padâmbuja-rajas' cakame tulasyâ

> > labdhvâpi vakshasi padam kila bhritya-jushtham

> > yasyâh sva-vîkshana utânya-sura-prayâsas

> > tadvad vayam ca tava pâda-rajah prapannâh

> > s'rîh - the goddess of fortune, wife of Lord Nârâyana; yat - as; pada-ambuja - of the lotus feet; rajah - the dust; cakame - desired; tulasyâ - together with Tulasî-devî; labdhvâ - having obtained; api - even; vakshasi - upon His chest; padam - her position; kila - indeed; bhritya - by servants; jushtham - served; yasyâh - whose (Lakshmî's); sva - upon themselves; vîkshane - for the sake of the glance; uta - on the other hand; anya - of the other; sura - demigods; prayâsah - the endeavor; tadvat - in the same way; vayam - we; ca - also; tava - Your; pâda - of the feet; rajah - the dust; prapannâh - have approached for shelter.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Goddess Lakshmî, whose glance is sought after by the demigods with great endeavor, has achieved the unique position of always remaining on the chest of her Lord, Nârâyana. Still, she desires the dust of His lotus feet, even though she has to share that dust with Tulasî-devî and indeed with the Lord's many other servants. Similarly, we have approached the dust of Your lotus feet for shelter.

> > ******

> > TEXT 38

> > tan nah prasîda vrijinârdana te 'nghri-mûlam

> > prâptâ visrijya vasatîs tvad-upâsanâs'âh

> > tvat-sundara-smita-nirîkshana-tîvra-kâma

> > taptâtmanâm purusha-bhûshana dehi dâsyam

> > tat - therefore; nah - to us; prasîda - please show Your mercy; vrijina - of all distress; ardana - O vanquisher; te - Your; anghri-mûlam - feet; prâptâh - we have approached; visrijya - renouncing; vasatîh - our homes; tvat-upâsanâ - the worship of You; âs'âh - hoping for; tvat - Your; sundara - beautiful; smita - smiling; nirîkshana - because of the glances; tîvra - intense; kâma - by the lust; tapta - burned; âtmanâm - whose hearts; purusha - of all men; bhûshana - O ornament; dehi - please grant; dâsyam - servitude.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Therefore, O vanquisher of all distress, please show us mercy. To approach Your lotus feet we abandoned our families and homes, and we have no desire other than to serve You. Our hearts are burning with intense desires generated by Your beautiful smiling glances. O jewel among men, please make us Your maidservants.

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > vîkshyâlakâvrita-mukham tava kundala-s'rî

> > ganda-sthalâdhara-sudham hasitâvalokam

> > dattâbhayam ca bhuja-danda-yugam vilokya

> > vakshah s'riyaika-ramanam ca bhavâma dâsyah

> > vîkshya - seeing; alaka - by Your hair; âvrita - covered; mukham - face: tava - Your; kundala - of Your earrings; s'rî - with the beauty; ganda-sthala - having the cheeks; adhara - of Your lips; sudham - and the nectar; hasita - smiling; avalokam - with glances; datta - bestowing; abhayam - fearlessness; ca - and; bhuja- danda - of Your mighty arms; yugam - the pair; vilokya - glancing upon; vakshah - Your chest; s'rî - of the goddess of fortune; eka - the only; ramanam - source of pleasure; ca - and; bhavâma - we must become; dâsyah - Your maidservants.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Seeing Your face encircled by curling locks of hair, Your cheeks beautified by earrings, Your lips full of nectar, and Your smiling glance, and also seeing Your two imposing arms, which take away our fear, and Your chest, which is the only source of pleasure for the goddess of fortune, we must become Your maidservants.

> > ******

> > TEXT 40

> > kâ stry anga te kala-padâyata-venu-gîta-

> > sammohitârya-caritân na calet tri-lokyâm

> > trailokya-saubhagam idam ca nirîkshya rûpam

> > yad go-dvija-druma-mrigâh pulakâny abibhran

> > kâ - which; strî - woman; anga - dear Krishna; te - Your; kala - sweet-sounding; pada - having stanzas; âyata - drawn-out; venu - of Your flute; gîta - by the song; sammohitâ - completely bewildered; ârya - of civilized people; caritât - from the proper behavior; na calet - does not deviate; tri-lokyâm - within the three worlds; trai-lokya - of all the three worlds; saubhagam - the cause of auspiciousness; idam - this; ca - and; nirîkshya - seeing; rûpam - the personal beauty; yat - because of which; go - the cows; dvija - birds; druma - trees; mrigâh - and deer; pulakâni - bodily hair standing on end; abibhran - they bore.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dear Krishna, what woman in all the three worlds wouldn't deviate from religious behavior when bewildered by the sweet, drawn-out melody of Your flute? Your beauty makes all three worlds auspicious. Indeed, even the cows, birds, trees and deer manifest the ecstatic symptom of bodily hair standing on end when they see Your beautiful form.

> > ******

> > TEXT 41

> > vyaktam bhavân vraja-bhayârti-haro 'bhijâto

> > devo yathâdi-purushah sura-loka-goptâ

> > tan no nidhehi kara-pankajam ârta-bandho

> > tapta-staneshu ca s'irahsu ca kinkarînâm

> > vyaktam - obviously; bhavân - You; vraja - of the people of Vraja; bhaya - of the fear; ârti - and distress; harah - as the remover; abhijâtah - have taken birth; devah - the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yathâ - just as; âdi-purushah - the primeval Lord; sura-loka - of the planets of the demigods; goptâ - the protector; tat - therefore; nah - of us; nidhehi - kindly place; kara - Your hand; pankajam - lotuslike; ârta - of the distressed; bandho - O friend; tapta - burning; staneshu - on the breasts; ca - and; s'irahsu - on the heads; ca - also; kinkarînâm - of Your maidservants.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Clearly You have taken birth in this world to relieve the fear and distress of the people of Vraja, just as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the primeval Lord, protects the domain of the demigods. Therefore, O friend of the distressed, kindly place Your lotus hand on Your maidservants' heads and burning breasts.

> > ******

> > TEXT 42

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > iti viklavitam tâsâm

> > s'rutvâ yoges'vares'varah

> > prahasya sa-dayam gopîr

> > âtmârâmo 'py arîramat

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti - in these words; viklavitam - the despondent expressions of; tâsâm - of them; s'rutvâ - having heard; yoga-îs'vara- îs'varah - the Lord of all lords of mystic power; prahasya - laughing; sa- dayam - mercifully; gopîh - the gopîs; âtma ârâmah - self-satisfied; api - even though; arîramat - He satisfied.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Smiling upon hearing these despondent words from the gopîs, Lord Krishna, the supreme master of all masters of mystic yoga, mercifully enjoyed with them, although He is self-satisfied.

> > ******

> > TEXT 43

> > tâbhih sametâbhir udâra-ceshthitah

> > priyekshanotphulla-mukhîbhir acyutah

> > udâra-hâsa-dvija-kunda-dîdhatir

> > vyarocatainânka ivodubhir vritah

> > tâbhih - with them; sametâbhih - who were all joined together; udâra - magnanimous; ceshthitah - He whose activities; priya - affectionate; îkshana - by His glances; utphulla - blossoming; mukhîbhih - whose faces; acyutah - the infallible Lord; udâra - with broad; hâsa - smiles; dvija - of His teeth; kunda - (like) jasmine flowers; dîdhatih - showing the effulgence; vyarocata - He appeared splendid; ena-ankah - the moon, who bears marks resembling a black deer; iva - like; udubhih - by stars; vritah - surrounded.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Among the assembled gopîs, the infallible Lord Krishna appeared just like the moon surrounded by stars. He whose activities are so magnanimous made their faces blossom with His affectionate glances, and His broad smiles revealed the effulgence of His jasmine-bud-like teeth.

> > ******

> > TEXT 44

> > upagîyamâna udgâyan

> > vanitâ-s'ata-yûthapah

> > mâlâm bibhrad vaijayantîm

> > vyacaran mandayan vanam

> > upagîyamânah - being sung about; udgâyan - singing loudly Himself; vanitâ - of women; s'ata - hundreds; yûthapah - the commander; mâIâm - the garland; bibhrat - wearing; vaijayantîm - known as Vaijayantî (which consists of flowers of five different colors); vyacaran - moving about; mandayan - beautifying; vanam - the forest.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As the gopîs sang His praises, that leader of hundreds of women sang loudly in reply. He moved among them, wearing His Vaijayantî garland, beautifying the Vrindâvana forest.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 45 - 46

> > nadyâh pulinam âvis'ya

> > gopîbhir hima-vâlukam

> > jushtham tat-taralânandi

> > kumudâmoda-vâyunâ

> > bâhu-prasâra-parirambha-karâlakoru

> > nîvî-stanâlabhana-narma-nakhâgra-pâtaih

> > kshvelyâvaloka-hasitair vraja-sundarînâm

> > uttambhayan rati-patim ramayâm cakâra

> > nadyâh - of the river; pulinam - the bank; âvis'ya - entering upon; gopîbhih - together with the gopîs; hima - cool; vâlukam - by its sand; jushtham - served; tat - of it; tarala - by the waves; ânandi - made joyful; kumuda - of the lotuses; âmoda - (carrying) the fragrance; vâyunâ - by the wind;

> > bâhu - of His arms; prasâra - with the throwing; parirambha - with embraces; kara - of their hands; alaka - hair; ûru - thighs; nîvî - belts; stana - and breasts; âlabhana - with the touching; narma - in sport; nakha - of fingernails; agra- pâtaih - with the striking; kshvelyâ - with playful conversation; avaloka - glancing; hasitaih - and laughter; vraja-sundarînâm - for the beautiful young girls of Vraja; uttambhayan - inciting; rati-patim - Cupid; ramayâm cakâra - He took pleasure.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Krishna went with the gopîs to the bank of the Yamunâ, where the sand was cooling and the wind, enlivened by the river's waves, bore the fragrance of lotuses. There Krishna threw His arms around the gopîs and embraced them. He aroused Cupid in the beautiful young ladies of Vraja by touching their hands, hair, thighs, belts and breasts, by playfully scratching them with His fingernails, and also by joking with them, glancing at them and laughing with them. In this way the Lord enjoyed His pastimes.

> > ******

> > TEXT 47

> > evam bhagavatah krishnâl

> > labdha-mânâ mahâtmanah

> > âtmânam menire strînâm

> > mâninyo hy adhikam bhuvi

> > evam - in this way; bhagavatah - from the Personality of Godhead; krishnât - Lord Krishna; labdha - receiving; mânâh - special respect; mahâ-âtmanah - from the Supreme Soul; âtmânam - themselves; menire - they considered; strînâm - among all women; mâninyah - becoming proud; hi - indeed; adhikam - the best; bhuvi - on the earth.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The gopîs became proud of themselves for having received such special attention from Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and each of them thought herself the best woman on earth.

> > ******

> > TEXT 48

> > tâsâm tat-saubhaga-madam

> > vîkshya mânam ca kes'avah

> > pras'amâya prasâdâya

> > tatraivântaradhîyata

> > tâsâm - of them; tat - that; saubhaga - due to their good fortune; madam - intoxicated state; vîkshya - observing; mânam - the false pride; ca - and; kes'avah - Lord Krishna; pras'amâya - in order to diminish it; prasâdâya - to show them favor; tatra eva - right there; antaradhîyata - He disappeared.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Kes'ava, seeing the gopîs too proud of their good fortune, wanted to relieve them of this pride and show them further mercy. Thus He immediately disappeared.

> > Back to the running text