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

> > Canto 10: 'Summum Bonum'

> > *******

> > Chapter Three: The Birth of Lord Krishna

> > TEXTS 1-5

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > atha sarva-gunopetah

> > kâlah parama-s'obhanah

> > yarhy evâjana-janmarksham

> > s'ântarksha-graha-târakam

> > dis'ah prasedur gaganam

> > nirmalodu-ganodayam

> > mahî mangala-bhûyisha-

> > pura-grâma-vrajâkarâ

> > nadyah prasanna-salilâ

> > hradâ jalaruha-s'riyah

> > dvijâli-kula-sannâda-

> > stavakâ vana-râjayah

> > vavau vâyuh sukha-spars'ah

> > punya-gandhavahah s'ucih

> > agnayas' ca dvijâtînâm

> > s'ântâs tatra samindhata

> > manâmsy âsan prasannâni

> > sâdhûnâm asura-druhâm

> > jâyamâne 'jane tasmin

> > nedur dundubhayah samam

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca: S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; atha: on the occasion of the Lord's appearance; sarva: all around; guna-upetah: endowed with material attributes or facilities; kâlah: a favorable time; parama-s'obhanah: all-auspicious and very favorable from all points of view; yarhi: when; eva: certainly; ajana janma-riksham: the constellation of stars known as Rohinî; s'ânta-riksha: none of the constellations were fierce (all of them were peaceful); graha-târakam: and the planets and stars like As'vinî;

> > dis'ah: all directions; praseduh: appeared very auspicious and peaceful; gaganam: all of outer space or the sky; nirmala-udu-gana-udayam: in which all the auspicious stars were visible (in the upper strata of the universe); mahî: the earth; mangala-bhûyisha-pura-grâma-vraja-âkarâh: whose many cities, towns, pasturing grounds and mines became auspicious and very neat and clean;

> > nadyah: the rivers; prasanna-salilâh: the waters became clear; hradâh: the lakes or large reservoirs of water; jalaruha-s'riyah: appeared very beautiful because of blooming lotuses all around; dvija-ali-kula-sannâda-stavakâh: the birds, especially the cuckoos, and swarms of bees began to chant in sweet voices, as if praying to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; vana-râjayah: the green trees and plants were also very pleasing to see;

> > vavau: blew; vâyuh: the breeze; sukha-spars'ah: very pleasing to the touch; punya-gandha-vahah: which was full of fragrance; s'ucih: without pollution by dust; agnayah ca: and the fires (at the places of sacrifice); dvijâtînâm: of the brâhmanas; s'ântâh: undisturbed, steady, calm and quiet; tatra: there; samindhata: blazed;

> > manâmsi: the minds of the brâhmanas (who because of Kamsa had always been afraid); âsan: became; prasannâni: fully satisfied and free from disturbances; sâdhûnâm: of the brâhmanas, who were all Vaishnava devotees; asura-druhâm: who had been oppressed by Kamsa and other demons disturbing the discharge of religious rituals; jâyamâne: because of the appearance or birth; ajane: of Lord Vishnu, who is always unborn; tasmin: in that situation; neduh: resounded; dundubhayah: kettledrums; samam: simultaneously (from the upper planets).

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thereafter, at the auspicious time for the appearance of the Lord, the entire universe was surcharged with all the qualities of goodness, beauty and peace. The constellation Rohinî appeared, as did stars like As'vinî. The sun, the moon and the other stars and planets were very peaceful. All directions appeared extremely pleasing, and the beautiful stars twinkled in the cloudless sky. Decorated with towns, villages, mines and pasturing grounds, the earth seemed all-auspicious. The rivers flowed with clear water, and the lakes and vast reservoirs, full of lilies and lotuses, were extraordinarily beautiful. In the trees and green plants, full of flowers and leaves, pleasing to the eyes, birds like cuckoos and swarms of bees began chanting with sweet voices for the sake of the demigods. A pure breeze began to blow, pleasing the sense of touch and bearing the aroma of flowers, and when the brâhmanas engaging in ritualistic ceremonies ignited their fires according to Vedic principles, the fires burned steadily, undisturbed by the breeze. Thus when the birthless Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was about to appear, the saints and brâhmanas, who had always been disturbed by demons like Kamsa and his men, felt peace within the core of their hearts, and kettledrums simultaneously vibrated from the upper planetary system.

> > ******

> > TEXT 6

> > jaguh kinnara-gandharvâs

> > tustuvuh siddha-câranâh

> > vidyâdharyas' ca nanritur

> > apsarobhih samam mudâ

> > jaguh: recited auspicious songs; kinnara-gandharvâh: the Kinnaras and Gandharvas, inhabitants of various planets in the heavenly planetary system; tustuvuh: offered their respective prayers; siddha-câranâh: the Siddhas and Câranas, other inhabitants of the heavenly planets; vidyâdharyah ca: and the Vidyâdharîs, another group of inhabitants of the heavenly planets; nanrituh: danced in transcendental bliss; apsarobhih: the Apsarâs, beautiful dancers in the heavenly kingdom; samam: along with; mudâ: in great jubilation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Kinnaras and Gandharvas began to sing auspicious songs, the Siddhas and Câranas offered auspicious prayers, and the Vidyâdharîs, along with the Apsarâs, began to dance in jubilation.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 7-8

> > mumucur munayo devâh

> > sumanâmsi mudânvitâh

> > mandam mandam jaladharâ

> > jagarjur anusâgaram

> > nis'îthe tama-udbhûte

> > jâyamâne janârdane

> > devakyâm deva-rûpinyâm

> > vishnuh sarva-guhâ-s'ayah

> > âvirâsîd yathâ prâcyâm

> > dis'îndur iva pushkalah

> > mumucuh: showered; munayah: all the great sages and saintly persons; devâh: and the demigods; sumanâmsi: very beautiful and fragrant flowers; mudâ anvitâh: being joyous in their attitude; mandam mandam: very mildly; jala-dharâh: the clouds; jagarjuh: vibrated; anusâgaram: following the vibrations of the sea waves;

> > nis'îthe: late at night; tamah-udbhûte: when it was densely dark; jâyamâne: on the appearance of; janârdane: the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu; devakyâm: in the womb of Devakî; deva-rûpinyâm: who was in the same category as the Supreme Personality of Godhead (ânanda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhâvitâbhih); vishnuh: Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Lord; sarva-guhâ-s'ayah: who is situated in the core of everyone's heart; âvirâsît: appeared; yathâ: as; prâcyâm dis'i: in the east; induh iva: like the full moon; pushkalah: complete in every respect.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The demigods and great saintly persons showered flowers in a joyous mood, and clouds gathered in the sky and very mildly thundered, making sounds like those of the ocean's waves. Then the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu, who is situated in the core of everyone's heart, appeared from the heart of Devakî in the dense darkness of night, like the full moon rising on the eastern horizon, because Devakî was of the same category as S'rî Krishna.

> > ******

> > SB 10.3.9-10

> > TEXTS 9-10

> > tam adbhutam bâlakam ambujekshanam

> > catur-bhujam s'ankha-gadâdy-udâyudham

> > s'rîvatsa-lakshmam gala-s'obhi-kaustubham

> > pîtâmbaram sândra-payoda-saubhagam

> > mahârha-vaidûrya-kirîta-kundala-

> > tvishâ parishvakta-sahasra-kuntalam

> > uddâma-kâncy-angada-kankanâdibhir

> > virocamânam vasudeva aikshata

> > tam: that; adbhutam: wonderful; bâlakam: child; ambuja-îkshanam: with eyes resembling lotuses; catuh-bhujam: with four hands; s'ankha-gadâ-âdi: bearing a conchshell, club, disc and lotus (in those four hands); udâyudham: different weapons; s'rîvatsa-lakshmam: decorated with a particular type of hair called S'rîvatsa, which is visible only on the chest of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; gala-s'obhi-kaustubham: on His neck was the Kaustubha gem, which is particularly available in Vaikunthaloka; pîta-ambaram: His garments were yellow; sândra-payoda-saubhagam: very beautiful, being present with the hue of blackish clouds;

> > mahâ-arha-vaidûrya-kirîta-kundala: of His helmet and earrings, which were studded with very valuable Vaidûrya gems; tvishâ: by the beauty; parishvakta-sahasra-kuntalam: brilliantly illuminated by scattered, fully grown hair; uddâma-kâncî-angada-kankana-âdibhih: with a brilliant belt on His waist, armbands on His arms, bracelets on His wrists, etc.; virocamânam: very beautifully decorated; vasudevah: Vasudeva, the father of Krishna; aikshata: saw.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Vasudeva then saw the newborn child, who had very wonderful lotuslike eyes and who bore in His four hands the four weapons s'ankha, cakra, gadâ and padma. On His chest was the mark of S'rîvatsa and on His neck the brilliant Kaustubha gem. Dressed in yellow, His body blackish like a dense cloud, His scattered hair fully grown, and His helmet and earrings sparkling uncommonly with the valuable gem Vaidûrya, the child, decorated with a brilliant belt, armlets, bangles and other ornaments, appeared very wonderful.

> > ******

> > TEXT 11

> > sa vismayotphulla-vilocano harim

> > sutam vilokyânakadundubhis tadâ

> > krishnâvatârotsava-sambhramo 'spris'an

> > mudâ dvijebhyo 'yutam âpluto gavâm

> > sah: he (Vasudeva, also known as Ânakadundubhi); vismaya-utphulla-vilocanah: his eyes being struck with wonder at the beautiful appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; harim: Lord Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sutam: as his son; vilokya: observing; ânakadundubhih: Vasudeva; tadâ: at that time; krishna-avatâra-utsava: for a festival to be observed because of Krishna's appearance; sambhramah: wishing to welcome the Lord with great respect; aspris'at: took advantage by distributing; mudâ: with great jubilation; dvijebhyah: to the brâhmanas; ayutam: ten thousand; âplutah: overwhelmed, surcharged; gavâm: cows.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When Vasudeva saw his extraordinary son, his eyes were struck with wonder. In transcendental jubilation, he mentally collected ten thousand cows and distributed them among the brâhmanas as a transcendental festival.

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > athainam astaud avadhârya pûrusham

> > param natângah krita-dhîh kritânjalih

> > sva-rocishâ bhârata sûtikâ-griham

> > virocayantam gata-bhîh prabhâva-vit

> > atha: thereafter; enam: to the child; astaut: offered prayers; avadhârya: understanding surely that the child was the Supreme Personality of Godhead; pûrusham: the Supreme Person; param: transcendental; nata-angah: falling down; krita-dhîh: with concentrated attention; krita-anjalih: with folded hands; sva-rocishâ: by the brilliance of His personal beauty; bhârata: O Mahârâja Parîkshit, descendant of Mahârâja Bharata; sûtikâ-griham: the place where the Lord was born; virocayantam: illuminating all around; gata-bhîh: all his fear disappeared; prabhâva-vit: he could now understand the influence (of the Supreme Personality of Godhead).

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Mahârâja Parîkshit, descendant of King Bharata, Vasudeva could understand that this child was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nârâyana. Having concluded this without a doubt, he became fearless. Bowing down with folded hands and concentrating his attention, he began to offer prayers to the child, who illuminated His birthplace by His natural influence.

> > ******

> > TEXT 13

> > s'rî-vasudeva uvâca

> > vidito 'si bhavân sâkshât

> > purushah prakriteh parah

> > kevalânubhavânanda-

> > svarûpah sarva-buddhi-drik

> > s'rî-vasudevah uvâca: S'rî Vasudeva prayed; viditah asi: now I am fully conscious of You; bhavân: Your Lordship; sâkshât: directly; purushah: the Supreme Person; prakriteh: to material nature; parah: transcendental, beyond everything material; kevala-anubhava-ânanda-svarûpah: Your form is sac-cid-ânanda-vigraha [Bs. 5.1], and whoever perceives You becomes transcendentally blissful; sarva-buddhi-drik: the supreme observer, the Supersoul, the intelligence of everyone.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Vasudeva said: My Lord, You are the Supreme Person, beyond material existence, and You are the Supersoul. Your form can be perceived by transcendental knowledge, by which You can be understood as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I now understand Your position perfectly.

> > ******

> > TEXT 14

> > sa eva svaprakrityedam

> > srishtvâgre tri-gunâtmakam

> > tad anu tvam hy apravishtah

> > pravishta iva bhâvyase

> > sah: He (the Supreme Personality of Godhead); eva: indeed; sva-prakrityâ: by Your personal energy (mayâdhyakshena prakritih sûyate sa-carâcaram); idam: this material world; srishtvâ: after creating; agre: in the beginning; tri-guna-âtmakam: made of three modes of energy (sattva-rajas-tamo-guna); tat anu: thereafter; tvam: Your Lordship; hi: indeed; apravishtah: although You did not enter; pravishtah iva: You appear to have entered; bhâvyase: are so understood.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, You are the same person who in the beginning created this material world by His personal external energy. After the creation of this world of three gunas [sattva, rajas and tamas], You appear to have entered it, although in fact You have not.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 15-17

> > yatheme 'vikritâ bhâvâs

> > tathâ te vikritaih saha

> > nânâ-vîryâh prithag-bhûtâ

> > virâjam janayanti hi

> > sannipatya samutpâdya

> > dris'yante 'nugatâ iva

> > prâg eva vidyamânatvân

> > na teshâm iha sambhavah

> > evam bhavân buddhy-anumeya-lakshanair

> > grâhyair gunaih sann api tad-gunâgrahah

> > anâvritatvâd bahir antaram na te

> > sarvasya sarvâtmana âtma-vastunah

> > yathâ: as; ime: these material creations, made of material energy; avikritâh: actually not disintegrated; bhâvâh: with such a conception; tathâ: similarly; te: they; vikritaih saha: association with these different elements coming from the total material energy; nânâ-vîryâh: every element is full of different energies; prithak: separated; bhûtâh: becoming; virâjam: the whole cosmic manifestation; janayanti: create; hi: indeed;

> > sannipatya: because of association with the spiritual energy; samutpâdya: after being created; dris'yante: they appear; anugatâh: entered within it; iva: as if; prâk: from the very beginning, before the creation of this cosmic manifestation; eva: indeed; vidyamânatvât: due to the existence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; na: not; teshâm: of these material elements; iha: in this matter of creation; sambhavah: entering would have been possible;

> > evam: in this way; bhavân: O my Lord; buddhi-anumeya-lakshanaih: by real intelligence and by such symptoms; grâhyaih: with the objects of the senses; gunaih: with the modes of material nature; san api: although in touch; tat-guna-agrahah: are not touched by the material qualities; anâvritatvât: because of being situated everywhere; bahih antaram: within the external and internal; na te: there is no such thing for You; sarvasya: of everything; sarva-âtmanah: You are the root of everything; âtma-vastunah: everything belongs to You, but You are outside and inside of everything.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The mahat-tattva, the total material energy, is undivided, but because of the material modes of nature, it appears to separate into earth, water, fire, air and ether. Because of the living energy [jîva-bhûta], these separated energies combine to make the cosmic manifestation visible, but in fact, before the creation of the cosmos, the total energy is already present. Therefore, the total material energy never actually enters the creation. Similarly, although You are perceived by our senses because of Your presence, You cannot be perceived by the senses, nor experienced by the mind or words [avân-mânasa-gocara]. With our senses we can perceive some things, but not everything; for example, we can use our eyes to see, but not to taste. Consequently, You are beyond perception by the senses. Although in touch with the modes of material nature, You are unaffected by them. You are the prime factor in everything, the all-pervading, undivided Supersoul. For You, therefore, there is no external or internal. You never entered the womb of Devakî; rather, You existed there already.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > ya âtmano dris'ya-guneshu sann iti

> > vyavasyate sva-vyatirekato 'budhah

> > vinânuvâdam na ca tan manîshitam

> > samyag yatas tyaktam upâdadat pumân

> > yah: anyone who; âtmanah: of his own real identity, the soul; dris'ya-guneshu: among the visible objects, beginning with the body; san: being situated in that position; iti: thus; vyavasyate: continues to act; sva-vyatirekatah: as if the body were independent of the soul; abudhah: a rascal; vinâ anuvâdam: without proper analytical study; na: not; ca: also; tat: the body and other visible objects; manîshitam: such considerations having been discussed; samyak: fully; yatah: because he is a fool; tyaktam: are rejected; upâdadat: accepts this body as reality; pumân: a person.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One who considers his visible body, which is a product of the three modes of nature, to be independent of the soul is unaware of the basis of existence, and therefore he is a rascal. Those who are learned have rejected his conclusion because one can understand through full discussion that with no basis in soul, the visible body and senses would be insubstantial. Nonetheless, although his conclusion has been rejected, a foolish person considers it a reality.

> > ******

> > TEXT 19

> > tvatto 'sya janma-sthiti-samyamân vibho

> > vadanty anîhâd agunâd avikriyât

> > tvayîs'vare brahmani no virudhyate

> > tvad-âs'rayatvâd upacaryate gunaih

> > tvattah: are from Your Lordship; asya: of the entire cosmic manifestation; janma: the creation; sthiti: maintenance; samyamân: and annihilation; vibho: O my Lord; vadanti: the learned Vedic scholars conclude; anîhât: who are free from endeavor; agunât: who are unaffected by the modes of material nature; avikriyât: who are unchanging in Your spiritual situation; tvayi: in You; îs'vare: the Supreme Personality of Godhead; brahmani: who are Parabrahman, the Supreme Brahman; no: not; virudhyate: there is a contradiction; tvat-âs'rayatvât: because of being controlled by You; upacaryate: things are going on automatically; gunaih: by the operation of the material modes.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O my Lord, learned Vedic scholars conclude that the creation, maintenance and annihilation of the entire cosmic manifestation are performed by You, who are free from endeavor, unaffected by the modes of material nature, and changeless in Your spiritual situation. There are no contradictions in You, who are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Parabrahman. Because the three modes of material nature: sattva, rajas and tamas: are under Your control, everything takes place automatically.

> > ******

> > TEXT 20

> > sa tvam tri-loka-sthitaye sva-mâyayâ

> > bibharshi s'uklam khalu varnam âtmanah

> > sargâya raktam rajasopabrimhitam

> > krishnam ca varnam tamasâ janâtyaye

> > sah tvam: Your Lordship, who are the same person, the Transcendence; tri-loka-sthitaye: to maintain the three worlds, the upper, middle and lower planetary systems; sva-mâyayâ: by Your personal energy (âtma-mâyayâ); bibharshi: assume; s'uklam: the white form of Vishnu in goodness; khalu: as well as; varnam: color; âtmanah: of the same category as You (vishnu-tattva); sargâya: for the creation of the entire world; raktam: the reddish color of rajo-guna; rajasâ: with the quality of passion; upabrimhitam: being charged; krishnam ca: and the quality of darkness; varnam: the color; tamasâ: which is surrounded by ignorance; jana-atyaye: for the ultimate destruction of the entire creation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, Your form is transcendental to the three material modes, yet for the maintenance of the three worlds, You assume the white color of Vishnu in goodness; for creation, which is surrounded by the quality of passion, You appear reddish; and at the end, when there is a need for annihilation, which is surrounded by ignorance, You appear blackish.

> > ******

> > TEXT 21

> > tvam asya lokasya vibho rirakshishur

> > grihe 'vatîrno 'si mamâkhiles'vara

> > râjanya-samjnâsura-koti-yûthapair

> > nirvyûhyamânâ nihanishyase camûh

> > tvam: Your Lordship; asya: of this world; lokasya: especially of this martya-loka, the planet earth; vibho: O Supreme; rirakshishuh: desiring protection (from the disturbance of the asuras); grihe: in this house; avatîrnah asi: have now appeared; mama: my; akhila-îs'vara: although You are the proprietor of the entire creation; râjanya-samjna-asura-koti-yûtha-paih: with millions of demons and their followers in the roles of politicians and kings; nirvyûhyamânâh: which are moving here and there all over the world; nihanishyase: will kill; camûh: the armies, paraphernalia, soldiers and retinues.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O my Lord, proprietor of all creation, You have now appeared in my house, desiring to protect this world. I am sure that You will kill all the armies that are moving all over the world under the leadership of politicians who are dressed as kshatriya rulers but who are factually demons. They must be killed by You for the protection of the innocent public.

> > ******

> > TEXT 22

> > ayam tv asabhyas tava janma nau grihe

> > s'rutvâgrajâms te nyavadhît sures'vara

> > sa te 'vatâram purushaih samarpitam

> > s'rutvâdhunaivâbhisaraty udâyudhah

> > ayam: this (rascal); tu: but; asabhyah: who is not civilized at all (asura means "uncivilized,n and sura means "civilizedn); tava: of Your Lordship; janma: the birth; nau: our; grihe: into the home; s'rutvâ: after hearing; agrajân te: all the brothers born before You; nyavadhît: killed; sura-îs'vara: O Lord of the suras, the civilized persons; sah: he (that uncivilized Kamsa); te: Your; avatâram: appearance; purushaih: by his lieutenants; samarpitam: being informed of; s'rutvâ: after hearing; adhunâ: now; eva: indeed; abhisarati: will come immediately; udâyudhah: with raised weapons.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O my Lord, Lord of the demigods, after hearing the prophecy that You would take birth in our home and kill him, this uncivilized Kamsa killed so many of Your elder brothers. As soon as he hears from his lieutenants that You have appeared, he will immediately come with weapons to kill You.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > athainam âtmajam vîkshya

> > mahâ-purusha-lakshanam

> > devakî tam upâdhâvat

> > kamsâd bhîtâ suvismitâ

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca: S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; atha: after this offering of prayers by Vasudeva; enam: this Krishna; âtmajam: their son; vîkshya: observing; mahâ-purusha-lakshanam: with all the symptoms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu; devakî: Krishna's mother; tam: unto Him (Krishna); upâdhâvat: offered prayers; kamsât: of Kamsa; bhîtâ: being afraid; su-vismitâ: and also being astonished by seeing such a wonderful child.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued: Thereafter, having seen that her child had all the symptoms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Devakî, who was very much afraid of Kamsa and unusually astonished, began to offer prayers to the Lord.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > s'rî-devaky uvâca

> > rûpam yat tat prâhur avyaktam âdyam

> > brahma jyotir nirgunam nirvikâram

> > sattâ-mâtram nirvis'esham nirîham

> > sa tvam sâkshâd vishnur adhyâtma-dîpah

> > s'rî-devakî uvâca: S'rî Devakî said; rûpam: form or substance; yat tat: because You are the same substance; prâhuh: You are sometimes called; avyaktam: not perceivable by the material senses (atah s'rî-krishna-nâmâdi na bhaved grâhyam indriyaih); âdyam: You are the original cause; brahma: You are known as Brahman; jyotih: light; nirgunam: without material qualities; nirvikâram: without change, the same form of Vishnu perpetually; sattâ-mâtram: the original substance, the cause of everything; nirvis'esham: You are present everywhere as the Supersoul (within the heart of a human being and within the heart of an animal, the same substance is present); nirîham: without material desires; sah: that Supreme Person; tvam: Your Lordship; sâkshât: directly; vishnuh: Lord Vishnu; adhyâtma-dîpah: the light for all transcendental knowledge (knowing You, one knows everything: yasmin vijnâte sarvam evam vijnâtam bhavati).

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Devakî said: My dear Lord, there are different Vedas, some of which describe You as unperceivable through words and the mind. Yet You are the origin of the entire cosmic manifestation. You are Brahman, the greatest of everything, full of effulgence like the sun. You have no material cause, You are free from change and deviation, and You have no material desires. Thus the Vedas say that You are the substance. Therefore, my Lord, You are directly the origin of all Vedic statements, and by understanding You, one gradually understands everything. You are different from the light of Brahman and Paramâtmâ, yet You are not different from them. Everything emanates from You. Indeed, You are the cause of all causes, Lord Vishnu, the light of all transcendental knowledge.

> > ******

> > TEXT 25

> > nashte loke dvi-parârdhâvasâne

> > mahâ-bhûteshv âdi-bhûtam gateshu

> > vyakte 'vyaktam kâla-vegena yâte

> > bhavân ekah s'ishyate 's'esha-samjnah

> > nashte: after the annihilation; loke: of the cosmic manifestation; dvi-parârdha-avasâne: after millions and millions of years (the life of Brahmâ); mahâ-bhûteshu: when the five primary elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether); âdi-bhûtam gateshu: enter within the subtle elements of sense perception; vyakte: when everything manifested; avyaktam: into the unmanifested; kâla-vegena: by the force of time; yâte: enters; bhavân: Your Lordship; ekah: only one; s'ishyate: remains; as'esha-samjnah: the same one with different names.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After millions of years, at the time of cosmic annihilation, when everything, manifested and unmanifested, is annihilated by the force of time, the five gross elements enter into the subtle conception, and the manifested categories enter into the unmanifested substance. At that time, You alone remain, and You are known as Ananta S'esha-nâga.

> > ******

> > TEXT 26

> > yo 'yam kâlas tasya te 'vyakta-bandho

> > ceshtâm âhus' ceshtate yena vis'vam

> > nimeshâdir vatsarânto mahîyâms

> > tam tves'ânam kshema-dhâma prapadye

> > yah: that which; ayam: this; kâlah: time (minutes, hours, seconds); tasya: of Him; te: of You; avyakta-bandho: O my Lord, You are the inaugurator of the unmanifested (the original mahat-tattva or prakriti); ceshtâm: attempt or pastimes; âhuh: it is said; ceshtate: works; yena: by which; vis'vam: the entire creation; nimesha-âdih: beginning with minute parts of time; vatsara-antah: up to the limit of a year; mahîyân: powerful; tam: unto Your Lordship; tvâ îs'ânam: unto You, the supreme controller; kshema-dhâma: the reservoir of all auspiciousness; prapadye: I offer full surrender.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O inaugurator of the material energy, this wonderful creation works under the control of powerful time, which is divided into seconds, minutes, hours and years. This element of time, which extends for many millions of years, is but another form of Lord Vishnu. For Your pastimes, You act as the controller of time, but You are the reservoir of all good fortune. Let me offer my full surrender unto Your Lordship.

> > ******

> > TEXT 27

> > martyo mrityu-vyâla-bhîtah palâyan

> > lokân sarvân nirbhayam nâdhyagacchat

> > tvat pâdâbjam prâpya yadricchayâdya

> > susthah s'ete mrityur asmâd apaiti

> > martyah: the living entities who are sure to die; mrityu-vyâla-bhîtah: afraid of the serpent of death; palâyan: running (as soon as a serpent is seen, everyone runs away, fearing immediate death); lokân: to the different planets; sarvân: all; nirbhayam: fearlessness; na adhyagacchat: do not obtain; tvat-pâda-abjam: of Your lotus feet; prâpya: obtaining the shelter; yadricchayâ: by chance, by the mercy of Your Lordship and Your representative, the spiritual master (guru-kripâ, krishna-kripâ); adya: presently; su-sthah: being undisturbed and mentally composed; s'ete: are sleeping; mrityuh: death; asmât: from those persons; apaiti: flees.

> > TRANSLATION

> > No one in this material world has become free from the four principles birth, death, old age and disease, even by fleeing to various planets. But now that You have appeared, My Lord, death is fleeing in fear of You, and the living entities, having obtained shelter at Your lotus feet by Your mercy, are sleeping in full mental peace.

> > ******

> > TEXT 28

> > sa tvam ghorâd ugrasenâtmajân nas

> > trâhi trastân bhritya-vitrâsa-hâsi

> > rûpam cedam paurusham dhyâna-dhishnyam

> > mâ pratyaksham mâmsa-dris'âm krishîshthâh

> > sah: Your Lordship; tvam: You; ghorât: terribly fierce; ugrasena-âtmajât: from the son of Ugrasena; nah: us; trâhi: kindly protect; trastân: who are very much afraid (of him); bhritya-vitrâsa-hâ asi: You are naturally the destroyer of the fear of Your servants; rûpam: in Your Vishnu form; ca: also; idam: this; paurusham: as the Supreme Personality of Godhead; dhyâna-dhishnyam: who is appreciated by meditation; mâ: not; pratyaksham: directly visible; mâmsa-dris'âm: to those who see with their material eyes; krishîshthâh: please be.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, because You dispel all the fear of Your devotees, I request You to save us and give us protection from the terrible fear of Kamsa. Your form as Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is appreciated by yogîs in meditation. Please make this form invisible to those who see with material eyes.

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > janma te mayy asau pâpo

> > mâ vidyân madhusûdana

> > samudvije bhavad-dhetoh

> > kamsâd aham adhîra-dhîh

> > janma: the birth; te: of Your Lordship; mayi: in my (womb); asau: that Kamsa; pâpah: extremely sinful; mâ vidyât: may be unable to understand; madhusûdana: O Madhusûdana; samudvije: I am full of anxiety; bhavat-hetoh: because of Your appearance; kamsât: because of Kamsa, with whom I have had such bad experience; aham: I; adhîra-dhîh: have become more and more anxious.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Madhusûdana, because of Your appearance, I am becoming more and more anxious in fear of Kamsa. Therefore, please arrange for that sinful Kamsa to be unable to understand that You have taken birth from my womb.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > upasamhara vis'vâtmann

> > ado rûpam alaukikam

> > s'ankha-cakra-gadâ-padma-

> > s'riyâ jushtam catur-bhujam

> > upasamhara: withdraw; vis'vâtman: O all-pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead; adah: that; rûpam: form; alaukikam: which is unnatural in this world; s'ankha-cakra-gadâ-padma: of the conchshell, disc, club and lotus; s'riyâ: with these opulences; jushtam: decorated; catuh-bhujam: four hands.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O my Lord, You are the all-pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Your transcendental four-armed form, holding conchshell, disc, club and lotus, isunnatural for this world. Please withdraw this form [and become just like a natural human child so that I may try to hide You somewhere].

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > vis'vam yad etat sva-tanau nis'ânte

> > yathâvakâs'am purushah paro bhavân

> > bibharti so 'yam mama garbhago 'bhûd

> > aho nri-lokasya vidambanam hi tat

> > vis'vam: the entire cosmic manifestation; yat etat: containing all moving and nonmoving creations; sva-tanau: within Your body; nis'â-ante: at the time of devastation; yathâ-avakâs'am: shelter in Your body without difficulty; purushah: the Supreme Personality of Godhead; parah: transcendental; bhavân: Your Lordship; bibharti: keep; sah: that (Supreme Personality of Godhead); ayam: this form; mama: my; garbha-gah: came within my womb; abhût: it so happened; aho: alas; nri-lokasya: within this material world of living entities; vidambanam: it is impossible to think of; hi: indeed; tat: that (kind of conception).

> > TRANSLATION

> > At the time of devastation, the entire cosmos, containing all created moving and nonmoving entities, enters Your transcendental body and is held there without difficulty. But now this transcendental form has taken birth from my womb. People will not be able to believe this, and I shall become an object of ridicule.

> > ******

> > TEXT 32

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > tvam eva pûrva-sarge 'bhûh

> > pris'nih svâyambhuve sati

> > tadâyam sutapâ nâma

> > prajâpatir akalmashah

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca: the Supreme Personality of Godhead said to Devakî; tvam: you; eva: indeed; pûrva-sarge: in a previous millennium; abhûh: became; pris'nih: by the name Pris'ni; svâyambhuve: the millennium of Svâyambhuva Manu; sati: O supremely chaste; tadâ: at that time; ayam: Vasudeva; sutapâ: Sutapâ; nâma: by the name; prajâpatih: a Prajâpati; akalmashah: a spotlessly pious person.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead replied: My dear mother, best of the chaste, in your previous birth, in the Svâyambhuva millennium, you were known as Pris'ni, and Vasudeva, who was the most pious Prajâpati, was named Sutapâ.

> > ******

> > TEXT 33

> > yuvâm vai brahmanâdisau

> > prajâ-sarge yadâ tatah

> > sanniyamyendriya-grâmam

> > tepâthe paramam tapah

> > yuvâm: both of you (Pris'ni and Sutapâ); vai: indeed; brahmanâ âdisau: ordered by Lord Brahmâ (who is known as Pitâmaha, the father of the Prajâpatis); prajâ-sarge: in the creation of progeny; yadâ: when; tatah: thereafter; sanniyamya: keeping under full control; indriya-grâmam: the senses; tepâthe: underwent; paramam: very great; tapah: austerity.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When both of you were ordered by Lord Brahmâ to create progeny, you first underwent severe austerities by controlling your senses.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 34-35

> > varsha-vâtâtapa-hima-

> > gharma-kâla-gunân anu

> > sahamânau s'vâsa-rodha-

> > vinirdhûta-mano-malau

> > s'îrna-parnânilâhârâv

> > upas'ântena cetasâ

> > mattah kâmân abhîpsantau

> > mad-ârâdhanam îhatuh

> > varsha: the rain; vâta: strong wind; âtapa: strong sunshine; hima: severe cold; gharma: heat; kâla-gunân anu: according to seasonal changes; sahamânau: by enduring; s'vâsa-rodha: by practicing yoga, controlling the breath; vinirdhûta: the dirty things accumulated in the mind were completely washed away; manah-malau: the mind became clean, free from material contamination;

> > s'îrna: rejected, dry; parna: leaves from the trees; anila: and air; âhârau: eating; upas'ântena: peaceful; cetasâ: with a fully controlled mind; mattah: from Me; kâmân abhîpsantau: desiring to beg some benediction; mat: My; ârâdhanam: worship; îhatuh: you both executed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear father and mother, you endured rain, wind, strong sun, scorching heat and severe cold, suffering all sorts of inconvenience according to different seasons. By practicing prânâyâma to control the air within the body through yoga, and by eating only air and dry leaves fallen from the trees, you cleansed from your minds all dirty things. In this way, desiring a benediction from Me, you worshiped Me with peaceful minds.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > evam vâm tapyatos tîvram

> > tapah parama-dushkaram

> > divya-varsha-sahasrâni

> > dvâdas'eyur mad-âtmanoh

> > evam: in this way; vâm: for both of you; tapyatoh: executing austerities; tîvram: very severe; tapah: austerity; parama-dushkaram: extremely difficult to execute; divya-varsha: celestial years, or years counted according to the higher planetary system; sahasrâni: thousand; dvâdas'a: twelve; îyuh: passed; mat-âtmanoh: simply engaged in consciousness of Me.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus you spent twelve thousand celestial years performing difficult activities of tapasya in consciousness of Me [Krishna consciousness].

> > ******

> > TEXTS 37-38

> > tadâ vâm paritushto 'ham

> > amunâ vapushânaghe

> > tapasâ s'raddhayâ nityam

> > bhaktyâ ca hridi bhâvitah

> > prâdurâsam varada-râd

> > yuvayoh kâma-ditsayâ

> > vriyatâm vara ity ukte

> > mâdris'o vâm vritah sutah

> > tadâ: then (after the expiry of twelve thousand celestial years); vâm: with both of you; paritushtah aham: I was very much satisfied; amunâ: by this; vapushâ: in this form as Krishna; anaghe: O My dear sinless mother; tapasâ: by austerity; s'raddhayâ: by faith; nityam: constantly (engaged); bhaktyâ: by devotional service; ca: as well as; hridi: within the core of the heart; bhâvitah: fixed (in determination);

> > prâdurâsam: appeared before you (in the same way); vara-da-rât: the best of all who can bestow benedictions; yuvayoh: of both of you; kâma-ditsayâ: wishing to fulfill the desire; vriyatâm: asked you to open your minds; varah: for a benediction; iti ukte: when you were requested in this way; mâdris'ah: exactly like Me; vâm: of both of you; vritah: was asked; sutah: as Your son (you wanted a son exactly like Me).

> > TRANSLATION

> > O sinless mother Devakî, after the expiry of twelve thousand celestial years, in which you constantly contemplated Me within the core of your heart with great faith, devotion and austerity, I was very much satisfied with you. Since I am the best of all bestowers of benediction, I appeared in this same form as Krishna to ask you to take from Me the benediction you desired. You then expressed your desire to have a son exactly like Me.

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > ajushta-grâmya-vishayâv

> > anapatyau ca dam-patî

> > na vavrâthe 'pavargam me

> > mohitau deva-mâyayâ

> > ajushta-grâmya-vishayau: for sex life and to beget a child like Me; anapatyau: because of possessing no son; ca: also; dam-patî: both husband and wife; na: never; vavrâthe: asked for (any other benediction); apavargam: liberation from this world; me: from Me; mohitau: being so much attracted; deva-mâyayâ: by transcendental love for Me (desiring Me as your beloved son).

> > TRANSLATION

> > Being husband and wife but always sonless, you were attracted by sexual desires, for by the influence of devamâyâ, transcendental love, you wanted to have Me as your son. Therefore you never desired to be liberated from this material world.

> > ******

> > TEXT 40

> > gate mayi yuvâm labdhvâ

> > varam mat-sadris'am sutam

> > grâmyân bhogân abhunjâthâm

> > yuvâm prâpta-manorathau

> > gate mayi: after My departure; yuvâm: both of you husband and wife); labdhvâ: after receiving; varam: the benediction of (having a son); mat-sadris'am: exactly like Me; sutam: a son; grâmyân bhogân: engagement in sex; abhunjâthâm: enjoyed; yuvâm: both of you; prâpta: having been achieved; manorathau: the desired result of your aspirations.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After you received that benediction and I disappeared, you engaged yourselves in sex to have a son like Me, and I fulfilled your desire.

> > ******

> > TEXT 41

> > adrishtvânyatamam loke

> > s'îlaudârya-gunaih samam

> > aham suto vâm abhavam

> > pris'nigarbha iti s'rutah

> > adrishtvâ: not finding; anyatamam: anyone else; loke: in this world; s'îla-audârya-gunaih: with the transcendental qualities of good character and magnanimity; samam: equal to you; aham: I; sutah: the son; vâm: of both of you; abhavam: became; pris'ni-garbhah: celebrated as born of Pris'ni; iti: thus; s'rutah: I am known.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Since I found no one else as highly elevated as you in simplicity and other qualities of good character, I appeared in this world as Pris'nigarbha, or one who is celebrated as having taken birth from Pris'ni.

> > ******

> > TEXT 42

> > tayor vâm punar evâham

> > adityâm âsa kas'yapât

> > upendra iti vikhyâto

> > vâmanatvâc ca vâmanah

> > tayoh: of you two, husband and wife; vâm: in both of you; punah eva: even again; aham: I Myself; adityâm: in the womb of Aditi; âsa: appeared; kas'yapât: by the semen of Kas'yapa Muni; upendrah: by the name Upendra; iti: thus; vikhyâtah: celebrated; vâmanatvât ca: and because of being a dwarf; vâmanah: I was known as Vâmana.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the next millennium, I again appeared from the two of you, who appeared as My mother, Aditi, and My father, Kas'yapa. I was known as Upendra, and because of being a dwarf, I was also known as Vâmana.

> > ******

> > TEXT 43

> > tritîye 'smin bhave 'ham vai

> > tenaiva vapushâtha vâm

> > jâto bhûyas tayor eva

> > satyam me vyâhritam sati

> > tritîye: for the third time; asmin bhave: in this appearance (as Krishna); aham: I Myself; vai: indeed; tena: with the same personality; eva: in this way; vapushâ: by the form; atha: as; vâm: of both of you; jâtah: born; bhûyah: again; tayoh: of both of you; eva: indeed; satyam: take as truth; me: My; vyâhritam: words; sati: O supremely chaste.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O supremely chaste mother, I, the same personality, have now appeared of you both as your son for the third time. Take My words as the truth.

> > ******

> > TEXT 44

> > etad vâm dars'itam rûpam

> > prâg-janma-smaranâya me

> > nânyathâ mad-bhavam jnânam

> > martya-lingena jâyate

> > etat: this form of Vishnu; vâm: unto both of you; dars'itam: has been shown; rûpam: My form as the Supreme Personality of Godhead with four hands; prâk-janma: of My previous appearances; smaranâya: just to remind you; me: My; na: not; anyathâ: otherwise; mat-bhavam: Vishnu's appearance; jnânam: this transcendental knowledge; martya-lingena: by taking birth like a human child; jâyate: does arise.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I have shown you this form of Vishnu just to remind you of My previous births. Otherwise, if I appeared like an ordinary human child, you would not believe that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu, has indeed appeared.

> > ******

> > TEXT 45

> > yuvâm mâm putra-bhâvena

> > brahma-bhâvena câsakrit

> > cintayantau krita-snehau

> > yâsyethe mad-gatim parâm

> > yuvâm: both of you (husband and wife); mâm: unto Me; putra-bhâvena: as your son; brahma-bhâvena: knowing that I am the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ca: and; asakrit: constantly; cintayantau: thinking like that; krita-snehau: dealing with love and affection; yâsyethe: shall both obtain; mat-gatim: My supreme abode; parâm: which is transcendental, beyond this material world.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Both of you, husband and wife, constantly think of Me as your son, but always know that I am the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By thus thinking of Me constantly with love and affection, you will achieve the highest perfection: returning home, back to Godhead.

> > ******

> > TEXT 46

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > ity uktvâsîd dharis tûshnîm

> > bhagavân âtma-mâyayâ

> > pitroh sampas'yatoh sadyo

> > babhûva prâkritah s'is'uh

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca: S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti uktvâ: after instructing in this way; âsît: remained; harih: the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tûshnîm: silent; bhagavân: Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; âtma-mâyayâ: by acting in His own spiritual energy; pitroh sampas'yatoh: while His father and mother were factually seeing Him; sadyah: immediately; babhûva: He became; prâkritah: like an ordinary human being; s'is'uh: a child.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: After thus instructing His father and mother, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, remained silent. In their presence, by His internal energy, He then transformed Himself into a small human child. [In other words, He transformed Himself into His original form: krishnas tu bhagavân svayam.]

> > ******

> > TEXT 47

> > tatas' ca s'aurir bhagavat-pracoditah

> > sutam samâdâya sa sûtikâ-grihât

> > yadâ bahir gantum iyesha tarhy ajâ

> > yâ yogamâyâjani nanda-jâyayâ

> > tatah: thereafter; ca: indeed; s'aurih: Vasudeva; bhagavat-pracoditah: being instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sutam: his son; samâdâya: carrying very carefully; sah: he; sûtikâ-grihât: from the maternity room; yadâ: when; bahih gantum: to go outside; iyesha: desired; tarhi: exactly at that time; ajâ: the transcendental energy, who also never takes birth; yâ: who; yogamâyâ: is known as Yogamâyâ; ajani: took birth; nanda-jâyayâ: from the wife of Nanda Mahârâja.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thereafter, exactly when Vasudeva, being inspired by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was about to take the newborn child from the delivery room, Yogamâyâ, the Lord's spiritual energy, took birth as the daughter of the wife of Mahârâja Nanda.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 48-49

> > tayâ hrita-pratyaya-sarva-vrittishu

> > dvâh-stheshu paureshv api s'âyiteshv atha

> > dvâras' ca sarvâh pihitâ duratyayâ

> > brihat-kapâtâyasa-kîla-s'rinkhalaih

> > tâh krishna-vâhe vasudeva âgate

> > svayam vyavaryanta yathâ tamo raveh

> > vavarsha parjanya upâms'u-garjitah

> > s'esho 'nvagâd vâri nivârayan phanaih

> > tayâ: by the influence of Yogamâyâ; hrita-pratyaya: deprived of all sensation; sarva-vrittishu: having all their senses; dvâh-stheshu: all the doormen; paureshu api: as well as other members of the house; s'âyiteshu: sleeping very deeply; atha: when Vasudeva tried to take his transcendental son out of the confinement; dvârah ca: as well as the doors; sarvâh: all; pihitâh: constructed; duratyayâ: very hard and firm; brihat-kapâta: and on great doors; âyasa-kîla-s'rinkhalaih: strongly constructed with iron pins and closed with iron chains;

> > tâh: all of them; krishna-vâhe: bearing Krishna; vasudeve: when Vasudeva; âgate: appeared; svayam: automatically; vyavaryanta: opened wide; yathâ: as; tamah: darkness; raveh: on the appearance of the sun; vavarsha: showered rain; parjanyah: the clouds in the sky; upâms'u-garjitah: very mildly resounding and raining very slightly; s'eshah: Ananta-nâga; anvagât: followed; vâri: showers of rain; nivârayan: stopping; phanaih: by spreading His hoods.

> > TRANSLATION

> > By the influence of Yogamâyâ, all the doorkeepers fell fast asleep, their senses unable to work, and the other inhabitants of the house also fell deeply asleep. When the sun rises, the darkness automatically disappears; similarly, when Vasudeva appeared, the closed doors, which were strongly pinned with iron and locked with iron chains, opened automatically. Since the clouds in the sky were mildly thundering and showering, Ananta-nâga, an expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, followed Vasudeva, beginning from the door, with hoods expanded to protect Vasudeva and the transcendental child.

> > ******

> > TEXT 50

> > maghoni varshaty asakrid yamânujâ

> > gambhîra-toyaugha-javormi-phenilâ

> > bhayânakâvarta-s'atâkulâ nadî

> > mârgam dadau sindhur iva s'riyah pateh

> > maghoni varshati: because of Lord Indra's showering rain; asakrit: constantly; yama-anujâ: the River Yamunâ, who is considered the younger sister of Yamarâja; gambhîra-toya-ogha: of the very deep water; java: by the force; ûrmi: by the waves; phenilâ: full of foam; bhayânaka: fierce; âvarta-s'ata: by the whirling waves; âkulâ: agitated; nadî: the river; mârgam: way; dadau: gave; sindhuh iva: like the ocean; s'riyah pateh: unto Lord Râmacandra, the husband of the goddess Sîtâ.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Because of constant rain sent by the demigod Indra, the River Yamunâ was filled with deep water, foaming about with fiercely whirling waves. But as the great Indian Ocean had formerly given way to Lord Râmacandra by allowing Him to construct a bridge, the River Yamunâ gave way to Vasudeva and allowed him to cross.

> > ******

> > TEXT 51

> > nanda-vrajam s'aurir upetya tatra tân

> > gopân prasuptân upalabhya nidrayâ

> > sutam yas'odâ-s'ayane nidhâya tat-

> > sutâm upâdâya punar grihân agât

> > nanda-vrajam: the village or the house of Nanda Mahârâja; s'aurih: Vasudeva; upetya: reaching; tatra: there; tân: all the members; gopân: the cowherd men; prasuptân: were fast asleep; upalabhya: understanding that; nidrayâ: in deep sleep; sutam: the son (Vasudeva's son); yas'odâ-s'ayane: on the bed where mother Yas'odâ was sleeping; nidhâya: placing; tat-sutâm: her daughter; upâdâya: picking up; punah: again; grihân: to his own house; agât: returned.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When Vasudeva reached the house of Nanda Mahârâja, he saw that all the cowherd men were fast asleep. Thus he placed his own son on the bed of Yas'odâ, picked up her daughter, an expansion of Yogamâyâ, and then returned to his residence, the prison house of Kamsa.

> > ******

> > TEXT 52

> > devakyâh s'ayane nyasya

> > vasudevo 'tha dârikâm

> > pratimucya pador loham

> > âste pûrvavad âvritah

> > devakyâh: of Devakî; s'ayane: on the bed; nyasya: placing; vasudevah: Vasudeva; atha: thus; dârikâm: the female child; pratimucya: binding himself again; padoh loham: iron shackles on the two legs; âste: remained; pûrva-vat: like before; âvritah: bound.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Vasudeva placed the female child on the bed of Devakî, bound his legs with the iron shackles, and thus remained there as before.

> > ******

> > TEXT 53

> > yas'odâ nanda-patnî ca

> > jâtam param abudhyata

> > na tal-lingam paris'rântâ

> > nidrayâpagata-smritih

> > yas'odâ: Yas'odâ, Krishna's mother in Gokula; nanda-patnî: the wife of Nanda Mahârâja; ca: also; jâtam: a child was born; param: the Supreme Person; abudhyata: could understand; na: not; tat-lingam: whether the child was male or female; paris'rântâ: because of too much labor; nidrayâ: when overwhelmed with sleep; apagata-smritih: having lost consciousness.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Exhausted by the labor of childbirth, Yas'odâ was overwhelmed with sleep and unable to understand what kind of child had been born to her.

> > Back to the running text